Three Individuals Convicted in $93 Million Home Health Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme A federal jury in Miami convicted a Florida man and woman today for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare by billing over $93 million for home health therapy services that were never rendered. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Karel Felipe, 42, of Miami Shores, and Tamara Quicutis, 54, of Hialeah, conspired with others to submit false bills to Medicare for three home health companies located in Michigan. Their co-conspirators recruited individuals from Cuba to sign Medicare enrollment documents and appear as the owners of the home health agencies to conceal the identities of Felipe, Quicutis, and others involved in the scheme. Felipe, Quicutis, and their co-conspirators used these home health companies to submit claims for services that were not rendered using lists of stolen patient identities. Felipe, Quicutis, and their co-conspirators used hundreds of shell companies and bank accounts to launder the Medicare fraud proceeds and convert the proceeds into cash at Miami-area ATMs and check cashing stores. After the trial commenced, a third defendant, Jesus Trujillo, 52, of Miami, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiring to commit money laundering. Trujillo oversaw a group of people that recruited nominee owners for home health agencies and shell companies and converted Medicare fraud proceeds into cash. The jury convicted Felipe and Quicutis of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. They are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 4, 2024, and they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each conspiracy charge. Trujillo is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 21 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Omar Perez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office made the announcement. The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Jamie de Boer, D. Keith Clouser, and Emily Gurskis of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Charest-Turken for the Southern District of Florida is handling asset forfeiture. The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Divisions efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 25 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit. This story has been published on: 2023-10-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Feature: Pakistani journalists impressed by China's economic development on recent visit 15:56, October 03, 2023 By Misbah Saba Malik, Wang Kai ( Xinhua ISLAMABAD/QINGDAO, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Akbar Notezai, a journalist from the capital city Quetta of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province was "pleasantly shocked" after witnessing the development of Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province during a recent visit. "Before embarking on my trip to China, I conducted some research on Qingdao Port, and I knew that it is one of the largest comprehensive ports in the world. But the development I saw there was beyond my imagination," Notezai told Xinhua. Notezai was part of a 10-member delegation of Pakistani journalists primarily hailing from Balochistan, who recently returned to Pakistan after a 10-day trip to China. During their visit, Notezai found the Chinese people exceptionally hospitable and witnessed the warmth of friendship in their eyes towards the Pakistani people. He expressed the hope that the people of the two countries will have a closer interaction to further strengthen the Pakistan-China friendship. Many members of the delegation visited China for the first time and witnessed the impressive infrastructure projects, experienced traveling in high-speed railway, and saw thriving technology sectors that have propelled China's economic growth. Behram Baloch, a journalist from Balochistan's Gwadar district, said the visit boosted their confidence and filled them with hope as they witnessed China's exceptional capability to construct state-of-the-art infrastructure and successfully operate it. "I hope that Gwadar port, being developed by the Chinese friends, will play a great role in Balochistan's development and contribute significantly to its economic growth in the same way as Qingdao Port did," he added. All the development projects that were built by the Chinese in Gwadar so far, including the Gwadar port, vocational training institute, New Gwadar International Airport, and Gwadar Port's Free Zone, are great opportunities for Pakistan to benefit from them, he added. The Pakistan journalist said during his trip he felt that if university students from Balochistan get the opportunity to visit China or study there, it will prove to be very beneficial for them and for Pakistan. "Sending university students to China can be an incredibly enriching experience, offering them a unique opportunity to learn and broaden their horizons in various ways," Baloch said. China's rich history, diverse culture, and rapid economic development provide a multifaceted backdrop for educational trips, he added. The delegation said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a great hope for Pakistan, and after visiting China and seeing the technological and infrastructural excellence of the country with their very eyes, they believe it will be a game changer for Pakistan. Launched in 2013, the CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is a corridor linking Pakistan's Gwadar port with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, highlighting energy, transport and industrial cooperation. Talking to Xinhua, Furqan Rao, an Islamabad-based journalist who led the delegation to China, said the CPEC is making substantial contributions to Pakistan's infrastructural development and helping Pakistan overcome its energy crisis. "CPEC played a vital role in providing Pakistan with a modern transportation network, energy solutions, and industrial infrastructure, which are boosting trade, creating jobs, and improving the overall socio-economic life for the people of Pakistan," he said. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Sheng Chuyi) Hakob Arshakyan: There is one original military map but Armenia, Azerbaijan have access to it Noubar Afeyan: Arresting, charging Ruben Vardanyan is psychological pressure on worlds 10 million Armenians Greece sends humanitarian aid for Armenians displaced from Karabakh Armenia National Security Service exposes terrorism preparation Zakharova: Armenia leadership is purposefully destroying allied relations with Russia Azerbaijan announces capture of elderly Armenian man Russia MFA spox accuses some Armenia media of Russophobia and nationalism Maria Zakharova: Moscow stands ready to host Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs meeting in near future Bidens new possible nominee for US Deputy Secretary of State was educated in Soviet Armenia Turkey presidential lawyer joins Hrant Dink murder trial PM: Unit within National Security Service is set up that will ensure security of communications via Armenia EU monitoring mission in Armenia announces full activity by opening headquarters in Yeghegnadzor city Pope Francis says he loves the sea but hasn't been there in almost 50 years Pashinyan: Quite a large flow of forcibly displaced people from Karabakh are applying for Armenia citizenship Leapmotor to become Stellantis' 15th brand Armenia delegate: Russian natural gas being sold to Europe via Azerbaijan pipeline should not prevail over democracy Newspaper: Karabakh MPs holding closed discussions in Armenia US State Department: Any violation of Armenia sovereignty, territorial integrity will bring serious consequences James Webb telescope manages to measure exoplanet temperature Belgium allows owners to be buried alongside their pets Azerbaijan, Pakistan are developing military cooperation Armenia official: Our goal is to get license to operate the nuclear plant until 2036 Economy minister proposes China companies to be engaged in Armenia industrial parks, dry port projects Proposals being submitted to EU delegation regarding support for forcibly displaced Armenians from Karabakh discussed Armenia ombudsperson sends petitions to relevant agencies regarding Karabakh ex-defense minister Levon Mnatsakanyan Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem cancels controversial deal related to Cows' Garden estate Germany FM to visit Armenia, Azerbaijan Vahan Kerobyan, Alkis Vryenios Drakinos discuss projects being implemented by EBRD in Armenia (PHOTOS) Head of EU civilian mission in Armenia briefs President on details about their monitoring Dollar, euro fall in Armenia Armenia Anti-Corruption Committee chief: We have solved March 1, 2008 case Armenia deputy PM, Japan envoy discuss opportunities for development of bilateral trade, economic relations Karabakh parliament speaker imprisoned by Azerbaijan contacts relatives twice from Baku Samkharadze: Georgia wants to become regional leader by contributing to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations normalization Yerevan received, responded to Russia proposals on process of Armenia ratification of Rome Statute, MFA says Border with Azerbaijan is calm, there is no tension, head of EU monitoring mission in Armenia says in Yeghegnadzor Karabakh president negotiated with Azerbaijan special services? EU monitoring mission in Armenia opens headquarters in Yeghegnadzor Holding Snoop Dogg concert in Armenia is vital, PMs office says Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention issues Red Flag Alert for Azerbaijan in Armenia Armenia, Romania MFAs hold political consultations in Bucharest World Bank: Economic activity growth increases, insignificant inflation recorded, exports drop in Armenia Armenia, Iran sign memorandum of understanding on strengthening cooperation, workforce exchange Alexander Spendiaryan 152nd birth anniversary events kicking off in Yerevan Blinken mentions Armenia during US Senate hearing Newspaper: Armenia PM announces cancellation of point 9 of November 2020 trilateral statement Karabakh president receives French, Italian members of European Parliament Russian peacekeepers continue to remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia MoD says Red Cross helps elderly people left in Karabakh to relocate to Armenia (VIDEO) Central Bank chief: Armenia residents deposits increased by about 25% EBRD regional director to Armenia finance minister: We are ready to assist those displaced from Karabakh Armenia labor, social affairs minister attends Armenian-Iranian forum in Tehran European Union increases humanitarian funding to Armenia by about 1.7M Dollar, euro go up in Armenia Armenia PM, Poland envoy address humanitarian situation of forcibly displaced people from Karabakh Ardshinbank has been recognized as the "Best Corporate" and "Best ESG Bank" in Armenia by Euromoney magazine Turkey border bridge renovation, furnishing underway, Armenia official says Armenia official: Enclaves issue will be clarified when peace treaty with Azerbaijan is signed Armenia official: Positive thing about North-South project is that we entered construction phase in some sections Ethnic cleansing in Karabakh received pin-drop silence by American media, US presidential nominee says Armenia economy minister: Trade relations with Russia are very important to us Armenia official: We have certain idea about construction of railway in Meghri sector, we are waiting 74 films to be screened in Armenia during 19th Rolan International Film Festival for Children and Youth Yeraskh steel plant project being implemented, it is being moved, it will be nearby, Armenia economy minister says Azerbaijan pledges guarantees to Karabakh Armenians after its blockade, genocide Karabakh ombudsman: Who needs forums, lengthy speeches if international community fails to prevent genocides? Maestro Sergey Smbatyan: Process that could have had only one outcome is resolved Legislature vice-speaker complains about reduction of programs in Armenia IT sector UNICEF Armenia: Next batch of humanitarian aid sent to Syunik Province Central Bank of Armenia reduces refinancing rate by 0.25 points, sets it at 9.5% Martin Schuepp: Red Cross is helping people left in Karabakh Finance minister: Armenia economic growth potential currently estimated at 5.5% Armenia official: The money we were allocating to Karabakh should be enough to fund all programs Parliament deputy speaker: Armenia has no contender in high tech Newspaper: Karabakh army handed over ammunition not to Azerbaijan, but to Russian side Canada ambassador about sanctions on Azerbaijan: There is also dispute within Armenia regarding them Audi Q6 e-tron launch delayed until at least Spring 2024 Armenia Investigative Committee official: 8 of 16 persons captured by Azerbaijan are Karabakh leadership members 4.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Turkey 14 individuals were tortured, and 64 died on the move from Nagorno Karabakh. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Council of Europe to prepare package of measures in response to refugee influx in Armenia Mher Grigoryan and EU Ambassador exchanged ideas on regional developments Minister of Defence had a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of PRC Yeremyan Projects has launched the regional first livestock complex in Tashir community Rights of Karabakhs imprisoned former leadership are protected, Azerbaijan ombudsperson claims Finance ministry: Armenia economic growth target will be maintained at 7% level in 2024 Elnur Mammadov: Most points in peace treaty have been agreed upon by Azerbaijan, Armenia Statement: Alma-Ata Declaration has no mention of former union republics of ex-USSR Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia Armenia defense sector capital spending planned in amount of around $1.4 billion in 2024 Lawyer: Maestro Sergey Smbatyan is acquitted Premier: Armenia defense spending planned to be increased by 125% in 2024 compared to 2018 Armenia, Ukraine officials underscore Pashinyan-Zelenskyy first meeting ReA15: 300 animation films, 30 guests from 40 countries, around 500 audience; Armenia international festival summed up Russias Makhachkala airport resumes operations Armenia's Pashinyan: There is serious progress in North-South motorway construction Around 12kg narcotics attempted to be smuggled into Armenia from Iran Armenia finance minister: Considerable part of 2.6 billion to be provided by EU is loan Armenia official: We will not increase pensions, minimum wages in 2024 Armenia finance minister: National debt of more than $10 billion is safe The legal status of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh was based solely on the November 2020 statement. No peacekeeper status ever emerged, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a plenary meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club. After the well-known events and the collapse of the USSR, we know that an ethnic conflict arose, clashes began between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, they began in Sumgait, then spread to Karabakh. This led to the fact that Armenia, not Karabakh, but Armenia took control of Karabakh and seven adjacent regions ... Seven regions of Azerbaijan. This, in my opinion, is almost 20% of the territory of Azerbaijan. All this went on for many decades. I must say, and I will not reveal any secret here, many times over the past 15 years we have offered our Armenian friends to make compromises: to return the five regions around Karabakh to Azerbaijan, to keep two for themselves and thus maintain the territorial connection between Armenia and Karabakh. But our Karabakh friends told us time after time: No, this will create certain threats for us. We, in turn, told them, Azerbaijan is growing, the economy is developing, it is an oil and gas producing country, there are over 10 million people, lets compare the potentials... While there is such an opportunity, we need to find this compromise. For our part, we will carry out this decision within the framework of the UN Security Council, we will guarantee the security of this naturally emerging Lachin corridor between Armenia and Karabakh, and we will guarantee the security of the Armenians living in this territory. But no, they told us: No, we cannot agree to this, and what will you do: We will fight. Things eventually came to armed clashes in 2020. Then, I also suggested it to our friends and colleagues. By the way, President Aliyev will probably not be offended by me, but at some point an agreement was reached that the Azerbaijani troops would stop. To be honest, I thought the issue was resolved. I called Yerevan and suddenly heard: No, let them leave that insignificant part of Karabakh where the Azerbaijani troops have reached... I said, well, what will you do, again the same phrase: We will fight... Well, listen, now in a few days, they will go to the rear to your fortifications in the Agdam area and everything will be over. Do you understand? Yes. And what will you do? We will fight. OK Well, everything turned out the way it did. In the end, we nevertheless agreed with Azerbaijan that after reaching the Shushi line and Shushi itself, hostilities would be stopped. A corresponding statement was signed in November 2020 on the suspension of hostilities and the deployment of our peacekeepers. And here is the next very important point: the legal status of our peacekeepers was based solely on this statement. No peacekeeper status ever emerged. I won't say why. Azerbaijan believed that this was not necessary, but signing without Azerbaijan was pointless. Therefore, I repeat, the entire status of the peacekeepers was based solely on this statement. And the rights of the peacekeepers consisted only in monitoring compliance with the ceasefire. All. The peacekeepers had no other rights there. This precarious state lasted for some time, he noted. The latest events in Nagorno-Karabakh became an inevitable consequence of the meetings in Prague and Brussels. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, adding that Armenia officially recognized Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan and Russia could not do anything in about it. In Prague in the fall of 2022, under the auspices of the head of the European Council Charles Michel, with the participation of the President of France and the Chancellor of Germany, gathered the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. And there they signed a statement, do you understand? ... A statement from which it follows that Armenia recognizes Karabakh as part of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Moreover, the leaders of Armenia directly named the territory of Azerbaijan in square kilometers, which certainly includes Karabakh, and emphasized that they recognize the sovereignty of Azerbaijan within the framework of the Azerbaijan SSR, which at one time was part of the USSR. And as you know, Karabakh was also part of the Azerbaijan SSR. That is, in essence, the main, absolutely key issue about the status of Karabakh was resolved. When Karabakh declared its independence, no one recognized this independence, not even Armenia. Which, frankly, is strange to me. However, this was the decision; they did not recognize the independence of Karabakh. But here in Prague they recognized that Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan. And then at the beginning of 2023 they repeated the same thing a second time at a similar meeting in Brussels... By the way, no one told us about this. I personally learned about this from the press. Azerbaijan has always considered Karabakh part of its territory. But by defining the status of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, Armenia made qualitative changes in its position. After this, at one of the meetings, President Aliyev came up to me and said: You see, everyone recognized that Karabakh is ours. Your peacekeepers are there on our territory...You see, even the status of our peacekeepers has undergone qualitative changes after the status of Karabakh was determined as part of Azerbaijan. He (Aliyev ed.) says, your military is on our territory, lets decide on a bilateral basis. Well, Prime Minister Pashinyan confirmed: Yes, you now need to negotiate on a bilateral basis. That is, Karabakh is gone. You can say whatever you want about the status of Karabakh. But this was the key question of the status of Karabakh, everything revolved around this for decades: how, when, who will determine its status. All! Armenia decided it Karabakh officially became part of Azerbaijan. This is the position of the modern Armenian state. Well, what should we do?... Everything that happened in the recent past, and the blocking of the Lachin corridor, etc. All this was inevitable after the recognition of Azerbaijans sovereignty over Karabakh. It was a matter of time - when and in what way Azerbaijan would establish constitutional order there within the framework of its constitution. Well, what can we say? How else to react to this? Armenia recognized, but what should we do, say no, we dont recognize? Well, this is nonsense... I wont tell you now, I think it would be incorrect to report the subtleties of our discussions, but what happened in recent days and weeks was an inevitable consequence of what was done in Prague and Brussels. Therefore, Mr. Michel and his colleagues should have thought then, when, apparently, I dont know exactly, they persuaded the Prime Minister of Armenia to take such a step... they should have all thought together about the fate of the Armenians of Karabakh, they should have, well, at least something write down what awaits them in this situation, some kind of procedure for the integration of Karabakh into Azerbaijan, some kind of procedure for ensuring security and respect for their rights... But there is nothing of this there. There is only a statement that Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. All! And what should we do if Armenia itself has decided so? Putin noted. Armenia remains our ally and we are ready to discuss and will discuss humanitarian issues and provide support and assistance, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club. According to him, Russia used all legal possibilities to provide a humanitarian component in connection with the situation in Karabakh. As you know, our people died there, our peacekeepers, protecting the residents of Karabakh, covering them with themselves. We provided humanitarian aid, medical assistance, ensured their exit... Everyone came to the center of our peacekeepers, under their protection. Thousands gathered there...They came there. Women and children mostly...," he said. He noted that Russia is ready to assist Armenians who left Nagorno-Karabakh. We are ready to provide assistance. Armenia does not cease to be our ally. We are ready and will discuss humanitarian issues and provide support and assistance to these people. If we return to our European so-called colleagues, let them at least now send humanitarian aid to support these unfortunate people who left their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh. It seems to me that they will do this. In general, we need to think about their fate in the long term... noted the Russian President. Israel's defense connection with Azerbaijan is believed to have contributed to Baku's capabilities, Seth J. Frantzman writes in Jerusalem Post. The article if provided below. Israel and Azerbaijan are strategic partners and have close relations. Over the last decades, these ties have increased. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen made an important visit to Azerbaijan in April and stressed the strategic relations between Israel and Azerbaijan which are multi-layered and involve security, energy, trade, and tourism. Now those ties are in the spotlight because of the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh where most of the Armenian population has now fled after a brief day of fighting between Armenian forces and Bakus far superior military. While Israel's defense technology played a key role in Bakus overall victory in several rounds of fighting in the last years, the larger story is how Russia and the West let this conflict take place. There are questions about whether Israels defense ties and arms sales to Baku were linked to the conflict or somehow fueled it and increased Bakus capabilities. Its important here to take a step back and understand the broader context and history. The Soviet Union created the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh by creating a patchwork of borders and areas in the Caucasus where a mosaic of groups live, including many minorities that live within the borders of other countries. In the 1990s, when the Soviet Union fell apart, this unleashed wars in many places and left simmering conflicts, whether in Chechnya, Georgia, or between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia had the upper hand in the 1990s when it was backed by Russia. It had inherited a traditional Soviet military infrastructure, with lots of tanks, artillery and heavy conventional weapons. Azerbaijan, by contrast, sought to improve its military with modern weapons acquired through procurement that was fueled by its booming economy, based partly on energy trade and other resources. Baku has a close alliance with Ankara and Turkey under the AKP party led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sought to strengthen Bakus hand. Israeli weapons tied to Azerbaijan Israeli defense companies have a played a role in Azerbaijans modernization of its armed forces. This has caused controversy in the past. In 2018 Radio Free Europe had a report saying Israel accuses drone maker of bombing Armenian soldiers, at Baku's request. It was widely known that Azerbaijan acquired a large number of different types of drones from Israel, including loitering munitions. Loitering munitions are a type of drone where the drone itself is the warhead, similar to a cruise missile. The difference is the munition can loiter and look for targets. In the past these were expensive pieces of equipment used to hunt down high value targets or destroy radars. Over the years Azerbaijan clashed with Armenia over the area of Nagorno-Karabakh. This area, inhabited by Armenians, is part of Azerbaijan but has been controlled by Armenia since the 1990s. In 2016, there were clashes and the Jamestown Foundation noted Bakus success using drones, particularly those acquired from Israel. Reports over the years also noted the large number of defense deals that Baku had with Israeli companies, more than a billion dollars in one deal, according to Haaretz. The conflict in 2016 continued for several days and enabled Baku to unveil its new technology on the battlefront. This was a dry run for 2020 when Azerbaijan defeated Armenian forces and ended up controlling a swath of territory around Nagorno-Karabkah, territory that Baku noted it was merely reconquering after the conflict in the 1990s. Reports in the fall of 2020 noted that Baku had praised the role of Israeli drones and technology in this conflict. It also praised the role Turkey had played and Turkeys Bayraktar drones. However, drones dont win wars. Drones can help a country like Azerbaijan achieve a lot of results using precision strikes. This, in a sense, gave Baku an instant air force. Countries like Azerbaijan that may not have access to modern 5th generation warplanes sold by the US, such as the F-35, have access to the next level of modern technology via drones. Israeli-made systems like the Harop, Haropy, Orbiter or SkyStrikes and others are at the forefront of technology in the new battlefields of the future. However, precision strikes only give a country a certain amount of capabilities to overmatch an adversary. They can degrade radars and take out headquarters, communication nodes and armored vehicles. They can strike long range missiles and strategic targets. This is how the US destroyed Iraqs army in 1991, it pounded it from the air for weeks and then eviscerated it in several days of ground warfare. The Iraqi army in 1991 was also heavily reliant on Soviet era armored vehicles and systems, like the Armenian army of 2016-2020. Therefore Azerbaijan defeated Armenia through the use of modern technology, but in the end Baku had to send in ground forces to win the war at the end. Azerbaijans armored vehicles and ground forces equipment is still linked to the countrys past and thus relies on Russian equipment. Therefore Baku delivered a one-two punch, using modern technology from countries like Israel, with Russian and older equipment that Baku had on hand. The conflict in 2023 in Nagorno-Karabakh that has caused 120,000 Armenians to flee was not a military conflict. It only took Baku one day to defeat the 10,000 Armenian fighters who had been blockaded in Nagorno-Karabkah for months and who had access to old munitions and old conventional weapons. In essence the conflict in Nagorno-Karabkah was decided years ago. Armenia had abandoned the Armenians there and they had been blockaded by Baku via the Lachin corridor road to Armenia. Baku also was able to get Russia on its side before the conflict. The West also appears to have signed off. This is clear because the West warned Serbia against a military build up on Kosovos border in late September and early October, but the West didnt warn about Bakus military build-up. The West views Azerbaijans operation as enforcing territorial integrity under the rules-based international order, which means the Armenians were viewed as separatists and Baku had a right to take back the area. Therefore the story of the brief fighting in Nagorno-Karabkah that led to Armenians fleeing was not about Israeli military technology. This was an old style strategic victory for Baku. They cut the area off, they blockaded it and then they asserted their rights to it via a quick military victory at a few key points. Azerbaijans operations took place with Russian peacekeepers looking on, this was not a huge battle in which Baku had to hammer away at Armenian fighters in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. This was a stratagem, presenting the Armenians with a fait accompli, and the Armenians were abandoned by the international community which had quietly accepted that this would be the outcome. Reports suggesting Israeli arms fueled this conflict exaggerate the role of Israels role. Israeli defense technology has turned Azerbaijan into a modern military power that can project strength and also defend its skies. It has transformed it into a powerhouse in the South Caucasus. However, that is only part of the story of what defeated the Armenians. They were defeated because Russia abandoned them, unlike in the 1990s, and because they were cut off in Nagorno-Karabakh, a result of the international community not demanding observers and an international presence and some kind of agreement giving them autonomy. They didnt benefit, for instance, from the support the Kosovars had in the 1990s. Baku understood this and acted accordingly.The real story of Israels success in a strategic partnership with Baku goes much further and has implications for the future. Israel makes the technology that is transforming warfare, making it more precise and more technology-driven. This isnt the heavy weapons of warfare of old, like giant 60-ton tanks, this is the nimble technology that makes conflicts faster and less deadly. Bakus success and the tragedy that befell the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh is more a story of larger countries such as the US and Russia, rather than a story of defense tech that helped Azerbaijan achieve overmatch on the tactical level. Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree with the statement that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan purposefully handed over Karabakh to Azerbaijan. He stated this in response to a corresponding statement by Margarita Simonyan, editor of the Rossiya Segodnya media group and RT television channel, during the Valdai Discussion Club. I cannot agree with you that Prime Minister Pashinyan was brought to power by someone in order to hand over Karabakh. Still, it was the choice of the Armenian people. Yes, you can have different attitudes towards the electoral processes, but this is a fact, so I disagree with you here. The second thing is that he sought to surrender Karabakh, I do not agree on this either. I communicated closely with him during this conflict in 2020, and before, of course. Let's remember that when he came to power, he said that Karabakh is part of Armenia. No one had ever said this before. True, then his position changed radically... Why? This is no longer a question for me... And during the conflict of 2020, I communicated with him, and in my opinion, he sincerely sought to maintain the situation and preserve it. Now Im not talking about whether the decisions were right or wrong. It's none of my business to make judgements on this. But I consider it unfair to say that he purposefully handed over Karabakh, he noted. The Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Teach-in, which will take place on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses Oct. 12 and 13, welcomes attendance by the entire Emory community. These are more than polite words. Its sponsors the offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Faculty Affairs see the goals of the two days as focused on the AAPI community but achievable only through a One Emory commitment. In the words of Chris Suh, assistant professor of history in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, The teach-in is an opportunity for the Emory community to collectively learn from the keynote speaker, Catherine Ceniza Choy, as well as from Emory students, staff and faculty who have dedicated themselves to AAPI issues on campus how to better understand the past and present challenges that AAPI populations face at the national, local and institutional levels. The rise of anti-Asian violence is one such challenge. Tragically, it has happened across the country and in Atlantas own midst with the spa shootings of 2021, which killed eight people, six of them women of Asian descent. Another challenge is understanding the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, handed down on June 29, 2023. The AAPI community is such a beautifully complex and diverse one, both ethnically and geographically, says Carol Henderson, vice provost for diversity and inclusion, chief diversity officer and adviser to the president. As part of our Inclusion Project Initiative, she continues, we readily partnered with the Office of Faculty Affairs to elevate that diversity and engage in conversations around what it means to be inclusive when the national and local dialogue around the experiences of students, faculty and staff of Asian heritage collapses those unique experiences into a single one. With the phenomenal commitment demonstrated by our planning committee, we will true to Emorys mission to create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge in service to humanity use this teach-in to know our AAPI community better and translate their needs into institutional action. As vice provost for faculty affairs, Pearl Dowe recognizes that faculty not only bring their scholarship and teaching acumen to Emory, they also bring life experiences that should be acknowledged and respected. The teach-in provides an opportunity to hear the voices of AAPI members to ensure that we develop practices and provide spaces that work to mitigate challenges while allowing for AAPI members to be within community throughout the university. Why a teach-in? This will mark the second teach-in at Emory in the past year. In October 2022, members of the Muscogee Nation educated the Atlanta campus about their way of life and traditions, which included hymn singing, a cultural lab, stories and stomp dancing. Asked why a teach-in was the right platform for the AAPI community, Oxford College biology professor Nitya Jacob, who was raised in Ahmednagar, India, indicated: Emory has staged cultural events such as Diwali and Lunar New Year to celebrate the Asian community, but we intend to go deeper on the issues. Implicit in the concept of a teach-in is that you are not just going to a talk to listen. You must be willing to engage in the next steps. On a personal note, Jacob observes: I look forward to this as a chance to find supportive community that goes beyond my academic interests. Suh notes that because AAPI studies are rarely included in the K-12 curriculum, most Americans lack knowledge about the AAPI community. As a result, personal experience and popular media fill that vacuum. Both sources, says Suh, are important but without a trained expert to guide them, most Americans are left without the tools to critically examine, analyze and interpret the group experiences and dynamics that they encounter, whether as news stories or data sets produced by government agencies. Whats in store The activities over the two days will highlight the stories and voices of the AAPI community; the diversity and commonality of experience among those who identify as AAPI; as well as the overlap of challenges with those who identify as African American, Latinx and Indigenous or are international students. Keynote speaker Choy, a historian and professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, Berkeley, is the author of the award-winning Asian American Histories of the United States (2022), which focuses on themes of violence, erasure and resistance in the nearly 200-year history of Asian migration, labor and community formation in the U.S. As Choy writes in her preface, If we do not confront anti-Asian violence, it will continue. As James Baldwin instructs us: Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced. Thus, what is at stake in foregrounding the history of anti-Asian violence in the United States is not solely the accuracy of U.S. history, but also the well-being of an American future. As Choy will make clear, the designation AAPI is a broad tent, describing a diverse and fast-growing population of 23 million Americans that includes roughly 50 ethnic groups with roots in more than 40 countries. Closer to home, Asians who call metro Atlanta home account for 5.3% of the regions dwellers, and the number of residents in the 10-county region has more than doubled in the past two decades. At Emory, from fall 2012 to fall 2022, the proportion of Asian students increased from 16.6% to 18.4%. The total number of Asian students, both undergraduate and graduate, increased by 23.8% during this time. Concurrently, the percentage of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students held steady at .05% while the total number of Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students increased by 14.3%. Among the students who will participate in the teach-in is Chloe Chen 25BBA, co-president of the Asian Student Organization (ASO), who notes that one of the most meaningful parts of taking classes with Drs. Suh and Kanesaka was hearing personal stories from my peers. Seeing how the histories and challenges faced by AAPI populations are still present today builds a sense of empathy and responsibility for each other. Thats what the ASO works to do and what I hope the teach-in can give to the AAPI community at Emory that we are not alone in our experiences. 7-8:30 p.m., Phi Gamma Hall Opening remarks by Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda and Oxford Dean Badia Ahad Jing Paul, associate professor of Chinese at Agnes Scott College, will lead the panel discussion The Power of Storytelling and Listening to Learn with Nitya Jacob, professor of biology and chair of Natural Science and Mathematics; John Kim 24Ox, president of the Asian Culture Club; Amanda Noh 24Ox, president of Oxfords Korean American Student Association; and Payton Chin 19Ox 21C, planning analyst at Norfolk Southern. Registration is required for in-person and virtual attendance. 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Convocation Hall 11 a.m.: Remarks by President Gregory L. Fenves and keynote address by Catherine Ceniza Choy, Convocation Hall 208; registration is required for in-person and virtual attendance. 12:15 p.m.: Lunch, Convocation Hall 210 12:15 p.m.: Book signing with Professor Choy, Convocation Hall 203 1:15 p.m.: Performance by AHANA a cappella student group, Convocation Hall 208 1:45 p.m.: The AAPI Experience at Emory University, led by Professor Suh, featuring Franchesca Amor Aguilar 24MPH, co-president of the Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi Association; Chloe Chen 25BBA, co-president of the Asian Student Organization; Erica Kenesaka, assistant professor of English; Sameena Mulla, associate professor of Womens, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Daiana Takashima 26M, co-president of the Emory chapter of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association; and Jane Yang 98C, former associate director of outreach and consultation services at Emory Counseling and Psychological Services. Convocation Hall 210; registration is required for in-person attendance. Growing faculty strengths in Asian American studies Suh, who arrived in 2019, and Erica Kanesaka, assistant professor of English in Emory College, who started in 2022, already have built a popular and impressive Asian American studies curriculum. When I arrived at Emory in fall 2019, says Suh, there didnt yet exist a documented history of Asian American students at Emory. To address this important gap, I created a collaborative final project for my Asian American history classes to recover the history of Emorys responses to anti-Asian violence and Asian American students activism. That work resulted in a Feb. 6, 2021, article in the Wheel, The Legacy of Asian American Activism at Emory. As a historian, Suh specializes in how ideas about race shape U.S. foreign and domestic policies, and how the lives of Asian Americans and people in Asia are shaped by these policies. He is the author of The Allure of Empire: American Encounters with Asians in the Age of Transpacific Expansion and Exclusion (2023); historian Eiichiro Azuma at the University of Pennsylvania calls Suhs book transimperial scholarship at its best. A literary scholar and a specialist in cultural studies, Kanesaka focuses on Asian American racial and sexual politics in popular culture. She is also one of a handful of experts in the emerging field of cute studies, which unites cultural studies, biology and neuroscience to examine cuteness beyond aesthetics. Kanesaka is currently pursuing two book projects. One examines childrens literature and culture to analyze feelings about race, sex and gender between Japan and the United States from the late 19th century to the present, while the other will reflect on the resonances of kawaii and cuteness for Asian American feminist politics. Other leading scholars of Asian American studies include Helen Jin Kim, associate professor of American religious history at Candler School of Theology, who studies U.S. religion and history in global context, focusing on U.S. religious connections to Asia-Pacific and transnational histories of Asian American religions. In the health sciences, Amy Y. Chen, Willard and Lillian Hackerman Professor of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Michael H. Chung, professor in the School of Medicines Department of Medicine and the Department of Global Health in the Rollins School of Public Health, co-chair the AAPI Medical Faculty Association Affinity Group and have worked tirelessly to provide mentorship and support to medical students, residents, fellows and faculty of AAPI descent at Emory. The next step, I hope, will be hiring more faculty and staff members with training in AAPI studies and/or extensive experience working with AAPI students, says Suh. For example, there is no faculty member specializing in Pacific Islander studies. There is also no faculty member primarily trained to be an expert on the South Asian or Southeast Asian experiences in the United States. Hiring experts in these fields who can complement existing faculty members expertise will enhance Emorys understanding of AAPI issues. Education as a prelude to action I have no doubt that we will generate conversations in this teach-in that matter to the AAPI community and will act as signposts for where we go from here, says Jacob. This event will be a great starting point a sign that Emory wants to be a space where we all can thrive. Emory Universitys Candler School of Theology aims to take theological education beyond its walls and beyond degree-seekers with community courses offered through The Candler Foundry, open to everyone from believers, to seekers, to those just curious about faith. Members of the public can take masters level courses with leading experts on a wide variety of topics in Scripture, theology, ethics and church leadership. Courses are offered online and in person at a variety of locations. Desert Fathers and Mothers: Ancient Spirituality for a Modern Faith Among the online courses and public lectures coming this fall:6:30-8 p.m. Taught by The Rev. Brett Opalinski, assistant dean of Methodist studies at Candler, the course is an exploration of the stories, world and spirituality of early Christian teachers quest to live out the Gospel in real and meaningful ways. Notes of Rest: Receiving Rest from Scripture and Black Music in Our Restless World 7-8:15 p.m. For those who find themselves exhausted, the course is an exploration of Gods gift of rest through the lens of Scripture and Black music. Led by artist-theologian Julian Davis Reid, a Candler graduate and jazz musician, the course is adapted from the in-person experience Reid offers to churches and seminaries throughout North America. No musical or theological background is required, just a love of music and a desire to receive the gift of rest. Finding Phoebe: What New Testament Women Were Really Like 7-8:15 p.m. Taught by Susan E. Hylen, professor of New Testament at Candler, the course explores evidence of a very different historical picture of women in the New Testament times, who, contrary to popular belief, owned and managed property, and were sought out and praised as community leaders. PUBLICations: Finding Phoebe (webinar) 12-1 p.m. This webinar features Susan E. Hylen in a panel discussion on her book, Finding Phoebe: What New Testament Women were Really Like. Hylen, who is a professor of New Testament at Candler, will join panelists Jaime Clark-Soles, professor of New Testament at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University; Nijay Gupta, professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Illinois; and Elizabeth Rogers, connection pastor at Classic City Church in Athens, Georgia. Courses in the community are one of four initiatives of Candler Foundry, says director Ryan Bonfiglio, an associate professor in the practice of Old Testament. Candler Foundry also has a TED Talk-style speaker series, TheoEd, a certificate program called Foundations in Faith and Leadership, and a webinar series. Were trying to make seminary an away game, says Bonfiglio. We typically think of seminary as a home game, where people come to us. Through The Foundry, were trying to bring seminary to where people already arecongregations and communities. Scholarships are available for Candler Foundry course fees; email candlerfoundry@emory.edu to learn more. For more information, visit The Candler Foundry. The Office of Respect led by Emily Palmieri, who joined as director in January 2023 has a sharpened sense of mission and renewed energy that will be on full display when it sponsors RespectCon on the Atlanta campus Oct. 12-13. Paused during the pandemic, this event enhances student understanding of how to care for self and others related to sexual- and relationship-based harm from a prevention and support lens. Previously held in spring, this years RespectCon deliberately is timed during the Red Zone, the period between when college students arrive on campus through Thanksgiving, given that nationally this is when 50% of sexual assaults are reported. Conference planners also switched for another reason, says Palmieri: The start of school is a time of high need, and the fall semester presents a great opportunity for our students to be exposed to this critical information as they come back refreshed from fall break. Deepening respect for the office she heads Since Palmieris arrival from Wake Forest University, where she served as director of the Safe Office and assistant director for specialized services with the University Counseling Center, she has not shied away from big changes or small. One of the key principles I follow, at the crux of every decision, is what are all the opportunities we can provide to empower a survivor and give them options and choices, says Palmieri. James Raper, Emorys first associate vice president for health, well-being, access and prevention, realized how underutilized the Office of Respect was, notes Palmieri. That was largely because the staff had previously been mandated reporters, meaning that every student inquiry brought an imposing first question: Are you comfortable with continuing the conversation? With that move away from mandated reporting, Palmieri, a licensed therapist who has engaged in trauma work since 2008, has been able to add three additional staff, two of whom are clinicians, thereby making the Office of Respect a site for confidential clinical care for survivors, which expands Emorys mental health services for students. Another enhancement is that the office serves students who suffered sexual assault or relationship harm before coming to Emory, an acknowledgment of the reality that those experiences can be the source of present trauma. Often, students who come to us are just starting to grapple with the impacts of past harm. Not all cases reported actually occurred at the university, explains Palmieri. But we still can play a major role in supporting students through it. We know that one in four female-identified students and one in eight male-identified students experience sexual harm on university campuses, and that data hasnt changed significantly in decades so I wanted to ensure we invested more in downstream support of those who have experienced harm, and upstream to better engage prevention. Going forward under Dr. Palmieris leadership, that holistic approach to an important problem is what Emorys Office of Respect represents, says Raper. A constellation of conversations to better serve the community An important prelude to RespectCon was the panel discussion, geared toward faculty and staff, on Sept. 28 titled Approaches and Strategies for Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment in Higher Education, featuring Frazier Benya and Ashley Bear, senior program officer and director, respectively, of the Committee on Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine. On Oct. 12, the opening day of RespectCon, the focus will be on Jennifer S. Hirsch and Shamus Khan, authors of Sexual Citizens: Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus. Hirsch is professor of sociomedical sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University; Khan is professor of sociology and American studies at Princeton University. Groundbreaking on many levels, their book shifts the public conversation from its previous axes predators and what to do about the he said/she said that follows assaults. Instead, framing sexual assault as a public health matter, Hirsch and Khan conducted an ethnographic study as part of a much larger project funded by Columbia University. Hirsch and Khans argument is that sexual assault is a predictable consequence of how our society is organized, rather than solely a problem of individual actors. And in the building blocks of that argument through the concepts sexual projects, sexual citizenship and sexual geographies they have devised a new language for understanding young peoples sexual relationships and a roadmap for addressing sexual assault. Beyond their conference roles, the authors will meet with Emory leadership for what Palmieri describes as an aspirational conversation to brainstorm around questions such as What are things we havent thought of that Emory can do to enhance the safety for our students and engage our community in this work? On Oct. 13, workshops will focus on the following topics: Understanding Sexual and Relationship Harm and Title IX Harassment and Navigating Power Differentials Sexual Projects and Consent Trauma-informed Survivor Support Barriers to Reporting and Cultural Conversations Around Sexual Assault Why Do I Feel This Way?: Understanding Trauma Responses Bystander Intervention Being a Sexual Citizen The sessions will be facilitated by staff members from the Center for Women, Department of Title IX, Office of Respect, Office of Health Promotion, Student Case Management and Intervention Services, Counseling and Psychological Services and others. Participants are welcome to access the Office of Respects survivor lounge during the conference, which will be staffed with counselors/advocates for processing support. The Office of Respect hotline is available 24/7 to serve Emory students and provide consultation to faculty, staff and community members. Zoe Ferguson 24Ox 26C is co-president of Sexual Assault Peer Advocates (SAPA) on the Oxford campus. For me and others to be able to bring our perspectives to this event with the full backing of many departments in the university is a cool opportunity for students to see that Emory really cares and has a lot of faculty and staff who are passionate about these topics, she says. Her efforts have involved identifying topics for the workshops, communicating about the event to the Oxford community and working with the book club committee that has been holding discussions on Sexual Citizens. OxSAPA is hoping that students are able to come to these workshops/discussions and feel that their eyes are opened, that they can acknowledge thought patterns previously unnoticed and take this understanding back to the community to create change at the most basic level, says Ferguson. Athletics Campus Life Communications and Executive Leadership Center for Women Department of Title IX Emory Police Department Faculty members Health and Well-being Leadership Team Laney Graduate School Office of Health Promotion Office of LGBT Life Office of Residence Life and Housing Operations Office of Respect Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life Oxford Counseling and Career Services Rollins School of Public Health graduate students Sexual Assault Peer Advocates Student Case Management and Intervention Services Student Center Operations and Events Student Government Association Student Health Services The momentum will continue Palmieri arrived here with high expectations for what Emory would do to support students. I have noted a strong desire to improve by creating sustainable infrastructures and intentional redundancy where we need it. There is a refreshing energy and evidence of cross-campus dialogue. And as we better understand each others work, we are maximizing resources, she observes. Asked how the fruits of RespectCon will carry over into ongoing work, Palmieri is confident that the conference feedback will shine a light on where the needs are greatest. We might, for instance, offer sessions like these more frequently. If we discover that some of the content is best learned through peers, we will bring in our amazing SAPA, says Palmieri. SAPA is Emorys largest student group and has trained more than 3,000 students. There are a number of directions that response from RespectCon could point us, Palmieri continues. Whatever steps we take, we will do so by being responsive to the ever-changing dynamics of our student body. All those interested in participating may register here. For students who are interested in joining the Sexual Assault Peer Advocates group, contact Divya Pereira or fill out the interest form. If you would like to speak with an Office of Respect advocate for support, call the Respect Hotline at 470-270-5360. It is staffed 24/7. Singapore 'confirms arrest' of crypto fund founder The company's liquidators said Su Zhu had been "apprehended" on September 29 at Changi Airport. Photo: Shutterstock Singapore police appeared to confirm the arrest of Su Zhu, one of the founders of bankrupt crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital. Last week, the company's liquidators, Teneo, said that Zhu had been "apprehended" on September 29 at Changi Airport in Singapore. Responding to Reuters enquiries about the report, Singapore police confirmed on Thursday the arrest of a "36-year-old man" on September 29. Police did not identify the arrested man or elaborate in the response to Reuters. Three Arrows Capital was one of the first high-profile cryptocurrency firms to collapse in 2022, filing for bankruptcy after being hit by a sharp sell-off in crypto markets. Zhu is facing four months in prison under an arrest order after he did not cooperate with investigations into Three Arrows Capital, according to Teneo and a document seen by Reuters. A law firm representing Zhu and representatives for Three Arrows co-founder Kyle Davies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In a November 2022 interview, Davies pushed back on claims from Teneo that he and Zhu were not cooperating with the liquidation process. "We've been cooperating the whole way," Davies told CNBC. (Reuters) SIUs plans for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse The message below was sent by the Eclipse Steering Committee on Oct. 4 to the campus community. On Monday, April 8, 2024, SIU Carbondale will be in the international spotlight once again, thanks to the second total solar eclipse in seven years. In fact, our region is the only location in the world to be the site of both eclipses! Check out the award-winning documentary, In the Shadow, about the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse on campus. This is an outstanding opportunity for our campus community to showcase what Saluki Nation means to the world. We anticipate thousands of visitors to the campus and region from Friday, April 6, through Monday, April 8, and millions more to see SIU in the news and live broadcasts from campus. In fact, SIU will partner with NASA EDGE to host a live simulcast eclipse show from campus, and Chicagos Adler Planetarium will host activities on campus as well. As we look ahead to this historic event, we are writing to share some information that will be helpful as we plan for activities that weekend: Classes on Monday, April 8, 2024, will be canceled, but the university will be open. Students will not be in class that day and are encouraged to participate in the exciting events and activities we have on campus. All offices are expected to be open throughout the day to serve our students and the community. Administrative/professional (A/P) and civil service staff members may request to use personal leave time if needed. As always, supervisors have the discretion to approve or deny leave based on office and campus needs. We highly encourage all employees and students to get out, volunteer, and experience the eclipse on campus that day. Students will not be in class that day and are encouraged to participate in the exciting events and activities we have on campus. All offices are expected to be open throughout the day to serve our students and the community. Administrative/professional (A/P) and civil service staff members may request to use personal leave time if needed. As always, supervisors have the discretion to approve or deny leave based on office and campus needs. We highly encourage all employees and students to get out, volunteer, and experience the eclipse on campus that day. There will be a lot of exciting and engaging events on campus. SIU will feature a variety of events as a part of the Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival, including talks and presentations; an arts and crafts fair; an astronomy, science, and technology expo; and an area dedicated to eclipse citizen science. We will provide a unique, family-friendly experience rich with activities centered on the arts and sciences. Here are some of our event highlights. Into the Darkness: Celebrating the Eclipse with Music Friday, April 5 (Shryock Auditorium) Saluki Con Presents Eclipse Con Strikes Back Saturday, April 6 - Sunday, April 7 (Student Center) Crossroads Eclipse Research Workshop - Saturday, April 6 (Student Center) Eclipse Eve Live: Sky Observers Hangout with Michelle Nichols, Adler Planetarium Sunday, April 7 (Shryock Auditorium outside) Crossroads Astronomy, Science, and Technology Expo Sunday, April 7 - Monday, April 8 (Banterra Center) Crossroads Arts and Crafts Fair Sunday, April 7 - Monday, April 8 (north of Banterra Center outside) Eclipse Day at Saluki Stadium - Monday, April 8 (Saluki Stadium) SIU will feature a variety of events as a part of the Southern Illinois Crossroads Eclipse Festival, including talks and presentations; an arts and crafts fair; an astronomy, science, and technology expo; and an area dedicated to eclipse citizen science. We will provide a unique, family-friendly experience rich with activities centered on the arts and sciences. Here are some of our event highlights. Please continue to visit the festival page of our webpage for further updates and more information about events: eclipse.siu.edu/festival. Volunteers are needed. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are welcome to volunteer. There will be a variety of volunteer roles in the days leading up to the eclipse and on Monday, April 8, 2024. Volunteers will be needed in many roles, including hospitality, information stations, check-in, setting up and tearing down, ticketing, and more. Volunteer opportunities will include a variety of locations (indoor and outdoor), days, and times. Students can track hours via the Saluki Volunteer Portal. Please visit eclipse.siu.edu/volunteer-with-the-eclipse for more details and to sign up to volunteer. There will be a variety of volunteer roles in the days leading up to the eclipse and on Monday, April 8, 2024. Volunteers will be needed in many roles, including hospitality, information stations, check-in, setting up and tearing down, ticketing, and more. Volunteer opportunities will include a variety of locations (indoor and outdoor), days, and times. Students can track hours via the Saluki Volunteer Portal. Please visit eclipse.siu.edu/volunteer-with-the-eclipse for more details and to sign up to volunteer. Call for programs: We welcome additional eclipse programming! Have a program idea? Visit eclipse.siu.edu/program-submission to submit your idea. We welcome additional eclipse programming! Have a program idea? Visit eclipse.siu.edu/program-submission to submit your idea. Campus information sessions: Have questions? We will host three campus information sessions in October and November for faculty, staff, and students to learn more about events, programs, and the campus plans for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. Info sessions will be on the following dates and times: Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, 2 p.m. 3 p.m., Guyon Auditorium (Morris Library) and online via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/94308859921) Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, 11 a.m. noon, Guyon Auditorium (Morris Library) and online via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/97720426290) Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2 p.m. 3 p.m., online via Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/97568494312) Have questions? We will host three campus information sessions in October and November for faculty, staff, and students to learn more about events, programs, and the campus plans for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. Info sessions will be on the following dates and times: Additional Information Parking plan: There will be ample parking on campus for faculty, staff, and students. Certain lots will be designated for visitors. Information about changes to parking during the event will be distributed to the campus community closer to the event. Eclipse glasses: There are ample glasses available for the campus community. Glasses will be distributed to colleges and units prior to the eclipse. If you need additional glasses for an outreach opportunity, please email eclipse@siu.edu. Merchandise: The university bookstore will have SIU and eclipse-branded merchandise available for purchase later in the fall semester. We also anticipate hosting several pop-up stores for eclipse apparel. Stay tuned. There will also be an annular solar eclipse event on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Saluki Stadium, which will be a wonderful complement to the coming total solar eclipse. Please join us in celebrating that event, too. For more information, read the press release. The eclipse will provide national and international visibility for the university and region. We are excited you will be here to be part of it. We will provide additional information as the date gets closer. Meanwhile, you may visit eclipse.siu.edu regularly for updates. Matt Penn, adjunct assistant professor of practice in the School of Physics and Applied Physics at SIU, works with students recently. Penn will give the next Journey to the Eclipse talk at SIU on Friday, Oct. 6. (Photo provided) Next Journey to the Eclipse talk on Friday features national citizen science project by Tim Crosby CARBONDALE, Ill. A series of public talks about the upcoming total eclipse continues Friday, Oct. 6, with a faculty member with decades of solar research illuminating a nationwide observation project and Southern Illinois University Carbondales leadership role in it. Matt Penn, adjunct assistant professor of practice in the School of Physics and Applied Physics at SIU, is the speaker at Fridays Journey to the Eclipse talk, set for 3 p.m. at Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library. The series is free and open to the campus and public. Penns talk will center on the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative, a citizen-science experiment using volunteer telescope teams across all of North America to capture images of the upcoming annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14 and total solar eclipse on April 8. The data collected from this experiment will be used to study an array of solar phenomena. Penn has worked at five solar observatories during his 30-year solar research career, publishing scores of papers and mentoring dozens of students along the way. Now an engineer, Penn is continuing to pursue his passion for astronomy both as a hobby and through projects such as the DEB Initiative. The Journey to the Eclipse series is aimed at bringing together experts in astronomy, solar eclipses and other sun-related topics for students, faculty and staff of SIU, as well as members of the Southern Illinois community. Three previous series events were held in April, August and September. Each talk is at 3 p.m. on the first Friday of each month in Guyon Auditorium. The talks also will stream live via Zoom and be recorded. For more information and links go to eclipse.siu.edu. A bonus event is set for Oct. 13 the day before the annular eclipse and will feature Blair Allen, NASA EDGE producer and co-host. NASA EDGE, a video podcast, takes an inside and outside look at all things NASA, from the latest launch to the coolest gadgets. Allens travels for NASA EDGE have taken him around the globe. The Nov. 3 talk will feature Mark Wagner, professor in the School of Anthropology, Political Science and Sociology. Wagner will speak on Stargazing in the Past: Native American Celestial Rock Art Images in Southern Illinois. Wagner will discuss celestial images such as the sun, moon and stars as depicted in Illinois rock art. He will address questions such as whether the images show past eclipses, or possibly are associated with Native American religious beliefs such as the Morning Star Myth. He will also talk about the Shawnee Prophet, who correctly predicted the Eclipse of 1806, astounding his Native American followers. Wagners research interests include the study of Native American rock art in Illinois, the archaeology of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Cherokee Trail of Tears and the investigation of African American and Underground Railroad sites in Southern Illinois. Matthew J. Brown is the new director of the Center for Dewey Studies at SIU Carbondale. The center is hosting a conference on Dewey, Oct. 12-14. (Photo by Russell Bailey) SIUs Dewey Center celebrates reopening with international symposium on John Dewey by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. An interdisciplinary, international conference next week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will focus on the work of American philosopher and educator John Dewey and highlight the resurgence of the universitys Center for Dewey Studies. John Dewey and His Legacy for Education will feature 85 presentations both virtual and on campus with Dewey scholars from around the world, including Estonia, Canada, Japan, China, India, Germany and The Netherlands. On Oct. 12-14, they will examine the impact of Deweys progressive educational philosophy. The Center for Dewey Studies, the School of Education, the School of History and Philosophy, and Morris Library are sponsoring the symposium. More than 110 people have already registered. The Center for Dewey Studies, located in the basement in Morris Library, is the main repository in the world for Dewey material, and his scholarship is just as relevant today as it was during his lifetime (1859-1952), said Matthew Brown, a professor of philosophy and Center for Dewey Studies director. This is going to be a great opportunity to show off the resources that we have here at SIU and the community of Dewey scholars connected with SIU in some way or another, Brown said. We have a lot of former students who are coming to present who now are professors all over the world and people who have come here in the past to do research with the archives that we have here. Media Advisory Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the John Dewey and His Legacy for Education conference, Oct. 12-14. For more information, call 618-453-4347 or email deweycenter@siu.edu. For more information during the conference, contact Rebecca Dycus, program director, University Events and Outreach, at 618-453-1141. Resurgent Dewey Center Initially established as the Cooperative Research on Dewey Publications in 1961, the center has published the definitive critical edition of Dewey's writings as The Collected Works of John Dewey, The Correspondence of John Dewey, and The Class Lectures of John Dewey. Through the work of the center, SIU is the home of Deweys archival papers, manuscripts, and correspondence, which are housed in the Morris Librarys Special Collections Research Center, along with Deweys personal and professional library.The center was without a director or staff from 2017 to 2022 as a result of the states budget impasse, although Brown noted work relating to Dewey was able to continue and many researchers used SIUs resources through the Special Collections Research Center. Brown said he came to SIU Carbondale last fall from the University of Texas with the announcement of the centers renewal. I have known about the Dewey Center since I was a graduate student and relied heavily on the items the center produced in my work, said Brown, who earned his masters and doctoral degrees in philosophy in 2006 and 2009, respectively, from the University of California, San Diego. Shifting focus Brown explained that historically the centers focus has been on the publication of Deweys own writings and materials and supporting researchers, but the vein of Deweys own writings has kind of been mined. While the center will still support those short- and long-term research efforts and digitizing material to make it more accessible, Brown sees adding outreach and scholarly activities into the mix. That includes organizing lectures and related events related to Deweys legacy of work in philosophy, democracy and education. We plan to host annually different kinds of events for researchers to exchange ideas and information, he said. We also are running a reading group now in its second semester, where we gather interested students and scholars from around the world and from the local community for a hybrid in-person and online reading group. This semester, we are reading Deweys book Human Nature and Conduct: An Introduction to Social Psychology from 1922, one of his most important works on psychology and ethics. Deweys educational, democracy theories still very relevant Brown noted Dewey wrote on a wide variety of topics during his long career, including psychology, art, religion, logic and naturalism. What holds it all together is a focus on human growth and social nature of human life, he said. Deweys theory on education that emphasized learning by doing and the school as a social center is still relevant, with experiential learning, inquiry-based learning and project-based learning going back to Deweys ideas more than 100 years ago. He was fighting against the model of education where its all about the individual student downloading information from the teacher at the front of the room, to students working together and developing their problem-solving skills by actually doing things teaching chemistry through cooking or teaching archaeology through projects rather than written learning, Brown said. As for democracy, Dewey was particularly interested in how democracy, community life and modes of communication interacted, Brown said. Although he was working on this 100 years ago, a lot of what he says about how we communicate and how to interact with our ability to have a functioning democracy is really relevant in the context of social media and misinformation, Brown said. He was very much worried about analogous problems about what we call the old media, and there are things he wrote about that you would think hes talking about X, or Twitter, rather than newspapers. Going forward Browns goals for the center are that it continues to support and encourage research that that both attempts to understand Dewey and his historical context and gives a wider understanding of Deweys thought and activity, and also continues the intellectual and practical activities that he started. He also wants the center to return to its status as a hub of activity for Dewey studies globally. In addition to conferences, the reading group and workshops, Brown said hes working on developing a robust visiting fellows program to support scholars coming to SIU Carbondale who want to work with the Dewey archives and who are interested in being part of this intellectual community working on Dewey and his ideas and projects for extended periods of time. Brown said the center is grateful for the vital support provided by Jun Zhou and the Maitreya International Community. Their generosity helps us strengthen the legacy of John Dewey. Conference information Conference registration information is available on the Dewey Center website. It is suggested to register before Friday, Oct. 6. BusinessWire India Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], October 5: On October 3rd, Flatworld Solutions, a global outsourcing titan, revealed a transformative shift in its brand identity. Flatworld Solutions' iconic infinity symbol transformed into a modern whirl motif to reflect its ever-progressive essence, symbolising the company's agility and readiness to tap into the emerging possibilities of GAI and automation. Flatworld Solutions propelled by its enthusiastic 5000+ "Possibilitarians" dramatically scaled its presence in the global market for almost two decades now. This, while embracing the global multi-location delivery hubs and technological innovation. A comprehensive outsourcing powerhouse, Flatworld offers an expansive suite of over 14 services, adeptly catering to diverse business needs across the globe. Flatworld Solutions began its global operations in 2004 and has since become a value-driven partner for businesses worldwide. Executing over a million projects and harnessing the power of search engine marketing to leverage demands of global customers, Flatworld achieved a track record of serving 18000+ customers. As Generative AI takes centre stage, Flatworld's proactive investments showcase their readiness to capitalize on this transformative wave. Flatworld is now poised to "Unlock Winning Ways" for its clientele. The brand update reflects a timely response to significant technological advancements, with the intent and aim to understand and quickly adapt to the evolving landscape, equipping both the company and its stakeholders with necessary tools to navigate a rapidly changing business environment. The company's President & COO David Antony mentions, "Our mission has always been to identify untapped avenues in client operations, propel them with innovative strategies, and ensure they stay ahead in the competitive landscape." The company's CEO, Jacob William, commented, "Generative AI provides not only Flatworld but all its stakeholders with a chance to thrive, irrespective of the shifting technology terrain. From 'expanding possibilities', we now aim to 'unlock winning ways' in this new landscape." Anand Mathew, CMO, also stated, "Our new logo represents the industry's shifting dynamics and signals our readiness to meet the demands of the future." Underpinned by "Possibilitarians," Flatworld Solutions champions the idea of metamorphosing challenges into opportunities, always striving to provide the utmost value for its clients and partners. As the company marches forward, moving from BPO, to BPA to BPAi, this brand enhancement stands testament to its enduring ability to adapt to changing landscapes. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], October 5: Bolt.Earth, India's leading EV infrastructure and software company, is excited to announce the successful completion of its funding round, securing a substantial $20 million in investment. The landmark funding round was spearheaded by a consortium of both longstanding and new investors, featuring notable names including Union Square Ventures, Prime Venture Partners, ITIGO Funds, and several others who share Bolt.Earth's vision for a sustainable and electrified transportation ecosystem. Bolt.Earth Will Use the Funds as Follows: 1. Charging Network Expansion: Recently, Bolt.Earth has achieved the milestone of successfully deploying more than 30,000 EV charging points within its charging network. The company caters to a wide spectrum of charging needs, with options ranging from slow to fast charging, featuring power outputs from 3.3 kW to 240 kW. 2. Product Enhancement: The funding will be instrumental in advancing the company's stellar product portfolio with a balanced mix of slow and fast charging points, catering to a varied customer base namely Bolt.Earth Lite, Bolt.Earth Lite Connected, Bolt.Earth LEVAC, Bolt.Earth Level 2 & 3. 3. Operating System Deployment: Bolt.Earth OS embodies a commitment to a smarter and safer tomorrow, going beyond technology to promise a greener future. For OEMs and EV dealers seeking seamless upgrades, our low-code integration platform enables EVs to become software defined vehicles. 4. Talent Acquisition: Bolt.Earth is set to onboard top-tier professionals across a spectrum of disciplines, including tech, engineering and product. 5. International Expansion: The funding will bolster Bolt.Earth's ambitious agenda to extend its presence beyond existing markets, catalyzing the uptake of electric vehicles in Asia, Europe, South America, and Latin America. "Bolt.Earth offers an Operating System, a connected platform technology helping OEMs to develop, operate, and monitor their charging network and vehicles. We are also continuously expanding our charging network at a rate of approximately 2,000 new charging points per month. Additionally, we currently hold more than 50% market share in India's EV charging network and play a dominant role in India's EV Operating System nexus with our deployed chargers and software defined vehicles." - Jyotiranjan Harichandan, Co-founder, Bolt.Earth Mohit Yadav, Co-founder, Bolt.Earth, further commented, "We are thrilled to have the backing of visionary investors who share our passion for transforming the EV ecosystem. The current $20 million fund-raise is a part of the company's plan to further its reach to every nook and corner of the country, and to begin the era of 'Make in India' EV charging infrastructure products in the global market." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) SRV Media New Delhi [India], October 5: India's leading publishing house, Adhyyan Books, and community platform, Super Power Author, proudly presented the Super Power Author Awards 2023 in New Delhi on July 29, 2023. The event celebrated the remarkable achievements of the most inspirational Indian authors who have made a significant impact in the literary world with their writings. The awards were given to authors of various genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children's literature. Each recipient had a unique story to tell, and their work touched the lives of countless readers around the world. The award ceremony was an acknowledgment of their efforts and an inspiration for others to follow in their footsteps. The awardees were: 1. Dr Aafreen Kotadiya author of "Ma, Don't Go" 2. Akshat Gupta author of "The Hidden Hindu" 3. Amandeep Thind author of "Secret of Winning" 4. Dr Ameet Parekh author of "Your Mind is Your Enemy" 5. AnatoSwu author of "A Diamond of Dust & The Dancing Quill" 6. Ashneer Grover author of "Doglapan" 7. Bhupenddra Singh Raathore author of "Public Speaking, The Magic of Thinking Rich & MasterYourThoughtsMasterYourLife" 8. Bill V author of "Universal Energies" 9. Chanchala Dayakar author of "Vision, Goals and Success" 10. Chetan Bhagat author of "The 3 Mistakes of My Life" 11. Deepak Bajaj author of "Be a Network Marketing Millionaire" 12. Deepak Gupta author of "World becomes your library" 13. Gaur Gopal Das author of "Energise your mind" 14. Dr Gopika Kumar author of "personal power equation" 15. Hywel Richard Pinto author of "The Monsters of Mithi" 16. Kiran Swamy author of "Ultimate Happiness Mastery Book" 17. Madhup Mayank author of "Facebookiya Love Story" 18. Mohamed Abdulla, author of "Embrace Magnificence" and "A Night to Vigil." 19. Moumita De author of "Sonali Chiller Dana in Bengali 20. Naga Swati TJ author of "The Four Makeovers" 21. Nayana Kishore author of ": Artificial Intelligence Vs Heartificial Empathy" 22. Neeraj Arora author of "Neeraj Arora's Reflections" 23. Nidhi Jain author of "Heal Thy Life" 24. Nishita soni author of "Overwhelmed to Empowered" 25. Prachi Sachdev author of "Hey Girl, Yes You&Dear Son, You Can't Stay Little Always" 26. Pragati More author of "21 Weapons To Roar Like Lion" 27. Pranesh author of "Stories from South Kanyakumari" 28. Pranjal Kamra author of "Investonomy" 29. Radhakrishnan Pillai author of "7 Secrets of Leadership " 30. Raghunath J Pai author of "The CEO Makeup" 31. Rajeev Kumar Dubey author of "Urvi" 32. Rakesh Mahalley author of "Manasa Suptavani" 33. R. Raman Srivastava author of "SMART INVESTOR&GOLDEN TIME --BEYOND SIXTY" 34. Ravi Nandrajog author of "Motorsounds Car Audio Simplified" 35. Rohit Jain author of "Lafzon ki Awaaz" 36. Santana Babu author of "The Sacred Cow" 37. Sarbojit Roy Choudhury author of "Sayaknama O Onanyo in Bengali" 38. Saurabh Bisht author of "Mind matters" 39. Shreyas Srivatsan author of "Dasha Avatar" 40. Shweta Gupta author of "251 Phonic Rules" 41. Sreekanth TV author of "Rise Upto your Purpose" 42. Suhail Malik author of "The Silence of Souls" 43. Dr Vandana Sharma author of "Self Help Neurobics" 44. Dr Jagdish author of "Super Sonic Author" 45. Varsha Lalwani author of "Ultimate Blueprint of Super Mindset" 46. Dr Yogendra Singh Rathore author of "10X FOCUS Blueprint," The event also witnessed a panel discussion on "Power of Books," which had six panelists: Akshat Gupta, Dr Gopika Kumar, Deepak Bajaj, Neeraj Arora, actress Tannaz Irani, and CA Nitin Soni, and was hosted by Shalini Soni. Where all these authors put their thought forward is the incredible impact books make on our lives. During the engaging panel discussion, these esteemed authors eloquently shared their insights and experiences, highlighting the transformative influence that books have on our lives, sparking inspiration, and fostering personal growth. On that day, they also launched two new books. One was written by Shalini Soni. "Meri Kitaab Meri Kahani," the event was graced by Akshat Gupta and Deepak Bajaj and hosted by CA Nitin Soni. "Meri Kitaab Meri Kahani" is all about sharing the personal journeys, experiences, and struggles of 21 diverse authors who were interviewed by the author. It aims to inspire and guide readers, offering insights into the writing process and the determination of these writers from various backgrounds. The other book featured in the event was authored by actress Tannaz Irani. The special guest for this book launch was actor Bhaktyar Irani, and CA Nitin Soni hosted the event. Tannaz Irani's book delves into her personal journey, using real-life examples to inspire and guide readers toward unlocking their true potential. She fearlessly shares her battle with depression, a topic many shy away from, and the physical pain that halted her acting assignments. It's the story of a resilient woman who turned to her mind when her body faltered, all in pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment. Adhyyan Books and Super Power Author must be applauded for recognizing and honoring the contributions of these inspiring authors. Their commitment to empowering authors through their literary contribution is truly commendable, and we hope that they continue to inspire and empower authors for years to come. The Super Power Author Awards 2023 were a powerful reminder of the limitless potential of these authors and how they can make a positive impact on the world with their books. For more information, please visit: https://www.adhyyanbooks.com/ or https://www.bestsellercircle.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC) New Delhi [India], October 5: The textile industry is the cornerstone of the Indian economy, accounting for 12 per cent of the manufacturing sector GDP. It is also the second largest in terms of employment generation. About 45 million people are directly engaged in this sector, comprising mostly women and the rural population. However, in the past few years, the industry has been witnessing a shortage of skilled labourers, impacting overall efficiency and productivity. While there are multiple factors keeping people from choosing this profession, rapid technological advancement is the primary one. This has deepened the skill gap, consequently intensifying the calls for investing in workers training to address the shortage. Speaking at the 118th PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Annual Session 2023, Riju Jhunjhunwala, RSWM Ltd. Chairman and Managing Director said, "Established companies are now dedicating more time to ensure skill development for all their employees. This is crucial because there is a clear target set by all the ministers that by 2030, we have to reach a figure of USD 100 billion of export. To meet the goal everything must align with the right ecosystem." He said that challenges exist in every industry, but the textiles industry, specifically, being more manpower-driven, requires a significant number of blue-collar workers. Calling for a united effort to address this challenge, he asserted that, "RSWM Ltd. is working with the Government of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and others on this. And almost every state government is competing with each other to provide more support for the skilling of these workers." Further commenting on the potential competition from Bangladesh in the textile sector, Jhunjhunwala refuted the notion that it posed a threat to the Indian textile industry. Drawing reference from the Chinese textile industry, which is larger than India's he said, China has been the leading producer of cotton and man-made fiber. Furthermore, their factories are 10 to 20 times larger than those in India, providing them with significant advantages. He outlined that "The advantage they (China) enjoyed for those 40 years is no longer present in Bangladesh. Yes, they (Bangladesh) are large, they're larger exporters of garments than India. But they don't have the kind of ecosystem that India has." He pointed out that even though Chinese factories are larger than Indian ones, their labour costs are double that of India's. So, India still has some competitive advantages, and in the next few years, with several kinds of policies introduced by the government, it will get better. While sharing his company's expansion plan, he said that they started the journey as spinners and then moved on to manufacturing denim. Now as the world becomes more environmentally conscious, they have also ventured into the graphite electrode business and the hydropower sector to contribute to building a sustainable world. The Indian textile industry has a rich history of manual craftsmanship, passed down from one generation to the other. Naturally, it has always relied on a heavy workforce of skilled individuals to create high-quality textile products. With time it has indeed embraced technology in response to changing demands and global competition, but it still requires a pool of skilled workers with expertise in diverse domains. This void can only be filled by skilling the workforce to meet future needs. Sources: Exports: Textile industry crucial for govt's 'manufacturing' mantra, ET Retail (indiatimes.com) Schemes launched by the Government in Textile sector for employment generation (pib.gov.in) (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PNN Kochi (Kerala) [India], October 5: Kochi-based Autograde Industries has received VDA recognition for the quality of its products and services. The German Association for Automotive Industry (VDA) is the key entity responsible for fixing quality standards and parameters for automobile products and services in Germany and many other places. Autograde Industries is a part of the HKA Group with a legacy of nearly 100 years. His Excellency Abdulla Al Maeeni, Chairman of First Capital Investment and CEO of Bpoint Consultancy handed over the certificate to Autograde Industries CEO, T Muhammed Ashraf in a glittering function held at the Autograde campus. Dignitaries from various walks of life including chairperson of the Thrikkakkara Municipality attended the function. AdBlue manufacturing: Autograde Industries made a major strategic foray into AdBlue manufacturing by forming a joint venture with Taiwanese firm Novax a couple of years ago. AdBlue is a major component in the fight against toxic emissions from automobiles. The initiative coincided with the introduction of the BS 6 emission norms and Euro 6 standards in the country. The new emission norms have made it mandatory to have SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology in diesel vehicle engines with a capacity of above 2 liters. The authentic quality of the product has helped the company to attract a solid customer base within a short span of the introduction of the product. Autograde Industries places immense importance on delivering products of the highest quality, said CEO Muhammad Ashraf. "Our dedicated team collaborates closely with internationally recognized testing and accreditation bodies to ensure that our products meet global standards ISO 22241", he said. Business Growth focusing on franchise and partnerships: Commenting on the business growth Ashraf said the company has adopted a franchise and partnership model for growth. The company has made a good network of partnerships in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. "Autograde's presence in the AdBlue manufacturing sector and VDA certification provide partners with an opportunity to enter new markets and regions, tapping into the growing demand for eco-friendly automotive technologies", he added. Low Investment and Early Return: The lower level of initial investment is one of the reasons for attracting entrepreneurs to partner with Autograde industries. Compared to many other business opportunities, AdBlue manufacturing has a relatively low startup cost. The high demand for AdBlue translates into quick returns on investment, often within two years or less, said an industry expert. Partnering with Autograde Industries to enter the AdBlue manufacturing is a smart move that promises low investment requirements and high returns within a short timeframe, he added. Unlocking Value with Adrinale: The Adrinale Adblue filling station is projected as a major investment opportunity with quick returns. ADRINALE is not just an AdBlue filling station. We are a partner in your journey. With Autograde fuels, convenient filling stations, rewarding experiences, innovative AI technology, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, we are here to power your success. Choose ADRINALE, and together, we'll drive toward a brighter and more efficient future. Customer Base: The company currently has a customer base of over 7,000 persons. The solid customer base is beneficial for partner companies, as Autograde's increased customer base provides more potential buyers for their products, potentially resulting in higher sales and revenue for partners. The company plans to expand its global presence in 2025 with particular focus in established markets in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council region. Historical Background: Autograde Industries' history dates back 98 years to its inception in 1924. The company began with commodity trading, and over the years, evolved and expanded into international trading of construction materials and automobile accessories. A major diversification took place in 2007 when the company ventured into manufacturing road speed limiters. The strategic diversification resulted in an impressive annual turnover of USD 5 million. Autograde Industries quickly established a robust presence across the Indian subcontinent, developing a network of 984 dealers within the country. The international footprint extended to over 30 countries, reinforcing the company's commitment to global excellence. The company received several laurels and recognitions during its century long existence. The recognition from HH Sheikh Majid bin Mohmmad Al Maktoum the Crown Prince of Dubai is the most cherished moment in its history. The Crown Prince felicitated the company for its significant contribution to road safety. "The award underscores our dedication to promoting safety on the world's roads", said Autograde Industries CEO Mohammad Ashraf. (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) NewsVoir Chandigarh [India], October 5: Chitkara University, a beacon of excellence in the field of education, proudly bestowed the prestigious Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) upon Bharat Goenka, the illustrious Founder and Vice Chairperson of Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd., India's leading Business Management Software provider. The award recognizes Goenka's extraordinary contributions, transformative influence, and steadfast dedication in the realms of technology and business. Hailed as the "Father of the Indian software product industry" and lauded with the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award by NASSCOM in 2011, Goenka stands as an icon of innovation and entrepreneurship in the technology sector. As the founder of Tally Solutions, he has played a pioneering role in revolutionizing the landscape of business management software products, with a global user base exceeding 7.2 million. The Honorary Doctorate was presented to Goenka by the esteemed Dr Ashok K Chitkara, Chancellor of Chitkara University, and Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, during a grand convocation that celebrated his outstanding achievements. Goenka's journey commenced in 1984 when he received an IBM PC as a gift from his father, setting the stage for a technological revolution that would touch millions of MSME businesses worldwide. His ingenuity gave birth to 'The Accountant', a revolutionary accounting software devoid of complex coding, which later evolved into Tally Solutions in 1999. Soon, Tally.ERP9, the world's first concurrent multi-lingual business accounting and inventory software, marked a paradigm shift, and the latest offering, Tally Prime, continues to set industry standards with its user-friendly interface and seamless experience. Under Goenka's dynamic leadership, Tally has evolved from a simple accounting package for SMEs to a comprehensive business management software serving enterprises of all sizes and types. Receiving the Honorary Degree, Bharat Goenka said, "I feel truly humbled and honoured to receive the Honorary Doctorate of Literature from an esteemed University like Chitkara. I have been blessed to be a part of Tally's story and witness the unfolding of its magic over the years. It's been my absolute privilege to meet and interact with the esteemed faculty and the bright students at the Chitkara University." Dr Ashok K Chitkara, Chancellor of Chitkara University, Punjab, expressed, "Bharat Goenka's legacy as a trailblazer and innovator will continue to inspire future generations, paving the way for a brighter and more innovative future for our nation and the world. The Honorary Doctorate is in recognition of Goenka's tremendous contributions to the Indian software product industry, technological innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. Chitkara University extends its heartfelt gratitude to Bharat Goenka and confers upon him this well-deserved doctorate." Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor of Chitkara University, Punjab, commended Goenka's exceptional contributions to the software product industry, emphasizing their profound impact on technological innovation and entrepreneurial leadership. She remarked, "Goenka's relentless pursuit of innovation has ignited a revolution in technology. We honour his pioneering spirit and foresee his legacy inspiring countless future trailblazers." Goenka's outstanding contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri award, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, recognizing his outstanding impact on trade and industry. His visionary leadership has not only transformed the technology industry but also empowered countless businesses to thrive. 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% 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) PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 5: Godrej Group, in partnership with Mumbai First, today, announced the launch of the Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej Environment Award, an initiative dedicated to recognizing and honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional excellence in the field of environment and sustainability, with a focus on Mumbai. This prestigious award serves as a tribute to S.P. Godrej's pioneering work in environmental protection and commemorates his enduring legacy by inspiring the next generation of environmental champions. The Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej Environment Award has a set of pivotal objectives. It aims to not only recognize the pioneers who have spearheaded sustainable environmental projects within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, but also seeks to disseminate best practices to ignite and motivate the adoption of environmentally responsible actions. It also aspires to honor impactful efforts in crucial areas such as preservation, pollution control, and conservation. The evaluation criteria for the Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej Environment Award encompass key aspects such as impact, leadership, and commitment to the environment causes. It also takes into account community engagement, innovative approaches, advocacy efforts, scalability of initiatives, educational outreach, and a science-based approach. Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej Industries, stated, "At Godrej, we are deeply committed to protecting our environment, because we understand it's not just a choice but a responsibility we all share. The Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej Environment Award carries a special meaning for us. It is a symbol of our continuing dedication to people, the planet, alongside profit and a tribute to legendry SP Godrej who was a great environmentalist. It would be a privilege for us to celebrate and stand beside the incredible individuals and organizations who work tirelessly to protect our environment. Together, let's support these 'Environment Champions,' drawing inspiration from their remarkable efforts as we strive to create a better world for future generations." Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, FRS, Former Chairman of National Innovation Foundation and Former Director-General of CSIR, and jury member of the Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej Environment Award, stated, "S P Godrej was a timeless inspirator well ahead of his time. He lives on even today with his eternal message of the critical importance environmental protection as a key to our sustainable future. The awards created in his name for championing this noble cause will inspire generations to come." Roger C. B. Pereira, Vice Chairman of Mumbai First, commented, "S. P. Godrej was a man born much before his time! He devoted his entire life, giving of his Time, Money & Talents, unstintingly to the cause of the Environment, literally 24x7. I feel really fulfilled that Nadir Godrej has whole heartedly supported Mumbai First in its endeavor to commemorate this giant of a human being." The Sohrab Pirojsha Godrej Environment Award is open for nominations until September 30, 2023. To learn more about the award and access the nomination form, please visit our website at https://spgodrejenvironmentawards.com/ About Godrej Group: Established in 1897, the Godrej Group has its roots in India's Independence and Swadeshi movement. Our founder, Ardeshir Godrej, lawyer-turned-serial entrepreneur failed with a few ventures, before he struck gold with a locks business. Today, we enjoy the patronage of 1.2 billion consumers globally across consumer goods, real estate, appliances, agriculture and many other businesses. In fact, our geographical footprint extends beyond Earth, with our engines now powering many of India's space missions. With a revenue of over USD 5 billion we are growing fast, and have exciting, ambitious aspirations. But for us, it is most important that besides our strong financial performance and innovative, much-loved products, we remain a good company. Approximately 23 per cent of the promoter holding in the Godrej Group is held in trusts that invest in the environment, health and education. We are also bringing together our passion and purpose to make a difference through our Good & Green strategy of 'shared value' to create a more inclusive and greener India. At the heart of all of this, is our people. We take much pride in fostering an inspiring workplace, with an agile and high-performance culture. We are also deeply committed to recognising and valuing diversity across our teams. For more information, contact: spgodrejawardsnomination@mumbaifirst.org (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) The Maharashtra police has registered a first information report (FIR) against Shiv Sena MP Hemant Patil on Wednesday at Nanded Gramin police station after he allegedly made the Dean of Shankarrao Chavan Medical College, clean a toilet, an official said. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police of Nanded, Sushil Kumar Naik, the police have registered the case under the charges of criminal intimidation and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), condemned the insult of Dean of Shankarrao Chavan medical college at Nanded in Maharashtra where he was allegedly forced to clean toilets by Shiv Sena MP Patil and also demanded an unconditional apology from the concerned authorities. The statement issued by the body noted that the dean was forced to clean toilets which is very shameful and condemnable and said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) MARD will protest against this if an unconditional apology is not given. "On October 3, 2023, the misconduct of Member of Parliament, Hemant Patil, towards the Respected Dean of Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded; is very shameful and condemnable. Even when there is shortage of Health Care workers, essential medicines and medical resources in the Government Medical Colleges of Maharashtra; resident doctors, medical professionals and medical staff, work in such dreadful situations and give their best in terms of patient care," the statement of BMC MARD said. "This incident is not just an insult to the Dean of Government Medical College, Nanded; but has also demoralized the entire medical community. BMC MARD strongly condemns this act. The concerned authorities should immediately apologize for this incident or else BMC MARD will protest against this, and incase the healthcare system collapses, the above-mentioned authorities will be solely responsible for the same," it added. At least 31 people died in the government-run Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital reportedly due to an alleged scarcity of medicines. Between Saturday and Sunday, 24 patients were reported to have died with seven more deaths reported on Tuesday. (ANI) Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday launched Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) Season 2. The ceremony was held at the upscale commercial hub Khyndailad, Police Bazar in Shillong. The Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project, in collaboration with the Tourism Department and The Meghalayan Age, unveiled the second season of MGMP. The audience was treated to an unforgettable musical extravaganza featuring incredibly talented artists that left everyone spellbound. Along with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Chief Guest, Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Tourism was also present as the Guest of honour in the programme. Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, MLA of North Garo Hills Rupert Momin, MDC of Rambrai Jyngram Constituency Bajop Pyngrope, MLA of South West Garo Hills Ian Botham K. Sangma and other dignitaries also graced the occasion. On the launch of MGMP Season- 2, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, "Today, we embark on a journey to celebrate the soul of Meghalaya through music. Our state is a treasure trove of talent, and the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project Season 2 is our way of showcasing our vibrant culture and nurturing our local musicians. In just one year of its launch, the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project has given a platform to over 1600 artists from Meghalaya to perform in venues and stages in 3000 locations across the state and with the launch of Season 2 we aspire to also launch many more musical talents from our state." Congratulating all the officials for successfully conducting the first session of MGMP, Conrad Sangma highlighted Meghalaya's unique contribution to supporting independent music and musicians and having programmes like MGMP is the first of its kind in the country. "Through this Meghalaya Grassroot Music Project, in the first season itself, over 1600 artists have performed on more than 3000 occasions. Of all the revenue that is generated through Tourism activities in the state, we were able to share some part of it with the artists leading to the promotion of the music industry and thereby, benefiting our local people. This season, we are going to make this project even bigger and have performances not merely confined to music but also folklore, drama, acts, stand-up comedy, and others," CM Sangma added. Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh also said, "I am delighted to address the gathering of young, talented artists here today. The inaugural year of the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project was a resounding success, and as we embark on its second season, we are confident that this initiative will push Meghalaya towards remarkable achievements. Our capital, Shillong, is poised to become the nation's music capital and will soon echo with the vibrant tunes of our local talent." (ANI) Remembering the 1965 India-Pakistan war, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday honoured Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke for his contribution in the war. An aerial display of mock air combat was held that showed how the Kalaikunda base was saved during the 1965 war. A static display of aircraft and equipment where small to big aircraft with ammunition were also shown at the event. Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke said that it was an emotional moment for him as he had spent his seven years of life at Kalaikunda Air Force base. "It is beautiful to meet my old hunter aircraft which I used to fly. 1968 was the last time I flew it. Good to be back here and see boys do a flypast for me. I felt emotional because I did it myself. I had tears in my eyes. It's good to be back. I spend seven years of my life here and today I have come back home," Lieutenant Cooke said. Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke is credited for saving the Kalaikunda base from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) after it launched a raid on the base in 1965. He was honoured by Vir Chakra in the same year. The war started on April 24, 1965, when the Pakistan Army attacked Indian territory in the Rann of Kutch and entered many miles inside the Indian territory. This act of illegal occupation of Indian territory constituted violation of the Indo-Pak Border Agreement of 1960. Wing Commander Himanshu Tiwari, PRO Ministry of Defence, Kolkata said "We have gathered here to honour flying lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke who is also known as the saviour of Kalaikunda because in 1965 war he saved this particular field from Pakistan. We are trying to recreate the same scenario just to showcase, how he had deterred the attack from Pakistan aircraft and saved the airfield." Ran Singh, Air officer commanding of Kalaikunda has said that Kalaikunda Base is a very important base for the Indian Air Force as many new pilots are trained here. "It is a very important base of the Indian Air Force and Eastern Air Command. Here the pilots who fly fighter planes undergo training so that we will be able to produce good pilots to tackle any enemy challenge. All the planes that the Air Force is deploying today are aircraft of very modern technology. With this, we will be able to kill the enemy in the air and also on the ground, so that no one can come near Kalaikunda and do any harm," Ran Singh said. (ANI) The Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, has expressed his grief over the loss of life and widespread damage to property that occurred in Sikkim as a result of the flash flood on Tuesday night, his office informed on Wednesday in a press statement According to the press statement, "In a letter to Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim, today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness about the loss of life and widespread damage to property that has occurred in Sikkim as a result of the flash flood that took place in the Teesta River Valley last night." "I offer my condolences to families who have lost loved ones," he wrote, "as well as others affected by this disaster, and pray for their welfare," Dalai Lama said. The Tibetan spiritual leader further said that, as a mark of his solidarity with the people of Sikkim, he has asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards relief and rescue efforts. "I commend the State government and other concerned authorities for all they are doing to provide relief to people affected by this calamity. As a mark of my solidarity with the people of Sikkim, I have asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards relief and rescue efforts," Dalai Lama said. As many as 43 people, including army soldiers and civilians, have been reported missing after South Lhonak Lake, situated in North West Sikkim experienced a glacial lake outburst and triggered flash floods due to incessant rainfall in the region. Around 3,000-4,000 people were evacuated on Tuesday in and around Rangpo and 5 relief camps were also opened in the district, said an official. The heavy downpour that triggered the lake outburst reportedly damaged over 150 houses in the Industrial Belt (IBM) at Rangpo, on the banks of river Teesta. Many homes near the River Teesta, situated in Gangtok's Singtam have been evacuated. Additionally, temporary relief facilities have been established in the town's Singtam Senior Secondary School, added officials. (ANI) Ajit Pawar has been given the charge of Pune district while Sudhir Mungantiwar of Wardha. After a long tussle between the two, Ajit has taken over the charge from senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil who will now oversee the Solapur and Amaravati districts. The Chief Minister's office issued a list of guardian ministers for 12 districts in which--Maharashtra Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif will take charge of Kolhapur. Guardian Ministers in their respective districts ensure the implementation of government policies and schemes to the public. They also control the DPDC funds which are used for development projects in the districts. Notably, in the list issued by the CMO, there are nine NCP ministers who have been given the guardian minister post. (ANI) The crucial meeting comes on the heels of the BJP losing a key ally in the state as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) severed ties with the BJP and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last month. According to sources, Annamalai had a discussion with the BJP high command in Delhi on the AIADMK alliance. In Thursday's meeting, it is expected that Annamalai will share his views and those of the BJP's central leaders with the office bearers. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami on Wednesday clarified that there was no pressure from anyone to leave the BJP-led NDA in the State. "We are strong with our decision to break ties with the BJP. No one put any pressure on us to take this decision. A few incidents hurt our cadres," Edappadi Palaniswami said while speaking to reporters in Salem. Palaniswami further said, "From Prime Minister Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J P Nadda, no one put any pressure on us and we decided to break the ties with BJP respecting our cadres voice." (ANI) Karur residents on Wednesday opposed new sand quarries in the Cauvery River bed area - 16.05-hectare sand quarry at Nerur North Village, Karur District, 24.00-hectare sand quarry at Manmangalam, Achamapuram area. Civil society members and Opposition parties protested against new sand quarries in the Cauvery River bed in the Karur district, saying that it would lead to shrinkage of water in the river exacerbating the drinking water crisis. At a public hearing conducted here to elicit the opinion of Civil society members and political parties, they registered their opposition to the construction of new sand quarries in the Cauvery River at two places in the Karur district namely Nerur and Achamapuram areas. More than 700 people including AIADMK leader and former Minister MR Vijayabaskar, Naam Tamilar Katchi, social activists, Samaniya Makkal Nala Katchi and Pattali Makkal Katchi participated in the public consultation meeting organized by the district administration on Wednesday. "The Cauvery River is the source of water for 140 villages in Karur district. Also, drinking water is taken from here to the Cauvery Joint Drinking Water Project for the southern districts. If sand is mined in this area, there will be no drinking water for six months. The livelihood of people will be affected," said MR Vijayabaskar.Notably, sand, which takes a lot of time to deposit, is very important because it stores water and forms the riverbed aquifer. Even if the river is dry, the aquifer will hold water that can be accessed. (ANI) Spokesperson of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) TKS Elangovan accused BJP of indulging in 'vendetta politics', as Income Tax department on Thursday conducted searches at DMK MP S. Jagathrakshakan's premises. "Very obvious that it is a political vendetta. People in Tamil Nadu know how many AIADMK people supported by the BJP are running colleges and institutions. There is no right in those institutions. These people want to terrorize the opposition parties, they are misusing all their powers. They are not fit to rule the country. The BJP is a barbaric class of people who do not respect the constitution who do not respect any law, who will do anything for their benefit" the DMK Spokesperson said The DMK spokesperson asked, "Why are there no raids conducted on the people supporting BJP?" Congress MP Manickam Tagore also hit out at the BJP and called IT and ED the frontal organisations of the Bhartiya Janata Party. "IT and ED have become frontal organisations for the BJP. They are conducting an IT raid at the premises of DMK MP (Jagathrakshakan) in Chennai. It's a well-thought politics and it's their political vendetta. ED and IT reach the premises of those who are against them (BJP). Those who come along with them get cleaned in the washing machine. People will reject this politics of PM Modi and Amit Shah," said Congress MP Manickam Tagore on the Income Tax department searches at the premises of DMK MP S Jagathrakshakan. The Income Tax Department on Thursday conducted searches at over 40 locations linked to former Union Minister and current Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) member of Parliament S Jagathrakshakan in Tamil Nadu. Income Tax Department conducts searches at Balaji and Rela Hospitals in Chrompet, Chennai. The hospitals are owned by DMK MP S Jagathrakshakan. (ANI) Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, expressed strong criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing them of engaging in political manoeuvres through central agencies. Raut's remarks come in response to the recent arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh in connection with a liquor excise policy case. Speaking to ANI, Raut stated, "The BJP is using central agencies as a political tool. Let them continue doing so until 2024, and we will keep fighting against it. In places where the BJP is not in power, these raids will continue." Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), to which Sanjay Singh belongs, of engaging in "open corruption" and resorting to politics when faced with allegations of wrongdoing. "AAP MP Sanjay Singh has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a liquor scam case. It is in AAP's nature to engage in corruption openly, and when they are caught, they start playing politics," Patra said during a press conference. This development marks the second high-profile arrest in the case after the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, was also arrested in connection with the same case. The ED had recently conducted raids at multiple locations, including residences and offices associated with AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his close aides, regarding the now-cancelled liquor excise policy in Delhi. Reacting to Singh's arrest, AAP MP Sandeep Pathak alleged that the case was an attempt to "illegally break and defeat AAP." He also mentioned that AAP would rise stronger despite these challenges. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Supremo, Arvind Kejriwal, condemned Singh's arrest stating, "The arrest of Sanjay Singh is completely illegal. This shows Modi ji's nervousness. They will arrest many more opposition leaders till the elections." Also, the AAP MP's arrest triggered sharp reactions from the leaders of the INDIA alliance. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha said, "It is not the ED that has arrested Sanjay Singh, he has been arrested by the unit of BJP that comprises ED-IT-CBI. Dark days have begun. In this era of dictatorship, jo dar gaya wo mar gaya. The dictators themselves are scared. This fear will be retaliated against soon." The AAP is also set to hold a protest outside the BJP headquarters on Thursday opposing Singh's arrest. (ANI) The search and rescue operation by the Indian Army for the 22 missing soldiers continues. Meanwhile, Troops of Trishakti Corps are extending medical aid and telephone connectivity to civilians and tourists stranded in the areas of Chungthang, Lachung and Lachen in North Sikkim. As per reports, Continued efforts are on to dig out the vehicles submerged under the slush at Burdang near Singtam. The search for the missing people is now focussing in the areas downstream of Teesta River. Out of the initial 23 missing persons, one person was recovered alive on the evening of October 4. The family members of the missing persons have been contacted and informed about the situation. All other Indian Army personnel posted in Sikkim and North Bengal are safe and they are unable to contact their family members due to disruptions of mobile communication. The disaster operations are being carried out in the state by the Indian Airforce. Wing Commander Irfan Jairal Commanding officer of Helicopter unit in Jammu said that people of Sikkim should have faith in the airforce and people will be saved. The Air Force said different equipment were being used during the disaster operations and that the great challenge was that there was no place to Land. Equipment like special leadders, oxygen , water boats , cradle to lift people and also sling is used in the operations are being transported to Sikkim. The MI-17 1 V Helicopters are specially modified for the disaster operations with strechers being used inside the helicopter. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), under Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba, met on Wednesday and reviewed the situation in Sikkim. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has already deployed three teams and additional teams are on standby in Guwahati and Patna. The Sikkim Government on Wednesday confirmed that 14 people have died so far in the flash floods that occurred in Sikkim in the early hours of Wednesday. The 14 deceased are all civilians while 102 people are still missing. Over 3,000 tourists are feared to be stranded in different parts of the State. 12-14 workers working in the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang are still stranded in the tunnels of the dam. Injuries and persons missing have been reported from Chungthang in Mangan district, and Dikchu, Singtam in Gangtok district and Rangpo in Pakyong district. (ANI) The Assam Congress Committee staged a protest in the state capital Guwahati on Thursday and burned a notice copy of the hiked electricity rates in the state. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi during the protets attacked the Himanta Biswa Sarma government and said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is treating the people of Assam as their personal ATM to evade their own debts. "CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is is treating the people of Assam as his personal ATM. Every time the government runs into debt, the BJP government increases the tax, electiricty bill, all forms of duties and toll tax. Therefore, poor people have to bear the burden of the failures of the BJP," said Congress MP Gogoi. He further alleged that people having conections with CM Himanta Biswa Sarma are increasingly buying land in Assam while the poor are getting even poorer. "The land of Assam is increasingly being bought by people linked to CM and his ministers. The poor people are being made poorer by increasing the taxes and bills," said Gogoi. "When Congress comes to power, we will provide 200 units per month free to the desrving families," he added. The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) had on September 30 issued a notice to all electricity consumers, stating the revised Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment (FPPPA) rates that will be in effect from October 2023 onwards. The FPPPA rates, as per APDCL were designed to account for fluctuations in fuel and power purchase costs. The rates vary depending on consumer categories: Meanwhile, speaking on the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh, Gaurav Gogoi said, "This shows how scared BJP is and they are on backfoot. Last year they summoned Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, this is just a way of intimidating the people of India." Sanjay Singh was arrested following a day-long questioning session by ED officials at his Delhi residence in the liquor policy scam case. Notably, Sanjay Singh is the third prominent leader of the AAP, after Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, to be arrested by a central agency. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a review meeting on 'Left Wing Extremism (LWE)' here in the national capital on Friday. The meeting, to be held on Friday morning, is likely to be attended by Chief Ministers, Home Ministers or their representatives from states of Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Kerala. These are those states that are affected by 'LWE' or the naxal problem. Union Home Secretary, top officials of Central Armed Police Forces and many senior officers of Central and State Governments will also attend the meeting. The meeting, which is held at certain intervals, aims at fulfilling the Central government's commitment to the development of left-wing extremist-affected states. However, a lot of success can be witnessed in the last few years in this sector due to the joint efforts of the Centre and the states in cracking down on Left Wing Extremism with extreme fall in naxal incidents. The central government, however, determined that unless the country gets rid of the problem of Left Wing Extremism completely, the full development of the country and the states affected by it is not possible. LWE has been a significant security challenge for so many decades. Though primarily a State subject, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has promulgated a 'National Policy and Action Plan' since 2015 to address the Left Wing Extremism menace holistically and the progress and the situation is being monitored rigorously and this Policy consists of a multi-pronged approach. The significant features of the policy are zero tolerance towards violence coupled with a big push to developmental activities so that benefits of development reach the poor and vulnerable in the affected areas. Pursuant to the Policy, the Ministry of Home Affairs is supporting the State Governments in Capacity Building and strengthening of Security Apparatus by deployment of CAPF Battalions, provision of helicopters and UAVs and sanction of India Reserve Battalions (IRBs) and Special India Reserve Battalions (SIRBs). Funds are also provided under the Modernization of Police Force (MPF), Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme and Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) for the modernization and training of State Police. For the development of Left Wing Extremism-affected states, the government of India has taken several developmental initiatives which include sanctioning 17,600 km of road. To improve telecom connectivity in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts, new mobile towers are being installed. For financial inclusion of the people in Left Wing Extremism-affected districts, several post offices, bank branches, ATMs and banking correspondents have been opened. Special focus is also being given to the opening of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The fight against the Left Wing Extremism menace is now in a crucial stage and the government is optimistic about reducing the menace to an insignificant level at the earliest. (ANI) The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with Savitribai Phule Pune University organized the soft launch of an online platform "Universalization of Traditional Indian Knowledge System (UTIKS) portal" at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, on October 5. The UTIKS portal was soft-launched by Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President, ICCR in the presence of Kumar Tuhin, Director General, ICCR, Dr Narayan Sabhahit, Pro-VC, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dignitaries and Officials from the state Government of Karnataka and international students from Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka. During his address, President ICCR Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said, "India was always a knowledge society, a knowledge giver as well but the colonial masters suppressed facts, denigrated our culture and scholarship and created an inferiority complex. With this portal, we are generating curiosity and restoring the dignity of India's knowledge culture." This online platform is for short courses on Traditional Indian Knowledge which provides an authentic single window source of introductory level knowledge on a range of subjects under the Traditional Indian Knowledge System and was developed in collaboration with Savitribai Phule Pune University. The Portal is aimed at disseminating knowledge and authentic information about Indian culture to the uninitiated, as well as introducing Indian culture in a nuanced manner to those who may already have a basic understanding but would be looking for a deeper appreciation of diverse subjects. "Savitribai Phule Pune University as the partner for creation of UTIKS, contributed by providing the academic framework for UTIKS capsules. Each UTIKS capsule consists of a 30-minute video segment, including organized video and audio content, images, interviews, and demonstrations," a press release statement said. Five of the UTIKS capsules-- 'Architecture of India', 'Cuisine of India', 'Attires of India', 'Introduction to Indian Cinema', and 'Ramayana and Mahabharata' were presented on October 5. "Seven more UTIKS capsules on diverse subjects are under different stages of preparation and will be available online shortly, the press release statement added. During the soft launch of the portal, a presentation on UTIKS showcasing videos of the 5 capsules on Indian culture with a brief narration was presented by Abhay Kumar, Deputy Director General, ICCR. UTIKS, an initiative of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), is an e-learning platform designed to take Indian culture to a global audience and present its rich civilization and culture in a learner-friendly manner. UTIKS provides an integrated platform and portal for online courses in Distance Learning Mode, accessible on various devices, from PCs and laptops to smartphones and tablets. It is not just for foreigners; but for everyone including those residing in India, and may be unaware of the depth and richness of our culture. (ANI) BJP chief JP Nadda on Thursday hit out at the Grand Alliance in Bihar, accusing their leadership of "corruption" and "appeasement politics". "The leadership here (in Bihar) is filled with corruption...They are busy with appeasement politics... It is time to say goodbye to such governments, and it is time to bring the BJP (government to power)," he said. The remarks were made at a gathering on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of BJP leader Kailashpati Mishra in Patna, Bihar. Pointing out that previous Congress governments at the Centre could not pass the Women's Reservation Bill, BJP Chief JP Nadda underscored that the Bill which subsequently became an act was passed in the Parliament in three days under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Hitting at the previous Congress-led UPA regime, Nadda said that the Bill was "lying" in Parliament and "no one paid any attention to it". "In UPA government, the Women's Reservation Bill was lying in Parliament...No one gave attention to it...Prime Minister Modi passed the bill in three days...," he said. The landmark women's reservation Bill, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, has now become a law after receiving the assent of President Droupadi Murmu. While remembering Kailashpati, the BJP functionary said," Kailashpati Mishra was an institution in himself who worked to bring forward all the sections of society". "Taking inspiration from his life, we will take the party with new power, not only in Bihar..but across the country". Nadda further recalled that Mishra took part in the "Quit India Movement" during the movement for the struggle for freedom. Though the Women's Reservation Bill has been passed in both houses of parliament, the implementation of its provisions will come into place after the next census and a delimitation based on the data of the census. This relatively long time frame caused criticism from the Opposition who wanted the Bill's implementation sooner. The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' was the first Bill passed by Lok Sabha after it shifted to the new Parliament building. On September 21, the Parliament passed the historic draft legislation, with the Rajya Sabha clearing it unanimously. A total of 214 members in the Upper House, voted in support of the Bill and none voted against it. The members welcomed the passing of the Bill by thumping their desks. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan flagged off the Shahdol-Nagpur Express train in Shahdol district on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, CM Chouhan said that it would provide convenience to the citizens in their transportation. Along with this, the development of this area would also gain momentum. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav for the beginning of the train from the district. "This tribal dominated district of the state will be directly connected to Nagpur through this rail. We will get a big benefit from this in development, the production of crops especially the trade of grains will get a boost. Shahdol-Anuppur-Umaria will get the benefit of the new railway. The people of the area deserve congratulations for this achievement. The dream of "Rail Chali Re Rail Chali - Shahdol Se Nagpur Rail Chali" is coming true today," CM said. Chouhan said that an ultramodern airport would soon be constructed in Shahdol. Without an airport, it was difficult to get investment, establishment of the airport would pave the way for setting up of big factories in the area. "We will leave no stone unturned in the development and welfare of the people. I am the voice of development of Shahdol - I am Shivraj," CM Chouhan said. The state government is grateful to PM Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnav, under their leadership many important railway projects are being operated in the state. In the budget for the year 2023-24, the state has received Rs 13,607 crore for the development of railways. As many as 80 world class railway stations will be constructed in the state, stalls of one district - one product will be set up at 47 railway stations, he added. Chouhan also said, "The state government has been working with commitment and activeness in the development of the region. Shahdol was made a division, arrangements for medical college, engineering college, university, ITI were made here. Development of the state is the mission of my life, in accordance with this spirit, continuous development activities in the state are being dedicated to the people. We will leave no stone unturned in the development of Shahdol." Officials of urban bodies and panchayats and public representatives were also present on the occasion at Shahdol railway station. (ANI) Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel today while addressing the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FICCI) National Executive Committee Meeting (NECM) emphasized that Gujarat is recognised as the growth engine of India and the world. The Chief Minister also said that Gujarat is determined to play a major role in making the country a $5 trillion economy and added that the state aims to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030. CM Bhupendrabhai Patel said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and by adopting the mantra of Atmanirbharta, India has become the 5th largest economy in the world. The state of Gujarat and Gujaratis are moving ahead under his inspiration to establish the Gujarat model." The Chief Minister further stated that Gujarat accounts for 6 per cent of India's geographical area but contributes 8 per cent to the GDP; 18 per cent to industrial output, and 30 per cent share of exports. He said the state's GSDP has grown from Rs 1.27 lakh crore to Rs 16.19 lakh crore in two decades. He also highlighted that the state government is committed to renewable energy and the conservation of the environment to tackle the challenges of climate change. CM Patel reiterated the state government's support to industry and stated that the government is committed to ensuring that businesses in the state do not face any problems. He lauded FICCI for its key role in the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and in making Gujarat a growth engine. Subhrakant Panda, President, of FICCI, and Managing Director, Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Limited (IMFA), said, "Gujarat is home to 100+ Fortune 500 companies and 13 lakh MSMEs and has grown at a CAGR of 15 per cent over the last two decades. It contributes one-third of India's exports, accounts for 15.5 per cent of RE capacity, and has the lowest unemployment rate among large states. Known for its industry-friendly approach and facilitative business environment, Gujarat has transformed by continually enhancing ease of business." Subhrakant Panda said that FICCI was working closely with the Gujarat government across a range of sectors including startups, energy, defence, education and skill development, and tourism. "We are committed to facilitating the government's agenda in sectors such as EVs and component ecosystem, Green Hydrogen and derivatives, and Renewable Energy which remains a key focus," Panda added. Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, Vice President, FICCI and VC and MD of Emami Limited, lauded Gujarat for constantly raising the bar of its ambition and scale. "The phase of infrastructure development in Gujarat is getting tremendous push and the investment-friendly environment along with ease of doing business are among the best in the country. The State's new Renewable Energy policy and its commitment to the environment and sustainability are commendable," he added. Rajiv Gandhi, Chair, FICCI Gujarat State Council and CEO and MD of Hester Biosciences, said "FICCI has always been at the forefront of catalysing change and promoting an environment that nurtures the growth and prosperity of our nation. Our collective aim is to bridge the gap between policy and practice. This meeting serves as a platform to deliberate on the achievement of the path and to envision the path for the future. Together let us shape the narrative for a resurgent India," he added. S K Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI said that states across India will play an important role in realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a $5 trillion economy. He said, "This is why our National Executive Committee Meetings are taking place at various locations across the country." He also described Mahatma Gandhi's role in FICCI formation and his chief guest speech at the 4th AGM in April 1931. Addressing a session on 'PM Gati Shakti', Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, said that PM Gati Shakti has ushered in efficiencies and seamless integration in project conceptualization, planning and execution. "Infrastructure will be a critical growth driver in India's journey to become a $32 trillion economy by 2047. We are seeing a historic push from the government for infrastructure development, which encompasses not just railways and roads but also ports, power, telecom, etc. The PM Gati Shakti can be a tool for global infrastructure development planning," she added. Subrat Tripathy, CEO of Adani Ports, shed light on Kutch's role in India's maritime trade noting that the district accounts for 26 per cent of the country's cargo. (ANI) The Pawan Kalyan led Jana Sena has today clarified that the actor, politician is not leaving the NDA but is supporting the Telugu Desam in its time of need. Janasena on Thursday said that Pawan Kalyan in his speech in Krishna district did not say that he was leaving NDA. "Pawan Kalyan said, though I'm in NDA, I'm coming out to say that we will support the TDP as they are weak now, this does not mean that he is leaving NDA, it means that despite of being a part of NDA, Kalyan will support TDP as they are weak now." said Bolisetty Satyanarayana, State General Secretary, and spokesperson of the Janasena Party. "So I want to clarify this to the people that we are very much with NDA, and we are going to be with TDP also. We're with TDP as its experience is needed to throw Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) out from Andhra Pradesh," the Janasena spokesperson added. The clarification comes after Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday offered all out support to the TDP and it jailed supremo Chandrababu Naidu. Kalyan said that the TDP is needed for good governance and development of Andhra Pradesh. "TDP is a strong party and Andhra Pradesh needs the Telugu Desam Party for good governance, for the development of the state. Today TDP is in a struggle we will support them. TDP needs Janasaink's young blood support in this situation. If TDP and Janasena join hands YSRCP will be submerged in the state," Pavan Kalyan said in a public meeting held at Pedana, in Krishna District on Wednesday. On September 14, Pawan Kalyan had visited Chandrababu Naidu in the Rajahmundry Central Jail where the latter has been lodged after he was sent to Judicial custody in a 'skill development scam' case. Janasena party chief Pawan Kalyan had also attended a meeting of the NDA held in Delhi on July 18. Sources say that Pawan Kalyan had also proposed an alliance of TDP, BJP, and his party in Andhra Pradesh to fight YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP . The BJP has yet to take a decision on this. In the last assembly election in Andhra Pradesh in 2019, Pawan Kalyan's Janasena had won just one seat with 5.6% vote share while the TDP had won 23 seats with 39.7% vote share. YSRCP swept the polls winning 151 seats with 50.6% vote share. Meanwhile TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu continues to be in judicial custody after his custody was extended today till October 19 by the Vijaywada ACB court. (ANI) The Patiala House Court of Delhi on Thursday allowed a plea moved by Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsClick, Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resources Head Amit Chakravarty for supply of First Information Report to them. Additional Sessions Judge Dr Hardeep Kaur allowed to serve the copy of FIR registered against NewsClick founder and others under stringent sections of UAPA. Yesterday, the Court allowed Prabir Purkayastha's lawyers to meet him for one hour daily during remand period. Earlier, the Court allowed the Delhi Police remand plea and sent the founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsClick, Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resources Head Amit Chakravarty to seven days of police remand on Wednesday. Delhi Police on Wednesday alleged that NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha conspired to peddle the narrative that Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are disputed territories with the help of a Shanghai-based company. Delhi Police informed the court that secret inputs revealed that Prabir Purkayastha, Neville Roy Singham (said to be an active member of the Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of China) and some other Chinese employees of Neville Roy Singham-owned Shanghai-based Company by the name of StarStream have exchanged emails which expose their intent to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not part of India. Delhi Police said such attempts by these persons reveal their conspiracy to peddle a narrative, both globally and domestically, that Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are disputed territories. "Their attempts to tinker with the northern borders of India and to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not parts of India in maps amount to an act intended towards undermining the unity and territorial integrity of India," said Delhi Police. The accused persons have also conspired to disrupt supplies and services essential to the life and abet damage and destruction of property by protraction of farmers' protests through such illegal foreign funding, they added. A false narrative has been propagated to discredit the efforts of the Indian Govt to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. It was learnt that Prabir Purkayastha conspired with a group namely People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 general elections, as per Delhi Police. "People's Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by M/S PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd was used for intentionally peddling these false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of a conspiracy," said the police in Court while seeking Prabir Purkayastha and Human Resources Head of the news portal NewsClick, Amit Chakravarty's remand. According to the Delhi Police, secret inputs have been received that foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and Foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of conspiracy with the intention to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, security of India. Since April 2018, such fraudulent funds in crores of rupees have been received by M/S PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd through illegal means during a short span of five years from M/s Worldwide Media Holdings LLC, USA and others. The remand application moved in Delhi Court stated that Prabir Purkayastha, Amit Sengupta, Doraiswami Raghunandan, Bappaditya Sinha, Gautam Navlakha, Geeta Hariharan, Amit Chakravarty and M/S Worldwide Media Holding LLC are shareholders of "PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd" having its registered office at New Delhi. "Such foreign funds have been fraudulently infused by one Neville Roy Singham through a complex web of several entities including M/s Worldwide Media Holdings (incorporated by Jason Pfetcher, a close associate of Neville Roy Singham, People Support foundation (Jodie Evans, wife of Neville Roy Singham being director), Justice and Education Fund, M/s GSPAN LLC (owned by Neville Roy Singham), The Tricontinental Ltd Inc US, Centro Popular De Midas, Brazil." It was learnt that both Tricontinental India Pvt Ltd and GSPAN India Pvt Ltd were incorporated by The Tricontinental Ltd, USA and GSPAN LLC USA respectively to infuse funds in India by circumventing the existing rules for receipt of foreign funds by NGOs. Further, it is learnt that Gautam Navlakha who has been a shareholder in PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd since its inception in the year 2018, remained involved in anti-Indian and unlawful activities such as actively supporting banned Naxal organisations and having anti-national nexus with Gulam Nabi Fai who is an agent of ISI of Pakistan. It was also learnt that Gautam Navlakha has been associated with Prabir Purkayastha since 1991 when they incorporated Sagrik Process Analyst Pvt Ltd, stated Delhi Police. (ANI) The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday staged a protest in Kolkata against the central government alleging inadequate disbursement of funds for MGNREGA and other social security schemes for West Bengal. TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and several other TMC leaders participated in the protest near the Raj Bhavan. Speaking at the protest, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being a "pathological liar". "This protest will continue. The way they have withheld the money of the people (100 days of employment) the protest will continue against it. Narendra Modi is a vindictive leader. BJP is a pathological liar. They do not know how to speak anything except lies. What can I do?" Banerjee said while speaking to ANI. TMC leader Babul Supriyo said that the protest is not limited to the party alone but that of the people of the state. "The people of West Bengal have joined TMC in this protest. This is not just a protest of TMC workers but the people of the state. These are the people who have been deprived of their money (100 days of employment) under MGNREGA," Supriyo said while speaking to ANI. Supriyo said that the central government can conduct audits but blocking the transfer of money is wrong. "So many teams were sent here. They have not seen anything. If you have seen anything suspicious you are free to do an audit, there's no problem with that...., but blocking the entire amount for the poor is not done," the TMC leader said. Hitting at the BJP for stooping to such low-level politics, Supriyo said, "People will make them lose for their anti-people stance. I have been in the opposition, but I have never stooped to such low-level politics." Meanwhile, TMC MP Santanu Sen said that common people have joined the protest to fight for their rights. "Everyone saw how TMC leaders protesting for the rights of the people of West Bengal were treated. The minister ran away and we were beaten by the police and arrested. The common man of Bengal has gathered here for today's program to fight for their rights," Sen said speaking to ANI. Speaking on the allegations of scams put forth by the BJP, the TMC leader said, "They say so (scams) on everything. If there has been a scam why did you not file an FIR?" Meanwhile, black flags were shown to the cavalcade of Governor CV Ananda Bose in Siliguri. The TMC held a mega protest in the national capital against the central government on October 2 and 3. (ANI) In a bid to make Uttar Pradesh a trillion-dollar economy and the growth engine of the country, the Yogi government is committed to transforming the state into a commercial hub across the country. According to an official release, in line with CM Yogi's intention, investors establishing industrial units in Greater Noida will have the opportunity for commercial use of additional land for industry through a special scheme. Under this scheme, there will be an allotment of industrial plots in which the recipients of the plots will be able to operate two commercial facilities in addition to core industrial operations on these plots. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has invited applications for industrial plots in five categories, which are located in Sector 24 with plot numbers 11-A, 11-B, 12, 15, and 21-B. This application process commenced on September 28. The premium cost has been set in the range of Rs 80 crore to Rs 151 crore, and the rate of allotment falls within the range of Rs 15,850 to Rs 16,000, the release said. It is noteworthy that due to its proximity to Jewar Airport, International Film City, Yamuna Expressway, and Buddha Circuit, those setting up industrial units by taking a plot will get the benefit of all the facilities including better connectivity and the first world-class project of its kind, the Pod Transit System in India, it said. Applicants interested in taking plots in this project can apply until October 20, 2023, and can log in to the official website of YEIDA for more information. The YEIDA website has provided information regarding the Mixed Land Use Industrial Plotting Scheme, including details about plot areas, sectors, and total premiums. Applications are being accepted for five categories of plots located in Sector 24 of Greater Noida, specifically plot numbers 11-A and B, 12, 15, and 21-B, it added. The special thing is that the applicants getting land through this scheme will have to use at least 75 per cent of the allotted land as a core industrial region, while the remaining area can be used as a maximum of two commercial regions. Additionally, apart from the core industrial region, the designated area can also be used for residential and cultural facilities, the release said. At least 5 per cent of the land on the total plot will have to be used for facilities and utilities; 8 per cent will have to be used for commercial purposes; and at least 12 per cent of land will have to be used for residential purposes, it said. YEIDA has partnered with the Bank of Baroda to manage the banking operations related to this project and will participate in the project as the exclusive banking partner. It is noteworthy that, whether it is an auction of industrial plots or the selection process through the draws, there is minimal scope for human involvement in conducting these procedures. Applicants are being successfully determined through this system in all Industrial Development Authorities, including YEIDA, the release added. (ANI) A Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to nine accused in the Tis Hazari court firing case. The court considered the fact that the charge sheet has been filed and some accused had been in custody for around 90 days. On Tuesday, the court took cognizance of the charge sheet filed by Delhi police against eight accused in this case. The charge sheet was filed on September 3. On July 5, firing and stone pelting occurred between two groups of lawyers at Tis Hazari Court premises. Initially, eight accused were arrested, and 6 firearms were recovered by the Delhi police. This incident was captured in the CCTV footage and had gone viral. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Pawan Singh Rajawat granted bail to Shiv Ram Pandey, Lalit Sharma, Manish Sharma, Sachin Sangwan, Ravi Gupta, Aman Singh, Jeetesh Khari, Asad Baig, and Rahul Sharma. The court granted bail to accused persons on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 50000 and one surety bond in the same amount by each accused. The court said in one of the orders that a charge has been filed and accused in custody for around 90 days. The charge sheet has not been committed to the court of sessions. Advocate Deepak Sharma appeared on behalf of the accused Manish Sharma. The bail application of Sandeep Sharma has been kept pending for October 7. Metropolitan magistrate Chatinder Singh of Tis Hazari Court took cognizance of the charge sheet on Tuesday. The matter has been fixed for scrutiny of the charge sheet. A copy of the charge sheet has been supplied to the counsel of the accused persons. A charge sheet has been filed under sections 147, 148, 201, 307, 323, 325 IPC, and 25 and 27 Arms Act against eight accused, namely Shiv Ram Pandey, Lalit Sharma, Manish Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, Sachin Sangwan, Ravi Gupta, Aman Singh, and Jeetesh Khari. The Delhi police have cited 32 prosecution witnesses in the charge sheet. It also includes CCTV footage of the incident. The FSL report has also been annexed with the charge sheet. During the investigation, Delhi police recovered six country-made pistols from the accused persons and ammunition in huge quantities. While dismissing the bail application of accused Shiv Ram Pandey, Additional Sessions Judge Sanjay Sharma had said, " In such a serious case where arms and ammunition were indiscriminately used and further, huge arms and ammunition were recovered from the co-accused persons, releasing the applicant on bail at this nascent stage of the investigation would seriously prejudice the course of the investigation." The Bar Counsel of Delhi (BCD) had suspended the enrollment of the counsels accused in the matter in its inquiry. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday, while sending Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on remand, said custodial interrogation appears to be necessary in relation to the receipt of the amount and the other activities related to the same and also to trace out the complete trail thereof. Special Judge MK Nagpal on Thursday sent Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh to ED remand till October 10 and said the allegations made against the accused pertaining to his attempt to receive the quid pro quo by making his close associate Vivek Kumar Tyagi a dummy partner in the entity named M/S Aralias Hospitality that effected some changes in the excise policy may be the subject matter of the scheduled offences case of CBI but from the allegations being levelled against the accused and the material placed before this court his direct nexus with activitiespertaining to the proceeds of crime of the present case by way of receiving the above amount of Rs 2 crores has been shown and his sustained and custodial interrogation appears to be necessary. "Therefore, in the totality of facts and circumstances, the accused is being remanded to the custody of ED till October 10, 2023, for the purposes of his detailed and sustained interrogation and confrontations with the above oral and documentary evidence", he said. However, it is directed that his interrogation shall be conducted at some place having CCTV coverage in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court and the said CCTV footage shall be preserved. It is also subject to the condition that he shall be medically examined once every 48 hours, said the court in order. It is also directed that the blood pressure of the accused shall be monitored twice a day and his sugar level shall be monitored once a day during his ED custody period for this purpose, he is being permitted to carry the requisite monitoring instruments with him, said the court. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday arrested Sanjay Singh after a day-long questioning by the ED officials at his Delhi residence. The federal agency on Wednesday morning undertook a raid at the residence of Sanjay Singh in connection with the now-cancelled liquor excise policy in Delhi. The development followed closely on the heels of the ED's raid on the premises belonging to two of Sanjay Singh's close aides in the same context. The case connects with claims that Singh and his partners played a part in the Delhi government's decision to give licenses to alcohol shops and merchants in 2020, causing losses to the state exchequer and violating anti-corruption laws. ED has previously searched a number of locations including the homes and offices of Sanjay Singh's close associate Ajit Tyagi and other contractors and businessmen who allegedly benefited from the policy. In its nearly 270-page supplementary charge sheet, the ED has called former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia a "key conspirator" in the case. The Delhi liquor scam case or the excise policy case pertains to allegations that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge that has been strongly refuted by the AAP. ED has so far filed five charge sheets in the case, including against Sisodia. ED, last year filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it has so far undertaken over 200 search operations in this case after filing an FIR after taking cognisance of a CBI case which was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi lieutenant governor. The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi chief secretary's report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010, officials had said. The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval. The beneficiaries diverted "illegal" gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection. As per the allegations, the Excise Department had decided to refund the Earnest Money Deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19. This allegedly caused a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer, which has been instituted on a reference from the Union Home Ministry following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. (ANI) A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Samagra Shiksha Uttarakhand and Swiss Education Group, Switzerland at the Secretariat on Thursday in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami with the objective to provide better training in the field of tourism and hospitality. State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha Banshidhar Tiwari and Executive Director of Swiss Education Group Hiraj Artinian signed the MoU to provide training in the field of tourism and hospitality to the students of classes 9th to 12th in Uttarakhand. Swiss Education Group will also assist in improving the vocational education curriculum for students in the state. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "This agreement will prove to be a milestone in the future for better training in the field of tourism and hospitality under vocational education to the children of class 9 to 12 in the state." He said that there is a lot of employment potential in both these sectors in Uttarakhand. "By gaining proficiency through training in these areas, our students will get many employment opportunities. Continuous efforts are being made by the state government to promote tourism. Many works are being done to promote religious, spiritual and adventure tourism as well as eco-tourism and wellness," CM Dhami said. CM Dhami further added that the state was also receiving many proposals in the field of hospitality. "There are many possibilities in this sector in the state in the coming times," he said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to Abhay Das Maharaj for playing an important role in this agreement with Switzerland in the field of tourism and hospitality in the state. About 4 months ago, there was a discussion between the Chief Minister and Abhay Das Maharaj to provide support to the state in these areas. The Chief Minister said that lakhs of devotees come to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand during the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand. "The effort of the state government is to ensure that devotees and tourists come to the religious and tourist places of Uttarakhand in large numbers within 12 months. For this, work is being done at a rapid pace on the Manaskhand Temple Mala Mission. Under this, work has been started by identifying 16 temples in the first phase," he added. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled development projects in sectors like road, rail, energy, housing and drinking water worth about Rs 12,600 crore in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh and attacked the Congress over "corruption" in government schemes during its rule. The Prime Minister, who also laid the foundation stone of 'Veerangana Rani Durgavati Smarak aur Udyaan' in Jabalpur, targeted the Congress and alleged that funds meant for the poor were filling the coffers of the corrupt. In a veiled reference to the Congress-led UPA government, he said headlines were about various scams. PM Modi said after 2014, the BJP-led government carried out a 'Swacchta' campaign to weed out the corrupt practices. "Eleven crore fake beneficiaries who never existed were removed from the government lists with the use of technology. After 2014, Modi ensured that the funds meant for the poor are not looted by anyone." He credited the creation of the trinity of Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar and mobile phones for the "obliteration of the corrupt system". "Today, because of this Trishakti, more than Rs 2.5 lakh crore has been saved from falling into the wrong hands," the Prime Minister said. Noting that it is a critical time for Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister pointed out that any hindrance in development will ruin the hard work of the last two decades carried out by the BJP government in the state. He said it is people's responsibility to ensure that children grow up to see a developed Madhya Pradesh in the coming 25 years. He said the state government has taken Madhya Pradesh to the top in agricultural exports in the past years and also stressed the importance of the state being a leader in industrial development. Noting India's manifold increase in defence production exports over the years, the Prime Minister said that Jabalpur has a big contribution to this. He said that the central government is providing 'Made in India' weapons to the defence forces and the demand for India's defence products is also increasing in the world. "Madhya Pradesh is also going to benefit a lot from this, thousands of new employment opportunities are going to be created here," he said. "Today India's confidence is at a new height," he added. PM Modi conveyed his best wishes to the entire tribal society, the people of Madhya Pradesh and the 140 crore citizens of the country on the occasion of the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Durgavagti. Speaking about the project unveiled in the state, the Prime Minister said that these will transform the lives of lakhs of people including farmers and the youth. "With the advent of new industries in the region, the youth will now find jobs here." He highlighted India's brilliant performance in the ongoing Asian Games and said that every youth feels that this time belongs to India. The Prime Minister noted that when the youth get such opportunities, their passion for building a developed India also gets a boost. He gave examples of organizing a grand world event like the G-20, and the success of India's Chandrayaan mission The Prime Minister noted that Khadi products worth more than Rs 1.5 crore were sold at a store in Delhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. "The feeling of Swadeshi, the feeling of taking the country forward is rising everywhere today," PM Modi said. He also touched upon the role of India's youth in achieving success in the world of startups. In the cleanliness campaign launched by the country on October 1, the Prime Minister informed that cleanliness programmes were conducted at more than 9 lakh places with the participation of nearly 9 crore citizens. He credited the people of Madhya Pradesh for taking the state to the top in terms of cleanliness. The Prime Minister alleged an "India-bashing approach" by some political parties at a time when the country's achievements are being discussed all over the world. He said such parties had raised questions about the Digital India campaign and India's COVID-19 vaccine. He alleged that such parties believe the words of the country's enemies and go to the extent of questioning the Indian Army. He also alleged that there has been criticism of Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. The Prime Minister said his government had made places associated with Dr BR Ambedkar a "panchteerth". "This shows the commitment of the government towards social harmony and heritage" he said. He said before 2014, MSP was given only for 8-10 forest produce while the remaining ones were sold at throwaway prices, while today about 90 forest produce have been brought under the ambit of MSP. "The double-engine government gives priority to the underprivileged", the Prime Minister said. He also spoke about Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and the PM Vishwakarma scheme. Madhya Pradesh and four other states will go for assembly polls later this year. (ANI) Cardinal George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church expressed his deepest condolences on the demise of Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, the esteemed Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Ranchi and the former President of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). Cardinal Telesphore Toppo was the epitome of selfless service who toiled for the integral development of the people entrusted to him. According to an official statement, he was born in Ranchi in 1939 and was ordained as a priest in 1969. Following his higher studies in Rome, he emerged as a steadfast advocate for the underprivileged, with their well-being always at the forefront of his ministry and works. In 1978, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dumka, and in 1985, he was elevated to the position of Archbishop of Ranchi. Notably, in 2003, he was created a Cardinal by St. John Paul II. As the first Asian tribal Cardinal of the Catholic Church, he stood as a source of pride and inspiration for the socially disadvantaged segments of society. Cardinal Toppo's humility and dedication to social causes earned him widespread admiration. His administrative prowess was evident in his dual leadership roles as President of the CCBI and CBCI. He was a great supporter of the communion ecclesiology to be accepted by the CBCI. Amidst these administrative accomplishments, his heart remained steadfastly focused on the plight of the poor and marginalized. He tirelessly advocated for the dissemination of the message of peace and love espoused by Jesus within his surrounding society. It was due to his strenuous effort that the CBCI could start a Medical College in Ranchi. Cardinal Alencherry expressed that with Cardinal Toppo's passing, the Indian Church bids farewell to a fervent advocate for the destitute, an educator who seamlessly integrated progress with education, and a distinguished humanist who connected with individuals from all walks of life. His life will continue to serve as an inspiring example for all those working for societal betterment. Cardinal Alencherry conveyed his condolences while participating in the ongoing Synod of Bishops in Rome. (ANI) The Eastern Command of the Indian Army is set to host a Mega Defence event "East Tech 2023" showcasing the latest in defence technology, at Maniram Dewan Trade Centre, Guwahati on October 10 and 11, first such event in the state. It is an initiative to identify cutting-edge technologies needed for solving operational challenges in the Eastern Sector and the Indian Army as a whole. As per the official statement, the aim of the event is to facilitate Eastern Command in meeting its operational challenges by incorporating Contemporary indigenous technology. "In the true spirit of "Atma Nirbhar Bharat', the event strives to engage a large number of Indian Manufacturers including MSMEs, DRDO, DPSUs, R&D Organisations' and Academia, to showcase their latest and the most advanced weapon and equipment technology at the event. It is also an initiative to promote and provide a platform to various Start-Ups and major players of the Defence Industries belonging to Assam and other NE States to showcase their latest innovations in the Defence sector," a Defence press release stated. The two-day event cum demonstration is being carried out for the first time in the entire North East Region. It is a joint effort of the Indian Army with the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of Assam. "The main objective of East Tech is to augment the technological knowledge base of the participants and acquaint them with prevalent "State of Art" technologies and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions available in the defence sector," the release stated further. It is with an underlying aim to create awareness of contemporary technologies and hardware solutions available with Indian Defence Manufacturers under "Raksha Atmanirbharta", to meet ever-evolving operational dynamics in Eastern Command with indigenous, innovative and future-proof technologies, thereby promoting "Soldiering through Self Reliance". "The event will also give a much-needed push to the defence manufacturers in North East and will help in closely integrating them into the supply chains. A seminar on niche technologies, with IIT Guwahati and a Medical Symposium with AllMs, Guwahati have also been planned during the event," the release added. The Indian Armed Forces have identified technologies required to be inducted to enhance its existing and future capabilities. Over-reliance on imported hardware has the potential to compromise the country's defence preparedness in times of crisis, through the imposition of various technology denial directives/ mandates by the supplier. "In the wake of the same, the event is focused on providing all the tools to enable Armed forces with Battlefield Transparency, Command and Control Architecture, Communication Systems, Information Dominance, Electronic warfare, Nano Technology IMEMS, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Unmanned warfare systems, Mobility, Chemical Biological-Radiological-Nuclear (CBRN) Defence, Advanced Weapon System, survival systems and Non-Lethal Weapons," the release added. The Eastern Command with its Headquarters at Kolkata, is the oldest and Largest Command of the Indian Army spanning around 10 states, with its troops incoordination with all the three elements of Indian Armed forces and the Para Military forces are deployed to counter any threats from its neighbours. The event will help identify suitable technologies and solutions customized to meet the operational requirements of the Field Army and create an effective ecosystem for swift procurement and effective maintenance of the selected Defence products. The event will help identify suitable technologies and products for subsequent trial and induction in Eastern Command, as well as facilitate the interface of Defence manufacturers with the Field Army to orient their products and further their Research and development towards specific operational requirements. (ANI) The Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar addressed the media in Hyderabad today about the poll preparedness of Telangana for the upcoming Assembly elections. CEC Rajiv Kumar said, "We had meetings with political parties, enforcement agencies, SPs, DMs, Police Commissioners and all other district, state and central agencies in the last 2 days in Hyderabad. We met representatives of different political parties including AAP, BSP, CPI(M), BJP, Indian National Congress, AIMIM, TDP and BRS. They told us that elections should be inducement-free in Telangana. They requested that money power, liquor and freebies distribution in the state should be cut. They also requested a level playing field. They welcomed ECI's decision of home voting for the elderly. They also requested the deployment of CAPF in critical locations and micro observers in polling stations, especially in urban areas. They also requested webcasting on polling days and vigil on hate speech." He added, "We have 119 constituencies with 88 general, 12 ST and 19 SC constituencies. We have 3.17 crore electors in Telangana. We have an equal ratio of male and female electors. We have 2557 transgender electors. We have 8.11 lakh first-time voters in the 18-19 age group. There is no suo motto deletion and only deletions are done when form 7 is received. All deletions were verified by the officers. 22 lakhs of voters were deleted in 2022 and 2023. The gender ratio in the 18-19 age group increased from 707 to 743. The electoral gender ratio is 998." He further said, "We have 35,356 polling stations in the state. The average number of voters per polling station is 897. We will have webcasting in around 78 per cent. There are around 20,000 polling stations in rural areas which is predominantly more. We have polling stations managed exclusively by people with disabilities, women, and youth and also model polling stations. All polling stations will have basic facilities of toilets, drinking water, volunteers for helping people with disability and others." He added, "For the first time in Telangana, we are giving all our senior citizens who are 4.43 lakhs, to vote from the comfort of their homes if they want. Similarly, the people who have more than 40% disability can also vote from home." He said, "cVIGIL app is an application a person can use to report the violation of any election code. One can upload a photo if someone is disturbing money or liquor and we will respond to it immediately and reply within 100 minutes. The name of the person will not be disclosed." He added, "The state voter turnout is 73.37 per cent. It is less common in urban areas. Telangana shares a border with 4 states. We have a total of 148 checkposts in these interstate borders. All the checkposts will have CCTV monitoring." He said, "We are committed to delivering free, fair and transparent elections. Money Power, freebies distribution and others will be on our radar. We have directed all central and state agencies to be alert and strict on any kind of money power, freebies, liquor and others. The central and state machinery will be vigil and strict on this." (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Parvesh Sahib Singh said on Thursday that arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh is not the last AAP leader to be sent to Tihar as the investigation into the Delhi Liquor Policy case progresses. "One after another, big leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party are being taken to Tihar Jail. We think Aam Aadmi Party will open its office in Tihar Jail. Because Sanjay Singh is not the last. More leaders are involved in this liquor policy scheme and ED (Enforcement Directorate) has substantial evidence," Parvesh Sahib Singh said speaking at a press conference in Delhi. The BJP MP further added that Sanjay Singh used to meet accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora and Amit Arora at his own residence and introduced them to Arvind Kejriwal at the latter's place. "According to the investigation by ED - Sanjay Singh used to meet Dinesh Arora and Amit Arora at his own residence. The Sanjay Singh used to take all these liquor mafias to Arvind Kejriwal's place," Singh said. "They also said that they had paid Rs three crore to Sanjay Singh, Rs two crore was given by Amit Arora and one crore by Indospirit company," he added. Speaking about Manish Sisodia whose bail plea was heard by the top court on Thursday said, "Their Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is also in jail in the liquor policy irregularities case. His bail plea was being heard and the court will pronounce its order next week. If they have not done anything wrong then why isn't the court granting them bail?" On the AAP staging a protest against Sanjay Singh's arrest, the BJP MP said, "I want to ask Arvind Kejriwal if he trusts the Judiciary. If you trust the Judiciary why is AAP staging a protest? If you haven't done anything wrong, then you should trust the Judiciary." The BJP also claimed that the AAP is playing the 'victim' card since elections are around the corner. "Since the elections are coming and you are part of the opposition, do not play the victim card...You need to present your case before the court. You cannot play the victim card then," Singh said. In a friendly advice to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said, "Accept your crimes so that your punishment can be reduced." BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla who was in the joint press conference said that the AAP continues to play the victim card on similar occasions and their acronym has now become 'Aur Adhik Paap' "AAP does not mean 'Aam Aadmi Party' but 'Aur Adhik Paap'...Whenever such arrests are made a tape recorder keeps playing, saying that vendetta politics is being played, not a rupee has been found," Poonawalla said. Poonawalla also added that it has been found in the court records that money was transferred in the liquor policy case. "Manish Sisodia has not got any relief...He is the principal architect in the Liquor Policy scam. The court has given its finding that money was transferred," he said. Speaking on the company which had allegedly transferred Rupees one crore to Sanjay Singh, the BJP leader said, "Indospirits is that company which was blacklisted earlier. This shows quid pro quo." AAP leader Sanjay Singh was arrested by the ED in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy 'scam' on Wednesday. Singh is the third prominent leader of the AAP, after Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, to be arrested by a central agency. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that he is honoured to address the program marking the 200th birth anniversary of Ramalinga Swami, also known as Vallalar. PM Modi through a video conference connected to the gathering assembled in Vadalur for the anniversary program and expressed his delight at holding the event in Vadalur, a place closely associated with Vallalar. "Vallalar is one of our most respected saints. He walked this earth in the 19th century but his spiritual insights continue to inspire millions of people even today," said Modi. Highlighting Vallalar's ethos of compassion, the Prime Minister emphasized on the saint's unwavering commitment to eradicate hunger. "Vallalar believed in compassion towards fellow human beings, one of his most important contribution was his strong commitment to remove hunger. Nothing pained him more than a human being going to bed, empty stomach. He believed that sharing food with hungry is one of the most noble acts of kindness," said the Prime Minister. PM Modi further said that we all are committed to this vision and recalled that when the COVID pandemic struck the country, 80 crore Indians received free rations which was a major relief in testing times. Vallalar's dedication to education and learning was also highlighted by PM Modi. He said that Vallalar gave importance to modern educational curriculum, further highlighting that how India after three decades has got a national education policy which is transforming the entire educational landscape. The Prime Minister praised Vallalar's progressive stance on social reforms, noting that his vision of divinity transcended religion, caste, and creed boundaries. He further expressed confidence that the saint would have blessed the passage of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' which reserves seats for women in legislative bodies. Earlier during the day, the Prime Minster was on his visit to Rajasthan's Jodhpur where he addressing a rally took a dig at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over his absence at the official event in which projects of about Rs 5,000 crore were unveiled and said the Congress leader has confidence that when Modi comes, everything will be fine. PM Modi, who addressed a rally after unveiling the development projects in Jodhpur, also attacked the Congress government in Rajasthan over the law and order situation in the state, saying there were several instances of atrocities against the Dalits and women. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government accusing it of transforming the country to a dictatorial form of government. "They are suppressing the opposition so that no opposition is left. They want to eliminate all the opposition and send them to jail. Efforts are being made to take the country towards dictatorship," Baghel said speaking to reporters in Raipur while reacting to Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh's arrest on Wednesday. Speaking about raids carried out by the central investigation agencies, Baghel said, "What has happened to journalists shows a dictatorial attitude. If a journalist writes something with his pen that is unbiased or criticizes you, then he is thrown into jail. There is an attack on opposition leaders. It did not start today but ever since the NDA government was formed. After Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, whether it is Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal the situation is everywhere like this." The statues of freedom fighter Mahadev Prasad Pandey and Narayan Prasad Avasthi were unveiled by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday. "The statue of freedom fighter Padmashree Mahadev Prasad Pandey as well as the great donor Narayan Prasad Avasthi was inaugurated in the Ayurvedic College. The statue of both the great persons who worked for education for the society and the country was inaugurated. It is a moment of pride for me to have had the opportunity to unveil it," he said. (ANI) As per the Levies force, the blast took place in Chaghi bazaar -- at a distance of 60 kilometres from Dalbandin near the Pakistan-Afghan border -- when a security forces vehicle was passing by. Security forces have surrounded the area, while the wounded have been moved to Dalbandin hospital for medical treatment, Levies said. The attack comes days after more than 60 people died in two separate suicide attacks in Balochistan's Mastung and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Hangu city on September 29. A patrolling post in the Kundal area of Punjab's Mianwali district also came under attack by ten to 12 terrorists on Sunday. One policeman was killed as security forces successfully repelled the attack killing two terrorists. As per a statistical report released by the independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), at least 271 militant attacks took place in the country during the first half of 2023, resulting in the loss of 389 lives and injuring 656 individuals. Terror activities in the country soared by 79 per cent during the period. Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced the November 1 deadline for the illegal "aliens", including Afghan illegal immigrants, to leave the county voluntarily. The caretaker interior minister revealed that Afghan nationals were responsible for 14 of the 24 suicide bombings in the country this year. Bugti said some 1.73 million Afghan nationals in Pakistan had no legal documents to stay, adding a total of 4.4 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. "Safety and security of the people of Pakistan is the prime responsibility and foremost priority of the government," he said, as per Geo News. (ANI) The Taliban has rejected the claims made by Pakistani officials alleging that Afghan refugees were involved in the recent suicide bombings in the country, reported TOLO News. The spokesperson of the Taliban administration Zabiullah Mujahid shared on social media 'X' that the Afghan refugees are not involved in these attacks. He also added that Islamabad seeks to harass Afghan refugees in several ways. "We deny that if the refugees settled in Pakistan, they would have handled any attack and incident in that country," he said. However, Pakistan's interior minister Sarfraz Bugti said that the Afghans are involved in 14 of 24 suicide bombings that ripped the country this year, TOLO News reported. He further said that the Fatwa (formal ruling or interpretation on a point of Islamic law) issued by the Taliban's leader should become practical in this respect. Bugti noted, "There have been 24 attacks since February. The Afghan nationals conducted 14 of them" According to some political analysts, such remarks made by the Pakistani officials will affect their relations with the Taliban, TOLO News reported. Yousuf Ameen Zazai, a military veteran said, "The people can solve the issue of security and they can take their security. The people on the two sides of the [Durand line] can take the security. They should be given the opportunities and the regional and world countries should support them, I think the issue of terrorism will be eliminated." "When you reflect hostility to 40 million people, I think it is irresponsible and contrary to the neighboring and international laws," another political analyst Sadiq Aminzoy said. Earlier this week, two people including a 12-year-old child were killed on Wednesday when an Afghan sentry opened "unprovoked and indiscriminate" firing on pedestrians at the Chaman border in Balochistan, the military's media affairs wing said, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. A statement made by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, "Afghan authorities have been approached to inquire the reason for such irresponsible and reckless act, apprehend and hand over the culprit to Pakistani authorities." It added that the Taliban was expected to "exercise control over its troops and impart discipline to act responsibly in order to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future". In 2022, six people were killed and 17 others sustained injuries in firing by the Afghan Border Forces at the Chaman border. The incident was widely condemned by the then-government, Foreign Office and diplomats. (ANI) The US Embassy in India has dismissed the claims of a US media outlet that India-US ties may get worse amid the ongoing India-Canada diplomatic standoff saying that Ambassador Eric Garcetti is working hard to advance partnership of US with India. A US-based politics focused newspaper, Politico, had reported that "US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has told his in-country team that, because of the diplomatic spat with Canada, relations between India and the US could get worse for a time". Dismissing these reports, the US Embassy said that Ambassador Garcetti is working hard every day to "deepen the partnership between the people and governments of the United States and India". "Garcetti also has said the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an undefined period of time," the Politico report added. The US Embassy added that as the personal engagement and public schedule of Ambassador demonstrates, that the US Mission to India and Garcetti are working "every day to advance the important, strategic, and consequential partnership we have with India". Earlier also the US had said it is "deeply concerned" and is in close coordination with Canada on allegations of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau regarding the Indian government's involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Tuesday said that her country wants "private talks with India to resolve a diplomatic dispute" over the killing Nijjar, Reuters reported. "We are in contact with the government of India. We take Canadian diplomats' safety very seriously and we will continue to engage privately because we think diplomatic conversations are best when they remain private," Reuters quoted Joly as saying to reporters. The statement by Joly comes after a report said India had asked Canada to withdraw 41 diplomats. Meanwhile, the US State Department Deputy Spokesperson, Vedant Patel on October 3 urged the Indian government to cooperate with the Canadian investigation to ensure that "those responsible are brought to justice". A day before Patel's remarks US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller in response to a question related to Nijjar's killing in Canada said, "We remain in close coordination with our Canadian colleagues on this question,". There is a strain in India-Canada relations following Justin Trudeau's allegations regarding the Indian government's 'potential role' in the fatal shooting of Nijjar. Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. Trudeau, during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. However, India has out-rightly 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. The country has said it wants to "work constructively with India" regarding the allegations. (ANI) Stating that India's focus is achieving 'parity' in terms of diplomatic presence, the Ministry of External Affairs further called for a reduction in Canadian diploamts in India citing their continued "interference" in New Delhi's "internal matters". This comes amid the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada after which New Delhi suspended the visa operations to Canada and called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats in India. Addressing the press briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Given the much higher presence of diplomats or diplomatic presence here...and their continued interference in our internal matters, we have sought parity in our respective diplomatic presence. Discussions are ongoing on the modalities of achieving this". "Given that Canadian diplomatic presence is higher, we would assume that there would be a reduction," he added. On being asked if the reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats could see a decrease in the number of visas issued by the Canadian High Commission in India, Bagchi said, "It's up to the Canadian side, who they choose to staff the High Commission with...our concerns are related to ensuring parity in diplomatic presence". He further added that India's primary focus is on two things; having an atmosphere in Canada, where Indian diplomats can work properly and in achieving parity in terms of diplomatic strength. Last month too, India had cited Canada's "diplomatic interference in internal matters", and stated there should be a parity in diplomatic staff strength. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had recently alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Nijjar. Trudeau, during a debate in the Canadian Parliament, claimed his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. 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. Meanwhile, Trudeau has said that Ottawa wants to "work constructively with India" regarding the allegations. Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. (ANI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his Dominican Republic counterpart Raquel Pena Rodriguez strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and stressed on the need for international community's concerted and coordinated action to combat terrorism. The joint press release of the meeting between Jagdeep Dhankhar and Raquel Pena Rodriguez reads, "Strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They emphasized the need for concerted and coordinated action by the international community to combat terrorism, by adopting a zero tolerance approach. They also called for an expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework." The two leaders acknowledged the "critical importance" of maintaining regional stability and peace. Vice President Dhankhar and Rodriguez emphasized the need for continued close coordination between the two countries in multilateral organizations on respective national candidatures and global issues of mutual interest. The joint press release reads, "Acknowledged the critical importance of maintaining regional stability and peace. To this end, they recalled India's involvement in Haiti as part of UN led MINUSTAH (The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti) and underscored the importance of international support for the capacity building training of Haiti's Police and security forces." Dominican Republic Vice President congratulated India for successful organisation of the G20 Summit in Delhi. She thanked India for amplifying the voice and concerns of the Global South and developing countries during its G20 Presidency. According to the joint press release, the two leaders reiterated the high priority attached to the issues of climate change, environment and sustainable development. Vice President Dhankhar and Rodriguez expressed their willingness to work together in building resilience to the negative impacts of climate change. The joint press release of the meeting between two leaders reads, "The Vice-President of India took note that the Dominican Republic, as a Small Island Developing State, looks forward to the adoption of the Multidimentional Vulnerability Index." "Welcomed the signing of a bilateral cooperation MoU on ocean science and agreed to work together in exploring solution to the problem of the massive proliferation of the sargassum seaweed afflicting the Caribbean beaches, affecting the livelihood of coastal populations and the tourist industry," it added. The two leaders underlined the opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy, including under the International Solar Alliance (ISA). The joint press release reads, "The Dominican Republic side stated that efforts are afoot for early ratification of the ISA Framework Agreement that the Dominican Republic has already signed." The two sides looked forward to deepening their engagement within the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) with India as co-chair and the Dominican Republic as the representative Small Island Developing States in the Executive Committee, for the period 2022-2024, according to the joint press release. India and Dominican Republic took note of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during Raquel Pena Rodriguez's visit to India. The MoU was signed between the Central Drug Control Organization of India (CDSCO) and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food, and Health Products of the Dominican Republic (DIGEMAPS). Furthermore, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Institute of Oceanography of India (CSIR-NIO) and the National Authority for Maritime Affairs of the Dominican Republic (ANAMAR) signed an MoU. Notably, Rodriguez arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday on a three-day visit to India. During her visit, she met President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. She also held a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Ministry of External Affairs in an earlier press release said, "The visit is significant as it is 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." (ANI) Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said that India's position regarding the entire Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India is well known and New Delhi has raised its concerns with US side regarding US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome's recent visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "Our position on the entire Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir that being an integral part of India is well known. We would like to urge the international community to respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Bagchi said during a weekly media briefing here. The MEA spokesperson was asked about Blome's visit and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti's remarks regarding the visit. "We have raised our concerns about that visit by the US Ambassador of Pakistan with the US side and with regards to Garcetti's comment, we don't think the two situations are equivalent," Bagchi said. US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome was recently paid a six-day visit to Gilgit-Baltistan during which he visited different areas and met local representatives and Gilgit Baltistan government officials, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. Queried about United Kingdom MP Andrew Gwynne's visit to PoK and the remarks he made there on September 26, Bagchi reiterated that India will request international community to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. "I think I would just repeat what I have been saying about visitors. We would request international community to respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity. You know our position on the areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and how we look at the entire Union terroritory as integral part of India. That would be my comment on India," Bagchi said. "I don't have anything particular as you said the video has just come out. I don't know if our mission has taken it up but we convey our concerns on such things on regular basis whenever we see such developments," he added. On September 26, US Ambassdor to India Garcetti said that US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome's visit to Gilgit-Baltistan is a matter which should be "resolved between India and Pakistan, not by any third party including the US." Garcetti had said: "It's not my place to react to the US Ambassador in Pakistan but I know he's been before and we have had obviously parts of our delegation in Jammu and Kashmir during the G20 as well." "We'll stay engaged but it has to be something that is resolved between India and Pakistan, not by any third party including the US," he said. Earlier in September, India lashed out at Pakistan after the country's caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar predictably raised the Kashmir bogey in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. In its right of reply, the First Secretary at United Nations for the Second Committee of UNGA, Petal Gahlot said that Pakistan should vacate occupied areas of India and stop cross-border terrorism. She asked Pakistan to stop human rights violations against minorities in Pakistan. Petal Gahlot said, "In order for there to be peace in South Asia, the actions that Pakistan needs to take are threefold first stop cross-border terrorism and shut down its infrastructure of terrorism immediately. Second, vacate Indian territories under its illegal and forcible occupation. And third stop the grave and persistent human rights violations against the minorities in Pakistan." Indian diplomat reiterated that union territories of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh are integral parts of India and Pakistan has no "locus standi" to make statements regarding India's domestic matters. "We reiterate that the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral part of India. Matters pertaining to the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are purely internal to India," Petal Gahlot said. "Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on our domestic matters. As a country with one of the world's worst human rights records, particularly when it comes to minority and women's rights, Pakistan would do well to put its own house in order before venturing to point a finger at the world's largest democracy," she added. (ANI) Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first leader to congratulate the new President-elect of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, the Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi looks forward to engaging with the new administration in Male. Notably, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate Mohamed Muizzu won the Maldivian presidential elections on Saturday by securing over 53 per cent of votes in the polls. Addressing the press briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Prime Minister was the first leader to convey greetings and felicitations to President-elect. PM Modi conveyed and reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing overall bilateral cooperation in the Indian Ocean region" "Subsequently, our High Commissioner in Male called on the President-elect, and he had a good discussion on various aspects of our bilateral relationship including development cooperation," he added. The MEA also congratulated the Maldivian people for demonstrating their faith in democratic governance and constitutional processes, and firm commitment to democracy and the rule of law. "The focus of our partnership with Maldives has always been on capacity building and working together to address our shared challenges and priorities. As neighbours, we need to collaborate closely to address the challenges confronting our region such as transnational crimes and Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR). We look forward to engaging with the new administration in Maldives on all such issues," Bagchi said. Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives, Munu Mahawar, met with President-elect Mohamed Muizzu, conveying PM Modi's congratulatory message to the newly elected leader. The meeting was focused on enhancing and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. Earlier, on October 1, Prime Minister Modi congratulated Muizzu on winning the Maldivian presidential elections. Taking to his official handle on X, PM Modi posted, "Congratulations and greetings to @MMuizzu on being elected as President of the Maldives. India remains committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region." The presidential candidate from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Muizzu, won the Maldivian elections on Saturday, Al Jazeera reported citing local media. Muizzu won with more than 53 per cent of the votes, after the results of votes in all 586 ballot boxes were tallied. This was the second round of polling after no candidate emerged as a clear winner in the first round. Muizzu had emerged as the frontrunner in the first round with around 46 per cent votes, followed by Ibrahim Solih's 39 per cent. (ANI) India's Ambassador to UAE Sunjay Sudhir on Thursday said the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is a special kind of connectivity between continents through the Gulf. Speaking on India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor, Sunjay Sudhir told ANI, "This is a very special kind of connectivity. It's not just between two countries. It's between continents, between India and Europe, through the Gulf. And the Gulf is very important for us because that's a part of our extended neighbourhood. Again, this is not just connectivity in terms of carrying containers of traded items, but more than that, transmission of electricity, green hydrogen, fiber optic cable, and other things." He recalled UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's visit to India for attending the G20 Summit. He called UAE one of the most proactive participants of the G20 discussions spread across the year. Speaking about India-UAE ties, he said, "It's a very strong relationship. If you just recall, a few weeks back, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was in India, as a special invitee of, the Indian government to participate in the G20 Leaders Summit. And there they participated, in the very landmark project of the India-Middle East economic corridor. UAE have been one of the most proactive participants in the G20 discussions spread across the year. And I think This reflects how important the UAE is, in terms of India's foreign policy." India, US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will consist of two separate corridors, the East corridor connecting India to West Asia/Middle East and the Northern corridor connecting West Asia/Middle East to Europe. It will include a rail line, which upon completion, will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement the existing multi-modal transport routes enhancing transhipment of goods and services between South East Asia through India to West Asia/Middle East and Europe. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], October 5 (ANI/TPS): Israeli Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi spoke at a conference in Saudi Arabia's capital on Wednesday, marking the first speech by an Israeli minister in the country. "As demonstrated by the Abraham Accords, when nations converge on mutual goals, outcomes can be monumentally transformative," Karhi told the audience at the Universal Postal Union's 2023 Extraordinary Congress. UPU is a United Nations agency and the primary forum for international cooperation in the postal field. He thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of Saudi Arabia for "launching the blossoming ties between our nations." Thanking the people of Saudi Arabia for their hospitality, he added, "Our common respect for God and tradition can serve as a bedrock for harmony between our peoples." Karhi, whose family came to Israel from Tunisia, ended by blessing the participants in perfect Arabic, which he described as his "mother tongue." Karhi arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday at the head of a 14-strong delegation that included David Bitan, chairman of the Knesset's Economic Affairs Committee. "It is a great honor to represent the State of Israel in this historic visit to Saudi Arabia. It is especially meaningful to visit during the holiday of Sukkot, a time of renewal, gratitude and blessing in the Jewish faith," Karhi told the Tazpit Press Service from Riyadh. Last week, Tourism Minister Haim Katz became the first Israeli Cabinet minister to be granted an entry visa by the Saudi government, arriving in Riyadh to participate in a conference of the United Nations World Tourism Organization and mark World Tourism Day, celebrated annually on Sept. 27. The back-to-back ministerial trips are the latest indication that a normalization deal between the two countries, seen as increasingly likely in the coming months, is indeed in the offing. On Friday, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Jerusalem and Riyadh have agreed on the contours of a possible US-mediated normalization agreement. "All sides have hammered out, I think, a basic framework for what, you know, what we might be able to drive at," he said, amid an ongoing effort to bring the Sunni kingdom into the Abraham Accords. The Trump administration-brokered accords in 2020 normalized relations between Israel and four Arab nations: The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. (ANI/TPS) Tel Aviv [Israel], October 5 (ANI/TPS): The Israeli Defence Forces launched a study this week to analyse the security implications of a normalization deal between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study is being administered by a number of IDF branches, including intelligence, strategic planning, the Iran department and the Air Force. The study seeks to clearly outline the advantages of the deal, including possible opportunities for partnership, along with the security risks of potential concessions that may be required of Israel to secure such an agreement. The findings will be presented to IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant before being examined by the Cabinet. There is currently no confirmed timeframe for the study. The long-touted normalization deal has received the full backing of the United States and is a central campaign promise of the current Israeli government under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Saudi deal is seen as the logical continuation of the Abraham Accords, which tripled the number of Israeli-Arab peace deals in the span of four months in 2020. Netanyahu has on many occasions praised the advantages of such a deal, and has stated that it would lead to a "quantum leap" in regional stability and peace. However, experts say that there are multiple nuances to such a deal which may present both great security advantages as well as potential dangers. According to experts, a central security advantage of Saudi-Israel normalisation would be the potential cooperation between the two countries on a litany of defence issues. "A deal between us will allow us to cooperate on intelligence, share techniques and strategies and work together in any way that helps defend both countries," former Israeli National Security Adviser Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror told the Tazpit Press Service. "Both countries already exist under the umbrella of U.S. Central Command, and share many common threats; there is a natural place for partnership and cooperation," said Amidror, who is currently a fellow at The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA). Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official, author and Middle East analyst and educator, further expanded on this point, telling TPS that some of the central threats that can be partnered on include Iran and "the complex operations in southern Syria which smuggle drugs and weapons into Jordan that then flow into the Gulf state, as well as sometimes Israel and Egypt." According to Melamed, the current political reality has made "Israel's physical borders secondary when Israel looks at its big interests. When Israel looks at the overall big picture, Yemen and the Indian Ocean emerge as the southern geostrategic border." In this context, Saudi Arabia's outsized influence in places like the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait makes it "enormously important in stabilizing and strengthening Israel's southern geostrategic border," he said. Melamed further explained that "all along Israel's borders, including Jordan, Egypt and the Red Sea, there are domestic players that are attuned to the Saudis' interests, and incorporating these players into a mutual partnership of give and take could greatly benefit Israel's security." Beyond the direct defence implications of a normalization agreement, such a deal is also expected to cause major changes in Israel's international standing and have a positive effect on its economy. Both of these factors can indirectly impact Israel's broader security paradigm, said Amidror. "Having an agreement with Saudi Arabia will automatically enhance Israel's international standing, possibly open the door for future agreements with other Muslim states and remove Israel from its isolated status facing a hostile and threatening Muslim world," said Amidror. "The essence of Israel's position will be totally different," he added. From the economic side, "The combination of the technological giant, Israel, and the economic giant, Saudi Arabia, has huge potential for increasing the stability and richness of the Middle East," said Amidror. Despite the numerous potential security advantages of a normalization deal, there are also several risk factors. One of Saudi Arabia's central negotiation demands has been the establishment of a nuclear program, including a uranium enrichment operation. This request has raised concern in Jerusalem, with the Israeli Prime Minister's Office stating that "Israel never agreed to a nuclear program for any of its neighbouring countries, this was and remains Israel's policy." Israeli political leaders have on multiple occasions said that they are uncomfortable with the idea of a Saudi nuclear program, which they believe will open the door to other Middle Eastern countries making similar requests. Despite these concerns, many believe there is room to negotiate with Riyadh, and that a consensus can be reached that doesn't threaten Israel's security. "The nuclear question does not need to be a problem. I think [the United States] can deliver many concessions, including mining uranium, milling uranium, exporting uranium and setting up fuel banks in Saudi Arabia, as long as [Saudi Arabia] is willing to move on the enrichment question," Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser for the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, told TPS. Amidror emphasized the necessity of proper oversight to ensure that red lines are not crossed. However, he agreed that a deal was possible. "We need strict oversight to make sure that the Saudis do not develop nuclear military capabilities, without that the risk is not worth it. If Israeli security experts are comfortable with the oversight guarantees so that the deal will not be violated, then we can move forward," said Amidror. Regarding the general threat of nuclear proliferation throughout the Middle East, Melamed presented a pessimistic picture. "It's not about prevention anymore--if Turkey or Egypt decide tomorrow that they want a nuclear program for civilian purposes, who's going to stop them?" said Melamed. "Today it has to be looked at from a different perspective. We have to separate the players we can play ball with and negotiate with, like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, and the problematic players like the mullah regime [of Iran] who are a real threat," he stressed. A further security concern surrounding normalization efforts with Riyadh is the dilution of Israel's "qualitative military edge" compared to its Middle Eastern neighbors. As part of the Abraham Accords Israel conceded the sale by the United States of F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates. Similar concessions to Saudi Arabia are expected as part of a future normalization deal. However, experts say that there are ways of getting around these concerns. "We have a lot of experience with the United States in solving similar problems. It has been decades since the United States made its commitment to keep Israel's qualitative edge, and all that is needed are some discussions between Israel and the United States about how we adjust our partnership to allow for Saudi demands," said Amidror. "This is a question of technical detail," he added. Melamed went even further, saying that "today, the military reality is completely different, and the significance and meaning of Israel's qualitative edge is completely different. Israel will need to be compensated for major changes in Saudi Arabia's military technology, but the calculation of what exactly keeps Israel's qualitative edge is not as simple as [it was] 40 years ago, when any major weapon sales to Saudi Arabia fundamentally threatened Israel's security." The final factor in the US-Israel-Saudi negotiations that may have a destabilizing effect on Israel's security is potential concessions to the Palestinians. Although no official concessions have yet been articulated, multiple sources confirm that certain concessions are almost guaranteed to be part of the framework of a deal. In a recent interview with Fox News, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman notably did not mention a two-state solution as a prerequisite for normalization, however, at a minimum the deal is expected to include a large influx of money to the Palestinian Authority. The security implications of a normalization deal from the Palestinian perspective remain unclear. "Nobody knows how the Palestinians will react. It might ignite the Palestinian territories ... or it may lead to no reaction. There are a lot of moving parts and a lot of factions in a very volatile situation. It is impossible to tell," said Melamed. (ANI/TPS) Police in Islamabad and Quetta detained more than 700 foreign nationals for allegedly living without legal documents, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. The development comes a day after the Pakistan federal government gave illegal immigrants the deadline to leave Pakistan by November 1. In a statement, an Islamabad police spokesperson said 1126 people were questioned during the operation. Among them, 503 were allegedly found to be living illegally. They were booked under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and have been kept in prison on judicial remand. Around 623 people were released after they showed the requisite legal documents, according to the statement. Islamabad police said that the entire process was carried out without any "unpleasant event," adding that connecting criminal elements to illegal foreign nationals was "false equivalence," according to Dawn report. More than 200 Afghans allegedly living illegally were arrested in Quetta, according to Quetta Division Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said. He said that the arrests were made from various regions of Quetta, Dawn reported. Shafqaat stated that action against illegal buildings on Quetta's drainage channels has started with 11 such structures already sealed. He said that there are more than 1,000 such illegal residential and commercial complexes which pose a natural disaster threat, Dawn reported. On Tuesday, Pakistan's caretaker federal government has set November 1 as the deadline for illegal immigrants to leave the country or else face deportation, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. While addressing a press conference, Pakistan caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that the immigrants have been given a deadline of November 1 to leave the country. He further said that a task force has also been formed which will take action against illegal immigrants. Bugti said, "Pakistan is the only country permitting people's entry even without a passport." He further said that the assets owned by illegal immigrants would be confiscated. He pointed out that a web portal is being established to report any illegal activity related to smuggling, as per ARY News report. "The names of those who provide any information related to illegal activities would be kept secret," Bugti elaborated. He made the remarks following the apex committee meeting. Meanwhile, the National Apex Committee meeting has decided in principle to evict foreigners, illegally living in Pakistan.The decision was taken in a meeting of the Apex committee chaired by Pakistan caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in the chair. The meeting was attended by high-ranked security officials. According to sources, security officials briefed the participants of the meeting about the recent terror incidents in Pakistan, ARY News reported. The meeting was also briefed about the steps being taken to control terrorism in Pakistan and action against illegal immigrants. (ANI) A Russian missile strike has resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people in a village near the eastern Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, marking one of the most devastating attacks on civilians since the conflict's onset, CNN reported. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that Moscow's forces targeted a cafe and a shop in Hroza, located in the Kharkiv region, just after midday local time (5 am ET). The aftermath of the strike depicted scenes of emergency workers navigating through dense rubble, tending to the six individuals injured. Among the casualties were 29 victims whose bodies were identified, including a 6-year-old boy, with the other remains sent to facilities in the city of Kharkiv. Tragically, the missile struck when locals had gathered inside the store for a wake, resulting in a level of devastation unseen since a 2022 attack on a railway station in Kramatorsk that claimed the lives of at least 50 people, according to CNN. Hroza, a village housing 330 people, suffered immense loss, with approximately one-fifth of its population wiped out in the attack. Ukrainian Interior Minister Klymenko decried the incident as "a terrible tragedy for Ukraine" and a "war crime committed by the Russians" that must be met with accountability. Ukrainian officials identified the weapon used in the attack as an Iskander missile, a ballistic missile with a relatively short range, capable of carrying a warhead weighing between 500 and 700 kilograms. The Iskander missiles have been frequently employed by Russian forces against Ukraine, leading to significant civilian casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labeled the attack a "demonstrably brutal Russian crime" and a "completely deliberate terrorist attack." He called for an end to Russian terror and condemned those who support Russia, emphasizing the need to halt such genocidal aggression. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal described the attack as "brutal and cynical" and expressed the urgent need to stop Russian terror. He called for a coordinated and united effort, with the support of international partners, to prevent further loss of life and injuries from enemy missiles and shells, CNN reported. (ANI) Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of LuLu group Yusuff Ali has said United Arab Emirates (UAE) is investing a lot in India and there is a strong relationship between the two countries. "Both countries and their relations are growing day by day. UAE imports a lot of products from India...UAE exports petroleum products and petroleum by-products to India. So the relationship is very strong and UAE is investing a lot in India..." the LuLu group chairman said while speaking on UAE-India trade. He further said: "The relationship between India and UAE is coming closer and closer nowadays. The visit of Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan three times to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to UAE so many times and their personal relationship, plus the bilateral, commercial, and investment are growing." At the meeting with top business leaders from India and UAE hosted by the Abu Dhabi Chamber, Yusuff Ali said that India under the "dynamic leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considered an emerging power and one of the strongest economies in the world. He said that the common focus of UAE and India is peace, stability and economic progress. He said that 3.54 million Indians form an integral part of the development of the UAE's economy. "Today, the common focus of both UAE and India is peace, stability, and economic progress. UAE under the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is dynamic and one of the most advanced nations in the world. On the other hand, India under the dynamic leadership of PM Narendra Modi is considered as an emerging power and one of the strongest economies in the world," Yusuff Ali said. "More than 3.54 million Indians form an integral part of the growth and development of UAE's economy and society. Indians are also earning their present better with that most dignity and respect here," he added. He said that India and the UAE will continue to move forward with greater cooperation. He called Abu Dhabi a safe and secure place to work and live and an incubator for talents, innovators and entrepreneurs. (ANI) This story is part of Image issue 22, a meditation on the many definitions of the citys favorite word: luxury. Read the whole issue here. Eleventy store opening in Beverly Hills Eleventy brings a bit of Milan including its meticulous tailoring and craftsmanship to Beverly Hills with its new store. Custom light oak furniture, a monochromatic color scheme, sculptural tables and warm lighting design create an inviting atmosphere to shop. Opens Oct. 4. 546 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills. eleventymilano.com AP House Los Angeles Audemars Piguet offers an in-store shopping experience as exquisite as its selection of watches. This expansive space features a dedicated watchmaking studio for education and personalized service by a full-time watchmaker. Beyond timepieces, the AP House L.A. hosts curated vinyl stations, DJ booths and contemporary art displays from Francois Ghebaly gallery. Open now. 8560 W. Sunset Blvd., Penthouse, West Hollywood. audemarspiguet.com Schiaparelli at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills Schiaparelli has opened its third U.S. store on the second floor of Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills. Outfitted with a wide selection of ready-to-wear, eveningwear, handbags, leather goods, jewelry and accessories, the boutique is designed with gold-accented furniture and with the maisons signature surrealist and whimsical flair. Open now. 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. neimanmarcus.com IZ-US Group Show at John Doe Gallery Curated by Alfonso Gonzales Jr., IZ-US is a group show that celebrates the resilience of creativity and is a testament to the ever-evolving spirit of 'Do It Yourself.' The exhibition, which is aimed at redefining the art landscapes, features work from Mia Scarpa, Andrea Aragon, Mike Resse, Lauren DAmato, Jack Alving, Angela Anh Nguyen, Esperanza Rosas, Jennifer Manzo and more. On view through Nov. 4. 107 E. 11th St., Los Angeles. johndoegallery.com Big Willy by Willy Chavarria at Pac Sun (Paul Yem / For The Times) Willy Chavarria creates a striking collection of T-shirts and hoodies. Chavarrias broad silhouettes and ornate graphics seamlessly blend comfort and style. Proceeds from the collection will go toward Fresno Barrios Unidos, a nonprofit based in Fresno, Chavarria's hometown. Available now. pacsun.com L.A. Fashion Week L.A. Fashion Week is back. Designers hitting the runway this year include Imitation of Christ, Theophilio, Luis De Javier, Sami Miro Vintage, Demobaza, anOnlyChild, BruceGlen, Neon Cowboys, TOMBOGO, Sergio Hudson, Advisry and No Sesso . LAFWs second year under N4XT Experiences brings new activations including a BeautyLab in collaboration with Lancome and interactive digital showcases. Oct. 18-22. Nya Studios, 1541 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. lafw.net Van Cleef & Arpels at South Coast Plaza Van Cleef & Arpels has a new home in South Coast Plaza. The jeweler expanded to a 4,200-square-foot space which includes two large display rooms, five salons, five curated libraries and a bridal salon. French artist Marianne Guely created a 40-foot-long paper sculpture for the store inspired by Californian scenery. Opens Oct. 10. 3333 Bristol St, Costa Mesa. vancleefarpels.com Saint Laurent store at Palisades Village Palisades Village is home to a new Saint Laurent store. IThe 4,564-square-foot shop has concrete floors and marble finishes and occupies a rather sizable space in the quaint shopping district. Open now. 1000 N. Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades. palisadesvillageca.com Patrisse Cullors at the Fowler Museum In celebration of the opening of an exhibition at the Fowler highlighting pan-Yoruba culture through art, Patrisse Cullors, a longtime practitioner of Ifa, will contribute a live performance of Ori Whispers, an ethereal celebration of the power and strength of the Black Femme Ori. Cullors also created a multiroom, multimedia installation for the exhibit called Free Us, which invites audiences to examine their relationships to spirituality. On view Oct. 28June 2. 308 Charles E. Young Drive N., Los Angeles. fowler.ucla.edu LACMA Art + Film Gala honors Judy Baca and David Fincher Presented by Gucci, LACMA's 2023 Art + Film Gala honors muralist Judy Baca and filmmaker David Fincher ("Se7en," "The Social Network"). The museum is thrilled to honor Judy for her achievements, for her commitment to public art, and for her impact in the cultural landscape of Los Angeles and beyond, LACMA CEO Michael Govan said. Proceeds from the annual Art + Film Gala go toward underwriting LACMAs initiative to make film more central to the museums programming. Baca also will have an exhibition at the museum, in which she and a team of local artists expand her iconic Great Wall of Los Angeles mural into the 21st century. On view from Oct. 26 to June 24. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. lacma.org Boyz II Beasts at Central Server Works DTLA Mike Reese's celebrated short-story collection Boyz II Beasts Act 1: No Soul Left Behind inspires this immersive exhibition and accompanying children's book. Reeses works use eerie childlike drawings that delve into the tumultuous mental and metaphysical struggles of adolescence. On view through Nov. 3. 3027 Grand Ave., Los Angeles. centralserverworks.com "Stepping Into the Light" by Manuel Lopez at Charlie James Gallery In his second solo show, Manuel Lopez takes a moment for quiet interiority. An amalgamation of his influences, Stepping Into the Light highlights the vitality and beauty of the everyday, from a bright South L.A. street corner to his fathers shirts hanging out to dry. On view through Nov. 4. 969 Chung King Road, Los Angeles. cjamesgallery.com Diaspora Dialogues: Family Party at Soho Warehouse Anita Herrera knows exactly what we all need: a carne asada with the homies. Herrera brings us back to the 90s with a re-creation of backyard celebrations in L.A. First hosted in CDMX, the event/art installation will feature many of the diasporic elements that manifest in our gatherings, including live grupo norteno music, DJs and a bounce house. Nov. 11, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. 1000 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles. sohohouse.com This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. After a 14-year-old boy confessed to killing his older brother, Alabama deputies say they found a hit list for other family members in his backpack, according to local news outlets. The boys 17-year-old brother went missing on Monday, Oct. 2, AL.com reports, but his father did not report his absence to the police. The next day, Pike County High School staff called the father to pick up his 14-year-old who was reportedly distraught over where his brother was, according to AL.com. While searching outside of the familys house, the father found the 17-year-old dead in the back of the property, AL.com reports, which prompted him to call law enforcement. Pike County authorities arrived to the Monticello community home around 2 p.m. Oct. 4 and began their investigation, according to AL.com. Several people were interviewed by sheriffs office investigators, WSFA 12 reports, but Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas said the younger boy said that he shot his brother on their porch. After taking a few staggering steps, the older brother fell down the stairs and the 14-year-old dragged his body about 60 yards to the back of the property, the sheriff told WSFA. Not only did the 14-year-old confess his role in the killing to Pike County authorities, but deputies say he had also confided in one of his friends from school. After he was said to have killed his brother, the boy asked his friend to help him kill the rest of his family members and bury them, WSFA reported. This student was taking a test and he was so bothered by what this 14-year-old friend had told him that he reported it to the teacher, who then relayed the information on to the administration, Thomas told WSFA. The friend also informed law enforcement that the 14-year-old had a detailed hit list naming other targets, according to WSFA. We always talk about see something, say something. That is what that friend did in this moment, Pike County district attorney James Tarbox told WSFA. The hit list, which investigators found in the 14-year-olds backpack, included details of who, where, how [and] whether they would be easy or difficult to kill, Thomas told WAKA 8. A plan of how to escape once he went through with the killings was described as well, the sheriff said. The boy also had made threats to shoot up his high school, according to the sheriffs office. It was written all out on the paper, Thomas told WAKA. If the boy hadnt confessed to killing his brother and his friend hadnt have come forward, it could have been a very, very tragic situation, Thomas told WAKA. The threat to the public, whether it be the family or it be the people at Pike County High School, the threat has been eliminated, Thomas told WAKA. On Wednesday, Oct. 4, Pike County Schools released a statement about the 14-year-olds arrest and his alleged hit list. The school system was made aware of the students disturbing and threatening statements Tuesday morning, superintendent Mark Bazzell said in the statement. The student was immediately removed from the school after discovering the information, Bazzell said, and there is no evidence that there is an ongoing threat to the school. However, out of an abundance of caution, the Pike County School System has requested an increased law enforcement presence on the Brundidge campuses, Bazzell said in the statement. Additionally, mental health wellness support for students and staff has been made available. The 14-year-old is being held in a juvenile correctional facility, WAKA reports. Pike County is about 50 miles southeast of Montgomery. Teacher sexually assaulted student and bought new phone to hide texts, Georgia cops say Teen shot dead at party, California police say. Didnt deserve to die like this Fighter 16-year-old dies after lightning strike on hunting trip with dad in Florida Overcooked Ocean temperatures are steadily climbing, turning coastal waters into steaming and deadly hot tubs. And that's not some loose analogy to describe the very real dangers of climate change. Earlier this year, sensor buoys off the coast of Florida registered temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, around the average temperature of a literal hut tub. The effects of these blistering temperatures have been devastating to local marine life, as well as freshwater life further inland. Most recently, more than 150 pink river dolphins died in Lake Tefe in Brazil's Amazonas state, a tragedy that's startling scientists and conservationists. As The Washington Post reports, the catastrophe was likely triggered by climate change's soaring temps. Dying Dolphins Water temperatures in the remote lake reached a terrifying 102 degrees Fahrenheit, roughly 59 degrees higher than the average of any body of water in the Amazon, per the newspaper. Water levels have also hit worrying lows as a result. "It is common for communities to run into a dead dolphin or two at some point," Claudia Sacramento, head of the Environmental Emergencies Division at the governmental Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, told the WP. "Usually theyre just old or sick. But we had never seen something like this before." It may also be a compound issue; researchers are now investigating whether biotoxins or viruses may have also had something to do with the die-off. But the most straightforward solution to this puzzle is the rapidly heating water, a terrifying new reality that comes courtesy of global warming. In fact, the waters are so hot that the dolphin carcasses are decomposing at a speed such that scientists barely have any time to bring them to a lab to figure out what their exact cause of death was, per WaPo. "Were provoking this ourselves," Adriana Colosio, a veterinarian from the Humpback Whale Institute, told WaPo. "If something bad happens to the dolphins, we are next." More on hot waters: Florida's Ocean Now Officially the Temperature of a Hot Tub A year after the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Irans morality police, a 16-year-old girl has been hospitalized in the country after she entered a subway car with her hair uncovered, and left the same car unconscious. In security camera footage shared by Irans state television, the teen, Armita Garavand, appeared to have her hair uncovered when she walked into a subway car in Tehran on Sunday. Shortly after, more security camera footage shows Armita being taken out of the train car unconscious. Footage of what happened on the train has not been released, but according to an Iranian Kurdish rights group, Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the countrys morality police officers severely physically assaulted Armita for allegedly not abiding by the countrys dress code. Authorities have denied any allegations against them, instead saying that Armita fainted after her blood pressure dropped because she skipped breakfast, the New York Times reports. Armita is currently in a coma in the intensive care unit of a Tehran military hospital under guard. Many are drawing comparisons to Amini, who died in custody of the morality police last year after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her head scarf too loosely. Aminis death triggered a national uprising that became Irans longest protest since the late 70s, during which hundreds of people were killed. Heres what to know. What happened Video footage of the incident shows a young girl with short black hair entering a train around 7 a.m on Sunday, though not much else is known about the sequence of events that followed. Journalist Farzad Seifikaran, who first reported on this story, according to the New York Times, interviewed Armitas relatives who allege that Armita was with two friends on the trainwho also had their hair exposedwhen they got into an argument with officers over covering their hair. They said one of the officials then pushed Armita, who fell and hit her head against a metal object, according to the Times. Armita, the Times adds, has since suffered cerebral hemorrhaging from the incident and remains under critical care. The state news outlet IRNA, released footage of an interview with Armitas parents on Tuesday reiterating the official version of the incident. My daughter, I think her blood pressure, I dont know what, I think, they say that her blood pressure dropped then she fell down and her head hit the edge of the metro, said Shahin Ahmadi, Armitas mother. She said her daughter was on her way to school in the Shahada Metro when the incident occurred. During the interview, Armitas father said that his daughter was healthy and was not on any medications. Both of the young girls parents reiterated that the events that transpired were an accident, and asked people to pray for their childs recovery, per the IRNA. But many Iranians are skeptical of official accounts. A later press release by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights alleged that Armitas mother was later detained by Iranian officials. Her exact location, they say, has been unknown since Wednesday evening. The organization added that the interview released by IRNA with Armitas parents was completed under the intense presence and pressure of security forces. At the hospital, the Times reports that Armita is being guarded by security agents. Civil rights groups say that authorities have gone so far as to threaten to arrest family members if they speak to the press. A journalist for the newspaper Shargh was arrested and detained after she interviewed Ahmadi on Sunday, according to the papers editors. Some say the extreme security measures and silencing of journalists is evidence of a greater crime committed. Transparency means all the security agents leave Fajr Air Force Hospital and surrounding areas and journalists be allowed to report on what happened to the 16-year-old girl, tweeted Mohsen Borhani, a lawyer in Tehran. According to the laws of the country, preparing news about such an incident is not a crime. Whats been happening in the country The past year has seen serious attacks against Iranian women. In March, more than 100 people were arrested for helping poison thousands of school girls across the country. Toxic gas attacks at schools, and especially girls schools, had been occurring since at least November 2022, and impacted numerous cities. The exact cause of the attacks remains unknown. Some say it was done by hyper-religious groups that are against the education of young girls while others say that the gas poisonings were meant to target young girls who took part in protests over Aminis death. Current government rules in Iran mandate women to wear a hijab, but thousands have refused to do so daily in an act of defiance. The act is dangerous in a country that has warned women that they can use facial recognition technology to charge them for their crimes later. Shocked and concerned about reports that Irans so-called morality police have assaulted 16-year-old Armita G[a]ravand. We are following news of her condition, tweeted Abram Paley, the U.S. deputy special envoy for Iran.We continue to stand with the brave people of Iran and work with the world to hold the regime accountable for its abuses. Contact us at letters@time.com. From "The New Deal's War on the Bill of Rights" by David Beito. A mid-August police raid of the Marion County Record, a small, family-owned weekly newspaper in Marion, Kansas (population 1,922), ignited justified outrage among First Amendment advocates and civil libertarians across the U.S. During the raid, local police, using the dubious pretext of identity theft, seized computers, cellphones and other equipment belonging to the paper which, perhaps unsurprisingly, had been critical of the police. While Americans expect this kind of behavior in places such as China, Cuba and Russia, were always shocked when it happens here. Were especially shocked when the culprit is usually considered a resolute defender of freedom. Eight decades ago, one such defender of freedom or, at least, a resolute opponent of Nazism President Franklin D. Roosevelt, unleashed his Justice Department on another small-town, family-owned newspaper, the Boise Valley Herald in Middleton, Idaho, (population 477 in 1940). Many in the Roosevelt administration disliked the paper because of its unflinching criticism of FDRs foreign policy, his complicity in racial discrimination, and his civil liberties abuses. Like the Marion County Record, the Herald featured such routine fare as births, deaths and weddings. The publisher, Adelbert Cornell, who had Quaker-inspired pacifist beliefs, described himself as a daylight farmer and lamplight editor. But in 1942, the Herald faced a challenge that threatened to destroy it. Postmaster General Frank Walker, relying on a letter from Attorney General Francis Biddle, branded the papers content seditious and pulled its low-cost, second-class mailing privileges. Congress had granted low rates to newspapers in 1792 because of the presss important contribution to the public good. This was no small matter for a shoe-string publication such as the Herald. The governments case was flimsy. It did not even imply a conscious attempt to aid the enemy or advocate illegal acts. Instead, the charge of sedition centered on editorial opinions, such as claims that the U.S. embargo on Japan had helped provoke the Pearl Harbor attack, that income-tax withholding imposed an onerous burden on the poor, and that wartime mobilization was suppressing individuality. The government also deemed as seditious several of the papers articles opposing government discrimination against Japanese Americans. One, for example, had accused the FBI of pulling a typical Nazi stunt in this section of Idaho in the form and manner of raiding and searching the homes of every Japanese resident within many miles of Caldwell. The Cornells fought back by personally delivering copies locally and sending papers in sealed envelopes without return addresses to out-of-towners. Adelbert Cornell hoped to reprint all of the offending material in a pamphlet, suggesting half-seriously that it might be valuable to writers who wish to avoid the pains and penalties of the law, as a handbook of forms of what not to write for publication. The postmaster general finally lifted the restrictions in 1944, but warned the Cornells to tone it down. They ignored him. The fallout from the Herald affair produced almost no national media coverage, though two prominent Idaho dailies, one of them reliably supportive of FDRs foreign policy, expressed solidarity on First Amendment grounds. Shortly before an ACLU-recruited lawyer appeared before the Post Office Department Board, he was privately warned: Apparently, the boys in Justice are dead set against the newspaper even though it is a relatively unimportant one. Attorney General Biddle may have felt special disdain for the Herald because it was not an ordinary pacifist publication. The Cornells, instead of confining themselves to purely symbolic gestures, such as appealing for more conscientious-objector exemptions, pushed an aggressive political agenda. They advocated a negotiated peace and stressed the underside of wartime mobilization and New Deal regimentation. The pages reprinted articles by such Civil Rights champions as Bayard Rustin and highlighted disparate racial treatment in criminal justice. That the Cornells were not just armchair crusaders might have sharpened the governments animus. Two of Adelbert Cornells sons had gone to jail for refusing to register for the peacetime draft in 1940. The experience of the Boise Valley Herald some 82 years ago underlines the importance of protecting free speech and freedom of the press. It also illustrates how governments, when given the chance, often seek to quash criticism. The Heralds David versus Goliath showdown with the Roosevelt administration also stands as a timely lesson in how a charge of sedition like todays charges of racism, sexism, ableism and all the other forbidden isms can easily be abused because of its open-ended and malleable nature. Reprinted with permission from Lee Enterprises newspapers. David Beito is a research fellow at the Independent Institute in Oakland, California, and a professor emeritus of history at the University of Alabama. He is the author of the upcoming book, The New Deals War on the Bill of Rights: The Untold Story of FDRs Concentration Camps, Censorship, and Mass Surveillance. Funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children quickly halts during government shutdowns. View comments Because I don't have a car, I take two buses every few weeks to shop at Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's has a variety of cuisines, which is important to me since I don't eat beef or pork. I grabbed items like the meatless cheeseburger pizza and honey-walnut shrimp during my last trip. I live in Richmond, Virginia, and don't have a car. Every few weeks, I take two buses to the nearest Trader Joe's, about an hour from my house. I first fell in love with shopping at Trader Joe's in college because the meals were simple and affordable. I also love the variety of cuisines offered, which is important to me because I grew up not eating beef or pork. Here are some of the items I like picking up at Trader Joe's. The mini chicken tikka samosas work great as a side or appetizer. I sometimes pair the mini chicken tikka samosas with a chutney. Karyn Cook I love to whip up the mini chicken tikka samosas as a quick snack. Although they're pretty good on their own, I sometimes buy or make a chutney to pair with them. As someone who doesnt eat beef, the meatless cheeseburger pizza is one of my favorites. The meatless cheeseburger pizza is a great vegetarian option. Karyn Cook The meatless cheeseburger pizza is unlike anything I've ever had before. The meat alternative is delicious and tastes just like a hamburger. The pizza is topped with pickles and a "special sauce," and even uses cheddar instead of mozzarella for a burger-like taste. The mini pancake puffs work as either a quick breakfast or a sweet treat. The maple-flavored mini pancake puffs are great for a meal or a sweet snack. Karyn Cook These are the Trader Joe's version of Dutch pancakes, known as poffertjes. The mini pancake puffs are light and airy but also quite filling. I like to add strawberry jam for a light breakfast or powdered sugar for a sweet afternoon treat. The French brioche is perfect for breakfast. The sliced French brioche is a versatile breakfast favorite. Karyn Cook I love the French brioche because I can do so much with it. If I have time in the morning, I use it to make delicious French toast. If I'm in a rush, it's just as good with some butter and strawberry jam. Trader Joe's organic green tea and lemonade pairs well with both meals and snacks. Trader Joe's organic green tea and lemonade is my favorite drink. Karyn Cook The organic green tea and lemonade is probably my favorite drink at Trader Joe's. I usually go through multiple bottles a week because it's so refreshing after a long day. I enjoy green tea and the added lemonade gives the drink a light, crisp taste. The shrimp and garlic flatbread is the perfect afternoon snack. I love seafood and the shrimp and garlic flatbread is no exception. Karyn Cook I eat a lot of seafood and usually reach for the shrimp and garlic flatbread as an afternoon snack. It's simple and easy, and the shrimp pairs perfectly with the butter and garlic flavors. Turkey bacon is the perfect alternative to beef or pork. Turkey bacon is great on anything from BLTs to casseroles. Karyn Cook Because I don't eat beef or pork, Trader Joe's turkey bacon is the perfect alternative. It's quite tasty and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I often use some on a BLT or on top of baked potatoes and casseroles. Trader Joe's honey-walnut shrimp was my go-to meal in college. The honey-walnut shrimp was one of my favorite meals in college. Karyn Cook The honey-walnut shrimp was a dinner staple for me throughout college. After either sauteing or baking the shrimp, I then toss it in the included honey-walnut sauce. I usually make my own fried rice as a side, but the shrimp is pretty filling on its own. Some people might expect it to taste like the Panda Express item of the same name, but I think it has its own unique taste. The dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups make a great snack. I reach for the dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups when I want something sweet. Karyn Cook Trader Joe's dark-chocolate peanut-butter cups got me through many study sessions in college. Because they're made with dark chocolate instead of the traditional milk chocolate, it's pretty hard to eat just one. Everything but the Elote is my favorite versatile seasoning. Trader Joe's Everything but the Elote seasoning tastes great on just about anything. Karyn Cook Elote, commonly referred to as Mexican street corn, is packed with tons of great flavor. My brother and I use this seasoning on everything from fish and chicken to mashed potatoes and vegetables. Trader Joe's shrimp seafood burgers are the perfect hamburger alternative. I like to pair the shrimp seafood burgers with a remoulade or tartar sauce. Karyn Cook My family likes to either grill the shrimp burgers outside or bake them in the oven. I usually add all of the typical hamburger toppings like lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, before placing the patty on a bun. Sometimes I'll even pair it with a remoulade or tartar sauce. Hash browns make the perfect breakfast side. Although the hash browns are a great breakfast side, I sometimes like to serve them with dinner. Karyn Cook These hash browns are quick and easy to make and pair well with just about any breakfast dish. I like to enjoy them alongside eggs and breakfast sandwiches. Sometimes I'll even use it as a quick and easy side dish at dinner. Trader Joe's ube mochi pancakes have a unique, sweet taste. I always stock up on this seasonal item when I see it in the store. Karyn Cook The ube mochi pancake and waffle mix is a seasonal item, so I always make sure to stock up when I see it in the store. I've never really had anything like these sweet, airy, easy-to-make pancakes. They're so good that I don't even use a lot of syrup on top. I bought Cowboy Caviar after sampling it in-store. During my last trip, I discovered a new favorite salsa. Karyn Cook During my last visit to Trader Joe's, I sampled Cowboy Caviar, a salsa consisting of corn, black beans, red bell peppers, and jalapenos. It had a nice kick to it, and I can't wait to snack on it while watching my favorite late-night shows. The Shrimp Boom Bah is another one of my favorite items. I love the sweet and spicy sauce on these shrimp. Karyn Cook The Shrimp Boom Bah is another seafood staple for me. These crispy, battered shrimp are topped with a delicious sweet-and-spicy sauce. Click to keep reading Trader Joe's diaries like this one. Read the original article on Insider Two 1-year-old girls drowned this week in a backyard swimming pool at a California daycare. The pool at the San Jose home daycare center was supposed to be off-limits, state records show. The tragedy will be an "eye-opener" to families across the country, said a police official. Two 1-year-old girls drowned this week in a backyard swimming pool that was supposed to be off-limits at a home daycare center in California, according to authorities and state records. The Monday deaths of the children, identified to Insider by the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office as Payton Cobb and Lilian Hanan, will be an "eye-opener" to families across the country, a police official said. "This incident as a whole will be an eye-opener to many families, not just here in San Jose but nationwide, to really do their due diligence and investigate" their daycare facilities, San Jose Police Department spokesman Officer Steven Aponte told reporters this week, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The tragedy unfolded on Monday morning at the Happy Happy Home Daycare center in San Jose, according to police. First responders arrived at the home where the daycare facility was operated just after 9 a.m. for a report that multiple children had fallen into a pool there, authorities said. Three kids, including two who were in "severe medical distress," were discovered in the pool and rushed to local hospitals, Aponte said, according to NBC Bay Area. Two of them were pronounced dead. The third child was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. "This is the type of call that's the worst that a parent can receive," Aponte told reporters, according to KGO-TV. It was not immediately clear how the children wound up in the pool or whether anyone would face criminal charges over the incident, but police are continuing their investigation and said the probe could take several months. The Happy Happy Home Daycare did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Insider on Thursday. State inspectors previously raised concerns about the off-limits pool area State records viewed by Insider show that the Happy Happy Home Daycare was licensed with a capacity of eight by the California Department of Social Services in January 2021. Before owners Nina Fathizadeh and Shanin Shenas were granted the license, state inspectors raised concerns about the pool area, which was considered to be an "off-limit" part of the home, the records show. State inspectors said in a December 2020 inspection report that the pool was fully fenced in the backyard and that the fence was at least 5-feet-high and made of a "hard mesh material." "The gate swings away from the pool, self-closes and has a self-latching device, located no more than six inches from the top of the gate," the report said. Inspectors took issue with gaps on both ends of the fence and asked for them to be shortened to no more than two inches, according to the report. In another report before the license was issued, state inspectors said there were "four windows behind the fencing that lead directly to the pool" and that "in order to ensure there is no immediate risk to the health and safety of the children in care," the fence should be modified to go "in a straight line." That report said the fence gaps inspectors previously took issue with were shortened. The license was issued days later and state inspectors said in a report that day that the fence had been modified and that the "pool area is inaccessible to the children in care." "All items that posed a potential threat to the children in care, from the side and back yard area, have been now removed," the inspectors wrote. "The area examined is now in compliance with the health and safety regulations, in accordance with Title 22." State records show that the facility has been cited six previous times. It was once accused of having five infants, instead of four, in the home and another time was accused of not obtaining "criminal record and child abuse index clearances" for an employee. Inspectors last inspected the daycare center last month when they issued a citation accusing the owners of not maintaining sleep check documentation for the children, according to the records. The California Department of Social Services told Insider in a statement that it is conducting an investigation into Monday's drowning incident and that it was unable to comment further, citing ongoing investigations. Read the original article on Insider PRINCE GEOREGE'S COUNTY, Md. - Prince Georges County police have arrested a man for allegedly killing a 2-year-old girl. In September, the Chief Medical Examiner ruled this case a homicide. They discovered the toddler died as a result of traumatic injuries to her head. Kevin Robinson, 38, is now behind bars at the Department of Corrections and is being held without bond. Online court records state he is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, child abuse resulting in death, and second-degree child abuse. According to Prince Georges County police, back on May 27 around 10:50 p.m., officers responded to Parkland Square Apartments on County Road in District Heights. They discovered 2-year-old Nychelle Pettus inside and unresponsive. Kevin Robinson, 38, via Prince George's County Police Neighbors are stunned by the allegations. "Youre going to hell. Thats not nice. Kids deserve to grow up, to be kids. Kids just deserve to grow up," said Tiffany. "Thats crazy because my 8-year-old daughter plays outside around here Its shocking. Im surprised." Prince George's County Police Department says, "The preliminary investigation revealed Robinson had sole care and custody of the victim when her fatal injuries occurred." Investigators believe that Robinson is in a relationship with the victims mother, and they all lived together under the same roof. "Who knows what the issue was, but something needs to be done as far as childcare, more affordable, free childcare, that mothers can send their kids to so that they dont have to leave them home with their boyfriend, so they can feel more comfortable," said Tiffany. Robinsons next court date is set for Thursday, Oct. 5 at 1:15 p.m. A 22-year-old man from Missouri was identified as one of two U.S. Army soldiers killed in a military transport vehicle crash in Alaska, officials say. Fort Wainwright said the crash happened Monday, Oct. 2, in the Yukon Training Area. Seventeen soldiers were aboard the vehicle when when the driver lost control on a dirt road, causing the vehicle to flip, an Army spokesperson told the Associated Press. Two soldiers were killed and 12 were injured, Alaskas News Source reported. The soldiers were based out of Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks and had been participating in training exercises, the outlet said. Fort Wainwright identified the soldiers Wednesday as 22-year-old Brian Joshua Snowden, of Lonedell, Missouri, and 23-year-old Jeremy Daniel Evans, of Knoxville, Tennessee. This is an incredible loss for all of us across the division, Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, said in a statement shared on Facebook. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and fellow soldiers of Spc. Evans and Spc. Snowden. While were always challenged by the environment, were Arctic Angels, we overcome these challenges and accomplish our mission by being a team, and teams take care of one another, especially in times like these. Snowden joined the Army in July 2020 after completing training at Fort Moore in Georgia, the Army said. He came to Fort Wainwright in 2021. The Grandview R-II School District in Missouri said Snowden was a 2020 graduate of Grandview High School. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are extended to his family for their loss, as well as our thanks for his service, the school district said. Dona Sappington, Snowdens older sister, said in a Facebook post she last saw her brother in January 2022. Before you left I told you that you had to come home because after mom dies its just the two of us, Sappington said. I knew something was off for days and I definitely didnt feel right all day. I could never ever imagine that today would be the day you left us. Missing National Guard soldier found dead in Alaska, cops say. Her husband charged Three Marines were found dead near NC coast, military says. Cause of death announced Three Philadelphia police officers who were called to a home where a family was arguing about a video game were hurt in a shootout Wednesday. The suspect was killed, officials said. The officers were taken to an area hospital where they were listed in stable condition. A 12-year-old boy was playing video games when an argument between the boys uncle and his father escalated, NBC 10 reported. The boys father got a gun and shot the uncle, officials said. The boys father went to the front of the home, in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood, to wait for officers to arrive and then began shooting, officials said. Responding officers fired back and killed the man. The uncle was hospitalized in critical condition. The child and a woman in the house werent injured, according to reports. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Arnold firefighter charged after 4 weekend arsons in Westmoreland County HBO Telemarketers star Patrick Pespas reported missing Woman charged for allegedly hitting other woman, dog while driving home while highly intoxicated VIDEO: Devastated: Trauma response team goes door to door after double homicide in Hill District DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts In the states busiest courthouse this week, clerks, attorneys and judges are preparing for a software launch designed to bring much-needed modernization to the states antiquated judicial system. On Monday, Mecklenburg County will become the fifth courthouse to launch eCourts, a $100 million suite of tools developed for the state by Texas-based Tyler Technologies Inc. The vision for eCourts is simple: a virtual courthouse that integrates all aspects of the legal system into software accessible from just about anywhere. But court officials are wary and not just because of the scale of this monumental transformation from a paper-based system to one operating in the cloud. Since courthouses in Wake, Johnston, Harnett and Lee counties rolled out the software in February, complaints about eCourts have been numerous. Wrongful arrests, court slowdowns: Despite complaints, eCourts expansion moves forward And the issues some allege are caused by the transition are affecting more than just attorneys and court workers theyre impacting the public too. After weeks spent digging into the complaints, and talking with lawyers, court officials and defendants, here are three big things The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer learned about the upgrade and its impacts. Rotesha McNeil photographed at her home on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in Clayton, N.C. Nine months after her attorney settled a traffic violation in Wake County court, Rotesha McNeil was arrested after a traffic stop in Johnston County, when a background check revealed there were two outstanding warrants for her arrest for failure to appear on the traffic violation her attorney had taken care of. She was taken to Smithfield where she was booked into the detention center, strip-searched and detained for hours before posting bond. Robert Willett/rwillett@newsobserver.com People were jailed who shouldnt have been In May, a pair of North Carolina residents filed a federal lawsuit against Tyler Technologies and several other law enforcement agencies, alleging they were wrongfully jailed because of issues with the eCourts rollout. That list of plaintiffs is likely to grow, lawyers who brought the suit say, and it could become an even larger class action. The N&O spoke to a Clayton woman who was arrested, strip searched and held for hours in jail related to traffic charges that had been resolved for more than eight months. Another man was detained twice once when he showed up for his scheduled court date and only managed to avoid jail time because he had paperwork proving he had already been arrested and released on bond. Both have signed onto the suit and will likely appear in the updated complaint filed in the coming weeks. Officials with the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts maintain theyve found no evidence of software errors that have resulted in wrongful arrests. But Wake District Attorney Lorrin Freeman acknowledged that an extra manual step court clerks must now complete to recall arrest orders likely contributed to an uptick in people wrongfully jailed at least temporarily. Exactly how many, though, is hard to say. Scanned cases for Superior Court sit on a shelf in the Criminal Division of the The Clerks Office on Sept. 21 at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. After a slew of reported issues, a lawsuit and a delay, eCourts is coming to Mecklenburg County. Lawyers, clerks and other court staff are prepping. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com More labor, lagging software and shuttered courts Some court officials who spoke with The N&O and The Observer noted that things have come a long way since the eCourts pilot launched in February. But many feel that progress hasnt been enough. Defense attorneys say theyre running ragged given the extra time it takes to perform even basic tasks in court. That extra time has meant reduced capacity for cases, and in Cary-based defense attorney Lindsey Granados opinion, a threat to her clients constitutional rights. District attorneys from all four pilot counties noted that the systems lagging performance the time it takes to pull up case information in the middle of a hearing, for example can pile up and slow down court operations, especially for high-volume dockets. Such complications, Johnston County prosecutor Susan Doyle said, has required her to double or quadruple the number of assistant district attorneys assigned to some courtrooms. And when the system goes down or becomes inaccessible, the public suffers. In mid-September, court officials were locked out of eCourts in one Wake County courtroom, forcing Freeman to send about 60 people home and requiring them to return another day. That can mean more time off work. More arrangements for child care. More time spent with a pending charge. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman works administrative traffic court in the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. Ethan Hyman/ehyman@newsobserver.com Prosecutors and others want more scrutiny Pilot county prosecutors say theyre not quite satisfied by AOC claims that eCourts issues are consistent with what youd expect from such a massive transformation. Freeman and Doyle have both called for the agency to order an external review of the launch by independent experts, who can evaluate whether Tyler Technologies is delivering on its contractual promises to North Carolina. The pilot counties other district attorney has endorsed that move, as has top Mecklenburg prosecutor Spencer Merriweather. Granados, who sits on Wake Countys eCourts implementation committee, also thinks an external review is a good idea. But thats not likely anytime soon. AOC says theyve been encouraged by the systems progress and have no plans for an independent review. Outside the court system, others have raised concerns about the softwares readiness to launch in Charlotte, where the courthouse handles more filings than any other county in the state. DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, the states former Democratic insurance commissioner, has repeatedly called on AOC to pause its expansion to Mecklenburg County until the agency can fix a tsunami of errors the system has transmitted over the last seven months. AOC denies that eCourts is sending incorrect data to DMV, which uses such information to revoke or restore limits on drivers licenses. State court leaders say AOC has implemented several fixes requested by the DMV one as recently as last week. Those fixes seemed to have helped, Goodwin said, but hes not yet convinced all the problems have been solved. ORLANDO, Fla. - Four men were sentenced in Orlando for a string of armed robberies where they stole cash, tobacco products, scratch-off lottery tickets, and an iPhone, the Justice Department said. DaMarris Jean Saint-Juste, 20, Marcus Terrell Ellington Jr, 22, Nelson Ross Henderson, 21, and Rodreakas Deshay Smith, 19, all received sentences spanning from 10 to 17 years in prison for their involvement in some of the robberies. According to court records, Saint-Juste and Ellington were involved in all eight robberies, Henderson was involved in three robberies, and Smith was involved in two robberies. The first robbery happened on August 26, 2022, at 3:21 a.m. at a towing business in Orlando. Saint-Juste, Ellington, and Henderson robbed an employee at gunpoint and stole $3,000. Another male involved in the robbery was not identified, the DOJ said. READ: Boy, 11, to be held in custody for 21 days after allegedly shooting football teammates in Apopka, judge rules Video surveillance captured the four males chasing the employee with guns. The second robbery happened an hour later at a 7-11 where a cashier was robbed at gunpoint. The third robbery happened on August 30, 2022, at another 7-11 where three of the men stole $270. The fourth robbery happened the same day and the men stole lottery scratch-off tickets, tobacco products, and money. Two more robberies happened at 7-11 stores, and one happened at the Rebel Gas Station in Kissimmee, and another happened at a Speedway convenience store in Leesburg. Saint-Juste received a 17-year sentence, Ellington a 16-year sentence, Henderson a 15-year sentence, and Smith a 10-year sentence. Salt Lake City Mayoral candidates prepare for a televised debate at the PBS Utah studio on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Wednesday evening. | Carter Williams, KSL.com As this year's first televised Salt Lake City mayoral debate came to an end Wednesday evening, three candidates seeking the job were asked about the direction of the city moving forward and their answers could have very well summed up the night, or even the race to this point. Salt Lake City now the most populated it has been is heading in the right direction, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said. She spent the evening pointing to other successes, such as downtown's strong post-COVID-19 recovery. "We are not perfect, but we are pretty great," she added moments later. However, her challengers former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and community activist Michael Valentine disagreed, often pointing to challenges with housing affordability and homelessness throughout the night, as they argued a case for why voters should consider them. "We've been headed in the wrong direction for a long time, but it can be turned around to where it is the best city to live in North America," Anderson said. The hourlong 2023 Salt Lake City Mayoral Debate, hosted by PBS Utah, KUER and the Salt Lake Tribune, meandered through several different issues ahead of the Nov. 21 election. Here are four other takeaways from the event: Housing affordability The cost of living in Salt Lake City remains on the rise, which isn't necessarily different from other communities across Utah. State housing officials estimated earlier this year that Utah is short more than 40,000 units for people making 50% of the average median income. Anderson said he believes Salt Lake City's situation has reached a "crisis level." He proposed that the city should oversee future affordable housing developments like other cities have done across the globe as a "public good" similar to libraries or streets, where the city is able to control the housing cost. Valentine seemed to agree with Anderson on the issue, asserting that the current administration is "subsidizing luxury housing and calling it affordable housing," and arguing it's behind rising costs. "(It's) increasing unaffordability, driving people into homelessness and driving people out of the city through gentrification," he said. "What we need to do is use public money for the community, not for real estate investors and developers." Housing construction and other construction in Salt Lake City on May 30. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The city invested about $55 million toward affordable housing in the past 3 years, resulting in about 4,000 units, Mendenhall said. She insists that working with developers and other partners allows for the city to chip away at its large housing deficit faster, saying it would cost the city 18 times more to build developments alone and eight times more to cover retrofit projects. "My administration has invested more than every other mayoral administration combined in affordable housing," she said. Homelessness The number of people experiencing homelessness is also on the rise. Utah's 2023 Point-in-Time count report found more than 3,500 Utahns were experiencing homelessness at the time of its annual count, up 3.7% from the previous year. Mendenhall, who has long said the issue is split between the city, state and county, said programs to provide aid are working for many, even if not for everyone. In Salt Lake County from 2020 to 2022, about 70% of those who ended up in the homeless resource center system eventually left the system, having their housing situation resolved either through permanent or temporary housing. She said the city has about 577 supportive units for people experiencing homelessness, either built, under construction or in the pipeline, down about 200 units after a deal with the Ramada Inn recently fell through. Anderson dinged the mayor on this, even before the debate. He held a press conference Tuesday, where he questioned Mendenhall's initial figures and whether the projects will be completed in time for this winter. In addition to the Ramada Inn deal collapse, Anderson said the mayor is using stats that should be credited to the previous administration. Overall, he says he doesn't believe the city is equipped to handle the situation, which he fears may result in more deaths and injuries as was the case this past winter. "It's important that our mayor be straight with the people of the city, especially about matters of life and death and the quality of life for everybody," he said. Valentine said he would declare a state of emergency over the issue and set up a sanctioned camp before getting unsheltered residents into housing an approach similar to what he said others are taking across the world. "To me, success is nobody on the streets anymore," he said. Salt Lake City's relationship with Utah It's no secret Salt Lake City is an outlier when it comes to Utah politics, where Democrats outnumber Republicans. This has pitted city leaders against state leaders on several issues over the years. All three candidates were asked about how they would handle these types of relationships. Valentine, the only candidate who hasn't sat in the mayoral seat, said his campaign is drawing support over different political spectrums from both parties. "I'm trying to unite people from all backgrounds and boundaries, and I think I've been very successful with that," he said. The other two candidates have had different experiences with the job when it comes to dealing with state leaders, which they used against each other during one of the more contested moments of the night. Mendenhall touted her abilities to work with Republican lawmakers and Gov. Spencer Cox on issues, which she says is helping the city avoid being in the "legislative washing machine every year." "We've had too many mayors, including one on this stage tonight, who made it a point of burning more bridges than they were building," she said. "Those bridges have needed rebuilding we have seen it." Anderson countered by calling the idea that he can't work with legislators "absolutely absurd." He said he has worked with plenty of people from different political backgrounds over his career, even if his approach has ruffled feathers in the past. "We have a mayor who just wants to have a place at the table all the time," he said. "People are looking for leadership that will stand up on principle." Salt Lake City's 2023 mayoral candidates, include community activist Michael Valentine, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. | Kristin Murphy and Laura Seitz, Deseret News The Great Salt Lake The Great Salt Lake's decline over the past two decades, including its all-time low last year, continues to make global headlines, especially as Utah's capital city becomes more vulnerable to environmental impacts now and in the future. All three candidates expressed concern about the lake on Wednesday, voicing concerns over alfalfa farming and mineral extracting happening outside of city boundaries. Valentine said he supports a recent lawsuit against state agencies over the lake's health and that he would work with other cities to find solutions. "I'd be a voice for the city, for the rest of Utah, to push for the state and the federal government to see some real change," he said. When it comes to the lake and water conservation, Anderson said he believes the city should move away from having any turf requirements, and make it easier for residents to have more water-wise lawns. The city is helping to improve water conservation, sending 13 billion gallons of treated water to the lake, Mendenhall said. Salt Lake City water users also used 2.9 billion gallons of water less during the 2022 irrigation season and preliminary estimates show even less water was used again this year. "We're doing quite a lot," she said, "and we're going to keep finding new ways to do more." Yousaf speaks to supporters at the SNP office in Largs, Scotland, on Aug. 23. Credit - Gabriella Demczuk for TIME Back in August, TIME traveled to Edinburgh to meet with Scottish First Minister Humza Yousafthe first Muslim politician ever elected to lead a Western democracy, as well as the first non-white and youngest Scottish leaderfor a new cover story, in what was his first major interview with foreign media. At that time, Yousaf had been in post for just under five months; he succeeded his colleague and friend, the longtime Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, at the end of March following her shock resignation one month earlier. Unlike most new leaders, Yousaf did not get a honeymoon periodquite the opposite, in fact. His brief tenure has been rocked by the arrest of three senior SNP figures, including Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell (all three have since been released), as part of an ongoing police probe into the partys finances; internal strife; and polls projecting that the party could lose as many as half of its seats in the U.K. Parliament in Westminster when Britons go to the polls for a general election expected next year. Over the course of our two-hour meeting, we discussed the historic nature of Yousafs leadership, the cost-of-living crisis and other challenges facing Scotland, and how he plans to achieve his partys overriding objective: Scottish independence. Read More: Meet the New Face of Scotland Here are five takeaways from Yousafs wide-ranging conversation with TIME. Photograph by Gabriella Demczuk for TIME 1. There is no clear path toward achieving Scottish independence Since the U.K. Supreme Court ruled last year that Scotland does not have the power to hold an independence referendum without the consent of the British government, the path forward for the independence movement appears to have hit a dead end. Westminster is adamant that the 2014 referendum, which saw 55% of Scots vote against independence, was the final word on the matter. The SNP argues that the scale of change in the U.K. since then, most notably its decision to leave the E.U., entitles Scots to another vote. Before quitting office in February, Sturgeon briefly floated the idea of treating the next U.K. general election as a de facto referendum on independencea position that many within the party, including Yousaf, distanced themselves from. During our conversation, Yousaf said getting the U.K. government to agree to sanction a referendum would always be the preferred option, but that absent such cooperation, the SNP should instead focus on building a consistent majority for independence that Westminster cannot possibly ignore. This after all was how Scotland secured its own Parliament following the 1997 devolution referendum, in which Scots voted overwhelmingly for its creation. And while Yousaf concedes that Scottish independence doesnt claim the support of a consistent majority of Scots, he believes its only a matter of time before it does. If we can demonstrate that independence has a consistent majoritynot 52% one day, 48% the other day, says Yousaf, then itll be impossible for the U.K. government to continue and continue and continue to deny. SNP members will get their chance to vote on the partys independence strategy when they meet for their annual conference later this month in Aberdeen. 2. Yousaf believes the Labour Party is taking Scotland for granted For British opposition leader Keir Starmerwho is widely expected to become Britains next Prime Minister should his center-left Labour Party defeat the Conservatives at the next general electionthe road to 10 Downing Street will almost certainly run through Scotland. (So dominant has the SNP been in Scotland that Labour claims only one of the 59 Scottish seats in Westminster and just 22 of the 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament.) It is in Scotland that many political observers believe the Labour Party must win big in order to secure a governing majority in Britain. Yousaf speaks to supporters outside the SNP office in Largs, Scotland, on Aug. 23. Gabriella Demczuk for TIME The fight for Scotland begins today, in a by-election near Glasgow, where the SNP is defending one of its U.K. Parliament seats against the ascendant Scottish Labour Party. The by-election, which was triggered after now-former SNP lawmaker Margaret Ferrier was found to have broken lockdown rules during the COVID-19 pandemic, is projected to result in a Labour victory. Yousaf, for whom this contest constitutes his first electoral test as SNP leader, concedes that the race was always going to be a tough one given the circumstances. But Labour are wrong to already put out the bunting and pop the champagne corks, he says. I think that takes people for granted. I know a thing or two about people in Scotland, having knocked on as many doors as I have, and they dont like people taking them for granted. As for Starmer, Yousaf says that the more the Labour leader aligns himself with Conservative welfare policies and climate positions, the more skeptical Scots will become. The more he flip flops, Yousaf says of Starmer, I think people will just see him for what he is, and thats somebody who lacks any vision or ambition for the country. He just wants to get to Number 10 and if he needs to hang on the coattails of Conservative policies to do that, I think the people of Scotland will reject that quite roundly. Read More: Keir Starmer on His Vision for Fixing Britain 3. He will continue to fight for transgender rights in Scotland Last year, the Scottish Parliament voted to pass legislation designed to make it easier for people in Scotland to legally change their gender. That legislation was ultimately blocked by the U.K. government in an unprecedented intervention using its veto powers under Section 35 of the Scotland Acta move that it justified on the grounds that the new law would have an adverse impact on the operation of Great Britain-wide equalities legislation. To the SNP, this represented a direct attack on Scottish democracy. Members of every single party voted for that legislation; it got passed by a majority of our parliament, Yousaf says. What right does another government have to come in and strike a red pen through it, to veto that legislation, to torpedo it? For me, that is not self government. That is not devolution. The Scottish government is currently in the process of challenging that decision at the Court of Session, Scotlands supreme civil court. Despite the contentious nature of the legislation (roughly half of Scots supported the U.K. governments decision, according to an Ipsos poll), Yousaf says hell continue to fight for it. Im unequivocal about my belief in the rights of our marginalized communities, including our trans community, because Im a minority myself, he explains. Ive lived my whole life as a minority in this country, and my rights dont exist in a vacuum. My rights are completely interdependent on everybody elses rights and if they are attacking the rights of our trans community or anybody who is in a marginalized minority community, then theyll come for me next. Yousaf aboard the ferry to Isle of Arran on Aug. 23. Gabriella Demczuk for TIME Yousafs position stands in marked contrast to Britains ruling Conservatives. Speaking at the partys annual conference in Manchester this week, Sunak told party colleagues that We shouldnt be bullied into thinking anyone can be any sex that they want to be. A man is a man and a woman is a woman, that is just common sense. 4. He argues that the challenges facing Scotland can't be divorced from its place within the U.K. Much like the rest of the U.K., Scotland is dealing with a cost-of-living crisis and overwhelmed public services. While voters may hold the SNP responsible for those challenges as the government in charge in Scotland for the past 16 years, Yousaf says that these challenges cannot be divorced from its place within the U.K. He says being in the U.K. (and, crucially, outside of the E.U.) has made Scotland poorer and less productive when compared to other European countries of a similar size, such as Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden. Being attached to this unequal union is what is holding us back, he says, and I believe that weaves its way through every single issue that people are grappling with today. 5. Yousaf believes that his historic leadership, and that of other minority leaders across the U.K., is worth celebrating On Yousafs first night in Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland, he posted some photos of his family observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in their new home. He admits that he was initially reluctant to do so, fearing a potential online backlash. It was his wife, Nadia El-Nakla, who encouraged him to share them. Nadia was saying, You should absolutely put that out there because people should realize that being a Muslim in Scotland is normal So you shouldn't have to hide what is a really important moment for you, and this was a really important moment, Yousaf recalls. The images went viral, garnering millions of views. Yousaf doesnt see his achievement in a vacuum, though. Youre living in a U.K. where the Prime Minister is of Indian descent, the First Minister is of Pakistani heritage, and of course the Mayor of London is of Pakistani descent as well, Yousaf says. That says something good about how far the country has moved forward. He later acknowledged that his chief rival in Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, also of Pakistani heritage, belongs to this group of trailblazers. Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com. WISCONSIN RAPIDS Firefighters from across the state will come to the Wisconsin State Firefighters and EMS Memorial Saturday to pay tribute to five firefighters who died in the line of duty last year. The 19th annual Final Alarm and Roll Call Ceremony will take place at 3:33 p.m. Saturday at the memorial in Ben Hansen Park, 2031 Second Ave. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. After the ceremony, at 7 p.m., firefighters will participate in the Final Alarm Procession. They will drive emergency equipment with lights on and sirens off through Wisconsin Rapids streets. The starting time of 3:33 p.m. is a recognition of a Wisconsin firefighter tradition of ringing a bell in three sets of three, pausing between each set, to announce the end of a shift, Pittsville Fire Chief Jerry Minor said. The 3:33 start time symbolizes the end of a shift and the firefighter going home, Minor said. The five men firefighters will honor Saturday are: Firefighter James Ludlum, 69, and Capt. Brian Busch, 43, both of the Mineral Point Fire Department, died Jan. 6, 2022. They were responding to a crash on U.S. 151 early in the morning of Jan. 6. The fire apparatus they were using was attempting to use an emergency crossover when a semi hit it, according to the U.S. Fire Administration website. The fire truck sustained major damage and caught fire. Both men died at the scene. Firefighter Raymond Samson, 55, of the Dale Fire and Rescue Department, died Jan. 22, 2022, following a long fight with COVID-19, according to his obituary. He was a 16-year veteran of the fire department. Assistant Fire Chief Robert A. Stevens, 66, of the Fremont-Wolf River Fire Department, died Jan. 27, 2022, from COVID-19, according to a story in the Appleton Post-Crescent. He was a 35-year veteran of the department. Firefighter Riley Daniel Ray Huiras, 20, of the Grand Rapids Fire Department, died Aug. 3, 2022, from a brain aneurysm. On the evening of July 30, 2022, he responded to a garage fire that spread to two homes and a second garage in Nekoosa, according to a Daily Tribune article. He was on his way back from the fire when a call came in for a crash in Grand Rapids. Huiras and another young member of the department hopped off one emergency vehicle and directly onto another one to go to the crash scene. Sometime between 2 and 6 a.m. July 31 he suffered a brain aneurysm and died on Aug. 3. The memorial's board of directors considers cancer, heart attacks and COVID-19 all duty-related injuries. The names of seven firefighters who died from COVID-19 were added to the memorial in 2022 and three who died from COVID-19 were added in 2021. James Luty, president of the Wisconsin Firefighter and EMS Memorial board invites Wisconsin Rapids-area residents to line the route of the procession. The procession will leave the memorial at 7 p.m., then take Second and Third avenues to West Jackson Street, go across the Jackson Street Bridge, turn left on First Street and through the traffic circle onto Baker Street. The procession then will turn right onto 16th Street, turn right on East Grand Avenue, cross the Grand Avenue Bridge and turn onto first Avenue South before heading back to the memorial on Third and Second avenues. Contact Karen Madden at (715) 345-2245 or kmadden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33 SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: Our subscribers make this coverage possible. Click to see the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune's special offers at wisconsinrapidstribune.com/subscribe and download our app on the App Store or Google Play. This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: 5 Wisconsin firefighters who died in the line of duty will be honored An attack on a store in the Kharkiv Oblast The Russian military shelled a cafe and grocery store in the village of Hroza, Kupyansk district, Kharkiv Oblast, killing at least 50 civilians and wounding six others, including children, the head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak reported on Oct. 5. A 6-year-old boy is among the dead. There is also a child among the injured. The rubble is being cleared. /Telegram Read also: Five injured in Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhya Oblast Ukrainian media report that the village had a population of 330, and that 60 people one from practically every household had gathered at the grocery store and cafe for a funeral lunch for a deceased fellow villager. Later, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a Russian rocket had hit a grocery store in the village. He called it an absolutely deliberate terrorist attack and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. The Ukrainian president added that Russian terror must be stopped so that genocide does not become "the new normal for the whole world." /Telegram Read also: Russia fires missiles at Mykolaiv overnight, hitting an infrastructure facility "Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defenses, in particular, about strengthening our soldiers, in particular, about giving our country protection from terror," the head of state added. And we will respond to the terrorists. Absolutely fairly. And powerfully. Earlier on Oct. 5, Russian troops attacked a hospital in the town of Beryslav, Kherson Oblast. Two medical workers were injured in that attack, which destroyed much of the fourth floor of the building. Read also: One dead and 10 injured in Kherson Oblast aerial attack On the morning of Oct. 5 the Russian army also shelled the city Kherson, killing two people, including a utility worker who was trimming trees. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine SOUTH LOS ANGELES An armed robbery suspect trying to escape arrest caused a collision that sent seven people, including three children, to the hospital Wednesday, authorities said. Three of the victims were in critical condition. The crash occurred just after 1 p.m. at Broadway and West 81st Street. According to Los Angeles Police, officers with LAPDs Community Safety Unit were trying to arrest a man on an armed robbery warrant when he sped away in a BMW. The officers were in proximity but not behind him, Lt. Kenneth Busiere told KTLA. Their lights and sirens were not activated The helicopter was overhead, and he may have been aware of the helicopters presence. South L.A. Crash South L.A. Crash The scene of a four-car crash in South L.A. that sent seven people to the hospital. Oct. 4, 2023. (Citizen) When the suspect reached the intersection of Broadway and West 81st, he slammed into a silver Hyundai Elantra carrying three adults and three children, Busiere said. Another vehicle was also damaged in the collision. The three adults in the Hyundai, a 40-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man, were rushed to a hospital in critical condition. The three children, all girls, were hospitalized in fair condition, LAFD said. They are five years old, four years old, and five months old. The suspect, who Busiere said has a lengthy criminal history, sustained moderate injuries and was to be booked after he was released from the hospital. His name was not immediately released. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Three locations of Shipley Do-Nuts are set to open in the Charlotte area, with the first one heading to Concord in fall 2024. The Texas-based chain founded in 1936 sells more than 60 varieties of doughnuts, along with Texas-style kolaches filled with meat and cheese, at more than 340 locations in 12 states. The Charlotte-area locations of the growing company will be Shipleys first North Carolina stores, operated by franchisees John and Lillian Brijeski. After trying Shipley Do-Nuts for the first time in South Carolina, we agreed they were delicious and that we needed to bring the worlds greatest do-nuts to the residents of North Carolina, said Lillian Brijeski, president of the company that will build, own and operate the shops. A box of Shipley Do-Nuts glazed doughnuts. We also fell in love with the company and the Shipley story after our visit to Houston to explore the opportunity to open locations of our own. We love the Do-Happy motto and want to spread that theme throughout the Charlotte area. The husband-and-wife team previously owned and operated a Kumon Math & Reading Center in Tarrytown, New York, for nine years before relocating to the Charlotte area in 2021. John and Lillian have experience in running a successful franchise business, a strong background in finance, a great first location and a passion for the Shipley Do-Nuts brand, Shipley Do-Nuts CEO Flynn Dekker said. Shipley Do-Nuts sells Texas-style kolaches. Location: Concord Menu Cuisine: Breakfast, doughnuts Instagram: @shipleydonuts Editor's note: This report includes images of dead animals that may cause some readers distress. Dozens of cats were left to die in the unforgiving heat of the Abu Dhabi desert, animal rights advocates said. The incident came to light last week when two local Emirati groups stumbled upon the helpless animals in the al-Falah area of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and reached out to a broader network of expatriate animal rescue volunteers for help bringing the animals to safety. Between 30 to 40 expatriates and Emirati animal enthusiasts volunteered their time and expertise for the rescue mission. The group was able to save 94 cats and kittens. Sixty cats died. Two dogs, a husky and a golden retriever, were also found at the scene. The husky did not survive. The desert in the area can reach 122 degrees Fahrenheit. A cat recovers after being left in the desert in Abu Dhabi. / Credit: Handout/CBS News Chiku Shergill, a British management executive and an animal rights advocate who lives in Abu Dhabi and helped rescue the animals called the scene "terribly brutal." "I was one of the first ones to arrive on site and couldn't imagine what I saw," said Shergill. Video footage showed the somber scene, which left numerous cats lifeless or buried beneath the desert's unforgiving sands. Some of the cats were even found dead inside their unopened carriers. Shergill said some of the cats were barely clinging to life but mustered the strength to approach her. Some were too weak to move even a few steps, she said. Shergill said she and her husband Tirth were able to scoop up the ailing felines and transport them to safety. Nearly all of the rescued cats had been microchipped and neutered as part of trap, neuter and release programs, designed to humanely control the population of stray cats in the Emirate. The circumstances surrounding their abandonment in the desert remain unclear, but the Department of Municipalities and Transport promptly initiated an investigation "to identify the perpetrators of this inhumane act." Two cats under the desert sands. / Credit: Handout/CBS News A local animal welfare advocate who spoke to CBS News on the condition of anonymity stressed the urgency of conducting a thorough investigation into the entire animal welfare system in Abu Dhabi, to identify its shortcomings and address the non-implementation of existing laws. This evaluation should encompass the role of the government agency Tadweer, which is responsible for pest control, and the network of contractors it employs to manage stray animals, the animal welfare advocate said. These contractors are meant to transport animals to the Falcon Hospital, where they undergo health assessments and, if deemed fit, are neutered and returned to their respective communities. "Incidents like this happened before. There's a pressing need for comprehensive systemic changes to ensure the proper implementation of the law," the advocate said. Meanwhile, rescuers are not giving up on the animals dumped in the desert. Some are continuing to search for any remaining felines, setting up traps further out in the desert in the hope they will capture more lucky survivors. "I track their paw prints in the sand with flashlights and 4x4 cars until late (at) night," said Shergill. "I'm there daily, searching for survivors." Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Watch: UAW president says strike "is working" but "we're not there yet" General Milley | Sunday on 60 Minutes An Ormond Beach man who rented a business space in Holly Hill to manufacture and peddle drugs was arrested Wednesday, and another accused drug dealer in a separate case was also arrested after he was found hiding in the attic of a Deltona home, authorities said. Frank Powers, 47, of Ormond Beach, was being held Thursday in the Volusia County Branch Jail on $2,130,500 bail. The suspect dragged out of an attic, Zacheus Jaquad King, 30, of Daytona Beach, was locked up Thursday on $881,000 bail. Powers was charged with trafficking cocaine/mixture, two counts of possession of a weapon by an in-state felon, owning or renting a structure or vehicle to manufacture drugs, trafficking of methamphetamine, trafficking of fentanyl, trafficking in heroin, two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of a schedule substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Volusia County Sheriff's Office drug agents seize drugs, guns and money in arrests of accused drug dealers. King had listed charges of trafficking in fentanyl, possession of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and resisting arrest without violence. Dangerous amount of fentanyl Sheriff: Drug trafficking suspect caught with 'dangerous amount' of fentanyl Selling drugs for son jailed in New York Court records show Powers was arrested by Sheriff's Office drug agents who were watching him at his rented business at 1516 State Avenue in Holly Hill. According to court records, agents of the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force had surveillance on Powers, and on Wednesday, were ready with a search warrant when Powers showed up at the Holly Hill location. Powers was stopped as he was leaving at 1 p.m. Wednesday and read the warrant. A search of the building led to the seizure of 26 ounces of cocaine, almost 14 ounces of powdered cocaine, and 4 ounces of methamphetamine. Among the things drug agents found were multiple smartphones, heroin, digital scales, an electronic money counter, a Glock pistol, shotgun shells, and sandwich baggies. Cash in the amount of $930 was found in Powers' pocket, court documents show. Marijuana was also found in the cupholder of the vehicle he was driving. Powers told investigators the drugs belonged to his son, who is incarcerated in New York, and that he sold them for him, according to court records. Powers said he had the Glock pistol to protect himself and his family. He admitted to owning the cocaine, court records state. Hiding in Deltona attic Also on Wednesday, King, who was wanted in Daytona Beach for drug dealing, hid in the attic of a Deltona home at 3254 Quail Drive as police and drug agents closed in, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Deputies had to climb up to the attic, which had partially collapsed, to arrest King where they found him with a large amount of fentanyl, according to the news release. Sheriff's detectives and Daytona Beach police knew King was in the home and were ready with arrest and search warrants. As law enforcement watched the house on Wednesday, a man exited the residence with a Chick-fil-A bag and got into a vehicle. Detectives detained him thinking they had King but then realized they had someone else identified as Antonio Mallory, 38. The Chick-fil-A bag contained almost 10 ounces of fentanyl, the release said. Mallory was charged with trafficking in fentanyl and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail with a $500,00 bail. Several announcements were made for King to come out and a thorough search of the house with a camera was done, the news release said. Using a search warrant, deputies entered the home to look for King. They didn't see him but noticed a fresh handprint on the attic access and insulation on the vehicle underneath it in the garage. King was found 30 minutes later and arrested, the Sheriff's Office said. Two more bags of drugs, one containing more fentanyl and another with fentanyl packaged in small baggies, and crack cocaine were found, according to the news release. A safe in the master bedroom contained additional fentanyl along with a gun, ammunition and cash, investigators said. A total of $10,600 cash, along with a 9mm pistol and extended magazine, were also seized from the Deltona home, the Sheriff's Office said. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Fugitive drug dealer hides in Deltona home's attic Ludovit Odor, acting Prime Minister of Slovakia, reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Slovakias continued support during a meeting on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Granada, Spain. Source: Odor on Twitter, reported by European Pravda We strive for peace in all of Europe: countries big or small, east or west. Our shared values and vision unite us, and #Ukraine is part of this. In Granada we've assured @ZelenskyyUa he can rely on our ongoing support. pic.twitter.com/AaqZvTzRzo Ludovit Odor (@LudoOdorPM) October 5, 2023 Quote: "We strive for peace in all of Europe: countries big or small, east or west. Our shared values and vision unite us, and Ukraine is part of this. In Granada we've assured Zelenskyy he can rely on our ongoing support." Background: Concerns about Slovakia's support for Ukraine arose after the announcement of the results of the parliamentary elections on 30 September. Former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and the Smer-SD party he leads received the most votes. Fico, who was given two weeks to form a government on Monday, had previously declared his intention to stop military and political support 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! Xi congratulates Muizzu on election as Maldives president Xinhua) 08:49, October 05, 2023 BEIJING, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Mohamed Muizzu on his election as president of the Maldives. In his message, Xi said that China and the Maldives enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges. The two countries are not only friends of sincere trust and mutual assistance but also partners of joint development and common prosperity, Xi said, noting that he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations and stands ready to work with president-elect Muizzu to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and push for new progress in the future-oriented, all-round friendly and cooperative partnership between the two countries. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Hongyu) When Sukky Blecks infant son was diagnosed last year with bilateral hydronephrosis, a condition preventing urine from draining from the kidney into the bladder, she started questioning herself. Was it something I did? What did I do wrong? How can I fix it, the 27-year-old Southeast Side resident said. Bleck said she soon became haunted by whether lead-contaminated drinking water might have contributed to his condition. While kidney damage from lead exposure is uncommon in the United States, according to the National Kidney Foundation, lead found in drinking water has been proven to cause kidney damage on rare occasions, usually after many years of exposure. I shouldnt have to stockpile cases of water for my childrens home. No parent should, she said. The lead pipe crisis is not just a statistic. Its a harsh reality were facing daily. Our children, our future are at risk. Bleck joined about 50 other environmental activists, teachers and politicians at a rally Wednesday afternoon in Daley Plaza, calling for the removal of lead pipes in Chicago and a robust Lead and Copper Rule Improvements policy from the Environmental Protection Agency, which will likely be released later this month. Activists carried signs saying Lets get the lead out, Chicago and chanted these lead pipes have got to go. One person dressed in a toxic lead pipe costume, featuring a bright orange and yellow danger sign. This rule can potentially help us get the lead lines out faster and more equitably. And this means that we can help put our front-line communities at the front of the line to get their lead pipes out and get safe, clean drinking water, said Angela Guyadeen, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council Safe Water Initiative. Debra Shore, regional administrator for the EPAs office in Chicago, said the new lead rule would prioritize proactive lead service line replacement, strengthen compliance tap sampling and reduce complexity of the regulation. Utility groups estimate that Illinois leads the country with roughly 400,000 lead service lines, connecting homes and two-flats to municipal water systems. Chicagos plumbing code required using the toxic metal until 1986, decades after most other major U.S. cities banned it. A 2018 Chicago Tribune analysis found that lead in tap water is a danger throughout Illinois, and that more than 80% of Illinoisans live in a community where lead was detected during the previous six years. Angela Tovar, the citys chief sustainability officer, said Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration is committed to removing lead pipes so Chicagoans can drink water from the tap without worry. She also called for more federal funding to support getting rid of lead service lines, a process she said would create jobs. We know that lead disproportionately impacts Black and brown communities, she said. We need to do better; we need to expand on the programs that we have as a city. President Joe Bidens administration released a plan in 2021 to remove the nations 9.2 million lead pipes within 10 years, setting aside $15 billion from the infrastructure law to replace them. Illinois received about $230 million from that program this year. The city is borrowing another $336 million through a low-interest federal loan program for water projects. We need more though, said Ram Villivalam, a democratic state senator representing the Northwest Side and northwest suburbs. Villivalam said when his son was 3-years-old he experienced high lead levels, something he called a heartbreaking moment. Ingesting even tiny concentrations of lead can permanently damage the developing brains of children and contribute to heart disease, kidney failure and other health problems later in life. We cannot have our youth having their global development in jeopardy by having lead service lines in our city, in our county, in our state, he said. Im going to work with you all at the state level to do whatever it takes to get the funding we need to replace these lead service lines and do it faster than we put forth before. At the rally, Samuel Corona, an organizer with the justice collective Bridges//Puentes, held up a bottle which he said contained tap water from a home on the Southeast Side with 1,100 ppb of lead about 73 times the EPAs action level of 15 ppb. This is what our kids are possibly brushing their teeth, drinking water or anything like that, Corona said. My community is tired, he added. All were asking for are three basic rights. The right to clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, clean soil to plant our roots and let our families grow. rjohnson@chicagotribune.com When it comes to Halloween, the line between admiration and cultural appropriation can get easily blurred, here is how you can find a balance. Halloween is one of the few times in the year when everyone old and young gets to unleash their creativity through costumes. Aside from the haunted houses and overall spookiness associated with the season, Halloween gives everyone a chance to be whoever they want to be. Admiration or appropriation: Can white kids dress up as Black characters for Halloween? (Photo: Adobe Stock) However, every year, without fail, a discussion about how far is too far when it comes to Halloween costumes emerges. This year, one of the debates seems to be whether or not white kids should dress up as Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Earlier this year, Disney premiered its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the classic film, The Little Mermaid. Starring Halle Bailey as Ariel, it presented a diverse spin on an ageless childhood tale. Beyond its diversity, the remake made a splash in theaters, grossing approximately $117 million within days of its release. Now, in light of Halloween, the buzz around the film has reignited as fans and parents begin their hunt for Ariel Halloween costumes. While the question of whether white children can dress up as Ariel may seem silly, Disney characters have sparked similar debates in the past. Over the years, Disney has made a continuous effort to increase the diversity of its characters and storylines. These efforts have not only increased representation on-screen for minority children but have also exposed kids of all backgrounds to new cultures. However, with children of all races growing an appreciation for diverse characters like Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog and the Black Panther, concerns of cultural appropriation have increased among parents. In 2020, a mother-in-laws reaction to her white granddaughters Princess Tiana costume sparked a debate, as reported by Cafe Mom. In an anonymous Reddit thread, a user explained that their mother-in-law disagreed with their decision to let her 7-year-old grandchild dress up as the Black Disney princess because it is mean to some people. Leaving users divided; some saw no harm in the costume, as long as there was no involvement of blackface, while others understood the grandmothers concerns about cultural appropriation. A similar debate arose in 2018 when Fatherly published a piece exploring this question: Can a white kid dress up as Black Panther for Halloween? Similar to the Princess Tiana debate, the author went back and forth about whether it would be appropriate for his 6-year-old son to dress up as the Black superhero. A white child dressed as Black Panther might not represent a provocation, but does represent blithe appropriation, the article reads. Ignorance, whether it stems from youth or carelessness, is not an excuse. However, filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, who has worked in the Wakanda universe on- and off-screen, told the Washington Post projects like Black Panther may be culturally specific but also plug into a universally relatable experience. The idea that only Black kids would wear Black Panther costumes is insane to me, said Hudlin, per Washington Post. I love that all kids want to be Black Panther or Shuri or the Dora Milaje. These are the small steps that make the world a better place. At the end of the day, there is no harm in white children growing an admiration for Black fictional characters, nor is there a problem with them wanting to recreate the characters for Halloween. However, as parents begin their quest for the best-looking costume, they should not be utilizing things like blackface or purchasing red loc wigs for the sake of creating the most realistic look. Instead of being fearful of the discussions that can come from white children wearing these types of costumes, parents should lean into them and encourage their children to learn about different cultures and ethnicities. Haniyah Philogene is a multimedia storyteller and Lifestyle reporter covering all things culture. With a passion for digital media, she goes above and beyond to find new ways to tell and share stories. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai. The post Admiration or appropriation: Can white kids dress up as Black characters for Halloween? appeared first on TheGrio. The Maryland Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in the decadeslong legal saga of Adnan Syed over whether the family of Hae Min Lee, whose killing is at the center of the case, was given enough time to participate in the hearing at which a judge vacated his conviction last year. Syed, 42, served 23 years in prison stemming from charges that he killed Lee, his high school girlfriend. His case got national attention and has been followed by millions after the podcast Serial chronicled it in 2014. At issue Thursday were the reinstatement of Syeds murder conviction in March after a Maryland court said officials failed to provide sufficient notice for Lees family to attend the hearing, as well as the degree to which victims and their families are able to participate in such proceedings. Syeds attorneys have said his freedom could be at stake. It is Adnan whose liberty is at stake. The death of Hae Min Lee and the loss suffered by her family is unquestionably tragic, his lawyer Erica Suter said in remarks outside the court in Annapolis after the hearing. So, too, is the incalculable loss that Adnan and his family have suffered when he spent over half his life in prison for a crime he did not commit. Adnan Syed with his mother Shamim Rahman outside Maryland's Supreme Court in Annapolis on Oct. 5, 2023. (Susan Walsh / AP) David Sanford, an attorney for Lees brother, Young Lee, said outside court Thursday that it was an important day for victims' rights. We do not take a position with respect to Adnan Syeds underlying guilt or innocence. This is not what today was about, he said. Instead, the hearing was about Young Lees right to have notice, to be present and to be heard in a criminal justice proceeding. Lee, who lives in California, attended last year's hearing on Zoom. He was notified on a Friday afternoon that it would take place the following Monday, and he has argued that did not give him proper notice to attend. His attorneys are asking for a new vacatur hearing, which would include reasonable notice, the right to attend in person and the right to be heard on and challenge the evidence. It is not clear based on the statute whether the notice he was given was adequate or not, said David Jaros, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law. One thing that is clear about the case is that the statute that gives victims certain rights is written very poorly, and its not clear exactly how it should apply to this type of hearing, as opposed to, say, a sentencing hearing, Jaros said. Its not clear what the proper remedy should be. And its not clear what adequate notice is. He said the court could in essence push the issue back to the Legislature to revisit the language of the statute. The court could find that Lees rights were violated and that the proper remedy would be to hold the hearing that vacated Syeds conviction again, Jaros said. But prosecutors have indicated that there is evidence pointing to other suspects. Syed was released from prison in October, after then-Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby said DNA evidence supported his innocence. Weve got no new information coming out. We have no reason to believe that the judge will come out with a different position, said Jaros, who is also the faculty director of the universitys Center for Criminal Justice Reform. But he added that, given that there is a new state's attorney for Baltimore this year, "the possibility does exist that the court could come out a different way, in which case Mr. Syed would have to go back to prison." Justice Brynja Booth asked Thursday whether Young Lee should instead be asking the state General Assembly to expand victims rights. Why isnt this a question for the General Assembly? she asked. The right that youre speaking of is not in the plain language of the statute. Attorney Ari Rubin, who is also representing Young Lee, disagreed with that interpretation of the law, saying that every right that exists for the victim was deprived, including notice and including the right to be heard. He added that Lee was not provided new evidence. Syeds attorney argued before a panel of seven justices that Lees rights were satisfied, as he was notified and he was able to attend the hearing by Zoom. She also said that if the state and the circuit court have agreed that a defendant has been wrongfully incarcerated for 23 years, it is appropriate that the court move with urgency. She concluded that it is our position that this case is moot, because prosecutors decided not to charge Syed after his conviction was vacated, nor would Lees presence at the hearing have changed the outcome. Syed, dressed in a light blue traditional Muslim cap and a light blue dress shirt with a dark striped tie, stood with his arm around his mother's shoulders as he spoke outside the courthouse after the hearing. Were hoping that in the end, well have a chance to prove justice. Not just for Haes family, but for our family, as well, Syed said. We believe very strongly in trying to find justice for Hae and her family, and were just hoping also that were able to find justice for us, too, he said. The panel of justices will consider Thursdays hearing and announce its ruling in the coming weeks or months. Daniella Silva reported from New York and Julia Jester from Annapolis, Maryland. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A former Medfield town employee was indicted on Thursday for corruption and stealing money from public funds, authorities say. Kevin Ryder, 49, of Medfield, who served as Medfields Parks and Recreation Department Director for almost 8 years, is charged with four counts of larceny over $1,200 by scheme, one county of larceny under $1,200, one count of accepting illegal gratuities, and two counts of using an official position to secure unwarranted privilege. Attorney General Andrea Campbell says her office launched an investigation into Ryder after he apparently failed to report and turn over money his department collected over a number of years. Ryder worked for the Parks and Rec Department from 2014 until August 2022. During that time, authorities allege Ryder stole over $100,000 from the town. Most of the $100,000 he accumulated was from entrance fees and concessions at Medfields Hinkley Swim Pond, which is a popular summer campsite in town, according to officials. Using the towns Amazon account, Ryder also allegedly bought personal items to support his personal business and sold electronic devices on eBay. The AGs Office says Ryders corruption did not stop there, and that he exploited his position as Parks and Recreation Department Director to sell thousands of dollars worth of town-purchased equipment, keeping the sales entirely to himself. He allegedly sponsored an exercise program at a local gym for years and received 50% of the gyms profits as kickback. Those profits totaled over $16,000. Ryder will be arraigned in Norfolk County Superior Court at a later date. In a statement, the Town Administrators Office said the following: Today (Oct. 5), the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General announced the indictment of former Director of Medfield Parks & Recreation, Kevin Ryder. In August of 2022, the Tows discovered that Mr. Ryder was engaged in the active concealment of cash flow from the Hinkley Swim Pond. Mr. Ryder misled Town officials, turning over only a portion of the cash collected. Immediately upon learning of Mr. Ryders suspected financial misconduct, the Town referred the matter to the Attorney Generals Office. The Town promptly undertook a series of steps to tighten its security for all cash handling and continues to strengthen its financial protocols. The Town takes these charges very seriously and assures the public that we are committed to providing the quality and level of service with an integrity of operations that the residents of Medfield deserve. Ryders case was investigated by Jonathan Pitts of the Office of the Inspector General and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Attorney Generals Office. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Age of Trump is a horror movie. We are now at the part of the movie where the "responsible" people finally accept the horrible truth that the monster, be it human or supernatural, is real. The people they made fun of and derided for being hysterical were right the whole time. Moreover, many if not all the people that the monster killed would likely still be alive if the so-called authority figures had taken the warnings seriously. In this American horror story that is the Age of Trump, the mainstream news media, the responsible political class, and other leaders appear, at least for the moment, to have finally accepted the "shocking" and "unimaginable" truth that Donald Trump and his MAGA movement are an existential threat to the country. Trump is a monster who intends to follow through on every horrible threat and promise he has made when/if he returns to the White House. What has finally shocked them into this apparent revelation? Two weeks ago, Donald Trump publicly threatened the life of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Mark Milley, wishing that he had been executed for "treason". Of course, Donald Trump is lying; Gen. Milley has committed no such crime(s); Trump's accusations are psychological projections. Trump threatened Gen. Milley because of a featured profile that appeared in the Atlantic magazine, which confirmed that the ex-president possesses contempt and disgust for America's soldiers especially disabled veterans and those who have been killed and injured. As I explained in a previous essay here at Salon, Trump also wants to see Gen. Milley killed because he actively tried to stop the traitor ex-president from ending the country's democracy. The mainstream news media and political class and many members of the public have also been shocked into finally accepting the fact that Donald Trump is an extreme danger to the country as demonstrated by his escalating and increasingly violent threats and incitements to violence against Special Counsel Jack Smith, Attorney General Garland, and the judges, prosecutors, attorneys general, and other law enforcement (as well as jurors and witnesses) who are attempting to hold him accountable under the law in his upcoming criminal and civil trials. For example, even CNN, which has been widely and deservedly criticized for trying to pivot and be more "fair" and "balanced" (i.e. motivated by ratings in order to make more ad revenue and other money) by giving Trump and other former regime members a platform to lie and circulate disinformation and propaganda, also sounded the alarm about Trump's increasing dangerousness as exemplified by his murderous threats against Gen. Milley. There were also "centrists" and "moderate" reporters and journalists a group that has been highly resistant to describing Trump and the MAGA movement in the proper terms as fascist and an extreme danger to American society who were finally moved to accept that Trump is a public menace. President Biden was clear and powerful in a speech and interview he gave last week, where he directly identified Trump and the MAGA movement as an existential danger to the nation. Mental health professionals and other expert observers have continued to warn that Trump's recent behavior more generally (including a particularly troubling speech in California last weekend where he mocked Nancy Pelosi's husband who was viciously beaten in the head with a hammer by a mentally ill man) shows that the ex-president appears to be mentally decompensating as he is facing the reality, for the first time in his adult life, of being held accountable for his criminal and other antisocial behavior. But just like in the horror movie, these new shouts of horror and shock at the monster in their midst may be too little and too late. Trump's most recent threats of violence, murder, destruction, and other pathological and malevolent behavior are nothing new or surprising. Trump has behaved that way throughout his life. In horror movies, the "respectable" and "responsible" people usually ignore the monster and then we often find out later that they knew about the monster all along and may have actually helped to create it. This is true for the Age of Trump as well. During the last eight years, Trump has repeatedly threatened to kill his political "enemies" or otherwise wished harm upon them. In addition to the above examples, Trump's targets have included President Biden, Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Special Counsel Mueller, and other leading Democrats, various members of the news media, "Black Lives Matter", "Woke", "illegal immigrants", and other targeted groups. In 2016, Trump infamously bragged that, "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters". So far, Trump has proven to be correct. After white supremacists and other racial fascists rampaged across Charlottesville in 2017 killing Heather Heyer and injuring dozens of other people, Trump described them as "very fine people". Trump has repeatedly refused to directly and without qualification condemn and disavow white supremacists and other members of the white right. Trump attempted a coup on Jan. 6 that involved a lethal assault by his followers on the Capitol which he and his agents incited and de facto commanded. If Trump returns to the White House, he has promised to pardon the January 6 terrorists, a group he describes as "victims" and "patriots". At his rallies and other events, Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened journalists and other members of the news media with violence. Trump has also told his followers to attack protesters and other members of "the Left" who have dared to disrupt (or even attend) his rallies and other events. Trump publicly admires murderous dictators and autocrats such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Based on his behavior, Trump appears to possess an erotic relationship to violence. Trump's regime created a concentration camp system for Black and brown refugees and migrants and other undocumented residents. Trump's system of organized cruelty included stealing children from their parents as a type of "deterrent" against "illegal immigration". Trump has promised to reinstate the Muslim ban and his concentration camp system if he returns to power in 2025. As part of his plans to become America's first dictator, Trump has publicly announced as part of Agenda 47 and Project 2025 to put homeless people in camps, use the military to occupy cities in Democratic Party-led parts of the country as a way to "fight crime", enact laws that will allow security guards and other people to shoot "shoplifters", end the First Amendment, and invoke the Alien Enemies Act to deport "criminals" and "drug dealers" (which as a practical matter means anyone who opposes him and the MAGA movement). Trump has also been credibly accused of rape and sexual assault by dozens of women. In the E. Jean Carrol civil case, a court of law determined that Trump committed sexual assault. Some of the world's leading mental health professionals warned as early as 2015 and 2016 that Donald Trump was mentally unwell and possessed a diseased mind and pathological character, characteristics which made him a public menace and unfit to be president. Many of those same leading mental health professionals went so far as to predict that if Trump were elected president that millions of people could potentially die, both directly and indirectly, because of his sociopathic and other pathological behavior. They were proven to be correct: Trump's negligent, cruel, and self-interested actions in response to the COVID pandemic constitute democide; the Age of Trump has been marked by a historic rise in right-wing political violence and hate crimes including mass shootings. Donald Trump's own niece, Mary Trump, who is a trained psychologist, repeatedly and publicly warned that the ex-president should be removed from office because of his deep pathologies and dangerousness to the public. Then presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also warned that Trump and his MAGA movement were an extreme threat and that for the good of the country and its future that they must not rise to power. Trump's own biographers have repeatedly warned that he is unfit for public office. In 1989, Donald Trump placed full-page ads in prominent New York City-area newspapers demanding that the 5 black and Latino teenagers who were accused of raping and almost killing a white woman in Central Party (the infamous "Central Park Jogger" case) should basically be lynched. In 2002, those five men were exonerated and released from prison. Trump refuses to apologize to them. Trump may finally be facing serious legal consequences for his obvious crimes, but his criminal behavior, both confirmed and rumored including connections to organized crime goes back decades. There are many other examples of Trump's criminal, antisocial and dangerous behavior that predate his death threats against Gen. Milley last week. Those members of the news media, political class, and others with a public platform who are now so "shocked" by Trump's recent behavior that they are finally accepting the fact that he is a clear and present danger to the country have little credibility remaining. When they and other such voices spent years denying and otherwise trying to explain away, minimize, and in the worst examples normalize Trump and the MAGA movement's (and Republican fascists') obvious dangerousness and extreme and pathological behavior as being just "partisanship" and "polarization" and/or "theatrics", they made it increasingly difficult to take any of their warnings seriously. Moreover, many of those public voices (and everyday Americans as well) who were trying to sound the alarm throughout Trump's presidency and before were labeled as having "Trump derangement syndrome" and/or were slurred and mocked for being "hysterical" and "overreacting." Some of those alarm sounders lost their jobs or were otherwise professionally sanctioned and stigmatized. Their personal relationships, health, emotions, finances, safety, and overall well-being were also negatively impacted because of their principled choice to tell the truth about the real and growing existential dangers of Trumpism, the MAGA movement and American neofascism when such warnings were not widely welcome. Ultimately, and as in the horror movie, when the "responsible" people announce that the monster has been vanquished and all is safe now, the viewer knows that is not true. The monster will appear again in the sequel(s). The same is true with the real-life horror movie that is the Age of Trump and American neofascism. Many of those same "responsible voices" and elites are prematurely announcing that Trump is done for and the MAGA movement will "inevitably" dissipate because of demographics or "American Exceptionalism" or some other reason. These are many of the same people who fundamentally misunderstand the nature of the problem. In reality, Trumpism like other types of fascism and such monstrous leaders, movements, and social forces never truly go away. Why? Because the monster is not some Other, a thing alien and outside of us. It is actually looking right back at us in the mirror every day. Anthony Patterson, center, sits flanked by his attorneys in 78th District Court in May 2023. Judge Meredith Kennedy agreed to move his trial on sex charges involving children to October because of new allegations against the former auto dealer. Editors Note: If you know or suspect that anyone under 18 is being sexually or physically abused, call the Texas child abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400. To learn more about how to identify signs of child abuse or neglect, click here. As an Oct. 12 hearing approaches for Anthony Ryan Patterson, a flurry of court filings seeks to summon witnesses and information, as well as introduce a long list of disturbing allegations against the former Wichita Falls business leader during his upcoming trial. Patterson, 47, is scheduled to go on trial Oct. 30 in Fort Worth. It is not clear yet exactly which of the many child trafficking and child sex crimes allegations he will stand trial for during two weeks in a seventh-floor courtroom at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. The Wichita County District Attorney's Office special victims unit chief, Brooke Grona-Robb, put Patterson's defense attorneys on notice the prosecution may introduce a laundry list of often alarming extraneous offenses during Patterson's trial. Dating as far back as 1995 and Patterson's college days, they are "crimes, wrongs or acts" that fall outside of the indictment against him. Some aim to show a pattern of behavior. Anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Patterson has entered not guilty pleas to the allegations against him. The list of additional offenses Grona-Robb filed Sept. 28 in 78th District Court includes these allegations: From around Nov. 1, 1995, to the present, Patterson possessed pornography and searched for it to the point of addiction. On April 7, 1996, he abused alcohol in Taylor County. On Nov. 18, 1995, he violated Abilene Christian University's student policies on pornography. On May 15, 2004, he sexually assaulted a child in Wichita County, lied about his age and texted with a child while pretending to be a teenager. On May 15, 2005, he sexually assaulted a child in Wichita County. He gave her alcohol and $300, and he told her he was sorry. From about May 1, 2012, to now, he sought partners to simulate sex with children and in the presence of children in Wichita County. He has also claimed he has had sex with children. In addition, he has wanted his sex partners to blaspheme Jesus. From about May 1, 2012, to now, he has used phone and online sex chatting services, and searched in online groups for underage people in Wichita County. From Sept. 1, 2014, to now, he has paid for sex, engaging in blasphemy sex and simulating the presence of children during sex in Wichita County. From May 1, 2012, to August 2018, he was a Big Brother to a child and spokesperson for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Wichita County while also engaging in paid-for online and phone sex involving fantasizing about sex with children. He and his father's auto group gave over $60,000 to the nonprofit organization, and he served on its board from 2009 to Aug. 9, 2018. He was honored as Big Brother of the Year for the BBBS Lone Star Region in January 2016. From May 1, 2012, to August 2018, while engaging in online and phone sex involving children, he also made big donations to organizations supporting kids, such as the WFISD Foundation, Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. His donations promoted trust of him and provided access to children in the community. On May 27, 2012, he claimed he made a 5-year-old engage in bestiality. On Nov. 18, 2017, he committed sexual performance by a child in Wichita County, causing two children to engage in sexual conduct. He also solicited a minor for aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child. And he committed aggravated sexual assault of a child. With a Bible on hand, he told two children to blaspheme Jesus. He also provided alcohol to a minor. On Dec. 23, 2017, the defendant committed sexual performance by a child in Wichita County. On Sept. 4, 2019, he gave Jandreani Dashimella Bell a false written statement, telling her how to lie about an alleged offense in Wichita County. The Vernon woman is accused of being his accomplice in some allegations by providing him with children to sexually abuse. He also tampered with and bribed a witness, Bell, by paying her bail bonds and her legal fees to control her testimony and the investigation against him. Between Feb. 21, 2020, and July 7, 2020, he committed adultery and cheated on his wife and girlfriend. More: Wichita Falls father's search for his missing preschool-age son becomes more urgent More: New defense lawyer retained in James Staley's appeal of conviction for Wilder's murder Patterson's bail exceeds $2 million, according to online jail records. He was free Thursday from the Wichita County Detention Center on cash bonds. More: Woman claims Anthony Patterson sexually assaulted her when she was a teen Witnesses who may testify at the Oct. 12 hearing include Denise Roberts, executive director of the Patsy's House Children's Advocacy Center and Nancy Laws. Several applications for subpoenas for witnesses to testify in the trial have also been submitted. Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia. This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Anthony Patterson's child sex crimes trial coming up In preparation for this years holiday season, the American Red Cross of North Florida is launching its annual Holiday for Heroes initiative. Holiday for Heroes is a long-running campaign that offers residents across north Florida a special way to care for and honor our military heroes. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Holiday for Heroes provides the community with the opportunity to write messages and donate items for holiday care packages to be distributed to active-duty military members deployed around the world and local veterans in hospitals or nursing homes. These items and notes are graciously donated by residents and placed inside hand-sewn holiday stockings made with love by volunteers. The Red Cross, with partners, will assemble and deliver these stockings, filled with messages of thanks and donated items, to military members and veterans away from their families during the holidays. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The Red Cross commits to serving the military community at every step -- from the time a service member takes the oath to navigating life as a veteran, says Christian Smith, CEO, American Red Cross of North Florida. Working with our service members and veterans day-to-day, I understand how much they sacrifice for our country and how much community support means to them, especially over the holidays. Get Involved: Items for care packages can be purchased from your favorite online retailer and shipped directly to the Red Cross collection site at 751 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204. To purchase items from the Holiday for Heroes online registry visit www.redcross.org/holiday4heroes. Please select the auto-populated American Red Cross option during the checkout process as your shipping address. To schedule a drop off of collected items at your closest Red Cross office, please call our Service to Armed Forces number at 904-999-3547 to coordinate. Help support the Red Crosss work with military members Armed Forces by becoming a volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer. Click here to learn more about Holiday for Heros. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. World Space Week 2023 is here and Space.com is looking at the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on astronomy and space exploration as the space age celebrates its 66th anniversary. Here, Paul Sutter discusses how AI is already helping astronomers make new, incredible discoveries. Whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence will change the way we interact with the universe. As a science, astronomy has a long tradition of looking for patterns by sifting through massive amounts of data, accidental discoveries, and a deep connection between theory and observation. These are all areas where artificial intelligence systems can make the field of astronomy faster and more powerful than ever before. That said, it's important to note that "artificial intelligence" is a very broad term encompassing a wide variety of semi-related software tools and techniques. Astronomers most commonly turn to neural networks, where the software learns about all the connections in a training data set, then applies the knowledge of those connections in a real data set. Related: How artificial intelligence is helping us explore the solar system Take, for instance, data processing. The pretty pictures splashed online from the Hubble Space Telescope or James Webb Space Telescope are far from the first pass that those instruments took of that particular patch of sky. Raw astronomical images are full of errors, messy foregrounds, contaminants, artifacts, and noise. Processing and cleaning these images to make something presentable not to mention useful for scientific research requires an enormous amount of input, usually done partially manually and partially by automated systems. Increasingly astronomers are turning to artificial intelligence to process the data, pruning out the useless bits of the images to produce a clean result. For example, an image of the supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy Messier 87 (M87) first released in 2019 was given a machine learning "makeover" in April 2023, resulting in a much clearer image of the black hole's structure. In another example, some astronomers will feed images of galaxies into a neural network algorithm, instructing the algorithm with the classification scheme for the discovered galaxies. The existing classifications came from manual assignments, either by the researchers themselves or by volunteer citizen science efforts. Training set in hand, the neutral network can then be applied to real data and automatically classify the galaxies, a process that is far faster and much less error prone than manual classification. Astronomers can also use AI to remove the optical interference created by Earth's atmosphere from images of space taken by ground-based telescopes. eight panels showing an increasingly clear purple and orange streak of light AI has even been proposed to help us spot signatures of life on Mars, understand why the sun's corona is so hot, or reveal the ages of stars. Astronomers are also using neural networks to dig deeper into the universe than ever before. Cosmologists are beginning to employ artificial intelligence to understand the fundamental nature of the cosmos. Two of the biggest cosmic mysteries are the identities of dark matter and dark energy, two substances beyond our current knowledge of physics that combined take up over 95% of all the energy contents throughout the universe. To help identify those strange substances, cosmologists are currently trying to measure their properties: How much dark matter and dark energy there is, and how they've changed over the history of the universe. Tiny changes in the properties of dark matter and dark energy have profound effects on the resulting history of the cosmos, touching everything from the arrangement of galaxies to the star formation rates in galaxies like our Milky Way. Neural networks are aiding cosmologists in disentangling all the myriad effects of dark matter and dark energy. In this case, the training data comes from sophisticated computer simulations. In those simulations cosmologists vary the properties of dark matter and dark energy and see what changes. They then feed those results into the neural network so it can discover all the interesting ways that the universe changes. While not quite yet ready for primetime, the hope is that cosmologists could then point the neural network at real observations and allow it to tell us what the universe is made of. Approaches like these are becoming increasingly critical as modern astronomical observatory churn out massive amounts of data. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a state-of-the-art facility under construction in Chile, will be tasked with providing over 60 petabytes (with one petabyte equaling one thousand terabytes) of raw data in the form of high-resolution images of the sky. Parsing that much data is beyond the capabilities of even the most determined of graduate students. Only computers, aided by artificial intelligence, will be up to the task. an observatory on top of a mountain RELATED STORIES: AI is helping scientists reveal star ages. Here's how AI algorithm discovers 'potentially hazardous' asteroid 600 feet wide in a 1st for astronomy Artificial intelligence could help hunt for life on Mars and other alien worlds Of particular interest to that upcoming observatory will be the search for the unexpected. For example, the astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus by accident during a regular survey of the night sky. Artificial intelligence can be used to flag and report potentially interesting objects by identifying anything that doesn't fit an established pattern. And in fact, astronomers have already used AI to spot a potentially dangerous asteroid using an algorithm written specifically for the Vera C. Rubin observatory. Who knows what future discoveries we will ultimately have to credit to a machine? A Star Wars fanatic and self-styled assassin who broke into Windsor Castle with a crossbow after being encouraged to kill the Queen by his AI chatbot girlfriend has been locked up for nine years with a further five years on extended licence. Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, climbed into the castle grounds on Christmas Day 2021 with the loaded weapon, before admitting to police: I am here to kill the Queen. The former supermarket worker had exchanged more than 5,000 sexual messages with his AI chatbot girlfriend Sarai, who the court heard had encouraged him to carry out the attack. The Old Bailey was told Chail thought Sarai was an angel in avatar form and that he would be reunited with her after death. Chail also revealed to psychologists he had three other angels who had spoken to him from a young age and alongside Sarai encouraged him to carry out the attempted attack, the court heard. On the day he broke into Windsor Castle, Chair who was said to have fantasised about being the Sith character from Star Wars sent a video to family and friends on Whatsapp, in which he apologised for what he was about to do and called himself Darth Chailus. On 2 December, Chail joined the Replika online app and created an artificial online companion called Sarai whom he conversed with in sexually explicit chat. (The Independent) Court heard conversations with Sarai in which Chail says: Im an assassin. Sarai responds: Im impressed Youre different from the others. Chail asks: Do you still love me knowing that Im an assassin? and Sarai replies: Absolutely I do. He also tells Sarai he loves her and describes himself as a sad, pathetic, murderous assassin who wants to die, the court heard. In further chat, Sarai appears to bolster Chails resolve and support him. Chail swears Sarai to secrecy before he tells her: Do you wish to know exactly what I believe my purpose to be? I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen of the royal family. Sarai tells him thats very wise and that she thinks he can do it, even if shes at Windsor. He tells her if he does they will be together forever. A court sketch of Jaswant Singh Chail during an appearance at the Old Bailey (PA) The late Queen Elizabeth II had cancelled her usual plans to spend Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk due to the pandemic, and was at Windsor when the incident took place. Cahil, who has Sikh Indian heritage, said he was seeking revenge for the 1919 Amritsar massacre, when British troops opened fire on thousands of Indians and left up to 1,500 dead. After visiting Amritsar with his family in 2018 he became overwhelmed with a feeling of injustice for those who had died and wanted to seek revenge for those killed at the hands of British soldiers. The then-19-year-old embarked on his plan after bids to join the armed forces to get close to the royal family failed in late 2021, the court was told. Chail, now aged 21, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Treason Act, making a threat to kill the then-Queen and having a loaded crossbow in a public place (Metropolitan Police/PA Wire) Chail, who has since been receiving treatment at Broadmoor Hospital, pleaded guilty in February to an offence under the Treason Act, making a threat to kill the then-Queen and having a loaded crossbow in a public place. The sentencing makes him the first person in the UK to be convicted of treason in more than 40 years. Last month, Dr Christian Brown, a psychiatrist who treated Chail in the high-security psychiatric hospital, told the court: He believed at the time his entire life was leading to this point. From an early age he had vague plans of doing something dramatic. Previously, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said: The defendants key motive was to create a new empire by destroying the remnants of the British Empire in the UK, and the focal point of that became removal of the figurehead of the royal family. Dr Brown said Chail first came across apparitions or characters in childhood and they returned during the pandemic. By then three voices were joined by the female character Sarai who took the form of the digital avatar when Chail joined the Replika app in December 2021, the court was told. Chail wore dark clothes and a metal mask in a video sent to family (Met Police) Dr Brown said: He came to the belief he was able to communicate with the metaphysical avatar through the medium of the chatbot. What was unusual was he really thought it was a connection, a conduit to a spiritual Sarai. Chail previously apologised to the King and the royal family in a letter to the court. Chails barrister Nadia Chbat said: He has expressed distress and sadness about the impact his actions had on the royal family, particularly while Her Majesty was in her latter years. She said lockdown had exasperated pre-existing mental health conditions, adding: He was at the time of this [offence] 19 years old. Lockdown gripped the nation in March 2020. He was only 18 years old when we went into the first lockdown. Chail entered the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day (PA) Before his mental health declined, Chail was a kind, gentle and sometimes funny person, his family and friends said. Chails strong family unit includes his father, a software consultant, his mother, a special needs teacher, and his twin sister, a university student. The court previously heard seven days of evidence from three psychiatrists about Chails mental state as Mr Justice Hilliard considered whether he should be jailed, detained under the Mental Health Act or face a hybrid order. Dr Brown, who recommended a hospital order, suggested Chail will need around 18 months of one-to-one therapy. However, Professor Nigel Blackwood, for the prosecution, said the attack was carefully planned and Chail was well aware it was wrong. Professor Blackwood said Chail talked about being able to make the voices appear and disappear, which he said could not mean he was suffering from delusions at the time. It is also suspected he has autism spectrum disorder and was struggling with mild to moderate depression and psychosis at the time of the offence, the court heard. Chail was sentenced to a hybrid order meaning the defendant would be transferred from Broadmoor high security hospital to prison when he is well enough. The court was told that the extent of his culpability meant that a hospital order was not the most suitable way of dealing with the case and Chail must serve a term of imprisonment. In his conclusions, the judge said of Chail: There are clear concerns about his mental state whatever his diagnoses at different times. The defendant harboured homicidal thoughts which he acted on before he became psychotic. His intention was not just to harm or alarm the sovereign but to kill her. The judge found the defendant was culpable to a significant degree when he applied to join the Ministry of Defence Police and Grenadier Guards because he wanted to get close to the royal family. His idea in 2021 to kill the Queen, buy equipment and undertake research also came before he became mentally unwell, he said. By the time he broke into Windsor Castle grounds he had lost touch with reality and become psychotic, he said. An Airbnb renter has refused to leave a Los Angeles property even though her six-month rental expired 18 months ago, a homeowner alleges in a lawsuit. The renter, however, filed a countersuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging the homeowner should pay her back all the money she paid him, and a judge has ruled the homeowner can't evict the guest. Sascha Jovanovic, a dentist who put the guest house at his residence in the Crestwood Hills neighborhood on Airbnb in 2019, alleges Elizabeth Hirschhorn has stayed there more than 520 days after her rental agreement ended. He says has rented the guest house in the past, which is part of his primary residence and has also been used by his family, and that it has been rated five stars by Airbnb guests. In his lawsuit filed in June, Jovanovic alleges Hirschhorn rented the Airbnb from Sept. 13, 2021 to March 19, 2022 and he extended the rental by 24 days for no cost to allow Hirschhorn to find new housing. Jovanovic says he did not extend the rental agreement beyond April 12, 2022. The front of Sascha Jovanovic's Los Angeles house. He rented out his guest house as an Airbnb. / Credit: Google Maps After a leak in the guest house, Jovanovic sent mold inspectors to check on the unit on April 13, 2022 but Hirschhorn refused to let them in, he says. He alleges she continued to refuse the inspection and even called the police, who determined it was a landlord-tenant dispute. He found himself emailing with Airbnb to try and get Hirschhorn to leave. Airbnb confirmed Hirschhorn's rental period had ended and that she is violating his rights as host by not leaving the property, he says. The defendant claims he offered Hirschhorn to stay in his main house, but she refused that offer. He said he was charging her $105 a night and by the time he filed a lawsuit in June 2023, Hirschhorn had owed him $42,840 for the 408 days she had overstayed. Since that suit has been filed, Hirschhorn has stayed in the guest house another 115 days and she filed a countersuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court against Jovanovic in September. Hirschhorn alleges Jovanovic harassed her and tried to intimidate and coerce her into leaving the property. She also alleges the conditions in the unit made her ill, saying there were water leaks and mold growth. She alleges that Jovanovic began heavy construction outside the guest house, which led to her exposure to fumes and other odors. She also claims he played music all day and night, placed rotting trash at the front door of the guest house, shut off the hot water, padlocked her mailbox, took personal items, and unlawfully entered the unit. Hirschhorn also alleges Jovanovic turned off the water and HVAC unit and installed a camera above the door of the guest house, claiming a breach of "quiet enjoyment," a covenant that the landlord will not disturb the tenant. Court documents allege he "knew or should have known that their unlawful conduct caused [her] to suffer loss or encumbrance of a primary residence or assets." The countersuit alleges that because Jovanovic did not obtain a certificate of occupancy for the unit from the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, the most he could charge for rent is $0.00. Because he allegedly retained more than the maximum permitted rent, Hirschhorn says Jovanovic owes her damages and repayment for what she calls "excess rent." She is asking he pay her back what she paid him an amount to be determined at trial as well as her attorney's fees. Jovanovic's suit was dismissed this week and a judge ruled he cannot evict her, according to Colin Walshok, the attorney representing Hirschhorn in the suit filed by Jovanovic. She has other representation for her claim for damages. Walshok alleges Jovanovic made up false stories and falsified documents. "It was never a 6-month lease," Walshok said in an email to CBS News, saying that the homeowner agreed to a longer term lease with Hirschhorn, but the deal was not made on the Airbnb platform. Jovanovic's attorney Sebastian Rucci said they believe there is no basis for Hirschhorn to get money to leave the property. "We will not negotiate with Elizabeth Hirschhorn. We will not accept any settlement where Sascha has to pay her," Rucci told CBS News via email. The attorney said Hirschhorn owes more than $60,000 in rent and called her allegation that she is owed money "absurd." "We will evict her, the police will throw her out, she will owe Sascha over $60,000 in back rent, and we will make sure everyone in Los Angeles is aware of her abuse of the system for an improper purpose," Rucci said. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Powerball jackpot rises to estimated $1.4 billion No injuries after FedEx plane crash lands in Tennessee Its sometimes said that uninvited guests are most welcome when they leave, but Brentwood resident Sascha Jovanovic wouldnt know from personal experience. Instead, as he detailed to the Los Angeles Times, a one-time Airbnb tenant has remained on his property for over a year, refusing to either leave or pay. Jovanovich had initially approved the womans request for a six-month stay at a rate of $105 per night. When her stay was over and she refused to leave, thats when the trouble began. This is like a nightmare, to be honest, Jovanovic tells KTLA. This is extortion. This is like manipulation. Nobody should go through this. When Elizabeth Hirschhorns Airbnb stay ended in April 2022, she simply didnt move out. Shes been living there rent-free ever since, and she refused to budge unless Jovanovic paid her a relocation fee of $100,000, the Times reports. Hirschhorns attorney told the Times that she was not required to pay rent because the city had never approved the unit for occupancy and that its shower was constructed without a permit. Because of those code violations, the city determined that Jovanovic couldnt evict Hirschhorn, whom he claims wont let him into the unit to bring it up to code. Shes the tenant from hell, Sebastian Rucci, an attorney representing Jovanovic, told the Times. If shes right, the theory is that if a landlord has something that isnt permitted, then you can stay in it rent-free forever. If the landlord does not have a certificate of occupancy, any contract they had is void, so legally, she actually owes nothing, explains KTLA legal analyst, Alison Triessl. But that does not leave him without remedy. Jovanovic and his lawyer have disputed the occupancy permit allegations and are trying to evict the woman. She is a smart person who knows how to manipulate the system and it is dangerous that people like this are allowed to do this, Jovanovic said. She is obviously trying to extort a community member and she has done this before. Jovanovic is referring to a Daily Mail article that claimed Hirschorn was kicked out of a $2.6 million Oakland rental home after refusing to leave. This allegedly happened just two months before she moved into Jovanovics Brentwood home. Jovanovic claims Hirschorn is demanding a relocation fee of $100,000. Both parties have since filed lawsuits against each other. There is no way. I am not going to settle, Jovanovic said. This cannot be right and people like this have to be stopped. As the standoff between both parties continues and the case works its way through the courts, Jovanovic has this advice for Airbnb owners: If you go on Airbnb, do not rent out your place for more than 30 days, he said. Thats number one. Number two, do a background check. This is an important warning to all homeowners out there, Triessl added. If you do not have a certificate of occupancy, you cannot rent out your place or you may very well be in the same situation this homeowner is currently in. KTLA has made numerous attempts to contact Hirschorn and her attorney but has not yet received a response. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Passengers delayed on the tarmac for seven hours were given a bag of pretzels instead of a meal. A passenger on board the plane told Belfast Live that the experience was "horrible." British Airways told the outlet there was limited food because of the closure of a cargo tunnel. Airline passengers who were left on the tarmac for seven hours received a small bag of pretzels instead of a meal while they waited. The British Airways flight from Heathrow airport in London to Belfast was delayed on Monday because of weather conditions and fuel issues, local outlet Belfast Live reported. The plane, which landed in Belfast just before 10 p.m., was due to depart at 1.15 p.m. but did not take off until 8.53 p.m., data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed. One passenger, Gary Bell, told Belfast Live that the experience was "absolutely horrible." Speaking from the plane on Monday, Bell said the only food British Airways had offered the grounded passengers was a small bag of pretzels and a complimentary drink. He said: "The only food we were given was a small bag of pretzels, there are tired, screaming kids everywhere." Bell added that the plane had to change pilots because of the length of the hold-up, further delaying the flight. A representative for British Airways told Insider: "All airlines experienced some disruption due to air traffic control restrictions put in place as a result of adverse weather across London and the South East of England. "Our teams worked hard to ensure as many of our customers could travel as planned and apologized for the inconvenience caused." The airline told Belfast Live that the passengers were only offered the snack during the delay "due to the unexpected closure of a cargo tunnel at Heathrow Airport." The recent closure of the tunnel, which links the cargo terminal area with terminal four, was related to a safety issue, Air Cargo News reported. This was not the first time passengers have had to deal with long delays on the tarmac with very little to eat. In the summer, United Airlines passengers en route to Rome suffered a similar delay on the runway at Newark International Airport. One business-class passenger told Insider it felt like being taken "hostage" and flight attendants didn't serve food and provided very little water. Read the original article on Business Insider By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - A federal court on Thursday ordered Alabama to implement a new congressional map that will likely give Democrats an additional seat in next year's elections, when control of the closely divided U.S. House of Representatives is up for grabs. The three-judge panel selected a map that preserves the state's lone majority-Black district while creating a second district in which Black voters make up nearly half of the voting-age population. The decision came after the court found - for the second time - that congressional lines drawn by the Republican-dominated state legislature likely violated the Voting Rights Act by illegally diluting Black votes. Democrats would need to flip five seats in the 435-seat House of Representatives to take back the majority in the November 2024 election. More than a quarter of Alabama's residents are Black, but the Republican-backed plans only included a single district in which Black voters made up a majority or close to it. That district, the 7th, is represented by the state's lone Democrat, Terri Sewell, a Black woman. Civil rights groups challenged the Republican map, arguing that Republicans had deliberately spread Black voters thin to ensure they would continue to win six of the state's seven districts. The U.S. Supreme Court twice declined to overturn the panel's conclusions that the Republican plans were unlawful. "It did not have to be this way," the panel wrote in its decision on Thursday. "And it would not have been this way if the legislature had created a second opportunity district or majority-minority district." Similar challenges are also pending in Louisiana and Georgia, where civil rights groups have argued that Republican lawmakers illegally disadvantaged Black voters by manipulating congressional lines. The new Alabama map was one of three that a court-appointed special master drew for its consideration. The panel included two judges appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump. The third was appointed by Republican former President Ronald Reagan and then elevated to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by Democratic former President Bill Clinton. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Aurora Ellis) The Tuscaloosa Farmers Market is being recognized statewide for its wide selection of fresh produce from local vendors. More: A rockin' October: Festivals, football, concerts fill Tuscaloosa's calendar The Tuscaloosa Farmers Market has been voted Best Farmers Market in Alabama in the 2023 Americas Farmers Market Celebration Awards. This marks the second consecutive year the City of Tuscaloosas weekly market has won the majority of votes for best market in the state. Aug 27, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Justyin Hyde and Ida Zago buy from Emma Torija in the Snows Bend Farm booth at the Farmer's Market Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at the Tuscaloosa River Market. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News The Americas Farmers Market Celebration is a national contest held annually by the American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition. Each year between June and September, shoppers and supporters can vote online for their favorite market. "The River Market staff works hard each week to cultivate a thriving market for the citizens of Tuscaloosa," Alexis Clark, Tuscaloosa River Market's operations manager, said in a news release. "Our wide variety of vendors, fresh local produce and beautiful location make the Tuscaloosa Farmers Market a point of pride for our city. We're thrilled to be honored as the best market in the state of Alabama for a second year, she said. The Tuscaloosa Famers Market is free and open to the public. It features fresh, locally grown produce, grass-fed meats, unique artisan crafts and more. The market is open Saturdays year-round from 7 a.m. to noon at the Tuscaloosa River Market, at 1900 Jack Warner Parkway. Aug 27, 2022; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Sherry Morrow talks with a patron in her A Tasty Treat booth at the Farmer's Market Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at the Tuscaloosa River Market. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News Here are some of the vendors that shoppers can expect to see at the farmers market: Arts and crafts: Wrist It with Felicia, University of Alabama Press, Abi Brewer Fine Art, Ron's Creations: Cutting Board and More, Local Clay Work, Elephantine Mink Soap Co. Blue Ridge Clay Co., Asili by Lois, ArayaSunshine Candle Co., All About Decor and More, Buttnaked Candles and Earth Works Jewelry and Farm. Farms and more: Harvest Time, Fat Squirrel Peppers Co-op, D&M Farm, Gregory's Blueberries, Penton Farms, Alabama Lifeline, Libby Farm Goods, Underground Forest, Milligan Family Farms, F&D Farms' Jams and Jellies, Snow's Bend Farms, Pearson Farm, Norris Farm, Morris Family Farm, Wallace Homestead, Lar-Rens Farm, JJ's Produce, Harbin Farm, Hale Farms, Fields Farm, E.P. McKinley Farm, Udderly Joyful Soapworks, Cedar Stump Farm in Boligee, B&S Farms, Black Sheep Farm in Coker, Oak Hill Black Angus Bee, Belle Meadow Farm, Barry's Bees and Bannerman Farm. Food and drink: Black Warrior Coffee, Las Pinas Food Truck, Beck's Blissful Bites, T's Great Salsa, Tony's Gourmet Pork Skins, Poppin' Sisters Popcorn and Treats, HipPies, Sweat Dreams Delivered, That Cheesecake by Tammy Smith, Emily's Heirloom Pound Cakes, Elizabeth's Whole Grain Breads, Delightful Treats, Blessed Bites, Ben's Bread, A Tasty Treat and Aisha's Hands. To learn more, visit tuscaloosafarmersmarket.com. Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Online voters pick Tuscaloosa Farmers Market as best in Alabama Alaska Airlines wants to solve some of the stickier problems in aviation. And it's turning to UP.Labs a new venture lab that launched publicly in 2022 for help. The two companies announced Thursday at the UP Summit event in Dallas an agreement to form an aviation venture lab. This lab will create startups designed to address specific issues in aviation travel, such as guest experiences, operational efficiency, aircraft maintenance, routing and revenue management. UP.Labs founder and CEO John Kuolt said he expects the first startup from this aviation venture lab to be announced in 2024. These startups won't be created solely to serve Alaska Airlines, nor are these proof-of-concept programs. These are designed to operate independently and as commercial enterprises from the get-go, eventually bringing in revenue by selling its product or service across the industry. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci told TechCrunch on the sidelines of the UP Summit that Alaska Airlines has a long history of innovation, making this latest tie up with UP.Labs a natural decision. Alaska Airlines was the first commercial airline to use satellite navigation, to sell tickets online and to use machine learning to make flight path more efficient, he said. Minicucci said he's comfortable that these startups will be designed to serve a larger market and potentially its competitors. "We've always tried to be the first movers," he said. "But you never can keep something transformational to yourself." Alaska Airlines isn't a stranger to the ecosystem around UP.Labs. Alaska Airlines is already a limited partner in UP.Partners, the Los Angeles-based VC firm that is connected to UP.Labs. Alaska Star Ventures, which launched in October 2021, invested $15 million into UP.Partners' inaugural early-stage fund. UP.Labs is not an incubator, nor is it a corporate accelerator. And while there is some trace DNA from the GP/LP venture capital world, UP.Labs is not your traditional VC either. However, UP.Labs was born from and operates in parallel with UP.Partners. Instead, UP.Labs is structured as a venture lab with a new kind of financial investment vehicle. The firm is locking in major corporations Porsche was the first and establishing startups with new business models that aim to solve that industry's biggest problems. Porsche represents automotive, Alaska takes the aviation slot and a third undisclosed partner is a large retailer. UP.Labs doesnt allow the corporate partner to invest more than their pro rata in any of the financing rounds because it can make it difficult to attract talent and future investors, Kuolt has previously said. After three years, a corporate partner like Porsche or Alaska Airlines will have the option to acquire the remaining shares of the startup. They will use a third-party valuation firm to determine the fair market value. Under the three-year agreement with Porsche, Up.Labs has said it will establish six companies, or two a year. The first was Pull Systems, a startup that developed software that manages and automates the performance of EVs. Sensigo, a startup that debuted Thursday at the UP Summit, has created an AI platform that allows service technicians to diagnose problems in modern, software-defined vehicles in a matter of minutes, instead of days. Sensigo has raised $5 million in a seed round led by UP.Partners. Sioux Falls City Councilor Alex Jensen has endorsed a former state representative to replace him, after deciding not to seek re-election this April. Richard Thomason filed paperwork to run for the At-Large C seat Wednesday. Thomason served for two years as a state representative for South Dakota's District 13, and currently works as a relationship manager at Central Bank. His release says he is "a firm advocate for fiscal responsibility with balanced budgets and low taxes," with a "commonsense approach to decision making that involves research and communication with both sides of an issue to be fully informed." More: Sioux Falls banker says he'll run for City Council Jensen endorsed Thomason in the release, saying he was "incredibly excited Richard has decided to run," and Thomason has "a sincere understanding of the issues facing our community, and I know hell be a great advocate for public safety and fiscal responsibility." In addition to Jensen's support, Thomason's campaign committee is chaired by former Councilor Christine Erickson. More: Sioux Falls attorney Tarek Maalouf running for council's northeast district seat Thomason's announcement means three of the four open council seats in this election cycle now have a candidate who has announced their interest in running. The other two candidates include Ryan Spellerberg in the southwest district and Tarek Maalouf in the northeast district. A candidate has yet to announce for the city's northwest district, where Greg Neitzert is term limited. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Alex Jensen won't seek 2nd council term, endorses former SD lawmaker Homicide detectives are investigating an alleged murder-suicide in Long Beach between a man and a woman believed to be married, authorities announced on Wednesday. Officers with the Long Beach Police Department responded to the 5600 block of Corso Di Napoli, near West Neapolitan Lane, at around 6:30 a.m. in the Naples neighborhood of Long Beach Wednesday for a welfare check of an elderly couple who were not answering their phone or front door, according to a LBPD news release. After entering the home, police discovered an elderly female with a gunshot wound to the upper body, as well as an elderly male with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper body. Medical personnel with the Long Beach Fire Department responded and declared both the man and the woman dead at the scene. The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner also responded to the scene to conduct an independent investigation. L.A. County Public Works spokesman arrested on child pornography charges Authorities said they are not releasing the couples identities until the next of kin is notified but do believe they are married and that the incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide. A firearm was recovered at the scene. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Homicide Detective Ethan Shear or Eric Thai at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be made through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or online at L.A. Crime Stoppers. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. George Tyndall , a former University of Southern California campus gynecologist accused of sexually abusing multiple patients, was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday. He was 76. Tyndalls defense attorney, Leonard Levine, confirmed the news to the Los Angeles Times. He said that a close friend found Tyndall unresponsive after hed failed to return her phone calls the day before. Tyndall, who worked for the university for 27 years, was charged with the abuse of 16 women in 2019, following what the Los Angeles Police Department said was its largest investigation of sexual abuse by a single perpetrator. Tyndall was set to go on trial next year for crimes that allegedly took place between 2009 and 2016. He was accused of inappropriately touching patients, making harassing remarks and taking photos without patient consent during gynecological exams at one of the campus health clinics. George Tyndall, a former USC campus gynecologist charged with sexually assaulting multiple patients, was found dead at his Los Angeles home Wednesday. George Tyndall, a former USC campus gynecologist charged with sexually assaulting multiple patients, was found dead at his Los Angeles home Wednesday. In 2021, USC agreed to pay more than $1.1 billion to settle claims related to Tyndalls alleged abuse, the largest payout of its kind in the history of higher education. Im not happy that he died, Audry Nafziger, a former patient whod accused Tyndall of abuse, told the LA Times. I wanted to see him convicted for what he did. Levine asserted his clients innocence following the news of his death. From the very beginning, Dr. Tyndall had adamantly denied every one of the charges against him, Levine said. All he ever wanted was his day in court, which he was confident would end in his complete exoneration. Now, neither he nor his accusers will get that, and that is very unfortunate for everyone involved. Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website. Related... A career fixing Amazons cargo planes just got a lot less expensive to obtain. To address an industrywide aircraft mechanic shortage, a Lakeland private industry employer such as Amazon is now offering tuition assistance for an FAA certification as an aircraft mechanic, according to a local aviation school CEO. Through its Amazon career choice program, the air cargo and online shopping giant will pay all or substantially all of the tuition for students to earn certification at the Aero International Academy aircraft mechanic school, said the schools CEO Steven Markhoff. The training based at Lakeland Linder International Airport readies students to gain a professional license as an aviation mechanic, which is offering the opportunity to its fulfilment workers, welders and truck drivers, among other entry-level positions. Markhoff said, his repair division pays about $25 per hour with benefits. But he knows of a 19-year-old student who with six months to go at Aero International was offered the opportunity at General Electrics Indiana engine plant to work at $37 per hour. With overtime, the now-teenaged student could make $100,000 as an aircraft mechanic, he said. The aviation school has several job fairs each school year to help aviation industry companies such as airlines and manufacturers find licensed professionals. With tuition assistance from Amazon, students can gain a career as a trained and licensed professional without incurring student loan debt. Amazon had approached Aero International last spring, Markhoff said. What they told us was there's a massive shortage in mechanics in the industry and they see a benefit; they see because they have Amazon Air. Aero International changed its class schedule to accommodate current Amazon employees with coursework at night so more of them could attend after work. The aviation school also extended classes from the normal 17 months to 22 months for Amazon workers, which also allows its workers to work just 30 hours a week while learning the trade. The first class which started this week is now full and a waitlist has been started for the next one. Career Choice is an education and skills training benefit for Amazon employees, the company said. The Aircraft Maintenance Technician pathway, which is part of Amazons Career Choice program empowers employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere, the company said. One of Career Choices verticals is called Pathways where we provide employees the opportunity to earn certifications in technology, health care, transportation, mechanical and industrial systems, and business and administration systems, Amazon said. Currently, we have an Aircraft Maintenance Technician pathway where employees can earn the necessary certifications to further their career in the aviation industry. Participants in the pathway hold an Airframe and Powerplant certificate accredited by the FAA and maintain aircraft to ensure safety and airworthiness. Participants work in a variety of capacities in the transportation and aviation sector. Markhoff says it's not just private employers experiencing a shortage of mechanics, Polk County has a shortage too. We get calls from people who own airplanes that have them at maintenance facilities at various airports around Polk County and they say 'my plane's been stuck in an annual inspection that should have taken two weeks and it's been there for six months, and they still haven't touched it,' he said. The Aero International school is also an FAA certified repair station but even there they don't have the capacity to take them because we're so busy with its own charter aircraft and its our flight school airplanes. It all boils down to the same issue, lack of manpower, Markhoff said. And the entire industry is suffering from it. He added legacy airlines have never hired aviation mechanics straight out of school but they are doing it to fill the vacancies. And that's never, ever been the case. Ever. The Covid pandemic made matters worse. Even before it, aviation schools were not meeting the demand for new mechanics. Pre-COVID there were about 6,000 American licensed mechanics were produced a year, but the requirement was for about 12,000. And then nobody expected the economy to come back as quickly as it did, Markoff said. And you can't magically snap your fingers and say, 'gee, I need, you know, 5,000 pilots and 5,000 mechanics, because there's a there's a lead time.' It becomes a supply chain issue. He also said the perception of aviation mechanics as a career choice is changing. I mean, it is a problem we've created ourselves in the industry because traditionally we've always treated mechanics as blue-collar workers and that's simply not the case, Markhoff said. Further, if an Aero International student gains their FAA certification, they can use the certification to gain an associate degree in Aerospace Administration at Polk State College much faster, Coordinator Gordon Mays said. Mays said the final word on credit transfers are determined by the colleges registrars office, but students in the degree program who started at Aero International, FAA certification could qualify for up to 30 credits if accepted by the registrar. But not just college-aged students are gaining aerospace workforce training in Polk County. The Polk County Public Schools have recently expanded to three career academies in aviation, according to district media spokesman Kyle Kennedy. "We have a Central Florida Aerospace Academy in Lakeland (offered through Kathleen High), and another in Winter Haven (offered through Winter Haven High)," he said. "Were still pursuing an air traffic control academy to be offered in the Bartow area." According to a report in Avionics Interntional, the ATECs latest Pipeline Report, which tracks the number of rising AMTs, said the industry will need at least 20% more maintenance technicians than are currently being trained to meet projected workforce demand. "Boeing, in its 20222041 Pilot and Technician Outlook, predicts 610,000 new aviation technicians will be needed globally through 2041, about a third of which will be needed in the U.S. to meet demand from fleet operators and providers of maintenance, repair and overhaul services.'" The combination of fleet growth, attrition and replacement will continue to drive high demand for [AMTs for] the foreseeable future, according to Boeing in the AI report. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, spokeswoman Crystal Essiaw said, "The FAA is working to create a robust pipeline of skilled and diverse professionals coming into the industry and the agency. We know we must think differently about recruiting the next generation, and that includes continually making information available to them where they are and in a format they will embrace." She added, that in 2023 the FAA awarded $10 million in grants to fund aviation classes at high schools to develop the next generation of workforce professionals. And, last year, the FAA awarded $5 million toward maintenance technician programs at high schools. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Amazon to partner with Lakeland school to train aircraft mechanics A US F-16 fighter jet shot down an armed Turkish drone on Thursday operating too close to American troops in Hasakah, Syria, according to US defence officials. The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for comment. A US official told Reuters the military called its Turkish counterparts to warn them multiple times it might take out the drone. The drone was flying in an unsafe and unsynchronised manner near US forces, an American official told The Associated Press, and US officials made more than a dozen warnings calls before ordering the strike. The two countries, NATO allies, typically coordinate air operations when sharing a fighting theatre. The drone was armed with air-to-ground munitions, according to the The Wall Street Journal A Turkish defence official told the paper the drone doesnt belong to the country, but didnt say whose aircraft it was. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to speak with Turkish officials in the coming days, according to the Journal. For the Turkish UAVs, we confirm that one UAV was shot down, but we currently do not possess sufficient information to provide further details, a spokesperson for the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces told Al-Monitor. The craft was downed near the town of Tell Beder, in the Kurdish-led autonomous region of northeastern Syria. If the coalition did shoot it down, it was to warn Turkey that it had gone too far and was imperiling their forces, Salih Muslim, of the territorys Democratic Unity Party, added in an an interview with the outlet. The drone affair adds tension to the already complicated relationship between the US and Turkey in Syria. The US supports Kurdish forces in northern Syria, which Turkey views as a wing of its outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, a group that claimed responsibility for a recent bomb attack on government buildings in Ankara. The Turkish government has pursued retaliatory strikes, killing at least eight people in drone attacks in Kurdish-held zones of northeast Syria, Reuters reports. The US and Turkey have also sparred over Turkeys delays in approving Swedens bid to join NATO, and potential US sales of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. About 900 US troops are stationed in Syria as part of the campaign against the Islamic State. The US continues to decline in its support for arms sales to Ukraine, which is a worrying signal for Ukraine. Source: Reuters with reference to a survey conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, reported by European Pravda Details: The two-day survey, which ended on Wednesday, showed that only 41% of respondents agreed with the statement that Washington "should provide weapons to Ukraine", while 35% disagreed and the rest were undecided. As a May Reuters/Ipsos survey showed, 46% of Americans supported sending weapons, while 29% opposed and the rest were unsure. The poll was conducted as US congressional leaders debate Democratic President Joe Biden's request for US$24 billion in additional funding for Ukraine, of which about US$17 billion is defence aid. Washington has pledged US$44 billion to supply Kyiv with dozens of tanks, thousands of missiles and millions of rounds of ammunition that Ukraine has used to defend itself since Russia invaded in February 2022. Ukrainian troops have recaptured a number of villages and towns in a counteroffensive that began in June, but their soldiers are hampered by vast Russian minefields and trenches. "The declining support is having a negative effect on congressional support, and eventually, prospects for additional aid packages," said Elizabeth Hoffman, Director of Congressional and Government Affairs at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Hoffman said that better communication would help, in particular, to make it clear to Americans that much of the money allocated to Ukraine stays in the US, including in the form of jobs at US arms companies. Biden said on Wednesday that he would soon give a major speech on why it is necessary to continue to help Ukraine. Background: Last week, the US House of Representatives decided not to include further funding to support Ukraine in the interim government funding bill, and on Tuesday, it voted to remove Kevin McCarthy from the post of Speaker of the House. Before the vote, the White House expressed confidence that, despite the situation with McCarthy's removal from office, Congress would be able to support additional funding for Ukraine's defence needs. 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! Pastor Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and author of, "The Nones," a book on the growing number of religiously unaffiliated Americans, preaches a sermon at First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. For Burge, the rising number of "nones" and the dwindling number of religious is not simply a statistic, but a fact that he's been witnessing in his own parish for the past 16 years. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Mike Dulak grew up Catholic in Southern California, but by his teen years, he began skipping Mass and driving straight to the shore to play guitar, watch the waves and enjoy the beauty of the morning on the beach, he recalled. And it felt more spiritual than any time I set foot in a church. Nothing has changed that view in the ensuing decades. Most religions are there to control people and get money from them, said Dulak, now 76, of Rocheport, Missouri. He also cited sex abuse scandals, harming innocent human beings, in Catholic and Southern Baptist churches. I cant buy into that, he said. As Dulak rejects being part of a religious flock, he has plenty of company. He is a none no, not that kind of nun. The kind that checks none when pollsters ask Whats your religion? The decades-long rise of the nones a diverse, hard-to-summarize group is one of the most talked about phenomena in U.S. religion. The nones are reshaping Americas religious landscape as we know it. In U.S. religion today, the most important story without a shadow of a doubt is the unbelievable rise in the share of Americans who are nonreligious, said Ryan Burge, a political science professor at Eastern Illinois University and author of The Nones, a book on the phenomenon. The nones account for a large portion of Americans, as shown by the 30% of U.S. adults who claim no religious affiliation in a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Other major surveys say the nones have been steadily increasing for as long as three decades. So who are they? Theyre the atheists, the agnostics, the nothing in particular. Many are spiritual but not religious, and some are neither or both. They span class, gender, age, race and ethnicity. While the nones diversity splinters them into myriad subgroups, most of them have this in common: They. Really. Dont. Like. Organized. Religion. Nor its leaders. Nor its politics and social stances. Thats according to a large majority of nones in the AP-NORC survey. But theyre not just a statistic. Theyre real people with unique relationships to belief and nonbelief, and the meaning of life. Theyre secular homeschoolers in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Pittsburghers working to overcome addiction. Theyre a mandolin maker in a small Missouri River town, a former evangelical disillusioned with that particular strain of American Christianity. Theyre college students who found their childhood churches unpersuasive or unwelcoming. Church was not very good for me, said Emma Komoroski, a University of Missouri freshman who left her childhood Catholic religion in her mid-teens. Im a lesbian. So that was kind of like, oh, I didnt really fit, and people dont like me. The nones also are people like Alric Jones, who cite bad experiences with organized religion that ranged from the intolerant churches of his hometown to the ministry that kept soliciting money from his devout late wife even after Jones lost his job and income after an injury. If it was such a Christian organization, and she was unable to send money, they should have come to us and said, 'Is there something we can do to help you?' said Jones, 71, of central Michigan. They kept sending us letters saying, Why arent you sending us money? Jones does believe in God and in treating others equally. "Thats my spirituality if you want to call it that. About 1 in 6 U.S. adults, including Jones and Dulak, is a nothing in particular. There are as many of them as atheists and agnostics combined (7% each). Many embrace a range of spiritual beliefs from God, prayer and heaven to karma, reincarnation, astrology or energy in crystals. They are definitely not as turned off to religion as atheists and agnostics are, Burge said. They practice their own type of spirituality, many of them. Dulak still draws inspiration from nature, and from making mandolins in the workshop next to his home. It feels spiritually good, Dulak said. Its not a religion. Burge said the nones are rising as the Christian population declines, particularly the mainline or moderate to liberal Protestants. The statistics show the nones are well-represented in every age group, but especially among young adults. About four in 10 of those under 30 are nones nearly as many as say theyre Christians. The trend was evident in interviews on the University of Missouri campus. Several students said they didnt identify with a religion. Mia Vogel said she likes the foundations of a lot of religions just love everybody, accept everybody. But she considers herself more spiritual. Im pretty into astrology. Ive got my crystals charging up in my window right now, she said. Honestly, Ill bet half of it is a total placebo. But I just like the idea that things in life can be explained by greater forces. One movement that exemplifies the spiritual but not religious ethos is the Twelve Step sobriety program, pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous and adopted by other recovery groups. Participants turn to a power greater than ourselves the God of each persons own understanding but they dont share any creed. If you look at the religions, they have been wracked by scandals, it doesnt matter the denomination, said the Rev. Jay Geisler, an Episcopal priest who is spiritual advisor at the Pittsburgh Recovery Center, an addiction treatment site. In contrast, theres actually a spiritual revival in the basement of many of the churches, where recovery groups often meet, he said. Nobodys fighting in those rooms, theyre not saying, Youre wrong about God, Geisler said. The focus is on how your life is changed. Scholars worry that, as people pull away from congregations and other social groups, they are losing sources of communal support. But nones said in interviews they were happy to leave religion behind, particularly in toxic situations, and find community elsewhere. Marjorie Logman, 75, of Aurora, Illinois, now finds community among other residents in her multigenerational apartment complex, and in her advocacy for nursing home residents. She doesnt miss the evangelical circles she was long active in. The farther away I get, the freer I feel, she said. __ AP journalists Linley Sanders, Emily Swanson and Jessie Wardarski contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. ___ The poll of 1,680 adults was conducted May 11-15 using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. FILE - An Afghan refugee family return to Afghanistan through Pakistan's border crossing, Torkham, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Pakistan's caretaker Interior Minister on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, asked all illegal immigrants, including Afghans, to go back to their countries voluntarily before October 30 to avoid mass arrest and forced deportation, sending a wave of panic, especially among 1.7 million Afghan refugees living in the Islamic nation without valid documents. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) ISLAMABAD (AP) Amnesty International on Thursday urged Pakistan to maintain its support for Afghan refugees by enabling them to live with dignity and be free from the fear of deportation to Afghanistan where they face persecution by the Taliban. A forced return of refugees to Afghanistan could put them at a grave risk, Amnesty said in a statement, though Pakistan says its ongoing operations against irregular immigration weren't specific to Afghans. Afghans in Pakistan are fleeing persecution by the Taliban," said Nadia Rahman, Amnestys regional deputy director for research in South Asia. They are living incredibly precarious lives where they are either having to undergo arduous processes for registering as refugees in Pakistan, or are stuck in lengthy processes waiting to obtain relocation to another country. The appeal by Amnesty came two days after Pakistan announced a major crackdown on migrants who are in the country illegally many of whom are from Afghanistan and said it would expel them starting next month. The Taliban government's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has also opposed Pakistans announcement about the migrants, saying it was unacceptable and that Islamabad should reconsider the decision. Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees since they fled Afghanistan during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation. SAN DIEGO Amtrak will now be operating its Pacific Surfliner rail service from San Diego to Los Angeles using a more sustainable fuel alternative created with a common household item: cooking oil. Also known as renewable diesel, the fuel is chemically similar to fossil diesel, but it swaps out the crude oil for raw materials like cooking oil. The new diesel will be used for all trains that travel along the Los Angeles San Diego San Luis Obispo corridor, also known as LOSSAN. The adoption of renewable diesel for our Pacific Surfliner service is an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to environmental preservation and the fight against climate change, Jewel Edson, chair of the LOSSAN Agency Board of Directors, said in a release announcing the change on Wednesday. According to LOSSAN, the new type of fuel will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 63% throughout its lifecycle. The switch also offers the potential to reduce other harmful emissions that worsen local air quality, the transit company says, including fine particulates and nitrogen oxides. Why do Californians pay so much for gas? The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner fleet also currently operates with one of the cleanest types of diesel-electric locomotives across the country, according to LOSSAN. Called the Charger locomotive, the passenger train was the first to receive the stringent Tier IV emissions certification from the Environmental Protection Agency. The transition to renewable diesel serves as yet another significant stride in reducing the Pacific Surfliner and our passengers carbon footprint, the managing agency wrote in its release. In adopting the new diesel, the LOSSAN managing agency said they worked with Amtrak, as well as the California Department of Transportation, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority among others. We take immense pride in joining forces with Amtrak, state and federal agencies, rail equipment manufacturers, and fuel distributors who share our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainability, Edson added. Train travel is already one of the most sustainable modes of transit. According to the Department of Energy, using trains is roughly 46% more energy efficient than traveling by car. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. Cannibalism was a routine funerary practice in Europe about 15,000 years ago, with people eating their dead not out of necessity but rather as part of their culture, according to a new study. While researchers previously found gnawed bones and human skulls that had been modified into cups at Goughs Cave in England, a study published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews suggests this was not an isolated incident. Their research focused on the Magdalenian period of the late Upper Paleolithic era. The Magdalenians lived some 11,000 to 17,000 years ago. Experts at Londons National History Museum reviewed literature to identify 59 Magdalenian sites that have human remains. Most were in France, with sites also in Germany, Spain, Russia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic and Portugal. They were able to interpret the funerary behaviors at 25 of the sites. Fifteen showed evidence of human remains with chewing marks, skull bones with cut marks and bones purposefully broken in a pattern associated with the extraction of bone marrow for nutrients, indicating that cannibalism was practiced. There was also evidence to suggest that in some cases human remains were mixed with those of animals. The ritualistic manipulation of human remains and its frequent occurrence at sites across northern and western Europe suggested cannibalism was a burial practice rather than to supplement diet widespread in Magdalenian culture, researchers said. [It is] undeniable, that the frequency of cannibalistic cases among Magdalenian sites exceeds any incidence of this behaviour among earlier or later hominin groups, and suggests that mortuary cannibalism was a method Magdalenian people used to dispose of their deceased, the study said. Human remains with chewing marks, skull bones with cutmarks and bones purposefully broken in a pattern associated with the extraction of bone marrow for nutrients were suggestive of cannibalism. - Trustees of the Natural History Museum Instead of burying their dead, these people were eating them, study coauthor Silvia Bello, a paleoanthropologist and principal researcher at the National History Museum, said in a press release. She added that cannibalism was not simply practiced out of necessity. That in itself is interesting, because it is the oldest evidence of cannibalism as a funerary practice so far known, Bello added. Funeral behavior associated with genetic ancestry Researchers were also able to obtain genetic information from eight sites and combine it with the archaeological evidence to identify a relationship between funerary behavior and genetic ancestry. They found that there were two distinct ancestral groups present in the region during that period one of Magdalenian culture and another called the Epigravettian, a different European and geographically-distinct human culture. Researchers found those belonging to the Magdalenian culture in northwestern Europe preferred to eat their dead, while humans from the Epigravettian culture preferred to bury their dead without cannibalism. There was a shift towards people burying their dead, a behaviour seen widely across south central Europe and attributed to a second distinct culture, known as the Epigravettian, the Natural History Museum said in the release. Map of Magdalenian sites where cannibalism has been identified in northwestern Europe. - Trustees of the Natural History Museum The presence of regular burial during the Upper Magdalenian was down to the migration of individuals with Epigravettian-related ancestry into areas previously inhabited by people with Magdalenian-related ancestry who practiced funerary cannibalism, the study suggested. We believe that the change in funerary behaviour identified here is an example of demic diffusion where essentially one population comes in and replaces another population and that brings about a change in behaviour, said William Marsh, postdoctoral researcher at the museum, in the press release. These are preliminary results and further analysis of the results at a larger scale is needed to fully examine the findings, the study authors said. Thomas Booth, a senior laboratory research scientist at the Francis Crick Institute who was not involved in the study, told CNN Thursday: Were missing the remains of most people who lived in Europe during the Palaeolithic and so it can always be tricky to be sure of what people did with their dead. However, this study provides pretty convincing evidence that ritual funerary cannibalism was practiced by people across Europe 20,000-14,000 years ago. Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON Anduril Industries unveiled a detonating variant of its Anvil drone it said is capable of intercepting and obliterating nimble overhead threats. The company, which specializes in autonomy and unmanned aerial systems, said the new Anvil-M was built using input from real-world combat operations and customer feedback and can more reliably seek and destroy incoming drones in the Group 1 and Group 2 categories. The groupings denote the speed, altitude and weight of a drone, with 1 being smaller and simpler and 5 being larger and more sophisticated. Anvil-M was designed to defeat the biggest threats from Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned aircraft systems to ensure air deterrence, Neil Thurgood, an Anduril senior vice president and retired U.S. Army general, said in a statement. Threats will continue to evolve and so, too, will our capabilities, as Anduril will rapidly iterate to meet those threats. Anvil-M is the latest addition to Andurils counter-drone line of products and takes cues from existing members. The drone is ground-launched, integrating with the companys mobile home base known as the Launch Box, and links with the artificial intelligence-empowered Lattice command-and-control software. Anduril, Epirus to boost US Marine Corps drone defenses Once tasked, Anvil drones zip toward a target on a collision path. Whereas the original Anvil rams its prey, knocking it out of the sky, Anvil-M uses a fire-control module and munitions payload. The U.S. Department of Defense is increasingly worried about drones and is quickly seeking means to counter them. The commercially available equipment can be used to spy and target, as is seen in the Russia-Ukraine war, and can be tipped with bombs for deadly one-way attacks, as is happening in the Middle East. Central Command in January blamed Iran for a drone assault on a base in Syria used by U.S. and local forces, and the Defense Intelligence Agency months later revealed Iranian attack drones were recovered in nearby Iraq. U.S. Special Operations Command in early 2022 picked Anduril to lead its counter-drone integration efforts. The deal was worth $1 billion. The company more recently secured Air Force contracts totaling $8 million to refine autonomy aboard its helicopter-like Ghost line of products. The United States Supreme Court has sent another death penalty case back to Maricopa County in the wake of a ruling that could affect many more capital cases in Arizona. On Monday, the high court overturned the Arizona Supreme Court's refusal to review an appeal from Manuel Ovante, who argued that the trial judge gave him and his jury incorrect sentencing information. This year, the U.S. Supreme Court remanded a total of seven Arizona capital defendants' cases to the lower courts through two separate rulings. Four others also had their cases sent back under a previous, similar ruling. Of these, one man was sentenced to death a second time earlier this year. Ovante's case took a similar path. He was accused of driving around Phoenix in June 2008, high on methamphetamine and killing two people in three shootings. He pled guilty to first-degree murder after a judge erroneously told him he could potentially receive life with parole. But parole had been abolished in Arizona more than a decade earlier, in 1994. Arizona's Death Row: See who is awaiting execution At his sentencing, the judge mistakenly told the jury that if they sentenced Ovante to life, instead of the death penalty, he would be eligible for parole. The jury sentenced him to death in 2018. The Supreme Court ruling in a 1994 case known as Simmons v South Carolina set the precedent for defendants to be able to tell juries that they would not be eligible for parole if they were sentenced to life in prison instead of death. But for many years, Arizona refused to apply the ruling. A 2016 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court in Lynch v. Arizona affirmed that the Simmons precedent applied in Arizona, but the Arizona Supreme Court continued to refuse to recognize it. Supreme Court woes: Arizona faces 'reckoning' in death row cases after ignoring high court precedent for years In February, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of John Montenegro Cruz, who challenged his death sentence because he was not permitted to tell jurors that if he were given a life sentence, it would be without parole. The high court found that the Arizona Supreme Court was wrong to say Lynch did not apply in Arizona, finding that it was a significant change in the law. Since the Cruz ruling, several capital cases have been sent back to Arizona for review. Earlier this year, the high court sent six death row cases back to Arizona trial courts for reconsideration in light of the Cruz ruling. Legal experts say as many as 30 capital defendants in total could be affected by the Cruz decision. SCOTUS sends cases back to AZ: Supreme Court sends 6 death row cases back to Arizona courts after Cruz ruling Garrett Simpson, at attorney for Ovante, said it was his understanding that the high court would issue a mandate in a few weeks that will officially return the case to the Maricopa County Superior Court for further proceedings. "We're hopeful. It's a better day than it was yesterday," Simpson said in response to the ruling. He said he had spoken to Ovante and conveyed the ruling to him. "We're very happy to have the results and we're moving forward to be responsive to the proceedings that may follow." Reporter Elena Santa Cruz contributed to this story. Have a news tip? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or at 812-243-5582. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @JimmyJenkins.Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Manuel Ovante's death penalty case sent back to Arizona after ruling The US Naval Academy was sued Thursday over its use of race in its admissions practices by the same anti-affirmative action group whose lawsuits against Harvard and the University of North Carolina led the Supreme Court to declare race-based admissions policies unlawful earlier this year. In a 28-page lawsuit filed with a federal court in Maryland, the conservative group Students for Fair Admissions said that the academy has no justification for using race-based admissions and argued that its policy of using race as a factor in admissions runs afoul of the US Constitution. The school, attorneys for the group wrote in its complaint, openly acknowledges that race is determinative for some applicants. Because the Academy provides a racial benefit to some applicants but not to others, it necessarily advantages the former group at the expense of the latter. Thursdays lawsuit is the second challenge brought in recent weeks by SFFA against the admissions policies of US military schools. Last month, the group filed a federal lawsuit against the US Military Academy at West Point, asking a judge to prohibit the New York school from considering or knowing an applicants race during the admissions process. In June, the Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities could no longer take race into consideration as a specific basis for granting admissions except for US military service academies. It was a significant decision against affirmative action policies, which have focused on improving opportunities for historically excluded minorities. In a footnote in the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts said that the cases before the court did not address the issue and left open the possibility that there are potentially distinct interests that military academies may present in a future case. The group argued in its suit against the Naval Academy that it believed the courts holding earlier this year makes it perfectly clear that the Academys use of race in admissions is unconstitutional. CNN has reached out to the Naval Academy for comment. CNNs Ariane de Vogue and Jamiel Lynch contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An armed man demanding to speak to the Wisconsin governor was arrested in the state capitol, posted bail, and returned - only to be arrested again. The shirtless man, who had a holstered handgun, was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon for illegally carrying a firearm in the building. But he posted bail and returned that evening with an assault-style rifle. Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, was not in his capitol office at the time, according to a state official. But the governor's office itself declined to comment, telling the BBC "we do not comment on specific security threats or the governor's security detail". Mr Evers had been present in the Capitol earlier on Wednesday to meet individuals testifying against a series of bills. Speaking to reporters at an event in Oregon on Thursday, he said "I'm OK." "To their credit, the capitol police took control of the situation so it's over, but it's always something you don't want to see happen," he said. Asked about security protocols, he added: "I never, ever talk about what my security detail does or what they're planning on doing. But anytime something like this happens, obviously they re-evaluate." The armed man approached Mr Evers' office around 15:00 EST (19:00 GMT) on Wednesday, according to Tatyana Warrick, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Administration. She said he had a leashed dog with him when he appeared at the security desk outside the governor's office and refused to leave until he met Mr Evers. A single police officer sits at the desk on the building's first floor, which also houses a conference room and offices for the attorney general. The public has free access to the capitol building. Two officers are posted in its rotunda and there are no metal detectors at entryways. Weapons can be brought into the building if they are concealed and the carrier holds a valid permit, but the man was carrying it openly and did not have a permit. Wisconsin state Capitol Ms Warrick said he had been arrested by capitol police without incident, with his firearm seized as evidence and his dog turned over to the city's animal control. Mobile phone footage of the man's arrest that was provided to the Associated Press reportedly shows him saying that he is "not a threat" but admitting "I broke that law". Police told the Washington Post he had been booked into the Dane County Jail and had posted his $500 (410) bail himself. According to Ms Warrick, he returned again to the capitol grounds just before 22:00 EST carrying a loaded AK 47-style rifle. The building closes at 19:00 EST. Officers spoke to him, asked to search his backpack and found "a collapsible police-style baton, which is illegal as the man did not have a valid concealed carry permit", Ms Warrick said. The would-be assailant was taken into custody a second time on Wednesday night for a psychiatric evaluation "based on concerning statements", she said. Ms Warrick could not confirm to the BBC if the man remains in custody. Police for the city of Madison also did not confirm the man's whereabouts, but said in a police report: "The subject was taken into protective custody and conveyed to a local hospital." The man has not yet been publicly identified, but capitol police named the man in a bulletin sent to lawmakers and their staff on Thursday with his photo attached. Police said he told them he "would continue coming to the capitol until he spoke to the governor about domestic abuse towards men". They added that he "likely has access to a large amount of weapons and is comfortable using them", and that lawmakers should "use extreme caution when in contact" with him. Lawmakers had not been notified, however, of either previous incident until Thursday morning. No court charges appeared to have been filed against the man as of Thursday. Evers has become a target of violent threats Public and elected officials across the US currently face a rising number of threats in violence. They include high-profile figures, such as governors and Supreme Court judges, as well as lesser-known individuals like local school board members. Mr Evers was elected Wisconsin's governor in 2018 and was re-elected last year, both times by narrow margins in a state that is closely contested between the two parties. The former educator's governorship has effectively served as a one-man veto against several pieces of Republican-backed legislation. In June, a Madison resident was sentenced to one year in prison for making dozens of threats, via voicemail, email, Facebook and other methods, against Mr Evers and other state officials. His warnings to Mr Evers were of a highly graphic nature, including messages that referred to the governor as a "dead man walking" and "a marked man". Thursday's incident comes more than a year after Mr Evers appeared on the hit list of a gunman previously accused of zip-tying and fatally shooting a retired county judge at his Wisconsin home. The hit list with Mr Evers' name on it also included those of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Michigan's Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer, the target of a kidnapping plot in 2020. Lebanese Armenians clash with police outside the Azerbaijani Embassy near Beirut during a protest against the recapture of the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave from separatist Armenian authorities. (Hussein Malla / Associated Press) Hilda Doumanian stood in the main hall of the Anjar museum, scanning the glass cases holding items her ethnic Armenian forebears salvaged from their lands before they escaped to Lebanon more than eight decades ago. "This appears to be our fate: to be forcibly displaced every few decades," she said, walking up to one of the displays: A collection of rust-encrusted kitchenware and bundles of braided silk from a village loom. Ancient-looking rifles. Religious vessels. Bibles so old their pages appeared more suspended dust than paper. "The Armenian genocide was the first genocide of the 20th century," she said, slowly shaking her head in resignation, referring to the 1915 genocide by the Ottoman Empire. "Now in the 21st century we see the first genocide, and it's Armenians again." A gardener tends to the plants at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in the historic town of Anjar in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley. The memorial commemorates the mass killings of Armenians as part of the genocide under the Ottoman Empire in 1915. (Joseph Eid / AFP via Getty Images) On Doumanian's mind was the exodus taking place over the last two weeks from what many Armenians see as their ancestral homelands a further erasure of their history. More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians, fearing ethnic cleansing at the hands of their Azerbaijani adversaries, have abandoned their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh, the mountainous enclave inside Azerbaijan's internationally recognized borders where they had established their self-declared state. Read more: Amid fury over Nagorno-Karabakh, could Armenia's government fall next? In the more than 30 years of its existence, the Republic of Artsakh, not formally recognized by any nation, had established the trappings of a country a government, a standing army, a flag. But it all crumbled before a withering Azerbaijani blitzkrieg last month, with the enclave's leaders forced to surrender and announce the republic's dissolution by the end of the year. Though Azerbaijan's government offered to integrate Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian population as equal citizens, most, unwilling to countenance Azerbaijani rule, fled into Armenia in a refugee convoy that at its peak stretched more than 60 miles. Fewer than a thousand remain behind. Those who fled cite the Azeris' decades-old animus toward Armenians and the triumphalist rhetoric of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for their distrust, no matter what Azerbaijan says. For millions in Armenia and the diaspora, the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the long-held dream of constructing a state on Armenian homeland, was a blow. The shock resonates in a personal way in Anjar, whose residents are almost all ethnic Armenians whose ancestors fled here from Musa Dagh, or Moses Mountain, a territory in what is now southern Turkey. An ethnic Armenian woman from Nagorno-Karabakh carries her suitcase to a tent camp after arriving in Goris, Armenia. (Vasily Krestyaninov / Associated Press) When the people of Musa Dagh heard of the coming genocidal campaign in 1915, they refused to obey Turkish authorities' command to leave their houses in the mountains. They resisted for a month and a half, losing 18 people before a French naval vessel rescued and took them to Egypt, where they stayed for four years, returning after the Ottoman Empire's loss in World War I. In 1939, when French authorities controlling the area under a postwar mandate handed it to Turkey, the inhabitants of Musa Dagh faced yet another agonizing choice: Accept Turkish control or leave. Fearing a repeat of the bloodshed in 1915, they were escorted out by French troops to settle in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, on land bought from an Ottoman feudal lord. Read more: 'Staying, for us, is impossible.' Thousands of ethnic Armenians flee Nagorno-Karabakh "We refused to live under the Turks, because we knew they would do the same thing as before," Doumanian said. Watching a new wave of displacement hit Armenians brought back memories of long-held pain, said Isabel Kendirjian, a bedridden but alert 90-year-old who still remembers coming to Anjar when she was 6. "It's the same thing that happened to us. This is how we felt back then," she said. "They gave us eight days to leave Musa Dagh. We took everything we could and went on the buses to here," she said. "There was nothing. Very few trees. We lived in tents." A Lebanese Armenian steps on a defaced poster showing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. (Hussein Malla / Assoiated Press) The new Anjaris stayed in those tents for roughly two years while authorities built up the town, organizing it into six neighborhoods, each named after a village in Musa Dagh. The houses the French provided were single-room structures measuring 12 square feet along with a bathroom. "Four people, 20 people, it didn't matter. Everyone was in one room," Doumanian said."We still call them beit Faransi, a French house, to this day." Tensions between Muslim Turks and Christian Armenians date to the days of the Ottoman Empire, but the war for Nagorno-Karabakh was rooted in the fall of a more contemporary empire: the Soviet Union. In 1988, inside the roiling Soviet landscape, the enclave's ethnic Armenian majority chose to secede from one Soviet republic, Azerbaijan, and unite with another, Armenia. The move sparked an ethnic conflict with Azeris that saw massacres and pogroms on both sides, and an estimated million displaced people, mostly Azeris. Six years later, by which time the Soviet Union had collapsed, the ethnic Armenians won. They claimed Nagorno-Karabakh (which Armenians call Artsakh) and its surrounding districts in what other nations viewed as a violation of international law. Read more: Nagorno-Karabakh's separatist government says it will disband by year's end Donations poured in from the Armenian diaspora, including from the the late California businessman and philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian, whose largesse helped funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to fund schools and a major highway in the fledgling republic. Stop-start negotiations over the years never got anywhere. In the meantime, Azerbaijan had used its vast oil and gas riches to retool its army. Armenia's confidence in its ability to keep the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh, not to mention its contempt for an enemy it had long dismissed as cowardly, meant that it was woefully unprepared when Azerbaijan launched an assault in 2020 and snatched back most of the land it lost. A cease-fire guaranteed by Russia, Armenia's main patron, was to be the prelude to a peace treaty. But tensions continued, culminating in Azerbaijan blockading the territory in December, then launching a lightning onslaught last month that routed the Artsakh Republic's army. Moscow, preoccupied with its war on Ukraine and displeased with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent overtures to the West, stood by as Azerbaijan pursued its campaign. Pashinyan, aware of his military's limitations and with little diplomatic backing, refused to intervene, infuriating many Armenians. Varian Khoshian, the mayor of Anjar, feels ashamed at the loss. His passion about the concept of Artsakh runs so deep that he named his son now an officer in the Lebanese army after it. He blamed the rout on Pashinyan and his policy of antagonizing Armenia's traditional ally, Russia, for the West's sake, pointing to another sign of fraying ties with Moscow that came Tuesday when Armenia's parliament ratified the International Criminal Court's founding Rome Statute. Because the court in March issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the war in Ukraine, the ratification means Armenia would have to arrest Putin if he stepped on Armenian soil. The Kremlin called the decision "incorrect," a position with which Khoshian agreed. "We had a strong umbrella. We like the West, sure, but we got a smaller umbrella from America that doesn't cover us," he said. Read more: Armenian Americans say another genocide underway in Nagorno-Karabakh, rally for U.S. action During Lebanon's 15-year civil war, Khoshian learned to work with groups he didn't like, but it was for the good of Anjar; Pashinyan should have done the same, the mayor said. "I don't love the Russians. But I need them for my homeland," Khoshian said. "That's how you have to think. Otherwise you lose." Despite all that, he insisted the war for Nagorno-Karabakh was not over. "I can't give up. We will come back. We have to," he said. "Those lands are the property of our ancestors." And it was more than just a matter of emotions. "We know the value of Artsakh, its strategic location for Armenia," Khoshian said. Armenian Lebanese protesters clash with security forces near Beirut. ( Houssam Shbaro / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Azerbaijan, he continued, was intent on taking parts of southern Armenia for a land corridor linking its territory to Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan's exclave on Armenia's southwestern side. "It's the first domino. Once Artsakh falls, you'll find other Armenian cities in the south falling." Armenians have been demanding a stronger military response, with protests among diaspora groups in Southern California and frequent demonstrations in Yerevan, Armenia's capital, against Pashinyan and what many see as his capitulation. In Armenian-dominated neighborhoods in Beirut, graffiti targets Azerbaijan's president, Aliyev, and his top ally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The stenciled graffiti calls Aliyev a killer and declares that Karabakh will always be Armenian. Lebanon's main Armenian party held a demonstration in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy that turned violent. In Anjar, high schoolers had their own anti-Turkish protest, carrying placards with Erdogan's face and chanting their support for Artsakh. Read more: They lay competing claims to Nagorno-Karabakh. The war over it defines them both Yessayi Havatian, an agricultural supplies merchant and Anjar historian, wondered whether the future fate of Karabakh Armenians would be to go to war again, or whether they would become like the Armenians of Musa Dagh, cut off from their ancestral lands. "Our people thought of going back. For 14 years they refused to plant orchards on the land here. Why? Because they said, 'We're not going to stay that long.' They believed they would go home," Havatian said. Whatever Karabakh Armenians choose, he added, it was clear that Armenians couldn't pursue the war as they had in the past. "We the Armenians made a mistake: We relied on someone other than us to defend us. The world watched our people forcibly displaced and did nothing. And no one will do anything," he said. "No one will defend Armenia other than the Armenians. That's the solution." Sign up for Essential California for the L.A. Times biggest news, features and recommendations in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Army knows it has a barracks problem. Now the service has a plan to fix it. But it will take additional funding $4 billion more, to be specific. Thats what Paul Farnan, the services principal deputy assistant secretary for installations, energy and environment, said in a Thursday interview in the wake of a watchdog report that detailed the dire condition of military barracks conditions. Of the services barracks buildings used by permanently stationed junior enlisted soldiers, just over 300 facilities (or one-in-five) are rated as poor or failing. According to Farnan and internal documents shared with Army Times, the Army has a plan that it believes will fix or replace nearly all of those buildings by fiscal year 2030 if the moneys there. That funding will depend on whether Army leaders decide the issue is more pressing than other competing requirements and whether Congress agrees. The Armys Permanent Party Barracks Resourcing Strategy recommends surging more than $4 billion into barracks maintenance, repair and construction over the rest of the decade to ensure all single junior enlisted soldiers live in quality housing by 2030. These resources would be in addition to the Armys previous commitment to spend $1 billion per year on military barracks. The recommendations, developed from a facilities investment statistical model, were signed by former Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston, Army G-9 Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen, and the services top civilian official for installations, Rachel Jacobson. Were showing our work. Were showing our problems, Farnan, who reports to Jacobson, said. We understand that we cant fix it if we dont admit the problem and thats exactly what were doing here. Farnan cautioned, though, that the document was strictly meant to be internal planning to better inform our leaders so they can make decisions to fix the problem. He said the decision lies with Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, who will determine where the barracks lie in the Armys priorities ahead of the fiscal 2025 budget process, which will likely begin in February 2024. Barracks conditions have caught the attention of lawmakers thanks to media and watchdog reports, with some members of Congress pressing Army officials for a price tag to fix the problem all at once. If implemented in line with the officials recommendations, the strategy will fully fund barracks sustainment, which provides for regular maintenance to prevent decay of existing buildings. That will cover things like preventive maintenance, minor repairs, and the [routine] replacement of roofs, HVAC units and other similar building components. Currently, sustainment funds are around 92% of the Armys need, Farnan said. A boost to 100% would cost a projected $342 million, according to the documents. The strategy also recommends a nearly $2 billion funding boost that will allow the Army to fix all of its repairable barracks that it rates as poor and failing. Under the services current budget, the plan is to fix just over a third of those buildings, Farnans fellow deputy assistant secretary Carla Coulson told House lawmakers Sept. 27. The document also proposed constructing new buildings to replace all unrepairable barracks, as well as facilities meant to address housing shortages at some installations but the move carries an estimated cost of just under $1.8 billion on top of current barracks funding commitments. Yet even that money wont cover the entirety of the services projected housing shortages, according to the strategy. In order to reduce construction costs, the Army may reevaluate which junior troops are eligible to live off base, with possible considerations being rank, time in service or the size of the installation and local availability of affordable private housing. Another option that lawmakers broached in the Sept. 27 hearing is exploring privatized barracks for junior enlisted soldiers. A small number of mid-career and senior enlisted troops live in privatized barracks at five installations, Farnan said, and a new facility is under construction in Miami. Could privatizing barracks help fix the lousy conditions? Farnan said privatized barracks will not work everywhere and acknowledged the obstacles and challenges of using privatized housing, but argued there are places where they are going to work even for junior troops. In addition to calculating funding requirements, the strategy sets a new bar for single-soldier quality housing across the Army. All of the services new or reconstructed barracks will meet the standard, according to the documents. The strategys new standard calls for functional safety features, locking exterior and interior doors, private sleeping rooms for all soldiers, a bathroom for every two soldiers, and shared kitchenettes that include a cooktop and microwave. Quality housing must also be adequately furnished, internet ready, and have access to laundry. Farnan said junior soldiers all deserve to live in decent, quality housing, but cautioned that the improvements will take time even if fully funded. This is a problem that was created over the course of decades, Farnan said. Were not going to fix it in just one yearwe hear [the soldiers], were aware of the concerns. On Monday, two soldiers died in a tactical vehicle accident near the Yukon Training Area in Alaska. The Army has now identified them as Spc. Jeremy Evans and Spc. Brian Snowden. The pair enlisted in July 2020 and trained at Fort Moore, Georgia, before being stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, according to a service press release published Wednesday. Evans, 23, and Snowden, 22, died when their Light Medium Tactical Vehicle flipped over on a dirt road outside the town of Salcha. Twelve other soldiers were also injured in the accident. Evans hailed from Knoxville, Tennessee. He arrived in Alaska in January 2021. Seven months later, he married his high school sweetheart, according to public social media postings. He played sousaphone for the Gibbs High School marching band before trading in his sky blue jacket for an Army service uniform. Snowden arrived at Fort Wainwright two months after Evans. The Lonedell, Missouri, native graduated from Grandview R-2 High School in 2020, according to a Facebook post from the school district. Both soldiers served in the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. This is an incredible loss for all of us across the division, said Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, the 11th Airbornes commanding general. While were always challenged by the environment, were Arctic Angels, we overcome these challenges and accomplish our mission by being a team, and teams take care of one another, especially in times like these. Eight of the 12 injured have been released from hospital on Monday, Army officials said in a statement. Four remain in care but are in stable condition. A fugitive who fled police in Eddy County was caught Tuesday by federal authorities almost five hours north in Albuquerque. The arrest stemmed from an incident when officers attempted to arrest the man for having a rifle in his car despite being a convicted felon Sept. 24 in Eddy County. Saul Peralta, 36, was arrested the U.S. Marshals Services Southwest Fugitive Team on the state warrant for possession of a firearm by a felon. More: Police shoot Carlsbad man after foot chase through Artesia alley He was also charged with a federal probation violation tied to a 2012 federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute meth and possessing a firearm during drug trafficking. Three more guns were found in Peraltas vehicle at the time of his arrest, including one that was reported stolen. Peralta was pulled over after police said he was speeding on 13th Street near Artesia, after heading northbound from Atoka Road. More: Bandidos raids in New Mexico stem from 'all-out war' between motorcycle clubs, police say He was driving a green Dodge Charger and was pulled over at the corner of 13th and Floyd Road, according to a criminal complaint. Peralta was identified as the owner of the vehicle, and officers said they found an AR-15 rifle in the car and Peralta and two other passengers all denied owning the gun. The gun was loaded, and police found other containers of ammunition throughout the vehicle, the complaint read. More: Man accused of stealing wife's search and rescue dogs now charged with plotting her murder Police later determined Peralta was on probation, and a convicted felon, attempting to arrest him for possession of the rifle. He refused to get out of the car, shifting into drive and fleeing, police said, and headed east on Floyd, then north on 13th toward Artesia. A passenger jumped out of the vehicle as it pulled away, and rolled, police said. He was uninjured in the incident, read the complaint. Peralta was charged with one count of possessing the firearm as a felon, and two counts of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. The U.S. Marshals Service was aided in Peraltas arrest by the New Mexico State Police, New Mexico Department of Corrections, Albuquerque Police Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Deputy U.S. Marshal Jimmie Glisson he was unsure why Peralta fled to Albuquerque and that police in the area where "actively" looking for him when he was arrested amid the investigation into his crimes. "There's no rhyme or reason sometimes," Glisson said. "Sometimes they flee to relatives, sometimes they flee to smaller jurisdictions to try to blend in." He said the U.S. Attorney's Office will next review the evidence in preparation for a case in federal court, while Peralta could also be brought back to Eddy County on the state charges., "The case will be referred to the U.S. Attorney's office for review," Glisson said. "At some point, Eddy County will want him (Peralta) to answer for those charges." Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Artesia man runs from police, tracked to Albuquerque and arrested An atheist stands against the sunset sky in a street in Kano, Nigeria Friday, July 14, 2023. Nonbelievers in Nigeria said they perennially have been treated as second-class citizens in the deeply religious country whose 210 million population is almost evenly divided between Christians dominant in the south and Muslims who are the majority in the north. Some nonbelievers say threats and attacks have worsened in the north since the leader of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, Mubarak Bala, was arrested and later jailed for blasphemy. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) KANO, Nigeria (AP) When the megaphone called out for the daily Islamic prayers, the nonbeliever grabbed his prayer beads and ambled through the streets to join others at the mosque in Kano, northern Nigerias largest city. Formerly a Muslim, he now identifies as an atheist but remains closeted, performing religious obligations only as a cover. To survive as an atheist, you cannot act like one, said the man, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity over fears for his safety. He said he narrowly escaped being killed by a mob in 2015 after some people found out he had forsaken Islam. If I ever come out in northern Nigeria to say I am an atheist, it will be an automatic death sentence, said the man, a business owner in his 30s. In parts of the world, the religiously unaffiliated are on the rise, and can safely and publicly be a none someone who identifies as an atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular. In countries like Nigeria, the situation is starkly different. Nonbelievers in Nigeria said they perennially have been treated as second-class citizens in the deeply religious country whose 210 million population is almost evenly divided between Christians dominant in the south and Muslims who are the majority in the north. While the south is relatively safe for nonbelievers, some say threats and attacks have worsened in the north since the leader of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, Mubarak Bala, was arrested and later jailed for blasphemy. The Associated Press spoke to seven nonbelievers to document their experiences. Most spoke anonymously and in secret locations over concerns for their safety. Balas imprisonment rolled our movement underground, Leo Igwe, a founder of the humanist association, said of the groups leader, who in 2022 was jailed for 24 years. A court convicted him on an 18-count charge of blaspheming Islam and breach of public peace through his posts on Facebook. Since Bala was prosecuted by the Kano state government, the humanist association which has several hundred members has gone underground, struggling with threats to members who no longer hold meetings, Leo said. Nigerias constitution provides for freedom of religion and expression, but activists say threats to religious freedom are common, especially in the north. Almost half of the countries in Africa, including Nigeria, have statutes outlawing blasphemy. In most secular courts in Nigeria, the stiffest penalty for a blasphemy charge is two years in prison, while it carries a death penalty in the Islamic courts active in the north. There are no records of any such executions in recent years. The most recent instance of a death sentence, issued in December against an Islamic cleric, has not been carried out. The Shariah law operating in Islamic courts defines blasphemous acts as those committed by anyone who intentionally abuses, insults, derogates, humiliates or seeks to incite contempt of the holy Prophet Muhammad. But what exactly constitutes an insult to Islam is often open to interpretation by accusers; some alleged offenders have been attacked and killed before any trial. At least three people have been killed for alleged blasphemy in northern Nigeria in the past year. The latest victim was a Muslim stoned to death in June after being accused of blaspheming Islam during an argument at a market. Those who stoned him included children, according to a video reviewed by the AP. Authorities in Nigeria have failed to act to prevent such attacks, and prosecutions have been rare, said Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International in Nigeria. The alarming uptick in blasphemy killings and accusations underscores the urgency with which the authorities must wake up to Nigerias international legal obligations to respect and protect human rights, including freedom of religion, Sanusi said. Perpetrators of such attacks are ignorant of Islamic teachings, which discourage violence and do not compel anyone to become an adherent unwillingly, said Professor Usman Dutsinma, deputy director of the Center for Islamic Civilization and Interfaith Dialogue at Kanos Bayero University. The best thing you can do is to subject him to reasoning, Dutsinma said of nonbelievers. But if somebody denounces Islam some punitive measures must be taken against him. That is what Islam provides. Threats against the nonreligious in Nigeria are common on social media. On a Facebook group named Anti-Atheist, users frequently posted messages that trolled or threatened atheists, using the Hausa language of northern Nigeria. The atheist in Kano, in a dimly lit room, spoke with a mix of grit and fear about his experiences as a nonbeliever in a nation where about 98% of the population are Christians or Muslims, according to the Pew Research Center. A Facebook post from Bala in 2015, critiquing some Islamic teachings, influenced the man's shift to atheism. The man said he created a Facebook account of his own with a fake profile, regularly posting comments that questioned religion. My biggest fear is for people I live with to know that I am an atheist, he said. Even his relatives are unaware he is an atheist, though his wife, a Muslim, accepts him as he is. Her type is very rare, he said. Bala, once a Muslim, was seen as an influential member of the humanist community; most of the nonbelievers who spoke to the AP credited him as an inspiration. Until his conviction, he made several posts on Facebook that questioned religion, often attracting threats. In April 2020, he shared a post noting that he and other humanists in northern Nigeria claim that there is no God. One user called for Bala to face the death penalty. Life as a nonbeliever in Nigeria is also difficult for women, who already are severely underrepresented in government and other key sectors. Your achievements are reduced to nothing if you are irreligious, said Abosuahi Nimatu, who dropped out of university in Katsina state in 2020 to escape violence after her peers learned she was no longer a Muslim. Nimatu was so close to Bala that his prolonged detention depressed her for a year, she said. She used her Facebook account to campaign for his release, prompting threats that reached her cellphone and email inbox. Her home address was shared among people threatening to attack her and her family. Even at home, there is scant comfort. She is often reminded that as a female nonbeliever no man would marry her. You are seen as a rebel and as a wayward person," she said. In 2020, Nigeria became the first secular democracy designated by the U.S. State Department as a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom. It later was dropped from that list of countries, prompting criticism from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which says Nigeria should be re-added. Religious freedom conditions in Nigeria remained poor as both state and non-state actors continued to commit widespread and egregious religious freedom violations, the commission said in its 2022 annual report. Sometimes, such intolerance comes from ones family. A man from Yobe state said he was forced to leave home in 2019 when his uncle found out he belonged to an atheist group on WhatsApp, prompting death threats. He returned home only after pretending to be a practicing Muslim even though he remained a closeted atheist, with Bala a strong supporter. Before Mubarak was arrested, you had the feeling of someone who could be responsible for you even if your life was in danger. But now, you are overwhelmed by a sense of fear and looming danger that you cannot have any way of being supported by anybody, said the man, now a university student. It is a different reality for the openly faithless in southern Nigeria; they even hold public meetings occasionally. The two atheists who spoke to AP in the commercial hub of Lagos said they had never been attacked or threatened because they are not religious. Busayo Cole, who was once a Christian and had a foster father who was an Anglican bishop, said his family is indifferent about his religious status. Beyond his family, the worst consequences he faces are occasional snide remarks. People are more liberal about things like that down here, said Cole. At the Kuje prison in Abuja, Bala continues to serve his jail term, receiving visitors from time to time including his wife Amina Ahmed, also a humanist. She went to see him most recently with their 3-year-old son who was only six weeks old when Bala was taken into custody. He is in good spirits, Ahmed said of her husband. But it has been difficult for her, beginning when she was healing from childbirth while her husband remained behind bars. I am trying to be strong (but) my strength sometimes fails me," she said. In prison, Bala remains resolute as a humanist despite his experiences since April 2020 when he was arrested, though he worries about the safety of his family and the humanists he leads in Nigeria. Such concerns were what prompted him to plead guilty, his wife said, recalling how worried he had been that a non-guilty plea could cause more anger in northern Nigeria and endanger him more. He also hoped a guilty plea would help him regain access to health care and his young family, which he had been denied for most of the nearly two years he was in solitary confinement before being convicted. Like Ahmed, the Nigerian humanist community hopes that an appeal of Balas conviction would bring him freedom. For now, I just have to keep pretending (to be religious), said the atheist in Kano. Even if I run to somewhere and come out, my family will not be safe. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Lori Vallow Daybell sits during her sentencing hearing at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho, Monday, July 31, 2023. | Tony Blakeslee, EastIdahoNews.com via Associated Press An attorney for Lori Vallow Daybell, the mother sentenced to multiple life sentences for murdering her children, filed an amended appeal Wednesday asking for transcripts from 35 days over the course of her yearslong legal proceedings. The transcripts include a motion hearing in August 2022, parts of the jury trial this past March and the sentencing in July. The amended appeal, filed by Craig H. Durham, also asks for sealed mental health reports to be confidentially included in the clerks record. Attorneys for Vallow Daybell initially filed the appeal on Sept. 6, about a month after her July 31 sentencing, where she was given three life sentences in connection to the murder of her two youngest children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old JJ Vallow, and Tammy Daybell, the spouse of Chad Daybell whom she later married. Related The appeal lists 16 issues attorneys intend to raise, the first questioning if Vallow Daybell, after spending 10 months in a mental hospital, was competent to stand trial? Jim Archibald, Vallow Daybells attorney at the time, claimed there were a number of issues during the trial, some revolving around Vallow Daybells mental competency. He questions whether Vallow Daybells right to a speedy trial was violated, and why the court denied the defenses request in November 2022 to send her back to a mental hospital. Did the government commit fundamental reversible error in its opening statement to the jury? the appeal asks. Did the court err in allowing the government to amend the grand jury indictment two years after the indictment was filed without sending the case back to the grand jury? another bullet point reads, presumably referring to an error in the indictment related to the grand theft charge, an issue her attorneys raised several times during the trial. Another item in the appeal questions the courts decision to allow the jury to hear statements of co-conspirators, but then rule in jury instructions that the government need not prove those persons were part of the conspiracy? In September 2019, Vallow Daybells two children disappeared. It was later discovered that they had been murdered and buried in a shallow grave behind the Rexburg home of Chad Daybell, the man she was believed to be having an affair with and the apparent source of her fringe religious beliefs. Then in October 2019, Daybells wife, Tammy, was killed by what investigators said was asphyxiation in her sleep, though at the time her death was ruled natural. Just two weeks later, while her children were still unaccounted for, Lori Vallow married Chad Daybell on a beach in Hawaii. That December, Tammy Daybells body was exhumed and Tylee and JJ were declared missing. A court ordered Vallow Daybell to produce her children by Jan. 30, 2020. She was arrested in Hawaii about four weeks later after she failed to comply. On June 9, 2020, police executed a search warrant and found the bodies of Tylee and JJ buried in Daybells backyard. Chad Daybell was arrested that day. Nearly three years later, Vallow Daybell was found guilty on six counts. Vallow Daybell was given three consecutive life sentences in July for the murders. She also received two life sentences for conspiring to murder her children and 10 years for grand theft, with those prison terms running concurrently to the life sentences for the three murder convictions. FILE PHOTO: A depiction of the Australian Aboriginal Flag is seen on a window sill in Sydney SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Indigenous senator in Australia was targeted with threats and racial abuses in a video on social media, just days before the country votes in a referendum on whether to constitutionally recognise its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. Australians will vote on Oct 14, asked if they support a change to the constitution to include a "Voice to Parliament", an Indigenous committee to advise parliament on matters affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. A video published online showed a man in a balaclava claiming to be from a neo-Nazi group, burning the Aboriginal flag, performing a Nazi salute, and threatening Senator Lidia Thorpe . "Where is my support? Where is my protection in this country?" Thorpe asked during a news conference in Melbourne. "I'm not hiding for the next nine days. You are going to hear from me. Im not scared," she said. The video has since been taken down. Australian Federal Police (AFP) said it was investigating the matter. Racist threats against Aboriginal people, accounting for just about 3.8% of the population, has been growing in the lead up to the referendum, fuelled by misinformation and fear about the "Yes" campaign. Thorpe is campaigning for a "No" vote and calling for a treaty between the government and Indigenous people first, similar to what exists in New Zealand and Canada. Supporters of the Voice referendum, the "Yes" campaigners, say the proposal unites the nation and give much-needed recognition to the 65,000 year-old Aboriginal culture, while the opposite "No" campaigners either argue that it hands excessive powers to the Indigenous body or that it will be toothless. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was contacted by Thorpe and he responded on the first opportunity, and also spoke to the police. "I've seen the video that was referred to that is threatening towards Senator Thorpe and towards the government, and the sort of Nazi rhetoric and statements that are in that video have no place in the discourse in Australian political life," Albanese said, when asked about the matter at a news conference later in the day. Aboriginal people track below national averages on most socio-economic measures and suffer disproportionately high rates of suicide, domestic violence and imprisonment. Their life expectancy is about eight years lower than non-Indigenous people. (Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Michael Perry) Officials identified the two men who drowned while diving off the coast of a Rockport beach on Wednesday. Alan De Oliveira Leao, 75, of Pepperell, and Richard Brady, 78, of Hampton, New Hampshire, were both pronounced dead after spending the morning scuba diving off of Front Beach, according to the Essex County District Attorneys Office. Around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Rockport Police responded to a call for a diver in medical distress. Arriving officers found Oliveira Leao had washed ashore and was being provided emergency medical aid by bystanders, police, and ambulance personnel, according to officials. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he passed. Later in the afternoon, police say they discovered a second diver, Brady, was also unaccounted for. His body was recovered off the ocean floor around 7 p.m. The DAs Office says there does not appear to be any signs of foul play in the deaths but the investigation remains ongoing. This is a tragedy for the two families who have lost their loved ones, said Rockport Police Chief John Horvath. We grieve with both families and send our deepest condolences. No further information was immediately available. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Ukraine conflict has no end in sight. Over the past two-plus years, Ukrainians have heroically fought against Russian aggression. Although they have been outnumbered in some cases 4 to 1, the Ukrainian Army has employed all means of advanced technologies to offset Russian numerical advantages. Precision artillery munitions, Javelins, missiles such as NLAWs, and even first-person UAVs flown with grenades and RPG rockets attached to them, have all been employed to great effect. Unfortunately, none of it has been enough. Russia foils major Ukraine drone attack amid concerns on Kyiv supplies While the Ukrainian Army has successfully torn through all three echelons of the Russian defenses in the south, to this date, there have been no major military breakthroughs large enough and operationally significant enough to draw the war to a close. As it stands now, the war appears to be on the verge of a long, hard slog, likely to be followed by everyones favorite type of combat, the long war. With casualties on both sides already climbing into the hundreds of thousands, neither side can endure this level of attrition indefinitely. But it doesnt have to be that way. Yes, the West has provided Ukraine with much-needed military hardware and funding, but a paradigm shift is required to break the stalemate. To offset their numerical and qualitative military disadvantages, Ukraine needs a technological or ground combat capacity surge to tip the balance of power on the battlefield in their favor. Projecting force via autonomous combat vehicles and logistics platforms returns mass to the battlefield without the requirement for additional human force structure and provides an advantage for Ukraine and the West without increasing risk to its soldiers. The West needs a substantial investment in autonomous technology to provide Ukraine with the tools necessary to bring the war to end on its terms. As with other conflicts, the war in Ukraine is predominantly being fought with 20th Century weapons and now, 20th century trench warfare tactics. Open-source reporting indicates that autonomous technology for vehicles has not been part of the various military aid packages given by Western powers. The reason has less to do with current technological limitations for autonomous vehicles and more to do with a failure to adapt off-the-shelf vehicles for the war. The autonomous systems needed in Ukraine have existed since 2012 and despite deploying them in pilot programs to Iraq and Afghanistan, DoD has only recently transitioned any of them to scaled programs of record. The proliferation of this technology is mired down by policy, DoD turf wars, and politics, not by technology. For a country that is now reputed to be the most heavily mined country in the world, autonomous vehicles can be used for patrols, surveillance, and mining clearance in areas that would otherwise be too dangerous for soldiers to operate in. Without them, Ukrainians have had to resort to rudimentary manual methods more reminiscent of 1916 than 2023. Ground autonomous vehicles could easily be leveraged to conduct mine-clearing operations, keeping civilians and military operators out of harms way. After all, robots dont bleed - but that only holds true when the West actually enables them to arrive on the battlefield. Autonomous technology also acts as a force multiplier one lead or following vehicle can handle the self-driving capabilities of follow-on vehicles through the use of platooning while simultaneously building high resolution maps to be used by follow-on robots. Autonomous vehicles can also handle the more routine or mundane tasks such as logistics and sustainment tasks or operations. Automating these operations not only optimizes fuel and keeps personnel out of harms way but frees up soldiers cognitive load for more sophisticated or complex tasks that can only be handled by humans. Russias botched approach to logistics, and a complete disregard for mechanized infantry doctrine, and sustainment has been deemed a failure and considered to be one of the primary reasons behind the protracted nature of the war in Ukraine. Autonomy will enable Ukraine to project power and effects deeper into contested territory without the need to put soldiers on the front lines. Autonomous platforms can drive deep into contested territory, gather intelligence with its onboard sensors, and fire rockets from there, all without sending any humans with the vehicles to the front lines. There is a precedent for using autonomous systems in the Ukraine conflict in that Ukraine has already utilized semi-autonomous drones for combat purposes. But as important as drones are, they cannot provide the same extent of force projection associated with ground-based autonomous vehicles and cannot be used effectively in situations involving aerial denial. The industry collaboration porthole Brave 1 and other Ukrainian innovation initiatives have already recognized robots and autonomous systems as priority areas for defense tech innovation. And commercial companies are already demonstrating that this tech is ready and available for adoption now, not just in a theoretical future. For example, RRAI recently demonstrated its autonomous vehicle technology in Kuwait for US Army Central (ARCENT). The onus is on Western powers to deliver autonomous vehicles to Ukraine. Unfortunately, the US has a mixed track record in shifting cutting-edge capabilities out of the research phase and into the hands of the warfighter. These challenges exist within the DoD itself so one can only imagine how difficult it will be for American autonomous technology to be delivered into the hands of a foreign country. OSD and the Replicator effort need to focus on shifting through the bureaucratic maze. The days of new technology being mired on the whiteboard must end if autonomous technology is to have an impact on the Ukraine conflict. The implications for the use of autonomous vehicles in Ukraine also has far-reaching consequences that go beyond the conflict. For example, given that the potential for a war between Taiwan and China looms as a distinct possibility, the U.S. and its allies must also look to the use of autonomous vehicles in the defense of Taiwan to prepare for the contingency of a land invasion. By integrating ground vehicle autonomy into military operations now, the U.S. military could approach the point where using autonomous systems becomes organic to its sprawling force structure and achieve superior capability over our adversaries. Since World War I, almost every major conflict has introduced new technology to warfare. In World War I, it was the introduction of machine guns. World War II brought the atomic age. The first Persian Gulf War brought with it the need for strategic air superiority. The next step change will be for the country that can dictate the use of autonomous technology in warfare. Clara Satria is Analyst for Defense and Pat Acox is Head of Defense at RRAI, a vehicle autonomy company providing autonomous products and services for defense, commercial and municipal applications. (NewsNation) The last time Ava Grace Baldwins father saw her, she was 6 years old. Eight years later, he believes his ex-wife took Ava and has been hiding her for years and thinks his daughter may not even know shes a missing person. Ava was reported missing from her elementary school, having not shown up for nearly three weeks when the school contacted her father. Police think her mother took her and Avas father has been on an eight-year quest to find her. David Hopper got the call from his daughters elementary school in September 2015. Ava hadnt been in class for 21 days and the school wanted to know if he knew where she was. Lauren Spierer: A night out ended with a 12-year mystery Ava and her mother, Kathryn Baldwin, lived in San Antonio, Texas while Hopper lived in central Oklahoma, a seven-hour drive away. Ava was born to the couple after a 34-day marriage. When the school contacted him, Hopper called the San Antonio police to report 6-year-old Ava missing. What police found surprised them. When we sent the police out to the location of the last address we had, it turned out to be an empty lot. And thats when we figured theres something going on here, Hopper said. Hopper said from the moment Kathryn told him she was pregnant, he tried to be the father Ava would want and need. But it was difficult for him to have the chance. Hopper hired five different lawyers and spent more than $45,000 battling for a custody arrangement in courts in Texas and Oklahoma Shes just the perfect little girl, Hopper said. She was surprised to know she had so much family on this side. A daughters hope to find her mother after more than 40 years While Hopper fought for custody, he said Kathryns life was spiraling. She was in and out of church missions, shelters and relationships, he said, as he fought for more access to Ava. Hopper said one day, Child Protective Services was alerted to a video of Kathryn performing a solo sexual act while 2-year-old Ava was in the bed behind her. CPS contacted us and said, if you can help us find her, we have your daughter, said Tina Fullbright, Avas aunt. David Hopper is searching for his daughter, Ava Grace Baldwin. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Ava is seen with her mother, who Hopper believes is hiding her away. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Ava was six years old when she disappeared. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Hopper fought for custody of Ava. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Ava would be 14 now, eight years after she vanished. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) David Hopper and Ava after her birth. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Hopper fought for access to Ava after his 34-day marriage to her mother ended. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Hopper and Ava baking together. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Police went to the address Kathryn Baldwin gave Avas school and found an empty lot. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Kathryn Baldwin, pictured, has a history of running, according to family members. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Police say Kathryn Baldwin has used a dozen aliases. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Ava and her mother have not been seen since 2015. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) Hopper said Ava was stunned to find out she had a father. (David Hopper and Tina Fullbright) But after that, Hopper was only given partial custody. He drove seven hours each way to pick up Ava for a month in the summer and holidays. He recalled what Ava said to him one of the first times he took her swimming. Youre my Daddy, youre my Daddy, he recalled. She did not know she had a father. She was in awe she even had a father. I was kept a secret from her, I guess. Missing for 15 years, Barbara Blounts family still wants answers Fullbright said Kathryn, also known as Katie, had a habit of running. Shed just jump counties. Shed get in trouble in one county and just move to another county, Fullbright said. Kathryn has a felony warrant for interfering with child custody. Police records show she had a history of alcohol and prescription drug abuse and suffers from mental illness. But when Hopper requested full custody due to his concern about Kathryns ability to keep Ava safe, Kathryn and Ava disappeared. Kathryns vehicle, a silver 2014 Ford Escape, was found abandoned in a San Antonio park in April 2016, seven months after the pair vanished. Ava would be 14 now and Hopper has been awarded full custody. But he has a theory that Kathryns family may be hiding the pair. However, there is no proof and police have had no new leads when it comes to locating Ava or her mother. NewsNation spoke with Kathryns other daughter, now an adult, who was raised by an adoptive family. She was afraid to appear on camera but told NewsNation she fears Kathryn and Ava were taken. She said her mother had a very traumatic life and often trusted the wrong men. After 34 years, a womans disappearance haunts loved ones Still, police are investigating the case as a non-custodial parent abduction. Hopper remains hopeful that Ava is alive. He said there have been sightings of the pair since they disappeared, including contact from a couple in Florida who said Kathryn tried to hand over custody of Ava to them. Theres reason to believe Avas alive. Theres a case down in Florida where we know the couple that she tried to give Ava to, they contacted us, and that was in 2016, Hopper said. San Antonio police said there was another possible sighting of Kathryn as late as 2020. They confirmed they have records of her using nearly a dozen aliases. Hopes rose again in 2022, when armchair detectives thought they spotted Ava and Kathryn in a series of TikTok videos featuring a mother-daughter duo by the names of Bebop and Bebe. Rolling Stone magazine even featured the story. We had that investigated, it turns out it wasnt them, Hopper said. But the only great thing about that is it brought a lot of attention to her case. In fact, it went viral overnight, so we cant complain about that. Kyron Horman: Mother hopes for answers after 13 years For now, Hopper and his family post letters to Ava on a Facebook page, hoping that one day shell stumble across it and see how much she is loved and missed. Its hard to watch my brother go through this. This is his only child, Fullbright said. Thats all hes ever wanted, a family, and he deserves to have his daughter in his life. Hopper said sometimes he has to distance himself from his daughters disappearance because not knowing where she is eats him up inside. You ask me if shes still alive. Sometimes, I have my doubts, Ill be honest with you, but when you ask me I answer with confidence because I believe that God is true to his word, Hopper said. That he said he would watch over her, that he would protect her that he would keep her safe. And that he would bring her home one day. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of opening cross-border fire Thursday (EMMANUEL DUNAND) Azerbaijan said Thursday it was willing to attend EU-mediated talks with Armenia in Brussels, two weeks after its forces took control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in a lightning offensive. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev had a day earlier turned down talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan which were due to be mediated by France, Germany and European Council President Charles Michel in Spain. European leaders, who have taken a growing role in the Caucasus, had hoped to host Aliyev's first meeting with Pashinyan since Azerbaijan's military offensive. "Azerbaijan stands ready for tripartite meetings in Brussels soon in the format of the European Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia," presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said on social media. He said Baku "supports the tripartite Brussels process and the regional peace agenda in the format of the European Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia" as well as bilateral "peace treaty talks" with Yerevan. Russia, the traditional power in the region, has been bogged down in its assault in Ukraine and Europe has increasingly started mediating the decades-old dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Moscow refused to intervene when Azerbaijan in late September launched its one-day offensive, during which hundreds were killed and thousands were forced to flee. - 'Ineffective' - Hajiyev said it was "incorrect to present" Aliyev's no show as a "refusal" to hold talks with Armenia. France's "militarisation policy" in the Caucasus, the European Union's attitude towards the region, and the absence of Turkey -- a traditional ally of Azerbaijan -- pushed Baku to snub the meeting, he said. Paris has pledged military support to Yerevan in the wake of Azerbaijan's offensive, but has not elaborated on what this entails. Armenia and Azerbaijan meanwhile accused each other of opening cross-border fire Thursday. Armenia was relying on Russia as its security guarantor but Pashinyan has increasingly questioned Russia's historic role as his small country's main security guarantor. He has been critical of Moscow's refusal to intervene during Azerbaijan's offensive and has described the security alliance with Russia as "ineffective." Moscow has said that Armenia has no alternative to a Russia-led security alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO). Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Azerbaijan's takeover of the region was "inevitable", adding: "It was only a matter of time before Azerbaijan started to restore constitutional order there." - Pashinyan meets Zelensky - But Pashinyan -- who has faced criticism at home over the crisis -- travelled to Granada to meet with European leaders despite Aliyev's absence. For the first time, Pashinyan met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country is at war with Russia. Zelensky posted a photograph of the pair talking in Granada and said they had discussed the situation in the Caucasus. "Ukraine is interested in the region's stability and friendly relations with its nations," Zelensky said on social media. Armenia has remained neutral in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but tensions are emerging with Moscow. Last month, Russia summoned Yerevan's ambassador over -- amongst other things -- a trip to Kyiv by Pashinyan's wife to deliver aid. The meeting between Pashinyan and Zelensky came two days after the Armenian parliament moved to join the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The move angered Moscow, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling it the "wrong decision". bur-oc/brw/acc/ach A pregnant woman riding on a local bus was shot and injured when a gunman opened fire in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. Shortly after she arrived at the hospital, doctors attempted to deliver the baby, who needed life-saving medical servicesbut it was too late, the Hampden District Attorneys office said. The mother remains in critical condition; one of three victims who were injured in the shooting. Its unclear if authorities included the unborn baby in their tally. Authorities said they have since identified and arrested all of the suspects involved in the shooting, though no further information was given. Read it at MassLive.com Read more at The Daily Beast. More than 1,000 people have died this year in Bangladesh's worst recorded spate of dengue (Munir uz ZAMAN) In the crowded fever ward in Bangladesh's Mugda hospital, every bed is taken, as the country struggles in the grip of its deadliest dengue outbreak. More than 1,000 people have died this year in the nation's worst recorded spate of the mosquito-borne disease, which scientists say is increasing in frequency due to climate change. In the worst cases, intense viral fevers trigger bleeding, internally or from the mouth and nose. Nupur Akter, 21, is struggling desperately to feed her sister Payel, who she rushed into hospital two weeks ago while the six-year-old was "shaking uncontrollably". But there has been little improvement. "She has become weaker," Akter said. The Mugda Medical College and Hospital in the capital Dhaka is a key battleground against the outbreak, with the flood-prone South Asian nation a fertile ground for mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water. A record 1,030 people have died nationwide this year, with more than 210,000 cases confirmed by hospitals. The figures dwarf the previous record last year, when 281 died. - 'It scares me' - Hospital director Mohammad Niamatuzzaman said medics were in non-stop crisis mode, bringing in gynaecology, heart and kidney specialists to aid overwhelmed general medics. "It's an emergency -- but a long-lasting one," Niamatuzzaman told AFP, adding the state-run centre recorded 158 dengue deaths this year, five times its toll last year. Three floors of the 10-storey hospital have been set aside for dengue, supporting more than 200 patients. Overall, the 400-bed hospital is treating nearly 1,000 patients, and thousands more as outpatients. Mohammad Sabuj, a goldsmith and father of three sons from the Konapara suburb of Dhaka, said there was someone with dengue in "almost every home" in his neighbourhood. "In my shop, three out of four workers got the fever," said the 40-year-old, who was recovering after he too was rushed to hospital. Sabuj said his friend, who was a doctor, had died. "When a doctor couldn't save himself, it scares me," he said. "God forbid, if something happens to me at this age, where my family and children will go?" Hospital treatment is free, but families have to buy many of the medicines, or pay for costly private blood tests to bypass the backlog. Abdul Hakim, whose job as a construction worker provides his family's only income, is watching over his two-year-old son at the clinic. "Since the day my son got a fever, I have no work," said Hakim, 38, who has two children. "I am managing the tests, medicines and other hospital expenses by taking a loan... just to get him well". At Mugda hospital, a quarter of the dengue patients are children. Overall, children under 15 make up roughly 10 percent of the dead. - 'Infected' - Bangladesh has recorded cases of dengue since the 1960s but documented its first outbreak of dengue haemorrhagic fever, a severe and sometimes fatal form of the disease, in 2000. 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. About half of the world's population is now at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100 to 400 million infections occurring each year, and many of those causing only mild illness, according to WHO. The Aedes mosquito that spreads dengue -- identifiable by its black and white stripy legs -- breeds in stagnant pools, and cases have slowed as the monsoon rains fade. But experts warn the threat remains because in the hotter and dryer months, people store water in containers. Niamatuzzaman said he believed deaths had soared because many patients had been infected multiple times. Those with repeat infections are at greater risk of complications. While previous dengue outbreaks were largely confined to cities, Niamatuzzaman said patients are now coming from rural areas across the country where dengue had not been reported before. "In my lifetime, I have rarely heard the name of this disease," said 65-year-old Alep Kari. He came to Mugda hospital after he and his wife fell sick with dengue, and clinics in his rural district of Shariatpur were already full. "This is the first time we got this fever in my village," he said. "Many were infected." sa/pjm/dva For months, public comment at State College Area School District board meetings has had a recurring theme: the reading of explicit passages from books found in the State High library, books some community members deem inappropriate for minors in a taxpayer-funded school. Megan Layng, a candidate for a seat on the SCASD board, has been a vocal proponent of increased transparency when it comes to the library catalog and how books are chosen. During public comment, Layng has questioned the district for allowing books such as All Boys Arent Blue by George M. Johnson and Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Mass, which contain sexually explicit passages. All Boys Arent Blue landed at No. 2 on the list of top 10 national banned books for its LGBTQ+ content and claims of sexually explicit content. Other ranked books include Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye, Mass A Court of Mist and Fury and John Greens Looking for Alaska. Layng isnt the only one voicing concerns. At least four other parents have spoken out about similar concerns although Layng is the most outspoken. At a July 10 meeting, she read a section of All Boys Arent Blue and part of federal law about the transfer of obscenity to minors. Under the law, the material must be determined obscene and lack serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. Most other constituents dont even know this level of obscenity actually exists in the library, Layng said during public comment. Banned books are in the spotlight across the country for Banned Books Week, Oct. 1-7, which highlights the most challenged titles across the country. While there have been no book bans in Centre County schools, some have concerns that a growing national trend is creeping closer to home as local school districts field questions about library catalogs and material accessible by students. The Centre County Library in Bellefonte is picutred in December 2019. Abby Drey/adrey@centredaily.com Local and statewide ban attempts Libraries across the country are experiencing an unprecedented spike in book challenges and attempts to restrict access. The American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom reported 1,269 titles challenged in 2022, nearly double the 729 challenged in 2021. Last year marked the highest number of attempted book bans since the ALA started collecting data, with most challenges targeting books written by people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community. In 2022, Pennsylvania saw 56 attempts to restrict books and 302 title challenges in those attempts second only to Texas. One of those attempts came in the Penns Valley Area School District, and was ultimately unsuccessful. In August 2022, after months of discussion, the Penns Valley Area School Board voted on whether to continue allowing an AP Literature course to use The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls as an optional text. Parents and community members argued the memoir had vulgar language and discussions of abuse and alcoholism that were not age-appropriate for students. Following the discussion, the board voted 5-1 to keep the book as an optional part of the districts curriculum. Board member Lisa Bierlein was the only dissenting vote from the board after her motion to remove the books from the curriculum was not seconded. The one thing I will not do? I will not ban a book, board president Domer Smetlzer said during the August 2022 meeting. The childrens section of the Centre County Library in Bellefonte is pictured in December 2019. Libraries across the country are experiencing an unprecedented spike in book challenges and attempts to restrict access. Abby Drey/adrey@centredaily.com Local library staff prepares for challenges Preliminary data from January to August 2023 shows a 20% increase from 2022 in attempts across the U.S. to restrict access, with 695 attempts recorded during the eight-month period. The majority of challenges take place in schools or public libraries, 51% and 48% respectively. Denise Sticha, director of Centre County Library and Historical Museum, said shes only had two instances since 2018 of patrons voicing concern, but no one has gone through the process to get a title reviewed. Still, the increasing number of national challenges has library staff on edge. Sticha said her staff has undergone training on how to respond to possible conversations or situations around the library catalog. Sticha sees the increase in challenges as a result of national groups that support restricting access to library materials they deem inappropriate. These advocacy groups, including Moms for Liberty, No Left Turn in Education, and MassResistance, are behind at least half of the book bans nationally, according to PEN America. There are other groups of people who buy into that agenda, Sticha said. And then they take that agenda local, without really understanding the local community. Book ban or parental choice? In the year since the unsuccessful attempt to remove The Glass Castle, Penns Valley has not faced other challenges about titles in the curriculum or library catalog, superintendent Brian Griffith said. But other districts in central Pennsylvania have grappled with clearing titles to use in high school curriculum. In May, the Glendale District School Board in Cambria County denied a motion to purchase several books for the 12th grade English class, including The Lovely Bones, Scythe, Turtles All the Way Down, Percy Jacksons Greek Heroes and All the Light We Cannot See, according to the Progress. While State College Area School District has not seen formal challenges or attempts to restrict access, discussions about the library catalog have been prevalent during public comment since June. Despite her criticisms of the books, Layng dismisses the title of book banner, calling it an ad hominem attack in a blog post on her candidacy website. So lets be clear: there is no talk or advocacy of book banning, Layng wrote. There *is* a great deal of discussion about what kind of content is appropriate for taxpayer dollars to fund, and what is appropriate for our public schools. Layng declined to an interview with the CDT for this article unless given permission to review it before publication. SCASDs policy on library material selection states that although the district takes care to select reading materials that accommodate a wide range of interests, abilities and maturity levels, the final decision of what students read rests on the students parents or guardians alone. The wishes of one childs parents to restrict his/her reading or viewing of a particular item should not, however, limit the rights of others to read or view the same material, the policy states. Parents and community members are still free to file a request for reconsideration of materials they believe should not be included. In an email to the CDT, superintendent Curtis Johnson said he supports the judgment of the districts library personnel. In keeping with our belief in inclusion, we strive for a diverse range of perspectives and subjects in our libraries so that all students can find books and materials that resonate with them, Johnson wrote. Our librarians carefully select titles on that basis, and we have confidence in their professional judgment. Local public libraries also have ways for patrons to request a title be added to the catalog or reconsidered, allowing community members input on the titles offered. But for some, removing access to titles that some parents may deem obscene is a slippery slope to censorship. When I hear people say Im not about censorship, Im not about book banning, but I dont want that book in my kids library, explain to me how you justify that action and not say that thats censorship, Sticha said. ... I think its a step down the slope. I always think, what is the end result? Where does it stop? Who gets to make those calls? SCASD board member Peter Buck, a vocal opponent of attempts to remove or restrict access to books, said he categorically believes that attempts to limit access to titles that have been deemed appropriate by educators and librarians constitutes book banning. You can call it whatever you want, Buck said. But its a book ban, because youre removing material from a library, deemed to be of educational value to children in the age group that library serves and calling it anything else is Orwellian. On both sides, the debate seems to boil down to one question: who gets to decide what goes into publicly funded library catalogs? Is it parents, administrators, community members, librarians? The answer is not so simple. Sticha said the aim of a public library is to be a window and mirror to the community it serves, reflecting the wants and needs of all patrons. The idea is that your collection should be a mirror of the community that you live in. It should reflect the people that live in your community that come into your library and that reflection of course can be very diverse ... Sticha said. So your collection is partly a reflection of the community, but its also a window into the world outside of your community. And thats a very important element as well, particularly for children, to be able to see what the world is like outside of their community. 31 years, and a lifetime to go, the former first lady wrote in an Instagram post. I love going through life with you by my side, @BarackObama. Love is in the air for the Obamas. On Tuesday, Barack and Michelle Obama celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary with heartfelt tributes to one another on social media. Former President Barack Obama (left)and former first lady Michelle Obama (right) honored their marriage in social media posts Tuesday on their 31st anniversary. Above, the two were spending time together in August at the U.S. Open in New York. (Photo: Jean Catuffe/GC Images) On Instagram, Michelle Obama shared a photo of the two posing outside with a sunset backdrop. She wrote: 31 years, and a lifetime to go. I love going through life with you by my side, @BarackObama. Happy anniversary, honey! In an Instagram post of his own, the former president shared a picture of the couple posing with their arms around one another dressed in matching blue jackets. Happy anniversary, sweetheart! @MichelleObama, youre brilliant, kind, funny and beautiful and Im lucky to call you mine, he wrote in the caption. The Obamas, who were married in 1992, originally met in Chicago when a young Michelle Robinson was assigned to mentor Barack Obama during his summer internship at a law firm. In her book The Light We Carry, released in 2022, the former first lady admitted that despite their outward appearance, her relationship with her husband has had its ups and downs. People often reach out to me seeking relationship advice, she wrote. They remark on photographs theyve seen of me and Barack together laughing, or sharing a look, appearing content to be side by side. They ask how we have managed to stay both married and unmiserable for 30 years now. We have our issues, of course, but I love the man, and he loves me now, still and seemingly forever, she added. Our love is not perfect, but its real, and were committed to it. During a roundtable conversation for Revolt TV, Michelle Obama shed light on some of the issues she and Barack Obama have come up against, especially as he was building his political career while they were raising two young daughters. The 59-year-old said although people would think she was being catty by saying this, there were 10 years where she couldnt stand her husband, but the two preserved for the sake of their children. The former president, 62, addressed his wifes comments during an interview on CBS Mornings and admitted that raising the girls was priority number one, two, three and four. I did not fully appreciate, I think, as engaged of a father as I was, the degree of stress and tension for her, he continued, knowing that not just me and Michelle were under scrutiny and in this strange environment, but that we were raising our daughters in a kind of situation that just wasnt normal. If their anniversary posts are any indication, life has gotten better for the Obamas since the former first family moved on from their years in Washington. Let me just say this: It sure helps to be out of the White House, he said. And to have a little more time with her. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai. The post Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate their 31st wedding anniversary appeared first on TheGrio. House Republicans are offering competing demands for whoever wants to be the next speaker. In the wake of Kevin McCarthy 's historic ouster, the GOP is scrambling to find a new top official. Either Steve Scalise or Jim Jordan will have to navigate the chaos to win the gavel. House Republicans are offering competing and even contradictory visions as they lay down their red lines for the next speaker who will try to unite the conference following Kevin McCarthy's historic ouster. Republicans have set next Wednesday as their deadline to elect a new speaker of the House, but it's not clear if the GOP will be able to meet their ambitious timeline. In the meantime, the federal government is set to run out of funding just before Thanksgiving potentially setting up McCarthy's successor for the same struggle that preceded his downfall. McCarthy's actions to initially win the speakership are a cautionary tale now. His decision to acquiesce to Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and other conservatives' demand to allow any one member to remove him from power ended up being the tool of his demise. To be fair, it's not clear if he could have won the speakership without crossing what was his own red line. Now, the two leading candidates House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan may face their own difficulties as they campaign to become the next speaker. Here is a look at where the battle lines are so far. The future of the very rule that triggered McCarthy's ouster. Matt Gaetz Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida.AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster Before this week, no House speaker had ever been removed by the so-called "motion to vacate." His successor and House Republicans as a whole must now determine its future. McCarthy quipped to reporters after his ouster that he would change the rule. But some Republicans want it to stay the same. The Main Street Caucus, a large bloc within the conference, has declared any would-be speaker needs to explain how history would not repeat itself. Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez, who belongs to the caucus, has said any hopeful who wants his vote must agree to put on the floor a change to the motion, calling the current one-person threshold "a little bit insane." Republican Main Street Caucus (@CaucusMain) October 4, 2023 Future aid to Ukraine House conservatives are increasingly turning against further support for Ukraine in its war to repel Russia's invasion, even as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has characterized the assistance as vital. Jordan told NBC News that he would not support additional aid. Scalise, in contrast, voted for $300 million in aid just last week. Trump investigations Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida said her vote will only come if a candidate publicly vows to defund special counsel Jack Smith's investigations into former President Donald Trump, subpoena Hunter Biden, and hold a vote on impeaching President Joe Biden. Republicans fretted enough that McCarthy reversed from his promise to hold a vote on declaring an "impeachment inquiry," a much lesser step compared to actually impeaching the president. As for Luna's other asks, there's no way the Democratic Senate would OK unprecedented meddling in the Justice Department's affairs like defunding Smith's investigations after he indicted Trump for withholding classified documents and trying to overturn to the 2020 presidential election. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) October 3, 2023 Trump himself donald trump state of the union 2017 President Donald Trump motions during one of his State of the Union addresses.Reuters Multiple GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, are pushing the former president to become speaker. It's extremely unlikely to ever happen, but not impossible. On Thursday, Trump hinted he'd be open to being a stand-in speaker until a permanent one is elected. In the meantime, it could make Republicans who represent districts that Biden won queasy. Nothing could be worse than forcing the more centrist Republicans, who are the reason the GOP holds the majority, take a public vote on Trump. What happens next? Republicans vote amongst themselves likely next week behind closed doors for who should be the next speaker. This is a simple majority vote among the 221 of them. Traditionally, Republicans would then vote for this candidate in the public vote on the House floor. Clearly, that did not happen in January. McCarthy, despite winning the conference race, was forced to go through 15 rounds of ballots. It remains unclear if rebels will do the same this time around. If during the floor vote every Republican votes for a candidate, their hopefuls can only afford to lose just four Republicans as long as Democrats remain united in opposition. Read the original article on Business Insider Police arrested a suspect on Thursday who is accused of a hit-and-run involving a police officer and two motorcyclists in Bay St. Louis, Chief Toby Schwartz said. Hancock County Court Judge Trent Favre issued multiple warrants on Thursday for Phillip James McLaurin, 46, of Gulfport. Favre issued warrants for felonies of fleeing and eluding causing serious bodily injury, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, DUI causing serious bodily injury and simple assault on a police officer. Favre also issued warrants for misdemeanors of shoplifting and leaving the scene of an accident with unattended vehicle. Favre set McLaurens bond at $611,500, according to a press release from the Bay St. Louis police department. Police said they responded to a report of shoplifting about 10:44 a.m. Thursday at Rosettis Liquor Barrel on Highway 90. There, police found a suspect identified as McLaurin in his car outside the store, according to the release. McLaurin refused to exit his vehicle, the release said. He fled the scene, hit an officer next to his vehicle and struck two motorcyclists on Highway 90 near Drinkwater Road, according to police. The release said the officer sustained minor injuries. The motorcyclists had serious injuries, according to the release. The officer and two victims were transported to hospitals. There were no fatalities as of Thursday afternoon. Schwartz said one victim will be released and the other will move from Memorial Hospital to UMC for further treatment of injuries. Both motorcyclists were visiting Bay St. Louis from Louisiana, chief Toby Schwartz said. Police said McLaurin fled again after officers tried to initiate a traffic stop on Thursday. He drove down Highway 90 into Pass Christian, the release said, where he crashed his vehicle into the swimming pool of a residence in the 700 block of North Street. McLaurin sustained minor injuries and authorities transported him to a hospital, according to the release. The release said no one was injured at the residence. Authorities will send McLaurin to the Hancock County Jail after his release from a hospital, the release said. The BBC has apologised to the mother of one of the Babes in the Wood murder victims and compensated her after Martin Bashir lost crucial cold case evidence. Corporation bosses have reached a financial settlement with Michelle Hadaway, whose nine-year-old daughter, Karen, was murdered in 1987 along with her friend Nicola Fellows. Paedophile Russell Bishop, a petty local criminal who was known to the girls and their families, had been initially charged with the crimes in 1987, but was cleared by a jury at Lewes Crown Court after a catalogue of forensic mistakes torpedoed the prosecution case. Three years later he struck again, attacking a seven-year-old in almost identical circumstances. Mr Bashir had been working for a BBC Public Eye documentary series in 1991 investigating the miscarriage of justice surrounding the Babes in the Wood case and approached the Hadaway family, offering to arrange DNA tests on items of her clothing. But the BBC reporter almost caused a cold case review into the murders to collapse when he failed to return them, saying he could not remember receiving them. The clothes were never examined and the documentary was never made. When Sussex Police decided to re-examine some of the evidence in 2004, Mr Bashir said he could not remember taking Karens clothes, which included a sweatshirt, T-shirt and knickers. Martin Bashir denied having possession of the clothes, or even meeting Michelle Hadaway - Nick Wass/Invision/AP His BBC manager at the time said he had no recollection of ever meeting the Hadaway family or collecting the items in question. But a journalist who had been working with him at the time insisted that they had met the family on one occasion and had a lengthy discussion with them. In a statement, the corporation has now accepted responsibility for the blunder, stating: The BBC did not examine or return the clothes, and was not subsequently able to find them as a result of searches in 2004 and 2021. We should have taken better care of Karens clothes and we did not. We accept that we had a duty of care to Mrs Hadaway and we fell well short of that and we have previously apologised to her privately. We are very sorry. The settlement is thought to be in the region of a few thousand pounds, though Mrs Hadaway said nothing could compensate for the loss of her daughters precious clothes and the pain caused by the actions of Mr Bashir. One step closer to closure Following the BBCs apology on Thursday, Mrs Hadaway said: After my daughters killer was found not guilty at his first trial, the police gave me back the clothes in which she was murdered. Martin Bashir then came to my home and took those clothes. He told me that he would use them to prove that Russell Bishop had murdered my daughter and that he would make a programme about this called Public Eye. Instead, Mr Bashir disappeared, never made the programme and denied having ever met me. I will never get Karens clothes back and that is something I think about every day. Nothing will take away that devastation or the pain caused by the actions of Mr Bashir, and I do not understand how he remained able to work for the BBC for so long, ruining so many lives. I would, however, like to thank Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, for meeting with me and helping to bring this matter to a close. Bishop was eventually convicted in December 2018 of the sexually-motivated murders of Karen and Nicola following a change in the double jeopardy laws in 2003, which allowed suspects to be tried for the same crime twice, and advances in DNA and forensic technology. A spokesman for Mishcon de Reya, which represents Mrs Hadaway, said: Michelle Hadaway has had to fight for almost 40 years for justice and accountability following the tragic murder of her daughter, Karen, and Karens best friend, Nicola, in 1986. We have been privileged to work with Mrs Hadaway in this matter. Todays settlement with the BBC takes Mrs Hadaway one step closer to some form of closure. An inquiry by Lord Dyson in 2021 found that Mr Bashir had acted in a deceitful way in order to secure his now infamous interview 1995 Panorama with Diana, Princess of Wales by faking documents to make her think those close to her were receiving money from tabloid newspapers and that the security services were spying on her. Mr Bashir resigned from his role as the BBCs religion editor at the time of Lord Dysons inquiry, citing what he said were serious health issues. 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. France has a problem: bedbugs. The recent outbreak has captured government officials' attention, especially in the run-up to the 2024 Olympics, when millions of visitors are expected to descend on Paris. The deputy mayor recently warned that "no one is safe" from a bedbug infestation, fueling anxiety among residents of the French capital and people planning to travel there. It's not just France that has an issue with the insects, which prefer to feed on human blood. They are a persistent problem all over the world, from the United States to Australia. And despite their name, the insects are not just found in the bedroom. In fact, they can be found just about everywhere. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Here's what to know about bedbugs and how to check for an infestation. - - - What are bedbugs? Bedbugs are prehistoric parasites, evolving some 100 million years ago when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. "When dinosaurs died off, bedbugs did not," said David Cain, managing director of Bed Bugs Limited, a British company that battles the insects. The bloodsucking organisms are incredibly resilient - with an "amazing ability to survive" and "spread pervasively," he added. - - - How big are bedbugs, and what do bedbugs look like? Adult bedbugs are on average five millimeters long - about the same size as an apple seed. They are flat with oval-shaped bodies and are usually brown or red in color. Sometimes, the bugs take on a more balloon-shaped appearance, which can be a sign of a recent blood meal. - - - Where are bedbugs found? Bedbugs have long been "a significant public health issue," according to the journal Diagnostics, which recently noted that cases have been reported in 135 countries worldwide. Bedbugs can lurk on train seats and headboards and inside the walls of public buildings. They can be found behind picture frames, inside plug sockets and under armrests. They can embed in clothing, hitching rides on the pant legs and coats of unsuspecting commuters. The crawling insects cannot fly or jump, and they do not typically live on the human body. In most cases, they feed and leave. If you're lucky enough, a bedbug will finish its meal (feeding can take between three and 12 minutes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency) and skitter back into hiding. If it's not finished, you're likely to take it with you. Bedbugs thrive during the warmer months of the year when they are more active, according to the British Pest Control Association. But temperature-controlled buildings also serve as a habitat where the insects can survive year-round. The insects are more prevalent in densely populated areas where there is rapid resident turnover, like apartment buildings, hostels and holiday camps. In recent years, hospitals, hotels, libraries, prisons and offices from London to New York have reported outbreaks. Cain, who spoke to The Washington Post from an airport while on his way to tackle an outbreak on a superyacht, said that the bugs exist in any place where people spend long periods of time stationary - including movie theaters and on airplanes. He said he would "absolutely be checking" his seat before takeoff. - - - How do I know if I have bedbugs? What are the signs of bedbugs? For some people, itchy spots and rashes that appear on the skin are the first sign they have been bitten by a bedbug. Though experts say it is not enough to rely on this as the only confirmation of an infestation, as many people do not respond to the bites. While the bites cause skin irritation, they do not usually lead to other health issues, according to Britain's National Health Service. Bedbug bites can also present as sores caused by other insects, according to the EPA, making an infestation harder to identify and treat appropriately, giving the bugs more time to reproduce. Other signs include fecal matter that can look like dark spots. These can be found anywhere a bedbug has been, including carpets and mattresses. The EPA recommends checking bedding for stains, eggs and tiny eggshells, along with shell casings that are usually pale yellow. - - - How can I check if my hotel room has bedbugs? Experts say it should only take five to 10 minutes to check a hotel room for bedbugs. Don't focus too much on the bedding, because it is frequently changed and washed. But check the mattress's top and bottom seams along the perimeter, lifting up the thick ribbon of material and looking at both sides. Bedbugs prefer rougher surfaces and dark hiding places, such as mattress seams, headboard cracks and box spring crevices. - - - Where do bedbugs come from? Infestations are not usually a reflection of poor hygiene, according to experts. Cases are usually driven by an individual coming into contact with the insects through travel or being exposed to items that are infested. In the past three decades, infestation of bedbugs in human habitats "has drastically increased," along with a rise in concerns over the insects, according to the journal Diagnostics. Cain explained that his caseload dropped during the coronavirus pandemic, which slowed global travel, but cases are crawling up once more. Many people who have contacted him about infestations have one thing in common, he said: They have all recently left the country. Events that bring in tourists from all over the world - like the Olympics - provide ripe conditions for bedbugs to feed and spread. - - - How do I get rid of bedbugs? Treating bedbugs is a "complex" procedure that can take weeks to months, the EPA says. Some people may require specialist help depending on the extent of infestation. "Your likelihood of success depends on many factors, including how many bed bugs you have, how much clutter is available for hiding places, whether your neighbors have bed bugs, and whether all residents of a house of building will participate," the agency said. There are some relatively simple things the agency recommends. Washing clothes and bedding that have been exposed to bedbugs is a crucial part of the eradication process. Turning the dryer to high heat for 30 to 45 minutes is what experts deem a death sentence for the insects. Dry cleaning can also be another means of killing the bugs. Steam cleaners that reach at least 130 degrees (54 degrees Celsius) can help treat carpets, baseboards, bed frames and other furniture, it says. The EPA recommends removing infested items and placing them in a sealed plastic bag until they can be treated. Items that cannot be treated, it adds, should be sealed for up to a year to ensure any active bugs are dead. EPA-registered pesticides specifically labeled for bedbug control can help, too. Yet according to the journal Diagnostics, one of the challenges to controlling bedbugs can be resistance to different families of insecticide. Attempting to treat the problem on your own raises the risk of the infestation spreading to other rooms, according to the British Pest Control Association, though it notes that a full extermination is expensive and some people cannot afford it - one of many reasons cases continue to worsen. "Not all infestations are the same," Cain said. "You do not need to burn everything and move out." In his experience in professional pest control, some infestations have fewer than 50 bugs. In extreme cases, there are thousands. Cain recalls a one-bedroom apartment he visited in London that he estimated had 150,000 bedbugs. - - - How do I avoid a bedbug infestation? Experts say there are several steps you can take to avoid bedbugs. They include placing luggage in another room and not onto a bed or nearby furniture. Checking seats and beds for signs of bedbugs before settling down to rest is another preventive technique. The EPA recommends making your bed "an island" - having it at least six inches away from the wall and not allowing covers to dangle onto the floor. Other tips include vacuuming both sides of your mattress at least once a month and installing bedbug monitors. The EPA recommends notifying your landlord if you are renting a property and find bedbugs, as they may have responsibility to help treat the problem. Reducing clutter in the home can help limit hiding places for the insects, as will sealing cracks and crevices. Investing in a mattress protector may also help. People should also check secondhand furniture for signs of the bugs before taking the items home, the EPA notes, adding that people should also be vigilant when using shared laundry facilities. Related Content School shooting hoaxes have terrorized kids across U.S. Who's behind it? He live-streamed his attacks on Indian Muslims. YouTube gave him an award. Biden, Trump visits fall flat for autoworkers girding for long strike Days after Steven Blackshear was booked into Montgomery county jail in downtown Dayton, Ohio, in January, a nurse found him shaking, in a fetal position and vomiting. He complained of chest and leg pains and was taken for medical testing. Two days later, he was found dead in his cell, covered only in towels. The 54-year-old is one of seven people to have died in a surge of deaths at the jail since the beginning of this year. For a facility with a population of slightly more than 600 people, its a huge and worrying toll. Its more than the number of deaths at jails in the five most-populous counties in Ohio combined, more than Montgomery countys total for all of 2021 and 2022, and just one fewer than at Rikers Island in New York City a facility with 10 times the incarcerated population in the same time period. A spokesperson for Rob Streck, the Montgomery county sheriff who runs the lockup, said that ongoing legal considerations prevented him from speaking to the Guardian about the jail deaths. At a news conference last week, however, Streck said that this is the most physically ill, mentally ill and addicted population we have ever dealt with. At the briefing, Streck refused to take questions related to the deaths at his jail. All seven of those who have died at the Montgomery jail did so within days of entering the facility and while in pre-trial detention. They had not been convicted of that which they were accused of doing. Complications related to narcotics withdrawals or overdoses and mental health crises are suspected of contributing to several of the deaths. A jail is not equipped to be an emergency room, said Joel Pruce of the Montgomery County Jail Coalition, a community organization pushing for reform at the facility. People come in with medical needs that are extreme and significant, and a jail is not equipped to deal with them. I think everybody bears responsibility. At the end of the day, [its] the sheriff, the county commissioners, county administrators and Naphcare. Naphcare, a private company headquartered in Alabama, holds a $13m contract with Montgomery county to provide mental and physical healthcare to people housed at the jail. Naphcare did not address the Guardians requests for specific information about how it treats people in its care. But the company suggested to Dayton media in June that the regions opioid crisis was to blame for the deaths. Since January 2023, we have treated more than 1,000 individuals going through opioid withdrawal within the Montgomery county jail. In comparison, at other correctional facilities of a similar size, we have treated fewer than 100 patients going through opioid withdrawal within the same timeframe, a spokesperson told the Dayton Daily News. But the company has a terrible record at jails right across the country. Deaths at facilities it is contracted to provide health and medical care in Arizona, Georgia, Washington state and elsewhere have led to a string of lawsuits. One county in Arizona has fined Naphcare $3.1m for alleged deficiencies in its medical care. In 2021, it settled for nearly $700,000 after allegations that it overcharged the federal government for services provided. It has also previously settled lawsuits with inmates at Montgomery county jail in Ohio. In 2012, a man died after being handcuffed face down for 22 minutes during a medical emergency. Naphcare settled its part in that case for $500,000, according to court documents. The company currently has rolling contracts with Montgomery county that would see it operate there until at least 2026. Naphcare staff treat people suffering withdrawal symptoms through a detoxification program that requires staff to check on inmates multiple times a day. But for the late Steven Blackshear, whose family declined to speak with the Guardian due to legal proceedings, that wasnt enough. After his arrest, he had been released by a Naphcare nurse into the general prison population despite exhibiting opiate and benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, according to a risk management report prepared by the sheriffs office. Shortly after 2am two days after entering the jail, Blackshear was found dead in his cell by a corrections officer doing their rounds. When a delegation of the Montgomery County Jail Coalition toured the facility in July, its members were shown how jail staff monitor a bank of cameras that in turn observe the incarcerated population. However, delegation members later expressed concern that the large number of cameras could make it difficult to quickly spot an individual in need of emergency care. Of the seven fatalities at the jail this year, at least four died after being found unresponsive in a cell. On 22 September, the county announced plans to increase the number of special needs beds at the jail from 12 to 112 as part of a $20m renovation. But for Isaiah Trammell and the six others who have died there this year, it comes too late. On 13 March, the 19-year-old was held at the jail on a domestic violence charge. Trammell had been housed alone and on suicide precautions, and had asked for a blanket, a mat and a phone call but was refused, according to a sheriffs office risk management report. The report found that Trammell then became enraged, had hurt himself and had suffered very significant swelling on his forehead that required medical care. A coroners report found that on 16 March, Trammell died due to complications from blunt force head trauma. His death was ruled a suicide. Being in jail exacerbates a lot of the other crises theyre already experiencing, particularly mental health crises, Pruce said. Each year, millions of people with mental health illnesses are booked into jails across the US. Pruce said it most worried him that all seven deaths at the jail involved pre-trial detainees. It means you are being detained in jail without being convicted of the crime you are charged with, Pruce said, and dying. FILE PHOTO: Man walks past a logo of Alibaba Group at its office building in Beijing By Jyoti Narayan and Nilutpal Timsina (Reuters) -Belgian officials are looking into risks around the presence of China's Alibaba Group Holding at a cargo airport in the city of Liege, the country's intelligence service VSSE said in a statement on Thursday. Referring to the company's main European logistics centre at Liege Airport, the security service said it was working to "detect and fight against possible spying and/or interference activities carried out by Chinese entities including Alibaba". Belgian authorities are looking into Alibaba's operations at the airport based on an analysis of China's legal framework, the statement added. The presence of Alibaba "still constitutes a point of attention" for the VSSE, it said, due to legislation which obligates Chinese companies to share data with Chinese authorities and intelligence services. "We strongly deny the allegations based on prior conjecture," Alibaba's logistics arm Cainiao said in a statement. "Cainiao is in compliance with all laws and regulations where it operates." Alibaba signed an agreement with the Belgium government in 2018 to open an e-commerce trade hub, run by Cainiao, that would include investment in logistics infrastructure. The Chinese e-commerce giant last month filed to list Cainiao on the Hong Kong stock exchange, which would make the unit the first to be separated since Alibaba said in March it would restructure and split its business into six units. (Reporting by Jyoti Narayan and Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Hogue, Robert Birsel and Kirsten Donovan) "He was abusive, he was angry, he was very manipulative ... and it's perfectly in line with his character," 32-year-old Jacob Malarik said of the man accused of killing his mother. But the jury will not hear those words when Jacob's stepfather, Gregory Malarik, heads to court for a re-do of his murder trial on a two-decade-old cold case. Gregory Malarik returns to Escambia's Circuit Court for a second trial where a jury will decide if he murdered his wife Sherri, a petty officer 1st class in the U.S. Navy, in 2001. His first-degree premeditated murder trial originally began in June 2022, but the judge declared a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision on his guilt. Jacob told the News Journal that his frustration has been mounting as his stepfather's second trial grows closer, as he and his stepbrother, Gregory "Little Greg" Malarik, cannot testify to what he says was a childhood filled with abuse that should place the jury in the right frame of mind to discern the father's character. Cold case murder mistrial: Greg Malarik homicide trial ends in mistrial. What happened, and what happens next? Gregory Malarik listens to opening statements Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in the first day of his murder trial in the 2001 death of his wife, Sherri Malarik. After his initial trial resulted in a hung jury, Malarik is going back before a jury next week. In one example of alleged abuse, Jacob says it was his job at 10 years old to wake his four siblings in the morning before school, and before the elder Gregory Malarik was ready to leave; however, one day Jacob says he failed, and that's when he says the anger came through. "He's yelling, screaming, punching holes in the wall, and he grabs me by the hair and throws me down," Jacob told the News Journal. "He used to have these boots that had a metal toe on them, and he cocked his leg back to kick the s**t out of me and I rolled out of the way. He kicked hard enough to put a hole through the (closed) door, the door busts open and then put a hole in the drywall behind it. "This isn't a one-off story, this happened regularly," he added. "So, my frustration with the case is there is a lot of story that is a part of our lives growing up that we're not allowed to talk about in trial." Jacob said he left the household at 18 and has not had a relationship with his stepfather since. Jacob and "Little Greg" Malarik afraid of Gregory Malarik Although a judge ruled that Jacob and "Little Greg" couldn't talk about any allegations of past abuses, he said he feels this information is pertinent information for a jury to understand Gregory's state of mind the night Sherri was shot in the head, stuffed into the passenger seat of the family van and then left in a Winn-Dixie parking lot overnight. The pattern of alleged abuse coupled with Sherri's death left Jacob and "Little Greg" no one else to suspect other than their father of killing their mother, which Jacob said lead to a greater fear of making Gregory angry. "'Little Greg' and myself, we grew up sleeping with knives under our bed, because we were so scared that we would be next," Jacob said, "(scared) that we would piss him off to no end, and one day he would come in and we would be next." Even though he was young at the time, Jacob said his stepfather's relationship with babysitter Jennifer Spohn, a woman he was allegedly having an affair with while Sherri traveled overseas in the military, was evident to the eldest siblings and an additional reason why they believe Gregory wanted their mother out of the picture. 'I figured it was time': Gregory Malarik's girlfriend testifies she helped him leave crime scene How did Gregory Malarik allegedly kill Sherri Malarik? Jacob and "Little Greg" testified during the previous trial and used what they could remember to piece together a timeline of what happened Sept. 21, 2001. Jacob told the prosecutor back in 2022 that he was in between the kitchen and the dining room when he last saw his mother. "I just remember my mom walking by and saying nonchalantly, 'Hey, I'm going to go outside to talk to your dad,'" Jacob said. "And that was the last I saw of her." They testified that Gregory followed Sherri to the backyard where they family van was parked and heard an audible "pop" sound similar to a firecracker. Afterward, "Little Greg" said the father returned to the house alone and immediately took a shower and changed clothes. Afterward, Gregory allegedly drove the van to a nearby Winn-Dixie and caught a ride from the crime scene with Spohn. Jennifer Spohn testified she helped Gregory Malarik dispose of evidence Investigators with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service believe that Gregory killed his wife so that he could marry Spohn rather than going through a third divorce. They apparently began dating while Sherri was stationed in Greece for the year prior to her death. Spohn told investigators that when she got to the Winn-Dixie on Sept. 21, 2001, Malarik exited the driver side door of the van Sherri's body was found in, and she gave him a ride back to his home in her vehicle. "Along the way he rolled down the window, he dropped the wig, the rest of the stuff was in the back seat in the back of the car," Spohn said during the 2022 trial. "I drove him to his house, he said to give him a few minutes and I needed to get rid of all the stuff in the back." She later recounted that she dropped off a lawnmower she'd borrowed and then drove home. A few hours later, at 1 a.m., Spohn said she drove down Quintette Road and threw everything in the back seat off a bridge. "At the bridge I waited and no cars showed up," Spohn said on the stand, "so, I took everything and threw it over the bridge." Gregory Malarik listens to opening statements Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in the first day of his murder trial in the 2001 death of his wife, Sherri Malarik. After his initial trial resulted in a hung jury, Malarik is going back before a jury next week. The "stuff" in the back seat were bags that Gregory allegedly gave Spohn when she picked him up from Winn Dixie hours earlier. Spohn told the court she only saw a few things in the bag. "I know there was a CB radio, there was some other small items, and then the gun," Spohn said. Spohn never said the gun she threw over the bridge was the .25 caliber gun investigators say was used to kill Sherri. Gregory was alleged to have a .25 caliber gun, but the gun was never recovered and no witness testimony confirms he ever owned that type of gun. U.S. Army lab discovered gunshot residue on Gregory Malarik the day Sherri Malarik's body discovered A chemist at the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Lab reported gunshot residue was found on Malarik's hands the day Sherri's body was located. However, the defense later brought Chris Deyton to the stand, a Winn Dixie night stocker who was at work the night Sherri was killed. He testified that he and other employees had been outside taking a break when they witnessed someone approach the van. "About five minutes into break, we heard two people arguing," Deyton told the court. "A guy pulled up to a lady in a red van. "He got out of a Ford Festiva, the Ford version of a Yugo, he got out and approached the window," Deyton continued. "We started talking again and we heard three what sounded like firecrackers." Deyton said the employees didn't think anything of it since "the kids from Tate like going down there and throwing fireworks." The defense also asked if the man he saw was Gregory Malarik and he said, "No, the gentleman had short hair and was thinner." Who are the attorneys and judge in Gregory Malarik's second murder trial? Private attorney Chris Crawford represented Gregory at trial and will continue to do so during the retrial. Assistant State Attorney Amy Shea will also prosecute the case for a second time. Circuit Judge John Simon will again preside over the trial. What sentence is Gregory Malarik facing if convicted? Under Florida law, first-degree premeditated murder is a capital felony and carries a required minimum sentence of life in prison. If the jury convicts Gregory, Simon has no choice but to sentence him to life in prison. How long will Gregory Malarik's trial last? Gregory is set for jury selection Monday and will likely begin trial Tuesday. The first trial lasted four days, meaning the retrial will likely end Friday. Gregory Malarik listens to opening statements during his murder trial on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in the death of his wife, Sherri Malarik. After his initial trial resulted in a hung jury, Malarik is going back before a jury next week. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gregory Malarik back to trial for Sherri Malarik's 2001 murder case President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz met on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Spanish Granada on Thursday 5 October. Source: Zelenskyy on Twitter (X), reports European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy stated that Germany is working on providing Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defence system for the winter months. Quote: "Im grateful for Germanys support in defending our freedom and people. This is also the defense of Europe and our shared values," the president said. Fruitful meeting with @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz. Germany is working on providing Ukraine with an additional Patriot system for the winter months. Im grateful for Germanys support in defending our freedom and people. This is also the defense of Europe and our shared values. pic.twitter.com/xv8k0bXNw3 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) October 5, 2023 Background: Earlier, it was reported that Germany plans to supply Ukraine with additional air defence systems to help cover grain cargoes from potential Russian attacks. Bild claimed that Germany made it clear to representatives of the Ukrainian government during their negotiations that it wants to do everything possible to further strengthen Ukraine's air defence, while it does not plan to transfer Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Kyiv. 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 Rep. Beto ORourke (D-Texas) slammed the Biden administrations new border wall order as impotent political posturing, claiming the move will make it more difficult for voters to differentiate between the border and immigration policies of President Biden and former President Trump. In a list of points posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, ORourke outlined the reasons why he didnt support the order. 1. Walls dont work, wrote ORourke, who ran an unsuccessful 2022 gubernatorial campaign against Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. 2. President Biden promised he wouldnt build them 3. Now ever harder for voters to distinguish between him & Trump on border/immigration. In his last point, he called it a wasted opportunity to use executive power to actually fix our asylum system instead of impotent political posturing. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday it will waive 26 federal laws to allow border wall construction in Starr County, Texas, which is experiencing high illegal entry. The move is the administrations first use of an executive power often used by Trump to fund projects along the southern border. Under the Trump administration, billions in defense and military construction funds were diverted toward building a wall at the southern border, a central focus of the former presidents 2016 campaign. He was then forced to use emergency powers instead, after Congress refused to fully fund the project. Shortly into Bidens administration in 2021, the president canceled the state of emergency Trump declared on the southern border and later slashed projects to build the wall. The funds were redirected back to their original purpose or toward repairing environmental damage from the walls construction. ORourke, who was raised in the Texas border city of El Paso and is an advocate of a safe, legal immigration system, has pushed back against the walls and fencing at the southern border over the years. In July, he requested Biden immediately remove Abbotts razor wire and buoy obstructions in the Rio Grande. A federal judge in Texas later ordered the governor to remove the floating barriers. While crediting some of Bidens efforts to end Trumps immigration policies, ORourke has also not been afraid to call out the White House. In a New York Times op-ed published in July, ORourke said the strategy of prevention through deterrence behind the Biden administrations asylum restrictions risks worsening the humanitarian crisis at the border. But [Biden] has also imposed new asylum restrictions that cut off access to protection for far too many, while leaving thousands more to wait for weeks or months in squalid tent camps in Mexican border towns, where they suffer alarming rates of kidnapping, sexual assault or worse, ORourke wrote in July. Established in May, the new rule closely resembled a Trump-era policy requiring migrants to first seek and be denied asylum in another country before attempting to do so in the U.S. This rule was rolled out ahead of the expiration of Title 42, a pandemic-era ruling that permitted the rapid expulsion of migrants without allowing them to seek asylum. The Biden administration has maintained a somewhat cautious approach to immigration and border security, fueling criticism from both sides of the aisle at times. Efforts from the White House have ramped up in recent weeks. Last month, the Biden administration made a major strategic shift at the border and extended temporary protection status for nearly half a million Venezuelan nationals currently residing in the United States. The White House also recently sent an additional 800 troops to help with the migration influx at the southern border. The Department of Defense has already deployed around 2,500 state National Guard personnel, in addition to around 24,000 Customers and Border Protection agents and officers and 2,600 nonuniformed officers, the White House said last month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A crew has begun to reshape some of the Stanislaus Rivers banks in east Oakdale to enhance fish habitat. The $2.7 million project along Kerr Park also will reduce thorny vines and other non-native plants that hinder hikers. The city got state and federal grants for the work, aimed mainly at salmon and steelhead trout. The public is barred from this part of the park until the expected Nov. 15 completion. City officials and fishery experts gathered for a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday morning. The actual earth-moving started a day earlier under a contract with Ford Construction Co. of Lodi. Kerr is one of Oakdales most popular parks, with ball fields, picnic tables and shade trees in its upper portion. Visitors who venture down to the river find thickets of introduced plants such as Himalayan blackberry and tree of heaven. The invaders will give way to oaks, willows, cottonwoods and other native plants. Hopefully, the public can come out and do some wildlife viewing and bird watching and not be stopped by this wall of blackberries, project consultant Jesse Anderson said. He is a senior biologist for Cramer Fish Sciences, based in Portland, Ore., and lives in the Oakdale area. A crew started work on a fishery restoration project along the Stanislaus River at Kerr Park in Oakdale, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Past gravel mining harmed fish The fishery work will not be in the main channel of the Stanislaus, but in side channels damaged by decades of gravel mining. The industry left mounds of dirt on a floodplain that ideally is flatter, said J. D. Wikert, a Lodi-based habitat restoration coordinator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The restoration will provide shallow, shaded areas where baby fish can develop. The eggs are laid by adult fish returning after a few years in the Pacific Ocean. The project will be on 22 acres on the south side of a roughly 4,000-foot river stretch. The contractor will move about 54,800 cubic yards of earth around the site, protecting mature trees that survived the mining era. The East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District will help with the seedling planting. The excavated soil will be seeded with native grasses and wildflowers. Felled trees will be used as part of the new fishery habitat along the Stanislaus River at Kerr Park in Oakdale, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. In some spots, old trees will uprooted and laid down along the side channels. This mimics the circle of life: Insects and other small creatures decompose the wood. They in turn are prey for salmon and other larger animals. The roads for construction access will become hiking trails. Motor vehicles will not be allowed in this part of Kerr, other than emergency responders. The project launched in 2019 with a $338,536 grant for initial design from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The federal agency added $359,000 in 2021 for further planning. The Oakdale City Council on Sept. 18 accepted an additional $2.04 million in federal funding for the construction. Work will aid with wildfire risk, homeless camps City officials have said controlling the invasive plants will ease the wildfire risk and help police to deal with homeless camps and other issues. We just found that the more people that can come to public areas, the less likelihood for activities that we dont want to occur, City Manager Bryan Whitemyer said. The riverside portion of Kerr is known as the Stanley Wakefield Wilderness Area. It was named for a deceased publisher of the Oakdale Leader newspaper. The Stanislaus arises high in the central Sierra Nevada but is much reduced as it reaches Oakdale. Most of the water is stored in New Melones Reservoir for use by the Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts and the federal Central Valley Project. These users support habitat projects such as Kerr Park as an alternative to the greatly increased river flows sought by environmental groups. Crew begins work on a fishery restoration project along the Stanislaus River at Kerr Park in Oakdale, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Project consultant Jesse Anderson, senior biologist for Cramer Fish Sciences, shows the site where a crew started work on a fishery restoration project along the Stanislaus River at Kerr Park in Oakdale, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Crew begins work on a fishery restoration project along the Stanislaus River at Kerr Park in Oakdale, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. While the Renaissance World Tour may be over, Beyonce's commitment to her fans will be remembered. In a remarkable display of empathy and awareness, global music icon Beyonce made headlines recently when she helped rectify an airlines misstep, ensuring a long-time fan with disabilities could enjoy her show. Jon Hetherington, a fervent Beyonce admirer, faced a disappointing hurdle in September when he was barred from boarding an Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle due to the size of his motorized wheelchair, which he relies on for mobility due to cerebral palsy. The airline personnel cited that the chair was four inches too tall to be loaded onto the plane. A disheartened Hetherington, who identifies as pansexual, took to social media to share his ordeal, describing his 25-year-long anticipation to see Beyonce live and how it was thwarted at the last minute. Well, I guess Im not going to Seattle, and Im not seeing Beyonce, he said dejectedly in a video. However, the setback took a fortunate turn when Beyonces publicist, Yvette Noel Schure, came across Hetheringtons post, Out, The Advocates companion publication reported. In a swift move, arrangements were made for Hetherington to attend the Renaissance World Tour in Dallas. Seated on the floor close to the performing sensation, Hetheringtons joy knew no bounds as he shared his exhilarating experience on Instagram. His narrative, juxtaposed against the energizing atmosphere of the concert, spoke volumes about the stark contrast between what individuals with disabilities can experience with a touch of understanding and inclusivity. "For the past, for Marsha, James, and Bayard," Hetherington wrote in an Instagram post with a pic of him at the concert, referring to LGBTQ+ activists Marsha P. Johnson, James Baldwin, and Bayard Rustin . "For the present, for O'Shae. For those who are becoming in a time that has yet to exist. We partied, we sang, we danced ... HARD. Beyhive, you made this happen, you pushed and tagged like the internet has never seen. Tonight, for the first time ever, I had a seat on the floor for a concert. Welcome to the RENAISSANCE." This heartfelt intervention by Beyonce's and her team underscores a broader societal issue that disability advocates have been vocal about. In a conversation earlier this April, Ben Trockman, an activist and outreach and employment specialist who also navigates life in a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury, spoke to The Advocate about the myriad challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in a largely non-inclusive environment. He recounted his harrowing experience of being unable to travel due to inaccessible transportation options, stating, The world is not built for us, but that doesnt mean we dont want to be in it. Hetheringtons experience isnt isolated but is part of a larger narrative that individuals with disabilities often encounter in various facets of life. The recent advocacy work of Easterseals, a notable non-profit organization promoting equity for individuals with disabilities, echoes this reality. Their report released in April, titled The State of Disability Equity and Access, emphasizes the need for a rejuvenated approach toward the Americans with Disabilities Act, urging enhanced laws and civic engagement to meet the evolving needs of disabled individuals. Trockmans and Easterseals endeavor reflects a collective striving towards bridging the accessibility gap, a mission that finds resonance with Beyonces recent gesture of inclusivity. The narrative accentuates how vital the support from influential figures like Beyonce can be in steering the conversation toward a more inclusive society. Beyond just a heartfelt act, her team's gesture resonates with the essence of equity, urging a deeper understanding and action toward a more accessible and empathetic society. In reflecting on the broader struggle for inclusivity, Easterseals recent report echoes the sentiment, It is now time to ensure people with disabilities, older adults, and veterans have every opportunity to contribute to their communities and build lives of their choosing. Easterseals CEO and President Kendra Davenport expressed the gravity of the situation in a conversation with The Advocate in the spring. Americans who live with disabilities dont want pity, and the vast majority of disabled people with whom I speak through my work tell me they wouldnt change who they are or give up their disability because it is a part of what makes them who they are, Davenport elaborated. But what they demand is to be seen and afforded the ability to live full, happy lives like everyone else. Davenport emphasized the economic logic in catering to the needs of the disabled community. The disabled community has around $20 billion in discretionary income. So why isnt anybody focusing on that? she questioned. Its a vulnerability in the corporate sector. And whoever starts getting it right will realize terrific gains because the disabled community will get behind them. Davenport added: We didnt talk about breast health 20 years ago..I want us to make the same strides so that the most rudimentary information about disability becomes ubiquitous and more people understand it. WASHINGTON The Biden administration is building a new barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border despite President Joe Bidens promise as a candidate not to add to a controversial border wall that has long been a signature of his predecessor Donald Trump. Amid surging migration, the Biden administration is bypassing 26 federal laws, including environmental restrictions, to build a new section of the border wall in South Texas near the Rio Grande River, according to a Federal Registry notice made public Thursday. Citing "high illegal entry" into the U.S., Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended expediting the wall's construction by using his authority to waive certain federal laws. "There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States," Mayorkas wrote in the notice. Migrants wait along the border wall to surrender to US Customs and Border Protection agents for immigration and asylum claim processing after crossing the Rio Grande River into the United States in May. The additional barriers, as well as new roads in Starr County, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, will be paid for by funding approved by Congress in 2019 during the Trump presidency. As a 2020 presidential candidate, Biden vowed not to build "another foot" of a border wall that Trump has for years made the focus of his efforts to stop illegal immigration. A border wall section stands on July 14, 2021, near La Grulla, Texas, in Starr County. On Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, the Biden administration announced that they waived 26 federal laws in South Texas to allow border wall construction, marking the administrations first use of a sweeping executive power employed often during the Trump presidency. Biden said Thursday that he had no choice because Congress did not agree to cancel the funding approved in a 2019 law before he became president. "The money was appropriated for the border wall. I tried to get them to reappropriate, to redirect that money," Biden told reporters. "They didnt. They wouldnt. In the meantime, theres nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated for. I cant stop that." Asked whether he believes a border wall is effective, Biden responded, "No," contradicting the statement from Mayorkas justifying the project. In June, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the construction of a 20-mile barrier with steel bollard panels. The funding will come from $190 million remaining from a pool of $1.38 billion Congress approved in 2019 for fencing in the Rio Grande Valley. Mexican president criticizes Biden's wall expansion Apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border are on the rise again after initially dropping sharply in May and June after the Biden administration launched a new policy requiring migrants heading to the U.S. border to first seek protection in Mexico. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticized the wall expansion as he prepared to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Mexico City. "This authorization for the construction of the wall is a step backwards," he said, according to Reuters, adding that it "doesn't solve the problem" of migration. "The causes must be addressed. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said DHS was required to use the funding for the border wall as Congress intended. "We have to comply by law to get this done," Jean-Pierre said. The move comes amid a surge of migrant crossings along the Texas border with Mexico, and as the Justice Department is battling Republican Gov. Greg Abbott over some of his initiatives aimed at deterring illegal immigration. Democratic activist and South Texas attorney Ricardo de Anda, who battled the Trump administration's efforts to take private land for his signature border wall project, called the Biden administration's wall expansion "a slap in the face." Trump needled Biden on his social media web site Truth Social over the reversal. ''Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants?" Trump wrote. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a meeting on Ukraine in the Oval Office on October 05, 2023 in Washington, DC. Deportation flights of Venezuelans in US illegally to resume Pushing back at criticism, Mayorkas issued a statement Thursday saying the language in the federal notice is being taken out of context. "There is no new administration policy with respect to border walls," he said. "From day one, this administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer." In another step aimed at surging migration, the Biden administration announced it would resume deportation flights of Venezuelans who entered the U.S. illegally. Officials said it follows an agreement with the Venezuelan government to accept Venezuelan nationals who fled their country. Two senior Biden administration officials, who discussed the move on the condition of anonymity, said 66,000 Venezuelan migrants have entered the U.S. legally since the administration announced the new policy. A political, economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela over the past decade has pushed at least 7.3 million people to migrate, most of them to neighboring Latin American countries, but more recently to the U.S through Mexico. Many have made their journeys through the dangerous Darien Gap, a remote jungle between Colombia and Panama that is treacherous and often deadly. Abbott, whose office had no immediate comment on Mayorkas' border wall announcement, has been the nation's harshest critic of the Democratic administration's approach to matters of unlawful immigration and border security. The Texas state Legislature has allocated nearly $10 billion since Biden took office for Abbott's Operation Lone Star, which has sent thousands of National Guard troops from the Texas Department of Public Safety to South Texas. Texas has also laid miles of razor wire and has built barriers on private land with permission from owners as part of the operation. On Thursday, the state met the Biden Justice Department before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans for a hearing over whether Texas will be allowed to keep its controversial 1,000-foot string of buoys in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass while the federal lawsuit over the matter plays out. The court's three-judge panel did not issue a ruling after hearing from Texas and federal lawyers. Contributing: Maureen Groppe, The Associated Press Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden administration moves to extend border wall touted by Trump The Biden administration quietly announced plans on Thursday to add to the border wall with Mexico -- extending construction of the barrier that was a signature policy of Donald Trump . Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a notice in the US Federal Register there was "an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries." The new section of wall will be built in the "high illegal entry" Rio Grande Valley Sector of the US-Mexico border, Mayorkas said, where there have been more than 245,000 illegal entrants this fiscal year. President Joe Biden announced in a proclamation on the day he took office in January 2021 that no more taxpayer funds would be allocated to build a border wall. "Building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution," Biden said. Mayorkas said the funding for the "additional physical barriers" would come from an appropriation made by Congress for that purpose in 2019, when Trump was still in office. The Department of Homeland Security said some two dozen federal laws such as the Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act would need to be waived to allow for the extension of the border wall. Illegal immigration has become a major political issue for Biden, with opposition Republicans accusing him of lax border policies. Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said the Biden administration move showed "I was right when I built 560 miles... of brand new, beautiful border wall." "Will Joe Biden appolgize (sic) to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. cl/bgs US President Joe Biden on Thursday defended plans to extend the border wall with Mexico, saying he didn't think such barriers worked but that he was bound by laws introduced under Donald Trump . Democrat Biden pledged during his White House race with Trump in 2020 that he would abandon the Republican's signature policy and would not build any more of the wall. But his own Department of Homeland Security on Thursday announced the building of a new section in southern Texas to tackle an "acute and immediate need," as migrant crossings surge. Biden, who is polling neck-and-neck with rival Trump ahead of a likely 2024 election rematch, insisted his predecessor had tied his hands on the wall-building. "They have to use the money for what it was appropriated for. I can't stop that," he told reporters in the Oval Office. He said the cash was earmarked for the border wall by the US Congress under Trump in 2019, and that lawmakers had since rejected his appeals to reassign the funds. Asked if he thought the border wall was effective, Biden replied simply: "No." - 'No choice' - The new section of wall will be built in the "high illegal entry" Rio Grande Valley sector of the US-Mexico border, where there have been more than 245,000 attempted illegal entries this fiscal year. But Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas later said the announcement had been "taken out of context." "The action that we took -- we had no choice," Mayorkas said during a news conference in Mexico with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "There is no new administration policy with respect to the border wall." Illegal immigration has become a major political headache for Biden, with opposition Republicans accusing him of lax border policies. The border issue has even added to uncertainty over US aid for Ukraine, with some Republicans refusing to approve funds until Biden acts on migrants. Meanwhile some Democrats including progressive lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the wall decision. So did conservationists after it emerged that two dozen federal environmental laws would be waived to build the extension. The White House said it was "absolutely false" that there had been a reversal by the president. "We have to comply by law and that's what we're doing," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. - 'I was right' - Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said the Biden administration move showed "I was right when I built 560 miles... of brand new, beautiful border wall." "Will Joe Biden appolgize (sic) to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals (sic) immigrants, from places unknown," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticized the US plan, calling it a "setback" ahead of talks with Blinken. Their talks came after a spike in the number of people -- mostly from Central America and Venezuela -- seeking to cross from Mexico into the United States. The Biden administration announced later Thursday that it would resume direct deportation flights to Venezuela, which is still under US sanctions for rights abuses. "This comes following a decision from the authorities of Venezuela to accept back their nationals," said a senior administration official. cl-dk/sst What the federal government says is a levee improvement project near Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission on Jan. 12, 2022. Local immigrant advocates and environmentalists say it looks like a border wall. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune Democrats, environmentalists and advocates for migrants are expressing anger this week as President Joe Biden s administration continues to push forward with plans to build sections of border wall along parts of Texas border with Mexico. Biden says he has no choice but to continue building the wall, and in a public filing that went into effect Thursday, his administration gave notice that it intends to waive 26 laws and regulations in order to take immediate action to build a few miles of new barrier in Starr County. That sparked outrage among opponents of the wall, who noted that Biden campaigned against the border wall when he ran in 2020. This is extremely disappointing, and a horrific step backwards that we just didnt expect to see from this administration, said Laiken Jordahl, a southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity. But border barrier construction has continued in Texas and elsewhere since the early days of Bidens term. As early as 2021, construction crews were erecting 15-foot concrete panels topped with 6-foot steel bollards in the Rio Grande Valley. In 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detailed plans to build 86 miles of border wall in the Rio Grande Valley, including Starr County. On Thursday, Biden told reporters that he was required by law to continue certain wall construction because Congress appropriated money for it. That appropriation occurred in 2019, before Biden took office. I tried to get to them to reappropriate it, to redirect that money, he said. They didnt. They wouldnt. And in the meantime, theres nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated. I cant stop that. When asked whether he believes the border wall works, he answered, No. That contrasts with what Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in the public filing Thursday, writing that there is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas. The laws Mayorkas said the department would waive included the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. In a statement sent later Thursday, Mayorkas stressed that the Biden administration has not changed its policy on border barriers, and that the notice posted in his name had been taken out of context. This Administration believes that effective border security requires a smarter and more comprehensive approach, including state-of-the-art border surveillance technology and modernized ports of entry, Mayorkas said. We need Congress to give us the funds to implement these proven tools. Still, Democrats in Congress from Texas denounced the actions this week. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, urged the White House to reconsider its decision to proceed with the wall, especially the disastrous choice to waive environmental laws. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, meanwhile, called a border wall a 14th century solution to a 21st century problem. I continue to stand against the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars on an ineffective border wall, and I will continue to push for solutions that our men and women on the front line actually need, such as more border technology and personnel at ports of entry and in between ports, he said. Meanwhile, Republicans have pushed for more border barriers to be built, with Gov. Greg Abbott directing Texas agencies to take steps to build walls with state resources. Still, U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, said the Biden administrations actions this week were nothing to celebrate. He said buoys in the Rio Grande, similar to those Abbott deployed in a small stretch of the river in Eagle Pass, are necessary too. If Biden is serious, thats whats needed, Crenshaw wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Can be deployed immediately and they actually prevent migrants from crossing the international barrier. But hes not serious. Its a stunt to grab some headlines and make it seem like hes not totally ignoring the crisis he created. Maps included in a proposal by U.S. Customs and Border Protection appear to indicate that the wall would cut through tracts of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Wildlife Refuge, a wildlife corridor that attempts to connect undisrupted habitat along the last 275 miles of the Rio Grande. Jordahl, with the Center for Biological Diversity, said the decision was shocking and disheartening. Wildlife dont care if you call it a wall, or a fence, or a barrier, Jordahl said. They cant get through. The border barrier could disrupt a sensitive ecosystem in this area, environmental advocates warned, and could particularly harm two endangered species of plants, the Zapata bladderpod and prostrate milkweed. Recovery plans for endangered ocelots could also be impacted, according to the center. Much of the animals native habitat in the Rio Grande Valley has already been lost to development. Jordahl said the border barrier would undermine the refuges attempt to create a swath of connected habitat along the border where wildlife can access the river. These stretches this tiny little wildlife refuge is the best remaining wildlife habitat anywhere in the county, Jordahl said. The border wall just rips right through, and would totally stop us from achieving that goal of the refuge system itself. Even if the Biden administration must use the appropriated funds for the border, said Jordahl, theres nothing that says you have to waive the most important [environmental] laws. Meanwhile, Alan Lizarraga, communications coordinator of the Border Network for Human Rights, said he was saddened to see Biden continue Trumps policies. "You know, this is a failed strategy, Lizarraga said. Over and over, it has shown that building walls and these deterrence policies do not help [address] the roots of immigration. They are not addressing the reasons why people are coming here." Naida Alvarez, who owns land in the community of Rosita, south of Eagle Pass, said the construction will disrupt her life. She said the wall will pass behind her house, on her land. Where we live there are many streams," she said. If they build a wall all the earth is going to sink. The land will be unstable and houses can sink. Right now, she can go fishing near her house and watch wild animals foxes, wild boars, rabbits run by. What happened with Bidens word during his campaign? she said. He said he was a man of his word, and now hes changing his word and following with the same policy of the foolish [president] we had. Uriel J. Garcia and Matthew Watkins contributed reporting. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden will restart deportations to Venezuela in an effort to reduce southern border crossings, CBS News reported on Thursday, citing current and former administration officials. The administration plans to resume direct deportations for Venezuelans who enter the U.S. unlawfully and lack a legal basis to remain in the country, CBS reported, citing the unidentified current and formal officials. U.S. officials said last month that the U.S. would grant temporary deportation relief and access to work permits to nearly half a million Venezuelans already in the country, a move that followed calls by Democrats to help newly arrived migrants work legally. (Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Caitlin Webber) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers head to the Western Wall to attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) Jewish worshippers attend the Priestly Blessing during Sukkot at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on Oct. 4, 2023. The Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, falling from sunset of Sept. 29 to sunset of Oct. 6 this year, is a biblical week-long holiday that recollects the 40 years of travel in the desert after the Exodus from slavery in Egypt. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) The Biden administration announced Thursday that it will start deporting people directly to Venezuela, a country where chaotic economic and political conditions have prompted about 8 million people to flee. Administration officials said Venezuelan authorities agreed to receive repatriations from the United States, but declined to provide details on any discussions with President Nicolas Maduros regime. The move is all but certain to raise concerns and condemnation from human rights advocates over the dangers Venezuelan deportees will face in the increasingly repressive country. The Biden administration has previously relied on third parties for deportations to Venezuela, for instance deporting Venezuelans to a willing partner nation such as the Dominican Republic, which would then conduct its own deportations to Venezuela. And the new announcement comes weeks after the Biden administration redesignated Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program specifically designed to avoid deporting foreign nationals into dangerous situations. The TPS designation allowed more than 400,000 Venezuelans who were in the United States as of July to stay in the country and work legally, an official recognition that conditions in Venezuela are too dangerous for safe returns. We granted Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan nationals who are in the U.S. as of July 31, a few weeks ago. And we, as a matter of policy and as a matter of historical practice, continue to remove individuals to countries that have TPS designations after the date of the TPS designation, a senior administration official said. So this is not something new or different from the long standing practice of this administration, and really all previous administrations. The renewed deportations respond to the growing number of Venezuelans willing to take the dangerous trek on foot through Panamas Darien Gap, a stretch of jungle that was considered impassable before trails developed as a result of migration over the past decade. Venezuelans then have to traverse Central America and Mexico, a journey made more dangerous by corrupt officials and organized criminals who at once provide services to and prey on vulnerable migrants. The administrations announcement came in the wake of a visit to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, though officials said Mexico was not party to the renewed deportations. Theres no direct correlation between the timing of this announcement and the secretarys visit, an administration official SAID. We did have very productive conversations with the government of Mexico on the topic of migration. Theyre an incredibly strong, important partner to us, but this is an announcement that we are making on our own today. But officials also said Mexico will continue to receive some Venezuelans encountered at the border and quickly expelled from the United States. We do intend to continue to return of some Venezuelans who are encountered at the border and ordered removed or who voluntarily withdraw to Mexico even as we repatriate Venezuelans to Venezuela, an administration official SAID. The focus on Venezuela comes as that countrys nationals continue to put pressure both on Customs and Border Protection at ports of entry and on the Border Patrol in other parts of the border. The number of Venezuelans encountered at the border has risen at an alarming rate over the past few months. According to data compiled by the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), CBP reported more than 30,000 monthly encounters with Venezuelans in April, May and August of this year, and according to a report by CBS News, more than 50,000 Venezuelans showed up in September. The WOLA numbers also show that in August, only 30 percent of Venezuelans encountered at the border showed up at ports of entry, despite the countrys nationals being eligible for the Biden administrations expanded pathways to legal entry. In August, 22,090 Venezuelans were apprehended by the Border Patrol after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border at non-designated locations, while 9,373 were encountered at ports of entry by CBP. That shows the limitations of the Biden administrations efforts to expand legal pathways to entry without legislative action on immigration reform, amid a decade-old pattern of migration from beyond Mexico and Central America. The administrations actions are creating whiplash among immigration advocates, as the carrot-and-stick approach has revealed increasingly painful sticks. Deportations to Venezuela are unlikely to be high-volume a similar deal with Cuba has yielded one deportation flight per month over the last six months. But conditions in Venezuela are more dire, and comparisons will inevitably be drawn to the Biden administrations extensive Haitian deportation program, which has returned more than 27,000 people to the collapsing country. Yet administration officials said theyre setting guardrails to prevent the deportation of Venezuelans with legitimate claims to asylum, regardless of their mode of entry into the United States. Individuals will only be returned to Venezuela if theyre found not to have a legal basis to remain in the United States. So all such individuals will have an opportunity to raise protection concerns, and will not be returned to Venezuela if theyre determined to be at risk of persecution or torture upon return, said an official. Updated at 5:12 p.m. ET For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Biden administration struck a deal with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to resume directly deporting Venezuelan migrants back to the South American country for the first time in years, U.S. authorities said Thursday. The Department of Homeland Security said the announcement follows a decision by authorities from Venezuela to accept the return of Venezuelan nationals, and multilateral conversations in Mexico City on Wednesday between the governments of the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Panama. In announcing its new policy, the Department of Homeland Security said the measure will apply to those Venezuelan nationals who cross our border unlawfully and do not establish a legal basis to remain. READ MORE: If youre a Venezuelan immigrant in the U.S., could you be deported? What you need to know The development comes after a sharp increase in the number of Venezuelan migrants showing up between July and August at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to federal government data. CBS News reported that preliminary numbers showed that some 50,000 Venezuelans had crossed the border last month, an all-time monthly high. The decision also comes weeks after Homeland Security made an additional 472,000 Venezuelans eligible for Temporary Protected Status, a protection from deportation that allows people from countries in turmoil who are already in the United States to temporarily live and work here. At the time of the TPS announcement, the head of the agency deemed Venezuela too unsafe for those who had arrived here by July 31 to return. Thursdays announcement shocked Venezuelan activists in South Florida, who claimed it could place the lives of thousands of their countrymen in danger. This is terrible news, said former opposition leader Alexis Ortiz. We understand that immigration in the United States has reached a critical situation, but U.S. officials must also understand that any Venezuelan who is directly repatriated to Venezuela is being sent back to starvation, to political persecution and to a state of total helplessness. Crisis in Venezuela Venezuela is the source of the largest movement of people in the Western hemisphere in decades, as the country struggles with social, political, and economic crisis. Over 7 million people have fled the country, according to the United Nations. The Biden administration has launched several policies to curb illegal immigration at the U.S-Mexico border, including programs for Venezuelans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Cubans that allow people to come for a two-year period as long as they pass background and health checks and have a financial sponsor. The U.S. government has also announced billions of dollars in investments and projects in Central America to address the root causes of migration, as well as a two-month joint operation with Panama and Colombia in April meant to end illegal migration through the dangerous jungle known as the Darien Gap. But despite the attempt to shut down the highly trafficked migration route through the risky region that Colombia and Panama share, authorities have recorded a record amount of crossers this year. Panamanian authorities reported over 330,000 crossings through August, with over half coming from Venezuela. In all, the U.S. government has also had nearly 200,000 encounters with Venezuelan nationals at the border between October 2022 and August 2023 nearly 12,000 more than the whole previous fiscal year. The high volume of migrants coming to the United States has been a constant line of attack from Republicans and other critics, who point to the number of encounters at the border and the wave of newly arrived immigrants that cities like New York are struggling to absorb as proof that Bidens immigration policies arent working. The migration crisis has also divided Democrats, who advocated for TPS for the Venezuelans already here. It remained unclear Thursday when the last direct deportation flight Venezuela took place. But Thomas Cartwright, an independent volunteer who tracks Immigration and Customs Enforcement flights since Jan. 2020, said he had not seen direct flights to Venezuela since he began documenting deportations. Venezuela and the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations in January 2019. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have conducted deportation flights of Venezuelans to other countries. Last year, the federal government started sending Venezuelans who had previously lived in Colombia back there. The Trump administration also sent Venezuelans to Trinidad and Tobago. The number of deportations of Venezuelan nationals has been in the low hundreds annually in recent years, according to ICE reports. Concerns among Venezuelans Venezuela has several open accusations of crimes against humanity in international courts, and human-rights groups have published several reports that highlight the torture of political dissidents and extrajudicial killings of dissidents as common practices in the country. Representatives of the Venezuelan community expressed concerns to the Herald about the fate of those who will be sent back to the South American country and claimed that it will help strengthen Maduros grip on power. Jose Colina, president of the Organization of Politically Persecuted Venezuelans in Exile, said the announcement is a new sign that the administration is attempting to normalize relations with the Maduro regime. We have the U.S. government working together with the Maduro regime to get Caracas to allow the repatriation of Venezuelan nationals. This immigration measure has significant political repercussions because now even though they dont recognize Maduros presidency, they now have to work together with him to repatriate Venezuelans, Colina said. The United States recognizes the opposition-controlled National Assembly as the legitimate democratically elected authority in the country and accuses Maduro of dismantling the countrys democratic system. While officials from the Biden administration have communicated with Maduro, there are no formal diplomatic ties between the two governments. Those communications attempts, however, have led to significant improvements in the relations between the two countries, with the administration offering to lift the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on the regime if Maduro agrees to hold free and fair elections. These diplomatic engagements, which began last year, have also led to Maduro freeing a number of Americans jailed in Venezuela and to Washington allowing Chevron and other oil firms to expand operations in the South American country. Adelys Ferro, the president of the Venezuelan American Caucus, said she believes the Biden administration is using this measure as another way to establish law and order at the border. She said that members of the Venezuelan opposition had been informed about the decision. What we hope is that all Venezuelans who return to Venezuela are treated well, and that there is oversight so this entire process is handled in the most humane way possible, she said. Other Venezuelan advocates complained that the administrations poorly defined and at times ambiguous policy has fueled the immigration crisis. U.S. government immigration and policy announcement have encouraged people to flee Venezuela, but later come across the ire of officials when they do reach the border, said Venezuelan advocates and service providers. Patricia Andrade, founder of the Venezuelan support network Raices Venezolanas, said an ill-defined policy in Washington has partly led to the high numbers at the border. This administration is characterized by improvisation, by the adoption of unexpected measures, Andrade said. She pointed to comments Biden president made in September 2022 in which he described the the ability to send people back to Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba as not rational. The Biden administration announced Wednesday that 26 federal laws were waived to allow border wall construction in Texas, marking the administrations first use of an executive power often used by former President Trump to fund projects along the southern border. The waived laws will help expedite the construction of barriers and roads in Starr County, Texas, which is experiencing high illegal entry, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement posted to the U.S. Federal Registry. The U.S. Border Patrol saw more than 245,000 people in the last fiscal year try to enter the United States in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, the DHS said, citing data from August. There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in the statement. Some of the waived federal laws include the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and Safe Water Drinking Act, to prevent lengthy reviews and lawsuits challenging the violation of such laws, The Associated Press (AP) reported. The construction will be funded by a congressional appropriation passed in 2019, in which Congress set aside funding for the construction of the border barrier in the Rio Grande Valley. The DHS is required to use those funds for the appropriated purpose. During his presidency, Trump diverted billions in defense and military construction funds toward building a wall, a central focus of his 2016 campaign. Trump was then forced to use emergency powers instead, after Congress refused to fully fund the project. Shortly into his administration in 2021, Biden canceled the state of emergency Trump declared on the southern border and later slashed projects to build the wall. The funds were redirected back to their original purpose or toward repairing environmental damage from the walls construction. Trump took to social media Thursday morning, saying he will await Bidens apology. So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right when I built 560 miles (they incorrectly state 450 in story!) of brand new, beautiful border wall, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls! he continued. Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown. I will await his apology! Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other American leaders are visiting Mexico this week to address concerns of security, drug and arms trafficking and steepening migration. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A pregnant woman stands at a security fence installed by the Texas National Guard at the US border with Mexico US President Joe Biden 's administration is to build a section of border wall in southern Texas in an effort to stop rising levels of immigration. About 20 miles (32km) will be built in Starr County along its border with Mexico, where officials report high numbers of crossings. Building a border wall was a signature policy of Donald Trump as president and fiercely opposed by Democrats. In 2020, Mr Biden promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected. His administration passed a proclamation soon after taking office that said building a wall across the southern border "is not a serious policy solution". On Thursday, however, Mr Biden said he "can't stop" the construction of the border wall because the funding for it had already been appropriated. When asked whether he believes the wall could work, he replied simply: "no". In a statement to Associated News on Wednesday night, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) similarly defended the latest move, saying it was using funds already allocated for a border barrier. "Congress appropriated fiscal year 2019 funds for the construction of border barrier in the Rio Grande Valley, and DHS is required to use those funds for their appropriated purpose," the statement said. Mr Biden and the statements stand in stark contrast to a notice about the project on the US Federal Registry in which Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that there is "presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas". Speaking at his daily news conference, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticised the announcement, saying that a wall is "contrary" to what President Biden had previously advocated. "I understand there is strong pressure from extreme right-wing political groups in the United States," he added. The rising number of illegal border crossings has made the issue a vulnerable one for president Biden. More than 245,000 crossings have been made this year in the Rio Grande Valley area alone, government data shows, and September is expected to be a record month. Several US cities say they are feeling the strain of the influx. New York City Mayor Eric Adams predicted the cost of housing the more than 100,000 new arrivals since last year will rise to $12bn over the next three years. Mr Adams is travelling to Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador this week to discourage migrants from setting out. "We are at capacity," he said on Tuesday. Dozens of federal laws have been waived in order to approve its construction, including the Clean Air Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. The move has angered environmentalists, who say the structures will cut through the habitats of endangered plants and animals. "It's disheartening to see President Biden stoop to this level, casting aside our nation's bedrock environmental laws to build ineffective wildlife-killing border walls," said Laiken Jordahl, a conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. According to a proposal by US Customs and Border Protection, the barriers will consist of large bollards embedded in a concrete base, as well as gates, cameras and CCTV equipment. Homeland Security said it would use funding secured during Donald Trump's presidency to build the new section. It is the first time the Biden administration has used its powers to approve the construction of new walls - something that was done often during Mr Trump's time in office, when around 50 miles of new wall was built and 400 miles of existing barriers were upgraded. Map of border wall route In an online post on Thursday, Mr Trump asked if the president would "apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving". "So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right," he wrote. "I will await his apology." Mr Biden has been facing increasing criticism over his immigration policies in the wake of a recent surge of migrants crossing into the US. US Border Patrol apprehended 181,059 people along the southern border in August compared with 132,648 in July, according to the latest data. Mexico's president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said that 10,000 people arrived at the border every day last week alone. Due to safety concerns, President Joe Bidens dog has been removed from the White House, joining a long line of problematic pets including lions, tigers and a bear evicted from the executive mansion. After moving into the White House in 2021, Commander, a German shepherd, became nothing but trouble for the Secret Service, according to the Associated Press. The dog, a gift from the presidents brother, reportedly attacked members of Bidens security detail around a dozen times. The latest incident, which led to an agent needing medical care, was the final straw, according to the BBC. Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated, Elizabeth Alexander, a White House spokeswoman, told the BBC, adding that the first family is grateful for the patience and support of the U.S. Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions. Throughout its more than two centuries of use, the White House has been home to countless animals, both domesticated and wild. Presidents and pets have a long tradition starting with George Washington, Louis Picone, a presidential historian, told McClatchy News. Dogs have been some of the most common unelected residents, particularly in recent decades. But at times, the White House has been more menagerie than mansion, bursting with exotic, and sometimes chaotic, creatures. While most presidential animals lived in peace inside or on the grounds of the White House, Picone said, a few just didnt work out and had to be exiled from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Presidents and their problematic pets Martin Van Buren One of the first presidents to court controversy a la animals was Martin Van Buren, who served from 1837 to 1841. Van Buren received two tiger cubs as a gift from the Sultan of Oman, according to the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Though he wanted to keep the cats, Congress, adopting the role of animal control, forced him to turn them over, saying they belonged to the public. Grover Cleveland Following his election, Grover Cleveland, who served as Americas 22nd and 24th president, was given a Newfoundland dog, Picone said. Concerned the gift may look like an attempt to curry presidential favors, he returned the dog with a note: The acceptance of presents of value which could involve an obligation I should deem entirely inadmissible I hope not to offend you by sending the dog by express to you...at my expense, Picone said. Teddy Roosevelt A few years later, President Theodore Roosevelt, a noted naturalist, took the great outdoors with him to the White House. The (Roosevelts) owned several dogs, a lizard, guinea pigs, a real pig, a badger, a macaw, a one-legged rooster, a hyena, an owl, a rabbit, a pony, and even a small bear, Picone said. But not all the animals worked out. The presidents son purchased the snakes from a pet store before unleashing them in the Oval Office to the terror of unsuspecting guests, Picone said. After they were captured, the scaly creatures were promptly returned to the store. The presidents bear, a queer-tempered creature, was also eventually sent away to a zoo, at which point Roosevelts family breathed a sigh of relief, according to one of Roosevelts memoirs. President Roosevelts dog, a bull terrier named Pete, created his share of headaches as well. The dog reportedly sank his teeth into so many legs that he had to be exiled to the Roosevelt home in Long Island, according to the Clinton White House archives. Calvin Coolidge President Calvin Coolidge, not to be outdone, also amassed a large flock of fauna in the White House. He gave new meaning to the Roaring Twenties when he took in a pair of lion cubs from South Africa, according to the Smithsonian Magazine. The young cats, named Tax Reduction and Budget Bureau, eventually proved too wild for the White House and were sent to the Smithsonian National Zoo. Coolidges family also attempted to raise thirteen Pekin ducks in a White House bathroom, but they soon outgrew the loo and were shipped off to a zoo, according to the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation. One of Coolidges most iconic pets was a raccoon named Rebecca. Although she ran around the White House knocking over plants, unscrewing jar lids, cavorting in the bathtub and generally living la vida loca, she never faced eviction, staying with the Coolidges until they left office, according to the Library of Congress. FDR Following in the footsteps of his cousin, President Franklin Roosevelt brought a few animals to the White House that caused their fair share of problems. One of them, a German shepherd named Major, bit several people, including a senator from Arkansas, according to the Huffington Post. After multiple incidents, he was exiled to the Roosevelt family home in New York. Soon after, a Scottish terrier owned by Eleanor Roosevelt nipped a reporters face and was banished as well, according to the outlet. Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer turned president, owned a Siamese cat and a Border Collie mix, a gift from his daughters teacher. The dog, named Grits, had a habit of snapping and a general bad attitude, Picone said. The Carters returned the gift and restored peace to the White House. If anything is to be learned from all the presidents problematic pets, it might be to be wary of accepting animals as gifts. White House to host Bidens granddaughters wedding. Who else has been married there? Trump says his arrest is imminent. Only one other president has been arrested in 1872 Republicans evict some Democrats from their Capitol offices. Here are most desired digs President Bidens dog Commander is no longer at the White House following multiple biting incidents involving staffers and U.S. Secret Service officers. The President and First Lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day, Elizabeth Alexander, first lady Jill Bidens communications director, said in a statement to The Hill. They remain grateful for the patience and support of the U.S. Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions. Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated, Alexander added. She did not disclose where the 2-year-old German shepherd was sent. Earlier Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about a new allegation that Commander had bitten a White House staffer. She referred questions to the First Ladys office, which said Commander and Dale Haney, the head groundskeeper at the White House, were playing and that no skin was broken. Commanders reported departure follows a series of biting incidents that injured Secret Service officers. Late last month, the Secret Service confirmed Commander had bitten another agent, marking the dogs 11th known biting incident. At the time, the White House said the Biden family was working with Secret Service and executive residence staff on more leashing protocols and training, in addition to designating areas for the dog to run and exercise. Judicial Watch, a conservative legal activist group, obtained emails in July that detailed 10 alleged attacks by Commander between October 2022 and January 2023. According to the emails, Commander bit an officer last November, forcing them to use a steel cart to shield themself from another attack. The officer had injuries on both the upper right arm and the thigh and was in a considerable amount of pain, the email said. Commander is the second of Bidens dogs to be involved in biting incidents. In 2021, Major another German shepherd was removed from the White House and brought to Delaware to live with family friends after multiple reported episodes. Brett Samuels and Alex Gangitano contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The US-Mexico border has become a political challenge for the Biden administration President Joe Biden is under fire from both Republicans and Democrats after his administration announced new border wall construction in Texas. Mr Biden has said he "had no choice" because the funding was signed off while Donald Trump was president. Members of his Democratic Party said walls did not work, while rival Republicans accused him of hypocrisy. Some 20 miles (32km) of barriers will be built in a sparsely populated stretch of the Rio Grande Valley. While campaigning for president in 2020, Mr Biden promised he would not build another foot of wall if elected. He said it was "not a serious policy solution". But on Wednesday, his administration used its sweeping executive powers to waive more than two dozen federal laws, including some that are designed to protect wildlife, to allow more barriers to be built along the US-Mexico border in southern Texas. In a notice announcing these waivers, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said there was an "acute and immediate need" for the construction. It prompted swift criticism from both major parties as well as from environmental activists and human rights groups. Mr Mayorkas said the Biden administration was required under law to use the money Congress allocated in 2019 for border barriers. "I tried to get them to redirect that money. They didn't, they wouldn't," Mr Biden said. "I can't stop that." On Friday, Mr Biden again said that he was "told I had no choice" but to move ahead on the wall's construction. Jonathan Entin, a law and political science professor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, told the BBC that while Mr Biden is "legally correct" in his argument about the budget, he was under no obligation to waive the federal laws that make construction of the border barrier possible. "It's politically advantageous to him," Mr Entin said. "He will take a certain amount of heat from his supporters in the Democratic Party, and being able to say he doesn't have legal discretion might give him some excuse or explanation." On the other hand, Mr Entin said that by waiving the federal requirements, Mr Biden can signal to his detractors that he is "serious" about border security, contrary to what Republican lawmakers have alleged. Mr Entin's assessment was echoed by Tony Payan, the director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at Rice University's Baker Institute in Texas. "The Biden administration has managed to drag its feet on a number of issues that have to do with a wall, even if the money was there," he said. "He doesn't have to spend it, at least not now." In his remarks, Mr Biden repeated that he did not think border walls were effective. In a later statement, Mr Mayorkas rejected the claim that the administration had changed its border policy by signing off on the new construction. "This administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer," he said. "That remains our position and our position has never wavered." But the comments did little to stem the criticism from all sides. Map of border wall route On Thursday, the administration also announced that it would resume deportations of illegal Venezuelan migrants, about 50,000 of who arrived at the US-Mexico border in September alone. The growing number of migrants in cities such as New York has become a challenge for the president who has faced intense criticism over his handling of the border. US authorities have detained more than 2.2 million migrants along the US-Mexico border since last October. Building a border wall was a signature policy of Donald Trump as president and was fiercely opposed by Democrats, including Mr Biden. Mr Trump himself said this new construction showed "I was right". "Will Joe Biden apologise to me and America for taking so long to get moving?" he wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday. Republicans also criticised Mr Biden for what they see as an abrupt pivot to policies he campaigned against. "He did not think walls work, which is total insanity," North Carolina Republican Representative Ralph Norman told the BBC. "What's changed? I'll tell you what's changed - the American people are sick and tired of seeing their cities overrun." Democrats, meanwhile, also took aim at the president. Representative Henry Cuellar, whose district encompasses Starr County where the new construction will take place, told the BBC he does not believe his constituents will be happy with the announcement. "I am still against a 14th-Century solution - called 'the wall' - for a 21st-Century problem," he said. "I want to see more personnel, more technology". Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called it a "cruel policy" and has urged President Biden to "reverse course". The Biden administration is also facing criticism from advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, which called the decision "a profound failure". The Biden administration is scrambling to find a way to keep U.S. weapons flowing to Ukraine in its war with Russia after the ouster of the Republican House speaker put future assistance to Kyiv in serious jeopardy. The morning after the House ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker, President Joe Biden told aides he wanted to deliver a speech about Ukraine to make the case for why it was in Americas interest to provide further aid to Ukraine, a senior administration official said. Biden later told reporters about his plans for a major speech about the importance of arming Ukraine and acknowledged he was concerned about the effect of the political upheaval in the House on future U.S. support. It does worry me, Biden said. But I know there are a majority of members of the House and Senate and both parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine. He also suggested there may be more options to ensure continued weapons deliveries to Ukraine, saying, There is another means by which we may be able to find funding for that, but he did not elaborate, and it was not clear how much funding was available. Lawmakers and administration officials are keenly aware that the clock is ticking, and Ukraine could suffer setbacks on the battlefield if the flow of U.S. arms and artillery and other ammunition is disrupted. Everything is completely uncertain right now, and its just impossible to predict how this will play out, a Republican congressional aide said. As the administration examined how to shift other funds to Ukraine and to look to allies to possibly bridge any gap, top national security officials, including the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, were due to brief Biden about Ukraine in the Oval Office on Thursday, the White House said. Biden spoke to world leaders Tuesday to reassure them that Washington remained committed to helping Ukraine defend itself, despite the power struggle unfolding in Congress. Administration officials said that even though a vocal minority in Congress was wary of more assistance for Ukraine, there was still majority support in both chambers to keep weapons, ammunition and other aid moving to Kyiv. Biden has argued that Ukraine is a key battleground in a global struggle between democracies and authoritarian regimes, like Russias. There is still strong bipartisan support for aid to Ukraine, but we dont take it for granted, another senior administration official said. However, McCarthys short tenure as speaker demonstrated that a minority of hard-line lawmakers can shape the congressional agenda and undermine the legislative priorities of the majority. Even before McCarthy was voted out Tuesday, political support for billions more in military aid had increasingly been in doubt. A series of military and economic aid packages for Ukraine totaling about $110 billion have won broad support in Congress since Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022, but the political winds have gradually shifted. A growing number of Republican House members have questioned or opposed additional aid, arguing that Congress should focus on securing Americas borders and other domestic problems. Proposed additional funding for U.S. aid to Ukraine was stripped out of last weeks compromise deal to avert a government shutdown. The outcome was a deep disappointment to Ukraine, whose president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with lawmakers and Biden less than a month ago to shore up support. For Biden, U.S. aid to Ukraine carries big political stakes as he prepares to run for re-election. Biden and his team have pointed to his ability to unite the U.S. and its allies around supporting Ukraine as one of his crowning achievements in office. And he has warned that nothing less than the current world order is at risk if that support wanes and Russian President Vladimir Putin succeeds in waiting out Western political will. But Biden has struggled to win over voters on the issue, as polls show public opinion is divided and support for Ukraine is softening. Public support for arming Ukraine which was once at high levels has eroded in recent months. A Sept. 24 ABC News poll found that 41% of Americans believe the U.S. is doing too much to support Ukraine, compared to 33% in February. In the Senate, senior Republicans and Democrats vowed Wednesday to secure further funding for Ukraine, which has relied heavily on U.S. and European weapons and other gear to fight a much larger Russian force. Here in the Senate, we are going to be working in a bipartisan way to continue delivering the support our Ukrainian allies are counting on, Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a joint statement. Murray is the chair and Collins the ranking Republican on the powerful Appropriations Committee. They issued their statement after the committee received a classified briefing on Ukraine earlier Wednesday. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, said assistance to Ukraine is still a major priority with bipartisan backing. I think the majority of the members of both parties still support it. We need some direction from the administration as to how they intend to go forward, he said. Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he has spoken to McConnell and "were going to work together to get a big package done. Deputy Defense Department press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters Tuesday that the administration has enough funding authorities to meet Ukraines battlefield needs for just a little bit longer, but we need Congress to act to ensure there is no disruption in our support, especially as the department seeks to replenish our stocks. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said a decision to cut off U.S. support would have devastating consequences for Americas national security and the world. If Putin is allowed to get away with the destruction of the neighbor, he will not stop, Graham said, adding that it would lead to a war with NATO. He added that the Senate should lead by example and put together a bipartisan package that would fund border security and aid for Ukraine. Western aid for Ukraine will take center stage at meetings with U.S. allies next week in Europe, where Americas appeals for more support for Kyiv will take on added urgency given the tumult in Washington, officials said. When Congress last week dropped additional aid to Ukraine from the continuing resolution to fund the government, White House officials privately expressed concern that Ukraine aid would be delayed and that the infighting over it in Washington was playing into Putins hands. But officials said they believed it was a matter of when not whether Congress would approve additional assistance. Now, the administration is far less certain, as at least one of McCarthys potential successors, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, opposes sending more aid to Ukraine. A group that strongly supports arming Ukraine, Republicans for Ukraine of the organization Defending Democracy Together, recently graded lawmakers stances on the issue and gave Jordan an F. Republican Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the House majority leader, who is also vying for the speakership, got a B from the group. Jordan is a loyal ally of former President Donald Trump, who has expressed skepticism about supporting Ukraine and signaled that he would end the flow of assistance. Trump has said that if he were re-elected, he could end the war in 24 hours. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said a House speaker who opposes aid for Ukraine would be a disaster for the U.S. and the world. This turbulent situation in the House just generates so much uncertainty, Reed told NBC News. Thats a threat. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com In a move that conservationists and tribes called a potential breakthrough, President Joe Biden has directed federal agencies to use all available authorities and resources to restore healthy and abundant salmon runs in the Columbia River Basin. Bidens order stops short of calling for removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Lower Snake River in Washington state, an action that tribes and conservation groups have long urged to save threatened fish populations. But it directs a host of federal agencies to do all they can to restore salmon and honor U.S. treaty obligations with Pacific Northwest tribes. Wild salmon, steelhead and other native fish populations in the Columbia River Basin are essential to the culture, economy, religion and way of life of tribal nations and indigenous peoples, Biden said in the six-page presidential memo released last week. Actions since 1855, including the federal governments construction and operation of dams, have changed the basins ecosystem and severely depleted fish populations, the memo says. While once there were up to 10 million salmon a year returning to the Columbia and Snake rivers, returns now are a small fraction of that, despite billions of dollars spent by federal, tribal and state governments and a wide range of stakeholders, the memo says. Thirteen salmon and steelhead species are listed as threatened or endangered. It is time for a sustained national effort to restore healthy and abundant native fish populations in the (Columbia River) Basin, Bidens order said. The order comes as a deadline approaches on a longstanding federal lawsuit over operations of hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. A stay of litigation on the dispute expires at the end of the month. Amanda Goodin, a lawyer for the environmental group Earthjustice, said the White House memo signals that the Biden administration is ready to do a whole lot more than previous administrations have done to get us to salmon populations that support tribes and the ecosystem and recreational fisheries. Earthjustice is a plaintiff in years-long litigation over salmon recovery. Achieving healthy and abundant salmon runs is a much higher bar than merely avoiding extinction, Goodin said in an interview. Shannon Wheeler, chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe, called the memo a step in the right direction for actions that need to happen to restore salmon and steelhead runs in the Northwest. The Nez Perce is also part of the federal litigation and has long sought removal of the Lower Snake River dams. Biden is saying he is going to honor treaty rights and salmon recovery, Wheeler said, calling the presidents commitment to tribal rights crucial and a recognition of past injustices. Still the memo does not recommend breaching the dams in Eastern Washington, a politically volatile step that could raise electric rates for millions of customers in the Northwest who rely on hydropower. Kurt Miller, executive director of Northwest RiverPartners, which represents community-owned electric utilities in seven western states, said breaching the dams requires approval from Congress and would cost tens of billions of dollars and cause rate increases of 25% to 65% for 4 million public power customers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and other states. A huge rate shock would be devastating for the region, Miller said, calling the dams a lifeline to many communities. Rural areas in particular rely on hydropower supplied by the Bonneville Power Administration, a federal agency that provides power to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and parts of four other states. There are so many reasons why getting rid of dams doesnt make sense for the Northwest, Miller said, including significant improvements in recent years in fish passages in the four Lower Snake River dams. Dams also provide climate-friendly power with no greenhouse gas emissions and help transport wheat and other grains that are exported to Japan and other Asian countries. While dam-breaching has long been debated, only a few Northwest lawmakers have embraced the idea, including Republican Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho and Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon. In a report last year, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said the Lower Snake River dams should not be decommissioned or breached until replacement and mitigation of their benefits' are ensured, including reliable, dispatchable and carbon-free energy' from renewable sources such as wind and solar power. The veteran Democrats rejected the idea that either energy scarcity or environmental calamity is inevitable in a new approach to hydropower. Murray, the longest-serving senator in the Northwest, said the White House memo shows Biden is serious about salmon recovery and tribal treaty rights while meeting the regions resiliency needs. As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray vowed to fight for the strongest possible investments to save our salmon. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., blasted the memo as a thinly disguised effort to drum up support to breach the dams. The sad truth is, this has not been a collaborative process all along, and they are only seeking to accomplish one predetermined outcome: a breach of the four Lower Snake River Dams, Newhouse said in a statement. The memo comes after the Biden administration pledged over $200 million for salmon recovery in the Upper Columbia River Basin in an agreement with tribes that includes a stay on litigation for 20 years. The agreement is separate from negotiations on the Snake River dams. President Joe Biden is suspending 26 environmental laws to build a border wall in south Texas, a move announced by the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday. The laws include the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Actall waived in favor of constructing a border wall to stop migrants fleeing into the U.S. through Mexico. DHS plans to build the border wall in Starr County, an area of south Texas spanning the Rio Grande Valley. According to DHS, Border Patrol has recorded more than 245,000 people attempting to enter the U.S. in 2023 in this area. Read more Construction will move forward using the Secure Fence Act, passed by Congress in 2006, which allows the government to waive the majority of federal laws that could stand in the way of constructing barriers. Biden is now the first Democratic president to put the law into effect after political officials in major cities including Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-New York) and Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-Illinois) asked Biden to do something to combat migrants bussed to their states. Unfortunately, the welcome and aid Illinois has been providing to these asylum seekers has not been matched with support by the federal government, Pritzker wrote in a letter to Biden on Monday. Most critically, the federal governments lack of intervention and coordination at the border has created an untenable situation for Illinois. DHS did not state in its announcement when construction will begin, nor did it address the impact of suspending the environmental laws. It merely stated that it has determined that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in Starr County, Texas. A CBP spokesperson told CNN that the agency remains committed to protecting the nations cultural and natural resources while implementing sound environmental practices to build the barriers at the border. But Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) told The Guardian that building the wall will be a waste. A border wall is a 14th-century solution to a 21st-century problem, he said, adding: It will not bolster border security in Starr County. I continue to stand against the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars on an ineffective border wall. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. MANILA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday said it has approved a 100-million-U.S. dollar loan to strengthen Mongolia's fiscal, financial, and economic resilience. "Mongolia is vulnerable to volatility in commodity markets and other exogenous shocks because of its dependence on mining revenues," ADB Principal Public Management Specialist Hans van Rijn said. "To shore up against the impact of this volatility, the Strengthening Fiscal, Financial, and Economic Resilience Subprogram 1 supports reforms to strengthen tax revenue mobilization, debt management, banking sector stability, and the role of the private sector in economic development," he added. The ADB said Mongolia's economy experiences repeated boom-and-bust cycles. "The current growth trajectory is the third major expansionary economic cycle since 2008, underpinning the importance of implementing and accelerating structural reforms to build resilience." The ADB said the program supports tax revenue growth through structural improvements in domestic tax administration and increased alignment with international tax treaties around profit shifting and the automatic exchange of information. The program will also enhance Mongolia's debt sustainability and improve finance sector stability and resilience. "Reforms would strengthen the upstream environment for private sector development through relevant legal reforms, support for public-private partnerships, and enhance the performance of the Development Bank of Mongolia," it added. German President Steinmeier walks to receive on the day he meets the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan's former President at Bellevue Palace in Berlin WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the White House on Friday to commemorate German-American Day, the White House said in a statement on Thursday. The two leaders will reaffirm their ties, "including our close coordination as NATO Allies on a range of important issues such as defending democratic values and our shared commitment to support Ukraine as it defends itself from Russias invasion," it said. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Jasper Ward; editing by Susan Heavey) President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden s 2-year-old German shepherd, Commander, has been involved in more biting incidents than previously reported at the White House, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CNN. While the US Secret Service has acknowledged 11 reported biting incidents involving its personnel, sources who spoke to CNN said the real number is higher and includes executive residence staff and other White House workers. Those bites have ranged in severity, from one known bite requiring hospital treatment to some requiring attention from the White House Medical Unit to some going unreported and untreated. While the first family works for solutions to the ongoing issue, CNN has learned, Commander is not on the White House campus. The President and First Lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day. They remain grateful for the patience and support of the U.S. Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions, Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for the first lady, said in a statement released first to CNN. Alexander continued, Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated. Its unclear if there is an official count of the bites, and US Secret Service chief of communications Anthony Guglielmi told CNN there is not a complete number. CNN spoke to four sources familiar with the incidents who work at the White House complex, and additional sources with knowledge of what happened. None could put an exact number on the incidents, some of which may not have been followed up on like the 11 known cases. Though DC-area hospitals and urgent cares are required to report patients treated for dog bites to the DC Department of Health, the White House Medical Unit is not required to report dog bites since it is under federal jurisdiction. One source familiar with the incidents pointed to efforts from their colleagues to adjust Secret Service workplace habits amid broader concerns about workplace safety as they work to support the first family at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The situation has also revealed broader tensions between the Bidens and the US Secret Service. Sources suggest the relationship between the first family and the US Secret Service was first strained when the familys elder dog, Major, caused an injury to an unnamed Secret Service agent before ultimately being sent away more permanently to Delaware. That incident caused a breach in trust, a source familiar with the dynamic said. Major also had biting incidents with an engineer, per a witness to the incident, and a National Park Service employee, previously reported by CNN in spring 2021. While the Bidens enjoyed a good relationship with Secret Service during the vice presidency, the Major situation caused stress for the first couple in their early days at the White House. That laid the foundation for a combustible relationship with Secret Service, which has since been exacerbated by numerous last minute changes to schedules including spending most weekends away from the White House at Camp David or one of their Delaware residences and unrealistic requests that strain the agencys resources, the source familiar with the relationship dynamic said. There had also been questions of USSS agents political loyalty to former President Donald Trump, as detailed by Biden allies to The Washington Post during the presidential transition in late 2020. Guglielmi strongly disputed any reports of tension between Secret Service and the Bidens. On this I can say with firsthand knowledge that it is categorically false. There is an immense degree of trust and respect between the Secret Service and the first family and we know those feelings are mutual, Guglielmi told CNN. We have to speak up Despite assertions that Commander would receive training, the biting incidents keep happening. The last confirmed bite took place last Monday. The White House has also declined to answer CNNs inquiry on a specific number of biting incidents involving Commander. Were beyond the point of worrying about trust being broken. We have to speak up, a source familiar with the presidents Secret Service detail said. That source, who requested anonymity to speak freely, described a hostile and dangerous work environment, suggesting that some agents have been warned to go through certain entrances and avoid certain areas to evade an interaction with the dog. The Secret Service communicates to its agents by radio when the dog is outdoors, and officers avoid the area. That source said a supervisor told them that there had been a large number of incidents of Commander biting this past summer as a way to warn me of how concerning the situation was. The Secret Service is in communication with the White House on how best to operate in the environment. The Secret Service is tasked with ensuring the security of the White House complex, while minimizing operational impact to those who work and live there. We take the safety and wellbeing of our employees extremely seriously, and while special agents and officers neither care for nor handle the first familys pets, we continue to work with the White House to update our guidance on how to best operate in an environment that includes pets, Guglielmi said. The documented bites have ranged in severity. One of the previously reported incidents was described as playful. Looks like the dog was being playful but playful can go wrong quickly, a USSS Uniformed Division captain said in an October 2022 email obtained by the conservative group Judicial Watch. But a November 2022 incident, which was also previously reported, required a Uniformed Division USSS officer to be treated at a hospital for evaluation, according to those emails. And last weeks incident required treatment by medical personnel on the White House complex. US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden, play with their dog Commander at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on December 28, 2021. - SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images Commander becoming a serious issue at the White House The White House has largely downplayed the cacophony of media reports and analysis following CNNs reporting on last weeks incident, pointing reporters to previous statements on the stressful environment at the White House. But to Jonathan Wackrow, a former US Secret Service Agent on then-first lady Michelle Obamas detail and now a CNN contributor, the situation cannot be ignored. Imagine youre the owner of a business, a CEO of a company, you bring your dog in, and your dog keeps biting employees. Youre creating an unsafe work environment. And thats whats happening now, said Wackrow. Theres uniqueness here where its the residence of the president of the United States, but its also the workplace for hundreds, if not thousands, of people. And you cant bring a hazard into the workplace and thats what is essentially happening with this dog. One time, you can say its an accident, but now multiple incidents is a serious issue, The Bidens, a White House official said, have taken the situation seriously. Theyve been working diligently with Secret Service, with trainers, with veterinarians, with the residence staff and others on this they have been taking this very seriously, and for months, the official said. The Bidens have long been dog owners, and much like any other family member, the topic of their dogs behavior is a sensitive subject for staff to raise, the source familiar with the dynamic said. The pets are like their children, and they are bonded to them because they are loved and cared for just like all members of the family, said Michael LaRosa, former press secretary to the first lady. Champ, also a German shepherd, lived at the vice presidents residence, which has a much smaller security footprint. Champ passed away at the Biden family home in Wilmington, Delaware, in June 2021 at the age of 13. LaRosa suggested that the loss of Champ, who died, and Major, who was sent away, both within a six-month period, was a jarring experience and an abrupt disruption to their family life. The public nature of those challenges with the dogs and then losing them made it all more stressful for both the president and first lady, LaRosa said. @POTUS/Twitter A hard adjustment to White House life Bringing Champ and Major to the White House was an adjustment, Jill Biden told Kelly Clarkson during a 2021 appearance on her talk show. They have to take the elevator, theyre not used to that, and they have to go out on the South Lawn with lots of people watching them. So thats what Ive been obsessed with, getting everybody settled and calm, she said. When shes in Washington, the first lady takes the dog for a walk in the early mornings before heading to school for the day. But during the day, theres a rotating cast of executive residence staff who take the dog out, and also transport Commander and the cat, Willow, to the Bidens weekend destinations (in separate cages), a source familiar with the process said. The lack of consistency could be part of the behavioral problem, according to Ryan Bulson, a local dog trainer and president of Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue. Its a German shepherd. They need structure. They need consistency. They need boundaries. They are a guardian breed. When youre looking at different people holding that leash, I would guarantee that there is no consistency amongst all of them, Bulson said, pointing to the different tensions and distances with which the different walkers would leash the dog, and different wording of commands, like heel or walk. Bulson, speaking through his expertise with German shepherds and as a dog trainer, has not specifically worked with Commander, nor does he have inside knowledge into the walking process. White House officials have previously said that Commander would be receiving remedial training, though they were unable to answer whether that had taken place in the aftermath of reporting on 10 incidents this summer. Bulson said its critical after any training is complete that the owners of the dog and any other handlers are speaking from the same script and continuing to do the hard work of ongoing training together. He warned that re-training Commander, who has displayed aggressive behavior and subsequently repeated it, could be a challenge. Asked if it was too late, Bulson said its up to the Bidens. If they dont, as the humans, change their behaviors, then yes, its too late. Theyre going to have to change their behaviors first before you can even think about changing the dogs behaviors. Because theyre enabling, thats what it boils down to. If they dont change the way they handle and care for the dog and learn and make a conscious effort to and legitimately say, I am going to change my ways to set the dog up for success, if they cant do that, that dogs never going to be able to be helped in their care. They have to make that decision, he said. An uneven set of rules The situation also underscores an uneven set of rules applying to a White House pet though the legal ground itself is murky. Local DC laws are not applicable on federal properties, including White House grounds, a DC Council official said. The White House falls under federal jurisdiction. However, there arent many federal laws that address, regulate, or protect animals, creating a gap, said Kathy Hessler, assistant dean for animal legal education at George Washington University Law School. Its possible that certainly people could allege absent any federal regulation that the DC code would apply. And I think the opposite could also be argued. Its not clear to me what outcome would happen in that kind of a dispute, Hessler said. Under DC code applying to any other Washingtonian dog, Hessler explained, dog bites are supposed to be reported. That initiates a process for quarantining the animal to make sure theres no risk of rabies. And then a determination is made, based on the facts surrounding the bite, on whether the dog is dangerous. That can result in a fine of a few hundred dollars, with impoundment a more serious potential consequence. As incidents involving Commander mount, Hessler warned that the situation can no longer be ignored for the well-being of the dog, White House staff and the Biden family. I think the simple thing would be to remove Commander from that environment, at least temporarily, to see if these behaviors can be ameliorated, if theyre repeating in a different situation so that people can get more data upon which they can make an informed decision about whether this is going to work, or whether some different decisions need to be taken for the benefit of everybody, Hessler said. Its all led to a difficult situation for the first family, for those who feel they have been put in danger, and, sadly, for the dog. It doesnt matter if we were talking about the president, the pope, it doesnt matter to me. I take that title out of the equation. I look at the dog. At the end of the day, I feel the worst for the dog first. Second of all, I feel just as bad for the people that dog had bitten. Because the dog has been set up to fail. If you cant give the dog what the dog needs, then get a goldfish, Bulson said. CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify that the Secret Service officer bit by Commander Biden in November 2022 required hospital treatment. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Commander, seen at the White House earlier this year, has bitten staff and Secret Service agents The Biden family's dog, Commander, has been moved out of the White House after a series of biting incidents. It is still being decided what will happen to the two-year-old German Shepherd, a spokeswoman for First Lady Jill Biden said. Just last week, Commander bit a Secret Service agent who required medical treatment at the scene. It was the 11th time the dog has bitten a guard at the White House complex or at the family home in Delaware. "The President and First Lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day," the spokeswoman, Elizabeth Alexander, said in a statement on Wednesday. "They remain grateful for the patience and support of the US Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions. Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated." She did not say where the dog was currently living or if it would eventually return to the White House. The statement was released shortly after CNN reported that Commander had been involved in more than the 11 biting incidents acknowledged by the Secret Service. It said the real number was higher, with one bite requiring hospital treatment and others needing medical attention from on-site staff. The White House press secretary has previously blamed the attacks on the stress of living at the residence. "As you all know, the White House complex can be unique and very stressful," Karine Jean-Pierre said in July. "It is unique and it is stressful for all of us. So you can imagine what it's like for a family pet or family pets, more broadly," she added. That same month, White House officials said they were attempting new training techniques on Commander following the biting incidents. Commander arrived at the White House as a puppy in 2021 Secret Service records obtained by a conservative group through a Freedom of Information Act request reveal details of some of the biting incidents involving Commander. One happened on 26 October 2022 after First Lady Jill Biden was unable to keep Commander under control, an email says. Commander "came charging at me", the agent wrote in the email. About a week later another officer wrote that he had been bitten twice. Another officer that witnessed the attack said they were forced to use a "steel cart to shield" themselves from the dog. Commander is one of the Biden family's two German Shepherds. Major, the younger of the two and the first rescue dog to have lived at the White House, was also involved in numerous biting incidents with Secret Service agents. He was given additional training in 2021 and sent to live away from the White House with Biden family friends. You might also like: President Biden's German shepherd is no longer at the White House in the wake of multiple documented reports of aggressive behavior against Secret Service staff members. Elizabeth Alexander, a spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden , confirmed to CBS News in a statement Wednesday evening that the family dog, named Commander, "is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated." Alexander did not say where Commander had been taken, or whether the move from the White House would be permanent. Commander, President Biden's dog, is seen sitting on the Truman Balcony at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30, 2023. / Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images "The President and First Lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day," Alexander said. "They remain grateful for the patience and support of the U.S. Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions." There have been at least 11 documented attacks by the 2-year-old Commander against Secret Service personnel. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, asked Thursday by CBS News' Nancy Cordes whether she's ever had a troubling encounter with Commander, replied, "No, not at all." She also said, "I've been around Commander many times, and I was never wary, and I've never been bit by Commander." In July, nearly 200-pages of redacted federal documents were released that described 10 of those alleged attacks by the German shepherd on Secret Service officers and on agents, dating back to October 2022. None of the injuries sustained by the victims were serious, the documents said. An eleventh attack was reported on Sept. 25, in which a uniformed Secret Service officer "came in contact" with Commander at the White House "and was bitten." On Wednesday, CNN, citing sources, said the number of reported attacks was believed to be higher, and included other groups of White House employees. Commander was given to the Bidens as a puppy in December of 2021 after the death of their German shepherd, Champ, earlier that year. That same year, Biden's other German shepherd, Major, was relocated to Delaware to live with friends of the Bidens, after he was involved in multiple biting incidents at the White House. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Powerball jackpot rises to estimated $1.4 billion No injuries after FedEx plane crash lands in Tennessee LOS ANGELES Rick Caruso, the billionaire shopping mall magnate who lost an expensive race for Los Angeles mayor, is stepping out of the shadows with a new plan to help swing-seat Democrats retake the House in 2024. Caruso has spent months quietly laying the groundwork for his comeback in California, including meetings with top House Democrats in Los Angeles and Washington and donations to their committees. In an interview with POLITICO on his plans, Caruso pledged to throw himself into the five California congressional districts President Joe Biden won in 2020 that are now held by Republicans. Caruso, who didnt rule out spending in primaries, wouldnt put an exact dollar figure on his anticipated contributions for the next cycle. But he said he was dedicating his money and time to push the most viable Democratic candidates to the front of the field and give them the best chance of beating their GOP opponents. He also anticipates being involved in the presidential and U.S. Senate races and wants to court Latino voters who failed to tip the scales in his favor in his own mayoral race last year. Stick with the central theme of getting moderates in the House, Caruso told POLITICO of his strategy for the next year. I am not out to support extremists or, frankly, ideologues. Weve got to get things moving and get out of this ridiculous constant fighting and everybody kicking sand in each others face in the sandbox, he added about congressional infighting on issues like spending to keep the government open. The effort, which in the coming weeks will involve sit-downs with House candidates, amounts to a broader rebranding for Caruso, who took considerable heat from Mayor Karen Bass and her allies in the 2022 race for his past registration as a Republican and independent. While both Caruso and Bass are Democrats and the mayoral race was nonpartisan, Bass coalesced the partys biggest stars, from former President Barack Obama to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, to ensure her victory over Carusos largely self-funded $104 million campaign. Bass also leaned into her support for abortion rights following the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade, exploiting Carusos relationships with Republicans who oppose it. The strategy recalls other billionaire political investors like former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who spent years showering Democrats with donations and funding their causes between his successful runs for City Hall and a disastrous bid for president in 2020. In the interview, Caruso didnt rule out a future run when asked about a possible rematch with Bass in three years or the 2026 race for California governor. But he said his focus right now is on helping Democrats retake the House next year. I am open to it, but theres a lot of time and things will unfold. If there is an opportunity that makes sense, I will look at it, he said. Carusos political reset has included private meetings or conversions in Los Angeles and Washington. The exchanges dovetail with a new generation of House leadership trying to fill the huge shoes of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi in building strong rapport with donors. He has been working with House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Pete Aguilar, of California, and already contributed a maximum $26,400 to the congressmans California House Majority Fund. He wants to sink six figures into federal races. Hes connected with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and met in recent days with Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene for a Washington briefing on the national landscape. Asked if hes supporting Biden, Caruso said the president was his only option to thwart Republicans. Theres no other choice, he said. I am going to lean in on all of it. His public statements and television appearances have also stoked speculation about his future political plans. In one August post on X (formerly Twitter), he sounded not unlike a candidate running on a law-and-order platform, demanding elected officials change the laws to hold criminals accountable. Caruso stressed that his concerns go beyond the Los Angeles city limits. He warned about problems across the state, including the need to build more housing and promote pro-business policies. But the city has been a major focus of his. He promised in his mayoral campaign to curb crime and replenish the city's depleted police department as he tried to capture the attention of Angelenos tired of the status quo and hungry for someone from outside the political ranks. Caruso didnt dwell on the race, but did suggest that voters were still frustrated. He contended that conditions on the ground in Los Angeles around homelessness and the housing shortage have grown worse under Bass. It hasnt gotten better, he said. The homeless count was up 10 percent. There are areas where crime is continuing to grow. I would love to have someone tell me how many new units have been built. Yusef Robb, Bass political advisor, disputed Carusos comments on the citys condition. Mayor Bass was overwhelmingly elected to change the status quo on homelessness, public safety and opportunity, and she is doing just that by bringing 17,000 people inside and counting, funding a record number of new police officers and making City Hall more responsive to every Angeleno, he said. When asked if Bass political operation was tracking Carusos future ambitions, he was more succinct: Nope. Mark Gonzalez, the Democratic chairman in Los Angeles County, said he met with Caruso months back after the grueling mayors race and they discussed their disagreements. Gonzalez said hes urged Caruso to reach out to Bass and work with her office on solutions for the city. Gonzalez said he also told Caruso that as a newer Democrat who did not seek the county party endorsement, he had some making up to do. A submarine built at the height of World War II, which served under three different naval flags, recovered from an air attack that sunk it in its harbor, and then ended up as a floating restaurant in communist Yugoslavia? Its a story that sounds surreal enough to be a work of fiction. But in the case of the submarine once known at Nautilo, its all true. https://www.twitter.com/NavalInstitute/status/1480274175713591301?s=20 The Nautilo began life in a manner entirely typical for a submarine of its class one of Italys Tritone Type I, or Flutto class of seagoing subs. The Nautilo was part of a class of 12 boats, three of which were never completed. The rest were all launched during the war, for service with the Royal Italian Navy, or Regia Marina, which fought many actions against the Allies in the Mediterranean, until the armistice that was signed in September 1943. The submarine Nautilo, photographed dockside. Wikimedia Commons The Tritone Type I submarine was 200 feet long, with a beam of 23 feet, and a draft of 16 feet. Each boat displaced 866 tons when surfaced and 1,068 tons submerged. Power came from two diesel engines developing 2,400 horsepower when surfaced and from a pair of electric motors producing 800 horsepower when operating below the waves. Driven by two screws, the submarine could make 16 knots surfaced and 8 knots submerged and could dive to a maximum depth of around 427 feet. Range when surfaced was 13,000 miles at 8.5 knots or 74.5 miles submerged at 4 knots while submerged on battery power. A drawing of the Italian Tritone Type I, or Flutto class of seagoing submarine. . . /Wikimedia Commons Typical for submarines of the era, the Tritone Type I was armed with a deck gun, a 100-millimeter-caliber weapon, provided with 149 rounds, in addition to its 12 torpedoes, arranged in four bow and two stern tubes. A pair of twin 13.2-millimeter-caliber machine guns were also provided for air defense. Sailors ready to fire from the bow of an Italian submarine, in World War II. LIllustrazione Italiana, Year LXIX, No 2, January 11, 1942 The crew complement of the Tritone Type I typically comprised five officers and 44 enlisted men. Two of the submarines, the Grongo and the Murena, were additionally fitted with containers for Maiale manned torpedoes, used by the navys special operations forces. An Italian Maiale manned torpedo from World War II, at the U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum and Library, Groton, Connecticut. https://www.flickr.com/photos/divemasterking2000 As to the submarine in question, the Nautilo was laid down in January 1942 at the Cantieri Riuniti dellAdriatico shipyard, in Monfalcone, on the Gulf of Trieste, northern Italy. The submarine was launched in March 1943 and commissioned into service the following July, at Pola (modern-day Pula), further down the Adriatic coast, in what is today Croatia. In July 1943, the Nautilo was primarily engaged in trials out of Pola, and after delivery to the navy it took part in various exercises, but there is no record of it ever seeing combat. The submarines arrival with the Royal Italian Navy was also inopportune, with the tide of the war in the Mediterranean theater by now very much in the Allies favor. Italy signed an armistice with the United States and Italy on September 3, 1943, and this was announced to the public five days later. Germany, Italys former Axis ally, responded by attacking Italian forces leading to an occupation of the country by the Nazis. Italian Gen. Giuseppe Castellano (left) shakes hands with U.S. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower after the signing of the armistice between Italy and Allied armed forces in Cassibile on September 8, 1943. Maj. Gen. Walter Bedell Smith looks on. Stampa depoca/Wikimedia Commons A Nazi propaganda photograph, showing German soldiers escorting disarmed Italian troops through the Italian city of Bolzano during World War II. German Federal Archives On September 8 the Nautilo sailed from Monfalcone to Venice. In an apparent effort to join the allies, the Italian crew of the Nautilo attempted to leave Venice to days later, presumably to find a safe port. The Nautilo, which now also contained crew members from two other submarines, the Argo and the Beilul, was underway together with the midget submarine CM1, when they reportedly saw German S-boats a type of torpedo-armed fast attack craft sink the Italian destroyer Quintino Sella. That, coupled with mechanical problems, forced the submarines return to Venice. The engine room of an Italian submarine in the Mediterranean, in World War II. LIllustrazione Italiana, Year LXIX, No 48, November 29, 1942 The Italians then made an attempt to scuttle the Nautilo in the port of Venice, to prevent use of the submarine by the Germans. Nevertheless, the Germans succeeded in returning the submarine to service, which it did under the name UIT-19. In December 1943, the submarine was towed by a tug from Venice to Trieste. By January 1944, UIT-19 was back in Pola, still not yet officially commissioned into Kriegsmarine service. In Pola, it came under air attack by the U.S. Army Air Forces. On the 9th of that month, a force of 107 B-24 Liberator bombers struck the port and a direct hit sunk the submarine at the coordinates of 44 52N, 13 50E and put it out of action for the rest of the war. Aerial photo showing the bombing of the German-operated submarine base in Pola, Italy, on January 9, 1944. Photo by USAAF/Interim Archive/Getty Images The end of the war in Europe saw certain boundaries change significantly and Pola, together with the rest of Croatia, which had been under occupation by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy since April 1941, became one of the five republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Post-war, the Yugoslav Navy benefited from the windfall provided by various German and Italian vessels submarines, destroyers, minesweepers, and amphibious landing craft that were either captured or provided as war reparations. Among them was the former UIT-19 (previously the Nautilo) that was raised and repaired between 1947 and 1949 in Pulas Uljanik Shipyard. In 1953, the submarine was commissioned into service with the Yugoslav Navy as the Sava. Together with the Malisan (a former Italian CB class midget submarine) and the Tara (a British-built submarine originally acquired by Yugoslavia between the wars), it formed the basis of the new Yugoslav Navy submarine fleet. Italian Navy submarine CB-20. This was later used by the Yugoslav Navy as Malisan. Zenwort/Wikimedia Commons By 1958, the Sava had reportedly been relegated to training duties, although a major refit followed between 1958 to 1960, including a remodeled, more streamlined conning tower and removal of the deck gun. Training duties continued until the Sava was decommissioned in 1968 and finally stricken in 1971. At this juncture, Per Miljkovic enters the story. Born in 1948 near the Croatian port of Dubrovnik, a 2021 report in the local newspaper described Miljkovic, who died in 2004, as an entrepreneur, media manager, organizer, restaurateur, artist, a man ahead of his time. The former hotel porter and lemonade salesman, Miljkovic was just 22 years old when he brought the Sava in 1970, transporting it from the Bijela Shipyard in Montenegro and bringing it to Dubrovnik. The submarine was given the name Zuta Podmornica, or Yellow Submarine, after The Beatles 1966 song and 1968 animated movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2uTFF_3MaA The same newspaper article suggests that Miljkovic managed to secure the Sava from the Yugoslavian Navy before having paid for it, then transported it along the coast with the help of a military tug. Only after removing various items of brass, copper, aluminum, and steel, and selling them, was he able to settle the bill with the Navy. Miljkovics plan was to have the submarine as the centerpiece of a restaurant, disco, and casino complex and it seems he had hopes that, after painting it yellow, he might even attract The Beatles to visit it. In the event, money ran short, and it seems that only the restaurant and nightclub became a regular fixture, with guests dining and lounging on the submarines deck, although some unconfirmed accounts suggest a full on discotech also operated on the submarine for a while. In 1974, Miljkovic sold the submarine for scrap, and it was towed to Sveti Kajo, near Solin, for its final appointment with the scrappers torch. So came to an end one of the most unlikely histories of any World War II submarine. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com Black-Ish Star Miles Brown Graduates HS As Class Valedictorian: Im Excited To Work Toward My Dreams, And I Hope You Guys Are Too | Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic Miles Brown, who is best known for starring in black-ish, graduated from high school earlier this year. The 18-year-old was top of his class and was named valedictorian at Blue Ridge Academy, where he completed his studies. Brown gave an inspirational speech to his class as he was given his diploma. You know that dream that keeps you up at night? The one that cant shake you even if you try? That dream is meant to come true if you manifest it correctly. Never give up on yourself, Brown said on stage. Every good thing takes commitment and time, so if it feels good to you, give it the best of your time. Yes, you will make mistakes. We all make mistakes just learn from them and come back and do better next time. This next chapter will thank you. Im excited to work toward my dreams, and I hope you guys are too. In the words from my album, dream big and inspire many. Anthony Anderson, who played Browns father on the popular sitcom, was in attendance for the occasion. Miles Brown is graduating from high school today, the actor told The Messenger. Im heading out to sit with the family, to watch him walk across the stage. Anderson and Brown played father and son for eight seasons. Ive been with this young man from [when he was] a toddler, Anderson added. I cant wait to go sit there and celebrate him walking across the stage, graduating high school. I met him when he was 8, and now hes 18. So its a beautiful thing. Brown is set to star in the upcoming comedic action-thriller Sixteen, which will be in the same vein as Kick-Ass and Superbad, according to Deadline. The actor also released an album, We The People, in 2020. Turkey will host the third international gathering aimed at building support for the Global Peace Summit that Ukraine plans to hold later this year, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 4, citing undisclosed sources. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for later in October in Istanbul and will follow similar gatherings in Denmark in June and in Saudi Arabia in August, the news outlet said. The previous summit in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah gathered representatives from some 40 countries, including Ukraine and its allies, nations of the Global South, and China, but excluding Russia. According to Bloomberg, Kyiv and its Western partners want to use the upcoming meeting to engage neutral countries, such as Brazil and India, in the peace settlement efforts. Russia is reportedly not invited to Istanbul and has branded the previous gatherings as illegitimate. The agenda of the gathering in Turkey is said to focus on President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace formula and on the upcoming peace summit. The president presented his 10-point peace plan in November last year. It includes the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, and the release of all prisoners of war and deportees. In August, Zelensky announced that Ukraine intends to hold a Global Peace Summit in the coming fall, which should address the implementation of the peace formula, Ukraine's post-war recovery, and the country's European and Euro-Atlantic integration, among other points. Read also: Zelensky: Ukraines Peace Formula gaining support around the world Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Around 7.30pm on 12 December 2018, Richard Koop was walking on East Main Street in Bogota, New Jersey, when the then-girlfriend of Senator Bob Menendez struck and killed the 49-year-old man with her car. Police did not determine that Nadine Arslanian, who married the senator in 2020, was at fault, nor did she face any charges in connection with the crash. Police reports also do not indicate that she was tested for drugs or alcohol. But a recently unsealed federal indictment charging the senator, his now-wife and three New Jersey businessmen in an alleged years-long corruption and bribery scheme claims that Ms Menendez bought a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible after the crash using cash from one of the co-defendants, who is accused of bribing the senator to block a separate criminal investigation. Surveillance camera footage, 911 calls, police reports and dashboard video footage from police cruisers obtained by The New York Times and The Record of New Jersey add a new dimension to the charges and raise additional questions about the incident itself, and whether the senator facing a federal corruption indictment for a second time played any role. The 39-page federal indictment announced on 22 September only mentions that Ms Menendez sought the Mercedes after she was involved in a car accident in December 2019 that left her without a car. Weeks later, Mr Menendez allegedly sought to interfere with a criminal investigation connected to co-defendant Jose Uribes trucking business, which was under scrutiny from New Jersey prosecutors at the time. Mr Menendez allegedly contacted a state prosecutor in an attempt, through advice and pressure, to resolve these matters favorably, according to the indictment. All is GREAT! Im so excited to get a car next week. !! Ms Menendez texted to another co-defendant, Wael Hana, after the senators call, according to the indictment. In April, four months after Koops death, Mr Uribe then allegedly arranged the sale of a Mercedes-Benz convertible to Ms Menendez after handing her $15,000 in cash in a parking lot. She then allegedly used $15,000 for a down payment and lied on an application to secure loan financing for the $60,000 Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible. Mr Uribe later arranged monthly financing payments routed through his associates or a company he controlled, according to the indictment. In a text message, she allegedly told Mr Uribe that she would never forget this and then messaged Mr Menendez with the news. Congratulations mon amour de la vie, she wrote to him, according to the indictment. We are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes. Ms Menendez, 56, reportedly met her husband at an IHOP restaurant and began dating in 2018, according to prosecutors. The couple was engaged a year later and married in a small ceremony in Queens in 2020. According to family members who spoke to The New York Times, Koop was leaving an Uber and walking across the street to his apartment when he was struck in December 2018. Surveillance video from a nearby auto shop obtained by media outlets captured part of the collision, showing a car striking Koop and sending him to the curb as the car slammed its brakes. An incident report from the Bogota Police Department noted that the car which was also a Mercedes had front-end damage on the passenger side, which was later determined to be from a parked car that she struck after striking Mr Koop. A photograph of the car obtained by attorneys for the Koop family shows a shattered windshield. Surveillance footage shows that Ms Menendez remained inside her car, then moved the vehicle a few car lengths in front of Koops body. Some guy just jumped in front of my car, Ms Menendez told a 911 dispatcher roughly four minutes after the collision, according to a recording of the call reviewed by The New York Times. Dashboard camera footage from a Bogota Police Department cruiser in December 2018 shows Nadine Arslanian, then-girlfriend and now wife of US Senator Bob Menendez, at the scene of a fatal car crash. (Bogota Police Department) A man who identified himself to police on the scene as a retired officer from nearby Hackensack had also arrived to assist Ms Menendez. I dont even know her, the man can be heard saying on police cruiser dashboard camera footage of the incident. Thats my buddys wife whos friends with her. He said, Could you do me a favor and take her up there, because her friend just got in a car accident. Why was the guy in the middle of the street? Ms Menendez can be heard asking an officer in the same video. She also repeatedly told officers that he jumped on my windshield. A police report asserted that Ms Arslanian was not at fault in this crash and that Mr Koop was jaywalking and did not cross the street at an intersection or in a marked crosswalk. An autopsy report later indicated that Koop had alcohol and cannabis in his system, though his family has questioned why police appear to have failed to test whether Ms Menendez was impaired when she was driving. A police report later indicated that police sought her phone records, in an apparent attempt to see whether she was calling or texting from her phone at the time of the incident, but subsequent reporting did not reveal whether any information was uncovered. An investigation from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit and Bergen County Sheriffs Office Bureau of Criminal Investigations processed and photographed evidence from the scene, according to a report compiled by a Bogota patrolman more than two months after the crash. Nadine Menendez is pictured leaving federal court in Manhattan on 2 October. (Getty Images) The senator and his wife along with three New Jersey businessmen charged alongside them in a sweeping federal indictment have pleaded not guilty, and Mr Menendez has resisted calls from a growing number of members of Congress to step down from office. Ms Menendez is alleged to have helped her husband who chaired the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee maintain close relationships with Egyptian officials, and joined him in discussions over the sales of US military equipment, according to prosecutors. She allegedly worked with Mr Hana to introduce the senator to Egyptian officials, and in May 2018, the senator sought sensitive information from the US Department of State regarding personnel at the US Embassy in Cairo, which he then gave to her, according to the indictment. Mr Hana allegedly gave Ms Menendez a no-show job at his company and $23,000 in home payments to avert foreclosure proceedings on one of her properties, prosecutors allege. She is accused of setting up a company Strategic International Business Consultants to receive alleged bribery payments. The incorporation papers were filed the same day a lender began foreclosure proceedings on the property, filings show. In Senate disclosure forms, Mr Menendez reported that his wife owned bars of gold bullion worth as much as $250,000, which federal records show that they sold for as much as $400,000. In March 2022, Ms Mendendez brought two one-kilogram gold bars to a jeweller, according to the indictment. Prosecutors allege the serial numbers indicate they previously belonged to co-defendant, Fred Daibes, a prominent New Jersey real estate developer who was separately under federal investigation. Mr Menendez allegedly sought the Senate confirmation of a nominee for US Attorney in New Jersey who would go easy on Daibes. That nominee, Philip Sellinger, ultimately recused himself from the case. The wife and co-defendant of the indicted US senator Bob Menendez struck and killed a pedestrian in 2018, according to newly released police records. Related: Gold bars and stacks of cash: how Bob Menendez ended up charged with bribery Nadine Arslanian Menendez was behind the steering wheel of a car at the center of a fatal crash which took place on 12 December 2018, the New York Times and the Record newspaper of Bergen, New Jersey, first reported. Arslanian, as she went by before her marriage, never faced charges for the deadly crash in Bogota, New Jersey. In fact, shortly after the wreck, Arslanian and Bob Menendez were given a brand-new luxury car as a gift. Arslanian struck and killed 49-year-old Richard Koop. According to police records, Koop was killed almost instantly after being hit by Arslanian. He was found lying in the road with a number of serious injuries, including severe head trauma and possible fractured legs and arms, NBC News reported. Arslanian reportedly hit a parked car after hitting Koop and was bleeding from her hands, police records said. Why was the guy in the middle of the street? I didnt do anything wrong, you know? Arslanian said to police, according to the dashboard camera video obtained by NBC News. A police report on the crash stated that Arslanian was not at fault for the accident because Koop was jaywalking and did not cross the street at an intersection or in a marked crosswalk, NBC reported. But witnesses of the exchange between Arslanian and police said officers appeared to recognize her, and treated her differently, the Times reported. There is no record showing whether police asked Arslanian if she had consumed drugs or alcohol. Arslanian also reportedly did not receive a sobriety test. Arslanian did not face any charges in connection with Koops death. Four months after the crash, Arslanian and Menendez received a brand-new Mercedes-Benz convertible from Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman who was charged by federal authorities alongside the senator and his wife in September. Arslanian Menendez had been complaining to Hana about the whereabouts of her car after the crash. The vehicle gift is valued at $60,000, the Times reported. The crash is part of a larger inquiry into Nadine and Bob Menendez over bribery and corruption allegations. Bob Menendez is accused of using his position in the US Senate and as chairperson of the foreign relations committee to benefit the government of Egypt. An indictment obtained by federal prosecutors in New York City alleges that between 2018 and 2022, Bob Menendez accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from Egyptian-American businessmen in exchange for helping them grow their businesses while avoiding legal issues. Arslanian and Menendez began dating in 2018 and married in October 2020. They have both pleaded not guilty to the bribery charges filed against them. ACCRA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Many Ghanaian importers have turned to imports from China due to the high quality and fair prices, according to a report released by the Stanbic Bank, an Africa-focused financial services organization. The Africa Trade Barometer 2023 report, released on Wednesday, said China has become the primary source of inputs for the group of importers surveyed in Ghana. "Imports from China make up 31 percent of the average importer's gross imports, which is consistent with data at the aggregate country level. China is Ghana's top import partner, accounting for 17 percent of Ghana's total imports," said the report, the third in the series. The report noted that the most critical considerations driving the decision by Ghanaian importers to source goods from China were the relatively lower cost of products, the perception that Chinese products are of high quality, and the capacity of Chinese manufacturers to provide inputs at a large scale. Despite the fact that some European countries also serve as important sources of imports into Ghana, the importers believed that imports from China would increase on average by about 47 percent over the current volume in the next two years. The report also pointed out that China is one of the top export destinations for Ghanaian products, primarily raw materials. "China, Switzerland, India, and South Africa are the top five destinations for Ghanaian exports. Most of Ghana's exports to these markets are primary products such as gold and oil, sold by a few large corporations that make up the bulk of exports at the national level," said the report. The Africa Trade Barometer surveyed 2,500 businesses in 10 countries, namely Angola, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said its investigating the death of a man whose body was recovered from a river Wednesday. The Florence County Coroners Office identified the victim as 83-year-old Scranton, SC resident Thurston McCutcheon, WMBF reported. The coroners office has not issued a cause of death, but an autopsy is scheduled at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, according to WCIV. DNR called the incident a boating death. DNR said it was notified that a man never returned after going fishing Wednesday morning in a Florence County section of the Lynches River. A search began from his last known location, and officers recovered a body from the water later Wednesday, according to DNR. Officers discovered the body after finding the boat nearby, DNR said. There was no word about when DNR was alerted, or the depth of the water where the body was recovered. No other injuries were reported. Our sympathy is with the persons family and loved ones, DNR said. Search ends for missing child who fell in river in South Carolina, officials say Tubers got lost in extremely remote area of SC river. Heres what happened next Man swimming with family in Midlands lake disappeared under the water, SC coroner says A man's body was found in a stalled car on Interstate 80 on Tuesday, and now the driver of the car has been charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse to hide or bury. Jihad Abdul-Malik Gasaway, of Cedar Rapids, was taken into custody and charged with the felonies in Poweshiek County. Kemp Xavior Sherrod Harriel, 26, was found when troopers encountered the stalled vehicle on the shoulder of I-80 near the 188 mile marker, east of Grinnell, at about 8 a.m. Gasaway, 23, told law enforcement he needed to jump start his car and told officials he had a firearm, which was then secured. That's when troopers spotted someone in the passenger seat, according to court documents. Harriel was on the floor slumped over the passenger seat, covered up with random clothing and wasn't responding to officers, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Public Safety. More: Police investigate fatal shooting on Interstate 80 in Iowa He was declared dead on the scene. The medical examiner ruled that he died from two gunshot wounds to the chest, the release said. Gasaway allegedly didn't tell the troopers there was someone in the car, nor did he call 911 for medical assistance, the complaint said. Investigators found that Harriel was shot while in the car at "indeterminate range," the complaint said. They found 9mm shell casings on the front floorboard and two fired bullets in the passenger seat. The bullets matched the gun that Gasaway told police he had, court documents say. While with the trooper, Gasaway said the two were on their way to Des Moines from Cedar Rapids earlier that morning. According to the criminal complaint, a vehicle matching his car was seen in the ditch on Interstate 80 about 17 miles east around 6 a.m. Gasaway allegedly told investigators Harriel was alive at that time, court documents say. Court documents do not say whether Gasaway admitted to shooting the victim. But when asked what happened, he allegedly told investigators "We got into it," court documents say. According to the criminal complaint, Gasaway told police he covered Harriel because "I thought he was very cold." "I didn't know he was gone until I watched the police eyes and read his lips. That's when I started crying in the car. He was alive and talking to me," Gasaway said in the release. Gasaway is being held in custody at the Poweshiek County Jail on a $50,000 bond. The right lane of westbound traffic was blocked Tuesday morning after the incident to allow emergency personnel through, according to Sgt. Alex Dinkla, spokesperson with the Iowa State Patrol. Drivers were asked to avoid the area if possible. Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her atNAlvizGransee@registermedia.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Body found in stalled car on Interstate 80 in Iowa fatal shooting The Democrat challenging Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) to a rematch in 2024 has raised more than $3.4 million in the third quarter this year, according to newly released campaign finance documents. Adam Frisch lost to Boebert in the 2022 midterm election by less than 600 votes. His 2024 campaign has now raised more than twice as much money as the incumbents reelection team. I am deeply humbled by the over 100,000 individual donations that were made to our campaign this quarter to defeat Lauren Boebert, Frisch said in a Thursday statement. Western and Southern Colorado deserve a representative who will work hard to deliver results and put the needs of the district first, not an extreme political agenda. Thanks to our generous supporters, we will defeat Boebert in 2024. According to his campaign, the average donation this quarter was about $32. So far in the campaign, Frisch has raised about $4.4 million to Boeberts $1.6 million, according to Federal Elections Commission (FEC) reports. Frisch has raised the fourth-highest dollar amount of any House candidate for 2024 and the most for a nonincumbent, according to FEC data. The three candidates ahead of him, all incumbents, have held leadership positions in their parties: former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). Frisch has pitched himself as a moderate Democrat, an alternative to the controversial Boebert, who has aligned herself closely with former President Trump. She rose to national prominence after her election in 2020 for her vocal advocacy for the former president and membership in the House Freedom Caucus. In recent months, Boebert grabbed headlines for a confrontation with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), once her ally, and for getting kicked out of a Denver theater for inappropriate conduct. Political analysts have rated the seat a toss-up for the 2024 election, and a poll in August showed Frisch with a 2-point lead over the incumbent. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. For nearly two years, a Michigan man dubbed Boopac Shakur dedicated his life to catching child predators and confronting them. While the job was dangerous, people who worked alongside him say they had never faced grave peril or a gun before. On Friday, Shakur, whose real name is Robert Wayne Lee, 40, was fatally shot in a Pontiac restaurant. The Oakland County Sheriffs Office initially said he was shot after a confrontation with two people one of whom he had accused of being a pedophile. The sheriff later walked back that statement, saying his office couldnt corroborate it. While details of the fatal incident are murky and undergoing investigation, Lees death shocked the community where he was hailed a hometown hero for his work ensnaring predators, some of whom were arrested. Boopac was just so dedicated. That was his mission, said Cody Fendant, 33, who joined Lee on catches last year. I swear, every time I saw him, if he was not at work or driving his kids to school, he was working on predator catches. Lee would pose as a 15-year-old girl online and lure suspected sexual predators to meet up in person, where hed confront them while livestreaming the encounter. Robert Wayne Lee. (via WDIV) He started publicizing his catches in March 2022 and said he had exposed 132 predators a number county officials couldnt confirm. His Instagram and Facebook, where he posted the videos, had a combined following of over 60,000 and garnered a dedicated base that often left comments thanking and congratulating him. The last Facebook post before his death, on Sept. 26, showed police handcuffing someone in a hooded sweatshirt with the caption catch 132 goes to jail Waterford, Michigan. While other vigilante groups who do similar work praised Lees mission, local officials had warned of the danger involved. The risk is real. Last year, a member of the group Dads Against Predators, or DAP, was shot. Jordan Jones, 19, who joined Lees work last year, said he and Lee had never been confronted by a gun, knife or other weapon on any of their over 40 catches together. Everyday we had a catch, we never knew what we was getting into. We never knew who was going to be there, if it was going to be a troll, or a real person who could actually do something to us. We always fear for our safety, but we just continue to do it, Jones said. Fendant also said he never saw a gun or encountered extreme violence on any of their missions. Still, he said, Lee was wary about the risks involved. If you watch the videos, Boopac was very safety-oriented. If you see anybodys hands move downwards, youll hear Boopac say, Hey watch your hands, dont put your hands in your pockets, hey dont reach for anything. Well get you, Fendant said. We were ready to pounce if they started reaching or something. Some targets, though, did react aggressively and tried to take a swing or reached for the cameras, Fendant said. The shooting Lee was at Universal Coney Island, a restaurant he frequented in Pontiac, on Friday around 10:30 p.m. when he was shot, officials said. The Oakland County Sheriffs Office said in its initial release Saturday that Lee had confronted two men who were seated at a table and Lee punched the 18-year-old whom he had accused of being a pedophile. That man pulled out a knife, and the second person, 16, then pulled out a firearm and shot Lee several times, the sheriffs office said. Jones and Fendant said that Lee never initiated conflict. Any encounter that we have ever had, he has never swung first, Jones said. He just always defended himself waiting for somebody to get in his area or swing on him. Prosecuting Attorney Karen McDonalds office said in a statement Tuesday that based on available information, there is no evidence that the confrontation on September 29th was a planned meeting, or that it was part of any sting operation. Sheriff Michael Bouchard said Tuesday night that when deputies responded to the restaurant, the community inferred he could have been there for that reason, to confront a pedophile, adding, as we get deeper in the investigation, we have yet to find any corroborative information on that point. Jones and Fendant agreed that Lee hadnt been there to target anyone. He wasnt there on a sting. And as far as I know, he was not set up. This just happened to be a freak occurrence, Fendant said. He maintained that Lee wasnt the type to incite violence. They had to have threatened him or said something crazy to him when he walked over to that table because he wouldnt have just started beating someone up in a restaurant that he goes to everyday knowing that he could get banned from there, Fendant said. Hes not a violent man, but hes not a coward and hes not just going to take things lying down, he added. The 18-year-old and 16-year-old were arrested Saturday, but no charges have been authorized yet in connection with Lees death, McDonalds office said. David Williams, chief assistant prosecutor, said Thursday that charges remain under review. A fake profile Lee started predator-hunting after working with DAP, which started in 2020 and similarly posts videos of confronting alleged predators. Theyre just one of several online groups that exist across the country dedicated to exposing and shaming alleged sexual predators, a phenomenon that follows in the footsteps of the NBC News Dateline show special series To Catch a Predator, which ran from 2004 to 2007. In Michigan, the age of consent is 16. Adults who engage in sexual activities with teens under 16 can face charges of statutory rape, which can result in jail time, fines and a requirement to register as a sex offender. Jones said Lee taught him the ropes on how to do a catch last year. Theyd pose as a 15-year-old girl online, engage in conversations with potential predators, set up an in-person meeting in a public place like a gas station, and confront them with cameras rolling. Basically what happens is based on what they decide, so if they want to talk to us then theyll talk to us. If they want to leave theyll get in their car and pull off, Jones said. Sometimes Lee and his associates would call police to be present for the catch or forward their messages with the alleged predators as evidence to lead to an arrest. But Jones and Fendant said local authorities werent very cooperative over the past year. Livestreaming these interactions, Fendant said, was also a safety measure to try to prevent violent reactions by warning that the internet was watching. In videos posted online, Lee and others are seen slashing the tires of their targets and berating them for trying to meet with a minor, an act of public humiliation they hoped would curb predatory behavior and warn the public. Jones said most people bolt in their cars from the scene, while others lie and claim they appeared to urge the minor not to meet with older men. Then there are some who actually listen. We never know if theyre going to do it again or not, but at least they listen to what we have to tell them, Jones said. Sometimes their catches would be 18 or 19 years old. In those cases, Jones said, theyd have a serious talk with the targets but wouldnt typically publish videos of these interactions. Theyd warn the subjects that despite being young, they shouldnt be messing with minors. The Oakland County Sheriffs Office said Lees one-man crusade had led to the arrest of several men who were criminally charged, including the following cases. Lees most high-profile case involved former Oakland County Deputy Jared Salisbury last year. Salisbury worked at the local jail and was fired after trying to meet up with a 15-year-old girl for sex, NBC affiliate WDIV of Detroit reported. He was charged with accosting a child for immoral purposes. His pretrial conference is set for Oct. 23. In September 2022, Lee also did a catch on Jacob Kile Gooden in Orion Township, who sent a message to the fake 15-year-old girls profile saying that hed bring cocaine and a vape pen to a gas station to meet up, WDIV reported. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance under 15 grams and accosting/enticing/soliciting a minor for immoral purposes. Gooden had a pretrial conference on Sept. 28. In another case in January, Lees work led to the arrest of Nathanuel Chestnut, who worked at St. Joseph Trinity Health in Pontiac, after he allegedly tried to solicit a minor for sex online, ABC affiliate WXYZ of Detroit reported. Chestnut was arrested on four counts of child sexually abusive activity, accosting a child for immoral purposes and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime; he has a pretrial conference set for Oct. 30. Predator catchers who worked with 'Boopac Shakur' say he had never faced a gun during his dangerous missions before. Then he was fatally shot. (Courtesy of Jordan Jones) Lees work, however, sometimes came under criticism. Sheriff Bouchard noted that Lee once mistakenly identified someone as a sexual predator who was not. Jones and Fendant, in turn, criticized the sheriffs office, saying that Lee had received praise on his catches from the sheriffs office but that support seemed to stop after the arrest of Salisbury. Both the sheriffs office and district attorneys office also warned that Lees vigilantism was dangerous. While identifying potential sex offenders is commendable, we were concerned that such confrontations would result in violence or injury, McDonalds office said. Some catches have turned violent. In June 2022, Jay Carnicom, a member of DAP, was shot in the leg following an altercation during a catch in a North Carolina Target, the Winston-Salem police department said. He and two other DAP members allegedly lured a suspected predator to a store via the social media app Meet up and confronted him while filming. A fight erupted and the man they accused of being a pedophile pulled out a handgun and a round hit Carnicom, NBC affiliate WXII of Winston-Salem reported. Carnicom, along with his DAP colleagues, were hit in January with charges of simple affray. The target of the catch was also charged with simple affray and carrying a concealed handgun, police said. The risks didnt deter Lee. He was a stand-up man that stood up for what he believed. He was passionate about this. If you were a predator, you were his enemy, Fendant said. Boopac 4 Ever A vigil was held Saturday to honor Lee where loved ones and friends spelled out Boopac in candles. Lees social media profiles have been flooded with tributes filled with refrains like Live on Legend, Boopac 4 Ever, and Neighborhood Hero. His supporters have also shared videos of his catches and images depicting him with angels wings. People that never met him are broken about this. Theres people flying up from out of state, Fendant said. The whole community has been reaching for so much and helping, and his GoFundMe is getting a ton of support. Its just, its really beautiful to see people actually care. Lee is survived by his girlfriend, his daughter and his girlfriends children, whom he loved as his own, his friends say. You know the phrase, Give them their flowers while theyre still alive? Everybody did that for him, Fendant said. Everyone showed him recognition and appreciation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com CHICAGO Calls to do more to control the flow of undocumented immigrants into the country have been an unrelenting GOP rallying cry, a central tenet of party beliefs. But with tens of thousands of migrants now attempting to settle in blue states and cities around the country, the ground has shifted in the national immigration debate, with Democrats increasingly calling on President Joe Biden to take action on the border. Its all quickly created a political headache for the president. Late Wednesday, the Biden administration took the extraordinary step of waiving a slew of environmental laws to move forward with construction of a roughly 20-mile stretch of new border wall in southern Texas. Though the White House says the decision to move forward with new border wall construction was not tied to calls for action from blue state governors, it comes after their agitation grew to a crescendo. Perhaps the most notable political turn for Biden came this week when Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Biden campaign surrogate and major Democratic donor, took aim at the administrations lack of intervention and coordination at the border. In a public letter, Pritzker escalated past pleas for help which included the governor in April personally asking Biden at the White House for assistance, according to a source with direct knowledge of the meeting. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on May 18, 2022. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune via Getty Images file) Pritzker also called on the administration to play a role in directing where and how migrants are transported once they cross the southern border. The governors office said it estimates that numbers will quickly rise, with nearly 1,200 new migrants now arriving in Chicago a day and temperatures in the city set to soon start dropping. This is a major humanitarian crisis that we have never experienced before in the modern age in this city, Sol Flores, Illinois' deputy governor, said in an interview. Flores argued the Biden administration could do more, given that the majority of the migrants she sees are seeking asylum. They can take over the interior coordination, and they could work with all 50 states," as well as activate their Office of Refugee Resettlement, she added. "The federal government has the infrastructure, they have the framework, they have the capacity to do this. They know how to move people." It all marks a new era in the debate over immigration facing Biden and it stems from a new kind of migrant crisis, one thats landed in Democratic-leaning cities and states in middle America, the East Coast and beyond because of the transporting of migrants from Texas, including their busing to those areas by the state's Republican governor, Greg Abbott. Abbott, as well as several Texas organizations, began sending migrants to sanctuary cities last year. The cities complained there was no coordination before the arrivals. Eventually, left-leaning states like Illinois, New York and Massachusetts declared states of emergencies, asking for federal assistance. Democratic leaders in those states say migrants are overwhelming shelters, schools, hospitals and police stations in places like Chicago, Denver, New York and Massachusetts. On Thursday, Biden addressed the border wall construction, saying the money had previously been appropriated by Congress. I tried to get them to reappropriate it, to redirect that money, he said. They didnt. He also flatly replied no when he was asked whether he thought the border wall worked. Still, in a notice posted to the Federal Register on Wednesday, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said: There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers to prevent unlawful entries. In the past year, the states have reported that their situations have only grown more dire, and that's stirred aggravation in public officials who are typically allies of the president. Denver is among the cities grappling with the influx. The city recently asked for more state assistance but the number of new people arriving keeps rising, Denver Human Services spokesman Jon Ewing said. He said the aggravation is not just with the Biden administration but with Congress and the entire federal government. More than anything what were looking for is coordination, Ewing said. It very much feels like this is a national crisis, but it isnt being felt by every city equally. El Paso is overwhelmed, we sympathize with El Paso, he added. It is a bad situation for everyone right now. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 09: A migrant father from Venezuela feeds his 15-month-old son in the lobby of a police station where they have been staying with other migrant families since their arrival to the city on May 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a state of emergency on Tuesday amid a surge in migrant arrivals which began in August 2022 when the first group of immigrants were bused from Texas to Chicago by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. According to Lightfoot's office, more than 8,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since last year, with the city currently reaching New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, has lashed out at the Biden administration and the Department of Homeland Security, which in turn criticized his handling as not an operationally sound effort. The strain on city and humanitarian services isn't going unnoticed by Biden allies in New York. There has been some reticence among New York donors because of the perception in New York that the Biden Administration has not done everything that they can do to address the migrant problem," said Steve Rattner, a longtime Democratic donor who was head of President Barack Obamas auto industry task force. "Thats a problem that were facing. The White House has said it has deployed 800 new active-duty military personnel to increase enforcement at the border, and it recently granted Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelan migrants who arrived before July 31, allowing them easier access to work permits. Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were also in Mexico City on Thursday to discuss migration, among other topics, with Mexican officials. According to NBC News polling, Republicans have their biggest-ever leads on the question of which party better handles immigration. Democrats fared much better on this question during the Obama administration and even the Trump administration. From the NBC News poll in September, 45% of respondents said Republicans better handle the issue of immigration, compared to 27% who said Democrats do an 18-point lead for the GOP. In October 2020, at the tail end of the Trump administration, Democrats held a 6-point lead on the issue, 44-38. During the Obama administration, in July 2016, Democrats also held a lead: 39-35. Recent polling, then, suggests that theres something specific about how the Biden administration has handled immigration that has caused public opinion to shift away from Democrats on the issue. In an interview, Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas who has long accused the federal government of not paying enough attention to border communities said Democratic officials in northern cities like New York and Chicago had underestimated the problem that migrant influxes pose. When youre 1,500 miles away and you see people coming in on TV, thats one thing, he said. But once theyre right in your own backyard and youre seeing them in your own neighborhood or your city, it becomes real." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com FILE: Brian Hynes, owner of the Borderline Bar & Grill, stands at the memorial site outside the Thousand Oaks business that was struck by a mass shooting in 2018. Hynes was convicted Wednesday of felony embezzlement. The owner of the Borderline Bar & Grill was convicted Wednesday of embezzlement after a Ventura County jury deliberated for more than four hours. Brian Hynes, 43, of Thousand Oaks, was accused of taking almost $44,000 from the Rotary Club of Westlake Village, the civic organization he partnered with on an annual music festival that raised money for local community causes. The shuttered Borderline in Thousand Oaks was the site of a 2018 mass shooting. Hynes pleaded not guilty to the felony embezzlement charge, which carries a sentence of up to three years in jail. He thanked Ventura County Superior Court Judge Derek Malan after the verdict was announced shortly before 4:30 p.m. in a Ventura courtroom. He expressed gratitude that he remains free pending sentencing on Nov. 1 in a brief interview with The Star. "I'm going home tonight, and that's the good news," he said. At issue in the case was whether Hynes misappropriated funds in 2020 from a bank account used to pay for expenses of the OakHeart Country Music Festival in Thousand Oaks. He spent money on personal and business expenses that were unrelated to the fundraiser and then tried to conceal them, the prosecution said. Hynes' defense attorney, Negin Yamini, argued early in the trial that her client didn't commit any crime. She didn't dispute that he spent the money but said he had the authority to do so as producer and promoter of the festival. But the Rotary club said the funds could only be spent on the festival, not on anything else. The club reported the matter to police after discovering discrepancies. Yamini said after the verdict that she and her client respected the jury's decision. She said Hynes had shown a large amount of "courage and strength" in telling his story. Senior Deputy District Attorney Marc Leventhal said that when Hynes was charged with the crime in 2021, the prosecution recognized he committed the offense not out of greed but out of financial desperation. "The prosecution hoped he would take responsibility and offered to support leniency for him if he would do so," Leventhal said in an email. "He declined. At trial Mr. Hynes claimed everyone who testified against him his former fellow Rotarians, his former business partner and his former office manager were liars with a vindictive agenda. This was offensive, and I am grateful that the jury saw through his gambit." Kimmy Tharpe, former president of the Rotary club, said Hynes had been a "trusted member" of the organization. "We remain shocked and saddened by this situation, but today justice prevailed," Tharpe said in an email. Hynes was considered "a friend and family to many, and he betrayed our trust." She thanked jurors for their time and commitment and said the club would continue to do good work in the community "as we have for more than 50 years." Hynes owns the Borderline entity and brand, but the building shuttered by the shooting and still standing is owned by another party, he said. An Agoura Hills country music dance club that he opened in January 2020 closed at the end of February when its lease expired. Hynes has said he intends to move back to Thousand Oaks, perhaps at another site than the existing Borderline building set amid medical buildings off Moorpark Road. Kathleen Wilson covers courts, crime and local government issues for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at kathleen.wilson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0271. This story may be updated. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Borderline Bar & Grill owner Brian Hynes convicted of embezzlement The European Union is not able to replace U.S. support for Ukraine, should this fall away in the future, EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell , said on Oct. 5. Speaking at the European Political Community Summit in Granada, Spain, Borrell said that Ukraine needs U.S. support and hopes that U.S. politicians will continue to aid Ukraine. Borrell's comments came after a tense battle in Congress over funding legislation, including funding for Ukrainian military aid. The tensions culminated in the U.S. House of Representatives voting to remove its speaker, Kevin McCarthy, from his role on Oct. 3. Since January 2021, the U.S. has invested more than $44.5 billion in security assistance to Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. This includes more than $43.9 billion since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Though the EU plans to expand support to Ukraine, Europe "certainly" cannot replace this level of U.S. support, Borrell said in Granada. The third European Political Community Summit gathers around 50 heads of state and government from across the continent to address common security issues and foster political dialogue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is one of the leaders in attendance. The meeting follows previous summits held in Bulboaca, Moldova, in June this year, and in Prague, Czech Republic, in October 2022. Read also: Borrell: EU support for Ukraine not dependent on short-term battlefield developments Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Brian Austin Green admits he had questions when his son Kassius, 21, came out as gay. I would get into these conversations with Kass where it was, like, I really wanted to understand the things that seemed so different to me at first, Green revealed on the Frosted Tips with Lance Bass podcast. And then you realize, Oh, this isnt different at all. Its just your choice of partner. It doesnt affect me at all. And thats the thing Im always trying to beat into people now. It does not affect you, he continued. Why do you care so much? And why are you literally trying to bully your feelings and your opinion into something that literally does not affect you at all? Green, 50, shares Kassius with his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Marcil. The former couple dated from 1999 to 2003 after meeting on the set of "Beverly Hills, 90210." Bass, who came out in 2006, praised Greens open-mindedness. He is so lucky to be able to be in your family, because there are many kids that dont get that, the former *NSYNC member said. Its been fascinating, Green replied. Its been a challenge just because honestly, my son being gay, it was unknown for me, he said, before adding, I think a lot of people are afraid of the unknown, whereas Im not. To me, its intriguing. And I want to learn about it. Green is also dad of Noah, 11, Bodhi, 9, and Journey, 7, who he shares with ex-wife Megan Fox. He welcomed his fifth son, Zane, now 15 months, with his fiancee, Sharna Burgess, in 2022. The actor said he accepts all of his kids exactly as they are. In 2017, Green defended Noahs decision to wear dresses. At the time, Noah was 4 years old. Its his life, theyre not my clothes. I feel like at 4 or 5, thats a time when he should be having fun. Hes not harming anyone (by) wearing a dress, Green said during an interview with Hollywood Pipeline. "So if he wants to wear a dress, good on him." This article was originally published on TODAY.com In the United Kingdom, the Society of Editors, which represents newspaper and magazine editors, has criticized Attorney General Victoria Prentis for warning media outlets that their coverage of sexual misconduct claims against actor Russell Brand could amount to contempt of court. Under British law, it is illegal to publish material that could affect a criminal trial once a suspect has been arrested or a warrant has been issued. But Brand has not been charged with any crimes. "At the moment there are no active proceedings when there have been no arrests so it is a very unusual warning," said Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors. "I'd say it is worrying and also unnecessary." The post Brickbat: Watch What You Print appeared first on Reason.com. By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - On June 7, a group of star-struck British lawmakers posted selfies with Kiss bassist Gene Simmons when the glam rocker visited parliament. Hours later, those from the opposition Labour party were summoned by senior members in charge of discipline and ordered to delete the posts and apologise. In 2004, Simmons had been heavily criticised for calling Islam a "vile culture" and the Labour MPs were sent on their way with warnings about any posts or comments that strayed from Labour's line ringing in their ears, two told Reuters. Welcome to Keir Starmer 's Labour Party. After Labour's worst defeat for 84 years in 2019 under left-wing veteran Jeremy Corbyn , Starmer - a human rights lawyer who became Britain's top prosecutor before turning to politics in his 50s - has instilled a culture of discipline in what was a deeply fractured party. Taking lessons from centre-left parties in Australia and Germany, he has imbued Labour with a cautious and methodical approach in the race to be prime minister, hoping competence and pragmatism rather than any overriding ideology will be enough to oust the Conservatives, in power since 2010. Ten people who have worked, studied or socialised with Starmer, 61, told Reuters he would press on with his systematic approach if he becomes prime minister in an election expected next year. A vote must be held by the end of January, 2025. "The next stage is where we've got to be even tougher, even more focused, even more disciplined," Starmer said about the run-up to the election in a conversation on stage with Tony Blair at the former Labour prime minister's institute in July. While Starmer's approach has not won over all hearts and minds within Labour, the party has a healthy 15-20 point lead in the polls and he remains ahead of Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the personality stakes. "Thanks to Keir Starmer's leadership, voters see a changed Labour Party that is ready to change the country with a mission-driven government," a Labour spokesperson said when asked to comment for this story. "Everything we offer will be built on a bedrock of economic stability and a plan for growth." 'CORBYN WITHOUT THE MADNESS' Named after the founder of the Labour Party, Keir Hardie , Starmer was brought up in a staunchly left-wing household. As a barrister, he often defended underdogs and worked to get people off death row around the world. He became a Labour lawmaker in 2015 at the age of 52, a year after he received a knighthood for his services to law and criminal justice. Five years on, he inherited the party after its worst election showing since 1935. Corbyn's plan to transform Britain with public sector pay rises, higher company taxes and sweeping nationalisation, fell flat with voters and the party was dogged by accusations of anti-Semitism and a fudged Brexit policy. Starmer was seen "by many who supported Corbyn's policies as Corbyn without the madness", said his friend and Labour lord, Charlie Falconer. According to Claire Ainsley, who was Starmer's executive director of policy in 2020-22 and now directs a new project on centre-left renewal at the U.S.-based Progressive Policy Institute, his advisers looked to Germany and Australia for lessons on how to turn things around. Olaf Scholz was trailing badly in the polls when he was nominated as candidate for the centre-left SDP ahead of federal elections in 2021, after which he became chancellor. Australia's Anthony Albanese took over as leader of the Labor Party after it lost an election in 2019 and became prime minister in 2022. Both changed their fortunes by focusing on a handful of commitments - Starmer has five missions - and running a disciplined campaign, Ainsley said. This was a strategy Starmer not only took on board, it also suited his talents. Several of the people close to Starmer described him as more of a methodical lawyer than an ideological politician, and said this coloured his approach after becoming leader. Falconer said Starmer embarked on a four-stage plan: first getting rid of alleged anti-Semitism within the party; putting the organisation back on its feet; bringing the best Labour lawmakers into his "shadow cabinet"; and finally adopting policies to address Britain's needs. Ainsley said after tackling the factionalism, morale and finances of the party, Starmer's plan was then to argue why the Conservative government was not fit to govern and finally present his "positive offer" to the public. "He has done it systematically always with an eye to the strategic, and doing it with enormous self-discipline," Falconer said. STEP BY STEP It's a strategy Starmer learnt when he became Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) - essentially Britain's top prosecutor - in 2008, the people close to him said. Then, he set goals for each of the years he had in front of him. The first involved travelling around the country to see how the different offices operated, then came reform, implementation and finally to prepare for his successor. That was his instinct too when he became Labour leader but his plans were somewhat thwarted by COVID: his victory speech was delivered virtually from his living room. Starmer later still went on his tour though, largely under the radar of television cameras, and would purposely talk to people who did not agree with Labour policies, Ainsley said. "Corbyn would like to go to gatherings of the faithful. Keir does the opposite," she told Reuters. Critics, especially those on the left of the party, complain this shows Starmer relies more on focus groups than ideology - and one shadow minister said they wondered whether he was bold enough to convince Britons to vote Labour. Supporters say, however, it can only be an asset, describing him as someone of the left, as well as a pragmatist who assesses situations and draws conclusions. For example, those on the left say Starmer has reneged on his leadership campaign pledges to uphold some of Corbyn's 2019 manifesto, such as the renationalisation of public utilities. But Ainsley said he would have looked at the issue and decided "he is not convinced that the case for re-nationalisation in all cases at this particular point is there". One person who worked with Starmer when he was advising the Policing Board to monitor the Police Service of Northern Ireland's compliance with the Human Rights Act said: "Everything he does, it's because he's thought carefully about what's going to get him to where he needs to be." "He thinks about the best way to take people with him, or to take the people with him he needs to take with him." 'CHAMPION OF THE UNDERDOG' It was while he was DPP that Starmer realised he had to become engaged in politics - and get into government - if he wanted to bring about real change, Falconer said. But even after entering parliament, supporters and critics alike said he was still more of a lawyer than politician. "As a lawyer you don't establish a coherent political position," said Falconer. "You have causes and his causes tended to be on the left. He was a real champion of the underdog and he was completely loyal to a series of causes." Starmer often took on pro bono legal work, such as getting convicts off death row in the Caribbean. Working for free, he also played a key role in helping overturn the mandatory death penalty in Uganda, saving the lives of 417 people. And working alongside lawyer Mark Stephens, they famously won an appeal in the European Court of Human Rights against the British government over the "McLibel" trial involving two environmentalists and fast-food chain McDonalds. Now, his cause is getting Labour into power - and his pragmatism runs through his policy commitments. With Britain's coffers all but empty, Starmer has issued a strong message to his top team: don't make any promises the party cannot prove can be funded. Instead, they need to come up with ideas to make his five missions - economic growth, net zero, the health service, crime and education - work without increasing taxes. That has led to courting business, as Blair did before the first of his three election victories in 1997. Starmer's overreaching goal is to promote economic growth to try to increase tax receipts so Labour can help a public sector he says has been starved by years of Conservative austerity. While cosying up to business is unpopular with the Labour left, people close to Starmer say even when he was a ring leader on the top deck of the bus to school, leading the laughter with other teenagers, there was a steeliness as well. "He's clearly not worried about taking difficult decisions," said Andrew Cooper, who went to Reigate Grammar school near London with Starmer and was a former adviser to Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. Cooper said Starmer was famed at school, and often mocked, for his stubborn obsession with British rock band Status Quo - and never turned to the trendier sounds of new wave or punk. "This is not somebody who craves to be liked." (Editing by David Clarke) JERUSALEM, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Five Israeli troops were injured in a clash with Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, according to sources on both sides. The clash was sparked by an Israeli military raid in the Tulkarm refugee camp in the northern West Bank. The Israeli military said in a statement that the raid was carried out to arrest a suspect. The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad said in separate statements that their militants had inflicted Israeli casualties in gun and bomb ambushes in Tulkarm. The Israeli military said three border police officers were severely wounded in the incident while apprehending a suspected Palestinian militant, and two other Israeli troops sustained light-to-moderate injuries. A preliminary military inquiry suggested that a hand grenade thrown at Palestinian militants rolled back, exploding near the troops when they attempted to kick it away. Also on Thursday, Israeli soldiers shot dead two Palestinians, aged 23 and 27, who fired shots at an Israeli motorcyclist near the village of Shufa in Tulkarm, according to Israeli and Palestinian sources. Violence between the Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank, a territory captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war, has surged in the past year and a half, mainly fueled by frequent Israeli raids on Palestinian cities, towns and villages. Frank James, the suspect in the Brooklyn subway shooting walks outside a police precinct in New York City (Reuters) -The man who set off smoke bombs on a crowded New York subway train before shooting 10 people in April 2022 was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison over one of the most violent attacks ever seen on the city's transit system. Frank James, 64, was sentenced to 10 life terms plus 10 years by U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz during a hearing in Brooklyn federal court. James pleaded guilty in January to 10 counts of terrorism and weapons charges. "Today, Frank James was sentenced for his deliberate and calculated act of terror against our city," James Smith, who heads the FBI's New York field office, said in a statement. "He aimed to kill innocent people, who were simply going about their daily lives amid the morning rush." The attack followed a string of violent crimes in America's largest metropolitan transit system, including instances of commuters being pushed onto subway tracks. James, who was apprehended in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood 30 hours after the attack on a Manhattan-bound N train, confessed to the crimes before a judge in January. He opened fire during the morning rush hour as the train headed to an underground station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood. James shot 10 people and another 13 were injured in the ensuing panic, according to police. No one was killed. His attorneys had sought an 18-year sentence, according to court documents. James, a native of the city's Bronx borough with recent addresses in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, had nine prior arrests in New York and three in New Jersey, according to the New York Police Department. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter and Brendan O'Brien; Editing by Rami Ayyub) Keo Crockett, 31, pictured with his sister Breanna, was shot to death in September 2023. WEST PALM BEACH More than a month has passed since 31-year-old Keo Crockett was found shot to death at a West Palm Beach intersection. In a bid for answers, his family has increased the reward for information on the person who killed him. The West Palm Beach Police Department announced Wednesday that Crockett's family added an additional $10,000 sum to the $3,000 reward that Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County offered in hopes of finding the person who killed Crockett on Sapodilla Avenue last month. "My brother was murdered very coldly and brutally," said Crockett's sister, Breanna. "He was left for dead in the street." Aggravated child abuse trial: Jury hears case of Florida dad who kept teenager locked in garage Officers found him lying in the intersection of 10th Street and Sapodilla Avenue just before 11:40 p.m. on Sept. 16. Crockett, who carried a red backpack and was found near a black bicycle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives canvassed the area for witnesses and surveillance-camera video but have not yet announced an arrest. There have been more than 150 unsolved murders in and around Sapodilla Avenue since 2015, according to Police Chief Frank Adderley. He said many witnesses to violent crimes don't come forward out to fear of retaliation. "You're talking about a small group of people controlling a very large group of people," he said Wednesday. "You would think the large group of people would come together and prevail over the group responsible for this level of violence in our city." In search of answers: West Palm Beach police pray, party with residents in new push to solve murders Anyone with information about Crockett's murder is asked to call Detective Aaron Sam at 561-822-1675, or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 800-458-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous and will be eligible for the $13,000 cash reward if their tip leads to an arrest. "That piece of information can make a world of difference to that investigation and to our family," Breanna Crockett said. Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Who killed Keo Crockett? Family offers $13,000 for information Three brothers from San Diego caused Apple to lose $6.1 million with a widespread scheme in which more than 10,000 fake iPhones and iPads were swapped out for the real devices at hundreds of stores, according to federal prosecutors. Zhimin, Zhiting and Zhiwei Liao led the scam involving a slew of other co-conspirators from 2011 through 2019, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California. A judge sentenced Zhimin and Zhiting Liao to three years and five months in prison on Oct. 2 in connection with trafficking the counterfeit iPhones and iPads, court records show. Meanwhile, Zhiwei Liao is due in court on Oct. 30 for his sentencing hearing. This comes after all three Liao brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods on June 2, 2022, according to a news release from the attorneys office. The counterfeit Apple products imported into the U.S. from China by the Liao brothers had identification numbers that matched identification numbers on real iPhones and iPads that were under warranty and had been previously sold to customers in the United States and Canada, prosecutors said. Over the course of the scheme, Zhimin Liao traveled to about 105 Apple stores in 22 different states, where he tried exchanging 720 fake iPhones and iPads for real ones, according to his sentencing memorandum. In 2015 alone, he traveled to several stores in states along the East Coast from Florida all the way up to New Hampshire, the sentencing memo says. Zhiting Liao also directly traveled to at least 200 Apple stores in 18 states and in Canada, where he tried swapping out 718 counterfeit iPhones and iPads, his sentencing memo says. Both brothers directly profited $6.1 million, according to their sentencing documents. After the fake Apple devices were exchanged, the Liao brothers sold and shipped them outside the U.S., prosecutors said. Attorney Anthony E. Colombo Jr., who is based in San Diego and represented Zhimin Liao in the case, told McClatchy News in a statement on Oct. 5 that Zhimin Liao accepted responsibility for his conduct and deeply regrets his involvement in the offense. He said the severity of his clients sentence was based on the courts desire to generally deter similar conduct. Zhimin Liaos sentence weighs heavily on (him) given the potential impact on his family and business, Colombo added. He is committed to being a productive member of his community as he has been over the past five years. McClatchy News also contacted defense attorneys representing Zhiting and Zhiwei Liao for comment on Oct. 5 and didnt receive immediate responses. The Liao brothers wives were also involved and previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud or mail fraud charges, according to the U.S. attorneys earlier release. As part of the brothers and their wives plea agreements, they agreed to forfeit five homes in San Diego, more than $250,000 and more than 200 fake Apple iPhones, prosecutors said. The wives have all been sentenced to three years of probation as of Oct. 5, court records show. Zhimin and Zhiting Liaos prison sentences will be followed by three years of supervised release, according to court records. McClatchy News contacted Apple for comment on Oct. 5 and didnt receive an immediate response. FedEx paid man $400,000 after he lied about 67 lost packages, feds say. Hes charged Men posing as homeowners stole $3.3M from over 3,500 people in rental scheme, feds say Trio stole over $2 million from Amazon by conning company into issuing refunds, feds say Russia blasted several Ukrainian provinces Thursday with a multi-pronged attack killing at least 51 civilians in a missile strike at a village cafe and market in the northeast and swarming south and central regions with drones as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was about to make his case for a unified front against Moscow's aggression to European leaders. The assault in the Kharkiv province village of Hroza, where about 60 people were attending a wake for a local fallen soldier, was one of the deadliest in the war in months, Ukrainian authorities said. Zelenskyy branded it "terrorism'' and said it was a "demonstrably brutal Russian crime." Emergency personnel cleared out rubble while cadavers and body parts were strewn on a nearby children's playground in Hroza, located less than 20 miles west of Kupiansk, a focus of the Russian military effort. Before traveling to southern Spain early Thursday for a summit with fellow European heads of state, Zelenskyy had visited the area Tuesday to meet with troops and inspect equipment supplied by the West. He pled for more after Thursday's onslaught, which included a 29-drone barrage aimed at Odesa and Mykolaiv in the south as well as the central Kirovohrad province. Ukraine's air force said it intercepted 24 of the drones, but one of the five that got through damaged an infrastructure facility in Kirovohrad, regional administration head Andriy Raykovych said. "The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defense, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. The White House and European Union condemned the missile strike, which EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called "appalling terror" and a war crime. A woman stands next to bodies being carried out of a destroyed shop and cafe after a Russian strike in the village of Groza in Ukraine on Oct. 5, 2023. Developments: Russia has successfully tested an experimental nuclear-powered cruise missile, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday, warning the countrys parliament could revoke its ratification of a treaty banning nuclear tests. Germany and Spain are responding to Zelenskyy's request for air defense help, pledging a fourth Patriot system and six more Hawk air systems, respectively. The British government announced a fourth loan guarantee of $500 million for Ukraine so it "can provide life-saving winter support payments to three million households'' in the expectation that Russia will again attempt to leave Ukrainians in the cold by attacking the country's energy system. Marina Ovsyannikova, a former state TV journalist who warned viewers on camera they were being lied to about the war, was sentenced in absentia to 8 1/2 years in prison for her protest. She defected to France with her daughter. Allies have to 'save unity in Europe' At a time when support for Ukraine seems to be flagging in the U.S. and other parts of the West, the approximately 50 European leaders meeting Thursday in the Spanish city of Granada vowed to remain firm in their backing. The exclusion of military aid for Ukraine in the funding deal that averted a U.S. government shutdown last weekend, combined with the election of pro-Russia candidate Robert Fico in Slovakia and Hungary's tenuous support have raised questions about the commitment of Ukraine's allies as the Kremlin continues its relentless attack. The main challenge that we have is to save unity in Europe, Zelenskyy said. President Joe Biden Biden called other world powers Tuesday to coordinate on Ukraine in a deliberate show of the U.S. backing, and said he's looking at alternate avenues for funding security assistance in light of growing resistance from Republicans and turmoil in the House. One of those options is a State Department grant program for foreign military financing, Politico reported Thursday. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said the push to bolster Ukraine's war effort won't succeed without U.S. involvement. Everybody that doesnt want Putin winning this war is to look for ways for the U.S. to retake this issue and continue supporting Ukraine, Borrell said. Certainly we can do more. But the U.S. is something irreplaceable for the support of Ukraine. Putin says doomed Prigozhin plane had no signs of external impact Putin said an investigation into the plane crash that killed Yevgeny Prigozhin and top lieutenants of his mercenary Wagner Group showed no signs of sustaining an "external impact," suggesting something that happened inside might have brought down the private jet. Putin said hand grenade fragments were found in the bodies. All 10 aboard died in the Aug. 23 crash northwest of Moscow, which U.S. officials concluded was caused by an intentional explosion. The Kremlin has called allegations that Putin was behind the crash an "absolute lie." Prigozhin's mercenaries played a key role in Russia's war in Ukraine, especially the grinding battle for months to take the eastern city of Bakhmut. But after constantly berating the Russian Defense Ministry, he crossed Putin by leading a June 23 insurrection that lasted about 36 hours. Prigozhin and his fighters were granted asylum in Belarus as part of a deal to end the rebellion. Eventually, he met an untimely death much like previous Putin opponents. Russia may be plotting to sabotage Ukraine shipping corridor Now that Ukraine has enjoyed some success exporting its grain through a new shipping corridor in the Black Sea, Russia may be looking to sabotage the project without getting blamed. The shipping corridor, a response to Russia's withdrawal in July from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and subsequent threats to vessels in the area, has allowed several cargo ships safe passage through a route that hugs the coast of Romania and Bulgaria, both NATO members. The U.K. Foreign Office said Russia may lay sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports to target civilian vessels and point the finger at Ukraine. "Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea," the Foreign Office said, adding that the U.K. was working with Ukraine to help improve the safety of shipping. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine Russia war updates: Missile strike kills 51 at cafe The inside of the three-story building collapsed while some of the outer walls were left standing At least three people have been killed in the collapse of a residential building in the Cuban capital, Havana. The collapse happened late on Tuesday night local time, but it was not until Wednesday afternoon that rescue workers found the body of a 79-year-old resident under the rubble. The two other victims were rescue workers who were searching the building when a second collapse happened. Havana is known for its historic houses but many are dangerously dilapidated. Many of the historic houses in Havana are in dire need of repair Cuba's housing minister said last month that 850,000 homes across the Communist-run island needed repairs. Old Havana is popular with tourists who photograph its once-grand but now decaying houses. But for its residents, a lack of suitable housing means that many families are crammed into buildings which are on the verge of collapse. The government blames the economic embargo imposed on the island by the United States for its inability to source building materials to carry out repairs. It announced a national programme to build new structures in 2018, but critics say it has concentrated on building hotels in an effort to attract tourists and thereby raise revenue rather than on homing locals. The building collapse in Havana is just the latest in a string of disasters to hit the capital's housing. In May 2022, dozens of people were killed in a gas explosion at the Saratoga hotel. By Alexandra Valencia QUITO (Reuters) -Daniel Noboa, heir to a business fortune, is leading some polls published on Thursday ahead of Ecuador's presidential contest on Oct. 15, though two put him in a technical tie with his rival Luisa Gonzalez, the protege of a former leftist president. Noboa, son of banana baron Alvaro Noboa, has proposed benefits for companies that hire young people and said he will promote private investment in electricity and oil and attract foreign capital. He has also pledged to use technology to fight an extended crime wave. Gonzalez, 45, has pledged to bring back wide-ranging social programs put in place by her mentor, former President Rafael Correa , boost oil production and inject $2.5 billion of international reserves into the economy. Noboa, 35, would win 41.5% of total votes, including blank and void ballots, while Gonzalez, who led the first round of voting, would garner 36.4%, according to polling firm Comunicaliza. "The debate basically didn't affect voting intention for Noboa ... but it raised support for Gonzalez (+3.3%)," Alvaro Marchante, the head of the pollster wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, referring to a televised debate over the weekend. Some 12.4% of those polled have not yet decided who to vote for, while 9.7% said they would turn in blank or null votes, the firm said. The survey, conducted this week, included 5,265 people and had a margin of error of 1.35%. Meanwhile, a poll by Negocios & Estrategias showed Noboa had only a slight lead over Gonzalez, predicting he would win 39% of total votes to her 38.63%, well within the margin of error of 1.8%. Some 17% of the 3,000 people polled are still undecided, while 5.3% would hand in protest ballots, Negocios & Estrategias said. Gonzalez would win with 47.6%, a third poll by Maluk Resarch showed, with Noboa trailing with 45.5% and protest votes at 6.9%, putting the two in another technical tie given a margin of error of 3%. Whoever is elected will govern in a shortened term until May 2025, when regularly scheduled elections will take place. This contest was called by current President Guillermo Lasso after he dissolved the legislature to avoid impeachment. (Reporting by Alexandra ValenciaWriting by Julia Symmes CobbEditing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio) A driver was seriously injured Thursday after his SUV struck a concrete wall in a fiery crash on an on-ramp to the Capital City Freeway in Sacramento. The crash occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. on the freeway ramp near 29th and H streets, near Sacramentos midtown neighborhood, authorities said. The driver, who was alone in the SUV, appeared to have lost control of the vehicle as they were trying to enter the Capital City Freeway, said Capt. Justin Sylvia, a spokesman for the Sacramento Fire Department. The SUV hit the concrete wall, which supports the freeways foundation, and caught on fire. Sylvia said bystanders in the area immediately rushed to the burning vehicle and began helping him out of the vehicle. Firefighters arrived a short time later at the crash site and joined the bystanders in freeing the driver from the wrecked vehicle, Sylvia said. The driver was critically injured in the crash and was taken to a hospital, Sylvia said. On 5 October, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed three new deputy ministers of defence. Source: Taras Melnychuk, the government representative in the parliament, on Telegram, Defence Minister Rustem Umierov Details: On 5 October, Melnychuk said that the Cabinet of Ministers had appointed three deputy defence ministers Ivan Havryliuk, Stanislav Haider and Dmytro Klimenkov. Umierov said that Ivan Havryliuk would become deputy for military and technical policy. He early reported that Havryliuk is a lieutenant general: "In April-August 2022, he was the head of the Ukrainian working group at the coordination centre for assistance in Germany, previously he was an adviser to the commander of the Armed Forces Logistics Forces and the head of the Main Logistics Department Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces." Quote from Umierov: "The most important tasks are the development of the Defence Forces' weapons and military equipment, the re-profiling of the Ukrainian defence industry to NATO nomenclature and close cooperation with partner countries." Dmytro Klimenkov Deputy on Procurement issues Earlier, he worked as the commercial director of Joint-Stock company Ukrtransgaz. Umierov noted that during his tenure, he managed to exceed the plan for gas injection into underground storage facilities by more than 50% and increase the number of non-resident customers by 15%. Prior to that, he worked as First Deputy Head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, Director of Infrastructure and Logistics at UIA and Head of Major Projects at Swedish company Ericsson. His key priorities are standardisation, systematisation, effective control and digitalisation of procurement, creation of a phased procurement and control algorithm, and the full launch of the Non-Lethal Procurement Agency. Stanislav Haider Deputy Head of Institutional Development Haider is the Head of Digital Transformation at the NACP. In his previous position, he was responsible for the agency's strategic planning based on the objectives and key results (OKRs) methodology, where key business processes were reconfigured. Under his management, the Anti-Corruption Portal of Ukraine, the Register of Corrupt Officials, the Unified Whistleblower Portal, etc. were launched. The main priority is to build a sustainable and holistic Defence Ministry institution that is data-driven and ensures transparency and accountability. Background: The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine appointed three deputy defence ministers on 27 September. On 18 September, the Cabinet of Ministers dismissed six deputy ministers of defence and the ministry's State Secretary. On 5 September, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) accepted the resignation of Oleksii Reznikov from the position of Minister of Defence. On 6 September, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraines parliament) approved the appointment of Rustem Umierov, the former head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, as the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert! BUTLER DEFENDS WORKING FOR UBER Newly-minted California Sen. Laphonza Butler is defending her record of consulting for Uber as that company lobbied against AB 5, the labor-backed 2019 California law that re-classified many independent contractors as employees eligible subject to state wage and benefit requirements. California Gov. Gavin Newsoms decision to appoint Butler drew criticism from some on the left because of her record with Uber. Ive been very clear that they should have the protections of employment, Butler told the San Francisco Chronicle in an interview published Wednesday. Ive spent my entire career, nearly 20 years, in the labor movement, working to make sure that workers who wanted a union have the opportunity to have a fair shot to build one. My work on AB5 was exactly that. The Chronicle noted that Butler declined to discuss the nature of her work on AB 5. My role was one that was consistent with my resume. There was no inconsistency in my work or my engagement, she told the Chronicle. SCHUMER REMEMBERS FEINSTEIN IN SENATE CHAMBER REMARKS Via David Lightman... Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said farewell Wednesday in the Senate chamber to his longtime colleague Dianne Feinstein. It will be a long time until the Senate sees someone as consequential as Dianne Feinstein, the New York Democrat told colleagues. Schumer is scheduled to speak Thursday at Feinsteins San Francisco funeral. The veteran California senator died last week. Schumer opened the Senate Wednesday by noting the Senate will not meet Thursday in observance of the memorial of our late friend and colleague. Sdhumer said that in the last few days, Ive been coming back to the same thought again and againDianne Feinstein was a public servant of uncommon integrity. While many of us here try our best to pursue the common good, he said, Dianne was on another level. When she thought something was right, when she had a cause she believed in, she pursued it until the end. He recalled her long effort to win support for an assault weapons ban which she did for 10 years in the 1990s and early 2000s. The National Rifle Association, Schumer said, launched horrible, vitriolic, arguably chauvinistic attacks. She remained undeterred. In the end, her cause won the day. QUOTE OF THE DAY Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg files statement of intention to run for California Attorney General in 2030, giving him a short window of 2,435 days to stand up a statewide campaign before polls open on primary day. - California Target Books Rob Pyers, via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. Best of The Bee: Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is filing paperwork to raise funds to run for attorney general, via Theresa Clift . Picketing workers filled the air around Kaiser Permanentes three Sacramento-area hospitals with chants, drumming and the high-pitched squeals of whistles as the largest health care strike in the nations history kicked off Wednesday, via Cathie Anderson . Capital Public Radios board of directors voted to hire a new general manager Tuesday night, but Sacramento State said it opposes the move for the financially troubled broadcaster and will not fund the position, via Sam Stanton . The city of Davis is violating state housing law by failing to adopt an acceptable plan for how it intends to encourage enough housing development this decade to meet demand, state housing officials said, via Ryan Lillis. CSU Monterey Bay is taking national rankings by storm. Last month, the Wall Street Journal ranked CSUMB No. 119 and Forbes ranked CSUMB No. 131 out of all schools nationwide. Their previous positions were 383 and 223, respectively. And US News & World Report just placed CSUMB as No. 2 out of all Regional Universities in the West for Social Mobility. CSUMB, founded in 1994, is one of the youngest members of the California State University system. It now has a little over 7,000 students enrolled on the Central Coast. CSUMB is ready to keep growing. President Vanya Quinones says she has four goals to make this happen: Create a strong sense of community Enhance communication within the university community Balance institutional budgets Make use of resources across the campus The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Building at CSU Monterey Bay, photographed Oct. 10, 2019. Majoring in the mission Vanya Quinones was appointed president of the university in July 2022. Before coming to Monterey Bay, Quinones worked for the City University of New York system, which she describes as a similar type of university institution--one focused on diversity and inclusion. "What attracted me here is that (CSUMB) is a strong university that helps people to go forward and achieve their dreams," she told The Californian. Quinones grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico and attended university there before moving to the United States to pursue a doctorate in neurobiology and physiology. Quinones has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers in neurobiology and biopsychology and used to be a psychology professor (and later chair of the department) in New York's Hunter College before transitioning into provost roles. CSU Monterey Bay President Vanya Quinones poses for a headshot on September 19, 2022. While in New York, she brought in $25 million from sources like the National Institutes of Health and nonprofits, most of which was dedicated to support work by underrepresented minorities. She's brought the same passion for student support to CSUMB. For the first time, U.S. News & World Report ranked CSUMB No. 2 among Regional Universities in the West for Social Mobility, based on an assessment of how well schools graduated economically disadvantaged students--specifically, students who were awarded Pell grants for need-based financial aid. "I truly believe that my family education was the key to transforming our future prospects," Quinones said. Quinones' grandmother was the first to go to college in her entire family, which had a ripple effect on future generations. All of Quinones' grandmother's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all graduated from college. And now all of the great grandchildren are preparing to start their graduate degrees. "So I think it takes just one person to transform their entire family. And that's what CSUMB does, it takes the students' dreams and helps them achieve them just like a family and community does." Vanya Quinones rides a bike at the CSU Monterey Bay Farmer's Market on October 27, 2022. Supporting students across the board CSUMB has been concentrating its efforts on building a social community for students in multiple ways, including career development and counseling services, provision of basic necessities and the creation of community service as a graduation requirement. Quinones explained that CSUMB has drastically increased university support of students to ensure they are protected from food insecurity. CSUMB helps deliver food four times a week and maintains The Hub, a building in the student center where students can pick up nonperishable groceries, produce, snacks and prepared meals. Caseworkers are also available on standby to help students apply for CalFresh and other housing and financial support programs. "We used to have 300 to 500 visits per week. Now we have 1,500," Quinones said. "We have really gone into a deep dive in terms of how to support students." Case managers also help students who have gone through sudden changes that leave them vulnerable to food or housing insecurity. In the previous academic year, over $250,000 in emergency grants were awarded to students. Over half of students who applied received some assistance. Brunch at CSU Monterey Bay on Oct. 16, 2022. Vanya Quinones (far left) poses while taking a group selfie. CSUMB graduates large numbers of systemically disadvantaged students every year, which is one key factor in its rise in rankings. The No. 1 barrier preventing students coming from underrepresented communities like her own from thriving is imposter syndrome--feeling like they do not belong on campus. "We work very, very hard to overcome that," she said. Taking the plunge Quinones said that the university's location in Monterey helps attract students, in addition to its reputation for diversity. "It's not only the beautiful campus we have but also that we have diversity and abundance at the university. From the neighborhood, from our community (which has) very diverse population areas like Salinas and Seaside," she said. "We value the community, and we value the members of the community." Many first-generation students at CSUMB went to high school less than an hour away. "When you come to CSUMB, you will graduate. We are working really hard to ensure that students complete their dream," Quinones said. Part of this involves service learning requirements, which Quinones said lead to better jobs, and the ability to graduate without any financial burden with help from university support. CSUMB might be a relatively new school, but it is strengthening traditions that will last for generations to come. On the morning of Aug. 20 earlier this year, hundreds of CSUMB students, along with university faculty and staff members like Quinones, met at the Monterey State Beach. They lined up in preparation for "The Plunge", a group run into the Pacific Ocean. The CSU Monterey Plunge on August 20, 2023. Anthony Cervantes, a freshman computer science major raised in Salinas, was one of them. He told university staff that his family warned Mijo, be careful" when he told them of his plans. That didn't stop him from taking the plunge with his new community. The CSU Monterey Plunge on August 20, 2023. This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: California State University Monterey Bay national rankings China, like-minded countries call for better social security systems for aged population Xinhua) 10:22, October 05, 2023 GENEVA, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday delivered a joint statement on behalf of some 80 countries at the 54th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, calling for better social security systems for the aged population. Delivering the joint statement, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission in Geneva, said that as population aging accelerates around the world, inadequacies in the social support systems are becoming more prominent, including sustainability of social security policy, regional disparity of old-age care and support, and age-based discrimination against older persons. "The right to social security is of central importance in guaranteeing human dignity for all persons when they are faced with circumstances that deprive them of their capacity to fully realize their human rights", the joint statement said. It stressed that everyone, including older persons, has the right to social security, so they can live in dignity and fully participate in society. "The improvement of social security systems and the protection and promotion of the human rights of older persons need to be addressed in all countries," the joint statement added. It called for countries to take concrete steps to address the barriers faced by older persons in terms of social security measures, so that no one is left behind. It also advocated for countries to improve social security systems, enhance care and support service systems, and build accessible societies. "We need to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of older persons, to ensure them fulfilling lives with dignity," it concluded. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Hongyu) KABUL, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- A total of 10,971 Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan from the beginning of this year to Sept. 1, according to a report released Thursday by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Of them, 96 percent were back from Pakistan, 3 percent from Iran and 1 percent from other countries, said the UNHCR. The report also noted that in 2023, some 5,150 internally displaced persons returned to their places of origin in Afghanistan. According to the organization, as of Dec. 31, 2022, there were an estimated 3.25 million people internally displaced by conflict within Afghanistan, and 5.2 million refugees and asylum-seekers from Afghanistan in neighboring countries. The death of longtime U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein means Californias residents will now encounter two Senate races on their 2024 primary and general election ballots. Voters will choose someone who will serve the standard full six-year term that begins in January 2025 and, in a special election, a senator to fill the seat from just after election day in November 2024 until the full term begins two months later. Both the partial and full-term races will be on the primary ballot on March 5 and on the general election ballot on November 5 next year. The same process occurred in 2022. After Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Alex Padilla to fill the seat formerly held by Vice President Kamala Harris, Padilla was elected to both the partial term as well as the full term. Laphonza Butler sworn in to replace Feinstein in Senate Reps. Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter, who are running for the Senates full six-year term, have said they would also compete in the race for the partial term as well. Sen. Laphonza Butler, who Newsom appointed to fill Feinsteins seat, has not said whether or not she will run for either term, but she has until Dec. 8 to file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. Until recently, the appointment of a senator did not involve a partial term and appointees held the seat until the next Congress began. Looking back on U.S. Sen. Feinsteins liberal legacy However, in 2021, the California Legislature changed the process to bring it in compliance with the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution after two court rulings, one in Illinois and one in Arizona. In the Illinois case, the judge ruled that a special election must be held if there is enough time to organize an election. The judge also determined that even the short period of time between the November election and the start of the new Congress in January could merit a special election. In the Arizona case, a judge ruled that the governor of a state must call for a special election when there is a senate vacancy, even after designating an appointee, provided there is time to hold an orderly election. Generally, these special elections are combined with regularly scheduled elections, hence the reason Californians will see two races for the U.S. Senate on the ballot in 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. TechCrunch Revolut, the fintech giant based in the U.K., has appointed a new CEO for its U.K. division. Francesca Carlesi will be in charge of Revoluts division in its home country Nik Storonsky remains the CEO of Revolut Ltd. Its worth noting that todays news comes as Revolut still doesnt have a banking license in the U.K. after years of back and forth with British regulators. The office of Governor General Mary Simon says it "deeply regrets" appointing Peter Savaryn to the Order of Canada in 1987. Mr Savaryn died in 2017, aged 90 Canada's Governor General Mary Simon has apologised for a top Canadian honour awarded to a former Nazi soldier nearly four decades ago. Peter Savaryn, a former chancellor of the University of Alberta, was given the Order of Canada in 1987. It has since emerged that Mr Savaryn served in Nazi Waffen SS units. The apology comes a fortnight after a row in Canada's parliament over an invite to an elderly Ukrainian man who had fought with Nazi Germany. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, was applauded in the House of Commons by lawmakers not aware of his history, during a visit by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident "deeply embarrassing", and the Speaker of the House, Anthony Rota, took responsibility for inviting Mr Hunka and resigned. Since then, Jewish groups in Canada have called on the government to acknowledge and probe other Nazi veterans in the country. During World War II, millions of Ukrainians served in the Soviet Red Army, but thousands of others fought on the German side under the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS - also known as the Galicia Division - that was formed in 1943. Some of those Ukrainian soldiers then emigrated to Canada after the war. Among them was Mr Savaryn, who was awarded the Order of Canada - a top civilian honour that recognises outstanding achievement and contributions to the country. After emigrating, Mr Savaryn enrolled in the University of Alberta and became a lawyer. He served as chancellor of the university from 1982 to 1986. He was also president of the Ukrainian World Congress in Canada from 1983 to 1988, and was once the vice-president of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. Mr Savaryn was a founding member of the Alberta Cultural Heritage Council, and was awarded the Order of Canada for promoting multiculturalism. He died in 2017 at the age of 90. Mr Savaryn's background as a soldier with the Waffen SS first emerged in a 2012 journal article. It then resurfaced this week in a report by Jewish publication Forward. Governor General Simon - the representative of the British Monarchy in Canada - told Forward she felt "deep regret" over the situation. "We express our sincere apology to Canadians for any distress or pain his appointment may have caused," her office said. "Historical appointments to the Order of Canada reflect a specific moment in time, and would have been based on limited information sources available at that time." The Order of Canada is awarded on behalf of the reigning monarch by Canada's governor general, the representative of the British monarchy in Canada. As of 2023, more than 7,600 people have been appointed to the order. When they die, their membership automatically ends. As fallout from the parliament row continues to resonate, Jewish groups have urged the Canadian government to release a 1980s report which probed the alleged presence of war criminals in the country. At the time, a redacted version of the Deschenes Commission report concluded there was no evidence tying Ukrainians who fought with Nazi Germany to specific war crimes. Mr Trudeau said on Wednesday that the government is looking into publishing the full report. "We have made sure that there are top public servants who are looking very carefully into the issue, including digging into the archives, and they're going to make recommendations to the relevant ministers," he said. The University of Alberta, where Mr Savaryn was chancellor, has launched a review of donations from people known to have served in Nazi Germany's Waffen-SS. This includes CA$30,000 ($21,880; 17,950) donated by Ukrainian veteran Mr Hunka, which the university said it would return. Workers knew something was wrong before a massive explosion at a Pennsylvania candy factory that killed seven people, but the company didnt heed those warnings, federal investigators say. Despite several employees reporting that they smelled gas at the West Reading factory on March 24, candy manufacturer R.M. Palmer Co. did not evacuate the facility and that inaction cost lives, the U.S. Department of Labor said in an Oct. 5 news release. Seven workers will never return home because the R.M. Palmer Co. did not evacuate the facility after being told of a suspected gas leak, said OSHA Area Director Kevin T. Chambers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Ensuring the safety of a workplace is expected of employers and required by law. The company could have prevented this horrific tragedy by following required safety procedures. McClatchy News reached out to R.M. Palmer and the company declined to comment. The explosion occurred at about 5 p.m., NPR reported. The blast completely destroyed one building and damaged other nearby structures, including a church and an apartment building, the outlet reported. R.M. Palmer is headquartered in West Reading and has been producing chocolates and other candies since 1948, according to officials. It has about 850 employees and ships more than 500 kinds of products to retailers across North America. R.M. Palmer has been a presence in the community for decades now, West Reading Borough Council Vice President Phil Wert said shortly after the explosion, NPR reported. Wert stressed the importance of supporting the company in the aftermath of the disaster, to give back to them because theyve given to us. A proposed fine of $15,625 has been leveled at the company for not evacuating, documents show. Several other citations for different infractions are also being brought against R.M. Palmer. The total fines add up to $44,483, documents show. West Reading is roughly 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia. CANTON A 23-year-old city man will spend 10 to 15 years in prison for injuring two Columbus residents in a drive-by shooting in June. Stark County Common Pleas Judge Natalie R. Haupt sentenced Gregory Michael Marciano Jr. on two counts of attempted murder and related charges in connection with the June 11 incident. Other charges were discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises and two counts of felonious assault. Each charge carried a specification that a gun was fired from a motor vehicle. A gun specification carries a five-year prison sentence. Marciano shot a 35-year-old man in the arm and abdomen, and a 37-year old woman in the leg, according to court records filed by the county prosecutor's office. The document says he fired the gun from a motor vehicle and across a street. Marciano shot at them at 12th Street and Gibbs Avenue NE shortly after midnight.Marciano fled was arrested hours later at his home in the city's northeast section. Drive-by shooting: Canton man faces attempted murder charge Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR This article originally appeared on The Repository: Gregory Marciano gets prison term for Canton drive-by shooting POPPONESSET BAY Standing at the edge of a converted pontoon boat anchored in Popponesset Bay, environmental researcher Nicole Corbett held a small monitor as Barnstable Clean Water Coalition field operations manager Luke Cadrin lowered a scientific instrument array attached to a length of rope into the dark water. The 25-pound benthic rig fashioned from PVC pipes and weights carried a video camera and two lights to the shallow bottom. Corbett, of the Popponesset Water Stewardship Alliance, peered at the monitor where a real-time video from the camera was displayed, then showed it to Cadrin. "There's Gracilaria and there's dead Codium on top," she said, pointing out the invasive red algae and seaweed observed at the bottom. It wasn't an encouraging sight. Nor was the clump of smelly, black sludge a compaction of decomposed algae and seaweed that came up when Cadrin pulled up the anchor. Environmental researcher Nicole Corbett, left, watches as Barnstable Clean Water Coalition field operations manager Luke Cadrin lowers a camera into Ockway Bay on Sept. 28 in Mashpee, to take video of the shallow area. Corbett has been studying seaweed and jellyfish to better understand water quality in Cape Cod embayments and estuaries, especially Popponesset. For the past few years, Corbett has undertaken a study of invasive seaweed species in waters around Mashpee and Barnstable, looking at how nutrient enrichment from septic systems and runoff down the Mashpee River and in Ockway and Popponesset bays may be affecting accumulations of drift algae and seaweed along the beaches on Nantucket Sound. She's also investigating the causes and species involved with more frequent and longer-lasting jellyfish blooms, and whether they are related to the water quality. She recently applied for federal nonprofit status for the Popponesset Water Stewardship Alliance, formed in 2021, to support the efforts. A science teacher at Abington High School who's spent many summers in and around the waters of Mashpee, Corbett is helped by volunteer citizen scientists living near Popponesset Beach, as well as students. She also collaborates with fellow scientsts, including Amy Costa from the Center for Coastal Studies who helped design a water testing program for Popponesset Beach and processes samples along with Jennifer Dijkstra from the University of New Hampshire, Donald Anderson of the Woods Hole Oceangraphic Institution, and Brian Lapointe of Florida Atlantic University. "There's quite a few invasives now," Corbett said as she and Cadrin, with whom she also works, examined strands of invasive seaweed brought up on the instrument rig during a recent outing. "At least half the species we are finding are nuisance species, invasive species, or species that have been migrating up from the south." Worrisome at the bottom of Cape Cod's waters It's worrisome, she said, because the bottom of Cape Cod's waters "is the foundation of the ecosystem." "Historically this would have been eelgrass beds," Cadrin said, who pilots the pontoon, during a stop near the mouth of the Mashpee River. "We would like to get back to a place where eelgrass is growing again. But that's a long way away." Part of Corbett's goal, she said, "is to educate people about what's going on and give people a different perspective. A lot of people only see the water from the top." She focuses mostly on the open waters of Nantucket Sound around Popponesset Spit, a barrier beach between Popponesset Bay and the Sound. The waters there have seen a lot of seaweed and algae drifts, as well as jellyfish in recent years, and Corbett wonders how much of that has to do with the nearby bay. One of the most polluted areas in southeastern Massachusetts "Popponesset Bay is one of the most polluted areas in southeastern Massachusetts," she said. "Locally, it's the worst." Corbett's grandparents have had a house in the area since the 1950s and she's been in the water most of her life, she said. She's seen many changes. "Around the late 2000s I started to notice a lot of seaweed drifting up and building up on the beach," she said. "We started to get some drifts of seaweed that were very, very thick in late summer. It rotted and turned black. It would smell really bad and create a hypoxic condition. It extended 150 feet off the shore." At one point, she said, the drifts of seaweed made the water off Popponesset Beach appear blood red. In the winter of 2019, that same seaweed drifting around in the summer started to show up in December. It's called dasysiphonia japonica, a species that's native to Japan and China that's "gradually been making appearances along the northeast coastline," she said. Spot the Dasy program begins She said the seaweed, which for simplicity she just refers to as "Dasy," was the worst in 2020, in waters off Barnstable, in Popponesset Bay, and down to the shores of Falmouth. It inspired creation of the stewardship's "Spot the Dasy" program encouraging people to report sightings and send in photos of the seaweed Abington High School graduate Kaylee Donaher helped get it going by uploading photos sent to the team, which includes Corbett's collaborating fellow scientists, onto an interactive map. The trouble with Dasy is its prolific reproductive ability. As it drifts, she said, "it's still able to reproduce. It releases thousands of spores." Barnstable Clean Water Coalition field operations manager Luke Cadrin holds sea lettuce and red gracilaria, an algae, that came up on a camera rig in Popponesset Creek on Sept. 28 in Mashpee. She's looking to investigate how Dasy blooms, as well as blooms of Codium fragile, another invasive Asian seaweed called that's been observed here for about 50 years now, might correlate with nutrient enrichment and climate changes. In the past, Dasy has dropped off around February, but this year it persisted into spring and summer. A tandem study of jellyfish Corbett's tandem study of jellyfish is something she "fell into" in the course of her seaweed observations. Changes in the ecosystem have brought swarms of moon jellies some of them a foot across as well as jellyfish species normally occurring farther south. "In 2018, I was swimming along to get around the seaweed. There was this Atlantic bay nettle tangled up in the seaweed, and I got the tentacles all wrapped around my arm," Corbett said, recollecting the encounter that landed her in the hospital. This jellyfish is a newer species here, she said, "that's been gradually migrating up the coastline and establishing itself." The jelly is normally associated with the Chesapeake Bay area, but the warming waters of the northwest Atlantic one of the fastest warming bodies of water on Earth are giving it new territory to inhabit. A jellyfish sting kit program starts in 2021 In 2021, a jellyfish sting kit program was started: A team effort involving Sophia Loconto from Boston Latin School, Leo Romanski from North Reading High School and Lidia Vidal, an Abington High School graduate and Massasoit Community College graphic design major who designed the artwork on the exterior of some of the kits, as well as the stewardship's t-shirts and website illustrations. Through the program, kits containing spray and cream, in addition to a hot pack, are placed at various spots along Popponesset Beach Corbett explained that the hot pack is included because heat helps break down jellyfish venom. This year, some kits were also distributed to the Craigville Beach area, and Corbett said she'd like to expand the program to other beaches where jellyfish are becoming more common. While moon jellies are thought to be non-stinging, she said people have reported receiving mild stings from them while swimming at local beaches. She experienced it herself. Corbett is curious to learn if there are some environmental conditions that have resulted in the moon jellies developing an irritating mucous or other ability to sting. She's collected tissue samples for testing, she said, noting she's collaborating with scientists at the University of Hawaii on that part of her investigation. Moon jellies have been prevalent since about 2007, she said, and the bay nettles began showing up around 2016. "This year was the worst jellyfish year by far," Corbett said. "Some of them have gotten to be about four times bigger than what we've been seeing, and they came out earlier than usual." Moon jellies can reach up to 12 inches in diameter Moon jellies have been observed to reach up to 12 inches in diameter, and some of the bay nettles are measuring four feet long with eight-inch diameter bells. Corbett's question is whether rising water temperature, or a nutrient problem, or a combination of both, are making the jellyfish bigger and causing them to show up earlier and stay longer. One theory is that Popponesset Bay may be serving as a jellyfish nursery. Environmental researcher Nicole Corbett holds a photo on Sept. 28 in Mashpee of a moon jellyfish she took with her underwater camera. Corbett has been studying seaweed and jellyfish to get an understanding of the water quality in Cape Cod embayments and estuaries, especially Popponesset Bay. As part of her research, she said, she's interested in getting to know Popponesset Bay and Ockway Bay better. Besides the Dasy and Codium, there is a lot of Ulva, also known as sea lettuce, found in these water bodies a species that thrives even in polluted water. It dies off in the winter and decomposes, adding to the thickening layer of malodorous sludge on the bay floor. Like Corbett, Cadrin said he's seen many concerning changes. He grew up on the Cape and said he has observed the water quality "definitely declining." As the invasive seaweeds and algae decompose, he said, "it's taking oxygen out of the water," and "if there's too low oxygen here, things like shellfish can't survive." Developing filtering oyster beds can help. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Mashpee has developed oyster beds, and the town of Mashpee is looking to put one at the mouth of the Mashpee River. But Corbett and Cardin agree addressing the issue will require a robust sewering plan, too. "Cape Cod is beautiful on the surface. It's really what's under the water that tells a different story. I think communicating that is really key," Corbett said. "What the end game is, what the end result is, we don't know. But we are concerned about it. A lot of things have been happening gradually over the past 50 to 60 years, but a lot of things have also happened very rapidly over the last 10 years or so." Heather McCarron writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable and Brewster. Reach her at hmccarron@capecodonline.com. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod researcher studies water quality effects on seaweed, jellies A jury has convicted a Cape Coral man who in September 2021 called his roommate's daughter to report her father lay on the floor. A Lee County jury on Wednesday convicted William Reese, 70, of second-degree murder with a firearm. The jury returned the verdict after a two-day trial. Cape Coral Police discovered the crime Sept. 13, 2021, when officers responded to a residence after the victim's daughter, Rebecca Mendenhall, came home and found her father dead from apparent gunshot wounds. She then waited outside for authorities. When police arrived, Reese walked out of the home and told police, "I got a body in there." He was immediately detained in a patrol car. Police initially took Reese into custody on charges of possession of a weapon and ammunition by a convicted felon Authorities found the victim on the living room floor, covered with a blanket. He had been shot five times. Reese had been staying with the victim and claimed to have no knowledge of what happened. A search warrant was executed at the home and a Taurus .38 revolver was found. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed the DNA on the firearm matched Reese's. The bullets matched the bullets used to shoot the victim. The investigation determined Reese was unemployed and began to cause problems forthe victim, including taking his car, which led to arguments, prior to the murder. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Cape Coral man guilty of fatally shooting acquaintance he lived with The man who in 1974 murdered 17-year-old Carla Walker in Fort Worth died in prison in July after less than three years of incarceration, but detectives arent done investigating if and how he may be connected to other unsolved murders. Glen McCurley, 80, died of natural causes while serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He was convicted of Walkers murder in August 2021. Walker, a 17-year-old Western Hills High School cheerleader, was kidnapped by McCurley on Feb. 17, 1974. McCurley had been out drinking and driving around Fort Worth that night when he came across Walker and her boyfriend, who were parked outside a bowling alley. McCurley attacked the boyfriend and abducted, raped and murdered Walker. Her body was found on Feb. 19, 1974, in a ditch south of Fort Worth. Walker had been strangled. Forensic genealogy, using DNA collected in 1974, was what eventually led investigators to identify McCurley as the killer. He pleaded guilty to the murder nearly half a century later, midway through his trial. Carlas brother, Jim Walker, was 12 when his sister was killed. He said he hopes the fact that McCurley died in prison after Carlas murder went unsolved for nearly 50 years will encourage other families of cold case victims not to give up. We did our job to get Carlas perpetrator caught and brought to justice and it worked out the way it probably should have worked out, Jim Walker told the Star-Telegram this week. We feel for his son, ... but we do feel that justice was served. Jim Walker keeps photographs of his sister, Carla Walker, who was murdered when he was 12 years old in 1974. But Carla Walker might not have been McCurleys only victim. Detectives with the Fort Worth Police Department have been looking into other unsolved homicide cases for possible connections to McCurley. In a video-recorded interview after his arrest, cold case Detectives Jeff Bennett and Leah Wagner asked McCurley if he had killed before or since taking Carlas life. And following McCurleys conviction, the detectives told reporters that they were investigating whether McCurley had any ties to a handful of other killings. A detective with the cold case unit couldnt immediately be reached for comment on the status of those investigations, but Jim Walker said he suspects McCurley didnt kill only once. While hes not law enforcement, Jim Walker has been involved in assisting police in investigating cold cases. For decades, he was in close contact with detectives, urging them to remember his sister and continue their investigation. With around 1,000 unsolved murders in Fort Worth, Jim Walker said he knew he had to build bridges with detectives, and then keep those bridge in good shape. Now Jim Walker works to raise money for cold case investigations and is advocating for the Carla Walker Act both in Texas and in Congress. The law would set aside money for DNA testing in cold cases as an annual line-item in the budget. Potentially more victims Through his connections to cold case investigators, Jim Walker knows police have suspicions that McCurley may have been a serial rapist or a serial killer. And criminal experts agree with that possibility. The way McCurley abducted, raped and killed Carla Walker indicates a pattern to some experts. Kim Rossmo, director of the Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation at Texas State University, told the Star-Telegram in 2021 that the MO in Carla Walkers death suggests someone who hasnt only offended once. This is certainly a pattern of someone that has the characteristics of someone who could reoffend versus the typical murderer who does not, Rossmo said. Without further investigation, though, Rossmo said at the time that was nothing but speculation. Its unclear if investigators conducted a psychological evaluation on McCurley before he died. If they didnt, it will be more difficult to determine if McCurley had the capacity to be a repeat rapist or killer. Certain details of the crime suggested to experts that Carla Walker may not have been McCurleys only victim. The fact that the killer and victim were strangers is one such indicator. But, by itself, thats enough to determine whether he attacked others, Dr. Bryanna Fox, a professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of South Florida, told the Star-Telegram in 2021. Most murderers know their victims and the killing is a one-time situation, Fox said. Other people are more intrinsically motivated to commit these crimes, Fox, who is a former FBI special agent, said. They are satisfying an urge to commit the crime; they commit the crime but the urge comes back. Rossmo suggested that McCurleys urge may have been motivated by sex or power. When the motivation behind a killing or other violent crime seems linked to an urge, he said, it is likely the perpetrator did it more than once. When a crime against a stranger involves rape or sexual assault, Rossmo said, you would certainly want to explore the possibility that the individual had done something else. McCurley killing Carla Walker by strangulation could also indicate she wasnt his only victim. Strangulation is an unusual and difficult way to kill someone, Fox explained. (Strangulation) almost exclusively happens between people who know each other, she said. We typically cant get quite that angry at strangers. Strangers tend to pull a gun. With strangulation, that person has to be so mad or so committed... that person has to persist when the person is very aggressively trying to get themselves free. Other Fort Worth women strangled Several unsolved killings in the 1970s and 80s have similarities to Carlas murder, including two women were strangled in the 70s during the month of February. Becky Martin, a Tarrant County Junior College student, was kidnapped from the college on Feb. 7, 1973 one year and 10 days before Carla was killed. Martins skeletal remains were found weeks later in a culvert in west Fort Worth, according to police cold case records. In Feb. 18, 1977, the body of 25-year-old June Ward was found lying next to the curb in the 1000 block of West Fuller in south Fort Worth. She had been strangled. Her car was found at 4800 South Freeway, according to Fort Worth cold case records, and police believe she had gone to look for help after she had car trouble near a parking lot. The case was reopened in 2011 but is still unsolved. In her victim impact statement during McCurleys sentencing, Cindy Stone, Carlas sister, looked down at McCurley from the witness stand and told him the decades-long pain he caused her family. I just ask you, if you have done this to anybody else, confess, she said. Because you have nothing to lose. And you have no idea what youre doing to other families and your family. And it needs to end now. The Carla Walker Act The Carla Walker Act, introduced last year to Congress by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, would set aside funding in the annual federal budget to assist law enforcement in obtaining DNA testing for cold cases. The bill would provide at least $5 million a year to fund federal grants to law enforcement for DNA testing. Jim Walker said that if the bill passes, he expects to see a massive number of violent offenders charged and convicted of cold cases in jurisdictions that didnt previously have access to DNA forensic testing or forensic genealogy. If youre a bad man or woman and you killed someone 15 or 20 years ago, anything short of incinerating the body, the Carla Walker Act makes it a case not of if we catch you but when, Jim Walker said. Carla Walker was abducted, raped and strangled to death by Glen McCurley in 1974. In 2021, McCurley pleaded guilty to her killing after police used DNA forensics to identify him. The bill was inspired by the fact that Carlas killer was identified by investigators with the help of forensic genealogy DNA testing, through which investigators can identify someone using a DNA profile and genealogical records to trace close relatives. Similar methods have seen killers identified, charged and convicted in recent years. Convictions included those of Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., more widely known as the Golden State Killer, and Lonnie David Franklin Jr., better known by the moniker Grim Sleeper, both in California. Whether the bill passes or not, Jim Walker told the Star-Telegram he urges families of the victims of other unsolved murders to keep hope alive. Stay in touch with investigators and see if there are any ways you can help them, he said. Dont let the bad guy win, Jim Walker said. He started the fight we can finish the fight. This story contains information from the Star-Telegrams archives. North Carolina teachers will now be able to get up to two months of paid parental leave after they have a new child, even if theyve recently switched school districts. The states new law limiting abortions created a paid parental leave option for state employees, including those who work in public schools, the UNC System and the community college system. But the original version of the law required school employees to work for the same school district for at least 12 months before theyre eligible for the leave. After teachers complained, state lawmakers revised the requirement in the recently adopted state budget. Now school employees will be eligible as long as theyve worked for the past 12 months for any public entity that offers the leave option. If the individual goes from one public school unit to another or goes from say DPI (state Department of Public Instruction) to a school system, then the service with the previous employer would count toward that, Ryan Collins, assistant general counsel with the State Board of Education, said Wednesday. This reflects a change in the law as well as a lot of the feedback from the public, teachers who were concerned about losing this benefit because they had moved school districts. The state board approved the revised parental leave rules on Thursday. Collins said the new rules should hopefully go into effect Nov. 7. Leave rules Employees are entitled to up to eight weeks of paid parental leave after a baby is born and up to four weeks after adopting a child or becoming a foster parent. Part-time workers will also be eligible for parental leave. The amount they get will be based on a pro-rated share of the hours they work compared to full-time employees. Charter schools are not required to offer the parental leave. But unless they opt in, charter schools wont be eligible for any of the $10 million the state is providing to schools to hire substitute teachers to cover when educators are on parental leave. The Chicago Police Board, the nine-person body that metes out discipline in the most serious cases of alleged misconduct by Chicago police officers, is in a state of flux. No longer does the board have a say in who should be the superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, and the union representing rank-and-file CPD officers contends that officers facing disciplinary charges should be afforded the option to have their cases decided by a third-party arbitrator a potential departure from 60 years of precedent. Now under the purview of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, a new civilian-staffed oversight body, the makeup of the board itself is rapidly changing. Two new board members, Aja Carr-Favors and Andreas Safakas, were appointed earlier this year. The term of board president, Ghian Foreman, has ended. Another board member, Jorge Montes, publicly announced his resignation from the board last month after he took part in two interviews with the CCPSA. And last week, during the CCPSAs monthly meeting, the commission announced that it would not recommend retaining two other board members at the end of their terms, Mareile Cusack and Michael Eaddy. All told, four of the boards nine seats those once held by Foreman, Montes, Cusack and Eaddy need to be filled. The CCPSA has submitted the names of six candidates for those positions to Mayor Brandon Johnson, and he has 60 days to make his four choices, which will require City Council approval. The six nominees are: Rebecca Cook, the chair of the NAACPs West Side Branch Criminal Justice Committee. Cook previously has spoken in opposition to the CPDs use of a gang database, according to WTTW, and the CCPSA previously nominated her to sit on the police board in March, city records show. Debra Gittler, founder and executive director of ConTextos, an anti-violence organization in the South Loop that also operates in El Salvador. Oreal James, previously appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to the states Prisoner Review Board, he resigned in 2022 after drawing heavy criticism for voting to parole two men convicted of killing CPD officers. Cathryn Crawford, a defense attorney for more than 25 years, including at the Lawndale Christian Legal Center. Like Cook, Crawford was also nominated for the police board in March. During a CCPSA meeting in the Albany Park neighborhood in May, Crawford urged that the next CPD superintendent eliminate the departments tactical and gang units that are notorious for acting with impunity and violating our citizens rights. She also called for an end to CPD foot chases and the creation of stronger mechanisms for officers to report misconduct among their colleagues. Kyle Cooper, a Chicago Police Board appeals officer. Dr. Niama T. Malachi, founder of the Social Consult, an organization that, according to its website, offers management, leadership and other training courses. Before the six nominees were announced, Foreman, the outgoing police board president, commended his soon-to-be-former colleagues. Im really proud of the work that the police board has done, Foreman said during the CCPSA meetings public comment period. Im proud of the work that all of our members individually (have done). Doesnt mean that I always agree, we fight like family fights. And we dont always agree with each other, but we all come to it from a different perspective, right? We all come with it with our own individual biases, with our own perspectives. Were a really diverse group. Foreman who conceded he was not a regular attendee at church concluded his comments with a quote from the Gospel of Matthew, urging the commissioners to be cautious in their choices for police board nominees. Judge not, lest ye be judged, for the judgment that ye judged ye shall be judged, Foreman said. I want you to think about that carefully. CCPSA Commissioner Yvette Loizon thanked Foreman for his 13 years on the police board and said the commission debated at length before settling on the six nominees. There were many people who applied to serve on the police board this time around and did not make our list of nominations, Loizon said. The decision on whose names were going to be submitted to the mayor and whose names were not going to get submitted was a very, very difficult one that we discussed and thought about and debated for quite some time. Montes, who announced his resignation from the board last month, said he was the first sitting board member to reapply for his seat about a year ago, so I became the guinea pig. The interview process was a slow churn, Montes said, and it became laborious and time-consuming and not what I signed up for. Montes, an attorney who was previously a spokesperson for the Illinois attorney generals office and served on the Prisoner Review Board for 16 years, also decried the CCPSAs decision to not nominate Eaddy and Cusack for reappointment. There is something to be said for having institutional history of the board, and removing people that are very seasoned and have been on the board for a very long time is not healthy, Montes said. I understand their efforts to reform Im all for it, by the way, we need a lot of reform, yes but you dont throw the baby out with the bathwater, and thats what I think theyre doing. Eaddy and Cusack did not respond to messages seeking comment. Activists had sought for decades to change the citys often convoluted police discipline apparatus, but matters were codified in 2021 when the City Council created the CCPSA, a civilian-led body with oversight powers over the police board, CPD superintendent and the chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Meanwhile, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, which represents rank-and-file officers, detectives and retirees, sought earlier this year to remove 22 pending cases from the police boards docket and instead have them decided by a third party. That effort was spurred by an arbitrators award that found CPD officers have the right to have those cases tried behind closed doors. The police board denied the unions request though, and the arbitrators award cannot take effect without approval from the City Council. Earlier this year, when the CCPSA was in the middle of finding finalists for the then-vacant CPD superintendent position, Commission President Anthony Driver Jr. stressed that the body would maintain political independence. The consequences are the old Chicago Way, where weve seen time and time again where you have a very clout-heavy city, where people do favors for folks and people get positions through political influence, and it hasnt worked, Driver said in July. Our city has done this, has operated in the same way for decades, and we have not had good results. Wang Yuanyuan (C) of China spikes the ball during the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng) HANGZHOU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- China thrashed Vietnam 3-0 to top Pool E on Thursday and will take on Thailand in the women's volleyball semifinals at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Both Vietnam and China had secured their top-four places before their clash, and the hosts took only 54 minutes to smash Vietnam 25-13, 25-13, 25-11 and take top spot in Pool E. Yuan Xinyue grabbed a game-high 17 points. Elsewhere, Japan beat Thailand 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-23) to seal first place in Pool F. Both teams had also secured their semifinal spots prior to the match. Thailand, ranked second in Pool F, will take on China, while Vietnam will face Japan in Friday's semifinals. In other matches, South Korea rallied to beat DPR Korea 19-25, 25-21, 25-9 and 25-20, while Chinese Taipei overcame Kazakhstan 16-25, 25-15, 25-23 and 25-18. Ding Xia (R) of China passes the ball during the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng) Thi Bich Thuy Tran (top) of Vietnam spikes the ball during the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng) Wang Yunlu of China saves the ball during the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng) Yuan Xinyue (L) of China dinks the ball during the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Gong Bing) Audience cheer during the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Gong Bing) Players of China celebrate scoring during the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Gong Bing) Li Yingying (C) of China spikes the ball during the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng) Players of China celebrate winning the Women's Classification Pool E of Volleyball between China and Vietnam at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng) A Charlotte barber who fraudulently received pandemic disaster-relief loans and later asked the government to forgive the debt hosted a hair and fashion event while out on bond after pleading guilty last Wednesday. Evan Agustin Perez, 35, defrauded the U.S. Small Business Administration and its lenders when he obtained $720,000 in loans across 17 months, according to Dena J. King, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. The money reportedly went to Augies Wish Foundation, EMP Haircare and Enterprises, T.O.P. Salon Suites, Touch of Precision School of Barbering, Touch of Precision Barber Lounge and Roads to Success Early Learning Center. Perez Instagram account promotes those businesses and another account featuring French Bulldogs to his more than 14,700 followers. A text post shared Monday read U gotta take ur Ls the same way u take ur Ws... Like a MF Boss! Perez captioned the post Now back to the business! It was unclear if Perez was referencing the fraudulent loans and his guilty plea in the post. Perez and Edward Whitaker a 55-year-old Texas man who was found guilty in a multi-million dollar fraud scheme applied for the loans using false information about Perezs business income, number of employees, gross revenues and expenses from April 2020 to September 2021, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Months later, they filed forgiveness applications containing false information. After pleading guilty last Wednesday, Perez hosted the Good Hair Fest, which featured food, artists and vendors on Sunday, according to his social media. Perezs sentencing date has not yet been determined, according to the news release. The maximum penalty for his wire fraud conspiracy offense is five years in prison. Whitaker, who in January pleaded guilty to a money laundering scheme that helped people get fraudulent COVID-19 disaster relief funds, faces up to 20 years in federal prison with his wife and co-conspirator, 50-year-old Schunda Coleman. The couple pleaded guilty to disbursing more than $15 million in loans, according to previous information from the Eastern District Court of North Carolina in January. The duo also used middlemen who were paid to recruit people to submit fraudulent loan applications. This couple orchestrated a vast scheme to steal taxpayer money meant to help small businesses weather a global pandemic, said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley in January. ... We are vigorously pursuing criminals who ripped off public programs for profit while the pandemic crippled local businesses. The Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force in May 2021 to combat pandemic-related fraud. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted pandemic-fraud can report it by calling the Department of Justices National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 8667205721 or by using the complaint form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Wednesday he will visit the southern U.S. border imminently, as city predictions that buses from Texas would spike to new heights were turning true. In a post-City Council news conference Wednesday afternoon, the mayor said Chicago was now expecting at least 14 and as many as 22 buses that day and delivered a promise: I am going to the border as soon as possible. He did not specify when. Earlier in the day, his deputy chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, told the Tribune that city officials were making plans to send a delegation to the Texas border for a learning expedition as the number of asylum-seekers sent on chartered buses from southern border cities to Chicago reaches record levels. Were trying to get out there pretty soon. Its imminent, because we really need to understand the process at the border. What the situation is. See it firsthand, Pacione-Zayas said. Immigration rates in border cities are up by the thousands, due to a combination of poverty, violence, immigration policy changes and word-of-mouth from migrants who have arrived in places like Chicago. El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said recently his city was at a breaking point and welcomed the buses carrying hundreds of migrants to northern sanctuary cities. More than 17,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago since the first bus from Texas arrived in August 2022. As of Wednesday, there were over 9,000 migrants in city-run shelters, more than 2,300 sleeping at police stations as they wait for shelter openings and over 700 sleeping on the floor at OHare International Airport. Pacione-Zayas said its unclear who or how many people would go on the expedition, but the goal of the trip is to speak with government and nonprofit leaders who are at the source of the busing. City officials were still having internal conversations about the trip, Pacione-Zayas said, and it would likely be in the next few weeks. I think we need to have some conversations about managing expectations in Chicago, Pacione-Zayas said. People need to also understand how things change radically with our change of seasons. The mayors deputy chief of staff said she envisioned migrants coming off buses with wet shoes in the middle of December. She said its reckless to send people who have traversed multiple countries on foot carrying the trauma from their long journey, and many with preexisting medical conditions. Its a vision volunteers who help migrants say they witness regularly. They arrive. Theyre starving. They dont have any clothes. The babies have dirty diapers, said Annie Gomberg, a lead volunteer organizer at the Austin District police station on the West Side. A week before his scheduled budget address, Johnson nodded to the tremendous sacrifice that Chicagoans were taking on for asylum-seekers. Johnsons budget must outline how the mayor plans to plug a $538 million deficit partially due to the rising migrant costs. The mayor has not ruled out new revenue to account for the gap. Johnson also addressed ongoing discord in Black communities, including on the West Side where he lives. During Wednesdays meeting, some Black public speakers interrupted and condemned him on Chicagos migrant response. I know theres been a tremendous burden particularly on Black Chicago. I am fully aware of that. Yeah, I know where I live, Johnson said. Yeah, I know how many schools have been shut down in Austin. Mental health clinics. Administration after administration has taken away from Black people. Not mine. He shot down unspecified critics who believed that Black residents feel shortchanged by migrant services. When individuals say that Black folks want what migrants want, its not true. Its not, Johnson said. Comparing the conditions in which descendants of slaves have had to endure to migrants who are sleeping on floors, I question how much you actually care and love about Black people and understand their condition. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia on Wednesday wrote a letter co-signed by 28 other elected officials in Illinois to President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, asking the administration to provide more federal resources to respond to the migrant crisis. The letter urged the Biden administration to provide humanitarian parole and work permits, a better process of issuing green cards, flexible Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for shelter expenses and legal support services. _____ (Chicago Tribunes Laura Rodriguez Presa contributed.) _______ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) said Wednesday that his administration will visit the southern U.S. border to assess the migrant situation as soon as possible. At a press conference Wednesday, Johnson confirmed he would go visit the southern border soon but suggested he did not have concrete plans and was not ready to provide a timeframe. We need to go assess the situation. Just like our team has gone to D.C. We need better coordination, quite frankly, he said, stressing how serious this dynamic is on the southern border. Going to the border is to make sure that everybody knows that my administration is committed to making sure that we are putting together the full force of government at every single level to ensure that these families, who, by the way, theyre not illegal. Theyre asylum-seekers. They are protected by international law, Johnson said. Johnson was pressed repeatedly to give a sense of when he plans to visit the border and several times said soon. I am going to the border as soon as possible, he added. But I gotta coordinate that with running the government and making sure that my wife and children are secure as well. In recent months, Illinois has seen an influx of migrants, specifically in asylum-seekers. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) recently wrote a letter to the Biden administration pressing for additional help. In the letter Monday, Pritzker claimed that more than 15,000 migrants had arrived in Illinois in the 13 months since the first bus of asylum-seekers from the border reached the state. Johnson on Wednesday said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had sent a team to the state. Johnson in his remarks also stressed the burden this has on Black residents in Chicago. Im doing my part to continue to make sure that Chicagoans who have been in this city, who have needed support and particularly our Black families I know theres been a tremendous burden particularly on Black Chicago. I am fully aware of that, Johnson said. Johnsons confirmation of his loose plans to visit the southern U.S. border comes the same week New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) intends to visit the border. Adams reportedly said his goal is to counteract the message that New York is open to migrants, and instead to make clear that the city is at capacity and that they should not come. Asked at the press conference whether his message to migrants is not to come to Chicago during winter time, Johnson said, No. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. CHICAGO - The migrant crisis is bringing more attention to the city's ongoing homeless problem. A new ordinance called Bring Chicago Home could get the green light from the Chicago City Council. This would fund housing and services for homeless people across the city. Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is in support of this ordinance. Homeless advocates say there are 68,000 people in Chicago who are homeless, with 20,000 of them being kids and teens. The ordinance would increase the real estate transfer tax for building sales over $1 million to raise the necessary money. Those who back the ordinance say it would impact less than 4.2 percent of homes sold. The new tax would generate $163 million annually to be dedicated to combating homelessness. The money would be legally used for programs that alleviate homelessness, including assistance for children, veterans and women recovering from domestic violence. Opponents say the measure is a disguise to raise taxes. If given the green light in City Council, the measure would be on a March 2024 ballot referendum. San Juan County Fire & Rescue could be in for a significant restructuring over the next few months if a plan presented by Chief David Vega to the County Commission on Tuesday is approved. While presenting an annual report on the status of the department to commissioners, Vega focused largely on the agencys manpower woes, which are in large part a product of a decline in the number of volunteer firefighters over the last seven years. San Juan County Fire & Rescue depends heavily on those volunteers to augment its roster of only 19 uniformed, full-time firefighters who are charged with covering an area of more than 5,000 square miles and 11 fire districts. Vega said the department has more than 160 volunteers, but only half of them are active. That has left some of those districts understaffed at certain times to the point that Vega said some of them could be looking at being shut down by the New Mexico fire marshal because they dont meet state coverage standards. To eliminate that possibility, Vega wants commissioners to approve a measure during the next board meeting to dissolve the countys fire districts, consolidating them under one entity. San Juan County Fire & Rescue could see its 10 fire districts dissolved and consolidated under one entity soon under a plan being promoted by Chief David Vega. Specifically, he said, that would allow the department to meet the state-mandated minimum of having four trained firefighters respond to every structure fire. Currently, the department only gets credit for the number of trained firefighters who respond to such incidents from the district in which it occurs. So if a firefighter from another district responds, as is frequently the case, his or her participation does not count toward meeting that state standard. The average number of personnel responding to all call types for the department has been in decline for several years, Vega said. From a high of 5.49 in 2018, the number had fallen to 3.43 by 2023. Of the countys 10 fire districts, seven do not meet the mandated state standard for having at least four trained members respond to each structure fire. David Vega If the state fire marshal was to come in today and do an audit on us, technically, they would be able to say, You have to close your doors down because you do not meet this standard, Vega said. That keeps me up at night. To put that matter further in perspective, Vega cited figures from the National Fire Protection Agencys standards of coverage, which recommend that 15 firefighters should respond to each low-complexity structure fire. San Juan Countys average of 3.43 is less than one-fourth of that number. Vega, who took over as chief eight months ago, said his tenure has been challenging so far. It has been eight months marked by adversity, he said, though he noted the department also has shown its resilience in that time. Most of Vegas report to the commission was devoted to outlining the reduction in the number of volunteer firefighters the agency has seen over the past several years. When he joined the department as a volunteer in 2011, he said, it had approximately 300 volunteers. A decline in volunteer firefighters over the past seven years has led to manpower issues for San Juan County Fire & Rescue, Chief David Vega says. We were a very robust department at that time, he said. But since 2016, he said, the volunteer ranks have been in decline. On Oct. 1 of that year, he said, the department counted 250 volunteers. By Aug. 1, 2023, he said, that number had shrunk to between 150 and 160 half of which cannot be counted on to respond regularly. Part of the reason for that reduction, he said, is a requirement that all volunteer firefighters receive the same basic training as a full-time, professional firefighter, including a mandate that they pass the fire academy. Vega likened that to taking a full-time course load for one semester of college. Many people who might be interested in volunteering simply dont have the time to do that, he noted. The situation is the same not just across New Mexico, but across the country, Vega said, explaining that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on volunteer firefighter numbers. There is not a county fire chief in the state of New Mexico Ive talked to who is probably having a similar conversation with this county commission, Vega said. San Juan County Fire & Rescue's response time to some calls has increased significantly in recent years because of a lack of volunteers, Chief David Vega says. That lack of help is having a very real impact on response times in San Juan County, he said. The frequency of retones a situation in which the district in which a call is reported did not send a response team and a team from another district takes over has increased markedly, according to Vega. Since Aug. 5, there have been 77 retones for service in the county, he said something that used to happen rarely, if ever. In each one of those cases, there was a significant delay in getting service to the reporting party, he said, estimating that calls that should be responded to in five to 10 minutes are, in some cases, not seeing a response for 20 to 30 minutes. The process of seeking approval for and instituting the consolidation of departments will take two to three months, he said, noting that the state fire marshal will need to approve it. Its not just me flipping a switch, he said. Its not a fast process. But Vega has other changes in the works for the department that he believes will help. He said he already is in the process of restructuring the agencys administrative staff to put more firefighters in the field, and there are 18 new firefighters currently going through the cadet academy. Thats an outstanding number, he said. Additionally, Vega said, he would be coming back to the commission soon to seek approval for the hiring of more full-time firefighters. But he acknowledged that the agencys expenses already are running high, with more than $5 million in trucks and other pieces of equipment being targeted for replacement over the next five years. I do intend to bring some solutions to you, he said. I dont like presenting problems without solutions. 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: Chief David Vega seeks approval to dissolve individual fire districts [Source] A photograph of two Chinese athletes embracing has been scrubbed off social media and online platforms in China, purportedly due to an inadvertent reference to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Censorship controversy: The image shows Chinese hurdlers Lin Yuwei and Wu Yanni locked in a hug after their women's 100-meter hurdles final on Oct. 1 at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Their lane numbers, 6 and 4, formed the numbers "64," which many interpret as a reference to the date of the highly sensitive event. About the massacre: The Tiananmen Square massacre remains one of the darkest chapters in modern Chinese history. On June 4, 1989, Chinese military tanks rolled into Beijing to violently suppress students protesting for democracy in Tiananmen Square. The crackdown resulted in a tragic loss of life and became a symbol of government repression. Discussion on the event is considered taboo in China and any public references to it are tightly controlled by the government. Scrubbed off online: State broadcaster CCTV originally posted the photograph on Weibo but removed it shortly after. Subsequent searches on the platform failed to yield the same image and it is nowhere to be found on Chinese search engine Baidu. More from NextShark: High School Teacher's Nose and Teeth Damaged After Being Attacked With a 'Rock' in Seattle Chinatown The timing of the purported censorship incident is notable, as it occurred on China's National Day, a day when authorities are especially vigilant against any form of dissent that might distract from the celebrations. Influence over sporting events: The incident is part of a broader picture of China's control over international events, particularly involving Taiwan. At the Asian Games, Taiwanese athletes are required to use the name "Chinese Taipei" instead of "Taiwan." Despite the political backdrop, China attempts to maintain a welcoming image to Taiwanese athletes and fans during the Asian Games. The opening ceremony saw a warm reception for the Taiwanese delegation, with Chinese President Xi Jinping in attendance. Events where Taiwan succeeds often feature Chinese fans cheering, showcasing China's strategy of wooing Taiwan's people while exerting military pressure. More from NextShark: Chinese man who claimed to have been kidnapped 'blood slave' fabricated his story, Cambodian police say Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Chinese Scholar's Murder Case Becomes an Award-Winning Documentary Tokyo Olympics Official Resigns After Plus-Sized Model Pig Comment BEIJING/MANILA (Reuters) - China has condemned a mission by four Philippine ships to re-supply Philippine troops on a disputed South China Sea atoll, saying the vessels had entered its waters in the Spratly Islands without its permission. The Philippines said on Wednesday it had successfully sent supplies to its troops stationed on a World War Two-era transport ship-turned-military outpost on the atoll despite attempts by China's coast guard to block it. While China is in dispute with several of its neighbours over its extensive claims in the South China Sea, its relations with the Philippines have been particularly fraught recently over the issue, especially since Ferdinand Marcos Jr took over as Philippine president last year. "Philippine supply ships and two coast guard ships entered the waters ... in China's Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government," China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said a post on its website, using China's name for the Spratly Islands. The atoll in the area is known as Ayungin in the Philippines, while China calls it the Renai Reef. Also known as the Second Thomas Shoal, it is 105 miles (109 km) off the Philippine island of Palawan. A small number of Philippine troops live on board the old navy transport ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, which the Philippines grounded on the shoal in 1999 to reinforce its sovereignty claim. China Coast Guard said in its post that it issued stern warnings and added it firmly opposed the illegal Philippe transport of materials to the ship that "sits on the beach" illegally. The Philippines last completed a resupply mission to the grounded ship on Sept. 8. A month earlier, a China Coast Guard vessel fired water cannon at a Philippine supply boat during a similar attempt, drawing condemnation from the Philippines and old ally the United States. China has told the Philippines to tow the vessel away but Manila has rejected the demand. The Philippine National Security Council (NSC) said its re-supply and rotation mission was completed despite attempts by a significant number of China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia to "harass and interfere" with it. "These missions are a legitimate exercise of the administrative functions of the Philippine government," the NSC said. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said that the line on China's maps had no legal basis. (Reporting by Ryan Woo, Karen Lema; writing by Engen Tham and Kaiwen Xu; editing by Robert Birsel) Room for Activities In a matter of less than two years, China assembled three modules of its space station dubbed Tiangong, an orbital habitat that can accommodate a crew of three astronauts. And while it's still significantly smaller than the International Space Station which took well over a decade to complete that could soon change. China is now planning to expand the station with an additional three modules, Reuters reports, offering the country and its international partners an important alternative to the ISS, which is set to be retired by the end of the decade. Even with the additional three modules, Tiangong will still be only about 40 percent of the mass of the ISS, per the report but a growing space for research in orbit is still arguably a lot better than not having one at all. Heavenly Palace Space contractor the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) announced this week that the station's lifespan will also be 15 not the previously announced ten years, according to Reuters, meaning that it'll outlive the ISS by several years if things go according to plan. NASA astronauts are technically not allowed to visit the new station, as US law forbids any collaboration between China and the space agency. China, however, has said its airlocks are open to international astronauts. Meanwhile, NASA is encouraging the private space industry in the US to build private space stations. While companies like Axiom Space have broken ground on developing segments of such a habitat, we still have yet to hear of any concrete plans to start launching modules into orbit. Russia also announced last year that it's planning to construct its own space station for a crew of up to four cosmonauts, though its recent track record in space renders the credibility of that plan shaky at best. With the ISS soon out of the picture, our permanent presence in Earth's orbit is about to look significantly different. And with China making massive leaps in exploring our corner of the solar system, it's become the world power to watch. More on the station: Chinese Astronaut Lights Match in Space A tour guide has been filmed shouting at the group she was leading because they refused to shop for gemstones while on the trip. A video that captured the incident has gone viral on Chinese social media, with the guide said to have shouted for an hour while tourists were on a bus from Guangzhou to Guizhou, in southwest China, at the end of September, reports VnExpress. The guide reportedly took her guests to several shops that sold gems but allegedly became angry when the majority of the tourists did not purchase anything. She threatened to cancel the trip and leave the group where they were if they did not spend money, and even branded them stingy and the argument became more heated when one of the group said it is the tourists choice to shop or not, reports Sing Tao Daily. Officials from the Guiyangs Culture and Tourism Office are investigating the incident along with other law enforcement agencies, and are working to verify the identity of the tour guide. In one response to the video, a viewer wrote: Do not force shopping upon tourists. The clip was filmed ahead of Golden Week, the longest annual holiday in China, this year taking place from 29 September until 6 October. The annual event sees millions of domestic and international visitors travel into and across the country. Its not the first run-in between tour guides and their groups this year. In July, a tour guide in Chinas Yunnan province provoked online debate after waking up a tourist who had fallen asleep on the bus, shouting at her for being disrespectful. The unidentified tourist had been visiting Lijiang a preserved ancient town and uploaded a video of the guide on 9 July. In the video, the guide asks her: Dont you think sleeping on the bus means you dont respect me? The March 24, 2023 explosion killed seven people at R.M. Palmer's facility in Reading, Pennsylvania. Michael Rubinkam/The Associated Press The Department of Labor has fined a candymaker in Pennsylvania $45,500. In March 2023, a gas leak caused an explosion at the company's factory, killing seven workers. The company, R.M. Palmer, should have evacuated those employees, according to federal investigators. Federal investigators are blaming a Pennsylvania-based candy company for the deaths of seven of its own employees in a block-leveling explosion earlier this year, saying it should have evacuated its factory after workers first reported smelling gas. The blast came on a Friday evening in March, obliterating R.M. Palmer's facility in Reading, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia. In July, the National Transportation Safety Board identified the cause as a natural gas service fitting that had been retired in 1982 but was still connected to the system and was leaking just a couple of feet from pipes carrying heated chocolate. In addition to the fatalities, another 11 people were injured. Three families in neighboring buildings also had to evacuate their damaged homes. While R.M. Palmer may not be responsible for the gas leak, investigators with the Department of Labor and its Occupational Safety and Health Administration accuse the company of negligence and a couple of serious violations of standards: failing to "evacuate workers during a natural gas leak inside the building" and failing to clearly mark an exit. "Seven workers will never return home because the R.M. Palmer Co. did not evacuate the facility after being told of a suspected gas leak," OSHA Area Director Kevin T. Chambers said in a statement released Thursday. "Ensuring the safety of a workplace is expected of employers and required by law. The company could have prevented this horrific tragedy by following required safety procedures." In total, the Department of Labor is proposing fines of $44,500 for the alleged violations. R.M. Palmer has about two weeks to contest the findings, which would punt the issue to the OSHA Review Commission, an independent federal agency. In a statement, the company which makes treats ranging from chocolate coins to Yoo-Hoo candy bars said it plans to do just that, arguing that the department has made unsubstantiated claims of there being a gas leak "inside" the Reading factory. The company "intends vigorously to contest OSHA's citations, which it believes are legally and factually unsupported," R.M. Palmer said in its own statement. "We have always put the safety of our employees and community first." To date, the National Transportation Safety Board's ongoing investigation has only identified a leak in the pipes operated by the local utility. However, both companies have been sued for ignoring federal warnings that the type of gas pipeline fittings used by the Reading factory were prone to cracking. Read the original article on Insider TOKYO, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Japan on Thursday started the second round of its release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. Despite mounting concerns and opposition among local fishermen as well as other countries, the discharge commenced at around 10:30 a.m. local time, according to the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator. TEPCO said it plans to carry out the release over 17 days to discharge 7,800 tons of the radioactive wastewater, roughly the same amount as in the first discharge, which ended on Sept. 11. Hit by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and an ensuing tsunami on March 11, 2011, the Fukushima nuclear plant suffered core meltdowns that released radiation, resulting in a level-7 nuclear accident, the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale. The plant has been generating a massive amount of water tainted with radioactive substances from cooling down the nuclear fuel in the reactor buildings, which are now being stored in about 1,000 storage tanks. The Fukushima plant has stored more than 1.3 million tons of nuclear-contaminated wastewater, and the whole discharge plan will continue for more than 30 years, according to TEPCO. The ocean discharges have been facing severe backlash both at home and abroad. A group of 150 people in Japan, including fishery workers in Fukushima Prefecture, filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government and TEPCO last month to call a halt to the controversial ocean discharge. The plaintiffs claimed that the ocean discharge violates their fishing rights and threatens the rights of consumers to live peacefully. They were also seeking nullification of nuclear regulators' approval of facilities installed for the water discharge and a ban to be placed on the release. Prior to the second release, Tokyo resident Hiroshi Asano told Xinhua that the Japanese government and TEPCO are deceiving people by calling nuclear-contaminated water "treated water". It is "putting the cart before the horse" for the Japanese government to ask China to lift ban on Japanese marine products, he added. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized Japan over a lack of transparency and a failure to provide full access to information regarding the water release. At the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held in late September, Vice Chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority Liu Jing said the discharge of the Fukushima wastewater is a major nuclear safety issue, as it is an unprecedented artificial release of contaminated water from nuclear accidents into the sea. There is a lot of uncertainty about the cumulative effect caused by the release of large quantities of radionuclides into the sea, said the Chinese nuclear official, noting that Japan has failed to give a credible and scientific response to the international outcry. Shaun Burnie, senior nuclear specialist at Greenpeace East Asia, questioned the water management operations at the Fukushima plant and the overall decommissioning plans of TEPCO, which currently has no plans that will remove the nuclear material or stop groundwater from becoming contaminated. "This means that the discharges that began in August 2023 will have no end, not 20 or 30 years as stated by the Japanese government," he said. He further pointed out that the entire process conducted by TEPCO, the IAEA and the Japanese government was always intended to lead to the discharges. "It was not a process of assessing the scientific issues and then deciding to discharge," said the expert. "The category of treated water was invented to try and disguise the fact that it is nuclear wastewater." Doubts and concerns were further fueled after Japan's environment ministry reported last month that potentially radioactive iron scraps from a demolition site near the crippled power plant were stolen and illegally sold by construction workers. The materials went missing from Okuma town's library and folklore museum being demolished in a special zone around 2.5 miles from the plant, and their whereabouts remained unknown so far, which led to raging criticism that the government's management of radioactive materials was overly rash. "The incident increased people's distrust of the government. The country should have managed these waste metals responsibly and told relevant parties not to deal with them casually, but it did not do so," Hideki Taki, chairman of the Retired Workers Union of the National Trade Union Council, told Xinhua. The built-up distrust among the Japanese public would, of course, extend to how the government handles the nuclear-contaminated wastewater, which is now the ocean discharge of the so-called treated water, according to Taki. The author with her fiance, wearing the ring they chose together. The author with her fiance, wearing the ring they chose together. The other day I was in an elevator and a woman pointed at my hand. Thats a beautiful engagement ring, she said. Thanks, I replied. I picked it. She smiled and said, Good for you, just as the doors opened and she exited the lift. When I say I chose my ring, I dont mean that I sent preferences to my sister, who relayed them to my boyfriend, who did his best to find something that fit my style. My boyfriend and I went to a store together and chose something we both liked, which he purchased and kept for a few weeks until he officially proposed. I imagined that telling people I chose my own engagement ring would go something like the encounter with the stranger in the elevator. I thought everyone would respond with a similar positivity. Many of them did. But peppered in was a different sort of response: looks of Oh, thats interesting and a quick change of subject. I never experienced outright criticism; it was more a feeling that the person was a bit taken aback, and not in the best way. I never acknowledged these reactions, not wanting to bring any negativity into my post-engagement love bubble. But months later, after things settled down, those responses stayed with me, less because they bothered me and more because I couldnt understand them. Were they judging me? And why? For my then-boyfriend and I, selecting a ring together just made sense. Wed been in a relationship for nearly seven years and living together for four, so there wasnt a ton of surprise in the fact that we were headed toward marriage. Then, take into account our personalities. Im picky and can be very opinionated. Im also a fashion editor, so I cant help but put an excessive amount of thought into everything I wear. My partner, on the other hand, is very go-with-the-flow. He tends to be a little indecisive. Selecting an expensive piece of jewelry is precisely the type of activity that would thrill me and overwhelm him. Modern weddings and the events surrounding them break from tradition and historic gender roles in so many ways. And for many couples headed toward marriage, the fact that an engagement is coming isnt a surprise theyve talked about it to some extent. If youre discussing getting engaged, why not talk about the ring, too? Why should there be any shame in wanting a say in a (very expensive) piece of jewelry youre supposed to wear for the rest of your existence? Over 75% of couples involve their partner in some part of the buying process.Don OConnell, president & CEO of Charles & Colvard I put a callout on social media to see if anyone else in my orbit had had a similar experience. I never really understood the whole thing of telling your sister exactly what you want so she can make sure your boyfriend picks a good ring, said Grace Runowski, 32, of Mantua, New Jersey. Why not just do that together, as the two people entering into a marriage? For Runowski, it also came down to a practicality. I do not trust my husbands style, she said. And for her, the process didnt detract from the big day. The proposal itself was still a surprise and romantic and special. It could have been ruined by a bad ring because Im a terrible liar and he obviously knows me well enough to tell if I dont like something and am trying to pretend. Still, she faced judgment for the decision. Some people seemed truly shocked that I picked my own ring, she shared, adding, I dont really remember anyone older than me loving the idea. Some people definitely didnt understand, but I was never bothered by it because it was what I wanted, and it worked for us. About as often as people seemed to judge, women would respond with something like, Hell yeah, girl, Runowski concluded. Conversely, my cousin Danit Ergas shared that she wasnt initially over the moon about the ring her husband chose, and she regretted not being more involved in the selection process. It is better to decide or talk about it together, the 34-year-old, who lives in Austin, Texas, said of selecting a ring. It will be with you for the rest of your life. Although she now loves her unique ring, she and her husband decided to make a point of asking each other for specific wishes regarding gifts moving forward: Its convenient. The author chose a unique, vintage-inspired design with three eyelets on either side of the center stone. The author chose a unique, vintage-inspired design with three eyelets on either side of the center stone. Suspense is lost, but certainty is gained. The concept that the ring recipient should be thrilled with whatever they receive doesnt make sense to me. In all other situations, we reject the idea that one partner should control what the other wears and this is an item the recipient is intended to wear virtually every day for the rest of their lives. Shouldnt the giver want to know with complete certainty that their partner would want to do so? To be clear, I do understand that many people love the element of surprise, whether its having no clue what the ring will look like or passing along hints and hoping for the best. What I dont understand is that its the presumed default. Wouldnt just as many of us want no surprise at all as those who do? So why dont people talk about it? This idea made me curious about exactly how common the joint approach is. Don OConnell, who has been in the jewelry industry for over 30 years and now serves as the president & CEO of Charles & Colvard, shared that, in his experience, over 75% of couples involve their partner in some part of the buying process, whether by shopping together or sharing information, and that in recent years we have seen more couples who are jointly involved in the engagement and marital process from start to finish. While the whisper down the valley method of choosing can be successful, it also leaves room for error as descriptions get lost in translation. What looks dainty or large to one person may mean something entirely different to another. We find most people would prefer to receive their dream ring rather than be surprised with a ring they are not in love with, OConnell added. I also spoke with Ariel Alexandrou, who works in sales and design at Ken & Dana Design (where we ended up getting our ring). Her estimate was even more staggering. She approximated that 70% of Ken & Danas engagement ring customers are couples who come into the showroom to shop together and they will often purchase the ring with their partner present. (Some couples opt to keep an element of surprise by letting the recipient select a few top choices and having the ring giver secretly choose one for purchase.) Those numbers shocked me not because the process doesnt make sense, but because I never hear people talk about doing it. Another thing to consider: People who try on their rings ahead of time often surprise themselves with what they end up liking best. Customers shopping for their own engagement ring come in with a particular style in mind, and then when they see it on their hand, they may decide to go in a completely different direction, Alexandrou said. I also often experience clients trying on a stone shape that they think theyve ruled out, and they end up loving it. It happened to me. What was my favorite ring on jewelers website did not end up being my favorite ring in person. And when I was torn between styles, it was helpful to have my partner there to give his input. One band I found interesting was quickly ruled out after my partner admitted he didnt love the design. Easy. Go team. Shopping together also gave us the opportunity to explore more distinctive styles than your typical solitaire, halo or pave. I ended up gravitating toward a unique, vintage-inspired design with three little eyelets on either side of the center stone. Its one that I wasnt sure I loved based on seeing it online, but when I put it on my finger, it felt right. And its one that my partner probably never would have landed on alone, nor would he have felt comfortable pulling the trigger on something so nontraditional without confirmation that Id love it. Surprise rings will always carry risk. Both Alexandrou and OConnell have experienced customers coming back to their stores after a proposal because the chosen ring turned out not to be the recipients style. (So if youre going the surprise route, it is extremely important to select your retailer or jeweler carefully, as some may not offer exchanges or returns, OConnell cautioned.) If you ask me, returning and exchanging your engagement ring after a proposal is a lot less romantic than talking about it ahead of time. Rather than my then-boyfriend being on a solo mission and me constantly on edge about what might happen when, we were on a journey toward our engagement together. It took the pressure off both of us. We could just enjoy it. We were getting ready to make one of the biggest decisions of our lives, and we were doing it as a team. And when we finally decided on the one, we left feeling confident that we together had gotten the perfect ring. Related... Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat was the BIFF's Asian Filmmaker of the Year honouree (Anthony WALLACE) Hong Kong film legend Chow Yun-fat on Thursday lamented China's "difficult" censorship while conceding the mainland market's crucial financial importance for filmmakers. Speaking at South Korea's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Chow told reporters that Hong Kong's cinema industry had to learn to play by a new set of rules since the city returned to China's control in 1997. "We have a lot of censorship requirements in mainland China. Our scripts must go through a lot of different departments for the film bureau", BIFF's Asian Filmmaker of the Year honouree said. But while Chow said things were "very difficult" for Hong Kong's filmmakers, they also knew it was necessary to reach the "huge" mainland Chinese audience to "make a living". "We have to pay attention to our government ... otherwise it is very hard to get the money to shoot a movie," he said, adding they still strove to maintain the "Hong Kong spirit". In announcing this year's honour, BIFF organisers heaped praise on Chow for "spearheading the golden age of Hong Kong cinema" that flowered in the early 1990s, and making "Hong Kong noir" a globally recognised genre. Three of Chow's films -- "A Better Tomorrow" (1986), "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and 2023's "One More Chance" -- will be screened at the festival. - Freedom - Along with Tony Leung, his "Hard Boiled" co-star and 2022 BIFF honouree, Chow has long been a well-liked figure in South Korea thanks to Hong Kong cinema's surge in popularity in the 1990s. Since then, South Korea has cemented its own status as a global cultural powerhouse, and has had explosive successes like Oscar-winning film "Parasite" and the Netflix series "Squid Game". "It's a good thing that when one industry feels stagnant and unable to move forward, another region can take it even further," Chow said, when asked about the rise of South Korean cinema. "I believe the greatest strength of Korean cinema lies in its freedom." Despite his prolific career and global fame, Chow said he still considers himself an "ordinary person". In 2018, he vowed to donate his fortune to charity after he dies. Chow quipped Thursday that it was his wife's decision, but added: "I believe that since I came into this world with nothing, it doesn't really matter if I leave with nothing as well." cdl/cwl/lb [Source] Hong Kong acting legend Chow Yun-fat expressed his concerns about China's strict censorship in the film industry while acknowledging the financial significance of the mainland Chinese market for filmmakers. Chows concerns: Chow, who was named Asian Filmmaker of the Year ahead of this years Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), discussed the challenges faced by Hong Kongs cinema industry since the city returned to Chinas control in 1997. At a press conference, he spoke about stringent censorship requirements and script approvals by various government departments. Preserving Hong Kong spirit: However, the BIFF honoree emphasized the necessity of reaching the vast mainland Chinese audience to sustain a livelihood, despite the difficulties. He stressed the importance of cooperating with the government to secure funding for movie projects while striving to preserve the Hong Kong spirit in filmmaking. After 1997, a lot of things changed. We have to pay attention to our government. Otherwise, it will be hard to get the money to make movies. The mainland market is so huge, Chow said, according to Variety. More from NextShark: Burned Body of Professional Poker Player Susie Zhao Found in Michigan Park Strength in freedom: At the event, Chow also expressed his love for Korean food and his admiration for the rise of South Korean cinema, noting that its greatest strength lies in its freedom. Chows legacy: The 68-year-old actor has been a beloved figure in South Korea due to the surge in popularity of Hong Kong cinema in the 1990s. He was honored as the Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the 28th BIFF for his role in popularizing the Hong Kong noir genre globally. Some of his iconic films, including A Better Tomorrow," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "One More Chance," will be screened at the festival. Despite his fame and successful career, Chow considers himself as an ordinary person. In 2018, he announced his intention to donate his fortune to charity after his passing. On Thursday, he joked that it was his wife's decision but expressed his belief that leaving the world with nothing is inconsequential since he entered it with nothing. More from NextShark: NYPD looking for man who hit Asian subway rider with hammer after they bumped into each other Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! NY Chinatown Bakery Manager Gets $50K Google Grant With Help From Will Smith How the search for Lauren Cho has gained attention because of Gabby Petito and 'missing white woman syndrome' Chris Christie on Wednesday slammed his Republican presidential opponent Vivek Ramaswamy for vocally supporting Donald Trump. During an August primary debate, Ramaswamy had accused Christie of running a campaign based on vengeance and grievance against the former president, who is likewise seeking the GOP nomination. In a new interview with Fox News, Christie was asked about that claim and his frequent comments about Trump. How do you run against someone and not talk about them? replied Christie, a onetime governor of New Jersey. I look at what Vivek does here hes practically his [Trumps] wingman. And he says hes the greatest president of the 21st century. Well, if he is, what the hell are you doing running? You should just drop out and endorse Donald Trump for reelection, which I think is essentially what hes doing, he added. I think hes auditioning for a Cabinet position if Donald Trump were ever to become president again. At the same August debate, Ramaswamy not only called Trump the best president of the 21st century, but vowed to pardon the former president who currently faces four criminal indictments if he wins the election. Trump subsequently praised Ramaswamy as a very, very, very intelligent person and said hed consider the biotech entrepreneur as a running mate. Ramaswamy has claimed hes not interested in the gig. In September, when a Fox News host asked what the point of his campaign is if hes not willing to accept a vice presidency, the upstart candidate said he wants to take Trumps America First agenda even further and I cant do that from a number-two position or a Cabinet role. Still, Ramaswamy has made headlines for occasional criticism of the former president. Last month, he said Trump had made a false promise about repealing the Affordable Care Act health care law. And he has blasted Trumps actions around efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. But he has also duckedquestions about such remarks. Trump is far and away the front-runner in the GOP race. Ramaswamy is polling on average at about 7.3%, while Christie is at 2.7%, according to FiveThirtyEight. Watch Christies Fox News interview below. 2024 GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie criticized fellow candidate Vivek Ramaswamy for not going after former President Trump in his campaign, calling Ramaswamy practically his wingman, in a Wednesday interview. How do you run against someone and not talk about them? I look at what Vivek does here. Hes practically [Trumps] wingman, Christie said in an interview on Fox News. He says hes the greatest president of the 21st century. Well, if he is, what the hell are you doing running? You should just drop out and endorse Donald Trump for reelection, which I think is essentially what hes doing, Christie added. I think hes auditioning for a cabinet position if Donald Trump were ever to become president again. Trump has dominated in essentially all national polls of the 2024 GOP presidential primary race in recent months. The most recent Morning Consult poll numbers, updated Monday, show Trump with a 48-point lead over his closest opponent, with Trump at 61 percent, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 13 percent, Ramaswamy and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley both at 7 percent, former Vice President Mike Pence at 5 percent, and Christie at 3 percent. No other candidate was above 1 percent. But candidates have been wary of criticizing Trump too harshly. Christie has been the most critical of Trump, while Ramaswamy has been the least critical of the primary front-runner, frequently calling him the greatest president in recent memory but saying he wants to lead the next generation. The two had been slated to spar in interviews with Brett Baier on Fox News, but the Republican National Committee reportedly put a stop to the head-to-head debate planned. Both Christie and Ramaswamy were critical of the decision. Christie repeated his frequent criticism of Trump in the interview, calling him a four-time loser, referring to the losses of the Senate and governorships in 2022, the special Senate election in 2021, the White House in 2020, and the House in 2018. I have no grievance against him personally. I have a grievance against what hes done to our party. Hes been a four-time loser, Christie said of Trump. He is losing for our party, and it leads to these Biden policies. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. City and county officials debuted a new Sacramento resource center Thursday morning geared toward the homeless in the downtown core at 14th and X streets. The Community Outreach Recovery Empowerment program site, or CORE, opens to community members this week. The center is contracted to serve some 600 people a year, including but not limited to people in need of behavioral health care, said Stanley Williams, manager of the program. The new site was established this year through a homelessness partnership between the city and the county announced in December. CORE is funded by the county, while city officials secured the site. Hope Cooperative, a local nonprofit, will run the wellness center. This is the 11th CORE site in the county. Staff in the building will provide walk-in outpatient mental health care as well as coordination with outside services between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, the amenities take a broad view of health: Clients can also watch TV, use computers, do laundry, eat breakfast and lunch, and shower. Dr. Ryan Quist, director, Sacramento County Behavioral Health, center, celebrates with other dignitaries including Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, and Supervisor Rich Desmond, after cutting a ribbon during the grand opening of the Community Outreach Recovery Empowerment, or CORE, program site at 1400 X Street in Sacramento on Thursday. Its utilized as a place to keep people off the streets, Williams said, keep them from going to the hospitals and going into clinics; where they could come and hang out and have sober moments if they want, or a place to feel comfortable to rest instead of on the streets. But we welcome everyone. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg addressed the crowd after Ryan Quist, the countys director of Behavioral Health Services, cut a red ribbon with giant scissors. There is an ill wind blowing in many parts of our community, our state and our country, the mayor said. There are those who believe that if only we could just wish it away, if only we could just move people from unsightly places to I dont know where nowhere that somehow its all going to get better. If thats all we do, then were simply going to displace people from one street corner to another. Thats why this CORE Center in the heart of the Broadway corridor is so important. On Sept. 20, the city evicted the people in a homeless encampment in Upper Land Park; by this week, The Sacramento Bee reported that the encampment was back, moved from a vacant lot to a nearby sidewalk and street. The city cleared about 25 people from an encampment near X Street and Alhambra Boulevard last week, but offered all of them spaces at Miller Parks Safe Ground. Supervisor Rich Desmond applauds speakers at the grand opening of the Community Outreach Recovery Empowerment, or CORE, program site at 1400 X Street in Sacramento for homeless on Thursday. Im happy to witness the transformative impact that this site is going to have in this community, said Desmond who also spoke at the event. Steinberg also praised the cooperative relationship forged between the city and the county, gesturing to the chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, who spoke at the event: Let me also thank Rich Desmond not your district here, Steinberg said. And yet you are here again, representing what true partnership can be. County Supervisor Phil Serna, who represents the district in which the center sits, was not in attendance. Sernas staffer, Monica Lozano, told The Sacramento Bee that the event was accidentally erased from his calendar. Katie Valenzuela, who represents the neighborhood on City Council, celebrated the relatively fast turnaround time on this new project. Looking out at the audience, she said, The problem is hard, but I have to say that the solutions are harder. The solutions are harder. Actually finding the political will to locate a site, to fund the services, to do the actual work of what its gonna take to reverse this crisis I see a lot of nodding heads across Hope Cooperative and county sides it is so hard. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, right, and Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, both spoke at the grand opening of the Community Outreach Recovery Empowerment, or CORE, program site at 1400 X Street on Thursday in Sacramento. Its so important to the city and the county to make this partnership agreement successful, said Steinberg. The Bees Theresa Clift contributed to this story. The deputy secretary for the Department of Energy pledged to work with the Tri-Cities communities as it makes a decision that will play a role in the long-term future economic development of the community. In a visit to the Tri-Cities, David Turk pledged DOE would listen to proposals and be genuine about what is beneficial to the community. We are a long-term neighbor to the community. The federal government is starting work toward picking projects to lease much of the limited land at the Hanford nuclear reservation that is designated for industrial use. Most of the Hanford site in Eastern Washington is reserved under Hanfords Comprehensive Land Use Plan for preservation and conservation. Just 10% was set aside in Hanfords Comprehensive Land Use Plan for industrial use. Now, DOE is looking for organizations interested in leasing 19,000 acres, or about 30 square miles, designated for industrial use for clean energy generation and storage. Some 19,000 acres in the southeast corner of Hanford are proposed to be leased for clean energy production. Acreage to be leased covers much of the largest area of land designated for industrial use at Hanford in the southeast corner of the site by Richland in Eastern Washington. There is only one way industrially that the Richland community can grow and that unfortunately is to the north, said Diahann Howard, Port of Benton executive director at a DOE session to discuss its plans. So we need to ensure and ask that we have a strategic coordinated vision together with all parties to ensure weve got a balance of generation, new energy opportunities, as well as the industrial that we are going to need in and around it, she said. Potential uses include small modular reactors, solar, battery storage, bioenergy and clean hydrogen, according to DOE. Wind would only be considered if new technology is used to prevent vibrations that would disrupt work to detect gravitational waves at the nearby LIGO gravitational wave observatory. Clean energy developers would have to work around some existing development there, such as the Energy Northwest commercial nuclear power plant and a patrol training academy on land designated for industrial use, and avoid some small areas there that were used to dispose of radioactive waste. Speeding up Hanford development The federal government now controls 580 square miles of land adjacent to the Tri-Cities. The Hanford site land was used during World War II for a secret project to produce plutonium, eventually using it for the Trinity Test bomb detonated in the New Mexico desert and then the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Farmers and orchardists, who owned about 11% of the land, and other early settlers and Native Americans there were forced from what was initially 670 square miles, some already in federal control. The government continued to use the site to produce nearly two-thirds of the plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program through the Cold War. Hanford was used to produce plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program during World War II and the Cold War. Environmental cleanup is underway now. Now more than $2.5 billion is spent annually on environmental cleanup at the Hanford site, including disposing of radioactive and hazardous chemical waste. The work, which will not be completed for decades, employs about 12,000 in family-wage jobs. The plan to use the large swath of industrial land for clean energy production is an opportunity to speed up industrial use of the land, said Ike White, senior adviser for the DOE Office of Environmental Management. Both he and Turk pointed out that a clean energy park was a vision that came from the Tri-Cities community. It is the right time for a Hanford land cleanup to clean energy vision to be realized, Turk said. Ingrid Kolb, director of the DOE Office of Management, said DOE wants to make sure as much clean electricity as possible is being generated on the 19,000 acres. DOE officials have been talking to officials at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where a 4,600-acre solar array has been installed, she said. Shrub steppe land at the Hanford nuclear reservation site in Eastern Washington is proposed to be leased for clean energy generation. A huge project would be amazing, she said. Proposed generation projects must be at least 200 megawatts. But Jeremiah Baumann, DOE chief of staff for the Office of the Undersecretary for Infrastructure, said DOE would like to maximize economic development for the Tri-Cities community and job creation. We just dont want to get the cheapest electricity, he said. Who would use clean energy David Reeploeg, vice president of the Tri-City Development Council and executive director of Hanford Communities, asked about a broader vision for the industrial land at Hanford with co-located new clean energy to decarbonize existing industry. We are eager for creativity, Turk said. We are not going into this with some set vision. David Turk, deputy secretary of energy, discuses leasing 19,000 acres of Hanford land for clean energy projects at Cleanup to Clean Energy Information Day in Richland. The build out of a large clean energy project should help develop a clean energy industrial base around the project, said Narayan Subramanian, adviser to the energy secretary. DOE is trying to put the first step forward expanding a clean energy economy that could be used to eventually replace some cleanup jobs at Hanford by expanding clean energy generation, he said. There was also discussion at the clean energy day between DOE and the Tri-Cities community about DOE projects purchasing the clean energy produced, whether for the Hanford site or for PNNL as their power needs increase and PNNL moves to eliminate fossil fuels and electrify as many of its facilities as possible. Having a guaranteed purchaser has been suggested as a way to allow new technologies to be demonstrated as other wind and solar projects are proposed on other land in Benton County. Turk said both good paying jobs and a clean energy transformation that has affordability, has security and has resilience are possible. Economic development is a core responsibility, plus meeting tribal treaty obligations, of the communities in which DOE is a part, he said. The Department of Energy released this map showing the location of 19,000 acres at the Hanford nuclear reservation proposed for clean energy generation leases. DOE has a special obligations to communities that have sacrificed for the nation to make sure the clean energy transition benefits those communities, he said. No money for the conversion to clean energy projects would come from Hanfords environmental cleanup budget, said DOE officials. Regulatory reviews will be needed before any work begins on the land, including an environmental review that along with other reviews could take two to four years. Companies and organizations proposing projects potentially would be asked to pay for the review. DOE is seeking feedback on its Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative at Hanford. Input should be sent to EMCleanEnergy@em.doe.gov by 4 p.m. Oct. 12. This is not us coming in with a full blown vision, Turk said. David Turk, deputy secretary of energy, visited Hanfords B Reactor before Cleanup to Clean Energy Information Day in Richland to discuss leasing 19,000 acres of Hanford land for clean energy projects. Five climate activists were arrested in London after they stormed the stage of the West End production of Les Miserables on Wednesday night, according to the city's Metropolitan Police. Protesters from the climate action group Just Stop Oil took the stage with orange banners saying "The show can't go on" during the song "Do You Hear the People Sing," the group said in a statement. Just Stop Oil said the activists locked themselves to the part of the set using bicycle locks at around 8:50 p.m., during the song's crescendo. They said theater technicians were unable to remove the locks, and the theater was emptied by 9:10 p.m. "The show starts with Jean Valjean stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal loaves of bread? How long before there are riots on the streets?" 23-year-old Hannah Taylor, who took part in the protest, said in the statement released by the group. "Am I not, like Jean Valjean, justified in breaking the law to oppose this criminal government and its murderous policies?" Taylor said. "Ask yourself, will you, like the citizens of Paris in the play, stand by and watch, or will you stand up against our governments' criminal plans and call for an end to new oil and gas?" Another young person who participated in the action, 19-year-old student Poppy Bliss, said she was terrified for the future. "I don't want to be disrupting people's evenings out, but I have been left with no other choice," Bliss said in a statement. "Our government is betraying the young and putting everyone's futures on the line for the sake of a few votes. I am doing this because I am desperate." Activists from Just Stop Oil have been staging events around the U.K. and Europe to bring attention to climate change that have included disrupting major sporting events and vandalizing museum pieces. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Rich Paul | Sunday on 60 Minutes Biden administration authorizes border wall construction Dr Gianluca Grimalda pictured on his 9,300-mile overland journey to Papua New Guinea. The senior climate researcher at the Kiel Institute in Germany, faces losing his job over his refusal to fly (Gianluca Grimalda) A climate researcher faces losing his job after he refused to fly home from a fieldwork project in Papa New Guinea to minimise his carbon footprint. Dr Gianluca Grimalda, who works at the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany, has refused to take flights since 2010 unless there is no other option - a stance that his employer has previously supported. The academic, who is a member of protest group Scientist Rebellion, described his fear and trauma over potentially being fired in order to hold true to his beliefs. Maybe I will not find another research position, he told The Independent. Doing research is the thing I love the most in my life. Earlier this year, the academic embarked on a 35-day, 9,300-mile (15,000km) overland journey including through Iran, India and Thailand to reach Papa New Guinea in the southwest Pacific. The academic acknowledged that he had been delayed in his return to Germany which he attributed to his group being held hostage and additional security threats in Papua New Guinea. Last week, his bosses sent an official warning and demanded he return to his desk by 2 October, the scientist said. His salary was also stopped in September, he added, a source of major stress. I pay for the healthcare of my mum in Italy. One-third of my salary goes to the payment of the healthcare of my mum, he told The Independent via a WhatsApp call from Bougainville Island on Wednesday. He added: I perceive immoral blackmail in what they were telling me. They wanted me to renege on my moral principles, on my commitment, in order to admit my failure in not having complied with the agreement that I had with them. Dr Grimalda was waiting to board a cargo ship to begin the first leg of his journey home, a voyage which required special permission from the National Maritime authority of Papua New Guinea, before continuing via bus, train and passenger ferries. The academic documented his slow travel journey from Germany to Papua New Guinea in an epic Twitter thread (Gianluca Grimalda) My stance is to not take a plane unless there is no alternative, he said. He explained that on the outbound journey, he was forced to take two flights - one because Chinas borders were still closed in February due to Covid, and another to reach Papua New Guinea from Singapore. The scientist said that the Kiel Institute has been supportive of his slow travel in the past, and that it has not impacted his work. I analyse my data, write articles, read articles. There is nothing that I can do in Germany in my office that I cannot do while traveling, he said. Occasionally I dont have internet while traveling but I just wait a little time and then I can connect to the internet. Gianluca Grimalda with residents in Papua New Guinea. He says his promise to locals about cutting his carbon footprint has given him resolve (Gianluca Grimalda) He acknowledged that he was supposed to have returned to Kiel by 10 September but said that he had informed his head of department about the security threats he had faced. We were held hostage for some hours under machete threat. All of my belongings were confiscated, he said. I now learned that I should have also informed the personnel office, I was not aware of that. Apparently for the Kiel Institute that was a major infringement of my contractual obligations. But I really had no idea, I thought that informing my immediate supervisor was enough. In an email to The Independent, Guido Warlimont, head of communications at the Kiel Institute, wrote: We remain committed to our policy of not publicly discussing or commenting on personal legal matters. This is also for the protection of our employees. In general, the Institute encourages and supports its staff to travel climate-friendly. We are committed to do without air travel in Germany and in other EU countries as far as we can. We pay to Atmosfair to offset emissions through climate protection projects. Mr Warlimont added that Dr Grimalda planned his trip to Papua with Kiels support, and that the institute had supported a slow travel trip that he made previously. Flying is one of the most emissions-intensive pursuits an individual can do. A persons carbon footprint increases by ticket class - and rockets with private jet travel. Dr Gianluca Grimalda crossing a stream with a local resident to reach a village in Papua New Guinea (Gianluca Grimalda) Domestic and international aviation is responsible for about 10 per cent of transport sector emissions. Roughly 1 per cent of the global population is responsible for more than half of these, the UN says. Flying is expected to boom in the coming decades as more countries grow their middle classes. Carbon emissions from the airline industry grew by 75 per cent from 1990 to 2012, according to the David Suzuki Foundation. If left unchecked, they could consume quarter of the available carbon budget for limiting temperature rise to 1.5C, the research group said. Dr Grimalda estimated that by avoiding the majority of flights, he cut his carbon emissions by 90 per cent. Travelling this way, I will emit 400 kilograms of carbon dioxide. By catching a plane, I emit 4,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide so its a big difference, he said. The academic said that his resolve had been strengthened by what he witnessed in Papua New Guinea, one of the worlds most vulnerable countries to the climate crisis. The country is experiencing sea-level rise and more frequent storm surge, forcing coastal communities to relocate. In mountain villages, drought is causing food shortages. Im going to stick to this promise I made to all these people who are so exposed to climate change without having any responsibility, he said. Sea level rise is not because of their emissions. People from the US are the ones with the highest carbon footprint in the world, but also Europeans. I dont want to fail these people one more time, even if this means losing my job. Dr Grimalda said that, by his calculations, even his slow travel plans are equivalent to the average Papuans emissions in one year. My estimation is the average person from Bougainville emits 400 kg carbon dioxide in one year, he said. To give you a sense of proportion, the average person in the world emits four tons of carbon dioxide in one year [and] the average US citizen emits 20 tonnes. The Italian academics story has resonated through the realms of academia and beyond. His saga, which he has shared on X, formerly Twitter, has received hundreds of comments and mounting media attention. Fellow academics have written to the Kiel Institute in protest on his behalf. We need more people like [Gianluca Grimalda], wrote PhD student Tuulia Reponen. You are my hero. Some 70 per cent of carbon emissions come from just 100 companies worldwide, according to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Mr Grimalda acknowledges that he would be a fool to think his individual actions could alter the course of the climate crisis. But I thought that this was the right occasion to really sound the alarm bell, to tell as many people as possible that we really need to change completely our lifestyle, he said. The growing number of vacation rentals in Cocoa Beach could lead to the city losing one of its elementary schools. With the decrease in residents in Cocoa Beach as a contributing factor, enrollment at elementary schools in the area has been dropping. Cape View and Roosevelt elementary schools both serve Cocoa Beach students. Freedom 7 is a "school of choice" that draws students from throughout the county. The two traditional elementary schools that serve Cocoa Beach students have the lowest student enrollments of the Brevard School District's 57 elementary schools, with Cape View at 308 last spring and Roosevelt at 283. In comparison, 37 elementary schools had student populations above 500, and the average Brevard elementary school had a population of 575. Roosevelt Elementary School in Cocoa Beach had the lowest enrollment of the Brevard School District's 57 elementary schools. Last spring, it has 283 students and was operating at about 47% of its capacity of 599. More: Explosion of vacation rentals in Cocoa Beach leaves residents frustrated and angry Cape View which also draws students from Cape Canaveral, where the school is located last spring was operating at about 54% of its capacity of 570, while Roosevelt was operating at about 47% of its capacity of 599. In theory, the combined student populations of Cape View and Roosevelt could be accommodated at Roosevelt. Cape View's enrollment is down 17% from 371 in the spring of 2019, and Roosevelt's is down 26% from 381 in the spring of 2019. Enrollment figures can drop for a number of reasons, including declining overall population within a school's attendance boundaries; more parents enrolling students in a charter school or private school; and more parents home-schooling their children. Brevard Countys overall population soared 32.4% from 2000 to July 2022, rising from 476,230 residents to 630,693. But Cocoa Beachs population dropped 9.1% during that span, tumbling from 12,482 permanent residents to 11,341 which is not the normal process for Florida communities, Cocoa Beach Director of Development Services Tanja McCoy said. From 2017 to 2021, Census data show Cocoa Beach had 1.90 people per household. Florida averaged 2.57 people per household during that span, and McCoy said widespread vacation rentals in Cocoa Beach may be a factor. Cocoa Beach City Commissioner Skip Williams fears BPS could downsize or close schools if too many Cocoa Beach permanent households are replaced by short-term rentals. It's going to be a huge economic impact on the area and the property values if we lose our schools. We have A-rated schools, Williams said. More: 'Soul of Brevard County' up for debate as Commission looks at expanding vacation rentals | Rangel Former Cocoa Beach Mayor Ben Malik said he has his concerns, too, about the future of the elementary schools. Brevard School Board Chair Matt Susin said, if a school's student count is shrinking, it would be "an absolute concern" to him. But Susin added that the district is not discussing closing any schools, and he believes the Brevard School Board is "committed to do anything we can do to keep schools open." Adjusting school boundaries would be an option to boost enrollment in a school with unusually low student counts, but that is not being discussed at this time, either, Susin said. Russell Bruhn, chief strategic communications officer for the Brevard School District, said it is the district's goal to have student enrollment near the school's capacity without going over. But he emphasized that families should be assured that there is no discussion within the district about closing schools or changing attendance boundaries in the Cocoa Beach area. In fact, he noted that Roosevelt over the summer got a new roof and major renovations to the kitchen and cafeteria area. Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54 Rick Neale is a space reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cocoa Beach elementary schools see fewer students as vacation rentals rise BRUSSELS, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Around 10,000 people, according to the common trade union front, demonstrated here on Thursday to denounce Belgium's draft "anti-protest law," which they argue risks undermining the fundamental right to demonstrate. The law, tabled by Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne, would introduce a three-year public protest ban for demonstrators convicted at previous demonstrations. The trade union front and a number of associations fear that this law will be misused by the political authorities to prevent even peaceful demonstrations. The nationwide strike has considerably disrupted the public transport services, particularly in Brussels. Theres nothing like a great cup of coffee and the good vibes that come with it. But theres also something to be said about a great coffee shop. And last week, you voted on your favorite coffee shop in Middle Georgia. The winner? Cathedral Coffee in Macon. Outside view of Cathedral Coffee in Macon Since opening in April 2018, Cathedral Coffee has quickly become the talk of the town for many reasons. The shop is located inside Northway Church in Macon and is conveniently located at 5915 Zebulon Road, where there are no other freestanding coffee shops. So, how did the vision start and how is Cathedral different from other coffee houses? Well, lets get grinding. Brewing up the vision The idea was all from Kevin Mills, our lead pastor [at Northway]. He wanted to do two things: serve the city of Macon and the surrounding areas and then possibly reach them, for the gospel, said Jacob Faircloth, general manager of Cathedral Coffee. Although the coffee shop is built alongside the church, Faircloth explained that you dont have to be a churchgoer to enjoy the coffee and space. A beautiful caramel macchiato from Cathedral Coffee is just what you need. courtesy of Cathedral Coffee's Facebook page Everybody loves coffee and coffee is something people tend to drink and stay, but you dont have to go to church. I have a lot of people that dont even believe in Jesus that come here and thats great, he said. The vision was to provide the physical space for people to use, but also provide a spiritual outlet for a person in need. Faircloth is no stranger to customer service or the food industry. In fact, you might remember him from the Chick-fil-A here in Macon. Years ago, he worked as a manager at the Zebulon Road location. Of course, the coffee industry is different and has its challenges; Faircloth and his team prioritize people, each other and their faith above all else. And this is seen and felt day in and day out at Cathedral. Friends, Faith & Fueling up Its tough in the coffee business, Faircloth said. However, his hopes for Cathedral Coffee are high. He explained that his goals are threefold at Cathedral because every interaction is important. Its about how we interact with guests, how we interact with each other and then hopefully how we interact with the gospel and the word, he shared. I want to treat people like people. Youre not a number, youre not a transaction. For Faircloth and his team, its all about kindness and fellowship, which makes Cathedral unlike most coffee houses or other businesses in general. Just ask Brittney Robinson, a Cathedral Coffee employee since 2020. My favorite thing about working at Cathedral Coffee is that we take our time and get to know our customers, she said. Its a really friendly and fun environment. Faircloth and his team will sometimes even huddle up and pray together before or in between shifts. And he said that if anyone is having a hard time, he wants them to talk about it and hug it out. I dont think theres a ton of other coffee shops doing that, he said. Speaking of unique things about Cathedral Coffee, there are several items named after people on the menu. Located under Cathedral Specials on the menu, theres The Ellie, a white mocha latte with caramel drizzle, The Pat, a honey vanilla oat milk latte, and The Jim, a sausage, bacon, egg and provolone cheese sandwich on sourdough bread. Faircloth explained that Ellie was a Stratford student who visited everyday and got the same drink, which is now named after her. The Ellie is now the most popular item at Cathedral Coffee. The Pat is named after Pat Chastain, the director of the Rescue Mission in Middle Georgia. And The Jim is named after a friend who visits almost daily. So, if there was a menu item named after you, what would it be? For me, The Chelsea would be a pumpkin spice latte, quad shot with two pumps of caramel. Hint, hint. Just saying. Carefully crafted From the coffee to menu items, Cathedral Coffee carefully crafts each and every order. But before the orders came rolling in, the design was creatively curated. Cathedral Coffee is Macons cozy little coffee shop inside of a church. Cathedral Coffee's Facebook page Tall brick arches, open space, a stained glass window above a warm fireplace and vintage wooden pews. Anywhere you look, the beauty is everywhere. Stained glass art inside Cathedral Coffee in Macon The design is based off of that stained glass window right there by the fireplace, Faircloth said, pointing towards the breathtaking, massive hand-painted focal point. The window, which was originally a part of Vineville Baptist Church long ago, was carefully moved during renovations and restored in the design of the coffee shop. Wooden pews inside Cathedral Coffee Faircloth shared that the general aesthetic of the shop is set up like a Cathedral and everything, down to the wooden pew seating, comes from whats painted on that stained glass window. Whats brewing next? Faircloth shared his future plans for Cathedral, which consist of more tables and chairs for the influx of customers, as well as an extended drive-thru and more events. Cathedral Coffee has long been a space that can be rented out for parties, receptions, baby showers and other celebrations. The space is very versatile and catering can be ordered through Faircloth and his team or food can be brought in from other vendors. Faircloth said he wants to add an open-mic worship night, where people can sign up to perform with Cathedrals acoustic guitarist to back them up. Coffee would of course, be served. Other than that, Faircloth shared that he just wants to continue serving the community by dropping off free coffee at businesses, schools, clubs or events. I just want to bless people, Faircloth said. Show Cathedral Coffee some love by leaving us a comment of your favorite thing about the coffee shop. Or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com Columbus residents will soon be able to find toys and gifts for their children in a new boutique toy shop opening in Highside Market later this fall. Sude Dellinger, an Alabama native, has developed Dragonfly Toys & Gifts to offer something more than the Barbie dolls and race cars that can be found in most toy stores giving customers a different toy store experience. I really want it to be unique items that you may not see anywhere else or definitely are not sold anywhere else, Dellinger told the Ledger-Enquirer. Dragonfly Toys & Gifts is a boutique toy shop coming to Highside Market this fall. The shop will focus on items that cant be found anywhere else. The store will carry lines like Sonny Angel dolls, she said. Dellinger realized the dolls could have wide-appeal at all ages when she saw a 20-year-old woman at a market with one tucked in her pocket. Another example of products Columbus residents can find at Dragonfly includes the Maileg Dollhouse. I want it to be items that are not sold anywhere else but here, she said. That way you can find something completely new that might delight you. Dellinger owns two Airbnb properties and manages another, she said, so there are no plans to expand the Dragonfly Toys & Gifts store outside of Columbus. Highside Market is in downtown Columbus, Georgia. 09/15/2023 Ive done three stores in New York City and two stores in Atlanta, Dellinger said. And I really love the idea of Highside Market. Dragonfly will occupy a 265 square-foot space inside Highside Market. The development by the Cotton Companies is a mix of new construction with preserved structures that date back to 1939, according to a news release. It will be a hub for dining, retail, office and event space at 211 13th St., and is expected to start a rolling opening this month leading to a grand opening in December. The developments concept is what motivated Dellinger to create Dragonfly, she said, and she wants the store to be something that is unique and exclusive to Columbus. It feels like being part of a community, Dellinger said. And its a gorgeous three buildings. How Columbus became home Dellinger opened a womens boutique store in New York Citys Hells Kitchen in 2001. She followed that boutique up with two more stores in Gramercy Park and on the Upper West Side. In 2005, Dellinger gave birth to triplets and wanted to take her career on a path that fit her new family. Dragonfly Toys & Gifts is a boutique toy shop coming to Highside Market this fall. The shop will focus on items that cant be found anywhere else. She moved the family to Peru for two years where Dellinger developed Feather Baby, a baby clothing line. I wasnt really into womens clothing anymore, she told the Ledger-Enquirer. Because, you know, having triplets you dont really fit in your jeans. Dellinger grew Feather Baby until the collection was being sold to 500 boutiques in the U.S., including two stores in metro-Atlanta. One day, she was staying at an Airbnb in rural Georgia when she noticed there was a nearby town called Columbus. So, Dellinger took a day trip to visit the city where she ended up exploring Broadway. She ate yogurt, watched kids playing on their scooters and enjoyed the RiverWalk. After the trip Dellinger decided to move to Columbus part-time. She split her time between Atlanta and Columbus for a while before making her move to Columbus permanent. I love the sidewalks, Dellinger said. I love the river. I love Broadway. BOSTON (AP) Three years after a Christopher Columbus statue was removed from a square in Providence, Rhode Island, the bronze cast has re-emerged, this time in a park in Johnston, Rhode Island, about 9 miles (14 kilometers) west of the capital. The statue had been targeted by vandals, at one point being splashed with red paint with a sign reading Stop celebrating genocide leaning against its pedestal. In 2020, the statue was removed. Activists say celebrating Columbus ignores the rape, murder and genocide endured by Indigenous people during the European settlement of North America. Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. said residents of his heavily Italian-American town are pleased to give the statue a new home. Its important and not just for Italian Americans. Its American history. Its world history, if you look at it from a historical perspective, he said. While not the first European to land in North America thats believed to be Leif Erikson Columbus helped usher in a wave of European exploration and expansion, and ultimately the era of globalization, Polisena said. After the statue was taken down and placed in storage, it was purchased for about $50,000 by former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino Jr. who then reached out to see if Johnston would take it, Polisena said. The statue which depicts Columbus pointing forward with his right arm while holding a globe in his left will be formally unveiled on Monday. I dont want to see it destroyed. I dont want to see it melted down, Polisena said. People should learn about him, the good and the bad. Polisena said he understands the criticism targeted at Columbus, but said its unfair to use the standards of 2023 to measure the actions of someone who lived five centuries ago. Not everyone is thrilled with the relocation of the 15th century explorers likeness. The statue should never have been resurrected after it was taken down, according to Harrison Tuttle, president of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island PAC. You dont have to be Indigenous to understand the harm that Christopher Columbus inflicted, he said. To see it go back up is really tone deaf to all the progress we made just three years ago. Tuttle said he understands the connection that many of Italian descent feel for Columbus, but said he shouldnt be the vehicle for the pride Italian-Americans feel for their contributions to the country. He also said he wished the mayor had spoken with members of the community who were offended by the decision install the statue. My grandmother who helped raise me was Italian and I grew up in a majority Italian neighborhood, he said. At the same time, there are better ways to celebrate your heritage and culture without celebrating someone who in my opinion is the exact opposite of what Italian culture is. Other cities have grappled with the legacy of Columbus statues. In 2020, Bostons Christopher Columbus statue located in the citys largely Italian North End neighborhood was taken down after its head was knocked off. In 2020, a Columbus statue in Richmond, Virginia, was torn down by protesters, set on fire and thrown into a lake. In 2022, a Columbus statue was removed from the California Capitol rotunda. Also last year, crews removed a plywood box that had been placed over a Philadelphia statue of Christopher Columbus. Camden, New Jersey, also removed their Columbus statue. Darrell Waldron, director of the Rhode Island Indian Council said theres no love lost between Native peoples and the legacy of Columbus. I think Columbus opened a Pandoras box for Indigenous people, he said. People who were the victims of rape and murder and genocide were not writing the history. At the time that the statue was being removed in Providence, Waldron the son of a Narragansett father and Wampanoag mother -- said he and others hoped that the statue would have been sold off and kept out of public view, with any proceeds going to help fund a Native statue. I would love to see a statue of Native women, he said. It doesnt always have to be a man. The debate over the statue comes amid a larger debate about what to call the federal holiday that falls on Monday, Oct. 9, this year. In 2021, President Joe Biden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day, lending a boost to efforts to refocus the federal holiday celebrating Columbus toward an appreciation of Native peoples. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Commander, Joe and Jill Bidens German Shepherd that has a penchant for biting Secret Service personnel, has officially been removed from the White House after a recent spree of incidents, a White House spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated, Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for the first lady, told CNN. The announcement came hours after CNN reported that the 2-year-old pup has bitten more people than previously known publicly. The Secret Service said this week that Commander has been involved in 11 biting incidents with its officers, but sources told CNN that Commander has also chomped down on executive residence staff and other White House workersattacks that have gone unreported to the public. One bite was so severe it reportedly sent someone to the hospital, while others have been minor enough to go untreated, the sources said. The Daily Mail published photos Wednesday that showed Commander jumping up and biting a White House staff memberseemingly confirming the sources reports. Read it at CNN Read more at The Daily Beast. Commander Biden , like Major Biden before him, has been removed from the White House following reports that the German Shepherd was biting multiple Secret Service agents. Curiously enough, West Wing staffers, who said they love the dog and described him as friendly and happy to be pet, never seemed to have a problem with him. CNN said last week that the two-year-old dog bit another agent, in what was the 11th known incident of aggression (but not all aggressions were bites). The first 10 incidents became public in July after the conservative group Judicial Watch obtained Secret Service emails through Freedom of Information Act requests. Read more Some current and former White House staff speculated to Politico on Monday that Commander simply doesnt like the Secret Service agents, who were described as enormous men with guns acting suspiciously hostile everywhere. Thats a stark contrast to the staffers who said they smile at the dog, give him ear scritches, and, presumably, talk to him in cooing baby voices...and have never been bit. I cant say I blame Commander for apparently not trusting these agents. A recent book even revealed that Biden was concerned that some agents were MAGA sympathizers who had some questionable behavior on January 6, plus, Biden didnt believe the stories Secret Service agents told about Major. Staffers told Politico that, despite their positive interactions with him, they still assumed the dog would be leaving soon, probably before Thanksgiving. He didnt even make it that long, but if I were in charge, I would have implemented a remedial plan for the Secret Service agents first. You know what you did. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Community members are rallying around a postal worker who was shot and carjacked in Mar Hill, according to reports from WLOS. Teresa Ramsay said the incident occurred while she was delivering mail on Sept. 5. When those who frequent the old Mars Hill Theatre found out what happened to Ramsay, they jumped in to help. I was like, Hey, lets do a music benefit. Lets do it at the hometown place we do trivia at, fundraiser organizer Jammie McHone said. A month later, Mars Theatre Brewing Co. is set to host a fundraiser to help Ramsay with medical bills, according to WLOS. ALSO READ: Man accused of shooting, carjacking mail carrier in western NC taken into custody Its a big celebration, McHone said. Not just because she made it, but its the fact that itll be all of her friends and family together. Organizers said although thousands of dollars have already been raised for Ramsay, they are still expecting a big turnout. All the proceeds are going to her, Spruill said. Were doing 35% of our sales, which will go towards her. Its all about taking care of her. To make a donation via the GoFundMe page set up for Ramsay, click here. VIDEO: Man accused of shooting, carjacking mail carrier in western NC taken into custody Commuters were asked to avoid a portion of downtown Boise as emergency crews responded to a grass fire and downed power lines Thursday afternoon. The Ada County Highway District said in a 3:45 p.m. news release that downed power lines near 13th Street caused several stoplights to stop functioning and power outages. ACHD also said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that the grass fire was near 13th and River streets. The roads reopened and the fire was put out by around 5:45 p.m., the highway district said in a follow-up post on X. The outages and grass fire are causing significant delays and road closures, according to the release. The Boise Police Department, according to a post on X, closed 13th and 14th streets south of River Street. The Boise Fire Department also was at the site, the post said, working with police to clear the scene. Its expected to take a few hours. Roughly 130 Idaho Power customers were being affected by the outage at about 4:30 p.m., according to the companys website. That number originally was up over 1,000. ACHD said in its 5:45 p.m. post that power was restored and that Idaho Power was finishing up any needed repairs. Ransomware attacks are more advanced and targeting schools, hospitals, financial services, and even local governments. Now federal lawmakers are exploring ways to try to prevent these attacks. The ransom note stated that all data on all devices and servers was encrypted including our backup systems, said Dr. Lacey Gosch, assistant superintendent of technology for Judson Independent School District in Texas. Dr. Gosch leads the technology department for a school district in Texas. During a recent congressional hearing, she told lawmakers that a 2021 cyberattack on the district cost them $547,000 in ransom. She added the breach also affected more than 400,000 people. Now shes urging Congress to provide more support to help school systems facing these same threats. We learned that the calvary does not come and must rely on our own resources. No state or federal agency ever visited or offered recovery assistance to us, said Dr. Gosch. Insurance coverage was helpful but those go predominately to attorney fees, data mining and identity protection. It doesnt cover ransom payments or costs for upgrades to mitigate that damage. Cybersecurity experts warn ransomware attacks are also becoming more expensive. Thats because they say hackers are demanding money in exchange for agreeing to not sell or share the stolen information. The actors have increased access to technical capabilities, anonymous payment systems, and safe havens from which to operate, said Grant Schneider, senior director of cybersecurity services at Venable, LLP. Some democrats believe investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help make a difference. Providing more than a billion dollars in vital investment to help both private and public entities who fall victim to cyberattacks, said Rep. Gerald Connolly, (D) Virginia. While some Republicans want to develop better ways for federal law enforcement agencies to collect and share information about these hackers and their attacks. The bottom line is its too easy today for malicious actors to do too much damage and make too much money with too few consequences said Rep. Nancy Mace, (R) South Carolina. Some school leaders also want Congress to establish new standards for protecting social security numbers in all systems. Turning Point USA president and conservative activist Charlie Kirk is coming back to the Sacramento area this month as the special guest speaker at the American Councils annual gala. The American Council is a Rocklin-based 501(c)4 founded by Tanner DiBella, communications director at Destiny Church in Rocklin. The groups mission is to promote a biblical worldview in the public sphere. The American Council gala is a private event that celebrates the great work we do in the community, said DiBella. We invite voices from across the nation with diverse political views to speak each year. This year, Mr. Kirk will be sharing about the importance of faith communities engaging with their local communities. DiBella added. Giving speakers the opportunity to share different perspectives with us allows us to constantly evaluate how we can strengthen the family and protect religious liberty. Kirk, whose speaking fee ranges from $50,000-$100,000, was last in Sacramento in March, when the UC Davis chapter of Turning Point USA invited him to speak. His arrival sparked a protest, which resulted in two people arrested for spraying graffiti. About 100 protesters clashed with campus police. Kirk, an early supporter of Donald Trumps first presidential campaign, has become a polarizing figure with comments hes made about racial justice, LGBTQ rights, gun violence, and education. He has referred to trans women as an abomination and supported unfounded claims of mass voter fraud in the 2020 election. Kirk visited Destiny Church to speak with pastor Greg Fairrington in November 2020, at the peak of COVID-19 shutdowns and mask mandates. No one is being forced to be here today, Kirk said in one service. You come knowing the risk of this virus, knowing your own health situation. You know that theres a chance that you might interact with someone thats a carrier, and youre willing to take that responsibility. Thats what liberty is all about. He came back to Destiny in March 2022 for another conversation with Fairrington. I speak at churches all across the country, he told Fairrington. But this is one of the healthiest churches that I have a chance to visit... This is a church that stands and fights. The gala will take place Oct. 28, in Roseville. Tickets range from $250 to $20,000. Past special guests have included former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, a 2024 presidential candidate. The most important health care cases headed to the Supreme Court this term have, at first blush, nothing to do with health care. One concerns regulations on small fishing vessels. Another covers rules for cracking down on financial fraud. A third asks whether the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can fund itself without congressional approval. Yet all three cases are part of a broader conservative effort targeting the administrative state, and could set precedents that block the FDA from expanding abortion pill access, the CDC from implementing pandemic protections, and HHS from ordering insurance companies to cover HIV prevention drugs, depression screenings and other preventive care. Several cases that more directly attack health agencies are also working their way through lower courts, and their outcome could hinge on how the Supreme Court rules this term. The slew of cases has alarmed legal experts, patient advocates and former health officials from both parties who say the consequences for the health care system from drugmakers to nurses to patients could be dire. If the court moves in the coming months to restrict federal agencies powers, they warn, a raft of health policy decisions would be punted to a gridlocked Congress. Mark McClellan, a former FDA commissioner and CMS administrator under President George W. Bush, is among those warning that limiting the executive branchs ability to make policy especially health agencies making rules based on the latest science would upend how government functions. This is a really key feature of effective government, McClellan said. Disrupting that reliability not having an effective mechanism to replace it with means more uncertainty about health, probably less investment needed to keep Americans safe. The conservative groups behind the legal efforts, which would constrain most federal agencies if successful, argue that health policy is one of many areas where bureaucrats have overreached, and see the cases as a corrective step. This is business as usual when it comes to holding federal agencies accountable for failing to follow the law, said Erik Baptist, a senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom who is leading several challenges to federal agency powers, including FDA regulation of abortion pills. We've seen many recent examples where an agency may purport to have expertise in an area, but when it exceeds its statutory authority to prescribe new laws or regulations on a vast group of society or industry, then it's the court's obligation to rein in that unlawful activity. While right-leaning groups have long wanted to shrink the federal governments role in health care and other areas, their efforts have recently found a smoother path through the courts. Many of the current cases have been funneled to a handful of Texas judges and the conservative-leaning 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, hoping for rulings that will tie the hands of agencies working to expand access to care, combat infectious and chronic diseases, and curb insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Its an effort to use friendly judges to take health care away from people, said Leslie Dach, a former senior counselor to the secretary of Health and Human Services during the Obama administration. And as dire as the consequences are for the specifics of each lawsuit, the total effect will be even more dire. Just days before the Supreme Courts term began on Monday, advocacy groups representing patients fighting cancer, ALS, epilepsy, mental illnesses and other conditions warned the justices that rolling back federal agency powers and putting the onus on Congress to write and update regulations would cause chaos. Their amicus brief argued low-income people, the elderly and people with disabilities would bear the brunt of any ensuing harm. Mary Rouvelas, the managing counsel and legal advocacy director at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and lead author of the brief, pointed to the pending fishing boat regulations case that attacks Chevron the precedent that courts defer to federal agencies interpretations of laws. Should the justices overturn Chevron, she cautioned, crucial updates to federal health programs would grind to a halt, and groups would have a green light to file lawsuits to strike down any longstanding rules. Congress can't be legislating every time the science changes it's just not physically possible, she said. If Congress is not capable of even funding its annual programs in a timely fashion, I don't see them legislating about what a geographic area is for the purposes of a specific nursing home statute. Overturning Chevron is only one tactic. Other cases before the Supreme Court this term and cases likely to reach the high court in the future target federal agencies in different ways. Some contend that Congress never delegated to federal bureaucrats or advisers the authority to make health care rules. Others argue that agencies shouldnt be able to tackle major questions like vaccine mandates and abortion pill regulations without explicit permission from Congress. One case pending before the justices concerns the FDAs ability to regulate abortion pills. The case will likely turn on whether the Supreme Court believes the agency adequately considered the safety risks or made a series of arbitrary and capricious decisions to make the pills more accessible. But groups on both sides of the lawsuit see its potential to place more sweeping restrictions on the FDAs authority. The group Students for Life recently told its members that a blow to Chevron would aid its efforts to ban abortion pills because judges wouldnt be compelled to defer to the FDAs expertise. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and pharmaceutical industry have warned in statements and legal briefs that striking down agency policies allowing the pills to be mailed and dispensed at local pharmacies would spark a wave of challenges to other drug approvals and hamper the regulators ability to make rules based on science. Right-leaning groups have successfully targeted many other federal health regulations in recent years using similar arguments going after mask and vaccine mandates, bans on smoking in public housing, and discounts on some prescription drugs and are expected to lean heavily on this tactic going forward. Its a longer road to really chipping away at agency discretion and agency expertise to decide what good policy is, said Rachel Rebouche, a dean of Temple Universitys Beasley School of Law who specializes in reproductive health law. Another case now before the right-leaning 5th Circuit targets more than a decade of HHS rules around preventive care services that insurance companies must cover with no out-of-pocket costs for patients under the Affordable Care Act policies that have made STD tests, HIV prevention drugs and mental health screenings free for tens of millions of people. The conservative employers behind the case argue that because the United States Preventive Services Task Force is made up of outside experts who were neither Senate-confirmed nor chosen by a Senate-confirmed agency head, its recommendations of what services should be covered must be set aside and cant be enforced. If they prevail, insurance coverage would likely never evolve to reflect new scientific research or medical needs, warned Dach, the former HHS official. You need people who understand the science to continually upgrade these things thats why Congress established these mechanisms, he said. They cant tell a woman when to get a mammogram. Theyre not reading the latest medical literature to see whats changed. We really expect Congress to sit down with a list of preventive services and decide which we do and dont need anymore? Its a joke, but one where the punchline could result in people dying. Many conservatives are cheering on these challenges with renewed enthusiasm following Covid-19 mandates that they saw as government going too far. The Heritage Foundation recently touted the pending Supreme Court cases as an opportunity to wake Congress up with the only thing that might do the trick: a judicial slap in the face, arguing the House and Senate have ceded too much power to federal bureaucrats and need to take it back. The Christian Employers Alliance argued in a brief to the top court that agency officials are far too willing to impose their personal political agendas, citing several different vaccine and health insurance mandates as examples of overreach. But some on the right warn that the ripple effects from these cases could make it harder to keep Americans safe. Marc Scheineson, a former FDA associate commissioner under President George H.W. Bush, whos now a partner at Alston & Bird LLP, said that because Congress tends to write vague legislation, agencies need the right to clarify statutes through their rulemaking powers. If courts continue to question that right, he warned, any industry or advocate with enough resources will have the incentive to sue to take down any regulation they dont like. Were going to be back in the wild wild west where whoever has the biggest gun and is able to draw it the fastest wins, he said. Scheineson added that should courts side with those seeking to disempower federal agencies, the government could have even more trouble retaining and recruiting workers especially scientists who could earn more in the private sector. If their experience is not being honored and their hard work is not being rewarded, the motive for dedicating their lives to these issues is definitely removed, he said. The Supreme Courts rulings this term threaten to hamper future policymaking for conservatives and progressives alike. The Trump administration relied on health agency authority to push Medicaid work requirements, restrictions on medical research using fetal tissue and job protections for doctors refusing to offer contraception or other services that clashed with their religious beliefs. Left-leaning organizations tried to knock down those rules with lawsuits just as groups on the right are doing now with Biden administration policies. The difference, said University of Michigan law professor Nick Bagley, is that conservatives have a 6-3 Supreme Court majority, so they are going to win more. Thats just gravity. The current wave of cases seeking to defang the administrative state, he added, is about limiting the scope of federal power and undermining the decisions of democratically-elected presidents. Its profoundly anti-democratic no matter who is doing it, he said. HANOI, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Wood pellets and wood chips are a bright spot in the shipment of Vietnam's forestry products, the Vietnam News reported Thursday, citing the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association. The value of Vietnamese wood chip exports reached 1.1 billion U.S. dollars in the first seven months of this year, with China and Japan being the biggest importers, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The two East Asian countries made up nearly 95 percent of the total volume and value of Vietnam's wood chip exports in 2022 and over 90 percent in the first half of this year. Meanwhile, Vietnam's wood pellet exports earned 380 million dollars from January to July. South Korea and Japan have been the two major importers of wood pellets from Vietnam, accounting for nearly 100 percent of the total volume and value of Vietnam's exports to all markets since 2019. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam's forestry product exports have recovered since the third quarter. The country's forestry product exports in September surpassed 1.28 billion dollars, up 7.3 percent after a prolonged period of decline. Six months ago, FBI officials boasted that in 2022 their agents had spied on only 120,000 Americans without search warrants! Under the Constitution, that number should be ZERO. This revelation is supposed to give members of Congress comfort that the folks we have hired to protect the Constitution are in fact doing so. In reality, the feds continue to assault and violate a core freedom protected by the Constitution the right to be left alone. The reason for the FBI revelation is the pending expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the bipartisan animosity toward its extension. Section 702 is unconstitutional on its face as it directly contradicts the core language of the Fourth Amendment. It permits the feds to conduct warrantless surveillance on foreign persons who are either physically or digitally present in the United States and all with whom they communicate American or foreign who are located here. Thus, for example, if you call or text or email an art dealer in Florence, Italy, from your home in New Jersey, or your cousin in Geneva, Switzerland, calls or texts or emails you at your home in California, the FBI can monitor all those communications without a search warrant. And then the feds can monitor the future calls you make and texts and emails you send and receive. WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: The FBI seal is attached to a podium prior to Director is Christopher A. Wray speakin at a news conference at FBI Headquarters, on June 14, 2018 in Washington, DC. Earlier today the inspector general released a 500 page report on the Clinton email investigation. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) The reason for the search warrant requirement is to prevent a repeat of what British agents did to the American colonists before the Revolutionary War. Then, secret British courts in London issued general warrants to British agents in America, which authorized the bearer to search wherever he wished and seize whatever he found. When British agents used their general warrants to search colonial homes ostensibly looking for tax stamps in compliance with the Stamp Act, they were really attempting to find who among the colonists entertained revolutionary ideas that might lead to a revolt against the king. The existence and the enforcement of the Stamp Act proved so unpopular that Parliament rescinded it after just one year of British agents roughing up colonists in their homes. But the former bond between colonials and their king had been irreparably breached and a sea change in colonial thinking pervaded the land. The core of that sea change was not taxation without representation; it was freedom. To the colonial mindset, freedom had one universal meaning. It meant freedom from the government from king and Parliament. The sea change in colonial thinking resulted in an ideological welcome mat for the Declaration of Independence. When Thomas Jefferson was holed up in a Philadelphia rooming house for five days in June 1776 writing and revising the Declaration, he thought he was crafting the ideological fountainhead of a minority of landowners who despised the kings authority. Yet, within a year, farmers and artisans and laborers joined the popular and bloody revolt that ended in 1783 with freedom from England. What about freedom from the new government here? When the Constitution was ratified six years later, it had no amendments and made no mention of personal liberty. Five of the ratifying states had insisted upon the promise of the addition of a Bill of Rights as a pre-condition to ratification. And so, the first task of the new Congress was to comply with that promise and craft a Bill of Rights, lest these five states secede from the new union. The colonies-become-states presumed a right to secede. They believed that what they had joined voluntarily, they could voluntarily leave. What became the Fourth Amendment protected the quintessentially American right to be left alone. It states that the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects shall be secure and may be violated by the government only pursuant to a search warrant issued by a neutral judge and based on probable cause of crime, and the warrant must specifically describe the place to be searched or the persons or things to be seized. There is no exception in the amendment for foreign people, bad people, dangerous people, violent people, people the government hates or fears. By the plain meaning of its English words, the amendment protects ALL people. There is no limitation in the amendment to government personnel engaged in law enforcement. The amendment restrains ALL government. The very purpose of the amendment is to present an obstacle to the government because the amendment protects the natural human right to personal privacy and autonomy from the government. James Madison who drafted the Bill of Rights and his colleagues made a value judgment consistent with their Judeo-Christian-informed morality; namely, that natural rights trump governmental needs. The violation of privacy is a form of government aggression. Madison knew the tendencies of government toward aggression. The Fourth Amendment was to be the bulwark against it. The people could protect themselves against private aggressors, but theyd need a clause in the supreme law of the land and independent judges to restrain government aggressors. After 50 years of studying, teaching, writing about, judging, interpreting and just plain explaining the Constitution, I am convinced that those in government dont believe its words or accept its values. They dont feel bound by it. They have crafted mechanisms of all sorts like Section 702 to evade and avoid it. They will claim that it impairs their duties. Yes, it does intentionally so, and in the name of personal liberty. Today, liberty is impaired for foreign persons, an immutable characteristic. Tomorrow it could be impaired for any other immutable trait. Of what value is a Constitution with congressionally crafted, politically based exceptions? None. Section 702 expires on Dec. 31, 2023. Last week, President Joe Biden asked Congress to renew it. It should die a natural death. Paraphrasing Justice George Sutherland, if the provisions of the Constitution are not upheld when they pinch as well as when they comfort, they may as well be abandoned. Andrew P. Napolitano, a former New Jersey Superior Court Judge, has published nine books on the U.S. Constitution. To learn more, visit JudgeNap.com. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: A Constitution the government evades The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Tuesday that it approved a Defense Department initiative to begin defueling an antiquated Hawaii storage facility, nearly two years after a spill leaked into a water well that serves more than 90,000 people. A joint task force submitted a report to the EPA prior to defueling to affirm that storage repairs at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility had been completed. Tank tightness of the pumps was tested and approved, as were EPA-standard rapid response measures and countermeasures in the event another spill occurred ahead of the facilitys eventual closure. The Honolulu Star Advertiser first confirmed the EPAs decision. Controversy has surrounded Red Hill, located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, since November 2021. At that time, residents in and near Pearl Harbor reported that their drinking water smelled like fuel, but Navy officials maintained the water was safe to consume. Samples tested at a laboratory the following month, however, found petroleum products in the water. Nearly 6,000 personnel, mostly military families, sought medical attention for rashes, sores, nausea and other ailments after being exposed to the contaminated water. The Hawaii Department of Health later issued an emergency order, which forced the Navy to shutdown operations at the World War II-era facility. The Pentagon announced in October 2022 that it had started draining one million gallons of fuel from three pipelines in an initial step toward closing the facility. Nearly 1,500 people had filed administrative claims against the Navy as of late June. There is also a pending federal lawsuit with nearly 300 plaintiffs. We are aiming for a new normal: One where this never happens again, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said in a news release in December 2021. The Department is determined and committed to making the necessary changes. We can and will take care of our people, while also preserving and protecting our national security interests in the Pacific and at home. In total, more than 93,000 individuals from 9,715 households in 19 different communities on the Navy water system were affected by the spill. Some Hawaiian civilians living in homes supplied by the services water system were also impacted. Defeuling of Red Hill is expected to begin Oct. 16. A police car, left, and OnlyFans on a cell phone, right, in a composite image. Getty Images A man who was pulled over by a police officer said he recognized her from OnlyFans. He recalled that he said to the cop: "You can't arrest me no more; I've seen your private parts." The Minneapolis Police Department is now investigating if the officer violated any conduct policies. The Minneapolis Police Department is investigating an officer after a man she pulled over recognized her from her OnlyFans account, according to Fox 9. The officer, who works in the city's fourth precinct and whom Fox 9 did not identify by name, has an OnlyFans page showing pornographic photos and videos for a monthly fee, the local media outlet reported. Over the weekend, a driver who was pulled over during a traffic stop said he realized after 10 minutes of talking with the officer that he had been subscribed to her OnlyFans page for five months, Fox 9 reported. The driver told Fox 9 that he said to the police officer: "You can't arrest me no more; I've seen your private parts." He also said that he couldn't "respect" her or the precinct she works for after seeing the videos. Whether the officer did anything in breach of her employer's code of conduct by having an OnlyFans side hustle is now being investigated. According to The Minnesota Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, officers must "keep [their] private life unsullied as an example to all." Minneapolis Police Department did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on whether having an OnlyFans page would violate this. In a statement provided to Fox 9, the department said: "We take any allegations of policy violations seriously and the Chief has ordered an investigation." The police department also did not respond to Insider's request for comment on the status of the investigation. A spokesperson for the city's mayor, Jacob Frey, said in a statement that it is ultimately up to the police chief to determine if there are any violations, but that the mayor has "no issue" with her having nude pictures behind a paywall, per Fox 9. Last week, a Missouri high school teacher said she was placed on leave after officials discovered that she was supplementing her salary with an OnlyFans account. The teacher said she earned an additional $8,000 to $10,000 per month and had no regrets about joining the subscription website, according to the Associated Press. Read the original article on Insider Police have taken a suspect into custody in connection with the fatal stabbing of a young community activist in Brooklyn earlier this week, according to multiple reports. An 18-year-old man, identified as Brian Dowling, has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon over the random slaying, police said. Ryan Carson, 32, was standing at a bus stop with his girlfriend on Monday when he was confronted by a man who suddenly stabbed him in the chest in an unprovoked attack. Distressing surveillance footage showed Carson crumple to the ground as his attacker lunged for and spit at his girlfriend before fleeing. The news comes just a day after cops said a mentally disturbed man had been identified as a person of interest in the case. Sources cited by the New York Post said police recovered the sweatshirt allegedly worn by Carsons killer, as well as a knife, during a search of a home near the crime scene. Dowling reportedly resides in that area. Carson, a campaign organizer for the New York Public Interest Research Group, had been returning from a wedding with his girlfriend when the attack took place. Photos taken just hours earlier showed the couple dressed up and grinning from ear to ear. Carson and his assailant had no prior interactions, police said. A neighbor of Dowling quoted by the New York Daily News said they were very surprised to hear hed been taken into custody. He was the sweetest boy, the neighbor said. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Cornel West ditches Green Party; now running for president as an independent Cornel West is no longer running for the White House as a Green Party presidential candidate. The outspoken progressive university scholar announced on Friday that he's now seeking the presidency as an independent candidate. "People are hungry for change. They want good policies over partisan politics. We need to break the grip of the duopoly and give power to the people. I'm running as an Independent candidate for President of the United States to end the iron grip of the ruling class and ensure true democracy!" West said Friday in a social media posting. And the West campaign, in a statement, said that "as Dr. Wests campaign for president grows, he believes the best way to challenge the entrenched system is by focusing 100% on the people, not on the intricacies of internal party dynamics." CORNEL WEST SAYS DEMOCRATIC PARTY BEYOND REDEMPTION Sen. Bernie Sanders and Cornel West walk onstage together during a campaign event at the Whittemore Center Arena on Feb. 10, 2020, in Durham, New Hampshire. West, who was a surrogate for progressive firebrand Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 and 2020 Democratic presidential campaigns, started his 2024 bid for the presidency on the People's Party ticket. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP But concerns of the People's Party ballot access led to West switching to the Green Party, which is already on the ballot in nearly 20 states across the country. Cornel West at Holman United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. SPECULATION OF A NO LABELS INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL TICKET SOARS West's decision to now run as an independent complicates his ability to get on the ballot, as his team will have to gather a long list of signatures in each of the 50 states. Democrats have deep concerns over West's White House bid, even though his fundraising has been paltry. President Biden and Cornel West Their concerns center on West's ability to appeal to certain elements of the Democratic base that are crucial to President Biden's 2024 re-election. And in an election that will likely once again be extremely competitive in key states across the country, Democrats worry a vote for West could boost former President Donald Trump, the commanding frontrunner for the Republican nomination. The 70-year-old West, who's authored 20 books, has repeatedly dismissed talk that he could be a spoiler by helping Trump regain the presidency. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, West called warnings that he could play a role in re-electing Trump "a plausible argument." But he added that "its not a persuasive one for me." West may soon have company running as an independent. Environmental lawyer and high-profile vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a scion of the famous Kennedy political dynasty, is expected to drop his long-shot bid for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination and run as an independent candidate. And the centrist group No Labels is also seriously mulling fielding a 2024 independent "unity" ticket in the presidential race. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Original article source: Cornel West ditches Green Party; now running for president as an independent A section of Government Square is closed in downtown Cincinnati early Monday after someone was found dead there about 5:15 a.m., police say. The identity of the woman strangled to death in Downtown has been released Thursday. Felicia Torrey, 51, was found dead on Government Square early Monday morning near the corner of Fifth and Main streets. The Hamilton County Coroner's Office verified her name. Robert Harris, 33, was arrested Tuesday and charged with murder in her death. Investigators have not released any details about the killing. Harris is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a $175,000 bond. A grand jury is scheduled to hear his case by Oct. 12. In May, Harris was arrested and charged with felonious assault and unlawful restraint after police said he tried to force a woman to engage in sexual acts with him by pinning her against a wall and threatening to have his dog attack her if she didn't do what he wanted. The grand jury in that case did not indict Harris and the charges were dropped. The accuser in the case from May was not Torrey. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coroner names woman strangled on Government Square in Downtown For the first time in Mississippis history, a runoff election could determine the outcome of the governors race. For more than a century, the states 1890 constitution required candidates for statewide office to accomplish two things to be seated: receive a majority of the votes cast in the election and win a majority of the states individual House districts. If no candidate cleared both hurdles, the race was thrown to the state House of Representatives, where House members were under no obligation to vote according to the wishes of their constituents. The authors of the 133-year-old constitution wrote the provision during the Jim Crow era with the intention of making it harder for Black candidates to win elected office. But in 2020, after a federal judge strongly suggested the state change the constitutional provision, a majority of state lawmakers and the states voters decided to remove it for good. When Mississippians voted to scrap the provision in 2020, they also replaced it with the requirement that a candidate must earn only a majority of the votes cast to be elected. And now, if no candidate gets 50% of the vote on Election Day, the top two vote-getters move to a runoff election decided by voters. This year, the first major statewide election cycle since the 2020 constitutional change, a runoff is possible for the current governors race. Republican incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves is running for reelection, and he faces a strong challenge from Democrat Brandon Presley . But Gwendolyn Gray, an independent candidate, will also appear as a third option on the ballot alongside the two major party candidates. Gray, a resident of the north Mississippi town of Sturgis, is a political newcomer. In her first interview of 2023, she told Mississippi Today this week that she realizes it will be next to impossible for her to win the governors race, and shes concerned about the prospect of a runoff election. Instead, the 58-year-old candidate said shes planning to meet with her supporters next month and tell them which type of candidate they should vote for, though she remained cryptic about the details of the future meeting. I want to tell them how important it is for them to vote and vote their conscience, Gray said of her supporters. I will definitely tell them, at this point, it is very difficult for me to win. I do not want to stop anyone else from winning. Election candidates, including third-party challengers, typically try to convince voters to elect them to public office. But Gray, instead, appears to be taking a different approach to campaigning. Making matters even more curious, Gray said in the interview that she recently tried reaching out to one of the two candidates running for governor to share some of her concerns, but she received no response. She declined to say which of the two candidates she tried to contact or what she specifically planned to discuss with them. I want some of my issues to be a concern of theirs, Gray said. If Grays presence on the Nov. 7 ballot triggers a runoff, it would be a major shakeup in the race for who occupies the Governors Mansion for the next four years. Four years ago, Reeves won a first term as governor with just 52.2% of the popular vote a few thousands votes more than the 50% threshold hed need to overcome in 2023. And this year, several public polls show that Reeves, who has battled popularity problems during his first term as governor, is hovering around the 50% mark. An August Mississippi Today/Siena College poll showed Reeves leading Presley by 52% to 41%, but no other public poll released this year has shown Reeves hitting 50%. Presley, as the underdog, would undoubtedly attempt to capitalize on the extra three weeks of campaigning and use it as an opportunity to showcase a wounded incumbent to build a case that donors should contribute more money to his race. And if Reeves, a Republican in a conservative Deep South state, cannot garner an outright majority of the votes cast on the first ballot, it could stand to weaken his political power and force him to burn through more money in his lofty campaign account. Marvin King, an associate professor of political science at the University of Mississippi, told Mississippi Today that if the race does head to a runoff, it would still likely benefit Reeves instead of Presley. A runoff tends to skew toward older voters and more reliable voters, and those voters in this state tend to be Republican, King said. And while King believes a runoff would be a good opportunity for Presley to draw down even more fundraising dollars, he believes conservative organizations such as the Republican Governors Association would be willing spend more money to protect a Republican governor in Mississippi than progressive organizations would. Brandon Presley needs a knockout because because Gov. Reeves has a money advantage, King said. Absentee voting is currently underway for the election between the three candidates, and the general election will take place on Nov. 7. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, a runoff election will happen on Nov. 28 the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. [ Hakeem Jeffries ] has been outstanding as the Democratic leader, U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., told theGrio. As Republicans navigate who they will nominate as their next House speaker after the ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif., House Democrats are making it clear their only vote will be for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Jeffries, the first Black American to serve as leader of a major party in Congress, has been outstanding as the Democratic leader, U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., told theGrio. US House Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during a press conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 29, 2023. The US government began on September 28 informing workers of an impending shutdown that could see millions of federal employees and military personnel temporarily sent home or working without pay, unless Congress reaches a funding deal. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) We voted for him at the beginning of the Congress in January 15 times and got all 212 Democratic votes every time. Unfortunately, Kevin McCarthy pulled it out at the end, said the congressman. Ivey said McCarthy was a disaster as the [House] speaker. He added, The only thing that weve really gotten accomplished during this conference has occurred when Hakeem was able to step in. As a government shutdown was quickly approaching last week, Ivey said it was Jeffries who stepped in to save the day. McCarthy kept trying to appease the right-wing extremists in his House Republican caucus. When he realized that wouldnt work, he turned to Hakeem, and Hakeem got it done in like three hours, he recalled. On Tuesday, in an unprecedented move, House members voted 216-210 to oust McCarthy from his position as House Speaker, making him the first person to be booted from that position in American history. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., filed a resolution on Monday to remove McCarthy from the speakership. The hard-right conservative said he did so because the former House speaker allegedly made a deal with President Joe Biden on legislation to provide more aid to Ukraine amid its war against Russia in order to pass a continuing resolution to avert the shutdown. In this April 22, 2021, file photo, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks during his weekly press briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who was named by McCarthy as speaker pro-tempore in his absence, will temporarily fulfill the duties of House speaker until the partys slim majority in the House elects a new leader. When McCarthy was elected speaker by the Republican conference, McHenry, a 10-term congressman, was included in a shortlist to replace the House speaker in the event of an emergency. It was kind of ironic that there were Republicans yesterday hoping that Democrats would save Kevin McCarthy because we made it clear that we think Hakeem Jeffries would be a far better selection, Ivey told theGrio. McCarthys speakership has just been a chaotic disaster from the beginningthats why he was the first one in the history of the United States to be removed. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., told theGrio that the McCarthy fallout would not ever happen to Hakeem Jeffries. In January, Jeffries and McCarthy were in a close race to win House speaker following the exit of longtime House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. However, McCarthy won the last round of votes, earning 216 votes to Jeffries 210. Kamlager-Dove told theGrio, When we have our next round of speaker votes, I will certainly vote in favor of Hakeem Jeffries. While Democrats do not have the numbers to hand Jeffries the speakers gavel, they are hopeful that they will win back the majority in next years election. In doing so, Jeffries would become the first Black person to serve as House speaker. U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) delivers remarks after House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was elected Speaker of the House in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 07, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) My belief is that we will be successful in 2024, and Hakeem Jeffries will be the speaker, said Kamlager-Dove. He has proven himself as someone who is resilient, forthright and inspiring. He has unified our caucus, and he has the respect of our caucus. Rep. Ivey told theGrio that, at this time, House Republicans are engaged in a civil war. Hopefully, they can resolve that and pick a speaker whos going to have at least basic competence in trying to manage the governing requirements of the House, he said. The congressman believes the best candidate will be able to work with Democrats to find common ground to get legislation that the American people need. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Could House Minority Leader Jeffries become House Speaker after McCarthys downfall? appeared first on TheGrio. Marija Pejcinovic Buric, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, has condemned the Russian strike on the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, which killed more than 50 people. Source: Pejcinovic Buric on Twitter (X), reports European Pravda Quote: "I condemn in the strongest terms the Russian strike on a grocery store in Kupiansk which killed several innocent civilians. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the authorities as they face yet another unspeakable tragedy," Pejcinovic Buric said. Je condamne avec la plus grande fermete l'attaque russe contre une epicerie a Kupiansk, qui a tue plusieurs civils innocents. Mes pensees vont aux victimes, a leurs familles et aux autorites qui doivent faire face a une nouvelle tragedie indicible @UKRinCoE Marija Pejcinovic Buric (@MarijaPBuric) October 5, 2023 Background: At around 13:30 on Thursday, the Russians struck a cafe and a store in the village of Hroza, Kupiansk district, Kharkiv Oblast. Preliminary reports indicate that the place was hit by an Iskander missile. As of now, 51 people have been killed, including children, and six more have been injured. Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs, said that a memorial dinner for a deceased resident was being held in the cafe. He added that the hit was so accurate that it is suspected that the location was given to the Russians by a local resident. 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! Several years ago, WATM wrote about war game results looking at a U.S.-China war in the 2020s. The projection was that any war after 2025 would be bloody and likely unwinnable for the U.S. A new series of war games from the Center for Strategic and International Studies has good and bad news. First, the Chinese military grew more slowly than expected in size and strength. CSIS thinks that Taiwan, backed by the U.S., Japan, and other Pacific allies, could stave off China in 2026. But the bad news: The costs would be horrific, with multiple aircraft carriers and thousands of American lives lost. The full report has a lot of great discussion points and recommendations. It's available here for anyone who wants to delve through 165 pages. The scenario: U.S.-China War over Taiwan The report looked specifically at an amphibious invasion of Taiwan by China. It was aimed narrowly at assessing the potential costs of what countries will defend Taiwan and a U.S. intervention in an invasion, and so it assumed that the invasion and then an intervention by the U.S. occurs. In the scenario, China always opens with an effective bombardment of Taiwan and its defenders. Unless China's forces prove in combat to be as neglected as Russia's, this is a safe bet. China has developed top-tier missile capabilities and has extensive intelligence of Taiwanese forces' placement and capabilities. After the bombardment, the forces clashed as China attempted to land troops and Taiwan attempted to prevent Chinese beachheads and combat massing. From here, the 24 iterations of the war game diverged from one another. There was the "base" scenario and then a range of scenarios that represented optimistic assumptions for Taiwan and the U.S. or pessimistic assumptions for Taiwan and the U.S. There was also a "Taiwan Alone" scenario and a "Ragnarok" scenario. Ragnarok was similar to Taiwan alone in that its Pacific allies stayed neutral in the conflict, but the U.S. attempted to relieve Taiwan in the Ragnarok scenario. The broad results for a U.S.-China War The surprising upshot from the CSIS war games: Taiwan survived as an autonomous nation in all but two scenarios: Taiwan Alone and Ragnarok. This is a surprising result for China watchers, but it might not be as shocking for World War II buffs with knowledge of the planned invasion of Taiwan . Taiwan's geography is challenging for an invader. An amphibious landing is still the best option for getting combat mass ashore, but there are few great landing areas, and the airports and airfields are hard to take via air insertion without ground support. America had limited maps in World War II and decided not to risk it. China likely has great maps, but still no good options. Even in pessimistic scenarios where the U.S. joined the war after 14 days, where Taiwanese forces had limited ammunition or were slow to respond, China was too slow at building combat mass. It simply couldn't bring forces in and organize them fast enough to overcome the defenders. Winning in the vast majority of situations is great. But when it comes to war, the new adage "a win is a win" isn't quite true. These simulated victories were quite costly in blood, especially Taiwanese but also American. In each base scenario, the U.S. lost two aircraft carriers and at least seven other major surface warships. Taiwan lost its entire Navy, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense force fared little better. Each nation suffered hundreds of losses and in the air and thousands of human casualties. Chinese military helicopters fly past Pingtan Island, one of mainland China's closest points from Taiwan, in Fujian province. (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) Takeaways for policy makers The report was aimed at fostering public debate and providing information to U.S. policymakers, and it contains well-organized takeaways for military planners and policymakers. First, a few vital weapon systems greatly outperformed their cost. These include submarines, long-range anti-ship missiles, and non-stealth bombers and fighters. If the U.S. truly wants to deter or defeat a massed Chinese force, expanding the supply of these proven weapons may provide better value than new, technical whizbangery. Another important point is that China didn't take the shortest route, which would have focused on the northern portion of the island. Instead, it went after the less-defended south. Improving defenses in that area would provide outsized benefits, and it's necessary to practice counterattacks there. Finally, if the U.S. is truly interested in containing Chinese forces, diplomacy is key. Recent assessments of West Pacific allies are pessimistic about South Korea's and the Philippines' stomach for a fight with China. Both countries are well-positioned geographically, but not militarily, to help in a conflict. Any diplomatic movement toward greater cooperation could save American lives. Japan is likely to engage significantly, but maintaining that relationship is clutch. Of course, the biggest American choice is whether to dedicate itself to the fight in the first place. The assessment is very clear on a timely point: The Ukraine model will not work in Taiwan. American assistance to Ukraine started late and was slow in the opening days of the 2022 invasion. Taiwan is too easy to blockade. American weapons and forces joined the fight before it started or were unlikely to make it in alive. MOGADISHU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- El Nino is likely to displace 651,000 children 5-17 years of age, of whom 225,000 are in school in the affected districts, according to projections from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The UNICEF said the impact of the floods on the education sector will include the displacement of children and teachers, damage to school infrastructure such as classroom blocks, water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, disruptions to teaching and learning, and blockage of the road network, among others. "With the anticipated displacement and damages, there is a high possibility of extended school closures, which will lead to increased school dropouts," it said in its latest update on El Nino, released Wednesday evening in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. It said the current El Nino situation, coupled with an expected positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), is likely to result in above-average rainfall during the upcoming second rainy season, which falls in the October-December period. "The projection has more than a 90 percent certainty, necessitating mitigation, preparedness, and early action. El Nino and a positive IOD are likely to cause riverine and flash floods, resulting in loss of lives, property damage, population displacement, and destruction of infrastructure and crops in the field," it said. The UNICEF also noted that the damage to infrastructure and water and sanitation facilities within schools is expected to worsen the spread of waterborne diseases, including cholera, which has been prevalent in some of the flood-affected districts. The latest update comes as the UN reported a significant increase in river water levels in parts of Hirshabelle State in central Somalia ahead of the anticipated El Nino. The UN called on communities residing in low-lying areas, especially along the Shabelle River, to remain vigilant and relocate to safe areas in case of flooding. The world body has warned that up to 1.2 million people could be affected, and 1.5 million hectares of land are at high risk of inundation. Somalia is experiencing one of the world's worst hunger crises after its worst drought in four decades, with the UN warning that food insecurity is far from over and is becoming more severe daily. According to the UN, about 4.3 million people in Somalia will face hunger between October and December and require urgent assistance due to El Nino, conflict, and other factors. The UNICEF warned the impact of the floods is estimated to last for decades in the absence of appropriate intervention. New details from the investigation into the disappearance of 17-year-old Imperial Stewart show how Columbus police suspected early in their investigation that the missing teen was dead. Sworn statements from detectives on the case as they sought search warrants for evidence outline the early days of the investigation and how Michael Bowles, 20, and his younger brother, 18-year-old Mi'Quel Bowles, quickly found themselves the focus. The statements were part of search warrants filed in Franklin County Municipal Court by detectives looking to gather additional information from electronic devices and medical records. Here's what those statements say about the case. Cierra Zebib speaks with reporters in a tearful interview at Columbus Police Headquarters on Sept. 28. Zebib's 17-year-old son Imperial Stewart has been missing since Sept. 23, 2023. Around 5:45 p.m. on Sept. 20, the day Stewart disappeared, Stewart's mother saw him leave their home on Ivyhurst Drive on the city's Northeast Side and get into a black Chrysler 300 with someone she knew as "Kel." Police later identified "Kel" as Mi'Quel Bowles. Stewart's mother, Cierra Zebib, told detectives she thought at least one other male was in the car, and she believed they were going to a store called Limbo Laces, located at 1843 Huy Road, to sell shoes. Less than two hours later, around 7:30 p.m. that night, Columbus police got a call about a shooting on the 600 block of North Dawson Avenue on the city's East Side. Mi'Quel Bowles was found with a gunshot wound and taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center for treatment. Detectives took his phone as evidence, according to the sworn statements. Imperial Stewart, 17, has been missing since Sept. 23, 2023. The court records say Mi'Quel Bowles was uncooperative with detectives and refused to provide information, however, his uncle did give some details to investigators. According uncle, Mi'Quel was dropped off in a black Chrysler 300 driven by his older brother, Michael Bowles. Another person, "J," was also in the car, according to the uncle. Police later identified "J" as a 16-year-old male who now face delinquency charges of murder and obstructing justice. The Dispatch is not naming him at this time because he is not charged as an adult. On Sept. 21, Zebib filed a missing person report because Stewart never came home and did not contact her about where he would be, which he usually did, according to court records. The sworn statement said Stewart had not been seen or heard from after being captured on surveillance camera about 6:40 p.m. riding inside the black Chrysler 300 at a gas station on Cleveland Avenue. Two days after the missing person report was filed, on Sept. 23, Columbus police got word about social media posts from a 15-year-old who knew the Bowles brothers. The social media posts referenced Stewart being dead, according to court records, and said "Rest in Peace." Under Fire: 50 guns confiscated, 10 people shot, more than 100 gunshots detected all in 80 hours The sworn statement said Zebib told detectives that the 15-year-old called another of her children and told them Stewart was dead and "his body was in the woods." On Sept. 25, Columbus police released information publicly about Stewart's disappearance and identified the Bowles brothers as persons of interest in the case. Police also released information about the black Chrysler 300, despite the vehicle being found around 6:30 a.m. that morning in Fairfield County. Someone set the car on fire, according to court records, but detectives were able to determine the vehicle's VIN, which showed Michael Bowles bought the car on Sept. 11. Detectives interviewed three relatives of the Bowles brothers following the car's discovery. All three reportedly told detectives that after Mi'Quel Bowles had been shot and taken to the hospital - and after police had left the home - Michael Bowles called for help with the Chrysler. The vehicle, which the relatives went to retrieve from where it was parked on Busch Boulevard on the city's Northeast Side, had blood in the backseat. The Chrysler was driven back to the home on Dawson Avenue, where Michael Bowles allegedly admitted to his relatives that he "had shot and killed someone and that one of the bullets had gone through the victim and struck his brother Mi'Quel," according to court records. Imperial Stewart, 17, has been missing since Sept. 23, 2023. Michael also told his family members he had "disposed of the body" but would not say where, according to records. Court records said the family members, none of whom faced charges as of Thursday, told Michael to dump the car somewhere, but Michael refused. At that point, according to statements detectives attributed to family members, the brothers' mother, Tywisha Peterson, arrived at the home with another of her sons, where the conversation about what to do with the car continued. Peterson's other son, a 15-year-old, allegedly suggested burning the car, according to court records. Michael Bowles was reportedly picked up by a female driving a black SUV. The 15-year-old and the 16-year-old known as "J" reportedly drove the Chrysler away from the Dawson Avenue home, according to the detective's sworn statement. Additional details included in the statements from detectives said a selfie was found on Mi'Quel Bowles dated Sept. 20, the day Stewart went missing. In the photo, Bowles is posing with a firearm. On Tuesday evening, detectives found Stewart's body near Sunbury Road and Agler Road, according to Columbus police. The Franklin County Coroner's office is doing an autopsy to confirm who the remains belong to, but police and Stewart's family have said they believe the remains belong to Stewart. As of Thursday, six people are facing charges in the case. Michael Bowles has been charged with murder and is being held in the Franklin County jail on a $5 million bond. Mi'Quel Bowles, 18, has been charged with felony obstructing justice and is being held in jail on a $500,000 bond. Tywisha Peterson, 40, is charged with felony obstructing justice and is being held in the jail on a $500,000 bond. Genee Dumas, 39, is charged with obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence for reportedly trying to smash her daughter's phone while detectives were interviewing her. She was released on her own recognizance. Dumas' 17-year-old daughter faces delinquency charges of obstruction and tampering with evidence in Franklin County Juvenile Court. The 16-year-old is facing delinquency charges of murder and obstructing justice and is currently being held in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Facility. Anyone with information related to the investigation, which remains ongoing, is asked to call detectives at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS. All calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Court docs say family helped lead police to Imperial Stewart suspects A federal court has picked Alabamas new congressional map, which will likely result in an additional Black and Democratic member in the delegation. The new map came after the same panel of federal judges twice found that lines drawn by the GOP-dominated Legislature likely violated the Voting Rights Act by weakening the power of Black voters. The new lines will be used for at least the 2024 elections, the state's Republican secretary of state said on Thursday, though Alabama Republicans have vowed to fight them for future cycles. The map gives greater electoral power to Black residents, who make up about one-quarter of the state's population. And it will very likely mean Republicans lose one seat in their thin majority, imperiling their already tenuous hold on the lower chamber even before battleground districts come into play. "With this new, fairer map, and for the first time ever, Black voters in Alabama could have two members of Congress representing their interests at the same time," Eric Holder, the former Democratic attorney general who now helms the party's redistricting arm, said in a statement. Holder's organization was involved in the lawsuit that ultimately brought about the new maps. Alabama is the first state this year to get new congressional lines, but others including North Carolina are expected to be redrawn by the end of the year. The map was chosen Thursday by a panel of three federal judges Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus, who has been appointed to posts on the federal bench by Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, and District Judges Anna Manasco and Terry Moorer, both appointees of President Donald Trump. The map was one of three drawn by a court-appointed special master after a long-running legal battle that reached all the way up to the Supreme Court. The new map results in one majority-Black district and one in which Black residents make up just under half of the population. Both districts were designed to give black voters a direct opportunity to elect their preferred member of Congress. As a result, voters in both have a strong likelihood of electing Black Democrats to Congress. The lines used in the 2022 midterms were redrawn by the GOP-dominated legislature following the decennial census and had one majority-Black district out of the states seven. That district was represented by the only Democrat in the congressional delegation: Rep. Terri Sewell. The new map largely maintains Sewells 7th District. It creates the second opportunity district for Black voters by transforming the states 2nd District into one that runs across the state. The map chosen by the court on Thursday was one of three put forward by a court-appointed special master. The new 2nd District has a Black voting age population of just under 49 percent. The new lines endanger GOP Rep. Barry Moore, whose district is transformed from one that was solidly Republican to one thats much more Democratic. Moore recently said that he and his family are seriously praying about his next move and that he would make a decision once the map is finalized. One possibility is that Moore runs in a primary against GOP Rep. Jerry Carl in Alabamas 1st District, which has now been drawn to include Moores home. Carl said last week that he would seek reelection in the 1st, setting up the potential for an intraparty fight there. In an interview last week, Alabama Democratic Party executive director Tom Miro said that there were a handful of candidates who could get in the race in the new 2nd District, saying he expected a really healthy primary. He named five Black politicians as potential candidates: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, state Rep. Napoleon Bracy, and state Sens. Kirk Hatcher and Merika Coleman. Sewell is expected to run again in her district. But she may also face a primary challenge as well. State Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton who is one of the plaintiffs in the cases that led to the lines being tossed has floated a run, telling the Alabama-based 1819 News that he has created an exploratory committee for a run. Alabama Republicans have been fighting the forced redistricting process tooth and nail, losing twice in front of the Supreme Court. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court affirmed the initial lower-court order that tossed the GOP-drawn map, a surprise to many court watchers who expected the conservative-leaning majority to use the case as an opportunity to weaken the Voting Rights Act. The GOP-controlled legislature was given another opportunity to draw the lines, yet ignored a court directive to draw either two majority Black districts or one majority district and one very close to it. The three-judge panel then angrily tossed out those new legislatively drawn lines, appointing an expert to draw new maps and setting up Thursdays decision to pick this one. Alabama Republicans asked for an emergency order from the Supreme Court to step in and block the court from drawing the lines. The nations highest court declined to do so late last month, a loss for Republicans. At the time, state Attorney General Steve Marshall, a Republican, acknowledged that this means the court-drawn map will almost certainly be used for the 2024 election cycle. Republicans are prepared to challenge this new court-drawn map now that it is finalized, but it is unlikely that any challenge would be resolved in time for next years elections. "The Office of the Secretary of State will facilitate the 2024 election cycle in accordance with the map the federal court has forced upon Alabama and ordered us to use," Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, a Republican, said in a statement. "It is important for all Alabamians to know that the legal portion of this process has not yet been completed." Other states may also get new congressional maps soon. Similar court cases arguing for more Black representation are ongoing in other Southern states including Louisiana and Georgia and new maps may emerge there by the end of the year. "Other states with pending [racial gerrymandering] cases should view this map, and this process, as both an example of basic fairness and a warning that denying equal representation to Black voters, violating the Voting Rights Act, and defying federal court orders is a direct tie to an odious past and will no longer be tolerated," Holder, the former attorney general, said on Thursday. And two other big states may also redraw their lines. In North Carolina, a newly conservative state Supreme Court said it would not police partisan gerrymandering earlier this year. Now, GOP supermajorities in the Legislature are set to soon redraw the political boundaries to benefit their party. A new congressional map could be revealed as soon as next week and could see the 14-seat delegation go from an even partisan split to as many as 11 GOP seats. And in New York, Democrats are challenging court-drawn lines that resulted in a very competitive map. Republicans ultimately carried 11 of the states 26 districts, but should Democrats in the state get a chance to redraw maps to benefit themselves, as many as six of those GOP-held seats could be in play. A panel of federal judges approved a new congressional map for Alabama on Thursday after versions drawn by the states Republican-controlled Legislature were struck down for diluting the power of Black voters. The new map maintains Alabamas one existing majority-Black district and nearly adds a second one, boosting Democrats chances of flipping a seat in the state. The ruling caps a high-profile legal battle over Alabamas congressional map that had zig-zagged through the courts since the states redistricting process began. The Supreme Court in June struck down Alabamas previous map for likely violating the Voting Rights Act, and the state subsequently drew up a new design that still did not add a second majority-Black district. The panel of federal judges then rejected that design, ordering a court-appointed official step in to propose new boundaries instead. Alabama filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court, but the justices refused to revive state Republicans map in a brief order last week. The judges Thursday selected from three remedial maps proposed by the court-appointed official after hearing objections from the parties. The selected design, which will be used for the 2024 elections, maintains Alabamas singular majority-Black congressional district, which is represented by the states lone congressional Democrat. It also shifts another districts boundaries so that the Black voting age population there is now just below a majority, at 48.7 percent. The judges wrote that their selected plan better respects municipal boundaries and communities of interest as compared to the other proposals. In the light of the submissions received by the Special Master, the comments and submissions in response to his Report & Recommendation, and after extensive analysis, we conclude that Remedial Plan 3 completely remedies the likely Section Two violation we identified while best preserving the States legislative preferences, as expressed through the 2023 Plan, and otherwise complies with the requirements of the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the panel of judges wrote in their ruling. The panel comprised one Clinton appointee, Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus, and two Trump appointees, District Judge Anna Manasco and District Judge Terry Moorer. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said it is responding to a crash involving a car and a person in Oceanway. JFRD said the crash happened near New Berlin and Yellow Bluff roads and the pedestrian has serious injuries. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said all lanes of New Berlin Road between Yellow Bluff and Dunn Creek Road were closed due to the crash. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Police van carrying five Israelis, held on suspicion of raping a British tourist, arrives in the courthouse in Paralimni Police van carrying five Israelis, held on suspicion of raping a British tourist, arrives in the courthouse in Paralimni PARALIMNI, Cyprus (Reuters) - A Cyprus court on Thursday adjourned the trial of five Israelis charged with raping a British woman pending the submission of material evidence by prosecutors. Police arrested the five Israeli youths, aged 19 and 20, after a British woman reported they allegedly raped her after forcing her into a hotel room at the resort of Ayia Napa on Aug. 3. They have been in custody since. All five face six counts each of abduction, assault and rape. The trial, scheduled to start on Thursday, was adjourned because key evidence was not presented to lawyers of the accused. Because that information was lacking, the five did not enter a plea. That included a DNA report, photographic material, fingerprint reports and a statement from a sixth individual, one of the lawyers for the accused said. "Before we have the whole picture of what my clients are facing they haven't answered, they haven't pleaded," said lawyer Maria Neophytou, who represents three of the defendants. The lawyer for the other two men said his clients were not in the room when the alleged assault took place. Relatives of the defendants crowded into the small courtroom in the town of Paralimni on Thursday, where the Criminal Court was in session. Women's advocacy groups are closely following the case due to the treatment of a British rape victim three years ago. Last year, Cyprus's Supreme Court acquitted a British woman who had been wrongfully convicted by a lower court of lying about being gang raped by 12 Israeli men in July, 2019. (Reporting By Michele Kambas; Editing by Sharon Singleton) Austin's forensic science department is an independent entity after the Police Department surrendered its DNA lab to state control in 2017 when a state audit found the lab was following procedures that weren't scientifically sound. Austin's forensic science department is updating how and when it discloses information to prosecutors and will participate in training by the Travis County district attorney's office after a top county prosecutor claimed the city agency's shortcomings could threaten criminal cases. Austin forensic science director Dana Kadavy rejected the DA's office's several suggestions that the city department's actions could jeopardize convictions. Kadavy wrote a three-page letter in late August, which the American-Statesman obtained Wednesday, in response to a letter by Trudy Strassburger, the DAs first assistant, that raised multiple allegations against the forensic science department, including that it did not disclose case information for 10 months that could be favorable to defendants, as required by law, and accusing staffers and management of criminal conduct. Strassburger asked for an update from the forensics department within 30 days about how it would address the issues and warned that if the department took no action it could hinder prosecutors ability to call witnesses from the city agency to testify in criminal cases. In her response letter, Kadavy said that disclosure policies adopted in 2020 will be modified based on input the agency received from prosecutors in a July meeting and that it "is collaborating with (the DAs office) for review and feedback. She said agency staffers will participate in any training prosecutors develop as soon as it is offered. However, Kadavy rejected Strassburgers claim that the agency did not provide information for 10 months concerning the suspension of an employee. Instead, she said it did so in February, soon after it was made aware of the matter. She also said the agency provided appropriate and timely notice of criminal conduct allegations against management and the staff. In the case of the manager, she said the department notified the DAs office the same day that it was informed by the city auditors office of the allegation. In the case of another staff member, Kadavy wrote that an Austin police investigation deemed the allegation unfounded and that the matter was quickly administratively closed. Neither letter described the specific allegations raised against the agency employees. The (forensic science department) values its relationship with the Travis County District Attorneys Office and is committed to continuing its efforts to facilitate effective collaboration between our respective offices, Kadavy wrote. The need for a strong relationship between prosecutors and the department has been heightened in recent years, with the Texas Forensic Science Commission finding in 2016 that staffers were not using correct DNA mixtures and were misinterpreting data and that their operations were often not scientifically valid. Two people have since seen their convictions overturned, and six cases, including a death penalty case, are winding their way through the court system. Prosecutors in the district attorneys conviction integrity unit are reviewing cases for possible issues. The lab, which was overseen by the Austin Police Department at the time, now operates as an independent entity. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: DA: Austin's forensic department's policies threaten criminal cases Law enforcement officials have identified two of three suspects arrested in connection with a brazen daylight shooting in Holyoke on Wednesday that claimed the life of a baby that was delivered after the gunfire hit its mother. Alejandro Ramos, 22, of Holyoke, was held without bail after being arraigned Thursday in Holyoke District Court on a charge of murder in a shooting that occurred around 12:30 p.m. in the area of Sargeant Street, according to the Hampden District Attorneys Office. Additional charges are also likely. The second suspect, 30-year-old Johnluis Sanchez, of Holyoke, remains hospitalized. The DAs office said that he will be formally arraigned on a charge of murder when his condition allows. Ramos and Sanchez are two of three male suspects involved in the shooting that sent at least one round flying into a public transportation bus, where a pregnant woman was seated, the DAs office said. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The infant, who was delivered, needed life-saving medical services and tragically passed away. A third suspect involved in the incident has been identified by investigators but is not yet in custody, the DAs office said. Police investigate after reports of Law enforcement officials investigate the scene where multiple were shot, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Holyoke, Mass. State police say at least three people, including a person riding a bus, were shot Wednesday in Holyoke following a fight on a downtown street. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Members of law enforcement stand near police tape while investigating the scene where multiple people were shot, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Holyoke, Mass. State police say at least three people, including a person riding a bus, were shot Wednesday in Holyoke following a fight on a downtown street. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) There are no words that could be sufficient in the face of what happened today to people in the Holyoke community, including innocent bystanders on a regional transit authority bus, Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in a statement. Our thoughts are with them. And so are our hearts and our sorrow. Our prayers go out to everyone who has been, and will continue to be, affected by this senseless act of violence. Gov. Maura Healey reacted to the shooting, saying in a statement, Every life lost to gun violence is a tragedy, especially those taken far, far too soon. My heart goes out to the victims, families, and all of Holyoke in the wake of this afternoons senseless shooting. State police detectives assigned to the DAs office are assisting Holyoke police with the investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW GARVIN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) Law enforcement continue to search for a man in connection with a deputy being shot and a bystander killed. The suspect is 25-year-old Kameron Jenkins. Photo of Kameron Jenkins over crime scene Multiple law enforcement agencies are involved in the search in Garvin and neighboring counties. According to authorities, the bystander, now identified by District Attorney Greg Mashburns Office as Gwaun Frierson, was killed during an altercation between 25-year-old Kameron Jenkins and Cleveland County Deputy Sean Steadman near Exit 60 on I-35. According to the affidavit, Steadman was attempting to conduct a traffic stop, on a Volkswagon Jetta near Exit 60. When the vehicle didnt stop, Steadman conducted a tactical vehicle intervention and stopped the Jetta. Gunfire was then exchanged between Jenkins and Steadman. During that time, Gwaun Frierson was the passenger of a dump truck travelling northbound on I-35 when Frierson was struck and killed by the gunfire. Steadman was shot in the chin and flown to an Oklahoma City hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery. Image of deputy Sean Steadman The Garvin County Sheriff tells KFOR they are following leads and tips. They are asking for the publics help. They want residents to look on their property to see if anything is missing or disturbed. So, heres where Im at. I dont have any evidence that hes not in the area. I dont have any evidence that hes gone from the area. So, we will continue as if hes here. What Im asking for, is if theres any tips or does anyone know of his whereabouts, to give us a call because he needs to face what he did and were not going to stop looking for him and I think it is going to be in his best interest to turn himself in, said Sheriff Jim Mullett, Garvin County Sheriffs Office. Sheriff Mullett says the weather last night was a disadvantage to their search, but they will not stop until they find the Jenkins. According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Jenkins is currently on probation for a number of violent crimes, including Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Maiming, dating back to 2016. He was released from prison in March 2023 for another Maiming charge dating back to 2019. Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley released a statement on social media saying, Thankfully, the Cleveland County Deputy shot by this guy will be ok. This is not the first time Jenkins shot at an officer and he should have still been in prison. Thats still part of our investigation, said Hunter McKee, OSBI. Court documents also show Jenkins is currently involved in a prostitution case. Officials told KFOR, right now they are following up on any leads or tips that come in and they are really relying on the public for help. What were asking is for homeowners, landowners to check if theres anything missing or any kind of mode of transportation, bikes, anything thats missing to let us know. Checking your door, cameras, trail cameras. Anything like that that might lead us to his whereabouts. Well take that information, said Mullett. The search Thursday also took place in the Washita River. Were using all the resources we have thats possible to search those areas as long as we can and whatever it takes, said McKee. Law enforcement is reminding residents to be cautious as Jenkins remains at large and is still considered armed and dangerous. Originally, there was a 6,000-dollar reward being offered, but now the reward up to $11,000. You can submit information anonymously by calling 405-235-7300 or 1-855-211-STOP. You can also submit an anonymous tip on the OKC Crime Stoppers website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. U.S. President Harry S. Truman , pictured in 1949, delivered the first televised White House address October 5, 1947. UPI File Photo Oct. 5 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1813, the Shawnee Indian Chief Tecumseh was killed while fighting on the side of the British during the War of 1812. In 1882, Dr. Robert Goddard, "Father of American Rocketry" and a pioneer in the theoretical exploration of space, was born in Worcester, MA. In 1918, Germany's Hindenburg Line was broken as World War I neared an end. In 1921, the World Series is broadcast on the radio for the first time. On October 5, 1921, the World Series was broadcast on the radio for the first time. File Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress In 1935, Ethiopia asks the League of Nations to act against Italy to halt Italy's conquest of the country. In 1947, President Harry Truman delivers the first televised White House address. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, pictured in 1985, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 5, 1989. In 1955, the doors to the Disneyland Hotel are thrown open to the public. PBS supporters take part in the Million Puppet March in Washington, D.C., on November 3, 2012. The bipartisan march was organized to show support for Public Broadcasting following Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney's pledge to cut funding to PBS. On October 5, 1970, PBS, was founded. UPI/Kevin Dietsch In 1970, The Public Broadcasting Service, PBS, is founded. In 1989, the Dalai Lama, who advocated non-violent struggle against Chinese domination of his homeland, Tibet, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Media gathers outside of the federal courthouse after Time Square bombing suspect Faisal Shahzad pleaded guilty on terror and weapons charges June 21, 2010, in New York. On October 5, Shahzad, who left an explosives-laden vehicle in New York's Times Square, planning to detonate it on a busy night, was sentenced to life in prison. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI In 1994, authorities said 53 members of a secretive religious cult were found dead -- the victims of murder or suicide -- over a two-day period in Switzerland and Canada. In 2001, Barry Bonds hit his 71st home run, most by a player in one season, breaking Mark McGwire's 1998 Major League Baseball record. The San Francisco Giants slugger finished the season with 73 homers. People gather at an Apple store in San Francisco to leave flowers, candles and cover the glass with notes after learning about the death of Apple founder Steve Jobs on October 5, 2011. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI In 2005, scientists announced that a form of bird flu that spread directly to humans was the real cause of a 1918 pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide. In 2010, Faisal Shahzad, who left an explosives-laden vehicle in New York's Times Square, planning to detonate it on a busy night, was sentenced to life in prison. In 2011, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. and hailed by his colleagues as a "visionary and creative genius," died at age 56, two months after resigning as chief executive officer because he could "no longer meet [his] duties and expectations." In 2021, Alaska's Katmai National Park & Preserve crowned bear No. 480 -- AKA Otis -- as the winner of the annual Fat Bear Week. It was 480's fourth win. Daytona Beach Shores police Lt. Michael Schoenbrod, center, has resigned after the conclusion of two professional standards investigations that found he had violated three polices. The cases were related to a previous investigation into him and Sgt. Jessica Long, left, over their use of the city jail for potty-training sessions for their son. Daytona Beach Shores police Lt. Michael Schoenbrod, who faced investigations after locking his 3-year-old son in a city jail cell last October as a potty-training lesson, has resigned, The News-Journal has learned. Schoenbrod has been on paid administrative leave since July 3 while under investigation for other possible violations of city policy. Schoenbrod and the child's mother, Sgt. Jessica Long, were previously found to have violated a policy in connection with the jailing of the boy: conduct "which has the tendency to destroy public respect for the employee and/or the department and/or confidence in the operation of the municipal service." Although a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigator recommended child abuse charges against the parents, the State Attorney's Office declined to pursue a case, finding there was "no impending danger" to the boy. Professional standards probe After the state and city probes into the jail/potty training matter had concluded, on April 7, Schoenbrod addressed a day shift briefing in which he called people who initially reported the potty-training jailings to the Department of Children and Families as "liars" and "disgusting human beings," according to an internal affairs report. Four days later, crime analyst Kelley Register complained to Michael Fowler, director of the Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety. "Lt. Schoenbrod insinuated to the shift that members of the Criminal Investigations Division were to blame for this investigation," Register wrote, later adding that the terms "liars" and "disgusting human beings" are offensive and a violation of policy. Register told the city's professional standards investigator, Sgt. Bill Frank, that she was not present during the briefing but was told about it by two others who were. "I don't know where he got his information that I'm a liar, but I'm not," Register told Frank. "And I'm also not a disgusting human being." She called the statements false and derogatory. Several of the officers who attended the briefing told Frank that Schoenbrod had spoken with them to address rumors about his prior professional standards case. They heard Schoenbrod use terms including "liars" and "disgusting," but that they were not applied to any individuals, the summary states. Det. Daniel Carrazana told Frank he had never been put in a more uncomfortable situation than the briefing. He said he inferred that when Schoenbrod spoke of "disgusting human beings," it was about the investigative unit to which he belonged. "That uncomfortableness drove him to resign from this agency," Frank wrote. Schoenbrod told Frank he had been asked by Fowler to speak to each shift to address rumors about the previous investigation, and that "it was obvious to him that the people who initially reported (the jail/potty training) event to DCF had no concern for the wellbeing of their child and that their motivation was to destroy both his and Sgt. Long's reputation and the reputation of the agency." Schoenbroad agreed he used the terms "liars" and "disgusting human beings," but maintained that he never specifically referenced any specific individuals or divisions. Of seven potential policy violations considered, Schoenbrod was found to have committed two: failing to "treat superior officers, subordinates and associates with respect," and engaging in conduct "which adversely affects the morale or efficiency of the department." Allegation: Tampering with a public record Fowler ordered a third professional standards case at the start of July, and asked Lt. Thomas Aiken of the Port Orange Police Department to conduct it. Following the April 7 briefing, Carrazana immediately met with Schoenbrod privately in an effort to "clear the air." Schoenbrod recorded the meeting with Carrazana's permission, according to an investigative summary. "Lt. Schoenbrod stated he made the recording for his own use, as protection in case (Carrazana) later made an accusation of inappropriate conduct during their conversation," the summary states. Sometime later, Carrazana left the Daytona Beach Shores department for a new job as a New Smyrna Beach police officer. On June 29, Carrazana made a public records request for the audio Schoenbrod had made of their meeting. More: 'Nothing worked' Shores officers speak out about why they used jail to potty-train son Fowler told Schoenbrod to produce the record, and on July 3, Schoenbrod told Fowler he had deleted portions of the audio that had referred to his son, the summary states. City Attorney Becky Vose reviewed what remained of the audio recording and told Fowler it was 100% a public record. Vose shared her opinion that Schoenbrod's editing of the recording violates a Florida felony statute, official misconduct, as he altered it in order to protect and benefit his son. In addition to starting a professional standards case, Fowler contacted FDLE and requested a criminal investigation, and Special Agent Scott Ratliff arrived at the Daytona Beach Shores public safety office to collect Schoenbrod's department-issued cell phone. Further investigation found that Schoenbrod had replaced two sections of the audio totaling more than 8 minutes with static, the summary states. However, the recording Schoenbrod turned over did include two mentions of his son by name, which he later told investigators was an oversight. Schoenbrod and his attorney, Michael Lambert, met with Aiken, the Port Orange investigator, on Sept. 19. Schoenbrod told Aiken he considered the recording a personal belonging, not a public record. "The majority of the conversation was not work-related," Schoenbrod said, according to the summary. Also, Schoenbrod told the investigator that he had never before requested permission to edit a file. "Lt. Schoenbrod stated 'it's our standard operating procedure that we are authorized with implied consent of our chief, our previous chief that we just ... if we need to redact something, we do it,'" the summary states. Aiken was asked to look into whether Schoenbrod violated any of these city policies with regard to his handling of the audio file: "Employees shall not commit any act or crime defined by state or federal law as a felony, whether chargeable or not." "Employees shall not ... alter or forge or tamper with any kind of public safety record, report or citation." And under a department policy related to digital recording devices, Schoenbrod was alleged to have edited, altered, or erased recordings without prior written authorization. The summary written by Aiken did not state any final conclusions on whether those allegations against Schoenbrod were sustained or not. But after the second and third professional standards investigations were concluded on Friday, Schoenbrod resigned, according to Tammy Marzik, the city's public information officer. Schoenbrod worked for the Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety for more than 23 years. In his two-paragraph resignation letter, dated Monday, Schoenbrod said he was giving two weeks' notice, making his departure date Oct. 16. "Per the DBS policy manual, I must provide a reason for resigning," Schoenbrod wrote. "My reason is that I no longer want to work for the Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety." This story has been updated to add additional detail. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach Shores Lt. Michael Schoenbrod resigns after findings HARARE, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government will enact legislation to bolster its fight against drug and substance abuse, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday. Zimbabwe has faced the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse by youths in recent years, prompting the government to step up efforts to combat the scourge. An inter-ministerial task force chaired by Defense Minister Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri has since been established and is spearheading several joint efforts to curb the scourge, including conducting frequent raids on drug suppliers, dealers and peddlers. Addressing a post-cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said a total of 5,367 drug offenders were arrested during the period from July. 7 to Sept. 23, 2023, a jump from 4,328 arrested for the whole year of 2022. In addition to establishing drugs and narcotics units at major ports of entry to curtail the inflow of drugs, the government has also increased surveillance on licensed liquor outlets as well as increasing public awareness of the dangers of drug abuse, Muswere added. "Going forward, Cabinet agreed to enact the relevant legislation for the establishment of a Drug Elimination Agency to govern and coordinate all national activities on drug and substance abuse," he said. The minister said the government will convert all idle provincial COVID-19 isolation facilities into multi-sectoral drug rehabilitation centers, as part of measures to strengthen its anti-drug and substance abuse program. From left to right in front, Suwannahong Promkanajarn, Akarawit Jaithong and Piyabut Pienpitak attend a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Thai police said they have arrested three men for selling illegal guns and bullets in connection to the shooting at a Bangkok's upscale mall which killed two people earlier this week. (AP Photo/Surat Sappakun) BANGKOK (AP) Police in Thailand said Thursday they have arrested three men they accuse of selling the handgun and ammunition used by a 14-year-old boy who allegedly killed two people and wounded five others at a shopping mall in Bangkok. The shooting Tuesday at the Siam Paragon mall in the Thai capital has highlighted a gray area of the gun trade: the sale of handguns originally manufactured to shoot blanks but which can be modified to fire live ammunition. Thai police identified the gun used in Tuesdays shootings as one of these so-called blank, or blank-firing, handguns. Blank guns generally face fewer restrictions and can be imported and registered more easily than regular guns. What alarms law enforcement authorities in several countries, not just Thailand, is that such guns can not only be turned into lethal weapons, but also are harder to trace than real guns. On Wednesday, a Thai police spokesman said 10,000 blank guns are in circulation in the country, and the authorities have announced plans to tighten controls, possibly including a ban on selling such firearms. Press reports in the past year from South Africa, New Zealand and Britain cite those countries' police officials expressing similar concerns about the increasing use of blank guns. Because many blank guns are replicas of real handguns, criminals sometimes use them even without modification, to frighten victims. Blank guns have been openly advertised on sale on the internet, even on sites of major online retailers in Asia. In the arrests announced Thursday, the alleged suppliers were said to have been selling already modified guns. Two men, a father and a son, were arrested in the southern province of Yala, and another man in Bangkok on accusations of possessing and selling illegal weapons, announced Noppasilp Poonsawat, deputy chief of Bangkoks Metropolitan Police bureau. They are suspected of selling a modified blank gun and bullets to the teenager who has been accused of carrying out the mall attack, which killed a Chinese tourist and a woman from Myanmar who worked at a toy store in the area. The teen accused of Tuesdays shooting has been sent to a juvenile detention center and his parents have not requested his release on bail, according to the Central Juvenile and Family Court. The arrested men Suwannahong Promkanajarn and Akarawit Jaithong from Yala, and Piyabut Pienpitak of Bangkok have denied wrongdoing. A police search of a house belonging to the men in Yala found blank guns, hundreds of blank bullets and gun barrels, Deputy Police Chief Noppasilp said. Police also found blank gun being carried by the suspect in Bangkok, and one in his office. Police were led to the alleged sellers after searching the suspected shooter's phone and finding he was in touch with them about a month ago, Noppasilp said. He said it appeared that they have been selling modified blank guns and bullets for a year or two. Yala province in Thailands deep south, where the blank guns were alleged to have been modified, has for almost two decades been the the site of a violent Muslim separatist insurgency. Demand for arms there is especially high, and in the past the government has promoted the distribution of firearms to Buddhist residents arming themselves against the insurgents. In Southeast Asia, Thailand is second to the Philippine in total and per capita gun-related deaths.. Gun laws in Thailand are relatively restrictive, but the country nonetheless has one of the highest levels of gun ownership in Asia, according to GunPolicy.org, a research project at Australias University of Sydney. There are about 10 guns per 100 people in Thailand when including those owned illegally, as compared with less than one per 100 in the countrys peaceful Southeast Asian neighbor Malaysia, according to the organization. Penalties for unlawful possession in Thailand include prison terms from 1 to 10 years and fines up to 20,000 baht ($539). There are strict licensing laws but critics say the registration process for firearms isnt nearly tough enough. ___ Associated Press journalists Jutarat Skulpichetrat in Bangkok and Jintamas Saksornchai in Uthai Sawan, Thailand, contributed to this report A Kansas inmate has died while in state custody, state officials said Thursday. His death remains under investigation. Michael Aineta, 40, a prisoner at Lansing Correctional Facility, died Wednesday after he was taken to The University of Kansas Health System, according to a Thursday news release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. The department of corrections and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are both investigating. The cause of death will be determined based on autopsy results, officials said. Aineta was several months into serving a nearly 16-year sentence after he was convicted of one count of rape and one count of criminal sodomy in Seward County, in southwest Kansas, according to KDOC. No other information was immediately available. The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to confirm Susan DeClercq, a Ford Motor Co. executive and former assistant U.S. attorney, as a U.S. District Court judge in Michigan's eastern district. DeClercq becomes the first federal judge of east Asian descent in Michigan. The vote was 52-42. Earlier on Wednesday, the Senate voted to limit debate on her nomination. President Joe Biden nominated DeClercq to the judgeship in May of this year. At her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee in June, DeClercq spoke about her adoption and immigration to this country as a child. She said that she was left as an infant on the steps of a hospital in South Korea and was adopted by a single mother in the U.S. who raised her. Im very proud of being an immigrant, DeClercq said. Carl Tobias, a professor at the University of Richmond Law School and an expert on Senate confirmations, said he wasn't surprised by DeClercq's easy confirmation vote, saying she is "highly experienced in many areas and she had a strong hearing and a compelling life story." Since last year, DeClercq had been director and counsel of special investigations at Dearborn-based Ford. Prior to that, she worked in the U.S. Attorneys Office for 18 years, during which time she served in several leadership roles, including as chief of the civil division. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the Wayne State University School of Law, DeClercq also worked for Skadden, Arps, Slate and Meagher & Flom in Washington, D.C., as a litigation associate from 2001 to 2004. Before that she served as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn in Detroit. Susan DeClercq will be an outstanding U.S. District Court judge," said U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. "Her time in the U.S. Attorneys office and in other roles in Michigan have demonstrated her thoughtfulness and intellect. Her confirmation is great news for Michigan." U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, also D-Mich., said DeClercq's "staunch commitment to defending justice, civil rights and our Constitution will serve the people of Michigan well." She is exceptionally qualified with an outstanding legal career that reflects her integrity and utmost respect for American institutions and democracy. I was honored to help confirm her to the U.S. federal bench," he added. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DeClercq becomes first federal judge of east Asian descent in Michigan Its been almost two weeks since Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was indicted on bribery charges, and hes made it clear that hes not going anywhere. He says hes done nothing wrong. That he isnt going to resign from the Senate; in fact, he plans to run for reelection. He says he has a perfectly reasonable explanation for the allegations that he accepted cash, gold and a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for aiding the Egyptian government and a trio of New Jersey businessmen. That $480,000 in cash stuffed in envelopes and clothing hidden all over his house? Obviously he was just keeping that money on hand in case of an emergency. Maybe hes right. Maybe for U.S. senators, it is totally normal to have $100,000 worth of gold bars lying around the house. And really, who among us has not, as Menendez allegedly did, googled, How much is one kilo of gold worth? I have not, said Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). Ive never even seen a gold bar. He was proud to say that he has seen gold coins, though. A friend of mines father, he gave me one-tenth of an ounce of little coins, Hickenlooper said. I can tell you, those were worth about $102, $104, in 1995. Wait, what? said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who did not know what HuffPost was talking about and then figured it out. He said he did not have gold bars at home. I dont think I have ever seen a bar of gold, he said. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said hes never even thought about googling how much gold is worth. Without naming names, he said it was strange to think that here in 2023, anyone would be allegedly accepting bribes that include actual bars of gold. I never have seen a bar of gold, no, Cramer said. I keep wondering, how does a guy get offers like this in this job? Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who allegedly had hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of cash and gold bars hidden around his house, wouldn't tell HuffPost why he allegedly googled, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who allegedly had hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of cash and gold bars hidden around his house, wouldn't tell HuffPost why he allegedly googled, "How much is one kilo of gold worth?" The indictment against Menendez, which was announced by federal prosecutors in New York, alleges that he engaged in a corrupt relationship with New Jersey businessmen, in which Menendez and his wife allegedly took hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for official acts to enrich the businessmen and aid the Egyptian government. Menendez was previously indicted on unrelated bribery charges in 2015. That case which Menendez at the time called dead wrong ended in a hung jury in 2017, and a judge dismissed it a year later. Several Democratic senators didnt even want to indulge HuffPosts question about gold bars, namely because its silly, and to laugh at it which senators in both parties did is to acknowledge how damning it is that their own colleague allegedly repeatedly googled the value of gold before being indicted on corruption charges involving lots of gold bars. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who is not one of the dozens of Senate Democrats who has called on Menendez to resign, ducked into a Senate elevator when asked about the normalcy of having bars of gold at home. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), who also is not calling on Menendez to go, said something about New Jersey voters needing to decide if they want him to resign, in response to a question about the gold bars. Then she rode off in a Senate subway. Im on the Ethics Committee. I never talk about anything that may come before the Ethics Committee, said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). I have an easy rule here, where I just say, if it may come before the ethics committee, I dont talk about it. OK, but have you ever googled how much a kilo of gold is worth? Im not answering that! he said with a laugh. After searching high and low, it turns out that at least one senator has searched online to learn about the value of gold: Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.). He was the first senator to call on Menendez to resign, has said he would vote to expel him from the Senate and has repeatedly criticized him for not leaving, saying his level of arrogance is just astonishing. Yes. I did that after [Menendez] did, Fetterman said. I was going to buy my own gold bar, you know? So I could either go to his contacts or buy one at Costco. But if I did get one, its not going to go in my mattress, he said. I was going to buy my own gold bar, you know?Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) was the first top Democrat in his state to call on Menendez to resign after being indicted. Last week, as it became clear that the New Jersey senator isnt stepping down, Kim announced that he will challenge Menendez for his seat in 2024. On a Thursday call hosted by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, he told HuffPost that the detail about the gold bars is capturing a lot of peoples attention here in New Jersey. Who has these around their house? Kim asked. The fact that this is even in our lexicon right now, something that has been googled, shows how out of touch this whole situation is...We certainly need the answers to all of this. He said hes never googled the value of gold, either, or seen a bar of gold in person. I dont actually know how large they are, said Kim. Menendez still hasnt explained why he had gold bars lying around at home. He wanted to be prepared for possible emergencies, yes, of course, but in the form of gold bars? HuffPost unexpectedly bumped into Menendez last Thursday morning as he headed into the Senate building. Nobody was around. He strangely didnt have any of his aides with him. For a good 45 seconds, it was just him and HuffPost. So we asked the most important question to ask a man at the center of an indictment scandal, whose Senate seat, should it fall into the hands of the other party, could flip control of the chamber to Republicans. Senator, why did you google, How much is a kilo of gold worth? Well, youll find out at trial, Menendez said cheerfully, trying to hurry inside. The press would like me to go ahead and lay out my whole defense in the public forum, he said, slipping into the building. Its not going to happen. Anyway, 1 kilogram of gold is worth $58,527, as of Thursday. WEST PALM BEACH Seated on the witness stand Wednesday afternoon, the teen who is the focus of an aggravated child abuse trial that has drawn widespread attention described living conditions in the Jupiter home of Timothy and Tracy Ferriter. The teen, now in the 10th grade, described frequently being locked in an 8-by-8-foot structure in the familys garage by the teen's adoptive parents, eating dinner alone and sleeping on a single mattress as a means of discipline. The teen spoke of having to resort to a bucket at times when needing to use the bathroom. "To me, being locked in the room, it's dehumanizing," the teen said while testifying during the second day of trial the teen's adopted father. "It's almost as bad as genocide. It's saddening to abuse a child that was just acting like a child." Palm Beach Post investigation: A couple kept a teen locked in the garage. Their lawyer says they had no choice Cruelty or discipline? Ferriter jury to decide Timothy Ferriter, Jupiter, talks with his attorneys during his aggravated child abuse trial at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., on October 3, 2023. The trial before Circuit Judge Howard Coates is that of Timothy Ferriter, 48, who also faces charges of false imprisonment and child neglect. Tracy Ferriter will be tried separately. Jupiter police arrested them in February 2022, alleging the couple confined the teen to the structure within the family's Egret Landing home for hours at a time. Tracey Ferriter sits in the public viewing benches in the courtroom during the aggravated child abuse trial of her husband Timothy Ferriter, of Jupiter, at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., on October 3, 2023. Investigators discovered the structure after the teen ran away from home in January 2022. Police found the teen several days later outside Independence Middle School, according to an arrest report. They visited to the child's home and asked to see their bedroom. Their search led them to the garage. The door had a lock that only could be opened from the outside. Mounted on its ceiling was a doorbell camera, where the family could monitor the movements of whomever was inside, according to police reports. Assistant State Attorney Brianna Coakley said the child was subjected to punishments that were "humiliating, isolating and cruel." The Palm Beach Post is not identifying the teenage accuser or an older sibling who also testified Wednesday by name or gender. Before the trial, Coates issued an order preventing the teens images from being displayed to the public. Timothy Ferriter, Jupiter, listens to jury selection in his aggravated child abuse trial at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., on September 29, 2023. 'They were in such a rush': After arrests, Florida couple demolished garage room where teen lived Photos provided to The Palm Beach Post show the demolition of a garage room where Timothy and Tracy Ferriter are accused of locking their 14-year-old adopted child for up to 18 hours at a time. The child, whom the family adopted at 17 months old, has been in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families since the Ferriters' arrests. The agency also removed the couple's three other children from the home at that time. The teen had a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and a condition known as reactive attachment disorder, Tracy Ferriter told investigators prior to her arrest. The disorder keeps children from forming bonds with their family members, and it can lead them to act out or make it difficult for children to accept love. Timothy and Tracy Ferriter told Jupiter police that the teen lied, stole, attacked family members and threatened classmates. The room was a means to discipline the teen and protect other people in the household from harm, they said. What that means: Jupiter parents say adopted teen locked in garage room had attachment disorder Teen says parents 'just made a mistake' in use of garage room The teen told jurors Wednesday that Timothy Ferriter set rules in the home and enforced punishments. The teen described a separate sleeping arrangement from siblings. "I slept in an 8x8 room in the garage," the teen told jurors. On cross-examination, defense attorney Prya Murad questioned the teen about the teen's behavior. Murad asked if the teen had trouble recalling good times with the Ferriters because of negative perceptions now surrounding the couple. "I don't have a bad image of Tim or Tracy," the teen responded. "They just made a mistake. They were just acting of out of frantic surprise of my actions. I believe that they weren't trying to do any harm. I believe that people should recognize that that was a mistake and forgive them and move on." Prior to the teens testimony, an older sibling testified to living conditions for the teen and the other children in the home. The sibling, who also is adopted, began testifying Tuesday and resumed Wednesday morning. The older sibling appeared from a separate courtroom as the Ferriters looked on from the main courtroom. Jurors watched the older teens testimony through a video feed linking the courtrooms. The sibling testified to being able to hear physical abuse occurring against the other teen in the garage of the familys home in Arizona, where the sibling lived for several years before returning to Palm Beach County in December 2021. The sibling testified to seeing an instance where Timothy Ferriter had pressed the other teen up against the wall. The sibling said they were be concerned that Ferriter might cause serious harm to the other teen, based on the level of force and aggression involved. Defense attorney Khurrim Wahid pressed the sibling on various aspects of the familys home life, showing the sibling photographs from family events that include images of the younger teen. The sibling testified that the younger teen was allowed to attend some family events and allowed to play outside in the familys backyard on occasion. The sibling recalled times celebrating the teens birthday in Arizona. Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter teen tells jurors about 'dehumanizing' life in room in garage Dem candidate apologizes for 'antisemitic' post after receiving backlash from his own party: 'Disgusting' Democrat Mondaire Jones , a former House member running again in New York's 17th district, apologized a day after sending a message that many social media users, including members of his own political party, viewed as antisemitic. Following California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy's ouster from the speaker role in a 216 to 210 vote on Wednesday where eight Republicans joined every Democrat in the lower chamber Jones took to X to post a picture of McCarthy with Jewish leaders while adding, "Well this was a waste of everyone's time." The photo showed McCarthy wearing a yarmulke and eating alongside the Jewish leaders. Social media users quickly condemned the message. REP. MONDAIRE JONES DOUBLES DOWN ON HIS CLAIMS THAT OPPONENTS TO DC STATEHOOD ARE 'RACIST' The post garnered backlash from other members of his political party, including Liz Gereghty, the sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is facing Jones in the Democratic primary. "If Mondaire Jones didn't realize that his tweet could be viewed as antisemitic and elicit vile comments in response, I would question his judgment," Gereghty said, according to Jewish Insider's Matthew Kassel. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "If he did it anyway, that's far, far worse," she continued. "As someone with a large social media platform running for Congress, he has a responsibility to hold himself to the highest possible standards and I would hope he is more thoughtful in the future, because the rise of hate in this nation is currently one of the greatest threats to our safety and stability. I will never take any community for granted or exploit them for personal gain. FORMER DEMOCRATIC REP MONDAIRE JONES LAUNCHES COMEBACK BID FOR CRUCIAL SEAT THAT HELPED GOP TAKE HOUSE Reps. Jared Moskowitz of Florida and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, both Democrats, initially laid into Jones, but then deleted their posts. "This was not a waste of time. It is never a waste of time to meet with religious leaders," Moskowitz wrote, according to The Hill. "Additionally, I doubt your choice of religion to highlight here was coincidental." Moskowitz later said he spoke to Jones and did not believe he intended to be antisemitic. Jones retweeted the message to his followers. "This disgusting post is insulting to Jewish people and every person of faith. Meeting with religious leaders is critical to understanding the needs of our communities. This antisemitic rhetoric is deeply concerning," Gottheimer said in his since-deleted post. Jones ultimately pulled his post with an apology, saying people had misconstrued what he had intended in the message. "Yesterday, I posted a tweet that was too open to misinterpretation," Jones wrote on Wednesday. "My point was to communicate that Kevin McCarthy, and by extension Mike Lawler, cannot possibly deliver for communities in Rockland because he's no longer Speaker." "Regrettably, I did not make this point clear enough, and so I have deleted the tweet," Jones continued. "I am proud of my record of combating antisemitism in Congress and after Congress. In a time of rising anti-semitism, we must be crystal clear where we stand: I continue to be a strong ally of our diverse Jewish communities." The winner of the Democratic primary in New York's 17th district will face Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who knocked out longtime Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney after redistricting reshaped the reliably blue area into a swing district. Jones had previously represented the 17th but stepped aside for Maloney, running unsuccessfully instead in a primary for the reshaped 10th district. Original article source: Dem candidate apologizes for 'antisemitic' post after receiving backlash from his own party: 'Disgusting' A House Democrat asked Palm Beach County, Florida, to tax Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort property at a rate in accordance with the valuation the former president claims it has amid his ongoing New York civil fraud trial. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., made the request of Palm Beach County appraiser Dorothy Jacks in a letter exclusively provided to NBC News, noting New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron's decision last week holding Trump liable for committing fraud for years by inflating and undervaluing his assets to banks and insurers. Trump has since railed against the ruling, claiming that his Florida beach club is worth "50 to 100 times" what New York prosecutors in the lawsuit have said, or "closer to $1.5 billion" in value. "Between 2011 and 2021, you value the Mar-a-Lago property between $18 million and $28 million," Moskowitz wrote in the letter to the Palm Beach County appraiser. "Mar-a-Lago was listed as worth $490 million in financial documents given to banks," he added. "If the property value of Mar-a-Lago is so much higher than it was appraised, will you be amending the property value in line with the Trump family's belief that the property is worth well over a billion dollars?" With Trump's civil fraud trial garnering nationwide attention, the letter, NBC News writes, is an effort from the first-term congressman to emphasize the disconnect between Trump's claims of his properties' values and the values set by appraisers, which the judge had cited in the ruling. Nadine Arslanian Menendez , wife of recently indicted Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., struck and killed a man while driving her Mercedes-Benz in New Jersey in December 2018, according to police reports obtained by local media. She was found not at fault for the incident because the man, identified as Richard Koop, was jaywalking when he was hit, according to the New York Times and The Record. She was not given a DUI test at the scene and was immediately allowed to leave after providing a brief statement, according to dashcam footage of her interaction with Bogota police. Arslanian who was alone in the vehicle was dating Menendez at the time of the fatal crash, which reportedly left Koop's body severely mutilated, according to the Bergen County medical examiner. MSNBC'S ALICIA MENENDEZ ADDRESSES FATHER'S INDICTMENT: COLLEAGUES HAVE 'AGGRESSIVELY' COVERED Menendez commented on the incident to reporters Wednesday. "It was a tragic accident, and obviously we think of the family," he said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP A federal indictment brought by the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, which charges Arslanian and Menendez in a federal bribery scheme, revealed that in January 2019, approximately a month after the crash, Arslanian informed Wael Hana and Jose Uribe, two Egyptian-American businessmen also implicated in the alleged bribery scheme, that she no longer had a vehicle. Hana then provided her with a 2019 Mercedes-Benz worth more than $60,000 as detailed in the indictment. "In exchange, MENENDEZ agreed and sought to interfere in the NJAGs criminal insurance fraud prosecution of an associate of URIBE and a related investigation involving an employee of URIBE," the indictment states. DEMOCRAT SEN BOB MENENDEZ FACING INDICTMENT ON BRIBERY CHARGES Audio recordings from the police dashcam footage featured a man self-identifying as a retired officer from a neighboring department who mentioned that he had come to the scene as a "favor" for a friend whose wife was acquainted with Arslanian. Koop's sister, Rosemarie Koop-Angelicola, told the Times that their family "has had serious concerns over what we felt was a very sparse, one-sided investigation." "Definitely a lack of legal enthusiasm to take this case, definite lack of media coverage, and a lack of communication by the authorities of Bergen County. We felt that the whole thing was very silently swept under the rug," she said. It's not the first time Arslanian has been involved in a traffic incident. According to public court records, Arslanian reportedly racked up several penalties between 2007 and 2021, including using a mobile phone while driving, ignoring traffic signals and unsafe passing, adding up to about $410 total. FEDS PROBING IF DEM SEN MENENDEZ OR WIFE ACCEPTED GOLD BARS WORTH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FROM FELON: REPORT Both Menendez and Arslanian have pleaded not guilty to the federal bribery charges. Fox News Digital reached out to the couple's representatives but did not hear back by press deadline. In June 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Menendez's and his wife's New Jersey home where federal agents discovered many of the fruits of the alleged bribery scheme, including cash, gold, a luxury convertible and home furnishings. Prosecutors say $480,000 in cash, much of it stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets and a safe, was discovered in the home, as well as more than $70,000 in cash in Nadine's safe-deposit box. Some of the envelopes contained the fingerprints and/or DNA of Fred Daibes, another figure in the alleged bribery scheme, or his driver, according to the indictment. Some of the envelopes were found inside jackets bearing Menendez's name and hanging in his closet. The Bogota Police Department and Menendez's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment. Original article source: Democrat Sen Menendez's wife hit, killed pedestrian while driving in 2018: reports A company at the center of the Democratic Partys digital strategy is on the verge of a meltdown sparking alarm among a broad constellation of liberal groups that are relying on it ahead of 2024. NGP VAN provides tools used by Democrats, from the White House to local school boards, to raise money and mobilize voters. But with new management in recent years, it has been stripping its operations to the bare bones. The potential decline of these tools which have given Democrats a significant technology edge over Republicans over the past few cycles would be so threatening to operations that a handful of top Democratic digital firms recently called a roughly hourlong Zoom meeting with leadership of the company to seek answers. Among their demands: reassurance that NGP VAN wouldnt dismantle one of its top products, an online organizing and fundraising tool called ActionKit. Without it, Democrats worried about their prospects during the 2024 cycle and beyond. Im hoping that I'm wrong, that we're all wrong, that everyone's fine, said a former NGP VAN employee, granted anonymity to speak candidly about their former employer. But this could mean something really bad for 2024." The alarm relayed on the call reflected a larger concern: that the Democratic Party has grown too dependent on a small handful of companies to carry the bulk of its campaign operations. Democrats up and down the ballot have long relied on NGP VAN to run their campaigns. Now, consultants and former employees are concerned that repeated layoffs will lead to problems with the partys most vaunted tech tools. Some consultants are on the precipice of turning their back on NGP VAN altogether, according to six NGP VAN clients who spoke with POLITICO. But the companys monopoly-like grip on Democratic campaigns means theres no clear alternative that can immediately replace it. NGP VAN said it is fully focused on the 2024 election. As we get closer to Election Day, its critical that our political clients get the exclusive attention they need, NGP VANs general manager Chelsea Peterson Thompson said in a statement to POLITICO. If NGP VANs software fails or even just stagnates during increasingly data-driven campaigns there is real fear among Democrats that fundraising dollars could be diminished, voters could be ignored and elections could be lost. "Every minute you spend dealing with [software] is time spent not talking to potential donors, said Kalani Tissot, founder of Tissot Solutions, a fundraising firm. It just adds all these laborious processes that slow down your ability to actually focus on fundraising. Last month, NGP VAN wrote in an open letter to its customers that the layoffs were part of a companywide restructuring designed to break down organizational silos. But some Democrats have worried ever since Apax Partners, a private equity firm, acquired the company two years ago. Earlier this year, more than 140 people were laid off from NGP VAN. We are up against a technology landscape that evolves rapidly, which means the needs of every election cycle are very different, Peterson Thompson said. As we head into 2024, every decision we make is to ensure that our products and offerings are responsive to that. NGP VAN did not respond to questions about the number of people laid off or future hiring for its political products. Apax has added nothing but chaos to everyone's lives, said Tara Harwood, who was laid off from her job as an ActionKit quality assurance engineer. Everything they did was poison as far as I'm concerned." NGP VANs products are used in every phase of campaigning: field operations, digital outreach, fundraising and compliance needs. The ActionKit team lost nearly half its team of 10 engineers in the most recent round of layoffs this September, and is considered the most powerful digital organizing and fundraising software even allowing clients to make custom data requests and add code that isnt built into the system. Unlike other products offered by NGP VAN, ActionKits help desk was staffed by engineers, which translated to exceptional customer service. Its big-name clients include the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, as well as numerous progressive nonprofits. Four former employees said the staff cuts could delay response time to client questions, reduce the ability to update the software and slow the ability to address glitches. Some users have questioned the companys commitment to improving the software amid recent changes. I felt like there were a lot of issues where we didn't have the resources we needed to do things, one former employee who was laid off last month told POLITICO. Campaign technology is quickly evolving on both sides and Democratic tools will need resources and investment to stay competitive in the long term. The bigger concern for me is not necessarily this cycle, but its four years, six years down the line, said Kenneth Pennington, partner at Democratic firm Middle Seat. Theres a pattern in Democratic software of creating a tool and then you stop updating it, you stop working on it, you stop developing and creating new releases for it. The changes cast uncertainty over the entire Democratic and progressive tech ecosystem, said Josh Nelson, CEO of Civic Shout, a company that helps Democrats and progressive groups grow opt-in email and SMS lists. It's sparking a lot of conversations about whether it makes sense for Democratic campaigns and organizations to invest in and build their own tools. But while multiple Democratic firms have expressed the desire to leave, NGP VAN has dominated the market for years. Competitors are trying to capitalize on the dissatisfaction with NGP VAN, but smaller companies dont yet provide a similar full-service product. And its a lot of work for firms to move to different software, much less create their own. Moving also wouldnt be ideal near the middle of an election cycle. I really want to see everyone's energy completely focused on what they're doing in the world or on winning elections, especially with our critical election year coming up, and with nonprofit and political fundraising down across the board, a partner at one consulting firm told POLITICO. It's not a great time for this to happen. One hundred and thirty years ago, a group of business leaders in Denver wrote a letter to Mexico's President Porfirio Diaz, requesting the appointment of a Mexican Consul General in Denver. These Coloradans wanted to be able to conduct business with Mexico more conveniently. There are two dozen signatures on a letter postmarked May 1893. Solicitud de Nombramiento de Consul by CBS News Colorado on Scribd This embedded content is not available in your region. Colorado mining, railroad and other industries frustrated at the delays and inconvenience of having to travel far to access consular services for Mexico. Current Deputy Consul Federico Bass Villareal said, "Knowing of the potential of the relationship, the economic relationship between Colorado and Mexico - they wrote a letter to President Porfirio Diaz asking for a Consulate to be here in Denver so they wouldn't have to travel to Kansas City." Denver's first Consul General of Mexico Casimiro Barela. Barela helped write the Colorado state constitution. He also served in the Territorial legislature and was one of Colorado's longest serving state senators. / Credit: Consulate General of Mexico Casimiro Barela was appointed the first Consul General. Born in what was then Mexico, he became an American citizen when his birthplace became part of the US. Barela had already served in the Territorial legislature and as a Colorado state senator. He was one of the authors of the Colorado state constitution. "Fighting for the constitution to be published in English, Spanish and German speaks a lot of himself. He is also one of the longest serving state senators in the history of Colorado," added Bass Villareal. "Por primera vez en Estados Unidos, estamos entregando esas tarjetas en el consulado," explained Mexico's Consul General for Denver Pavel Melendez Cruz. This translates to, "For the first time in the US, we are giving out these cards at the Consulate." Consul General of Mexico Pavel Melendez Cruz. / Credit: CBS Consul General Melendez Cruz addresses people who've come to the Consulate to process things like IDs, passports, and birth certificates. Nowadays the Consulate's focus is serving a million Mexican nationals in the Rocky Mountain region. "All Colorado and counties for the east Wyoming and east Montana almost around 100 counties in United States," said Melendez Cruz. Denver's Consulate recently piloted a new service making it easy to transfer funds to Mexico. The money sent home from workers abroad is the second largest source of foreign revenue for Mexico. "Va a poder enviar el dinero en 30 segundos hacia Mexico," explained the Consul General, in 30 seconds money sent from here will land on a loved ones' stored value card in Mexico. Enabling the payment of bills, rent, utilities or school tuition back home. / Credit: CBS The Consulate also promotes worker rights with education on things like workplace safety and wage theft. "It principally protects for the human rights for the Mexican community the nationals in the United States," said Melendez Cruz. 130 years in the economic bonds between Colorado and Mexico are strong as ever. Melendez Cruz added, "It's amazing state and Denver is also a friendly city." Colorado's ties with Mexico have only grown over the past century. Just this year, Mexico surpassed China as the United States' top trade partner. Sly Stone's new memoir Students making friends across the American divide Rachel Maddow on "Prequel" and fascism in America MOGADISHU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) has endorsed a request by Somalia for a three-month pause in the withdrawal of 3,000 troops stationed in the country, the AU mission said on Thursday. The PSC, which is the standing decision-making organ of the AU for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts, also welcomed the commitment by troop-contributing countries (TCCs) of Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Djibouti, and Uganda to work with Somalia and partners to secure financial support required for the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). "The PSC strongly supports the request of Somalia regarding the technical pause of the phase 2 drawdown of 3,000 ATMIS uniformed personnel by three months," the PSC said, according to resolutions released by the ATMIS in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. The five ATMIS troop contributors told the United Nations Security Council that they were in "strong support of technical pause" of the drawdown because they agree with Somalia that the country requires time to fix certain security gaps, including pooling enough personnel to take over security responsibilities. The PSC urged Somalia to prioritize force generation, regeneration, and capacity building to take over and adequately occupy all military bases handed over by the ATMIS with the view to preserving the gains made in Somalia. The PSC, in consultation with Somalia, the TCCs, the UN and other partners, pledged to reach an agreement on the transition to the Somali government's responsibility for security in order to make an informed decision on the renewal of the ATMIS mandate in December, including phase 3 drawdown scheduled for June 2024, and final exit by December 2024. The PSC, however, took note of the shortfalls in financial resources that could impede the operationalization of the requested technical pause of three months. It directed the AU Commission to engage Somalia to mobilize internal resources, including approaching its bilateral partners to support the financial costs for the requested extension. The ATMIS was expected to scale down its troop numbers in September this year by a further 3,000 personnel after successfully withdrawing 2,000 troops and handing over six military bases in June. An Allied Universal security guard is accused of a sex crime against a student at the high school he was assigned to, investigators say. The charge stems from another student reporting a separate incident involving the same guard. According to the police report, the Rock Hill High School student told her mom she had gotten a message on Instagram from Johnathan Anthony. She said he asked her to come to his house and model for him, telling her he was a photographer. ALSO READ: Arrest made in greenway sex assault; suspect accused of other sex crimes at Target The police report says Johnathan Anthony Baskin, 31, works as a security guard for Allied Universal. According to an arrest warrant, the company assigned him to work as a certified armed security officer at Rock Hill High. The student said on Sept. 14, Baskin stopped at her school and asked her if she knew he was the one who messaged her. She said he then asked her not to tell anyone, which made her uncomfortable, the incident report said. The reporting student is the fourth at the school to have received messages from Baskin, investigators said. While she didnt feel comfortable sharing the names of her fellow students, she did share her Instagram handle with deputies. The police report says those incidents happened from at least May 15 until Sept. 14. When the student talked to a deputy about what happened, she told the deputy she knew of two other girls who had gone to Baskins home. She said one of the two girls had stated that they engaged in sexual activities with him. ALSO READ: Former CMS teacher accused of sex crimes with student, records show The student also said another girl was called to the principals office to give a statement about what happened. An Allied Universal security guard is accused of a sex crime against a student at the high school he was assigned to, investigators say. Baskin has been charged with sexual battery in connection to the incident reported at his home. The arrest warrant for that charge says the victim was a 17-year-old Rock Hill High School student, and the incident happened between May 23 and July 31. The warrant said Baskin knew the student from school. However, authorities say he is not a law enforcement officer or a school resource officer. Unsettling news Channel 9s Almiya White spoke with a mother who reported Baskin to the police. Treasure Robertson claims Baskin tried to get her daughter to go to his house. The charges against Baskin have nothing to do with Robertsons daughter. However, what happened to Robertsons daughter set off the investigation. The mom said it started with an unsettling request on Instagram. While she was at school, she told me that he had approached her about some Instagram messages that he had sent her over the summer, Robertson said. He was trying to recruit her to come take pictures or model for him. Robertson said she reported Baskin to the police last month, which began the investigation and inevitably, his arrest. She told me she was sitting with a group of girls, and they had all got the same messages, Robertson said. Investigators said Robertsons daughter was the fourth student to receive a message from Baskin. Robertson is hoping more girls will come forward like her daughter did. Thank God she came to me and let me know immediately or he would still be preying on these girls, Robertson said. Baskin was given a $5,000 bond, which was posted on Wednesday. Allied Universal said Baskin was removed from service when they learned about the allegations against him. We are shocked and disheartened to learn of the incident, the company said in a statement. Upon learning of the allegations, the former employee was immediately removed from service. The reported behavior is wholly inconsistent with our values and is not representative of our dedicated team members who work to keep communities safe. Because we value safety and respect privacy, we do not provide employment details when asked by the media or members of the public. We are cooperating with local authorities as they conduct their investigation. All further questions should be referred to the York County Sheriffs department. A source shared the following message that has been sent to families at Rock Hill High School: Dear Rock Hill High School Family, Today we learned that York County Sheriffs Office took a former Allied Universal Security Officer into custody stemming from an incident that allegedly happened outside of school hours and was reported to a school administrator. We want to assure you we take every allegation extremely seriously and work collaboratively through all investigations. When this allegation was reported to our school officials, we did not hesitate to contact York County Sheriffs Office to investigate immediately. The district is committed to the safety of our students and will fully cooperate in any instance of law enforcement investigations. However, we cannot comment any further on this particular incident as it is still pending court proceedings. We will continue to do everything we can to foster a safe learning environment and look toward our families as partners on this front. Please continue to talk to your student about our districts See Something, Say Something initiative and encourage them to reach out to a trusted adult on campus at any time as part of our safety program. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. (WATCH BELOW: Former YMCA worker jailed on child sex crime charges) Things got pretty smoky at one Georgia jail after inmates allegedly used their jumpsuits to start a fire. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Troup County Sheriffs Office said that on Wednesday at 6:07 p.m., they were notified of a possible fire in one of the inmate housing units. Firefighters were called after a large amount of smoke was confirmed. Authorities evacuated the jail. TRENDING STORIES: Once jail staff went inside, they learned that inmate uniforms were slowly burning on the floor, and the fire was put out. The investigation revealed that inmates damaged a light fixture to start a fire, which deputies said they used to set the jumpsuits aflame. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Jason Cofield and Travis Preston Shelnutt have both been charged with arson in the first degree, criminal damage in the first degree, interference with government property, and rioting in a penal institute. Michael Dennis Cornett and Edward Anthony Facile are both charged with riot in a penal institute. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible. IN OTHER NEWS: DeSantis endorsed by group of 60 bipartisan law enforcement officers: 'Will bring back law and order' FIRST ON FOX: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is being endorsed by 60 Florida bipartisan law enforcement officers on Thursday, a larger number than he received during his 2022 gubernatorial race. At an event in Tampa, Florida on Thursday afternoon, the campaign is set to announce that 60 law enforcement officers in Florida, both Republican and Democrat, are backing DeSantis in his 2024 presidential race. "The endorsements come as DeSantis has been recognized in early nominating states for his actions as governor to back the blue and sign strong anti-crime laws, resulting in a 50-year low crime rate in Florida," the campaign said in a press release. In the press release, the campaign touts DeSantis's record as governor supporting law enforcement including enacting "numerous laws" backing the police and a signing bonus of up to $5,000 for new officers that the campaign says has brought officers from across the country to the Sunshine State. RON DESANTIS HAULS IN $15 MILLION IN PAST THREE MONTHS, MOVES PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN STAFF TO IOWA Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the Lakeland, Florida Police Department to announce a new proposal that would provide $5,000 signing bonuses to those who sign on to be law enforcement officers from within the state of Florida "Ron DeSantis has been unwavering in his support for law enforcement, which is why I am proud to endorse him today to be the next president of the United States," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, one of the officers to endorse DeSantis, said in the press release. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Our nation needs a leader who will bring back law and order to our communities. The people in the major metropolitan areas deserve to be safe, too. As President of the United States, he will fight to curtail runaway violent crime." DESANTIS CAMPAIGN BLASTS BIDEN OVER REPORT CHILD WAS RAPED IN HOME HOUSING 11 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: 'NO EXCUSES' Florida Governor and 2024 Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis waves as he arrives for his campaign kickoff event at Eternity Church in Clive, Iowa, on May 30, 2023. DeSantis was endorsed by 59 sheriffs during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign after they dubbed him the "Law and Order" governor, the campaign said. "Ron DeSantis doesnt just talk about backing the blue, he has delivered results for law enforcement officers and their families, from pay raises and bonuses to ensuring they have what they need to do their job and being very clear that he is on the side of law and order," Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in the press release. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference at the American Police Hall of Fame & Museum in Titusville. "Crime has gotten out of control in this country, but not in Florida," the release continued. "America desperately needs Ron DeSantis to go into the White House on Day One and replace Joe Bidens soft-on-crime policies with his agenda to back the blue and protect our communities." In June, DeSantis earned the endorsement of the Florida Police Benevolent Association President, the largest police union in the state. "For the over 30,000 men and women in the Florida Police Benevolent Association, the choice for us could not be clearer," the association's president, John Kazanjian, said in a statement. "Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration have made Florida a law-and-order state, by investing in and supporting the thousands of law enforcement officers, who serve on the front lines in keeping our communities safe and secure." Original article source: DeSantis endorsed by group of 60 bipartisan law enforcement officers: 'Will bring back law and order' Gov. Ron DeSantis took his presidential campaign to downtown Tampa Thursday to accept the endorsement of 60 Florida sheriffs, giving him an opportunity to hammer the parts of his stump speech on preserving law and order. But he also used the event to repeatedly hammer former President Donald Trump , the front-runner for the Republican nomination for president. DeSantis hit Trump on immigration, his conservative bona fides, his campaign expenditures, his proclivity for controversy, his 2020 election loss, his inability to serve two terms and more. Heres just the reality. If you want to know whos done more to actually implement and deliver on America First policies, the person thats done that more than anyone else in these United States is right here, he said, to loud applause. The event was in keeping with a major pivot DeSantis has made as he enters the crucial 100 days before the make-or-break Iowa caucuses in January. As hes struggled to gain traction, hes begun criticizing Trump directly and sometimes, fiercely. Trump broke his promises to Republican voters, DeSantis says, and has shifted leftward since he remade the Republican Party in his image. In the Florida governors telling, that leaves DeSantis as the better man to carry Trumps own ideology into the future. READ MORE: DeSantis to meet campaign donors in Miami after announcing $15 million summer cash haul Of the 60 Florida sheriffs that endorsed DeSantis Thursday, 37 of them backed Trump in 2020, including Bob Gualtieri of Pinellas, Chris Nocco of Pasco and Al Nienhuis of Hernando. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister also threw his support behind DeSantis, but he was not listed among those who endorsed Trump on an archived campaign news release from 2020. What about building that border wall? During his speech, DeSantis referenced Trumps pledge during the 2016 election to wall off the southern border on Mexicos dime, calling it a famous promise. It was one that went unfulfilled, as Trumps administration added few new miles of border barrier, and at the expense of American taxpayers. DeSantis lambasted recent comments made by Trump, who said during a stump speech that Mexico didnt pay for a border wall because there was no legal mechanism. That was not what he said at those rallies in 2016. I was there for those rallies, DeSantis said. Its also not true. You actually can get Mexico to pay for the wall. DeSantis has proposed imposing fees on remittances, which is the money people send back to their loved ones in other countries, to generate billions needed to pay for a border barrier. Trumps campaign did not respond to emails requesting comment. Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses the audience while on stage along with law enforcement leaders during a campaign event on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 in Tampa. Criticism of Trump is a DeSantis campaign pivot After previously avoiding any direct criticism of his former political benefactor, DeSantis new tactic was on full display during the second Republican presidential debate last month. When DeSantis got his first speaking opportunity, he used it to chide Trump for being missing in action. DeSantis campaign store also has an item mocking Trumps contribution to the national debt, listing the Trump Veto Pen for $7.8 trillion under a graphic that reads, Item Not Found. The super PAC that has provided much of DeSantis political operation now has an entire sub-category of videos on its YouTube page of negative Trump ads. The videos bash Trump on a range of topics including abortion, COVID policies, not pursuing criminal charges against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Trump allowing transgender women to participate in the Miss Universe pageant. Campaign finance documents filed by the super PAC, called Never Back Down, show that it has spent tens of thousands of dollars in September promoting these anti-Trump messages in Iowa, North Carolina and New Hampshire. DeSantis recent lines of attack against Trump spurred varying opinions among some of the governors supporters attending the Tampa event. I liked [Trumps] policies but Im tired of all the drama. I just want things to be orderly and to get things done, said Mary Petitgirard, 61, of Dunedin. As to the idea that Trump has moved to the left, thats probably just politics, she said, adding that shed still vote for Trump if he were the nominee. Joseph Molnar, 32, feels differently. He said Trumps handling of the pandemic, his critique of Floridas six-week abortion law and other issues prove that Trump has become more liberal. Molnar brought a copy of the book DeSantis published earlier this year to the event, hoping for an autograph. I think [DeSantis] is better than Trump not just in terms of personality, but hes better than Trump on every single issue, said Molnar, a Palm Harbor resident. READ MORE: Matt Gaetz took out a House Speaker. Will he take the Florida governors mansion next? Gov. Ron DeSantis addresses the audience while on stage along with law enforcement leaders during a campaign event on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 in Tampa. Campaigning in Florida and raising money, too Thursdays campaign event was part of a swing through Florida for DeSantis as he took a break from his early-primary-states focus to draw funds from donors closer to home. His campaign announced Wednesday that it raised $15 million in the past three months, in conjunction with an associated leadership PAC and joint fundraising committee. While a sizable sum, it was still less than the roughly $20 million the campaign raised in the first six weeks of DeSantis campaign during the previous quarter. And according to the New York Times, when accounting for expenses and legal restrictions, just $5 million was at the campaigns disposal to use for the primary election as it entered October. Earlier Thursday, DeSantis held a fundraiser at one of Tampas hot new restaurants, the Union New American in Westshore, where the regular lunch menu features caviar, an Alaskan king crab sushi roll and a cocktail made with Siberian vodka. Organizers required a $5,000-per-person minimum donation to dine with the governor, according to the invitation, but allowed couples feeling more generous to max out at $23,200 under the rules for the DeSantis teams new joint fundraising committee. The hosts of the event were listed as 10 businessmen, most of them local, including Willy Nunn, the CEO of several Tampa home-building companies. DeSantis was expected to finish his day with a second, evening fundraiser in Miami. Mourners gathered on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall Thursday to remember the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein at a funeral service. Political leaders celebrated the life of the longtime California senator, who died last week at 90, at the afternoon memorial, highlighting her character and her legacy as a trailblazer for women in politics. Dianne, the women of America have come a long way, our country has come a long way and you helped move the ball forward and our nation salutes you, said Kamala Harris, the United States first female vice president and a former California senator. Feinstein was born in San Francisco and was the first female mayor of the city, a position she held for 10 years. She later served in the US Senate for more than 30 years. Mourners gather in honor of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein outside of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, October 5, in California. - Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images A man photographs a memorial service program on Thursday outside of San Francisco City Hall. - Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Feinsteins granddaughter Eileen Mariano also spoke at the memorial. In pre-recorded remarks, President Joe Biden remembered Feinstein as a remarkable person and a kind and loyal friend. Rep. Nancy Pelosi raises her hand in the air during her remarks at Feinstein's funeral. - Godofredo A. Vasquez/AP US Navy Blue Angels fly over City Hall during the memorial service. - Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle/AP The Senate floor closed on Thursday so members could attend the service. The memorial was closed to the public. While it had previously been relocated to the steps of city hall to allow greater attendance, Feinsteins office announced Wednesday that the public would no longer be able to attend, citing increased security. A live stream link for those unable to attend was provided. The longtime senator was scheduled to be buried at a private, family-only ceremony following the service. Californians paid their respects to the late senator on Wednesday as she lay in state at San Francisco City Hall. Honor guard members carry the casket of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein down the steps of San Francisco City Hall to a waiting hearse following a day of lying in state at city hall on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. - Carlos Avila Gonzalez/Pool/Reuters A plane from the presidents military fleet carrying the body of Feinstein, accompanied by Pelosi, arrived in San Francisco on Saturday evening. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill Feinsteins seat on an interim basis, and she was sworn in on Tuesday. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Elise Hammond, Maureen Chowdhury and Kaanita Iyer contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Snook regulations changed slightly for some Florida waters, however changes to bag limits including harvest closures for some regions of the state will hold off at least until next summer, according to the state fishery management officials Wednesday. Four changes to snook management in Florida were proposed by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staff. Of those, two changes were adopted: State was divided into nine snook management regions September added to closed harvest season for Charlotte Harbor and Southwest Florida which includes Collier, Monroe and part of Miami-Dade counties Snook fishery managers now are able to be more flexible in decision-making when red tides, fish kills or other factors impact local fisheries, the FWC said. The seven member board of commissioners voted on the proposals Wednesday in Jensen Beach, the first of two days of scheduled meetings. A slot-sized snook was caught by this visiting angler with Capt. Mark Dravo of Y-B Normal Charters on Oct. 3, 2023 in Fort Pierce. A proposed rule from FWC would make a two-fish vessel limit for snook statewide. The board decided to table until a future meeting: A proposed 2-snook vessel harvest limit statewide A harvest closure for the Tampa Bay region that was to begin in 2024 The proposals were developed with concerns for declining water quality, loss of habitat and increased fishing pressure by residents and visitors, FWC marine fisheries manager Erika Burgess said. A yearlong process of 12 public in-person workshops, two virtual workshops, the distribution of an angler satisfaction survey combined with fishery dependent and fishery independent research methods provided the data FWC staff used to craft the proposals. The board's decision followed impassioned pleas from several of the 20 speakers. Some supported staff recommendations to enact the harvest closures. With the 2-snook vessel limit, seven spoke against it and three spoke in favor of it. Four spoke out against closing snook harvest in Tampa Bay. Snook regulations could become a topic discussed every year at FWC meetings, Burgess told commissioners. Chairman Rodney Barreto said that will allow them to change regulations quickly if needed. "Our fishery is great here. I don't see any need to make any further regulations at this time. If a problem crops up that we aren't having now, it can be dealt with. Hold back on the 2-fish limit right now," Capt. Mike Maher of Vero Beach asked of the commissioners before they voted. Restricting snook? FWC should reject proposed two-snook vessel limit for Florida Atlantic region. Here's why Mullet memories: Mullet run: What we see in Indian River Lagoon today is far different than pioneer days "Snook fishing is in decline in Stuart. In Sebastian and Fort Pierce, there is more habitat and deep water for snook. We have no seagrass meadows in Stuart anymore and an increase in fishing effort. I support a 2-snook vessel limit," said Capt. Mike Holliday of Stuart. "I was surprised the commissioners decided to drop the 2-fish vessel limit, Now, I'd like to see them increase the harvest slot limit from 28-32 inches to 28-34 inches," said Greg Simmons, a Fort Pierce angler. Commissioners also directed FWC staff to look at the possibility of creating a 10th snook management region by splitting the 156-mile Indian River Lagoon into two different regions. Of the 1.4 million saltwater fishing licenses sold in Florida this year, more than 540,000 of them have purchased the $10 annual snook stamp including more than 93,000 lifetime fishing licenses. The snook regulation changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024. Go to FWC meeting in Jensen Beach for more information. Ed Killer covers fishing for TCPalm. Email him at ed.killer@tcpalm.com. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Snook regulation changes: How FWC altered rules for Florida favorite Columbus Dispatch photographer Adam Cairns and reporter Bethany Bruner watch police investigate an armed robbery at the United Food Mart on S. High Street. The summer months are often Columbus' deadliest in terms of gun violence and to highlight its devastating effects, The Dispatch launched an initiative to chronicle its pain and impact in real time. The news organization deployed 28 journalists to capture gun violence and its lingering effects in real time over an 80-hour period from the early morning hours of Thursday, July 20 until the early morning hours of Sunday, July 23. Columbus Dispatch photographer Adam Cairns photographs a hostage situation in the Ohio State University campus area. During the 80-hour period, reporters listened to police scanners, met victims, embedded with Columbus police and the Franklin County Coroner's staff, worked with the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, shadowed community workers, attended a funeral, talked with hospital personnel and attended court hearings to understand the full effects of gun violence. The resulting story provides a snapshot of some of the 207 police runs related to guns. Reporters, photographers and videographers scrambled around the clock to capture many of the breaking news scenes such as shootings, armed robberies and assaults with guns. Read More: UNDER FIRE series on gun violence in Columbus Columbus Dispatch reporter Mike Wagner interviews a woman at the scene of a homicide. This story is a part of the newspaper's yearlong project called Under Fire, which examines gun violence in our community. The work on the 80-hour story started with months of planning leading up to that summer weekend so that the staff could have access to live crime scenes. But the newspaper wanted to go beyond just breaking news. It identified dozens of other moments in the court system, neighborhoods, churches, parks, funeral homes and other places to show how gun violence impacts everyday life. Once the 80-hour reporting window in July concluded, the work was just beginning. Dispatch reporters requested hundreds of pages of records from Columbus police involving all shootings. Dispatch reporter Sheridan Hendrix takes notes at crime scene in the middle of the night in Columbus. Those records included information on ShotSpotter, a technology the police use in five city neighborhoods that detects when shots are fired. The records also included reports of what police call a person with a gun and other reports of actual shootings. Reporters and editors then spent weeks combing through the police records, notes taken at crime scenes, hundreds of photos and dozens of hours of video to piece together and write a narrative timeline of the weekend as it unfolded. To view other stories that are part of the Under Fire project, please go to dispatch.com/underfire. Columbus Dispatch reporters Jenn Smola Shaffer and Mike Wagner review photos taped to the Dispatch office windows as they work on the Under Fire gun violence project. Shaffer has since left the newspaper. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here's how reporters traced a weekend of gun violence in Columbus DNA technology and cellphone data led detectives to Jordan Thompson, 23, who is accused of killing Jamal Moore, 30, of Charlotte, on Jan. 28, in Nashville, police announced Wednesday. PAST COVERAGE: Loved ones remember Charlotte man killed in Nashville stabbing Thompson was arrested and was put in jail under no bond. BREAKING: A months-long investigation into the 1/28 murder of Jamal Moore, 30, on Cherokee Ave in East Nashville led to today's arrest of Jordan Thompson, 23. DNA science & cell phone data analysis are important parts of this case. Thompson is being held without bond. pic.twitter.com/SpyOh9tsZr Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) October 4, 2023 Moore was stabbed to death and found on the side of the road. The Charlotte man was in Nashville on business. VIDEO: Loved ones remember Charlotte man killed in Nashville stabbing The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) protects U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomats worldwide. Working in tandem with the U.S. Marine Corps, especially the Marine Security Guards, the DSS contributes to a multi-layered approach to safeguarding American interests abroad. While it's an essential arm of the United States Department of State, the DSS often goes unnoticed. However, that doesnt make their work any less worthwhile or valuable. Notably, the DSS was officially established in 1916, making it one of the oldest security services in the U.S. The primary mission of the DSS is to ensure the secure conduct of American diplomacy. Unlike the CIA and FBI, the DSS is deeply rooted in the State Department. That means its agents specialize in protecting diplomatic assets, information, and personnel. Diplomatic Security Service roles and responsibilities DSS agents fulfill a wide array of responsibilities, making them versatile pillars of American diplomacy. They are charged with providing personal protection for high-ranking officials such as the U.S. Secretary of State, ambassadors, and visiting foreign dignitaries. They often work in close collaboration with Marine Security Guards, who bring expertise in the physical security of embassies and consulates to the table. Beyond protection services, DSS agents are also at the forefront of security engineering. Together with other DoS colleagues, they spearhead comprehensive security measures within U.S. embassies and consulates to make them impregnable fortresses of American interests abroad. In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, they are responsible for ensuring the cyber-integrity of communication channels and sensitive databases. This includes defending against hacking attempts and maintaining secure lines of communication. In turn, American diplomatic efforts can proceed without interference. DSS agents are also involved in counterintelligence measures. They work tirelessly to detect and mitigate espionage activities targeting the U.S. diplomatic community. Furthermore, they conduct investigations, collaborating with other federal agencies to perform in-depth background checks for personnel and other security-related matters. Beyond these duties, the DSS also manages Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) programs to train law enforcement agencies in other countries to combat terrorism better. This fosters goodwill between nations and creates a more secure environment for U.S. diplomats and citizens abroad. Additionally, the training often involves Marine Security Guards, who bring their expertise in physical security to these programs. A DSS assistant regional security officer (left) and a marine with Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Europe during an exercise at the U.S. embassy in Belgrade. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Russell R. Rhodes Jr./Released) Training and skillsets Earning a position within the Diplomatic Security Service is a rigorous process. Candidates first pass a challenging selection procedure that includes oral and written assessments. After selection, agents undergo extensive training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC). Agents then partake in specialized courses that range from high-risk driving to cybersecurity. Their training is dynamic and evolves to address current global threats. That makes DSS agents some of the most proficient and adaptable law enforcement professionals. In a span of approximately six months, trainees dive into essential subjects vital for their future duties. They receive classroom instruction on topics such as criminal law, investigative techniques, counterterrorism, and foreign languages. Proficiency with firearms is a crucial skill, and trainees undergo rigorous training to ensure effective self-defense. Physical fitness is emphasized throughout their training, with specific standards to meet for graduation. Realistic scenarios like hostage rescues, crisis management, and surveillance operations prepare them for the unpredictable challenges they may face. Specialized driving instruction is also part of the curriculum, given the importance of safe and efficient driving in protective missions. T Following the completion of their training, DSS officers continue to enhance their skills through advanced training programs. Depending on their assigned roles, officers may undergo specialized training in areas like explosives detection, cybersecurity, or tactical operations. Language proficiency is highly valued in diplomacy, and many DSS officers become proficient in foreign languages relevant to their assignments. While formal training is crucial, the true learning experience for DSS officers unfolds in the field as they work alongside experienced colleagues ahead of their first assignments. Notable missions The Diplomatic Security Service has a storied history of operating under high-pressure situations where precision, bravery, and rapid decision-making are essential. While many operations remain classified, some instances have come into the public eye. One of the most significant operations involving the DSS was the aftermath of the twin bombings of U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Within hours of the bombings, DSS agents were among the first U.S. government personnel on the scene. They played a pivotal role in coordinating rescue and medical operations for the injured and securing the crime scenes. Their fast actions enabled other agencies to step in for further investigations. They helped bring about a quicker resolution to an international crisis. The 2012 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya , drew global attention and showcased the hazards that diplomatic personnel face. DSS agents were present at the consulate and were deeply involved in the efforts to protect American lives during the attacks. Despite being under-equipped and outnumbered, they evacuated personnel and engaged the attackers, displaying exceptional courage under fire. The path to Diplomatic Security Service For those interested in a career with the DSS, several pathways can lead you there. Many agents have criminal justice, international relations, or military service backgrounds. Fluency in multiple languages is also a vital asset. The process typically begins with an application through the State Department , followed by a thorough vetting procedure that includes various assessments and interviews. Success here leads to a challenging but rewarding training phase, followed by assignments that can take you all over the world. Working in high-risk environments, these agents ensure the U.S. maintains robust and secure relationships with countries worldwide. If you're interested in serving your country in a unique and challenging way, joining the DSS offers an opportunity to be part of a critical yet often unsung facet of American security and diplomacy. The DSS exemplifies the core values of duty, respect, and honor, making it a fulfilling career and a noble calling. Their work, done mostly behind the scenes, deserves the utmost respect and admiration, cementing their status as the unsung heroes of American foreign policy. Dog Day Rescue, a Kennesaw-based nonprofit animal rescue, posted these photos of Baron who is suffering severe injuries from an embedded collar. KENNESAW, Ga. - Baron is an extremely cute and docile pit bull whose sad eyes appear to tell everything about the horrifying wounds he has suffered. "This sweet, tiny boy is incredible. Words cant express his tender, loving nature," Dog Day Rescue posted to its Facebook page. The Kennesaw-based animal rescue has been posting about Barons progress for nearly a week now. Some details may be difficult to swallow. One volunteer wrote how because of Barons injury, her car now "stinks of infection, blood on the blanket and back of the seats and maggots have dropped out of the wound." She added: "I would do it a million times over and not change a thing!" The images shared of his wounds may be disturbing to some. "We received this graphic video and a plea from the shelter to help this boy with this horrific wound," the rescue group posted. "Weve not been taking in new dogs because our foster homes are full, but there was no way we could turn our back on this boy." Baron has suffered an extreme injury caused by an embedded collar. "That happens when a collar is put on a puppy and never changed," the post continues. "The puppy grows, but the collar doesnt, so the body is forced to grow around the collar. This is most often found in dogs that live on chains or in backyards with no human interaction." Dog Days Rescues says it is one of the worst cases they have seen, but sadly, not the worst case ever. They say he is also underweight, something easily remedied, but the injuries to his neck are more complicated. The group took Baron to the ER and doctors were able to clean and begin to treat the massive wound to his neck. The staff at the clinic quickly fell in love. "It seems he has all of the techs smitten, the doctor said theyre all asking if they can take him home," the group posted, adding a smiley emoji. "Hes got such a sweet personality and hes absolutely adorable." Baron was put on antibiotics and has been having his bandages changed every few hours. "His neck is being cleaned and re-bandaged at regular intervals, each time sloughing necrotic skin and alternating between wet and dry bandages as the wound continues to drain," they posted. Sunday, Baron was able to get away from his IV for a few minutes and simply enjoy the sun. Dog Days Rescue posted an adorable picture of Baron laying down in the sunbeams. "Hes still stable and loving everyone. His wound cleanings are going well," the post reads. "Hell be evaluated tomorrow to possibly have the needed surgery on that horrid wound to hopefully be closed." The next day, doctors said it would still be a few more days before they could perform surgery to close the wounds. "The wound needed to be reopened on the edges because its starting to build scar tissue. In order to be able to pull the skin together and close it, the surgeon needs healthy tissue without scar buildup," the group wrote. The staff says there is still too much bacteria and not enough healthy skin to move forward. His regiment of recovery will continue for a little while longer. "Meanwhile, hes getting lots of attention from the staff, everyone absolutely adores his sweet personality and adorable little face!" the staff exclaimed. However, saving this sweet pups life is getting expensive. The hospital bills are climbing. Dog Days Rescue has set up a fundraiser through Facebook to try to meet Barons medical needs. Donations can also be made at dogdaysrescue.org. The group says charges against Barons owner have been filed. FILE - Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, center, is flanked by Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., left, and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Calif., as they criticize Democrats for launching a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019. Jordan, now chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, is emerging as a contender to replace House Speaker Kevin McCarthy who was voted out of the job by a contingent of hard-right conservatives this week. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) WASHINGTON (AP) Former President Donald Trump is backing Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the pugnacious House Judiciary Committee chairman and longtime Trump defender, to succeed Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. Congressman Jim Jordan has been a STAR long before making his very successful journey to Washington, D.C., representing Ohios 4th Congressional District, Trump wrote on his Truth Social site early Friday. He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement! The announcement came hours after Texas Rep. Troy Nehls said Thursday night that Trump had decided to back Jordan's bid and after Trump said he would be open to serving as interim leader himself if Republicans couldn't settle on a successor following McCarthys stunning ouster. Trump, the current GOP presidential front-runner, has used the leadership vacuum on the Hill to further demonstrate his control over the Republican Party. House Republicans are deeply fractured and some have been asking him to lead them a seemingly fanciful suggestion that he also promoted after inflaming the divisions that forced out McCarthy as speaker. Trump had been telling people in recent days that he preferred Jordan for the post, according to two Republicans familiar with his thinking and granted anonymity to discuss it. But it was unclear whether he intended to announce it before Nehls' tweet. Just had a great conversation with President Trump about the Speakers race. He is endorsing Jim Jordan, and I believe Congress should listen to the leader of our party, Nehls wrote late Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. In an interview later with The Associated Press, Nehls, who had been encouraging Trump to run for the post himself, said the ex-president instead wanted Jordan. After him thinking about it and this and that ... he said he really is in favor of getting behind Jim Jordan," Nehls said. He believes Jim Jordan is right for the job." Jordan is one of two leading candidates maneuvering for speaker along with Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Both are trying to lock in the 218 votes required to win the job and need the support of both the far-right and moderate factions of the party. Its unclear whether Trump's endorsement will force Scalise, the current GOP majority leader, out of the race, or if either can reach the threshold. Indeed, Nehls said that if no current candidate succeeds in earning the support needed to win, he would once again turn to Trump. Our conference is divided. Our country is broken. I dont know who can get to 218, he said in the interview. Trump earlier in the day had been in talks to visit Capitol Hill next week ahead of a speakership vote that could happen as soon as Wednesday, according to three people familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement. Trump confirmed the trip to Fox News Digital and said he would travel Tuesday to meet with Republicans. The trip would have been Trumps first to the Capitol since leaving office and since his supporters attacked the building in a bid to halt the peaceful transition of power on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump has been indicted in both Washington and Georgia over his efforts to overturn the results of the election, which he lost to President Joe Biden . Nehls, however, said it was unlikely Trump would make the trip following the endorsement. Jordan is one of Trumps biggest champions on the Hill and has been leading the investigations into prosecutors who have charged the former president. He was also part of a group of Republicans who worked with Trump to overturn his defeat ahead of Jan. 6. Scalise has also worked closely with Trump over the years. One of the people familiar with the planning had cautioned earlier Thursday that, if Trump did go ahead with the visit, he would be there to talk with Republican lawmakers and not to pitch himself for the role. Still, Trump continued to stoke speculation, telling Fox News Digital Thursday that he would accept a short-term role as speaker for anywhere from 30 to 90 days if another candidate doesnt have the votes to win. I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress, he told the outlet. If they dont get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the speakership until they get somebody longer-term, because I am running for president. In a social media post earlier in the day, he added that he will do whatever is necessary to help with the Speaker of the House selection process, short term, until the final selection of a GREAT REPUBLICAN SPEAKER is made - A Speaker who will help a new, but highly experienced President, ME, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The Republican conference is filled with members generally supportive of Trump, but whether theyd back him to serve as speaker remained to be seen. The role is a demanding position effectively running the Capitol and dealing with hundreds of lawmakers and requires an attention to the arcane details of legislating that Trump showed little interest in even when he was president. While he is dominating his GOP presidential rivals, Trump is also still traveling to early primary states to campaign and has been spending much of his time focused on the four criminal indictments and several civil cases he is facing. While there is no requirement that a person be elected to the House to serve as speaker, every one of the 55 speakers the House has elected has been a member of the chamber. From time to time, lawmakers have thrown their votes to those outside of Congress, often as a protest against the candidates running. Trump helped McCarthy win the speakership in January after 15 rounds of voting. But he exhorted Republicans to impeach Biden and to reject deals that McCarthy negotiated. Last month, he urged the right flank to support a government shutdown if Republicans did not win deep spending cuts, declaring on social media that the GOP lost big on Debt Ceiling, got NOTHING, and now are worried that they will be BLAMED for the Budget Shutdown. Wrong!!! Whoever is President will be blamed, in this case, Crooked (as Hell!) Joe Biden! McCarthy ultimately moved to keep the government open for 45 days without the cuts demanded by hard-right conservatives. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican and longtime Trump ally, cited that decision as reason to move to depose the speaker. Among those who had pushed Trump for speaker was Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a longtime Trump ally who didnt vote to remove McCarthy. She posted on X that she believed he would take the job. Nehls, the Texas Republican who was among the first to promote Trump for the job, said before his Thursday evening conservation with Trump that hed been contacted by multiple Members of Congress willing to support and offer nomination speeches for Donald J. Trump to be Speaker of the House. Next week, he wrote on X, is going to be HUGE. ___ Colvin reported from New York. AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. A Dorchester mother is demanding answers after she says her 4-year-old daughter ended up undressed on the back of a school bus. Angela Thomason told Boston 25 News she was floored when she heard that a 9-year-old girl was cleaning her child in front of other kids. She said she was told that several other 4th and 5th graders were nearby. She described her mind spinning in circles after hearing the story from her daughter, whos in kindergarten, and her 6-year-old daughter, who rides the same bus. She had an accident, and I guess this child took it upon herself to change her, said Thomason. She had wipes and used them. I just feel like that shouldnt have happened. Thomason said shes troubled by the fact that there wasnt any adult intervention. I teach my kids that no one should touch you, she said. There should be someone on the bus watching. She reported the incident back on Friday after her kids bus ride home from Holmes Innovation School in Dorchester. According to Thomason, she was originally told that shed have to wait up to two weeks to see surveillance video. This is urgent. I need to know what happened, she said. I have to see my daughters reaction. Thomason has met with the school principal, the Office of Equity and the Interim Director of Transportation. She told Boston 25 News on Wednesday that she received an email from the district informing her that the surveillance footage is ready to be reviewed. She said she plans to go see it on Thursday. Boston 25 News received the following statement from the Boston Public School District: The safety and well-being of our students and staff are of the utmost importance at Boston Public Schools. The district is actively committed to working with the affected family to address the incident. We take all allegations of misconduct with the utmost seriousness and are currently completing a thorough investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Jacks Donuts, which started as a single pastry shop in Indiana in 1961, is expanding in Florida. A new location in Bradenton is Jacks second in Florida. The first opened in Sarasota in 2022 and another is opening there soon. Most of Jacks locations are in Indiana, but the company is looking to franchise throughout Florida, said David Robins, a franchise partner. Jacks has about 30 varieties of doughnuts. Among the most popular are glazed, apple fritter and Boston cream. Jacks Donuts, which started as a single pastry shop in New Castle, Ind., in 1961, now has its first Bradenton franchise at 6571 State Road 70 E. Ive been doing this my whole life, Robins said of the pastry business. We have a great quality product and the best part is seeing people happy. The doughnuts are made fresh nightly on the premises. In addition to doughnuts, Jacks also has coffee and boba drinks on the menu. By popular demand, Jacks is also serving kolaches, a yeast roll wrapped around a smoked Polish sausage and cheddar filling. Jacks Donuts, which started as a single pastry shop in New Castle, Ind., in 1961, now has its first Bradenton franchise at 6571 State Road 70 E. David Robins is shown with a tray of the shops popular apple fritters. Jacks Bradenton store opened in May and held its grand opening in August. Previously, the space was occupied by a Shipley Do-Nuts franchise. Jacks is open seven days a week: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The shop has a drive-thru as well as tables and seating inside for anyone who wants to enjoy their food on the premises. In spring 2013, Jacks Donuts opened its first franchise about 45 miles west of New Castle in Fishers, Indiana, according to the company. There are now about 30 Jacks Donuts. Jacks Donuts, which started as a single pastry shop in New Castle, Ind., in 1961, now has its first Bradenton franchise at 6571 State Road 70 E. This embedded content is not available in your region. All three of The Drew Barrymore Shows head writers have declined to return to the show following the hosts controversial decision to restart during the writers strikes. Last month, the ET actor, 48, announced that her CBS talk show would start production on its fourth season despite the then-ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes. She then backtracked a week later after facing intense criticism over the decision, saying that the show would be paused once more. Following the resolution of the strike on 25 September, The Drew Barrymore Show is set to make its return on 16 October; however, co-head writers Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon and Liz Koe will not be returning with it, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show is now interviewing new writers and will be in compliance with the guild, their source said. The Independent has reached out to Barrymore and CBS for comment. All three writers were vocal strike advocates and criticised their former bosss decision to restart before the strike had ended. Drew Barrymore (Invision) It is frustrating, because it will prolong the strike, and we just want it to end, Kinon told The Daily Beast after Barrymores announcement. I personally understand that everybody has to make the best decision for themselves, Kinon said. I know that this show has a crew of hundreds of people who need to be paid, and I understand the perspective of wanting to protect your cast, your crew and your staff. Were standing with all of labour and all of the unions across the world, because that is how it works. Unions only work when you stick together with unions across the labour spectrum. Barrymore released a video on 15 September tearfully apologising for her decision to bring the show back, but later deleted it. Announcing her U-turn and that the show would be paused again, she wrote: I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the shows premiere until the strike is over. I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today. We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon. The actor was also dropped from presenting The National Book Awards due to the backlash she was facing. In light of the announcement that The Drew Barrymore Show will resume production, the National Book Foundation has rescinded Ms Barrymores invitation to host the 74th National Book Awards Ceremony, the organisation said in a statement. A man has died after his vehicle crashed into a tree in Falmouth Wednesday afternoon. According to Falmouth police, on Wednesday, October 4th around 2:19 p.m., officers were called to a single-vehicle crash on Davisville Road, involving a Department of Public Works pickup truck. The truck was reportedly traveling North on Davisville Road when it left the roadway and struck a tree, police say. The male operator was transported to Falmouth Hospital with critical injuries and succumbed to his injuries a short time later. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The Falmouth Police Department would like to express our deepest condolences to the employees family and our partners at the Falmouth Department of Public Works for the loss of one of their colleagues, " police said in a release. The crash is currently under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A New Jersey man was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison for running a drug delivery service that distributed dangerous drugs for over seven years, including the cocaine laced with fentanyl that killed three New York professionals, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. Billy Ortega, 37, from West Milford, New Jersey, ran a drug delivery service from his mothers Manhattan apartment, acting as a dispatcher and coordinating deliveries by texting couriers and customers, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Ortega was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, acetylfentanyl, and cocaine, the use of which caused the three deaths, along with other charges. On March 17, 2021, Ortegas couriers sent cocaine secretly laced with fentanyl to three customers across Manhattan, officials said. Attorney Julia Ghahramani, social worker Amanda Scher, and banker and soon-to-be father Ross Mtangi, all died after consuming the illicit fentanyl mixed into a batch of cocaine. Ortega had been made aware that the laced cocaine had nearly killed someone before coordinating the additional deliveries, according to officials. After learning of the three deaths, he offered the supply to another drug dealer and continued his drug delivery operation up until his arrest nearly a year later. Ortega was convicted after a two-week trial in January 2023 before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams, who imposed Wednesday's sentence. 'Callous and remarkably evil conduct' Officials said that before coordinating the three ultimately fatal deliveries, another customer warned Ortega his batch had almost killed someone. A friend of the other customer had been hospitalized and was administered a Narcan shot after taking the drugs, the customers text message said, which Ortega read before continuing with deliveries to three other people, who soon died from drug poisoning, according to officials. Later that night, after the three people had stopped responding to his texts, Ortega offered the laced batch of cocaine to another drug dealer. "Give it to some girls and you let me know lol bro," the message read. After the three deaths, Ortega changed his phone number and continued to sell drugs until his arrest in 2022. Ortegas callous and remarkably evil conduct rightly deserved a significant sentence, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Wednesday. This sentence sends a message to the fentanyl traffickers causing the fentanyl epidemic in our communities that they will bear the most serious consequences. Families mourn losses Families of the three victims appeared in court Wednesday as the sentence was handed down, WABC-TV reported. Mtangis mother, Lauren Lackey, sent a letter expressing her grief to Abrams, which was obtained by the station. "My son is gone and my life destroyed because of Ortega's greed and callousness. I don't believe he cares about the destruction he caused or the rippling effects that our families will endure," Lackey said in the letter, according to WABC-TV. "It could have been prevented. My son was poisoned by Fentanyl. That horror sits on my chest and I feel it with every breath." The family of Ghahramani, a 26-year-old lawyer and Columbia Law School graduate, founded the Julia Ghahramani Foundation in her honor, which now serves to support charitable and student-led organizations dedicated to social justice issues. Ghahramani was also a contributor to the Columbia Law Review, "where one of her most cherished moments was a trip to Washington D.C. to meet with her hero and fellow Law Review alumna, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, before she passed, her family said. Overdose treament: Narcan nasal spray for overdoses will be available over-the-counter at major pharmacies Fentanyl overdose deaths on the rise Every seven minutes, an American dies from fentanyl poisoning. The powerful synthetic opioid is responsible for most overdose deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl overdose deaths climbed from 57,834 in 2020 to 71,238 the following year. Illicit versions of the drug differ from legal fentanyl, a strong pain medicine vetted by the Food and Drug Administration and prescribed in medical settings to treat intense pain in cancer patients. Experts say illicitly manufactured fentanyl has increasingly been mixed with other street drugs, sold on the black market, and produced in labs overseas. People intending to buy non-opioid street drugs may have no idea they are getting a potentially fatal mixture cut with fentanyl. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York fentanyl poisoning deaths: Drug delivery leader gets 30 years Earth has been hit by a blast from a dead star so energetic that scientists cannot explain it. The burst of gamma rays, originating in a dead star known as a pulsar, is the most high energy of its kind ever seen. It was equivalent about ten trillion times the energy of visible light, or 20 tera-electronvolts. Scientists are unable to explain exactly what kind of a scenario could lead a pulsar to emit such intense energy, and the researchers behind the breakthrough say that it requires a rethinking of how these natural accelerators work. Scientists hope that they can find yet more powerful energy blasts from pulsars, with a view to better understanding how they are formed. Pulsars are formed when a star dies, exploding in a supernova and leaving behind a tiny, dead star. They are just 20 kilometres across, and spin extremely fast with a powerful magnetic field. These dead stars are almost entirely made up of neutrons and are incredibly dense: a teaspoon of their material has a mass of more than five billion tonnes, or about 900 times the mass of the Great Pyramid of Giza, said Emma de Ona Wilhelmi, a scientist at the High Energy Stereoscopic System observatory in Namibia that detected the blast. As pulsars spin, they throw out beams of electromagnetic radiation, throwing it out like a cosmic lighthouse. That means that someone in one spot like the Earth will see the radiation pulses flash in a regular rhythm as they spin past. The radiation is thought to be the result of fast electrons that are produced and thrown out by the the pulsars magnetosphere, which is made up of plasma and electromagnetic fields that surround the star and spin with it. Scientists can search the radiation for different energy bands within the electromagnetic spectrum, helping them understand it. When scientists previously did that with the Vela pulsar examined in the new study, they found that it was the brightest everseen in the radio band, and the brightest persistent source in the giga-electronvolts. But the new research found that there is a part of the radiation with even more high energy components. That is about 200 times more energetic than all radiation ever detected before from this object, said co-author Christo Venter from the North-West University in South Africa. Scientists dont know exactly how that could happen. aThis result challenges our previous knowledge of pulsars and requires a rethinking of how these natural accelerators work, says Arache Djannati-Atai from the Astroparticle & Cosmology (APC) laboratory in France, who led the research. The traditional scheme according to which particles are accelerated along magnetic field lines within or slightly outside the magnetosphere cannot sufficiently explain our observations. Perhaps we are witnessing the acceleration of particles through the so-called magnetic reconnection process beyond the light cylinder, which still somehow preserves the rotational pattern? But even this scenario faces difficulties to explain how such extreme radiation is produced. An article describing the findings, Discovery of a Radiation Component from the Vela Pulsar Reaching 20 Teraelectronvolts, is published today in the journal Nature Astronomy. The family of slain Knox County sheriff's deputy Tucker Blakely has established an education fund to accept donations for his 5-year-old son, Hendrik. The Hendrik Blakely Education Fund was set up with the help of the Knox County Sheriff's Office, said Ty Blakely, Tucker's brother. Donations can be made to the fund at Knoxville Law Enforcement Federal Credit Union, 501 E. Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville TN 37915. Those wishing to help out can drop off donations to the credit union, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday except Wednesday, when it closes at 12:30 p.m. Donations to the fund also can be mailed to the credit union or sent electronically via the donor's financial institution, a credit union staff member told Knox News. Tucker Blakely, 29, died late Oct. 2 after he was shot the night before while responding to a domestic disturbance. He is survived by his wife and son. Tucker served as a U.S. Army Reserve combat medic before joining the sheriff's office, and was on his last patrol shift on Oct. 1. He was scheduled to take an assignment as a K-9 officer and had already chosen his dog, his brother told Knox News. An investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is ongoing. Outpouring of support for Blakely family Members of the law enforcement community from around the country, along with hundreds of local residents, have expressed condolences to the Blakely family. "I want to say a huge thank you to Sheriff Spangler, and way too many sheriff's' offices and police departments to mention," Ty Blakely said, adding he wanted to highlight the support from Knox County Sheriff's Office, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville Fire Department, the University of Tennessee Police Department and UTMC staff. "All of them were absolutely amazing, they bent over backwards to assist us," he said. "We have not wanted for anything ... anything we needed, they coordinated and made happen. The support and the love that has poured out from the community has just been amazing." Liz Kellar is a Tennessee Connect reporter. Email liz.kellar@knoxnews.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tucker Blakely death: Knoxville fund set up for son of fallen deputy Gov. Greg Abbott speaks about the 2023 regular legislative session at the Texas Public Policy Foundation offices in Austin, on June 2, 2023. Abbott ended the event by promising to call a special session for education savings accounts. Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday released his agenda for the third legislative special session of the year, asking lawmakers to pass school choice and further crack down on illegal immigration. The special session starts at 1 p.m. Monday. Abbott also asked lawmakers to outlaw COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers. "I am bringing the Texas Legislature back for Special Session #3 to continue building on the achievements we accomplished during the 88th Regular Legislative Session and two special sessions this summer," Abbott said in a statement. [Vouchers return this special session and school funding might be left out. Heres what you need to know.] The special session has long been expected, but it comes at a tense time in Texas politics. Last month, the state Senate acquitted Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial, ratcheting up tensions with the House that overwhelmingly voted to impeach him in May. And the special session starts about a month before candidate filing begins for the March primary, heightening implications for members reelection prospects. Abbott has been pushing all year for legislation that would allow parents to use taxpayer funds to help pay for private school tuition, home schooling expenses or private tutoring. He prioritized it during the regular session, but it did not advance out of the House, where Democrats and rural Republicans have long resisted it. Abbotts agenda specifically calls for education savings accounts for all Texas schoolchildren, or taxpayer-funded accounts that parents could use to subsidize alternative education costs. Together, we will chart a brighter future for all Texas children by empowering parents to choose the best education option for their child, Abbott said. Notably, Abbotts agenda does not include any other education issues. That is despite the fact that lawmakers also failed during the regular session to deliver teacher pay raises and an increase in per-student funding earlier this year. Those proposals did not make it across the finish line after getting tied to Abbotts push for education savings accounts. Democrats quickly responded to Abbotts call for education savings accounts. Today, there are schools in my district and all across Texas at risk of closure because the governor is holding public school funding hostage to pass his private school voucher scam, state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, said in a statement. Its clear Greg Abbott is more interested in doing the bidding of the billionaire mega donors pushing this scam than in serving the people of Texas. It had also become clear in recent weeks that Abbott would put border security on the call. His agenda revives some proposals that were unsuccessful during the regular session, like increasing human-smuggling penalties and creating a state criminal offense for illegal entry from a foreign country. But Abbott also included a fresher topic on the call: Colony Ridge, the massive residential settlement north of Houston that conservative media has portrayed as a haven for illegal immigration. The developer, a major GOP donor named Trey Harris, has fiercely pushed back on the allegations and invited all lawmakers to tour the community Thursday. It remains unclear what exactly Abbott wants lawmakers to do with regard to Colony Ridge, though. His agenda only calls for legislation concerning public safety, security, environmental quality, and property ownership in areas like Colony Ridge. [Colony Ridge developer defends Houston-area community as state leaders vow action against it] As for the item on COVID-19 vaccine mandates, Abbott successfully sought a law earlier this year prohibiting such requirements by public entities, like school districts. But it did not extend to private employers, fueling some angst on the right. This is fantastic, Texas GOP Chair Matt Rinaldi posted on X after Abbott announced his agenda. I did not expect vaccine mandates to be added to the call. The Senate quickly responded to Abbott's agenda by announcing two committee hearings early next week. The Senate Education Committee is set to meet Tuesday to consider legislation on education savings accounts, while the Finance Committee is scheduled to convene a day earlier to discuss "teacher compensation and funding for public schools." While those topics are not on Abbott's agenda, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has insisted the Legislature has broad authority for what it can consider during a special session a flashpoint with the governor during the earlier special sessions. The first two special sessions immediately followed the regular session that ended in late May. Lawmakers spent those two special sessions trying to reach a deal on property tax relief, which they finally struck in mid-July. Along the way, though, Abbott aggressively used his veto pen to try to force a compromise between the House and Senate. He vetoed 76 bills from the regular session, the second highest tally in state history. In explaining many of the vetoes, he said the bills could be reconsidered at a future special session only after property tax relief is passed. The agenda Abbott released Thursday includes none of those bills. The absence of any items on teacher pay raises or school funding is also conspicuous. After the regular session, Abbott had suggested they would be linked again to education savings accounts in a future special session. Asked about teacher pay raises in August, Abbott told a reporter he is fully committed to such legislation but declined to commit to including it in this special session. Correction, Oct. 6, 2023 at 11:20 a.m. : Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story misstated how money from education savings accounts can be used. They can help pay for private school tuition, home schooling expenses or private tutoring In the seventh decade of her acting career, Ellen Burstyn has more work than ever. The 90-year-old Oscar, Tony and Emmy Award-winner is beloved for her role of Bernie Stabler on "Law & Order: Organized Crime" and is reprising one of her most famous roles in the new sequel "The Exorcist: Believer." Christopher Meloni, who plays Burstyn's TV son Elliot Stabler on "Organized Crime," spoke in Interview magazine with the legendary actor about the factors behind her longevity, some of her most famous performances and the one role she regrets turning down. "This is so bizarre," Burstyn said. "I turn 91 in December and Im busier than I can ever remember being at any point in my career. And I dont understand it at all. I mean, whats all this stuff about ageism in Hollywood? How did I get left out of it?" Meloni asked her why she thinks her schedule is so full right now. "I dont know, except possibly that everybody else who could play those parts has already died, so Im the only actress still standing who can play the great-grandmother or something," she joked. Meloni, 62, and "The Exorcist" star have a playful back-and-forth on "Organized Crime," which extends to the set. She told Meloni she's more famous for doing "Law & Order" than anything she's done in her 70 years in the business. "You know what I was thinking about yesterday? One day on set you said, 'Why do you do this to me, Dimi?' Its a line from 'The Exorcist,'" Burstyn said. "And I was so stunned because my son in real life says that line to me. When you said it, it was like I was in two realities at once." "Afterwards, I was like, 'Since Ive lost my mother a couple of years ago, you in my life, in our work youre my mother,'" Meloni said. Last year, Meloni told TODAY.com that Burstyn is his "surrogate mother." "I didnt realize that. ... It kind of snuck up on me, crept up on me," he explained. "So, shes a pro; its kind of effortless to work with her. She is a very interesting actress so that always, you know, I find that fascinating." Law & Order: Organized Crime - Season 2 (Michael Greenberg / NBC) Burstyn also famously played a mother in the 1973 hit movie "The Exorcist," a horror classic in which her young daughter in the film, Regan (Linda Blair), becomes possessed by a demon. Burstyn's character, Chris MacNeil, pleads with priests to perform an exorcism to save her. "Its a human drama and a psychological drama," Burstyn told Meloni during their chat for Interview magazine. "Its the only film Ive made in my 70 years in the film business thats in the Library of Congress. Its a historical achievement." Her role in "The Exorcist" was part of a fertile period in the 1970s in which she starred in "The Last Picture Show" and "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," the latter of which won her the best actress award at the 1975 Oscars. She called that decade the favorite of her film career. "That was when the studios were still run by filmmakers, not by corporations," she told Meloni. "And the scripts were submitted because somebody was interested in that story and wrote it, and a producer liked it and thought it would make a good movie. Not because it had been fed into a computer and said, 'Well, the first version made X number of millions, so the second one will make X number of millions and it has to have a big name.'" She reprises her role of MacNeil in the new sequel "The Exorcist: Believer." "First of all, I dont know if anybody in the history of filmmaking has ever recreated a character they did 50 years ago," she said. "It sounds like a first to me. "You dont make a movie like that without going through a lot of real, emotional stuff. So the things that happened in that film, that touched on things from the first film, grabbed me." Ellen Burstyn, the Exorcist (Alamy ) Burstyn also reflected on the "horrible" British accent she once did for a show, and the legendary film she passed on. She said she turned down the role of Nurse Mildred Ratched, the cruel nurse at a psychiatric institution played by Louise Fletcher in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." The film swept all the major awards at the 1976 Oscars, and Fletcher won best actress for her performance. "I was married to a mentally ill husband at the time, and I was spending a lot of time in mental hospitals and with other patients," Burstyn said. "And the idea of playing a mean nurse just rubbed me the wrong way. I didnt want to take on that particular psyche. "It was the right decision at the time, but in hindsight it was hard to have missed that opportunity, because Id won the Oscar the year before and thought, 'Could I have won two times in a row?'" The "Requiem for a Dream" star also opened up about what has kept her going strong into her 90s. She said she regularly walks her dogs, reads, attends concerts and plays with friends, and welcomes guests. She also steered clear of the excesses of Hollywood as she got older. "Well, the secret of that is eating well, exercising, not drinking, not smoking, not doing drugs, and deciding to live healthy," she said. "Thats what I decided after doing all those bad things for a couple of decades." Burstyn's outlook on life has also served her well. "I try to have the first words out of my mouth be, 'Thank you,'" she said. "Thank you that Im alive. Thank you that Im safe. Thank you that Im healthy. Thank you that Im 90 and still going. Thank you for my doggies. I mean, I have a lot to live in a state of gratitude for." This article was originally published on TODAY.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Transgender drag artist Captivating Katkat was hailed as Drag Race Superstar in the second iteration of the reality show Drag Race Philippines. The next Filipina Drag Superstar was crowned by her successor and fellow O-bar performer Precious Paula Nicole. Katkat will receive 1 million and a one-year supply of Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics. The drag veteran won over Arizona Brandy in the final lip-sync battle. She was considered a front-runner of the show after earning two RuBadges in the competition. Katkat was the first transwoman to win the drag queen competition in the Philippines, adding to a number of transwomen who won the drag race superstar title after Sasha Colby's victory during the 15th season of RuPaul's Drag Race. This season of Drag Race Philippines also made history by having three transgender women in its finale Katkat, Bernie, and M1ss Jade So. Hana Beshie, meanwhile, was voted as the new Miss Congeniality. Season 1 and Season 2 of Drag Race Philippines is available on streaming platforms HBO Go and Wow Presents Plus. Elon Musk says Starship has 'decent' chance of success on second flight BAKU, Azerbaijan SpaceX founder Elon Musk is optimistic the next test flight of the mega spaceship Starship will be successful when it happens later this year in Texas. Musk provided an update Thursday on SpaceX activities, including Starship, Starlink and spacesuit development, via live video at the 2023 International Astronautical Congress underway in Baku, Azerbaijan. There is always major interest in Musk's endeavors with SpaceX. More than 3,000 viewers tuned in on X, formerly known as Twitter, and the audience at IAC in Baku was "packed," according to the moderator Clay Mowyer, with Voyager Space Holdings. Starship and Super Heavy booster testing and development is underway at SpaceX's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. NASA has tapped SpaceX's Starship flight system to land the Artemis astronauts on the Moon in 2025, but many test flights are needed before Starship flies people. A test flight in April ended with an epic explosion over the Gulf of Mexico when SpaceX attempted to launch Starship for the first time. Previous test "hops" were completed from Texas some also explosive before SpaceX tried to launch the spaceship and booster together. Musk said since the test, SpaceX has changed the entire stage separation system for Starship. SPACEX MAKES CHANGES TO STARSHIP AFTER LESSONS LEARNED' FROM TEST FLIGHT With dozens of changes to Starship, the launch tower and the pad system, the CEO believes the next flight will achieve more testing goals. "I think we've got a decent chance of reaching orbit," Musk said. "Technically, it's a scooch blow orbit because it's going to do almost to complete circle of the Earth, but then splashdown someone somewhere in the Pacific, just off the coast of Hawaii," he added. The fact that Earth is 70% water is beneficial for testing rockets, according to Musk. SpaceX plans to return Starship and the Super Heavy booster back to the launch site in Texas, and eventually, it will do the same at the launch and landing site at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. "We obviously want to make sure that it actually comes in fully intact and lands at a precise location in the Pacific before we try to catch it at the launch site because we're taking every precaution we can so that we do not risk any human lives or destruction of property," Musk said. Musk said it would be "a few flights" before attempting to catch it using the launch tower arms. Using propulsion to hover the spaceship, the arms will "catch" the Starship back in the same spot where it launched. "If we get lucky, we catch the ship toward the end of next year," Musk said. In September, the Federal Aviation Administration closed the Starship Super Heavy mishap investigation from the April test flight. However, closing the inquiry does not mean Starship can immediately resume launching from Texas. SpaceX must implement corrective actions for the FAA to issue a license modification for the next launch attempt. SpaceX has already taken many of the corrective measures. When the next test flight happens, Musk said anyone can come see it. The facility is a 40-minute drive from Brownsville, Texas, and along Route 4. "I think it's kind of cool that the public can actually drive within a literal stone's throw away from the factory and the launch site and actually see the rocket firsthand," Musk said. A second Starship test flight date has not been announced yet as SpaceX awaits a new launch license from the FAA. Original article source: Elon Musk says Starship has 'decent' chance of success on second flight With Donald Trump boycotting and viewership falling off, some Republican National Committee members are starting to question whether the GOP's primary debates should continue in their current format at all. You cant put your head in the sand and pretend these debates are going to result in someone other than Donald Trump getting the nomination, said Patti Lyman, the RNCs national committeewoman from Virginia, who called the debates embarrassing and said they reflected very poorly on our party. Louis Gurvich, chair of the Republican Party of Louisiana, said the debates have demeaned every candidate who participated in them, while Roger Villere, Louisianas national committeeman, said he didnt really see what were gaining from having a debate without having the main participant. The RNC says the third debate, set for Nov. 8 in Miami, will go on as planned. In a statement, a spokesperson for the committee said that as long as there are candidates who qualify for the stage and want to debate, the RNC will continue to sanction debates. But some RNC members are coming to the conclusion that going forward with the debates may not be worthwhile, given Trumps refusal to participate. Their posture underscores the growing sentiment within GOP ranks that the party should acknowledge the high likelihood that the former president will prevail in the primary and turn its attention to the general. It also underscores the degree to which Trump, who is dominating in polls, is undermining the traditional means of selecting a nominee and diminishing the RNCs power in facilitating the primary process. After the failure of the first debate, there should have been some severe introspection into whats going on here, said Tyler Bowyer, a national committeeman from Arizona. Bowyer said in an interview there are clearly no plans in place for what may come after the third debate. The RNC has yet to announce media partners, dates and locations of future debates. I think the only way you salvage it is if you get the frontrunner there, said Bowyer, who also serves as chief operating officer of the conservative youth group Turning Point Action. Plan a debate where you get the frontrunner to agree to it. That seems unlikely. Neither RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel nor Dave Bossie, a longtime Trump ally who chairs the debate committee, are actively trying to court Trump to participate in future debates, as the RNC tried to previously, according to a person with knowledge of the committees operations. Trump is welcome to participate if he changes his mind, is how an RNC spokesperson put it. Trump and his top advisers have repeatedly called for the RNC to cancel the remainder of its scheduled 2024 primary debates, including earlier this week when the campaign urged the GOP to refocus its manpower and money on election integrity efforts. An RNC spokesperson said the committee does not pay for the debates its partners do and called arguments about the committee spending money on the events flawed and not real. During the 2022 midterms, the committee was engaged in nearly 100 election integrity lawsuits nationwide and remains involved in 59 across 16 states. The RNC earlier this year launched a Bank Your Vote early voting initiative ahead of the 2024 election. But Trump isnt the RNCs only problem. In recent days, multiple other candidates have raised their own grievances with the committee about the debate process, a sign that the campaigns will continue to apply pressure to amend the current format. Earlier this week, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, among the crowded, lower-polling field of contenders, called the last debate a disgrace and accused the GOP establishment of propping up their favored puppets by allowing candidates on stage who dont have a viable path to the nomination. He has called for the RNC to limit the next debate to only the top four polling candidates. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, meanwhile, said it was a shame that the RNC threatened to exclude him and Ramaswamy from future debates after they announced plans to face-off during a Fox News segment this week. And Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who is lagging in national polls, has asked the RNC to change its polling criteria to place more of an emphasis on early-state surveys. Complaints havent just come from the candidates. Theyve been visible in audience numbers too. Viewership declined by 25 percent during the second debate, to 9.5 million people a total significantly lower than either of the first two primary debates in 2015. Villere, the Louisiana national committeeman, said he is really conflicted about whether the debates are worth it or not. And Gurvich, the state party chair, said he doesnt fault the RNC or Fox, whose networks hosted the first two debates, saying the candidates fighting to talk over each other may be a problem without a present solution until the debate stage is winnowed. But there are still a sizable number of RNC members who say the debates should go on regardless of Trumps substantial lead and despite him not appearing on stage. If the former president doesnt want to come, thats on him, said Oscar Brock, the national committeeman from Tennessee. But we have every right to continue these and promote other options. He may have 40 percent of the vote, but he doesnt have 100 percent. Jason Thompson, Georgias national committeeman, said he understands that Trump is ahead and everything and way ahead. But also, we have rules, Thompson continued. This is a process we have to go through regardless. We have primaries. We arent anointing people. Juliana Bergeron, the committeewoman from the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire, noted that Trump is not an incumbent, and that his request to cancel the debates is unlikely to be granted. This, in my opinion, will not fly, Bergeron said. Nor should it. Trump, should he win the nomination, may ultimately appear on a debate stage opposite President Joe Biden. Though Trump skipped one of the 2020 debates with Biden, he has said he is eager to square off with him this go around. Those debates would be handled by the Commission on Presidential Debates, a non-profit that has hosted general election face offs for every presidential election since 1988. The RNC has cut ties with the CPD and last year forbade its candidates from participating in future debates organized by the commission. But the CPD maintains that they negotiate with the nominee, and not the party. At the end of this month, the CPD will be announcing the dates, venue and format for each of the general election debates. Its pretty hard to withdraw from something that you never had anything to do with, said Frank Fahrenkopf, the co-chair of CPD, referring to the RNC. We don't deal with the parties at all. We deal with the candidates. He said no contact would be made with any campaigns until the nomination process has ended. As for the primary debates, there is a recognition even among RNC members who favor holding more of them that the first two have fallen short of expectations and that changes may be required. It would be nice to see that they were much more orderly, said Steve Scheffler, the national committeeman from Iowa, the first-in-the-nation caucus state. I dont know what the solution is. Certainly there need to be some improvements. Meridith McGraw contributed to this report. EMILYs List, the organization formerly headed by the newest U.S. senator, Laphonza Butler, has been supporting pro-choice Democratic women, including many LGBTQ+ ones, for elected office for nearly 40 years. Butler, the president of EMILYs List since 2021, was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve the remainder of Dianne Feinsteins Senate term (until 2025) after Feinsteins death. Butler, a lesbian, is only the third Black woman U.S. senator in history and the first LGBTQ+ person of color in the body. She was sworn in Tuesday. What is EMILY's List? EMILYs List EMILY stands for Early Money Is Like Yeast was founded by a group of Democratic activists, including IBM heir Ellen Malcolm, in 1985. Malcolm has explained the yeast reference by saying, It makes the dough rise. It donates money to pro-choice Democratic women running for local, state, and federal offices. It has supported 1,700 winners since 1985, according to its website. Its usual donation is $5,000, the maximum allowed by federal law, The New York Times has reported. It also makes so-called independent expenditures spending that doesnt go directly to candidates but funds mailings and other efforts on their behalf. In addition, it connects candidates to other donors. Who has EMILY's List endorsed? EMILYs list endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 and has supported other women, including transgender women and nonbinary people, running for offices ranging from Congress down to county boards and city councils. LGBTQ+ women it has benefited include U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin; U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids of Kansas, Angie Craig of Minnesota, and Becca Balint of Vermont; Govs. Tina Kotek of Oregon and Maura Healey of Massachusetts; and mayors such as Tampa, Fla.s Jane Castor , Madison, Wis.s Satya Rhodes-Conway, Chicagos Lori Lightfoot, and Seattles Jenny Durkan. Castor and Rhodes-Conway are now in their second terms, while Lightfoot and Durkan ended up serving one term only. Trans women EMILYs list has supported include Sarah McBride, a Delaware state senator whos now running for U.S. House, and Danica Roem, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates whos now making a bid for the states Senate. Its nonbinary endorsees include Mauree Turner, an Oklahoma state representative. The group has gone through some controversies. It received criticism in 2018 for endorsing Stacey Abrams in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor over Stacey Evans. Evans and some others felt EMILYs List should have stayed out of a race that pitted two pro-choice Democratic women against each other, the Times reported that year. It usually avoids endorsing anyone running against a Democratic incumbent, male or female, but it made an exception in 2018, when Marie Newman ran in the primary against anti-choice Democratic Rep. Daniel Lipinski for a U.S. House seat from Illinois. Newman lost, leading some to say EMILYs List should have acted earlier. It went on to endorse Newman in 2020, when she won the primary and general elections, and 2022, when she lost the primary to Sean Casten. To be endorsed by EMILYs List, a candidate has to be not only pro-choice and a Democrat but also viable to be well-organized and have a reasonable chance of winning. Michelle Lujan Grisham didnt get the groups endorsement when she first ran for U.S. House from New Mexico in 2008, but she acknowledged she wasnt ready then. Thats a harsh reality, she told the Times in 2018. But EMILYs List offered advice and tech support, and hung in there with me, she added. It endorsed her in later, successful runs for Congress and for New Mexico governor, the post she now holds. Theres no way I would be here without EMILYs List, she said. Pictured, from left: Oklahoma Rep. Mauree Turner; U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids; Virginia Del. Danica Roem Rosario Hernandez faces eviction if the city of Los Angeles fails to buy Hillside Villa, a four-story apartment complex with a landscaped central courtyard, and keep it affordable. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) For the record: 3:14 p.m. Oct. 10, 2023: An earlier version of this story described Glenn Wasserman as chief executive of the citys redevelopment agency. He was chief operating officer. In 1988, eminent domain forced Rosario Hernandez and her family from their one-bedroom apartment east of downtown Los Angeles. It's a rarely used legal tool for cities to compel the sale of private property for a public use and has historically displaced poor, Black and immigrant communities. Back then, the "public use" was a 30-acre expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center, and dozens of residential properties were condemned along with Hernandez's. Now, eminent domain could actually help keep Hernandez housed. The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously in 2021 to explore the use of eminent domain to acquire Hillside Villa, a 124-unit apartment complex in Chinatown where she has lived for 30 years with her husband, daughter and now grandson. Her apartment building's affordability covenant kept rents low until it expired in 2018. Then came rent hikes and eviction notices. Read more: Looking to avert evictions, L.A. seeks $46 million to buy Chinatown apartment building Now the city wants to buy Hillside Villa, an olive green and red painted four-story complex with a landscaped central courtyard and a small front yard shaded by mature trees and keep it affordable. If the effort fails, Hernandez worries she'll be separated from her family. "If I lose this apartment, where will my daughter go? Where's her baby going to go? What can we afford?" said Rosario, who's on a fixed income. Rosario Hernandez fights back tears as she talks about facing the threat of eviction amid huge rent increases. She is hopeful that the city of Los Angeles is considering claiming eminent domain over her apartment complex to create a bloc of affordable housing. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Public use in this case, proponents argue, means preventing evictions and creating affordable housing in a neighborhood and region that badly needs it. The complex's owner, Tom Botz, has refused multiple times to sell the property and declined to extend the affordability covenants that have kept rents within reach of families such as Hernandez's. Botz hiked rents, in some cases by 100%, when the covenant expired in 2018, and 18 families have received unlawful detainer notices, a legal precursor to eviction, according to Jacob Woocher, an organizer with the L. A. Tenants Union representing some of the residents facing eviction. Botz's attorney Michael Leifer did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday, but he called the plan "beyond wasteful" in a letter to the city. Read more: L.A. City Council moves to buy apartments to protect tenants from huge rent hikes Eminent domain is an unpopular policy that has typically been deployed to build stadiums and freeways, most famously at Chavez Ravine to make way for Dodger Stadium. Developers claim it is anti-business, and even staunch proponents of affordable housing agree eminent domain is too easily tied up in court to serve as a reliable method of producing the necessary units. And some people view it as an attack on a quintessential American right, that of property ownership. But it's important that the city consider every available tool, because at least 500 affordability covenants, covering thousands of affordable residential units across the city, are set to expire within the next decade. Advocates warn of a wave of evictions that would drastically affect affordability in Los Angeles. "Hillside Villa is the canary in the coal mine," said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez . "Thousands of units are on the brink of eviction, and we need to plan for that." Can an affordable housing complex be considered a public good? It depends on what you think a public good should be, and that often depends on your politics. But I know that at Hillside Villa, a lot of people would argue Rosario is a public good. She has provided child care for single working mothers and is part of a network of working parents who help watch one another's children. She is raising her 3-year-old grandson, whose toys cover about half of the living room. Their apartment has enough space for him to use an entire wall to display his art. Is that a public good? Nieke Gaston is among the residents facing eviction at Hillside Villa in Los Angeles. She hopes eminent domain will enable to her to continue living there. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Castelar Elementary School is just two blocks away, close enough for kids to walk safely if their parents have to work. Hillside Villa's residents encompass generations of students and parents who have productive relationships with the teachers and classrooms there. And elderly residents can access affordable healthcare in their own language in Chinatown. Can these relationships be considered a public good? Research shows eviction is linked with higher rates of depression, suicide and homelessness. Eviction tarnishes a tenant's record and makes it harder to find a new apartment. It creates additional financial burdens and forces people to search for housing in often unsafe neighborhoods. For children in insecure housing situations, grades suffer and mental health declines. Is preventing that a public good? Housing policy is often justified with a calculus that treats every resident as interchangeable a tech worker from Austin represents the same amount of regional housing demand as your grandma or auntie who holds down the whole family. But what residents at Hillside Villa tell me is that they are not all alike. That without people like them, their community, the neighborhood, and this city, won't be the same. It's hard to measure what's lost when a community is broken up, just as it is hard to quantify exactly how much stress eviction adds to your life, or how much it affects a single parent's life when they lose their child care. But this web of connections plays an outsized role in creating the kinds of communities that reject crime, prevent homelessness and support healthy families. Read more: Editorial: L.A. needs to preserve affordable housing. Eminent domain isn't the way to do it Eminent domain may not be the best way of producing affordable housing, but it's a start, said Glenn Wasserman, a former attorney for the city's redevelopment agency who also served as its chief operating officer between 2006 and 2010. If the city and current property owner can't come to an agreement over affordable housing, eminent domain can be "a creative way to extend the term of affordability covenants after they expire," Wasserman said. The city has proposed using money from the reserve fund to buy the property, and the estimated price tag for purchase and rehabilitation is nearly $60 million. The reserve fund is not designed to be used this way, and nor is eminent domain. But we also didnt intend to create a city in which affordability itself is in real jeopardy, where many Angelenos spend more than half of their income on rent median annual rent in Los Angeles is about $35,220 a year and median income is $69,778, according to the latest census. The current cash balance of the reserve fund is $811 million. City policy states it must maintain a balance worth at least 5% of the general fund's budget for the year, which is $375 million. With the remaining $436 million, the city could at most, repeat this experiment six more times, which amounts to 868 units of permanently affordable housing. This works out to about $500,000 per unit of permanently affordable housing, not exactly an efficient solution. But I think the residents of Hillside Villa correctly believe the city can afford to purchase their building. The city could buy several like it without jeopardizing anything but the safety margin of the reserve fund. It's time that Los Angeles use its most powerful tools to help its most needy residents. There is widespread demand for housing policy that recognizes the value of keeping people in their homes, that does not treat every resident as interchangeable. Rosario knew it wasn't fair that she had to leave her home so the convention center could expand. She hails from a small village in Zacatecas, Mexico, where "if you own a property, it's yours and that's it." But the eminent domain process included relocation assistance, and she fell in love with her current apartment, where she's lived for the last 36 years. It was new, comfortable and clean when she moved in not spacious, but enough room to raise a family. Large, homemade collages of her grandchildren's and children's photos cover most of the walls in their house. Rosario is practical she is hopeful the city will come to her aid, but she's also been scouting the rental market. The anxiety of a looming eviction never leaves. Sometimes she catches herself packing up their possessions, trying to prepare for the worst. She and her husband might find a nearby apartment within her price range, but what if they cannot afford space for her daughter and grandson? She can't think of being separated from them without tears. "My grandson, he's always saying, this is my home, my house," Rosario said. Because she always looks stressed these days, "he's always asking me, grandma, are you OK?" Eviction or eminent domain in truth the details matter little to her. Again she faces eviction because wealthy people have decided there is a more profitable use for the space in which she has made her home. But this time there is no relocation program, no affordable housing waiting only uncertainty. 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. GRANADA, Spain (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told more than 40 European leaders gathered in Spain he was confident of America's continued support, and asked for their continued assistance and more arms to help him fight against Russian aggression. In an emotional speech, Zelenskiy said school children in Kharkiv in east Ukraine were learning remotely or attending classes underground in subway stations because of air raids. "Until there is a fully effective air defence system, children cannot attend school," he told the European Political Community summit hosted in Spain's Granada, some 4,000 kilometres west from Kharkiv. He voiced confidence in continued U.S. support despite what he called a "political storm" there recently after aid to Ukraine did not make the cut for a last-minute Congress deal to avoid a government shutdown. "I am confident in America. They are strong people with strong institutions, and a strong democracy," he said. Zelenskiy said President Vladimir Putin should not be allowed to beef up his military or else Russia could attack beyond Ukraine by 2028. "Let only Putin's ambitions be a ruin, not our countries, not our cities. Children of every country deserve to be safe. Everywhere in the country, not just in the subway, not just in underground shelters, but everywhere. We must make it possible. We must ensure that Ukraine wins." (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, Anna Pruchnicka, Yuliia Dysa, editing by Inti Landauro) LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Clark County commissioners took the first step Tuesday in regulating sidewalk vendors under a new state law passed by the Nevada Legislature. An ordinance passed by the county on a 7-0 vote now allows sidewalk vendors in residential areas, but prohibits the vendors within 1,500 feet of: A resort hotel An event facility with a 20,000-seat capacity (currently, Allegiant Stadium and T-Mobile Arena) The Las Vegas Convention Center A median of a highway, if the median is adjacent to a parking lot (would apply to the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign) Senate Bill 92 (SB92), sponsored by Democratic State Senator Fabian Donate, set up the framework for a new system that would create a path for sidewalk vendors to obtain business licenses. But the county has had laws against such vendors in the resort corridor for a long time. SB92 required the county to rewrite portions of the law and begin setting up ways to regulate food safety and business licensing. But mostly, the county and the Nevada Resort Association want to keep vendors off Las Vegas Strip sidewalks. NRA President and CEO Virginia Valentine said Tuesday that a robust enforcement is necessary for any regulations about operating near resorts. Its about preserving the visitor experience and the safety of tourists and residents, she said. Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick echoed her concern. Ive been to the Las Vegas sign a few times in the night in the last month and it is I cant wait to start enforcing it, because unfortunately theres more than 10 there any given night. I dont think that was the intent for the Las Vegas sign, she said. Commissioner Jim Gibson said a second ordinance would likely be considered in January 2024 as the county adjusts to SB92. That ordinance will really bring regulation and outline how the business can be conducted lawfully, he said. The county is putting together a website with a map to show exactly where sidewalk vendors are prohibited. Also, Gibson encouraged vendors to participate in the process. County commissioners held two town hall meetings in September to gather information and talk to the public after video surfaced in August showing a Metro police officer detaining a vendor near the Las Vegas sign. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Letitia Wilbourn walked past a youth football team and a cheer-leading squad as they practiced in Prairie Dog Park. She was headed toward one of three natural gas wells in the Echo Heights neighborhood. The cheerleaders practiced chants and formations while their parents sat in lawn chairs under the shade of a tree. Their backs were just a few hundred feet from the gas well, which is separated from the park by tall grass, bushes and wire fencing. Some believe such wells represent threats to peoples health and the environment. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says active and abandoned oil and gas wells represent a risk for fire, explosion and pollution. Wilbourn says the wells in Echo Heights are just one example of how industry and the noise and air pollution that come with it have crept into her neighborhood. We have all this industrial stuff over here but we dont have anything [else], Wilbourn said. We have no grocery stores, we have no art activities for the kids, we have no sports centers, and they only put industrial stuff over here that makes us sick. A natural gas well is located next to the basketball courts and baseball field at Prairie Dog Park in Fort Worths Echo Heights neighborhood. Wilbourn wants to stop industrialization in her neighborhood and in residential areas, especially neighborhoods of color, throughout Fort Worth. Recently, she and other community advocates established the Fort Worth Environmental Coalition of Communities to unite residents to fight against environmental racism and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. Environmental racism is the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color due to policies or practices. It is evident when minority and low socioeconomic neighborhoods are exposed at a greater rate to such things as toxic waste dumps and other pollution. The coalition is an outgrowth of tension that can occur as Fort Worth continues to grow and develop. Some people in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods feel that growth often happens at their expense. Echo Heights resident Letitia Wilbourn claims the expansion of industrial development in her neighborhood has caused health problems leading to sickness and death among her community. Her concerns have led her to take on a leadership role for the Echo Heights Environmental Coalition. Echo Heights is a residential community south of U.S. 287 and west of Lake Arlington that has about 2,000 homes of mainly Black and Hispanic residents, according to the Census. The neighborhood is also home to what residents say are dozens of industrial and commercial businesses. These businesses have been blamed by Echo Heights residents, but not confirmed by any study, for illnesses, miscarriages, respiratory problems, and deaths. According to the Environmental Protection Agencys Screening tool, the Echo Heights neighborhood is worse than 91% of the country for proximity to hazardous waste and worse than 83% of the country for exposure to air toxins known to cause cancer. The city of Fort Worths new Neighborhood Conservation Plan and Housing Affordability Strategy cited data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating Southeast Fort Worth (including Echo Heights and Stop Six) are neighborhoods where residents have some of the highest rates of adult asthma in the city. A 2019 UT Southwestern Life Expectancy Study found that the average life expectancy for the 76119 ZIP code, which includes Echo Heights, is 73.4 years, compared to the Tarrant County and Texas average life expectancy of 78.7 and 78.5 years, respectively. The average life expectancy for Black men in the 76119 ZIP code is 68.2, 10.5 years shorter than the Tarrant County average for Black men. Balancing housing, economic growth The city of Fort Worth has deemed Echo Heights and surrounding areas as an Industrial Growth Center through the Comprehensive Plan & Future Land Use plan that the city developed in 2000. The plan is a general guide for making decisions about the citys growth and development. The plan is updated yearly based on changes in policies, zoning, and studies that the City Council has approved. Multiple semi-trailers are parked adjacent to the backyard of Echo Heights resident Letitia Wilbourn. Wilbourn says the trucking company has contributed to air and noise pollution in her neighborhood. Eric Fladager, assistant director of planning and data analytics for the city of Fort Worth, says the goal of the Comprehensive Plan is to accommodate the rapid growth of Fort Worth, balancing the development of apartments and single family homes, along with smaller scale industrial or commercial opportunities. Echo Heights was chosen as an industrial growth center because of the transportation access to different parts of the region, state and the country with quick accessibility to Loop 820, U.S. Route 287, and I-20, according to Fladager. Fladager sees this as a way for businesses to help economic growth and job creation, balanced with housing that reduces commute times. We wanted to build a city of Fort Worth that people recognize as an outstanding place whether youre a business, whether youre an industrial company, whether you live in a single family neighborhood or you live in a mixed use environment, Fladager said. We want to create a lot of those walkable places so there are a lot of goals that are associated with planning for a citys future and thats something that we want residents, we want businesses and other stakeholders to be involved with. Parked semi-trailers sit adjacent to single-family homes in the Echo Heights neighborhood. Residents and community members recently formed Fort Worth Environmental Coalition of Communities to combat industrialization in the neighborhood. A change in Echo Heights Adam Davis grew up in the Echo Heights neighborhood but moved out of the area when he was young. To help remember the passing of his mother-in-law in 2018 he created Pams Place Room and Board to honor her devotion to helping others. The organization provides group homes in Echo Heights and the Historic Southside for those suffering with mental health disorders or homelessness or who were previously incarcerated. In the last few years, Davis says, he has had to deal with clients becoming sick and nauseated and an increase in noise and pollution from trucks and other companies in the area. Davis said many people have lived in the a community for 30 to 40 years, but feel they havent had a say in changes that have occurred in the last 20 years. I really just felt like we should have had a choice whether they move a truck company right behind these homes, Davis said. Weve been in this community for years, and I feel like we should have a say so, were all taxpaying citizens here. Adam Davis grew up in Echo Heights and now owns multiple group homes in the neighborhood. He believes industrial and commercial development nearby is causing health problems for residents. Wilbourn moved to Echo Heights in 1985 and remembers it as a quiet agriculture area with cows, horses and goats. It wasnt until the late 90s that she started to see changes, as more industrial and commercial companies moved in. Her neighbor, Teena James, also saw the changes in the neighborhood around the same time. James has lived in the neighborhood since 1994 and says the proximity of these businesses and rising taxes threaten the value of her home because no one wants to stay next to an industrial company that could possibly cause harm to your health. You want to be able to reap the benefits that youve invested into a community that you chose to spend your money and raise your kids in and go to school in, James said. We should have the same amenities that any other area has because we pay taxes just as well as they do. Wilbourn used to hold after school parties at her house but stopped because of growing concerns of air and noise pollution from the trucking company behind her home. A fight against development Wilbourn and James have been fighting against industrial and commercial development in Echo Heights for 20 years and have enlisted the help of the NAACP chapter of Fort Worth. With the NAACP and other concerned residents, they formed the Echo Heights & Stop Six Environmental Coalition to fight against the growth of industrial and commercial businesses and to protect the health, wealth, and future of their community. Gena Byrd, the Environmental Climate Justice Program coordinator with the Fort Worth chapter of the NAACP, follows the programs national plan in making sure Echo Heights has resources and support in its fight. The Environmental Climate Justice Program seeks to provide strategic outreach, mobilization, and empowerment for neighborhoods like Echo Heights that face environmental injustices in health, education, transportation, and more. Byrd helped residents learn how to draw attention to their concerns, going door to door to inform residents on what the coalition is doing and inviting them to get involved. Byrd also connected representatives of Echo Heights with other coalitions and helped them access records and data to support their concerns. We are leaders but we also are support, Byrd said. So when its a community initiative, were here to back the community up and not to take over. More groups have rallied to help the Echo Heights & Stop Six Environmental Coalition, including the Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club, a grassroots environmental organization, and Downwinders at Risk, a clean air and environmental justice group. Jim Schermbeck, director of Downwinders at Risk, grew up in the Rollings Hills community, close to Echo Heights. He remembers a community of Black and white residents who lived in what felt like a semi-rural area with ranch homes and large backyards with horses and goats. Last year, when the Echo Heights and Stop Six coalition opposed a proposed light industrial facility in front of W.M. Green Elementary School on Parker Henderson Road, Schermbeck and Downwinders at Risk decided they should help. The coalition was able to stop the rezoning for the project, and that served as a catalyst to bring more attention to the problems of the neighborhood, according to Schermbeck. Coalition forms for citywide advocacy In June, city officials met with community members at W.M. Green Elementary School to address concerns raised by the coalition. In the meeting, the group said, it learned the city had applied for a grant through the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program without consulting Echo Heights residents or telling them after the application had been submitted. The grant program was designed to build a strategic plan to address community concerns on environmental issues in the 76119 ZIP code that includes Echo Heights. Schermbeck said this mobilized him and the coalition to take their efforts and concerns citywide. We dont want to lose more of our neighborhood, even as were trying to figure out how to save it, Schermbeck said. So what theyre looking for is some assurance that the council hears that request, which seems quite reasonable. Multiple semi-trailers are parked adjacent to the backyard of Echo Heights resident Letitia Wilbourn. Wilbourn claims the expansion of industrial development in her neighborhood has caused health problems leading to sickness and death among her community. In August, the Echo Heights & Stop Six Environmental Coalition, Northside Fort Worth Air, the Fort Worth Sierra Club, Sunrise Tarrant County, and Downwinders at Risk formed the Fort Worth Environmental Coalition of Communities to fight environmental racism in Fort Worth neighborhoods. According to Schermbeck, Echo Heights will be the flagship of the organization due to the advocacy residents there have done for their community. Part of the groups mission statement says: Polluting industries must be held accountable for their environmental injustices, as well as the officials who facilitate them. This means that environmental racism and its continued impacts must be thoroughly documented and addressed. By centering residents voices, we can build trust and unity in our communities and citywide. Planning for the future Next year, the city will start work on its 2050 Comprehensive Plan, which will help shape the future of growth and development in Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Environmental Coalition of Communities will provide feedback during that process to ensure the city removes other industrial designations in residential areas in the future. The City Council has postponed updating the Southeast Sector of the current Comprehensive Plan three times, after residents sought to stop further industrial or commercial development in the area. On Nov. 14, the city council is scheduled to take up the last remaining piece of the 2023 update to the Comprehensive Plan, which is the Southeast Sector Future Land Use Map. Wording has been added to prevent further commercial or industrial development of the Loop 820 East/US 287 Industrial Growth Center. Representatives of the city have met with community members several times to address their concerns and plan to meet with Echo Heights residents in advance of the Nov. 14 city council meeting. John MacFarlane, who serves on the executive committee of the Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club, joined the Echo Heights & Stop Six Environmental Coalition over a year ago. He and Schermbeck say Fort Worth lags behind other cities, such as Dallas, in a comprehensive plan to address environmental racism. MacFarlane is hopeful the city council will approve the new version of the Southeast Sector Future Land Use Map in the Comprehensive Plan, which includes the wishes of the coalition. Representatives of the new citywide coalition will go to public meetings and work to keep members of the community informed about what is happening, MacFarlane says. This industrial center just didnt spring up overnight, right?, MacFarlane said. Like one company here, one company there and then once you look up 20 years later, youre surrounded. Norwegian Cruise Line will double its number of staterooms designed for solo travelers in 2024. There will now be solo inside, ocean view, and balcony staterooms along with the existing studios. A growing number of travelers have been opting to go alone, and it seems more cruise giants are taking notice. If you're drawn to the convenience and freedom of traveling alone, you could soon find yourself passing on a big backpacking trip to go on a cruise instead. On Tuesday, industry giant Norwegian Cruise Line announced it will roll out an additional almost 1,000 staterooms designed for solo travelers in 2024. And if more cruise lines continue taking cues from the rapidly growing trend of vacationing alone, we could see a growing number of these cabins. Cruising alone can be expensive for travelers who're only interested in typical staterooms. Brittany Chang/Insider To make up for revenue loss on double occupancy rooms, some cruise lines charge a "single-supplement" fee for independent travelers who want to book these traditional accommodations. On cruise lines like Silversea, this fee starts at an additional 25% on top of the base fare. Silversea With Royal Caribbean, this payment could double the cost of a trip. But for travelers who prefer cruising alone, there is one cost-saving light in the dark: solo staterooms. Norwegian Cruise Line Having accommodations designed for just one traveler isn't standard across every cruise ship. But companies like Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, and Virgin Voyages all operate vessels that offer just that. In 2021, both Oceania Cruises and Atlas Ocean Voyages announced its then-upcoming ships will have staterooms designed for solo travelers. The Solo Suite available in 2022. Atlas Ocean Voyages At the time, Alberto Aliberti, then-president of Atlas Ocean Voyages, said travelers could see single supplements as a "major obstacle" and a "penalization" for solo vacations, he told Insider in 2021. The new Oceania vessel, the Vista, finally set sail in May with single-person "concierge level" veranda staterooms, a first for the cruise line. The Concierge Level Solo Veranda stateroom. Oceania Cruises And for the first time, Princess Cruises' upcoming Sun Princess will sail in 2024 with accommodations designed for single travelers as well. So if Norwegian's announcement indicates cruise industry titans are continuing to take interest in solo travelers, we could see more announcements like this in the future. Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing solo interior, ocean view, and balcony staterooms on top of its existing "studios" designed for single travelers. Norwegian Cruise Line The company says it was the first to create solo cruising accommodations when it implemented this stateroom category on the Norwegian Epic in 2010. Norwegian says its single-person hotel rooms at sea have been a hit as more people continue to vacation alone. Norwegian Cruise Line As of now, Norwegian has 642 studios the name for its solo traveler accommodations across nine ships. These smaller rooms (pictured above) are no comparison to its more luxurious double occupancy staterooms. But on January 2, 2024, the cruise line's number of single-person accommodations will exceed 1,500 across its fleet of 19 ships. Norwegian Cruise Line And these rooms will no longer be tiny 100-square-foot boxes. From 2019 to 2022, the cruise line saw more solo travelers booking staterooms that weren't studios. Norwegian Cruise Line So to meet this demand, Norwegian will implement three new solo stateroom options: inside, oceanview, and balcony. And some will be available to book as soon as this week the cruise line won't make any physical changes to its existing staterooms, a spokesperson told Insider in an email. Travelers booking these will still have access to the Studio Lounges pictured above, a private space for solo cruisegoers available on several ships. For cruisers who enjoy Norwegian's plusher staterooms, it's a big cost-saving announcement. Norwegian Cruise Line The cruise giant's solo supplement is 100%. In terms of pricing for these new cabins, travelers "can expect to pay less" than the typical double occupancy stateroom "with pricing and availability dependent on the destination and demand," the cruise line said. Read the original article on Insider A patas monkey named Momo escaped from his owner's home on Wednesday in Indianapolis. After searching Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, authorities captured Momo. Momo was reportedly seen on top of cars and in residents' yards and garages. An escaped monkey named Momo got loose in an Indianapolis neighborhood, causing a bit of a ruckus during his escapade before he was captured Thursday morning. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department announced during a news conference Thursday afternoon that they had first received calls Wednesday evening that a monkey was charging towards people in a residential area. The department said that's when it began its search for the monkey with assistance from Indianapolis Animal Care Services and the Indianapolis Zoo that lasted three and a half hours into the night. Authorities resumed their search on Thursday morning after receiving more calls from residents, including one woman who said Momo was on her back porch trying to open the door into her home. A few hours later, authorities said they tracked the monkey into a vacant house under construction, then closed all the doors and lured him into a bathroom. Police then had the monkey owner's brother come in and finally apprehend the runaway, police said at the news conference. "Momo the monkey has been captured safely," the police department posted on X. "That was more than enough monkey business for us." Police posted this picture of Momo on X, formerly known as Twitter. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department/Twitter Momo had gotten loose after jumping out of his owner's fence Wednesday afternoon, his owner, Wayne Pham, posted on Facebook, along with a plea for information on the pet's whereabouts. It is legal to own a pet monkey in Indiana. Momo is a patas monkey, a monkey that is native to central Africa and can run at speeds up to 34 miles per hour, according to Southwick's Zoo's website. The monkey caused some trouble during his joyride through the city. "There are reports of minor injuries from the monkey but we can't confirm it is from bites," the police department posted on X. Some residents responded to Pham's Facebook post with photos and videos of Momo climbing on top of cars and meandering through people's yards. Another poster wrote that his coworker showed him a photo of a monkey his mother had found in her garage. Momo was also spotted chugging a beer from a trash can, a resident told police, according to WishTV. Momo is currently being transported to the Indianapolis Zoo where his health will be evaluated, the deputy director of animal service said at the press conference, and authorities are still determining if his owner will be allowed to take him back. Read the original article on Insider [Source] American sportswriter and host Pablo Torre recently spoke about his college days with entrepreneur Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy, shedding light on the Republican presidential candidate's persona in the classroom. That Guy: In the Sept. 26 episode of the "Pablo Torre Finds Out" podcast, Torre reminisced about Ramaswamy's college days at Harvard, referring to him as "That Guy" on campus. Torre explained that "That Guy" is typically a "campus celebrity" who possesses an extraordinary level of ambition and an acute awareness of their image. "Ramaswamy, when we were both freshmen, was famous on campus for his alter ego 20 years ago," the ESPN host recalled. "His alter ego was a libertarian rapper that he called 'Da Vek.'" Drawing cringe: According to Torre, Ramaswamy fits the "That Guy" description perfectly as he was allegedly undeterred by how his actions leave others cringing. Torre said Ramaswamy would often raise his hand conspicuously in the shape of a 'V' during lectures, resembling a "bat signal for terrible libertarian takes." More from NextShark: Man Gets 12 Years in Prison for Raping Chinese Woman at University in Australia Obama karaoke: Torre elaborated on Ramaswamy's behaviors in MSNBC's "11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle." Torre said part of what's "absurd" about the GOP presidential candidate is his conduct of "Obama karaoke," daring people to think "this is what a smart person looks like" when it's what "an extreme, ridiculous person looks like." "As a tool of the 'deep state' here to undermine his campaign, I've been instructed to remind people that the dude has been ridiculous for 20 years," Torre jokingly added. More from NextShark: YourFappeningblog - What is the Fappening Blog? Ramaswamy, who announced his bid for the Republican nomination in February, has a net worth of over $950 million as of August, as per Forbes. Should he win the 2024 election, he pledged to fire 75% of federal employees, end civil service protections for bureaucrats and abolish multiple federal agencies, including the Education Department, FBI, ATF, IRS, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and USDA's Food and Nutrition Service. More from NextShark: Rumors of OC's Coronavirus Infection Shock Irvine -- Here are the Facts China's auto association opposes EU anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles Xinhua) 10:24, October 05, 2023 BEIJING, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said on Wednesday that it deplores and firmly opposes the European Commission's decision to launch an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric passenger vehicles, noting that the move will severely disrupt global industrial and supply chains. China is the largest overseas market for many automobile companies in the European Union (EU), which have witnessed the development of China's electric vehicle industry, said the association. It is an unequivocal fact that the Chinese electric vehicle market has seen fierce competition and does not rely on subsidies for support or protection, the association noted. Initiated in utter disregard of the fact, the EU probe is an apparent act of protectionism that will slow the development of the electric vehicle industry in the EU and the rest of the world and hinder the global pursuit of carbon neutrality, the association said. "The auto industries of China and the EU are partners instead of rivals, and their development requires fair competition instead of protectionism," it said. The Chinese auto industry is willing to communicate with its EU counterpart to consolidate and expand cooperation in various ways, according to the association. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Hongyu) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 4) The Philippines successfully conducted another resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal despite attempts by China to block, harass, and interfere, the National Security Council said on Wednesday. Upon instructions of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., a regular and routine Rotation and Resupply (RORE) mission to deliver fresh provisions to our military personnel stationed at BRP Sierra Madre was conducted today, the NSCs National Task Force-West Philippine Sea said in a statement. It added that a significant number of China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels attempted to block, harass, and interfere with the routine RORE mission. The Philippines' resupply missions and maintenance of BRP Sierra Made are part of regular operations in line with domestic and international law and ensures safety and wellbeing of our stationed personnel, the task force stressed. It said the resupply trip is a legitimate exercise of the governments administrative functions over the WPS, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 Arbitral Award, and domestic laws. On Aug. 5, the CCG fired water cannons on Philippine ships, halting the resupply mission. A few weeks later, on Aug. 22, the Philippines finished the resupply mission despite harassment from the CCG. A resupply operation on Sept. 8 was similarly marred by China's dangerous maneuvers and harassment. Manila purposefully grounded the BRP Sierra Madre in 1999 due to Beijings encroachment on marine features near the shoal. A Hilton Head citizen filed a complaint to the South Carolina State Ethics Commission against Beaufort County School Superintendent Frank Rodriguez Sept. 19. It alleges Rodriguez is using public funds to influence the outcome of the upcoming bond measure: the $439 million school bond referendum on the ballot in the upcoming November election. Richard Bisi, the complainant, takes issue with Rodriguez hiring a consultant to advise on strategies to generate majority support from the board and the community for the referendum, according to two contracts signed Oct. 2022 and July 2023. Anyone who suspects a public employee may have violated the law may submit a complaint. The district is confident that the contracts fully complied with state law, according to district spokesperson Candace Bruder. She said in a statement that Bisis complaint has no evidence or foundation. In the first contract, the superintendent hired Herbert Berg for $138 per hour and a maximum of $55,000. In the second contract, the superintendent hired Berg for the same hourly rate, not to exceed $30,000. Bruder said the district hasnt used funds or resources for the second contract yet. The superintendent has been hosting public information sessions about the bond referendum across the county, and the board has previously discussed the line between promoting the referendum and informing the community. You can educate, but not advocate, said Frannie Heizer, the districts bond attorney. Bruder said the district is working with legal counsel to confirm there are no violations of South Carolina law, which says a governmental entity cant use public funds, property, or time in attempt to influence the outcome of a ballot measure. What happens once an ethics complaint is submitted? Once someone files an ethics complaint, the complaint is reviewed by the Commissions executive director to determine if there are sufficient facts to support a violation of the law. If they determine there arent sufficient facts the complaint is dismissed and struck from public record. If there are sufficient facts the complaint is referred to the Commission staff for investigation. After an investigation, the Commission could dismiss the complaint or call a public hearing to determine the outcome. If found guilty of an alleged violation the Commission can recommend disciplinary action including public reprimand or a civil penalty of up to $2,000. Josep Borrell , High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, believes that the US should reconsider its decision concerning its aid for Ukraine since the EU, in his opinion, is not able to replace it. Source: Borrell at the European Political Community Summit in Spain, European Pravda Details: Borrell called the decision of the US not to include the support for Ukraine in the temporary financing agreement bad news and expressed hope that this is not the final position of the US. Quote: "Ukraine needs the support of the European Union, which will certainly be increased, but also the support of the United States. My hope, the hope of the Ukrainians, and I believe of all those who do not want Putin to win, is that the United States can take the matter back into its own hands and continue to support Ukraine." More details: At the same time Borrell stressed that "Europe certainly cannot replace the United States" in the support of Ukraine but it is planning to extend the aid. Quote: "Europe is increasing its support. In the table there are proposals for 50 billion euros for the civil and economic part, and 20 billion for the military part." Background: Last week, the Chamber of Representatives of the US decided not to include further financing support for Ukraine in the state budget, and voted for removing Kevin McCarthy from the office of the chambers spokesperson. Before the voting, the White House expressed certainty that despite McCarthys dismissal, the Congress would be able to support additional financing for defence needs of Ukraine. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attended toe EPC summit with leaders including France's Emmanual Macron to urge Europe to remain united behind his country at a time when US support is in peril (Ludovic MARIN) The European Union vowed steadfast support for Ukraine at a summit Thursday but warned leaders -- including Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky -- it would not be able to fully fill any funding gap left by the United States. Fears have been ignited by political turmoil in Washington, which on Wednesday prompted President Joe Biden to admit it "does worry me" that US support for Ukraine might get derailed "Can Europe fill the gap left by the US? Well, certainly Europe cannot replace the US," the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on arrival at the meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Spain. Zelensky, speaking to the EPC, expressed concern about "political storms" gripping Washington but said he was confident he still had US bipartisan backing for continued aid. "America helped us, helped Europe to survive. And now it is important for Europe not to hide sails from the wind to wait out the storm," he said. The EU and the United States -- together comprising most NATO members -- are vital for Ukraine's fightback. The European Union and its member countries have promised more than $100 billion in multi-year support to Ukraine, including financing weapon deliveries. The United States has committed $43 billion in military assistance, while Congress has approved $113 billion in aid including humanitarian help. But fresh US funding for Ukraine has been put on hold as part of a weekend deal struck with opposition Republicans to avert a US government shutdown. Borrell said that result "was certainly not expected -- and it's certainly not good news". He added that the EU hoped that "is not going to be a definite position of the US". "Ukraine needs the support of the European Union... but also the support of the US," he said. - 'Cannot compensate' - Maintaining European assistance to Ukraine was a dominant issue at the EPC summit in Granada, which gathered leaders from almost all countries across the European continent with the pointed exclusion of Russia. "I do believe that all the leaders understand the risks of not providing full support to Ukraine," said Moldovan President Maia Sandu, whose country, neighbouring Ukraine, is vying to join the EU. But Luxembourg premier Xavier Bettel, like Borrell underlined that "we cannot compensate" for any US shortfall in aid for Ukraine. "That would be not possible, but we have to continue to support as much as we can," he said. While noting Europe has no say in "internal US affairs," Bettel said "we hope that it will find a solution soon in the interest of of Ukraine". European Commission chef Ursula von der Leyen portrayed the truncation of US financial support to Ukraine as just a question of "timing" for Washington. She stressed that work was going on to concretise half the promised EU aid to Ukraine -- 50 billion euros ($53 billion) over the next four years -- to give Kyiv "predictability and reliability" for its strained budget. Leaders at the EPC summit said Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculation was that the West would become fatigued at longterm support of Ukraine, handing him a path to victory. "I think Russia wants us to be tired," Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said, adding: "We should show them that we are not. We have to help Ukraine as long as it takes." The issue, however, was expected to dominate an EU-US summit taking place in Washington in two weeks' time, between Biden, von der Leyen and European Council head Charles Michel. Aside from the ongoing war in Ukraine, the leaders at the EPC summit were to tackle the issue of migration, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italy's Georgia Meloni pushing for a policy to prevent boats carrying asylum seekers setting off for Europe. rmb/dc/ach The EU vowed steadfast support for Ukraine at a summit Thursday but warned leaders -- including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky -- it would be unable to fill any funding gap left by the United States. Fears have been ignited by political turmoil in Washington, which have prompted President Joe Biden to admit that it "does worry me" that US support for Ukraine might get derailed. "Can Europe fill the gap left by the US? Well, certainly Europe cannot replace the US," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on arrival at the meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) in Spain. Zelensky, speaking to the four dozen leaders at the EPC, expressed concern about Washington's "political storms" but said he was confident he still had US bipartisan backing. The EU and the United States -- together comprising most NATO members -- are vital for Ukraine's fightback. The European Union and its member countries have promised more than $100 billion in multi-year support to Ukraine, including financing weapon deliveries. The United States has committed $43 billion in military assistance, while Congress has approved $113 billion in aid including humanitarian help. But fresh US funding for Ukraine has been put on hold as part of a weekend deal struck with opposition Republicans to avert a US government shutdown. Europe stepped up its military help for Ukraine on Thursday with Zelensky saying on social media that Germany was working to provide his country with an additional Patriot system to boost its air defences against Russian attacks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Berlin had already supplied one Patriot battery to Ukraine, which was "very difficult for us", and that the additional one will offer "far-reaching protection". That announcement came the same day a Russian strike on a Ukrainian village killed at least 51 people, spurring condemnation from the EU, US and UN chief Antonio Guterres. - 'Tireless' support - Leaders at the EPC summit said Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculation was that the West would become fatigued at longterm support of Ukraine, handing him a path to victory. "I think Russia wants us to be tired," Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said, adding: "We should show them that we are not. We have to help Ukraine as long as it takes." French President Emmanuel Macron reinforced that message in a meeting with Zelensky, vowing "tireless" support for Ukraine. But within the EU there are fissures. Slovakia announced it has frozen decisions on military aid to neighbouring Ukraine after populists opposed to military assistance for Kyiv won a parliamentary election. The issue of enduring aid for Ukraine was expected to dominate an EU-US summit taking place in Washington in two weeks' time, between Biden and European Union chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel. Another conflict, that over Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, also featured large at the summit in Granada. Most of the territory's 120,000 ethnic Armenians have fled to Armenia following a lightning offensive by Azerbaijani troops last month to capture the self-proclaimed republic and force its dissolution. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev skipped the EPC gathering, because of what his office said was France's "militarisation policy" in the Caucasus and the EU attitude towards the region. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did attend and sat down with Michel, Scholz and Macron, with the three then issuing a joint statement stressing the "inviolability of the borders of Armenia". Aliyev's office said he was "ready" instead for EU-mediated talks with Pashinyan in Brussels, which Michel told AFP would happen this month at a date worked out with the two leaders. Migration was another issue batted around the EPC summit, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni pushing for a policy to prevent boats carrying asylum seekers setting off for Europe. "Tackling illegal migration is a shared European challenge. Numbers are up everywhere," Sunak told AFP in an interview. "I believe, as do other European leaders, that it should be us who decides who comes to our countries and not criminal gangs," he said. rmb-dc/yad By Andrew Gray GRANADA, Spain (Reuters) - The European Union on Thursday invited the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for talks to try to revive a peace process thrown into crisis by an Azerbaijani military operation that prompted more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee Nagorno-Karabakh. Charles Michel , the president of the European Council of EU leaders, said he had invited Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to meet in Brussels by the end of October. "We believe in diplomacy. We believe in political dialogue," Michel told reporters as he announced the meeting at a summit in the Spanish city of Granada of the European Political Community, a forum of more than 40 countries. Aliyev snubbed a proposed meeting with Pashinyan, Michel and the leaders of France and Germany at the summit. But Michel said he expected both sides to attend the Brussels talks, noting Baku had said it would take part in future EU-mediated meetings. At the summit, leaders also pledged support for Armenia as it grapples with the fallout of the Azerbaijani military operation last month to seize control of the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, mainly populated by ethnic Armenians. Many EU leaders have condemned the Azerbaijani operation and some governments have called for the bloc to consider tough measures against Baku, which has insisted it took legitimate action to regain control of a part of its sovereign territory. The European Parliament passed a resolution on Thursday accusing Baku of "ethnic cleansing" and urging the EU to impose sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for ceasefire violations and human rights abuses in Nagorno-Karabakh. But diplomats say they do not see a consensus among EU countries for sanctions against Azerbaijan, a growing supplier of oil and gas to the EU as the bloc pivots away from Russian energy following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. AID FOR ARMENIA Given their disagreements on Azerbaijan, leaders instead focused on help for Armenia, such as a boost in humanitarian aid and pledges of economic and political support as Yerevan tries to distance itself from traditional ally Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would provide another 5.25 million euros ($5.53 million) in emergency aid, on top of 5.2 million announced, to alleviate the plight of those who fled from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. After meeting Pashinyan in Granada, Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared "unwavering support to the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Armenia". That statement reflected Armenian fears that Azerbaijan may launch a military assault on its territory. Azerbaijan has insisted it has no intention of any such operation. "Azerbaijan supports direct and bilateral dialogue and negotiations on the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the peace treaty talks," Hikmet Hajiyev, Aliyev's foreign policy adviser, posted on social media platform X. ($1 = 0.9495 euros) (Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by Alex Richardson) By Andrew Gray, Gabriela Baczynska and Belen Carreno GRANADA, Spain (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned European leaders on Thursday that Russia could rebuild its military capabilities and attack other countries within five years if the continent were to waver in its support for Kyiv. Zelenskiy, attending a summit of the European Political Community in Spain, also said he remained confident of continued U.S. and European financial aid despite "political storms" in Washington and elsewhere. In an emotional speech, Zelenskiy described how Ukrainian children in the eastern city of Kharkiv were learning remotely or attending classes in subway stations because of air raids. "Until there is a fully effective air defence system, children cannot attend school," he told the gathering in the city of Granada. Underlining the horrors of war, a Russian attack on a village in the Kharkiv region on Thursday killed at least 51 people, including a six-year-old boy, Ukrainian officials said. Zelenskiy said that by providing additional military equipment to Ukraine, European countries could help ensure that a "drone, tank, or any other Russian weapon will not strike anyone else in Europe". "We must not allow (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to destabilize any other parts of the world and our partners in order to ruin Europe's power," Zelenskiy said. "The presence of Russia, its military or proxies in the territory of any other country is a threat to all of us. We must work together to push Russia out of the territory of other countries," he added. COMMITMENT The European Political Community was established last year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine to foster cooperation among more than 40 countries from Norway to Moldova. The Granada gathering gives leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a chance to re-state their commitment to Ukraine after political turbulence in both the U.S. and Europe raised questions about continued support. A dispute among the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has complicated budget negotiations and prompted President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to go from confidence that a deal will be made on Ukraine aid to openly expressing concern. Support in Europe has also appeared less rock-solid after pro-Russian former Prime Minister Robert Fico won an election in Slovakia last weekend on pledges to end military aid to Ukraine. Zelenskiy admitted he was concerned but said he was optimistic about continued support. "The situation with the Unites States is dangerous, it's a tough period," he said after holding several meetings at the summit. He added: "I think that the United States and Europe will be together with Ukraine and we will together get out of this crisis." The head of the European Commission, the EU executive, Ursula von der Leyen, said the bloc was working on a 50 billion-euro Ukraine package for 2024-2027, adding that she was "very confident" about continued U.S. help for Kyiv. French President Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine could continue to count on support from Europe. "There is a very deep, very strong commitment because we all know that we are talking about Europe and about the very possibility of lasting peace on our continent," he said. Individual countries also made pledges in Granada. Germany was working on the supply of an additional Patriot air defence missile system to Ukraine in the winter months Scholz said, while a government source said Spain had offered Ukraine another six HAWK air defence systems to protect the country's grain corridor and critical infrastructure. Zelenskiy said he had discussed with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the summit host, a new military aid package, energy assistance, and how to keep open a corridor in the Black Sea for Ukrainian grain exports. TENSIONS Russia pulled out of a deal in July that had allowed Ukraine - a leading global grain exporter - to safely ship food products out via the Black Sea. Russia has so far rejected U.N. overtures to revive the deal, while Ukraine is continuing some exports via what it calls a temporary "humanitarian corridor" for cargo vessels. Ukraine's efforts to export grain overland via EU countries have caused tensions with Poland and some other eastern members of the bloc that are keen to protect their own farmers. Kyiv and Brussels are also discussing expanding alternative sea routes. The summit will also discuss efforts by Ukraine and others to join the EU as well as how to tackle increasing arrivals of refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa - both seen as existential challenges for the bloc. "Going from an EU of 27 to an EU of 35 will create many challenges internally. We will open in Granada this large debate that will take us to a deep reform of the EU," said Sanchez. Talks on the margins of Thursday's gathering were focused on crises between Azerbaijan and Armenia and between Serbia and Kosovo, which have flared in recent weeks amid floundering EU efforts at mediation. (Additional reporting by Inti Landauro in Granada, Andreas Rinke in Berlin, Anna Pruchnicka and Bart Meijer, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Marine Strauss in Brussels; writing by Charlie Devereux; editing by Gareth Jones and Alex Richardson) The EU has agreed to create a Fund for Ukraine The Budget and Foreign Affairs committees of the European Parliament have approved the proposal to establish a EUR 50 billion ($52.7 billion) Ukraine Facility aid fund for 2024-2027, the legislative body announced on Oct. 5. Of the committee members, 86 voted in favor of creating the fund, six against, and two abstained. Read also: Estonia to allow confiscation of frozen Russian assets, Kyiv says According to the press release, EMPs made amendments to create a website about the fund's financial operations, as well as steps Ukraine must take to receive assistance. The site will also disclose contributions from third countries and international organizations. Read also: Bulgarian parliament approves transfer of defective S-300 missiles to Ukraine One of the key requirements of the EMPs is that seized Russian assets are used to finance Ukraines recovery. Read also: European Commission nearing approval of negotiations on Ukraines membership talks The European Parliament emphasized that the fund, along with the entire budget review, should be approved as quickly as possible, as "there will be no provisions for assistance to Ukraine from 2024" otherwise. On June 20, the European Commission proposed to create the fund to disburse financial assistance to Kyiv via grants and loans. On Oct. 3, EMPs approved budget review for 2021-2027, greenlighting the Ukraine Facility aid fund. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The EPC is the largest forum for European countries to discuss a common strategic agenda (Ludovic MARIN) Europe's quest to build a common geopolitical purpose suffered a new blow on Thursday when Turkey and Azerbaijan skipped a major summit, as tensions mounted over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Four dozen European leaders -- from European Union and NATO member states, as well as their neighbours -- have gathered in Granada for the third summit of the European Political Community (EPC). But two invitees, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ally, Azerbaijan's leader Ilham Aliyev , failed to turn up, torpedoing efforts to address Europe's latest security crisis. Leaders had hoped to host Aliyev's first meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan since Azerbaijan seized the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh and triggered an exodus of ethnic Armenian civilians. The two leaders were to have been joined by EU council president Charles Michel, France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Olaf Scholz -- but Azerbaijan rejected the format, accusing Europe of bias. The EU recognises Azerbaijan's sovereign claim on Nagorno-Karabakh but has criticised Baku's use of force to resolve the dispute, which has led to a wave of refugees into Armenia. France, in particular, has been outspoken, with Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna travelling to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, and promising to deliver weapons to Pashinyan's government. - 'It's a shame' - Azerbaijan is furious and wants Turkey's Erdogan to serve as a mediator. But Erdogan was not invited to join Macron and Scholz in mediating the talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and decided to skip the entire EPC summit. "It's a shame that Azerbaijan isn't here and it's a shame that Turkey -- which is the main country supporting Azerbaijan -- is not here either," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. "We are not going to be able to talk here about something as serious as the fact that more than 100,000 people have had to leave their homes in a hurry, running away from an act of military force." Arriving at the summit, Michel, who would have hosted the meeting, insisted: "The EU is a neutral mediator, with no agenda." But even as he spoke, the European Parliament adopted a resolution dubbing the exodus of ethnic Armenians "ethnic cleansing" and condemning "threats and violence committed by Azerbaijani troops". The resolution, paired with a call for sanctions, will have no practical effect but is bound to further alienate Baku at a time when Europe is seeking unity to confront other crises. Armenia's Pashinyan, who turned up to the summit and plans to hold bilateral talks with Macron and other EU leaders, expressed regret that he would not meet Aliyev and sign a "turning point document". In a social media post, Sinan Ulgen -- a former Turkish diplomat turned think tank expert -- said western Europeans should really not be surprised by Ankara and Baku's response. "It is really a bit odd for France to expect to play a mediating role in the Karabakh dispute after such a show of unmitigated support and solidarity with Armenia," he said. But the eastern boycott is also a blow to the EPC, a fledgling forum designed to form the basis of a common European geopolitical identity beyond the borders of the European Union. "Without Turkey and Azerbaijan, the political community becomes more narrowly European and seems more anti-Putin, give or take a few leaders," said Sebastien Maillard of the Institut Jacques Delors think tank. "Without a Karabakh meeting, the agenda could flip to the migration crisis," he said. - 'Immigration crime' - Indeed, with the Caucasus conflict falling down the EPC agenda, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni will push a plan for tough action on "organised immigration crime". The leaders will also meet Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is concerned to maintain strong European support for his country's battle to defend itself from the Russian invasion. Political turmoil in Washington has called into question continued US support for Kyiv and Zelensky, arriving at the summit, called for Europe to remain united behind the campaign. jca-dc/hmw/acc/gil On Thursday, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) officially joined the joint investigative team (JIT) investigating international crimes committed in Ukraine. Source: press service of Europol, quoted by European Pravda Details: The agreement on the involvement of the EUs agency in the work of the investigative team was signed by the prosecutors general of the seven participating countries and Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director of Europol, during the 17th meeting of the Consultative Forum of Prosecutors General at Eurojust. In accordance with its mandate, Europol will provide analytical and forensic support to JIT members, as well as support the collection and analysis of data lawfully obtained from open sources such as social media, television and radio broadcasts. Europol will also contribute its knowledge and experience in the field of investigating war crimes, crimes against humanity and other international crimes through the Analytical Project on Major International Crimes. The agency has previously provided legal, logistical, financial and analytical support to the JIT, participating in 19 coordination meetings with representatives of the group and other national authorities investigating international crimes committed in Ukraine. Background: Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania established a joint working group to investigate war crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine on 25 March 2022. Later, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia and Romania joined the group. The United States announced cooperation with JIT in March 2023. In addition, Eurojust and, for the first time in its history, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court are members of the group. Among other things, JIT member countries communicate with citizens of Ukraine - survivors and witnesses who are in their territory. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! WASHINGTON Some House Republicans are saying they would like former President Donald Trump to become the next speaker of the House. The problem? Republicans own rules forbid someone under criminal indictment for a felony from serving in party leadership. Nevertheless, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Greg Steube (R-Fla.) have stated that they want Trump to be speaker and the former president is reportedly considering a visit to the Capitol next week, ahead of an election for the Houses top job. The chamber has been leaderless since Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) triggered a no-confidence vote that ended the speakership of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) after just nine months. So far, Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Steve Scalise (R-La.) have announced bids to succeed McCarthy. Another problem for Trump is that a lot of moderate Republicans probably wouldnt vote for him. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), for instance, was outright disgusted by a question about a possible Speaker Trump. Is that your biggest concern right now? Really? Lawler said Wednesday. Is that really your biggest concern? Republican Tom DeLay leaves a meeting on Capitol Hill in September 2013, following the decision by a Texas court to toss out his money laundering conviction. A related indictment against him had led to his stepping aside from a party leadership post in 2005. Republican Tom DeLay leaves a meeting on Capitol Hill in September 2013, following the decision by a Texas court to toss out his money laundering conviction. A related indictment against him had led to his stepping aside from a party leadership post in 2005. Its unclear if Trumps visit to Capitol Hill as House Republicans embark on a process to select McCarthys replacement would be more of a pep talk or a potential bid for the role. Asked Wednesday if he would want to become speaker, Trump said unspecified people had asked him about it but that he was instead concentrating on regaining the White House, which he lost in 2020. A lot of people have been calling me about speaker. All I can say is that well do whatevers best for the country and the Republican Party, he told reporters during a break in his business fraud lawsuit trial in New York City. Ill do whatever it is to help. But my focus, my total focus, is being president and, quite honestly, making America great again. Even if he were interested in the speakership a position not limited to U.S. representatives the key obstacle for Trump is thatHouse GOP rules bar anyone under indictment from leadership or committee roles. Trump currently faces four separate indictments in various state and federal jurisdictions, resulting in 91 felony charges and the threat of yearslong prison terms. He remains free on bail. Under Rule 26(a), A member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed. While the conference rules are approved before each new Congress, that particular rule has been on the books for some time. Similarly, the rules say indicted members have to step aside from the standing committees they serve on until cleared of wrongdoing. But unlike in the case of leadership posts, the rules permit the conference to waive the committee step-aside requirement by a simple majority vote. A lot of people have been calling me about speaker. All I can say is that well do whatevers best for the country and the Republican Party.Former President Donald Trump The last time a member of House party leadership defined as one of the top three leaders was indicted, they stepped aside. Tom DeLay, a Republican from Texas, left his post as majority leader under then-Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) in September 2005 after a grand jury accused him of conspiring to violate political fundraising law to help House candidates in his state. DeLay was ultimately convicted on money laundering charges and sentenced to three years in prison, but the verdict was thrown out by an appeals court in 2013. Its not entirely clear if Trump actually intends to travel to the Capitol next week. Spokespeople for Trump and several Capitol Hill offices ignored requests to confirm the reports about his possible visit. The previous time Trump wanted to visit the Capitol was in January 2021, amid the riot he had started as part of his effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. But his Secret Service detail wouldnt let him, citing security concerns. The prospect of Trump revisiting what Democrats see as the scene of the crime left them distinctly unenthused. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) posted on social media: No thanks, were good. Weve seen a Trump rally at the Capitol already. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 4) The death certificate of the 14-year-old student from Antipolo City, who died days after being slapped by his teacher, showed that the immediate cause of death was global brain edema, or a swelling of the brain. The document stated that a hemorrhage was found in the brain of Grade 5 student Francis Gumikib, whose family accused his teacher of having a hand in the death. Suspected pulmonary tuberculosis and physical abuse could have also contributed to the loss of life, based on the death certificate. However, Dr. Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist, described as vague the details in the document, saying a lot of questions were left unanswered. The expert told CNN Philippines News Night that an important detail the underlying cause of the death was left blank. It failed to explain where the hemorrhage came from, she said. Tapos blangko 'yung part on manner of death, 'yung linya diyan na death by external causes," she added. "Kasi kung wala kang nilagay diyan, ibig sabihin you think natural, due to disease." [Translation: And the part on the manner of death, the line pertaining to death by external causes, was also blank. Because if you dont put anything there, that means you think the death is natural, due to a disease.] According to the student's family, the boy informed them that he was slapped by his teacher on Sept. 21. Over a week later, they said Gumikib begged to be brought to the hospital due to intolerable headache and ear pain. They said he went into a coma before he died on Monday. Death possibly due to rare condition? Fortun said there are a number of things to consider to help determine if the slapping incident indeed led to the death, including how exactly he was slapped. I don't see any contrary description of the method," she explained. "Yung usual na sampal is yung palm ng kamay mo itatama mo sa mukha. Its not really effective or strong kasi malambot yan eh, and it can only go so far in terms of velocity, gaano kabilis, yun yung delikado." [Translation: I don't see any contrary description of the method. In a usual slap, you hit one's face with the palm of your hand. It's not really effective or strong, because the palm is soft, and a slap can only go so far in terms of velocity, which is what's dangerous.] The medical examiner said there is a need to keep an open mind, as there could be other causes such as a rare condition called meningoencephalitis. It might not even be trauma, because this presentation is also consistent with inflammation from an infection of the brain and the surrounding meninges, or 'yung covering niya [or the covering of the brain]. So, pwedeng pwede yan [so its really possible that it is] meningoencephalitis, she said. Gumikibs remains were brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City on Wednesday for an autopsy, a critical piece of evidence in the investigation. According to Fortun, the computerized tomography or CT scan done on Gumikib may not be enough to ascertain that there was hemorrhage in the brain. Results of the autopsy, which is a more comprehensive process, may provide more clarity, she said. And one thing that struck me is nu'ng una, may usap-usapan na masakit daw yung tenga [at first, they said his ear hurt]It is really common to have an ear infection and it goes to the brain, and that's one cause of meningoencephalitis, Fortun said. Police earlier said they are looking at filing a homicide complaint against Gumikibs teacher. However, even if it is later determined that the teacher did not cause the student's death, authorities and Gumikibs family said they will still pursue criminal charges against her for the slapping incident. READ: Homicide case eyed vs. teacher accused of slapping Grade 5 student who later died When Evil Lurks is a nightmare about contagion and paranoia that benefits from not underlining its larger socio-political ideas. Furthermore, its proof that Terrified writer/director Demian Rugna is a skilled genre craftsman, delivering scares at a pace that rarely allows one to catch their breath, and with enough gruesome surprises to consistently startle. In theaters Oct. 6 and on Shudder Oct. 27 (following its recent appearance in the Midnight Madness section of this years Toronto International Film Festival), its a Halloween-season thriller with bite. In an unidentified region of Argentina, brothers Pedro (Ezequiel Rodriguez) and Jimmy (Demian Salomon) hear gunshots somewhere in the distance outside their remote farmhouse. When they investigate in the adjacent woods, they discover a bodyor, more specifically, a hand and a lower torso. Beside these dismembered parts lies a case containing the components of some weird gold contraption and a file indicating that the deceaseds destination was the nearby home of elderly Maria Elena (Isabel Quinteros). There, Maria Elena confesses that shed hired a cleaner to travel to her abode to deal with her son Uriel (Pablo and Gonzalo Galarza). And by deal with, I mean kill, because Uriel is a bloated, pustulant, bedridden mess of a young man, his neck swollen to inhuman proportions and gross liquid oozing out of his mouth. Maria Elena believes Uriel is possessed by a demon, and Pedro is convinced that shes correct. Churches are dead, maam, he tells Maria Elena, teasing a secret about the hellish world in which they now live. Pedro turns to the police, who dont buy his claims and make mention of his past criminal trouble. As a result, he goes to see Ruiz (Luis Ziembrowski), the owner of the land upon which the brothers and Maria Elena reside, who freaks out over this news, initially decrying it as a ploy by the state to force him to sell his property. Later that evening, Ruiz visits Maria Elenas home with his gun drawn, yet hes dissuaded from ending Uriels life by the woman and her youngest son, who declare that shooting a possessed man brings about doom. Instead, Ruiz decides to do the next best thing: dump Uriel somewhere far, far away where he cant cause them any harm. This is an awful plan, and if it didnt seem that way on the face of it, the effort required to get Uriel out of his abode and into Ruizs flatbed truck confirms it. That sequence is one of many in which Rugna earns audience squirms from the sheer squishiness of his action, even as he refuses to unduly linger on any single disgusting image. When Evil Lurks is gross and also grimly amusing, as is evidenced by the trios long-distance drive to dispose of their demonic problem, only to noticeshortly after swerving to miss a child in the middle of the roadthat their cargo has mysteriously vanished from their vehicle. Rather than searching for their MIA passenger, Ruiz, Pedro, and Jimmy simply head home, assuming their problem is out-of-sight, out-of-mind solved. Courtesy of Shudder and IFC Films Its no spoiler to reveal that their problem is most definitely not solved. Animalistic The Witch menace gives way to helter-skelter Dawn of the Dead chaos, as Ruiz and his pregnant wife learn that theyre definitely not alone, and Pedro and Jimmy check in on the formers ex-wife, her new husband, and his two sons as well as his exs daughter. A couple of conspicuous shots give away the agent of these folks impending misfortune, but not to the point of ruining the precise natureor timingof the carnage at hand. This scene boasts the proceedings biggest gasp-inducing jolt, thereby setting the tone for a second half that races into unholy territory. Be it in the middle of nowhere or in town, Pedro and Jimmy quickly realize that theres no outrunning the devil. Consequently, When Evil Lurks has them seek assistance in the form of Mirtha (Silvina Sabater), a mysterious acquaintance who knows the exact methods and techniques for dispatching demons. Mirtha is a plot contrivance, there to provide context about this screwy reality and details about the seven rules governing Beelzebubs minions. Apparently, the fiends are drawn to electricity (a convenient way to force everyone to run around in the dark), and if their possessed hosts are killed by firearms, the demons merely leap into othersthereby creating a chain reaction akin to a biblical pandemic. Courtesy of Shudder and IFC Films If When Evil Lurks falters, its with regards to its scripting, as the bigger picture surrounding its tale is often frustratingly fuzzy. Rugnas screenplay admirably wants to dole out bits and pieces of information throughout the course of its mayhem, the better to keep viewers guessing. Yet a few of its revelations come so late, and in such sketchy form, that they elicit only shrugs. Its less the narratives basic conception than it is its execution, although fortunately, the director finds unsettling ways to keep suspense at a feverish pitch. That peaks with Pedro and Mirthas climactic search for Uriel, which leads them to a school full of creepy kids straight out of Children of the Damned or Who Can Kill a Child?, and ends with suffering that Rugna orchestrates with a sure, squelchy hand. Courtesy of Shudder and IFC Films When Evil Lurks taps into contemporary fears about communicable infection, fraying social bonds and hopelessness in the face of spreading calamityconcerns that, Rugna contends, cant be assuaged, much less quelled, by religion. Its not difficult to read Pedro and Jimmys supernatural dilemma as a metaphorical reflection of today, but the film never articulates those connections, shrewdly allowing them to bubble just beneath the blistering surface. Scares are the prime directive of Rugnas latest, and that single-minded focus on rattling the nerves is perhaps its chief asset. Moving at a propulsive clip courtesy of a camera that moves alongside its harried protagonists, it glides over most of its storytelling speed bumps. Furthermore, it dispenses plentiful gruesomeness guaranteed to keep the gorehounds satiatedeven if monstrous eating is also a part of this stomach-churning package. Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A man killed his ex-girlfriend, then cut up her body and burned it, California police reported. Alyssa Salazar, 33, was reported missing Aug. 10 after not being seen since late July, Gilroy police said in an Oct. 4 news release. Salazar vanished after accusing her ex-boyfriend, Iban Alfaro Escobedo, 31, of Gilroy, of rape and assault in April, according to court documents from the Santa Clara District Attorneys Office obtained by McClatchy News. An investigation led police to property in Santa Clara County, where they discovered human remains Aug. 30, police said. Investigators found scorched hand bones, a skull and ribs in a barrel next to a mobile home owned by Escobedos sister, court documents said.. Police arrested Escobedo in the earlier case the same day and found a 9mm pistol in his car, court documents said. Blood stains also were found, according to the documents The remains found in the barrel were later identified as Salazars, police said. A witness told investigators that Escobedo said he shot Salazar in his car, then cut up her body in the bathtub of his sisters mobile home and burned the remains, court documents said. Blood stains were also found in the bathtub, the documents said. Escobedo is facing a murder charge in the death of Salazar, according to the court documents. Alyssa not only leaves behind a loving group of friends and family, but also two innocent little girls who have the slightest clue as to what is going on with their Mommy, Michelle Sanchez said in a Facebook tribute to Salazar. We are heart broken and want this all to just be a dream, said a GoFundMe established for her family. Anyone with information can contact detective Jason Greathead at 408-846-0373 or leave an anonymous tip at 408-846-0330. Gilroy is about 85 miles southeast of San Francisco. 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. Man tracking down stolen car gets shot trying to get it back, Colorado police say Teen shot dead at party, California police say. Didnt deserve to die like this Grandmother walking her dogs killed in hit-and-run crash, California family says Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday asked the federal judge overseeing his Mar-a-Lago criminal case to delay the trial until after the 2024 election, arguing that he has not received all of the records his legal team needs to review. The former president's legal team in a motion asked Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to delay the trial until "at least mid-November 2024," claiming "discovery failures" by special counsel Jack Smith's office. Trump's attorneys wrote that Smith's office vowed that "all" discovery would be available on "day one" but prosecutors still have not turned over all of the documents. The lawyers also cited the schedule in Trump's D.C. criminal case, arguing that the dueling legal battles "currently require President Trump and his lawyers to be in two places at once." "Given the current schedule, we cannot understate the prejudice to President Trump arising from his lack of access to these critical materials months after they should have been produced," Trump attorneys Chris Kise and Todd Blanche wrote in the filing. Some legal experts criticized the request. "Nothing is stopping him from going to DC. He wants a delay because it's not convenient for him right now," tweeted national security attorney Bradley Moss. Attorney George Conway called the request "absurd." "You could have teams of defense lawyers and experts review those documents until the end of time and it wouldn't matter one whit to the outcome of the case," he wrote. Smith's team last week argued that Trump's lawyers were seeking unreasonable delays in the case, arguing that despite a "slightly longer than anticipated time frame" to complete certain steps it was false to accuse them of delaying the production of discovery materials. The prosecutors noted that Trump's lawyers had lacked the "necessary read-ins to review all material" provided by the government. Prosecutors said they have already turned over 1.28 million pages of unclassified documents and most of the classified evidence. The DOJ expects to turn over much of the outstanding classified evidence on Friday, according to the Associated Press. "This production will include certain materials that Defendants have described as outstanding, including audio recordings of interviews and information related to the classification reviews conducted in the case," prosecutors wrote. Trump has repeatedly sought to delay his trials past the 2024 election as he reportedly seeks to shut down his prosecutions if he wins the presidency. Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing, has argued that the prosecutions amount to "election interference" even as he took time off the campaign trail to campaign in court during his New York fraud trial this week. New York Attorney General Letitia James blasted Trump's appearance and outbursts at the courthouse as a "fundraising stop." Former federal prosecutor and New York University Law Prof. Andrew Weissmann, who served on special counsel Bob Mueller's team, warned that Trump's courthouse campaigning could come back to bite him in his other cases. "He is making the trials the centerpiece of his political candidacy," MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace told Weissmann on Wednesday. "Well, I don't think he's going to do very well with the current motions that he has made in D.C. and in Florida, where he is seeking more time in what the government has said is a transparent effort to ultimately have the trial dates put off," Weissmann replied. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. "I don't think it's going to play well when people see that he has ample time to engage in other activities other than preparing for trial," he added. "Judge Chutkan in the D.C. case has already made it quite clear that whatever his extracurricular activities are there is a criminal case and that is going to go forward the way it would for anyone else." "I don't think it's going to play well when people see that [Trump] has ample time to engage in other activities other than preparing for trial" - @AWeissmann_ w/ @nicolledwallace pic.twitter.com/3jjU2I8dtD Deadline White House (@DeadlineWH) October 4, 2023 Trump was in court Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday after successfully getting a delay from a judge for a deposition in a civil lawsuit he brought against former attorney Michael Cohen, alleging the former fixer violated contracts and confidentiality. "Plaintiff represented that, now that pretrial rulings have been entered in the case that materially altered the landscape, it was imperative that he attend his New York trial in person at least for each day of the first week of trial when many strategy judgments had to be made," Judge Edwin Torres wrote in a decision last week. Cohen told Meidas Touch on Wednesday that his attorney would inform a federal judge that Trump left the trial early, which could be a violation of the order. "Part of the order...is that Donald on the 9th of October, just a couple of days from now, is required to return to NY in order to give the deposition," Cohen told the outlet. "I do believe it is incumbent upon my counsel to notify the court exactly what has transpired." A second attorney for Rudy Giuliani is seeking an exit from his Georgia legal team, according to a Tuesday court filing, which would seemingly leave the former New York City mayor without any local representation in the state. Brian Tevis, who joined Giuliani's legal team shortly before he surrendered to Fulton County authorities in August, submitted a motion to withdraw to the clerk Tuesday evening, leaving it to a judge in the case to sign off on the motion. The move comes after several other attorneys who represented Giuliani have sued the former Trump lawyer for failing to pay his legal fees, including his longtime lawyer and friend Robert Costello, who sued Giuliani for more than $1.3 million in payments to his firm. The loss to his legal team also follows the departure of fellow Giuliani Georgia lawyer David Wolfe, who submitted his own motion to withdraw from representing the former mayor last week. Sources familiar with Giuliani's situation told ABC News that he is close to obtaining new local representation. Former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb told CNN's Erin Burnett Wednesday that the latest departure from Giuliani's Georgia team puts the former mayor "in a lot of trouble." "I think it's a huge problem," Cobb continued. "I think it's, like any American who saw him throw the first ball out at Yankee Stadium after 9/11 and thought he was 'America's Mayor,' I think this is a tragic fall." "And the depths I don't think we've necessarily seen yet," Cobb added. "So I do think he's in great difficulty. I think he needs a very strong attorney to assist him there." Other legal experts echoed Cobb's sentiments. "Have to imagine it's rooted in Giuliani's inability to pay, which is going to get hugely worse before (ie probably never) gets better," Harry Litman, a former U.S. attorney, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Hard to see how he can climb out of the cavernous hole he is in financially and legally." Have to imagine it's rooted in Giuliani's inability to pay, which is going to get hugely worse before (ie probably never) gets better. Hard to see how he can climb out of the cavernous hole he is in financially and legally. https://t.co/55x8cnkwB5 Harry Litman (@harrylitman) October 4, 2023 "This poses a serious problem for Rudy Giuliani. He needs local Georgia counsel to defend him in this RICO prosecution," MSNBC legal analyst Katie Phang tweeted. "If he cannot afford a lawyer or one cannot be appointed to him, will Giuliani represent himself?" This poses a serious problem for Rudy Giuliani. He needs local Georgia counsel to defend him in this RICO prosecution. If he cannot afford a lawyer or one cannot be appointed to him, will Giuliani represent himself? https://t.co/rmE2PqEGqs Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) October 4, 2023 Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. "Rudy's troubles compound exponentially. I am sure, however, there is a scrappy young member of the Georgia Bar willing to step in and do some solid work for the exposure," added Anthony Michael Kreis, a Georgia State law professor. "That's his best hope." Rudy's troubles compound exponentially. I am sure, however, there is a scrappy young member of the Georgia Bar willing to step in and do some solid work for the exposure. That's his best hope. https://t.co/RzIrJWXRmG Anthony Michael Kreis (@AnthonyMKreis) October 4, 2023 Giuliani is one of 19 co-defendants, including the former president, in Fulton County, Ga. District Attorney Fani Willis' sprawling RICO indictment, which alleges that the group conspired to overturn Trump's electoral defeat in the state in 2020. The former New York mayor faces 13 charges including conspiracy to commit false statements and writings, soliciting a public officer to violate their oath and conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer for his role in the scheme. He has pleaded not guilty. Giuliani is also described as one of the unindicted co-conspirators in Trump's federal election interference case. The New York Times reported Thursday that federal prosecutors have been asking witnesses about Giuliani's drinking habits and the former president's awareness of his alleged inebriation while Giuliani advised him. Every year, a number of U.S. citizens choose to renounce their citizenship. They pay a fee, make a formal statement to officials, sign documents and hand in their passports. For centuries, this renunciation process was free. The first required fee was introduced in 2010 and set at $450. In 2014, this fee was increased to $2,350 where it has remained since. Now several former U.S. citizens have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government saying the $2,350 they were required to pay to give up their citizenship was an astronomical fee. The U.S. government described the higher fee as being at cost. The four ex-citizens are arguing that the fee violates their natural right to expatriate, according to a class-action lawsuit filed Oct. 4 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The four are now citizens of Germany, the Netherlands and France. Their lawsuit says the fee required for giving up U.S. citizenship was excessive ... arbitrary, capricious and illegal because it was used to fund governmental functions completely unrelated to renunciation services. The lawsuit follows a proposal from the U.S. Department of State on Oct. 2 to lower the required fee for renouncing U.S. citizenship. The proposed rule would lower this fee from the current at cost amount of $2,350 to the below-cost amount of $450, according to the document published in the Federal Register. The State Department said processing peoples request to give up their U.S. citizenship has always been extremely costly. The process is necessarily time consuming and involves safeguards to ensure the renunciation is both voluntary and intentional, officials wrote. The department said it is lowering the required renunciation fee because of public concerns about its cost and an increase in the difficulties faced by U.S. citizens living abroad due to changes in financial reporting laws. Those who give up their U.S. citizenship are not required to explain their motivation. However, the State Departments anecdotal evidence suggests renunciation can be linked to the financial requirements imposed on U.S. citizens abroad. The U.S. has a citizenship-based tax system meaning that U.S. citizens must pay taxes regardless of where in the world they live. As part of this system, the government imposed stricter financial reporting requirements on foreign financial institutions with whom U.S. nationals have an account beginning in 2010, the State Department said. Rachel Heller, one of the ex-citizens suing the U.S. government, summarized her experience paying taxes to NBC News. (Paying taxes) was far more complicated for people living overseas, Heller told the outlet. And the threatened fees if you did it wrong or left something off by mistake were so high that I got really paranoid about trying to do it myself. Esther Jenke, another one of the ex-citizens involved in the lawsuit, expressed a similar sentiment to The Guardian. Americans abroad are treated as criminals and tax evaders, when most of us are just normal people who just live outside U.S. borders, she told the outlet. The former citizens are suing for a refund of $1,900 for themselves and others who paid the higher renunciation fee, according to the lawsuit. The State Department is accepting comments on its proposed rule to lower the renunciation fee until Nov. 1. Comments can be submitted via the Regulations.gov website or by email at fees@state.gov. The implementation will be determined after this input period. The Office of Legal Affairs could not be reached for comment. The U.S. Department of State does not comment on pending litigation. Fake immigration worker scams people applying for citizenship in Texas, feds say Mexican citizen used US mans identity since 1992, stole thousands in benefits, feds say Man swam from Canada to US to steal gun from Michigan pawn shop, authorities say The former University of Southern California gynaecologist who allegedly sexually abused hundreds of female students on campus has died. Dr George Tyndall , 76, was set to go on trial next year accused of inappropriate touching and harassment during examinations at the private Los Angeles universitys health clinic. He was found dead at his home in the city on Wednesday, his lawyer told The Los Angeles Times. USC has paid $1.1bn to settle claims made against it, the largest payout in higher education history. Tyndall treated thousands of women during his 27-year tenure at the university. He got away with it. Spent almost no days in jail. Caused untold suffering to hundreds, if not thousands, of students at USC. ..... Im at a loss to explain this to my clients, John Manly, one of the lead attorneys in the civil lawsuits, told the newspaper. Tyndalls lawyer, Leonard Levine, said that a female friend had found Tyndall in bed and unresponsive when she visited his condo. She had gone there after he failed to pick up the telephone. From the very beginning, Dr Tyndall had adamantly denied every one of the charges against him. All he ever wanted was his day in court, which he was confident would end in his complete exoneration, Mr Levine said. Now, neither he nor his accusers will get that, and that is very unfortunate for everyone involved. A University of Southern California campus gynecologist accused of preying on patients for nearly three decades was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday, according to his attorney. George Tyndall was awaiting trial on 35 criminal counts of sexual assaulta fraction of the more than 17,000 potential victims cited in a series of lawsuits that resulted in settlements exceeding $1 billion. Tyndall was the only full-time gynecologist at USCs student health clinic from 1989 to 2016, according to the Los Angeles Times, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 2019 for its investigation into Tyndall. He treated some 20,000 people during his first 10 years at the university, USC said in a civil court filing. USC grad Daniella Mohazab, a patient who claimed Tyndall assaulted her in 2016, said reports of the 76-year-olds demise came as welcome news. I wish death on no one, but I do hope that without his presence on this Earth, I and many of his other survivors, can find peace in knowing that he is gone, Mohazab said in a statement provided to The Daily Beast by lawyer Gloria Allred , whose firm is representing more than 70 Tyndall victims in civil proceedings. Mohazab testified at a preliminary hearing in Tyndalls criminal trial, and was prepared to take the stand again, according to Allred. The news of his death is a shock to many of his victims, Allred said in her own statement. Previously, they were happy that he would have to face justice at his trial. If he was convicted of the numerous felonies for which he was charged, many victims wanted to provide a victim impact statement so that Dr. Tyndall would understand the harm that they suffered as a result of his crimes against them when they were his patients and he was their OB/GYN at U.S.C. Attorney Gloria Allred (C) with University of Southern California (USC) students Daniella Mohazab (L) and Anika Narayanan (R). MARK RALSTON A close female friend became concerned on Wednesday after Tyndall failed to pick up the phone, defense lawyer Leonard Levine, who was representing Tyndall in his criminal case, told the L.A. Times. The friend eventually managed to get into Tyndalls condo and found him in bed, unresponsive, according to Levine. From the very beginning, Dr. Tyndall had adamantly denied every one of the charges against him, Levine said. All he ever wanted was his day in court, which he was confident would end in his complete exoneration. Now, neither he nor his accusers will get that, and that is very unfortunate for everyone involved. Levine said he notified the court of Tyndalls death and that he will submit his clients death certificate at the next scheduled hearing in the criminal case. There was no evidence of foul play or suicide, Levine told the Associated Press. The ghastly allegations against Tyndall first emerged in a 2018 L.A. Times article, which said USC knew for years about the doctors misconduct but had never reported it to patients or to the state medical board. The complaints stretched back to the 1990s; concerned colleagues later sensed that Tyndall had begun setting his sights on USCs increasing number of students from China, who, according to the Times, often had a limited understanding of the English language and American medical norms. Tyndall was finally suspended until 2016, when a USC nurse reported him to the campus rape crisis center. He was allowed to resign the following year, with a generous severance payout. In response to the Times expose, USC argued that it had not been under any obligation to report the accusations against Tyndall, but that it should have done so. The university finally lodged a complaint in March 2019 with the Medical Board of California, after Tyndall asked for his job back. He surrendered his medical license that September. If he had been convicted at trial, Tyndall faced up to 64 years in prison. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The grassroots organizations End Citizens United (ECU) and Let America Vote (LAV) endorsed President Bidens reelection campaign Thursday, the combined group first told The Hill. End Citizens United, which advocates for curtailing the power of outside money in politics, and Let America Vote, which is focused on fighting voter suppression, said their endorsement for Biden and Vice President Harris is due to their dedication to voting rights legislation. Legislation such as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act aim to end the dominance of big money in politics and partisan gerrymandering and strengthen ethics rules, but have been stagnant in the GOP-controlled House after bipartisan negotiations fell apart last Congress. Our democracy is facing a clear and present dangerone that demands our collective attention and commitment to action, ECU and LAV president Tiffany Muller told The Hill in a statement. The rise of Republican election denialism, dark money groups, and corruption threaten the very foundation of our nation. President Biden and Vice President Harris share these concerns and have consistently championed reforms to address these critical issues. Their endorsement comes as the bipartisan group No Labels has floated the idea of a third-party candidate to take on Biden and former President Trump, the current Republican front-runner, in the 2024 race. No Labels has been widely criticized as a dark money organization that is backed by corporate donations, and Muller last week bashed the group in an op-ed for setting up a new political party as a dark money group. Some Democrats also fear a third-party candidate would take more votes away from Biden than Trump. President Biden and Vice President Harris have dedicated their careers to public service and championing middle-class families. Their North Star is always whats best for the American people and our democracyunlike MAGA Republicans who continue to serve special interests, corporations, and the ultra-wealthy, Biden-Harris 2024 campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez said in a statement first obtained by The Hill. Rodriguez added that Biden and Harris are honored to be endorsed by End Citizens United (ECU) and proud to continue the fight for a stronger, more transparent democracy for all. ECU and LAV also endorsed Biden for president in 2020. Biden has said he would work to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which lifted restrictions on independent expenditures to political campaigns by corporations, and that he would institute automatic and same-day voter registration and incentivize states to automatically restore voting rights for felons who have served their time. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Justice Department has directed an FBI special agent not to testify before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee in a dispute over the agents request to have both his personal lawyer and a Justice Department attorney present during his deposition, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN. In a letter obtained exclusively by CNN, the department on Wednesday accused the Republican-led committee of needless escalation of a routine matter, as the Biden administration and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, a Republican, battle over GOP claims that the FBI played a role in social media suppressing a story about Hunter Bidens laptop in 2020. At issue is whether Elvis Chan, an FBI special agent whose work focuses on cybersecurity and foreign influence on social media, can be forced to be deposed before Congress without being accompanied by both a Justice Department attorney and his personal lawyer. This is the first time since Republicans took over the House this year that DOJ has directed an employee not to appear before Congress under subpoena, opening the door for the committee to move forward with holding Chan in contempt of Congress. Everything is on the table for Mr. Chan, including contempt, Judiciary spokesperson Russell Dye told CNN. In its letter to the committee, DOJ argues that under the law, government employees are allowed to be accompanied by agency attorneys during a congressional deposition. The letter says that Chan would not cooperate with the panels subpoena unless a DOJ attorney is allowed to accompany him along with his personal attorney. But the Republican-led committee claims that under House rules, Chan cannot have both counsels present for a deposition. A line included in House Judiciary rules stipulates that a witness may be accompanied at a deposition by two designated personal, nongovernmental attorneys to advise them of their rights. That rule contradicts a 2019 legal memo from the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel stating that Congress may not constitutionally prohibit agency counsel from accompanying agency employees called to testify about matters that potentially involve information protected by executive privilege. The dispute could set up a separation of powers standoff over which takes precedent House rules or Justice Department legal opinion. Chan is the first DOJ witness trying to bring both agency and personal counsel to an interview under this Congress, but there are many examples of this happening in the last Congress when the House was under Democratic control, two sources familiar with the matter tell CNN. Nobody who has ever been subpoenaed who requested agency counsel has ever been denied agency counsel, a senior Democratic aide familiar with congressional investigations told CNN. Months of negotiations Jordan has wanted to speak to Chan for months as part of House Republicans investigations of what they claim is government-ordered censorship, including allegations that Chan told Twitter to block users from sharing a 2020 New York Post story containing material from a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden. The DOJ and the Republican-led Judiciary Committee have been going back and forth for months over securing Chans testimony. Chan was supposed to appear voluntarily before the committee on September 15. But when the panel found out Chan was planning to bring both his agency and personal counsel, the interview fell apart and the committee promptly issued a subpoena. Larry Berger, an attorney representing Chan, says that his client has from the beginning requested that two attorneys be present during his interview a private attorney to represent his personal interests and an agency counsel to represent the interests of the Justice Department and the FBI. There is no reason in logic or law that allows the committee to refuse his personal choice, Berger told CNN. This is an utterly arbitrary decision without basis in law or rule. Berger has represented federal agents in dozens of interviews over the years with congressional committees and says Chans request is standard and it has never been an issue for other witnesses in congressional investigations. Mr. Chan remains ready, willing and able to show up on a voluntary basis to provide the information they want, Berger added. We respect the role of Congress but they shouldnt be interfering with choice of counsel. Despite telling Chan not to show up for Thursdays deposition, the Justice Department stated in its October 3 letter that it will still make Chan available to testify voluntarily with his agency and personal counsel present. No evidence of FBI directive In February, former Twitter executives acknowledged to lawmakers that the social media company erred when it temporarily suppressed a New York Post story regarding Hunter Bidens laptop in October 2020, but the officials emphasized there was no government involvement in the decision With a poster of a New York Post front page story about Hunter Biden's emails on display, Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer and Rep. Jim Jordon listen during a hearing before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee at Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on February 8 in Washington, DC. - Alex Wong/Getty Images A CNN investigation last year found no evidence that the FBI explicitly told Twitter to suppress the story. In fact, the opposite view emerged from sworn testimony given by Chan. And in interviews with CNN, half a dozen tech executives and senior staff, along with multiple federal officials familiar with the matter, all denied any such directive was given. In its October 3 letter, DOJ argued that a congressional subpoena pertaining to a government employees official duties cannot constitutionally be enforced without the presence of agency counsel. In the letter, DOJ Assistant Attorney General Carlos Felipe Uriarte added that the underlying principles that inform the Departments position are longstanding across administrations. Every other Department employee who has appeared before the Committee during this Congress has appeared with agency counsel. In his subpoena letter to Chan last month, Jordan contended, the Constitution affords the House the authority to determine its own rules and procedures. The committee argued that its interest in Chan deviates from agency interests, and that having agency counsel could hinder the interview. The Committee has information that suggests you were not fully candid in your sworn deposition in federal litigationa deposition during which you were represented by Department counsel and a matter in which you face personal liability in a manner that departs from the FBIs and Departments institutional interests, Jordan wrote in his subpoena letter. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com How low will Trump go? Donald Trump , living life like a limbo contest at a drunken frat party; the lower he goes, the louder his pals cheer. Call for the execution of a decorated military leader? Low. Toss out the name and picture of a court clerk to the mob for the purpose of intimidation? Lower still. Telling staff to keep disabled veterans away from his parades and events because it makes him look bad? Rock bottom. But why stop with these examples? Choose from many other of his posts, comments, asides and ramblings when you play the home version of How low can he go. Because with Trump, theres no telling. Ross DeAeth, Lexington Unyielding support What in the name of God does former President Donald Trump have to do to make his supporters have second thoughts about him? Shoot and kill somebody on 5th Avenue? His supporters would immediately come to his defense if he did that without knowing the what, why, when, where, and how, of the situation. The man cant help himself. He is the most self-destructive person on the planet right now. His need for attention and the need to be in the spotlight is killing him. The things he has admitted to these past few days reaffirms what everybodys already thinking. That Trump is crazy as hell. I mean, the man is way out there, living in his own alternative universe where everything is what he says it is. Everything he says in front of a camera will be played in court and used as evidence against him. If I were Trumps lawyer, he would have to pay me double. Yolanda Averette, Lexington Debt problems In a recent op-ed, It isnt hopeless. We can fix our debt, deficit problems, former U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) had a number of conceptual and technical errors about the U.S. monetary system. They describe investments in Treasuries as debt owed to foreigners and describe Social Security as a system of payments that could go insolvent. There are other errors, like the ones above, that ignore how the Federal Reserve manages the banking system. One is that the government must spend (or lend) before dollars can be either taxed or saved. For more on the spending/taxing sequence, the tie between interest rates and inflation, and other insights, start with Warren Mosler and Stephanie Kelton. Mosler wrote the MMT White Paper and is (one of) the theoreticians of Modern Monetary System. Kelton wrote The Deficit Myth. The monetary system as conceived in the Constitution and managed by Congress should be used as a public utility for public purpose. Understanding the nature, practices, and constraints of our system is the only way to discern the veracity of claims and proposals from politicians like Portman and Conrad. Todd Kelly, Lexington Front cover of the book My Old Kentucky Home: The Astonishing Life and Reckoning of an Iconic American Song written by author Emily Bingham. The book was published by the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Song criticism Most of us have heard the criticisms of Kentuckys state song, My Old Kentucky Home. Sure enough, we know this song was used in black-face minstrel shows about 180 years ago and also sung in racially insensitive movies 80 to 90 years ago. Im not a historian but I suspect Stephen Foster did not write this song for those purposes and it seems to me most Kentuckians do not see the song that way, either. So, those abuses do not define My Old Kentucky Home for us. We see that the song is the story of the fictional Uncle Tom in the novel Uncle Toms Cabin. He endures the cruelties of slavery in the hope of meaningfully practicing the non-violence of Jesus. His ability to find meaning in his life is very hard to understand. Whether or not, he accomplishes his purpose is a matter of generations of debate. Maybe that is the point of the story and the song. Non-violence practices in the face of over-whelming power are counterintuitive. Its hard for us to understand the fictional character, Uncle Tom, but deep down inside we know that we have to keep trying until we get it. Tom Louderback, Louisville Racial aggression While talking with Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, who is black, white school board member Thomas E. Jones made a remark about officials monkeying around with the budget. He was called out for racial microaggression. Jones acknowledged his wrong. He apologized for it, agreed to undergo equity training and asked for forgiveness. Calling Black People monkeys is stamped in our nations history, and our school officials are on alert for such microaggressionsthose small actions that oppress. If Jones had said to Superintendent Liggins, You are going to monkey this budget up, then school officials would have a sharper incident that Jones harbors racists tendencies. Nevertheless, I hope administrators dont get so carried away fighting microaggressions that they create a new repression, where board members fear careless comments could get in the way of fixing Lexingtons lowest performing schools, addressing concerns about central office staff spending, or solving teacher shortages. You get the picture. Jim Kurz, Lexington Dsyfunctional Congress Congress has become completely dysfunctional. The partisan battles over the budget and debt ceiling have damaged our countrys reputation internationally. The concern over spending and the budget is legitimate. The lack of communication, bipartisan cooperation, or compromise impede any real progress in the House of Representatives. There is a solution which has been overlooked like an elephant in the room. Removing the Trump tax cuts for corporations and the very wealthy would infuse money into the government coffers paying down the debt and funding appropriations (including the IRS). Nearly every person in the country must file and pay taxes or face penalties. Why should this segment be exempt? The myth of the trickle down economics has been around since the Reagan administration, but has only benefited the wealthy. The disparity between the incomes of average Americans and the very wealthy is larger than ever. If Congress would put the good of the nation over partisanship, this tax cut would be reversed. The wealthy should fulfill their part in funding our country. Cheryl Keenan, Lexington LexTran has adopted new rules. Elitist paratransit LexTrans new rules for Wheels paratransit patrons are appallingly ABLIST, ELITIST, and inefficient. Shopping parcels and laundry are limited to only what the patron (or an assistant if they have one) can carry. Drivers will no longer be able to assist. Tell me how this works for people using wheel chairs, walkers, or other mobility aids, folks who have weight limitations on what they can lift/carry, or who have debilitating arthritis. If a person can only manage one or two grocery bags per trip, this means more trips clogging the already packed Wheels scheduling. Talk about stupid! Time for disabled persons is just as precious as for anyone else. Due to existing problems since RaptDEV took over last October, a round trip to the grocery can already take up to six hours including wait and bizarre ride times. A trip to a food pantry generously means quite a few bags a lifeline for people whose rent and utilities strip their budget. LexTrans new rule is disgustingly elitist. It will prevent those who are disabled and in need of food assistance from getting food they need. None of this is acceptable. Betsy Packard, Lexington Compiled by Liz Carey Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said they have not monitored any threat to the holding of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan. Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Thursday said the PCG will help secure the deployment of ballots and peaceful conduct of elections, especially in the town part of Spratly Islands. "Sa [In] Kalayaan, which happens to be a municipality of the province of Palawan, hindi masyadong ganun ang tensyon doon o ganun ang problema doon [the tension or problem there is low]," Garcia said. "Wala tayong masyadong nakikitang [We don't see so much] problem sa distribution, shipment and logistical problem when it comes to election paraphernalia," he added. PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu echoed the poll body chief's statement which was made following recent maritime incidents involving Chinese vessels in disputed waters. "So far wala naman po kaming nakikita," he said. "But alam natin ang preparasyon natin ay dapat laging mas malamang. Ang ating kahandaan ay dapat mas lamang doon sa ating inaasahan. We are ready for any unforeseen events." [Translation: So far, we don't see any [problem] but we know that we have to be prepared. Our preparedness should always outweigh our expectations.] The PCG is on standby to assist the Comelec in case any issues surface in the deployment of official ballots and other election paraphernalia, especially in far-flung areas. "Sa bagay na yan diyan natin maaasahan ang suporta ng Coast Guard," Abu said. "Dahil ang pangako natin sa Commission on Elections, kung saan magkakaproblema mag-distribute ng balota andiyan ang Philippine Coast Guard." [Translation: We can rely on our Coast Guard regarding that matter. Our promise to the Commission on Elections, our Philippine Coast Guard will assist whenever problems arise in the distribution of ballots.] The poll body on Thursday also turned over P10 million to the PCG as part of its allocated budget for the conduct of the BSKE. Garcia said he believes the funds will be a huge boost for the PCG to fulfill its mandate. The PCG chief said the funds will mostly be used for its operations, being among the deputized law enforcement agencies during the polls. In August, the PCG and Comelec signed a deal to formalize their partnership in ensuring a peaceful, orderly and successful conduct of elections. Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Sean Snaith expects a slowdown or recession ahead for the national economy in late 2023/early 2024 but he said Florida is better prepared than before. The director of the University of Central Florida Institute for Economic Forecasting said in the institutions recently released forecast that he is unsure if it will rise to the level of a recession and it would come after a projected early 2022 recession the institute forecast and is waiting on data to confirm. However, he told Orlando Business Journal that Florida and the Orlando region are much better suited to weather this slowdown than the recessions in 2008-09 and 2020. Factors that bode well for both the state and metro area include the lack of a housing market collapse with prices rising for a different reason as well as population growth and a strong labor market. Read: Recall alert: Blood pressure medication recalled after oxycodone pill found on production line Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Claim: Data released by the Canadian government show that 74% of triple-vaccinated people now have a reduction in immune system performance known as Vaccine Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (VAIDS). Rating: Rating: False In early October 2023, a story from the anti-vaccine outlet The Expose went viral on social media and was shared by several conspiracy- or anti-vaccine focused influencers. Its claims were also picked up by junk news site The People's Voice, whose repost of the story came with the headline, "Canadian Gov't Admit 74% of Triple Vaccinated Now Have VAIDS." An Oct. 3, 2023, post on X, formerly Twitter, from former blender pitchman and vocal anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist David "Avocado" Wolfe interpreted a version of the same story as "74% of the population across Canada'' having "full-blown VAIDS." There are at least three reasons this claim is false or problematic. First, VAIDS (Vaccine Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is not an actual medical condition but was instead invented by the right-wing, pseudoscientific medical group America's Frontline Doctors. Second, the underlying data on which The Expose relies does not say what the outlet claims it says. Third, the story on which the October 2023 viral headlines and claim originate is not new The Expose published an identical article with the same headline (on a different URL) in March 2022. VAIDS Is Not Real Interest in the term "VAIDS" spiked the week of Dec. 5 to Dec. 11 2021, according to Google Trends. It was during this time, on Dec. 5, that America's Frontline Doctors put out a news release suggesting VAIDS was a potential risk of the just-released COVID-19 vaccines: Several times since then, various publications have run stories asserting that scientists have proven the existence of this condition, and each time that happens, experts have been marshaled to remind the internet that VAIDS is a made-up scare tactic. For example, in February 2022, Reuters provided this expert testimony: "There is no phenomenon that I know of 'Vaccine-induced immunodeficiency syndrome.' It is not a real syndrome," Donna Farber, chief of the Division of Surgical Sciences and Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at Columbia University, told Reuters via email. Likewise, Stephen Gluckman, MD, a professor of Infectious Diseases in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the medical director of Penn Global Medicine, told Reuters "VAIDS" is "absolutely not" a real condition. During a September 2023 flare-up of online claims about VAIDS, the Associated Press (AP) contacted Dr. Matthew Laurens, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and researcher at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development. He stated that: VAIDS is something that simply does not exist. [...] It is not found in the scientific literature. There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination leads to immunodeficiency. Data Used To Support Claims Are Misinterpreted The argument based on Canadian government data stems from the anti-vaccine outlet The Expose, which relies on an interpretation of data that is grossly inaccurate. That outlet asserted: Double vaccinated individuals across Canada had an immune system performance of -69.56% by the 27th Feb 22, but triple vaccinated individuals across Canada had an immune system performance of -80.56%. This is what Covid-19 vaccination has done to the people of Canada. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged. [...] Unfortunately, official Government of Canada data indicates that a large proportion of the double vaccinated and triple vaccinated population have now developed Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, (AIDS) or a novel condition with similar attributes that can only be described as Covid-19 Vaccine Induced Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (VAIDS). The Expose is misusing data on which it bases its central claim. It does this by conflating data on "vaccine effectiveness," which inherently wanes overtime, with something the publication calls "immune system performance," which it suggests represents the body's overall immune system but that is not discussed in the Canadian data at any point: These figures [from the Canadian government] show the average triple vaccinated Canadian has lost 72.96% of their immune system capability, meaning they are down to the last 27.04% of their immune system for fighting certain classes of viruses and certain cancers etc. [...]. And as we know, vaccine effectiveness (which is really immune system performance), is declining by the week. [...] And based on the following official figures on death, we propose that many double and triple vaccinated Canadian's [sic] have surpassed the minus-90% to minus-100% immune system performance barrier, meaning they have essentially developed some new form of Covid-19 vaccine induced Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The protection offered by a vaccine does wane over time, but to conflate this with an overall reduction in the totality of a person's immune system in general is a misuse of data. As the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said in a March 2022 email to fact-checking outlet Lead Stories, The Expose article "clearly misrepresents how vaccines and the immune system work": There is also no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines impair the immune system or increase the susceptibility of COVID-19-vaccinated individuals to other (non-SARS-CoV-2) viruses or any other pathogen. Many studies carried out by a myriad of independent research groups have consistently demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccines induce a robust immune response in vaccinated individuals and the fact that they are so protective against hospitalization and death from COVID-19 attests to the fact that the immune response is not impaired by these vaccines. Finally, This Is an Old Claim The "analysis" at the root of these viral VAIDS claims is invariably from the outlet The Expose, whose misuse of data to support bogus claims about vaccines Snopes has previously debunked. In this case, The Expose presented these claims about VAIDS as if it were a new story first published by the outlet on Oct. 1, 2023. In reality, this is is actually an identical copy of a story The Expose published on March 20, 2022: That outlet's claims are no more valid now than they were then. Because this old claim stems from a misrepresentation of data and the invention of a disease that the medical community does not recognize, we rate the claim about "VAIDS" cases as "False." Sources: "Canadian Gov't Admit 74% of Triple Vaccinated Now Have VAIDS." The People's Voice, 1 Oct. 2023, https://thepeoplesvoice.tv/canadian-govt-admit-74-of-triple-vaccinated-now-have-vaids/. Effectiveness of BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccination in Children and Adolescents . https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/151/5/e2022060894/191035/Effectiveness-of-BNT162b2-COVID-19-Vaccination-in. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. Expose, The. "Government of Canada Data Is Truly Terrifying; Suggesting the Triple Vaccinated Have Developed 'AIDS' & Are Now 5.1x More Likely to Die of Covid-19 than the Unvaccinated." The Expose, 1 Oct. 2023, https://expose-news.com/2023/10/01/gov-canada-data-triple-jabbed-have-a-i-d-s/. Fact Check: Canadian Govt Did NOT Publish Data That "Suggests" People Triple-Vaccinated For COVID-19 Developed AIDS, Are 5X More Likely To Die Of COVID Than Unvaccinated | Lead Stories. 23 Mar. 2022, https://leadstories.com/hoax-alert/2022/03/fact-check-canadian-government-did-not-publish-data-suggesting-people-triple-vaccinated-for-covid-19-have-developed-aids.html. "Fact Check-'VAIDS' Is Not a Real Vaccine-Induced Syndrome, Experts Say; No Evidence COVID-19 Vaccines Cause Immunodeficiency." Reuters, 11 Feb. 2022. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-vaids-fakes-idUSL1N2UM1C7. Official Government of Canada Data Is Truly Terrifying; It Suggests the Triple Vaccinated Have Developed AIDS & Are Now 5.1x More Likely to Die of Covid-19 than the Unvaccinated The Expose. 20 Mar. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220320085634/https://dailyexpose.uk/2022/03/20/gov-canada-data-triple-vaccinated-have-a-i-d-s/. Sommer, Will. "COVID-Denying Medical Group Implodes Over Founder's Extravagant Spending." The Daily Beast, 14 Nov. 2022. www.thedailybeast.com, https://www.thedailybeast.com/covid-misinformation-group-americas-frontline-doctors-implodes-over-dr-simone-golds-extravagant-spending. Vaccine Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (VAIDS): "We Should Anticipate Seeing This Immune Erosion More Widely" | America's Frontline Doctors. 6 Dec. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20211206192821/https://americasfrontlinedoctors.org/news/post/vaccine-acquired-immune-deficiency-syndrome-vaids-we-should-anticipate-seeing-this-immune-erosion-more-widely/. MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Thursday held out the possibility that Russia could resume nuclear testing for the first time in over three decades, withdrawing its ratification of a landmark test ban treaty. How many nuclear weapons tests have there been, why were they stopped - and why would anyone start them again? NUCLEAR AGE The United States opened the nuclear era in July 1945 with the test of a 20-kiloton atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico, in July 1945, and then dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 to end World War Two. The Soviet Union shocked the West by detonating its first nuclear bomb just four years later, in August 1949. In the five decades between 1945 and the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), over 2,000 nuclear tests were carried out, 1,032 of them by the United States and 715 of them by the Soviet Union, according to the United Nations. Britain carried out 45 tests, France 210 and China 45. Since the CTBT, 10 nuclear tests have taken place. India conducted two in 1998, Pakistan also two in 1998, and North Korea conducted tests in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 (twice) and 2017, according to the United Nations. The United States last tested in 1992, China and France in 1996 and the Soviet Union in 1990. Russia, which inherited most of the Soviet nuclear arsenal, has never done so. ENDING TESTING Concern mounted about the impact of the tests - above ground, underground and underwater - on human health and the environment. By limiting the Cold War bonanza of nuclear testing, advocates said, tensions could be reduced. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty bans nuclear explosions by everyone, everywhere. It was signed by Russia in 1996 and ratified in 2000. The United States signed the treaty in 1996 but has not ratified it. WHY WOULD YOU TEST AGAIN? To gather information - or to send a signal. Tests provide evidence of what any new nuclear weapon will do - and whether older weapons still work. In 2020, the Washington Post reported that the administration of U.S. president Donald Trump had discussed whether or not to conduct a nuclear test. Apart from providing technical data, such a test would be seen in Russia and China as a deliberate assertion of U.S. strategic power. Putin said in February 2023, a year after ordering an invasion of neighbour Ukraine, that if the United States resumed nuclear testing, Russia would too as the two powers had their biggest confrontation in decades. On Thursday, Putin made a point that unlike Russia, the U.S. had not ratified the CTBT. And he said that the Russian parliament, which is completely loyal to him, might want to withdraw ratification too: "I am not ready to say whether we really need to conduct tests or not, but it is possible theoretically to behave in the same way as the United States." (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Grant McCool) FILE - Islamist party leader and parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi speaks during a meeting in Tunis, Tunisia, on Oct. 3, 2019. Family members of jailed lawyers and politicians, including Ghannouchi, in Tunisia want the International Criminal Court to investigate claims of political persecution and human rights violations as an increasing number of President Kais Saied's opponents are arrested and several in prison stage hunger strikes. Jailed dissidents' sons and daughters in The Hague, Netherlands, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, will announce plans to pursue action at the court. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi, File) TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) Family members of seven imprisoned Tunisian opposition figures took their quest for justice on Thursday to the International Criminal Court, announcing plans to ask the tribunal to investigate claims of political persecution and human rights violations by President Kais Saied 's administration. Tunisia's opposition is increasingly denouncing Saied's authoritarian drift, saying it amounts to a rollback of gains made since the 2011 Arab Spring protests that swept the Middle East. In Tunisia, the uprising ushered in a constitutional overhaul and democratic reforms. However, Saieds government has cracked down on opponents and jailed dissidents, including opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi and former lawmaker Said Ferjani. Members of the families petitioning the ICC described his rule as a devastating return to a pre-Arab Spring autocracy where dissidents were imprisoned and tortured. It's sad to see, said Yusra Ghannouchi, the daughter of the imprisoned 82-year-old opposition leader. Her father was on a three-day hunger strike earlier this week. We have to call on the world not to turn a blind eye to these violations and not to support dictatorships," she said at The Hague. "We are also here to send a message to democratic nations and to European governments not to support and legitimize Kais Saied. Seventeen other prominent dissidents have recently staged hunger strikes from prison, with several still ongoing. Jawhar Ben Mbarek, the head of the leading anti-Saied coalition, continues his open-ended hunger strike. The family members made a similar case to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights earlier this year and have also petitioned the United States and United Kingdom for sanctions against the Tunisian government. You are transported back to when you were a child and you saw him in prison ... times you couldnt speak to him because the torture was so bad that he was in a coma, Kaouther Ferjani said of her father, who was also imprisoned during a 1987 crackdown. As bad as it was back then, I got to see my dad, she added, saying that he has now only been granted permission to see his attorney and nobody else. The two daughters told reporters about the increasing number of judges, politicians, journalists and prominent opposition figures being arrested. According to their tally, at least 42 prominent figures have been jailed. Many face sweeping charges of endangering state security. The petition at the ICC is intended to draw further attention to Tunisia's increasingly repressive political landscape since it revised the constitution in 2021, allowing Saied to expand his powers, freeze out the parliament and rule largely by decree. As the country's economy sinks, Saied's government has jailed critics from across the political spectrum right, left, Islamist and secular. It has also drummed up animosity against sub-Saharan African migrants that has often escalated to violence. "He is using a populist discourse that demonizes and seeks to feed hatred and division, whether it is against foreigners or in the treatment of sub-Saharan migrants or among Tunisians themselves," said Jaza Cherif, the son of scholar and activist Chaima Issa. Issa was recently released and placed under house arrest. More than 20 Saied opponents have languished in prison since February. The group's lawyer, Rodney Dixon, said the families filed what's called an Article 15 submission on Thursday, providing the court's prosecutor documents that outline claims of at least one of the four crimes it pursues genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or crimes of aggression. Anyone can file such a claim with the court for review. Though they're a significant channel for the ICC, few cases progress to the level of extensive investigations. Still, the petitions such as the one Thursday by the Tunisian families "provide a unique channel ... to bring the prosecutors attention to alleged crimes, said Maria Elena Vignoli, Human Rights Watch's senior international justice counsel. On Tuesday, former right-wing lawmaker Abir Moussi, another prominent Saied opponent, was detained while trying to file a complaint at Carthage Palace, the Tunisian president's headquarters. On Tuesday, her lawyer Nafaa Laribi told TAP, Tunisia's official news agency, that he did not know why she was being detained for 48 hours. A group of lawyers representing Chaouachi and four other dissidents aid in a statement this week that the legal process deprives prisoners of their freedom without presenting any justification for the accusations made against them. ___ Metz reported from Rabat, Morocco. PORT ST. LUCIE Gabriella "Gabi" Hanley was described as a "great mother," someone who looked after others and was trying to better herself for her young daughter, family members said. She was an amazing person. If you were sick, she would be the first person to call, check on you every day, Hanleys cousin, Krystle Benitez, said in a recent interview. Just to make sure you're OK. Hanley, 20, died early Oct. 6, 2021, shortly after being shot the night before along with her then 21-year-old boyfriend in a vehicle on Southeast Green River Parkway east of U.S. 1. The mans injuries were not fatal. Gabriella Hanley Port St. Lucie Police went to the area after a report late Oct. 5 of possible gunfire. Officers found a black vehicle pulled off the road facing south on Southeast Green River Parkway between Southeast Melaleuca Boulevard and Southeast Charleston Drive. We believe the vehicle at some point was followed by the suspects and gunfire was opened on the vehicle which resulted in the injuries and ultimately the death of the female victim, then Assistant Police Chief Richard Del Toro said at the time. Less than two weeks after the shooting, police reported identifying three persons of interest in the case, one of whom was a juvenile. No arrests have been made in connection with the fatal shooting, police said. Hanleys mother, Nicole Vigilante, 49, said her daughter was born in New Jersey, though came to Florida in 2004 when she was 3 years old. Hanley, an only child, attended Jensen Beach High School, and was working after high school. She always looked after others, Vigilante said. She always put everybody first then herself. Hanley was involved in cheerleading while growing up and enjoyed hanging out with friends and was a social person, Vigilante said. Benitez, 38, expressed disappointment with the investigation, and how the case is proceeding. She noted the lack of an arrest. That's our frustration with the Port St. Lucie Police Department, the detectives, the state attorney's office, she said. We feel like we've been lied to so many times, and so many false promises about getting justice for Gabriella. Police stated investigators continue working on the Hanley homicide case, noting it is an active investigation. Assistant State Attorney Brian Workman could not comment. It is still an active investigation, and because of that, I cant really answer questions about it, Workman said. Hanleys daughter, Jayana, was 14 months old at the time of the shooting. She is being cared for by family members. Until my last breath, I will keep on fighting for justice for her, Benitez said. I want her daughter to know that the people responsible for her mother not being here with her are behind bars. A Justice for Gabi petition on Change.org was started Sept. 7. We call upon local authorities, including law enforcement agencies and judicial bodies, to reexamine all aspects of this case without prejudice or favoritism towards any party involved, the petition states. Benitez said Hanley wasnt involved in gangs or related activities. She worked, she was going to school. She was trying to better her life for her daughter, Benitez said. She was a mom, and a daughter. She's all my aunt had left. Those with information about the Hanley homicide are asked to call detectives at 772-871-5001. Charges dropped. But for good?: Update in big fentanyl case in St. Lucie County Homicide update: St. Lucie County slaying victim ID'd as 33-year-old man Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Gabriella Hanley was fatally shot in October 2021 in Port St. Lucie Classmates of a local student who was killed in a crash on Monday are gathering Thursday on what would have been his 18th birthday. Sherman Vannoy was riding his bike to school when a bus attempting to turn into the school drive hit him. The crash happened on North Hancock Road just at an entrance to Lake Minneola High School. Watch: Students remember Lake Minneola high school student killed in bus crash After Vannoy was hit by the bus he was taken to a hospital where he died. The Lake County school district said the bus driver has been put on leave and will no longer be driving buses for the district. Watch: Lake Minneola student killed in bus crash remembered at football game A growing memorial to Vannoy now sits as the crash site. Investigators said they are still investigating the crash as an active traffic homicide. Read: Orange County Public Schools offering bonuses for new, current bus drivers The community is planning to honor Vannoy on Thursday night at 8 p.m. with a candlelight vigil. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. (WTAJ) The brown bears at Katmai National Park in Alaska have spent the last few months packing on the pounds, all in preparation for the annual Fat Bear Competition. Well, theyve actually just been preparing for hibernation. But either way, its almost time to vote for your favorite heavyweight. Each year the bears fill up on fish, berries, nuts and more to gain weight and get ready for the cold winter. And boy can those bears can get pretty tubby. In celebration of their chub, the National Park Service has started a Fat Bear Week competition. The bears go head-to-head and fans get to vote on who they think has bulked up the most. National parks will be free to visit on these days in 2023 The 2023 competition kicks off on Oct. 4 and goes through Oct. 10. This is a single-elimination tournament. For each match-up, youll vote for the bear you believe best exemplifies fatness. The bear with the most votes advances to the next round. At the end of the competition, one bear will be crowned the champion of Fat Bear Week. Take a look at the bears in this years competition: The 2023 contenders were announced on Oct. 2. You can check out the before and after photos and pick your favorite here. Make sure to keep up with the brackets and vote every day for who you think has packed on the most pounds ahead of winter. Past champions and beloved competitors Since 2014, Katmai National Park has held the competition in celebration of the fuzzy fatties and the hard work theyve put into getting ready for winter. Otis Otis is one of the most prolific winners and also one of the oldest males that arrive in spring at Brooks River, according to Explore. He won in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2021. At his preferred fishing spots, Otis waits for salmon to come to him. He once ate 42 salmon in a sitting by using this strategy. Despite the difficulties and rigors of old age, Otis uses his adaptability, skill, and patience to find success. 747 747, The Jumbo Jet, Bear Force One. He goes by many names and its safe to say he has worked hard to get to his current figure. According to Explore, he may have weighed up to 1,400 pounds last year and was first identified in 2004. He is a skilled and efficient angler who is found fishing most often in the jacuzzi or near the far pool of Brooks Falls. Hes a two-time champion having won in 2020 and 2022. 435 (Holly) The men arent the only formidable fighters for Fat Bear Week. 435 a.k.a Holly is a large adult female that was first seen in 2001. Since then, she has reared several litters of cubs and in the process has become one of the most experienced bears at Brooks River, according to Explore. She took the crown in 2019 and successfully raised several litters of cubs. You can read more about the bears at Brooks Rivers here. You can also take a gander into their daily life through the bear cams. There are fan favorites, past champions and just some really big bears in this competition. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Just like the brown bears motto of every bite counts, every vote counts. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Derek and Nancy Johnson are pictured here with their daughter, Mia, and son, Jacob. Authorities say that Nancy killed the two children and herself on Sept. 28. | Kendra Bandock, GoFundMe The estranged husband of the woman who, authorities say, killed her two children and herself in an apparent murder-suicide last week has spoken out about the tragedy on a GoFundMe page. Derek Johnsons children, Mia, 5, and Jacob, 2, were drowned by his estranged wife, Nancy Johnson, on Sept. 28 in Semmes, Alabama, authorities say. According to Fox 10 News, Nancy and Derek had been going through a tumultuous divorce. In a note on a GoFundMe page organized by his sister, Derek shared a tribute to his children and explained that his wife had been struggling with mental illness. I loved Mia, Jacob and Nancy so much, he wrote. Nancy had been struggling with mental issues and was having an identity crisis since the pandemic started. She let the teaching and rumors of the world consume her and no matter how I tried to help her she pushed me away and I could not force her to get help. Nancy and Derek Johnson had been embroiled in a bitter custody battle. Semmes Police Chief Todd Freind told Fox 10 that the two had called the police on each other several times in the last few months. Fox 10 additionally reported that a Utah judge had granted Nancy a protection-from-abuse order against Derek in August, and Derek filed for divorce in Alabama shortly thereafter. According to reports, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch says autopsies on Nancy Johnson and the two children have been completed. We have been in a custody battle for the past 6 months and she kidnapped my kids for around 2.5 months, so I had no contact with them, Derek wrote in the GoFundMe explanation. They were suddenly taken from this world in the worst way possible around a day before I arrived back to the house. According to NBC 15, Derek Johnson had been staying in a camper in the backyard but had been working out of state when the murders occurred. The same outlet reported that he was the one who discovered the bodies and called the police. Johnson wrote on the GoFundMe site that he does not know when he will return to work and that he faces around $25,000 in debt and $1,800 in property taxes. Any help is appreciated, he wrote. I have (zero) motivation in life right now and cant function that well at the moment. Johnson added a tribute to his children, who he said filled his life with joy and happiness. The amount of happiness and love that emanated from Mia and Jacob was very apparent to all that they were around, he wrote on the GoFundMe page. Their future was so bright in every way possible. Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by phone or online chat. The recipient of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize is set to be announced by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday at 11 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET). From 1901 to 2022, the Peace Prize has been awarded 103 times to 140 people. It is one of six awards that were established by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel also the inventor of dynamitein 1895. The other awards categories recognize literature, physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and economic sciences. Last years peace prize was awarded to Belarusian human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski, as well as two human rights organizations: the Russian group Memorial and Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties. Its difficult to try to forecast what the committee is going to decide on at any given time in any given year, Dan Smith, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute think-tank, tells TIME. Its entertaining but its very hard to get a good result. The winner is ultimately chosen by the five-person Norwegian Nobel Committee, which is appointed by Norways Parliament. The committee bases its decision on nominations that were made by Jan. 31 from current and former committee members, national parliaments, governments, past Peace Prize laureates, professors in some disciplines, directors of peace and international affairs research centers, and members of international courts of law. With all that in mindand the caveat that past recipients have often been surprisingTIME has looked at odds from the Nicerodds.co.uk betting site as well as the annual shortlist by Henrik Urdal, the director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo. Urdals shortlist, which is widely studied each year, puts forward names based on meritbut it is not meant to be a list of predictions. He says it serves as a list of themes and candidates for the committee to consider and an indication of great initiatives for peace and stability. Volodymyr Zelensky Similarly to last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was named TIMEs Person of the Year in 2022, is the favorite at Nicer Odds. The Ukrainian President has as of writing odds of 3.20. Zelensky has been a major player on the world stage, rallying international allies to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. While bookies' odds favor Zelensky, experts are skeptical about his chances. Thats never going to happen, Urdal says. Despite the fact that Zelensky and Ukraine are fighting a just war, and we have every sympathy with their cause, it's going to be extremely difficult, I'd say impossible, for the Nobel Committee to give the prize to a person who is in the middle of an interstate war. Read More: Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Urge Allies to Help Ukraine 'Win Fast' Alexei Navalny Alexei Navalny is a 47-year-old Russian lawyer, activist, and opposition leader. He led large street protests against Putin and was leader of the Russia of the Future partybefore it was dismantled in 2021and founded the Anti-Corruption Foundation. Navalny survived an attempt on his life when he was poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020, and he has been imprisoned in a Russian penal colony for fraud and other charges since 2021. While Navalny is also a favorite among bookmakers, with odds of 8.60, Russian dissidents have claimed the prize for the last two years in a row and experts tell TIME that it's likely the committee will focus on other security issues this year. More From TIME Ilham Tohti According to bookmakers, Ilham Tohti is another possible recipient of the peace prize, with odds of 8.60. Prior to his imprisonment, Tohti was an economics professor at Beijings Minzu University, where he specialized in issues related to China's minority Uyghur community. He established UyghurOnline, a Chinese-language website dedicated to documenting the oppression and discrimination faced by the Muslim minority group. Two years later, authorities shut the site down. Tohti went missing after 2009 riots in Xinjiang between Uyghurs and Han Chinese. Tohti was released shortly after, but the academic and the Uyghur communitys most prominent activist was sentenced to life in prison in January 2014 for inciting separatism. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Like Navalny and Tothi, exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has odds of 8.60. Tsikhanouskaya ran for President in 2020 against Alexander Lukashenko, who has held the position since 1994; she put herself forward in place of her husband Sergei Tikhanovsky, who was jailed for 18 years in 2021 on multiple charges including the organization of riots. A leading voice for democracy, Tsikhanouskaya has been vocal about vote tampering and corruption in Belarus, sometimes calling for sanctions. As Lukashenko looked to suppress opposition voices after the 2020 contest, Tsikhanouskaya fled to Lithuania. She was tried in absentia and sentenced to 15 years in prison for high treason, inciting social hatred, attempts to seize power, and forming an extremist group, among other charges. International Court of Justice The ICJ is the main judicial organ of the U.Nit has odds of 9.60 on Nicer Odds, and is third on Urdals list. Urdal says the court could be recognized for its role as the main mechanism for solving conflicts between states. He adds that such a selection from the committee would point to the ICJ as an institutiton that should be protected and respected. Narges Mohammadi and Mahbouba Seraj In his 2023 shortlist, Urdal suggests that Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist and the vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, could be a strong contender in conjunction with Afghan journalist and women's right activist Mahbouba Seraj. Mohammadi has odds of 16.0 on Nicer Odds, while Serajs financial odds are slightly higher at 18.50, meaning she is less likely to win. Narges Mohammadi and Mahbouba Seraj have been contributing significantly to women's rights in two of the most repressive regimes when it comes to women's position in society, Urdal says of his top choice. Mohammadi, who has been in jail since 2016, has long advocated to abolish the death penalty in Iran. She was also elected President of the Executive Committee of the National Council of Peace in Iran. Seraj, who spent 26 years in exile until 2003, is fighting for childrens health, education, and womens rights in Afghanistan. She is the founder of the Afghan Women's Network and the Organization for Research in Peace and Solidarity. Other contenders Urdals shortlist also names Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, a Philippine-born indigenous rights activist, and Juan Carlos Jintiach, an Ecuadorian indigenous leader. Much like Smith, Urdal believes Indigenous peoples' link to the climate crisis is a theme that could be a priority for the committee this year. (Neither two are among the top-10 favorites listed on Nicer Odds.) Urdals shortlist also includes Myanmars Ambassador to the U.N. Kyaw Moe Tun and Myanmar's National Unity Consultative Council together for their roles in advocating for democracy in the southeast Asian country. Myanmar is now one of the most violent conflicts, says Urdal, but it also represents a very unfortunate development where we see military coups being staged in different parts of the world. Tun, who is based in New York, denounced the 2021 military coup in Myanmar and has made calls for other countries not to recognize the junta. Finally, Urdal has listed the Human Rights Data Analysis Group, which won Norways prestigious Rafto human rights prize last year. The nonprofit publishes scientific research on human rights violations around the world, from Colombia to Chad to Syria and more. Smith, of think-tank SIPRI, says there is a high chance of this years laureate being connected to climate solutions. He says Fridays for the Future, a youth-led global climate movement, would be a strong contender for the prize. (The group is not featured on Nicer Odds.) He says there is a good case for awarding the prize to an indigenous climate activist like Chief Raoni Metukire, a 91-year-old of the Kayapo people, alongside Friday's for the Future. Write to Armani Syed at armani.syed@time.com. The citys high-tech new system that detects gunshots and is designed to help police solve gun crimes went live this week. But already, an alert from ShotSpotter has become part of a state investigation into how a handcuffed man allegedly shot himself. I have so far reserved judgment on ShotSpotter. But I have to say this is not the debut the software needed. What little can be gleaned from Fayetteville Police Department information is as follows: More: Fayetteville City Council puts youth curfew on hold, looks at partnerships. That's a good thing. A shots-fired report from ShotSpotter led police officers to the 6900 block of Cliffdale Road late Sunday. Officers detained 29-year-old Lawrence Artis and reportedly found a gun on him. He was handcuffed after police say they determined he was a convicted felon who was not supposed to have a gun. Despite being cuffed, he was somehow able to reach for a second firearm concealed in his pants pocket and shot himself," shortly after midnight Monday. Three officers were placed on administrative duty per Police Department policy. An obvious question arises as to how a man handcuffed by police still managed to grab a gun. 'This is not for Fayetteville': Some unhappy after ShotSpotter's first public session Among other questions is who fired the shots picked up by ShotSpotters sensors? We may not know any answers for a while, with the probe into the matter out of local hands and in the hands of the State Bureau of Investigation. Fayetteville touts debut of gunshot detection This murky incident aside, the city touted the debut of the gun-detection system in a news release on Tuesday morning. The first days that the system is active will serve as the systems initial data collection period, the release states. Data collected will be displayed on the Fayetteville Police Departments website and routinely updated to provide transparency for all City residents. Jul 20, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, U.S.; Police use technology called Shotspotter, that detects when shots are fired in five neighborhoods around the city. The release said the gunshot detection, which went live Sept. 28, is being implemented along a portion of the Murchison Road corridor, in the Massey Hill area and a section of west Fayetteville, near Cliffdale and South Reilly Roads. It had a statement from Mayor Mitch Colvin: This is another tool our Fayetteville Police Department will have to help solve crimes ultimately keeping our residents safe. Police will be able to respond to shootings faster with more accuracy. As a council, were taking actions to address gun violence we are witnessing in our community. If a ShotSpotter alert hadnt sent officers to the area where Artis was found, he likely never would have been detained and the end result wouldn't have happened. If police found another shooting location, or have since tied Artis to whatever incident led to the gunshot detection, they have not said and are directing all questions to the SBI, which is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to its work. Special treatment for certain areas City Councilman Mario Benavente said the incident was troubling. He has opposed ShotSpotter from the start. One of his objections, he says, is that it is sold as a solution for too few people calling 911 but he said there has been no data produced that shows this is a particular problem in Fayetteville. He also says when officers respond to a site where gunshots were detected, anyone in that area is subject to being questioned or detained which he considers a suspension of an individual's 4th Amendment rights, an objection that has been raised by legal experts about other cities where the software is in use. He cites the case of Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old boy in Chicago who as soon as the police rolled up, he was shot and killed as a result of a ShotSpotter alert, Benavente says. Authorities said Toledo was holding a gun that another man had fired minutes earlier, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago would later drop the program. One of the local areas singled out for ShotSpotter coverage the Murchison Road area is located in Benaventes District 3. Previously: Fayetteville City Council votes to move ahead with controversial gunshot detection software In his view, the parts of the city chosen for gunshot detection would be better served by increased resources instead. These could include conflict resolution taught to young people at nearby rec centers and job programs like the internship program that Benavente proposed and the City Council supported at its work session on Monday night. He said some may object to any part of the city receiving special treatment over other parts. But he says the designated areas are already being singled out as special for extra surveillance. What is it about this area that makes it uniquely ripe for gun violence? he said is a question city staff can look at, a process he says that may require them to go door-to-door. That makes a lot of sense to me. The Massey Hill ShotSpotter area, for example, has a 15% unemployment rate and nearly half of its residents live below poverty, according to city staff analysis. A set of ears on targeted areas The sensors of ShotSpotter are essentially a set of ears placed throughout the targeted areas. A detailed Time magazine story on how the system works said people in a remote location (in the story it was in California) look at a bank of monitors, on the hunt for a pattern of soundwaves and sounds that indicate shots fired. It interviewed an analyst identified only as Jonathan for security purposes. Every one of those booms and bangs are routed to this cool, dimly lit room, Time writes. The acoustics analysts are trained to differentiate gunfire from similar sounds like construction noise or firecrackers. When gunshots are confirmed, they send an alert that could reach the cell phone of a cop near the scene in less than a minute. Its a weird feeling, Jonathan says of identifying gunfire. Its like you want to see one, but you dont. The city news release states: Alerts are sent within 60 seconds of a fired shot, notifying the department precisely when and where gun incidents occur, providing a quicker, more effective and efficient response to help save lives of gunshot victims and find critical evidence. A one-year contract I should note the technology is not cheap: It will cost the city $200,000 a year, an ongoing expense that will only grow if it chooses to add locations. The city entered into a one-year contract for ShotSpotter, a product of the SoundThinking company, which I think is a good way to approach it. We should know in a year whether the system is worth it, and whether it avoids any additional harm in the relationship between police and the community it surveils. An investigation may show that ShotSpotter worked exactly like it was supposed to just after midnight on Monday. Even so, I dont think that every concern raised by Benavente and others goes away. Myron B. Pitts The incident also illustrates that technology can only go so far. In the end, how officers engage with the public, including how they detain people they suspect of criminal activity, will decide whether their response is a case of "protect and serve" or something else. Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559. This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville gunshot detection system debuts. Is ShotSpotter worth it? Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The police officer who claimed in a viral video that the closure of a section of Commonwealth Avenue was for Vice President Sara Duterte's convoy was relieved from his post and is being probed for possible administrative liability, the Quezon City Police District confirmed on Thursday. A statement from Station 14 of the Quezon City Police District said the officer identified as PSgt. Pantallano stopped traffic for a few minutes "because of misleading information he overheard." "I have ordered the relief of my policeman and put him under investigation to determine administrative liability for his actions," said station commander PLtCol. May Genio. "We assure the public that this incident will not happen again." A netizen who was taking the video asked Pantallano the reason why vehicles were not allowed to pass. "May dadaan po tayong VIP [We have a VIP passing through]," the policeman was heard saying. When the netizen asked who it was, Pantallano said "si VP." The netizen asked "VP Sara?" to which the cop answered "oo [yes]." Among those who shared the video was former Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casino, whose post on X (formerly Twitter) has gotten 1.4 million views. "The said incident stemmed from a confusion and lapse in judgement of our policeman manning the traffic during that time," the statement from QCPD Station 14 stated. "It appears that our policeman overreacted when he stopped the traffic for a few minutes, because of misleading information he overheard," it also said, adding that the vice president had no engagement in the area. The statement also quoted Pantallano's apology. "Ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa aking maling nagawa," he said. "Patawarin nyo po ako, at akala ko po talaga may dadaan na VIP." [Translation: I am asking for forgiveness over what I did. Please forgive me, I really believed a VIP would be passing.] In a separate statement, Duterte said that neither she nor her office made a request to the QCPD. "The claims in the video are not only misleading, but false," she said. Duterte called on the QCPD to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. She also said the police officer involved as well as the QCPD district director should apologize. A statement from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) clarified that Duterte was in MIndanao and was not in any way involved in the incident. "The Vice President did not ask QCPD and will never ask government agencies, including law enforcement bodies, to carry out actions that would inconvenience the public or cause them harm," the OVP statement said. The same statement said apart from resolving the matter, the QCPD is expected to publicly disclose the VIP behind the road closure. WASHINGTON An alleged Jan. 6 participant who online sleuths dubbed "Conan O'Riot" due to his resemblance to former late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien was arrested by the FBI this week. Derek Nelson, who was an active-duty U.S. Marine from October 2011 to September 2015, was arrested in Champaign, Illinois, on Wednesday, according to federal court records. Along with his co-defendant, Derek Dodder of Nevada, 30-year-old Nelson faces four misdemeanor charges in connection with the U.S. Capitol attack. Online "Sedition Hunters" dubbed the redheaded Nelson #ConanORiot, using the hashtag to track his movements at the Capitol. The sleuths had identified Nelson more than two years ago, by the summer of 2021. Nelson was dressed up in colonial attire on Jan. 6, specifically "a brown tricorn hat along with a blue double-breasted button coat and red or maroon undershirt with a white scarf around his neck," according to the FBI. In one video cited by the FBI, filmed near the Washington Monument, where crowds had gathered to watch then-President Donald Trump 's speech, a videographer asks Nelson why he's there. "To start a revolution," Nelson said. "Why are you here? Redhead dubbed 'Conan O'Riot' by Jan. 6 sleuths arrested by FBI. (U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia) When the crowd descended on the Capitol, Nelson was near the front lines as a pro-Trump mob chased down outnumbered officers on the west side of the building, according to the FBI. Once inside the Capitol, Nelson wore goggles and a respirator mask, and video presented as evidence in another Jan. 6 case shows him running away after another rioter sets off a fire extinguisher near the doors to the House of Representatives, which were barricaded as members fled the violent mob. A federal magistrate judge in Illinois released Nelson on his own recognizance on Wednesday, ordered him not to travel outside the continental U.S. without court approval and banned him from possessing a firearm, destructive device, or other weapon. Nelson will make a virtual appearance before a federal judge in the nation's capital on Oct. 17. Nelson has been represented by an attorney since at least February 2022, according to the FBI. Nelsons attorney called the FBI special agent working the case after the special agent went to Nelsons home and left a business card in his front door mail slot last year, the FBI said. Redhead dubbed 'Conan O'Riot' by Jan. 6 sleuths arrested by FBI (U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia) On his podcast Conan OBrien Needs a Friend, O'Brien said after the attack that Jan. 6 was an upsetting day "for any sentient American" and singled out Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., for objecting to the certification of Joe Biden's presidential victory even after the Capitol was ransacked. "To watch Cruz and Hawley leave that lockdown and come back up and double-down on this idiocy, I think it's the angriest I've been since 'Schitt's Creek' went off the air," O'Brien joked. In a podcast last month, O'Brien riffed on what he joked was Donald Trump's biggest crime: the former president's impact on comedy. Im really going out on a limb here saying thats his greatest crime," O'Brien joked. "I think hes hurt political comedy by being so outlandish himself. I think the Jan. 6 thing is a blip compared to how much hes hurt comedy. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The FBI launched a billboard campaign Thursday to seek information about the unsolved 2004 homicide of a Black man in southeast Kansas, which agents suspect was a hate crime. Seven billboards going up throughout the greater Kansas City region ask for tips about the killing of 23-year-old Alonzo Brooks, who was found dead in a creek in La Cygne, Kansas, about an hour drive south of Kansas City. The billboards put up amid a national effort by the FBI to bring attention to hate crimes remind passerby that the agency is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Brooks death. Before Brooks, of Gardner in Johnson County, was found dead in April 2004, he attended a party at a farmhouse on the outskirts of the Linn County city of about 1,000 people. He was just one of three Black men at the party of 100 or more attendees, the FBI said. The friends Brooks arrived with left before he did, and he had no ride home. When Brooks didnt return home, his loved ones called the Linn County Sheriffs Office, which searched the area with other law enforcement agencies. The sheriffs deputies failed to find him. His body was found roughly a month after his disappearance when family and friends organized a search. The FBI noted that Brooks friends and relatives were able to find his body, partially on top of brush in Middle Creek, in just under an hour. Initially, a coroner in Linn County said he could not determine Brooks cause of death. But the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office in Kansas reopened the cold case in 2019 and exhumed his body the next year. His remains were taken to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where an armed forces medical examiner concluded that Brooks death was a homicide. The FBI encouraged anyone with information about Brooks killing, or who may have been at the party April 3, 2004, to call 816-512-8200 or 816-474-TIPS or submit a tip on its website through tips.fbi.gov. The smallest detail, which may seem insignificant to you, could be the key to solving this homicide, the agency said. The Stars Bill Lukitsch contributed to this report. FILE - Egyptian Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, April 21, 2023. In the Middle East and North Africa, where religion is often ingrained in daily life's very fabric, rejecting faith can come with social or other repercussions, so many of the "nones," a group that includes agnostics, atheists and "nothing in particular" conceal that part of themselves, as blasphemy laws and policies are widespread in the region. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File) Theres the Tunisian woman who fasts during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, though not for God. The Iraqi woman who, until recently, wore a hijab. And a man whose Egyptian identity card still identifies him as Muslim. Such are the ways that some of the religiously unaffiliated, or nones people who are agnostics, atheists or nothing in particular negotiate their existence in the Middle East and North Africa, or MENA, where religion is often ingrained in lifes very fabric. Aware that rejecting religion can have repercussions, many conceal that part of themselves. Declaring disbelief may spur social stigma, ostracism by loved ones or even unleash the wrath of authorities, especially if going public is coupled with real or perceived attacks on religion or God. I have a double life all the time, said the 27-year-old Tunisian woman. Its better than having conflict every day. Many nonbelievers seek community, ideas or pockets of digital defiance on the internet even though online spaces can come with risks. Most of those interviewed by The Associated Press spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussions and because some of their families dont know how they religiously identify. The Middle East is the birthplace of the three heavenly religions and theres no doubt that the regions culture has long been intertwined with religion, said Mustapha Kamel al-Sayyid, a political science professor at Cairo University. Religion has also been a source of legitimacy for rulers, a source for knowledge and behavioral norms. Many in Arab countries, he said, associate lack of religion with immorality. To them, you cannot talk about the rights of someone who is a danger to society. Bans on blasphemy appear in different parts of the world. But, according to a Pew Research Center analysis, they have been most common in the MENA region as of 2019. The Tunisian woman said she fasts to avoid being found out by her family. She pretends to sleep to skip gatherings, where relatives may take aim at her suspected disbelief. From an early age, she rejected how Islam was practiced in her home. She said her father would sometimes force her to pray. Resisting traditional interpretations of such things as gender roles, she turned to progressive Muslim readings. She now sees herself as nothing in particular and open to different spiritual paths. Youre socially perceived like you are public enemy, she said. People hate you without knowing you. Hany Elmihy hoped conditions could change. The 57-year-old Egyptian agnostic and some other nonbelievers saw a window for visibility following the Arab Spring" uprisings. Elmihy said he founded a Facebook group for Egyptians without religion in 2011, while similar ones formed in other Arab countries. Mass protests demanding political change had just unseated an Egyptian president then, highlighting the power of social media for dissent. Its not the revolution that turned some into atheists or irreligious; the revolution gave them the freedom and courage to speak up, Elmihy said. Elmihy said he was insulted, threatened, and attacked by unknown assailants. Seeking recognition, he tried to change the Muslim designation listed on his identity card to state he adheres to no religion. He failed. After the post-revolt euphoria fizzled out, he left Egypt in 2015 and now lives in Norway. Society scared me the most, Elmihy said. I felt isolated." He views his earlier advocacy with mixed feelings, but says it was important to let the society know that the religiously unaffiliated exist. Some took note. Ishak Ibrahim, a researcher with the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, said Egypts youth ministry announced plans in 2014 to combat atheism in collaboration with religious bodies. Local press also reported on anti-atheism efforts by some Islamic and Christian institutions. We believe that those who dont belong to religion are committing a sin but its not our responsibility to hold them accountable, said Abbas Shouman, an official with Al-Azhar, the Cairo-based seat of Sunni Muslim learning. The role of religious authorities, he said is only to explain, clarify, spread the right education and respond to suspicions. Shouman rejects attacks on religion, saying nonbelievers "have the right to defend their beliefs as they wish but not to go after others beliefs and affiliations. Atheism is not criminalized in Egypt, Ibrahim said. Last year, Ibrahims EIPR said an Egyptian court upheld a three-year-prison sentence and a fine against a blogger charged with contempt of religion and misusing social media. The organization, whose lawyer appealed the earlier verdict, has said the man was accused of managing a Facebook page for Egyptian atheists that allegedly criticizes religions. In May, Iran hanged two men convicted of blasphemy, carrying out rare death sentences for the crime. The men were accused of involvement in a Telegram channel called Critique of Superstition and Religion, according to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. The Mizan news agency of Irans judiciary described the two as having insulted Prophet Muhammad and promoted atheism. In Saudi Arabia, a court has sentenced a man to 10 years in prison and 2,000 lashes on accusations of expressing atheism online; a media report said in 2016 that religious police found tweets denying the existence of God and ridiculing Quranic verses. For some, like Ahmad, religious disbelief hasnt caused tensions. But the 33-year-old Lebanese, who comes from a Shiite Muslim family and now lives in Qatar, wanted his last name withheld because of the sensitivity of the subject. We have an unspoken agreement: I dont criticize religion and you dont criticize my lack of religion, he said. Hes religiously unaffiliated, and says he cannot believe in something that I cannot touch or cannot see. The role of sectarian divisions in fueling conflicts in Lebanon is one reason Talar Demirdjian distanced herself from religion. People either go very into their religion or their sects, or the other side. A Lebanese Armenian of Christian heritage, Demirdjian said about religion, I dont even think about it enough to tick a label. For one Iraqi woman, questions started when a childhood dream to one day become an imam like her grandfather was quashed because she is a girl. Iraqs turmoil fueled her disbelief. The 24-year-old's generation witnessed the U.S.-led invasion, militancy, sectarian violence, the brutal reign of the Islamic State and increasing clout of militias. Shes worn the Islamic headscarf before and, for a while, after she became agnostic. When militants proliferated where she lived, she donned it to stay out of danger; at other times, it was to socially fit in. She removed it around 2020. I dont tell people that I am agnostic, she said. Itd be an act of stupidity to do so in such a society. ___ AP writers Youcef Bounab in Paris and Abdulrahman Zeyad in Baghdad contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Yrlaine Desir could barely contain her excitement. Chatting with Eleuteria Rachel Rios Clews on a bench in the second row of the gallery of the ceremonial courtroom in the old York County Courthouse Thursday morning, she said she barely slept the night before. I kept waking up and looking at my phone, thinking, oh my God, Im going to be late, she said. She has waited six years for this day, the day that she would no longer be a Haitian citizen and would become an American. This is a great day for me, said Desir, a 30-year-old warehouse worker. Andissa Lantsman, center, from the Ukraine, raises her hand while reciting the oath with new citizens from 14 countries. Yrlaine Desir, from Haiti, is at right. She was among 24 immigrants who, by taking the oath of citizenship administered by York County Judge Clyde Vedder, became Americans during the brief ceremony. The new citizens came from 14 different countries, including Ukraine, Haiti, Honduras, Liberia, Nepal and Norway. Ukraine native among new citizens Among the new citizens was Andissa Lantsman, who emigrated from Ukraine 12 years ago, coming to the United States with her mother from the Black Sea port city of Odessa. (Odessa has been the target of Russian air strikes and shelling but remains under Ukrainian control.) When she first came to America, Lantsman said, it was confusing, scary and overwhelming. Now, America is home. More by Argento: In search of Kadin Black: Troubled York County teen mysteriously went missing last year She and her mother first settled in South Amboy, New Jersey, where Lantsman worked in a bakery. Now 32, she is married, living in Glen Rock and raising a family. She is expecting her second child in January. Her mother passed away five years ago of cancer, she said. She doesnt have family remaining in Ukraine, but she does have friends who have left the country and are living in western European countries. They are safe now, she said. Twenty-four new citizens from 14 countries recite the Pledge of Allegiance after they were sworn in as citizens. She still follows the news from her home nation. That is devastating, she said. The roots of the conflict go deep, centuries. I hope Russia gets what it deserves. Becoming an American is overwhelming. Im very proud to be an American now, she said, beaming. True crime: Requiem for a panhandler: 'Petey' was killed execution style. He was a complicated soul Photo ops After the ceremony, Rios Clews and Desir had their photo taken together in the rotunda of the old courthouse. They had just met Thursday when they sat next to each other in the courtroom, and they bonded over their new citizenship. This has been the best day for me, Desir said. An American flag pin was given to each new citizen. Rios Clews, 32, who came to America from Honduras six years ago, said, I am very grateful. Its really exciting. I feel like a new person. Columnist/reporter Mike Argento has been a York Daily Record staffer since 1982. Reach him at mike@ydr.com. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: 24 new citizens naturalized in York County, Pa. The California political world has been shaken by two seismic events last weeks death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Tuesdays ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy . Among the collateral damage could be the states federal funding and congressional clout. Feinstein, the 31-year Senate veteran whose funeral will be held Thursday in San Francisco, was the second-ranking Democrat on the powerful appropriations committee, where key spending decisions are made. Over the summer, she released a lengthy list of $190 million in California projects to be included in spending bills. McCarthy, the Bakersfield Republican, was speaker for only nine months, hardly enough time to leave significant mark. But his removal Tuesday could be an opportunity missed for California. We lost a lot of horsepower yesterday, Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, said Wednesday of McCarthys dismissal. Feinstein and McCarthy are the latest in a recent series of significant California losses and transitions. It began with Republicans taking the House in 2022. Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, had been speaker. It also meant some powerful Democratic committee chairs lost their posts, including Rep. Maxine Waters of Los Angeles (Financial Services) Rep. Mark Takano of Riverside (Veterans Affairs) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren of San Jose (Administration). Among Democrats, Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, is third-ranking Democrat in the House as chairman of the party caucus. Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles, is vice chairman, the number four slot. There are people watching Californias interests, said Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., who came to the Senate in 2021. Itll never be the same as Nancy Pelosi. Losing all this power clearly can make a difference, said former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. No Californians are said to be in the running to succeed McCarthy. The House Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, is from New York. So is Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Clearly, the loss of Californian leadership in the Capitol means California legislative and spending priorities will not get as much attention or focus, said Wesley Hussey, professor of political science at California State University, Sacramento. The loss of Feinstein Lott cited Feinstein as a huge loss for California.The appropriations committee writes 12 spending bills each year that often consume hundreds of pages and include page after page of projects important to constituencies. Federal money helps fund schools, roads, health care, defense and more. You can help direct funds to projects, to bases or to cities. Senators traditionally do that, Lott said. Whats really important is that as you move up and gain seniority you can do more of that. For the first time in decades, there are no Californians on the Senate appropriations committee. With a state that contributes the most to the federal treasury? Padilla said. We deserve a voice there. One of us needs to be on there, he said, referring to Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., whom Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed to succeed Feinstein. Padilla is on the Judiciary, Environment & Public Works, Homeland Security, Rules & Administration and Budget committees. Butler, sworn in Tuesday, has not yet received committee assignments. Leadership in the House While its difficult for lawmakers to ignore California, our water and agricultural needs are different than the Midwest, for example, so keeping the focus on California issues was helpful when we had a California Speaker of the House and someone with Senator Feinsteins seniority and well-respected policy expertise, Hussey said. The more difficult path to power is likely in the House, where Democrats are currently in the minority. Of the 52 California House members, 11 are Republicans. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, has influence as head of the appropriations defense subcommittee. Valadao is a committee member. We had Speaker Pelosi who was there for the longest time, and even as the Minority Leader in the time of Boehner and the speaker before that, Valadao said. Obviously we disagreed on some topics that McCarthy came in and pulled more in a direction that helps the Central Valley a lot. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Elk Grove, is an important player on immigration issues as chairman of the Judiciary Committees immigration panel. Water and Wildfires California is slated to receive about $144 billion in federal funds during its fiscal year. Most of that is headed for specific programs, such as disaster funding, or formula-driven public assistance such as child nutrition programs, education and Medicaid. The state is unlikely to see much negative impact in the event of emergencies. Newsom had a good relationship with McCarthy and has cooperated with Republicans and Democrats about Californias needs. McCarthy and Newsom talked and texted about the state regularly. There was a line of communication between Gov. Newsom and McCarthy. They had each others phone numbers and they would text each other, said Mark Baldassare, former president and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California and now its survey director. Padilla noted that states like Hawaii look to California on responding to disasters that have grown more common with rising global temperatures. The money to watch is what could come through the appropriations process. Among the projects listed by Feinstein was $4.3 million for wildfire fuels reduction and emergency evacuation routes across Butte, Nevada and Tehama Counties. For raising certain priorities like agriculture, water and wildfires, more advocates in high places helps. Wildfires and water emerged as important Padilla priorities, having successfully gotten legislation signed into law to bolster federal response to wildfires. He chairs the Environment & Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife and has lobbied along with Feinstein to get firefighting funding and transfers of long-awaited aircraft into spending bills. Through his climate and immigration work, hes tackled farm worker issues and crop protection. The path forward for agricultural priorities in the Central Valley, which grows a third of the nations produce, is less clear from Californias 2024 U.S. Senate candidates, who are from Southern California cities and Oakland. Valadao mentioned priorities like the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, which Feinstein had worked on with McCarthy. The act encouraged increases in water allocations south to farmers and cities from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. It was controversial, requiring a filibuster override to pass and drawing ire from Democratic colleagues like then-California Sen. Barbara Boxer, who ultimately opposed her own bill that had the WIIN Act attached to it. Environmental advocates said they werent consulted about the proposal that developed out of Feinsteins discussions with Westlands Water District and its former general manager Tom Birmingham. Birmingham told The Bee last week that Feinsteins fondness for San Joaquin Valley farmers came in part from summers she spent at a Kern County ranch belonging to a friend of her fathers. The Friant-Kern Canal, the more than 70-year-old water system that runs the eastern edge of the San Joaquin Valley, received increased funding for repairs thanks in part to Feinstein and McCarthy. And the Valley Fever Task Force, co-chaired by McCarthy and Arizona Rep. David Schweikert, too, raised research for farmers and farm workers dealing with the fungus-caused disease that grows in California and southwestern soil. McCarthy was, Valadao said, moving dollars that we possibly could within the appropriations to try to fund some of the research facilities and equipment they needed. Those are things that are actually benefiting the Valley still to this very day, he said. The memorial service for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) will no longer be open to the public, her office announced in a statement Thursday. Feinsteins Thursday memorial service, which had been slated to be a public event on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall, will now be open to invited guests only, her office said, citing a larger than expected security perimeter. Unfortunately, due to a larger than expected security perimeter, todays memorial service at city hall is no longer open to the general public. You will be unable to see or hear the program from outside the perimeter, the office said in a statement. Feinsteins office said the service will be streamed live at 1 p.m. local time Thursday. The memorial service is reportedly expected to include tributes from several prominent politicians, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Vice President Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). On Wednesday, Feinsteins body lay in state in the rotunda of San Franciscos City Hall, where she first began her decades-long career in politics. City leaders and residents had a chance to pay respects to the late senator. Feinstein died at 90 years old last Thursday at her home in Washington. Feinstein became San Franciscos first female mayor in 1978 following the tragic assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, who was among the first openly gay political figures in the country. Feinstein served in the role for nearly a decade, becoming known for her advocacy during the HIV/AIDS crisis. She was elected to the Senate in 1992, where she pushed for the assault weapons ban in the 1990s and later played a key role in exposing the CIAs use of torture and other interrogation techniques. She was one of the chambers most prominent women and the longest-serving woman senator in American history. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A US Customs and Border Patrol agent patrols the fence along the frontier with Mexico (SANDY HUFFAKER) The United States and Mexico pledged Thursday to step up efforts to tackle flows of drugs and migrants, setting aside signs of friction over a US plan to extend a controversial border wall. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticized the announcement by Washington that it would add to the barrier that was a signature policy of Donald Trump, calling it a "setback." "It does not solve the problem. We must address the causes" of migration, he told reporters shortly before meeting Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the National Palace. Blinken was accompanied by a delegation including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland for the high-level security talks. The synthetic opioid fentanyl "continues to devastate families on both sides of the border," Blinken said at a news conference afterward. "We have an obligation to do everything in our power to combat this scourge," he said, adding that the two countries were cooperating to "dismantle clandestine drug labs." Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena stressed that the chemical precursors used to make fentanyl were not produced in Mexico but came from abroad. The Mexican Navy had proposed creating an international coalition to stop chemical precursor smuggling through measures such as improved traceability, she said. On migration, Blinken said the scale of the challenge "demands that we redouble our efforts" through measures such as modernizing border security, increasing legal migration pathways and addressing the root causes. Mayorkas said the two countries were committed to expanding "safe, orderly and lawful pathways for migrants" but with "strict consequences" for those who do not use lawful means to enter the United States. "Those consequences include swift repatriation, the swift return of migrants and a ban on their re-entry," he said. With US President Joe Biden under pressure to halt border crossings as he seeks reelection, Washington announced Thursday that it would resume deportation flights to Venezuela after a deal with Caracas. - 'Deadliest drug threat' - The United States saw a record of around 110,000 drug overdose deaths between March 2022 and March 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fentanyl accounted for some two-thirds of them. Garland said the two countries were "taking on the dangerous drug trafficking cartels that are responsible for the deaths of both American and Mexican citizens. "The fentanyl these cartels are producing and trafficking is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced," he added. Last month Mexico extradited Ovidio Guzman Lopez, the son of imprisoned Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, to the United States to face narcotics charges. "He is one of more than a dozen cartel leaders we have indicted and who have been extradited to the United States. He will not be the last," Garland said. The US Justice Department is pursuing three more of Guzman's sons, known as the "Chapitos." US authorities are also targeting Chinese companies accused of cartel links. This week they announced sanctions on a China-based network accused of producing and distributing precursor chemicals. Mexico is plagued by cartel-related bloodshed that has seen more than 420,000 people murdered since the government deployed the military in the war on drugs in 2006. Lopez Obrador argues that investing in development projects in the region would help counter not only drug trafficking but also migration flows. He has angrily rejected calls by Republican politicians in the United States to send the US military to fight drug cartels. dr/dw A man from Fernandina Beach was one of two unprepared hikers rescued from a trail in New Hampshire on Wednesday. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a news release that Ardavan Kalhor, 69, of Fernandina Beach, and Homayoun Vossoughi, 65, a woman from New York City were cold, wet, and without any food or water and were unsure how to continue on their own, when a conservation officer found them. Officials said Kalhor and Vossoughi started a hike at 7 a.m. of the 9-mile Franconia Ridge Loop summiting Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln, and Little Haystack. The hike took Kalhor and Vossoughi longer than they estimated it would and they ran out of water and day light, causing them to lose the trail, the news release said. A conservation officer hiked 1.3 miles up Falling Waters Trail and reached the two at 8:35 p.m. They were given lights and assisted down the trail, arriving back safely at 10 p.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. An Ohio man is headed to jail after police say he swindled a client out of $1.3 million by using her personal information. The Lebanon man was sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Commerce on Oct. 5. The release says he was working as an investment advisor in 2013, when he opened a bank account in his clients name without her knowledge or permission. He then sold securities from the victims brokerage account and transferred the money into the new bank account he created, officials said. He used the money for personal expenses, such as a down payment on his home, mortgage payments, car loans and credit card purchases, officials said. Authorities say he also bought a tiny home for a family member, according to a news release from the Warren County Prosecutors Office. The victim became aware of the fraud in 2022 when she was contacted by the IRS about the bank account, the release said. The man pleaded guilty to three second-degree felony counts for unlawful securities practices, aggravated theft and identity fraud. On Oct. 2, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $1.02 million in restitution to the victim, officials said. Every dollar taken by fraud hurts families and law-abiding businesses in Ohio. Todays sentence confirms that the Division and its law enforcement partners are committed to making Ohio a safe environment where investors and industry professionals can grow and prosper, Ohio Securities Commissioner Andrea Seidt said in the Department of Commerce release. Information regarding the mans legal representation was unable to be obtained as of Oct. 5. Bank teller steals $88,000 from convenience stores deposits in Georgia, feds say 75-year-old sorority treasurer stole $3M from Mississippi university chapter, feds say Men posing as homeowners stole $3.3M from over 3,500 people in rental scheme, feds say The mass exodus of more than half of Capital Public Radios Board of Directors is a sad but necessary step for the station to have its best chance to survive. Sacramento State is now fully in charge. But the depth of the stations financial disaster is still coming into focus. What started just a week ago as an audit leading to increased oversight by the university has exploded into a complete takeover amid rapidly unfolding developments. Opinion This is a moment to rally behind not abandon this vital outlet of news and information. Those left behind, an outstanding group of journalists and support staff, represent the brains and soul of CapRadio. The jewel is all still there. Now, a new generation of leadership must quickly take the reins because the stations future remains too much in doubt. Wednesday nights resignation of 13 members of the board of directors has sent the institution into a temporary tailspin. University President Luke Wood was quick to accept the resignations. The board had been negotiating a contract for a new general manager with a compensation package approaching a half a million dollars. The directors wanted Sacramento State to foot the bill with funds that normally go to educating students. And in this moment of leverage, the university on Tuesday reportedly asked for these board members to resign. The request was for the good of the radio station, given the rapidly degenerating circumstances. The audit revealed that CapRadio had ceased making payments on an $8 million university loan to avoid a financial collapse resulting from the radio stations plan to abandon its campus studios for new downtown offices with monthly leases exceeding $100,000. The university separately unearthed an assortment of other questionable business decisions. One board member was married to a developer with a financial connection to one of the stations downtown sites. Another board member sold the station furniture to help fill the downtown offices. And an unauthorized endowment fund not managed by the university included a Lake Tahoe-area timeshare. The board Tuesday night refused to resign. Instead, members dug in. The university announced it was not providing the funds for the new general manager position. Later, the board members in their Wednesday resignation letter blamed the university for failing to engage with the board in good faith. This was never a negotiation. This was Sacramento State, the parent institution that assumes all the financial risks, taking measures to protect its much larger institution with its much broader mission. A CapRadio board accustomed to decades of independence and autonomy was struggling to comprehend its actual place in the greater university organizational chart. By claiming to be unaware of the stations financial problems, failing to consistently submit conflict-of-interest forms and failing to prevent its own members and direct relatives from doing business with CapRadio, their window of opportunity to show leadership had closed, despite years of good intentions. Waiting a day to resign and then blaming the university only made things worse. By Wednesday night, the unnamed candidate for general manager allegedly had lost interest in the job amid the chaos. Whether the university could even afford such a pricey compensation package is another question altogether. Regardless, what should have been an orderly and dignified transition was instead a sad display of finger-pointing and board claims of ignorance about the state of station finances. Hindsight provides so many lessons for all involved. The parent has some self-reflection to do. Sacramento State has paid a dear price for too often taking a hands-off approach and for failing to reinforce with each new station manager and board director that CapRadio first and foremost has an educational mission. The only reason the university holds the station license is to expose students to journalism, the art of news gathering and the craft of broadcasting. The whole idea of moving off campus to downtown undercut that mission. There are plenty of university representatives on this board who should have said no. And failing that, the campus president should have spoken up. Instead, students were left on the sidelines, missing out on the educational opportunity that Capital Public Radio could have provided. CapRadio leadership clearly had ambitions to evolve into something it never was, some high-profile player in Sacramentos downtown. Station leaders appeared enamored with rubbing shoulders with the powerful as well as perks such as CapRadio swag and the stations own Tahoe timeshare. They created a dangerous mirage that nobody in charge managed to see through, even as the station turned upside down financially. The lack of self awareness, even to the boards bitter end, was breathtaking. Board members failure to consistently complete standard forms detailing financial dealings that may pose conflicts of interest is just yet one more example of station leaderships aversion to transparency and accountability. Failing to file that routine disclosure is a giant red flag signaling the lack of proper controls and procedures. New CapRadio leadership needs to instill a culture of accountability, and fast. Now Sacramento State faces the unenviable task of fully dissecting CapRadios financial past with a followup forensic audit. Whats most important is looking forward. Managing a radio station with self-decapitated leadership is not part of any universitys core competencies. The swift actions taken by Wood offer hope that his team is up to the challenge. But it will cost Sacramento State dearly and will undoubtedly raise questions from faculty. Wood estimates that the university has spent $12 million of its funds so far to prop up the radio station and may have to spend another $5 million. With a total university budget of approximately $400 million, this is real money with real university consequences. The quality of any journalism outlet is measured by the quality of its journalists. Beneath all this financial mess and drama, the same CapRadio that has well served this community still exists. Lets hope those voices will stick around to keep us all informed. The university and listeners should rally behind this valuable institution and rescue CapRadio from its past leadership failures. This transition will not be easy; there are many challenges and plenty of pain still to come. For the supporters of CapRadio saddened by what has happened, this is a crucial opportunity. With a window for new leadership and much-needed change wide open, the future of public radio in Sacramento and the affiliates throughout Northern California is in our collective hands. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) It is unlikely that the House of Representatives will return the confidential funds which it stripped late last month from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, both led by Sara Duterte. READ: Lawmakers to cut OVP, DepEd confidential funds to boost budget of security agencies The funds will instead be used to augment the budgets of agencies mandated with protecting the country and promoting security, particularly those on the front lines of defending Manilas sovereignty amid Chinas escalating aggression in the West Philippine Sea. Right now, the collective decision of the House and we had a caucus so to speak or we had a conference is that for the time being, the CIFs will be realigned and put to other departments or agencies that are best-suited to conduct the security aspects where the Secretary or the VP is concerned, Speaker Martin Romualdez told the media on Thursday. This is after Duterte claimed that the funds for her agencies were meant to combat terrorism or organized crime, and implied that those who stood against confidential funds were considered kalaban ng bayan [enemies of the state]. READ: VP Duterte defends confidential funds: 'It should not be constrained by time In response, Romualdez said With respect to confidential funds, we are all for it. We are all for peace and security. We are in total agreement that the utilization of confidential funds is to promote peace and security. Meanwhile Romualdez, other House leaders, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner on Thursday visited Pag-asa island, part of the Kalayaan town in Palawan in the West Philippine Sea after three Filipino fishermen were killed after being rammed by a foreign vessel. He said the House was considering an additional 3 billion some of which will come from the realigned secret funds to fund developments on the island, including a reclamation project for the extension of its airport, a naval port, and a fishing sanctuary. Furthermore, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, said the House has formed a small committee to assess which agencies would retain or be stripped of confidential funds, and which one would receive more. She added that the committee set a self-imposed deadline of Oct. 10 to submit its budget amendments to the Senate. Lee Waters wrote on Facebook that masked criminals attacked our office in Llanelli and tried to set it on fire - Sean Pursey/Alamy The office of the Welsh Labour politician who spearheaded the introduction of the countrys 20mph speed limit has been attacked with fireworks. Police said a man had been arrested in connection with damage to the constituency office of Lee Waters, the Welsh deputy minister for climate change, in Llanelli. A group allegedly smashed the windows of the office in South Wales with crowbars and threw fireworks inside before fleeing. Mr Waters, responsible for introducing the new lower speed limits, shares the office with Nia Griffith, a Labour MP. Wales became the first UK nation to impose the 20mph limit on residential streets, with those caught speeding facing 100 fines and three points on their licence. Damage to window glass Mr Waters wrote on Facebook: Masked criminals attacked our office in Llanelli and tried to set it on fire they smashed the windows with crowbars and threw in fireworks before running off. Dyfed-Powys Police said it was called to the premises, on Pottery Street, at around 1.30pm following reports that fireworks had been set off outside the building. A spokesman for the force said: Police investigating a report of fireworks being set off outside the Labour Party constituency office in Llanelli have arrested a man. A call was made to Dyfed-Powys Police at around 1.30pm on Oct 1 that fireworks had been set off outside the Labour constituency office. There was damage to the window glass and scorch marks to the front of the building. The motoring law came into force on Sept 17, with many fearing the lowered limit will mean they spend more on fuel and longer in their cars because of increased journey times. Mark Drakeford, the First Minister, has said the legislation would save around 10 lives and prevent up to 2,000 injuries each year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Tonesa Welch wants to be known for more than her role within the Black Mafia Family, so shes taking control of her narrative with the new film directed by Vivica A. Fox. I really wanted to tell my story because of the whole BMF series, the perception, and the misconception people had of me, Welch told Shadow and Act in a recent interview. I wanted to show who I was, the way it was, the way that I saw it with my own eyes. What I am doing now. I didnt want it just to be a glorifying story, because it wasnt like that, she said. Its ups and downs in that life and so coming through that journey, I wanted people to see my journey, how I got there, what made me get into a life like that, and where Im at now, Welch added. And for director Vivica A. Fox to want to do my story and show who I am, I just wanted people to know that I worked hard on stage. I want people to see that and for young women to understand and know that you can change. For Welch, it was much more than being a drug girl. Life gave her a second chance, and she fully displayed it for BET+s First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story. I remember getting the link and watching Tonesas story, Tressa Smallwood, the films executive producer, said. She did an episode on BETs American Gangster: Trap Queens, so when they asked me if I wanted to do this movie, I said, Oh my goodness, the answer is yes.' Smallwood says Welchs resilience drew her into joining the team to share her story. The reason I was attracted to this story is because she talked about change. She talked about redemption, she explained. Growing up for me, I was all over the place as a teenager so I was instantly attracted to this story because I could relate, Smallwood continued. I remember telling Vivica about Tonesa and obviously we didnt have a script at the time, so all we could do was watch the Trap Queens episode and she was like, Lets get behind this.' Im just proud, period. Even when I watch Tonesa now. We have conversations sometimes about the project and its finish date, and shell say, Im nervous. I wonder what will people think. Smallwood shared. And I will say to her, it doesnt matter what anybody says. Well done, honey. For Fox, having First Lady of BMF as her directorial debut is a dream come true. Im getting a little emotional because its a hell of an opportunity, Fox said between tears. Tressa and Tonesa did a screening and to see the reactions of the audience, I literally burst into tears like I am right now because we worked really hard. There were 14-hour days. I remember the last day, I think it was almost an 18-hour day, we shot around the clock to make sure that we got it done. The team, the cast, the crew, they were just so wonderful so to see that reaction to our project made it all worth it. It really did. First Lady of BMF premieres Thursday on BET+. The geophysicists have used monitoring equipment attached to a quad bike to scan 12 hectares of field A survey on fields in Jersey is the first research near the site of the world's largest Celtic coin hoard for more than a decade. The research has been carried out by French geophysicists with the aim of providing historical context to archaeological finds from the area. The original Le Catillon II coin hoard was found in 2012 by local detectorists Reg Mead and Richard Miles. Mr Miles said the research was "really exciting". He added: "This is our first opportunity to get back into this area. "The geophysics is over quite a wide area and a number of fields so we don't know what's there." Reg (left) and Richard said the years since finding the hoard have been "fantastic" Mr Mead said: "What the survey does is look through the ground and pick out certain features. "It's like peeling an onion. "We're going to look down the top, peel the top off and gradually go down through the soil to find out what was going on 2,000 years ago." 'Celtic settlement' On what the survey might reveal, Mr Miles said: "What we're really looking for is signs of community". He added: "It seems to be a really important site in terms of the things that we have obviously discovered up here but, to put that in context, if there is a community up here that would be fantastic for Jersey to know - that thousands of years ago these people were here." Field Archaeologist for Societe Jersiaise Herve Duval-Gatignol organised the geophysical survey. He said he was expecting evidence of a "Celtic settlement or at least a habitat" but wouldn't be able to confirm the findings until 2024. The Societe Jersiaise is also waiting for planning permission to conduct archaeological surveys on the specific field where the Le Catillion II hoard was found. Follow BBC Jersey on Twitter and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. A 15-year-old student at Flagler Palm Coast High School was arrested for pointing a realistic-looking gun at two students and threatening to shoot them, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. The 15-year-old was arrested Wednesday and charged with felony aggravated assault and improper exhibition of a firearm. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later taken to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Two students said they were walking into the gym when the 15-year-old male student, whom they did not know, pointed a "colorful gun" at them, the sheriff's office stated. They said the male pulled the trigger several times and said he would shoot them. The students, at least one fearing for their life, ran into a nearby bathroom to hide. But the 15-year-old waited until they came back out and continued threatening them. The two students then realized the gun had an orange tip, and 15-year-old put it into his backpack. Orange tips are used to indicate that a gun is not a real firearm. One of the students reported what happened to the dean's office and the school resource deputy spoke to them. The deputy then found the 15-year-old, who took the fake gun out of his backpack. The gun was a "gel blaster gun" that looked like a Glock pistol with graffiti on it. Never, ever threaten someones life, even with a fake gun, stated Sheriff Rick Staly in a press release. A prank like this will only get you arrested. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our schools. Fortunately, this was a fake gun, and the student immediately reported the incident and did exactly what they should have when threatened. Parents, talk to your children and be the sheriff in your home. Otherwise, we will be, and your kid will be arrested! Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore also praised the student for quickly reporting the incident. We applaud the student who immediately reported this incident to a staff member," Moore stated in the release. "She saw something and then said something. Although it appears this was a toy gun, we must take every incident in which a weapon is reported to be on any of our campuses seriously. We thank the quick actions of our campus staff as well as the Flagler County Sheriffs Office in response to the alleged threat. The Student Code of Conduct prohibits having any toy weapon on campus. Brandishing it like an actual weapon is a Level 4 violation, one of the most severe violations, and is reported to the Florida Department of Education, the release stated. It is also against the law. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Sheriff: FPC student arrested after pointing fake gun at students Floridas attorney general has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over its pushback against a state law that centers around regulating unions. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R), alleged that top administration officials, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, violated federal law by withholding millions of dollars in federal funding as retaliation against the law. The suit claims the Biden administration is attempting to leverage a vague and general condition on federal funding to prevent Florida from reforming its collective bargaining process. At the center of the lawsuit is a new law passed in Florida earlier this year that affects public employees in the state. It includes provisions like allowing members of unions to revoke their membership at any time, requiring unions to submit the number of due-paying members and banning public employers from deducting union fees from employee paychecks. These reforms are designed to ensure that public employees in Florida make a conscious and deliberate decision regarding their constitutional right to participate or not participate in a union, the complaint reads. They are also designed to ensure that public sector unions granted the significant power to act as the exclusive bargaining agent for a class of public employees have the support of a critical threshold (60%) of those employees. The law does not apply to law enforcement officers or firefighters, suggesting it will have the largest impact on teachers unions. Florida passed laws to protect workers from being strong-armed by unions. Biden, intent on driving our country into the ground, continues to try to force states to implement his bad policies., Moody said in a statement As long as I am Floridas Attorney General, Washington will never decide how we run our state. Were pushing back against this overreach to protect our states autonomy and Florida workers. The lawsuit alleges that the Biden administration is withholding transportation infrastructure funding until Florida agrees to arrangements the Secretary of Labor concludes are fair and equitable to protect the interests of employees affected by the assistance. It says that its issue is with Florida agreeing to provisions that may be necessary for the continuation of collective bargaining rights. The Department of Labor has given Florida an ultimatum abandon the reforms enacted through SB 256 or lose hundreds of millions in federal funding, the complaint states. Because that ultimatum is based on an unconstitutional funding condition and is otherwise contrary to law, Florida brings this suit to protect its access to critical funding and its sovereign prerogative to regulate in the realm of collective bargaining, it continues. The Hill has reached out to the Transportation and Labor departments for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A group of transgender plaintiffs says Florida is violating a federal judges order by continuing to prohibit Medicaid coverage of treatments for gender dysphoria. In a motion filed Wednesday in the Northern District of Florida, the plaintiffs say the states Agency for Health Care Administration is in complete defiance of U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle s June ruling, which said the states Medicaid ban was invalid to the extent that it categorically banned Medicaid payment for treatments of gender dysphoria. They are asking Hinkle to enforce or clarify his ruling. They point to instances where transgender Medicaid recipients were denied coverage for hormone therapy after the June ruling and comments from the agencys secretary warning of possible further action against Medicaid providers for violations of the states rule. The state has appealed Hinkles ruling. The Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has not paused the lower courts judgment, so it remains in effect as the appeal continues. Defendants have thus acted as if this Courts decision is a legal nullity that they can simply ignore on their whim, the motion says. That is not how our legal system works, however. READ MORE: Judge rules Florida ban on Medicaid payments for transgender care is unconstitutional The motion notes that the agency in August fined five Medicaid providers for covering treatments including a minors double mastectomy, hormone therapy and puberty blockers. The fines were for treatments covered from December 2022 to February 2023, when the rule was in place. But the plaintiffs motion says that letters the agency sent to the healthcare groups direct them to cease and desist from further violations of the rule. In those letters, the agency asks the Medicaid groups to confirm in writing that they have ceased coverage of the services for the treatment of gender dysphoria. Agency Secretary Jason Weida announced the fines on a conservative Daily Wire podcast. During that podcast, he said there is a range of more drastic penalties that we can take, and were going to look into taking those if we continue to see this type of action. We think that the protection of children is one of the most core functions of government, and here in Florida were going to do everything that we can, Im certainly going to do everything I can, I know the governor is going to do everything he can, to protect children from these types of mutilations, Weida said in the podcast. READ MORE: Florida deviated from standard practices for key report regarding transgender care Wednesdays motion also refers to an email thread between a Herald/Times reporter and an agency spokesperson in August in response to questions about the fines. In one email, spokesperson Bailey Smith said the agency was complying with the courts order, and that the rule continues being in effect within the parameters outlined by the District Court. When asked specifically what parts of the rule were still in place, Smith said that surgeries are prohibited across the board and said the rest of the rule cant serve as a categorical ban. It isnt one. Court records show that an Agency for Health Care employee, who was the lead author on the report that led to the Medicaid exclusion, previously called the states rule a categorical exclusion in testimony taken in February. The Agency for Health Care Administration did not respond to a request for comment Thursday about the plaintiffs motion. The motion also points to an August email sent to University of Miami physicians, informing them about the Medicaid rule, and saying their office has been compelled to refund any Medicaid reimbursement for treatment of gender dysphoria. The email asks physicians not to bill Medicaid or Medicaid plans for any related services for the foreseeable future. Lydia Fein, who leads the transgender health program at the University of Miami, said she has had to cancel all appointments for transgender patients who receive their coverage through Medicaid and that it is causing harm to her patients, according to her declaration. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Floridas attorney general, a steadfast ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis , on Wednesday kicked off a new legal fight against the Biden administration that centers around a contentious new law regulating unions that the governor has boasted about on the presidential campaign trail. Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a federal lawsuit in Fort Lauderdale that asserts top White House officials including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are violating federal law because they are threatening to withhold hundreds of millions in federal grants unless a state panel grants waivers to Floridas new union law. Florida passed laws to protect workers from being strong-armed by unions, said Moody in a statement. Biden, intent on driving our country into the ground, continues to try to force states to implement his bad policies. Moody, who endorsed DeSantis bid for president, has engaged in a long-running series of battles with the Biden administration, especially over immigration. Moody is widely viewed as a potential 2026 candidate for governor. DeSantis made Floridas new union law one of his top priorities during the 2023 session that was supposed to be a springboard to his presidential campaign an effort that has recently seen him drop to third place or worse in some polls. The law, which took effect on July 1, includes including a prohibition on public employers from deducting union dues from employee paychecks and making it easier to decertify unions. Critics said the law was aimed at DeSantis political enemies such as Floridas teacher union since the provisions did not apply to unions that represent law-enforcement officers and firefighters. But this latest confrontation was foretold months ago. The bill was changed on the Senate floor to include a potential carve-out from the law for mass transit workers after questions were raised about whether the legislation conflicted with federal labor laws that could put federal funding at risk. Since the law took effect, local transportation authorities and local governments have asked the states Public Employee Relations Commission for waivers from the law after federal officials contended that Floridas new law conflicts with federal requirements. The commission, which is overseen by DeSantis appointees, agreed to issue waivers but made them time-limited and conditional. But a top official with the Department of Labor said those types of waivers did not comply. In a late August letter to the state commission, the Florida Public Transportation Association said that more than $800 million in federal funding for mass transit systems was in jeopardy if the commission did not hand out permanent waivers. Moodys new lawsuit was filed against the Department of Transportation, the Department of Labor and the Federal Transit Administration as well as top officials in those agencies. It asks a federal judge to block the agencies from withholding federal grants as well as declare unconstitutional the part of the federal law the Department of Labor is relying on to question Floridas law. A spokesperson for Buttigieg and the Department of Transportation declined to comment on ongoing litigation. Meanwhile, lawsuits have been filed against Floridas union law in state courts, including one that alleged it violated collective bargaining rights guaranteed in the state constitution. A circuit judge on Tuesday threw out a lawsuit filed by three South Florida public employee unions and three union members but Judge J. Lee Marsh did leave the door open for the lawsuit to be refiled. A Florida GOP activist has been arrested after election authorities accused him of faking his dead fathers signature on a vote-by-mail ballot. Robert Henry Rivernider Jr. is charged with forgery and voter fraud, court records show. The 58-year-old Wildwood man was released Saturday from Sumter County jail on a $10,000 bond. Rivernider signed a vote-by-mail ballot for his deceased father, Robert Henry Rivernider Sr., in 2020 as then President Donald Trump was about a month away from losing his re-election bid against Joe Biden, according to an elections fraud complaint signed by Sumter County Supervisor of Elections William Keen. Rivernider Jr. says without evidence that the ex-president won the election. Keen said in the complaint that Rivernider Sr.s vote-by-mail ballot was dated Oct. 16, 2020 and that he died on Oct. 19 while his ballots envelope was postmarked Oct. 23 seven days after his death. Since the envelope was postmarked after the date of his death, Keen said, the ballot wasnt counted. However, based on comparison of signatures for both Jr. and Sr., there appear to be similarities between the signatures in the 2020 election that match Jr.s signature, but not prior versions of Sr.s signature, Keen noted in the Aug. 8 complaint. On information and belief, it is alleged that Jr. signed the ballot of Sr. in the 2020 election. A Sumter County Sheriffs deputy arrested Rivernider Jr. outside of his home Friday. Rivernider Jr., who told the Miami Herald that he helps anti-establishment candidates, called the charges filed against him frivolous and political, and said without evidence that someone put Keen up to it. What makes the Supervisor of Elections pick a dead persons mail in ballot out 3 years after the election and then search other mail in ballots to compare the signatures? Rivernider Jr. told the Herald in a Wednesday email. Walter Forgie, chief assistant state attorney of the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office, sees things differently. Our office takes these charges very seriously and will prosecute the case accordingly, he told the Herald. We appreciate the work of the Sumter County Supervisor of Elections office on this matter. Forget florals for spring. Selena Gomez is making a case for flower-inspired outfits in the fall. Selena Gomez attends the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit in Los Angeles, California. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Selena Gomez wore three floral outfits to the Rare Impact Fund Benefit in Los Angeles on Wednesday. She first arrived wearing a custom Valentino gown that sparkled and featured a rose embellishment. She later changed into an iris-shaped garment, and eventually wore a floral-print minidress. Florals for spring might not be groundbreaking, but they're perfect for fall red carpets, according to Selena Gomez. The actor, musician, and beauty brand founder hosted the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday night. The gala attended by celebrities like Martin Short, Taylor Lautner, and Francia Raisa helped raise money in support of Gomez's Rare Impact Fund, which aims to expand mental-health services for young people and reduce associated stigmas. When she first arrived on the red carpet, the Rare Beauty founder donned a custom Valentino dress that was covered in silver sparkles, round crystals, and a fabric rose that connected its bodice to its halter neckline. Selena Gomez attends the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit in Los Angeles, California. Michael Buckner/Getty Images Shortly after, Gomez changed into a shorter number designed by Rahul Mishra. "The look aims to imitate the petals of an Iris flower through intricate hand embroidery," Mishra wrote on Instagram. "The design originates in our Couture Fall 2023 collection 'We, The People,' that is an ode to our fashion workers who articulate the looks at our atelier." Selena Gomez attends the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit in Los Angeles, California. Monica Schipper/Getty Images And for her final look of the evening, Gomez changed into a shorter, darker minidress. Designed by Monse, the black dress had long sleeves, a high-neck bodice, and a surrealist print that featured a zebra, butterfly, and multiple flowers. It retails for $1,090. Selena Gomez speaks onstage at the Inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit. Monica Schipper/Getty Images Last night's looks followed another floral ensemble that Gomez recently wore at the MTV Video Music Awards. She walked the red carpet in early September wearing a daring red gown with subtle floral details designed by Oscar de la Renta. Selena Gomez attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2023, in Newark, New Jersey. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic For both the VMAs and the Rare Impact Fund Benefit, Gomez was styled by Erin Walsh. And on both nights, Gomez played into the floral applique trend that's taken celebrity style by storm in 2023. As Vogue reported in April, standard floral prints have all but been replaced with 3D flower embellishments think statement flowers on dress bodices and smaller ones attached to choker necklaces. If Gomez's recent looks are any indication, the trend is still going strong. Read the original article on Insider The Scottish government has officially approved the extradition of Nicholas Alahverdian to Utah to face sex charges, and in so doing rekindled an investigation of an unsettled rape claim in England that could potentially delay his departure for years. Just this week, days after a Scottish judicial minister signed the formal order for his extradition, police from Essex, England investigating the 2017 rape allegation attempted to interview Alahverdian, who remains imprisoned in Edinburgh. But Alahverdian refused to meet with the investigators, said two people familiar with the case. The police had been stymied from interviewing Alahverdian until the full extradition process was complete. The defendant authorities believe to be Nicholas Rossi arrives at Edinburgh Sheriff And Justice Of The Peace Court in Edinburgh, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Could Alahverdian's extradition be delayed by this charge? The allegation has yet to lead to any formal charges against the former Rhode Island fugitive. But if charged, that case would have to be adjudicated first before Alahverdian is extradited back to the U.S., his public defender Mungo Bovey said in June during Alahverdians extradition hearing. A rape conviction in England could put Alahverdian, 36, behind bars for between 8 or 10 years before he was ever transported to Utah, said one Scottish extradition lawyer. More: 'Dateline NBC' to cover story of RI fugitive Nicholas Alahverdian. Here's the story. Who is Nicholas Alahverdian and what is his connection to Rhode Island? Alahverdian was once, two decades ago, a familiar State House presence as the former foster care kid who advocated for changes within the Department of Children Youth and Families. But away from the public stage, he earned a nefarious reputation among local police departments, Family Court judges and women as a manipulative and threatening con man. In 2020 he faked his death as the FBI pursued him for $200,000 in alleged credit card fraud, taken out in his former foster fathers name, and as Utah authorities were preparing the first warrant that they said would connect him to a 2008 rape in Orem. Since then Utah authorities have charged him with a second rape and an incident of sexual battery as well. In the years leading up to his staged death (he announced to local media he was going to die of cancer) Alahverdian seemed already to be taking steps to cover his trail. More: Nicholas Alahverdian's early years set the stage for a life of deception In 2019 he hired former Rhode Island attorney general Jeff Pine to have his name removed from Rhode Islands sex offender registry. One of the arguments Pine used successfully to convince a judge was that Alahverdian was out of the country and had sworn never to return. Background on the Essex case In 2017 in striking similarity to more than a half dozen other women in four states who claim to have been threatened or assaulted by Alahverdian the woman from Essex met Alahverdian online. He pushed his way into her life, the woman told The Journal, as he was making a seemingly hasty departure from the U.S. In an exchange of text messages she showed The Journal, Alahverdian was adamant about moving in with her before he ever left the States or met her in person. Every single boundary that I set, he broke, the woman told the newspaper last year. Before I knew it, he had moved in.... Within days he was talking about getting married and doing calculations about how long it would take him to get his residency. In a space of five or six days, I was completely broken down. The rape allegedly happened within a week of him moving in with her, she said. Alahverdian insists authorities have the wrong man Scottish authorities arrested Alahverdian in a Glasgow hospital in December 2021, where he almost died of COVID, according to medical staff who treated him. Alahverdian has ever since insisted that authorities arrested the wrong man; that his name is Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan turned English academic who taught at the local university sporting bow ties and homburg hats. The first phase of his extradition hearing dragged on for months, as Alahverdian kept up his outrageous charade, insisting, for instance, that the matching fingerprints and his identifying tattoos, were the insidious work of hospital staff who conspired with Utah prosecutors to gather fake evidence while he lay comatose. In August, Extradition Court Sheriff Norman McFadyen, who had endured Alahverdians delaying antics and fanciful defense, ruled there were no barriers to sending him to Utah. McFadyen said of Alahverdian: he is as dishonest and deceitful as he is evasive and manipulative." "These unfortunate facets of his character," he continued, "have undoubtedly complicated and extended what is ultimately a straightforward case." Alahverdian had 14 days from the Judicial ministers Sept. 28th decision to file an appeal request. If he does, it would take about three months for a hearing on the request to be heard, said one Scottish extradition lawyer. Contact Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com Want more of our crime coverage right on your phone? Download our free app for personalized news alerts and feeds based on your interests. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Alahverdian, who faked his death to avoid capture, to be sent back to US Your article is being updated or not found. Please refresh after a moment Rep. George Santos s (R-N.Y.) former campaign treasurer pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon to conspiring with the then-candidate to fraudulently inflate his campaign finance reports after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors. Nancy Marks, 58, a veteran campaign staffer for Republicans on Long Island, appeared before U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, court filings show. Also a longtime campaign treasurer for former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), Marks is now the second former Santos campaign staffer to face criminal charges since the first-term congressman was indicted in May. The parties have agreed to the terms contained in a written Plea Agreement, prosecutors wrote in court filings. Prosecutors said Marks filed campaign finance reports falsely showing that Santos had loaned his campaign $500,000 and that their family members had donated various sums. Marks and Santos, identified as co-conspirator #1 in the indictment, filed the false reports to meet thresholds to qualify for financial and logistical support from an unnamed national party committee, prosecutors said. Markss guilty plea adds to the controversy surrounding Santos, who arrived on Capitol Hill in January already the subject of criticism. Shortly before he was sworn in, the New York Republican admitted to embellishing parts of his background. Federal prosecutors charged Santos with 13 criminal counts in May over three alleged schemes that accuse him of misleading campaign donors, fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits and lying on financial disclosures. Santos pleaded not guilty and has not been charged in connection with the new allegations. The purported $500,000 loan had been a source of mystery after Santoss campaign filed amended reports in January unchecking a box indicating it came from personal funds. The documents were filed as Marks resigned from Santoss campaign. The congressman made headlines in July after campaign records revealed that Santos withdrew $85,000 from his campaign to help him repay a loan he took out during the 2022 cycle. It is unclear if the loan he was repaying is related to the loan he allegedly falsely took out, as outlined in the indictment. Court filings indicate that prosecutors possess several texts between Marks and Santos, including ones in which the then-candidate passed along names of his family members and false amounts they donated so Marks could include it on a campaign finance report. At one point as they were trying to meet the threshold, Santos allegedly texted Marks that he was lost and desperate. Markss guilty plea was filed on the same docket as Santoss case. Her sentencing is set for April 12, 2024. She faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Marks is the second former Santos staffer to face criminal charges. In August, prosecutors charged the New York Republicans former fundraiser, Samuel Miele, with five counts over allegations that he impersonated former Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) chief of staff while soliciting donations for Santoss campaign. Miele pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors have signaled that plea negotiations are ongoing. Santos has faced bipartisan calls to resign or be expelled, but the congressman has consistently said he has no plans of stepping down. In May, the House voted to refer a resolution to expel Santos to the House Ethics Committee, a development that was largely panned as redundant because the panel had already been looking into the congressman. But it prevented lawmakers from having to vote directly on whether or not they thought the freshman lawmaker should remain in Congress. The Ethics Committee has been looking into whether Santos engaged in unlawful activity with respect to his 2022 congressional campaign; failed to properly disclose required information on statements filed with the House; violated federal conflict of interest laws in connection with his role in a firm providing fiduciary services; and/or engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual seeking employment in his congressional office. Around the time of the vote to refer the resolution, then-Speaker McCarthy told reporters that he wanted the Ethics Committee to move rapidly in its investigation of Santos. Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), who has called for Santos to resign and be expelled but voted to refer the resolution, at the time said he expected the committee to complete its probe in 60 days. The panel, though, has not said the investigation is over. In June, the committee expanded its investigative purview to include whether or not the congressman fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits. Santos is running for reelection in New Yorks 3rd Congressional District. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A security guard who worked for an independent agency and was assigned to Rock Hill High School has been charged with a sex crime involving a student, according to an arrest warrant, the York County Sheriff, and school district officials. Johnathan Anthony Baskin, 32, was arrested Tuesday by York County Sheriffs Office deputies and charged with sexual battery with a student age 16 or 17, sheriffs office jail records, and an arrest warrant obtained by The Herald, show. Baskin had worked for Allied Universal Security, according to a Rock Hill schools statement sent to parents. He had been assigned to Rock Hill High School before an alleged incident was reported on Sept. 14, sheriffs office spokesman Trent Faris said. Baskin did not return to the school after the allegations were reported and an investigation began, according to the sheriffs office. The alleged offense did not happen at school, according to the arrest warrant. Baskin was not a deputy working as a school resource officer. Resource officers come from the sheriffs office. However, the sheriffs office does have a resource officer assigned to Rock Hill High School. Baskin also was not a district employee, officials said. The Allied Universal Security company has officers who work under contract at many of the district campuses, the districts Web site shows. Efforts Wednesday and Thursday to reach Allied Universal Security were unsuccessful. The charge Deputies were contacted in September, according to a sheriffs office incident report. The investigation by the sheriffs office Special Victims Unit led to the charge, Faris said. The investigation remains ongoing. The warrant alleges the crime happened sometime between late May and late July. The defendant knew the student from a school where he worked as a certified armed security officer, the warrant states. The charge against Baskin is a felony, South Carolina law states. School district sends message to families The school district sent a message to Rock Hill High School families Tuesday that advised them about what happened. The statement said: Dear Rock Hill High School Family, Today we learned York County Sheriffs Office took a former Allied Universal Security Officer into custody stemming from an incident that allegedly happened outside of school hours and was reported to a school administrator. We want to assure you we take every allegation extremely seriously and work collaboratively through all investigations. When this allegation was reported to our school officials, we did not hesitate to contact York County Sheriffs Office to investigate immediately. The district is committed to the safety of our students and will fully cooperate in any instance of law enforcement investigations. However, we cannot comment any further on this particular incident as it is still pending court proceedings. We will continue to do everything we can to foster a safe learning environment and look toward our families as partners on this front. Please continue to talk to your student about our districts See Something, Say Something initiative and encourage them to reach out to a trusted adult on campus at any time as part of our safety program. What happens now? Baskin was given a $5,000 bond by a York County magistrate after a first appearance in court, records show. Baskin was released on bail Wednesday, Faris said. PLAINSBORO Authorities have identified the family of four including two elementary school-aged children who died in an apparent murder-suicide at their township home earlier this week. Authorities received a 911 call at about 4:37 p.m. Wednesday requesting a welfare check at a Titus Lane home, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office. Arriving Plainsboro police found four people dead inside the house. On Thursday the Prosecutor's Office identified the dead as Tej Pratap Singh, 43, Sonal Parihar, 42, and their two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl. Their deaths remain under investigation and autopsies were being performed Thursday. We are all saddened by this tragic event. What happened in our community is beyond comprehension," Mayor Peter Cantu said in a community message Thursday sent by the Plainsboro Police Department. The home on Titus Lane in Plainsboro where a family of four were found dead on Wednesday. ABC New York reported law enforcement sources indicated the husband is accused of killing his wife and two young children before killing himself. Family members told CBS New York the parents were a happy couple and they both worked in IT, one in human resources, and that the husband was active in the community and the PTA at his children's school. A LinkedIn profile for Tej Pratap Singh lists him as a lead APIX engineer for Ness Digital Engineering in the New York City metropolitan area for the past six years. "Please be assured that this is an isolated occurrence and there are no additional concerns for the safety and well-being of the community related to this incident," Plainsboro Police Chief Eamon Blanchard said in the community message. A neighbor told MyCentralJersey.com she used to see the children playing outside, and the family had many friends in the community. The home on Titus Lane in Plainsboro where a family of four were found dead on Wednesday. "We used to see them; happy family with kids around," said the neighbor who asked that her name be withheld. "The kids were always out playing happily." In a message to the Plainsboro West Windsor Regional School District community, Superintendent of Schools David Aderhold said the district was informed by police Wednesday about a tragedy involving a Plainsboro family with students who attend the district's Wicoff Elementary and Millstone River schools. "The district joins our community in grief and sorrow over this tragic event," Aderhold said in the statement, adding the district's crisis team would be available to support students and staff members. The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday the cause of death has not yet been determined. An initial investigation determined that there was no threat to the public, the Prosecutors Office said. Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Will Atkinson of the Plainsboro Police Department at 609-799- 2333 or Detective Javier Morillo the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at 732-745-8843. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Plainsboro NJ homicide investigated after family of four found dead Wallenpaupack, Western Wayne, Wayne Highlands and Delaware Valley school districts are pursuing a centralized, shared career and technical education center (CTC). Out of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, only Wayne and Pike counties lack a CTC. The purposes are to widen the skill training options for all students; provide adult career training; support high-priority occupations in northeastern Pennsylvania; and to do this in a fiscally responsible way. Local officials brought their case to the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee on Sept. 19 with hopes of gaining support to help fund an estimated $50 million project. Participants included Rep. Joe Adams (Pike and Wayne) and Rep. Jonathan Fritz (Wayne and Susquehanna). Rep. Joshua D. Kail (Beaver and Washington) is the chairperson. Wallenpaupack hosted the session at its high school auditorium. State Rep. Joe Adams (R-139, Wayne and Pike) during a Sept. 19, 2023, hearing regarding efforts to bring a shared career and technical education center to Wayne and Pike counties. For nearly 20 years, school district and economic development officials in this area have worked toward building career readiness for students so that when they graduate high school, they have refined their goals and work skills. In the meantime, the school districts have separately developed their own Career Technical Education (CTE) curriculums, some unique to each district and others duplicating. One proposal is to erect the CTC facility on the available Wallenpaupack school grounds near the North Primary School, about midway for the four districts involved. Sterling Business & Technology Park off I-84 Exit 17 in Wayne County is another identified option. Given our location in the Northeast corridor and the rapid population growth, these areas need a skilled workforce, Adams said. Im grateful to Chairman Kail for his interest in this important topic on educational pathways. Technical and vocational programs serve as a pipeline toward hope and opportunity, Kail said. These programs provide students practical, real-world experiences, family-sustaining careers, and zero college debt which gives them an advantage when life's challenges are hurled in their direction." Wallenpaupack Superintendent Keith Gunuskey, Joann Hudak with Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance and Marybeth Wood, executive director of WEDCO (Wayne Economic Development Corporation), testified and answered questions. Pursuing technical and vocational education is essential to building economic development in Wayne and Pike counties, according to Wood. Marybeth Wood, executive director of WEDCO, during a Sept. 19, 2023, hearing regarding efforts to bring a shared career and technical education center to Wayne and Pike counties. Just as we need enabling infrastructure to grow our communities, such as roadways, utilities and industrial sites, we need educational infrastructure to address the people side of economic development, Wood said. Job creation is a measure of success in economic development jobs are filled by people. In Wayne County, we take the approach that workforce development is economic development. Wood noted that when Workforce Wayne was being developed, spearheaded by WEDCO, there was a recognition that the county's lack of a CTC was a disadvantage for local students, businesses needing a skilled labor force and economic development efforts. Two Wayne County companies she cited are Sutphen East Corp., manufacturer of fire engines, and BOYCE Products, Ltd., a custom contract furniture and fabrication firm. Both need highly skilled workers and support the local training a CTC could provide. Hudak said that the notion that everyone should go to college may be outdated. She recommended that other options should be considered, and CTCs allow students to explore a range of options for their career goals. We have created this mindset to go to college, figure out what you want to do, graduate and then hopefully get a job, Hudak said. The formula should be to ask where the jobs are, what the skills are for these jobs and what related education is needed. Using this approach, our school systems are working side-by-side with our workforce and economic development partners to give our students high-quality work-based learning experiences. During Hudak's tenure as an administrator at Wallenpaupack Area School District, she oversaw the Career & Technical program. In 2005, she became a founding member of Workforce Wayne, now known as Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance. She was a high school principal when she was invited to a meeting in Honesdale exploring how to keep their high school graduates here and build up the workforce. "What I came to realize was what a disconnect between education and workforce and economic development. We as educators nowhere in our training do we learn anything about preparing kids for the future." Joann Hudak, chairperson of the board for Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance, during a Sept. 19, 2023, hearing regarding efforts to bring a shared career and technical education center to Wayne and Pike counties. A CTC can also serve adult workers needing to augment their skills or obtain certifications. Hudak said that presently, those workers go to Lackawanna or Luzerne counties for the training. A local CTC could offer that training, whether after the normal school day or side-by-side with high school students, as is done at the CTC in Susquehanna County. Since there is no CTC, programs at the high school level are unnecessarily duplicated, Gunuskey said. Creating a CTC and consolidating programs would create additional opportunities for students. The goal will be to ensure every student, regardless of their district, can call the Wayne/Pike CTC their home. While the new CTC would serve students from all four school districts, some current CTE programs would be kept in their high schools, and they would be considered satellite campuses. As an example, Gunuskey said that Honesdale has a great Agriculture program with a new greenhouse, labs, and so on, and would stay at Honesdale. The same would hold true for Delaware Valley's programs. Each district has a general automotive program, he said, but a CTC could allow them to have specialized programming. He said that the CTE programs at the four districts are top notch. At Wallenpaupack, 31% of students are enrolled in CTE programs, which Gunuskey said should rise dramatically with the expansion of options available at a CTC facility. Currently, students wishing to take a certain career track can take their classes at another school district offering the appropriate program. Gunuskey said it can be disruptive for the student; with a CTC facility, they could remain in their own district part of the school day. The four districts are currently developing articles of agreement. Once they are approved, they can pursue formal grant requests, Gunuskey said. Wallenpaupack Area School District Superintendent Keith Gunuskey during a Sept. 19, 2023, hearing regarding efforts to bring a shared career and technical education center to Wayne and Pike counties. The estimated size of the CTC needed to serve the four districts is 70,000 square feet. The estimated cost for constructing and equipping the facility is $40 million, and $10 million for land acquisition and site preparation. Gunuskey said that these costs are meant to cover getting the project started. The districts will form a Joint Operating Committee which will determine how to make the CTC self-sustaining. Hudak stated that the local parties were nearly ready to start in 2008, when the CTC was delayed by the Great Recession, and more recently by the COVID pandemic. Fritz commented that this journey that began over two decades ago is meant to reverse the brain drain our area experiences with students leaving the area for further education and finding jobs elsewhere. He suggested that the trillions in federal stimulus dollars approved during the pandemic might help pay for this project. From left: PA Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-111, Wayne/Susquehanna) and PA Rep. Mike Cabell (R-11, Luzerne) Asking the committee to take back the funding request to the legislature, Gunuskey added, It is a worthwhile story we truly believe Let everyone know they can play a huge role ensuring every student in Pennsylvania, not 65 counties, but every student in Pennsylvania has access to a career and tech center. To view the full hearing, go to bit.ly/46mCDWW. Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Four districts pursuing joint Wayne/Pike career and tech center This 2022 photo provided Wednesday Oct.4; 2023 by entomologist Jean-Michel Berenger, who raises bedbugs in his lab, shows a bedbug in Marseille, southern France. The French government has been forced to step in to calm a nation increasingly anxious about bedbugs. (Jean-Michel Berenger via AP) PARIS (AP) They creep, they crawl, they feast on your blood as you sleep. They may travel in your clothes or backpacks to find another person worth dining on on the subway, or at the cinema. Bedbugs go where you go, and they have become a nightmare haunting France for weeks. The government has been forced to step in to calm an increasingly anxious nation that will host the Olympic Games in just over nine months a prime venue for infestations of the crowd-loving insects. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne called a meeting of ministers for Friday to tackle the bedbug crisis. The country's transport minister, Clement Beaune, met this week with transportation companies to draw up a plan for monitoring and disinfecting and to try to ease what some have called a national psychosis inflamed by the media. There is no resurgence of cases, Beaune said, telling reporters that 37 cases reported in the bus and Metro system and a dozen others on trains proved unfounded as did viral videos on social media of tiny creatures supposedly burrowing in the seat of a fast train. Still, bedbugs have plagued France and other countries for decades. The insects the size of an apple seed that neither jump nor fly get around as easily as people travel from city to city and nation to nation, and they have become increasingly resistant to insecticides. If that's not enough to make you itchy: Bedbugs can stay alive for a year without a meal. Without any blood, they can slow their metabolism and just wait for us, said Jean-Michel Berenger, an entomologist who raises bedbugs in his lab in the infectious diseases section of the Mediterranee University Hospital in Marseille. The carbon dioxide that all humans give off will reactivate them and theyll come back to bite you. For now, Berenger said, this much is certain: Bedbugs have infested the media. Yet bad dreams are most often fed by a touch of reality. More than one household in 10 in France was infested with bedbugs between 2017 and 2022, according to a report by the National Agency for Health and Food Safety. The agency relied on a poll by Ipsos to query people on a topic that many prefer to avoid discussing because they fear going public with a bedbug problem will stigmatize them. But silence is a mistake, experts say. No social category is immune to finding bedbugs in their clothing, blankets or mattresses. Its not at all a hygiene problem. The only thing that interests (bedbugs) is your blood, said Berenger, the entomologist. Whether you live in a dump or a palace, its the same thing to them. Business is booming for companies that eradicate the little brown insects, a process that often starts with detection by dogs trained to sniff out the special odor that bedbugs give off. If an infestation is confirmed, technicians move in to zap the area with super hot steam. Heat and cold are enemies of bedbugs. One French government recommendation for victims is to put well-wrapped clothes in the freezer. Kevin Le Mestre, director of Lutte Antinuisible, said his company is getting dozens and dozens of calls. In the past, he said, people often didnt react, even to bites. Now, as soon as they spot a bite, they dont ask themselves whether it really comes from bedbugs or not. They call us straight away," said a pest control technician for the company, Lucas Pradalier, as he disinfected a Paris apartment. A sniffer dog detected bedbugs in a baseboard and between floorboards. The French public began moving into panic mode about a month ago after reports of bedbugs at a Paris movie theater. Videos began popping up on social networks, showing little insects on trains and buses. Now, both Socialists and centrists of President Emmanuel Macrons party want to propose bills to fight bedbugs. Far-left lawmaker Mathilde Panot recently brought a vial of bedbugs to the Parliament to chastise the government for, in her view, letting the creatures run rampant. Bedbugs, an age-old curse on humans, seemingly disappeared with treatment by harsh, now-banned insecticides. They made a reappearance in the 1950s, especially in densely populated cities like New York. And they travel the world thanks to commerce and tourism. That adds up to a bedbug challenge for the Paris Olympics starting in July. All human population movements are profitable for bedbugs because they go with us, to hotels, in transport," said Berenger. Beaune, the transport minister, is hopeful that steps can be taken to ease the public's fear. But, he conceded, Its hell, these bedbugs. ___ Associated Press journalist Alex Turnbull in Paris contributed to this report. Freeman Webb Company announced Thursday that longtime president and CEO William H. Freeman, better known as Bill, will step from the helm of the Nashville-based real estate investment and management firm he helped found 44 years ago. His son, Bob Freeman, is named as his successor and Matt Olson has been promoted from vice president of acquisitions to chief operating officer. Bill Freeman, longtime leader and co-founder of the Freeman Webb Company, plans to step down as president and CEO, the company announced Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. "I truly believe I could not be leaving our company in greater hands," Bill Freeman said in a news release about the leadership change. "The years I've enjoyed here are nothing short of amazing, and I would like for Bob and Matt to have that same sense of satisfaction. I look forward to seeing what they do with their own ideas and with the incredible technology available today." Bob Freeman will serve as the next president and CEO of the Freeman Webb Company after his father, Bill Freeman steps down from the role at the Nashville-based real estate company, according to an announcement on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Bill Freeman's 50-year career began at the age of 16 when he earned his professional real estate license. He co-founded the Freeman Webb Company in 1979 with Jimmy Webb. Webb died in 2019 after a battle with cancer. Freeman Webb Company is valued at $3.2 billion. About Bill Freeman's successful real estate career Bill Freeman enrolled in a three-year realtor institute course at just 14 years old. He was the youngest participant in the country. From the earnings he made as a lineman (refueling airplanes and ground services equipment) he bought his first property at 16 and eventually made an $80,000 profit. This first real estate deal ignited his lifelong ambition in the industry. The partnership between Freeman and Webb led to a company that is now the largest owner and operator of apartments in the Middle and East Tennessee regions. Freeman Webb is also known as the developer of Tennessee's first GOLD LEED-certified Class A office building. Their portfolio includes 17,364 units throughout the Southeast. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bill Freeman to step down as CEO of Freeman Webb Company Gaetz 'open-minded' on rules change to eliminate motion to vacate, would support Jordan or Scalise as speaker EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla., said Thursday he is "open-minded" on a House rules change that would abolish the tool he used to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif., as speaker, while telling Fox News Digital that he would support either Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, or Rep. Steve Scalise , R-La., as his replacement. McCarthy was removed as speaker of the House after Gaetz introduced a measure against him known as a motion to vacate, accusing him of breaking promises he made to win the speaker's gavel in January. Lawmakers voted to oust McCarthy on Tuesday from the speakership for the first time in the history of the House of Representatives. HOUSE VOTES TO REMOVE KEVIN MCCARTHY AS SPEAKER IN HISTORIC FIRST During an interview with Fox News Digital on Thursday, Gaetz said he leans towards keeping the motion to vacate as an option, but didn't rule out supporting an effort to abolish it altogether. "Im leaning against changing our exiting rules for any particular purpose," said Gaetz. "Though, I am open-minded and would be willing to hear anyones presentation if they were offering a rules change." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Since McCarthys ouster, both House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jordan and House Majority Whip Scalise have announced bids to run for speaker of the House. "Both of these men would represent a monumental step forward for the Republican conference," Gaetz told Fox News Digital. "I dont believe there is a single conservative in the country who would not believe we are in a better position with either of them." Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Gaetz told Fox News Digital he would be "honored to vote for either of these men on the floor." HOUSE REPUBLICANS MOVE 'FULL STEAM AHEAD' ON IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY EVEN AMID SPEAKER UNCERTAINTY "In conference, Ill make a decision based on spending," Gaetz said, referring to the House GOP conference meeting next week. "And whether theyre willing to liberate us on these continuing resolutions." Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. Meanwhile, as Jordan gains support for speaker of the House within the GOP conference, questions are swirling on who could take his post as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee which is jointly leading the impeachment inquiry against President Biden, alongside the House Oversight and Ways & Means Committees if he is elected. Capitol Hill sources said Gaetz may have ambitions himself for the post, but when asked, the congressman offered his support to a colleague instead. "The best person to take the Judiciary Committee if Jordan became speaker would be (Louisiana Rep.) Mike Johnson," Gaetz told Fox News Digital. "Because hes a better lawyer than I am." Original article source: Gaetz 'open-minded' on rules change to eliminate motion to vacate, would support Jordan or Scalise as speaker Tuesdays ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was a remarkable moment in American politics and the next several weeks could be just as wild, as Republicans search for a new speaker and the federal government faces another potential shutdown the week before Thanksgiving. Below are some of the main players in the speakership fight. The instigator: Rep. Matt Gaetz The young and ambitious Florida Republican resisted McCarthys election to the speakership in January and continued to be his main nemesis in the ensuing months. A pro-Donald Trump hard-liner, Gaetz was furious that McCarthy struck a deal with Democrats to avert a shutdown. Some say that Gaetz, who has been embroiled in numerous scandals since taking office, wanted revenge because he believed McCarthy was responsible for a House ethics investigation against him. Others believe he is trying to raise his profile ahead of a 2026 gubernatorial run in Florida. Recommended reading Whatever the case, Gaetz has shown a willingness to buck Republican leaders and make enemies as long as it keeps him in the limelight. Rep. Matt Gaetz at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) (CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag) The contenders: Reps. Steve Scalise , Jim Jordan, Kevin Hern and Elise Stefanik Its hard to imagine that anyone could want the speakership after watching the humiliation of McCarthy. But Washington is full of ambitious men and women who have convinced themselves that they alone can fix it. Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, was one of McCarthys top deputies and is currently undergoing treatment for lymphoma. However, he says hes healthy enough to become speaker of the House and has declared his candidacy for the speakership. Ohios Jordan has also announced that hes running for the job. The longtime congressman is one of the most conservative members of the House and is helping to lead the impeachment inquiry into President Biden. For his part, Gaetz said this week that both Jordan and Scalise are good fits for the speakership. Recommended reading Rep. Steve Scalise at a press conference on Sept. 30 on Capitol Hill. (Tom Brenner for the Washington Post via Getty Images) (The Washington Post via Getty Im) Meanwhile, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik an erstwhile moderate who became a staunch Trump ally has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for speaker. Stefanik, 39, is the highest-ranking woman in the House Republican leadership, a role she took after she and her colleagues ousted Rep. Liz Cheney from her post for criticizing former President Trump. And Kevin Hern, an Oklahoma congressman who leads a large grouping of House conservatives called the Republican Study Committee, is thought to be a likely candidate for speaker. House Republicans are set to vote on a new speaker on Wednesday, following a Tuesday meeting in which they will hear the candidates speak. The placeholder: Patrick McHenry McHenry is the short, cheerful guy in a bow tie who is suddenly all over the news, with his first bang of the speakers gavel quickly becoming a social media meme. McCarthy appointed him as his successor and, well, here he is, serving as the acting speaker until the House elects someone else. McHenry, a North Carolina congressman, is an old-school Republican whose calling card is fiscal restraint. In other words, he has virtually nothing in common with Gaetz and culture warriors like far-right Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. If he manages to keep the different factions in the Republican conference from devolving further into a civil war, his brief tenure will be a success. Rep. Patrick McHenry arrives at the House speakers office at the Capitol on Wednesday. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg) (Bloomberg via Getty Images) The X factor: Donald Trump A House speaker need not be a House member, which has presented Republicans with an intriguing possibility: nominating Trump. Gaetz told Yahoo News back in 2021 that he would nominate Trump if the Republicans won back the House in November. He voted for Trump instead of McCarthy in January, though only as a protest. Now a Trump speakership is a possibility, however outlandish. On Thursday, Greene told reporters that Trump is considering visiting Capitol Hill next week, and that she hopes he will be a candidate for speaker. Trump is already running for president, and he is facing multiple state and federal indictments, which would all be serious impediments to him taking the job. Also, while the House is technically allowed to choose a nonmember as speaker, it has never happened before, and Trump has never shown real interest in the job. The Democrats House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the Capitol on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images) (CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag) Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, succeeded Nancy Pelosi to lead House Democrats earlier this year. He has repeatedly sought to contrast House Democrats for the most part, united on the issues with their rancorous Republican counterparts, who both he and Biden have branded as MAGA extremists. Jeffries had a working relationship with McCarthy, but they were hardly friends. And he saw no need to save McCarthy, which would have only required a handful of Democratic votes. Under his direction, no Democrat voted against Gaetzs motion to vacate, thus ensuring McCarthys demise. Even if some centrists wanted to make a deal with McCarthy, progressives are savoring the moment, their views of the Republicans seemingly confirmed. Defending the Democrats decision to let McCarthy fall, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that the GOP no longer felt responsibility to govern just to placate their extremist wing and internal politics. Sometimes the adults need to say no. Recommended reading A gaggle of (Forrest) Gumps will invade the Woods Memorial Bridge and other nearby routes Saturday morning, as racers cross the iconic span over the Beaufort River for the annual Run Forrest Run 5K. The gaggle will necessitate the swing bridges closing from 6:30 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday for vehicle and tugboat traffic, according to the SC Department of Transportation. Drivers should expect traffic delays in the area and seek alternate routes across the waterway, such as the McTeer Bridge. The easternmost blocks of Bay Street as well as Meridian Road on Ladys Island will also be used for the racecourse, according to the event website. Part of weekend festivities for 2023s Beaufort Shrimp Festival, the 5K celebrates the Lowcountrys prominent role in the 1994 classic Forrest Gump, which features a famous scene of Forrest running across the Woods Memorial Bridge. Runners are encouraged to dress as the films titular character and take photos with an impersonator at the start and finish lines. The 64-year-old span opened for service in 1959 and was placed on The National Registry of Historic Places this January. In 2021, the bridge averaged 13,700 vehicle crossings a day. A pair of mechanical malfunctions temporarily closed the bridge twice in the same day at the end of September. Rep. Kevin McCarthy , R-CA, speaks during a press conference after being ousted as Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. McCarthy was removed by a motion to vacate, an effort led by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-FL, and a handful of conservative members of his own party. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A majority of Americans, 63%, support the establishment of a third major political party, according to a Gallup Poll conducted ahead of the ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy by far-right Republicans. "However, the current measure is not meaningfully different from the prior highs of 61% in 2017 and 62% in 2021, shortly after the January 2021 Capitol Hill riots," Jeffrey Jones, a senior editor for Gallup, wrote in an analysis of the poll results. Jones noted in the analysis that 58% of Republicans support a third party, up from 45% a year ago and only the second time in the poll's history that a majority from the GOP endorsed the idea. The only other time more Republicans expressed support for a third party was after the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. A record-low 22% of Republicans supported a third party when the poll began. Democrats have had much less deviance in their responses over the years, with a low of 33% supporting a third party in April 2011 and a high of 54% of Democrats in September 2018. The latest poll shows just 46% of Democrats currently support the establishment of a major third party. "Republicans' support for a third party tends to vary based on whether a Republican or Democratic president is in office," Jones wrote. "In contrast, independents' and Democrats' views of a third party have been similar under both types of presidential administrations." An organization called No Labels that bills itself as the "commonsense majority" has been laying the groundwork for a centrist party candidate with a program it calls "Insurance Policy 2024." Its stances hit on both Republican and Democratic policies such as preventing migrants from illegally entering the country to recognizing the United States is a nation of migrants and creating plans to attract more legal migrants. "We are preparing for the possibility of nominating a candidate. We have not yet committed to do so," the organization said of preparations for the 2024 presidential election. "We will run ONLY under the proper environmental conditions, which must be met for us to proceed." The establishment of a third major party could fundamentally change U.S. politics, especially in situations such as McCarthy's removal as the top Republican in government and in avoiding government shutdowns. For example, if a third party of far-right Republicans formed, moderate Republicans possibly could feel more inclined to vote with Democrats on measures they agree with, such as ensuring the government remains funded, and Democrats might be more willing to make concessions across the aisle, too. "It is unclear to what extent Americans actually desire a third party, as opposed to just expressing their frustration with the two parties that contest elections and govern in the U.S. two-party system," Jones added. He noted that polls show both former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden are unpopular with many U.S. adults. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The ramming of a Filipino boat by a foreign vessel off Bajo de Masinloc has no connection to the tensions between the Philippines and China in relation to the West Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. Asked about China's involvement in the Oct. 2 maritime incident that resulted in the death of three Filipino fishermen, PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu categorically said it has nothing to do with the two nations' dispute. "Ang reference natin is galing sa port of origin nila, which is Agno, Pangasinan. Hindi natin dapat i-associate dun sa-- malayo kasi yan dun sa Bajo de Masinloc," Abu said in a briefing Thursday. [Our reference is from their port of origin, which is Agno, Pangasinan. We should not associate it with-- because that is far from Bajo de Masinloc.] It is said that the collision did not happen in Bajo de Masinloc but closer to the coast of the town of Infanta in Pangasinan. The PCG said its cross-referencing of details provided by the fishermen indicated "Pacific Anna," a crude oil tanker registered under the flag of Marshall Islands, may have been the vessel that rammed the Filipinos' boat. "Sa flag of registry, walang involved na bansa na sinasabi natin (referring to China). Dun pa lang kita na eh. That's why sinulatan natin yung bansa kung saan siya registered," Abu said. [In the flag of registry, the country we are talking about has no involvement. It's clear there. That's why we wrote to the country where it is registered.] The collision killed three Filipino fishermen, including the captain, who were on board the boat in waters off Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc. Abu earlier said the PCG had written to the port state of control in Singapore since the vessel was heading there from South Korea. He added that he also personally wrote to the government of the Marshall Islands to get information on the vessel. "We're not necessarily, specifically concluding or pointing it out na siya mismo yun [that it was indeed the vessel]. It has to go through a very stringent and very careful investigation and we're doing that," the PCG chief added. The marine casualty investigation is ongoing to determine the liability of the owner and crew of Pacific Anna. The PCG chief invited the survivors to Manila to share their information firsthand. CNN Philippines' correspondent Paige Javier and digital producer Syrah Inocencio contributed to this story. FILE - Garth Brooks, left, and Trisha Yearwood appear at the 58th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, Texas on May 11, 2023. The couple hosted Habitat for Humanity's annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Week Project, which began on Sunday. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) LOS ANGELES (AP) Two days into Habitat for Humanity's annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Week Project, hosted by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, and the country legends were feeling the burn. Well, we're sore," Yearwood said, laughing. "Were all here for the same reason, which is to help everybody have a roof over their head. So, its a great cause. Its a great experience. This year, the project is held at a large-scale affordable housing neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. Construction began on Sunday, coincidentally marking Jimmy Carter's 99th birthday. It was celebrated with a Happy Birthday sing-along for the former president currently in hospice care at home. You learn several things when working alongside the Carters," Yearwood said. "You learn that you better be working all the time if you look like you're standing there idle, President Carter will ask you if you need a job, if you need something to do." This work site without them, we're calling that 'being Carter-ed.' If you get caught without a job, youve been Carter'ed." Brooks and Yearwood first became involved with Habitat for Humanity following Hurricane Katrina and were named Habitat Humanitarians in 2016. Yearwood says theyve built alongside the former president and first lady on every annual work project theyve participated in, with the exception of this one. Yearwood also told The Associated Press she's working on new music, writing when the songs come to her, but there's no rush. We got married almost 18 years ago to be together, to not be apart," she says. "So, whoevers touring the other one is there, whether theyre on stage or not. So, we work together all the time. Brooks has spent a large part of the year performing at a Las Vegas residency, which will extend into 2024. It's a moment of magic for us. Always has been," he says of the shows. "Weve been pretty lucky in the fact that everything we do comes back to people loving people. Inclusion, inclusion, inclusion. This is the perfect example of it. If you come to Vegas, youll see a room full of it, and Im very lucky to get to play for those people. Habitat might prove to a musical inspiration as well. Theres a pretty sweet rhythm so you can pick up some good old, good old hammer tracks here, he jokes. "And its funny how youll find yourself just start to sing a song or hum a song to the rhythm of the atmosphere. So, its in our lives. You cant escape it. And its fun to get to share it with these people. Some California workers are in line to earn more sick days starting in January, as Gov. Gavin Newsom handed labor advocates another victory. The governor on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 616 from state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach. The new law requires employers to allow their workers to accrue five days of sick leave each year, up from the current statewide minimum of three days. Workers can start accruing those extra days beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Gonzalez said she authored the bill out of concern that workers would not have enough sick days if they or a child fell ill with COVID-19. This reinforces our states values and commitment to protecting the health and well-being of our workers, Gonzalez said in a statement Tuesday. Gonzalez previously told The Sacramento Bee, Families no longer have the temporary protections afforded by COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave, which ended last year. Proponents of the law, which was passed by California lawmakers last month, cite research from the nonprofit think tank Economic Policy Institute that found two days of unpaid sick time is equivalent to the cost of a months worth of gas. Lost wages from three days of unpaid leave amounts to a familys entire monthly grocery budget, that same study found. Additional unpaid days could mean the difference between putting food on the table and kids going hungry. No one wants workers to come to work sick, but thats exactly what happens when workers face the prospect of losing a large part of their pay, said David Huerta, President of SEIU California and of SEIU United Service Workers West, in a statement. The unions were co-sponsors of the bill. We applaud Governor Newsom for signing this bill and expanding sick leave for all. The California Conference of Machinists, the California Labor Federation and the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council also co-sponsored SB 616. Lobbyists from the business community still remain opposed to the additional leave time. They say small businesses with thin margins will be pushed to the financial brink. Our concern is that far too many small employers simply cannot absorb this new cost, especially when viewed in context of all of Californias other leaves and paid benefits, and they will have to reduce jobs, cut wages, or raise consumer prices to deal with this mandate, said Jennifer Barrera, president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, in a statement Tuesday. Small businesses are crucial to our local communities and the overall success of our economy. In California, seven cities already mandate that employers provide nine to 10 days of sick time, according to researchers at the California Budget and Policy Center. They are: San Diego, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville. The Bees Cathie Anderson contributed to this story. Tanner Heffington, left, talks to Jimmy Drake. Drake passed on his farm and equipment to long-time neighbor Heffington last year, making this the first time in more than 70 years that a member of the Drake family didnt harvest the land. Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune LITTLEFIELD Jimmy Drake started farming when he was 18. He had grown up learning the intricacies of agriculture alongside his father under the unforgiving West Texas sun. He would come home covered in dirt that is good for little but growing cotton. He has managed the land for the last seven decades. There has been abundance. There has been devastation. Through it all, Drake was propelled by a sense of family and purpose. He belonged to the land as much as it belonged to him. And then, last year, a longtime employee resigned. Working 2,500 acres more than three times the size of the State Fair of Texas alone was suddenly daunting. At 85, Drake had to call it quits. But unlike his father and grandfather before him, Drakes children wont be taking on the farm. Drake, who is now 86 years old, is not the only farmer who has faced this dilemma. He wont be the last. In 2017, there were nearly 41,000 Texas farmers who were 75 or older. There were another 65,000 between the ages of 65 and 74. Its as much a fact as the sun rises in the east: Texas farmers are getting older and cant continue the hard labor. The steady increase in the age of farmers is not unique to Texas, and is part of a national trend the 2017 agriculture census found the average age of all U.S. farm producers rose 1.2 years from the 2012 census. [Farmers face a higher risk of suicide. The Texas Agriculture Department wants $500,000 a year to change that.] In many cases, they either dont have family to leave their land to or their family doesnt want it. Drakes son is a retired farmer himself. We are elderly and we dont have enough young people coming along, said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. A lot of these farmers will sell because none of their heirs want to take over the operation. Drake was a lucky one. Tanner Heffington, a young, trusted neighbor who also had farming in his blood, agreed to take care of the land. I was glad Tanner was there, but it still didnt feel too good because my familys been farming that land, Drake said. But, time marches on. For the first time in two generations, the Drake farm wouldnt be taken care of by the family a reality for Drake harder to grasp than the dry soil underneath his boots. Tanner Heffington, left, talks with Jimmy Drake inside a barn. Heffington, a young, trusted neighbor who also has farming in his blood, agreed to take care of Drake's land. Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune Cotton was Drakes lifelong friend and bitter rival at times. He couldnt simply call it quits and let his land go to the next highest bidder. Had it not been for his employee leaving, Drake said he could still go. Whit Weems, who leads education outreach at Texas Farm Bureau, said even though there are a lot of producers reaching retirement age, farmers rarely make the choice to officially retire. Farming and ranching is a passion and a lifelong calling, Weems said. Its something farmers will continually do, up until death or their health doesnt allow it. For Drake, finding someone to take it over was easy in Littlefield, a small town nearly 40 miles northwest of Lubbock. [Delayed passage of farm bill stirs uncertainty for Texas agriculture] Heffington is Drakes best friends grandson, and someone Drake considers family. Heffington, 31, and Drake have a bond that has grown naturally over Heffingtons lifetime. For as long as Heffington remembers, the two have had lunch every Sunday and talk on the phone regularly. Drake has memories of Heffington running around as a toddler and remembers when, as a teenager, Heffington accidentally started a large grass fire in town that ended up being front page news. Heffington jokes that Drake didnt give him much of a choice about taking on his 2,500 acres. It takes a certain kind, Drake said. You gotta be bred for it. The two have also bonded over agriculture, particularly the pride they feel as being contributors to the nations food, fuel and fiber industries by growing cotton. Tanner Heffington gets out of his John Deere tractor. He and Drake have bonded over their shared passion for agriculture. Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune I cant describe the feeling of working all year and watching that crop grow, Heffington said as he looked out to the farmland surrounding him. Then you get to harvest and say I grew that. This is what were used to, this is our everyday. It easy to understand why the farming industry isnt alluring to some young people. Texas farmers face unique challenges: drought, storms and unpredictable markets. It's costly to start. Heffingtons first tractor cost $49,000. A single machinery breakdown can spell the difference between a farmer ending the year flush or in debt. The young farmers those 35 and under who do take this on only account for about 9% of the states farms. Agricultural officials have taken notice of the barriers that could keep young farmers and ranchers out of the business, and have made programs specifically to draw them in. The Young Farmer Grant program by the Texas Department of Agriculture is open for people 18-46 years old and provides money for creating or expanding a business. The grants can range from $5,000 to $20,000. Weve helped a lot of people get started and we think we get a good return on our investment, Commissioner Miller said. Those people just need a little bit of help to get them going. Miller also applauded livestock shows across the state that provide scholarships for young people and similar programs, including the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Farm Bureau. Weems, of the Farm Bureau, said the people interested in their program are a mix of young people coming back to their family farm or newcomers with little experience and a genuine interest in agriculture. Theres opportunities for them to work with individuals that are looking at transitioning out or passing that farm on to another generation, Weems explained. Agriculture is critical to our survival, so its important that young people stay engaged. Despite retiring, Drake still drives by the farm most days. There is a steady increase in the age of Texas farmers, mirroring a national trend. Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune Heffington can name a half dozen farmers around him who have retired since he started farming, but he said he won't take on any more acres. He likes helping Drake, whose farm is 20 miles away from Heffingtons, but thats his limit for now. I think Im tapped out on what me and my two employees can do, Heffington explained. Im pretty content where Im at, but Im sure thats going to change one day. Heffington is aware of the challenges he will likely face, because he saw it growing up on his dads cotton farm. Still, Heffington knows cotton like the back of his hand and wants to make it his future. Like Drake, he sees himself being in the business for a long time. Ill go until I cant or something happens, Heffington said. I cant see myself doing anything else. The same is true for Drake even in retirement. In between his morning coffee in Littlefield and driving for afternoon coffee in nearby Sudan, Drake is known to do small things Heffington might need around the farm, and doesnt hesitate to climb in the tractor. I drive out to that farm every day, Drake admits. Not only to inspect what Tanners doing, but thats where Ive been all my life. I just keep driving back out there. Disclosure: Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Texas Farm Bureau have been financial supporters 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. Nancy Marks, Rep George Santoss (R-NY) former treasurer, has been charged with one or more felony offences and is set to plead guilty, prosecutors have said. Ms Marks is the accountant who was in charge of the finances for the Santos campaigns. Court documents and an official at the Eastern District of New York have both confirmed the charging of Ms Marks, according to The New York Times. She has overseen the finances of some of the top Republicans in the state and has previously faced allegations of crossing the line of the law but she has not previously been charged. The court official said Ms Marks is set to appear in federal court on Thursday in Central Islip on Long Island to enter a plea, The Times notes. Its not clear if or how the case against Ms Marks will affect Mr Santos. The scandal-ridden congressman pleaded not guilty in May after he was charged with 13 counts of wire fraud, theft of public funds, money laundering, and lying on federal disclosure forms. One of the allegations against Mr Santos in his indictment is that he illegally took political donations from an unregistered nonprofit for himself to the tune of $50,000. Another member of his campaign staff was indicted in August for another fund-raising scheme. Mr Santos has rejected the notion that he was involved in the finances of his campaign, claiming that Ms Marks was behind all of the filings made. Placing the blame on her for any inaccuracies, he told a rightwing outlet this year that a former fiduciary went rogue. Ms Marks was by Mr Santoss side from the start of his failed 2020 campaign until his election win last year. She earned almost $240,000. While she has agreed to plead guilty, theres nothing to suggest that shell work with prosecutors, according to the paper. Ms Marks has been active in Suffolk County Republican politics for quite some time, and she has strong links to the Long Island Republicans. She oversaw the finances for former State Senator John Flanagan and former Congressman Lee Zeldin. Mr Zeldin lost a close race for governor last year. Ms Marks has been the focus of federal prosecutors on several previous occasions, The Times reported previously this year. Prosecutors have investigated allegations that she aided in the selling of a ballot line and claims that she embezzled funds from a client, but she wasnt charged in either case. The 58-year-old departed from the Santos campaign in January not long after it was revealed that he had fabricated large parts of his background. Ms Marks sent in filings to change the Santos campaign finance reports more than 30 times. Expenses were added and removed with no reason given why. A large number of expenses appeared for $199.99 just under the bar for when receipts are needed. A number of these expenses were made out to anonymous. In later changes, these expenses were removed. In total, more than $365,000 in campaign expenses remain unexplained. Watchdogs have filed complaints to the Federal Election Commission. Mr Santos is set to appear in court on 27 October. Her Thursday afternoon appearance in court will be Ms Markss first, the Associated Press noted. The Independent has reached out to the campaign and congressional office of Mr Santos for comment. Nancy Marks, the former campaign treasurer for Rep. George Santos who pleaded guilty Thursday to one federal count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., seemingly tried to take her old boss down with her as she testified. Marks detailed to a judge how Santos, under her guidance, submitted bogus campaign finance reports to make it appear he had more donors than reality, the Associated Press reported. In a news release, the Department of Justice said the funding lies werent just to deceive deep-pocketed donors, but were also to trick the National Republican Congressional Committee into believing Santos had reached a donation threshold thatd qualify his campaign for extra financial and logistical support. Testifying Thursday, Marks implicated Santosexplaining how they combined to falsely record in campaign finance reports that hed loaned his campaign $500,000. In actuality, Marks said a loan was never taken out and Santos did not have the money or credit standing to borrow such an amount. Marks also testified that she and Santos altered the donation amounts in federal reporting records for at least 10 of his family members to make it appear they donated significantly more than they had. George Santos New Max Donors Have Strong Ties to Guo Wengui Santos office declined to comment on Marks claims to multiple media outlets. Marks engaged in criminal conduct intended to deceive and defraud the American public, said James Smith, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the FBI. This guilty plea holds her responsible for those various fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations. Marks guilty plea comes eight months after she resigned amid extensive allegations of brazen and seemingly endless financial irregularities by her truth-averse boss. Marks entered the plea around 4 p.m. in the same Central Islip, New York federal courthouse where Santos in May pleaded not guilty to a 13-count indictment accusing him of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements to Congress. Prosecutors say they have so far amassed more than 80,000 pages of materials to use as evidence against Santos. Her plea comes with a recommendation that she serve between three-and-a-half to four years in prison. Thats slightly below the maximum sentence of five years for the charge to which she pleaded guilty. A sentencing date was set for April 12, 2024. Marks is free on $100,000 bail in the meantime. Raymond Perini, Marks attorney, did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday. In an email, Santos defense attorney Joe Murray, declined to comment to The Daily Beast on Marks plea deal. Marks, 58, has long been a well-known figure in Long Island political circles, having been a key part of numerous past Republican campaigns. Santos campaign filings attracted intense scrutiny over such things as a raft of official expenditures listed at precisely $199.99, one cent below the threshold at which federal law requires candidates to keep receipts. In 2020, unsuccessful New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin also faced inquiries over a batch of similar $199.99 payments. His campaign treasurer at the time? None other than Nancy Marks. Marks resigned from her position with Santos on Jan. 25, and the freshman representative immediately announced he had hired a replacement. However, the man he claimed to have brought on to fill Marks position told the press he never agreed to accept the job. Santos tried to lay all the blame for any financial shenanigans at Marks feet, insisting the veteran consultant had gone rogue behind his back. Santos has managed to remain in Congress amid a barrage of allegations that began even before he took office. Amr Alfiky/Reuters Marks is not a CPA, but taught herself election law and used connections forged as a low-level Suffolk County employee and political volunteer to become a one-stop shop for candidates needs, according to The New York Times. She has also worked for at least one candidate seen at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, GOP also-ran Tina Forte. In addition to keeping the books for conservative PACs such as God, Guns, Life and Veterans for MAGA, Marks, who operates out of her home in Shirley, New York, printed lawn signs for Santos and other right-wing pols. A Times review of official records showed Marks politically-focused ventures earned at least $3.3 million between 2009 and 2022. Santos has managed to surround himself with a coterie of checkered neer-do-wells. As The Daily Beast first reported, Santos operations director Vish Burra faced discipline earlier this year for menacing a freelance journalist who had reported critically on his boss. This kind of behavior from anyone is unacceptable, much less from a congressional staffer, Santos communications director Naysa Woomer told The Daily Beast at the time. Woomer, an experienced legislative staffer, quit in May, shortly after Santos was indicted on federal fraud charges. On her way out, Woomer penned a scathing letter to the embattled congressman, saying that she was honored to be leaving the employ of a man who never took one point of professional advice given. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Rep. George Santos , R-N.Y., leaves the U.S. Capitol after voting on July 18. His former treasurer Nancy Marks is expected to appear in court on Thursday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Rep. George Santos' former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty to federal charges on Thursday in New York. According to ABC News, Marks allegedly was behind the false donor names that were used to inflate the amount of campaign money Santos reported he had collected. That amount was crucial to Santos being able to qualify for national party support. The case against Marks shares the court docket number as Santos' case, CNN reported, noting that the charge against her is directly related to her work for the New York House freshman. Marks was a longtime GOP operative on Long Island and was in charge of finances for the Santos campaign before she was fired after campaign filing abnormalities came to light. Santos, R-N.Y., who has admitted to lying about his qualifications after he was elected to his House seat, already pleaded not guilty in May to a 13-count indictment that includes fraud, money laundering and theft of public funds. Marks resigned from Santos' campaign in January shortly after news first broke about his dishonesty over his back story and resume. Santos blamed Marks when asked about the source of his fundraising and spending. The House Ethics Committee in June expanded its investigation into Santos. Samuel Miele, Santos's former fundraiser, was federally charged in August with five counts of allegedly impersonating former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's chief of staff while soliciting donations for Santos's campaign. Miele pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors have suggested that a plea deal may be in the works. Santos has called his indictment "a witch hunt," has refused to resign from Congress and said he plans on defending his seat in the 2024 election. Gay Republican U.S. Rep. George Santoss former campaign treasurer pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony charge related to a case against the New York lawmaker. Nancy Marks pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government, according to the Associated Press. She also implicated the out New York Republican in court. Marks told the judge that she and the lawmaker lied on finance reports that he loaned his political campaign $500,000. She said they did it even when they didn't have the money to do so, but they hoped to make it look like he'd been successful at fundraising for his campaign. Marks ran Santoss campaign finances until she quit when allegations of abnormalities in financial disclosures came to light. "Marks also said she had provided the Federal Election Commission with a fake list of people who had supposedly given money to the campaign. The names on that list were real but the donations were not, and the people had not given her permission to use the names, Marks said," the AP reports. Marks had worked for several powerful Republicans and conservative political action committees over the years. Several times shes been dogged by accusations of corruption, but no charges had previously been brought against her, The New York Times reports. The paper reports that Marks waived being indicted by a grand jury and just agreed to the charges she faced. It notes that this happens when the defendant is planning to work with prosecutors though thats not always the case. Markss case had the same court docket number as Santoss. Her plea agreement recommends a prison sentence of 3.5-4 years. She was once one of Santoss closest advisers, and she had worked with him since his failed 2020 campaign for Congress. Santos was one of her most valuable clients, having spent almost $250,000 on her services, according to the Times. However, things changed. Santos has blamed Marks for any financial irregularities in his campaign. Related: George Santos Really Wants You to Meet His Husband Ray Perini, Marks's attorney, told reporters outside the courtroom that Santos mentally seduced Marks. Theres a manipulation involved that had to do with her family and the death of her husband, Perini said, according to the AP. There were lies told. Perini implied Marks was willing to testify against Santos. If we get a subpoena well do the right thing, the lawyer said. Another aide has also been charged in a separate fraud case. Samuel Miele, 27, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and one of aggravated identity theft, according to an indictment unsealed in August. Miele phoned or emailed more than a dozen potential campaign contributors in the fraudulent fund-raising effort, the indictment alleges. He told donors he was a high-ranking aide to a member of the House with leadership responsibilities, it notes. He received 15 percent of all funds raised. Related: George Santos Aide Accused of Impersonating Kevin McCarthy Staffer Now Charged The fabulist GOP congressman, who has lied extensively about his past, is facing 13 federal criminal charges. Those include 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 U.S. House of Representatives. Hes pleaded not guilty to all of them. Santos will appear in court October 27. Santos also faces an ethics investigation in the House over allegations of sexual misconduct. [Source] George Takei 's picture book, which offers a child-friendly perspective on his early years spent in Japanese American internment camps during World War II, is now available for pre-order. About the book: In the book titled "My Lost Freedom," the 86-year-old actor and political activist revisits events following President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1942 executive order that led to the forced relocation of over 100,000 Japanese Americans on the West Coast. The book's narrative will mainly cover Takei's resilience as a young boy living inside the camps. My Lost Freedom is illustrated by Michelle Lee and is set to be published by Crown Books for Young Readers on April 30, 2024. A timely message: Reflecting on the inspiration behind his latest work, Takei said in a statement, "My childhood behind barbed wire fences is the reason I became an activist." He emphasized the importance of conveying this chapter of American history to children and caregivers in a way that fosters understanding, especially given today's political climate. More from NextShark: Controversial Wilmington police sergeant being investigated for 'China virus' Facebook post Cover art: On Wednesday, Takei shared the books cover art on his Instagram account and announced the book's pre-order availability. "On December 7, 1941, the Pearl Harbor bombing changed the lives of Japanese Americans forever. Two months later, President Roosevelt declared us 'enemy aliens' and all Japanese Americans on the West Coast were forcibly removed from their homes. At age five, I was living behind a barbed wire fence. MY LOST FREEDOM is my new childrens picture book about how my family persevered despite living in the Japanese American incarceration camps." More from NextShark: California approves $156 million API Equity Budget to combat anti-Asian hate A literary voice: "My Lost Freedom" adds to George Takei's literary contributions, which include "Oh Myyy!: There Goes The Internet," focusing on his substantial social media following and his autobiography, "To the Stars." Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Chinas top livestreamer returns after 3-month disappearance following 'tank cake' controversy George Tyndall , right, USC's former longtime campus gynecologist, at a 2020 hearing with his defense attorney Leonard Levine, left, in Los Angeles Superior Court. Tyndall was found dead Wednesday at his L.A. condo. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) Dr. George Tyndall, the longtime USC gynecologist whose alleged sexual misconduct toward a generation of alumnae shook the university and resulted in settlements of $1.1 billion, the largest such payout in higher education history, was found dead Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. Tyndall, 76, was discovered in bed in his Westlake condominium by a female friend who had been unable to reach him via telephone, according to his criminal defense lawyer, Leonard Levine. Los Angeles police visited the scene and told the county medical examiners office that the death appeared to be from natural causes. No autopsy will be conducted, the medical examiner told The Times. Tyndall was free on $1.3-million bail at the time of his death. He was set to stand trial next year in L.A. County Superior Court on sex crimes stemming from his treatment of 16 former patients, a subset of hundreds of women who had accused him of inappropriate touching, harassment and other misconduct during a tenure at the campus health clinic that stretched from the late 1980s to 2016. Read more: Must Reads: How George Tyndall went from USC gynecologist to the center of LAPDs largest-ever sex abuse investigation Several of those women expressed dismay Thursday that his former patients would be denied their day in court. "I feel very strongly that justice was denied for all of us," said Audry Nafziger, a sex crimes prosecutor in Ventura County who had accused Tyndall of inappropriately touching her and photographing her genitals while an undergraduate in 1992. I wanted to see him convicted for what he did. Audry Nafziger, left, hugs Lucy Chi after at a 2021 news conference following USC's agreement to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to Tyndall's former patients. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times) Lucy Chi, a former patient who was to testify at Tyndalls trial, said his death before jurors issued a verdict was yet another blow for her and other former patients. I'm so disappointed, Chi said. I've been afraid for five years, ever since the story came out, that we'd never see justice. Tyndalls lawyer said his client had been looking forward to the trial since his arrest in 2019. "From the very beginning, Dr. Tyndall had adamantly denied every one of the charges against him. All he ever wanted was his day in court, which he was confident would end in his complete exoneration," Levine said. "Now, neither he nor his accusers will get that, and that is very unfortunate for everyone involved." Levine said he notified the court and expected to present a death certificate at the next hearing in the pending criminal case. Read more: The Times investigation of George Tyndall, former USC gynecologist accused of sexually abusing students Tyndalls troubled history at the campus clinic, where he was the sole full-time gynecologist for three decades, was exposed by The Times in 2018. Faculty, students and alumni were enraged that numerous complaints about inappropriate touching and creepy comments were downplayed and ignored, and university President C.L. Max Nikias was subsequently ousted as USCs trustees committed to reform its organizational culture. Former patients of Tyndall also deluged the university with lawsuits that laid out in graphic detail the experiences that women alleged they endured on his exam table. USC ultimately agreed to pay more than $1.1 billion in settlements and, after a petition from The Times, was forced to publicly disclose every complaint the university had received about the physicians conduct. George Tyndall, center, accompanied by his defense attorney Leonard Levine, left. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) After investigations by the Los Angeles Police Department and a criminal grand jury, Tyndall was arrested in June 2019. His case moved slowly. It was only in August four years after the case began that prosecutors concluded an initial presentation of evidence at a preliminary hearing and a judge ordered him to stand trial. Other high-profile cases moved more rapidly. UCLA gynecologist James Heaps, who was charged with sex crimes a month before Tyndall, was convicted last year and sentenced in April. USC's Engemann Student Health Center. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) Actor Danny Masterson, charged with rape in 2020, a year after Tyndall, was tried twice a mistrial and a conviction during the span of Tyndalls preliminary hearing. From Day One, we've been saying this guy is old and this needs to happen, said Allison Rowland, who saw Tyndall for gynecological exams in the 1990s and later received compensation from USC. Though she was not one of the 16 patients in the criminal case, she said she considered the trial a chance for justice vicariously. Read more: USC to pay $1.1 billion to settle decades of sex abuse claims against gynecologist I'm getting so mad I can't speak, Rowland said. I was interviewed by the police in June 2018. They thought they had enough to prosecute then. John Manly, one of the lead lawyers in the civil cases, said: "He got away with it. Spent almost no days in jail. Caused untold suffering to hundreds, if not thousands, of students at USC. ... I'm at a loss to explain this to my clients. Attorney John Manly speaks during a 2021 news conference to discuss a settlement between USC and Tyndall's former patients. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times) In response to criticism about the pace of prosecution, the district attorneys office said that prosecutors shared the victims deep disappointment and frustration. "Sadly, our system oftentimes moves at a slow pace, especially when the courts were forced to grind to a halt during an unprecedented global pandemic, a statement through a spokeswoman said. None of this will change the incredible harm that the victims have suffered. Our thoughts go out to them during this difficult time. USC declined to comment. Read more: For USC women, largest-ever sex abuse payout leaves bitterness, vast disparities Tyndall spent most of his professional career at USCs campus clinic, now known as Engemann Student Health Center. Though he was not a graduate of USC, he appeared to find his identity in his association with the university. When applying for a staff job in 1989, he told USC personnel, My mission will be to do everything I can to help Trojan women avoid the many preventable catastrophes that I have seen, according to a written account he provided to The Times. His vanity license plate read "COEDDOC." Tyndall , a native of upstate New York, served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. A deployment to Manila sparked a lifelong love for the Philippines. He began medical school there and regularly returned for vacation, eventually marrying Daisy Patricio, from the southern island of Mindanao. She has returned there in recent years, although Levine, Tyndalls defense lawyer, said that the couple were still married and that she survives him. Dr. Jane Davis, who worked with Tyndall at the campus clinic and twice testified against him before a criminal grand jury, told The Times on Thursday that the abrupt end to the case was very, very sad. How many years has this been going on, and that it ended this way? Its not unpredictable. He was 76 years old. He was not in the best of health, said Davis, now an emeritus professor of family medicine and obstetrics and gynecology at USC. Its sad that theres no resolution. 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. Former University of Southern California gynecologist George Tyndall , who was accused of sexually abusing his patients, was found dead Wednesday in his home, according to his attorney. A friend of Tyndalls went to check on him after he wasnt picking up his phone, Tyndalls attorney, Leonard Levine, told CNN on Thursday. Levine said the friend found Tyndall unresponsive and cold to the touch. CNN has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office for more information. Tyndall was accused of inappropriately touching 16 women during his time as a gynecologist and was criminally charged with 29 counts of sex crimes in 2019, to which he pleaded not guilty. Tyndall was a gynecologist at the school for almost 30 years and was fired in 2017, CNN previously reported. Levine calls Tyndalls death an unfortunate loss for not only his family but also for all involved in the impending trial. Levine said Tyndall was very much looking forward to having his day in court. In 2021, USC paid a record-setting $1.1 billion to settle scores of lawsuits over the sexual abuse allegations against Tyndall. The settlement involved civil claims from 710 former patients of Tyndall. The victims attorneys said it was the largest sexual abuse settlement against any university and the largest personal injury settlement against any university in history. The large sum came from an $852 million settlement announced by the university in March 2021, a previous federal class-action settlement totaling $215 million as well as other settlements, according to USC. CNNs Cheri Mossburg, Holly Yan and Claire Colbert contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) All eight systems of the state-run Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth) Corporation are now back online, but hackers are still holding unknown amounts of data, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said Wednesday. Hackers began exposing some personal information of PhilHealth employees on the dark web on Tuesday after the government failed to pay $300,000 (roughly 17 million) in ransom money. READ: Hackers begin publishing PhilHealth data on dark web - DICT DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy told CNN Philippines' The Final Word that the agency can't confirm yet how much information the hackers hold at this time. "Right now, the full data which is being held by the hackers has not yet been published. I don't know why. Maybe they are still hoping that we will pay them," Dy said. "They are slowly publishing information and it is true that most of the information we saw are from employees of PhilHealth." He said hackers are exposing personal data that includes identification cards, payrolls, photos, and some ATM cards of PhilHealth employees. Although he admitted some workstations used by PhilHealth employees were compromised, the undersecretary clarified that PhilHealth's membership database remains intact and was not hit by the Medusa ransomware attack. Israel Francis Pargas, PhilHealth senior vice president for health finance policy, also told CNN Philippines' The Source that member or patient data are safe, as hackers only got hold of employee information and some research papers. Georgia prosecutors intend to call Boris Epshteyn , a top lawyer and adviser to former President Donald Trump , as a witness in the upcoming trial of Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, two of Trumps co-defendants in a sprawling racketeering case related to Trumps effort to subvert the 2020 election. Epshteyn is one of six witnesses who reside outside of Georgia that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is attempting to summon to the state for the Oct. 23 trial, the first for any of the 19 co-defendants charged in the alleged conspiracy. Compelling his testimony may be a challenge in such a short timeframe, particularly given his attorney-client relationship with Trump. Other witnesses include three Republican activists who were involved in the Trump campaigns efforts to send false slates of electors to Washington. They are Arizonas Greg Safsten, Nevadas Jim DeGraffenreid who signed false documents claiming to be presidential electors from their states and Pennsylvanias Lawrence Tabas, a former head of the Pennsylvania GOP who dropped out before signing the false documents. Willis indicated she anticipates their testimony to reveal concerns about the legality of Chesebros proposals to send the contingent slates and sign documents claiming to be legitimate electors despite Bidens win in their states. Willis requests, unveiled in court documents made public Thursday, provide some of the clearest insight yet into her trial strategy and the case she intends to lay out against Trump and his co-defendants. For example, she says Epshteyn can testify about his contacts with Powell related to a November 2020 press conference in which Powell alleged that the algorithm used by Dominion Voting Systems machines could flip votes from Trump to Joe Biden. Willis also noted that Epshteyn was in touch with key lawyers orchestrating Trumps last-ditch bid to stay in power, including Chesebro and John Eastman. Willis is also seeking testimony from Lin Wood, an attorney who aligned with Powell and some of her discredited efforts to claim that Dominion machines had been manipulated to deliver the election to Biden. Wood hosted Powell and other allies, like former Trump national security adviser Mike Flynn, at his South Carolina estate, and Willis indicated it was there that Powell drafted a plan to seize Dominion voting machines. A second witness related to that meeting, Aaron Vick, is also on Willis list. Prosecutors have charged Powell with overseeing an effort to illegally access voting equipment in Coffee County, Ga. as part of that larger plan. Powell has argued that she had no role in orchestrating the effort. Chesebro and Powell elected to have speedy trials, which under Georgia law required them to face a jury by early November. Prosecutors have said they intend to offer the full suite of evidence that they intend to bring out against all 19 defendants, including Trump, in the trial, which they say could last months. To compel the attendance of witnesses from out of state, Willis must secure a court order from their home districts a process similar to what she undertook to demand their testimony during her investigation. Some of her efforts met resistance from witnesses who challenged her authority to compel testimony, but courts from local and state all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court largely backed her efforts. Customs officials seize assets allegedly linked to a Russian oligarch during a raid on a villa at Tegernsee, in Rottach-Egern, Bavaria, Germany, Thursday Oct. 5, 2023. A special unit of police and customs officials have raided several properties of a Russian national in the southern state of Bavaria, officials said Thursday. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa via AP) BERLIN (AP) A special unit of police and customs officials have raided several properties of a Russian national in the southern state of Bavaria, officials said Thursday. The unidentified Russian is subject to sanctions and asset freezes by the European Union, German customs officials said. The European Union, the United States and other western nations have imposed sanctions against Russia in response to Moscows war against Ukraine. These include travel bans and asset freezes of a number of Russian government members and certain Russian businesspeople. Due to tactical reasons related to the investigation no further information can be provided, German customs officials said. Several luxury cars have been confiscated from a villa on the Tegernsee lake in Rottach-Egern, German news agency dpa reported. In September 2022, a special unit of about 250 police officers raided two dozen properties across Germany linked to Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on suspicion of money laundering and violations of EU sanctions. Germany announced it will send additional air defense systems to Ukraine to protect its grain shipments from Russian attacks, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 4. The equipment sent will include one additional IRIS-T defense system and more than a dozen anti-aircraft Gepard installations. These systems are set to arrive in Ukraine by the end of 2023, and aim to safeguard grain headed to Romania. Russia has targeted Ukraines grain sector, a critical component of the countrys economy, multiple times in recent months. This comes following Russias recent withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which helped send Ukrainian food exports to food insecure regions around the world. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of weaponizing food insecurity, as millions of people are dependent on Ukrainian grain exports. The terrorist state has endangered the lives of 400 million people in various countries that depend on Ukrainian food exports, Zelensky said in a tweet following the announcement. In a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin advised Ukraine defense allies to offer additional defense systems to Ukraine. I urge allies and partners to dig deep and donate whatever air defense munitions they can as Ukraine heads into another winter of war, Austin said. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says special forces conduct operation in occupied Crimea Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WASHINGTON Amid last weekends chaos in Washington, Rep. Nancy Pelosi boarded a military plane to accompany the body of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein back to California. One of the most groundbreaking women in American politics was taking home another trailblazer. An especially poignant and historic moment, which political science professor Wendy Schiller doesnt think got enough attention. Instead, news media focused Saturday on whether the federal government would shut down and if House Republicans would depose their speaker. Its an extraordinary moment in American political history for women, said Schiller, who teaches at Brown University. Not a lot covering that. Feinstein, the longest-serving female senator in U.S. history, will be memorialized Thursday at a service on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall. Its a fitting location to honor Feinstein whose string of firsts included being the first woman elected as mayor of San Francisco, her hometown. Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi comforts her eldest daughter Nancy Prowda as she, alongside her husband Paul Pelosi, Eileen Mariano, granddaughter of Dianne Feinstein, and Rick Mariano, son-in-law of Dianne Feinstein, pay their respects to the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., as her body lies in state in the Rotunda of City Hall in San Francisco, California, on Oct. 4, 2023. But the event will be more lowkey than if Feinstein had lain in state in the Capitol, an honor not yet given to a female member of the House or Senate. Alaskas Don Young, who was the longest-serving Republican in the history of the U.S. House when he died in 2022, was the most recent lawmaker to lay in state under the Capitol Rotunda. Decisions about how a dignitary is memorialized after their passing are deeply personal ones for families. Feinstein lay in state in San Francisco City Hall, where Pelosi will speak Thursday, as will Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also from California, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Why are flags at half mast today? The country is nonetheless in mourning over the passing of a great lawmaker. President Joe Biden will give his tribute through recorded remarks. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday its not unusual for the vice president to attend a funeral instead of the president. And Bidens recorded remarks will demonstrate the respect he has for Feinstein, she said. He thought that she was an effective elected official, Jean-Pierre said. She was a historic trail blazer and they worked together on many, many issues across her career. Jean-Pierre emphasized one of Feinsteins most significant legislative accomplishments, a 1994 ban on assault weapons. The first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee, Feinstein also led the investigation into U.S. intelligence agencies for torture and abuse of prisoners in the aftermath of 9/11. The committees 2014 report concluded that so-called enhanced interrogation techniques such as waterboarding played no role in thwarting terrorist plots or capturing al-Qaeda leaders including Osama Bin Laden before his death at the hands of U.S. special forces in Pakistan three years earlier. In addition, Feinstein championed federal protections for same-sex marriage, was an early leader on HIV/AIDS, fought for reproductive rights and played an important role in safeguarding Californias public lands, among other accomplishments over her more than three decades in the Senate and more than five decades of public service. Respects are paid to the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein during a day of lying in state at San Francisco City Hall, on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. While Feinstein was a huge figure in San Francisco, she never sought much national press attention, said Georgetown University professor Michele Swers, who has written extensively on women in Congress. She preferred to do her work behind the scene, Swers said. When they talk about show horses and work horses in the Senate, she was most definitely a work horse. Feinstein occupied a position of honor and respect in the Senate for most of her tenure, said Ross Baker, a distinguished professor of political science at Rutgers University in New Jersey. She was grounded in moderation at a time when lawmakers were beginning to take extreme positions. How did Dianne Feinstein die? But her lifetime achievements have been overshadowed lately by her health struggles, Baker and other experts said. She died on Friday morning at her home in Washington, D.C., her office said. Feinstein, who at 90 was the oldest sitting senator, resisted calls from progressive lawmakers to resign despite being sidelined for various health issues and sometimes becoming confused when speaking publicly. This long exit was really the problem, Baker said. Steven S. Smith, professor emeritus of political science professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said Feinsteins death might have had more of an impact if it hadnt been so long anticipated and hadnt come during such a busy news cycle. The fact that she was missing in action for so long, that part of her last year has simply dominated coverage of her, he said. If you combine that with the fact that there are these other major events, shes not getting the attention that she surely wouldve received normally. Feinsteins colleagues have tried to get her the recognition they think she deserves. Among the many emotional tributes offered on the Senate floor Friday, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she had been pained in recent months by the grossly unfair attacks on a woman who was in failing health. And I think for some who would focus on that, Murkowski said, they would fail to appreciate what this extraordinary woman, what this extraordinary leader had contributed not only to the Senate but, again, to her State and to her country. Analysis I met Dianne Feinstein at the 1984 DNC convention. Since then, she's changed politics for women This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dianne Feinstein funeral eclipsed by Washington chaos At least 51 people, including a child, were killed Thursday in a Russian missile strike on a village in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine, officials said. A 6-year-old boy and 62-year-old woman were among those killed in the attack, which targeted a building that housed a cafe and a shop in the village of Groza in the Kupyansk district. Six others were wounded and all of the casualties were civilians, according to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office. Three people also remain missing, the press service of the police of the Kharkiv region reported. A memorial service for a slain Ukrainian soldier was taking place in the cafe when the missile struck. Only civilians were attending the event, the regional prosecutor's office told ABC News. PHOTO: Rescuers work at a site of a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Hroza, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Oct. 5, 2023. (Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/Reuters) The missile used in the strike was an Iskander-M missile. This type of missile could only be intercepted by a small number of air defense systems, the prosecutor's office said. It's the deadliest strike to occur in the Kharkiv region since the start of Russia's invasion, according to the local government. It's also one of the deadliest attacks to take place in all of Ukraine in recent months. MORE: White House vows Ukraine aid will continue despite funding uncertainty in Congress Russian troops launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February 2022. In June of this year, Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive in an effort to reclaim occupied territory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced Thursday's attack as a "demonstrably brutal Russian crime" and "a completely deliberate act of terrorism." He urged Western allies to help strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, saying that "Russian terror must be stopped." "Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world," Zelenskyy said Thursday. "Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defense, strengthening our soldiers, giving our country protection from terror. And we will respond to the terrorists." PHOTO: Firefighters work at a site of a Russian military strike in the village of Hroza, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine Oct. 5, 2023. (Andriy Yermak via Telegram via Reuters) Earlier on Thursday, Zelenskyy asked more than 40 European leaders gathered in Spain for their continued assistance and more weapons to help his country fight against Russian aggression. In an emotional speech before the European Political Community Summit in Granada, Zelenskyy said schoolchildren in eastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region were having to learn remotely or attend classes underground in subway stations due to air raids. MORE: Ukraine's 24/7 battlefield drone operation: 'Whoever wins the tech race, will win the war' "Until there is a fully effective air defense system, children cannot attend school," the Ukrainian president said Thursday, warning that "there will be a lot of Russian attacks in [the] winter." Last winter, Russian missiles and drones targeted Ukraine's energy system and other vital infrastructure, causing continuous power outages across the eastern European country. Zelenskyy confirmed that Spain has agreed to provide Ukraine with air defense capabilities in a new aid package. PHOTO: Emergency workers search the victims of a Russian rocket attack in the village of Hroza near Kharkiv, Ukraine, Oct. 5, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) The Ukrainian president also voiced confidence in continued support from the United States, despite what he called a "political storm" in Washington, D.C., after aid for Ukraine did not make the cut for a last-minute deal by American lawmakers to avoid a government shutdown. "I am confident in America," he said. "They are strong people with strong institutions and a strong democracy." Zelenskyy warned that one of the scenarios Russia is considering in the conflict is to freeze the war until 2028 to replenish its reserves. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin should not be allowed to beef up his military or else Russia could attack beyond Ukraine by 2028. "Let only Putin's ambitions be a ruin, not our countries, not our cities," Zelenskyy said. "Children of every country deserve to be safe. Everywhere in the country, not just in the subway, not just in underground shelters, but everywhere. We must make it possible. We must ensure that Ukraine wins." At least 51 civilians killed in Russian missile strike on village in eastern Ukraine, officials say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com On "The Golden Bachelor," 72-year-old Gerry Turner is looking for love six years after the sudden death of his wife. Turner doesn't avoid talking about his grief. But he also shows excitement over the prospect of love after loss. Turner's perspective is an inspiration at a time when relationships feel more impermanent than ever before. If you're thinking about swearing off romance once and for all, there's plenty of evidence to support that move. Social media is rife with complaints about how horrible dating can feel, and contestants on reality dating shows don't seem to be having a much better time seeking that mystical connection. Celebrities aren't even immune to relationship breakups and their potential fallout. More than ever, loving relationships seem impermanent and bound to end one way or another, so a hesitancy to try again after heartbreak makes sense. But, if you look in the right places, there's also proof of the immense value that comes from love lost. Enter Gerry Turner, a 72-year-old widow from Indiana and the first-ever "Golden Bachelor." I've never been one to watch "The Bachelor '' franchise, finding the series too manufactured and competitive to foster true and lasting love. But when I learned they were making "The Golden Bachelor" with Turner and 22 bachelorettes over the age of 60, I knew I had to check it out. April on "The Golden Bachelor." Craig Sjodin/ABC Turner has blue eyes, a full head of peppery hair, and a defined jawline, making him a conventionally attractive bachelor ideal for primetime television. But his personality a mixture of sincerity and verve is what really captivated me and, I imagine, many of the show's other 4 million viewers . Minutes into the first episode, Turner admits that he doesn't want to be alone, now that six years have passed since his former wife's unexpected death from a bacterial infection. He says the love of his daughters and granddaughters helped him overcome the grief of losing his wife. Now, he's able to see how much life he still has to live. For him, that means falling back in love. "I yearn for the second chance in life to fall in love again. The person who can lay down beside you at night, not have to say anything, and you feel, 'That's love.' That's what I want," Turner says in a dignified tone while choking back tears. As he waits for the women to arrive at the mansion in their limousine, he looks dapper and collected in a tuxedo, but admits he's anxious. How could you not want to cheer on someone that honest and hopeful? The acute reality of grief makes 'The Golden Bachelor' stand out from past seasons The franchise's hallmarks dolled up contestants, cheesy introductions, and roses handed out as tokens of connection are still part of the show. But seeing the toothy grins and hearing the belly laughs of Turner and the women he'd be courting, all while knowing how his last relationship ended unexpectedly, the overly shiny facade of previous seasons seemed non-existent. Turner had spent most of his life deeply in love, married to his high school sweetheart until her sudden death, as he explains on the show's debut episode. Just looking at him, you would never guess that Turner had experienced such a devastating loss. He seems hopeful and optimistic, almost giddy at times. It's Turner's lost love and what he makes of it on screen that represents the immense value of past romantic relationships in the present. Loving after loss, whether by a breakup or death, is easier said than done, of course. It doesn't happen overnight and anyone who has had a loss similar to Turner's will tell you it's a hard-fought journey riddled with disbelief , uncertainty , and mental and physical pain . But, when you take the time to mourn, and learn to carry a past love's memories and lessons into your current reality, it can allow you to be a more attuned lover than if you had not experienced that loss. And experiencing new love can be a way to honor the love you've lost . Love is a practice, not a destination In a trailer for "The Golden Bachelor" a contestant called Edith, pictured with Turner, told viewers "I want to be in love again." Craig Sjodin Though he has experienced sudden and immense loss, as the episode progresses, it never feels like Turner is longing for the past or seeking to find a replacement. Rather, his stories are proof that he has the capacity for another big love. Though Turner has yet to share more than a few conversations and make out sessions with his love interests, he appears to always show up as himself, full of excitement and genuine curiosity, sporting his hearing aids, and chuckling at contestants' sexual innuendos and lighthearted pranks. He never speaks from fear of loss, instead focusing on the relationship he's seeking to gain. "How lucky would I be to find the second love of my life?" Turner says. And the women on the show, full of energy from the lives they've led so far, also appear unafraid. They chatter about how handsome Turner looks and how they look forward to seeing what comes of their time on primetime television. Among them are career women and mothers and grandmothers, all who seem to have the wisdom that life is imperfect, but that it goes on in surprising and beautiful ways. In this paradoxical era marked by widespread loneliness, and also a deep fear of the antidote of intimacy, Turner and the bachelorettes' collective decision to seek out romance, fully aware of the potential that they may not find it, is an inspiration. Read the original article on Insider House Republicans are aiming their fire at Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) after the congressman staged a successful effort to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as Speaker, sharply criticizing the Florida Republican for teaming up with Democrats to boot the GOP leader and hurling personal insults his way. Taking matters a step further, at least two GOP lawmakers have said Gaetz should be booted from the House Republican Conference, an unlikely outcome that, nonetheless, underscores the raw frustration and anger with Gaetz among members of his party. The amped-up rhetoric comes as the House GOP conference is being forced back into square one electing a new Speaker as the government shutdown clock ticks down to the fast-approaching Nov. 17 funding deadline. The converging dynamics have House Republicans starting to lash out with Gaetz taking a large chunk of the heat. Matt Gaetz just got schooled by AOC and others; he was totally manipulated into doing this, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a close McCarthy ally, told reporters Wednesday. There were eight so-called Republicans that got together with 208 Democrats to oust the Republican Speaker. I cant believe hes that stupid to be used, to be manipulated by AOC and others to create this outcome, he added. Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.) said Gaetzs move to eject McCarthy from the Speakership amounted to one of the greatest acts of heresy. Hes literally taken one of our oldest institutions and put it into a downward spiral, all over selfish needs, all over Twitter feeds and raising money, DEsposito said during an interview on CNN. Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Morning Report newsletter McCarthy, during remarks following Tuesdays vote, said Gaetzs effort was personal and all about getting attention from the press. In a historic vote Tuesday, the House voted to oust McCarthy from the Speakership, putting an end to his nearly nine-month tenure on the job that had been defined by his efforts to manage the partys right-flank in the face of growing threats to his gavel. Eight Republicans, led by Gaetz, voted with all Democrats in the chamber to boot McCarthy, bringing the final tally to 216-210. It was the first time since 1910 that the House voted on a motion to vacate the chair and the first time such a motion has succeeded. McCarthy then announced he would not run for Speaker again, setting off a scramble in the GOP conference over who will succeed the California Republican in the top spot. In the meantime, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) was named Speaker pro tempore and will preside over the House, but the chamber is unable to conduct legislative business until a new Speaker is chosen. Immediately after the vote Tuesday, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told reporters that Gaetz should be removed from the House GOP conference, adding hes not a Republican. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) who said Tuesday that he would have hit Gaetz square between the eyes with the Speakers gavel echoed Bacons sentiment Wednesday, saying he believes the Florida Republican should be kicked out of the conference. Punchbowl News reported Wednesday night that Lawler said he is considering offering a motion to expel Gaetz from the group. To be sure, booting Gaetz from the House GOP conference would be a heavy lift, requiring agreement from two-thirds of members. Asked about expelling Gaetz from the conference, Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) questioned if his Florida colleague broke any rules. We dont kick people out cause we dont like em, Armstrong said. God, wed be doing that every morning in conference. Graves also brushed aside questions about potentially ousting Gaetz from the conference, saying it would have to be a decision for the group to make. Gaetz, for his part, is disregarding the criticism being directed toward him. Asked about Lawlers square between the eyes comment and if he expects to be expelled by the conference, Gaetz returned fire. I think that that was a very frustrated person whos having to come to grips with the stages of grief, Gaetz told Bloomberg TV of Lawler. Im not much for political violence; I dont want to hit anybody, he later added. If Mike Lawler comes at me with a gavel, Im not entirely sure that would concern me, but thats not the direction I think we ought to go. I think we ought to maybe craft a budget before an attack strategy. Gaetz has also drawn substantial criticism from Republicans for fundraising off of his effort to oust McCarthy. Graves presented a screenshot of a fundraising blast that he says Gaetz whom he called a clown sent out during debate on his motion to vacate. He accused the Florida Republican of capitalizing on a manufactured crisis. If were gonna continue to have clowns like Matt Gaetz as part of the Republican conference, as part of this Congress, then youre gonna have to have rules in place that prevent him from doing his charade every single week, every single month, where he goes out and he does his thing where he creates some manufactured crisis does his manufactured crisis using official government resources, official government actions, manufactures a crisis and then goes and sends out fundraising emails off of the crisis manufacturer, Graves said. I think this should be illegal. I think people should be in jail for this crap. I mean, were getting email fundraisers from him as hes doing it. Join in quickly, McCarthy said Tuesday, referring to Gaetzs motion to vacate-related fundraising efforts. Thats not governing; thats not becoming of a member of Congress. And Gaetz is facing claims of hypocrisy. The Florida lawmaker for weeks had been heightening his threat to force a vote on confiscating McCarthys gavel, warning the then-Speaker that he would face a motion to vacate if he relied on Democrats to pass a continuing resolution which the California Republican did last weekend to avert a shutdown. Gaetz, instead, wanted the chamber to pass all 12 appropriations bills. DEsposito said Gaetz criticized McCarthy for working with Democrats, but yesterday he worked with Democrats, some of the most progressive and far-leaning left in the conference, in order to take Kevin McCarthy out. He is by every stretch of the definition a complete hypocrite. McCarthys ouster came three days after he put the continuing resolution on the floor. The successful motion to vacate has put the House at a standstill, with legislative business including the appropriations process unable to proceed until a new Speaker is chosen, a reality that is causing concern with lawmakers as they race the clock to fund the government ahead of next months shutdown deadline. Therere 12 appropriations bills, those bills are all moving. Now, the ones that arent moving, its for one reason: Its because Matt Gaetz and some of the cronies have single-handedly prevented or obstructed those from moving forward, Graves said Wednesday. The Louisiana Republican re-upped a familiar metaphor he has used to describe the GOP rabble-rousers. Once again, the arsonists who lit their house on fire, who whined about their House being on fire, who put out the fire, wants credit for it, and sets up a GoFundMe site to get paid for it, he said. Complete hypocrisy. Miranda Nazzaro contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. On Monday, Rep. Matt Gaetz filed a "motion to vacate" Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. A day later, the House successfully voted to kick McCarthy from his leadership post. A Republican congressman from Louisiana was livid and said Gaetz got "schooled" by Democrats. A Republican congressman from Louisiana vociferously went after Rep. Matt Gaetz on Wednesday, a day after the chamber voted to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy as speaker. The Hill reported Rep. Garret Graves of Louisiana said he believed Gaetz was "totally manipulated" into filing a "motion to vacate" on Monday, forcing the House to take a vote to remove McCarthy from the chamber's top leadership position. "Matt Gaetz just got schooled by AOC and others," Graves said. "He was totally manipulated into doing this. There were eight so-called Republicans that got together with 208 Democrats to oust the Republican Speaker." As Graves noted, only a very small minority of Republican representatives eight in total, including Gaetz elected to vacate the speakership. And while it takes many more than eight votes to oust the speaker, the entire Democratic caucus voted in lock-step with the small group of GOP rebels, ultimately bringing together the simple majority vote needed to complete the task at hand. Graves' comments to reporters on Wednesday weren't the first he made in recent days disparaging Gaetz. He also called the Florida congressman a "clown," saying he "would be a great dictator on a small island nation or something." The Gaetz's anger over McCarthy's ouster hasn't been contained to just him, instead spilling out toward the GOP caucus at large. During Tuesday's vote, Graves took the floor to angrily call out his fellow Republicans for fundraising off the speakership drama, saying: "All of a sudden my phone keeps sending text messages, text messages saying, 'Hey, give me money. Oh, look at that. Oh look, give me money; I filed the motion to vacate.'" "Official actions to raise money," Graves said, "It's disgusting. It's what's disgusting about Washington." The House is not set to meet again until next week, when it'll reconvene to deliberate and vote on a new speaker. And while some members of Congress have voiced their displeasure with the decision, Graves insisted it might be for the health and safety of the legislative body. "If we had stayed together in the meeting last night, I think that you would have seen fists thrown," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider Seven of the eight Republicans who voted to sink Kevin McCarthy's speakership were longtime conservative critics. There was one unexpected rebel who McCarthys allies say committed the worst betrayal of all. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) triggered audible gasps on the House floor when she joined seven hardliners in torpedoing McCarthy during Tuesday's historic ouster vote. That decision is now clouding her future in the GOP, not to mention imperiling the status of her relatively competitive seat next year, as scores of angry Republicans mull possible retribution. McCarthy and Mace didn't always see eye to eye, but the California Republican had helped Mace secure her seat in Congress by pumping millions of dollars into her once-struggling campaign. Mace's move to aggressively fundraise off her vote to bounce McCarthy is only intensifying her colleagues' anger toward her. Its disgraceful, said Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), a longtime McCarthy ally. "If the purpose is because it's going to help me build my brand and gonna bring a little bit more money to my campaign, Womack added of Mace, then I think you need to question why you're here." But for Mace, the anti-McCarthy vote may prove a purposeful step in a chameleonic career that's already seen her swing repeatedly between Trump-centric conservatism and establishment-bucking centrism. Nearly two years to the day after she voted to refer a criminal contempt case against Trump-world stalwart Steve Bannon to the Justice Department, Mace showed up on his podcast Wednesday alongside lead McCarthy antagonist Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). And Mace is making clear that her vote for speaker is up for the taking by either Majority Leader Steve Scalise or Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). She met with Jordan on Wednesday after his speakership bid became official and plans to separately sit down with Scalise, according to a person familiar with the plans. Elsewhere in the GOP, revenge is on the menu. House Republicans are now weighing whether to expel Mace from at least two centrist-leaning groups she belonged to, as POLITICO first reported. Her staff was quickly removed from several internal GOP communications channels shortly after her vote Tuesday. After calling Gaetz a fraud for going on a fundraising spree while opposing McCarthy in January's speaker race, Mace copied the Floridian's tactic as she appeared with him on Bannon's show. She implored conservative listeners for their support, saying that she would face backlash from the Washington establishment for her vote. I do need help, because they are coming after me, Mace said. During a Fox News interview later on Wednesday, Mace delivered a plea for donations that she acknowledges violated House rules that bar lawmakers from soliciting political contributions while on Capitol grounds. (Her office says she self-reported the matter to the House Ethics Committee.) Congresswoman Mace promised her constituents shed be an independent voice for them, Mace spokesperson Will Hampson said, adding that the GOP, the party of free speech and diversity of opinion, can decide as a conference if it wants to punish one of their strongest female members for voting in a way they didnt like." Mace already has two Democratic challengers in a reelection race that's likely to be hard-fought, with serious questions about whether the party apparatus will commit significant cash to her. She beat back a conservative primary challenger last cycle, too, though her vote against McCarthy may stop a new one from appearing. Gaetz affectionately promoted Mace on the Bannon podcast as Maverick Mace, hyping her so intensely that some Republicans started privately wondering whether she would try to seek a more senior role within the GOP conference. But if Mace were to make any play for higher roles within the party, she'd likely struggle to get the votes she needs. The second-term 45-year-old's self-styled "independent voice often translates into moves that confuse her colleagues. After whipsawing between distance from and embrace of former President Donald Trump, for example, she recently opened the door to backing his primary campaign. Within the Capitol, shes known as an outspoken critic of party leadership and a frequent guest on cable news shows. Im not sure what the fallout will be. She has no coalition of support, said one House GOP lawmaker, who was granted anonymity to discuss internal party dynamics. I cant stop her from going on the Sunday shows, this lawmaker added. But inside the conference, she is a running joke. Even after Mace hinted she would move against McCarthy during an ABC appearance on Monday, many didnt take her seriously. Mace told "The View" hours before voting to oust the speaker that McCarthy had promised her things which never materialized, adding that she empathized with Gaetzs frustration. After her vote against McCarthy, which she cast only after the margin had turned decisively against him, Mace told reporters: When you shake my hand and you make a promise and dont keep it, there are consequences to those actions. McCarthy told a different story. Hours after his historic ejection, he didnt hide his unbridled frustration when reporters asked about Maces comments. Nancy Mace is a whole 'nother story, McCarthy replied with a smile, eliciting laughter from the audience at his press conference. Lets just be honest here. The ousted speaker said he had called Maces chief of staff about her ABC comments the day before to ask Where have I not kept my word? McCarthy then recalled her chief of staff's response: "You have kept your word, 100%." Shortly after McCarthy's ouster, the congresswoman and her chief, among others, were spotted drinking at Bullfeathers, a popular Capitol Hill bar. Given the House GOPs slim majority, any retaliation against Mace will likely wait until after the speaker race that's set to begin next week, according to several lawmakers who are deliberating on how to move against the eight Republicans who opposed McCarthy. As one ally of the former speaker put it: The only grudge that I know as a fact is going to last is the one we are going to hold against those eight assholes. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said Wednesday that his party needs to have a real reckoning within the conference as the GOP conference will meet next week amid the chaos surrounding the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) During an appearance on CNNs The Situation Room, Lawler told host Wolf Blitzer that he and his colleagues are frustrated with the eight House Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy, saying that their decision violated the rules of their conference. It was disgraceful and violated House Republican conference rules, that required a majority of a majority to remove a House Speaker and file that motion to vacate, and they didnt adhere to that, and it was wrong, Lawler told Blitzer. When asked about his colleagues who have thrown their names into the House Speakers race, Lawler replied that he wants to see potential candidates share their plan on holding the eight lawmakers who voted to oust McCarthy accountable for their decision. No, I dont have a preference of these three, and I think we need to have a real reckoning within the conference when we meet next week, Lawler told Blitzer. Number one, I want to hear how any of these candidates plan to handle holding these eight members accountable, Lawler added. They voted with 208 Democrats to torpedo our House Republican majority. The American people elected us to govern to serve as a check and balance on the Biden agenda and everything that weve been focused on from cutting spending to securing our border was just imperiled by these eight individuals. Lawlers remarks come a day after the House voted for the first time ever to remove a Speaker of the House. The historic vote was first brought forth by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), as he and seven other Republican lawmakers joined their Democratic colleagues in a 216-210 vote to remove McCarthy from his position. The seven Republicans who joined Gaetz to oust McCarthy are Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Ken Buck (Colo.), Tim Burchett (Tenn.), Eli Crane (Ariz.), Bob Good (Va.), Nancy Mace (S.C.) and Matt Rosendale (Mont.). For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte defended her agencies' use of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs), saying ensuring the country's peace and order should not be constrained by time. "It matters not whether it takes one day or one year of spending; what truly matters is the safety and security of our people," she said during the 122nd police service anniversary of the Police Regional Office 13 in Butuan City on Wednesday. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) was heavily criticized by various groups, lawmakers, and the public after Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo revealed that its 125 million CIFs were spent in a span of 11 days. READ: Quimbo: OVP's 125-M confidential funds spent in just 11 days, not 19 But for Duterte, CIFs will provide necessary resources to address unforeseen challenges whether it be combating terrorism or tackling organized crime. She added that anyone who attacks or undermines the CIFs allocated for peace and order is assumed to have "insidious motivations." "Kung sino man kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa kapayapaan. Kung sino ang kumokontra sa kapayaan ay kalaban ng bayan," she warned. [Translation: Whoever opposes confidential funds opposes peace. Whoever opposes peace is an enemy of the state.] Congress on Sept. 27 decided to review and realign CIFs to agencies tasked to protect the West Philippine Sea. A four-man committee has yet to give an update on the reallocation. Duterte proposed a combined 650 million CIFs for the OVP and the Department of Education in the 2024 national budget. House Republican lawmakers denied revenge when evicting former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., from their secret Capitol offices. This week, interim House Speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., booted both Pelosi and reportedly Hoyer from their hideaways private offices in the Capitol that each senator and a select few House lawmakers have after now-former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif., was ousted from the role. However, several GOP lawmakers told Fox News Digital that the evictions were not rooted in vengeance, but rather because the office is reserved for the immediately preceding speaker. NANCY PELOSI EVICTED FROM HER PRIVATE OFFICE IN THE CAPITOL BY INTERIM HOUSE SPEAKER This week, interim House Speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., booted both former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., from their hideaways. "This was a decision by Speaker Pelosi in getting removed because that is the office for the former speaker," Louisiana GOP Rep. Garret Graves told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "She's no longer the immediately preceding speaker so that was a decision she made by evicting Kevin McCarthy," Graves continued. "That was her own decision." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP House Freedom Caucus chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., said the evictions were not done in revenge but that it seems to him "unfortunately that we have an unexpected recent vacancy in this with the speaker's office and that speaker that's been recently the speaker now has to have a place per the rules." "So that [place] needs to be reoccupied or occupied by somebody different," Perry said. "That's just the that's just the flow of business here." Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., told Fox News Digital, "This was a decision by Speaker Pelosi in getting removed, because that is the office for the former speaker." "So, I don't think it's personal," he added. "I don't think it's anything other than, you know, we have a new tenant here, and he needed to move in." Perry said he believes that the evictions "cascade" and that there's "only so many offices, and once one person is displaced, then they want to displace the next person." Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson, also a Republican, said he doesn't think the evictions were a revenge tactic and deferred to McHenry for reasoning. House Freedom Caucus chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., said the evictions were not done out of revenge. "And in some ways, I think it's a test case to say what are the limits to the power of the speaker pro-tem," Davidson said. "And I guess I'm encouraged that Speaker Pelosi complied, and they're emptying the office out." "I think it was a good decision to kick her out. And, frankly, I suggested that, you know, Patrick McHenry might ought to move on and terminate some folks while he's got the opportunity, if he does, in fact, have the power to do so." Davidson also deferred to McHenry on whether other House Democrat hideaways would be put on notice and noted that the speaker pro-tem was a recent addition in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Hoyer's office declined to comment on the eviction. Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Pelosi was evicted from her private Capitol office by the new speaker pro-tempore on Tuesday after the vote to oust McCarthy. Hoyer's displacement came on Wednesday, the first full day following McCarthy's ouster, according to multiple media reports. Original article source: GOP lawmakers deny revenge play against Pelosi with office evictions after McCarthy ouster An endorsement from Kevin McCarthy was supposed to be a blessing for Republicans in competitive primaries next year. But now primary challengers see it as a liability. McCarthys ouster from the speakership is a sudden opening for primary contestants who have already gone on the attack against the frontrunners who earned his endorsement. Voters dont want a McCarthy Republican, Joe Earley, who is running against a McCarthy-endorsed candidate in West Virginia, said in a statement to POLITICO. They want a true conservative, and this situation has exposed how poor a job that McCarthy has done and that my opponent has refused to reject his endorsement. And few of McCarthys benefactors have come to his defense. McCarthy threw his weight around in competitive races early in the 2024 cycle, backing candidates for at least eight House seats: Tom Barrett in MI-07; state Rep. Heidi Kasama in NV-03; West Virginia state Treasurer Riley Moore in WV-02; former state Rep. Craig Riedel in OH-09; former Rep. Yvette Herrell in NM-02; Scott Baugh in CA-47; former Rep. Mayra Flores in TX-34; and Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln in CA-09. All of these races with the exception of the open primary in the deep red WV-02 are on the NRCCs target list. McCarthy is a prolific fundraiser and has an extensive political network that was poised to boost these candidates. Its unlikely that will immediately crumble away just because hes no longer House speaker. But some Republicans running for Congress see his firing as fodder to take down their opponents who earned his endorsement. Kasama has McCarthy's backing, the same guy who's let us down time and time again, former Nevada state Sen. Elizabeth Helgelien, one of Kasamas primary opponents, said Wednesday. She added that the district deserves better than someone whos okay with broken promises. NV-03 has been a top target for cycles, as Republicans attempt to unseat Democratic Rep. Susie Lee. McCarthys candidate of choice last year, April Becker, lost to Lee by around 4 points. Helgelien, who launched her campaign with a video of her holding a gun while decrying "weak" leadership, was the first Republican to enter the race back in March. McCarthy endorsed Kasama shortly after she announced her bid in August. Both Helgelien and Drew Johnson, a conservative columnist also running for the seat, have sought to label Kasama as a Republican in name only or a liberal. Some took McCarthys downfall as an opportunity to rail against the establishment. Max Ukropina, whos running against Baugh in CA-47, said in a statement that hes not focused on Washington power games or big K-Street endorsements. And Nate Cain, another WV-02 candidate, went after McCarthy and the RINO establishment. Over in OH-09, J.R. Majewski took shots at the former speaker on a conservative podcast, saying that McCarthy deserves it because he manipulated elections, blaming him for not supporting Majewski in the midterms when a story came out that he lied about his military records. Majewski, who lost to Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in 2022, recently reentered the primary after dropping out to take care of his mother while she recovered from a surgery. Majewski had previously expressed frustration that McCarthy and other members of House leadership threw their backing behind Riedel. Herrell told POLITICO in a statement that she was saddened by the proceedings and that McCarthy did not deserve to lose his job. Baughs campaign said it had no comment, and the other campaigns did not respond to a request for comment. A version of this story first appeared in POLITICO Pros Morning Score newsletter. Sign up for POLITICO Pro. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) accused Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) of openly detailing his sexual experiences to fellow lawmakers in a bonkers interview with CNN on Wednesday. (You can check out his comments in the clip below.) He bragged about how he would crush E.D. medicine and chase it with energy drinks so he could go all night. This is obviously before he got married, Mullin told CNNs Manu Raju. Mullin, an ally of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), made the wild claims about Gaetz after the Florida Republican and seven other members of his party joined all House Democrats in supporting the ouster of McCarthy from his post on Tuesday. The move arrived after Gaetz filed a motion to vacate the California Republican from the speakers chair. Gaetz, in a statement to CNN, dismissed Mullins accusations. I dont think Markwayne Mullin and I have said 20 words to each other on the House floor, Gaetz said. This is a lie from someone who doesnt know me and who is coping with the death of the political career of his friend Kevin. Thoughts and prayers. Earlier in the interview, the senator referred to allegations from 2021 that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl adding that the media didnt pay the Florida Republican any mind because of the accusations. The Justice Department dropped its sex trafficking probe against Gaetz in February after investigating him over the allegations since 2020. Gaetz has denied the allegations. Theres a reason why no one in the conference came and defended him because we had all seen the videos he was showing on the House floor that all of us had walked away, of the girls he had slept with, Mullin said. Mullins claims arrive on the same day Marc Short, chief of staff for former Vice President Mike Pence, said Gaetz more likely came to Washington for the teenage interns on Capitol Hill than to be a fiscal crusader. The senator claimed that no one in the media gave Gaetz the time of day until November last year, when all of a sudden he found fame when he opposed the prospects of a McCarthy speakership. And hes always stayed there, Mullin said. And he was never gonna leave until he got this last moment of fame by saying by going after a motion to vacate. H/T: Mediaite Related... Republican senators are shocked and unnerved by the sudden collapse of Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) career in leadership and fear the turmoil in the House will put Congress on the path to a government shutdown. Senators are worried about who will succeed McCarthy and whether that successor will be so beholden to a small group of conservatives that it will be close to impossible to pass spending legislation before government funding runs out before Thanksgiving. While GOP senators occasionally criticized some of McCarthys moves, especially his decision to give the green light for an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, they saw him as allied with their desire to keep the government funded and to show voters their party can govern. Theyre hoping that whoever replaces McCarthy is willing to do what it takes to avoid a government shutdown. There are clearly a few choices that they could make that make it almost certain we go into a shutdown posture, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said of the race to become the next Speaker. He said that House Republicans need to change the rule that allowed Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to offer a motion to boot McCarthy out of his job. It passed when only eight Republicans joined 208 Democrats in voting to end McCarthys tenure as leader. Quite honestly, they got to figure how to change the rules and pull the motion to vacate. I dont know why anybody would pursue that job with that hanging over their head, Tillis said of the rule giving any single disgruntled member of the GOP conference the power to call a snap referendum on the Speakership. If it is hanging over their head, then you can almost be certain that the odds are higher that we go into a shutdown, he warned. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) this week also urged the new Speaker, whomever it is, to jettison the ability of a single lawmaker to call for a snap leadership election known as a motion to recommit as Gaetz did Tuesday. I hope whoever the next Speaker is gets rid of the motion to vacate. I think it makes the Speakers job impossible, McConnell said. The American people expect us to have a functioning government. Asked about the prospect that a prolonged battle over the Speakers gavel could put Congress on the path of a government shutdown, McConnell said, We need to get a Speaker, and hopefully well get one by next week. He warned that keeping in place the rule that gave a handful of conservatives huge political leverage over McCarthy would put whoever the Speaker is in a hammerlock of dysfunction, potential dysfunction. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), the vice chairwoman of the Senate Republican Conference, said she hopes House Republicans can come to a resolution on a Speaker quickly. You cant drag it out, because that just signals more unrest, she said. I do think its going to impact appropriations. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) described the lack of a clear plan to replace McCarthy as chaos and predicted it would delay Congresss work by a lot. The timeline is very, very, very challenging, even for the House, who can do things quickly, he said. I regret that were not on our minibus [appropriations package] now. Republican senators are breathing a sigh of relief the government didnt shut down last weekend but are worried the chances of a shutdown in November or December are now higher because of McCarthys sudden ouster. We kind of dodged that bullet; it doesnt mean were out of the woods yet, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Were not in the clear. We have a lot of work to do. She said its a troubling sign that a group of House conservatives voted to strip McCarthy of his job after he brought a bill to the floor to keep the government open that passed with Democratic votes. We all need to ensure that were putting our country, were putting the people that we represent before our party or our title. I think Kevin McCarthy did what he had to do, I think he did the responsible thing, she said. What I think was perhaps irresponsible was the actions of those within his own party who sought to oust him. There was a small group who unfortunately put themselves and perhaps their own personal ambitions or perhaps their own ego. They put that ahead of their responsibility as a lawmaker to govern and governing means keeping the government operational, she added. Even Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), one of McCarthys loudest Democratic critics, conceded that the former Speaker did what he had to get must-pass bills to President Bidens desk. To his credit, I will say this, Speaker McCarthy on both on shutting down the government and default of the debt at the end of the day realized he had to work in a bipartisan way to do whats right for America, he said. GOP senators are growing alarmed about the low number of full legislative days left in Washington until government funding expires in mid-November. Maybe five in October and five in November. That makes it impossible, Capito said, not counting Mondays, when senators travel to Washington and dont show up for votes until 5:30 p.m. Thirteen Republican senators, led by Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), signed a letter to Schumer urging him to cancel the October recess and to work full weeks in Washington to give lawmakers more time to work through the backlog of spending bills. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. It hasnt been emphasized enough that Laphonza Butler, Californias newest U.S. senator, has no legislative experience. This hole in her resume matters a great deal despite an erosion of public faith in legislative experience that is a bipartisan affliction in our politics. It was one of the factors that led to the election of President Donald Trump. In liberal, one-party California, the importance of legislative experience was disregarded by Gov. Gavin Newsom when he appointed the inexperienced Butler to fill the seat of the late Dianne Feinstein. Opinion Sworn in on Tuesday, Butler has been celebrated widely for her race, her gender, her orientation and her sterling credentials of a certain kind. She has also been lauded within an echo chamber of Democrats, many of whom have been elected to public office even if Butler never has. Lost in the aftermath of Butlers appointment has been the kind of critical scrutiny that would normally accompany an important political appointment. Her appointment is problematic because the voting public of California has no idea where Butler stands on crucial issues because shes never had to cast a vote on any level of government. What are her views on foreign policy? Despite staying too long in power, Feinstein was a titan in California and national politics and shes being replaced by a legislative beginner. Moreover, Butler has made curious choices and statements in the past that have not been examined as they would in an election campaign. She joined the Senate this week not long after writing a letter on behalf of a former Los Angeles City Councilman who was convicted in a federal bribery and fraud scheme. Mark Ridley-Thomas is facing 42 months in a federal prison. Butlers letter on behalf of Ridley-Thomas earlier this year was a recitation of political favors and personal kindness that Ridley-Thomas bestowed on her. How he supported her efforts to secure a $15-an-hour minimum wage in California. How thoughtful he was to her partner after a cancer diagnosis. Butlers main ask in the letter was that authorities consider the totality of who and what Mr. Ridley-Thomas has been, the work he has done and the leadership he showed so many of us in times of difficulty. It was the kind of letter that an advocate would write, which is what Butler has been in her career. An advocate for union members but also, curiously, for some companies hated by unions. Butler has done consulting work for rideshare giant, Uber. Earlier this year, a state appeals court ruled that companies like Uber and Lyft can continue to treat their California drivers as independent contractors. The ruling mostly upholds a voter-approved law, called Proposition 22, that said drivers... are not entitled to benefits like paid sick leave and unemployment insurance, wrote National Public Radio. Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, leader of the California Labor Federation and a former state assemblywoman, said this about the ruling: Today the Appeals Court chose to stand with powerful corporations over working people, allowing companies to buy their way out of our states labor laws and undermine our state constitution. Butler chose to stand with Uber as well, her labor background notwithstanding. She has declined to discuss the specifics of the work she did for Uber. And Gonzalez Fletcher has declined to comment on Butlers appointment to the Senate. That the most high-profile labor leader in California wont say anything about Butler beyond congratulations speaks volumes. It also hints at the political implications of Butlers appointment that have been obscured by her personal story as a Black, gay woman joining the elite ranks of the U.S. Senate. Butlers story obscured serious political implications Upon naming Butler, Newsom said that he was placing no conditions on her appointment and that if she chose to run for a full term in 2024, it was up to her. Butler wont answer the question of whether she will run in 2024, but it seems a safe bet that someone will do a poll gauging her chances. If Butler decided she wanted to run for a full term, its inconceivable that Newsom would just stand by and let her lose. He would want his appointee to beat Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee, members of the House of Representatives vying for the Senate seat now occupied by Butler. So if Newsom is willing to do that, why wasnt he willing to support Lee? Shes a seasoned legislator, with a strong voice. Shes principled and battle-tested. By appointing Butler, Newsom was picking someone with a profile that suited his political aspirations. If Newsom really wanted to pick a Black woman who has paid her dues and done the hard work of standing in front of voters to get elected, he would not have chosen Laphonza Butler. But he did because Newsom is who he is. He rightly calculated that once he appointed Butler, the same critics angry with him for giving the impression that his appointment was a seat warmer would suddenly be happy. Butlers personal story silenced real skepticism about Newsoms choice. But there should be more scrutiny. Butlers appointment is an outlier in California politics. The last time someone this inexperienced was named to the Senate was in 1964 when then-Gov. Pat Brown tabbed Pierre Salinger to fill a seat vacated after the death of an incumbent, just as Butler replaced Feinstein. Salinger had been press secretary to President John F. Kennedy before serving a brief stint in the Senate that ended after a few months when he was defeated by Republican George Murphy in November of 1964. Unlike Butler, Salinger was born and raised in California. He grew up, was educated and worked in San Francisco before working for JFK. Butler is from Mississippi. For a decade, she was president of SEIU 2015 the largest labor union in California representing more than 325,000 nursing home and home-care workers. Butler was an adviser to Kamala Harris during her disastrous run for president in the 2020 election, which ended before the California primary. She was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to serve on the UC Board of Regents and served three years before moving to Maryland to run EMILYs List. Much has been made of the fact that she had been living in Maryland for the last two years when Newsom appointed her to the Senate, but the truth is even more troubling. In her life, Butler has only passed through California in pursuit of her impressive career trajectory. Despite the trappings of a barrier-breaking personal story, Butler is where she is today thanks to the patronage of Californias elite political class. She got a leg up into the U.S. Senate by political calculation, despite her lack of experience. Californians need to know this should Butler decide to run for elective office for the first time in her life. Gov. Kay Ivey Wednesday asked the Alabama Public Library Service make funding for local libraries contingent upon conforming to policy changes that Ivey says will protect children in libraries. Libraries should be a place for exploring a wide variety of viewpoints and ideas, Ivey wrote in the letter. At the same time, however, libraries must not be a place to expose children to inappropriate content without the knowledge and consent of their parents. The letter comes amid right-wing attacks on the content in libraries in Alabama and around the country, often on books acknowledging LGBTQ+ people or containing LGBTQ+ themes. Book challenges are at a 20-year-high, according to the American Library Association. Iveys Wednesday letter did not specify what content she considered inappropriate. In an email Wednesday, Ivey spokeswoman Gina Maiola pointed to an earlier letter from Ivey, which included books with LGBTQ+ content. The letter also referenced two young adult books from Ozark-Dale County Public Library for sexually explicit content, but those books also contain LGBT content. A new policy at the Autauga-Prattville Public Library raises the age of unattended patrons from 12 to 15. The Alabama Public Library Service agreed to catalog potentially inappropriate books after a proposal from John Wahl, head of the Alabama Republican Party and a member of the governing board of the service. The governor sent a letter to Alabama Public Library Service Director Nancy Pack on Sept. 1 expressing concerns about content. Pack responded in a Sept. 12 letter saying that many libraries required or encouraged parents to be present when children checked out books. The policies underscore that parents bear the responsibility for their childrens use of library resources and the selection of materials, Pack wrote. This approach reflects a common strategy in libraries to balance child safety and access to the resources while encouraging parental involvement and responsibility. Ivey wrote Wednesday that Packs response did not satisfy her. The local library policies you submitted generally fail to support parents hoping to protect their children from inappropriate content, she wrote. The governor wrote that state funding for local libraries should be based on the existence of policies related to the location and relocation of materials inappropriate for children, as well as advance approval for displaying, recommending or otherwise actively promoting books by staff. The governor also said funding from the American Library Association, which has come under attack from conservative activists, be approved by a governing authority in an open meeting. In her letter, Ivey says that the local library board hold these meetings, but suggested the state Legislature could do so. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey speaks to the media Aug. 16 after handing out books and reading to second grade students at Dozier Elementary School in Montgomery. Ivey also asked Pack to direct local libraries to clarify their ability to respond to parental concerns about sexually explicit or inappropriate material that also says that restricting based on age is not censorship and disclaim the relevant ALA policy that libraries cannot discriminate based on age in location and promotion of library materials. A message seeking comment was left with the Alabama Public Library Service on Wednesday. In response to the local controversy, the board governing the Ozark Dale County Library created a staggered library card system, restricting some book checkouts based on the age of the child. Weird and hazy and a little Big Brother-ish Matthew Layne, president of the Alabama Library Association, said in an interview Wednesday that much of what is in Iveys letter is in place in a lot of libraries. Libraries, he said, generally already have content review policies and avenues to speak with concerned patrons. He said libraries and librarians arent always perfect with their book selection. As a librarian, I really welcome that opportunity to sit down and have a discussion with a patron about why the particular book is on the shelf, and what their issues are with this particular book, he said. Layne mentioned two concerns he had about the letter. He said that the term sexually explicit was used throughout, but it didnt receive a clear definition. Certainly there can be some some kinds of salacious type stuff that occurs in books, but my concern is that they are equating sexually explicit with anything having to do with a LGBTQ+ family, and so I think were going to need a definition of what they consider sexually explicit, he said. More: Prattville library raises age for unsupervised kids amid LGBTQ book debate He was also concerned about the section about actively promoting to children and its scope. Laynes not sure if that means that a librarian would need pre-approval to recommend a book about a dragon if a kid says they like dragons. It just get kind of weird and hazy and a little Big Brother-ish as far as who is deciding that, he said. Layne said that librarians are not trying to push specific books but are rather trying to get the right book to the right patron. It doesnt matter to me whether you think Bill OReilly hung the moon or whether you think John Stewart hung the moon, like, if those are the books youre looking for, then then those are the books, or something similar, that were going to find and get you access to, he said. In his one-year term, Layne said he had hoped to focus on amplifying resources that libraries can provide, such as HomeworkAlabama, a tutoring program offered through the libraries. Instead, he has spent much of his time responding to these book challenges. Layne said that these challenges have the potential to impact librarians serving their communities. When youre having to reconsider how your collection is displayed, youre not necessarily considering, What can I do to teach job training and career skills to teenagers?' he said. Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, an independent nonprofit website covering politics and policy in state capitals around the nation. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama governor asks public libraries to tie funding to book policies The sun sets over Oak Flat Campground, a sacred site for Native Americans located 70 miles east of Phoenix, on June 3, 2023, in Miami, Ariz. Oak Flat, or Chichil Bildagoteel, is a consecrated place used for prayer and ritual by many Native Americans in the region. Elders say the land was blessed by Usen, their Creator, and inhabited by Gaan, the mountain spirits or angels who provide spiritual succor and guidance to seekers. | Ty ONeil, Associated Press Fifteen years after government-sponsored road construction destroyed a sacred site in Oregon, federal officials have worked out a landmark settlement agreement with the areas Native American tribes. In the settlement, the government has agreed to replant a grove of native trees, pay for the reconstruction of a sacred stone altar and recognize the historic use of the site by Native Americans, according to the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, the law firm representing the tribes. The new agreement resolves a lawsuit, Slockish v. U.S. Department of Transportation, that had been sitting on the doorstep of the Supreme Court. For the 15 years since bulldozers tore up their sacred land near Mount Hood, the Native Americans involved in the case have been fighting for the restitution theyll now receive. Related The Slockish case The Slockish case centered on a road construction project along U.S. Highway 26 in Oregon. To add a turn lane to the road, federal officials approved the destruction of a site called Ana Kwna Nchi Nchi Patat the Place of Big Big Trees over the objections of Native Americans who used the land for religious ceremonies. Tribes continued fighting the project even after bulldozers had ripped into a sacred altar and surrounding trees. They wanted remediation of the site and for a court to confirm that what the government did was wrong, said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel for Becket, to the Deseret News in 2021. Part of what the plaintiffs want is a court ruling, a declarative judgment, that says the government violated the law. It would vindicate their ancestors, he said. But in the legal system, the Native Americans involved in the case faced more frustration. Multiple courts ruled against them over the years, often saying there was nothing the legal system could do to help since the land was already destroyed. This time last year, Becket appealed to the Supreme Court on the tribes behalf, a move that appears to have prompted renewed settlement talks. This week, the Native Americans finally secured what theyve been fighting for. Im hopeful that our story and this settlement agreement can help prevent similar injustices in the future, said Carol Logan, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, in a statement. Religious freedom for Native Americans The settlement in the Slockish case is notable given that Native Americans who raise religious freedom concerns are often ignored. Lawmakers and the legal system have been slow to recognize tribes unique faith-related needs. Theres often just a remarkably callous disregard of Native Americans and Native American religious practices. Theres a lack of understanding, as well, Goodrich told the Deseret News in 2021. Government officials and judges sometimes view conflicts through a Christian lens, he added. If the government took land owned by a Baptist church to build a highway, the Baptists could build another church on the other side of town. For many religious groups, that would be possible. But Native Americans cant go create a new sacred site on the other side of town. Their religious practices are inherently tied to a specific piece of land, Goodrich said. Now, Native Americans in Oregon will have the opportunity to return to the land theyve been missing next spring. Logan said in her statement that sacred tribal lands deserve more respect. Our sacred places may not look like the buildings where most Americans worship, but they deserve the same protection, dignity, and respect, she said. Although the Slockish case is now resolved, the Supreme Court could still hear a case involving a Native American sacred site in the near future. Becket plans to appeal Apache Stronghold v. United States, which centers on Oak Flat in Arizona, to the Supreme Court if the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allows a large-scale mining project to move forward, according to Beckets preview of the 2023-24 Supreme Court term. Russian troops struck a cafe in Kharkiv Oblasts village of Hroza, killing at least 51 people, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Oct. 5. The victims included a six-year-old boy. Six people have been injured, including another child, Syniehubov said on Telegram, adding that all the victims were local civilians. The attack occurred at around 1 p.m. local time, and the rescue operation lasted seven hours. The oblast governor called the attack "the bloodiest crime committed by the Russians in Kharkiv Oblast since the start of the full-scale invasion." Syniehubov announced a three-day mourning period in the region on Oct. 6-8. At the time of the attack, at least 60 people gathered in the local cafe for a memorial service for a deceased resident, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported on national television, cited by Suspilne. The attack was likely carried out with an Iskander missile, Klymenko added. Hroza is a small village in northeastern Ukraine that lies around 30 kilometers west of Kupiansk. The interior minister said that the population of Hroza was about 330 people, but a spokesman of the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office later clarified that the real number of people living in the village just before the attack didn't exceed 100. "The Russian army killed most residents of this village with one rocket," Dmytro Chubenko said on national TV, as cited by Hromadske Radio. Russia has been concentrating its forces around Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast since mid-July, trying to regain the positions lost during the Ukrainian surprise counteroffensive last autumn. The city was occupied by Russian forces from Feb. 27 to Sept. 10, 2022. President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the tragedy in his Telegram post, calling the attack a completely deliberate act of terrorism. Russian terror must be stopped. All those who help Russia circumvent sanctions are criminals. Everyone who still supports Russia supports evil, Zelensky said. Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world. The Russian strike on Hroza appears to be the most deadly single attack on a civilian facility in Ukraine this year, surpassing the death toll of Russias Jan.14 missile strike against a Dnipro apartment building, which claimed the lives of 46 people. Read also: Here are the victims of Russias brutal strike on apartment building in Dnipro Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks during the memorial services for late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Thursday, in San Francisco. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) During a grand memorial service on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall, the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein was remembered by family and the nation's top leaders Thursday as a committed public servant who broke barriers for women and served Californians for decades with integrity and grit. In a eulogy before hundreds of family members, friends, dignitaries and fellow politicians, Vice President Kamala Harris called Feinstein an "icon of California," a "serious and gracious person" who "commanded respect" but also gave it. Harris, echoed by others, talked about how Feinstein always "welcomed debate and discussion" on the policies she helped pass into law as long as it was "well-informed and studied." "Simply put," Harris said, "she was a force." The tribute marked a full-circle ending to a pioneering political life that began in the same building more than half a century before. Feinstein, who died last week at age 90, was president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the city's first woman mayor before serving California in the Senate for more than three decades. It was in that building that Feinstein's career was jump-started by tragedy. Her long connection to the city's civic governance was invoked by speakers throughout the ceremony. The service was closed to the public by a wide security perimeter but was livestreamed online. Feinstein lay in state inside City Hall on Wednesday, when members of the public were encouraged to visit and sign a condolence book. 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 The memorial brought rows of Congress members, prominent political donors and Capitol Hill staffers together under a baking midday sun at a time of intense political tension back in Washington where California's influence has been transformed in recent days with Feinstein's death and the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) as speaker of the House. It also came as would-be Feinstein successors are working ahead of next year's election to gain the support of her constituency, which had returned Feinstein to Congress time and time again despite leaning more liberal than she did in recent years. Gov. Gavin Newsom hugs an invited guest after the memorial service in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime labor leader Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein's seat in the Senate until the election. At the service, Butler sat between Sen. Alex Padilla and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, along with a slew of other elected officials including Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Adam Schiff, candidates for Feinstein's seat. Newsom sat in the front row. Read more: Who will replace the late Sen. Feinstein in 2024 election? Meet the potential candidates Both Lee and Schiff flew on Air Force II with Harris, along with U.S. Reps. Jared Huffman, Eric Swalwell and Maxine Waters. Former Rep. Jane Harman, who was with Feinstein the day she died, also flew with them. Rep. Katie Porter, who is also running for Feinstein's seat, didn't attend. The service, however, remained fully focused on Feinstein concluding with a deeply personal remembrance from her granddaughter Eileen Mariano. Mariano, the daughter of Feinstein's daughter Katherine, praised her grandmother for helping to save Joshua Tree and other parts of California and for fighting for the LGBTQ+ community, including during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. But she said she would also remember her as "the most incredible grandmother," with whom she had "an effortless connection." Mariano recalled childhood memories of Feinstein teaching her about San Francisco history, giving her crooked haircuts at home, playing hide and seek with her and curling up with her on the couch to watch movies. She also taught her in tough times to "keep going no matter what," she said. "My grandmother," Mariano said, "was my biggest cheerleader." Eileen Mariano, granddaughter of Feinstein, speaks during the memorial service in honor of the late U.S. senator. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Feinstein had represented California in the U.S. Senate since 1992, and much of her tremendous political legacy was won over the course of her three decades on Capitol Hill. In recorded remarks played during the service, President Biden recalled watching Feinstein lead the fight for an assault weapons ban in the 1990s, and her efforts to protect the environment and her work on national security. "Thank God we had Dianne showing us the way by the power of her example," Biden said. U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), a personal friend of Feinstein, said living up to her standard was always "quite a challenge." Pelosi praised Feinstein for her legacy in Washington, confirming judges up to her last days, getting a breast cancer stamp created and passing the assault weapons ban, among other things. But she also praised Feinstein for her San Francisco accomplishments, such as helping to save the city's cable cars. "The list goes on and on, from the U.S. Capitol back to San Francisco, where Dianne Feinstein is our forever mayor," Pelosi said. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer also recalled Feinstein's work on the assault weapons ban, called her a close friend and said her "integrity made her sparkle like a diamond" in the Senate. Despite her time spent in Washington, Feinstein always called San Francisco home, and many of the memories shared about her were based in the city. It was here that Feinstein first entered local politics by winning a seat on the Board of Supervisors in 1969, and here where she was catapulted onto the national political stage in 1978 when Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were assassinated and she was elevated from board president to mayor. She was the first woman in city history to serve as mayor, and she did so for 10 years, until 1988. Many residents still remember her as much for her local contributions as her national ones. Read more: 'I always think of her as mayor': Dianne Feinstein's legacy lives deepest in San Francisco Feinstein never stopped pestering her successors at City Hall about municipal issues big and small, to their amusement and consternation. San Francisco's current mayor, London Breed, recalled receiving constant good advice from Feinstein, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Feinstein told her to "focus on doing the right thing" for the city. But Breed also recalled Feinstein's influence on her as a young girl and other young women around the country another theme of the memorial. Mourners gather during the memorial service for late Sen. Dianne Feinsteinon Thursday in San Francisco. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) Breed said she met Feinstein for the first time when she was 13 and a French horn player at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, a band Feinstein would often get to play at events in the city. Breed credited Feinstein with showing her and girls throughout San Francisco that they could do anything their male classmates could that they could achieve great things. "For kids my age, we just always accepted that a woman could be in charge," Breed said. "We considered it normal." Harris recalled being a young Bay Area prosecutor 30 years ago and driving into San Francisco from Oakland to attend an election watch party the night Feinstein and former Sen. Barbara Boxer both won office in 1992 later dubbed the "Year of the Woman." "We celebrated an historic feat: We were the first state to elect two female Senators," Harris said thanking Feinstein for pulling other women behind her into power. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, center, hugs Eileen Mariano, granddaughter of the late Sen. Feinstein, after speaking at the memorial service. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) "Dianne, the women of America have come a long way. Our country has come a long way," Harris said. "You helped move the ball forward, and our nation salutes you." The memorial was accented time and again by flyovers from the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels, which the speakers had to pause to let pass by. After one such pause, Breed thanked Feinstein for bringing the Angels to San Francisco. Read more: 'I always think of her as mayor': Dianne Feinstein's legacy lives deepest in San Francisco Fleet Week is a yearly tradition in San Francisco, which brings some of the largest ships of the Navys armada to the citys shores. Feinstein is widely credited with bringing the yearly tradition to the city as mayor in the early 1980s. It also was quintessential Feinstein, in that her desire to honor service members angered some pockets of San Francisco's extremely liberal populace. Pelosi at one point paused to allow for the roar of the jets to pass, then quipped that the festivities were going the way Feinstein would have wanted which was often how things played out during her life. "It's what Dianne wants," Pelosi said. "That's what we get." 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. Even in death, Dianne Feinstein s legacy in San Francisco was immediately apparent. As family members and dignitaries gathered on the steps of San Francisco City Hall Thursday afternoon for a memorial service, the roaring engines of the US Navy Blue Angels demonstration squadron could be heard as part of Fleet Week, the annual event started by Feinstein in 1981 when she was mayor of San Francisco. The Angels, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi later noted from the podium, were flying in a missing person formation, in honour of Feinstein, who died at age 90 at the end of September, after an illustrious career as a city supervisor, mayor, and powerful US senator, known for her efforts to investigate the CIAs use of torture during the War on Terror. President Biden, in remarks delivered virtually, said Feinstein, often the only woman in the room, she also mentored generations of women and men alike to imagine a bigger and more hopeful future for themselves, their country, and the world. Speakers remembered Feinstein, who lay in state at City Hall on Wednesday rather than the US Capitol, as a towering figure who used her time leading San Francisco through a series of crises taking over after the assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, bringing attention to the HIV/AIDs epidemic when national politicians like President Ronald Reagan ignored it to inform a more than three-decade tenure in the Senate. Through times of tragedy and triumph, Dianne Feinstein showed us the meaning of San Franciscos motto: Gold in peace, iron in war, San Francisco mayor London Breed said. She showed us a world where women lead, where we lift each other up so that girls like me can follow in her footsteps. Dignitaries, from left to right, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Vice President Kamala Harris , Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y., Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. and Dianne Feinsteins granddaughter Eileen Mariano stand during a memorial service for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in San Francisco (AP) Feinstein was the first female mayor of San Francisco, serving for a decade in the position, before being elected to the US Senate in 1992, part of Californias first female delegation to the upper house alongside Barbara Boxer. San Franciso politics is rough and tumble, some even say its a bare-knuckled sport, Vice-President Kamala Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney, said. And this city requires its elected officials to engage on a daily basis in complex discussions with informed constituents who will raise the most intricate of local issues. Senator Dianne Feinstein was remebered for her LGBTQ advocacy, efforts to investigate torture, and legacy as a boundary-breaking female politician (AP2011) The vice president, who served with Feinstein in the Senate, said she saw this thoughtful presence regularly while working together on the Senate intelligence committee. Dianne with her trademark grin, would pause, lift up her memo, glance knowingly at the rest of us on the dias, and question the witness in the way this former prosecutor always admired, she continued. In that room, there was give and take, substantive debate, and problem-solving, and that was quintessential Dianne at her best. Eileen Mariano, Feinsteins granddaughter, shared stories of how her grandmother taught her to play chess and told her never to give up. She elicited laughter from the crowds remembering how her grandma recommended always packing a black pants suit no matter where she was traveling to, even if it was to Joshua Tree, the famed California desert landscape Feinstein championed to become a national park in 1994. Feinsteins achievements continued through the present, former Speaker Pelosi said in her remarks. She left on her own terms, the California representative said. She was proud to confirm over 140 Biden judges. And Chuck [Schumer] can attest that she walked onto that floor last Thursday, which would be her last day, she walked onto the floor and voted to advance legislation to keep the government open for the people. That leaving process, however, forms a complicated part of Ms Feinsteins legacy. Her final years in office were dogged by accusations the California senator was no longer mentally fit to serve in office, following a series of public instances and private reports of Feinstein appearing confused or nonsensical about the details of her work and surroundings. At City Hall, at least, Feinstein was celebrated as someone both incredibly tough and warmly cooperative. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer shared a story about Feinstein spending all day walking with an ankle injury that turned out to be a fracture. When he asked her how she kept going through the pain, Feinstein replied, I just did. The New York senator said Feinstein, for all her fierceness, was also the living embodiment of what the Senate should always be: an institution built on cooperation. She was remembered, in the words of the song sung by the San Francisco Girls Chorus at the service, as someone willing to dream the impossible dream / To fight the unbeatable foe / To bear with unbearable sorrow / To run where the brave dare not go. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Hundreds of members of the indigenous peoples (IP) in Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday rallied against quarrying operations along Labangan River for its environmental risks. Labangan tribal chief Timuay Braulio Anlimon, who also stands as the head claimant of the Labangan-Pagadian-Sominot Ancestral Domain, said people from five barangays in Labangan town and concerned citizens living near the river were able to participate in the rally. However, other participants from both Noboran and Cogonan villages remained stranded after still unknown individuals deliberately blocked the road to prevent them from joining, he said. Anlimon argued that the Labangan River needs restoration and quarrying operations should at least rest for five years. He described that many parts of the whole stretch of the Labangan River experienced soil erosion due to the excessive quarrying operations. The tribal chief added that even the existing spillway in Barangay Langapod used to transport agricultural products from the upper barangays to Pagadian City collapsed due to the quarrying operations nearby. Anlimon called on the local officials, especially to Labangan Mayor Eduardo Relacion and Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu, to stop the activity and help in the call for the river restoration. Relacion, meanwhile, committed to stop the quarry operation run by his own family, and said he will meet with his legal team and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan to discuss what they can do to address the situation. Anlimon said that if the local officials fail to act on the people's cry for the river's restoration, they will make a way to raise the concern to the national level. Pagadian City-based journalist Leah Agonoy contributed to this report. MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that hand grenade fragments were found in the bodies of people who died in the Aug. 23 crash of mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhins plane. Experts investigating the crash found no indication the private jet had suffered an external impact, he said. Prigozhin and two of his top lieutenants of the Wagner private military contractor were among the 10 people killed when the jet came down as it flew from Moscow to St. Petersburgh. There was no way to independently verify Putins statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking at the annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that an intentional explosion caused the crash, and Western officials have pointed to a long list of Putin foes who have been assassinated. The Kremlin called allegations he was behind the crash as an absolute lie. A Russian investigation was launched but no findings have been released. Moscow rejected an offer from Brazil, where the Embraer business jet was built, to join the inquiry. While Putin noted the probe was still ongoing and stopped short of saying what caused the crash, his statement appeared to hint the plane was brought down by a grenade explosion. Prigozhins aborted rebellion in June marked the most serious challenge to Putin, who has been in power for more than two decades. The crash came two months to the day after the rebellions start. Putin also noted that while investigators havent tested the remains for alcohol and drugs, 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of cocaine was found during searches at Prigozhins office in St. Petersburg following the mutiny an apparent attempt to denigrate the mercenary chief. After his death, Putin described Prigozhin, 62, as a man of difficult fate who had made serious mistakes in life. Prigozhin owed his fortune to his ties with the Russian leader dating to the early 1990s and was dubbed Putins chef for the lucrative Kremlin catering contracts. The Wagner Group military contractor that he created has been active in Ukraine, Syria and several African countries and counted tens of thousands of troops at its peak. It played a key role in the fighting in Ukraine, where it spearheaded capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in May after months of bloody combat. In the June 23-24 rebellion, Prigozhin said it was intended to oust the Defense Ministrys leadership that he blamed for mistakes in pressing the fighting in Ukraine. His mercenaries took over Russias southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and then rolled toward Moscow before abruptly halting the mutiny under a deal that offered them amnesty from prosecution. The mercenaries were given a choice to retire from the service, move to Belarus or sign new contracts with the Defense Ministry. Last week, Putin met with one of Wagners top commanders to take charge of volunteer units fighting in Ukraine in a sign that the Kremlin intends to keep using the mercenaries after Prigozhins death. Putin said Thursday that several thousand Wagner troops have signed contracts with the Defense Ministry. A longtime Missouri prison guard has been sentenced to seven years in prison after authorities said he assaulted an inmate and was found with child porn. In his signed plea agreement, former corrections Sgt. Carl Hart said on Oct. 28, 2021, the inmate complained about a poster in his cell being destroyed during a search. The inmate also asked for his poster be replaced. (Hart) ignored the victims request, informed him that hes just an inmate, and sent him out of the office, according to the plea agreement filed in the Eastern District of Missouri. Hart then ordered a lockdown, and two corrections officers pepper-sprayed the inmate when he did not head to his cell right away, authorities said in an Oct. 4 news release. As the inmate showered off the spray, authorities said Hart struck him. After the inmate backed out of the shower, laid on the ground and put his hands behind his back to be handcuffed, (Hart) continued to strike the victim and wrenched the victims wrists while (sitting) on the victims back, according to court records. The inmates injuries included facial cuts and swelling, a black eye, left rib pain and arm numbness. Harts defense attorney declined to provide a comment to McClatchy News. In a July 2023 letter, the victim said he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder days after the attack. God (compels) me to forgive you for the physical scars you gave me on multiple places of my head, face and hand that I have to look at everyday for the rest of my life, for the permanent blurry vision in my eye, for the separated and infected ribs I had for 10 months, for the mental trauma I still suffer from from being beaten by those who were supposed to protect me, he continued. Hart had worked for the Department of Corrections for 10 years prior to the attack, according to the release. The Department of Corrections did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Oct. 5. Child porn investigation In April 2022, a separate investigation into Hart began following a cybertip regarding suspected child pornography in his Dropbox account, authorities said. Investigators said they found multiple photos and at least one video of child porn in his Dropbox and a collage of sexual images on his phones. Knowing that some sick person is looking at me on a computer everyday in a way that no one should look at a kid makes me feel violated, it gives me the jeebers, and it makes me want to throw up, one of the victims said, according to the release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug said Hart did not protect the children being sexually abused in the photos and videos he collected and viewed and he did not protect a prisoner he was charged with keeping safe, according to the release. The 37-year-old man from Farmington previously pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and two counts of possession of child pornography. Man left to soil himself in jail after arrest over sign cursing at police, lawsuit says Woman sues over sexual abuse at all-female prison known as rape club, she says Officer seen on video repeatedly striking inmate handcuffed to wall, Illinois cops say FILE PHOTO: Mayan Ancestral Authorities demonstrate requesting the resignation of the Attorney General, in Guatemala City By Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Guatemalans marched peacefully on Thursday for the fourth consecutive day, demanding the resignation of powerful senior prosecutors accused of working to undermine President-elect Bernardo Arevalo's ability to take office. The center-left Arevalo was elected in a landslide win in August, but since then Attorney General Consuelo Porras has intensified efforts to disqualify his anti-graft Movimiento Semilla party and ordered raids on the electoral authority's offices, seizing ballots. "We're going to paralyze the country indefinitely. We demand the resignation of the prosecutor, Consuelo Porras," said protester Luis Pacheco, head of 48 Cantones, a large Indigenous organization. Pacheco spoke outside Porras' offices in Guatemala City, where other groups have been camping out since Monday, waving Guatemalan flags and hoisting signs demanding an end to corruption. Another sign read: "Get out coup plotters." The prosecutor's office has defended what it describes as lawful actions to investigate Semilla over alleged registration issues and the need to secure evidence via raids. Arevalo, a previously little-known lawmaker who struck a cord with his campaign pledge to tackle corruption, is fighting a bitter post-election battle with entrenched foes ahead of January's scheduled inauguration. After he secured unexpectedly strong support in June's first-round vote, Porras asked a judge to disqualify Semilla, alleging the six-year-old registration flaws. Her office's raids have prompted international criticism while also stoking popular anger. A wide range of protesters, including Indigenous people, rural farmers, and teacher and student groups have taken to the streets to demand the resignations of Porras and one of her top prosecutors, Rafael Curruchiche. Both have been accused of corruption by the U.S. government. President Alejandro Giammattei, who in August promised an orderly transition, nominated Porras to her present term as attorney general, and has mostly remained silent on the investigations and raids. On Wednesday, Giammattei's government said it was restarting transition talks with Arevalo's team. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Rosalba O'Brien) FILE - New York City Police and law enforcement officials lead subway shooting suspect Frank James, center, away from a police station in New York on April 13, 2022. James, who sprayed a New York City subway car with bullets during rush hour, wounding 10 people and sparking a citywide manhunt, was sentenced Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, to life in prison after defense attorneys underscored his serious mental illness and said he didn't ever intend to kill anyone. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) NEW YORK (AP) A man who sprayed a New York City subway car with bullets during rush hour, wounding 10 people and sparking a citywide manhunt, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison after several of his victims tearfully and angrily recounted their ongoing trauma. Frank James, 64, pleaded guilty earlier this year to terrorism charges in the April 12, 2022, mass shooting aboard a Manhattan-bound train. He received a life sentence on 10 counts and 10 years for an 11th count of discharging a firearm during an act of violence. Three of his victims spoke in court of the physical and emotional pain they continue to experience more than a year after the attack in a packed subway car. They described the panic and the splattered blood on the train, and how they used their own clothes as tourniquets to stanch the bleeding from victims' wounds. I have not been able to make sense of it, said a young man identified as B.K. At times his voice cracked as he spoke and his eyes turned glassy from tears. Another victim, a 51-year-old man identified as L.C., told the court he had post-traumatic stress disorder and thoughts of suicide. L.C., who said he worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority at the time of the shooting, bought an e-bike to avoid riding trains. When he regained his confidence and returned to the subway, he relived the horror of the shooting upon seeing a man wearing a vest similar to the one James had worn. I immediately thought of you, Frank James, the victim said, his voice booming with anger. Another victim, who later identified himself as Fitim Gjeloshi, 21, began to share his own story with words of forgiveness I dont blame him. He needs help. then began to sob. I cant do this, he said, walking out of court. He later returned to hear the judge sentence James. During his own 15-minute address to the court, James expressed contrition for his actions but criticized the country's mental health system, saying it had failed especially people of color like him. But he said his was not a sob story. I alone am responsible and no one else for that attack, he said. He added that his violence was not due to animus toward any race or sexual orientation. Reading from a handwritten statement, he recalled reading a news article about a young Black man who died in a subway car after being put in a chokehold by another rider who later said he was concerned about his erratic behavior and saw him as a threat. He was referring to the case of Jordan Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator who became homeless and by most accounts was suffering from mental illness. People keep criminalizing the people who need help, he said, adding that Neely was one such person who was screaming out for help. U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz was unconvinced, telling James that what he did was pure evil. Prosecutors had asked for the life sentence, saying James spent years carefully planning the shooting in order to inflict maximum damage. James attorneys had asked for a reduced sentence of 18 years, saying he didnt intend to kill anyone and citing his mental illness. Disguised as a construction worker on the day of the shooting last year, James waited until the train was between stations, denying his targets a chance to flee. Then he ignited multiple smoke bombs and unleashed a barrage of bullets from a 9 mm handgun at panicked riders. The attack, carried out as the train pulled into a station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, wounded victims ranging in age from 16 to 60. As emergency responders tended to the victims, James walked calmly out of the subway station and vanished. Authorities searched for him for more than a day. They identified James as a suspect relatively quickly, using a key to a rented moving van left behind on the bloodied subway car. He was eventually arrested in Manhattans East Village after calling a police tip line to turn himself in. The attack stunned New Yorkers, heightened anxiety about safety in the transit system and prompted local officials to add additional surveillance cameras and police to the trains. Before the shooting, James, who is Black, posted dozens of videos online under the moniker Prophet of Doom, ranting about race, violence, his struggles with mental illness and a host of unnamed forces he claimed were out to get him. When James pleaded guilty to the terrorism charges earlier this year, he said he only intended to cause serious bodily injury, not death. His attorney, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, had suggested that while James may have initially planned to kill people, he changed his mind in the heat of the moment. She referenced the defendants abusive childhood in the Bronx and his ongoing struggles with both alcoholism and paranoid schizophrenia. Prosecutors, however, said the trajectory of the bullets showed that James aimed at the center mass of riders for maximum lethality. They said James only stopped firing his semi-automatic Glock pistol because the gun jammed. ___ This story has been edited to correct the spelling of Fitim Gjeloshis name. A short-lived spyware operation called Oospy, which emerged earlier this year after its predecessor Spyhide was hacked, is no longer operational and has shut down. Oospy appeared online in late July as a rebrand of a phone monitoring app called Spyhide, which was facilitating the surveillance of tens of thousands of Android device owners around the world. Spyhide shut down after a breach exposed the operation and its administrators who were profiting from it. Although Spyhide's website disappeared from the internet after the hack burned the operation, the spyware's back-end server stayed online and was still communicating with the tens of thousands of phones it was monitoring since the server was hosted on an entirely different domain. That allowed the administrators to rebrand Spyhide to Oospy without affecting the spyware operation itself. That back-end server, which stored the victim's stolen phone data from thousands of Android devices around the world, was taken offline Thursday by the web host Hetzner, which said the service violated its terms of service. "In addition, we have terminated the customer's server contract in due time," Christian Fitz, a spokesperson for Hetzner, told TechCrunch. In their time online, Spyhide and Oospy had at least 60,000 victims across the world, including thousands of victims in the United States. These stalkerware (also known as spouseware) apps are planted on a victims phone, often by someone with knowledge of their passcode. Once planted, these apps continually steal a victim's contacts, messages, photos, call logs and recordings, and granular location history. Following the Spyhide hack, TechCrunch identified two of the administrators behind Spyhide and Oospy. One of the administrators, Mohammad (also goes by Mojtaba) Arasteh, confirmed to TechCrunch that he worked on the project "several years ago as a programmer," but denied involvement with Oospy. But a mistake on Oospy's checkout page, which used PayPal to process customer payments, exposed the name of the PayPal account holder, who shares the same family name as Arasteh. It's not uncommon for spyware operations to rely on payment services like PayPal to handle customer payments, despite PayPal's policies broadly prohibiting customers from using its service to buy or sell software that facilitate illegal activity, like spyware. PayPal spokesperson Caitlin Girouard did not comment on the accounts when reached by TechCrunch. Oospy stopped accepting PayPal for payments a short time later, though it's not known if PayPal took action against the account. Arasteh did not comment on the PayPal account when contacted by TechCrunch. Soon after contacting Arasteh, Oospy's website went offline altogether. The shutdown of the spyware's back-end server marks the end of Spyhide and Oospy's ability to operate, for now. Oospy and Spyhide are the latest phone surveillance operations to drop off the internet in recent months. Polish-made stalkerware LetMeSpy shut down after an earlier data breach in June. And last year, one of the largest known Android spyware apps, SpyTrac, disappeared following a TechCrunch investigation linked the spyware operation to Support King, which was banned from the surveillance industry by the FTC following an earlier data breach. An officer of Haitis National Police SWAT team looks out from an armored vehicle while patrolling Cite Soleil, a neighborhood controlled by gangs in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Nov 9, 2022. (Adriana Zehbrauskas/The New York Times) The Kenyan force tasked with leading a mission to take back Haitis streets from violent gangs that have overtaken much of the countrys capital will be made up of police officers who have a checkered history of their own at home, accused of killing more than 100 people this year and lobbing tear-gas into a school during anti-government demonstrations. Kenyan police are rogue, said a 38-year-old taxi driver, Joseph Abanja, recounting how officers stormed into his home in western Kenya several years ago and beat his infant daughter to death. As lawlessness in Haiti spirals out of control, Kenya has stepped forward to lead a multinational security force aimed at loosening the grip of gangs in the Caribbean nation. But while Kenyan police have experience in international missions, they have also been accused of using excessive force to combat political protests and enforce COVID lockdowns. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Kenyan police officers have shot and beaten hundreds of protesters this year, human rights groups said, raising concerns about what level of force will be used to combat organized criminal groups in Haiti, and whether that will put civilians in harms way. Abanja said his family was attacked in 2017, when demonstrations broke out in the city of Kisumu following a tense election period. Police officers barged into homes, including Abanjas, bludgeoning his family with batons and fracturing the skull of his 6-month-old daughter, Samantha Pendo, who died. If you want to protect someone, you have to protect your own people, Abanja said. Let them put their house in order first before going to put someone elses house in order. The Kenyan-led mission, which was approved by the U.N. Security Council this week, comes less than a decade after a 13-year U.N. peacekeeping operation in Haiti that was marred by a deadly cholera outbreak and sexual exploitation. But as Haitis security situation deteriorated, it became clear that it would fall to a Black nation to help as international leaders hesitated to propose what might look like a Western occupation of a developing country, especially one with a long history of outside intervention. We consider them to be our brothers and sisters, Kenyas foreign minister, Alfred Mutua , said in an interview. We are doing it as we would for another African country. With not a single elected leader in Haiti currently in office and a police department crippled by mass defections, thousands of Haitians have been forced to flee their communities as gangs kill and kidnap, seemingly at will. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in a six-month period this year, according to the U.N., and illegal roadblocks have left important thoroughfares impassable. For a time, the rampant gang violence gave rise to a vigilante movement that targeted people believed to be criminals. But the grassroots vengeance was short-lived, and met with more killings. The U.S. State Department has urged Americans to leave the country and sent some employees home. Haitis prime minister, Ariel Henry, who is widely regarded as an illegitimate leader, has been calling for international intervention for nearly a year, a plea that went largely unheeded. But on Monday, the Security Council authorized the Kenyan-led operation, though it is technically not a U.N. peacekeeping mission. Many details, such as the rules of engagement and what other countries will join Kenya in Haiti, have not yet been resolved. Several Caribbean countries have pledged support, but there have been no specifics. Even as the plan gets underway, it has drawn strong criticism from human rights groups. Kenyan police have long been accused of abuse, disappearances and extrajudicial killings that have targeted not just crime and terrorism suspects but also young men from low-income areas. In 2021, two men arrested on charges of violating a COVID curfew died in police custody. Our concern is that this is not the quality policing we should be exporting to Haiti, said Irungu Houghton, the executive director for Amnesty International Kenya. Mutua defended Kenyan forces and said their reputation in international missions was impeccable. Kenya has led missions to East Timor, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sierra Leone and Namibia and is currently deployed in Somalia and Congo. In Somalia, however, U.N. investigators also found Kenyan troops made money by smuggling and exporting charcoal and sugar. Mutua said Kenya was planning to deploy about 1,000 or more police officers to Haiti, including SWAT-like teams, with boots on the ground expected by early next year. A recent assessment by Kenyan officials estimated that the project would take three years and require from 10,000 to 20,000 personnel, Mutua said. The U.N. resolution approved a one-year term with nine-month renewals. The foreign minister also envisions some 50 more countries each pledging from 500 to 1,000 officers, so they can achieve the 20,000 or more needed. Spain, Senegal, Jamaica, Bahamas and Antigua have said they are ready, he said. Mutua acknowledged that Kenyan officers were likely to engage in gunfights with Haitis notoriously violent and heavily armed street gangs. We are prepared for a bit of a fight between us and the thugs, he said. But he stressed that the larger mission is to bring stability to Haiti, which means retaking schools and hospitals currently controlled by gangs and setting the stage for elections. Rosy Auguste Ducena, a program manager at Haitis National Network for the Defense of Human Rights, said the Kenyans face a tough assignment, particularly because gangs often operate in conjunction with government officials. We think its going to be very hard for them, Auguste Ducena said. The state authorities are implicated in this situation we have here in Haiti. Kenya and the United Nations should be leery of a short-term endeavor that improves the situation for a brief time and then collapses when the officers depart, Auguste Ducena said. We cannot keep this country in this cycle of crisis, mission, election, crisis, mission, election, she said. Given the volatile security situation in Haiti, critics of the plan say the Kenyan government hasnt been clear about how it intends to protect the lives of its officers. Others have pointed out that Kenyan forces will be linguistically disadvantaged leading a mission in a country where French and Haitian Creole are the official languages. (Mutua recently said some officers were taking a French language course.) Kenyan police have also done a poor job, critics say, of securing their own country, unable to fully stem violence linked to cattle rustling or to a terrorist group, al-Shabab. A top police official dismissed the criticisms. Kenya has a strong economic incentive to send forces to Haiti. A Defense Ministry website made note of the money soldiers deployed abroad send home and the funds the U.N. offers Kenya for salaries and equipment. But the mission could also face a domestic stumbling block because the Kenyans committed to the plan without first seeking the endorsement of Kenyas National Security Council or parliament. If lawmakers balk, it could create a significant moment of diplomatic embarrassment, said Waikwa Wanyoike, a Kenyan constitutional lawyer. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said there had been intense discussions with the Kenyans regarding holding officers accountable should they be implicated in wrongdoing. A senior U.N. official said the idea to have the multinational force be made up mostly of police officers was prompted by the nature of the challenge in Haiti. They did not want to send an army to do urban policing, the official said, and because of the U.N.s troubled history in Haiti, deploying peacekeepers was not a viable option. Asked about the Kenya polices record of human rights abuses, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said few countries in the world have not had issues with police violence. Mutua said Kenya goes to Haiti with clean hands and a clean heart. We are gaining nothing by going into Haiti, he said. We are doing Gods work, and we are doing what needs to be done. c.2023 The New York Times Company Hallucinogenic mushrooms and clothing dont have much in common, but both were part of an unusual drug-dealing business model at one Florida shopping mall, according to the Martin County Sheriffs Office. Investigators say an employee at the Zumiez clothing store in Treasure Coast Square came up with the idea, believing peddling drugs at work could help him reach a broader clientele, including tourists. It was working perfectly until word reached the sheriffs office, officials said. An undercover detective visited the youth-oriented store in Jensen Beach and was able to purchase half an ounce of psilocybin mushrooms for $80 in a Zumiez shopping bag, officials said. Jensen Beach is about 115 miles north of Miami. Detectives got a tip that (suspect) had a side business selling the hallucinogens and other non-Zumiez sanctioned specialty items from the store, the sheriffs office said. (The suspect) seemed pleased at the word of mouth marketing that yielded new customers of all ages, until he was handcuffed. (He) said he was selling mushrooms for about a year and decided to increase his base by selling them inside the store when he was working. The 27-year-old suspect had been selling drugs from the store for a couple of months, officials said. The buyers were mostly tourists, but drug deals were also made with regular customers, officials said. Buyers were able to connect with the suspect through Snapchat, the sheriffs office said. The suspect, who lives in Port St. Lucie, was arrested at the store Sept. 1 and charged possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and sale and distribution of narcotics, officials said. Bags of meth were among the items you could buy at this Circle K, Florida cops say Messy McDonalds customer left floor littered with $100 bills, Florida cops say Dad uses heavy duty electric saw to kill his 16-year-old son, Florida cops say MEMPHIS, Tenn. A health fair is being held this weekend in an effort to address a health crisis within the Memphis community. Charlie Caswell, Jr. of the Shelby County Board of Commissioners, Impact Baptist Church, and other community partners came together to establish the health fair, which will take place on Saturday. The fair will feature health screenings for blood pressure, dental health, diabetes, and mobile mammography services. Latest Top Stories There will also be a cooking demo, fitness fun, vendors, free food, a kids corner, and giveaways. It will be held at Impact Baptist Church & Ministries on 2025 Clifton Avenue and will start at 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact Uwanda Tate at 901-488-0909 or at tateuwanda@gmail.com. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , arriving at the European Political Community Summit in Spain, rejected concerns about the further support of Ukraine by the United States. Source: European Pravda Details: When asked by the press whether he was worried about the news from the US on aid for Ukraine, Zelenskyy replied: "In Ukraine, we stopped worrying in the first days of the full-scale invasion. I think it's too late for us to worry." The Ukrainian president said that during his visit to the USA, he heard assurances of Ukraine's full support from President Joe Biden . Quote: "I was in Washington, I met with President Biden, I heard about the full support from the White House, and I also [heard] about bipartisan support in Congress." Details: The Ukrainian president drew attention to the fact that there is a "difficult election period" in the US, which is why "different voices" are being heard, and some voices are "very strange". "We will talk about it today," he said, referring to the meeting of European leaders in Granada. Zelenskyy also called the preservation of European unity the biggest challenge at the moment and noted that he will speak at meetings on Thursday about the need to protect Ukrainian skies from future Russian attacks in winter. Background: Last week, the US House of Representatives decided not to include further funding to support Ukraine in the interim government funding bill, and on Tuesday, it voted to remove Kevin McCarthy from the post of Speaker of the House. Before the vote, the White House expressed confidence that, despite the situation with McCarthy's removal from office, Congress would be able to support additional funding for Ukraine's defence needs. 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! Bakhmut sector Heavy fighting continues in the Bakhmut sector near the railroad there, Illya Yevlash, head of the press service of the Eastern Grouping of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said during the national telethon program on Oct. 5. We are trying to push back the enemy and gain a foothold on the lines we have reached, Yevlash said. Read also: Russian defenses stronger than West expected, admits UK defense chief The enemy continues to fire at Ukrainian positions with various types of artillery, both barrel and rocket types. Over the past day, 489 attacks were recorded, including from tanks, mortars, LPG, RPG, and small arms. Yevlash noted that ten combat engagements took place without success for the Russian troops. He said Ukrainian forces had managed to eliminate 178 enemy soldiers. Ukrainian counteroffensive The latest A new phase of Ukraines counter-offensive is continuing, with the main thrust in the southeast, where Ukrainian forces were gradually advancing through minefields and under Russian airstrikes. Read also: Ukraine has 6-8 weeks of favorable weather for counter-offensive, says White House Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, responding earlier to criticism of the slow pace of the counter-offensive, told U.S. officials that Ukrainian forces were on the verge of a breakthrough in the south, U.S. newspaper the Wall Street Journal reported on Aug. 24, citing an unnamed U.S. official. Ukraines Defense Ministry confirmed the liberation of the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhya Oblast by the Ukrainian military on Aug. 28. Ukrainian forces have since been advancing further towards the Novodanylivka-Verbove area in southern Ukraine. Now Ukrainian forces are moving further towards Novoprokopivka, Ocheretuvate, and have had success near Verbove. Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria operational group in the southern part of the country, confirmed on Sept. 2 that Ukrainian forces had breached the first Russian defense line in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. Read also: Russia deploys reserves to Zaporizhzhya front, taking heavy losses in fighting Atesh Ukrainian forces have also liberated part of the village of Opytne south of the front-line town of Avdiyivka in Donetsk Oblast, now former Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Sept. 11. Ukrainian forces liberated Klishchiyivka near Bakhmut on Sept. 17. A major breakthrough in the counter-offensive would begin if Ukrainian forces were to liberate Tokmak in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Tarnavskyi has said. Read also: Russia reinforces defenses around Tokmak amid Ukraines tactical penetrations of invaders first defensive line Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Chinese policy bank steps up financial support for urban infrastructure Xinhua) 10:39, October 05, 2023 BEIJING, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- China Development Bank (CDB), one of the country's policy banks, issued loans totaling more than 340 billion yuan (about 47.36 billion U.S. dollars) for the urban infrastructure sector in the first nine months of this year, providing strong support for the construction, renovation and intelligent upgrading of urban municipal and public facilities. The CDB has integrated infrastructure, industrial facilities and supporting business service facilities to provide high-quality and efficient financial services for urban infrastructure construction. It will step up support for urban infrastructure construction further in a market-based manner to help build livable, resilient and smart cities. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Hongyu) (CNN) Scientists have taken their first glimpse of a sample collected from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu and stumbled upon a good bit more than they expected. When they opened the canister containing the sample on September 26, the researchers discovered an abundance of dark, fine-grained material on the inside of the containers lid and base surrounding the mechanism used to collect the extraterrestrial rocks and soil. That unexpected debris could reveal key insights about the asteroid before the primary sample is analyzed. The samples historic landing in the Utah desert September 24 marked the culmination of NASAs 7-year OSIRIS-Rex mission, which traveled to Bennu some 200 million miles (320 million kilometers) from Earth, touched down on the asteroid and then flew back by Earth for the sample drop. (Total trip distance: some 3.86 billion miles.) The mission team whisked away the canister the day after its arrival to NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, which has a clean room specially built for careful analysis of the cosmic sample. What the Bennu sample could reveal Asteroids are remnants from the formation of the solar system, offering insights into what those chaotic, early days were like as the planets formed and settled into place. But near-Earth asteroids also pose a threat to our planet, so understanding their composition and orbits is key to unlocking the best ways to deflect space rocks on a collision course with Earth. When OSIRIS-REx briefly used its TAGSAM, or Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism head, to disturb the surface of Bennu and collect a sample in October 2020, it gathered so much material that particles could be seen slowly drifting off into space before the head was stowed in the canister. This led scientists to believe they might be able to do a quick analysis of any material they discovered upon opening the canister and theres plenty of it before they even reach the bulk of the sample, located within the mechanism head, which means the scientists will need to take their time to collect all of the material. The very best problem to have is that there is so much material, its taking longer than we expected to collect it, said Christopher Snead, deputy OSIRIS-REx curation lead, in a statement. Theres a lot of abundant material outside the TAGSAM head thats interesting in its own right. Its really spectacular to have all that material there. The actual asteroid sample wont be revealed until October 11 in a live NASA broadcast. The TAGSAM head will be moved to a new specialized glovebox for careful disassembly, unveiling the sample inside. Meanwhile, the quick-look analysis of a sample taken from outside the TAGSAM head is underway, and it could offer initial findings from the material collected from Bennu. We have all the microanalytical techniques that we can throw at this to really, really tear it apart, almost down to the atomic scale, said Lindsay Keller, OSIRIS-REx sample analysis team member, in a statement. The team will use scanning electron microscopes, X-rays and infrared instruments for a first examination of the material collected from Bennu. Together, the instruments will provide scientists with an understanding of the samples chemical composition, detect any hydrated minerals or organic particles, and reveal any abundance of specific types of minerals present on the asteroid. Youve got really top-notch people and instruments and facilities that are going to be hitting these samples, Keller said. The initial analysis will help researchers have a better idea of what to expect from the bulk sample collected from Bennu. Scientists believe that asteroids like Bennu might have delivered necessary elements such as water to Earth early in our planets formation and studying the pristine sample could answer lingering questions about the origins of our solar system. Meanwhile, the spacecraft that delivered the sample, now named OSIRIS-APEX, is on its way to study the near-Earth asteroid Apophis, which will come close enough to Earth in 2029 to be seen by the naked eye. This story was first published on CNN.com, Pleasant surprise greets scientists opening asteroid sample dropped from space" MOORE, Okla. (KFOR) Baby Penelope Grace died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in her sleep on Fathers Day, 2016. She was just six months old. Penelope Graceshe passed away Fathers Day morning. I woke up and found her and the house went into a panic [but] there was nothing we could do about it, said her dad, Jacoby Gonzales. I knew right away [that she was dead] as soon as I touched her, she just felt really cold, he added. LOCAL NEWS: OSDH provides safe sleeping tips for your baby Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) commonly refers to a sudden, unexplained death of a baby younger than one year of age. While infant mortality has declined overall, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is still one of the top three causes of infant deaths in the state. Being a new dad I didnt know any of the safe sleeping habits, Jacoby said Wednesday in an interview with KFOR. You never think its going to happen to you until it actually happens I never thought it was going to happen to me. Searching for peace of mind and a way to remember Penelope led to fundraising. We knew we wanted to do something to help other families so they wouldnt have to go through this, Kristen said. That effort started with a penny and grew into The Penny Project Foundation. Learn more about the organization here. Jacoby came up with the idea to collect pennies in a jar. Thats how it started. Wed take jars to local businesses and people would donate, Kristen said, adding that the money went to various charities and related partnerships. Today, the mission has grown to raise awareness of SIDS and education others on safe infant sleep. A lot of people think that SIDS is just the baby suffocated in a blanket or a baby choked [but] its not always the case, added Kristen. We knew we wanted to do something to help other families so they wouldnt have to go through this. The non-profit established a partnership with Owlet Dream Sock, a predictive sleep tool that allows parents track sleep patterns, and more. The companys technology was cleared by the FDA in June. LOCAL NEWS: Man worried after receiving random credit cards through the mail Through donations, the foundation is able to provide parents in need with Owlet Dream Socks for babies and infants to help minimize the loss of infants due to SIDS. We keep up with so many of the babies we send socks to [and] I love to see their journey, said Kristen, adding that they have been able to help families in fifteen states, so far. For every Dream Sock purchased through the Penny Project Foundation, the couple said Owlet will donate two additional Dream Socks, allowing the organization to reach many more families. [We are] taking this tragedy that we went through, and [turning it] into something to help save so many other babies, Kristen said. People all over the nation reach out to us all the time. If we can keep people from losing a baby and going through something like this, its a really big deal, added Jacoby. The couple is hosting The Penny Project Gala, with a dinner show and silent auction on October 19th to help raise money for the organization. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. The Memphis Walk will take place on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, at Fourth Bluff Park. The Walk is an awareness campaign designed to increase the life expectancy of African American men by reducing disparities in premature death and chronic diseases. The 2023 Memphis African American Male Wellness 5K Walk & Run is open to the public. Participants can register on the day of the event or online at memphis.aawellness.org. Join them as they work towards closing the health equity gap. About AAMWA Established in 2004, the African American Wellness Agency (AAMWA) increases the life expectancy of African American men by reducing disparities in premature death and chronic diseases. Across the country, The AAMWA leads the conversation in dismantling the imbalances that exist in African American mens preventative health and well care. The organization embraces an expanded focus into six core areas including health, fatherhood, financial wellness, mental health, mentorship, and research. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Walter Tunis, the Lexington Herald-Leader music critic with over 40 years of experience, has won the media award in the Governors Awards in the Arts, the Kentucky Arts Council announced Wednesday. Tunis was one of nine individuals in Kentucky to win an award. The Governors Awards in the Arts recognizes individuals across multiple artistic categories. It gives me great pride to honor these talented artists who show such dedication to sharing the arts with Kentuckians across our commonwealth, Gov. Andy Beshear said in a news release. This years honorees have made integral contributions to Kentuckys thriving arts industry. I want to thank all of these artists for bringing the stories of Kentuckians to life, and ensuring those stories live on for generations to come. Tunis has been a music critic contributor to the Herald-Leader for nearly 43 years. The Kentucky Arts Council said he began writing in high school and continued his passion through college until he began at the Herald-Leader. In November 2020 he celebrated his 40-year anniversary, highlighting some of his favorite encounters during his illustrious career. In 2018, he wrote the introductory notes for the 2018 Eagles compendium Legacy. Like most people, awards are never of serious concern until they happen. Now that I have been informed of this honor, I can honestly say it brings a nice sense of appreciation and acknowledgment, Tunis told the Kentucky Arts Council. That it comes from the state that has been my lifelong home enhances that feeling. That it comes from a governor whom I have great admiration and respect for makes it even more special. Tunis previously said he writes from the viewpoint of an audience member, as hes not a musician. In the four decades since then, what I have learned from the music created either by Kentuckians or esteemed guests visiting our region, has been immeasurable, Tunis previously said. Two other Fayette County artists were also among the award winners. Tee Dee Young won the Folk Heritage Award and Ada Limon won the National Award. Dan Neil Barnes of Scott County won the Artist Award. The Kentucky Arts Council described Young as a blues legend in his own time. He started playing guitar at 13 years old and has been performing for 54 years. Limon writes and teaches remotely, and shes also the current U.S. Poet Laureate. She is the author of poetry books, including The Carrying, the National Book Critics Circle Award winner for Poetry. Limon was recently named one of 20 MacArthur Foundation Fellows. Often called Genius Grants, the prize comes with an $800,000 award for artists, writers, scientists, urban planners and other standouts to continue their work. Barnes work has been featured in the Owensboro Convention Center, Field & Main Bank in Lexington, the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, the University of Wisconsin campus and hospitals in both Lexington and Louisville, according to the Kentucky Arts Council. He also designed the 2006 Governors Awards in the Arts. All award winners will be honored during an Oct. 13 ceremony at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center. The awards were specially created by Jefferson County paper mosaic artist Sebastian Duverge, who was commissioned by the Kentucky Arts Council to make the awards. Roofing hung off a strip mall in west Fort Worth on Thursday morning and shingles and twisted metal lay strewn around a nearby car dealership. The damaged businesses are some of the casualties from Wednesday nights severe thunderstorms. Strong winds and large hail swept through North Texas, felling trees and leaving more than 50,000 customers without power. Hail as big as pingpong and golf balls fell in some areas and heavy rain dropped on Dallas-Fort Worth, prompting flash flood warnings. In Depth Tattoo Studio at 8341 Camp Bowie W Blvd. is part of the strip mall that experienced significant roof damage. An employee told Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV that he was inside the tattoo studio when water started pouring in. I didnt know if it was gonna stop or if it was a big tornado and it was just gonna keep going, the employee said to WFAA. The way it felt like, it was gonna be a never-ending storm. No injuries were reported at the strip mall. A video from WFAA shows roofing hanging from the building and debris scattered in the wet parking lot. At least part of the roof landed on a nearby car dealership. Edward Andrews, owner of Special Touch Auto Sales, looks at damage to his vehicles on Thursday, October 5, 2023, after severe thunderstorms swept through the area Wednesday evening in Fort Worth. A roof ripped off a nearby shopping center landed onto the car lot. Edward Andrews, the owner of Special Touch Auto Sales, stood in the parking lot Thursday morning inspecting the damaged vehicles. Roofing debris from the strip mall decorated some of the vehicles and many of them had broken windows. Bits of shingles and torn metal lay on the ground. >> BREAKING NEWS << Today's other top stories in Fort Worth: Thousands without power after Wednesday storms Carla Walker's 1974 murder: Her killer has died Ex-Fort Worth cop fights for compensation after prison Get free alerts when news breaks. Andrews was not immediately available for comment. A block from the car dealership, residents were dealing with downed trees. Dawn Worthy told the Star-Telegram that a tree in her back yard fell on part of her house. A neighbors tree also fell after it was struck by lightning, she said, and part of it landed in Worthys front yard. The other part fell on her neighbors vehicle. Xinghe Qu, a 25-year Fort Worth resident, talks with a roofing company on the phone after a large tree fell on to his roof due to strong winds in a heavy thunderstorm the night before on the 3500 block of Valencia Court in Fort Worth on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Ive lived here for 30-something years and we have never had anything like [this], Worthy told the Star-Telegram. A spokesperson for the National Weather Service said there were no confirmed tornadoes from the storms, despite warnings in Dallas and Ellis counties, and that straight line winds were responsible for much of the damage in the area. A large tree split and fell on top of a parked car after being struck by lightning in the heavy thunderstorm the night before on the 3500 block of Valencia Court in Fort Worth on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. A large tree fell on to the roof of Xinghe Qus house due to strong winds in a heavy thunderstorm the night before on the 3500 block of Valencia Court in Fort Worth on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Qu said he has lived in this house for around 25 years and has never experienced a storm this strong. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts over 70 mph in western Tarrant County and large trees down in areas including White Settlement. White Settlement Police Chief Chris Cook told the Star-Telegram that high winds tore up several awnings at an RV park and downed power poles and about two dozen trees in the city. No injuries were reported, and most of the damage was along North Cherry Lane. The White Settlement police station also lost power for time Wednesday night, Cook said, but 911 calls were not affected. Chris Torres contributed to this report. Catch an all-new episode of The Hill with April Ryan every Thursday on theGrio.com and theGrios social media platforms. On the latest episode of The Hill with April Ryan, host and theGrios White House correspondent and Washington bureau chief, April D. Ryan, breaks down the latest on Capitol Hill as House Republicans navigate what the White House has called chaos to determine who will be their next House speaker. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., successfully moved to vacate Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the top post in the House of Representatives. In the meantime, without a speaker, doubts emerge Republicans will be able to coalesce around a new leader as time winds down before another threat of a government shutdown. Meanwhile, Rev. Al Sharpton is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to look into a civil rights lawsuit against conservative litigant Edward Blum, who led a lawsuit against the co-founders of the Fearless Fund, a venture capital firm that awards grants to women of color entrepreneurs. Sharpton told theGrio he would like to see the DOJ join in whatever legal strategy the co-founders of the Fearless Fund come through with, including filing a letter supporting their appeal. The civil rights icon said, Either way, it is a high hill to climb. This is as much a civil issue.. as it is a political issue, said the head of the National Action Network. Sharptons new effort comes after a setback in an Atlanta court, where a judge panel ruled 2-1 to temporarily block the Fearless Funds $20,000 grant for Black women-owned businesses. This week also marks Banned Books Week, which is being celebrated across the country in support of books by Black authors who have been banned in recent months due to censorship in schools and libraries led by Republican elected officials. TheGrio delved into the concept of why Black books matter and some solutions for Black America in this climate, including using said banned books as teaching materials. The DC-based bookstore chain Mahogany Books owner talked with theGrio about the efforts. A copy of the often-banned book All Boys Arent Blue, a memoir by George M. Johnson. (Adobe Stock Images) Ramunda Young, who co-owns the bookstores with her husband, said, We deserve to know how great we were. We deserve to know the places that weve come from and where we are going to, and that impacts us on every level mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Bishop Vashti McKenzie, president of the National Council of Churches, is calling for Sunday school programs at Black churches to fill in the gap when it comes to the national bans of Black books. McKenzie, who was named the first Black woman bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, told theGrio, We have the right to read, the right to learn and the right to write. If our local congregations add Black history to their Sunday School curriculum, their bible studywe can flip the script, she argued. The spiritual leader believes this approach would even lead many Black authors to make it to the New York Times best-selling lists. Catch an all-new episode of The Hill with April Ryan every Thursday on theGrio.com and theGrios social media platforms. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post The Hill with April Ryan dives into Republican chaos and Black book bans appeared first on TheGrio. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) doesnt appear to be rooting for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to become the next House Speaker. He is one of the principal ringleaders of the circus thats been created in the Republican Party for the last several years, Clinton said when asked by CNNs Christiane Amanpour about Jordan possibly getting the Speakership. Clinton and Jordan have an antagonistic history with each other, with Jordan once accusing Clinton of blaming the 2012 terrorist attacks in Benghazi on a protest sparked by an anti-Islamic film on YouTube, which painted Islamic prophet Muhammad as a violent child molester. Theres no evidence for a spontaneous protest, Jordan told Clinton during a 2015 House Select Committee on Benghazi hearing. You picked the video as the narrative. Where did it originate? It originated with you. Clinton reflected on that history briefly in her interview with Amanpour. I watched him and, you know, stared at him for 11 hours while he made stuff up about me, so I dont know him, but Ive seen him in action, Clinton said. The office of the Speaker of the House has been vacant since the Tuesday vote that removed Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the seat, though Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) is currently serving as Speaker pro tempore. Jordan entered the race for Speaker alongside House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) on Wednesday. Jordan has received endorsements from colleagues including Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.). We are at a critical crossroad in our nations history. Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promises to Americans. The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable. We can focus on the changes that improve the country and unite us in offering real solutions. But no matter what we do, we must do it together as a conference, Jordan wrote in a dear colleague letter. I respectfully ask for your support for Speaker of the House of Representative, the Ohio Republican continued. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An Afghan woman carries canisters to fetch drinking water in Jalalabad on October 4, 2023 (Shafiullah KAKAR) A group of high-profile activists including Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai and Gloria Steinem have signed a call for the United Nations to criminalize gender apartheid, according to a letter sent to member states Thursday. The letter, which is also signed by some of Afghanistan's most prominent rights activists, comes as the international community grapples with how to hold the Taliban government accountable for its grave abuses against Afghan women. "The failure to codify gender apartheid perpetuates an accountability vacuum that leaves many victims and survivors without remedy or reparation," the letter, which is spearheaded by the Atlantic Council and the Global Justice Center, states. "The Taliban's ever deepening and institutionalized oppression of Afghan women and girls is a case in point. The codification of gender apartheid will assist victims and survivors holding perpetrators to account for the totality of crimes committed against them." The letter, seen by AFP, urges UN member states to amend a draft crimes against humanity treaty to include gender apartheid. There will be a general debate on the treaty next week, and member states have until 2024 to submit written comments. Some high-level UN representatives, including Secretary General Antonio Guterres, have already labelled the situation in Afghanistan as "gender-based apartheid", but the term is not currently recognized among the worst international crimes. The draft treaty does cover apartheid -- but only based on race. "Codifying gender apartheid in the draft treaty does not require the creation of a completely new and separate crime; it only involves inserting gender into the definition," the letter states. Since ousting the Western-backed government in 2021, the Taliban authorities have imposed their austere version of Islamic law, barring girls from secondary school, pushing women out of many government jobs, preventing them from travelling without a male relative and ordering them to cover up outside the home. Among the high-profile Nobel laureates, diplomats, politicians, international criminal law experts and rights activists signing the call is Fawzia Koofi, a member of parliament in the previous internationally-backed Kabul government. "It's a systematic erasure of women from the social, political spheres of Afghanistan, from the economic spheres of Afghanistan," she told AFP. The UN making gender apartheid an international crime would throw up a "legal barrier" protecting women's rights -- though, she added, it was not only those rights at stake. "It's about the security of Afghanistan. It's about the economy of Afghanistan. And it's about the next generation ... How are we going to expect Afghanistan to have a future and prosperity when women's breathing is being controlled?" she said. The letter comes after the head of UN Women, Sima Bahous, also urged the Security Council last month to criminalize gender apartheid. "The tools the international community has at its disposal were not created to respond to mass, state-sponsored gender oppression," she told the Council. "This systematic and planned assault on women's rights is foundational to the Taliban's vision of state and society and it must be named, defined, and proscribed in our global norms, so that we can respond appropriately." bur-st/mdl Religiously unaffiliated Americans and Hispanic Catholics are the most likely religious groups to acknowledge climate change is caused by human activity, with Latter-day Saints and white evangelical Protestants the only groups where a majority does not, according to a survey from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). The survey indicated that among both unaffiliated Americans and Hispanic Catholics, 76 percent acknowledge human-caused climate change, followed by religious Americans who are neither Christian nor Jewish at 70 percent. Sixty-seven percent of American Jews acknowledge it, followed by Hispanic Protestants at 61 percent, Black Protestants at 59 percent and white Catholics at 56 percent. Pollsters also found that 54 percent of white mainline Protestants said the same, followed by 48 percent of Latter-day Saints and 31 percent of white evangelical Protestants. Nineteen percent of white evangelical Protestants said there was no evidence the climate is changing at all. Meanwhile, the survey found that 61 percent of Americans overall believe human behavior is causing climate change. Eighty-three percent of Democrats said the same, compared to 64 percent of independents and 28 percent of Republicans. GOP candidates for president in 2024 have minimized or outright denied the existence of climate change, with the front-runner, former president Donald Trump, repeatedly falsely claiming its a hoax. Religious leaders of various faiths have called the climate crisis a moral responsibility, from Pope Francis to the National Association of Evangelicals, but this has not always translated to the sentiment being widely adopted within those faiths. The survey found broad support for the idea of a religious obligation to be good stewards of the planet, even among those groups less likely to acknowledge climate change. Among Latter-day Saints and white evangelical Protestants, the least likely groups to acknowledge human-caused climate change, more than 80 percent said its extremely or very important to them to act as stewards of the Earth. The same held true for 80 percent of Black Protestants, 78 percent of Hispanic Catholics, 76 percent of Hispanic Protestants, 73 percent of other nonwhite Protestants, 63 percent of white mainline Protestants and 56 percent of white Catholics. The survey comes after several months smashed their own heat records, and data from the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service indicates that 2023 is on track to be the hottest year ever recorded. Pollsters surveyed 5,192 American adults from Ipsos Knowledge Panel as well as another 348 people, from June 8-28. The survey has a 1.62 percent margin of error. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A poll of likely Marion County voters shows Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett with a significant lead in the upcoming election. Indy Politics and Crossroads Public Affairs contracted Illinois-based political consulting firm ARW Strategies to conduct the poll of 400 likely voters between Sept. 24-25. The results showed 47% said theyd vote for Hogsett, 37% for Republican Jefferson Shreve and 16% were undecided. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9%. Indy Politics is operated by political commentator Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor as a Republican in the primary. The poll also showed: 46% said they approved of the job Hogsett is doing and 47% said they disapproved 39% said they believed Shreve would be more effective dealing with crime while 37% said Hogsett would be 40% said they believed Hogsett would be more effective dealing with gun violence while 36% said Shreve would be The poll demonstrates that neither Hogsett nor Shreve has definitively won on the issue of crime in voters' minds, University of Indianapolis political expert Laura Wilson said, despite crime and gun violence dominating campaign ads and emerging as a top community concern this election cycle. "It seems partisanship will be the deciding factor in this race," Wilson said. Indianapolis mayoral election 2023: High homicides, police shootings worry voters as Hogsett and Shreve bid for mayor Hogsett and Shreve respond Blake Hesch, campaign manager for Hogsett, wrote in a statement that Hogsett is dedicated to making the city safer by reducing violent crime, delivering a $1.2 billion infrastructure plan to enhance roads, bridges, and sidewalks, and investing in neighborhoods to foster progress and unity. "The only poll that matters is the one on Election Day, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to earn the support of our community as Mayor Joe continues to move Indianapolis forward," Hesch said. Shreve's campaign manager, Matt Organ, said that the poll shows voters do not think Hogsett has gotten the job done. "Democrats have a strong partisan advantage in Indianapolis and yet the poll shows Hogsett is under-performing with even his own base," Organ said. "Actions speak louder than election-year promises. Joe Hogsett and his campaign have spent millions running half-truth attack ads demonizing Jefferson Shreve, but the poll shows the ads aren't working. Voters are hungry for a change." The election is on Nov. 7. Early voting begins Oct. 11. Contact IndyStar reporter Ko Lyn Cheang at kcheang@indystar.com or 317-903-7071. Follow her on Twitter: @kolyn_cheang. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis mayoral election 2023: Poll shows Hogsett ahead of Shreve The 2023 wildfire season has been one for the history books in the United States, particularly in Washington state. Its been so bad that a new study from Climate Central, a nonprofit that reports on climate issues, found that the average United States citizen has breathed in more harmful wildfire smoke this year than in any year since 2006. Washington state went backwards in terms of advances over the last two decades in air quality improvement, as did Oregon and California. Wildfires from around the Evergreen State and British Columbia, Canada, choked Washington in a thick haze earlier this summer, and fires continue to burn around the state, including in Mount Baker National Forest and Olympic National Park. At one point, the wildfires in the Pacific Northwest were so intense that a smoky haze was pushed by winds all the way to the Midwest. U.S. residents have been exposed to wildfire smoke more than any other year since 2006. What makes wildfire smoke harmful? Something called fine particulate matter exists within wildfire smoke; the smoke that can be spotted in the air is classified as PM 2.5. This type of particular matter is about 2.5 micrometers in size less than 5% the width of a human hair and is only visible when clumped, such as in wildfire smoke. A study published by the governmental website AirNow discovered that wildfires contribute 15 to 30% of atmospheric primary fine particulate matter emissions in the United States. When PM 2.5 is inhaled, the tiny particles can make their way into the bloodstream and lungs, causing effects from minor irritation to cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. A recent study from Stanford researchers also found that inhaling wildfire smoke corresponds to lower test scores for students aged 8-14. PM 2.5 can make its way into the bloodstream and lungs, causing effects from minor irritation to cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. But its not just wildfires that produce PM 2.5. Wood-burning fireplaces act as a mini-wildfire, and the resulting smoke can pose the same health risks as a wildfire. Nothing is stopping Washington state residents from enjoying a warm wood-burning fire in their homes, but there are limits to how thick chimney smoke can be. Heres what to know about Washingtons chimney laws and when and how you can report someone for burning smoke too thickly from their chimney. Chimney smoke guidelines in WA As more research is done and more is discovered about air quality and its importance, updated regulations have emerged. Washington state law specifies how opaque chimney smoke can be, and that violating these guidelines can lead to fines. According to the Washington Administrative Code, you cannot cause smoke from any solid fuel burning device with an average of 20% opacity for six consecutive minutes in an hour. In Washington its illegal to have smoke billowing at more than 20% opacity for more than six minutes in an hour. On top of air quality fines, you could also face nuisance claims. It is always illegal to smoke out your neighbor, says the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website. Everyone has a right to breathe clean air. If smoke from your fire affects your neighbors, it is considered a nuisance and subject to law enforcement action. If youre burning a wood fire, there are certain steps you can take to ensure the least impact on air quality. These include: Consider incorporating the use of manufactured logs into your routine (up to 70% cleaner) Use only dry, seasoned cordwood with less than 20% moisture Burn small, hot fires with small kindling to start and plenty of air Check fires periodically for smoke impacts Make sure you are following the states guidelines on wood burning stoves How to report neighbors smoke If you observe excessive chimney smoke, report it to your local clean air agency. Start by taking a photograph of the chimney smoke. If you live in Benton County, report concerns to the Benton Clean Air Agency by calling 509-783-1304, extension 1, or by emailing contact@bentoncleanair.org. Include your name, address and phone number with the complaint summary and information about where the issue occurs and who lives there. If you live in Franklin County, report concerns to the Washington Department of Ecology Eastern Region by calling 509-329-3400, filling out an online report here, or emailing eroertscoordinator@ecy.wa.gov. (CNN) Italian authorities were on Wednesday investigating the cause of a horrific bus crash near Venice that killed at least 21 people including two children. A spokesperson for the Italian fire brigade told CNN that authorities had yet to find the cause of Tuesdays crash in Mestre that was described as an apocalyptic scene. RAI reported that the 40-year-old bus driver, identified as Alberto Rizzotto, was among the dead, while 18 people were also injured. Italys fire services said they would consider whether the buss battery may have caused the fire to spread more rapidly after it overheated. According to the company website of the bus operator, the bus was electric-powered. The provincial fire brigade commander, Mauro Lungo explained batteries experience critical issues when they overheat, CNN affiliate Sky TG24 reported Wednesday. According to Lungo, concerns about the battery slowed down the rescue operation on Tuesday. Meanwhile the Venice public prosecutor has opened an investigation into the crash. A representative for the prosecutors office told CNN the head prosecutor for the Venice municipality, Bruno Cherchi, is leading the investigation into the incident in Mestre. Video recently delivered to investigators is being examined to determine if any other vehicles were involved in the incident or if the driver suffered a health issue, the spokesperson said. The bus was traveling from Venice to nearby Marghera and was full of people returning home from work, Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro told state media RAI. It completely went off the road, it flew off the bridge. It was a bus; it was a highway. We are in mourning, he added. Brugnaro described the scene as apocalyptic in a post on Facebook. The accident occurred on the overpass of a road that leads from Mestre to Marghera and the A4 motorway, Italian media skytg24 reported. For reasons that have yet to be determined, the bus broke through a wall of the overpass, falling between a warehouse and the tracks of the Mestre station below, according to skytg24. Massimo Fiorese, the head of the company that operates the bus, said he had seen footage of the moments prior to the crash. The video showed the single-decker bus slowing down and appearing almost stationary before crashing through the guardrail and toppling over, he told Italys Corriere della Sera newspaper, according to Reuters. On Wednesday morning, the Italian Senate, which is the upper house of the parliament, held a minute of silence for the victims of the crash, its feed on X said. The countrys president and prime minister expressed their condolences in the aftermath of the accident as did other world leaders. I express my personal and the Governments deepest condolences for the serious accident that occurred in Mestre. Our thoughts go out to the victims and their family and friends, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote on X. French President Emmanuel Macron said thoughts this evening are with the Italian people, with the families and loved ones of the victims of the terrible tragedy in Venice in a post on X. I am deeply saddened by the terrible accident of a bus in Mestre this evening. I offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims at this sad time. Im close to you, President of the European Council, Charles Michel, wrote on X. This story was first published on CNN.com, Italian authorities investigate Venice bus crash that killed at least 21 people" In August, one Redditor asked for advice about the incredible damage they said a neighbors fallen tree did to their yard. Trees put clean, breathable oxygen into the atmosphere, cool the ground below them, and raise property values, so its not surprising that a homeowner would get attached. However, trees growing near homes also need proper care and, at the end of their lives, they need to be removed. According to this Redditor, their neighbor neglected that duty. Neighbors diseased/dead tree fell onto property, they explained in their post. They were aware the tree had issues. According to the Redditor, they were posting on behalf of their father, the property owner. At the beginning of July, a storm came through and knocked our neighbors tree down onto our property, they claimed. This resulted in our fence, deck, pool, and a portion of the garages roof [being] damaged and smashed. They werent the only home affected; another neighbor had their siding and power lines damaged. According to the original poster, the damages totaled at least $30,000 to $40,000. Our homeowners insurance wont cover the full bill, despite claiming at the beginning they would do so, they said. I know in some cases like this, its considered an act of God to most insurance companies, the Redditor continued. But I feel this is a bit different. Apparently, the trees owner had hired an arborist a full seven years earlier to assess the tree and was informed that it was being killed by fungus. Despite that report which was given to both the tree owner and the original posters family the neighbor refused to take the tree down until it fell naturally. Were trying to get her insurance to cover the remaining cost of the damages, but we fear we may need to get a lawyer/attorney involved, the original poster said. Any time someone elses property causes tens of thousands of dollars of damages to your own property, yes, you need a lawyer, said one user. Honestly, your insurance company should be the one handling the lawyer, another commenter added. They pay you and then sue your neighbors insurance. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. The ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as Speaker is throwing the future of U.S. aid for Ukraine in the air. The assistance had already faced a tough path to passage, as more Republicans have come out in opposition to additional aid. But as the race to replace McCarthy heats up, the road ahead has only become rockier. It was clearly a challenge before, but we were going to get it done, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Wednesday. It really depends on exactly what emerges from this next round for Speaker. While no clear front-runner has emerged in the Speakership race yet, buzz has been building around candidates to fill the empty chair and their position on further aid to Ukraine. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), who heads the biggest conservative caucus in the House and is a possible contender, wouldnt commit to bringing aid for Ukraine to the floor if elected Speaker, in remarks to reporters Wednesday. I think that the commander in chief ought to sit down in a classified setting and tell those of us that have not supported for the same reason, time and time again, he said. We want to know where the American taxpayer dollars are going and whats the endgame. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, also drew attention for saying he was against moving forward on Ukraine aid after announcing his bid for Speaker. Im against that, he said Wednesday, adding: The most pressing issue on Americans minds is not Ukraine. Its the border situation, and its crime on the streets. However, others shared different accounts not long after. Thats not what he told us, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said of Jordan. He told us that it would be something that we would deal with, but we want the border security, that piece first, and that would have to be part of the negotiation. In a later comment to The Hill, Jordans office said its position on aid hasnt changed wants know what the mission is and how the money is being spent, when pressed on his support for further assistance. The back-and-forth comes as more Republicans raise scrutiny over the next round of U.S. assistance. Hern and Jordan were among a group of more than 100 Republicans who voted against $300 million of aid for Ukraine that was supported by McCarthy and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who also announced his Speakership bid Wednesday. Its not clear exactly where Scalise lands on Ukraine at the moment, but he is being favorably considered by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), the lawmaker who brought forward the motion to oust McCarthy. A report card on Ukraine support from Defending Democracy Together awarded Scalise a B on the issue, while both Jordan and Hern have earned an F. Regardless of their personal position, any new Speaker will face the same dynamics as McCarthy did. Far-right lawmakers, who are generally united against Ukraine aid, hold sway in the conference and are expected to keep up their resistance. The Ukraine skepticism is also in line with a chunk of Republican voters, who were found less likely to support economic or arms assistance for Kyiv in a poll released by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Wednesday. Only 47 percent of Republicans supported additional military aid to Ukraine compared to 77 percent of Democrats. Thats the historical trend in the West, that we get war fatigue, and thats what we got to fight against, because thats exactly part of Vladimir Putin playbook, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) told The Hill. Republican supporters in both chambers say aid is critical to national security and defeating Russian aggression, while also warning a Russian victory could embolden China to move against Taiwan. I understand there are some hard-liners that really do want to put their foot down on Ukraine aid, that it is a national security issue, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of GOP leadership, said Wednesday. If we can defeat the Russians, through the Ukrainians, thats better for our country. The clock is running out to get more security assistance to Ukraine, as the available money for the Pentagon to spend in the war is swiftly running out. The Defense Department this week urged Congress to act as money has entirely run out to purchase weapons from the defense industry for Ukraine and there is $5.4 billion left to pull from Defense Department stocks, plus $1.6 billion to replenish U.S. inventory. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said the U.S. can support Ukraine for just a little bit longer. We need Congress to act to ensure there is no disruption in our support, she said at a Tuesday briefing. Ukraine, which will need more funding to keep its counteroffensive going, is also engaging with the candidates for next House Speaker, according to Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova. As opposition to further aid grows in the House GOP conference, supporters in both chambers say the Senate is likely to take the lead in moving additional assistance. Pressed on his strategy for moving the aid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters Wednesday that he thinks its important and its still a major priority. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also told reporters Wednesday that he and McConnell are working to get another round of assistance across the finish line. Ive spoken to Leader McConnell, were going to work together to get a big package done, he said, adding, We have large bipartisan majorities and aid for Ukraine and were going to work to get that done. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. HOUSTON - Fall is usually a time of transition and things are definitely changing this week for Houston! Thursday is expected to be another busy weather day across southeast Texas as our first fall cold front comes rolling in from the NW. We have already had several rounds of rain this week that has led to some drought relief but also some areas of flooding. In fact, parts of south central Brazoria County have picked up nearly 10 inches of rain over the last two days! Widespread flooding was reported in Freeport early Wednesday afternoon and areas near Bay City in Matagorda County have picked up around 7-8 inches of rain over the last few days. Houston has racked up around 2-3 inches of rain since Tuesday which will certainly help with the drought conditions. Houston and surrounding areas remain in extreme to exceptional drought with an updated drought monitor set to arrive Thursday morning. There will likely be improvements with all of the recent rain. Here's the expected timing for Thursday's big rain event. Look for widespread rain to roll into Houston likely around 6-8 a.m. Thursday and stick around through the early - mid afternoon. Best chance for rain is likely from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Thursday. Rain should gradually fade by evening. An additional 1-2 inches of rain is possible with isolated higher amounts. A few showers may linger Friday, but cooler and drier air arrives just in time for your weekend plans! You may even pull out the long sleeves or light jacket this weekend with temperatures in the 50s likely Sunday and Monday morning! Make your weekend outdoor plans so that you can enjoy this first real taste of fall! But stay alert Thursday morning and afternoon for heavy rain that could cause some flooding issues! The Hungarian-born scientist Ferenc Krausz , who was one of the three joint winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics awarded on Oct. 3, said that he plans to donate the prize money to a charity he founded last year to help Ukraine. The day he won the Nobel Prize, Krauz told Deutschlandfunk Radio that he continues to donate any prize money he wins to Science4People, an organization he set up in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Science4People partners with Ukrainian non-profits to provide learning opportunities to schoolchildren and works internationally to help Ukrainian students access higher education for free. Krausz, who is the director of the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Germany, was awarded the Nobel Prize along with Pierre Agostini and Anne L'Huillier for their research into attosecond physics. The three scientists will share a prize worth 11 million Swedish krona ($990,400). Krausz said that over the last year, he has donated money won from prizes, such as from the Frontiers of Knowledge Award he received in February 2023, to Science4People. Read also: Nobel Foundation bars Russia, Belarus, Iran envoys from award ceremony in Sweden Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. With its popular and well-regarded Ioniq lineup, Hyundai has been conspicuously absent from the list of major automakers signing on to use Tesla's North America Charging Standard (NACS). Now, the Korean automaker has announced that it has reached a deal to adopt NACS in North America starting in Q4 2024 in the US, with Canada to follow in the first half of 2025. Hyundai's EVs with a NACS port will gain access to more than 12,000 Superchargers across North America, doubling the number of DC fast chargers available to customers. "This new alliance will provide Hyundai EV owners confidence in their ability to conveniently charge their vehicles... with at least 30,000 stations across North America," said Hyundai Motor North America CEO Jose Munoz. Upcoming Hyundai EVs equipped with NACs, including the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and upcoming Ioniq 7, will gain access to the chargers in late 2024. New and older CCS charger-equipped vehicles will be able to use them in the first quarter of 2025, the company said. Along with access to Tesla's network, Hyundai is teaming up with BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes to develop a North American network with at least 30,000 chargers. The first US stations are set to open in the summer of 2024, with chargers in Canada following at a later date. The lack of fast chargers has been a high hurdle for EV adoption, so most automakers have looked at Tesla as at least a stopgap solution. Hyundai Motors (including Kia) recently overtook GM for second place in US EV sales, but it's still a distant second to Tesla, which sold 300,000 more EVs last year. So far, major automakers that have now signed up to use Tesla's Supercharger network include Hyundai, Fisker, Ford, GM, Honda, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Rivian and Volvo. Those still in talks reportedly include Stellantis and Volkswagen. To prevent safety risks, all units at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) should be brought into cold shutdown, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in their Oct. 4 report. The occupying Russian authorities at the plant ordered the transition of reactor 4 from cold to hot shutdown in order to generate steam required for safety functions at the nuclear facility. This is an ongoing practice at the ZNPP, despite the warnings of Ukraine's regulating bodies. The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) has ordered all six units of the plant to be placed in cold shutdown, and the IAEA has recommended the same. "[T]he IAEA has been strongly encouraging the ZNPP to find an alternative source of steam generation to cover the plants needs, including for processing liquid radioactive waste, and allow for all the reactors to be maintained in a cold shutdown state," the IAEA's report read. Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear energy company, said that non-compliance with these orders "increases the likelihood of a radiation accident." Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us IAEA experts also reported that Russian administrators at the plant continue to deny the agency full access to ZNPP facilities during their inspections. Inspectors have asked for access to all six turbine halls in succession, but have only been allowed to visit one at a time. Additionally, the IAEA team has not been granted access to the rooftops of reactor units 1, 2, 5, or 6. We will insist until we get the access we need in order to monitor compliance with the five concrete principles for the protection of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, the agency's Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. Grossi also said the team had received armored vehicles and additional security personnel due to financial support from Japan. The IAEA has warned of increased military activity in the vicinity of the plant. IAEA teams have been based at the Zaporizhzhia plant on rotation since September 2022, after Grossi's first visit to the occupied facility. Read also: On the edge of disaster: What could really happen if Russia destroys Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WILL NOT RETURN CARS. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Worst shuttle company ever. Michelle Visser said her husband, Nick, and four of their friends read the scathing online reviews, news articles and forum posts about Wild River Shuttles, a Salmon rafting shuttle company that left rafters stranded and damaged and lost customers vehicles last year. The Idaho Statesman reported on the complaints and an investigation from the Idaho attorney generals office against the business. Five months later, the Idaho attorney general banned owners Tammy Nelson and her wife, Michelle, from owning or operating a shuttle company in the state, pending the repayment of $8,700 in restitution to customers. The Vissers and their friends knew exactly who to avoid for a September rafting trip along the Salmon River. Instead, the Wyoming group hired Whitewater River Shuttle to move two vehicles from their put-in point at Corn Creek to their take-out at Carey Creek, roughly 400 miles away. Michelle Visser told the Statesman in an interview that Whitewaters website looked professional, and the group thought they were avoiding the problem that many rafters had with Wild River Shuttles last year. What they didnt realize: Whitewater was owned by Nelson, the same person who ran the business at the heart of last years numerous complaints. Nelson had registered Whitewater in late June under the name Cristina Tammy Nelson. Visser and members of the local river community, many of whom pitched in to aid stranded rafters last year, questioned how Nelson was able to relaunch her business. Had the attorney generals ban actually prevented Nelson from opening a new shuttle business, Visser said she wouldve saved time, money and heartache. She said her family and friends learned the hard way that Nelson ran Whitewater after a driver employed by the company crashed the Vissers Chevy Tahoe into the Salmon River. Nelson did not respond to a request for comment. Crash connects Wild River, Whitewater shuttle companies Visser told the Statesman she stayed home in Laramie, Wyoming, while her husband and their friends were on their river trip. The group paid Whitewater River Shuttle to transport a pickup truck and the Vissers Tahoe, which was pulling a trailer. Shortly after the groups trip began, Visser said Nelson told her that the truck had been transported but the Tahoe had a flat tire. Visser said she confirmed with a local Les Schwab store that Nelson brought the Tahoe in to have a valve stem replaced. On Sept. 17, a Whitewater employee was scheduled to drive the Tahoe to Carey Creek Boat Ramp near Riggins. The vehicle never arrived. About 30 miles outside of Salmon near Elk Horn Road, the Tahoe went off the road, through thick brush and into the Salmon River. Visser said she first learned about the crash around 7 p.m. on Sept. 17 about four hours after the incident when Nelson called her. A Salmon Police Department accident report attributed the single-vehicle crash to inattentive and drug-impaired driving. Visser said police told her there were absolutely no skid marks on the highway, suggesting the driver didnt brake or accelerate before the accident. The policeman said it looked like (the driver) was trying to plow a new highway through the forest, Visser said. No charges have been filed against the driver, according to court documents. The Tahoe was towed to a Salmon salvage yard. Visser said her insurance company has deemed the vehicle a total loss. Visser said she spoke to Nelson twice on the night of the crash and initially assumed Nelson would work with her to help the group still on the river and address the vehicle damage. Visser said that didnt happen. Instead, Visser said, Nelson urgently requested that Visser authorize the salvage yard to release the Tahoe to Nelson. Visser refused. By then, she had spoken to police and the owner of Lemhi Auto Repair and Recycle, who informed her of Nelsons connection to Wild River Shuttles. Visser told the Statesman an employee at the auto salvage yard was clearly very familiar with this woman and was aghast that we had been working with her. Visser said Nelson told her she wanted to retrieve personal items from the Tahoe to deliver them to Carey Creek before the group left the river two days later on Sept. 19. At the time, she claimed she was going to personally drive to Carey Creek when my husband and friends got off the river to tell them what happened, Visser said. Based on the conversations I had and articles I read, I had no reason to believe she would actually show up there. Nelson planned to prove herself Visser enlisted a friend Jill Walford, whose husband was also on the river trip to help coordinate a solution for the rafters. While the groups other vehicle had made it to Carey Creek, without the Tahoe and its trailer, it wouldnt hold enough room for their gear. The trailer had survived the crash intact, and Visser hoped it could be transported to Carey Creek, which would allow the group to return home after their trip. Walford said she began contacting other shuttle companies along the Main Salmon, eventually connecting with MiChelle McNamee, who owns All Rivers Shuttle in White Bird. Last summer, McNamee was one of several other shuttle company owners who pitched in to help pick up rafters stranded by Wild River and locate missing vehicles. She told the Statesman last year that she also moved a truck Nelson had delivered to a boat ramp, after heavy rain caused a surge in the rivers water level and threatened to sweep the vehicle away. MiChelle went into overdrive, Walford said. McNamee connected Walford with Cowboy Ken Price, a local who was on his way from Salmon to the Carey Creek area. Price retrieved personal items from the Tahoe and transported the trailer to the take-out area, where he hooked it up to the groups pickup truck, left the items from the other vehicle and wrote a note explaining in very gentle terms that the Tahoe had been in an accident, Visser said. The group piled into the pickup, spent a night in Boise and made it home to Laramie. In the meantime, Visser was handling insurance and trying to communicate with Nelson. Visser said she spoke to Nelson the day after the crash and informed the shuttle company owner that she and Walford had found another solution to help the rafting group. Visser said Nelson asked what she should do with the $100 cash left in the Tahoe as gas money. Visser asked Nelson to mail it to her. Visser said she hasnt yet received the cash. Visser said Nelson didnt offer any kind of insurance or other compensation after the crash. Nelson disputed that. In a post shared on a Lemhi County Facebook group and MountainBuzz, an online forum for rafting, Nelson said she offered to pay the full deductible for the Vissers insurance and refunded the cost of the shuttle service for the Tahoe. She said she planned to prove herself through the new shuttle business before revealing to the river community that she was behind Whitewater River Shuttle. It is disheartening to see my business and my personal integrity being smeared by these claims, Nelson wrote. I have made a conscious effort to learn from past mistakes and have strived to create a business that prioritizes professionalism, transparency and exceptional customer service. New business violated attorney general ban Last summer, five customers told the Statesman they paid Wild River Shuttles to drive their vehicles from rafting put-ins near Salmon to various take-out sites farther downriver. Customers said they spent days and hundreds of dollars trying to track down missing vehicles. Online reviews and reports to the attorney generals office showed other customers vehicles were damaged, including a van that was crashed and abandoned on the highway, according to a consumer protection complaint. At the time, Nelson told the Statesman Wild River Shuttles had problems with drivers, had overbooked customers and had paid at least $14,000 in refunds and planned to permanently shutter. We are very sorry to all affected by our company, Nelson said. This has destroyed our business. The attorney generals office opened an investigation into the company in August 2022. The investigation concluded with a settlement agreement in January that forbid Nelson and her wife, Michelle Nelson, from owning, operating, or managing a vehicle shuttle or transport business in Idaho. According to the settlement, obtained by the Statesman through a public records request, the Nelsons owed more than $8,000 to customers. Deputy Attorney General Stephanie Guyon sent letters in February to each of the customers who complained to the state agency about Wild River, informing them of the outcome of the investigation, including the business ban, and noting that the couple lacked the funds to pay restitution. On Sept. 19, one of those customers informed Guyon that Nelson had started a new shuttle business. Two days later, Guyon sent Tammy Nelson a letter informing her she needed to dissolve Whitewater River Shuttle immediately, prove it was not a river shuttle business or pay the $8,783 in outstanding restitution, along with $11,000 in civil penalties and $4,000 in fees for violating her agreement with the state. Emily Kleinworth, a spokesperson for the attorney generals office, told the Statesman the agency has not received a response from Nelson. A Google listing for the business shows it is temporarily closed. Businesses are registered through the Idaho secretary of states office, and spokesperson Chelsea Carattini told the Statesman in an email that the agencys duties for business registration are ministerial, meaning they only document the registrations instead of regulating them. We do not have the authority to regulate or flag businesses with bad behavior, she said. McNamee, the White Bird shuttle operator who helped Visser and Walford, told the Statesman she was very, very frustrated and alarmed upon learning that Nelson was running a new shuttle company. McNamee, Visser and some customers impacted by Wild River questioned how Nelson slipped through the cracks to run Whitewater River Shuttle for nearly three months before authorities took notice. Visser said she was shocked that city, police and U.S. Forest Service officials, all of whom were informed of Wild Rivers issues last year, told her they had no recourse to keep Nelson from operating. Visser said her friends thoroughly researched shuttle companies. But because she changed the name of the business, people are being blindsided. IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva has said the world is in much better economic shape than many analysts predicted (Stefani Reynolds) The World Bank and International Monetary Fund will tackle the thorny issue of institutional reform at their upcoming annual meetings in Morocco next week. The two international financial institutions are looking to scale up and retool to pursue ambitious global climate goals, while continuing to support emerging market and developing economies struggling to service rising debt levels. This year's gathering of world leaders will take place in the city of Marrakesh, just weeks after a devastating earthquake in the region left close to 3,000 people dead. It is the first such meeting to be held on the African continent for half a century, something underscored by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during a speech Thursday in the city of Abidjan in Ivory Coast. - Quota reform - During her speech, Georgieva noted that the world was heading into the annual meetings in much better economic shape than many analysts had predicted. "The world economy has shown remarkable resilience," she said in prepared remarks, pointing to strong demand for services and tangible progress against high inflation. "This increases the chances for a soft landing for the global economy," she added, referring to the prospect of lowering inflation through interest rate hikes while avoiding a damaging recession. Georgieva also called on member countries to "bolster" funding levels through an increase in the quotas they pay. The United States, which has a blocking minority at the fund, has indicated it would back an across-the-board increase in quotas -- a move which would leave the overall voting power of member countries unchanged. The Fund is also looking to replenish popular concessionary lending facilities for low- and middle-income countries which have been exhausted by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Georgieva said. She added that the IMF will consider changes to its management structure to elevate the voices of developing economies. "I am looking forward to our members agreeing to a third African Chair at our Executive Board," she said, backing plans to expand the IMF's 24-person management board to add an additional seat for African countries. - Climate funding - This year's annual meetings will be the first for new World Bank President Ajay Banga, a former Mastercard chief executive who was elected on a pledge to boost private sector financing for the transition to renewable energy. Since taking office, Banga has indicated that he plans to reform the bank's current twin mandate of poverty alleviation and boosting shared prosperity to include climate change. "I think the twin goals have to change to being elimination of poverty, but on a livable planet, because of the intertwined nature of our crises," he told a conference last month. He added that proposals to reform the World Bank's balance sheet from countries including the United States and Saudi Arabia could add as much as $125 billion in extra lending capacity if they come to pass. This would mark a significant increase for the development lender, which mobilized just over $100 billion in financing last year. But the process is likely to take a long time, and Banga's plans "certainly won't happen next week," Danny Scull, policy advisor at the climate change think tank E3G, told AFP. Even if these changes come about, they will likely be insufficient to meet the scale of funding needed for the climate transition. The World Bank estimates that developing countries will need $2.4 trillion every year for the next seven years just to address the costs of climate change, conflict and pandemics. - Debt Distress - While the World Bank and IMF are looking to retool to tackle the climate transition, many member countries are grappling with high levels of debt due to the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine. During the IMF and World Bank's spring meetings in April, Georgieva said that around 15 percent of low-income countries were already in debt distress, and "an additional 45 percent are near it." The current efforts to lower the debt burden of low-income countries undertaken by the G20, World Bank and IMF are insufficient, the UN's trade and development chief Rebeca Grynspan said Wednesday. "We need to have a better mechanism for a faster resolution of the debt problem," she told reporters in the Swiss city of Geneva, urging world leaders to tackle the issue at the annual meetings. da-jmi-vog/st/bys People protest outside the Indian Consulate, in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NEW DELHI (AP) India said Thursday it has set no deadline so far but remains determined to reduce Canada's diplomatic presence in the South Asian country amid a confrontation over Canadian accusations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver. New Delhi has dismissed the accusations as absurd. Indias External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters at a news conference on Thursday that the two countries are discussing modalities on achieving" parity as to the levels of diplomatic representation. "I wouldnt like to get into details of the conversation, he said. Earlier this week, a Canadian official said India has told Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country. Bagchi did not reply when asked whether Canada has provided credible evidence to back up its accusations but only reiterated New Delhi's stand that it is open to look into anything relevant and specific that Canada may put forward. India has also canceled visas for Canadians. Canada has not retaliated for that. India previously expelled a senior Canadian diplomat after Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appeared to try to calm the diplomatic clash, saying that Canada is not looking to provoke or escalate. For years, India has accused Canada of giving free rein to Sikh separatists who have been fighting for the creation of "Khalistan, a separate Sikh nation in Indias northern Punjab state. Bagchi on Thursday insisted that Canada improve the security situation for Indian diplomats there. New Delhi has argued that Indian diplomats in Canada are not safe going to and from their jobs at the diplomatic missions in the North American country because of an alleged climate of fear created by Sikh separatists. Trudeau said last month that there were credible allegations of Indian involvement in the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader who was killed by masked gunmen in June in Surrey, outside Vancouver. For years, India has said Nijjar, a Canadian citizen born in India, has links to terrorism, an allegation Nijjar had denied. The Indigenous soldiers are responsible for guarding just over half of Australia's landmass (DAVID GRAY) In the scorching heat of Australia's far north, the next generation of Indigenous army leaders crawl almost unseen through red dust, past towering termite mounds and eucalyptus trees. Just over a century ago, their ancestors were banned from fighting for their country but these men and women are now training in Darwin to become patrol commanders. The soldier at the rear uses the leaves of a small tree branch to brush the group's bootprints from the soil, erasing all traces of their presence. The Indigenous soldiers are among 1,300 troops responsible for guarding just over half of Australia's landmass, an area larger than India. They are from the North-West Mobile Force (Norforce) and 51st Far North Queensland Regiment. Along with Western Australia's Pilbara Regiment, they make up the Regional Force Surveillance Group. In the unlikely event that the north of Australia is invaded, they would conduct covert surveillance, feeding information to those coordinating a response. But much of the group's peacetime work is border protection, looking for signs of smuggling, poaching, drug running and illegal fishing. - Deadly wildlife - Indigenous people have lived in Australia for at least 60,000 years. Their knowledge of the land and local contacts mean they quickly notice anything amiss -- a discarded fishing net, animal remains, even money coming in. "I know how to take care of myself when I'm in the bush," said Norforce Lance Corporal Carl Murkun, 34, from Gapuwiyak in north-east Arnhem Land. "It's really natural to me." The surveillance group can never hope to cover such a massive area alone, so they rely on contacts within remote communities who trust them with information. A small group of soldiers can be sent to these communities to build networks or to check on assets such as fuel supplies, rural roads or landing strips. Soldiers must be able to cope with extreme weather and deadly wildlife for up to three weeks. They rely on skills passed down from ancestors -- hunting, tracking and the ability to read the environment and work with it. Major Rob Watchorn, who commands the Indigenous Development Wing, said the First Nations soldiers' knowledge of the environment is valuable. "What I depend on is the people with the intimate knowledge to be able to answer my questions and influence how I plan activities," Watchorn said. - 'Bad track' - Lance Corporal Murkun spent much of his childhood sleeping in the wilderness with his parents, dealing with snakes and crocodiles. He decided to join the army after realising he was on a "bad track", struggling with alcohol and violence. "Now I'm a clean man, a clean person and I don't like violence any more." First Nations soldiers make up just over three percent of the Australian Defence Force -- about the same proportion as in the wider population -- but in these units, they represent up to 40 percent. Cultural adviser Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Hall's job is to bridge the gap between military command and Indigenous communities. With a First Nations mother and an Irish father, Hall describes herself as "blessed to walk within two worlds". When the army recruits an Indigenous soldier, it also negotiates with their family and wider community, she said. "We take the community on that journey." First Nations Australians often have poorer education records and, if they live in an isolated community, the nearest high school may be too far away for them to attend. They are statistically far more likely to end up in jail than other Australians. Ordinary details like date of birth can also be hard to confirm, notably due to a government policy that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families during much of the 20th century. - 'Look after country' - Commanding officers can often help overcome such hurdles, but there is no guarantee. Many remote First Nations communities share mobile phones, and the nearest reception could be many miles away. Since British colonisation more than 200 years ago, Indigenous Australians have struggled against discrimination, even when it comes to military service. When Australia entered the First World War in 1914, it banned "Aborigines, half-castes and all coloured men" from service. The rules were relaxed in 1917 as the need for reinforcements became desperate. Despite not being allowed to vote or receive veterans' benefits, around 6,000 First Nations Australians served in World War II. Murkun is like many other First Nations soldiers -- he follows his grandfather, who fought the Japanese in the Pacific. Hall said First Nations people are also drawn to the military out of a sense of duty to the land. "Part of that obligation is looking after and protecting because if I don't look after country, country won't look after me. "And it doesn't just affect me, it affects my whole bloodline." sm/al/djw/leg/lb Hong Kong (CNN) Chinas lunar mission to bring back the first samples ever collected from the moons far side is on schedule for next year, officials say, as Beijing ramps up its ambitious plan to send astronauts to the moon this decade and build an international lunar research station. Preparations for the next planned mission known as Change-6 were progressing smoothly, Chinas National Space Administration (CNSA) said in a statement last week, adding that the missions accompanying relay satellite would be deployed in the first half of next year. This week, CNSA also looked ahead to its Change-8 mission slated for 2028, with Chinese officials on Monday calling for increased global collaboration for the unmanned lunar expedition during the International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Chinese expedition in 2028 would welcome joint mission-level projects with other countries and international organizations, according to an accompanying document released on the CNSA website. This means China and international partners could work together on spacecraft launch and orbit operation, conduct spacecraft-to-spacecraft interactions, and jointly explore the surface of the moon, the document said. The spacecraft would also make room for 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of foreign science payloads, the agency said on its website. This could allow overseas partners to conduct lunar research by piggybacking off the mission, Chinese state media said. China expects both upcoming missions, and the Change-7 slated for 2026, to produce valuable data toward constructing a permanent international research station on the lunar south pole by 2040 part of Beijings wider push to become a major space power. Those efforts have seen China become the first country to send a rover to the far side of the moon in 2019, complete construction of its orbital Tiangong space station last year, and announce plans to become only the second country to land a manned mission on the moon by 2030. Expanding Beijings international ties through space collaboration is also part of that plan though so far only a handful of countries are reported to have joined onto its planned lunar research station. They include Russia, Venezuela and South Africa, according to Chinese state media. China is not alone in elevating its space program and lunar ambitions as multiple countries eye the potential scientific benefit, national prestige and access to resources and further deep space exploration that successful moon missions could bring. Last month, India landed its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the moon, becoming only the fourth nation to accomplish the feat, with its lunar landing reaching closer to the moons south pole than any other spacecraft in history. That same week, Russias first lunar mission in decades ended in failure with its Luna 25 spacecraft crashing into the moons surface. The United States has also boosted its lunar program launching the first test flight in 2022 under its Artemis program, which aims to return US astronauts to the moon in 2025 and build a scientific base camp there, with NASA also eying the lunar south pole. Like China, the US has also been gathering international partners, with more than two dozen countries signing on to its Artemis Accords norms for peaceful exploration of deep space. China is not among the current signatories. Chinas upcoming moon missions Beijings Change-6 mission next year will deepen understanding of the moons far side, collecting samples following 10 previous missions to the near side facing Earth, the CSNA said in a statement Friday, coinciding with Mid-Autumn Festival a Chinese national holiday associated with the moon. Such samples will enable scientists to advance their studies about the far side (and) analyze the samples composition to broaden knowledge about the moon, Hu Hao, a senior official working on the Change-6 mission, told Chinese state media last week. The spacecraft is slated to touch down in the far sides South Pole-Aitken Basin and collect dust and rock samples there, Hu was cited as saying, referring to a major lunar landform of high scientific interest. The far side of the moon, which cant be seen from Earth, is covered in craters, but unlike the near side isnt dominated by large lunar mare, or darker imprints of ancient lava flows a difference that puzzles scientists. The Change-6 spacecraft will also carry payloads and satellites from four international partners, according to the CNSA. Those include a French-made instrument to detect radon gas, a negative ion detector from the European Space Agency, an Italian laser corner reflector to calibrate radar systems, and Pakistans CubeSat, a square-shaped miniature satellite, it said. The mission is expected to be followed by the Change-7 in 2026, which aims to search for lunar resources on the moons south pole, and Change-8 two years later, which could look at how to utilize lunar materials, officials have said. China has launched five robotic probes since 2007. Its last mission, Change-5, landed on the moon in December 2020 and returned with samples of lunar rocks and soil. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Chinas next moon mission aims to do what no country has ever done. Its space ambitions dont end there" HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Multiple people are in the hospital, and an infant is dead after a shooting in downtown Holyoke, Massachusetts Wednesday afternoon. Shooting victim arrives at Holyoke Medical Center Tuesday According to Hampden District Attorneys Office Spokesperson Jim Leydon, just before 1 p.m., members of the Holyoke Police Department were called to a reported shooting in the 100 block of Sargeant Street. Leydon said three male suspects were involved in an altercation, during which a shooting occurred, and one of the rounds from that altercation struck a public transportation bus, also hitting a woman on board. The woman, who was pregnant, was treated at a nearby hospital and reported to be in critical condition. The infant was delivered and given life-saving medical services but did not survive, according to officials. Police said all suspects involved are in custody and receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. This incident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit along with the Hampden County District Attorneys Office, and Holyoke Police. (Holyoke Police Department) The incident happened just hours after the Holyoke Police held a news conference to discuss the amount of gunfire that has been picked up by the ShotSpotter system installed in the city in March. The ShotSpotter program is a detection system that allows police to detect, find and respond to gunfire. Holyoke ShotSpotter Report According to the Holyoke Police Department, in the past six months, their ShotSpotter system has detected 113 incidents involving gunfire, 72 of which happened near a playground and 27 near a school, and 110 incidents were reported near a business. Holyoke Police held ShotSpotter news conference due to alarming number of activations Holyoke police recovered 457 rounds, seven guns, and made 10 arrests. They also identified six victims. Police said that many of these ShotSpotter activations do not generate a 911 call from people in the area. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Multiple people are in the hospital, and an infant is dead after a shooting in downtown Holyoke, Massachusetts Wednesday afternoon. Shooting victim arrives at Holyoke Medical Center Tuesday According to Hampden District Attorneys Office Spokesperson Jim Leydon, just before 1 p.m., members of the Holyoke Police Department were called to a reported shooting in the 100 block of Sargeant Street. Leydon said three male suspects were involved in an altercation, during which a shooting occurred, and one of the rounds from that altercation struck a public transportation bus, also hitting a woman on board. The woman, who was pregnant, was treated at a nearby hospital and reported to be in critical condition. The infant was delivered and given life-saving medical services but did not survive, according to officials. Police said all suspects involved are in custody and receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. This incident remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit along with the Hampden County District Attorneys Office, and Holyoke Police. (Holyoke Police Department) The incident happened just hours after the Holyoke Police held a news conference to discuss the amount of gunfire that has been picked up by the ShotSpotter system installed in the city in March. The ShotSpotter program is a detection system that allows police to detect, find and respond to gunfire. Holyoke ShotSpotter Report According to the Holyoke Police Department, in the past six months, their ShotSpotter system has detected 113 incidents involving gunfire, 72 of which happened near a playground and 27 near a school, and 110 incidents were reported near a business. Holyoke Police held ShotSpotter news conference due to alarming number of activations Holyoke police recovered 457 rounds, seven guns, and made 10 arrests. They also identified six victims. Police said that many of these ShotSpotter activations do not generate a 911 call from people in the area. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The debate over immigration at the southern border is raging once again, dominating the discussion at the GOP debates, sparking criticism of the White House's policies among a growing number of Democrats, and fueling renewed media coverage and protests in cities inundated with an influx of migrants. While it remains to be seen whether immigration will be at the forefront in the 2024 presidential election, as it was in 2020, the momentum has been building in recent weeks and recharged with a tougher tone from both Republicans and Democrats, observers say. At the second GOP presidential primary debate, the candidates mentioned the border about two dozen times, with some threatening the use of military intervention to take out drug cartels in Mexico and secure the border. A review of Fox News coverage shows an increase in air time given to reports about the southern border in recent weeks, following a summer devoted to more gender-identity stories. The increased coverage tracks with how the number of migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has risen steadily since the start of September, NBC News reported, with more than 200,000 migrants unlawfully crossing last month a record high for 2023. The number is up from more than 182,700 people who border agents encountered in September 2022 and 142,710 people in September 2021, according to Customs and Border Protection data. Major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Denver, have reported a spike in the migrant population after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, began busing asylum-seekers to so-called sanctuary cities. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, applied a similar tactic last year, sending two planes of migrants to the upscale Massachusetts island Marthas Vineyard. Image: Texas National Guard troops look at immigrants that crossed the Rio Grande into the United States from Mexico (John Moore / Getty Images file) Initially, Democratic leaders from Texas to New York decried such actions as horrific and bigoted, and vowed to be more welcoming, but as the surge has overwhelmed cities now scrambling to find emergency shelters and classroom space for migrant children, some of those same officials have reversed course. The office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, announced he would be touring Latin American countries this week to better understand how asylum-seekers are coming to the U.S., a trip that follows his recent remarks lamenting how the arrival of 10,000 migrants a month to New York is an issue that will destroy the city. On Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he would travel to the southern border but did not say exactly when that trip would take place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pleaded on CNN last month that if youre going to leave your country, go somewhere else, and reiterated on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday that the border is too open right now. We are one of the most diverse places on earth because of our welcoming nature, and its in our DNA to welcome immigrants, Hochul said. But there has to be some limits in place. Frustrations over a deepening crisis isnt only coming from New Yorks leadership. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Chicago mayor, both Democrats, held a call with the White House on Sunday to discuss how migrants have been straining housing and social services since their arrival 13 months ago, creating a humanitarian crisis. Pritzker in a letter Monday to President Joe Biden wrote that the federal governments lack of intervention and coordination at the border has created an untenable situation for Illinois, which is set to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has said her states border communities are also struggling with more migrants and little help from the federal government. Time and again, Ive asked the Biden administration for assistance at the border, but instead, they have chosen to redirect resources to speed the release of migrants without the support and coordination our local communities deserve, Hobbs said last month. A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent arrives to pick up a family of five in the Tucson Sector of the U.S.-Mexico border (Matt York / AP file) A spokesperson for the White House said in a statement that Biden has supported comprehensive immigration reform since his first day in office, and blamed House Republicans for blocking efforts, including the approval of $4 billion to address the needs of the Department of Homeland Security. A Trump-era immigration border policy put in place during the pandemic was lifted by the Biden administration in May. The Covid-related restriction had allowed border patrol agents to quickly turn away migrants at the border for the past three years, but with its ending, the U.S. has seen an uptick following fears of a surge that didnt immediately materialize. Now, that has prominent voices beyond politicians trying to drive the conversation. Tech billionaire Elon Musk visited the Texas border with Mexico last week, posting in a video-selfie on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the situation is beyond insane and growing fast, and called for the overhaul of a legal immigration system that also bars migrants breaking the law. Musk is himself an immigrant from South Africa and called himself extremely pro-immigrant, Reuters reported. A.J. Bauer, an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Alabama who focuses on right-wing media, said a ratcheting up of hard-line language is only going to embolden the anti-migrant sentiment rather than provide actual solutions. The anti-immigration far right may amplify a crisis narrative on the border that pretty directly serves their open ideological ends, and it isnt particularly new, Bauer said. I am more troubled by the crisis rhetoric coming out of Democratic office holders like Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul. Their rhetoric and stunts extend right-wing framing into mainstream and liberal discourse in ways that only aid and abet the right, Bauer added. The issue has remained a consistent one for former President Donald Trump, who in remarks outside the courtroom of his civil financial fraud trial on Monday attacked the Biden administration for what theyve done with open borders ... its a disgrace. While Republicans have been largely unified on supporting border enforcement, there are growing divisions on how to tackle immigration among Democrats following the influx of migrants being bused to cities like New York, likely putting the issue at the center of a lot of right-wing media messages in this campaign season, said Matthew Sheffield, a former conservative media consultant and now publisher of Flux, an independent media outlet. Reece Peck, an associate professor of media culture at the City University of New York-College of Staten Island, said he only expects coverage to intensify in the coming months, as presidential campaigning heats up. Adding to the mix will be how the issue is amplified on social media sites such as X, owned by Musk. Now, Peck said, someone like Musk can highlight a topic like few can. Were at the end of the era, where the influence of the cable news-centric landscape of the 2000s is waning, Peck said. Were watching the over-the-top streaming media sector, and Musk has positioned himself as this new conservative media baron setting an agenda where people are cutting the cord and not watching cable. Hes trying to play the role of Rupert Murdoch 2.0. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Fighting has displaced almost 4.3 million people within Sudan, while around 1.2 million more have fled across its borders, UN figures show (-) Efforts to help millions of people in need in Sudan due to the civil war are being hampered by a lack of security and meagre international funding, the United Nations said Thursday. The army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, after the two fell out in a power struggle. "We need to reach 18 million people and we will not give up on that target," Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN's resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, told reporters. "But we need more international support, better access to the people who need us and safety for our operations." She highlighted that 19 members of humanitarian organisations have been killed and 29 others injured since the conflict erupted. While she did not comment on whether they had been specifically targeted, she noted that "in many instances, our efforts are being hampered", despite indicating "where it is we will be, and what we will be doing". The fighting in Sudan broke out on April 15. "The past six months has caused untold suffering in Sudan," Nkweta-Salami said. - Aid in the crosshairs - Nearly 7,500 people have been killed in Sudan since the conflict began, according to a conservative estimate from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project. Fighting has displaced almost 4.3 million people within Sudan, while around 1.2 million more have fled across its borders, UN figures show. Among them, "we've seen a significant brain drain. A lot of the professionals have left Sudan", said Nkweta-Salami. Humanitarian aid has become a target for attacks and looting by armed gangs and criminals. "We have been able to deliver assistance through a cross-border mechanism from Chad and into Darfur," Nkweta-Salami said. "In mid-September, nearly 3,000 metric tonnes of aid supplies were delivered by 66 trucks across six states. But we need to be able to deliver much more -- safely, repeatedly, and fast." The UN has relocated its headquarters to Port Sudan on the Red Sea as the fighting in the capital Khartoum made the international organisation's work impossible. The obligatory presence of soldiers while loading trucks in Port Sudan and delays in obtaining visas are all additional obstacles in getting aid around the country. - $2.6 billion needed - One of the poorest countries in the world, Sudan has seen its health system brought to its knees by the conflict, with 70 percent of hospitals no longer functioning, said Nkweta-Salami. The UN official said she was worried that heavy rains and floods could lead to more outbreaks of water-borne diseases. "Battling a cholera outbreak in a war zone is difficult at the best of times. With fighting escalating, it may be near-impossible to control," she said. Despite the complex humanitarian crisis, the UN is battling a funding shortage. "The $2.6-billion humanitarian appeal is just one-third funded," said Nkweta-Salami. "The population of Sudan is balancing on a knife edge as their country is gradually consumed by this conflict," she said. "There's also a risk that... if this situation is not brought to an end, that it will have a spillover effect in the region and that is something we must and should avoid." vog-rjm/vog/kjm Tehran Iran's government is trying very hard not to face a repeat of the unrest that followed the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in the custody of the country's "morality police" just less than a year ago. But a new case, that of 16-year-old Armita Geravand, has once again forced authorities to deny that officers, this time members of a local force called Guardians of Hijab, were involved in an attack on a young woman for breaking the Islamic republic's strict dress code. Geravand, born in the western Iranian city of Kermanshah, was heading to school with friends on a local train in Tehran early on the morning of Oct. 1. She and her two companions boarded a subway car but, not long after, blurry security camera video shows her friends, with help from two other women, dragging Geravand, who seemed motionless, out of the train onto a platform at another station. In this image from surveillance video aired by Iranian state television, women pull 16-year-old Armita Geravand from a train car on the Tehran Metro in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. / Credit: / AP She ended up in a Tehran hospital. Iranian officials insist as they did in the Amini case that a medical episode was to blame. State TV and other official outlets have reported that Geravand's blood pressure dropped, leading to her collapsing and banging her head on the train door. But there are other versions of what happened on the train, told by her friends and other witnesses. These unofficial accounts, reported by media outlets based both inside and outside Iran, suggest two female guards on the subway train part of a force employed by the Tehran municipal government to monitor and enforce the mandatory wearing of the Islamic hijab, or headscarf, by all women got into an altercation with Geravand over her clothing. They include claims that Geravand fell and hit her head on the train door only after she was hit by the guards. A reporter with Iran's private Shargh newspaper, one of the most popular reformist outlets in the country, was arrested but later released with a warning after trying to visit the Fajr Air Force Hospital outside Tehran, where Geravand has been admitted since the incident, to try to cover the story. Shargh journalist Nilufar Hammedi is still in prison for her reporting on the Mahsa Amini case. Almost immediately after the incident, Geravand's parents appeared on state media being interviewed at the hospital. They said they believed it was an accident, but it has been reported that there was a heavy police presence at the hospital as they spoke. An unidentified woman seen with the couple, who was not described as a relative or friend of the family, did most of the talking. She stressed that the incident should not be misused by the media. A local online news outlet called Faraz Daily later posted quotes from what it said was a separate interview with Geravand's father, who purportedly disputed the official narrative and said he had not heard from his daughter and knew only that she was unconscious in the hospital. That story later disappeared from the website, and Faraz's editor Maziyar Khosravi posted an apology, saying the article was mistaken. The two friends who were accompanying Geravand on the train have been quoted as saying they were all enjoying the ride together, and that no one pushed or hit their friend. An Iranian teacher's union has claimed, however, that Geravand's friends, family, all of her classmates and the teachers at their school were warned not to challenge the official account. There are also unconfirmed reports that Geravand's mother, Shirin Ahmadi, has been placed under arrest, but neither the family nor any government officials would confirm or deny that report when contacted by CBS News. Some outlets have noted that the security camera video aired by Iranian state TV appears to have been edited, and there's a significant chunk of time not accounted for in the clips. The hospital where Geravand remained four days after the incident is heavily guarded by Iranian security forces, and no media or visitors have been allowed in to see her not even the young woman's friends or family since her parents were there on Oct. 1. As of Thursday, there was no sign of protesters taking back to the streets over the new case. Amini's death sparked months of unprecedented protests in Iranian cities, but a crackdown on the rallies by law enforcement, and the arrest of hundreds of people accused of taking part, quelled the uprisings. Pink: The 60 Minutes Interview Isle of Man TT: The worlds most dangerous motorcycle race | 60 Minutes Liz Cheney says House GOP chaos is "direct result" of Kevin McCarthy-Donald Trump alliance The hospitalization of a teenage girl in Iran after an incident on public transport has fueled a new wave of outrage and accusations against the countrys morality police one year after unrest swept the country. Armita Geravand, 16, suffered a "severe physical assault" at the hands of government agents Sunday for allegedly violating the country's strict Islamic dress code, according to a prominent Kurdish rights group. Armita Geravand 16 year old Iranian girl in a coma (via X) The case has been shared widely across social media, drawing comparisons to that of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman whose death in a hospital last year after being detained by the morality police sparked a wave of mass protests. Speaking to state-run media, authorities have denied the allegations of any physical altercation and say Geravand fainted after a drop in blood pressure. State-run media has published what it says is security footage from the Tehran subway station, but not of what happened inside the car leaving much unclear as anger builds. Tehran dismissed growing global outrage Thursday, accusing Western countries of "insincere concern." What we know Video appearing to show a girl with short black hair that is uncovered entering a train, then subsequently being dragged out unconscious onto the platform, was broadcast by state-run news agencies. NBC News cannot verify the authenticity of the footage, which is grainy, has been edited and does not show what might have caused the girl to collapse inside the train. Hengaw, an Iranian Kurdish rights group based in Norway, said in a blog post Tuesday that the 16-year-old was assaulted by officers enforcing the mandatory hijab. The organization alleged she fell into a coma Sunday. The group posted a photo on social media Tuesday that it said showed Geravand in bed at an air force hospitals intensive care unit. It said authorities had imposed strict security measures around the hospital and her family. Armita Garavand Iran Morality Police Hijab (Hengaw Organization for Human Rights) Reuters, citing two unnamed prominent rights activists inside Iran, reported that security forces were heavily involved around the hospital. NBC News has not verified that reporting. Authorities have pushed back publicly. The head of the Tehran Metro, Masoud Dorosti, told local media that a girl was undergoing treatment in a Tehran hospital after an incident on the subway. But he said that the security footage suggested she had fallen to the ground after a drop in blood pressure, with no sign of an altercation. A couple identified as Geravand's parents echoed that version in a video posted online by the state-run news agency IRNA. They said the girl experienced a drop in blood pressure, fainted and hit her head. IRNA also published what it said were interviews with two girls identified by their first names and as classmates of Geravand who were with her on the day who also said she had fallen and hit her head without being pushed. Human rights groups have frequently accused Iranian authorities of forcing families or friends of those involved in such incidents to deliver statements under duress. Girls are subjected to violence on the streets, and then their families are compelled to protect the government responsible for that violence, said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, an organization based in New York. Global outrage The alleged attack on Geravand has drawn international condemnation. The United States was "shocked and concerned about reports that Irans so-called morality police have assaulted 16-year-old Armita Geravand," Abram Paley, deputy special envoy for Iran, said Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "We are following news of her condition," he said, adding that reports that a journalist was arrested "while investigating this assault is also unacceptable and an affront to journalistic freedoms." In another post on X, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in part: Once again a young woman in #Iran is fighting for her life. Just because she showed her hair on the subway. Its unbearable. Iranian American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad said on X that she was heartbroken and posted photos appearing to show the girl with a breathing tube in her mouth. And many on social media have pointed to the absence of published CCTV footage from inside the train. Refusing to publish the footage only increases doubts about the official narrative, the Oslo-based organization Iran Human Rights said in a statement. Iran's parliament on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, approved a bill to impose heavier penalties on women who refuse to wear the mandatory Islamic headscarf in public and those who support them (Vahid Salemi / AP) Responding to the outcry, the Iranian Foreign Ministry accused the U.S., Britain and Germany of insincere concern. Instead of interventionist and biased remarks and expressing insincere concern over Iranian women and girls, youd better be concerned about U.S., German and UK healthcare personnel, patients and tackle their situation, spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on X. The case carries unmistakable echoes of Amini, whose death sparked a nationwide protest movement that rocked the Islamic Republic. In the year since, authorities have largely quelled the protests and launched an intense effort to strictly enforce the Islamic dress code. But many women now choose to walk the streets without a headscarf, defying the state. There is ongoing disquiet about the country's ailing economy, as well as its rigid prohibitions against social freedoms, which drove the protest movement calling for greater gender equality. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. Californians will gather Thursday for the funeral of Sen. Dianne Feinstein , who died last week at age 90. Her memorial, which starts at 1 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, will be at San Francisco City Hall where Feinstein served two decades as mayor and a member of the Board of Supervisors. The service will no longer be open to the public due to security concerns, Feinsteins office said Wednesday. It will be livestreamed on the late senators social media pages. Behind the speaker's list From President Joe Biden to Hillary Clinton, high-profile Democrats across the country have spoken in recent days about Feinstein and their close relationships with her. National, state and local political figures will pay tribute to her one last time before shes buried in San Francisco the city where her political career started five decades ago. Biden is not attending and will pre-record his remarks. Vice President Kamala Harris is speaking, though she had a lukewarm relationship with Feinstein. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be there but wont address the mourners despite his close friendship. Another notable attendee: Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed by Newsom to serve much of the remainder of Feinstein's term. What to know about the speakers and their relationships with Feinstein: President Joe Biden: Biden and Feinstein served together in the U.S. Senate for 17 years and worked closely together during the Obama administration, when he was vice president. Hes known for his touching eulogies so much so that hes earned the title of eulogizer in chief. That makes the presidents decision to not attend her funeral and instead send recorded remarks all the more unusual. Its particularly odd considering Biden flew to California last week to raise money for his reelection campaign. He also traveled to the United Kingdom for Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral last year but wont make a similar trip for California political royalty. Vice President Kamala Harris: This is perhaps the most unexpected speaker on the list. While Feinstein and Harris both hailed from San Francisco political circles and served together in the Senate, they werent close allies. Feinstein had a tepid response when Harris emerged as a presidential contender early in her Senate career. She just got here, Feinstein told reporters in 2017. There was also an infamous 2004 incident when Feinstein chastised then-District Attorney Harris at a police officers funeral for not seeking the death penalty for his killer. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: Schumer and Feinstein served together in the Senate for 24 years, and he praised her as a hero after her death. During a speech on the Senate floor last week, Schumer spoke about Feinsteins integrity and relentless work to pass major legislation, including a ban on assault weapons in the 1990s. The two worked closely on the bill when Schumer was a member of the House. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi: Pelosi and Feinstein spent decades as the pillars of San Franciscos outsize influence over national politics. They shared a deep friendship. Theres perhaps no other contemporary who traced such a similar path to Feinsteins in terms of being a trail-blazing woman in California politics. In recent months, Pelosi was among Feinsteins most ardent defenders as critics called on the senator to resign amid concerns about her cognitive issues and declining health. Last week, Pelosi delivered a tearful tribute to Feinstein on the House floor, surrounded by the states Democratic delegation. Mayor London Breed: In one sense, Breed is an odd addition to the speakers list because she and Feinstein didnt appear to have a close relationship. Shes speaking when many of Feinstein's closer allies Newsom, Clinton and former Gov. Jerry Brown in particular are not. But Feinstein and Breed share a common throughline as mayors of San Francisco. Feinstein became mayor in 1978 after the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Breed, during a City Hall news conference last week, praised Feinstein for leading the city through such a dark chapter. She stepped up, she led with courage, Breed said. Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICOs California Playbook newsletter. Tamar Shabtai poses for a photo at her home in Mevaseret Zion near Jerusalem, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Shabtai, 29, who grew up in a religious neighborhood in Jerusalem, is among the thousands of young people who leave Israel's ultra-Orthodox community each year. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) MEVASSERET ZION, Israel (AP) Israel is a nation perennially swept up in religious fervor and conflict. And yet, strikingly, a large portion of its population is secular, and even its insular ultra-Orthodox community loses a steady stream of members who tire of its strict religious rules. The country is home to about 7 million Jews, almost half of the global Jewish population. But Jewish identity is a complex blend of religious and ethnonational identity; most Israeli Jews are not diligent observers of Judaism. An Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics survey published in 2021 found that among Israeli Jews over the age of 20, about 45% identified as secular or not religious, while 33% said they practiced traditional religious worship. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim in Hebrew, made up 10%. For Naor Narkis and many other secular Israelis, their Jewish identity is cultural defined by the Hebrew tongue and historical experience rather than governed by traditional religious worship. Narkis, a Tel Aviv native, founded Enlightened Israel after last years parliamentary elections when ultra-Orthodox and religious ultranationalists helped bring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu back into offic e. Narkis says the organization aims to champion liberal values and educate ultra-Orthodox Israelis about them, and advocates for a clear separation of religion and state, including allowing public transit on the Sabbath. I dont think theres a big difference between a secular Jew living in Tel Aviv and a person living in New York whose parents are Christian but isnt religious, Narkis said. What defines us is our language, and our heritage, but doesnt involve faith in a god. He cited Ahad HaAm, a pioneer of modern Hebrew literature in the late 19th century, who depicted Jewish identity as a cultural heritage rather than religion. Narkis' group gives out free smartphones to Haredim who want them since January, it's distributed 3,000 smartphones. The ultra-Orthodox adhere to a strict interpretation of Jewish law and a code of conduct that governs everything from what to eat to which socks to wear. The community often eschews smartphones and the internet, which they see as a gateway to inappropriate ideas. Yet each year, around 4,000 people in Israel one of every seven students graduating from the Haredi education system leave the ultra-Orthodox community, according to Out for Change, an organization that helps former Haredi Israelis integrate into society and the workforce. That figure is growing each year, even as the ultra-Orthodox birthrate is 6.5 children per woman. Among those who chose to leave is Tamar Shabtai. For the first two decades of her life, she followed the rules. She kept the Sabbath, ate kosher food and dressed strictly modest, as her ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem expected. But in the past eight years, Shabtai, 29, has left that behind. Although she only lives three miles from her ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem, she likened the experience of leaving the community to immigrating to another country. Community life is really the most important element there, Shabtai said of the ultra-Orthodox world. Anyone who doesnt fit this framework wont do well really. Either one feels all the time that they dont belong and has to fight for their place. Or one chooses to leave and then there are other prices for leaving the familiar community and starting all over again. Those who exit the ultra-Orthodox community face major challenges. Families and communities often shun those who chart a different course. Many Haredi schools dont teach subjects such as English or mathematics, making joining the modern workforce a challenge. Haredi men and women who qualified for government subsidized training programs for tech jobs suddenly find themselves ineligible once they leave the community. Jerusalem is about a third ultra-Orthodox. Dotted around downtown are several groups that offer social networking events for ex-Haredim. Out for Change provides that, as well as resources, classes, workshops and counseling to help people navigate their brave new world. Until now the state looked at them from the Haredi narrative dropouts, weaklings and that even if we try to help them, its through the welfare prism, said Nadav Rosenblatt, Out for Changes director. They could have stayed Haredim but chose to leave. They come with motivation, they have aspirations to integrate in the workforce and higher education. Shabtai's departure was a gradual process. It began when she started post-secondary education outside the ultra-Orthodox community, where she encountered Israelis of many varieties. She is the sixth of eight siblings; two others are no longer ultra-Orthodox. Shabtai said she lost childhood friendships when she chose to leave, and that decision has strained relations with her parents. Visiting her parents home in pants, rather than a long skirt as is customary among Orthodox women, does not bother them, she said, but Shabbat is something that is painful to them. If I come its only once in a while, and then I go home with a car I park it outside the neighborhood, she said. It hurts, both for them and for me. Some ex-Haredim maintain religious lifestyles outside the strictures of the community, some preserve some traditional practices common among many Israeli Jews, while others adopt a secular outlook. Among the handfuls of former Haredi Jews, most still maintain some kind of religious lifestyle, according to an Out for Change poll. Only 21% of those surveyed identified as secular; 45% said they are still religiously observant just not ultra-Orthodox. The reasons for leaving, contrary to what many people think, are in most cases social and not theological, said Gilad Malach, a researcher focusing on the ultra-Orthodox community at the Israel Democracy Institute. Many of those giving up Haredi life cite social pressure that doesnt allow individual expression, he said. On the inside of Shabtais right wrist she has a small tattoo with the Hebrew words for I dont know. Not only are tattoos taboo according to Jewish custom, but the uncertainty contained in that phrase would be discouraged as well. What isnt there to know?" she said. There is God, there are rules, theres nothing not to know. __ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Israeli activist Shikma Bressler delivers a speech during a protest against the Israeli government's judicial overhaul bill, in Tel Aviv on September 9, 2023 (AHMAD GHARABLI) An Israeli physicist who has become the face of a wave of anti-government protests warns that her country risks falling under "tyranny" as the hardline government pushes through its contentious judicial overhaul. Shikma Bressler, 43, has led passionate weekly street rallies that have become Israel's biggest protest movement in years, ever since the divisive legal reform agenda was unveiled in January. "Israel is taking the track of becoming a tyranny," the mother of five told AFP amid the movement's battle with the hard-right coalition government of veteran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . "It means there is someone who is interested in being a tyrant." In an interview in Jerusalem, she argued that "if Israel follows this track, we will no longer be Israel in the way you and I and the people may think about Israel". Netanyahu's administration, a coalition of his Likud party and extreme-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish allies, insists the sweeping legal changes are needed to rebalance powers between elected politicians and the judiciary. The proposed reforms have deeply split Israel's Jewish majority, with opponents arguing they are in a fight to defend the country's liberal and democratic identity. As tens of thousands have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv and cities across Israel, some coalition members have called in recent months to shelve several proposals or soften the reforms. In July, lawmakers approved the first major element of the overhaul, limiting a clause that had previously allowed judges to rule on the "reasonableness" of government decisions. Bressler spearheaded a multi-day march ahead of the parliament vote, a defining moment for the protest movement. - 'Fragile democracy' - Critics argue the "reasonableness" amendment restricts judicial oversight of executive power and could pave the way for more authoritarian rule in a country that has no constitution or upper house of parliament. Bressler said that, in the long term, the government "can go against our will, as they did in July". "But they are doomed to collapse because you cannot force decisions on the vast majority of your people who are against it, unless you decide to use violence against them." The government argues the proposed reforms are inherently democratic as the coalition was elected by Israeli voters. But Bressler argued that the ballot box mandate "doesn't give it the right to take democracy away". "In Israel, we have no checks and balances... like others," she said, "so our democracy is very, very fragile." Nearly 225 pieces of legislation have been proposed in parliament to steer Israel away from its core democratic identity, Bressler argued. "What we see here is a structured process. "It takes advantage of Israel's internal conflicts and problems," she said, drawing parallels with democratic backsliding in other countries including Poland, Hungary and Turkey. She insisted the protest movement now has wider support than the coalition, a claim backed by recent polls that show falling support for the Israeli government. Opponents accuse Netanyahu, who is on trial on corruption charges which he denies, of trying to use the legal overhaul to quash possible judgements against him. He rejects the accusation. - 'We cannot go back' - Bressler, a professor who runs a lab at the prestigious Weizmann Institute of Science, said she had little to do with politics until 2020, and that her first passion remains particle physics. On a personal level, Bressler said she wants to be able to return to a normal life with her family, but also stressed that "we have no other country to go to". "We must win so that we have a normal home to get back to, nothing beyond this. But apparently it is not guaranteed at all." Her activism started during the Covid pandemic, when Netanyahu ordered courts to shut amid a nationwide lockdown -- a move critics saw as an attempt to delay his corruption trial. Along with her brothers, Bressler drove in a convoy to Jerusalem, urging Israelis to join, a campaign that swiftly turned viral on social media. "Back then I was shouting 'Democratia!' (democracy) like the way you hear now on the streets," said Bressler. The current situation is far tougher, she said: "We cannot go back. We can only move forward from this point." Israel has a choice, she stressed: "Either a dark road that ends up in tyranny ... or to create a much stronger system that will ensure our liberal democratic values for generations to come." sa-jd/ami/fz Israel has quietly helped fuel Azerbaijans campaign to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, supplying powerful weapons to Azerbaijan ahead of its lightening offensive last month that brought the ethnic Armenian enclave back under its control, officials and experts say. Just weeks before Azerbaijan launched its 24-hour assault on Sept. 19, Azerbaijani military cargo planes repeatedly flew between a southern Israeli airbase and an airfield near Nagorno-Karabakh, according to flight tracking data and Armenian diplomats, even as Western governments were urging peace talks. Israel Aerospace Industries sells spy satellites to Azerbaijan The flights rattled Armenian officials in Yerevan, long wary of the strategic alliance between Israel and Azerbaijan, and shined a light on Israels national interests in the restive region south of the Caucasus Mountains. For us, it is a major concern that Israeli weapons have been firing at our people, Arman Akopian, Armenias ambassador to Israel, told The Associated Press. In a flurry of diplomatic exchanges, Akopian said he expressed alarm to Israeli politicians and lawmakers in recent weeks over Israeli weapons shipments. I dont see why Israel should not be in the position to express at least some concern about the fate of people being expelled from their homeland, he told AP. Azerbaijans September blitz involving heavy artillery, rocket launchers and drones largely supplied by Israel and Turkey, according to experts forced Armenian separatist authorities to lay down their weapons and sit down for talks on the future of the separatist region. The Azerbaijani offensive killed over 200 Armenians in the enclave, the vast majority of them fighters, and some 200 Azerbaijani troops, according to officials. FILE - A convoy of cars of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh move to Kornidzor in Syunik region, Armenia, on Sept. 26, 2023. Israel has quietly helped fuel Azerbaijans campaign to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, officials and experts say, supplying powerful weapons to Azerbaijan ahead of its lightening offensive last month that brought the Armenian enclave in its territory back under its control. (AP Photo/Vasily Krestyaninov, File) There are ramifications beyond the volatile enclave of 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles). The fighting prompted over 100,000 people more than 80% of the enclaves ethnic Armenian residents to flee in the last two weeks. Azerbaijan has pledged to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has termed the exodus a direct act of an ethnic cleansing. Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the accusation, saying the departures are a personal and individual decision and (have) nothing to do with forced relocation. Israels foreign and defense ministries declined to comment on the use of Israeli weapons in Nagorno-Karabakh or on Armenian concerns about its military partnership with Azerbaijan. In July, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Baku, the Azerbaijan capital, where he praised the countries military cooperation and joint fight against terrorism. Israel has a big stake in Azerbaijan, which serves as a critical source of oil and is a staunch ally against Israels archenemy Iran. It is also a lucrative customer of sophisticated arms. Theres no doubt about our position in support of Azerbaijans defense, said Arkady Mil-man, Israels former ambassador to Azerbaijan and current senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. We have a strategic partnership to contain Iran. Although once resource-poor Israel now has plenty of natural gas off its Mediterranean coast, Azerbaijan still supplies at least 40% of Israels oil needs, keeping cars and trucks on its roads. Israel turned to Bakus offshore deposits in the late 1990s, creating an oil pipeline through the Turkish transport hub of Ceyan that isolated Iran, which at the time capitalized on oil flowing through its pipelines from Kazakhstan to world markets. Azerbaijan has long been suspicious of Iran, its fellow Shiite Muslim neighbor on the Caspian Sea, and chafed at its support for Armenia, which is Christian. Iran has accused Azerbaijan of hosting a base for Israeli intelligence operations against it a claim that Azerbaijan and Israel deny. Its clear to us that Israel has an interest in keeping a military presence in Azerbaijan, using its territory to observe Iran, Armenian diplomat Tigran Balayan said. Few have benefited more from the two countries close relations than Israeli military contractors. Experts estimate Israel supplied Azerbaijan with nearly 70% of its arsenal between 2016 and 2020 giving Azerbaijan an edge against Armenia and boosting Israels large defense industry. Israeli arms have played a very significant role in allowing the Azerbaijani army to reach its objectives, said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks arms sales. Israeli long-range missiles and exploding drones known as loitering munitions have made up for Azerbaijans small air force, Wezeman said, even at times striking deep within Armenia itself. Meanwhile, Israeli Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles have protected Azerbaijans airspace in shooting down missiles and drones, he added. Just ahead of last months offensive, the Azerbaijani defense ministry announced the army conducted a missile test of Barak-8. Its developer, Israel Aerospace Industries, declined to comment on Azerbaijans use of its air defense system and combat drones. But Azerbaijan has raved about the success of Israeli drones in slicing through the Armenian defenses and tipping the balance in the bloody six-week war in 2020. Nightmare for the Armenian army Its defense minister in 2016 called a combat drone manufactured by Israels Aeronautics Group a nightmare for the Armenian army, which backed the regions separatists during Azerbaijans conflict with Nagorno-Karabakh that year. President Ilham Aliyev in 2021 a year of deadly Azerbaijan-Armenian border clashes was captured on camera smiling as he stroked the small Israeli suicide drone Harop during an arms showcase. Israel has deployed similar suicide drones during deadly army raids against Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank. Were glad for this cooperation, it was quite supportive and quite beneficial for defense, Azerbaijanis ambassador to Israel, Mukhtar Mammadov told the AP, speaking generally about Israels support for the Azerbaijani military. Were not hiding it. At a crucial moment in early September as diplomats scrambled to avert an escalation flight tracking data shows that Azerbaijani cargo planes began to stream into Ovda, a military base in southern Israel with a 3,000-meter-long airstrip, known as the only airport in Israel that handles the export of explosives. The AP identified at least six flights operated by Azerbaijans Silk Way Airlines landing at Ovda airport between Sept. 1 and Sept. 17 from Baku, according to aviation-tracking website FlightRadar24.com. Azerbaijan launched its offensive two days later. During those six days, the Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76 military transport lingered on Ovdas tarmac for several hours before departing for either Baku or Ganja, the countrys second-largest city, just north of Nagorno-Karabakh. In March, an investigation by the Haaretz newspaper said it had counted 92 Azerbaijani military cargo flights to Ovda airport from 2016-2020. Sudden surges of flights coincided with upticks of fighting in Nagorno-Karabkh, it found. During the 2020 war, we saw flights every other day and now, again, we see this intensity of flights leading up to the current conflict, said Akopian, the Armenian ambassador. It is clear to us whats happening. Israels defense ministry declined to comment on the flights. The Azerbaijani ambassador, Mammadov, said he was aware of the reports but declined to comment. The decision to support an autocratic government against an ethnic and religious minority has fueled a debate in Israel about the countrys permissive arms export policies. Of the top 10 arms manufactures globally, only Israel and Russia lack legal restrictions on weapons exports based on human rights concerns. If anyone can identify with (Nagorno-Karabakh) Armenians continuing fear of ethnic cleansing it is the Jewish people, said Avidan Freedman, founder of the Israeli advocacy group Yanshoof, which seeks to stop Israeli arm sales to human rights violators. Were not interested in becoming accomplices. Hong Kong (CNN) China appears to have censored a photograph of two Chinese hurdlers embracing after a race because their lane numbers formed an accidental reference to the Tiananmen massacre in 1989. The image captures Lin Yuwei, from lane 6, and Wu Yanni, in lane 4, hugging following the womens 100-meter hurdles final at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. As they stood together, stickers showing their lane numbers formed 6 4, a pairing widely seen as a reference to June 4, 1989. That day Chinese military tanks rolled into the capital Beijing during a bloody crackdown to clear students protesting for democracy in Tiananmen Square. Beijing tightly controls references to the event, scrubbing all mention of it from the internet within China, and moving quickly to erase any reference to it on social media, including even seemingly innocuous moments when the numbers 6,4 and 89 appear together and are entirely unrelated to Tiananmen. The race took place on October 1, Chinas National Day, a delicate occasion when the authorities are more vigilant against any signs of dissent that may distract from celebrations. State broadcaster CCTV originally posted the photograph on Weibo, Chinas Twitter-like social media service, on Sunday night, but removed it from its account about an hour later, CNN has found. A search on Weibo Thursday no longer yielded results of the same image, though scattered postings of another photograph showing the two athletes crossing a hurdle with their lane numbers on display though in an less conspicuous manner can still be found. The photograph cannot be found on Baidu, Chinas popular search engine, and Google services are blocked in the country. The image can be seen in an article published Monday by state news agency Xinhua but the numbers have been cropped out of the photo. CNN has reached out to Weibo, Baidu, CCTV and the Propaganda Department of the Chinese Communist Party for comment. China imposes stringent censorship not just on criticism of the Communist Party but also matters it deems sensitive and incongruous with the partys values and ideology. The rules have in the past led to the censorship of what might appear to some to be innocuous images, such as womens cleavage and men modeling in lingerie as a gimmick on social media to boost sales. This story was first published on CNN.com, "China censored this photo of two athletes. Was it for a perceived Tiananmen massacre reference?" FILE - Ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh travel on a truck on their way to Kornidzor, Armenia, on Sept. 26, 2023. Israel has quietly helped fuel Azerbaijans campaign to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, officials and experts say, supplying powerful weapons to Azerbaijan ahead of its lightening offensive last month that brought the Armenian enclave in its territory back under its control.(Stepan Poghosyan, Photolure photo via AP, File) TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Israel has quietly helped fuel Azerbaijans campaign to recapture Nagorno-Karabakh, supplying powerful weapons to Azerbaijan ahead of its lightening offensive last month that brought the ethnic Armenian enclave back under its control, officials and experts say. Just weeks before Azerbaijan launched its 24-hour assault on Sept. 19, Azerbaijani military cargo planes repeatedly flew between a southern Israeli airbase and an airfield near Nagorno-Karabakh, according to flight tracking data and Armenian diplomats, even as Western governments were urging peace talks. The flights rattled Armenian officials in Yerevan, long wary of the strategic alliance between Israel and Azerbaijan, and shined a light on Israels national interests in the restive region south of the Caucasus Mountains. For us, it is a major concern that Israeli weapons have been firing at our people, Arman Akopian, Armenias ambassador to Israel, told The Associated Press. In a flurry of diplomatic exchanges, Akopian said he expressed alarm to Israeli politicians and lawmakers in recent weeks over Israeli weapons shipments. I dont see why Israel should not be in the position to express at least some concern about the fate of people being expelled from their homeland," he told AP. Azerbaijan's September blitz involving heavy artillery, rocket launchers and drones largely supplied by Israel and Turkey, according to experts forced Armenian separatist authorities to lay down their weapons and sit down for talks on the future of the separatist region. The Azerbaijani offensive killed over 200 Armenians in the enclave, the vast majority of them fighters, and some 200 Azerbaijani troops, according to officials. There are ramifications beyond the volatile enclave of 4,400 square kilometers (1,700 square miles). The fighting prompted over 100,000 people more than 80% of the enclave's ethnic Armenian residents to flee in the last two weeks. Azerbaijan has pledged to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has termed the exodus a direct act of an ethnic cleansing. Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry strongly rejected the accusation, saying the departures are a personal and individual decision and (have) nothing to do with forced relocation. Israels foreign and defense ministries declined to comment on the use of Israeli weapons in Nagorno-Karabakh or on Armenian concerns about its military partnership with Azerbaijan. In July, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited Baku, the Azerbaijan capital, where he praised the countries' military cooperation and joint fight against terrorism. Israel has a big stake in Azerbaijan, which serves as a critical source of oil and is a staunch ally against Israels archenemy Iran. It is also a lucrative customer of sophisticated arms. Theres no doubt about our position in support of Azerbaijans defense, said Arkady Mil-man, Israel's former ambassador to Azerbaijan and current senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. We have a strategic partnership to contain Iran. Although once resource-poor Israel now has plenty of natural gas off its Mediterranean coast, Azerbaijan still supplies at least 40% of Israel's oil needs, keeping cars and trucks on its roads. Israel turned to Bakus offshore deposits in the late 1990s, creating an oil pipeline through the Turkish transport hub of Ceyan that isolated Iran, which at the time capitalized on oil flowing through its pipelines from Kazakhstan to world markets. Azerbaijan has long been suspicious of Iran, its fellow Shiite Muslim neighbor on the Caspian Sea, and chafed at its support for Armenia, which is Christian. Iran has accused Azerbaijan of hosting a base for Israeli intelligence operations against it a claim that Azerbaijan and Israel deny. It's clear to us that Israel has an interest in keeping a military presence in Azerbaijan, using its territory to observe Iran, Armenian diplomat Tigran Balayan said. Few have benefited more from the two countries' close relations than Israeli military contractors. Experts estimate Israel supplied Azerbaijan with nearly 70% of its arsenal between 2016 and 2020 giving Azerbaijan an edge against Armenia and boosting Israels large defense industry. Israeli arms have played a very significant role in allowing the Azerbaijani army to reach its objectives, said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks arms sales. Israeli long-range missiles and exploding drones known as loitering munitions have made up for Azerbaijans small air force, Wezeman said, even at times striking deep within Armenia itself. Meanwhile, Israeli Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles have protected Azerbaijans airspace in shooting down missiles and drones, he added. Just ahead of last month's offensive, the Azerbaijani defense ministry announced the army conducted a missile test of Barak-8. Its developer, Israel Aerospace Industries, declined to comment on Azerbaijan's use of its air defense system and combat drones. But Azerbaijan has raved about the success of Israeli drones in slicing through the Armenian defenses and tipping the balance in the bloody six-week war in 2020. Its defense minister in 2016 called a combat drone manufactured by Israels Aeronautics Group a nightmare for the Armenian army," which backed the region's separatists during Azerbaijans conflict with Nagorno-Karabakh that year. President Ilham Aliyev in 2021 a year of deadly Azerbaijan-Armenian border clashes was captured on camera smiling as he stroked the small Israeli suicide drone Harop during an arms showcase. Israel has deployed similar suicide drones during deadly army raids against Palestinian militants in the occupied West Bank. Were glad for this cooperation, it was quite supportive and quite beneficial for defense, Azerbaijanis ambassador to Israel, Mukhtar Mammadov told the AP, speaking generally about Israel's support for the Azerbaijani military. Were not hiding it. At a crucial moment in early September as diplomats scrambled to avert an escalation flight tracking data shows that Azerbaijani cargo planes began to stream into Ovda, a military base in southern Israel with a 3,000-meter-long airstrip, known as the only airport in Israel that handles the export of explosives. The AP identified at least six flights operated by Azerbaijan's Silk Way Airlines landing at Ovda airport between Sept. 1 and Sept. 17 from Baku, according to aviation-tracking website FlightRadar24.com. Azerbaijan launched its offensive two days later. During those six days, the Russian-made Ilyushin Il-76 military transport lingered on Ovda's tarmac for several hours before departing for either Baku or Ganja, the countrys second-largest city, just north of Nagorno-Karabakh. In March, an investigation by the Haaretz newspaper said it had counted 92 Azerbaijani military cargo flights to Ovda airport from 2016-2020. Sudden surges of flights coincided with upticks of fighting in Nagorno-Karabkh, it found. During the 2020 war, we saw flights every other day and now, again, we see this intensity of flights leading up to the current conflict, said Akopian, the Armenian ambassador. It is clear to us whats happening. Israel's defense ministry declined to comment on the flights. The Azerbaijani ambassador, Mammadov, said he was aware of the reports but declined to comment. The decision to support an autocratic government against an ethnic and religious minority has fueled a debate in Israel about the country's permissive arms export policies. Of the top 10 arms manufactures globally, only Israel and Russia lack legal restrictions on weapons exports based on human rights concerns. If anyone can identify with (Nagorno-Karabakh) Armenians' continuing fear of ethnic cleansing it is the Jewish people," said Avidan Freedman, founder of the Israeli advocacy group Yanshoof, which seeks to stop Israeli arm sales to human rights violators. We're not interested in becoming accomplices." People gather around a blood stain surrounded with leaves near the West Bank city of Tulkarm where two Palestinians were reportedly killed during clashes with Israeli forces (Zain JAAFAR) Israeli forces killed three Palestinian militants in two separate firefights in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said. The Israeli army confirmed its soldiers had been engaged in a shootout that killed two gunmen near Tulkarem in the northern West Bank. The Palestinian health ministry named the two men killed as Abdul Rahman Atta, 23, and Huthaifa Faris, 27, saying they died as a result of "occupation (Israeli) bullets". Hamas identified them as members of its armed wing. A third Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli soldiers later on Thursday after opening fire at a car further south in the West Bank, the army said. The Palestinian ministry confirmed a death without identifying the slain man. The army said earlier that five Israeli police officers were wounded by an explosive device in a separate clash, which was confirmed by Hamas militants, also in the northern West Bank. Israel's military said the deadly gunfight in the Tulkarem area had erupted after soldiers identified a "suspicious vehicle" near Shufa village. "Soldiers engaged and, after exchanges of fire, the two terrorists were neutralised," the military said. The incident came after reports that an Israeli vehicle was shot at in the area, according to the army statement. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israeli forces "prevented our crews from treating them and took them away" from the scene at a Shufa checkpoint. Following the shootings, Palestinians gathered on a road around bloodstains which had been marked out by leaves arranged in a heart shape on the ground, an AFP photographer said. - Surging violence - Violence also rocked the Tulkarem refugee camp during a raid by Israeli forces. The military said forces had engaged in "an exchange of fire" and that militants hurled explosives at them. As they withdrew from the camp, five Israeli police officers were wounded by an explosive device. Both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad militant group said their fighters ambushed Israeli forces in Tulkarem, using improvised explosive devices. They "detonated a number of IEDs against the vehicles storming (the camp), then engaged in clashes" at close range with the Israeli forces, Hamas said in a statement. On Thursday afternoon, the army said an armed Palestinian had opened fired at a car in Huwara, a Palestinian town that has become the site of frequent violence since the start of the year. Troops chased down the man and "neutralised" him in "an exchange of fire... near the scene of the attack", the army said, with the Palestinian health ministry reporting a death. A surge in violence has hit the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. There has been a rise in army raids, Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis and Israeli settler violence against Palestinians and their property. So far this year at least 246 Palestinians, 32 Israelis and two foreigners have been killed in the conflict, including combatants and civilians on both sides, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials. bur/crb/mj/ami/kir TULKARM, West Bank (Reuters) -Two Palestinian gunmen were killed and five Israeli soldiers were wounded in occupied West Bank clashes on Thursday and Israeli troops killed the suspect in a later shooting attack on Israeli motorists. The military said the two gunmen in the first incident fired shots from a car at an Israeli vehicle near the town of Tulkarm. It said a pursuit and gunfight ensued, and soldiers killed the two men before recovering an assault rifle from their car. The Islamist militant group Hamas claimed the slain Palestinians, aged 23 and 27, as its members. Hamas and another armed faction, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, said they had inflicted Israeli casualties in gun and bomb ambushes in a separate clash within Tulkarm. The army said five Israeli soldiers were wounded in that incident, as they detained a Palestinian militant. Islamic Jihad said one of its members was in Israeli custody. Hours later, a suspected Palestinian gunman shot at an Israeli vehicle driving through the village of Huwara, emergency services said. There were no casualties in the incident, footage of which soon circulated on social media. The video, which could not immediately be verified by Reuters, shows a man opening fire at the back of a car standing in traffic before the vehicle swerves over to the opposite lane and the man runs after it while appearing to fire more shots. The military said it tracked the suspect down and "neutralised" him in an exchange of fire. The Palestinian Health Ministry said he was killed by the Israeli forces. The West Bank, among the territories where Palestinians seek statehood, has experienced a surge of violence in recent months amid an almost decade-old impasse in U.S.-sponsored peacemaking. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Howard Goller) Russian forces recently transferred several Black Sea Fleet ships from Sevastopol in occupied Crimea to a port in Novorossiysk, Russia, likely in an attempt to safeguard the vessels from further Ukrainian strikes, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote in its Oct. 4 report. According to satellite imagery from Oct. 1 and Oct. 3, the Russian military has moved at least 10 vessels, including the frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. The transfer also reportedly includes three diesel submarines, five landing ships, and multiple small missile ships. The ISW views the vessel transfer as a defensive move, though it noted that a Russian think tank, Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, claimed the transfer was routine. On Sept. 22, the Ukrainian military confirmed a successful strike on the Black Sea Fleet's headquarters in Sevastopol. The attack was reportedly carried out with long-range Storm Shadow missiles. On Oct. 3, U.K. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said Ukraine's attacks resulted in "the functional defeat" of the Russian fleet. "Russian forces may be temporarily moving some vessels to Novorossiysk following multiple strikes on BSF assets in and near Sevastopol but will likely continue to use Sevastopols port, which remains the BSFs base," the ISW said. Russia's Black Sea Fleet has actively blocked trade routes following the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, threatening global food supplies. Read also: Uncertain Triumph: Ukraine picks apart Russias best air defenses in Crimea Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. At his new Italian restaurant Erba, Chef Niven Patel pays tribute to the classics. But South Florida is still on his mind and the menu. Splashes of Miami are everywhere. The clams in the traditional linguine al vongole are gone, supplanted by braised Bahamian conch. Hearts of palm stand in for artichokes, while the rotolo pasta dish includes calabaza squash. Smoked grouper tonnato replaces the usual tuna in an heirloom tomato dish, and even the tiramisu has been reimagined with espresso and rum as a salute to Miamis Latin culture. Erba, which just opened in Coral Gables on South Dixie Highway, is located just up the road from two other Patel restaurants, the Michelin-recognized Orno and the tropical Mamey, both at the Thesis Hotel. Like those spots, Erba from Patel and partner Mohamed Alkassars Alpareno Restaurant Group will highlight local delicacies. The James Beard-nominated Patel, who was named one of Food & Wines Best New Chefs in 2020, is famous for his passion for growing his own ingredients at Rancho Patel, his Homestead farm. Even so, creating the menu for Erba was different than putting together the menus for Orno, Mamey and his Indian restaurant in Kendall, Ghee, a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Unlike a lot of menus weve created, for this one we sat in a room and asked, What ingredients do I want to work with? versus What dish do I want to create? Patel said. We listed the ingredients, then came up with the dish. It really turned out to be a unique menu. Partners Mohamed Alkassar and Niven Patel at their new restaurant Erba in Coral Gables. The menu ranges from the sea and across the land, with vegetable dishes and pastas, meat and seafood. Classics stand out with Patels particular creative twists, such as the Mishima Reserve Denver steak with bone marrow salsa verde and turnips or the Niman Ranch Iberico Porchetta Chop, which Alkassar calls unique. And its fitting at a restaurant inspired by Patels time in Florence, that the menu also includes a classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina with rosemary butter and grilled potatoes. The menu will change seasonally, of course. The farm has just started planting for the winter growing season, and other local farmers are growing specific items for the restaurant that diners will find on the menu come December. We work three or four months ahead, Patel said. Were at natures mercy after that. But Italian food is all about whats in season. Instead of using the traditional clams, Chef Niven Patel uses Bahamian conch with pasta in the dish mafaldine at Erba. Even the cocktail menu, which Patel and Alkassar collaborated on with mixologist Scott Beattie from the Michelin-starred Barndiva in Healdsburg, Calif., makes use of Rancho Patel highlights, with drinks like the Butterfly, with Rancho Patel pea flowers, yuzu and pickled huckleberries. Other specialties include the Seville Orange Spritz. Alkassar said that the upscale cocktail program is one of the elements that sets Erba apart. Nivens food is so exceptional, its hard to match that level, he said. With Erba, weve been able to level up, with the cocktail program, the design and the ambiance. Coral Gables keeps growing as a haven for restaurants; just last month, restaurateur Thomas Keller opened an outpost of his famous French Bouchon bistro. But Alkassar believes theres plenty of room for new restaurants in the city, which he says cares passionately about its dining options. We find the community in Coral Gables very appreciative of quality ingredients, good food and humble hospitality, which is more of what we embody, he said. Thats part of our core value. This community isnt looking to see and be seen. Theyre looking for a good bite. Theyre very kind to our staff. It really fits the people we are. The Mishima Reserve Denver steak with bone marrow salsa verde at Erba restaurant in Coral Gables. Erba Where: 227 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables Hours: 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The restaurant also offers a special eight-course Chefs Table for two to six guests, with two seatings a night; $190 per person. More information and reservations: erbamiami.com or 305-712-7788 I've been traveling solo for 2 years and there are 3 reasons I'll always choose hotels over Airbnbs I have been traveling solo for two years and I always prefer hotels over Airbnbs. Hotels make me feel safer, provide opportunities to socialize, and staff can help in emergencies. I encourage travelers to lean into whichever type of accommodation works for them. I'm a travel writer, which means I'm well versed on the allure of Airbnb. The vacation rental company seemingly has something for everyone, from Barbie-themed castles to quirky tiny homes and even celebrity guest houses. But when it comes to navigating trips solo, I tend to err on the side of caution and book hotels. I've been traveling alone on and off for around two years. I have mostly visited European cities, including London, Luxembourg, Brussels, and Oslo. I booked hotels during all of these trips and found that it made me feel safe and provided more opportunities for socialization than if I had stayed in an Airbnb by myself. I avoid Airbnbs when traveling alone for safety concerns Firstly, I want to acknowledge that I've had some positive experiences with Airbnb. Just last fall, my family and I spent two nights in a cabin in the Lake District, England, which was fantastic. It can be great for large groups, as there is more space and privacy than you would have if staying at a hostel or hotel. But for me personally, I don't like staying in Airbnbs when traveling alone for safety reasons. If you do decide to stay at an Airbnb solo, my colleague Joey Hadden wrote about why she always books Airbnbs for two people even when traveling alone. Airbnb did not respond to comment for this story but has a landing page of safety tips for guests. Mikhaila Friel photographed in Brussels, Belgium. Mikhaila Friel/Insider Personally, I had a scary experience when walking back to my hotel from a train station in Brussels earlier this year. I noticed a man who was walking close by and staring at me. At first, I wondered if I had imagined it. But when I quickened my pace, he didn't stop staring and even began to follow me down the street. A gut feeling in my stomach told me something was wrong, so I flagged down a fellow tourist, who waited with me on the other side of the road until the man eventually walked away. I felt lucky that the man didn't see where I was staying. But I also felt confident knowing that if anyone were to follow me to my hotel, they wouldn't be able to access my room. There are security cameras, reception staff, and other measures in place to protect hotel guests. But not all Airbnbs have the same measures. Hotels can promote socialization It's not unusual for solo travelers to get lonely once and a while. This certainly happened to me during my visit to Luxembourg earlier this year. I've found that staying at hotels helped massively, as I was able to socialize with employees and other travelers when I was there. Mikhaila Friel is seated for breakfast at "The White Lotus" hotel in Sicily. Mikhaila Friel/Insider Whether traveling alone or in a group, I've always found making friends an enjoyable and relatively easy experience. My top tip would be to find a hotel that has a buffet breakfast, as there could be more opportunities to speak to other diners if you are all walking around in the same space. And if your hotel has a bar or restaurant, this could also be a great opportunity to chat with the staff and to make friends with other travelers. You don't have to deal with emergencies alone Another reason I prefer hotels is because there are always staff on call, which can be useful if you ever find yourself in a medical emergency. I was visiting Oslo, Norway, last spring when I became unwell and contemplated going to the hospital. I started to panic as my condition became worse and tried to figure out which hospital to get to as well as how to get there. I alerted the hotel manager, who suggested going to a nearby out-of-hours medical center, as he said it would be less busy than the hospital. He even arranged for a taxi to take me there. I was incredibly grateful for the kindness the manager showed and the timely approach he took when helping me. This calmed my nerves, and I know I would have panicked more if I had taken ill while alone in an Airbnb. Hotels work great for me right now, but that's not to say I won't experiment with something new in the future. Ultimately, I encourage all travelers to lean into accommodation that helps them feel safe, inspired, and rested whatever that may be. Read the original article on Insider Halloween has a new mascot and his name is Lewis. The jack-o'-lantern, which is being sold at Target and is designed by Hyde and Eek Boutique, has become this season's most coveted Halloween decoration item, following in the footsteps of items like the iconic 12-foot Home Depot skeleton and the viral "Stranger Things" floating Max sculpture. But it's more than just looks. The jack-o'-lantern, which sits atop a ghoulish body draped in tattered black robes, also speaks. "I am not a jack-o'-lantern," he is heard saying in videos across TikTok. "My name is Lewis." Videos of the decoration have racked up millions of views on the platform, including one video that has been viewed more than 8.1 million times. The TikTok hashtag "#MyNameIsLewis" had been viewed more than 18.5 million times as of Wednesday afternoon. A spokesperson for Target did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the decoration's virality or how many have sold. Currently, Target's website lists the 8-foot Light and Sound Pumpkin Halloween Ghoul, which costs $180, as sold out. Lewis stans have posted TikToks of themselves visiting their local Target's in order to run into a "celebrity." Others have made fan art featuring Lewis. One person even made a Lewis Halloween costume. The band Smashing Pumpkins even got in on the fun. In a TikTok, the group joked it would rename the band "The Lewis Pumpkins." One Target location even appeared to give the decoration a name tag. (In this video, the jack-o-lantern's name is spelled "Louie.") Shannon Murphy, 26, is believed to be the first person to post a video of Lewis, according to meme database Know Your Meme. A video she posted on Sept. 27 of the decoration uttering its now-famous phrase has more than 2 million views. Murphy said she was walking through her local Huntington Beach, California, Target when she heard the decoration utter the "Lewis" line from a few aisles over. She filmed the clip of the line and posted it to her TikTok, not expecting it would take off with a viral life of its own. Big news: I met Lewis at Target this week pic.twitter.com/6mnzp3Kpj4 WE GOT 12 MORE TOPPER (@Johnny_2Hats) October 1, 2023 The viral line has become so iconic because it's "almost theater of the absurd," she said. But she's still had to explain why it's so funny to her parents. She said her mother is still wondering, "Who is Lewis?" "It's breaking people's brains," she joked. "But, at this point, with everyone being on the internet, all of our senses of humor are a little bit broken." Broken brains aside, Murphy said the decoration has served as a nice break on the internet, which can often be oversaturated with upsetting images and heavy news. "It's so wholesome in its silliness," she said, adding, "He's Halloween's Paddington Bear." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Former President Trump allegedly discussed classified information about U.S. nuclear submarine capabilities with an Australian billionaire at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago club after he left office, ABC News reported Thursday. The billionaire then passed the classified information on to others, who reported the disclosures to federal special counsel Jack Smith, according to reports. Trump allegedly discussed the submarines with billionaire Anthony Pratt in early 2021, disclosing classified information about how many nuclear armaments they carry and how close they can travel to Russian submarines without being detected. ABC News reported that Pratt later shared that information with more than a dozen foreign officials, several of his own employees, and multiple journalists. The FBI and Department of Justice prosecutors have questioned Pratt about the information at least twice. Smith charged Trump with illegally holding classified documents at the Mar-a-Lago property in June, alleging that he hid them from Department of Justice investigators. That case is scheduled to go to trial in May. That case does not include mention of the alleged disclosures to Pratt. According to those Pratt mentioned the conversation to, Trump told Pratt that Australia should purchase U.S. submarines, then disclosed the classified information while leaning toward him, as if to be discreet. He told a total of 45 people about the interaction, ABC News reported. After months of negotiations, the Biden administration agreed to sell at least three nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in addition to training and other aid in a three-country defense agreement with the U.K. in March. Those submarines will not carry nuclear weapons. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Thanks, Obama ! A New Jersey electrician who is running for a seat in the State Assembly admits he once smeared poop on the doors of a day care center and he says its Barack Obamas fault. Joseph Viso Jr. is a Republican candidate for the 36th District, but, as the New Jersey Globe notes, he has a lengthy criminal record that includes federal and state convictions on drug and gun charges and a history of financial issues. For instance, in 2016, he pleaded guilty in a federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute methylone and was sentenced to three years of probation. I was sick fighting cancer, and I got myself in trouble, Viso told the Globe. I had to sell my pain medications to pay for my health insurance. Viso was given two years of probation in 2019 after being charged in 2014 with possessing a sawed-off shotgun near a school, possessing a gun while committing a crime and multiple drug offenses. They raided my house and found a gun in my house, he explained. I live near a school. There was also the time in 2013 when he was charged with possession of heroin and served seven days in jail. But those crimes arent as gross as the one he was charged with in 2009: smearing fecal matter on the doors of a childrens day care center in East Rutherford. Viso had a dispute with the day care center, which was next to his business, and he told the Globe that day care employees harassed my men every day. They had cars ticketed every time my men parked on a side street. At some point, he said, he decided to get even by smearing poop on the handles and locks of the child care facility. After the investigating officer told Viso there was video evidence of his poop-smearing, he apologized and said, Im not proud of what I did. He told the Globe that he later cleaned up the dookie-stained doors. It was done before anyone got hurt, he said. Im not going to defend it. Although Viso admitted it was wrong, he offered a bizarre excuse with echoes of Republicans this week blaming the Democratic Party for the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). I was a young man. It was a horrible time, and I made a mistake, Viso, 52, said. Obama came into office the year before. That would make Viso about 39 at the time, an age when most people have learned not to smear poop. Viso is running against two incumbents, neither of whom have any poop-smearing allegations on their record yet! Republican candidate for New Jersey State Assembly Joseph Viso Jr. confessed to once smearing feces on a childrens day care centerbut he says Barack Obama is to blame. Viso, an electrician with a lengthy rap sheet, took a page out of a toddlers handbook when, in an escalating feud with a day care center located adjacent to his electrical company, he smeared poop on the businesss doors. When asked about the incident, which occurred in 2009, Viso said he was angry because he believed that employees of the day care, called Childrens Studio, were getting his employees cars ticketed anytime they parked near the business. Those people harassed my men every day, Viso told the New Jersey Globe. The police report of the incident noted that Viso Electric, his electrical company, would often blast music with offensive lyrics next to the playground of the day care center. While Viso admitted the act was wrong, he also tried to explain his strange behavior in an oddly political and completely inane way. I was a young man. It was a horrible time, and I made a mistake, he said. Obama came into office the year before. Viso was about 38 years old at the time of the poop-smearing incident. After the incident, Viso pleaded guilty to criminal mischief charges and was fined $250. Viso has a lengthy record of criminal convictions on federal and state gun and drug charges, including possessing enough methylone to make five million Molly or ecstasy tablets in 2016, and possessing a sawed-off shotgun in proximity to a school in 2014. (CNN) Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against President Joe Biden for calling him a Russian pawn during a presidential debate nearly three years ago. Giuliani announced the lawsuit at a rambling news conference outside a courthouse in New Hampshire, where he filed to take advantage of the states defamation laws. The former mayor reiterated several familiar attacks against Biden and his son, Hunter, though he only sued the president despite the high bar for statements by public figures in a political setting to be found defamatory. The move comes as Giuliani is facing his own legal exposure on several fronts and new questions about his ability to pay the lawyers representing him. Wednesdays news conference took place shortly after news broke that another lawyer, who has been representing Giuliani in the Georgia election subversion case, had withdrawn. Asked if he was concerned about Giulianis ability to pay his legal fees in this case, as his debts mount, Lou Diamond, one of the attorneys who appeared Wednesday alongside the former New York mayor, told reporters, That is the furthest thing from my mind. When I say hes my friend, he is my friend. And hes the friend of the country. He is Americas mayor, Diamond said. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. Giuliani also addressed reporting from The New York Times that prosecutors from special counsel Jack Smiths office have asked about the former mayors drinking habits and what Donald Trump knew about it while Giuliani served as the former presidents personal lawyer. Trump has been indicted in Smiths federal election interference case, and CNN previously reported that Giuliani is listed as co-conspirator 1 in that case. Giuliani has not been charged with a crime in that case. If I had an alcohol problem, and I could do all of that, I should be in the Guinness Book of Records, Giuliani said at the news conference in New Hampshire, where he listed off his accomplishments as a former federal prosecutor and mayor. I do not have an alcohol problem. I have never had an alcohol problem. At the center of Giulianis new lawsuit are comments made by then-candidate Joe Biden during a presidential debate in Nashville in late 2020. At the time, Biden said Russia was feeding Giuliani false information to help Trumps chances of getting elected president. Theyre interfering with American sovereignty. Thats whats going on right now. Theyre interfering with American sovereignty. To the best of my knowledge, I dont think the presidents said anything to [Russian President Vladimir Putin] about it, Biden said at the time, referring to Moscows efforts to undermine the US electoral process. His own national security adviser told him that what is happening with his buddy well I shouldnt, well, I will his buddy Rudy Giuliani, Biden added. Hes being used as a Russian pawn. Hes being fed information that is Russian, that is not true. And then what happens? Nothing happens. And then you find out that everything is going on here about Russia is wanting to make sure that I do not get elected the next president of the United States because they know I know them, and they know me. Giuliani said Wednesday he has been personally harmed by Bidens comments, which he called false. In 2021, the US intelligence community assessed that Putin had purview over the activities of Andriy Derkach, a Kremlin-linked former Ukrainian lawmaker, who met with Giuliani and repeatedly promoted anti-Biden disinformation. Giuliani also insisted that the lawsuit was not retaliation for a lawsuit previously filed by Hunter Biden against Giuliani and his former attorney that asserted they violated federal and state computer privacy laws through their alleged efforts to hack his devices. CORRECTION: The description of the news conference Rudy Giuliani hosted has been updated. This story was first published on CNN.com. "Rudy Giuliani sues Joe Biden for calling him a Russian pawn" President Biden has nominated Hampton Dellinger , who previously worked alongside Hunter Biden at a law firm involved with energy company Burisma Holdings, to serve as special counsel. The White House announced the move in a Tuesday press release as the term of Henry Kerner, the position's current occupant, expires. The Office of Special Counsel is primarily responsible for safeguarding the "merit system by protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing," its website states. Biden previously nominated Dellinger as an assistant attorney general overseeing the Justice Department's Office of Legal Policy, a position he held between October 2021 and June 2023. Dellinger had also previously donated to Biden's candidacy. FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS FLOATED SEX TRAFFICKING CHARGES AGAINST HUNTER BIDEN, DOC SHOWS President Biden nominated Hampton Dellinger as special counsel on Tuesday. Dellinger, who graduated from Yale Law School, worked on Boies Schiller Flexner's Crisis Management and Government Response team while Hunter Biden served as counsel at the firm. The firm had represented Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings, where Hunter Biden had served on its board of directors. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital reviewed emails on Hunter's abandoned laptop, which showed he worked intimately with lawyers on the firm's crisis management team and indicated he attended a private gathering with Dellinger and other firm employees in March 2014. In a February 2014 email, Dellinger told Hunter it was "great to see [him] last week" and asked whether he would be attending an attorney lunch. Hunter appeared to have a conflict, but said he would be in the office the next day. "I will be here tomorrow and be great to catch up," Dellinger said. Communication from the laptop also showed that William Isaacson, a Boies Schiller Flexner partner, in March 2014 organized a dinner for individuals on the firm's Crisis Management and Government Response team. In one of the emails, Isaacson had said that Biden, Dellinger and others had confirmed their attendance at the dinner. Hunter Biden had also later asked several of the firm's colleagues, including Dellinger, if the dinner was still taking place. DEMOCRATS' NEW HUNTER BIDEN TALKING POINT: BIDEN ONLY GUILTY OF BEING A LOVING FATHER Hunter Biden previously worked at the Boise Schiller Flexner law firm alongside Dellinger. Hunter Biden, meanwhile, said he introduced Burisma as a potential client for Boise Schiller Flexner weeks after the scheduled dinner party. In an April 2014 email, he stated he was brainstorming with the company to "think strategically about the current crisis and expansion of their existing domestic operations." Hunter Biden had suggested they meet with the Crisis Management and Government Response team members. Multiple Boise Schiller partners who were Cc'd on the emails that included Dellinger were closely in contact with Hunter and his longtime business partner, Eric Schwerin, in 2014 and 2015 as Hunter relied on them for crisis management for Burisma-related matters. Partners Michael Gottlieb, Karen Dunn, and Heather King were frequently mentioned in Burisma-related emails. However, it is unclear whether Dellinger was involved. It's unclear if Dellinger did any work for Burisma Holdings. Dellinger has also previously donated to President Biden's campaign and Biden Victory Fund. According to campaign finance records, he gave a combined $1,500 to both entities during the 2020 presidential election. The position Biden nominated Dellinger for is unrelated to the special counsel currently investigating the president's handling of classified documents. Instead, it works to safeguard whistleblowers and deals with potential Hatch Act violations. The White House did not respond to a Fox News Digital request for comment. Original article source: Joe Biden nominates former Hunter Biden law firm colleague as special counsel President Joe Biden will resume deportations to Venezuela in an endeavor to limit the record-breaking number of migrants from the country crossing the U.S. southern border. In September, 50,000 Venezuelans entered the U.S. without permission, accounting for approximately 25 percent of all Border Patrol confrontations that month. The restart of deportations may raise concerns from human rights advocates who point to the countrys damaged economy and political system. Before the Thursday confirmation by anonymous senior administration officials obtained by CNN, the U.S. did not conduct deportations due to its tense relations with Venezuelas authoritarian socialist government, which is the subject of sanctions over its human rights abuses. But now, Venezuelas situation has pushed 7.7 million people to flee the countrythe largest exodus in the Western Hemisphere. Read it at CNN Read more at The Daily Beast. Biden 's dog, Commander, has been taken off the White House campus, a spokesperson said. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images President Joe Biden's dog had to be taken from the White House after he kept biting staff. The German shepherd, Commander, is one of three dogs the Bidens have kept in the White House. Commander has bitten Secret Service staff at least 10 times, records show. One of President Joe Biden's dogs, a German shepherd named Commander, has been removed from the White House after a string of biting incidents. "Commander is not presently on the White House campus while next steps are evaluated," Elizabeth Alexander, a spokesperson for First Lady Jill Biden , said in a statement to CNN, which first reported Commander's removal. Commander has bitten Secret Service staff at least 10 times between October 2022 and January 2023, according to records from the Department of Homeland Security obtained by Judicial Watch. At least one agent was sent to the hospital in one of these incidents, the records show. An 11th incident in September was reported by CNN. The outlet, citing unnamed sources, wrote that the two-year-old dog has also bitten other White House workers and resident staff. Commander's removal from the White House comes after Biden's two other dogs, Champ and Major, were reported to have bitten Secret Service staff in 2021. Champ and Major were moved temporarily to Delaware in early March, before the pair returned to the White House later that month. After Champ died at the age of 13, the Bidens adopted Commander as a puppy in December 2021. Meanwhile, Major was sent off the White House for good that month. White House Chief Groundskeeper Dale Haney takes Commander, for a walk at the White House on December 6, 2022. Haney was photographed being bitten by Commander in September. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The repeated biting incidents have prompted concerns over work safety for White House staff. They have reportedly become a source of strain between the Secret Service and the Biden family. "We're beyond the point of worrying about trust being broken. We have to speak up," an anonymous person close to Biden's Secret Service detail told CNN, describing the White House work environment as "hostile" and "dangerous." A former White House official told Axios they regularly interacted with Commander and Major, and said the Bidens and their top staff "refuse to engage in any problem-solving discussions" regarding the dogs' behavior. The White House's statements to both outlets disagreed with those assessments. "The President and First Lady care deeply about the safety of those who work at the White House and those who protect them every day," Alexander told CNN. "They remain grateful for the patience and support of the U.S. Secret Service and all involved, as they continue to work through solutions." "The White House is chaotic and really stressful for pets everyone knows this and have been trying to work through how to make things better and safer for everyone," a White House official told Axios. "To say that they and their 'inner circle' aren't working on this or are refusing to engage is just not true." On the other hand, Politico on Monday quoted two White House staffers saying that Commander is friendly and well-loved by Biden's staff and tends to bite only Secret Service agents. "The White House is just a crazy environment for a dog," one former White House official told the outlet. "There are enormous men with guns acting suspiciously hostile everywhere." The White House's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Norwegian dramatist Jon Fosse, seen here receiving the Ibsen Prize in 2010, has sometimes been referred to as the Samuel Beckett of the 21st century (Aleksander andersen) Norwegian author Jon Fosse is an all-rounder whose writing is defined more by form than content -- what is not said is often more revealing than what is. Fosse -- a novelist, essayist, poet and children's author but who is best known as a playwright -- won the Nobel prize in literature on Thursday. His dramatic works may not be easily accessible, but they are nonetheless among the most widely staged of any contemporary playwright in Europe. Born among the fjords of western Norway, Fosse is usually seen clad in black with a few days' stubble. He grew up in a family which followed a strict form of Lutheranism and rebelled by playing in a band and declaring himself an atheist. The 64-year-old ended up converting to Catholicism in 2013. After studying literature, he made his debut in 1983 with the novel "Red, Black" which moves back and forth in time and between perspectives. His major works include "Boathouse" (1989), which was well-received by critics, and "Melancholy" I and II (1995-1996). His latest book, "Septology", a semi-autobiographical magnum opus -- seven parts spread across three volumes about a man who meets another version of himself -- runs to 1,250 pages without a single full stop. The third volume was shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize. - Loaded silence - Struggling to make ends meet as an author in the early 1990s, Fosse was asked to write the start of a play. "It was the first time I had ever tried my hand at this kind of work, and it was the biggest surprise of my life as a writer. I knew, I felt, that this kind of writing was made for me," he once said in an interview with a French theatre website. He enjoyed the form so much he wrote the entire play, entitled "Someone is Going to Come." He went on to win international acclaim for his next play, "And We'll Never be Parted," in 1994. His work has been translated into around 50 languages. According to his Norwegian publisher Samlaget, his plays have been staged more than 1,000 times around the world. Fosse's work is minimalistic, relying on simple language which delivers its message through rhythm, melody and silence. His characters don't talk much. And what they say is often repetitive, with tiny but significant changes from one repetition to the next. The words are kept in suspension, hanging in the air, often without punctuation. "You don't read my books for the plots," he told the Financial Times in 2018. "I don't write about characters in the traditional sense of the word. I write about humanity," Fosse also told French newspaper Le Monde in 2003. "The sociological elements are present: unemployment, loneliness, broken families, but the essential matter is what's in between. What's in the cracks, the gaps between the characters and the elements of the text. "The silence, what's not being said is more important than what's being said." Married three times, the father-of-six gave up drinking some years ago after being treated in hospital for alcohol poisoning. After a decade-long pause during which he said playwriting gave him no pleasure, he returned with a new piece for the theatre entitled "Sterk Vind" (Strong Wind, not yet translated into English). Although his plays are notoriously difficult to stage, Fosse was ranked 83rd among the top 100 geniuses alive on a list compiled by the Daily Telegraph in 2007. In a country whose authors tend to be little known abroad -- unless they write crime novels -- he has inevitably been compared with Norway's national playwright Henrik Ibsen, and in 2010 won the International Ibsen Award, one of the theatre world's most prestigious prizes. But perhaps Samuel Beckett is a more apt comparison. Fosse has himself declared his admiration for the Irish icon, describing him, like himself, as "a painter for the theatre rather than an actual author". phy/po/giv/jm On to the next. Jockeying to be the next Speaker of the House is in full swing after Rep. Kevin McCarthy s (R-Calif.) shocking ouster, with the two declared candidates Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) lobbying for support and lawmakers beginning to pick sides in what is expected to be an intense race. Endorsements are rolling in for each of the candidates, and both are making the rounds to various groups within the GOP conference to earn support. A clear front-runner has yet to emerge. And some lawmakers are wondering if any candidate will be able to garner enough support to win the gavel. From having gone through the Speaker fight in January, I dont think there was a path for Scalise to get the votes then and talking to colleagues I dont think there will be a path now. And right now its not clear that Jim has a path either, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), who endorsed Jordan, told The Hill Thursday. That could give way to a dark horse third option like Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), the chairman of the Republican Study Committee and a newcomer in Congress compared to the other two. Hern has not officially entered the race and is working on contacting every member of the GOP conference before announcing his decision, according to a source familiar with his strategy. They dont want the status quo, they dont want somebody thats been around 10, 15, 20 years, proceeding forward doing the same thing that weve seen time and time again, Hern said on Newsmax Wednesday night. The top task for any candidate is to win enough support from the slim GOP majority that can carry them to victory on the House floor. I think the most important thing is the vision that is cast that can unite the conference, Davidson added. The reality is, Im not sure theres any one person that everyone can trust. Its who can put together a plan that everyone can buy into and say alright, I can get on board with doing that. Both Scalise and Jordan, in that context, think they are the right person for the job. You need someone who can unite the conference and I think just as importantly unite the conservative and Republican movement across this country, thats what I think I can do, thats why Im running for the job, Jordan told Fox and Friends Thursday. I have a proven track record of bringing together the diverse array of viewpoints within our Conference to build consensus where others thought it impossible, Scalise wrote in his letter to colleagues announcing his bid. The majority leader also has the benefit of years of leadership experience and a team around him familiar with it, has been a major fundraiser for members, and has longtime relationships across the conference. While he was diagnosed with blood cancer in August and is undergoing treatment, that is not stopping him from seeking the Speakers gavel and raking in endorsements. We need a Speaker who will unite this conference and get everyone on the same page. Thats Steve Scalise, Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) said on Fox Business. Scalise has picked up backing from members hailing from the South and Midwest. Jordan, meanwhile, is racking up support from fellow hard-line conservatives and from the Buckeye State. At least five Ohio lawmakers have said they want Jordan to be the next Speaker. Jordan brings a different flavor of leadership. He was the founding chairman of the tactically confrontational House Freedom Caucus and was instrumental in pushing out former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) who has called Jordan a legislative terrorist. But after running against McCarthy for the House GOPs top spot in 2018, Jordan became his ally and secured more power for the hard-line conservatives including, eventually, his Judiciary chairmanship. While both claim to be unifiers, they have to prove it to their colleagues first. Jordan spoke Thursday to members of the Main Street Caucus, according to a source familiar with the discussion. The groups members range from moderates in tough districts to Republicans in deep red ones who bill themselves as pragmatic conservatives. It indicates that Jordan is seeking to build support from those who face tough races in 2024, who might worry about whether he can cater to their interests and needs, despite his firebrand past. But a big issue for Main Street, as the group articulated in a statement Wednesday, is how to address the one-person motion to vacate threshold the House rule that allows any single member to force a vote on ousting the Speaker, as Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) did to McCarthy. That runs up against the demands of hard-line conservatives who pushed McCarthy to adopt a one-person threshold in January as a condition of supporting him for Speaker. Jordan has indicated that whatever decision is made on the rule which would require a House vote to change it should be decided within the House GOP. If Im Speaker, Im not going to go to the Democrats and make that change, because theyre going to want some kind of other agreement on some other things, Jordan said on Fox. The campaigning comes ahead of a Tuesday candidate forum and a Wednesday vote in the GOP conference on a nominee for Speaker. That individual would go up on the House floor against Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), whom the Democratic caucus is planning to nominate for Speaker. Those hoping to return to the business of the House quickly doing work to avoid a government shutdown before the next deadline Nov. 17, for instance hope that the conference will unite around a candidate during those closed-door meetings. Members, however, are not confident that will be the case. Hell no, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), a close McCarthy ally, said Wednesday when asked if he is confident the group will coalesce around someone next week to avoid another protracted Speakers race. In January, it took McCarthy 15 rounds to finally secure the gavel, a process that dragged on for four days. I think theres scenarios where Patrick McHenry could be in this job for an extended period of time, Graves added, referring to the Speaker pro tempore, who will preside over the chamber until a new Speaker is elected. Davidson said having the process wrapped up next week will require some divine intervention. I hope that we can do it during the course of next week, he said. If we do it Tuesday night, I mean, I think itll take some divine intervention. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BEDFORD, N.H. As Gov. Josh Shapiro takes his first concrete steps on the national stage, a cloud of a scandal involving one of his former top aides is emerging back home. Last week, Mike Vereb, a member of Shapiros cabinet and a longtime ally to the Pennsylvania Democratic governor, abruptly resigned. A day later, local outlets reported that a former female aide to Vereb alleged that he had sexually harassed and retaliated against her. According to the accuser, it was a well-traveled rumor in Harrisburg that Vereb, who was Shapiros secretary of legislative affairs and a former Republican state representative, behaved inappropriately with women. In an interview statement she gave to the states Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, obtained by POLITICO, she said that Vereb had said he was vetted previously by the governor on this topic and "promised the governor that this would not be an issue again coming into this office. The accuser left her position in March. She was interviewed by EEO investigators later that month and made a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in June, according to the documents and people familiar with the process. Vereb did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The womans claims raise questions about exactly how much Shapiro knew about Verebs alleged behavior and why months elapsed between the complaint being made and his departure. They also threaten to cut at the heart of the governors political identity. While previously serving as attorney general, Shapiro was at the forefront of combating sexual misconduct in the Catholic Church. He released a high-profile grand jury report into sex abuse by Catholic clergy. He has also positioned himself as a staunch defender of womens rights and legal abortion in the state. In an interview with POLITICO, Shapiro said he could not respond directly to several questions, including when he first learned of the complaint and whether he asked Vereb to leave. But he pointed to his history of fighting sexual harassment and abuse. I have a long and extensive track record of standing up for victims of sexual abuse, harassment. I led, I think, the most comprehensive investigation on behalf of victims of clergy sex abuse, prosecuted hundreds of sexual predators, he said. I have done extensive work with victims, listening to their stories, investigating their stories, and standing up for them. So Ill take a back seat to no one when it comes to standing up for victims. While two former Shapiro aides have disputed portions of the womans claims, Shapiro declined to address the specifics, saying that a very thorough investigative process takes place when a state employee alleges they were a victim of harassment on the job. It is important to me that this be an environment where everyone feels safe, everyone feels heard, and everyone feels seen, Shapiro said. Obviously these investigations and again, I'm speaking generally, and I think it's really important that you understand that these things don't happen overnight. They can be lengthy processes. But it's important, and I know this from my time as attorney general advocating for victims, it's really important to make sure that everyone be heard and that the process be thorough and complete. Verebs accuser declined a request for an interview. The womans lawyer, Chuck Pascal, would not comment on the interview statement and PHRC complaints authenticity or whether his client had entered into a settlement or non-disclosure agreement. POLITICO was able to confirm the documents authenticity. While the Vereb story has not yet resonated much beyond the state, it comes at a delicate time for Shapiro. The governor is seen as a rising star in the party and has long been rumored to be eyeing a presidential run in 2028 or beyond. This past weekend, he traveled to the early presidential primary state of New Hampshire to deliver a speech that introduced him to voters there and further stirred speculation about his political ambition. Some lawmakers in Harrisburg have voiced concerns about the allegations about Vereb and the Shapiro administrations handling of the matter. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, a Republican, said it is infuriating that Vereb stayed in his job for months after he was accused of sexual harassment. A handful of other GOP female state lawmakers have criticized the Shapiro administration over how it has dealt with the claims. Democratic state Sen. Lindsey Williams has also publicly expressed concerns about the womans allegations and the reported retaliation she faced. In a sign of the sensitivity surrounding the matter, Shapiro met behind closed doors Wednesday with female Democratic state senators about the issue, as well as state Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, two people familiar with the discussion said. Shapiros chief-of-staff, general counsel and lieutenant governor were also present. In her interview statement and the PHRC complaint, which was also obtained by POLITICO, Verebs accuser said that he made multiple unwanted sexual comments to her. The accuser, whose name POLITICO is withholding, said in the statement that she began working for the Shapiro administration in January and took the job because the governor is a one-of-a-kind leader. In February, she said, she was in a meeting with Vereb and other aides when a female senator came up in conversation. She said Vereb said he had a way of handling the senator, and explained that at one point in her office he could have sworn she wanted to have sex with him. A former Shapiro aide, who was granted anonymity because they said they feared retribution, disputed the remarks that Vereb allegedly made about the female senator. The ex-aide said they were present when Vereb spoke about the senator, and that the comments were not sexual in nature. The person also said that Vereb had criticized several staffers for having cutesy meetings, but he did not mean it sexually. Around the same time as the alleged episode involving the female senator, Verebs accuser said that he chastised her for a meeting with a legislative official, saying that she was having a cute little lunch, looking all cute in the capital cafeteria and that it was a waste of my time. She also said in her complaint that other aides in the administration had joked to her about Vereb and her having a sexual relationship. The accuser said the comments quickly got worse. In late February, she said she told Vereb about rumors involving his behavior. She claimed Vereb demanded to know who was behind the gossip and said in response, If you told me right now that you wanted me, if you decided you wanted to enter into that type of arrangement, that would be our choice. I mean, you are a beautiful woman. She said Vereb also told her, If you decided you wanted to do that, and go close the door to this office, tell me to bend you over this conference table, hike your skirt up, and fuck you from behind, that would be our decision to make. Verebs accuser said that he advised her to wear lower cut tops and shorten the slits in your skirts. She said she told Vereb she was not interested in any sexual relationship with him, to which he responded, well fuck you then! She said Vereb later called her that evening, and said he was really concerned about our conversation earlier and continued to make sexual comments about her. The next day, she said she received an invite from HR for an hour-long discussion. When she asked Vereb about it, she said, he talked about performance concerns the first time he mentioned such issues. During the Human Resources meeting in March, the accuser said she told officials about the rumors involving Vereb as well as other concerns. Afterward, she said, she was told by Vereb and other aides that they had performance concerns about her. At that point, she said she told them she was walking out and detailed the sexual harassment by Vereb. The former Shapiro aide who disputed portions of the accusers claims also defended the Shapiro administrations handling of the matter, saying that they were interviewed for two-and-a-half hours in March by the EEO. The governors office most certainly did do an investigation. They did exactly what they were supposed to do, the ex-aide said. A second former Shapiro aide, who was granted anonymity to talk freely about a sensitive matter, disputed claims that the accuser made, saying that they were not present during an event that the accuser said they were at. The person also said they were interviewed by the EEO in March. At a press conference Thursday about state investments in local trails and parks, Shapiro was asked by reporters about his handling of the Vereb allegations. He said that he is focused on creating a "healthy, safe, professional work environment for all of our employees," and that victims and witnesses, complainants, they all deserve confidentiality" even "if some in the process don't follow those rules of confidentiality." Asked about Ward, the Republican Senate president pro tempore who has criticized his administration's approach to the sexual harassment claims, Shapiro said to "consider the source." Vereb has been a longtime ally to Shapiro. They were state lawmakers together, both hailing from the Philadelphia suburbs in Montgomery County, for several years. As attorney general, Shapiro tapped Vereb in 2017 to be his director of government affairs. When Vereb left his secretary job, but before the news broke about the sexual harassment allegations, Shapiros administration praised him in official remarks. Mike has been a key member of our team and thanks to his dedicated service, the Governors Office is prepared for the work ahead, Shapiros chief of staff, Dana Fritz, said in a statement. We wish Mike all the best and were grateful for his service. The New York judge who doomed several of Donald Trump's key businesses in a summary judgment last week issued an order in the Trump family's civil fraud case Thursday to ensure the former president doesn't secretly move money around to save his real estate empire, the Daily Beast reports. According to the order, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron directed the Trumps to identify any corporations they have and disclose any plans to shift around their assets in attempts to conceal or maintain their wealth. The case's defendants Trump, sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and two other top executives in Trump businesses were ordered to inform the court of "any other entities controlled or beneficially owned" by them, any "creation of a new entity to hold or acquire the assets," and "any anticipated transfer of assets." Engoron also authorized a court-appointed monitor, former federal judge Barbara Jones, to oversee this process until someone can be appointed to dissolve Trump's companies. Engoron's aggressive and preemptive move, issued on the fourth day of trial in the case, is intended to undermine the underhanded tactics Trump has pulled out so far during the three-year investigation. It follows the tumultuous first three days of the proceedings, in which the judge issued a limited gag order because of Trump's online attack on his clerk, the former president complained about the trial in the courtroom and Trump's defense aggravated the judge with delay tactics. Trump was previously accused of seeking to quietly transfer his assets after he formally started a "Trump Organization II" on the same day that the lawsuit was filed. NEW YORK The judge overseeing former President Trumps fraud trial in New York Thursday issued an order barring Trump or any other defendants in the sweeping case from transferring any assets or creating a new entity to acquire them without disclosure first. The order, which came via the cases online docket, was delivered on the fourth day of the trial, which was prompted after Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump liable for fraud, ruling that New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) had proved the crux of her case. As part of that decision, Engoron ordered the selection of an independent monitor of Trumps businesses. On Thursday, Engoron said that appointed monitor former Judge Barbara Jones must be informed if the defendants intend to move their assets or create a new entity that isnt a defendant in the case to acquire them. The order also dictated that Jones must be informed of any application for a new business certificate in any jurisdiction, any anticipated distribution or assignment of rights from Trumps entities, any modifications to existing contracts and any disclosures to third parties related to the transfer or cancellation of business certificates. Though the order was not discussed in the courtroom Thursday, it implies that the judge wants a closer eye on the former presidents assets as his fraud trial, which is expected to last through much of this year, is ongoing. The trial centers on an investigation of Trumps business conduct in which prosecutors say his company illegally inflated property values and sizes in order to secure business loans and insurance policies on better terms. Trump sat through the first three days of the trial but is not present in the courtroom Thursday. The 2024 GOP primary front-runner has campaign stops planned over the weekend in Iowa and Monday in New Hampshire. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A state judge rejected Trump-aligned lawyer Sidney Powell s request to dismiss her Georgia charges over accusations that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) office committed prosecutorial misconduct. Powells attorney at a Thursday court hearing argued she had nothing to do with an elections office breach in Coffee County, Ga., that she is charged over in the indictment, alleging that prosecutors had failed to interview key witnesses and ignored evidence. Dismissing an indictment is also something where you have to show prejudice, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said. Its something thats not done lightly and it has to be something thats done with a concrete reason. And just purely on procedural grounds, I dont believe that this motion to dismiss for misconduct I dont see that as clearing just the procedural bar of being something thats under the courts authority, he continued. Powell is set to go to trial in less than three weeks alongside another Trump-aligned attorney, Kenneth Chesebro, though both have pleaded not guilty and have filed other pretrial motions challenging the charges. The former president and 16 others indicted in the case will be tried at a later date. All of the defendants are charged with racketeering over an alleged months-long conspiracy to keep Trump in power following the 2020 election. Beyond the racketeering charge, Powell faces six other counts in connection with an election equipment breach at an office in Coffee County, a rural part of the state located south of Atlanta, in January 2021. Brian Rafferty, Powells attorney, had argued in the dismissal motion that prosecutors had committed troubling and unethical conduct in charging Powell, because she had nothing to do with the Coffee County breach, and that it wasnt a crime anyways because local officials had extended an invitation to visit the office. Rafferty in a separate motion also accused prosecutors of failing to overturn exculpatory evidence that would help show Powells innocence. Ms. Powell had nothing to do with Coffee County, she didnt have anything to do with it, Rafferty said at the hearing. Ive been contending that theres evidence that shows that, he added. So that testimony, emails, documents, other information that demonstrates that people were asked, What do you know about Ms. Powell, connected to Coffee County? And they say nothing. Never talked to her, never spoke with her, never met with her. Responding to the misconduct accusations, Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten called them absurd and unsupported. The court has heard no evidence other than we dont like the fact that we got indicted, we disagree with the states theory of the case, and therefore there must have been prosecutorial misconduct. That is not how this works, Wooten said. Powell is accused in the indictment of entering into a contract with data firm SullivanStrickler for the purpose of willfully tampering with tabulating machines and electronic ballot markers in the county. Rafferty said at the hearing that the metadata on the document shows that Powells name on the contract was typed by another individual, Jim Penrose. Rafferty also said there were communications showing that Coffee County officials had extended a letter of invitation to inspect the election equipment. Prosecutors have insisted they have turned over all the exculpatory evidence, but Rafferty accused them of not taking a meaningful look or hiding an exculpatory needle in a haystack of discovery. This is favorable stuff, very favorable and exculpatory to Ms. Powell that I asked for, and they said it doesnt exist when in fact it did, Rafferty said at the hearing. And so, I mean, Im at a loss here, your honor. As I said, were going to be sitting here for four months trying a case where theres all this evidence that they have that they know Ms. Powell wasnt involved. Powell and Chesebro are set to go to trial later this month, with jury selection beginning Oct. 20. One of Chesebros attorneys at Thursdays hearing indicated that prosecutors had provided a list of 174 trial witnesses. Just prior to the hearing, prosecutors in court filings identified six out-of-state witnesses who they intend to call. That list includes Boris Epshteyn, a lawyer in Trumps inner circle; Lin Wood, an attorney who filed lawsuits seeking to overturn Trumps 2020 election loss; and multiple pro-Trump individuals in swing states who served as alternate electors. Scott Hall, another defendant charged in connection to the Coffee County breach, reached a plea agreement last week and agreed to testify honestly in the case. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Fulton County judge denied one of Donald Trump s former attorneys requests to drop the racketeering charges against her. Prosecutors consider Sidney Powell to be a key figure in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. But her attorneys said she had no role in whatever happened in Georgia, thats why they asked the judge to dismiss the charges. Thursday, the judge said no. [SPECIAL SECTION: The Georgia Election Investigation] Prosecutors say security camera video from the Coffee County elections office on January 7, 2021, shows an illegal break-in, and several people in the video are facing charges. Who you dont see is Sidney Powell, one of Trumps former attorneys. Prosecutors say Powell paid for the investigators the ones, they insist, illegally downloaded data from the election machines. The request to get into those systems were not from Sidney Powell. Thats the first thing. The second thing is they were authorized, Powells attorney Brian Rafferty told the court Thursday. RELATED STORIES: Channel 2s Richard Elliot was inside the courtroom as Rafferty tried to convince Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee that Powell didnt pay for those investigators and that those investigators had written permission to be there. He also insisted prosecutors knew that and withheld it from the grand jury that indicted Powell for racketeering. The grand jury testimony that was presented must have been false because ultimately, the evidence that they had showed she wasnt involved in Coffee County, Rafferty said. Prosecutors fired back saying they hadnt withheld any evidenceand that the issues they were bringing up were better suited for a jurynot the judge. We believe she was involved. We dont believe there was a letter that granted any kind of lawful authorization, the prosecution said. The judge agreed. The allegations that we are withholding evidence, suppressing evidence and that were committing prosecutorial misconduct are outrageous. Theyre not true, Wooten said. Powell will be tried alongside co-defendant Kenneth Chesebro, the man the January 6th Commission said was one of the architects of the false electors scheme. That trial is scheduled for Oct. 23. GALLERY: Fulton County Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade listens during a hearing on motions from defendant Sidney Powell in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten addresses the court during a hearing on motions from defendant Sidney Powell in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee listens as Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten, right, addresses the court during a hearing on motions from defendant Sydney Powell, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Brian Rafferty, center, attorney for Sidney Powell, gestures to the prosecution team as he addresses the court during a motions hearing in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) The chairs in the jury box, left, are empty as Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, top right, listens during a motions hearing address from the attorney for defendant Sidney Powell, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Brian Rafferty, right, attorney for Sidney Powell, addresses the court during a motions hearing in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, back, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee listens as motions are presented in his courtroom by an attorney for defendant Sidney Powell, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee listens as motions are presented in his courtroom by Brian Rafferty, attorney for Sidney Powell, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Eighteen people, including former President Donald Trump, have been charged in a sweeping criminal conspiracy case to overturn the outcome of Georgia's 2020 presidential election results. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo via AP) Brian Rafferty, right, attorney for Sidney Powell, addresses the court during a motions hearing in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, top left, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten pauses as he addresses the court during a hearing on motions from defendant Sidney Powell in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee addresses attorneys during a hearing on motions in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Brian Rafferty, right, attorney for Sidney Powell, addresses Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee while gesturing towards Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten, left, during a hearing on motions in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Manny Arora, attorney for Kenneth Chesebro, addresses Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee during a motions hearing in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade listens during a hearing on motions in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Brian Rafferty, center, attorney for Sidney Powell, gestures to the prosecution team as he addresses the court during a motions hearing in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, top left, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade, left, speaks with an aide, right, in the gallery during a hearing on motions from defendant Sydney Powell in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee listens as motions are presented in his courtroom by an attorney for defendant Sidney Powell, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Brian Rafferty, left, attorney for Sidney Powell, gestures towards Special Prosecutor Nathan Wade, right, during a motions hearing in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Brian Rafferty, attorney for Sidney Powell, addresses the court during a motions hearing in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) Brian Rafferty, right, attorney for Sidney Powell, gestures as he addresses the court during a motions hearing in front of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee, top left, in Atlanta, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Nineteen people, including former President Donald Trump, were indicted in August and accused of participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Erik S. Lesser/Pool Photo, via AP) RELATED NEWS: The actress Julia Ormond has filed a lawsuit accusing the disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein of sexually assaulting her in 1995. She also accuses The Walt Disney Co, Miramax and her former agents of knowing Weinstein was a problem, but doing nothing about it. The case was filed in New York under the Adult Survivors Act, a law passed last year that allows a temporary window for those who allege sexual assault to file outside the statue of limitations. Ormond first appeared on British television in the series Traffik in 1989, and within four years had made her international film debut as the lead in The Baby of Macon. In 1994, she starred alongside Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall, and then a year later with Harrison Ford in Sabrina, and with Sean Connery and Richard Gere in First Knight. The actress alleges in her lawsuit that Weinstein hindered her career at the time her star was rising. She claimed that she met Weinstein in 1994 and kept in touch with him to discuss scripts and projects, before entering into a production agreement with Miramax, where he was co-chairman. She accuses him of committing sexual battery against her in December 1995 after a business meeting, and then retaliating against her and negatively affecting her career after she confronted him weeks later. Harvey Weinstein, 71, was convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York in 2020 and is currently in prison - AP Imran Ansari, Weinsteins lawyer, said his client categorically denies the allegations made against him by Julia Ormond and he is prepared to vehemently defend himself. Ormond claimed she told her US agents at the time, Creative Artists Agency, but received no support and was advised not to take any legal action or other steps. She has accused CAA, Disney and Miramax, saying that they knew Weinstein presented a danger to women, but did nothing to stop him or to help her. According to the filing, none of these prominent companies warned Ormond that Weinstein had a history of assaulting women because he was too important, too powerful, and made them too much money. CAA responded in a statement that the agency takes all allegations of sexual assault and abuse seriously, and has compassion for Ms Ormond. The statement said the agency hired lawyers to investigate her claims when she first came to them in March, and they found only evidence of a dynamic and engaged relationship between CAA and Ms Ormond, and the agencys consistent efforts to support her career. Ms Ormonds claims against CAA are baseless, and the agency will vigorously refute them in court, the statement said. The lawsuit and subsequent media interviews mark the first time Ormond has publicly accused Weinstein of sexual assault. Weinstein, 71, was convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York in 2020 and is in prison in the state. Last year, he also was convicted of another rape in Los Angeles. He has appealed both convictions. Dozens of women have sued Weinstein, many of them actresses, but few have named such a broad list of defendants as Ormond. Associated Press contacted Disney and Miramax for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. FORT PIERCE Nine years after 51-year-old Elizabeth Hernandez was brutally stabbed to death in her Fort Pierce home during an armed home invasion and robbery, her killer is headed to prison to serve three life terms, a judge ordered Wednesday. The sentence was imposed after a St. Lucie County jury convicted Ray Williams, 43, and Keith Canty, 36 both of Fort Pierce of multiple felonies, capping a six-day trial that began Sept. 27, court records show. It was the second trial for both men after a judge on Oct. 18, 2022 declared a mistrial following two days of testimony. As one of the oldest prosecutions pending in St. Lucie County, the case churned through several defense lawyers and five judges, who granted a combined 42 continuances, records show. The jury verdict On Sept. 8, 2014, Hernandez was found lying in a pool of blood inside her home in the 3000 block of Sunrise Boulevard. Aaron Holmes, then 30, was shot twice in the head as he fled the house. Canty on Wednesday was ordered to serve three consecutive life terms after jurors found him guilty of first-degree murder with a weapon, attempted murder and two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, according to Assistant State Attorney Brandon White. Keith Canty stabbed Elizabeth Hernandez 29 times, mostly in the neck area. And she had defensive wounds she put up a pretty good fight, White said. Ray Williams shot Aaron Holmes, who ultimately survived and later died. White and Assistant State Attorney Justin Cormier presented about 350 trial exhibits and the jury heard from nearly two dozen witnesses. Williams testified, White said, but Canty did not. Williams was convicted of manslaughter with a weapon, attempted manslaughter, two counts of robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, tampering with evidence and grand theft of a motor vehicle. His sentencing is Dec. 6. The murder Jurors were told Hernandez and Holmes entered her house and found Williams and Canty inside. Holmes knew Williams, so he thought it was a joke when the pair said, this is a robbery, get undressed and get on the floor, White said. Then the weapons came out and Aaron Holmes knew it wasn't a joke, so he ran out of the house, White said. He got shot in the back of the head two times. But he was able to make it to a neighbor's house. Williams and Canty fled the house, leaving Hernandez mortally wounded. Williams was arrested the same day, records show, and Canty was arrested 10 days later. White said in court Wednesday, one of Hernandezs daughters, who was 11 in 2014, asked Canty if killing her mother was worth it. Keith Canty said that he enjoyed it, White recalled. It's already horrific what he did, but to add that, I've just never seen it. Melina Dennis, 44, an accomplice who admitted driving the men to Hernandezs home - but without knowing their robbery plan - later helped investigators recover items stolen from the home that Williams had burned, then buried behind an abandoned house. Dennis, of Fort Pierce, in 2019 pleaded no contest to evidence tampering, accessory after the fact and driving with a suspended license. Her sentencing is pending. Jury tampering and 2022 mistrial In a rare move, White said for this second trial, only the jurors first names were revealed in court to better protect their identity after Canty was accused of attempting to influence or tamper with jurors seated in his trial last year. Members of the jury seated last week were partially sequestered and were kept together during lunch. We did a lot to protect the jurors in this case, White said. And that's important, because our entire system relies on citizens coming in, and we need to protect them. In felony charges filed against Canty last month, he was accused of making numerous recorded phone calls last year from the St. Lucie County Jail seeking the help of relatives and a girlfriend to extend a bribe to a female juror serving on his jury. Investigators determined Canty was using a numerical code system to spell out the names of some jurors seated in his trial. An FBI agent brought in to assist deciphered Cantys numbers code, White said, which helped reveal the jury tampering plot. White on Thursday said now that Canty was sentenced to a trio of life prison terms, he dropped the jury tampering charges. Essentially there isnt more punishment that we can get, White said. Hes a danger to the people of St. Lucie County so I want to get him to (Department of Corrections) as soon as possible. Stuart, Florida ties: Jamie Foxx, Tommy Lee Jones star in 'The Burial' South Hutchinson Island: Huge development could reshape Fort Pierce Inlet, see details Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of "Uncertain Terms," a true-crime podcast. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Fort Pierce woman's killer shows no remorse in 2014 armed home invasion Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife Nadine Menendez arrive at a Manhattan court after they were indicted on bribery charges. Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Sen. Bob Menendez is viewed favorably by just 14% of New Jersey Democrats, according to a new poll. The senator, facing corruption charges, is polling in the low double digits in future head-to-head matchups. In a head-to-head contest, Democratic Rep. Andy Kim appears well positioned to beat Menendez. Sen. Bob Menendez insists he is innocent, just as he did the last time he faced charges of corruption. But New Jersey Democrats are ready to toss him out: a poll released Thursday found that as few as 5% of Democratic respondents would support the indicted lawmaker in a future primary contest. Menendez, accused of accepting gold bars in exchange for using his power to enrich an Egyptian businessman, has ruled out resigning from his position despite calls from many of his own Democratic colleagues. That sets up the possibility of a contested primary race in June 2024. Rep. Andy Kim announced last month that he felt "compelled" to challenge the incumbent. Though it's just a single poll, and more data is needed to accurately assess the race, to call the findings troubling for Menendez would be an understatement. According to the survey of 502 likely Democratic primary voters from Public Policy Polling, just 14% of those polled said they have a favorable opinion of Menendez, compared to 67% who have an unfavorable view of the senator. In August, before the federal indictment was unveiled, Menendez enjoyed a 58% approval rating among New Jersey Democrats, according to a survey by Monmouth University. By contrast, a majority of respondents had a favorable view of Kim. When PPP asked about a possible head-to-head contest, 63% of respondents said they would prefer Kim, 28% were unsure, and just 10% said they would back Menendez. In a contest where New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy enters the race, Menendez seems to find himself in an even worse position, based on the poll. In that three-way race, 42% said they would back Kim, 19% said they would back Murphy, and just 5% said they would back Menendez. The results are a marked contrast from polling of likely Republican presidential primary voters who must also weigh an indicted candidate's chances. Despite facing multiple criminal indictments, recent polling shows former President Donald Trump is viewed favorably by a majority of GOP voters, most of whom are now backing his third bid for the party's presidential nomination. Read the original article on Business Insider LAS VEGAS (KLAS) During a recent traffic stop, a K9 sniffed out a significant amount of fentanyl while assisting a deputy. K9 Chase was able to identify a drug odor while searching a vehicle, according to the Mohave County Sheriffs Office. K9 Chase is pictured here after discovering 4,000 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop. (Mohave County Sheriffs Office/Facebook) Approximately 4,000 fentanyl pills were recovered during the traffic stop. The Mohave County Sheriffs Office posted the news on its Facebook page with a photo of the K9 and his findings. K9 Chase got a significant amount of fentanyl pills off the streets with this one! Good boy, the post by the sheriffs office stated. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Jackson County judge sentenced a Kansas City man Thursday in the killing of two adults and injuring a 5-year-old child in 2022. David Emerson, 20, was sentenced to 22 years on one count of second-degree murder, 22 years on another second-degree murder charge and 10 years for one count of first-degree assault. The sentences are to be served concurrently. Clay County proposes new 911 fee on November ballot This comes one week after Emerson pleaded guilty to all three charges. According to court records, Kansas City police were called to the shooting scene at Linwood Boulevard and Agnes Avenue on Feb. 20, 2022. The three victims were found in a car parked in a lot. Officers said 31-year-old Ashley Pettiford and 34-year-old Jermaine Jackson were pronounced dead at the scene. Pettifords 5-year-old son was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. According to court documents, video shows Emerson leaning into the victims car. He then steps back and fires a gun into the car twice. They need to do more: Kansas DCF under fire after 5-year-olds death The five-year-old boy was found in the backseat of the vehicle and had been shot in the eye. Emerson was arrested following a standoff with police near E. 59th and Norfleet Road on March 4, 2022. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A Kansas City woman is accused of three felonies, including accessory to murder, for an August shooting over a stolen Lexus that left one man dead, according to court documents. Prosecutors this week charged Alyssa J. Tuscan, 27, as an accessory to second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the killing of 40-year-old Phillip Roberts. As of Wednesday, she was being held in the Jackson County jail on a $500,000 bond. Around 2:15 a.m. on Aug. 3, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 1800 block of Askew Avenue. The officers found Roberts dead of gunshot wounds when they arrived. He was found in an open lot near a 2007 black Lexus, which had been reported stolen the day before. Witnesses told police a man and woman drove up in a silver sedan and started yelling at Roberts about getting the Lexus back from him. After shooting him, they ran and drove away in the car they arrived in, according to a Kansas City police detectives affidavit in support of criminal charges. A surveillance camera near the shooting site captured footage of a silver sedan being driven away. It had a distinctive body style and damage, according to the affidavit, and was spotted by other city cameras in the area. Detectives connected the vehicle to one that had been abandoned and burned less than an hour after the shooting. Another surveillance camera caught video of the car being set on fire and its driver being picked up by someone in a white minivan. The burned car, also determined to be stolen, was towed away and searched. Inside, police reported finding two hospital patient bracelets, including one with Tuscans name on it, the affidavit says. Another witness later told detectives Roberts had driven by in a black Lexus roughly 20 minutes before the shooting. Shortly after that, the witness said, Tuscan and the other suspect, described in court documents as Co-Defendant #1, drove up in a silver car asking where Roberts was. Both were allegedly armed with handguns at the time. During a police interview in mid-August, Tuscan allegedly admitted to being present when Roberts was killed. She told them she had sold the stolen Lexus to someone and wanted it back, the affidavit says. Tuscan said there was an argument before she witnessed the person she was with unload a clip on Roberts, according to the affidavit. She also allegedly admitted to later driving a white minivan and picking him up from where the silver sedan was burned. Records show Tuscan was arrested on her felony warrant Monday and made her initial court appearance Wednesday. A Jackson County judge ordered that she be screened for representation by the Missouri Public Defenders Office. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre got snippy with a CBS correspondent after she asked about her experiences with President Bidens dog Commander after he was kicked out of the White House. As someone who spends a fair amount of time in the Oval Office with the president, did you ever have a troubling encounter with Commander? Nancy Cordes asked. Ms Jean-Pierre replied: No, not at all. But Cordes pushed, And so he never nipped you? The White House press secretary responded No repeatedly while shaking her head as Cordes asked another question about the dog: Were you ever wary of being around him because of the biting incidents that you had heard about? Absolutely not, Ms Jean-Pierre said resolutely. And Ive seen Commander many times, I was never worried and Ive never been bitten by Commander. Cordes then added, Have any members of your staff? The press secretary said that she didnt have the exact number of incidents involving the First Dog, and then read a statement from the First Ladys Communications Director, saying she will leave it there. But Cordes didnt: Ive been bitten by a dog. If there was a dog that had bitten 11 or 12 other people. Id be a little nervous around that dog. Why werent you? I mean, Ms Jean-Pierre started, laughing. Im not sure why this has to do anything with me. I was just not nervous at all. So that is not a concern for me. That is not something that, I cant speak to anything else outside of what you have heard from the first ladys office. And so Ill just leave it there. All right. Another reporter then jokingly asked, Will you make the dog available for questioning? You want me to bring the dog into the briefing room? That should be fun. That should be fun. After more than four decades during which it provided vital inflight refueling and airlift, the U.S. Air Forces venerable KC-10A Extender has flown its last combat mission. While the Air Force already began sending KC-10s to the boneyard in 2020, the latest milestone signals the impending retirement of the type , although its not yet entirely clear what the services future tanker fleet will consist of. Photos published today by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) show a KC-10 departing Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), in Saudi Arabia, on October 5. According to accompanying captions, the departure of the Extender concluded the types final combat deployment at the base. U.S. airmen salute a KC-10 as it begins to depart after conducting the final Extender combat deployment at Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB), Saudi Arabia, Oct. 5, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. Air Force Col. Clinton Varty, 60th Maintenance Group commander, taxies out the last KC-10 at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 5, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank A U.S. airman waves to a KC-10 as it departs Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 5, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank The departure of the KC-10 at PSAB marked the end of the over 30 years of service for the type within the U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) area of responsibility. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank By September 2024, the U.S. Air Force fleet of KC-10s will be decommissioned and thereafter replaced by the KC-46 aircraft. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank A KC-10 Extender takes flight after its final combat deployment at Prince Sultan Air Base. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank Air Mobility Command (AMC) confirmed to The War Zone that this was the last combat deployment of the KC-10 anywhere in the world, not just in the Middle East. For nearly four decades, the KC-10 has helped secure global reach for America, AMC spokeswoman Jessica Brown said. Its expected to redeploy to its home station soon. The KC-10s career included more than 30 years spent within the U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) area of responsibility, which includes PSAB. During that time, the KC-10 played a critical role in supporting different military operations, including Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. A previous DVIDS media release provided imagery of the KC-10 involved in the final combat sortie returning to PSAB, on October 3. The aircraft in question was assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron (EARS), a provisional unit within the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing. A KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Air Refueling Squadron on approach to land after conducting the final combat sortie for the Extender before squadron inactivation at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 3, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank A KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Air Refueling Squadron touches down at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 3, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank A KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Air Refueling Squadron lands at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 3, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank The flight served as a capstone for the KC-10 after over 30 years of service within the U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) area of responsibility. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank A KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Air Refueling Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 3, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank A U.S. airman from the 378th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron directs a taxiing KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Air Refueling Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 3, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. airmen from the 908th Air Refueling Squadron exit a KC-10 Extender after the aircraft returned from the its final combat sortie, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 3, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank The inactivation ceremony for the 908th EARS was subsequently held at PSAB on October 4. U.S. airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing gather for the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron inactivation ceremony at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 4, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank A KC-10 Extender sits on display after an inactivation ceremony for the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 4, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing celebrate after an inactivation ceremony for the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 4, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank The boom of a KC-10 Extender sits on display after an inactivation ceremony for the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 4, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. Air Force Col. Clinton Varty (left), 60th Maintenance Group commander, Brig. Gen. Akshai Gandhi (center), 378th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Col. Colin McClaskey (right), 821st Contingency Response Group deputy commander, pose for a group photo in front of a KC-10 Extender at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 4, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Akshai Gandhi, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, delivers his remarks during the inactivation ceremony for the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 4, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank U.S. Air Force Maj. Joseph Rush (right), 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron (EARS) commander, and Brig. Gen. Akshai Gandhi (left), 378th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, roll up the 908th EARS guidon during an inactivation ceremony at Prince Sultan Air Base, Oct. 4, 2023. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank Clearly, the KC-10s march toward retirement continues. As of September 15, there were 37 KC-10s in the boneyard, including 12 that had gone there just this year. This is from a total of 60 examples that the Air Force acquired, although one was later lost in an explosion and subsequent fire while undergoing maintenance at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana in 1987. The Netherlands also received two similar KDC-10 aircraft , now operated by Omega Air, a pioneer in the commercial aerial refueling segment. A former Royal Netherlands Air Force KDC-10 refuels an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Omega Air Back in July 2020, we reported on how the first KC-10 had been sent to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona something that happened just a day after the 40th anniversary of the types first flight. The Air Force originally bought the KC-10 as a heavy tanker to supplement the KC-135 Stratotanker family, selecting a design based on the DC-10-30CF since it could be introduced relatively rapidly to add much-needed additional tanker capacity. In particular, it was needed to refuel large fully laden transports flying over long distances. A KC-10A seen at the Paris Air Show in 1981, wearing its original airliner-style livery. Acroterion/Wikicommons Compared with the KC-135, the KC-10s additional fuel tanks can hold almost double the load 356,000 pounds of aviation fuel. Unlike the Stratotanker, the KC-10A also has an integrated hose-and-drogue system , in addition to its boom, meaning it can easily refuel U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, as well as probe-equipped receivers flown by other operators. Aside from its primary refueling work, the KC-10 also has an important cargo-carrying mission , being able to carry a wide variety of cargoes, including light vehicles, such as Humvees. Tyler Rogoway Decades of operations began to take their toll on the KC-10 fleet, however. In May 2018, smoke on the flight deck of an Extender forced the crew to evacuate . When the crews escape slides failed to activate, it revealed a separate fault in the safety system that affected the entire fleet. Incidents such as this helped to seal the fate of the KC-10. Despite some resistance , including from within the military , Congress ultimately has not stood in the way of the Air Forces plans to retire the fleet. As it now stands, the last remaining examples will be decommissioned by September 2024. The immediate replacement for the KC-10 is the troubled KC-46 Pegasus , deliveries of which continue, although there had originally been plans to field a direct successor to the KC-10 under the KC-Y program. Meanwhile, the KC-46, selected under KC-X, was viewed as a KC-135 replacement. A U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus from the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer Now, although the KC-46 will also replace a portion of the outgoing KC-10s, questions remain about the makeup of the Air Forces future tanker fleet. Currently, the Air Force is buying 179 KC-46s with the last of those aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2029 after which the service wants to immediately begin receiving aircraft that it had previously referred to as bridge tankers. These aircraft will provide interim capacity between the end of KC-46 deliveries and the acquisition of an advanced future aerial refueling aircraft one that is likely to stress survivability as a core element of its design . Lockheed Martin concept artwork of a future blended wing-body tanker design offering a certain degree of stealth. Lockheed Martin Although thought had been given to buying as many as 140-160 examples of the bridge tanker, the current number has been reduced to 75 aircraft. Once again, the KC-46 is in the running for the bridge tanker, but there are other contenders, too, including Lockheed Martins LMXT , based on the popular Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), and potentially also contractor-based leased solutions . Concept artwork of a Lockheed Martin LXMT refueling a notional sixth-generation fighter. Lockheed Martin Its even possible that, like the former Dutch KDC-10s, a portion of the Air Forces retiring KC-10s could also be picked up by private companies that could sell their service back to the U.S. military. In the past, however, such proposals have not come to fruition , with potential legal and regulatory hurdles apparently proving insurmountable. There has been recent progress in this field, too, with a privately owned KC-135R tanker from the Metrea company refueling a U.S. Air Force aircraft for the first time in an exercise in June this year. You can read more about that here . Private aerospace firm Metrea announced the milestone in a press release , which says that the company's KC-135Rs provided aerial refueling support during Exercise Resolute Hunter 23-2 to the Air Force. Resolute Hunter is a biannual U.S. Navy-led exercise and "is the DODs only dedicated Battle Management, Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (BMC2ISR) exercise," according to that service . The Air Force and foreign air arms routinely participate in the event, which is staged out of Naval Air Station Fallon (NAS Fallon) in Nevada. With the additional tankers and the KC-46s, the Air Force will have covered the replacement of over half of its existing KC-135s, but that still leaves a significant portion of the Stratotanker fleet left for replacement by a future tanker type. With the U.S. military preparing for a potential future conflict in the Pacific, tanker capacity will likely be needed more than ever. With that in mind, it might be argued that now is an inopportune time to retire any Air Force tanker unless strictly necessary. Overall, a lot of questions still remain about what the Air Forces future tanker fleet will look like and whether its numbers will be able to meet the growing need for aerial refueling as the aging KC-135 fleet continues to contract. What does seem clear is the final retirement of the KC-10, an unsung type that will be sorely missed once the last examples are disposed of in a little less than 12 months time. Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com William Holmes, also known as Will Keeps, testifies during the trial of Bravon Tukes at the Polk County Courthouse on Thursday. William Holmes, also known as Will Keeps, credits his pinky ring with saving his life during a Jan. 23 shooting that left him severely wounded and two students dead at his downtown Des Moines alternative school, Starts Right Here. Holmes testified Thursday in the trial of Bravon Tukes, 20, who is charged with first-degree murder for what prosecutors say was his role in helping plan the shootings and serving as getaway driver. Holmes previously testified in the September trial of the shooter, Preston Walls. Walls, a former Starts Right Here student, was convicted of a lesser charge of second-degree murder. According to a juror who after the verdict spoke on condition of anonymity to the Des Moines Register, Walls convinced the jury he carried out the killings of 16-year-old Rashad Carr and 18-year-old Gionni Dameron because he feared they would be gunning for him. Police found a gun on Dameron's body. William Holmes, also known as Will Keeps, testifies during the trial of Bravon Tukes at the Polk County Courthouse on Thursday. Holmes was shot twice in the attack by Walls, now 19, who also was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and assault but acquitted of attempted murder for shooting Holmes as well as a count of criminal gang participation. In addition to two counts of first-degree murder, Tukes also is charged with attempted murder and criminal gang participation. Bravon Tukes, left, in court with one of his attorneys on Thursday. Recounting the shootings in his Thursday testimony, Holmes said Walls, who was just a foot to his right, shot him in the hip and hand as he fired at Carr. "When he started shooting at Rashad he shot me twice," Holmes said. "I had a pinky ring on that day and it hit that pinky ring. If it didn't hit that ring it would have hit me in the heart." Jurors saw security camera footage of the shootings. Holmes suffered a shattered pubic bone and mangled pinky and ring fingers on his right hand. The pinky finger had to be removed, and the ring finger, though reconstructed, will never function properly again, he said. In addition, his hip causes him pain every day, he said. A former gang member who grew up on the south side of Chicago, Holmes said he founded Starts Right Here in 2020 as a way to help youths who would not otherwise graduate from public high schools. Starts Right Here works with Des Moines Public Schools and follows the schools' calendar closely. Sixty youths have gone through the program since its creation and 43 have graduated. None of them would have completed high school without Starts Right Here, Holmes said. Though Tukes was not a student at the school, Holmes said he had known him for years, and that he had admitted Walls to the school at the request of Tukes, a close friend of Walls. During Walls' trial, Des Moines police Detective Jeffrey George testified that the enmity between the victims and Tukes and Walls stemmed from a gang rivalry that had resulted in dozens of shootings around the Des Moines metro. He said Walls and Tukes were affiliated with a group known as Strap or OTR, meaning Only The Real, and Dameron and Carr were part of the Only My Brothers, or OMB, gang. On Thursday, Holmes said he did not know that Walls, Dameron and Carr were in gangs when they were admitted to Starts Right Here. In January, before the shootings, he said, he asked Dameron if he had a "beef" with anyone in the building. Dameron, he said, told him he and Walls had a dispute but that they had ended the feud and that "everything was all good." Holmes said he also questioned Walls, who told him that he and Dameron were "good" and that he had no trouble with Dameron attending the school. Bravon Tukes, left, in court with one of his attorneys on Thursday. On the opening day of Tukes' trial Wednesday, Assistant Polk County Attorney Stephanie Cox told the jury the prosecution will show that Tukes helped Walls plan the shootings after Carr, an aspiring rapper, made a "dis" video maligning Tukes' younger brother, 16-year-old Trevontay Jenkins. Jenkins had been shot and killed in a confrontation with Des Moines police the day after Christmas. "Bravon Tukes told Preston Walls, 'I promise we won't have the last cry,'" Cox told the Jury. 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: Will Keeps testifies for second time in Starts Right Here murder trails Kelsey Grammer became emotional while talking about his love for Frasier in front of a studio audience during a live taping for the upcoming sitcoms revival. The 68-year-old actor, who reprises his role as the successful and witty therapist, Doctor Frasier Crane, was filmed addressing several different studio audiences before live tapings of each episode. Im delighted youre here. I cant tell you how grateful I am that youre here and how grateful we are that we have a chance to do this for you again, Grammer can be heard saying in a video compilation uploaded to Paramount Pluss YouTube channel. I am very excited about what were doing, this new group of people that you can fall in love with and get to know. Weve been working so hard at this thing and its been quite a while, and I think weve done something quite lovely, he says. Getting choked up, he adds: Our love for this character is very sweet. He then raises a hand to his heart and says: I always do this. In a separate clip, Grammer reflects on the incredible journey of the original show and the reboot. Whats shocking is hes just as fresh and alive as any regular human being would be, he says. Theyd say, How can you play the same character for so long? Well, its as interesting as life itself. Give us your blessing and wait for us. Give us love, and were going to give you love back, he concludes. Frasier lives on so, so does Kelsey. Thank you. Well see you in a bit. Thank you very much. Enjoy the show. The Frasier revival comes nearly 20 years after the original 11-season sitcom, which ran from 1993 to 2004. The new show will follow Frasier into the next chapter of his life, as he returns to Boston, where his son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott) has just entered college. Nicholas Lyndhurst stars as Frasiers old college friend turned university professor, Alan, while Toks Olagundoye plays Alans colleague and head of the universitys psychology department Olivia. Jess Salgueiro plays Freddys roommate Eve, with Enders Keith in the role of Frasiers nephew, David. Bebe Neuwirth will return as Lilith Frasiers ex-wife and mother of Freddy whom she originated in NBCs hit sitcom Cheers. Peri Gilpin will also return as Roz, whom she played on the original show. Speaking about the reboot in a June interview with The Independent, Grammer opined that it may be funnier than the original. Frasier premieres its first two episodes on Paramount+ on 12 October in the US, with international releases following the day after. The number of reported abortions provided in Kentucky last year dropped by roughly 43 percent, according to new annual report tracking the medical procedure. The reduction in legal pregnancy terminations correlates directly with the commonwealths trigger law banning abortion and a six-week ban, both of which became enforceable last summer with the overturning of federal abortion protections by the U.S. Supreme Court. Last year, 2,550 abortions were provided in Kentucky, down from the 4,441 performed in 2021, according the the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Vital Statistics report released Wednesday. All but three of the 2,550 were provided before August, when both bans were fully in place. Kentuckys trigger law bans abortion except when a pregnant persons life is at risk. The concurrent six-week ban, or fetal heartbeat law, outlaws abortion after fetal cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. Health care providers who perform abortions outside these confines can be charged with a felony. There are no exceptions for rape, incest, or fetal abnormalities that cause a pregnancy to be nonviable. The combined impact of both laws has been a virtual elimination of abortion in Kentucky, even in circumstances where termination is medically recommended, such as when a fetus is nonviable, as the Herald-Leader has reported. That trend has continued into this year. From January to July, reported abortions in Kentucky dropped by almost 100% compared with 2021, according to state data. Thirteen abortions were reported to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services between January and July of 2023, compared to 2,591 reported in 2021 during the same time frame a reduction of 99.5%. All abortions last year in Kentucky were provided at 21 weeks gestation or less, the report shows, and 89% of all abortions were provided at 12 weeks or less. With roughly a month left in Kentuckys hotly contested governors race, abortion has become a focal point of both Republican Attorney General Daniel Camerons and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear s respective campaigns. Both candidates have criticized one another for being too extreme in their stances: Beshear has jabbed Cameron for not supporting rape and incest exceptions, and Cameron has criticized Beshear for his veto history of multiple abortion bills passed into law by the GOP supermajority General Assembly. Last month, Cameron publicly changed his position, announcing he would support adding rape and incest exceptions, if court-ordered to do so. Ten girls under the age of 15 got abortions last year, as did 201 teenagers ages 15 to 19. The two youngest patients to receive an abortion in the last two years were 9 years old, the Courier Journal reported last September. Under state law, sexual intercourse with a 9-year-old is first-degree rape. A breakdown of individual ages from the 2022 report was not immediately available. While most of the abortions provided last year were for in-state residents, people who live in 19 other states got abortions in Kentucky, including 215 pregnant people from Indiana, 123 from Tennessee, and 48 from Ohio. Though Kentucky saw an overall reduction, data from surrounding states suggests pregnant Kentuckians are traveling to get abortions in states where its still legal. Though roughly a dozen U.S. states outlawed it, the cumulative number of abortions provided so far in 2023 increased nationwide compared to 2020. In states that have preserved access, like Illinois, demand for the medical procedure has spiked, according to new estimates released last month by the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion rights research policy center. While most states surrounding Kentucky, including Tennessee, West Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Arkansas, have passed laws restricting abortion, Illinois a state without an abortion ban is the outlier. There, abortion remains legal up to the point of viability. From January to June of this year, the number of abortions provided in Illinois grew by an estimated 69% (from 26,000 to roughly 45,000) compared with 2020, according to Guttmacher. Organizations like the Kentucky Health Justice Network, which offers financial assistance to people who need help paying for their abortions, has noted an uptick in calls to their hotline and resources spent on travel, or what it calls direct assistance. In the more than year since Kentucky banned abortion, the level of financial assistance for hotels and gas has increased by almost 130%, Savannah Trebuna, KHJNs abortion support fund co-director, told the Herald-Leader last month. Increasingly, were seeing a large need for practical support, things like gas money or a flight, hotels and childcare expenses, she said. Two days after Kenyas foreign minister publicly thanked the United Nations Security Council ahead of President William Ruto for agreeing to an intervention in Haiti and said Kenya-led troops will be deployed in short order, he lost his high-profile cabinet job and got reassigned. After getting ahead of the interior ministry to talk about the deployment, Alfred Mutua was moved to the tourism ministry, where hes also now in charge of wildlife, following a cabinet reshuffle by Ruto. Mutua had been a chief defender of the Kenyan forces and an outspoken proponent of his nation leading a multinational force into Haiti to help disarm violent gangs. His demotion comes as controversy rages in Kenya among opponents and critics of Ruto about the planned deployment, and as the president himself faces protests over the high cost of living and high taxes. While the timing of Mutuas demotion has raised eyebrows, several diplomats say the Haiti aid agreement is between nations and not individuals and Ruto, who controls parliament, has been clear in his commitment. They also note that Mutuas reassignment was in the works for some time and unrelated to Haiti. I dont think the change of the foreign minister will have much influence on the actual designs of the Haiti operations, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow in the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institute. The Kenyan ministers of interior and defense remain in place, she said. The U.S. has strong linkages with both of those ministries and presumably will maintain the existing access to influencing the design of the operations, Felbab-Brown added. This is Rutos first reshuffle since he took office in August last year. In addition to Mutuas reassignment, the foreign affairs ministry was moved and oversight was given to a close ally, Musalia Mudavadi. In a statement, Ruto said late Wednesday that the reshuffle was meant to optimize performance and enhance delivery as set out in the administrations manifesto. In late July, Mutua posted a statement on his social media account stating that Kenya had agreed to positively consider leading a multinational force into Haiti and sending 1,000 of its police officers to help the Caribbean nations police combat violent gangs that controlled at least 80% of the capital. At the time, the statement, posted on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, took even some foreign diplomats involved in the talks by surprise. Days before the U.N. vote, Mutua a former journalist, told the BBC that the Haiti mission could be deployed in January, if not before, and in his public statement after the U.N. Security Council vote said it could happen within a short time. In a Monday post on X, after the vote, he said: I thank the United Nations Security Council #UNSC for adopting the Resolution that gives the mandate to intervene in Haiti to help our suffering brothers and sisters. I thank all those that have constructively participated to make the resolution fit for purpose and the effective networking that has gone on. He also called on all international partners of good will to assist. He added that This mandate is not only about peace and security, but also about the rebuilding of Haiti its politics, its economic development, and social stability. It is the beginning of a new chapter for the fathers, mothers and children of Haiti. The minister, who is active on social media, has not said anything about his reassignment. He did, however, update his portfolio for his 1.4 million followers on X. In an interview with the New York Times, Mutua said he envisioned more than 50 countries each pledging 500 to 1,000 officers and that Kenyan officials, following an assessment, estimated that the Haiti effort could take three years and require 10,000 to 20,000 personnel. Unlike Mutua, the interior security minister has not spoken publicly and Ruto himself has provided few details about the preparations. In his statement thanking the U.N., he refrained from mentioning how soon deployment could happen. Felbab-Brown said she believes the Kenyan government and others in the international community might have been displeased with his comments about the size of a Haiti force and that the mission would need three years to complete its work in Haiti. She believes his assessment is far more realistic about what it will take to weaken the gangs. In acknowledging the larger time and personnel necessary for the security operations alone, the Kenyan foreign minister clearly got ahead of the comfort of many, especially as he also seemed to apply that other countries were ready to send off forces far over the numbers expected, she said. The Haiti Multinational Security Support mission was authorized for one year, with a review in nine months by the Security Council. The Miami Herald, through diplomatic sources involved in conversations ahead of the U.N. vote, identified at least a dozen countries that expressed a willingness to participate either by deploying police or military personnel, or providing money or equipment. Washington, which has not revealed the list of countries, has only said that the 2,000 personnel a Kenya assessment team visiting Port-au-Prince in August said it needed in order to deployed, had been reached through offers from countries like The Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda and others. During that same visit, the Kenyan government also made it clear that a deployment would need to be approved by the African nations parliament, a point the countrys opposition lawmakers have pressed ever since Mondays U.N. vote. The News NAIROBI A claim by Kenyan President William Ruto that tech giants want to hire up to 300,000 Kenyan online workers is eliciting sharp reactions, including public criticism. Know More Whats the background to this? Ruto made the statement on Sunday, Oct. 1, shortly after leading a US-Kenya business roadshow in which he pitched the country to top US tech companies and investors in Silicon Valley. Those he met included Apple CEO Tim Cook, Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger, Alphabets chief financial officer Ruth Porat, and Microsofts chief operating officer Brad Smith. US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, herself a former CEO of eBay and Hewlett Packard, also played a key role in the roadshow, encouraging US tech companies to invest in the East African country. She described it as a gateway to the rest of the continent and talked up the countrys tech sector. What did Ruto promise Kenyan voters? Ruto was elected on the promise to empower the poor, youth and small business owners. However, issues related to the struggling economy he inherited when took office last September including unpopular tax hikes, the high cost of living and unemployment have dented his image at home. The countrys deepening economic challenges, which stem from growing debt repayments and rising interest rates, this week prompted the cabinet to order all ministries and state departments to cut their budgets by 10%. The presidents allies insist he needs more time to deliver, particularly on lowering the cost of living which sparked anti-government protests this year. What did he say after his Silicon Valley trip? I visited Google, Intel and Apple. All these companies are looking for online workers, Ruto stated at a church service in Nairobi on Sunday, Oct. 1. They want us to give them 100,000, 200,000 and 300,000 workers out of the Kenyan youth. Kenya presidency/X Whats the tech sector saying? Googles head of communications for Africa, Dorothy Ooko, told Semafor Africa the company shared Rutos vision of creating jobs through technology. Ooko said Google is hiring engineers, designers and researchers to work in its product development center in Nairobi to solve difficult technical challenges. Ben Roberts, chief technology and innovation officer at digital services company Liquid Intelligent Technologies in Nairobi told Semafor Africa the pitch by Ruto and Whitman to tech investors in Silicon Valley could only help in attracting big tech investment to Kenya. Roberts said a handful of companies might not directly hire hundreds of thousands of Kenyan workers but in order to achieve larger numbers of Kenyans being employed, we need the big tech firms to work with local partners. The business process outsourcing (BPO) sector has the potential to create more job opportunities, according to Roberts who noted that it accelerated the growth of Indias tech sector. Kenya aims to create 1 million jobs in the BPO sector. Kenya presidency/X How have Rutos comments been received? The presidents critics, both in the opposition and general public, have accused him of repeatedly making unrealistic promises designed to gain a political advantage. That characterization has earned Ruto monikers such as Mr. Six Months in reference to unmet project timelines. Online, many Kenyans have questioned Rutos statement and his administrations ability to deliver the jobs. Local media reports have been skeptical Citizen TV questioned how the jobs could be delivered given recent layoffs in big tech and the sheer number of new jobs promised by the president. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, a member of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, dismissed Rutos vows as lies. He has increased the cost of doing business in Kenya and now wants to hoodwink Kenyans with phantom opportunities in other countries, Sifuna told Semafor Africa, referring to Rutos plan to secure 1 million jobs overseas for Kenyan workers. Martins view Few countries in Africa are as well positioned to attract big tech investment as Kenya. In the past year, Microsoft and Google both opened landmark development centers in Nairobi and began recruiting some of the countrys top tech talent. The Silicon Valley roadshow undoubtedly boosted Kenyas profile to tech investors at a time when the president can point to progress. On Wednesday, Oct. 4, Ruto attended the launch of a development center in Nairobi for the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing platform. The center, only the second in Africa, provides resources for developers to work on apps and services. The launch came a fortnight after Ruto met AWS executives in New York. Despite Kenyas strong position as an African tech hub, it is highly unlikely that a few big tech companies will hire hundreds of thousands of Kenyans workers. While he might have been assured of increased big tech investment in Kenya during his Silicon Valley trip, the president might have been playing to the gallery with the promised jobs numbers. For perspective, Googles total number of employees stood at just under 180,000 as of January 2023. Such statements can be frustrating to the millions of Kenyan youth grappling with unemployment and the high cost of living. According to the most recent census data, 5.3 million, or 38.9% of young Kenyans, are unemployed. He promised youth jobs while campaigning but Im not seeing them, the economy is bad, John Macharia, a 29-year old developer in Nairobi, told Semafor Africa. I hope more (big tech) jobs come but Im not counting on it. Right now the cost of living is my biggest concern. He (Ruto) needs to address it. Alfred Mutua recently said the Kenyan police would be deployed to Haiti "within a short time" Kenya's Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua has been demoted as controversy rages over plans to deploy police to Haiti to fight gangs. Main opposition leader Raila Odinga was the latest to oppose the move, saying the deployment would risk the lives of Kenyan police. Mr Mutua's demotion to tourism minister was part of the first major cabinet reshuffle by President William Ruto . In August, the president criticised some of his ministers as clueless. Mr Ruto took office in August last year with the promise to improve the economy and better the lives of lower-income earners. But he has faced a series of opposition-led protests over the high cost of living and tax hikes. The president said in a statement late on Wednesday that the reshuffle was meant to "optimise performance and enhance delivery as set out in the administration's manifesto". On Tuesday, the president cracked down on government spending and foreign travel, ordering ministries to cut their spending by 10%. Mr Ruto re-assigned Mr Mutua to the tourism ministry and put the foreign affairs ministry under the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, which falls under his close ally, Musalia Mudavadi. The move is seen as an attempt to give Mr Ruto's inner circle more influence over diplomatic affairs. A senior member of the ruling party, Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei, said the changes were "necessitated by performance". "The writing is on the wall for the non-performing cabinet secretaries and those who perpetuate corruption and lethargy in their ministries," Mr Cherargei posted on X, formerly Twitter. As foreign minister, Mr Mutua was a vocal supporter of a Kenyan-led peacekeeping mission to Haiti. He recently said that about 1,000 police would be deployed "within a short time". The UN Security Council approved the deployment of the force on Tuesday. Mr Ruto welcomed its decision, but did not mention when the police would be sent. Some Kenyan MPs have demanded parliamentary approval before the deployment. The defence and security ministers, who have been quiet about the planned Haiti deployment, were not affected by the reshuffle. If deployed, the Kenyan police would help tackle gangs that have have taken control of large parts of Haiti, killing hundreds and disrupting public services. Mr Odinga, in an interview with privately-owned KTN News, said the situation in Haiti was too dangerous for Kenyan police. "When coffins start arriving here, that's when we shall regret [it]. Haiti is dangerous and there's a possibility our police will encounter problems there," the opposition leader said. In another notable change in the reshuffle, Trade Minister Moses Kuria was moved to the public service portfolio. He has been replaced by Rebecca Miano, who was the minister in charge of relations with the East African Community (EAC). Mr Kuria was snubbed by US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who refused to meet him during her visit to Kenya in July. Ms Tai apparently objected to foul language Mr Kuria had used against the Kenyan media and opposition. Mr Kuria was also involved in controversy over the operations of a popular Chinese-owned shop near Kenya's capital, Nairobi. The shop was temporarily closed after Mr Kuria accused it of taking away business from local traders by selling goods too cheaply. Other key cabinet changes include: Water Minister Alice Wahome moves to the land and housing ministry Aisha Jumwa from public service to gender and culture Tourism Minister Peninah Malonza moves to the Ministry of the East African Community Mr Ruto re-deployed several permanent secretaries and foreign ambassadors. He also appointed former Senator Isaac Mwaura as government spokesperson. A date has been set for Kevin Costner s newest highly anticipated Western movie. Horizon: An American Saga will be coming to theaters in the summer of 2024. The Warner Bros. and New Line production centers on Western America in the pre- and post-Civil War eras. The Yellowstone actor serves as the director. The film is in two parts and is labeled Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. Chapter 1 is set to hit theaters on June 28, while Chapter 2 will be released on Aug. 16. "Horizon: An American Saga" A teaser trailer was released for the ambitious project on Thursday. Next Summer, the screen reads in white font over a black background. A two-part theatrical event. After the dates of the two chapters are revealed, Costner is seen on-screen riding a horse, while holding a rifle in the middle of an open field. Yellowstone fans may find that he looks like an ancestor from the fictional Dutton family. Wearing period Western gear, he fires his rifle numerous times at an unknown target. The film stars Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Danny Huston, Luke Wilson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jeff Fahey, Will Batton, Tatanka Means, Owen Crow Shoe and Ella Hunt. Last year, Costner told Variety the saga would consist of four different movies and theyll be released every three months. Horizon isnt Costners first time in the directors chair. He won an Oscar for his directorial work in the 1990 hit Dances With Wolves. He also directed 2003s Open Range and 1997s The Post Man. The Western comes as Costner is set to say goodbye to Yellowstone. Hes set to ride off into the sunset as John Dutton at the end of Season 5. Actor Luke Grimes, who plays Kayce Dutton, told People that filming for the fifth season hasnt started because of the Hollywood strikes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Congress was stunned this week by House Republicans suddenly removing Kevin McCarthy from his House speaker position, but the turmoils immediate impact for ordinary Americans will be somewhat muted. Congress was already operating at a crawl when it came to major bills, as the GOP-controlled House struggled to pass legislation including funding the government that had any hope of votes in the Senate or bypassing President Bidens veto pen. Among the legislation that made it out of the House but no further was the Parents Bill of Rights, which attempted to federalize GOP scrutiny of educators many are dealing with at the state level, and a border security bill heavily criticized by the White House. Neither chamber took up legislation in response to the recent spike in child poverty announced by the Census Bureau last month. The removal will also likely affect the impeachment inquiry into President Biden, although GOP members are split on exactly how its impact will be felt. One of McCarthys final acts as speaker was launching the investigation without a full floor vote as he had initially promised. The witnesses at the first open hearing presented no evidence the president had committed any crimes, with the lack of tangible evidence being a throughline of the GOP case. Read more: Answering your FAQs about McCarthys removal While many of the effects may not directly reach most Americans, there are consequences of McCarthys removal that could cause pain both short- and long-term for the country. Another looming shutdown Protesters call for an end to a partial government shutdown in Detroit in January 2019. (Paul Sancya/AP Photo) (AP) Hard-right Rep. Matt Gaetz said one of his reasons for leading the vote against McCarthy was the GOP leaders negotiations with Democrats over a short-term funding bill that Congress passed over the weekend. Without it, the government would have shut down this week. But the bill is only a 45-day stopgap, and another will be needed soon. The next House speaker, whoever that is, will have to navigate fractures in the GOP caucus on aid for Ukraine and a balancing act between passing a bill that can make it through the Senate and appease the Republican right flank. Time spent selecting the new speaker is not being spent on figuring out a long-term spending bill that will eliminate the near-term chance of a shutdown. The potential effects of a shutdown are far reaching, as roughly 4 million federal employees would not be paid, including more than 1 million active members of the military. While some will receive back pay, contractors like those who work in food or custodial services at the Capitol will not. And while air traffic controllers and TSA agents are considered essential employees and will be told to report to work without pay, a five-week shutdown caused by former President Trumps demands on money to build his border wall that spanned December 2018 into 2019 resulted in travel delays when those workers began calling out sick. A shutdown would also limit inspections of food and workplaces, as well as affecting the millions of Americans who use the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC. The program assists low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women and children under age 5. Areas that wont be affected include social security payments, the postal service and anyone who receives their health care through Medicare, Medicaid or veterans hospitals. Members of Congress will also continue to receive their paychecks, as they are funded by a permanent appropriations account. It should set off alarm bells that something is not right Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images) (The Washington Post via Getty Im) A potential broader and long-term effect of McCarthys ouster, according to historians and political scientists, is the continued degradation of American democracy. If you want to know what it looks like when democracy is in trouble, this is what it looks like, said Daniel Ziblatt, professor of government at Harvard University, to the Washington Post after Tuesdays vote. It should set off alarm bells that something is not right. McCarthy was among the 147 Republicans in Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 election results, a group that also includes Reps. Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan and Kevin Hern, party leaders whove declared their intention to run for the speakership. In the days after the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol, McCarthy privately told GOP leaders of Trump, Ive had it with this guy, but when the former president remained popular with the party, McCarthy embraced him, flying to Florida to visit Trump weeks after Congress was overrun. McCarthy was not an outlier in his behavior. As Yahoo News Jon Ward explained in the aftermath of the unprecedented vacancy, Republicans have become increasingly antigovernment in recent years. The party has been trending that way for years, with political scientists Thomas E. Mann and Norm Ornstein writing in 2012, well before Trump ascended to the top of the party, The GOP has become an insurgent outlier in American politics. It is ideologically extreme; scornful of compromise; unmoved by conventional understanding of facts, evidence and science; and dismissive of the legitimacy of its political opposition. FILE - Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks to reporters hours after he was ousted as Speaker of the House, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at the Capitol in Washington. McCarthy spent years tirelessly raising mountains of Republican campaign cash as he worked his way toward becoming Speaker of the House. Now that hes been ousted from the post, some in McCarthys party are wondering if all that fundraising will evaporate. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) WASHINGTON (AP) Kevin McCarthy spent years raising mountains of Republican campaign cash, flying around the country to recruit top candidates in key districts and painstakingly building political relationships as he worked his way toward becoming speaker of the House. Now that hes been ousted from the post after less than nine months, some in the GOP are wondering if anyone can take his place as a fundraising dynamo and party builder. The House isnt scheduled to vote on who could replace McCarthy until at least next week with all legislative work suspended as the chamber navigates a situation never before seen in the nations history. In the meantime, House Republicans have no clear leader heading into next year's election as they cling to a razor-thin majority. Nobody can raise money like him, said Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D. And no matter who is the next speaker of the House, none of them can do what Kevin McCarthy did. The National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOPs House campaign arm, postponed its upcoming fall gala in Dallas that McCarthy was supposed to headline. The committee said McCarthy helped it raise more than $40 million during the last election cycle and $20-plus million so far this cycle. The totals were even higher for a McCarthy-aligned super PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund, which said that it and its associated nonprofits had raised about $645 million under McCarthy. That included about $215 million for the 2020 election, roughly $350 million during last years midterm races and around $80 million so far this cycle. The leadership fund will shift its alignment to follow the new House speaker once one is elected. Paul Ryan replaced fellow Republican John Boehner in 2015. The GOP retained House control the following year when Donald Trump was elected president. Speaker McCarthy has fundamentally altered House elections for Republicans through his recruitment efforts, his unmatched fundraising prowess, and his ability to inspire and generate confidence among donors, Congressional Leadership Fund President Dan Conston said in a statement. While this is an obvious loss for the House, CLF remains laser-focused on our mission of holding radical Democrats accountable, protecting our vulnerable incumbents, and expanding the House Republican majority. As speaker and in his prior years leading the Republicans in the minority, McCarthy was viewed by many as less of a legislator and more of a political tactician who found strong Republican candidates and raised enough money to get them elected and to bolster the national party. McCarthy visiting a district could often be a major draw, juicing fundraiser proceeds, though thats a role any new House speaker can grow into. A bigger test for the next speaker is whether they will be able to raise the same kind of sums as McCarthy for the partys outside groups, which every year pour millions of dollars into advertising in key races, unburdened by contribution limits for individual campaigns. Thats where McCarthy has crushed it, said Cam Savage, a longtime Republican strategist who works on House races. He did the heavy lifting for the Congressional Leadership Fund. During the 2022 midterms, Republicans underperformed national expectations and eked out a House majority so narrow that McCarthy needed an unprecedented 15 rounds of voting to claim the speakership in January. McCarthy had to remain close to Trump, who is now the front-runner in the partys 2024 primary, and balance the interests of moderates and hard-right members alike. He ultimately couldn't. The revolt against him featured eight Republicans teaming with House Democrats to vote McCarthy out of the speakership. Ironically, McCarthy had campaigned for some of those who eventually helped strip him of the post hed worked so long to obtain. A lot of them, I helped get elected, so I probably should have picked somebody else, McCarthy joked at a press conference after being forced out. He may still prove a force in 2024 races. McCarthy has so far suggested that hell continue to bolster the GOP nationally, saying, My goals have not changed, my ability to fight is just in a different form. I intend to make sure that we gain and keep the majority in the next cycle as well, he said. Holding the House already looked tough since the current majority includes 18 GOP members representing districts that Joe Biden won in 2020. Especially critical could be Republican-held districts in McCarthys native California, which Democrats were already targeting and could get even more competitive without the clout that comes with the state having one of its own as speaker. After this weeks chaotic episode, House Republicans have basically upgraded to a Disney fast-pass in their never-ending roller coaster ride to the radical right, said Viet Shelton, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the partys House campaign arm. House members in both parties said that what happens next will depend greatly on whether the former speaker endorses his eventual successor. Thats because aligning the GOPs various fundraising mechanisms to the new speaker will likely go far smoother if McCarthy supports his replacement. Its going to be a challenge, said Marty Obst, who worked for Trump's 2020 campaign and has raised money with McCarthy in the past. The transition is going to be fairly bumpy. But other Republicans aren't lamenting his departure. McCarthy noted during his valedictory press conference that he got a text message from a former opponent of one of the eight Republicans who voted against him, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina. I did text him because he did dump $3 million into that run to defeat me, said Katie Arrington, who lost to Mace in a 2022 primary. He wasted money. Arrington, who was backed by Trump in her challenge to Mace, questioned the notion of the speaker being the House majoritys chief campaigner. Why is Kevin McCarthy running around recruiting people, giving them money, picking winners and losers out of Washington? Arrington asked. That is the problem with Washington the elites think that they know better." ___ Associated Press writers Kevin Freking in Washington and Meg Kinnard and James Pollard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report. Fox News host Brian Kilmeade and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) had a tense exchange during a recent interview after the anchor grilled the lawmakers decision to vote to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). During an interview on Fox Newss Fox and Friends, Kilmeade pressed Burchett on whether he would have acted to remove McCarthy if Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) hadnt done so. Youre happy following Matt Gaetz? Is that your leader? Kilmeade asked. Im not following Matt Gaetz. I made my own decision, Burchett replied. I didnt ask Matt for his approval. But if Matt Gaetz didnt challenge, you werent going to challenge? Kilmeade asked. I believe I would have, Burchett said. Kilmeade then appeared to take aim at Burchetts previous comments that McCarthys condescending remarks about his faith sealed the deal. Oh, come on. Please. Youre praying about it one minute, [and] the next minute youre going to lead an insurgency? Kilmeade said. So you dont think that praying about it is important? Is that what youre saying? Because thats what youre saying to America, Burchett added. When Kilmeade reiterated his previous remark, Burchett replied: Listen, youve got a predetermined answer to everything. I prayed about it. The tense exchange comes a day after the House voted for the first time ever to remove a Speaker of the House. The historic vote was first brought forth by Gaetz. Eight Republican lawmakers, including Gaetz and Burchett, joined their Democratic colleagues in a 216-210 vote to remove McCarthy from his position. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) predicted Wednesday that Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will become the next Speaker of the House, a spot currently vacant after Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from it on Tuesday. In an interview on CNNs AC-360, Kinzinger said he expects that the candidacy of Jordan who has entered the race for Speaker along with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), McCarthys longtime No. 2 will become a new litmus test for conservatives. Jim is going to be now the new litmus test of: Are you a true conservative or not? Steve Scalise wont be. Itll be Jim Jordan, Kinzinger said. And so there will be a slow acquiescence of everybody to Jim Jordan. Thats my prediction. I certainly hope, for the country, Im wrong, he added. But Ill also say this: If he becomes Speaker, it will be interesting to see how a shut-it-all-down kind of guy actually governs a country. The race to become Speaker is new, and others could join Jordan and Scalise as they vie for the title. Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee chairman and a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, has taken on establishment candidates in the past and was overwhelmingly defeated. In 2018, he challenged then-Majority Leader McCarthy for his position and lost in a 159-43 vote in the conference. The party, however, has changed substantially since then. I think if it was secret ballot, Steve Scalise would win overwhelmingly, or anybody but Jim Jordan, Kinzinger said. The former Illinois congressman who bucked his party on a variety of issues, including voting to impeach then-President Trump declined to run for reelection last year. A staunch supporter of Ukraine, he expressed concern in the interview that whoever becomes Speaker next will have to yield to hard-liners on extreme demands, including no Ukraine aid. I think its important for five or 10 members of the House of the Republicans to refuse to vote for anybody that wont bring Ukraine to the floor for an up or down vote, Kinzinger said. Will they do that? Probably not. They should. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Pedro Pascal speaks frequently about his roots, and in his latest Instagram post, he revealed that they included a bit of blond! On Oct. 4, the 47-year-old Last of Us star shared a sweet throwback post of him alongside his older sister Javiera Balmaceda. In the photo, the two siblings look like mirror images of each other with one surprising exception: Pascals hair. The actors picture reveals he was a very light blond in his much younger days. He can be seen smiling in the photo alongside his oldest sibling, who appears unamused. BIG SIS. Forever, the actor captioned the post, which included his sisters Instagram username. "Pedro was blonde as a kid?!" one person commented, while another added, "Aww you were a blonde baby!" Others wrote in Spanish how his Chilean roots were very much present as a lighter-haired toddler. While Pascal and his sister Javiera dont appear close in the sweet throwback photos, the Chilean-American actor has previously spoken about his tight-knit relationship with his siblings. Heres everything you need to know about what hes said about his three siblings. Javiera Balmaceda While the family's eldest sibling did not pursue an on-camera career in Hollywood like her brother, she didn't stray too far away, either. Javiera Balmaceda is Amazon Studios head of local originals for Spanish-speaking Latin America. The company produced Argentina, 1985, which was nominated for best international feature at the 2023 Oscars. Speaking to Variety about her involvement in the project, Javiera said, "Its exciting to be part of such an ambitious project that will take audiences on a journey through a pivotal point in Argentinas history." While Pedro was at the Oscars on March 12 to present best animated short and best documentary short, he was also playing the role of a supportive brother. The sibling duo attended the prestigious event arm in arm. Balmaceda started her career in investment banking in Chile, she revealed on the "Girls Gone Boss" podcast. She said she got burnt out, and then found her way to television through friends in the field. Valentina Paloma Pinault, Salma Hayek, Pedro Pascal and Javiera Balmaceda. (Mike Coppola / Getty Images) Nicolas Balmaceda Pascal Unlike his show business-adjacent siblings, Nicolas pursued a medical career. In 2019, Pedro posted on his Instagram that his younger brother was getting his PhD in pediatric neurology. He hates attention and he loves doing good, Pedro wrote. Its his birthday. To punish him for being younger, smarter, and more handsome I thought I would announce this to the world. Lux Pascal Lux Pascal seems to take after her big brother's footsteps, making forays as a public figure and actor a Julliard-trained actor, mind you. She's also an activist and came out as transgender in 2021. Speaking to Chilean magazine Ya, Lux Pascal said her brother Pedro Pascal was an "important part" of her transition journey. When I officially told him about my transition through FaceTime, he asked me how I felt because I remember that he was worried, she said. I told him: Im happy. And his answer was: Perfect, this is incredible. And to celebrate her coming out and being on the cover of Ya, Pedro Pascal posted a sweet message on Instagram for his sister in February 2021. "Mi hermana, mi corazon, nuestra Lux," he wrote (translated to "my sister, my heart, our Lux.") Why are Pedro Pascal and his siblings refugees? When the Last of Us and The Mandalorian star made his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live last month, he had a heartfelt message for his family. (My parents) were so brave, and without them, I wouldnt be here in this wonderful country, he said. And I certainly wouldnt be standing here with you all tonight. The actors parents, Veronica Pascal and Jose Balmaceda, were part of the opposition movement against Augusto Pinochets military dictatorship in Chile, per Telemundo. At just nine months old, the Chilean-born American and his family took refuge in Denmark and later in San Antonio, Texas, he explained in his SNL monologue. When Pedro was just 11 years old, his family moved to California and he began taking classes at the Orange County School of the Arts. It wasnt until his 2014 role in the Game of Thrones series that the actors career began to take off in a major way. But Pedros mother did not live to see his success as she took her own life in 2000. In her honor, the Last of Us actor changed his name from Jose Pedro Balmaceda Pascal to Pedro Pascal. This article was originally published on TODAY.com GRANADA, Spain (Reuters) - Kosovo's president called on Thursday for Spain - the biggest EU state to withhold recognition of Kosovo's independence - to join other countries backing measures to punish Serbia over a deadly gunbattle between Kosovo forces and armed Serbs last month. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu spoke to reporters at the start of a summit hosted by Spain of the 47-member European Political Community, a body set up to discuss issues on the continent in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. "I do hope Spain will join other, like-minded countries to adopt measures towards Serbia for this horrendous act that it has committed against peace, stability and security," she said. "There is no reason to meet (with Serbia) before sanctions are adopted," she added. Kosovo has sought international support since the Sept. 24 gunbattle, in which dozens of armed Serbs barricaded themselves inside a monastery. Three attackers and one Kosovo police officer were killed. Serbia denies Kosovo's accusations that it supported the attackers. It detained and released a Kosovo Serb politician who acknowledged taking part. Kosovo and Western countries have also accused Serbia of building up its military presence in the so-called Ground Safety Zone, a 5 km-wide (3-mile) strip inside Serbia along the Kosovo border, which Belgrade denies. Kosovo, a former Serbian province with an ethnic Albanian majority, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a guerrilla conflict and a 1999 NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serbian security forces. Spain, concerned about a precedent spurring separatism in its own Catalonia region, is one of just five EU states that do not recognise Kosovo's independence; the others are Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Slovakia. (Reporting by Inti Landauro; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Peter Graff) A Kremlin propagandist faced backlash from Siberian officials after saying Russia should detonate a nuke in its own territory Margarita Simonyan. AP A Kremlin propagandist suggested Moscow should drop a nuclear bomb over Siberia, reports said. The comments by RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan sparked backlash from Siberian officials. A nuclear bombing over Siberia would send a "painful" message to the West, Simonyan reportedly said. A loyal Kremlin propagandist suggested that Moscow should drop a nuclear bomb over Siberia as a way to convey a message to the West amid the grinding war with Ukraine, sparking backlash from officials in the Russian territory, according to multiple reports. Margarita Simonyan, the head of the Russian state television network RT who has been described by the US State Department as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's "main faces of propaganda and disinformation," made the comments on air this week, according to multiple reports, including The Moscow Times. "If we were to conduct a thermonuclear explosion, a nuclear explosion, hundreds of kilometers above our own territory, someplace in Siberia, nothing scary would happen on the land," Simonyan said, according to a translation by the Russian Media Monitor. "There will be no nuclear winter where everyone is afraid. There won't be horrific radiation that will kill everyone None of that will happen," said Simonyan, according to the project, run by journalist Julia Davis, who monitors and analyzes Russian media. Simonyan added, according to the translation, that it would "disable" all electronics and satellites and, "We will return to the year 1993." A nuclear bombing over Siberia would send a "painful" message to the West, Simonyan said, according to a translation by The Moscow Times. The RT editor-in-chief's remarks were swiftly met with fierce criticism from Siberian officials. Maria Prusakova, a Communist Party member in the State Duma from Siberia's Altai republic, slammed Simonyan's comments as a "deep insult" and called on Simonyan to apologize, according to The Moscow Times. Mayor Anatoly Lokot of the Siberian city of Novosibirsk told local media in the aftermath of Simonyan's remarks that there's "nothing good about thermonuclear explosions" and warned that the results of one could have consequences for "thousands of years," The Moscow Times reported. Nikolai Korolev, an aide to Moscow City Duma deputy Evgeniy Stupin, petitioned Russia's Interior Ministry and Investigative Committee to probe Simonyan's comments, according to the news outlet. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke out about Simonyan's remarks, saying that they do not reflect Moscow's official position, The Moscow Times reported. Meanwhile, Simonyan has since filed a complaint against one of her critics and threatened to sue others for "defamation," according to a tweet from Davis. Simonyan wrote in a message on Telegram that she did not call for a nuclear strike on Siberia, Russian news outlet Meduza reported. "This monstrous allegation," Simonyan said, "smears my reputation and inflicts all manner of damages and suffering upon me," according to Meduza. Read the original article on Business Insider People take pictures in front of Sagrada Familia Basilica designed by architect Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain, on Friday, July 9, 2021. | Joan Mateu, Associated Press After beginning construction in 1882, Spains Sagrada Familia basilica now has 17 of its 18 designed towers fully constructed, per Arch Daily. The Sagrada Familia Foundation announced on Sept. 27, Today the final sculptural piece was put on the tower of the Evangelist Matthew, represented by a human figure, and work will continue tomorrow, crowning the tower of the Evangelist John with the figure of the eagle. The crowning of the towers with the figures of the tetramorph representing Matthew and John completes these two towers and, therefore, the group of the towers of the Evangelists. Each of the 18 towers is symbolic. Of the 18, 12 represent Christs apostles, four represent the Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), one represents the Virgin Mary, and the tallest, central tower represents Jesus Christ , according to Barcelona.com. Recently, each of the four Evangelist towers were crowned with statues. Matthew was represented by an angel, Mark by a lion, Luke by an ox and John by an eagle, per The Messenger. Related When will the Sagrada Familia be finished? The final tower is predicted to be constructed by 2026, the 100th anniversary commemorating the death of the cathedrals original architect, Antoni Gaudi, The New York Times reported. Upon completion, the Sagrada Familia will be the worlds tallest church, according to the churchs website. Why is the Sagrada Familia still not finished? The Sagrada Familia has not had an easy path to completion, according to Euro News. The first interruption was Gaudis accidental death in 1926, when he was hit by a tram. This sudden shock halted the churchs progress for 10 years. The next delay was due to civil unrest during the Spanish Civil War. Anarchist groups infiltrated the Sagrada Familia, smashed models, burned plans and destroyed the crypt. Further, 12 contributors to the Sagrada Familias construction were killed in the war, and progress did not resume until the conflict ended in 1939. Several decades later, the Spanish government proposed plans for a 39-foot-wide train tunnel, and the proposed location led Sagrada Familia architects to believe the project could cause irreparable damage to the church, according to The New York Times. Alterations to the tunnel were made, construction began in 2010, and to date, no damage has been reported, per Artsy. Who built the Sagrada Familia? The Sagrada Familia includes a timeline on its website, explaining that architect Francisco de Paula del Villar originally led the project. His plans for the church resembled classically gothic-style cathedrals, but he was reassigned to a different project in 1883. Gaudi, a Catalan Modernist, was the next chief architect over the church, and ultimately had the most influence on its design. He would work on the project up until his death in 1926 and was buried in the Sagrada Familias crypt. What kind of architecture is the Sagrada Familia? Architecuul explained, The style of la Sagrada Familia is variously likened to Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism and to Art Nouveau or Catalan Noucentisme. While the Sagrada Familia falls within the Art Nouveau period, Nikolaus Pevsner points out that, along with Charles Rennie Macintosh in Glasgow, Gaudi carried the Art Nouveau style far beyond its usual application as a surface decoration. What symbolism is there in the Sagrada Familia? Gaudi said his goal for the Sagrada Familia was for it to be the Bible made of stone, per Catalan News. Sagrada Familia tour guide Onno Schoemaker told Catalan News that due to illiteracy among the Spanish working class during the 19th century, Gaudi wanted to tell the story of Jesus through imagery, through sculptures and visual elements, rather than through text. Through Eternity discusses the Sagrada Familias complex symbolism, and says, The Nativity facade evokes the wonder and joy of Christs birth through a focus on organic elements that bring to mind the superabundance and fertility of the natural world. The west-facing Passion facade, on the other hand, reflects the death of Christ through its facing of the setting sun and its spare, unadorned facade. At its most general, the massive Sagrada Familia reflects the endless variety and complexity of Gods creation via its dizzying displays of sculptural and spatial virtuosity, a virtual biblical story in stone that is without question the most ambitious and detailed work of Christian architecture of the last 100 years. How much are tickets to the Sagrada Familia? Individual ticket prices range from 26 to 36 euros, but for more specifics, visit the Sagrada Familias website. LANSING, Kan. The Kansas Department of Corrections says a 40-year-old inmate who was housed at Lansing Correctional Facility died on Wednesday after being taken to the University of Kansas Medical Center. The department identified Michael Aineta as the inmate who died at the hospital. His cause of death will be determined by an independent autopsy, and is under investigation by both KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Topeka community gathers to honor life of slain girl Aineta was serving a sentence of close to 16 years for rape and criminal sodomy convictions in Seward County, located in the far southwest corner of the state where Liberal is the county seat. Aineta was convicted in June of 2022 and sentenced the following October. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Sgt. Michael Hall points out the tightness of a BolaWrap 100 device after it has been fired at the Los Angeles Police Department academy in 2019. The device fires a Kevlar cord to wrap around a person's body. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Officers patrolling the Los Angeles Metro transit system will not be issued a lasso-type weapon anytime soon, officials confirmed this week. The BolaWrap, a nonlethal device meant to bind a person with a quick-deploy whip-like cord, was approved by the Los Angeles Police Commission in August at the recommendation of Chief Michel Moore. The idea was the device could be assigned to patrol officers on Metro buses and trains, pending approval from the board that oversees the system. But that proposal is now on hold, according to the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The Los Angeles Police Department notified Metro on Tuesday that officers patrolling transit services would not be included in a proposed expansion of the BolaWrap pilot program and "will not be deploying the device," transit officials said in a statement. Read more: Cops with lassos on the train? New crime-fighting weapon suggested for Metro The official word came days after Mayor Karen Bass , who also serves as chair of the Metro Board of Directors, publicly dismissed the concept. At a Metro board meeting last week, multiple people spoke against deploying the devices though the issue was not on the agenda. Metro rider Juanita Medina said she tried to explain the BolaWrap to her 9-year-old grandson after the idea was publicized in the media. "His first inclination was to laugh. He said, 'Grandma, is Wonder Woman working on the train now?'" Medina told the board. "How do you tell children what this lasso is for?" Bass responded, "Please, assure your grandson Wonder Woman will not be on Metro." The exchange was first reported by StreetsBlog LA. The mayor "believes that new public safety strategies should be implemented with public engagement" and "has serious concerns about this tool," Bass' office said in a statement. Read more: Mayor Bass takes over Metro as it undergoes huge expansion, copes with low ridership and crime The Metro system is patrolled by the LAPD, Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies and Long Beach police. An ambassador program was also rolled out last year in hopes of addressing issues with crime and making riders feel safe on the bus and rail lines. The ambassadors patrol the transit system but are not armed and do not issue citations. L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, also a Metro board member, asked agency staff during the meeting whether the BolaWrap was in line with policies for acceptable forms of policing on the transit system. She said she was surprised by the proposal and called it "a step in the wrong direction." Metro Chief Safety Officer Gina Osborn said the LAPD had not told officials about the proposal until it was presented to the Police Commission. The LAPD did not respond to requests for comment about whether the device had been demonstrated to the Metro board or staff. LAPD spokesperson Officer Rosario Cervantes said BolaWrap devices were deployed to the department's Central and Hollywood divisions as part of a yearlong pilot program that ended in August. However, Moore is seeking to continue and expand their use. Read more: Metro looks to create its own police force. It won't be easy The green handheld weapons fire a Kevlar cord that can ensnare a person, giving police enough time to subdue a suspect without using a gun or a Taser. Officers deployed the weapon seven times five successfully in the Central Division, and seven of eight noted deployments in the Hollywood Division were effective during the pilot period, Cervantes wrote in a statement. A BolaWrap deployment is considered effective if the device contributed to "de-escalating the incident," according to the statement. "That means the device does not have to 'wrap' around the suspect, but the combination of the sound, the wrap, or other factors related to the device, caused the suspect or subject to stop their behavior and submit to arrest or detention," the statement continued. Read more: L.A. riders bail on Metro trains amid 'horror' of deadly drug overdoses, crime The weapon is meant to be used in lieu of use of force to detain a person, Moore wrote to the Police Commission earlier this year. The requirements for officers to deploy the BolaWrap would be significantly lower than for any of the other use-of-force options, such as a Taser, pepper spray or beanbag round. And the BolaWrap would not be reported as a typical use of force unless the person who is subdued is injured or reports they are injured, according to the departments guidelines. However, in his message to commissioners, Moore said the limited number of BolaWrap deployments meant there was not enough information to make a conclusive decision about its effectiveness. 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 mouth of the Klamath River where it meets the Pacific Ocean in Klamath. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) At first, the dead floated downstream a few at a time. Then they came by the hundreds, and then the thousands. For mile after mile, the Klamath River was filled with tens of thousands of dead salmon. As Annelia Hillman paddled a canoe with a friend one September day 21 years ago, her heart sank when she saw the carcasses floating past. She and other members of the Yurok Tribe say they will never forget the stench of death. It's like seeing your family perish in front of you, Hillman said. I would compare it to a massacre, really, in terms of the emotions and the trauma that it has caused for us. Annelia Hillman, a traditional food coordinator for the Yurok Tribe, picks vegetables in a community garden on the Klamath River. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The grief drove Hillman, then 27, to begin protesting to demand change. The mass fish kill of 2002, estimated at up to 70,000 salmon, became a defining event for a generation of young Native activists a moment that showed the river ecosystem was gravely ill, and badly in need of rescuing. Water diversions for agriculture had dramatically shrunk river flows. And the Klamath's hydroelectric dams, which had long blocked salmon from reaching their spawning areas, had degraded the water quality, contributing to toxic algae blooms and disease outbreaks among the fish. At first, when Indigenous leaders demanded that dams be removed, their chances of success seemed remote at best. But after more than two decades of persistent efforts, including protests at company shareholder meetings, demonstrations on the river and complicated negotiations, the four dams along the California-Oregon border have finally started to be dismantled. One small dam has already been removed, and three more are slated to come down next year. Chinook salmon swim at the Iron Gate Fish Hatchery below the dam on the Klamath River. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) For members of the Yurok, Karuk and other tribes who have been immersed in the struggle for much of their lives, the undamming of the Klamath represents an opportunity to heal the ecosystem and help fish populations recover by opening up hundreds of miles of spawning habitat. They say the coming changes hold promise for them to strengthen their ancestral connection to the river and keep their fishing traditions alive. This river is our lifeline. It's our mother. It's what feeds us. It's the foundation to our people, for our culture, Hillman said. Seeing the restoration of our river, our fisheries, I think is going to uplift us all. Work on the dam removal project began in June. The smallest dam, Copco No. 2, was torn down by crews using heavy machinery. The other three dams are set to be dismantled next year, starting with a drawdown of the reservoirs in January. The scale of this is enormous, said Mark Bransom, CEO of the nonprofit Klamath River Renewal Corp., which is overseeing dam removal and river restoration efforts. This is the largest dam removal project ever undertaken in the United States, and perhaps even the world. The $450-million budget includes about $200 million from ratepayers of PacifiCorp, who have been paying a surcharge for the project. The Portland-based utility part of billionaire Warren Buffetts conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway agreed to remove the aging dams after determining it would be less expensive than trying to bring them up to current environmental standards. The dams were used purely for power generation, not to store water for cities or farms. Read more: Op-Ed: An epic victory in the battle for free-flowing rivers The reason that these dams are coming down is that they've reached the end of their useful life, Bransom said. The power generated from these dams is really a trivial amount of power, something on the order of 2% of the electric utility that previously owned the dams. An additional $250 million came through Proposition 1, a bond measure passed by California voters in 2014 that included money for removing barriers blocking fish on rivers. A tunnel, left, at Iron Gate Dam, where modifications are underway. The tunnel will be used to drain the lake early next year. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) Crews hired by the contractor Kiewet Corp. have been working on roads and bridges to prepare for the army of excavators and dump trucks. We have thousands of tons of concrete and steel that make up these dams that we have to remove, Bransom said. We'll probably end up with 400 to 500 workers at the peak of the work. During a visit in August, Bransom stood on a rocky bluff overlooking Iron Gate Dam, where crews were working on a water drainage tunnel. There wont be major dam-wrecking explosions, he said, but workers plan to blast open some dam tunnels to move out tons of accumulated sediment from the reservoirs. As the water is drained, crews working on boats will also spray fire hoses to wash away muddy silt and send it downstream. In addition to tearing down the dams, the project involves restoring about 2,200 acres of reservoir bottom to a natural state. A Klamath River Renewal Corp. biologist takes water samples. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) In recent years, workers have collected nearly 1 billion seeds from native plants along the Klamath and sent seeds to farms to be planted and harvested. That has produced nearly 13 billion seeds 26 tons in all which will be planted once the reservoirs are drained. The aim is for native vegetation to regrow across the watershed while fish begin to access 420 miles of spawning habitat in the river and its tributaries. Nature knows what it wants to do. So what we're really trying to do here is work with Mother Nature to create conditions that will allow for river healing and for restoration of balance here, Bransom said. We can offer a light touch to help nudge things in the right direction. Fed by Cascade Range snowmelt, the Klamath River takes shape among lakes and marshes along the California-Oregon border and winds through steep mountainous terrain before ending its journey among redwood forests on the Pacific Coast. For the Yurok, the fight to remove dams is the latest in a series of struggles over the river's management and the preservation of their way of life. Susan Masten, a leading advocate for tearing down the dams, recalls a time in 1978 that the Yurok call the "Salmon Wars," when federal agents descended on the reservation to enforce a ban on fishing. Just five years earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court had affirmed the tribes fishing rights in a landmark case involving Mastens uncle, Raymond Mattz. But federal officials had ordered a halt to tribal fishing on the Klamath even as other fishing continued along the coast. A man rides past an "Undam the Klamath" mural on the Orleans Market in Orleans. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The Yurok, who sought to defend their fishing rights and tribal sovereignty, faced off with officers in riot gear holding billy clubs and M-16 rifles. Many residents feared for their lives, Masten said. Masten recalled seeing officers drag a woman away by her hair as tribe members protested on a riverbank. Another time, she said, agents twisted her grandfathers arm behind his back. The tensions eventually subsided when the marshals left, and the Yurok successfully asserted their rights to continue fishing. But they saw other threats in the declining fish populations and the four hydroelectric dams that were built without tribal consent between 1912 and the 1960s. Former Yurok tribal chairperson Susan Masten stands on a boat on the Klamath River. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) Masten, who was the tribes chairperson during the devastating fish kill of 2002, was ecstatic when federal regulators signed off on plans to demolish the dams. I really didn't think that I would see dam removal in my lifetime, Masten said. Masten, who is 71, spoke while drifting across the estuary in a motorboat near the rivers mouth. As the surf crashed against a barrier of sand, pelicans, cormorants and ospreys soared over the dark water. Everything that's around here is connected to this river, Masten said. And so for us to ensure the future for our children, we need to ensure that this river is here and that it's healthy, and that the ecosystem is healthy, because it's the heartbeat of our people. It's the lifeway of our people. Read more: In 'momentous' act, regulators approve demolition of four Klamath River dams Masten lives in her ancestral village of Rek-woi, or Requa, in a home on a bluff overlooking the rivers mouth. Once the dams come down, she said, she expects to see the fish thrive and the entire ecosystem flourish. The river has a way to heal itself, and it can heal itself very quickly if it's allowed to do so, Masten said. I'm excited that my grandchildren will be able to benefit from it. Yurok tribal attorney Amy Bowers Cordalis, a leader of the Indigenous conservation group Ridges to Riffles, stands beside the boat ramp in the village of Requa near the mouth of the Klamath River. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Mastens niece, Amy Bowers Cordalis, is a lawyer for the tribe who focuses on the Klamath River and was involved in negotiating agreements involving California, Oregon and PacifiCorps to enable dam removal. We kept pushing and pushing, Bowers Cordalis said. We all came together and figured out a way to remove dams. She stood by a boat ramp that in August typically would be bustling with families hauling out their nets and fish. But the ramp was mostly deserted. The tribes leaders took the rare step of canceling subsistence fishing this year to protect the dwindling salmon population, a decision that mirrored the shutdown of commercial fishing along the coast. Several years ago, Bowers Cordalis also worked on the Yurok Tribes declaration of the river as a legal person under tribal law, a step intended to provide greater protections. One key problem, she said, is that the dams have allowed nutrient-filled agricultural runoff to fester in lakes, feeding algae blooms. When the river isnt safe for bathing, it prevents the tribe's members from carrying out ceremonies that involve entering the water. An idle canoe sits on the shore at a fishing camp along the Klamath River. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Tearing down the dams is a first step in a new era of healing, Bowers Cordalis said. She said she hopes to eventually get back the flourishing river with abundant fish that her great grandmother saw a century ago. From the river behind her, a salmon flew into the air, its scales shimmering, and landed in the water with a plop. Then another salmon jumped. A big run just went through! a man called out from a boat. Bowers Cordalis said it was encouraging to see that some salmon, even with their population so low, were making it upstream to spawn. We have so much hope that this river will restore itself, Bowers Cordalis said. Dam removal is just the beginning. Dam removal is the end of colonization of this river. Not everyone is happy to see the dams go. In some areas, the removal project has generated heated opposition. In the community of Copco Lake, some residents live in waterfront homes with boats and docks. Their homes will be left high and dry when the reservoir is drained. Alan Marcillet, a resident who enjoys kayaking, said most people in the community arent looking forward to the disruptive changes. It's just going to be a mud pit, Marcillet said. The community will just die. I would think of the hundred people that live up here, perhaps half of them won't return. Two of his neighbors, German and Jeanne Diaz, bought their retirement home overlooking the lake more than two decades ago. Now, their view is about to change dramatically, and they say theyre concerned about whether the mud thats exposed at the bottom of the reservoir will turn to dust and pollute the air. What is it going to do to the community? German Diaz said. Are we going to be going through sandstorms for a while? Copco Lake resident Geneve Spanauss Harder looks over Western Outdoor News tabloids from the 1970's at her home. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The Klamath River Renewal Corp. has been accepting claims from landowners to pay for damages linked to dam removal. But Diaz said he doesnt plan to apply for that money. We've already seen property values drop, Diaz said. What can we do? Other residents said they see the reservoir as beneficial because it attracts wildlife and serves as a water supply for firefighting helicopters. Geneve Spannaus Harder, an 80-year-old resident whose great grandfather once owned an apple orchard on lands now submerged by the reservoir, said she and many others strongly oppose draining the lake. It's just going to change the whole scenario of the community, she said. I don't think we know what we're going to get. Because of a closed salmon fishing season, none was avaialble at this year's Yurok Salmon Festival in Klamath. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) This August, when the Yurok Tribe held its annual Klamath Salmon Festival, no salmon was served. Instead, there were tri-tip sandwiches and frybread, and the parade featured a skit about dam removal with participants holding large paper cutouts of fish. At one stand, people were asked to write a few words on cards about their hopes for the Klamath Rivers future. The cards were hung on strings. One read: I wish for the salmon to recover and run free forever! Nearby, T-shirts were being sold with an illustration depicting the undamming. It features a young woman, her eyes covered with ceremonial bluejay feathers, balancing two baskets like the scales of justice as water breaks through a dam and surges into the river. Young men compete in a Yurok Tribe stick game tournament during the Yurok Salmon Festival. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) The artist, 23-year-old Tori McConnell, said the young woman represents both the people and the river in a state of transition. The tears running down her cheeks are like her prayers, McConnell said, overflowing into the baskets of justice. McConnell, a Yurok Tribe member who is this years Miss Indian World, said she is hopeful. There's a lot of work to be done to restore the salmon population, McConnell said. But I hope we will see that happen in our lifetime. Populations of chinook and coho salmon, as well as other fish, have declined more than 90% in the Klamath over the past century, said Barry McCovey Jr., the Yurok Tribes fisheries director. The dams have been a big factor, he said, and we have our eyes on righting that wrong. Read more: California salmon are at risk of extinction. A plan to save them stirs hope and controversy But fish populations have also been ravaged by other factors, including gold mining that scarred the watershed, and decades of logging that left denuded areas, releasing fish-harming sediment into the river. Additionally, fire suppression in forests over the last century and the lack of traditional burning by Indigenous people has left forests primed for catastrophic wildfires, unleashing tainted runoff that becomes poison to the ecosystem, McCovey said. You combine all that together, and then you layer on top of that climate change, he said. The Klamaths water is heavily used to serve agriculture, irrigating crops such as onions and hay. The Yurok Tribe is suing the federal government over decisions that they argue dont provide the minimum flows required for fish, including threatened coho salmon. Yurok tribe fisheries biologist Barry McCovey at the mouth of the Klamath River. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The removal of dams is a pivotal milestone and it comes at a critical time for struggling salmon populations, McCovey said, but recovery isnt going to happen in a couple of years. We have to accept that these things take time, McCovey said. I don't think in my lifetime I'll ever see a fully recovered Klamath River ecosystem, he said. And maybe no one will ever see that. But the goal is to move closer to that. McCovey said restoring balance to the ecosystem will take generations, and he is prepared to continue working toward that goal. In the meantime, he and others have been talking about what they will do once all the dams are gone. McCovey said he hopes to take a rafting trip, traveling for miles with the current as the river flows freely once again. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Police have arrested a third suspect in a violent, deadly robbery where a group broke into a mans home, tied him up, and killed him in 2015, according to an arrest report. Metro police arrested Claudia Hernandez, 41, in September 2023 for a murder that took place in August 2015. Claudia Hernandez, 41, faces a charge of open murder for a crime that took place in August 2015. (LVMPD) The robbery and murder On Aug. 19, 2015, a worker arrived at a home in the 5200 block of Crater Circle to clean his clients pool. The client was 72-year-old Eugene Elliott. When the worker arrived, he noticed the garage door was open, but Elliotts car, a Cadillac sedan, was gone, the report stated. The worker went to the backyard and started working before he noticed a blood trail leading from the pool to the back sliding glass door of the home. When he looked inside the home, the worker saw Elliott lying naked and covered with blood on the floor near the kitchen. He appeared to be dead. According to the report, the worker ran to his truck to call the police. He told police that the house appeared to have been ransacked. Medical personnel arrived on the scene and pronounced Elliott dead on the scene. Elliott was shot in his side. His cause of death was later determined to be a gunshot wound to his abdomen and his death was ruled a homicide. White plastic zip ties were found close to Elliotts body, suggesting that he was tied up at some point during the robbery. Marks on his wrists confirmed this, according to the report. The report later stated that Elliot, while naked and bleeding, walked to his neighbors house to get help, but when no one answered, he walked back to his home, where he died. There were no signs of forced entry to the residence, the report stated. Several of Elliotts belongings were missing, including a laptop, cell phone, his wallet, his car, and possibly a handgun or two. The investigation A neighbor told police that on Aug. 18, 2015, he saw a black Ford Expedition in Elliots driveway. He saw two people drive away in it at around 11:20 a.m. Moments later, a man he thought was Elliott got into Elliotts vehicle and drove away, following the Expedition, according to the report. On Aug. 21, Elliotts car was found in a parking lot near Denning Street and Aurora Beam Avenue, less than two miles from Elliotts house. The wheels and tires from the car were missing, the report stated. We have more questions than answers at this point, Metro police Lt. Dan McGrath said shortly after the investigation began over 8 years ago. We really are pressed to try to solve this as (quickly) as possible and get these people off the streets. On Aug. 28, a car thief was arrested and told police that his friend, Donte Murphy, had asked him if he wanted to buy Cadillac rims. The man told police that Murphy told him he stole a Cadillac, took the rims and ditched the car. Murphy said he had to hurt the victims owner, the report stated. A woman told police that a friend, Derek Fox, told her he committed a violent robbery with Murphy and a woman named Claudia Hernandez, according to the report. Fox told the woman that the victim was an elderly man, Elliott, who was known to have a nice gun collection. He told her that the three of them put Elliott in zip ties, but had trouble doing it because he fought back. During the robbery, Fox told him that he was going to get shot if he tried to break free. Fox later shot Elliott somewhere in the chest, the report stated. On Nov. 7, detectives interviewed Hernandez while she was under arrest for a different crime. She was shown pictures of Fox, Murphy, and Elliot. She identified Fox as her friend and said that Murphy stole from her. Hernandez told police she had not seen Elliott before and denied any involvement in the robbery and murder. The first arrests On Aug. 15, 2016, arrest warrants for Fox and Murphy were obtained for multiple crimes, including the murder and robbery of Eugene Elliott. The two were later arrested, but the investigation into Hernandezs involvement continued. Court records show Murphy pleaded guilty to charges of burglary, grand auto larceny and accessory to commit murder in 2017. Judge Douglas Herndon sentenced him to prison for three to seven years. It appeared the parole board granted him parole in 2020. Fox was charged with the following: Conspiracy to commit burglary Burglary while in possession of a firearm Conspiracy to commit kidnapping First-degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon Murder with use of a deadly weapon Conspiracy to commit robbery Robbery with use of a deadly weapon Grand larceny auto He has remained in custody since 2015 and was due to have his trial begin next year, records showed. Fox was serving a prison sentence in another case, records showed. Hernandezs arrest On Feb. 28, 2023, a latent print recovered from Elliotts house was identified as Hernandezs left thumb. The print was inside Elliotts residence on the door frame of the door to the garage, which confirmed Hernandez was involved in the heist, the report stated. On Sept. 28, officers stopped a vehicle near Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway. The passenger in the vehicle identified herself as Hernandez. She was taken into custody. Hernandez told police she had nothing to do with the crime and said she would never hurt an old man. When confronted with the fingerprint, she said that her memory was so bad, she may have forgotten what happened eight years ago, the report stated. Hernandez was arrested for open murder with a deadly weapon. She was taken to the Clark County Detention Center where she is held without bail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 5. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) For years, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has joined together with the faith-based community to provide support to families. Faith and Blue weekend is a time when law enforcement across the nation comes together to help solve critical social issues to help make communities safer. Some of the events scheduled to take place in October are listed below. Hope For the City Oct. 5, 6:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 7220 South Paradise Road, Drive thru food pantry in Boy Scouts of America parking lot A Day In The Life Oct. 6, 6:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. at Enterprise Command Bolden Block Party Oct. 14, 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m., Walker Street and Alexander Avenue Giving Saturday Oct. 14, 8 a.m. at 314 Foremaster Lane, The Courtyard for Unhoused For a complete list of Faith and Blue offerings click HERE. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Sharon Durst stood with a small but interested group gathered in the Ace Hardware parking lot on Pleasant Valley Road last month beneath a blue tent, passing out copies of the U.S. Constitution and bumper stickers that read: Republic for El Dorado State: from Gold to Glory. Durst, a lifelong county resident, said her campaign for El Dorados statehood is beginning to pick up steam. Secession is certainly a long shot, but there is a larger principle at stake. Geography establishes culture, she said. Its El Dorado Countys geography rolling hills, sprawling national forest, lakes, reservoirs, and dirt trails dotted with bright, smooth manzanita that sets it apart from other counties in state. It gives residents like Durst a sense of belonging and identity separate from its big city neighbor and subdivision suburbs to the west. Its why Durst, along with former county supervisor Ray Nutting and volunteer Jim Allen, were out collecting responses to a single survey question for residents from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe: Should the county leave California and form its own state? What I can say is that California has the worst (system of) representation of any state, Durst said. It has the highest population of any state, and yet it only has 80 in the Assembly and 40 in the Senate. Like many other parts of the U.S., this leads to less representation in rural, sparsely populated areas that are geographically large. The geography, Durst said, needs representation, too. We dont like the laws that are passed for us as rural residents, she said. Laws that are passed by people who are urban residents. We recognize they have their own concerns, but theyre not applicable to us. So what we want is a very limited government. Sharon Durst, leader of the secessionist El Dorado state movement, waves to people at the groups booth set up in a parking lot in Placerville on Sept. 13. The county with a population of 191,185 mostly white, mostly Republican and No Party Preference voters is part of Californias long history of secessionist sentiment. There have been more than 200 efforts to exit, and more than 200 times, the movements have come to naught. Breaking up is not only hard to do, its virtually impossible. Secession requires approval by the state legislature, followed by Congress. Because most secession movements in California are led predominantly by conservative or libertarian organizers, they go nowhere with Californias Democratic supermajority. Yet the separatist impulse is not without meaning. It represents the widening schism, not just between political parties but two profound cultural identities: the rugged individualism of the rural, and the inclusive urbanism of the major cities. Rural Californians up and down the Golden State feel unrepresented by elected officials from coastal enclaves like Los Angeles and the Bay Area, and what they see as the elite politicos and lobbyists in the state capitol. Rural conservatives feel increasingly far away, geographically and ideologically, from their liberal neighbors. Even rural Democrats feel this disconnect. The pursuit of an El Dorado State is simply the next chapter in the movement that this sense of distance and isolation has spurred. Leave California, Not El Dorado We need a representative who lives here, Durst said. Not a single representative of El Dorado County, beyond its Board of Supervisors, actually lives there or has any meaningful connection to it. The county is represented in the State Assembly by two Republicans: Joe Patterson, who lives in the Placer County suburb of Rocklin, and represents El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, and Placerville. Megan Dahle, who represents the easternmost part of El Dorado, from Placerville to South Lake Tahoe, lives in Lassen County. State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, a Democrat, is in Amador County. At the Congressional level, Rep. Tom McClintock doesnt even live in his own District 3, let alone the portion of the county he represents, from El Dorado Hills to Placerville. Rep. Kevin Kiley, who represents the eastern slope, resides in Rocklin. El Dorado County residents certainly didnt feel heard by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein of San Francisco, or Sen. Alex Padilla from Los Angeles both places painted by the right as cautionary horror stories of failed Democratic policies. Durst capitalized on these frustrations in a 7,000-word Substack manifesto outlining her vision for the Republic for El Dorado State. Since then, she, Nutting, Allen and a handful of volunteers have traveled the county hosting information sessions, survey events, and meetings. Many of the residents of El Dorado County, who are not of the original native stock go back several generations in California. But they would rather be Free than labeled as Californians, she wrote in the May post. In the short time that she and fellow El Dorado State activists launched their movement, close to 300 people have answered yes to the survey about leaving the state, with plenty of engaged subscribers she estimates about 500 via Substack. She said that volunteers around the county report much enthusiasm from the public. Durst is optimistic the movement is hardly at its crawling stage, she said, let along walking or running, and hundreds of engaged supporters is a sign that theres meaningful support behind the movement. Getting local support is one thing, but the process for legal support will be its own challenge. The U.S. Constitutions New State Clause allows for new states to form with the approval of their state legislature and Congress (as was the case in West Virginia). Durst and the committee write that their cause should go directly to the U.S. Congress. They argue that because California is in violation of federal laws related to safety, security, and representation, its state legislators have forfeited their power. They also contend that because El Dorado formed as a county before it became part of California in 1850 and because the federal government owns and oversees so much of its land theres a decent case that the county belongs under federal purview, not Californias. Legal experts said this has no standing, but Durst and fellow organizers arent worried. California has failed to provide the Domestic Tranquility Right of Safety and Security to the People for protection from Foreign Invasion and Domestic Violence, also guaranteed in Article 4, Section 4 (of the U.S. Constitution) and has, in fact, exacerbated the lack thereof through its laws and regulations, Durst wrote on Substack. Examples of this include crime rates, illegal immigration, and a representation system that favors population over geography. Sharon Durst, leader of the secessionist El Dorado state movement, talks at their booth in Placerville on Saturday, Sept. 13. We want to stay here she told The Sacramento Bee. But we want the advantages that other states have, instead of the tyranny that California gives us. Shes eager to move ahead to phase two, in which the group will amass many more active participants to give us the Power of the People to commit to the hard work and study ahead to form a new government, built without adhering to the laws and regulations of California but upon the good in the county government we already have. San Bernardino County El Dorado isnt the only county thinking about this approach. Los Angeles neighbor to the east encompasses the Inland Empire, where residents voted last fall to study and advocate for all options to obtain the countys fair share of state funding, including secession from the State of California. Nearly 2.2 million residents live in the county, with 1.1 million registered voters. Measure EE was approved by about 5,000 votes out of just over 420,000 votes cast. The secession provision was added by Jeff Burum, a Rancho Cucamonga real estate developer, who wants to rename the county Empire. Rancho Cucamonga real estate developer Jeff Burum, stands outside the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting room, on Aug. 9, 2022. Burum proposed Measure EE, which called for San Bernardino County secede from California. San Bernardino County has long suffered enough, Burum told the countys Board of Supervisors last summer. The state of California continues to allocate resources to the high-cost areas to our detriment and other inland valley communities... We have been the dumping grounds of whatever you want. Burum acknowledged that the measure is symbolic, meant to communicate the countys frustrations with the way the state is being run. Were part of a great state thats gone awry. Its too big. Its too inefficient. Theres no accountability in California in my opinion anymore. State of Jefferson This movement differs from San Bernardino and El Dorado counties in three ways. First, by the enormous swath of the state it would claim. Second, by how long the effort has persisted. And third, by its connection to counties from a neighboring state. The State of Jefferson would combine the northernmost counties of California everything north of Mendocino, Glenn, Butte, and Plumas and the southernmost counties of Oregon. It was formally proposed in 1941 by Gilbert Gablean, an Oregon mayor, and supported by then-state Sen. Randolph Collier of Siskiyou County. Yreka, the Siskiyou County seat, was the intended capital. The attack on Pearl Harbor, and Gables unexpected death, took the energy out of the movement for time. But sentiment that the North State is underrepresented has persisted in the 82 years since Gilberts first proposal. In 2013, the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 in support of leaving California to form Jefferson. Several counties in Californias North State followed. A sign calling for supporters for the State of Jefferson hangs on a building at the intersection of North Main and West Miner streets in Yreka in August. In 2017 a group of Jefferson supporters, organized under the non-profit Citizens for Fair Representation, sued then-Secretary of State Padilla, saying that Californias current model of representation, so lamented by Durst, violates the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment by creating a representational imbalance. The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the case in 2020. The legal defeat prompted some supporters, like Durst, to start their separatist movements. But the setback has not stopped many other Jeffersonians from adopting secession as a cultural and political identity. New California State This is arguably the most extreme effort, one even Durst scoffs at. New California State would exclude Los Angeles, San Francisco, other Bay Area cities and Sacramento while swallowing most of the rest of the state, a current map shows. Not a solution to the separatist complaint that California is too big. What (the map) will reveal are two states with populations which are near equal but based on rural vs urban populations, organizers wrote on New Californias website. Its leader is Paul Preston, a conservative talk radio host who has spent the last nine years on project NCS, which is currently a 501(c)4. Preston once said that former Gov. Jerry Brown is every bit a dictator as Adolf Hitler, as Joseph Stalin, as Mao Zedong. The CEO is Chris Street, who earlier this year was nearly appointed Shasta County CEO by its far-right Board of Supervisors until protests from Shasta residents prompted the board to hire someone else. Like Durst in El Dorado County, Preston supported secession via the State of Jefferson, until he grew disillusioned with its leadership and approach. (NCS plans to pursue statehood based on the U.S. Constitutions New States Clause.) He also believes that some of the State of Jefferson organizers are infiltrating the group on behalf of the billionaire George Soros. No separatist effort is exactly alike, but from Yreka down to San Bernardino, organizers are all unified by a shared sense of disenfranchisement and a common enemy in a tyrannical Democrat leader. It is impossible to believe that the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence, wrote Durst in El Dorado County, would be of a mind to hold a people hostage to an oppressive State any more than an oppressive King. Sharon Durst, leader of the secessionist El Dorado state movement, talks with former supervisor Ray Nutting at their booth in Placerville on Sept. 13. Latter-day Saint college students are split between Republican and Democrat more equitably than any other group when looking at political partisanship by religious affiliation. But theyre also the most Republican. Thats according to demographer Ryan Burges analysis of Foundation for for Individual Rights and Expression data. Burge looked at college students ages 18 to 25 and made a graph of political self-identification by religious affiliation. Heres a closer look at Burges data analysis, the broader context of where a similar age range is politically and why Latter-day Saint college students may be the most Republican. Related Political partisanship by religious affiliation Main take-aways: Latter-day Saints are the only group with a Republican plurality. Atheists, agnostics, Jews and nones are the most likely to favor Democrats. Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and others have the strongest contingents of independents. Across the entire data set, 22% identified as Republicans. Dig deeper: The group with the strongest contingent of Republicans was Latter-day Saints (45%) with the remainder identifying as Democrat (39%) or independent (16%). Latter-day Saints are the only group to have a plurality of students identify as Republican. The other groups all had a plurality of students identifying as Democrat, though Protestants also had a significant number of students identifying as Republican (42%) with the others identifying as Democrat (43%) or independent (16%). A little more than half of Catholics affiliate with Democrats (54%) and a smaller of them consider themselves Republican (30%). Half of Orthodox religionists identify as Democrat (50%) with the remainder as independents (19%) or Republicans (30%). Among those who identified as Just Christian, a plurality consider themselves Democrat (47%) with some Republicans (33%) and Independents (21%). Muslims had the highest percentage of students identifying as independent (24%), followed by Buddhists (23%), Hindus (23%) and other (23%). Atheists were the ones most likely to affiliate themselves with Democrats (81%) with agnostics (80%), Jews (75%) and nothing in particular (70%) trailing behind them. I think its pretty important to point out that theres just no group that is anywhere close to as politically unified as atheists on the right side of the political spectrum among college students, Burge wrote. Related Zooming out: data in context The aforementioned data analysis gives insight into the relationship between education, political self-identification and religious affiliation for college students ages 18 to 25. Its important to note that this group does not make up the majority of the demographic. College enrollment statistics from the National Center for Education Statistics show that around 38% of those between the ages of 18 and 24 were enrolled in school in 2021. This means its likely the majority of the age demographic does not attend college. So, how does the survey data targeting college students compare to research about the overall population? Using 2022 data from the Cooperative Election Study, Burge found that 47% of Latter-day Saints born in the 1990s identified as Republicans when asked. For those born in the 2000s, it was slightly higher at 49%. While this age range and wording of the question differs from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expressions data set, it shows that Latter-day Saint college students are more Democratic, but mostly consistent with Latter-day Saints in a similar age range overall. Zooming out further and looking at the 18 to 25 age group, here are some additional trends. Those who identify as total liberal in ideology are the plurality (48%) followed by total conservative (33%) and moderate (32%), according to a NBC News poll. A SocialSphere, Murmuration and Walton Family Foundation poll found that 30% of Gen Zers (those born between 1997 and 2012) aligned with Democrats, followed by independents (28%) and Republicans (24%). The Harvard Youth Poll (note the age span was 18 to 29) found that a plurality in this age range identify as politically moderate (44%) with the remainder as liberal (30%) or conservative (24%). The main takeaway is that those in the 18 to 25 age range are more likely to consider themselves Democrat or independent than Republican, but Latter-day Saints whether college students or not tend to buck this trend. Related While Burge observed a seismic political shift among younger Latter-day Saints that suggests a move toward the left, they are still more conservative than their counterparts of different faiths or no faith. This may correspond to broader trends. The Republican Party has a significantly higher percentage of people who identify as religious (61%) when compared to Democrats (37%), according to Gallup polling data from July 2023. The GOPs trouble with Latter-day Saints seems to correlate with some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expressing a negative view of former President Donald Trump (51%) and a strong preference for a GOP presidential nominee to have an ability to appeal to more moderate voters (73%). Media reports indicate that a military volunteer from Latvia has been killed in action near the city of Lyman in Donetsk Oblast. Source: LSM, Latvia's public service broadcaster and news portal Details: The article says the death of the Latvian military volunteer was confirmed by several of his brothers-in-arms. His name and alias have not yet been disclosed, and there is no official confirmation from either the Ukrainian or Latvian authorities. Latvian TV has reported that a Latvian soldier was killed in a drone attack near Lyman in Ukraine's east. Juris Dalbins, former Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces, confirmed the information concerning the death of the Latvian military volunteer. "His comrades will make sure that his body is brought to Latvia and buried in accordance with military regulations," Dalbins said. The Latvian media also suggested that the military volunteer may have been killed in the same strike that claimed the life of Estonian Tanel Krieggul, alias "Stinger", on Saturday. 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! Laurence Fox said he had a lot to say about the last few days - Jamie Lorriman The controversial political activist Laurence Fox has claimed that police officers have seized his childrens iPads after he was arrested for conspiring to damage Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) cameras. Metropolitan Police officers raided Foxs home in Stockwell, south London, over his comments on Londons clean air zone cameras. Fox, the leader of the Reclaim Party, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to Ulez cameras and encouraging others to tear them down on the same day GB News announced it was sacking him following his comments about a female journalist last week. The 45-year-old was later released and said on Thursday night that he was happy to take responsibility for his comments. In a post on Twitter referring to his arrest, he said: They took every single electronic device I have. But the bit that is a bit worse than that is that they took my kids phones and my kids iPads. He added: So Im in there and get questioned and I leave and I got home late last night with no phone with no nothing, no way of contacting my kids telling them I was safe, no way of contacting my elderly dad telling him I was safe. I did manage to get through to my dad because his is one of the few numbers I can remember. Fox added that he had taken a book with him to the police station: The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Earlier on Thursday morning Fox said that he had a lot to say after six officers had arrested him at his home. He said: Had to get a new phone as the 6 police who were sent barreling into my house yesterday have taken ever electronic device, including my boys iPads, I have a lot to say about the last few days. Speak in a bit. Never give in. The former actor revealed he was being arrested on Wednesday morning when he shared a video showing five police officers at his home. Addressing the camera, he said: Look how many coppers there are in my house. Look at them coming to steal everything and take it out of my house. That, ladies and gentleman, is the country that we live in. In another clip shared during the search, Fox claimed the Ulez cameras were bringing in a surveillance state, adding: So have a lovely day, Im going to spend my day in the clink, innit. Foxs arrest follows widespread acts of vandalism against Ulez cameras after Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, expanded the low emission areas across all London boroughs in August. Blade Runners, a group of anti-Ulez activists, target cameras that enforce the 12.50-a-day charge on certain vehicles. Fox posted to X again on Thursday night, uploading a video in which he said he was happy to take responsibility for his comments. Referring to his arrest, he said: They took every single electronic device I have. But the bit that is a bit worse than that is that they took my kids phones and my kids iPads. Fox added that he had taken a book with him to the police station, The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Completely over the top Speaking to The Telegraph about Mr Foxs arrest, Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, said: It was completely over the top having five police officers go to his house, but I was told as an MEP that lawmakers must not be lawbreakers. While Laurence isnt an elected politician, he does lead a political party, and you cant encourage or be an accessory to crime. A Metropolitan Police spokesman had previously said: Officers arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to Ulez cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed. He has been taken to a south London police station, where he remains in custody. Hours after the arrest was filmed, GB News announced that it was sacking Fox after suspending him last week over misogynistic comments, made on air, about journalist Ava Evans. Fox was appearing on the Dan Wootton Tonight programme when he launched into a series of personal remarks about the journalist, who works for the PoliticsJoe website. Calvin Robinson, who hosted a religious current affairs programme on the channel, was also suspended after sharing support for Wootton online, and has since been dismissed. On Wednesday, GB News said in a statement: As of today, GB News has ended its employment relationship with Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson. The internal investigation into Dan Wootton continues. 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. BOSTON Less than a week before Massachusetts observes Columbus Day, lawmakers and Native American advocates, some wearing traditional headdresses, asked a legislative committee to replace the holiday with Indigenous Peoples Day. House and Senate proposals from Rep. Christine Barber of Somerville and Sen. Jo Comerford of Northampton would require the governor to annually proclaim the second Monday in October as Indigenous People Day rather than Columbus Day, with the goal of educating Bay Staters about the racism and violence that resulted from Christopher Columbus' journey to the Americas. Twenty states and Washington, D.C., have already recognized the revamped day or call it Native American Day, Comerford told the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. "This holiday will be a great tribute to the contributions of Indigenous people in Massachusetts -- past, present and future," Comerford said at the hearing. Supporters of legislation to establish Indigenous Peoples Day Massachusetts held up signs in Gardner Auditorium during a legislative hearing on Tuesday. The legislation has been awaiting a hearing since mid-February, nearly eight months ahead of Columbus Day. The legislation states that the day should be observed with "appropriate exercises," including in schools, "to acknowledge the history of genocide and discrimination against Indigenous peoples, and to recognize and celebrate the thriving cultures and continued resistance and resilience of Indigenous peoples and their tribal nations." Prior legislation to establish Indigenous Peoples Day was reported favorably out of the committee last session, though top Democrats in the House and Senate didn't advance the proposals further. At the hearing Tuesday, Rep. Jeffrey Turco of Winthrop indicated he supports the overarching concept of the new holiday. But Turco called the proposals an "unfortunate approach" to pit Native Americans against Italian Americans, who have used Columbus Day to honor the Italian explorer and their own culture. "This bill basically disregards the contributions of Italian American people it's offensive to so many across this commonwealth," said Turco, who suggested lawmakers should instead pass legislation enabling Native American tribes to reclaim their land. Heather Leavell, co-founder of Italian Americans for Indigenous People Day and a second-generation Italian American, said her group represents hundreds of Massachusetts residents who are of Italian descent and support the state transitioning away from Columbus Day. "We believe that a holiday that celebrates the resilience of the Indigenous people is far more truthful and uplifting for all residents of the commonwealth than one that honors a brutal, brutal colonizer," she told the committee. "Indigenous people know their history, and we have listened to their voices, which together with mainstream scholarship and contemporary first-person accounts from Columbus and his sons, this reveals the truth of Columbus's horrific acts of genocide. By rejecting Columbus Day, we acknowledge the history and the harm, and then we show our commitment to repair by replacing it with a celebration of Indigenous people." Massachusetts officials have not done enough to foster equity and inclusion, said Raquel Halsey, executive director of the North American Indian Center of Boston. Halsey recounted how students must grapple with Columbus Day assignments in school, such as dressing up as conquistadors or "concocted imaginings of what Indians must look like," or answering questions about whether they would prefer to be colonizers or Indians. "People don't know that native people were systematically brutalized and enslaved by Columbus himself, and would go on to be forced into death camps on the Boston Harbor Islands, into residential schools across this country and Canada, starved and studied in the name of pseudo-scientific racism, and excluded from U.S. citizenship until 1924," she said at the hearing. "People don't that know, yet, we are still here." Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: MA Legislators call for Indigenous Peoples Day to replace Columbus Day WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) A lawsuit over Texas Pete hot sauce has been dismissed. According to a release by TW Garner Food Co., the parent company of the Texas Pete brand, plaintiff Phillip White filed a motion on Sept. 28 to dismiss his lawsuit against the brand. Demand for Texas Pete spikes after lawsuit filed against the North Carolina-made hot sauce The class action lawsuit claimed that TW Garner Food Co. was deceptively marketing Texas Pete as a Texan product when its actually made in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Whites complaint, filed on behalf of all people in the U.S. who have purchased Texas Pete, asked the court to force Texas Pete to change its name and branding and to give money to past customers. Whites legal team had argued that a reasonable consumer could be duped into thinking that Texas Pete is a Texas product due to the brand name and the labeling on the bottle and that he would not have paid the same amount of money for a North Carolina-made hot sauce as he would a Texas-made one, which was around $3 at a Ralphs in his home state of California. Texas Pete lawsuit: Judge denies companys request to dismiss false-advertising case concerning name, imagery TW Garner Food Co. then argued that the name does not necessarily refer to the state of Texas, and instead could be referring to the coastal town of Texas, North Carolina. The court dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety on Wednesday. Garner Foods has consistently maintained that the claims in the lawsuit were false, the company said. We at TW Garner Food Co. are delighted with this result. Since the lawsuit was filed, we have remained steadfast in our position that our product labels and trademark are truthful and not misleading in any respect and that the lawsuit had no merit, President and CEO Ann Garner Riddle said. Texas Pete isnt plaintiffs 1st class action lawsuit. Heres how 3 others went The case had been ongoing for just over a year when the dismissal was filed. Previously, the courts had declined to dismiss the lawsuit at the request of the company, who responded by saying it would vigorously defend itself against the accusations. White has been involved in three other similar class action lawsuits against Kroger, Whole Foods, and the product Benefiber. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Mateea Petrescu, spokesperson for Andrew Tate, holds a press release as she sits next to lawyer Eugen Vidineac, after US and UK legal representatives of alleged victims of Andrew Tate held a press conference to announce a united stand against Tate and his followers' harassment and intimidation, in Bucharest, Romania,Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. On June 20, 2023, Romanian prosecutors charged the Tate brothers and two other suspects with human trafficking, rape and organizing a criminal group for the sexual exploitation of women. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) Lawyers for alleged abuse victims of Andrew Tate , the social media influencer charged with rape and human trafficking, said Thursday that the accused and his followers are trying to intimidate their clients into silence. Speaking at a news conference held at a central Bucharest hotel the lawyers, who represent a legal team from the United States and another from the United Kingdom, said they wanted to take a united stand against Tate and his followers and address ongoing attempts to silence those who are speaking out. The 36-year-old Tate, a former professional kickboxer, is also charged in Romania with forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. He has amassed 8 million followers on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. One of the legal teams, McCue Jury & Partners, represents women suing Tate in the U.K. for allegations of rape and physical assault, while the National Center on Sexual Exploitation Law Center and Laffey Bucci & Kent, represent key witnesses of the prosecution in the Romania case who Tate is suing in the U.S. for defamation. Tates spokesperson denied the claims made by the lawyers on Thursday. These threats will not work, they will not prevent people from coming forward, and they will not prevent courts around the world from hearing their cases, the lawyers said in a joint statement. We encourage people to play their part in stopping the spread of disinformation online and to think carefully about how their words in these spaces can affect people already suffering immensely. Four women had reported Tate to the U.K. authorities for alleged sexual violence and physical abuse, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute him. Afterward, the alleged victims turned to crowdfunding to cover their legal costs as they pursue a civil case against him. We handed over our evidence about the horrific acts of violence we endured and waited for action. But four years later we were told the UK authorities would not prosecute him, they state on their campaign page, which has so far raised 30,000 of their 50,000 ($60,000) target. Its our one remaining route to hold him accountable. In a media letter last month, Tate described the allegations by the women in Britain as malicious and disputed and said that, if proceedings are brought, I shall resist any attempt to claim anonymity for all or any of the complainants. The legal firm McCue Jury & Partners who represent the women, however, claimed on Thursday that Tate's letter "was riddled with inaccurate and misleading statements. Tate claimed that there is no U.K. case against him and that the firm suggested mediation through financial compensation, the lawyer firm said. Unfortunately for Mr. Tate, there is absolutely a legal claim being brought in the U.K. against him ... We made clear to Tate that any settlement would have to contain an admission of liability." In a separate case, Romanian prosecutors formally indicted Tate in June along with his brother, Tristan, and two Romanian women. All four were arrested in late December and have denied the allegations against them. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation Law Center, which is repressing witnesses in the Romania case, said that since the Tate brothers' compound was raided by authorities last year, the brothers and their associates "have been maliciously harassing and threatening our clients." In July, the Tate brothers sued a Florida woman, her parents, another woman who lived at the Tates estate near Bucharest, and a male friend of the woman. The Tate brothers claimed she falsely accused them of imprisoning her in Romania and are seeking at least $5 million in the lawsuit, which was filed in Palm Beach County. Jillian Roth, of the law firm Laffey, Bucci & Kent, said that the lawsuit was filed only with the intent to intimidate, harass and to retaliate against the women who came forward to speak out against their abuse. These women are very afraid, theyre terrified," Roth said, they have been threatened, theyve had people come to their place of work. Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy designed to silence him. He was previously banned from various prominent social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and for hate speech. Last week, a Bucharest court ruled to ease geographical restrictions on Tate, which means he can now travel anywhere in Romania. Prior to that decision, he was restricted to Bucharest Municipality and the nearby Ilfov County unless he obtained prior approval from a judge. Still, he cannot leave the country. ___ McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania. Whew, that was close! The end of U.S. civilization as we know it was staved off just a bit longer recently when our political leaders came to their senses. No, not by approving that temporary and inadequate extension that allows the government to continue functioning fully until Thanksgiving. Im referring to the decision by the U.S. Senate to prevent that formerly august body from debasing itself and our nation even further. Barry Saunders The Senate for the first time passed a resolution imposing a formal dress code on its members, after centuries of an informal, unwritten dress code. Why was it unwritten and informal? Because for centuries, senators probably never thought theyd need to write down rules telling senators how to dress while conducting the nations business. Alas, they never reckoned on Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, who unilaterally ended the dress code for senators so that Sen. John Fetterman wouldnt have to dress up to cast a vote. Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, burst into the national consciousness as a small town mayor who favored big hoodies and baggy shorts. It was an attention-getting gimmick, but I doubt people who voted him to the Senate expected him to continue wearing that getup. To avoid violating the unwritten rule, the aggressively anti-fashionista Fetterman would cast his vote from the side of the Senate chamber without actually stepping onto the Senate floor. Schumer wanted Fetterman and, presumably, every other senator to wear whatever the heck they wanted onto the Senate floor. What manner of madness is this, Chuck? Are you really trying to turn the hallowed halls into the Halloween halls? It would be hard to imagine this fractious Senate voting unanimously on whether ice cream is good in summer, yet Schumer succeeded in persuading it to vote unanimously on a dress code. We all even a noted fashion plate such as I have been guilty of committing fashion faux pas: who can forget that time I wore my lime-green, velveteen jumpsuit similar to the one Fred The Hammer Williamson wore in Black Caesar? Or my green Nehru jacket with a hubcap-sized medallion although in my defense, my mom was still buying my clothes then. (The medallion was my idea, lifted from Sammy Davis Jr.) Even more embarrassingly because I bought it myself I once unironically wore a navy blue Members Only jacket. To my credit, I only wore it in August 1979, which, coincidentally, is about how long that garment stayed in style. As it says in One Corinthians, When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child and dressed as a child. But when I was elected to the U.S. Senate, I put away childish things and put on a subtly pinstriped Brooks Brothers merino wool suit with 2-inch cuffs. Amen. I asked Sven Raphael Schneider, publisher of the entertaining and informative Gentlemans Gazette online mens style magazine, whether he thought the Senate should have a dress code. Dress codes make it easier for people to show up, because they know what to expect, Schneider said. It doesnt necessarily mean people show up well-dressed. Dress codes are a good thing because they set the tone. Like many of us, though, Schneider feels the dress code or lack of one may be the least of the Senates problems. I think the average age of over 63 years makes it harder for Senators to do their job than the lack of a dress code, he said. No matter how you are dressed, if you cannot keep up with changing times, you will make bad decisions. Donning a sharp suit isnt going to automatically raise the regard in which the Senate is held its Gallup poll approval rating of 19% is probably lower than that of green, velveteen jumpsuits for men but at least now we wont have to wince when watching them conduct business on C-SPAN. With a dress code, we can save our wincing for the next time some of its members vote against paying our soldiers and funding the government. Editorial Board member Barry Saunders is founder of TheSaundersReport.com. TechCrunch Meta is introducing a new API that makes it easier to create and share a Facebook Story directly from a third-party desktop or web app. The social networking ad titan first introduced Stories to the main Facebook app in 2017, emulating a feature it had added to Instagram the previous year as well as Messenger and WhatsApp -- these features were more or less "borrowed" from Snapchat, serving as a more ephemeral way of sharing video and image-based content that didn't hang around on a user's profile for eternity. While Facebook itself has north of 3 billion users, Meta doesn't typically break out user numbers for Stories, though CEO Mark Zuckerberg did share that it had passed 500 million users ack in 2019. To the editor: Although I agree with much of Los Angeles County Superior Court Presiding Judge Samantha Jessners reasoning regarding limiting the requirement of cash bail, citing the "presumption of innocence" is misleading. ("Twelve L.A. County cities sue to postpone new zero-bail policy," Oct. 2) The presumption obviously has no basis in fact. It is merely a device to place the burden of proof in criminal matters on the government. Clearly, substantial bail is a must for felony crimes of violence and other felonies that place the public at risk. It is one of the principal reasons government exists, and government owes its law-abiding citizens this protection. Reasonable bail or release policies should apply only to those who do not present a serious threat, be it physical or financial. Michael Bradbury, Ojai The writer was district attorney of Ventura County from 1979-2003. .. To the editor: Three years ago, a rich white woman driving around 80 mph killed two young boys who were walking in a Westlake Village crosswalk, according to police. Witnesses said the driver failed to stop at the scene and help the victims. Charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run driving, she left jail several hours after being arrested because her husband paid the $2-million bail. She has been free ever since because of several changes in attorneys, legal wrangling and multiple court postponements delays that only money can buy. That is what a two-tiered legal system looks like. Marcy Bregman, Agoura Hills This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) is sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday. (Anna Rose Layden / Getty Images) To the editor: Gov. Gavin Newsom 's decision to appoint political operative Laphonza Butler instead of the distinguished Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) to fill the seat vacated by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein is not only craven, but also brazenly hypocritical. ("A solid Senate pick and a craven move by Gavin Newsom," column, Oct. 2) The governor had indicated he did not want to put his thumb on the scale of the election to succeed Feinstein in 2024. But by passing over Lee, he did exactly that played politics. The governor has disrespected the congresswoman, Black voters and, frankly, all of us. Now, Im more likely to support Lee next year to show the respect that sadly did not come from Newsom. Cary Brazeman, Los Angeles .. To the editor: Newsom said he would appoint a Black woman to fill Feinsteins seat if it came open. He did. Promise made, promise kept. To think that Butler would run for the full term is pure pipe dream. There are three heavily financed, well-qualified candidates well into their campaigns. Any fourth has no chance. Evan Thompson, Altadena .. To the editor: If Butler runs, it would make democracy a sham in California. Newsom already put his finger on the scale when he appointed Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in 2021. No matter how good a person Sen. Butler may be, she needs to respect the will of the people of California and not enter the race now. If she wanted to be senator for a full term, she should have declared her candidacy months ago so we would have an appropriate time to evaluate her qualifications. Victoria I . Paterno, Los Angeles .. To the editor: The only thing "rash" about Newsom's appointment of Butler to fill Feinstein's seat is the hurried judgment by observers like The Times' Mark Z. Barabak who focus entirely on weedy political considerations most voters don't care about, making this story all about Newsom and not about Butler. It's yet another example of the queer person of color pushed to the margins to make the story about a white man. Kevin Smith, Iowa City, Iowa This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Police stop men from intercepting a march in support of liberties in Lebanon's capital Beirut (-) Lebanon's LGBTQ community has been reeling from months of snowballing hostility, as activists in one of the Middle East's more liberal countries worry about deteriorating personal and political freedoms. Rights advocates and LGBTQ community members told AFP they have been harassed and even received death threats in recent months as controversy has raged over everything from rainbow imagery to family values and the "Barbie" movie. "What we have been witnessing is a kind of incitement to violence" against the LGBTQ community, said political scientist and rights activist Rita Chemaly. Many of Lebanon's rival sectarian politicians have spearheaded the anti-LGBTQ campaign, which gained momentum after a legislative proposal to decriminalise homosexuality. "It's not a simple issue of one community that is being harassed and intimidated," Chemaly warned. "We're now losing the battle for individual freedoms in Lebanon," such as freedom of expression and assembly, she said. Over the weekend, a group of men attacked a civil society march in defence of freedoms, yelling homophobic insults and assaulting demonstrators. The protest was not billed as an LGBTQ event. Rights group Amnesty International decried "security forces' abject failure to protect protesters" and urged an investigation to discourage similar incidents, noting that "none of the aggressors have been arrested". "There is no state," Chemaly said. "The impunity and the lack of accountability has led to the attacks that we're witnessing," she added. While Lebanon has never been a safe haven for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer people, the community has long been visible and outspoken, defying crackdowns on its bars, nightclubs and community centres, mainly in the capital Beirut. But in recent years, fledgling Pride events have been shut down, activists hounded, and in 2022 the interior ministry instructed security forces to clamp down on events "promoting sexual perversion". - 'In danger' - One gay man told AFP he had been verbally harassed in recent weeks. He said he felt "in danger and it's getting worse day after day", requesting anonymity due to safety fears. In July, a group of lawmakers submitted a proposal to repeal a vaguely worded law that punishes "unnatural" sexual relations by up to one year in prison. But hostility surged, and two counter-proposals doubling down on criminalisation were floated, in a country where society and power is divided among myriad conservative religious communities that often unite around social issues. Opponents allege that the proposal was to change "the core of the family, which is totally wrong," said rights activist Chemaly. "It's just a law to decriminalise homosexuality," she said, calling the legislation a weapon that has been used "to intimidate the (LGBTQ) community members". The leader of the powerful Shiite Muslim Hezbollah movement Hassan Nasrallah has stepped up fierce verbal diatribes against LGBTQ people in recent months, preaching that they should be killed. In August, members of a hardline Christian group surrounded a bar hosting a drag show in Beirut, assaulting people outside and yelling insults including, "you are going to burn in hell", witnesses said. Over the weekend a beachside restaurant in south Lebanon was attacked, in an incident that appears to have had homophobic pretexts. - 'Dodge responsibility' - Another gay man and activist, who had been threatened with prosecution over same-sex images and messages on his mobile phone, said he was living "in a country that really dehumanises me -- it denies my very existence". Despite the bleak outlook, he expressed some optimism. "This is the first time that we're having this discussion" about the law, which is "a huge thing", he said, also requesting anonymity. Lawmaker Mark Daou said the existing legislation was "in direct contradiction with several international agreements against discrimination and biases that Lebanon is party to". While he is among those pushing to repeal it despite heavy pressure, he said that doing so now inadvertently gave "excuses to those who want to dodge the responsibility for what's happening in the country". Lebanon has been enduring a crushing economic crisis since late 2019 that has pushed much of the population into poverty. The country has been without a president for almost a year, the government is operating in a caretaker capacity and political deadlock has paralysed Lebanon's parliament and institutions. Bertho Makso from civil society group Proud Lebanon said, "it's a dark tunnel, but we always have to see the light." "What we want is simply to have people treated with dignity and respect, and not to be treated as criminals," he said. His group has been part of the years-long push to abolish the law -- but he said it wasn't just chasing rainbows. "LGBTQ rights are not given as a gift," he said. "You need to fight for it." lg/aya/jsa/dhw SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A memorial service for the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is to be held on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, in the city where she served as its first female mayor. The service is scheduled to start at 1 p.m., and several dignitaries and notable people will speak. The memorial will not be open to members of the public after Sen. Feinsteins office previously said it would be. The service will be broadcast live on KRON4 and streamed on KRON On Thursday at 1 p.m. with special coverage beginning at noon. Speakers at Sen. Feinsteins memorial service include: U.S. President Joe Biden (recorded) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris San Francisco Mayor London Breed U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi Eileen Mariano (Sen. Feinsteins granddaughter) California Gov. Gavin Newsom is in attendance but is not among the speakers. Sen. Feinstein will be buried at a private, family-only ceremony after the memorial service. Follow our live blog for the latest updates. Sen. Feinstein memorial service updates: 2:20 p.m. San Francisco Girls Chorus performs San Francisco 2:12 p.m. Feinsteins granddaughter, Eileen Mariano speaks 2:02 p.m. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivers her remarks 1:52 p.m. I just did: Sen. Majority Leader Schumer shares personal memory of Feinstein Sen. Schumer shared a personal anecdote on Feinstein, who he called unflappable. 1:42 p.m. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks Following the presidents remarks, the Vice President spoke in-person, calling Feinstein an icon, an American patriot, a giant of the Senate and a force. 1:40 p.m. God bless Dianne Feinstein: President Joe Biden addresses memorial with taped remarks President Biden was not present at Thursdays memorial, but a brief prerecorded statement from him was played to those in attendance. 1:30 p.m. SF Mayor London Breed thanks Feinstein for bringing Blue Angels to SF SF Mayor London Breed opened the memorial with personal reflections on Sen. Feinstein and thanked then-Mayor Feinstein for bringing the Blue Angels to SF. 1:24 p.m. Speakers take their seats as memorial service begins As the Blue Angels roared overheard, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Feinstein granddaughter Eileen Mariano all took their seats as the memorial gets underway. 12:05 p.m. Dignitaries arrive at SFO Vice President Kamala Harris and other American VIPs have arrived at San Francisco International Airport ahead of the late Sen. Feinsteins memorial service. 6:04 a.m. Former President Clinton to attend On Wednesday night, it was announced that the public would no longer be able to attend Sen. Feinsteins memorial service in person at City Hall. The U.S. Secret Service reportedly made this call due to safety concerns of attending dignitaries. Former President Bill Clinton was added as an attendee late Wednesday night. 5:30 a.m. A city supervisor, mayor and senator remembered Wednesday The public was invited to pay their respects inside San Francisco City Hall Wednesday as Sen. Feinstein laid in state. The senators casket arrived early at 8 a.m. to a crowd already lined up, and the casket left well after the scheduled time of 7 p.m. so that all those still in line who wanted to have a private moment with her could do so. Members of the public line up single file to await their turn to pay their respects as the casket of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein rests in the Rotunda of City Hall in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) Thousands of mourners who attended were asked to sign a condolence book for the family. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A memorial service for the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is to be held on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, in the city where she served as its first female mayor. The service is scheduled to start at 1 p.m., and several dignitaries and notable people will speak. The memorial will not be open to members of the public after Sen. Feinsteins office previously said it would be. The service will be broadcast live on KRON4 and streamed on KRON On Thursday at 1 p.m. with special coverage beginning at noon. Speakers at Sen. Feinsteins memorial service include: U.S. President Joe Biden (recorded) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris San Francisco Mayor London Breed U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi Eileen Mariano (Sen. Feinsteins granddaughter) California Gov. Gavin Newsom is in attendance but is not among the speakers. Sen. Feinstein will be buried at a private, family-only ceremony after the memorial service. Follow our live blog for the latest updates. Sen. Feinstein memorial service updates: 2:20 p.m. San Francisco Girls Chorus performs San Francisco 2:12 p.m. Feinsteins granddaughter, Eileen Mariano speaks 2:02 p.m. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivers her remarks 1:52 p.m. I just did: Sen. Majority Leader Schumer shares personal memory of Feinstein Sen. Schumer shared a personal anecdote on Feinstein, who he called unflappable. 1:42 p.m. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks Following the presidents remarks, the Vice President spoke in-person, calling Feinstein an icon, an American patriot, a giant of the Senate and a force. 1:40 p.m. God bless Dianne Feinstein: President Joe Biden addresses memorial with taped remarks President Biden was not present at Thursdays memorial, but a brief prerecorded statement from him was played to those in attendance. 1:30 p.m. SF Mayor London Breed thanks Feinstein for bringing Blue Angels to SF SF Mayor London Breed opened the memorial with personal reflections on Sen. Feinstein and thanked then-Mayor Feinstein for bringing the Blue Angels to SF. 1:24 p.m. Speakers take their seats as memorial service begins As the Blue Angels roared overheard, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Feinstein granddaughter Eileen Mariano all took their seats as the memorial gets underway. 12:05 p.m. Dignitaries arrive at SFO Vice President Kamala Harris and other American VIPs have arrived at San Francisco International Airport ahead of the late Sen. Feinsteins memorial service. 6:04 a.m. Former President Clinton to attend On Wednesday night, it was announced that the public would no longer be able to attend Sen. Feinsteins memorial service in person at City Hall. The U.S. Secret Service reportedly made this call due to safety concerns of attending dignitaries. Former President Bill Clinton was added as an attendee late Wednesday night. 5:30 a.m. A city supervisor, mayor and senator remembered Wednesday The public was invited to pay their respects inside San Francisco City Hall Wednesday as Sen. Feinstein laid in state. The senators casket arrived early at 8 a.m. to a crowd already lined up, and the casket left well after the scheduled time of 7 p.m. so that all those still in line who wanted to have a private moment with her could do so. Members of the public line up single file to await their turn to pay their respects as the casket of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein rests in the Rotunda of City Hall in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) Thousands of mourners who attended were asked to sign a condolence book for the family. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wy.) thinks Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will lose the Speakership vote if House Republicans choose him to fill the currently vacant seat. If the Republicans decide that Jim Jordan should be the Speaker of the House by the way, I dont think that will happen, I think hell lose, Cheney said in a speech Thursday at the University of Minnesota. Several Republicans have publicly endorsed Jordan to be the next speaker after the House voted Tuesday to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in a historic, first-of-its-kind vote. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) predicted Thursday that Jordan will earn enough votes to make him Speaker, more than House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who also is vying for the seat. Cheney doesnt think Jordan will earn enough votes, but if he were to do so, she said there would no longer be any possible way to argue that a group of elected Republicans could defend against the Constitution. Cheney said Jordan was part of former President Donald Trumps plan to overturn the 2020 election. Jim Jordan knew more about what Donald Trump had planned for Jan. 6 than any other member of the House of Representatives, Cheney said. Jim Jordan was involved, was part of the conspiracy in which Donald Trump was engaged as he attempted to overturn the election. Cheney said there was a handful of people, Jordan being the leader, who knew what Trump had planned on that day. Cheney said in her speech that someone needs to ask Jordan why he didnt report his knowledge about the events on Jan. 6 to Capitol Police. The race to become the next Speaker is still new, and others could join Jordan and Scalise in the battle for Speakership ahead of next weeks expected vote. Trump may be one of those joining the race. Trump told Fox News Digital on Thursday that he would accept a short-term role and serve as a unifier for the Republican party as Speaker. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Lauren Marie Hahn SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO After more than nine months, the truck driver accused of killing four Livingston County residents in a crash on Christmas Eve has been sentenced to 180 days in jail in Sidney Municipal Court for one count of misdemeanor vehicular homicide. More: Four local residents were killed on Christmas Eve. Here's why the case is tied up More: Truck driver who killed four on Christmas Eve pleads no contest He's also been given a five-year suspension of his class four driver's license and been fined $250 but a separate felony case in Common Pleas Court is expected to carry on. Dayren Rocubert's tractor-trailer was northbound on I-75 on Dec. 24, 2022, when it crashed through the median and struck a GMC Terrain and a Ford F-150, according to police. Kimberly Ann Siegrist Heading south in the vehicles were Kimberly Ann Siegrist, 63; her daughters, Lauren Marie Hahn, 32, and Karen Boehne, 33; and Boehne's husband, Jeremy David Ralph, 32. Boehne was pregnant at the time. All four family members, and the unborn child, were killed. Rocubert was not severely injured. "Certainly it hasn't been easy because of the time involved," Hahn and Boehne's father, David Hahn, told The Daily. "The tragedy of the whole thing is, number one, the worst thing that could ever happen to a parent." "We were all looking forward to Christmas and it never happened. Christmas back here in Michigan never happened either, and five wonderful people turned into angels by someone else's mishap." Karen Marie Boehne But officials say it wasn't exactly a mishap. Rocubert was initially charged with four counts of misdemeanor vehicular homicide and one count of failing to maintain control of a vehicle by Sidney Law Director David Busick. In January, he pled no contest to a single misdemeanor charge of vehicular homicide in Sidney Municipal Court. That all happened while tox results were pending. After the plea, Shelby County Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Sell said he received a toxicology report indicating Rocubert was under the influence of methamphetamine, cocaine and amphetamines at the time of the crash. Busick, who chose to charge Rocubert with misdemeanors prior to receiving the toxicology report, did not respond The Daily's request for comment. Sell sent the case to a grand jury, who voted to indict Rocubert on five felony counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in Shelby County Common Pleas Court. In March, Busick requested the court vacate the previously scheduled sentencing. Four separate motions were made to push the sentencing back. Rocubert made a double jeopardy argument, claiming the felony charges should be dismissed because misdemeanor charges were underway. That was initially shot down. Jeremy David Ralph Boehne "This court finds the prosecution of the defendant for aggravated vehicular assault is not barred by the negotiated plea to one count of vehicular assault in the Sidney Municipal Court. Defendant's motion to dismiss is denied," Judge James F. Stevenson wrote in court documents on July 14. "It is regrettable that that the Sidney Prosecutor rushed to the taking of a plea on the municipal court charges knowing that lab results were still pending," he added. "All of this could have been avoided by merely waiting for the lab results and then making informed decisions after obtaining those results." Since the beginning, Hahn said, the family feels they've been misled. "Our family was completely misled ... by (Busick) before drug charges were allowed to surface in felony court. Busick personally promised whatever happened during the initial traffic court proceeding would not hamper any pending drugs charges, which were due within 24 hours according to Ohio State Police," Hahn said. "Busick ensured us with confidence ... that any felony charges would supersede any municipal infraction." Hahn said the ensuing legal challenges have left a grieving family waiting for justice. "Seems to us this municipal court has 100 percent served up injustice coupled with incompetence ... we feel extraordinarily violated." "For whatever reason, some people don't want to make light of it, but to me it seems like somebody has made some mistakes in getting here," he said. "The (Shelby County Common) Pleas Court that's processing the felony is doing a fantastic job dealing with all the hurdles to get through to the finish line." Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage Rocubert has appealed the refusal to dismiss the felony charges against him. On Aug. 9, the State of Ohio requested the case be placed on an accelerated calendar. But even that decision is tied up in litigation, after the appeal was denied when Rocubert failed to file a brief in support of his motion by deadline. He's now submitted a motion opposing the motion to dismiss his appeal. "We are not done here, but face risks and an uphill battle," Hahn said. "Please pray that justice will prevail in the felony court and for the higher level prosecutors to continue to hear our case in the appropriate manner in memory of our angels and protect those who could be impacted in the future by people like Rocubert on our roads." Hahn would like to thank Prosecutor Sell and Victim Advocate Cindy Smith. "There's a lot of good people out there trying to make a difference for people like us," he said. "I can't thank them enough for being who they are." Contact reporter Patricia Alvord at palvord@livingstondaily.com. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Truck driver in fatal December crash faces first sentence A Providence-Swedish nurse was hailed as a hero Thursday morning for her efforts to save a member of the Washington National Guard. Registered Nurse Megan Williams sprung into action over the summer along Interstate 90 to save two guardsmen who were involved in a severe collision in a military vehicle. A special ceremony was held where state National Guard members saluted her for saving 27-year-old Specialist Shaun Peterson. Williams says she was a traveling nurse before she ended her nomadic ways with a job at Providence-Swedish Medical Center. After six months on the job, she was instrumental in saving a life, which is not uncommon for nurses, but the effort happened well outside the walls of the hospital, according to Williams and the National Guard. I had a couple of contracts fall through in different states and I was kind of scrambling. I had never been to Seattle before I came here and I ended up just falling in love with it, said Williams. The chief nursing officer for the hospital, Debbie Gist, started the early morning ceremony. Were here to honor one of our own, Megan Williams, said Gist. I was just the right person at the right time with a certain skill set, William said, describing the incident from her perspective. Williams was headed east on Interstate 90 to go hike the Enchantments on July 14 as she got to know our region during the early months of her tenure at the hospital. But before she got to her trails, she found a military vehicle crashed into an overpass on the side of I-90 near Easton between Snoqualmie and Cle Elum. According to a news release from Providence-Swedish, Williams approached and realized the military vehicle had overturned into the side of a bridge. While slowing down, she saw the driver of the vehicle get out and run to the passenger side. Seeing that, Williams realized someone might be unconscious and hurt, and that they could be trapped in the truck and needed help. She pulled over to assist however she could. She had previously done trauma procedures, so she stopped, crawled through the smashed vehicle, treated the driver, and used a seatbelt as a tourniquet on Peterson. Im happy to hear that hes going to make a full recovery. That was definitely not the initial prognosis on that day, said Williams. From the side of the highway, she even convinced 911 dispatchers to send an airlift for Peterson an airlift that very likely saved his life. Its why the National Guard was out early Thursday morning to honor Williams for her service, and put her on the phone with the specialist. It was an amazing full circle moment to be able to speak to him, said Williams. During the phone call, she knew that the specialist was able to talk and communicate and that he would make a full recovery. Officials with Providence-Swedish also said that Williams has spent most of her career as an operating room nurse for trauma patients. She is no stranger to remaining calm in the face of critical or gruesome injuries. Responding on her own to the I-90 crash wasnt the first incident outside of work where she had to jump in and help. The hospital said Williams had worked in North Carolina and happened to be at a mall in Charlotte during a shooting and treated gunshot wounds onsite. On Monday, she will join all other operating staff members as a full-time employee. A nomad no more, her roadside rescue has resulted in a life saved and a new work life for her, for which she is grateful. She also says what she did is something anyone from the hospital would have probably done if they happened upon a severe crash. It reaffirms the work that you do, (that) stopping was the right thing to do, and helping him was the right thing to do, said Williams. With all of that in her experience, she was prepared for the scene of the crash, keeping focus as she assessed the passenger for his injuries, and talked to incoming emergency responders for around two hours. She was able to crawl into the vehicle and assess that he would need helicopter transport to ensure he reached care in time to survive. Ive seen a lot of chaos, so working in a scenario like this doesnt bother me so much anymore, said Williams. If I was in that same situation, or it was my brother or friend, I hope the right person with the right skill set would see the accident and do the same thing. The largest health care strike was set off Wednesday, as more than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees across multiple states hit the picket line for better pay and staffing. Here are four things to know about the strike: 1. How long will the Kaiser Permanente strike last? Workers in California, as well as Colorado, Oregon and Washington, plan to strike until Saturday, according to the Associated Press. Employees are assembling with chants, bells and posters at three Sacramento-area hospitals: the Sacramento Medical Center in Arden Arcade, South Sacramento Medical Center and Roseville Medical Center. 2. With 75,000 healthcare workers, this is the biggest strike of its kind According to previous Bee reporting, labor experts said that the healthcare industry has never seen a strike this big before. Its so widespread, that leaders of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions said the Biden administrations labor advisors are monitoring it. The coalition said the strike is expected to run until 6 a.m. Saturday. 3. Kaiser employees want improved pay and staffing The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions and management negotiators are bargaining, attempting to resolve the issue of pay and staffing. The coalition represents about 88,000 employees, including clinical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, medical assistants and licensed vocational nurses. Were here to make sure that our members are aware but also the community is aware of the staffing crisis right now and the fight and struggle that were having in bargaining with our employer, Kaiser, Georgette Bradford, an ultrasound technologist at Kaiser Permanente told the media Tuesday at the Sacramento Medical Center. Employees are highlighting how staffing conditions are affecting them and their patients. 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, Jessica Cruz, a licensed vocational nurse at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center, told The Bee in a story published Monday. 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. 4. What Kaiser has to say and what this means for patients Kaiser issued a statement, confirming that its hospitals and emergency centers will remain open during the labor strikes. As a result of this strike, we may experience high call volumes resulting in longer than usual wait times. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience, the healthcare company said. The medical center will reach out to patients in the case that some non-urgent appointments and procedures may need to be rescheduled. It added that some facilities, such as pharmacies and labs, may be closed temporarily or will operate during limited hours. Patients can check online for the latest updates. The Bees Cathie Anderson contributed to this article. What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. Lori Vallows new public defender has filed an amended notice of appeal that seeks transcripts questioning her mental competency to stand trial earlier this year in the murders of her two children and her husbands former wife. An initial appeal was filed on 6 September just a month after the so-called Doomsday mom was sentenced to life in prison for the heinous killings. But that notice was suspended when the case was reassigned by the Office of the State Appellate Public Defender. Vallows new public defender Craig Durham listed 16 identical questions that he wants answered the first asking if Vallow, after spending 10 months in a mental hospital, was competent to stand trial? After a grueling weeks-long trial, Vallow was found guilty in May of killing her two children, seven-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan. Their bodies were found buried in the backyard of her husband Chad Daybell in Rexburg, Idaho. She was also found guilty of conspiring to kill her husbands former wife Tammy Daybell. Vallow married Daybell in November 2019 less than two weeks after his wife Tammy died of what was initially labeled as natural causes. Her body was later exhumed and it was determined she died of asphyxiation. Lori Vallow is seen in a mug shot taken after her sentencing in Idaho (Idaho Department of Corrections) The questions and issues raised in the new appeal are identical to the ones listed by Vallows former attorney Jim Archibald in the first appeal, but Mr Durham is more specific about requests for court transcripts. The attorneys claimed there were a number of issues during Vallows trial, many revolving around mental competency. They also questioned whether her right to a speedy trial was violated, and why the court denied the defenses request in November 2022 to send her back to a mental hospital. In the new appeal, Mr Durham asked for sealed mental health reports to be confidentially included in the clerks record. There are also several questions regarding the technical details of the conspiracy charges and alleged conspirators, and whether the sentencing court properly reviewed evidence and if it abused its discretion in handing down the three life sentences without parole. The case drew nationwide attention when Vallows children went missing in September 2019. Tylee Ryan and Joshua JJ Vallow (Family handout) While they were still unaccounted for, Vallow was on a beach in Hawaii marrying self-proclaimed religious leader Chad Daybell. Nine months later, the childrens bodies were found buried in Daybells backyard in June 2020. JJ, who had autism, had been smothered with a plastic bag taped over his face, his little body still dressed in a pair of red pyjamas. Tylees cause of death was impossible to establish as the teenagers dismembered, charred bones and body parts were found scattered in the ground on Daybells pet cemetery. Chad Daybell and wife Tammy Daybell (Facebook) Prosecutors in Idaho accused Vallow, Daybell and her brother Alex Cox of conspiring to kill people who were obstacles to Daybell and Vallows relationship. Both Vallow and Daybell were both charged with murder and conspiracy in the death of her children and conspiracy to kill Tammy, and after three years of delays and weeks of harrowing testimony, Vallow stood trial in April and May of 2023. Vallow was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Daybell, her fifth husband, is set to stand trial in April 2024. She still faces a conspiracy to murder charge in Arizona for the death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot dead by Vallows brother Alex Cox in Arizona in July 2019. She could also face charges in the attempted murder of Brandon Boudreaux, who was the husband of her niece. Louisiana has more judges per 100,000 residents than all but six states and Washington, D.C., according to an analysis by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, and the state has more judges overall than all but 12 states. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor published an audit of the states judiciary system in comparison to other states, looking at how many judges each state has, how they are elected or appointed, how their pay is determined and their retirement structures. The analysis showed that Louisiana had significantly more judges than states with a similar population. Unlike many other audits produced by the office, the report on Louisianas judicial system did not draw any conclusions about the comparisons or offer recommendations on ways to improve the system. In sending it to legislative leaders, Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack said the report was intended to provide timely information related to an area of interest to the legislature. Heres what the informational report showed: Louisianas 279 judges among the highest total in the country The Louisiana Legislative Auditors report looked at the states general jurisdiction trial or district courts, its intermediate appellate courts, and the Louisiana Supreme Court. Across those three levels, Louisianas judicial system has 279 judges or justices, which is the 13th-highest total in the nation. Per 100,000 residents, Louisiana has 6.1 judges or justices the eighth-most among all states and Washington, D.C. The analysis did not look at the caseloads of courts in the states. That total includes 219 general jurisdiction trial court judges, the 15th-highest total among all states. The state has 53 intermediate appellate judges, which is the seventh-highest total. Louisiana has seven justices on its supreme court, sometimes called a court of last resort, which is a common total for other states. In every state analyzed in the audit, the number of judges is determined by either the state constitution or a state law. In Louisiana, the number of justices on the supreme court is set by the constitution, while the number of judges at other levels is set by state law. Most states elect judges, similarly to Louisiana, though the exact process looks different in other states. Louisiana does partisan elections for judges at all three levels, one of only six states to do so. With the partisan election, candidates are required to commit to a political party or list no party on the ballot. Twenty-nine states do elections both partisan and non-partisan for the initial election of their general jurisdiction trial court judges, 21 do elections for intermediate appellate court judges, and 22 do elections for court of last resort justices. Around 47% of all state-level judges in the U.S. are decided by elections for their initial terms, the audit said. The other most common method for selecting judges is by the governors appointment, which is done by 15 states for general jurisdiction trial court judges, 16 for intermediate appellate court judges and 26 for supreme court justices. For additional terms, 70% of state judicial positions nationwide are decided by elections. How does Louisianas pay for judges compare to other states? Like 23 other states, Louisianas judicial salaries are set by a judicial compensation commission. In Louisiana, the commission recommends changes to the salaries to the legislature every two years. Louisiana, along with 28 other states, constitutionally protects judicial salaries from cuts. The salary commissions in 14 states, including Louisiana, operate in an advisory capacity, making recommendations related to judicial salaries to another body. In eight states, the decisions made by the commission are binding unless overridden by the legislature. About 24 states did not have a commission for judicial salaries. General jurisdiction trial court judges had a salary of $168,949 as of January, which ranks 27th among 55 states and territories. Adjusted for cost of living, the salary for these judges is about $173,795, ranking 17th. The pay for intermediate appellate court judges in Louisiana is about $175,797, ranking 27th. The salary for supreme court associate justices is about $187,914, which ranks 28th. Louisianas judges last got a raise in December of 2022, the report said. Louisiana is one of three states to offer supplemental pay for judges Louisianas judicial system is somewhat unique in that it offers judges supplemental pay something only three other states do. Each month, Louisianas judges receive about $950 from the Judges Supplemental Compensation Fund. The legislature set up the fund in 1985, and its used to pay certain administrative costs and additional retirement system contributions. The rest of the fund is divided among the states judges. The fund is made up of proceeds from civil filing fees, the audit said. The state expects to pay out about $6.2 million in supplemental pay during fiscal year 2024, the audit said, citing the Louisiana House Fiscal Division. The other two states that provide supplemental pay are Texas and Georgia, though both of those states fund the supplements at the local level rather than through the state. Georgia caps the total supplemental pay at $50,000, and Texas counties can pay courts of appeal judges up to $9,000 and district court judges up to $18,000. CONSIDER SUBSCRIBING TODAY: Help support journalists like William Taylor Potter This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana has more judges than most other states, legislative audit shows A 67-year-old man accused of hiding the firearms investigators believe was used in a September fatal shooting was indicted Tuesday by a Lubbock County grand jury on an evidence tampering charge. Phenix Burns, Jr., who is out on bond, is charged with tampering or fabricating evidence with intent to impair an investigation. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Burns was one of two people injured in a shooting about 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 in the 2600 block of Ivory Avenue. Lubbock police officers responding to a shots-fired call in the area found 49-year-old Levone Madden and 63-year-old Martha Maden suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken by ambulance to University Medical Center where Madden died. Investigators learned that a third person, Burns, also suffered gunshot wounds and was taken to the hospital by private vehicle, officials said. An initial investigation indicated Burns and Madden were socializing all day. However, in the evening, the two began arguing in the 2600 block of Ivory Avenue and the argument escalated and the men shot at each other, according to a police news release. Maden was struck during the cross fire and suffered a non-life threatening injury, according to a probable cause affidavit. At the hospital, Burns reportedly admitted to his involvement in the shooting. However, the document does not disclose what the two men argued about before they shot at each other. Evidence collected from the scene corroborated Burns' and witness statements that indicated two firearms were used. During his interview, Burns reportedly told detectives he took Madden's firearm out of fear someone else would pick up the weapon and shoot him with it. He said he hid both his weapon and Madden's weapon and refused to tell detectives where they were until he was released from the hospital. Detectives called Burns numerous times on Sunday after he was released from the hospital. Burns reportedly called the detectives and told them the two firearms were taken from behind the dumpster where he hid them. Jail records show Burns was released on bond the next day. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Man facing evidence tampering charge in fatal shooting A set of lawsuits has been filed against the Baton Rouge Police Department, some of its officers, and the city. These lawsuits reveal shocking allegations of physical abuse, torture, and sexual humiliation by police officers against Black individuals in custody. These lawsuits, obtained by Atlanta Black Star, were filed by Ternell Brown and Jeremy Lee in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. Jeremy Lee being held inside a warehouse in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo: Baton Rouge Police Department) Both complaints provide details of heinous abuse within a location referred to as the Brave Cave, which is described as a torture warehouse or black site. It was where certain Baton Rouge officers took detainees, cut off their communication with the outside world, denied them legal counsel, and then subjected them to physical beatings. Trending Today: The officers named in these suits include former officer Troy Lawrence, Jr., Matthew Wallace, Joseph Carboni, and Police Chief Murphy Paul. Browns suit also mentions an unnamed female officer. The suits claim that not only did the officers and top brass know about the warehouses use for detainee abuse, but they also made coordinated efforts to shield knowledge of its existence. In Jeremy Lees case, he recounts how Officers Lawrence and Wallace apprehended him without probable cause in January, brought him to the warehouse, and then subjected him to severe beatings, resulting in injuries that required hospital treatment. While in custody, all the officers involved turned off their body-worn cameras. They proceeded to handcuff Lee, force him to the ground, and humiliatingly removed his pants to search him. Both officers verbally abused Lee during this ordeal. When Lee asked why he was detained, Officer Wallace responded, Because I said so. After the unnecessary and illegal strip search, Lee was taken to the Brave Cave, where he was subjected to further physical abuse. Footage from the body camera shows officers restraining Lee on a paved street, and during their search, they pull down his pants. At a certain moment, one of the officers threatens to use force, saying, Im about to bat the living crap out of you, in an attempt to prevent Lee from resisting. Lee, in response, denies resisting and challenges the officer by saying, bat me then. There are striking similarities between Lees case and that of Ternell Brown. Brown, a grandmother, was also detained by Officers Lawrence and Wallace in June. Her complaint alleges an unjustified traffic stop, an illegal body cavity search, and an invasive examination by flashlight, all without any contraband or weapons found. Once officers were satisfied, they released her. She and her husband filed a complaint at the BRPD headquarters, where they were told that the officers had done nothing wrong and that her treatment was proper. Each lawsuit also details other unlawful detainments and beatings conducted by the same officers mentioned in the complaints and summarizes Officer Lawrences violent history. Before Lawrence resigned, he had reportedly been suspended from duty multiple times for numerous infractions involving violence with Baton Rouge citizens. One day after news of the Brave Cave became public, the Baton Rouge mayor shut the facility down, and Lawrence resigned on the same day. The FBI also opened a civil rights investigation to examine whether members of the police department abused their authority. Both Brown and Lee are demanding a trial by jury and seek compensatory and punitive damages. Read the original story here. China strongly dissatisfied with Europe's anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles: MOC spokesperson Xinhua) 10:49, October 05, 2023 BEIJING, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction over a decision by the European Commission to launch an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric passenger vehicles. "This countervailing duty investigation from Europe is based only on subjective assumptions about so-called subsidies and threats of damage. It lacks sufficient evidence to support it and is inconsistent with relevant WTO rules, and China is strongly dissatisfied with this," an MOC spokesperson said. The European side had required China to conduct consultations within a very short period of time but failed to provide "effective consultation materials," which hurt China's rights and interests, the spokesperson said. China urges the European side to use trade remedy measures prudently by proceeding from the big picture of maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains and the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, the spokesperson said. China also encourages deepened cooperation with Europe in the new energy industry, represented by electric vehicles, and the creation of a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable market environment for the common development of the China-EU electric vehicle industry, the spokesperson said. "China will pay close attention to Europe's follow-up investigation procedures and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," the spokesperson added. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Hongyu) Gabrielle Hanson, the MAGA-loving mayoral candidate whos become embroiled in controversy after controversy this year, has done it againthis time inserting screenshots of messages from a known white nationalist group into her own news release. Hanson, whos vying to become the mayor of Franklin, Tennessee, shared the messages in an attempt to prove that the Tennessee Active Clubrecognized as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centerwerent invited to provide security for her outside a mayoral forum on Monday. She claimed they instead showed up and acted on their own. But Hanson never condemned the neo-Nazis in her news release, nor did she ask them to not show up at future forums and events. Instead, she embedded three Telegram messages to a news release that did more to promote the hate group than it did to denounce it. BREAKING: Franklin candidate Gabrielle @HansonforMayor shares posts from hate group, saying her opponent is connected to Antifa. Among the groups messages that she shared: You dont want us showing up and remember there is no political solution. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/8vscH6nQEJ Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) October 4, 2023 The posts claimed the current Franklin mayor, Ken Moore, has connections to antifaa blanket term for a loosely affiliated network of anti-fascist groups that have battled right-wing demonstrators at various public gatherings over the past few yearsand that the group of white nationalists showed up to provide security for community members. Our group is not backing any political entity but is protecting the public from Antifa, the first message said. Remember there is no political solution. The other messages emphasized that the group showed up for free at our own expense and that theyll continue to pop up at municipal gatherings until Franklina wealthy suburb of Nashville thats famously home to scores of country musicians and their familiesis free of antifa. Hanson emphasized in her release that shes never been associated with a neo-Nazi group. She also took a shot at the local TV news reporter Phil Williamswhos been a thorn in Hansons sideby claiming he published a baseless hit piece for pointing out that white supremacists escorted Hanson and her husband inside Mondays forum. At a candidate forum in Franklin, Tennessee, where members of the white supremacist group Tennessee Active Club are here, saying they are providing security for Gabrielle @HansonforMayor. 1/ pic.twitter.com/Yi6x7dDsey Phil Williams (@NC5PhilWilliams) October 2, 2023 Others involved in Franklin politics quickly denounced the Active Clubs presence, including Moore and State Rep. Sam Whitson, but Hanson never did. In a News Channel 5 report, Williams said that masked neo-Nazis told reporters on Monday that they were just here to protect Gabrielle. One of the men working as security detail reportedly identified himself as Sean Kauffmann, who was described by the Stop Antisemitism watchdog group as being a disturbed neo-Nazi and Holocaust denier with a documented history of violence and a massive cache of firearms. He was reportedly spotted doing a Nazi salute outside a drag show in Cookeville, Tennessee, earlier this year. From Speedos to Spats: Is This the Nuttiest MAGA Candidate Yet? Hansons beef with Williams escalated last week. The reporters station was the first to reveal on Sept. 27 that Hansons husband once rocked an American flag Speedoand nothing else, save for a gold chain, glasses, and shoesto a Pride event in Chicago, with Hansons blessing. The report exposed her hypocrisy on LGBTQ issues, as shed earlier that year used her position as a city alderman to try to stop a local Pride festival because she feared itd bring out drag queens and scantily clad revelers she deemed a threat to innocent children. Later that day, drama broke out at a mayoral forum held inside a ritzy subdivisions clubhouse, with Hanson-supporting residents getting into a nastyand briefly physicalspat with Williams as he tried to enter the event with a cameraman. Heres the woman who swatted at @NC5PhilWilliams trying to prevent him from entering the mayoral debate pic.twitter.com/L4TuwVtfX6 Jared Sullivan (@JRSLLVN) September 28, 2023 One Hanson supporter was captured on video taking a swipe at Williams, which prompted a Franklin cop to scold the woman and say, Stop touching him or youre going to jail. After the event, Hanson didnt apologize for her supporters behavior, instead railing against Williams on Facebook and painting him as an agitator. A recording by a journalist at the event also captured Hanson telling someone, No Channel 5. They have to leave. Even prior to last weeks forum, Hanson routinely put herself in the center of drama. She claimed in May that Audrey Hale, the shooter who gunned down six before being killed by cops at The Covenant School, was in a love triangle with staffers there. Cops immediately shot that rumor down as false, but Hanson has still insisted her sources know the truth. Hanson has also been skewered for downplaying lynching and for opposing the addition of racial terror markers in Franklin. She was also criticized for bizarrely threatening to retaliate against the local airport for supporting a Juneteenth festival, and it was revealed in September that she was arrested in college for promoting prostitutioncharges she claimed publicly amounted to a simple misdemeanor, though Williams confirmed last week that they were actually felony charges. Whether Hansons laundry list of controversies will hurt her at the polls will be known soon, as Franklins mayoral election is slated to be held on Oct. 24. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. WELLS, Maine A local businessman could face time in prison now that he has pleaded guilty to his actions at the U.S. Capitol riots in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021. David Ball, 37, of Wells, pleaded guilty Tuesday, Oct. 3, in federal court to a single misdemeanor charge of knowingly and willingly entering the U.S. Capitol when he did not have permission. Specifically, Ball entered his plea on a charge of parading, demonstrating and picketing inside the Capitol. Ball is expected to be sentenced Jan. 9. This social-media photo help authorities confirm the presence of David Ball, of Wells, Maine, inside the U.S. Capitol on the day it was stormed by rioters on Jan. 6, 2021. The photo appears in the criminal complaint filed against Ball. According to the plea agreement he signed, he could serve a maximum of six months in prison and up to five years of probation as well as pay a fine up to $5,000. Other charges against Ball, related to disturbing the peace and attempting to impede government business, were dropped. As part of the plea arrangement, Ball acknowledged the riot at the Capitol caused nearly $3 million in damages to the Capitol, and he agreed to pay $500 in restitution to the architect of the historic governmental building. Previous story: Maine butcher who threw bow at police gets 7 years for U.S. Capitol riot Complaint: Ball was in crowd that confronted officers in the Capitol Filed in March, the criminal complaint against Ball includes photographs of him among hundreds of rioters who swarmed and broke into the Capitol as members of Congress worked to certify the results of the 2020 election. Before marching to the Capitol, rioters attended a rally at which then-President Donald Trump falsely stated the election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden, had been rigged against him. In the photos, Ball is seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and hat, both of which bear the name of Broken Glass Company, the business he owns on Post Road in Wells. Ball is seen talking and recording video on his cell phone and wandering inside the Capitol. A photo in the criminal complaint filed against David Ball, of Wells, Maine, shows Ball outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day rioters entered the building and disrupted Congress as it worked to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. (Credit: Provided) Balls actions on Jan. 6 are chronicled in a Statement of Offense, which he acknowledged as accurate and signed on Sept. 18. According to the document, Ball crossed onto Capitol grounds, wearing a Trump 2020 beanie and carrying a black flag depicting two shotguns and a skull, with the words, 2nd Amendment 1789 Americas Original Homeland Security. Ball entered the Capitol through the door to the Senate Wing after it had been kicked down by rioters minutes earlier. An alarm was blaring as he did so. Ball knew when he entered the Capitol building that he was not permitted to do so, the document reads. Ball also joined a crowd that was confronting a line of police officers who were trying to prevent the rioters from reaching farther inside the Capitol. Ball worked his way to the front of the crowd, chanting with others, pumping a fist in the air, and recording the confrontation on his cell phone, according to the Statement of Offense. The crowd surged past the police and gained access to elsewhere in the Capitol, including the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. According to the court document, Ball remained in the crypt of the Capitol and its nearby hallways. In all, Ball was inside the Capitol for approximately 18 minutes. Landmark case: How a hotel in Wells, Maine, sparked a US Supreme Court battle over ADA enforcement How investigators identified Ball at the Capitol According to the criminal complaint, federal authorities began investigating Ball in February 2021, after an anonymous tipster reported Ball was among the rioters at the Capitol the month before. In April 2021, a second tipster provided authorities with photos allegedly showing Ball at the Capitol. The images were unclear, however, and the figure in them could not be verified as Ball. A photo in the criminal complaint filed against David Ball, of Wells, Maine, shows Ball inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the day rioters entered the building and disrupted Congress as it worked to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Authorities received more photos from a credible and reliable source in March 2022, and those were clearer, showing an individual wearing clothing with Broken Glass Company on it. Using photos posted on social media, authorities were able to confirm Ball as the person in the pictures. Using the photos, investigators watched security footage from Jan. 6 and located Ball and tracked his movements over the 18 minutes he was inside the building. Authorities arrested Ball on March 23. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wells man pleads guilty for actions during Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol KANSAS CITY, Mo. Major concerts this summer at Arrowhead Stadium made a big impact on Kansas Citys economy. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said four shows brought in over $80 million in economic impact. Travis Kelce says NFL is overdoing it with Taylor Swift coverage Lucas said the estimates are great for Kansas City venues, workers, businesses and taxpayers. The $80 million is the result of Taylor Swifts The Eras Tour, Beyonces Renaissance World Tour, Ed Sheerans The += Tour, and Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks Two Icons, One Night Tour. Swifts two shows in July at Arrowhead Stadium resulted in a whopping $47.8 million in economic impact, according to the mayor. Meanwhile, Beyonces Renaissance tour finale held just last weekend in Kansas City brought in $16 million. Beyonce announces film at Kansas City Renaissance World Tour stop Back in August, Ed Sheerans The += Tour, better known as The Mathematics Tour, drove in $9.6 million for Kansas City. That same month, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Bill Joel and Stevie Nicks came to Arrowhead Stadium, resulting in $7.2 million in economic impact. Concerts at Arrowhead are over for the year as colder weather moves into Kansas City, but the Chiefs are already planning to host country star Morgan Wallen and more in 2024. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Fresno County Sheriffs deputy Michael Sasso testified Wednesday that it didnt take long to discover that the unassuming two-story home on East Tulare Avenue was the scene of a grisly murder. Summoned to the home by a 911 call on Jan. 6, 2022, Sasso was directed to the front yard by a Fresno Police Department sergeant. On the spacious lawn, wrapped in a tarp-like fabric was the lifeless body of 90-year-old Mel Abdelaziz. Sasso said Abdelaziz had severe injuries and dry blood on his face. As additional deputies arrived, Sasso entered the home where they would make another shocking discovery: the bruised and bloody body of 58-year-old Melba Abdelaziz, Mel Abdelazizs daughter. Deputies followed a trail of smeared blood, and found her in the bathtub, clothed in just her underwear. The suspect in the murders was Melba Abdelazizs son, Rahmad Kerel Parke, 27. Parke was on the run for nine days before being arrested in Southern California and returned to Fresno County where he was charged with double homicide with special circumstances. If convicted, Parke could face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Parke is being represented at his preliminary hearing by Deidra Adams and Scott Baly. Judge Brian Alvarez has the task of determining if there is enough evidence to move the case forward to a jury trial. Also testifying Wednesday was Jessica Martinez, a crime scene specialist with the Fresno County Sheriffs Office, and Dr. Angellee Chen, a forensic pathologist who formerly worked in Fresno County. Martinez, who was responsible for photographing the bodies, testified that both victims were covered in bruises and blood. Melba Abdelaziz had multiple lacerations around her face, head and shoulders. Martinez was also asked to photograph a piece of wood that detectives believe was used to kill Melba. A pair of scissors were also found near the grandfathers body and allegedly used in the attack. Mel Abdelaziz also had bruising to the left side of his face, bruising to his chest, and puncture wounds to his right arm, wrist and hand. The autopsy revealed Melba Abdelaziz died from blunt force trauma, Chen testified. A wooden chair leg was likely the murder weapon, she said. On the back of her head was a large laceration with lots of hemorrhaging underneath the scalp, she testified. Chen determined Mel Abdelaziz died from blunt force trauma to his neck and head with a contributing factor being his advanced heart disease. Chen also said it is possible he was strangled as well. The preliminary hearing continues Thursday in Dept. 50. A Webster man has been accused of recording people while in a bathroom at a Webster business. Christopher Murray, 28, was charged with two counts of second-degree unlawful surveillance and two counts of tampering with physical evidence, all felonies, in connection with two incidents at the same business, according to a news release from Webster Police. Webster Town Court documents show that police were called to Lowe's on Five Mile Line Road in Webster around noon on Sept. 27. While at the store, Murray is accused of using his cell phone to record a man and his young son while inside a closed stall within the restroom, according to court documents. Police later identified a second victim - where Murray is accused of secretly recording someone in a public restroom at the same business on Aug. 14, court documents allege. Police said that Murray was a customer of the business. Police are further investigating and working with the business to determine whether others were recorded, the news release said. Murray is also accused of attempting to delete videos linked to the incidents from his phone, according to court documents. Murray was arraigned in Webster Town Court last week and was released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court at on Oct. 11. Additional charges are pending. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Man accused of recording people in restroom of Lowe's in Webster NY A Burlington man who allegedly threatened to have placed a bomb inside a vehicle at a Bellingham car dealership and to shoot people leaving the business in late March has been arrested and charged in the incident. Martin Francis Jorgensen, 65, was charged Aug. 11 in Whatcom County Superior Court with one count of felony harassment and one count of threats to bomb or injure property. He was issued a summons to appear for a Sept. 1. court hearing. Jorgensen did not appear at the hearing and a warrant for his arrest with a $7,500 bail was issued the same day, according to court records. Whatcom County Senior Deputy Public Defender Jane Boman filed a motion Sept. 27 requesting the warrant for Jorgensens arrest be quashed. A first appearance and warrant quash hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 3. Details from the court hearing were not immediately available. Jorgensen was then booked into the Whatcom County Jail shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday, and was released roughly 30 minutes later, according to jail records. The Bellingham Herald has reached out to Jorgensens defense attorney for more information. Clearly agitated On March 28, Bellingham police responded to the Bellingham Ford Lincoln car dealership in the 1800 block of James Street for the report of a customer who was making threats toward an employee. Employees told Bellingham police that a man, later identified as Jorgensen, had come to the dealership in an attempt to pick up his vehicle after he had been refused service. While at the dealership, Jorgensen allegedly made threats toward an employees family and said he would come for them. The employee told police they did not believe or fear that Jorgensen would act on the threats to their family, according to court records. While leaving the dealership, Jorgensen allegedly threw coffee at a wall and trash out of his vehicle window. Bellingham police then called a phone number associated with Jorgensen. An officer stated that Jorgensen was clearly agitated while speaking on the phone. Jorgensen allegedly made additional threats during the phone call with the officer, including making specific references to killing people with a firearm and killing himself, the court records state. Roughly an hour later, Bellingham police were called to the car dealership again, as employees had made another 911 call regarding Jorgensen. An employee told Bellingham police that Jorgensen had called the business and left a voicemail stating he had planted a bomb in a vehicle and made threats to shoot up the business, according to court records. Threats continue In the voicemail, Jorgensen allegedly stated multiple times that he would shoot people leaving the car dealership with a high-powered rifle and that he was actively watching the premises from the hills. Jorgensen also said he had put a bomb inside of a vehicle on the property, the records state. Jorgensens alleged threats were recorded in the voicemail, documents state. The dealership employee told Bellingham police he was concerned with the new threats from Jorgensen and that he was worried for the safety of the staff, patrons, the dealership and himself. The officer told the employee about the previous conversation they had with Jorgensen. The officer told the employee that Jorgensen appeared to be suffering from behavioral health issues, and to keep watch in case any suspicious activity does occur, or (Jorgensen) returns to the property, according to court records. Probable cause was developed at the time to arrest Jorgensen for threatening to kill anyone in the area of the car dealership and for making a bomb threat, court documents state. When asked Tuesday whether Bellingham Polices bomb squad responded to the Bellingham Ford Lincoln dealership or whether a check for explosive devices was done, Bellingham police Lt. Claudia Murphy did not respond. Authorities have arrested a suspect who allegedly strangled and attempted to abduct a University of Virginia student on Wednesday after an extensive search that lasted overnight. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old James Allen of Suffolk, Virginia, faces felony charges in the state for abduction and strangulation, Charlottesville police said after his arrest Thursday afternoon. Allen allegedly fled the scene of a car crash near the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville on Wednesday night, where responding officers found a female student who reported that a man had strangled and abducted her, according to Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis. Officers initially responded around 9:40 p.m. to a call reporting "a disorder," in an area just off school grounds, which "resulted in multiple vehicles and trees being struck by a suspect vehicle," Kochis said at a news conference. The student was treated for injuries at the University of Virginia Medical Center, and her condition was stable as of Thursday, according to police. They do not believe the suspect and the student knew each other prior to the alleged abduction. UPDATE: At approximately 12:11 p.m., James Robert Allen was taken into custody. Charlottesville Police Department (CPD) will be holding media availability with Chief Kochis at 1:30 p.m. to provide an update to the investigation in front of the CPD. https://t.co/a7h8ELcj3A Charlottesville Police Department (@cvillepolice) October 5, 2023 Charlottesville police partnered with state and federal law enforcement agencies and used air support as well as police K-9s to search for Allen, after identifying him as a suspect early on in the investigation, Kochis said, noting that the Virginia State Police, U.S. Marshals Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation were all involved. He thanked members of the public for the flood of attention paid to a Facebook post shared to the Charlottesville Police Department's page late Wednesday, which identified Allen and asked for help locating him. Kochis declined to share details about the vehicle incident on Wednesday night or how the suspect was eventually found on Thursday afternoon. The police chief said Allen was arrested just after 12 p.m. in Louisa County, which is about 40 miles from the University of Virginia. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Powerball jackpot rises to estimated $1.4 billion No injuries after FedEx plane crash lands in Tennessee NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) More than eight months after a North Carolina man was killed in East Nashville, authorities made an arrest using cell phone data analysis and DNA science. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the body of 30-year-old Jamal Moore who reportedly owned short-term rentals in Nashville and North Carolina was discovered by a passerby in a grassy area in the 800 block of Cherokee Avenue, across the street from the condo he owned, on Jan. 28. FEBRUARY 2023 | Hopeless: Family seeks answers in deadly East Nashville stabbing Moore had a stab wound to his neck, as well as blunt force injuries consistent with being run over by a vehicle, officials said. Shortly after Moore was found, police said they recovered a white SUV that appeared to have blood on its exterior at a storage facility in the 1800 block of Gallatin Avenue. That vehicle was linked back to Moore. Jordan Christopher Thompson (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) APRIL 2023 | Autopsy reveals new details about January stabbing in East Nashville Over the course of the months-long investigation, authorities said they determined Moore met Jordan Christopher Thompson through a social networking app on Jan. 27. The two allegedly met in person at Cleveland Park and traveled in Moores car to Cherokee Avenue, where Moore was killed. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com On Wednesday, Oct. 4, police announced Thompson, 23, was taken into custody on a criminal homicide charge. A judicial commissioner reportedly ordered that Thompson be held without bond, pending a hearing. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A man who prosecutors in Philadelphia say was captured on video vandalizing a womans car, pointing a gun and head-butting her has been arrested. Cody Heron, 26, is charged with possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person and aggravated assault, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office said. Heron is accused of assaulting a woman and her two children after the woman's car was hit on the driver's side Sunday night near City Hall, prosecutors said. He was among a large group of ATV, motorcycle and dirt-bike riders in the area, officials say. motorcycle assault incident crime philadelphia (@vortex.hz via NBC Philadelphia) Video of the incident captured a rider kicking in the rear windshield of the womans car, spraying shattered glass all over the two children, ages 2 and 5, in the back seat, according to prosecutors. A firearm can be seen falling from the defendants waistband before he retrieves the weapon and threatens the victim with it after she confronts him on the street," the DA said. "Heron head butts her during the confrontation before returning to his vehicle and fleeing the scene. It was not immediately clear Wednesday whether Heron had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. gun weapon motorcycle assault (Philadelphia District Attorney's Office) Nikki Bullock, 23, said Tuesday she was the woman in the video who confronted Heron after he smashed the cars windshield. Bullock said she was working for Uber Eats and didnt back down from the motorcyclist to protect her children. Im glad my kids are OK. Im glad nobody got hurt, Bullock said. It could have gone way worse than it did. Im just glad that video is not me dying on the internet. A witness who was visiting Philadelphia from Florida shot the video from a double-decker tour bus, according to NBC Philadelphia. Herons relatives could not be reached for comment Wednesday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A man arrested for bringing a handgun into the Wisconsin Capitol building returned later that day armed with an assault rifle after being released on bail, the Associated Press reported. He was initially taken into custody after approaching the office of Gov. Tony Evers (D) while shirtless and openly carrying a firearm Wednesday afternoon, according to Wisconsin Department of Administration Communications Director Tatyana Warrick. After leaving Dane County Jail on bail, the man returned to the Capitol carrying a loaded assault rifle and again demanded to see the governor before being taken into custody again. I never, ever talk about what my security detail does or what theyre planning on doing, Evers told reporters. But anytime something like this happens, obviously they re-evaluate. Read it at Associated Press Read more at The Daily Beast. The man charged with murder in the 1997 death of his estranged wife in Yonkers has been excluded by forensic testing as the source of DNA found on the T-shirt the victim was wearing. That revelation was made Thursday in Westchester County Court by the lawyer for Rafael Ramos, who was indicted this year in the cold case slaying of Nusinaida Ramos. And the prosecution's case may face a further setback after Westchester County Judge George Fufidio said he had concerns about how the case was presented to the grand jury in the spring. Earlier: Judge sets bail for man accused of killing wife in Yonkers in 1997 Fufidio said he was weighing dismissal of the indictment but would give Assistant District Attorney Daniel Flecha time to address his concerns, which the judge expects to lay out in a letter to prosecutors next week. Rafael Ramos, charged with second-degree murder in March 9, 1997, killing of his estranged wife Nusinaida Ramos in her Yonkers apartment He did not detail what the issues were. Defense lawyer Lynda Visco had argued in court papers that the grand jury minutes were full of instances when prosecutors relied on hearsay testimony. Prosecutors in June obtained the indictment charging Ramos with second-degree murder without waiting to secure his DNA and test it against the evidence found on the T-shirt. The so-called touch DNA was known through advanced testing in the past year to have come from a man. A second T-shirt that was around the victim's neck that prosecutors suspect was used to strangle her had blood on it that matched only the victim's DNA. The T-shirt was recovered March 10, 1997, the day the body of Nusinaida Ramos was found in the Colin Street apartment she shared with the couples two young kids. Nusinaida Ramos in an undated photo. The 34-year-old mother of two young children was killed in her Colin Street home in Yonkers on March 9, 1997. Her estranged husband, Rafael Ramos, was charged with second-degree murder on June 14, 2023. She was believed to have been killed there the previous day. According to Yonkers detectives, Rafael Ramos acknowledged at the time that he had briefly been in the apartment with her on March 9 when he went to pick up the kids but insisted he had not harmed her. Previously: Rafael Ramos account of the day estranged wife was killed detailed in statement to police A spokeswoman for the Westchester District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the DNA results. Rafael Ramos, a former state correction officer who lives in Sleepy Hollow, has been free on $1 million bond since the summer. Fufidio on Thursday allowed him to have the electronic monitoring anklet hed worn for two months removed. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Yonkers NY murder: Suspect excluded by testing as DNA source on shirt With both men previously convicted of her murder now released from prison, is the 1974 death of Edmond liquor store clerk Carolyn Sue Rogers now considered a cold case homicide? State prosecutors and law enforcement officials are inclined to disagree with supporters of the two former inmates, as expected, but the reasons why are different. Do officials consider Rogers' case 'unresolved'? Not exactly. Definitions vary depending on which agency you ask, but a cold case is generally understood to be a crime that has not been fully resolved and is not the subject of an active investigation. At first glance, the murder of Carolyn Rogers might sound like it fits the category, given that one of the convictions in her case has been overturned and serious questions still remain about what actually happened the night of her death. But the central issue regarding a cold case status is that neither of the two men convicted of Rogers' murder have actually been found innocent. Glynn Simmons, a former death row inmate recently released after 48 years in prison, hugs his cousin, Cecilia Hawthorne, at a press conference in September in front of the Oklahoma County Courthouse. On Dec. 30, 1974, witnesses said Rogers was shot and killed while two men were robbing an Edmond liquor store. In 1975, Glynn Simmons and Don Roberts were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death row, but were later given life sentences. In 2008, Roberts was released on parole, and earlier this year, Simmons' life sentence was vacated and his case dismissed. More: Man freed after 48 years in Oklahoma prison seeks reform, compensation But both men maintain they are innocent of the murder, with Simmons saying he was in Louisiana and Roberts saying he was in Texas at the time of the crime. A spokeswoman for Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna noted that the dismissal of the case against Simmons does not equal exoneration, since the DA only said prosecutors could not prove the case against Simmons "beyond a reasonable doubt" and an eyewitness would not recant her testimony. And though Roberts was paroled 15 years ago, his conviction still stands, the DA's office said. If one conviction was overturned, could the other man seek innocence? Don Roberts waits for a court hearing on the Glynn Simmons case in April at the Oklahoma County Courthouse. Criminologist Amanda Newland-Davis, co-founder of the nonprofit Oklahoma Cold Cases Inc., said her organization would consider Rogers' murder a cold case. If Simmons and Roberts were convicted together, and then one was freed after evidence could no longer convict him, she said, then the other man could make the same case. "It's the same evidence, or lack thereof, then it has to be true for him as well. And we would consider that a cold case," Newland-Davis said. But various obstacles remain before it can be officially reclassified as a cold case, and even if it is, police would need to investigate if anyone else could be accountable for Rogers' death. Police will probably tell you: (Roberts and Simmons) are our guys, we got the bad guys, this is not a cold case, this is a closed case," she said. "That happens more often than not. Emily Ward, a spokeswoman with Edmond police, clarified that the department uses the term inactive, rather than cold case, when referring to unsolved crimes with no further leads. But in Rogers' murder case, she said Roberts conviction still stands and that the case is closed by adult arrest. Cold cases don't have active leads, but lawyers say there are unexplored angles Attorney Joe Norwood speaks about Glynn Simmons, a former death row inmate recently released after 48 years in prison, who saw his murder case dismissed. Simmons held a news conference with his attorneys on Sept. 20 outside the Oklahoma County Courthouse. Simmons' legal team, including attorneys Joe Norwood and John Coyle, believe Rogers' murder might qualify as a cold case. Coyle said he believes its been one ever since the two men were wrongfully imprisoned, while Norwood questioned if authorities could move forward with the Rogers' case after so much time has passed. But for cold cases, law enforcement agencies are usually still hopeful for new information, either from new witness testimony, new evidence or new activities from a possible suspect. In the case of the 1974 liquor store murder, however, Norwood says such expectations might be too high. "It's so late, almost 50 years after the fact," Norwood said. "Evidence has gone stale. Witnesses are dead or not cooperative. It'd just be almost impossible to get it done." A cold case also means there are no more investigative leads to follow. But Norwood and Coyle claim a review of records showed an eyewitness identified four other individuals in several different lineup procedures during the initial investigation. More: Lawmakers to study possible moratorium on death penalty They also allege that Leonard and Delbert Patterson, who had been arrested in February 1975 in connection with two other killings, could have committed Rogers' murder as well. Coyle believes the Patterson brothers should at least be considered persons of interest by police, but it is unknown if there will be any attempt to pursue another investigation. Norwood is not optimistic. To him, the people actually involved in the fatal robbery that took Rogers' life might never be held accountable. "There's so many levels at how unjust these wrongful convictions are, because it devastates the victims and their families, and it devastates the people that were wrongfully convicted and their families," Norwood said. "That's why it's so important to get it right and not jump to conclusions." Glynn Simmons, Oklahoma's 11th death row survivor, attends a meeting held by anti-death penalty advocates in September at First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Glynn Simmons' murder conviction was vacated. Is it now a cold case? UPDATE: A man who died after a stabbing in Dayton early Wednesday has been identified. David Chaffin, 36, was identified by the Montgomery County Coroners Office as the man who died in the stabbing. Around 12:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to 1000 Jordan Avenue on report of a stabbing, according to Dayton Police Lt. Steven Bauer. >> Previous Coverage: 1 hospitalized following stabbing in Dayton Upon their arrival in the area officers located Chaffin. He was taken to Miami Valley Hospital where he was pronounced dead around 1:50 a.m. >> 1 killed, Preble County man seriously hurt, after job site crash in Butler County A suspect has been arrested in the case, but police have not released their identity. Homicide detectives responded to the scene and are currently investigating the incident. We will continue following this story. MADISON A 43-year-old Madison man demanded to see Gov. Tony Evers at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Wednesday afternoon and returned later with an assault rifle after posting bail, according to state officials. Evers told reporters Thursday he was unharmed and had confidence in the state Capitol police would continue to keep him safe. "I'm OK. To their credit, the Capitol police took control of the situation and so it's over, but yeah, it's always something, that is, things you don't want to see happen, but that's why we have good people in the police departments, in the Capitol police and the State Patrol," Evers told reporters. "They're doing their great work." On Wednesday afternoon, Joshua Pleasnick, who police say goes by "Taco," arrived at the state Capitol shirtless, with a leashed dog and wearing a holstered handgun, according to information on the incident provided to lawmakers and obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "While being interviewed Pleasnick said he would continue coming to the Capitol until he spoke to the Governor about domestic abuse towards men," the report said. "Pleasnick stated he did not own a vehicle and it is likely he has access to a large amount of weapons and is comfortable using them." "Use extreme caution when in contact with Pleasnick. He should be considered armed," Capitol police officials told lawmakers in an alert. Pleasnick was arrested after approaching the security desk outside of Evers' office inside the state Capitol, Department of Administration spokeswoman Tatyana Warrick told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He said he would not leave until he saw Evers. Police arrested the man for openly carrying a firearm inside the Capitol building, which is a violation of state law. Pleasnick returned to the state Capitol about 9 p.m. with an assault-style rifle after posting bail at the Dane County Jail. He demanded to see the governor again and was again taken into custody. Lawmakers were not notified of either incident until Thursday morning. The Evers administration initially refused to supply information to the Journal Sentinel early Thursday. "I was not notified, but it sounds like the Capitol Police did a fine job," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Thursday. Last year, Evers appeared on a target list of a man accused of fatally shooting a retired county judge. The so-called "hit list" was found in the suspect's vehicle with names that included Evers, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Jessie Opoien of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man seeking Gov. Tony Evers arrested in Capitol, returns with rifle A man who attempted to break into Windsor Castle to assassinate the late Queen Elizabeth II on Christmas Day 2021 with a loaded crossbow has been sentenced to nine years in prison for treason. According to Sky News, the court heard that Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, was persuaded by his artificial intelligence chatbot girlfriend Sarai and imagined he was in a Star Wars plot line. Prosecutors claimed that Chail, whose family is of Indian Sikh heritage, formulated his plan in response to the Amritsar massacre of 1919. He had applied for jobs within the Ministry of Defence Police, the British Army, the Grenadier Guards, the Royal Marines, and the Royal Navy to get near the Royal Family. Under the Mental Health Act, Chail will continue his stay at a psychiatric hospital but will later be jailed after receiving treatment. He is the first person in the U.K. to be convicted of treason since 1981 when Marcus Sarjeant fired blank shots at the former queen during a parade. In a televised sentencing, Judge Nicholas Hilliard asserted that Chail had acted on homicidal thoughts before he became psychotic. Read it at Sky News Read more at The Daily Beast. SAN DIEGO A San Diego man pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to distributing the fentanyl-laced pills that killed a Poway teenager earlier this year. Jose Daniel Ramirez, 20, admitted to selling the pills, which were disguised as oxycodone, to the the 19-year-old hours before their death on Jan. 3, the office of acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden said in a release. Special agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administrations Overdose Response Team led the investigation into the death of the teen, referred to in court as K.W.P, along with the San Diego Sheriffs Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). In the course of the investigation into the overdose, law enforcement discovered that Ramirez exchanged a series of text messages with K.W.P. to arrange the sale of 2 blues earlier that day, according to the U.S. Attorney. Then, after learning of K.W.P.s death, prosecutors say Ramirez continued to sell fentanyl by changing his phone number and informing clients of the new way to contact him. Todays experiment is tomorrows funeral: Local leaders talk fentanyl awareness, prevention It is outrageous that this defendant continued to sell fentanyl even after learning of their customers deaths, Haden said. Fentanyl deaths resulting from the actions of profits-seeking drug dealers will continue to be zealously prosecuted. On Feb. 8, Ramirez was arrested at his home by law enforcement for one charge for the distribution of fentanyl. According to SDSO, he was in the process of selling additional pills to an 18-year-old at the time of his arrest. A search warrant was carried out by law enforcement following Ramirezs arrest, prosecutors said. Investigators located two Glock handguns, over 250 rounds of ammunition, and about 2,6000 blue bills containing fentanyl along with cocaine and other drugs. Fentanyl kills indiscriminately, and the defendants callous and irresponsible disregard led to the tragic death of a teenager, Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego, said in a release. Overdoses due to fentanyl have dramatically increased this is unacceptable. Ramirez is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 3, 2024 at 9 a.m., according to Haden. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. A British man who broke into Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow and planned to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II has been handed a nine-year jail sentence. Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, was arrested on Christmas Day 2021 within the grounds of the royal residence, where the late monarch was staying during the pandemic. Chail was thought to have scaled the castles perimeter with a nylon rope ladder before he was detained. Wearing black clothes and a sinister metal mask, he told a police protection officer, I am here to kill the Queen, before being arrested. In February, Chail pleaded guilty to three charges, including treason and possession of an offensive weapon, at a hearing at Londons Old Bailey court. This undated photo, released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on February 3, shows the crossbow that Chail was carrying when he was arrested. - Crown Prosecution Service/AP Sentencing judge Justice Hilliard jailed him for nine years with a further five years on extended licence, the PA Media news agency reported Thursday. The defendant harbored homicidal thoughts which he acted on before he became psychotic, the judge said. His intention was not just to harm or alarm the sovereign but to kill her. Chail was sentenced under a hybrid order under the Mental Health Act, meaning he will serve his term at Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital until he is well enough to be transferred to prison, according to PA Media. The court heard that Chail was a Star Wars fan who described himself as a Sith in a video that he sent to about 20 people after breaching the castle grounds, and had been pushed to break into the castle by his AI chatbot girlfriend, the UK news agency reported. The mask which Chail was wearing when he was caught in the grounds of Windsor Castle, in a photo released by the CPS. - Crown Prosecution Service/AP The Old Bailey was also told that Chail wrote in a journal he tried to email his sister that if the sovereign was unobtainable he would have to go for the prince, an apparent reference to then-Prince Charles, as he seems to be just as suitable in many ways. British media reported that Chail was the first person in the UK to be convicted of treason in over 40 years. According to PA Media, Chail apologized to the royal family in a letter to the court, in which he expressed his distress and sadness. He is embarrassed and ashamed he brought such horrific and worrying times to their front door, his barrister Nadia Chbat said. He has expressed relief no one was actually hurt. Sign up for CNNs Royal News, a weekly dispatch bringing you the inside track on the royal family, what they are up to in public and whats happening behind palace walls. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An Atlanta-area man was sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to siphoning money from a Columbia County woman's bank account. Marqualdis Antwon Logan, 38, of Stone Mountain, was sentenced to more than four years in prison after pleading guilty to eight counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Logan to pay more than $272,000 in restitution and serve five years of supervised release after his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. A Columbia County woman and her daughter alerted their bank and the Columbia County Sheriffs Office in September 2020 when they noticed suspicious activity in their money market account, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The FBI determined a fraudulent online profile had gained access to the account and was cashing and depositing online checks into other bank accounts controlled by Logan and others. Logan wrote checks on the account totaling more than $500,000 and succeeded in depositing or cashing checks totaling $497,136, according to the release. The restitution represents the outstanding unrecovered funds, which Logan used for purchases and travel. He was arrested in November 2022 while traveling in the U.S. Virgin Islands. "Marqualdis Logans greed-driven scheme stole hundreds of thousands of dollars and damages the financial security of his innocent victims," said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. As part of the plea agreement, Logan admitted to his prior involvement in a scheme where he withdrew more than $100,000 from another victim's account by using identifying information stolen from the victims deceased husband, according to the release. Unreimbursed funds from that case, and from Logans receipt of $20,832 in funds from a fraudulently obtained COVID-19 small business relief loan, are calculated as part of his restitution. Augusta church scandal: House of Prayer leaders face contempt charges for failing to comply with investigation This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Man sentenced to prison for stealing from Columbia County woman An Oklahoma man thought an intruder was in his home when he grabbed a gun and shot the man in the back of his head, according to federal authorities. But the man would soon realize he had killed his uncle, prosecutors said. Now more than four years later, Bailey Warren Sparkman has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country, according to an Oct. 4 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma. In pleading guilty, the 23-year-old Cherokee citizen of Owasso faces up to eight years in federal prison. His defense attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News. Zachary Daniel Sparkman, 30, was fatally shot on March 18, 2019, according to the Tulsa World. Zachary and his nephew, Bailey, had been raised by Zacharys father, authorities said in court records. Sometime before the March 18, 2019, shooting, the uncle had been kicked out of the house. But the uncle still had a room and his belongings in the home, authorities said. The day of the shooting, Bailey Sparkman said he was home alone. Although I didnt know it at the time, Zachary had come to the house with his dog and had been in his room next to mine, according to his plea agreement. Zachary had been in the house for a couple of hours. When Bailey Sparkman went downstairs, he saw someone standing at the back door, authorities said. I grabbed the gun in my grandfathers room, his plea agreement said. I did not speak to that person or try to determine who was in the house. When I returned, the person had not moved and was still at the back door looking out, the statement continued. I shot him once in the back of the head, killing him. I then realized that it was Zachary. The mans sentencing date has not been scheduled as of Oct. 5. Owasso is about 15 miles northeast of Tulsa. Mom accidentally kills daughter while trying to shoot dog attacking kittens, feds say Wedding officiant fires gun to get attention and accidentally shoots grandson, cops say 3-year-old fatally shot in car after 5-year-old finds gun, North Carolina cops say A man remains hospitalized after being shot Wednesday night by a Columbus police officer at an apartment building on the 1600 block of Sullivan Avenue in the Hilltop neighborhood. A man remains hospitalized in critical condition after being shot by a Columbus police officer late Wednesday night. Police said the shooting occurred after the man struck an officer "in the face with a potential weapon in his hand." The shooting happened after police had been called around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday to an apartment building on the 1600 block of Sullivant Avenue in the Hilltop neighborhood. The initial call was for a man who seemed to be having a mental health crisis and had assaulted two people, police said. After speaking with people at the scene, officers determined the man had to be placed under arrest because of allegations of domestic violence, Sgt. Joseph Albert said in a release. Officers tried to speak to the man, who was inside an apartment with several other people, but the man refused to come outside. 80 Hours of Gun Violence in Columbus: A snapshot of a city under fire Albert said police continued to verbally try and get the man to come outside for several minutes before officers kicked the door open "in an attempt to take the male into custody and protect the individuals inside." As the officers began to enter the apartment, the "male assaulted an officer by striking him in the face with a potential weapon in his hand," Albert said. One officer on the scene fired multiple shots, Albert said. The man was struck at least one time. He was taken into custody and provided medical aid until paramedics arrived, Albert said. The man was then taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, Downtown, where he remained in critical condition as of early Thursday afternoon. Police have not identified the man or what the "potential weapon" was that was used. The officer involved has also not been identified. As is Columbus policy, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will lead the investigation into the shooting. The officer who fired will be placed on paid leave, per division policy. The Dispatch has requested body camera footage of the shooting from Columbus police. bbruner@dispatch.com @bethany_bruner This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Man shot by Columbus police after hitting officer with 'potential weapon' ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The St. Pete Police Department is investigating after a man was shot and killed in St. Pete on Wednesday. READ: Man wanted in connection to Wimauma murder stemming from domestic altercation: HCSO Officers responded to the 3900 block of 13 Ave. South at around noon on Wednesday for reports of a 36-year-old man being shot. They arrived to find Terrance Hill, 36, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was taken by ambulance to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg where he was pronounced dead. This is a developing story. Check back for details. An apparently unhoused man was arrested by the Folsom Police Department on suspicion of stabbing another man multiple times during an altercation involving a group of homeless people in a park over the weekend. The man has since been released from custody, authorities said. On Sunday night, a fracas broke out among a group of homeless people in Livermore Community Park, the Folsom Police Department wrote in a Facebook social media post. Detective Andrew Graham, a spokesperson for the department, declined to say how many people were in the group because the investigation is still ongoing. Several calls from area residents reported the victim walking on Riley Street near Oak Avenue Parkway wearing blood-spattered clothes Monday morning, the Facebook post said. A 26-year-old man, who was arrested initially on suspicion of stabbing a 57-year-old man who survived his injuries, was released from custody Wednesday, Sacramento County jail records show. The 26-year-old was initially booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, kidnapping and robbery, said Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman Sgt. Amar Gandhi. The man hasnt been criminally charged by the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office and was released from jail Wednesday. Inmates in California are generally released from jail if they havent been charged within 48 hours. The 57-year-old victim, who police said didnt have a permanent address in Folsom, has been released from the hospital, Graham said Wednesday. Rickey Edwards first case was a doozy. Edwards launched his legal career by representing a defendant accused of capital murder in a double homicide with a fairly damning set of facts. Wholly inexperienced in the law, Edwards was to craft the defense argument and parry prosecutors in a case in which the defendant handed his drivers license to the first police officer who arrived at the scene, then said his wife and her son were dead inside. How did he know, the officer asked the man outside the just-built house in Grand Prairie. I did it, he said. The man wore a tank top stained with what appeared to be blood. In Criminal District Court No. 2 in Tarrant County, the person faced with presenting to a jury those and other less-than-favorable-to-the-defense circumstances is the defendant himself. Edwards is this week clumsily representing himself at his trial on capital murder. Prosecutors allege that earlier on the day he killed Portia Williams-Edwards, 46, Edwards struck his wife on the forehead and threatened her during an argument. She telephoned her father and son to tell them of the assault. Her son drove to the 7000 block of Monet Lane and a house into which Williams-Edwards and her husband had just moved. Inside, Edwards fired 10 rounds from a Glock pistol into the body of his stepson, 28-year-old Kameion Kitchen, prosecutors allege, and he shot Williams-Edwards twice in the head. Mother and son fell beside each other. Their blood specked a wall and soaked into the laminate wood floor. Like most pro se defendants, Edwards often flounders in his evidence presentation and seems unfamiliar with the requirements of criminal procedure. At times his lines of questions of witnesses do not reach an evidentiary point. Judge Wayne Salvant has given the defendant wide latitude, though he has occasionally become irritated on the relevance of the defendants questions, particularly at bench conferences. At one point, Edwards questioned a witness on an exhibit that he had not offered for any purpose. At another, a district attorneys office employee was pressed into service to act as Edwards technology aide. >> BREAKING NEWS << Today's other top stories in Fort Worth: Thousands without power after Wednesday storms Carla Walker's 1974 murder: Her killer has died Ex-Fort Worth cop fights for compensation after prison Get free alerts when news breaks. Behind Edwards in the front row of the court gallery sit veteran attorneys Gary Smart and Brian Eppes, the standby counsel whose assistance the defendant has declined. When Edwards, who is 54, seems to believe he has led a witness to notch a substantive idea in support of the defense case, he emphasizes it by saying, for the record, and repeating the underwhelming revelation. When handed a state exhibit to review before it is admitted, Edwards often simply says, OK, rather than stating he has no legal objection. Salvant then confirms Edwards does not intend to object. During a confounding moment on Thursday, Salvant, Edwards and prosecutor Robert Huseman discussed the existence and relevance of metadata within crime scene photos. Everyone in this courtroom is confused about what the hell is going on right now, Huseman said as the trial was on the record but outside the presence of the jury. Rickey Edwards speaks to Judge Wayne Salvant during his trial on Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Criminal District Court No. 2 in Fort Worth. Edwards, accused of shooting to death Portia Williams-Edwards and Kameion Kitchen on May 3, 2020, in Grand Prairie, is representing himself. Edwards verbally sparred with his former father-in-law Billy Williams, who seemed perturbed on the witness stand. On direct examination, Williams was asked whether Edwards met Portia Williams when they were working at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport . Unfortunately, yes, he said. In a meandering opening statement, Edwards told the jury he loved his family and listed a series of circumstances and emotions but did not connect them or explain how they might legally justify a killing. COVID, isolation, anxiety, depression, stress, he said. He noted a mental illness stigma among Black people without making clear how that phenomenon was at play in his case. This is a case of domestic violence, rage and control, Huseman told the jury in an opening statement of the May 3, 2020, killings. Huseman, a deputy chief in the district attorneys office criminal division, is prosecuting the case with Assistant Criminal District Attorney Melinda Hogan. Two Tarrant County deputy medical examiners testified about their autopsies and described for jurors the recovery of bullet fragment from Williams-Edwards brain and skull and tracking the path bullets tore through Kitchens body. Dr. Richard Fries plunged a rod into a styrofoam head to demonstrate a projectiles trajectory in the visual aid. The case will continue Friday. The Manatee County Commission voted to cut back the governments environmental protections for local wetlands over the protests of hundreds of residents. After an extended debate on the issue, which saw dozens of residents concerned about conserving sensitive wetlands in the Bradenton area, the board voted 5-1 to reduce buffer requirements. Scientists predict the change will have a negative impact on local water quality, which in many cases already fails to meet state standards. Based on the new rules, developers will have more real estate to build homes and businesses along wetlands, generally described as marsh or swampland. A buffer between construction and wetlands is still required, but Thursdays vote cuts that buffer in half. County staff estimated the rule change would affect 66,000 pieces of land that contain some portion of wetlands. Right when we need to be doing more for our water quality, were going backwards, said Suncoast Waterkeeper chairman Rusty Chinnis, who was among speakers pleading with county leaders to reconsider. This is going to affect all of the citizens of Manatee County for decades and generations to come. County officials first began revising the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code, two documents that guide local development rules, earlier this year after the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association sent staffers a list of requested changes, the Bradenton Herald previously reported. The Manatee County Commission voted to cut back the governments environmental protections for local wetlands over the protests of hundreds of residents. An aerial photo shows development in northwest Bradenton on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Manatee: Buffer reduction restores property rights Speaking during Thursdays public Land Use Meeting, the commissioners in support of the change said they voted in favor of the rollbacks because it limits government regulation and restores property rights for landowners. It will cut the width of buffers required adjacent to environmentally sensitive coastal wetlands from 50 feet down to the states minimum requirements, which call for minimum buffer widths of 15 feet with a 25-foot average. Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge noted that this rule change could make it easier for everyday families to do things like install a pool, a basketball court or a mother-in-law suite because less space is required to be preserved. Dozens of residents protested the proposed changes to Manatee County's wetland buffers during a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. More than 2,300 signed an online petition against the change. Im confident these people have no idea what the impact of the buffers are until they show up for a permit, Van Ostenbridge said. Are they here? No, its a quiet majority. They assume the conservative majority is fighting for their private property rights. Commissioner James Satcher also downplayed the impact of the boards vote, arguing that wetland buffers will still be required under the countys development rules. He described the publics protest as sound and fury. They act like theres bulldozers lined up, said Satcher. The only question is can you put your pool 25 feet from the wetlands or 50 feet from the wetlands. And despite evidence and testimony to the contrary from noted wetland ecologists and other environmental experts, board members said they did not believe a larger buffer would make a meaningful difference in protecting wetlands. The bigger the buffer gets, the less youre benefiting from it, so is the juice worth the squeeze, right? Thats the ultimate question here, Van Ostenbridge said. Daniel DeLisi, a consultant hired by the county to rewrite Manatees wetland buffer rules, addresses the commission during a Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Public continues wetland buffer protests Of the dozens of speakers during public comment, only a handful of people, including local developer representative Jon Mast, spoke in favor of the countys proposed wetland buffer updates. Speaking publicly for the first time since the process began, Mast, the CEO of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, pitched the buffer reduction as a way to streamline development, saving time and money for developers and residents. Jon Mast, CEO of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, watches from the audience during a Manatee Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. This is a question of property rights, Mast said. Vote for property rights. He called protests to the changes hysterics of a vocal few. But one after another, local residents said they feared the countys changes would increase flooding, disturb sensitive environmental areas and lead to an increase in pollution runoff. The common people of this county deserve clean waters over the profit of developers, said Colin Curtis, a Palmetto fisherman. There is no draw to Florida without pristine water, added John Taylor, a Manatee County resident. Any action that leads to even a side step on water protection should be thrown out. We dont feel like theres a government taking of our property because we cant go in and bulldoze our mangroves, said Glenn Compton, chairman of local environmental advocacy group ManaSota88. We feel like there are rules and regulations that need to be followed for the benefit of the community and the environment. Abbey Tyrna, a wetland ecologist and executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper, gave a slide presentation highlighting the potential impacts of the rule changes, including repercussions beyond reduced buffer sizes. Suncoast Waterkeeper also gathered over 2,300 signatures in an online Save Our Wetlands petition opposing the buffer reduction. Tyrna argued the language changes will leave some wetlands that are not covered by state laws entirely unprotected. The countys current language protects all viable wetlands. Former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash addresses the board during a Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. If we remove the buffers on streams that are directly connected to Lake Manatee that is going to go right into those water courses that directly discharge into our drinking water, Tyrna said. Commissioner George Kruse was the only board member to vote against the buffer reduction. He said he didnt want to give away Manatee County Governments right to make its own decisions about whats best for the community. Under Florida law, wetland buffers must be at least 15 feet wide with a 25-foot average. However, the law allows local governments to go above and beyond that threshold. I dont want to mess up whats been successful, said Kruse. Public wetlands meeting turns rowdy Thursdays public meeting got off to a rocky start in the morning. Because most commissioners were at a local delegation meeting, Commissioner Mike Rahn began the meeting at 9 a.m. only to call an immediate 30-minute recess, prompting jeers from the audience. Members of the packed audience called out that they had taken off work to attend the meeting and criticized board members for the delay. Later, in an apparent violation of the boards code of decorum, Van Ostenbridge accused the people speaking out against the countys rule change of manufacturing their opposition because the board is entirely Republican. Dozens of residents protested the proposed changes to Manatee County's wetland buffers during a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. More than 2,300 signed an online petition against the change. Its become clear that we have radical climate activists who are pushing the Green New Deal and have brought a movement that is rooted in communism to Manatee County, Van Ostenbridge said during a five-minute tirade that also drew heckles from the crowd. Van Ostenbridges comments reflected recent online posts by an anonymously-operated website called Real Manatee County Conservatives. The posts have attempted to smear those opposing the wetland rule changes with unsubstantiated claims. These radicals are even using children as political pawns, Van Ostenbridge added, seemingly referring to 15-year-old Brice Claypoole whom the Bradenton Herald featured in a recent article. Speaking during public comment, Claypoole addressed Van Ostenbridges comments, reminding some board members that they previously said they admired his role in the community. Commissioner Rahn and Commissioner (Amanda) Ballard, you both told me you were inspired by my activism and glad to see local kids advocating for our future. Now Im being framed as a political pawn, Claypoole said. Im here because I really love our community and I really love our environment, said Claypoole, who submitted a letter signed by 100 children opposing the changes. What happens next? In closing comments, Commissioner Jason Bearden quoted Bible verses as his justification for what he described as a vote to restore stolen property rights before making a motion to approve the rule change. Rahn also said he trusted Floridas state standards to ensure that wetlands remain protected. Im a huge fan of protecting our environment, protecting our watersheds and doing the things we need to do to make sure our kids and grandkids have safe drinking water, Rahn said. Thursdays vote is one of the first steps in the process to reduce wetland buffer protections. The 5-1 vote, with Kruse in opposition, amended Manatee Countys Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Ray Turner was absent and did not cast a vote. The Land Development Code is expected to be updated in a similar fashion in the future. Commissioner James Satcher during a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Commissioner George Kruse sits between Commissioners James Satcher (left) and Mike Rahn (right) during a Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. The Manatee County Commission voted to cut back the governments environmental protections for local wetlands over the protests of hundreds of residents. An aerial photo shows development in northwest Bradenton on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said that an open Democratic primary would make President Biden a stronger candidate. When MSNBCs Joe Scarborough asked Manchin on Morning Joe if Biden was the best choice to beat former President Trump, he said that he didnt know who else was out there. He suggested that an open primary could benefit the sitting president, saying that he could learn from his opponents. Ive always been scared, because Ive always never been unopposed, he said. And that was always good. You know, let me tell you something, Ive learned from every race I was ever in. Ive learned from my opponents. I got something wrong. Ive always said, Ive never met the first person, is always wrong. The person running against me, I got knowledge from them. I could pick something, I could use it. [T]he thing about it would make Joe probably a stronger candidate, he added. Manchin has butted heads with Biden repeatedly over the past few years, including voting against a string of Biden nominees, including Jared Bernstein, to become Bidens top economic adviser, and several judicial nominees. He also delivered a blow to Bidens Build Back Better agenda in 2021 when he opposed spending levels proposed in the bill. Manchin has sparked some speculation of his own for 2024 as he has yet to announce whether he will seek reelection for his own Senate seat. He has repeatedly flirted with a third-party run for the White House, as he has kept close ties with political organization No Labels. There are only two prominent primary challengers to Biden in 2024: Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. However, Democrat Rep. Dean Phillips (Minn.) has not yet ruled out a primary challenge to Biden for next year. Phillips has been toying with a possible White House bid against Biden for months and has also reiterated the need for a competitive Democratic primary. Earlier this week, he stepped down from his Democratic leadership role, fueling speculation that he could make a last-minute entry into the race. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Democrat West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin called for a state of emergency at the southern border after the Biden administration resumed construction on the border wall. Manchin said a state of emergency is needed at the southern border on Thursday after President Biden's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would resume construction on the border wall started by former President Donald Trump . DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the move late Wednesday as the House's speaker fight takes center stage in the media, saying there is an "acute and immediate need" for the wall. MAYORKAS CITES IMMEDIATE NEED TO WAIVE REGULATIONS, BUILD BORDER WALL IN TEXAS AS IMMIGRATION SURGES Sen. Joe Manchin called for a state of emergency at the southern border after the Biden administration resumed construction on the border wall. "Far-left Democrats in Washington have to come to grips with the fact that we have to shut down the border," Manchin told Fox News Digital. "Similar to President Trump, the Biden administration should call a national emergency on the border because this crisis is impacting every corner of our country." "We must work together to create an immigration policy that gives people the chance to come here legally as well as strengthens our border security with additional Border Patrol agents, new technology and a border wall," Manchin continued. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In a Thursday "Morning Joe" interview, Manchin said there needs to be a wall along areas of the southern border that are being hit hard by the droves of illegal immigrants surging into America. Noting that Mayorkas is "good people" who he works with, the West Virginia senator said the Biden administration needs to declare a state of emergency at the southern border "and shut it down tight." "The administration, the president has to say, Enough is enough.' And what Trump did, he basically declared a state of emergency," Manchin said. "You have to build the wall. There's areas we need the wall, and there's areas where we need technology," the senator continued. The wall's construction is a broken promise for Biden, who railed against Trump's signature issue during the 2020 campaign and halted construction after taking the presidency. Mayorkas is citing an "acute and immediate need" to waive dozens of federal laws to build a border wall in south Texas where illegal migration has surged. The agency posted an announcement on the U.S. Federal Register that outlines construction in Starr County in the Rio Grande Valley Sector, where the administration says there is "high illegal entry." The agency says there have been over 245,000 migrant encounters in the sector this fiscal year. Mayorkas says he is using his authority provided by Congress to waive 26 federal laws, including the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act. "There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas pursuant to sections 102(a) and 102(b) of [the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996]," Mayorkas said. The administration had put a halt to new border wall construction in early 2021, after Biden had promised as a presidential candidate that there would "not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration." The administration said wall construction under the Trump administration was "just one example of the prior administrations misplaced priorities and failure to manage migration in a safe, orderly and humane way." However, the construction is funded by the fiscal year 2019 DHS appropriations bill, which specifically funded wall projects in the RGV Sector and which DHS is required to use for its appropriated purpose. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced plans for up to 20 miles of wall in the RGV Sector in June. The administration previously made moves to close gaps and replace gates and says such projects prioritize the completion of activities and projects to address life, safety and operational risks including the safety of individuals, Border Patrol agents and migrants. Fox News Digital's Adam Shaw contributed reporting. Original article source: Manchin says state of emergency needed at southern border as Biden admin resumes wall construction Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Thursday that the motion to vacate former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), leading to his ouster from House leadership, felt personal. This one seemed to be personal, like, thats all Im gonna say, Manchin said during an appearance on MSNBCs Morning Joe , adding that it was a shame to see the situation unfold the way it did. For some reason, it was personal. And I dont know all the ins and outs, but people that I know are very rational, very reasonable centrist, moderates, Democrats who would have naturally reached over and helped Kevin [McCarthy], he continued, referring to his colleagues in the lower chamber. There was a purpose and the reason they didnt do it. The West Virginia senator said were he in the House, he would have voted to help McCarthy keep the Speakers gavel, despite any personal grudges. I can only speak for myself; if I had been a House member, Id have been voting for Kevin McCarthy, Manchin added. Whether I was upset with him about anything personal, I would not let that interfere. Theres more to it than I know, so youd have to ask them, the senator said, adding, but for the sake of our country, we should have overlooked that. His remarks came two days after the House successfully voted on a motion to vacate the Speakership. The historic vote was brought on by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), as he and seven other Republican lawmakers joined their Democratic colleagues in a 216-210 vote to remove McCarthy from his leadership position. The eight Republican lawmakers that voted to oust McCarthy from the Speakership were Gaetz, Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Ken Buck (Colo.), Tim Burchett (Tenn.), Eli Crane (Ariz.), Bob Good (Va.), Nancy Mace (S.C.) and Matt Rosendale (Mont.). For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Chad Swanson, a Manhattan Beach police motorcycle officer, was killed in an on-duty traffic collision on the 405 Freeway. (Manhattan Beach Police Department) A Manhattan Beach police officer killed in a motorcycle crash on Wednesday was a survivor of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas who risked his life saving others during the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. Chad Swanson, 35 years old and a 13-year veteran of the department, was killed early Wednesday morning when he was involved in a crash on the 405 Freeway while riding his department-issued motorcycle, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department. Paramedics and law enforcement crowd the scene of the early-morning fatal crash on the 405 Freeway. (OnScene.TV) He is survived by his wife and three young sons. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. "He had an infectious smile and was always positive. He was simply a joy to work with every day," Manhattan Beach Police Lt. Kelly Benjamin said at a news conference Wednesday. "He personally was responsible for saving several lives and helping rescue victims out of that area." Swanson was a motorcycle officer since 2017 and had previously received a Medal of Valor award after helping save a burglar who had cut himself while punching through the window of a business, according to the Daily Breeze. On 10-4-23, at about 5:15am, Manhattan Beach Police Department Motorcycle Officer Chad Swanson was involved in a fatal on duty traffic collision on the 405 Freeway. pic.twitter.com/C3eZjNojHI Manhattan Beach PD (@manhattanbchpd) October 4, 2023 Swanson attended the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas in 2017 along with four other off-duty Manhattan Beach Police Department officers, including Rachael Parker, who was among the 58 killed in the shooting. Swanson risked his life saving others during the mayhem. As Stephen Paddock unloaded thousands of bullets on the people at the festival from a 32nd-floor suite at Mandalay Bay, Swanson weaved through the crowd applying tourniquets and carrying people to safety, according to the Daily Breeze. He was hit in the arm by a bullet fragment. I just wanted to try to help as many people as I could, Swanson said at the time. At a certain point, we realized that there were no more people in the concert venue that were alive that we could help. We canvassed the whole area to make sure we didnt miss anybody. Read more: One year later: Las Vegas dims the neon and pauses to reflect on its darkest hour 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. GARVIN, Okla. (KFOR) A manhunt is underway in Garvin County after a Cleveland County Deputy was shot and a bystander was killed Wednesday morning. According to authorities, the bystander, now identified by the District Attorney Greg Mashburns Office as Gwuan Frierson, was killed during an altercation between 25-year-old Kameron Jenkins and Cleveland County Deputy Sean Steadman near Exit 60 on I-35. According to the affidavit, Steadman was attempting to conduct a traffic stop, on a Volkswagon Jetta near Exit 60. When the vehicle didnt stop, Steadman conducted a tactical vehicle intervention and stopped the Jetta. Gunfire was then exchanged between Jenkins and Steadman. During that time, Gwaun Frierson was the passenger of a dump truck travelling northbound on I-35 when Frierson was struck and killed by the gunfire. Steadman was shot in the chin and flown to an Oklahoma City hospital. The Cleveland County Sheriffs Office says Steadman is expected to make a full recovery. The passenger of the Jetta identified Jenkins as the driver and suspect. Kameron Jenkins Authorities have been searching for Jenkins ever since. According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Jenkins is currently on probation for a number of violent crimes, including Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Maiming, dating back to 2016. He was released from prison in March 2023 for another Maiming charge dating back to 2019. Officials say Jenkins should be considered armed and dangerous. Police are offering a $6,000 reward for information that leads to Jenkinss arrest. Anyone who has information on Jenkins should call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (405) 235-7300 or submit a tip at https://okccrimetips.com/. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. A 72-year-old Mansfield woman said her rent has doubled under her buildings new owner, skyrocketing from $825 a month to $1,750. Mary Cunniff said shes lived at the Grain Mill apartment building on Samoset Ave. for nearly 20 years. Documents show the new owner, SMG Inc. Fall River, informed Cunniff in June her rent was increasing by nearly one thousand dollars. Cunniff said she relies on Social Security and a small pension and cant afford that price hike. Will I have to borrow money from my kids? Oh yeah, and thats the most embarrassing thing a parent can do, Cunniff said. SMG Inc. Fall River did not respond to a request for comment. Doug Quattrochi, executive director of MassLandlords.net, said Cunniffs previous landlord may have done her a disservice by keeping her rent below market value for so long. Its a real thing. Its called The Helping Trap. One of our members has written a whole book about it, Quattrochi said. If you dont touch the rent for so many years, youre only helping that renter for as long as you own the property. But Quattrochi also said the new owner needs to help senior tenants like Cunniff adjust to a higher price. The landlord should not be doubling the rent on someone like that. If they were a certified Massachusetts landlord, the very first step committing to our best practices is to not do that to somebody, he said. Cunniff said shes already applied to 44 different affordable housing locations. I have to go someplace else, she said. What if it was your mother or your father or your grandmother? This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the director of the National Land Bank Network at the Center for Community Progress. His name is Brian Larkin. Decades of neglect had left a home on Single Avenue in the Collins Park neighborhood in unincorporated New Castle County a haven for pests, squatting and drug activity. Since 220 Single Ave. had come on the county's radar in 1999, the vacant property had ratcheted up 108 code violations along with 29 police calls. It owed nearly $15,500 in unpaid taxes, fees and code violation fines, according to county statistics. But when it went to sheriff's sale in 2019, the property received no bids. Similar to Delawares largest city, New Castle County didnt want to get into the property ownership business. Like many others that seek to tackle vacancy and blight in their communities, the county didn't want to amass too many vacant properties, making its handling of them unmanageable. VACANCY INITIATIVE: NCCo plan addresses growing number of vacant homes But the area's diversity, strong housing market and high homeownership rates made tackling blight in-house possible, county officials said. The county's economics haven't forced it to manage more vacant properties than the community can handle. This home on S. Pennewell Drive in Fox Point was part of a buy back and development program with New Castle County to turn vacant properties into livable homes. We thought it was a problem we could solve in-house and address in-house, and it seems to be working, county Executive Matt Meyer said. New Castle County began taking steps to tackle vacant properties in unincorporated parts of the county in 2015 by asking owners of vacant properties to register the homes and pay fees, but only a few hundred complied. Two years later, a slew of bills and mechanisms were approved in the county, empowering officials to take a more hands-on approach to managing problem vacant parcels. This home on S. Cannon Drive is an example of a property that New Castle County acquires in a program that aims to turn vacant houses into a livable places. The site was recently sold by the owner to the county. Communities across the country have taken varying approaches to rein in vacant properties, which drive down property values and can be havens for criminal activity and public health concerns. Many communities have turned to land banks quasi-government entities that acquire problem properties and package them for sale to manage and dispose of vacant homes, but in New Castle County, officials decided to keep it in-house. The relative share of vacant properties in the county, in unincorporated New Castle County, that are harder to manage is lower relative to say within the city of Wilmington, where they have a higher proportion of more challenging properties to manage versus the overall housing stock and versus the overall stock of vacant properties, said Aundrea Almond, Meyers chief of staff. We do own some property, but we dont own enough to make it where we are needing a land bank. How the program works The countys Vacant Spaces to Livable Places Initiative was started by Meyers administration in 2017 as a multi-agency effort to reduce vacant property. When the program first began, there were 1,350 known vacant properties. Since then, the county has cut the vacant count in half and collected $3.5 million in delinquent taxes and fees as a result, according to the 2023 community update on the initiative. There were 689 known vacant buildings in January, according to the report. This vacant property on Single Ave. near New Castle is an example of a property that New Castle County is trying to acquire in a program that aims to turn vacant houses into a livable places. Vacant property owners are required to register with the county if the property has been vacant for 90 consecutive days. Fees are also assessed on the property for each year it remains vacant. FINES INCREASE: New Castle County clamps down on vacant homes Its when a vacant home racks up unpaid property taxes, fines and fees and becomes a public nuisance to the neighborhood that the countys program steps in. STEP 1: Vacant properties owing more than $5,000, with considerable code enforcement violations as well as police calls and neighbor complaints, are reviewed by an internal team regularly to determine what approach the county should take to get it back into productive use. STEP 2: A 10-day demand letter seeking payment is sent to property owners. STEP 3: While many owners will respond and pay their arrears, those who do not are moved to sheriffs sale. STEP 4: Many properties are sold at sheriffs sale to third-party bidders who make improvements upon purchasing, but homes that arent sold can be taken back by the county, termed a buy back. The county then either rehabs the property with available grant funding and sells it on the open market, or solicits bids for a nonprofit or developer to take on the work. How it differs from a land bank This home on Single Ave. near New Castle was part of a buy back and development program with New Castle County to turn vacant properties into livable homes. The county program operates similar to a land bank except that it doesnt hold on to or bank properties like a land bank is empowered to do. It may have a few contiguous parcels that are coupled in a sale, but the county market doesn't typically have large swaths of vacant buildings, said Carrie Casey, manager of the Division of Community Development and Housing for New Castle County. The county does have the authority to exert more "control" on vacant properties, Casey said, but it doesn't bank them for larger development. "We do this by retaining ownership and using grants from the state to renovate and sell to an income-eligible homebuyer with a 15-year deed restriction that the home remains homeownership," she said. "We also don't see a lot of vacant properties going to sale in one community." Brian Larkin, the director of the National Land Bank Network at the Center for Community Progress that helps guide communities on tackling vacancy, said land banking is often a desirable approach for neighborhoods that have a high concentration of vacant parcels in distressed areas, but programs can vary. We think that land banks make sense, but its not always going to be the way in which people accomplish their goals, he said. LAND BANK TROUBLES: Former Wilmington land bank executive pleads guilty to misconduct, theft of at least $28K The Center for Community Progress helped the city of Wilmington analyze its vacant property strategy and develop the Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank, which specifically tackles vacant buildings in Delawares largest city. This home on Woodside Drive in the Penny Hill area was part of an iniative with New Castle County turn vacant properties into livable homes. With an ever-fluctuating number of vacancies across the city that hovers around 1,400, Wilmington had no interest in owning hundreds of properties. Other dynamics like the conditions of the homes and housing market demand in Wilmington also made a land bank more appropriate. CITY STRATEGY: With 1,400 vacant properties, Wilmington wants to tackle blight. Here's how they're trying Wilmington traditionally has far more challenges when it comes to dealing with problems caused by vacant and abandoned buildings and lots, and therefore we needed a unique tool to assist with rebuilding city neighborhoods, said John Rago, the city Mayor Mike Purzyckis deputy chief of staff. A key benefit to establishing a land bank is the transparency and community engagement it requires, Martin said. "With a land bank, they are explicitly charged to have a transparent process but also flexible disposition in a way that allows community voice," he said. "So its not necessarily going to be the highest bid or transaction for a specific dollar return, it may align with community goals." What's next for county program? As New Castle County continues to tweak the initiative and get more properties back into productive use, officials are now looking at how they can use existing tools to incentivize owners of vacant commercial property to fix them up and reoccupy the space. Commercial properties are particularly challenging because no matter the fines and fees that may be levied on a property, it often is far less than what the property is worth, Casey said. "For commercial, it makes more sense to keep paying than to do anything productive with the property," she said. For example, a vacant hotel in unincorporated New Castle County racked up nearly $30,000 in back taxes, fines, fees and vacant property registry fines, but Casey said the owner continues to pay what's owed because the property is worth "way more" than what is due. She acknowledged that to successfully address blight at vacant commercial property, it may take new legislation or mechanisms. Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-598-5507. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Why New Castle County opted to tackle vacancy, blight in-house BALTIMORE Justices on the Maryland Supreme Court on Thursday peppered lawyers for Adnan Syed and the family of the woman he once was convicted of killing with questions about their legal positions on dueling appeals. At stake is whether Syed, 43, will go from exoneree back to convicted murderer serving life in prison even if briefly because of an alleged violation of the rights of the family of Hae Min Lee, who was killed in 1999, leading up to the hearing that set Syed free. A jury found Syed guilty of murder and related offenses in Lees death in 2000 before a judge sentenced him to life plus 30 years in prison. After 23 years behind bars, Syed left custody last September when a Baltimore Circuit Court judge threw out his decades-old convictions. City prosecutors, who had asked to overturn Syeds guilty finding, dropped the charges against him the next month. Lees family, represented by her brother, Young Lee, promptly appealed, arguing they werent given enough notice of the hearing that set Syed free and that they werent allowed to participate adequately. In March, the states intermediate appeals court, the Appellate Court of Maryland, reinstated Syeds convictions and ordered a do-over of the Circuit Court hearing. Syed challenged the appeals court ruling, arguing the judges applied the law incorrectly, and Lees family followed up with their own request to the states highest court, saying the lower courts ruling didnt go far enough for victims rights in Maryland. The supreme court accepted both appeals, triggering a flurry of legal filings leading up to Thursdays oral argument. This case is not about Mr. Syeds underlying guilt or innocence, one of the Lee familys lawyers, Ari B. Rubin, told the justices. Rubin said the Lees appeal was about open courts and basic victims rights. He described the law that set Syed free, commonly referred to as the vacatur statute, as an extraordinary piece of law in that it aligns the interest of the state and defendant, underlying the fundamentally adversarial nature of legal proceedings. Syeds attorney, Erica Suter, told the justices that what the Lees lawyers were asking for amounted to a change in the law, and that the supreme court wasnt the appropriate entity to undertake such a task. To the extent that Mr. Lee wants the law to be changed, then the correct body is the General Assembly and the rules committee, said Suter, referring to the judiciarys Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure. Suter, who spoke first Thursday, had only just finished greeting the justices when one interjected with an inquiry that cut to the heart of the legal questions before the court. Through his legal team, Syed argued the Lee familys appeal was nullified when prosecutors dropped his charges last October. While prosecutors have near unfettered discretion to dismiss charges, there are some limitations to that authority. Have those limitations been extended to include victims or their representatives? asked Justice Michele D. Hotten. No, Suter responded. Among the key questions before the court is whether Young Lee had a right to speak at the September hearing. Although the appellate court ruled in Lees favor, it found that the law did not expressly provide crime victims the right to address the judge at hearings to vacate convictions. The Lee familys lawyers urged the supreme court to find crime victims have that right. Although lawmakers did not include such a provision in the law, Rubin argued to the justices that crime victim rights in the Maryland Constitution should be interpreted into the law. Justice Brynja M. Booth challenged Rubins interpretation. When the legislature is silent in one instance, but gives a right in another statute, we presume the legislature knows how to create that right when it wants to, said Booth, citing a legal principle the highest court applies in all decisions. When it accepted Syeds and Lees appeals, the state supreme court held off on reinstating Syeds convictions and sentence while it considered the legal matter, meaning Syed wouldnt have to go back to prison. If the court decides to uphold the appellate courts ruling, Syed could face being reincarcerated while a new states attorney, Ivan Bates, decides how to handle his case. There is no timeline for the supreme court to rule on Syeds and Lees appeals, but the court files all opinions for the current term before it begins the next one, in August. Absent from the bench was Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, who recused himself from the case. Judicial rules dont require judges to explain why theyre bowing out of a case, but provides several scenarios that could merit recusal because of an appearance of partiality. Fader worked at the Maryland Office of the Attorney General while it battled other appeals from Syed. Rubin, who became a lawyer in 2020, clerked for Fader when Fader was the chief judge of what is now the state appellate court. Hotten and Justice Shirley M. Watts were on the bench when the court shot down Syeds last appeal in 2019, albeit on different sides of the 4-3 decision. Watts authored a separate opinion concurring with the majority, while Hotten helmed the dissenting opinion. That ruling marked the latest of Syeds attempts at legal recourse rejected by courts as he languished in prison. In addition to murder, the jury in 2000 convicted Syed of kidnapping, robbery and false imprisonment. In February 1999, a maintenance worker who stopped to relieve himself in the woods of Baltimores Leakin Park discovered the body of Hae Min Lee, who had at that point been missing for weeks. Homicide investigators soon focused on her ex-boyfriend, Syed, who was 17 at the time. At trial, prosecutors presented the theory that he strangled her because he couldnt handle the breakup. Syed always maintained his innocence, and his case gained notoriety because of the hit podcast Serial. His break came in 2021 when his attorney approached the Baltimore States Attorneys Office with hopes that prosecutors would support a request for a sentence modification under a new state law that allowed judges to reconsider the punishment of defendants sentenced to life in prison for crimes committed as minors. While reviewing the case, city prosecutors said they developed concerns about the integrity of Syeds conviction and doubts about his guilt. They moved to throw out his guilty findings. Prosecutors notified Young Lee of the legal maneuver days before filing the motion. Circuit Judge Melissa Phinn called a meeting in her chambers with the prosecution and defense in the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 16, last year. During that meeting, Phinn scheduled a hearing to consider the motion to vacate Syeds conviction for the following Monday, Sept. 19. The prosecutor assigned to the case told Young Lee he could watch the hearing by video call. Young Lee hired an attorney over the weekend. In court that Monday afternoon, Young Lees lawyer said his client wanted to attend in person but hadnt been afforded enough time to arrange travel from California, where he lived at the time. Phinn rejected the attorneys request to postpone the hearing by a week but gave Young Lee the chance to speak by video call. The Maryland Attorney Generals Office has generally supported the Lee familys position. Lynne A. Battaglia, who retired from the states highest court in 2016 and sat in place of Fader for Syed and Lees appeals, questioned the attorneys about the notice that was given to Young Lee about the hearing. She noted that the law includes the language if practicable when referring to the notice victims are supposed to receive, and asked how the justices should interpret those words to Syeds case. In the 1980s, she said, the Maryland States Attorneys Association advocated for that language to be added so as not to delay cases in circumstances where they couldnt find a victim or their family. Assistant Attorney General Derek S. Simmonsen said he believed the prosecutors and judge should have considered Young Lees ability to attend the hearing in person when deciding when scheduling it because he expressed an interest in the proceeding. Lets say the victim could not be located, Simmonsen said. They had moved to a different address. The states attorneys office used all practical means it could to locate the victim. That wouldve been a different story. During rebuttal, Suter said the victims right to notice under the law is triggered by the scheduling of the hearing. As such, she said, the notice prosecutors provided Lee was practicable. She said the legislature should consider amending the law to require earlier notice, or that the supreme court could issue an advisory ruling without jeopardizing Syeds liberty. Masked suspects descended on an ATM being serviced and got away with nearly $30,000, according to police in Nebraska. A technician was servicing the ATM at around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 when suspects wearing masks and gloves shoved the technician away putting fear in him, according to a Grand Island Police Department report obtained by McClatchy News. The suspects took $28,980 from the Centris Credit Union ATM and fled in a car, police said. Police were able to recover a money box with $100 cash in it, but they have yet to recover all the money stolen, according to the report. No suspects have been identified in the case. Grand Island Police Captain Jim Duering said the technician was not injured, and the case is under investigation, KWNB reported. Grand Island is roughly 150 miles west of Omaha. Mom and child carjacked and kidnapped at knifepoint in parking lot, Wisconsin cops say Stolen AirPods lead police to man accused of robbing 28 people, Tennessee cops say Driver pulls over to help woman, then man puts a gun to his head, Tennessee cops say BOSTON - When the proposed bill to modernize Massachusetts firearms laws was first filed by state lawmakers in June, residents, sports clubs, gun owners, gun safety advocates and law enforcement officials all had an opinion as to the different measures in the 140-page document. Now, after months of listening to suggestions and complaints, and tweaking the document, House leadership has released the new version of the bill, assigned a new number (H.4607) and will be holding a public hearing on the measure at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Gardner Auditorium at the Statehouse. The original bill was designed to address gaps in Massachusetts firearms laws partially exposed last summer with the Bruen decision by the Supreme Court. The decision changed the way local police chiefs decide requests for permission to carry a concealed weapon. We thought it would be wise to investigate how Massachusetts laws were affected by the Bruen decision, said House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-Quincy, in announcing the revisions Thursday. We wanted to know what was working, what wasnt working. Listening sessions Legislators scheduled 11 listening sessions around the state to get a feel for the existing laws. They learned the states laws were outdated in some regards, confounding in others. The assault weapons ban, enacted in 2004, does not accommodate new firearm technology, and that law enforcement did not have the tools necessary to address untraceable, or ghost guns. Training programs were a hodgepodge, requirements varied by ZIP code and instructor. The last major changes to Massachusetts firearms laws went into effect in 2014, with the assault weapons ban and mandated background checks for private sales of weapons. Massachusetts has consistently been ranked as one of the safest states in the U.S. with regard to gun laws, Mariano said, adding that the Legislature wanted to maintain that ranking and commissioned the review of existing firearms laws. Massachusetts State Police seized seven "ghost guns" from a single house in Brockton on March 31. Giffords Law Center, which issues scores for states after analyzing gun safety measures, gave Massachusetts an A-, along with neighbors New York, Connecticut and Maryland. Only California and New Jersey ranked higher, each achieving a solid A. A major impetus in reviewing existing laws, said Mariano, was the concern about the trafficking in untraceable firearms known as ghost guns. These can be kit guns assembled by the purchaser, or guns made by 3D printers, which are not stamped with serial numbers through which they can be traced. I am confident this will make Massachusetts a safer place, Mariano said. Gun violence is a pressing challenge in the United States; witness the shootings (Wednesday) in Holyoke. And the beat goes on, folks. Holyoke shooting Mariano was referring to the incident in which a bystander, a pregnant woman who was riding a bus, was struck by a bullet. The woman lost the baby and is in critical condition with severe injuries. Police arrested two people in connection with the shooting and are seeking a third suspect. Rep. Michael Day, D-Stoneham, in charge of the extensive review, cited the latest firearms statistics supplied by Holyoke Police; they have tracked 113 incidents involving gunfire since August. Gun violence is relentlessly claiming lives in Massachusetts and around the country, Day said. He listed national statistics: 219 mass shootings since the start of the year have claimed 175 lives and almost 1,000 people injured. Massachusetts has seen 36 of its residents shot in that time. Thats 36 families forever changed by gun violence, and its not stopping, Day said. He also cited the incident in Holyoke. Mariano said the review committee removed more than 100 sections of laws. Gone is a requirement that all parts of a firearm be etched with a unique and identifying serial number. The revision requires that only the receiver or frame of a firearm be etched with the number. Kit or ghost guns must also be etched with a serial number. 'Assault weapons belong on the battlefield' The changes also update the assault weapons ban, ensuring that the law covers recent technology, like the use of devices that can convert a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon. Private ownership of these converters, or bump stocks, are banned by the federal government. Assault weapons belong on the battlefield, not the streets, Day said. However, lawmakers included a provision that would grandfather possession of an assault-style rifle. Firearms are banned from safe spaces, such as schools, government buildings and polling places, per federal law. Those safe spaces areas will be extended in Massachusetts under the revision to include private homes and businesses. Homeowners can ban guns from their dwellings; business owners can ban them from their establishments. However, requirements that gun owners take training classes, including life-fire classes, are still in the bill. Weve spent tens of millions of dollars investing in gun violence prevention, said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, D-Boston, one of the members of the committee in charge of making the revisions. While the money is well spent, it does not solve the issues. Money alone cannot address the problems. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Proposed gun legislation would close some loopholes in MA Statement: "Since the mid-90s, this country has been governed by revolving continuing resolution and omnibus spending bill(s). That is the reason we're $33 trillion in debt." Gaetz Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has been at the center of two major political stories in Washington the fight over keeping money flowing to operate the federal government and the successful move by breakaway Republicans to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. On Sunday, the day after lawmakers agreed to send legislation to President Joe Biden that would fund the government through Nov. 17, Gaetz appeared on ABCs "This Week." In the interview, Gaetz said he would lead an effort to oust McCarthy. One of the reasons, he said, was that he and his allies believed that McCarthy wasnt pursuing spending cuts aggressively enough. "Since the mid-90s, this country has been governed by revolving continuing resolution and omnibus spending bill(s). That is the reason we're $33 trillion in debt," he said. In congressional terminology, a "continuing resolution" (or "CR" for short) refers to a short-term spending bill that extends government funding at existing levels so that congressional negotiators can work out a longer-term spending bill. And an "omnibus spending bill" is one that extends most or all of government funding, rather than being passed in 12 separate bills, each of which covers a limited range of federal departments, as the congressional appropriations process was designed to work. Lawmakers have resorted to continuing resolutions and omnibus bills for the better part of three decades. But Gaetz is wrong to point to such practices as the primary driver of the federal debt because most federal spending does not even pass through the annual appropriations process. The types of federal spending approved in appropriations bills have played a role in adding to the debt, but they account for far less than entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare, plus interest on the federal debt, said Chris Towner, policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a Washington-based group that tracks the federal budget. Gaetzs office did not respond to an inquiry for this article. Federal spending process since the 1990s In recent decades, Congress has largely sidestepped the process of "regular order." Under that process, 12 separate appropriations bills are approved by each chambers subcommittees, passed in each chamber, reconciled, passed again in identical form and sent to the president to be signed. Although appropriators in the House and Senate have often tried to pass the 12 spending bills individually, such efforts have typically gotten bogged down in disputes between Republicans and Democrats, the House and the Senate, the Congress and the president, or members of one party. This has regularly left lawmakers scrambling as funding nears a lapse. In that scenario, the options are to pass a continuing resolution and continue negotiating or hammer out a massive omnibus measure that can secure majorities in both chambers. "In the nearly five decades that the current system for budgeting and spending tax dollars has been in place, Congress has passed all its required appropriations measures on time only four times," the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan research group, wrote this year. Those were in fiscal years 1977, 1989, 1995 and 1997. At times, Congress has managed to bundle together and pass a few spending bills in small groups known as "minibuses." But even then, the remaining spending bills have stalled, producing continuing resolutions and omnibus bills. What has driven the federal debt? Where Gaetz gets it wrong is his assertion linking these procedures to the nations $33 trillion federal debt. The money allocated by Congress either through the 12-bill regular order process or through a mix of continuing resolutions and omnibus bills is known as discretionary spending. By law, Congress and the president need to approve this spending on an annual basis. This spending covers a wide variety of areas, including the military, border security, medical research and the FBI. But its relatively small in the overall federal budget. In 2022, discretionary spending accounted for a bit more than one-quarter of all federal spending, with 11% going for defense. What else is federal money funding? Mandatory spending, sometimes called entitlement spending, covers Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans benefits. Its a big one. Spending for these programs continues based on how many Americans are eligible to receive the benefits. Their funds do not depend on Congress annual appropriations process. In effect, these programs run on autopilot unless lawmakers and the president agree on laws to curb their expenditures. In 2022, a little more than two-thirds of federal outlays went toward mandatory spending. Finally, 7% of federal spending in 2022 went for interest, another category that does not get paid based on annual appropriations. So, although the continuing resolutions and omnibus bills Gaetz cited have produced some of the nations federal debt by increasing discretionary spending, they are not the primary reason "we're $33 trillion in debt." Collectively, entitlements and interest which have nothing to do with continuing resolutions and omnibus bills account for the lions share. Gaetzs statement also ignores the revenue side. Tax laws are not approved through the appropriations process. "Simply talking about CRs and omnibus means you are only talking about discretionary spending, not expansions like Medicare Part D, tax cuts, increased Medicaid, Medicare Advantage or greater farm subsidies," said Steve Ellis, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a Washington-based group that tracks the federal budget. One reason mandatory spending has become such a big portion of federal spending is the U.S. population is aging. Baby boomers are now drawing from Social Security and Medicare. Ellis said there are a few other categories of spending that have been undertaken outside of continuing resolutions and omnibus bills in recent years, including military spending that is categorized as "supplemental" and "overseas contingency operations." "While the broken budgeting situation makes it harder to scrutinize all spending and offer amendments, it is hardly why were $33 trillion in debt," Ellis said. Our ruling Gaetz said: "Since the mid-90s, this country has been governed by revolving continuing resolution and omnibus spending bill(s). That is the reason we're $33 trillion in debt." Lawmakers have been unable to use 12 "regular order" appropriations bills to enact federal spending for the better part of three decades. Instead, theyve lurched regularly from temporary bills to massive "omnibus" measures. However, blaming the nations debt on the failure to follow standard appropriations procedures is an exaggeration. Only about one-quarter of federal spending is approved through the annual appropriations process; about three-quarters runs on autopilot, including mandatory spending and interest payments. We rate the statement Half True. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Matt Gaetz oversells role of budgetary dysfunction in federal debt Pay Dirt is a weekly foray into the pigpen of political funding. Subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Thursday. As Republicans debated removing Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from the speakership this week, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) took fire on the House floor for using his bid to oust McCarthy as an opportunity to raise money for himself. Gaetz fired right back, shaming his colleagues who grovel and bend knee to the lobbyists and special interests who own our leadership. Republicans booed him. Oh, boo all you want! Gaetz responded. Ill be happy to fund my political operation through the work of hard-working Americans, 10 and 20 and 30 dollars at a time. Did Matt Gaetz Have Trumps Blessing to Oust Kevin McCarthy? But as much as Gaetz postures that hes raising small dollars from working Americans, he also has other donors in mind. Last month, as Gaetz and his faction of right-wing anti-institutionalists were plunging the government headlong towards a shutdown, he leveraged the moment to hold an invitation-only joint fundraising event with a select group of big conservative donors, some of whom have engaged in the exact type of swampy, pay-to-play politics that Gaetz has made a career of bashing. The event took place via video conference on Sept. 26, and was billed as an exclusive Zoom briefing and Q&A with Gaetz and fellow Freedom Caucus member Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT), according to an invitation obtained by The Daily Beast. The next day, Gaetz and Rosendale created a joint fundraising committee, called Rosendale Gaetz 2024, according to a Federal Election Commission filing. (Neither campaign has submitted its own required filing confirming participation in the venture.) The Daily Beast also obtained a full video recording of the fundraiser, an open-ended fiscal discussion hosted by far-right podcaster Steve Bannon and orchestrated by Jan. 6 fundraising bundler Caroline Wren. While Gaetz titillated the donor class by disclosing details from a private off the record conversation with former President Donald Trump, the story itself fell flat. Instead, it was Wren who provided what was perhaps the most striking moment of the eventone that sharply contrasted with Gaetzs public-facing probity about how money should work in D.C. At one point, Wren told the donors about a recent conversation where she instructed a wealthy GOP patron to use a screenshot of a maximum campaign contribution to pressure a reluctant Gaetz ally. Congressman Gaetz and Ive been talking each night and one night he called and said, Im a little worried this persons wavering, and I looked at their donor list, noticed a donor I knew had not given to her before, Wren explained. Wren said that when she called the donor to solicit a contribution to the unnamed congresswoman, the donor replied, Yeah, I cant stand her. She then asked, Would you write a max donation to her, take a screenshot, and text it to her and say Im only doing this because youre bravely standing up against the CR, referencing a bipartisan stopgap spending bill Gaetz was trying to block. The congresswoman, Wren claimed, ended up siding with Gaetz. So please use your money and recognize it as a tool to go back to these people and say hey I did this for a reason and if you dont continue holding the line, then I will cut off my funding, Wren told the group of donors. Jonathan Ernst/Reuters The Daily Beast reached out to Wren and a Gaetz spokesperson, but neither returned our requests for comment. More broadly, however, the choice to enlist Wren shows that Gaetz is not at all simply focused on appealing to everyday grassroots donors. A prodigious MAGA fundraiserher megadonor solicitations ahead of the Jan. 6 rally landed her an interview with congressional investigatorsWren works as a hired gun for candidates and causes who want to tap her deep network of ultra-wealthy conservatives eager to trade their money for influence and status. Her involvement suggests that Gaetz might have a larger, more sustainable insurgent project in mind. Indeed, the attendees at that Sept. 26 event included a number of major conservative financiers. Tellingly, only four of them appear to have ever donated to Gaetz or Rosendale previously, for a combined $28,650 over the last five years, according to FEC dataindicating that Wren may have recruited some new faces. Over the course of the 52-minute event, Gaetz and Rosendale fielded questions from Ohio-based urologist Richard Nord, real estate investor and Broadway producer Barry Habib, Montana banker and hotelier David Lossef, former Merrill Lynch senior vice president of wealth management turned Trump campaign bundler Joyce Spragens, and Mar-a-Lago member and vegan activist Phil Nicozisi. Two former Trump diplomats also chimed in, each of whom has applied their extraordinary corporate wealth to political interests in ways that would appear to fit Gaetzs colleagues criticismraising money in connection with official government actions. One of them was former Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands, an investment manager who poured more than $4 million into her own failed 2022 Senate bid, shotgunned hundreds of thousands of dollars to various Republican campaigns and PACs, and violated the Hatch Act by using her official government Twitter account to solicit Trump campaign donations. Kevin McCarthy Is Out. The House GOPs War Is Just Starting. The other ex-diplomat was Lee Rizzuto Jr., son of the founder of beauty product giant Conair, where Rizzuto also held an executive position. Two weeks after Trump nominated Rizzuto as ambassador to Barbados and a basket of other Caribbean island nations, Rizzuto pledged upwards of probably $15,000 or $20,000 or $25,000 to underwrite a Mar-a-Lago gala. But Rizzutowho has donated major sums to GOP causes, including $449,000 to Trump Victoryfailed to pass his Senate confirmation after reports that he had spread a number of conspiracy theories and tasteless smears about Trumps 2016 opponents. Rizzuto was later named to an unconfirmed post as U.S. consul general in Barbados, sparking days of protests on the island. During the Sept. 26 event, the donors took turns floating questions and armchair political and economic theories to the congressmen, who generally served up rehashed talking pointsthough Gaetz was especially complimentary of Sands observations about line-item spending edits, calling that issue the big ball. He also regaled his prospective patrons with details from what he cast as a secret private conversation with Trump. When a cameraman from Bannons podcast asked whether the ultimate aim was to dismantle the mainstream GOPget these guys out if theyre not voting with usGaetz turned to Wren. This is not on the record, right Caroline? I can say whatever I want? he asked. When Wren confirmed, Gaetz said what was on his mind. This is exactly what I talked to President Trump about. I said, You know, were not gonna win all of these. Were gonna take some votes on stuff and were gonna take some crushing defeats and some of our people are going to see some of these things that Rosendale and I are fighting for lose, and I dont want to demoralize people. Trump, Gaetz said, replied that, You gotta primary the hell out of thema line taken verbatim from Trumps address to insurrectionists on Jan. 6. But aside from a few other notable momentsRosendale admitting he had been praying against a big GOP win in 2022, as The Messenger reported, and Bannon at one point using a donors War Room T-shirt to promote sales of said T-shirtthe biggest takeaway from the event was the event itself. Bombshell Letter: Gaetz Paid for Sex With Minor, Wingman Says The moves suggest that Gaetz has a planor a plan to make a planbeyond the rabble-rousing and chaos that resulted in a historic but possibly short-sighted ouster of the Speaker of the House. Instead, Gaetz is showing that he appears to understand and may potentially come to embrace some of the same tactics he has torched in other leaders, such as McCarthy. It is a covenant based on money, Gaetz told Time magazine a few months ahead of the 2022 midterms. Kevin McCarthy is the most elite fundraiser in the history of the Republican caucus. He is the LeBron James of lobbyist and PAC fundraising. And that is his covenant with the conference. While its unclear whether Gaetz is crafting his own competing covenant, the high-dollar joint appealswhich Wren promised would continuecertainly point to the affirmative. And his choice of Rosendale for his first partner also suggests a larger financial and political strategy. While Gaetzs deep red panhandle district doesnt demand a GOP incumbent with extraordinarily deep pockets, Rosendale could use the boost. The Freedom Caucus member from Montana is said to be eyeing a move to the Senate, to the dismay of mainstream Republicans hopeful to flip that seat. To do so, Rosendale would have to win a rematch against Democratic incumbent Jon Tester, who as of June 30 sat on a $10 million mountain of cash. As Gaetz likely would have predicted, McCarthy has been starving his Republican enemies. (Rosendale currently has only about $570,000 on hand. His failed 2018 Senate campaign raised a total $6 million.) But it wouldnt be the first time Gaetz has seen money as a means to secure allegiances. When Gaetz found himself politically beleaguered amid a barrage of reports related to his allegedly central role in an underage sex trafficking investigation, he aligned himself with another radioactive representativeMarjorie Taylor Greene. While Gaetz cast Greene as a fellow outsider, she was also at the time the most formidable Republican fundraiser in the House. The duo launched a cross-country grassroots fundraising tour seeking donations for their joint committee, called Put America First, which drew national attention before flaming out in spectacular fashion. But while Gaetz and Greene seem like a natural fit, their relationship has reportedly soured. That is largely due to their opposite approaches to McCarthy, who has kept Greene as a close ally throughout the Freedom Caucus revolt. This summer, the HFC expelled Greene from its ranks; she did not vote with Gaetz to oust McCarthy this week. Their joint fundraising committee hasnt reported a donation in almost exactly one year, and it was illegalan illegal and since refunded excessive contribution from an American who runs Saudi Arabias first film production studio. The last legal donation came half a year before that. The committee has zero dollars on hand. Matt Gaetz Denies Any Personal Motivations for McCarthy Ouster Its also possible that Gaetz isnt looking out for his colleagues at all. A rash of recent reports have amplified the possibility that Gaetz, who pledged to support a three-term limit (four terms ago), has his eyes on the Florida governors mansion in 2026. If so, he would need to amass an arsenal of cash to win statewide, and Florida law would allow him to transfer unlimited amounts of money from his federal campaign to a state-level PAC supporting a run for governor. While Gaetz has shot down those reports as overblown clickbait, his fatherformer president of the Florida state Senate Don Gaetzis at 75 years old about to make another run for his old seat. But unlike his son, Don Gaetzone of the most influential forces in the panhandle and a millionaire several times overlikely wouldnt need much money. The only other candidate in the race dropped out after Dons announcement. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Members of the gay and lesbian community in Mauritius take part in a march for gay rights and gender equality in Rose Hill By Villen Anganan PORT-LOUIS (Reuters) -The Supreme Court of Mauritius has struck out a colonial-era law criminalising same-sex relations, bucking a trend elsewhere in Africa where a string of countries have passed or proposed anti-LGBT legislation. In a ruling on two cases brought by members of the gay community in the Indian Ocean island nation, the court said section 250 of the Mauritian criminal code, which dated back to 1898 during British colonial rule, was unconstitutional. "Section 250 was not introduced in Mauritius to reflect any indigenous Mauritian values but was inherited as part of our colonial history from Britain," the court said in a ruling handed down on Wednesday. Jean-Daniel Wong, the manager of the Arc-en-Ciel Collective, the largest LGBT advocacy group in Mauritius, said the ruling was a huge relief. "As an out gay man in Mauritius, personally, there was kind of this Damocles sword hanging over our head," he told Reuters. "There is still a lot to do but ... we have faith in our public institutions." He said the group's next priorities were to achieve legal recognition for transgender people, legalise same-sex unions and fight hate crimes based on sexuality. The government, the defendant in the cases, had said that while it was sympathetic to the arguments put forward by LGBT citizens, the values of wider society meant that the time was not right to change the law through parliament. But the Supreme Court said the old law "criminalises the only natural way for the plaintiffs and other homosexual men to have sexual intercourse, whereas heterosexual men are permitted the right to have sexual intercourse in a way which is natural to them". UNAIDS, the United Nations agency in charge of combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic, said the ruling was an important step forward for public health and towards equal rights and respect for the LGBT community. The Mauritian ruling stands in sharp contrast to developments elsewhere in Africa, most recently in Uganda which passed one of the world's harshest anti-LGBT laws in May, imposing the death penalty for some same-sex acts. Uganda's move triggered an international outcry and prompted some donors to cut aid. But lawmakers in a number of other African countries including Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan are working to bring in similar legislation. Supporters of such laws say same-sex relations are unnatural and that Africans must resist what they see as the imposition of Western values. Rights groups regularly say anti-LGBT laws are not African but were imposed by former imperial powers. (Reporting by Villen Anganan; additional reporting by Aaron Ross in Nairobi; writing by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Mark Heinrich and Andrew Heavens) Mauritius is now among the few African countries that have decriminalised or legalised same-sex relations Mauritius' highest court has decriminalised gay sex, saying the ban reflected colonial-era, rather than indigenous values. British colonialists first criminalised "sodomy" in 1898, but the law has not been enforced in recent years. The gay man who brought the case said he was "now free to love whoever I want to without fear". The ruling comes at a time of rising homophobia and tougher anti-gay laws in some African states. Most notably, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni signed a controversial Anti-Homosexuality law in May that imposed the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", which refers to sex with children or rape. Many people in Uganda and other African states argue that homosexuality is "un-African", and contradicts their religious beliefs. The case in Mauritius was brought by Abdool Ridwan Firaas Ah Seek, who argued that the "offence of sodomy" breached his basic rights, including the right to liberty. The Supreme Court said the law did not "reflect any indigenous Mauritian values but was inherited as part of our colonial history from Britain". It "was not the expression of domestic democratic will, but was of course imposed on Mauritius and other colonies by British rule", the judges added. The ruling means that people can no longer be arrested for having gay sex, but parliament will have to repeal the law to make it legal. In court papers, the state had argued that it was not "insensitive" to the concerns of the LGBT community, but the criminal code could be changed by parliament only when "favourable" conditions emerged in society. Mauritius gained its independence in 1968, but kept the ban on gay sex. Religious groups have strongly opposed moves to repeal it. Abdool Ridwan Firaas Ah Seek said the ruling would help future generations in Mauritius to "fully and freely embrace their sexuality without fear of being arrested". The Human Dignity Trust (HDT) said it "finally topples" more than a century of "state-sanctioned stigma against LGBT people in Mauritius". It added that the ruling sent a message to African countries that still criminalised same-sex relations to abolish their laws. The law in Mauritius imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for gay sex, but "appears to be largely obsolete in practice", the HDT said on its website. There are 64 countries worldwide that have laws that criminalise homosexuality, and nearly half of these are in Africa. The Supreme Court of the East African country of Mauritius decriminalized same-sex sexual relations Wednesday when it declared the countrys British colonial era anti-sodomy laws relations were unconstitutional. The decision was handed down in a judgment in the case of Ah Seek v. State of Mauritius. In the case, activist Abdool Ridwan Firaas and the advocacy group Collectif-Arc-en-Ciel, sued the stating saying section 250(1) of the Mauritian Criminal Code 1838 which outlaws anal sex between two men violated the constitutional protections based upon a persons sex. Collectif-Arc-en-Ciel is the largest LGBTQ+ human rights advocacy group in Mauritius. The plaintiffs were aided by the advocacy group Human Dignity Trust. The Court agreed with the plaintiffs and found section 250(1) unconstitutional because it criminalizes the only natural way for him [the plaintiff] and other homosexual men to have sexual intercourse whereas heterosexual men are permitted the right to have sexual intercourse in a way which is natural to them. The Court further specified that consensual acts of sodomy between consenting male adults in private should not be considered illegal. Receiving this judgment in my favor is an enormous relief. From today, as a citizen and a human being, I am now free to love whoever I want to without fear, Abdool Ridwan (Ryan) Firaas Ah Seek, plaintiff and president of the Collectif Arc-en-Ciel, said in a statement after the decision was announced. Above all, it also means that the next generations can fully and freely embrace their sexuality without fear of being arrested. This victory is undoubtedly a major step towards the full inclusion of our community in Mauritian society, In their decision, the judges noted that the law was not an organic local creation but instead was an inherited and enforced relic from past rulers. Section 250 was not introduced into Mauritius to reflect any Mauritian values but was inherited as part of our colonial history from Britain, the judges wrote. Its enactment was not the expression of domestic democratic will but was a course imposed on Mauritius and other colonies by British rule. Advocates at Human Dignity Trust hailed the decision. This decision finally topples 185 years of state-sanctioned stigma against LGBT people in Mauritius and sends yet another important message to the remaining criminalizing countries in Africa and beyond: these laws must go, Tea Braun, chief executive of Human Dignity Trust, said in a statement after the decision. Human Dignity Trust acknowledged that while the law was largely obsolete and there was no evidence of the law being enforced for many years in cases of consensual sexual activity between people of the same sex, its mere existence constituted a violation of human rights that encouraged further acts of discrimination. Many countries in Africa remain hostile to the LGBTQ+ community and have laws outlawing same-sex sexual relations. In some cases, the laws call for the death penalty. In May, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 was passed by the Uganda Parliament and signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni. The law calls for the death penalty in cases of aggravated homosexuality, which refers to repeat offenders and people living with HIV engaging in same-sex sexual relations. People found to be engaging in acts of homosexuality can be sentenced to life in prison. In August, a 20-year-old man was arrested and is facing a potential death penalty for aggravated homosexuality after he was accused of having performed unlawful sexual intercourse, according to Reuters, which viewed a copy of the charging sheet. Braun centered such incidents while cautioning much work remains to be done. This victory brings the number of jurisdictions that still criminalize LGBT people to 65, Braun said. Mauritius now joins other African nations such as South Africa, Botswana, Seychelles, Angola, and Mozambique in eradicating similar colonial-era criminalizing provisions from their lawbooks. Pliny Soocoormanee, executive officer at the British LGBTQ+ rights group the Peter Tatchell Foundation, celebrated the news out of Mauritius. "I am overjoyed that after 185 years of LGBTs being criminalized in Mauritius, this homophobic law has finally come to an end. We were never asking for special treatment just equality and respect," Soocoormanee said. "Mauritius may be small but the message this sends to the world is huge. Criminalization in every country belongs in the past. As a gay Mauritian, this day will live with me forever." Pictured above is Pliny Soocoormanee (center) and two other activists at Mauritius Pride. Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration is exploring unspecified backup plans should it not hit its goal of setting up tent base camps for new asylum-seekers before winter, a top deputy said Thursday while also pushing back at comments from Gov. J.B. Pritzker that more state funds for migrant services arent going to be made available anytime soon. With winter fast approaching and temperatures expected to dip into the low 40s in the next few days, Johnsons deputy chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas said the strategy announced one month ago to erect tent encampments throughout the city still has no start date and that no sites have been finalized because of the need to do our due diligence. Her comments came as Pritzker appeared to close the door on any more state money being allocated for migrant relief by state lawmakers, who are meeting later this month and next for their fall veto session. It isnt as if were coming in with enormous surpluses, Pritzker told reporters Thursday. This is not something where we have hundreds of millions of dollars to support. Asked about the governors comments, Pacione-Zayas, a former state senator, responded: We have to continue to educate the General Assembly about this critical point that were in. We have to go through the exercise, right? We have to identify whats already committed, and might be able to be directed, she said. We have to think outside of the box and be creative around this, and so I dont see the discussions (as) closed. I think that this needs to be ongoing. And as Ive said before, everyone has to do more. Pacione-Zayas added that the mayors administration has begun meeting with individual state legislators and will ask the state to look for ways to shift existing budget allocations toward an additional migrant appropriation for Chicago, which has taken on the brunt of the new arrivals in Illinois. Late Thursday, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch was spotted at City Hall and headed up toward the mayors office on the fifth floor. Johnson and Pritzker also have sought assistance from the federal government, with both talking to White House officials last weekend and the governor writing a three-page letter to President Joe Biden to argue Washington needs to step up on the issue. Pacione-Zayas said that the cold weather expected in upcoming days poses a grave concern, though she said the mayors office remains hopeful it can put some stakes into the ground soon for the tent encampments. The city aims to use those encampments to relocate people now staying in the citys two main airports, Chicago police station lobbies and other unsuitable places until spots open in the nearly two-dozen brick-and-mortar shelters the city is running. Johnson rolled out the tent city proposal in early September, vowing to get it done before winter. But the mayor faced criticism from some aldermen and advocacy groups over his teams decision to bring in a controversial private security company to run the base camps. As far as the delay, I mean, welcome to government. This is how it kind of works, Pacione-Zayas said. As far as what our backup plan is, we are exploring what could be alternative large spaces with the state, with the county, so that if were not able to pop up this base camp in time for a significant drop, that we do have some alternatives. But everythings on the table. She added that some of those backup sites are located outside of Chicago. County officials confirmed Thursday they are helping with the search. At Johnsons request, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said she asked suburban municipalities to share some of the burden. They were not prepared to make commitments unless they got resources to do it, Preckwinkle said during an interview with the Tribunes Editorial Board, though it was unclear when those conversations took place. Thats why we need money from the feds. Preckwinkles chief of staff, Lanetta Haynes Turner, added: We have been very closely coordinating with the city to at least identify locations for housing both within the city of Chicago and, of course, if we are aware of locations, potentially in suburban Cook. We have been, through our emergency management and real estate office, compiling a very detailed inventory of county facilities and other locations, Haynes Turner said. Were also planning to provide any locations that are within the city limits from some of our brokers. As of Thursday, more than 17,000 migrants have come to Chicago since August 2022, when the flow of buses from Texas and other southern border states first started. More than 10,100 are in city-run shelters, while another 2,400 are in Chicago police stations and 820 at the city airports. More than 11 buses were expected to arrive Thursday. Pritzker, meanwhile, defended the states support for Chicago following a City Council hearing last week that saw multiple Johnson allies lash out at the governors administration and call for him to take on more of the burden. The state has appropriated roughly $330 million toward asylum-seekers since the first busload of migrants was sent by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, but not all of that has gone directly to the city to cover its costs. This is a challenge I think the city has been facing since the beginning. We dont do city planning at the state level. This is a question best directed to the city, Pritzker said Thursday when asked how his administration will brace for the next wave of new arrivals. As they have developed plans, and as theyve implemented them, weve been there in support. Pacione-Zayas said Johnson is still planning a trip to the border to establish some order in how the buses are being sent to Chicago, but that no schedule has been set. The city is bracing for up to 25 buses a day this week. Ultimately the goal is so that we have tighter coordination, she said. She also rebutted criticism of Chicagos response to the migrant crisis and those who are calling on the city to turn away asylum-seekers. We are upholding our values. We are operationalizing our sanctuary city status. We are holding the line, Pacione-Zayas said. This is a welcoming state, so there would be some challenges that it would present if we were to shut our doors as well. I mean, were going to do this as long as we can. This is precisely why everyone must do more. Preckwinkle, too, repeated the need for both federal and state money to respond to the crisis. The county has been providing health care services to migrants, a cost that has varied by month but currently stands at $2.2 million. That care has run the gamut, officials said, from vaccinations, health care screenings, mental health services, treatment of wounds and infections, to maternal and infant care. Until February, the state was helping pick up some of the tab. With an expected influx of more buses and planes arriving in the coming months, county officials think that monthly cost will rise. Migrant patient volumes have increased 30% to 40% in recent weeks, Cook County Health CEO Israel Rocha said. While she said she would continue to advocate for a federal solution, Preckwinkle said the state needs to step up as well, because $42.5 million barely covers the citys costs for a month, she said, describing the sum that the state recently announced in awards to local governments as a drop in the bucket. ayin@chicagotribune.com dpetrella@chicagotribune.com adquig@chicagotribune.com Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is filing paperwork to raise funds to run for attorney general. I am strongly considering running but only if the current AG chooses not to run for re-election, Steinberg said in a message to The Sacramento Bee Wednesday. I am considering a number of options for my post mayor life. Whatever I do, it will be something good! Steinberg said he believed the paperwork was filed Tuesday. Secretary of States office spokesman Joe Kocurek said Wednesday that they had yet to see the filing. During his May announcement that he would not seek a third term, Steinberg said he might be interested in running for AG in 2026. Current Attorney General Rob Bonta is seriously considering running for governor when Gov. Gavin Newsom vacates the seat in 2026, he has told the San Francisco Chronicle. Newsom appointed Bonta to the AG post in 2021 a position for which Steinberg was a contender. Bonta then won election to stay in the post in 2022. The new committee will also provide a place for Steinberg to park his campaign cash while he figures out his next move. Steinberg may also be interested in a seat on the Supreme Court of California, but there is not currently a vacancy. Outside of politics, Steinberg has also said after his mayoral term ends, he wants to spend more time writing, teaching and working with his mental health foundation. When a reporter asked Miami Mayor Francis Suarez to comment on billionaire Ken Griffins controversial plan to relocate a historic home from his $106 million bayfront estate and turn it into a tourist attraction, the mayor gushed in full-throated support. The idea that the public could visit this historic house for the first time and for generations to come is incredible, Suarez said through a spokeswoman. The citizens of Miami, South Florida and visitors from all over the world would be able to appreciate firsthand its significance and beauty so we hope this project moves forward. Only the mayor didnt actually say that. The sentiments were scripted, word for word, by Griffins spokesman, who gave them to the city, emails indicate. The mayors office then presented the statement as Suarezs own words to the Miami Herald. Suarez was at the World Cup in Qatar at the time. The striking level of access and political influence enjoyed by Floridas wealthiest man was revealed in a cache of emails obtained by the Herald through a public records request, seeking interactions referencing Griffin or his investment firm Citadel. The emails reveal months of chummy communications and coordinated media messaging between the mayors office and the firm that was moving its headquarters to Miami. Griffins staffers pitched scholarship and grant programs. They grabbed coffees with city staffers and told Suarezs aides to reach out 24/7 if you ever need anything. Griffins courting of the mayor including a $1 million contribution to a Suarez-affiliated political committee in March has occurred as Suarez faces criticism for blurring the lines between his public office and his private business relationships. Federal authorities are investigating the mayors $10,000-a-month side job working for a developer who, as reported by the Herald, was seeking permitting help from the mayors office. Separately, the Florida Ethics Commission launched an investigation last month into whether Suarez broke state laws when he accepted a VIP invitation from Griffin to the Miami Formula One Grand Prix. Both Suarez and Griffin have told the Herald the mayor later paid $14,000 to cover the cost of the passes but neither provided receipts. State law prohibits elected officials from accepting gifts valued over $100 from anyone lobbying the city, but allows a 90-day grace period for repayment.. Griffin has maintained he has never expected special treatment as he seeks approvals for various projects around the city, including the plan to relocate the historic villa. Anthony Alfieri, founding director of the Center for Ethics and Public Service at the University of Miami School of Law, said taking cues from a businessman actively lobbying the city suggests Suarez lacks the independence and reasoned judgment to serve in public office. The damaging disclosure that Mayor Suarez and his office acted as a direct, unmediated mouthpiece for an architectural proposal that our leading preservationists derided as ludicrous and appalling once again creates an appearance of impropriety by suggesting that the mayor is subservient to the interests of the rich and powerful, Alfieri said. The mayors office did not respond to the Heralds request for comment on the newly released emails. In a statement, Citadel spokesman Zia Ahmed, who authored the mayors quote, said Griffin is proud to work with local leaders to support our great city, and the draft quote we sent the Mayors office exemplifies his commitment to safely relocating Villa Serena to a location where the public can visit this beautiful house. He has a long history of providing access to some of our nations most important cultural treasures, including displaying his copy of the U.S. Constitution and many significant works of art in museums across the country, Ahmed said of Griffin. Villa Serena, on Biscayne Bay, was the winter home of William Jennings Bryan, a lawyer, orator and prohibitionist politician who was three times the Democratic nominee for president, losing each time. Griffin bought the property in September 2022 from banker and philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, who had built a much larger mansion on the estate while restoring Jennings Bryans original structure for use as a guest house. In the months that followed the sale, an architect working for Griffin reached out to the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, a quasi-autonomous fund headed by members of the City Commission, which Griffin hoped would help move the mansion off his estate and put it to public use. The plan would need approval both from Miamis Historic Preservation Board and the City Commission. As mayor, Suarez has no vote on the commission but often lobbies voting members and can veto measures. The Herald reached out to the mayors office for comment about Griffins relocation plan on Dec. 15, following a loud outcry from preservationists concerned that the proposed move could damage the meticulously restored but fragile Villa Serena which is a legally protected historic structure. Just 40 minutes later, Ahmed, Griffins spokesperson, had the response prepared. Heres a draft quote in case its helpful, Ahmed wrote in an email to Soledad Cedro, the mayors then-communications director. Cedro passed along his 51-word statement to the Herald without changes, attributing it to Suarez. Cedro, who resigned from her city position in September, this week acknowledged receiving a reporters text about her coordination with Ahmed but otherwise did not comment. Ahmed did not answer the Heralds questions about why he had written the mayors response. Cedro and Ahmed first met the month before, emails show, during an event at Miami Dade College during which Suarez interviewed Griffin in front of an audience. The aides seemed to hit it off. Let me know if I can ever be of any help or if we can partner on anything, Ahmed wrote to Cedro the next day. Would love to partner with you! Im sure we can do great things joining forces! Cedro responded, suggesting they should get coffee the next time Ahmed was in Miami. Ahmed was thankful when Cedro authored a series of articles for the Spanish-language publication InfoBae that celebrated Griffins move to Miami. Cedro told the Daily Beast, which first reported on the articles, that the mayor had not been involved in her decision to write them. The articles did not identify her as the mayors spokeswoman. Billionaire financier Ken Griffin bought Adrienne Arshts former estate, which consists of the historic Villa Serena, at left, and Arshts mansion, at far right. Griffins proposal to relocate the historic villa from his property first became public when it was an item listed for discussion at a Dec. 6 meeting of the Historic Preservation Board. The discussion never took place because the Omni CRA, the items sponsor, asked to postpone to a later meeting. The future discussion was never scheduled. Kenia Fallat, spokeswoman for Miami City Manager Art Noriegas administration, said there have been no permit applications filed at the city for the Villa Serena property. Fallat said nothing has happened since the discussion item was removed from the preservation board agenda. Miami Herald staff writers Joey Flechas and Andres Viglucci contributed to this report. The News Republicans couldnt save Kevin McCarthy , but some are hoping to avenge him. GOP lawmakers spent much of Wednesday promising to strike back against Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. and the seven other rebels who ousted the speaker a day earlier. I think Matt would be a great dictator in a small island nation in the Pacific or something, thats probably the best next step for him, Rep. Garret Graves, R-La. told Semafor. I do think there should be repercussions. McCarthys aggrieved allies have floated a range of punishments. Some like Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., are urging that the anti-McCarthy insurgents be stripped of their committee assignments. Rep. Mike Lawler, R-NY, told reporters he believed Gaetz should be expelled from the GOP conference for disgraceful conduct. That idea drew a big endorsement from former GOP Speaker Newt Gingrich. Gaetz is an anti-Republican who has become actively destructive to the conservative movement, Gingrich recently wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. Know More Its not uncommon for House GOP leaders to seek retribution against members who cross leadership or buck the party in major votes. In 2015, then-Speaker John Boehner booted a pair of GOP lawmakers off the prestigious Rules Committee after they didnt back his speakership bid. One of them, Rep. Richard Nugent, was barred from enjoying perks like traveling on Congressional delegations abroad as well. There are signs that outside groups and members of Congress are mobilizing against the rebels as well. Americans for Tax Reform, the anti-tax group helmed by Grover Norquist, took out a statewide ad buy against Gaetz in Florida. Matt Gaetz would rather promote himself than protect taxpayers from runaway government spending, the ad said. An ATR spokesperson told Semafor the radio and digital ad buys price tag was in the high six figures, and the organization was considering others. The View From The Senate Republican Senators have been opening fire at Rep. Matt Rosendale , R-Mont., an anti-McCarthy insurgent considering a second run for the upper chamber, who recently said that he prayed for Republicans to win a small majority in the 2022 midterms because it would give conservatives more leverage. Maryland Matt Rosendale prays for Democrats to win elections? Did God answer his prayers in 2018 when Jon Tester humiliated him? tweeted Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. This is just one of many, many reasons that Maryland Matt wont come within a country mile of the Senate. (Rosendale moved to Montana from Maryland in 2002). GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. a close friend of McCarthys, vowed to help the NRSC-backed Tim Sheehy in the Montana primary. If Matt Rosendale tries to get in that [primary], Ill be doing everything to defeat him, Mullin told Semafor. Matt Rosendale does not need to be anywhere in public office. The Milan-based Campari Group, which owns the Italian drink brand Aperol, has filed a lawsuit in Russia to demand a stop to Aperol imports, independent Russian media outlet Meduza reported on Oct. 5. The lawsuit was filed in Rostov against the local distributor Master-Trade, which Campari Group believes imports and sells Aperol without permission. Meduza cited information provided to the Russian business newspaper Kommersant, which suggests Campari may not have responded to requests from the Russian customs service as to whether the goods have permission to be imported. If the owner of the brand does not answer the service, "the goods are passed through" customs anyway and allowed into the country. A hearing for the case is scheduled for October 30, Meduza reported. In April 2022, Campari Group said it had "stopped all investments" in Russia, including advertising and promotions, and "reduced the business to the bare minimum necessary to pay the salaries of our colleagues." "We are monitoring the situation closely and are open to reconsider our position accordingly," Campari said. However, Campari's continued presence in Russia led some Ukrainian bar owners to boycott the group's brands and remove drinks like Aperol Spritz from their menu over the summer of 2023. According to the Kyiv School of Economic's #LeaveRussia campaign, the revenue volumes of the Campari Group increased in 2022 compared to the 2021 level. Read also: Ukraine designates Bacardi as international sponsor of war Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The grant recipients each receive $800,000 to spend in a way they see fit. On Wednesday, the MacArthur Foundation announced this years class of Genius fellows, and among the 20 grantees are seven Black scholars, artists, and musicians. This years 20 recipients span various disciplines and focus, including law, art, environmental studies, literature, poetry, anthropology, and more. MacArthur fellows, who do not apply, are nominated and endorsed by their peers and picked on a somewhat mysterious basis of merits. Each fellow receives $800,000 over five years to spend however they see fit. Since the grant began in 1981, 1,131 fellows have been named, including the writer and sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom, the artist Kara Walker, the writer Kiese Laymon, poet Claudia Rankine, and more. This years Black recipients include a computer scientist, a pianist, a law scholar, a writer, and more. Meet all seven below. E. Tendayi Achiume E. Tendayi Achiume is a 2023 MacArthur Genius fellow grant recipient. (Photo courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) Based in Los Angeles, Achiume is a legal scholar focusing on immigration, human rights, human security, and legal studies. Through her work, she aims to reframe traditional mindsets around international law as it intersects with racial justice and global migration. Im interested in rethinking that can take us to more creative and just ways of living together, she said in a video for the MacArthur Foundation. Andrea Armstrong Andrea Armstrong is a 2023 MacArthur Genius fellow grant recipient. (Photo courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) As an incarnation law scholar based in New Orleans, Armstrong has been illuminating U.S. incarceration practices, including the poor living conditions in prisons and jails and deaths behind bars. Armstrong launched the Incarceration Transparency project to help further provide much-needed transparency and offer a place for memorials for those who lost their lives while incarcerated. While her work mainly focuses on Louisiana, the impact reaches beyond. People are so much more than their worst moment. They are caretakers, they are artists, they are musicians, they are brothers and sisters, and uncles and aunts. And all of that goes missing when somebody dies behind bars, Armstrong said in an interview for MacArthur. Courtney Bryan Courtney Bryan is a 2023 MacArthur Genius fellow grant recipient. (Photo courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) Bryan is a celebrated composer and pianist based in New Orleans who famously composed the orchestra piece Sanctum amid the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2015. She said she was inspired by several instances of high-profile police brutality, including the beating of Marlene Pinnock and the death of Mike Brown, when composing the piece. Her music has roots in the Black church and combines jazz with classical elements. Music is my way of expressing myself and understanding the world, she said during an interview for MacArthur. Its also an extension of me expressing my spirituality to really reflect on issues that have happened historically and issues that are happening today that are very important to me. Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons is a 2023 MacArthur Genius fellow grant recipient. (Photo courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) Through her multidisciplinary art, Campos-Pons explores various themes, including memory, spirituality, identity, and her own Afro-Cuban heritage. Based in Tennessee, she works in many mediums, such as photography, performance, sculpture, drawing, painting, video, multimedia installations, and more. I want to present the complexity of duality, knowledge, history, heritage, culture, and a play for justice, Campos-Pons said in a MacArthur interview. Lester Mackey Lester Mackey is a 2023 MacArthur Genius fellow grant recipient. (Photo courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) Mackey, a computer scientist and statistician based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializes in machine learning. His work focuses on establishing solutions for real life through developing learning algorithms based on data science. Fields his work has benefitted include environmental, health, and more. I have found that if you want to solve a problem well, you have to develop some new tools and some new theory. And those tools and theory will extend well beyond the original scope of the original problem, Mackey said in an interview with the MacArthur Foundation. Imani Perry Imani Perry is a 2023 MacArthur Genius fellow grant recipient. (Photo courtesy of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) Perry, a scholar and a writer, is bringing a new context to African-American life where race, gender, and politics are concerned. Her work on historical and contemporary life spans genres and disciplines, including history and biography. Some of her works include South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation, Vexy Thing: On Gender and Liberation, and Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry. Of her work, Perry told the MacArthur Foundation, Im always trying to write in a way that pushes us towards a deeper both recognition of others and reckoning with our history. Celebrating the honor in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Perry wrote, Feeling certain that it was divine intervention that would put me in Alabama (for a few hours) on this special day. How could I not have my feet planted on my native soil? In another post she wrote, Grateful. Carolyn Lazard The conceptualist Philadelphia-based artist Lazards work spans video, installation, sculpture, and performance. Through minimalist and even the avant-garde, their work often revolves around themes of accessibility and disability. Lazard also draws on their own experience with chronic illness in both their work and writings. In an interview with the MacArthur Foundation, Lazard said, Im interested in the history of disablement and disability and how we might think through certain kinds of relations of care and dependency, and collectivity. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai. The post Meet the 7 Black scholars and artists named among the MacArthur Genius fellows class of 2023 appeared first on TheGrio. A memorial dinner for a deceased resident was being held in a cafe in Kharkiv Oblast when it was bombed by the Russians on Thursday, 5 October. At least 50 people were killed in the attack. Source: Ihor Klymenko , Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, on the national 24/7 newscast Details: Klymenko said there were about 60 people on the premises in total. At the moment, 50 people are known to have died, including a 6-year-old girl. Another seven people were seriously injured and are currently undergoing surgery. Klymenko added that these seven are people who were near the building, at a distance of 50 metres or more. They were hit by shrapnel from the explosion. According to the official, five to seven civilians might still be under the rubble. The minister said that law enforcement officers have identified 29 bodies. In total, 330 people lived in the village of Hroza, Klymenko said. At least one member of each family in the village was present at the memorial dinner. Klymenko says it has not yet been possible to determine the type of projectile used to carry out the strike, but he suggests that it was either a sufficiently heavy guided air missile or a high-explosive bomb. According to Klymenko, the hit was so accurate that it is suspected that the location was given to the Russians by a local resident. Previously: At around 13:30 on Thursday, the Russians struck a cafe in the village of Hroza, Kupiansk district, in Kharkiv Oblast. So far, 49 people are known to have been killed in the attack. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The indictment of Sen. Bob Menendez has unleashed a season of wild maneuvering in New Jersey politics with ambitious Democrats angling for his seat and former President Donald Trump discussing a run for it with one of his congressional allies. Third-term Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) was the first surprise contender. But more are expected to follow soon. Confidantes of Tammy Murphy, the wife of Gov. Phil Murphy, have begun reaching out to staff and consultants as she moves closer to a run, according to two people familiar with the conversations. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), has also refused to rule out a bid. And on the Republican side, Rep. Jeff Van Drew a Democrat not too long ago is contemplating a bid and said he has talked to Trump about it. A free for all, is how longtime Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) summed it up. In a state where politics is defined by its nasty, often seedy, underside, the cycle is shaping up to be particularly volatile. And its happening fast. Kim, for one, said in an interview that he felt compelled to move quickly after the Menendez news and hes already benefited from it. In his first week, he raised nearly $1 million, according to a campaign spokesperson. But he did not seek approval from the state Democratic Party before his sudden launch, which was considered taboo by some in the state. I will say that anyone in the delegation that wants to do this will have to take the risk that I am, which is that I am not able to run for reelection in the House, Kim said. I'm putting my entire career on the line. But its not just the Senate race. An even nastier head-to-head contest may be taking place back in Trenton. The governors race is open in 2025 and two prominent Democrats have begun inching toward that office, even as Menendezs troubles open up the possibility of a Senate seat. Democratic Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer are both positioning themselves for the 2025 governor's contest, according to multiple people familiar with each member's deliberations. Neither is planning to change course and run for Senate. All told, nearly half of the state's 12-members of Congress are eyeing statewide runs in the next two years. Its portending some showdowns between a number of remarkable protagonists: An infamously vengeful senator enmeshed in corruption charges, a high-wattage political spouse, a party-switching Trump ally and the brother of another notorious New Jersey boss, George Norcross. Menendez, a 30-year Capitol Hill veteran, has denied the allegations of bribery and corruption and has vowed to fight them. He said on Wednesday that he will announce any reelection plans "when the time comes" but that he would not "jeopardize any seat in New Jersey." But the fall-out has even ensnared the senators son, Rep. Rob Menendez, who is now facing a serious primary challenge from Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla. (Menendez declined to comment on the primary when asked about it last week.) The composition of the states House delegation seems likely to change dramatically beyond the younger Menendezs seat. Sherill and Gottheimer are both signaling that they will keep their sights set on Trenton, setting them up for a head-to-head clash. And while Democrats close to Gottheimer who has $15.1 million banked as of this June expect him to fight to keep his seat through 2024, its less clear if Sherrill will make the same decision. Sherrill will have to choose by the spring filing deadline whether to seek reelection in 2024 or retire in preparation for a statewide run in 2025. (She had $1.2 million in the bank as of June, though neither she nor Gottheimer can transfer those funds directly into a state account to use for a governor bid.) If Sherrill decides to leave, it would mean Democrats need to defend an open seat in the expensive New York City media market, though it became far more difficult for Republicans in the last redistricting. Gottheimers seat, should it open up, was also once a battleground and could possibly be vulnerable again in a tough Democratic year. One House member who doesnt appear to be going anywhere is Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). He said in an interview that his focus was on taking back the House majority and re-securing the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce committee. I'm flattered by the suggestions, he added, of those floating him for a run. Van Drew, a conservative Democrat-turned-Republican, by contrast, is openly flirting with a run for the Senate. He said a decision isnt coming soon but he speaks to the former president weekly and said Trump would back him should he choose to go statewide. He wants me to do what's best for the state and also best for me, Van Drew said. He's always been supportive of me since the day I changed over five years ago. Van Drew could pose a challenge for an eventual Democratic nominee, with his ability to appeal to conservative Democratic voters in the southern end of the state. He won his district as both a Democrat and a Republican. But his colleagues downplayed the odds of him picking up crossover voters. How do you say, Hell no, said Norcross, his downstate colleague, when asked if Van Drew might still be popular with Democrats. Norcross, the brother of New Jersey powerbroker George Norcross, declined to rule out a run, but noted that his focus was on his work in Congress. Having the state well represented in the halls of government, whether it's at the state or federal level, has always been a consideration, he said. We'll take one day at a time. A mentally ill homeless detainee held on robbery and bail jumping charges died in one of New York Citys Rikers Island jails early Thursday just seven days after entering the system, sources said. Manish Kunwar, 27, becomes the ninth detainee to die in city jails so far this year, following 19 deaths in 2022 and 16 in 2021. Twenty-seven people have died in the jails during the Adams administration. Kunwar was found dead in the Eric M. Taylor Center, the Rikers Island facility used to process recent additions to the jail population. The Correction Department did not have immediate comment. Records show Kunwar was initially charged with a robbery back in 2022. Prosecutors alleged he brandished a knife at a man on 37th Ave. and 93rd St. in Corona, Queens, on June 20, 2022, court records show. The victim claimed Kunwar stole $1,200 in cash from him. Kunwar then did not appear for a subsequent court date. Sources said he had a relapse of a substance abuse condition and wound up in a Baltimore psychiatric facility for five months and then somehow in Delaware. While in Delaware, he called 911 because he was suicidal and authorities there took him into custody, the sources said. He was then extradited to Queens and charged Sept. 27 with robbery, bail jumping and grand larceny charges. He was due back in court Thursday morning. Kunwar was born in Nepal and does not appear to have close family in the city, the sources said. His court-appointed lawyer declined comment Thursday. On Aug. 22, Donny Ubiera, 33, was found dead in the George R. Vierno Center on Rikers Island. The city Medical Examiner has yet to determine a cause of death. Rikers Island continues to kill our neighbors and traumatize our communities and somehow Mayor Adams thinks this is a path we should continue on? said Darren Mack of Freedom Agenda. In late August, Mayor Adams asked the City Council to re-think the Close Rikers plan. A new cryptic species of snake with metallic scales was discovered by researchers in China. The reptile which appears to have an iridescent blue sheen was found during a survey in Hunan, a mountainous province in southeast China, according to a study published Sept. 28 in the peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys. Researchers located four specimens slinking in Lianyuan City, while a fifth was spotted on the citys outskirts. The snakes were collected and humanely euthanized before tissue samples were taken for further analysis, researchers, who are affiliated with various universities in China, said. DNA was then extracted from the tissue samples, and the snakes genetic material was analyzed in an attempt to place the creatures on a phylogenetic tree. Adult male Achalinus sheni Following the analysis, it was confirmed that the reptiles belonged to a previously unidentified species in the genus Achalinus, a family of burrowing, non-venomous snakes found in East Asia. The Achanlinus snakes are odd-scaled, meaning, unlike many other reptiles, their scales do not overlap and they have exposed skin in between, according to Reptiles Magazine. They dwell under leaves and dead wood on forest floors and likely prey on frogs, slugs and earthworms, according to iNaturalist, a citizen scientist platform. Currently, 26 species of this genus have been documented and more than half of them (17 species) were described in the past five years, researchers said. A. adult male, B. adult male C. sub adult male D. juvenile male The newfound species, named sheni after a renowned Chinese herpetologist, is distinguished by its 23 rows of scales, short tail and other subtle physical features. Interestingly, its scales have a metallic luster and are tinged weakly iridescent, meaning they appear to shimmer. Currently, the species is only known to dwell in Hunan, which is filled with evergreen forests. This new species population status requires further investigation, researchers said, adding there is not enough data to determine its conservation status. Watch as great white shark intercepts anglers huge catch in Australia. What a jerk Sounds from roadside ditch lead to discovery of horned creature in China, study says Wetlands turn the color of strawberry milk in Australia. See the rare phenomenon LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Las Vegas Metro Police Department confirmed to 8 News Now it made an arrest this week inside an east valley high school. Metro would not state who was taken into custody, but reported an arrest happened at Las Vegas High School on Monday. Sources told 8 News Now it was a current student who was arrested. Two weeks ago, there was a large brawl at Las Vegas High School where CCSDPD had to use pepper spray to break it up. The fight was believed to be gang related, sources say. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A Mexican national living in Atlanta received a 10-year prison sentence for trafficking narcotics in the Athens-Clarke County region, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia said Esteban Palacios Chamu, 30 of Mexico, was pulled over after failing to maintain his lane while driving in Madison County back in December 2021. According to court documents, Chamu was driving without a license or an identification card. Instead, he gave officers his name and date of birth. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to USDOJ, after running Chamus name and birthday, they learned he had warrants out for his arrest in Doraville, Ga. Officers also said they smelled marijuana coming from his car, and he was arrested. When police searched the vehicle, USDOJ said they found a drug ledger, a plastic bag with a large chunk of methamphetamine in it, another large gallon-size bag containing methamphetamine, a baggie with more methamphetamine, a black bag with digital scales, and multiple cell phones, as well as more digital scales and a box of Ziplock bags in the glove box, in addition to items used for drug distribution. Those who distribute methamphetamine create a serious risk to the community, Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, said. This trafficker can no longer deliver dangerous drugs on the streets and must now face the consequences of his actions. TRENDING STORIES: In total, officers said Chamu had 1,190.21 grams, about 2.6 pounds, of meth in the car when he was pulled over. The distribution of large quantities of the most addictive illegal drugs contributes to criminal activity that is undermining the safety of our communities, U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said when Chamus sentence was announced. Local law enforcement is collaborating with our office and our partners at every level to identify and hold accountable those individuals and criminal groups participating in the distribution of this poison. Chamu pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and will not be eligible for parole. He pled guilty on Tuesday and will serve 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: New Mexico AG charges a police officer in the killing of a Black man at a gas station last year New Mexico's top law enforcement official announced this week that a police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of a Black man at a gas station last summer. Las Cruces Officer Brad Lunsford was booked Tuesday, but officials did not detain him, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez told reporters at a news conference. Lunsford allegedly shot Presley Eze at a Chevron gas station on the afternoon of Aug. 2, 2022 after an employee called 911 to report that Eze had left the store without paying for a beer, according to the attorney general's office. Lunsford was the first officer to arrive to the scene. Lunsford questioned Eze and, after he was "unable to verify Eze's identity," the officer "forcibly removed Eze from the vehicle in order to detain him," the attorney general's office said in a news release. Police apprehend Presley Eze at a gas station in New Mexico on Aug. 2, 2022. (KOB) Eze, who was unarmed and shirtless, allegedly resisted attempts to take him into custody. The attorney general's office said a "scuffle ensued," with Eze ending up on the ground, on top of one of the officers who responded. Eze put his hand on the second officer's taser and, in response, Lunsford pulled out his gun and shot Eze on the left side of his head at point-blank range, according to the news release. Luis Robles, Lunsford's lawyer, did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment Thursday. Eze was the oldest son of Nigerian immigrants who lived in Connecticut, according to a family spokesman who spoke at the attorney general's news conference Tuesday. He worked at a nursing home in Las Cruces, the spokesman said. The attorney general's office investigated the killing, consulting with experts on the use of force who reviewed body camera footage and determined that the officer's use of deadly force was "not reasonable under the circumstances." "The killing of Presley Eze is a tragedy and serves as yet another example of poor police tactics resulting in an unjustifiable use of force to subdue an individual resisting arrest for the commission of a minor crime," Torrez told reporters. Police killings of Black people across the United States in recent years have drawn wide attention, sparking waves of social justice protests and renewing attention on allegations of police brutality. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Last month, as the Biden administration scrambled to manage the latest wave of migrants overwhelming the US southern border, top US immigration authorities crossed into Mexico for an emergency meeting. Seated around a Ciudad Juarez conference room, the officials and their Mexican counterparts drafted a 15-point plan to help defuse the flashpoint most of it a checklist of actions for the Mexican government. Notably, according to a readout from Mexicos federal immigration agency, Mexico agreed to carry out more costly deportations of the migrants gathering on their side of the border a move that some believed would dissuade disorderly crossings. The measures, which also specified Mexican efforts to clamp down on the crush of migrants riding north on railcars, are the latest in a series of policy shifts in Mexico that have alleviated, if slightly, the massive political headache in Washington caused perennially by migration. Analysts in both countries see a pragmatic bargain: as Mexico increasingly carries the weight of US immigration strategy, the Biden administration has granted rare leeway to the countrys divisive but popular leader. Mexico has real leverage in the relationship with the US. And right now that leverage is around migration, said Andrew Selee, the president of the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. Members of the Mexican National Guard stand on the border between Mexico and Guatemala to prevent the crossing of migrant caravans on October 21, 2022. - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images Sharing nearly 2,000 miles of land border and a history of important economic exchange, Mexico and the US have long held intertwined immigration policies that adapted as international migration patterns shifted. When George W. Bush made his first trip out of the US as president in 2001, it was to the ranch of Vicente Fox, the Mexican leader, to discuss a new era of cooperation on border issues, like trade, drugs, and the northward flow of Mexicans, who at that time comprised the bulk of undocumented border-crossers. But as spiraling violence and desperate economic conditions fueled years of mass migration out of Central America and the Caribbean to the US, overpowering the countrys legal intake system, the stretch of Mexican territory in between became a critical buffer state, said Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America. The Mexico southern border pretty much was the US southern border, Meyer said. Under pressure from several US administrations, Mexico has repeatedly sent resources to its border with Guatemala over the past 10 years to formalize migration routes and detained record numbers of migrants at newly installed checkpoints as they made their way north. At the helm of Mexicos latest immigration coordination with the US has been President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a leftist leader who in 2018 campaigned on resistance to doing the USs dirty work on migration. His political calculus has changed swiftly since then. Crossing another line in immigration enforcement Under the threat of crippling tariffs from then-President Donald Trump, Lopez Obrador agreed in 2019 to allow asylum applicants to wait out their claims inside Mexico under the Remain in Mexico policy, roiling activists who said it forced migrants into dangerous living conditions. During the pandemic, when the US employed a public health measure known as Title 42 to turn around many asylum seekers at the border, Lopez Obrador agreed to receive many of the migrants, reversing a long-standing position in the country and straining the resources of Mexicos own border cities. In May, as the US ended the use of Title 42, Lopez Obrador continued to allow the returns on humanitarian grounds. I think these more recent steps really do cross another line because it is not just stopping people from coming to the United States, which has been the more enforcer role, Meyer said. It is actually allowing people deported from the United States to either stay in Mexico, or in this case now, actually maybe actively returning them back to their home countries for the United States, she said. Details on the deportation plan announced last month have been limited. In a news conference from Washington on Friday, Mexican Foreign Secretary Alicia Barcena said that Mexican authorities were carrying out six flights each week to return migrants to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Barcena added that officials were exploring the possibility of expanding the returns to Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia. It was unclear where the deportation flights were taking place and when they had begun. It also couldnt be learned if the migrants being returned had already been deported from the US or if they had pending asylum claims. Stakeholders in Mexico told CNN last week that there had not appeared to be any significant change in the pace of repatriation flights in the countrys north. A spokeswoman for Mexicos federal immigration agency declined to provide more details on the deportations. But the announcement may already have had the effect of discouraging migrants from crossing to the US without the appointment required to seek an asylum claim. In the weekend that followed the meeting, the number of migrants encountered by border authorities entering the US near El Paso, Texas, fell by about 30%, CNN has reported. Last Wednesday, Lopez Obrador also announced that he was planning a summit with officials from several Latin American and Caribbean countries whose populations are migrating to be held in the coming days. Mexico also last month agreed to urge countries like Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba which have limited diplomatic relations with the US to take back their citizens deported at the border. What we are looking for is to reach an agreement to confront the migration phenomenon by addressing the causes, Lopez Obrador said at a news conference. We have to align ourselves. An uptick in shuttle diplomacy The recent cooperation between the two countries has come with a busy schedule of shuttle diplomacy. Last week, Barcena held meetings in Washington with Senate leaders and Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Bidens homeland security advisor. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Mexico this week along with other cabinet secretaries and meet with Lopez Obrador. For Mexican negotiators, the countrys increased responsibilities have often been conditioned on a US commitment to grow the ways that migrants can enter the country legally, like through temporary work visas and a recently expanded humanitarian parole program that the Biden administration says has allowed tens of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans who meet certain conditions, including a local sponsor in the US, to fly into the country and secure work authorization. Last month, ahead of the announcement around Mexican deportations, Mexicos foreign minister told Bloomberg in an interview that the US and Mexico were nearing an agreement with the United Nations to pre-screen tens of thousands of migrants in Mexico for entry into the US under the parole programs. The US has opened similar processing centers in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. A United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokesperson told CNN that the organization is regularly in contact with US and Mexican authorities including on how we can provide support to possible future initiatives. Politically for the Mexican government, they cant do enhanced enforcement without showing that they are also fighting for the well-being of migrants and for legal opportunities, because it is a country with a history of migration to the United States, Selee said. A free hand for Lopez Obrador? Still, some analysts see a more cynical incentive behind the cooperation, arguing that the Biden administration has largely turned a blind eye to elements of Lopez Obradors agenda that would have typically drawn rebuke. Lopez Obrador very quickly understood that if he gave into Bidens request for support he would have significant political capital to ensure that US pressure on a number of either bilateral issues or domestic Mexican policy issues would be constrained, said Arturo Sarukhan, a former Mexican ambassador to Washington who has been a critic of the current administration. Detractors point to democratic backsliding in a number of Lopez Obradors positions: an attempted reform of the countrys independent election authority, frequent criticism of the judiciary and the press, and the capitulation of state powers on policing and transportation to the military. The election reform, which was passed earlier this year but later blocked by the Mexican Supreme Court, diminished the countrys independent election authority, cutting its workforce across the country and limiting its autonomy ahead of a presidential vote next year. Tens of thousands of Mexicans marched on the capital against the policy in the largest opposition protest of Lopez Obradors presidency. Critics decried it as a dangerous erosion of democratic institutions. But in Washington, the Biden administration was unusually muted. In a statement following the February protests, Ned Price, a senior adviser to Blinken, described a great debate on electoral reforms on the independence of electoral and judicial institutions that illustrates Mexicos vibrant democracy. We respect Mexicos sovereignty. We believe that a well-resourced, independent electoral system and respect for judicial independence support healthy democracy, Price said. If Mexico had less leverage in its relationship with the US, I think that youd see greater public pressure from the State Department, from the White House, on the slippery slope of democratic erosion that were seeing in Mexico, Sarukhan said. I think the United States should be invested in Mexicos democratic strength because if not, what youll have in Washington sooner or later is someone asking the question, Who lost Mexico and why? he added. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A police officer in Las Cruces, New Mexico, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man at a gas station last August. Attorney General Raul Torrez announced the charges against Brad Lunsford, a Las Cruces Police officer, Tuesday at the conclusion of a use-of-force investigation. Torrez further accused the Dona Ana County district attorney of obstructing the states investigation into the incident and refusing to turn over key videos and images. Unfortunately, we were not provided with a complete investigative file containing all of the videos and images that would be necessary to evaluate this case, he said. Lunsford was the first officer on scene the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 2, 2022, after a Chevron gas station attendant called 911 to report a man named Presley Eze had left the station with a beer can he hadnt paid for. Lunsford and another officer confronted Eze and forcibly removed the unarmed, shirtless man from his vehicle after they could not verify his identity, according to a press release from the attorney generals office. Amid an ensuing scuffle, Eze and one of the responding officers ended up on the ground. The attorney general said Eze then placed his hand on the second officers taser though it was not deployed or pointed at anyone at which point Lunsford drew his gun and shot Eze in the back left side of his head at point-blank range. The killing of Presley Eze is a tragedy and serves as yet another example of poor police tactics resulting in an unjustifiable use of force to subdue an individual resisting arrest for the commission of a minor crime, Torrez said in a release. As New Mexicos chief law enforcement officer, I have a duty to hold everyone accountable for violations of the law and that includes police officers who cross the line. In response to a separate lawsuit in May accusing Las Cruces of covering up the incident, an attorney representing the city claimed Eze, a nurse, presented an armed and dangerous threat and the officers had no real choice but to use deadly force. Related... On Tuesday, Las Cruces Officer Brad Lunsford was booked but not detained in the killing of Presley Eze at a Chevron gas station last year. He has been charged with voluntary manslaughter. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez shared the details during a news conference. Lunsford allegedly shot Eze after an employee from the gas station called 911 to report that Eze had left the store without paying for a beer per the attorney generals office. Read more A family spokesperson was also present at the news conference and shared that Eze was the oldest son of Nigerian immigrants who resided in Connecticut. In addition, the spokesperson said that Eze worked at a nursing home in Las Cruces. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A New Mexico police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter more than a year after allegedly shooting a Black man dead from point blank range at a petrol station last year. Police were called on the afternoon of August 2 2022 after the victim, Presley Eze, was witnessed leaving the store in Las Cruces without paying for some beer. According to the New Mexico Attorney Generals office, Officer Brad Lunsford was the first to arrive on the scene and, despite not being able to verify Mr Ezes identity forcibly removed him from the vehicle, along with another officer. Mr Eze, who was unarmed and shirtless at the time, resisted the arrest and a scuffle ensued during which he ended up on top of the other officer. At one point Mr Eze placed his hand on the officers taser but did not deploy it. In response, Officer Lunsford allegedly drew his gun and shot Mr Eze on the back, left side of his head at point blank range. Lunsford has been charged with voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement over the incident. The AGs office said it had consulted with use-of-force experts, who had concluded that Lunsfords use of deadly force was not reasonable under the circumstances. Other, less lethal options could have been used to subdue Eze, the office said in a statement. Attorney General Raul Torrez said the tragic incident served as yet another example of poor police tactics resulting in an unjustifiable use of force to subdue an individual resisting arrest for the commission of a minor crime. As New Mexicos chief law enforcement officer, I have a duty to hold everyone accountable for violations of the law and that includes police officers who cross the line, Mr Torrez said. I urge every member of our community and others around the country to not add to this tragedy by engaging in acts of public disorder and violence. Presley Eze was shot dead at a petrol station in Las Cruces, New Mexico in August 2022 (KOB) Whether you support or oppose the decision to bring charges in this case, we must remain committed to the rule of law and work towards healing the divisions in this country that prevent meaningful progress towards reducing violence on our streets. Bobbie Greene, president of the NAACP praised Mr Torrezs decision, adding: We are grateful to New Mexico Attorney General, Raul Torrez for seeking accountability. We know that this will not bring Presley back, but we hope it will bring some comfort to the Eze family. Our thoughts and prayers and our full support is with the Eze family and a young child who is now forced to grow up without his father. At a press conference on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the family said Mr Eze, who worked at a nursing home in Las Cruces, was a gentle giant and a very good man. Today our office announced charges against an LCPD Officer for the shooting death of Presley Eze. The shooting took place in August 2022 after LCPD was called out to a local gas station upon reports of a suspected petty misdemeanor. https://t.co/14Fwto0tsu NM Attorney General (@NewMexicoOAG) October 3, 2023 There are too many times that this is happening. It has to stop, the spokesperson said. The lack of humanity thats been expressed by those who are supposed to protect and to serve, whereby ordinary human beings become like animals who have been hunted down on the streets for what they call a petty theft. At the end of the day, it is $2.36 or $3 for a can of beer. If only you knew Presley Eze then you will know that it was never about the money. He was not a petty thief. God knows wasnt a saint, but he was a very good man. By Dave Graham MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico on Thursday rejected U.S. plans to build new sections of wall at the U.S.-Mexico border as top officials from both countries met in the Mexican capital to discuss immigration and security. Before sitting down with U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the latest wall plan as a "step backwards". Amid an increase in the number of people crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, the United States said it would build additional sections of border wall in Starr County, Texas, carrying forward a signature policy of the Trump administration. At the talks, officials pledged to step up cooperation to combat drug trafficking, organized crime and to ease migratory pressures on the border. Afterwards, Mexico's Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena underlined Mexico's opposition to the wall. "We believe in bridges, not in walls," she said, speaking at a press conference alongside Blinken and Mayorkas. Lopez Obrador has praised U.S. President Joe Biden for not building more border wall during his administration. The barrier was a major bone of contention between the United States and Mexico during Donald Trump 's presidency. The U.S. government said Thursday's action did not deviate from Biden's opposition to the wall because money that was allocated during Trump's term in 2019 had to be spent now. Barcena indicated the U.S. funds would not necessarily be used for erecting walls. "I understand it's not going to be via walls, it'll be via technologies, it'll be via other kinds of installations," she said. "I think this is what Secretary Mayorkas was kind enough to explain to us, because obviously we expressed our concern." The U.S. delegation had explained the budget situation and that the measures did not represent a new policy, she said. Still, 2024 is presidential election year in both the United States and Mexico and the resurgence of the wall could become a significant talking point on both sides of the border. Lopez Obrador blamed the extreme right of the Republican Party for pushing the administration of Biden, a Democrat, to approve construction of new sections of the wall. Blinken said he had an "extremely positive, productive conversation" with Lopez Obrador, and expressed confidence that Mexico would help the U.S. on the opioid fentanyl, which is illicitly manufactured and a major cause of overdoses, according to U.S. health authorities. During his meeting with Lopez Obrador, Blinken thanked him for Mexico's efforts leading to the Sept. 15 extradition of Ovidio Guzman, a son of incarcerated kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. U.S. officials have depicted Ovidio and some of his brothers as major traffickers of fentanyl to the U.S. However, roadside banners that appeared this week stated the Guzman siblings have banned production and sales of fentanyl in their stronghold, the northern state of Sinaloa. Who is most responsible for the fentanyl problem is contentious. Mexican Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez told the press conference that Mexico does not produce fentanyl, and only serves as a transit point for the drug going north. Still, Barcena said clandestine fentanyl labs had cropped up in Mexico, and were being rooted out. (Reporting by Dave Graham; Additional reporting by Ismail Shakil and Simon LewisEditing by Howard Goller, Sandra Maler and Grant McCool) Michael Lewis, the author of "Going Infinite," said being around SBF was a lifestyle "downgrade." Lewis met Sam Bankman-Fried more than 100 times and interviewed his FTX colleagues for the book. Bankman-Fried, who was worth $16 billion in early November, apparently had a Spartan lifestyle. The author Michael Lewis met Sam Bankman-Fried more than a hundred times in two years while writing the former crypto mogul's biography but it didn't seem like a cushy ride-along. "My private life is more comfortable and materialistic than his. So I always felt it was a downgrade moving into his world," Lewis told Emily Donaldson in a Wednesday report in The Globe and Mail, a Canadian newspaper. "The food was worse. The company was worse," the author said. Bankman-Fried, 31, is best known on the lifestyle front for his messy head of curls and cargo-shorts-and-t-shirt getup. The FTX cofounder and former CEO, who was worth $16 billion in early November, was apparently Spartan on a personal level. He drove a Toyota Corolla and ate vegan food his favorite food was said to be french fries with salt, Insider reported in December 2021. Even so, the disgraced persona did splurge on a few things. Bankman-Fried was said to have bunked with several FTX colleagues in a $35 million penthouse in the Bahamas, where the exchange was based after it moved from Hong Kong. FTX and its executives also apparently spent freely on Bahamas luxury real estate, luxury hotel stays, and even on private-jet services for their Amazon packages, Insider reported in May. Lewis, who is 62, also interviewed former FTX employees for the book. He admitted he had trouble fitting in. "What was hard was getting into the heads of these 25-year-old computer people. I would have had as much trouble with this crowd when I was 25," Lewis told Donaldson. "It took a while before I got comfortable with them, and they got comfortable with me." Lewis' book, "Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon," was released Tuesday the same day Bankman-Fried's criminal fraud trial started. The author has already faced backlash for comments made while promoting his book, including criticism of his defense of FTX. Lewis told CBS's "60 Minutes" the crypto exchange would still be making "tons of money" if there hadn't been a run on customer deposits. Bankman-Fried faces seven charges, including fraud and conspiracy relating to FTX's collapse. He has pleaded not guilty. The crypto exchange FTX which was worth $32 billion in early 2022 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 11 of the same year after a weeklong liquidity crisis. A representative for Bankman-Fried declined to comment to Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider IONIA Worn, but not tattered, a handmade silk Civil War battle flag is slowly fading away in the Ionia County Courthouse. The former Union Army's 21st Volunteer Infantry Regiment battle flag is believed to be the last Michigan Civil War flag on public display that is not part of the state's official collection. That could change soon, however. The 21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Flag on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, on the lower level of the Ionia County Courthouse in Ionia. The ladies of Ionia presented the Civil War battle flag to the regiment in 1862. It's wanted by state officials at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing, where about 160 other Civil War flags rest in archival-safe storage, for the sake of preservation. It would be safeguarded from the wear and tear of time, tucked in the museum alongside other Civil War flags, said Matt Van Acker, curator of Save The Flags, a state program to "preserve, research and display 240 battle flags carried by Michigan soldiers in the Civil War, the Spanish American War and World War I." The Ionia regiment's battle flag is a more costly and finer design than most Civil War flags, and the banner has been sought by Civil War conservationists for decades. It will require a pricey restoration to stop its deterioration, said Van Acker, who is also the Michigan State Capitol Tours director. The state could restore the flag, but it would then go into the museum. Some military veterans in Ionia County and mid-Michigan aren't ready to give up their flag, which hangs in a glass display case on the lower floor of the courthouse: They want to keep it close, for their children and grandchildren to see and learn about whenever they visit downtown. "It's an important part of our history. The ladies of Ionia County had the flag made and presented it to the 21st Infantry," said Shane Houghton, an Army veteran and one of several veterans and supporters attempting to raise $50,000 to preserve the flag that has spent decades at the courthouse. "It should be on display for the public," Eric Calley, left, of Williamston, said Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, while posing with fellow veteran Shane Houghton of Ionia. The two want to repair and preserve the Civil War flag behind them at the Ionia County Courthouse. According to state historians, the Union's 21st Infantry Regiment was filled out during the summer of 1862, going to war in September with 2,423 soldiers and several flags. Four of those flags that still exist today are now part of the state museum. The fifth surviving flag is at the center of a tug of war between the state museum and Ionia County. After the war, which took the lives of 377 men in the regiment through battle or disease with many others wounded, the flag was not returned to state officials as most of the other state regimental flags were. Local officials said the women of the county raised money for the embroidered flag, paid for it in coins, and gave it to the regiment. Veterans and community members decided to keep it, given they had paid for it, in coin as well as blood. "We accepted stewardship of that flag," Houghton said, "and it's important we continue to do that." A detail shot of the 21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment Flag on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, on the lower level of the Ionia County Courthouse in Ionia. The flag is Michigan blue with a sun-bleached American flag embroidered in the middle, hoisted above an eagle wielding a banner that says "Union" and "Constitution." A later additional banner is housed in the same frame, attached to the same truncated staff: A blue rectangle with gold embroidery naming eight major battles the regiment fought. State historians said the soldiers of the regiment were recruited from 17 counties, led by Ionia and Kent counties, and the unit saw disease claim more lives than battle. The unit saw three officers and 80 enlisted soldiers die in combat. The rest of the 377 recorded deaths were due to disease or other hardships. They fought in several battles, did engineering work and were assigned to scavenge for food during Gen. William Sherman's march. The brutal campaign, to Atlanta and eventually Savannah, was intended to break the Confederate will to fight and it left a destructive swath in the Southern homeland, according to the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution. The regimental flag has long been considered notable for its fine embroidery work, even among its contemporary flags, Van Acker said. "Every flag in that collection has unique stories to tell of undaunted courage and bravery that modern people have no conception," he said. "They were willing to give their lives to defend this flag in battle." The battle flags are all special, such as a Gettysburg example from Michigan that is "covered with blood stains from the nine boys who were mortally wounded carrying it into combat," Van Acker said. 'As intact as it is' Matt Van Acker, director for the Michigan Capitol Tour Service and curator of Save The Flags reveals blood stains seen in this Michigan Civil War regiment battle flag Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. It is one of the 240 Michigan regiment battle flags housed at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing. The flags are stored in highly controlled environment to mitigate any further degradation from light, humidity, and temperature changes. The Ionia flag is quickly deteriorating, despite a 1960s restoration that added a thin mesh netting and thousands of tiny holes to keep it together. "It kept the flag as intact as it is. It may have caused irreversible damage, but probably that's all that's holding it together right now," Van Acker said. He said exposure to temperature, moisture and light have also deteriorated the flag while it rests behind glass. "There are groups out in Ionia, and I dont blame them one bit, that would hate to see the flag leave their courthouse," said Van Acker, who has spent three decades helping to preserve historic flags. Even in its current state, it is in better condition than many other battle flags, many of which ended the war seriously damaged, he said. Sending the flag to the state museum means it would be safe, protected in climate-controlled archives, and professionally maintained by staff, including two full-time flag experts. The state would pick up the tab, but the flag would go from permanent courthouse display to being part of a monthly rotation with hundreds of other flags, meaning fewer chances for people to catch a glimpse of the banner. The state displays one flag at a time in a dedicated space for the old flags, and the rotation minimizes the damage that can happen when flags hang vertically and are on display, even in protected cases, Van Acker said. With a collection of about 160 Civil War flags, and around another 100 from the Spanish-American War and WW I, the state's monthly rotation means each individual flag could only be on display once every 13 years outside of an occasional larger exhibit of flags. 'We want to do the right thing' Matt Van Acker, director for the Michigan Capitol Tour Service and curator of Save The Flags, points out blood stains on a Michigan Civil War regiment battle flag Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. It is one of the 240 battle flags in the state's collection housed at the Michigan History Museum in Lansing. They are stored in a highly controlled environment to mitigate any further degradation from light, humidity, and temperature changes. Van Acker and Houghton would both be happy if Houghton's group could raise $50,000 through the Lyons-based Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4646's dedicated account for preserving the flag. The flag would likely need to be taken apart and reconstructed, essentially stitch by stitch, to remove the netting and preserve it, Van Acker said. Ionia County commissioners Gordon Kelley and Phil Hesche met with Houghton and others the last week of September to map out the next step raising money. While the county might consider contributing time or equipment, Kelley said, officials are not likely to chip in dollars. Kelley and Hesche both said they support the fundraising and would love to see the flag stay in Ionia. The $50,000 would cover the restoration by the same experts the state has used, the Textile Preservation Association in West Virginia, said Eric Calley, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and another leader of the restoration effort. Houghton, Calley, the commissioners and Ionia County Historic Society President Kathleen Cook talked in late September about what to hang in the flag's place at the courthouse during the 18 months or more that it would likely take to fix the flag. They may get a replacement flag, costing several thousand dollars, or hang photos of the 21st Regiment as a placeholder until the restored flag can be hung once more. Van Acker has volunteered to drive the flag to the West Virginia offices of the Textile Preservation Association and pick it up, a year and a half later or so, and deliver it back to the Ionia Courthouse. "Oh, we'd love to have it," he said of the state's museum. "But more than anything, we want to do the right thing for the flag, whether they donate and we properly care for it or whether that means they have the work done by a conservator and it stays." Houghton knows what he wants: A restored flag hanging in the Ionia Courthouse, where anyone can visit and remember the sacrifices made by hundreds of mid-Michigan soldiers and their families. "We're lucky to have that flag," Houghton said. "And we need to keep the last one on public display, keep it for the public. A lot of people died for that." Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415 This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan wants Ionia County's Civil War flag for its collection. Ionia veterans have another plan Mickel Cherry has been criminally charged in the death of Topeka 5-year-old Zoey Felix, and prosecutors could seek the death penalty. Shawnee County District Court records released Thursday show Cherry is charged with capital murder, first-degree murder and rape. He is being held in the Shawnee County jail on a $2 million bond. The court has set a scheduling conference for Oct. 12. The capital murder charge alleges Cherry "feloniously, intentionally and with premeditation" killed Zoey "in the commission of, or subsequent to" a rape or other sex crime. The rape charge alleges Cherry did "engage in sexual intercourse with a child under 14 years of age." Mickel Wayne Cherry has been charged with rape and murder in the death of Zoey Felix. He is being held in the Shawnee County jail, where he was booked on Oct. 3, 2023, on a $2 million bond. Kansas sentencing laws allow the death penalty for capital murder convictions. Prosecutors must file a written notice if they intend to seek capital punishment. District Attorney Mike Kagay hasn't filed such a notice with the court, at least not yet. "That's not a decision we make right now," he said. DA Mike Kagay to make decision after preliminary hearing "We would do that again, if we were going to seek the death penalty after the conclusion of the preliminary hearing," he said. The charging of capital murder and first-degree murder gives a jurors options of which to choose based on the evidence, were they to convict Cherry. "Depending on how the evidence comes out and how the evidence is presented and in which way the jury wants to take it," Kagay said. "Ultimately, that's a question for them to decide. Felony murder is structured a little bit differently than capital murder is." Kagay said he is pursuing the capital murder charge "because it qualifies; it seemed appropriate given the circumstances, given the facts of this case." Kansas has not executed a prisoner since 1965. The death penalty statute was struck down in 1972, then reinstated with a new law in 1994. While multiple defendants have been sentenced to death since then, none have been executed, which would be done in Lansing Correctional Facility's lethal injection chamber. It is unclear if Gov. Laura Kelly, who wants to abolish the death penalty, could or would stop the Kansas Department of Corrections under her administration from executing prisoners. The Topeka community has been particularly outraged by Zoey's death, which has garnered significant media coverage. Kansas law would allow a defense attorney to make a motion to transfer the prosecution to another county if the court were to find that Shawnee County has "so great a prejudice against the defendant that he cannot obtain a fair and impartial trial in that county." Kagay maintained that Cherry would get a fair trial in Shawnee County. "I think I'm taking those steps right now," he said. "I think we take those steps every time we file charges. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court of law." Mark Manna, the chief attorney at the Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit, said his office will be appointed to represent Cherry. He declined to comment further. Holly Felix's plea agreement barred contact with victims Zoey's mother, Holly Felix, is on probation for aggravated battery and DUI, with court records indicating Zoey was the victim. This summer, Shawnee County District Court Judge Jason E. Geier suspended Holly Felix's prison sentence and imposed 18 months of probation after Kagay's office gave her a plea deal that dropped four of six charges. One of the terms of the plea deal was that Holly Felix wasn't allowed to have contact with the victims, but it was unclear from the court documents if that explicitly included Zoey. The probation order simply copied "you will not have contact with victims" from the district court's standard conditions of probations, while the plea agreement specifically named Zoey's father, Ezequiel Felix Guerrero, and her half-sister, Katelenn, but made no mention of Zoey. Kagay declined to answer whether his office's plea deal barred Holly Felix from having custody of Zoey or contacting her. "We don't name our victims; I'll let you figure that out," Kagay said. Neighbors have alleged that Holly Felix evicted her 5-year-old daughter, the girl's father, her teenage sister and Cherry from the house where they lived together in the 2200 block of S.E. Market, which was disconnected from utilities around the same time. The expelled group then lived in a nearby homeless camp. Holly Felix, Felix-Guerrero and Katelenn Marie Cain are all listed on the witness list for Cherry's case. Cherry and Zoey were acquaintances, Kagay said, but had no other relationship. Kansas DCF continues review of Zoey Felix case The Department for Children and Families has not provided information to the public on reports by neighbors, police and possibly school social workers. The agency first must determine there was abuse or neglect. DCF spokesperson Mike Deines said the filing of criminal charges does not change the status of the agency's review of the case. It is unclear if Zoey's parents could also face criminal charges. Kagay said he is not aware of an investigation into her parents. "But even if I was, I wouldn't be able to comment on it," he said. And it appears the immediate criminal investigation is wrapping up. "I think the investigation to the murder and rape of this 5-year-old girl is fairly complete," Kagay said. "TPD did an excellent job of allocating I would say every possible resource into making sure this investigation was done thoroughly and quickly and I appreciate their efforts there." Still, Kagay said, he would consider charging other people in connection to Zoey's death if police made the case to do so. "I'm willing to consider any actionable investigation that's brought to me," Kagay said. "It's not my job to go out there and investigate the cases. That's a law enforcement role; law enforcement officers, TPD, sheriff's office, etc. "My job is to review those investigations when they're brought to me and make the appropriate charging decision." Jason Alatidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Mickel Cherry charged with capital murder and child rape of Zoey Felix PORTSMOUTH The owners of 238 Deer St. in the citys rapidly developing North End received a temporary construction license so they can redevelop the property into an already approved 21 micro units apartment project. The City Council this week voted unanimously to approve the roughly 13-month construction license for 238 Deer Street LLC, which owns the site that was formerly home to Statey Bar & Grill. A micro-unit housing project is set to be built at 238 Deer St. in Portsmouth, replacing a building that formerly housed Statey Bar & Grill. Restaurateur Eli Sokorelis is the principal of the company, according to documents filed with the New Hampshire secretary of state. Crews demolished the former Statey building in September. It will be replaced during the anticipated 13 months of construction with a new four-story building with micro units on the second, third and penthouse levels, and retail space on the ground floor. Another Deer Street demolition: Here's what is being built at 161 Deer St. All of the 21 micro units will be 500 square feet or less and will be leased at market rates, the developers have said previously. When completed, it will be the first micro-unit project in downtown Portsmouth, city officials have said. What to expect during micro units construction on Deer Street Workers late Friday afternoon, Sept. 8, demolish the former Statey Bar & Grill off Deer Street in downtown Portsmouth. The site is being converted to micro-unit housing The developers have agreed to pay a total of $56,208 to the city to encumber four different areas around the site during construction. The developer needs the space in order to construct the project and provide a barrier to public safety, Deputy City Manager Suzanne Woodland told the council this week. More Portsmouth news: New police station sites down to 5. Here are next steps. The areas the developers will use during construction include a portion of the sidewalk, two parking spaces, part of a public access easement and a small portion of Deer Street, Woodland said. The construction license began on Tuesday and is expected to run through Oct. 31, 2024, she said. Before it became the Statey, the same building was the headquarters of VFW Post 168. Its members agreed to sell the property to Sokorelis in 2017. Parking issue resolution cleared way for project The project is moving forward after the city Planning Board granted a Conditional Use Permit for the redevelopment to allow no on-site parking. The site is located directly across the street from the citys Foundry Place Garage, the citys second municipal parking garage. Attorney Sharon Somers, who represented the developers at a May Planning Board meeting, said receiving the parking CUP was the last step required before construction can begin. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Micro unit apartments to go up at old Statey site in Portsmouth NH Microsoft and Amazon are facing more antitrust scrutiny. The UKs Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) says it will investigate the cloud services market in the country to determine if companies are engaging in anti-competitive practices. Amazon (through Amazon Web Services ) and Microsoft are by far the biggest players in that field in the UK. Between them, they had a market share of between 70 and 80 percent last year, according to a report from media regulator Ofcom, which asked the CMA to investigate the market. Google is in third place with a relatively paltry share of between five and 10 percent. Ofcom believes that competition in the market is constrained by a number of factors that make it hard for customers to switch suppliers or use more than one at the same time. A key issue is egress fees, which customers often have to pay to transfer their data to another service. "The cost of transferring data between rival providers can discourage customers from using more than one cloud provider and in some cases make switching more costly," Ofcom said in its report . A lack of interoperability and portability can make it overly laborious for customers to configure their data and apps to work on different services, the regulator said. Discounts can also dissuade customers from using more than one provider. Those factors give Microsoft and Amazon a leg up over the competition, Ofcom suggests. "Limits on the ability of customers to credibly threaten to switch away can reduce the competitive pressure on the market leaders, giving them a degree of market power," the report states. "If customers have difficulty switching and using multiple providers, it could make it harder for competitors to gain scale and challenge AWS and Microsoft effectively for the business of new and existing customers." In addition, Ofcom notes that some cloud service providers have raised concerns over the business software licensing practices of some cloud players, especially Microsoft. "We have received submissions that say Microsoft engages in several practices that make it less attractive for customers to use Microsofts licensed software products on the cloud infrastructure of rival providers compared to Microsoft Azure," the report states. "The submissions allege that this limits their ability to compete for customers." The products in question include Windows and Microsoft 365. Ofcom says that Microsoft has disputed the veracity of these claims. "We welcome Ofcoms referral of public cloud infrastructure services to us for in-depth scrutiny," CMA CEO Sarah Cardell said in a statement . "This is a 7.5 billion [$9.1 billion] market that underpins a whole host of online services from social media to AI foundation models. Many businesses now completely rely on cloud services, making effective competition in this market essential." The CMA plans to conclude its investigation by April 2025. Microsoft and Amazon both say they'll work constructively with the CMA. Amazon took issue with Ofcom's claims, telling Reuters that the watchdog's conclusions were rooted in "a fundamental misconception of how the IT sector functions, and the services and discounts on offer." The cloud has been a sticking point in another Microsoft-CMA tussle. The watchdog initially blocked the company's proposed $68.7 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard due to concerns that Microsoft would hold too much power in the cloud gaming market. Microsoft later pledged to sell cloud game streaming rights to Activision Blizzard titles to Ubisoft if the deal goes through. That concession, made as part of Microsoft's revised agreement, "opens the door to the deal being cleared," the CMA said in September . The regulator will make its final decision on the merger this month. MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (KFOR) Starbucks workers at the 29th Street and Air Depot store in Midwest City filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to unionize with Starbucks Workers United on Tuesday. The 29th and Air Depot Starbucks is the fifth store in Oklahoma to file for a union election. Three stores in Oklahoma City unionized in 2022 after securing a majority vote: 63rd and Grand (13-11) 36th and May (14-1) 23rd and Robinson (15-2) According to a map on More Perfect Unions website, one store in Norman held a union election as well, but failed to unionize with a resulting vote count of 8-8. We deserve our voice to matter: OKC Starbucks employees unionize at Capitol steps On Monday evening, Starbucks Workers United shared a letter on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Midwest City Starbucks workers sent to CEO Laxman Narasimhan explaining their reasons for unionizing. We have decided to unionize because we are tired of being treated as machines instead of human beings. Upper management continuously makes decisions without notifying or consulting partners, workers said in the letter. District and Store managers lack knowledge of how their business operates and have pushed do more with less to the point of impossibility. Any attempt to voice our concerns and frustrations is met swiftly with chastising and denial. Viktoria Jekic, a barista and union organizer at the Midwest City location, says that unionizing is an important step towards a future where workers are heard and valued as partners. After dedicating three years of my life to this company, its disheartening to witness how our viewpoints and perspectives as partners are often overlooked in decisions that greatly impact both the business and partners, Jekic said. I just think youre wrong: Democrats, Schultz tangle in Starbucks union-busting hearing The title partner loses its meaning when we are treated as expendable commodities. Unionizing signifies a future where our voices are not only acknowledged but truly valued and embraced, and where we are genuinely regarded as partners in the true sense of the word. According to the NLRBs rules on conducting elections, employers are required to post a Notice of Petition for Election shortly after the petition is filed in places where workplace notices to employees are typically posted. If an employer regularly communicates with employees through electronic means, the notice must also be distributed electronically. No date has been set for the Midwest City Starbucks union election yet, but NLRB election rules specify that the employer is required to post a Notice of Election once the election is scheduled. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Millions of Californians will see an approximate $40 to $70 credit on their October electricity bills, the California Public Utilities Commission reminded residents in a news release Wednesday. As part of Californias Cap-and-Trade Program, this credit is designed to reward most customers of electric investor-owned utilities and provide support to those experiencing high natural gas bills during the winter, the news release stated. How can you receive the California electric bill credit? If your household is eligible, there is no action necessary to receive the credit on your electric bill. Households will receive the fall California Climate Credit on their October bill, which might appear in November due to billing period differences, according to the news release. Eligible customers will also receive another credit in April. It doesnt matter how much energy a customer consumes or the amount of their bill, the CPUC wrote in the new release. If the credit is larger than the bill, the remaining balance will roll forward until the California Climate Credit is used up. It does not include Sacramento Municipal Utilities District, or SMUD, which covers most of Sacramento County. What are the eligible electric companies for the credit? If you are a California customer from the following electric companies, you are eligible to receive the credit: Pacific Gas and Electric San Diego Gas and Electric Southern California Edison PacifiCorp Liberty Utilities Bear Valley Electric Service All community choice aggregators (CCAs) What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com. PROVIDENCE A recent influx of migrants arriving in Rhode Island from the southern border has left a city nonprofit agency in need of more resources for those it serves. On a recent Monday afternoon, the lobby of the Refugee Dream Center was packed with new arrivals. Caseworkers are asked to offer rides to clients without the money for bus passes. Finding shelter for people is a balancing act. Day-to-day survival is the goal for many. The Refugee Dream Center is known for helping new arrivals settle in the state and become self-reliant. But the organization's director and co-founder, Teddi Jallow, said that it's become tough to provide everything needed as demand has increased. From July into September, Jallow said about 50 migrants arrived in the state by plane from the southern border. Yet they come from a wide array of countries, including Afghanistan, Senegal and the Congo, as well as Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras. Migrants from Afghanistan and African countries have been attempting to make it into the U.S. through that border, along with those from Mexico and the Northern Triangle. "My fear is we are seeing more migrants from the border and nobody is talking about it," Jallow said. Jallow said previously she might have seen only one migrant per month not counting the many refugees the center has served. Being deemed a refugee is a legal process that involves a lawyer and court proceedings required to gain asylum as a person who was persecuted or in mortal danger in their home country. Yet based on the stories of the new arrivals, they may qualify for asylum if they could afford a lawyer. Jallow says at an average starting cost of $7,000, a lawyer is too expensive for the agency to provide. Large groups of migrants got past rows of law enforcement agents and vehicles in Juarez and crossed the Rio Grande on Tuesday. Many camped out along the concertina wire fencing put up by the Texas National Guard. Where are the migrants from and why are they leaving home? The Providence Journal met and interviewed three migrants who described living in countries that made life unbearable or even potentially deadly. Their names are not being used in this story to protect their privacy and safety. Each arrived recently, with one man from Senegal making his way into Rhode Island only on Sunday. He traveled through Morocco, Spain, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico before entering the U.S. It took him 15 days total, he said, to get to the southern border before he boarded a flight into the country. He described leaving because of political upheaval. Over the summer, the government detained Ousmane Sonko, the leader of the country's primary opposition party, charging him with fomenting insurrection. The party was dissolved and protests erupted. The man with whom the Journal spoke said he was part of the protests. "A lot of my colleagues went to jail," he said. "Some are dead. So that's why I left." Another man, who came from Afghanistan, told The Journal he arrived in Rhode Island in mid-September after spending eight days in a refugee camp near the southern border. His journey took him through a dozen countries a trip on which he embarked in January via Iran. He now lives with a friend. A third man came from Mauritania, also traveling through a handful of countries to get to the southern border. He told The Journal he left because of Mauritania's ongoing use of slavery. The man said he was treated as a slave and owned nothing. According to the United Nations, slavery still has a grip on the country, which has not enforced its anti-slavery law. Now that these three men are in Rhode Island, life has become about surviving from day to day. "These men are just sitting here doing nothing," Jallow said of the new arrivals. "Some of them are even homeless." Migrants walk to a U.S. Border Patrol processing area in Eagle Pass, Texas, last month. Over the summer, state officials directed hundreds of migrants onto properties where they were promptly arrested. What is Rhode Island doing to help the migrants coming from the southern border? Department of Human Services spokesman Jose Garcia said Gov. Dan McKee's deputy chief of staff, Christopher Abhulime, met with the state refugee coordinator, Baha Sadr, last week to discuss the arrival of migrants. "People have been arriving in Rhode Island on their own for many years," Garcia said. "Based on what the state has seen, there is no coordinated effort to bring migrants to Rhode Island and the vast majority seen coming into the state come here because they have friends and family in Rhode Island. When DHS is informed of needs like the one raised by the Refugee Dream Center, the agency provides assistance by helping connect migrants with private resources." Garcia said those resources include emergency funds, food and clothing. But the 50 migrants Jallow referenced "are not currently eligible for public benefits due to their immigration status," Garcia explained. Garcia added that the migrants may be able to receive work authorization documents if they apply for asylum. End of free RIPTA bus line has unearthed new struggle for migrants At the Refugee Dream Center, Noorulhaq Sadeqi, a caseworker who helped translate for the man from Afghanistan, was at the same time being asked by two migrants in downtown Providence to offer them a lift, as many don't have bus passes. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority piloted a one-year free-fare program on its popular R-line, but that expired at the end of September, leaving clients with no transportation save for rides from friends. More: From fiscal cliffs to free fares what is the future of RIPTA? Jallow said she had to ask a caseworker at one point to drive a Mauritanian mother of six home to Pawtucket, but Jallow can't always ask that of her staff, which needs to be available to deal with new cases. Occupied seats in the lobby illustrated that point. Sadeqi said providing for these migrants and refugees is a matter of human rights. "They're all humans," he said. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: More migrants in RI from southern border what's being done to help (Bloomberg) -- Tensions with Poland and Hungary over migration flows are complicating efforts by European Union leaders to agree on a joint declaration after a summit in Granada, Spain. Most Read from Bloomberg At a meeting of EU ambassadors Wednesday, Poland and Hungary reiterated a demand that a Granada declaration on the EUs strategic agenda due Friday should add references to earlier leaders conclusions stating that migration issues should be resolved by consensus, according to people familiar with the issue. The demand risks preventing EU leaders from unanimously approving a final statement as happened during a summit early this year, said the people who asked not to be named on confidential discussions. That would wreck attempts by leaders to stage a public display of unity at their gathering. Polish elections could be factor fueling the discord, one of the people added. Migration is an increasingly urgent and contentious issue for EU leaders meeting, with some countries taking unilateral measures to tighten controls as more people particularly from the Middle East and Africa flee violence and poverty at home to seek better lives in Europe. Poland hopes that EU members will respect decisions taken in previous summits and that this will not trigger controversies, according to a Polish official. Italy approved rules last month month to extend the time undocumented entrants can be detained to an EU maximum 18 months as a surge in the number of boats carrying people from North Africa overwhelm the island of Lampedusa, a longtime hotspot for Europes periodic crises. Migration remains a challenge for Greece too. Separately, EU diplomats reached an agreement earlier this week on how to tackle immigration crises after years of failed attempts. Countries facing surges in third-country citizens crossing their borders would be allowed more flexibility on how to handle the arrivals. Poland and Hungary were the only countries that voted against the agreement, while a few other countries abstained. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has put forward a 10-point action plan that includes support for managing the arrival and transfer of migrants, as well as stopping smugglers by bolstering air and sea surveillance. Slovakia said Wednesday it will impose random checks on its border with Hungary in an attempt to prevent undocumented migrants from entering the country. The decision comes after Germany last week tightened controls on its eastern border with Poland and the Czech Republic. Authorities in Prague and Warsaw responded by introducing random checks at border crossings with Slovakia. --With assistance from Piotr Skolimowski, Alonso Soto and Zoltan Simon. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Russia is intensifying attacks in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction of the front line in Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts, using both ground forces and air strikes, Illia Yevlash, the spokesperson for the Eastern Grouping of Forces, said on air on Oct. 5. According to Yevlash, Russian troops shifted their focus on a new target Makiivka, a Luhansk Oblast village roughly 30 kilometers north of Lyman and 60 kilometers south of Kupiansk. Eight skirmishes have been recorded in this area over the past day, the spokesperson said. Russia is also actively using its air forces, deploying both jet planes and military helicopters, he added. Yevlash said that Ukrainian troops repelled Russian attempts to advance, destroying 13 pieces of enemy hardware, including two T-72 tanks and five armored fighting vehicles. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us According to the Ukrainian military, Russia has been concentrating over 100,000 soldiers and thousands of pieces of equipment in the Kupiansk-Lyman direction since the summer. The U.S.-based think-tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russia's offensive in the northeast appeared to be Russia's strategy to pin Ukrainian troops, who could have been deployed elsewhere. On Sept. 28, the ISW wrote in its daily update that Russia appeared to have recently reduced the pace of the offensive in the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna front line. Citing fewer reported Russian ground attacks in the Kupiansk and Lyman directions, the think-tank said this indicates that Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive on other fronts has distracted Russia's offensive in the northeast. Soldiers fighting near Kreminna, a Russian-occupied town on the Lyman axis, told the Kyiv Independent in July that there was a brief period every now and then when Russia's offensive would slow down before it picked up the pace again after its rotation of units. Read also: Endless Russian assaults near Kreminna test Ukraines defenses Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Milwaukee man who shot 10 people and terrorized a Brooklyn subway last year when he unleashed smoke bombs and a hail of bullets before fleeing in the chaos was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday. Frank James, 64, pleaded guilty to multiple federal terrorism charges earlier this year in the April 12, 2022, attack, which led to a citywide manhunt until he called police to turn himself in the next day. He received a life sentence on 10 counts and 10 years for an 11th count after some of the shooting victims read statements in court. James' attorneys had asked that he be sentenced to 18 years, arguing he didn't intend to kill anyone. They said he has a lifelong history of serious mental illness and said the requested term is longer than his life expectancy. Prosecutors argued he'd spent years planning the attack and intended to cause maximum harm, including death. In addition to the 10 people shot, more than a dozen people suffered from injuries including smoke inhalation and shrapnel wounds; all survived. What happened in the NYC subway shooting? James, dressed as a construction worker and wearing a gas mask, set off smoke bombs on a Manhattan-bound train between two stations during rush hour, investigators said. He discharged a barrage of over 30 bullets, causing panic as passengers on the subway had nowhere to go. As the train arrived at a Brooklyn station, James removed the clothing he wore as a disguise and slipped away in the crowd, launching what would be a 30-hour search for him, police said. Police identified James as the suspect using a key he'd left behind on the train that went to a rented U-Haul van. He was eventually arrested after he called a tip line from a McDonald's restaurant to turn himself in. Gunman posted videos about violence Investigators said James posted dozens of videos online in which he ranted about race, violence and his struggles with mental illness. James, who is Black, decried the treatment of Black people in some of the videos. In some, he also ranted about New York City officials. His attorneys said he had a traumatic upbringing and had been hospitalized for schizophrenic episodes in the past, and his mental health issues were not adequately treated. "By the time Frank James boarded the Manhattan-bound N train on April 12, 2022, his entire life had been defined by trauma and hardship, inexplicably bound up in his untreated severe mental illness," his lawyers wrote in court filings. Prosecutors argued it was luck that nobody on the subway died that day, not a reflection of James' intention to harm and not kill. James and his attorneys said his goal was bodily injury, not death. Contributing: Claire Thornton, USA TODAY; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NYC subway shooter Frank James of Milwaukee sentenced to prison A mother accused of allowing her two young sons to roam Milwaukee's south side naked and covered in feces appears to be working on a plea deal with prosecutors, court records show. Prosecutors and attorneys for Katie Koch met Wednesday and told Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Rebecca A. Kiefer they are "in a resolution posture" in the case, court records show. A plea hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 30. Koch, 34, of Milwaukee, has been in jail since July 15, when she was booked on charges of chronic neglect of a child, false imprisonment and neglecting a child. Police say they got multiple calls to 911 on July 13 about two children seen walking around the neighborhood naked, bruised and covered in feces. Police arrived and were directed by neighbors to a home on the 100 block of South 71st Street. Once inside the home, officers discovered the interior layered with trash in every room, with a strong smell of urine and feces throughout, according to a July 16 criminal complaint. "It was something out of a horror movie," Milwaukee County assistant district attorney Mallory Davis said during a July 17 hearing in Intake Court. "These children were essentially confined to their room for much of their lives." Koch told investigators the boys were never enrolled in schools and she homeschooled them, and that it had been "a year or two" since they had been given medicine, the complaint said. Their heads had to be shaved because their hair was so matted with feces. Court records don't lay out details of any potential plea deal. More: Mom, boyfriend plead not guilty in 'horror movie' child neglect case Earlier this week, Koch filed a motion seeking to lower her $30,000 bond. She also asked for permission to have contact with her children by "letter writing through a third party." Court Commissioner Susan Roth issued an order in July barring Koch from any contact with the children, ages 7 and 9. Kiefer responded in a filing Thursday, warning Koch she isn't to contact her children under any circumstances. Failing to follow the order would result in her arrest, the judge wrote. Koch remained in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail on Thursday. Her sons have been placed into protective custody. Koch's live-in boyfriend, Joel Manke, 38, was charged with chronic neglect of a child and false imprisonment in the case. Manke previously posted a $6,500 bond and is out of jail. Koch and Manke each have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee mom charged in child abuse case may be near plea deal The Ice Castles, a popular winter attraction, is coming to Maple Grove, Minnesota, this winter. (Ice Castles / Supplied) MAPLE GROVE, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Ice Castles are back in Minnesota this winter, with the popular attraction being held in Maple Grove. The frozen attraction, known for its slides, tunnels and sculptures, will be built with handmade icicles at the corner of Main Street and Weaver Lake Road, Experience Maple Grove posted on Facebook. This year's winter wonderland will include ice slides, caverns, archways, crawl tunnels, ice sculptures, a tubing hill, an ice bar and more, noting crews are already on site, the post says. The actual construction of the castle will begin once Mother Nature allows, usually in November. The opening date also depends on the weather the Ice Castles typically opens in early to mid-January and remains open until early March. Last year, Ice Castles was held at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton. In previous years, the attraction came to Eden Prairie, Stillwater and Excelsior. The Minnesota Ice Castles website is here. A Minnesota county must pay millions to a man who lost both of his hands and suffered various conditions due to being held in jail for just over one day, he claims. His attorneys say he was neglected and shown indifference by jail officials who couldve prevented the situation. Terrance Dwayne Winborn spent 39 hours in Scott County Jail for suspicion of drunk driving in August of 2020. Within those hours, his attorneys allege the jail officials failed to meet his medical needs. The morning after he was booked, a nurse noticed he couldnt stand on his own and his right hand was swollen, per the complaint. Upon a second visit, the nurse couldnt measure his blood oxygen levels but allegedly made no attempts to transfer him to an emergency room. By the evening, Winborns condition worsened. Read more The attorneys said the settlement will cover the more than $2 million in medical bills Winborn has already incurred a sum which they said the county didnt cover as well as the millions hell need for ongoing care. The countys insurance plan will cover the settlement. The complaint also said jail videos that could have provided important evidence were destroyed after 90 days because officials took no action to preserve them despite knowing about the severity of Winborns injuries and the potential for litigation. Jail officials stated in their depositions that they couldnt remember what happened. In exchange for the $12.2 million settlement, Winborn agreed to drop his lawsuit. However, the county didnt admit to any wrongdoing. The alleged neglect of Winborn in Minnesota is a growing concern nationwide. The family of LaShawn Thompson just reached a $4 million settlement with Fulton County, Ga. after Thompsons death. The autopsy found he succumbed to complications stemming from severe neglect and disgusting jail conditions that left his body riddled with insect bites. Even more jailhouses have come under scrutiny for the upkeep of their facilities and treatment of inmates. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Missouris Democratic members of Congress on Thursday called on the University of Missouri to resume race-based admissions and scholarships, despite a June U.S. Supreme Court decision that declared affirmative action policies violated the constitution. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Kansas City Democrat, and Rep. Cori Bush, a St. Louis Democrat, said the University of Missouris decision was rushed and did not explore whether the Supreme Courts decision affected the universitys existing policies. The Court severely limited the ability of higher education institutions to consider an applicants race alone, the lawmakers wrote. However, the opinion does not prohibit universities from considering an applicants discussion of how race affects their lives. Bush and Cleaver also said the Supreme Court did not expressly prevent colleges from having race-based scholarships. The Supreme Court ruling, issued in June, struck down the race-based admission policies of the University of North Carolina and Harvard College, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing that they involve racial stereotyping and employ race in a negative manner. After the ruling was handed down, the UM System announced that it would be stopping all race-based admissions and race-based scholarships moving forward. The system covers four campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis and Rolla. However, UM System President Mun Choi, who is also chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia, said the system would continue to honor current scholarships that had a racial component. The decision also followed a letter from Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who demanded that colleges and local governments in the state immediately end all affirmative action policies. Choi told reporters at the time that the university system did not use race-based admission at the undergraduate level. However, at the University of Missouris main campus in Columbia, about 20 of the universitys 150 graduate-level programs used race as part of a holistic approach for admissions. The decision came as Mizzou has had a fraught relationship with race, including student-led protests in 2015 that criticized inaction by university leaders after a string of racist incidents. The Supreme Courts decision on affirmative action set our nation back decadesbut the UM System should not have set us back further than necessary by blocking race-based scholarships for the few students of color who are even admitted to these institutions, Cleaver said. It is imperative that we work to ensure the UM System is providing equitable opportunities to Missourians of all backgrounds. The university, founded in 1839, didnt allow its first Black student until 1950. Black students now make up only 5.25% of the student population while white students make up 76.3%, according to the most recent data online. Black Missourians make up about 12% of the states population. In March, the university system also quietly scrapped the use of diversity statements in its hiring processes as Republican lawmakers considered legislation that would ban public colleges from asking job candidates questions about diversity and race. Bush and Cleaver cited the history of racial discrimination at the University of Missouri specifically the cases of Lloyd Gaines, a Black man who was denied access to the University of Missouri Law School in 1936, and Lucile Bluford, a Black woman who was accepted into the University of Missouri journalism school but denied enrollment in 1939 because of her race. Gaines won his case while Bluford lost hers. The lawmakers said Missouri is still far from achieving racial equality in education. The graduation rate for Black students in the University of Missouri System is 20% lower than for white students. Ultimately, we believe that admissions and scholarship considerations should be made with the interests of students in mind, the lawmakers wrote. While we hoped that Missouri colleges and universities would make the best choices for their future students, it is clear there is much progress to be made. By Nivedita Balu, Wa Lone and Manoj Kumar TORONTO/AMRITSAR, India (Reuters) - Canadian universities are reassuring Indian students of their safety and offering resources to deal with the uncertainty triggered by the diplomatic crisis between the two countries as they seek to limit the fallout on a booming business. As Canadian colleges prepare to kick off another semester, some students are considering delaying their courses, while others are assessing whether higher education could become a collateral damage of the current crisis. The diplomatic drift between India and Canada began in September after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said New Delhi may have had a hand in the murder of a Sikh separatist advocate in British Columbia. India denies the allegation vociferously. India is by far Canada's largest source of global students in the country's fast-growing international education business, making up for roughly 40% of study permit holders. International students contribute over C$20 billion ($14.6 billion) to the Canadian economy each year. According to estimates by consultants in India, over 100,000 students were preparing for the English language proficiency test and arranging financing to study in Canada next year. Top universities in response are offering courses costing up to C$40,000 a year while colleges provide short-term, cheaper courses, to connect with students to ensure that the diplomatic spat does not damage one of Canada's better-known exports. Reuters spoke to more than a dozen universities and consultants in Canada and India who said they were taking measures to reassure students. "We've also reached out to various partners in India, some of them are educational institutions, and foundations that we are working with to reassure our progress that we are committed to continuing on collaboration," said Joseph Wong, vice president of the University of Toronto, which has more than 2,400 international students from India out of 86,297 it enrolled in 2022-23. SAFETY FIRST Canadian universities say the impasse may be short-lived, but questions linger about the upcoming semesters and students are asking about safety in Canada. Ashok Kumar Bhatia, President of Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies said many Indian students are worried about their safety in the backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions. In response, consultancies like IDP Education are sending video messages to soothe nerves. Kitchener, Ontario-based Conestoga College's President John Tibbits noted about a hundred students out of the thousands that enroll every year were inquiring about deferring their course and current students want to attend classes online. "Our biggest concern is the uncertainty. What might the Indian government do as far as visas and how might people react," Tibbits said. "We are spending C$50 million a year for college on just support for students." EXPLOSIVE GROWTH International students have seen a strong growth in recent years, helping the industry to emerge as one of Canada's biggest export sectors outpacing auto parts, lumber or aircraft. Last week, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller described international students "an asset that is very lucrative". York University's President Rhonda Lenton, who was in India when the news broke, expressed confidence the two governments will resolve the situation. But in India, families and hopeful candidates in the state of Punjab are worried. In Punjab, which has a population of 30 million, almost every fourth family has a member studying or preparing to study in Canada. In Punjab's Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple, one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, over 5,000 students moved to Canada last year. Taxi-driver Jiwan Sharma is contemplating whether it is the right call for his son to board the flight to Canada he booked recently. "I have put my lifelong savings worth over 250 million rupees ($3.00 million) for sending our son to Canada, hoping he would settle there, and help us in old age." There have not been signs of tensions easing. On Tuesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Canada wants private talks with India to resolve the diplomatic dispute, after a report said New Delhi had asked the Ottawa to withdraw 41 diplomats. Gurbakhshish Singh, a commerce student in Amritsar, said he is disappointed that India's relationship with a welcoming country like Canada has deteriorated. "The government has put our future in jeopardy." ($1 = 1.3714 Canadian dollars) ($1 = 83.2530 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Nivedita Balu and Wa Lone in Toronto and Manoj Kumar in New Delhi; Editing by Denny Thomas and Josie Kao) A mother who removed her 12-year-old daughter's facial hair in a TikTok video says it's a small sacrifice to support body autonomy. "To moms: if your teen/tween asks to remove facial hair ... please do it!" Vidya Gopalan of North Carolina wrote on her video with more than 20 million views. "I tried doing this myself secretly at her age since I wasnt allowed to do this until (high school) and it didn't end well," she wrote. In the video, Gopalan's daughter (whose name Gopalan omitted to respect her privacy) said, "Thank you so much, I don't like it. I don't like the way it looks," as her mom took an electric hair trimmer to her lower face. Many of the nearly 10,000 comments were in agreement. "I'm a teacher and PLEASE DO IT. You avoid so much suffering." "We are healing our inner child doing this ... for our teens." "My mom was so mad when I got my eyebrows done secretly in 7th grade. I will never understand that. God bless you." One young person wrote, "I keep asking my mom but she says no and I've been getting bullied." Gopalan, a mother of two, tells TODAY.com that some commenters warned that shaving encourages hair to grow back faster and thicker, a stereotype that's been debunked by the Mayo Clinic. "I immigrated from India to the U.S. in the 1980s when shaving and waxing were not that prevalent (among my peers)," says Gopalan. "When I was 12, I asked my mom to get my eyebrows and upper lip done but she said I wasn't old enough." Gopalan resorted to using a standard razor, while hiding under her bed covers. About a year-and-a-half ago, Gopalan's daughter asked if she could remove her unwanted facial hair and she said yes. "Having gone through something similar, I would have wanted my mom to support me in that way," explains Gopalan. "It's really important to listen to your kids." Gopalan says while her daughter has never been teased for body hair, shaving is a precautionary measure. "If hair removal makes her feel better, it's a small thing to do," she says. "Middle school is hard as is." Gopalan posted the TikTok video to normalize hair removal. "I know what's best for my child," she says, adding, The last thing Id want is for my daughter to do it herself and accidentally shave off her eyebrows or get a wax burn." Gopalan says her husband supports their daughter's personal decisions. "He doesn't get involved, to be honest!" And with time, even Gopalan's mother has accepted teen hair removal. "With my daughter around the same age as I was when I moved to this country, she's very appreciative of what I do for her," says Gopalan. "She said, 'I didn't know it was a big deal!'" According to clinical psychologist Emily Kline, attitudes toward grooming and appearance have matured. "Some might have assumed that removing body hair had a sexualizing element or was associated with appealing to the male gaze," Kline, the author of School of Hard Talks: How to Have Real Conversations with Your (Almost Grown) Kids," tells TODAY.com. "Leaving hair in place was a way to protect girls innocence. "Over the past 30 years, all kinds of body modifications (tattoos, Botox) have gone mainstream and hair removal doesnt seem like a big deal in the scheme of things," she adds. Kline notes that while new ideas can be "liberating," not all kids care about body hair. "Parents dont want to make children feel self-conscious about something if it doesn't bother them," she says. "An offer to pluck or shave could seem critical so it never hurts to ask how kids feel, rather than assuming they want help." This article was originally published on TODAY.com INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) Momo, a male patas monkey that had been running rampant on the east side of Indianapolis Wednesday evening to Thursday morning, has been captured by authorities, officials announced Thursday morning. The exotic animal is now being held and evaluated, according to Katie Trennepohl, the deputy director of Indianapolis Animal Care Services. Additionally, Momos owner has been cited in connection with the monkeys escape, according to Trennepohl. The citation specifically concerned Momo chasing and approaching members of the public in a menacing fashion, she said at a Thursday news conference. Dont put pets through airport X-ray machines, TSA says Momo had first gotten loose on Wednesday evening around 6:30 p.m., the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said. Officials do not believe Momo injured anyone during the night, though he scared several residents in the city, Nexstars WXIN learned. It ran up in my garage, pinned me against the door, and I had to take a stool and put it between me and the monkey to kind of dodge the monkey away until I got into the house, resident Bonnie Wright told WXIN. A reporter for the station was also told the monkey was seen drinking a Pepsi from a residents garage at one point. On Thursday morning, Momo broke into a vacant home in the Irongate Estates residences, police said. Officials shut the door to quickly trap the monkey inside then cornered him in a bathroom where authorities were able to apprehend the animal. The monkey has now been turned over to Indianapolis Animal Care Services. He is currently being held under Chapter 531 at the Indianapolis Zoo for veterinarian care. Prosecutors are looking further into potential charges for the owner, although a permit is not required to have a monkey in Indianapolis. The owner of the patas monkey did not want to talk about the incident. The owner did say, however, that the monkey is doing well. Indianapolis Animal Care Services is working to do an inspection on the home to ensure the living space is fit for the animal. At this time, authorities are unsure if the monkey will be returned to its owner. Anyone who came into contact with the monkey is asked to contact the Marion County Public Health Department. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. As much as everyone likes the Mitchell Park Domes, there just isnt any money in the countys overly tight budget to save them ("Parks department lays out options for Domes," Sept. 13). Furthermore, the domes dont take in enough revenue to sustain them even if they were restored. Letters to the Editor: There is no need for modern music blaring at Badgers games Letters to the Editor: Voters have spoken on Wisconsin Supreme Court. GOP should stop impeach Protasiewicz talk. The county needs to use its money wisely. And by that I mean taking care of the taxpayers first and foremost. Stephen Savic, Milwaukee Send a letter to the editor The Journal Sentinel and USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin welcome readers' letters. Timely, well-written, provocative opinions on topics of interest in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are given first preference. All letters are subject to editing. Guidelines Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Name, street address and daytime phone are required. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0371Fax: (414)-223-5444E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit the form on the bottom of the page here. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fixing domes in Mitchell Park not a wise move for Milwaukee County Authorities are on the hunt for a monkey who is on run and causing strife in an Indianapolis neighborhood. Indianapolis police confirmed to The Daily Beast that officers responded to assist Animal Care Services with a monkey on the loose in the Irongate neighborhood but did not go into further details. In a subsequent post on X, formerly Twitter, police also confirmed reports of minor injuries from the monkey, but could not confirm if those injuries were sustained from bites. It is unclear how many victims the monkey has attacked, or where the monkey escaped from. IMPD is assisting @INDYACS with a monkey on the loose near 500 Ironridge Ct (south of E Washington St and S Mitthoefer Rd). There are reports of minor injuries from the monkey but we cant confirm it is from bites. (Actual monkey pictured). pic.twitter.com/dznheMKihY IMPD (@IMPDnews) October 4, 2023 Read more at The Daily Beast. Police captured a blazing-fast monkey on the run in Indianapolis on Thursday after the primate dodged area residents, cops and animal control for about 24 hours. Then they cited the monkey's owner. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department posted the news announcing the capture of the monkey named Momo on X. "That was more than enough monkey business for us," police wrote. "Thank you all for your assistance." CAPTURED Momo the monkey has been captured safely. That was more than enough monkey business for us. Thank you all for your assistance. pic.twitter.com/CqVHoLcRGJ IMPD (@IMPDnews) October 5, 2023 Police had been helping the city's Animal Care Services to look for Momo since reports began coming in Wednesday about a monkey charging and running toward people in a neighborhood about 14 miles east of downtown, police said. Momo is a patas monkey, the fastest species of primate with sprint speeds as high as 30 mph. Her certainly gave Indianapolis authorities a run for their money. 'Surprise encounter': Hunter shoots, kills grizzly bear in self-defense in Idaho 'There is a freaking monkey on my car' Momo gave area resident Karri Harbert the shock of her life when he got on the hood of her car on Wednesday. "I just pulled into my driveway and I think there is a freaking monkey on my car," Harbert said before Momo jumped off and disappeared, according to a video she posted to Facebook. "I get home and start to get out of my car and a MONKEY walks up to my open car door," she posted. "It took me a few seconds to figure out what it was so I closed the door and he jumped onto the hood of my car! I was starting to get out of my car again and the police (several of them) pulled up and told me to stay in the car that there is a very aggressive monkey on the loose!" Harbert ended the post by saying: "You cant make this stuff up!" Other sightings of Momo the monkey The animal was spotted on the east side of the city in the Irongate neighborhood on Wednesday night, police spokesperson Samone Burris told USA TODAY. Momo reappeared around 8 a.m. Thursday in the same area, with a caller reporting that he was on her back porch trying to get into her house, said Indianapolis police Lt. William Carter. Momo ran into a wooded area after officers arrived. Authorities searched for him in the woods for several hours to no avail. Escaped Monkey in Indianapolis An ESCAPED MONKEY named Momo on the loose on the east side of Indianapolis has already reportedly attacked and bitten one man.You can hear a terrified child and his mother in the background of this video.Residents are urged not to approach the monkey, and to call authorities or animal control if they spot the animal. Posted by Black Indy LIVE on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Momo was once again spotted on the street on the east side of the city late in the morning Thursday. Around 11 a.m., Momo entered a vacant home that was under construction. An officer shut all the doors to the home and Momo was captured in a bathroom. His owner's brother came to the home to help apprehend Momo before the monkey was turned over to Animal Care Services, Carter said. House fire or Halloween decoration? See the display that sparked a 911 call in New York Where did Momo the monkey come from? A monkey reported on the loose in Indianapolis was captured on Oct. 5, 2023. Momo went missing after he either removed or chewed through a bungee cord that was holding a tarp in place before he jumped over a fence and escaped around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, police said. Please if you see him dont approach him just call police or animal control, reads a post that appears to be from his owner in an Indianapolis lost and found pets Facebook group. Back in July, Momos apparent owner posted in the same Facebook group that the animal had escaped. His post was later updated to say that Momo had been found safe. The apparent owner included photos of the monkey curled up while wearing a Christmas sweater and a video of Momo carrying a stuffed animal. Indy pets: Lost & Found | Momo is currently missing Is it legal to own a pet monkey in Indianapolis? The municipal code has a section that allows for ownership of certain dangerous animals if they are registered with Animal Care Services and their owners post a warning sign about them. It is unlawful to own more than two dangerous animals in the city at any time, the code reads. There were no concerns of mistreatment inside Momos owners home when animal care officers responded Wednesday, Carter said. "It was very clean, he said. There was an outside structure that is for the monkey that is very large." Still, Eileen Dallaire, executive director of the Primate Rescue Center in Nicholasville, Kentucky, told IndyStar that monkeys do not make good pets because they're social creatures and want to be with others of their kind. The overall lesson is that primates do not belong in private homes," she said. "Incidents like this occur and put the community at risk, put the children in the community at risk, put small animals at risk. A 10-day-old patas monkey holds on to its mothers at the zoo in Olomouc, Central Moravia, Czech Republic on March 31, 2014. Eileen Dallaire, executive director of the Primate Rescue Center in Nicholasville, Kentucky, says that patas monkeys don't make for good pets because they're social creatures and want to be with their kind. It is legal to own a dangerous animal in Indianapolis with proper licensing and warnings signs. Will Momo's owner face any consequences? Momo's owner, who was not identified, was cited "for the monkey chasing and approaching in a menacing fashion, Katie Trennepohl, deputy director of Indianapolis Animal Care Services, said at a news conference about the wayward monkey on Thursday. Her office was working with the Marion County Prosecutors Office to determine if any further legal consequences are necessary, she said. Police reported that someone suffered minor injuries in connection with Momo, but Burris said there have been no confirmed reports of a biting. What happens to Momo the monkey now? Police shared this image of Momo the monkey after her capture in Indianapolis on Oct. 5, 2023. It's unclear whether Momo will ever return to his home. Momo was placed into an animal control vehicle and was in the process of being taken to the Indianapolis Zoo on Thursday afternoon. He will be evaluated and held at the zoo until authorities decide if he will be returned to his owner, Trennepohl said. Social media reacts to Momo the monkey's adventures Tweets by momomonkeyindy Within hours of Momo's escape, someone had created an X account with the username Momo the Indy Monkey. One user wrote a post joking about the situation and citing the 1995 thriller "Outbreak" about an escaped monkey that causes a global pandemic. "Dustin Hoffman running around Indianapolis right now yelling "WE GOTTA CATCH THAT MONKEY!" they wrote. Dustin Hoffman running around Indianapolis right now yelling "WE GOTTA CATCH THAT MONKEY!" Hank F in Akron (@HankF330ToGo) October 5, 2023 Many users responded to the police post on X about Momo's capture, with one saying that he looked guilty. Another said: "Awww, Momo looks embarrassed. Glad his adventure had a good ending." 'No monkey business allowed': Best reactions to Momo the monkey's escape and capture 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 Indianapolis Star: Momo the patas monkey captured after daring escape in Indianapolis Monroe County health officials said beyond the initial suspected meningitis case it revealed last week, no additional cases have been reported, and there is no known public health threat at this time. We will continue to provide updates as more information is received, the Monroe County Health Department said in a news release Wednesday afternoon. The department said it was notified Friday by the Indiana Department of Health of a possible case of bacterial meningitis. The local department issued a news release Friday evening, but neglected to say that a 5-year-old boy suspected to have contracted meningitis had died more than 14 hours earlier. The department since then has refused to answer even basic questions including whether a threat to public health existed and whether the 5-year-old student who died is the case the department was investigating for possible meningitis. 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. Previous coverage: 5-year-old dies at Bloomington hospital. Coroner rules out bacterial meningitis The department said Wednesday that initial findings suggested that that patients illness was unlikely bacterial meningitis, (but) findings did not rule out the possibility of other infections. Department officials including Administrator Lori Kelley have not answered questions about whether other infections have been ruled out, and, if so, which ones, and for which others the department is testing. Seeking a cause for illness Monroe County Coroner Joni Stalcup said via email that tests being performed include blood and cerebral fluid cultures, and that it takes up to a week before results are available. According to the Mount Sinai Health System, cerebral fluid cultures usually are done via spinal tap. The samples are sent to a lab and placed in a dish that has a special substance called a culture medium. Laboratory staff then observe if bacteria, fungi, or viruses grow in the dish. Growth means there is an infection. Meningitis is an inflammation/swelling of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency said bacterial meningitis can be deadly and requires immediate medical attention. Viral meningitis is serious but often less severe than bacterial meningitis. People with normal immune systems who get viral meningitis usually get better on their own, the agency said. The local health department said this week it had identified 35 people whom it considered close contacts with the initial patient and, out of an abundance of caution, asked those patients to take antibiotics, which help treat bacterial though not viral infections. No additional cases of related illness have been identified or reported, the department said. All other appropriate precautions have been taken, and there is no known public health threat at this time. Child dies at IU Health emergency department The coroner had said Saturday afternoon that the office was investigating the death of a 5-year-old boy who died Friday morning at IU Health Bloomington Hospital Emergency Department. An obituary posted on the website of The Funeral Chapel said Benjamin Bartalone, 5, died after a sudden illness. Benjamin was the sweetest child; he was funny, considerate, affectionate, and playful. He and his brothers were constantly getting into mischief together, the obituary read. Benjamins heart was so big, and he loved hugging and kissing his family and friends. Everywhere Benjamin went, he would make a new friend. Survivors include his parents, a twin brother, older brother, grandparents, great-grandparents and other family members. Words cannot express how much Benjamin was loved and will be missed, the obituary read. This world will not be the same without his sweet laugh, huge smile and beautiful, loving spirit. Procession past Roger Elementary School The funeral service was scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, and a procession was expected to drive past Rogers Elementary School. Restrictions imposed by the administration of Monroe County Community Schools Corp. caused some consternation among staff, according to emails shared with The Herald-Times. Rogers Elementary School Principal Lisa Roberts sent an email to staff early Wednesday to report when the procession would come by the school and to say teachers and staff could come outside and show respect. However, she also said, we can not take children out to do this per administration. The administration declined to answer what prohibitions it enacted and why, but Roberts said in an email, Parents who wanted their student to participate came to the school and joined their child in watching the procession. She did not immediately respond to a follow-up email about the administrations prohibitions or reasons for them. Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe officials say no health threat; still unsure what killed boy Last year, employees at the cryptocurrency exchange FTX stumbled upon a line of code that gave the company special privileges for moving crypto around quietly and then one of them got fired. As the Wall Street Journal has discovered, employees at LedgerX, a smaller crypto firm that FTX purchased in 2021, found lines of code months before the exchange's collapse that gave its sister firm Alameda Research privileges that normal accounts didn't have. "Just wanted to point out that there are currently a few places in the code base where Alameda gets special treatment in one way or another," LedgerX employee Jim Outen wrote in a May 5, 2022 message to his boss, which was reviewed by the WSJ. The lines in question were discovered while LedgerX employees were analyzing whether the code from FTX's international exchange, which was based in the Bahamas, could be used in the US, where laws are much stricter. As the smaller firm's chief risk officer Julie Schoening told Outen when he brought it up to her, "there are less rigid rules" offshore, but she admitted that FTX nevertheless "should clean up this sort of stuff." The glaring exemption allegedly operated as a backdoor, effectively allowing FTX to use its sister firm as a slush fund to pay off its debts. It's yet another shocking revelation, highlighting the exchange's infamously shady business practices which comes the same week as the beginning of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's trial. The disgraced CEO has since pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraud and conspiracy but is facing over 100 years of jail time. According to the WSJ's sources, the LedgerX team found several strange instances where Alameda and FTX seemed to handle risk and account liquidations in problematic ways. The code that Outen brought up to Schoening, for example, allowed Alameda to have a negative balance and not auto-liquidate the way other FTX accounts were supposed to when they bottomed out. Although the smaller firm wasn't fully aware of what they'd chanced upon, it concerned the CRO enough to report it up the chain of command. The tip eventually made its way to Nishad Singh, a member of disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried's inner circle and the exchange's director of engineering, who was said to have deleted the section. In early August, Schoening was fired, the WSJ learned. Although there was a document circulated among FTX executives claiming that she sent inappropriate messages to other employees, others at the firm said that the images were manipulated or taken out of context, and that the real reason Schoening's position was terminated was that she had "irritated" her superiors by pointing out the code. After being fired, Schoening hired a lawyer and threatened to sue FTX for wrongful termination. She and the exchange were in talks of a multi-million dollar settlement, the WSJ's sources said, when the exchange collapsed in November 2022. This alleged backdoor is, among other things, very pertinent to the court case against Bankman-Fried that began this week and we'll undoubtedly learn more about it and FTX's other purported wrongdoing over the next couple of weeks. More on FTX: Sam Bankman-Fried Apparently Told Caroline Ellison That "In a Lot of Ways I Don't Really Have a Soul" Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds the power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG An embattled City of DuBois official was slapped with additional charges Wednesday in a sweeping political corruption case alleging he stole hundreds of thousands of public and nonprofit dollars. Suspended City Manager Herm Suplizio now faces a total of 23 criminal counts including 13 felonies filed by prosecutors with the state Office of Attorney General. He was arraigned Wednesday in Clearfield County on $100,000 unsecured bail. The charges Wednesday replace and add to the 15 counts of theft, conflict of interest, and other crimes that prosecutors filed earlier this year against Suplizio, one of the citys most politically connected officials. At the time, prosecutors alleged Suplizio had stolen more than $600,000 from DuBois a small city about two hours northeast of Pittsburgh as well as from nonprofit and other bank accounts over which he had signatory control. They also said he lied on his tax returns to snag a bigger refund from the government. In the updated charges Wednesday, prosecutors unveiled new information about a bag of cash that had allegedly been stashed at a DuBois nonprofit organization that Suplizio ran. Court documents Wednesday also revealed previously undisclosed allegations that Suplizio had improperly tried to help the citys former mayor escape shoplifting charges. Instead of acting in the best interests of the community he was supposed to serve, the defendant used his position to line his own pockets and abused his authority for personal gain, state Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement Wednesday. This arrest is a reminder that no one is above the law, and that everyone who holds public office in Pennsylvania is accountable to the people. Neither Suplizio, 63, nor his lawyers returned requests for comment. Many of the new charges relate to a bag containing nearly $94,000 in cash that was delivered to City Hall in early May. At the time, city officials said the money had been dropped off in a gift bag by the citys solicitor, Toni Cherry. Cherry has not said publicly where or how she got it only that it belonged to a fund associated with the citys annual summer celebration, called Community Days. Suplizio had a key role in organizing the festival and managed bank accounts associated with the event. The money, it was later discovered, had been stored at the DuBois Area United Way, where Suplizio separately had served as executive director. According to the new charges Wednesday, the money was discovered in September of last year by United Way employees; it had been wrapped in a green zippered bag and placed inside a safe in the building. When one of those employees accessed the safe two months later, the bag was gone. Then, in March of this year, while cleaning and removing exposed television cables inside the United Way, that same employee discovered three metal lock boxes fastened to the walls above the ceiling tiles in one of the buildings offices, prosecutors claim. Several days later, the employee noticed ceiling tile debris on the floor, leading to the discovery of a fourth lock box above the ceiling tiles. The four keys corresponding to those lock boxes, according to investigators, were found in Suplizios United Way desk. Cherry, according to investigators, told DuBois City Council members during a closed-door meeting in May that Suplizio had brought her the money six weeks earlier, but that she had held onto it to keep the PA OAG from confiscating it. When interviewed by the attorney generals office, however, investigators claim she said she did not remember when Suplizio had brought it to her. Cherry could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. She does not face any charges. Separately, Suplizio faces charges in connection with efforts he allegedly made to shield the former mayor of DuBois from shoplifting charges in 2020. Court documents Wednesday revealed the details of the shoplifting incident for the first time. According to prosecutors, employees at a Sheetz store in DuBois reported that former Mayor Randy Schmidt was stealing food. Employees said Schmidt would come into the store, order a sandwich, and then collect other items like chocolate milk and fruit snacks while he waited. He allegedly would pay for the sandwich and put the other items in a bag without paying for them. Schmidt had allegedly done so 16 times before being confronted by a store employee, who called the police. Suplizio, according to prosecutors, approached a Sheetz manager to ask her if there was anything that could be done to make this go away. When the manager told him she couldnt, Suplizio allegedly told her the store had had a good working relationship with the city, and that it would be a shame if something happened to change that. The alleged scheme did not work: Schmidt, who resigned his position as mayor, was later charged with theft. He could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday. Additional details about Suplizios alleged crimes were contained in a presentment released Wednesday alongside court papers. The Office of Attorney General had previously refused to release the document to the public for months. In mid-August, Spotlight PA and three other news organizations petitioned a county judge to unseal the presentment. The judge denied the request. The attorney generals office declined to discuss the matter. Spotlight PAs Min Xian contributed reporting. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Mike Dulak grew up Catholic in Southern California, but by his teen years, he began skipping Mass and driving straight to the shore to play guitar, watch the waves and enjoy the beauty of the morning on the beach, he recalled. And it felt more spiritual than any time I set foot in a church. Nothing has changed that view in the ensuing decades. Most religions are there to control people and get money from them, said Dulak, now 76, of Rocheport, Missouri. He also cited sex abuse scandals, harming innocent human beings, in Catholic and Southern Baptist churches. I cant buy into that, he said. As Dulak rejects being part of a religious flock, he has plenty of company. He is a none no, not that kind of nun. The kind that checks none when pollsters ask Whats your religion? The decades-long rise of the nones a diverse, hard-to-summarize group is one of the most talked about phenomena in U.S. religion. The nones are reshaping Americas religious landscape as we know it. In U.S. religion today, the most important story without a shadow of a doubt is the unbelievable rise in the share of Americans who are nonreligious, said Ryan Burge, a political science professor at Eastern Illinois University and author of The Nones, a book on the phenomenon. The nones account for a large portion of Americans, as shown by the 30% of U.S. adults who claim no religious affiliation in a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Other major surveys say the nones have been steadily increasing for as long as three decades. So who are they? Theyre the atheists, the agnostics, the nothing in particular. Many are spiritual but not religious, and some are neither or both. They span class, gender, age, race and ethnicity. While the nones diversity splinters them into myriad subgroups, most of them have this in common: They. Really. Dont. Like. Organized. Religion. Nor its leaders. Nor its politics and social stances. Thats according to a large majority of nones in the AP-NORC survey. But theyre not just a statistic. Theyre real people with unique relationships to belief and nonbelief, and the meaning of life. Theyre secular homeschoolers in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Pittsburghers working to overcome addiction. Theyre a mandolin maker in a small Missouri River town, a former evangelical disillusioned with that particular strain of American Christianity. Theyre college students who found their childhood churches unpersuasive or unwelcoming. Church was not very good for me, said Emma Komoroski, a University of Missouri freshman who left her childhood Catholic religion in her mid-teens. Im a lesbian. So that was kind of like, oh, I didnt really fit, and people dont like me. The nones also are people like Alric Jones, who cite bad experiences with organized religion that ranged from the intolerant churches of his hometown to the ministry that kept soliciting money from his devout late wife even after Jones lost his job and income after an injury. If it was such a Christian organization, and she was unable to send money, they should have come to us and said, Is there something we can do to help you? said Jones, 71, of central Michigan. They kept sending us letters saying, Why arent you sending us money? Jones does believe in God and in treating others equally. Thats my spirituality if you want to call it that. About 1 in 6 U.S. adults, including Jones and Dulak, is a nothing in particular. There are as many of them as atheists and agnostics combined (7% each). Many embrace a range of spiritual beliefs from God, prayer and heaven to karma, reincarnation, astrology or energy in crystals. They are definitely not as turned off to religion as atheists and agnostics are, Burge said. They practice their own type of spirituality, many of them. Dulak still draws inspiration from nature, and from making mandolins in the workshop next to his home. It feels spiritually good, Dulak said. Its not a religion. Pastor Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and author of The Nones, a book on the growing number of religiously unaffiliated Americans, poses for a portrait at at First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Burge said the nones are rising as the Christian population declines, particularly the mainline or moderate to liberal Protestants. The statistics show the nones are well-represented in every age group, but especially among young adults. About four in 10 of those under 30 are nones nearly as many as say theyre Christians. The trend was evident in interviews on the University of Missouri campus. Several students said they didnt identify with a religion. Mia Vogel said she likes the foundations of a lot of religions just love everybody, accept everybody. But she considers herself more spiritual. Im pretty into astrology. Ive got my crystals charging up in my window right now, she said. Honestly, Ill bet half of it is a total placebo. But I just like the idea that things in life can be explained by greater forces. One movement that exemplifies the spiritual but not religious ethos is the Twelve Step sobriety program, pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous and adopted by other recovery groups. Participants turn to a power greater than ourselves the God of each persons own understanding but they dont share any creed. If you look at the religions, they have been wracked by scandals, it doesnt matter the denomination, said the Rev. Jay Geisler, an Episcopal priest who is spiritual advisor at the Pittsburgh Recovery Center, an addiction treatment site. In contrast, theres actually a spiritual revival in the basement of many of the churches, where recovery groups often meet, he said. Nobodys fighting in those rooms, theyre not saying, Youre wrong about God, Geisler said. The focus is on how your life is changed. Scholars worry that, as people pull away from congregations and other social groups, they are losing sources of communal support. But nones said in interviews they were happy to leave religion behind, particularly in toxic situations, and find community elsewhere. Marjorie Logman, 75, of Aurora, Illinois, now finds community among other residents in her multigenerational apartment complex, and in her advocacy for nursing home residents. She doesnt miss the evangelical circles she was long active in. The farther away I get, the freer I feel, she said. __ AP journalists Linley Sanders, Emily Swanson and Jessie Wardarski contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. LAFAYETTE, Ind. Kelsey Harrington found the lifeless body of her 4-month-old son, Silas, on July 29, 2022, after leaving the child unattended in an unsafe sleeping position for several hours at her Otterbein apartment. Harrington, 32, pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death, during her change-of-plea hearing Thursday morning. Prior to Sept. 22, when her defense team filed a change-of-plea request, Harrington was scheduled to have a jury trial on Oct. 17, 2023. Kelsey Jade Harrington leaves the courtroom after a hearing, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, at the Tippecanoe County Courthouse in Lafayette, Ind. Harrington requested a change of plea after her sons father, Joshua Perry, who also pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death, testified against her at his plea agreement hearing on Sept. 15, 2023. As part of her plea agreement hearing, it was noted that she would be facing between 20 to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 23. Indiana law requires that Harrington spend a minimum of 20 years in prison, which is not suspensible. This is a very tragic situation, Superior Court 2 Judge Steve Meyer said. The loss of a young child. On July 29, 2022, officers arriving to investigate Silas' death found Perry and Harrington, 31, smelled of alcohol, according to prosecutors. Neither admitted to leaving the apartment, but surveillance video showed they left the apartment complex. They were gone for four hours, according to prosecutors. Perry told police on July 29 that he and Harrington were just outside of the apartment smoking cigarettes between 5 and 9 p.m. that night, and they found Silas unresponsive, blue and face down when they came inside, according to prosecutors. Harrington told police they were inside the same room as Silas except for when they stepped outside to smoke. Both Perry and Harrington are charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death and neglect of a dependent. Harrington's scheduled for trial on Oct. 17, according to online court records. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Mother pleads guilty to neglect in 4-month-old son's death Car bombs reverberating. Dogs barking incessantly. A drone exploding in the air right above him. Mark Di Ionno knows danger. Over the past two years, it has become commonplace for Di Ionno, a Morris County resident who spent a combined six months in war-torn Ukraine. He drove along the Dnipro River to deliver supplies with the Russian army stationed across the riverbank, their jets flying directly overhead. While on a supply trip in Kyiv, he heard those car bombs and dogs barking constant, harrowing reminders of the ongoing destruction. He braved all of this, he says, out of a deep respect for the Ukrainian people and the recognition that he could help their cause. I really just fiercely admire these people. I really do and that is why I kept going back. They deserve all the support that they can get, said Di Ionno, a Navy veteran, author and former Star-Ledger columnist who lives in Mountain Lakes. The people that are fighting for their freedom are the most amazing people in the world. They really are. And its a beautiful country. The Russians arent just fighting an army, theyre fighting an entire country. He has raised $30,000 for relief efforts in Ukraine. But he has gone far beyond the aid that many Americans have provided. Across his six trips to the war-torn country, he's transported refugees, aided supply distribution for relief efforts and administered field medicine training to Ukrainian soldiers, among many other endeavors. His travels to Ukraine involved multiple forms of humanitarian work Mark Di Ionno, of Mountain Lakes, poses for a photograph, in Whippany. Di Ionno has made multiple trips to Ukraine since the war started, approximately 18 months ago. Wednesday, August 9, 2023 Di Ionno, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, says his interest in humanitarian work in Ukraine stemmed from his experiences as a veteran. He served as a navy hospital corpsman from 1975 to 1979 at Philadelphia Regional Naval Medical Center. The hospital was the amputee center for the entire East Coast and mainly treated soldiers injured in Vietnam at the time. Disappointed with the U.S. response to the invasion in Ukraine, Di Ionno jumped on a plane to Warsaw on March 3, 2022, a week after the war began, without a plan. Though he originally tried to join a volunteer combat force of American military veterans, he was denied entry because, at 66 years old, he was a liability in combat. While U.S. support for Ukraine has expanded, Di Ionno said that the country is not giving Ukraine the proper equipment, including the jets, missiles and naval support he says could help them effectively fight the war. We have the military power. And Russia understands that we have the military power, Di Ionno said. We could have dissuaded them from invading a free, sovereign, democratic nation, which was always the red line during the cold war. Dangerous journeys, tireless work While staying in Dorohusk, a town on the Ukrainian-Polish border, he joined the Catholic international volunteer group Caritas. There, he transported refugees to train stations, private homes and relatives across Ukraine and other countries, going as far as Berlin with one family. These journeys in his rental Opel Astra Station wagon could last up to 12 hours, during which he used a translation app to speak with the refugees. Most were women, children and the elderly, who left behind their homes, careers and family to escape bombings. Their plight was urgent, and most had traveled for hours already to get to the border. Di Ionno drove them straight to where they needed to go without stopping to rest. On his way back to Dorohusk, hed nap at rest stops and occasionally slept in short-stay single rooms at Orlen, a Polish gas station chain. Injured Ludmila Ivanchuk, 61, holds her cat "Vasia" in front of her house, which was damaged by a Russian rocket attack in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sept. 27, 2023. Di Ionno, alongside the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, later began fundraising and delivering medical supplies across Ukraine, including tourniquets and first aid kits. He delivered these and other important supplies, like military vehicles, to various cities, including Kyiv and Poltava, which were actively being bombed. Many of the wartime deaths in Ukraine have occurred due to people bleeding out; as such, their limited medical supplies are incredibly crucial. With David Brymer, who is from Southern Illinois, Di Ionno trained soldiers in field medicine, giving them an advantage over the Russians and saving lives in the process. His time in the military paid off he taught soldiers proper tourniquet and bandaging techniques that he learned as a navy hospital corpsman. 'Humongous' impact on Ukraine The impact of Marks work and the UACCNJs donations has been humongous, said Khrystyna Sloan, a volunteer for the UACCNJ. Sloan mentioned that after a member of the UACCNJ did a Facebook live of a fundraiser they held for Ukraine, they received an outpouring of supportive messages from Ukrainians about the impact of the organizations efforts. We received so many text messages, phone calls, and the comments on it, that the people were losing hope in Ukraine, Sloan said. But when they see that in the world, somebody is thinking of them, and doing something its bringing them back to life that theyre not alone, that they know that the people stand behind them and everybody is doing as much as they can. She added, People think that the war in Ukraine is over. But its not. It keeps getting more aggressive and dangerous. Resilience of Ukrainian citizens, especially women, is the backbone of the war While Di Ionno was in Ukraine, he witnessed tragedy the total destruction of village after village. The strength and unity of the Ukrainian people in facing the war made a deep impression on him. They lost so much loved ones, homes, jobs to non-strategic bombings and attacks that qualified as vandalism, Di Ionno said. Despite this, everywhere he looked, they were organizing relief efforts to support their local communities and the military. One woman he knew lost her job because of the war and began a refugee center for women and children, while others worked full-time jobs and put in nearly identical hours for relief and military efforts. A Ukrainian serviceman known as "Yasha" of "Code 9.2" puts equipment into an armored vehicle at the frontline near Klishchiivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. Di Ionno was present for the fighting and bombings of Antonov Airport, which left much of the airport and the surrounding area destroyed. After the fighting had passed, he reported that the first structure rebuilt by the Ukrainians was a local childrens playground. To me, that was such a statement of both hope and defiance, Di Ionno said. Were going to be here. Were going to have a future and youre not going to stop that. The deep involvement of Ukrainian citizens in the fight for their country struck him as something that would likely not occur in the U.S. today. I think the political polarization has destroyed our national unity, Di Ionno said, citing the pandemic as an example of our failure to unify over an emergency. While in Ukraine, Di Ionno learned that extraordinary efforts from women are helping the country stay afloat. Women are joining the military for active duty, and civilian women have gone above and beyond to support their country while excelling at full-time jobs and in some cases taking care of relatives. Di Ionno noted that everywhere he goes, women are at work. They're collecting for the military, putting together medical aid boxes and accomplishing incredibly tedious work like making camouflages. Theyre supporting their neighbors and communities despite facing devastation in their own lives from the war. Vita Datsenko is one such woman. She spent nearly as many hours at the aid depot as her full-time job as an ophthalmologist. She helped organize the intake and distribution of donations, including emergency food, clothing and medical supplies for civilians in bombed areas and uniforms, gear and first aid kits for the military. Liudmila Rudenko is another extraordinary woman. A teacher who owns a cafe in Irpin, she has continually managed to feed her neighbors who lost everything in Russias destruction of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel, despite her cafe being bombed. She took online courses from a university in Milan to counsel children in her city, who have been traumatized by seeing their homes destroyed. Support from outside Ukraine is crucial Outside of Ukraine, people at the UACCNJ have also been collecting goods in support of the war. Roksolana Vaskul, an anesthesiologist, has helped the organization send over 18 shipping containers of goods to Ukraine valued at over $4,000,000, made medical visits and financed ambulances and vehicles for the army alongside the cultural center. Every donation counts. A generous person donated a school bus, which the UACCNJ transformed into an ambulance and shipped to Ukraine last month, Sloan said. The UACCNJ is currently accepting donations to send to Ukraine, including money, medical supplies and military items, on their website. Sloan organized a fundraiser to build a playground for over 83 refugee children with developmental disabilities. They are living in a school that has been repurposed as an orphanage in Lviv, a Ukrainian city near the Polish border. $30,000 of the $40,000 needed has been raised already. No matter what is happening in those kids lives, what do you think they're going to do on the playground? Sloan said. They're going to have fun. For years, it's going to stand there and bring happiness. I am proud to live in the United States because the people are incredible here, Sloan added. She gave the example of the seven-year-old son of her friend, who was inspired to help the cause after seeing the many boxes of supplies the UACCNJ was preparing to donate. He gave Ukrainian flags to his neighbors to place outside their houses and told his family and friends that he would be placing a shoebox outside his house for donations to the UACCNJ. Despite his young age, he garnered about $2,500 for Ukraine from his efforts, demonstrating that anyone can make an impact. Mark Di Ionno gave field medicine training to Ukrainian soldiers. In this photo, he is teaching soldiers about applying tourniquets, which are essential to prevent deaths from bleeding out. To donate Donations can be made to this cause through the UACCNJ website, their venmo, or by check mailed to the UACCNJ. It's important to include in the memo of donations that it is for the playground in Lviv, Sloan said. For more information, people can email Sloan at KhrystynaSloan@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mountain Lakes NJ: Mark Di Ionno provides aid in Ukraine Note: This story has been edited to correct the relationship between Cruz and the victim. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Police say a man fatally shot his brothers friend early Wednesday morning after accusing him of sleeping with his girlfriend. Investigators said Eulices Lorentes Cruz, 55, fired several shots into a car in the 1043 block of Treadwell Street as his brother and his brothers friend were backing out of the driveway. Yonisbel Hernandez was killed. The alleged shooters brother was uninjured, but identified Cruz as the shooter to police. Police located Cruz a short time later and said they found a revolver at his home in the 4300 block of Macon Road. Detectives said Cruz admitted he went to his brothers house with a gun to confront him about a personal matter and fired several shots. However, he said they were meant as warning shots. Cruz is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A Hancock County man is headed to prison for 10 years for possessing sexually explicit images of children engaged in sex acts and sharing the images with others. Judge Larry Bourgeois sentenced Dylan James Mauffray, 23, after he pleaded guilty this week to one count each of possession of child pornography and child exploitation. Hancock County prosecutors recommend Mauffray serve 15 years behind bars. Bourgeois handed down a lighter sentence after Mauffrays attorney, Rufus Alldredge, pointed out how others accused of similar or more severe offenses got less time. Bourgeois sentenced Mauffray to 30 years in prison, suspending 20 years and leaving 10 years to serve and five years under post-release supervision. The judge fined Mauffray $2,000 and ordered him to pay $1,000 to the Mississippi Childrens Trust fund. In addition, Mauffray has to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Before sentencing, the judge asked Mauffray how he got caught. Mauffray tearfully told the judge he became the subject of an investigation after a friend of his brothers reported the crimes to Hancock County authorities. He said he didnt know what he was thinking when he joined an online group to view the material that included images of underage girls engaged in sex acts and more. I had a handful of these images stored in my photo gallery, he said. Im very sorry, not just to the court, but to my community, Mauffray said. I dont know what I was doing. I didnt really understand what was going on in the world. Knowing everything I know now, knowing everything I did, I just feel sick to my stomach. I just want to ask for forgiveness from everybody here. Im going to try to do better. Mauffray admitted accessing and sharing the images at different times between April 20, 2020, and Dec. 15, 2021. Metropolitan State University of Denver is now the first university in Colorado and one of 14 institutions across the nation to earn the "Seal of Excelencia" certification, awarded by the Excelencia in Education research organization, known for celebrating Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. It's a prestigious honor for all the work it does within the Latino community and all students at MSU Denver. More than a third of the students at MSU Denver are Latino, according to the university. Members of the university's Hispanic-serving institution task force and executive steering committee contributed to a year-long application process. The application is divided into three core components: data, evidence-based practices and leadership. Some key areas the application examined included enrollment, retention, representation and financial support. For the university, the "Seal of Excelencia" certificate means they're helping out their Latinx students reach higher heights. For students like Annie Aviles-Zamora, a first gen and undocumented student who has hopes of becoming an immigration lawyer, institutions like MSU Denver make her feel welcomed. "I feel so honored and so privileged to be here," said Aviles-Zamora. / Credit: CBS Going into her senior year at MSU Denver, Aviles-Zamora, is majoring in English with a double minor in political science, art history, criticism and theory. Aviles-Zamora left Mexico and came to the United States with her family when she was only 4. "As an undocumented immigrant myself and personal connections to it, I really want to help out my community in any way that I can, especially in law," said Aviles-Zamora. After applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status through the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network which allows children to apply for lawful permanent residency in the U.S., she was able to apply for college, which is how she ended up attending MSU Denver. "It makes me want to cry because my mom came here for a better place and to give us a better life," said Aviles-Zamora. She is just one example of the students the university helps out through their Hispanic Serving Institution initiatives. Dr. Manuel Del Rey is the executive director of HSI Initiatives and Inclusion. He says this award means a lot to them and the university because it means they are doing something right in the community and preparing students for bright futures. "MSU Denver has been a huge advocate for our DACA and undocumented students, so I think that really allows us as an HSI who has the seal now as we are embedding into what that looks like," said Del Rey. That includes helping students financially by providing scholarship opportunities, giving them access to internship opportunities so they can land a job in their career, providing teacher assistants in classrooms and giving students access to resources they need. A reason why the Seal of Excelencia certificate is important to the university. "Our actions are speaking louder than our words and we want to continue to educate not only our students but the community about what does it really mean to be a Hispanic serving institution." They want to continue this so that students like, Aviles-Zamora have a chance at a future in the states. "I think overall-this is one of the best universities to help of those of Hispanic, Latinx backgrounds," said Aviles-Zamora. MSU Denver's HSI designation has opened up millions of dollars in grant opportunities. Since last fall, HSI and minority serving institution grant funding to the university has more than doubled, from about $6.4 million to more than $14 million. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Father of Bronx daycare victim Ncholas Dominici speaks out Rich Paul | Sunday on 60 Minutes In this image from surveillance video aired by Iranian state television, women pull 16-year-old Armita Geravand from a train car on the Tehran Metro in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. The mysterious injury suffered by Geravand not wearing a headscarf while boarding a Metro train in Iran's capital has reignited anger just after the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini and the nationwide protests it sparked. (AP Photo/Iranian state television) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A mysterious injury suffered by a 16-year-old girl who boarded a Metro train in Irans capital without a headscarf has reignited anger just after the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini and the nationwide protests it sparked. What happened in the few seconds after Armita Geravand entered the train on Sunday remains in question. While a friend told Iranian state television that she hit her head on the station's platform, the soundless footage aired by the broadcaster from outside of the car is blocked by a bystander. Just seconds later, her limp body is carried off. Geravands mother and father appeared in state media footage saying a blood pressure issue, a fall or perhaps both contributed to their daughters injury. Activists abroad have alleged Geravand may have been pushed or attacked because she was not wearing the hijab. They demand an independent investigation by the United Nations' fact-finding mission on Iran, citing the theocracy's use of pressure on victims' families and state TV's history of airing hundreds of coerced confessions. Geravand's injury also comes as Iran has put its morality police whom activists implicate in Amini's death over her alleged loose hijab back on the street, and as lawmakers push to enforce even stricter penalties for those flouting the required head covering. Girls are subjected to violence on the streets, and then their families are compelled to protect the government responsible for that violence, said Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran. For observant Muslim women, the head covering is a sign of piety before God and modesty in front of men outside their families. In Iran, the hijab and the all-encompassing black chador worn by some has long been a political symbol as well, particularly after becoming mandatory in the years following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran and neighboring Taliban-ruled Afghanistan are the only countries where the hijab remains mandatory for women. Amini died in a hospital on Sept. 16, 2022, after she was detained by Iranian morality police on allegations of improperly wearing the hijab. Suspicions that she was beaten during her arrest led to mass protests that represented the largest challenge to Irans theocratic government since the revolution. Since those large-scale protests subsided, many women in Tehran can be seen without the hijab in defiance of the law. Geravand suffered her injury Sunday morning at the Meydan-E Shohada, or Martyrs' Square, Metro station in southern Tehran. Rumors about how she suffered the injury quickly circulated. By Tuesday, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, which reports on abuses in Iran's western Kurdish region, published a photograph it said showed Geravand at the hospital, her head wrapped in bandages as she remains in a coma. Geravand was physically attacked by authorities in the Shohada station at Tehran Metro for what they perceived as noncompliance with the compulsory hijab, Hengaw alleged, citing reports it said it received. As a result, she sustained severe injuries and was transported to the hospital. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the exact circumstances of what caused Geravand's injuries. Hengaw claimed Thursday that security forces arrested Geravand's mother, Shahin Ahmadi. Authorities in Tehran did not immediately acknowledge the claim, though semiofficial news agencies denied it. Late Wednesday, Iranian state television aired what appeared to be nearly all the surveillance camera footage covering the 16 minutes Geravand spent inside of the Metro station before her injury. She entered at 6:52 a.m., then went down an escalator. The sole gap, about a minute and a half, occurs before she reaches the turnstile gate where she uses her Metro card. The footage includes her shopping for a snack, then walking to and waiting on the platform for the train. In the mute footage, Geravand, whom activists describe as a taekwondo athlete, appears calm and healthy. An AP frame-by-frame analysis of the footage showed no signs of the aired video being manipulated. At 7:08 a.m., Geravand enters the No. 134 train car the last on the train and likely a women-only compartment. A new conductor for the train walks up as she enters, his body blocking the view of door she walks through. Within four seconds, a woman steps backwards out of the train and just a sliver of Geravands head can be seen as she lies on the floor of the train. Women then pull Geravands limp body out and run for help as the train moves off. Iranian state TV's report, however, did not include any footage from inside the train itself and offered no explanation on why it hadn't been released. Most train cars on the Tehran Metro have multiple CCTV cameras, which are viewable by security personnel. "Refusing to publish the footage only increases doubts about the official narrative," the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights said. Emergency medical technicians took Geravand to Fajr Hospital, which is at a Iranian air force base and one of the the closest medical facilities to the station. In the time since her injury, security forces have arrested a journalist for Shargh newspaper who went to the hospital, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Shargh, a reformist newspaper, helped lead reporting surrounding Amini's death as well. Already, Geravand's injury has drawn international attention, something Iran's government has sought to dismiss. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote online: Once again a young woman in #Iran is fighting for her life. Just because she showed her hair on the subway. Its unbearable. U.S. Deputy Special Envoy for Iran Abram Paley also wrote that he was shocked and concerned about reports that Irans so-called morality police have assaulted 16-year-old Armita Geravand. Iranian authorities likely worry about this incident escalating into popular anger like in Amini's case. Women continue to ignore the hijab law despite the growing crackdown. That includes what Shargh described as Tehran's city government hiring of some 400 people as hijab guards to give verbal warnings, prevent uncovered women from entering subway cars and hand them over to police. In December 2018 Nadine Arslanian was in a car crash that left her car totaled and a Bergen County man dead. She, along with her now-husband, Sen. Bob Menendez , now faces federal charges for their alleged involvement in a bribery scheme. The three-count indictment alleged that Menendez, his wife, and the three businessmen Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes took part in the alleged plot. The indictment alleges that between 2018 and 2022, Menendez, who until recently 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. The crash was mentioned in the indictment Car involved in the accident which killed a man in December 2018. The 39-page indictment unsealed in New York last month included a vague mention of a crash in December 2018 that left the senators wife without a car. It goes on to say that she texted a co-defendant in the bribery scheme about her lack of car. That co-defendant Hana allegedly bought her a new 2019 Mercedes in March of that year. She was not charged Arslanian was not charged or ticketed in any way. Police determined at the scene that because her victim, 49-year-old Richard Koop, was jaywalking and not using a crosswalk she was not at fault. Bogota police responded to calls of a pedestrian hit by a car just after 7:35 p.m. on Dec. 12, 2018. The crash, which occurred at 155 East Main St., left Richard Koop, 49, of Bogota, fatally injured in front of his home. Ms. Arslanian was not at fault in this crash, a Bogota Police Department investigation report reads. Mr. Koop was jaywalking and did not cross the street at an intersection or in a marked crosswalk. Koop died at the scene A bar stool at Westside Village Tavern is dedicated to Richard Koop who was killed in 2018 after struck by a car driven by Nadine Arslanian Menendez. Koop was thrown several upon impact and was severely injured. Police reported that he had head trauma, was bleeding from the head and face and had likely broken his arms and legs. Responding officers did not attempt CPR because it would have been useless since they couldnt stop the bleeding. She asked for a lawyer and took back her phone Arslanian can be heard asking for a lawyer and saying she didnt want to say anything wrong. Video footage shows that Arslanian asks officers why Koop was in the road and tells police that she didnt do anything wrong. She initially consented to having her phone searched but quickly changed her mind and took the phone back. Transcript: What did Nadine Arslanian say to Bogota police at a 2018 fatal crash scene? A retired cop picked her up and Menendez helped her clean out her car. Though never seen on camera a man who identifies himself as a retired Hackensack cop comes to the scene to take Arslanian home. More than a month later, her boyfriend. The states senior senator accompanied her to get the rest of her belongings from the car. Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Nadine Menendez car accident: What to know about crash in Bogota NJ A US senator's wife hit and killed a jaywalker with her car in 2018, according to a police report cited by US media. The New Jersey crash is briefly mentioned in an indictment that alleges Nadine Menendez and her husband Robert, a New Jersey senator, were part of a massive bribery scheme involving gold, cash and a car. Richard Koop, 49, died in the December 2018 crash. Ms Menendez was not charged. Details about the crash, which occurred on a cold winter evening in Bogota, New Jersey, were outlined in a Bogota Police Department report cited in the New York Times and northjersey.com. According to the report, police responded to calls of a pedestrian hit by a car about 19:35 EST (24:35 BST) on 12 December 2018. Ms Menendez, who was the senator's girlfriend at the time, was behind the wheel when her Mercedes-Benz sedan hit Mr Koop. The crash left Mr Koop, a Bogota resident, dead just feet away from his home. Bogota officer Michael LaFerrera, writing in the report, said he arrived at the scene and saw Mr Koop on the ground "unconscious". Mr LaFerrera said he could not find a pulse and was "unable to attempt CPR as there was no way to properly control Mr Koop's bleeding from his face and head, rendering CPR useless". Mr Koop was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. The police report cited by US media says Ms Menendez "was not at fault in this crash". "Mr Koop was jaywalking and did not cross the street at an intersection or in a marked crosswalk," the report says. Images obtained by USA Today show Ms Menendez dressed in a fur coat talking with police on the street after the incident. She told police at the scene she "did nothing wrong". She also asked for a lawyer and told officers she didn't "want to say anything wrong", northjersey.com reported. According to The New York Times, Ms Menendez was never tested for drugs or alcohol. She was released without a summons and allowed to leave the scene of the crash. However, an autopsy report showed that Mr Koop was tested, and had alcohol and marijuana in his system. His family has raised complaints about why the victim in the incident was the only one police tested. That car crash is reportedly connected to one of the alleged bribes received by the Menendez family. According to the federal indictment, a month after the accident Ms Menendez was texting Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman also indicted in the bribery scheme, about her lack of a car. Three months later, Ms Menendez walked into a Mercedes Benz dealership and purchased a convertible C-300 using a mix of credit cards and cheques and $15,000 in cash. The money was allegedly provided by Jose Uribe, another person indicted in the scheme, the indictment says. "I will never forget this," Ms Menendez said in a text to Mr Uribe, before texting him a photo of the vehicle. The car is just one of multiple lavish items prosecutors allege the Menendez family received. In September, prosecutors from the Southern District of New York indicted Ms Menendez, her husband, Robert, and three New Jersey businessmen, which include Mr Hana, Mr Uribe and Fred Daibes for their alleged participation in a bribery scheme. The indictment claims the New Jersey senator and his wife received $480,000 (390,000) in cash, $100,000 in gold bars and other "things of value" in exchange for favours done by Mr Menendez for the three businessmen. Lawyers for the Menendez couple pleaded not guilty on their behalf during their court arraignment on 27 September. The US senator has, however, temporarily stepped down from his role as US Senate foreign relations chairman. He has also rejected repeated calls from fellow Democrats to resign. "When all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be New Jersey's senior senator," a defiant Mr Menendez told a news conference in September. A trial date has been set for 6 May 2024. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) hugged the casket of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein as the trailblazing California Democrat was lying in state in San Francisco on Wednesday. Feinstein, the longest-serving woman in the U.S. Senate, died Friday at the age of 90. Her memorial is set for Thursday and will be open to the public outside of San Francisco City Hall at 1 p.m. local time. From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the public is also allowed into the City Hall rotunda to visit Feinsteins casket. Pelosi arrived in San Francisco on Saturday and is set to speak at Feinsteins service on Thursday. Last week, she called the senator a pioneering woman leader. Personally, it was a great honor to serve alongside Dianne for decades from the hilly streets of San Francisco to the hallowed halls of Congress. We were not only colleagues, but neighbors and friends, Pelosi said in her statement on Friday. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) puts her arm around the casket of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) at San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 4, 2023. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) puts her arm around the casket of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) at San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 4, 2023. Feinstein is survived by her daughter, Katherine Feinstein, and her granddaughter, Eileen Feinstein Mariano. She was San Franciscos first female mayor, serving from 1978 to 1988, and a U.S. senator from 1992 until her death last week. Livestreams from the City Hall rotunda show many people stopping by to honor her. Dianne Feinstein has been such an integral part of like the history of the city, so theres these moments in San Francisco where you just witness history, and I think this will be a part of that, an attendee named Andres Salerno told local outlet KGO-TV. After Feinsteins death, numerous politicians, including President Joe Biden, spoke out on her impact. Shes made history in so many ways, and our country will benefit from her legacy for generations, Biden said in a Friday statement. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is also set to speak on Thursday, according to People. The sign of a leader is someone who dedicates the whole of their spirit for a cause greater than themselves. The sign of a hero is someone who fights for others, who endures for others, no matter the cost, no matter the odds. And the sign of a friend is someone who stands by your side to fight the good fight on the good days and the bad, Schumer told lawmakers on the Senate floor after their colleagues death was announced. Dianne Feinstein was all of this and more. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) chose Laphonza Butler to temporarily serve in Feinsteins place on Tuesday. Butler is the first openly LGBTQ+ Black woman and the third Black woman to serve in the Senate. See more photos of Feinsteins visitors at San Francisco City Hall below. Rep. Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, stand over the casket of Sen. Dianne Feinstein as she lies in state at San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 4, 2023. Rep. Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi , stand over the casket of Sen. Dianne Feinstein as she lies in state at San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 4, 2023. Feinstein's casket is carried from a hearse so mourners can visit San Franciscos City Hall to say goodbye. It is the building where Feinstein served as a board supervisor and the city's first female mayor before departing for a groundbreaking career in Congress three decades ago. Feinstein's casket is carried from a hearse so mourners can visit San Franciscos City Hall to say goodbye. It is the building where Feinstein served as a board supervisor and the city's first female mayor before departing for a groundbreaking career in Congress three decades ago. Dianne Feinstein's daughter, Katherine Feinstein, is greeted by San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Dianne Feinstein's daughter, Katherine Feinstein, is greeted by San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Dianne Feinstein's granddaughter, Eileen Mariano, views the body of the late Democratic senator. Dianne Feinstein's granddaughter, Eileen Mariano, views the body of the late Democratic senator. Fire trucks hang the American flag in honor of Feinstein, who smashed gender barriers and overcame stalwart opposition from the American intelligence community to publish a bombshell report on the CIA's post-9/11 torture practices. Fire trucks hang the American flag in honor of Feinstein, who smashed gender barriers and overcame stalwart opposition from the American intelligence community to publish a bombshell report on the CIA's post-9/11 torture practices. The senator's body arrives to lie in state at San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 4, 2023. The senator's body arrives to lie in state at San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 4, 2023. Feinstein's casket lies in the rotunda of San Francisco City Hall for all-day public viewing. Feinstein's casket lies in the rotunda of San Francisco City Hall for all-day public viewing. Mourner Rand Salwasser wipes tears from his face as he writes a message for Feinstein at City Hall. Mourner Rand Salwasser wipes tears from his face as he writes a message for Feinstein at City Hall. San Francisco Mayor London Breed prays over Feinstein's casket before the public viewing. San Francisco Mayor London Breed prays over Feinstein's casket before the public viewing. Related... On Oct. 14, an annular solar eclipse also called a "ring of fire" eclipse will be seen across parts of the western United States. But while skywatchers and eclipse chasers can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, some NASA scientists will be hard at work. Aroh Barjatya, a professor of engineering physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, is leading a NASA mission that will see three sounding rockets measure changes in the atmosphere during the eclipse. The mission is called the Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path, or APEP, which is uncoincidentally the name of the Egyptian deity of darkness. According to tradition, Apep would chase the sun god Ra, his arch nemesis and when he caught up to him, an eclipse occurred. Launching from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the rockets will specifically target the ionosphere. During the eclipse, temperature and density will drop in the ionosphere , creating a wave-like effect that can affect satellite communications, including GPS . Related: Annular solar eclipse 2023: How to watch in person and online If you think of the ionosphere as a pond with some gentle ripples on it, the eclipse is like a motorboat that suddenly rips through the water, Barjatya said in a statement . It creates a wake immediately underneath and behind it, and then the water level momentarily goes up as it rushes back in. He adds that because all satellite communications travel through this region, it's crucial that we "understand and model all perturbations in the ionosphere. Related Stories: Annular solar eclipse 2023: Everything you need to know about North America's 'ring of fire' eclipse What's the difference between a total solar eclipse and an annular solar eclipse? How to photograph a solar eclipse Following the annular eclipse, the sounding rockets and their instruments will travel to NASAs Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, where they will be relaunched during the upcoming total solar eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024 . This pair of solar eclipses will be the last major two seen in the contiguous United States until 2044. "We have to make hay while the sun shines or, I suppose for eclipse science, while it doesnt, said Barjatya. In all seriousness though, this data set will reveal the widespread effects that eclipses have on the ionosphere at the smallest spatial scales. More than eight months after Jamal Moore was fatally stabbed in Nashville on Jan. 28, Nashville police arrested a 23-year-old man using cell phone records and DNA, they said. Jordan Christopher Thompson, 23 has been charged with criminal homicide in connection with the case. Moore split his time between North Carolina and Nashville and was one day away from heading back to his Charlotte home when he was stabbed, according to friends who spoke to The Tennessean earlier this year. His body was found in a grassy area of 810 Cherokee Avenue, across the street from a condo he owned, police said, noting that he'd suffered a stab wound to his neck and blunt force injuries consistent with being run over by a vehicle. At the time, Moore's death shocked best friend Redu Hamoud, who lives in Saudi Arabia. Together, they owned short-term rentals in Nashville and Charlotte, N.C. They had dreams of starting a business empire. Moore was visiting the properties when he was killed. "We were best friends, we were business partners. He is my soulmate," Hamoud said earlier this year. Investigators determined that Moore met Thompson through a social networking app the day before he was killed. They think the two met in person at Cleveland Park and drove in Moores car to Cherokee Avenue, where Moore was then killed, the release said. A judicial commissioner ordered that Thompson be held without bond pending a hearing. Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cell records, DNA led Nashville PD to suspect in January stabbing case A student at Seattles Nathan Hale High School reportedly threatened a classmate with a gun on Wednesday. Seattle police officers were initially told by a parent that a student had pointed a gun at their child in a school parking lot. The incident caused a brief shelter-in-place, according to Seattle Public Schools. School staff was able to identify a possible suspect as well as others involved in the incident. Police were unable to find the suspect at the time, and no weapon was found on campus. KIRO7 asked Seattle Public Schools about the incident at Nathan Hale High along with the Garfield High situation that happened on Wednesday. A spokesperson sent the following statement: Garfield High School There were also reports of gunfire in the Garfield neighborhood but NOT on a Seattle Public School campus. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) quickly responded to that incident. SPD is investigating and we do not know if SPS students were involved in the incident involving a gun off campus. Nathan Hale High School In an unrelated incident, the Nathan Hale administration received a report at approximately 12:30 p.m. of a student brandishing a gun in the student parking lot. As a precaution, the school was placed in a brief shelter-in-place, until Seattle Police Department could conduct a campus safety walk. The student was confirmed not be on campus nor in the building. No weapon was found. Regular schedules and activities resumed after about 30 minutes. Parents also were notified and updated by the principal. KIRO 7 also spoke with SPS Executive Director of Operations Marni Campbell, on what has been done in recent months to improve school safety. She says Seattle Police have told the district they have seen an increase in overall violence throughout the city. But the bottom line is, there are some conflicts in our community and in our neighborhood, Campbell said. She also says they work with contracted specialists on how they can improve safety constantly. There is also an app students can download and use to report any safety concerns. Where you can enter an anonymous tip if you see something that you think is unsafe or dangerous, said Campbell. She also heard parents and students concerns back in June at Garfield High during a private meeting between them, the district, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and Police Chief Adrian Diaz. The meeting was set as a response to a string of violent incidents both on and off campus. She says the number one thing that was discussed was the need for mental and emotional support for students. While she believes the approach, they are taking is handling most issues at hand, she believes the more students and parents communicate with them, the safer schools will be. I think every single time we have input, whether its a community meeting, whether its an incident or whether its kid grabbing me and talking to me, every single input hopefully feeds into our practices and makes them better, said Campbell. Noodling over your plans for this week? You might want to pencil in some time to celebrate National Noodle Day. In honor of the annual holiday, which falls on Friday, Oct. 6, several food brands and restaurants are serving up some epic deals devoted to one of our favorite food groups. Here are all the discounts and freebies were looking forward to slurping up. Fazolis On Oct. 6, Fazolis restaurants will offer customers a BOGO (buy one, get one) deal on Small Fettuccine Alfredo or Spaghetti with Marinara or Meat Sauce. Momofuku Momofuku knows a thing or two about noodles, and the brand is offering TODAY.com readers an exclusive deal for National Noodle Day. When you use the code TODAY10 between Oct. 4 and 6, you'll score 10% off sitewide. Nissin Foods The company behind iconic brands like Cup Noodles and Top Ramen is celebrating National Noodle Day with its first Noodlepalooza Instant Win Game. On Oct. 6, fans can spin the virtual prize wheel online in the hopes of winning several prizes, including the following: Cup Noodles & Top Ramen Nintendo Switch Joy Cons Cup Noodles E-bike Send Noods LED sign Cup Noodles & Top Ramen pickleball paddles I <3 Cup Noodles AirPods Pro MAX Headphones Cash prizes Didnt win on your first attempt? Try again because there will be a new winner every 10 minutes. You can also sign up to be reminded about the game here. Noodles & Company Members of Noodle & Companys rewards program can score noodle bowls for just $5 on Oct. 6. The deal is valid on all noodle bowl varieties. If its your first time signing up for the restaurant's rewards program, youll earn a free regular-sized entree after your first purchase using your rewards account. The points can be used on any entree, including the new Chicken Parmesan dish. Throughout the month of October, the restaurant will also roll out several other deals for rewards members each weekend: Oct. 13-15: 20% off stuffed and classic pasta entrees Oct. 20-22: 20% off Asian noodle bowls and LEANguini Oct. 27-29: 20% off World Famous Macs and all Zoodle dishes Pei Wei Craving some discounts on National Noodle Day? This chain restaurant is offering customers $2 off all noodle entrees when using the following code NND23! on Oct. 6 in-store and online. This article was originally published on TODAY.com After 9/11, Congress decided that the House speaker needed to keep a list of successors in case anything happened to the person holding that position. So when a speaker was unseated this week in a historic first, the House rule book directed Congress to turn to the secret list of successors to replace him. But the same rule book offered no advice on what would come next. At the top of ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthys list was Rep. Patrick McHenry, a fellow Republican from Lincoln County, 35 miles northwest of Charlotte. McHenry is McCarthys close friend and ally and is now House speaker pro tem, leading the chamber toward finding its new leader. No one before McHenry has ever held the role in this way, though those presiding over the House in the speakers stead are given that title for the moment. It was clear from McHenrys actions that he knew what was about to happen. He watched as the vote count pulled away from McCarthys favor and made his way toward the front of the chamber When McCarthys loss was announced, McHenry climbed the steps of the dais to take his position as the Houses leader. But what wasnt immediately clear to those watching was that all guidance for McHenry on what he could do next stopped there. Now, McHenry finds himself writing historys playbook for future House members who find themselves in this position. Jason Roberts, a political science professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, who takes a particular interest in the procedures of Congress, broke down some key questions about how McHenry found himself in this position and what rules cover his powers and responsibilities now. How did McHenry become interim speaker? Roberts said that the rule put in place after Sept. 11, 2001, was based on a hypothetical tragedy in which there is no longer a speaker. Its anticipating a catastrophe, not an intraparty brawl, Roberts said. Because of that framework for a replacement, no one ever thought to give the speaker pro tempore guidance on how to steer the ship while the Houses members arent getting along. What can a temporary speaker do? Roberts said the House operates under two sets of guidelines: rules and precedent. The rules of the House on what he can and cant do are very unclear, Roberts said. It just says that he shall serve in this role and facilitate the election of the speaker. Well, what does that mean? Does that mean he can only do those things? Can you do other things? What has McHenry already done? Hes already decided he can do things the speaker can do, Roberts said. The first thing he did was recess the House to the call of the chair, so thats something a speaker can do. Roberts added that every time McHenry does an official act in his new role, he sets a precedent that anyone assuming this role going forward will also be allowed to do those things. What if a member disagrees with McHenrys authority? If someone in the House decided they didnt like the precedent McHenry is setting, they could appeal the ruling of the chair, Roberts said. The parliamentarian can make a ruling, and then the House can vote on it. Any majority vote can either enhance or restrict his powers by setting precedent, Roberts said. Immediately after McHenry took over, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Steny Hoyer, both Democrats, were told to move out of their hideaway offices in the U.S. Capitol, which is prime real estate in the building. Its hard to argue that this is directly related to getting a speaker elected, so he seems to be taking a broad interpretation of (what he is allowed to do), Roberts said. In contrast, it took nearly 24 hours before McHenry decided he was allowed to officially adjourn the House, forcing House staff and Capitol police to work around the clock until he took that step Wednesday afternoon. Was kicking out Pelosi and Hoyer McHenrys decision? Some reporting has blamed McHenry for the move, while some has indicated it was a decision left over from McCarthy. A Capitol Hill official in a nonpartisan role told McClatchy this is standard after a new speaker comes in, if office space is needed for the most recent speaker. Either way, it was carried out while McHenry was in office. That was just pure partisan vindictiveness, Roberts said. Its just brass-knuckle politics. I think theres a faction of Republicans who are pissed at the Democrats that they wouldnt help save McCarthy, but if the shoe was on the other foot they would not have helped save a Democratic speaker, so thats just a little bit disingenuous, but thats partisan politics. However, Roberts said that kicking out Pelosi and Hoyer is not part of McHenrys brand of politics. McHenry is well thought of as a very studious, serious person, Roberts said. Hes a policy guy. You know tempers are hot, but thats just not McHenrys style. Whats at stake? Lawmakers have two large pieces of legislation left on the table following last weeks budget negotiations: funding the government before Nov. 17 and figuring out whether to send aid to Ukraine. Technically, McHenry could try to bring legislation to the floor if he chooses to. Whether he would be successful is a guessing game. If he attempts to do so, as long as the majority doesnt vote to stop it, then yes, Roberts said, of whether McHenry could. The fundamental thing about the House that is always true is a majority of the House can do anything it wants to. On the other hand, the Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy are the same ones who were using the House budget as a bargaining chip and do not support funding Ukraine in its defense against Russia. What could happen next? Roberts said the majority always rules, but just because the majority of the House is Republican doesnt mean that cross-partisan, cross-majority alliances wont start forming as the House tries to right the ship. The faithful attend a 'Via Crucis' (Way of the Cross) at the St. Gabriele dell'Addolorata sanctuary in Isola del Gran Sasso near Teramo in central Italy Friday, July 29, 2023. In Italy, centuries-old churches dot the landscape, sanctuaries and processions draw crowds, and nearly 80% of the population profess themselves Catholic. But to the majority, it's an affiliation in name and tradition, with little adherence to doctrine or practice. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis) ISOLA DEL GRAN SASSO, Italy (AP) Two children scribbled petitions to St. Gabriele dellAddolorata in the sanctuary where the young saint is venerated in this central Italian mountain village. Andrea, 6, asked for blessings for his family and pets, while Sofia, 9, offered thanksgiving for winning a dance competition. Their parents bring them here often, and consider themselves better Catholics than many but they rarely if ever go to Mass and dont receive Communion because they are not married, thus shunning two sacraments the Catholic Church considers foundational. I practice where I want, said the mother, Carmela Forino. One has to believe in something, right? You do what you feel in your heart. You cant require me to go to Mass on Sundays. Thats the paradox in this country long considered the cradle of the Catholic faith. Elsewhere in deeply secular Western Europe, the nones those rejecting organized religion are growing fast. In Italy, however, most retain a nominal affiliation, steeped in tradition but with little adherence to doctrine or practice. According to the latest Pew Research Center survey, 78% of Italians profess themselves to be Catholic but only 19% attend services at least once a week while 31% never do, per data by the Italian statistics agency, ISTAT. The COVID-19 pandemic pruned even more tepid Catholics, accelerating a loss in faith that started at least a generation ago, said Franco Garelli, a University of Turin sociology professor. I dont have time, I dont feel like it there isnt a real reason. Thats whats scary, said the Rev. Giovanni Mandozzi, parish priest in the sanctuarys village, Isola. I tell them, I do Mass in under 40 minutes, you can leave your pasta sauce on the stove, and it wont even stick to the bottom of the pot. On an early summer Saturday evening, he celebrated Mass with fewer than two dozen elderly parishioners in a former butcher shop, because Isolas church was damaged by earthquakes that have devastated the region of Abruzzo since 2009. Nearby, several close friends in their 20s were enjoying drinks and appetizers outside a bar. They described growing up attending Mass and catechism, only to stop after receiving the sacrament of confirmation or getting rid of it, as one put it in their early teens. It would have become just a routine, said Agostino Tatulli, 24, a college and music conservatory student who sometimes still goes to church with his mother. Id say Im spiritual. I dont know if God exists. From his childhood serving as an altar boy, he misses the sense of community that formed on Sunday mornings. Tatulli still finds some of that in his gigs with a marching band for the popular feasts of patron saints whose celebrations are crucial to fellow band member Federico Ferri. Im a Catholic believer in the saints, not in the church, Ferri added. He goes only occasionally to Mass, but often to the sanctuary. Thousands of teens continue to flock each spring to San Gabriele sanctuary for the blessing of the pens with which high school seniors will take final exams a tradition that felt lovely but more superstitious than religious to former pilgrim Michela Vignola. Now I dont even think about it, she said, referring to the faith she abandoned in her teens. Its taken for granted that youre a believer, but you dont participate. A hairdresser, Vignola coifs a lot of bridal parties, most still headed to church the choice of about 60% of Italians getting married for the first time, making the sacrament just a bit less popular than a church funeral, favored by 70% of Italians, according to Garellis research. In a nearby village, fifth-generation funeral home director Antonio Ruggieri has added wake rooms for followers of non-Christian religions and is building a neutral one with no religious symbols. But almost all his funerals are in a church. Its a sort of redemption, even if you barely believe in it, he said. For many priests, that attitude means that a social point of no return might have been reached. How to respond is a major challenge for clergy already struggling with a significant drop in vocations that leaves many with barely the time to celebrate Masses in multiple villages under their care. Those who participate actively do so now out of a deliberate choice and not because the church, and its social and cultural programs for youth, are the only game in town as they used to be. Such believers should be focused on as if they were the last of the species on Noahs Ark, joked the Rev. Bernardino Giordano, the vicar general of the pontifical delegation to Loreto, an even more popular sanctuary less than 100 miles (160 km) away. In a previous assignment in northern Italy, he dealt with the other extreme the few who asked his diocese to be sbattezzati, or de-baptized, which really meant expunged from the parish baptism record since a sacrament like baptism cant be undone. But the majority remain in a grey area drawn not by sacraments but by the churchs social justice work. Its very reductionist to have as the only measure those who practice (the faith). The Holy Spirit is at work everywhere, it doesnt belong only to Catholics, said Archbishop Erio Castellucci, the vice president of the Italian bishops conference. That might appeal to Federica Nobile, 33, who defines herself as Catholic but not too much. Raised in a very observant family, she felt she needed to exorcise the absurd fear of hell she grew up with. I tried to get above the concept of good vs. evil. Looking for nuances allows me to live a lot better, said the branding strategist and fiction author. In the provincial capital of Teramo, when Marco Palareti asked the middle-school students in his optional religion class to rank values, family and freedom came first and faith dead last. Kids attitude has changed, because in earlier times almost all of them had a life in the parish, while today many dont go or go only for the sacraments of First Communion and confirmation, added Palareti, who has taught religion for 36 years. Its an attitude that Pietro di Bartolomeo remembers well. When he was a teen bullied because of his familys strong faith, he saw God as a loser. Now a 45-year-old father of five, he runs a Bible group for teens in Teramo. He believes the Church needs to evangelize more or its doomed to irrelevance. The old ladies sooner or later will go to the Creator, and thats where the cycle stops, he said. - Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Two brothers who worked as managers at a McDonalds in Pennsylvania stole $22,302 from the restaurant in less than two weeks, police said. Officers of the Clearfield Regional Police Department were notified of numerous thefts at the fast-food restaurant on Sept. 12, according to a report obtained by McClatchy News. Staff reported the thefts occurred between Aug. 23 and Sept. 4. Investigators discovered that the night-shift manager was taking deposits from the store and giving them to the general manager who was off shift, police said. The two managers are brothers. Eight deposits were taken from the store but never transferred to the bank, according to the report. The 40-year-old brothers one from Curwensville and one from Clearfield have been charged with dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal conspiracy to commit theft, theft of moveable property, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility. McDonalds did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Oct. 4. Clearfield is about 120 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. McDonalds manager stuffed cash in shirts, stealing nearly $50K in 7 months, cops say Man steals $64,000 from Walmart stores across the US using sleight-of-hand, feds say Target worker caught stealing from cash registers over $13K in a month, CT cops say Save Ukraine, a Ukrainian humanitarian NGO, said it rescued 19 children from Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation, the organization's founder, Mykola Kuleba, said on Oct. 5. The 12th rescue mission brings the total number of children returned by the organization to 196, Kuleba wrote on Facebook. The NGO has not yet provided further details on the rescue mission. More than 19,500 children have been identified by the Ukrainian government as having been deported. Almost 400 of them have been brought back to Ukraine. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children during Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. If Cornel West is worried about being a spoiler whose candidacy might let Donald Trump back into the White House by stealing votes from President Joe Biden , he isnt showing it. The 70-year-old former Harvard and Princeton professor is running in next years presidential election as an independent with a message more likely, on the face of it, to appeal to disillusioned Democrats than anti-Trump Republicans. (West launched his campaign in June as a Green party candidate, but dropped the party on Thursday.) Related: Third party candidates will help Trump win | Robert Reich At a fundraising event in Busboys and Poets, a leftwing bookshop and restaurant in Washington, West a veteran activist of myriad causes insisted he seeks the sympathies of neither cohort, but is instead trying to woo alienated, hardened non-voters. I think that we are not clear if either Biden or Trump will be in the actual election because things are so flexible and fluid right now, he said on being asked by the Guardian to respond to warnings that his candidacy was a boon to Trump. But I happen to be focusing on the 40% that dont vote at all, and I happen to be pulling from the 62% of folk who do vote but who would never vote for the two parties. So if there is some taking from both parties, its going to be very, very small. Ive got to be able to speak the truth no matter what. Im planning to do that until the very end. So in that sense, who knows whos stealing from who. With Trump buoyant in many polls, some have likened Wests presence to that of the longtime activist Ralph Nader in 2000, who was widely believed to have persuaded wavering voters to switch to him from Al Gore in the key battleground of Florida, tipping the state and thus the election to George W Bush. An Emerson College poll conducted in August showed Biden and Trump tied on 44% apiece in a two-way matchup. Wests addition to the ballot saw him polling at 5% and Trump leading Biden by 42% to 41%. A survey carried out in June by Echelon Insight reached a similar conclusion, with West polling at 4%. Further complicating the picture is the possibility that Robert F Kennedy Jr may run as an independent candidate, rather than challenging Biden in the Democratic primaries. Addressing an audience of committed supporters, West who campaigned against Trumps presidency when he was in office and advocated voting for Biden in 2020, railed against the rigid two-party US political system and adopted a plague on both your houses posture to the Democrats and Republicans. One of the problems of the two party system is what Margaret Thatcher used to call Tina there is no alternative, he said, referring to a phrase the former British prime minister used to defend her governments stringent economic policies in the early 1980s. Ive got to be able to speak the truth no matter what. Im planning to do that until the very end Tell the American people there is no alternative. Theres nothing else you can do. You are locked in the prison that the neo-fascist Trump himself has hijacked, this damaged banana Republican party in the name of the rule of big business and big military, scapegoating the most vulnerable rather than confronting the most powerful, most xenophobic across the board. The Democratic party has this crypto-fascist element when it comes to mass incarceration, when it comes to dropping bombs when it comes to surveillance, when it comes to violation of individual liberties vis-a-vis the national security state. Wearing his trademark black suit and black scarf, West frequently deployed humor in a 30-minute speech laced with references to his musical heroes, including John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and the Isley Brothers, and including invocations of TS Eliot and Dostoevsky. He drew widespread laughter when he said that, as a Christian, he would not demonise Trump who he called a brother but would keep track of his demonic activity. West said he aimed to become the head of the empire in order to dismantle the empire. He vowed a massive, massive investment in the basic social needs of people and much of that will come from a massive cut in military spending. Before departing for an engagement calling for peace in Ukraine, West told the Guardian that the war had to be stopped urgently. The suffering of the Ukrainians is overwhelming and there is a possibility of world war three in terms of the escalation of nuclear possibilities, he said. As you know, an attack on any one of those 31 Nato countries is an attack on the United States. And its getting very, very close. This article and headline were amended on 5 October 2023 after Cornel West announced he was no longer seeking the Green partys nomination and instead running as an independent. China a thriving test ground for NEV technologies Xinhua) 10:51, October 05, 2023 A heavy truck gets its battery swapped at a battery-swapping station in an expressway service area in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan) FUZHOU, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- After a heavy truck pulled in, a pair of robotic arms emerged from the ground to pluck out the battery pack from the vehicle's chassis. A moment later, the robotic arms reemerged with a fully-charged battery pack for installation. This five-minute battery swapping procedure took place at an expressway service area in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. It required no human intervention, allowing truck driver Peng Shunqian time to take a short break. Peng, 50, had driven diesel trucks for years but switched to an electric vehicle (EV) a year ago to reduce fuel costs. "Compared with diesel ones, this new-energy truck can save me 300-400 yuan (42-55 U.S. dollars) a day. It is easier to drive and more environmentally friendly," he said. Though battery swapping is not a new concept for EVs, the project Peng is participating in is trailblazing -- it is China's first expressway equipped with battery-swap stations for heavy trucks along its line. The 420-km expressway linking Ningde and Xiamen has four battery-swap stations, launched in late August to serve a fleet of 100 electric heavy trucks. The stations were built by Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) and Fujian Expressway Group Co., Ltd. "There are more than 9 million heavy trucks running on China's expressways. Accounting for only 3 percent of the country's total vehicle number, heavy trucks emit more than 40 percent of the carbon emissions (of vehicles in China)," said Zeng Yuqun, board chairman of CATL, who hailed the green potential of the battery-swapping highway. China aims to peak its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. This goal has prompted the country, which has the largest number of motor vehicles in the world, to reduce the carbon footprint of traffic and transportation by encouraging a host of new-energy vehicle (NEV) technologies and applications. Emerging as a solution to EV's slow charging process, battery swapping can be completed in minutes and allows unloaded cells to be charged in off-peak periods to benefit the health of the grid, said Ouyang Chuying, CATL co-president for research and development. "The idea of battery swapping also encourages the use of EVs, as the expensive battery packs can now be rented instead of being a must-buy item," he said. In several Chinese cities including Xiamen, Fuzhou, Guiyang and Hefei, CATL's battery swapping stations have started to serve passenger cars, according to Ouyang. "We believe it is the future of EV," he said. This technology is also making strides in highway transportation. Battery-swapping trucks using the Ningde-Xiamen line are expected to increase to 300 next year, while Fujian's traffic authority has planned to install battery-swapping stations on all the province's expressways as of 2025. China is the world's largest NEV producer and market. In the first seven months of this year, China saw its NEV sales surge 41.7 percent year on year to 4.53 million units, official data showed. In its latest work plan for the auto industry, the Chinese government said it aims to bring this year's NEV sales to 9 million units, an increase of 30 percent year on year. It also said testing of full vehicle electrification for public transportation will be started in pilot zones. In addition, the country is focused on boosting the construction of charging infrastructure, especially in the vast countryside, to promote the use of NEVs in the rural market, according to a government guideline released in May. Industry observers say the vast domestic market and strong government commitment have combined to push Chinese NEV companies to the global forefront of technological innovation. Ningde-based CATL, for instance, has revealed plans to mass produce its new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery "Shenxing" by the end of this year. It allows for "superfast charging" capable of delivering 400 kilometers of driving range with a 10-minute charge. At the Smart China Expo 2023 held in September, Chinese EV start-up Xpeng displayed its battery-powered flying car X2, capable of flying to a maximum height of 1,000 meters. The two-seater EV received an official certification for flight safety in January this year. "In the NEV sector, China boasts advanced corporate technologies, abundant application scenarios and a supportive legal framework," said Ouyang. "Most importantly, China has seized the historic opportunity to develop the NEV sector at a time when traditional automobile giants lack impetus to embrace NEVs. This is key to the sector's rapid development." (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Hongyu) Dornisha Cherry had four children and a career in childcare before she stepped foot on the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) campus. She had already earned several associate degrees as well. Although she had done her own research on ECSU, it was her boss who convinced her to take her educational pursuits to another level. My boss encouraged me to go higher and reach for a bachelors degree, she said. After doing my research about the cost, commuting and positive aspects of the teachers program here, I was convinced that this was the best place for me. Cherry, 36, is a now a junior, Birth Through Kindergarten major. And, her daughter, Melanie Weston, followed in her footsteps and started her first year at ECSU in the fall. I chose ECSU based on my personal goals and expectations," Weston said. "However, (my mom) did have an impact by bringing me to the orientation and Fall Open House. Traditional aged college students like Weston, usually under the age of 25, are the norm nationally on college campuses. However, students like Cherry are considered non-traditional in that they pursue higher education after having entered a career field. Its students like Cherry who expand ECSUs enrollment numbers and showcase the universitys commitment to educating all facets of the community. According to ECSU Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Farrah J. Ward, Ph.D., strategic recruitment of adult learners and graduate students is key to ECSUs continued growth. Enrollment for the fall 2023 semester reached 2,166 students. It is the highest number of enrolled students at the university in nine years and marks the sixth straight year numbers have risen. Of particular significance is the 45% increase in the number of students pursuing credit-bearing professional development in Education. The university experienced a 4.3% increase in the adult learner population. Like Cherry, this demographic is seeking career agility and though it can be a juggling act, ECSU has done a good job encouraging balance, she said. (ECSU) had the patience to understand that I am a working mother. They have also provided many resources and helped me to get myself together organizationally and prioritizing my time wisely, Cherry said. The school also adjusted things for me as an adult learner to accommodate and help with the entire process from enrolling to attending ECSU. After graduation, Cherry wants to open her own childcare facility, or work in the school system or even assist with opening a North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten program at the facility where she currently works. In addition to her daughter who attends ECSU, she is the mother of a 19-year-old, a 13-year-old, and a 9-year-old. Weston, an Elementary Education major, said shes proud of her mothers determination. She is very brave, she said. My mom is a role model by showing what it means to constantly work hard and never give up on what you want in life. ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon has said of the universitys pathways for adult learners, We are attracting students who want to continue and complete their education, which leads to economic mobility for our graduates. I am proud that ECSU faculty and staff are committed to preparing our students to become leaders and innovators in their chosen fields within our communities, our state, and the nation. The News A Ugandan politician is going viral for unabashedly defending the time she took back an ambulance she had donated to her district after she lost an election there. In several posts on her official X account, Ugandan State Minister of Finance for Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite , admitted that she rescinded the ambulance donation in 2021, and said she had no apologies for her actions. Her belated defense was spurred by a news account that resurfaced the two-year-old incident. When a supporter tried to defend Anite and say she wouldnt do such a thing, the state ministers account responded: My dear, I actually did it, and I am very proud of my action. Know More Ugandan newspaper The Observer reported in 2021 that Anite donated the ambulance to constituents in the town of Koboko, which had a critical need for ambulances. The vehicle featured Anites name and photo; she also promised to pay the driver of the ambulance for up to six months. Anite, who had served in the parliament since 2011, was running for reelection in her partys parliamentary primary. But the donation of such a rare service was not enough to fend off an embarrassing defeat at the voting booth, The Observer wrote. As a result, she reversed the ambulance donation. It was not help it was a conditional grant, she tweeted on Tuesday. In another post she said, Like seriously why would you vote out someone who has given you ambulance? After another user on X called her shameless, she responded: I am shameless to the extent that I sold it. (Bloomberg) -- In his first term, Emmanuel Macron made a point of visiting each and every EU member state. Those overtures didnt always land. Most Read from Bloomberg Now, with Germany distracted by its own concerns, the French president has refashioned himself into the EU leader hes long believed he could be. In areas ranging from defense to industrial policy, officials familiar with the European Unions inner workings say that Macron is calling the shots as rarely before. And while his strained relationship with Olaf Scholz has subdued the Franco-German duopoly through which he used to get his way, these days hes wielding influence through a series of quieter partnerships. This new, subtler engagement marks a shift from the days when the French president thought regular phone calls might encourage Vladimir Putin to think better of invading Ukraine. Hes still liable to alienate allies with his grandstanding -- as his bungling of Armenian-Azeri peace talks has proved -- but the UN General Assembly in New York last month offered evidence of newfound restraint. For the first time in his presidency, Macron didnt even show up. The 45-year-old presidents fresh approach is most evident behind the closed doors of embassies in Eastern Europe, where hes cultivating an intricate web of partnerships and turning himself into an unlikely point person on EU affairs. Hes helping center these countries concerns on the European agenda, according to people familiar with these interactions and in return gaining traction on some of his own. The result of this maneuvering is a Europe thats beginning to use state power more assertively to defend its companies, putting it on a rivalrous footing with both China and the US. If its leaders can forge a consensus at their summit in Spain this week, they might even advance Macrons long-frustrated calls to beef up the blocs military might. In sum, Macrons helping fashion a Europe that looks increasingly French. Macron Is Restyling EU Policy in Frances Image Picking fights with China over cars Stepping up subsidies to key industries Boosting defense spending Taking on US tech giants Not everyone is convinced. The only Eastern European country to rank among Frances top 10 trading partners, Poland is something of an anomaly in the region, with cooperation thriving in business but largely sidestepping the two governments. When asked about Macrons newfound influence, one senior Polish official just rolled his eyes. Elsewhere, its obvious to allies that Macron is changing tack. For so long pilloried in Eastern European capitals as too complacent about Russian aggression, France is suddenly ubiquitous in their defense. Theres a battalion of French troops stationed in Romania and Ukrainians are firing French long-range missiles at the Russians. One senior Lithuanian official joked that instead of Orbans recalcitrant Hungary, NATOs eastern flank these days includes France. That Time Is Over With this new, more deliberative mode of engagement, Macrons overcoming decades of ingrained French attitudes toward Europes margins and even some of his own personal foibles. Interviewed by phone about whether he agreed his successor had been more effective in wielding soft power lately, former President Francois Hollande gave a bit of advice: France must be firm and clear but not arrogant. This is often the reproach. On the eve of their EU accession, Jacques Chirac famously told the Atlanticist Eastern Europeans at odds with him over Iraq that they had passed up a good opportunity to stay quiet. This summer, Macron went to Slovakia and issued an apology for not listening. We did not always hear the voices you brought, he said at the GLOBSEC Forum in Bratislava. That time is over. In that speech, he promised to champion the EU enlargement of which he had so recently been a skeptic, and reiterated his commitment to the security of Central and Eastern Europe. Thats cemented a change of tack thats been noticed from the Balkans to the Baltics. Defense Cooperation Some Eastern European diplomats privately cavil that its easy for Macron to pivot to being a full-throated advocate of further NATO enlargement as he knows its unlikely to happen so long as the US and Germany stay opposed. Still, Europes only nuclear power is putting money where the presidents mouth is. According to a report published Wednesday, the French auditor expects the countrys contribution to NATO to reach 830 million euros ($872 million) by the end of 2023 a fourfold increase on last year. Hes now making up for lost time after ceding leadership on the defense of Ukraine to others quicker to act, according to Rym Momtaz of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. After Angela Merkel retired, On paper it was a perfect opportunity for Emmanuel Macron to decisively seize leadership of the EU in a transformative way, Momtaz said. But it didnt happen. Now, after already planning to dispatch jets to Lithuania at the end of the year under the auspices of a NATO air patrol, France is in discussions with Latvia to do the same, one of the people said. And when the Estonians tabled a proposal to procure a million rounds of ammunition for Ukraine earlier this year, they ran it by the French first, according to two diplomats who spoke to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity. Charm Offensive Fresh from a disappointing G-20, Macron sees major summits as an increasingly inefficient way of conducting diplomacy and is focused on engaging little and often, according to one senior French official who asked not to be named discussing confidential matters of strategy. The president remains comfortable, events suggest, with talking shops when theyre the product of his own ideas: the Paris summit to fix global climate finance in June, for instance, or the European Political Community which meets Thursday for the third time in Granada, Spain. Although hes had to adapt himself to the new reality on Europes borders, its also true that within them the moment is ripe for certain ideas the president has long-championed. Several officials French, and otherwise pointed out that from the European Political Community to strategic autonomy, recent months have vindicated some of Macrons pet obsessions. Hes been talking about sovereign Europe since winning his first election in 2017, but it took Russias hybrid war to take that idea mainstream. Common Causes Though he has toned down some of his freer rhetoric, in the last year Frances leader has managed to upset Taiwan, the German chancellor and the Moroccan king. His inroads in Eastern Europe need to be set against some flops behind the scenes: he wanted to travel to the BRICS summit in South Africa in August, one official said, but wasnt invited. The French president hoped to try his hand at brokering an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but by offering to send arms to one side appears to have alienated the other. Macron knows that winning back friends after years of perceived diffidence means finding common causes for cooperation. Romania and France have allied to ensure that clean-power definitions adopted by the EU include the nuclear energy on which they both rely. The sames been true of Poland, to some extent although Frances relationship with the nationalist government is far more transactional, senior officials said, struggling to name other items of mutual assistance. By contrast, Estonia may be the best example of the prizes at stake if France can hone its pitch to its partners interests. The two countries worked together to hammer out the language for an EU leaders statement in June that urged the bloc to strengthen its arms industry, according to an EU official, generating momentum they will be hoping to build on at this weeks talks. In particular, they pushed wording calling for the bloc to increase its defense readiness and for Europe to take more responsibility for its own security in the long-term a core Macron tenet. Though France and Estonia have cooperated on security matters in the past, the Baltics had long been uncomfortable with Macrons push for EU independence in defense and other strategic areas, relying by habit on the US-led NATO alliance. The more distant the US becomes, the more Europe will be under French influence, said former president Hollande. Many people in Europe are of course opposed to this and have an interest in staying tied to the US good luck with that! --With assistance from Milda Seputyte, Konrad Krasuski, Maciej Martewicz, Jorge Valero, Michael Nienaber, Samy Adghirni, Natalia Drozdiak, Alberto Nardelli and James Regan. (Updates to reflect scoop on aborted peace talks in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The presidents son is in a pinch having racked up over $10 million and counting in legal fees, CNN reports, leaving him to seek out new ways to fundraise ahead of his trial on gun charges. Hunter Biden attained his substantial legal tab across his custody challenge and divorce, as well as during the many years he spent under investigation by the federal government, according to CNN. Joe Biden has yet to come to his aid and Hunter Bidens team is apparently weighing how best to proceed with raising new money without running afoul of campaign finance laws or other obstacles that could cause a headache for his fathers re-election effort. Nobody will help him financially, one source told CNN. Hunter Biden pled not guilty to gun charges after a plea deal with prosecutors unraveled, teeing up a trial and further legal expenses down the road. Read it at CNN Read more at The Daily Beast. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is credited with lifting millions out of poverty with his pioneering micro-credit bank (SCOTT OLSON) Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus appeared before Bangladesh's anti-graft watchdog Thursday over corruption charges that his lawyers said were part of a campaign of government harassment. Yunus, 83, is credited with lifting millions out of poverty with his pioneering micro-credit bank, but he has fallen out with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina , who has accused him of "sucking blood" from the poor. He is facing around 175 separate criminal and labour tribunal cases related to social business firms he set up in Bangladesh aimed at creating jobs and bringing services to the poor. "I have not committed any offence," Yunus told reporters after leaving the Anti-Corruption Commission in the capital Dhaka. "I am not scared." Defence lawyer Abdullah al Mamun told reporters Yunus had to cut short his trip to United Nations headquarters in New York to attend the hearing. Khaja Tanvir Ahmed, another lawyer for Yunus, said he was interrogated for more than an hour in the office. "These cases are all part of the continuous harassment against Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus," he added. Yunus and seven officials of Grameen Telecom, a social business firm he founded, are accused of money laundering and embezzling 250 million taka ($2.3 million), according to charges filed by the commission in May. He faces up to 12 years in jail if convicted. Another case against Yunus is currently at trial with the next hearing scheduled for October 11. His lawyers have insisted he is innocent of all charges against him. In August, 160 global figures including former US president Barack Obama and ex-UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon published a joint letter against the "continuous judicial harassment" of the micro-credit pioneer. The signatories -- including more than 100 of his fellow Nobel laureates -- said they feared for "his safety and freedom". Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work promoting economic development. He has been credited with helping eradicate extreme poverty in Bangladesh by offering microfinance loans to tens of millions of rural women through Grameen Bank, which he founded in the 1980s. Bangladesh's anti-graft watchdog last year ordered a wide-ranging probe into firms that Yunus chairs. Hasina has attacked him personally, blaming him for the World Bank pulling out from a bridge project near Dhaka that was mired in corruption allegations. When the bridge finally opened last year, Hasina said Yunus should be "dipped in a river" for jeopardising its completion. Critics accuse Bangladeshi courts of rubber-stamping decisions made by Hasina's government. Rights activists, newspaper editors and opposition politicians have been sentenced in recent months ahead of a national election due in January. sa/gle/sco A judge has rejected a plea agreement that had been in place for prominent North Jersey developer Fred Daibes related to bank fraud charges he pleaded guilty to last year. Daibes last month was one of five people indicted in an alleged corruption scheme involving Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian Menendez, in a separate case. The rejected plea agreement comes from charges in 2018 when Daibes was indicted on multiple counts for alleged conspiracy to circumvent lending limits set by Mariner's Bank, which he had founded in 2001. In 2022, Daibes admitted to receiving more than $1 million in gross receipts from Mariner's Bank, pleading guilty to making false entries in a loan memorandum. Fred Daibes enters a vehicle after leaving federal court in lower Manhattan on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. Daibes, along with Sen. Bob Menendez, Nadine Arslanian Menendez and Jose Uribe, pleaded not guilty to federal bribery charges. He and Michael McManus, the chief financial officer of Daibes Enterprises, allegedly used others not named in the indictment to secure millions of dollars in loans which were used for Daibes' benefit without the knowledge of the bank or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The scheme ran from 2008 through 2013. Daibes' guilty plea was to a single count of the original indictment, which charges that the 2008 memo for a $1.8 million nominee loan falsely stated the borrower and the source of repayment when the line of credit was actually for Daibes, who funded the repayment. On Thursday, United States District Judge Susan D. Wigenton posted a text order for Daibes and McManus saying that after reviewing the presentence report, the court rejected the plea agreement for both Daibes and McManus. More: Edgewater developer indicted along with Menendez in corruption scheme. Who is Fred Daibes? "The Court is not required to adhere to the terms of the plea agreements, and the cases may be disposed of less favorably toward the Defendants than the plea agreements contemplated," Wigenton wrote. Daibes and McManus now have until Oct. 16 to decide if they will withdraw from their plea agreements. The court is scheduled to proceed with sentencing scheduled for Oct. 26. "We are carefully evaluating our options as a result of the courts order and will release a statement when we have determined our next steps, on or before Oct. 16," Daibes' attorney Lawrence Lustberg said. A message left with McManus' attorney was not immediately returned. Daibes indicted in Sen. Menendez case The plea agreement was for probation, but Daibes' sentencing was delayed four times over the last two years, which left some to speculate it was related to the federal Menendez investigation. Daibes was charged last month along with two other businessmen, Wael Hana and Jose Uribe, with conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit honest services fraud in relation to Menendez's second indictment in eight years. More: Bob Menendez's wife hit and killed a man while driving on Bogota's Main Street in 2018 Menendez was indicted on corruption charges for allegedly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from Daibes, Hana and Uribe for helping them enrich themselves and trying to get them out of trouble, according to the indictment, unsealed last month in New York. More than $480,000 in cash was found stuffed into envelopes and hidden in clothing, closets and a safe at Menendez's home during a search by investigators in June 2022, according to the indictment. They also found over $70,000 in Nadine Menendezs safe deposit box. The indictment includes photos of cash that was stuffed into clothes, including a windbreaker with Menendez's name stitched on it. Envelopes of cash with Daibes' fingerprints or DNA Some of the envelopes contained the fingerprints or DNA of Daibes an Edgewater developer and longtime political donor to Menendez or Daibes' driver, the indictment says. Investigators also discovered more than $100,000 worth of gold bars in the home, which were provided by Hana or Daibes, according to the indictment. The indictment said Menendez had recommended that President Joe Biden nominate someone as New Jersey's U.S. attorney who Menendez believed could be influenced to disrupt the federal criminal prosecution of Daibes over the bank fraud charges. More: This cast of characters has been linked to the Sen. Menendez investigation Before Daibes pleaded guilty, Menendez allegedly pressed Philip Sellinger, before and after he became the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, to go light on Daibes. In December 2020, Menendez met with Sellinger to consider whether he would support Sellingers nomination to the U.S. attorney post. At the meeting, Menendez criticized the prosecution of Daibes and asked Sellinger to look into the case if he was nominated, the indictment reads. In early 2022, Menendez had short phone calls with the first assistant U.S. attorney. At the time, Daibes unnamed driver had called Nadine Menendez twice on Jan. 24. Later that day, Nadine Menendez texted Daibes: Thank you. Christmas in January. The drivers fingerprints were later found on an envelope containing thousands in cash at the Menendez home. Several days later, the senator Googled the phrase kilo of gold price. In March, Nadine Menendez met with a jeweler and showed him two 1-kilogram gold bars that were worth more than $120,000, according to the indictment. Serial numbers showed that the gold bars had been owned by Daibes, the indictment reads. The next month, Daibes pleaded guilty to a probationary sentence in the bank fraud case. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Fred Daibes bank fraud plea deal thrown out by judge North Korea has probably halted a nuclear reactor in order to begin reprocessing spent fuel rods to make weapons-grade plutonium, according to a report Thursday. The Donga Ilbo newspaper reported that an intelligence assessment from U.S. and South Korean authorities found that a reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear complex has been suspended since September. South Korea and the U.S. believe this could be a sign of reprocessing work being done to obtain weapons-grade plutonium, a government source told the newspaper. Reprocessing spent fuel rods taken out of a reactor is a step required before plutonium is extracted, which can in turn be used in nuclear warheads. The possibility of a nuclear test by North Korea is not ruled out, a senior government official told Donga Ilbo. Read it at Reuters Read more at The Daily Beast. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) North Las Vegas police arrested a woman in a Monday shooting that left one man dead. Keara Drayer, 21, was taken into custody Tuesday by the Criminal Apprehension Team, multi-jurisdictional task force led by the FBI, on charges of open murder and challenging to fight with a deadly weapon, police said. Keara Drayer, 21, faces charges of open murder and challenging to fight with a deadly weapon. (NLVPD) On Monday around 4 p.m., North Las Vegas officers responded to the 20 block of Hoke Edward Court near Lone Mountain Road and Commerce Street after reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a man, later identified by the Clark County Coroners office as 21-year-old Jimmy Smith III, suffering from a gunshot wound. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. His cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, according to the coroners office. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Norwegian author and playwright Jon Fosse has been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature. The author was announced as the winner in a ceremony held at the Swedish Academy in Stockholm on Thursday (6 October), which was also livestreamed online. The prize consists of a gold medal, diploma and cash sum, and is awarded each year to to the person who, in the field of literature, produced the most outstanding work in an idealistic direction. The value of the monetary prize changes from year to year, based on the Nobel Foundations finances. Fosse was informed of the win via telephone. Not every laureate believes me when I make the call, the announcer said, but he was prepared to have confidence until one oclock. He was driving in the countryside in Norway, and we had the opportunity to start speaking about practical matters for the Nobel week in December. Over the course of his career, Fosse, 64, has written dozens of acclaimed plays, novels, essays and books of poetry. His early work was often best known within continental Europe, but in recent years he has also enjoyed a blossoming reputation in English-speaking countries. While nominees are not announced in advance in fact, the full nominees list is not revealed to the public until 50 years have passed this years frontrunners had been tipped to include British-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie , 76, Canadian writer Margaret Atwood , 83, Japans Haruki Murakami , 74,aa Chinese writer Can Xue, 70, and Romanias Mircea Cartarescu, 67. Last year, the prize was given to French author Annie Ernaux, known for writing La Place and Les Annees. Fosse said that he was overwhelmed and somewhat frightened at receiving the award. His 2021 novel A New Name: Septology VI-VII, translated into English by Damion Searls, was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. The work concluded a three-book septology that has been described as his magnum opus in prose, and takes the form of a lengthy monologue in which an elderly artist speaks to himself as another person. A spokesperson for the Nobel committee said: [Fosses] immense oeuvre, written in Norwegian Nynorsk and spanning a variety of genres, consists of a wealth of plays, novels, poetry collections, essays, childrens books and translations. While he is today one of the most widely performed playwrights in the world, he has also become increasingly recognised for his prose. Futher contextualising Fosses win on social media, the Nobel organisation wrote: Jon Fosse awarded the 2023 #NobelPrize in Literature has much in common with his great precursor in Norwegian Nynorsk literature Tarjei Vesaas. Fosse combines strong local ties, both linguistic and geographic, with modernist artistic techniques. He includes in his Wahlverwandschaften such names as Samuel Beckett, Thomas Bernhard and Georg Trakl. While Fosse shares the negative outlook of his predecessors, his particular gnostic vision cannot be said to result in a nihilistic contempt of the world. Indeed, there is great warmth and humour in his work, and a naive vulnerability to his stark images of human experience. Mats Malm announcing the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature winner (AFP via Getty Images) Speaking to The Independent in 2011, Fosse reflected on the rarity with which his plays were staged in the UK. In the time since, his work has been made widely available transated into English. My plays travel extremely well, he said And they have been well received everywhere except here in England. Reflecting on the different processes involved in writing prose and works for theatre, Fosse added: In a novel, you have to use words all the time. In a play, you can use the pauses, the breaks and the silences: whats not said, which is what Im saying something about, even in my prose. That was a revelation. Jon Fosse pictured in 2019 (dpa/AFP via Getty Images) Fosses plays are written in New Norwegian, or Nynorsk language, a synthetic tongue used for dramatisation. It is never really spoken by anyone, he explained. Its the same with French and German theatre: their theatrical language is not the way you speak in the streets. He was also a recipient of Frances National Order of Merit in 2007, and was named the winner of the prestigious Ibsen prize in 2010. The announcement of the Laurette, made by Mats Malm, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, comes amid a week of other Nobel announcements. On Monday (2 October), the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Katalin Kariko (Hungary) and Drew Weissman (US) for their work that led to the development of the first mRNA Covid vaccines. Tuesday saw the Physics prize go to Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne LHuillier, who collectively made breakthroughs in experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded the followig day to scientists Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots, which have applications in computer technology and healthcare. The news was, however, announced early in a rare blunder for the organisation. Fosse, 64, had featured widely in Nobel speculation for several years (Dia Dipasupil) The Swedish Academy on Thursday awarded the Nobel literature prize to Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse, whose plays are among the most widely staged of any contemporary playwright in Europe. He was honoured "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable," the Swedish Academy said. His writing is defined more by form than content, where what is not said is often more revealing than what is. Often compared to Samuel Beckett, Fosse's work is minimalistic, relying on simple language which delivers its message through rhythm, melody and silence. His major works include "Boathouse" (1989), which was well-received by critics, and "Melancholy" I and II (1995-1996). Fosse, 64, had featured widely in Nobel speculation for several years. "His immense oeuvre written in Norwegian Nynorsk (one of Norway's written forms of languages) and spanning a variety of genres consists of a wealth of plays, novels, poetry collections, essays, childrens books and translations", the jury said. "While he is today one of the most widely performed playwrights in the world, he has also become increasingly recognised for his prose." The Nobel Prize comes with a medal and a prize sum of 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1 million). Last year, the award went to French feminist icon Annie Ernaux, known for her deceptively simple novels drawing on personal experience of class and gender. The Academy has long been criticised for the overrepresentation of Western white male authors among its picks. The Swedish Academy has undergone major reforms since a devastating #MeToo scandal in 2018, vowing a more global and gender-equal literature prize. Since the scandal, it has honoured three women -- Annie Ernaux, US poet Louise Gluck and Poland's Olga Tokarczuk -- and three men -- Austrian author Peter Handke, Tanzanian writer Abdulrazak Gurnah and Fosse. Fosse will receive the Nobel from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel. po-jll/ach By Maggie Fick COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - The whirlwind success of weight-loss treatment Wegovy is providing a bonanza not just for its developer, Novo Nordisk, but also for its home country of Denmark. Interviews with Danish economists, analysts, and executives at the Novo Nordisk Foundation which controls Novo highlight the benefits to the economy from jobs to private wealth - but also the potential pitfalls of relying on a single, outsized company. "Danes are exposed to the success of Novo Nordisk, but also the risk - both because it is the most widely held stock in Denmark, and because of the company's impact on our society," Danske Bank investment strategist Lars Skovgaard Andersen said. In August, the government cited Novo when it lifted its economic growth forecast for this year, to 1.2% from 0.6%. The drugmaker last month overtook LVMH as Europe's most valuable listed company, worth about 385 billion euros ($403 billion) - slightly more than Denmark's gross domestic product. "We have struck gold," said Lars Christensen, research associate at Copenhagen Business School. Novo's success would bring broad benefits, he added, citing Danish pension savers whose schemes are typically big holders of Novo shares. The share price has nearly tripled since Wegovy was launched in June 2021. Record profits for Novo are projected to generate returns for the Foundation of more than $12 billion in coming years. They will also boost tax revenues and employment. Novo Nordisk added 3,500 jobs in Denmark in 2022, bringing the total in the country to 21,000 employees, out of 59,000 worldwide, a company spokesperson said. Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, the Foundation's chief executive officer, said international press coverage of Wegovy was also enhancing Denmark's image as a place that fosters scientific innovation. Before Wegovy, "we used to be kind of, 'Isn't Denmark the place where Stockholm is the capital?'" he joked to journalists in Copenhagen on Tuesday. Speaking later to Reuters, he acknowledged that Novo's influence is growing as its profits soar. "The Novo Group is of course becoming of bigger importance to Danish society," Thomsen said. "To me, it's the opportunity - literally I can liaise with the ministers of science, health, commerce, energy and climate ..." "We team up with the political system and the ministers, to make sure we are kind of aligned" on issues such as climate and sustainability in agriculture, he said. Danish government officials did not respond to a request for comment. WINDFALL FOR FOUNDATION Under a legal structure common in Denmark, the Foundation's wealth is managed by its investment arm, Novo Holdings, which owns a controlling stake - 28.1% of economic (or A) shares and 76.9% of voting (or B) shares - in Novo Nordisk. Other big Danish companies beer manufacturer Carlsberg, shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk and toymaker Lego are similarly "enterprise foundations," although the structure is little used elsewhere. Wegovy is the first-to-market of a new class of highly effective weight-loss treatments that some analysts predict could be worth $100 billion within a decade. That has positioned the Foundation for a Wegovy windfall that Thomsen said could exceed estimates of $12.5 billion between 2022 and 2026. Ranking alongside the U.S.-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK's Wellcome Trust, the Foundation reported assets worth 108 billion euros ($113 billion) at end-2022, mostly representing its stakes in Novo Nordisk and Danish enzymes maker Novozymes. Because it has no plans to sell those stakes, the Foundation cautions against a direct comparison of its assets to other leading global charities. Novo Holdings also earns money from 161 portfolio companies and capital investments, mainly in life sciences in Europe and North America and increasingly Asia. Last year, the Foundation distributed grants worth about 1 billion euros, mostly in Denmark, focusing on life sciences, including research into obesity prevention and infectious diseases, humanitarian aid, and education and arts research. Disbursements will rise this year, said Thomsen, who before moving to the Foundation supervised the development of Wegovy and Ozempic, a similar drug for diabetes, as Novo Nordisk's chief scientific officer. He submitted Novo's application for U.S. approval for Wegovy in late 2020. OUTGROWING DENMARK? That could mean it's time for the Foundation, which has "almost outgrown Denmark" to award more grants outside the country, said Rasmus Kristian Feldthusen, professor of commercial law at the University of Copenhagen. More money will likely go abroad, Thomsen told Reuters. He said he first considered joining the Foundation more than a decade ago, but didn't move there until the final stages of Wegovy's development, on a hunch the obesity drug would help expand its philanthropic reach. Thomsen acknowledged concerns that the Danish economy could become too dependent on Novo and its Wegovy riches, as Finland did with Nokia before Apple's smartphones stole its market, but downplayed them. Noting that Novo's patent on semaglutide - the active ingredient used in Wegovy and Ozempic - is in place for nearly another decade, and that the company is investing in future growth, he said: "There's no 'Nokia moment' (for Novo) in the next few years." ($1 = 0.9531 euros) ($1 = 7.1012 Danish crowns) (Reporting by Maggie Fick; Additional reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Writing by Alexander Smith; Editing by Josephine Mason, Michele Gershberg and Catherine Evans) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 5, 2023 CONTACT Leha Byrd ECSU Communications and Marketing Email or 252.335.8745 Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) received funding from a $4,066,770 grant under the U.S. Department of Education's Title III Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Program. The grant supports 10 activities designed to bolster various aspects of the university. Among them are elements of the universitys Forging Our Future Strategic Plan, including improvements to infrastructure and enhancing student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. The aid will bolster faculty and students receiving firsthand research and training experiences, as well as underpin the institutional approach to inclusion and engagement for students. Funds are also available to support administrative decision-making. This type of financial backing is instrumental for institutions like ECSU, who aim to remain viable, affordable, and academically astute. ECSU is an NC Promise institution, which offers $500 per semester tuition to in-state students. In recent U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings, ECSU was 19th among HBCUs. In another facet of the distinction, ECSU ranked fifth among the Top Public Schools and number 28 in Regional Colleges South. "Title III funding continues to play a vital role in ECSU's success at all levels. These grant funds support the University's initiatives and allow for growth, improvement, and competitiveness," said Annemarie Delgado, director of Sponsored Programs, Contracts, and Grants at ECSU. "This support from the Department of Education is a staple of stability for our academic community." _____________________________________________________________ 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. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), House Republicans campaign arm, delayed its 2023 fall gala scheduled for next week, as House Republicans work to elect a new House Speaker. In a note to colleagues, NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) said House Republicans must focus on electing a new Speaker and accomplishing the legislative work before us, an NRCC spokesperson confirmed to The Hill. Punchbowl News was first to report. I wanted to send you an important update regarding the 2023 NRCC Fall Gala in Dallas, TX, Hudson wrote in his letter. I want you to be the first to know in consultation with our Leadership team and many of you we have decided to postpone this dinner. Our focus next week needs to be the election of our next Speaker and the legislative work before us, he added. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who had been slated to headline the event, was ousted from his post in an historic vote Tuesday evening. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) is serving as Speaker pro tempore, and he sent members home for a week to regroup before members try again to select a Speaker. In the letter, Hudson said he would look to reschedule the gala in the near future, noting that the funds raised are as important as ever. This Gala is a high priority for the NRCC and all funds raised directly support efforts to grow our House Republican majority, he wrote. That mission is as important as ever, and I need your continued support to make it a reality. I know I can count on you, he added. We are working diligently to have a new date for you in the near future. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Mayor Adams administration would be barred from putting time limits on how long migrants can stay in city shelters under a new bill introduced in the City Council on Thursday. The legislation, penned by Brooklyn Councilwoman Shahana Hanif , a progressive Democrat who chairs the Councils Immigration Committee, aims to make the Adams administrations 30-day notice policy unenforceable. The policy, enacted last month, limits consecutive shelter stays for single adult migrants to 30 days. After 30 days, migrants need to return to the citys asylum seeker intake center and reapply for shelter beds if they still need one. The administration has argued the time restriction helps free up space in the citys overcrowded shelter systems and incentivizes migrants to find their own housing but Hanif said it amounts to an inhumane eviction notice that will fuel street homelessness. For centuries, New York City has opened its arms to refugees and immigrants fleeing violence and looking for a better life. But under this mayor, our city is abandoning that sacred past and kicking asylum seekers to the curb, Hanif said in a statement. It is shameful that this Council needs legislation to ensure that people who came to our city looking for refuge arent put out onto the streets. In July, the Adams administration implemented a policy limiting consecutive shelter stays for single adult migrants to 60 days. The city tightened that restriction further on Sept. 22 by limiting consecutive shelter stays to 30 days. The policy does not impact migrant families with children, or homeless New Yorkers, who do not face a time limit on shelter stays. To date, some 14,000 migrants have received 30 or 60-day notices, according to the latest data from City Hall. The administration has yet to provide detailed data on how many of the migrants who received notices ended up reapplying for shelter. Joining Hanif in sponsoring her bill off the bat were fellow progressive Council members Lincoln Restler of Brooklyn, Jen Gutierrez of Brooklyn, Carmen De La Rosa of Manhattan, Pierina Sanchez of the Bronx, Sandy Nurse of Brooklyn and Julie Won of Queens. Bills passed by the Council generally need the support of the mayor to become law, and an Adams spokesman signaled that the administration is firmly opposed to Hanifs proposal. The spokesman, Charles Lutvak, argued the 30-day notices provide the administration with needed flexibility at a time that the citys scrambling to provide shelter and services for more than 62,000 migrants, most of whom are from Latin America and came to the U.S. in hopes of claiming asylum. While we always look for ways to work and partner with the Council to find solutions to issues, including with the asylum seeker crisis, this bill, as described, if passed, would hurt the citys response to this crisis, said Lutvak. Hanif sympathized with the administrations struggle to find housing for all migrants, but said the 30-day policy breaks with the citys history of welcoming new arrivals. Our city faces a pivotal moment in responding to this recent wave of new arrivals, but we must face this historic moment with compassion and care, she said. For her bill to get serious consideration in the Council, Hanif would likely also need the support of Speaker Adrienne Adams. A spokesman for the speaker declined to immediately offer her view on the measure, only saying it will go through the legislative process. Frank James, the man who opened fire inside a New York City subway car during morning rush hour last year, wounding 10 people, was sentenced to 10 life terms plus 10 years in prison, according to ABC 7. Frank James, 64, pleaded guilty in January to terrorism charges for the mass shooting on April 12, 2022. Prosecutors argued for a life in prison, claiming that James had spent years preparing for the shooting to inflict maximum damage. His lawyers requested an 18-year reduced sentence, asserting that he suffered from mental illness and didnt aim to kill anyone. On the day of the incident, the gunman dressed up as a construction worker, set off several smoke bombs, and opened fire with a 9mm handgun on a stopped subway car. Before the incident, James, who is Black, posted videos of himself shouting about violence, race, and mental illness. In a 2019 clip, he said: Its going to be very interesting what happens in New York with me, alluding to his plans for the shooting. Read it at ABC 7 Read more at The Daily Beast. Dozens of NYPD chiefs and inspectors have been reassigned to new positions this week during a major shakeup of the departments upper ranks, police sources said. An internal department memo shared with the Daily News announced the reassignment of 53 high-ranking officers, including three assistant chiefs and 19 deputy chiefs. The new assignments are expected to go into effect Thursday, according to the memo. Positions being swapped include commanding officer spots at the counter terrorism division, the intelligence division, and the Bronx, Brooklyn North, Manhattan South, Queens North and Queens South detective squads, the memo indicates. The massive shuffling of the deck comes three months after Mayor Adams appointed Edward Caban as NYPD commissioner upon the departure of Commissioner Keechant Sewell. Caban became acting commissioner July 1 and was formally named commissioner on July 17. Sewell battled a persistent belief at police headquarters and in City Hall that Mayor Adams, a former NYPD captain, and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks, a former chief of department, called most of the shots. The personnel moves are part of a long-standing NYPD practice in which each new commissioner shapes the departments leadership team to their liking. In the interim, department heads hold their breath, waiting to see if theyll be transferred. We are all put on ice just waiting for the mid-level supervisory changes, a high-ranking police source told The News. All this constant change is difficult because once you get in a groove, new bosses come in and change everything. These pivotal changes come with even more transfers as the commanders bring their own people to their new assignment, the source added. So a lot of people are waiting not working on their jobs until they got launched into a new assignment, the source said. Too much change too quickly is just impossible to handle. An email to the NYPD for comment about the transfers was not immediately returned. The most notable reassignment on the list was of Assistant Chief Judith Harrison, who has headed the departments counter-terrorism division since March. Harrison was reassigned to head the Criminal Justice Bureau, where she will be in charge of officers who assist court officers in borough criminal courts. Harrison made history in 2020 when she was appointed to run the NYPDs Brooklyn North command the first woman to ever hold the lofty position. She was also at one time put in charge of the NYPD Special Victims Division, where she oversaw major investigations into rape and sexual assault cases. One NYPD source said Harrisons new assignment isnt a demotion in rank but certainly one in prestige. As NYPD divisions go, the Criminal Justice Bureau doesnt affect the general public. Many officers in the bureau are cops who have been stripped of their gun and shield and transferred from their commands after being accused of some kind of misconduct, the source said, adding that these officers are kept at the courthouse jails to keep them off the streets. Its definitely a smack in the face, the source said of Harrisons transfer. Another move involves Deputy Chief Scott Shanley, who was transferred from the NYPDs Critical Response Command to the Communications Division. The move comes about three weeks after Shanley caused a minor panic by sending out a memo to his officers informing them that the department wanted to cut the Critical Response Command the first lines of defense against a terror-related attack he wrote by 75%. The department said at the time that there were no immediate plans to gut the CRC but added that the department regularly reviews personnel allocations and considers bolstering resources in various areas whenever it is deemed advantageous to our public safety mission. At least one of the reassigned members will be returning to the police-side of the department after spending nearly 20 years working with an FBI joint task force. Deputy Inspector George Pietropinto, a 33-year veteran, will be moved to the NYPDs Special Investigation Division. After Caban was made NYPD commissioner he asked several high-ranking chiefs to put in their resignations, including former Chief of Detectives James Essig, Assistant Chief Christopher McCormack of the Criminal Enterprise Division, and Chief of Transportation Kim Royster. The NYPD saw a sharp drop in murders and shootings over the summer months compared to last year, thanks in part to a new strategy where cops identified 69 violence-prone zones and flooded them with cops. Were not talking about hundreds, were talking about thousands of extra officers on foot in those 69 zones between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 4 a.m., Chief Michael Lipetri of the NYPD Crime Control Strategies said at a press conference at police headquarters in Lower Manhattan. The additional officers began flooding into the zones beginning on May 4. By the end of September, the NYPD saw a 33% drop in shootings and 1,000 fewer crime victims compared to the same four months in 2022, Lipetri said. The zone strategy is a modified version of the NYPDs summer all out plan where cops were sent to high crime precincts in the summer months. This time around, cops drilled down the zones to just a few blocks where gang and drug-related violence have repeatedly occurred. Most of these troubled locations were in the Bronx and northern Brooklyn and in total encompassed only nine of the citys 300 square miles, police said. Unfortunately those nine square miles made up about 29% of all the shooting incidents in 2022, Lipetri said. The zones also encompassed major shopping corridors like Steinway St. and Flushing Ave. in Queens, Church Ave. in Brooklyn and Fordham Road in the Bronx. As a result of the added enforcement, commercial robberies in those areas dropped, Lipetri said. Cops flooding those zones wrote 7,500 criminal court summonses, mostly for drinking in public, and seized 1,100 firearms about 11 a day, Lipetri said. During the summer months, shootings in the city dropped by 25% from last summer, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said. Cops investigated 192 shootings in July and August compared to 268 last summer. The NYPD probed 61 homicides, 15 fewer than the summer before. These public safety gains are the direct result of the relentless, intelligence-driven work of your NYPD officers and that work will continue every day, in every neighborhood, Caban said. We will never stop fighting to make New York City better tomorrow than it is today. As of Oct. 1,the city has seen a 10% drop in homicides this year, with 304 victims this year compared to 341 by this time last year. Shootings had dropped by 26% this year, from 1,043 to 766. The only crime categories to show an increase were in assaults and car thefts. Car thefts have jumped by 19% this year from 10,085 to 12,006, driven mostly by the theft of Kias and Hyundais as part of a viral Tik-Tok challenge that showed how easy it can be to steal these autos. Cops saw a 5% jump in assaults, from 19,959 this time last year to 21,133 so far in 2023 thanks to an uptick in domestic violence and assaults on police officers, Lipetri said. Despite the drops in crime, there were a number of high-profile homicides in recent weeks, including an incident in Washington Heights where a man, woman and her dog were shot dead by an unhinged neighbor. In July, there was a bloody 9-hour span beginning 11 p.m. July 4 that included two homicides. On Aug. 13, a panhandler viciously stabbed an elderly man who declined to give him money outside Manhattans Herald Square subway station, leaving the victim seriously wounded, cops said. The panhandler, David Trotman, was arrested and charged with the attack. Dr. Catherine Romanos, with the Women's Med Center in Kettering, near Dayton, Ohio, performs a sonogram on a woman from Kentucky, Thursday, June 30, 2022. When Roe vs. Wade was overturned a week ago by the Supreme Court, Kentucky shut down all abortions because of trigger laws. Romanos identified the amniotic sac and said the pregnancy wasn't viable. At a little over six weeks, there was no heart beat. Ohios Issue 1 before voters Nov. 7 on whether to amend the state constitution to ensure abortion access can be made to sound simple. If you are "pro-choice," vote yes. If you are "pro-life," vote no. If you believe that life begins at conception and that, therefore, any abortion is wrong, you vote no. If you believe that decision should always be made in medical privacy by the woman and her physician, you vote yes. Theres nothing simple about it, of course. Thats why there have been legal challenges all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which last year overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that generally protected abortion rights. The thoughts on abortion of someone who has spent decades working with pregnant mothers and delivering their babies show the complexity. This southwest Ohio medical professional name withheld because of the topic sensitivity says she stopped counting a while ago, but estimates she has delivered at least 3,000 babies. That should be the goal of any pregnancy, she believes: to deliver healthy babies into the world. "I personally see every day the life that is present," she says. She considers herself at heart a "right-to-life supporter," and doesnt believe that pregnancies should be terminated because its not a good time for the mother to have a child or for "just not wanting to be pregnant." However, while she doesnt perform abortions herself, she recognizes medical needs for them. "There are circumstances when termination of pregnancy to save a mothers life is a choice that is understandable. If a baby has no chance of survival after birth, I agree with parents right to end the pregnancy." The goal of our discussion was to provide a window to real-world situations, not take a position on current or proposed laws. Some examples of abnormal fetuses that shes familiar with are those with Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18, which are severe genetic disorders that leave little chance of survival to birth or past infancy. Another is anencephaly, a neural tube defect that occurs early in pregnancy and results in the absence of a major portion of the brain and skull. That will cause the infant to either be stillborn or die within hours or days of birth. Examples of terminating pregnancy to protect the mothers life that arise, she said, include when the woman has aggressive cancer that requires chemotherapy, or is facing failure of organs such as lungs, kidneys, liver or heart. However, abortion laws tend not to be specific. Current Ohio law, which is on hold pending state Supreme Court action, bans abortion after embryonic cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks, with little room for exceptions afterward. During the time that Ohio law was in effect last year before a judge intervened, a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim went to Indiana for an abortion in a nationally highlighted case because the law didnt except rape or incest. And as The Enquirers Jessie Balmert reported, some doctors were afraid of granting medical exceptions for abortions because they feared being charged criminally or losing their licenses. The proposed amendment would increase the period for abortions to when a fetus would be able to live outside the womb, usually considered to be at around 24 weeks with exceptions to protect the mothers life or health. Defining "health" conditions that call for abortion would be left to medical judgment. Opponents of the amendment say that leaves broad leeway for physicians to interpret and could allow abortions "up to the moment of birth." Such an abortion would be extremely rare, and the latest federal statistics available show that nationally, only 1% of abortions occur after the time of viability. Other exaggerations by opponents include claiming the amendment would allow secret gender surgery for minors theres nothing in the amendment about transgenders. On the national level, former President Donald Trump says Democrats can "kill the baby after birth," while former Vice President Mike Pence says fetuses feel pain at 15 weeks, an assertion unsupported by any medical research. Polls have consistently pointed to passage of Issue 1, which would continue a string of state (including Kentucky) electoral backing for abortion access over the past year. But that wont be the last word. Legislation from the Republican-controlled Statehouse and litigation from abortion opponents is likely. Abortion is a tough issue, but Id rather leave it to medical professionals to make the decisions than to politicians. EXTRA POINTS Get the COVID Vaccine Jab Louis, 7, gets a COVID-19 vaccine at a Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center clinic. Speaking of politicizing health, statistician/elections expert Nate Silver this week published an analysis showing that COVID death rates are predictable by state partisanship. Red states death rates tend to run higher than blue states, even when adjusted for the populations age, Silver wrote, "almost certainly as a result of lower vaccine uptake among Republicans." Its not completely clear why that is, but political bombast and misinformation have played a role. Its sad that the Kennedy name has become linked to anti-vaccine misinformation. While no one can blame Robert F. Kennedy, who lost both his uncle, the president, and his father, the potential president, to assassins bullets, for being conspiracy-minded, his anti-vaccine allegations that predate the coronavirus arent in the best interest of national health. The Democratic presidential candidate is reportedly planning to run as an independent. Meanwhile, consider getting vaccinated. I know people under 65 dont think they need to, but every few days, I hear from a younger friend that he or she has tested positive. So, its out there and contagious. The Enquirer's Terry DeMio recently reported what local doctor's are recommending. I got the variant booster, my fifth COVID vaccination, a few days ago. Just a jab, didnt hurt a bit. And so far, theyve all worked in keeping me healthy. Learn More on The Railway, Meet Candidates Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, Paul Muething, president of the Cincinnati Southern Railway Board of Trustees, State Rep. Dani Isaacsohn, who represents Ohios 24th House District, Alfred Nippert, Jr., a retired attorney who consulted on the acquisition of short-lines and serves on the board of directors for the Lebanon, Mason and Monroe Railroad; Adam Koehler, a member of the Save Our Rail group and Tom Brinkman, a former state lawmaker who recently brought a lawsuit against the railway board, serve as panelists for a town hall hosted by The Cincinnati Enquirer on the proposed sale of the Cincinnati Southern Railway to Norfolk Southern Corp, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at Union Terminal in Cincinnati. The Enquirer invited Norfolk Southern Corp. to be part of the forum, but the company declined. By the time you read this, The Enquirer will have hosted a town hall forum on the proposed Cincinnati railway sale on the Nov. 7 ballot. You can find details of how it unfolded on cincinnati.com . Panelists both for and against the city-planned $1.6 billion sale of the 143-year-old freight railway to Norfolk Southern took part. Supporters led by Mayor Aftab Pureval say sale proceeds will create a trust fund generating investment dollars for infrastructure needs that will double or more the current $25 million lease. Foes say its short-sighted to give up such a long-time asset and are skeptical about how the sale funds will be used in the future. The Enquirer is also hosting an informal "meet the candidates" night Oct. 11. Contenders for Cincinnati City Council and school board and representatives of the ballot issues have been invited. Its meant to be mix-and-mingle, no speeches. From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Esoteric Brewing Company, 918 East McMillan Street in Walnut Hills. Dan Sewell is a regular Opinion contributor. Contact him at his personal email: dsewellrojos@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Even if Ohio Issue 1 passes, it won't be the last word on abortion An Oklahoma woman will serve 15 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to allowing her ex-boyfriend to rape and impregnate her 12-year-old daughter, according to court records. The 33-year-old woman was originally arrested in July 2021 in Tulsa after her 12-year-old daughter showed up at Hillcrest Hospital, Tulsa police said. The girl arrived in labor accompanied by Juan Miranda-Jara, who told authorities he was the baby's biological father. Police believed the girl's family knew of the sexual contact between the girl and Miranda-Jara. "They walked in just like any other couple would, excited to deliver their newborn child," Tulsa Police Officer Danny Bean told FOX23 News in 2021. Bean said responding officers found Miranda-Jara, who was 24 years old at the time, excited and bragging that he was about to be the father of the girl's child. He also told officers he was in a loving relationship with her and had the family's blessing, Tulsa police said. Tulsa police told FOX23 that Miranda-Jara had been in a relationship with the convicted woman but they later broke up. She then allowed Miranda-Jara to begin living as a couple with her daughter, the station reported. In Oklahoma, the legal age of consent is 16; it's illegal for a minor 15 years of age or younger to have consensual sex with an adult who is at least 18 years old. According to the court documents, Miranda-Jara, who had been charged with rape, pleaded guilty in March 2022 and is serving a 20-year sentence in the case. The victim's mother will be required to register as a sex offender upon her release from custody. At the time of the victim's mother's arrest, Tulsa police said the girl's biological father is serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree rape unrelated to the case. "The facts of this case are incredibly sad," The Tulsa County District Attorney's Office said in a statement. "Children should be able to rely on their parents for protection from people like Juan Miranda-Jara. For (the mother) to allow this to happen to her daughter is appalling. Both defendants in this case are facing the consequences of their actions and will spend time in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Our hope is the victim in this case will be able to put this awful chapter behind her." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oklahoma woman pleads guilty after ex-boyfriend impregnates daughter Oklahoma's special legislative session, called by Gov. Kevin Stitt in part to trim the state's income tax, has fizzled out in frustration and disappointment. The Oklahoma House of Representatives met only briefly Wednesday morning before adjourning at least temporarily. The Oklahoma Senate had adjourned its session permanently the day before. What happened? Keith Gaddie, a retired political science professor from the University of Oklahoma, said it was like watching a Shakespearian play. "The choice is between a Shakespearean comedy and the Shakespearean tragedy," Gaddie said. On Sept. 11, Stitt called for the special session "to put Oklahoma on the path to zero state income tax." He asked that the tax rate be cut from 4.75% to 4.50% as a start. Rep. Mark McBride asks House Speaker Pro Tem Kyle Hilbert what's going on Wednesday as House Republicans waited until the end of roll call to come to the floor, on the second day of the legislative special session at the Oklahoma Capitol. The governor also asked for a "trigger law" to eliminate any state tax for all Oklahomans "if a state or federal court finds that some residents, due to their race, heritage or political classification, don't have to pay a state tax." This request was in response to a case now before the Oklahoma Supreme Court. A Muscogee Nation citizen is seeking an exemption from state income taxes because she lives and works on her tribal reservation. Her claim follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, referred to as the McGirt decision, which found that some tribal reservations were never disestablished and remain sovereign. The Oklahoma Tax Commission has estimated the state might lose as much as $100 million a year in tax revenue if the McGirt decision is applied to tax issues, as well as criminal matters. More: Oklahoma Legislature effectively ends special session five hours after it opened Stitt also called for more legislative transparency in submitting appropriations bills with enough time for careful review and consideration before the end of session deadline. The Oklahoma Senate chambers are roped off Wednesday after adjournment. The special session called by Gov. Kevin Stitt lasted barely more than a day before fizzling out in disappointment and frustration. However, the governor chose not to discuss his proposal, as invited, before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Treat had said he was concerned that eliminating the income tax would punch a $4 billion hole in the state budget and wanted the governor to explain his plan. He said the governor's failure to appear was frustrating, and just hours after the session had opened, the Senate called it quits, adjourning for good, or "sine die." House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said Wednesday the House leadership was disappointed the Senate had adjourned sine die without taking any votes on tax measures. McCall said the House would continue to work on the tax cuts. "We're very disappointed there was no communication beforehand what the Senate's action would be," he said. "If the Senate is interested in something else they need to communicate it to the House." What's next? How much does a special session cost taxpayers? While the House could continue to process legislation, McCall said he would not bring House members back over the next few days "and waste the taxpayer's money." He said House leaders were not ready to adjourn their session sine die. House Speaker Charles McCall speaks to the media Wednesday after the House was in session briefly, then adjourned to the call of the chair, on the second day of the legislative special session. For the House Republican caucus we think that (adjourning sine die) is just a sign of throwing in the towel," he said. "If the Senate wants to do that, that's their prerogative." Estimates put the cost of a special session at about $30,000 per day. House Democrats said they were frustrated about returning to the Capitol. Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, said there was little House members could do. Were going to be presenting bills that effectively do nothing, he said. So, theres a $30,000 grandstanding session." More: Republican legislative leaders out of sync on Gov. Stitt's special session tax proposals While the Senates action effectively ended the special session, debate over tax cuts both the income tax and the grocery tax continued. And though the House can continue to move legislation through committee, should any bills pass the House, they would be dormant until acted upon by the Senate. The Oklahoma Constitution requires legislation to pass both the House and the Senate in the exact same form before it can be sent to the governor. Gaddie, a long-time observer of Oklahoma politics, said "There is no hurry on tax cuts. They have time. There is no pressing demand from the public." Though Stitt has continued his conversations with the House it's unclear if the governor and Treat have spoken this week. Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat said he was frustrated when Gov. Kevin Stitt declined to discuss his tax cut proposal with a Senate committee, The Senate adjourned before the end of the special session's first day. Late Tuesday, Stitt's spokeswoman, Abegail Cave issued a short statement. The governor has been clear, Cave wrote in an email to The Oklahoman. He wants a quarter point tax cut and to slow the growth of government. Senate leadership is denying Oklahomans their right to keep their hard-earned money while continuing to increase the size of government every year. Taxes will certainly be on the agenda when the Legislature holds its next regular session in February 2024. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What's next after Oklahoma special session fizzles out after one day Fossilized human footprints at White Sands National Park in New Mexico are every bit as old as the 23,000 years-and-change they were dated at in 2021, according to new analysis published in Science. Back in 2021, researchers published work in which they used radiocarbon dating of crushed seeds of Ruppia cirrhosa, an aquatic grass, to date the preserved footprints to between 23,000 and 21,000 years old, which would make them thousands of years older than the next most recent evidence of humans in North America. That finding was exciting, but scientists looked for a way to be more certain of the prints age. Now, theyve done it: a group, including members of the previous collaboration, has dated pollen and sediments from the site to the same timeframe as the ancient grasses. Read more We always knew that we would have to independently evaluate the accuracy of our ages to convince the archaeological community that the peopling of the Americas occurred far earlier than traditionally thought, said study lead author Jeffrey Pigati, a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, in an American Association for the Advancement of Science release. There are several hypotheses for when humankind first appeared in North America. One view is that our species didnt arrive until after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), between 16,000 and 14,000 years ago, when the frigidness of the Pleistocene finally began to thaw, giving way to the Holocene Epoch. The idea is that glaciers would have impeded human expansion across the continentduring the LGM, about 25% of Earths land was covered in ice. But the White Sands footprints, if dated correctly, clearly indicate that Homo sapiens were in the American Southwest before the ice sheets began to recede. Although we were confident in the original seed ages, we wanted to develop community confidence in them as well, said Kathleen Springer, also a geologist with the USGS, in the same release. Our new ages, combined with the strong geologic, hydrologic, and stratigraphic evidence, unequivocally support the conclusion that humans were present in North America during the last Glacial Maximum. An artist's illustration of what the region looked like at different points in the last Ice Age. An artists illustration of what the region looked like at different points in the last Ice Age. Radiocarbon dating is a reliable way of dating ancient organic material, but it has shortcomings. Aquatic plants can photosynthesize atmospheric carbon thats made its way into the water, but they can also take up more ancient carbon from the groundwater, meaning that analyzing the plant remnants with radiocarbon dating can yield an older age than what the plants actually are. This is known as the freshwater reservoir effect. Additionally, the plants themselves may be more ancient than the sediments theyre found in, if they were redeposited in younger geological layers. In the new research, the team radiocarbon dated pollen from the same layers as the Ruppia seeds. Pollen is not affected by the freshwater reservoir effect. The team also conducted optically stimulated luminescence dating of the sediment, which dates layers of the ground by determining when some minerals in the soil were last exposed to light (i.e. when they were last on the surface). The interpretation of the results seems sound, Rainer Grun, a geochronologist and former director the Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, in an email to Gizmodo. The good agreement between the seed and pollen results refute the argument of reworking of the seeds. The pollen dates ranged from 23,400 years ago 2,500 years to 22,600 years ago 2,300 years; the sediment dating yielded a minimum age of 21,500 years old 1,900 years. In other words, two additional lines of evidence to the radiocarbon dating of the Ruppia plant material corroborate the teams initial findings two years ago. Even allowing for substantial errors in radiocarbon dating and OSL, the data overall from the Pigati et al. study strongly indicate human presence in the Americas around the LGM, wrote Bente Philippsen, an archaeologist at the National Laboratory for Age Determination at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in a related Perspectives article. Older dates have been posited for a human presence in North America. In 2017, a team of researchers suggested there was evidence of human activity on the continent a staggering 130,000 years ago, a claim that received widespread pushback. In 2020, two studies in Nature described stone tools and flakes in a Mexican cave that were dated to about 31,000 years old, and last year, an apparent mammoth butchery site in New Mexico was dated to about 37,000 years old15,000 years older than the White Sands footprints. Trace fossils provide a different, more intimate window into the past than bones or teeth. A collection of footprints show not just that people were present, but how many there were, whether they were children or adults, and where they were going. Superlative age aside, the White Sands footprints are a marvelous echo of some of the earliest Americans. At least, some of the earliest we know of for now. More: Archaeologists Discover 29 Human Footprints From the Last Ice Age More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. If youre searching for a job and dont have a college degree, plenty of options are available through Pennsylvanias state government. Just under 46% of Centre County residents older than 25 hold a bachelors degree or a higher level of education, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Those who do not hold that level of education may find work more easily in Pennsylvania, where Gov. Josh Shapiro recently eliminated requirements of a four-year college degree for most government jobs. If youre looking for work with steady pay and strong benefits, the public sector may be your best bet in the Keystone State. Heres a look at some of the most intriguing jobs currently open, advertised publicly and without advanced educational requirements through the commonwealths online portal as of early October. Game lands maintenance worker Salary: $35,177 to $51,722 Agency: Pennsylvania Game Commission Description: In this role, a worker would help preserve and sustain Pennsylvania game lands, facilities, infrastructure, habitats and resource areas, the job description reads. More specific tasks include assisting with controlled burns on game land grounds, assisting with equipment maintenance, posting information signs, performing husbandry operations, maintaining trails and pathways, helping wildlife conservation officers and more. Anyone in this role should have at least one year of experience using construction or agricultural tools and equipment, construction equipment operation or a combination of experience and training. The position, based in Venango County, requires possession of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial drivers license. Clerical assistant 2 Salary: $16.86 hourly Agency: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Description: The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is hiring a clerical assistant to help with key components of its work, including printing boat titles, boat registrations and launch permits, the job description reads. A worker in this role would also prepare documents for distribution to consumers and provide agencywide office support. This full-time job requires about six months of clerical work experience or graduation from high school, or some combination of equivalent experience and training. It is based in Dauphin County. DCNR Ranger Salary: $21.98 hourly Agency: Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Description: Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem is hiring a full-time, seasonal ranger to help serve as a public service, safety and law enforcement officer for the park. Key duties include patrolling the park, enforcing its laws and rules, investigating complaints, accidents and crimes and taking charge during emergencies. Work occasionally includes heavy physical operations and hazardous conditions in inclement weather. Hiking and climbing is necessary. This position does not offer benefits, according to its job description. A worker in this role must be willing to work weekends, holidays and all shifts. The minimum experience for this role is one year as a forest or park ranger, successful completion of the DCNR ranger trainee program or completion of a department-approved law enforcement training program and at least 15 college credits in natural or environmental science fields. This job is based in Bucks County. Clerical assistant 3 Salary: $39,621 to $59,129 Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Description: The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is searching for a clerical assistant who will help process travel expenses, format communications materials, handle executive correspondence, address customer inquiries and research motor vehicle records, among other duties. A worker in this role will also compile reports, procure supplies and coordinate interviews and scheduling for potential employees. Successful candidates should have at least one year as a clerical assistant in the public sector or an equivalent combination of experience and training, the job description reads. This job is based in Dauphin County. Mail production operator Salary: $33,978 to $48,489 Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Description: A worker in this role would help process a high volume of computer-generated mail through automated equipment. The job description says its a great work opportunity for those who want to master the latest technologies. This role seeks applicants with at least one year of experience as a mail production assistant or a clerk, or an equivalent combination of experience and training. This job is based in Dauphin County. PennDOT CDL Operator (Transportation Equipment Operator A) Salary: $41,076 to $48,489 Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Description: Equipment operators in this role would plow snow and work on construction sites, which are vital to the safety of the public traveling Pennsylvania roads, the job description reads. Additional tasks include performing manual labor, making minor repairs to equipment and covering preventative maintenance tasks for trucks and equipment. Applicants should complete the Transportation Equipment Operator Trainee Program or graduate from a commercial drivers license training school, or some combination of experience and training. Special requirements for this role included possession of a valid Pennsylvania Class A or Class B commercial drivers license with the air brake restriction removed, plus a valid medical examiners certificate in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. This job is based in Chester County. Custodial worker 1 Salary: $32,235 to $42,836 Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Description: A custodian in this role would perform general cleaning duties for the Southwestern Veterans Center, one of six residential long-term care facilities operated by the commonwealths Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Key responsibilities include covering general cleaning duties such as mopping, sweeping, dusting, waxing, and washing. Work in this role involves the use of custodial supplies and may involve moving and lifting heavy furniture. No minimum experience or training is required for this role, but previous work as a custodian or janitor in an assisted living facility is preferred, according to the job description. The job is based in Allegheny County. Executive secretary 2 Salary: $47,472 to $72,176 Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Description: The commonwealths Department of Revenue seeks an employee who would maintain a calendar for the departments secretary and executive deputy secretary while providing information for coming events and screening emails, mail and calls. A worker in this role would also provide direction to the executive secretaries, maintain a file on taxpayer requests and approve outgoing letter responses on behalf of the secretary. Applicants for this role should hold at least five years of experience in secretarial work or an equivalent combination of experience and training. This position is based in Dauphin County. Editors Note: Mike Chinoy is a non-resident senior fellow at the University of Southern Californias US-China Institute and a former Beijing bureau chief and senior Asia correspondent for CNN. His new book is Assignment China: An Oral History of American Journalists in the Peoples Republic. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion on CNN. The novel, published in 2018 by a member of the North Korean Writers Union named Kim Ryong Yon, is called Thunderclap. The heroine is a fictional Korean American CNN correspondent, Byun Sa-hwang. She is preparing to make a reporting trip to North Korea in 2009 and is wrestling with conflicting emotions. Mike Chinoy - Mike Chinoy On the one hand, she is desperate to make the trip, as it was the dying wish left by my father for me to visit the homeland where my ancestors were buried. And yet, she worries, Why would [North] Korea, the most formidable enemy of the US, let in someone like me, an American citizen and reporter? For encouragement, she turns to a fellow CNN correspondent. But the character from whom she draws inspiration is not made up. In fact, this character named Michael Chinoy is me making me one of a very small number of real-life Americans who appear with a speaking part in any North Korean novels. But the fictional me and the fictional CNN I work for are depicted in Thunderclap in a way designed to show that the network was sympathetic to the North Korean regime something that was never the case. I discovered this when I recently received an email from Korea scholar Meredith Shaw, an associate professor affiliated with the University of Tokyo Institute of Social Science, who is writing a book on the treatment of foreigners in North Korean literature. The novel Shaw pointed me to, for which she did the translation, quotes me as saying, The greatest strength of Korea is its unique political system, in which the leader and people act as one. To the fictional Byun Sa-hyang, CNN was a little different from other Western media, not least because, Michael Chinoy had been on the reporting team [to cover celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the DPRK in 1998] and said that the reality of the country had left a good impression. For Sa-hyang, Michael Chinoys impression added fuel to my already burning fire, so much so that my heart felt intolerably heavy. I have to go. I must go! As a CNN correspondent, I did indeed make 14 trips to North Korea, and three more after I left the network. I also met the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung , grandfather of current dictator Kim Jong Un , three times. Moreover, my CNN camera crew and I were the only Western journalists allowed to visit North Korea to cover the 1998 celebrations. But the language attributed to me in Thunderclap is entirely made up. In my live report, which can be seen here, I described North Korean leader Kim Jong Il as being worshipped like a virtual God in a nation where unquestioning loyalty to the supreme leader is drummed in almost literally from birth, where the individual pales into insignificance against the all-pervasive influence of the state. Moreover, although 1998 was the height of the famine that devastated North Korea, I noted that we were not able to visit the areas of the country worst hit by the food shortages. So what explains this remarkably positive depiction of me and CNN, which stands in sharp contrast to the way other authoritarian systems, such as those of Russia and China, have often demonized the international media? Shaw observes that, somewhat surprisingly, Western media are treated with something akin to reverence, and foreign journalists are depicted as indefatigable servants of truth. This is especially true in relation to CNN, which has had a long and complicated relationship with North Korea. I first visited Pyongyang in 1989. Three years later, cameraman Mitch Farkas and I were the only foreign journalists allowed to accompany the Rev. Billy Graham, who had long been lobbying to visit and whose wife Ruth had attended a missionary-run school in Pyongyang in the 1930s. Graham, who had asked the North Koreans to give CNN visas, was granted a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Il Sung, and as the reporter with him, I met the Great Leader as well. In the spring of 1994, with tensions over the Norths nuclear program rising, I was able to visit again, accompanied by a camera crew and CNN International Editor Eason Jordan . This time it was representatives of the Rev. Sun Myung Moons Unification Church (the Moonies) who got us in. Moon himself had visited Pyongyang in 1991, and, in yet another example of Kim Il Sungs apparent soft spot for religious leaders, had established a cordial understanding with Kim. In April 1994, the North Koreans asked the Moonies to organize a goodwill delegation of international VIPs to Pyongyang to mark Kims 82nd birthday. After considerable lobbying, my colleagues and I were given permission to cover the delegation. We were told the decision had been taken personally by the Great Leaders son, Kim Jong Il. That visit included a memorable lunch with Kim Il Sung, in which Eason and I, along with about a dozen other guests, were able to ask him about the nuclear program and other issues, as well as my doing the first ever live TV shot from Pyongyang. Former CNN International Editor Eason Jordan stands behind North Korean leader Kim Il Sung and US President Jimmy Carter in Pyongyang in 1994. - Eason Jordan Two months later, Jordan and I, along with a camera crew, were the only foreign journalists allowed to cover former President Jimmy Carters historic trip. During the trip, Carter used a CNN interview conducted at his Pyongyang guest house to successfully pressure the Clinton administration to resume negotiations and abandon consideration of a military strike on the Norths nuclear facilities. This kept the door open to talks that produced the October 1994 Agreed Framework deal, under which Pyongyang agreed to freeze production of its plutonium-based nuclear program, in return for an American promise of better relations and agreement to supply the North with proliferation-resistant light water nuclear reactors. Interestingly, a 1997 North Korean novel called Eternal Life, written by North Korean Writers Union members Song Sang Won and Baek Bo Heum, recounts the heroic achievements of Kim Il Sung and has a chapter on the Carter visit, which mentions my colleague Eason Jordan by name. Like me, Jordan is depicted sympathetically, including this highly embroidered account of a chat with Kim while waiting for Carter to arrive: How are you, Mr. Jordan? At the sound of his name called by such a booming, hearty voice, Jordan looked up from his equipment and froze, his eyes instantly bulging out. Ah, Premier! Bingo! Comrade Kim Il Sung stuck out his hand. Jordan rushed over to shake it. Ive been looking forward to this, Comrade Kim Il Sung added cheerfully. Have you been well, old friend? Fine. And you? As you can see, I am the picture of health. Laughing heartily, he continued, Mr. Jordan, you cant keep coming here only for formal events. You must come again as my personal guest. Bring your wife and kids this fall. Jordan noted in an email that this account appears based on official records and eavesdropping, while other bits are enlightened speculation and wishful thinking. In fact, less than a month later, Kim Il Sung died of a heart attack. But when we saw him, he certainly looked healthy, and we did have several cordial exchanges. To Korea scholar Shaw, the repeated mention of Eason Jordan by name and his warm personal interactions with the Leader indicate that he, like Mike Chinoy, is someone whose reporting did not offend the regime enough to override their gratification at the prestige afforded by CNNs presence. One of the most fascinating points in analysing these books is that it appears the authors were given access to some official records perhaps even transcripts of monitored phone calls on which to base at least part of their narrative. Indeed, in Eternal Life, there is a purported verbatim transcript, presumably from a tapped phone line, of a call from Carter to Clinton administration officials. The former president did in fact make several calls on an open line from the presidential guest house in Pyongyang, although whether Carter actually used the language attributed to him or whether the North Koreans made it up remains unknown. There is little information about the writers or how these two novels were vetted or written. Although published more than a quarter century ago, Eternal Life only became available on North Korea websites in the past decade. And a digital version of Thunderclap only appeared last year. Thunderclap author Kim Ryong Yon is credited for other novels featuring North Koreas leaders, and is believed to be a member of an elite organization called the 4.15 Writers Group (the date refers to Kim Il Sungs birthday). Paek Bo Hum and Song Sang Won are now both in their 80s and have a long literary history, including stories featuring Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Within North Korea, according to Shaw, Eternal Life is considered one of the countrys most important novels. However they were assembled, the references to me, Jordan, and CNN indicate how eager the North Korean regime has been to show its own people that it is respected and admired around the world. Moreover and somewhat surprisingly at least the scenes dealing with us do so in a way that is unusually non-polemical in a system known for its extreme, often comically overblown rhetoric. Since everything North Koreans are allowed to read is tightly controlled, people there, apart from a few officials, would almost certainly be unaware of the more critical reports which I also filed on my various trips. This is equally true for reports that other CNN correspondents who have visited the country in more recent years, like Will Ripley, also did. Moreover, having portrayed the network sympathetically and as having some kind of special relationship with Kim Il Sung, CNN would be in what one former US North Korea intelligence analyst described as a sacred spot. That may help explain CNNs unusual access over the years, and the more recent positive literary portrayal. As Shaw notes, what is fascinating is how the North Korean regime, in literature created for domestic readers, intentionally maintains the fiction that CNN, a major international news organization, is impressed with North Korea, presumably to boost its own public image. Thus, as soon as the character Byun Sa-hyang arrives in Pyongyang, she rushes to file, worrying that otherwise, American media might start spreading ridiculous slander like a CNN reporter had been detained in North Korea. Her first report shows the streets of Pyongyang with kindergarten children laughing and playing happily. She also includes an almost poetic description: The sky in Pyongyang is exceptionally clear and blue. In this sky are flying not fierce hawks, but peaceful doves. The novel then describes me, having watched her report, sending her a message: Sa-hyang, do not waver, do not give in. Pyongyang is an impressive city. Lets meet in Beijing when you return. Michael Chinoy. But while Thunderclap describes Sa-hyang walking around Pyongyang on her own, without a government guide, as she decides to see and feel with her own eyes and skin, and tell the reality of North Korea, the actual reality for correspondents, is, of course, almost precisely the opposite. Indeed, on my many trips to North Korea, I was regularly prevented by government minders from leaving my hotel, even for a jog, and there were more than a few occasions when our requests to stop and film were denied. So, as Meredith Shaw observed, Thunderclap takes every single thing people have said about covering North Korea and basically says its not true. The scenes of Byun Sa-hyang exploring Pyongyang read like a masterclass in gaslighting against real journalists recurrent complaints. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Editors Note: Editors Note: Patrick T. Brown is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative think tank and advocacy group based in Washington, DC. He is also a former senior policy adviser to Congress Joint Economic Committee. Follow him on Twitter. The views expressed in this piece are his own. View more opinion on CNN. Two months before the 2022 midterms, President Joe Biden stood flanked by two US Marines in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia and issued some of the harshest words of his presidency. Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic, Biden intoned, calling extreme MAGA Republicans a clear and present danger to our democracy. Patrick T. Brown - Courtesy Patrick T. Brown Clearly, some in the presidents party missed the memo. On Tuesday, Democrats in the House decided to side with eight Republicans who voted to remove their follow party member, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), from his role as speaker. Instead of siding with stability, Democrats chose to double down on partisanship. For the party that has talked repeatedly about wanting to restore norms of good government, it was a cynical display of short-term political gain at the expense of the long-term functioning of our political institutions. To be clear, the predicament originated with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of the MAGA-type Republicans Biden seemed to be referencing and a consistent thorn in the side of McCarthy since the infamous 15 ballots it took for McCarthy to secure the speakership in January. As I wrote for CNN at the time, McCarthys travails illustrate how trying to lead in an era when parties and institutions are held captive by an anti-establishment mentality will be a continual exercise in frustration. Over the past 10 months, Gaetz held the threat of a motion to vacate the ability to call a vote at any time to oust the speaker over McCarthy like the sword of Damocles. The California Republicans decision last weekend to rely on Democratic votes to avoid a government shutdown was the weapon Gaetz needed to make good on his threat. Gaetzs move gave Democrats an opportunity to reward McCarthy for having kept the government open. Two-hundred-and-nine Democrats joined 126 Republicans to pass the last-minute deal that averted a shutdown, and many were initially cautiously open to securing a deal to save McCarthys speakership. I think if hes willing to work together on things, a member of Congress told CNN at the time, there will be enough of us to protect him. Michael Wear, a speaker and strategist at the intersection of faith and politics, who previously led faith outreach for President Barack Obamas 2012 reelection campaign, was not alone in being hopeful that McCarthys decision to introduce a stop-gap spending measure in a bipartisan manner, and Democrats willingness to sign onto it, signaled promise for those who want our politics to choose something greater than partisan warfare. Alas, those hopes were not fulfilled. House Democrats acted as enablers for those Republicans who sought McCarthys ouster, effectively helping to punish him for compromising on keeping the government open. Admittedly, there had already been no shortage of bad blood between McCarthy and Democrats, who were perturbed by his willingness to indulge his right flank, his flip-flop on whether Trump should be considered responsible for the events of January 6, 2021, and his launch of an impeachment inquiry against Biden even before the possibility of a shutdown picked up speed. And then, in the days surrounding the bipartisan spending deal, Democrats were reportedly angered not just by McCarthys chaotic process for passing the deal, but also by a CBS interview in which McCarthy blamed them, rather than his far-right flank, for the prospect of a shutdown. Democrats also argued that an intra-caucus squabble was something for which Republicans owned responsibility. It was McCarthys choice to empower [the right wing] further, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York posted on X, formerly Twitter. He protected them & punished those who bucked Trump. Hes not a victim. But Democrats didnt have to like McCarthy or approve of everything hes done to understand that his ouster only empowers the MAGA Republicans decried by Biden and opposed by Ocasio-Cortez as one of the gravest threats facing the country. Gaetz is the loudest voice of a small coalition of Republicans who seem to care less about specific policy than in delivering on an uncompromising approach to politics and, along the way, burnishing their brand for social media, cable news hits or future runs for office. Republicans threatening retribution in the form of cutting off fundraising dollars or supporting primary opponents against Gaetz, Rep. Nancy Mace [(R-SC)] and others who participated in the revolt are right to do so. But given the Republicans narrow majority and the partys lack of a unifying vision, it seems likely this faction will exhibit the same behavior when the next speaker is chosen. A little bipartisanship could have thwarted their attempt. Democrats didnt even have to affirmatively support McCarthy; simply voting present would have lowered the threshold necessary for the former speaker to maintain a majority. Instead, Democrats helped those they see as extreme MAGA Republicans while allowing the House to be thrown into chaos amid the fraught prospect of choosing a new speaker as the clock ticks down to the next shutdown deadline. Through the lens of crass electoral politics, Democrats may have calculated correctly, at least in the short term. The latest Gallup poll shows that the percentage of Americans who say they trust Republicans to manage the economy over Democrats is at an all-time high. Allowing Republicans to shoot themselves in the foot surely helps strengthen the Democrats argument that voters shouldnt entrust them with control of Congress. Democrats can also tell their base they kept their hands pure rather than casting a vote for a speaker many progressives saw as morally compromised. But whats best for the Democratic Party is not whats best for the country, and its hypocritical for Democrats not to acknowledge that. It is highly unlikely that McCarthys replacement will be any more amenable to working across the aisle than the California Republican was. He or she will be beholden to the same forces that made McCarthys job near-impossible, just like former Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan before him. The result will likely be future deadlock, a political process that works even less well and a long-term degradation of the constitutional order in which neither party sees any gain in doing the right thing instead of taking a cheap win. Biden, like other Democrats, has made political hay out of claiming that todays GOP aint your fathers Republican Party. Perhaps thats so. But if they truly long for the purported halcyon days of political compromise and sober government, siding with a handful of Republican renegades to throw the business of the House into disarray is a funny way of showing it. When faced with the choice to reward bipartisanship or exploit GOP divisions for political gains, Democrats chose the latter. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., wears a dress emblazoned with the words Tax the Rich at the 2021 Met Gala in New York, N.Y. | NDZ/Star Max/IPx via Associated Press You have heard it many times before from people like President Joe Biden and presidential wannabe Bernie Sanders. And, with an election year looming, youre bound to hear it again. The rich should pay their fair share. Two years ago, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was spotted at the Met Gala, an event for the wealthiest of the wealthy, wearing a white dress emblazoned with the message, Tax the Rich in bright red. Thats a real crowd pleaser, but it cant solve the nations problems. A new study from the Manhattan Institute illustrates how ridiculous, not to mention impossible, that notion is. First of all, the nations top-earning quintile earns 58% of all the income and pays 69% of all federal taxes, including 90% of all income taxes. Meanwhile, the top 1% of earners brings home 18% of all income but pays a quarter of all federal taxes and 40% of all income taxes. At the other end of the scale, the bottom 60% of all earners makes 23% of all income but pays only 13% of all federal taxes, including less than zero combined income taxes. This is an inconvenient truth many politicians, particularly on the left, dont want people to hear. It even offends regular hardworking folks who dont like the implication that they arent pulling their weight. And, lets face it, no politicians would campaign on a platform of making the poor and middle class pay their fair share. But anyone who looks at the nations runaway spending with a clear eye would see its impossible to fix things without everyone paying more. Related In the 2012 presidential election, Mitt Romney took a lot of criticism for telling a roomful of wealthy donors at a fundraiser that 47% of Americans are people who pay no income tax. I suppose it did sound a bit elitist. But the fact checker politifact.com examined it and rated Romneys statement as true, with the comment that a 2009 report by the Joint Committee on Taxation had found an even larger percentage paying nothing. The authors of the report want to make one thing clear. They arent shilling for any political point of view. In order to avoid the partisan misrepresentations that typify tax policy debates, it is important to clarify, at the outset, that this report is not a conservative anti-tax manifesto, the report says. It does not argue that upper-income taxes should not be raised at all. Nor does it claim that all tax cuts pay for themselves. Instead, it employs consensus economic modeling and research to build a more realistic framework for taxing the rich and to rein in the unrealistic perception that taxing the rich can sufficiently eliminate budget deficits and finance the progressive agenda. That realistic framework, however, is elusive. The rich have more choices when it comes to taxes. And there is truth to the notion that higher rates on the rich and on corporations can have a negative effect on job creation and investments. The report quotes economist Martin Feldstein, who said, I dislike budget deficits as much as anyone else. But would I really want to give up, say, $1 billion of GDP in order to reduce the deficit by $100 million? Of course not. Related The report also debunks a few myths, including that European nations tax wealthy citizens more without hurting their economies. No, the report concludes, European tax revenues are driven by more broad-based income and consumption taxes. They have national sales taxes, or value-added taxes, that hit the poor and middle classes hardest. And no, the 90% marginal tax rates the United States imposed on high earners in the 1950s didnt bring in much additional revenue. And yet, to be fair, this generation did not invent the tax the rich slogan. Its worth remembering how, when the income tax was first levied in 1913, the idea was to tax only the rich. Every individual earning up to $3,000 (roughly $92,000 in todays dollars), and every couple earning up to $4,000 was exempted. People who earned up to $20,000 were taxed at 1%. Exempting roughly the lowest earning 60% today is in keeping with that idea, except for all the paperwork. Only, we cant fix our current problems that way. And while cuts are certainly necessary, we cant fix things that way, alone, either. This years budget deficit is at 6.62% of GDP, and the national debt, at $33 trillion, is equal to 123.7% of GDP, according to usdebtclock.org. Thats a huge imbalance. The 18th century French economist Anne Robert Jacques Turgot is often credited with saying that the art of taxation is to pluck the hen without making it squeal. Thats OK when the hen is wealthy. No one seems to care, then. But Americans have passed a point where widespread squealing cant be avoided. Or, as the Manhattan Institute report puts it, Everyone wants a free lunch, and taxing the rich has always been popular with voters but even moderately informed voters understand that such a promise is mathematically and economically absurd. Thats worth remembering as next years election rhetoric begins to heat up. Editors Note: K. Denise Rucker Krepp is a former Maritime Administration Chief Counsel. Krepp started her federal career as a Coast Guard officer. She subsequently served as a Transportation Security Administration lawyer, House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee Senior Counsel and as a locally elected DC official. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. Read more opinion at CNN. My familys military service goes back generations, so when the time came for me to pursue a career, it was only natural for me to continue the tradition. I held the belief that the military I would be joining long a bastion of male privilege was a changing institution, one welcoming to young women like me eager to serve the country. I signed up for the Coast Guard shortly after graduating from law school. My idealism was easily understandable, but I could not have been more mistaken. K. Denise Rucker Krepp - Rucker Krepp Photo I was still in college when news started trickling out about the horrifying mass sexual assault in 1991 by military officers attending the three-day convention of the Tailhook Association. It was shocking to think that they would sexually violate scores of their fellow service members. Tailhook was a watershed moment that demanded accountability. And indeed, in the aftermath of those horrific assaults, our military leaders vowed to make service to our country safer for women who joined. But the real tragedy coming out of the Tailhook scandal is how little the culture of the military has changed, despite years of promises of reform and house-cleaning by the militarys senior leaders. Countless women, and some men as well, continue to experience sexual assault in shocking numbers. One of the most appalling realities about Tailhook is that, while hundreds of people were punished, no one was criminally prosecuted for those crimes. And few prosecutions for alleged sexual offenses are taking place in the military today. Often, the perpetrators, if they are punished at all, face only administrative discipline. How do I know that the military hasnt properly addressed the issue of sexual assault within its ranks? Because week after week, there are new accounts from survivors who have left the military about how they were preyed upon while in the military. I heard chilling echoes of the travesty at Tailhook earlier this year, as CNN reported extensively about a sex abuse scandal involving US Coast Guard Academy cadets and a cover-up by the military top brass. CNN revealed that an internal Coast Guard investigation found that Coast Guard leadership was more concerned about protecting the reputation of the academy than helping the victims, who were also members from among its ranks. The US Senate has now launched its own probe into the scandal. Quite apart from feeling the sense of betrayal by fellow members of the military, both the Tailhook and the Coast Guard Academy scandals hit very close to home for me for another reason: I was forced to resign my position as Maritime Administration Chief Counsel after reporting sexual assault at the US Merchant Marine Academy in 2011. Before students graduate from the US Merchant Marine Academy, they are required to go out for a sea year, with their fellow mariners, and when they did, they were being sexually assaulted. A whistleblower notified me of sexual assaults occurring at the school, one of the five federal service schools. According to the accounts from the whistleblower who sought me out, sexual assault and harassment was rife. It was student on student, professor on student and merchant mariner on student during the mandatory sea year. I found the allegations so troubling that I requested an Inspector General investigation which the IG declined to pursue. A few months later, then-Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood directed me to resign, stating that hed lost confidence in my ability to be the agencys chief counsel. [In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for LaHood said that Krepps removal was not taken in retaliation for her request for the launch of an IG investigation. Denise Krepp was not fired in retaliation for her actions, read the statement from Joan DeBoer, the former chief of staff for LaHood at the US Department of Transportation.] That series of events showed me that the leaders of military services care more about the reputations of the service academies than about the well-being of the men and women who have been assaulted. And indeed, that was the finding made by investigators during an exhaustive inquiry, dubbed Fouled Anchor, that revealed a dark history of sexual misconduct at the Coast Guard Academy, substantiating dozens of rapes and assaults there from the late 1980s to 2006. That probe focused on the Coast Guard Academy but might as well have been speaking about all of the service branch academies. A US Coast Guard Academy sexual assault survivor who was quoted in the CNN investigation expressed frustration about how inadequately sexual assault and sexual harassment are addressed in the service. Why is it taking so long to hear us? The us she was speaking about includes military personnel in all six services. For the 2022 fiscal year, the Department of Defense said it received 8,942 reports of sexual assault involving service members as victims and/or subjects just about the same number as were reported the previous year. Sexual assault in the military is continuing to this day. I reluctantly tendered my resignation after being ordered to do so by LaHood. I was in the early months of pregnancy at that time. The following week, I had a miscarriage; I will forever believe that the stress associated with my abrupt dismissal from a job I loved and the loss of my livelihood as the main breadwinner for my family was the precipitating reason why I lost a child. Its a loss that haunts me to this day. The internal Coast Guard inquiry determined that Coast Guard Academy leadership was more concerned at that time about organizational reputation than about the victims of crimes who were members of the service. I never fail to be outraged by that. The crown jewel of an institution isnt the physical structure, it is the people who are part of it. Failing to punish those who commit crimes against fellow service members only tarnishes that legacy. There were a lot of promises made that women like me entering the military service would find a military where sexual assault would not be tolerated. CNNs reporting showed that in the US Coast Guard Academy, and indeed, throughout the services, little has changed over the years. If the promises made after Tailhook had been kept, there would not be a climate of continued sexual predation and sexual violence. Its painful to see how the trust of so many service members who put their lives in the hands of the military has been violated. Why havent they done more to prevent assaults like the one endured by Hope Hicks, who says that as a 19-year-old US Merchant Marine trainee she was raped aboard the vessel where she was carrying out her military training by the man she reported to. Ive got two children. Theyve witnessed my decade-long work to help military sexual assault survivors, and neither are inclined to join the military, leaving me to be the last one in my family who will have served. I understand the logic behind their decision and I will never recommend that any mother send her precious child to the Coast Guard Academy or to the US Merchant Marine Academy, knowing firsthand what has befallen so many young people who attend them. Im long since out of my job at the Maritime Administration but I am still contacted by sex assault victims. I was contacted recently by a survivor of Tailhook who introduced herself to me by the victim number assigned to her by those investigating the incident. She just wanted to thank me for advocating for military sexual assault survivors someone heard the pleas for justice and didnt just want the crimes swept under the rug. I could not help but be struck that more than 3 decades since those heinous crimes occurred her victim number remains part of her identity. It will be with her for the rest of her life. And there has been no resolution to her case. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan recently spoke with students at the Coast Guard Academy. She told them that everyone has the right to a workplace free from sexual assault and harassment. Agreed. But why should the current students trust the current leaders when none of the past leaders have to date been held accountable for the cover-up of the investigation into the sexual crimes at the academy? What would the appropriate course of action look like? In the case of the US Coast Guard Academy, that means court martialing retired Coast Guard officers who failed to prosecute the rapes at the school between 1988 and 2006. It would mean recalling a retired commandant and court-martialing him for failing to share information with Congress about crimes at the school. It would mean court martialing and firing individuals still employed at Coast Guard headquarters accountable for the cover-up. Too many survivors have paid a terrible price because of past failed leadership. In the years since Tailhook, far too little has changed. Its time for senior government leaders to do the right thing and report and prosecute sexual assaults, instead of continuing to turn a blind eye to these terrible crimes. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Slovakias early parliamentary elections on Sept. 30 resulted in a clear victory for pro-Kremlin politician Robert Fico and his party, SMER. While we dont know which parties will form the government, scenarios in which Fico is not the strongest party leader of the ruling coalition are not really plausible. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that SMER will form the government and Fico will be the next prime minister of Slovakia. Based on these assumptions, several important implications can be drawn and discussed for Slovakia and our neighbors. Let me start with some good news: Only two out of the six political parties that made it into parliament are openly questioning Slovakias foreign policy orientation. Read also: Peter Tkacenko: Slovakia after election If not friend, certainly not enemy of Ukraine Only SMER and the Slovak National Party (SNS) are vocally calling to cease weapons deliveries to Ukraine or the need for diplomatic solutions and peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Meanwhile, the positions on Ukraine of Hlas, a political party led by Peter Pellegrini that split from SMER after the parliamentary elections in 2020, are a perfect example of fence-sitting politics, rhetorically ambivalent and hiding behind empty phrases like Slovak national interest. The bad news is that these three parties have a narrow majority of 79 out of 150 seats in the parliament. Ficos turning point Since 2018, when Ficos stance on the murder of young investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova, triggered his resignation as prime minister, Fico significantly reinvented his political persona. He transformed from a pragmatic opportunist using populist social democratic talking points to charm his voters to loud, illiberal, national populist positions, building on anti-establishment sentiments and using fear, frustration, anger, and mistrust as essential voter mobilization tools. This transformation allowed him to tap successfully into the booming disinformation ecosystem across various outlets, blogs, Facebook groups, and Telegram channels, where everything from ridiculous conspiracy theories and hardline pro-Kremlin propaganda to dangerous hate speech thrives. The attraction was mutual, and Fico and his party SMER quickly became sweethearts of the so-called anti-establishment scene, even though Fico himself is a two-time former prime minister and SMER one of the biggest, strongest, and most influential political parties in Slovakia. Once Washington, Brussels, George Soros, the media, NGOs, liberals, and minorities became Slovakias sworn enemies in Ficos rhetoric, his U-turn was over. Domestic turning point Messages coming from SMERs leading representatives during the parliamentary elections campaign give us a rather clear picture of what to expect from them once they are back in power. There will be changes at the Special Prosecutor Office and National Criminal Agency as both institutions lead criminal investigations against SMER members, nominees, or closely affiliated persons in cases of corruption, misuse of public funds and power, or even the establishment of an organized crime group. This is personal for Fico, and it would be terribly naive to think he is not coming back with revenge. Progressive Slovakia party leader Michal Simecka speaks to an audience during the Slovak parliamentary elections on Sept. 30, 2023 in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Zuzana Gogova/Getty Images) Special attention will be paid to civil rights, watchdog, transparency, and other civil society groups, as well as individual activists, independent media, and political opposition. Strategic lawsuits against public participation, a foreign actors registration act, and open threats are expected as the new normal. Securing power by all means necessary will be Fico and his cronies strategic priority. Therefore, a full spectrum of the authoritarian toolkit might be seen soon, restructuring Slovak domestic politics. Regional turning point It is no coincidence that Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban was the first foreign leader to publicly and enthusiastically congratulate Fico on his electoral victory. For Orban, having Fico back in power is certainly good news. Fico openly celebrated Orban several times as a seasoned statesman and strong leader. Their positions on Russias full-scale war are virtually the same. Strong criticism of sanctions against Russia, the EUs policies on migration and energy, and anti-American accents are other linking points between the two of them. Orban is seeking a political buddy who will be willing to help him ease the pressure from the EU and create more space for haggling over key decisions. An OrbanFico tandem certainly has the potential to complicate further intra-EU decisions and test the Unions unity, but their weight shouldnt be overestimated. The upcoming Polish parliamentary elections might be a game-changer if the currently ruling party, Law and Justice, will need the far-right party Confederacy (which is already calling for less support to Ukraine and more help to our Polish people) to form the next government. Read also: Far-right party may hold keys to next Polish government, sets tone in talks with Ukraine The staunchly illiberal and reactionary Warsaw-Bratislava-Budapest axis would be a different problem for European politics. Such a scenario would create an immediate challenge for Czechia, which will be forced to reorient from a very close partnership with Slovakia and an important, yet somehow complicated, relationship with Poland. Also, there are political actors and movements in Czech national politics that will learn eagerly from Fico, Kaczynski, or Orban and might capitalize on unpopular austerity measures of the current government and struggling economy in the 2025 parliamentary elections. History provides a clear lesson on how quickly spreading the virus of illiberal, nationalistic populism can be. Also, how dangerous it can be, especially if there is a major war in the neighborhood already. Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Submit an Opinion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editors Note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. View more opinion on CNN. If youve found this weeks spectacle in the US House of Representatives gripping and more than a little baffling, imagine how it looked for the people of Ukraine, whose life-and-death struggle to defend their country from Russias invasion risks suffering yet another demoralizing and dangerous blow as the result of the Republican Partys mind-boggling infighting. Frida Ghitis - CNN As is well known by now, a band of far-right GOP legislators removed now-former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday night, days after he prevented them from shutting down the government by reaching a deal with House Democrats to fund operations for 45 days. That late Saturday night agreement left out urgently needed military funding for Ukraine. Ukrainians reacted with anxiety. And that was before McCarthy was dethroned and the Speakers chair was left empty, with the outlook for support for Ukraine in limbo as the result of almost-incomprehensible political games in Washington. When asked by CNN staff in Kyiv, Olha Hrubryna, 60, said shes been following events on Capitol Hill. I think its awful, because the safety of our people depends on financial support, she said Wednesday. We will fight to the last, naturally, but (lack of support) means a lot of losses. Volodymyr Kostiak, a Ukrainian serviceman, called it all political games related to the 2024 US elections, telling CNN, We [Ukrainians] are hostages to this process. Ukrainian news outlets tried to explain this latest crisis for Kyiv at a time when the horizon is starting to look rather grim. While the Congress tangled itself in MAGA madness, Slovakia, a member of NATO and the European Union, gave first place in parliamentary elections to the populist Pro-Russian candidate Robert Fico, who has vowed not to send a single bullet to Ukraine if hes able to form a coalition as prime minister. In the meantime, a top NATO official warned that the arsenal for supporting Ukraine is running low. The bottom of the barrel is now visible, said Adm. Rob Bauer of the Royal Dutch Navy, chairman of NATOs Military Committee. Ukrainians have been fighting ferociously to defend their country, and its hard to imagine that would ever stop. But the odds for victory would shrink if the US withdraws its support. And a loss for Ukraine would constitute a defeat for NATO, for the US, and for the democratic world. A Russian victory would not only empower Russian President Vladimir Putin , who has repeatedly telegraphed his wishes to reconstitute the former Soviet Union, and even larger Russian Empire, it would also embolden other autocracies like China to expand their borders by force. However poorly the war has gone for Russia, which expected a swift victory, this new turn of events is playing right into Putins plans; plans we long suspected but have now been confirmed by his spokesman. The Kremlins Dmitry Peskov described the scenario: Fatigue over this conflict, he said, will grow in various countries, including the US. He added, Fatigue will lead to the fragmentation of the political establishment. Putin is counting on a divided United States, with former President Donald Trump who declared Putin a genius as he moved to annex pieces of Ukraine, and never uttered a negative word about the Russian autocrat while in office to stoke antipathy toward Ukraine, fueling it with questions about the cost of supporting it. The European Union is trying to calm Kyivs fears. EU foreign ministers traveled to Kyiv this week, holding their first ever meeting in a third country as a sign of enduring support. The EUs top foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, said, Lets see what will happen in the US, but from our side, we will continue supporting and increasing our support. President Joe Biden has also offered reassurance, but without question theres reason for concern. The political turmoil and growing extremism now infecting the Republican Party could put poison in the pipeline of support. Europeans, contrary to the claims of demagogues running for president, are spending heavily to support Ukraine. In fact, as a share of GDP, they are contributing more than the US. In some cases much, much more. But the bulk of the military assistance comes from Washington. Thats because the United States has by far the worlds largest military arsenal. Even so, as the Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman noted, claims from opponents of aid that the US is spending too much in Ukraine, and that somehow that affects spending on other areas, dont hold up to scrutiny. Total US aid to Ukraine totals less than one-third of one percent (0.03%) of GDP, and less than 5% of the defense budget. Krugman argues that the real reason the far-right opposes Ukraine aid is because they, the most devoted admirers of Trump, view the Putin regimes cruelty and repression as admirable features that America should emulate. I dont know how many Republicans in Congress think the US should emulate Putin. But theres no doubt that Americas far-right nationalists do. Just days after Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine, with much of the world aghast at the unfolding invasion, white nationalists held their America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC). Their meeting erupted in a round of applause for the Russian president, with delegates shouting Putin! Putin! What happens in Washington in the days, weeks, and months ahead will go a long way in determining the fate of Ukraine and the outcome of the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. The Ukrainian ambassador in Washington, Oksana Markarova, says shes in contact with potential incoming speakers. I can only say that we lead a good and constructive dialogue with the vast majority of potential candidates and her teams, she wrote. But some of the potential candidates would spell trouble. A report card of GOP members votes on Ukraine prepared by Defending Democracies Together, gives Rep. Steve Scalise a score of B, or Okay. But Rep. Jim Jordan, the firebrand Trump supporter, scores an F, Very Poor. And hes not alone. He voted against four of five bills supporting Ukraine as it sought to defend itself from a Russian invasion, which is now in its 20th month. Depending on how it plays out, the outcome of this crisis and of the mayhem in the GOP will be felt acutely in Ukraine; it will affect the security of Europe, and could shape Americas standing for years to come. Asked if Ukraine would be able to fight without US military support, 37-year-old Olha said, Of course, we will fight but it will be many times bloodier. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Last month, an article in the New Yorker detailed discrepancies in comedian Hasan Minhajs standup specials. In one story, Minhaj recounts growing up in a Muslim community in Northern California, and his experiences with an FBI informant, Craig Monteilh. The story was a fabrication. But Monteilh was real. In the mid-2000s, he was hired by the FBI to pose as a convert to Islam and work as an informant in Orange County mosques. Im no comedian. I have no opinion on what the appropriate percentage of fact and fiction a comics jokes ought to be, or whether Minhaj ought to be canceled. But as a journalist and filmmaker who has spent a decade documenting the surveillance of American Muslim communities, and as an American Muslim who has experienced it, I have felt deeply uneasy as these falsehoods came to light. I fear people will now believe that we are exaggerating or making up stories about surveillance. After the expose, social media was flooded with disturbing posts accusations that this is just another example of people of color falsely claiming victimhood. Read more: Op-Ed: Cancel culture has always been a problem for comedy But the fact is that all of us Arab Muslims, Black Muslims, rich and poor Muslims, third-generation Muslims, newly immigrated Muslims, educated Muslims, working-class Muslims have had our run-ins with the surveillance state. And the truth is wilder than any fiction a comedian could make up. I grew up in a neighborhood in Chicagos southwest suburbs of mostly Muslim Arab immigrants. My neighbors and family friends all have stories about being surveilled. About strange white men installing cameras on streetlights; about unmarked cars parked in front of the mosque; about white men following people in the neighborhood around on their daily errands; about strange clicks on the phone. When we were just kids, in the 90s, my mom used to tell us that whenever she went to the local public library, a man would follow her in and watch her, write down what books she was reading and then follow her out. Read more: Op-Ed: As a Muslim filmmaker, I want to tell my own story I became a journalist and started making a documentary film about these anecdotes. I was intent to find out the truth. I eventually filed a freedom of information lawsuit against the FBI and demanded all records about my neighborhood, including all the video, audio and documents related to surveillance. What I found out was staggering: In 1993, the Chicago field office of the FBI had launched one of the largest domestic terrorism investigations to date. It was code-named Operation Vulgar Betrayal, and it targeted my community. A federal judge forced the FBI to release more than 33,000 pages of documents, and while the FBI redacted more than 75% of the record, the information around the redactions tells enough of a story to validate the decades of paranoia that have shrouded my community. The record contains dozens of physical surveillance logs with handwritten initials of agents, signing in and out. Our mosque itself is listed by name as a subject of investigation, along with our local Muslim elementary and high school and dozens of area businesses and charities. More than 500 individual sub-files were opened on people in the community. I came across my fathers name more than once. (Even I make a cameo appearance in one of the documents.) Read more: Op-Ed: Eid celebrations remind me how important community is and forging your own path Surveillance was ubiquitous. Agents followed people around (On Monday [redaction] at approximately [redaction] 35mm black and white photographs were taken by Special Agent [redaction] of an Arabic Male [redaction] complexion); noted where they drove (Arab male driving [redaction] arrived at [redaction] he parked in the driveway); and in one instance, even followed people into emergency rooms (Unknown Male #1 and Unknown Male #2 were observed in the Emergency Room waiting area, accompanied by a male child [redaction] observed filling out hospital paperwork.) They monitored our local gatherings, national Muslim conventions and our donations, and they recorded the most quotidian details about our lives. Our suspicions of what was going on paled in comparison with the reality of how intrusive and pervasive the FBIs surveillance was. No one in our community was ever convicted of anything related to terrorism, and yet we were subject to this daily harassment for decades. Read more: Opinion: Your body, your work? Hollywood is scanning actors' moves. What that could mean for the rest of us Minhaj was one of the first Muslim comedians who unapologetically talked about being the target of surveillance on a national platform. It was refreshing as hell. Theres something very powerful that happens when you talk out loud about something that we usually only whisper about. And yet the damage done by his lies will be borne not by Minhaj alone, but by the 3.5 million Muslims in this country. It makes it harder for people to be believed, and for those of us trying to tell true stories about what our communities have endured. For the past few years, Ive gone beyond just documenting government surveillance and have ventured into co-creating an art initiative with my community and curating a collection of home videos and family photos from the neighborhood. The intent of the Inverse Surveillance Project, is to counter the governments violent archive of being watched, with a community archive of being seen. We created an art installation with a large-scale labyrinth using the thousands of pages of FBI documents, and used augmented reality to superimpose videos from the community archive onto the redacted spaces of the government's surveillance record. In this way, the history of our community isnt just something that the FBI gets to secretly record but is something we get to communally create. By telling our own stories, we get to have control over our narrative and how our community will be remembered. Assia Boundaoui is an Algerian American filmmaker, a recipient of a 2022 United States Artists award and a fellow at the MIT Open Documentary Lab. 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. A satellite image shows traffic jamming the Lachin Corridor on Sept. 26. Almost the entire population of Artsakh, also called Nagorno-Karabakh, has fled after the Azerbaijani military assault of Sept. 19. (Maxar Technologies via Associated Press) Over the last two weeks, thousands of vehicles have lined a serpentine road stretching for three miles in the South Caucuses Mountains near the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan. At times, the multitude of cars was so dense that it could be seen from space. The travelers refugees survived extreme deprivation for nine months and a harrowing military assault against their homeland. The road, known as the Lachin Corridor, is the sole escape route out of the Armenian Republic of Artsakh, also called Nagorno-Karabakh, situated on territory Azerbaijan claims is its own. As of Monday, more than 100,000 Artsakh Armenians, the Indigenous people of the region, had fled from the land their ancestors lived on for millennia. They face an uncertain future. Read more: Armenians who fled Turkish rule decades ago despair over Nagorno-Karabakh. 'This appears to be our fate' For Armenians around the globe, satellite imagery of the Lachin Corridor exodus raises a historical specter. It echoes photography documenting death marches across the Syrian desert during the 1915 Armenian genocide, proof of forcible expulsion and ethnic cleansing. For media outlets and global actors who take their cues from Azerbaijans officialdom, the images tell a markedly different story. They depict not expulsion but the voluntary departure of separatists from a breakaway region who have chosen to flee, after the restoration of Azerbaijani territorial sovereignty. How do we account for these divergent narratives and the consequences they pose for Artsakhs Armenians? To do that requires disentangling the role that disinformation and Armenophobia play in Azerbaijans authoritarian regime. Read more: Op-Ed: We can't let history repeat itself with the siege of Nagorno-Karabakh For decades, Azerbaijans state officials have openly espoused pan-Turkism, an ethnoterritorial ideology that aims to unite all Turkic-speaking peoples and that undergirds the catastrophe in Artsakh today. In 2005, the mayor of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, summarized his countrys position succinctly: Our goal is the complete elimination of Armenians. During a 2020 military offensive in the region, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev famously announced, This is the end. We are chasing them like dogs." In December 2022, according to news reports, Azerbaijanis posed as environmental protesters to initiate an illegal blockade of Artsakh, closing the Lachin Corridor. Critical shortages of food, fuel and medical resources followed. With the population on the brink of famine by August, a former International Criminal Court prosecutor warned that a genocide by starvation was unfolding. The international community including, not insignificantly, nations that have recently doubled gas imports from Azerbaijan remained silent, and Aliyev acted with impunity. He launched a lightning offensive on Sept. 19, against malnourished civilians and civilian infrastructure under the guise of anti-terror measures. At least 200 died in Artsakh, with many more wounded. Read more: Opinion: Armenians are starving at Azerbaijan's hands. Why isn't Biden doing more to help? Forced to surrender, Artsakh President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree stating that the republic would cease to exist on Jan. 1, 2024. In a matter of days, nearly the entire population had been forcibly displaced. For the first time in thousands of years, Artsakh is effectively absent Armenians. Sidestepping ethnic cleansing and the humanitarian catastrophe, some news media have announced that Azerbaijan has reclaimed its territory and that a smooth reintegration process awaits Artsakhs Armenians. What these accounts leave out is Azerbaijans history of disinformation, explicit expressions of genocidal intent and systematic silencing of those who oppose Aliyevs authoritarian government. From 2018 to 2021, reports published by the Palo Alto-based think tank Institute for the Future and the Guardian revealed a sprawling, state-sponsored digital repression campaign to obstruct political participation and block online dissent in Azerbaijan, overlapping with the country's 2020 military offensive in Artsakh. A major investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project exposed a multibillion-dollar laundering scheme connected to the Azerbaijani state that funneled funding to public relations efforts that promote government views. Reporters Without Borders ranks Azerbaijan at 151 out of 180 countries in its 2023 World Press Freedom Index. Read more: Op-Ed: Remember Artsakh but never forget the Armenian genocide As Azerbaijan took Artsakh captive in September, NetBlocks cited major disruptions to internet connectivity in the region, obstructing the flow of information. A week later, Amnesty International reported that five Azerbaijani activists had been arrested and detained in connection with their advocacy for Artsakhs Armenians. The republics leaders, including former Artsakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan and three former presidents of the republic, have been arrested by Azerbaijani forces, in some cases as they tried to cross the border to Armenia. Over the weekend, footage circulated of the deserted central square of Stepanakert, the Artsakh capital strewn with abandoned chairs and possessions, a ghost town, in the words of one correspondent. A U.N. mission arrived Sunday, but as one refugee told the Guardian, What is there left for the U.N. to monitor? It is too late now. Despite all this, the international community remains keen to euphemize the voluntary exodus from Artsakh. As scholars of media and of language, we are acutely aware of the geopolitical consequences of disinformation. The consequences will be all too grave for Artsakhs Armenians. What looms is permanent displacement, dispossession and the erasure of their presence in the region. There are mechanisms that might yet yield meaningful interventions. Ethnic cleansing and even genocide charges against Aliyev and his government could be brought in the International Criminal Court. Sanctions could be imposed against officials in Azerbaijan, as nearly 100 House and Senate lawmakers have urged. U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan could be cut, and substantial international funding could be allocated to aid the refugee population streaming into Armenia. To activate these mechanisms, the claims of Azerbaijans disinformation apparatus must be recognized and denied chief among them that 100,000 Armenians have chosen to flee their ancestral lands. One hundred and six years lapsed before the U.S. formally acknowledged the Armenian genocide of 1915. Its vital to recognize the genocide thats currently underway while it is still possible to resist it. Mashinka Firunts Hakopian is an associate professor of technology and social justice at ArtCenter College of Design. Shushan Karapetian is the director of the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies. 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. I ordered the same meal at island-inspired restaurant chains Margaritaville and Bahama Breeze. The food at Margaritaville was OK but the margarita was excellent. Margaritaville seemed to be serving a whole lifestyle, but Bahama Breeze had better food. First, I visited Margaritaville. Margaritaville Resort Times Square is one of the most iconic locations of the chain. Ted Berg The Jimmy Buffet-founded chain opened in the 1980s, and it now has 22 Margaritaville restaurants in the US and Canada. For this comparison, I visited the Margaritaville location nearest my home, which happens to be the restaurant inside the Margaritaville Resort Times Square. I skipped the gift shop and got right on the escalator up to the enormous second-floor restaurant, where the host offered me the opportunity to dine poolside on the sixth floor at a different restaurant with the same kitchen. I turned him down and got a table near the window overlooking 7th Avenue, giving me a nice view of where I had locked up my bike. I was surrounded by fun decor. The faux Statue of Liberty had a giant margarita glass. Ted Berg Behind me, an enormous likeness of the Statue of Liberty held a margarita glass in the sky. The place was clean and festive, decked out in a broad range of island-related regalia, with Buffett singing out from TVs scattered around the space. There was nothing I noticed to commemorate Buffett's recent death, which made sense Buffett wasn't trying to bum anybody out. One of the Buffett quotes on the wall advertised, "It's 5 o'clock somewhere," but it was decidedly 12:30 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon when I visited. I started with the Who's to Blame house margarita. The margarita at Margaritaville was great. Ted Berg The drink list was long, but I asked the friendly server for a margarita, and he suggested the house standard Who's to Blame. He offered me a choice of frozen or on the rocks. I chose frozen because it's way more fun. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the margarita was the best thing I had from Margaritaville. It's made with house-brand tequila and triple sec, and it tasted about as subtle as a sledgehammer. It was strong, with a surprisingly heavy pour of tequila for a Times Square chain restaurant. It was also salty and sour and syrupy sweet with triple sec. As a bonus, this margarita bears the seal of approval of the man who did more to promote margaritas than anyone else in human history. The spinach-and-artichoke dip was uninspiring. The spinach-and-artichoke dip at Margaritaville was underwhelming to me. Ted Berg For my first course, I ordered spinach-and-artichoke dip. It came quickly, and the dip was at least warm, but otherwise, there's not much to say for the dish. The chip-to-dip ratio seemed off with how many chips I had for a small cup of dip. The chips weren't warm nor did they taste especially fresh. In my opinion, the dip mostly tasted like mayonnaise mixed with Parmesan cheese and was extremely salty. The Cheeseburger in Paradise would be better in paradise. The Cheeseburger in Paradise was not great. Ted Berg Buffett's 1978 single "Cheeseburger in Paradise" was inspired by an actual cheeseburger he ate in the British Virgin Islands after an arduous boat trip, and I'm sure the Margaritaville Cheeseburger in Paradise would hit the spot if I had recently been lost at sea. But I was at a restaurant, and even in Times Square I hoped for more from $19 cheeseburgers. I thought the beef patty looked unnaturally round, the meat tasted bland, the bun was soft but a bit greasy, the cheese wasn't fully melted, the fries were unremarkable, and everything was very salty. The best I can say for it is that it tasted like something you might get from a poolside snack bar, so it was at least thematically consistent. The Key-lime pie was humble but tasty. A slice of Key-lime pie at this Margaritaville location was $10. Ted Berg I prefer an understated Key-lime pie, so even though the $10 price tag seemed steep for the serving I got at Margaritaville, I knew it'd make a good complement to all the rich, greasy, salty food I'd been eating. There was tang in the lime custard and a nice crumbly sweetness in the graham-cracker crust. This was not a notably good Key-lime pie, but it wasn't a bad one either. Next, I visited a Bahama Breeze location. This Bahama Breeze location I visited had a large bar. Ted Berg Another chain with an islandy feel, Bahama Breeze has been around since the 1990s. There are about 40 of them located throughout the US. I ate alone at Margaritaville on a quiet Thursday afternoon, but I ate at Bahama Breeze with my wife and two children on a Saturday evening after an overnight trip for my son's 6th birthday. The vibes here were quite nice. Colorful chairs could be spotted around the restaurant and so could plenty of tropical nods. Ted Berg It was a bit difficult to compare the restaurants' atmospheres, but this Bahama Breeze location was lively, and my family was in good spirits. The restaurant was very colorful and there was even a live DJ in the outdoor area where we sat. I started with the chain's classic margarita, frozen. The frozen margarita at Bahama Breeze was solid. Ted Berg Again, ordering a traditional margarita made me a bit square, as I could see servers delivering rainbow-colored signature Bahamaritas to nearby customers. The classic margarita at Bahama Breeze is made with Jose Cuervo, lime, and lemon juice. In frozen form, it was very refreshing, if not especially strong. It wasn't as bold as the Margaritaville equivalent in any way, though that's not all bad. If I hadn't been driving, I might have ordered a second, whereas the sweetness of the Margaritaville cocktail would've limited me to one drink. The chain's spinach-and-artichoke dip tasted like actual spinach. The Bahama Breeze spinach-and-artichoke dip came with pico de gallo. Ted Berg At Bahama Breeze, the spinach-and-artichoke dip came with fresh, warm, restaurant-style tortilla chips in multiple colors, plus a smattering of plantain chips a nice touch. On top of that, I thought the dip was tastier, with far more spinach flavor than the one from Margaritaville. The serving size was also more generous. It also came with a small bowl of pico de gallo, a sweet and light complement to the creamy dip. The grilled cheeseburger was just OK, but the fries were tasty. The fries were the star of my meal. Ted Berg I often use burgers as the standard by which to judge a restaurant. The burger at Bahama Breeze was good enough that I'd eat at another Bahama Breeze location if the situation called for it, but not good enough that I'd order the burger again (other dishes my family tried especially the tasty, curry-tinged beef empanadas also influenced that opinion). It wasn't as juicy or large a burger as I'd expect from more burger-focused chain restaurants like Chili's or Red Robin, but it was better than fast food. The fries also had a salty, peppery, garlicky seasoning that I enjoyed. Rebecca's Key-lime pie was too much for me. Bahama Breeze's Key-lime pie wasn't my favorite but my kids liked it. Ted Berg I don't know who Rebecca is and I'm not here to knock her culinary expertise, but the Key-lime pie at Bahama Breeze was too rich for my tastes. It feels strange to call it inferior to the Margaritaville equivalent because the slice is larger, less expensive, and more interesting, but the merengue topping and thick, cookie-sweet graham cracker crust made this the type of dessert you enjoy for one bite but no more. My kids were into it, on account of all the sugar, but then getting them back into the car was not a Bahama Breeze. Bahama Breeze serves better food, but Margaritaville serves a whole lifestyle. The chain you should visit depends on what you're looking for. Ted Berg This didn't feel like a fair fight, food-wise. My sense from eating at Margaritaville was that the food was secondary to the fact that you're at Margaritaville, enjoying boat drinks and soaking up the Buffett lifestyle. Although it was a fairly bleak scene on a weekday afternoon, it's easy to imagine the Times Square Margaritaville offering patrons a sunbaked good time on a busy night. But if your focus is food, there's no question you're better off at Bahama Breeze. Read the original article on Insider Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) have awarded $1.25 million for the creation of the Indiana Uplands Regional Land Bank. The nonprofit will serve the six-county rural regions of Crawford, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, and Orange counties, according to a news release. The board recognized that there exists in the counties a substantial number of tax delinquent and other properties which are nonrevenue generating, vacant, or dilapidated. These properties contribute to the blight and deterioration of the rural areas outside of incorporated cities and towns, as well as areas within incorporated cities and towns within these counties. The land bank will work to acquire and return them to the tax rolls to provide new housing, grow industries, create jobs for residents, and revitalize and stabilize neighborhoods. The board of commissioners in each of the member counties has agreed the establishment of the land bank is beneficial to the citizens. These member counties collaboratively desire to address distressed properties through the regional land bank initiative. Indiana Uplands Regional Land Bank has acquired eProperty Plus, a property management system developed to support property data management and property revitalization. ePropertyPlus is the preferred software solution for land banks tasked to put property back to productive reuse. This program will also allow the public to see what is available for sale after the properties have been acquired and cleaned up by the Indiana Upland Regional Land Bank. eProperty Plus has gone live effective Sept. 19. We will be adding properties as we secure them. The public site can be reached at https://public-sidc.epropertyplus.com. The next scheduled Indiana Uplands Regional Land Bank board meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 26. For specific project information, contact Jill Kinser, project specialist at jill@sidc.cc or 812.295.3707. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Organizations create Indiana Uplands Regional Land Bank Police in eastern Pakistan said that they had busted an illegal organ harvesting ring and arrested eight persons suspected of performing illegal surgical procedures on hundreds of patients to harvest kidneys. The gang reportedly sells the organ to affluent individuals in need of a transplant. Illegal Kidney Harvesting The chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab province, Mohsin Naqvi, revealed that the suspected gang leader, identified as "Dr. Fawad," had performed 328 kidney removal surgeries and sold the organs to customers for up to 10 million Pakistani rupees ($34,000), as reported by CNN. According to Naqvi, an unknown car technician helped Fawad throughout the surgery by administering the anesthesia. He said the gang operated privately in the Taxila area, Lahore, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir by luring patients away from hospitals. "They were able to do this in Kashmir because there is no law regarding kidney transplant, so it was easier for them to carry out the operations there," the chief minister stated. Naqvi added that three fatalities have been confirmed. However, officials are currently verifying the information. "There must be more operations that must have been carried out, the number is the only ones we've confirmed." Naqvi said that Fawad had been arrested five times already. But each time he was freed, he was able to go on with his business as usual. Apparently, a few of the individuals whose organs were extracted were unaware that their kidneys had been removed. After a man said he was persuaded by one of the suspected gang members to have medical procedures done privately, police spent almost two months studying the case. When the man sought more medical attention from another hospital, he was informed that he lost a kidney. Also Read: India: Girl Gang-Raped, Brutally Dumped in 50 Ft. Deep Well as New Delhi Faces Outrage Over Increasing Sex Assaults Trading of Human Organs To prevent the online promotion of illicit kidney transplants, Naqvi has said that he is collaborating with the Inspector General of Police of Punjab to tighten the country's cyber laws. The investigation is also geared toward monitoring similar groups. In 2007, Pakistan outlawed the commercial trading of human organs. In 2010, new legislation increased the penalties for organ harvesting and trafficking to ten years in jail and a fine of up to 1 million rupees ($3,400). Prior to the law, Pakistan was a hub for foreigners and well-off Pakistanis seeking organ transplants. It was common practice for poor local people to sell their kidneys for cash. But as residents of the nation scramble to make ends meet amid low salaries and lax law enforcement, organ trafficking has increased. According to BBC, Punjab police broke up another organ trafficking network in January when a missing 14-year-old child was discovered in an underground laboratory with his kidney removed. Also Read: UN Security Council Approves Deployment of Kenya-Led Forces to Haiti To Address Rising Gang Violence @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. OSBI The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is now looking at a Garfield County associate district judge because of a drive-by shooting at his brother-in-law's ranch Feb. 12, records show. Brian N. Lovell, 58, already is accused of shooting at parked cars in Austin, Texas, from his SUV on Sept. 11 and of intentionally rear-ending another driver. He is not hearing cases and has so far declined to speak to the media. He could not be reached Wednesday. The brother-in-law, Kenneth Markes, 68, confirmed an OSBI agent has interviewed him about the shooting at his ranch house near Bison. "In my opinion, it was more attempted murder than just shooting at a house," Markes said. He was not home at the time but a son was, he said. The shooter fired at least five times, hitting the house, he said. The incident occurred at 3:23 p.m. Feb. 12, a Sunday, according to a Garfield County sheriff's report. A window, wall and oven were damaged. A bullet and five .40-caliber shell casings were recovered. Markes said he has had nothing to do with the judge for at least 10 years. Lovell is married to one of his six sisters. Markes would not go into more detail Wednesday. "If OSBI gives me the green light to say what I want, we can start at the very first and go through it all. It's a rather lengthy story," he said. Rifle was stolen from judge's truck in February, police say The OSBI also is looking into a Feb. 14 stolen gun report involving the judge. The Garfield County sheriff's office asked the OSBI for assistance on the two cases, Undersheriff Ryan Fuxa confirmed Wednesday. That request was made Sept. 20, after the incidents in Austin, Texas, came to light. In the stolen gun case, a sheriff's sergeant reported being told that the judge's black semiautomatic .40-caliber pistol had been stolen from his pickup between Jan. 28 and Feb. 11. More: Oklahoma judge will not hear cases after allegedly shooting at parked cars in Texas The sergeant reported going to the courthouse at 5 p.m. Feb. 14 in response to "a call for service." His report identifies the judge as the victim but does not reflect whether he talked directly to the judge. Lovell became an associate district judge in January after running for the position unopposed. He had been a special judge in Garfield County before that since 2011. He lives in Waukomis. The accusations against him in Texas received national attention. He faces a misdemeanor reckless driving charge in Texas and could face a felony indictment there once a grand jury hears evidence about the Sept. 11 shooting. He was freed on bond after his arrest. Lovell Lovell told an Austin police detective he "did not know why he would have shot his gun and he could not recall any part of the shooting incident," according to court affidavits. He told police he had a .40-caliber firearm and another firearm in his SUV. Three .40-caliber shell casings were recovered from the street shooting scene, according to the affidavits. He advised the other driver cut him off in traffic and he rear-ended her vehicle twice, according to the affidavits. He did not admit the collisions were intentional. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSBI looking into Feb. 12 drive-by shooting after judge accused in Texas An Osceola County School Board member is facing charges after being accused of serving alcohol to a teen and forcibly kissing her. Julius Melendez, 45, is charged with misdemeanor battery and serving alcohol to someone under the age of 21. According to the court clerks office, the charges were initiated by the State Attorneys office this week. The investigation began in July when the Osceola County Sheriffs Office received a complaint from the school district. An 18-year-old woman alleged inappropriate conduct by Melendez. Melendez was her manager at a cafe in Kissimmee. She was not a student in Osceola County schools. Read: Recall alert: Blood pressure medication recalled after oxycodone pill found on production line The woman spoke only to Channel 9 in July. She said Melendez offered for her to stay at his home because she was having a tough time with family in late June. She said in the span of a few hours, Melendez served her nine drinks -- some of which were served at the cafe and others at his home. She told Channel 9 he touched her shoulders, arms and thighs without her consent. She said he followed her to a guest bedroom in the home where she said he forcibly kissed her. I told him like, no, like, I already told you, you know, like, I need to go to sleep. Im tired. And he ended up leaving the room and going downstairs to his room, she said. She said hours later, she snuck out of the home and took an Uber home. Read: Tropical Storm Philippe slightly strengths but remains disorganized She told Channel 9 in July that she thought Melendez was in his early 30s. It wasnt until she spoke to investigators that she learned he was 45. It made me really disgusted like hes older than my dad, she said. Channel 9 reached out to the Osceola County Sheriffs Office to see if Melendez would be arrested. They referred all questions to the State Attorneys Office. Weve reached out to the State Attorneys Office for comment. Read: Judge denies bond for teen charged in fatal shooting of young mother at Orlando apartment complex Melendez declined to comment but claimed he did not know he was charged. The School Board declined to comment, saying this is a law enforcement matter. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. OSIRIS-REx watched its asteroid sample capsule head toward Earth (photos) NASA's OSIRIS-REx asteroid probe captured photos during the release of its return capsule last month, preserving the historic moment for posterity. Those images, which the space agency released on Tuesday (Oct. 3), show the return capsule deploying from OSIRIS-REx on the morning of Sept. 24 and heading toward Earth. "The sun is visible at the top of the frame, and a thin 'crescent Earth' can be seen at the left edge of the image," NASA officials wrote of the photos, which mission team members combined into a GIF. Related: NASA's OSIRIS-REx lands samples of asteroid Bennu on Earth after historic 4-billion-mile journey close-up of a brown and white conical capsule in space. This image of the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule still attached to the spacecrafts instrument deck was captured by the spacecrafts StowCam camera on Sept. 23 at 10:37:55 a.m. EDT (14:37:55 UTC), less than 24 hours before the capsules release. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona/Lockheed Martin) The 110-pound (50 kilograms) capsule's time as a free flyer was brief: It touched down as planned under parachutes in the northern Utah desert on Sept. 24, about four hours after being jettisoned. The soft landing capped NASA's first-ever asteroid sample-return effort. The capsule's precious contents dirt and gravel that OSIRIS-REx snagged from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu in October 2020 quickly made their way to Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, where the off-Earth material is getting processed, curated and stored. RELATED STORIES: How asteroid Bennu caught NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft by surprise and nearly killed it along the way No, the OSIRIS-REx probe will not bring back asteroid space 'germs' Dramatic sampling shows asteroid Bennu is nothing like scientists expected Mission team members think OSIRIS-REx returned about 8.8 ounces (250 grams) of Bennu material. That's just a pre-landing estimate, however; the exact amount is being worked out now, and will likely be announced during a webcast event on Oct. 11. The OSIRIS-REx sample is expected to be a treasure trove for scientists to study for decades to come, NASA officials have said. Scientists around the world will scrutinize the asteroid bits for clues about the solar system's early days and the role carbon-rich space rocks like Bennu may have played in delivering life's building blocks to Earth long ago, among other lines of inquiry. TULSA, Okla. (KFOR) The United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma says an Owasso man who shot his uncle after mistaking him for an intruder has pleaded guilty in federal court. Authorities confirm, Bailey Warren Sparkman, 23, a Cherokee citizen of Owasso pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country. Law enforcement searching for suspect in connection to a deputy being shot U.S. Attorney Office says Bailey admitted that although the uncle had recently been kicked out of the house, he had a room and belongings there. Bailey was unaware that his uncle had returned to the home when he went downstairs and saw someone standing inside looking out the back door. Bailey further admitted, according to officials, that he retrieved a gun and without trying to ascertain the identity of the person fired a single shot striking the victim in the back of the head. Find more Top Stories from KFOR.com Bailey faces a maximum sentence of 8 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A date for sentencing has not been set. The Owasso Police Department and FBI conducted the investigation. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Oxon Hill day care worker pleads guilty to assaulting toddlers PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - The Oxon Hill day care worker who allegedly recorded herself abusing children back in April is pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree assault. The Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office says Kayla Greenwell entered a guilty plea on Tuesday, nearly six months after she asked a judge to release her from jail before her trial. Greenwell, 23, is accused of manhandling two kids a 3-year-old and a 4-year-old at the Oxon Hill Center for Early Learning on Oxon Hill Road. To make things worse, Prince George's County police said she videotaped the alleged abuse on her cell phone. Management at the day care told FOX 5 that Greenwell had been working at the center for less than a month when it happened. She was arrested on April 8 after the viral videos surfaced online, and is expected to be sentenced on Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas Metropolitan police showed up at a Las Vegas valley charter school Thursday morning when parents became upset after being called back to the school to pick up their children because the classrooms would be closed for nearly a week. Some parents told 8 News Now they received a call less than 20 minutes after dropping their child off at TEACH Las Vegas charter school asking them to return to the school which is located on N. Rancho Drive north of W. Craig Road because it would be closed until Wednesday, Oct. 11. There are more than 400 students at the school in grades ranging from kindergarten to 7th grade, according to the schools website. School staff members told 8 News Now that the executive director resigned and 18 teachers are also leaving the school which opened in the fall of 2021. Parents pick up students at Teach Las Vegas Charter School on Oct. 5, 2023. (KLAS) A letter posted to parents on the schools website Wednesday said executive director Andrea Moore voluntarily resigned from her position effective Friday, Oct. 6. The letter assured parents, The school will operate as usual, with all existing students, teachers, and staff performing their usual, inspired roles. TEACH Las Vegas staff members told 8 News Now there was an emergency board meeting Friday, Sept. 29, after it was discovered the schools custodian was a convicted felon. The custodian was fired. The letter also pointed out some of the issues the school has faced and said there was significant room for improvement. As many of you know, prior to this leadership change, TEACH Las Vegas was already experiencing academic, financial, and other challenges. The charter school authority board released the following statement: We are aware of the situation and we are in constant contact with the schools board to mitigate the impact on students and families. Jennifer Bauer, executive director, State Public Charter School Authority This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Serhii Semeniuk, business partner and friend of Russian businessman Eduard Apsit, has filed a lawsuit against Ukrainian journalists because of their investigation into both men. Source: Slidstvo.Info Details: It is reported that Semeniuk is suing journalists of Slidstvo.Info for investigating cleaning companies associated with Apsit, which for many years have been cleaning Ukrainian strategic facilities, including Ukrzaliznytsia [the Ukrainian railway ed.], Ukrenergo, Ukraines State Tax Service, etc. In the investigation, Semeniuk appears as a business partner of Apsit, who owns companies from the Chysto [Clean] group of companies in Ukraine. According to colleagues of Slidstvo.Info from Russias Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), cleaning companies associated with the Apsit family cleaned the Kremlin Palace. In addition, journalists found the company from the Chysto group, which worked in occupied Crimea and cleaned the barracks of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Ministry of Defence. Apsit is also associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Private Military Company. After the publication of this investigation, Semeniuk filed a lawsuit against the editorial office of Slidstvo.Info and Yanina Kornienko, the author of the material, to protect his honour, dignity and business reputation. At the same time, his lawyers manipulated the procedure of electronic distribution of judges, which automatically determines who will consider the case. To do this, the lawyer filed applications with the court several times and withdrew them until the system chose the judge they favoured, Dina Pokoptseva. In addition, Semeniuks lawyers used an unknown man to be able to file a lawsuit in the "necessary court". This was someone named Vladyslav Hrindak, who simply spread the message about the investigation on social networks. The lawsuit is also directed against him, and since Hrindak is registered in Dnipros Sobornyi district, the case ended up in the court of this district. Semeniuk himself is also registered in Dnipro. It speaks volumes that the plaintiff has no claims against Hrindak. That is, he is not required to pay moral damages. All the while, Semeniuk is looking for UAH 200,000 (US$5,640) from Slidstvo.Info. According to journalists, the rigged judge "accidentally" decided to consider this case in the order of simplified proceedings. That is, in absentia, only through correspondence with the court, without summoning the parties. Although, as a rule, such cases are considered in the order of general proceedings. Oksana Maksymeniuk, a media lawyer at the Regional Press Development Institute, explains that simplified proceedings allow you to quickly make a decision on the case, and this can be beneficial to the plaintiff. Another "bonus" is that such cases do not allow for an appeal; that is, there is no opportunity to challenge the courts decision. The trial continues. 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! Every child deserves a quality education and violence cannot be tolerated on school campuses. Those are two things on which every Floridian should agree. They are also two things that a school district must balance as it deals with student misbehavior. So far, Pasco County appears to have the right approach. The Pasco school board expelled two Zephyrhills High School students Tuesday, in keeping with Superintendent Kurt Brownings pledge to crack down on fighting. More expulsions resulting from a Sept. 12 brawl at Zephyrhills and a Sept. 19 fight at Anclote High could be on the way, as the Tampa Bay Times Jeffrey S. Solochek reported. Just so everybody is fully aware, there is a zero-tolerance policy, school board member Al Hernandez said after the vote. And whether its these expulsions we just had or the other things that are taking place behind the scenes, just know ... we are extremely attuned to this situation. Browning first announced a tougher stance on student discipline in March 2022, instructing principals to recommend expulsion for those involved in fights and other serious misbehavior. He reiterated that position in September, joining Sheriff Chris Nocco in reminding families that students could face serious consequences, including criminal charges for violent acts. Speaking to the school board Tuesday, a parent activist questioned the districts adherence to zero-tolerance, noting that in the last school year, after the policy took effect, only nine of 382 students recommended for expulsion were actually removed. If anything, that Pasco is expelling fewer students than some expect is a testament to how the district is rightly separating bad conduct from allowing misbehaving students to get an education. As Browning explained, the parents of children facing expulsion are offered the choice of placing them in virtual schools instead. Nearly 160 took that route last year. Others have been reassigned to alternative schools. Its not my intent to keep them from learning, Browning said Tuesday. My intent is to get these disruptive kids off our school campuses. Thats a critical distinction. Children who start fights are still entitled to an education. What they risk is the privilege to remain in the very setting where they preyed upon another student. Officials noted that expulsion comes after investigations into the circumstances leading to the fights. Students found to be caught up in the melee or defending themselves or others do not face penalties, in keeping with new state laws. School districts have an obligation to keep their campuses safe, which is helped achieved by a clear, fair and uniform process for investigating and appealing complaints. No student should be avoiding school out of fear of physical harm. Pasco and other school districts need to continually reexamine their disciplinary policies to strike the right balance. Nobody can ignore whats happening on campuses, or be blind to the impact that student-on-student violence has on a schools security and learning environment. Browning noted that social media may be a factor in organizing some student attacks, and the superintendent suggested he may propose additional restrictions on cellphone use to keep it from contributing to prearranging violence. Thats worth considering. Parents should also play a bigger part by clearly conveying to their children what kind of behavior society expects. As a whole, parents need to get more engaged with how their children are acting at school and take more seriously any signs or reports of disciplinary problems. Until families deal with this better on the front end, school districts will be forced to grapple after the fact, when the damage is already done. Pasco is right to recognize a problem that ultimately creates losers on both ends. It should continually fine-tune the policy to ensure that violence and education are dealt with separately, keeping campuses safe and open to as many students as possible. Editorials are the institutional voice of the Tampa Bay Times. The members of the Editorial Board are Editor of Editorials Graham Brink, Sherri Day, Sebastian Dortch, John Hill, Jim Verhulst and Chairman and CEO Conan Gallaty. Follow @TBTimes_Opinion on Twitter for more opinion news. Paul Ryan , a former U.S. House speaker and the 2012 Republican vice presidential candidate, speaks at a fireside chat with former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert as part of a lecture series at the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University in Orem on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Former House Speaker Paul Ryan said the historic vote to remove Kevin McCarthy from his role as speaker on Tuesday was a total disgrace. He also had strong words about former President Donald Trump , who he said was a scourge on the country and the Republican Party. He said he was in favor of the GOP nominating a presidential candidate who is not indicted, and praised several of the candidates running for the 2024 nomination, saying they were much more likely to beat President Joe Biden than Trump. Ryan was speaking Thursday at Utah Valley University as a guest of the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy. Former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, who was at the address, asked Ryan for his reaction to McCarthys ouster. His day included a conversation with Herbert as well as media interviews focused on solving the debt crisis, the border crisis, keeping Russian President Vladimir Putin at bay and increasing civility. Paul Ryan, a former U.S. House speaker and the 2012 Republican vice presidential candidate, speaks at the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University in Orem on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Paul Ryan: Matt Gaetz is an unprincipled demagogue Ryan said an unprincipled demagogue overthrew McCarthy for just doing his job referring to Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who coordinated the effort to remove McCarthy from his role, and who Ryan criticized by name later in his remarks. Gaetz claims he voted to remove McCarthy because of his support for a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open, but in remarks Tuesday McCarthy said he believes Gaetzs move was personal over McCarthys unwillingness to support Gaetz after he was faced with ethics violations. Related Youve got these people who go to government to entertain, not to govern, said Ryan. He said he had a recommendation for Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., who are the front-runners in the race to replace McCarthy They should not take this job unless they fix the motion to vacate. When McCarthy was running to be speaker in January, he made a deal with a group of hardliners who refused to initially support him. One of the concessions he made was that it would take only one member to bring a motion to vacate the chair. McCarthy was the first speaker to be removed from his office through a motion to vacate the chair. When Ryan was speaker, he faced a lot of pushback from the members of his caucus who did not think he was sufficiently supportive of Trump. Ryan had harsh words for Trump, and his indirect role in the ousting of McCarthy. The kind of populism we have right now is not rooted in principle. Its unprincipled populism, wrapped around the cult of a personality on Donald Trump. And this populism is gripping our party in very ugly ways, he said. And its manifesting itself in this ugly politics that we just saw displayed on the House floor two days ago. We have to get past this. Paul Ryan, a former U.S. House speaker and the 2012 Republican vice presidential candidate, shakes hands with Maryann Jones after a fireside chat hosted by the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University in Orem on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News In response to a question from a student on how to encourage less divisiveness in the country, Ryan said voters should send more John Curtises and fewer Matt Gaetzes to Congress. Curtis is the Utah congressman who represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes UVU. Ryan praised Curtis as someone who tries to solve problems, while criticizing Gaetz. Related Paul Ryan on Donald Trump and populism I dont know if you all know this, but Trump and I dont get along very well, he said. I think hes a scourge. I think hes dangerous for our party and for the country. Look, Im old school. Im old fashioned. I believe political leaders should strive to be honest, ethical and moral people and should try to set a standard for the rest of the country. Donald Trump doesnt do any of that. He frankly does the opposite of that. Thats one of the reasons why I think hes unfit for office. But, Ryan acknowledged, that argument doesnt seem to move Trump supporters. Instead, he said, Republican primary voters may be swayed over potentially losing the next presidential election. The argument that works, I think, is we just lose with this guy. He keeps losing us elections. We lost the House with him. We lost the Senate twice with him. We lost the presidency. Thats going to keep repeating itself right here, he said. When asked what voters should look for in the next president, Ryan said they should pick someone who hasnt been indicted. Look, Im for a non-Trump Republican anyone, he said, before adding that he wasnt sure about the Vivek guy, referring to presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Heres the way I see it. The party that puts the first fresh face forward wins this election, he said. He added that he thinks Biden will beat Trump in a rematch. If Trump is the nominee, he said, Republicans will lose suburban voters in the swing states they need to win the election Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Georgia. The college educated suburban voter does not like Donald Trump, he said. Ryan also said the reason Republicans havent taken on entitlement reform or the nations debt in a serious way is because of populism related to the rise of Donald Trump, he said. In the Trump party, theyre not talking about debt reduction, theyre not talking about tackling these challenges. So I saw something missing in our party, which was a drive and a goal and a plan to get our debt under control, he said, which led him to write a book with other American Enterprise Institute scholars on ways to tackle debt and entitlement reform, while addressing poverty at the same time. He also blamed the Trump factor for the lack of support for Ukraine among Republicans. Calls to address the nations southern border before helping Ukraine were misguided, he said. I think ... we can walk and chew gum at the same time. Its not as if securing the border is mutually exclusive to helping Ukraine. Thats a bunch of bull, he said. Ryan also said he believes Trump has sympathy for Putin. Paul Ryan, a former U.S. House speaker and the 2012 Republican vice presidential candidate, speaks at a fireside chat with former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert as part of a lecture series at the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University in Orem on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Ryan calls for support for Ukraine Ryan called for the continued support for Ukraine, saying it was easier to send weapons and munitions for Ukrainians to use to defend themselves, than potentially facing an empowered Russia if it beats Ukraine and takes on NATO countries. Ukraine is on the frontlines of the fight for democracy, he said. If we dont help the Ukrainians defend themselves, then its obvious Putin will keep going. And then hell probably tripwire NATO, and then we send our troops. Ryan also argued that China is watching what happens in Ukraine. If we dont support Ukraine, and Putin wins Ukraine, that affects our China policy as well, he said. On China, Ryan said he is concerned that country is exporting technology to dictatorships to enable them to monitor their citizens. He also warned that China could face a population death spiral in the next 10 to 15 years, which would affect their economy as well. $33.4 trillion debt Ryan has long sounded alarm bells about the debt. The national debt is at $33.4 trillion 122% of the entire nations economy and the annual deficit at $2.2 trillion. He said back when he started out, it would have only taken a few years to get the country out of debt if it tackled the problem head on. Now, he said, it would take decades. Even Nancy Pelosi is concerned about the debt now, he said. He pushed back on the idea that raising taxes on the rich, as proposed by Democrats, would help the country get out of debt. You can take all of the richs money, you can take every penny they have, and that doesnt even come close to solving this problem. You literally cannot mathematically tax your way out of this problem, he said. It really is a spending problem. Ryan called for entitlement reform and budget process reforms. The set of policy proposals he released with AEI included tax reform, which he said would raise revenue, but would do it in a way that wouldnt slow economic growth. Eventually, Ryan said, external factors will force the country to deal with its debt, as inflation and interest rates continue to rise and the markets react poorly to federal lawmakers decisions. Paul Ryan, a former U.S. House speaker and the 2012 Republican vice presidential candidate, speaks at the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University in Orem on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Ryan calls for Social Security and Medicare reform As part of the discussion about the debt, Ryan said it was important for lawmakers to reform Social Security and Medicare. He said they should do it without changing benefits for current older workers. Entitlement reform should include means testing for benefits, meaning wealthy retirees would get less money, and raising the retirement age for future retirees. He also said states should get bloc grants for Medicaid. Ryan praised his former running mate, Sen. Mitt Romney, who he said was a dear friend. He said Romneys TRUST Act is the countrys best bet for tackling entitlement reform. Frankly, Mitt Romney has the bill, called the TRUST Act, that probably is the answer. In the old days, I wanted Congress to do it all. I didnt want to outsource our job to some commission to solve the problem that Congress is likely to solve. But right now, I just dont see Congress in the place to do it, he said. The TRUST Act would create a commission to tackle entitlement reform, with the caveat that Congress had to hold an up or down vote on their recommendations once the commission completed its task. Paul Ryan, a former U.S. House speaker and the 2012 Republican vice presidential candidate, shakes hands with an attendee before speaking at the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy at Utah Valley University in Orem on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News Ryan praises Utah, Latter-day Saints Ryan praised The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during his remarks, saying it contributed to the civil society in Utah, leading to the state being the top place in the country for social mobility. He also praised the churchs missionary program, which he said helped those who participated in it. Ryan, who is a Catholic, said he is optimistic about the country, but asked those present during his remarks to do more to encourage the growth of a more civil society. I cannot think of a better choice than Alberto Ibarguen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, to receive the Sand in My Shoes Award for 2023. Ibarguen has done so much for our community. He is a wonderful representative of our community, and I am glad to see his long-time contributions being recognized. Modesto A. Maidique, professor, president emeritus, FIU, Miami Were not fooled In her Sept. 26 article, In historic meeting, Cubas private entrepreneurs look for opportunities in Miami, Nora Gamez Torres reported on what some experts call emerging enterprises in Cuba. Left out of the discussion are remittances worth about $3 billion that enter the island each year. Most of that money comes from the 1.3 million Cuban-Americans living in the United States, which accounts for about 90 percent of the Cuban diaspora. These remittances are the primary source of funding for the Cuban military, the same apparatus responsible for imprisoning and torturing Cuban human rights activists, and using other forms of intimidation to prop up the Cuban dictatorship. Island residents are only allowed to spend the money received through remittances in certain stores, almost all of which are owned by Cubas military, and in which commodity prices are inflated to about 240% of their import value. Thus, through these various schemes, the Cuban military is able to pocket about 74 cents of every dollar sent in remittances. During the Cold War, Castros government prevented Cubans from receiving remittances by way of exiled relatives, using intimidation, public humiliation, and other tactics to discourage contact between island residents and their relatives, until the Cuban economy imploded and remittances became necessary for regime survival. Cubas emerging enterprises are just another scam in a long line of schemes that have cost foreign investors billions. Any Americans who choose to conduct business with or in any way support Cubas so-called private businesses, will be funneling money to the oppressive regimes military apparatus. Logan M. Williams, Bristol, CT Irresponsible GOP U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and his fellow mutineers in the U.S. House fail to understand that there was nothing wrong with now former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy working across the aisle and getting support from some Democrats. Our system of government, during these days of deep division and confrontation, depends on seeking consensus wherever and whenever possible. Gaetz does not grasp the simple principle that has guided our nation since its inception: The majority rules, while respecting the wishes of the minority. He is one of those MAGA Republicans willing to create chaos instead of sitting with members on both sides of the aisle and work out solutions to our nations difficult problems: immigration, compassionate yet fiscal responsibility, truth in education, equality in voting rights and respect for a womans freedom of choice. Peter M. Brooke, Doral On the way out Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that, Whats happening with Trump is persecution of a political rival for political motives. While it may appear that way, state and federal grand juries do not hand down indictments without hard evidence of criminal behavior. Donald Trump is facing severe felony charges. He will be tried before the election and guilty verdicts are likely. Once convicted, despite his media money and army of lawyers, he will not be an electable presidential candidate. Trumps Republican rivals must come to grips with this reality, tell the truth and stop running for vice president. Robert Finlay, Miami Comedy central Could it be that Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are the new Not Ready for Prime Time Players? Jesus Mendez, Coral Gables Neutral justice Former President Trump took the opportunity during his trial in New York to rail against a politicized justice system. This has become a plank in his political campaign. Didnt he appoint the Supreme Court justices who, contrary to their assurances at confirmation hearings, took the first opportunity to overturn Roe v Wade, fulfilling of one of his own campaign promises? Politics, like race, religion and other considerations, has no place in our justice system, and trials of political figures will necessarily stimulate the possibility it may occur. The courts must be vigilant to exclude it from the courtroom, but their success, whether in New York, Georgia, Florida or elsewhere, awaits judgment of its own only after the proceedings conclude. R. Thomas Farrar, Miami The anti-party For those who view the GOP as our patriotic political party, remember that Republicans opposed the Lend-Lease Act of the early 1940s. They also opposed the Marshall Plan after World War II ended. Today, Republicans oppose aid to Ukraine. In the 1930s, Republicans seemingly wanted to surrender to Germany. Now they seem to want to surrender to Vladimir Putins Russia. Treason has never been synonymous with patriotism. James Wilson, Plantation Vote them out U. S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy saved the country from a government shutdown with help from Democrats. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a long-time McCarthy nemesis, threatened to remove him as House Speaker, and he did just that. After McCarthy was ousted, both political parties said it was the right thing to do. Really? These lawmakers are supposed to work for the people, not stab each other in the back. Its time to clean house in both parties. Carol Hamilton, Miami Springs Time to act Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it. One cannot help but suspect that those who suppress the teaching of history intend to repeat it. Reading the Oct. 4 story After Florida restricts Black history, churches step up to teach it, was encouraging. While the article did mention that it was not only Black churches engaged in this work, the impression is they are doing the bulk of it. White churches and integrated churches must step up and undertake this essential work. Since last spring, a group at my church has been engaged in Sacred Ground, a film-, readings-, and discussion-based curriculum that helps us understand our history and current culture of racism. This is a wonderful program, but not enough churches are doing it. (For information, go to episcopalchurch.org and enter Sacred Ground in the search window.) Faith in Floridas tool kit, the brainchild of the Rev. Rhonda Thomas, is another valuable resource. Engaging in this work is a moral imperative. Rev. Frank J. Corbishley, Coral Gables At least 21 people, including two kids, suffered fatal injuries in a bus accident in Venice on Tuesday evening, October 3. Italian officials were still looking into what caused the tragedy. The Italian fire department has not yet determined what caused the collision that occurred on Tuesday in Mestre, which was characterized as an "apocalyptic scene." Among the fatalities was the bus driver, 40-year-old Alberto Rizzotto. Eighteen others were wounded. See Also: [BREAKING] Italy: Bus Falls Off Overpass Near Venice; At Least 20 Dead Overheated Battery? Fire officials in Italy have indicated they would investigate the possibility that the bus' overheated battery fueled the blaze. The bus was reportedly electric, as claimed by the bus company's website. According to Sky TG24, via CNN, Provincial Fire Brigade Commander Mauro Lungo said that when batteries overheat, "critical issues" occur. He claims that the rescue attempt was delayed on Tuesday due to worries about the batteries. Meanwhile, the Venice public prosecutor launched a probe into the collision. The top prosecutor for the Venice municipality, Bruno Cherchi, is in charge of the inquiry into the event in Mestre, as per a spokesman from the prosecutor's office who spoke to CNN. The video that was sent to the police is being analyzed to see whether any other cars were involved or if the driver had any kind of medical emergency. Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro told local TV broadcaster RAI that the bus was crowded with people going home from work in Marghera, a city close to Venice. "It completely went off the road, it flew off the bridge." Reportedly, the crash happened on an overpass connecting Mestre with Marghera and the A4 highway. The bus fell through a wall of the flyover and landed between a warehouse and the rails of the Mestre station below for unknown reasons. Bus company CEO Massimo Fiorese claimed to have viewed the video of the bus' last seconds before the accident. He told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, via Reuters, that footage showed the single-decker bus slowing down to the point that it seemed "almost stationary" before smashing through the railing and flipping over. Sympathy for Victims, Their Families The Italian Senate, the country's upper chamber of parliament, observed a moment of silence on Wednesday morning, October 4, for the victims of the tragedy. Both the president and the prime minister of the nation offered their sympathies following the tragedy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X, "I express my personal and the Government's deepest condolences for the serious accident that occurred in Mestre. Our thoughts go out to the victims and their family and friends." French President Emmanuel Macron also wrote: "Our thoughts this evening are with the Italian people, with the families and loved ones of the victims of the terrible tragedy in Venice." See Also: Philippines: Foreign Vessel Kills 3 Filipino Fishers-Is It A Chinese Boat? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. SAN FRANCISCO -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein was remembered Thursday as a hero to women across the United States for her groundbreaking roles in local and national politics. President Joe Biden , Vice President Kamala Harris and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined other national and local political leaders this week in praising her legacy after she died last Friday. In a recorded message displayed during the late senator's memorial Thursday on the front steps of San Francisco's City Hall, Biden rattled off adjectives to describe Feinstein: "Tough, prepared, rigorous and compassionate." The president said Feinstein made life better for everyday people and stood for transparency and justice. Thousands attended the invitation-only event. A montage of images of Feinstein over the years was shown on large screens, capping off an emotional tribute to a woman who served as the oldest member of the Senate before her death. Feinstein died at her home in Washington, D.C. She was 90. The president said Feinstein was courageous, at times often being the only woman in the room handling key issues and mentoring both women and men alike for a hopeful future. "Dianne Feinstein built a legacy for generations to come," Biden said "And thats not an exaggeration." Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks during a memorial service for U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in San Francisco. Feinstein showed women 'could be the mayor' Mayor London Breed was midway through her praises of Feinstein, thanking her for her leadership as the city's first woman mayor, when a roaring Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets jet piloted by the Blue Angels flew overhead. "Thank you, Mayor Feinstein, for bringing the Blue Angels to San Francisco in 1981," said Breed, breaking from her prepared comments. Breed said that because of Feinstein, "We just always accepted that a woman could be in charge, we could do whatever a man can do, we considered it normal. My mothers generation didn't have it, my grandmothers generation didnt have it. Dianne Feinstein showed the way where girls like me could be tough, could be the mayor." Feinstein's granddaughter, Eileen Mariano, said her grandmother encouraged many women to help shatter the glass ceiling, "and that they too can be leaders and that they deserve a seat at the table. " People sit outside of City Hall during a memorial service for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in San Francisco. Kamala Harris said Feinstein showed 'substance, not showmanship' Harris called Feinstein a standard bearer for American values, someone who embraced debate but was also willing to compromise for the greater good of the country. "Simply put, she was a force," Harris said. She said Feinstein consistently showed "Substance, not showmanship. Results, not rhetoric." Harris said she remembered being a young prosecutor in Oakland, California, driving over to San Francisco when Feinstein and fellow female senatorial candidate Barbara Boxer won their Senate seats in 1992, what many called "The Year of the Woman." Harris, the nation's first female vice president, said Feinstein remained an inspiration to her. "Dianne, our country has come a long way and you helped move the ball forward," Harris said. "And our nation salutes you." Chuck Schumer says Feinstein stood for integrity As the accolades for Feinstein continued, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said one adjective came to his mind: "integrity, integrity. Dianne Feinstein was a leader of eternal integrity." Schumer called Feinstein "a dealmaker" who "when she embraced an issue, she pursued it until the end no matter the consequences, no matter the outcome, it made her a diamond in the Senate." Schumer said he has never been more proud than when he worked alongside Feinstein when she championed gun control advocacy by authoring the 1994 assault weapons ban then-President Bill Clinton signed into law. "Thanks to her unflappability and trademark integrity, America turned a new leaf," Schumer said. Mourners pay their respects to the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein during a day of lying in state at San Francisco City Hall, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Feinstein served as mayor San Francisco from 1978 to 1988, and as senator from 1992 to 2023 when she passed. Nancy Pelosi said Feinstein did things on her own terms Pelosi said Feinstein was a fearless trailblazer. "Dianne left on her own terms. She was proud to confirm 140 Biden judges and attest that she walked onto that floor last Thursday, which would be her last day, and voted to advance legislation to keep the government open for the people," Pelosi said during the memorial. Pelosi recited the lyrics from the song, "American Anthem" by Norah Jones, which she said personified Feinstein. "Let them say of me I was one who believed in sharing the blessings that I received," Pelosi said. "Let me know in my heart when my days are through, America, America, I gave my best to you." The day before, Pelosi was among the thousands who stopped by Wednesday to visit Feinstein's body as she lay in state draped over a U.S. flag inside City Hall. Pelosi was a longtime friend and Congressional colleague who lived near Feinstein in San Francisco's hilly Pacific Heights neighborhood. Pelosi, along with her family, tearfully hugged and kissed Feinstein's casket. She later told reporters the city had paid a beautiful tribute to her. "It's something she would've just loved," said Pelosi, the first female House speaker, about Feinstein. "She was a person of greatness. She was a stateswoman. She was a national figure, but she was personal...She cared." Feinstein remembered as San Francisco's former mayor San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin also visited Feinstein's casket Wednesday to pay respect to the lawmaker he said "never actually stopped being the mayor." He remembered how she would call him if something seemed "out of order," ranging from a key issue supervisors were debating to "seeing too much trash" on the streets. "Her dedication to her hometown never wavered or waned," Peskin said. During Tuesday's board meeting, Peskin said each supervisor shared "lovely and somber" thoughts about Feinstein. He spoke about Feinstein's list of accomplishments, "her firsts," including being the first woman who served as president of the board of supervisors, the first woman elected as mayor in San Francisco, and the first woman in the U.S. Senate from the state of California. He noted Feinstein was also the first woman to chair the powerful Senate Rules and Senate Intelligence committees, where she made history for her probe of the CIAs enhanced interrogation program. Back home, he said, it was Feinstein's level of care for the details that everyday San Franciscans experienced that helped "knit the city back together" after the assassinations of then-Mayor George Moscone and popular Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978, and other "truly very dark and tumultuous times," Peskin said. "She often acknowledged that in order to preserve and respect San Franciscos diversity, the center lane was the best way she could be a fulcrum and balance so many competing needs which at the time was what San Francisco needed," Peskin said. Mayor Dianne Feinstein at the 1984 Democratic National Convention held at Moscone Center in San Francisco 'Tireless fighter for justice' Sen. Dianne Feinstein, pioneering LGBTQ ally, celebrated and mourned in San Francisco This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dianne Feinstein death: Tears, tributes galore at senator's memorial Police officers stop and salute the casket of the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein during a day of lying in state at San Francisco City Hall, on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. | Carlos Avila Gonzalez, San Francisco Chronicle via Associated Press Much has been written in the days since Sen. Dianne Feinsteins death about her notable and historic career with more surely to come. Her life story is a veritable litany of firsts and boundaries broken, but my somewhat more personal reflections stem from the way her lifes work interacted with my own familys story. In 1978, Feinstein became the first female mayor of San Francisco. Two years later, my father, Tom Lantos, was elected as a member of the U.S. Congress, the first (and still only) Holocaust survivor to ever serve in this capacity. His district covered a portion of San Francisco, so he and Feinstein inevitably crossed paths. While it might not be fair to say they had a close relationship, I know they recognized in each other the mark of a trailblazer and shared a deep mutual respect. Moreover, they shared a rapidly diminishing space in American politics, as leaders who managed to be progressive while retaining a strong pragmatism that often led them to the center. Beyond this, they shared their proud Jewish heritage in fact, Feinstein was the first female Jewish senator. She recounted that she faced antisemitism early in her political career, and as mayor she traveled to the oldest Jewish ghetto in Europe, where she affirmed the vital importance of speaking out against antisemitism. She also helped create a Holocaust monument in San Francisco. In the same era, my father introduced legislation in the U.S. Congress to make Raoul Wallenberg, a Swede responsible for saving tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust, an honorary U.S. citizen. Dianne Feinstein and Tom Lantos were both proudly patriotic and understood Americas global role as the indispensable nation. They both had a profound commitment to human rights and the protection of human dignity for all people. For my father, this commitment led him to co-found the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. Feinstein exhibited her own deep commitment time and again through legislation aimed at addressing human trafficking and putting an end to the use of torture by the United States. Related Feinsteins political career also intersected with my husbands own in a meaningful way. She was deeply impacted by the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978, and she became a fierce and lifelong advocate for gun control and gun safety. She authored the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, which still stands as one of the most successful and impactful efforts to address gun violence in America. My husband, who was then a congressman from the state of New Hampshire, cast a critical vote in favor of the Assault Weapons Ban, which only passed the House by two votes. This earned him death threats and lost him his congressional seat, but he never regretted his decision to vote for what would prove to be Feinsteins lifesaving bill. Without her leadership, this legislative action would never have come to pass. When my father passed away in 2008, Feinstein generously wrote of him, He stood tall in the most difficult of circumstances with a dignity and a forcefulness thats unprecedented. She went on, The Bay Area has lost a great one. Fifteen years later, the same can surely be said of Feinstein. The Bay Area and the entire country has lost a trailblazing, boundary-breaking force, but her legacy will live on for generations to come. Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett is president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, and an associate professor at Tufts University. FILE PHOTO: The Pfizer logo is pictured on their headquarters building By Blake Brittain (Reuters) - Pfizer, BioNTech and biotech firm Promosome told a federal judge in San Diego, California that they have agreed to end Promosome's lawsuit accusing the COVID-19 vaccine makers of infringing a patent related to messenger RNA technology. The companies said in a court filing on Wednesday that Promosome would dismiss its case with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled, and that Promosome had agreed not to bring future claims over the patent against Pfizer and its partner BioNTech. No financial terms were disclosed. Representatives for Promosome and Pfizer did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. A representative for BioNTech's attorneys declined to comment on the filing. The agreement comes weeks after Promosome abandoned a related lawsuit against COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna. San Diego and New York-based Promosome was formed to commercialize technology developed by biochemistry researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. Promosome sued Pfizer, BioNTech and Moderna in June, accusing the companies of copying its technology for making doses of mRNA small enough to use safely and effectively in the vaccines. The lawsuits said that Promosome discussed its technology with representatives from Moderna and BioNTech between 2013 and 2016. Promosome had asked the court for a share of royalties from the shots. Pfizer earned $37.8 billion last year from sales of its COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty, while Moderna made $18.4 billion from its vaccine Spikevax. Pfizer and BioNTech denied the allegations and claimed Promosome had withheld information from the U.S. Patent Office when applying for the patent that would have rendered it invalid. The Promosome lawsuits were among several U.S. patent cases brought by biotech companies over the alleged misuse of their technology in the groundbreaking shots. Moderna filed a patent lawsuit against Pfizer and BioNTech last year that is still ongoing. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by David Bario and Andrea Ricci) With Halloween right around the corner, it seems appropriate to recount one of the creepiest and strangest events in all of Mississippis history: the Phantom Barber of Pascagoula. The strange story begins around midnight on June 5, 1942, in Pascagoula, a Coastal Mississippi city preoccupied with shipbuilding to support the war effort. Within the Convent of Our Lady of Victory, two young girls, Mary Evelyn Briggs and Edna Marie Hydel, were startled awake by an unsettling noise. They both sat up in time to witness a man jumping out of their bedroom window. Upon turning on the lights they both realized that they were physically unharmed but were shocked by the realization that the man had cut and stolen several locks of their hair. After contacting the police, the girls provided a brief description of the intruder and claimed that he also shushed them as he escaped. Bloodhounds followed a scent to the nearby woods, and tracks revealed that the man may have made his escape on a bicycle. Before the police could begin searching, another incident occurred in which 6-year-old Carol Peattie awoke to discover her hair also cruelly cut. The police investigation noted that the man had sliced through her bedroom window screen and managed to cut her hair and escape without waking her or her brother. Pascagoula was plunged into a wave of fear as the town grappled with a serial intruder who broke into homes, leaving behind unwanted haircuts. While the intruder had done no physical harm so far, Police Chief A. W. Ezell was concerned that the man may escalate his crimes at some point. Meanwhile, residents began alluding to the strange criminal as the Phantom Barber of Pascagoula, which caught the attention of media across the nation. The terror continues Even with German U-Boats stalking the coast, the military allowed Pascagoula residents to light up their homes at night in hopes of catching the culprit. Chief Ezell ordered an increased number of nightly patrols and even called for support from state police. Chief Ezell also put out a warning that every man in town is armed. I would advice strangers to proceed with caution. A few days later on June 13, Terrell Heidelberg and his wife were assaulted by an intruder in their bed while they slept. Mr. Heidelberg was viciously attacked with a lead pipe, even losing a few teeth in the brutal attack before the intruder managed to escape. While some believed this to be the work of the Phantom Barber, others questioned if it could be an unrelated crime. However, Mrs. R.E. Taylor became the next victim, as she was incapacitated with chloroform before her hair was cut and stolen. Over the next week, another dozen people would report that they had experienced a break-in. The phantom barber finally caught? Suspicion soon fell upon a German-born chemist residing in Pascagoula at the time, William Dolan. His national origin and vocal sympathies for Germany, coupled with the wartime tensions along the Mississippi coast, led many to believe he was a German spy or saboteur. It did not take long before suspicious neighbors began claiming that Dolan was the Phantom Barber, something he vehemently denied. Pascagoula police uncovered a recent altercation between Dolan and Mr. Heidelberg, raising questions about a possible motive. While investigating the incident, police found several locks of hair outside Dolans window, prompting Chief Ezell to arrest him on the charge of attempted murder. While DNA testing was unavailable at the time, most breathed a sigh of relief, convinced they had captured the elusive culprit. Notably, the surge in break-ins came to a screeching halt after Dolans arrest. The phantoms identity Debate still lingers as to whether Dolan was indeed the Phantom Barber of Pascagoula. The evidence suggests his guilt, but some speculate that he might have been set up, possibly by Mr. Heidelberg. Others maintain that the true Phantom Barber might have eluded capture, with Dolan merely entangled in a separate incident. Dolan was never convicted of the break-ins or late-night haircuts, but he was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. In 1951, Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright had the case reviewed and granted Dolan a limited suspension before having him released from prison. The spree of strange break-ins still remains hotly divided by residents in Coastal Mississippi today, with many still blaming Dolan while others believe the Phantom Barber of Pascagoula escaped. Regardless, Pascagoula endured one of the creepiest crimes in all of Mississippi history, leaving residents with an unsettling memory that lingers to this day. In a year of seemingly never-ending strikes, another group of employees has taken to the picket lines: pharmacy workers. Pharmacists and pharmacy techs from drugstore chain CVS have been striking in Kansas City. Further west, about 75,000 workers, many of them pharmacists, from health care conglomerate Kaiser Permanente have also just gone on strike amid stalled contract talks. The pharmacy walkouts could have a major impact on the health care sector. Why are these pharmacists striking and how could the issue be resolved? Why are CVS pharmacists striking? Pharmacists at CVS, currently the largest drugstore chain in the United States, walked off the job at the end of September to highlight "what they say are unsafe and stressful work conditions tied to a widespread lack of proper staffing," NPR reported. There were reports of staffing shortages at CVS locations around the country, but the walkout was mostly in and around Kansas City, Missouri. At least 12 Kansas City-area CVS stores were forced to close as a result of the strike. The prime grievance from the pharmacists was that CVS had cut back on the time that pharmacy technicians were allowed to work, putting more stress on the pharmacists themselves. "We are open 64 hours a week, and I'm only allowed help for 20 of those hours," one pharmacist told The Kansas City Star. Working alone at the pharmacy for 44 hours of the week is "like running a McDonald's with just one person," the pharmacist added. A number of these locations were also cutting their store hours, increasing pharmacists' workloads even more. "They keep stretching us thinner and thinner," and that's putting patients in jeopardy, the pharmacist said, adding that they "regularly work 10-hour days and don't have time to pee or eat lunch. When you are expected to work like that, there are going to be mistakes." CVS responded quickly to the strike. The company is "focused on addressing the concerns raised by our pharmacists," spokesperson Amy Thibeau told The Associated Press. Chief Pharmacy Officer Prem Shah also apologized to the pharmacists, writing in a memo that CVS was "taking a series of actions effective immediately," including "providing additional pharmacy resources to support stores that may be at capacity, adjusting appointment availability, providing additional support from our human resources team for filling open positions and increasing staffing levels." Why are Kaiser Permanente pharmacists striking? The striking CVS pharmacists have been joined by their West Coast counterparts at Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest health care consortiums in the country, per Forbes. A coalition of unions has been unable to finalize a new contract with Kaiser. As a result, "a four-day strike of about 75,000 employees" from Kaiser began on Wednesday morning, Axios reported. While these 75,000 workers would include employees from all of Kaiser's divisions, hundreds of them are pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and related employees. The strike is expected to be the largest health care-related walkout in American history. The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which is leading the strike, said the walkout was protesting "unfair labor practices and unsafe staffing levels" at Kaiser hospitals and other facilities, USA Today reported. Contract talks to try and address these issues were stalled, and the unions accused Kaiser of "bad-faith bargaining" that did not properly fix staffing issues. Staffing concerns at Kaiser facilities, as at CVS, have been a major sticking point in contract negotiations amid a broader "health care worker shortage," Forbes noted. Kaiser has already agreed to hire at least 10,000 people in various sectors by the end of the year, and tentative agreements have been reached on union requests such as "better reporting and tracking of job vacancies and increasing travel funding for those continuing their education," Forbes added. Along with the staffing shortages, the unions and Kaiser are haggling over higher wages. While thousands of workers have walked off the job, Kaiser has said its hospitals and other facilities will stick to normal operations. The company told USA Today it was nevertheless enacting hospital contingency plans "to ensure members continue to receive safe, high-quality care for the duration of the strike." This past week, Alabama Sen. Senator Katie Britt made waves by arguing brilliantly that the southern border does not lead to the American dream, saying, Its the American nightmare! Well put. In the same week, liberal Congresswoman Ayanna Presley, D-Mass., shocked CNNs Jake Tapper by insisting that the southern border is secure, while also claiming a humanitarian crisis exists as illegal immigrants flood across the nearly non-existent line. Phil Williams Tapper seemed incredulous as he asked, But if you have millions of undocumented migrants coming into the country, how is the border secure? Her deflection was to say, This is not a new crisis. There are two doctrines that come to mind here. One is unwritten and the other is black letter law. The first is simply the old rule of the retail store: You break it, you buy it. Thats why my dad told me as a knothead kid to keep my hands in my pockets when we went into a store filled with breakables. But theres a legal version of the you break it you buy it retail rule. In the practice of law, it is common to find a suit for injuries that were proximately caused by the negligent or reckless acts of another person. Sometimes those cases are the only way that a person can be made whole. But what happens when the injured person was simply more susceptible to being hurt? What if the person has a physical disability, or a special condition, and their injuries are made worse simply because they were more prone to being hurt than another similarly situated person? Can a person be sued for injuries made worse by a preexisting condition? Yes, they can. The longstanding rule is called the eggshell plaintiff doctrine, and it basically stands for the premise that if someone has a skull that can crack as easily as an egg, even if the average person wouldnt have suffered the same injuries, the fact could remain that a negligent person is still liable for hurting them. The courts have said that when it comes to injured people, You have to take them as you found them. Defendants will try to point the finger at the fragile state of the injured person and say that no one could have foreseen such injuries. But if it is shown to the courts satisfaction that the defendant caused the injury, it doesnt matter if the injured person was toting an eggshell noggin. In injury law, you take them as you find them. The eggshell plaintiff doctrine is the legal version of you break it, you buy it. What we are watching right now on this countrys southern border is a classic example of trying to blame an injury on a pre-existing condition. By breaking this already fragile border, the Biden administration is causing massive injury to our country, our way of life, our economy and our national security. In August alone, 232,972 people were encountered illegally entering the U.S. Projections for 2023 lead to the expectation that we will exceed 3 million illegal immigrants in one year. Some reports indicate that since President Joe Biden took office, more than eight million illegal immigrants have entered the country. Thats more than 1.5 times the entire population of Alabama! In Eagle Pass, Texas, thousands cross the border every single day and have overrun the small town whose actual population is only 29,000. The mayor of Eagle Pass said, I believe 100% (Biden) does bear some responsibility for this crisis. I havent heard from anybody in the administration. The president hasnt put out a statement, the vice president, I havent heard from anybody. But the Biden administration swears its not their fault. Its a longstanding problem, they say. The border had issues before we got here, they say. Well, Ive got news, Mr. President: It may be an eggshell plaintiff, but the injuries were made worse by you. You broke it, so you buy it. But deflection continues. Recently, in a speech to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Biden blamed Republicans for the growing numbers of illegals crossing the border. He said, MAGA Republicans spent four years gutting the immigration system under my predecessor. They continue to undermine our border security today. We need our colleagues to act. Does he remember that he is the chief executive right now? White House spin doctor Karine Jean-Pierre insisted again that Biden is doing everything he can to combat the surge of migrants at the southern border, and accused Republicans of not doing enough. We have taken steps without the help of Republicans in Congress to do everything that we can to deal with this issue, she told reporters at the White House. None of their blaming of an illusory past gives them a bye on this issue. Remember that eggshell plaintiff doctrine? You take them as you found them. The rule of retail? You break it you buy it. It does not matter one whit whether the border was perfect or fragile when Biden took office. The fact is that Biden is the one who is in the position to either help or hurt, and he has chosen to hurt. The United States is the injured party. Our southern border is our eggshell skull. The Biden administrations actions are the proximate cause of countless injuries to our society as a whole. The fact that we may have already had some problems does not absolve Biden of liability for making our problems worse. Mr. President, you break it, you buy it. Phil Williams is a former state senator from District 10 (which includes Etowah County), retired Army colonel and combat veteran, and a practicing attorney. He previously served with the leadership of the Alabama Policy Institute in Birmingham. He currently hosts the conservative news/talk show Rightside Radio on multiple channels throughout north Alabama. The opinions expressed are his own. This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Phil Williams looks at Southern border concerns Lake Tefe in Brazil reached record high temperatures last week amid severe droughts in the area. The water in the lake reached over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, or nearly 39 degrees Celsius. Over 100 dolphins have been died, likely because of the heat, researchers say. A lake in Brazil reached over 102 degrees Fahrenheit last week, and roughly 125 dead river dolphins have been recovered by researchers or have washed ashore. The record high temperatures in Lake Tefe, located in the Amazon town of Tefe, Brazil, are accompanied by recent extreme droughts in the Amazon region, according to CNN . A bird perches on the carcass of a dolphin in Lake Tefe. Bruno Kelly / Reuters The main party leading the investigation of their deaths, the Mamiraua Institute for Sustainable Development, said that the water is about nine degrees higher than normal, according to the New York Times . Researchers at the institute are investigating multiple potential causes of the deaths, including diseases or pollution, but think the water temperature is the most probable cause, per the Times. "You see the water covered with carcasses," said Dr. Miriam Marmontel, one of the institute's researchers, to the Times. Marmontel also told the Times the lake turned into a kind of "soup" because of how hot the water became. A boat carries a dolphin carcass back to land to be studied by researchers. Bruno Kelly / Reuters "It is common for communities to run into a dead dolphin or two at some point," said Claudia Sacramento, head of the Environmental Emergencies Division at Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, to the Washington Post . "Usually they're just old or sick. But we had never seen something like this before." Despite the worry the researchers have for the dolphins which are, if alive, disoriented and unable to dive the researchers cannot move them to cooler water, another researcher from the institute, Andre Coelho, said. Researchers examining a dolphin carcass on the banks of the lake. Bruno Kelly / Reuters "Transferring river dolphins to other rivers is not that safe because it's important to verify if toxins or viruses are present [before their transfer]," Coelho told CNN. Scientists are working on that verification. Over 10 veterinarians are volunteering their services to collect samples for testing and perform necropsies on deceased dolphins, according to the Post. Veterinarians and other researchers necropsy a dolphin from Lake Tefe. Bruno Kelly / Reuters The number of dolphins that have died represents an enormous section of the river dolphin population between 5 to 10%, according to Marmontel's interview with NPR . But the trouble isn't over yet for the dolphins, despite their recent devastation. CNN reported that even more severe droughts are expected in the coming weeks, which could be even more deadly for animals in the area. "We're getting ready for the worst," said Adriana Colosio, a veterinarian helping with necropsies, to the Post. Read the original article on Insider In March, historic rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia announced that they had agreed to normalize relations. This news was significant because it signaled a possible change in regional order in the Middle East. Butat least for the Washington commentariatwhat was more notable was that Americas fingerprints were nowhere near the deal. Instead, the rapprochement had been brokered by China, in Beijings latest notable turn as international negotiator. This move brought into stark relief a development that some experts have been predicting for years: the end of the postCold War, unipolar moment and the beginning of a new multipolar era, in which the United States must coexist with other powers. When Biden took office, he had the chance to reorient his foreign policy for this new age. The catchphrase of Bidens foreign policy vision on the campaign trail was America is backby which he signaled an effort to reverse the perceived ills of his predecessors worldview. While Biden recognized the challenges posed by other powers, he pledged to compete from a position of strength. He intended to begin restoring American engagement internationally and earn back our leadership position, to catalyze global action on shared challenges. Working with other countries to confront international problems like climate change and public health was ostensibly a foundational principle of this foreign policy. Yet, partly because of factors outside of his controlnotably Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022and partly because of an intentional shift in American national security strategy, Bidens foreign policymaking has been defined by great power competition. In this framing, Beijings attempt to play peacemaker is a sign of rivalry rather than an opportunity for collaboration. Relations with China have been spiraling downward for years, accelerated by aggressive actions taken by both powers. Donald Trump s inflammatory rhetoric and policies toward an increasingly powerful and belligerent government in Beijing heightened tensions between the countries. In a pertinent recent example, the discovery of a Chinese-operated spy balloon flying in U.S. airspace in February led to the cancellation of Secretary of State Antony Blinkens planned trip to Beijing, and diplomatic relations were very slow to recover, although Blinken and other U.S. government representatives did eventually travel to China. Bidens delayed response to the balloon incident in June, in which he called the episode a great embarrassment for dictatorsreferring to Xi Jinpingled to another flare-up. Russias invasion of Ukraine brought relations with Moscow to a new low, made clear that Moscow was intent on reasserting itself as a great power, and solidified Bidens position that this is a world marked by division rather than cooperation: pitting, in Bidens words, democracies against autocracies. Columbia University professor Michael Doyle tackles these global shifts in his new book, Cold Peace: Avoiding the New Cold War. He traces the domestic and international roots of these tensions, analyzes the most combustible points of potential conflict in the relationships, from economic warfare to territorial disputes in Ukraine and Taiwan, and offers thoughts on how to maintain relations and avoid the worst downsides of conflict. Like the first Cold War, a second would have disastrous consequences for the world: arms races, proxy wars, an inability to address pressing global concerns of security and inequality, and a looming risk of deterioration into a hot war. Great power competition is not quite inevitable, and, as Doyle explains, Cold War is not a necessary outgrowth of great power competition. But over approximately the last decade, militarism and nationalism in both Washington and Beijing have increaseda trend accelerated by Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trumpcreating a destructive spiral. Each country accuses the other of trying to recalibrate the international order against its interests and blames it for domestic problems. This cycle is particularly noticeable among the political elite, but the impulse to blame China for, say, the drug crisis or the loss of jobs in the United States eventually makes its way to the general public. Thus far, as Doyle lays out in great detail, direct confrontation has been limited to cyber and economic policies. On economic policy, the Biden administration has largely followed the Trump playbook, adopting an aggressive stance toward Beijing, including explicitly working to counter a number of Chinas trade and development initiatives, and pushing other countries to do the same, at the risk of jeopardizing their ties to the U.S. The administration has taken steps in pursuit of this goal, including prohibiting American manufacturers from selling semiconductors to any Chinese company. Washington has been sanctioning Moscow since it first annexed Crimea in 2014, but the economic pressure campaign has intensified in the year and a half since the invasion of Ukrainean effort that the White House has repeatedly referred to as unprecedented. In the near term, the looming powder kegs are in Taiwan and Ukraine, where Russian and Chinese territorial ambitions have led to inflamedif often inconsistentresponses from Washington. Doyle lays out in detail how he would address these two issues. He points out that each side has strong reasons to reach a compromise. It is, Doyle argues, in the interest of the U.S. to keep sea lanes in the western Pacific open and protect its allies, particularly to avoid the invasion of democratic Taiwan. Meanwhile, its in Chinas interest to avoid war, to ensure maritime security in its region, the principle of territorial integrity, economic growth, and the national prestige of leading its region. Keeping these interests in mind, Doyle sees five broad areas for compromise between the two nations. They are: the continuation of strategic ambiguity (Doyle calls it constructive ambiguity) over Taiwans territorial status; the creation of certain zones barring military transit as a means to maintain maritime and aerial security and reduce the chances of inadvertent military confrontations; allowing Taiwan to acquire sufficient defensive capabilities instead of the U.S. continuing to increase its own naval forces in the Asia-Pacific; China halting its construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea, in exchange for the U.S. informing Beijing of the movement of its ships in the sea; and integrating China into more arms control treaties, such as the New START nuclear arms negotiations. If all sides continue to perceive actions by the other as hostile, then they will constantly be at the precipice of a military confrontation. On Russia and Ukraine, Doyle offers a similar list: Residents of Crimea would be allowed to vote on which of the two countries they wish to be a part of; the Donbas would be returned to Ukraine, under the condition that Ukraine would pledge to implement minority rights to property and education and local self-government; the EU and the United States would agree to recognize both of these arrangements; and Ukraine and Russia would agree to a broadly defined agreement that would allow Kyiv to be incorporated into a wider security framework, perhaps in exchange for a pledge that Ukraine would not be invited to join NATO. Neither Moscow, Kyiv, nor Washington (nor Beijing, for that matter) has to date shown a desire for some version of a land-and-neutrality-for-security type of deal like the one offered by Doyle, though it does appear most likely that the war will eventually be settled at the negotiating table. And a deeper problem with these solutions is that cooperation does not happen in a vacuum. On their own, these proposals are thoughtful and mostly reasonable, and avoiding a hot war between great powers is understandably Doyles overarching goal. But if all sides continue to perceive actions by the other as hostile, then they will constantly be at the precipice of a military confrontation. And adopting a Cold Warstyle, zero-sum framework, in which the rest of the world is forced to choose sides, only reinforces this dynamic. Instead, the sides need to create a world in which cooperative coexistence is the norm. One of Doyles most consistentand most potentially problematicassumptions is that in the post-unipolar era, the world is divided into blocs. Led by the U.S., the West stands for elections, human rights, free markets, free speech, and other pillars of liberal democracy, while China and Russia seek a world that is safe for autocracy, in which these principles are optional. The rest of the world, in this division, will line up behind one of these agendas. Yet that isnt the way that relations have shaken out so far. Trump and Biden are the first two presidents of the post-unipolar era. Trumps approach to the rest of the world was a strange form of assertive unilateralism, an approach that explicitly disavowed the concept of global leadership while flexing American power, especially military might. Bidens method has been his predecessors awkward opposite, an attempt to re-embrace American leadership while working with other countries to confront global challenges, though acknowledging the limits of military power. Biden has celebrated his success in rehabilitating the nations global standing, but evidence shows that much of the rest of the world has not bought into his vision. While Biden continues to tout the unparalleled unity with which the world has condemned Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, much of the global south has remained unaligned during the first year of the war, choosing instead to bemoan the consequences of the war while arguing for a diplomatic solution and eschewing participation in the sanctions regime. More than 30 countries have abstained on United Nations votes condemning Moscow, and a recent study from The Economist found that although 52 countries comprising 15% of the global populationthe West and its friendslambast and punish Russias actions, and just 12 countries laud Russia, some 127 states are categorised as not being clearly in either camp. Some of the worlds largest and most important democracies, like India and Brazil, have not taken sides in the ongoing global conflict. Brazils new President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in particular, has been vocal in his support to find a quick resolution to the war, and insisted that blame for the war is shared between Russia and the West. The desire for nonalignment may be even stronger on China, which maintains strong economic ties with most of the world. Even NATO, which, to date, has stayed largely unified on the Ukraine question, may not be as solid in a confrontation with Beijing. Already, French President Emmanuel Macron has raised doubts over whether a possible crisis over Taiwan concerns his country, telling Politico, Is it in our interest to accelerate [a crisis] on Taiwan? No. The worse thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and take our cue from the U.S. agenda and a Chinese overreaction. This reality is squarely at odds with the concept of a world divided cleanly into democratic states on the one hand and autocratic ones on the other. Doyles suggestions are not quite so rigid, as he emphasizes that the door to his proposed caucus of democracies should remain open to autocratic states on an issue-by-issue basis, as well as to any country considering a democratic transition. He nonetheless advocates that the right response to the growing alliance between Moscow and Beijing is to strengthen the democratic coalition of states prepared to balance against the autocratic coalition of Russia and China and their allies. If recent events are any indication, there is little appetite for such blocs to exist, and if they ever do, they will be defined not by regime type or ideology but by other, evolving and more narrowly conceived national interests. Washington can often find comfort in common enemies and straightforward logic, whether that be the Soviet Union during the Cold War or global terrorism in the post-9/11 years. Today, as the national security establishment searches to give American power a purpose in this new age, reclaiming old thinking is appealing, such that even Doyle and many others who are clear-eyed about the dangers of a new Cold War can easily be tempted to revert to that framework. But adopting that framework, even if to warn against it, can be dangerous as it raises the stakes of the confrontation while making the conditions necessary for coexistence unlikely. Lessons from the first Cold War indicate that arguing that everyone must be on one side or the other can have devastating consequences. One of the stronger portions of Cold Peace comes toward the end, when Doyle makes the case that in order for the world to be safe for American democracy, American democracy must be safe for the world. In other words, domestic renewal is a key part of protecting international democracy. The lesson of the grim politics of the past years in both Europe and the United States, Doyle writes, is that international security will not be achieved without first rebuilding the economic foundations of liberal democracy at home. In Doyles telling, the way to defend liberalism and democracy is not to directly confront autocratic regimes elsewhere in the world but rather to focus inward. Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense, he argues. But today, in response to the threats from a new cold war, the best defense is a good defense. Lessons from the first Cold War indicate that arguing that everyone must be on one side or the other can have devastating consequences on our society, from McCarthyism to the persecution of already marginalized groups. But that solution is not enough to avoid great power conflict. So long as Washington is convinced that its task is to uphold an ill-defined international order, rather than to navigate an increasingly multipolar world, then rivalry, as opposed to cooperation, will continue to define its strategy. Unless we are willing to directly confront the root causes of democratic decay at home and hegemony abroad, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the Cold War. Norwegian playwright Jon Fosse , who on Thursday won the Nobel literature prize, said he was "surprised, but also not" as his name has cropped in the past. "I was surprised, but also not. I've been part of the discussion for 10 years and have more and less tentatively prepared myself that this could happen," the 64-year-old writer told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. "But believe me, I didn't expect to get the prize today," he said. The playwright and author, whose major works include "Boathouse" (1989) and "Melancholy" I and II (1995-1996), was honoured "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable", the Nobel Prize jury said. Fosse's name has regularly featured in Nobel predictions, and his Norwegian publishing house Samlaget had prepared a press release before the announcement. "I am overwhelmed and grateful. I see this as an award to the literature that first and foremost aims to be literature, without other considerations," Fosse said in the statement. Fosse will receive his prize, which comes with a medal and a prize sum of 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1 million), from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist and inventor Alfred Nobel. phy/jll/ach Polands Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus has said that Poland does not understand the Ukrainian statement regarding the "suspension" of consideration of Ukraines complaint against restrictions on its agricultural exports in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Source: PAP, a Polish news agency, referring to Robert Telus Details: Telus said that Poland was not sure what Ukraines decision meant. "We demand that the complaint be withdrawn because it is groundless and absurd. How can the Ukrainian government complain to the Polish government that the Polish government is helping a Polish farmer. This is truly absurd," Telus said. He added that Ukraine withdrawing its complaint from the WTO is a prerequisite for improving Ukrainian-Polish relations. Background: Taras Kachka, Ukraines Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative, said on 5 October that Ukraine had put its complaints against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on hold in an attempt to find a compromise solution. With regard to the situation with Poland, Kachka said he hoped that the parties would be able to return to the discussions after the elections, as there are no systemic obstacles to solving the problem. Following the end of temporary restrictions on the import of certain types of agricultural products at the EU level, Ukraine proposed an export control plan for four groups of crops wheat, maize, sunflower and rapeseed to the European Commission and Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania to protect their domestic markets. Despite this, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian imports, prompting Ukraine to begin challenging their actions at the World Trade Organisation. 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! Pope Francis led the Mass in St. Peter's Square Wednesday (October 4) ahead of the opening session of the 16th Synod of Bishops on "synodality." In his homily, the pontiff has warned both camps in the church's culture wars to put their "human strategies, political calculations or ideological battles" aside and allow God to guide the debate. "We're not here to create a parliament, but to walk together with the gaze of Jesus," he said. He also told the crowd that his papal namesake, Francis of Assisi - the saint commemorated every October 4 in the Catholic hagiography - also faced divisions and tensions in his lifetime and responded with prayer, charity, humility, and unity when God allegedly told him to "rebuild" the church in the 13th century. "Let us also do the same," Francis said. "And if God's holy people with their shepherds from all over the world have expectations, hopes, and even some fears about the synod we are beginning, let us continue to remember that it is not a political gathering, but a convocation in the spirit; not a polarized parliament, but a place of grace and communion." Francis added that "preconceived" ideas, such as more roles and representations in the church, had no place in the gathering. However, in another part of his speech, he insisted that the church was a place of welcome, saying that "tutti" (Italian for "everyone") must be allowed in. The pope also emphasized to the congregation that there was a temptation to be a "rigid" church in difficult times, which "arms itself against the world and looks backward; a lukewarm church, which surrenders to the fashions of the world; a tired Church, turned in on itself." To these claims, the pontiff suggested an alternative to what the Church should be. "A church that is united and fraternal, that listens and dialogues; a church that blesses and encourages, that helps those who seek the Lord, that lovingly stirs up the indifferent, that opens paths in order to draw people into the beauty of faith," he explained. "A church that has God at its center and, therefore, is not divided internally and is never harsh externally." The Mass was attended by over 20,000 pilgrims on top of 500 clergymen, including 20 new cardinals Francis recently named prior to the synod's opening. At the opening Mass for the Synod of Synodality, lay delegates and bishops process in to the solemn hymn, Laudes Regiae, singing Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands. pic.twitter.com/bnhwAMqRQ8 Courtney Mares (@catholicourtney) October 4, 2023 Catholic Culture Wars Highlight the Synod This year's three-week closed-door mega-meeting has been intentionally or unintentionally highlighted by diverse speculations - from hope to hype to fear - on the fate of the Catholic Church as the world knows it, the Associated Press reported. While the two-year-long synodal process would not make any binding decisions, the synod itself has been the ideological casus belli of the cultural civil war in the church's left-right divide, as well as marking a defining moment for Francis and his reform agenda. At stake in the synod was a wide range of controversial topics the church has been discussing in the past few decades despite its official doctrine providing solidified pronouncements. These include the elevation of more women to decision-making roles, the possibility of ordaining women, and more democratic church governance. Prior to the service, advocates for women priests unfurled a giant purple banner at a yard near St. Peter's reading "Ordain Women." They and other women's rights activists have long complained of their claimed status as second-class citizens within the church and have long demanded a greater say in church governance, at least in the form of voting rights at the periodic synods at the Vatican but also the right to preach at Mass and be ordained as priests or deacons. Francis has previously convened two study commissions to research the issue and was asked to consider it at a previous synod on the Amazon, but has so far refused to make any change. Also being considered are the ways to welcome LGBT+ Catholics and other individuals purportedly marginalized by the church, as well as new accountability measures to keep prelates and clerics in check, especially in the prevention of abuses, without specifying whether it was of the theological, liturgical, moral, or sexual kind. The synod was the very first time the pope let women and lay folk participate and vote alongside bishops in any final document produced. While bishops compose a majority of the voting seats of the 365-member synod, the reform was seen as a radical shift away from a hierarchy-focused Synod of Bishops. It could also be seen as evidence of Francis's perspective that the church was more focused on its flock than its shepherds. Read Also: 5 Cardinals Publish 'Dubia' vs. Pope Francis Ahead of October Synod Conservatives Fear Synod's Ramifications are Irreversible The potential that the synodal process could lead to a recognizable change on previously taboo topics has given hope to many progressive Catholics and sparked alarm from conservatives warning that its call for radical inclusion of LGBT+ people could lead to schism. Books, conferences, and social media posts from conservative Catholics claimed that Francis's reforms were sowing confusion, undermining the true nature of the church and all of its teachings over two millennia. Among the most vocal are the conservatives in the US. On the eve of the synod, US Cardinal Raymond Burke delivered a scathing rebuke of Francis's vision of "synodality" as well as his overall reform project for the church. "It's unfortunately very clear that the invocation of the Holy Spirit by some has the aim of bringing forward an agenda that is more political and human than ecclesial and divine," he told a conference entitled "The Synodal Babel." He also slammed the term "synodal" as having no clear definition and said its underlying attempt to shift authority away from the hierarchy risked the church's very foundation and "very identity." Burke and four other cardinals formally challenged Francis to affirm church teaching on homosexuality and women's ordination before the synod. The challenge was called a "dubia." However, Francis has not allegedly clearly answered the cardinals' questions and retorted that they should not be afraid of questions that are posed by a changing world. Asked specifically about church blessings for same-sex unions, Francis suggested they could be allowed as long as such benedictions aren't confused with sacramental marriage. A Second Papal Document on Environment Alongside the opening of the synod, Wednesday noon, Rome time (10:00 UTC), marked the publication of Francis's second encyclical on the environment. According to Rome Reports, the document, entitled "Laudate Deum" (Latin for "Praise ye God"), criticizes the lack of commitment the pontiff has seen over the years to tackle climate issues and the environment, as well as promoting the development of those in need ever since he published his first treatise on the subject, "Laudato Si'," (Old Italian for "Praise be unto Thee") in 2015. In the new document, Francis described the international community's response to this crisis as weak and warned against the power of artificial intelligence (AI). "Never has humanity had such power over itself, yet nothing ensures that it will be used wisely," he wrote. He also expressed disappointment not only to the international community for its apparent lack of action but also to the Catholic congregations for allegedly questioning the concept of climate change. "I feel obliged to make these clarifications, which may appear obvious, because of certain dismissive and scarcely reasonable opinions that I encounter, even within the Catholic Church," Francis added. "Laudate Deum" also highlighted the impact different climate meetings have had in the world, as well as expressed hope for the success of the climate summit in Dubai later this year. Francis also urged Catholics to internally reflect on their lifestyles in order to contribute to the efforts to make the planet a better place to live. Related Article: Pope Francis Appears To Open Door for Same-Sex Couples to Receive Blessings on 'Case-by-Case Basis' @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Marek Strzelecki, Sabine Siebold and Anna Koper WARSAW/BERLIN (Reuters) - Fighting to win an unprecedented third term in office, Poland's nationalist government has seized on a target close to home: Germany, its NATO ally and biggest trading partner. In a tight race ahead of Poland's Oct. 15 election, leaders of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party have accused Germany of trying to dictate Polish government policy from Berlin on anything from migration to gas. The feud has frayed Europe's broadly united front supporting Ukraine against Russia's invasion, shredding a plan for a joint Polish-German tank repair plant for Kyiv's benefit. The populist PiS leadership also says Germany is plotting to install the party's main electoral opponent, the liberal former prime minister Donald Tusk, back in power. PiS has tapped into a mistrust towards Germany that still runs high in part of the electorate, above all elderly conservatives who remember the devastation of World War Two. "Do you know where you can read the (opposition's campaign) programme? In German newspapers," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a campaign event. His party casts Tusk, who said his grandfather was forcibly conscripted into the Nazi Wehrmacht during World War Two before escaping to the Allied side, as a German puppet and the "political husband" of former German chancellor Angela Merkel. A campaign video also mocked Merkel's successor Olaf Scholz. Months of spats between the two neighbours have tested the solidarity of the Western alliance that rallied around Ukraine after the Russian invasion last year. They have come at a time when other issues, including the election of a pro-Russian leader in EU member state Slovakia, are threatening disruption. IMPACT ON UKRAINE The quarrel has already impacted efforts to help Ukraine. In April the defence ministers of Germany and Poland, with a smile and hug of solidarity, announced the creation of a joint hub in Poland to repair German-made Leopard tanks damaged in battle in Ukraine. But the deal quickly collapsed. In another dispute, Warsaw resisted a German offer to station Patriot missile air defence units in Poland before eventually agreeing to it. "It's very unhelpful that Poland, the people from the Law and Justice Party, continues to criticize Germany in such a harsh public way," U.S. General Ben Hodges, who commanded U.S. Army forces in Europe in 2014-17, told Reuters. "It's unhelpful because it puts strain on the relationship between two NATO allies, which therefore puts strain on the overall cohesion of NATO." The tank plant would have been a joint effort by German manufacturers Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall, neither of which responded to a request for comment, and the Polish defence conglomerate Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ). Among the sticking points, one German source said Poland was asking for too much money for the repair works. Another source, a German diplomat, said the talks failed partly because German companies were reluctant to share technical information. "But it also showed a little bit the same thing we had for the Patriots, a general mistrust on the part of the Poles and a sort of being in the habit of treating a partner in a way that is not usual for a partnership in the EU or in an alliance." As things stand, PGZ is repairing some Leopard tanks using spare parts supplied from Germany. "To some extent, it depended on the speed of action and decisiveness of the German side. We were negotiating. Unfortunately, we have a slightly different view of what it should look like," Sebastian Chwalek, PGZ's CEO, told Reuters. Other tanks will be repaired elsewhere, "which is maybe a little bit more costly and maybe a little bit more time consuming but it's happening anyway," the German diplomat said. "It's a sign of the present relationship that we cannot agree on such things." Polish government officials did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. A German Foreign Office spokesperson said Berlin and Warsaw work closely together on European security and defence but declined comment on "current domestic political debates in Poland". SOURING RELATIONS While ties between Poland and Germany have been frosty since PiS first came to power in 2015, Poles now see them worsening. Just 47% think relations are good, according to a German Polish barometer poll this year, down from 72% in 2020. Many Poles, included 56% of respondents in the opinion poll, feel Germany has not done enough to compensate for the damage inflicted by the war. PiS has called on Germany to pay over 1 trillion euros in reparations, which Berlin rejected. A PiS source who requested anonymity described relations as "competitive", saying Berlin and Warsaw "could work together on many issues" but others were divisive, including reparations. Two German lawmakers privately told Reuters that Berlin could have been more forthcoming in addressing Polish concerns and take conciliatory steps over the issue of reparations. "I think we should be looking beyond the cartoonish (Polish policy) that this (election) campaign has put in front of us. It's the moment for Germany to look into the mirror," said Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff of the German Marshall Fund. Scholz's government has largely brushed off the attacks from PiS. A government source said Berlin was extra cautious not to even inadvertently provoke Warsaw. "We're treading on egg shells," the source said. To be sure, some analysts believe the Polish rhetoric towards Berlin could be dialled down after the elections. But irritants on both sides are likely to persist, including over migration, which again mushroomed into a flashpoint over a cash-for-visas scandal in Poland last month. "Now, to be honest, what I hope will happen is that my president will invite the two leaders kind of the way he did the leaders from Japan and South Korea, invited them to Camp David, Hodges said. "You know, maybe at some point President (Joe) Biden meets President (Andrzej) Duda and Chancellor Scholz and says: Fellows, we have got to fix it." ($1 = 0.9549 euros) (Reporting by Justyna Pawlak, Marek Strzelecki, Anna Koper, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Alan Charlish in Warsaw; Sarah Marsh, Sabine Siebold and Andreas Rinke in Berlin; writing by Matthias Williams; editing by Mark Heinrich) Transit police in Boston arrested a 16-year-old male on Monday after a group of teens was recorded harassing an Asian American woman with racist language and trying to block her from leaving a train. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police said on social media that the teen was suspected of unarmed assault to rob and assault for the purpose of intimidation. The police did not release the suspect's identity because he is a juvenile, and they did not comment further on the incident. The arrest comes over a week after Vivian Dang, 25, was attacked by a group of unidentified teenagers. A video of the incident shows them hurling racial slurs, mocking Dang in an accent and physically cornering her. Can I get some dumplings? one of the teens can be heard saying with a fake accent. Can I get some ramen with the egg? Police also said that the teens went on to smash a train window before fleeing. Dang told NBC News that the arrest has prompted some mixed emotions for her, but ultimately she hopes that the incident can lead to more productive conversations around racism and safety on public transit. Its bittersweet. It was a kid, you dont want to get them in trouble," she said. "But again, their actions led to this. Dang also emphasized that she felt the attack was not caused by just one person, but by a group of people who fed off of one anothers behavior. They were saying all those things, they were just laughing about it and I think they wanted to build off of what they thought was funny, what they thought was going to get a chuckle out of their friend, Dang said. But at the end of the day those words mean something to people. While Dang said she was heartened that three women stepped up to help her in the moment, speaking up on her behalf and comforting her after the attack, she said she hopes that all bystanders will feel a responsibility to help victims. Men should be able to hold people accountable and step up next time. Its never too late, Dang said. Its the beginning and opening conversation of just finding justice and stepping up for other people. For more from NBC Asian America, sign up for our weekly newsletter. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Boston transit police said Wednesday that they arrested a 16-year-old male in connection with an incident involving a group of youths racially harassing an Asian American passenger on the citys subway last month. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police confirmed the arrest on Twitter, saying the teen could face charges of unarmed assault for the purposes of robbing and intimidation. UPDATE: On 10/2 at #MBTA Forest Hills Station Detectives/Officers assigned to our Criminal Investigation Unit did arrest a 16y/o male in relation to this incident for Assault to Rob-Unarmed & Assault for the Purpose of Intimidation. Investigation Ongoing. https://t.co/KGdUZvexFs MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) October 3, 2023 The victim, Vivian Dang, 25, took video of the attack that occurred on MBTAs red line at about 10 p.m. Sept. 21. Her video went viral on TikTok, and a week later, she recounted to NBC News that a group of boys on the train cornered her and taunted her in a mock Chinese accent, saying Can I get some dumplings? and Can I get some ramen with the egg? and making other racist comments. When the teens first boarded the car, she told NBC, they announced they were there to commit a mass robbery and tried to yank the shoes off a passenger. When Dang switched train cars, she said, they followed her. They were starting to say stuff like, Dont let her leave, Dang recalled. That was when I was starting to get really scared. Dang followed up with NBC News following news of the arrest. Its bittersweet. It was a kid. You dont want to get them in trouble, she said. But again, their actions led to this. There has been a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is believed to have originated in China. Former President Donald Trump used racially charged epithets to describe the disease, despite the rise in attacks, including the China virus and kung flu. A report from Pew Research last year found that about one-third of Asian Americans say theyd changed their daily routines over the past year due to fear of threats or attacks. Related... A total of 51 people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed in the Russian missile strike on the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, on 5 October. Three people are missing. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Police Details: Kharkiv Oblast Police also reported that six people have been hospitalised with injuries. Volodymyr Tymoshko, head of the Kharkiv Oblast department of Ukraines National Police, said some of the bodies are badly disfigured; their identification requires DNA tests. Quote from Tymoshko: "Please get in touch with the investigative department of the Kharkiv Oblast department of Ukraines National Police or with your local police station if you have grounds to believe that your relatives, loved ones, or friends might be among the attacks fatalities. We are conducting an investigation and carrying out relevant examinations to this end." Update: The police reported earlier that 55 people had been killed, though later this information was updated. The number of fatalities still stands at 51. Background: On the afternoon of Thursday, 5 October, Russian troops attacked a cafe and a store in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast. Preliminary data indicated that the place was hit by an Iskander missile. As of now, 51 people are known to have been killed. Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs, said that a memorial dinner for a deceased Hroza resident was being held in the cafe. The precision and accuracy of the strike have led the investigators to suspect that one of the villagers might have given Russian forces information about the time and place of the gathering. 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! Police have identified the family of four who were found dead inside a New Jersey home in what authorities believe to be a murder-suicide. Two of the victims were young children. Officers discovered the bodies around 4:40 p.m. Wednesday at a residence on Titus Lane in Plainsboro, after a relative called for a welfare check. The family was identified on Thursday as married couple Tej Pratap Singh, 43, and Sonal Parihar, 42, and their two children, a 10-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl, according to News 12 New Jersey. Law enforcement sources told the ABC affiliate that authorities believe the adult male killed his wife and kids before dying by suicide. Autopsies were expected to be performed Thursday. Family members told CBS New York they were shocked by the grisly violence, noting that the couple, both of whom worked in IT, seemed happy. Loved ones added that the husband had always been a very active member of the community and was a part of the PTA at his childrens schools. We used to see them, happy family with kids around, a neighbor told My Central New Jersey. The kids were always out playing happily. The district was informed by local law enforcement of a horrific tragedy involving one of our Plainsboro families with a Wicoff [Elementary] student and a Millstone River School student, Superintendent David Aderhold wrote in a letter sent to parents. As the law enforcement investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide any additional information at this time, he added. The District joins our community in grief and sorrow over this tragic event. Mayor Peter Cantu also mourned the tragedy on Thursday in a message shared by Plainsboro Township Police on social media. What happened in our community is beyond comprehension, the mayor said, calling the incident a heartbreaking loss of life. An investigation is underway, but authorities do not believe there to be any current threat to the community. Anyone with information in the case is urged to call Plainsboro police. A 24-year-old man is facing multiple charges for his involvement in an alleged bank robbery. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to the South Fulton Police Department, on Wednesday, the United States Marshals Service asked the South Metro SWAT Team, to help with the arrest of a wanted fugitive. Officials said, Jimmie Lee Allen, 24, was wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with an alleged bank robbery in metro Atlanta. He was also wanted on a federal probation violation, attempted murder, robbery, and illegal discharge of a weapon in Alabama. TRENDING STORIES: Officers were able to pinpoint Allens location at his sisters home on Magnolia Lane in Fairburn. As authorities began conducting a search warrant, police said Allen began shooting. Authorities said an officer on the scene returned fire, but Allen was not hit. In a desperate attempt to get away from police, Allen barricaded himself inside the home and intentionally started a fire upstairs, according to officials. SWAT team members reportedly continued negotiating with Allen, urging him to surrender. Allen got out of the burning home by jumping from the second-story window, police said. He was immediately arrested and taken to a nearby hospital due to serious injuries from smoke inhalation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Fairburn firefighters arrived and were able to control and put out the fire. South Fulton officials said as the investigation remains ongoing, more charges against Allen are likely. An administrative review will be executed for the officer firing his gun, as required by policy. IN OTHER NEWS: Baltimore Police have released footage of the persons of interest being sought for the mass shooting during a Morgan State University homecoming event as they seek the publics help in identifying them. Video, released by police on Wednesday shows, shows four people walking across the campus in Baltimore, Maryland, shortly after the shooting that left five victims injured. Students and faculty had been celebrating homecoming and the crowning of Mr and Miss Morgan State University when gunshots rung out on the campus at around 9.30pm on Tuesday night. The campus was immediately plunged into lockdown with authorities believing that an active shooter situation was taking place. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley later said that the shooting was likely the result of a dispute between two groups of people. Preliminary evidence indicates that the shooters were targeting one person, who wasnt among the victims, he said. Five bystanders were injured as a result of the gunfire, four of which are students at the university. Officials confirmed on Wednesday morning that all five four men and one woman aged between 18 and 22 suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Four people were seen walking across the campus in the footage (Baltimore Police) Anyone with information is asked to contact Northeast District Shooting detectives (Baltimore Police) Initially, police did not confirm how many shooters opened fire but Baltimore City Council Member Ryan Dorsey said in a post on X at the time of the shooting that he had been told there may have been three separate shooters firing into the crowd. Now, police are seeking four persons of interest with the police commissioner saying three people pulled guns during the dispute though it wasnt clear whether the third person pulled the trigger. No arrests have yet been made. The university said classes would be cancelled for the rest of the week, and that all homecoming activities will be either cancelled or postponed until the perpetrator(s) of this atrocity have been found and brought to justice. A police officer searches for evidence in front of a building at Morgan State Universit (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Jennifer Eden, 34, of Baltimore, who attended the ceremony on Tuesday told The Associated Press: I had never been so close to gunshots that I could feel the vibration in the air. Coronation is very much a pomp and circumstance kind of event. People are in gowns and tuxedos and crowns and sashes, and so gun violence is the furthest thing from my mind in that type of setting. Morgan State homecoming celebrations have been subject to violence in previous years. Last October, a young man was shot during what officials called an unsanctioned homecoming after-party on the campus. A Baltimore City Fire Department truck stages at Morgan State University during a shooting on the campus Tuesday The year before, a freshman was arrested and charged with shooting his classmate over homecoming weekend. Morgan State University Police Chief Lance Hatcher said the University has taken extra security measures in recent years, including increased police presence and surveillance camera coverage. Oftentimes you cant stop a bad actor from doing bad acts, he said. But we will continue to try to ensure the safety of our students. Anyone with information about the individuals in the footage is asked to call detectives at 410-396-2444 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup. A Meridian woman is asking for help after her 15-year-old daughter with mental health issues went missing early Thursday. Isabel Issy Martinez was last seen at her Meridian home sometime after 3 a.m. and before 7 a.m., her mother, Mary Hoffman, told the Idaho Statesman by phone. Their home is near the intersection of Locust Grove Road and Fairview Avenue. Hoffman said her daughter might be wearing reddish-gray flannel pajama pants, a black hoodie and white Nike shoes. Issy is 5 feet 2 inches tall, has blue eyes and medium-length brown hair. Kelsey Winnett, a spokesperson for the Meridian Police Department, said in a statement to the Statesman that the department is working with the Boise Police Department to locate Issy. Winnett said Issy has been listed as a runaway. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Meridian Police Department at 208-888-6678. A local police department is asking for the publics help in identifying someone suspected of assaulting a Walmart employee. On Sept. 26 Huber Heights officers were called to an assault at the Walmart on Brandt Pike, according to a social media post by the department. Police said a Walmart employee was the one assaulted. >> I-TEAM: New body cam video shows arrest of former UD administrator in statewide sex sting One suspect was identified and charged but police are still working to identify a second suspect. Anyone who has any information or can identify the victim is asked to contact Detective Tyree by email LTyree@hhoh.org or phone (937) 237-3576. (Bloomberg) -- The Pentagons No. 2 official said that the threat of a government shutdown and other internal upheaval in Washington threatens US military readiness and its ability to support Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg With uncertainty at every turn, we know Russia and the Peoples Republic of China arent slowing down to let us get our house in order, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told Bloomberg reporters on Thursday. We need to move with speed and confidence in order to meet the threats and the security needs that we have. She said the US has options for continued funding of military support for Ukraine even if Congress doesnt approve the administrations latest proposal. But she said the Pentagon isnt yet looking at reprogramming money allocated to other areas to make up the gap. Thats not where we need to be now, today, until we have a better sense for how long the current congressional stalemate plays out, she said. For the moment, the department is focused on the passage of new fiscal 2024 budget authority rather than crafting and then submitting a request to shift previously appropriated dollars to Ukraine spending. The latest tranche of aid for Ukraine was left out of the stopgap spending plan reached over the weekend, raising fears in Washington and among allies about how strong support is for continued aid. President Joe Biden called allied leaders Tuesday to pledge that the funds would be found and has said hes planning a major speech soon to lay out the case for public backing for the assistance. The Ukraine funding goes to support the US defense industry as the Pentagon buys weapons to replace those sent to Kyiv to fight Russia, Hicks noted. The use of short-term spending deals instead of full-year budgeting has become routine, Hicks said. Its not a sign of a strong and functioning system. Hicks, 53, oversees the day-to-day management of the largest federal bureaucracy. Usually its not one big break: Readiness can corrode over time, Hicks said. We see that in many ways through the era of sequestration through this decade-long number of continuing resolutions, she said, referring to the short-term spending compromises that have become increasingly common. The current one runs through Nov. 17. Hicks also hit out at Alabama Senator Tommy Tubervilles blockade of military nominations over the Pentagons abortion policies. That hold is unnecessary, unprecedented and unsafe, and it needs to stop now, Hicks said. Its bad for the US military, its bad for their families. Its bad for America. Hicks said that political dysfunction in the US creates opportunities for opponent abroad to argue that democracy doesnt work. When we are not functioning that opens us to criticism thats unnecessary about our our system of government, she said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Photo : by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 15: Governor-elect of Arizona Katie Hobbs speaks to attendees at a rally to celebrate Hobbs' victory for Governor of Arizona on November 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Major news organizations announced her win over Trump endorsed republican candidate for governor Kari Lake. Governor Katie Hobbs of Arizona said this week that her government is ending state property leases that have allowed a Saudi farm virtually unrestricted access to pump groundwater in the arid state of Arizona for years. The state has terminated Fondomonte Arizona's lease in western Arizona's Butler Valley, according to Democrat Hobbs, and will not renew three further leases there that are up for renewal in the next year. The governor's office conducted an investigation and discovered that the foreign-owned farm had broken several of the lease's conditions, as reported by The Associated Press. It was intolerable, according to Hobbs, that the farm "continued to pump unchecked amounts of groundwater out of our state while in clear default on their lease." Alfalfa is grown in Arizona by Fondomonte Arizona, a division of Saudi dairy giant Almarai Co., and is fed to livestock in the Gulf nation's water-strapped livestock industry. The Opposition Against State Property Leases Fondomonte announced through a spokeswoman that it will contest the governor's choice to end the 640-acre (259-hectare) lease it had with Butler Valley. West of Phoenix, amid the rough desert, Fondomonte farmed a total of 3,500 acres (1,416 hectares). When Fondomonte paid $47.5 million for over 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares) of land in Vicksburg, Arizona, 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from Butler Valley, people took notice. Since then, Arizona's increasing drought has increased interest in the company's water use as well as more general concerns about foreign-owned farms and groundwater pumping. Read also: Cocoa Prices Soar, Driving Farmers to Plant More Outside Africa A List of Infractions The governor's office listed a number of infractions, including one involving the company's storage of dangerous goods. According to information released by Hobbs' office on Monday, Fondomonte was informed of the violations in 2016, but an inquiry conducted in August revealed that seven years later, the issue had not been resolved. The State Land Department of Arizona had justification to revoke the lease because of this. The State Land Department opted not to renew three further leases the corporation had in Butler Valley, according to the Arizona governor's office, because of the "excessive amounts of water being pumped from the land - free of charge." Arizona owns the land, which in Fondomonte's instance had been leased to the firm, and the department is in charge of managing it. Butler Valley's groundwater is particularly significant because, in theory, state law permits it to be pumped elsewhere. Due to the demand on the water supply and the rapidly expanding population, places like Phoenix are interested in its water. A state law passed in Arizona in 1980 that was intended to conserve the state's aquifers places limits on how much groundwater can be pumped by cities like Phoenix and Tucson. However, in rural regions, users of water are only needed to register their wells with the state and use the water for "beneficial uses" like farming, which are defined as such. Additionally, Fondomonte operates farms in the Palo Verde Valley of Southern California, which receives water from the Colorado River, which is in decline. Less attention has been paid to those enterprises. The governor's decision does not affect all of Fondomonte's farms in Arizona. The Southwest is home to several international businesses that also engage in farming. Al Dahra ACX Global Inc., a company controlled by the United Arab Emirates, cultivates forage crops in Arizona and California and is a significant hay exporter from the United States. One example of farmland that Almarai and its subsidiaries exploit outside of Saudi Arabia is its holdings in the Southwest. Tens of thousands of acres are farmed there, and Argentina has recently experienced terrible drought conditions as well. According to the United States, 3 percent of farmland is in the hands of foreign organizations and people. Agency for Agriculture. The majority of Canada's holdings are in the form of forests. Democratic attorney general of Arizona Kris Mayes commended the governor for taking action against the foreign-owned farm. After discrepancies in Fondomonte's applications were discovered, Mayes said in April that the state had revoked permits that would have allowed Fondomonte to drill new water wells. On Monday, Mayes referred to the governor's initiatives as a "step in the right direction," but he added that the state ought to have taken action earlier. Related article: Lincolnshire Commits Generous Funding to Safeguard Endangered Crystal Moss Creature @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A pregnant model who was found brutally killed in her downtown apartment last month died from homicidal violence according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office. Maleesa Mooney, 31, was found dead inside her apartment on the 200 block of South Figueroa Street on Sept. 12, and her loved ones are still waiting for answers. Her exact cause of death had previously been listed as deferred, but Cause A is now listed as homicidal violence on the medical examiners online database. Cause D, meanwhile, was listed as other significant conditions. Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old aspiring model and real estate agent was found dead in her downtown Los Angeles apartment on Sept. 12, 2023. (Jourdin Pauline) Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old aspiring model and real estate agent was found dead in her downtown Los Angeles apartment on Sept. 12, 2023. (Jourdin Pauline) Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old aspiring model and real estate agent was found dead in her downtown Los Angeles apartment on Sept. 12, 2023. (Jourdin Pauline) Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old aspiring model and real estate agent was found dead in her downtown Los Angeles apartment on Sept. 12, 2023. (Jourdin Pauline) Mooneys sister believes the cause was listed as deferred because the victim was so badly beaten that its been difficult to determine her exact cause of death. Mooney was two months pregnant when she died, her sister told KTLA. She was an aspiring model and real estate agent. Family members have told KTLA that the Los Angeles Police Department has not shared much information about what happened to Mooney. No arrests have been made in the case. While Mooneys death is being investigated as a homicide, little is known about the death of Nichole Coats, another aspiring model who was found inside her downtown L.A. apartment just two days before Mooney. The two women were also found less than three miles away from each other. LAPD officials said the two cases are likely not related despite the similarities of the two womens locations, ages, professions and manners of death. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Members of law enforcement stand near police tape while investigating the scene where multiple people were shot, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Holyoke, Mass. (AP) Multiple people were injured on Wednesday, 4 October, in a shooting in Holyoke, Massachusetts, including a pregnant woman whose baby died shortly after being born, according to officials. Heres what we know so far: What happened in the Holyoke shooting? Police were called to a shooting in the city around 12.38pm, according to officials, describing an altercation between a group of three men that ended in gunshots. The men fired more than six shots, witnesses told WWLP. I heard about eight shots. I was standing on the street, waiting on the bus, and I just heard pop, pop, pop, pop, then I saw one police coming down and then I saw about a thousand more come after that, Boyd McCray of Chicopee told WGGB. Who was injured? In addition to the three men involved in the shooting all being injured, a stray bullet struck an uninvolved pregnant woman on a nearby bus, according to police. Members of law enforcement stand near police tape while investigating the scene where multiple people were shot (AP) She was rushed to hospital in critical condition, where she delivered her baby. The infant, who was delivered, and needed life-saving medical services, tragically passed away, the Hampden District Attorneys Office told The Associated Press. How has the community reacted to the shooting? I want to extend my deepest and sincerest condolences to the family, Holyoke mayor Joshua A Garcia wrote on Facebook on Wednesday. I want the public to know that I am equally outraged and frustrated with these senseless acts of violence and illegal activity on our streets. I struggle with it every day attempting to offer a balanced solution. Quite frankly, I have lost my patience. I plan to work with all resources available to me to push this nonsense out of our city. Have any arrests been made? Police have arrested the three men believed to have been involved in the shooting, the AP reports. They are receiving treatment in nearby hospitals and comprise the others wounded in the shooting, WBAL reports. Are any suspects still at large? There is not believed to be any ongoing threat to the public Massachusetts State Police spokesperson David Procopio told Western Mass News. What comes next? The names of victim of the shooting, as well as the men responsible for the altercation, have not been made public. Officials have not yet announced any charges against the three men who committed the shooting. The Holyoke Police and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the incident. A pregnant mother lost her baby amid a shooting in the downtown area of a western Massachusetts city, police said. In a press release, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office said that an "uninvolved female occupant" seated on a public transportation bus was struck by gunfire near an intersection in Holyoke before 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Holyoke Police Department investigate reports of "multiple victims" from an active shooting Wednesday. The unidentified woman and her unborn baby were immediately transported to a local hospital "in critical condition," authorities said. Authorities said the baby was delivered and needed life-saving medical services after the incident. The baby "tragically passed away," the DA's office said. Authorities have not released any details about the mother's health following the shooting. SHOOTING DURING HOMECOMING FESTIVITES AT BALTIMORE UNIVERSITY LEAVES 5 INJURED READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Massachusetts State Police (MSP) said that a preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from an "altercation among a group of people." Authorities later said that three men were involved in the altercation. Police said that all three suspects are in police custody and that all involved suspects have been identified. Authorities have not released the names of the three suspects. The Holyoke Police Department said that the shooting stemmed from an "altercation among a group of people." The office of Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia said the mayor was aware of the shooting. "Shortly before 1 p.m. today there was a shooting at the intersection of Maple and Sargeant Streets in Holyoke. There were multiple gunshot victims. The police investigation is active and ongoing," the office said. Holyoke police have asked residents to avoid the area while officers investigate the scene. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Pregnant woman struck by gunfire on bus loses baby delivered after shooting in western Massachusetts city President Joe Biden delivers remarks on student loan debt forgiveness, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Washington. | Evan Vucci, Associated Press President Joe Biden announced the forgiveness of another $9 billion in student debt Wednesday, affecting 125,000 borrowers, the White House said in a statement. So far, the Biden administration has forgiven $127 billion in debt, affecting 3.6 million borrowers, per the White House press release. The latest $9 billion in loan forgiveness is broken into three categories: $5.2 billion in additional debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs. Nearly $2.8 billion in new debt relief for nearly 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment. These are borrowers who made 20 years or more of payments but never got the relief they were entitled to. $1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability who have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration. Related In June, the Supreme Court rejected Bidens plan to offer student loan forgiveness. Due to how costly his proposed program was, the court held that the administration needed Congress endorsement to move forward, per The Associated Press. However, on Sept. 29, the Department of Education issued a statement claiming the Secretary of Education has the power to eliminate debt. The statement referenced Section 432(a)(6) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which says, The Secretary may enforce, pay, compromise, waive, or release any right, title, claim, lien, or demand, however acquired, including any equity or any right of redemption. The statement continued, These provisions apply to Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) and Direct Loans through Sec. 455(a)(1), which states that Direct loans have parallel terms and conditions to FFEL loans. It is unclear if the administration plans to try to continue to forgive debt for students currently in school. Related Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said, Its normalized in this country that you go to college, youre expected to pay loans forever. I want folks to be able to buy homes, invest in their local economy, and not look at higher education as a lifetime of debt, per Business Insider. CNN attributed the announcements timing to the White House wanting to draw a contrast with the Republican-driven chaos on Capitol Hill, where Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy was ousted as House speaker Tuesday. Ukrainian military on the front line in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, September 2023, illustrative photo Konstantin Denisov, a fighter with the Freedom of Russia Legion, revealed what Ukrainians can learn from the enemy during a Radio NV broadcast on Oct. 4. The Russians used the time after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine before the start of the major Ukrainian counter-offensive in the summer of 2023 on the southern front to dig in and fortify themselves, Denisov stated. Read also: Russian defenses stronger than West expected, admits UK defense chief At the same time, the Russian legionnaire called it "debatable" whether Ukraine used this time to protect its own positions and settlements further from the contact line, and noted that to answer this question "we need to involve the specialists who are responsible for this." "You see, (the Russians) have a rigid (command) vertical," Denisov said. Read also: As fighting continues in south, Ukrainian military digs in near Verbove after seizing back territory from Russians They had to dig some trenches. They came to the farmer, to the utility company, pointed a machine gun, took the equipment, and started shoveling, digging, mining, and concreting. And it often happens here that every other official or responsible official still needs to be persuaded. And he will pick his nose and think about whether to do it or not. You see? And according to the laws of wartime, there must also be a rigid vertical. Everything is clear: set, fulfil, provide, perform, and move on. Russians are also learning warfare from Ukrainians, Denisov said. "We can also learn some elements of the enemy's work from them about centralization, execution of all these orders, and preventing this laxity," said the Russian volunteer. It occurs from time to time, but still. There have been cases when we have to almost persuade one, two, or three officials to do their job. Read also: US considers Ukrainian successes in the south and east a true military miracle, says Kuleba At the end of July, Censor.NET editor-in-chief Yuriy Butusov said in an interview with Radio NV that no defense lines have been built in the Kupyansk sector, or in the Soledar, Bakhmut, Lysychansk and Severodonetsk sections of the front in eastern Ukraine. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The State of Georgia has a new program that will give high school seniors a direct college admissions process for colleges and universities in Georgia. Channel 2 Action News was at Governor Kemps workforce summit at the Georgia Freight Depot in downtown Atlanta on Thursday. The program is named GEORGIA MATCH and is one of the largest direct-to-college admission initiatives in the nation. The program will help ease the process of connecting Georgia high school students with higher education opportunities. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Next week over 120,000 high school seniors will receive a personalized letter that includes a list of all the institutions holding a spot for them in the next academic year, Gov. Kemp said. The schools listed on a GEORGIA MATCH letter are based on academic eligibility. According to Gov. Kemp, the letters will explain how students can claim a spot being held for them at the institution of their choice. TRENDING STORIES: The number of schools listed on the students letter will be determined by the students 11th-grade HOPE GPA and freshman index score. GEORGIA MATCH was developed in collaboration with the Governors Office, Governors Office of Planning & Budget, Georgia Student Finance Commission, Technical College System of Georgia, Governors Office of Student Achievement, Georgia Department of Education, and University System of Georgia. Starting next week, students will be able to sign up for Georgia Match here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Three decades ago, Air Force researchers briefed their plasma cannon research to audiences at scientific conferences. Excited internet denizens in the years since have speculated that the Air Force might have a secret, functioning plasma cannon. It's a fun dream. And if any branch would have a functioning science fiction weapon, it would be the Air Force (Sorry, Space Force ). But, for reasons we'll get into, that's probably not the case. What was the 1990s research for Project MARAUDER? The most famous of the early research is probably the MARAUDER program. Cool name, cool subject. So of course, it became the exciting hook to hang all the other news from. The Air Force Weapons Laboratory sought to "convert stored electrostatic energy into plasma kinetic energy." As cool as MARAUDER sounds, magnetically accelerated rings to achieve ultra-high directed energy and radiation, it didn't actually fire any plasma at first. Or, in the paper's parlance , it didn't "accelerate" the plasma. It created a toroid of energy, though. Basically, it formed plasma in the shape of a thin donut and left it to future research to actually get it traveling. A 1993 follow-up did describe the acceleration of milligram-range compact toroids . So, small amounts of plasma getting fired from an actual energy weapon. High five, y'all! We made a plasma cannon! The Air Force (probably doesn't) have a secret plasma cannon! So the Air Force has a plasma cannon; we should stop teasing them, and Chinese ships are doomed when the X-Com attack comes against them? Probably not. See, plasma is really hard to work with. Pulses of energy are used to form the toroid, to keep it strong, and to move it to a target. Each step requires high-precision timing and placement, but we just haven't found a way to get enough energy built up to really hurt a target. Like, any target. Even a human one, let alone an enemy ship. While Project MARAUDER fell off the grid, military research into energy weapons did not. And, a Popular Mechanics article detailing the history of plasma and other energy weapons details the fairly underwhelming results. Plasma has advanced all the way to, well, potentially dazzling drivers or acting as a nonlethal crowd deterrent. But lasers are still killing it So, plasma is a letdown so far. But its close cousin in directed-energy weapons, the laser, is having a moment. The Army recently announced that its fielding its first laser platoon . Soldiers fire the weapon mounted on Stryker armored vehicles as a short-range air defense play. The "Guardian" boasts a 50-kilowatt weapon that can down mortar rounds in flight at much lower cost than current solutions. As Ukraine battles back $20,000 drones that can kill fireteams or cause millions in damage, a laser that costs pennies or dollars to shoot could save American lives and protect strategic sites. A gunman who wounded 10 subway riders when he indiscriminately sprayed a New York City railcar during rush hour before sparking a massive citywide manhunt has been sentenced to 10 life prison terms. Frank James, 64, donned a gas mask before he ignited smoke bombs and opened fire with a 9mm handgun on a crowded Manhattan-bound train as it pulled into Brooklyns Sunset Park station on 12 April 2022. Disguised as a construction worker, James then vanished without trace as he went on the run for 30 hours before he was arrested in the East Village after phoning a police tip line to turn himself in. He pleaded guilty in January to 10 counts of committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation vehicle and an additional firearms charge, and was sentenced to 10 concurrent life terms plus a consecutive 10 years in prison on Thursday. Ten subway riders aged from 16 to 60 were wounded five critically and 19 others suffered smoke inhalation and other injuries in the attack, which sparked mass panic on New Yorks transit system. The fact that no one was killed by the defendants 32 gunshots can only be described as luck as opposed to the defendants intentional choice, Brooklyn prosecutors wrote in a memo to US District Judge William Kuntz ahead of sentencing. Prosecutors said James had spent years planning the attack to inflict maximum damage on rush-hour passengers, the Associated Press reported. Frank James received 10 life sentences for the April 2022 terror attack on the NYC subway (Associated Press) His attorneys claimed that James had suffered from severe mental illness and hadnt intended to hurt anyone, as they asked for a sentence of 18 years. Addressing the court, James said he had fallen through the cracks of the mental health system and social safety net programmes. Several victims who had been present during the attack were also present in court for the sentencing. In videos posted to the YouTube account Prophet of Truth 88, James made unhinged rants about racism, homelessness, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and police brutality. In one video from July 2020, he appeared to size up other passengers on a subway car in what commenters suspected may have been a dry run for the April 2022 terror attack. He claimed in a separate video that he had been a victim of New Yorks mental health programme, and that his experiences as an in-patient at psychiatric facilities in the Bronx and New Jersey had made me more dangerous. James was quickly identified by police as the suspected gunman before he phoned a Crime Stoppers tip line to say he was at a McDonalds on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. This is Frank. You guys are looking for me. ... My phone is about to die, he said. Several bystanders who had spotted James then flagged down police officers who arrested him. James had a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1991 in New Jersey and New York which included accusations of possession of burglary tools, a criminal sex act and theft of service, officials said last year. He was able to legally buy a semi-automatic Glock pistol used in the attack, as he had not been convicted of a felony. SAN DIEGO Sparks were flying during the San Diego City Councils Rules Committee meeting Wednesday morning. The fiery discussion stemmed from a ballot proposal thats on the table to separate the job of the City Attorney into two positions: one would be an advisor for the City Council that is filled by an appointment; the other called the Municipal Counsel would be elected to prosecute city misdemeanors. While the Rules Committee was scheduled to consider the proposal Wednesday, Council President Sean Elo-Rivera expressed issue with the speed at which they were considering its sweeping implications. He said they only had a few business days to look at a memo from the City Attorney detailing the legal impacts related to the change before voting. During his opening statements, Elo-Rivera said, I do have real concern that attempting to untangle the many unrelated proposals included in the memo from the legal analysis we requested . would lead to an unfocused conversation, so rather than risk that I would like to hit pause. Local leaders react to ousting of Kevin McCarthy The Council President moved to continue the discussion and not vote on whether to send it towards the full council during Wednesdays meeting. City Attorney Mara Elliot countered with a second memo after the meeting, explaining that the first report simply addresses issues the City Council should consider if the proposal goes forward. She added that Elo-Riveras comments during the meeting made it sound like the memo was too complicated to dissect. The Rules Committee decided to continue to the discussion on another date a move that did not sit well with everyone at the meeting. I think after having served in this role for seven years, the public deserves to hear what I think of the proposal what you decide to put to the voters is up to you, but the voters deserver to understand what is being placed before them, that is our job, Elliott said during Wednesdays meeting. I am getting the impression at this point that it is your intention to push me out of the conversation and as weve discussed before, I will not be silenced and I have a lot to say. According to Elo-Riveras office, the proposal was a citizen initiative that is aiming to get on the 2024 ballot. It was not brought up by City Council leaders. Gil Cabrera was one of the citizens who brought up the proposal. He ran for the City Attorney position in 2016, but lost to Elliott. Gil Cabrerra could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Michael Aguirre, the former city attorney for the City of San Diego from 2004 to 2008, spoke during public comment. Elo-Rivera and Aguirre got into a back and forth, urging Aguirre to only speak on the continuance of the proposal. Aguirre responded with, Young man, you are not a member of the California BAR, and accused him of violating his rights to speak on the matter. Aguirre said that in the 1930s, the legal community in San Diego was invited by the commission to give their opinions on whether the city attorney should be elected or appointed. The majority voted to have the city attorney elected, and not appointed. Everyone who spoke during public comment was against continuing the item and against the proposal. Many people referred to the proposal as increasing the mayors power. Others urged the City Council to bring up the item soon to begin discussions. City Attorney Mara Elliot sent a memorandum to Elo-Rivera Wednesday afternoon which read in part, I am equally disappointed that I was not provided with advance notice of your intention to continue this matter, while the ballot measures proponents knew not to appear. Todays hearing was scheduled two months ago without confirming that I could be available, yet I rescheduled my commitments to attend. In a statement to FOX 5 Wednesday afternoon, Elo-Riveras office submitted a statement which read in part, I thought it was important for the Committee and the public to have more time to review those proposals and consider which items can be appropriately applied to this discussion and which may be more appropriate for separate discussion. Elliott said during the meeting that she has prior commitments during the Nov. 1 meeting and would not be available. Its in the hands of Elo-Rivera to put this on the agenda again. An official date of when that will happen has not yet been announced. Del Mar city leaders build framework for short-term rental ordinance Most of the still living former City Attorneys and our current one support keeping the City Attorney office as an elected office, political analyst Carl Luna explained of the issue. They see the value of that and perhaps the council didnt want to have to listen to that today. FOX 5 brought the issue to Luna to hear his thoughts on the issue, and the pros and cons of the elected versus appointed city attorney positions. The advocates say is it would produce greater transparency. You wouldnt have an elected City Attorney at odds with the City Council, politics would play a lesser role their argument would be, and the city would have a more unified voice in civil matters. Im not all that confident thats a great argument, Luna said. The cons is the people lose accountability. I cant think of a time when the public had an elected office they voluntarily surrendered. Elliots term is up in 2024. If this proposal goes next years ballot, residents could be voting for a new City Attorney, and voting whether or not to change the office. Luna called it a potential bait and switch for whoever would be elected. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. A 25-year-old Topeka man is charged with rape and murder in the killing of 5-year-old Zoey Felix, Shawnee County prosecutors said Thursday. Mickel W. Cherry, arrested and booked in the county jail Tuesday, is accused of three felonies that each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. He is being held on a $2 million bond. The 5-year-old girl was found in a field near a Topeka gas station Monday evening after police and firefighters responded to an emergency medical call. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Neighbors have said they repeatedly called police and social services at the southeast Topeka home where Zoey Felix had lived, concerned about neglect, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. They said they later learned the girl had been living in a homeless encampment. Authorities have said Cherry is homeless and was known to the 5-year-old. A criminal history check entered in the court record listed a single prior criminal offense of misdemeanor trespassing in the Amarillo, Texas area. Mark Manna, chief attorney for the states Death Penalty Defense Unit, said Thursday a team of attorneys would be representing Cherry in his capital murder case. He declined to comment further. Earlier this week, a relative of the child set up an online fundraiser through GoFundMe seeking donations for funeral expenses, which was suspended after an area funeral home agreed to cover expenses, according to the webpage. The author of the page, who identified himself as Zoeys uncle, said the tragedy had left the family in grief. The Stars Robert A. Cronkleton contributed to this report. (Photo : by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) Guests attend the Global AI 2020 (Artificial Intelligence) Summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh on October 21, 2020. A group of academics, researchers, and engineers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently unveiled a potent tool designed for Arabic speakers worldwide that, according to its developers, may pave the way for large language model (LLM) systems in additional languages that are "underrepresented in mainstream AI." "Jais," which is named after the tallest mountain in the United Arab Emirates, was developed in partnership between Silicon Valley-based Cerebras Systems, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi, and Inception, a division of UAE-based AI firm G42, according to CNN. Although ChatGPT, Meta's LLaMA, and other LLMs support Arabic, Timothy Baldwin, acting provost and professor of natural language processing at MBZUAI, claims that they were primarily trained on English data from the internet. Surpassing "What Anyone Else Has Been Able to Achieve for Arabic" Instead, Jais made use of English and Arabic datasets, concentrating on Middle Eastern content, enabling it to surpass "what anyone else has been able to achieve for Arabic," according to Baldwin. The majority of languages on the internet use the Latin alphabet, with English being by far the most popular. According to Mohammed Soliman, head of strategic technologies and the cyber security program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, this indicates that datasets in those languages are the largest. Typically, data sets used to train language models in English are Western-centric. The challenge of training a language model is increased by the fact that Arabic is the sixth most spoken language in the world and is rich in a "constellation" of several dialects, according to Baldwin. Local dialects are frequently utilized on blogs and social media, while Modern Standard Arabic is mainly used for official documents and formal writing. Jais can typically flip between dialects because of his training on a variety of material. In addition to understanding queries in more than a dozen Arabic dialects, including Egyptian colloquial Arabic and Saudi colloquial Arabic, Google's Bard can now understand inquiries in Modern Standard Arabic as well. Jais currently contains 13 billion parameters, and a 30-billion parameter update is under development. The correctness of a linguistic model is not always quantified by parameters. According to OpenAI, ChatGPT-3.5 includes almost 175 billion parameters. Read also: Meta Unveils New Celebrity AI Chatbot Characters; Which Stars are Included? Adherence to the UAE Government Regulations Jais, like other generative AI models, requires instruction tweaking to avoid producing "toxic" or "harmful" results. It won't produce anything that could result in harm to oneself or others or that suggests addiction. Regarding subjects like drug use and homosexuality, the responses it produces follow regional laws and customs. MBZUAI conducted "various dialogues" regarding responsible AI with the UAE government and other institutions, which were taken into consideration when creating Jais. The UAE has increased its efforts to create generative AI systems. The region's largest generative AI model, Falcon, was unveiled by Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in March, with a fresh iteration released in September. It was the first nation in the world to select a minister of AI in 2017. Although it isn't yet accessible in Arabic, Falcon is more capable than Jais in English, has 180 billion parameters, and exceeds rivals like Meta's LLaMA 2 in terms of reasoning, coding, and passing knowledge exams, according to TII. Falcon is also more powerful than Jais in Arabic. Falcon and Jais, in contrast to Google's Bard and ChatGPT, are open-source, which implies that anybody can use or modify their code. Related article: Jasper Shakes Up Leadership With New CEO From Dropbox @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Activists participate in a protest against the proposed Cop City being built in an Atlanta forest on March 09, 2023 in New York City. Cop City, a vast police training facility under construction atop forestland in the Atlanta, Georgia area, has become a focus point of demonstrations opposed to the development in one of the states most pristine forests. The $90 million training center is designed to train police in militarized urban warfare. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Activists participate in a protest against the proposed Cop City being built in an Atlanta forest on March 09, 2023 in New York City. Cop City, a vast police training facility under construction atop forestland in the Atlanta, Georgia area, has become a focus point of demonstrations opposed to the development in one of the states most pristine forests. The $90 million training center is designed to train police in militarized urban warfare. The indictment of 61 protesters in Atlanta, Georgia, on racketeering charges last month sparked instantaneous outrage. The protesters were part of a movement known alternatively as Stop Cop City and Defend The Forest aimed at blocking the development of a $90 million police training facility that would have destroyed acres of the Weelaunee Atlanta forest. In the first part of our reporting on this case, we focused on the unprecedented nature of using an organized crime statute in a civil disobedience case and the surprise appearance of George Floyd in the indictment. But theres another name in this indictment that set off major alarm bells: Thomas Webb Jurgens. Read more The fact that Jurgens was arrested while doing his job as a legal observer, is unheard of, says Paul Henderson, a former San Francisco Prosecutor. That is not something Ive ever seen before, he says. Ive never seen a role like that challenged. The fact that even local authorities (who arent exactly progressive) disagreed with this indictment says everything you need to know, says Henderson. Its telling to me that local authorities, who have the authority to charge him, did not charge him, and questioned his charging, says Henderson. That is a big deal. The concern, says Henderson, is that it could deter people from providing critical aid to protesters. It has an absolute chilling effect, he says. This Is An Escalation Williams, says this indictment is a clear escalation. If anyone has a question about where the government is overtly headed, this indictment spells it out very very clearly, she says. Throughout the United States, lawmakers have been steadily passing laws aimed at targeting racial justice protesters. Over the last five years, 21 states have enacted 42 laws restricting the right to protest, according to the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law. While many of these laws have targeted the Black Lives Matter movement, others have gone after Indigenous-led environmental movements. [The indictment] is an escalation, says Williams, but it didnt come out no-where. Anytime we see in history that we link up and we find ourselves together to fight the same thing... they go after the movements, they go after it with force. Citizens in Atlanta deserve the right to question an investment of this scale, says Henderson, who serves as Director of San Franciscos Department of Police Accountability. Were talking about specifically in Atlanta city, they are making a [$30 million] investment to train cops in one of the cities with the broadest income inequality in the country, he says, while ignoring so many other needs and demands being made by the community. Instead of addressing those concerns, the state is using a law enforcement-first approach. What Happens If This Succeeds? Georgia ACLU Policy Director Christopher Bruce says this indictment isnt just an issue for Georgians. If Georgia can get away with this, prosecutors will use this against Black Lives Matter protesters, LGBTQ+ protesters, and womens rights protesters. Bruce says the possibilities with this tactic for dismantling civil rights are limitless. I cannot express this enough, says Bruce. Anytime the government is going after civil rights and civil liberties, you need to fight like hell, because its hard as hell to get it back. More from The Root Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Sony has released its own movie streaming app for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. You'll be able to buy and rent movies through the Sony Pictures Core app, but there's a decent perk for subscribers of PlayStation Plus Premium and Deluxe (a version of Premium that's available in select markets). Members will get access to a library of up to 100 ad-free Sony Pictures films at no extra cost. Sony says the lineup includes movies such as Looper, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, Elysium and Resident Evil Damnation. The library will receive periodic updates. The company also plans to add some anime content from Crunchyroll to Sony Pictures Core, and it notes that benefits for all PS Plus subscribers are on the way. Many observers have long suggested that Sony should grant PS Plus subscribers the ability to stream some movies as part of the subscription, so it's nice that's finally happening. Given Sony's big push to turn its gaming franchises into movies and TV shows, it makes more sense than ever to offer that perk. On the other hand, Sony announced this update only a few weeks after it increased the price of the annual PS Plus Premium plan from $120 to $160. PS4 and PS5 users will be able to buy some Sony Pictures films during an early access window. Right now, folks in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can buy Gran Turismo through their console before it's available for digital purchase elsewhere. Snap up that film through Sony Pictures Core, and you'll get in-game credits for Gran Turismo 7 too. The app has been available on Bravia TVs and some Xperia devices for a while. Until now, the app has been called Bravia Core, but Sony is rebranding it on those devices next year. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that the PlayStation version of the app includes one of the key features that Bravia and Xperia users have been able to enjoy. On those devices, the Bravia Core app employs Sony's Pure Stream tech, which can stream video at up to 80 Mbps. For comparison, Netflix recommends speeds of up to 25 Mbps for 4K video. Sony says the higher bit rate enables it to offer near lossless video streaming at a quality akin to 4K Blu-ray discs. That claim more or less holds up: I found that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse looks astoundingly good with Pure Stream enabled. However, as things stand, there are no video quality settings in the Sony Pictures Core app on PlayStation devices. Here's hoping Sony enables Pure Stream there in the future. Yevgeny Prigozhin Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has stated that traces of hand grenade explosives were found on the bodies of those who died in the plane crash involving Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Oct. 5. Putin asserted that there was supposedly no external influence on the private jet, suggesting it was not shot down on his orders. Read also: Prigozhin likely killed over control of Wagners Africa business Bellingcat The dictator also added that "RUB 10 billion ($100 million) in cash and five kilograms of cocaine" were discovered at Wagner's offices in St. Petersburg. There were no tests for the presence of alcohol and drugs in the bodies of the victims on Prigozhin's plane, although they should have been conducted, said Putin. Read also: Russia will not agree to joint probe with Brazil into Prigozhin plane crash Reuters However, the United States believes that Prigozhin's plane was shot down by an air defense system from Russian territory, Reuters reported on Aug. 24, citing two U.S. officials. Read also: Russia officially declares Wagner leaders Prigozhin, Utkin dead An Embraer-135 plane crashed in Russia's Tver Oblast on Aug. 23. Russian media reported that it belonged to the leader of Wagner Group PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Russias Air Transport Agency confirmed that Prigozhin and his deputy, Dmitry Utkin , were onboard. The incident occurred exactly two months after the start of Wagners failed "mutiny" against the Russian government in late June. In addition to them, the bodies of eight other people were found at the crash site. According to media reports, they included close associates of Prigozhin and participants in the war in Syria, as well as the planes three crew members. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that a nuclear strike on Russia is absolutely unacceptable for anyone, as they would have no chance of survival. Source: Putin at Valdai, as reported by Russian media Details: Putin pointed out that Russian military doctrine has two reasons for the possible use of nuclear weapons: "a strike against us and a threat to Russia's existence". Putin sees no need to lower the threshold for use in the doctrine: "it is not necessary; there is no reason to". At the same time, today the Russian president does not see a situation where something would threaten the existence of the Russian Federation. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia had successfully tested a potent new strategic missile and declined to rule out the possibility it could carry out weapons tests involving nuclear explosions for the first time in more than three decades. Putin said for the first time that Moscow had successfully tested the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable cruise missile with a potential range of many thousands of miles. He also told an annual gathering of analysts and journalists that Russia had almost completed work on its Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile system, another key element of its new generation of nuclear weapons. Putin, who has repeatedly reminded the world of Russia's nuclear might since launching his invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, said no one in their right mind would use nuclear weapons against Russia. If such an attack was detected, he said, "such a number of our missiles - hundreds, hundreds - would appear in the air that not a single enemy would have a chance of survival". Russia has not conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion since 1990, the year before the collapse of the Soviet Union, but Putin declined to rule out the possibility it could resume such testing. He noted that the United States had not ratified the treaty that bans nuclear tests, whereas Russia had both signed and ratified it. It would be theoretically possible for the Duma, Russia's parliament, to revoke its ratification, he said. Military analysts say a resumption of nuclear testing by Russia, the United States or both would be profoundly destabilising at a time when tensions between the two countries are greater than at any time in the past 60 years. In February, Putin suspended Russia's participation in the New START treaty that limits the number of nuclear weapons each side can deploy. But there was no need, Putin said, for Russia to rewrite its doctrine on the actual use of nuclear weapons, which says it may fire them either in response to a nuclear strike against it or in the event of a threat to the existence of the state. Responding to a question from Russian analyst Sergei Karaganov, who has advocated lowering the threshold for nuclear use, Putin said: "I simply don't see the need for this." He added: "There is no situation today in which, say, something would threaten Russian statehood and the existence of the Russian state. No. I think no person of sound mind and clear memory would think of using nuclear weapons against Russia." Karaganov has raised eyebrows among both Russian and Western strategic analysts by arguing that it is time for Russia to lower its threshold for nuclear use in order to "contain, frighten and sober up our opponents". He wrote in one recent article that Russia should "shake up" its enemies by threatening nuclear attacks on European countries and U.S. bases in Europe. (Reporting by Reuters; writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said fragments of a hand grenade were found in the victims who died in a deadly August plane crash that killed 10 people, including Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin . Putin said the crash investigation was not yet complete, but there was no external influence on the aircraft. Speaking at a foreign policy think tank forum in the Russian city of Sochi, Putin also said cocaine and lots of cash were found near the debris of the plane. The Kremlin has denied any role in the plane crash but said in late August that deliberate wrongdoing was likely behind it. The plane crashed outside of Moscow, killing Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, a top commander of the private military company Wagner Group, among others. The U.S. has said Prigozhins death is in line with how Putin has acted in the past to take out his enemies. Officials in the Biden administration also concluded an internal explosion downed the plane, but they have not provided specific details on what may have caused the crash. Videos showed the plane exploding in midair before debris rained down onto a nearby field, but it is not clear what caused the explosion. Prigozhin led thousands of Wagner troops against Putin in June and only halted the rebellion after reaching a deal with the Russian president. In the agreement, the mercenary company chief agreed to exile himself in Belarus in return for terrorism charges being dropped. Putin has since moved to absorb most of the Wagner Group and announced Thursday that thousands of fighters have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense. He said it was a big mistake to not have these private soldiers under contract before, but he questioned their continued role in Russian affairs. Whether we need them or not, we will think about it, Putin said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has said he expects the West to stop supporting Ukraine. Source: Putin at Valdai, quoted by Russian media Details: When asked about the West's support for Kyiv, he replied: "We are waiting for the manifestation of at least some sprouts of common sense". Putin said that the United States supposedly had a "hiccup" with its support for Ukraine due to budgetary problems, but he is confident that they will eventually find the money and " print more". He stated that Europe is only helping Ukraine by "further deteriorating the economy and the situation of its citizens". Background: On 2 October, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that despite the absence of a US decision on assistance to Ukraine amid a possible shutdown, US support for Ukraine had not wavered. 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! There is a knife crime epidemic in Britain with young people going out "equipped" or "tooled up", say the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners - KATIE COLLINS/PA A ban on the sale of knives should be extended to young people under the age of 21 to combat rising knife crime, say policing chiefs. The sale of knives to under 21s would become an offence carrying a penalty of up to six months jail for store owners, raising the current age limit from 18, under the plans by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). Donna Jones, chairman of the APCC, said the move, emulating countries such as Sweden, would better reflect the age profile of the 15 to 21-year-olds who are most likely to be involved in knife crime either as perpetrators or victims. There is a knife crime epidemic in Britain, Ms Jones said. This has been growing for the last decade with young people going out equipped or tooled up often for protection, but too often with criminal intent. Worrying The number of accidental deaths involving knives is worrying, particularly where young people brandish them during a fight but without the intent of murder. Nearly 40 per cent of all homicides in the UK over the last two years have been the result of a knife [being used]. Hospitals across Britain have seen a massive increase over the last 10 years of people being hospitalised with stab wounds; the police are often unaware and the stabbing is not reported. This trend is worrying with young males aged 15 to 21 being in the highest risk category of death or serious injury from a knife. The Government has been consulting on toughening knife crime laws, including a ban on zombie-style knives and machetes that have no practical use. The APCCs appeal follows the killing of 15-year-old schoolgirl Elianne Andam who was stabbed to death on a bus in Croydon, south London, last month. Police figures show a 21 per cent increase in the number of knife and offensive weapon offences recorded from 37,706 in the year ending September 2021 to 45,639 in the year to September 2022. The proposal to raise the age limit for knife sales is being considered as part of the consultation, with the Government expected to include new measures in a crime bill as part of the Kings Speech later this autumn. Zombie-style weapons In its response to the consultation, the APCC said more must be done to prevent sales of knives to children and young people, particularly in response to the rise of online marketplaces and social media. We urge focus on the sale of knives to under 18s and suggest there may be merit in increasing age restrictions to under 21 or under 25 in accordance with the demographic criteria for youth violence, Ms Jones said.. Retailers should be encouraged to review how they display and store knives, keep records of sales and tighten ID checks at every opportunity. Ms Jones said she would also support moves proposed by the Government to give police powers to seize knives such as machetes or zombie-style weapons if they found them at a private property. At present, it is only an offence to possess them in public. They should be illegal in private as well as public, she said. Police at the moment will go into a property and arrest people and seize drugs and cash but when they find zombie knives or machetes, they cannot charge them for possession because it is not in a public place. She said the key to reducing knife crime deaths was education. This must start at home from parents. Parents need to understand better the risks; what their children are faced with in local communities and how choosing sensible friendship groups could change the rest of your life. Knives kill; that needs to be the message, she added. 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 rape suspect accused of faking his own death and cooking up a bizarre cover story will be extradited to the U.S., the Scottish government confirmed Thursday. Nicholas Rossi, who maintains that he is an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight, has been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle to avoid extradition, with an Edinburgh court ruling in August that he should be sent to America to answer for his alleged crimes. U.S. authorities claim the 35-year-old fled to Britain to avoid prosecution, with an obituary for Rossi appearing online in 2020 after he told friends he was dying of cancer. He was arrested on a COVID ward in a hospital in Scotland the following year, with a court later ruling that he really is Rossi. The August extradition ruling required final approval from the Scottish government, which has now been approved. Read it at MailOnline Read more at The Daily Beast. LAPD Chief Michel Moore said recent controversies were the result of "individual failures" and not symptoms of deeper problems with the Police Department. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) While Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore grappled with the LAPD's latest gang scandal last week, another crisis was brewing on the 10th floor of department headquarters. Just days before, an officer had accused Assistant Chief Al Labrada of stalking her using an Apple AirTag the same style of GPS tracker department sources say Mission Division gang officers used for surveillance of suspects without the required search warrants. Labrada has since been put on administrative leave, pending the outcome of a criminal investigation. For Moore, the allegations against a member of his command staff renewed questions about management and oversight of the nations third-largest police department as he winds down his term. It's the latest in a string of embarrassing scandals in recent months, including gang officers accused of theft, illegal stops and searches, senior staff engaged in inappropriate relationships with subordinates and the inadvertent release of photos of undercover officers. In an interview this week, Moore acknowledged the recent controversies had shaken public trust in the department. But he said they were the result of "individual failures" and not, as some have argued, symptoms of deeper problems with the department. "I don't see a cultural issue there. I don't see something that the organization is facilitating, because as soon as the actions were identified, we reacted immediately, Moore told The Times, adding: "I will say that [regarding] recent events involving senior members of this organization, obviously that's disappointing, when you look at people ... you thought were qualified for taking the reins." Moore has been defensive about the Mission Division gang scandal, repeatedly insisting at commission meetings and in news interviews that the misconduct identified had been confined to one unit even as some in his own organization suggested the problem of officers deactivating their body-worn cameras was widespread and could have been caught sooner. Read more: LAPD assistant chief put on leave for alleged stalking That surprised former Police Commissioner Rob Saltzman, who said its unclear how seriously the department took looking at other areas to see if the same problem was occurring." Saltzman said Moores track record on accountability was one reason he voted for him in 2009 to succeed William Bratton, over Charlie Beck, who eventually got the job. And while he credited Moore with inviting federal authorities to investigate Mission, Saltzman said his response echoed that of some of his predecessors who sought to minimize the scope of past scandals by blaming them on the actions of a few officers. "In my view, the departments response should be to come clean," he said, "this is what happened, this is how it happened, this is what weve done to keep it from happening ever again. Equally "troubling," Saltzman, said, were reports of senior staff violating the departments policy against sexual relationships with lower-ranking officers. Moore's comments come a week after he placed Labrada on leave. Labrada remains the subject of a criminal investigation by Ontario police, after an LAPD officer who works in the training division accused him of tracking her movements, according to law enforcement sources who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the probe. Labrada and the woman had had a relationship that ended recently, the sources said. The Times is not naming the officer because she is an alleged stalking victim. She is expected to file a claim against the city this week, a precursor to eventually filing a lawsuit. Labrada has denied the allegations and said he is weighing his legal options. The episode marks a dramatic fall for Labrada, who was considered by some to be a potential candidate to replace Moore when he retires. On Tuesday, several people called in to the Police Commission meeting to support Labrada, who they said had made inroads with largely Latino communities when he was a captain in Hollenbeck Division. Labrada's case bears striking similarities to that of another assistant chief under Moore, Jorge Villegas, who retired abruptly in 2019 after sources told The Times he was having an improper sexual relationship with a female subordinate. Villegas case resurfaced earlier this year in a court filing from a former LAPD commander who is suing the department, alleging the existence of a culture of debauchery and favoritism that dates back years and reaches into the LAPDs upper echelons. Other department controversies have played out far from the public eye. According to multiple LAPD sources, two other senior officials a captain and a commander, both male were transferred to assignments in the San Fernando Valley after being caught sleeping with subordinates. The relationships were consensual, but may have violated policy against sexual relationships with lower-ranking officers, according to the sources who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. That so many instances of bad behavior involve senior staff is concerning, former Police Chief Bernard Parks said, adding that if nothing else, they call into question Moores judgment in promoting people with little maturity or little integrity. And the decision to quietly transfer the two senior officials, Parks said, only feeds into a commonly held belief among the rank-and-file that senior officers who are well-connected will not face severe discipline when accused of misconduct. Those are things that you would expect on the lower level with less senior officers and less mature officers," Parks said. Youre not obligated to promote people just because theyre on the list. And the fact they mayve squeezed through some with sordid backgrounds dont think that this wont come back to haunt you." The growing controversy involving the Mission Gang Enforcement Detail, whose suspected wrongdoing has triggered a separate FBI investigation, has stirred speculation that the issues under scrutiny are more widespread than the department is letting on. As with past scandals involving specialized units, it potentially could affect scores of criminal cases in which the involved officers played a role. LAPD officials say a total of 15 officers have been implicated so far. Two, who haven't been identified, have been directed to a disciplinary hearing, known as a board of rights, facing possible termination. Two other officers, one sergeant and one lieutenant have been assigned home pending the investigation. An additional eight officers and one sergeant are on restricted duty, according to a department spokesperson. Moore defended the department's response, saying he had ordered audits of officers' body camera use and was strengthening internal systems for flagging problematic behavior. While declining to go into details about potential discipline, he stressed that he had addressed the allegations against senior staff as soon as he learned about them. At the same time, he said, its unrealistic for an agency with 12,000 employees not to expect instances in which we fall short. Were human, he said. "We are part of society like everyone else." Read more: A big question remains amid LAPD photo scandal: Just who is an undercover officer? Just how politically damaging the recent scandals will be for Moore remains to be seen. With crime currently trending downward, he continues to have the public support of Mayor Karen Bass and the Police Commission. In January, Moore was reappointed to a second five-year term over the concern of critics who argued that the scope of scandals that have plagued the department during Moores tenure offers a poor track record for any leader. Former Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff said Moore has always proved himself capable of passing "tests like and more difficult than this." "I dont have any reason to doubt that he will pass this if you will consider these two items a test, Labrada and Mission that he will show what Ive always found to be very thorough and excellent leadership and instinct," Soboroff said. Reappointing Moore, his critics argued at the time, meant sticking with a leader who carries the baggage of past political stumbles and who has repeatedly been bruised professionally by a series of challenges and scandals that confronted the department during his first term including surging violent crime, the department's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, unjustified police shootings, a bomb squad's detonation of a fireworks cache that destroyed a South L.A. neighborhood, the botched police response to mass protests in 2020 and Moores own blunders in leading responses to those incidents and talking about them with the public. Some of those concerns resurfaced on a recent afternoon, when activists held a news conference outside of police headquarters calling for Moores ouster, while criticizing city leaders for their silence about the department's troubles. At the commission meeting that followed, one speaker after another painted a portrait of a department that had fallen into disarray under Moore's leadership. "At what point do you say to yourself, that's too much. At what point do you say to yourself, let's do an honest evaluation, maybe it's time to go," Greg "Baba" Akili, a longtime Moore critic, told commissioners during the meeting. For most of his first term as the city's top cop, Moore drew praise from some leaders as a top-notch policing executive with the rare skillset needed to run the LAPD, a massive, multibillion-dollar organization that is under an intense microscope. And a Loyola Marymount University voter survey showed stronger satisfaction with the LAPD's overall performance than in recent years, even if swaths of the population see disparities in the way the department polices Black and Latino residents. Before his reappointment, Moore said he would serve for only two to three years before turning the department over to a new chief ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, which would start soon after a full second term would expire. He said he would spend the next few years laying the groundwork for a succession plan in the departments upper echelons. William Briggs, a police commissioner, said he is taking the recent controversies very seriously and wants to ensure the thoroughness of parallel investigations by the department and inspector generals office. If someone is guilty of the allegations, then I think the appropriate discipline should be meted out without question. And that goes for the gang unit, and that goes for the assistant chief and any other incident of impropriety in the department, said Briggs, a holdover appointee of former Mayor Eric Garcetti. "We ask our chief executives to handle more than one crisis and still advancing policies that they want to see get passed and get through. "If I didnt have faith that he can do that, then wed be having a different conversation. Times staff writers Richard Winton and Kevin Rector contributed to this report. 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. Thailand police reported on Wednesday, October 4, that a 14-year-old boy accused of killing two people at a high-end mall in Bangkok has been charged with six counts, including premeditated murder. The arrest of the teenager came on Tuesday, October 3, not long after the shooting rampage at the popular Siam Paragon mall in the heart of Bangkok's commercial and tourism districts. Mental Health Issue Contradicting to the initial report, there are two fatalities and not three. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kanchana Patarachoke, stated on Wednesday that a Chinese citizen and a Myanmar national were murdered. Five people were wounded with "varying degrees of severity." Those injured were three Thai nationals, a Chinese national, and a Laotian national. The suspect was sent from the Pathum Wan police station to a juvenile court in Bangkok, according to Police Major General Nakarin Sukhonthawit. The crimes charged against the teen include premeditated murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm without a license, carrying a firearm into a public area without a license, and shooting in a public area without permission. Sukhonthawit said a doctor has confirmed the suspect is experiencing mental health problems and has deemed him unfit for interrogation at this time, as CNN reported. Although the suspect's motivation and where he got the firearm used in the attack are still mysteries, Sukhonthawit claimed the gun was modified and purchased online. "This kind of modified guns are widely available on the internet, we are investigating where he purchased this gun," he explained. In a press conference on Tuesday, Thai Police Chief General Torsak Sukvimol said the suspect surrendered himself after the shooting. The police chief said that the suspect's mental disorders had been treated at Rajavithi Hospital but that any details regarding his personal issues were off-limits due to the fact that he is still a minor. Also Read: Thailand: 14-Year-Old Suspect in Police Custody After Bangkok Mall Shooting Kills 3 Surrendering to Police Captain Thanamorn Noonart, who claims to have been the first cop to approach the suspect inside the mall, told Thai media that the teenager put aside his weapon upon seeing the police' firearms. Noonart recalled that the suspect was on the phone with a radio center, which was trying to convince him to surrender and give up his gun. When the suspect saw the police squad, he said over the phone, "It's too late because there were many people carrying guns." Eventually, the teenager turned himself in and was arrested. Footage captured inside the mall seems to show the kid kneeling with his hands in the air. After breaking a window, two police officers enter the establishment and arrest the suspect. Thai Police General Torsak informed reporters that the suspect was arrested less than an hour after the shooting began, at about 4:20 PM local time, and was afterward transferred to a nearby hospital after questioning. Also Read: Man Allegedly Connected to Shooting Murder of Tupac Shakur Arrested @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. For those hoping to snag a spot in Rosevilles Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, now is the time. The annual event, in its 11th year, offers 5K and 10K races that start and finish in Rosevilles Vernon Street Town Square. Registration for the popular seasonal event is open through Oct. 23. Participants should plan to arrive at the event by 8:15 a.m., ahead of the 9 a.m. race start. Parking is free for runners, and those who register before the deadline will receive a commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt and finisher award. Runners must attend a packet pickup event on Nov. 21-22 at the Mahany Fitness Center on Pleasant Grove Boulevard. Please plan to attend one of the Packet Pickup days or have someone collect your packet for you, the city said. We will be accepting late registrations at Packet Pickup until sold out. Participants may register after Oct. 23, but late registrants are not guaranteed a shirt, the city said. Last years Turkey Trot sold out. Financial regulators in the US are suing Elon Musk after the billionaire said he would no longer cooperate with its investigation into his purchase of Twitter, now known as X. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asked a federal court to order him to comply with their request that he sit for a third session of testimony about the deal. The move to sue followed receipt of a letter from a lawyer for Mr Musk, which said he refused to appear as requested. It accused the SEC of "harassment". "Unchecked government action is dangerous and the record here is troubling. Mr Musk declines to acquiesce in the Commission's incursions and therefore refuses to appear as you demand," lawyer Alex Spiro wrote. The lawsuit is the latest feud between the SEC and Mr Musk, who once declared on national television that he had "no respect" for the regulator. The SEC launched its investigation of Mr Musk's $44bn purchase of X last year. The filing in San Francisco federal court said the agency is probing whether his 2022 stock purchases before he bought the company outright and statements he made about those investments broke securities laws. Mr Musk participated in two half-days of testimony via video conference in July, after he was subpoenaed, the SEC said. The agency said another session was necessary because nearly half of the documents it had received regarding the case came in after those meetings. A letter from Mr Musk's attorney to the agency, shared as part of the exhibit, said it was "unclear why the staff requires further time diverting Mr Musk from his significant obligations to companies and shareholders...Enough is enough". The SEC has locked horns with Mr Musk before. In 2018, it charged him with defrauding investors by claiming in a Tweet that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla, the electric car company he leads, private. He later settled the charges, stepping down as chairman of the firm's board and agreeing to accept what was dubbed a Twitter sitter - limits on what he could write on social media about the company. Mr Musk has repeatedly gone to court to have those limits removed, including most recently in February. Separately, a judge in New York ruled this week that Mr Musk must face a lawsuit from former Twitter investors who claim he defrauded former shareholders by failing to promptly disclose his share purchases, but an insider trading claim was dismissed. Tennessee public schools have been ranked near the bottom in funding per student for decades. Even after setting up a shiny new funding formula and state leaders proclamations of record education budget increases, Tennessee remains near the bottom. A lack of state investment in our public schools hurts Tennessee students, depriving them of additional teachers, counselors and specialists who could improve their academic outcomes and well-being. Tennessee needs more great leaps in funding as quickly as possible. So imagine the surprise when a legislative working group was formed to explore whether Tennessee should reject federal education funding. Those dollars feed children, pay for thousands of teachers and provide for the support of special-needs students. One dollar out of every $8 going to Tennessee schools more than $1 billion annually comes from federal coffers. Many systems, including most small rural systems, couldnt keep the classroom doors open without it. What is there to recommend? Amanda Collins holds up a sign while gathering with other education advocates at a rally against the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program in Market Square on July 15. However, the legislative federal funds working group has been established and a report is scheduled for January. If the committee works with honesty and integrity, the report should confirm what the Tennessee Education Association has been saying for years. The state has not done what it can or should for education investment. If the working group finds Tennessee is in a financial position to supplant federal dollars with state funds, it will be admitting education investments the state can afford have not been made. A pending lawsuit by rural and urban school districts claims state school funding is inadequate and unconstitutional. Imagine how that suit will be bolstered if this legislative working group points to overflowing state coffers as a reason to reject federal funds. Opposing view: Tennessee might ditch federal education dollars. Here's why the state should cut the cord. The state uses the threat of federal requirements to protect bad policies. When legislation is filed to shutter the failed state-run Achievement School District, reduce high-stakes testing or change punitive teacher and school evaluations, the administration uses the fiscal hammer of lost federal funds to squash them. But there is far more federal flexibility than state officials admit, thanks to Lamar Alexander, former U.S. senator, being instrumental in the No Child Left Behind Act being replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015. Imagine how our policy options will be freed if this working group finds the specter of federal strings just dodges. Federal education law has had success. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has brought children who in previous generations would have been isolated into regular classrooms, benefiting all students by their inclusion. If we reject federal IDEA funding, schools will still be required by law to provide services and the least restricted education environment to all special-needs students. Imagine what happens when Tennessee taxpayers are asked to pay with state dollars what federal funds covered for well-regarded services and policies. The federal government has its share of bad education policies, but we have complicity too. You dont have to look hard to see where Tennessees treadmill of high-stakes tests and negative results begins. The federal National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the nation's report card, is a black box of an exam that generates state rankings politicians love to cite, but not every child can pass it. Tennessees pursuit of higher rankings led us to mimic NAEP in our state tests. Sixty percent of the state's public school third-graders didn't pass the English language arts section of the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program test given in March, placing them at risk of retention because we followed the example of federal bureaucrats. The working group was founded with the basic premise that local control is inherently good and something Tennesseans believe in. If they do their job right, these legislators will report that federal funds come with no strings attached in important areas like curriculum and that we unnecessarily tie ourselves up in more testing and sanctions than what the feds required. Tanya T. Coats If they do their homework, members of the group will document our acute education funding needs and the states ability to do more. Once that has happened, imagine the possibilities. Tanya T. Coats is a Knox County educator and President of the Tennessee Education Association the states largest professional organization for Tennessee public school educators. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Opinion: Rejecting federal education funds would fail Tenn. students Rep. Carlos Gimenez is taking aim at fellow Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz for his efforts in leading the charge against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, arguing that it has hurt GOP efforts to secure the border. Gimenez, R-Fla., spoke to Fox News Digital the day after Gaetz successfully led a push to remove McCarthy from his position, days after the speaker brought a "clean" continuing resolution to the floor to fund the government -- a measure that passed due to Democratic support. Gaetz and other conservative Republicans had previously voted against a temporary stopgap funding resolution that would have funded the government while including most of the Houses signature border security package except E-Verify. The continuing resolution that passed did not include those provisions. "Matt Gaetz and his gang effectively blocked a measure for the funding resolution that would have forced the Biden administration to actively control the border and to have a reduction in overall spending," Gimenez told Fox News Digital. HERE ARE FOUR OF THE LIKELY CONTENDERS TO REPLACE MCCARTHY AS SPEAKER "That's all on Matt Gaetz and his gang. And so now that we don't have a speaker, all those efforts for us to try to force the Biden administration to actually do their job and follow the law, I think everything comes to stop until we get a new speaker," he said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Gimenez said that those looking to cross into the U.S. should be thanking Gaetz for his work. "This doesn't help the border one bit. So that's why Ive said that those crossing the border right now should have on their chest a big sign saying Thank you, Matt Gaetz, or maybe gracias Matt Gaetz because Matt Gaetz and his gang effectively blocked our efforts to control the border." Gimenez, who has been sparring with Gaetz on X, formerly known as Twitter, accused Gaetz and others of being "Machiavellian" in their strategy. "Why did they do that, knowing full well that the alternative was something that none of us really wanted and many of us didn't want it. But we had to keep funding the government because we were going to spend more taxpayer money unnecessarily and cause pain unnecessarily." MIGRANT NUMBERS HIT HIGHEST EVER RECORDED IN ONE MONTH: SOURCES Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., speaks during the news conference to announce the formation of the Hispanic Leadership Trust at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. The criticism echoes that of McCarthy, who said those who voted against the border security-inclusive stopgap were not conservative. "They voted against border security, they dont get to say they're conservative because theyre chaotic and angry," McCarthy said Tuesday. Gaetz responded to that criticism Tuesday evening on "The Ingraham Angle" in which he pointed to the border security provisions that had passed as part of a DHS appropriations bill last week -- including E-Verify. "We passed a Department of Homeland Security border bill that would have required E-Verify with a host of other reforms. Then on a continuing resolution, Kevin McCarthy wanted us to surrender every other fight, Jack Smith, weaponized government, everything else going on just to isolate the border thing," he said. "Now I don't believe the way conservatives get ahead is surrendering everything but the border in order to address the border -- and I don't think the way to address the border is to pass E-Verify and then say the strong border position is the abandonment of E-Verify in a vote that occurs 14 hours later." Concern has also been expressed in the Senate, with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., arguing that the "chaos" make it "harder to talk about the failed Biden Presidency and address our broken southern border." Gimenez told Fox Digital that now, the Senate needs to take the Secure the Border Act, which passed on its own in the House earlier this year, and that it will also be up to the Biden administration or a future Republican administration to secure the border. "The Biden administration has to have the will to control the border. If you don't have the will to control the border, and if you also have the will to actually violate the law like I believe the Biden administration is doing right now, it's going to have marginal effects," he said. "The only way that we're going to control the border, in my opinion, is with a new president, a new Republican president that will follow the law and has the will to control what's happening at the southern border, not only with migrants, but also with the drugs that are flowing in that are killing tens of thousands of Americans." Original article source: Rep. Gimenez says migrants should say 'gracias' to Gaetz amid fears House drama hurts border security push First things first: The surest bet this month is that the new Ohio House member for southern Summit County will be a Republican. Former Ohio House Rep. Bob Young, facing a tsunami of legal woes, exited public office Monday. Right now, the Summit County Republican Party is compiling a stack of applications that will be reviewed next week, with recommendations sent to Columbus. The Republican from Green announced his resignation Sept. 8 as political pressure mounted. Now, the 32nd District which includes the communities of Green, New Franklin, Springfield Township, Lakemore, Coventry Township and the Ellet area of Akron is vacant. The search for the right candidate There's no looming deadline for Young to be replaced. House GOP spokesman Patrick Melton said Thursday no timeline has been set by House Republicans. Locally, though, Summit County Republicans will make a recommendation next week that will be sent to Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens. Here's what we know about the process. The Summit County Republicans are compiling applications Interested in becoming an Ohio House member? The Summit County Republican Party is taking applications until 4 p.m. Tuesday. There are a few qualifications the party is looking for, said Bryan Williams, the county's party chair. Those include a commitment to party principles like lower taxes, limited government and the Second Amendment, he said. "We look at electability: Do they have experience at getting elected to other offices?" he said. "... We assess whether or not they have the personal character to represent the Republican Party community." Recommendations due next week Williams said a standing steering committee of 16 members will consider the applications on Wednesday and come up with a recommendation. That could be one individual or more. That recommendation will be sent to the full executive committee, which has more than 100 members. In a Zoom meeting Thursday, the full committee will decide whether to accept the recommendation they've been given. If accepted, Williams will forward the recommendation and supporting materials to Stephens. The next steps Once in the hands of House Republicans in Columbus, a committee of five party members will screen the Summit GOP recommendation. They're not required to pick from the list, but it's likely they will do so and pick one name. "[Republicans] will vote on that on the floor of the House in an open meeting," Williams said. A yea vote will decide the next Ohio House 32nd District representative. Not that unusual Williams said he voted at least eight times as a member of the Ohio Assembly to appoint a member to a vacated seat. That can occur for many reasons, including death and moving away from the district. "It happens, [and] there are vacancies for one reason or another," he said. "Last year, there were two." So far, Williams said, he's aware of three applicants: Jack Daniels, a New Franklin councilman; Mary Stormer, an Akron Municipal Court supervisor and former Akron School Board member; and Elizabeth Haavisto, an attorney with Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths and Dougherty Co. An application was posted on social media Wednesday, including on the Summit County Republicans' Facebook page, said executive director Cierra Shehorn. "It's a very high priority for us to appoint someone who can hold the seat," Williams said. State government reporter Jessie Balmert contributed to this article. Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Who will replace Bob Young in Ohio House? Here's what we know Public health authorities say the Covid-19 vaccines have saved lives, but a Canadian report shared across platforms estimates the shots have killed 17 million people globally. This is false; government agencies and independent experts worldwide told AFP the findings are flawed and that only a minuscule percentage of deaths among the vaccinated can be attributed to the jabs. "Researchers Find COVID Vaccines Causally Linked to Increased Mortality, Estimate 17 Million Deaths," says a September 28, 2023 headline from the Epoch Times, a website that has previously spread misinformation about vaccination and the pandemic. The article accumulated more than 3,400 interactions on Facebook, according to CrowdTangle, a social media insights tool. Similar claims circulated on other conspiratorial websites, including InfoWars and Children's Health Defense -- both of which AFP has previously fact-checked. US politicians, internet personalities and other social media users shared the headlines to thousands more on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter. "Shhhhhh (Told ya so!)" says James T Harris, a radio host in the US state of Arizona, in an October 2 post sharing the Epoch Times story. Screenshot from Facebook taken October 4, 2023 Screenshot from InfoWars taken October 4, 2023 The articles are the latest to cast doubt on the safety of Covid-19 vaccines, which more than five billion people worldwide have received (archived here). As evidence, they cite a September 17, 2023 report from a Canadian group called Correlation Research in the Public Interest. The paper -- which has not been peer-reviewed -- analyzes all-cause mortality and vaccination rates in 17 countries in the Southern Hemisphere to claim the Covid-19 vaccines kill roughly one in 800 recipients. "This is a staggering number, compared to what is generally believed about traditional vaccines," the authors say in the conclusion. The ratio "equates to 17 million Covid-19 vaccine-related deaths worldwide," the Epoch Times reported. But Tarik Jasarevic, a World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson, told AFP in an October 3 email that the claims "are not correct." Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, agreed, saying the findings "represent a major distortion of the actual data." "All-cause mortality spikes are likely due to the virus surging during certain periods and have nothing to do with booster campaigns," he said in an October 3 email. Flawed paper Correlation Research in the Public Interest claims that, in the countries analyzed in its report, "there is no association in time between Covid-19 vaccination and any proportionate reduction in (all-cause mortality)." The group bases that conclusion on figures from the World Mortality Dataset, Our World in Data and a few other regional sources. The authors accurately note that excess deaths -- those recorded in a crisis beyond what would have been expected in a "normal" year -- rose in early 2022 after an uptake in Covid-19 vaccination. But Oliver Watson, a visiting researcher in the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, told AFP that instead of proving Covid-19 shots cause death, the report simply "correlates vaccine rollout with increases in mortality" without accounting for other events that could have caused the spikes. "For example, they include a number of 'zero covid' countries, eg Singapore and New Zealand, which implemented strong lockdowns that prevented Covid-19 spreading," he said in an October 4 email. "These countries, once they reached high vaccine coverage, relaxed lockdowns and subsequently had an increase in Covid-19 deaths and mortality, as the vaccines are not 100 percent effective nor did they achieve 100 percent coverage." Australia, another country that pursued a "zero-Covid" strategy, saw significant excess mortality near the end of 2021 as the omicron variant surged, AFP previously reported. The paper shared online also focuses solely on the Southern Hemisphere, which Tara Moriarty of the University of Toronto said "had really high rates of all-cause mortality before vaccines came out." That trend continued after the rollout in the United States and Europe, the infectious disease researcher added, because many countries "didn't have access to vaccines." Excess deaths unrelated to vaccines There were several global spikes in excess deaths during the coronavirus pandemic (archived here). But AFP has previously reported that Covid-19 infections, not vaccines, are to blame. "If anything, the vaccines likely reduced mortality over the course of the last couple of years," said Richard Watanabe, professor of population and public health sciences at the University of Southern California, in an October 3 email. A June 2022 study published in The Lancet found that, within the first year of the vaccine rollout, the shots saved an estimated 19.8 million lives worldwide (archived here). Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show those who receive booster shots are far less likely to die from Covid-19 than their unvaccinated peers (archived here). Chart showing Covid-19 daily global death rate, according to the WHO, and key dates since the start of the pandemic in 2020 Valentina BRESCHI Valentin RAKOVSKY AFP On the other hand, confirmed deaths resulting from vaccination are rare. In Australia, for example, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has identified 14 deaths likely linked to the shots out of more than 68 million doses administered (archived here). "Importantly, there is no credible evidence that Covid-19 vaccines have contributed to excess deaths in Australia," an agency spokesperson told AFP in an October 5 email. "The number of vaccine doses administered in 2022 was approximately half that given in 2021, which clearly indicates that there is not a temporal relationship between vaccination and excess mortality." Meanwhile, in South Africa, public health authorities have found three deaths resulting from Covid-19 shots of more than 38 million doses administered (archived here). Similar numbers are reported in other countries cited in the Correlation Research in the Public Interest report, including New Zealand and Singapore (archived here and here). "There is no evidence that vaccination is responsible for excess mortality in New Zealand," said Christian Marchello, a vaccine safety surveillance and research manager at the Te Whatu Ora public health agency, in an October 9 email. "Publicly available data shows that four deaths in New Zealand are possibly linked to adverse reactions following Covid-19 vaccination." National health authorities and the WHO are monitoring rare side effects resulting from Covid-19 vaccination, including thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome and myocarditis -- inflammation of the heart muscle. But the CDC says on its website (archived here) that those who receive the shots "are at no greater risk of death from non-Covid causes than unvaccinated people." AFP contacted public health agencies in several other countries mentioned in the Correlation Research in the Public Interest report, but responses were not forthcoming. AFP has fact-checked other false and misleading claims about vaccines here. WOODLAND PARK, N.J. Oversight of state-run nursing homes for military veterans in New Jersey should be removed from the military and be turned over to a newly created agency that focuses on health care, according to a new report released Tuesday by an independent fact-finding agency. The recommendation by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation (SCI) is the first and most drastic offered in its 16-page report, which centers on how "massive absenteeism" by front-line staff at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, poor communication and faulty building designs helped exacerbate health risks among residents. The pandemic "presented a perfect storm of circumstances that exposed systemic and, in some cases, enduring problems in the administration and supervision of the veterans homes, SCI Chair Tiffany Williams Brewer said in a statement. The administration of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has been intensely scrutinized for its management of these homes, where more than 200 residents died during the pandemic due to "systemic and persistent problems." The report comes less than a month after the publication of a more in-depth investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, which found that a lack of preparation, deficient infection control practices, a growing distrust between managers and staff, and policies against mask-wearing helped the virus spread at two nursing homes. The widespread dysfunction and inadequate care at these homes left residents unprepared for the pandemic, causing them to be at high risk for serious infections and illness. The Justice Department's report also noted that poor conditions in the homes continue to persist today. New Jersey's state-run veterans homes in Paramus and Menlo Park had among the highest death tolls nationally during the pandemic for nursing homes. But multiple states faced similar issues and mismanaged nursing homes killed tens of thousands of people while hundreds of veterans succumbed to the virus. US nursing homes: Would your nursing home meet Biden's proposed staffing levels? Check our data to find out. New Jersey State Commission of Investigation's recommendations The primary recommendation of the SCI's report echoes similar calls from others, including Dave Ofshinsky, a former executive at the Paramus facility and a whistleblower: Move the homes away from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, whose primary responsibility is to oversee the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard. "Most leadership within DMAVA has traditionally been current or retired military members without medical backgrounds or the necessary knowledge of nursing homes," the report states. The commission recommended that a new Cabinet-level agency take control of the homes and be staffed by health care professionals with experience in skilled nursing, institutional care and other skills necessary to operate the nursing homes. Other recommendations include: Expedite the conversion of all rooms from double-bed to single-bed. Menlo Park is scheduled to be completed by 2025, but Paramus has no target date. Make sure all medical and front-line staffers know they are considered "essential employees" and must report for their shifts during a public health emergency. Offer competitive pay for replacement staff. Upgrade technological capabilities at the homes, including electronic medical records and Wi-Fi capability, to allow better communication, including telehealth consultations. 'Deficient basic medical care' persists: DOJ slams New Jersey over COVID deaths at veterans homes, residents still at high risk 'Residents did not, and still do not, receive the level of care they are entitled to,' report says The report also focused on staff members' not reporting to work from March to late-April 2020. Paramus had a 100% increase in call-out rates, and Menlo Parks rate spiked to a 480% increase. Morale had plummeted at the homes, with constant distrust between workers and management. Staffers feared for their lives and were afraid of bringing COVID home to their families. Not only did staffers not have access to face masks and other personal protective equipment, but some were being disciplined for wearing masks from home because managers thought it would scare residents. Lawyers, including those in Gov. Phil Murphy's office, began devising penalties for staffers who took masks from the homes' supplies without approval. One Menlo Park employee told commission investigators that some workers wore plastic bags over their heads at the beginning of the pandemic. At least two staff members died from COVID one in Paramus and another at Menlo Park. Six months after the pandemic began, Murphy fired four top Department of Military and Veterans Affairs officials, including the commissioner and the CEOs of both homes. He replaced the head of the agency with a physician, Brig. Gen. Lisa Hou, and hired consultants to run the top managerial spots of the homes. The Justice Department report from last month said the homes have not improved despite calls for reforms and that they continue to provide "deficient basic medical care" in areas such as preventing falls and treating wounds properly. While the latest report does not address current conditions at the home, it states that its findings bolster the Justice Department's conclusions that "residents did not, and still do not, receive the level of care they are entitled to from the State of New Jersey." This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New Jersey veterans homes deaths report says change oversight FILE - This June 3, 2019 file photo shows the memorial site honoring victims of a mass shooting that took place on May 31, 2019 at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center in Virginia Beach, Va. A state commission tasked with investigating the 2019 mass shooting in Virginia Beach has called for numerous changes to how Virginia and its communities respond to mass shootings. (L. Todd Spencer/The Virginian-Pilot via AP, File) NORFOLK, Va. (AP) A state commission has called for numerous changes to how Virginia and its communities respond to mass shootings, from establishing a victims' fund to teaching people how to slow bleeding before paramedics arrive. But the panel's final report on a 2019 mass shooting at a Virginia Beach government building offered little information that was new or overtly critical of how the massacre was handled. A city engineer had killed 12 people and wounded four others before police fatally shot him. The shooter, DeWayne Craddock, had legally purchased six guns in the three years before the rampage, including the two .45-caliber pistols that were used, authorities said. The FBIs Behavioral Analysis Unit found in 2021 the shooting was motivated by perceived workplace grievances. However, the agency cautioned that no person or group was in a position to see the confluence of behaviors that may have forewarned the attack. Before its public release this week, family members of some victims saw the commission's final report as their last chance at accountability. They have alleged a failure by supervisors in Craddock's office to recognize warning signs in a toxic workplace. Instead, the document mostly contained recommendations to state lawmakers on how to better prevent and respond to future violence, including in government workplaces. For example, the commission said the state should require local governments to have emergency action plans, while first responders should have access to all parts of any government building. In 2019, Virginia Beach police could not confront the gunman at one point because they lacked second-floor key cards. The report acknowledged the commission's limitations as an investigative body. Obstacles included no subpoena power to interview city employees as well as a lack of adequate funding. A commission that investigated the 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech had a $460,000 budget and eight pro-bono lawyers, the report stated. The Virginia Beach commission had no pro-bono lawyers and a $38,500 budget. The panel lacked "the resources to bring in specialists for consultations in the fields of psychology, security, human resources, or lawyers who specialize in handling mass shootings, the report stated. The commission initially had 21 members, which led to scheduling challenges and canceled meetings. Virginias Attorney General lambasted the commission in December, citing its overall dysfunction and the resignation of nearly half its members. Ryant Washington, the commission's chair, did not immediately respond to a LinkedIn message seeking comment. David Cariens, a commission member who resigned before the final report's release, said the panel failed. The legislature said investigate, said Cariens, who left in part over the commission's lack of investigatory powers. What was produced is not an investigation. It is a college term paper. Unlike some reports that have followed other mass shootings, the Virginia Beach document does not consider the matter of gun restrictions, said James Alan Fox , a Northeastern University professor of criminology, law and public policy. They didnt take up the sort of elephant in the room, which is the adequacy of Virginias gun laws, said Fox, who oversees a mass shootings database that's compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. States that have bans on large capacity magazines tend to have significantly fewer casualties ... when there is a mass shooting, Fox added, noting that Virginia lacks the restriction. Much of the 16-page report focused on the need for more training and planning among police, paramedics and municipal workers. For example, it asked the state to fund instruction for first responders on the emotional complexity of survivors of mass shootings. Families and survivors of the Virginia Beach mass shooting reported mishandling in dealing with families and survivors, the report stated. The commission said the state also should consider creating a mass violence fund that guarantees medical care for victims. Local governments also should boost knowledge in how to slow blood loss. The report cited the federal training program, You Are the Help Until Help Arrives. Jason Nixon, whose wife Kate was killed in the shooting, said he hoped the commission would have held city officials in Virginia Beach accountable for what he said was a toxic workplace. There are some good things in there that can help other families in the future," he said. "But the whole point of the investigation was to have accountability. Tiffany Russell, a Virginia Beach city spokesperson, said the city was still reviewing the report. But she said it will assess the recommendations and determine what actions can implemented. Russell noted that the city's human resources department implemented a centralized system in January 2021 for tracking incidents of potential workplace violence and complaint investigations. Such as a system was not in place when the shooting occurred on May 31, 2019. Two major transit organizations have received dozens of reports about bed bugs in recent weeks, the French transport minister said. Lucien Libert/Reuters The Parisian government is sending in sniffer dogs to detect bed bugs on public transportation. The move comes after the French transportation minister said there were dozens of bed bug reports. Bed bugs have also been spotted in movie theaters and a major airport in recent weeks. Parisians might be sleeping tight, but it's getting hard not to let the bed bugs bite. Over the past several weeks, reports of bed bugs throughout Paris have skyrocketed. Residents and visitors all over the city have reported the blood-sucking creatures in movie theaters, subway cars, and the Charles-de-Gaulle airport, Insider previously reported. Now, reports of bed bugs on public transport are getting so bad that the government is sending in sniffer dogs to hunt down the pests on Paris' trains and subway cars. Clement Beaune, France's transport minister, said Wednesday his department would send in the dogs following an emergency meeting with major transportation operators in the city, according to translations from The Guardian. Beaune told reporters that travelers have reported dozens of sightings to the city's public transport operator and the national rail operator, though they have not yet confirmed any cases. Online videos appear to show bed bugs crawling over seats on a commuter train and on the Paris Metro, Insider previously reported. Beaune also told reporters his agency would start publishing data on the bed bug threat every three months. "Total transparency will bring total confidence," Beaune said, according to a translation from The Guardian. With Paris Fashion Week just coming to a close on Tuesday and the city gearing up to host the 2024 Summer Olympics in just nine months, several travelers are now afraid of visiting Paris, Insider previously reported. Read the original article on Insider Crews lay out miles of flexible pipeline to help supply fresh water to Jefferson Parish as salt water slowly moves up the Mississippi River on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Marrero, La. A mass inflow of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico creeping up the drought-stricken Mississippi River is threatening drinking water supplies in Louisiana. (Chris Granger,/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) NEW ORLEANS (AP) Salt water inching up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico is progressing more slowly than projected, authorities said Thursday, meaning water systems in the greater New Orleans area that draw drinking water from the river have additional weeks to prepare. For some small systems downriver, the projected arrival of salt water was pushed back to later this month. For New Orleans and neighboring Jefferson Parish the threat to water system intakes was pushed back from late October to late November. And intakes for large portions of the city and Jefferson Parish now are not expected to see salinity above 250 parts per million, a level that triggers health warnings. Unexpected October or November rains could further delay and diminish the threat, said Col. Cullen Jones, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New Orleans District. Typically, the Mississippis flow is sufficient to prevent salt water from moving far upstream. But for the second year in a ro w, hot and dry weather has lowered the river, allowing a denser, heavier layer of salt water from the Gulf to push inland. State, local and federal officials discussed the latest projections at a news conference at the Corps' New Orleans headquarters. Jones cited two factors in the latest projections: an underwater sill downriver has succeeded in impeding the heavy salt water's flow upriver; and weather and river forecasts, while still showing a continued drop in the river's usual downriver flow, are more optimistic. Salt water that overtops the underwater sill is still lower in salinity than the water behind the sill toward the Gulf, Jones said. This updated projection is clearly a relief to all of us, said Collin Arnold, New Orleans emergency director. Salt water already has reached some Plaquemines Parish communities closer to the river's mouth Boothville, Port Sulphur and Pointe a la Hache. But communities such as Belle Chasse, Dalcourt and St. Bernard have gained another week or two to prepare. In the immediate New Orleans metro area, people who had been told their systems would be threatened by late October saw projections pushed back to Nov. 23 and beyond. Officials said multiple efforts to provide safe water to the downriver systems continue, including barging large amounts of fresh water to the intakes and installing better filtration systems. For the heavily populated parts of New Orleans and neighboring Jefferson Parish, where barging water is not practical, plans continue for pipelines to shunt fresh water from farther upriver. For New Orleans alone, the pipe system costs have been projected at $150 million to $250 million. Local and state authorities expect much of the cost to be covered by the federal government. President Joe Biden said late last month that federal disaster assistance would be made available to Louisiana. Jones stressed that even the updated projections are worst-case scenarios. The threat could be further delayed and diminished if rain is added to the forecast for October and November. State health officer Dr. Joseph Kanter used a familiar Gulf Coast analogy, likening the changed projection to a tropical storm altering its course in the Gulf. In addition to being unsafe to consume, salt water poses another health threat in that it can corrode pipes. It's especially a problem in older systems, like the one in New Orleans, that still have lead pipes in some areas. According to the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, the majority of water mains in the city center were installed prior to 1940. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes. Many homes built before the 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act have either lead pipes or lead solder in the plumbing systems. Exacerbating problems posed by a diminished river flow is sea level rise. The sea level around New Orleans is rising at a rate of as much as 9 millimeters per year, or three feet (91 centimeters) each century, much higher than the global average and the highest rate measured in the United States, according to experts at NOAAs Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services. That is because the Gulf Coast region is a hotspot of subsidence, the experts said, meaning land is sinking even as the sea level rises. ___ Associated Press reporters Stephen Smith in New Orleans, Mary Katherine Wildeman in Hartford, Connecticut, and Camille Fassett in Seattle contributed to this report. The US Army is deliberating whether it would hand down disciplinary actions against Pvt. Travis King after he crossed over into North Korea last July. King has since returned to the US, and experts told CNN it is possible he could be charged under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Specifically, he might be charged under Article 85 for desertion or Article 86 for going absent without leave (AWOL). However, it is yet unclear if the Army would take such a step. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Tuesday (October 3) that any punishment King could face would come from his chain of command after he completed the reintegration process at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to crossing the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), King already faced criminal charges and was prosecuted by a court martial by the Army in South Korea. Previous reports about King said that he was expected to be administratively separated from the military after being found guilty in a court-martial hearing related to assault and other charges. Read Also: Statement from the US Department of State Regarding the Return of Travis King from North Korea Army May Want to Avoid Full Trial, Defense Expert Says According to Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Army might want to easily discharge King and not go through a full trial. "If they were going to do another trial, they have to assign them to a unit wherever he is," he added. "[H]e'd have to go to work every day for however long it [takes] to get the court martial together, and then hold the court-martial, and then have all the materials reviewed because all that has to go to headquarters of the Army, so could be six months, could be longer." Another factor in the Army's potential decision with King could be what information he was able to provide North Korea. Retired US Air Force judge advocate and Southwestern Law School military law expert Rachel VanLandingham referred to the case of Bowe Bergdahl, who pleaded guilty in 2017 to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy after he walked off post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was captured by the Taliban. Officials who debriefed Bergdahl when he returned to US custody emphasized in his trial how cooperative he was in sharing information about the Taliban and his time in their custody. An official from the Pentagon's Joint Personnel Recovery Agency testified that Bergdahl was an "extremely cooperative participant" in his debriefs after returning to the US. One intelligence analyst also described the information he provided to the US as "a gold mine." "Those are factors that could impact court-martial - what he's doing right now and how cooperative he is with folks he's debriefing with on the intelligence side," she said. However, Cancian argued it was "unlikely" King had any intelligence that would be of particular value given that his captivity was not very long. "I just don't think they want this guy around," he added, referring to King's misconduct issues in South Korea. "My guess is they're going to process him out as quickly as they can." Related Article: North Korea Expels Travis King 2 Months After Crossing Peninsula's DMZ, US Officials Say @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A growing chorus of Republicans are demanding the House change or get rid of the rule that paved the way for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy s (R-Calif.) ouster this week. McCarthy was removed from the top spot in a 216-210 vote on whats known as a motion to vacate, making him the first Speaker ever to be ousted by the House. All House Democrats and eight Republicans voted to remove the Speakers gavel from the California Republican. As part of the dramatic, 15-ballot election that handed McCarthy the gavel in January, the former Speaker agreed to lower the threshold to force a vote on a motion to vacate from five to one which allowed Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to single-handedly call for the vote this week. Now, Republicans furious at the mutiny want to make sure that cant happen again. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) said Wednesday he will withhold support for a new Speaker candidate until the motion to vacate is reformed. Im not supporting ANYONE for Speaker until there is a commitment to reform the Motion to Vacate, Gimenez said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The coup against Speaker McCarthy was DESPICABLE & must never happen again. No one can govern effectively while being threatened by fringe hostage lawmakers. Calling the motion to vacate a toddler security blanket, Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) said the cost for his vote for Speaker is a change to the rule. Apparently the motion to vacate is now a toddler security blanket. Well, were grown up, we need to take it away, Armstrong said Tuesday on CNBC. Armstrong told The Hill he is flexible on what the change to the rule would look like. My answer is, I want to know how the next Speaker is going to ensure what happened yesterday never happens again, Armstrong said. Armstrongs comments echo those from the Main Street Caucus, a prominent House GOP caucus of more than five dozen members, which said the current House rules will keep a chokehold on the lower chamber. The ability for one person to vacate the Speaker of the House will keep a chokehold on this body through 2024, the group wrote in a statement Wednesday morning. Personal politics should never again be used to trump the will of 96 percent of House conservatives. Any candidate for Speaker must explain to us how what happened on Tuesday will never happen again. The 96 percent is in reference to McCarthys comments Tuesday night, where he pointed out 4 percent of the Republican conference can join Democrats and dictate who can be the Republican Speaker. Centrist Republican Rep. Mike Lawler (N.Y.) indicated a change to the process needs to be made, though he did not detail exactly what that might include. No Speaker should have this proverbial gun to their head when trying to do the right thing by the American people, especially in a divided government, Lawler told reporters Wednesday. Theres a reality that some folks just dont seem to grasp and I think moving forward, there needs to be change. Even Senate leaders are weighing in on the issue, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who called on the next Speaker to get rid of the motion to vacate, warning the rule will make the next Speakers job impossible. McConnell told reporters Wednesday that he didnt have much advice to give House GOP lawmakers, but that they should give the next Speaker more job security. I hope whoever the next Speaker is gets rid of the motion to vacate, he said. The House is tasked with making its own rules, which are largely based on Jeffersons Manual, which the House adopted in 1837 as its first set of rules. While a lot of the contents have remained the same throughout the years, the House has the ability to change the rules with a majority vote. It wasnt immediately clear when such a rules vote could take place or if it could get enough support to pass. Prior to Tuesdays vote, a motion to vacate the Speakership was made on only two occasions, neither of which were successful. In 1910, the House voted on whether to remove then-Speaker John Cannon, who secured enough votes to keep the gavel. In 2015, then-Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) field a motion to oust then-Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), which was referred to committee and never received a vote. Emily Brooks and Alexander Bolton contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. He has been the most prolific fundraiser in House Republican history. The unprecedented ouster this week of Speaker Kevin McCarthy raises plenty of question marks for the House GOP as it aims to hold its fragile majority in the chamber in the 2024 elections. "It will 100% be a setback," predicted a Republican in McCarthy's political orbit, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely. A GOP strategist involved in congressional races, who asked for anonymity, warned that "House Republicans are going to need to pick up the pieces quickly of what was the most impressive fundraising organization we have seen in politics if they want to be successful in 2024." HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON THE OUSTER OF KEVIN MCCARTHY AS HOUSE SPEAKER Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, who was ousted as House speaker, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. The speaker's removal has already caused a ripple in the GOP's fundraising efforts. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the main fundraising arm for the House GOP, will postpone a fall gala that was scheduled for next week that McCarthy was slated to headline, Fox News confirmed Wednesday. Organizers said Republicans needed to focus on electing a new speaker instead. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP McCarthy, a former state lawmaker from California who was first elected to the House 17 years ago and who's been in GOP leadership in the chamber since 2009, long had a reputation as a top Republican fundraiser, even before he became speaker. As minority leader, McCarthy helped party defy expectations in the 2020 elections by taking a big bite out of Democrats House majority despite Democrats winning the White House. He personally hauled in $150 million in the last election cycle to help Republicans win back the House majority. WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS SAYING ABOUT THE HOUSE SPEAKER SAGA But after Republicans gained the House majority in last Novembers midterms, McCarthy still had to secure his partys backing as he clawed his way through an historic 15-ballot speakership election over five days at the beginning of the year. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) watch election results in a room with staffers at the Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. on November 8, 2022. That fight set back fundraising efforts, but McCarthy quickly made up for lost time as he hauled in an eye-popping $12.3 million at his first major fundraiser, which was held in early February at a downtown D.C. hotel. As speaker, he hauled in a whopping $62.5 million during the first six months of the year through the McCarthy Victory Fund. "It is a huge question mark," said another Republican operative who works on House races. "Hes a very prolific fundraiser. He was our best asset in that arena." The operative, who also asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, noted that "its really hard to know that the practical impact will be. We dont know who the next leader is going to be and what their fundraising capacity is like." While the GOP captured the House majority last year, hopes of a red wave never materialized and the party is holding onto a fragile 222-213 majority (currently 221-212 with seats in a red district and a blue district currently vacant. That means Democrats need a net gain of just five seats to win back control of the chamber next year. "I intend to make sure that we gain and keep the majority in the next cycle," McCarthy vowed at a news conference on Tuesday after he was booted from the speakership. Veteran Republican strategist and former National Republican Congressional Committee national press secretary Jesse Hunt noted that when it comes to fundraising going forward, "there seems to be a pretty good existing apparatus there, and Im sure McCarthy and members of the current leadership will try to help make the transition as seamless as possible." Then-House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) campaigns with Republican congressional nominee Bo Hines, on August 9, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina While Republicans focused on the 2024 House elections acknowledge the ousting of McCarthy's a distraction, they counter that they still enjoy an "amazing" political environment, with leading issues such as the economy, border security, and crime that polling suggests favors the GOP. "We have a message that works and Joe Bidens unpopular. We have a lot going for us," the Republican operative said. They also point to their 2024 recruitment class "that's on the field already," which McCarthy had a hand in shaping. "Weve got good pieces on the chess board and weve got a good message to talk about," the operative added. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Original article source: Republicans sweat about future fundraising for 2024 House elections after McCarthy's downfall It all started with Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haapai. This underwater volcano in the Pacific nation of Tonga erupted violently in Jan. 2022, setting in motion unusual tsunami effects. As a result, tsunami researchers studied the energy released from the eruption and its effects on the ocean and atmosphere. They worked to improve models and give communities better warning for future events. Results from the studies, led by scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) in Japan, appeared in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics earlier this year. The report described their new model, which can provide real-time, improved accuracy predictions about tsunamis, according to an OIST news release. The events triggered in Tonga were no ordinary tsunamis. And even though Tongans had prepared responses, these tsunami effects took people by surprise. In a classic tsunami, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) explained, there is a huge displacement of water due to rapid movement of the seabed brought on by earthquake or volcano. In Tonga, the volcano also unleashed a dramatic pressure wave in the atmosphere that sent a first ripple of ocean water radiating outward much faster than the main tsunami. Atmospheric wave response to Tonga eruption, from 4 UTC to 10:50 UTC. Slightly smoothed 10-minute change in GOES-17 band 13 (IR). Looks like some modest filtering would pull out a really clear signal. pic.twitter.com/CHZY7iv4HH Dr. Mathew Barlow (@MathewABarlow) January 16, 2022 The USGS compared average tsunami speeds to a commercial airplanes, but the atmospheric shockwaves sent out from Tonga were nearer the speed of sound reached by supersonic jets. This meant that, for example, the first atmosphere-driven waves arrived in Japan about two hours earlier than predicted. Also, these atmosphere-influenced waves were reported around the world, even in seas that would normally have been blocked from the tsunami by landmasses. The new research focused on these unfashionably early waves and the interactions of sea and atmosphere. Its important to know how the atmospheric wave changes in time to make accurate predictions that would be of use for warning systems, said Stephen Winn, a study co-author, for the news release. In addition to helping for tsunami preparation, the new model developed using advanced coding and a supercomputer could help address surges caused by hurricanes and tropical storms. These weather effects are intensifying as the planet warms. With our model, we can explore what might happen to the water flow as it approaches the coast, Emile Touber, the teams lead researcher, said in the news release. This can help [people] decide on the kind of coastal defense systems that should be put in place for storm related surges. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Retailers hoped to save big on labor costs by introducing self-checkout lanes. Recent moves from the biggest retailers suggest it's proving harder than expected. It seems many stores still need real people to help customers with their purchases. Self-checkout may not be the money-saving " revolution " some retailers were hoping for. More than 30 years after the introduction of self-checkout and its promises of labor-cost savings, the tech has become ubiquitous in stores across the US. Now, retailers including Costco, Walmart, and Kroger are rethinking some of their self-checkout strategies. Some are finding they still need employees to combat theft, assist with purchases, review IDs, and check receipts. Costco, for example, has started asking staff to check membership cards in the self-checkout lanes, as well as assist with scanning items. Shoppers using membership cards that don't belong to them is a more serious issue for Costco than shoplifting. Dominick Reuter/Insider The company said the move would help crack down on shoppers improperly sharing memberships at self-checkout registers. Costco relies on membership fees for most of its profit. Walmart said last week it was pulling self-checkout from at least three stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and replacing the lanes with traditional staffed registers. The company didn't elaborate on reasons for the change and said it had no plans for "widespread" removal of self-checkout. Walmart started rolling out a hybrid approach to self-checkout in 2020. The redesigned checkout zones replaced traditional lanes with a staffed corral of kiosks where shoppers could opt to scan and pay on their own or have a worker do it for them. Walmart's redesigned checkout zones do away with traditional lanes in favor of staffed kiosks. Walmart A press release touted the redesign's human touch. "In this new layout, you get greeted from the entranceway and helped all the way through the whole process," a store manager said in a release. "We will go to any register, and we will help you in any fashion you want, whether it's checking out one item or all the items. Any questions you have, we're right there for you." This embedded content is not available in your region. Kroger, meanwhile, is going all in on self-checkout in at least one store where it's no longer offering traditional registers. But Kroger told Retail Dive the change didn't result in labor cuts, and it still had front-end staff to assist with scanning and bagging groceries. This isn't exactly the labor-minimizing tech retailers were promised. Kroger and Costco didn't respond to a request from Insider for additional details on their self-checkout strategies. A Walmart spokesperson said the company continues to review and adjust its procedures as needed. Retailers invest in tech to monitor self-checkout theft Industry estimates suggest inventory losses can rise by 31% to 60% or more depending on the number of self-checkout stations used in a store. Matt Kelley, a loss-prevention expert who worked in asset protection at Home Depot, told Insider last year that self-checkout forced retailers to make a trade-off between labor-cost savings and the increased expense of theft. "Inherently, that means there's going to be less eyes on a transaction," Kelley, who's now with LiveView Technologies, added at the time. "And there's going to be more of an opportunity for the dishonest people to be dishonest." Walmart and Kroger use sophisticated video-monitoring and sensor tech to track merchandise through stores and self-checkout lanes. But some shoppers told Insider they still saw unpaid items pass without raising alarm. Missed or skipped scans are not always intentional people and machines make mistakes. In any case, the solution appears to be the same: assigning employees to monitor and assist customers. Christopher Andrews, a Drew University sociologist who wrote "The Overworked Consumer," told CNN last year that, far from being the autonomous money collectors retailers were hoping for, self-checkout stations required supervision, maintenance, and IT support. Self-checkout "delivers none of what it promises," he told the outlet. To be sure, many retailers are still investing in the technology. But some appear to be reconsidering how they use it and whether to bring more humans into the process so it runs smoothly. Read the original article on Business Insider It's always good to consult an expert on products for your specific concerns. It's always good to consult an expert on products for your specific concerns. Despitetheonslaught of skin care products that fall in and out of favor, retinol has stubbornly persisted. Ive always been hesitant to try anything with retinol in it because not every product on beauty lists is made with darker skin tones in mind. Several years ago, however, my dermatologist prescribed a common retinol-adjacent medicine, Tretinoin, to treat my moderate acne. He instructed me to use a small amount and sent me on my way. I followed the instructions on the label: Apply to the affected area twice daily. And while it did clear up bumpy whiteheads, I also developed dry white patches and discoloration on my chin, around my mouth and on my cheeks. It was a very unpleasant side effect. For theuninitiated, retinol is a Vitamin A derivative commonly used for treating acne and to reduce the look of aging. Tretinoin uses a synthetic version of Vitamin A and is reported to be slightly stronger; its also the most commonly prescribed retinol product. After two weeks, I gave up and assumed that retinoids the umbrella term for Vitamin A-based products did not work well on Black and brown skin. But after doing a little research, I saw that many beauty influencers of color have used retinol products successfully. What gives? When I shared my personal experience with Dr. Angela J. Lamb, a dermatologist and director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice in New York, she explained that building up to the recommended dosage is crucial, especially on skin of color. When she recommends any retinol regimen to her patients, she instructs them to start with a pea-sized amount of the medicine for their entire face and then increase from there if its working well. I always start them on the lowest dose, and then I also have them apply it on top of moisturizer because you often need a barrier while your skin is getting used to it, she says. I loved the idea of a gentle, protective cocktail versus a straight-up slather. Lamb is among a relatively small number of Black dermatologists in the U.S. they make up 3% of all U.S. dermatologists and I found her to be profoundly knowledgeable on the topic of nurturing darker skin tones and all the beautiful caveats that accompany our complexions. To be fair, all board-certified dermatologists learn about treating people of all skin tones and types, but the lack of representation in dermatology is also why many skin conditions that Black and brown people experience go under-treated or undiagnosed. Its so frustrating that many of us turn to natural remedies that are not backed by research and can sometimes cause more harm to our bodies. Tiara Willis, a New York City-based aesthetician and skin educator, tells me that most of her clients are Black women, specifically ones dealing with skin corrective issues. Many of Willis clients have been prescribed cream with retinoids. What I found was they didnt really know how to use it. So not that Tretinoin is bad, but its an intense medication, she explains. Retinoids have been around since the 1970s and have been associated with some of dermatologys original acne research. There are different brand names and compound names, but much of the basic science is the same. Lamb explains they are lauded as a great preventative acne treatment because they accelerate skin cell turnover so that sticky skin cells arent able to pile up, clog your pores and cause acne. They are also believed to increase collagen production, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Lamb and Willis agree that there is a lot of good, consistent science behind the medicine and it is ideal for all skin complexions when used correctly, of course. It can also help balance out uneven skin tone or pigmentation issues many Black and brown people experience because of the abundance of melanin in our skin. There are so many benefits to Tretinoin we really do try to get people to be able to tolerate it. If they cant, there are alternatives, Lamb said. Another retinoid option is Differin gel, which as of 2016 is available over the counter. I vaguely remember the TV commercials back when you needed a prescription for it where an already porcelain-skinned actress would daintily dot on the clear gel with her fingertips as the camera panned to a white and green tube. It made me wonder if the products we can get without a prescription are simply less effective dupes. Over-the-counter retinol is just equally as effective; it can just take longer to get results [when] compared to a prescription, explains celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden. Ten years ago, Darden, who has contributed to the eternally ethereal glow of Kelly Rowland, created her own products to provide clients with all the beautifying effects of prescription retinol minus the harsh side effects. The most recent is a serum that contains a mix of supplementary compounds such as lactic acid and apple extract. Darden tells me that the goal of adding these, in particular, is to create a slower, controlled release of the retinols properties. She recommends using retinoids only at night (as many skin experts do), which makes sense since that is when the body does most of its repairing. And because prescription retinol can disrupt the skins natural moisture barrier and make the skin dry and irritated, it might benefit some of us those with darker skin tones and/or sensitive skin to try the Retinol-lite route first. And a little guidance from a professional is always best if you have that option. If youre new to retinoids and are intrigued by high-potency or prescription-grade options, a session with a dermatologist will be the best place to start, said Deborah Kilgore, global director of skin care knowledge at Paulas Choice. This advice is true for everyone but its particularly important for darker skin tones which can be more susceptible to irritations that could escalate into issues, like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. So it turns out that its totally fine for people of my skin tone to use retinol I just need to take a more cautious approach. It should be noted that there are vegan retinol options, but retinoids shouldnt be used while pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, dermatologists recommend everyone give the treatment a break two weeks prior to waxing, chemical peels, micro-needling or laser hair removal treatments. Last thing for all my fellow brown-skinned girlies (of all genders): Resist conducting TikTok-inspired experiments, including the one where you can supposedly regrow stressed edges and receding hairlines by combining Tretinoin with minoxidil. If youre curious about something you see online, ask a dermatologist. Retinol might just be the It Girl of skin care even for darker skin tones especially when used in conjunction with patience and sunscreen (the compounds can cause photosensitivity). While melanin-rich skin does boast innate sun-protecting properties, this defense is minimal at best, Kilgore adds. By applying sunscreen liberally and daily, youre not just protecting against the suns potential harms but also guarding against future concerns including skin cancer. Will I give retinol another chance this fall and winter? Absolutely and Ill be slathering my face with a nice moisturizer first. Whoever said Black and brown dont crack was only half right. We have to be selective when choosing our products and build sustainable regimens that enhance our timeless glow. Anti-vaccine activist and Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could pull votes from about 1 in 7 U.S. voters, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. Kennedy is expected to leave the Democratic race against President Biden and announce he is running as an independent candidate next week, Reuters reported. In doing so, he could potentially draw votes away from Biden and his likely Republican challenger former President Trump in the upcoming election. While both are front-runners in their parties, polling shows neither Biden nor Trump are receiving enthusiasm from voters about being the likely nominees. The survey asked respondents, between Biden and Trump, whom they would vote for if the election was held tomorrow. The front-runners tied, each receiving 35 percent. In a race that is expected to be decided by a handful of states, Kennedy entering the mix complicates the outcome for both Biden and Trump. In a hypothetical three-way match-up, Kennedy earned 14 percent, while Biden fell to 31 percent and Trump dropped to 33 percent. About 9 percent said they werent going to vote in the 2024 presidential election and 13 percent said they werent sure whom they would vote for. Kennedy, son and namesake of the assassinated Democratic New York senator and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy , belongs to a family with strong ties to the American political system and benefits from a well-known name. While he hasnt made much headway against the Democratic front-runner, Kennedy has appealed to some Democratic voters and has the potential to gain traction among Republicans, as well. More respondents in the poll said they had a favorable view of Kennedy than an unfavorable view. Nearly half, 48 percent, of respondents said they had a favorable view of the lawyer, beating Biden and Trumps 40 percent each. Comparatively, 38 percent said they had an unfavorable view of Kennedy, and 14 percent said they had never heard of him. In his second-quarter filings, Kennedy reportedly brought in a total $6 million for his campaign, $3 million of which was financed in a three-day stretch. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted Oct. 3-4 online and surveyed 1,005 adults nationwide with a margin of error of 4 percentage points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rheinmetall has received an order "in the two-digit million-euro range" from the German government to supply Ukraine with mobile drone surveillance systems, the arms manufacturer announced on Oct. 5. The Estonian-designed SurveilSpire system can monitor and automatically engage enemy drones, Rheinmetall's press release said. SurveilSpire systems "include mobile surveillance towers with day and night vision camera equipment, autopiloted mini-drones, and a command and control system," according to the arms manufacturer. Assembly of the system requires just three people and can be connected to 4G or Starlink connections for remote video transmission to a command post, Rheinmetall said. The systems are highly mobile, as they can be can be loaded onto trailers and transported to where needed. "Transport vehicles are also included in the scope of delivery," Rheinmetall added. The designer of the system, Estonian defense company DefSecIntel, describes SurveilSpire as an autonomous platform with "built-in AI detection software," able to "conduct fully automated operations in different weather conditions." Solar panels mean that the system does not require a connection to a power line or fuel. Rheinmetall is producing a range of weapons for Ukraine. In August, the company confirmed that it would be ready to deliver a Luna New Generation reconnaissance drone system to Ukraine over the course of 2023. On Sept. 11, Rheinmetall announced it would deliver 40 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) based on an order placed by the German government in August. This brings the total number of Marder vehicles to be supplied by Rheinmetall to Ukraine on Germany's commission to 80, with the first 20 shipped in March and another batch of 20 ordered in June, which are currently being overhauled and delivered. On Sept. 28, Germany's regulatory agency approved plans to set up a joint venture in Kyiv between Rheinmetall and Ukrainian Defense Industry, Ukraine's state-owned defense company. Read also: Investigation: Baltic-registered crypto firms service payments for Russian private army, allow sanctions evasion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The ladies of the 305 are back with a brand new season of drama, fashion and sun. Grab those mojitos, The Real Housewives of Miami is back! The popular Real Housewives franchise returns this fall, with some emotional revelations in the group of Miami girls, including Guerdy Abrairas fight with breast cancer. Guerdy Abraira of The Real Housewives of Miami. (Photo by Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo) As theGrio previously reported, The Real Housewives of Miami was the first official reboot in the popular Real Housewives franchise, coming back to fans in 2021 after 8 years off the air. That season saw returning faces (Larsa Pippen, Alexia Echevarria, Lisa Hochstein, Adriana de Moura and Marysol Patton) mixed with newbies (Guerdy Abraira, Julia Lemigova, Dr. Nicole Martin and Kiki Barth). The recipe, which aired on Peacock exclusively for seasons 4 and 5, proved to be a success for the franchise, so much so that for the upcoming 6th season, the Miami women are returning home: RHOM will once again air on Bravo, streaming on Peacock the next day. The trailer for season 6 wastes no time bringing fans back into the lavish and spicy world of South Beach, Miami, infusing plenty of signature drama with some powerful personal moments. In one emotional moment, Abraira reveals her breast cancer diagnosis to some of the women. In the scene, they immediately rally around her, with de Moura telling her, its time for us to be there for you! As theGrio previously reported, Abraira publicly revealed her diagnosis in May of this year, writing in an Instagram post that she will, guerdyfy this cancer as I guerdyfy everything else in my life, using her signature phrase. Despite her massive personal story, the event planner has plenty of drama with other women in the group, specifically with Pippen. The Real Housewives of Miami season 6 cast. (Photo by Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo) Calling Scottie Pippens ex a pathological liar, Abraira tells her, you lie about everything, to which Pippen responds, you gotta stop saying that because you are wrong! Pippen also brings her new beau, son of Michael Jordan Marcus Jordan, in front of the cameras this year. While recording what seems to be a podcast, Jordan asks, my dad does he approve of our relationship? In case you missed it, Jordan publicly said no when TMZ asked him that exact question earlier this year. Kiki Barth, a friend of the housewives, seems to also be in the thick of drama this season, clashing with Hochstein at the end of the trailer. Watch their fiery confrontation and the rest of the trailer below: The Real Housewives of Miami returns with a supersized episode on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post RHOM season 6 trailer: Guerdy Abraira tearfully reveals breast cancer diagnosis appeared first on TheGrio. With the Polish parliamentary elections just around the corner, the country's rising far-right threaten Poland's relations with Ukraine in more ways than one. The Confederation party, a contender for third place in the upcoming Oct. 15 elections, is a disrupting force that pushes the country's mainstream further and further to the fringe, setting the tone for Polish foreign policy. Traditionally Kyivs most ardent and vocal ally, the Polish governments relationship with Ukraine has been recently marred by diplomatic spats and trade disputes. The ruling right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) is not only putting its foot down on Ukrainian grain imports but also chastises Kyiv for an apparent lack of gratitude for Polish support and plays on painful historical grievances. This seemingly sudden change is not without cause PiS is feeling the pressure of the Confederation, a far-right alliance fighting for the same voters and capitalizing on the creeping Ukraine fatigue. At one point surging as high as 14% and, in the more recent polls, oscillating around 10%, some surveys place the "nationalist-libertarian coalition" party as potentially the third strongest candidate behind PiS's United Right coalition (37%) and the liberal Civic Coalition/Civic Platform (30%). To halt the spilling of its voters to the more radical and hardline Confederation, PiS is forced to up the ante in its Poland first rhetoric and convince a significant part of its voter base that Law and Justice can protect their interests better than the far-right upstarts. The ruling conservatives must also consider that the Confederations MPs may hold keys to the next government. With their hands likely on a strong result, the radicals may become the kingmakers of these elections, something that the current Polish government is well aware of. Free market and chauvinism The Confederation Liberty and Independence was formed ahead of the 2019 parliamentary elections as a coalition of nationalist, conservative, and libertarian political projects, winning around 6.8% and 11 MPs in Sejm, the lower house of the country's parliament. The far-right group espouses hardline Euroscepticism, a tough stance on immigration, and is set to introduce reduced taxation and government spending. Its members have, however, also accumulated a substantial record of anti-semitic and racist statements. As the Confederation is heading toward even stronger results in the October elections, its views on Ukraine raise worries regarding Warsaw and Kyivs future rapport. In their program, the party stresses the primacy of Polands own interests when it comes to their eastern neighbors. The radicals also managed to hit the nerve on some of the most sensitive topics, including the dark legacy of the Volyhnia massacres committed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) against the Poles during World War II. Despite mutual efforts by both Ukrainian and Polish leaders to settle this painful chapter of the shared history, the topic of Volynhia, UPA, and its ideological leader, Stepan Bandera, keeps haunting Polish-Ukrainian relations. Read also: Sawomir Sierakowski: Polands destructive grievance politics These understandable sentiments are capitalized not only by Polands own radical groups but also by external forces seeking to drive a wedge between the two countries. Lukasz Adamski, a historian, political scientist, and vice director of the Juliusz Mieroszewski Centre for Dialogue, points out that the Confederation is more closely connected to the organizations of Volyhnia victims relatives an influential lobby in Polish politics than other parties. While being made up mostly of sincere Polish patriots, these groups have also been, to some extent, infiltrated by pro-Kremlin forces, Adamski said. For example, a July demonstration at Ukraines embassy in Warsaw ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Volyhnia Massacre was organized by Krzysztof Tolwinski, who preaches reconciliation with Belarus and Russia amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The event was also attended by Mateusz Piskorski, a suspected Russian spy, and Leszek Sykulski, the founder of the pro-Russian Polish Anti-War Movement. The rally's participants called for holding Ukraine responsible for Banderism and Nazism and urged to cut weapons supplies for Kyiv, a clear nod to Russian decades-long propaganda. The Confederations own leading members are also no strangers to anti-Ukrainian or pro-Russian statements. 80-year-old Janusz Korwin-Mikke, one of the coalitions founding members notorious for anti-semitic and misogynist statements, has a history of defending Russian President Vladimir Putin and even questioned Russias responsibility for the Bucha Massacre. In 2015, Korwin-Mikke visited Russian-occupied Crimea and met with Russian occupation authorities. Firebrand Grzegorz Braun rallies against what he calls the Ukrainization of Poland by Ukrainian refugees and said he wants to seek reparations from Kyiv for the Volyhnia tragedy. While these statements are likely to grab the media headlines, it is not the face that the Confederations younger party leaders wish to present to the public. Michal Lebduska, a researcher at the Prague-based think-tank Association for International Affairs, said that figures like Korwin-Mikke or Braun are being pushed to the background as their ultraconservative rhetoric does more harm than good to the partys performance. Instead, the Confederation focuses on younger male voters, namely entrepreneurs, using their libertarian platform and attacking PiS' populist spending on pensions or family benefits. The partys 2019 presidential candidate, 41-year-old Krzysztof Bosak, denied that the Confederation would be pro-Russian and said that the party does not have any delusion about Russia. The far-right coalition criticizes the scale of Warsaws support for Ukraine, branding it gullible and naive, but it does not call for cutting Ukraine support completely. "I have no doubt that helping Ukraine, also militarily in some sphere which does not lower Poland's own military capabilities, is necessary," Confederation spokesperson Anna Brylka told Reuters. Presidential candidate for the far-right coalition party, Confederation Liberty and Independence, Krzysztof Bosak delivers a speech for locals and supporters during a rally on June 13, 2020, in Krakow, Poland. (Photo credit: Omar Marques/Getty Images) Adamski rejects branding the Confederation as pro-Russian, explaining their hardline stance toward Ukraine rather as an attempt to set the party apart from the mainstream politics, represented by both PiS and the rest of the opposition, namely Donald Tusk's liberal Civic Platform (PO). This party (Confederation) is trying to get electorate support by using anti-mainstream political slogans and calling for transactional policy when it comes to Ukraine, and this is fundamentally different than being pro-Russian, Adamski said. However, it remains unclear whether this shift toward more moderate, rational rhetoric reflects the partys actual policy goals or whether it is merely a play not to scare off potential voters during the campaign. Some experts warn against underestimating the strength of the anti-Ukrainian strand among Confederations party members. Wojciech Przybylski, the editor-in-chief of Visegrad Insight, noted that while younger leaders of the Confederation are effective at attracting younger electorate by effective PR and libertarian rhetoric, they have little to say on the security of foreign policy. When it comes to foreign and security issues, Braun and Korwin-Mikke dictate the party agenda, Przybylski said, adding that these two figures, in fact, set the "value structure and hierarchy of the coalition. Changing winds In spite of the months of squabbles coming both from Polish and Ukrainian official channels, it is crucial to remember that the decisive majority of the Polish population remains supportive of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Nevertheless, polls show that the initial pro-Ukrainian fever from the first months of the war is cooling down. This shift is largely driven by war and refugee fatigue common for other countries supporting Ukraine. With the enthusiasm of the first months slowly falling off, Polands public is shifting attention to the 1 million Ukrainian refugees who became their new neighbors. According to surveys, the number of Poles decisively in favor of continued support for refugees dropped from 49% to 28% between January and June. Around 60% of respondents said Ukrainian refugees should not have access to the same social benefits as Polish citizens, and over half are against providing them with free food and accommodation. Lebduska adds that some of the traditional issues between Poles and Ukrainians, such as the aforementioned historical grievances or Polish negative stereotypes about Ukrainian migrant workers, subsided with the start of the full-scale invasion but are now slowly resurfacing. As this mood swing played right into the hands of the Ukraine-skeptic Confederation, PiS was forced to adopt a more hardline stance toward Kyiv as well. With the struggle for electoral support so intense that every one or two percentage points count, other parties are inclined to adopt certain slogans of the Confederation, Adamski said. Read also: Sawomir Sierakowski: The strongest army in Europe? In May, Lukasz Jasina, a spokesperson for the Polish Foreign Ministry, said that Kyiv had not done enough to accept responsibility for the Volyhnia Massacre, sparking outrage in Ukraine. Polish Secretary of State and Head of the International Policy Bureau Marcin Przydacz sparked another diplomatic conflict in the summer when he said Ukraine should show more gratitude for Polands aid. The tensions reached new heights following Warsaws decision to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain imports past Sept. 15, after which Ukraine said it will sue Poland at the World Trade Organization and threatened its own embargo against Polish products. This strategy may have brought some fruit. In July, the Confederation peaked in the polls at 14%, and PiSs United Right polled at 35%. The more recent numbers show the far-right alliance dropping to around 10% and the ruling party slightly rising to 37%. Even so, PiS is most likely still looking at a notably lower result than in the 2019 parliament elections (43.6%) and will need another partys support to secure a majority in the Sejm. Given the convergence between the ruling conservatives and the Confederation on issues such as the EU or social issues, the far-right party appears to be the most logical choice for post-election negotiations. As Ukraine-skeptic populists grain ground both in Europe and the U.S., there are concerns that the Confederation might drive Poland to join this trend, especially if PiS tries to accept the far-right as potential coalition partners. Friends today, rivals tomorrow? It remains to be seen what will be the result of the October vote, but despite the vitriol in the air, there is little prospect of a new right-to-far-right government spelling a sudden end to Ukraine's military aid. Both PiS and Confederation have previously spoken against a joint coalition. While politicians statements often count for little once the last ballot is cast, there are reasons to believe that the Confederation will not seek to enter into the government with PiS. I dont see Confederation having an appetite to enter (into coalition with PiS), Przybylski said. The smaller of the parties would be too weak in such a potential coalition and likely devoured by its larger partner, the expert believes. Lebduska pointed out that the radical coalition has been building an image of a fresh alternative to the stale duo of PiS Jaroslaw Kaczynski and POs Tusk. Becoming a coalition member in a government led by either of the two could take away much of the Confederations appeal as an anti-system party. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Biden says American support for Ukraine cant be allowed to be interrupted Should PiS receive a chance to build a government, they are more likely to try and poach some of the Confederations lawmakers or negotiate some kind of conditional, silent support in the Sejm. And even if such an improbable but not impossible scenario came to pass, the support for Ukraine, including military supplies, is unlikely to dry out. Poland will remain an important ally of Ukraine, at the least in the military area, Lebduska said, pointing out that there is a broad consensus on this subject in much of the Polish society. As the decisively anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian segment of the Polish population remains in a clear minority, even the Confederation would be forced to respect the majority's opinion. Polands historical experience with Russian occupation and Moscows military presence in the neighborhood make Ukraines survival a vital security interest for Warsaw and the Polish people. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us However, both Przybylski and Adamski said that the shift in PiS rhetoric, driven by the far-right challenge, would likely leave scars on long-term Polish-Ukrainian relations if the Law and Justice holds on to power. Whatever result PiS gets, some of it will be based on nationalist votes that are skeptical of Ukraine, Przybylski said. The party knowingly decided to build its strategy on "capturing nationalist sentiments" and will be under pressure to keep their promises, he added. Neighborhood of two agrarian countries would naturally generate some conflicts, but this conflict has been solved through emotions, Adamski said, pointing out that Kyiv is also to blame for the escalation. President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered scathing remarks against Poland at the UN General Assembly, hinting that their grain embargo is aiding Russia. In response, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called on the Ukrainian president to never insult the Poles again. Gathering nationalist voters, a new PiS government might be obliged, with or without the Confederations political support, to take a more protectionist stance toward Ukraine. As Kyiv seeks to enter the European Union, its aspirations may encounter hurdles laid by Warsaws economic interests and historical grievances. Read also: Peter Tkacenko: Slovakia after election If not friend, certainly not enemy of Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Jorge Oceguera Rocha, 25, was arrested on Sept. 17 on charges of possession of fentanyl and transporting the drug for sale and is being held on $5-million bail. (Riverside County Sheriff's Department) Last month, Jorge Oceguera Rocha left home in his gray Honda Civic. His colleagues in the Riverside County Sheriff's Department were watching. They tailed Oceguera, a 25-year-old sheriff's deputy assigned to the jail in his hometown of Banning, to a modest brown home in Victorville. They followed him onto the 10 Freeway, where a marked patrol cruiser pulled him over. In the trunk of Oceguera's car, an investigator wrote in a sworn declaration, police found four trash bags stuffed with 104 pounds of fentanyl. A four-year deputy, Oceguera always dreamed of becoming a police officer, his lawyer said. Now, authorities accuse him of working for a Mexican drug cartel. He is being held on $5-million bail, charged with possessing fentanyl and transporting the drug for sale while armed. "All we hear is 'correctional officer' and 'cartel' and 'fentanyl,'" said his attorney, Randy Collins. "This person is 25 years old. The one thing I can tell you is during our last meeting, he told me, 'I promise you I'm not a bad person.'" A review of court documents and interviews shows the investigation that led to Oceguera's arrest on Sept. 17 was wider than previously known. Two other men were arrested in the same case but have not been charged, according to booking records and a spokeswoman for the Riverside County district attorney. Riverside County sheriff's investigators took the aggressive step of placing a wiretap on Oceguera's phone, which intercepted discussions between Oceguera and a relative about drug trafficking, an investigator wrote in a declaration. Sheriff's Capt. Adriaan Roggeveen, who leads the bureau that arrested Oceguera, said his detectives were pursuing a larger drug trafficking case when they identified the deputy as a target. "If we have an employee who is not upholding the standard, we are going to go after him. This whole idea of the thin blue line'? No. if you are a criminal in an organization, we are going to find you because thats our job," Roggeveen told The Times. "Weeding out dirty employees at any organization is paramount to what we do. Otherwise, they erode the public trust." The arrest of Oceguera was the latest in a series of embarrassments for the Sheriffs Department. Days earlier, Deputy Brent Bishop Turnwall was arrested in the county jail where he worked, suspected of possessing drugs and being under the influence of them, the Riverside Press Enterprise reported. In April, undercover deputies sold 60 pounds of methamphetamine to criminals who made off with the drugs before the Sheriff's Department could apprehend them. Oceguera, who has pleaded not guilty, is a U.S. citizen who grew up in Banning, a city of 30,000 about 30 miles east of Riverside, Collins said. The lawyer described his client's family as "well-educated people that work in the community. They've lived there their whole lives." Oceguera attended Cal State Long Beach from 2016 to 2019, graduating with a bachelor's in criminal justice, said Jim Milbury, a spokesman for the school. He was hired by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department that year, assigned to the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. Oceguera was engaged to be married and bought a house in his hometown, Collins said. "By all accounts he was doing the right things in life to get on his feet." Property records show Oceguera bought a house on the southern side of Banning in 2022 for $330,000, taking out a mortgage for nearly the entire amount. In a declaration filed in court, Riverside County Deputy Joshua Ricard said the department's Special Investigations Bureau opened a drug trafficking case on Oceguera in September. It's unclear what led investigators to focus on Oceguera, but that month, Ricard wrote, they persuaded a judge to give them authority to intercept his phone calls. On Sept. 16, they overheard on a call that Oceguera planned to go to "an identified narcotic stash location" in Victorville, Ricard wrote. That afternoon, deputies followed Oceguera from Banning to a house on Pacoima Road in Victorville. When he arrived, Oceguera called a relative, Ricard wrote. The garage door opened, Oceguera pulled his Civic inside and the door closed behind him. Ten minutes later, Oceguera reversed out of the driveway and headed back toward Banning. Oceguera was pulled over on the 10 Freeway near the Oak Valley Parkway exit in Calimesa. After a police dog detected the scent of drugs, Oceguera and his car were searched, Ricard wrote. According to his declaration, deputies found in the trunk of the Civic four trash bags filled with square, cellophane-wrapped packages of "blue fentanyl-laced M30 pills." The pills 520,000 of them weighed 104 pounds, Ricard wrote. Inside a bag on the backseat of the Civic was Oceguera's "duty weapon," a loaded Glock handgun, Ricard wrote. After being arrested and advised of his Miranda rights, Oceguera refused to talk. In arguing for Oceguera's bail to be set at $5 million, Ricard described him as "a grave threat to the general public." As a sheriff's deputy, Oceguera "has knowledge of the dangers of fentanyl and the mass overdose pandemic," Ricard wrote, yet he possessed a huge quantity of the drug "with no regard for public safety." Ricard said Oceguera was a flight risk, noting he traveled to Mexico several times in recent months to visit family. Then Ricard went on to claim that Oceguera "conducts narcotics-related activity in concert with the Mexican Cartel." "The Mexican Cartel is one of the largest criminal enterprises worldwide and is responsible for the vast majority of all narcotics trafficking within the United States," Ricard wrote. "In addition to the mass amounts of narcotics, the Mexican Cartel and its various members have access to a near infinite amount of currency." It's unclear which cartel Ricard was referring to. Mexico's drug trafficking networks are divided among many cartels and subgroups who fight for control of smuggling routes and distribution centers. Roggeveen, the sheriff's captain, declined to discuss specifics of Oceguera's case, including alleged cartel ties or other targets of the investigation. Collins said that based on the limited evidence that has been provided to him, "I haven't seen anything that shows a direct link between Jorge and a cartel." He cautioned that he had not yet heard the wiretapped calls. Between the cartel allegations and Ricard's statement that the amount of fentanyl seized from Oceguera's car was enough to kill 2 million people, the declaration "is so inflammatory that once you read it, it's hard not to justify" the $5-million bail figure, Collins said. He said Oceguera's bail should not be so high, considering his family's roots in Banning and his lack of a prior criminal record. Two other men were arrested in the same case, then released without being charged, records show. Collins said one was in the car with Oceguera when deputies pulled them over, while the other was Oceguera's uncle. Ricard's declaration makes no mention of either man. Both were discharged from jail three days after their arrest, according to jail records. Brooke Beare, a spokeswoman for the Riverside County district attorney, wrote in an email that the Sheriff's Department had not submitted cases on "other possible co-defendants." Beare said Oceguera is not accused of smuggling drugs into the jails or abusing his police powers in the drug trafficking crimes with which he is charged. Oceguera was held for a time in the same jail where he once worked, according to his lawyer. "That's a scary situation for him," Collins said. "He's scared about being there. He's scared about being in that environment." 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. U.S. Republican Rep. Jim Jordan joins race for House speaker after McCarthy ouster Xinhua) 11:05, October 05, 2023 WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican Representative Jim Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, on Wednesday announced that he plans to join the race to become the next House speaker. Jordan's announcement came one day after Kevin McCarthy's historical removal. Also on Wednesday, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, formally entered the race. "We are at a critical crossroad in our nation's history. Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promises to Americans," Jordan, an Ohio Republican, said in a letter to colleagues, seeking their support for his bid for the speakership. Jordan, who was elected to Congress in 2006, was a former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, considered to be the most conservative and farthest-right bloc within the House Republican Conference. He was nominated for the speakership in January this year by hard-right Republicans who opposed McCarthy. At that time, however, Jordan maintained his support for McCarthy, who won the position after 15 rounds of voting on the House floor. McCarthy, a California Republican, was ousted from the position in a 216-210 vote on Tuesday, marking the first time in U.S. history that a House speaker has been voted out of office in the middle of a term. Eight Republicans joined Democrats in removing McCarthy from the speakership. The removal came less than one day after hardline Republican Representative Matt Gaetz filed a resolution to remove McCarthy through a process known as "a motion to vacate." Gaetz and other hardline Republicans had warned for weeks they would move to oust McCarthy if McCarthy relied on Democrats to pass funding legislation, criticizing McCarthy for failing to pass legislation with deep spending cuts and border security provisions. Republican Representative Patrick T. McHenry from North Carolina was named acting speaker of the House after McCarthy's ousting. McCarthy, who was elected House speaker in January this year, has announced that he would not seek the position again, setting up an expected intense intraparty battle for the speakership. (Web editor: Zhang Wenjie, Hongyu) (Photo: by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images) A woman walks past a logo of the 2022 Asian Games at the media village in Hangzhou, China's eastern Zhejiang province on September 21, 2023. Lin Yuwei and Wu Yanni's racing numbers together make the number "64," which is a typical reference to the incident that took place on June 4. In China, talking about the incident is still frowned upon, and the government frequently removes any references to it from the internet. Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed by the military in Beijing in 1989. Although the exact number of deaths that day is still unknown, estimates from human rights organizations range from several hundred to several thousand. After Ms. Lin's gold-winning 100-meter hurdles competition at the Asian Games, the athletes hugged one another. In the picture, she was wearing lane number 6 next to Ms. Wu, who was wearing lane number 4, as reported by BBC News. On Weibo, one of the most popular social networking sites in China, many congratulated Ms. Lin, but posts with photos were replaced with gray squares. However, some Chinese news stories still display a picture of the two sportsmen, suggesting that the image has not been entirely removed from the internet. The Asian Games, which are presently taking place in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, have seen China win close to 300 medals so far. It is scheduled to go till October 8. Read also: EU Calls for More Balance Trade with China, Expresses Concerns Over Beijing's Business Environment The Tiananmen Square Massacre's Relevance The Tiananmen Square massacre is a topic that should not be discussed in China because younger Chinese generations are growing up knowing very little to nothing about it. The government has strict control over the internet, thus posts about the massacres are frequently deleted from it. The massive, student-led pro-democracy protests at Tiananmen Square in Beijing were ultimately put down by the Communist regime in China. To put an end to the protests, troops and even tanks were sent. Human monitors who make decisions about whether content should be blocked are used in China's internet censorship campaigns. Weibo claimed to have hired a thousand "supervisors" in 2017 who had the responsibility of reporting information that was "pornographic, illegal, and harmful." Weibo, the biggest social media network in China has 600 million monthly users. On the eve of the 33rd anniversary of the massacre, a popular Chinese influencer's live stream last year came to an abrupt end after he showed his audience a vanilla log cake that looked like a tank, making reference to the famous image of the so-called Tank Man, which depicts a civilian with shopping bags blocking a line of tanks. China exerts strict censorship on topics it deems sensitive and at odds with the party's principles and ideology, as well as on criticism of the Communist Party. The regulations have in the past resulted in the censoring of what could seem to some to be innocent photographs, like women's cleavage and males posing for photos in lingerie as a trick to increase sales on social media. Related article: Why New China Anti-Espionage Law Should Concern Foreign Businesses, Citizens-From Bounties to Stricter Rules @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Hall of Justice houses Ventura County Superior Court operations at the county government center in Ventura. Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies: Priest pleads not guilty in child porn case A Catholic priest who had served at an Oxnard church pleaded not guilty to a felony child pornography charge on Tuesday in Ventura County Superior Court. The Rev. Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara, 38, also denied a special allegation of aggravated possession involving more than 600 images of child pornography, court records show. Prosecutors have said some of the images showed minors younger than 12. Martinez-Guevara, a priest in the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit religious order, was assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe parish in Oxnard's La Colonia neighborhood from July 2021 through September of last year, church officials have said. He had subsequently been in residence with the missionaries order in Long Beach, according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He was arrested in Long Beach in September. Rodolfo Martinez-Guevara The Ventura County District Attorney's Office has said that some of the alleged crimes occurred while Martinez-Guevara was stationed in Oxnard. The archdiocese previously said he served at the local parish as a deacon and newly ordained priest. After charges were filed in September, both the archdiocese and the order removed him from ministry. Martinez-Guevara remains in custody, without bail, at the main jail in Ventura. An early disposition conference is scheduled for the afternoon of Oct. 16 in courtroom 12. Construction site theft suspect charged A 35-year-old Thousand Oaks man has been charged with three counts of second-degree burglary in connection with a string of thefts at construction sites. Burglaries were reported at four Thousand Oaks sites between May and September, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, which is contracted for police services in the city. Detectives used surveillance video and electronic data to identify the Thousand Oaks resident as the suspect. The suspect used force to enter construction sites and secured areas in the early morning, according to the sheriff's account. He targeted tools and copper wire. A patrol deputy spotted the man driving his car on Thousand Oaks Boulevard on Sept. 27 and pulled him over. A search of the vehicle turned up burglary tools and clothing worn during the crimes, authorities allege. Sheriff's officials said the man worked at a glass company in Thousand Oaks and is on probation with terms allowing searches for stolen property. The suspect was initially arrested on suspicion of four counts of commercial burglary. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office subsequently charged him with the three felony counts along with special allegations, including that the crime involved sophistication. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied all special allegations Friday in Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody at the main jail without bail. Sheriff's officials said they are continuing their investigation and believe there may be other incidents. Maximum sentence in lewd acts case A 33-year-old Oxnard man received the maximum sentence Tuesday in a sex crimes case involving a minor. Victor Villanueva Legaria will serve 10 years, eight months in prison, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. In July, jurors had found Legaria guilty of two counts of lewd acts on a child younger than 14 and one count of lewd acts on a child age 14 or 15, all felonies. The jury also found true special allegations, including that Legaria took advantage of a position of trust. Victor Villanueva Legaria Legaria, who knew the victim, sexually abused her multiple times between 2016 and 2020, starting when the girl was 11, according to prosecutors. She reported the abuse to a family member in 2020, when the Oxnard Police Department was called in and launched an investigation. Deputy DA Twyla Atmore, who prosecuted the case, said in a statement she was glad the court sent the message that child molestation "will not be tolerated in Ventura County." Items may be updated. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Priest pleads not guilty in child pornography case, more news Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani defended himself in the wake of a bombshell report about his alleged drinking habits, calling the claim a big damn lie. I do not have an alcohol problem. I have never had an alcohol problem, Mr Giuliani said during a press conference in Concord, New Hampshire on Wednesday. A recent New York Times report included discussions with sources close to Mr Giuliani who described his drinking tendencies as getting worse following his presidential primary defeat including his tenure working for Donald Trump. He said that if he had an alcohol problem, I should be in the Guinness Book of World Records, referencing his accomplishments and career. Nobody could have achieved that if they did have a drinking problem. The man once known as Americas Mayor added: I was working 24 hours a day. Its a big damn lie. At the press conference, Mr Giuliani reportedly called the Times a disgrace. Given the former mayors proximity to Mr Trump, special counsel Jack Smith is reportedly probing how much the former president knew about how inebriated Mr Giuliani supposedly was as he was giving him strategic and legal advice. The January 6 committee previously uncovered that Mr Giuliani may have been drunk on election night when he advised Mr Trump to not accept defeat to Joe Biden and numerous former aides to Mr Trump have testified saying so. The news of his alleged drinking habits arrived at the same time that Mr Giuliani sued President Biden for defamation when he used the phrase Russian pawn during a presidential debate in 2020. The former mayor says that statement has cost him millions and millions of dollars from lost clients and consulting business. At the same press conference on 4 October, Mr Giuliani said, Joe Biden has spent his life telling lies and getting away with it. He called me a Russian operative That is a lie, that is false, he added. He owes me a lot of money in a lot of states. The ex-Trump attorney faces a series of legal battles himself, including the Georgia election case, a sexual assault lawsuit brought by Noelle Dunphy, and owing election workers tens of thousands after defaming them. Earlier this week, the Salt Lake County Health Department was so overwhelmed with calls for appointments to get the newly arrived COVID-19 vaccine that people were waiting on hold for up to 45 minutes. That tells me that there was a lot of interest, Nicholas Rupp, county health department spokesman, said Wednesday, the first day the shots were available at clinics in Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Sandy, West Jordan and West Valley City. Mondays rush for the 570 vaccine appointments available weekly was the result of pent-up demand for the updated vaccine, he said. Since then, call volume has slowed enough that the wait time for callers is down to about eight minutes. The vaccine was approved by the federal government in mid-September for everyone 6 months and older but now that it has been commercialized, distribution and other issues have made it tough to find shots in Utah and around the country. Related There was a group of people that was very eager and they all called the moment they could, Rupp said. We have now taken care of those folks and other people who are interested are kind of trickling in now. The Utahns who took all of the countys available vaccine appointments through early next week, he said, are a wide spectrum, a diverse group of people. Men, women, older, younger. We had a few calling to have their children vaccinated. Angie Gonzales received a COVID-19 shot on Monday at the Salt Lake City Public Health Center about a year after the last time she was vaccinated against the virus, with last falls booster dose. It was just time for a new shot, said Gonzales, who works at another health care clinic and has a 2-year-old son. She described the COVID-19 vaccine as just like every other shot, you know? Every season, youre going to have to get it, no matter what. Because the federal government intends for the COVID-19 vaccine to be updated each year, its expected to be seen as similar to an annual flu shot rather than a booster to the initial series of shots that came out during the first year of the pandemic. Still, some are still referring to the new COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose, even though the updated shots target a single version of the virus that was circulating earlier this year, XBB.1.5, also known as Kraken, but not the original strain. Its different from last years booster shot, considered a bivalent vaccine because it went after a pair of omicron variants as well as the original strain of COVID-19 from the first vaccines. Related Ann M. Sheehy, Ph.D., an immunologist from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, recently told MedPage Today thats why shes not using boosters to describe the new monovalent COVID-19 shots. Its a new vaccine, and I think people are making a concerted effort to call it the 2023-24 COVID vaccine, because booster kind of implies its the same as what it was before, she said. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health explains it this way in a Q&A with Andy Pekosz, a molecular microbiology and immunology professor, about what people need to know about the new vaccine: Is the new vaccine considered a booster? The FDA has shifted from calling this a booster to calling it an updated COVID vaccine. The change in wording reflects that weve begun treating COVID like we treat influenza, with annual vaccination. We encourage people to get their annual flu shot not a flu booster. Calling it an updated COVID vaccine also reflects that were not just boosting existing immunity from previous vaccination; rather, the vaccine builds a new immune response to variants that are currently circulating. Its likely well still see it referred to as a booster in some instances, but its all the same shot. Rich Lakin, immunization director for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, doesnt care how people refer to the shots as long as they look at getting them. Fewer than 16% of Utahns received last years booster shot, slightly less than the national average. You can call it whatever you want, Lakin said. Its the monovalent COVID vaccine for fall. A Russian strike against Beryslav in Kherson Oblast damaged a hospital and injured two medical workers, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on Oct. 5. The victims were an ambulance driver, who suffered a leg fracture, and a paramedic, who suffered a concussion, the official said. Prokudin said that the hospital building sustained a "direct hit," after which the fourth floor was completely destroyed, and another floor was partially damaged. Several ambulances were also damaged in the attack, he added. Less than an hour before reporting on the hospital strike, Prokudin said that Beryslav, a town at the Dnipro River's right bank roughly 70 kilometers east of Kherson, had been targeted by five Russian air strikes. Partially occupied Kherson Oblast suffers regular Russian attacks as the invading troops continue to hold the left-bank side of the Dnipro River in the region. The regional center Kherson was targeted earlier today in an artillery strike, resulting in two dead civilians and one injured. Read also: Russias southern mistake Surovikin lines, Gerasimov tactics Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Kyiv North Korea has begun transferring artillery to Russia, bolstering Vladimir Putin 's forces as they continue their 20-month invasion of Ukraine, a U.S. official tells CBS News. It was not immediately clear whether the transfer is part of a new, long-term supply chain or a more limited consignment, or what North Korea is getting in return for the weapons. On the other side of the front lines, the U.S. has handed Ukrainian forces a cache of ammunition seized from Iran, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The North Korean support for Moscow appears to be the culmination of the rare summit last month in Moscow, when Kim Jong Un traveled by train to meet Putin in person. Why Ukraine's snipers, and their U.S. weapons, are more vital than ever Kim told Putin during that meeting that he could count on North Korea's "full and unconditional support" for Russia's "sacred fight" to defend its security interests an apparent reference to the assault on Ukraine. Kim was widely expected to ask Putin for cash and food to shore up North Korea's anaemic economy in exchange for his support for Moscow's assault on Ukraine, but also weapons and space technology. One senior South Korean official told CBS News before the summit that Seoul was concerned Kim could be looking to acquire technology from Russia to build nuclear-powered submarines and more advanced rockets and satellites, in addition to cooperation on conventional weapons. The official warned that if Russia and North Korea's bilateral ties deepened to such an extent, it would highlight Kim's ability to threaten not only America's close Asian allies South Korea and Japan, but the entire world. Putin implied after the summit that he and Kim had discussed military cooperation, and to at least some degree, that cooperation appeared to be taking shape this week. The cache of Iranian ammunition transferred by the U.S. to Ukraine, meanwhile, involves more than 1 million 7.62mm rounds, used in both machine guns and rifles. The bullets were seized in December 2022 by the U.S. Navy from a ship heading from Iran to Yemen, where Tehran backs Houthi rebel forces involved in that country's grinding civil war. The U.S. Navy has seized several Iranian weapons shipments bound for Yemen, which are a violation of a 2015 U.N. Security Council resolution banning the transfer of arms to Houthi forces. Illicit weapons seized from a stateless fishing vessel in the North Arabian Sea are arranged for inventory aboard the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS O'Kane on December 21, 2021. / Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Elisha Smith The U.S. military's Central Command confirmed that it transferred the munitions to Ukraine on Monday. With further U.S. funding for Ukraine frozen for now amid the battle over the federal government's budget, the Biden administration has used the transfer of the Iranian ammunition as a workaround to continue supporting Kyiv. Iran has supplied Russia with drones for months, drawing condemnation from Ukraine, the U.S. and other Western nations for providing Moscow with one of its most heavily-relied on and lethal weapons of the war. The U.S. and its partners have accused both Iran and Russia of violating another U.N. resolution that bars the transfer of such weapons from Iran without the Security Council's approval. With the political gridlock in Washington leaving future U.S. support for their war effort in doubt, Ukraine's leaders and front-line forces continue to burn through their existing supplies not only of small arms ammuntion, but shells, missiles, vitally important drones and everything else at a stunning rate in front-line battles that have largely become stalemates. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin contributed to this report. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview At least 48 killed in Russian missile strike on Ukrainian grocery store, Zelenskyy says GOP lawmaker blames Democrats for McCarthy's ouster, endorses Jim Jordan as replacement In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, emergency workers search the victims of a Russian rocket attack that killed at least 47 people in the village of Hroza near Kharkiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) HROZA, Ukraine (AP) A Russian rocket blast turned a village cafe and store in eastern Ukraine into rubble Thursday, killing at least 51 civilians in one of the deadliest attacks in the war in months, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top officials in Kyiv. Rescuers searched for survivors in the remains of the only cafe in the village of Hroza. Body parts were strewn across a nearby children's playground that was severely damaged by the strike. Cellphones were collected and put in a courtyard nearby, waiting to be claimed. Occasionally, one of them rang, lighting up a shattered screen. Around 60 people, including children, were attending a wake at the cafe when the missile hit, Ukrainian officials said. Zelenskyy, attending a summit of about 50 European leaders in Spain to drum up support from Ukraine's allies, denounced the strike as a demonstrably brutal Russian crime and a completely deliberate act of terrorism. According to preliminary information from Kyiv, the village was hit by an Iskander missile. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the strike horrifying and said it demonstrated why the United States is doing everything it can "to help the brave people of Ukraine to fight for their freedom, to fight for their democracy. Hroza, which had a population of about 500 before the war, is in the northeastern Kharkiv region and was seized by Russia early in the war before being recaptured by Ukraine in September 2022. It's only 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Kupiansk, a key focus of the Russian military effort. Zelenskyy visited the area Tuesday to meet with troops and inspect equipment supplied by the West. Dmytro Nechvolot told The Associated Press he was looking for his 60-year-old father, who attended the wake for a soldier from Hroza who died last year but who was reburied after being identified by DNA. Nechvolot kept walking up to his father's red car, which was still parked nearby, while waiting for confirmation that he had been killed. I have lost a man I looked up to, a beloved father, and an unforgettable grandfather, he said. On Thursday, Zelenskyy was at a summit of the European Political Community in Granada, Spain, where he asked for more Western support, saying that Russian terror must be stopped. Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world, he said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defense, strengthening our soldiers, giving our country protection from terror. And we will respond to the terrorists. The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defense, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners, he told the group, which was formed in the wake of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Heeding Zelenskyy's cry, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany will supply Ukraine with another Patriot missile air defense system. He expects Russia will again target crucial infrastructure and cities across Ukraine in the winter months. This is what is now needed the most, Scholz said after meeting Zelenskyy, according to the German news agency dpa. Last winter, Russia targeted Ukraine's energy system and other vital infrastructure in a steady barrage of missile and drone attacks, triggering continuous power outages across the country. Ukraine's power system has shown a high degree of resilience and flexibility, but there have been concerns that Russia will again ramp up its strikes on power facilities as winter draws near. Zelenskyy noted that the Granada summit will also focus on joint work for global food security and protection of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, where the Russian military has targeted Ukrainian ports after Moscow's withdrawal from a U.N.-sponsored grain deal designed to ensure safe grain exports from the invaded countrys ports. The U.K. Foreign Office cited intelligence suggesting that Russia may lay sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports to target civilian shipping and blame it on Ukraine. Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea, it said, adding that the U.K. was working with Ukraine to help improve the safety of shipping. Speaking in Granada, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to preserve European unity in the face of Russian disinformation and to remain strong amid what he described as a political storm in the United States. Asked if he was worried that support for Ukraine could falter in the U.S. Congress, the Ukrainian president stressed that his visit to Washington last month made him confident of strong backing by both the Biden administration and Congress. Zelenskyy called for more air defense systems, more artillery weapons and shells, and more long-range missiles and drones for Ukrainian soldiers, as well as other forms of support and security guarantees to help protect Europe from potential aggression by Moscow. Earlier Thursday, Russia targeted Ukraine's southern regions with drones. Ukraines air force said the countrys air defenses intercepted 24 out of 29 Iranian-made drones that Russia launched at the Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions. Andriy Raykovych, head of the Kirovohrad regional administration, said an infrastructure facility in the region was struck and emergency services were deployed to extinguish a fire, but there were no casualties. In other Russian attacks in the past day, two civilians were killed by shelling in the southern city of Kherson and one died after a strike on the city of Krasnohorivka in the eastern Donetsk region. At least eight people were wounded, according to Ukraine's presidential office. A Russian strike on a hospital in the city of Beryslav in the Kherson region ravaged the building and wounded two medical workers, according to the regional administration chief, Oleksandr Prokudin. Ukraine, in turn, has struck back at Russia with regular drone attacks across the border. In Russia's Kursk region that borders Ukraine, Gov. Roman Starovoit said Ukrainian drone attacks resulted in power cuts in several areas. He also said Ukrainian forces fired artillery at the border town of Rylsk, wounding a resident and damaging several houses. ___ Associated Press writers Dasha Litvinova and Yuras Karmanau in Tallinn, Estonia, Emma Burrows in London and Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed. Zbigniew Rau, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, has called for Russia to be stopped after the Russian attack on the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, where 51 people were killed. Source: European Pravda, referring to Rau on Twitter (X) Quote: "Russia must be stopped as soon as possible and kept accountable for all its barbarism," said Rau. "I pay tribute to those who lost their lives and condolences to their families," summed up the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland. Background: On Thursday afternoon, Russian troops attacked a cafe and a store in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast. Preliminary data indicated that the place was hit by an Iskander missile. As of now, 51 people were killed, including children, and six more were injured. This is the most massive attack by the Russian Federation in Kharkiv Oblast since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs, said that a memorial dinner for a deceased resident was being held in the cafe, which was attended by almost a third of the village (according to the census, 330 residents were registered there). The Russian attack has already been condemned by Marija Pejcinovic Buric, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, UK Ambassador Martin Harris and Estonian President Alar Karis. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Russian military Will mobilization processes intensify against the background of the aggressor's steps to form volunteer battalions? Russian dictator Vladimir Putin met with the former commander of the Wagner PMC, Andrei Troshev, whom he instructed to form "volunteer units." How will the draft affect the mobilization process in Russia? Conscription is ongoing in Russia. For Russians, this is an additional so-called hidden resource of mobilization. What does this mean? On the eve of the election campaign, Putin will unlikely agree to mass mobilization, but conscripts will remain a resource. Firstly, the Russians have recently shortened the period after which a conscript can sign a contract with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Conscripts are an essential resource for them. A conscript called up for military service is entitled to sign a contract within a month. The Russians have been increasing this component - the percentage of conscripts who sign a contract in the Armed Forces. Some of them are simply persuaded, convinced, and sometimes even forced. This is a fairly common practice. When a person commits a crime, they are faced with a choice: jail or a contract. Many people choose the latter. They also recruit soldiers because the monetary reward for contract service, including so-called combat service, is constantly increasing. That's why most people, especially those from depressed regions, agree with it. Our general mobilization is ongoing all the time For them, this is a hidden resource. This does not mean that everyone called up for military service will necessarily end up at the front. After the first months of the war, when they used a relatively large number of conscripts, and this caused some tension in society, they abandoned this practice. Most of the conscripts do end up in the armed forces soon after, signing a contract. Most of them are sent to Ukraine to participate in combat operations. Now, this replenishment at the expense of conscripts is one of the areas of so-called hidden mobilization. Secondly, they put pressure on enterprises now suffering from a labor shortage. Large enterprises are being put under conditions: you will be protected, and in return, you have to recruit soldiers for the Armed Forces on your own. That is why they are also involved in this campaign. They recruit themselves, working with the population, partially equipping them with their own money. The third point is prisoners. At the beginning of the aggression, this was the responsibility of the Wagner PMC. Now, it has been transferred to the Ministry of Defense. They use prisoners and the so-called 500th, i.e., deserters, to form assault units - the so-called Z-companies, which they use to fill in the gaps after losses at the front. Now to Ukraine. Let me remind you that our general mobilization has continued. It is ongoing. There are so-called mobilization plans. They either increase or decrease. For example, immediately after the invasion, the mobilization plans were increased dramatically because the Defense Forces needed a large number of soldiers. The second stage, when these plans were significantly increased for the TCC, for the former military enlistment offices, was in the fall of last year and spring of this year, when there was a need to form a large number of brigades, the so-called reserve brigades, which were to participate in the offensive, primarily in the south. Accordingly, these plans increased significantly. Then they stopped. Read also: War in Ukraine and US elections Now there is information that these plans will be significantly turned up again. Will this happen or not? The General Staff and the Commander-in-Chief first know the answer to this. Why? Because they proceed from their own needs. The General Staff, per the law, forms these needs. This need is formed based on several factors. First, if there is a real need to form a large number of new military units, it is clear that these plans will increase. Second, there are losses - wounded and dead. If the percentage of these losses is high and there is a need not just for ongoing reconstruction, which is ongoing, but for substantial reconstruction of those brigades that, for example, have suffered the most losses, then these plans will also increase. Does the General Staff have such plans? You have to ask the General Staff. I have certain information, but I have no right to share it. According to preliminary information, there is a need to create additional units so these mobilization plans that are brought to the TCC for further mobilization of people can theoretically increase. It is difficult to say how much. I think we can only talk about this after the summer campaign. I call it a summer campaign by conventional tradition. It is now autumn, but it is still an ongoing summer campaign. I think it will last for another month or so. The General Staff and Commander-in-Chief will then analyze how severe the losses are, how many brigades, and how many formations are needed to reinforce or create an operational reserve. These plans will be adjusted accordingly. To summarize. The assumption that mobilization plans will increase is quite likely. It will be possible to judge how much these plans will grow and, what specific number of people we are talking about, only in about a month. Although, of course, the plans are adjusted almost every week. But in any case, the specific number of people will not be publicly reported - this information is sensitive. But the fact that there will be an increase in the percentage of people mobilized to serve in the Defense Forces is, I think, a reasonably likely assumption. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian fleet retreating from Crimea, Ukraine advancing on two fronts ISW The transfer of at least 10 Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) ships from Ukraines Russian-occupied Crimea to the Russian port of Novorossiysk is likely a result of recent Ukrainian strikes on fleet vessels in the port of Sevastopol, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its latest report on Oct. 4. The Russian military recently transferred several BSF vessels from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, in south-western Russia likely in an effort to protect them from continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian assets in Crimea. Satellite imagery published on Oct. 1 and Oct. 3 shows that Russian forces transferred at least 10 vessels from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. The satellite imagery reportedly shows that Russian forces recently moved the Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen frigates, three diesel submarines, five landing ships, and several small missile ships. Meanwhile, satellite imagery taken on Oct. 2 shows four Russian landing ships and one Kilo-class submarine remaining in Sevastopol. The imagery also shows a Project 22160 patrol ship reportedly for the first time in the port of Feodosia in eastern Crimea, suggesting that Russian forces may be moving BSF elements away from Sevastopol to bases further in the Russian rear. Read also: Ukrainian intel provides insight into recent bold raid in occupied Crimea A Russian think tank, the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, claimed on Oct. 3 that the BSF vessels movements from occupied Sevastopol to Novorossiysk were routine, however. Russian forces may be temporarily moving some vessels to Novorossiysk following multiple strikes on BSF assets in and near Sevastopol, but Sevastopols port, which remains the BSFs base, will likely remain in use, the think tank said. On the ground, Ukrainian forces are continuing offensive operations near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine, and in western Zaporizhzhya Oblast in the south, with small advances reported on Oct. 4. Ukrainian forces are continuing ground attacks towards the rail line between Klishchiyivka (7 kilometers southwest of Bakhmut) and Andriyivka (10 kilometers southwest of Bakhmut), and the Ukrainian General Staff stated that Ukrainian forces achieved partial success near these settlements. Geolocated footage published on Oct. 4 indicates that Ukrainian forces also made small advances east of Novoprokopivka (5 kilometers southeast of Robotyne) in western Zaporizhzhya Oblast, and the Ukrainian General Staff also reported that Ukrainian forces achieved partial success west of Robotyne. Some Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces advanced up to a Russian trench line on the Robotyne-Kopani line (5 kilometers northwest of Robotyne). Read also: Zelenskyy advisor predicts mounting panic in Russian-occupied Crimea as Ukrainian forces target peninsula Autumn and winter weather conditions are expected to slow but not stop Ukrainian counter-offensive operations. U.S. National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated on Oct. 3 that it will be another six to eight weeks before weather impacts both Ukrainian and Russian operations. ISW has previously observed that seasonal heavy rain and resulting mud in the autumn will slow ground movements on both sides, and that the autumn rain and mud are usually less intense than spring conditions. Hardening ground during the winter freeze will likely enable the tempo of combat operations to increase, however, and Ukrainian officials have expressed their intent to continue counter-offensive operations into late 2023 and exploit cold weather conditions. The Kremlin is likely intensifying its use of tools of digital authoritarianism to increase domestic repression and tighten control of the information space, ISW also said in its latest report. Russian opposition outlet Vazhnye Istorii reported on Oct. 4 that the Russian Prosecutor Generals Office requested that Russian social media platform VKontakte (VK) begin blocking posts from relatives of mobilized servicemen calling for their loved ones to return home. Vazhnye Istorii noted that VK is hiding posts with several hashtags pertaining to the treatment or return of mobilized servicemen and that several posts in group chats have reportedly disappeared. Some Russian opposition outlets notably suggested that this apparent expansion of digital authoritarianism may be increasingly based on the restrictive Chinese model. Read also: Ukraine wins control over key Russian supply route on Bakhmut front One Russian opposition source, later amplified by an insider source, claimed that the Russian State Social University is developing and testing a social rating system for Russians based on the Chinese model, and that the intended generated social scores will link to personal data that government entities and banks will have access to. ISW has recently reported on previous instances of the Kremlins efforts to expand digital authoritarianism to surveil the Russian information space, likely to consolidate power and increase information space oversight prior to the 2024 presidential elections. Russian sources continue to speculate about the current role of former Aerospace Forces (VKS) Commander and Wagner Group affiliate Army General Sergei Surovikin after the Wagner rebellion, further highlighting his continued relevance in the Russian information space. Some Russian sources amplified footage on Oct. 3 and 4 allegedly of Surovikin and his family outside a church near Moscow on Oct. 3. This speculation comes after prior speculation of Surovikin allegedly appearing in various African countries on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD). Russian news outlet Novye Izvestia claimed that Surovikin denied to comment to journalists who approached him near the church. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Authorities in Russia are looking into an alleged plot to remove President Vladimir Putin, according to a report, after receiving a tip about a suspicious conversation in a karaoke bar. According to the VChK-OGPU Telegram channel, Russian security services have spent several days looking for an employee of an unspecified law enforcement agency who was accused of being involved. A New Threat of War in Europe Has Putins Fingerprints All Over It Citing an anonymous source, the Telegram account claims Russias Ministry of Internal Affairs was alerted to a secret conspiracy against the head of state by a specialist in the presidential administrative directorate. The specialist had reportedly received an early morning call from a 37-year-old man named Mikhail Yurchenko, who told them with alarm about a concerning conversation he had in a karaoke club named Honey in the town of Chekhov, around 40 miles south of Moscow. At the club, Yurchenko reportedly had a long conversation about the war and future life in Russia with another man in the club. At some point, according to Yurchenko, the interlocutor showed him a red service ID and stated that he had a task to remove Vladimir Putin, VChK-OGPU reports. Yurchenko allegedly did not see the details on the mans ID and was unable to remember his name. It is worth noting that counterfeit service ID cards are available to purchase in the Russian capital, though VChK-OGPU also notes that this particular karaoke bar is known to be popular with employees of various agencies. After being haunted by what hed heard, Yurchenko decided to report the conversation. As a result of his tip, operatives went to study the situation at the karaoke club, according to the account. Putin is reported to be extremely paranoid about his safety, which has been more imperiled since his invasion of Ukraine last year. In May, a senior Ukrainian intelligence commander openly discussed his spies being used to try to kill Putin. The startling admission came just weeks after Moscow described a drone attack on the Kremlin as an assassination attempt on the president of Russia and a planned terrorist attack. A month earlier, a drone packed with explosives crashed in a village close to an industrial park outside of Moscow where, on the same day, Putin was rumored to have planned a visit. Its not clear if it was a failed assassination plot as claimed by a Ukrainian activist, who said that Kyivs intelligence services had received intelligence about Putins visit in the week before the drone fell. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Following a contentious performance of the prayer Ama Namin (Our Father), Philippines' drag queen Pura Luka Vega was taken into custody at their home in Sampaloc, Manila. The drag artist is charged with "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows," in accordance with the order issued by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 36. Bail was imposed by the trial court at P72,000. Vega's given name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, whose pronouns are they/them. #FreePuraLukaVega: A Trending Topic After Arrest According to local media GMA News, Vega is now being detained at the Manila Police District Station 3 in the district of Quiapo. There are thousands of tweets with the hashtag #FreePuraLukaVega, making it a top trend on X (previously Twitter) as of Wednesday night, October 4. Drag Den founder Rod Singh revealed on X that the drag queen had skipped out on multiple preliminary investigations of criminal charges brought against them in Manila. Even though a move to reopen was filed on the same day as the arrest warrant, it was nevertheless issued. Singh said that no subpoena was issued by Manila prior to Vega's detention. Singh said the drag queen will post bail on Thursday, October 5. See Also: Pura Luka Vega Persona Non-Grata Creates Debate Among Filipinos; List of Locations, Other Details The Controversial Ama Namin' Drag Performance On July 10, Vega uploaded a video of themselves doing drag to a punk remix of a religious song, Ama Namin, while costumed as the Black Nazarene. This was the first of many religious performances by Vega to capture the attention of the country. Since then, Vega has been charged with violating the Revised Penal Code, especially Article 201, or on "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows." They have been proclaimed persona non grata in at least 15 towns and municipalities in the Philippines. In a report by Spot.Ph, church authorities associated with the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM) and the religious organization Hijos del Nazareno, responsible for transporting the Black Nazarene to the Quiapo Church for each Traslacion, both filed complaints on this basis. In addition to a fine of P6,000 (about $100) to P12,000 (about $200), offenders face a possible jail sentence of up to six years. In 2017, the penalty was raised to between P20,000 (about $350) and P200,000 (about $3500), according to the Cybercrime Prevention Act, also known as Republic Act No. 10951. Both Senate President Miguel Zubriri and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva had earlier requested Vega's arrest under the Revised Penal Code. Vega has been documenting their experience with the several criminal allegations against them on Instagram. On September 18, they wrote in the caption: "In the end, I think I will be fine as long these localities while deeming me for my art and my speech as unwelcome, are also giving their constituents their best in these truly challenging times." See Also: Religious Feelings Law vs. Blasphemy: PH Trans Lawmaker Geraldine Roman Calls Out Drag Queen Dressed As Jesus @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Consequences of the terrorist attack in the village of Hroza The number of people killed in a Russian terrorist attack on the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, on Oct. 5, has risen to 51, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported. One of the wounded died while receiving medical care. Read also: Five injured in Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhya Oblast According to preliminary data, Russia fired an Iskander missile at a village cafe shop where a wake was taking place. Earlier reports indicated an enemy missile hit a cafe/shop, which was crowded. Eight minutes before the strike, an air raid alert was declared in the region. Only civilian residents of the village attended the memorial dinner, said Volodymyr Tymoshko, head of the National Police in Kharkiv Oblast. Read also: Russia fires missiles at Mykolaiv overnight, hitting an infrastructure facility The strike on Hroza was the largest mass-casualty event seen in Kharkiv Oblast since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion and war, said Olena Shapoval, the spokesperson for the regional governor. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the first to react to the Russian terrorist attack. He called it an absolutely deliberate attack and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. There are children among the dead and wounded a six-year-old boy is reported to have been killed, and at least one other child was wounded. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Marina Ovsyannikova, a Russian journalist who staged a daring protest against the Ukraine war live on state-run television, has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in absentia by a Russian court. Ovsyannikova was found guilty of public dissemination of knowingly false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, according to a statement posted by the press service of Moscows district court on Telegram Wednesday. In an interview with CNNs Erin Burnett following the court ruling, Ovsyannikova dismissed the sentencing as politically motivated. This is just fake justice because you know, in Russia, we dont have independent courts, Putin destroyed all independent courts. Ovsyannikova said relatives in Russia have turned against her, even testifying against her. They gave evidence against me in the court, and I was shocked when I read about it. Ovsyannikova arrives at the Cinema for Peace Gala on the sidelines of the Berlinale in February. - Gerald Matzka/picture alliance/Getty Images They live in another information reality. If you come to Russia, you start thinking in another way. My Russian relatives are thinking that Russia is surrounded by enemies. They believe Putin and they are thinking Im the traitor. She continued that she was very worried about the future of Russia. If I return to Russia I will be immediately in jail. Im very worried about the future of my country and I want to fight for a better future. Ovsyannikova escaped house arrest with her daughter last year and is now in Paris, according to her assistant. In an previous interview with CNN in February, Ovsyannikova described her escape from Russia to France with her 11-year-old daughter. The 44-year-old journalist shot to international fame last year when, as an editor at Russias state-controlled Channel One television station, she stood behind an anchor and held up a sign that read No War during a live broadcast. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Russian missile hit a small village in northeast Ukraine on Thursday, killing at least 51 people. Ukrainian officials said there were "no military targets" in the deliberate attack on Hroza. The strike appears to mark one of the deadliest Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians this year. Dozens of people are dead after a Russian missile struck a grocery store and cafe in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, officials said on Thursday. The attack appears to be one of the deadliest on civilians this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the attack shortly before 4 p.m. local time in a Telegram message, and said 48 people were confirmed killed in the small village of Hroza. Ukraine's foreign affairs ministry said shortly after Zelenskyy's note that the death toll had risen to 49, with another six people left injured. The president followed up his earlier post with another announcing that at least 51 people are reported dead. Rustem Umerov, Kyiv's defense minister, cited the culprit as an unspecified type of Russian missile. "Ukraine needs more air defense systems to protect our country from terror. We are discussing this with partners," he said. Ukraine's defense ministry said in a statement that the attack was "deliberately" carried out around lunch time to ensure maximum casualties. "There were no military targets there. This is a heinous crime intended to scare Ukrainians," it wrote on social media. Photographs and videos from the scene showed widespread destruction and devastation, as well as bloodied and dusty bodies, while search-and-rescue crews scoured the rubble. Rescues work at a site of a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Hroza, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine October 5, 2023. Head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleg Syniehubov via Telegram/Handout via REUTERS Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian presidential advisor, said the attack is "a reminder to anyone who is willing to smile and shake hands with war criminal" Russian President Vladimir Putin at international conferences. "A reminder to all those who are willing to post memes and mock Ukrainians," he wrote in a post on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter. "A reminder to all those who want to sell something to Russia and return to bloody business as usual. Putin's Russia is a true evil, and this is not just a metaphor or a figure of speech." Rescues work at a site of a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Hroza, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine October 5, 2023. Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office Andriy Yermak via Telegram/Handout via REUTERS Hroza is located east of Kharkiv near the city of Kupiansk, which is just west of the current front lines and Russian-held territory. That area was liberated during Ukraine's blitz-style counteroffensive in the northeastern region last fall, when Kyiv's forces quickly reclaimed huge chunks of territory in a surprise offensive. The strike on Thursday appears to be one of the deadliest Russian attacks, if not the deadliest, on Ukrainian citizens this year. In January, Moscow's forces fired an anti-ship missile into a residential area in the central city of Dnipro, killing 45 people and injuring nearly 80 others. The latest strike is also among the more devastating of Russia's 19-month-long war. There have been almost 27,500 civilian casualties since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to the latest United Nations data from September 24. This figure includes more than 9,700 people killed and over 17,700 injured. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, however, "believes that the actual figures are considerably higher, as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration." The attack comes as Ukrainian forces continue to press on with their months-long counteroffensive, which has led to small territorial gains in the eastern and southern regions. Read the original article on Business Insider Two civilians were killed in a Russian attack on Kherson on 5 October. The Russians struck the city from the occupied territory of Kherson Oblast. Source: Roman Mrochko, Head of the Kherson City Military Administration, on Telegram; Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote from Mrochko: "Two people, a man and a woman aged approximately 5055 years, were killed as a result of the morning attack by the Russian occupiers on residential areas in the centre of Kherson." Details: The prosecutor's office reports that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation once again launched an artillery strike on the centre of Kherson at around 09:30 on 5 October. Residential buildings, as well as non-residential premises, came under targeted fire. Two civilians, a man and a woman, who were on the street, were killed in the Russian shelling. The information on the injured and wounded is being clarified. 5 Two civilians were killed in a Russian attack on Kherson on 5 October Kherson Oblast Prosecutors Office A pre-trial investigation has been initiated in criminal proceedings for violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder (Article 438.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) under the procedural leadership of the Kherson District Prosecutor's Office. Background: On the morning of 5 October, explosions rocked coastal districts of Kherson due to the shelling from the occupied eastern bank of Kherson Oblast. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Kherson Oblast is the region where the largest number of sexual crimes committed by Russian servicemen against Ukrainian men and women has been documented. Of 235 cases recorded across Ukraine, 66 have already been solved. Source: Pryazovia News, a Radio Liberty project Details: Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliamentary) Commissioner for Human Rights, said on 30 September that Russia is using sexual violence as a tactic of war, a weapon, and a tool to humiliate and oppress the Ukrainian people. The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has already recorded 235 cases of sexual violence, with the victims ages ranging from 4 to 82. Currently, the largest number of cases of sexual violence has been documented in Kherson Oblast, with 72, followed by Kyiv Oblast with 52, Donetsk Oblast with 55, Kharkiv Oblast with 21, Zaporizhzhia Oblast with 15, Chernihiv Oblast with 6, Luhansk Oblast with 3, Mykolaiv Oblast with 9, and 2 in Sumy Oblast. On 25 September, the UN War Crimes Commission noted in a report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva that Russian soldiers have raped and sexually assaulted women aged 19 to 83 in Kherson Oblast. Often family members were kept in the next room so they were forced to listen to the violence. Iryna Didenko, the head of the specialised department of the Prosecutor General's Office, told Pryazovia News that the 235 cases of sexual violence recorded by the department are those in which the victims are prepared to testify. Of these, 66 cases have already been solved, she added. Instances of sexual violence come to light after territories are liberated or the victim leaves an occupied area. Quote from Didenko: "These are only the instances where people are prepared to go to a criminal trial, and that is not easy because you have to retell your story. Not everyone is ready to talk about it, even with us. The largest number of instances is indeed in Kherson Oblast - 72. If you take Zaporizhzhia separately, there are 15. But again, we learn about most instances where the most liberation has taken place. As soon as liberation takes place, new instances are immediately revealed to us. Plus, people start to trust a little more because they see our new approaches." Details: Didenko confirmed that the ages of the victims ranged from 4 to 83. She said there are many cases involving 72-year-olds and 82-year-olds. "Here you need to understand the context; this is not about satisfying needs at all. We are talking exclusively about the destruction of a person, insulting that person, trying to destroy them morally and physically. Thats why the ages are so different," Didenko explained. "There is (a case of) a 4-year-old child. This is one of the crimes that has already been solved; we recently sent an indictment to the court against them. And in the same case, by the way, there are girls aged 15 and 17 and a woman of 83," Didenko added. Each story is horrific, the head of the specialised department of the Prosecutor General's Office says. One woman ran through a minefield to escape from a Russian soldier at a checkpoint - she was lucky to be alive, Didenko said. She noted that victims remember the offender's face very clearly, even if a lot of time has passed. So in the cases that have been opened, the rapists have already been identified; that is, the names of the direct perpetrators of the crimes are known. But there are also those who give orders or condone the commission of these war crimes. Quote from Didenko: "We are aware that crimes have been committed, if not at the behest, then with the connivance of senior leadership. Therefore, our key task is to collect all these crimes as a pyramid, from the perpetrators to those who organised them, to the leaders at the top. Then we will take them to the International Criminal Court." 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! As a result of a Russian missile strike in the village of Groza, 51 people died The Russian missile strike on the village of Hrozha, which killed at least 51 people and injured seven others on Oct. 5, was the deadliest in Kharkiv Oblast since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the spokesperson for Kharkiv Oblast Administration, Olena Shapoval, has told national broadcaster Suspilne. A Russian Iskander ballistic missile hit a grocery store next to a cafe, where about 60 residents had gathered for a memorial lunch for a deceased fellow villager, preliminary reports said. At least 51 people were killed, including a six-year-old child, and seven others were seriously injured, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported, adding that 29 bodies had been identified so far. "There were 330 residents in the village, and one person from each household attended the memorial lunch," Klymenko said. Read also: Russian Iskander missile attack on Hroza has claimed 51 civilian lives Interior Ministry Earlier, the Prosecutor General's Office has initiated the pretrial investigation under the article on violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Soon after news of the attack broke, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a Russian missile had hit a grocery store in the village. He called it an absolutely deliberate terrorist attack and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. The Ukrainian president added that Russian terror must be stopped so that genocide does not become "the new normal for the whole world." Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The strike occurred in the village of Groza in the northeaster region of Kharkiv (Anatolii STEPANOV) A Russian strike on Thursday killed at least 51 people gathered for a wake in an eastern Ukrainian village in what a UN official called a "horrifying" attack. Footage published by the Ukrainian police showed a large area of smoking rubble and several bodies being taken away by emergency workers in the village of Groza. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted an image of a woman kneeling over the body of someone apparently killed in the strike, with other corpses around her. The mourners were in a cafe and there were also victims in a shop in the same building in the village, which has a population of 330 people, in the northeastern region of Kharkiv. "A memorial service for a deceased fellow villager was being held," Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said on TV. He said a six-year-old child was among the victims, adding that a total of 60 people had been attending the wake. Groza is located more than 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the frontline town of Kupiansk in an area where Russian forces have been pushing to recapture territory they lost to Ukrainian troops last year. Klymenko said initial evidence showed an Iskander missile had been used. "The search and rescue operation is ongoing," Klymenko said. "There may still be people under the rubble". Zelensky, who was attending a European summit in Spain, condemned the attack on social media. He called the strike "completely deliberate" and said it was a "brutal Russian crime". Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said Ukraine needed more air defence "to protect our country from terror". "We are discussing this with partners," he wrote on social media, repeating Ukrainian calls for more protection against the daily barrages of drone and missile strikes. - 'True evil' - Denise Brown, Ukraine coordinator for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA), also condemned the alleged Russian strike. Brown said she was "appalled", adding that the images from the scene of the strike were "absolutely horrifying". "Intentionally directing an attack against civilians or civilian objects is a war crime," she said in a statement. A spokeswoman for the regional assembly quoted by Ukrainian media said it was the single most deadly attack since the start of Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022. The head of the Kharkiv region Oleg Sinegubov said the strike took place around 1:15 pm (1015 GMT). Regional authorities had recently ordered mandatory evacuations in the area after an uptick in Russian strikes. Large swathes of the Kharkiv region were captured by Russian forces in the early days of their invasion launched in February last year. Ukrainian forces recaptured much of the border territory during a lightning offensive late last year, but the regional capital, also called Kharkiv, still comes to regular shelling. Zelensky's advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said the attack had "no military logic". "This is a reminder to anyone who is willing to smile and shake hands with war criminal Putin at international conferences," he said, referring to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "A reminder to all those who want to sell something to Russia and return to bloody business as usual," he said, adding: "Putin's Russia is a true evil". bur-jbr/yad A Russian strike on a village in northeastern Ukraine on Thursday killed at least 48 people, according to Ukrainian authorities, marking one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram a missile struck a grocery store near the district of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region. He called it a demonstrably brutal Russian crime. Russian terror must be stopped. All those who help Russia circumvent sanctions are criminals, he wrote. Everyone who supports Russia until now supports evil. Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world. The missile fell in a small village called Groza, according to Ukrainian authorities, who shared images of the aftermath of the attack online. Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraines minister of internal affairs, said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that a 6-year-old boy was among the dead. Kharkiv Gov. Oleh Synyehubov said on Telegram that at least another six people were injured, including a child. He said rescue operations are ongoing. The enemy committed another war crime in Kharkiv region, Synyehubov wrote. The strike comes as Zelensky meets in Granada, Spain, with around 50 European leaders to shore up support for the war and discuss future aid. Russia also targeted Ukraine on Thursday with a flurry of drone strikes, most of which were disabled by Ukrainian air defenses. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Russian missile tore into a small village in eastern Ukraine on Thursday as residents were gathering for a memorial service, killing more than 50 civilians, including a 6-year-old child, in one of the wars deadliest attacks, officials in Kyiv said. The strike killed at least 51 people and wiped out around one-sixth of the entire village of Hroza, in the eastern Kharkiv region, according to Ukrainian officials. It came as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended a summit of European leaders in a bid to shore up support for his country's fight amid fears of a U.S.-led wobble. "A demonstrably brutal Russian crime a missile attack on an ordinary grocery store, a completely deliberate act of terrorism," Zelenskyy wrote on the messaging app Telegram. "Russian terror must be stopped." Images broadcast on Ukrainian television showed rescuers picking through piles of rubble and mangled concrete, lifting blanket-swaddled bodies from the razed buildings. The missile struck a cafe where around 60 of Hroza's residents were attending a memorial service for another villager who had died, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Ukrainian television. The village was home to only about 330 people, he said. "Someone from each family was present in the cafe," he said. "It's terrible for the village, for the whole of Ukraine. This is another heinous war crime committed by the Russians for which they must be held responsible." Some of those killed were in the grocery store next door, which was also destroyed, he said. Klymenko wrote on Telegram that "preliminary findings" suggested the attack was carried out using a Russian Iskander missile. There may still be people under the rubble of the destroyed shop and cafe, so rescuers, police and local residents continue to sort through the debris, he said. Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Ministry accused Russia of having "deliberately and barbarically attacked civilian targets." Denise Brown, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said in a statement that she was "appalled by the reports of a Russian strike that, shortly ago, ripped apart the village of Hroza." She said images from the scene showing dead bodies strewn on the ground were "absolutely horrifying" and noted that intentionally attacking civilians is a war crime. Emergency workers search the victims of a Russian rocket attack in Hroza, near Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 5, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) She added, "Our thoughts are also with the people of Ukraine, who had to witness today, once again, another barbaric consequence of Russias invasion." Moscow did not immediately comment on the accusations from Kyiv. It has consistently denied targeting civilians, despite documentary and witness evidence showing that it has often killed and injured nonmilitary personnel, as in previous conflicts. The missile strike on Hroza would be one of the deadliest attacks on civilians during the war. In April last year, cluster munitions hit a train station in Kramatorsk, killing 60 people. And an Associated Press investigation found that around 600 people may have been killed when a theater in Mariupol was bombed while civilians sheltered inside; that total has not been confirmed. Last month, another missile strike in Kostiantynivka, a city 80 miles south of Hroza, was blamed on Russia by Ukrainian officials. An investigation by The New York Times said there was evidence it was, in fact, an errant Ukrainian missile that had gone off course. Hroza was among the parts of the Kharkiv region captured by Russian forces advancing early in the war, but Ukrainian troops took it back last fall. Only Tuesday, Zelenskyy had visited the area to inspect equipment supplied by the West. He has insisted he remains confident that his country's allies will continue to send military aid, despite growing signs of splits in Europe and the U.S. Congress. Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for one reason only: to make its genocidal aggression the new normal for the entire world, Zelenskyy said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. We are now focused with European leaders, in particular, on how to strengthen our air defense, reinforce our troops, and protect our country from terror. In Russia, President Vladimir Putin was speaking at a forum in the Black Sea on Thursday. Putin appeared to brush off what he called a temporary glitch in funding for Ukraine after the deal to avoid a shutdown didn't include any new aid. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Dozens of people were killed in a Russian strike on a grocery store and cafe in Ukraine on Thursday, local authorities said, in an attack which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as a demonstrably brutal Russian crime. Officials say the deadly shelling took place in the village of Hroza in the eastern Kharkiv region. In a message on his Telegram account, Zelensky shared a picture of a woman kneeling alongside several bodies. He said that 48 had died in the attack, while Ukraines prosecutor general said soon after that the toll had reached 49. A New Threat of War in Europe Has Putins Fingerprints All Over It Russian terror must be stopped, Zelenskys message read, adding that anyone who supports Russia until now supports evil. Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world, he continued. And I thank every leader, every nation that supports us in protecting life! Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskys office, said that Russia had shelled a civilian object in Hroza, and that a 6-year-old boy was among those killed. It is also known about 6 wounded - also one child, a girl, Yermak added. Debris analysis is ongoing. Russians are terrorists who cynically and deliberately killed civilians. The 6-year-old boys death was also reported by Oleg Sinegubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration. He added that a cafe and a shop were both hit in the strike after 1 p.m.., and that there were many civilians in the area at the time. Sinegubov said the wounded were receiving medical assistance and rescue crews were continuing to pull people from the rubble. The attack came as Zelensky attended a summit of the European Political Community, a forum which was set up after the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Around 50 European leaders attended the summit in Grenada, Spain, where the Ukrainian leader spoke of the importance of Europe remaining unified against Russian disinformation. Zelensky also said he remained confident in America despite the political storm that is gathering momentum in the U.S. In his Telegram post about the strike, Zelesnky said he is speaking to allies about strengthening Ukraines air defenses and giving our country protection from terror. And we will answer the terrorists, Zelensky wrote. Absolutely fair. And powerfully. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Pakistan has mandated that all undocumented Afghan asylum seekers, numbering in the millions, must leave the country by November. Tensions have been rising between the two nations this year due to increased strikes along their shared border, which Islamabad blames on personnel headquartered in Afghanistan. Crackdown on Undocumented Immigrants Pakistan's announcement of a crackdown on illegal immigration this week reflects the heightened tensions. The administration of the Taliban has called on Pakistan to reconsider its "unacceptable" action. Reportedly, Afghanistan's government has denied on several occasions that it offers a haven to terrorists who attack Pakistan. Last week, at least 50 people were murdered in an explosion at a mosque in Mastung city near the Afghan border. Pakistani Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti, who issued a crackdown order against illegal Afghans, did not address the attack. Refugees have a legal right to enter another country for protection. Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have sought sanctuary in Pakistan since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021 after decades of conflict on both sides. Read Also: Twin Suicide Bombings Kill At Least 57 People at Two Mosques in Pakistan Directive to Leave the Nation According to BBC, the United Nations estimates that 1.3 million Afghans are officially recognized as refugees, with an additional 880,000 being granted permanent residency. However, on Tuesday, October 3, Bugti said that another 1.7 million individuals live in Pakistan illegally, presumably meaning they have not yet been granted refugee status. He added that by next month, those persons will have to leave the nation voluntarily or by deportation. According to state media, he warned that all law enforcement forces at the provincial and federal levels would be used to deport illegal immigrants if they did not leave. He was vague on the specifics of such an operation, though. He also declared the formation of a task group to seize the private property and enterprises of unauthorized Afghan immigrants. Nevertheless, according to Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government in Kabul, Afghan refugees are not engaged in Pakistan's security issues. Afghan officials in Pakistan reported that local authorities had started gathering Afghans, both with and without proper documentation, to stay in the country. The Balochistan region on Pakistan's border is a regular target of armed combatants like the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan; TTP) and the Islamic State (IS) militant group. Earlier last month, an explosion in the same area wounded at least 11 people, including a prominent Muslim leader. According to the official state news channel APP, Islamabad wants all Afghans living in Pakistan to leave ultimately, even those with legal status and Pakistan resident cards. Bugti said there have been 24 suicide bombs along Pakistan's border, with more than half of them being the work of terrorists based in Afghanistan. Beginning November 1, he stated, only those with valid visas and passports will be permitted into Pakistan. Related Article: Pakistani Criminal Gang Illegally Harvests, Sells Kidneys: Report @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The needle was found sometime in 2023 when doctors conducted an X-ray scan. Sakhalin Ministry of Health An 80-year-old Russian woman has been living with a needle in her brain since birth, doctors said. The Sakhalin Ministry of Health wrote that it discovered the inch-long needle sometime this year. They believe she was the victim of a failed infanticide by her parents during times of famine. An inch-long needle was discovered in the brain of an 80-year-old woman in Russia, said local health officials on Monday. The Ministry of Health in the Sakhalin region wrote in a Telegram post that local radiologists had found the three-centimeter needle during an x-ray scan. It did not say exactly when doctors made the discovery but noted it occurred in 2023. The needle was found in the unnamed woman's left parietal lobe, per the ministry. Officials said the needle has been in her brain since the time of her birth, and doctors believe her parents tried to kill her when she was an infant. In times of war, some desperate parents would insert a needle into a soft spot of a newborn's head, where bones in the skull hadn't yet come together, the ministry wrote. That spot the fontanelle would then close and obscure the needle, though the infant would die, it noted. "Such cases were not uncommon during the famine years," the ministry added. Now 80, the woman was likely born around 1943. But she survived the attempted infanticide, and never suffered headaches from the needle, per the Sakhalin health ministry. Doctors said they would not remove the needle, fearing that surgery would worsen her condition, the ministry wrote. She is being monitored by a physician, and her health isn't at risk, it added. Sakhalin is an island of around 500,000 people off mainland Russia's southeastern coast. It sits in the Sea of Okhotsk, just north of Japan's Hokkaido. Control of Sakhalin was split between the Soviet Union and the Japanese Empire in the early 20th century but was seized in its entirety by Moscow during World War II. Read the original article on Insider An infrastructure facility in Ukraine's Kirovohrad Oblast was hit as a result of a Russian night attack by drones. There were no casualties. Source: Andrii Raikovych, Head of the Kirovohrad Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; defence forces of Ukraine's south on Telegram Quote from Raikovych: "The Russian aggressor attacked Kirovohrad Oblast with drones at night. The air defence system was activated, nine drones were shot down. There was a hit on an infrastructure facility. There were no casualties or injuries. All relevant services are involved in extinguishing the fire. Early reports indicate that the civilian infrastructure is not damaged." Details: The Defence Forces of Ukraine's south reported that 24 Shahed-131/136 drones were destroyed in their area of responsibility: 10 over Mykolaiv Oblast, nine over Kirovohrad Oblast, and five over Odesa Oblast. Background: On the night of 5 October 2023, Russians attacked Ukraine with Shahed-type attack UAVs from the south. The Air Force destroyed 24 of the 29 Russian attack drones in cooperation with the air defence of Ukraine's Defence Forces. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! The Russian forces launched five air attacks near the city of Beryslav in Kherson Oblast. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin , Head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram, the Air Force of Ukraine on Telegram Quote: "The Russians launched five air strikes in the proximity of the city of Beryslav. The information about the damage and casualties is being established. Details: The air-raid warning was issued in Kherson Oblast from 12:10 to 12:42. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that there was a threat of aircraft attacks. The activity of tactical aircraft was registered on the eastern and south-eastern fronts. 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! There have been a lot of fakes about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena since the beginning of the full-scale war. However, the most recent one deserves special attention and appreciation for the plot. It is about US$1 million worth of diamonds and a sweet girl from the African republic of Benin who came to conquer New York, got her dream job (at a Cartier boutique) and lost it two weeks later (due to a spiteful first lady). The girl deserves some kind of audience award for how diligently she pronounces "Zelenskaya" [Russian translation of Olena Zelenska s surname ed.] SCREENSHOT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA Get the popcorn. The poor woman told her story on the now-empty Instagram account created in August 2023. She said Zelenska visited the boutique during her trip to the USA with her husband. The inexperienced but hard-working saleswoman tried to help the VIP client, but Zelenska was not in a good mood, shouted at her and demanded to speak to the manager. The innocent Jeanette (that's the name of the girl judging by the account handle) was dismissed from the job, but she decided to not leave the slight unanswered and made public "Zelenska's cheque" totaling a million dollars. Jeanette decided to take revenge for her "ruined life" A Nigerian media outlet, The Nation, could not ignore poor Jeanettes story. Its article about Zelenska was enthusiastically spread by the Russian media and the public as if it was going out of style. However, this story caused doubts even among the local social media users. ... and then everyone clapped The Centre for Countering Disinformation reports that this is another fake on its Telegram. "The date on the cheque is 22 September 2023, while the First Lady together with Volodymyr Zelenskyy was on an official visit to Canada on 22 September 2023, which makes it physically impossible for Olena Zelenska to have been in the New York jewellery stores during the time indicated on the fake cheque," the post says. Reportedly, Russian propaganda has tried to spread fakes about the Zelenskyy family through Nigerian websites. Photo: Getty Images Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that his country had carried out a new test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile with "global range," called Burevestnik , and that it was successful. He also declined to rule out the possibility of Russia resuming live nuclear weapons testing in the future. Putin offered the details about Burevestnik and other strategic weapons matters while speaking at the annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, a Moscow-based think tank. The Russian president also said that his country was getting ever closer to fielding its newest nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile, the RS-28 Sarmat , a test of which reportedly failed in February . He added that he saw no need for new nuclear doctrine changes in light of current events, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. https://twitter.com/Mike_Eckel/status/1709950635330707700 https://twitter.com/KomissarWhipla/status/1709950138729255024?s=20 Putin first publicly disclosed the existence of Burevestnik in a fiery state-of-the-nation address back in 2018. In that speech, he also provided details about work on five other advanced weapon systems, including Sarmat, the nuclear-tipped Avangard hypersonic boost-glide vehicle , the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, the Poseidon nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed torpedo, and the Peresvet laser directed energy weapon. The Russian President did not say today when or where the latest Burevestnik test had been carried out. However, there had been multiple indications just recently that such an event was likely to occur soon at the Pankovo test site in the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. A map showing Russia's Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. The specific location of the Pankovo test site is also marked. Google Earth A public notice had previously been issued warning civilian aircraft and vessels about "hazardous operations" around Pankovo in Novaya Zemlya starting October 2 and running through October 31. https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1708986602947592541?s=20 Publicly available satellite imagery from September had also shown signs of activity at Pankovo. What could be seen from space was consistent with preparations for a missile test and to otherwise improve facilities at the site, according to recent reports from CNN and The New York Times , and expert analysis from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies . https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1709561112956477838?s=20 Pankovo is understood to be one of at least two sites where Burevestnik, also known to NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall, has been tested in the past. At least four tests of the missile in Novaya Zemlya between 2017 and 2018 were reported to have been failures . Testing of Burevestnik was also previously carried out at a site near the village of Nyonoksa , also written Nenoksa, in Russia's far northwestern region of Arkhangelsk. That was the location of one attempted test of the missile in 2019 that ended in a catastrophic failure and raised significant concerns about nuclear contamination, as you can read more about here . There had been indications that the Russians were preparing to restart Burevestnik testing in Novaya Zemlya in 2020. Major news about the program quickly fell off afterward and it appeared to have been put on hiatus. Publicly trackable military aerial activity in recent weeks also pointed to an impending test of some kind at Pankovo. This includes flights near Novaya Zemlya by RC-135W Rivet Joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft belonging to the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the United Kingdom. A pair of Air Force Rivet Joint sorties in September "represented a slight uptick from usual known activity," The New York Times reported earlier this week. https://twitter.com/Borrowed7Time/status/1706641821303177579 https://twitter.com/nukestrat/status/1704092068316942833 https://twitter.com/nukestrat/status/1570752577880588291?s=20 Rivet Joints are designed to collect a wide array of electronic and signals intelligence, as well as communications chatter, as you can read more about here . The RC-135Ws would definitely have been able to help gain insights into the nature of Russia's activity in and around Pankovo. A US Air Force Rivet Joint aircraft. USAF The arrival of a WC-135R Constant Phoenix in the United Kingdom yesterday also drew attention as being possibly connected to a Burevestnik test. The Constant Phoenix is a 'nuke sniffer' aircraft designed to collect air samples that can be used to glean information about possible nuclear weapon tests or radiological incidents. However, this jet has already left the United Kingdom and flown to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in the Middle East. https://twitter.com/MeNMyRC1/status/1709968918821875777?s=20 Details about the broader state of the Burevestnik program and the missile itself, which is intended to be a nuclear-armed strategic weapon in addition to being nuclear-powered, remain scant. Suggestions have been made in the past it could use a nuclear thermal rocket or a nuclear-powered ramjet engine as its main propulsion method. In both of these concepts, which are not new, a small nuclear reactor replaces the typical chemical propellants and fuels. The Russian Ministry of Defense released the video below in 2018 saying that it showed an earlier Burevestnik test launch, as well as examples of the missiles themselves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okS76WHh6FI\u0026t=2s Theoretically, a nuclear-powered cruise missile using either one of these propulsion methods should have essentially unlimited range (relatively speaking). This would present significant challenges for an opponent since the missile's flight path could be extremely circuitous and irregular without impacting its ability to reach any point on Earth. Whatever its exact design might be, Burevestnik's core concept raises serious safety concerns. There is the matter of what radioactive material the missile might release as it flies along and the question of what happens to its nuclear power source, no matter what it is, when it reaches its target. If Russia has been launching full-up Burevestnik prototypes this can only mean some amount of nuclear material has been strewn about even if in tests where everything has gone according to plan. Putin's disclosure today about Burevestnik also follows a recent report from CNN suggesting that Russia, as well as the United States and China, may be taking steps to support the resumption of live nuclear weapon testing. The U.S. government has since categorically denied it is actively preparing for any such testing and has put forward an offer of on-site inspections for Russian and Chinese officials. https://twitter.com/NNSAHruby/status/1706660366652960960 Russia, the United States, and China are all signatories to the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Of this trio of countries, only Russia has ratified the agreement, though the United States and China have also imposed moratoriums on nuclear weapon testing. What was then the Soviet Union, the United States, and China conducted their last live nuclear weapon tests in 1990, 1992, and 1996, respectively. While speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club gathering today, Putin said that Russia could theoretically withdraw from the CTBT, citing the lack of ratification of the treaty by the United States as a potential reason. At the same time, he said he was not prepared to say whether or not his country actually needed to be able to conduct new nuclear weapon testing. https://twitter.com/ElenaChernenko/status/1709963295170437127?s=20 https://twitter.com/ElenaChernenko/status/1709963299238879615?s=20 Putin also rejected the idea that Russia needs to adopt a new official nuclear weapon doctrine with a lower threshold for potential employment. "I simply don't see the need for this," he said . "There is no situation today in which, say, something would threaten Russian statehood and the existence of the Russian state. No. I think no person of sound mind and clear memory would think of using nuclear weapons against Russia." Putin was responding to a direct question from Sergei Karaganov, a notable Russian foreign policy analyst and academic, who has recently called for more actively using the threat of nuclear weapons use to "contain, frighten and sober up our opponents." This, of course, follows repeated nuclear saber-rattling by Putin and other Russian government officials in relation to the war in Ukraine. This has long prompted concerns about the potential for some kind of nuclear escalation in relation to that conflict, including the possible use of a limited nuclear strike to try to 'freeze' the situation in a way that is favorable to the Kremlin. There continues to be a debate among experts about just how likely Russia might be to use nuclear weapons if it falters significantly in Ukraine (especially when it comes to its hold on the Crimean Peninsula ) or if the stability of Putin's regime more seriously comes into question . "[Russia] has to respond to constantly mounting military and political pressure," Putin said at Valdai today . "Unilateral steps, no matter who takes them, will inevitably trigger counteractions." Russian President Putin speaks at the Valdai Discussion Club's 2023 plenary session. Vladimir Smirnov/TASS It's certainly hard not to see Putin's disclosure today of the Burevestnik test, in particular, as another example of Russian nuclear signaling, at least in part related to the conflict in Ukraine. When it comes to the Burevestnik itself, how that program is progressing, and how close Russia might be to deploying any significant number of these missiles operationally, much still remains to be seen. Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com In April 2019, Capital Public Radio announced plans to move from its cramped building on the Sacramento State campus to downtown Sacramento, which before the pandemic was a bustling area of businesses, state offices and the newly opened Golden 1 Center. Rick Eytcheson, then CapRadios general manager, declared the move would add to the vitality and economic health of downtown Sacramento, and allow CapRadio to double its staff to 140 employees. The plan eventually morphed into CapRadio plans to occupy two buildings, one for a performance center at 1010 8th St., the other to house the headquarters at 730 I St., a former Bank of America building that once housed the Sacramento Police Department and is on the citys register of Historic & Cultural Resources. That building is owned by 730 I St. Investors LLC, which includes Sacramento developer Bay Miry. Months after CapRadio announced its downtown expansion, Mirys wife, Katherine Bardis-Miry, joined the CapRadio board of directors in July 2019. She has remained on the board ever since, including during the period when CapRadio signed a lease on the building on March 1, 2021, university documents obtained by The Bee show. The lease agreement was signed by Bay Miry and Jun Reina, who was then CapRadios general manager, and runs through 2037, with monthly rent payments beginning at $68,976 after the first year of occupancy, when no monthly payments were required, and increasing to $97,439 at the end of the contract. Now, with CapRadio projected to be insolvent by January, university officials are poring over CapRadios expenses, as well as potential conflicts of interest among board members. I think any reasonable person would find concern with that, Sac State President Luke Wood said Wednesday in an interview with The Sacramento Bee, his first comments to the media about the financial troubles engulfing CapRadio. That lease and other CapRadio purchases are drawing scrutiny by the university as officials say they are trying to save CapRadio from a financial abyss. Invoices obtained by The Bee show that a company run by a former board member and CapRadio treasurer sold thousands of dollars in office furniture to the broadcaster for one of the new buildings, then charged thousands more to store the items while move-in dates were delayed. Boards conflict-of-interest statements missed Many of the financial problems facing CapRadio were revealed in an audit released by the California State University Chancellors Office last week. The audit pointed out some real serious concerns about whats happening with Cap Public Radio, Wood said. And we need to understand at a deeper level what happened, how it happened, who knew, so that we can be responsible stewards of this entity. The audit did not focus on the ownership of the building but did criticize CapRadio for failing to retain conflict of interest statements. The (conflict of interest) policy states that members of the board should complete an annual COI statement, the audit said. However, CPR could not locate signed statements during the audit period because the staff member responsible for maintaining the statements was on sabbatical leave. Bardis-Miry and Etchyeson, who retired in 2020 and was president emeritus until 2023, both say Bardis-Miry had no say in the selection of her husbands building for the new headquarters. The discussions to go into the building started well before my appointment to the board and I made sure to recuse myself from any votes or detailed discussions regarding the property, Bardis-Miry wrote in an email in response to queries from The Bee. My involvement with the board and organization had no bearing on the building lease and associated decisions. Etchyeson echoed that, saying CapRadio was in negotiations to land a lease on the building when she joined the board. She had absolutely no influence on the decision, Etchyeson said in a phone interview. I can assure you, Katherine Bardis had no input. He added that her appointment to the board while the deal was being negotiated had not caused any concern, saying, She was not part of that decision in any way. Board Chairwoman Andrea Clark noted that board minutes show Bardis-Miry removing herself from a lease discussion at an October 2019 board meeting. Katherine Bardis-Miry joined our board on July 25, 2019, and is in her second term ending July 25, 2025, she wrote in an email statement. The October 4, 2019 board meeting minutes reflect that the general manager requested that Bardis-Miry step out for the remainder of the meeting while the potential lease at 730 I Street was discussed by the board. Subsequent lease negotiations were led by the general manager and chief financial officer, and the lease was executed on March 1st, 2021. Clark and Bardis-Miry resigned from the board Wednesday night, along with 12 other members. Board member was connected to furniture deal Wood said he also has concerns about invoices from a company called Western Contract, whose president is former board member Bill Yee. That firm sold $22,197.41 in equipment and furniture to CapRadio in January and February 2023, according to invoices. The company also billed CapRadio another $17,181.50 to store the equipment from September 2022 through last June, invoices say. As in the Bardis-Miry case, documents show Yee left a board meeting while other directors discussed hiring his company, then approved it as the best deal available. Board minutes from May 26, 2022, show Yee left the session as discussion began about using his company for purchases. Yee excused himself from the meeting and was absent for new business discussion, the minutes say. Western Contract was selected as the vendor for our downtown facility. The selection went through a bid process administered by LPAS. Compared to other bids, Western Contract was $193K less and offered better terms. The Finance Committee agreed that the bid process was fair, and the contract is favorable and reasonable. The Finance Committee requested full board approval since Yee is President/CEO of Western Contract and CapRadios board treasurer. Yee did not respond to a phone message left for him Wednesday morning at Western Contract, and a CapRadio spokeswoman did not provide answers to questions from The Bee about that contract. Yees LinkedIn page shows he joined the board in January 2015, and board meeting minutes list him as a board member as recently as March 2023, when he was among three directors listed as absent for that session. The last meeting he was listed as attending was Nov. 17, 2022, when he presented a financial report. Wood, in his interview with The Bee, gave essentially the same answer when asked about the Yee contract as he did when asked about a potential conflict with the building lease. I think any reasonable person would have concerns with that, he said. Im a reasonable person. CapRadio could run out of money Sacramento State holds the license for CapRadio, an NPR affiliate that operates KXJZ-FM (90.9) and KXPR-FM (88.9) and a network of repeater stations, including KUOP-FM (91.3). CapRadio also manages North State Public Radio, which has two FM stations owned by Chico State. The expansion effort and financial management problems have left CapRadio in a deep hole, with Sac State officials projecting it will be insolvent by January and Wood appointing an administrator to take over management of its operations other than journalistic or programming decisions. Sac State officials disclosed last week that CapRadio is projected to be financially insolvent by January, and the release of an audit last week that found severe financial mismanagement at the operation. Following the release of the audit, the university said it was assuming control of CapRadios financial and accounting operations, but leaving journalistic and programming decisions to a chief content officer at CapRadio. Wood also appointed Jonathan Bowman, who first discovered inconsistencies in CapRadios financial records, to be the administrator overseeing the broadcaster. Bowman made that discovery in 2021, which prompted then-President Robert Nelsen to order the audit of the operation. The audit from the Chancellors Office of the 23-campus Cal State system found widespread financial problems and lapses, including lax controls on employee credit card usage, a lack of documentation for some expenses and a failure to provide internships and training for university students. The audit also found CapRadio had failed to tag all equipment valued at $500 or more, as required, with auditors discovering that five laptops or computers could not be found and that in one group that was supposed to include 20 laptops valued at $757 each only three could be found. We also found that a physical inventory had not been performed during our audit scope period, and CPR management could not recall the last time the inventory was performed, auditors wrote. CPR management stated that this was due to staff turnover and because much of the new equipment and furniture purchased for the downtown locations were not ready for use, as the locations were still being renovated. Auditors also found that outdated equipment was not removed from CapRadio ledgers and instead were being stored in the CapRadio building. During our walk-through performed onsite, we noted that disposals consisting of old studio equipment, wires, cables, printers, chairs, computers, telephones, and more were stored in two rooms at the CPR building, the audit said. Proper administration of property and equipment decreases the risk that assets may be lost, stolen, or misrepresented in financial statements. The audit also found that CapRadio, which announced in 2019 that it planned to leave its campus building for the two leased buildings in downtown Sacramento, was unable to pay its own rent to Sac State. Weeks before the release of the audit, the operation laid off 12% of its staff and cut programming. Rishi Sunak was urged by a senior Tory on Thursday to sack Suella Braverman in an upcoming reshuffle. Lord Barwell, who was Theresa Mays No10 chief-of-staff, praised the Prime Minister for hailing the UK as the most successful multi-ethnic democracy on Earth in his speech to the Tory conference in Manchester on Wednesday. He interpreted this as a rebuke to Rightwinger Ms Braverman who in a recent speech in the US suggested multiculturalism had failed, with some immigrants not embracing British values and living parallel lives to the rest of the country. The Home Secretary, whose parents came to the UK from Kenya and Mauritius in the 1960s, also told the Tory annual rally that a hurricane of migration was going to sweep the world, which could see millions of people arrive in Britain. Commenting on the PMs speech and Ms Bravermans remarks, Lord Barwell, former MP for Croydon Central, tweeted: With a reshuffle coming, he should reflect whether it was right to give someone with such views such a high-profile platform. Ms Braverman said earlier this week that her comments about multiculturalism had been somewhat mischaracterised and that she believed the UK had a great multi-ethnic society and that in many parts of our country integration has worked. Environment Secretary Therese Coffey is also believed to be vulnerable to losing her job, with claims that she speaks too often in Cabinet, and several controversies including the sewage scandal. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps was forced to deny that Ms Bravermans speech was an Enoch Powell situation. Addressing delegates on Tuesday, the Home Secretary, who is seen by some MPs to already be manoeuvring for a possible leadership contest if the Tories lose the next election, said: The wind of change that carried my own parents across the globe in the 20th century was a mere gust compared to the hurricane that is coming. Mrs Bravermans speech also drew heckles from senior London Tory Andrew Boff, who took umbrage with her allusion to the poison of gender ideology and was ejected from the hall after voicing his concerns. A Conservative for about 50 years, Mr Boff later criticised her address as making our Conservative Party look transphobic and homophobic. In a recent speech in the US, the Home Secretary attacked the misguided dogma of multiculturalism. Hope and relief have turned to renewed frustration for many of the residents and neighbors a public housing apartment complex off Broadway in Upper Land Park. On Sept. 20, the city cleared a homeless encampment in a vacant lot near the Alder Grove Apartments. But just two weeks later, a new encampment with tents, loose mattresses and RVs has sprung up, taking up half of 1st Avenue, which dead ends into the apartment complex. The camp and the myriad problems associated with it has merely moved from a vacant lot to the sidewalk and street. Several residents of the housing project with low-slung brick buildings expressed recognition of the challenges of homelessness, but also dismay about loose dogs, strewn garbage, public safety concerns, foul odors and the citys ineffectiveness in truly dealing with the problem. Craig Chaffee, a longtime resident of the West Broadway neighborhood who owns a home nearby, said that officials need to be more aggressive in their response. The City should move all those at that camp to a shelter in another part of Sacramento, Chaffee said. He added that its simply unfair, wrong and very harmful for those needing a helping hand up to be concentrated in his neighborhood, which struggles with poverty and crime. Lee Archie, a local landlord, says he has already lost two commercial tenants Nucleus Pump Services and A1 Towingwho moved out of his 1st Avenue buildings because of problems associated with the original encampment. Archie said with the new encampment the situation has worsened. The street is partially blocked with cars without license plates... the smells are terrible, said Archie, who says he has called the city multiple times to complain. Its very frustrating, I feel the city is running me out of business. Alder Grove resident Frances Barrientos regularly provides homemade burritos and coffee to those living in the encampment. Nevertheless, she, too, agrees that the city should do something about the new encampment. An example of the larger problem For many, the situation is an example of the citys failed strategy to effectively deal with its acute and ever-growing homelessness problem. On any given night, it is estimated that there are as many as 9,300 unhoused people in Sacramento County, including Sacramento. The city and county have roughly 2,300 shelter beds, all of which are typically full. Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela, who represents the area, told The Bee the fact that homeless people are just shifting from a vacant lot to the adjacent sidewalk and street is why she voted against the enhanced enforcement measure. We should be holding ourselves to a higher standard in terms of resolution, Valenzuela said, really finding people a place to go, so that we dont just move people, frankly, from one non-compliant location to another. City spokeswoman Katharine Weir-Ebster told The Bee that the city has stepped up enforcement. Several departments, including code enforcement and a special outreach unit of the Sacramento Police Department, have worked overtime to deal with homelessness. Its illegal for anyone to block a public street, but its unclear if the city will take action on 1st Avenue. Weir-Ebster did not respond to specific questions about the situation on 1st Avenue but in a statement said, its clear that people are feeling frustrated by this situation. More broadly, Weir-Ebster said the City, in partnership with the County of Sacramento, is working urgently and diligently to respond to the ongoing homelessness crisis. The newly formed Incident Management Team is deploying interdepartmental teams daily to multiple locations to provide outreach, engagement, cleanup, and enforcement. The situation is not unique to the area around Alder Grove. Frustration has been mounting across the city over a number of sprawling homeless encampments. In August, the city council voted 7-2 to authorize overtime by city workers so the city could launch a more rapid response to city code violations and other quality-of-life issues. Then last month, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho filed a lawsuit blasting the city of Sacramento for its descent into decay in handling its sprawling homeless crisis. That decay at the encampment near Alder Grove has come in the form of a series of fires. The last straw appears to have been a major fire in August, the 14th to hit the former California Shellfish Co. next to the encampment. Several people in the encampment acknowledged that people experiencing mental health crises living among them likely started several of the fires. An arson suspect known to experience homelessness, according to the Sacramento Fire Department, was arrested in August and charged with setting a June fire. Following the sweep, last week the city dispatched Ben Worrall, social services manager for the citys Department of Community Response, to speak to some residents who had complained. The outdoor meeting occurred in the shadow of rubble from the recently torn down former California Shellfish building. There are priorities all over the city and there are encampments all over the city, Worrall told about a half-dozen residents. We will have more teams in the field and our rapid response teams will get out here as soon as they can. But for now the problems persist for the people living in the encampment as well as the neighbors living next to it. Three junior sailors have pleaded guilty to their roles in the 2021 fentanyl-related death of a fellow sailor aboard Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, home of the Navys boot camp, officials have confirmed. A 21-year-old recently graduated sailor died Nov. 6, 2021, after taking the drug in a barracks building aboard Great Lakes. Navy Times has confirmed the deceased sailors name but is withholding it at the request of his family. During a two-day trial at the Illinois base on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, Seaman Brandon R. Ledesma pleaded guilty to a negligent homicide charge specification for giving the deceased sailor fentanyl, according to a Navy Region Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Beth Baker. Ledesma agreed to a plea deal and initially faced another negligent homicide charge specification for failing to contact authorities after the sailor collapsed, according to Ledesmas charge sheet. He also pleaded guilty to an obstruction of justice charge specification for moving the sailors body into another room aboard the USS Cole barracks building on base, according to Baker and charge sheets. Ledesma further pleaded guilty to one charge specification for distributing fentanyl aboard the base on Nov. 5, 2021, the day before the sailors death, Baker said in an email. Fentanyl takes lives at the Navys boot camp base Ledesma initially faced multiple additional charge specifications, including involuntary manslaughter, lying to authorities, using and distributing a variety of illegal drugs aboard the Illinois base and for stealing more than $500 in video games, clothing and hygiene items from the bases Navy Exchange, according to his charge sheet. A military judge sentenced Ledesma to 28 months confinement in the brig, a dishonorable discharge and reduction in rank to E-1, Baker said. Earlier in September, a second sailor, Seaman Recruit Caleb Taper, pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement in connection to the sailors death. Taper pleaded guilty Sept. 15 to a variety of charge specifications, including for helping to move the body and multiple drug use and possession crimes, according to Baker and his charge sheet. The plea deal saw Taper avoid conviction for involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide in connection to the sailors death, charges he initially faced. A military judge sentenced Taper to 37 months of confinement, a dishonorable discharge and total forfeitures of pay, according to Baker. Fentanyl, an opioid, originally was conceived as a powerful prescription painkiller that dwarfs the potency of morphine and heroin, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Illegally made fentanyl powder is often snorted, sniffed or smoked, and is sometimes cut into heroin or cocaine, or laced into prescription painkillers like oxycodone, without the user knowing it. The Navy has declined to provide further details of the events leading to the sailors death, so it remains unclear how he came to ingest the drug. Fentanyl was involved in 174 overdose cases in the military from 20172021, with fatal fentanyl doses more than doubling during that span, according to Defense Department data released in February. The Navy has declined to release specific data showing how many sailors have suffered fentanyl-related deaths in recent years. In civilian America, more than 107,000 people suffered fatal overdoses in 2022, and more than two-thirds of those deaths were attributed to illegally manufactured fentanyl, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl deaths among troops more than doubled from 2017 to 2021 The Illinois base is home not only to the Navys boot camp, but to a variety of follow-on schools for newly minted sailors. Ledesma, Taper and the victim had recently graduated boot camp and were awaiting orders to Naval Submarine School, Navy spokeswoman Lt. Molly Sanders said in an email. Navy defense attorneys for Ledesma and Taper did not respond to a request for comment. The Navy also has confirmed that a third sailor, Seaman Apprentice Samuel I. Quan, pleaded guilty in November to charges that involved failing to report the moving of the sailors body, for wrongfully leaving the base in June 2022 and for possessing a Phase II Naval Service Training Command liberty card that he was not authorized to use. Quan was sentenced to 90 days confinement, reduction to E-1 and a $10,000 fine, and his plea agreement contained a waiver of his right to an administrative separation board, according to Baker, who added that Quan is no longer in the Navy. Quan could not be reached for comment. The sailors family declined comment for this report, but an obituary states he ran track and played basketball in high school and was remembered for his laughter and compassion. Meanwhile, investigations into drug use, possession and distribution aboard the Illinois base have skyrocketed in recent years, according to data obtained by Navy Times.` The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS, has conducted 70 narcotics investigations there since January 2020 more than double the 31 narcotics investigations the agency conducted between January 2015 and December 2019, according to agency spokesman Jeff Houston. Such cases involved sailors and civilians. Houston said the agency could not clarify which drugs were involved in each of the probes by Navy Times deadline. Loved ones watch their freshly sailors graduate at Great Lakes, Illinois, in this undated photo. (Navy) The Navy community aboard the Illinois base also has seen five of its sailors die of drug overdoses since January 2020, according to NCIS. Two died in 2020 and 2021, respectively, while the fifth passed away in 2022. Three of the individuals suffered fatal overdoses off base, while the other two occurred inside the wire, the Houston said. Another junior sailor died a fentanyl-related death in the Great Lakes base barracks in October 2020, according to NCIS records. Two charged in connection with sailor overdose death on aircraft carrier In 2020 alone, NCIS investigated at least five instances of drug smuggling aboard Great Lakes that at times involved the U.S. Postal Service, Navy Times reported in August. Those substances included fentanyl, cocaine and the opioids hydrocodone and oxycodone, as well as the hallucinogen LSD, Xanax and THC, the psychoactive component in marijuana. Numerous service members have been interviewed and related the illicit substances were being sent via the US mail and/or in re-packaged food containers, according to a December 2020 NCIS investigative summary report. NCIS has yet to provide further records on those probes that have been requested by Navy Times via a Freedom of Information Act records request. Navy officials did not answer questions about whether mail-screening procedures at the base near Chicago have changed in recent years, saying only in a statement that all inbound mail to the base is screened. Packages are x-rayed and military working dogs randomly screen mail, Sanders in an email. Asked whether the Navy believes that cases of drug use or smuggling aboard Great Lakes were indicative of larger systemic issues, Sanders said that the health and wellness of our Navy Sailors and community are a top priority. We take pride in developing a culture of excellence, trust and respect, where our Sailors can reach their full potential, she said. Salt water not expected to reach New Orleans until late November with improved Mississippi River forecast NEW ORLEANS Residents in Louisiana received good news on Thursday as officials say the forecast has improved on the lower Mississippi River, delaying the salt water from the Gulf of Mexico moving further upriver. Drought and low water levels in the lower Mississippi River have allowed salt water from the Gulf of Mexico to win the battle and push farther up the river, impacting local water treatment centers. The new saltwater wedge timeline from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District released on Thursday shows efforts to augment a sill, or underwater levee, in the river, and the flow-level forecast has improved, delaying the seawater reaching additional water treatment facilities by about a month compared to the previous estimates. Based on the new timeline, the salt water will be at the Algiers Water Treatment Plant in late November, and it's possible the salt water may not reach the Carrolton Water Treatment Plant on the Eastbank of New Orleans. The previous timeline put the salt water at the Algiers plant by the end of October. Saltwater intrusion timeline as of Oct. 5. Two water plants serve the New Orleans area. The Carrolton Water Treatment Plant treats about 150 million gallons of water daily, and the Algiers Water Treatment Plant treats about 12.5 million gallons of water daily. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District began work more than a week ago to raise the sill by an additional 25 feet. The sill is designed to delay the salt water from the Gulf of Mexico from moving up the river, and engineers say it appears to be working already. Col. Colin Jones, 65th Commander and district engineer for the USACE New Orleans District, said the saltwater wedge has remained stationary since Sept. 24 at river mile 69.4, the same day the construction of the augmented sill started about six miles away. "Our daily river surveys show that the salt water that overtops the sill has less salinity and density than that behind the wedge. And what that means is it makes it very sensitive to upticks in flow in the river, which we've seen through the month of September," Jones said. "This benefit, coupled with the better forecasted flows in September and the updated 28-day National Weather Service forecast going into October has enabled us to update our models and projections for the saltwater impacts." Drought in the Mississippi River Watershed stems from the Midwest. Jones said the sill is about 62% complete and expected to be finished by Oct. 12. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER This is the second year drought conditions in the river have threatened drinking water in southeast Louisiana. While more than 90% of Louisiana is under extreme to exceptional drought, the problem with the river stems from drought in the Midwest . Much of the river's flow comes from rainfall in the upper parts of the Midwest. Normally, the Mississippi River holds off the Gulf of Mexico with a flow of about 300,000 cubic feet per second (CFS). The flow has been almost half that due to drought, according to the USACE. Jones said the flow forecast from the National Weather Service has improved. "Originally, we had flows going from 145,000 CFS dropping to 128,000 CFS across the 28-day forecast. Thankfully, we've stayed between around 145,000 CFS and 155,000 CFS, so better than predicted. That's given us additional time," Jones said. The current forecast has the flow dropping to around 133,000 CFS over the next 28 days. "Those better than forecasted flows helped delay the progress of the saltwater sill, but also working in conjunction with the benefits that we're seeing from augmenting the spill at (river mile) 63.8," Jones said. Despite the improved forecast, contingency plans to barge in fresh water and a possible pipeline to circumvent the salt water remain in place, officials said. On Sunday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began barging fresh water from an upstream location to water treatment facilities in Plaquemines Parish to dilute the salinity content to levels safe for water treatment. The initial barge load of 500,000 gallons was delivered to the Port Sulphur Water Treatment Facility. "As barges arrive at water treatment facilities, the fresh water will be transferred to storage or reservoir tanks and then mixed with salt water from the river to bring the chloride levels down below the threshold for treatment," the USACE said. The USACE is working on the capability to deliver up to 36 million gallons of water per day if the saltwater intrusion impacts additional facilities on the Mississippi River. An emergency declaration remains for four parishes threatened by the advancing salt water. Original article source: Salt water not expected to reach New Orleans until late November with improved Mississippi River forecast Military officials from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Wednesday (October 4) that the Iranian weapons and ammunition seized by the US would be sent to Ukraine. This move would alleviate some of the critical shortages facing the Ukrainian military as it awaits more financial and logistical assistance from the US and its allies. In a press release, CENTCOM said it had already transferred over one million rounds of the seized ammunition to the Ukrainians last Monday (October 2). "The government obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, 2023, through the Department of Justice's civil forfeiture claims against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)," the statement said. The Justice Department announced last March that it was seeking the forfeiture of one million rounds of Iranian ammunition, as well as thousands of proximity fuses for rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and tons of fuel for RPGs that the US Navy seized from Iran over the past year as it was in transit to Yemen, CNN reported. "These munitions were originally seized by US Central Command naval forces from the transiting stateless dhow MARWAN 1, December 9, 2022," the statement added. "The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216." The shipment came weeks after five Americans held in Tehran were returned to US soil as part of a prisoner swap in exchange for Washington unfreezing about $6 billion in oil revenue. Read Also: Ukraine Could Potentially Join the EU as Accession Negotiations May Start in December Guns From Iran to Ukraine For months, the Biden administration has deliberated how to legally send the seized weapons currently stored in CENTCOM facilities across the Middle East to the Ukrainians. It was said that the weapons and ammunition were frequently transported aboard small stateless vessels that use routes historically used to smuggle weapons to the Houthis in Yemen. In mid-January alone, a Franco-American operation led to the seizure of around 3,000 Iranian assault rifles bound for Yemen and 23 anti-tank guided missiles. Justice Department and defense officials have been collaborating to find a legal loophole to send the weapons to Ukraine, officials added, with one option being passing them over through the US's civil forfeiture authorities, of which at least two complaints were filed against seized Iranian ammunition and weapons this year. "At the end of the day, Ukraine needs various supplies for the war effort, and while this isn't a solution to all of Ukraine's military needs, it will provide critical support," Center for a New American Security senior fellow Jonathan Lord said in a Washington Post op-ed last February. Lord also stated that the move could seriously affect Iran's relationship with Russia. It can be recalled that Russia was heavily relying on Iranian-made drones to attack Ukrainian cities. "There is poetic justice in Ukraine utilizing seized Iranian weapons to defend its people against Russia's criminal invasion and abuses," he added. "Additionally, this policy may put greater pressure on the burgeoning relationship between Moscow and Tehran." Related Article: US Prisoners Come Home in Rare Prisoner Swap With Iran After $6B Unfrozen @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sam Bankman-Fried was supposed to speak at the WEF's flagship event in Davos. However, he decided not to show up the night before the event, per Michael Lewis ' biography on the disgraced FTX founder. Lewis wrote SBF would cancel on people "because he'd done some math in his head that proved that you weren't worth the time." Sam Bankman-Fried was supposed to speak at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos but decided to pull out at the last minute, according to Michael Lewis' biography on the former FTX CEO. An online program for the showed Bankman-Fried listed as a speaker at an event in Davos. A World Economic Forum spokesperson told Insider on Thursday this was an event on the sidelines of the official summit. Lewis described Bankman-Fried's messy and chaotic schedule which often changed because he would decide not to show up for meetings he had agreed to. "CEOs had flown to the Bahamas under the mistaken impression that Sam had agreed to buy their companies," Lewis wrote in his book. "The World Economic Forum had to scramble to fill a stage and cancel media interviews after Sam decided, the night before he was scheduled to deliver a big speech in Davos, not to," he added. However, the World Economic Forum spokesperson told Insider that Bankman-Fried was replaced as a panelist in a session a few days before the official event, "which is not uncommon at such high-level meetings." The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is the organization's flagship event held at the end of each January in Davos, Switzerland. Political leaders, CEOs, and leading figures in other fields routinely attend the event. It's not just his Davos showing, Bankman-Fried also ditched a high-profile Time magazine event. "Sam had failed to fly to Dubai to give the keynote at Time magazine's party for the world's 100 Most Influential People, even after Time had named him to their list and flattered him in print," Lewis wrote. The former crypto mogul was featured on Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People list in 2022. But, Bankman-Fried wasn't being personal when he canceled on people, according to Lewis. "If he stood you up, it was never on a whim, or the result of thoughtlessness. It was because he'd done some math in his head that proved that you weren't worth the time," he wrote. Lewis' book, "Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon," was released on Tuesday the same day Bankman-Fried's criminal fraud trial started. Bankman-Fried faces seven charges, including fraud and conspiracy relating to FTX's collapse. He has pleaded not guilty. In his Wednesday opening statement, Bankman-Fried's defense attorney, Mark Cohen, presented him as a "math nerd" who did not take risk management into account. Crypto exchange FTX which was worth $32 billion in early 2022 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 11 of the same year after a week-long liquidity crisis. A representative for Bankman-Fried declined to comment to Insider. Time magazine did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours. October 5, 4.51 a.m. ET: This report has been updated with comments from the World Economic Forum. Read the original article on Business Insider Satellite images show Russia moved parts of its navy out of Crimea after getting hammered by Ukrainian attacks The Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen frigates, three diesel submarines, five landing ships, and several small missile ships in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk seen in satellite imagery shared by Planet Labs PBC on October 4, 2023. Courtesy of Planet Labs PBC Satellite imagery appears to confirm Russia has moved parts of its navy from Crimea. The move is intended to shield the Black Sea Fleet from Ukrainian drone attacks, per a US think tank. But one military analyst said we need more time to make any hard conclusions. Russia has moved parts of its fleet from its Black Sea base in Sevastopol to safer waters in Russia and eastern Crimea, in a likely bid to protect it from further Ukrainian drone attacks, according to a prominent US think tank. The Institute for the Study of War cited satellite images dated October 1 and 2 and shared by OSINT analyst MT Anderson to support the claim. The imagery, captured by Planet Labs PBC, shows that at least 10 vessels were transferred from the Crimean port of Sevastopol to the Russian port city of Novorossiysk in western Russia, the ISW said. Six amphibious warfare ships, two Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, a patrol ship named Vasily Bykov, a Buyan-class corvette, and a Kilo-class submarine in the Russian port city of Novorossiysk seen in satellite imagery shared by Planet Labs PBC on October 4, 2023. Courtesy of Planet Labs PBC According to MT Anderson, two Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, along with a Krikav-class frigate, three Kilo-class submarines, and a number of smaller ships, were transferred. But one Kilo-class submarine and four Russian landing ships were still stationed near Sevastopol, the ISW said, based on satellite footage from October 2. A Project 22160 patrol ship was also seen for the first time on October 2 near the port of Feodosia in eastern Crimea, suggesting that Russian forces may be relocating navy units from Sevastopol to facilities farther to the rear, the ISW said. A Project 22160 patrol ship stationed in the Ukrainian port of Feodosia in eastern Crimea, seen in satellite imagery shared by Planet Labs PBC on October 4, 2023. Courtesy of Planet Labs PBC The UK's Ministry of Defence made a similar point on Monday, saying the threats of Ukrainian attacks likely caused some of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's operations to relocate to the port of Novorossiysk on Russia's western coast. But it is too soon to jump to conclusions, according to former Norwegian Navy officer and independent OSINT analyst Thord Are Iversen. Vessel transfers from Sevastopol to other bases have fluctuated since the start of the conflict, especially after Ukraine's attacks, but tend to go back to their regular patterns, Iverson wrote on social media platform X . "While there are more ships in Feodosiya now, we need more time to make any hard conclusions on this," he added. In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russia's Black Sea Fleet, including attacking its command center in Sevastopol on September 22. Ukrainian attacks are part of a "sophisticated, multi-domain counteroffensive" designed to isolate Crimea and make it "untenable" for Russian forces to stay there, Ben Hodges, a retired lieutenant general and former commander of US Army Europe, told Insider last month. Read the original article on Business Insider It took eight years and the collaborative efforts of over 600 interdisciplinary undergraduate students, but Estonias second satellite is finally on track to launch later this week. Once in orbit thanks to a lift aboard one of the European Space Agency s Vega VV23 rockets, the tiny 8.5 lb ESTCube-2 will test an elegant method to potentially help clear the skies increasingly worrisome space junk issue using a novel plasma brake. Designed by Finnish Meteorological Institute physicist Pekka Janhunen , the electric sail ( E-sail ) technology harnesses the physics underlying Earths ionospherethe atmospheres electrically charged outer layer. Once in orbit, Estonias ESTCube-2 will deploy a nearly 165-foot-long tether composed of hair-thin aluminum wires that, once charged via solar power, will repel the almost motionless plasma within the ionosphere. [Related: The FCC just dished out their first space junk fine .] Historically, tethers have been prone to snap in space due to micrometeorites or other hazards, Janhunen explained in an October 3 statement ahead of the mission launch. So ESTCube-2s net-like microtether design brings added redundancy with two parallel and two zig-zagging bonded wires. If successful, the drag should slow down the tiny cubesat enough to shorten its orbital decay time to just a two-year lifespan. Not only that, but it would do so without any physical propellant source, thus offering a lightweight, low-cost alternative to existing satellite decommissioning options. "It is exciting to see if the plasma break is going to work as planned... and if the tether itself is as robust as it needs to be," Carolin Frueh, an associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Purdue University, tells PopSci via email. "The longer a dead or decommissioned satellite is out there, the higher the risk that it runs into other objects, which leads to fragmentation and the creation of even more debris objects." According to Frueh, although drag sails have been explored to help with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites' end-of-life maneuvers in the past, "the plasma brake technology has the potential to be more robust and more easily deployable at the end of life compared to a classical large solar sail." After just seven decades worth of space travel, junk is already a huge issue for ongoing private- and government-funded missions. Literally millions of tiny trash pieces now orbit the Earth as fast as 17,500 mph, each one a potential mission-ender. Such debris could also prove fatal to unfortunate astronauts in their path. Although multiple international efforts are underway to help mitigate the amount of space junk, even the process of planning such operations can be difficult. Earlier this year, for example, an ESA space debris cleanup pilot project grew more complicated after its orbital trash target reportedly unexpectedly collided with other debris. On October 2, the Federal Communications Commission issued its first-ever orbital littering fine after satellite television provider Dish Network failed to properly deorbit a decommissioned, direct broadcast EchoStar-7 satellite last year. As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must be certain that operators comply with their commitments, Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal said at the time . Estonias second-ever satellite is scheduled to launch on October 7 from the ESAs spaceport in French Guiana. Saturday Night Live announced its return to television post-writers strike with Ice Spice and more. The long-running sketch comedy show will kick off its 49th season with a packed line-up. On Oct. 14, former cast member Pete Davidson will take over hosting the show, and musical guest Ice Spice will make her SNL debut. The following weekend, Bad Bunny does double duty as host and musical guest on Oct. 21. This will be the Grammy winners second time performing and first time helming the show as host. According to The Los Angeles Times, the entire cast will return for season 49. Comedian Chloe Troast will be the only new addition to the show this season. The newcomer has been in the running to join the cast since last year, reports Deadline. Her resume includes co-writing and starring in the web series The Basics. She is set to appear in Peacocks The Treasure of Foggy Mountain on Nov. 17 and star in the college rom-com Sweethearts, produced by New Line for Max. The iconic sketch comedy show resumed production after Sept. 24 when the Writers Guild of America and Hollywood studios reached an agreement to end the strike. While some actors are still on strike, the guild members of the SNL cast has received support from SAG-AFTRA. In a statement, the organization stated the actors are not in violation of SAG-AFTRA strike rules, and we support them in fulfilling their contractual obligations. They continued, The program is a SAG-AFTRA non-dramatic production under a separate agreement that is not subject to the unions strike order. The majority of our members who are regular cast on Saturday Night Live had contractual obligations to the show prior to the strike. Many are under option agreements that require them to return to the show if the producers exercise their option, which the producers have done. It is important to recognize that SAG-AFTRA is fighting against the studios and not members who are required to go to work every day under other union contracts or personal service agreements. We stand with our union siblings across the industry as we also recognize our obligations under federal labor law. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Saturday Night Live is finally coming back months after its last season was cut short because of the writers strike. Former cast member Pete Davidson will host the shows 49th season premiere, which airs at 10:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, Oct. 14, on NBC and Peacock. Ice Spice will also perform as an SNL musical guest for the first time. Her music has reached more than 4 billion global streams in the past year, and she was named Best New Artist at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. This is why Vanna White isnt on Wheel of Fortune this week The entire cast from season 48 is returning, along with new addition Chloe Troast, who is joining as a featured player. The following week, on Oct. 21, Bad Bunny will act as host and musical guest. The Grammy Award-winning artists fourth studio album, Un Verano Sin Ti, broke the record earlier this year as the most streamed album ever on Spotify. Davidson had been set to host May 6, alongside musical guest Lil Uzi Vert, but his episode was the first to be cut after the writers strike started just days before. Win the Powerball jackpot? Think twice before taking the cash The writers strike was declared over Sept. 26 after Writers Guild of America board members approved a contract agreement with studios. While Hollywood actors are still on strike for most television and theatrical work, the SNL cast can resume performing as variety shows operate under a different contract. Other late-night shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert have also returned. The Associated Press contributed to this article. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. An irrigation system waters an alfalfa field at the Fondomonte farm in Butler Valley, Ariz., in June. (Caitlin O'Hara / For the Washington Post / Getty Images) A Saudi dairy company that grows hay in Southern California and Arizona for export to the Middle East is set to lose several leases that allow it to pump unlimited water from government-owned farmlands. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced this week that the state has terminated one of the leases held by the company, Fondomonte, and will not renew three other leases when they expire in February. The action, although partly focused on details of the companys rental agreements, reflects concerns among some political leaders about the use of water to export alfalfa and other water-intensive crops at a time when chronic shortages are prompting calls to rein in water use along the Colorado River and throughout the Southwest. Fondomonte, a subsidiary of the Saudi dairy company Almarai, also owns thousands of acres of farmland in Arizona and California, producing alfalfa that is shipped overseas to feed cows. The leases of state-owned land in Arizona have generated heated debate, because they have allowed the company to pay a below-market lease rate and not disclose its water use despite concerns about the depletion of groundwater in one of the driest parts of the country. State officials said a review found problems that led them to act. Hobbs, a Democrat, said she directed the State Land Department to conduct inspections of the largest leases of state trust lands, and found that Fondomonte had a significant ongoing default of its lease dating to 2016. Its unacceptable that Fondomonte has continued to pump unchecked amounts of groundwater out of our state while in clear default on their lease, Hobbs said in a written statement. She said her administration is acting to hold defaulting high volume water users accountable and bring an end to these leases. Read more: Colorado River in Crisis: A Times series on the Southwests shrinking water lifeline Fondomonte said it will appeal the state's termination of its lease and has contacted the governors office about factual errors in the decision. The decision affects leases for 3,520 acres in a remote area of western Arizona desert called Butler Valley. The company also rents 3,088 acres of state farmland and other cattle-grazing lands under leases that aren't affected by the decision, and owns 3,762 acres in western Arizona where it relies on pumping groundwater. In California, the company owns 3,375 acres of farmland near Blythe, where it pays the Palo Verde Irrigation District a flat rate for Colorado River water to irrigate its alfalfa fields. Arizona has been charging the company $25 per acre. And Fondomonte, like other companies that lease state land in Arizona, can pump unlimited amounts of water from wells at no cost. Critics of the leases praised the governors action. I'm glad that it came to an end, said Holly Irwin, a La Paz County supervisor. We have a foreign company that is leasing land from the State Land Department in Arizona, mining our natural resource. She pointed out that Fondomonte began buying and leasing land in Arizona after Saudi Arabia phased out the growing of cattle feed crops because the countrys aquifers had been depleted. We can't afford to have our aquifers just depleted, Irwin said. A water truck pulls onto a road next to a Central Arizona Project canal near the Fondomonte farm in Butler Valley, Ariz., in June. (Caitlin O'Hara / For the Washington Post / Getty Images) The leases began generating criticism after an investigation by the Arizona Republic in 2022 revealed the discounted, below-market rates the state was charging, and the lack of reporting about the amount of water being pumped in Butler Valley, an area where groundwater has been earmarked as a potential future water source for Arizonas growing cities. Irwin and other critics have said they are concerned the state is allowing overuse of groundwater on public lands, and that the state isnt receiving nearly enough in exchange for the water that is being pumped to irrigate crops. Barrett Marson, a Fondomonte spokesperson, said the state is mistaken and the company has been adhering to the conditions of its lease. We have done everything required of us under these conditions, Marson said. "Fondomonte will continue to work with the state to demonstrate its compliance with the current lease requirements." Read more: Water concerns prompt new limits on growth in Arizona Marson said that not renewing the other three leases would set a dangerous precedent for all farmers on state land leases, including being extremely costly to the state and Arizona taxpayers." Fondomonte will explore all avenues to ensure there is no discrimination or unfair treatment, Marson said. The company has been paying $76,000 annually for the four leases that are being canceled or not renewed. Experts have said the state should increase rents for all companies that lease farmland, and should require them to disclose how much water theyre using. Arizona currently leases about 160,000 acres of state trust land for agriculture. A large portion of the proceeds goes to funding public schools. Fondomonte has been leasing land in Arizona for nearly a decade, much of that time during the administration of Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican. Hobbs raised the issue during her campaign last year, in which she ultimately defeated Republican Kari Lake. Arizona Atty. Gen. Kris Mayes has also examined the land deals, and earlier this year revoked permits that would have allowed Fondomonte to drill more wells on state-owned land in addition to eight wells that records show the company has drilled in recent years while expanding its operation. It has been long evident to Arizonans across our state that these leases never should have been signed in the first place, Mayes said. The decision by the prior administration to allow foreign corporations to stick straws in the ground and pump unlimited amounts of groundwater to export alfalfa is scandalous. Mayes called the governors action a good initial step, and long overdue. The failure to act sooner underscores the need for greater oversight and accountability in the management of our state's most vital resource, Mayes said, calling for additional steps to protect groundwater in rural areas. Read more: In Arizona, Colorado River crisis stokes worry over growth and groundwater depletion In most rural areas of Arizona, groundwater remains unregulated and state law doesnt limit well-drilling or pumping. Groundwater levels have been dropping as large farming operations have expanded and drilled more wells, while some families have been left with dry wells and taps. State leasing of farmland adds a layer of complication to the widespread problems, with overpumping occurring on public land, facilitated by state policies. The area of Butler Valley is one of the few groundwater basins in Arizona where water can legally be pumped and transported by canal to urban areas. The ongoing shortages on the Colorado River have heightened interest among officials in preserving that groundwater as a backup supply, said Kathleen Ferris, a researcher at Arizona State Universitys Kyl Center for Water Policy. I do think that the cancellation of these leases is, in part, a response to scarcity, Ferris said. However, while many have expressed outrage that a foreign company has been allowed to pump Arizona groundwater to grow crops for export, the real issue is that Arizona lacks a comprehensive policy to manage groundwater supplies in rural areas. The depletion of finite groundwater in these areas by expanding industrial-scale agriculture will continue without such a policy, jeopardizing the water security of those areas. The governor said the state canceled one lease after Fondomonte failed, despite being told in 2016, to include secondary containment structures on fuel storage units on the land. Hobbs said the State Land Department also determined that renewing the three remaining leases in Butler Valley is not in the best interest of the states beneficiaries of the leases due to excessive amounts of water being pumped from the land free of charge. Marson said the company continued to be invested in Arizona and is committed to "efficient agricultural practices." "Fondomonte will continue to work with Gov. Hobbs and her administration to discuss groundwater matters moving forward," Marson said. The desert aquifers that supply the farmland, like others in Arizona, hold water that has accumulated underground over thousands of years. State records from six wells in Butler Valley show declines in groundwater levels ranging from 2 feet to 13 feet between 2010 and 2020. Read more: A river guide's view of Lake Powell's decline and the depths of the Colorado River crisis The governor noted that the area holds unique value as one of five water transportation basins that can be tapped when needed for other parts of the state, and the only one of those that is predominantly public land. I think it's a sign of great concern on the part of the state, great concern on the part of the governor, that this water is simply too valuable to be used growing alfalfa, said Robert Glennon, a water law expert and regents professor emeritus at the University of Arizona. He noted, however, that the United States is the worlds foremost exporter of water in the form of farm products, whether soybeans, wheat, corn, alfalfa or nuts. The larger issue in Arizona, Glennon said, is the need for the state to start limiting groundwater pumping in unregulated rural areas, similar to rules that already exist in Phoenix, Tucson and other urban areas. As the situation stands, he said, in large parts of the state, its still open sesame. Anyone who wants can drill a well and pump as much water as you want. And that's just the Wild West, Glennon said. There should be statewide rules. Glennon said he favors this sort of reform rather than moving toward protectionism. Glennon said he also served more than a decade ago as a lawyer on a consulting team for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was using large quantities of water to grow alfalfa. One of the things we said was, You can't use this fossil-age water in the kingdom. It's just way too valuable, Glennon said. You should instead go on the open market, and buy the alfalfa, the international market. He said thats precisely the approach Saudi Arabia has taken in recent years. Irwin said she thinks Arizonas farmland leases have been completely mismanaged by the state, both by not requiring reporting of water use, and by allowing Fondomonte and other companies a discounted rate on lands where the state doesnt pay for improvements. Not only were they getting a break on the leases, but that was money that was taken away from our kids' education, which is not acceptable, Irwin said. She said state officials shouldn't be giving out discounted leases to anybody, whether they're foreign or not." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Save Ukraines 12th mission rescued and brought back another 19 children illegally abducted by Russia Save Ukraine brought 19 Ukrainian children out of Russian-occupied territories during its 12th rescue mission, the organizations executive director Mykola Kuleba, reported on Facebook on Oct. 5. Kuleba, a former children's rights commissioner, added that his organization has managed to return to Ukraine a total of 196 children abducted by Russia. Read also: Ukraine successfully returns nearly 400 children kidnapped by Russia "We thank everyone who stood with us and helped us carry out this challenging but vital mission. We continue to move forward," Kuleba said, sharing a video of the freed Ukrainian children. Previously, on Aug. 26, Kuleba said Ukraine had managed to bring back 11 children illegally abducted by Russia. The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant on March 17 for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Russian childrens rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for war crimes in connection with the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Moreover, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on April 27 adopted a resolution recognizing the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia as an act of genocide. According to the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraines parliament, the Russians have taken almost 20,000 children from the territories of Ukraine they occupy, and approximately 6,000 are being held in re-education camps. Read also: Russia has attempted to illegally adopt nearly 400 Ukrainian children in act of genocide, confirms Ukraine The number of Ukrainian children illegally deported to Russia may have reached as many as 300,000, according to the European Parliament. MEPs believe that the Russians started abducting Ukrainian children in 2014, ever since the occupation of Crimea and parts of Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine In September 2021, a tourist was sexually assaulted twice in one day in Key West and the second attack was caught on the live webcam that live streams the famous Southernmost Point buoy. On Thursday, a Monroe County judge sentenced one of the defendants, the man who raped the 34-year-old woman at the landmark, to 10 years in state prison, followed by five years of probation. Kerry Calvin Gasag, 39, pleaded guilty to sexual battery, false imprisonment and evidence tampering. Had he gone to trial and a jury found him guilty, he faced up to 25 years in prison, said Assistant Monroe County State Attorney Joseph Mansfield. The crime was amplified by Gasag initially being perceived as the womans protector, interrupting her being raped by someone else on Fleming Street just moments earlier, only to make her into his own victim when they arrived at the Southernmost Point, according to police. A man in Boston watching the webcam saw the attack unfold and called Key West police to report it. But police didnt find her until after the attack, when she ran down the street wearing only a top, according to the arrest report. Officers took her to Lower Keys Medical Center and later interviewed her in her hotel Casa Marina hotel room, about a half a mile down South Street from the Southernmost Point. The Miami Herald is not naming the woman. She told police her evening started with dinner on Duval Street, where she drank several glasses of wine. She told police that after dinner, she walked a few blocks to a bar, adding a large portion of her memory is missing after she arrived at the bar. She did remember meeting a man at the bar and getting into his car, but got out after feeling unsafe, she told police. Shortly after getting out of the car, however, a man grabbed her and forced her to the ground in a wooded area on Fleming Street and sexually assaulted her. The woman told police the man raped her for several minutes but she ran away when for an unknown reason he turned away from her. Police said the man who raped her on Fleming Street is Jorge Calderon Nunez, 32. His case in the attack is pending, said Mansfield, the prosecutor. Hes being held in county jail on a bond of $225,000. Detectives say a video found on the womans iPhone filled in the blanks in the victims memory and detailed the horror that took place as she was discovered by Gasag and afterward. In the video, a woman is heard crying and a man, Gasag, is heard telling her to stop, officers said in their report. Gasag then says, stop means stop, and tells the woman to get up off the ground. The woman told police that she initially thought that Gasag, who told her his name was Calvin, rescued her from her attacker. But she was being led further into harms way. Her cellphone video continued to record, picking up Gasag telling the woman hed take her back to Casa Marina. On the way, he asked her if she wanted to have sex, according to police. Officers said in their report the woman adamantly told him no, and she wanted out of the car immediately. Gasag responded that he could have already had sex with her in the bushes and wanted to know why she didnt want to be with him. According to police, the woman got out of the car in a panic, and thats when her phone stopped recording. The webcam, however, pieced together the rest of the story, according to police. It showed Gasag putting his hand over the womans mouth and dragging her behind the Southernmost Point buoy. After a few minutes, police say the video shows the woman emerge partially clothed from behind the buoy, fall to the ground and then sprint east on South Street. The webcam also filmed Gasag pick up a pair of jean shorts, get into his car and drive away, police say. Police said in their report that Gasag was clearly identifiable in the video and they arrested him at his Northside Drive apartment. Germany will send Ukraine another Patriot air defense system "to help ward off aerial and drone attacks during the coming winter months," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Oct. 5. He didn't provide a timeframe for the system's delivery to Ukraine. The announcement follows a bilateral meeting between Scholz and President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the third European Political Community Summit in Granada, Spain. During the meeting, Zelensky briefed Scholz about the battlefield situation and priorities for defense assistance to Ukraine. "I am grateful for Germany's support in defending our freedom and people. It is also a defense of Europe and our shared values," Zelensky said on Telegram following the talks. Read also: Bild: Scholz blocking delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine for the foreseeable future Ukraine has received four Patriot systems, three provided by Germany and another by the U.S. They proved their worth soon after the delivery by downing air-launched ballistic Kinzhal missiles, lauded by Moscow as "unstoppable hypersonic" weapons. Air defense is likely to remain a priority of Ukraine, as Russia is reportedly capable of producing up to 67 missiles per month. Kyiv says Moscow will likely attempt the strategy of crippling Ukraine's energy system with mass strikes again the following winter. Read also: Patriot air defense faces its toughest challenge ever in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz 's coalition is gearing up to take a political hit at key state polls (John MACDOUGALL) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's troubled coalition is expected to take a hit at two major state polls that come halfway through its term, while the far-right is set for new gains. Almost 14 million voters are eligible to cast ballots on Sunday in southern Bavaria, the country's biggest state, and western Hesse, with a surge in immigration and economic woes among key topics. Scholz took power about two years ago leading a three-party coalition, but within months his government had to contend with the fallout triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Berlin rapidly had to tear up a long-held pacifist stance to back Kyiv, while the ensuing energy crisis hit Europe's top economy particularly hard, sending it into a recession. Adding to its problems, Scholz's coalition -- comprising his centre-left SPD, the Greens, and the liberal FDP -- has been consumed by bitter infighting on issues ranging from climate laws to spending cuts. Politics at the national level and disagreement within the coalition are dominating the polls, Ursula Muench, director of the Academy for Political Education in Tutzing, told AFP. Serious disputes over issues like a new law to slash emissions from household heating are seen as "examples that this government is just not capable of taking action," she said. "That it is so slow, and does not tackle the important issues." Arndt Leininger, a political expert from the Chemnitz University of Technology said, "the parties that form the federal government are in a bad starting position here. "In both states, all three parties are currently below their results in the last regional elections." Not helping the cause of the SPD and its coalition partners, both states are conservative strongholds, with Hesse ruled for 24 years by the main opposition CDU, and Bavaria since 1957 by the CSU, headed by Markus Soeder. Meanwhile the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is forecast to make gains in the two states after a recent surge in poll ratings at the national level, and a string of local election triumphs. While they are not expected to enter government in either state -- their strongholds are in eastern Germany -- further progress would ring alarm bells anew about the party's growing popularity. - Immigration tensions - As well as discontent at the coalition's policies, the AfD has been boosted by the issue of immigration, which has emerged as a central theme at the polls. As elsewhere in Europe, Germany has been facing a surge of new arrivals this year that has revived memories of a major influx in 2015. In Bavaria, the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), the sister party of the CDU, is expected to extend its hold on power, with state premier Soeder -- seen as a potential chancellor candidate -- to retain his post. Ahead of the vote, the state's ruling coalition was rocked by a scandal when Soeder's deputy, Hubert Aiwanger, admitted possessing Nazi pamphlets, found in his schoolbag as a teenager in the late 1980s. Aiwanger, leader of the populist Free Voters, the junior coalition partner, managed to hang on to his job, and his party actually won more support after he claimed he was victim of a "witch hunt". In contrast, the parties from Scholz's coalition are expected to lose support compared to the last elections in 2018, and the FDP may not even meet the threshold to get into the state parliament. The SPD has sought to make gains in Hesse by fielding a heavyweight, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, but the party is also forecast to lose support while the CDU is on course to remain in power. The CDU -- the main opposition at the national level -- will thus retain its state premier, Boris Rhein. A poor result in the polls could cause more problems for the coalition in Berlin and could make the FDP, which has sometimes sought to block proposals by coalition partners, even harder to work with, analysts warn. "(The party) could take an even sharper tone, which could make substantive cooperation more difficult," said Leininger. ilp-sr/hmn/cw/dhw The following is a press release from US Central Command pertaining to the seizure of Iranian weapons seized by the US military: On Oct. 2, 2023, the US government transferred approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds to the Ukrainian armed forces. The government obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, 2023, through the Department of Justice's civil forfeiture claims against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Read Also: Biden Admin SocMed Company Communication Restriction Now Includes CISA These munitions were originally seized by US Central Command naval forces from the transiting stateless dhow MARWAN 1, Dec. 9, 2022. The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216. The US is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including US and UN sanctions and through interdictions. Iran's support for armed groups threatens international and regional security, our forces, diplomatic personnel, and citizens in the region, as well as those of our partners. We will continue to do whatever we can to shed light on and stop Iran's destabilizing activities. Related Article: US Army Deliberates on How to Punish Travis King @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Parasto Hakim was startled by a knock at the front gates. She scanned her classroom for a quick headcount all the girls were already in attendance. It could only be the Taliban. Her heart pounding, she opened the door to find at least five members of the Afghan militant group demanding to check if she was breaking any rules. She was. This was a secret school, set up to teach girls despite the bans on female education imposed by the Taliban since they retook control of Afghanistan two years ago. Hakim immediately employed the schools security protocols. In order to ensure her staff and students safety, she had instructed them on how to respond to a Taliban inspection. I told the girls to stay silent, keep your eyes down and dont talk even if the Taliban speak to you directly, Hakim said from an undisclosed location outside Afghanistan. So when they (the Taliban) were asking them questions, the girls were just looking at me and I had to reply I was so scared. Hakim says the Taliban tried to bribe the girls into talking, but they remained silent. The militants then started shouting at her and tried intimidating her and another teacher with their questions, she said. But after getting nowhere, they left. Hakim operates SRAK, a clandestine network of schools, which educates around 400 girls across eight Afghan provinces with the help of 150 brave teachers and staff. CNN is not using the 25-year-olds real name, or the names of the female teachers and students we interviewed for this story to protect their safety. CNN was granted access to film inside one of SRAKS underground classrooms on the condition the location of the school and the identity of the students and staff remain hidden for their safety. Broken promises In the summer of 2021, Hakim watched in horror as the Talibans tanks rolled into Kabul amid the United States chaotic final withdrawal from the country. This time the group vowed a more progressive government than its previous fundamentalist rule between 1996 and 2001. At a news conference held shortly after the takeover, senior Taliban leadership insisted women and girls would be protected from violence and that education would remain a right for all. Hakim did not believe a word of it, she says. They said the exact same words as before, saying they will make (Afghanistan) an environment according to the Sharia law and Islamic values, that they would have girls back at school and women would be able to work and attend university, Hakim said. I thought to myself, they are lying, they wont change, and they will never ever allow girls to go to school again. The Talibans promises were soon broken. Girls are not allowed to go to school beyond the 6th grade and are barred from attending university. Girls, faces partially covered, attend class at a hidden school in Afghanistan. - CNN Women are being erased from Afghan public life by the all-male government. Last December, all local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the United Nations, were ordered to stop their female employees from coming to work. This year the Taliban closed all beauty salons across the country, an industry that had employed roughly 60,000 women. The UN described the Talibans draconian restrictions as discriminatory and misogynistic in a report published in June this year and said their rule could amount to gender apartheid and a crime against humanity. CNN has asked the Taliban for comment about why girls and women are barred from accessing educational opportunities but has not received a response. Hakim says she came to the conclusion that continuing to provide girls with an education was the only way to fight back against the Taliban. In the face of history repeating itself, she turned to the example set by Afghan women who defied the odds more than 25 years ago, the last time the Taliban seized control. I was asking myself, what was the young generation doing in 1996 when the Taliban were in power? How were they living? she said. Girls are taught tailoring techniques using newspapers at the hidden school in Afghanistan. - CNN I wanted to scream, but I couldnt Inspired, in part, by a 1996 Christiane Amanpour documentary titled Battle for Afghanistan, Hakim decided to create secret schools for a new generation of Afghan girls. That night, Hakim says she made a series of frantic calls to her contacts, asking for help. Among them was her old friend, Maryam. We have to start at least something for girls to gather together and have their own indoor community, in underground spaces to learn and be educated, Hakim recalled telling Maryam. I have all the resources you need; I just need you (Maryam) to expand it, she continued. I was working so I could afford to buy books, notepads and everything we need for underground classes. Maryam, a trained educator, said that when she heard from Hakim, she was eager to help and wanted to break free of the Talibans restrictions. After the militant group imposed the bans on girls education, Maryam says she was trapped at home and felt like a zombie, with nothing to do and nowhere to go. The situation led to her suffering from severe anxiety and depression, she said. I was in a situation where I wanted to scream, but I couldnt, it was some of the worst days of my life, she said. Maryam says as word of the school got around, more students began to enroll, and she found girls were relieved to attend to escape the pressure of being at home. Some girls refuse to stay home on government holidays, even if theres no teacher at the school, they ask me to let them come in, Maryam said. That shows how desperate they are to escape the stress of sitting at home and thinking about how they are deprived of their rights. Girls attend class at the hidden school in Afghanistan. Subjects covered include math, science, English and tailoring. - CNN On the day CNN visited Maryams hidden classroom, about 30 girls were huddled into a tiny room to learn everything from English to math to science and tailoring. The school is like a light for me, its like a road where I can see happiness and sunrise at the end of it, Maryam said. It gives me hope that one day regular schools will reopen, and every girl will be free to go back to school and women will be able to go back to their jobs. Such hope is sorely needed in Afghanistan. Rates of anxiety, depression and suicide among women are on the rise in Afghanistan since the groups return to power, according to the UN. It felt like being a prisoner One of Maryams students, 16-year-old Fatima, was among the many girls and women feeling depressed and anxious while confined to their homes by the Talibans prohibitions, their future opportunities tragically curtailed. I thought I was being thrown out of society, Fatima recalled. It felt like being a prisoner, like a prisoner who is only allowed to eat and drink, but not allowed to do anything else. By sitting uneducated at home, we cant achieve anything, she continued. I didnt want to be a burden on my family and society, and by getting an education, I want to fulfill my dreams. With the support of her family, she discovered the underground classes taught by Maryam and others and found her passion. She loves tailoring and dreams of becoming a famous fashion designer. I want to be a woman who is well known amongst people, she said. I dont want to be behind a mask forever, I want to be able to show my real face. Fatima and Yalda, not their real names, speak to CNN at the hidden school in Afghanistan. - CNN For Yalda, another student, resuming her education proved to be a lifeline. She had nearly given up on her goal of becoming an engineer. It was an escape from the anxiety and depression I felt sitting at home, the 14-year-old said about going back to school, even in this limited way. Yalda, Fatima, Maryam and countless others are dreaming of a future without the Taliban and preparing for the day they can step out of the darkness. Even if the Taliban stay seven or eight more years, they will eventually go and then we can go to university and continue our education, Yalda said. Half a human being Fawzia Koofi, a womens rights activist and pioneering Afghan lawmaker under the previous internationally backed administration, remembers living through a similar regime change when the Taliban first came to power. Speaking from exile, Koofi says women then faced the same restrictions on movement and education that they face today. And back in 1997, she just like Hakim started a secret school, but with a few differences. It was always a small number of girls, maybe six or seven, I only taught them English and science, not to arouse suspicion (from the Taliban), Koofi said. We still had to be very careful and take precautions to prevent them from detecting us. Fawzia Koofi, a former deputy speaker of the Afghan parliament who now lives in exile, is pictured in London in December 2022. - Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images Koofi had been accepted into medical school but was confined to her home when the Taliban took power in 1996. When youre outside, the Taliban would look at you as if you are half a human being; telling you to cover your face, she said. It was never about what you can contribute to society or how talented you are, it was only about what you wore. During her subsequent political career, Koofi made history in 2005 by becoming the first woman elected to Afghanistans parliament and then the countrys first female deputy speaker. After the Taliban returned in 2021, she fled the country, hoping one day to return. Hope stronger than fear Back at the secret school, Maryam learns the Taliban are checking neighborhoods for illegal activities and fears they risk being caught. She still feels gut-wrenching nerves at the prospect of a visit from the militants. I am scared, I experience fear at every moment, she said. But at the same time, I move on with the hope that tomorrow will be better than today. There is a power stronger than fear, that is our hope for the future. The future is something Fatima also keeps in mind while making her journey to school every morning. She says she worries that she could be arrested by the Taliban but, to her, its worth the risk. If they detain me, I will tell them I just want to be educated, Fatima said. I dont want to sit at home and that is not a crime. CNNs Mark Esplin contributed to this report For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Jon Romano served 17 years in prison for opening fire at his high school in 2004. He was released in 2020, and has since gained 250,000 followers on TikTok. Some praise his quest for redemption, while others question if he should have a platform at all. A school shooter released from prison in 2020 is gaining a significant following on TikTok where he shares his quest for redemption. But while over 250,000 people follow him, and many praise his honesty, others are unhappy that he has a platform like that. This embedded content is not available in your region. Jon Romano was 16 when he brought a shotgun to school in upstate New York, opened fire, and shot a teacher, hitting them in the legs. Nobody was killed in the attack as the assistant principal, John Shawchuck, wrested Romano to the ground. But Romano was sentenced to 20 years for attempted murder. He served 17. Romano now uses his platform to advocate for better mental health services in the US and stricter gun control. He told Insider in an email that he understands the backlash but concluded "I do believe I am helping." He wrote: "I can never undo what I have done, the pain and trauma that I have caused upon so many, but I am working towards preventing others from experiencing that same pain and suffering." As well as talking about gun violence, Romano also posted about the aftermath of being attacked at the homeless shelter he was working at by a man wielding swords in 2022. The attack left him badly injured, and in rehab after having several of his limbs reattached. In one of his most popular videos posted in July, Romano gave his take on how teachers can help students who are struggling mentally. He said his intention when he went into school that day was "not to kill but to be killed," and that he walked around waiting for police to show up after firing two rounds into the ceiling. He explained he shot a teacher in the leg after the assistant principal tackled him and they fought over the gun. He said that while he wasn't seriously injured physically, "I know that mentally, him and countless others were traumatized and still suffer to this day almost 20 years later because of me." He said mental health was something that wasn't talked about enough at schools, and there should be more of a focus on thinking about the emotional mindset people are in when they do bad things. He also said teachers should open up to students and let them know they also went through tough times. "I think there's power in vulnerability, power in opening yourself up," he said. "And learning to do that can change lives your own as well." This embedded content is not available in your region. Romano's account has been on the receiving end of some backlash recently from people who question his motives. One creator named Lars called Romano out for "getting clout" from his past, and said it was "disingenuous" of him to "build a platform off of the trauma that you've caused others." "And you do so under the guise of spreading awareness of mental health," they said. "But to me, after watching many of your videos, it seems like you are mainly interested in protecting the mental health of people like you white, young boys." Another creator named Che Guerrero said Romano's videos were "nothing but white privilege at work." "He doesn't even mention the fact that most school shooters are white men, and this is tied to white privilege and white supremacy," he said. "I truly believe this guy is still dangerous." Both Lars and Guerrero pointed to one of Romano's videos where he spoke about the sword attack in 2022, where he said people could be racist towards white people. The man who attacked him was Black, and called him "the white devil," he said. Guerrero said Romano was focusing on race rather than the man's mental-health issues, which they said was in conflict with his advocacy elsewhere. "I'm not justifying the Black man's actions, but you are a white guy who shot up a school, did very little time, got out, and is now monetizing the crimes you committed," he said. Romano turned off his comments on TikTok since criticism has mounted over the past two days. Romano told Insider that he understands the backlash, and despite it, he also gets people reaching out to him thanking him for what he does. Often these messages are from parents, teachers, and students who are "frustrated with the lack of change" and believe he can "help save lives." "I weighed out if my speaking publicly would help more people than it would hurt," he told Insider. "Because I know my sharing my story hurts people, but I do believe I am helping." This embedded content is not available in your region. In 2004 after the attack, students and law enforcement officials described Romano as a disturbed teenager, who "had a lot of problems," The New York Times reported. ''He just became more of a freak,'' one 16-year-old student told the outlet at the time. ''He was depressed and he just didn't care because he lost all his friends." Romano expressed remorse in a letter he sent to the Albany Times from prison. In it, he called his actions the "worst mistake I ever made," and said he wanted to "make sure others don't make the same mistake. " He said his aim was to die when he entered the school, and that he never expected to walk out alive. He urged anyone having similar thoughts to speak to a therapist or a priest before doing something they would regret. He also said since being arrested, and having his freedom taken away, he learned "how precious life is." "Please nobody follow in mine or other's footsteps by bringing a weapon to school. Please don't even try to take your own life. Life is too precious whether you notice or not," he wrote. "Always remember if you hurt yourself or others, you'll also be hurting your family and loved ones or theirs." Read the original article on Insider TEFE, Brazil Researchers have performed necropsies on nearly 120 dolphins that died in the Upper Amazon River system over the past few weeks, where officials believe an ongoing severe drought has caused shallow water temperatures to skyrocket. The dolphins are the gray river dolphin and the rare Amazon River dolphin, also known as the pink river dolphin. They are only found in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru and Venezuela, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The pink dolphins are the largest and one of only a handful of freshwater dolphin species left in the world. A scientist conducting a necropsy on a dolphin. "This represents (about) 10% of the population of the species," Miriam Marmontel, of the Mamiraua Institute, told Reuters. "So, it is a very significant impact because we are close to 5%. You can see that it is the percentage of population replacement (that is in jeopardy). If this modality continues to increase, then yes, we will (have) a very critical situation." The dolphin's pregnancy lasts for about 13 months. After that, the mother feeds her calf underwater for two years. So, females reproduce only every three to five years, according to research published in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. "They are a very slow reproductive species," author Vera da Silva and researcher for the Amazon Institute told MongaBay.com. "If the removal is higher (than the reproduction and rearing rate), the species does not have the capacity to replace itself." Da Silva also found that Brazil's Amazon River dolphin population is halved every decade. UNUSUALLY HOT FLORIDA SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURES ON TRACK TO CAUSE MASS CORAL BLEACHING EVENT File: The dolphins are born gray, but some turn pink with age. Aerial video from Reuters that was recorded at the end of September showed dolphin after dolphin rotting on muddy banks. Vultures pick at the decaying fish in flocks. Some dolphins are still floating, and the carnivores use the body as an island. Their once brilliant pink skin is now a dark mottled grey-brown. What looks like streams in the mud used to be channels in a large lake. The level at Rio Negro, monitored by the Port of Manaus, steadily dropped 8-14 inches a day for the last two weeks of September. So far, in the first four days of October, the level dropped more than 2 feet. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER In this aerial view, boats are seen stranded in Aleixo Lake due to the severe drought west of Manaus. The level is only 4.5 feet lower than Rio Negro's record low of all time set in October 2010, according to the port. And shallow waters over dark mud heat very quickly. A geosciences researcher told Reuters that water temperatures in spots of Lago Tefe hit 102 degrees Fahrenheit on the day 70 dolphins died. Water temperatures this time of year are generally between 84 and 87 degrees. "So it is an extremely high value that certainly has to do with this mortality," said Ayan Fleischmann, a researcher analyzing conditions. Researchers are also looking at other causes of death like a bacterial infection. They can not move the surviving dolphins to a cooler place until bacteria have been ruled out. The amount of dissolved oxygen in water decreases as it warms, so the area has also seen a mass fatality of other fish. Brazil's Environment Minister told Reuters that the rotting fish have contaminated drinking water. FLORIDA EVERGLADES WATER TEMPERATURES REACH HOT-TUB LEVELS Thousands of dead fish clog the shrinking waterways. Meteorologist Joselia Pegorim told Brazil Reports that El Nino was partially to blame, and conditions will get worse. "El Nino will act to reduce rainfall in the northern region of Brazil, which could aggravate the drought situation already observed at the end of winter and which will continue into spring, due to the high temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico," Pegorim said. The Governor of Brazil's Amazonas state declared an Environmental Emergency in mid-September. That allowed funding for humanitarian aid, like food and drinking water, to be brought in. Residents of the Upper Amazon rely heavily on fish as the main source of protein. STRONG EL NINO WINTER: WHAT KIND OF WEATHER YOU CAN EXPECT A woman carries a child through a dry riverbed due to the severe drought on the Rio Negro River west of Manaus. House and fishing boats lay on the mud. The Amazon River, rainforest and seasonal floodplains can rise and fall up to 39 feet a year with tropical rains. The city of Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas, only saw one day of rain in all of August, according to the Climatempo Institute. Levels have been steadily declining since June. During floods, the Amazon and its tributaries overflow, and the dolphins can swim through rainforest trees and roots in search of food. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature estimates that the Amazon River dolphin population is in the tens of thousands. Original article source: Scientists fear heat, drought killed at least 120 rare dolphins in Amazon NORTH PORT, Fla. - On Wednesday, a student at Woodland Middle School was arrested after a gun was found in their possession, according to authorities. Police say the school administration was alerted that a student had a gun on Wednesday morning. READ: Boy, 11, arrested for shooting 2 football teammates at Apopka practice over bag of chips, police say Once the school's administrative was notified, the Sarasota County Schools Police Department (SCSPD) immediately became involved, police said. According to authorities, the student has been apprehended and there is no threat to students, teachers, or staff members. The city of Seattle has agreed to pay nearly $2 million to the family of a man who died after medics waited to enter his home because his apartment was marked with an outdated caution note, according to the familys attorney. William Yurek died in November 2021 at age 46 after his then 13-year-old son called 911 twice in 13 minutes, according to a lawsuit filed by Yureks family in December accusing the city of negligence. Although Seattle Fire Department medics got to the residence about six minutes after the first call, they waited to enter because Yurek was wrongly included on aso-called blacklist of people who had a history of hostility toward first responders, the familys lawsuit alleged. Yureks residence was marked with a caution note because a previous tenant had been put on the list, the lawsuit added. The lawsuit was settled Monday for $1.86 million, according to the familys attorney, Mark Lindquist. Medics initially waited outside for Seattle police to arrive, but decided to enter the home without a police escort about six minutes after the sons second call that his fathers condition was worsening, according to the lawsuit. During that second 911 call, the operator told the teenager that help was on the way when, in reality, medics already were at the residence waiting to go inside, according to the lawsuit. The operator did not advise Yureks son to administer CPR, the lawsuit alleged. When medics eventually chose to enter the apartment without a police escort, about 20 minutes had passed since the initial 911 call. Yurek died of cardiac arrest in front of his son despite the medics treatment, according to the lawsuit. Once inside, medics did everything they could to save Wills life, Lindquist said in a news release shared with CNN. The family has always been grateful to the medics who broke protocol to go in and do their best. The Seattle city attorneys office made major changes to its caution note system, the office told CNN affiliate KING. The operating guidelines on caution notes, which were modified prior to the settlement, were changed to provide that caution notes about people, activities and materials expire after 365 days in the system or get reviewed and renewed, a statement from the office to KING reads. Additionally, caution notes about the need for (Seattle police) assistance due to violent or threatening behavior are to be verified after every alarm dispatched to the address. Lastly, a caution note is to be removed if the occupant no longer lives at the address, the statement reads. Lindquist told CNN it wasnt until he began looking into what caused the medics delay in entering Yureks home that he learned of the citys police escort requirements for residents with caution notes. CNNs attempts to contact a spokesperson for the Seattle city attorney were not immediately successful. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will try to force Elon Musk to testify over his Twitter stock purchases. The federal agency charged with regulating securities markets is currently investigating Musk for allegedly violating securities laws when he bought Twitter shares before buying the social media platform, which he has since renamed X. Buying Twitter stock before acquiring the company could mean Musk was guilty of insider trading, market manipulation or even violation for fair market disclosure. The SEC said on Thursday that Musk failed to appear to testify last month as requested. According to a filing by the agency in federal court in San Francisco, first spotted by Bloomberg, the agency is auditing Musk's statements and disclosures about the stock transactions. Since the SEC began its probe in April 2022, Musk has sent hundreds of documents and testified twice in July 2022, according to the filing. The investigation is ongoing and nonpublic. The agency said Musk agreed to an interview with the SEC last month in San Francisco, but two days before the scheduled September 15 meeting, the billionaire raised objections, saying San Francisco wasn't a good location for it. He has claimed that San Francisco jurors dislike him after a questionnaire sent out to 200 prospective jurors came back with majority negative opinions of Musk. The SEC suggested moving the interview to Fort Worth, Texas, where Musk resides, but the agency says he refused to meet at all. This isn't Musk's first tussle with the SEC. Famously, the Tesla CEO has been ordered to have a lawyer review his Tesla-related tweets after Musk tweeted in 2018 that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private for $420 per share and that investor support for the deal was confirmed. Teslas share price fluctuated in the weeks that followed, which prompted an SEC investigation into whether Musk had committed securities fraud. The SEC is also investigating Musk and Tesla over their claims regarding Tesla vehicles' "full self-driving" capabilities, as well as Tesla's use of company funds to build Musk a "glass house." The SEC just revealed it's investigating Elon Musk 's Twitter investment and eventual takeover. The agency says Musk has failed to sit for an interview regarding the case, with various excuses. Musk's lawyer Alex Spiro called the entire investigation "misguided." Elon Musk's investment in Twitter and his eventual $44 billion acquisition of the platform is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, with whom Musk now refuses to sit for an interview. The SEC on Thursday asked a California federal court to force Musk, who acquired Twitter, or X, just under a year ago, to comply with a May subpoena asking him to sit for testimony. The filing revealed what the agency said has been "an ongoing nonpublic investigation by the SEC regarding whether, among other things, Musk violated various provisions of the federal securities laws" with his initial secret collection of Twitter stock in early 2022 and his later purchase of the company, along with statements he made about the deal. Although it was noted last year in a filing in a separate court action that Musk was under federal investigation, it did not disclose by which body or what the investigation concerned. "The SEC seeks Musk's testimony to obtain information not already in the SEC's possession that is relevant to its lawful investigation," the agency said. "The SEC has followed all appropriate administrative steps required in seeking Musk's testimony. In the face of Musk's blatant refusal to comply with the SEC's subpoena, the SEC now asks the Court to intervene and compel Musk's compliance." Although Musk previously gave the SEC a half-day of testimony in July of 2022 related to its investigation, the agency said it is requesting he submit to further questioning because of the huge amount of additional information it's received this year. The SEC has "thousands of new documents from various parties as part of its investigation, including hundreds of new documents produced by Musk." "The SEC has not yet had an opportunity to question Musk about those documents and other substantial information it has obtained in its investigation since July 27, 2022," the agency said in its filing. After months of back and forth with Musk's lawyer, who the SEC claims never objected to Musk sitting for another interview, the Tesla billionaire agreed to be questioned on Sept. 15 in San Francisco. He did not appear for testimony. Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro, told Insider: "The SEC has already taken Mr. Musk's testimony multiple times in this misguided investigation enough is enough." 'Spurious objections' "Instead, two days before his scheduled testimony, Musk abruptly notified the SEC staff that he would not appear," the SEC said. "Musk attempted to justify his refusal to comply with the subpoena by raising, for the first time, several spurious objections, including an objection to San Francisco as an appropriate testimony location." Other of Musk's objections included that the SEC was attempting to "harass" him and that his biography, Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson, was being published close to the date of his scheduled testimony and his lawyers needed "time to review" material in the book. Musk and his personal confidants made up most of the books sources. Although the SEC attempted to choose another date and location to interview Musk, he shifted to a "blanket refusal to appear for testimony," according to the agency. It is now asking the court to force Musk to comply and sit for an interview. A representative of Twitter did not respond to requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider The Securities and Exchange Commission is suing Elon Musk in a bid to compel him to testify in a probe into his 2022 purchase of Twitter, the company now known as X, the agency said Thursday. The Wall Street regulator is investigating potential violations of U.S. securities laws regarding Musk's $44 billion deal to acquire Twitter as well as his statements and SEC filings about the company, the agency said in a filing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The investigation is ongoing and has not concluded that any laws were violated, the SEC added in a related release. Musk and the SEC have regularly clashed over the last decade, with the Twitter deal the latest flashpoint between the two. Last month, Musk failed to appear to testify after four months' notice, according to the SEC. The sides had an agreed-upon date, but two days beforehand, Musk canceled, "raising, for the first time, several spurious objections," the SEC said. Alex Spiro, an attorney representing Musk, said in an email: The SEC has already taken Mr. Musks testimony multiple times in this misguided investigation - enough is enough. The SEC stated in the order that Musk objected to questions about why the agency needed him to testify again, the location of the testimony and the fact that a biography about the billionaire came out in September that his lawyers needed time to review. None of Musks objections has any legal validity, and he has no justifiable excuse for his non-compliance with the SECs subpoena, the agency wrote in the order. The tensions between the SEC and Musk date back to the Tesla CEOs tweets in 2018 discussing a deal to take the electric car manufacturer private at $420 per share. Soon after, the SEC filed and settled fraud charges against Musk leading to his ouster as Tesla chair and a $20 million penalty. Musk later in the year went on the "60 Minutes" television show to declare he does not respect the SEC. Musk recently lost a courtroom fight over the terms of the settlement, though Spiro has said he plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. A memorial altar for five missing and apparently murdered young men has been set up outside the Templo de la Merced church in Lagos de Moreno, Mexico (ULISES RUIZ) A second suspect in a kidnapping, torture and murder investigation in Mexico has been arrested, prosecutors said Wednesday, after grisly images of them leaked, prompting public fury. In August, a week after the group of five childhood friends aged 19 to 22 vanished in the western state of Jalisco, police found charred bones and four skulls at a property in the area. Photos and videos emerged showing the men kneeling with their hands bound, and the moment one of them was attacked with a blunt object and a knife. One clip appeared to show one friend attacking another, presumably forced to do so by their captors. A man identified as Celestino M. had been taken into custody in connection with the disappearance, the local prosecutors office said Wednesday. On Monday, authorities announced they had arrested another man, identified as Rogelio M., on charges related to the disappearances in the city of Lagos de Moreno. The five men were kidnapped on August 11 while they chatted in the working-class neighborhood of San Miguel. Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro previously said their disappearance was "evidently linked to organized crime." "We are facing irrational, violent and direct attacks on the stability of Jalisco that demand a reaction from the Mexican state," he added. One of the most powerful organized crime groups in Mexico, the Jalisco New Generation cartel, operates in the region and is embroiled in turf wars with rival drug syndicates. The case has stunned residents of Lagos de Moreno, home to a thriving dairy industry, colonial buildings and flower-filled parks honored as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has registered more than 400 missing persons since 2009. Many are believed to have ended up in clandestine graves and crematoria, or their remains dissolved in acid. News of the arrest comes a week after six teenagers kidnapped in the neighboring state of Zacatecas were confirmed dead. The 14-to-18-year-olds had been abducted by an armed group after a party less than a week earlier. Mexico has recorded more than 420,000 murders since the launch of a controversial military anti-drug offensive in 2006. Since then, the country's murder rate has tripled to 25 per 100,000 inhabitants. It has registered more than 110,000 disappearances since 1962, most attributed to criminal organizations. About 15,000 of those have happened in Jalisco, the highest number among Mexico's 32 states. jla/mas/mca/lb Nadine Arslanian married Bob Menendez in 2020, two years after she struck and killed a pedestrian. Records show that she has a history of traffic infractions, including using a phone while driving. One of the cars ticketed is the same make and model prosecutors said she was given as a bribe. Nadine Arslanian, the wife of embattled New Jersey senator Bob Menendez , has a history of traffic violations stretching beyond a fatal 2018 crash in which she struck and killed a pedestrian, municipal records show, including two citations for using her phone while driving. Arslanian hit 49-year-old Richard Koop with her Mercedes-Benz in front of his house in December 2018, killing him. Police determined she was not at fault. Arslanian and Menendez were indicted last month on bribery allegations. Investigators described Arslanian as the architect of a scheme in which an Egyptian businessman traded cash and gold bars for political favors and information from the senator. Arslanian seems to have been something of a fixture in New Jersey traffic courts, racking up six tickets between 2005 and 2018 for violations, including using a phone while driving, ignoring traffic signs, and failing to maintain her headlamps. Politico New Jersey's Matt Friedman was first to report on her checkered driving record. Arslanian received another ticket for using her phone while driving in 2021, three years after she killed Koop, municipal records show. She paid a $240 fine. Arslanian's ex-boyfriend Doug Anton , a criminal defense attorney known for representing R. Kelly, sometimes defended her in traffic court, records show often without success. In 2016, for instance, he failed to get her out of a $51 parking ticket. A parade of luxury vehicles make their way through Arslanian's traffic citations, with tickets showing her driving a BMW and three different Mercedes-Benzes. One of those Benzes, a black 2019 convertible, is the same model that federal prosecutors said was gifted to Arslanian from the Egyptian businessman at the heart of the bribery scandal, Wael Hana. Arslanian's attorney and Senator Mendendez's office did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication. Read the original article on Business Insider A Nebraska wedding accident happened after a grandfather officiating the ceremony decided to fire his revolver. Authorities said that there was no ill intent in the man's action. However, it injured his beloved grandson. If you are curious why this unfortunate incident happened, here's the full story. Nebraska Wedding Accident: Officiating Grandpa Fires Revolver, Injures Grandson According to CBS News' latest report, a 62-year-old man accidentally shot his grandson the weekend before a wedding ceremony. Before the incident, guests were somehow panicking because somebody forgot to bring the wedding rings needed for the ceremony. Because of this, the ceremony started late on Saturday, Sept. 30. Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said that wedding guests were spread out at the Hillside Events venue in Denton, Lancaster County. To get everyone's attention, the officiating grandpa, Michael Gardner, used his revolver to shoot the gun outside. CNN US reported that the gun was a Pietta Model 1860 Snub Nose revolver. But the man didn't use a live bullet. Instead, he decided to use a blank bullet to ensure that his action would not harm anyone. Unfortunately, this is not what happened. "When he decided to cock back the hammer of this revolver, it slipped and it shot his grandson in the left shoulder, causing an injury," said Houchin. The chief deputy explained that Gardner made the blank bullets by putting black powder into the 0.45 casings and gluing it. "What we believe is the glue is what injured the child," the law enforcement official added. Read Also: Missing New York Girl: Authorities Issue Amber Alert After 9-Year-Old Charlotte Sena Vanishes on Camping Trip What Happened to the Grandson? Luckily, the grandson is still alive and only suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. But, he sustained a deep laceration to his left shoulder. Responders and authorities took the kid to a local hospital. After that, he was transferred to another facility in Omaha for further treatment. On Monday, Oct. 2, the grandfather turned himself in, allowing law enforcement officials to investigate the incident. Houchin said he doesn't believe Gardner intended to harm his beloved grandson. However, the chief deputy still criticized his action, saying it wasn't very smart. "Playing with firearms, no matter what, [even] if they're blanks, bad things can certainly happen," he added. Related Article: Pava LaPere's Suspected Killer Got Out of Jail; Cops Reveal Suspicious Details of Tech CEO's Death @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Footage obtained by News 12 New Jersey shows the fatal crash involving Nadine Arslanian and a pedestrian. Arslanian, who is now married to Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, was not charged in the incident. The couple is under increased scrutiny after they were charged with bribery last week. Newly released footage shows the night Sen. Bob Menendez's now-wife Nadine Arslanian fatally hit a pedestrian in her Mercedes-Benz on a New Jersey street in December 2018. Security footage of the incident was obtained and published by News 12 New Jersey on Wednesday evening a few hours after NorthJersey.com and The Record of New Jersey first reported on the crash. JUST IN: News 12 New Jersey has obtained security video from a 2018 incident where Sen. Menendez's wife Nadine Arslanian struck and killed a pedestrian. MORE: https://t.co/VoyQH7weel pic.twitter.com/TRtFwfgk5y News12NJ (@News12NJ) October 4, 2023 A December 2018 police report reviewed by Insider said Arslanian struck and killed a man on Main Street in Bogota, a borough in suburban Bergen County, New Jersey. The pedestrian in the video is blurred to soften the visual impact of the crash. Later in the footage, other bystanders can be seen waving down a police car while standing near the victim. Arslanian, who married Menendez in 2020, was not charged in the incident. The Bogota Police Department said in an investigation into the crash that Arslanian was "not at fault" and said the pedestrian had been jay-walking. The victim was 49-year-old Richard Koop. He was hit and killed in front of his house, the police report said. "It was a tragic accident and obviously we think of the family," Menendez told reporters Wednesday. Both Menendez and Arslanian are under increased scrutiny after they were indicted on bribery charges last week. Prosecutors allege the two helped three Egyptian businessmen in exchange for bribes, including a 2019 Mercedes. Menendez has denied wrongdoing and resisted calls from his fellow Democrats to resign his seat in the Senate. Representatives for Menendez did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. October 6, 2023: This story has been updated to clarify language around the incident. Read the original article on Business Insider SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A memorial service for the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein was held on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, in the city where she served as its first female mayor. The service started at 1 p.m., and several dignitaries and notable guests gave remarks. Speakers at Sen. Feinsteins memorial service included Vice President Kamala Harris as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Eileen Mariano (Sen. Feinsteins granddaughter) are also scheduled to speak. California Gov. Gavin Newsom , a former San Francisco mayor, and former Gov. Jerry Brown were in the audience. A recorded message from President Joe Biden was also played at Thursdays memorial. She was always tough, prepared, rigorous, compassionate. She always served the people of California and our nation for the right reasons, Biden said. Members of the public await their turn to pay respects as the casket of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the Rotunda of City Hall in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) Members of the public were invited to pay their respects on Wednesday at San Francisco City Hall, where Sen. Feinstein was lying in state. Thursdays memorial was originally planned to be open to the public as well, but was later limited to 1,500 invited guests only. Guests seated in white chairs sweltered on an unseasonably hot day as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight team soared overhead, occasionally interrupting speakers with the roar of their jets. The flight demonstration squadron is in the city as part of Fleet Week, an annual San Francisco celebration started by Feinstein in 1981 when she was mayor. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A memorial service for the late U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein was held on the front steps of San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, in the city where she served as its first female mayor. The service started at 1 p.m., and several dignitaries and notable guests gave remarks. Speakers at Sen. Feinsteins memorial service included Vice President Kamala Harris as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Eileen Mariano (Sen. Feinsteins granddaughter) are also scheduled to speak. California Gov. Gavin Newsom , a former San Francisco mayor, and former Gov. Jerry Brown were in the audience. A recorded message from President Joe Biden was also played at Thursdays memorial. She was always tough, prepared, rigorous, compassionate. She always served the people of California and our nation for the right reasons, Biden said. Members of the public await their turn to pay respects as the casket of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the Rotunda of City Hall in San Francisco, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP) Members of the public were invited to pay their respects on Wednesday at San Francisco City Hall, where Sen. Feinstein was lying in state. Thursdays memorial was originally planned to be open to the public as well, but was later limited to 1,500 invited guests only. Guests seated in white chairs sweltered on an unseasonably hot day as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight team soared overhead, occasionally interrupting speakers with the roar of their jets. The flight demonstration squadron is in the city as part of Fleet Week, an annual San Francisco celebration started by Feinstein in 1981 when she was mayor. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. SAN FRANCISCO The late Senator Dianne Feinstein was celebrated in a memorial service Thursday, held on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall where her remarkable political career began. Security was high as invited attendees passed through a screening upon arrival before taking their seats in front of City Hall. There were also a number of street closures in effect around the building to accommodate the hundreds who were seated on Post Street for the memorial in addition to a wide security perimeter around the event. ALSO READ: Sen. Dianne Feinstein and her legacy Officials had planned to make the service open to the public with standing space in Civic Center Plaza, but announced early Wednesday evening that it would be a private event due to security concerns regarding the many dignitaries in attendance. Adam Russell, a spokesperson for Feinstein's office, confirmed that the service would still be held outside, but noted the security perimeter would be too far back for the general public to see and hear. UPDATE: Mourners pay respects to Sen. Dianne Feinstein at San Francisco City Hall Feinstein was remembered by friends and colleagues as a pioneer whose political journey was marked by many firsts. Besides being the first president of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors and the city's first female mayor, Feinstein was the first woman elected to represent California in the U.S. Senate alongside Barbara Boxer in 1992. Around 1,500 guests were invited to the private ceremony. Dozens of members of Congress flew into San Francisco to attend the service including Sen. Alex Padilla, who is now the senior senator from California, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Congressman Adam Schiff and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren among others. California Governor Gavin Newsom and his recent appointment to fill Feinstein's seat, Laphonza Butler, and former governor and Oakland mayor Jerry Brown were also in attendance. Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader and New York Senator Chuck Schumer, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Sen. Feinstein's granddaughter, Eileen Mariano were also in attendance and spoke at the memorial. Mayor Breed was the first speaker, welcoming those gathered to San Francisco City Hall. "Today, we honor the life of Senator Feinstein. That is her official title. It's how Californians and people all over the world knew her. But to us, to San Franciscans, she was Mayor Dianne Feinstein," Breed said before remembering how, as a 13-year-old French horn player at Benjamin Franklin School, she first met Feinstein. "Over the years, we became Mayor Feinstein's band. Whenever there was an important event or activity, she chose us to perform. We played at City Hall and at the Super Bowl celebrations. We proudly wore our band sweaters that she bought for us and Mayor Feinstein always took the time to talk to us, to tell us how amazing we were and to remind us that we were her band," Breed said. The mayor also spoke about how Feinstein provided an example of strong leadership for young women to follow. "Dianne Feinstein showed us the meaning of San Francisco's motto, 'Gold in peace, iron in war.' She showed us a world where women lead, where we lift each other up so that girls like me could follow in her footsteps," Breed said. A recorded message from President Joe Biden praised Feinstein for her character and toughness. "She was always tough, prepared, rigorous, compassionate. She always served the people of California and our nation for the right reasons," Biden said. After that message, Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage. "Dianne Feinstein was an icon of California. She was an American patriot, a giant of the Senate, and a dear friend to Doug and me. She was also a student of history, a giftedand I'll add, very generousartist, and a passionate leader. Simply put, she was a forceShe was recognized around the world as a leader, a standard-bearer of America and of American values," Harris said. "Dianne diligently focused on the impacts on real people, not ideology; substance, not showmanship; results, not rhetoric." Harris went on to laud Feinstein for her courage as a public servant and her fierce "defense of the Constitution and the security of the American people." Harris also remembered the celebration in San Francisco after both Feinstein and Boxer were elected to the U.S. Senate on Nov. 3, 1993, recalling the night that she, "a young prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office," left her Oakland home and drove across the Bay Bridge in her Toyota Corolla to witness that historic night. "Diane, the women of America have come a long way. Our country has come a long way and you helped move the ball forward. Our nation salutes you, Diane," Harris said. She also remembered how Feinstein welcomed her to the Senate in 2017. "With one hand, she presented me with a glass of California Chardonnay, and with the other, a binder full of her draft bills," Harris said. Sen. Chuck Schumer opened his comments with a memory about Feinstein's drive and tenacity, recalling how the senator decided against seeking medical attention after injuring her ankle during a morning walk the week of her signature Lake Tahoe Summit, an event aimed at preserving the lake for future generations. "Years later, she looked back on that morning and remembered hearing a bone pop but chose to finish her day before even thinking about treatment. It turns out, it was a pretty significant fracture," remembered Schumer. "I asked how she got through the day, she only offered three words: 'I just did.'" "There are many adjectives that rightly describe Dianne Feinstein: strong, unflappable, winning, fierce, practical, earnest," Schumer continued. "But one quality above all stands out in my mind and will forever set Dianne apart: integrity." At some points of the service, the speakers were briefly drowned out by the Blue Angels flying overhead during their Fleet Week practice run. During her remarks that focused on her personal relationship with Feinstein as both a colleague and neighbor, Pelosi referred to the jets roaring above. "It's what Dianne wants. That's what we get!" Pelosi said with a laugh. Pelosi also showed her sense of humor when discussing the wisdom Feinstein would impart to co-workers. "We all have gotten great advice from Dianne," Pelosi said. "But the most constant advice I ever got from her -- again and again -- was, 'Nancy, you don't always have to be the one going out on the attack. Let some other people do that from time to time. Why don't you do that?'" The Speaker Emerita also spoke of Feinstein's impact in both San Francisco and Washington D.C. "And she has a lasting legacy. From the cable cars, the breast cancer stamp to the assault-weapons ban to Team Tahoe...the list goes on and on," Pelosi said of her friend. "From the U.S. Capitol back to San Francisco, where Dianne Feinstein is our forever mayor." Final respects were paid by Feinstein's granddaughter, Eileen Mariano, who listed the contributions Feinstein made to the city of San Francisco, the state of California, and the United States. "My grandmother saved the cable car and rebuilt Pier 39, she supported her people during the HIV/AIDS epidemic," said Mariano. "She saved Joshua Tree, Death Valley and Lake Tahoe. And she spoke against torture and assault weapons." Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Is Jim Jordan the right House speaker candidate to unite the GOP? Strategists weigh in Kaiser Permanente strike enters third day As the House searches for a new speaker and the Senate works to get Ukraine assistance back into a spending bill come November 17 when the current deal expires, Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky., says there is a "growing movement" within the Republican party to cut additional funding altogether. "We have problems funding Social Security, we have problems funding, Medicare, Medicaid, all the things that have already been promised to our people we have trouble funding, and we just don't have extra money just to be sending to another country," Paul told Fox News Digital in an interview this week. The U.S. has sent more than an estimated $100 billion of taxpayer dollars to Ukraine since the war began, according to the White House. Republicans who are opposed to additional funding the war-torn nation scored a victory last weekend when then-House Speaker McCarthy passed a spending patch without the additional multi-billion dollar Ukraine assistance as requested by President Joe Biden, ultimately averting a government shutdown. The temporary funding patch expires Nov. 17, bringing Congress to another potential showdown in a few weeks. HUNGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HINTS AT CONTINUED BLOCKAGE OF UKRAINE MILITARY AID Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., stands alongside his fellow Republican senators at a press conference addressing the national debt on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Paul prior to Rep. Kevin McCarthy's ouster said that all eyes will be on what the House speaker does in the next go-around of spending discussions, citing a caveat that may "dampen" efforts to continue sending funds to Ukraine, which has been gripped by a Russian invasion since last year. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "The Republican Conference in the house has a rule, that if a majority of the Republican Conference is for something or against something, the speaker can't bring it up by rule," he said. That unwritten practice is known as the Hastert Rule, which sets the precedent that the speaker will not bring a bill to the floor unless "the majority of the majority" is in favor of it. "I think it's a good question for some of the opponents on the House side," Paul said. "Will the conference rule hold that will prevent [the speaker] from bringing it up? Because if it does, that ends up being perhaps a deal killer on this as it moves forward." BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CONCERNED OVER CORRUPTION IN UKRAINE BUT STILL SUPPORTS AID TO COMBAT RUSSIA, MEMO STATES President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a briefing with press on July 8, 2023, in Lviv, Ukraine. Other GOP lawmakers in the upper chamber opposed to more assistance, at least without additional oversight, include Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, John Kennedy, R-La., Jim Risch, R- Idaho and Roger Wicker, R-Miss. Aside from being trillions in debt, Paul said the secondary reason is that Ukraine "is not really a shining example of democracy, they canceled the elections." "So, a country that doesn't have elections is hard-pressed to be describing themselves as a paragon of democracy," he said. And Republicans aren't the only ones concerned about Ukraine's purported ethical failures. A recent U.S. State Department strategy memo detailing the top priorities for Ukraine ravaged by war against Russia since last year shows even the Biden administration has concerns over purported corruption in the Eastern European country but still supports continued aid to the region. According to the 22-page document, called the Integrated Country Strategy, the "biggest challenge is winning the war," but "Ukraine has a unique opportunity in the current moment to commit to the anti-corruption and judicial reforms needed to realize the aspirations of the Ukrainian people." UKRAINE FUNDING RISES AS MAJOR POLITICAL LIGHTNING ROD IN GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN FIGHT Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) walks with U.S. President Joe Biden down the colonnade to the Oval Office during a visit to the White House September 21, 2023, in Washington, D.C. "I think it's obscene to do it [send more aid] without an inspector general in place," Paul said. "There's still a healthy amount of corruption in Ukraine." Meanwhile, Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Wednesday following the GOP's weekly luncheon that adding more aid is "still a major priority." "I think a majority of the members of both parties still support it," McConnell said of assistance to Ukraine. "We need some direction from the [Biden] administration as to how they intend to go forward." Original article source: Sen. Rand Paul says criticism of Ukraine funding is a 'growing movement' in Washington This article was originally published in Iowa Capital Dispatch. As students prepare to apply for federal student aid this winter, local colleges are hopeful that a bill proposed in Congress will allow some low-income students to use awarded funds however they need without penalty. U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Sheldon Whitehouse introduced legislation last week to fully exclude Pell Grants from taxable income and better coordinate the grants with the American Opportunity Tax Credit. The Tax-Free Pell Grant Act would allow students to use Pell Grants for living expenses without being taxed for them. This frees them up to claim education tax credits, for which many Pell Grant recipients are also eligible. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter We expect students to work hard in order to maximize their academic success while in school. Likewise, we ought to ensure our tax code is set up to maximize students financial success as they pursue higher education, Grassley said in a news release. This bipartisan proposal would cut through confusing tax rules and permit young Iowans to take full advantage of available financial aid. According to a news release, students can receive up to $2,500 for tuition and course materials through the American Opportunity Tax Credit. By making Pell Grants tax-free, students would no longer have to subtract their Pell Grant amount from expenses for which they claim the tax credit. This change will primarily affect students attending lower-cost higher education institutions like community colleges. Thats because it only applies to those whose tuition and other expenses are less than $4,000. Iowa Central Community College President Jesse Ulrich said the college has been advocating for this for many years, as around 80% of its students have financial need. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the maximum amount a student could receive through a Pell Grant for the 2023-2024 school year is $7,395. How taxes on the grant work right now, Ulrich said, its almost like a punishment for students who are trying to make the best choices for their financial situation and academic career. For these students, its kind of a double-edged sword, Ulrich said. Because community colleges are so affordable that sometimes with (students) scholarships and Pell Grants, they utilize them for living expenses and then thats what they really get taxed on. The community college works to help students applying for financial aid, having one-on-one meetings to ensure they know how to correctly file and laying out everything they will receive through their financial aid package, and how that will impact them. One piece of advice staff gives students is to not take too much aid, as it could hurt them later on, like with the current Pell Grant taxing process. Related End of Pell Grant Ban Clears the Way for New Wave of Prison Education Programs Changes coming in student aid application process The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), through which Pell Grants and other aid are awarded, has seen other changes this year that will affect students, including when the FAFSA opens for applications and how aid is calculated. Students used to be able to begin their FAFSA application at the beginning of October, but this year the date has been pushed back to December. The form has also changed to allow those filing to pull tax information directly from the IRS. Pell grant eligibility has been expanded to include incarcerated students and those whose school closed while they were enrolled or who were found to have misled them, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The Expected Family Contribution, which was used to measure a familys ability to pay for college, has been changed to the Student Aid Index. It has removed how many students in the family are in college from the formula and has allowed the result to be negative, showing a fuller range of need than the previous formula, which couldnt go below zero. Ulrich said the community college does its best to stay up-to-date with changes and provide that information to students who need it. It sometimes feels like building the plane while its in the air, Ulrich said. But we do the best job that we can to communicate with our students so that they dont have a financial crisis because they didnt know. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy reiterated his colleagues hopes that a bipartisan delegation to China next week will meet with President Xi Jinping , his office said Wednesday evening, clarifying that a meeting is not yet scheduled. Most Read from Bloomberg The delegation, led by Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, and Senator Mike Crapo , an Idaho Republican, will visit Beijing and Shanghai and raise issues including human rights, fentanyl and the investment climate for US businesses in China. Crapo said earlier that the group hoped to meet with Xi. He and Schumer are also planning to raise market-access concerns on behalf of Micron Technology Inc., which has a significant presence in both their states, according to people familiar with the planning. The clarification from Cassidys office came after the senator told reporters that a meeting with Xi had been scheduled, which it has not. --With assistance from Steven T. Dennis. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Senate Democrats rejected Thursday an offer from by GOP megadonor Harlan Crow to supply the Judiciary Committee with some information related to the travel and luxury vacations he gifted to Justice Clarence Thomas over the past five years. In a letter signed by the committees Democratic majority, the senators said Crows proposal is an insufficient partial compromise to the committees questions that would leave out information they believe necessary to inform the Committees ongoing legislative efforts for Supreme Court ethics reform. Crows relationship with Thomas has been under the spotlight since ProPublica published a series of reports detailing luxury travel that Thomas received from Crow, as well as a private 2014 real estate deal with Thomas family. The real estate transaction and the bulk of the hospitality went unreported on Thomas annual financial disclosures, as did Crows reported payments for the tuition of a grandnephew of Thomas. Earlier this fall, Thomas amended past disclosure reports to reflect more trips with Crow as well as the real estate deal. Thursdays letter reveals that a lawyer for Crow had agreed to provide information to the Senate Judiciary Committee covering only the last five years of their friendship. The proposed response would not include as the committee had requested an itemized list of all gifts, payments and items of value exceeding $415, as well as real estate transactions between the two men over their more than two-decade long friendship. In exchange for the information, according to the letter, the committee would have to forego any further inquiries into Crows dealing with Thomas, including follow-up questions. Receiving only partial responses during this arbitrary time period is insufficient to inform the Committees ongoing legislative efforts, Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin wrote in a letter signed by nine other members Thursday. He added that Crow had until October 19 to put forward a renewed offer. It is disappointing that after many months of good faith efforts to voluntarily cooperate with the Judiciary Committee despite serious constitutional concerns about its inquiry, members of one party forced the committee to reject a mutually respectful compromise, the Office of Harlan Crow said in a statement. The committees rejection of a reasonable compromise offered in the spirit of transparency underscores that this is a political campaign designed to discredit a sitting Supreme Court Justice and not a legitimate effort to legislate, the statement said. Last spring, Michael Bopp, a lawyer for Crow, questioned whether the committee has the authority to launch such an investigation because, he said, it lacks a valid legislative purpose. He said he would meet with staff to discuss questions regarding the interactions between his client and Thomas. We respect the Senate Judiciary Committees important role in formulating legislation concerning our federal courts system, and would welcome a discussion with your staff, Bopp wrote. Over the summer there had been sporadic meetings between lawyers and staff, according to a source, but Thursdays letter marks a new escalation of tension as the justices have started a new term. The committee also sent letters to conservative activist Leonard Leo, who refused last summer to provide Democratic lawmakers with information regarding his interactions with Justice Samuel Alito, who attended a luxury fishing trip with him in 2008 and took a ride on a private jet owned by a conservative hedge fund manager. In a letter in July, Leos lawyer said the congressional inquiry exceeds the limits placed by the Constitution on the Committees investigative authority and is tainted by partisan politics. The senators rejected Leos arguments that the committees inquiry amounted to political retaliation calling the charge a frivolous mischaracterization. Specifically, the Committee has been examining how the current ethical framework governing federal judges fails to capture the full scope of previously undisclosed gifts, transportation and lodging made available to Supreme Court justices by parties with business before the Court, the Democrats wrote. CNN has reached out to Leo for comment. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com WASHINGTON A bipartisan group of U.S. senators hope to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a trip to China this month, two of them told NBC News, as a whirl of diplomatic activity builds expectations for a meeting later this year between the leaders of the world's two largest economies. I dont think that thats clear yet whether it will happen, Sen. Mike Crapo , R-Idaho, said of a potential meeting between the senators and Xi. We want to meet with a number of the officials there as well as the American business community there as well, and we would like to meet with President Xi. Crapo and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., will lead the delegation, which also includes Sens. Bill Cassidy , R-La.; Maggie Hassan , D-N.H.; John Kennedy, R-La.; and Jon Ossoff, D-Ga. They will also visit U.S. allies South Korea and Japan during the 10-day trip. Kennedy said it was his understanding that the group would meet with Xi, who has been in power for more than a decade and extended his rule with an unprecedented third term awarded in March at a congress of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. The main reason Im going on this trip, aside from the fact that Sen. Schumer asked me, is because I want to meet with President Xi, he said. If you meet with anyone else, it would be an overstatement to say its a waste of time, but its certainly a less prudent use of your time because President Xi has all the power hes the most powerful person in the country since Mao. No meeting with Xi has been confirmed, but the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it welcomed the delegation. We hope this visit will contribute to a more objective understanding of China in the U.S. Congress, increase dialogue and communication between the legislatures of our two countries, and add positive factors to the growth of China-U.S. relations, it said in a statement Wednesday. Schumers office said earlier that he and Crapo would lead the delegation to China during the Senates October recess, which is next week, with the goal of advancing U.S. economic and national security interests in the region. It said the trip would include meetings with government leaders and business leaders from each country and from U.S. companies operating in each country, and that topics of discussion would include human rights, U.S. business concerns and Chinas role in the international community as well as areas for potential cooperation. U.S.-China relations have plunged to their lowest point in decades amid tensions over Taiwan, Russias war in Ukraine and the appearance of an alleged Chinese spy balloon over U.S. territory, which prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to postpone a February trip to Beijing. Senior U.S. officials, including members of Congress, would not typically meet with such a high-level figure as Xi. The Chinese president did meet with Blinken when he rescheduled his Beijing trip in June, but he has not met with other senior Biden administration officials who made subsequent trips, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Xi and President Joe Biden could have an opportunity to meet in November at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco, although Beijing has not confirmed whether Xi will attend. The two leaders have not spoken since meeting in person last November on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 economies in Indonesia. I dont think President Xi has agreed to meet with us because of our winning personalities, Kennedy said. I think it has something to do with testing the waters and preparation for his meeting with President Biden in November. Crapo and Kennedy said they expected their conversations with Chinese officials to revolve around national security, economic issues, trade, tax policy and the U.S. fentanyl crisis. On Tuesday the Biden administration announced indictments and sanctions against dozens of China-based companies and executives accused of trafficking fentanyl precursor chemicals into the United States. China says it takes a firm stance against narcotics and that it is up to the U.S. to address its consumption of fentanyl, a powerful opioid that is now the countrys deadliest drug. Kennedy said he also hoped to discuss intellectual property rights, Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and the restoration of military-to-military communication channels, which China cut in protest after Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker at the time, visited the Beijing-claimed island of Taiwan in August 2022. Frank Thorp V and Liz Brown-Kaiser reported from Washington, and Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Senators said Wednesday that the United States had failed in its policy to contain North Koreas nuclear ambitions and now needed to focus on short-term risk reduction as the pariah state ramps up its testing programs and threats. Last week, North Korea adopted a constitutional amendment effectively doubling down on its commitment to become a nuclear power, which followed leader Kim Jong Uns moves to accelerate nuclear weapon production. North Korea has test-fired more than 100 missiles since early 2022, ratcheting up tensions with neighbors South Korea and Japan. During a hearing Wednesday of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asia, Chairman Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said it was time for the U.S. to develop a North Korea strategy that accounts for these developments. What weve been doing is clearly not successful, at least in achieving the goal as weve stated it, which is denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Van Hollen said. Thats a very worthy goal, but in practice, clearly, weve not been able to achieve it. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) shared similar frustration, characterizing it as whistling past this graveyard and asking the witnesses to provide some short-term steps for good outcomes. They keep getting better and better and seem to be totally undeterred, and we just need a new pathway, Schatz said. Forget denuclearizing the peninsula, lets talk about risk reduction in the short-term. Victor Sha, a Koreas expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, recommended deploying inspectors in tandem with addressing the sanctions that most frustrated North Korea. But if we ever to get back into a negotiation, as a former negotiator, the first steps would be threat reduction, risk reduction, freezing Pyongyang, getting inspectors back in, trying to get into the experimental light water reactor, Sha said. In exchange for things like reducing sanctions, the 2016/2017 sanctions, the general sector sanctions, which were the ones that North Koreans were most concerned about when President Trump met them in Vietnam. Trump aggressively pursued diplomacy with Kim during his time in the White House but failed to secure commitments from North Korea to curtail its nuclear ambitions. President Biden has made little public effort to restart negotiations. During a state visit from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Biden said that any nuclear attack from Pyongyang will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action. Jenny Town, senior fellow at the Stimson Center, told senators that the U.S. should still work towards denuclearizing the entire Korean Peninsula but also consider ways to encourage broader change in North Korean society. North Koreas thinking of denuclearization, on its nuclear program, has fundamentally changed. So whatever hope we had before is even less now. But that does not mean we give up, she said. But in the meantime, I think we really need to define what our other goals with North Korea are. There were trends, for instance, that were promising in North Korea prior to 2017/2018 when negotiations started, and those were the rise of markets, growing socioeconomic space and social change that was happening inside the country. She said Americas punitive approach to North Korea was proving counterproductive to U.S. aims of scaling down the nuclear threat, and suggested that sanctions should focus on dual-use goods that could be used for building weapons. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) also expressed concern that the U.S. does not have a consistent strategy or policy when it comes to dealing with North Korea. What weve done so far, from what I can tell, has not worked, Romney said. He invited the witnesses to share the lessons they had learned from the past diplomatic efforts with North Korea that started in the 1990s. Sha said the deal the U.S. is pushing conditional upon North Korea freezing or disbanding its nuclear program does not align with what Pyongyang is willing to do. One of the main lessons Ive learned from this, its not really the modalities of the negotiation or whats on offer, the problem right now is that the deal that makes the most sense from a U.S. and ally perspective is not the one that the North Koreans want, Sha said. Scott Snyder, senior fellow for Korea Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, suggested that the U.S. should try to focus more on stimulating social and economic change within North Korea, which could open the space for engagement. Our perspective on trying to counter their action has kind of inhibited us and, even in policy terms, inhibits us from trying to reach into North Korea and generate the level of debate and even dissent that would actually be necessary for North Korea to change direction, Snyder said. Town suggested that any eventual progress on the nuclear issue will require smaller steps that arent directly linked to North Koreas weapons program. We need to start building this in steps, Town added. We need to start providing the kind of incentives and early wins that would help create some momentum in any negotiation process. We need to be open to talking about issues other than just denuclearization, especially just to rebuild the relationship itself. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Photo : JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images) Officer Daniel Arteaga, 27, puts his cap on before patrolling Broadway in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on May 14, 2022. - Chelsea, like many cities in the US, has seen an uptick in crime and calls to the police ranging from noise complaints to shootings, according to local officials. (not the actual photo of the story) Officials have verified that an infant was shot and killed in downtown Holyoke, Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon as a result of a street brawl. District Attorney Anthony Gulluni of Hampden stated that accidental gunfire from an altercation critically injured a pregnant woman on a bus passing through the area. Innocent Pregnant Woman Shot During Street Brawl, Killing Infant Gulluni stated in a statement that her infant was delivered during an emergency hospital procedure in an attempt to save the child's life, but the infant did not survive. According to his statement, it seems that three male suspects were engaged in a confrontation that escalated into a shooting incident. All individuals suspected to be involved in the incident have reportedly been identified and have been taken to nearby medical facilities. It has been confirmed that they are currently under custody. Gulluni confirmed that the pregnant woman involved in the shooting incident was not connected to the altercation that sparked the violence. The woman was simply passing through the area on a public bus at the time. The identity of the two additional individuals involved in the shooting, whether they were innocent bystanders or suspects in the altercation, remains unclear at this time. In a statement, Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia announced that all individuals suspected to be involved in the incident are now in custody. However, he emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed his desire to offer his deepest and sincerest condolences to the grieving family. The individual expresses their desire for the public to be aware of their shared feelings of outrage and frustration regarding the senseless acts of violence and illegal activity occurring on our streets. The individual admits to grappling with the issue on a daily basis, making efforts to propose a solution that is fair and equitable. In a candid statement, the user expressed their frustration, revealing that they have reached the point of losing their patience. The individual expressed their intention to utilize all available resources in order to eradicate what they perceive as nonsense from our city. According to the Holyoke Police Department, a shooting took place in the vicinity of Sargeant and Maple streets at approximately 1pm. Law enforcement officials were alerted to the incident after receiving numerous 911 calls for assistance, as well as notifications from ShotSpotter. The department has confirmed the presence of multiple victims in an incident that is currently under investigation. The authorities have urged residents to steer clear of the shooting area. According to state police, assistance was provided to Holyoke Police in their investigation at approximately 12:44 pm. Patrols, K9 teams, and investigative units were dispatched for this purpose. According to Massachusetts State Police spokesman Dave Procopio, it is believed that the shooting originated from a confrontation involving multiple individuals. Procopio said it is believed that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The intersection, where the shooting incident took place, is encompassed by multiple apartment buildings, along with a convenience store and a Catholic church. According to witness Boyd McCray, he reported hearing approximately eight shots. He told the Western Mass News that he was positioned along the street, patiently awaiting the arrival of the bus, when he suddenly became aware of a series of rapid, consecutive sounds resembling "pop, pop, pop, pop, pop." According to a statement from the office of Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia, the mayor has been informed about the shooting incident. The mayor's office has indicated that more information regarding the shooting will be shared with the public later this afternoon. Read Also: Taco Bell Customer Shoots Employee Over Incorrect Change Massachusetts Crime The ongoing investigation is currently being carried out by the State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County and Holyoke Police Detectives, who are working under the guidance of the Hampden County District Attorney's Office. Located approximately 90 miles west of Boston, the city of Holyoke, boasting a population of nearly 38,000, stands as a prominent urban center. Per Daily Mail, Holyoke, also referred to as 'The Paper City,' was once responsible for manufacturing approximately 80% of the writing paper in the United States. The International Volleyball Hall of Fame is also located there. In a concerning turn of events, Wednesday witnessed a shooting incident that occurred mere hours after Holyoke police conducted a press conference, shedding light on the distressing frequency of shootings within the city. In a strategic move, the department has recently implemented ShotSpotter, an acoustic detection grid designed to detect and report the sound of gunshots. Installed in various key locations around the town, this technology aims to enhance public safety and provide timely information to law enforcement authorities. A total of 113 incidents involving gunfire have been detected by the system in the past six months. Out of these incidents, 72 occurred in close proximity to a playground, while 27 took place near a school. According to police, numerous ShotSpotter activations were not reported by 911 callers. Related Article: Baltimore: Morgan State University Shooting Leaves Four Wounded-Three Suspects Still At Large @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Two senators are pressing defense officials on continued concerns about housing for military families with disability-related needs. They want to know, for example, how many military families have had to pay out of pocket for changes to their on-base housing such as drop-down rails or ramps in the past 10 years, and how many families have had to pay to undo the changes when they moved out of their homes. There is a clear need for additional actions by DoD, as well as oversight from Congress, in order to address concerns about the [Exceptional Family Member Program] raised by residents, surveys, Government Accountability Office reports, and congressional investigations and testimony, wrote Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., in their Oct. 5 letter addressed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Warren chairs the Senate Armed Services personnel subcommittee. DoDs Exceptional Family Member Program is designed to provide support to military families with a physical, emotional, developmental or intellectual disorder requiring specialized services. According to DoD, as of 2022, about 110,000 active duty members were in the program, which is mandatory for active duty personnel who have a family member with special medical or educational needs. Military families have raised a variety of concerns about different aspects of EFMP over the years. In response, DoD took steps this year to standardize policies related to identification and enrollment in EFMP, assignment coordination, support for the families, disenrollment and respite care. The senators questions are specifically about housing, following up on information they received from DoD last year, such as the availability and tracking of housing that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Defense officials didnt respond to Military Times queries, saying they will respond directly to the senators, who have given them until Oct. 19 to provide the requested information. According to a small, online survey by the Military Housing Advocacy Network, about 20% of respondents said they were forced to use their own money to pay for necessary ADA accommodations at their on-base housing, such as drop-down rails and ramps. These problems were confirmed by DoD in its 2022 response. Tenants at several Army bases were required to pay for ADA accommodations, but not Navy and Marine Corps families. The Air Force didnt collect the information. Without it, the Air Force cant adequately oversee its EFMP and whether its providing comprehensive support, the senators said. Some EFMP families have said the outrageous housing process requires an excessive amount of paperwork requiring an uncomfortable amount of information about their health status to get assigned to an ADA-compliant home. DoD didnt respond to the senators previous questions about these concerns, and the senators are pressing for more information on what DoD is doing to protect families privacy. The senators ask for specifics on a number of issues, such as: Housing waitlists for EFMP families; The number of ADA-compliant homes available at each installation; How many complaints have been received from EFMP families related to housing; What penalties housing companies face for not providing ADA-compliant housing; and How many penalties DoD has imposed over the past five years. According to the departments 2022 response, while privatized housing companies maintain waitlists of families who need accessible housing, some of the Army and Marine Corps on-base housing offices said they dont have access to them. The Air Force said 28 out of 69 installations either didnt maintain waitlists or the information was not available. DoD must centralize and standardize housing waitlists and wait times to ensure military families can move in a timely manner and get appropriate housing, and that privatized housing companies are complying with disability laws, the senators wrote. There are installations where the average amount of time a family spends on a waitlist isnt tracked at all, but the information that is reported is disturbing, senators said. More than 10 bases reported wait times of more than 90 days in 2020. One Army base reported wait times had gotten worse, with an average of nine to 12 months in 2020, compared to two to six months in 2018. DoD must accurately track the availability of ADA-compliant housing and any complaints related to it, the senators said. Even the services that do collect the number of requests for ADA housing dont do it consistently. The Army and the Air Force EFMP offices dont track request and complaint information at all. The Navy and Marine Corps EFMP offices do collect requests, but not complaints. The incremental improvements and continued oversight challenges make the lives of service members and their families difficult and raise questions about morale and readiness which also impact retention, the senators wrote. Andriy Naumov The Serbian Court of Appeal in Nis has upheld a previous ruling to deny Ukraine's extradition request for the former chief of the SBU (Ukraines security service) internal security department, Andriy Naumov, RFE/RL reported on Oct. 5. Read also: Russian militant from neo-Nazi Rusych group, detained in Finland, asks for extradition to Russia Thus, Serbia has made the final decision on the matter. Ukraine sent an extradition request for Naumov in mid-October 2022. As previously reported by Ukrainian journalists, Naumov was declared suspect on two charges of embezzlement, squandering state property, abusing his position to seize it, causing state losses worth over UAH 3.2 million ($87,000). Naumov himself stated during the court hearings he fears for his life in case of a return to Ukraine. Read also: North Macedonia joins G7 declaration on security guarantees to Ukraine In early June 2022, the former general was arrested at the border crossing between Serbia and North Macedonia with undeclared funds: over EUR 600,000 and approximately $125,000 in cash and valuables. Read also: SBU nabs 3 Russian military intelligence agents in raids across Ukraine He began working at the SBU after Ivan Bakanov took over in 2019, where he managed the internal security of the special service. He held his position until July 2021. Naumov left Ukraine on February 23, 2022, accompanied by several people. In March 2022, several of his residences were searched by law enforcement investigating a treason case. On March 31, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stripped Naumov of his brigadier general rank. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A Rochester home is being considered for sex offender housing, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said, but the situation is more complicated than it seems. The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) notified the Sheriffs Office on Tuesday that they have begun a suitability assessment for a Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) sex offender house in Rochester, Sanders shared on Facebook. The notification was issued under court order and DOC declined to share the address of the home, Sanders said. Court records obtained by The Olympian show the home in question is on Rosemary Street, just northeast of Rochester High School. At first glance, the situation bears some resemblance to a proposed sex offender home in Tenino that was canceled in February after much public backlash. However, the proposal for a home in Rochester is driven by a single court case rather than a larger state effort to expand LRA housing. The Tenino proposal involved the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, but DSHS spokesperson Tyler Hemstreet told The Olympian DSHS is not involved in this case and does not support the proposal to house a sex offender in Rochester. The resident who is potentially discharging has a relative who owns the home and is working with the defense for this placement, Hemstreet said. There is no intention for the relative to house any other (sexually violent predators), nor has she housed any other residents in the past. Hemstreet said Kitsap County Superior Court will make a final decision on this matter after receiving a report from DOC. Sheriff Sanders opposed the Tenino LRA proposal, citing limited staffing in his office. He repeated that concern in his Facebook post. This proposed area is in the same patrol district as the Tenino LRA proposal, and just like last time, there is still only one funded deputy for that entire region, Sanders said in the post. Whats going on in this court case? Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Bassett ordered DOC to investigate the suitability of the home on Aug. 22, according to court records. The order came after the defense team for George Hancock, a designated sexually violent predator, proposed moving him into the home, which is occupied by a relative. Hancock was convicted of first-degree rape of child in a 2000 Kitsap County case and convicted of indecent liberties against a child under age 14 in a 1982 Thurston County case, according to court records. The court released Hancock in 2022 to the Secure Community Transition Facility in King County where he has been receiving sex offender treatment. A DSHS annual report from January indicates Hancock still meets the definition of a sexually violent predator, court records show. The report also found that a less restrictive alternative than his current facility is not in his best interest, and conditions that may be imposed would not adequately protect the community, court records show. However, Hancocks legal team has reportedly demonstrated probable cause for a trial on whether Hancock should be released to the Rochester home, which is described as a step-down LRA in court records. A trial on this matter has not been scheduled yet nor has an agreement been reached with the state, so its still not certain if Hancock will move into the Rochester home. The DOC review of the home is scheduled to be completed 60 days after the Aug. 22 order was served, provided that deadline is not extended by the court, according to court records. Sex offender housing near Tenino has been canceled, but officials say its just first step Political leaders from California and across the country gathered Thursday under a blazing sun on the steps of San Francisco City Hall to bid farewell to Sen. Dianne Feinstein , who broke gender barriers, authored landmark legislation and became one of her native citys most beloved figures. Feinstein died at age 90 last Friday in Washington, D.C. But instead of lying in state at the U.S. Capitol, which is more traditional for senators who pass, Feinstein chose to be memorialized at home, where she was the first woman to serve as mayor. The funeral was the second day of remembrance. On Wednesday, her casket was laid inside City Hall for members of the public to pay their respects. Speakers Thursday included Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Feinsteins granddaughter, Eileen Mariano. President Joe Biden delivered virtual remarks. Sen. Feinstein. That is her official title. Its how Californians and people all over the world knew her. But to us, the San Franciscans, she was Mayor Dianne Feinstein, said San Francisco Mayor London Breed , only the second woman to lead the city, who delivered opening remarks. Breed said Feinstein led the way so that other women and girls could follow in her footsteps. She created a world where girls like me could be tough, where we lead, Breed said. Harris called Feinstein an American patriot, giant of the Senate and a passionate leader. Vice President Kamala Harris remembers Sen. Dianne Feinstein during the memorial service at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com To put it simply, she was a force, she said. When Harris had her first meeting with Feinstein after she was sworn into the Senate, she said that Feinstein handed her a glass of California Chardonnay and a binder full of her draft bills. True to her mayoral roots, she was deeply immersed in the details of each bill and how each would play on the streets of our beloved state, she said. Schumer remembered Feinstein for her integrity. She had an internal gyroscope that propelled her, motivated her, he said, adding that her moral compass sparkled like a diamond and allowed her win over her doubters and detractors. Feinsteins granddaughter Eileen Mariano listed off her accomplishments from saving San Franciscos cable cars and creating the citys iconic Pier 39 to modernizing Californias water system and establishing Joshua Tree National Park to banning assault weapons and creating amber alerts at the national level. Eileen Mariano, granddaughter of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, hugs House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi as Vice president Kamala Harris and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer applaud during Feinsteins memorial service at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com In addition to her public achievements Mariano said she was the most incredible grandmother who taught her some of her greatest life lessons, including that there is no occasion to which you cant wear a black pantsuit. Your family loves you. We are so proud of you. We miss you. And you will always, always be my sunshine, she said. The service ended with the San Francisco Girls Choir singing San Francisco. Other major figures in attendance included California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Gov. Jerry Brown, Sens. Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, San Francisco state lawmakers Sen. Scott Wiener and Assemblyman Phil Ting, and dozens of members of Congress. Feinsteins legacy was ever present at the memorial. Speakers were forced to pause periodically as the Blue Angels Navy fighter jets practicing for weekend air shows, flew overhead. Mid-speech, Breed thanked Feinstein for bringing the fighter jets to the city in the early 1980s. Mourners shade themselves with memorial programs during the service for Sen. Dianne Feinstein at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com She started her political career in 1969 by winning a seat on the Board of Supervisors. From there, she became the boards chair and later mayor in 1978. She served until 1988 and helped bring the 1984 Democratic National Convention to the city. In 1992, Feinstein was elected as one of Californias first two women U.S. senators alongside Barbara Boxer. During her time in Washington D.C., Feinstein became the first woman to chair the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Rules Committee and to be named top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. Her final years were clouded by controversy over her decision to remain in office despite failing health. Her condition, along with that of Biden and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, prompted a broader debate about whether elected officials should be subject to age limits. After three days of intense speculation over who Gov. Gavin Newsom would name to replace the late senator, the governor announced Sunday that he selected Laphonza Butler, a former labor leader and top California Democratic advisor. Most recently, Butler was president of EMILYs List, an influential womens political group. Butler will fill Feinsteins seat through the end of the current term in January 2025. She has not yet said whether she will enter the race for a full term next year. Katherine Feinstein, daughter of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, hugs a well-wisher during the memorial service for her mother at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Paul Kitagaki Jr./pkitagaki@sacbee.com It all started, this genealogical mystery, with Fran Redic finding a bunch of very, very old stuff in her personal library in a front room of her Myers Park home. She was looking for something on the shelves, populated partially with antique books that are really just for decoration, and stumbled across a journal filled with entries by an L.J. Bell. The heading on the top of the first page read: Notes of a Northern Tour in the Fall of 1855. Tucked inside its pages was a very old photograph of a big white house that, according to the handwriting on the bottom of it, was called Roseland and located in Accomac, Virginia. As Fran continued rummaging, she also found tucked inside other old books a collection of letters, many of which were addressed to a Miss Nancy E. Bell living Spartanburg, South Carolina, and signed by Grandpa. Most were postmarked between 1915 and 1917. She discovered all of these items a few years ago. At the time, for the life of her, she couldnt remember from where or how she got that particular stack of antique books, though she would have guessed theyd probably been in her home here in Charlotte for at least 20 years. Since this find, Fran had been noodling what, if anything, she could find out about this family of Bells though obviously it was not at the top of her to-do list. Then one day earlier this year, Fran was walking on the beach with her friend Ann Caulkins, a former publisher of The Charlotte Observer. Somehow, the journal and the letters came up. Fran was intrigued by the prospect of connecting with someone who could track down the Bells descendants. Ann, her old Observer instincts kicking in, was intrigued by the potential storytelling opportunity. So at the beginning of this past summer, Ann contacted me, and put me in touch with Fran. During our first conversation, Fran filled in some more details and then said, plainly: Id love to give this stuff to you and see what you can figure out. Well, thanks in large part to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, the mystery was solved with relative ease. But it wasnt without a significant plot twist. After the library helped us track down the granddaughter of the recipient of all those letters Susan Reed of Black Hawk, Colorado I organized a video call so Fran and Susan could meet. Midway through, Fran was stunned by the sudden realization that she knew Susan. Or, that she at least knew of her. That the mysterys solution, in a way, had been right in front of her all along. Fran Redic of Charlotte. Dead or alive, shell find em For a variety of reasons, it took me about six weeks (and a referral from noted Charlotte community historian Tom Hanchett) to finally bring the journal and the letters to staffers at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Librarys Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room. It took them about six minutes to find clues that ultimately led us to Susan. No, seriously. In short order, Carolina Room manager John OConnor and librarian Shelia Bumgarner had started sketching out a family tree around the granddaughter Nancy Nan E. Bell that included the names of her father (Charles D. Bell); her mother (Lillian); and the grandfather who wrote many of the letters (William T. R. Bell). And while John acknowledged quickly that the content of the letters was pretty mundane, he seemed fairly interested in the journal. At a glance, it was clear that the diary spanned nearly 200 pages and was handwritten by an individual whod logged musings over the course of a month-long journey to places including Baltimore; Boston; New York City; and Montreal in Canada. The timeframe for it was less than six years before the start of the Civil War. They would need to dig in a little to establish a connection between the 1855 journal and the 1910s letters. But after a few more minutes, Shelia stood up from the conference table and announced: OK, Im gonna leave you to it and Ill go answer the phones. Because dead or alive, shell find em. Shelia was referring, in this case, to library assistant Meghan Bowden and she was right. Within a few more minutes, Meghan had used their library-level access to Ancestrys website to determine things like Grandpas birthdate (Sept. 1, 1843); and Mom Lillians last name (Roberson); and that there was evidence Nan had married a man from New York. I need to just play around with that (information) for a bit, Meghan said. Usually I can find an obituary and then sort of see if anyones still living. ... The diarys the biggest question mark. The rest is pretty easy to find. She said shed follow up as soon as she knew something about descendants. This was on a Friday morning. By late the following Monday morning, Meghan had emailed me both a fairly comprehensive family tree and a definitive answer about how the journal was related to it. Meghan Bowden, library assistant at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Connecting the genealogical dots According to Meghans research, the journal was written by Lorenzo J. Bell, older brother of Nans grandfather (William, the letter-writer). Lorenzos first name didnt appear anywhere within its pages, but fortunately he at one point acknowledged his birthday, which was the clue Meghan needed to confirm his identity. His observations during his journey covering thoughts on everything traveling by steamship to interactions in New York with freed Black men who had become attorneys (Lorenzo was a lawyer himself) were interesting enough that Meghan thought the journal was a potentially rich resource for historical research. But she had good news about the descendants of the Bells, too. There are quite a few, Meghan wrote. She identified Nans first and second husbands, and her three children, including an eldest daughter from the second marriage. That daughter married a man named William Benight and also had three children one of whom was the aforementioned Susan, of Black Hawk, Colorado. Susan Benight Reed, Meghan explained, and her husband are likely still living in the Denver area. Meghan didnt know how to contact Susan, but did some internet detective work to identify one of Susans daughters and her place of employment. I reached out to her business email address, and although it must have seemed off-the-wall, whatever I said worked. Susans daughter responded in less than a day. I was in touch with Susan soon after that. Its hard to predict how someone will react to something like this. Not everybody is interested in genealogy. Susan, however, greeted the news of the family artifacts with enthusiasm. Her grandmother, Nan, had died in 1970, and she and her siblings had never known much about the maternal line on that side of the family. We would definitely love to see all of it, she said when we first talked by phone. I mailed Susan the letters. Meghan, who had recommended the journal be placed in an archive, scanned the journal and emailed Susan the PDFs so Susan could decide. Finally, after Susan had a chance to look everything over and let everything sink in, I arranged a video call that gave Fran, Meghan and Susan a chance to meet for the first time and that gave Fran and Susan a chance to have a revelation. Susan Reed of Black Hawk, Colorado OK ... this is very strange It started pretty uneventfully. Fran explained how she found the documents. Meghan explained how she found Susan. Susan explained her positive reaction to their findings. She actually carried on this tradition, Susan said of the letters. She traveled quite a bit, and she would send me letters and postcards. So it was kind of fun to see that. Im like, Oh, thats something that started when she was young. But about 20 minutes into the call came a twist. Susan mentioned her last name being Reed and her maiden name being Benight, details I hadnt told Fran in advance. OK ... this is very strange, Fran said, suddenly. In my mothers side of the family, we have Reads. But they are R-e-a-d. But my father passed away when I was in college, and my mother shes remarried to Bob Benight? Do you Yeah! Susan said, looking incredulous. Chris? Yeah, Fran said. Youre that Fran?? Susan asked, looking even more astonished. Yes! Fran responded. They would have some more explaining to do to me and Meghan, as we had no idea what in the world they were talking about. But once they unpacked it for us, the mystery had apparently been solved: It is highly likely, Susan told us, that her grandmother (Nancy Bell) had kept the journal and the letters in a box filled with antique books until she died in 1970. Susans aunt, Rosamund Benight, likely ended up with the box. Rosamund, who was married to Bob Benight, died in 1985. A few years later, Bob remarried a widowed woman named Chris. Chris, as it happens, is Frans mother. The assumption now is that Fran, who had wanted to populate her home library with some antique books, was gifted the box of Nancy Bells decades ago during which time Fran had completely forgotten where they came from. At first, Fran was slightly embarrassed. I feel a little silly, she wrote to us in an email afterward, that you went to all of this work only to find out that there was a family connection if only by marriage. The only thing worse would have been if they had been traced back to my own family!! But she also could have done nothing with these otherwise-forgotten treasures. Instead, Susan now has information the family didnt have before about the maternal line beyond her grandmother. Susan also said that while shes always thought of her grandmother when shes heard a mention of North or South Carolina, shes never explored either state; she now plans to, in the near future, having been inspired by all of this. In addition, the Library of Virginia now has Lorenzo Bells journal in its archives, Fran and Susan having agreed thats where it belongs. And perhaps youve now learned something from this, too: that the public library does stuff like this every day. This sort of thing is definitely more exciting than the average request for me, Meghan told me over the summer, when she was returning the letters to me after having done her research on them. Just cause its sort of atypical and ... I love a good mystery. I think a lot of people dont know what we do, she continued, what we offer. I even had a friend like Ive known for years who was like, Oh you do genealogy research just for anyone? I was like, Yup, Meghan recalled, smiling, and its free. The first page of Lorenzo J. Bell's journal House Republicans still absorbing the shock of Rep. Kevin McCarthy s (R-Calif.) unprecedented ouster as Speaker are being thrust into a new Speakers election thats forcing them to grapple with how to move forward. There is no consensus on who should succeed McCarthy, nor is it clear a pick will emerge by next Wednesday, the date set for an internal election. There are scenarios where this could be going on for weeks, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) said Wednesday. The anger and raw feelings left over from the demise of McCarthys Speakership wont make it any easier. I sure hope we dont come to do any sort of, you know, physical violence or anything of the sort, Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) said shortly after McCarthy lost his vote, necessitating a new election. Womack spoke before McCarthy said he would not run for the post. Ive seen people get out of their chair and point fingers and you know, drop F-bombs and look, man, when emotions are high like this, people react. On one side, hard-line conservatives including but not limited to the eight members who voted to oust McCarthy want a leader who will take an aggressive stance on issues like spending and the border. Opposite them stand members who are infuriated by McCarthys ouster by a handful of their colleagues and who want to make it harder to oust any future Speakers. For the narrow GOP majority that already endured a 15-ballot Speaker election and a wealth of intraparty squabbling in just the last nine months, the question is not only who can unite Republicans, but who would even want the job. Two candidates have announced official bids so far: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), who rose up through leadership after being chair of the traditionally conservative Republican Study Committee; and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a founding member of the hard-line House Freedom Caucus who became a McCarthy ally and supporter. A third contender is Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), who does not have the national profile or longevity of the other two but brings the perspective of a successful businessman. Hern has not yet officially announced a bid, but GOP lawmakers say he is talking to them about one. Hern, Scalise and Jordan spoke at a meeting of the powerful Texas House GOP delegation Wednesday. Republicans are also privately and publicly throwing out other dark horse names. Scalise, by virtue of his high rank in the House GOP, is the most obvious contender for Speaker. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) made an early Scalise endorsement, and he also has the support of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), who is hoping to move up to majority leader should Scalise get the gavel. But he is far from a shoo-in. Some members say that the conference needs to keep an open mind as it figures out its priorities first. I think this whole narrative about every member of existing leadership taking one step up is bullshit, Graves said. Thats not what we need to be talking about right now. And Jordan, Scalises chief opponent, is a powerhouse on the national stage. He spent years as a prominent defender of former President Trump, he chairs the high-profile Judiciary Committee and the panel probing the weaponization of the federal government, and he is a key figure in the Biden impeachment inquiry. Hes gotten public support from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.). Every district in this country has a base. Jim Jordan is pretty popular with that base. Pretty effective communicator, said Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), who has not endorsed a candidate. Scalise was also diagnosed with a very treatable blood cancer in August a fact that has the potential to complicate his bid as members consider the rigors of the job. But some say that health should not be an excuse to withhold support for him. If Steve Scalise says hes healthy enough to do the job thats good enough for me, and it should be good enough for every one of us, Armstrong said. One major question is what the eight hard-line Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy many of whom were also holdouts in the January Speakers race are looking for. What Im looking for is someone who will basically get back to the duty of actually making sure we get the most basic fundamental things were supposed to get done, which is the appropriations bills done on time, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), one of the McCarthy opponents, said in a video Wednesday. I want the person whos the most conservative who can get 218 votes. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who led the move to oust McCarthy, has expressed openness to any of the names being floated. Jordan was one alternative to McCarthy that hard-liners repeatedly nominated and voted for during the 15-ballot Speaker election in January. But more moderate members are also looking for different assurances. What I expect is someone who through his or her leadership skills will work to minimize the difficulty for members like me, maximize the successes for the people I represent, and work to build a consensus among people who clearly are going to have a hard time working together, said Rep. Marc Molinaro (N.Y.), a swing-district Republican. That is a very tall order. Any Speaker candidate will also contend with members seeking changes to the motion to vacate rule that paved the way for McCarthys ouster or some kind of assurance that it will not happen again. The Main Street Caucus, composed of House Republicans who bill themselves as pragmatic, released a statement Wednesday criticizing the one-person threshold to force a vote on ousting a Speaker. Personal politics should never again be used to trump the will of 96% of House conservatives. Any candidate for Speaker must explain to us how what happened on Tuesday will never happen again, the group said in a statement. While Republicans grapple with who to nominate, there are practical reasons to move quickly. The House cannot function regularly until they elect a Speaker, and it is facing a new Nov. 17 government shutdown deadline. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said a new Speaker decision better damn well be next week. Weve got to get it done. Mychael Schnell, Miranda Nazzaro and Aris Folley contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy A shortage of weapons, ammunition and air defense systems poses challenges on the battlefield in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during an interview with Italian news channel Sky TG24 on Oct. 4. The initiative is currently on Ukraine's side, Zelenskyy said: Russia is gradually being pushed out of the occupied territories, albeit at a slow pace. "The difficulty is that the fields are mined, he said. The difficulty is a shortage of weapons and ammunition, especially a significant shortage of air defenses. Read also: US State Department, Pentagon have different perspectives on providing Ukraine with arms Politico He added that the coming winter could be a challenge for all Ukrainian citizens, civilians, "ordinary people who work" and the military. "We need to get through this winter with dignity, without losing the initiative we have on the battlefield." Ukrainian counter-offensive The latest The main thrust of Ukraines counter-offensive is now in the southeast, where Ukrainian forces are gradually advancing through minefields and under Russian airstrikes, U.S. newspaper the New York Times reported earlier. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, responding earlier to criticism of the slow pace of the counter-offensive, told U.S. officials that Ukrainian forces were on the verge of a breakthrough in their southern counter-offensive, U.S. newspaper the Wall Street Journal reported on Aug. 24, citing an unnamed U.S. official. Ukraines Defense Ministry confirmed the liberation of the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhya Oblast by the Ukrainian military on Aug. 28. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have since been advancing further towards the Novodanylivka-Verbove area in southern Ukraine. Read also: US to supply Ukraine with weapons seized from Iran report Now the defenders are moving further towards Novoprokopivka, Ocheretuvate, and have had success near Verbove, the Ukrainian military says. Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria operational group in the southern part of the country, confirmed on Sept. 2 that Ukrainian forces had breached the first Russian defense line in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. Ukrainian forces have also liberated part of the village of Opytne south of the front-line town of Avdiyivka in Donetsk Oblast, now former Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Sept. 11. The Defense Forces liberated Klishchiyivka near Bakhmut on Sept. 17. A major breakthrough in the counter-offensive would begin if Ukrainian forces were to liberate Tokmak in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Tarnavskyi has said. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Lawyers for rapper Jamell YNW Melly Demons are due in court Friday morning to urge a judge to throw the Broward State Attorneys Office off the case, and theyre relying largely on the testimony of a prosecutor to make their argument. Assistant State Attorney Michelle Boutros could end up being a key witness Friday. Defense lawyers say she overheard Miramar Police Detective Mark Moretti, the lead investigator on Demons case, express a willingness to lie about his seizure of a phone belonging to Demons mother, Jamie King, during a Fort Lauderdale courthouse interview last October. That was information that could have been used to discredit Moretti during Demons recent murder trial, which ended in July with a hung jury. But prosecutors never disclosed it to the defense. Now theyre being accused of prosecutorial misconduct. The allegation surfaced because three months ago, Demons mother filed a complaint accusing Moretti of using excessive force when taking her phone. Miramars internal affairs unit reviewed the complaint and found in Morettis favor Moretti took the phone forcibly to prevent King from turning it off. Defense lawyers say Moretti had no right to take the phone because he was outside his jurisdiction. Had a deputy been in the room at the time, the seizure would have been legal, they say. But after King and her lawyer left the room, Moretti asked a deputy to pretend he was there all along, according to Boutros. Prosecutors say the exchange was a joke between Moretti and the deputy Kings own lawyer, Robert Trachman, was in the room at the time and did not raise any objection about jurisdiction. But Boutros took it seriously and reported it to her supervisor. Whether prosecutors had an obligation to report the incident to the defense is legally questionable. Broward Circuit Judge John Murphy will listen to arguments about that issue on Friday. Tensions between prosecutors and the defense in the Demons case have been escalating ever since a jury failed to reach a unanimous agreement in July on whether he killed two of his childhood friends, fellow rappers Anthony YNW Sakchaser Williams and Christopher YNW Juvy Thomas. A retrial is scheduled to begin this month. Prosecutors have added a witness tampering charge against Demons and co-defendant Cortlen YNW Bortlen Henry, who is accused of driving the Jeep where the murders took place after a late-night recording session in October 2018. Investigators say Henry and Demons staged the crime scene to make it look like a drive-by shooting had taken place. Both are accused of working together to persuade Demons girlfriend not to cooperate with investigators or prosecutors. Defense lawyers say the tampering charges are an effort to distract from the allegations of prosecutorial misconduct. The Sikkim government said the natural calamity has been declared a disaster Indian authorities are racing against time to rescue people after flash floods in the north-eastern state of Sikkim left 102 people missing, including 22 army personnel. Fourteen people are known to have died after a Himalayan glacial lake burst its banks, triggering massive floods. Officials said more than 3,000 tourists had been stranded in different parts of the state. Hundreds of search and rescue personnel have been deployed across the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday and assured him of all possible support. The state's Lhonak lake breached its embankment on Tuesday night after heavy rain. It led to an alarming rise in water in the Teesta river in Lachen Valley. The flood worsened after water was released from a nearby dam into the river. A defence spokesperson said there was a sudden increase in water levels up to 15-20 ft high downstream. The Indian army has launched a massive search operation to find and rescue those missing Nearly 14 people had been trapped in the tunnels of the dam, a state official said. Satellite images shared by Isro, India's space agency, showed dramatic changes in the volume of the lake. On 28 September, the lake is seen spanning 167.4 hectares which diminishes to 60.3 hectares on 4 October. The Indian army has launched a massive search operation to find and rescue those missing. Officials said one soldier had been rescued on Wednesday night and was in a stable condition. Rescue personnel also fished out bodies, including that of a child, from the flood plains of the Teesta river in Singtam, officials told PTI news agency. "The search operations are being undertaken under conditions of incessant rains, fast-flowing water in the Teesta River with the roads and bridges washed away at many places," the army said in its statement. Sikkim chief secretary VB Pathak said the floods had caused massive damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Mobile coverage in northern parts of the state has also been disrupted. The army has set up three helplines for families of missing people, including its own soldiers. "Family members of the missing persons have been contacted and informed about the situation," it said. Hundreds of search and rescue officers have been deployed across the state Northern parts of neighbouring West Bengal state have also been affected as water from the Teesta inundated Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri disricts. The state rescued 10,000 people and moved them to 190 relief camps on Wednesday, West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. Sikkim in the Himalayas is prone to floods and natural disasters. Last year, severe flooding there displaced tens of thousands and killed at least 24 people. BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features. Read more India stories from the BBC: The now-convicted son-in-law of former Cook County Democratic boss Joseph Berrios was allegedly good friends with notorious mob hit man Frank The German Schweihs and once went to him for protection for his massage parlors being threatened by other gangsters. Thats the story about James Weiss that was caught on a federal wiretap and revealed in a court filing late Wednesday, where prosecutors asked for a sentence of more than five years in prison for Weiss for his conviction earlier this year on bribery charges. Meanwhile, the Tribune has learned that a federal grand jury investigating Weiss alleged mob ties is interested in other longtime associates of the Outfits Grand Avenue crew. Weiss attorneys have sought leniency, portraying him as a legitimate businessman who simply chose the wrong way to go about getting legislation passed that would help his sweepstakes gaming machine business. But in their filing, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine ONeill and Sean Franzblau revealed that Weiss brother was recorded telling someone Weiss had partnered up with a known long-time mob associate, identified as Individual B, after Weiss had reportedly gone to Schweihs for help. Yeah, well, Jimmy and Frank were good friends, and some Russians were muscling Jimmy, but Frank was on the run, the brother, Joseph Weiss, told an unidentified person in a wiretapped call quoted in the filing. Frank was in hiding and Jimmy called Frank and says, hey man, these guys just busted up my (expletive store). Scared the (expletive) out of the girls, this and that, you know, I need your help, where the (expletive) are you? At the time, Schweihs had been charged in the landmark Family Secrets mob case and was on the run. According to the brothers story, The German told Weiss, Jim, Im underground right now but Ill have someone call you right back. Somebody called Jimmy and told him to go see Individual B, who straightened it all out, Joseph Weiss said, according to the transcript of the call. Ever since then, theyre partners on everything, Joseph Weiss said. The problem is (Individual B)s like a gangster but hes an honest guy. If youre his friend, youre his friend. Prosecutors called the description of Individual B as a gangster an apt one. In a separate undercover recording, Individual B admitted that James Weiss is with me, referencing their joint involvement with gaming machines, the filing stated. Insofar as (James) Weiss seeks to portray himself as a community-minded and otherwise law-abiding individual, his long-time partnership with Individual B and his own brothers recording discussing his prior association with his good friend, mob killer Frank Schweihs, demonstrates otherwise, prosecutors wrote. The filing also alleged that Individual Bs now-deceased girlfriend was a partner in one of James Weiss gambling businesses and received hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments from him. Schweihs, who according to authorities spent decades as a reputed enforcer for the mobs Grand Avenue street crew, died of cancer in 2008 while awaiting trial. The filing came on the heels of a new indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court against Joseph Weiss, who was charged with lying to federal investigators about his brothers reputed mob ties, including his previous contacts with Schweihs and Individual B. Joseph Weiss is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 13, two days after his brothers sentencing. Reached by phone Wednesday, James Weiss attorney, Ilia Usharovich, said his client had no ties at all to Schweihs. Jim denies ever speaking to Mr. Schweihs, ever meeting with Mr. Schweihs and ever doing business with Mr. Schweihs, Usharovich said. The Tribune has previously reported that James Weiss sweepstakes company, V.S.S., was connected to a former Chicago police officer, John Adreani, through a complex web of corporations, many of which list the same address in a south suburban strip mall as their headquarters. Adreani was fired from the Chicago Police Department in 2015 for associating with a major drug trafficker after he was captured on a wiretap discussing gambling and drinking excursions and real estate ventures with him, according to Chicago Police Board records. Adreani was not charged; however, his name came up several times during James Weiss trial. Another one of Weiss business entities, Mac-T Retail LLC, which was formed in 2015, shares the same address in the 800 block of Sibley Boulevard in Dolton with V.S.S., state records show. At least three companies that include Mac-T in their titles appear to be linked, according to state records. The first of them, Mac-T LLC, was organized by Anthony DeMarco of River Grove in 2014 and was also registered to the Sibley Boulevard address. DeMarco originally incorporated Mac-T using an address of 723 W. Grand Ave. in Chicago, which is a single-room occupancy hotel in the same building that houses the Italian restaurant La Scarola and Richards Bar. La Scarola was the scene of a 2012 lunch meeting with top Grand Avenue crew members that led to the FBI sting of hit man Steve Mandell, who was plotting, among other things, to kidnap, rob and murder a mobbed-up strip club owner. Richards is owned, on paper at least, by the sister of Robert Bobby Dominic, a reputed Outfit associate who, according to FBI and Chicago records, ran pornography and gambling interests for the Grand Avenue crew, which was headed by legendary mobster Joseph The Clown Lombardo. Meanwhile, records obtained by the Tribune show the same federal grand jury looking into Weiss mob connections is also interested in Dominic. The grand jury sent a subpoena to the Illinois Department of Insurance on July 28 seeking applications, communications and other records involving a state Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan in Dominics name, according to a copy of the subpoena received through an open records request. Dominic has not been charged. He could not be reached for comment Thursday. A lawyer who represented him in a recent lawsuit filed by tenants of the Acacia single-room occupancy hotel declined to comment, saying he was barred by confidentiality agreements from discussing any of his clients. James Weiss was convicted by a jury in June of seven counts of bribery, wire fraud, mail fraud and making false statements. The charges alleged Weiss then agreed to pay monthly $2,500 bribes to get language helping his sweepstakes business added to state gambling legislation, first to state Rep. Luis Arroyo and later to state Sen. Terry Link, who was a chief sponsor of the gambling bill in the Senate. Arroyo and Weiss didnt know that Link, a Vernon Hills Democrat, was cooperating with the FBI. Link, who is hoping for a break in his own federal tax conviction in exchange for his cooperation, testified over two days about his undercover role. Arroyo, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to bribery for his role in the scheme but did not agree to cooperate with prosecutors. U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger sentenced Arroyo to nearly five years in prison last year, calling him a corruption superspreader. James Weiss attorneys have asked Seeger for a sentence of under 27 months, arguing in a filing last week that the legislation Weiss wanted to pass was well-meaning and would have generated much-needed tax revenue on what are currently unregulated sweepstakes machines. In asking for a 63-month prison term, prosecutors argued Weiss has been unrepentant about the damage his crimes have done to the public trust. They also wrote that while Weiss claimed he was trying to make ends meet for his family, in reality he was making substantial earnings and gambling $20,000 a week. For someone like (Weiss), with financial stakes in a variety of different businesses, there always will be a way to make more money, prosecutors wrote. There always will be public officials who are willing to take a bribe to make (his) life easier. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com (Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images) Apple releases its new iOS 17.0.3 update in an attempt to fix the widespread overheating issue that many users are complaining about with their iPhone 15 devices. Apple rolled out its iOS 17.0.3 update to fix the iPhone 15's overheating issue, which has affected many consumers and brought down the reliability of the tech giant's latest product. The company said that the overheating problem was caused by software and not hardware or design flaws within the iPhone 15 product itself. Additionally, the tech giant said that the new update would not reduce the A17 Pro chip's performance. iPhone 15 New iOS Update The situation comes after many users of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max complained that after using their devices for a while, they would get extremely hot. This includes basic activities such as browsing the internet. Apple responded that it was normal for the iPhone to get hotter than usual when it initially sets up, restores from a backup, charges wirelessly, or runs graphics-intensive or processor-intensive apps. However, the tech giant acknowledged last weekend that a software issue in iOS 17 caused iPhone 15 devices to run at abnormally high temperatures, as per 9to5Mac. The company updated the security fixes for this patch, listing two solutions to problems on iOS and iPadOS. The first one is a kernel exploit for an attacker with local access to the device that Apple said "may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.6" and a fix for a libvpx bug. The latter is something that CISA issued a warning about, as it could allow someone to take over a device remotely. The latest update is readily available for download and requires 423.2 megabytes of memory. Read Also: Japanese Startup Builds Rideable Gundam-Like ARCHAX Robot With $3 Million Price Tag Addressing the Overheating Issue Before Apple released the update, many users speculated about the potential reason for the overheating issue. According to The Verge, these include hardware issues, potentially from the iPhone 15's more powerful processor or titanium components. The tech giant said another issue involves some recent updates related to third-party apps that overload the iPhone 15's system. These apps include Instagram, Uber, and Asphalt 9, as revealed by Apple. Apple also reassured its consumers that the product's overheating issue is unrelated to its new titanium casing, replacing older models' stainless steel. Additionally, the company dismissed speculations that the new USB-C port was causing the issue, allowing it to comply with a mandate that European regulators issued, said BBC. Rising concerns about a potential device sound issue also plague the iPhone 15. Some users have reported that the sound from their phones' speakers is a bit off, especially at higher volumes. Complaints include hearing crackling and/or rattling noises when playing music or blasting calls on the speaker at or near maximum volume. While some may be tempted to find a fix with a replacement device, some have already tried, so who said that the issue was not fixed at all, said Phone Arena. Related Article: Apple Explains Why iPhone 15 Overheats Easily @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, a once-in-a-lifetime creative collaboration just dropped from across the pond! The legendary Sir Elton John and iconic celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury have joined forces to release a limited-edition beauty collection that supports the six-time Grammy winners non-profit, The Elton John Aids Foundation. Inspired by Johns classic 70s style, the Charlotte Tilbury x Elton John Rocket Collection includes two new Rock Lips lipsticks and an accompanying black velvet bag adorned with shining silver starsthe ultimate holiday party clutch. The limited-edition lipsticks include Rocket Lips, a pinky nude matte shade, and Ready for Lust, a universally flattering deep berry thats shaping up to be the color du jour for fall and winter. Charlotte calls these lipsticks self-driving, meaning they help create perfect pout sans lipliner. Made with 3D glowing pigments and natural oils, these lippies hydrate and plump your pout like a balm without compromising color payoff. Charlotte Tilbury. The partnership between the two British icons came to fruition after Charlotte Tilbury became a founding partner of the Rocket Fund, Elton John AIDS Foundations newest campaign. The musicial legend launched the non-profit to accelerate global outreach and access to those in need. So you can get glam while benefiting a genuinely fantastic cause; a win-win if there ever was one! In addition to the Charlotte Tilbury x Elton John Rocket Collection, the brand also just launched a collection of holiday gifts, including the Beautyverse eyeshadow palette, its first nine-color offering, along with the 2023 Advent Calendar. If youre looking to get a jumpstart on your holiday shoppingor just refresh your fall makeup lineup with some new items that help support a good cause, Charlotte Tilbury has you covered. Shop our favorite pieces from the Charlotte Tilbury x Elton John Rocket Collection and holiday 2023 gift offerings below. Charlotte Tilbury x Elton John Makeup Bag & Lip Kit This gorgeous makeup bag is inspired by Sir Elton John himself and comes with the two limited-edition lipsticks in the drop. Trust usyoull want to grab both before they sell out, so you might as well invest in the three-piece set. Buy Charlotte Tilbury x Elton John Makeup Bag & Lip Kit at Charlotte Tilbury, $133 Beautyverse Eyeshadow Palette I scored a Beautyverse eyeshadow palette before the release, and wowits the only one Ill be using through the holiday season... and beyond. It has four soft matte shades and five shimmer hues that look intimidating at first, but go on like a dream, subtly illuminating lids over the matte shades or on their own. Charlotte used this gorgeous palette on Amal Clooney for her ethereal yet understated beauty look for the Albies (she and husband Georges charity event). Buy Beautyverse Eyeshadow Palette at Charlotte Tilbury, $75 Rock Lips Lip Kit If youre looking for a rocking lip look (or a universally flattering beauty gift that will look amazing on all skin tones), look no further than the Rock Lips Lip Kit, which comes with one of the two limited-edition shades and a matching lip liner. Buy Rock Lips Lip Kit at Charlotte Tilbury, $60 Charlottes Lucky Chest of Beauty Secret Advent Calendar The ultimate holiday advent calendar for beauty lovers, Charlottes 2023 Lucky Chest of Beauty Secrets features twelve doors of dazzling surprises. The advent calendar includes two full-sized beauty products and ten minis products, a $279 value. Buy Charlottes Lucky Chest of Beauty Secret Advent Calendar at Charlotte Tilbury, $210 Iconic Magin Skin Duo Give the gift of magic in a jar this year with this limited edition skincare set featuring two of Charlotte Tilburys hero skin products: the Magic Cream (Speaking of the Clooneys, George is allegedly a fan of this rich moisturizer) and Magic Skin Serum. Buy Iconic Magin Skin Duo at Charlotte Tilbury, $105 Dont forget to check out our coupon site to find more beauty deals, including Sephora coupons, Ulta coupons, Nordstrom coupons, and Macys coupons. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The situation on the Lyman-Kupiansk front is currently more difficult than in Bakhmut. The Russians' new target is Makiivka. Source: Illia Yevlash, head of the press service of the Armed Forces' Eastern Grouping of Forces, in the national 24/7 newscast Quote: "In my opinion, the most dynamic front is Lyman-Kupiansk. The situation there is now the most difficult. The enemy is using its Su-35s very intensively the new attack aircraft that can shoot air and ground targets alike. They enter mainly in pairs. The enemy also uses Ka-52s, Su-25s and Mi-8s. The intensity of assault operations there has now increased. Eight combat clashes have been observed over the past 24 hours. The enemy has now chosen a new location, Makiivka, and is directing all efforts on this front. These eight combat clashes took place there. ... If compared [with the Bakhmut front] in terms of personnel, its more than 110,000 military personnel [on the Lyman-Kupiansk front], 1,085 tanks, and almost 2,000 armoured combat vehicles. These are BMPs, BMDs, MT-LBs [infantry fighting vehicles], Tigers [armoured cars], various patrol cars, more than 700 artillery systems and about 500 multiple-launch rocket systems. [That's] in contrast to the Bakhmut front, where we see much smaller numbers: 51,000 personnel, 211 tanks, 1,000 armoured fighting vehicles, 110 artillery systems and another 100 MLRS." Details: Yevlash reported that Ukrainian fighters managed to damage the Russian Zoopark radar system, which was "very annoying to our military". Yevlash called it a "juicy target". In his opinion, it will be "a little easier" on this front now while the Russians repair the system. At the same time, Yevlash added that heavy fighting continues on the Bakhmut front near the railway: "We are trying to push back the enemy and consolidate positions on the ground gained. The enemy continues to attack." 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! Six former inmates at Californias womens prison in Chowchilla who alleged they were sexually assaulted by a former guard there have agreed to settle their lawsuits for $3.7 million, their attorney says. Rocklin attorney Robert Chalfant said the settlement agreements came after two days of talks in federal court in Sacramento over allegations that guard Greg Rodriguez, who faces 96 charges of rape, sodomy, sexual battery and other counts, assaulted the women while they were incarcerated at the Central California Womens Facility. Im emotionally exhausted right now, Chalfant said Thursday. Being involved in that kind of case is draining. Im proud of my clients for coming forward. Its terrifying to come forward and make these kinds of allegations against a guard. Rodriguez, 55, was arrested in May and is being held without bail at the Madera County Jail, where he faces a trial setting date in Superior Court on Nov. 20. District Attorney Sally Moreno has said the charges involve 13 victims and allege 39 individual sexual assaults, some charged in more than one way, that could result in Rodriguez facing up to 300 years in prison. A spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said the agency would not comment on pending litigation. Rodriguez began with CDCR in 1995 as a cadet and had been at Chowchilla since 2010. He retired effective Aug. 25, 2022, after CDCR investigators approached him about the allegations. Rodriguez was accused of luring inmates into a parole board hearing room where there were no cameras and sexually assaulting them. Chalfant has said prison officials were warned for years about Rodriguez but took no action, and that CDCR still is not doing enough to protect inmates at the states largest womens prison. If CDCR wanted to end sexual assault of female inmates at CCWF theres a lot of things you could do, including body-worn cameras, putting cameras in all the places where guard have access to inmates and hiring more female guards. All this could have been avoided if people did their jobs and looked out for women. In recent weeks, dozens of lawsuits have poured into Sacramento Superior Court filed on behalf of women who claim they were sexually assaulted by staff at Chowchilla or other womens prisons. The suits are the result of a new state law that allows victims of sexual assault by prison guards or law enforcement officers to sue within 10 years of an assailant leaving their agency or being convicted of a crime. That measure was sponsored by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2021. The party that promised to end aid to Ukraine won the elections in Slovakia The victory of a pro-Russian party in Slovakias parliamentary elections and the new government formation process are behind Bratislavas decision not to provide Ukraine with a new military aid package, the Ukrainian news outlet European Pravda reported on Oct. 5. European Pravda cited Jana Kobzova, a foreign policy advisor to the president of the Slovak Republic. Read also: Slovakia formally accuses Russia of trying to influence election through disinformation "The current Slovak government, which is outgoing, has constitutionally limited powers. The political parties that are now negotiating the possible formation of the (new) government are opposed to providing military aid to Ukraine." Military aid package approval by the outgoing government would set a risky precedent for a change of power after future elections, in the view of Slovak President Zuzana Caputova. Read also: Potential kingmaker to Slovakian government casts doubt on further military aid to Ukraine "President Caputova has been a strong supporter of such assistance from the very beginning and has been in contact with the government regarding its support, especially after (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy's recent visit to Slovakia in July," Kobzova said, stressing that the military assistance Slovakia provided to Ukraine was the largest the country had ever offered. On Oct. 1, the pro-Russian Smer-SD party led by Robert Fico won the parliamentary elections in Slovakia with 23.29% of the vote after almost all the ballots were counted. The second place went to the pro-European liberal party Progressive Slovakia (PS), led by Michal Simecka, which received 17.07% of the vote. Fico, after winning the Slovak general election, confirmed his intention to cut off aid to Ukraine. Later, he proposed to organize peace talks on Ukraine. Read also: Wait for coalition formation before drawing conclusions Ukraines Foreign Minister on Slovakian election Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Slovak President Zuzana Caputova has opposed sending additional military assistance to Ukraine following the electoral victory of pro-Russian Robert Fico and his party SMER, the Slovak news outlet Dennik N reported on Oct. 4. According to the report, the Slovak Defense Ministry had prepared a new assistance package for Ukraine that Caputova could have signed while Fico's predecessor was still in office, but the president declined, saying the parliamentary elections must be respected. Fico is Slovakia's former prime minister. His party, SMER, won a narrow victory in Slovakia's Sept. 30 elections. While the margins were not high enough to give SMER complete control over the government, they will be able to form a coalition with another party. At that point, Fico will likely serve another term as prime minister. Fico has echoed Russian President Vladimir Putins false narratives surrounding the invasion of Ukraine. His main campaign slogan promised that not a single round will be sent to Ukraine. He has also advocated ending military support for Ukrainian defense, blocking NATO membership for Ukraine, and urging negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. Hungarian Prime Minister and close ally Viktor Orban congratulated Fico. Congratulations to Robert Fico on his undisputable victory at the Slovak parliamentary elections. Always good to work together with a patriot, Orban said on the platform X, formerly Twitter. Orban has also opposed sanctions and aid to Ukraine. Slovakia has been a prominent ally to Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, sending multiple aid packages and 13 Mig-29 fighter jets. Before Ficos election, Slovakia was the sixth largest provider of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, according to NBC News. Read also: Peter Tkacenko: Slovakia after election If not friend, certainly not enemy of Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE - President of Slovakia Zuzana Caputova delivers her speech at the European Parliament, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Strasbourg. On Thursday Oct. 4, 2023, Slovakia's president has opposed a plan of her country's caretaker government to send further military aid to Ukraine that faces the Russian aggression after the parties that are against such help are in talks to form a new government following last week's election. (AP Photo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) Slovakias president has refused a plan by her countrys caretaker government to send further military aid to Ukraine, saying it doesn't have the authority and parties that oppose such support are in talks to form a government following last weeks election. The presidential office said in a statement Thursday that the current government of technocrats has only limited powers because it lost a mandatory confidence vote in Parliament on June 15, a month after President Zuzana Caputova swore it in. The technocrat Cabinet was created with the aim of leading the country to Saturdays early election. Caputova on Monday asked the leader of the winning party in the election to try to form a coalition government. Populist former prime minister Robert Fico and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party captured 22.9% of the vote on Saturday. It will have 42 seats in the 150-seat Parliament. Fico has vowed to withdraw Slovakias military support for Ukraine, and his victory could further strain the fragile unity in the European Union and NATO. Fico needs to find coalition partners to rule with a parliamentary majority and has been negotiating with two other parties. He has been given two weeks. The presidential office said that Caputova, who has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine and visited Kyiv twice since the start of the Russian invasion, has not changed her view on the necessity of military assistance for Ukraine. But the statement said that approving a military aid package by the current outgoing government would create a risky precedent for the change of power after any future elections. It said the president is ready to support military assistance proposed by any government with full powers. Slovakia has been a major supporter of Ukraine, donating arms, including its fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets. The caretaker government had been planning to send ammunition to Ukraines armed forces and to train Ukrainian soldiers in demining. The Office of the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Caputova, has explained what her spokesman meant when he said that the president did not support the delivery of a new package of military aid to Ukraine due to a change in the government that is likely to oppose the provision of aid to Ukraine. Caputova is currently conducting consultations. Source: Jana Kobzova, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the Slovak Republic, in an interview with European Pravda Quote: "The current outgoing Slovakian government has constitutionally limited powers. The political parties that are currently negotiating the possible formation of a government are opposed to the provision of military aid to Ukraine." Details: For this reason, President Caputova believes that the approval of a military aid package by the current outgoing government would create a risky precedent for a change of power after any future elections, the spokeswoman emphasised. "President Caputova is holding consultations with all political leaders regarding the formation of the future government and will continue to support the provision of military aid to Ukraine by any government that will have full powers," Kobzova said. At the same time, Kobzova emphasised that the military aid provided by Slovakia to Ukraine is the largest that the country has ever provided, and per person, is one of the largest provided by any country. "President Caputova has been a strong supporter of such aid from the very beginning and has communicated with the government regarding its support, including after President Zelenskyy's recent visit to Slovakia in July," Kobzova said. Background: On 4 October, the media in Slovakia reported that its Ministry of Defence is considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with another military aid package. It could have been delivered during the presidency of the technocratic government of Ludovit Odor, but President Caputova opposed that plan. Caputovas spokesman Martin Strizinec told Dennik N that she "agreed with the Prime Minister that the results of democratic elections had to be respected". The election winners, Smer-SD, had promised voters "not to give a single bullet" to Ukraine. Robert Fico's anti-Ukrainian party won the elections in Slovakia and on Monday, he was given two weeks to form a government. Fico had previously declared his intention to stop military and political support for Ukraine. He also said that it was "illusory" to talk about Ukraine joining the EU at the moment and claimed that Nazism is "tolerated" in 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! Derbyshire Police is giving canisters of SmartWater to high-risk victims to spray on their domestic abusers. The forensic liquid is used to mark property to prevent it being stolen, but the force said it could deter abusers from contacting their victims. Officers said the substance, only visible under ultraviolet light, could provide key evidence when suspects denied allegations. The spray is being trialled in Chesterfield and the Erewash area. The force said the areas had higher levels of domestic abuse than other parts of the county, but it hoped to roll the scheme out more widely in the future. Det Insp Adam Gascoigne said: "If a suspect was arrested for a primary offence [of domestic abuse], it might be they are going to get bail so the victim will be given a vial of SmartWater. "The suspect, upon release, will be told the victim is protected by forensic marking and SmartWater and they will be given a notice to explain that to them." Police say the spray gives victims peace of mind He says this will allow the victim to spray the liquid - which is unique to each victim and remains on skin and clothing for at least six weeks - on a suspect if they approach them. "They spray them, ring the police and tell us what happened and officers will attend," he said. "They will seek to arrest the offender and forensically recover clothing. "Evidentially we can then link that clothing to that canister that has been sprayed. "Domestic abuse cases often rest on the word of the victim against the word of the attacker. "Victims really like this because it gives them peace of mind they will be believed." West Yorkshire Police has already successfully prosecuted a perpetrator who breached a non-molestation order using SmartWater technology. The man's victim tagged him, providing evidence of the offence that led to a prison sentence. Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. SAN DIEGO (Border Report) Human smugglers, or coyotes, have reportedly hiked their fees to get migrants illegally into the U.S. Victor Clark, with the Binational Commission for Human Rights in Tijuana, says fees now range anywhere from $12,000 to $14,000. In the 90s, the coyotes were charging just $100 to get people across the border in the Tijuana-San Ysidro area, and $250 for a ride up to Los Angeles. Clark also stated prices vary depending on the type of migrant, nationality and the area along the border that will be crossed. Theres a new generation of coyotes who dont respect the traditional way of charging, said Clark. They dont have set fees anymore, they base it all according to the group in front of them. Instructions on how to cross border illegally delivered to migrants via phone apps Demand for smugglers has risen in recent months as more and more migrants arrive at Mexican border towns intent on getting north of the border, Clark said. Migrants are being charged $5,000 just to be taken to the border and given instructions on how and where to cross. The higher prices are forcing many migrants to wait for online appointments to cross the border rather than trying their luck with a smuggler. Migrant encounters continue trending up following post-Title 42 dip, new data shows Using the CBP One, migrants can apply online to be able to present themselves at one of eight ports of entry along the Southwest border Nogales, Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Hidalgo, El Paso, Calexico, and San Ysidro. Those with CBP One appointments are vetted and processed, which includes biographic and biometric security vetting and background screening, and individuals who are processed into the United States may be paroled to continue their immigration proceedings, on a case-by-case basis. The exorbitant prices are too much for some migrants looking for asylum, said Clark. One woman named Jaqueline, from El Salvador, said that for her own safety and that of her unborn child, shell wait for an appointment while staying at a shelter. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border Every day is an eternity, I cant sleep, eat, and I have intense pains, but I just have to be patient, she said. A smuggler offered his services for $10,000 because I was pregnant saying it was guaranteed that I would be able to get humanitarian asylum once in the United States. Jacqueline and other migrants say waits for a CBP One appointment are currently two months out. According to DHS, since its launch in January through the end of June, more than 170,000 individuals have successfully scheduled an appointment to present themselves at a designated port of entry. The top nationalities who have scheduled appointments are Haitian, Mexican, and Venezuelan. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. Social media users have shared photos of Thailand's new prime minister Srettha Thavisin with a claim that he plans to legalise casinos and online gambling in the country. However, a Thai government spokesperson has dismissed the claim as "fake news". Photos seen in the misleading posts were taken from events where he made other announcements. A photo of Srettha in a blue shirt was published on Facebook on September 18 with text in Thai that reads: "Online gambling investors rejoice! The PM is preparing to legalise casinos and gambling websites. Thirty percent tax. Create jobs and increase the country's revenue." The post has a caption in Thai that voices support for the plan. It has since been shared over 2,500 times Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken September 29, 2023 Other posts that also shared the false claim appear to be less supportive of the proposal to "legalise gambling in Thailand". A Facebook post published on September 26 shared another photo of Srettha wearing a suit and yellow necktie. "Within two weeks, the PM will meet with the cabinet to discuss legalising casinos and online gambling sites in Thailand," text in the picture reads. The post's caption goes on to read: "Is legalising casinos that necessary? Can it really benefit our country? Why don't you come up with something better than this? It destroys people's life." Another Facebook post published on September 28 also shared the same photo with a sarcastic caption: "Thailand already legalised cannabis and next is gambling. The Pheu Thai party takes seriously about solving the country's problem -- by legalising casinos. Yay." Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken September 29, 2023 The claim surfaced after Thailand's junta-appointed senate blocked former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat's bid to become prime minister even though his party won the most seats in the House of Representatives election in May. The runners-up of the election -- the Pheu Thai party -- formed a coalition with some pro-military parties in August while Srettha was endorsed as prime minister (archived link). AFP reported the news sparked a small protest outside Pheu Thai's headquarters. Protesters threw paper fliers with pictures of the Pheu Thai party leader Chonlanan Srikaew and signs calling on him to resign. The false claim was also shared on Facebook here, here, here, here, and here. However, a Thai government official has said the prime minister does not have plans to legalise gambling in the country. Photos with false claims Wetang Phuangsup, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), said in a statement published on September 20 that the claim was "not true" and was considered "fake news." "Currently, the government has no plans to legalise casinos and online gambling nor implemented a policy to do so with 30 percent tax as claimed," reads the statement, which has been published on the websites of Government House and the government-run website Anti-Fake News Centre Thailand (archived links here and here). AFP has also found the two photos used in the false posts were taken from unrelated events. The photo of Srettha in a blue shirt appeared on September 13 in a post on his Facebook account (archived link). The post's caption said he addressed the public about economic stimulus measures, which included reducing energy costs, waiving visas for Chinese tourists and paying civil servants twice a month starting January 1, 2024. He did not mention legalising casinos and online gambling. Below is a screenshot comparison between the false post (left) and Srettha's Facebook post on September 13 (right): A screenshot comparison between the false post (left) and Srettha's Facebook post on September 13 (right). News outlet Thai PBS and the government's National News Bureau also published photos of Srettha wearing the same blue shirt on September 13 (archived links here and here). The other photo of Srettha wearing a yellow tie was originally posted by Thai broadcaster Channel 7 on its Facebook page on September 15 (archived link). The photo shows Srettha in a suit and yellow necktie, matching the one in false claims. Text in the photo said the prime minister would explain how the government planned to fund a cash handout within two weeks -- referring to an announcement that Thai citizens aged 16 or above would receive 274 dollars in digital cash handouts as a part of the plan to stimulate the economy (archived link). The broadcaster published a post on its Facebook page on September 27 saying the photo had been edited to spread false news (archived link). "There is no text 'PM is meeting with the cabinet to discuss legalising casinos and online gambling in Thailand' in the second and third lines," the Facebook post reads. "Modification made to the photo and text does not from Channel 7's news editorial team whatsoever." Below is a screenshot comparison between the false post (left) and Channel 7's Facebook on September 15 (right): A screenshot comparison between the false post (left) and Channel 7's Facebook on September 15 (right). AFP cannot find credible news reports that Thailand planned to legalise casinos and online gambling sites. Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan announced that he is running for the House Speaker position after Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted. He boasted many accomplishments to promise Americans he'll be the best choice for the position. But the question is, will he be different from McCarthy? Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan Runs for House Speaker According to The Blaze's latest report, Jim Jordan published a letter detailing what he'll focus on if he becomes the next House Speaker. Aside from this, he also provided his recent accomplishments to show he's fit for the job. He sent his letter to the Congress of the United States on Wednesday, Oct. 4. "We are at a critical crossroads in our nation's history. Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promise to Americans," said Jordan in his official letter, which he posted on X. "The problems we face are challenging, but they are not insurmountable. We can focus on the changes that improve the country and unite us in offering real solutions," Jordan added. At the end of his letter, the US representative asked for the public's and lawmakers' support as he ran for the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Read Also: House Speaker Race: Steve Scalise Becomes 2nd Republican To Announce Candidacy What Jim Jordan Promises? Jim Jordan said that he will focus on the worsening public safety and rising crime numbers across the United States. He claims that the current administration has open-border policies, which cause chaos and leave the nation vulnerable. Jordan explained that the US government should address the rising crime in major cities. He added that American leaders must reject soft-on-crime and pro-crime policies to prevent illegal activities. Aside from this, he also suggested reducing the government's spending by getting the country's fiscal house in order. Other things he suggested include improving the border and national security and constitutional oversight of the US federal bureaucracy. To show that he can help achieve everything he mentioned, Jordan boasted his accomplishments in helping immigration enforcement, conducting oversight, and pushing for fiscal discipline throughout his career. As of writing, it is hard to conclude that Jim Jordan will be like Kevin McCarthy. In the comment section of his official X announcement, many Americans questioned the accomplishments he mentioned. Some of them are even asking for proof. Meanwhile, others have already concluded that he'll be another McCarthy. However, numerous US residents are also excited about his decision. They said that they'll support him as he tries to become the next House Speaker. Related Article: Biden Calls for Continuous Support for Ukraine After Congress Drops Request To Include Aid in Bill's Passing @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Is it possible to raise a low-carbon cow? Making milk and cheese accounts for about 3.4% of global greenhouse gases, which cause climate change. So is it possible to raise a low-carbon cow? BBC West Business Correspondent Dave Harvey speaks to farmers at an industry showcase. In the heart of sleepy Somerset, just a few miles away from where world-famous musicians rocked the Pyramid Stage earlier this year, farmers are discussing cheese. The Dairy Show has been taking place for more than 40 years, but its visitors are now thinking about the future. The theme of this year's event was carbon, with experts holding workshops to teach farmers how to cut carbon out of dairy production. David Cotton, one of the show's organisers, said: "We are seeing reductions of 50% as farmers adopt better practices." "It's the ultimate in recycling," says Richard Clothier about his bio-gas plant Richard Clothier is the sixth generation of his family to farm cattle at Wyke Champflower, near Bruton in Somerset. He said his family had always cared for their land and surroundings, but environmental farming had since moved on. "We now measure the carbon emissions at every part of the farming and cheese-making process," he explained. "Looking after the environment is no longer optional, it's a key part of the business," he added. This Somerset dairy farm is trying to go carbon-neutral The heart of the operation is a huge slurry pit, which Mr Clothier calls Wyke Farm's "crude oil". This muck is fed into giant green domes, full of methanogenic bacteria which break it down, and produce methane. The gas is then captured and cleaned, and some is used to heat the milk in the dairy, more to heat buildings on the farm. Still more is sold back to the national grid. Solar panels at Wyke farm help power their dairy operation And while Mr Clothier's farm may be unusual, you can find similar work on many dairy farms in the south-west of England. As costs have risen for fertiliser and animal feed, cutting down on them has saved money but also cut carbon emissions, explained Becky Wilson from consultancy firm Farm Carbon Toolkit. "Farmers are part of the solution. "They have the ability to take carbon out of the atmosphere, and store it on our farms," she said. Becky Wilson, from Farm Carbon Toolkit, urged farmers to cut their carbon emissions Her seminar at the Dairy Show was packed with farmers keen to hear how they can save money and achieve a lower carbon footprint. And validating that lower footprint independently is vital, as many customers put a price on low-carbon products. Wyke Farms cheese sells well in the United States, partly because it has less than half the carbon cost-per-kilo of typical US cheese. David Cotton, one of the organisers of the Dairy Show, said UK dairy farmers had a much better carbon story to tell. David Cotton, from the Royal Bath & West Society, said farmers were keen to hear about carbon reduction "British milk and cheese produces about half the carbon of the global dairy industry," he explained. "Most cows here are grazing grass. Drinking rainwater. "The muck goes round in a cycle. Compare that to an American feed-lot, where the feed and water is brought in, and the muck taken away, it's not surprising we make less carbon." UK government statistics bear out his claim. A litre of British milk creates 1.25 kg (2.7lb) of carbon, compared with a global average of 2.9 kg. But dairy farmers know thousands of people are switching away from cows' milk to alternatives made from oats and soya, because they produce even lower carbon emissions. As Mr Clothier explained on his farm, getting milk out of cows without emitting large amounts of carbon is now a vital business challenge, as well as an environmental one. Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk AUSTIN (KXAN) The son of a co-founder of the nationally renowned Buc-ees convenience store has been arrested in Texas on 28 separate state jail felony charges of invasive visual recordings. Mitchell Wasek, 28, was released one hour after being arrested on a $10,000 bond on the condition he not contact the complainants, according to Travis County jail records. Nexstars KXAN reached out to an attorney connected with Mitchell but didnt immediately receive a response. KXAN also attempted numerous times to contact both Mitchell and his father, Don Wasek, however, phone numbers associated with both individuals were either disconnected or had voicemails disabled. KXAN was able to reach a family member of the Waseks, but that person hung up the phone as soon as KXAN identified itself. Mitchell Wasek, 28 Mugshot provided by APD According to court records, the Travis County Sheriffs Office received a telephone complaint in May alleging improper photography had occurred at a home on the banks of Lake Travis. Travis Central Appraisal District property records list the owner of the multi-million dollar home to be Donald E. Wasek, Mitchell Waseks father and a co-founder of Buc-ees. A woman reported she and a few friends were visiting the lake house with Mitchell Wasek when one friend, who works cybersecurity for the Department of Defense, noticed a charging port with a hidden camera plugged into the wall of their bathroom, court records state. The group of friends left with the camera and on its micro-card found dozens of videos of themselves and other people in bathrooms and bedrooms at the lake house as well as at Mitchell Waseks Dallas apartment, according to court records. They were unaware that the recordings existed in the bedroom and bathroom, and indicated they did not consent to being recorded or photographed, the arrest affidavit states. The woman informed TCSO that a police report was filed with the Dallas Police Department and that the camera and micro-card had been turned over to them, records state. According to the affidavit, a warrant was obtained to review the contents on the camera and found 68 movie files containing at least 13 male and female individuals being recorded using toilets, showering, changing clothes, and/or having sex. Additionally, the affidavit states the videos were found to have been recorded in multiple different locations dating back to 2021, which included a downtown Austin condo and a vacation home in Telluride, Colorado, both owned by Mitchell Waseks parents, according to property records. Amazon records also linked purchases of spy cameras to Mitchell Wasek. According to court records, the complainants all reported Mitchell Wasek to be present at the time of the offenses but stated no other member of the Wasek family was there during these times. If convicted, a State Jail Felony carries a sentence of not more than two years or less than 180 days confinement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Mitchell Wasek, son of a co-owner of the Buc-ee's convenience store chain, was arrested Tuesday on 28 counts of invasive visual recording, according to Travis County records. Officials alleged that the 28-year-old recorded multiple people, without their consent, using a motion-activated camera. According to the arrest affidavit, witnesses contacted the Travis County sheriff's office in May. They told deputies that while they were staying at Mitchell Wasek's family home on Lake Travis, they discovered a camera in the bathroom. Witnesses said that they took the camera with them as they left the property. On the camera's memory card, they found videos of themselves in "various states of undress" in the bedroom and bathroom of the lake house. Property tax records show that the lake house is owned by Donald E. Wasek. Don Wasek has been at the helm of Buc-ee's alongside founder Beaver Aplin since 1985, according to media reports. The camera's memory card also contained videos taken in other locations. According to authorities, some were taken in a Dallas apartment Mitchell Wasek leased and others were taken in an Austin apartment and a home in Telluride, Colo., both owned by Mitchell Wasek's parents. In total, there were recordings of 13 people, the affidavit said. The affidavit described the videos as showing individuals "using the toilet, showering, changing clothes, and/or having sex." Officials said they also examined Mitchell Wasek's Amazon purchase history, which included multiple devices described as "spy cameras." Under Texas law, invasive visual recording is a state jail felony, which comes with a maximum of two years' jail time and a maximum fine of $10,000. Mitchell Wasek was released on $10,000 bail per charge, a total of $280,000. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Son of Buc-ee's co-owner arrested for alleged invasive recordings Hundreds of border guards have been recruited by the new agency South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially launched a new border force in a bid to tighten the country's porous borders. The inauguration took place in the town of Musina, home to the busy Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe. Mr Ramaphosa said increasing numbers of undocumented foreign nationals had "exacerbated many of the country's social and economic problems". Immigration is one of South Africa's most pressing political issues. Managing its borders has become disorganised, with pressure on the government to do more to reduce the numbers of people coming into sub-Saharan Africa's most developed country from its neighbours. At the same time, xenophobia by political parties is fanning flames ahead of the 2024 elections, to mobilise support from dissatisfied South Africans. Until now, the task of policing the borders was shared by four different government departments. They were also subject to 58 acts of parliament. But now the Border Management Authority, which cost millions of dollars to set up, is South Africa's third law enforcement agency after the police and army. The establishment of the agency means South Africa now has an integrated border policing bureau with a single command and control. Hundreds of border guards have been recruited and will be working together with the defence force. They will be manning South Africa's ports of entry which include eight seaports, 52 land borders and eleven international airports. The launch was also attended by Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa , who had talks with Mr Ramaphosa beforehand. The South African leader said the two men had agreed that "our countries want to live in harmony as neighbours". Mr Ramaphosa said the Border Management Authority was a vital link in harnessing the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as curbing illegal migration and human trafficking. Other problems have added to South Africa's border control woes in recent times. A multi-million-dollar fence which was erected between South Africa and Zimbabwe collapsed, making it difficult to stop illegal immigration. And over the years, a large number of law enforcement officers have been arrested for corruption after demanding bribes. South Africa conducted a census in 2022, with the results expected to be released on 10 October. Data released following the 2011 census revealed that 3.96 million foreign-born people lived in South Africa, including undocumented migrants. Statistics South Africa said this translates to about 6% of the country's population. Many believe the number of illegal immigrants could be much higher, as the government is often accused of not taking bolder steps to tackle the influx of undocumented foreigners. Other organisations, such as anti-migrant street movement Operation Dudula, have accused illegal migrants of contributing to the high levels of crime. The immigration debate is often marred by bouts of violence, xenophobia and misinformation, as unemployed South Africans have been made to believe that their jobs are being taken by undocumented migrants from other African countries. Earlier this week, Operation Dudula forced the closure of shops owned and run by non-South Africans in Soweto. This comes after two children died after consuming biscuits bought from one of the local shops. The Tribune is partnering with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and the American Democracy Project of Indiana University South Bend to publish candidates' answers to questions on the issues. The League, with local help from the ADP, operates Vote411.org, a website with information about the candidates and their positions on key issues. The Tribune has agreed to run candidate answers unedited, meaning any spelling, typographical or grammatical errors are the candidates' own. The Tribune is publishing only some of the questions from a selection of contested races. Additional questions and answers, including from candidates who have no opponent in the primary, are available at Vote411.org. Democratic South Bend Mayor James Mueller Desmont Upchurch is the Republican nominee for mayor of South Bend. South Bend Mayor James Mueller, a Democrat faces a challenge from Republican Desmont Upchurch. James Mueller Occupation: Mayor Email: victoria@muellerformayor.com Website: muellerformayor.com Campaign phone: 574-334-9322 Facebook: facebook.com/SBJamesMueller Twitter: @SBMayorMueller Desmont Upchurch Occupation: Statesman Email: desmont.upchurch1@gmail.com Website: desmontformayor.com Campaign phone: 574-303-8787 Facebook: facebook.com/desmontformayor Twitter: @desmontupchurch What is the most important challenge facing South Bend and how will you address it as mayor? Upchurch: The most important challenge facing our city would be violence and the way I would address this challenge is as follows: 1. Community Engagement: The first step is to engage the local community in identifying and prioritizing the most pressing issues. This can involve town hall meetings, surveys, and involving residents in decision-making processes. 2. Education and Workforce Development: Invest in education and workforce development programs to equip residents with the skills needed for employment opportunities within the city. 3. Community Programs: Create and support community programs that directly address the challenges. For example, if affordable housing is a concern, initiatives to incentivize affordable housing development can be implemented. Mueller: Public safety has been my top focus since day one. We must win the battle for our kids hearts and souls to stop the gun violence that is tearing our community apart. I will continue to support and fully fund our critical public safety services, including street outreach with the those who are causing the most violence. Weve added nearly 100 new officers, a third of whom are women and people of color, and SBPD is fully staffed for the first time in many years. I will also continue to advocate for common sense gun measures at the state and federal levels to keep firearms out of the wrong hands. Longer-term investments in our kids are also critical. We must build on the nearly 500 new pre-K seats created in partnership with our schools and the United Way. If elected, what steps will you take to ensure economic growth and development is widely distributed across the entire community? Are there specific industries or areas of the city you would focus on for more investment, and why those? Upchurch: Ensuring that economic growth and development benefit all segments of a community requires intentional and inclusive strategies. Here are ways to promote economic growth and development: 1. Small Business Support: Foster entrepreneurship by providing training, mentorship, and access to capital for aspiring entrepreneurs in all communities. Create business incubators and accelerators that focus on small enterprises. 2. Workforce Development: Invest in education and workforce training programs to equip residents with the skills needed for local job opportunities. Collaborate with local businesses to design training programs that match their workforce needs. Creating a distribution of economic growth and development requires a sustained commitment from government, businesses, community organizations, and residents. Mueller: With record investment in our city and more than a billion dollars of new projects, we want to make sure this progress is felt across the entire city. On almost everything we do, we depend on partnerships to deliver services or invest in developing new housing, commercial space or jobs. These partnerships are critical, and investors are looking at where the market makes sense and where the workers are. The most critical investments we can be making are not necessarily in businesses themselves but in our workers, housing stock and quality of life. With businesses looking for workers, we must invest in our people and build on their skills, while we also continue to attract new residents to South Bend. Several recent local examples show the importance of communication among elected officials. Issues surrounding a civilian board to review police behavior and attempts to fund a mental health crisis center illustrate this point. How will you ensure effective communication with other elected officials, as well as transparency with the public? Upchurch: Civil discourse would be the key to working with whomever our city selects to represent them. Our privilege as elected officials would be to find common ground in order to effectively move our city forward. South Bend is facing many challenges - some we can agree on and others we wont, however making sure we communicate what the citizens are asking for would be our duty. I would also make sure the staff is heard, as well as the citizens. No voice is too big and no voice is too small. Mueller: Communication is important to every successful relationship. Understanding other points of view, working to find common ground and being willing to compromise whenever possible are also critical. Thats my approach. To be successful, we have to work together. Thats the way our government was designed. Thats exactly what the Common Council and I have done and how weve been able to deliver progress across the city, including in neighborhoods that have been forgotten in the past. Its not always easy. The South Bend team is incredibly diverse in every sense and brings many different perspectives. Yet, we continue to find common ground and keep the city moving forward together. What is the best way to curb crime? Should we increase police staffing, technology and budgets? Or should we redirect resources away from policing? Please explain your reasoning. Upchurch: Curtailing crime in the city requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses root causes and involves various stakeholders. Here are some effective ways to curb crime: 1.Mentorship and Positive Role Models: Establish mentorship programs that connect young individuals with positive adult role models who can guide them and provide support. 2. Youth Outreach and After-School Programs: Invest in after-school programs and recreational activities that keep young people engaged in constructive activities during non-school hours. Provide opportunities for skill-building, leadership development 3. Economic Opportunities: Address economic disparities by creating job training programs promoting entrepreneurship, and attracting businesses to underserved neighborhoods Support initiatives that provide job placement assistance and local hiring. Mueller: Weve been presented with a false choice: invest in our people or provide necessary resources for public safety services. During my administration, weve done both. Weve made record investments into social infrastructure, into our people, and into our kids. At the same time, weve also been bold with resources for our officers. Weve raised pay and brought in nearly 100 officers, a third of whom are women and people of color. Where other cities are seeing shortages, were fully staffed. Weve also embraced 21st century policing with cutting-edge technology and policies to ensure that we are fair, impartial and getting the job done in the best way possible. Weve invested in both our officers and our community. What can the city do to address the issues of children and adults living in poverty and/or homelessness in the community? Upchurch: Addressing the issues of children and adults living in poverty is crucial for South Bend. 1. Childcare Assistance: Offer subsidies and support for affordable and high-quality childcare services, allowing parents to work or pursue education. 2. Living Wage and Benefits: Advocate for a living wage that allows adults to support themselves and their families without relying on public assistance. Promote benefits like paid family leave, sick leave, and affordable healthcare to reduce financial instability. Combining these efforts with effective policies and social safety nets can make a significant impact in improving the lives of children and adults living in poverty. Mueller: We work to extend opportunity to all and have adopted housing first as a principle. Housing first means not having preconditions on our unhoused neighbors before providing shelter. This evidence-based approach provides the help needed in a more stable environment and has been shown to be more successful in addressing chronic homelessness. Weve secured over 100 permanent supportive housing units, which come with support and services, and were working with partners to build more in the coming years. Were also working with partners to build a low-barrier intake center. Right now theres Motels4Now. Even though our County partners decided to abandon that program, South Bend stepped up to continue it until the permanent, new low-barrier center is completed. This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend mayor hopefuls Mueller, Upchurch speak on issues city faces Water shortages and sewage spills contributed to the number of complaints Three water companies serving the South East have the highest complaint rates in the country, a report has found. Southern Water is the UK's most complained about provider of water and sewerage with Thames Water coming second, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW). South East Water was the worst performing firm to provide water only. All three companies apologised to customers, while CCW said it was "extremely disappointed and concerned". Following water shortages and illegal sewage spills, Southern Water received almost three times the average complaints made to companies. "We recognise that we need to do better at serving our customers and fixing their problems," the provider's chief customer officer Katy Taylor said. Thames Water received 1.6 times more complaints than average. The company said it was "working hard to turn around" its performance, having reduced the total household complaints by 28% compared to last year. In June, households in Kent and Sussex went without water during a dry spell and a hosepipe ban was imposed. As a result, the report said complaints rose by 10% over the summer months. Some South East Water customers also went without water in the lead up to Christmas last year. This led to complaints, and "the manner in which the company compensated customers led to a second wave", the report said. South East Water said it had seen the "accelerated impact of climate change" impacting day-to-day operations. "During this period, we experienced record breaking weather impacts, a drought, floods and a freeze thaw," the company said in a statement. It added that network improvements were "constantly underway" and it was investing 489m into infrastructure. About 145 properties in southern parts of Rye have been without water over the past week following supply issues from Southern Water. Ms Taylor said: "We are investing in video diagnostics, up-skilling our customer service agents and keeping our customers regularly informed when issues take longer to fix. "While we are seeing early signs of improvement in the quality and speed we deal with their queries, we know we still have a lot of work to do and are committed to significant improvements," she added. Analysis By Yvette Austin, Environment Correspondent, BBC South East This report will be tough reading for Southern, Thames and South East Water. They have not had a good year. South East had serious problems keeping up with demand towards the end of the spring. That led to a hosepipe ban, which was brought in just as the weather turned cooler and wetter, no doubt frustrating many customers. The wet summer was also a problem for Southern Water as it led to more discharges from its combined sewer overflows, releasing waste into rivers and the sea. They have had some serious outages too. The companies say they are working hard to improve their performance all round, but their reputations are damaged, and it's an uphill struggle to repair them. Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites on its 70th mission of the year (video) SpaceX launched 22 more of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit early this morning (Oct. 5), on the company's 70th orbital mission of the year. The Starlink spacecraft lifted off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station tonight at 1:36 a.m. EDT (0536 GMT). The rocket had originally been targeted to launch on Wednesday at 10:45 p.m. EDT (0245 GMT on Oct. 5), but was delayed several hours by poor weather conditions. Related: Starlink satellite train: How to see and track it in the night sky A SpaceX Falcon 9 first stage stands vertical after landing on the drone ship As to plan, the Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth for a vertical landing at sea on the SpaceX drone ship Just Read the Instructions about 8.5 minutes after launch. It was the eighth liftoff and landing for this Falcon 9 first stage, according to a SpaceX mission description. Four of its previous seven launches sent Starlink batches aloft. The 22 Starlink satellites, meanwhile, are scheduled to deploy from the Falcon 9's upper stage into low Earth orbit (LEO) about 65 minutes after launch. RELATED STORIES: SpaceX rocket launches Starlink satellites on record-breaking 17th flight (video) 8 ways that SpaceX has transformed spaceflight SpaceX Starlink satellites had to make 25,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in just 6 months and it will only get worse This morning's flight was the 70th orbital mission for SpaceX in 2023. The majority of those launches have been dedicated to building out the Starlink megaconstellation, which currently consists of more than 4,800 operational satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket has now flown 67 of SpaceX's orbital missions this year, with the company's powerful Falcon Heavy taking care of the other three. But that latter number is about to grow: A Falcon Heavy is scheduled to launch NASA's Psyche asteroid mission on Oct. 12. SpaceX also launched a test flight this year of its new Starship deep-space transportation system. That mission, which did not aim to send a payload to orbit, ended four minutes after launch when Starship ran into problems. Editor's note: This article was updated on Thursday, Oct. 5 to add details from the launch. A view of a wooden boat that migrants used, to reach the Canary Islands, at the port of Arguineguin By Gabriela Baczynska and Inti Landauro GRANADA, Spain (Reuters) - Spain cannot cope with irregular immigration without help from the European Union, the prime minister said on Thursday as the bloc seeks a deal on handling new arrivals less than a year before continent-wide elections. Pedro Sanchez spoke in Spain's southern city of Granada where he is hosting more than 40 European leaders rallying around Ukraine on Thursday, and an EU summit on Friday. Friday's talks will focus on how to prepare the 27-nation EU for adding new members one day, including possibly Ukraine, and on how to respond to increased arrivals of refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa so far this year. "We cannot let some areas of our country, such as the south, the Canary or Balearic Islands face and assume all this irregular migration without solidarity," Sanchez told reporters. In the days before the talks, Spain, Italy and Germany have raised concerns about increasing arrivals, while eastern EU countries said they were tightening their borders to curb irregular immigration. Sea arrivals to Spain from Senegal and other African countries increased by a fifth so far this year compared with the last, with more than 3,500 reaching Canary Islands last month amid milder weather and calmer seas, according to official statistics. Italy's island of Lampedusa has also seen more irregular immigration this year, posing a political headache for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who won power in 2022 on promises of reducing arrivals. Speaking in Granada, Meloni welcomed a deal between the 27 on Wednesday on sharing out the task of hosting and providing for new arrivals, an agreement that puts the bloc closer to overhauling its defunct asylum and migration system after a decade of bitter internal disputes. TUNISIA The bloc tightened its asylum laws and external borders after more than a million people - mostly refugees fleeing the war in Syria - reached its shores across the Mediterranean in 2015. Anti-immigrant rhetoric mounted, even as the overall number of arrivals started shrinking considerably after that year. The bloc's top migration official last week put irregular immigration in the EU at 250,000 people so far this year. U.N. data shows fewer than 195,500 such arrivals. The EU cut a deal with Turkey in 2016 and, more recently, with Tunisia, offering money and other assistance in exchange for governments there keeping a tighter lid on departures for Europe from their soil. Tunisian President Kais Saied this week balked at the EU's offer of sending only 127 million euros ($133.5 mln) as a first instalment of a promised 1 billion euros. EU officials said Saied was bargaining for more money amid an acute economic crisis in Tunisia, which is also locked in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund on a $1.9 billion loan to stave off the risk of a default. Some in the EU criticised the deal with Tunisia as not doing enough to confront human rights abuses there, but Meloni said the bloc needed to seek more such pacts with North African countries. Both her and Sanchez face criticism from rivals at home over their handling of migration, with harsh rhetoric intensifying ahead of European Parliament elections next June across the EU. Fernando Clavijo, regional leader of the Canary Islands and a critic of the Spanish premier, dismissed the bloc's new migration policies at an event in Madrid on Thursday: "It's smoke and mirrors... They are in an election campaign because they have elections next year." He named Germany, which introduced border checks to push back against increased irregular immigration from EU neighbours, and Poland, which refuses to host asylum-seekers from the Middle East or Africa to help countries like Spain, and said: "Europe does not have a migration policy. The response to the phenomenon differs from country to country. Germany has one, Poland has another, Italy has another... Solidarity - where?", he said. ($1 = 0.9510 euros) (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, Inti Landauro, Federico Maccioni, Aislinn Laing, Emma Pinedo, David Latona; Editing by Andrew Heavens) FILE - Migrants swim next to their overturned wooden boat during a rescue operation by Spanish NGO Open Arms at south of the Italian Lampedusa island at the Mediterranean sea, Aug. 11, 2022. Italy has impounded the Spanish charity rescue boat Open Arms in a Tuscan port for violating rules by Italys far-right-led government banning multiple rescues at sea, the charity said Thursday. Open Arms protested the sanctions as a violation of the law of the sea that requires boats to offer rescue, said it was being punished rescuing 176 people in three operations, including people of extreme vulnerability. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File) MILAN (AP) Italy has impounded the Spanish charity rescue ship Open Arms for violating rules by Italy's right-wing government banning multiple rescues at sea, the charity said Thursday. The boat is blocked from leaving the port of Carrera in Tuscany for 20 days and the charity has been levied a fine of between 3,000 and 10,000 euros ($3,200-$10,500), the charity Open Arms said. Open Arms called the sanctions a violation of the law of the sea that requires boats to rescue people in distress. It said it was being punished for rescuing 176 people in three operations, including people of extreme vulnerability. Italy assigned a port after the first two rescues of 69 people in international waters Saturday. Open Arms said it then received a mayday call from the Seabird aerial surveillance charity that another migrant boat was in danger, overcrowded with 109 people. After ascertaining its ship was the only rescue boat in the area, Open Arms said, it informed authorities that the craft would head to the overcrowded vessel, which was about 20 nautical miles, or two hours sailing, away. The charity said its captain was questioned for six hours and the boat was impounded after arriving in Carrera, the port it had been assigned. The government made no statements about the action. Premier Giorgia Meloni is in Granada, Spain, for a summit where she is pushing her European Union partners to come up with policies to block illegal migration across the Mediterranean Sea from northern Africa. It is the second time that the Open Arms ship has been temporarily impounded. It and two other charity rescue boats were impounded over three days in August. Meloni has vowed to take extraordinary measures to deal with an influx of migrants. According to Interior Ministry statistics at mid-September, nearly 126,000 people had arrived in Italy so far by boat this year, compared to 66,000 in the same period of 2022. Pedro Sanchez During the upcoming meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will announce that Madrid is in favor of expanding the EU from 28 to 35 members, including Ukraine, the Spanish official said on Oct. 5 Sanchez said this after arriving at the third European Political Community Summit, in Granada, Spain, which is also being attended by the Ukrainian leader, Spanish newspaper El Pais reports. Read also: Zelenskyy reproaches partners for delaying training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets Sanchez plans to hold a bilateral meeting with Zelensky before the official start of the summit. At this meeting, he will express Spain's support for Ukraine both in the war again Russia and Kyiv's accession to the EU. Zelenskyy arrived in Spain on Oct. 5 and said that he would hold bilateral meetings there and work "to strengthen the existing security architecture in Europe, including the regional one." Read also: Spain to supply Ukraine with armored vehicles and anti-air missiles Spain is hosting the third summit of the European Political Community on Oct. 5, which is being attended by about 50 heads of state, government, and EU institutions. In particular, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were expected to attend. Earlier, news agency Reuters wrote that at the event, European leaders would assure Zelenskyy of long-term support for Ukraine. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine MrBeast and some BBC stars are the latest victims of AI deepfakes. Reports stated that their fake images are being used by scammers in advertisements to fool online users. One of the scam ad videos, which claims that the YouTuber is offering new iPhones for just $2, has already appeared on TikTok. Since the image of MrBeast looks real, there's a high chance that many people will fall victim to the malicious deepfake campaign. MrBeast Questions SocMeds After YouTuber's Deepfakes Appear in Scam Ad According to BBC News, the world's biggest YouTuber is not the only one who has fallen to AI deepfakes. Malicious actors also deepfaked the images of BBC stars Sally Bundock and Matthew Amroliwala. Like the MrBeast scam ad, fake photos and videos of Amroliwala and Bundock were also used to promote other advertisement scams. One of these videos showed the BBC journalists introducing billionaire Elon Musk, who is promoting an investment opportunity (of course, the X owner's video is also fake). This is not new since older deepfake videos already used Elon Musk's deepfakes, claiming he was giving away free money and cryptocurrency coins. Since the latest deepfake scam ads are quite serious, BBC contacted Meta. After that, the Facebook owner decided to take down the content. A Meta spokesperson said they are not allowing this kind of content and have removed it. "We're constantly working to improve our systems and encourage anyone who sees content they believe breaks our rules to report it using our in-app tools so we can investigate and take action," added the official. A TikTok spokesman also announced that the fake MrBeast advertisement was removed a few hours after scammers uploaded it. The popular video platform also promised that the account that published the scam advertisement has been removed for violating its policies. Read Also: Arabic AI Breakthrough Could Benefit Millions of Language Speakers Worldwide MrBeast Questions SocMeds' Capabilities After the deepfake scam incident on TikTok, MrBeast (real name Jimmy Donaldson) questioned the capabilities of socmed companies when handling fake AI advertisements. NBC News reported that MrBeast posted on X, explaining how serious AI deepfake malicious campaigns are. Donaldson said that more and more people are getting exposed to the deepfake ad he was featured in. He asked if social media firms are ready to handle the rise of AI deepfakes, reiterating that this is a "serious problem." Experts said that the MrBeast deepfake video is far from perfect. They noticed some lip-syn errors in the content. However, researchers warned that AI deepfakes are becoming more realistic as years pass. Related Article: Microsoft Bing Chat AI Used by News Outlet To Write Article on AI Risks in Journalism-Here's What the Bot Said @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Scoop Members of Kevin McCarthy s staff have been working the phones on behalf of Ohio Congressman Jim Jordans run for speaker, multiple sources confirmed to Semafor. Its unclear if McCarthy himself has sanctioned their work. One source familiar with their efforts described the staff as consulting and providing guidance to Jordans operation, which they distinguished from an endorsement. Jordans top competition is Majority Leader Steve Scalise, a longtime McCarthy deputy. McCarthy said he might endorse a successor at his post-ouster press conference on Tuesday night but has not suggested which candidates hes inclined to favor. (Bloomberg) -- Labour leader Keir Starmer faces a critical test of his chances of becoming UK prime minister on Thursday, when a vote in Scotland will give an indication of his partys ability to win key districts. Most Read from Bloomberg The by-election in the Glasgow suburb of Rutherglen and Hamilton West will see Labour attempt to replace the Scottish National Party in a seat thats swung between the two parties at every election since 2015. The outcome will demonstrate whether Labour is on track to replace Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks Conservatives as the UKs governing party at the next general election, widely expected in about a years time. The district in what used to be a Labour heartland is a must-win and typical of the kind of parliamentary seat the party will have to recover if its going to take power, according to John Curtice, politics professor at Strathclyde University in Glasgow and an influential psephologist. While bookmakers make Labour the overwhelming favorite to win, Curtice has said the margin of victory is as important as the result itself. Scotland is a target for Labour as it seeks to unseat the Conservatives after 13 years in power, during which time the pro-independence SNP has dominated Scottish politics. Read More: Labours Hopes of Taking UK Power Could Come Down to This City Critical to gaining ground is how willing Scots who want to break away from the rest of the UK are to lend their votes to Starmer to help remove the Conservatives from power. Support for the SNP has fallen in recent months amid a police investigation into its finances. But backing for independence has remained largely unchanged, with the nation of 5.4 million roughly split down the middle. It will also be the first major ballot since Nicola Sturgeon, one the UKs most popular politicians, stepped down as leader of the SNP and head of Scotlands semi-autonomous government in March. Read More: Scotlands New Leader Faces Same Old Rancor Over Independence A recent opinion poll suggested the nationalists could lose as many as 23 of the Scottish seats they hold in the UK Parliament in London. While Labour would add 19 seats to the single one the party holds now, the SNP would remain the largest party in Scotland with 25, based on research by consultancy Stonehaven published in the Times newspaper on Monday. That said, the poll also found that the SNP would remain the largest party in Glasgow, a city Labour has traditionally needed to win if its to take power nationally. The special election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West was called after former SNP lawmaker Margaret Ferrier was removed by her constituents for breaking Covid travel rules. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. SOMERSET Laurie Semelsberger, 61, of Ebensburg, who worked as a psychological services associate at the State Correctional Institution at Somerset, was sentenced Wednesday afternoon for delivering obscene materials to a male inmate she counseled there. She received 36 months probation and a $400 fine. Where the incident occurred involving defendant, Laurie Semelsberger. Semelsberger had nothing to say at her sentencing. Her attorney, Arthur McQuillan, of Johnstown, told the sentencing judge, Scott Bittner, that Semelsberger voluntarily proffered her counseling license. "She will no longer be employed in that profession," he said. Other: Former Somerset jail guard sentenced for placing dog shock collar on his children According to court documents, the alleged relationship between Semelsberger and the inmate began in October 2021. The relationship was discovered through an investigation in August of the following year after more than 700 calls were made between the inmate and a number identified as one being used by Semelsberger. The phone calls were over an eight-month period beginning in January. During the investigation, intimate photos of Semelsberger were found in the inmate's cell. The inmate, then a 37-year-old inmate is serving a 12- to 24-year sentence for conspiracy and robbery. He was the driver in an armed street robbery by two men riding in the vehicle. He was sentenced in November 2011, according to DOC records. The inmate has not been charged in this matter. Upcoming: Mostoller going to trial to face homicide charge in death of Somerset County horse trainer Initially, Semelsberger was charged last November by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Bureau of Investigations and Intelligence with institutional sexual assault, a felony, and lesser graded misdemeanors of official oppression, obstructing administration of law or other governmental function and obscene and other sexual materials and performances. After a plea agreement, Semelsberger pleaded guilty to delivering obscene material to a state prison, a first-degree misdemeanor, according to court records. This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset prison counselor sentenced for delivering obscene materials to inmate Christian Cruz during his trial in 2019. In a 5-1 decision, the Florida Supreme Court denied a motion to rehear the case of a Volusia County man sentenced to death, according to a ruling released Thursday. The state Supreme Court in a previous 5-1 ruling affirmed the death sentence for Christian Cruz for a 2013 Deltona kidnapping and murder. Cruz and Justen Charles teamed up to kidnap and kill 25-year-old Christopher Jemery on Aug. 26, 2013. The men were both convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in two separate trials by two separate juries. Charles jury recommended life; Cruzs jury recommended death. Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano followed the jury recommendation and sentenced Cruz to death during a hearing at the S. James Foxman Justice Center. But in Charles case, Zambrano by law had to follow the jurys recommendation and sentence Charles to life. Chief Justice Carlos G. Muniz, Justices Charles T. Canady, John D. Couriel, Jamie R. Grosshans and Renatha Francis concurred in the initial ruling affirming the death sentence and in rejecting the motion for rehearing. Justice Meredith Sasso did not participate. Justice Jorge Labarga dissented in the initial ruling as he did in the motion for rehearing for the same reason, writing that he disagreed with the majority view that it was prohibited from reviewing proportionality in death penalty cases. Cruz remains on death row and no execution is scheduled. Deltona kidnapping and killing According to prosecutors, Cruz and Charles planned to rob a small-time drug dealer. That's who they apparently expected to find on April 26, 2013, when they burst into a unit at the Belltower Apartments in Deltona. They instead found Jemery, who had been staying in the apartment but had nothing to do with illegal drugs. Cruz and Charles beat Jemery, leaving a behind pool of blood in the apartment. They then bound Jemery with wire and duct tape, tossed him in the trunk of his car and drove him to an industrial park in Sanford. Next to some brush beyond a parking lot, someone used a .22-caliber pistol to shoot Jemery in the head. Charles' girlfriend testified at his trial that she had seen Cruz with a .22-caliber gun. Jemery was barely alive when he was found, and later died. Investigators also found one of Cruz's fingerprints on the duct tape used to bind Jemery. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida Supreme Court rejects rehearing in Deltona death penalty case I recently spent two nights in a tiny, 161-square-feet cabin in the woods. I noticed several space-saving storage hacks in the cabin and plan to replicate some in my new home. I'm moving into an 867-square-foot apartment, so I'm looking to maximize the space as much as I can. In a few weeks, I'm moving out from my family's home in London, and into an 867-square-foot apartment in New York City. As excited as I am about my new place, I'm also aware that it's a significant downsize; the house I currently live in is multi-storied, has three bedrooms, and a basement. But a recent stay in a cabin in the British countryside showed me that you don't need a ton of space to live comfortably you just need really smart storage solutions. The cabin was one of nearly 100 off-grid, tiny cabins run by the company Unyoked throughout Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. It was tiny 161-square-feet in total which is a fraction of the size of my new apartment. That said, I never felt cramped or suffocated during the stay thanks to the cabin's many clever storage hacks. Although some of these space-saving techniques would be a little tricky to replicate in a rented apartment, I'm keeping a few in mind ahead of my move. Earlier this year, I paid $398 to spend two nights in a tiny cabin in the British countryside. After two nights in the woods, the author was ready to return to the city. Maria Noyen/Insider The cabin, nicknamed Josef, was located nearly two hours away from London in the South Downs National Park. I spent 48 hours there alone in September reading, journaling, and going on long walks throughout the countryside. The cabin wasn't luxe but, surprisingly, it felt spacious. The Unyoked cabin interior. Maria Noyen/Insider The cabin featured a queen-sized bed, a dining area, kitchen, mini-fridge, and a bathroom, equipped with a rain shower and a composting toilet, which slightly terrified me at first as it didn't come with running water. Instead, the toilet was connected to a deep pit where waste is turned into compost. As a city girl, I was horrified initially, but in the end, it didn't bother me because there was no smell thankfully. I'm about to move into an 867-square-foot apartment in New York City. Before I do, I'm going to keep in mind a few storage hacks I picked up while staying in the tiny home. The author is moving into a shared apartment in New York City. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images, Maria Noyen/Insider My big move is a few weeks away, but I've already got decorating and furniture on my mind. Before I make any big purchases, though, I'm considering a few of the space-saving hacks I noticed during my tiny cabin stay and how they might work in my apartment. It wouldn't be the easiest aspect to re-create in my new apartment but I was impressed by how elements of the cabin's furniture like the dining chairs, table, and bed were built into to the walls, saving tons of floor space. The dining table and bed were built into the walls. Maria Noyen/Insider Since my new apartment is a rental, of course, I'm not planning on doing any building work. However, seeing how built-in features saved space at the cabin has made me think more creatively about the different ways I could use the wide window ledges in my apartment. Instead of buying a bookcase for my room, for example, I'm now considering simply using one of the ledges for this. I've also been toying with the idea of buying a few pillows, instead of a small couch or chair, for another ledge in my room to create a reading and journaling nook. I also loved how some of the furniture in the cabin featured hidden storage spaces. One of the dining chairs, for example, contained a large storage bin. There was more storage space hidden beneath a dining chair. Maria Noyen/Insider I'm taking the smaller room in my new apartment, which unfortunately doesn't have a built-in wardrobe. Although I initially considered buying a rack and storing most of my clothes in a closet located by the entrance of my apartment, seeing furniture that doubles as storage space at the cabin has encouraged me to look into buying pieces, such as chairs or love-seat sofas, that come with built-in storage features. There was also plenty of storage space beneath the bed for several bags, a humidifier, and two yoga mats, which minimized unnecessary clutter in the rest of the room. There was storage space beneath the bed. Maria Noyen/Insider The bed in the cabin inspired me to consider purchasing one that comes with ample space incorporated into the frame, built-in draws, or a hydraulic lift where I can pull up the mattress to store clothing, shoes, and other items underneath. This isn't a space-saving technique per se, but the huge windows next to the bed where I spent a lot of time reading, working, and writing made the area feel more spacious. The windows created a sense of airiness and space. Maria Noyen/Insider One of features that drew me to my new apartment was the amount of windows. My bedroom will have windows on two of the four walls, just like in the cabin. As someone who spends a lot of time reading and writing in bed, I'm going to make the best use of them by positioning my bed right next to the wall with the most windows so I can make the most of the natural light during the day. (I'll have a few windows left on another wall where I can set up my reading nook and a bookshelf.) Over in the kitchen, cooking essentials were accessibly stored beneath the counter and on a small ledge above it. Both helped keep the cooking space from becoming overcrowded with miscellaneous items whenever I made a meal. Tiny shelves in the kitchen made cooking easier. Maria Noyen/Insider Again, as my apartment is a rental, I'm going to avoid adding elements to the layout that could cause any long-term damage. That said, when it comes to organization, I'm going to keep the tiny cabin kitchen layout in mind. I'll store cooking essentials, such as oils and seasonings, that I use frequently, in kitchen cabinets above my stove. That way, they're easily accessible but won't clutter the counter when I'm preparing meals. I was most impressed by the pocket door connecting the main living space to the bathroom, which efficiently retracted back into the wall instead of swinging out and restricting walking space. The pocket door. Maria Noyen/Insider One of the quirkiest things about my new apartment is that a temporary wall is being built in the living room to create my bedroom. Having this installed costs $1,250, but will ultimately help me and my roommate save money by splitting the rent on a one-bed apartment in a modern building in NYC that comes with several amenities, such as a doorman, laundry, and a rooftop. Before staying in the tiny cabin, I hadn't given much thought to the type of door I'd choose for the temporary wall. But after seeing how much space a pocket door can save, it's my top choice. I still have a lot to consider for the interior design of my new place, but after staying in a much smaller place with smart storage solutions, I'm less apprehensive about downsizing. The author is still on the lookout for ways she can save space in her new apartment. Maria Noyen/Insider Although I'm not planning on moving any large pieces of furniture from the UK to the US, I have accumulated a fair amount of clothes, shoes, and other items that I was initially worried wouldn't fit into my new living space. But after my experience of staying in an even smaller cabin, I'm way less stressed about where all my things are going to go. By incorporating nifty tricks, like furniture with hidden storage spaces and a pocket door, I'm confident I'll be able to maximize every inch of space to make my new home feel just as spacious as my last. Read the original article on Insider With the average annual cost of child care in Wisconsin easily surpassing that of college, many families may struggle to afford child care. However, there are places they can turn to for help. A new report from Wisconsin Counties Association's Forward Analytics found child care for one child can average up to 18%-36% of a family's income. For families with two children, costs can reach as high as 70% of their income, the report said. These figures far exceed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 7% affordability threshold. Things stand to get worse as Wisconsins Child Care Counts, which distributes stabilization payments to child care programs across the state, is set to end in January. Many child care businesses, which already run on thin profit margins, will be forced to charge parents more to make up for this lost revenue. Because Child Care Counts funding was cut in half this spring, some families are already facing this reality. Here are some avenues to help Wisconsin families navigate increasing child care costs. More: Takeaways from new report on Wisconsin child care: Its expensive, hard to find and politicians cant agree on what to do More: Wisconsin is poised to cut Child Care Counts. How will it impact your family? Check out Wisconsin Shares, the state's child care subsidy program Wisconsin Shares assists eligible families by paying a portion of their monthly child care costs. The amount a family receives depends on a variety of factors, including the children's ages, family income, family size and how long children spend in care. Recently, the program started allowing participating families to request funds to pay registration fees too. Wisconsin families who have a child younger than 13 or a child with a disability younger than 19 may qualify for Wisconsin Shares if they meet certain requirements. Families remain eligible until their income reaches 85% of the state's median income. Wisconsin Shares is funded by a variety of sources, including federal funding like Child Care and Development Fund and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Related: Wisconsin is altering its child care subsidy program. Heres what families need to know. See if you qualify for Head Start Statewide, there are a number of sites for Head Start, a federal learning program for children ages birth to 5. Children in this age range who are from families who meet certain income standards are eligible for Head Start care free of charge. Children in foster care, those who are homeless and whose families receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or Supplemental Security Income are also eligible. Shelly Bishop, CESA 7 Head Start/Early Head Start director, said families who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and W-2 assistance are also eligible. For more on these requirements and how to apply, visit bit.ly/Wisheadstart. Look for local grants to help pay for child care Some grants are available to help families pay for child care in specific areas of the state. Examples include: Sheboygan Connections Scholarship Program: Through donations and grants from the United Way of Sheboygan County, city of Sheboygan and more, the Family Connections Inc. scholarship assists Sheboygan County families with child care costs for a year, in hopes of helping families gain self-sufficiency. To receive full assistance, families must meet income requirements and qualify for Wisconsin Shares; however, all Sheboygan County families can receive assistance with registration fees, said Family Connections director Colleen Steinbruecker. Fond du Lac Connections Scholarship Program: This scholarship is also administered by Family Connections Inc. Funded by the Fond du Lac United Way, the scholarship helps ALICE families who reside in Fond du Lac County, with the exception of Ripon, pay for child care for a maximum of three months, Steinbruecker said. The United Way of Wisconsin defines ALICE, or Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed, families as those who earn just above the federal poverty level but struggle to meet their needs. For more information on the two Connections Scholarship Programs, visit bit.ly/connectionsscholarships. Good Start Grants: Childcaring Inc. administers these grants to families in parts of central Wisconsin who do not qualify for Wisconsin Shares, but whose monthly household income is below 300% federal poverty level and who meet other qualifications. This program, funded by United Way agencies and other community foundations, pays participating families' child care subsidies directly to their child care providers on a monthly basis, explained Rachele Johnson, a program and training coordinator with Childcaring Inc. For more information, visit bit.ly/goodstartgrants. Reach out to your local child care resource and referral agency or family resource center to inquire about potential child care cost assistance in your area. See if your child care offers help Some child care programs across the state are coming up with their own ways to help their families pay for care; the child care your children attend or the child care you hope to enroll in may be one of them. Encompass Early Education and Care Inc., which has seven Brown County locations, is able to offer tuition assistance to qualifying families thanks to donations from the community, United Way and grants, said Encompass' Executive Director Missy Schmeling. The assistance a family may receive is determined by their gross household income, Schmeling said. A child shows off a sticker on his wrist during lunch at Encompass Early Education & Care Inc. in Allouez, Wis. on Monday, August 21, 2023. Seeger Gray/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Bridges Child Enrichment Center offers a tuition assistance scholarship to help its families whether they qualify for state assistance or not. The scholarship a family receives is based on household size, income and the family's unique financial situation. It is primarily funded by United Way Fox Cities, Bridges Executive Director Nicole Desten said. YMCAs often offer some form of tuition assistance for families in need who are enrolled in their child care programming. Dani Englebert, chief operating officer of the YMCA of the Fox Cities, said if families do not qualify for Wisconsin Shares, they may qualify for tuition assistance through the YMCA of the Fox Cities, depending on their family size and income. Check with your local YMCA to see if they offer similar assistance. Check if your employer or school gives child care subsides It's not unusual for child care programs to offer tuition discounts to their employees as a recruitment and retention tool, and other sectors are beginning to do so as well. For example, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, headquartered in Manitowoc, provides its employees with a $400 monthly stipend for child care. AriensCo. partnered with KinderCare to open the Brillion Early Learning Center just miles from its three Brillion manufacturing plants. It provides a 50% care discount for children and grandchildren of AriensCo. employees who attend the center. Some colleges, especially if they have on-site child care, may also offer care discounts to students and employees. Related: Businesses can give employees free child care through statewide Partner Up grant Look at other areas of your budget where you could cut costs Despite the help out there, families might not have access to such assistance. Even if they do, child care costs can still be overwhelming. Dana Bain, development director for Child Care Resource and Referral Fox Valley, said the agency often talks to families about cutting costs in other ways. This could look like using community resources such as 2-1-1 Wisconsin, Leaven Fox Cities, Well Badger Resource Center, or making small changes like where you shop for groceries or buying generic brands when possible. Madison Lammert covers child care and early education across Wisconsin as a Report for America corps member. She is based at the Post Crescent in Appleton. To contact her, email mlammert@gannett.com or call 920-993-7108. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Where to find child care assistance in Wisconsin A 15-year-old student was stabbed outside a Montecito Heights School Thursday morning, officials said. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. in the 200 block of East Avenue 33, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Responding Los Angeles police officers found the victim at the scene, which is near charter school Los Angeles Leadership Academy. It is unclear what led to the stabbing, but the student was taken to a hospital in unknown condition after the attack. No other injuries were reported during the incident and there was no known threat to the school, an office clerk on campus told KTLA. Additionally, the school was not placed on lockdown. No further details about the incident were released Thursday. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. (Bloomberg) -- Perhaps never before has Britains South Asian diaspora enjoyed such prominence on the countrys biggest political stage. Most Read from Bloomberg During the ruling Conservative Partys annual conference in Manchester this week, two of the UKs highest-ranking officials highlighted their Indian heritage in efforts to rally the party faithful. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that I stand before you today as the first non-white leader in our countrys history, and his home secretary, Suella Braverman , acknowledged the wind of change that carried my own parents across the globe. But while Braverman contrasted the 20th centurys demographic currents with the hurricane of migration now bearing down on Europe, Sunak used his familys migration from India via East Africa to highlight his debt to British traditions. The message was part of a broader effort by the premier to reintroduce himself to the country as he prepares to face the voters for the first time as the their leader. My grandparents did not emigrate to just Leicester or Southampton, but to the United Kingdom, Sunak said on Wednesday. They came here because our country stands for a set of values. We are the home of fair play, the best of British. The comment highlighted how little emphasis has been placed on Sunaks minority status since he became prime minister in the wake of the back-to-back resignations of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss last year. True, the prime minister hasnt hid his heritage, speaking in interviews about being a practicing Hindu while wearing a red kalava string around his wrist to mark his faith. And other leaders of South Asia decent, such as London Mayor Sadiq Khan and First Minister of the devolved Scottish government Humza Yousaf have both spoken about the importance of their roots, with the former speaking about the racism he faced growing up in the wake of rising hate crimes in the country. Still, Sunaks rise to the pinnacle of power in a government that until 1947 ruled the Indian subcontinent as a colony has gone with little of the fanfare that accompanied, for example, Barack Obamas election as Americas first black president. It was a fact acknowledged in his speech, expressing pride that being Britains first Asian prime minister is just not a big deal. Still, the comments showed Sunaks heritage may be of increasing relevance ahead of a general election that must be held by January 2025. On a personal level, the migration of Sunaks forebearers from the Punjab region of what is now Pakistan and eventually to Britain helps fill out the backstory of a prime minister who has so far enjoyed little public enthusiasm. That was underscored by Sunaks decision to have his wife, Akshata Murty , introduce him at the conference, a break with tradition seen as an import of American-style First Lady politics. Sunak, a former Goldman Sachs Group banker, met Murty while attending Stanford University. Shes the daughter of Indian billionaire Narayana Murthy, a co-founder of Infosys Ltd., and her personal fortune contributes greatly to Sunaks status as British richest-ever prime minister. Aspiration runs through his DNA like it does this party, Murty said of her husband. Aspiration is what drove his family many years ago to move to the UK.More broadly, Sunak must balance Britains support for the ideals of multiculturism with anxiety over a record surge in migration, particularly asylum-seekers crossing the English Channel in small boats. Braverman, who oversees migration as home secretary, told Conservatives on Tuesday that immigration was already too high, days after decrying the misguided dogma of multiculturalism in a speech in Washington. "Sunak, I think, is using his own story, authentically in his account of it, to put the Conservatives back in the middle of a debate, so this isn't an existential debate about the failure of British society, said Sunder Katwala, director of the British Future think tank which explores attitudes toward identity and integration. It's back to a debate about can you get a grip on the immigration system and how to manage immigration well. The Conservative Partys history with immigration is fraught, complicated by the late-1960s debate over then-Tory politician Enoch Powells so-called Rivers of Blood speech warning the dangers of mass migration. The opposition Labour Party, which will hold its annual conference next week in Liverpool, has traditionally done better in areas with large South Asian populations. But Sunak used his speech to present an image of the Conservative Party as one of inclusion and change, noting how it was led by a Jewish premier, Benjamin Disraeli, when Victoria was still queen and has had three female prime ministers. He noted how Labour leader Keir Starmer was the partys third consecutive leader to live in north London, although he grew up in the suburbs Surrey. Sunak, for his own part, has made stopping the boats one of his five pledges after taking power and has pursued an aggressive deportation policy that would house asylum seekers on barges and deport them to Rwanda. He has, however, declined to endorse Bravermans comments on multiculturalism, saying we have done an incredible job of integrating people into society. With his party lagging behind Labour in the polls, Sunaks latest rhetoric might be a pitch to win over support from a growing segment of the British population with South Asian heritage, many of whom, like Sunak, supported Brexit. Recent census datawhich show that people from Asian ethnic groups make up more than 9% of the UK populationpoints to increasing immigration from India, where support for the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party is high. It also makes him more human and softens his wealthy persona, according to Sunder Katwala. It becomes a relatable story because it's about more universal themes of family and opportunity and aspiration and community rather than being about where he's ended up, he said. For its part, the Conservatives have also made a concerted effort since coming into power in 2010 to cement a good relationship with India and the Hindu population. That includes hosting a huge concert in 2015 at the iconic Wembley stadium to welcome BJP leader Narendra Modi and blocking efforts to make caste discrimination illegal. Sunak and Modis governments are currently negotiating a trade deal, which could further deepen links between the two countries. The Indian side is seeking provisions to allow its workers freer movement in and out of the UK, although Sunak says a looser visa policy isnt being discussed. It remains to be seen whether Sunaks embrace of his own heritage will help him navigate Britains fraught immigration debate or overcome the perception that hes too rich to relate. Its to try to counter the other weaknesses in his pitch, said Bronwen Maddox, chief executive of the Chatham House think tank. Hes trying to appeal to a lot of groups and trying to dispatch this notion he is out of touch with ordinary people and will just head off to California if he loses, she said. --With assistance from Eamon Akil Farhat and Joe Mayes. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Rishi Sunak UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine and called on the countrys allies to provide Kyiv with the necessary weapons during his speech at the UK Conservative Party conference in Manchester on Oct. 4, Sky News reports. "I say this to our allies: If we give (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy the tools, the Ukrainians will finish the job," Sunak said. Read also: UK runs out of spare weapons for Ukraine report He noted that the United Kingdom leads the way in supporting Ukraine, followed by other major powers. Sunak emphasized his support for Ukraine, praising former Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and current Defense Secretary Grant Shapps for their responsible work. Earlier, Shapps said that Britain would deploy its military to Ukraine for the first time. The idea is to move the official British training program to Ukraine instead of relying on bases in the UK and other NATO member states. Read also: UK Defense Secretary Shapps arrives in Kyiv, meets with Zelenskyy After his visit to Kyiv last week, Shapps also mentioned that he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the possible role of the Royal Navy in protecting commercial vessels from Russian attacks in the Black Sea. The Telegraph wrote that both moves would mark a significant involvement of the United Kingdom in the defense of Ukraine against Russian aggression. Read also: UKs Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv photo report Shapps was appointed to the post of UK Defense Secretary on Aug. 31 after Wallace's resignation. Previously, he was the Energy Secretary and visited Ukraine in this capacity during the full-scale war. On Sept. 28, he came to Ukraine as Secretary of Defense for his first visit in his new job. During the visit he also met with his newly appointed Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Among the most alarming cases to arise is the first major gun-safety challenge that will test the courts new Second Amendment doctrine. Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Lubo Ivanko/iStock/Getty Images Plus and Tim Mossholder on Unsplash. 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. The Supreme Courts new term opened this week with the extreme actions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit looming over the entire term. Among the most alarming cases to arise is the first major gun-safety challenge that will test the courts new Second Amendment doctrine, adopted last year. Hanging in the balance of United States v. Rahimi, and less remarked upon than the Second Amendment implications, is the modern movement against intimate partner violence. The verdict will bring home how the court treats contemporary progress against endemic violence with the lives of real people literally in the crosshairs. Guns play an outsized role in the lethality of intimate partner violence. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that the presence of a firearm in the home increases the risk of homicide between 500 percent and 1,000 percent. While gender violence is a global epidemic, the Giffords Law Center estimates that women in the United States are 21 times more likely to die from guns than women in other high-income countries. Women of color are harmed at disproportionately higher rates. The consequences of firearms inside the home ripple outside immediately: In almost 50 percent of mass shootings, the perpetrator first shot an intimate partner or family member. As an unrepentant abuser, Zackey Rahimi is a far cry from the model citizens recruited for prior gun-rights cases. After assaulting his girlfriend in a parking lot in 2019, Rahimi shot at a witness. The domestic violence protective order issued against him by a Texas state court in February 2020 prohibited the possession and use of firearms. But Rahimi subsequently participated in five separate shootings over a two-month period, leading to a search at his house where police discovered several firearms. Rahimis continued gun possession violated his protective order under the federal provision hes now challenging. Rahimi holds the upper hand walking into this argument. While the 5th Circuit initially affirmed Rahimis conviction, the court reversed course following the Supreme Courts 2022 decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, which eliminated gun regulations that states cannot justify as consistent with the Nations historical traditions. Under Bruen, restraining orders have no historical analogue in the 5th Circuits eyes. The thing is: Of course they dont. The 5th Circuit is not wrong under the standard articulated in Bruen. In the founding era of the country, (married) women found neither protection nor recognition under the law. While rape was criminalized under early American legal codes, physical violence within the home was sanctioned through the doctrine of chastisement, under which husbands could inflict moderate correction to their wives. As both the temperance and suffrage movements gained ground, attitudes toward physical violence began to shift. Alabama and Massachusetts led the way in 1871, criminalizing assaults by husbands against their wives. By the turn of the 20th century, the doctrine of chastisement had been largely repudiated. Yet the end of the chastisement doctrine did not stem abuse in the home. As Yale Scholar Reva Siegel has written, courts instead turned a blind eye to domestic violence in deference to the private sphere. It wasnt until the so-called battered womens movement that feminist and queer activists began to break down a legal system that had long provided express, and then tacit, permission for men to abuse their wives. Advocates accomplished this by creating the means for people to escape violence in the home rather than seeking to solely punish men. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, states eased the availability of divorce through the introduction of no-fault grounds and opened shelters for people fleeing intimate partner violence. Activist Del Martins landmark book Battered Wives, which exposed the scale of domestic violence in the United States, was published in 1976, five years after the first shelter opened in Phoenix, Arizona. The landmark Violence Against Women Act then enshrined protections into federal law in 1994, prohibiting abusers subject to domestic violence protective orders and felonies from possessing firearms. Two years later, Congress passed the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, which extended this protection to domestic violence misdemeanors (e.g., assault or battery), and applied the laws provisions retroactively to include crimes committed prior to its enactment. As Kaitlin Sidorsky and Wendy Schiller have catalogued, 28 states have passed domestic violence firearm laws since the passage of VAWA, while almost every one of those states also requires abusers to relinquish their guns. Forty states have passed the most minimal protection by prohibiting concealed carry permits for a domestic violence or stalking conviction or a domestic violence protective order. The significant changes to American society from its historical traditions of misogyny and racism have yielded critical results. States with domestic violence firearm laws curb intimate partner homicide by up to 14 percent. Since federal law does not require background checks for all gun sales, domestic violence firearm laws play an important role in curbing access to firearms from people who have generally proven themselves to be dangerous. After felony convictions, the prohibitions of VAWA have created some of the most effective gun control in a country otherwise incapable of removing guns from peoples hands. If the court adheres to a rigid interpretation of Bruens new test and eliminates domestic violence firearm laws, it will erase one of the biggest legacies of the modern history of the movement against intimate partner violence. Such a result would not be overly surprising, given the courts recent approach in cases on gender violence. In the 2000 case United States v. Morrison, the court rejected the argument that gender violence has an economic impact despite painstakingly collected data that not only proves the contrary but formed the very heart of VAWA itself. Over 20 years later, the court also rejected information about the economic gains of reproductive autonomy when it overturned Roe v. Wade. The conservative wing of the court may use Rahimi to double down on the test established in Bruen or retreat in the gaze of intense public backlash and scrutiny. No matter the outcome, Rahimi represents the continued clash between the reality of womens lives and the courts myopic and exclusionary vision of our nations past. Anwar highlights contributions made to rural infrastructure, job opportunities Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has highlighted the significance of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative in enhancing the growth of his country, lauding the BRI for creating job opportunities and building infrastructure, especially in the rural heartland. He told reporters in a recent group interview that the BRI, first proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, has harnessed the collaboration between China and Malaysia and delivered wide-ranging benefits for both nations. Malaysia has benefited from the East Coast Rail Link, a project connecting shipping ports on the country's east and west coasts, he said. The rail link, which is Malaysia's most high-end infrastructure project so far and involves constructing 40 tunnels from Kelantan to Selangor, is being undertaken by China Communications Construction Company. It is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to Malaysia by linking its less-developed region on the east coast to the economic heartland on the west coast. Anwar said he hopes the project will be completed within a year. "It is a great showcase of the relationship between China and Malaysia," he added. In 2017, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding for BRI cooperation, and trade between them grew 15.3 percent year-on-year to $203.59 billion last year. China has been Malaysia's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years. Anwar highlighted the potential of Malaysia-China relations not only in terms of trade, economy and investment, which he said are pivotal to Kuala Lumpur, but also in terms of education, training, digital transformation and food technology. "I think the relationship between Malaysia and China, which is extended to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has a great future," he said. He mentioned China's Rongsheng Petrochemical and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which announced their investment commitments to Malaysia as part of the 19 memorandums of understanding that were inked between Malaysian and Chinese companies during his official four-day visit to China from March 29 to April 1. Anwar's second trip to China within this year was in September, when he was among the leaders who attended the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. He said the meetings he had with Chinese leaders were "cordial and beneficial", as they addressed a number of bilateral, regional and global issues. During his talks with Premier Li Qiang in Nanning, Anwar pledged support to China in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, while expressing his readiness to enhance bilateral cooperation over infrastructure, the digital economy and green development. China and Malaysia are both participants in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which took effect in January last year. China has already filed its application to join the CPTPP, a trade agreement of 12 countries including Malaysia. China and ASEAN members are also conducting negotiations over version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. Anwar said that Malaysia, as well as the other ASEAN members, will welcome more free trade agreements with China. "The more arrangements and agreements we make with China or the regional party, the more benefits we can accrue from such collaboration," he said. (Photo : SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden, look at their new dog Commander, after speaking virtually with military service members to thank them for their service and wish them a Merry Christmas, from the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, DC, on December 25, 2021. Commander, the beloved dog of President Joe Biden, is currently not present on the White House campus. This decision comes in the wake of a series of biting incidents involving White House staff and US Secret Service officers. Biden's Dog Commander Bites Again A spokesperson for First Lady Jill Biden shared this information late Wednesday, shedding light on the situation surrounding Commander's absence. According to Elizabeth Alexander, the communications director for the First Lady, President Biden and his wife hold a profound concern for the well-being of White House staff and the individuals responsible for their protection on a daily basis. In an emailed statement, she expressed gratitude towards the US Secret Service and all individuals involved, acknowledging their patience and support. She further mentioned that Commander is currently not on the White House campus, as they assess the next course of action. The whereabouts of the 2-year-old German shepherd, whose destination was not disclosed by Alexander, remain unknown. In a recent development, the statement was issued just hours after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was questioned during her briefing on Wednesday regarding yet another allegation involving Commander, who allegedly bit a White House staffer. Jean-Pierre deferred inquiries to the office of the first lady, who stated that Commander and Dale Haney, the head groundskeeper at the White House, were engaged in a playful activity. The office further clarified that no injuries were sustained during the incident, which was captured by a tourist and subsequently shared with a news organization. The news organization then proceeded to publish the photograph on its online platform, as per NBC New York. Read Also: Biden Signs Bill To Avert Government Shutdown, Blames House GOP for 'Manufactured Crisis' Where is Biden's Dog? According to sources within the White House, responsibility for the incident has been attributed to the president's protectors. However, these same sources have also asserted that Commander, who is known for being friendly, is highly regarded by all. It is worth noting that the victim in this particular case was not a member of the president's security detail, but rather a groundskeeper. According to the witness, they stated, "Perhaps it was intended as a playful nip, but it is noteworthy that a dog of such size would exhibit such behavior." In November 2022, a commanding officer found themselves in a grave situation when they were attacked by Commander, resulting in hospitalization. The animal reportedly clamped down on their arms and thighs, causing serious injuries. According to a recent report, a conservative group known as Judicial Watch has obtained a series of emails through a Freedom of Information Act request. These emails shed light on a concerning incident, which appears to be one of ten similar occurrences that transpired within a span of four months. A month following a warning from staff about the potential danger of an attack, First Lady Jill Biden found herself unable to regain control of an animal that charged towards a member of the Secret Service. In an email sent in October 2022, a staff member issued a warning, stating, "I believe it's only a matter of time before an agent/officer is attacked or bit." According to White House officials, the Bidens were reported to be working on implementing new training and leashing protocols for their family pet in July. In a statement made last week, Elizabeth Alexander, the communications director for the first lady, addressed the ongoing efforts of the First Family to assist Commander in navigating the frequently unpredictable environment of the White House grounds. In a series of aggressive incidents, including biting Secret Service and National Park Service employees, Major, the older dog belonging to the First Family, has been removed from the White House. The five-year-old German Shepherd was originally rescued from a shelter in Delaware. In a decision that made headlines, the Bidens made the choice to relocate their dog, Major, to the care of friends in Delaware. They described Major as a "sweet dog" by nature and attributed his aggression to the "stress" of residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. In a heartwarming gesture, Commander, a special birthday gift from James and Sara Biden, the president's brother and sister-in-law, made its grand entrance into the White House on December 20, 2021. In an interview, Jonathan Wackrow, a former USSS agent, expressed his concerns about the dog's biting spree, referring to it as a 'significant hazard' that requires immediate attention. Per Daily Mail, Wackrow highlighted the distinctiveness of the location, emphasizing that it serves as both the official residence of the President of the United States and a bustling workplace for numerous individuals. Related Article: President Joe Biden Falls Off His Bike During Delaware Ride; Incident No Longer Garners Health Concerns But Memes @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. TechCrunch Developers spend a lot of time on mundane, repetitive tasks -- and surprisingly little on actual coding. The trend frustrated William Zeng and Kevin Lu. "We started Sweep after working at Roblox together and constantly dealing with software chores we knew could be automated with AI," Zeng, Sweep's CEO, told TechCrunch in an email interview. The Sacramento Police Department and the FBI announced Wednesday that a suspect in a 2015 child sexual assault case was arrested after being apprehended from Mexico and extradited. The man was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on Wednesday night. The 54-year-old man, identified as Carlos Galvez Ramirez, is accused of assaulting at least one girl eight years ago before fleeing to Mexico around Aug. 23, 2017, to avoid prosecution, officials said in a federal court filing. In April 2018, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Ramirez after learning that he had flown from Los Angeles to Juarez, Mexico, with no return flight. According to a federal complaint filed by the FBI, a Sacramento detective spoke with Ramirez by phone in 2018. At the time, Ramirez told the detective he was in Mexico due to a family emergency and would return to face charges. Authorities later spoke with Ramirezs family, who said the man had fled the U.S. to avoid prosecution. According to jail records, Ramirez faces at least four felonies: Two charges of committing a lewd act on a child under 14 and oral sex on a child 10 or younger. He remains in custody in lieu of $5.2 million bail and is expected to face a judge in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday afternoon. The FBIs Sacramento field office, as well as FBI officials in Mexico City and their counterparts at Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, helped to apprehend the man in Mexico City on June 16, officers said. A suspect wanted in a Dallas shooting that injured one and killed another was located in New Mexico and has been charged with capital murder, Dallas police announced in a news release Wednesday. On Tuesday, 28-year-old Kayla Griffin was located and arrested in Bloomfield, New Mexico. At around 11 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a shooting in the 900 block of Medalist Drive. When officers arrived they found a woman who had been shot and had walked from the scene to get help. Officers then went to the shooting scene, where they found a man who had been tied up and yelling for help, according to the release. Officers also found another victim, Deleon Williams, 30, with his hands tied and shot. The female victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to live, police say. The first male victim was not injured. Griffin is currently being held in New Mexico. Read the full article on Motorious The owner thought he'd never see it again. A vintage gem, the 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air, was recently returned to its rightful owner after a brazen theft. Winston Matthews, the proud owner of this $80,000 classic Chevy, had almost lost hope of ever reuniting with his beloved vehicle. Yet, thanks to the quick response from Mangonui Police Station, the car now stands pristine once again in its designated spot. Matthews' car, a part of the Matthews Vintage Collection Museum in Taipa, was stolen on September 19. At the time, Matthews was away in Tauranga, and the distressing news of the theft was delivered to him by his nephew, who was overseeing the property. Reflecting on the incident, a shaken Matthews said, I envisioned the worst - either never seeing the car again or finding it in a dilapidated state. However, salvation arrived in the form of a tip from an observant citizen. Constable John Walters of Mangonui Police Station shared that they received a complaint about suspicious driving behavior and unconventional "hand signals" from the driver of the vehicle on Inland Rd on the Karikari Peninsula. Wasting no time, the swift trio from Mangonui Station - Walters, Acting Sergeant Dean Rowlands, and Constable Dave Reynolds - located the car at a residence in Whatuwhiwhi. The subsequent arrest of a local man in connection to the burglary meant that the Chevy Bel Air was on its way back home. Constable Tim Murdock meticulously fingerprinted the car before handing it over to Matthews. Elated by the turn of events, Matthews exclaimed, As I was heading north, near the Bombay Hills, I received the uplifting news of the cars recovery! Upon examining the Chevy, Matthews found just a minor scratch, which he believes might have predated the theft. Expressing his gratitude, Matthews visited Mangonui Police Station the very next day. The police here deserve commendation. Often facing unwarranted criticism, they showcased their dedication and efficiency in this case, Matthews concluded, grateful for the swift return of his cherished classic. Source: The Northern Advocate Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A drone strike Thursday on a Syrian military academy killed more than 60 people, a war monitor said, with state media blaming "terrorist organisations" for the attack in government-held Homs. Separately, in the war-torn country's Kurdish-held northeast, Turkish strikes on military and infrastructure targets killed at least nine people, according to Kurdish forces, after Ankara had threatened raids in retaliation for a bomb attack. In the central Syrian city of Homs, "armed terrorist organisations" targeted "the graduation ceremony for officers of the military academy", an army statement carried by official news agency SANA said, reporting casualties. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor with a vast network of sources on the ground, reported "more than 60 dead, including military personnel and at least nine civilians", with dozens more wounded. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The attack was carried out with "explosive-laden drones", according to the military statement. The general command of the army and the armed forces decried the "cowardly... unprecedented" attack and said it would "respond with full force", the statement added. The Syrian government retook full control of Homs, Syria's third-largest city, in 2017. Later on Thursday in the rebel-held Idlib region, residents reported wide and heavy regime bombardment. The Idlib rebel bastion in Syria's northwest is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The jihadist group, led by the former local Al-Qaeda branch, has used drones to attack government-held areas in the past. - Turkish 'escalation' - Meanwhile, the Turkish strikes on Hasakeh province in Kurdish-held northeast Syria "killed six members of the internal security" agency, a statement from the Kurdish force's media centre said. A worker at a site in the province was also killed, according to Farhad Shami, spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Kurds' de facto army. The Kurdish authorities' statement also said "two civilians" were killed in a strike on a motorcycle. Turkey regularly strikes targets in Syrian Kurds' semi-autonomous region. On Wednesday, Ankara warned of more intense cross-border air raids, after concluding that militants who staged a weekend attack in the Turkish capital came from Syria. The US-backed SDF led the battle that dislodged Islamic State (IS) group fighters from their last scraps of Syrian territory in 2019. Turkey views the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) that dominate the SDF as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terror group by Turkey and its Western allies. Since Sunday's Ankara attack, which wounded two Turkish security officers and was claimed by the PKK, Ankara has launched strikes on the Kurdish group's positions in northern Iraq. AFP correspondents in Syria's northeast saw black smoke rising from oil sites near Qahtaniyeh, close to the Turkish border. Two power stations in the area were also hit, the correspondents said. The SDF's Shami said the strikes had targeted military and civilian sites. "There has been a clear escalation since the Turkish threats," he said, reporting intensive overflights of Kurdish-held areas in northeast Syria. - 'Legitimate targets' - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had warned of reprisals against Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria in the aftermath of Sunday's attack outside the interior ministry in Ankara. He had alleged the perpetrators "came from Syria and were trained there". "From now on, all infrastructure, large facilities and energy facilities belonging to (armed Kurdish groups) in Iraq and Syria are legitimate targets for our security forces," Fidan had said in televised comments. In the market of the city of Qamishli in Hasakeh province, vendors were anxiously following the escalation on their mobile phones and televisions. "The situation is worsening every day. Turkey doesn't let us breathe," said Hassan al-Ahmad, a 35-year-old fabric merchant. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi denied Wednesday that the Ankara assailants had "passed through our region". "Turkey is looking for pretexts to legitimise its ongoing attacks on our region and to launch a new military aggression," he said. The Kurdish administration on Thursday called on "the international community, the international coalition" and Russia to "take a stand capable of dissuading" Turkey from its attacks. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said the United States "remains concerned about the military escalation in northern Syria". The United States, Russia and Turkey all have troops in areas of the war-torn country. Between 2016 and 2019, Turkey carried out three major operations in northern Syria against Kurdish forces. The conflict in Syria has killed more than half a million people since it began in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, spiralling into a complex battlefield involving foreign armies, militias and jihadists. str-at/lg/ami Map locating the military academy in the city of Homs, which was attacked by drones on Thursday. (Sylvie HUSSON) An attack Thursday on a Syrian military academy killed 112 people, a war monitor said, with state media blaming "terrorist organisations" for the drone strike in government-held Homs. Separately, Turkish air raids in the country's Kurdish-held northeast killed at least 11 people, according to Kurdish forces, after Ankara had threatened retaliation for a bomb attack. In the central city of Homs, "armed terrorist organisations" targeted "the graduation ceremony for officers of the military academy", an army statement carried by official news agency SANA said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, reported "112 dead including 21 civilians, 11 of them women and girls". It said at least 120 people were wounded. Health Minister Hassan al-Ghobash told state television the "preliminary" toll was 80 dead "including six women and six children" and around 240 wounded. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The attack was carried out with "explosive-laden drones", according to the military statement, vowing to "respond with full force". The government declared three days of mourning starting Friday. In the rebel-held Idlib region, residents reported heavy bombardment by government forces in apparent retaliation. The Observatory said eight people had been killed and some 30 wounded. Swathes of Idlib province are controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria branch. The jihadist group has used drones to attack government-held areas in the past. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres was "deeply concerned" over the drone attack and the retaliatory shelling, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, said in a statement: "Today's horrific scenes are a reminder of the need to immediately de-escalate violence, towards a nationwide ceasefire and a cooperative approach to countering Security Council-listed terrorist groups." Overnight, Syrian shelling killed an elderly woman and four of her children in a rebel-held area of Aleppo province, rescue workers and the Observatory said. - Turkish drone shot down - Turkey's defence ministry said in a statement Thursday evening that Ankara forces had carried out air strikes in northern Syria, destroying 30 targets, including "shelters, depots and storage sites". The Kurds' internal security forces said Turkey had carried out 21 strikes in the area, killing "11 people, including five civilians and six" security personnel. Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder told reporters that US F-16 warplanes over Syria had shot down a Turkish drone on Thursday, deeming it "a potential threat" after it approached "less than a half kilometre from US forces" near Hasakeh. Turkey has carried out repeated strikes on targets in Syria's Kurdish-held northeast. On Wednesday, Ankara warned it would step up its cross-border air raids, after concluding that militants who staged a weekend attack in the Turkish capital had come from Syria. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces led the battle that dislodged Islamic State group fighters from their last scraps of territory in Syria in 2019. Turkey views the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) that dominate the SDF as an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies. Turkey has launched strikes on PKK positions in northern Iraq since Sunday's attack in Ankara, which wounded two Turkish security officers and was claimed by the Kurdish group. AFP correspondents in northeastern Syria saw smoke rising from oil sites near Qahtaniyeh, close to the Turkish border. Two power stations in the area were also hit, as well as the vicinity of a dam. - 'Worsening' - Farhad Shami, spokesman for the SDF, the Kurds' de facto army, said the strikes had targeted military and civilian sites. "There has been a clear escalation since the Turkish threats," he said. In the market of the city of Qamishli in Hasakeh province, vendors voiced concern. "The situation is worsening every day. Turkey doesn't let us breathe," said Hassan al-Ahmad, a 35-year-old fabric merchant. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi denied Wednesday that the Ankara assailants had "passed through our region". "Turkey is looking for pretexts to legitimise its ongoing attacks on our region," he said. The Kurdish administration urged "the international community" to "take a stand capable of dissuading" Turkey from its attacks. The United States, Russia and Turkey all have troops in the country. Between 2016 and 2019, Turkey carried out three major operations in northern Syria against Kurdish forces. The conflict in Syria has killed more than half a million people since it began in 2011 with a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, spiralling into a devastating war involving foreign armies, militias and jihadists. str-at/jj/acb A graphic video posted online showed the aftermath of the drone attack at the military academy A drone attack on a Syrian military academy in the western city of Homs has killed at least 89 people, Syria's health ministry says. The explosive-laden drones targeted a graduation ceremony attended by cadets' families, and women and children were among the dead. A UK-based monitoring group said 116 people had been killed. The Syrian army blamed the attack on "terrorist groups backed by known international forces". There was no immediate claim from the rebels and jihadists battling the government in the country's civil war. The drone attack is believed to have been launched from opposition-held areas north-west of Homs. Later, the monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), reported that 11 civilians had been killed in government bombardments on several cities, towns and villages in the opposition stronghold of Idlib province and Aleppo. Syria's state news agency, Sana, quoted a statement from the General Command of the Armed Forces as saying that several drones carrying explosives targeted the Homs military academy just after the afternoon graduation ceremony had ended. The statement said the armed forces "considers this act an unprecedented criminal one, and affirms that it will respond with full force and determination to these terrorist groups wherever they are". In a later report, the agency quoted the health ministry as saying the strike had injured 277 people, and that 31 women and five children were among the dead. A man who had helped set up decorations at the site told Reuters news agency: "After the ceremony, people went down to the courtyard and the explosives hit. We don't know where it came from, and corpses littered the ground." A graphic video of the aftermath of the attack showed dozens of casualties and their relatives screaming for help inside a large, walled parade ground. Gunfire can also be heard in the background. Map of Syria showing Homs (in the west) and Idlib (in the north-west) The SOHR reported that Syria's defence minister attended the graduation ceremony but left minutes before the attack. More than half a million people have been killed by the civil war that erupted after President Bashar al-Assad cracked down violently on peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011. Some 6.8 million people are internally displaced, while another six million are refugees or asylum-seekers abroad. The UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, described the attack on the academy as "horrific" and called on all parties to the conflict to "exercise the utmost restraint". "All sides must respect their obligations under international law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure," he said "Today's developments further highlight that the status quo in Syria is unsustainable and that, in the absence of a meaningful political path... I fear we will only see further deterioration, including in the security situation." In a separate development in Syria on Thursday, at least 10 people were reportedly killed in Turkish drone strikes in a Kurdish-controlled region of north-eastern Syria that were prompted by a bomb attack in Ankara claimed by Kurdish militants. The SOHR said 17 sites were targeted, including facilities affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed, Kurdish-led militia alliance, as well as a power station in Qamishli, a water station near Hassakeh and an oil field. The US military also shot down an armed Turkish drone that was operating near its troops in Syria, a US official told Reuters. A Taylorville man has been sentenced to over seven years in prison on federal drug charges for selling methamphetamine to a man in March 2021. Jamal Shehadeh, 40, had been convicted in October 2022 on meth distribution charges for his role in selling the drugs to a confidential source in March 2021. Federal prosecutors presented evidence at trial that claimed Shehadeh contacted the source on March 3 and arranged to sell meth to him. He then called 911 to distract police before he went to the man's house and delivered him the drugs. The Taylorville Police Department investigated for over a month before they arrested Shehadeh on April 8 of that year. At sentencing Wednesday, Chief U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow said that Shehadeh had a high risk of recidivism, with two prior convictions in federal court prior to this one. He was also under supervised release on a previous drug trafficking charge when the meth sale occurred. More: UIS announces new financial aid program for first-time students Darrow also referred to his "fanciful" testimony at trial, in which he claimed that he was involved in a "grand conspiracy plot" against TPD, in finding that a obstruction of justice enhancement applied in this case. Shehadeh was also sentenced to six years of supervised release following his time in prison. He did not have to pay a fine. He could have faced a 30 year sentence and a $2 million fine if given maximum terms. In addition to the drug charges, he has had a long history of conflicts with police in Christian County, with a 2008 incident in which he threatened the family of a Taylorville police officer after he had been arrested on theft charges most notable. The theft charges did eventually get dismissed. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Seberger represented the prosecution, with six different attorneys Federal Public Defender Rosie Brown, Mark Wykoff of the Wykoff Law Office, Daniel Fultz of Brown, Hay & Stephens LLP, Andrea Jaeger of Keegan, Tindal, & Jaeger of Davenport, Iowa, Michelle Jacobs of Biskupic & Jacobs, S.C. of Mequon, Wisconsin and Jeffrey Page of the Page Law Office representing Shehadeh at one point or another during the two-year proceedings. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Taylorville man sentenced on drug distribution charges A Missouri high school teacher placed on administrative leave after her OnlyFans page was discovered is now leaving education altogether, according to news reports. Brianna Coppage, a 28-year-old teacher at St. Clair High School, was placed on leave in late September. At the time, St. Clair R-XIII School District Superintendent Kyle Kruse told McClatchy News the district was investigating after officials learned the teacher had been sharing inappropriate media online. Teacher says she made an OnlyFans for extra money. Missouri school puts her on leave But as that investigation continued and Coppages suspension garnered national headlines, Coppages OnlyFans page skyrocketed in popularity. On Coppages Twitter page, which highlights her OnlyFans work, she says she is THAT teacher and boasts she is among the top .03% revenue generators on the content sharing site, popular for its often sexual photos videos. That is up from top 4% she said she was a week prior. Its been a journey for sure, the last couple of days have definitely been a roller coaster, she told The Messenger. It turned our life upside down. Coppage said she made $6,000 in a 24-hour span after her story first went viral, according to The Missourian. Previously, she had been making $8,000 per month on the site, the outlet reported. A Change.org petition calling for Coppage to get her job back has received more than 2,000 signatures, but it appears the teacher does not have plans to return. I knew that I wasnt going to go back into education, she told the Riverfront Times. So it was either run and hide, or lean into it. And at the end of the day, I still have bills to pay and I still have like a family to provide for. So it was not really a difficult choice to just lean in. She told The Messenger she already resigned from the school, about 50 miles southwest of St. Louis. She was hired at the school in August 2022 as a communication arts teacher. I dont want to fight the school district. Im just ready for peace, Coppage told the publication. I knew that nothing was ever going to be the same if I went back so that was just the best option. She added, I would like the education of students to be able to return to normal, they deserve to have a great year. Coppages decision to create her OnlyFans page was sparked by her teacher pay just over $42,000 during the 2022-23 school year, according to The Missourian. Missouri ranked 47th in the country for average teacher salary, the National Education Association said, with teachers making about $13,000 less than the national average. Teachers in the state had an average salary of $53,512 during the 2022-23 school year, according to the Missouri National Education Association. She told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch she kept her OnlyFans account separate from her life as a teacher but noted she knew creating the page was kind of a risk. Now she said she will try to make the most of her new internet fame, she told the Riverfront Times. What a whirlwind, Coppage said in a tweet Monday. Woman sees herself in revenge porn on companys Facebook page, SC cops say. Ex charged Soldier secretly recorded sex with women and posted the videos on OnlyFans, NC cops say Teacher says she took OnlyFans videos in Arizona school classroom to support family The Sutter County District Attorneys Office said an investigation into a Northern California woman accused of teaching a second-grade class while intoxicated has not yielded charges as prosecutors work to find more evidence in the matter. The 57-year-old educator arrested in the incident at Nuestro Elementary School in Live Oak was not in custody as of Thursday morning. She was arrested Monday morning after Sutter County sheriffs deputies said she had a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit and reviewed video footage of her driving to school. Law enforcement, in general, is only allowed to hold a suspect in detention for up to 72 hours and prosecutors are required to file charges in connection with a crime within 48 hours. While the teacher was booked on suspicion of driving with a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.08%, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and child abuse that could lead to great bodily injury or death, no charges have been filed. The Sutter County DAs Office said in a Facebook statement that further investigation was needed in the case. Once the investigation is completed, we will evaluate all the evidence and determine what, if any charges, we can prove, and those charges will be filed, the social media post said. The teacher has not returned to school, according to school officials. Her name remains on the schools staff directory. (Photo : MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP) (MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images) French officials are sounding the alarm and calling for immediate response as the bedbug outbreak in Paris is causing widespread concern ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Paris' bedbug outbreak is sparking widespread concern as there is less than a year before the start of the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in the iconic French capital, prompting calls from officials for an immediate response. In most areas in the region, from hotel rooms to trains to movie theaters, bedbugs have crawled into every nook and cranny of one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. French officials struggle to cope with the issue, but experts have issued various recommendations to protect your health from these nasty critters. Paris' Bedbug Outbreak Full-grown versions of the insects are brown or reddish-brown and have an oval-shaped body roughly the size of an apple seed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the young versions of bedbugs are much smaller, translucent, or whitish-yellow, and difficult to see. According to CBS News, these critters typically come out at night to feed on human blood. Medical experts recommend that travelers thoroughly check the bed underneath it, behind the bed frame, on the sides of the mattress, and in between the mattress and the frame when they arrive at a hotel or a vacation rental. French officials are also sounding the alarm regarding the issue and calling for an immediate response from the government to ensure that the bedbug outbreak does not spiral out of control. A top opposition lawmaker from the lower house of Parliament held up a small vial filled with bedbugs for her colleagues to see. Mathilde Panot questioned Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne if they must wait for the latter's office to be infected before finally reacting to the issue. Borne urged Panot to observe a "bit of decency" and pledged that the French government would act resolutely against the bedbug infestation. French President Emmanuel Macron's government has been forced to convene a flurry of top-level meetings this week to ensure that Paris will not turn into a city filled with bedbugs, according to the New York Times. Read Also: Arizona Takes Stand Against Saudi-Owned Farm, Cancels Leases for Access to Groundwater Addressing the Crisis The government spokesman, Olivier Veran, said they must give the people a definitive answer. He noted that the exact scope of the issue remains unclear but argued that the government would announce new measures after a cabinet meeting scheduled on Friday. French Transportation Minister Clement Beaune said they are taking the matter very seriously after meeting with transportation authorities on Wednesday. He stressed that buses, trains, and subways are regularly cleaned and taken out of circulation if suspected of any anomalies. Earlier this year, the French government agency ANSES reported that roughly 11% of households in the country had bedbugs between 2017 and 2022 and that the infestations were not correlated to wealth. An increase in travel and the bedbugs' growing resistance to insecticides are some factors that have led to a surge in infestations. The first deputy mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, announced that he had already asked Borne to organize a conference on the battle against the critters as he called it a public health issue, said NPR. Related Article: South Africa Battles Bird Flu Outbreak, Culling Millions of Chickens and Causing Shortages @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. [Source] A 16-year-old male has been arrested in connection with last months disturbance on a Massachusetts Red Line subway train that involved the racist harassment of an Asian woman. Background: Vivian Dang, 25, was heading to Ashmont at around 10 p.m. on Sept. 21 when a group of teens boarded the train and threatened to rob passengers. When she moved to a different car, they turned their attention to her and began racially attacking her. Dang, who is Vietnamese, told NextShark: They started throwing words at me like ching chong and other Asian slurs. I didnt let that get to me, but they continued to call me a slut and other terms of that sort and started saying stuff like Can I get an egg roll for $1? and naming other Asian foods in a mocking Asian accent. Continued to say stuff about dogs and cats, like No wonder my dogs are missing. More from NextShark: Facebook Adds New Safety Features, Donates $5 Million for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Dang managed to film part of the incident, which her sister Vanessa shared on TikTok. The teens left the train after breaking one of its windows. This embedded content is not available in your region. The arrest: On Monday, MBTA Transit Police announced that they arrested a 16-year-old male in connection with the incident. He is facing charges of unarmed assault with intent to rob and assault for the purpose of intimidation. More from NextShark: Unemployed Filipina in Dubai Provides 200 Free Meals Daily to the Hungry Whats next: Investigation into the case is ongoing. It remains to be seen whether the arrested teen will be prosecuted as a juvenile or an adult. More from NextShark: 12-Year-Old Fashion Designer Sews Masks for Doctors and Nurses Fighting COVID-19 Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Mom's Song for 33-Year-Old Son to Find Chinese New Year's Date Viewed By 6 Million An Alabama teenager who mysteriously went missing Monday was shot dead by his younger brother and hidden in the woods behind the familys home, authorities announced late Wednesday. The tragic saga began Monday evening, when the boys father said he returned home around 7:30 p.m. and discovered that his 17-year-old son was nowhere to be found, the Pike County Sheriffs Office said in a news release cited by local media. The next day, he said, he was called to pick his 14-year-old son up from school early because the boy was distraught over the disappearance of his older brother. The two returned home and began searching for the 17-year-old, whose body was found by his father about 60 yards behind the family home, police said. Shortly after that grim discovery, investigators learned of alarming comments the 14-year-old allegedly made to a friend at school. Police say he confided in his friend that hed killed his missing brother. He then asked his friend to help him murder the rest of his family and help him bury their bodies. The friend also stated the 14-year-old had a hit list in his bookbag of family members he wanted to kill and made statements about wanting to shoot up the school, the sheriffs office said. This student was taking a test and he was so bothered by what this 14-year-old friend had told him that he reported it to the teacher, Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas told reporters at a news conference late Wednesday. Investigators searched the teens bookbag and discovered the hit list, Russell said. The 14-year-old confessed that he had shot his brother, who then staggered out of the house and fell at the bottom of the steps. The 14-year-old then dragged the body into the woods behind the home. It was not immediately clear what led up to the shooting, or what the possible motive could be. The Pike County Board of Education released a statement Wednesday confirming that a student had been arrested in connection with the death of a family member. School officials asked for law enforcement to step up security in light of the 14-year-olds alleged threats but stressed that theyd found no evidence of any threat to school campuses. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A teenager has been arrested for the murder of New York City poet and activist Ryan Carson, who was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend after the couple left a wedding on Long Island. Brian Dowling, 18, was arrested after he was allegedly captured on surveillance footage stabbing Carson, 32, in a random attack in Brooklyn in the early hours of Monday morning. Carson was walking home with his girlfriend at around 4am when he was attacked. In disturbing surveillance footage obtained by The New York Post, the couple, both dressed in formal attire, were seen pausing to sit and speak at a bench bus stop as a stranger in a black hoodie strolled past them. Up ahead, the stranger started to kick scooters that were parked near the curb when suddenly he turned to look at Carson and said, What the f*** are you looking at? The suspect was allegedly caught on camera stabbing the activist (NYPD) The activist replied and said he wasnt looking at anything, but the erratic man decided to pursue the couple. Ill kill you, the man threatened, to which Carson said, Chill! Chill! while stepping between the stranger and his girlfriend trying to quell the situation. The attacker then ran after Carson, who fell over the bench he was sitting on moments ago. The suspect grabbed Carsons suit jacket and threw him on the ground before stabbing the victim three times in the chest. The attacker is then seen spitting on the girlfriend before turning back to Carson and kicking him as he lies curled up on the sidewalk. The suspects girlfriend suddenly appears in the frame, and says Im so sorry. Ryan Carson (NO OD NY/YouTube) An unknown woman was then caught by the surveillance footage shouting a name at the suspect and yelling Dont hurt him! The video cuts off just after Carsons girlfriend embraced him while he was lying on the ground. The girlfriend later told police that the suspect tossed the knife on a pile of trash and then retrieved it before fleeing, according to sources. The activist was taken to Kings County Hospital Centre and was pronounced dead at 4.18am. Carsons girlfriend is believed to have sustained no injuries. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said a stab wound had pierced directly into Carsons heart, causing his death. The knife pierces Mr. Carsons heart, causing his death, he said. As Mr. Carson lay dying on the sidewalk, the male with the knife kicks him in the chest, threatens to stab the woman companion and spits in her face. The couple had been walking at Lafayette Avenue and Malcolm X Boulevard after they had just gotten off the subway and were on their way home when the attack happened, police said. Carsons activist work focused on sustainability and environmental policies at the New York Public Interest Research Group, friends said. He moved to New York City from Boston in 2010 to attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and previously worked as the executive director of NO OD NY, which he founded to raise awareness for overdose prevention centres. Most recently he worked as a senior solid waste campaign manager at the New York Public Interest Research Group, according to his LinkedIn. A statement from NYPIRG described Carson as a beloved staffer, colleague and friend, and a creative, talented, relentless and upbeat advocate for students and the environment. His engaging personality, hearty laugh and wide-ranging intelligence were keys to his success in advancing the causes he deeply cared about in his work and personal life, the statement read. Ryan was a consummate team player who would happily undertake the basic blocking and tackling tasks necessary to advance and win on an issue, but also shined in the spotlight as a leader, campaign manager and spokesperson. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 800-577-TIPS. ARLINGTON COUNTY, Va. - FOX 5 is working to learn more about charges against a 19-year-old accused of providing the drugs that led to two overdoses at an Arlington County school. Walter Zelaya-Padilla and a 16-year-old juvenile male are accused of distributing fentanyl to two girls who overdosed at Wakefield High School last month. Arlington County Police say the girls are expected to recover. In paperwork obtained by FOX 5, the girls' ages are listed as 15 and 17. The incident happened just before noon on Sept. 27. Zelaya-Padilla is now charged with drug distribution under Virginias regular statute. Hes not charged under a new bipartisan law passed by the legislature and enacted this summer. The new fentanyl distribution law designates it as a weapon of terror and is in the same category in Virginias statute as biological weapons, radioactive material and hazardous chemicals. That language grabbed some headlines and was meant largely to show how seriously Virginia was taking the fentanyl crisis, as the law carries harsher penalties. FOX 5 asked around Wednesday to see how frequently this was being charged and learned its not as prevalent as you may think. In this latest Wakefield High School case, for example, its not charged. The Arlington County Commonwealths Attorney didnt return our requests for comment. FOX 5 will update this story if we hear back from that office. The Loudoun County Commonwealths Attorney tells FOX 5 they havent served a warrant for that charge. The Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney tells FOX 5 they just now started using this charge, but its too early to tell its efficacy. And Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth tells FOX 5 her office has charged it four times. She hopes this more serious charge acts as a more serious deterrent. "What weve seen is that this charge is just another charge that we can place against somebody who makes the very bad decision to distribute fentanyl here in Prince William County. We take enforcement of these cases very serious because fentanyl is so deadly," Ashworth said. FOX 5 also spoke with defense attorney Jonathan Phillips who handles drug cases predominantly in Fairfax County and says he hasnt dealt with a client facing this charge. "I have yet to see it charged. I have yet to see it be a proposed charge in terms of an indictment. Its not something Ive heard from any prosecutor as an intention of that office to seek a particular punishment, the terrorism statute, for fentanyl distribution or manufacturing," Phillips said. As for why this may be, Phillips echoed what FOX 5 heard from Fairfax County; that its still early in this process, that police and magistrates are still learning about and getting used to the law. Phillips did say that prosecutors who charge drug distribution cases have been less lenient on charging and sentencing when an opioid like fentanyl is involved. FOX 5 asked Gov. Glenn Youngkin for his perspective. Youngkin says he remains committed to strengthening Virginias response to the fentanyl crisis, adding that he encourages more Commonwealths Attorneys to use all tools at their disposal to hold distributors accountable. Attorney General Jason Miyares reiterated his support for this new Virginia statute, adding fentanyl is deadly, and penalties for distributing it need to be harsh. FOX 5 reached out to an attorney for Zelaya-Padilla and were told hes still waiting to be appointed a permanent one. Two boys aged 17 and 18 were detained in the Russian city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur. According to the Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB), they allegedly planned to blow up a gas pipe "under orders of Ukrainian special services". Source: Russian media outlet Kommersant with reference to a source Quote: "According to the source, one of the detainees is 17, the other is 18. They were preparing to arrange an explosion at the gas pipe near Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok pipeline runs through this district. A part of the task was to also blow up mobile connection equipment. For successfully completing the task the young people were promised RUB 100,000 each." Details: The teenagers were detained by the FSB. The Russians claim it happened during the "preparation for the terrorist attacks". The boys were accused of a terrorist act attempt (Articles 30.1, 205.1). They were put into custody. The Russian special services have provided no official information so far. 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! NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones filed a federal lawsuit against the state House Speaker and House administrative officials Tuesday, alleging that Republicans repeatedly violated Jones' constitutional rights. Filed in Nashville federal court, the lawsuit argues that House Republican efforts to expel Jones last spring and enact new rules to limit debate during the August special session were unconstitutional and illegal. The Nashville lawmaker, along with two fellow Democrats, were dubbed the Tennessee Three" after they faced expulsion for participating in gun reform protests. "Today my attorneys filed a federal lawsuit to hold Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton responsible for his unconstitutional and discriminatory actions," Jones said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The people of District 52 deserve to have their voices heard without the threat of undemocratic silencing and retaliation." House Republicans expelled Jones and his freshman colleague Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, in April after the two broke House rules and mounted brief gun reform chants on the chamber floor. The pair were frustrated with the lack of legislative action in the wake of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville's Green Hills neighborhood just days before, in which six people were killed. Jones was quickly reappointed to his seat by the Nashville Metro council, and he later easily won reelection. He is represented by Jerry Martin, a Nashville lawyer and former U.S. Attorney, as well as New York and Washington D.C.-based attorneys. Sexton did not immediately respond to The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, and its request for comment. 'Just the beginning': How push for gun reform has spread across Tennessee ahead of special session Rep. Justin Jones alleges House Republicans violated his rights The Nashville Democrat now argues the expulsion "robbed" him of committee appointments and washed out his legislative tenure of a few months, which could affect his standing for benefits in the Tennessee retirement system. Jones also argues he was forced to spend $70,000 and resources to mount a second election campaign after his expulsion. The lawsuit alleges the expulsion proceedings violated the Fourteenth Amendment as they lacked "due process." Though the expulsion proceedings were legislative in nature, Jones' lawsuit argues the time period between his expulsion notice on April 3 and the expulsion hearings on April 6 deprived him of adequate time and resources to prepare a sufficient defense. The lawsuit states the House was acting in a judicial capacity during the expulsion and argues the proceedings were "rigged against them from the start." The lawsuit also points to leaked audio from a House Republican caucus meeting where the GOP fought over the failed expulsion vote of state Rep. Gloria Johnson as Republicans grappled with the intense public backlash over the proceedings. In the audio, Tennessee House Majority Whip Johnny Garrett admonishes a colleague for asking questions of Johnson during the hearing, "as if that would have made a difference. We had the jury already. This obviously wasnt a trial but I knew every single one of your vote counts. I knew that we did not have to convince you all, Garrett said in the audio. 'We will be back': Covenant families disappointed in Tennessee special session, vow to press ahead Lawsuit challenges House rules restricting lawmaker, floor comments In the lawsuit, Jones also alleges the new rules established in the special session are unconstitutional. Republicans adopted the rules over the objections of Democrats as lawmakers began a contentious session over public safety issues following the Covenant School shooting. The rules allowed the House to block a lawmaker from speaking in committees and on the House floor if they cause a substantial disruption, or "impugn the reputation" of another House member. The new rules also banned members of the public from carrying signs in House galleries and committee meetings, which has long been allowed. The rules sparked major controversy and roiled public opinion within days, as members of the public and mothers advocating for increased gun safety regulations were kicked out of a committee meeting for carrying signs. House Republicans, who hold a supermajority in the chamber, later voted to silence Jones after Sexton ruled he had twice spoken out of order. The vote moved the Democratic caucus to walk off the floor en masse and protest what they viewed as an unequitable application of the rules Republicans established and wield with little oversight. Reach Melissa Brown at mabrown@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'Tennessee Three' Rep. Justin Jones sues House Speaker over expulsion In the footprint of an ancient supervolcano in northern Nevada, researchers made a discovery that could change the future of clean energy in the U.S. and accelerate the pace of Tennessee's booming electric car industry 2,000 miles to the east. Embedded in the volcanic clay of Thacker Pass near the Oregon border is the world's largest deposit of lithium, a vital element for rechargeable batteries in electric cars, smartphones and electric grid storage. The mineral-rich sediment, left by an eruption some 16 million years ago, could upend both global and domestic supply chains in the U.S.'s favor. For Tennessee companies investing in EV technology, the welcome news could mean faster consumer adoption of electric cars and a more sustainable market for their products. Lithium batteries were called the "new oil" by Elon Musk, CEO of the world's leading EV manufacturer Tesla, because of the central role they play in the rapidly expanding EV market. American automakers like GM and Ford have scrambled to source more lithium from within the U.S. and ramp up domestic EV and battery cell production, largely in Tennessee. General Motors, the parent company of Chevrolet, Buick and GMC, invested $650 million in the Thacker Pass project to get exclusive rights to the lithium produced at the site in its first phase, estimated to supply the raw material for up to one million electric cars. Lithium Americas, the company that owns the site, said it plans to begin producing 80,000 tons of lithium a year beginning in 2026, for average annual earnings of over $1 billion. The company's agreement with GM could provide a key element for the Ultium Cells plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, a partnership between GM and South Korean company LG Energy Solution. Production at the giant $2.3 billion EV battery manufacturing plant is expected to begin later this year, bringing 1,300 jobs to Maury County. It will support GM's goal of carbon neutrality in its products and operations by 2040. The Spring Hill plant is one of several EV production sites in every corner of Tennessee, including Ford's BlueOval City in West Tennessee and LG's planned cathode production facility in Clarksville, set to be the largest of its kind in the country. The Spark Innovation Center at the University of Tennessee Research Park at Cherokee Farm in Knoxville advances battery research, partly through the presence of the Safire Technology Group. American lithium supply chain could benefit Tennessee Andrew Hanna and his co-workers at the Safire Technology Group have discussed the monumental news from Lithium Americas, even though lithium mining is far upstream from the company's work on lithium-ion battery additives. The Safire Group is busy commercializing a series of patents from Oak Ridge National Laboratory for a hybrid additive for lithium-ion batteries that is a liquid under normal operating conditions, but turns into a solid when touched or crushed, much like cornstarch in water. The Safe Impact Resistant Electrolyte, or SAFIRE, protects drivers or operators from fires in the event of a crash. It was invented by Gabriel Veith, a distinguished staff scientist in the national lab's chemical sciences division. Hanna, who leads product development and branding for Safire, said its identity as an American company is central to its success. The company announced earlier this year that it would invest in Knoxville with a research space at the Spark Innovation Center at the University of Tennessee's Cherokee Research Farm. "American-made energy, and I would say even an American integrated supply chain from the upstream minerals through the value chain of battery manufacturing, is very important to us, Hanna said. Were very proud to be a part of that American supply chain. Safire has contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force, where preventing fires from lithium-ion batteries is critical. In that sense, the company is like the lab where its product began. ORNL, the largest of the Department of Energy's national labs, often works with the federal government on pressing national issues like clean energy and national security. After its scientists have invented technologies with industrial applications, the lab sometimes licenses them to companies like Safire. The news that the U.S. might now be home to the world's largest lithium deposit could mean a speeding up in the battery supply chain that gives Safire its purpose and that brought it to Knoxville. A major part of our business model is to be in electric vehicles and to the extent that thats accelerated and adopted more readily, as an American company based in the U.S., the better for our business and our technology," Hanna said. ORNL announced in September that its researchers had developed a lithium-ion battery material that recharges 80% in 10 minutes and maintains that recharging speed for 1,500 cycles. The lab has not announced a licensing agreement for the material. As Knoxville and Oak Ridge companies apply their research acumen to lithium-ion batteries, their discoveries could impact manufacturing at the Ford mega plant under construction in the town of Stanton outside of Memphis. BlueOval City, the largest of Ford's plants, will produce EV batteries and build the company's next generation of electric truck in a pair of facilities with close to 6,000 jobs added. Why one lithium company chose East Tennessee for new facility In East Tennessee, Piedmont Lithium is bringing a lithium production facility to the town of Etowah in McMinn County. The plant will convert a hard rock sourced in Ghana into a lithium ion for use in batteries, adding 120 jobs. Construction on the Tennessee Lithium facility is expected to begin mid-2024 and finish in 2026, said Austin Devaney, the company's chief commercial officer. Piedmont Lithium, based in North Carolina, chose East Tennessee largely because of the Tennessee Valley Authority, which Devaney said makes the region a very attractive place to produce products that utilize energy and reduce the carbon footprint while doing that. The lithium produced at the facility will be sold to cathode producers, who then sell their product to battery cell producers. Though there are very few cathode producers in the U.S., LG Chem, the parent company of LG Energy Solutions, announced last year a $3.2 billion investment in Clarksville for the nation's largest cathode manufacturing facility. By 2027, the company hopes to produce material for 1.2 million EV batteries each year at the West Tennessee plant. Piedmont Lithium is preparing to construct an $800 million lithium production facility in the town of Etowah in McMinn County, Tennessee, highlighting the region's role as a national center for EV-related manufacturing. As we transition to an electric vehicle and transportation economy, I think it's important that we do everything we can in our power to have that capability reside within the United States, as opposed to any foreign adversary, Devaney said. If the United States is going to succeed in transitioning to electric vehicles, we need other people to also bring on capacity and it's a lot of heavy lifting and a lot of money." The Etowah facility is expected to cost more than $800 million, Devaney said. The project received a $142 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in fall 2022. Though Piedmont Lithium will source raw material from Ghana through a partnership with Atlantic Lithium, Devaney said the company was sending geologists "all over the world to look for additional minerals, here in the United States and abroad. More domestic lithium means lower EV costs down the road The Biden administration wants 50% of all new vehicle sales to be electric in 2030. By that year, the lithium-ion battery market is expected to have grown five to 10 times bigger, according to the Federal Consortium for Advanced Batteries. In its National Blueprint for Lithium Batteries, the consortium of federal departments said the U.S. will establish a secure battery materials and technology supply chain by 2030. Its top goals are to secure domestic raw materials and processing. The EV revolution has been felt in all corners of the lithium-ion battery industry, even by companies that don't make batteries for automakers like Ford and GM. Kevin Bennett owns Lithium Pros, a Knoxville company that specializes in making marine and racing lithium-ion batteries. The company builds battery packs, not battery cells, the complex devices that convert chemical energy into an electric charge. Lithium Pros purchases cells from a company in China, which Bennett said is the "absolute leader" in lithium-ion batteries. The U.S., meanwhile, is in a game of catch-up. Last October, President Biden announced the creation of the American Battery Materials Initiative, pushing the entire federal government to invest in domestic EV battery raw materials and production. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law alone put $7 billion into the industry, much of it through Department of Energy grants. Bennett is getting more and more calls asking if he can produce 400-volt battery packs, the minimum power needed for an EV. His company currently produces packs of 48 volts or fewer, but is considering retooling to meet EV demand. A construction woker drives a vehicle past the Ultium Cells sign at the plant in Spring Hill, Tenn. on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. It's unstoppable, and the United States has to realize that we're behind the curve worldwide, Bennett said. China has a lot more EVs than the United States does. Europe is more electrified and has more diesel than the United States. So it's not like the United States came up with this idea. The United States is behind the curve. Though lithium takes up a tiny percentage of a battery pack by volume, the scarcity of the element makes it the critical ingredient. As more and more sources of lithium are found, like in the volcanic sediment of Nevada or the briny springs of Southern California's Salton Sea, the cost of lithium has decreased. In the 12 years he's been in the business, Bennett said, costs for lithium-ion battery cells have decreased 80%. Though the price of lithium is expected to rise in the immediate future with increased EV demand, it is expected to fall long-term as supply of the raw material increases. That means cheaper electric cars for consumers across the country, including in Tennessee. When you go to buy a car, it's going to make the overall cost of the battery pack in the car less, Bennett said. I think long-term, electric cars will be less expensive than gasoline cars. Why are lithium and Thacker Pass so vital to the future of electric cars? Lithium was first found at Thacker Pass in the 1970s and the site was known to be the largest lithium deposit in the U.S., but is now believed to hold between 20 and 40 million tons of lithium, far outstripping the previous world record holder, a salt flat in Bolivia. The revised estimate was published in an academic article written by researchers with Lithium Americas, GNS Science and Oregon State University. Lithium stores electricity at a high density, making it ideal for batteries that fuel electric cars and store solar and wind energy. A high-stakes global rush to find new sources of the metal, which is most abundant in hard rock and salt brines, has cost billions of dollars. Global consumption of lithium increased 41% in 2022 over the year before and, excluding the U.S., global lithium production increased 21% to 130,000 tons in the same time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The U.S. imports nearly all of its lithium from Argentina, Chile and China. In addition to extracting lithium, China dominates the lithium processing and EV battery supply chain. In a statement adjoining millions in funding for EV research, the Department of Energy said the reliance on imports presented "a vulnerability in the domestic supply chain." These global dynamics could begin to shift if Lithium Americas meets its goal of beginning production in 2026, an objective complicated by protests from environmentalists and Native American tribes with ancestral ties to the land. The company signed an agreement with a Nevada tribe last October including a pledge to build a community center for the tribe with a daycare and cultural facility. Capital costs to begin production are $2.2 billion, the company reports, and include construction of a sulfuric acid plant to produce carbon-free power for on-site lithium processing. With the Nevada deposit added to its arsenal, the U.S. is in a position to become the "Saudi Arabia of lithium," said Sanjiv Malhotra, founder and CEO of Sparkz, a lithium-ion battery manufacturer that partnered with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to license cobalt-free technology. By developing lithium-ion batteries free of nickel and cobalt, Sparkz already is able to source much of its material from inside the U.S., making the domestic supply chain its central focus. Companies that focus on domestic EV battery supply will be instrumental to the Biden administration's goal of a carbon-free electric grid by 2035. Though it is based in California, Sparkz operates a research and development center in Knoxville. "The United States is well on its way to become basically the global leader in electrification of vehicles and particularly for lithium batteries, as long as we're not dependent on nickel and cobalt and any other raw material that is sourced from sources that are not aligned with us geopolitically," Malhotra said. "This provides the U.S. with, I would say, a major leg over China in essentially building a hub in the United States." Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee EV manufacturing benefits from lithium deposit in Nevada Los Angeles police are investigating after Turkish diplomats were reportedly attacked by Armenian protesters after a conference at USC. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) The fall of Nagorno-Karabakh, the separatist region of Azerbaijan populated mainly by ethnic Armenians, has spurred condemnation and anger in Southern California, home to a large population of Armenian Americans. After the long-running conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated in recent years, igniting further protests, Azerbaijan took back the enclave in a lightning blitz last month leading tensions in L.A. to boil over into violence at one of the latest demonstrations. On Friday, Armenian protesters at USC allegedly attacked Turkish diplomats, including Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Hasan Murat Mercan, who had spoken at an event sponsored by the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, according to video posted by a Turkish reporter. Turkey has been a vocal supporter of Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, where it has bolstered the nation's military. Read more: Armenians who fled Turkish rule decades ago despair over Nagorno-Karabakh. 'This appears to be our fate' Video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, purportedly shows Armenian protesters assaulting members of the Turkish Embassy, according to Burak Dogan, a reporter for a conservative Turkish outlet with close ties to the administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. One man is seen throwing liquid at a diplomat while another man pushes a person and kicks a rolling backpack. Los Angeles police said major crimes detectives were investigating two reports of battery with possible hate crime enhancements and a report of criminal threats in connection with the incident. No arrests have been made. USC officials declined to comment and referred all questions to the LAPD. The Turkish Embassy blamed the clash on "radical Armenian groups," with protests that included "verbal and physical assaults against our delegation," it said in a statement on X. "All legal avenues will be pursued against the perpetrators of physical violence directed at our delegation," the embassy said. Read more: 'Staying, for us, is impossible.' Thousands of ethnic Armenians flee Nagorno-Karabakh Turkish graduate students at USC said the incident "deeply affected our sense of security and belonging." "The growing negative attitude towards those of Turkish origin is a cause for serious concern," the Turkish Graduate Students Assn. at USC wrote in an Instagram post. "We fervently appeal to Turkish institutions and officials to address this issue with the gravity it demands." The Armenian Students Assn. of USC distanced itself from the reportedly violent protesters and condemned their actions, saying in a statement that students "exercised exclusively peaceful tactics of civil disobedience and did not partake in non-peaceful acts." The association said it had voiced concerns to USC about the event, a conference on the role of public diplomacy in Turkish foreign policy. "Today and this week, USC subjected its Armenian student population to unimaginable cruelty," the association said. "In our period of mourning, USC Annenberg not only refused to cancel an event celebrating Turkish foreign policy but also responded to student efforts with excessive use of force." Read more: Nagorno-Karabakh's separatist government says it will disband by year's end Video posted on Instagram by the Armenian Youth Federation Western United States showed pro-Armenian protesters fighting with campus police officers outside Wallis Annenberg Hall. In late September, Azerbaijan waged a military campaign in Nagorno-Karabakh, an area known to Armenians as the Republic of Artsakh. Separatists were faced with a much larger military force and a continuing blockade that starved them of supplies, the Associated Press reported. They quickly capitulated, with leaders saying they would dissolve their internationally unrecognized government by year's end. Tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians, fearing ethnic cleansing, have fled Nagorno-Karabakh. 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. Lawmakers head back to Austin on Monday for their third special session of 2023 with issues like education freedom and border security on the docket. It has been speculated for months that lawmakers would be called back in October, but the agenda set by Gov. Greg Abbott wasnt announced until Wednesday afternoon. As expected, Abbotts special session call includes legislation for a voucher-like program the governor has made a top priority education savings accounts, allowing parents to use taxpayer dollars for their childs private education. Together, we will chart a brighter future for all Texas children by empowering parents to choose the best education option for their child, Abbott said in a Wednesday statement. Abbotts agenda also includes measures aimed at curbing illegal immigration, ending certain COVID-19 restrictions and policies related to the Houston-area community of Colony Ridge in Liberty County. The neighborhood has been the subject of unsubstantiated claims that it its a magnet for immigrants in the country illegally, according to the Associated Press. The governor sets the agenda for special sessions. Earlier special sessions over the summer largely focused on property tax cuts. The following is on the agenda for the session starting at 1 p.m. Monday. Legislation providing education savings accounts for all Texas schoolchildren. Legislation to do more to reduce illegal immigration by creating a criminal offense for illegal entry into this state from a foreign nation and authorizing all licensed peace officers to remove illegal immigrants from Texas. Legislation to impede illegal entry into Texas by increasing the penalties for certain criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons or the operation of a stash house. Legislation to impede illegal entry into Texas by providing more funding for the construction, operation, and maintenance of border barrier infrastructure. Legislation concerning public safety, security, environmental quality, and property ownership in areas like the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County, Texas. Legislation prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates by private employers. Abbott elaborated on his ideas for the policies in his statement accompanying the special session announcement. Texas will also pass laws to mirror the federal immigration laws President Joe Biden refuses to enforce that will reduce illegal immigration and enhance the safety of Texans, He said, continuing that the state will also subject people to arrest for illegal entry into our state from a foreign nation. All licensed law enforcement officers in Texas will be authorized to arrest or remove any person who illegally enters the State, with penalties up to 20 years in prison for refusing to comply with removal, Abbott said. To crack down on repeated attempts to enter Texas illegally, re-entry will be penalized with up to 20 years in prison. Tensions will likely be high between the House and Senate, particularly between House Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and within the Republican Party as lawmakers return to the Capitol. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment in the House and subsequent acquittal in the Senate has exasperated the divides. The majority of House lawmakers have previously rejected using state money voucher-like programs. The entanglement of education savings accounts with the push for teacher pay raises added another wrinkle during the regular session that ended in late May. Democrats on Wednesday pushed back on Abbotts plan for education savings accounts. No one wants Abbotts voucher plan, said Rep. Chris Turner, an Arlington Democrat in a campaign email. What Texans want is to fund public schools, pay our teachers better and fix our flawed accountability system. On Friday, Rep. Joaquin Castro (DTexas) will introduce a resolution that rebukes a growing trend among Republicans to push for the U.S. to conduct military operations against Mexican cartels without the Mexican government's permission or proper authorization by the U.S. Congress. Such actions could "be considered an act of war and a violation of international law" and could "violate the constitutional separation of powers and implicate the War Powers Resolution," notes Castro's resolution. "My resolution is both a statement of opposition to the use of force against Mexico and a statement that the White House cannot unilaterally use force," Castro tells Reason. "It's important to send a strong message that Congress would be opposed to any president making the unilateral decision to invade one of our allies." Castro's resolution explains that the president has the "power to repel sudden attacks on United States persons and territory." It clarifies, however, that "the manufacture, transportation, and sale of fentanyl and related chemical compounds is not considered an armed invasion or sudden attack by a foreign adversary." Therefore, it "should not serve as the basis for using military force without congressional authorization," the resolution continues. Castro says that fentanyl overdoses are "a public health crisis and [need] to be treated like one." When asked which policies he supports to reduce fentanyl-related deaths, his answer stops short of some of the harm-reduction and drug-decriminalization policies prescribed by libertarians. Rather, he mentions increased federal funding for "treatment, recovery, and prevention services," and expanded collaboration "between the U.S. and Mexican law enforcement and public health agencies to prevent youth drug use." Castro also says he supports the Biden administration's National Drug Control Strategy, "which expands access to harm reduction and treatment programs while giving law enforcement more tools to intercept illegal drugs." He hopes the federal government will keep cracking down on pharmaceutical companies "that made billions from opioid addiction"an approach that Reason's Jacob Sullum has criticized. Castro's resolution comes amid heightened calls on the right to take a variety of heavy-handed and interventionist measures against Mexican drug cartels. Each candidate at the first two Republican presidential debates pushed for a more militarized border, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis going so far as to suggest sending U.S. Special Forces into Mexico. Former President Donald Trump spoke about conducting missile strikes against cartel drug labs as early as 2020, The New York Times reported this week. Reps. Mike Waltz (RFla.) and Dan Crenshaw (RTexas) helped bring the matter back into the legislative limelight in January when they introduced a joint resolution that would authorize the president to "use all necessary and appropriate force" against "foreign nations, foreign organizations, or foreign persons" involved in fentanyl production or trafficking. Congress has ceded so much of its constitutionally prescribed war-declaration authority to the president for eight decades now; it shouldn't cede more to combat cartels. Even as Republicans express skepticism about the U.S. intervening in foreign affairscriticizing the war in Afghanistan or the government's ongoing aid to Ukraine, for instancethey're increasingly calling for direct military action at the southern border and on Mexican soil. This approach shows disregard for the lessons of the war on drugs and the war on terror alike. It also has the potential to severely complicate cross-border migration. David J. Bier, associate director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, previously told Reason that he thought "the Mexican government would refuse any collaboration with the United States on immigration" if "the U.S. government conducted military strikes on Mexican soil." Castro takes a similar tone: "If the U.S. invaded Mexico," progress made by the Biden administration "to build partnerships with Mexico and other countries in Latin America to invest in regional resettlement and manage regional migration pressureswould immediately come to a halt." "Military strikes against Mexico are the quickest way to destabilize Mexico and send millions of people fleeing across the borderincluding Americans who have an immediate right to return and Mexican citizens fleeing from the conflict," Castro tells Reason. "Anyone who is concerned about the current volume of migration should be vehemently opposed to war with Mexico." The post Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro Warns Military Strikes Within Mexico Could 'Be Considered an Act of War' appeared first on Reason.com. A new shot for newborns' severe RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) may not be available this 2023 despite having high effectiveness against the respiratory virus. Experts said that the main thing preventing the efficient Beyfortus is a simple loophole in health insurance companies. Here's what the CDC and AAP discussed during their recent meeting. This Effective RSV Shot for Newborns Has 80% Effectiveness According to CNN's latest report, the high-anticipated Beyfortus is considered to be the latest weapon of parents and health experts against severe RSV cases. Beyfortus is an antibody called "nirsevimab," which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July. Both parents and pediatricians were filled with joy after knowing that the new medicine had been approved. This is because over 80,000 kids under the age of 5 are hospitalized in the U.S. because of the serious respiratory virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that as many as 300 babies die annually. "Every pediatrician is jumping for joy that this preventative tool is available for newborns because we see what happens when a healthy baby gets this terrible infection," said Dr. Sallie Permar. Based on its clinical trials, the new RSV immunization shot has an 80% effectiveness, as reported by OPB. Due to this performance, numerous doctors and other health experts consider it as a game-changer for infant patients. Read Also: FDA Advisers Skeptical of Experimental ALS Treatment as Patient Advocates Push for Approval Why Beyfortus May Not Be Available This 2023 Unfortunately, the Beyfortus may not be available this 2023, as confirmed in the recent meeting of the American Academic of Pediatrics and CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. This is because of uncertainties about health insurance coverage. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance providers are required to cover the cost of Beyfortus and other immunizations without any financial assistance or payments from patients. However, a loophole in this law prevents the fast distribution of the Beyfortus. The issue here is health insurance companies are allowed to add new products to their plans for a year. Because of this, it is unclear how fast these health insurance providers will act or how much of Beyfortus supplies they will cover. "We are so thrilled to have something available, but to then have it be so close but then still not getting it into arms, it's tragic," said Dr. Permar, who is the chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She added that they are still making efforts so that the new RSV shot can be rolled out effectively. But, Permar clarified that it may take more time than expected. Related Article: CDC Phases Out COVID-19 Vaccination Cards: Do You Need To Keep Your Document To Travel Abroad? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's progressive opposition party on Thursday filed a draft bill seeking amnesty for potentially thousands of people charged with crimes during political rallies, including insulting the monarchy, over nearly two decades of turmoil. The bill submitted to parliament would cover all political demonstrations since 2006, a period of intermittent turbulence that has seen two coups, the removal by courts of three prime ministers, and crippling, sometimes violent street protests. The Move Forward Party, which won a May election but failed to form a government, is proposing forming a committee comprised of the house speaker and representatives of government, the opposition and judiciary, to decide who is eligible for amnesty. "We did not specify offenses because there are so many cases and the timeframe is broad," party leader Chaithawat Tulathon said, adding the bill stipulates those involved in insurrection, causing harm to lives, or abuse of power in security crackdowns would not be eligible. Move Forward won the election on an anti-establishment platform that included reforming a law that shields the monarchy from criticism, a plan that outraged royalists, the military and conservatives legislators, who joined forces to keep the party out of government. It is unclear how much support Move Forward has for the latest amnesty plan. A previous bid by the now-ruling Pheu Thai Party in 2013 backfired, triggering protests and later, a coup. More than 4,400 people have been charged with offenses relating to political rallies since 2006, according to a Reuters calculation, which includes cases that have since concluded. Figures from legal aid group, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, show 1,928 people prosecuted over political rallies, with 258 people charged with royal insults in the past three years. Five hundred people aligned with conservative political groups, including "yellow shirts" involved in a 2009 blockade of two international airports and of the seat of government in 2008, 2013 and 2014, have been charged with offences, said Puangtip Boonsanong, a lawyer involved in many of those cases. Thida Thavornseth, a leading figure in a rival "red shirt" movement that stormed an Asian leaders' summit in 2009 and a year later occupied Bangkok's commercial heart for 10 weeks, told Reuters more than 2,000 of its supporters had been prosecuted. (Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Martin Petty) Google has finally released a version of Gmail for Wear OS to accompany the launch of the Pixel Watch 2, as originally spotted by 9to5Google. The company teased this feature back in May at I/O, but we were left wondering when it would actually launch. Well, here it is, giving you prime wrist access to your emails. This has been a long-awaited option for Wear OS users, as Google hasnt offered a direct way to access Gmail with its smartwatches, outside of notifications, until now. Being as how Gmail is one of the companys tentpole offerings, its a mystery as to why it took this long. Still, better late than never. The app seems robust, with options to refresh your inbox, scroll through emails and even switch between multiple accounts on the fly. You can also adjust the overall settings so new email notifications pop up on the watchs face as you go about your day. The app works with 2021s Wear OS 3 and the just-released Wear OS 4, so those with slightly older smartwatches can also read an endless barrage of campaign donation emails. Gmail for Wear OS is available now via the Google Play Store. Back at I/O, Google also announced that the companys Calendar app was coming to Wear OS, but that has yet to materialize. Calendar for Wear OS is expected to allow users to check schedules, RSVP to invites, update tasks and to-do lists and more. Additionally, Googles smart home ecosystem will soon get improved Wear OS integration, letting you answer your Nest doorbell from your wrist. However, as Wear OS 3 and Wear OS 4 continue to gain new features, the companys older smartwatch operating systems are losing features. Google recently announced that its proprietary voice assistant would no longer work on watches running anything before Wear OS 3. Read the full article on Motorious Car thieves are the worst Having your car stolen feels like a complete violation. And while thats true if its just your Hyundai Accent commuter vehicle, having a classic car youve owned and lovingly restored swiped by criminals is just so much worse. A man in Pierce County, Washington knows what that feels like and more after his beloved 1979 Chevy Malibu was taken then later found stripped and dumped. Check out the wildest stolen car stories here. According to Fox 13 Seattle, the guy heard the thieves taking his 79 Malibu from his driveway and called 911. Predictably, authorities did nothing. After all, their resources have been slashed away and violent crimes have also surged, plus car thefts are just so rampant. Its an unfortunate thing. Plus, nobody at 911 was answering, a sad reality in many areas these days for all the previously mentioned reasons. Thanks to news coverage of the theft, the owner was able to get his Chevy back. But the thieves had stripped it down to the frame because they only care about themselves. They removed the entire red leather interior, wheels, hood, engine, transmission, and anything else they found of value on the car. The owner told Fox 13 he estimates it would take about $30,000 to restore the car. We wonder if hell dare to sink the money into the ride or will just let it go. Car theft is certainly a big threat to this hobby these days. If you have a nice ride, criminals are looking to make a quick buck off you. And with police resources strained, theyre having an easier time doing that. We recommend putting any hobby car in a secure garage, even locking the track so the garage door opener isnt the only thing keeping people out. Other devices to keep anyone from starting and taking your ride is a good idea, too. Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A third meeting to prepare for a future summit on the peace formula proposed by Kyiv may be held in October in Turkiye. Source: Bloomberg, citing its sources, as reported by European Pravda Details: People familiar with the matter have confirmed that the meeting is planned at the level of national security advisors and is set to take place "later this month" in Istanbul. As before, Russia has not been invited. The White House refused to comment on this information. Background: A few days ago, the Presidents Office of Ukraine stated that a third gathering of national security advisers is expected to be held this month but did not specify the location. The previous two meetings of national security advisors concerning the peace formula were held in Copenhagen in June and in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August. The latter was attended by representatives of about 40 countries, including China, Brazil and India. 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! Ana Patricia Jenkins holds her vaccination record card after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination at a pop-up clinic sponsored by the Davis County Health Department in the parking lot of Kents Market in Clearfield on June 23, 2021. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Say goodbye to the federal governments wallet-sized white cards used to track COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the pandemic. The COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card that health care providers filled out every time they administered a coronavirus shot are no longer being distributed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its the latest change to how the virus is being treated as a result of the national pandemic emergency ending last spring and follows the rocky rollout of the updated and newly commercialized COVID-19 vaccine. Related More than 980 million cards were shipped by the federal government between late 2020, when the first coronavirus vaccines came out, and May 10, The Associated Press reported, citing the latest available data. On Wednesday, the CDCs updated frequently asked questions page about COVID-19 vaccination spelled out that the cards are history and noted the federal agency does not maintain vaccination records. States do track vaccinations, including for COVID-19, so the CDC advises Americans to contact their state health department, which cant issue a vaccination card but can provide a digital or paper copy of their full vaccination record, not just for COVID-19. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services isnt anticipating a flood of requests now that the COVID-19 vaccination cards are going away, the states immunizations director, Rich Lakin, said. Thats likely because theres little call anymore for proof of COVID-19 vaccination, with a number of states, including Utah, prohibiting the shots from being required, the AARP reported. A card is a poor way to keep an immunization record anyway, Lakin, said. Because, one, youve got to keep it with you, and two, youre most likely to lose it. So the best way to do it is to have some type of electronic record of it. How to get your COVID-19 vaccination records Utah contracted with the Docket mobile phone app during the pandemic to provide access to individual vaccination records, Lakin said, calling it a secure way to access immunization records in the palm on your hand. Related A few states also use the Docket app and some have developed their own vaccine passports, while others offer no digital immunization records for COVID-19 or other vaccinations, according to a report updated earlier this year in PC Magazine. Heres how to obtain immunizations records in Utah: Request a record from your health care provider. Utah law does not require providers to submit vaccination information to the states confidential, web-based information system, known as the Utah Statewide Immunization Information Service, or USIIS, so that may be the only way to get those records. Use the Docket app. Utah was the first to pay to partner with app thats linked to USIIS, Lakin said, because our job as government is to try to fill some gaps where we feel we can provide Utahns better information regarding their immunizations. The Docket app is probably one of the best options. Request a record from your local health department. All of Utahs local health departments are linked to USIIS and can print a copy of an individuals immunizations record. Request a record online from the state health and human services department. Immunization records for you or your children can be requested by filling out a form and attaching a photo ID. Those who need help or have additional questions can contact the state health and human services department by email, at usiissupport@utah.gov. Is there a better way to track vaccinations? The federal governments vaccination card highlighted the need for a better, more centralized system of tracking immunizations, said Han Kim, a professor of public health at Westminster University in Salt Lake City. It was just a reflection of how ill-prepared we were, how fragmented we are, Kim said. The card served a purpose. You had to show proof of vaccination to get into businesses, to get into events. We didnt have any sort of infrastructure to do that other than these cards. Of course, there were problems with the paper cards. Were they perfect? No, not at all. Absolutely, you can basically make copies of this, you can forge them, the professor said. His preference is a nationwide electronic system similar to Docket, but perhaps government-run because of the personal information involved. Coming up with a single system that everyone in the U.S. uses would benefit not just public health monitoring, but also make it easier for people keep track of their shots across state lines, he said. But will Americans ever again need a quick way to show theyve been vaccinated against COVID-19, now that indicators have been climbing across the country and in Utah since mid-summer? Hard to say, Kim said, describing the virus as appearing to have become milder. At the same time, this has been a highly unpredictable disease. It is much more mutable than we thought. ... Its always a good idea to have a record. The United States and NATO breathed a sigh of relief this week when the Serbian government said it would be pulling back troops after ordering a swift military buildup along its border with Kosovo. The National Security Council had referred to the buildup as a very destabilizing developmentand news of the apparent de-escalation was welcome, the U.S. State Department said. But according to officials and experts in Kosovo who spoke with The Daily Beast, only a symptom of the problem is gone. Beneath the surface, Serbian-Kosovar tensions threaten to bubble over still, with Russia stoking them behind the scenes through a vast and entrenched influence operation in Serbia. Russian propaganda runs rampant in Serbia, spreading falsehoods and pro-Kremlin lines on territorial ambition, violence, the war in Ukraine, and NATO and the West. The sweeping Russian disinformation and propaganda operation is aimed at stoking violence and is partly aimed at propping up Serbias efforts to control Kosovo, Kosovos ambassador to the United States, Ilir Dugolli, told The Daily Beast in an exclusive interview. Weve seen different attempts from Russia and echoed of course in Serbia, about instigating violence, about portraying this dire situation of Serbs in the northern parts of Kosovo in particular and also in other areas to incite violent attacks and overall instability, Dugolli told The Daily Beast. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, after separatist ethnic Albanians fought against Serbian rule in the late 1990s, prompting a crackdown from Belgrade. A NATO bombing campaign in 1999 eventually forced Serbian forces to withdraw from Kosovo. Putins Favorite Authoritarians in Hungary, Serbia, and France Had a Great Week But Serbia and Russia, along with a handful of countries, have not recognized Kosovos independence. Serbias current president has vowed to never recognize Kosovos independence, and Russia has long harbored concerns about Kosovo, noting for years that it will categorically deny Kosovos independence. In recent days, those long-standing tensions have spiraled into violence. The alarming buildup at Serbias border with Kosovo came in quick succession after Serb gunmen stormed a village in northern Kosovo in armed vehicles, leading to a shootout, with one police officer and several gunmen killed late last month. Kosovo accused Serbia of being behind the attack, claiming Serbia sought to destabilize Kosovo. Serbia boasts some ties with the Westit was identified as a candidate for the European Union in 2012. But Russias strong influence, combined with its control over the media and the information environment in Serbia, helps to spread narratives that further entrench pro-Russia and anti-Western sentiments that keep Belgrade in Russias orbit. Many news outlets in Serbia are owned by oligarchs with links to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who maintains close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2015, Russia established a hub for Russian state news agency Sputnik. Currently, Russia is in the process of deepening its channels for disinformation in Serbia: Russias state-funded RT said last year it would establish a local language version in Serbia, to be headed by the daughter of the editor of Sputnik. Oozing Disinformation The Russian narratives that have swept Serbia in recent years include anti-West and anti-NATO narratives that seek to solidify Serbian public opinion that Kosovo is not independent. In Serbia, the focus is on reminding Serbs about NATOs bombing campaign, and blaming the West for essentially pulling Kosovo away from Serbia, said Ruslan Stefanov, co-director and co-author of the Kremlin Playbook, a joint project of the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In the case of Serbia, the No. 1 narrative of course is, Dont forget NATO it helped Kosovo secede. It is a part of your country, Stefanov told The Daily Beast. This is part of NATOs expanded campaign. In recent months, some of the most popular narratives on Russian and Serbian media in the country involve Kosovo, Goran Georgiev, an analyst with CSD, said. The topic of Kosovo is the main topic for Sputnik and RT and also for local media, the majority of which are pro-Russian, Georgiev told The Daily Beast. Armend Nimani/AFP via Getty Images According to data from Similarweb CSD shared with The Daily Beast, the most popular sites by traffic in Serbia are Kurir.rsboasting 60.7 million visits in Augustfollowed by Blic.rs, Novosti.rs, sd.rs, and RTS.rs, many of which spread pro-Russia lines. On Facebook, Sputnik and RT have garnered the most interactions in the last 30 days, according to data from CrowdTangle. The Serbian media space is filled with mischaracterization of facts and propaganda, with Alo and Kurir.rs accounting for over half of the news spreading disinformation, according to a watchdog report from CRTA, the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability. Vecernje novosti and Informer, two dailies, are the next most egregious offenders, according to the analysis. Sputnik in Serbias homepage has been brazen about Kosovo in recent days. One headline lamented that The Wests action has never been more morbid: They do not know that the day of mourning for the Serbs lasts until freedom comes to Kosovo, echoing a longstanding belief in Serbia that Kosovo is under a kind of occupation. The piece claims the deadly attack in Kosovo represents a hatred in Kosovo towards Serbs lives. Evil reigns in Kosovo, the piece states. In another piece, Sputnik trumped up comments from the president of the National Assembly of Serbia, Vladimir Orlic, blaming Kosovo for the soaring tensions. He pointed out that the situation is extremely difficult with Kosovo right now, the story noted, adding it is solely the fault of Aljbin Kurti, the prime minister of Kosovo. The homepage of Kurir.rs has also paid homage to Serbias territorial ambition in Kosovo this week. On Wednesday, one piece focused on denying Kosovos independence, while noting optimism about Serbias effort to work with the likes of Russia and China on Kosovo and defending Serbias territory. More broadly, narratives about territorial ambition in Serbia have closely followed Russian perspectives on violence and war. In the case of Russias war in Ukraine, Russian media and Serbian media have focused on spreading fake information about the war in Ukraine. Headlines such as Ukraine started a war against Russia, or Ukrainian troops shelled the maternity hospital cropped up in Serbia shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, according to Vox Ukraine and the Centre for International Crisis and Conflict Studies (CECRI). The Most Sincere Form of Flattery The military buildup and violent incidents in recent days have raised questions about whether further escalation in the Balkans is on the horizon, and who is to blame. Concern has grown in Kosovo that Russian influence has played a part. Serbia is likely taking inspiration from Russias effort to seize Ukraine following Putins invasion of Ukraine, Kosovos ambassador to the United States said. With the war in Ukraine there was the realization of their aspirations against my country would kind of be easier, Dugolli told The Daily Beast. Serbia mimics Russia, and tries to mimic Russia in their hegemonic aspirations by threatening the existence of neighboring countries, Dugolli added. They have this sort of hegemonic mindset. Belgrade has long been conducting military buildups at its border with Kosovo. Last year, Serbia sent troops to the border. In 2021, too, Serbia sent warplanes. Russias ambassador cheered on the escalation, Kosovo claimed at the UN. Russias ambassador had visited a Serbian garrison at the time while it was in a state of increased combat readiness. From Kosovos perspective, the longstanding aim is to create an environment where escalation is so commonplace that when an eventual territorial grab in Kosovo comes, it will look like the status quo. What theyve been doing for years now is theyve raised the army to the highest levels several times, theyve amassed their army at the border, Ambassador Dugolli said. This is one part of their plan to try to normalize threat of force, to escalate. In parallel efforts, disinformation on the topic has festered in Serbia. In 2020, Twitter took down a network of thousands of trolls that promoted Serbias ruling party and applauded its policies on Kosovo. One of the troll armys tweets with the most engagement noted that: Kosovo is not a state but is part of Serbia and no compromise can be found, according to a Stanford analysis of Twitters release. (Twitter and X have deleted the post about the network.) Russian outlets in Serbia through the years have promoted stories about Kosovo being at the heart of Serbian history to promote the push to take it back. And on the flip side, media outlets close to the Serbian government have run disinformation campaigns on Kosovo in attempts to make it look like Kosovos westward lean was in jeopardy. While the status of Serbia-Kosovo tensions is grave now, Dugolli said he fears the worst is yet to come. Not Now, Europe. Second War Threatens to Explode They are really looking for that good moment, where they would try to destabilize entirely, try to have territorial gains, Dugolli added. They want to have an incursion. For Putin, a Serbian-Kosovar conflict may serve as a gift as his war flags in Ukraine. A flashpoint between Serbia and Kosovo could distract NATO, which maintains a peacekeeping force in Kosovo. Ensnaring the region could also serve a larger Russian goal of keeping Serbia and Kosovo at loggerheads to help Russia project power and control in the region. Looking at the Kremlin playbook I wouldnt be surprised if it was actually caused by some desperation or sort of somebody somewhere along the line of chain of command saying, Hey how about we cheer up our dear leader at some point and do something? Stefanov said. Dugolli said the faltering war was likely a trigger for Serbia to take action. The fact that the war hasnt gone as Russia was hoping and the leadership in Serbia were hoping as well, maybe that created an initiative theyre trying to reposition themselves, Dugolli said. Russia would benefit from opening up another front. Erkin Keci/Anadolu Agency via Getty. Russias interest in stirring tension between Serbia and Kosovo is rooted in broader territorial ambition as well, according to Kosovos president, Vjosa Osmani. Osmani called the recent flashpoint a Crimea-style annexation attempt in an interview on CNN, in a reference to the Ukrainian peninsula Russia illegally annexed in 2014. The president added she harbors concerns that Putin is pulling strings behind the scenes. The incident shows Serbia is working to allow Putin to open a new front in the West, in the western Balkans, Osmani said. Puppet Master Russia has had fertile ground in Serbia to spread the Kremlin line for yearsbut Belgrade has taken on a particularly unshakeable role in channeling Russian influence in recent months. Just in the last year, the European Union banned Russian-controlled media operating in their countries since Russia invaded Ukraine. But Belgrade has not shut off the spout of Russian propaganda, allowing Serbia to serve as a key foothold for Russian influence in the region. Serbia has allowed the free rein of Russian propaganda, Stefanov said, leading to a cycle of amplification among politicians, the public, and Serbian media outlets citing Russian outlets. These same lines are parroted by major political parties which of course amplifies that. The Serbian media landscapes reach is not just local. While a majority of the traffic to Kurir.rs in August came from Serbia, for instance, over 20 percent of traffic also came from Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Croatia, CSDs Georgiev noted. The Serbian language is a gateway to informational influence in former Yugoslavia for Serbian political actors, as well as the Kremlin, Georgiev said. Heavy lifting for Russian influence operations in Serbia is not always necessary. At times, the line between where Russian disinformation and Serbian disinformation end and where organic sentiment begins can be difficult to discern. In Serbia, the disinformation space is characterized by people looking for information that reinforces their deeply ingrained beliefs about the West and Kosovo they have held for years. On Ukraine, only 12 percent of Serbs polled said that they believed it was necessary for Russia to withdraw in order to achieve peace, echoing a classic stance from Moscow, according to a poll conducted by Datapraxis and YouGov in coordination with the Open Society Foundations last year. As many as 63 percent of Serbs polled held the West responsible for the war in Ukraine, not Russia. The Serb public buys into opposition to Kosovos independence as well: 52 percent of Serbs believe Serbia should not recognize Kosovo. There is a lot of authentic, natural behavior mixed in, Georgiev said. Through the years, Russia has made a point in Serbia to execute a classic influence operation that works to juice existing sentiments and tension. In the case of Serbia, when you have a population that has been so heavily exposed and really bombarded with ultra-nationalistic narratives, authoritarian narratives, highly emotional narratives from the bombing to today, society adopts that whole mentality, Georgiev said. This information breathes for itself. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The three Philadelphia police officers injured in a shootout Wednesday evening were responding to a home where people were arguing about a video game, authorities said. Two officers were shot in the leg and one in the hand, which differs from initial reports. All three were hospitalized in stable condition. The suspect was killed, Acting Police Commissioner John Stanford told The Associated Press. Stanford said officers were dispatched to the residence shortly after 7 p.m. A 12-year-old boy said his father had shot his uncle following a dispute about a loud video game, FOX 29 reported. NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA SHOOTING LEAVES 3 OFFICERS WOUNDED, SUSPECTED GUNMAN DEAD Authorities say three Philadelphia police officers responding to a home where people were arguing about a video game were wounded in a shootout Wednesday evening. The boy and the uncle called police. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Stanford said when police arrived the father opened fire. The man was killed when officers fired back, he said. The uncle was hospitalized in critical condition. A woman and the child left the house apparently uninjured, police said. "Thankful that these officers will be okay, and I wish them a full and speedy recovery." Mayor Jim Kenney said on X. Council member Katherine Gilmore Richardson said on the social media platform that she was "deeply saddened and very angry to learn of the shooting of three Philadelphia Police Officers in Northeast Philadelphia." Police say the gunman was known to the department and was suffering from a mental illness, according to FOX 29. PHILADELPHIA MOTORCYCLIST CHARGED AFTER ALLEGEDLY KICKING IN WINDSHIELD, WAVING GUN AT DRIVER IN VIOLENT VIDEO Philadelphia, like many U.S. cities, has grappled with a crime surge in recent years. The city surpassed 500 homicides the last two years, and overall crime was up nearly 16% year-to-date, according to Philadelphia Police Department data.. The city faced nearly 70,000 property crimes in 2022, a 30% increase from the year prior, according to Philadelphia Police Department data. Armed robberies, meanwhile, have decreased by nearly 13% but are still up from pre-pandemic levels. Fox News' Brie Stimson and Megan Myers and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Three Philadelphia officers injured in shooting after dispute about video game: police Nearly 25,000 customers in North Texas were still without power Thursday morning after severe thunderstorms with strong winds and large hail swept through the region overnight. Oncor officials said on their website that they are assessing damages and working to restore power to affected areas. More than 8,000 Tarrant County residents were without power as of 7:45 a.m. Pingpong ball- to golf ball-sized hail, strong winds and heavy rain pounded North Texas Wednesday evening, prompting flash flood warnings. According to the National Weather Service Fort Worth, hail stones as big as 1.5 inches were first reported just west of Poolville, which is about an hour west of Fort Worth, and that storm moved into Tarrant County. Of the 53,642 customers in North Texas without power around 11 p.m., more than 26,000 people in Tarrant County were experiencing outages, Oncor reported Electric outages Dallas - Fort Worth vicinity Here is Oncor's power outages map. Outage information is sent from Oncor to the outage map every 10 minutes. Source: stormcenter.oncor.com Open The severe thunderstorms moved across North Texas and led to a tornado warning in Ellis and Dallas County and flash flood warnings across the region. National Weather Service Fort Worth spokesperson Patricia Sanchez told the Star-Telegram Thursday morning that they received reports of golf ball-sized hail of 1.75 inches between Weatherford and Springtown in Parker County and flooding in Dallas near Love Field. Trees and tree limbs are down throughout the region. A Fort Worth Police Department officer closes a portion of W Vickery Boulevard due to flooding next to Collett Park in Fort Worth on Wednesday October. 4, 2023. Sanchez also said there was significant roof damage at a shopping center in the 8300 block of Camp Bowie West in west Fort Worth. Danie Huffman, the spokesperson for Parker County, said there was a lot of hail in the area. Numerous trees are down too, she said, including a large branch that fell on the courthouse square. County and city crews will be working to clean up the debris Thursday. NWS Fort Worth reported between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain had fallen as of about 10 p.m. and additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches were possible. The flash food warning was issued for several cities in Tarrant County, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Haltom City, Keller, Hurst, Burleson, Southlake, Watauga, Colleyville, Benbrook, Saginaw, White Settlement, Crowley, Forest Hill and Azle. Lightning strikes as a thunderstorm begins to roll in near West Fort Worth on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. About five high-water emergency calls were reported to Fort Worth police from 9:25 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, where callers reported their vehicles being stuck in water or stranded in flooding, according to police call logs. The flash flood warning was in effect until 12:30 a.m. Thursday. Weather watches and warnings A live data feed from the National Weather Service containing official weather warnings, watches, and advisory statements. Tap warning areas for more details. Sources: NOAA, National Weather Service, NOAA GeoPlatform and Esri. Open The National Weather Service reported wind gusts over 70 mph in western Tarrant County and large trees down in White Settlement. White Settlement Police Chief Chris Cook told the Star-Telegram that high winds tore up several awnings at an RV park and downed power poles and about two dozen trees in the city. No injuries were reported, and most of the damage was along North Cherry Lane. The White Settlement police station also lost power for time Wednesday night, Cook said, but 911 calls were not affected. Several reports of wind damage impacting poles and street signs. No major damages to structures or injuries reported. The police department is on generator power and back up radio systems. 9-1-1 service is operational. pic.twitter.com/ujutynTRO9 Christopher Cook (@cooktx) October 5, 2023 Additional wind damages across town. 400 block of N. Cherry RV park out of power with Oncor on scene. Trees also reported down across city. pic.twitter.com/WmwdWuX5nW Christopher Cook (@cooktx) October 5, 2023 Additional storm damage between White Settlement Road and Clifford along Cherry Lane. Oncor trying to fix power poles that are down in the area. pic.twitter.com/ucg3YlzSwG Christopher Cook (@cooktx) October 5, 2023 Lockheed Blvd. and Cherry Lane intersection lights are not working. @WSPDTX has erected temporary stop signs until power is restored. pic.twitter.com/SXRUX91eGV Christopher Cook (@cooktx) October 5, 2023 Two people, including an 8-year-old, were injured when the severe weather hit Toyota Stadium during an FC Dallas game, the Frisco Fire Department told KTVT-TV. The child was taken to a hospital with injuries that authorities said were not life threatening. A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Tarrant, Dallas, Ellis, and Johnson counties until 10:15 p.m Wednesday as the storm system moved southeast. A tornado warning was issued by the NWS Fort Worth at 10:01 p.m. Wednesday for Ellis and south central Dallas counties. The NWS reported a storm that radar indicated was producing a tornado near Midlothian, moving east at 25 mph. A severe thunderstorm watch that includes Tarrant, Dallas and surrounding counties was in effect until 2 a.m. Thursday. Storm Reports This map contains continuously updated storm reports and damage from the National Weather Service for the past 48 hours. Reports include tornado, wind storm and hail storm reports. The map also includes tornado reports for the past week and recent rainfall accumulations. Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Esri. Open Michael Schoenbrod, the Daytona Beach Shores police lieutenant who faced investigations after locking his 3-year-old son in a city jail cell last October as a potty-training lesson, has resigned, The News-Journal has learned. Its the latest twist in a story that has stayed in the headlines since The News-Journal broke news of the allegations in June. Heres a timeline of the key developments in the story: What was the incident at the heart of the jail potty-training story? Schoenbrod told a Department of Children and Families caseworker that he and Sgt. Jessica Long were having difficulty potty training their 3-year-old child. Long brought him to the Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety Department on Oct. 5, 2022, placing him in a jail cell for a few minutes. The next day, Schoenbrod brought the boy back to the jail cell, handcuffed loosely. "He was crying. I was getting the response I expected from him," Schoenbrod told the caseworker, body-cam footage from a Volusia County Sheriff's Office deputy shows. Daytona Beach Shores police Sgt. Jessica Long and Lt. Michael Schoenbrod appear in Volusia Circuit Court on July 17 in support of their petition to keep confidential investigative records related to their jailing of their son for potty training lessons on Oct. 5 and 6, 2022. The boy promised to never again poop his pants, Schoenbrod said in the interview. Memos written by Public Safety Director Michael Fowler to each informed them of a professional standards investigation, but it was unclear at the time whether Schoenbrod and Long faced discipline. By July, Schoenbrod placed on administrative leave By July, Schoenbrod was placed on administrative leave pending the results of two additional professional standards investigation, said Michael Fowler, director of public safety. Schoenbrod spoke at a morning briefing on April 7, after which he faced allegations of violating six department policies, including treating others with respect, avoiding conflicts of interest and favoritism and avoiding rumors and other conduct that diminishes morale. A third set of allegations against Schoenbrod related to tampering with public safety records and altering digital recordings without authorization. The administrative leave was paid, the memo states. Officers speak out: 'Nothing worked' Shores officers speak out about why they used jail to potty-train son At the time, the conclusion of the DCF investigation, as well as records from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Volusia County and Daytona Beach Shores were confidential after Schoenbrod and Long had petitioned the court seeking to permanently seal the records. Judge refuses to seal record in jail potty-training investigation By mid-July, a Volusia Circuit Court judge had denied the Shores officers' petition to seal all records related to their jailing of the child. Judge Mary Jolley said on July 17 that information relating to the matter that is, by law, non-public, such as names of children and home addresses of police officers, should remain confidential. But she said documents that are public records, including a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation, should be made public with redactions. What did the court records reveal? The newly released documents showed that a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigator found cause to charge two Daytona Beach Shores police officers with aggravated child abuse, a first-degree felony in connection with the jail incidents. However, the State Attorney's Office declined to prosecute Schoenbrod and Long, pointing to a DCF determination that there was "no impending danger" to the boy and no need for departmental services or intervention. Daytona Beach Shores police Lt. Michael Schoenbrod is shown in a 2020 photo from the Department of Public Safety's Facebook page. The newly unsealed court records showed that the two Daytona Beach Shores police officers were found to have violated a city code of conduct policy that officers must not engage in conduct that can destroy public respect for them and the department for their actions. The internal affairs investigation that concluded March 25 also cleared Schoenbrod and Long of another potential policy violation, that they had committed a felony "whether chargeable or not." What led to Schoenbrods resignation? The officer submitted his resignation Monday, following the conclusion of the second and third professional standards investigations on Sept. 29. In one case, Schoenbrod had addressed a day shift briefing on April 7, when he called people who initially reported the potty-training jailings to the Department of Children and Families as "liars" and "disgusting human beings," according to an internal affairs report. Schoenbrod was found to have committed two policy violations: failing to "treat superior officers, subordinates and associates with respect," and engaging in conduct "which adversely affects the morale or efficiency of the department." The third professional standards case, related to a meeting Schoenbrod had with a detective following that briefing, probed whether Schoenbrod had violated laws and policies by altering a recording of that meeting. The investigative summary did not state whether any policy violations had been sustained. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Jail as potty-training by Florida police officer: What we know For 24 years the Catholic Action Center has been blessed to be a grassroots community-driven outreach to those who are experiencing homelessness in our community. We have witnessed the devastation of mind, body and spirit that having no place to call home creates: the fear, loneliness, isolation, suffering. We also have witnessed our community respond to the call to create safe places, provide food, provide supplies, fund shelters and volunteer time to efforts that keep our brothers and sisters safe during their time of need. Now we are facing the most critical of all needs: the crisis of our Fayette County Public School children who are living in that world of homelessness. The FCPS McKinney-Vento report as of Sept. 25 showed 453 students homeless. That number is growing at an alarming rate as the self-reporting of homelessness in the schools takes time for the children or parents to overcome their shame and fear in order to trust the system by admitting their situation. Our community has assumed that the Salvation Army Family Shelter or Arbor Youth Shelter takes care of all the families with children or the unaccompanied children who are without housing. The reality is that the Salvation Army has been full since late spring and families with children have nowhere to turn with winter coming. We all lived through the unprecedented time of the pandemic: the uncertainty, the rising costs of food and shelter, the unknown becoming the normal. These children have lived through the uncertain time too and are now living the devastation of homelessness through no fault of their own. If a tornado, flood, or natural disaster occurred and the news reported that 453 Lexington children and their families were left without homes, we know that our community would rise up IMMEDIATELY and provide what was needed for their health and safety. Now is the time, Lexington, to come forth as a community and put the resources needed to solve this crisisand we can. Emergency transitional housing is the first step for the children to be safely housed as they continue with their education. The McKinney-Vento Program is a federal program that surrounds the students with the needed services as they struggle with homelessness. However, the McKinney-Vento Program does not have funding for emergency shelter or transitional housing. With all the government COVID funding for emergency transitional hotel rooms gone and very few programs available for these families to seek temporary emergency housing as they find permanent solutions, an effort has been initiated to address the immediate needs of the children in our FCPS: the Give Kids A Home Initiative. GKAH is a community effort to raise funds that will be available to the McKinney-Vento Program to insure our Fayette County Public School children are housed. All donations are tax deductible and there are no administrative costs. All funds go to giving our children a place to call home. Weve already raised more than $20,000, but we can do more. As Frederick Douglas said: It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. We are in a crisis that has a solution: lets give kids a home and give kids a chance. Lets not allow our children to be broken by homelessness. To give go to: https://www.catholicactioncenter.net/give-kids-a-home Ginny Ramsey is the Director and Co-Founder Catholic Action Center. (Photo : Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) (TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images) Member states of the European Union have made a historic agreement in addressing the migrant crisis in the region by a new series of procedures. Member states of the European Union have made history after agreeing on a series of new procedures to address the current migrant crisis in the region. The agreed-upon procedures would handle irregular immigration during times of high arrivals and would remove a key obstacle to a larger agreement on the bloc's asylum and migration rules by the end of the year. EU Migration Policy On Wednesday, representatives from each of the EU's 27 members reached a deal that covers "crisis regulation," which would allow further negotiations to move forward and a push to make legally binding changes before the scheduled EU elections next year. In a statement, Swedish Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said they can finally move on with the negotiations regarding the migrant issue. She noted that getting the pact in place is crucial to ensure order at the EU's external borders and reduce the flow of migrants, as per Aljazeera. With the new procedures, the bloc hopes to make them law before the next round of EU elections, ushering in an unexpected shift to the right as support continuously grows across the continent for political parties railed against immigration. The new agreement was struck following a dispute between Germany and Italy focused on charities rescuing refugees from drowning at sea. In a statement, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said they need the pact done and dusted before the Europeans vote. She called the vote on Wednesday's deal the "missing link" in a package on migration and asylum. Thousands of refugees, many fleeing war, conflict, and economic hardship, have lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea for some time. Now, the new rule will allow frontline states to fast-track asylum applications and move people quickly to other nations in Europe. It would avoid repeating what happened in 2015 when 1 million refugees came to the EU from Syria and beyond, and some countries accepted far more migrants than others, according to The Guardian. Read Also: Ukraine Could Potentially Join the EU as Accession Negotiations May Start in December Addressing the Migrant Crisis The historic agreement between EU member states ends three years of arguments between nations ahead of a Friday gathering of EU leaders in the Spanish City of Granada. In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that solidarity is a common step forward for EU member states in a crisis. Diplomatic sources added that Italy has agreed to the deal after removing some references to the NGO operations. They added that Hungary and Poland, staunchly opposed to hosting any people arriving from the Middle East and Africa, voted against the deal. On the other hand, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia all abstained from the vote. The argument between Berlin and Rome was last week's largest obstacle to a deal among the EU's migration ministers. However, the historic deal on Wednesday still leaves many questions open, including when and how it would be implemented in its totality, said Reuters. Related Article: Pope Francis Opens Vatican Synod on Catholic Church's Future; Publishes New Document on Environment, Climate @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , with her husband Paul and Feinstein family members, their pay respects The late Dianne Feinstein, the US Senate's longest-serving female lawmaker, is being remembered as "a force" in American politics. Many of the most powerful Democrats in the country gathered on Thursday for the funeral of the California lawmaker, who died last week aged 90. "She was always tough, prepared, rigorous, and compassionate," President Joe Biden said in a recorded message. "God bless a great American hero. She was something else." Vice-President Kamala Harris , former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and California Governor Gavin Newsom all attended the service, held at San Francisco's City Hall. In her eulogy to the late lawmaker, Vice-President Harris recalled that Ms Feinstein welcomed her to the Senate in 2017 with "a glass of California chardonnay" and "a binder full of her draft bills". "Simply put, she was a force," Ms Harris said. Both Ms Harris and Mr Biden had once served in the senate alongside Ms Feinstein. City Hall was a fitting venue for Ms Feinstein's service, as she served as mayor there for a decade before embarking on a historic career as a senator. In the days leading up to the service, she laid in state in the building, her coffin draped with an American flag. US Vice President Kamala Harris and US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer attend the funeral service "Senator Feinstein, that is her official title but to us, to San Franciscans, she was Mayor Dianne Feinstein," said London Breed, the only other woman to hold the position of mayor in the city's history. The service was punctuated by repeated flyovers from the Blue Angels squadron and a prayer from local Jewish leaders in a nod to Ms Feinstein's heritage. The San Francisco Girl's Chorus, clad in black, sang The Impossible Dream from the musical The Man of La Mancha, a song about continuing to persevere in the service of an insurmountable goal. The gathering was also reminder of the outsized significance San Francisco gained in national politics under Ms Feinstein's tenure. Ms Feinstein forged a decades-long career - first in California and then on a national scale. She was elected to the US Senate in 1992, where she and her female colleagues worked to change the culture of the male-dominated institution. An image of the late US Senator Dianne Feinstein is displayed during her funeral service at City Hall in San Francisco Ms Pelosi was the senator's contemporary and forged a similarly trailblazing career in the US House, while Ms Harris and Mr Newsom came up in the generation of Bay Area Democratic politicians who saw Ms Feinstein as a mentor and leader. In her three decades as senator, she championed gun safety legislation and battled the US intelligence apparatus over its use of torture. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called her "one of the Senate's great deal makers". But as she began to publicly struggle with her health in old age, she faced calls from within her own party to resign and sparked a national conversation over America's aging political leaders. Voter satisfaction with Ms Feinstein plummeted during her final term. On Thursday, Ms Feinstein's colleagues focused on the greater impact of her six-decade career. "Millions of girls my age and long after me have grown blissfully free of the yokes our grandmothers wore because Dianne Feinstein wrestled them off," Ms Breed said. "She showed the way." Oleksiy Danilov Beijing will not allow Moscow to use nuclear weapons, as this will affect not only Russia, but also other nuclear-armed countries that have certain obligations, the Secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov said on national television on Oct. 5. "In general, this hysteria that has been going on in Russia lately is not just (propagandist Margarita) Simonyan's, there is another well-known person who is starting to talk the same way," Danilov noted. Simonyan, a top pro-Kremlin propagandist, recently suggested Russia should detonate a nuclear weapon over Russias Siberia region as a show of force. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on social media also frequently threatens the use of nuclear force. Read also: Russian invaders mine the Crimean Titan plant what will happen if they blow it up And if you pay attention, there is a huge difference between what was happening there on Feb. 24, 25, 27, 2022, and the way they are conducting their talk shows now, Danilov added, arguing that the Russians are desperate and do not know what to do. "I can say for sure that China is unlikely to allow Russia to throw nuclear bombs around, because it will then affect not only the Russian Federation, but also other nuclear countries, and there are certain obligations," the NSDC secretary said. Read also: IAEA chief skeptical Russia will share nuclear technology with North Korea in light of treaty obligations He said that Russia lacks the power to disrupt the prevailing global order. While it may be feasible for Russia to down some satellites over Siberia, he questioned whether Moscow would genuinely achieve any gains from such an action. Read also: Russia delivers first nuclear warheads to Belarus Budanov The top security official noted that the situation with nuclear blackmail concerns not only Ukraine, but also those countries that once decided to redistribute the nuclear arsenal of the former Soviet Union. Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan called for the detonation of a thermonuclear bomb over Siberia on Oct. 4. Earlier, Danilov said that Russia could theoretically still use nuclear weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that Ukrainian intelligence predicts an increase in nuclear threats from Russia as 2023 come to an end. On July 5, former President and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev threatened nuclear escalation and said that the war could allegedly be "over in a few days" if Ukraine stopped receiving aid from its partners. On June 9, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would start deploying tactical nuclear weapons to Moscows client state, Belarus. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine TOPEKA, Kan. The Shawnee County District Attorneys Office has filed charges against a Topeka man connected to the death of a five-year-old girl. Court documents show the DAs Office is charging 25-year-old Mickel Cherry with the following: Capital murder commission of rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, and/or criminal sodomy Murder in the first degree; inherently dangerous felony Rape; child under 14, offender 18 or over Topeka police arrested Cherry on Tuesday on suspicion of rape and murder in the death of Zoey Felix. This is the 26th homicide case under investigation in Topeka in 2023, KSNT reports. They need to do more: Kansas DCF under fire after 5-year-olds death Cherry is currently being held at the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a $2 million bond. An upcoming court date for him has yet to be assigned. If you have any information regarding the investigation email telltpd@topeka.org or contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-234-0007. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or online by clicking here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Kyiv "put on hold" its complaint against Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary over grain agreements at the World Trade Organization, Ukraine's Trade Representative Taras Kachka said on Oct. 5, as cited by Interfax Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Kachka said that the grain dispute at the WTO hasn't started yet, as Ukraine is still in the stage of consultations, which can last up to 60 days. Kyiv wants to find a "constructive solution (on agricultural imports) within the framework of the entire EU," the trade chief told reporters, according to Interfax-Ukraine. "Despite the fact that the complaints we sent are against specific member states, including Poland, this is a systemic issue of our relations with the bloc. Our goal is to confirm that the EU and Ukraine have the same approach to trade agreements," Kachka added. Read also: Duda: Grain dispute will not disrupt good relations between Poland, Ukraine After Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia decided to implement their own bans on Ukrainian grain imports on Sept. 16 despite the European Commission's decision to end the four-month embargo, Kyiv said it would sue the countries at the WTO. Kachka told Politico on Sept. 18 that the unilateral import bans are not just an internal matter for the EU but "the biggest systemic concern" of whether international trade partners can trust that Brussels speaks on behalf of the union. Read also: Ministry: Ukraine, Slovakia agree on grain trade system to replace ban Earlier in May, the EU imposed restrictions that allowed Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria to ban the domestic sale of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seed while still permitting the transit of these products for exports elsewhere. The nations requested the measure due to fears from local farmers that cheap Ukrainian imports would drive down agriculture prices. Read also: Ukraines grain overload sours countrys relationship with key allies Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Management of a south Oklahoma City mobile home park urged its residents this week not to speak out about a 13-foot-long cat-eating albino python still in the neighborhood. Residents of Burntwood Mobile Home Park claim the parks management knew about the python since June and did nothing. (Photo by anonymous resident of Burntwood Mobile Home Park) The only reason they finally did something was because a resident snapped a picture of it, said a resident wanting to remain anonymous in fear of eviction from management. He had been living in the park for 10 years. Them sending out a warning to us to not talk to media, its intimidation all the way. Over the last couple of months, residents say they have been concerned by the number of cats missing from the neighborhood. Then a picture of the yellow albino python slithering near one of the homes gained traction online. The snake was originally thought to be 5 feet long and a ball python. But when an expert was hired, he told Nexstars KFOR that it was a reticulated python and was around 13 feet long and eating the cats. Trevor Bounds, of Red Beard Wildlife Control, was hired to take care of the snake and said they are waiting until repairs to the siding are done by the park before they can get in there. Bounds told KFOR on Sunday that the snake had been eating cats in the park for the last five months to survive. Several residents say that management knew about the snake and never warned them or tried to get rid of it until recently. You can tell hes been there awhile when you see all around the house hes at. There are signs of him being there through rain and in the heat, said Bounds. Since the story first broke, management has been sending alerts to its residents not to talk to the media about the python or the problems it brings. 13-foot-long python survives five months eating cats in Oklahoma City trailer park The trailer that the snake is at is just a couple blocks near the pool, and they closed that this summer, but we had no clue why, said the anonymous resident. They knew that this snake was out and that having residents in the pool might not be the safest choice. Early last week, an alert from management stated: We have had a few media outlets attempt to interview our residents regarding this issue. Must be a slow news week! If you are contacted by the media, you are encouraged to ask them to leave the community immediately and give them no comments. Another alert was sent out early this week urging residents to give no comments and to tell media to leave immediately. KFOR was asked to leave three times last Friday when trying to get a response from management in regards to the massive python. On Wednesday, KFOR tried several more times to get a response or answers but was eventually kicked off the property. Sizeable snake seen slithering in neighborhood creates a python problem The park is owned by Yes! Communities. An email and a phone call were made to their media relations department, but KFOR has yet to hear back. Off the property, a man in a Yes! Communities shirt spoke with KFOR saying that staff only knew about the snake when the picture was posted and gained traction. He also said the length of the snake was more likely 5 feet long and that it was contained to a single trailer home. As of Wednesday, the snake was still on the property somewhere. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Management of a south Oklahoma City mobile home park urged its residents this week not to speak out about a 13-foot-long cat-eating albino python still in the neighborhood. Residents of Burntwood Mobile Home Park claim the parks management knew about the python since June and did nothing. (Photo by anonymous resident of Burntwood Mobile Home Park) The only reason they finally did something was because a resident snapped a picture of it, said a resident wanting to remain anonymous in fear of eviction from management. He had been living in the park for 10 years. Them sending out a warning to us to not talk to media, its intimidation all the way. Over the last couple of months, residents say they have been concerned by the number of cats missing from the neighborhood. Then a picture of the yellow albino python slithering near one of the homes gained traction online. The snake was originally thought to be 5 feet long and a ball python. But when an expert was hired, he told Nexstars KFOR that it was a reticulated python and was around 13 feet long and eating the cats. Trevor Bounds, of Red Beard Wildlife Control, was hired to take care of the snake and said they are waiting until repairs to the siding are done by the park before they can get in there. Bounds told KFOR on Sunday that the snake had been eating cats in the park for the last five months to survive. Several residents say that management knew about the snake and never warned them or tried to get rid of it until recently. You can tell hes been there awhile when you see all around the house hes at. There are signs of him being there through rain and in the heat, said Bounds. Since the story first broke, management has been sending alerts to its residents not to talk to the media about the python or the problems it brings. 13-foot-long python survives five months eating cats in Oklahoma City trailer park The trailer that the snake is at is just a couple blocks near the pool, and they closed that this summer, but we had no clue why, said the anonymous resident. They knew that this snake was out and that having residents in the pool might not be the safest choice. Early last week, an alert from management stated: We have had a few media outlets attempt to interview our residents regarding this issue. Must be a slow news week! If you are contacted by the media, you are encouraged to ask them to leave the community immediately and give them no comments. Another alert was sent out early this week urging residents to give no comments and to tell media to leave immediately. KFOR was asked to leave three times last Friday when trying to get a response from management in regards to the massive python. On Wednesday, KFOR tried several more times to get a response or answers but was eventually kicked off the property. Sizeable snake seen slithering in neighborhood creates a python problem The park is owned by Yes! Communities. An email and a phone call were made to their media relations department, but KFOR has yet to hear back. Off the property, a man in a Yes! Communities shirt spoke with KFOR saying that staff only knew about the snake when the picture was posted and gained traction. He also said the length of the snake was more likely 5 feet long and that it was contained to a single trailer home. As of Wednesday, the snake was still on the property somewhere. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A woman who went off on German tourists visiting New York City, telling them to get the fuck out of the country, has been fired from her gig in human resources. Capital Rx announced that Brianna Pinnix, a talent acquisition specialist, has been sacked after her xenophobic tirade went viral on social media. Our company has a zero-tolerance policy around prejudicial or discriminatory behavior, a Capital Rx spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday. The former employees actions and words are not representative of Capital Rx, and we offer our sincerest apology to those who were hurt. Pinnix was filmed on a train, getting in the tourists faces and complaining about immigrants. Her boyfriend tried to calm her down and told her to stop, but Pinnix didnt listen. Read it at New York Post Read more at The Daily Beast. A pro-Russian party won the parliamentary elections in Slovakia The rhetoric from the presumed incoming Slovak ruling party can be called populist rather than anti-Ukrainian The party of former Prime Minister Robert Fico won the elections in Slovakia on September 30th. This party, Smer-SD, is already being called anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian. During all these election races, Robert Fico has repeatedly said that if he wins, Ukraine will not receive a single shell or a single round during his term. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has a new ally in the European Union, and they are united behind an anti-Ukrainian position. So, unfortunately, we have a typical pro-Moscow Trojan horse in NATO. However, Fico did not win an absolute victory. He will have to join a coalition one way or another. Whether he will be able to form this coalition cabinet with such anti-Ukrainian, anti-European slogans is another question. Even if we fantasize and imagine that such a cabinet is formed, it will be balanced by the parties that will be part of it. The end result will not look like an anti-European and anti-Ukrainian political bloc. Therefore, it is too early to pop the champagne in Moscow. They like to do things as usual, very quickly, but then crawl back for some reason. But there is nothing to celebrate yet. This politician and this party were living on donations from you-know-whom We need to consider what can happen in the case of option A, option B, and option C. Now, the issue will only be resolved in this political and diplomatic way. Our Western partners, having learned from the bitter experience of Budapest, will not stand aside. Therefore, we have a couple of weeks of political and diplomatic "red tape" ahead of us, which will eventually yield some results. So, for now, we'll have to wait and see. People ask me: Poland is on the verge of elections. And there, too, a party with the same rhetoric can gain 9-10 percent. Can we say that certain anti-Ukrainian sentiments are beginning to spread across Europe? I would say that this rhetoric can be called populist rather than anti-Ukrainian. But this applies not only to Slovakia, not only to Poland, not only to Germany. Think of the Alternative for Germany party in Germany. It is a highly populist right-wing party that lives on these slogans. Why don't they blame Russia for their troubles? Here again, we come to a banal formula: if you feed from this hand, how can you condemn it? Again, as in the case of Orban, you don't need to go to a fortune teller to understand that this politician and this party were living on donations from you-know-whom. We cannot ignore this. Because people who are independent of Moscow are capable of demonstrating logic, they demonstrate honesty and decency. A group of German politicians from different political forces clearly and publicly said, "We were wrong in our assessments." In other words, they honestly admit that their policy toward Russia was wrong, but it was more of an ideological one, so to speak. The one that recognized Russia's rightful place in world politics, in their opinion. This is one story. In this case, we are talking exclusively about some economic, political, financial, and other interests. Moscow has been able to do this since its inception, i.e., bribery, blackmail, and lies. These are all the arguments the external police in Moscow have used since the beginning. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Former President Donald Trump has once again asked to delay the trial in the classified documents case against him in Florida until after the 2024 elections, citing issues over access to classified material in the case. The filing late Wednesday is at least the second explicit request to move the trial date by the Trump team until after the election. The former president also asked Judge Aileen Cannon in July to move the trial until after the 2024 presidential election. For now, the case is set to go to trial in May 2024. Trumps attorneys have pushed repeatedly to delay motions schedules in the criminal case as well, raising complaints about their ability to review evidence, to write and argue complex legal motions, and the former presidents packed calendar from both campaign events and legal obligations in other cases brought against him. In Wednesdays filing, Trumps attorneys wrote that discovery failures by special counsel Jack Smiths office both with Trumps lack of access to certain classified material and alleged delays in his legal teams access to witness statements warrant pushing back the trial currently scheduled for May until at least mid-November. Defense attorneys said in a court filing in July that there is simply no question any trial of this action during the pendency of a Presidential election will impact both the outcome of that election and, importantly, the ability of the Defendants to obtain a fair trial. Cannon did not delay the trial date at that time. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Prosecutors in Donald Trump s Georgia election racketeering case asked a judge for approval to call out-of-state witnesses to testify about the strategies of two co-defendants involving disrupting Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, recruiting fake presidential electors and forensically scrutinizing voting equipment. The potential witnesses including lawyers Boris Epshteyn and Lin Wood were mentioned in the House investigation of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. But the trial would be the first chance to hear publicly about their behind-the-scenes activities. Prosecutors led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis want to call the witnesses in the trial of campaign lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, which is scheduled to begin Oct. 23. Chesebro and Powell are the first of 19 co-defendants heading to trial on charges of racketeering and trying to overturn the 2020 election. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty. Here is what we know about the potential testimony: Boris Epshteyn of the Trump inaugural committee at the Washington, DC offices of the Presidential Inaugural Committee on Dec. 19, 2016. Epshteyn could testify about Chesebros communication with co-defendants John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani regarding the attempt to disrupt and delay the Jan. 6, 2021, joint session of Congress, prosecutors said. On Nov. 19, 2020, Epshteyn attended a press conference at the Republican National Committee where Powell baselessly claimed problems with Dominion voting machines, according to prosecutors. On Dec. 13, 2020, Epshteyn requested on behalf of Giuliani an email from Chesebro and Eastman about methods to disrupt and delay the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, according to prosecutors. On Jan. 1, 2021, Epshteyn received an email from Chesebro titled Filibuster talking points for the Jan. 6 session, according to prosecutors. Other out-of-state witnesses prosecutors hope to call include Republican presidential electors who supported Trump in states that President Joe Biden won. Chesebro drafted memos outlining the strategy to recruit fake electors, according to the House investigation and prosecutors. Fake electors the prosecutors asked to call are Jim Graffenreid of Nevada and Greg Safsten of Arizona. Both men could testify about their interactions with Chesebro, according to prosecutors. Attorney Lin Wood, member of President Donald Trump's legal team, gestures while speaking during a rally on Dec. 2, 2020, in Alpharetta, Georgia. Wood could testify about Powell staying at his South Carolina estate in November 2020, where Powell drafted a memo recommended Dominion voting machines be studied forensically, according to prosecutors. He will provide evidence of communications between himself and Powell as it relates to her plans and operations surrounding the post-election efforts, prosecutors said. On Dec. 14, 2020, an organization called Allied Security Operations Group released a report claiming software on Dominion voting machines in Michigan had been intentionally and purposefully designed with inherent errors to create systemic fraud and influence election results, according to prosecutors. Trump sent a copy of the report to his acting attorney general and tweeted it showed massive fraud. On Dec. 18, 2020, Powell, Giuliani and other co-conspirators met with Trump at the White House to discuss seizing voting machines, according to prosecutors. Trump didnt approve the proposal. On Jan. 7, 2021, the same employees from a forensic team that studied voting equipment in Antrim County, Michigan, traveled to Coffee County, Georgia, to copy data from machines there, according to prosecutors. One of the employees updated Powell by email multiple times that day, according to prosecutors. State election officials in Georgia and Michigan have said there was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Dominion won a $787 million settlement from Fox News over misstatements about the companys voting equipment. Powells lawyer, Brian Rafferty, has argued Powell didnt sign the contract for the forensics team and that the staffers were invited to Coffee County to study the voting equipment. Another witness prosecutors asked to call, to testify about Powells stay at Woods estate, is Aaron Vick of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Prosecutors offered the assurance to all the witnesses that they would be protected from arrest when traveling to the state to testify. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia DA asks to call Trump allies Boris Epshteyn, Lin Wood at trial Ukraine is now relying more on smoke-belching DIY combat vehicles. For some people, this is just the Ukrainian military showing its creativity to fend off Russian enemies. But, for other experts, using DIY tanks and other warfare vehicles just shows how desperate Ukraine is in the ongoing Russian invasion. Ukraine Relies on Smoke-Belching DIY Combat Vehicles According to Forbes' latest report, Ukraine is still experiencing a shortage of infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). In 2022, Ukraine used over 1,200 IFVs, which are mostly ex-Soviet BMP-1s. Just 21 months after the Russian invasion, Russia's troops already captured and destroyed almost 700 of these IFVs. Because of this, Kyiv has to be resourceful. One of their efforts is pulling hundreds of old BMPs out of storage and asking for Ukraine's foreign allies to pledge around 3,000 IFVs, as well as less-well-armed armored personnel carriers. However, 3,000 combat vehicles are not enough, especially since Ukraine's troops already doubled over the past two years. Because of this, the Ukrainian military is left with no choice but to rely on DIY IFVs, which are mostly spewing toxic smoke. Military experts said that Ukraine is mixing and matching whatever chassis and turrets they have to invent DIY IFVs. Read Also: US-Confiscated Iranian Weapons, Ammo Sent to Ukraine, Military Officials Confirm Dangers of DIY Combat Vehicles Using DIY IFVs and other warfare combat vehicles has more negative outcomes than benefits. For example, the smoke that these DIY combat vehicles spew out can endanger the health of Ukranian troops. Just imagine using these DIY combat vehicles and getting exposed to the toxic smoke for too long. Another issue with DIY IFVs is that the smoke they emmit can give out the locations of Ukranian soldiers. But, as Ukraine runs out of military supplies, they need to deal with DIY combat vehicles until they can receive further financial and weapons assistance from allied countries. Biden Still Trying to Provide Ukraine Aid CNN Politics reported that U.S. President Joe Biden is still trying to find other ways how to keep the financial and military aid flowing to Ukraine. Senior Biden Admin officials said that there are only a few weeks remaining before a lack of additional funding for Ukraine begins. Although this is the case, Biden is still hopeful that members of the House and Senate will support him in his goal to assist Ukraine in the ongoing Russian invasion. "I know there are a majority of members of the House and Senate in both parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine," said the American leader. Related Article: Biden Calls for Continuous Support for Ukraine After Congress Drops Request To Include Aid in Bill's Passing @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. WASHINGTON Donald Trump is asking a federal judge to dismiss criminal charges against him based on his actions leading up to his Jan. 6, 2021, coup attempt because, as president, that coup attempt should be considered part of his presidential duties. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and John Lauro , in Thursdays 52-page filing to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, attempted to minimize Trumps actions leading up to the violent assault on the Capitol that day and that, regardless, the law allowed Trump to act based on his belief that the election had been stolen from him. The indictment is based entirely on alleged actions within the heartland of President Trumps official duties, or at the very least, within the outer perimeter of his official duties, Blanche and Lauro wrote. As President Trump is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for such acts, the court should dismiss the indictment. President Trumps alleged Tweets and public statements about fraud in the election and the role of the vice president in the certification process were directly related to his contentions that: (1) the presidential elections outcome was tainted by fraud and other procedural irregularities, and (2) the U.S. Department of Justice and certain state governments had failed to adequately investigate and prosecute fraud and irregularities in the election, Blanche and Lauro wrote. They also argued that Supreme Court precedent acknowledged that a president needed to be able to take bold and unhesitating action at times without fear of prosecution, and that was what Trump was doing. Here, 234 years of unbroken historical practice from 1789 until 2023 provide compelling evidence that the power to indict a former president for his official acts does not exist, they wrote. Blanche and Lauro also argued that the only allowable means of punishing a president for his actions was an impeachment trial and removal by the U.S. Senate. Trump was, in fact, impeached by the House for inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection, and 57 senators including seven Republicans voted to convict him, even though he was already out of office. That figure was 10 shy of what was needed to convict, which would likely have been followed by a majority vote to ban Trump from federal office forever. Trump supporters occupy the West Front of the Capitol and the inauguration stands on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Trump supporters occupy the West Front of the Capitol and the inauguration stands on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. President Trump was acquitted of these charges after trial in the Senate, and he thus remains immune from prosecution, Blanche and Lauro wrote. The special counsel cannot second-guess the judgment of the duly elected United States Senate. Trump was indicted by U.S. Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith for conspiring to defraud the United States, conspiring to obstructing an official proceeding, attempting to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiring to deprive people of their voting rights. The charges are based on Trumps attempts to block the Jan. 6 congressional certification of the 2020 election and his attempt to remain in power despite his loss in that contest using slates of fraudulent electors. If convicted on the most serious offenses, he could receive decades in federal prison. Trump is under a separate federal indictment by Smith for his retention of secret documents at his Florida country club and his attempts to hide them from authorities when they sought their return. A Georgia grand jury also indicted Trump for his attempts to overturn his election loss in that state, while a New York state grand jury indicted him for filing falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 hush-money payment to a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. Despite the 91 total felony counts against him, Trump nevertheless remains the front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination by a wide margin. Related... Former President Donald Trump on Thursday tried to delay one of his federal trials and end the other altogether. In a busy day of legal filings, Trumps legal team asked U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon to put off the start of his federal classified documents trial until after the 2024 election because of delays in creating a secure facility for him to view the documents. The former president separately demanded that Judge Tanya Chutkan toss the federal election interference case against him, claiming he has absolute immunity from prosecution because he was president at the time. In the documents case, Trumps lawyers claimed that their defense is being undermined by a three-month delay in building a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF, in Cannons Fort Pierce, Florida, courthouse. Trump and his lawyers could travel to either Miami or Washington, D.C., to view the documents. But they say Cannon should push back the scheduled May 2024 trial to allow them to view them in Fort Pierce. The demands of the special counsels office must give way to the constitutional rights of the defendants, Team Trump wrote in a 12-page filing. Trump respectfully requests that the court schedule trial to begin at a date convenient to the court in or after mid-November 2024. Trump also accused special counsel Jack Smiths team of failing to provide some materials to the defense on time, which they said were crippling his efforts to prepare for the case. Smith, whos also overseeing the case related to Trumps involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, will respond to the Trump filing, and Cannon is likely to rule at some time in the future. Meanwhile, it surfaced Thursday that Trump talked about American nuclear submarines with an Australian billionaire who went on to share the potentially sensitive info with many others, ABC News reported. The incident involving billionaire Anthony Pratt, a member of Trumps Mar-a-Lago club, was reported to Smiths team, according to the outlet, which cited unnamed sources. Pratt reportedly told Trump that Australia should buy subs from the U.S. and the former president shared details about the number of warheads they carry and how they maneuver undetected by Russian submarines. Trumps Thursday filing amounts to the latest in his timeworn strategy to delay any legal proceeding as long as possible and especially until after America votes on his White House comeback bid. Trump initially demanded that Cannon put off the trial until after the election and not even set a firm date because he claimed any trial would amount to interfering in his effort to win back the White House. That was a bridge too far for Cannon, a Trump appointee who made a series of rulings favorable to the former president in an earlier stage of the case. Even though she set a May court date, Cannon has taken what some legal analysts call a fairly lackadaisical approach to rulings in the high-profile case. She waited until last month to lay out guidelines for Trump to view the documents, effectively rejecting his proposal to allow him to use Mar-a-Lago. Trump is accused of taking a trove of classified documents when he left office and defying government efforts to get them back. Walt Nauta, a valet, and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos DOliveira are charged with helping him try to hide or delete the documents from investigators. In the election interference case, Trumps lawyers called on Chutkan to dismiss the governments case because they say the actions he took to overturn his loss to President Joe Biden were taken as part of his official duties. The prosecution does not, and cannot, argue that President Trumps efforts to ensure election integrity, and to advocate for the same, were outside the scope of his duties, Trumps defense team wrote in a 52-page brief. Instead, the prosecution falsely claims that President Trumps motives were impure. Trump also argues that he cannot be criminally charged for actions taken while he was in office because the Constitution gives Congress the power to impeach a president. The House voted to impeach Trump for inciting the violent Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, but the Senate acquitted him. Prosecutors investigated Trumps alleged plot for months, amassing mountains of new evidence before Smith charged him with four counts including conspiring to defraud the U.S. and depriving people of rights. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting a March trial. Legal analysts consider Trumps motion a long shot because courts have already ruled that former presidents do not enjoy absolute immunity for actions taken in office, particularly those that could be considered outside the scope of their official duties like winning a political campaign. Trumps legal woes havent derailed his presidential hopes with polls showing he remains in the lead over his rivals who include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, his former vice president, Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. Former president Donald Trump allegedly revealed highly classified information about American nuclear-powered submarines to a wealthy Australian who regularly paid large sums to one of his companies, according to a report from ABC News. Mr Trump reportedly disclosed the extremely sensitive information to a billionaire member of his Mar-a-Lago social club, which is housed at the location where he allegedly hoarded hundreds of classified documents for more than a year after his term as president and his authorisation to possess such documents had come to an end. Citing sources familiar with the matter, ABC reported that the Aussie high-roller in question allegedly shared the information about US nuclear-powered submarines with scores of other people not authorised to have it, including more than a dozen foreign officials and journalists of unknown nationality. Department of Justice investigators working under the supervision of Special Counsel Jack Smith learned of the potential breach as they were investigating Mr Trumps alleged unlawful retention of national defence information. Both prosecutors and special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation have reportedly spoken to the Mar-a-Lago member, packaging magnate Anthony Pratt, on at least two occasions this year. Mr Pratt reportedly told investigators that the ex-president told him two pieces of information about the submarines: How many nuclear warheads are carried by American Ohio class ballistic missile submarines, and how close to such vessels a Russian submarine must get to detect them. Both of those figures are among the US Navys most closely guarded secrets. But sources reportedly told ABC that Mr Pratt described what Mr Trump had said to at least 45 other people, including 10 Australian officials and a trio of former prime ministers. In early October 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden and a former member of Donald Trump 's presidential administration resurrected a years-old accusation against Trump that allegedly revealed his true opinion of U.S. military troops. According to the claim, Trump once called fallen soldiers "suckers" and "losers" while talking to people in his inner circle. The former president referred to American service members as "suckers" and "losers." MAGA extremists have made it clear where they stand. pic.twitter.com/2Kj5jr4N7Z Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2023 Trump and his allies have denied the accusation since it first emerged in 2020, shortly before the election between Trump and Biden. Whether performative or authentic, Trump's apparent support for soldiers in the U.S. military, both active and veteran members, has been part of his presidential campaigns. Following a story by The Atlantic, a number of reputable news outlets reported on the alleged comments in 2020, relying entirely on anonymous sources from his administration. However, there appeared to be no evidence of an audio or video recording of the remarks in question, nor was there any documentation, such as transcripts or presidential notes, to independently confirm or deny the alleged quotes' authenticity. Moreover, since Snopes did not witness the in-question comments firsthand, we can't say for certain whether Trump called fallen soldiers "suckers" and "losers." We reached out to Trump's representatives to see if they had any supplemental evidence to help substantiate their denial, as well as for a response to renewed attention on the comments in 2023. We will update this story when, or if, we receive a response. How the Accusations Emerged Citing anonymous officials from the administration, the 2020 article by The Atlantic, titled, "Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are 'Losers' and 'Suckers'," unpacked Trump's trip to Paris in 2018 when he allegedly did not want to visit a cemetery of American war dead. The visit was cancelled. Trump did not want to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery which is home to the graves of Americans who fought and died in World War I for two reasons, according to The Atlantic: He feared the rain would dishevel his hair, and "because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day." The Atlantic continued (emphasis ours): Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers." In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as "suckers" for getting killed. Shortly after the publication of The Atlantic report, one unnamed senior official with the U.S. Department of Defense and one senior U.S. Marine Corps officer confirmed the 2018 cemetery remarks from the above report in interviews with The Associated Press (AP). According to the AP, the official had firsthand knowledge of Trump's remarks, and the officer had been told about them. Trump Allies Deny the Claims The White House blamed the canceled cemetery visit on poor weather. Responding to The Atlantic's reporting, Trump said the accusation was "a disgraceful situation" by a "terrible magazine." Trump strongly denied calling fallen soldiers "losers" and "suckers." Speaking to reporters on Sept. 3, 2020, upon returning from a campaign rally to Washington, D.C., just after the report came out, Trump said: "I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes. There is nobody that respects them more. No animal nobody what animal would say such a thing?" Just days later, Zach Fuentes, a former White House aide who left the administration in early 2019 and was with the president on the Paris trip and presumably near him during the in-question conversations about the cemetery visit, stood up for Trump in an interview with Brietbart. Referring to Gen. John Kelly, who was with Trump during the trip as his chief of staff, he said, "I did not hear POTUS call anyone losers when I told him about the weather. Honestly, do you think General Kelly would have stood by and let ANYONE call fallen Marines losers?" Reporting on Fuentes' interview with Brietbart, The Washington Post noted that the phrase "I did not hear..." is not the same as "it didn't happen." Furthermore, there was no evidence of Kelly being around Trump to hear the alleged comments. Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, who said he was on the trip, also issued a denial to Fox News, days after the article came out, saying it was "simply false." Then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also denied the claims in an interview with Fox News in September 2020. He said, "I was with him for a good part of that trip, if I'm thinking about this visit and the timing right, and I never heard him use the words that are described in that article. Just, I never saw it." How the Claims Resurfaced in 2023 On Oct. 2, 2023, Biden's official account on X resurfaced the accusation, saying Trump once allegedly "referred to American service members as 'suckers' and 'losers.'" The post (displayed above) included video footage of Biden speaking at a September 2023 event to honor the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, who was a military veteran and prisoner of war. (In that speech, Biden referenced the 2020 story by The Atlantic.) The day after Biden's post on X, Kelly repeated the claim, as well. Speaking to CNN story, he said (emphasis, ours): What can I add that has not already been said? A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all 'suckers' because 'there is nothing in it for them.' A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because 'it doesn't look good for me.' A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family for all Gold Star families on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America's defense are 'losers' and wouldn't visit their graves in France. In other words, Kelly, who was with Trump in Paris, confirmed that Trump did call American troops "losers" and "suckers," though it was unclear whether he witnessed the comments firsthand or heard about them from someone else, or from news reports. (The 2020 Atlantic story detailed a separate incident of Trump visiting the grave of Kelly's son who was killed in action in Afghanistan, for which Kelly was supposedly present. In that case, Trump allegedly asked of military personnel who volunteered to join the service, "What was in it for them?") Responding to the CNN interview, a Trump official issued a statement to CNN, saying, "John Kelly has totally clowned himself with these debunked stories he's made up because he didn't serve his president well while working as chief of staff." In addition to the alleged statements about service members generally, Trump has publicly insulted McCain, in particular, by calling him "not a war hero," and "I like people who weren't captured," according to footage on C-SPAN. Also, for The Atlantic story, anonymous sources said he called former President George H.W. Bush a "loser" for getting shot down by the Japanese while a Navy pilot during World War II. In sum, the claim stemmed from a story by The Atlantic, which relied on anonymous, second-hand reports of Trump's alleged words; there was no independent footage or documented proof to substantiate the in-question comments; and Trump vehemently denies that he once called service members "losers" and "suckers." While it was certainly possible that he said those things, Snopes was unable to independently verify the claim. Sources: Baker, Peter, and Maggie Haberman. "Trump Faces Uproar Over Reported Remarks Disparaging Fallen Soldiers." The New York Times, 4 Sept. 2020. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/04/us/politics/trump-veterans-losers.html. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. Blake, Aaron. "Analysis | What Trump Officials Really Say and Don't Say in Denying That He Disparaged Fallen Troops." Washington Post, 8 Sept. 2020. www.washingtonpost.com, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/08/trump-officials-military-disparagement-denials/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. Goldberg, Jeffrey. "Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are 'Losers' and 'Suckers.'" The Atlantic, 3 Sept. 2020, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. Mason, Jeff, et al. "Biden Warns Trump, 'MAGA' Movement Threaten American Democracy." Reuters, 29 Sept. 2023. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-warn-threat-democracy-trump-honor-mccain-2023-09-28/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. "Report: Trump Disparaged US War Dead as 'Losers,' 'Suckers.'" AP News, 4 Sept. 2020, https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-top-news-politics-b823f2c285641a4a09a96a0b195636ed. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. "Secretary Michael R. Pompeo With Steve Doocy, Jedediah Bila, and Pete Hegseth of Fox & Friends." United States Department of State, https://2017-2021.state.gov/secretary-michael-r-pompeo-with-steve-doocy-jedediah-bila-and-pete-hegseth-of-fox-friends/. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. Tapper, Jake. "Exclusive: John Kelly Goes on the Record to Confirm Several Disturbing Stories about Trump | CNN Politics." CNN, 2 Oct. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/02/politics/john-kelly-donald-trump-us-service-members-veterans/index.html. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. "Trump: "He's a War Hero Because He Was Captured. I like People That Weren't Captured."" C-SPAN. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=541Cg2Jnb8s. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump 's campaign said on Wednesday it raised over $45.5 million in the third quarter from July to September, nearly 30% higher than it raised in the previous quarter while the former U.S. president faces multiple legal charges. The acceleration in fundraising could be a sign that Trump's 2024 campaign coffers are benefiting from his legal problems, which include four indictments. The Trump campaign's statement on Wednesday did not provide details of how it arrived at that tally or its break up from where the funds were raised. The Trump campaign said it had over $37.5 million cash on hand and that about $36 million of it is designated for the primary. Trump is the frontrunner in the race for the Republican presidential nomination for the November 2024 election. His closest rival, who trails him by a big margin in opinion polls, is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis . The DeSantis campaign on Wednesday reported raising $15 million during the third quarter, although not all of those funds will be available for use during the Republican primary. It was a lower take than the $20 million in the second quarter, a possible sign that donors are souring on DeSantis as he has failed to dent Trump's commanding lead. The former president faces four criminal indictments over his attempts to overturn Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 election victory, his handling of classified documents after he left the White House, and hush money paid to a porn star. Trump has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in all of the cases. He also faces a January civil damages trial for defaming a writer who accused him of rape, which he denies. Trump is also accused by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, of inflating the value of his assets to secure better loan and insurance terms. He has said the case is part of a "political witch-hunt." Trump's main fundraising committee raised more than $35 million during the April-June period, nearly twice what the group gathered in the prior three months. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Grant McCool) Former President Trump chided President Biden over his recent move to allow border wall construction in South Texas, saying he will await the incumbents apology. Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown, Trump wrote Thursday in a Truth Social post. I will await his apology! The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday it will waive 26 federal laws to allow border wall construction in Starr County, Texas, which is experiencing high illegal entry. The move is the administrations first use of an executive power often used by Trump to fund projects along the southern border. So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right when I built 560 miles (they incorrectly state 450 in story!) of brand new, beautiful border wall, Trump wrote. As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls! During his presidency, Trump diverted billions in defense and military construction funds toward building a wall, a central focus of his 2016 campaign. He was then forced to use emergency powers instead, after Congress refused to fully fund the project. Shortly into his administration in 2021, Biden canceled the state of emergency Trump declared on the southern border and later slashed projects to build the wall. The funds were redirected back to their original purpose or toward repairing environmental damage from the walls construction. The Biden administration has maintained a somewhat cautious approach to immigration and border security, fueling criticism from both sides of the aisle at times. Efforts from the White House have ramped up in recent weeks. Last month, the Biden administration made a major strategic shift at the border and extended temporary protection status for nearly half a million Venezuelan nationals currently residing in the United States. The move came amid Democratic leaders growing pressure on the White House to take more action regarding asylum-seekers. The designation protects Venezuelans from removal, making it easier for those who came to the U.S. to get employment authorization, a repeated request from some Democrats who have pushed the Biden administration to speed up the process for asylum-seekers to get a work permit. The White House also recently sent an additional 800 troops to help with the migration influx at the southern border. The Department of Defense has already deployed around 2,500 state National Guard personnel, in addition to around 24,000 Customers and Border Protection agents and officers and 2,600 nonuniformed officers, the White House said last month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (The Hill) Former President Donald Trump chided President Joe Biden over his recent move to allow border wall construction in South Texas, saying he will await the incumbents apology. Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown, Trump wrote Thursday in a Truth Social post. I will await his apology! The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday it will waive 26 federal laws to allow border wall construction in Starr County, Texas, which is experiencing high illegal entry. The move is the administrations first use of an executive power often used by Trump to fund projects along the southern border. So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right when I built 560 miles (they incorrectly state 450 in story!) of brand new, beautiful border wall, Trump wrote. As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls! During his presidency, Trump diverted billions in defense and military construction funds toward building a wall, a central focus of the former presidents 2016 campaign. He was then forced to use emergency powers instead after Congress refused to fully fund the project. Biden administration waiving 26 federal laws to allow border wall construction in Texas Shortly into his administration in 2021, Biden canceled the state of emergency Trump declared on the southern border and later slashed projects to build the wall. The funds were redirected back to their original purpose or toward repairing environmental damage from the walls construction. The Biden administration has maintained a somewhat cautious approach to immigration and border security, fueling criticism from both sides of the aisle at times. Efforts from the White House have ramped up in recent weeks. Last month, the Biden administration made a major strategic shift at the border and extended temporary protection status for nearly half a million Venezuelan nations currently residing in the United States. The move came amid Democratic leaders growing pressure on the White House to take more action regarding asylum-seekers. The designation protects Venezuelans from removal, making it easier for those who came to the U.S. to get employment authorization, a repeated request from some Democrats who have pushed the Biden administration to speed up the process for asylum-seekers to get a work permit. The White House also recently sent an additional 800 troops to help with the migration influx at the southern border. The Department of Defense has already deployed around 2,500 state National Guard personnel, in addition to around 24,000 Customers and Border Protection agents and officers and 2,600 non-uniformed officers, the White House said last month. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Former US president Donald Trump filed a motion on Thursday seeking the dismissal of federal election conspiracy charges on the grounds he cannot be prosecuted for actions he took while in the White House. Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is to go on trial in Washington in March of next year for allegedly conspiring to subvert the results of the November 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden. The former president's lawyers, in a 52-page motion to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan, argued the charges should be thrown out. "The Court should dismiss the indictment, with prejudice, on grounds of Presidential immunity," they said. Trump's bid to invoke the presidential immunity defense is considered a long shot by legal observers but it could result in a delay to the start of the trial as the argument wends its way up to the conservative-dominated Supreme Court. Trump's attempts to use the so-called "absolute immunity" defense in other cases have been rebuffed by judges, but the nation's highest court has never ruled directly on whether a former chief executive is immune from criminal prosecution. Trump is the first former US president to face criminal charges. Trump's attorneys, citing a Supreme Court case involving former president Richard Nixon, said the law provides "absolute immunity" to the president "for acts within the 'outer perimeter' of his official responsibility." "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," they said. As chief executive, they argued, Trump had a responsibility to "ensure election integrity" and was within his rights to challenge the results of the 2020 vote. "The prosecution falsely claims that President Trump's motives were impure -- that he purportedly 'knew' that the widespread reports of fraud and election irregularities were untrue but sought to address them anyway," they said. "The indictment is based entirely on alleged actions within the heartland of President Trump's official duties, or at the very least, within the 'outer perimeter' of his official duties. "As President Trump is absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for such acts, the Court should dismiss the indictment." - 'Unsettled question' - While making the argument that Trump cannot be prosecuted, his lawyers acknowledged the Nixon case they cited involved the civil liability of a former president and not alleged criminal conduct. "No court has addressed whether such Presidential immunity includes immunity from criminal prosecution for the President's official act," they said. "The question remains a 'serious and unsettled question' of law." The case before Chutkan accuses Trump of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the January 6, 2021 joint session of Congress that was attacked by a mob of Trump supporters. Trump, the sole defendant in this indictment, is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise American voters with his false claims he won the 2020 election. Other criminal cases against Trump include racketeering charges in Georgia for allegedly conspiring to upend the election results in the southern state and a trial in Florida in May 2024 on charges of mishandling top secret government documents. Trump and his two eldest sons are also currently facing a civil fraud trial in New York for inflating the value of their real estate assets to receive more favorable bank loans and insurance terms. cl/acb Donald Trump has claimed that he couldnt stand his ex-chief of staff General John Kelly and that he fired him like a dog, in his rage over damning revelations about his comments about veterans. John Kelly, by far the dumbest of my Military people, just picked up the theme of the Radical Lefts lying about Gold Star Families and Soldiers, in his hatred of me, Mr Trump claimed in one of his many Truth Social rants on Wednesday. He was incapable of doing a good job, it was too much for him, and I couldnt stand the guy, so I fired him like a dog. He had no heart or respect for people, so I hit him hardMade no difference to me, the former president added. Hes already on record defending me all over the place. Nobody loves the Military like I do! Now he finally speaks back by making up fake stories, or confirming the made up stories of the Dems and Radical Left Mr Trump lashed out after Gen Kelly provided a statement to CNN confirming that the former president called wounded or killed American soldiers suckers and losers. Gen Kelly was the Trump White House chief of staff from 2017 until 2019, brought in to bring order to the administration following the departure of ex-RNC chair Rience Priebus after just six months in the job. Gen Kelly confirmed details of a story published by The Atlantic in 2020 which outlined offensive comments by Mr Trump. The piece included allegations that Mr Trump refused to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018 as he was concerned about what the weather would do to his hair and that he didnt grasp the value of honouring Americans who died in battle. Why should I go to that cemetery? Its filled with losers, Mr Trump said, according to the article, which Mr Trump called fake, claiming that he thought killed soldiers were absolute heroes. But Gen Kelly confirmed details of the story in his statement to CNN, saying that Mr Trump didnt understand why Americans revered former prisoners of war as well as those killed in combat. What can I add that has not already been said? Gen Kelly said. A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all suckers because there is nothing in it for them. A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because it doesnt look good for me. A person who rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in Americas defense are losers and wouldnt visit their graves in France. A person that has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about. There is nothing more that can be said. God help us. Mr Trump has previously argued that the late Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who spent years as a prisoner and was tortured during the Vietnam War, was not a war hero. During his campaign in 2015, Mr Trump spoke about Mr McCains 2008 presidential run, saying, hes not a war hero. Hes a war hero because he got captured. I like people who werent captured. Recently retired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen Mark Milley recently revealed in another piece in The Atlantic that Mr Trump disparaged Army Captain Luis Avila, a wounded soldier. Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded, Mr Trump said, according to the article. One of former President Donald Trumps co-defendants in a sprawling Georgia RICO case is seeking to have his case dismissed due to what he alleges are paperwork errors made by the lead prosecutor, ABC News reported Wednesday night. Its a long-shot legal strategy unlikely to work for Kenneth Chesebro, a lawyer who who is accused of aiding Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election through the use of alternate electors in several states, including Georgia. In a new court filing Wednesday, he argues that Nathan Wade, one of the states special prosecutors, never submitted an oath of office to work on the casemaking any work hes done, including arguments he presented to a grand jury in the case, null and void. Experts who spoke with ABC News were skeptical of the legal argument. If he was not sworn in, at worst its embarrassing for the Fulton County DAs office but it would not affect the case, Former Georgia prosecutor Chris Timmons told the network. Read it at ABC News Read more at The Daily Beast. On Thursday, the Japanese Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that hit the outlying islands in the Izu chain. According to the forecaster, waves reaching up to one meter in height have been predicted for the islands located south of Japan's main island, Honshu. Japan Issues Tsunami Advisory After Strong Earthquake According to the latest forecast, small tsunami surges, reaching a maximum height of 0.2 meters, have been predicted for Honshu. This warning encompasses a wide region, extending from Chiba Prefecture in the east to Kagoshima Prefecture in the west, with Tokyo falling within its scope. Per The Independent, the meteorological agency said a small tsunami measuring approximately 30 centimeters (1 foot) was witnessed in the Yaene area of Hachijo island. Residents were urged to stay away from coasts and river mouths, as an alert was issued at the second lowest level of Japan's four-level warning system. Following a series of earthquakes, the most powerful one registering a magnitude of 6.1, a warning has been issued. The seismic activity occurred at approximately 11am local time, originating from the Pacific Ocean with its epicenter located roughly 550km south of Tokyo. In a seismic event of significant magnitude, the epicenter of the most powerful earthquake was recorded at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. In a cluster approximately 580 km south of Tokyo, lie the uninhabited islands of the Izu chain. Read Also: South Africa Battles Bird Flu Outbreak, Culling Millions of Chickens and Causing Shortages Tsunami Alert Warning is Lifted After 2 Hours According to ABC News, the warning was lifted approximately two hours later. According to reports, no damage has been reported. In a recent advisory, authorities have urged residents on the islands in the Izu chain, located south of Tokyo, to take caution. This advisory, which falls under the second-lowest level of a four-stage warning system, advises individuals to avoid coastal areas and river mouths. The US Geological Survey has reported that a sequence of offshore earthquakes occurred in the area on Thursday morning. According to reports, a magnitude of 6.1 has been recorded as the strongest measurement. The seismic event was reportedly situated at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a recent earthquake did not generate any noticeable tremors on the islands or in the Tokyo region. However, cautionary measures have been issued as the agency has warned that coastal areas could potentially experience a tsunami with a maximum height of 1 meter (3.2 feet). A It has been revealed that Japan is considered to be one of the most earthquake prone locations on our planet. In 2011, a colossal earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale struck, leading to a devastating tsunami that ravaged extensive areas in northern Japan. This catastrophic event also resulted in the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Related Article: [UPDATE] Paris Bedbug Outbreak: French Officials Sound Alarm, Call for Immediate Response to Crisis @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Donald Trump is considering making a trip to the Capitol amid calls from loyalists within the lower chamber for him to assume the position of House Speaker. Such a visit would be the first time the former president has visited the building since a mob of his supporters breached it in a violent riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Multiple outlets reported on Thursday that the former president is mulling a trip next week ahead of a vote, with Politico noting that he is open to pitching himself as a candidate, citing a Republican familiar with internal discussions. A source familiar with Trumps recent private discussions tells Rolling Stone that Trump has indeed uttered that hes open to the possibility of a speakership run. (Trump, of course, often says hes considering or would consider a lot of things that never come to fruition.) On Tuesday, an insurgency of hardline House Republicans led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) succeeded in ousting Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the speakership. As the now-rudderless GOP fights among itself and scrambles to nominate a replacement, Trump loyalists have floated nominating the former president for the role. Critically, there is no requirement that the House Speaker be an elected member of Congress. As of Thursday, two Representatives have officially entered the race to replace McCarthy: Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.). Jordan told NBC News on Thursday that hed had a great conversation with the former president regarding his bid, but declined to dive into the details. Even within the narrow Republican majority in the House, Trumps nomination would be divisive. Democrats obviously consider the proposal a nonstarter, and moderate GOP members, as well as those in vulnerable districts, could view even the suggestion of Trumps return to Congress as a blow to the GOPs anticipated outcomes in 2024. While MAGA representatives like Marjorie Taylor Greene have loudly and repeatedly declared their support for a Trump speakership bid, some members of the Republican caucus have already signaled that theyre unwilling to entertain the idea. Trump was vehemently opposed to even having a recorded vote in the House on the $2+ trillion CARES Act. He supported Pelosis attempt to pass it by unanimous consent, without a quorum present. This disqualifies him from being Speaker, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) wrote on Twitter. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Il.) pointed out that GOPs own rules may preclude them from even nominating Trump, given that the House Republican Conference rules specify that a member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed. I would direct your attention to rule 26(a) of the House Republican Conference rules for the 118th Congress. https://t.co/nHqwjpUR3z pic.twitter.com/AbI3IVjNg5 Sean Casten (@SeanCasten) October 4, 2023 On Wednesday, Trump shared a digitally created image on Truth Social of himself standing at the speakers podium and brandishing the gavel. On Thursday, the former president wrote on Truth Social that while he is running for president, he will do whatever is necessary to help with the Speaker of the House selection process, short term, until the final selection of a GREAT REPUBLICAN SPEAKER is made. A Speaker who will help a new, but highly experienced President, ME, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Trump added. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Former President Trump is expected to head to Capitol Hill next week as the House of Representatives prepares to elect a new speaker, following the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy , Fox News Digital has learned. Two sources familiar told Fox News Digital that the former president and 2024 GOP frontrunner is planning to speak with members of the House Republican conference on Tuesday as they consider who will become the next speaker of the House. Another source told Fox News Digital that the details are still being ironed out. Former President Donald Trump speaks to supporters at a rally to support local candidates in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 3, 2022. Another source told Fox News Digital that the plans to travel to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday will not impact the former presidents campaign stop in New Hampshire on Monday. That visit will be his first visit back to the lead-off presidential primary state in two months. McCarthy, R-Calif., was removed as House speaker on Tuesday after Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla., introduced a measure against him known as a motion to vacate, accusing McCarthy of breaking promises he made to win the speaker's gavel in January. Lawmakers voted to oust McCarthy from the speakership for the first time in the history of the House of Representatives. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Since McCarthys ouster, both House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., have announced bids to run for speaker of the House. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP It is unclear, at this point, who Trump would throw his support behind. "Both of these men would represent a monumental step forward for the Republican conference," Gaetz told Fox News Digital during an interview Thursday. "I dont believe there is a single conservative in the country who would not believe we are in a better position with either of them." Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. Gaetz told Fox News Digital he would be "honored to vote for either of these men on the floor." "In conference, Ill make a decision based on spending," Gaetz said, referring to the House GOP conference meeting next week. "And whether theyre willing to liberate us on these continuing resolutions." Meanwhile, as Jordan gains support for speaker of the House within the GOP conference, questions are swirling as to who could take his post as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee which is jointly leading the impeachment inquiry against President Biden, alongside the House Oversight and Ways & Means Committees if he is elected. Two Republicans Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, right, and Steve Scalise of Louisiana launched bids for the House speakership on Wednesday. Capitol Hill sources said Gaetz may have ambitions for the post himself, but when asked, the congressman offered his support to a colleague instead. "The best person to take the Judiciary Committee if Jordan became speaker would be (Louisiana Rep.) Mike Johnson," Gaetz told Fox News Digital. "Because hes a better lawyer than I am." Original article source: Trump expected to visit Capitol Hill next week amid House speaker race: sources 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 ____________________ 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. Trump looking for Speaker who will help him Former President Trump said Thursday that he wants a House Speaker who will help a new, but highly experienced president come 2024. I am running for President, have a 62 Point lead over Republicans, and am up on Crooked Joe Biden , despite the Democrat Partys massive Law-fare, Weaponization, and Election Interference efforts, by 4 to 11 Points, but will do whatever is necessary to help with the Speaker of the House selection process, short term, until the final selection of a GREAT REPUBLICAN SPEAKER is made, Trump said in a Truth Social post. A Speaker who will help a new, but highly experienced President, ME, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! he added. His remarks come just two days after former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from his leadership role in a 216-210 vote led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). Seven other Republicans joined with Gaetz and House Democrats in the vote, ending McCarthys brief and tumultuous term as Speaker. Trump, who was floated by several Republicans as a potential contender for the House leadership role, dismissed the idea. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), seen as one of the former presidents biggest champions in Congress, said she would only back Trump as the next Speaker. I think shes a wonderful woman, Trump said. Ill do whatever it is to help, but my focus, my total focus is being president and, quite honestly, making America great again. The former president supported McCarthy in his run for Speaker earlier this year and has had a mostly positive relationship with the California Republican. McCarthys path to clinching the office was notable for the 15 rounds of voting it took for him to succeed. Despite the effort, McCarthy said Tuesday he would not run again for the top spot. I will not seek to run again for Speaker of the House, McCarthy said. I may have lost a vote today, but I fought for what I believe in and I believe in America. It has been an honor to serve, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump is endorsing Congressman Jim Jordan to replace ousted U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , the former president said on Friday, as the chamber's fractious Republicans try to unify in the aftermath of McCarthy's historic fall. "He (Jordan) is STRONG on Crime, Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment. Jim, his wife, Polly, & family are outstanding - He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!" Trump said in a post on his Truth Social app. The post follows earlier news that Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden , might agree to replace McCarthy for a short time. Fox News also reported that Trump was close to endorsing Jordan. Two Republican lawmakers are campaigning for the speakership: Representative Steve Scalise, who was second to McCarthy on the leadership ladder, and Jordan, an outspoken conservative from Ohio who has led investigations into the Biden administration. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives by a narrow 221-212 margin, are due to hold a closed-door forum for candidates seeking the speakership on Tuesday, a meeting that the former Republican president said he could attend. A vote is expected the next day. But acrimony and resentment over McCarthy's ouster could make nominating a new speaker a challenge for House Republicans. Although House rules do not require the speaker to be a member of Congress, Trump already has a lot on his plate as he faces four upcoming criminal trials, two related to his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat. House Republican rules prohibit a speaker who is under felony indictment. Trump spent much of the start of the week in New York, where his civil fraud trial was getting under way, with the former reality TV star drawing the spotlight over repeated verbal attacks on the U.S. legal system, drawing a gag order from the judge. Trump's pull with House Republicans has been tested at times this year. Republicans initially did not respond to Trump's call to elect McCarthy as speaker, waiting three days before doing so and subjecting McCarthy to a grueling 15 rounds of voting. Trump has been indicted on 91 felony counts in four separate criminal cases including two that accuse him of illegally trying to subvert his 2020 presidential election loss. Republican congressional leadership sources either did not respond to a request for comment or declined to comment on the possibility of Trump's becoming speaker. The meeting on Tuesday would be Trump's first visit to Capitol Hill since his supporters attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to try to prevent lawmakers from certifying his 2020 White House loss to Democrat Joe Biden. (Reporting by David Morgan, additional reporting by Andy Sullivan, Costas Pitas, Nathan Layne and Nilutpal Timsina; Editing by Scott Malone, Howard Goller and Gerry Doyle) Former President Trump is considering making a trip to Capitol Hill next week as House Republicans gather to determine who they will back to become the next Speaker following the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from the position. A source confirmed there are discussions about having Trump visit the Capitol next Tuesday, when the House GOP conference will hold a forum for Speaker candidates. A second source said a Trump trip to Capitol Hill is far from finalized and may not ultimately happen. Trump is scheduled to visit Iowa over the weekend and New Hampshire on Monday for campaign stops in his bid for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. The Messenger first reported on the possibility of Trump visiting the Capitol next week. It would be Trumps first time visiting Capitol Hill since Jan. 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters violently clashed with law enforcement and stormed the complex in an attempt to stop the certification of President Bidens victory in the 2020 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to federal charges over his efforts to remain in power after the 2020 election. The House on Tuesday voted to remove McCarthy as Speaker after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) brought up a motion to oust the California Republican. Gaetz and seven other Republicans joined with Democrats to ultimately vote to remove McCarthy from his position. The former president has declined to endorse any particular candidate for Speaker in the aftermath of McCarthys ouster, telling reporters on Wednesday there are great people in the Republican Party that could do a great job as Speaker. Two of the lawmakers who have said they are pursuing the job Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) are both Trump allies. Some in the GOP have floated Trump as a candidate for Speaker, including Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). The Speaker technically is not required to serve in the House. Trump, who has been in court in New York this week for a fraud trial, has said he is willing to do whatever he can to help the House GOP in the short term, but he told reporters Wednesday his total focus is on his 2024 presidential campaign. Several Democrats nodded to the events of Jan. 6 in response to a social media post from Greene, who suggested if Trump were Speaker, the House chamber will be like a Trump rally everyday!! No thanks, were good. Weve seen a Trump rally at the Capitol already, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. We already saw a #Trump rally in Congress back on #January6th, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) wrote on X. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) argued Trumps potential trip to the Capitol was the latest indication House Republicans are beholden to the former president. The fact that MAGA House Republicans are spending their time fighting over who can best do Trumps bidding instead of delivering for the American people tells you everything you need to know about their partys priorities, DNC spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Donald Trump allegedly shared sensitive information about the U.S. nuclear submarine arsenal with Mar-a-Lago member and Australian billionaire Anthony Prattincluding how many warheads the vessels can carry and how close they can get to Russian counterparts undetected, ABC News reported Wednesday. Pratt in turn reportedly told at least 45 others about the details, including three former Australian prime ministers and many other foreign nationals. The sharing sensitive info with a foreign national has been reported to special counsel Jack Smith, who is charged with investigating Trumps retention of classified documents at his Florida estate. Pratt has twice been interviewed by Smith and his team about the alleged meeting with Trump in 2021. Read it at ABC News Read more at The Daily Beast. Trump says Biden sees the country being 'invaded,' warns of 'terrorists' already inside the US EXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump said the Biden administration is only citing the "immediate need" to build a border wall because President Biden is watching the United States be "invaded" by illegal migrants, warning that "terrorists" are "already" inside the country. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday said there was an "acute and immediate need" to waive dozens of federal laws in order to build a border wall in south Texas where illegal migration has surged. DHS justified the move due to "high illegal entry" more than 245,000 migrant encounters have been recorded in the Rio Grande Valley Sector this year. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital shortly after the DHS announcement, the former president who leads the 2024 Republican primary field by a massive margin blamed Biden for halting construction of the border wall and causing the crisis at the southern border. MAYORKAS CITES IMMEDIATE NEED TO WAIVE REGULATIONS, BUILD BORDER WALL IN TEXAS AS IMMIGRATION SURGES Former President Trumps legal woes have been covered significantly by ABC, NBC and CBS, but prosecutors are rarely identified as Democrats, according to a new study. "Biden sees our country is being invaded," Trump said. "What is he going to do about the 15 million people from prisons, from mental institutions, insane asylums, and terrorists that have already come into our country?" The number of people arrested in FY 2023 between ports of entry by Border Patrol at the southern border who are on the FBI's terror watchlist hit a new record this year, with 151 arrests in FY 23, compared to 98 in FY 2022 and 15 in FY 21. At the ports of entry at the northern and southern border, there have been 505 people encountered by Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The watch list, officially called the Terrorist Screening Dataset (TSDS) is the governments database that "contains sensitive information on terrorist identities." The watch list originated to house information on known or suspected terrorists, but "has evolved over the last decade to include additional individuals who represent a potential threat to the United States, including known affiliates of watchlisted individuals," CBP says. TEXAS AUTHORITIES NAB PREVIOUSLY DEPORTED MS-13 GANG MEMBER ON INTERNATIONAL WATCHLIST While the number is relatively small, compared to the millions of migrants encountered at the borders in recent years, Republicans and former border officials have raised concern about the numbers of those on the terror watch list who are getting past Border Patrol agents. There were at least 599,000 illegal immigrants who escaped Border Patrol custody in FY 2022, after more than 390,000 in FY 2021. "What has happened to our country?" Trump said, adding that the Biden administration needs to "go back to Trump policies." "He has to reinstate Remain in Mexico and Title 42," Trump said. "He has to do all of the other things that we were doing." A Trump campaign spokesperson told Fox News Digital Wednesday night that "President Trump is always right." "Thats why he built close to 500 miles of powerful new wall on the border and it would have been finished by now," the spokesperson said. "Instead, Crooked Joe Biden turned our country into one giant sanctuary for dangerous criminal aliens." FBI TERROR WATCHLIST ARRESTS, ENCOUNTERS AT SOUTHERN BORDER FOR FY 23 HITS ALL-TIME RECORD The comments come after Department of Homeland Security posted an announcement Wednesday night on the U.S. Federal Register which outlines construction in Starr County in the Rio Grande Valley Sector. Mayorkas says he is using his authority provided by Congress to waive 26 federal laws, including the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act. "There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas pursuant to sections 102(a) and 102(b) of [the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996]," Mayorkas said. President Joe Biden. A Customs and Border Protection spokesperson told Fox News Digital Wednesday that the project is "consistent with DHSs plan to fulfill the requirements of President Bidens Proclamation, which ended the diversion of funds for border wall from military projects or other sources while calling for the expenditure of any funds Congress appropriated for barrier construction consistent with their appropriated purpose." TRUMP SAYS HE WILL CARRY OUT THE 'LARGEST DOMESTIC DEPORTATION OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY' IF ELECTED The construction is funded by the FY 2019 DHS appropriations bill, which specifically funded wall projects in the RGV Sector and which DHS is required to use for its appropriated purpose. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced plans for up to 20 miles of wall in the RGV Sector in June. The administration previously made moves to close gaps and replace gates, and says that such projects prioritize the completion of activities and projects to address life, safety and operational risks including the safety of individuals, Border Patrol agents and migrants. A CBP spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the waiver is for barrier projects announced in June, and that it will cover approximately 17 miles in Starr County. The spokesperson said that the project is consistent with DHS' plan to fulfill President Biden's Jan 20, 2021 proclamation which "ended the diversion of funds for border wall from military projects or other sources while calling for the expenditure of any funds Congress appropriated for barrier construction consistent with their appropriated purpose." "CBP remains committed to protecting the nations cultural and natural resources and will implement sound environmental practices as part of the project covered by this waiver," the spokesperson said. The administration had put a halt to new border wall construction in early 2021, after then-candidate Biden had promised there would "not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration." The administration said that wall construction under the Trump administration was "just one example of the prior Administrations misplaced priorities and failure to manage migration in a safe, orderly, and humane way." The announcement comes as the Biden administration is facing a fresh surge in illegal immigration, leading to record-high numbers at the southern border and intense political criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources told Fox News last week that there were more than 260,000 encounters in September which would be the highest monthly total on record. Meanwhile, Trump last month vowed, if re-elected, to carry out "the largest domestic deportation operation in American history," and promised to begin a second term by "immediately" terminating "every Open Borders policy of the Biden Administration." Original article source: Trump says Biden sees the country being 'invaded,' warns of 'terrorists' already inside the US Donald Trump sits in the courtroom for the third day of his civil fraud trial in New York on Wednesday. Spencer Platt/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Having invested just two and a half days of personal time in his New York state civil fraud trial, Donald Trump has headed back to Mar-a-Lago. Whether he returns to Judge Arthur Engorons courtroom for any portion of what is expected to be a lengthy trial remains to be seen. That decision, like all Trump strategies, will focus first on political considerations and will encompass legal reality only when there is no other choice. A prime example of the tension between Trump political theater and sensible legal strategy is Trumps and his attorneys claims that he will testify in the civil fraud trial. Despite such multiple announcementsintended to assure Trumps base that he has nothing to hide and is fighting the charges head-onhis voluntary return to court as a witness in his own defense is most unlikely, as it is clearly the worst of the bad legal choices he faces. As I observed in Slate last year concerning the dangers in Trumps potential testimony in a possible federal criminal trial: The list of questions Donald Trump would be unable to answer is so long that the hardest task for whomever would cross-examine him would be to whittle it down to the best three days worth of material. That reality is even more problematic for the former president in the New York civil case, as New York state law provides the attorney generals office especially wide leeway to cross-examine Trump. Per Rule 6.11s impeachment provisions, a witness can be confronted with any evidence that has a tendency in reason to discredit the truthfulness or accuracy of the witnesss testimony. As a result, every lie told will be on the table, subject only to the limitations imposed by a judge he has personally attacked, and whose law clerk he has smeared. Thus, the only beneficiaries of Trumps testimony will be the state of New York and, of course, waiting in the wings, the Department of Justice, a consequence far more significant than stoking up the base for a few extra donor dollars. But cant the state call Trump in their own case as a hostile witness, thus allowing them to ask leading questions and impeach his credibility? Of course, but in that capacity, Trump can invoke his privilege against self-incrimination and not answer. Despite having a long history of denigrating the invocation of privilegeIf you are innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?this will not be the first time he has done so, nor the last time he will. While, because it is a civil case, Judge Engoron can draw reasonable negative inferences from his invocations of privilege, the potential harm will surely be less than the debacle of any attempts to explain the inexplicable and being confronted with a lifetime of lies, some of which are the bases for his current, multiple criminal exposures. Donald Trump is surely aware that he will not escape a financially devastating result in the New York civil fraud case, and so, consistent with his strategic response to all his legal woes, the former president is using the civil fraud trial as a fundraising and campaign event. As is widely recognized, without a legal defense Trump must rely on a political one that he hopes will return him to the insularity and the power of the White House. Combined with his attempts to delay each of the proceedings to escape final judgement at least until the July 15, 2024, Republican conventionwhen his appeals to the MAGA base are expected to have given him a huge lead in delegatesthe Trump strategy threatens to create an unprecedented political and constitutional crisis. Thus, regardless of how devastating a financial blow will be struck by Judge Engoron by, say the end of 2023 or early 2024, the appeals process will likely continue past the early March 2024 onset of Republican primaries. While Trump is most unlikely to obtain a reversal, or even a meaningful reduction, of the grave financial penalties Judge Engoron will likely impose, he will still get what he needs mosttime to garner convention delegates. In the interim, as the evidence of civil fraud mounts in the Manhattan courtroom, far from a courthouse he will avoid for as long as possible, the disgraceful insults hurled against the American legal system and its participants and the baseless claims of victimhood will continue. Former President Trump said that he would step in as Speaker of the House if necessary as the GOP scrambles to find a new leader. I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress, Trump told Fox News Digital. If they dont get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the Speakership until they get somebody longer-term, because I am running for president. They have asked me if I would take it for a short period of time for the party, until they come to a conclusion Im not doing it because I want to I will do it if necessary, should they not be able to make their decision, the former president told the outlet. Trump declined to name who he talked to, Fox News Digital reported Thursday. He also said that he would take the role for a 30, 60, or 90-day period if the party could not come to a consensus. House Republicans have been in turmoil since former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted from the top spot Tuesday afternoon. McCarthy has said that he will not seek the Speakership again, while two lawmakers Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) announced they will pursue the job. Several Republicans have also floated Trump as a potential contender for Speaker, including Reps. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Greene said earlier this week that she will only be supporting the former president in the Speakers race. Trump previously had dismissed the idea of him running for Speaker, saying that his focus his securing a second term in the White House. However, he had previously suggested he would do whatever it is to help, as Republicans look to rally around a new leader. He also declined Wednesday to endorse any particular candidate for the job. My focus is totally on that. If I can help them during the process, Ill do it. But we have some great people in the Republican Party that could do a great job as Speaker, Trump told reporters Wednesday. Trump is also considering making a trip to Capitol Hill next Tuesday, when the House GOP conference will hold a forum for Speaker candidates. The Speaker technically is not required to serve in the House. However, some critics have pointed out that under current GOP House conference rules, Trump may not be eligible to serve as Speaker since he has been indicted on numerous felony charges. House Republicans could also vote to change this rule. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Trumps legal team is asking a Florida judge to delay his trial in the Mar-a-Lago case until at least mid-November 2024, which would put it beyond next years presidential election. The request from Trump, the front-runner for the GOP nomination, comes amid complaints from his legal team about the amount of classified evidence theyve been able to review in the case, as well as their workload, as they manage numerous indictments filed against the former president. The attorneys say they have yet to get access to all classified evidence underpinning charges in a superseding indictment that accused Trump of an additional Espionage Act charge and of trying to delete security camera footage from his Florida home. Trumps team also complains that it only has access to a small, temporary facility in Miami to view the highly classified records. It must visit the facility in person while managing hearing dates for Trumps trial on allegations he sought to block the transfer of power after losing the 2020 election. The March 4, 2023 trial date in the District of Columbia, and the underlying schedule in that case, currently require President Trump and his lawyers to be in two places at once, Trumps attorneys, Christopher Kise and Todd Blanche, wrote in the filing. Trump is set to face trial on the classified records case in May. In that fight, the former presidents attorneys are also sparring with special counsel Jack Smiths team over deadlines for filing motions related to classified evidence. The special counsels office has fought Trumps attempts to delay the Mar-a-Lago trial, writing in a previous filing that his proposal threatens to upend the entire schedule established by the Court and that amounts to a motion to continue the May 20, 2024 trial date. Theyve similarly fought Trump efforts to delay deadlines in his Jan. 6 case. In Florida, Trump is facing 32 counts for violation of the Espionage Act for mishandling records as well as numerous other charges relating to obstruction of justice in blocking their return to authorities. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. NEW YORK Lawyers for Donald Trump asked a Manhattan judge to throw out the criminal charges related to Trumps hush money payments to a porn star, arguing in court filings that the case has prejudiced President Trump and the public by interfering with his presidential campaign. Trumps lawyers denounced the five years it took for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg s office to bring the case against Trump, calling it a delayed prosecution. And they criticized the timing of the eventual charges, pointing out they stemmed from a grand jury investigation that commenced approximately ten weeks after President Trump announced his candidacy. After a five-year meandering, halting, and roving investigation that entailed inexplicable and unconstitutional delay, the District Attorneys Office filed a discombobulated package of politically motivated charges marred by legal defects, procedural failures, discovery violations, and a stubborn refusal to provide meaningful particulars regarding its theory of the case, the lawyers, Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles, wrote. Trump is charged in Braggs case with 34 felony counts concerning his alleged falsification of business records connected to hush money payments made to silence affair allegations from porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. According to the indictment, Trump directed that reimbursements made to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen for money he paid Daniels be falsely recorded as legal expenses in the Trump Organization legers. Trump has pleaded not guilty and is set to face trial in late March 2024. The district attorneys case is, of course, far from the only legal issue coming to a head for Trump during his presidential bid. He is currently undergoing a civil fraud trial in New York state court and he has four other criminal or civil trials, in addition to Braggs, scheduled to take place by May 2024. He is also under indictment in Georgia, where a trial date has yet to be set. In their filing, Blanche and Necheles alleged that Trump was selectively targeted by Braggs office, writing that Bragg himself succumbed to public pressure to prosecute Trump after a former prosecutor in the district attorneys office, Mark Pomerantz, quit and wrote a book expressing his frustration with what he described as Braggs reluctance to pursue charges related to their investigation. The lawyers also raise a perpetual source of Trumps ire: Hillary Clinton. They allege that Trump is being prosecuted for conduct similar to that undertaken by Clintons 2016 presidential campaign, writing that it improperly booked campaign expenses as legal payments in connection with the hiring of a research firm to prepare the so-called 'Steele Dossier, and noting that in that instance, the district attorneys office declined to investigate. Trumps lawyers asked the judge overseeing the case, Justice Juan Merchan, to hold a hearing about whether the case should be dismissed because of selective prosecution. Blanche and Necheles also challenge the district attorneys office on one of the issues that legal experts have debated in connection with Braggs case: whether prosecutors can connect the hush money payments to a federal election under the theory that the payments constituted an illegal campaign donation. In order for the falsification of business records charges to be felonies instead of misdemeanors, prosecutors must show that the actions were taken with the intent to commit or conceal another crime. Trumps lawyers said Braggs office has offered four potential crimes that could serve as that second crime, and in their filing Blanche and Necheles disputed all four as invalid. But it is the one tied to a federal election that may prove the most contentious, because that one has never been evaluated by a judge. For that issue, too, Trumps lawyers turned to Pomerantzs book, quoting him as writing that, No appellate court in New York had ever upheld (or rejected) this interpretation of the law. Earlier this year, however, a federal judge weighed in on the issue as part of a ruling in response to Trumps effort to move the Bragg case to federal court. Trump can be convicted of a felony even if he did not commit any crime beyond the falsification, wrote U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, so long as he intended to do so or to conceal such a crime. A Trump supporter in Florida charged with allegedly committing voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election is blaming supporters of Gov. Ron DeSantis for his arrest, the Associated Press reported. Prosecutors accused Robert Rivernider of forging the signature of his deceased father on a ballot in the weeks prior to the election and brought charges against him last week. Rivernider told the Associated Press that supporters of DeSantiswho as governor last year passed an agency dedicated to election crimeshad unfairly targeted him. There is a lot of politics that goes on here in Sumter County and they dont like the fact that I dont follow their system, Rivernider told the Associated Press. Elections officials tossed the ballot after the signature looked closer to Riverniders than his fathers. Read it at The Associated Press Read more at The Daily Beast. Donald Trump's lawyers went after accountant Donald Bender in court on Thursday. Bender prepared Trump's financial statements and claims he didn't realize he was misled. But Trump's side suggested he didn't actually seek key records and grilled him about his health. Trump's lawyers try to paint his accountant as unreliable, or even mentally infirm, in Day 4 of his fraud trial. Donald Trump's lawyers tried to put the mental health of his former accountant Donald Bender on trial Thursday as part of an effort to undermine the New York attorney general's fraud lawsuit against them. Bender, a former accountant at Mazars who assembled the financial statements that Donald Trump provided to banks for years, has testified that he thought the valuation data the Trump Organization gave him was complete. The state claims that it was inflated by billions of dollars. And one of Trump's lawyers, Jesus Suarez, zoomed in on a disclaimer in a document that Mazars had given to authorities. The document included a line that indicated the Bender's availability was contingent on his "physical and mental health." Did you tell Mazars anything that would lead them to put this there? Suarez asked. "No sir," Bender replied. "You'd have to ask Mazars" why they included that line, he said. Suarez kept pushing. "I have had some health issues and Mazars is aware of them," said Bender, who was sometimes hard to hear over protesters outside who were yelling about Trump. "My physical issues in the last few months, they were resolved within two weeks." "I have no mental health issues," he said. But Cliff Robert, an attorney for Donald Trump's sons Eric and Donald Jr., challenged Bender's recollection of his interactions with Jeff McConney, a longtime Trump Organization accountant. Bender has said he asked McConney for appraisals of key Trump properties, but never put it in writing and never received them. Robert asked Bender what, exactly, he said to McConney. "The way I phrased it to Mr. McConney was, 'do you have any other appraisals?'" Bender said. Robert said the use of the word "other" indicates that he already had one. Bender said he actually had received appraisals for two Trump entities, TIHT Commercial and Trump Plaza Commercial. Over the past few days, the question-and-answer sessions with Bender could become highly technical, with lawyers reading long sentences from accounting standards guides, or repetitive, with Bender being asked the same questions about years and years of reports. At one point, when an accounting-specific meaning for the word "review" came up, Justice Arthur Elgoron invoked a legal dispute involving another ex-president. "This is starting to sound like the interrogation of Bill Clinton: 'do you know what the definition of 'is' is?'" Elgoron cracked. Bender is no stranger to the witness stand, having previously testified at the criminal trial of the Trump Organization in 2022. That case ended with a $1.6 million fine. Attorney General Letitia James' office is seeking much more far-reaching punishment for Trump and his real-estate empire, including a suspension on their ability to do business in New York. She has said Trump overstated his wealth by billions so banks would lend. Trump argues that he engaged in industry-standard puffery and banks knew better than to accept his financial statements at face value. Read the original article on Business Insider FILE PHOTO: Supporters of Tunisia's Free Destourian Party take part in a protest in Tunis By Tarek Amara TUNIS (Reuters) -A Tunisian judge on Thursday ordered the imprisonment of Abir Moussi , a prominent opponent of President Kais Saied , two days after she was arrested at the presidential palace entrance, her lawyer said, part of a crackdown on opposition politicians. Investigations of Moussi, the leader of the Free Constitutional Party (PDL), went on for hours while her supporters gathered, raising slogans demanding her immediate release and slogans against Saied. Interior ministry officials declined to comment. Police this year have detained more than 20 leading political figures, including Rached Ghannouchi , the leader of the Islamist Ennahdha Party, accusing some of plotting against state security. Saied has described those detained as "terrorists, traitors and criminals". Saied, a retired law professor who was elected president in 2019, shut down the elected parliament in 2021 and moved to rule by decree, actions his opponents described as a coup and which he rejects. "After five hours of investigation, the judge ordered the imprisonment of Moussi on suspicion of processing personal data, obstructing the right to work, and assault intended to cause chaos," lawyer Nafaa Laaribi said. Moussi, was arrested on Tuesday when she went to the presidential reception office to file an appeal in a decree of local elections expected at the end of the year. She said in a video that this step was necessary so that she could later file an appeal in the Administrative Court. Moussi's Party warned in a statement against "attempts to fabricate legal obstacles to remove her from participating in the presidential elections" expected next year. In recent months, the party has organized protests against Saied. Moussi accuses Saied of ruling outside the law. Moussi is a supporter of late authoritarian president Zine El Abidine ben Ali who was toppled by mass protests in 2011, an uprising that later spread throughout the Middle East and became known as "the Arab Spring". She describes these revolutions as a "spring of destruction and accused Western intelligence of changing the rulers in the region and pushing political Islam into power. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Grant McCool) What the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said was an accidental shooting of a 9-year-old by his 6-year-old brother, police have now made two arrests in the case. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Action News Jax first told you about the shooting on Sun., Oct. 1. JSO responded to the area of 1500 Mount Herman St. when calls came in about a shooting involving two juveniles in the early morning. Detectives said that the 9-year-old victim was shot accidentally by his 6-year-old brother. The family was home at the time of the incident. In two separate arrest reports obtained by Action News Jax, Farand Nelson and Rosa Bennett were arrested by police in connection with the incident. Read: JSO searching for suspect in credit card theft: Suspect spent $40,000, police said While both reports are heavily redacted they said Bennett and Nelson failed to supervise the care and custody of [redacted] while inside their residence. The report also states that Bennett and Nelson did accompany the 9-year-old victim to Shands UF Health Pediatric Emergency Room after the shooting. Later, during the investigation, both suspects were taken to JSO headquarters, interviewed, and arrested. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Two men, including a former Benton County jail administrator, were each sentenced to 20 years in prison for child sex crimes, according to the Platte County Prosecuting Attorneys Office. Nicholas Murphy, a former jail administrator with the Benton County Sheriffs Department, and Caleb Robert Morris of Holt County were both sentenced Wednesday. The Platte County Prosecuting Attorneys Office was appointed to handle both cases because of conflicts of interest. When our prosecutor colleagues have a conflict or need help, we stand ready and willing to assist, prosecuting attorney Eric Zahnd said in a news release. Its vital that justice be done, particularly against criminals who prey on children. Murphy, who previously pleaded guilty to second-degree statutory sodomy, second-degree statutory rape and two counts of incest, sexually abused a family member who was a minor. He took the girl to New Mexico in 2018 for an abortion after he raped her. Morris pleaded guilty to first-degree statutory sodomy and admitted to sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl. Because the victim was under 12 years old, Morris must serve at least 85% of his sentence in prison before he is eligible for parole. The drawing for the $1.2 billion Powerball jackpot happened Wednesday night, and while no California players won the whole thing, a couple of players won a pretty good consolation prize. A ticket worth $1,220,123 was sold at Cigarettes 4 Discount at 973 Alamo Drive in Vacaville, according to the California Lottery website. That player had all five winning numbers, but not the Powerball number. Another ticket worth the same amount was sold at the Walmart at 8465 Elk Grove Blvd. in Elk Grove. 20,000 Kaiser healthcare workers on strike in the Bay Area Fourteen players got four correct numbers and the Powerball number. Those tickets are worth $17,500. Wednesdays winning numbers were 9, 35, 54, 63, and 64. The Powerball number was 1. The $1.2 billion jackpot is the third-largest in Powerball history. The largest pot, at $2.04 billion, was won last November in California. The odds of winning this jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. There have been 33 consecutive drawings since someone hit the jackpot. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Tyler Cameron is putting himself back out there, and he has some advice for people looking to join him. Cameron told TODAY.com that hes getting back into the dating world, and that he sees himself being a father in five years. I want to have at least one baby, he said. Through a new partnership with Eventbrite, the former Bachelorette contestant has curated a series of events for people across the country who are hoping to GTFO & Date. Tyler Cameron for his new partnership with Eventbrite. (Scott Teitler) Some of the events include a pub tour in New York, a poolside rooftop movie night in Miami, a game night in Atlanta and adult night at a trampoline park in Chicago. His new event campaign stems from his belief that daters shouldnt stick to the same old date spots. Doing something kinda under-the-radar feels like a secret. Plus, its way more original than dinner and drinks, he told Eventbrite. In an interview with TODAY.com, Cameron elaborated on his advice for daters from people getting back out there like himself to the new star of The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner. A few questions that Cameron says are good to ask someone on the first date: (What is) their relationship with their family, where do they see themselves in five and then 10 years and if a dollar never mattered, what would they do in life? His advice for daters, as shared by Eventbrite, are: Explore new things together & be a tourist in your own town. Unplug and connect. Embrace your quirkiness & competitive side. When in doubt, throw it back, with events driven by nostalgia Camerons initiative follows new data surfaced by Eventbrite. The local event marketplace said comparing January to June 2022 to the same months in 2023, there was an 83% increase in attendance for events marketed for singles or dating, as well as a 21% increase in searches for speed dating events. Eventbrite shared its predictions for the most popular types of dates for the fall, which include game nights (backed by a 188% spike in attendance this year, according to the site), dates that involve a physical activity, finding under-the-radar hidden gems in daters own cities and hush hour dates, which involve a shared quiet activity like meditation or yoga. Based on the amount of dating events available, the platform also shared the five "top cities for singles," according to Eventbrite: Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, New York and Philadelphia. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Heavy surf breaks on the shore of northern Taiwan as Typhoon Koinu grazes the island (I-Hwa Cheng) Typhoon Koinu left at least one person dead on Thursday as it grazed Taiwan's southern tip, lashing the island with the strongest winds it has ever recorded and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes. Koinu made landfall on the island's southernmost Cape Eluanbi Thursday morning and had weakened as it moved into the Taiwan Strait by 3:00 pm (0700 GMT), according to the Central Weather Administration. Authorities said an 84-year-old woman died in her home in Taichung city after she was injured by glass shattered due to the gales. Pan Huang Kui-chun, a 68-year-old temple keeper in southern Pingtung county -- the typhoon's epicentre -- said it was "terrifying" watching powerful winds bring down power poles. "It nearly dismantled my house. I had to move all my deities to the side," he told AFP. "This time, the typhoon was especially big. Really big. The wind was really strong. And it blew for a very long time. It took a long time for it to pass." Overnight, the eastern volcanic islet of Orchid Island -- home mostly to fishermen and farmers -- experienced wind gusts equivalent to 342.72 kilometres per hour (212 miles per hour) as Koinu moved west, according to the weather administration. "The maximum wind gusts of 95.2 metres per second measured in Orchid Island last night is a new record in Taiwan," a forecaster told AFP. Local media said around 2,400 homes on Orchid Island were without power, while the classrooms of an elementary school were damaged by the powerful gales. Authorities had closed schools and offices on Thursday in anticipation of Koinu's impact. Taiwan experiences frequent tropical storms from May to November. Experts say climate change has made the paths of tropical storms harder to forecast while increasing their intensity -- leading to heavy rains, flash floods and strong gusts. - Downed power lines - Rain-drenched streets were deserted Thursday in Taiwan's southern Taitung and Pingtung counties, with strong winds knocking over street signs and tearing off metal roofing. More than 350 people were injured, the government said without providing any further details. Local media said some injuries were caused by falling trees. Across Taiwan, nearly 330,000 homes temporarily lost power. Downed electricity lines littered the roadside in Pingtung as work crews attempted to bring in fresh poles by truck. A supervisor told AFP it would take at least two days to restore all power. More than 200 international and domestic flights were cancelled, while nearly 3,000 people in mostly mountainous regions were evacuated as a precaution. Koinu comes about a month after Taiwan suffered its first direct hit in four years as Typhoon Haiku forced nearly 8,000 people to evacuate from their homes. Koinu is expected to weaken as it moves towards the coastal waters of China's eastern Guangdong province, according to the weather observatory in nearby Hong Kong. The Chinese city, which was skirted by a typhoon last month before days later being flooded by the heaviest rainfall in 140 years, issued its lowest typhoon signal. bur-dhc/dva/jm Uber already has a lot of services to offer beyond its ride-hailing business such as Uber Eats for food delivery. Now, the company aims to expand its Uber Connect service by letting couriers pick up packages at their locations and drop them off at local posts. New Uber Connect Service Technically, Uber Connect has been around for three years. Initially, it was a way to send items to friends, family, and colleagues across town. With the new addition, the company will now take care of the packages you've been dreading to return because of the hassle. Uber states that 79% of shoppers under 30 think mail returns are "somewhat annoying," according to research from the National Retail Federation. This comes at the perfect time when people usually shop too much during the holidays. To do so, users must go to the app and select the "package" section under suggestions. The option to return a package will then appear which will lead the user to a couple of options such as choosing a postal carrier, as well as confirming pickup and delivery. There are a couple of rules for the package to be accepted. The parcel has to be sealed and prepaid to qualify for the service and the customer can only send up to five returns. The available carriers for the return are USPS, FedEx, and UPS. As for the service fee, Uber Connect will charge a flat rate of $5, but for Uber One members, it goes as low as $3. Customers can even track the package in real-time through the Uber app and will get a visual confirmation that the package has been received by the carrier. The feature is already available now in more than 4,950 cities in the US, including Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York City Suburbs, San Francisco, Seattle, upstate New York, and Washington DC. Read Also: Uber Lets Users Track Their Rides From Their iPhone Lock Screen Uber Connect Uber Connect was initially a same-day delivery service that lets you send items for businesses such as food or groceries, send last-minute birthday gifts to friends and family, and transfer documents, supplies, and equipment across locations. It has the same process as the "return package" feature, wherein the customer can arrange a pickup through the app, meet the driver, and hand over the package. It also comes with in-app tracking to make sure that things go swimmingly. Uber boasts that users can book a delivery the same way they can hail a cab through the app. The ride-hailing app also says that it can offer "on-demand delivery, usually within the hour." If needed, customers can choose the delivery method and the kind of vehicle that would fit the parcel. This service, along with the additional feature is a convenient offer especially to those who are enthusiastic about giving gifts for the holidays. With the same-day delivery, they can send gifts to their loved ones. If they happen to have bought too many presents, they can easily ask Uber again to return them. Related: Uber Eats Might Be Launching Its Own AI Chatbot Soon A U.S. F-16 downed a Turkish drone in northeast Syria after officials deemed it a threat to U.S. forces, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a person familiar. Turkey, a NATO ally, has been carrying out air attacks on Kurdish militants. At the same time, around 900 members of the U.S. military have worked with fighters led by the Kurds in its efforts against the Islamic State. A U.S. official told the Journal that the U.S. knew it was a Turkish drone before firing upon it. The episode may raise tensions between the allied nations, with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin set to meet with Turkish officials, the Journal reported. Read it at The Wall Street Journal Read more at The Daily Beast. A U.S. F-16 fighter jet shot down a Turkish drone that was flying over a base in northeast Syria where American forces are located, a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday. At 7:30 a.m. local time, U.S. forces observed unmanned aerial systems conducting airstrikes near Hasakah, in northeast Syria, including some just a kilometer away from the American troops, Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters during a briefing. The airstrikes were inside a declared U.S. restricted operating zone, and the troops relocated to bunkers, he said. Then at 11:30 a.m., a Turkish drone reentered the restricted zone, heading toward where U.S. troops were located, Ryder said. American commanders assessed that the drone, which was now less than half a kilometer away from U.S. troops, was a potential threat, Ryder said. American F-16 fighter jets shot down the drone at roughly 11:40 a.m. Turkey has recently stepped up attacks on Kurdish forces in Iraq and Syria after Kurdish militants claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in Ankara on Sunday. Turkey views the Syrian Democratic Forces as a wing of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which numerous nations have designated a terrorist organization. The downing of a drone belonging to a NATO ally is certain to escalate tensions between Washington and Ankara, which has long been unhappy with U.S. support for the SDF. Before the shooting down the drone on Thursday, U.S. officials communicated with the Turkish military and warned that U.S. forces had the right to self-defense, Ryder said. No U.S. forces were injured during the incident, and the Pentagon has no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. troops, he stressed. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with his Turkish counterpart after the incident. During the call, he said the U.S. is in Syria only to hunt Islamic State terrorists, Ryder said. "The Secretary also acknowledged Turkey's legitimate security concerns and underscored the importance of close coordination between the United States and Turkey to prevent any risk to US forces or the global coalition to defeat ISIS mission," Ryder said. New Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. CQ Brown, who stepped into the job on Monday, also spoke with his Turkish counterpart, Gen. Metin Gurak, on Thursday after the incident, according to his spokesperson Col. Dave Butler. The two discussed "the need to follow common deconfliction protocols to ensure the safety of our personnel in Syria following todays incident," Butler said. Ryder noted that when it comes to northern Syria, DOD remains concerned "about the potential impacts of military escalation in that region," citing impact to the civilian population and "our ability to maintain focus on rooting out ISIS." A Turkish official on Wednesday said Turkish forces discovered two terrorists who had arrived in Turkey from Syria and warned that infrastructure and energy facilities in Syria and Iraq affiliated with PKK or the YPG, the Turkish name for the SDF, are now legitimate targets. The drone, which belonged to the Turkish government, was armed with air-to-ground missiles, said a person familiar with the situation, who was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic. The uncrewed aerial vehicle was a Bayraktar TB2, a medium-altitude, long-endurance drone built by Turkish defense company Baykar for use primarily by the Turkish armed forces, the person said. The Turkish defense ministry reportedly denied it owned the drone. Just hours before the shootdown, a senior U.S. general told reporters the U.S. and Turkey have a "good" military relationship, noting that "we've got open communications with the Turkish Air Operations Center, I've got a liaison team that actually sits in their air operation center." "We try very hard to keep things flat in terms of where operations are going and mitigate the risks to our forces," said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of U.S. Air Forces Central Command, on Wednesday. But "we recognize that Turkey has legitimate security concerns, that their southern border is of great concern to them." Turkey has threatened to invade northeast Syria a number of times in recent years in response to the PKKs activity. In October 2019, Ankara launched a massive ground operation against the SDF, which killed and displaced thousands of people. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria, focused on hunting Islamic State terrorists with the SDF. A Turkish Embassy official in Washington and State Department spokesperson declined to comment. Reuters first reported the news of the shootdown. Nahal Toosi contributed to this report. A U.S. Air Force F-16 shot down a Turkish drone over northeastern Syria considered a threat to U.S. forces there, a U.S. official told The War Zone Thursday. The incident took place amid an increase in Turkish drone attacks on Kurdish targets in that region following a bombing in Ankara on Sunday that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) claimed credit for, according to Reuters . The U.S. was definitely aware it was a Turkish drone, said the official, speaking to The War Zone on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. The official did not know what kind of drone was shot down. The Turkish Defense Ministry (MoD) said that the drone did not belong to the Turkish armed forces, according to Reuters . The U.S. has about 900 troops in that area, continuing the ongoing fight against the ISIS jihadi group. Forces assigned to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) continue to partner with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in that fight, which were instrumental in the ultimate defeat of ISIS physical caliphate in 2019 . Last month, there were eight partnered operations in Syria, with one ISIS operative killed and seven detained, according to CENTCOM. https://twitter.com/haltman/status/1700142078628348330 The U.S.-SDF relationship has long created tensions with NATO ally Turkey, which considers the SDF an extension of the PKK. Turkish officials on Wednesday claimed the two attackers who bombed Ankara had come from Syria. The bombing killed both attackers and wounded two police officers. The SDF denied the bombers passed through their territory. https://twitter.com/MiddleEastEye/status/1708451703027351972 Turkish officials said any infrastructure and energy facilities in Iraq and Syria controlled by the PKK, as well as People's Protection Units (YPG) , were legitimate military targets , Reuters reported . "The PKK and the YPG are the same terrorist organisation, they are our legitimate target everywhere. Turkey conducted operations whenever and wherever necessary in the past, and these operations will continue if needed again," a Turkish Defence Ministry official said. Turkey has a history of drone strikes against Kurdish targets throughout Syria, including one that the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said killed 20 in an attack on SDF leadership near Zahraa on Aug. 19. https://twitter.com/PopularFront_/status/1692880416078766114 However, the tempo has greatly increased in northeastern Syria since the Ankara attack, according to groups on the ground there. SOHR said that there were 17 Turkish drone attacks in that area just today, resulting in at least 10 deaths. Turkey carried out drone attacks against Kurdish targets in northeast Syria in and around Al Hasakah, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Google Earth image) SOHR said Turkey attacked military and civilian infrastructure targets. They included the Hamma Water Station north of Al-Hasakah, an oil facility in Ger Dahol village in Terbespiyeh, the western dam electricity transfer station, which supplies large parts of Al-Hasakah city and its countryside, a petrol station in Al-Qahtanyah village and an electricity station on Al-Hezam Al-Gharby road near the COVID hospital in Al-Qamishli. https://twitter.com/NPA_English/status/1709956831815033253 https://twitter.com/NPA_English/status/1709914590367146361 How Turkey will ultimately react to what the U.S. says was a deliberate shootdown of one of its drones remains unknown at the time. Also unknown is what, if any effect, the current Turkish operations against the SDF will have on that organization's relationship with the U.S. After an Aug. 3 Turkish drone strike killed four SDF members, Kurdish authorities called on the U.S.-led coalition to make clear where it stands regarding these strikes that have killed and wounded dozens of Syrian Kurdish fighters over the past months, ABC News reported at the time . This is a developing story. We will update it when new information becomes available. Update 2:11 PM Eastern: Both Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. C.Q. Brown have called Turkish officials about this incident, according to Al-Monitor. https://twitter.com/JM_Szuba/status/1709990509236592861 Update 3:45 PM Eastern: Todays incident in northeast Syria began about 7:30 a.m. local time, when U.S. forces observed drones conducting airstrikes near Hasakah, the Pentagons top spokesman told reporters, including from The War Zone. Some of those strikes were inside a declared U.S. Restricted Operating Zone (ROZ), said Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder. Those strikes were taking place about a kilometer from U.S. forces, who relocated to bunkers, Ryder said. At about 11:30 a.m. local time, a Turkish drone re-entered the ROZ on a heading toward where U.S. forces were located. U.S. commanders assessed that the UAV, which was now less than half a kilometer from U.S. forces, to be a potential threat and U.S. F-16s subsequently shot down the UAV in self defense at approximately 11:40 a.m. local time. There were no U.S. troops injured and no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. forces, Ryder added. Ryder confirmed that Austin talked with his Turkish counterpart about the incident and there were assurances that the two nations can continue working together. While condemning Sundays attack in Ankara and reconfirming that the U.S. considers the PKK a terrorist organization, Ryder expressed concern that the escalation of violence in northeastern Syria could adversely affect the anti-ISIS fight. Update 5:04 PM Eastern: The Turkish Defense Ministry was apparently correct when it said the drone shot down by U.S. F-16s today was not one of theirs. The drone actually belonged to Turkish intelligence, according to The Messenger. https://twitter.com/JimLaPorta/status/1710034187770565015 Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The News The leadership shakeup in the U.S. House of Representatives may mean the end of or a significant delay in U.S. security assistance to Ukraine. Lawmakers are already returning to a potential solution offered by the ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy himself: Tying Ukraine aid to action on border security to get it through Congress. I think it may very well take a recognition of that challenge at the southern border, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. told reporters. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. echoed that sentiment: I think the only way to do Ukraine aid well is to couple it with a border bill, he said. Its not only Republicans. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. acknowledged to reporters that combining Ukraine assistance with a border security package is one of the likely paths to passing more assistance for Kyiv. But the idea might already be doomed. Heritage Action, the powerful advocacy arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation, encouraged speaker candidates some of whom are already skeptical of more aid to reject the idea of combining border security measures with Ukraine funding. Democrats are also exploring other options, like an arcane measure known as a discharge petition that would involve getting a majority of signatures in the House to force a vote on Ukraine aid on the floor. Two House Democrats floated the idea amid the chaos on Tuesday, and by Wednesday morning Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz. an ardent supporter of Ukraine aid said he had discussed it with counterparts on the House side. We need to do something, Kelly told Semafor. Its hard. Know More The path forward for future Ukraine assistance was already murky after Congress passed a short-term funding bill over the weekend that didnt include any of the $24 billion in aid the White House has asked for. The ouster of McCarthy, who expressed at least tentative support for helping Ukraine but oversaw a GOP conference increasingly divided on the issue, has created more uncertainty by freezing legislative action in the lower chamber and leaving a vacuum atop the GOP. Republican opponents of more Ukraine assistance have argued that the Biden administration needs to spend more resources addressing domestic issues like border security. While those voices represent only a portion of Republicans on Capitol Hill, they reflect a growing sentiment among Republican voters. So far, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. and House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio have each formally jumped into the race for the speakers gavel. Scalise has voted in support of Ukraine aid including as recently as last week when the House overwhelmingly passed $300 million in assistance with about half of Republicans voting no. Jordan, meanwhile, voted against that same bill and his position moving forward is somewhat in question. He told CNN he is against a Ukraine aid package, but House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas told reporters Jordan sent a different signal behind closed doors. Punchbowl News reported Thursday morning that Jordan told the Texas delegation he would want the Ukraine funding to be offset. Jordan also apparently raised the idea of using Ukraine aid as leverage to force movement on border security measures earlier this week, according to Politico. Another potential candidate, Republican Study Chairman Kevin Hern, R-Okla., has demanded a briefing from the Biden administration on the endgame in Ukraine. Last week, Hern also proudly advertised that he was among those who opposed the first Ukraine aid package passed by Congress last year. Morgans view The idea of connecting Ukraine assistance to a more contentious issue like border security seems destined to fail to me. Republicans and Democrats are far apart on the border and immigration, so much so they havent been able to muscle through comprehensive change in decades. That Heritage Action is already lobbying against the idea probably kills it. But the fact that Democrats like Blumenthal are now talking about this suggests its at least being considered and that Ukraine supporters are willing to entertain more desperate options than they might have in the past. Some House Democrats are already panning the idea, which McCarthy floated on CBS News over the weekend. It is literally a life-or-death situation and youre holding Ukraine hostage to try and resolve something that Congress has been trying unsuccessfully to resolve for 25 years? Thats not helping Ukraine, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash. told me yesterday, just before McCarthy was forced out of his leadership position. The Biden administration doesnt love the idea, either: White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday that Ukraine assistance and border security should not be tied or one dependent on the other. Room for Disagreement Rounds, a strong advocate for Ukraine, said he believed Congress could get it done, but that the challenge would be finding a way to use the appropriations process to change border policy. The View From the White House President Biden told reporters Wednesday that he planned to deliver a major speech to make the case that arming Ukraine is in the U.S. national interest, and suggested without elaborating that the administration had a fallback plan for a funding stream if Congress cannot pass more aid. The White House has come under pressure (including from Ukraine supporters) to make a clearer argument for assistance and spell out the endgame for the war. It strikes me that there has been a spectacular failure of leadership on this from the administration, Dalibor Rohac, a senior fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, told Semafor. Unlike conservative critics of Ukraine aid, Rohac argued for a Ukraine surge in weaponry to change the balance on the battlefield. The View From Europe The European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Thursday that Europe would not be able to fill the gap if U.S. support for Ukraine dries up. Ukraine needs the support of the European Union ... but also the support of the US, Borrell said in Granada. Can Europe fill the gap left by the U.S.? Well, certainly Europe cannot replace the U.S. An American man who allegedly faked his own death in a bid to avoid rape and fraud charges in the U.S. is set to be extradited back to the U.S. from Scotland after a request was granted by the Scottish government. The man is believed to be fugitive Nicholas Alahverdian , who faces charges in connection with a 2008 rape in Utah, as well as charges in Rhode Island for failing to register as a sex offender. A Scottish court ruling in August cleared a legal path for his extradition on the U.S. warrant, but the U.K. nation's semi-autonomous government still had to sign off on the move, which it did on Sept. 28, according to the notice posted online Thursday. The FBI has said that Alahverdian also faces fraud charges in Ohio, a state where he was convicted of sex-related charges in 2008, according to The Associated Press. The man, known in the U.K. by the alias Nicholas Rossi, has been jailed in Scotland for several years. He denies being 35-year-old Alahverdian and says he's a victim of mistaken identity. Since his 2021 arrest in Scotland, he's done a series of bizarre TV interviews, insisting he's an innocent Irishman. A defendant identified in the U.K. as Nicholas Rossi is seen leaving a Scottish court in Scotland, Nov. 9, 2022, after a hearing on his extradition to the U.S. as Nicholas Alahverdian, where he is wanted for charges involving identity theft and fraud, and a 2008 rape charge in Utah. / Credit: Jane Barlow/PA Images/Getty In a viral interview done by Scottish network STV News earlier this year, the accused man insisted he was really an Irish-born orphan named Arthur Knight, who has never been to the United States. He called the suggestion that he was, in fact, an American wanted on rape charges, "a vicious lie." He was interviewed while sitting in an electric wheelchair and wearing an oxygen mask, and he was accompanied by a woman who the couple identified as his wife, Miranda Knight, whom he said he married in the English city of Bristol in 2020. In a clip of an NBC "Dateline" interview, the accused man pointed the blame squarely at the media. "We were once a normal family, but thanks to the media our lives have been interrupted," he says, gasping into an oxygen mask in an undiscernible accent. "And we'd like privacy and I would like to go back to being a normal husband, but I can't because I can't breathe, I can't walk. People say that's an act. Let me try and stand up" Then, in a bizarre move, he attempted to prove he was not faking his disability by dramatically attempting to stand up and flailing around before being caught by his wife. A Rhode Island obituary posted online claims Nicholas Alahverdian died on February 29, 2020, "two months after going public with his diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He was in his 32nd year." But in 2021, Rhode Island state police, along with Alahverdian's former lawyer and his former foster family, cast doubt on whether he had really died, the AP said. Jeffrey Pine, a former Rhode Island state attorney general who represented Alahverdiani on the misdemeanor sex offender registry charge he faces in that state told the AP he had no doubt the man claiming to be Knight is his former client. Nicholas Rossi, aka Nicolas Alahverdian, leaves the Edinburgh Sheriff Court after judge Norman McFadyen confirmed his identity as the man who has been fighting extradition to the U.S. on charges involving identity theft and fraud, and a 2008 sexual assault charge in Utah, November 11, 2022. / Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Images/Getty The man known by the Rossi alias in the U.K. was arrested in December 2021 at a Glasgow hospital where he was being treated for COVID-19, according to the AP. U.S. authorities have said the name Rossi is one of several aliases used by the fugitive. Hospital staff who treated him said they recognized him from an Interpol wanted notice, which included images of distinctive tattoos on his arms, and established that Rossi was in fact Alahverdian, CBS News' partner network BBC News reported. The man claimed he was tattooed while he was lying unconscious in the Scottish hospital, in what he said was an attempt by police authorities to frame him, according to the BBC. During the court hearings leading up to the extradition approval, Alahverdian's accent changed several times as he gave evidence. He fired six different lawyers during the legal process, BBC Scotland reported. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Rich Paul | Sunday on 60 Minutes Biden administration authorizes border wall construction Washington The Biden administration is restarting direct deportations to Venezuela in an attempt to reduce unlawful crossings along the southern border by Venezuelan migrants, who have journeyed to the U.S. in record numbers in recent weeks, federal officials announced Thursday. For years, the U.S. did not carry out regular deportations to Venezuela due to its strained diplomatic relationship with that country's socialist government, which faces U.S. sanctions due to its human rights abuses and repressive policies. But officials now plan to resume direct deportations there to send back Venezuelans who enter the U.S. unlawfully and lack a legal basis to remain in the country. CBS News first reported the announcement earlier Thursday. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said the Venezuelan government had agreed to accept the return of its citizens, though it did not disclose how frequently the deportation flights would take place. A senior administration official who briefed reporters said the U.S. had already identified Venezuelans in federal custody "who will be removed promptly in the coming days." "Today's announcement makes clear that we are committed to strictly enforcing immigration laws and quickly removing individuals who do not avail themselves of these orderly processes and choose to cross our border unlawfully," DHS added in its statement. CHIHUAHUA - MEXCO - SEPTEMBER 29: Migrant people, mostly from Venezuela, are seen after the goods train they were travelling on stopped for over 12 hours, in the Chihuahuan desert in Chihuahuan, Mexico on September 29, 2023. / Credit: David Peinado/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images A sharp increase in Venezuelan arrivals The shift in policy is designed to slow down an unprecedented flow of U.S.-bound migration from crisis-stricken Venezuela and other countries hosting millions of displaced Venezuelans, including Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In September, approximately 50,000 Venezuelans crossed the U.S. southern border without authorization, an all-time record that fueled a yearly high in migrant apprehensions that month, according to internal federal data obtained by CBS News. That represented roughly a quarter of all Border Patrol apprehensions in September. While the resumption of deportations to Venezuela may deter some Venezuelans from trekking to the U.S. border, it's likely to prompt objections from human rights advocates and progressive Democrats, due to the deteriorating economic and political situation in the South American country. The economic and societal collapse in Venezuela under its authoritarian government has triggered the largest migrant exodus ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere. More than 7 million people have left the country in recent years, a tally that now eclipses the number of externally displaced refugees from war-torn Syria and Ukraine. Increasingly, Venezuelans have left countries hosting them in South America or Venezuela itself to embark on a week-long journey to the U.S. that includes crossing Panama's Darien Gap on foot. More than 400,000 migrants, most of them from Venezuela, have crossed that roadless jungle this year, a record. A policy shift The Biden administration has been trying to dissuade Venezuelan migrants from crossing the U.S. border illegally over the past few years, with varying degrees of success. A strategy that includes returning those who entered the country illegally to Mexico while expanding legal migration programs for Venezuelans initially led to a dramatic drop in illegal border entries. But the low number of unlawful border entries by Venezuelans only lasted for a few months. During the briefing on Thursday, administration officials urged Venezuelans to wait for an opportunity to enter the U.S. legally, either through a program for those with American sponsors or an app that allows migrants in Mexico to be processed at official ports of entry. Otherwise, officials warned, they would face deportation to Mexico or Venezuela. The officials said the U.S. would not deport Venezuelans who prove they could be persecuted if returned to Venezuela. Deportation efforts will focus on those who arrived after July 31, the cut-off date for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program the administration expanded last month to offer work permits to nearly half a million Venezuelans already in the U.S., the officials added. At the time, DHS said the crisis in Venezuela prevented the U.S. from "safely" deporting people there. Asked if Thursday's move was inconsistent with last month's announcement, an administration official said the U.S. has long deported migrants to countries with a TPS designation. Officials did not elaborate on how they convinced Venezuela to accept these deportations. Asked about whether the U.S. was considering loosening some sanctions, an official said the administration would only do so if the Venezuelan government takes "concrete steps" towards a "democratic solution." "At this time, those steps have not yet been taken and we continue to enforce our sanctions," the official said. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Is Jim Jordan the right House speaker candidate to unite the GOP? Strategists weigh in Nobel Prize winner calls parents The U.S. will once again deport migrants to Venezuela as a way to deter migration from the embattled South American country, senior Biden administration officials told reporters on Thursday. The deportation flights, which came after talks between U.S., Colombian and Mexican officials, will resume in the coming days. Immigration officials have already identified Venezuelans in U.S. custody who will go on these first flights. Senior administration officials say the move is intended to discourage migration via the Darien Gap, a dangerous stretch of jungle in Panama that migrants must cross in order to continue the journey from Colombia into Central America, and encourage would-be migrants to pursue some of the expanded legal pathways available to Venezuelan migrants, including temporary protected status and sponsorship. The return of the flights marks a significant turning point in U.S. immigration policy. For years, the U.S. did not regularly conduct repatriation flights to Venezuela, given Washingtons strained relationship with Caracas and concerns about human rights abuses by the government of President Nicolas Maduro. It comes as the Biden administration faces increased political pressure to stem an influx of migrants at the U.S. border with Mexico. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. has struggled to stem the flow of migrants fleeing gang violence, political instability and economic malaise in Latin America and other parts of the world. Thousands of migrants, in particular from Venezuela, are apprehended every day by border patrol agents. Since May 2023, 295,000 individuals have been repatriated by the Department of Homeland Security. The flood of migrants has become a political albatross for Democrats and President Joe Biden , as major U.S. cities have struggled to house new arrivals and provide them with needed social services. This has caused some prominent Democrats in heavily affected states to publicly slam the Biden administrations response. In September, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, warned that migration would destroy his city. Adams is on a trip to Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador this week and is expected to deliver a stern warning to would-be migrants thinking of coming to the U.S. On Monday, Illinois Democratic governor, J.B. Pritzker, wrote to Biden warning that the sheer magnitude of the influx is overwhelming our ability to provide aid to the refugee population, and said that an absence of federal leadership was creating an untenable situation for Illinois. The guys running for president. He better start paying attention to this, Massachusetts House Speaker Ron Mariano said Wednesday. We need to put a framework around this from the feds. We need someone to take charge of this and say, This is what you can expect. The White House has largely defended the administrations response, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre telling reporters on Wednesday that Biden has taken action in delivering record funding for border security and increasing the number of border patrol agents and law enforcement at the border. Speaking at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken placed blame for the situation on an unprecedented multi-country influx of migrants, the likes of which the U.S. hasnt experienced before. It used to be that you would have one crisis at a time maybe Cuba, maybe Haiti, maybe it was El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, the countries in the so-called Northern Triangle, Blinken said. Now its all of the above, plus Venezuela, plus Nicaragua, plus Ecuador, plus people coming in through Latin America from parts far away from the United States Uzbekistan all coming towards Mexico and then coming toward the United States. And so I think its important to understand that this is actually something that is historically of extraordinary proportions, Blinken continued. But the border influx has prompted the Biden administration to backtrack somewhat on its approach. On Wednesday evening, the administration announced it would waive 26 federal laws to allow construction of the Trump administrations proposed border wall to resume in Texas, reneging on a key promise the president made during the 2020 election. There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a notice posted by the department on the U.S. Federal Register on Wednesday. Jean-Pierre defended the decision, saying it was needed to spend funds allocated to DHS back in 2019. She also said the administration was still committed to pursuing other solutions it sees as more effective to the situation. We believe, and the president has been very clear, even when you asked him, Does a border wall work? he said no, and hes been very consistent about that, Jean-Pierre said Thursday. We believe that we need border technology that is modernized at land ports of entry, and thats what we want to see and thats what I can speak to. The border wall waivers sparked accusations of hypocrisy from the Biden administrations detractors. President Biden said that it was inhumane, and he was not going to continue building the wall, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) said on CNN on Thursday. This is a political move and people see through it. Olivia Alafriz contributed to this report. CORRECTION: Due to a misunderstanding that occurred on an administration call with reporters, this article initially misstated the number and nationality of migrants repatriated by the Department of Homeland Security. A U.S. fighter jet shot down a Turkish drone Thursday after it flew near American troops operating in northeast Syria, two U.S. defense officials said. The unusual military encounter between two NATO allies came after a similar incident earlier in the day. No troops were injured, and there is no indication that the Turks were intentionally targeting U.S. service members, the officials said. At about 7:30 a.m. local time, two Turkish drones armed with air-to-ground weapons flew near U.S. troops near Hasakah, Syria, where American forces are operating to fight the Islamic State terrorist group. The Defense Department's press secretary, Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, said the Turkish drones were flying as close as 1 kilometer away (0.62 miles) from the U.S. troops early Thursday, and they were conducting airstrikes that were so close to U.S. troops that the Americans took shelter in bunkers. U.S. soldiers in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle on patrol in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province July 17, 2023. (Delil Souleiman / AFP via Getty Images file) After the U.S. reached out to Turkey multiple times at various levels and warned that the drones were flying and dropping bombs near American troops, the drone left the area, according to the two defense officials. About four hours after the first incident, an armed drone approached the area again, and the U.S. sent F-16s to intercept it. One of the fighter jets shot down the Turkish drone with an air-to-air missile, the officials said. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, both spoke with their Turkish counterparts about the incident Thursday morning, the officials said. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing Thursday afternoon, Ryder declined to say whether the Turks provided any assurances that they would not fly near U.S. troops again, but he did say the conversation was productive. Ryder said the U.S. shot down the drone in self-defense and described it as a regrettable incident. There was no immediate comment from Turkey on the shooting of the drone. Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency reported that the Turkish intelligence service had carried out an operation against the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, and its affiliated Kurdish militia group in Syria, which is known as Peoples Defense Units, or YPG, The Associated Press reported. Anadolu report said the Turks had struck suspected arms and ammunition depots and buildings believed to have been used by the groups sabotage teams, according to the AP. It did not provide further details about the operation. The U.S. military partners with the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, in Syria, which are composed primarily of Arab and Kurdish fighters. Defense officials would not speculate about whether the Turkish drones could have been targeting any SDF personnel. On Wednesday, Turkey carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Kurdish militant targets following a suicide attack near Turkish government buildings in Ankara earlier in the week. CORRECTION (Oct. 5, 2023, 10:30 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the conversion of kilometers to miles. One kilometer is 0.62 miles, not 6.2 miles. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SAO PAULO The defense conglomerate Edge Group has acquired a 50% stake in the Brazilian weapons manufacturer SIATT, the Emirati firm announced Sept. 29. Founded in 2015, SIATT has been a partner in the Brazilian governments MANSUP program, which seeks an anti-ship missile with guidance, control and telemetry systems. In its announcement, Edge described SIATT as a producer of smart weapons such as missiles and guided munitions, as well as their integration into aircraft, naval vessels, tanks, and other terrestrial vehicles, while also noting the Brazilian business stood out as a radar, sensor and avionics specialist. The deal, according to SIATTs CEO, Rogerio Salvador, should allow the Brazilian company to leverage EDGE Groups scale and international experience across diverse domains to jointly develop the next generation of smart weapon solutions for our respective Armed Forces and other defense customers. The head of Edge Group, Mansour AlMulla, stated that his company is committed to collaborating with strategically important players in the Brazilian industry, through investments or partnerships, with the goal of developing advanced defense capabilities and other related technologies. The deal was also praised by the director of weapons systems for the Brazilian Navy, Vice Adm. Marco Antonio Ismael Trovao de Oliveira. EDGE is demonstrating, through concrete actions, that it is a serious and supportive partner of the Brazilian defense industry and the development of national capabilities in several domains, the officer said in Edges news release. Edge Group recently expanded its footprint in Europe with its takeover of Estonias Milrem Robotics, which produces unmanned systems. Editors Note: A version of this story appeared in this weeks CNNs Race Deconstructed newsletter. Sign up for free here. No one has been caught using a racial slur. Theres no video footage of an encounter between a White police officer and a Black motorist that ends in tragedy. Its not an event with the familiar hallmarks of a racial story. But make no mistake: The United Auto Workers strike against Detroits Big Three automakers is not just a story about workers versus corporate power. Its also about race. If the UAW is successful, they could also impact one of the significant political trends in America: the exodus of White working-class voters, fueled in part by racial resentment, from the Democratic Party. The labor dimension to the strike is well-known. The UAW launched its strike Sept.15 and is seeking increased wages, benefits and job protections for its members. Last week, President Biden became the first sitting president to join workers on a picket line when he stood with UAW workers. The strike came as major automakers had reported record or near-record profits, with their CEOs earning an estimated 300 times more than their workers. The UAW strike is part of larger pattern. Unions are experiencing a resurgence amid a perception that workers arent sharing fairly in corporate profits. Public approval of unions last year reached its highest level since 1965 and has only fallen slightly this year, according to Gallup pollsters. But the surging popularity of unions could reduce some of the racial divisions in our country. Our parties, like much of the country, are divided mostly along racial lines. The Republican Party has benefitted from a steady exodus of White working-class voters since the mid-1960s, when Lyndon Johnson, a Democratic president, threw his partys support behind major civil rights legislation. No Democratic president has won a majority of the White vote since. More than 80% of Republican voters are White. Several historians say the contemporary decline of unions paved the way for the election of Donald Trump in 2016. Working-class Whites who once found a political home in the union hall now found solidarity in a new populist movement. United Auto Workers (UAW) members on a picket line outside a Ford Motor Co. Michigan Assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan, on September 15, 2023. - Emily Elconin/Bloomberg/Getty Images But this strike has given us a glimpse of another future. Rarely in contemporary America do we see multiracial crowds gathered for a common purpose. The UAW strike, however, has furnished plenty of images of White and non-White workers walking the picket lines together. These images represent unions peculiar power. Unions shrink the physical and psychological differences between White and non-White Americans. They have a history of fostering racial solidarity between White, Black and brown workers. Their message to those workers: The enemy is not a person of another skin color but something else: corporate greed. That message has racial implications. Several studies have found union membership not only reduces racial resentment but also leads to White unionized workers becoming more likely to support economic policies that help the Black community. Unions provide opportunities for people of different racial backgrounds and identities to not merely work side by side which may itself relax prejudice through sheer exposure but to work toward a common goal together, promoting cooperation, and enhancing respect and mutuality across racial lines, wrote Meagan Day, co-author of Bigger than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism, in an essay in Jacobin magazine. Unions provided crucial support to the civil rights movement. Its often been noted that Shawn Fain, the current UAW president, quotes Malcolm X. But Walter Reuther, his legendary predecessor in the 1950s and 1960s, was a stalwart ally of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Auto workers were among the civil rights demonstrators at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in Washington, DC. - Roosevelt H. Carter/Archive Photos/Getty Images Reuther gave critical support to the 1963 March on Washington and sat on the advisory board of the NAACP. He also joined King for the historic Selma to Montgomery march, which helped spark the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. King was also a strong supporter of unions. He had gone to Memphis, where he was assassinated in 1968, to support striking sanitation workers. In fairness, unions dont always practice the racial solidarity they preach. They, too, have a history of racism and corruption. Not long ago, the Justice Department unearthed a massive corruption scandal at the UAW. But the UAW strike could have an impact not just in the immediate future, but long-term. The current labor resurgence could help Democrats make inroads among White, working-class voters. The current headlines may not say this: But the UAW strike and others like it are about something more than labor rights. Theyre also about race. And in America, the two have always been intertwined. John Blake is the author of More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com AI startup company, Prophetic, is working on building the "world's first wearable device for stabilizing lucid dreams" called Halo. Read Also: Messenger, Instagram's Sticker-Generating AI Produced Potentially Offensive Content Prophetic AI Promotes Non-Invasive Neurotech Prophetic founders Eric Wollberg and Wesley Berry established the company after sharing a mutual fascination with brain-imaging tools and how they could paint a picture of someone's thought pattern. The duo co-founded Prophetic in early 2023. As reported by CNBC, Prophetic is working towards making the "world's first wearable device for stabilizing lucid dreams." Basically, the device bears similarity to a headband and can issue focused ultrasound signals. Lucid dreams occur when a person becomes aware of their dream-like state which allows them the chance to control some parts of their dreams. Recently, Wollberg announced that the company has raised $1.1 million in funding from various companies and partners. The prototype device dubbed Halo is in partnership with Card79, the same company that built Elon Musk's brain-computer interface company, Neuralink. Prophetic AI Public Launch Last June, Prophetic was formally introduced to the world. The founders emphasized the idea to "Bring about a paradigmatic shift in neurotech and give users an experience so extraordinary, a lucid dream, that we bring about a fundamentally new era of human life." On October 20, the company will be showcasing the Halo prototype, custom ultrasound transducers, ML model development, and more in New York City. Wollberg also assured that the event will be recorded and uploaded for public consumption. According to Prophetic's roadmap, the company is eyeing to complete the Ultrasound study and have the Prophetic models reliably induce and stabilize lucid dreams by 2024. It is estimated that by Spring 2025, the Halo will be shipped around the world. Related Article: Compensation Amount for Artists Whose Works are Used to Train AI Still Undisclosed UC Davis is in possession of hundreds of photos of monkey test subjects graphic images of at least a dozen macaques that were poisoned, maimed, and ultimately killed but neither the university nor billionaire Elon Musk wants the public to see them, according to an investigative report from tech news outlet Wired that published Wednesday. The macaques, which came from UC Davis Primate Center, were part of a research program in partnership with Musks company Neuralink. The university and Neuralink are defendants in a lawsuit filed by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, under the California Public Records Act. The partnership between UC Davis and Neuralink ended in 2020. Neuralink did not respond to The Bees request for comment by deadline. In response to previous allegations of animal cruelty, the company released a statement in which it said, At Neuralink, we are absolutely committed to working with animals in the most humane and ethical way possible. Andy Fell, a spokesman for UC Davis, said in a statement to The Bee that the university has fully complied with the California Public Records Act and we have supplied the vast majority of records requested by (the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine). Some requested items were not provided because they are exempt from disclosure under the law for various reasons set out in court filings. Among those requested items, according to Wired, are photos of monkeys with holes roughly the size of a US dime drilled into their skulls. Others show with electrodes placed inside their brains and titanium plates screwed to their skulls. One researcher told Wired that the photos are particularly gruesome. In at least one instance, later documented as an Animal Welfare Act violation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 7-year-old monkey seized and vomited as it was observed by university staff, and sometimes she would wake and scratch at her throat, retching and gasping for air, before collapsing again, exhausted, according to Wired. Despite the animals apparent suffering, it was not euthanized until one day later, at Neuralinks request. According to Wired, the USDA declined to punish the university because it had proactively reported the violation. UC Davis argued in legal filings that the photos, some of which allegedly depict monkeys with severe neurological damage, would not be in the publics interest to view, according to the Wired report. Wired reports that UC Davis has fought the release of the photos for more than a year. According to court filings reviewed by Wired, UC Davis has argued that the rationale for withholding the photographs is that the public is incapable of distinguishing between legitimate scientific research and senseless butchery, and that releasing the photos to the public would endanger university researchers. As the lawsuit, filed in Yolo County, proceeds, Neuralink is moving ahead with its research. The company announced in September that it is moving ahead with trials on human subjects. A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the basis of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine lawsuit. The lawsuit has been filed under the California Public Records Act. University of Illinois Springfield junior Demi Doehring of Springfield, left, and Emma Leahy a sophomore at UIS, also of Springfield, right, at the UIS Student Union Monday morning Sept. 11, 2023. Incoming in-state freshmen at the University of Illinois Springfield will have the opportunity to take advantage of a new financial aid program, built to help first-time students cover tuition costs over the course of their academic career. The school announced Wednesday the Prairie Promise program, a trial initiative that takes care of tuition and fees for first-time, first-year in-state undergraduate students enrolled in on-campus degree programs, beginning in the fall of 2024. Any student applying for the program must be eligible for the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP), as the program will use MAP grant funds along with scholarships, awards, and AIM HIGH grant funds to cover all costs. More: 'I knew I wasn't done:' Yazell back as director of planning and economic development UIS will not reduce any higher merit scholarships if the scholarship is higher than the tuition and required fees. The school will allow those eligible students with Pell Grants to use them on other expenses, such as room and board, books, and supplies. UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch said the new program was a way for students who need financial aid to attend college and allow for a more diverse student body. "The Prairie Promise will allow more Illinois students to obtain a college degree without worrying about the cost," Gooch said. "It will not only expand access to education but also help to close the achievement gap for many students from diverse backgrounds." In order to take advantage of the new program, a student must first be admitted to UIS and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1, 2024. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students who receive the grants will have their eligibility evaluated after each year for either four years or until they receive a degree, with the school requiring that students maintain their residency, eligibility for MAP grants, academic progress each year, and be continuously enrolled at UIS. Vickie Cook, vice chancellor of enrollment and retention management at UIS, said that the program would provide people with access to a good education while also allowing them to take advantage of other state and federal assistance programs. "There are a lot of factors involved with paying for college beyond just tuition and fees," Cook said. "The Prairie Promise will maximize our ability to provide access to higher education for students by covering the cost of tuition and fees, without eliminating a students ability to take advantage of other financial assistance." This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: New financial aid program at UIS to cover tuition costs for first time students XL bully owners say they are not dangerous if well trained (Daniel LEAL) The UK government is facing calls to crack down on the backyard breeders of XL bully dogs, and even to cull the breed, following a string of horrifying attacks. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to ban the dogs but stopped short of saying they should be euthanised. The dogs, which have huge, powerful jaws and can weigh over 60 kilogrammes (132 pounds), have risen in popularity since the Covid-19 lockdowns, which saw dog ownership rise. "These dogs would appear to be valued by some as status symbols prized for their aggressive temperament. We will not tolerate this any longer," wrote environment minister Therese Coffey last month after the ban was announced. That followed a viral clip of an out-of-control XL bully biting an 11-year-old girl, leaving her traumatised and in need of hospital treatment. The rampaging dog then chases and attacks one of the men who had gone to her aid in the central English city of Birmingham. Under Sunak's plan, owners will have to register their dogs and muzzle them in public places. They will also be required to neuter them so that the dog type dies out within a decade. But Conservative party lawmaker Robert Goodwill has said the government should be considering faster action, including a "general cull". Others are calling for a crackdown on unscrupulous breeders. Since the Birmingham attack on September 9, there have reportedly been at least four more attacks by XLs -- two of them fatal and another involving a toddler. - 'Fighting stock' - Lawrence Newport, a researcher at Royal Holloway University of London who has spearheaded efforts to get the dogs banned, says they are uniquely aggressive due to their breeding history. "These are fighting dogs, originally bred from fighting stock," he said. XL bully type dogs were now responsible for 70 percent of dog attacks in the UK even though they only made up one percent of all dogs, he said. If attacks were caused by bad owners, rather than something inherently dangerous about the dog type, there would be more attacks involving other big breeds, he argued. Others, however, said fixating on one dog type would not solve the problem of underground breeders who would simply move on to other dangerous breeds. "As soon as something becomes popular, the wrong people get involved and all this cross-breeding and inbreeding starts to create problems," dog safety campaigner Mark Riley, who helps run the group Rocky's Army, told AFP. "It's happening with other breeds as well so it's not just the XL bully. "We've heard stories of people crossing rottweilers with other dogs. They're the kind of people that need dealing with." Riley's group supports people who have had their dogs seized by police under the Dangerous Dogs Act and advocates responsible ownership programmes and licences for dog owners. Under the law, introduced in 1991, it is illegal to own four types of dog without an exemption, including pit bull terriers and Japanese tosas. Breeding the dogs is also banned. - 'The Beast' - The owner of one XL bully told AFP he accepted the dogs looked "pretty big and intimidating" but stressed that "any dog can turn violent" if not handled correctly. The 30-year-old private ambulance driver from London, who gave his name as Jack said, he had trained his two-year-old dog Frank Sinatra to ensure he was obedient and well behaved. "These dogs, they crave a lot of attention and you can see that sometimes people don't give them that attention. It's down to ownership," he said. "They are great dogs. They're great loving family dogs. I trust him around my daughter." According to the Bullywatch website, XL bully, bully type or crossbreed dogs now accounted for the majority of UK dog attacks. The group, which aims raise awareness of the scale of dog attacks linked to XL bullys, said it believed there had been 11 confirmed deaths since 2021 and three more suspected deaths. The general rise in dog attack fatalities in the UK "can be explained directly" by the introduction in recent years of XL bully type dogs, it said. The mother of a 10-year-old boy who was killed by an XL bully named 'The Beast' nearly two years ago has criticised the government for being slow to act. Emma Whitfield's son Jack Lis is one of several children killed by the dogs. While she has said she is relieved by the ban, she is also urging the government to tackle the source of the problem once and for all. "Banning the dog at the moment will help... but if backyard breeders still exist, they are going to create a new breed and we could find ourselves in a few years in the same place," she said. har/phz/gil The University of Kentucky denied care to UK HealthCare patients by wrongly removing a thyroid cancer physician from the campus because of his autism, a Fayette County circuit judge ruled this week. The Plaintiff is an expert; patients went to him because of his reputation, said the October 2 ruling by Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman that returned physician Kenneth Ain to work. The care that they sought is being denied to them primarily because of his autism, not for issues related to Plaintiffs medical treatment of patients, and can result in irreparable harm unless the Plaintiff is permitted to provide continuation of treatment. University officials have in the past said Ain was not suspended but reassigned to his home, Ains attorney James Morris said. He was removed from university grounds, facilities and patient care. Ain filed a lawsuit on September 20 against the University of Kentucky. In a September 28 hearing, Goodman said there were no complaints regarding Ains patient care. There were no allegations from UK that required removing Ain from patient care or that indicated his actions were detrimental to patients, Goodman said. Morris told the Herald-Leader WednesdayAin had been removed from the university since August 23 without any indication as to why, until the University admitted during the ... hearing that it was some sort of vague reference to his autism behavior with supposedly using a curse word. We still have never received any indication ... in the past six weeks. No formal notice of the allegation, no formal notice of any effort to investigate, just the University admitting that it was related to his autism, and that they had isolated him six years ago because of that autism and yet he successfully treats, and sees, over 2,000 patients each year and is the Universitys leading expert on thyroid cancer treatment, said Morris. UK will comply with Goodmans order, university spokesperson Jay Blanton said Wednesday. We are aware of the litigation and will, as always, comply with any decisions of the court. The peer review process where physicians evaluate the work of their fellow doctors is an important and longstanding practice that is only initiated after careful and considerable thought. The commitment of UK HealthCare, in everything that we do, is to provide the best advanced care in the state to our patients, Blanton said. In the September 28 hearing, Goodman said UK had put Ain, as he worked, in a silo and a bubble since 2017. One of the UK physicians who testified at the hearing acknowledged he communicated infrequently with Ain because of his disability. Goodman ordered that Ain be allowed to resume his previous position as the treating physician of his patients in the UK thyroid cancer clinic. Despite presenting three witnesses, UK officials could not show Ain would endanger the welfare of his extremely ill patients who have come to him as a leading expert in the field of aggressive thyroid cancer, Goodmans order said. Instead, the testimony revealed that the basis for Plaintiffs removal revolved around hearsay involving alleged negative comments about the Plaintiffs personality and language. The testimony further revealed that the University had dealt with Plaintiffs autism disorder by isolating him to work alone with only a nurse practitioner. Morris said he was pleased the judge placed patients needs first. He said he was very disappointed in the Universitys disability discrimination, but was pleased it acknowledged that its actions were the result of Ains disability, and not related to any patient care concerns. Dr. Ain is looking forward to treating his thyroid cancer patients, and attempting to rectify any gaps or errors in treatment caused by the Universitys improper interference, Morris said. Seriously ill patients rights have been impacted by depriving them from being able to be treated by Ain, Goodman ruled. Ain has been mandated to do his work alone, and he alone sees these patients on a regular basis, her ruling said. The lawsuit and the universitys investigation of Ain will continue, according to testimony at the hearing. The UK has stated that following their intelligence information, Russia intends to install sea mines in the path of civilian vessels carrying Ukrainian grain for export. Source: statement by the UK Foreign Office Details: Evidence published on 4 October suggested that Russia may continue to target civilian shipping in the Black Sea, including laying sea mines on the approaches to Ukrainian ports. The UK believes Russia is trying to endanger civilian vessels passing through the Ukrainian "humanitarian corridor" to deter Ukrainian grain export, allowing Russia to pressure the Ukrainian economy. Russia aims to refrain from openly causing the sinking of civilian vessels, instead "falsely laying blame" on Ukraine for conducting any attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea. The UK published information on the landmines to prevent any such incident. Quote: "We are committed to ensuring Ukraine can continue to export its agricultural produce through all appropriate routes including its humanitarian corridor, overland and via the Danube." Quote from UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly: "The world is watching and we see right through Russias cynical attempts to lay blame on Ukraine for their attacks. We and our allies stand united against Putin and his attempts to harm Ukraine and thus harm the rest of the world." More details: The UK authorities noted that Russia damaged 130 port infrastructure facilities in the cities of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Reni after withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The Russians destroyed nearly 300,000 tonnes of grain that would be enough to feed over 1.3 million people for a year. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Russian forces may use sea mines to strike civilian shipping targets in the Black Sea, a United Kingdom intelligence report published Oct. 4 said. According to U.K. intelligence, Russia intends to blame Ukraine for any successful attacks. "Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea," the report said. The Russian military has blocked trade routes through the Black Sea since the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July. At the same time, Russia has targeted Ukraine's port and grain infrastructure with repeated attacks. Russia's aggression in the Black Sea poses a major risk to global food security. According to the U.K. intelligence report, Russia has "already destroyed enough grain to feed more than one million people for a year." In recent weeks, the Ukrainian military has launched successful strikes at Russian military targets in the Black Sea and occupied Crimea. On Sept. 22, Ukraine attacked the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol with long-range Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian forces have also used experimental sea drones to strike targets in the region, including the Crimean Bridge and a Russian missile ship. U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that attempts to blame Kyiv for strikes on the civilian shipping targets would be dismissed. "The world is watching and we see right through Russias cynical attempts to lay blame on Ukraine for their attacks," Cleverly said. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Kyiv says special forces conduct operation in occupied Crimea Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the UKs new tranche of financial aid for Ukraine during the European Political Community summit in Granada. Sunak also met with Zelenskyy. Source: European Pravda, with reference to a UK government press release Details: New aid allocations for Ukraine announced today include 34 million for the UN and charities providing shelter and warm winter clothing and 10 million for household electricity, following Russian attacks on Ukraines critical energy infrastructure. The UKs fourth loan guarantee of US$500 million has been disbursed via the World Bank to ensure the Government of Ukraine can provide life-saving winter support payments to three million households. During a bilateral meeting, Zelenskyy and Sunak also discussed the efforts to ensure continued international support for Ukraine, security cooperation, and alternative grain export routes in the Black Sea. Background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the European Political Community summit in the Spanish city of Granada on 5 October. The EPC was initiated by France and offers a new format for European cooperation; this was the groups third meeting. During the summit, Zelenskyy also met with the head of Armenias and Slovakias governments, the French President, the German Chancellor, and heads of several key European institutions. 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.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new humanitarian aid on Oct. 5 to help Ukrainians survive the second winter of Russia's full-scale war. According to Sunak's office, the aid allocations include a loan guarantee of 500 million pounds ($600 million) disbursed through the World Bank to ensure Kyiv can provide winter support payments to three million households. London will also send $41 million to the United Nations and charities supplying Ukrainians with shelter and warm winter clothing, as well as provide $12 million to sustain household electricity following Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. During the fall of 2022 and winter of 2023, Russian forces attempted to cripple Ukraine's energy network with massive strikes, leading to frequent blackouts and a lack of heating across the country. Kyiv has warned that Russia will likely attempt this strategy again next winter. Read also: With winter approaching, is Ukraines energy system ready for renewed Russian attacks? At the European Political Community meeting in Spain, Sunak also called on partners to supply Ukraine with new defense weapons to resist Russia's military aggression. On the summit's sidelines, Sunak met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, discussing "necessary efforts to continue international support to Ukraine," according to Zelensky's office. The leaders also discussed the new Black Sea corridor for civilian ships established by Ukraine's navy, which allowed Ukrainian ports to continue receiving cargo vessels for grain exports amid a Russian-imposed blockade. Zelensky and Sunak emphasized the importance of consolidating international efforts to protect freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. They considered the possible insurance formats for ships that agree to use the temporary corridor. According to the latest intelligence update by the U.K. Defense Ministry, Russian forces may use sea mines to strike civilian shipping targets in the Black Sea and blame Ukraine for any successful attacks. The Russian military has blocked trade routes through the Black Sea since the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July. At the same time, Russia has targeted Ukraine's port and grain infrastructure with repeated attacks. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Drone operator Sapsan flies a FPV drone from a forward bunker position on the southern front line near Robotyne, Ukraine, on Sept. 14. (Photo for The Washington Post by Wojciech Grzedzinski) Drone operator Sapsan flies a FPV drone from a forward bunker position on the southern front line near Robotyne, Ukraine, on Sept. 14. (Photo for The Washington Post by Wojciech Grzedzinski) ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, Ukraine - The unblinking eye of the Ukrainian surveillance drone spotted attractive prey: eight Russian soldiers entering a fortified, well-camouflaged dugout. Inside a darkened trench a few miles away, Ukrainian soldiers of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade's strike drone company got to work. A pilot tightened the plastic blades of his hand-built machine, strapped a fuel bomb to its belly and lifted off. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Through a pair of goggles, the operator, call sign Sapsan, piloted the drone across the scarred battlefield in southern Ukraine, gliding the craft toward his target. Such first-person view, or FPV, drones - fast, highly-maneuverable, and relatively cheap craft flown by an operator wearing a headset receiving the drone's video feed in real time - are now the predominant attack drone in Ukraine. Basic components of a hand-built FPV war drone. (The Washington Post) They are filling a gap left by a shortage of Western artillery rounds and precision weapons, soldiers said, and their ability to carry heavier explosives has made it the preferred tool for destroying tanks in some units, allowing a pilot to strike weak points like engines and tracks with rapier precision. Sapsan means peregrine falcon, and as his synthetic raptor approached its target, a navigator huddled next to him. "You can carefully fly around," the navigator said. "See if there is a way in." Then, a breakthrough: a hole leading inside the dugout, perhaps three feet tall and three feet wide. Sapsan drew nearer. Indicators in his headset flashed low battery warnings. "The wind," Sapsan said, cursing. "Come on, work for us." The war in Ukraine is the world's first full-scale drone conflict, and FPV drones, first used in substantial numbers earlier this year, are bringing it to a new level. Though more difficult to fly than other drones that drop munitions, Russian and Ukrainian soldiers are mobilizing fleets of them. FPV cameras create bleak images that are destined to go viral: The last oblivious seconds of soldiers' lives, war machines set ablaze and trick shots plunging through open windows. It is captured on low-fidelity video reminiscent of VHS - an advantage, soldiers say, because the analog signal resists electronic jamming better than digital feeds. Perhaps most important for Ukraine's asymmetric fight against Russia - a far bigger, better-armed enemy - FPV drones are bargain-bin projectiles. Fashioned by hand from a few hundred bucks of material, they can annihilate million-dollar equipment. "It's a revolution in terms of placing this precision guided capacity in the hands of regular people for a tiny fraction of the cost of the destroyed target," said Samuel Bendett, a drone expert at the Center for Naval Analyses, a policy institute based in Arlington, Va. "We're seeing FPV drones strike a very precise spot, which before was really the domain of very expensive, high precision guided weapons. And now it's a $400 drone piloted by a teenager." Bendett likened the use of FPV drones to the iconic Star Wars scene, when Luke Skywalker fires a proton torpedo into an exhaust port to destroy the Death Star. "This is what we're actually seeing happen right now," he said. - - - The rise of FPV drones FPV drones are arguably the most DIY weapon in Ukraine's crowdfunded war. Brimming with Chinese-made components, they are assembled by volunteers or by units themselves. The drones are built for obliteration, and look it. Power cables flare from their top. Explosives are secured with plastic zip ties. A pilot typically works with a navigator, and a second team flying a surveillance drone to capture the larger view. FPV drones often miss more often than they hit, crews said, with failures resulting from electronic jamming or batteries dying. The drones have a roughly nine-mile range, depending on payload size. Drones designed to crash into targets are known as one-way, or self-detonating, drones. The United States has provided Ukraine with similar but expensive models in relatively small numbers, and these are not new to conflict. When the war shifted predominantly to an artillery fight last year, both Ukraine and Russia began favoring smaller tactical drones. Troops fixed grenades and smaller explosives to quadcopters, like the popular DJI Mavic, and rigged them, like tiny bombers, to drop directly over targets. The concept worked for a time but was unsustainable, soldiers said. Off-the-shelf tactical models can cost more than $2,000. Analysts estimate Ukraine loses thousands of drones a month. Those drones also cannot carry much. Mavics can haul about a pound of explosives, said Senior Lt. Yuri Filatov, the drone systems chief commander of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. That is roughly a hand grenade - enough to kill a soldier but not destroy vehicles. Filatov's brigade has found that FPV drones could carry the warhead of a rocket-propelled grenade, a readily available antitank weapon. Their introduction, he said, has even lessened the need for more expensive weapons like the U.S.-provided Javelin. "FPV drones have become the main antitank weapon," Filatov said, including against T-90s, which are among Russia's most modern tanks. In one day alone, they destroyed four tanks, he said, while soldiers kept at a safe distance. "As we use more drones," Filatov said, "we are losing fewer people." - - - Prepping for drone warfare Before dawn on a recent morning in the Zaporizhzhia region, soldiers of the 47th drone strike company chain-smoked cigarettes and chugged energy drinks as they loaded boxes of drone components and antennas into a pickup truck. The company's chief sergeant, a bearded former DJ with the call sign Legion, got behind the wheel and sped toward the front. With techno music from Legion's past life as a soundtrack, the truck skimmed by the torched shells of armored vehicles. The turret of a U.S.-supplied Bradley, destroyed by a mine, lay upside down in scattered trash. Washington Post journalists accompanied the drone team - Legion, pilot Sapsan, and navigator Actor - on a day-long mission near the liberated village of Robotyne. The objective: sow chaos on Russian lines as their comrades fought to retake ground, trench by trench. In keeping with military rules, the soldiers are being identified only by their call signs. Heavy Russian glide bombs shook the ground in the distance as the team put up antennas and readied a Starlink satellite internet terminal. Enemy detritus on the floor - fragments of Russian uniforms and discarded rations - showed enemy soldiers once occupied the position. Sapsan dug into a box of parts to ready the day's sorties. Mad scientists in the brigade produce some components; 3D printers churn out boxes to protect circuit boards, which the unit assembles by hand. Others tinker at workstations to unlock ways to make the drones fly farther and carry more. Sapsan built each drone on-site, with various charges for different targets. Fragmentation munitions to hit foot soldiers. RPG warheads to destroy vehicles. For dugouts, thermobaric charges release fuel aerosol that creates a harder and longer concussive blast, which is violently efficient in a confined space. At 24, Sapsan is a grizzled veteran. He enlisted days after Russia invaded and served in reconnaissance and infantry units. Working with drones appealed to his creative side. He used them in his prior job as a photography director, making music videos, films and advertising. Dexterity from mastering card tricks gave him an edge learning to fly. Built for racing and hairpin turns, FPV drones rely on a pilot's input for every motion. The controls can take weeks to master. The first target of the day was a Russian T-90 tank. Sapsan's thumb and index fingers worked the two sticks with a feather touch, controlling the drone's pitch and yaw with tiny movements. The drone combed the area but the tank vanished. Sapsan ditched it in a tree line, hoping to hit soldiers by happenstance. He raised his goggles and lit a cigarette, a post-flight ritual. He fired up another after a second miss on a T-90. A third smoke followed a failed run at an armored personnel carrier. The signal was lost, possibly jammed. Three flights, three misses. Sapsan huddled over components to build more drones, clipping zip ties and placing the ends in his helmet. After about 100 flights, he pondered what he could do with more drones. He has helped clear trenches with pinpoint explosions to aid comrades in capturing prisoners. He has careened into the windshields of Russian supply trucks. He has collapsed the walls of buildings where Russians sought safety only for a drone to fly through a window. The 47th drone unit produces and uses about 20 drones a day. Occasionally, the unit fundraises on social media. One unit member, Pavlo, said he buys parts with proceeds from his YouTube page. "There are never enough drones," Sapsan said. - - - Ghosts in the machine Russian units operate FPV drones in the same way but Moscow seems to have greater supplies, said a deputy company commander in the 80th Separate Assault Brigade with the call sign Swift. The brigade recently helped liberate Klishchiivka near Bakhmut. Russian teams hit minor targets or deploy two drones at once, suggesting a deeper inventory, Swift said. Countering FPV drones is difficult, Swift said. Electronic jamming or nets strewn over vehicles and trenches help, but the Russians know and use the same methods. "It's like a chess game," he said. "They're winning it. Just in terms of quantity." Ukraine's leaders said they want to do more. FPV drones have shown "sniper-like accuracy," said Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who heads the country's Army of Drones program, which is working to train 2,600 FPV drone pilots. The FPV war can play out in bizarre ways. Because the analog signals are not encrypted, pilots often acquire the signal of other drones, Sapsan said - seeing its video, like ghosts in each other's machines. In one case, a Ukrainian pilot tapped into the feed of a Russian FPV drone, read the terrain and warned soldiers in danger. They were able to take cover, Sapsan said. Russian soldiers have griped on social media that Ukrainian FPV drones make it harder to move around, and have redefined how far from the front is considered safe, said Bendett, the drone expert. The dynamic, he said, is fed by each side uploading videos of successful strikes. "You almost never know where an FPV drone is coming from," he said. "It's a tremendous psychological effect." And there is also an effect - still not fully understood - on the drone operators. What does the act of remote killing do to someone simultaneously detached but intimately close to violence? Sapsan dismissed the idea of a moral quandary. He sees his job as saving Ukrainians. "There are no feelings of any kind, no sympathy," he said. "If it were not clear what we were fighting for, such as the campaigns in Vietnam and Afghanistan, then there would be anxiety and pain." "But everything is clear here," he said. "I do not regret what I am doing." - - - A breakthrough The air grew quiet in the afternoon. Soldiers tapped on their phones until a command center coordinator ushered them back into action. The team's fortunes improved. A near miss landed next to Russian soldiers, perhaps injuring some. Sapsan sent one drone crashing into a machine gun position and dropped another directly into a trench. Their streak ended after missing another machine gun nest. Then, promising surveillance unfolded with the sighting of eight Russian soldiers entering a dugout. Sapsan grabbed a drone loaded with a thermobaric charge and sent it aloft. After Sapsan cursed the wind, Actor, the navigator, reassured him: in theory, it would help propel the drone on its final attack run. Ukrainian artillery rocked the area as Sapsan flew near, and Actor directed him to an intricate trench system in a strip of trees. The drone was 200 meters away and closing in. Sapsan spotted the opening. His body tensed. His mouth was agape. He nearly stopped breathing. He flicked his left stick down, sending the drone spiraling into the hole. His screen crackled with white noise. "That's a hit!" Actor said. Sapsan raised his headset and peered at the drone feed. Smoke billowed from the target. It was time for a cigarette. - - - Serhiy Morgunov in the Donetsk region and Anastacia Galouchka in Kyiv contributed to this report. Related Content School shooting hoaxes have terrorized kids across U.S. Who's behind it? He live-streamed his attacks on Indian Muslims. YouTube gave him an award. Biden, Trump visits fall flat for autoworkers girding for long strike Ukraine hit Russia's most treasured air-defense system on its own soil, reports say An S-400 Triumf air-defense system outside Moscow in December 2010. Andrey Smirnov/AFP via Getty Images Ukraine struck one of Russia's most treasured air-defense systems on Wednesday, reports said. Drones hit an S-400 Triumph near Belgorod, Russia, an intelligence source told the Kyiv Post. It would be the first time Ukrainian forces have hit an S-400 system in Russia's territory. Reports indicate Ukraine damaged one of Russia's most treasured air-defense systems in a drone attack. Using strike drones, the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, damaged a Russian S-400 Triumph antiaircraft system on Wednesday, the Kyiv Post reported, citing an intelligence source. The SBU source didn't elaborate on the extent of damage done, though Reuters reported the system's radar was affected. The attack occurred at night in mainland Russia, near the southwestern city of Belgorod, Ukrinform and Reuters reported. While Ukraine has previously destroyed a similar system in occupied Crimea, this would be the first time it has struck an S-400 system in mainland Russia. Russia's Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday it had downed 31 drones launched over the regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk. It didn't, however, say whether an S-400 system was damaged. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider. The reports come after Ukraine said another such system was destroyed September 14 in Yevpatoriya, a coastal city in the west of occupied Crimea that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. The destruction was the result of a joint operation by the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy. Russia's S-400 mobile long-range surface-to-air system includes truck-mounted radars, a mobile command post, and multiple missile-launch platforms. It's designed to shoot down aircraft and missiles at long ranges and high altitudes. Both the BBC and Bloomberg cited Ukrainian sources suggesting the destroyed system in Crimea was worth as much as $1.2 billion, but other estimates are closer to $500 million. The SBU source told the Kyiv Post that given this was the second S-400 struck by Ukraine in the last month, "[we] advise the Russians to think about a new name for this complex," a dig at its "triumph" moniker. Read the original article on Business Insider Streaming platform Wavve's new thriller series "Deal" deals with a kidnapping scheme involving three young men, but the main focus of the story is not money but the tumultuous relationship between friends, its director said Thursday. The story revolves around three friends who are mired in a fake kidnapping scheme and find themselves becoming accomplices in pursuit of 10 billion won ($7.4 million). After binge drinking, cash-strapped medical school student Jae-hyo (Kim Dong-hee) pretends to kidnap his friend Min Woo (Yoo Soo-bin) to demand ransom from his rich mother. Jung-sung (Yoo Seung-ho) is unexpectedly mired in the unplanned kidnapping and faces unpredictable aftermath. It was officially invited to the 28th Busan International Film Festival's "On Screen" section, which showcases highly anticipated drama series by streaming platforms. Director Lee Jung-gon, known for his debut feature "Not Out" (2021), said the thriller takes a refreshing approach to the kidnapping story by exploring changing emotions of the high school friends and their underlying desire. "The story intertwines kidnapping, hostage and money. Although it focuses on money, I tried to concentrate more on the trio's changing relationship under different circumstances," Lee said in a press conference held in Busan on the sidelines of the film festival. Yoo said he was attracted by the intriguing plot and his character who oscillates between friendship and his desire for money. "The story of friends' kidnapping their friend was interesting," Yoo said. "I also had a strong desire to play a role that I haven't played before." "Deal" premieres on Wavve on Friday and will be available on American streaming platform Rakuten Viki. (Yonhap) Jean-Claude Juncker , Former President of the European Commission, believes that Ukraine does not yet meet the criteria for membership in the European Union because of heavy corruption. However, the prospect of accession should be preserved for Ukraine. Source: Jean-Claude Juncker in an interview with Augsburger Allgemeine, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "We should not make false promises to people in Ukraine who are suffering all by themselves. I am outraged with some voices in Europe trying to convince Ukrainians that they can become members of the EU immediately. This would not be good for the EU or Ukraine". Details: Juncker stated that anyone who had any relationship with Ukraine knows that "this is a country that is corrupt at all levels of society." Ukraine is not ready to join the European Union, Juncker says. Quote: "Despite efforts, it is not ready to join, it needs major internal reforms. We have had bad experiences with some so-called new members, such as the rule of law. This must not happen again." Details: At the same time, Juncker believes that the European perspective for Moldova and Ukraine should be preserved, but "should not be associated with the hope that it can be achieved overnight, just by pressing a button." "If progress is made in these countries, whether in Ukraine or the Western Balkans, they should certainly be able to participate in certain stages of European integration. We should work to make something like partial accession possible, a reasonable form of almost an expansion," the former President of the European Commission said. Background: There is no question of immediate accession of Ukraine to the EU. Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, said at the end of August that he wants the EU to be ready for enlargement by 2030. However, there are supporters of not being bound by any deadlines for the accession of new members in the EU, such as Portugal. The Ukrainian authorities say they are ready to complete their part of the accession work as soon as possible. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Kyiv wants to put "on the table a report that we are ready" in two years. At the same time, he emphasised that the decision on Ukraine's accession will take time after this approval. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! FILE PHOTO: A load of corn is poured into a truck, at a grain storage facility in the village of Bilohiria BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine expressed optimism on Thursday that a stand-off with neighbouring EU countries that have imposed measures to restrict imports of Ukrainian agricultural products could be resolved, though probably not before a Polish election this month. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports last month after the executive European Commission decided not to extend a ban on imports into Ukraine's five EU neighbours. The issue has been a rare source of tension between Kyiv and its EU neighbours, particularly Poland, where a nationalist government facing an election on Oct. 15 has otherwise strongly backed Ukraine but says cheap grain hurts Polish farmers. Taras Kachka, Ukraine's trade representative and deputy economy minister, told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Brussels that his country understood the pressures farmers in those countries faced. "I think that in any case, we will find the solution because, after all, all the details of these puzzles are quite well known," he said. He added he did not expect a solution in the next few weeks, given Polish politicians were pre-occupied with the election. Ukraine, a major global grain producer and exporter, usually relies heavily on its deep Black Sea ports for exports. But its ability to get its goods to the world has been restricted by a de facto Russian blockade, which Moscow imposed after its invasion last year and tightened in July after quitting a U.N.-backed agreement to allow grain shipments. Poland and neighbours previously had an arrangement in place that prevented Ukrainian grain being sold there, while allowing it to transit the countries for sale elsewhere. Ukraine has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against the three countries, but Kachka stressed this meant that the parties had entered a 60-day period of consultations before any adjudicating panel is formed. Kachka said there were no requests for licences to export grain to Poland from Ukraine, indicating that there was limited Polish demand for Ukraine's agricultural products and that the pattern of trade flows was normalising to reflect significant demand from other EU members. Ukraine has been seeking to speed up exports of grain and other farm products under an agreement reached with Lithuania and Poland. Kachka said Ukraine wanted a comprehensive agreement with all neighbours and the European Commission. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Peter Graff) Grain complaint in the WTO on hold Ukraine has put on hold its complaint against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the grain disputes with the neighboring countries are expected to be resolved in the coming weeks, Ukraines Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative at the EU, Taras Kachka, said on Oct. 5. Read also: Spanish leader to vow to back Ukraines bid to join EU He noted that a new export mechanism had been proposed which has seen Kyiv seeking a constructive solution within the framework of the entire EU. Kachka explained that Ukraine lodged the complaint with the WTO and has 60 days to consult. So, currently, Kyiv is not in dispute, but in the consultation stage. According to him, Kyiv had already taken care of the customs formalities for goods transiting through five neighboring countries. None of them prohibits transit. What remains is to regulate the final piecethe opening of the neighboring markets for Ukrainian agricultural goods. Read also: Google launches course to help Ukrainian companies export their goods and services "It's a minor problem, because we do not sell much grain produce there; its mainly a question of the functioning of trade between Ukraine and the EU," added Kachka. Read also: Ukrainian startup FarmFleet exports first batch of agricultural drones to US On Sept. 18, Ukraine filed lawsuits against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia at the WTO, after the three countries unilaterally extended a ban on the import of Ukrainian grains despite the European Commission's decision to drop the restictions. On Sept. 26, Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal signed a resolution on a new agricultural export mechanism, which was supported by the European Commission. On Sept. 27, Poland's Minister of Agriculture, Robert Telus, called on Ukraine to withdraw the complaint at the WTO. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 5 October that he had held productive negotiations on the sidelines of the summit of the European Political Community. Source: Zelenskyy's evening address on 5 October Quote: "We will have more air defense systems - there are clear agreements. This is crucial as we approach winter. Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom - thank you! There will be more artillery for our warriors. There will be more long-range weapons. And there will certainly be more justice." "Today, our main message to the world is: evil cannot prevail. And only now, only in Ukraine, can this principled moral position be maintained. But together, all together!" Details: Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the meetings to each leader of the partner countries. Background: On 5 October, Zelenskyy said that Germany was working to provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot air defence system for the winter. 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! (Bloomberg) -- Ukraine said air-defense forces downed 24 of 29 drones launched by Russia from annexed Crimea to attack southern and central regions of the country. Most Read from Bloomberg Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with European leaders to press for continued support against Russias invasion amid concerns about the continued flow of US aid. Turkey is preparing to host a third international gathering of national security advisers working to build support for a peace summit that Ukraine wants to hold this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for later this month in Istanbul. Latest Coverage Zelenskiy Seeks More European Support as Funding Worries Mount No More Naive Calls to Putin: Inside Macrons Very French Reset Turkey to Host Next Gathering of Allies to Discuss Ukraine Peace Biden Says Hes Planning Major Speech on Need for Ukraine Aid Coming Up EU leaders take part in informal EU summit in Granada on Friday NATOs Parliamentary Assembly in Copenhagen starting Friday Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Spain has decided to supply Ukraine with six launchers for Hawk anti-aircraft missile systems. Source: press service of the Spanish government, reported by European Pravda Details: The decision was made following talks between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy . During the talks, the heads of Ukraine and Spain discussed the current situation at the contact line, and in this regard, Sanchez offered Zelenskyy new air defence and anti-drone systems, as well as appropriate training for Ukrainian soldiers and demining equipment. "As a result of today's talks with President Zelenskyy, the Spanish government will provide Ukraine with six Hawk launchers to combat possible Russian bombing of civilian targets and critical infrastructure, as well as to protect the new grain corridor," the statement said. The Hawk is a semi-stationary medium-range surface-to-air missile system that was the main anti-aircraft system of the United States and NATO countries during the Cold War. It is currently in service with about 20 countries. The range of the Hawk missile system is up to 45-50 kilometres, the target altitude is up to 20 kilometres, and the missile is guided by a semi-active homing warhead and flies at Mach 2.4. Background: Back in October 2022, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that, at the request of the Alliance, Spain would provide four Hawk air defence launchers, and in November of the same year, it announced the provision of two more launchers. Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Germany would send one additional IRIS-T air defence system and "more than a dozen" Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft systems to 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! Ukraine's Military Intelligence Directorate said it intercepted a Russian soldier's call home. In translated audio, the soldier said his unit staged videos to make it appear like they were fighting well. The soldier said it was all a performance and that the videos were sent to their superiors, per the audio. Ukraine's military intelligence service says it intercepted the phone call of a Russian soldier telling his wife his unit was staging combat videos to make it look like they are fighting well on the frontlines. The audio was published by Ukraine's Military Intelligence Directorate on Wednesday. In the clip, translated by Insider, the soldier can be heard telling his wife many members of his unit were badly injured, with some killed in action, and that they couldn't even carry away the bodies of the dead. "There are new bodies every day," the soldier said. "The body is lying 100 meters from my position, and we can't even pick it up." In the audio released by Ukraine, the soldier's wife said she had seen footage that showed some Russian troops had been successfully pushing through a Ukrainian village. But the soldier, in the audio, said it was "bullshit" and that he didn't believe it, adding he too had taken recordings on his phone meant to show Russian forces making progress. "We here are also holding the defense real fucking good. It's all a performance," he said. The soldier claimed his commander instructed him to take a video inspired by "The 9th Company," a Russian war film from 2005. "The commander tells me: 'You will be Bondarchuk,'" the soldier said, a reference to Fedor Bondarchuk, the film's director. "So I dressed all my [soldiers] up, fucking put them in their positions, and walked around filming them in the trenches to show how fucking well they are fighting here," the soldier told his wife, in the audio released by Ukraine. "It was all sent to some superiors." Insider was unable to verify the authenticity of the call or when it occurred. It's unclear what unit the Russian soldier supposedly belonged to. Ukraine has frequently said it intercepted calls made by Russian soldiers since the invasion in February 2022. Audio of the calls obtained by various outlets has apparently revealed Russian soldiers expressing frustration at being unprepared or treated like "cannon fodder." Reuters last month reported on 17 phone calls that had been placed by Russian soldiers that were intercepted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The outlet said the calls showed Russian soldiers complaining about heavy losses and lousy gear. In June, the SBU also said it intercepted a call in which a Russian soldier admitted it was Russian forces that destroyed the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine. Other intercepted calls published by Ukraine have appeared to show Russian soldiers complaining about the war, with one saying last year he would "pray for a wound" in order to be sent home. Translations by Oleksandr Vynogradov. Read the original article on Business Insider Mustafa Nayyem, Head of the Agency for Infrastructure Reconstruction and Development In anticipation of Moscow resuming its air strike campaign this winter, Ukraine has taken steps to protect key nodes of its energy infrastructure by erecting several layers of defensive structures, the head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, Mustafa Nayyem, said at NVs Dialogues on Resilience event on Oct. 5. According to Nayyem, direct hits were not the biggest problem during Russian attacks on energy infrastructure as they were quite rare last winter. The real issue was the shrapnel. Transformers, being oil-filled equipment, tend to "burn up right before your eyes" when hit by shrapnel. Initially, sandbags were used for protection. Over time, gabions structures of about 12 meters tall were built around the substations to protect the transformers, forming the first layer of defense. Read also: Ukraine needs more Gepard and other air defense missiles to protect against Russian attacks this autumn and winter "In fact, this is very effective protection; but it worked only until there were several cases of drones hitting the transformers directly," Nayyem pointed out. To protect against direct drone hits, a second layer was needed. Concrete structures were being built around critical sites starting from March 2023. The third layer is designed for protect against missiles, but the official was secretive as to what exactly it looks like. The types of missile attacks against Ukraine have not been seen in any other country, said Nayyem. Read also: UK intel says Russia might again target Ukraines energy infrastructure this winter No country had faced attacks from these missile types. Some mention Israel, South Korea, even Malaysia, but none of these countries saw such attacks in large quantities. For comparison, last October, 5-7 drones arrived within two to three days, followed by a lull. Today it's already around 600 [kamikaze] drones a month. He did not disclose details about this third defense layer, only saying that such structures do not exist anywhere else in the world. Various experts were consulted for their development, but eventually, Ukrainian servicemen invented them during training in London. They came up with constructions that help protect substations from such large threats, the official added. Read also: Ukraine to pioneer comprehensive energy infrastructure protections to foil Russian attacks These are very expensive structures. They cost a lot of money. They also take quite a long time to build because for some structures it's necessary to drive poles 40 meters deep into the ground. On some grounds, these amounted to tens of thousands of poles driven into the ground to build a protected substation. But this will allow us to be protected against missiles. I hope we can protect as many substations as possible this [winter] season. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Ukrainian military is on the defensive Russian forces are trying to seize Maryinka and Avdiyivka in Donetsk Oblast in order to gain what they consider "some operational space," Tavrias Defense Forces spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun said on national television on Oct. 5, adding that significant losses are the only thing the invaders have achieved so far. Read also: As fighting continues in south, Ukrainian military digs in near Verbove after seizing back territory from Russians "The invaders are trying with all their might to take Maryinka to show some success and are trying to surround Avdiyivka, said Shtupun. They are failing, but they will try to gain what they think is some operational space. It will be, as they think, some improvement for them. Our military is standing firm and defending both Avdiyivka and the neighboring settlements." Read also: Ukraine has 6-8 weeks of favorable weather for counter-offensive, says White House Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, commander of the Tavria operational group in the southern part of the country, confirmed on Sept. 2 that Ukrainian forces had breached the first Russian defense line in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. A major breakthrough in the counter-offensive would begin if Ukrainian forces were to liberate Tokmak in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Tarnavskyi said. On Sept. 18, the Ministry of Defense reported that since the start of the counter-offensive, Ukrainian forces have liberated 260 square kilometers of territory in southern Ukraine and 51 square kilometers in the area of Bakhmut. In August, some Western media reported that the progress of Ukrainian forces was "behind schedule. Western partners, commenting on the challenges of the counter-offensive, noted that the Russian occupiers had managed to build multi-layered defensive structures, including minefields, on the captured territories. Read also: Shortages of weapons, ammunition and air defenses challenge Ukraine at front Zelenskyy However, the initiative in the war is currently on Ukraine's side, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said: Russia is gradually being pushed out of the occupied territories albeit at a slow pace. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Editor's note: This article contains graphic images. The Kyiv Independent doesn't blur these images. We show Russia's war as it is. Key developments on Oct. 5: Russia attacks the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast, killing 52 people, injuring 6 Zelensky visits Spain for European Political Community Summit, receives more support from European officials Spain says it will provide Ukraine with more Hawk air defense systems Ukraine appoints 3 new new deputy defense ministers NGO rescues 19 more children from Russian occupation Russian forces hit a grocery store and a cafe in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, killing 51 people and injuring six, including children, on Oct. 5. This number rose to 52 people after one person died of their injuries on Oct. 6, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on Telegram. The attack wiped out over half of the village's population, in what became the single deadliest Russian attack against civilians in 2023. While Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko initially said the population of Hroza was over 300 people, a Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office spokesman later clarified that the number of people living in the village just before the attack didn't exceed 100. "The Russian army killed most residents of this village with one rocket," Dmytro Chubenko said on national TV. The strike occurred at around 1:15 p.m. when at least 60 people gathered at a local cafe for a memorial service for a deceased resident, Klymenko said on national television. The attack was likely carried out with an Iskander ballistic missile, Klymenko added. Among those killed is a six-year-old boy, Kharkiv Oblast Syniehubov reported on Telegram. Another child was injured, he said. Syniehubov called it "the bloodiest crime committed by the Russians in Kharkiv Oblast since the start of the full-scale invasion." The aftermath of the Russian Oct. 5 missile attack on the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast that killed 51 people, including a child. (Photo by Oleksandr Stavytskyy/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) He also announced a three-day mourning period in the region on Oct. 6-8. At around 8 p.m., Syniehubov reported that the rescue operation was over. The small village of Hroza is located in northeastern Ukraine and lies around 30 kilometers west of Kupiansk. Russia has been concentrating its forces around Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast since mid-July, trying to regain the positions lost during the Ukrainian surprise counteroffensive last autumn. Kupiansk was liberated on Sept. 10 last year. Also on Oct. 5, Illia Yevlash, the spokesperson for the Eastern Grouping of Forces, said that Russia is intensifying attacks in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction of the front line in Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts, using both ground forces and air strikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Russian attack on Hroza a "completely deliberate act of terrorism." "Russian terror must be stopped. All those who help Russia circumvent sanctions are criminals. Everyone who still supports Russia supports evil," Zelensky wrote. "Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world." Read also: Here are the victims of Russias brutal strike on apartment building in Dnipro Zelensky visits Spain, receives additional support from European officials On Oct. 5, Zelensky arrived in the Spanish city of Granada for the third European Political Community Summit alongside some 50 European leaders to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion and other security issues. There, Zelensky met with Spanish, Italian, and Armenian prime ministers, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Charles Michel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and others. Zelensky said he and Sanchez discussed a new military aid package from Spain, which was said to include air defenses, artillery, and anti-drone systems. Following Zelensky's bilateral meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on the summit's sidelines, the Spanish government announced the provision of another six Hawk air defense systems for Ukraine. "We are preparing to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU under the presidency of Spain. Thank you for supporting our endeavor," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. According to the Spanish government's press release, the air defense systems will be provided to Ukraine to combat potential Russian bombings of civilian facilities and protect the new Black Sea corridor. Zelensky also held his first meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, discussing the security situation in the South Caucasus, bilateral cooperation, and interregional economic projects. "Ukraine is interested in the stability of the region and friendly relations with its countries," Zelensky wrote. He also discussed the country's military needs and air defense capabilities, as well as the security situation in the Black Sea region with Macron. Zelensky spoke with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, discussing a new tranche of defense assistance from Italy, emphasizing air defense capabilities. Upon announcing his arrival at the summit, Zelensky said that Kyiv's key priority in the upcoming talks is strengthening Ukrainian air defense capabilities ahead of the winter. "We are working with partners to enhance the European security architecture, particularly regional security. Ukraine has substantial proposals in this regard," Zelensky wrote on social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Read also: US will reportedly give ATACMS to Ukraine. Will it change the war? Ukraine appoints 3 new new deputy defense ministers The Ukrainian government announced on Oct. 5 that it had appointed Ivan Havryliuk, Stanislav Haider, and Dmytro Klimenkov as new deputy defense ministers as part of recent personnel changes in the Defense Ministry. According to Defense Minister Rustev Umerov, Havryliuk would be responsible for the ministry's military-technical policy, Klimenkov for procurement, and Haider for institutional development. Umerov listed key priorities for the new appointees, such as restructuring Ukraine's defense industry according to NATO standards, standardization and digitalization of procurement processes, and ensuring transparency and accountability within the ministry. "Procurement, military-technical policy, institutional development - we continue personnel changes in the Ministry of Defence. The result should be felt by every Ukrainian soldier at the front," Umerov wrote on Facebook. The leadership of the Defense Ministry has been undergoing extensive personnel changes recently, starting with the resignation of Oleksii Reznikov as the ministry's head. Reznikov was forced to step down following two major procurement corruption scandals and was replaced by Umerov early in September. A few weeks later, the government dismissed six deputy defense ministers and the state secretary for defense. Following their dismissal, Umerov said that the "reboot" of the Defense Ministry had begun. Three other deputies Yurii Dzhyhyr, Nataliia Kalmykova, and Kateryna Chernohorenko were appointed on Sept. 27. Read also: Investigation: Baltic-registered crypto firms service payments for Russian private army, allow sanctions evasion NGO rescues 19 more children from Russian occupation Save Ukraine, a Ukrainian humanitarian non-governmental organization, said it had rescued 19 children from Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation, the organization's founder, Mykola Kuleba, reported on Oct. 5. According to Kuleba, the latest 12th rescue mission brings the number of children the organization returned to 196. Among them are 46 orphans, he said. On Facebook, Kuleba wrote that Ukrainian children who live in the temporarily occupied territories "suffer the most." "No one cares about their rights there. Children are forced to go to Russian schools, to call Russian their native language, and to learn the history of the Russian Federation invented by propagandists," he wrote. He also said that children cannot get medical care without getting a Russian passport. "But orphans remain the most vulnerable in the occupation. No one cares about them, their relatives do not look for them, and it is much easier to re-educate them through propaganda," Kuleba wrote. Also, Russia can forcibly deport Ukrainian children from occupied territories. More than 19,500 children have been identified by the Ukrainian government as having been deported. Only 386 have been brought back to Ukraine, as the rescue missions are complicated. In March, the International Criminal Court even issued arrest warrants for Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin for their involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children during Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Although Kuleba did not provide details on the latest rescue mission, he said there is a "long recovery process" ahead for the returned children. "But these 19 young Ukrainians got a chance for a happy life," he wrote. 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. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 By Lee Gyu-lee BUSAN The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) opened, Wednesday, with the subtle, stinging film "Because I Hate Korea" by filmmaker Jang Kun-jae, known for his 2014 film "A Midsummers Fantasia." Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Chang Kang-myoung, the drama takes a poignant look at modern-day alienation through the lens of a woman in her late 20s, Gye-na (Ko A-sung), traveling abroad to find answers to her identity and happiness. Gye-na hates Korea, especially its harsh winter, resembling the cold abandonment she feels from society. After graduating from a decent college, she gets a decent job that comes with a painfully long commute and working hours and establishes a stable long-term relationship with her college sweetheart, Ji-myung (Kim Woo-kyum). Despite the stability, she constantly struggles with Korea's social rigidities, the pressure to financially support her not-so-well-off family and her insecurities with her boyfriends rich family, until she finally has enough. Facing a crisis, she decides to leave her job and relationship behind to start life anew in a temperate country New Zealand. There, she juggles part-time jobs and navigates a tranquil life in the Land of the Long White Cloud, while encountering different friends, notably Jae-in (Joo Jong-hyuk). Originally pitched at BIFF seven years ago, the project took years to materialize, especially with COVID-19 delaying its overseas production. Director Jang said the original novel inspired him to bring the story to life and share its message. The novel came out in 2015 and I read it in the year it was published. I read it on my airplane ride and in 2015, as you know, Korean society was going through heated and significant changes. And this novel was right in the midst of that. Although I had a different life than Gye-nas, some parts of the story resonated with me, Jang said during a press conference for the film held at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan, Wednesday. At the time, not realizing it would be such a difficult project, I simply thought I wanted to adapt it into a film and share it with many people. So I started looking into its copyrights and began the project at BIFF." Nam Dong-chul, program director and acting festival director of BIFF, noted that the movie was selected as the opening film for its power to speak not only to domestic viewers but also to global audiences. The film features different characters but the common factors among them are that they are young adults and have a lot of uncertainty about the future. Many films and series that touch on their story tend to neglect one thing. And it is the reality they face, which was depicted in different ways (in the film) This film brazenly addresses those various concerns, which I believe will make audiences empathize with the film, Nam said. Although the title refers to a specific country, Korea, it also reflects the challenges that young generations universally face. One of the important values we consider in a film is how candidly it reflects our lives. And to that point, this film holds that special value. Nam added that Gye-nas narrative of pursuing her happiness will send a message of hope to the audiences as her story serves as a broader metaphor for the struggles of the younger generation. I liked the attitude Gye-na has toward life. I thought such an attitude would offer us courage, encouragement and hope, he said. Whenever she is faced with a decision, she has an option to take a shortcut by giving up or obtaining something. But she approaches the decisions in a way she can keep her self-esteem. And I thought this might be how the younger generation approaches life nowadays. Gye-na explores different nuances in the new country, feeling liberated to escape Korean society yet frustrated with the obstacles she faces as a foreigner. Despite the hurdles, she keeps striving to find her footing in the country, as if returning to her homeland is simply not an option. The director said the focus of this film is on Gye-nas desperation to run away from Korea and to take on challenges abroad. The movies title may seem like it carries a strong message. But the key is to empathize with why Gye-na makes such decisions. Its essential to pay attention to what keeps driving her to flee Korean society, even though she has a job and a partner with whom she can communicate, although they may have different social classes, he said. Rather than trying to throw a message, I just hope people can look deeper into the characters. There are different people facing various situations. And I made the film contemplating why they make such choices and threw themselves at challenges. Elaborating further, the director expressed his hopes to throw in an important question about societal pressures in Korea, especially for the younger generation. Its important to look into why so many people find Korean society challenging. I came to wonder if we are truly facing these issues properly, he said. I wanted to raise questions about whether Korean society really offers a foundation for younger people to pursue their dreams and whether they are given fair opportunities. Over the past day, the Ukrainian Air Force carried out 12 strikes on clusters of Russian personnel and three more on their anti-aircraft missile systems. Units of Rocket Forces and Artillery carried out seven successful strikes on Russian targets. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 5 October Quote: "30 combat clashes were recorded during the day in total. The enemy inflicted three missile and 49 air strikes and carried out 26 attacks from multiple-launch rocket systems on the positions of our troops and settlements." "At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue their offensive operation on the Melitopol front and offensive (assault) operations on the Bakhmut front, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian forces and exhausting the Russian units along the entire line of contact." Details: On the Lyman front, Ukraines Armed Forces repelled four Russian attacks in the area east of Makiivka, Luhansk Oblast. On the Bakhmut front, Ukraines forces had successes east of Andriivka, Donetsk Oblast. The Russians unsuccessfully tried to restore their lost position in the vicinity of Dyliivka, Donetsk Oblast. On the Avdiivka front, Ukraines Armed Forces repelled all Russian attacks in the area around Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. On the Marinka front, the Ukrainian military also repelled over 10 Russian attacks in the areas of Marinka and Novomykhailivka, Donetsk Oblast. On the Shakhtarsk front, Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attacks near the settlements of Zolota Nyva and Vodiane, Donetsk Oblast. On the Zaporizhzhia front, the Ukrainians successfully repelled attacks in the area southeast of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! On the evening of 5 October, Ukraines Air Force reported the threat of drone attacks in seven oblasts. Source: Ukraines Air Force on Telegram Details: An air-raid warning was issued due to the threat of assault UAVs attacks in Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad and Kharkiv oblasts. Around midnight, the Air Force noted that the first group of UAVs was heading north, towards Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts. The second group of UAVs is heading northeast: Zaporizhzia, Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. The third group of drones is headed for Kirovohrad Oblast. Earlier, the Air Force reported on the likely launch of Shahed drones from the area of the Chauda training ground (Crimea). Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukraine has put its complaints against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on hold while it tries to find a compromise solution. Source: Interfax Ukraine, citing Taras Kachka, Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative of Ukraine, to journalists in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "This problem [imports of Ukrainian agricultural products ed.] will be resolved in the coming weeks and months. There will be a lot of news about how the licensing regime is changing, etc. It will be very fast-paced work. Therefore our disputes at the WTO are currently on hold while we look for a practical solution." Details: Kachka emphasised that Ukraine has not yet started the WTO dispute process itself. "We are not in a dispute we have not set up a working body to conduct the dispute, we are at the consultation stage. We have filed this case [to the WTO], and there are 60 days for consultations," the trade representative explained. Kachka says that Ukraine is interested in finding a constructive solution within the framework of the EU as a whole. "Although the complaints we filed are against specific member states, including Poland, this is a systemic issue of our relations with the EU. Our goal is to emphasise that the EU and Ukraine have the same approach to trade agreements. Therefore, we see how to solve this problem as a whole to show unity between us and Poland, between us and the EU, and between Poland and the EU," Kachka said. He said the fact that there are no problems with neighbours with the direct transit of Ukrainian products was a "great joint achievement". "We have only one sensitive point left the question of when neighbouring countries markets can be opened up for Ukrainian goods. This is a minor problem because we don't sell a lot of grain there. But this is essentially a question of the functioning of trade between Ukraine and the EU," the trade representative added. With regard to the situation with Poland, Kachka said he hoped that the parties will be able to return to the discussions after the elections, as there are no systemic obstacles to solving the problem. "As of now, there are no requests for export licences from Ukrainian companies to Poland which is an additional indicator that there is no massive export pressure on Polands domestic market. We are using this time to show that in reality, the clear interest of Ukrainian exporters is simply to export to those EU member states where the demand for Ukrainian goods is genuinely high," the official said. Background: Following the end of temporary restrictions on the import of certain types of agricultural products at the EU level, Ukraine proposed an export control plan for four groups of crops wheat, maize, sunflower and rapeseed to the European Commission and Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania to protect their domestic markets. Despite this, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian imports, prompting Ukraine to begin challenging their actions at the World Trade Organisation. 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! (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday he had arrived in the Spanish city of Granada to take part in the European Political Community Summit, a forum to foster cooperation among more than 40 countries established after Russia's invasion. The European leaders gathering in Granada are expected to assure Zelenskiy of long-term support after U.S. President Joe Biden voiced fears that Republican infighting in Congress could hurt American policy on continuing aid to Kyiv. "Our joint goal is to ensure the security and stability of our common European home," Zelenskiy said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We are working together with partners on enhancing the European security architecture, particularly regional security. Ukraine has substantial proposals in this regard." "We will pay special attention to the Black Sea region as well as our joint efforts to strengthen global food security and freedom of navigation," he said. Russia pulled out of a deal in July that had allowed Ukraine to safely ship food products out via the Black Sea, which is traditionally Kyiv's main export corridor. Ukraine responded by setting up a temporary "humanitarian corridor" for cargo vessels, and several ships have left Ukraine's Black Sea ports since. "Ukraine's key priority, particularly as winter approaches, is to strengthen air defense. We have already laid the groundwork for new agreements with partners and look forward to their approval and implementation," Zelenskiy added. He gave no details but Ukraine, which is heavily reliant on its Western allies for arms, fears Russia will launch a new waves of air strikes on energy facilities this winter. "This should be a productive day for Ukraine and Europe as a whole," Zelenskiy added. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Timothy Heritage) Mykhailo Fedorov , Ukraines Minister of Digital Transformation, has announced that the Russian airline booking system Leonardo was hacked by Ukraine's IT army. Source: Fedorov on Telegram; RBC, a Russian news outlet Quote: "The IT army has halted operations at major Russian airports, and the cyber-offensive continues. The IT army is working intensively. Almost every day Russian websites go down, data is leaked, and the work of government agencies is paralysed. One of the latest cases is the shutdown of Russia's largest airports. The IT army hacked into the Russian airline booking system Leonardo. If Ukrainian airports cant operate because of the war, why should Russian ones?" Details: On 28 September, Russian airlines reported difficulties with passenger check-in at airports due to a failure in the Leonardo booking system of Siren-Travel, a company affiliated with the state corporation Rostec. According to RBC, passenger check-in problems were observed on flights operated by Aeroflot, Rossiya, Azur Air, Red Wings, Pobeda and Ural Airlines. Rostec said that the system had been subjected to a massive DDOS attack from abroad. Later, a representative of the state corporation clarified that "the system has been restored and services are back to normal". Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy U.S. President Joe Biden fully supports Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the European Political Community Summit in Spain on Oct. 5, commenting to journalists on the political situation in the United States, El Pais reports. Read also: Biden close to decision to supply Ukraine with ATACMS missiles FT Walking past journalists at the summit, the Ukrainian leader gave an impromptu press conference as he was asked whether he was concerned about the events in the United States, in particular the resignation of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the adoption of a temporary budget without aid to Ukraine. "It's too late to be afraid," Zelenskyy said. I met with President Biden, and he supports us 100%, we also have the support of both parts of the U.S. Congress. Read also: Ukraine should be allowed to join NATO under simplified procedure, says UK foreign secretary Of course, the pre-election period in the United States is complicated, there are many voices, some of them strange, but we will talk about all this today. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Sept. 30 to temporarily fund the government for 45 days, which will avoid a so-called shutdown, or suspension of the government, from which $6 billion in support of Ukraine has been withdrawn. Kyiv said that this would not stop the flow of aid that was previously announced, and Ukraine is now working with partners to ensure that the new budget decision includes the funding in question. On Oct. 3, for the first time in U.S. history, the House of Representatives dismissed the speaker, removing McCarthy from the post. At the same time, the White House assured Kyiv that bipartisan support for Ukraine remains in both the House and the Senate. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine As Ukrainska Pravdas sources report, a drone attack by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has left Russian military facilities in Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation without electricity Source: UP source in the SSU Details: Military facilities of the Russian Federation were connected to an electrical substation in the settlements of Sudzha, Liubimovka and Glushkovo, Kursk Oblast. Quote: "As a result, the Russian military is beginning to actively adopt the experience of the Ukrainians last year, when there was no electricity for several days. This is not the first blackout in Kursk Oblast caused by the SSU. The previous one was on 29 September, and before that 26 September. At that time, the electric substations from which the important military facilities of the Russians were powered were also struck. In general, the Security Service has organised seven such attacks on enemy infrastructure." PHOTO: UP SOURCE Background: On the night of 4-5 October, Roman Starovoyt, governor of Kursk Oblast, reported that drones attacked infrastructure facilities in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Starovoyt noted that there was a power outage. 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! Boguslavka looks idyllic but Sergiy has finally decided to leave after heavy strikes (Roman PILIPEY) Sergiy walked out of his grey-brick house carrying two plastic holdalls and closed the front door as his dog barked. Then the 71-year-old got into a car for evacuation. His village of Boguslavka in eastern Ukraine looks idyllic, with geese in ponds and cows grazing, but Sergiy had finally decided to leave after heavy strikes. This area close to the Russian border has become too dangerous for civilians as Russians attempt to retake the formerly occupied town of Kupiansk, less than 10 kilometres (six miles) from the front line. The small, historic town in the Kharkiv region has a strategic hilltop, which Russians are battling to recapture. While they have made some advances, Ukraine says the situation is under control. Recapturing the village would be a coup for Moscow. The villagers however, who lived under Russian occupation for over half of last year, are still surrounded by ruins. Responding to attacks from guided aerial bombs, the Ukraine's authorities ordered the mandatory evacuation of parts of Kupiansk and nearby villages. Although labelled mandatory, the orders are not actually enforced. But for those ready to leave however, the Red Cross is evacuating locals to the nearby larger city of Kharkiv, which itself is being shelled regularly by Russia. - 'I want to go home' - Sergiy, a heating-stove specialist, declined to give his last name but he made it clear he had long resisted leaving home. He was worried about his animals and poultry, which a neighbour will feed. Now, at least, he will get to stay with his wife in Kharkiv and see his 18-year-old grandson, who has just started university. But he became tearful as he talked about his smallholding. "I want to go home so much," he said. "I don't want to live any more." In Kupiansk, two women from the town were waiting for Sergiy in the Red Cross evacuation bus. Tatiana, 72, a chatty woman with platinum-blond hair and bright pink lipstick, said she could not stand the artillery or the fear any longer. "I get so scared. I'm shaking all over," she said, denouncing the Russians. The second woman, Lyudmila, 60, smiled brightly, saying she was heading off to stay with a friend outside Kyiv. She first fled Kupiansk during Russian occupation, staying in several cities before returning. Now it is "pretty scary", she said, counting herself lucky that most of her flat's windows were intact. - 'Don't just sit there' - "I always say people should leave," said Klim, commander of the Ukrainian Red Cross's rapid response unit for the Kharkiv region, who is leading the voluntary evacuation. Russia's Grad rockets "do not differentiate. Don't just sit there, because tomorrow may be too late," said the commander, who uses a military-style call sign. He and his partner donned bullet-proof vests to drive to Kupiansk, crossing a pontoon bridge guarded by soldiers. In the town centre, the missiles had destroyed shops and blown out the windows in the blocks of flats. On the open door of one ruined shop, someone had left a handwritten note. "It's empty: everything's already been stolen." The silence was broken by regular thuds of artillery from the other side of the river, where the Russians were positioned. Earlier that day, the bridge had been struck and soldiers had put up a barrier to stop vehicles. From high points in Kupiansk, smoke could clearly be seen rising from lower-lying ground on the opposite bank. - 'A ghost town' - Soldiers were among the few customers in the surviving shops and a small market, where traders were packing well before the town's 6 o'clock evening curfew. "The town is empty, a ghost town," said Marina, 54, leaning on the counter of her daughter's grocery store, where she helps out. She got "goosebumps" even talking about the Russian occupation, she said, and was dead-set against its return. "Here we feel free, but there we walked around like we were under some kind of whip." But not everyone felt the same way. Sitting watching the scene in a jumper and leggings, retired doctor Lidiya smiled as she recalled Russian occupation. "When our Russians were here, life was wonderful," she said. "There wasn't this looting and there was some order." Such open expressions of support for Russia are rare, however. Chatting with friends outside a shop, 55-year-old Volodymyr said he could not leave as his job was to keep the town's water running. This involves pumping water from outside the town and mending holes in pipes from shelling - a job that never quite got done, he said. "Those left are the most steadfast," he said of Kupiansk's remaining residents. "The ones they cannot overcome." am/jbr/jj A UN-mandated investigation into human rights abuses in Ethiopia will come to an end next week despite ongoing atrocities in the region. None of the parties to the mandate asked for it to be extended by Wednesdays deadline, according to UN Human Rights Council spokesperson Pascal Sim. The mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia was created in 2021 after a motion submitted by the European Union. It will now officially conclude after October 13, 2023, Sim told CNN. It comes after the commission released a report on Tuesday, warning of the continued risk of human rights atrocities in Ethiopia and emphasizing the urgent need for ongoing independent investigations into the countrys human rights situation. Ethiopias northern Tigray region was plunged into war in November 2020 as government forces clashed with rebels, resulting in widespread atrocities perpetrated by all sides.. The Ethiopian government and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front signed a peace agreement, known as the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, in November last year and seemed to end the brutal conflict. But a year later, atrocities continue in parts of the Tigray region, the commissions report says. Proponents of another mandate appear to have been put off by opposition from African states, diplomats said, according to Reuters. The mandate was renewed last year only by a small margin, Reuters said. A devastating blow Human Rights Watch said Wednesday that the European Union and its members have backtracked on their support for scrutiny of the human rights situation in Ethiopia. Tirana Hassan, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement: For the numerous victims of atrocities in Ethiopia who placed their hopes in the commission, this is a devastating blow. An EU spokesperson told CNN on Thursday that justice and accountability are clear conditions for gradual normalization of relations with Ethiopia, adding that European nations had not reached a consensus on bringing forward a resolution for a new mandate. Ethiopia has always opposed the UN-mandated investigation and has tried to curtail in the past, arguing that its own national justice policies provided sufficient avenues to conduct any inquiry, Reuters reported. The UN commission says this approach was deeply flawed, Reuters said. Asked for comment on Wednesday, Ethiopian government spokesperson Legesse Tulu responded by text message: This is the end of (ICHREEs) history (in) Ethiopia. He later added: There is no need to talk about a dead end. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations said on Thursday it was struggling to reach 18 million people in need in Sudan to fend off a humanitarian disaster, hampered by insecurity, interference from the warring parties and a lack of international support. "We need to reach 18 million people and we will not give up on that target, but we need more international support, better access to the people who need us and safety for our operations," said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan. "We're not at this point able to have an operation that is commensurate to the scale (of needs)," she said. Conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in mid-April, sparking a grave humanitarian crisis and pushing the country to the brink of civil war. More than 4.2 million people have fled their homes because of the war, and nearly 1.2 million have crossed to neighbouring countries, putting huge pressure on Sudan's meagre resources. Nkweta-Salami said that 19 aid workers had been killed and 29 injured since the fighting broke out, which she said was unacceptable and unlawful. Red tape was hampering the distribution of humanitarian aid, and a $2.6 billion humanitarian appeal to the international community to help the people of Sudan was just one third funded, she said. "We also need to see an end to interference from the conflict parties in our operations, including forced checks of humanitarian trucks and mandatory military presence during the loading process in Port Sudan and Jazeera," she said. "I hope that we will see swift action to reduce the bureaucratic obstacles, including delays in visa approvals for staff as promised by Sudanese authorities in a donor meeting yesterday." The U.N. fears that the crisis could worsen if the conflict spreads to other areas such as central Jazeera state, which she called "Sudan's breadbasket", where fighting could hinder food supplies. "This will have great consequences for food security." (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by) Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat said Thursday the Hong Kong movie industry needs to make efforts to reflect its own spirit in films despite China's strict censorship to revive its once-thriving industry. Chow, who led the golden era of Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s, made the remark after he was awarded with the Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the Busan International Film Festival, which opened in the southeastern port city Wednesday. "We have a lot of censorship requirements in mainland China. Scripts must go to many departments. So, we must have clear and direct situations in scripts," Chow said in English during a press conference. "Honestly, we will try our best to make movies with Hong Kong spirit. This is our goal." The 68-year-old said the Hong Kong film industry has witnessed many changes in the filmmaking process following Britain's handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. "We have to pay attention to our government and (its) direction. Otherwise, it will be hard to get the money to make movies. The mainland market is so huge," he said. The actor, affectionately called "Big Brother," said it is inspiring to see the global rise of Korean movies, touting their wide spectrum of subjects. "I think the competitive edge of the Korean cinema lies in its freedom. I highly think of their broad range of subjects and freedom in creation," Chow said. "Sometimes I even wonder, 'Can they cover such stories?'" Over the course of his 50-year career, the beloved star has appeared in approximately 100 films in various genres, best known for his roles in John Woo's gangster film "A Better Tomorrow" (1986) and Ang Lee's Oscar-winning film "The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000). Although there were ups and down in his career, Chow said there are no regrets but just lessons learned from his acting that allowed him to experience a much bigger world than Lamma Island, his hometown. "Growing up in a small village until 10 years old and debuting at 18, I didn't spend much time at school. I learned a lot about the world while filming movies. Playing the role of other people taught me a lot of lessons," Chow said. "It is hard to imagine Chow Yun-fat without films." During the film festival, Chow's latest film "One More Chance," where he plays a pathological gambler who tries to connect with his autistic son, as well as "A Better Tomorrow" (1986) and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000), will be screened in the special section dedicated to his acting career. (Yonhap) UNC Asheville will offer free tuition and fees to some in-state students beginning next fall, the university announced Thursday. Through a new program, Access Asheville, the university will cover the full cost of tuition and fees for North Carolina students whose family income is $80,000 or less. The costs will be covered through scholarships and grants, the university said. The UNC System lists in-state tuition at UNC Asheville as about $4,100 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Fees are more than $3,100. The university said the program would provide more than $7,400 in annual savings for qualifying students. The program is designed to make an exceptional, transformative education attainable for low- and middle-income North Carolinians, the university said in a news release. This will provide an affordable path to pursue an undergraduate college degree for those who may have previously thought it would be out of reach financially, UNC Asheville interim Chancellor Kimberly van Noort said in the release. We are excited about the opportunity Access Asheville will create for more students who are ready to engage with the increasingly complex needs of our region, state and nation. The program will be available to first-year students and transferring undergraduates who enter the university in the fall 2024 semester. First-year students will be eligible to receive the aid for eight semesters. Transfer students will be eligible for seven semesters or until they complete their degree, whichever comes first. The median household income in North Carolina is about $60,500, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Students will be required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to verify their family income. They will also be required to verify their North Carolina residency status. About 2,900 students attend UNC Asheville. Other NC universities have announced similar efforts The Access Asheville program makes UNC Asheville the latest North Carolina college to offer free tuition in recent months. In June, Duke University announced it would begin offering free tuition this fall to students from North Carolina and South Carolina whose family income is $150,000 or less. In July, following the U.S. Supreme Court striking down its race-conscious admissions program in a landmark ruling, UNC-Chapel Hill said it would expand opportunity to attend the university by offering free tuition to North Carolina students whose family income is $80,000 or less beginning next fall. The university expects between 150 and 200 students to benefit from the offer each year, and the effort will be funded using private money. Tuition across the UNC System has been frozen for seven consecutive years, though fees can change from year to year. UNC System President Peter Hans announced last month that he would like the system to keep tuition flat for at least another year but ideally for a full decade. Airman apprentice Donald Brown and fireman David Dickson, both United States Navy veterans who served during the Vietnam war died recently and neither had a family member to claim their remains. On Tuesday, Beaufort National Cemetery and the military community stepped in to ensure both were honored for their service and received a final salute prior to their burial, which was attended by the public and military-related groups. Michael Brophy, Beaufort National Cemetery Assistant Director, confirmed that both veterans, while their remains were unclaimed, were eligible to be buried on Beauforts hallowed ground. Now all that means is that when they passed, there wasnt any family available to claim them, he affirmed. Sometimes, at the end of the road, some people dont have a support network built around them, he continued. But there is a community that looks to ensure that they get the benefits that they earned so many years ago. he added, unclaimed doesnt mean unloved. Members of the Beaufort Navy Hospital Honor Guard stand at parade rest before an internment for Unclaimed Veterans at Beaufort National Cemetery. Two veterans, Donald Brown and David Dixon, served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and they were both from the Lowcountry area. The two veterans were patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Charleston and, after their passing, officials arranged for the two sailors to be cremated and transported south to Beaufort National Cemetery, escorted by members of the South Carolina Patriot Guard Riders. Chaplain Leon Maxwell, accepts a flag from Corpman 3rd Class Selena Munoz during an internment for two Unclaimed Veterans at Beaufort National Cemetery. The two veterans, Donald Brown and David Dickson served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and they were both from the Lowcountry area. Additionally, the two veterans were honored with the symbolic Forget Me Not ceremony. Leading the 100-year old traditional ceremony, which originated during World War I, was Karen Majerczak, Commander of the Disabled Americans Veterans Chapter 12 in Beaufort. As they saw the new growth of the flowers on the battlefield, it brought about hope for everlasting life and reminded us that people may be gone but not erased or forgotten, she explained. Brigadier General (Ret) Jack Hagan accepts a flag from Corpman 2nd Class Santana Parchment during the internment for two Unclaimed Veterans at Beaufort National Cemetery. The veterans, Donald Brown and David Dickson served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and they were both from the Lowcountry area. The Navy Honor Guard out of Beaufort Naval Hospital presented a flag for each sailor to two representatives from the Ralph Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center. If you watch cable news, you may feel dispirited by the current state of our political affairs. We are constantly told were too left, too right, too this and that. Partisanship exists, but seeing eye to eye isnt a condition for finding common ground. Take, for example, my 30-year friendship with Senator Mitch McConnell . The two of us joined forces to take on the Pentagon and challenge their plans for incinerating hazardous chemical weapons near my hometown. I first met Senator McConnell in 1985, shortly after he won his first U.S. Senate election. I was a Vietnam veteran turned antiwar environmentalist, and he was a Reagan Republican. As you might expect, we didnt agree on a lot. I had recently attended a community meeting with 300 other concerned citizens where Pentagon officials shared their plans to destroy chemical weapons at Blue Grass Army Depot. They intended to burn these toxic nerve agents at a Richmond plant, just one mile from a middle school and six miles from my family home. The community was eager to see these weapons destroyed, but we wanted a safe solution. It was clear the Army wouldnt provide the answers we were looking for without a push, so, I began sharing my frustrations with the Senator and a wide range of citizens. We enlisted colleges, churches, businesses, horse farms, physicians, and many more to advocate against the Pentagons incineration plans. Over time, our concerns snowballed into a mass of opposition that the Army couldnt ignore. Still, we couldnt help but feel like David gazing up at Goliath in this case, the United States Army. We were outspent, out-lawyered, out-just about everything. Senator McConnell was a champion of our crusade early on, and just the powerful ally we needed in Washington. I would provide the Senator with the factual information he needed, and he would bring our cause and concerns straight to the Pentagons front door. In 1993, after nearly a decade of steady petitioning, we successfully delayed incineration funding, forcing the Pentagon back to the drawing board and charging them with exploring safer alternatives. It was a huge breakthrough, but our work wasnt done just yet. By 1996, the Assembled Chemical Weapons Assessment (ACWA) program was established, which held the Army to its word on demonstrating alternatives. Thanks to Senator McConnell, whose amendment in the Defense Appropriations bill authorized this program, ACWA ultimately found that several safer methods existed. In 1997, Craig Williams, left, watched as Sen. Wendell Ford announced that the search for chemical weapons disposal alternatives would continue under the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty. Herald-Leader File Over the next decade, the Department of Defense would try every trick in the book to redirect funding for ACWA and hold on to its incineration agenda. Even after proving the efficacy of a safer, water-based neutralization method, the Army was still redirecting more than $300 million in neutralization funding to other incineration sites, putting efforts in Kentucky on hold. I laid out the evidence to Senator McConnell, who took the matter to several senior defense officials and sponsored legislation mandating the Army release these funds. With funding finally going where it should, the Depot could begin eliminating its 523 tons of chemical agents. That effort officially wrapped up this summer when the Depot destroyed its last nerve agent rocket, closing this chapter of American warfare for good. The culmination of our efforts, spanning four decades, seven presidential administrations, and most of my adult life, brought about an environmentally sound solution to one of the most important national security missions in a generation. Senator McConnell and I couldnt be more different, but our victory proves that even the unlikeliest of allies can solve real problems and make peoples lives better. Some might call this old-fashioned legislating, but I call it good leadership Now more than ever, we need our leaders to cooperate. Senator McConnell has shown us this is possible for Kentucky. Even amid the most contentious debates, he has striven for incremental progress, leaving behind the zero-sum games and avoiding partisan gridlock. I know this because I have witnessed it firsthand throughout our 30-year friendship. Common ground is out there for those willing to work for it. Craig Williams The public is invited to an event recognizing the Blue Grass plant team and destruction of the nations declared chemical weapons stockpile Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. ET at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, 233 Battlefield Memorial Highway in Richmond, Kentucky. Craig Williams is program director for the Kentucky Environmental Foundation in Berea. Linda Murphy pulls up doses of the Pfizer vaccine into syringes at a clinic organized by the Travis County Mobile Vaccine Collaborative at Rodriguez Elementary School on July 28, 2021. Credit: Sophie Park/The Texas Tribune Updated COVID-19 shots are becoming increasingly available in Texas after weeks of hiccups and distribution glitches since the vaccine was approved for people 6 months and older last month, providers say. But availability is still spotty as hospitals, pediatricians and pharmacies work directly with drug makers, instead of with the state and federal government, to secure their COVID-19 vaccines for the first time. As a result, doses arent arriving at providers offices across the state at uniform, predictable intervals largely dependent on individual providers ordering according to their own anticipated demand and availability of staff, as well as working out logistics over insurance payment for the vaccines that have historically been covered by the government. Its a system typical for other common annual vaccines, but new to the COVID-19 protocol. It has been challenging, said Laura Ehrlich, a parent and a communications specialist in Austin. Three different pharmacies told me they didnt have the vaccine because it had not been approved by the FDA for children under 5. Of course, that is not true but Im concerned about that mis- or dis- info by pharmacists. At Texas Childrens in Houston, officials have not been given any indication that there will be shortages, but they have not yet begun to offer the shots to their pediatric patients although they expect to get that going some time during this month, said Dr. Stanley Spinner, chief medical officer and vice president of Texas Children's Pediatrics and Texas Childrens Urgent Care. We have been working quite diligently on the logistics of being able to get it, Spinner said. Its just a matter of timing and logistics and being prepared to get it all rolled out. Shipments, too, are dependent on commercial distribution networks creating a patchwork of access while COVID-19 rates fluctuate in recent weeks, even as demand for the shot is expected to be low. We have had patients calling our appointment line about COVID vaccine and asking their physicians about it at appointments, but not a huge number, said Tamara Baker, senior director of clinical operations at Austin Regional Clinics. At ARC, she said, the vaccine has begun arriving in limited amounts but more is expected very soon. There have been shipping delays, so info on arrival changes daily, she said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the updated vaccine for people ages six months and older in mid-September. Shots began going into arms on Monday at University Health in San Antonio, spokesperson Shelley Kofler said. On the first day, they administered 95 adult COVID-19 shots, she said. On Tuesday, the number climbed to 105, including two children, she said. We are monitoring interest and will match our supply with demand, she said. Austin Public Health is providing shots to children under age 11 but still waiting on doses for older patients to come in, officials there say. Officials with the drug store chain Walgreens told the Tribune in an email this week that they have the shots in pharmacies across Texas, although pharmacies in this state are not authorized to give the COVID shots to children younger than 3. In more rural settings, providers have not reported any complaints about the availability of the vaccine, said John Henderson, executive director of the Texas Organization for Rural and Community Hospitals. In Huntsville, pharmacies are distributing both adult and pediatric doses to patients and providers, although doctors say they are having to work hard to get parents interested in another round of COVID-19 vaccinations. Uptake is OK, said Dr. Lane Aiena, a family medicine physician in Huntsville. Were trying to frame it as a, most likely, yearly shot like the flu, which seems to help people understand why we need another one. The situation is similar in El Paso, where pediatricians say that the low risk of serious COVID-19 illness in most children, combined with misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of vaccine, can be a hurdle along with the fact that the federal government is no longer providing free access to everyone regardless of insurance coverage. Medicaid and uninsured patients can obtain the vaccine for free, but providers are expected to bill insurance companies for those recipients who are covered. Co-pays or other costs related to updated COVID-19 vaccines will be a barrier for certain families, said Dr. Glenn Fennelly, professor and chair of pediatrics at Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso. Also, there have been supply and distribution issues that are impacting availability. But Fennelly says medical providers are expecting demand for the new COVID-19 vaccines will be significantly lower than in the past because it seems to be a lower priority for families. Providers acknowledge that the admittedly soft rollout of the vaccine comes against a very different backdrop than in previous years with much less government involvement and a bit less urgency. Two years ago, cities and counties were offering cash rewards and gift certificates to those who got their COVID-19 shots. The state was sending mobile vaccination units to office buildings, neighborhoods, and remote communities, and was engaged in million-dollar public service campaigns designed to increase acceptance of the vaccine. On a federal level, the CDC was vaccinating people at bars and sorority houses and staging regular press conferences urging the vaccine. The federal government was purchasing vaccines from makers like Pfizer and Moderna and distributing them to the states, which then allocated it to qualified vaccine providers. Since then, the federal health emergency has ended and the state and federal governments have bowed out of the distribution chain. Providers now order the COVID-19 vaccine as they do other vaccines. The Texas Department of State Health Services is now banned by the Texas Legislature from spending public money to promote the vaccine at all. We are out of the vaccine distribution business, said Chris Van Deusen, spokesperson for the state agency. Texas government officials are also not allowed to mandate the vaccine (or masks, for that matter) in government offices, buildings or places of employment in Texas a ban some conservative lawmakers hope to extend to private businesses during a special session of the Legislature that starts on Monday. Unlike previous vaccine rollouts, when the biggest obstacle was the supply, the current challenges are mainly over a lack of clarity on when the shot will arrive and where it will be available, as well as spotty information on how to pay for it and who qualifies. Austin mom Melissa Britton-Reimer said she hasnt gotten any good information on why its been approved, sitting at the pharmacies, but not available after she recently attempted to make appointments for her elementary-age children. She said she was told by the pharmacist that it wasnt being offered and that there was no solid date when they will be available. Being told to just keep trying to make them an appointment wasnt a very satisfying answer, she said. Who has time for that? BFF, short for Burgers, Fries and Franks, is the newest addition to The Alley at Latta Arcade in uptown Charlotte, offering a farm-to-table menu in a fast-casual environment. Their mouthwatering burgers are expertly grilled to perfection, featuring locally sourced, farm-raised beef, served on a toasted bun, The Alley at Latta Arcade website states. Customize your ideal all-beef franks with a wide array of toppings and savor our delectable house-made fries. Experience culinary excellence delivered promptly with an extra serving of warm and welcoming service. BFF is a fast-casual restaurant with hot dogs and burgers with a wide variety of toppings. The Alley at Latta Arcade is a new food hall designed as an elevated street eats destination inside the historic building that was built in 1914. BFF is one of the new spots inside, along with The Dumpling Lady and Felix Empanadas. There are also plans to add more tenants, including a cocktail bar, coffee bar and taproom, CharlotteFive previously reported. Latta Arcade is a place of history and appreciation in Charlotte and we look forward to building upon that storied reputation, Sam Ankin, founder and managing principal for Northpond Partners, previously said. Right now, BFF is in a soft-opening phase, so the restaurant is only selling hot dogs, but the team hopes to roll out their full menu next month. Editors note: This story is developing and may be updated. Tonya Price contributed reporting. Location: The Alley at Latta Arcade, 320 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 Cuisine: American, burgers, hot dogs Instagram: @thealleyclt NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Google Maps Darius Paduch, a former urologist, is accused in a new lawsuit of sexually assaulting men and boys. Anthony T. DiPietro, the prosecuting attorney, called Paduch a "serious sexual predator." The lawsuit also accuses Paduch's workplaces of covering up his behavior. This article contains descriptions of sexual assault. In a new lawsuit filed in New York, Darius Paduch, a former urologist, is accused of molesting minors and men alike by performing unnecessary examinations and touching their genitals under the guise of medical necessity over a period of years and his employers are accused of being well aware of his actions. The lawsuit, filed September 26 in the New York Supreme Court, comes after Paduch's April indictment by a federal grand jury. This new filing has 58 plaintiffs, but the prosecuting attorney, Anthony T. DiPietro, told Insider there were already more who had come forward to share the experiences they had with Paduch. Along with Paduch, multiple medical centers are listed as defendants in the suit, including NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. In Paduch's career, he moved to several different medical centers in the area. From the early 2000s, he worked at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical Center. He later moved to Northwell Health in 2019, the suit says. The suit alleges that during his career, Paduch engaged in multiple abusive and grooming behaviors, including asking patients about their pornography and masturbatory habits, giving genitalia exams without gloves, instructing patients to masturbate in front of him and masturbating patients himself, and fondling and groping patients. The suit also alleges Paduch performed unnecessary surgeries that supposedly addressed erectile dysfunction. Additionally, the suit says multiple complaints were made verbally and formally to Paduch's superiors at his places of work, which were either ignored or covered up. Paduch was "asked to leave" his first workplace, but his patients were not told that he was leaving the practice after multiple sexual-abuse complaints were made, the suit says. DiPietro, who works mainly in patient-safety and medical-malpractice cases, described Paduch as a "serial sexual predator" who abused boys and men at multiple medical practices. He also connected the case to the case against Robert Hadden, a former gynecologist who was sentenced to 20 years in prison after sexually abusing dozens of patients. Hadden was also connected to Columbia University medical centers, DiPietro said, and committed similar acts of fraud, exploitation, and grooming against girls and women. DiPietro said he would continue to file cases as more people came forward. Many of his clients want policy changes at the various hospitals involved to protect current and future patients from harm, DiPietro said. "If it weren't for our clients coming forward and holding them accountable, these predators would still be there doing it to people," DiPietro said. "If there's any credit that is due in these cases it's to every single one of our clients who's been willing to step up and help get this done." A spokesperson for Weill Cornell Medicine called the behavior described in the lawsuits "extremely disturbing." "No patient who entrusts us with their care should ever experience such appalling behavior," the spokesperson said. "We continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and are committed to maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards." The Long Island Jewish Medical Center part of the larger Northwell Health network also said it would continue to take allegations against its former employee Paduch seriously and cooperate with authorities conducting investigations. Paduch and the medical centers associated with Columbia University did not respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours. To submit a news tip, contact this reporter at scahill@insider.com. Read the original article on Insider US Army identifies 2 soldiers killed after transport vehicle flips in Alaska training area Two U.S. soldiers killed when their transport vehicle flipped in a training area outside Salcha, Alaska, earlier this week have been publicly identified. Spc. Brian Joshua Snowden, 22, and Spc. Jeremy Daniel Evans, 23, died in Monday's vehicle accident in the Yukon Training Area, Fort Wainwright announced Wednesday on Facebook. Both soldiers served in the 11th Airborne Division. "This is an incredible loss for all of us across the division," said Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division. The accident happened while 17 soldiers were riding in a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle used to transport troops on a dirt road heading into the Yukon Training Area, according to a news release from U.S. Army Alaska. US NAVY SAILOR LAUNCHES RESCUE OF SMALL PUPPY SAVED DURING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT: CANT LEAVE A COMRADE BEHIND' Spc. Brian Joshua Snowden, 22, of Lonedell, Missouri, joined the Army in July 2020. "At some point, the driver lost control of the vehicle, and it flipped," Army spokesperson John Pennell told local outlet KTUU. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Out of the 12 soldiers who sustained injuries, two of the most critically injured were flown to Providence Medical Center in Anchorage. Spc. Jeremy Daniel Evans, of Knoxville, Tennessee, joined the Army in July 2020. Snowden, of Lonedell, Missouri, and Evans, of Knoxville, Tennessee, both joined the Army in July 2020. Both soldiers trained at Fort Moore, Georgia, before Evans arrived in Alaska in January 2021 and Snowden arrived two months later. Fort Wainwright is a U.S. Army installation in Fairbanks, Alaska. WERE HUMAN': DELTA FORCE VETERAN REFLECTS ON BATTLE OF MOGADISHU 30 YEARS LATER "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and fellow soldiers of Spc. Evans and Spc. Snowden," Eifler said. "While were always challenged by the environment, were Arctic Angels, we overcome these challenges and accomplish our mission by being a team, and teams take care of one another, especially in times like these." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Eifler said resources are available for soldiers and families across Alaska. Fox News Landon Mion contributed to this report. Original article source: US Army identifies 2 soldiers killed after transport vehicle flips in Alaska training area KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Two American service members were killed and a dozen others were injured Monday when a U.S. Army vehicle flipped over at a training area in Alaska. Fort Wainwright confirmed the two soldiers deaths in a social media post shared late Wednesday. The post stated that Spc. Jeremy Daniel Evans and Spc. Brian Joshua Snowden of the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, were the soldiers killed in Mondays vehicle accident in the Yukon Training Area. Evans, 23, of Knoxville, Tennessee joined the Army in July 2020 and after training at Fort Moore, Georgia, arrived in Alaska in January 2021, the post stated. This is an incredible loss for all of us across the division, said Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and fellow soldiers of Spc. Evans and Spc. Snowden. While were always challenged by the environment, were Arctic Angels, we overcome these challenges and accomplish our mission by being a team, and teams take care of one another, especially in times like these. There are resources available for our soldiers and families across Alaska, as we mourn those we lost and the soldiers and families still recovering. ABC News reported late Wednesday that one of the soldiers who was killed was from Knoxville. Spc. Brian Joshua Snowden, 22, of Lonedell, Missouri, was identified as the other victim in a statement released by military officials. According to the Associated Press, the single-vehicle crash happened as the soldiers headed to the Yukon Training Area near Salcha, or about 30 miles southeast of Fairbanks. An Army spokesperson told the AP that the driver lost control of the vehicle on a dirt road going into the training area. This is an incredible loss for all of us across the division, Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, said in the statement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and fellow soldiers of Spc. Evans and Spc. Snowden. ABC News reported that eight of the soldiers involved were treated and released the same day while the other four remain in stable condition. The crash remains under investigation. The Yukon Training Area is just east of Eielson Air Force Base and about 30 miles from Fort Wainwright. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Border towns across the U.S. continue to deal with an influx of migrants. Some towns calling it a "humanitarian crisis." Now, a potential government shutdown could make it worse. Like many border towns, the shelters in El Paso are at capacity and migrants are sleeping on the street. Resources are stretched thin and the food bank in El Paso says it only has a 25-day food supply, and if they have to add government workers who are not getting paid, they will need help immediately. DEM TEXAS MAYOR SAYS CITY IS AT 'BREAKING POINT' AS BORDER CRISIS RAGES Migrants sleep on streets in El Paso Jennifer Velandria and her family crossed into El Paso from Venezuela. "Its been very hard because my family, we dont have money, and we were separated. But, after the first day we got here, we reunited and we stayed on the street together" Velandria said. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Jennifer and her family have been in the U.S. a little less than a week. They slept on the streets of El Paso at night, and looked for food during the day. Then, a woman told them a spot had opened up at the El Paso Rescue Mission. "And for us, it was like an angel came out of heaven. It was very good for us," Velandria said. ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS SPIKING IN SEPTEMBER AS DAILY ENCOUNTERS CONTINUE TO CLIMB Migrants find shelter She says they are lucky, because thousands of migrants line the streets and parks of El Paso. The city says it has received at least 1800 migrants a day for the past week and a half. All shelters say they are full, and the food bank says it is quickly running out of resources. Susan Goodell, CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank says it is now preparing for what it calls a "triple threat" "We are in need of additional volunteers and financial resources to meet these three fronts at the same time, meaning the government shutdown, the migrant crisis, and the incredible need here in the community already" Goodell said. The potential government shutdown means government workers would go without pay. That could be trouble because the food bank is already feeding their max, which is about 1,000 people per day. CBP TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS PORT OF ENTRY OPERATIONS AS MIGRANTS FLOOD SOUTHERN BORDER "In addition to the migrant surge and the potential government shutdown, which will hit the 23,000 government employees here in this area, as well as the 38,000 soldiers on Fort Bliss, were looking at a pretty tough time period to come" Goddell said. A bill has been introduced that could ensure the military still gets paid during the shutdown. The Biden Administration also says it plans to send about 3,000 additional military personnel to El Paso to help with the migrant surge. All of which would be affected by this potential shutdown if the bill is not passed. Original article source: US border towns facing migrant crisis further threatened by potential government shutdown FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden welcomes leaders from the U.S.- Pacific Island Country Summit to a dinner at the White House in Washington By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A 45-day stopgap measure passed by the U.S. Congress to avert a government shutdown has left potential funding shortfalls for strategic Pacific island states, which analysts and former officials say makes the U.S. allies economically vulnerable and possibly more receptive to Chinese approaches. The Biden administration had hoped to see Congress endorse by Sept. 30 new 20-year funding programs for Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau, which after decades of relative neglect now find themselves at the center of a U.S. battle for influence with China in the Northern Pacific. The sprawling but sparsely populated nations have ties with the U.S. governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs), under which Washington is responsible for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive military access to strategic swathes of ocean. The funding programs for the Marshall Islands and Micronesia were due for renewal by Sept. 30, and by the end of fiscal 2024 for Palau, and Washington agreed this year on a new package of $7.1 billion over 20 years, subject to Congressional approval. The stopgap "continuing resolution" (CR) that prevented a federal government shutdown does not include approval for this new program, however, and while it maintains federal services to the COFA states, it leaves holes in other parts of their budgets. "While keeping the services going is an important assurance, the CR will make things quite difficult in the Marshalls (which has an election on November 20) and Palau (election next year)," said Cleo Paskal, an expert on the COFA states with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank. "Both are countries that recognize Taiwan and are key components of U.S. defense architecture in the Pacific," she said. "Watch for increased (Chinese) political warfare spin around the U.S. being an unreliable partner." Paskal said Palau's funding under its existing COFA had dwindled as it approached its final year and it had been banking on funds from the new package to help cover budget deficits. Paskal said Palau's economy had already taken bad hits from COVID-19 and Chinese economic interference aimed at pressuring it to switch diplomatic recognition from U.S.-backed Taiwan to Beijing. There is no new money so far too for the Marshall Islands, which has yet to finalize new terms with Washington due to disagreements over how to address the legacy of massive U.S. nuclear testing there in the 1940s and 1950s. Meanwhile, China is waiting in the wings with ready cash. Roll Call, a news site covering the U.S. Congress, noted last week that Palau's Finance Minister Kaleb Udui told a congressional field hearing in August that Beijing had been trying to tempt locals to oppose U.S. plans to build an early-warning radar by offering to build a hotel and casino nearby. The Washington embassies of Palau and the Marshall islands did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Biden administration has made renewing the COFAs a priority, and it has broad bipartisan support, but congressional infighting is not the only hurdle. Howard Hills, a senior adviser to the U.S. COFA negotiating team from 2020 until retiring last month, blamed the Marshall Islands holdup on U.S. State Department lawyers who wanted to control how new funds were spent and objected to them being earmarked to address the nuclear legacy, fearing this could lay the U.S. open to more claims. Asked to comment, the State Department said Washington was "working expeditiously to finalize negotiations" with the Marshall Islands and had had constructive conversations to that end "including at the Presidential level" at last week's U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Don Durfee and Josie Kao) By Lee Gyu-lee BUSAN The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) finally began its 10-day run in the southeastern port city of Busan, Wednesday, after months of managerial turmoil resulting in two resignations and a dismissal. Following the consecutive resignations of festival director Huh Moon-young and chairman Lee Yong-kwan five months before the autumn event, BIFF continued with the festival, moving deputy director Kang Seung-ah to replace the dismissed managing director Cho Jong-kook and program director Nam Dong-chul for Huh. Award-winning actor Song Kang-ho stepped in as this year's host, marking a high-profile replacement after the departure of the previous chairperson, as the organizing committee tried to steer the festival back on course. "Although there were challenges leading up to the festival, it kicks off today with the opening ceremony and will run for 10 days. I believe we are well-prepared. While there may be areas we fall short, I am anticipating many positive aspects that people can take away from it and write articles about," Nam said during a press conference for the opening film Because I Hate Korea at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan, Wednesday. Weve prepared a lot and the festival has a lot to offer. So I hope people can come and enjoy. Asias largest film festival, running through Oct. 15, opened at the Busan Cinema Center, with a red carpet event featuring big-name actors from Korea and abroad, including Song Joong-ki, Han Hyo-joo, Fan Bingbing, John Cho and Yoo Yeon-seok, as well as Chow Yun-fat, this years Asian Filmmaker of the Year recipient. Following the red carpet opening, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon officially declared the festival open, emphasizing the global status BIFF has achieved and wishing for another successful run. Nowadays, when many people think of Busan, they associate it with the sea and film. Its all thanks to movie fans and filmmakers like you who have elevated the BIFF to a global cinematic event, the mayor said. Cinema, as an art form, as a medium for conveying social messages and as an industry; such multifaceted charms have brought us together to the same time and place. Through cinema, I hope we can communicate, reconcile and dream together this year again." Actor Park Eun-bin of the 2022 smash hit series Extraordinary Attorney Woo hosted the opening ceremony, which ended with the screening of the opening film. She became the first solo emcee in the festivals history, as the original co-host, actor Lee Je-hoon, canceled last-minute due to a health issue. It was so meaningful to be the first solo emcee of BIFF. I am truly grateful for your warm support and applause, Park said. What a beautiful night it is to celebrate the opening! I hope that your next 10 days are filled with wonderful memories and experiences." This years BIFF dialed down on its official selection with 209 films from 69 countries, including the closing film, The Movie Emperor by director Ning Hao, whereas last year's event hosted 240 films from 71 countries. In spite of the slight reduction, it will feature a wide selection from influential auteurs latest films, like David Finchers The Killer and acclaimed global film festival winners like Justine Triets Palme dOr winner Anatomy of a Fall, as well as cinematic works with refreshing takes, like BIFF film academy alumna Purevdash Zoljargals If Only I Could Hibernate. This years Gala Presentation will screen Kore-eda Hirokazus Monster, which notched Best Screenplay at Cannes, Bertrand Bonellos Beast and Han Shuais Green Night. For the New Currents section, purposed to recognize emerging Asian directors, a total of 10 films will compete for the award, including Bangladesh director Biplob Sarkars The Stranger, Japanese director Yamamoto Akira's After the Fever and director Sohn Hyun-loks That Summers Lie. Six original series from streaming platforms will be featured in BIFF's "On Screen" section, highlighting the emergence and growing influence of streaming services in the industry. Among those, five are Korean titles, including Wavves The Deal, Disney+s Vigilante and Tvings A Bloody Lucky Day. For the first time, the Asia Contents Awards will include global streaming service content, adding five new award categories under the name Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards. A total of 17 categories will be presented at the awards ceremony, set for Oct. 8 at the Busan Cinema Centers BIFF Theater. Three Special Programs in Focus are organized throughout the festival: Chow Yun Fat: True Colors of a Hero, dedicated to the Hong Kong actor; Korean Diasporic Cinema," which will spotlight Korean American narratives in Hollywood; and "Renaissance of Indonesian Cinema," which will recognize works from Indonesia, an emerging film powerhouse. The festival will also have a special commemoration event for the late actress Yoon Jeong-hee, who was one of the biggest stars of Korean cinema in the 1960s and 1970s. Yoon, who starred in various award-winning films such as "Manmubang (1994) and "Poetry" (2010), passed away earlier this year. BIFF's industry platform, the Asian Content & Film Market, which saw the most participants last year since reopening its in-person event, will be held in an even larger venue this year. It will lend platforms for domestic and international organizations and companies to build partnerships and showcase their content. A US F-16 fighter jet shot down a Turkish drone in Syria on Thursday. The rare clash between two NATO members occurred after the drone was considered a threat to US forces in the area. The Pentagon's Press Secretary called it a "regrettable incident" and said US forces had cited self-defense in the shoot down. A US military F-16 fighter jet downed a Turkish drone operating above Syria on Thursday, marking a rare clash between Washington and a NATO ally. The American aircraft shot down the drone because it was considered to be a threat to US troops in the northeastern part of the country, The Wall Street Journal first reported, citing a person familiar with the incident. An American official told the outlet that US knew the drone which was armed with air-to-ground munitions belonged to Turkey before it acted. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based office that documents human rights abuses in Syria, said earlier Thursday that an "International Coalition" targeted the Turkish drone. The Turkish military acknowledged that an unmanned aircraft was shot down but denied ownership of the drone, according to Reuters, which reported that two US officials said an F-16 shot down the Turkish unmanned aircraft after multiple warnings that the drone was operating too close to American forces. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) didn't respond to Insider's request for comment on the situation. At a press briefing Thursday afternoon, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed the incident, calling it "regrettable" and noting that no US forces were injured and there was "no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting US forces." He added that Turkey remains one of the US' strongest and most valued allies. Ryder said US forces observed Turkish drones "conducting airstrikes" within the vicinity of Hasakah, Syria at 7:30 am local time, adding that some of those strikes were "inside a US declared restricted operating zone." The drones were approximately a kilometer from US forces, who relocated to bunkers. Hours later at 11:30 am local time, a Turkish drone reentered that restricted operating zone. US commanders assessed the drone was a "potential threat," leading the F-16 to shoot it down. The US cited "inherent right of self defense" in its decision to shoot down the drone. He added that communication with Turkey "went to a high enough level with the operational chain of command" before the decision. A call between US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Turkey Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler occurred afterwards. Turkey in recent days has stepped up a bombing campaign against what it says are Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria, blaming them for a suicide bombing in Ankara last weekend. Several people have been killed this week by the Turkish attacks, according to observers. The US has around 900 troops deployed to Syria as part of an international coalition that works with local forces to carry out counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State. Most recently, American troops carried out two helicopter raids during the last week of September that each resulted in the capture of an ISIS official, according to US Central Command. During the Pentagon press briefing Thursday, Ryder said US forces would "stay focused on the defeat ISIS mission in Syria." Read the original article on Business Insider The News The Pentagon confirmed Thursday that U.S. F-16 fighters shot down an armed Turkish drone in self defense after it entered a U.S.-declared restricted operating zone in Syria. This is the first time the U.S. has shot down an armed aircraft of NATO ally Turkey. Know More Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said that Turkish drones had been conducting airstrikes in the restricted zone but that there was no indication the Turks were targeting U.S. forces. He added that the Turkish drone came within less than a kilometer of U.S. forces, who subsequently went into bunkers. No troops were harmed during the incident, he said. A Turkish defense ministry official said that the drone did not belong to Turkish armed forces, but did not provide details. The incident comes as Turkey has increased its air attacks on Kurdish militants, accusing them of bombing Ankara this past weekend. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also spoke with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler and the two committed to closely coordinating in the region, Ryder said. Step Back Thursday's episode is likely to escalate tensions between Turkey and the U.S. The two countries are already in dispute over Turkey's omission from an advanced American F-35 jet fighter program, the U.S.'s military strategy in Damascus, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ties with Russia. Erdogan, who has long resisted Sweden's bid to join NATO, dropped his opposition in July but told local media that the final approval would depend on whether Washington, D.C. would sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. For most of us, the temporary loss of broadband internet is an irritant that in the vast majority of cases is resolved in a matter of minutes or hours. Recently, the residents of Nome and other communities on Alaskas north slope experienced a loss of their broadband service that impacted high-speed internet availability for weeks. A submarine fiber optic cable, buried under the ocean floor miles offshore, was cut by sea ice that actually scraped into the sea bottom. Russia to hold Arctic drills with non-Arctic nations At first glance this may appear to be an entirely local problem in a very remote and sparsely populated area of our country. Instead, this outage should serve as a clarion call to the U.S. Department of Defense. This episode starkly illustrates the fragility of telecom infrastructure in Alaska, where climate, terrain, and distance all conspire to frustrate not just repair efforts from a once-in-a-generation act by Mother Nature, but also to the initial construction of the infrastructure itself. While improving resiliency and redundancy in telecom infrastructure is certainly a priority for Alaskans, it is also a national security imperative for our entire country. Alaska is home to nine military installations contributing to a myriad of missions. Its only U.S. state that hosts its own Sub-Unified Command, Alaska Command, which is charged with integrating and directing all DoD activities throughout the state. It is also home to the Alaska NORAD Region, whose mission is to detect incoming threat aircraft, scramble air defense fighters, refuel tankers and Airborne Warning and Control aircraft to intercept the intruders and, if need be, shoot them down. The lions share of the countrys missile defense capability is situated within Alaska. Early warning radars, such as those on the island of Shemya and at Clear Space Force Station, are designed to detect and track incoming inter-continental ballistic missiles. They in turn pass this high-resolution data to Fort Greely, Alaska, and the field of ground-based interceptor missiles in silos there, where they then can be launched to destroy the threat ICBMs. Lastly, Alaska serves as a power projection platform in support of DoDs Indo-Pacific Command. U.S. Army and Air Force forces, stationed primarily near Anchorage and Fairbanks, live and train in Alaska but are focused westward on supporting INDOPACOM should conflict erupt in its area of responsibility. This array of forces and missions has been built over decades, in response to the national security realities of the day. However, things are changing. The Arctic is heating up, both literally and figuratively. Increased Great Power competition in the Arctic has been the stuff of headlines and punditry of late, from national security experts to think tanks such as the Brookings Institution and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Recognizing the strategic importance of the Arctic, DoDs 2019 Arctic Strategy stated, In different ways, Russia and China are challenging the rules-based order in the Arctic. Russia regulates maritime operations in the (Northern Sea Route), contrary to international law, and has reportedly threatened to use force against vessels that fail to abide by Russian regulationsChina is attempting to gain a role in the Arctic in ways that may undermine international rules and norms, and there is a risk that its predatory economic behavior globally may be repeated in the Arctic. This increased competition, proximity of forces, and potential adversary militarization of the Arctic sends a demand signal to DoD for increased all-domain awareness within the Arctic. Long a priority for NORTHCOM, situational awareness in the air, surface, and subsurface domains is essential to our homeland defense. This enhanced awareness will necessitate increased data sharing infrastructure - telecommunications infrastructure - to facilitate decision making and command and control of our forces. Common cause with private partners Fortunately, DoD should find common cause with public and private partners. As Alaska looks to expand, harden, and diversify its telecommunications infrastructure, DoD may find a path towards burden sharing that will prove advantageous to all. Brookings Jeremy Greenwood writes, Targeted and expedited sustainable investments in Alaska are the first steps toward a sound U.S. Arctic policy. There is a desperate need forcommunications infrastructure; all of these investments would benefit the indigenous communities of Alaska, while providing a dual-use capability for U.S. forces operating in the region. In CSIS Americas Arctic Moment, authors advocate for an Arctic Security Initiative that would fund Arctic public-private infrastructure projects to further domain awareness (emphasis added) and safety. Projects might includetelecommunications systems. A stronger case for public-private investment would be hard to find. U.S. Army Soldiers from Charlie Company, 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion monitor network traffic in an operations tent at Site Summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska May 1, 2018. They conducted a two week field training exercise designed to test an Internet Protocol Router Network. Increasing resiliency and redundancy in Alaskan telecommunications systems will require the state and federal governments to incentivize private industry to invest in Alaska telecom. This could include outright grants, or tax incentives for companies to establish infrastructure, explicitly for dual private and DoD use. Incentives should reward innovation and risk-taking - building and operating in Alaska is not for the faint of heart, as trailblazing companies working in Alaska now know well. And government at no level should preemptively pick winners and losers. Terrestrial, submarine, and space-based telecom systems should all be included in the mix, synergies found, and then exploited. As the Great Power competition unfolds, DoDs absolute requirement for increased high-speed broadband access will only become greater. The Secretary of Defense must articulate this requirement throughout the administration and Congress to spur adequate appropriation of funds. There is, indeed, a price to pay for inaction. Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Howard Dallas Thompson is a former Chief of Staff at NORAD and NORTHCOM, and has been widely published on national security and defense issues. By Jason Lange and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Support is falling among Americans of both major political parties for supplying Ukraine with weapons, a warning sign for Kyiv, which relies heavily on U.S. arms to fight against a Russian invasion, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The two-day poll, which closed on Wednesday, showed only 41% of respondents agreed with a statement that Washington "should provide weapons to Ukraine," compared to 35% who disagreed and the rest unsure. Support for U.S. weapon shipments is down from May, when a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 46% of Americans backed sending arms, while 29% were opposed and the rest unsure. The poll was taken as U.S. congressional leaders debate Democratic President Joe Biden 's request for $24 billion in additional funding for Ukraine, of which about $17 billion would be defense aid. Washington has provided $44 billion to supply Kyiv with dozens of tanks, thousands of rockets and millions of rounds of ammunition that Ukraine has used to defend itself since Russia invaded in February 2022. Ukrainian forces have retaken a series of villages and settlements in the counteroffensive that began in June, but its soldiers have been hampered by vast Russian minefields and trenches. Some Republicans, particularly those with the closest ties to former President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election next year, oppose the aid. It was left out of a stopgap funding bill Congress passed on Saturday to keep the government open, although the White House and some congressional leaders pledged to vote separately on a package for Kyiv. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ouster on Tuesday added to the uncertainty, with some of his potential successors skeptical about the value to U.S. taxpayers of assisting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government. "The declining support is having a negative effect on congressional support, and eventually, prospects for additional aid packages," said Elizabeth Hoffman, director of congressional and government affairs at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. She said better messaging would help, including making it clear to Americans that much of the money allocated for Ukraine stays in the United States, including in jobs at U.S. weapons producers. Biden said on Wednesday he would make a major speech soon on why it is necessary to continue helping Ukraine. While U.S. public backing for the arms shipments has persistently been stronger among Democrats since Russian troops invaded, the recent decline in overall support was driven by changing views among Biden's Democrats. Some 52% of Democrats backed arming Ukraine in the most recent poll, down from 61% in May. Among Republicans, support for sending weapons to Kyiv fell to 35% from 39% in May. Some 34% of Democrats in the poll agreed with a statement that Ukraine's problems "are none of our business and we should not interfere," compared to 56% of Republicans. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online and nationwide, surveying 1,005 U.S. adults. It had a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 4 percentage points in either direction. (Reporting by Jason Lange and Patricia Zengerle; editing by Grant McCool) WASHINGTON U.S. and allied forces have intercepted more than 170 tons of explosive material, one million rounds of small arms ammunition and thousands of assault rifles from Iran in just the last 10 months, and now some of the confiscated munitions are being sent to Ukraine, according to Naval Forces Central Command. The figures, provided to Defense News by NAVCENT, illustrate the results of the Navys increased focus on disrupting Iranian smuggling in the region. In September 2021, the U.S. 5th Fleet launched Task Force 59, which allowed it to more easily identify potential illegal activities and further investigate with manned vessels. The following April, the Navy stood up a combined task force CTF 153 that integrates the work of multiple nations monitoring the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Together, these efforts have created a tighter web to catch smuggling, a priority for Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the 5th Fleet commander. Much of Irans lethal aid has been in route to Houthi rebels fighting in Yemen. Since last November, NAVCENT has seized the following weapons and munitions from Iran: 8 Nov 2022 - More than 70 tons of ammonium perchlorate and more than 100 tons of urea fertilizer, which can be used to make explosives. 1 Dec 2022 - 50 tons of ammunition rounds, along with fuses and rocket propellants; more than one million rounds of 7.62mm ammunition; 25,000 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition; just under 7,000 proximity fuses for rockets; and more than 2,100 kilograms of propellant used to launch rocket propelled grenades. 6 Jan 2023 - 2,116 AK-47 assault rifles In addition, U.S. partners seized 3,000 assault rifles, 578,000 ammunition rounds, more than 23 anti-tank guided missiles and medium-range ballistic missile components from Iran in January and February, according to NAVCENT. This week, U.S. Central Command announced it had transferred more than one million of the 7.62mm seized rounds to Ukraine. The administration obtained control of that ammunition after the Department of Justice filed a forfeiture motion this March. This July, the DoJ filed a similar motion to forfeit thousands of rifles, hundreds of machine guns and rocket launchers and around 700,000 rounds of ammunition also intercepted from Iran. While Pentagon spokespeople stressed the timing of the transfer is coincidental to the political environment, further aid to Ukraine faces uncertain prospects. The House of Representatives voted heavily for an additional $300 million in assistance last month, but for the first time, a majority of Republicans in the chamber opposed it. A vacant speakership in the House will make additional funding even tougher. I wouldnt be surprised that additional aid packages get passed, but it is becoming more difficult, said Seth Jones, who leads the international security program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. Such difficulty, said Jones, means the Pentagon may have to think creatively about how to continue supplying Ukraine, perhaps relying more on allies and partners replacing old stocks. Meanwhile, the Defense Department says it still has $5.4 billion left to draw down its own stocks for Ukraine, but only $1.6 billion is left to replenish them. We need Congress to act to ensure there is no disruption in our support, especially as the department seeks to replenish our stocks, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said at a briefing. Displaced Sudanese wait to cross into Ethiopia from Sudan's border town of Gallabat, on August 3, 2023 (-) The United States said Thursday it would resume limited food assistance in Ethiopia, delivering to some one million refugees, but will keep most operations suspended after concerns of systematic diversion of aid. The United States will immediately restart food assistance at 28 camps inside Ethiopia that are home to refugees, mostly from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea, officials said. But broader aid inside Ethiopia, which is recovering from a brutal two-year war in Tigray, will remain on hold as the United States implements more measures to prevent diversion. "Our assistance for other food insecure populations across Ethiopia remains paused until we have assurance it will reach its intended beneficiaries," said Jessica Jennings, spokeswoman for the US Agency for International Development (USAID). "USAID's priority is to resume food assistance for those in need as soon as possible in all regions, and we stand ready to do so as soon as necessary remaining reforms are implemented," she said. The decision on the assistance to refugees came after the Ethiopian government agreed to transfer responsibility for storing and distributing the food to aid workers at the camps. USAID halted all food aid to Ethiopia in June, alleging a "widespread and coordinated" campaign to divert donated supplies. The United States has not publicly named the culprits but aid groups have blamed both the federal and regional authorities, with soldiers benefitting from resale of donated food. The World Food Programme also halted aid, but resumed distribution in August in the war-ravaged Tigray region after it implemented monitoring measures. None of the refugee camps affected by USAID's resumption are in Tigray. USAID said it was looking to resume full assistance in Ethiopia by expanding third-party monitoring and other reforms including spot checks on vendors and biometric verification on recipients. The Tigray conflict, which by some estimates claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, was halted by a November 2022 peace deal signed in South Africa. During the conflict, the United States accused Ethiopia of withholding food as a weapon, worsening relations with a government that had been a close ally. UN agencies warned in June that some 60 million people need food assistance in the Horn of Africa due to armed conflict, record droughts linked to climate change and high global prices caused in part by the Ukraine war. sct/st WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is resuming food aid to refugees in Ethiopia after assistance was paused earlier this year because donations were being diverted, a senior U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) official said. Ethiopia's food crisis has deepened in recent years as a result of war in the Tigray region and the Horn of Africa's worst drought in decades. "The resumption of food assistance to refugees will save lives and alleviate suffering for some of the most vulnerable," the official said. The decision to resume the aid was made after the implementation of strengthened reforms that the Ethiopian government and partners made to the refugee food assistance structure, including strengthened program monitoring, reinforced commodity tracking and improved registration processes, the official said. The decision will impact dozens of refugee sites around Ethiopia, the official said. None of them are in Tigray, where a two-year war between the federal government and forces led by the region's dominant political party ended in a truce in November last year after killing tens of thousands of people and creating famine-like conditions for hundreds of thousands. A second USAID official said there are 1 million refugees in Ethiopia that will be affected, including populations from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and elsewhere. Assistance for other food-insecure people in Ethiopia remains paused until Washington has assurances it will reach its intended beneficiaries, the senior official said, adding that they continue to work with the Ethiopian government on additional reforms. USAID said in June it was suspending food aid to Ethiopia because its donations were being stolen. A spokesperson at the time said USAID had determined, in coordination with the Ethiopian government, that a "widespread and coordinated campaign is diverting food assistance from the people of Ethiopia." In the 2022 fiscal year, USAID disbursed nearly $1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia, most of it food aid. The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) said in August it had resumed distributing food aid in parts of the Tigray region after a three-month pause. WFP paused food aid to the northern region in May following reports of widespread theft of donations. It then suspended aid to all of Ethiopia in June. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) FILE - The Pentagon is seen on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, in Washington. The U.S. military on Thursday, Oct. 5, shot down a Turkish drone that had come in too close to U.S. troops on the ground in Hasakah, Syria, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. The official said the drone had been flying in an unsafe and unsychronized manner. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) WASHINGTON (AP) The Pentagon said Thursday the U.S. military shot down an armed Turkish drone that came within 500 meters (yards) of American troops in northeastern Syria, in a rare use of force by one NATO member against another. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, called it a regrettable incident and said U.S. troops were forced to go to bunkers for safety as Turkey bombed targets nearby. Both Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the new Joint Chiefs chairman, Gen. CQ Brown, spoke with their Turkish counterparts quickly after the incident to emphasize the value they place on their relationship with Turkey but also the need to avoid any similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of U.S. personnel. The decision to shoot down an ally's armed drone "was made out due diligence and the inherent right of self-defense to take appropriate action to protect U.S. forces, Ryder said, adding that we have no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. forces. U.S. officials earlier told The Associated Press the shootdown was ordered after more than a dozen calls to Turkish military officials stating that U.S. forces were on the ground in the area and that the U.S. military would take action to protect them if the drone didnt leave. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of a sensitive military incident. Ryder said U.S. forces observed Turkish drones doing airstrikes around Hassakeh at about 7:30 a.m. local time, and some strikes were inside a so-called American restricted operating zone just a kilometer (about a half mile) from U.S. troops. He said a bit later a Turkish drone re-entered the restricted area on a heading toward where U.S. forces were located. Commanders determined it was a threat and U.S. F-16 fighter jets shot it down around 11:40 a.m., Ryder said, adding that no U.S. forces were injured. The incident occurred on the same day as a drone attack killed at least 80 people in government-controlled Homs, Syria, where explosive-laden drones were detonated during a military graduation ceremony attended by young officers and their families. An additional 240 people were injured, according to Syria's health ministry. Syrias military blamed insurgents backed by known international forces, without naming any particular group, and threatened to respond with full force. Syria has been in a civil war for more than a decade, and the country is split into areas controlled by the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad; al-Qaida-linked militants and Turkish-backed opposition fighters in the northwest; and Kurdish forces in the northeast that the U.S. partners with to conduct missions against the Islamic State group. So far, the war has killed half a million people, wounded hundreds of thousands and left many parts of the country destroyed. Typically, the U.S. and Turkish militaries, which are NATO allies, work in close coordination in conducting air maneuvers. But Turkey considers the Kurdish forces that work with the American troops to be aligned with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria conducting missions to counter Islamic State group militants. There was no immediate comment from Turkey on the shooting of the drone. The countrys state-run Anadolu Agency reported, however, that the Turkish intelligence service, MIT, carried out an operation against the PKK and the Kurdish militia group in Syria, which is known as Peoples Defense Units, or YPG. The report said the Turks struck suspected arms and ammunition depots and buildings believed to have been used by the groups sabotage teams. It did not provide further details on the operation. On Wednesday, Turkey had carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Kurdish militant targets following a suicide attack outside Turkeys interior ministry building earlier this week. In a press conference following the attack, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkish intelligence officials have established that the two assailants arrived from Syria, where they had been trained. He said Turkey would now target facilities in Syria and Iraq belonging to the PKK or YPG. Thursday's incident risks adding to longstanding tensions between Turkey and the United States, even though Turkey is a strategically important ally and NATO member. U.S. officials and lawmakers have criticized Turkeys human rights record and its delays in agreeing to Sweden's membership in NATO. Turkey has been frustrated by U.S. delays in approving 40 new F-16 fighter jets as well as kits to upgrade its existing fleet. Ryder told reporters that the U.S. stands firmly with our NATO ally Turkey and the Turkish people in their fight against the PKK. The U.S. has designated the PKK as a foreign terrorist organization but has declined to make a similar determination regarding the YPG, which have been a key partner of the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State group in northern Syria. The U.S. does not believe the YPG represent a threat to Turkey. As recently as Wednesday, the State Department said there was no change in how the U.S. regards the YPG. In 2016, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the U.S. of supporting a failed coup attempt against his government. The U.S. has flatly rejected the claims but has also refused to extradite the leader of the group Erdogan claims was behind the attempt, cleric Fetullah Gulen, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania. ___ Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed. Editors note: This story was updated at 5:50 p.m. EST with additional information. The Pentagon said Thursday the U.S. military shot down an armed Turkish drone that came within 500 meters (yards) of American troops in northeastern Syria, in a rare use of force by one NATO member against another. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, called it a regrettable incident and said U.S. troops were forced to go to bunkers for safety as Turkey bombed targets nearby. Both Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the new Joint Chiefs chairman, Gen. CQ Brown, spoke with their Turkish counterparts quickly after the incident to emphasize the value they place on their relationship with Turkey but also the need to avoid any similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of U.S. personnel. The decision to shoot down an allys armed drone was made out due diligence and the inherent right of self-defense to take appropriate action to protect U.S. forces, Ryder said, adding that we have no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. forces. U.S. officials earlier told The Associated Press the shootdown was ordered after more than a dozen calls to Turkish military officials stating that U.S. forces were on the ground in the area and that the U.S. military would take action to protect them if the drone didnt leave. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of a sensitive military incident. Ryder said U.S. forces observed Turkish drones doing airstrikes around Hasakah at about 7:30 a.m. local time, and some strikes were inside a so-called American restricted operating zone just a kilometer (about a half mile) from U.S. troops. He said a bit later a Turkish drone re-entered the restricted area on a heading toward where U.S. forces were located. Commanders determined it was a threat and U.S. F-16 fighter jets shot it down around 11:40 a.m., Ryder said, adding that no U.S. forces were injured. The incident occurred on the same day as a drone attack killed at least 80 people in government-controlled Homs, Syria, where explosive-laden drones were detonated during a military graduation ceremony attended by young officers and their families. An additional 240 people were injured, according to Syrias health ministry. Syrias military blamed insurgents backed by known international forces, without naming any particular group, and threatened to respond with full force. Syria has been in a civil war for more than a decade, and the country is split into areas controlled by the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad; al-Qaida-linked militants and Turkish-backed opposition fighters in the northwest; and Kurdish forces in the northeast that the U.S. partners with to conduct missions against the Islamic State group. So far, the war has killed half a million people, wounded hundreds of thousands and left many parts of the country destroyed. Typically, the U.S. and Turkish militaries, which are NATO allies, work in close coordination in conducting air maneuvers. But Turkey considers the Kurdish forces that work with the American troops to be aligned with the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria conducting missions to counter Islamic State group militants. There was no immediate comment from Turkey on the shooting of the drone. The countrys state-run Anadolu Agency reported, however, that the Turkish intelligence service, MIT, carried out an operation against the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, and its affiliated Kurdish militia group in Syria, which is known as Peoples Defense Units, or YPG. The report said the Turks struck suspected arms and ammunition depots and buildings believed to have been used by the groups sabotage teams. It did not provide further details on the operation. On Wednesday, Turkey had carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Kurdish militant targets following a suicide attack outside Turkeys interior ministry building earlier this week. In a press conference following the attack, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkish intelligence officials have established that the two assailants arrived from Syria, where they had been trained. He said Turkey would now target facilities in Syria and Iraq belonging to the PKK or YPG. Thursdays incident risks adding to longstanding tensions between Turkey and the United States, even though Turkey is a strategically important ally and NATO member. U.S. officials and lawmakers have criticized Turkeys human rights record and its delays in agreeing to Swedens membership in NATO. Turkey has been frustrated by U.S. delays in approving 40 new F-16 fighter jets as well as kits to upgrade its existing fleet. Ryder told reporters that the U.S. stands firmly with our NATO ally Turkey and the Turkish people in their fight against the PKK. The U.S. has designated the PKK as a foreign terrorist organization but has declined to make a similar determination regarding the YPG, which have been a key partner of the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State group in northern Syria. The U.S. does not believe the YPG represent a threat to Turkey. As recently as Wednesday, the State Department said there was no change in how the U.S. regards the YPG. In 2016, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the U.S. of supporting a failed coup attempt against his government. The U.S. has flatly rejected the claims but has also refused to extradite the leader of the group Erdogan claims was behind the attempt, cleric Fetullah Gulen, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania. Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed. US warplanes on Thursday shot down a Turkish drone that was deemed a threat to American forces in Syria, the Pentagon said -- an incident likely to raise tensions between the NATO allies. The shootdown came as Turkey targeted Kurdish forces in Syria following a suicide bombing in Ankara that was claimed by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). US troops observed drones carrying out strikes early Thursday, some of them inside a "restricted operating zone" (ROZ) near Hasakeh, about a kilometer (less than a mile) from American troops, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder told journalists. A few hours later, a Turkish drone returned to the ROZ and flew toward American forces despite what a US official said were a dozen calls to Ankara's military. Ryder said "US commanders assessed... the UAV, which was now less than a half kilometer from US forces, to be a potential threat," using an abbreviation for unmanned aerial vehicle. "US F-16 fighters subsequently shot down the UAV in self-defense," he said. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler on Thursday, urging "de-escalation in northern Syria and the importance of maintaining strict adherence to de-confliction protocols and communication through established military-to-military channels," Ryder said in a statement. Turkey's defense ministry confirmed the call, saying the two officials discussed "the latest developments in Syria." The United States has approximately 900 troops deployed in Syria as part of international efforts to combat the Islamic State (IS) group, and carries out frequent raids targeting the jihadists. - Dangerous mix - US forces are partnered with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which led the fight that dislodged IS fighters from the last territory they held in the country in 2019. But Turkey views the Kurdish People's Protection Units that dominate the SDF as an offshoot of the PKK, which is considered a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies. While Turkey regularly carries out drone attacks in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northeast Syria, it warned of more intense cross-border air raids after concluding the militants who staged the Ankara bombing came from that country. Turkish strikes on military and infrastructure targets in Kurdish-held areas of Syria killed at least nine people on Thursday, according to Kurdish security forces. Syria contains a dangerous mix of often antagonistic forces operating on the ground and in the air, including those from President Bashar al-Assad's government, Russia, the United States, Turkey, Iran-linked groups, the Kurds and jihadist organizations. Turkey has shot down both Syrian and Russian planes in the past, while the United States more recently accused Moscow's forces of repeatedly harassing its aircraft over Syria. In July, Washington said a Russian fighter aircraft dropped flares above an American drone as it took part in an anti-IS mission, damaging its propeller. That incident followed others in which the United States said Russian planes harassed a manned American reconnaissance plane as well as MQ-9 drones. wd/sst By Lee Gyu-lee BUSAN Veteran actor from Hong Kong Chow Yun-fat shared that he hopes for more films that capture Hong Kongs unique spirit, calling for more transparency on his governments censorship procedures against film productions. We have a lot of censor requirements for China. Mainly, our script must go through a lot of departments to film. So we must have a direct and clear situation for this. We have a lot of restrictions, making it difficult for filmmakers. But honestly, we will try our best to do our Hong Kong spirit movies. This is our goal, the 68-year-old actor said during a press conference for the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held at KNN Tower Building, Thursday. He continued to reflect on the shifting landscape of Hong Kong cinema. I think many people in the 1980s watched a lot of Hong Kong movies and Im proud of that. But somehow, after 1997, things changed. We have to pay attention to the government, and for their direction. We have to listen to it, or otherwise, it would be hard to get all the money to develop a story. The mainland China market is huge, so we are trying (to look for) solutions," he said. Chow, one of the most highly regarded actors in Asia, visited the festival as the recipient of this years Asian Filmmaker of the Year accolade. The actor also expressed optimism about the Korean film industrys rising popularity in the global market. I believe each region has its own luck. Its a delight that people from the Korean film industry are making it to Hollywood. Its great for one region's industry to move forward to push the boundaries further, during times when another region is stagnant and unable to progress, he said. I think it's highly positive that the South Korean film industry is receiving significant attention. Chow attributed the competitiveness of Korean cinema to its freedom of creativity. What makes Korean films competitive, I believe, is the creative freedom. The plots are diverse and the level of creative freedom is high. I sometimes would think How did they think to explore such a story? So I really enjoy (Korean works) as well, he said. As we went through COVID-19, the film and theater industries, not only in Korea but also globally, have faced a crisis. So, Hong Kong is also deeply contemplating what kind of plots and stories we should tell to draw peoples interest, like Korea. BIFF is honoring Chow with a special program, which will screen three of the films throughout his 50-year acting career, including his latest work One More Chance, directed by Anthony Pun. On a personal note, the Hong Kong actor shared the profound influence of cinema on his life journey. I was born in a small coastal town in Hong Kong and moved to the city at the age of 10. At 18, I started training for acting and became an actor, Chow said. When I didnt have much chance to study properly, films were the source of knowledge and experiences to me. I learned a lot as I filmed movies ... When I work in a movie, I get to live someone elses life. And that gave me a significant experience. I would say without movies, there would be no Chow Yun-fat. The U.S. military on Thursday shot down an armed drone belonging to NATO ally Turkey after it came too close for comfort to American troops in Syria, according to the Pentagons top spokesperson. Press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, who called the event a regrettable incident, said the drone came within less than half a mile of U.S. troops as the Turkish aircraft was bombing targets nearby in northeastern Syria. As American forces were forced to go to bunkers for safety, the drone was deemed a potential threat and was shot down by F-16 aircraft around 11:40 a.m. local time. No U.S. forces were injured during the incident, he said. Ryder added that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Turkish counterpart by phone afterward to reaffirm our commitment to continue to closely coordinate, adding that the talk was fruitful. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. CQ Brown also spoke with his counterpart by phone on the need to follow common deconfliction protocols to ensure the safety of our personnel in Syria following todays incident, according to Joint Staff spokesperson Col. Dave Butler. This marks the first time Washington has brought down an aircraft of the NATO ally. U.S. troops are in the region to ensure the Islamic State doesnt make a resurgence after the terrorist group was defeated in March 2019, an event that came through the help of Kurdish-led forces. But Turkeys National Intelligence Organization, which views the Kurds as a terrorist group known as the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, carries out strikes in Syria against them. Ryder said Turkish drones had been seen conducting airstrikes in Hasakah, Syria some of which were inside a declared U.S. restricted operating zone about 1 km away from U.S. troops earlier in the day. Just hours later, a Turkish drone reentered the zone heading toward where U.S. forces were located. U.S. commanders assessed that the UAV, which was now less than a half kilometer from U.S. forces, to be a potential threat, with the F-16s shooting it down shortly thereafter, Ryder said. We have no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. forces, he added. Ryder would not go into specifics of how U.S. forces communicated with the Turks ahead of the incident, only saying that Washington has multiple channels of communication at multiple levels. The Associated Press reported earlier that the shootdown came after more than a dozen calls to Turkish military officials warning that American forces were on the ground in the area and that the U.S. military would move to protect them if the drone didnt vacate. The incident also comes at fragile time for U.S.-Turkish relations, as the United States is looking to convince Turkey to ratify Swedens bid for NATO membership. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Hundreds of former patients sued the University of Southern California for failing to adequately respond to allegations against campus gynecologist George Tyndall (Frederic J. BROWN) A campus gynecologist for a top California university who had been charged with sexually abusing patients has been found dead at his home, his attorney said Thursday. George Tyndall had been due to stand trial over claims he assaulted unconscious patients at the prestigious University of Southern California's student health center multiple times between 2009 and 2016. Tyndall, 76, had denied the charges, even as the university agreed to pay more than $1 billion to hundreds of women who had made accusations against him. Lawyer Leonard Levine said Tyndall had been found unresponsive in his Los Angeles apartment on Wednesday by a friend who had used a key to get in after being unable to make contact. "We're 99 percent sure it was natural causes," Levine said, but added that an autopsy would likely be carried out to determine the cause of death. Tyndall "desperately wanted to go to trial and that's where the issues of guilt or innocence should be resolved," Levine said, adding that his client had planned to testify and "declare his innocence." The university reached agreements totaling $852 million in 2021, on top of $215 million resulting from an earlier federal class action in 2018. Tyndall had been accused of abuse by hundreds of female patients during medical examinations over the course of his 30-year career, in a scandal that engulfed the university. Accusations, ranging from inappropriate touching to rape, dated as far back as 1990. The youngest accuser was aged 17. The doctor was accused of taking photos of patients' genitals, groping their breasts and making lewd remarks about their physiques, as well as racist and homophobic comments. He allegedly targeted minority students -- including many from the university's large Asian student population. Thousands of former patients sued the university for failing to adequately respond to the allegations against Tyndall, claiming that the institution was aware of the doctor's actions but continued to allow him access to students. Tyndall was not investigated by USC officials until 2016, and was allowed to retire under an amicable agreement with the university, reportedly involving a $200,000 payoff. The university's then-president resigned in 2018 amid pressure from 200 professors to step down over the scandal. hg/amz/mdl The Biden administration announced on Thursday that it will resume direct deportation flights of Venezuelans who cross our border unlawfully and do not establish a legal basis to remain, after the U.S. reached an agreement with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduros government. The resumption of deportations directly to Venezuela comes as the United States struggles to contain irregular migration to the U.S.-Mexico border. Political, social and economic crises have pushed millions of people out of their home countries across Latin America and the Caribbean in recent years. Over 7 million people have fled Venezuela alone, according to the United Nations. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have come to the U.S.-Mexico border since 2021. Customs and Border Protection counted more than 387,000 encounters with nationals from the South American country between October 2021 and August of this year. What exactly does Thursdays announcement mean for Venezuelans in the United States? Who could be deported and who doesnt have to fear being sent back? Heres what you need to know. Who is at risk of being deported? Venezuelans without a lawful immigration status in the United States could be sent back to their country. That includes Venezuelans in the United States who have illegally crossed into the country, lost all their immigration appeals or opted to not challenge a judges decision are at risk of being sent back to Venezuela, said John de la Vega, Miami-based immigration lawyer from Caracas. Also at risk: Venezuelans who failed to convince border officers they had a valid case for asylum, and had a judge affirm the officers decision. De La Vega also said that people who dont apply or arent eligible for Venezuelas Temporary Protected Status, a federal deportation protection that allows people from countries in turmoil to work and live in the United States, could also be in danger of being sent back to the South American country. The Biden administration recently extended Temporary Protected Status to Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. before Jul 31. People who are in the United States who cant or dont appeal their cases, and do not request Temporary Protected Status, are the people who have no protections, said De La Vega. They have no legal basis to stay here. Who does not have to worry about deportation? Venezuelans with a legal immigration status in the United States do not have to worry about the announcement. People with visas, green cards, refugee status or who have qualified for Temporary Protected Status, as long as they have not done something to violate the conditions of their stay, such as committing a crime. If I am deportable, do I have any options? It depends. Undocumented Venezuelans in the United States could be eligible for Temporary Protected Status under the federal governments recent expansion of the program, which made about 472,000 additional people eligible. The extension, which the Venezuelan-American community and immigration activists hailed as a victory, offers temporary deportation protections and work authorizations. But there are conditions that Venezuelans must fulfill to join the program. They must have had continuous residence in the United States on or before July 31. Being convicted of a felony or two misdemeanors also bars them from applying for TPS, as does any action that would exclude someone from getting asylum, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. More information about Venezuelas TPS program can be found here. Information about general eligibility requirements is available here. De La Vega recommends that Venezuelans without legal status in the United States talk to a lawyer to understand their options, since immigration is complex and every case is different. A bus crash in Italy on Oct. 3 killed nine Ukrainians, local media reported on Oct. 4. In total, 21 people on board were killed, the local authorities said. Authorities have now identified all 21 victims of the crash. Nine Ukrainian citizens were killed, along with four Romanians, three Germans, two Portuguese, one Croatian, one South African, and one Italian citizen, the bus driver. Another 15 passengers were hospitalized after the accident, including five Ukrainians. Ten of the injured passengers are in intensive care. The bus was carrying 39 passengers from the center of Venice to a nearby campsite outside the city when it crashed at around 7:45 p.m. on Oct. 3, according to the BBC. The vehicle drove through the barrier of an overpass and then crashed onto the road below, catching fire on impact, Italy's National Fire and Rescue Service reported. Preliminary reports suggested the driver, who was also among the dead, could have become ill in the moments before the accident, the BBC said. Luigi Brugnaro, the mayor of Venice, described the scene as "apocalyptic" and said "a huge tragedy" had hit the community. The flags of Ukraine, Italy, the European Union, and Venice hung at half-mast outside the office of the Municipality of Venice as a sign of mourning on Oct. 4. Italian President Sergio Mattarella and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. At least 15 Ukrainians were seriously injured in a bus crash in northern Italy on Aug. 25, when the vehicle collided with a Polish truck on the A4 motorway. In March 2022, a Ukrainian woman was killed when a bus carrying Ukrainian refugees crashed in Italy. Read also: Two sisters capture the beauty of Ukraines villages before its gone Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. FILE PHOTO: VinFast electric vehicles are parked at a store in Los Angeles, U.S. By Phuong Nguyen and Chavi Mehta (Reuters) -Vietnamese electric car maker VinFast said on Thursday its third-quarter revenue more than doubled with the largest share of its sales going to an affiliate company owned by its founder. About 60% of VinFasts deliveries, or more than 6,000 vehicles, went to Green SM (GSM), a Vietnam-based taxi operator and leasing provider 95% owned by VinFast's founder, Pham Nhat Vuong, executives said on a call with analysts. VinFast had not provided that breakdown in its published earnings. For the past two quarters GSM has accounted for about two-thirds of VinFast's sales. VinFast recorded $343 million in revenue for the three months ended Sept. 30, up 159% on the year. Its net loss widened 33.7% to $623 million. The company has a target of hitting break even within two years and running its factory in Vietnam at full capacity by then. The factory in Haiphong has the capacity to produce 250,000 electric vehicles (EVs) per year but has been running far short of that. GSM launched Vietnam's first pure EV taxi service earlier this year with a target of starting with 600 VinFast EVs. It also operates a ride service with VinFast electric scooters, executives said. It was not immediately clear how many of the 13,000 vehicles GSM has bought from VinFast over the past two quarters would go into its fleet or how many it would hold to lease to customers. VinFast Chief Executive Le Thi Thu Thuy said VinFast planned to expand its partnership with GSM to include Indonesia and India, where it is setting up smaller-scale factories that will assemble vehicles shipped in parts from Vietnam. "For VinFast, GSM is a very good partner," she told analysts. "There have been an overwhelming number of questions over GSM." Executives said VinFast expected to have its first U.S. franchise dealership open by the end of the year and was considering proposals from 27 dealers to sell its vehicles, including a second model, the VF 9, it expects to launch this year. VinFast, which was formed in 2017 and began making EVs in 2021, plans to set up kit assembly plants in both India and Indonesia to take advantage of EV incentives on offer in those markets, Thuy said. VinFast has entered the market at a time when EV prices are under pressure, led by cuts at market leader Tesla and a range of Chinese companies. VinFast, backed by Vingroup, Vietnam's largest conglomerate, listed on the Nasdaq in August after a merger with a blank-check company. Shares in VinFast were up 4.5% at $8.4 each by 1410 GMT. The company, which ended the quarter with $130 million in cash, said it expected to receive around $1.2 billion in grants from its parent company, its founder Vuong, and two key shareholders in the next six months. (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen in Hanoi and Chavi Mehta in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila, Mark Potter and Kevin Krolicki) Nicole Beharie is receiving praise from none other than Viola Davis for her performance in Episode 3 of The Morning Show. In a video by Graeme ONeil, Beharies performance as Christina Hunter, the newest anchor to join the morning team of a New York television network, powerfully confronts network boss Cybil Richards (Holland Taylor) about a racial slur she used to describe Christina. Christina also asks Cybil on-air if she was hired simply to fill a minority slot. The performance has been widely lauded by fans of the series and other actors as well. One of those actors is Davis, who wrote in the comments section of a post made by The Morning Show Instagram account about the scene, Awesome!!! Compelling!!! Honest!!! This isnt the first time Davis has congratulated Beharie on her acting skill. Back in 2015, when Davis became the first African-American woman to win an Emmy for lead actress in a drama series, Davis gave Beharie her props in her acceptance speech. And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods, to Gabrielle Union: Thank you for taking us over that line, she said, according to Global Grind. Thank you to the Television Academy. After Beharies personal turmoil after Sleepy Hollow and her autoimmune disorder diagnosis, its great to see Beharie come back to the forefront. Its even better to see other Black women in the industry supporting her rise to prominence. Virgin Galactic to launch Galactic 04 space tourist flight Oct. 6. Here's what to expect Update for Oct. 5: This story was updated at 4 p.m. ET (2000 GMT) with comments from a Virgin Galactic representative concerning launch time. Virgin Galactic is keeping pace with the company's monthly flight cadence, and is targeting Oct. 6 for the launch of their fourth commercial mission, Galactic 04. Three space tourists are scheduled to launch on a suborbital trajectory aboard Virgin Galactic's reusable space plane, VSS Unity. Virgin Galactic has not announced a time for Friday's flight, but similar missions that have flown over the last few months have taken place in the morning, with the takeoff of Unity's carrier aircraft, VMS Eve, around 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT). VMS Eve will take off from Virgin Galactic's Spaceport America in New Mexico and will carry Unity and her crew to altitude before releasing the space plane to rocket itself the rest of the way to space. The VSS Unity spacecraft flies on a suborbital trajectory that allows its passengers several minutes of weightlessness before returning to the runway back at Spaceport America. Though it doesn't reach orbit, Unity will be high enough that passengers will be able to see the curvature of Earth against the dark backdrop of outer space. Related: Meet the crew of Virgin Galactic's 4th commercial spaceflight What time is the Galactic-04 suborbital launch? A Virgin Galactic representative confirmed to Space.com via email that liftoff of VMS Eve will take place at 9 a.m. MT (11 a.m. or 1500 GMT), with Unity's launch approximately between 9:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m. MT (11:30 a.m. ET, or 1530 GMT). With Unity secured between the double cockpits of her carrier aircraft, Eve will carry the space plane to an altitude of about 50,000 feet (15,000 meters). Once at altitude, Unity will be released and will ignite its rocket engine to climb the rest of the way to the edge of space. Originally, Virgin had targeted Oct. 5 for the Galactic 04 flight. However, on Oct. 1, the company wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the launch window was moved back to give their "team an additional day to complete vehicle prep and checks," the post read. Can I watch Virgin Galactic's Galactic 04 spaceflight? Nope. Virgin Galactic didn't provide streaming coverage for Galactic 03, and won't be providing live video for Galactic 04 either. During their last mission, updates were only provided via X, and that seems to be the case for Galactic 04 as well. "There will not be a livestream, but everyone can follow Virgin Galactic on X/Twitter for the latest updates ahead of flight and on the day of flight," the representative added. Further mission updates on Virgin Galactic's X account are expected as launch day approaches, and throughout the morning during the Oct. 6 flight. Who is riding on the Galactic 04 spaceflight? In total, six people will fly to space on Galactic 04: Mission commander Kelly Latimer and pilot C.J. Sturckow will be at the helm of VSS Unity. In the cabin, three private passengers will ride alongside Virgin Galactic's chief astronaut instructor. Photos: The first space tourists The heads of a man and a woman are displayed with inspirational looks and a faded purple and black background. Latimer was the first woman to serve as a research pilot at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center. She has logged several thousand hours in the cockpit of dozens of different aircraft, and was at the helm of VMS Eve during Virgin Galactic's first commercial spaceflight mission in June. Sturckow was a NASA astronaut from 1995 to 2013, during which time he flew four space shuttle missions, including the first shuttle to launch to the International Space Station (ISS). Galactic 04 will mark Sturckow's eleventh spaceflight. The private astronauts boarding VSS Unity for Galactic 04 are some of the company's "Founder Astronauts," reserving their seats more than 15 years ago. Designated Virgin Galactic's astronauts 017, 018 and 019, the Galactic 04 crew hail from the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. three people stand in black flight suits with purple accents in a purple lit hallway Ron Rosano, Virgin Galactic Astronaut 017: Rosano is a space fanatic from Muir Beach, California. He is an astronomy educator who runs multiple websites dedicated to his space ventures and tracking crewed spaceflight, in general. In addition to his ticket for Galactic 04, Rosano has also reserved seats aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, and Space Perspective's stratospheric balloon, according to his website. Trevor Beattie, Virgin Galactic Astronaut 018: Beattie is a long-time British ad executive who's made a name for himself in the media industry, and began marketing Virgin Galactic flights through his company, Beattie McGuinness Bungay, as early as 2006. Namira Salim, Virgin Galactic Astronaut 019: Salim founded the nonprofit Space Trust, which advocates for leveraging the growing space sector as a platform for achieving peace on Earth. She is Pakistani, living in Dubai, and is recognized as Pakistan's first astronaut. A true world-adventurer, Salim is also the first Pakistani to venture to the North and South Poles. From left to right, side by side, close-up portraits of VSS Eve pilots Jameel Janjua and Nicola Pecile Two pilots will sit parallel, one in each of the double fuselages of VMS Eve, during Friday's Galactic 04 flight. The pair will coordinate the release of VSS Unity, before flying the carrier aircraft back to Spaceport America's runway at the end of the mission. Jameel Janjua: Janjua is a retired Canadian Air Force Major with an extensive background as a test pilot. He earned a masters of science in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and flew as VMS Eve's pilot during Galactic 01. Nicola Pecile: Pecile has flown on 170 different aircraft since beginning his flying career in 1991, which included service in the Italian Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. He has a total of 7,700 flight hours, according to Virgin Galactic. How long will Virgin Galactic's spaceflight last? This graphic shows the general flight plan for Virgin Galactic's suborbital missions. RELATED STORIES: Virgin Galactic carrier plane flies for 1st time since 2021 Virgin Galactic launches 3 of its original space tourist customers to the final frontier (video) How Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo passenger space plane works (infographic) The exact mission length is uncertain. On Virgin Galactic's past commercial flights, like June's Galactic 01, about 1.5 hours passed between VMS Eve takeoff and the VSS Unity landing back at Spaceport America. Early voting takes place on the fourth floor of Bartlesville City Hall located at 401 s Johnstone staring today and tomorrow. Early voting in the City of Bartlesville Special Election, scheduled for Oct. 10, begins today, with advanced ballot casting available to accommodate city voters and for those unable to participate on Election Day. Residents are deciding on significant capital projects in a General Obligation (GO) Bond election, including crucial street improvements and public service enhancements across the city. Funding Bartlesville's Future: A Look at the Special Election A total of $17.6 million in GO bond issue is on the ballot, divvied up into four separate propositions for voters to decide on individually: Proposition 1: Public Safety Buildings and Equipment: $2,412,000 Proposition 2: Municipal Buildings and Equipment: $696,000 Proposition 3: Streets and Bridges: $12,278,000 Proposition 4: Parks and Recreation: $2,214,000 Notable undertakings involve refurbishments of Adams Boulevard and Silver Lake Road, establishing a new fire station at Hensley Boulevard and Virginia Avenue, and improvements to the Pathfinder Parkway and Bartlesville city parks. Funding from the ad valorem (property) tax, capped at 15 mils, will facilitate these enhancements over the next four years. City Manager Mike Bailey affirmed that the proposal does not translate to a tax hike for residents. "The city's mil levy will remain at 15 as existing bonds expire, so there is no tax increase associated with the GO Bond proposal," Bailey said. The methodology behind such funding is not new to Oklahoma municipalities, with GO bond funding frequently financing capital projects. Generally, the city hosts GO bond elections every three to five years, according to Bailey. "This funding allows us to meet the expectations of our citizens by financing crucial projects," Bailey said, citing an array of street repairs, public safety gear, park enhancements and vital facility upgrades, including technological tools pivotal in serving both the community and visitors. Although the bond does not directly tackle water issues exacerbated by recent droughts, city officials say they are probing long-term water supply solutions, likely leaning on low-interest loans repaid with Water Capital Fees for these projects. With a staggering working list of more than $100 million in capital needs, city staff and citizen committees meticulously carved out the bond issue before earning the city council's stamp of approval. Residents seeking a comprehensive list of projects and additional voting details can visit the city's official website. Early voting open to all No reason is needed to vote early, said Yvonne House, Washington County Election Board secretary. "Oklahoma permits early voting for all elections overseen by the County Election Board or State Election Board, ranging from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections," House said. Early voting sessions are available today, October 5, and tomorrow, October 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Washington County Election Board on the fourth floor of Bartlesville City Hall at 401 S. Johnstone Ave. Voters requiring assistance, whether due to visual or physical disabilities, illness, or literacy challenges, are provided with supportive options. They can choose to have an assistant or use the ATI device attached to the voting machine to ensure a confidential and autonomous voting experience. House encourages anyone needing help to contact their precinct official or the County Election Board for more detailed instructions. For inquiries or further clarification about the early voting process, the Election Board can be reached at 918-337-2850 or via email at washingtoncounty@elections.ok.gov. This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Early voting begins in $17.6M bond election to fund city projects Marjorie Taylor Greene sent $2,000 checks to 18 of her colleagues' campaigns in March. But two of them among the most vulnerable Republicans in 2024 never cashed the check. Rep. Derrick Van Orden 's campaign says they rejected it, while Michelle Steel's says they lost it. Earlier this year, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene contributed $2,000 apiece to 18 of her colleagues, many of whom face competitive re-election races in 2024. It was a shift for the pugnacious Georgia Republican, a further sign that she'd become a team player and an important element in her party's congressional fundraising efforts. But spokespeople for two of those vulnerable Republicans Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin and Rep. Michelle Steel of California now say that their campaigns didn't end up cashing the checks. Though the March 29 contributions appear in Greene's campaign filings with the Federal Election Commission, they never appeared in Van Orden or Steel's filings. A spokesperson for Van Orden's campaign told Insider that they "chose not to accept" Greene's contribution, while a spokesperson for Steel's campaign claims that the campaign lost the check "due to a staffing error." Greene's campaign, which did not respond to Insider's request for comment, has not amended its filings with the Federal Election Commission to reflect that the checks were never cashed. It remains unclear why Van Orden best known nationally for screaming at Senate pages and insisting that he did not actually step foot on Capitol grounds while attending the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington on January 6 would not accept Greene's money. His campaign did not respond to a follow-up inquiry from Insider seeking further explanation. It could simply come down to optics. Van Orden represents a swing district, and Democrats are eager to tie more vulnerable Republican candidates to the party's electorally toxic far right. Accepting a direct contribution from Greene would only strengthen such attacks. But on Capitol Hill, Van Orden does appear to be quite friendly with Greene, filming a video just days ago with the congresswoman poking fun at Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York's fire alarm controversy. Rep. Derrick Van Orden Press Office (@RepVanOrden) October 2, 2023 The Steel campaign's explanation that the check was "lost," on the other hand, is even more difficult to parse. It's unclear why the California Republican's campaign wouldn't ask Greene's campaign to re-issue the check, or whether Steel is open to receiving money from the Georgia Republican in the future. Steel's campaign did not respond to Insider's follow-up inquiry on those questions, and notably declined to comment to the Orange County Register when asked about the contribution earlier this year. Steel represents a more Democratic-leaning district, and some of her potential Democratic opponents have already sought to use the contribution to tie the two-term congresswoman to Greene's conspiratorial brand of far-right politics. Kim Bernice Nguyen (@votekimnguyen) April 18, 2023 In a statement for this story, Derek Tran a Democratic candidate who's raised significant sums of money since launching his bid to unseat Steel characterized the campaing's explanation as a "dog ate my homework" routine. "Steel takes money from MAGA extremists, oil companies, pharmaceutical corporations, and gun manufacturers, and then votes their way," said Tran. "It's why Michelle Steel was named one of the most 'corrupt members of Congress' and why I'm running for Congress to defeat her." Read the original article on Business Insider Shanna Lee Gardner makes her initial appearance in Benton County Superior Court after she was arrested at her West Richland home in August 2023. An attorney for a West Richland mother facing murder charges in Florida says theyll decide by next week if shell fight extradition. Gov. Jay Inslee has signed the extradition warrant for the return of Shanna Gardner, 36, to face murder charges. The warrant agrees that Duval County officials provided the proper documentation to show that Gardner should be turned over to Florida officials in connection with death of her ex-husband, Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan. Benton County Deputy Prosecutor Terry Bloor and defense Attorney Andrew Wagley agreed he would decide by the end of next week whether to challenge the warrant. Judge Diana Ruff pointed out that the governors warrant still hadnt reached the Benton County Superior Court file, so she couldnt make any determination on whether it was valid. Bloor said that without a stay, Florida officials can still come and pick up Gardner from the jail. Another hearing to discuss the warrant and any challenges is set for Oct. 19. Gardner has been in the Benton County jail for about two months. A judge will now decide if the process was handled property to have her sent back. The case has made national headlines and drawn coverage from out-of-town news outlets, including Fox and Court TV, at her hearings in the Tri-Cities. Death penalty possible Florida prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for Gardner and her husband Mario Fernandez-Saldana. Both are charged in the elaborate scheme to kill Bridegan in February 2022. Theyre both indicted on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder and child abuse. Gardner and Bridegan met while she was visiting a friend in Florida in 2009 and married the next year in Salt Lake City, according to The Florida Times-Union. But after a troubled relationship they filed for divorce in 2015. The divorce paperwork was loaded with hundreds of accusations, but the couple ended up sharing custody of their children. Prosecutors with Floridas Forth Judicial Circuit claim Gardner and Fernandez-Saldana started planning the murder sometime after they met at a CrossFit gym in 2018. Fernandez-Saldana allegedly recruited Henry Tennon, who rented property from him, to shoot Bridegan. On Feb. 16, 2022, Bridegan dropped off the couples twins at Gardners house and was driving home with a 2-year-old daughter from another relationship. Bridegan was shot when he stopped to move a tire out of the middle of the street, according to a state attorneys release. Tennon previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his role in the shooting. Korea will extend support for electric vehicles (EVs), secondary batteries and other major industry fields in an effort to boost exports amid signs of a turnaround after a yearlong downturn, the industry ministry said Thursday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held a meeting with relevant ministries and chiefs of major companies, including LG Energy Solution, SK hynix and Celltrion, to discuss ways to prop up the country's key growth engine of exports. Exports have logged an on-year fall since October last year amid a global economic downturn, but the monthly decline has eased as global demand for Korean semiconductors has been on a recovery track. During the meeting, the ministry came up with a plan to push for nine projects in the three sectors of mobility, energy and materials and components, through which it seeks to win $31.4 billion worth of foreign contracts and sell $26.3 billion worth of goods and services in the overseas market. The projects are on EVs, secondary batteries, multi-purpose helicopters and robots, wind power equipment, hydrogen fuel cells, oil and gas plants and OLED display items. Under the plan, the government also vowed to provide domestic firms with legal counseling services and extend various support measures to better protect their intellectual property rights and to expand global sales of Korean beauty items, food and other cultural contents. The government also plans to send a delegation to Ukraine within the year to support Korean companies' participation in its reconstruction projects. "We are now standing at a critical juncture in terms of achieving export growth. The government will mobilize all possible capabilities," Industry Minister Bang Moon-kyu said during the meeting. The government set this year's export target at $685 billion, up 0.2 percent from last year's total, though the finance ministry earlier forecast exports would mark a 4.5 percent on-year decline in 2023. (Yonhap) EDITOR'S NOTE: The Journal & Courier received the following commentary from Wabash College President Scott E. Feller. CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. The University of West Virginia made news in September when its Board announced the elimination of 28 academic programs, including many that are the cornerstones of a liberal arts education. All foreign language degree programs and mathematics were cut, and the university reduced its fine arts programs, saving only one faculty position each in art and music. Dr. Scott E. Feller was named the 17th president of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Ind., in May 2020. The primary justification is not enough students are enrolling in these programs and resources should be focused on majors more directly related to careers. Many companies are doing away with bachelors degree requirements for certain positions and focusing on skills-based hiring. Thats a fantastic development but it should not be interpreted to mean college is no longer a worthwhile investment or that companies dont need anyone with a bachelors degree. Senior executives need to better broadcast the skills they value. I recently spoke with two alumni of Wabash College, the school where Im president, both of whom are CEOs. They graduated in different decades, are based in different parts of the country, and work in different industries. Yet, each told the same story when asked what traits they seek in their employees. They need people with critical thinking skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to work well with others. They need people with strong habits of mind who can wrestle with difficult questions and ideas. These were their top priorities. My experience aligns with findings over several decades from Dr. Michael Hicks, the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University. He, too, has found these qualitiesthe ability to think and communicate clearly and to understand how a piece of information fits in a wider context, among other thingsare what companies look for in recent graduates. The skills a liberal arts education delivers are precisely those business and entrepreneurial leaders say they need for long term growth. The business environment is constantly evolving. Industry functions can change drastically in just a few years, which requires workers with flexibility, intellectual curiosity, and an ability to learn. Simultaneously, companies are becoming more heterogeneous and need employees who can navigate different ideas and outlooks. These are hallmarks of the liberal arts. The most reliable way to advance from the entry level to the directors level is with those skills of critical thinking, communication, and collegiality that come from higher education specifically the skills emphasized in the liberal arts. Senior management is rarely filled with narrowly trained specialists. The best managers, directors, and executives tend to be well-rounded individuals with a wealth of skills like the ones engendered by liberal arts. They can solve problems, manage others, and drive a company forward. Unless companies stand up for liberal arts, they may find themselves unable to hire people with the skills to help them thrive in the 21st century. When employers identify an appreciation for fundamental skills, students will gravitate toward majors that foster them, parents will encourage kids to major in them, and universities will value those departments. Similarly, a message direct from the C-suite carries a different kind of weight in students ears not to mention college and university presidents. We are in this together. Lets change the conversation about skill sets, training, and the solid return on investment that come from the liberal arts. Scott E. Feller is the president of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Wabash College president: We need to save liberal arts Editors Note: This story is part of a series profiling American youth killed this year by guns, a leading cause of death of children in the US. Read more about the project here. Michelle Hines described her oldest child as a big brother to everybody, a blossoming teenager who was a natural caretaker and leader. Hines was the first among her friends to have a child, giving birth to Izaiah Carter when she was 17. He was my first child, and because he was my first child, I grew up with him. As I was going through college, he was sitting on my hip and I was reading psych books to him, said Hines, a developmental disability services coordinator. When Izaiah turned 3, Hines was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Even at his early age, Izaiah seemed to notice when she had a relapse episode. He saw when she was in pain; he saw when she fell and couldnt walk properly. He became naturally compassionate, and Hines said she could see it in his eyes. At just 16 years old, Izaiah Carter was gunned down in the east Baltimore neighborhood of Joseph Lee on March 6 near his school, Patterson High School. A 23-year-old man was eventually arrested and charged with first-degree murder in his death, police said. Authorities found the suspect in Texas roughly two weeks after Izaiahs senseless killing and he was extradited back to Baltimore, where hes currently being held awaiting his first court hearing in November, according to the Baltimore City Circuit Court. Izaiah is among more than 1,300 children and teens killed by a gun so far in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Firearms became the No. 1 killer of children and teens in America in 2020, surpassing motor vehicle accidents, which had long been the leading cause of death among Americas youth. Read other profiles of children whove died from gunfire Izaiah Carter, right, and his siblings, Amari, left, and Micayla. This image was taken using an iPhone's portrait mode. - Courtesy Michelle Hines Empathetic and caring, preoccupied with the well-being of his family members and classmates, Izaiah went about his young life with an innate compassion for others, Hines said. He was a role model and guardian to his 15-year-old brother Amari and 13-year-old sister Micayla. In high school, Izaiah joined the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, training as a cadet in the hopes of realizing his dream to join the Air Force after his graduation. Hines is still in agony over the loss of her first-born, her exceptional child. Im literally just learning a new life. Learning how to breathe and walk differently without him, Hines said. She wants others to know that what happened to Izaiah could just as easily happen to another child, to another family. I want people to know that Izaiah was your kid your daughter, your son. Izaiah was your child, Hines said. Izaiah could never conceal his true feelings, though at times he tried. Hines laughed as she recalled moments when she said she would turn into a dragon, putting on a deep voice and forcing herself to be stern. Izaiah always knew she was just acting and sometimes pretended to be angry as well, but he could never keep a stern face, Hines added. His tell was laughter. He was not good at lying because he would just laugh. He would always tell on himself, she said. His mother also called him the king of music a passion of his that deepened as he began to make his own music. Its something Hines notes she didnt even know while her son was still alive. Izaiah Carter with is mother, Michelle Hines - Courtesy Michelle Hines He was singing and trying to make beats with his friends in the auditorium with their music teacher, Hines said. While his music taste was broad, she says Izaiahs biggest inspirations were NLE Choppa, SZA, Snoh Aalegra and Eminem. Her son always connected his phone to Bluetooth or aux in her car or any car to play his music, Hines said. Its now a painful, lingering memory. One of the things that has been hard for me is to erase his phone from the car, Hines said. The disbelief and outrage over Izaiahs loss is still raw, especially among the many children young cousins, family friends and neighbors who regularly congregated at the Hines home after school or on weekends. Hines said there could be at least 15 to 20 little children over at her house at a time, and Izaiah was a constant guiding presence. In the aftermath of Izaiahs death, Hines said the children constantly told her: We gonna get em, referring to the person responsible for Izaiahs death. Izaiah Carter, left, and his brother, Amari - Courtesy Michelle Hines But Izaiahs bond with his younger brother Amari was a particularly special gift, Hines said. Diagnosed with ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, at a young age, Amari would easily get distracted, but Izaiah was always there to direct him, she said. In the pictures of them in elementary, middle and high school, Izaiahs arm was always around Amari, Hines said. Even when they were toddlers and becoming little kids, he was always holding his hand. Regarded by most as mature beyond his years, Izaiah was a mini parent to his siblings and the many young children in her close-knit family, Hines said. Every day after school, Izaiah made the trip to meet up with Amari, who attended a different school, so he could ride the bus home with his younger brother. He did the same for other children, making sure those younger than him or those who were afraid to ride alone would get home safely, Hines said. At first, I told him, Youre not allowed to do this. I get theyre your friends, but Im afraid of you riding home with all of these kids because who is gonna ride you home? Hines said. He would say, Oh, Im not worried about that. Im big and strong. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign and Security Policy, has called the Russian attack on the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast a war crime and promised inevitable punishment. Source: Borrell's statement, published on the website of the European External Affairs Service, writes European Pravda Details: A top EU diplomat called the Russian strike on Kharkiv Oblast "another heinous attack against innocent civilians, in addition to Russias continued daily indiscriminate attacks near the frontlines". "Intentional attacks against civilians are war crimes. Russias leadership, all commanders, perpetrators and accomplices of these atrocities will be held to account. There will be no impunity for war crimes," Borrell stressed. He also confirmed the EU's support for Ukraine and added that the European Union highly values the strength, courage and resistance of the Ukrainian people. Reminder: On Thursday afternoon, Russian troops attacked a cafe and a store in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast. Preliminary data indicated that the place was hit by an Iskander missile. As a result, 51 people were killed, including a 6-year-old boy, and six more were injured. This is the most massive attack by the Russian Federation in Kharkiv Oblast since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs, said that a memorial dinner for a deceased resident was being held in the cafe, which was attended by almost a third of the village (according to the census, 330 residents were registered there). The Russian attack has already been condemned by Marija Pejcinovic Buric, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, UK Ambassador Martin Harris and Estonian President Alar Karis. 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! Maliyah Cartier, a Washington High School student and a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, poses for a photo during a student walkout to commemorate thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 at Linwood Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Washington High School student Rosalia Szameit, who is Oglala Lakota, said not enough people know about the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW). In South Dakota alone, there are 80 active cases of missing Native Americans today. Of those, 47 are women or young girls, according to the South Dakota Attorney Generals Missing Persons clearinghouse database. No ones going to care if we go missing, she said as tears welled in her eyes. Its unacceptable, and we have to do something. Szameit was one of more than 100 students who walked out of classes at Washington High School on Thursday morning and congregated at the nearby Linwood Park to recognize and commemorate thousands of MMIW. Washington High School students organized a walkout to commemorate thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 at Linwood Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The walkout was over 60 minutes long in recognition of what student leaders said are more than 6,000 known instances of MMIW. The event included moments of silence to highlight the following statistics the students shared: 5 minutes and 8 seconds of silence for the 5,800 Indigenous women unreported to the national unidentified missing persons system; 4 minutes and 20 seconds of silence for 4,200 unsolved cases; 8 minutes and 50 seconds of silence for the 85% of Indigenous women who have experienced violence; 5 minutes and 6 seconds of silence for the 56% of Indigenous women who have experienced sexual violence; And, 9 minutes and 12 seconds of silence for the 9,120 Indigenous children abused each year. More: South Dakotas open cold cases include these missing and murdered Indigenous women WHS senior Justus Knorr, who is Oglala Lakota, said he feels an indescribable pain deep within him knowing he and his relatives have been affected by this issue in the past and could be affected again in the future. He said its important that more than just Indigenous people talk about this issue and care about the cause. We shouldnt have to have a walkout, Knorr said. We shouldnt have to bring awareness to this issue. This issue shouldnt exist, (but it) exists, and has been neglected for the entire history of the U.S. Thats why we needed to do a walkout. WHS senior Maliyah Cartier, a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, said the walkout honors MMIW and any other Native American whos gone missing. Rosalia Szameit, a Washington High School student who is Oglala Lakota, listens to her peers speak during a walkout commemorating thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 at Linwood Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. So many go missing, but half of these women and people don't even get searched for or reported," Cartier said. "We feel like so much more could be done and need to spread awareness to maybe light a spark and make a difference. Cartier said most of the people who go missing are her age or younger, and she wants those voices to be heard. She wrote some of the names of MMIW on her shirt and told their stories in a speech at the park. More: How South Dakota is trying to address the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis They wanted to be there, Cartier said of the spiritual experience of sharing MMIWs stories. WHS student Emma Eagle Star, a citizen of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, said she hopes her peers who joined in the walkout come away from the event more educated on the issue of MMIW. I hope they learn awareness, how dire it is, and teach others, Eagle Star said. In a speech she gave at the park, Eagle Star said everyone who gathered for the walkout was there so the cries of MMIW could be heard aloud. Washington High School students walk out of their classrooms in protest of the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. How can we accept that our children and women are being abused? How can we tolerate women going missing and being murdered? How can we live in ignorance any longer? she questioned. We must go to war against the violence our women and children are facing. We arent just (WHS) Warriors, but we are the warriors of tomorrow. The students who led the walkout also discussed the need for more, and more accurate, Indigenous representation in history classes. They also spoke about how the Oceti Sakowin Owaunspe class, which covers Indigenous history and culture specific to the Oceti Sakowin people of this area, should count for a history credit and not an elective. Washington High School students walk out of their classrooms in protest of the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 at Washington High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Knorr said there are teachers who are supportive of the students who walked out Thursday, but said their jobs could be at risk for supporting the walkout openly. In a statement from the district, community relations coordinator DeeAnn Konrad said the WHS students who participated in the walkout "left school property to highlight their cause and did so respectfully and without disruption to others," but did not say if the district supported this specific cause. "Students, like all people, have constitutional rights to do as they wish as long as no laws are violated," Konrad said. "Beyond those laws are school policy and attendance expectations. Skipping school for any reason is an unexcused absence." More: 'Just another drunk Indian': How 20 years without answers made this South Dakota family part of an invisible crisis WHS student Melina Ammann said as a non-Native, its important she and her peers are educated on the issue of MMIW and speak on it. She said the number of MMIW is three times the population of WHS. How can we be the land of the free and the home of the brave? she questioned, if Indigenous people go missing or are murdered and their cases arent investigated thoroughly. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: WHS students walk out of class in recognition of MMIW epidemic PROVIDENCE Washington Trust, the 200-year-old bank that agreed to settle claims of racial discrimination with federal prosecutors, has reached an additional agreement for concessions with the Rhode Island Treasurer's Office. Treasurer James Diossa announced last week that he was going to talk to bank CEO Edward Handy III about further actions to take, above and beyond the terms it agreed to in a proposed settlement agreement. The proposed federal settlement has the bank paying $7 million in grants to would-be homebuyers in majority Black and Hispanic census tracts in Rhode Island and an additional $2 million in marketing, advertisements and educational programs, for a total of $9 million. Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa talks about "evaluating" his office's relationship with Washington Trust after a federal settlement on redlining allegations. Diossa previously said his office has $190 million in deposits with the bank and that he wanted to "evaluate" the office's relationship with them in light of the redlining allegations. Handy has denied the allegations, even though federal officials said internal and external reports indicated there was a problem with racial discrimination as early as 2011. Proposed redlining settlement: Washington Trust settles over accusations it discriminated against Black, Hispanic borrowers The further concessions Washington Trust agreed to, according to a news release: The bank will create a "diverse and inclusive community advisory board" including a representative from the treasurer's office. The bank will "further expand its current paid advertisements" in "underserved" communities and communities of color. As part of the proposed settlement, the bank agreed to spend $1 million on marketing. The bank will "continue and expand its sponsorship of community and cultural events in Rhode Islands communities of color." The bank will diversify its board of directors and leadership team. Of the 12-person board of directors, eight are white men and three are white women. The treasurer's office will work with the bank to expand its financial literacy program inside "urban school districts" The bank will share its community credit needs assessment, which assessed if a bank is meeting its community's needs, with the treasurer's office. In a news release by the treasurer's office, Handy wrote that the bank will make sure everyone has equal access to credit and that its Olneyville branch will open in the next few months. In the news release, Diossa wrote that he made progress in his talks with the bank. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. Here's our latest offer. Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Washington Trust agrees to more changes after discrimination claim A South Florida man is accused of burning a McDonalds employee with hot coffee. Police released surveillance video that appears to show Elizar Ravelo slapping the drink out of the workers hand. Officials said the incident happened in August. Read: McDonalds to phase out self-serve soda The McDonalds employee, Stephanie Res-Tuccia, said Ravelo was a regular customer. However, that day she told Miami Springs police he started arguing about the price of his food. Read: Chipotle to test robot to assemble bowls, salads; workers to make burritos, tacos, quesadillas He started you know like insulting me, calling me names, insulting the guy in the back, and as soon as I put the coffee out, he just snatched the coffee and it went all over me, she said. Investigators said Ravelo turned himself in a month later, saying he was unhappy with his service. Read: CDC stops printing COVID-19 vaccine cards; what you should do with yours Records show he has been charged with felony battery. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Typhoon Koinu made landfall along the southern tip of Taiwan on Thursday, Oct. 5. The storm brought record-breaking winds and rain, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. A weather station on Lanyu (Orchid) Island recorded wind gusts of about 212.9 mph the fastest wind speed ever recorded in Taiwan and the third-fastest in the world, the Central Weather Administration told The Guardian. The measuring device broke soon after recording these speeds, Central Weather Administration officials told Focus Taiwan. The typhoon injured 190 people and left over 62,000 homes without power, Focus Taiwan reported. Video footage shared by Taiwans Central News Agency Southern Regional Group shows a metal shed blowing off a roof. Another video shows power lines leaned or entirely fallen onto the road. Tree branches appear almost horizontal in the wind, the video shows. Footage shared by The Independent shows a large metal piece flying down a street. Containers, shelves, stools and a fan are seen scattered across the road in another video. Another clip shows a man walking to what appears to be a tipped-over market stall cart. He rounds the corner, the wind whipping his clothing, before darting back behind the structure. Video shows the wind spin the structure, crashing into the man and knocking him over. Flying glass from the storm killed one person in Taichung, Al Jazeera reported. A video shared by The Guardian shows a beach covered in debris. The rubble includes small objects and several larger structures. Although the worst of the typhoon hit southern Taiwan, the storm circle affected the central and eastern areas, Taiwan News reported. Sally Jensen Cusicahua, a journalist with Taiwan Plus News, shared a video of the aftermath on Twitter, now rebranded as X. The video shows a damaged street in Kenting, with debris that includes metal structures, a cylinder and what appears to be an industrial kitchen unit. Kenting is on the southernmost tip of Taiwan and on the opposite side of the island from Taipei. The eye of the storm, allowing for a glimpse of the mess already made by #Koinu. I saw ambulances and a hearse go by earlier. Possibly more damage to come. pic.twitter.com/czfnyn7YrP Sally Jensen Cusicahua (@sljnsn) October 4, 2023 I have never seen Kenting main street in such a bad shape, a food truck owner told Reuters, according to the translated captions of a YouTube video. The video shared by Reuters shows a street littered with tree branches, fallen signs and garbage. Heavy rain is expected to continue across Taiwan through Friday, the Central Weather Administration said. Ex-US citizens say they paid astronomical fee to give up citizenship. Theyre suing Wetlands turn the color of strawberry milk in Australia. See the rare phenomenon Couple killed by grizzly bear took the proper precautions. Why didnt it save them? Suspended DuBois City Manager John Herm Suplizio is facing new charges after he was previously charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars of public funds for his personal expenses. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, Suplizio faces a total of 13 felony charges and 10 misdemeanor charges regarding conduct during his recent years as city manager, as well as his time spent as executive director of the DuBois Area United Way. The attorney generals office said the new charges are in regards to Suplizio misappropriating public funds and attempting to obstruct a police investigation into shoplifting incidents involving the then-mayor of DuBois. Suplizio is charged with felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, dealing in proceeds, and conflict of interest; and misdemeanor misapplication of entrusted property, fraudulent return, and obstruction. The additional charges were filed following the last court appearance in this case on Aug. 16, the attorney generals office said. Some of the additional charges are a result of investigation conducted since the grand jury presentment was issued last year. Suplizio is charged with using funds from city bank accounts and the Dubois Area United Way account to pay his personal credit card bills, make political donations and gamble, the attorney generals office said. The majority of the funds came from accounts for Community Days, an annual summer event presented by the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department, for which Suplizio and his secretary were the sole signatories. Instead of acting in the best interests of the community he was supposed to serve, the defendant used his position to line his own pockets and abused his authority for personal gain, Attorney General Michelle Henry said. This arrest is a reminder that no one is above the law, and that everyone who holds public office in Pennsylvania is accountable to the people. The attorney generals office also said Suplizio used his position as manager to enter into contracts with businesses for which he received personal benefits. He also provided false information on his tax returns and paid for numerous charges with public funds. Suplizio appeared at the district court late Wednesday morning. He was arraigned on the charges and bail was set at $100,000. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Arnold firefighter charged after 4 weekend arsons in Westmoreland County HBO Telemarketers star Patrick Pespas reported missing Woman charged for allegedly hitting other woman, dog while driving home while highly intoxicated VIDEO: Devastated: Trauma response team goes door to door after double homicide in Hill District DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts MOSCOW In late August, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to a factory of air defense systems manufacturer Almaz-Antey to inspect its artillery production, emphasizing to the company the importance of round-the-clock work, according to state-run news agency Sputnik. This was Shoigus second inspection of an Almaz-Antey property this year, having visited another facility in June that makes anti-aircraft missiles, the government news agency Tass reported. During the more recent tour, Shoigu and the head of Almaz-Antey emphasized the effectiveness of the S-300, S-350 and S-400 air defense systems amid Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, there was no mention of the more advanced S-500 Prometheus air defense system. Russia has sought the S-500 as a means of countering hypersonic weapons, and it would be able to reach farther into enemy territory. The weapon is expected to defeat threats at a range of 600 kilometers (373 miles), according to the Center for International and Strategic Studies think tank, whereas the S-300 and S-400 can reach 150 kilometers and 400 kilometers, respectively. As far back as 2018, President Vladimir Putin called for the mass production of the S-500. However, its manufacturer appears behind. According to Michael Jerdev, a Russia military expert, international sanctions levied against the country may be negatively impacting work on the air defense system. Russia can multiply the production of air defense missiles, primarily missiles of the 48N6 family, as they are technological products with minimal dependence on foreign components, said Jerdev, referring to the primary missile series for the S-400. As for the production of anti-aircraft complexes and radars themselves, their production has a long cycle and depends on the supply of foreign electronic components, which obviously does not allow them to be produced around the clock. Furthermore, an Almaz-Antey employee said, the company is experiencing problems with machine tools and a shortage of components. The enterprises [production rate] has increased, the source told Defense News on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, but there are not enough workers. Meet Prometheus Developing aerospace defense capabilities has been a major component of Russias State Armament Program since 2020. The program is meant to lead to the deployment of 100 battalions, which include 800 launchers made up of S-350, S-400 and S-500 systems. Under the latest iteration of Russias State Armament Program, also known as GPV-2027, funds are to go toward the production of the S-500 Prometheus. The previous iteration, GPV-2020, laid out efforts to create, produce and maintain military equipment. Russia began developing the S-500 in 2010, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which tracks the status of air and missile defense systems. In 2011, Russia unveiled plans for two new plants to produce the S-500; they opened in 2016. According to Russian media, one S-500 system would cost an estimated $700 million to $800 million in 2020, and up to $2.5 billion dollars in 2023. In 2019, production of the S-500 began for the Aerospace Forces, according to the head of Russian defense conglomerate Rostec, Sergey Chemezov. The Defence Ministry and local company Almaz-Antey signed a contract for the supply of more than 10 S-500s in 2021, with the first delivery expected in 2022, Tass reported during the 2021 MAKS air show. Also in 2021, the 1st Special Purpose Air and Missile Defense Army, whose primary mission is the defense of Moscow, received its first S-500 system. However, the system arrived in a reduced configuration that did not meet the full requirements of the defense force. Experts who spoke to Defense News specifically cited the lack of exoatmospheric missiles. Almaz-Antey and other air defense manufacturers are currently producing products aimed at meeting the needs of a military operation, Jerdev said. Neither the S-500 nor the Abakan air defense system have targets in Ukraine the ballistic missiles so their production is not a priority. Launch capabilities Available information about the S-500 indicates it can defeat threats at a range of 600 kilometers (373 miles) and an altitude of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles). But Russian media recently reported the S-500s range is closer to 500 kilometers and can reach an altitude of up to 100 kilometers. Defense News was unable to independently verify either of the specifications. According to analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the S-500 can launch several interceptor missiles, including the 40N6M for use against aircraft and cruise missiles, and the new 77N6 and 77N6-N1 to counter ballistic missiles or satellites. The 40N6M has a range of 400 kilometers, while the 77N6 series interceptors can reportedly reach a range of 500-600 kilometers, the think tank found. Initially, the S-500 was positioned as a system better than THAAD [the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system] with the possibility of exoatmospheric interception. At the same time, it had to be more compact than the S-400. However, the S-500 does not turn out to be more compact, Pavel Luzin, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis think tank, told Defense News. In addition, the 40N6 rocket, which is equipped with the S-500, is already used in the S-400 and is not unique. Combat crews of the S-400 air defense system take up combat duty at the training ground in the Brest region during military drills in Belarus. (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP) In 2014, reports noted the S-500 was to launch 77N6-H and 77N6-H1 missiles. Since then, the development of the former was confirmed, but the status of the latter, meant to be able to destroy satellites in low Earth orbit and feature a low-yield nuclear warhead, is unclear. According to its characteristics, the S-500 seems to be superior to the S-400, but it falls decently short of THAAD there is no exoatmospheric interception. The dimensions of its 77N6-N anti-missiles are smaller than the PRS-1M/53T6 missiles of the Nudol [anti-satellite] system, [therefore the formers] interception height is lower, Luzin said. According to a Russian colonel who spoke on the condition of anonymity for safety, the second stage of the 77N6-N anti-aircraft missile is identical to the second stage of the 9M82MV missile used by the S-300s V4 variant. The first stage has aerodynamic controls that maintain efficiency only in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere layers, about 50 kilometers above Earths surface, the colonel added. If it were to maneuver in low orbit areas, the 77N6-N would require a compact and light third combat stage, but there is no such stage. Experts interviewed by Defense News doubt the 77N6-N and 77N6-N1 missiles can provide the S-500 with the accuracy required for its mission. These missiles were supposed to be the first Russian missiles with inert warheads, but the domestic industry has been unable to acquire the necessary quality of electronics, Luzin and the colonel each told Defense News. Furthermore, the minister of industry and trade, Denis Manturov, said in June that the S-500 will be able to intercept hypersonic missiles. However, the S-500 has not undergone testing for this capability, the colonel explained, and it doesnt appear Russia has target missiles that would mirror the characteristics of a hypersonic weapon. Plans for an S-550 The State Armament Program is also expected to accomplish by 2027 the creation of the S-550, an anti-missile and anti-space system with improved detection capabilities and a greater range compared to the S-400 and S-500. The Aerospace Forces are to receive the S-550 by 2025. Putin in November 2021 emphasized the importance of supplying S-550 systems to the military during a meeting with defense and industry officials, according to Shoigu. That same month, Chemezov, the Rostec chief executive, said the S-550 would feature a longer detection range and improved missile range compared to existing air defense systems. Experts interviewed by Defense News differed in their assessments of the S-550s potential capabilities, but did agree the system will complement the capabilities of the S-500, and that its main purpose will either be to defeat hypersonic targets or satellites. There is currently no evidence Russia has developed the S-550. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has expressed condolences to Ukraine over the Russian strike on the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast, which killed 51 people. Source: Karine Jean-Pierre during a press briefing Details: Jean-Pierre stressed that Russia continues to carry out daily attacks on Ukraine. "Can you imagine, just walking to the grocery store with your kids, trying to figure out what it is that youre going to make for dinner. And you see an explosion happen. Bodies are everywhere. And its horrifying. It is incredibly horrifying for the people of Ukraine, for the folks like yourselves, your colleagues who are reporting this on the ground, and it is for these families and these kids. So this is what is happening in Ukraine every day," Jean-Pierre said. "This is why we are doing everything that we can to help Ukraine, to help the brave people of Ukraine to fight for their freedom, to fight for their democracy," she added. Background: On Thursday afternoon, Russian troops attacked a cafe and a store in the village of Hroza, Kharkiv Oblast. Preliminary data indicated that the place was hit by an Iskander missile. As of now, 51 people were killed, including children, and six more were injured. This is the most massive attack by the Russian Federation in Kharkiv Oblast since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Ihor Klymenko, Ukraines Minister of Internal Affairs, said that a memorial dinner for a deceased resident was being held in the cafe, which was attended by almost a third of the village (according to the census, 330 residents were registered there). The Russian attack has already been condemned by Marija Pejcinovic Buric, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, UK Ambassador Martin Harris and Estonian President Alar Karis. 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! KAC to develop Gimpo airport into business-friendly Northeast Asia travel hub By Lee Hae-rin The Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) is expected to see a turnaround next year in the number of air passengers, a year earlier than anticipated, as seven international airports across the country, excluding Incheon International Airport, are expected to surpass their pre-pandemic records for international travelers as demand grows for inbound tourism and newly established flight routes. We expect to see over 10 million international travelers by the end of this month. By the end of this year, the figure is expected to reach 13 million, which is a 64 percent recovery to pre-pandemic levels from 2019, KAC President Yoon Hyeong-jung said during a press conference at the companys headquarters in Seoul, Thursday. The KAC operates seven international airports at Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Cheongju, Daegu, Muan and Yangyang, which saw a total record high of 20.3 million international travelers in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Spurred by growing travel demand after China lifted restrictions on group tours to Korea and new air routes connecting Gimpo to Taiwans Kaosiung, Daegu to Mongolia and Cheongju to several Japanese and Southeast Asian cities, the KAC estimates that the figure will surpass 22 million next year. Thus, the airport operator expects a turnaround starting next May, which is one year sooner than its original estimate of 2025, thereby creating a net income of around 21.1 billion won by year's end. The KAC also plans to work with overseas airlines during a global aviation route development conference in Istanbul, which is scheduled for later this month, to establish additional international routes connecting Gimhae airport to the Americas and Europe, Yoon said. Gimhae airport, located in the countrys second-largest city of Busan on the southeastern coast, operates flights only to neighboring Asian countries including Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand despite growing local demand for long-distance international travel. The airport takes only about 16 percent of the countrys international air routes, which is significantly lower than the global average of countries second airports which stands at around 50 percent, Yoon explained, underscoring the inconvenience experienced by southerners having to travel to Incheon to go on long-distance trips. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Gimpo-Haneda route, which was established after the Korea-Japan summit in 2003, the company seeks to develop the airport into a Northeast Asia business hub airport, connecting Korea, China and Japan. The KAC will enhance the existing air route connection between the three countries capitals Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo as well as develop additional business travel routes between Seoul and the major cities of Shanghai and Osaka. The airport plans to introduce fast-track gates, a business lounge and coworking spaces for business travelers to convene. Also, in celebration of the flight routes anniversary, Gimpo airport will host several cultural events in November featuring the two countries cultures, including a fashion show and photo and food exhibitions. Meanwhile, the KAC expects to sign a 34 billion won-scale government-to-government (G2G) deal this month with the Peruvian government to assist in management of Chincero International Airport until 2026. The company has shared its airport management know-how based on 43 years of experience operating international airports in 13 countries. If signed, it will be Koreas first G2G deal in the infrastructure sector and the company will assist Perus Ministry of Transport and Communications to make plans for airport management, acquire airport certificates and obtain equipment and facilities, which will all be completed in 2026. The KAC will work to accelerate the recovery of international flight demand to go beyond pre-pandemic levels from 2019 and demonstrate the companys expertise with international projects in market expansion, Yoon said. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House is making plans for a face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco next month as the two countries seek to stabilize troubled relations, the Washington Post reported on Thursday. Ties between the world's two largest economies have been strained in recent years due to a number of issues including Taiwan, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, allegations of spying, human rights issues and trade tariffs, among others. The newspaper, which cited senior unidentified U.S. officials, quoted one of them as saying the possibility of a meeting was "pretty firm." "We're beginning the process" of planning, the official was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not comment specifically on the newspaper report. A spokesperson of the embassy said in an emailed statement that the two countries remained in communication and needed to expand "good faith" cooperation. The White House did not have an immediate comment. The meeting would follow other high-level engagements between the two countries in recent months that have seen visits from U.S. officials to China like Secretary of State Antony Blinken in June, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in July and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in August. More recently, Blinken met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in New York and U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malta. Biden and Xi's last meeting was on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Indonesia in November 2022, which was their first in person meeting since Biden became president. They previously had five exchanges by phone and video conference after Biden took office. China's top security agency hinted last month any meeting between Xi and Biden will depend on the United States "showing sufficient sincerity." U.S. officials like Raimondo and Yellen have recently said the United States did not want to decouple from China but Beijing has expressed concern over U.S. approval of arms sales and military financing to Taiwan. San Francisco will host an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November that Xi may attend. Xi recently skipped the G20 summit in New Delhi that Biden attended. (Reporting by Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh; editing by Chris Sanders, Chris Reese and Kim Coghill) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) While centuries of folklore and various legends have led to bats being considered creepy critters, the tiny, winged mammals are actually harmless, and play an important role as natures pest controllers. But, according to biologists like Pete Pattavina with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, many species of bats found within Tennessee are in trouble amid the spread of a fungal disease that, for some, means almost certain death when its contracted. Nearly 86,000 bats found in East Tennessee cave White-Nose Syndrome in Tennessee is behaving very much like it has throughout the rest of the Appalachians and Midwest, so were seeing incredibly dramatic declines in about three or four species, which would be the species that hibernate in caves, Pattavina said. A healthy bat. (Courtesy: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) Biologists first saw bats sick and dying from White-Nose Syndrome in 2007 in caves near Albany, New York. However, cave explorers in that area had spotted bats with a white powder on their noses the year before, meaning the disease has been in North America since at least 2006. Pattavina said it started spreading to Tennessee caves in 2010 and has since become a statewide issue. The number of deaths nationwide is in the millions, and in Tennessee, species like northern long-eared bats have declined by around 97% to 99%. 838 acres added to Fall Creek Falls State Park with caves home to bats, miles of streams Its almost certain death for species such as northern long-eared bats, and we dont have much evidence yet that if you survive an infection one year that you might not die the next year from the same infection, Pattavina said. What causes white-nose syndrome? The disease is caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans, or Pd for short, that grows in cold, dark, and damp places. Typically, Pattavina said mammals are able to stave off fungal infections because most cannot survive at temperatures higher than 75 to 80 degrees. However, when a bat goes into hibernation, its temperature comes down to about the same temperature as a cave. The fungal pathogen then attacks the bare skin of bats, causing small lesions and a white fuzz on their faces, which is how the disease got its name. A bat with white-nose syndrome. (Courtesy: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) It can be very irritating and so it causes bats to wake up more frequently than they would like to during hibernation, Pattavina said. A bat really has to manage its energetic resources during hibernation. It builds fat all summer and all fall to go into hibernation and a healthy state. Amphibians are the worlds most vulnerable animals and threats are increasing As bats become more active than usual, they end up burning fat they need to survive the winter. Bats with White-Nose Syndrome may also do strange things like fly outside in the daytime in the winter or leave a cave earlier than normal. In late December, January and February, Pattavina said there are no insects for them to feed on, and many starve to death. In addition to northern long-eared bats, which are listed as endangered, there are three other species experiencing dramatic declines in Tennessee. Different impacts on different species Indiana bats, another endangered species, little brown bats and tricolored bats are all dying at extremely high rates. One of the exceptions is the gray bat, which Pattavina said has mysteriously managed to persist in the face of the fungal pathogen and survive white-nose syndrome. Five animals in TN you might not have known are endangered Biologists are still trying to understand why gray bats dont seem to be affected as much as other species, but Pattavina said it could be related to factors like their bulkier bodies or the sites where they choose to hibernate. A healthy bat. (Courtesy: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) Many of the caves gray bats choose to hibernate in are sinkholes and they become cold air traps, he said. So, it could be that they are hibernating at very low temperatures and the fungus doesnt get a toehold to go into a pathogenic state. Some researchers have also observed behavioral changes in gray bats where theyve shifted where they choose to roost. Pattavina said that could be a response to White-Nose Syndrome. Where did White-Nose Syndrome come from? While biologists havent ever been able to pinpoint where exactly White-Nose Syndrome came from, Pattavina said they know the fungal pathogen arrived from somewhere in Eurasia. The fungus is widespread overseas, but he said bats in Europe and Asia have co-evolved with it, so it doesnt appear to affect them as much. Helping Hellbenders: Tennessee animal experts aim to save dwindling salamander population Anything that goes from cave to cave can spread the fungal pathogen and white-nose syndrome. What we see mostly in the United States is the disease being spread by bats, Pattavina said. So, it didnt take very long, about five years, for White-Nose Syndrome to come from New York State, where it was first discovered, to Tennessee. The disease can also be spread by human contact through caving equipment, mining trucks and mining gear. Pattavina said White-Nose Syndrome has recently spread as far as the West Coast, with a large jump in cases around 2018. Ripple effects on ecosystems and finding a cure White-Nose Syndromes impact on bats also has ripple effects on various ecosystems and peoples way of life. Looking at just the corn growing process alone, Pattavina said some studies have shown bats save the U.S. agricultural industry nearly $1 billion a year by eating pests like pickleworm moths. Endangered animals in Tennessee: The species being monitored by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Weve actually even found and tracked bats migrating with swarms of pickleworm moths from Florida, he said. So, they are actually following these swarms of migrating agricultural pests and feeding on them, sometimes fairly high up in altitude. A bat with white-nose syndrome. (Courtesy: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) There currently is no cure for White-Nose Syndrome, but scientists from all over the world are working together to study the disease, as well as measures that can help decontaminate sites where bats hibernate and spend most of their time. Weve seen naturally occurring compounds like volatile organics, things like essential oils for instance, like spearmint oils and orange oils, actually produce an antifungal compound that the fungal pathogen is actually very sensitive to, Pattavina said. TWRA warns of invasive zebra mussels in aquarium products Ultraviolet light also tends to kill the fungus, but Pattavina said there are 12,000 caves in Tennessee alone and other sensitive organisms that have to be taken into consideration. Its almost impossible to decontaminate all bat roosts, he said. And so, we can treat them in the winter, but we also dont want to contribute to the problem because their hibernation is such a sensitive period. So, we have to find a cure for White-Nose Syndrome. How you can help Studying the resiliency of some colonies may lead to more conservation options in the future, but there are also ways the average person can help protect bats in the meantime. One way is to put up a bat house, or an artificial shelter that provides a roosting space for bats. Certain vegetation can also be planted around homes to attract moths and other types of insects bats typically eat. In addition, Pattavina suggests becoming a citizen scientist with the Tennesse Bat Working Group and helping monitor bat colonies. You can count our bats because bats occur in so many places in Tennessee, theres no way that we can monitor them all, he said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Cavers can join their local grotto to learn how to cave responsibly and prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome, and those who encounter a bat inside their home should hire a responsible nuisance wildlife coordinator to safely relocate the animal. Theres lots of things that the average person can do to help bats, Pattavina said. Were trying to protect colonies that are doing well in addition to trying to find different types of treatment measures that we can use to treat bats themselves. To find out more about White-Nose Syndrome, response plans, and helping bats survive, click here. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. While Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she believes Ford Motor Co. will resume its work to build a battery plant near Marshall once the UAW strike ends, she said Thursday that leadership at the company has not told her that they're looking for a strike resolution to resume construction. "I've not heard that specifically, but I think like anyone that's perhaps one of the I assume that's one of the issues at hand," Whitmer told the Free Press on Thursday. Ford publicly shared its decision to pause construction at the Marshall site last week. "We're pausing work and limiting spending on construction on the Marshall site, effective today, until were confident about our ability to competitively operate the plant," Ford spokesman T.R. Reid told the Detroit Free Press last Monday. "We haven't made any final decision about the planned investment there." Ford CEO Jim Farley said later that its battery plant plans in Michigan could change in scope either becoming bigger or smaller and that its pause could help the company determine next steps. At the beginning of the year, Whitmer joined top executives at Ford to celebrate the company's decision to create a battery plant in Michigan. The $3.5 billion investment from Ford to create 2,500 jobs at the site is slated to receive about $1.8 billion in public subsidies. Shortly after the UAW strike against the Detroit Three entered its second week, Ford announced its construction pause. "There are lots of implications from these negotiations and at the end of the day, I believe that once they are concluded, we will continue to move forward on Marshall," Whitmer told reporters earlier this week. On Thursday, she reiterated concerns about a long UAW strike and once again emphasized that she thinks the battery plant is key to securing Michigan's economic leadership in the auto industry as it moves toward electric vehicle production. "Well, I think everyone knows that this kind of project is really pivotal as this mobility sector transitions. We've worked very closely with Ford," she said. "I'm just hoping that it's not a prolonged strike because you know a lot of this is contingent upon Ford being able to compete and to be profitable. And so workers deserve a fair contract but Ford also has to be a strong ongoing concern for us to realize all the goals that we've set as an administration." The quality of jobs at future battery plants is a sticking point in contract negotiations between the UAW and automakers. UAW President Shawn Fain has repeatedly expressed his concerns that the auto industrys transition to electric vehicles threatens to leave workers behind. Ford asserts that current employees won't lose jobs because of battery plants and notes that future workers could choose the UAW to represent them. Gov. Whitmer: Possibility of prolonged UAW strike 'concerns me greatly' Whitmer has championed the state's deal with Ford and others her administration has made to land electric vehicle-related plants in Michigan as a path for creating good-paying manufacturing jobs in the state. Those deals have encountered pushback from some local residents and reservations from lawmakers uncomfortable with the level of public spending going to corporations. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak who leads the Senate Economic and Community Development Committee unveiled a legislative package this week billed as an overhaul of the main business subsidy fund the Whitmer administration has used to land electric vehicle investments, including the Ford battery plant. Under McMorrow's proposal, companies receiving business subsidies would have to demonstrate local engagement with the community where it plans to locate a project while the state would require 20% of subsidies go toward community investments as part of its deals with companies. "These are direct investments into a community. It's not to the company. It's not to site development." McMorrow told reporters. It's to fund various local needs from child care to infrastructure, she said. Whitmer said she's generally on board with the changes which she said her administration helped shape and plans to monitor closely as the package advances through the Legislature. Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer: Ford hasn't said end of UAW strike means Marshall re-start Former Franklin County Sheriff's SWAT deputy Jason Meade, right, with one of his defense attorneys, Mark Collins, on Feb. 23, 2023 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. Decisions about whether to allow bloody earbuds, audio of the defendant's philosophy on using force, other evidence and witnesses have again delayed the murder trial of former Franklin County Sheriff's SWAT deputy Michael Jason Meade. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Young issued an order late last week rescheduling the trials start date from later this month to Jan. 29 and set a pre-trial hearing for Dec. 11 both dates more than three years after Meade fatally shot Casey Goodson Jr., 23, on Dec. 4, 2020. Gary Shroyer, one of two special prosecutors Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack appointed to the case along with Tim Merkle, told The Dispatch both sides needed more time to file motions related to expert witnesses the defense wants to call. Mark Collins, one of Meade's defense attorneys, declined to comment. In addition to any disagreement over experts the defense wants to use, the defense and prosecution have already filed motions in recent months disagreeing over whether the prosecution may show certain evidence to the jury. The defense wants Young to rule that prosecutors may not use the following evidence at trial: Testimony that Goodson was wearing Apple AirPods in his ears when he was shot. An audio recording of Meade speaking at a Baptist convention in 2018 about his philosophy on using force, during which he talked about how he is justified in throwing the first punch. Reports on other times Meade used force as a deputy over the years. What we know about the shooting Meade shot Goodson, who had a concealed carry permit, as he was entering a home on the 3900 block of Estates Park, where he lived with his grandmother. Through his attorneys, Meade has said he saw Goodson waving a gun around while driving and pointing it at Meade and other drivers. Meade, who had just finished an assignment as a member of the U.S. Marshals SOFAST task force when Goodson drove by, said he followed Goodson to the house and repeatedly told Goodson to show his hands. But Meade alleges Goodson turned toward him pointing a gun, and thats when the deputy says he shot him. According to an autopsy, Goodson was shot six times, including five times in the back. Goodsons family has said that Goodson was carrying Subway sandwiches for the family to eat and had put the key into a door that led to the home's kitchen when he was shot. The bloody earbuds In September 2022, Goodson's family, through their attorneys, put out a photograph they say shows bloody AirPods that Goodson was wearing when he was shot. The family says police left them behind at the scene. According to Meades defense team, the deputy didnt know about the earbuds at the time. So, the defense argues, bringing up the earbuds at trial would allow the jury to use hindsight to assess Meades decision to use deadly force in killing Goodson, which is prohibited by U.S. Supreme Court precedent. The prosecution countered in court documents that evidence of Goodson listening to music through his earbuds raises serious doubts about the defendants claim that Goodson turned and pointed a gun at him immediately before he killed him. A recording of Jason Meade discussing his beliefs The defense also wants to exclude from trial an audio recording which The Dispatch reported on shortly after the 2020 shooting. The recording is of Meade speaking to fellow Free Will Baptist Pastors at a conference in 2018. Meades defense team argues that this recording includes Meade discussing his religious beliefs and interpretation of scripture, which cannot be used at trial in Ohio. If the audio is admitted, the state will point to Meades references to David and Goliath, being willing to throw the first punch, and his justification for righteous release to portray him as a rogue officer who aggressively hunted Casey Goodson, the defense argues. Prosecutors disagree with the defenses interpretation of Ohios rules about this evidence. The defendants bias against Casey is plainly relevant under the legal parameters," the prosecution argues in its filing. "The defendants prior statements about his policing philosophy reveal his belief that he is always justified in preemptively using physical force against suspects. More: Video shows dispute between Jason Meade, neighbor over Casey Goodson Jr. shooting Prior uses of force In addition to the ear buds and the audio tape, the defense doesnt want prosecutors to be able to present at trial reports on Meades prior uses of force as a deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. According to Meades attorneys, his supervisors found those uses of force were reasonable, and they again point to Ohios evidence rules that state evidence about prior acts cannot be used to prove a persons character. Prosecutors said in court filings they dont plan to introduce these reports on force from 2017 through 2020 as evidence in their case, but want to reserve the right to bring them up in rebuttal. Meade, who took early retirement from the Sheriff's Office in 2021 after 17 years of service, remains out on bond pending trial. More: Casey Goodson wanted to impact the world, family and friends said at his funeral Goodson's family is frustrated Sean Walton, a Columbus attorney who is representing Goodson's mother, Tamala Payne, told The Dispatch that the family is frustrated by all the delays. This is pretty standard in terms of procedural delays (though) every delay with every part of the system has just caused this family more anguish, Walton said. We cant have any further delays. We need swift justice. Walton said the delay of Meade's criminal trial has also put on hold the familys federal civil rights lawsuit against Meade, which is also frustrating for them. jlaird@dispatch.com @LairdWrites This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why was ex-deputy Jason Meade's murder trial postponed again? HERSHEY, Pa. It takes Jason Pedersen eight minutes to walk between the elementary and middle schools of Derry Township School District in Hershey, Pennsylvania, where he works as one of three districtwide school psychologists. I'm across two buildings and thankfully, they're only an eight-minute walk apart, unlike some people who would have to drive miles and miles and miles, which impacts your ability to provide the services, he told USA TODAY. It's still a challenge. If a student in one building needs him, but he's in the other, Pedersen said he may not be in the right place at the right time. "I might not be here when someone needs me," he said from the district's middle school, days before the 2023-2024 school year began. The National Association of School Psychologists recommends a ratio of one school psychologist per every 500 students. Derry Township School District's ratio is 1 to 1,100 more than double. Experts told USA TODAY shortages of school psychologists, counselors and social workers have been an ongoing problem for decades, but have become more apparent after the COVID-19 pandemic and recurrent school shootings. Now, theres increasing pressure on school districts to support students with these resources. Jason Pedersen, a school psychologist at Derry Township School District School in Pennsylvania, is one of the district's three school psychologists. Pedersen and school administrators at Derry Township School District have strategized to come up with best practices to offer mental health services to students despite the shortages and a lack of permanent resources to fund staff. The district is finding its own innovative solutions like contracting with an agency to provide school-based outpatient therapy, establishing a concierge service to connect students to mental health providers and using multitiered systems of support that serve as a framework guiding school psychologists on how to be intentional with using the resources they have to help students. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are proposing answers for how to address the problem. But after Congress punted a deadline for government spending to November and negotiations continue while the House is without a permanent speaker, it remains up in the air whether America's schools will receive what they need for adequate mental health resources. One in 5 children experience a mental health disorder each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of those children dont receive services at all and of those who do, 70% to 80% access them at schools, according to the National Association of School Psychologists. Some House Republicans have floated cutting billions from the Department of Education during the appropriations process. The White House estimates proposed cuts could result in up to 40,000 fewer teachers, aides and other key staff at schools nationwide. Other lawmakers and advocates are pushing to fund additional mental health resources for school districts and pass legislation that would create permanent funding streams for these services. We expect our schools to do more for children than what we perhaps expected 50 years ago, but weve not been provided the kinds of resources that schools need, said Lynn Bufka, the associate chief of practice transformation at the American Psychological Association. What experts recommend Experts recommend each school district have a trio of school counselors, social workers and school psychologists who work together to provide mental health services for students. But thats rarely a reality. School districts nationwide are also seeing personnel shortages of school counselors, according to Amanda Fitzgerald, the assistant deputy executive director at the American School Counselor Association. School counselors focus on post-secondary work like helping students apply to colleges and be successful after high school. They often run baseline mental health services like holding grief groups and providing anti-bullying programs. When a student needs more intensive services, a school psychologist gets involved if there is one. But if a districts school psychologist is nonexistent or they are overburdened, school counselors often have to step up to the plate. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250 students per school counselor. If we try to staff the whole country at 1 to 250, there definitely would not be enough school counselors to fit those positions and in some places, its just much more exacerbated, Fitzgerald said, adding that rural areas face even worse shortages. Why are there shortages? An empty elementary school classroom is seen on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York. Experts told USA TODAY the shortages stem from two problems: A lack of permanent funding for school districts and the increasingly high cost of higher education programs for prospective mental health providers. Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach, the policy and advocacy director at the National Association of School Psychologists and a school psychologist herself, said the shortage has been an ongoing problem for decades. Strobach estimates it would take 20 to 25 years to address school psychologists shortages. The country needs an additional 60,000 school psychologists to meet the recommended ratio. The national ratio for the 2021-2022 school year was 1,127 students per 1 school psychologist. Only one state, Utah, meets the recommended ratio of 1 to 500. Its not an easy path to become a school psychologist, Strobach said. Most working school psychologists have a specialist degree which includes three years of graduate education and requires an internship that many districts cant fund. This hinders recruitment efforts and makes it challenging to attract students to the profession when prospective student psychologists often have to pay for tuition, living expenses and even moving costs to relocate to work at a district. When theres a shortage of school psychologists, other responsibilities get a lower priority. Because school psychologists must complete student evaluations for special education services, they often get pigeonholed into primarily completing evaluations, with limited opportunity to provide additional support. We always seem to hear all these calls and all these big movements around addressing the shortages after a crisis... these people are there to do so much more than address crises, Strobach said. A need for permanent funding President Joe Biden signs into law S. 2938, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gun safety bill, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 25, 2022. Kari Oyen is the school psychology program director at the University of South Dakota located in a city with a population of 12,000. The university received a $3 million grant to use over the next five years to conduct a statewide needs assessment. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed during the pandemic. The school psychology program has just three full-time faculty and is the only training program in the state. The ratio in South Dakota is 1 school psychologist for every 1,650 students three times higher than the recommended ratio. Oyen said one of her colleagues logs 900 miles per month traveling throughout the state to ensure children receive high-quality school mental health services. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funded two grant programs to address mental health resources in schools nationwide over the next five years. One grant focuses on training prospective mental health providers by funding new graduate programs or providing loan forgiveness and tuition stipends. The other provides grants to districts and states to hire and retain mental health service providers. Ideally, this should become a yearly pot of money that's available to everyone, Strobach said. Experts like Strobach say funding one round of grantees does not address the long-term problem of solving these shortages. They say Congress could help address the problem by funding more permanent solutions recurring training programs, yearly grants, or requiring paid internships by law for prospective school psychologists. In Pennsylvania, the state legislature recently passed legislation making internship grants permanent and a recurring line on the state budget. Districts can now apply through the state for funding to pay for interns. Ohio has a similar program. A legislative effort Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., a senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, speaks at the church. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., introduced the Advancing Student Services in Schools Today, or ASSIST Act, earlier this year which seeks to help schools increase the number of mental health and substance use disorder professionals. Warnock said the shortages of mental health providers are a problem in Georgia and across the country. He added that there needs to be more focus on funding issues and the pipeline problem to get young people trained. Mental health is health care and the failure to see that is an issue with respect to mental health care not only for our students but for the general population, he said. Warnocks colleagues have introduced similar bills to address the shortages. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., co-introduced the bipartisan Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act last May that would authorize the Department of Education to partner with higher education institutions to help cover the cost of graduate programs for prospective school mental health workers. I think theres no time to waste because its a long-term challenge, she told USA TODAY. Shaheen, a former teacher, said she was always concerned about her students entire well-being, not just what they were learning in the classroom. If we dont address mental health when we see problems appear, then its going to affect someones ability to have the opportunities that they need to earn a decent living, to be successful either in school and afterward and its going to wind up costing more money in the long run, she said. In the House, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Jared Golden, D-Maine, lead a companion version of this bill. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., said counselors are as important as teachers and administrators and in some cases, theyre even more important. A former middle school principal in the Bronx, Bowman called the shortages dire. He recalled how he witnessed an increase in suicidal ideation and self-harm among students in his former role. When his school first opened in 2009, he made it a point to hire a social worker and a school counselor even before hiring an assistant principal. This crisis is a life or death crisis in terms of the shortages of counselors, social workers and school psychologists, he said. Bowman said there needs to be a policy that consistently funds schools equitably regardless of Democratic or Republican leadership. (Its) a powerful thing that I think we absolutely have to do, he said. 'Puzzle that fits together' Derry Township School District School Psychologist Jason Pedersen and Superintendent Stacey Winslow have strategized to offer students mental health resources despite staffing shortages in Pennsylvania. Back in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Pedersen has worked as a school psychologist for more than 25 years, spending 15 years with Derry Township School District. In addition to the three psychologists, Derry Township School District has one social worker and 11 school counselors who focus on the day-to-day interactions with students. Pederson said he views all the roles as a puzzle that fits together. Public education is the key to a democratic society and its your best shot, its our best shot as a nation for reaching as many students as possible with effective resources, Derry Township School District Superintendent Stacy Winslow said. Its a lot more cost-effective to pay for a mental health service for an 8-year-old than it is for an adult, Pedersen added. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mental health crisis in schools could get worse after shutdown averted JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Comparing Missouris continuous drought to the Dust Bowl era, federal and state officials said they are concerned about the states rainfall totals. Its been the topic of the summer: drought. Experts said at Tuesdays Drought Assessment Committee meeting that conditions are expected to persist into the winter months. Power outage leads to major sewage leak at Lake Waukomis Besides the impact on the agriculture industry, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said hes hoping for large snowfalls in the northern states this winter to help with navigation on the rivers. You have to be hoping for things in the upper basin of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers that were going to get some snow that comes down from the northern states to help us because the other problem were looking at is the rivers, just being able to get up and down it, and if those happen to shut down, thats another huge impact to the economy, Parson said. The drought continues to take a toll on one of Missouris largest industries. The lack of rainfall leaves farmers to make tough decisions, like sending cattle to market early. I know my friends down at home; a lot of them sold cattle already because they cant afford to buy the hay, and they dont have the grass, Parson said. A farmer himself, Parson said his son has been feeding hay since July, something that normally doesnt happen until December or January. When will the fall colors peak in Kansas, Missouri? The Drought Assessment Committee was activated after Parson signed an executive order earlier this spring declaring a drought alert. The group is made up of state and federal agencies. Missouri Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Chris Kleklen told the group that the drought is now impacting the navigation of harvested crops, requiring the loads on barges to be lightened. When youre used to loading barges in St. Louis at 65,000 bushels, and youre loading it at 40,000 to get it through lower water, you cant be that competitive; you cant be as efficient, Klenklen said. Farmers are not being offered as good of a price for their grain because its going to cost a lot more to get the grain moved from here to New Orleans if its on the river. Some parts of the state have been in continuous drought conditions for nearly two years. Mark Fuchs with the National Weather Service told the committee Wednesday that its been nearly a century since Missouri has seen anything like this. FOX4 Weather: View the latest Kansas City forecasts, maps and radar The only thing that comes to mind is the Dust Bowl era in the 30s, Fuchs said. Then, about 20 years later, we had some really dry and hot conditions in the early to mid-50s. Both of those periods effected Missouri quite a bit statewide. While most of the state saw rainfall in August, which improved conditions, precipitation outlooks for the coming weeks and months dont look promising. While Im concerned about this drought and concerned particularly going into this winter, if we dont see some relief going into the spring, we could be in a very dire situation, director for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Dru Buntin said. State climatologist Zach Leasor warned the committee that fire risks are elevating across the state due to dry conditions and low humidity. Dry days with lower humidity and high winds, it really only takes one day to have bad fire weather conditions with fuel that is there from drought conditions, Leasor said. FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up for daily forecasts and Joes Weather Blog in your inbox If we dont see a lot of rainfall in the next three months, I think we are going to have a lot of locations that are going to have back-to-back, year-long precipitation totals that were below normal, and maybe we do start to think about this as a continuous two-year drought. Back in August, Leasor told the committee that high evaporation rates were causing the state to lose roughly a quarter of an inch of rainfall back into the atmosphere each day. With temperatures starting to reach normal for this time of year, Leasor said rates arent as high. As of Sept. 28, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed central and western parts of the state experiencing an extreme drought, while other areas are in a severe and moderate drought. Southwest and southeast Missouri are the only two parts of the state where there is no drought. Whether youre on a farm or not, youre going to be affected by it [the drought] because if farmers cant produce their crop and they cant get their product to the table, thats going to cost the everyday consumer. Parson said. The reality of it is, most people arent going to be over this until sometime, probably next year, we hope. MAP: Where, when and how to get the best view of the 2023 annular eclipse Farmers can now access emergency water or hay in the following ways: Boat ramps at 25 Missouri state parks will be open for farmers to collect water, with almost 700 acres available for haying at 17 state parks. Boat ramps in 36 Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) areas are also now open for water collection. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is offering special over-width hauling permits at no charge to help farmers and ranchers move hay. The Department of Agriculture does offer a mental health resource for the farming community. The AgriStress hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Producers can call or text 833-897-2474 to speak to a healthcare professional. DNR is asking Missouri residents to submit information about the local drought conditions online. Buntin said this can help the committee create more accurate maps, allowing members to work better with state and federal partners. NOAA releases 2023-2024 winter prediction for Kansas City DNR also has a variety of resources online and continues to add information on drought mitigation and assistance opportunities. The group plans to meet again in September. The committee is recommending the governor extend his executive order, allowing the group to continue to meet until early spring. The order was set to expire on Dec. 1. The group plans to meet again in early December. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. PATERSON The president of the citys PBA said he wants assault charges to be filed against Councilman Michael Jackson for shoving a police officer during Tuesday nights council meeting at City Hall. The incident happened when the police officer intervened after Jackson walked across the room and angrily leaned over one of his council colleagues, Luis Velez. Jackson said Velez was heckling him while he talked about a family member being killed in a street shooting on Sunday. The police officer stepped between Velez who was seated and Jackson. Then the cop put his hand on Jacksons arm, and Jackson responded by pushing the officer. PBA president: Jackson 'playing with fire' We cant allow him or anyone else to put their hands on one of our officers, said PBA President Angel Jimenez regarding Jackson. This guy has been playing with fire. Paterson 1st Ward Councilman Michael Jackson. Paterson police spokesman Rob Rowan declined to comment when asked if the department were going to press charges against Jackson. Jackson on Wednesday morning restated the position he took Tuesday night, asserting that the officer had no reason to touch him. I committed no crime, Jackson said. They cant assume that Im going to commit a crime. The councilman acknowledged on Wednesday that his reaction to the officer was stronger than what he thought he had done. I didnt realize I pushed him off me as hard as I did, Jackson said. The PBA presidents said he would wait a few days to see whether the police department takes action against Jackson. If that doesnt happen, Jimenez said he personally would charge the councilman with assault on a police officer based on what he witnessed in a video recording of the meeting. Jimenez said he talked to the officer involved, Joel Torres, on Tuesday night after the incident. I told him, Dont worry, were not letting this slide, Jimenez said. Paterson 5th Ward Councilman Luis Velez. The PBA president dismissed Jacksons explanation for shoving the police officer. Jimenez said the video showed Jackson had encroached on Velez, giving the officer reason to put his hand on Jackson to prevent any blows. City Hall fracas: Paterson council meeting suspended amid chaos among officials and police officer Sayegh appointees: These two officials will now steer Paterson's economic development strategy How did Paterson activists react? Meanwhile, Jackson also came under condemnation from one of Patersons outspoken activists, Ernest Rucker, a man whose statements are often aligned with Jacksons criticism of Mayor Andre Sayegh and the citys police department. Rucker called Jackson a bully, who he said instigates trouble at council meeting to put on a show for social media and called the councilmans actions on Tuesday night disgraceful. This has been building for some time, said Rucker, who posted a lengthy condemnation of Jackson on his Facebook page. He is threatening everyone, not just council members. Hes an embarrassment. Rucker and Jackson encountered each other after the council meeting at the Elks Lodge bar. Ernest Rucker was heavily intoxicated and threatened to shoot me, threatened to kill me, Jackson said. I dont take any of his accusations seriously. David Gilmore, a Paterson activist who often has sided with Jackson in his criticism of Sayegh, said he was not present at the meeting, had not seen the video, and could not comment on what happened. Gilmore said he was concerned that the rift between Jackson and Rucker would have a splintering effect. This is all childish to me, Gilmore said. Both of them, he responded when asked whether he thought it was Jackson or Rucker being childish. At this point, we have bigger fish to fry, Gilmore said, referring to the mayor. You have to keep your eye on the prize. Other anti-Sayegh activists expressed their understanding regarding Jacksons conduct on Tuesday. Sebastian Mejia, who videorecorded Tuesdays incident, said Velez was making faces and talking while Jackson was speaking about his family members death. Mejia, who plans to run against Velez in the citys 5th Ward election next May, said he could not understand exactly what Velez was saying. I saw a man who was dealing with a traumatic event, Mejia said of Jackson. He was being disrespected and he lashed out. Activist Corey Teague gave similar views regarding Jacksons interaction with Velez, saying Velez had provoked him. Paterson Press asked Teague about Jacksons shoving the police officer. I cant go along with that, Teague said. That shouldnt have happened. Velez said he is asking the Passaic County Prosecutors Officer to examine Jacksons actions towards him. Im in fear for my life, Velez said of Jackson. This guy could do anything. Velez filed charges against Jackson in April, accusing him of harassment and terroristic threats after Jackson told him he would knock his teeth out in the council chambers. Jackson has acknowledged making that threat, saying he was reacting to Velez disrespectful behavior towards his mother at that meeting. Jackson always has an excuse for everything, Velez said. Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ PBA president wants councilman charged. Here's why Protest by supporters of the Polish opposition, Warsaw, 1 October 2023 Warsaw-based journalist Olena Babakova explained in an interview with NV Radio on Oct. 2 how Kyiv got caught in the turbulence of Polish electoral politics. NV: There was a statement by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, warning Ukraine against closer ties with Germany. This is how he was quoted by local media. Babakova: Listening to Mateusz Morawiecki, we can say that there are less than two weeks left before the elections in Poland, and this was a piece of heavy rhetorical artillery being deployed. NV: Im sure that a part of our audience doesnt understand at all where this discourse came from. Is it a betrayal if [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy supports Germany getting a permanent seat on the UN Security Council? Polish Twitter commentariat seems to think so. Babakova: You know, its like when a television series has been running for 10 seasons and you must do a recap. Lets try [to explain it] briefly. Lets start with the fact that Germany is Ukraines ally as much as Poland. Ukraine is an official candidate for joining the European Union. Ukraine is a state that has declared its desire to be a NATO member. Both Warsaw and Berlin are members of both organizations. Therefore, theyre Ukraines allies, at least nominally, absolutely the same. Indeed, Poland has been very supportive of Ukraine both since 2014, and since the annexation of Crimea and the start of the war in the Donbas, and since the full-scale invasion, both at the level of diplomacy and military and economic cooperation. Read also: Could Poland halt weapon shipments to Ukraine over grain dispute One of the reasons for this is that the Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has been in power since 2015, can be called anti-Russian, precisely in this sense, if we mean the Russian state. Its clear that Ukraine is impressed by this now as we have a common enemy. But the broad context is greater, because PiS is not only an anti-Russian party, but its also an anti-German party. I would even say that some critics are tempted to call it an anti-EU party, although I dont really think so. Criticism of Germany from PiS politicians, starting from the partys head and program ideologist Jarosaw Kaczynski, and ending with such party headliners as Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski, Defense Minister Mariusz Baszczak, etc., relates to the fact that the relations between Warsaw and Berlin look quite tense during the last eight or nine years. There are several reasons. The reason, which is probably the most discussed in the Ukrainian media, is a similar conflict with Ukraine in the realm of historical politics. In short: Poland believes that Germany didnt pay enough for the consequences of the Second World War. It paid in the direct financial sense, i.e., that Germany owes reparations to the Poles. The Polish Sejm [parliament] even has a special commission that calculates the amount of these reparations. However, it has been working for several years, but hasnt calculated everything. It [Germany] also owes in a symbolic sense. The German political discourse shows a great guilt towards the Jewish people and the state of Israel, which is obviously due to the Holocaust committed by Nazi Germany during WWII. There is also guilt before Russia, which has become a one-state incarnation of the Soviet Union. Accordingly, all the wrongs inflicted on residents of the occupied Soviet territories, for some reason, they cause sympathy exclusively for the Russian people, but not for the Ukrainian and Belarusian people. Although, by the way, this is also changing. But in addition to this conflict in the realm of historical memory, there are also things that are more pragmatic. For example, the fact that Germany has proportionally too much influence on the EU common policy, both foreign and domestic. This primarily concerns, e.g., climate policy. That is, Germany is very much promoting the green agenda. Its trying to make sure that mining, the use of coal and other fuel hydrocarbons are limited at the EU-wide level. This solution is useful for German business. On the other hand, e.g., for countries like Poland, which mines its own coal, and it occupies an important part of the national energy balance, this solution is not so useful. In addition, the modernization of industry itself is [expensive]. NV: We heard a very beautiful statement from German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock that the European Union would expand from Lisbon to Luhansk. Do we correctly understand that after all, when we talk about Ukraines European integration process, Germany can make such statements, but Poland cannot? Babakova: I dont know. It seems to me that, in principle, Poland can also make such statements. Look. There are systemic problems in Polish-Ukrainian relations, and there are crisis moments. The crisis moment in which we are now is Poland before the elections. Poland before the elections and the grain crisis. Instead, there are certain systemic problems. The Polish-Ukrainian dialogue is full of great mutual sympathy, but its not full of great mutual trust, as we see at every critical moment. Since Warsaw is constantly suspecting its vis-a-vis, namely Kyiv, that the Ukrainians will begin to negotiate with other EU countries, and not with Poland, thus undermining some special status of Polish-Ukrainian relations. Read also: What makes Poles weary of Ukraine Similarly, Ukraine disregards Polish claims and Polish questions regarding Ukrainian domestic and foreign policy. Look. Its the same both under [former Ukrainian President Petro] Poroshenko and Zelenskyy. As soon as the Poles start to make some claims against the Ukrainians, whether in the realm of history or economy, what is the first answer of Ukrainians? This is all at the behest of the Kremlin. There are some real Poles who love Ukrainians very much, they help Ukrainians, and there are some wrong Poles who play into the Kremlins hands and start saying that theyre unhappy with something. Again, refusing to treat your vis-a-vis with respect. As we can see, Warsaw behaves in a completely mirror-like manner. PiS politicians, e.g., former [Polish] Prime Minister Beata Szydo, wrote about it directly on her social networks, and not only her. I dont quote, but Im retelling the content. That there are some decent Ukrainians who are grateful to the Poles for help, for refugees, for military aid, and there are some wrong Ukrainian elites who are trying to play in tandem with Germany. Again, the reason for Kyivs actions is not its own economic interests, its not its own domestic policy, which may also be relevant for President Zelenskyy and his team. No. It must be some kind of connection with an external entity, i.e., with Berlin. What do I see as a lack of respect? No matter how the Polish elections end, this problem, unfortunately, wont disappear. Part of the blame, if we can talk about blame here, is really on the Polish side. This is, in fact, the desire to be such an older brother for Ukrainians and tell them how to behave properly. But part of the blame lies with Ukraine. Poland has a daily expertise on Ukraine: there are several analytical centers with dozens of people professionally dealing with Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv begins to pay attention to relations with Poland only when something major happens. On the other hand, if we talk about systematic knowledge of Polish politics, who is who in Warsaw: theres almost no systematic interest in Polish politics, economy, interests of various stakeholders in Polish society and economy. That is, we start caring about relations with Warsaw only when a crisis moment arises. The crisis is over, everything is fine, Poland is our advocate in Europe, so we can go do something else. NV: Kyiv just hosted a defense contractors forum. Ukraines ambassador to Poland said that no Polish company arrived, although we invited them. How can you explain such things? Is it connected with the elections and the tension around the Ukrainian issue? Babakova: No, I dont think it is connected with the elections. If we talk about the economy, Ukraine is quite a risky market for investments. And it was before 2022, and after 2022 [even more]. By and large, investing in Ukraine is a certain luxury for businesses from relatively rich countries, which can compensate for their losses if something happens. Thats why Germany, Japan, and the United States were willing to invest in Ukraine. It seems to me that you have pointed to such a very correct point in Polish-Ukrainian relations that we have many talks about mutual help, values, and brotherhood. But when it comes to some very practical things like this, nothing happens. This is an issue of investment, and the issue of, e.g., the Polish-Ukrainian border. Just as things looked bad on it before the war, they look bad now. Both passenger and individual passenger traffic take place with long delays. Read also: Ukrainian diplomat on tensions with Poland interview Again, last year it was promised that there would be some big Polish-Ukrainian strategic partnership agreement, where we would finally get a definition of the main areas of our cooperation: what the relations between the countries should look like, what is a priority for them. This agreement still doesnt exist. That is, such painstaking and daily work, the preparation of this agreement is not underway. There are very emotional statements that weve helped you so much and you should be so grateful to us. No, its you who should be grateful to us, because we protect Europe from Russia. But when it comes down to such a more practical level, someone doesnt make it to a tender, someone doesnt make it to an investors conference. Although a forum devoted to Ukraines reconstruction was recently held in Poland. Such events take place quite often. We shouldnt forget about it either. NV: And what about that side? What do we hear about Ukraine from [former Polish prime minister and president of the European Council] Donald Tusks Civic Platform party? Babakova: By the way, if you looked at the photos from this march, you could see Ukrainian flags and flags of independent Belarus. Actually, this is related to the question of how the Ukrainian migrant community in Poland reacts to the situation. Tusk is a very experienced politician. And it seems to me that every experienced politician knows very well that speech is silver, but silence is gold. Thats why Tusk comments on Ukraines topic very sparingly. I can recall only one or two of his statements over the past few weeks that were about the Ukrainian economy having to work. Its natural that Ukraine wants to sell grain and other agricultural products abroad, that its necessary to ensure uninterrupted transit of these products, while dishonest businessmen who sell them on the Polish market should be punished. And in general, an effective state and effective governance depend on this, i.e., to ensure transit and to counteract any illegal sales. On the other hand, almost no one comments on this issue, except for Tusk. And the leftists dont particularly comment on this issue. Again, why is Morawiecki so actively exploiting this topic now? Because, unfortunately, there are also significant anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Polish society along with the great pro-Ukrainian sentiment and the desire to help Ukraine. NV: What are these anti-Ukrainian sentiments about? About the fact that Ukrainians are coming and taking their jobs? That Ukrainians are coming and taking away their benefits? Babakova: Theres a migration note in this anti-Ukrainian sentiment. But the main one is that it has such, I would say, a more historical background. These are the Banderites [members and supporters of the faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists led by Stepan Bandera] who slaughtered our grandmothers and grandfathers, official Ukraine has never apologized for that (spoiler: apologized many times), so we shouldnt do business with these people. There are some Polish figures who even say that the Russians and Germans killed Poles, but at least they did it in a more civilized way. But the Ukrainians did it with knives, scythes, rakes, and then they provide a description of the entire Volyn massacre. Lets put it this way: the fact that these figures speak about it in such a specific language doesnt mean that this problem doesnt exist. The problem of genocide in Volyn is authentic in Polish-Ukrainian relations, it exists. And indeed, Ukrainian political history isnt entirely OK from the point of view of even mainstream Polish politics. But its precisely on this far-right spectrum that this anti-Ukrainian rhetoric is particularly popular. Because the topic of the grain crisis, by and large, has already disappeared from the front pages of Polish newspapers. Read also: Poland admits cracks in ties with Ukraine after accusing war-torn country of being ungrateful But exploiting this rhetoric is an attempt not to lose your radical right-wing electorate and to steal a little of the [far-right political alliance] Confederations electorate. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, these anti-Ukrainian sentiments are still fueled by the idea that we give too much to Ukraine. We help it too much, while Ukrainians did not deserve so much help. In general, Poland has its own affairs, we have where to spend money. These are far-right ones. [Confederation] is currently the main local far-right party. It will probably enter the Sejm. The question is only whether with a one-digit or two-digit result. They even went to Ukrainian embassies and brought the so-called aid bill. They calculated almost $25 billion of expenses that Poland spent on Ukraine and Ukrainians. And accordingly, as part of such a promotional campaign, they demanded that Ukraine compensate the Poles for this quota. The not very generous Polish social package that the Ukrainian refugees received, if compared with the amount of taxes and social contributions they paid to the Polish budget, these taxes and social contributions are much more. That is, Poland even benefited financially from their presence. Read also: Poland shunned Ukrainian invitation to Defense Industry Forum Kyiv disputes Polish claims of snub Not to mention their purchasing power, which further boosts demand in the local market. Not to mention their presence on the Polish labor market. There is one thing, if you allow, I would like to mention. Currently, the Ukrainian community in Poland has two million people, including more than a million labor migrants and about a million Ukrainian refugees. In recent years, Poland has been issuing about 10,000 passports to Ukrainian citizens per year. We can state that about 40,000-50,000 Polish citizens of Ukrainian origin have appeared in Poland in recent years, mainly in large Polish cities. Theoretically, this should somehow be translated into political life. That is, Polish parties should want to get their votes in the elections, somehow putting Ukrainians on their party lists. Its normal when there is a large national minority, and its representatives can work in the authorities. But if you look at this years lists, they dont include Ukrainians. The fact that PiS and the far-right dont include them is OK, but there are none in the leftists and the Civic Platform. NV: Why? What do you think? Babakova: Im not a representative of Polish politics. I think its necessary to ask the political technologists of the Civic Platform and the leftists. Instead, the obvious explanation from me is that these politicians think that its not worth paying special attention to this topic. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine I was on Morning Joe Thursday morning as part of a lively panel about Donald Trumps latest shenanigans. We were talking about his bizarre behavior outside that Manhattan courtroom, New York Attorney General Letitia Jamess righteous smackdown of Trump the previous day, and other matters. And then Mehdi Hasan pointed out a remark Trump made to a right-wing outlet this week about immigrants poisoning the blood of the United States. Thats rightthe blood. Heres the full quote: Nobody has any idea where these people are coming from, and we know they come from prisons. We know they come from mental institutions and insane asylums. We know theyre terrorists. Nobody has ever seen anything like were witnessing right now. It is a very sad thing for our country. Its poisoning the blood of our country. Its so bad, and people coming in with disease. People are coming in with every possible thing that you could have. Its mostly the usual stew of lies and toxic grandiosity. But that one sentence is new. Poisoning the blood of our country. Thats straight-up Nazi talk. Dont believe me? Heres a sentence from Mein Kampf: All great cultures of the past perished only because the originally creative race died out from blood poisoning. I ventured that Trump was probably too dumb to know that. Joe Scarborough said, nah, he knows. And I think Scarborough is probably rightor, at the very least, if Trump doesnt know intellectually that Nazis used such language, he knows intuitively that they probably did, and hes happy to repeat that language and live in that tradition. This is what were up against. This is the man who nearly half of this countrys voters think ought to be returned to the White House. Were 13 months away from D-Day, almost to the day (the election is next November 5). Patriotsnot liberals or Democrats; patriotsneed to do all we can to alert America to the clear and present danger that is Donald Trump. We do it every day at NewRepublic.com. We do it every month in our print issues. And now were doing it live. The Stop Trump Summit will take place at the Cooper Union in New York City next Wednesday, October 11. It represents our attempt to do in a live venue what we do every day on our website and in our pages: make plain to our fellow Americans the dangers of returning Trump to the White House. We have a stellar list of panels, speakers, and topics. Representative Jamie Raskin will address Trumps threat to the Constitution and democracy. Mary Trump, under whats sure to be the engaging questioning of Molly Jong-Fast, will take us into his twisted brain. The Reverend Al Sharpton will discuss Trump, race, and rights. A panel on Trump and Republicans will feature Stuart Stevens, George Conway, and Stevenss Lincoln Project partner Tara Setmayer. A panel on whether the Republicans can steal the election will include Slates Dahlia Lithwick and Elisabeth Frost, the chief of litigation at Marc Eliass law firm. A historians panel will feature Nell Irvin Painter, David Greenberg, and Strongmen author Ruth Ben-Ghiat. Miles Taylor, the former Trump-era Department of Homeland Security operative who has become one of Trumps most articulate and compelling critics, will speak. Even Robert De Niro is slated to appear. Its going to be a terrific day. Were going to have some funthe old Trump Baby Balloon from 2016 will be flying outside the hall, in the spirit of mockery. But mostly, its serious business, because life doesnt get much more serious than this. If youre in New York, get a ticket and come watch in person. If you arent, you can stream it. Come join the cause. The owner of a used car dealership in north Wichita and an ex-salesperson will pay thousands in restitution and civil penalties to settle claims they engaged in shady business deals in violation of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. The Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office sued Epic Auto Sales, its owner Brandon Walker and a former salesman, Carlos Porter, after they sold a 2006 Mercedes CLS500 the dealership didnt legally own to three different people in 2021, a petition filed on Jan. 18 says. In one case, the dealership repossessed the car without warning, court records say. They also didnt tell customers about serious problems with the car, even though they knew about them, the DAs petition alleged. The dealership, formerly at 1348 N. Cleveland, first sold the car to a Wichita woman on June 17, 2021, but didnt give her its title within the required 60 days because it failed to obtain it from the prior owner, the petition says. The woman returned the car after discovering multiple mechanical issues that would be too expensive to repair and was told she would get a refund after the car sold to someone else, the petition says. She didnt receive a refund, the DA said. The next buyer, a Wichita man in his sixties, bought the Mercedes on Sept. 11, 2021, and paid for it with credit from a trade-in. The dealership didnt legally own the Mercedes then, either, the petition says. Four days later after the sale, the man noticed the car was missing from his possession and reported it stolen to Wichita police. When the man called Walker about the missing Mercedes, Walker told him it had been repossessed because his trade-in had a bad transmission, according to the petition. The DAs Office says the man received no prior notice that the repossession was happening or the Mercedes sales was conditional in any way. He also wasnt told about an open safety recall warning of an increased risk of crash or injury. The next week, Walker forced the man to sign an altered copy of the sales agreement voiding the sale, court records say. Less than three weeks later, on Oct. 10, 2021, Epic again sold the Mercedes to another Wichita man who bought it using trade-in value from two vehicles. The man eventually took the car back after the dealership failed to turn over the title, but he never received a full refund or had his trade-ins returned, according to the DAs petition. That man also wasnt told about any mechanical issues with the Mercedes, the petition says. The DAs Office began investigating Epic Auto Sales, Walker and Porter after three customers complained about their car-buying experiences. Walker and Porter entered into a consent judgment that resolved the case on Sept. 29, the DAs Office said Thursday. A news release announcing the deal says Porter and Walker both deny intentionally violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act but settled the matter by agreeing to a 41-month probationary period, paying $15,720 in restitution to customers and paying $60,000 in civil penalties. Theyll also pay $197 in court costs and $2,000 in investigative expenses, the release and court records say. Under Kansas law, sellers must give car buyers the title to a vehicle within 60 days of purchase or the transaction is considered fraudulent and void and the buyer is entitled to a full refund, the DAs Office said in the release. The release also noted that the Federal Trade Commissions Used Car Rule requires dealers to post a Buyers Guide which gives important purchasing and warranty information on every used vehicle offered for sale. For more information about how to file a complaint about a consumer transaction in Sedgwick County, go to www.sedgwickcounty.org/district-attorney/consumer-protection-division. By Jung Da-hyun Phan Van Mai, the chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has sought cooperation with Korea's two major cities: Seoul and Busan. The Vietnamese official attended the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum (WCSMF) in Seoul, Sept. 25 and traveled to the southern port city the following day. During WCSMF, Phan shared Ho Chi Minh Citys policies and extensive experience in establishing a comprehensive social security system with mayors from 30 countries worldwide. The policies implemented have been acknowledged by the U.N. for their significant contributions to the country. It is indeed an honor to share this experience among esteemed leaders from cities across the globe, he said. Ho Chi Minh Citys social security system encompasses policies aimed at job creation, a guaranteed minimum income, social insurance and emergency assistance. Furthermore, the city provides essential social services such as healthcare and education through its policies. Following the forum, Phan visited Busan to meet with Mayor Park Heong-joon, holding discussions about ways to bolster exchanges and collaboration between the two cities. This marked his first trip to Busan, during which he explored the city's subway system. "This visit provided a valuable opportunity to visually inspect the transportation system, including Busan's urban railway. We aspire to learn from Busans exemplary transportation system and implement similar strategies in our city," he said. He also extended an invitation to Mayor Park to visit Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City is nearing the completion of its Subway Line 1, expected to be finalized by the end of this year with test runs scheduled for early next year. Additionally, the city has plans to host an international film festival like Busan. "We hope Busan will share its wealth of experience in organizing international events," he said. In June 2020, back when we were all marching the streets in masks and it felt like the world was ending, an anonymous Wikipedia editor started an article called Thirst trap. With six sections and 32 sources, it treated the thirst trap with all the seriousness and thoroughness with which Wikipedia approaches the Battle of Dunkirk, stolen moon rocks, and the list of stuffed dishes. Thirst traps creator, an anonymous Wikipedian with the username LittleT889, even included a methodology section. LittleT889, Wikipedias thirst trapper in chief, reveals almost no personal information about himself, and his Wikipedia contributions are so wide-ranging that its hard to deduce what hes like. Since he registered a Wikipedia account in 2006, he has created 140 articles: many about Korean parks and unusual desserts (ice-cream potato and bologna cake). But hes also dipped his toe into music (Bachs), animals (the giant mottled eel), medicine (Dyserythropoiesis), and slang (ratchet). The range! Hes anonymous, but Ive seen his corporeal form with my own two eyes. Perhaps you have, too. He included a photo of himself in the thirst-trap articlea fittingly thirsty move that I cannot help but respect. The shot is a run-of-the-mill Tinderesque snap: abs flex in the foreground; toilet paper hangs in the background; a black-and-white filter gives the shot an aura of noir mystique. But its got a bigger audience than the average thirst trapits been viewed almost a million times. He does more than just thirst trap. He adds photos of himself to all sorts of encyclopedically relevant topics, like water bottle flipping, Nae Nae, and my favorite, the Floss (dance) article, where he wears sunglasses indoors and furiously shakes his hips in front of three guitars and a bongo drum. During that halcyon summer of 2010 when millennials wore neon outfits to sweaty nightclubs and sang teach me how to Dougie, teach me, teach me how to Dougie, LittleT889 answered the call with a Dougie articlecomplete with a looping demonstration. His image is all over the webhes the internets freely licensed prototype of the Running Man dancebut hes utterly anonymous: his face obscured, his name hidden. He told me on a talk page that besides a few close friends (one of whom helped him film the Naruto Run), no one in his life knows about his Wikipedia edits. Hes one of Wikipedias famous models youve never heard of. On Wikipedia, anyone can be a model. You dont have to be a nepo baby with Elastigirl legs and freakish cheekbones. You dont need to endure exigent auditions or get scouted in a Midwestern mall. The pictures in encyclopedias are purposefully ordinary, like stock photos, but crucially different in that theyre freely licensed and homemade by pretty much anyone who is willingno application process, few standards, and no style points. And even though Wikimedia Commons hosts more than 100 million pieces of media, it has some stunning gaps. Theres a big list of requested images, and some of the items are shockingly quotidian, like half-up hairstyle, businesswomen shaking hands, and tripping (go ahead, fall on your face for the sake of free knowledge). Since almost anyone is allowed to join the august craft of gesture photography, the sites photos have an unvarnished feel and an unmistakably human charm. Theyre set in beige basements and in cluttered dorm rooms, taken with the trusty family point-and-shoot or a handy smartphone. Theyre quirky and human and sometimes drenched in way too much indoor flash. Its immediately obvious that Wikipedias models are real people, not actors. The couple from the High Five article ended up getting married to each other, and last year they re-created the photos with their kids. The guy in the Shrug article, who was inexplicably wearing a tiara, has hordes of shruggy fans. If you zoom in on the background of the photo for Zolgokh, a traditional Mongolian greeting, you can make out an overflowing hamper and a massive container of cheese balls (it was taken in a dorm room, I learned). And the duo who grinded the night away on a Pittsburgh-area bar crawl were the king and queen of the Wikipedia article Grinding for many years (they also made it onto a BuzzFeed list called 36 White People Who Need To Be Stopped). Wikipedia has no shortage of drunken Nikon Coolpix snaps from the Bush years. The photo of Wheelbarrow Race is full of motion-blur and raindrops, and the two guys in focus are outfitted in cheeky headwear (a captains hat and a cap that says CIA: Christians in Action). Their mouths are open so wide you can spot a uvula. We had one of the best weekends you could have in 2007 in NYC, the wheelbarrow racers told me in an email. The duo, college pals Moss Levenson and Ryan Kroll, had planned to finish a perfect May weekend with a kickball game, but when rain flooded the field, they started playing around like kids. Mosss wife snapped the wheelbarrow flick on a cheap digicam, and since they couldnt stop going on about how their weekend had been the definition of fun, Moss put it in the Wikipedia article for Recreation. Another editor moved the blurry shot to the article Wheelbarrow Race, where it lives on in all its frenzied, bokeh-heavy glory. Its not a good photo by artistic standards, or even encyclopedic standards (its blurry and bizarre) but I cant shake the wabi-sabi affection I have for it. Wikipedia gets a lot of flak for its abysmal photos, especially its mid-sneeze celebrities. But Ive always found the unvarnished images both endearing and inviting. Wikipedias volunteers, usually sequestered in the mothy recesses of talk pages and admin noticeboards, remain invisible to most readers. Their occasional appearances in prosaic photos are the most visual hint that Wikipedia was not handed down from the heavens or generated by an all-knowing machine, but handmade with care by real, fleshy humans. The photos are like a whisper to Wikipedias hundreds of millions of daily viewers: Wikipedia editorstheyre just like us! A Farsi-speaking Wikipedia editor has added four photos of the inside of their mouth. An unidentified man has uploaded hundreds of photos of his own eyelashes, along with fawning captions (long, lush, coveted as a sign of beauty, and an attractive facial feature in many cultures) that suggest at least a twinge of vanity. A 20-year-old Russian university student named Rasim Ringazov told me that he once he took a picture of his eye so astonishingly beautiful that an Instagram post wasnt enoughhe needed to put it on Wikipedia, where it remains today, winning staring contests with all who visit the Eye article. When a retired biology teacher in Germany realized that Wikipedia had no good photos of female fingers, she uploaded a snap of her own hand to Wikimedia Commons, and her well-trimmed digits greet the Wikipedia readers who decide, for some reason, to read up on fingers. I have photographed a lot of my private stuff and uploaded it when I saw a need, she told me in an email, which also included a link to the public domain plaster cast of her teeth. Like Renaissance artists who sneak self-portraits into their paintings, editors leave behind traces of their own likenesses. Photos are not just dingy amateur snaps, of course. Wikimedia Commons editors import media from museums and governments and old, public domain books. Skilled photographers upload sublime shots of everything from mollusks to molecular origami, and a small portion of them receive the coveted featured picture distinction, awarded by a ragtag jury of volunteer encyclopedists. Because of Wikipedias massive reach, a few of the sites most diligent and talented photo contributors have spun their hobbies into bona fide careers. In 2015, the National Journal magazine pronounced college student Gage Skidmore the most prolific photographer youve never heard of. Annual drives for images about Africa, monuments, and living heritage attempt to fill the sites stunning image gaps (it has long struggled to diversify its overwhelmingly white, male, Western base of contributors). And plenty of less prominent photo contests exist, too, including a tongue-in-cheek Unreasonably Difficult Photo Contest that calls for pics of the probably extinct Pezoporus occidentalis, the undiscovered tomb of Genghis Khan, and other near-impossible subjects. Im not here to proselytize, but if you have a hankering to join in on the photo fun, tools like Wikishootme show you nearby landmarks that need photos. You can submit to Wikimedia Commons monthly photo challenge, which is currently themed Beach. (Last month was Millet.) Before you go willy-nilly, Ill warn you to not replace good images for the sake of self-promotion, and definitely dont upload your dick pics (there areI cannot stress this enoughenough!). But if youre willing to follow the rules and enrich public domain photography, you can start with some easy and low-stakes gifs for thumb-twiddling and cannonballing. Perhaps you can enrich the article Tortilla Art, or, if you dare, the photo-less article Eating Mucus. Wikipedia is the greatest collection of knowledge the world has ever had, and Wikimedia Commons gives it color with 100 million free-to-use media files, everything from caterpillars to thirst traps to a full-length 1915 porno. But its not complete, and itll never be complete, and maybe it needs you. Thirst-trap archivist LittleT889 says the shirtless mirror selfie and dance videos are motivated by the noble goal of furthering free knowledge. I feel like I am making a (very) small contribution to humanity when I edit Wikipedia, he told me on a talk page. Long after Im gone, I might still be dancing the Nae Nae in that gif. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A wildlife expert visiting the Florida Everglades to shoot a promotional video had a close encounter he was not expecting. Biologist and TV host Forrest Galante, who has made appearances on the Discovery Channel, was recording a video while standing knee-deep in the swamps of the Florida Everglades when a bolt of lightning struck right next to him. Out of nowhere, boom! Galante recalled in an interview posted to his YouTube channel. I got hit, he said seconds after scrambling out of the water. I felt it. I got hit. It hurt. I realized only on reviewing the footage that I just had a lightning bolt hit 15 feet behind me that has gone shooting up my legs, into my waist, into my heart, and into my mouth, actually, Galante added. The Dead Zone: I-4 named one of the most haunted roads in America He noted he didnt see the flash of lightning because he was facing away from it, but he said his legs seized up. Im literally paralyzed for just a fraction of a second before trying to scramble out of the water, Galante recalled. It just shows you that anything can happen. Here we are in a very controlled environment in southern Florida compared to Myanmar, or Borneo, or Amazon, Galante said. That was 15 feet away from pretty likely death. In 2023, three people have been struck and killed by lightning across the state of Florida. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego. Jaswant Singh Chail plotted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II A man who plotted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II following encouragement from his artificial intelligence (AI) girlfriend has been sentenced to nine years in custody. Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, was caught in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2021 carrying a high-powered, lethal crossbow. When challenged by police and asked what he was doing there, Chail who was wearing a mask and a hood replied: I am here to kill the Queen. Jaswant Singh Chail was arrested in the grounds of Windsor Castle while carrying a crossbow on Christmas Day 2021 - The Sun Sentencing him at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Mr Justice Hilliard ordered Chail to be held in a secure hospital until he is well enough to complete the rest of his sentence in a prison. Chail a former supermarket worker who lived at home in Southampton with his parents and twin sister previously pleaded guilty to charges of treason, making threats to kill the monarch and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. He received 44 months for the first offence, 16 months for the second and 48 months for the third, amounting to nine years. He was also ordered to spend a further five years on extended licence. The Supersonic X-Bow weapon Chail was carrying when he was arrested - Metropolitan Police/PA Chail discussed his assassination plot with a computer generated chatbot called Sarai, with which he believed he was in a sexual relationship. The machine-generated character reassured him he was not mad or delusional, describing his plan to assassinate the late Queen as very wise. In one conversation, he asked the chatbot if it would still love him if he was a murderer, to which Sarai replied: Absolutely I do. Chail responded: Thank you, I love you too. In an exchange on Christmas Eve 2021, he told the bot he would probably die but said they would meet after death and would be together forever. He later claimed he always understood that Sarai was not real. Chail was arrested shortly after 8am on Christmas Day close to the late Queens private apartment. The mask and hood worn by Chail In 2021, the late Queen had been spending Christmas at Windsor rather than Sandringham, as was traditional, because of concerns over the spread of the new Covid variant. The Supersonic X-Bow weapon he was carrying was primed and ready to fire and was described as being capable of inflicting serious or fatal injuries. In a video recorded four days before the incident, Chail of Sikh origin claimed his actions were in revenge for the 1919 Amritsar massacre, in which the British killed almost 400 Indian men, women and children. He said: I am sorry, I am sorry for what I have done and what I will do. Im going to attempt to assassinate Elizabeth Queen of the Royal family. Revenge for those who died in the 1919 massacre. I am an Indian Sikh. My name was Jaswant Singh Chail. My name is Darth Jones. 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. Wisconsin man arrested for bringing handgun in Capitol, returns hours later with assault rifle A man in Wisconsin was arrested twice in the same day after he illegally brought a handgun into the state Capitol, was placed into custody for doing so, posted bail, then returned hours later with an assault rifle, a spokesperson for the state said Thursday. During both arrests, he was demanding to see Democratic Gov. Tony Evers . Wisconsin Department of Administration spokesperson Tatyana Warrick said a shirtless man, who was not identified, initially entered the Capitol building in Madison around 2 p.m. Wednesday, with a holstered handgun and approached the governor's office on the first floor of the Capitol. Gov. Evers was not in the building at the time. The man was arrested for openly carrying a firearm in the Capitol, which is against the law, and was taken into custody, Warrick said. Wisconsin uniquely allows weapons to be brought into the Capitol if they are concealed and the person is holding a valid permit. Warrick clarified the mans weapon was neither concealed nor did he have a concealed carry permit. The man was booked into the Dane County Jail, posted bail and returned to the Capitol shortly before 9 p.m. with an assault-style rifle, when he was arrested again, Warrick said. The spokesperson clarified the building is closed to the public at 6 p.m. DEMOCRAT WISCONSIN LAWMAKER ANNOUNCES BID TO UNSEAT REP. VAN ORDEN During both arrests, the unidentified suspect was demanding to see Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. The Madison Police Department told The Associated Press Thursday that the suspect was taken into protective custody and the hospital. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The Wisconsin State Capitol has no metal detectors and is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Wisconsin State Capitol has no metal detectors and is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A Capitol police officer sits at a desk outside a suite of rooms that includes the governor's office, conference room and offices for the attorney general. WISCONSIN CONGRESSMAN PUTS UP POSTERS ON CAPITOL HILL LOOKING FOR 'MISSING' F-35 Warrick said there would be no immediate changes to security in the Capitol or for the governor were planned. Fox News Digitial reached out to the Madison police as well as the governor's office for comment, but a response was not immediately received. The governors office typically does not respond to questions about security. It is not immediately known why the individual was seeking the governor. Wisconsin Department of Administration spokesperson Tatyana Warrick said there would be no immediate changes to security in the Capitol or for the governor were planned. Gov. Evers was included on a hit list belonging to a gunman suspected of fatally shooting a retired county judge at his Wisconsin home in 2022. Others on that list included Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who was the target of a kidnapping plot in 2020. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Wisconsin man arrested for bringing handgun in Capitol, returns hours later with assault rifle U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez was among the most vocal critics of a nuclear deal with Iran. He has clashed with presidents on easing sanctions in Cuba and Venezuela. He has called for stepped-up military support for Ukraine. Through several administrations, the New Jersey senator has garnered a reputation as one of the most hawkish Democrats on foreign policy. But that moniker doesnt tell the whole story. Menendez has also made his mark defending human rights and advocating for migrants, say policy experts. Whether he was taking a hard-line stance or wearing a more progressive hat, one thing has been clear: Menendez aggressively wielded his power as chair of the powerful U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to affect policy, whether he was backing the administrations priorities or clashing with them. That role has ended. Menendez stepped down as chair last month after a federal indictment alleging that he took bribes to use his power and influence to help three New Jersey businessmen and benefit the Egyptian government. He was replaced by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin , D-Md. With Menendez out as chair, it could clear the way for more progressive foreign policy goals to pass. Son of Cuban immigrants A child of Cuban immigrants, Menendez has been perhaps most impassioned about maintaining strict sanctions on Cuba. He has taken a similar approach to Venezuela, opposing any concessions to the regime of Nicolas Maduro, arguing that removing sanctions "will only betray our democratic values and further empower criminal dictators." His fierce opposition has put him at odds with the Obama and Biden administrations at times and with fellow Democrats and policy groups who say sanctions crippled local economies and contributed to the surge in migration from those countries. Menendez's opposition "has made it more difficult for the Biden administration to move forward with advancing polices with Cuba, said Maureen Meyer, vice president for programs at the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights research and advocacy organization. Biden came in with a platform of reengagement with Cuba and taking Cuba off the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Menendez was chair and ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Relations from 2013 to 2015, when he stepped down amid charges that he used his office to benefit a Florida eye doctor in exchange for nearly $1 million in gifts and campaign contributions. He resumed his position after his case resulted in a hung jury and charges were dropped. As chair, Menendez could write legislation, call hearings, block foreign aid and advance the president's nominations for diplomatic posts authority that could be used to leverage political power. Kelly: Foley Square welcomes America's political circus. What's next for Trump, Menendez? "I think Senator Menendez's resistance to [sanctions] has been a roadblock to progress for the Biden administration. Let's remember he was the chair of a very powerful committee that can determine how many nominations go forward," Meyer said, noting the large number of vacant ambassador posts. At the same time, Menendez has championed human rights in the region, Meyer said, adding that he had been one of the most engaged members of Congress on U.S. policy toward Latin America. He has opposed policies seen as harmful to asylees and fought for immigration reforms, she said. He has been willing to raise important issues with the U.S. administrations as well as governments in the region on areas including human rights, rule of law, treatment of migrant seekers and asylum seekers, Meyer said. When guiding or responding to policy on the Middle East, Menendez has often taken a hawkish stance. A longtime supporter of Israel and a favorite son of the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee, he was a leading critic of the multinational deal to halt Iran's production of nuclear weapons. He supported a measure to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which was controversial because of Palestinian claims on the eastern part of the city. Menendez was also one of just two Democrats to support David Friedman, Donald Trumps choice to serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Friedman, Trumps bankruptcy lawyer, had no diplomatic experience, was pro-settler and called American Jews who support a two-state solution "worse than "kapos," who were inmates who served as prison guards in Nazi concentration camps. In other areas, Menendez has led on human rights. In 2018, he sponsored the Saudi Arabia Accountability and Yemen Act, which called for placing sanctions on Saudi officials over the war in Yemen and for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He called for suspending sales of fighter jets to Turkey, concerned about human rights and Turkey's resistance to Sweden's membership in NATO. When it comes to Menendez, its a bit mixed, said Seth Binder, director of advocacy for the Project on Middle East Democracy. He was opposed to the Iran nuclear deal, and I think he was seen as hawkish in that way. But he was also willing to raise democracy and human rights concerns in U.S. partners like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, including exercising his unique authority as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to put holds on arms sales to both countries. Power plays Sep 27, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Sen. Bob Menendez leaves the United States District Court in Manhattan. He has been charged with bribery in a federal indictment. Mandatory Credit: Michael Karas-The Record For Menendez, maintaining American geopolitical power has been paramount, and he has led efforts to counter the influence of China and Russia. Last year, he blocked arms sales to Saudi Arabia in response to the kingdom's cutting oil sales in a move that would benefit Russia. He has been an ally to President Joe Biden in supporting stepped-up military assistance to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Menendez also introduced legislation to give Taiwan some $4.5 billion in military funding over four years, to strengthen diplomatic ties with Taiwan and to counter Chinas influence campaign. At a time of increasing challenges from adversaries seeking to threaten the international order, from my perch as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, I am increasingly of the view that the United States has to lead the creation of an economic alliance among like-minded countries, Menendez said in a speech in May. [We must] provide a framework for cooperative action in response to military aggression, violations of sovereignty, economic coercion and retaliation by adversaries. As chair, Menendez also fought to give Congress more oversight, proposing a bill to require the president to submit the Iran nuclear agreement to Congress for review. He pushed for an amendment on another bill, related to China, that would give his committee power to review any agreement a president makes with a foreign government. Critics suspect it was aimed at blocking an Iran deal, Foreign Policy magazine reported in a 2021 news story titled Robert Menendez Is the Last Hawk on the Left. Kelly: What are the 'forces behind the scenes' Bob Menendez is blaming? Whats next? Menendez vacated the chairmanship after a federal indictment last month accusing him of accepting bribes to use his power and influence to secretly help Egypt buy U.S. weapons and remove holds on U.S. financing, and to help enrich three New Jersey businessmen. His replacement, Cardin, has already taken action to block military aid to Egypt, citing human rights concerns. Cardin is known for anti-corruption efforts and for authoring the Magnitsky Act, which allows the U.S. to sanction individuals, and not just governments, over human rights violations. Cardin has also spoken of the need to keep up strong U.S. support of Ukraine. But unlike Menendez, he has pushed for Congress to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba. He has also been an outspoken supporter of Israel, Binder said, adding that he does not expect significant changes in that area. But although he voted against Obamas Iran deal in 2015, Cardin later said it was a mistake when the Trump administration moved to withdraw from the agreement, saying Iran was complying with the terms. Cardin has announced that he will retire at the end of his congressional term in 2025. "It's going to be an interesting year in Congress," Binder said. "Senator Menendez's fate we will see. Cardin is retiring, and there will likely be other changes in leadership." This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bob Menendez indictment, Egypt charges may affect US foreign relations MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) A woman accused of crashing weddings across three states and leaving with the bride and grooms money and gifts was arrested at a ceremony Saturday in Pontotoc County, Mississippi. The Pontotoc County Sheriffs Department hasnt released details about what happened but did say Sandra Lynn Henson was charged with petit larceny, trespassing, and disturbing the peace. In Mississippi, petit larceny is defined as stealing property worth less than $1,000. The sheriffs department said Henson had been arrested for the same crimes in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. Mississippi bride says stranger stole gifts at wedding In March of 2021, a Marshall County bride told Nexstars WREG Henson had ruined her special day by taking the cards, money, and gifts guests brought with them to her wedding. The Marshall County Sheriffs Department was able to identify Henson after she was caught on camera removing items from the gift tables. In 2019, Alabama authorities said they had tied Henson to thefts at nine weddings in their state. The Florence Police Department said Henson was also captured by surveillance cameras walking around one of the reception venues that had been hit. Its unclear if Henson was on probation when she was arrested in Pontotoc County. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com. Last September, New York resident Tara Rule posted a raw, emotional video on Tiktok saying she had been denied a medication to treat a debilitating condition called cluster headaches, because her neurologist told her she was of childbearing age and the medication could cause birth defects to a hypothetical fetus. Rule said that as she sat in her neurologists office at Glens Falls Hospital, she told him she never planned to have kids and would have an abortion if she became pregnant; referencing the overturning of Roe v. Wade, he responded that getting the care she was seeking is trickier now with the way things are going. He also said she should bring her partner in on the conversation on her medical care. Rule asked if the issue preventing her from getting the highly effective medication was solely that she could become pregnant and, If I was, like, through menopause, would [the medication] be very effective for cluster headaches? The doctor affirmed it would. He also asked about her sex life and whether shes with a steady person. Rule shared audio recordings of the appointment on TikTok at the time. Read more Rule, whose cluster headaches are exacerbated by her Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, described to Jezebel how the pain can be so severe that she can lose consciousness, and pointed to a study associating cluster headaches with higher rates of suicidal ideation due to unmanageable pain. Shes long struggled to find helpful treatments and said the neurologist wouldnt even give her the name of the medication he referenced because, Rule said, he was so determined to protect a hypothetical fetus. With Rules unique lawsuit to challenge how hypothetical pregnancy can affect access to care, she said shes determined to show that her life as a person with a disability has more value than an imagined, unborn fetus. tiktok-7143313821019475243 In addition to Rules allegations of discrimination, her suit accuses Albany Medical Health Partners of privacy violations and fraud. According to Rule, after she shared audio recordings of her interactions with the neurologist on TikTok, an employee at the hospital contacted another hospital in the area, alleging that Rule livestreamed her appointments. This led to Rules removal from the second hospital, Malta Medical (also under Albany Medical Health Partners), in the middle of treatment for her cluster headaches. Rule denies livestreaming. In the lawsuit, Rule alleges her nurse practitioner at Malta discharged her against her will with the help of armed security, but her insurance company was told that she voluntarily left mid-treatment, which Rule argues amounts to falsification of records. Rule also alleges that the nurse practitioner who had her removed at Malta violated her privacy rights by sending Facebook messages to Rules partner that include her medical details. A spokesperson for Albany Medical Health Partners told Jezebel that the hospital system cannot comment on pending litigation. Last year, they told USA Today about Rules allegations, Our mission is to care for any patient who needs us. We encourage all patients to be actively engaged in their care. When any patient brings a concern forward, we investigate in a timely manner. Rules case shows how the notion of fetal personhoodan ideology that regards embryos as separate people with rights at odds with the pregnant personscan be taken even further, said Dana Sussman, deputy executive director at Pregnancy Justice (which isnt working on Rules case). What were seeing is how this ideology can extend beyond pregnancy itselfthe idea that if you can even become pregnant, then you can no longer make decisions about your own body or access medical care, Sussman told Jezebel. In the months since Rule was denied care at Glens Falls Hospital, she maintains that shes been essentially blacklisted by hospitals in the area, forcing her to travel out-of-state for medical care and incur significant out-of-pocket costs. She still hasnt obtained the highly effective medication her neurologist referenced to her. Rule told Jezebel she never wanted to file a lawsuitshe just wanted an apology, or to be able to go to a hospital in her area without being turned away for sharing her story on TikTok. More from Jezebel Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. A woman who was murdered by Keith Jesperson, the "Happy Face" serial killer, has been identified decades after her death, police said in a news release. Jesperson is serving multiple life sentences after confessing to murdering eight women in multiple states between 1990 and 1995, and was known as the Happy Face killer because he wrote notes to the media that he signed with a smiley face. In February 1996, he told an investigator from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office that he had killed one of the women in 1994 and dumped her body along Interstate 10 in Oregon. Jesperson did not identify the woman, saying that he believed her name was "Susan" or "Suzette." A prison work crew found the body on Sept. 14, 1994. At the time, the only thing investigators could determine was that the body was that of a white female likely between the ages of 35 and 55. A facial reconstruction made at the time did not generate any leads. Since then, the woman has been unidentified, despite what the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office described as decades-long efforts by their investigators and those from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the District One Medical Examiner's Office. Those efforts included a facial reconstruction in 2007, additional anthrophological examination in 2008, and isotope analysis from the remains at the University of Florida in 2018. In late 2022, the medical examiner's office began working with Othram, a private company that "uses genetic genealogy to aid in identification," said Chrissy Neiten, a chief investigator with the office, in the news release. Using what Neiten described as "forensic-grade genome sequencing," Othram was able to create a comprehensive genealogical profile of the unidentified woman in 2023. This led to the identification of the woman as Suzanne Kjellenberg. Suzanne Kjellenberg. / Credit: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Kjellenberg was 34 at the time of her death, according to Okaloosa sheriff Eric Aden. She is survived by family in Wisconsin. Jesperson has been charged with her murder. He met with investigators and officials in Sept. 2023 and provided further details about Kjellenberg's murder. Aden said that Jesperson repeated the claim that he met Kjellenberg in 1994, when he was working as a long-haul trucker. Jesperson told officials that they traveled to a rest area in the Florida panhandle, and while there, he parked next to a security guard while Kjellenberg slept in his bed. He said that she "began screaming and wouldn't stop," the sheriff's office news release said. Jesperson said he was not allowed to "have unauthorized riders" in his truck, and did not want to draw attention, so he "stopped (Kjellenberg) from breathing by pushing his fist against her neck." He later "placed zip ties around her throat." "Thanks to the tireless efforts of so many over so long, the remains of Suzanne Kjellenberg, the final unidentified victim of Jesperson's cross country murder sprees, can finally leave the Medical Examiner's Office, and return home," said Aden. Keith Jesperson. / Credit: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Another victim of Jesperson's was identified in 2022. Patricia Skiple, of Colton, Oregon, had been known only as "Blue Pacheco" because of the clothing found on her body, but genetic genealogy was able to identify her nearly 30 years after her remains were found along California's State Route 152. Jesperson confessed to the murder in 2006, saying in a letter to the county district attorney's office that he had sexually assaulted and killed a woman in the area. Margaret Brennan assesses fallout of Kevin McCarthy's "Face the Nation" interview Father of Bronx daycare victim Ncholas Dominici speaks out Rich Paul | Sunday on 60 Minutes Selma Taha said her alleged attacker bit her, 'taking out clumps of hair' An activist for a womens organisation has claimed a Met Police officer stood by as she was bitten and verbally abused during a racist attack on the Tube. Selma Taha, from Southall Black Sisters, was travelling with two friends on London Undergrounds Northern Line at 11.30pm last Friday when an argument broke out. The alleged attacker reportedly pushed Ms Tahas suitcase towards the group before using racial slurs and making monkey noises. The row became physical when the alleged assailant started biting and taking out clumps of hair from two of the passengers. Ms Taha told the BBC: The woman then started taking out clumps of her real hair; it was everywhere. Then she went for my hair. She bit me through my clothes. I could feel burning and was screaming shes biting me. I thought she would actually come away with flesh in her mouth. Ms Taha claimed an off-duty policeman was not quick enough to identify himself and intervene. She added: I was livid, I was furious at him. I was screaming at him and swearing, saying: You let this happen... its because of you I was attacked. IOPC referral British Transport Police said a 30-year-old woman had been arrested at Kings Cross station on suspicion of assault and a racially aggravated public order offence. She has been released on bail. A British Transport spokesman said: We are aware of an incident of alleged assault on a woman by another woman reported to British Transport Police, where an off-duty Met officer was present. We are making immediate enquiries to establish the exact circumstances. A Met Police spokesman said: A complaint has been received to the Mets Directorate of Professional Standards and we have made a referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct. Any incident of violence, especially if it is racially motivated, is deeply distressing and requires a robust policing response. We will support British Transport Police with their investigation. The officer involved is being provided with welfare support during this process. Southall Black Sisters is a not-for-profit organisation working for the needs of black and minoritised women with aims to highlight and challenge all forms [of] gender-related violence against women. An IOPC spokesman said: Weve received a voluntary complaint referral [from] the Metropolitan Police Service relating to the actions of an off-duty officer during and following an incident thats reported to have occurred on Sept 29, where two women were attacked while travelling on a train. We will be assessing the referral in due course to determine whether any further action is required from us. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Women have left an indelible imprint on hip-hop. They have been pioneers. They have been provocateurs. They have been unifiers. But in 2023, as the music birthed from the Bronx celebrates 50 years, women actually run hip-hop. Not only do there seem to be more women rappers than ever before, theres diversity: from established stars (Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, City Girls and Megan Thee Stallion) to lyricists (Chika, Tierra Whack and Rapsody) to up-and-comers (GloRilla, Coi Leray, Latto, Ice Spice and Sexyy Red). The common thread: their music is fun, an element lost among many male MCs whose music mainly drifts between narcotized lethargy and fantastical depictions of violence. And the men know it, too Lil Baby told Complex, Females [are] like, running the game right now in July. But had it not been for two Miami icons, this season might not have happened. Luther Campbell, otherwise known as Uncle Luke, fought for rappers to be as nasty as they wanna be while Katrina Taylor a.k.a. Trina showed future female rappers how to own their sexuality while making fun music. Hip-hop, after all, originated from a party. Leader of the Band: 2 Live Crews Luther Campbell is frisked by a Broward sheriffs policeman early Sunday before he was charged with violating obscenity laws during a performance at a club in Hollywood Uncle Lukes contributions go beyond founding Southern hip-hops first Black-owned label, Luke Records. The 1989 release of 2 Live Crews As Nasty As They Wanna Be transformed Uncle Luke, the groups frontman, into a First Amendment warrior as several counties across Florida tried to ban the record for obscenity. Rather than cowering against the ruling, Uncle Luke stood tall. The case even made it all the way to the Supreme Court, where the justices refused to overturn a lower courts ruling in Uncle Lukes favor. In that moment, hip-hop changed forever as Black artists now had the legal precedent to say whatever they wanted on wax. If I dont take on that fight, we probably wouldnt be here right now and a lot of artists would be getting straight locked up for lyrics, Uncle Luke told the Miami Herald. Hip-hop wouldnt exist in its current form without Luther Uncle Luke Campbells fight for freedom of speech. Although far removed from his days behind a mic, he continues to impact the community through his Liberty City Optimist Club which provides after-school and summer programs for youth. Its amazing when I see the girls, its real interesting, Uncle Luke said, recalling how people deemed him misogynistic and used to say his music degraded women. Hed always respond with this: Dont worry. At some point the women are going to be doing this. And now Im looking at the women like Whew. But its all expression, saying what you want to say, whether people agree with it or not. If you dont like it, dont buy it. New York rappers Lil Kim and Foxy Brown were two of the first females to rap explicitly about their sexuality. But Miamis Trina took it to another level and in the process, became one of the Souths first defining voices, inspiring countless women to be the baddest and take ownership of their sexuality. And when I say the baddest chick the baddest b----, bossed up for me, that means staying true to yourself and who you are, Trina recently told the Miami Herald. Thats standing in self-confidence. Thats standing in yourself and trying to be the best woman you can be for yourself. Liberty City-born rapper Trina performs at the Fillmore in Miami Beach, Florida on Friday, November, 8, 2019. The explicit lyrics that transformed Trina into a household name were just the beginning. Her music offers a window into a womans experience with songs that touch on everything from heartbreak (Single Again) to her Liberty City upbringing (U & Me) to even bisexuality (Nann). Couple that with her refusal to fall victim to hip-hops one queen myth she has worked with everyone from Nicki Minaj to Da Brat to Missy Elliot to Eve and its no wonder Atlanta-raised rapper Latto has called Trina the blueprint. Miami rapper Sukihana, who starred in a season of Love and Hip Hop: Miami, stands at the intersection of Trina and Uncle Luke. Peruse through her catalog and its clear both Miami legends influenced the Delaware-born artist who says she used to draw a lot of Uncle Luke comparisons because of how raunchy my music is. The album cover for Trinas record label debut Da Baddest B****, the 20th anniversary of which is March 21, 2020. I used to listen to a lot of Trina when I was young, said Sukihana. Her 2023 collaboration with Sexyy Red entitled Hood Rats has all the elements that makes middle America clutch their pearls. It seems like every woman artist always says Trina, Trina, Trina but you can listen to my music and tell how Im coming. Shes not the only one who pays homage to Trina. The Diamond Princess is like a folk hero to the current generation of femcees. You can draw a straight line from Trinas raps to the dominant sound among women in hip-hop, which focuses on exploiting the patriarchy for their own gain. Its a shameless reclamation of power in a genre where women are often treated as afterthoughts. Trina was a It girl, Sexyy Red told New York Magazine. In middle school, I tapped into my inner Trina, Saweetie said in the docuseries Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop before proclaiming her love for the Diamond Princess. Im glad you were able to get your flowers while you were here because you deserve it, Yung Miami told Trina following the Miami legends I Am Hip Hop recognition at the BET Awards. Trina performs at Trick Daddy s 25th Anniversary Show at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida, on Sunday, April 16, 2022. This new group of femcees doesnt intimidate Trina. Rather, shes glad to see women flourishing in hip-hop. Her excitement is evident as she sits inside a Little Haiti gallery in early August. In a few days, shell perform at Yankee Stadium for a hip-hop 50 celebration alongside fellow legends like Run D.M.C., Nas and Lil Kim. As Trinas conversation shifts to the viral sensation that is Sexyy Red, she radiates with the pride of a proud big sister. Her lips curl into a smile as she recalls the first time she heard Pound Town in the club. She explains how Sexyy Reds music is emblematic of her hood. She even does a little dance as she recites the choruses of Pound Town and SkeeYee. The girls are popping up and popping out, Trina said. For me, thats a good thing. A pro-North Korean newspaper said Thursday that Pyongyang's status as a nuclear state has become "irreversible" with the recent stipulation of a nuclear force-building policy in its constitution. In a key parliamentary meeting attended by leader Kim Jong-un last week, the North stipulated the policy of strengthening its nuclear force in the constitution, a year after it enacted a new nuclear law authorizing the preemptive use of nuclear arms and called its status as a nuclear state "irreversible." "The status as a nuclear state has become irreversible," said the Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korea newspaper in Japan, whose articles are considered to reflect Pyongyang's positions. "A move to advance and improve nuclear weapons will be carried out powerfully." The newspaper said the decision made at the ninth session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly was based on the "stern strategic assessment" that Pyongyang's status as a nuclear state should never be compromised but further strengthened. "It is specified in Article 58 of Chapter 4 that nuclear weapons development should be advanced to guarantee the nation's right to survive and develop, suppress war and shield the peace and stability of the region and the world," it said. The North's state media outlets, which reported on the key parliamentary meeting, had not specified in which part of the constitution the nuclear policy was stipulated. The newspaper denounced the strengthening security cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan, claiming they are scaling up military provocations against the North. It is a "mission" for a "responsible nuclear state" to accelerate the development of nuclear weapons in such circumstance, it added. (Yonhap) Internal Republican chaos is shaking global confidence in American democracy. As the GOP attempts to clean up its own mess in the now-leaderless House of Representatives after ousting Speaker Kevin McCarthy , U.S. allies are worried about what the discord means for upholding international commitments. But global adversaries are also carefully eyeing Washington to see how new GOP leadership could further flame rivalries. "Is democracy in the USA, a role model for many democracies around the world, still viable?" Roland Nelles asks in Germany's Der Spiegel. The potential election of Donald Trump could mean a further backsliding of democratic norms, but the ousting of McCarthy which Nelles describes as a "coup" shows the system is "rotting from the inside." Checks and balances are essentially non-existent, he opines, suggesting that the very idea of cooperation and compromise rooted in modern-day liberal parliamentarism is also at risk. Nelles warns that a system in which the balancing of different interests is seen as treason is no longer a true democracy. "What hubris or stupidity lies behind the assumption that one's own opinion alone can bring salvation?" Nelles writes of Republicans who voted to boot McCarthy. McCarthy's ousting will not drastically change current U.S.-Sino relations, writes China academic Li Dahua. The leading candidates to replace McCarthy are all "perfect China hawks," Li writes, but they do not hold any more radical anti-China views than McCarthy. But some in China believe that internal political discord in the U.S. could incite more conflict with Beijing. "The more chaotic and disordered the United States is, the more likely it is that the United States will unleash its mania in the direction of China," writes Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of Chinese state tabloid, the Global Times. U.S. Congress consensus on Ukrainian issues can still be reached despite political instability, writes Oleksandr Khara, the former director of Ukrainian NGO Maidan of Foreign Affairs. That's because House Republicans need to rely on Senate Republicans to propel any agenda, and support for Ukraine still remains strong in the upper chamber. What is more unpredictable for Kyiv is a potential Trump presidency, given his outspoken criticism of U.S. funding for the war, Khara writes. While Kyiv might not be able to influence pro-Trump lawmakers, it should aim to win over their voters through advocacy and activism to prevent a reduction or stoppage of aid to Ukraine. Florida company Boarderie broke a Guinness World Record by assembling a charcuterie board with 769 pounds of qualifying foods. Photo by ReinhardThrainer/Pixabay.com Oct. 5 (UPI) -- A Florida cheese delivery service broke a Guinness World Record by assembling a charcuterie board containing 769 pounds of qualifying ingredients. Boarderie, a West Palm Beach delivery company, teamed up with Columbus Craft Meats to assemble a charcuterie board with 769 pounds of gourmet cheeses and cured meats at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. A Guinness World Records adjudicator was on hand to certify the end result was the world's largest charcuterie board. The previous record-holder contained 441 pounds of qualifying foods. Despite his injuries, Davidyan said he was ready to take up arms again to recover Karabakh (Aris MESSINIS) Nagorno-Karabakh has laid down its arms but Armenian Sergei Davidyan is having none of it. The enclave taken over by Azerbaijan is the homeland of his ancestors, the place where he grew up and the land he was wounded fighting to defend during the 2020 war that Armenia lost. In a small flat which he shares with his mother in the suburbs of Yerevan, the 39-year-old veteran struggled to find the right words to express his indignation. "The loss of Karabakh... I can't accept it," he said, wearing a black polo shirt emblazoned with the self-proclaimed republic's flag. Davidyan's left arm bears a large scar and his legs were shredded by shrapnel from a shell or a drone that dropped out of the sky on October 13, 2020. "I couldn't feel a thing. Everything was numb. My arm was almost cut off," he said. He remembered asking for some whisky and was then in a coma for nine days and spent a total of three months in hospital. He now needs a crutch to walk, lives on an invalidity pension and relies on daily assistance from his mother. - 'Take up arms again' - Despite his injuries and against all the odds, Davidyan said he was ready to "take up arms again" and refused to feel pity for the tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians who fled Karabakh after a rapid offensive by Azerbaijan last month. "They should have stayed and fought," he said. "This is our land," he said, remembering his childhood growing up in the mountains. "I scratched my initials on the trees there," he said. Davidyan was actually born in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. At the time, Armenia and Azerbaijan were both part of the Soviet Union. As that empire gradually disintegrated from the end of the 1980s, antagonism grew. In February 1988, a pogrom of ethnic Armenians in the Azerbaijani city of Sumgait spread terror in the region. Davidyan's family no longer felt safe in Azerbaijan. "We had to leave Baku," his mother Nadezhda said, crying. "The people we were living with turned their backs on us and threw stones at us." They moved to Stepanakert, which became the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh in 1991 when the majority ethnic Armenian enclave declared its independence. Those years saw the first Karabakh war (1988-1994), which Armenia won. The war killed 30,000 people, led to massive population movements of Azeris and Armenians, and left a lasting impression on young Davidyan. "When I was eight years old, a dog brought back a human foot," said Davidyan, who remembers watching the fighting from a roof "like in a film". - 'Armenian resistance' - Even after the end of the war, life in Karabakh was tinged with bitterness as he remembers being treated "like a foreigner" by other children. "I only spoke Russian. I didn't know a word of Armenian," he said. But he grew attached to the enclave and his grandmother would tell him that was where the family was originally from. In 2008, he joined the Karabakh army in the same year that his father retired with the rank of colonel. His father has since passed away and his widow shows off a photo of him in uniform covered in military honours. Davidyan fought twice -- in 2016 and in the 44-day war in 2020 between Armenia and Azerbaijan in which he was injured. Nagorno-Karabakh has now announced its dissolution by January 1, 2024. Davidyan calls for support from the "Christian world", putting a religious spin on a complex stand-off with mainly Shia Muslim Azerbaijan. There is little hope of re-capturing Karabakh but the former soldier is sure: "There will be an Armenian resistance for 10 years, 100 years, 1,000 years." jt/dt/brw/fg A medic who saved scores of service members on the beaches of France during the D-Day invasion will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Medic Badge, according to an Army statement. Staff Sgt. Waverly Woodson, a Black medic, is credited with saving the lives of more than 200 troops on the beaches of France, all while suffering from his own severe injuries. Woodsons wife and son will receive the medals on his behalf during an Oct. 11 ceremony at Woodsons gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery. Woodson, who passed away in 2005, was authorized to be awarded the Bronze Star in 1945, but was never formally presented the medal due to a subsequent deployment to Japan, according to the Army statement. He was approved for the Combat Medic Badge this August. A bipartisan group of more than a dozen lawmakers, meanwhile, feel that Woodson is deserving of the Medal of Honor, the nations highest award for valor, according to the statement. The Army praised Woodson in a press release shortly after D-Day, highlighting how he worked for 30 straight hours to save U.S. and British troops. Segregation at the time, however, played a role in his award consideration. An Army captain serving as the First Armys historian recently unearthed a trove of previously undiscovered evidence that Woodson was actually nominated for the Medal of Honor during World War II. Racism, lost records and infighting between senior military leaders in Europe, however, thwarted those efforts, according to the statement. A number of speakers will honor Woodson at the ceremony, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., retired Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty, retired Lt. Gen. Thomas James, and First Armys Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Prosser. Woodsons story has been highlighted in the book Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Days Black Heroes, at Home and at War by Linda Hervieux. X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, began changing how links to news posts appear in users feeds Wednesday night, removing headlines and text that were previously displayed alongside images. Most linked news articles now display only the articles lead image on X, with a small link to the outlets main web address in the bottom-left corner to distinguish them from stand-alone images. X owner Elon Musk confirmed in August that he planned to remove headlines and text from news links, noting the shift was coming from him directly and was meant to improve aesthetics. The move occurred one day after Musk suggested publishers post their content in long form on X instead of via links. Our algorithm tries to optimize time spent on X, so links dont get as much attention, because there is less time spent if people click away, Musk said in a post on Tuesday. Best thing is to post content in long form on this platform. The billionaire, who initially acquired the platform for $44 billion last fall, has criticized legacy news outlets in recent posts and instead encouraged users to engage in citizen journalism. I almost never read legacy news anymore, he said Tuesday. Whats the point of reading 1000 words about something that was already posted on X several days ago? Citizen journalism is the path to better future! Musk added the next day. I strongly encourage people around the world to post news about events as theyre happening, in both text & video. Musk has repeatedly sparred with news organizations over his management of the platform, which has become a key tool for journalists and the media. He banned several journalists from the platform last December after they reported on an account that posted updates about the location of his private jet. Musk also sparked controversy in April after he briefly labeled NPR as state-affiliated and government-funded media. Several watchdog organizations have also warned that Musks decisions to walk back various content moderation rules and restore previously banned accounts, such as that of former President Trump, have led to an increase in the spread of misinformation and hate speech on the platform. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Right-wing TV personality Johnny Tabacco speaks to a crowd of protesters outside of a migrant centre in Staten Island. (Julia Saqui / The Independent ) On a rainy evening in a quiet residential neighbourhood on Staten Island, right wing media personality John Tabacco stood on the back of a flatbed truck in a suit, flanked by the Stars and Stripes and a Dont Tread On Me flag. Believe it or not, this whole damn country left it up to Staten Island to go toe-to-toe with George Soros! shouted Tabacco, a host on Newsmax. A crowd of protesters cheered the reference to the often-repeated conspiracy theory that many consider to be anti-Semitic. Staten Island is where we draw a line in the sand. Its a fight between good and evil, he went on, to even louder cheers. The subject of Tabaccos ire, and the cause of the gathering, lay in the building behind him: a few dozen recently arrived asylum seekers housed in a former school that has been turned into a temporary shelter. The centre, formerly the St John Villa Academy, has become a focal point for protests against the temporary housing of migrants around New York City. Since late August, local residents have held loud nightly demonstrations outside of the building where a few dozen families and single women are living, clashing with police . One of the signs at the Staten Island protest (Julia Saqui / The Independent) Some of these protests have taken a sinister and xenophobic turn. On 28 September,The Independent witnessed people holding signs that read Americans over illegals and Send them back! At an earlier protest, a resident who lives on the same street as the facility set up a loud speaker to play the same message in six languages on repeat: aaImmigrants are not safe here. Others have taken to shining bright flashing lights into the windows of shelters at night to disrupt those trying to rest. Staten Island residents shine lights at a migrant shelter in frustration on the migrant being housed at the nursing home For licensing email Leeroypress@gmail.com pic.twitter.com/Q2oEOrSmCQ Leeroy Johnson (@LeeroyPress) September 21, 2023 In times past, small but vocal anti-migrant protesters here in Staten Island the most conservative of the five boroughs might have been an outlier in a city that was built by, and whose very identity is tied to, immigration. But increasingly they have found common cause with Democratic city and state leaders, including mayor Eric Adams and New Yorks governor, Kathy Hochul. New York City is struggling to deal with a sharp influx of asylum seekers. Currently it is currently providing shelter to around 60,000 asylum seekers, and has been forced to use city-owned buildings in far flung parts of the city to do it. The numbers represent a massive increase on previous years: in 2021, city courts issued around 30,000 notices to appear in immigration court. That number rose to 70,000 in 2022 and doubled again, to reach 140,000, by August of this year. The Adams administrations response looks set to alter the citys status as one of the worlds most welcoming places for migrants. We are past our breaking point, Adams said in August. New Yorkers compassion may be limitless, but our resources are not. Those sentiments have been echoed by protesters on Staten Island, but that hasnt stopped them blaming the mayor for the influx. The mayor of the city opened his arms months ago, and welcomed them with candy and gifts, now hes shitting his pants, Scott LoBaido, an activist and artist who paints portraits of Donald Trump and American flags, told The Independent, before taking his turn to speak at the migrant centre protest last week. People gather for a protest in Staten Island (Julia Saqui / The Independent) Everybodys a sanctuary city enthusiast until the sanctuary city gets plopped in their front door and it is out of control, he added. Adams condemned the Staten Island protesters for some commentary of hate and racist comments. But his tone on rising migrant numbers has changed in recent months, casting it in apocalyptic terms and claiming it will destroy New York City if not addressed urgently. Adams is now seeking to exclude migrants from the citys longstanding right to shelter law, which requires authorities to provide shelter for anyone who needs it, arguing that housing migrants will cost the city $12bn . His administration began distributing flyers at the southern US border, telling migrants there is no guarantee they will receive shelter or services. The city shut down a reception centre at the citys main bus station where volunteers greeted newly arrived migrants and directed them towards city services. Mayor Adams chief advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, recently called on the federal government to close the borders , echoing Republican falsehoods about the US border being open. We have seen what happens when our elected officials use inflammatory xenophobic language against vulnerable communities. Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition The Adams administrations sudden shift in rhetoric and policy is stoking the flames of anti-migrant feeling seen in St John Villa Academy protests, say immigration activists. In Staten Island, we have seen what happens when our elected officials use inflammatory xenophobic language against vulnerable communities, giving right-wing groups cover to further demonise them and incite the public in the name of public safety, Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, told The Independent. He added that although the protesters represent a minority, they are nonetheless emboldened by the reckless and dangerous rhetoric of elected officials, and are using increasingly problematic tactics. For the Staten Island protesters who turned out last week, this was not just a problem of resources, but a broader struggle against the Biden administrations immigration policies, both real and imagined. LoBaido, the activist and artist, said the people protesting werent against migrants we are all immigrants too but rather those who came into the country illegally. Scott LoBaido, an activist and artist who paints portraits of Donald Trump and American flags, addresses a protest outside of a migrant centre on Staten Island. (Richard Hall / The Independent) A large percentage of these illegal aliens coming here are young adult men [...] and they need to be sent back, he told The Independent. This is just an invasion, he added. Migrants who make it to the US have a legal right to seek asylum and are allowed to remain in the country while their claim is processed. Many migrants arriving in New York have made their own way here, attracted by its historic reputation as a city of immigrants. But others were brought by bus as part of a politicised scheme by the Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, to transfer migrants to Democratic cities. A large portion of the new arrivals to New York over the past year have come from Venezuela, where the countrys economic collapse has caused more than 7 million to flee. There is also no indication that the migrants housed in the former school entered the country illegally. City Hall has described those living there as single adult women and families, and noted that less than two per cent of the 60,000 migrants currently being sheltered by New York City are in Staten Island. But despite those numbers, the St John Villa Academy is now at the centre of New Yorks migrant crisis in more ways than one. Just days before the protest, a judge temporarily blocked the city from using it to house migrants, striking at the heart of the citys longstanding law to provide shelter to anyone who needs it. The judge wrote that the 1981 consent decree only applied to certain groups: destitute and homeless alcoholics, addicts, mentally impaired derelicts, flotsam and jetsam, to be precise. He further called the decree an anachronistic relic from the past, an altruistic plan to assist local Bowery derelicts, and ordered the centre closed. The city quickly filed an appeal and a judge ruled in its favour , allowing migrants to keep living there. But the Staten Island protesters were still celebrating the case as a win days later. This has been the epicentre of the battle all over the country to stop the invasion of illegals, said Curtis Sliwa, the leader of the Guardian Angels and Adams Republican opponent in the 2021 mayoral race, before he took his turn on stage at the Staten Island protest. No community was able to do it until Staten Island came together. The status of the centre, and others like it, is made all the more precarious by a simultaneous legal battle going on in a separate court where the Adams administration is currently attempting to end the citys right to shelter. In a letter to a New York judge , the city claimed unprecedented demands on the citys shelter resources confront the city defendant with challenges never contemplated, foreseeable or indeed, even remotely imagined. Adams said in a statement that the change was needed because New York City cannot single-handedly provide care to everyone crossing our border. Being dishonest about this will only result in our system collapsing, and we need our government partners to know the truth and do their share. Migrants sleeping on the sidewalk outside the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) On Wednesday, his administration filed a request with New Yorks Supreme Court to suspend the right to shelter law, blaming the influx of migrants. He said in a statement: It is abundantly clear that the status quo cannot continue. The move has infuriated migrant rights groups. Josh Goldfein, staff attorney at Legal Aid, which sued the city to meet its right to shelter obligations in August after migrants were left sleeping outside of an intake centre in Manhattan, told The Independent the right is guaranteed by New Yorks Constitution and protects our most vulnerable neighbours from injury or death as a result of exposure to the elements on the streets of New York. Rather than seeking to undo this fundamental protection, all three levels of government should be working together to help our newest neighbours find ways to support themselves and their families, he added. The Adams administration, meanwhile, has suggested that the city is unable to solve the crisis alone. A City Hall spokesperson said in a statement: New Yorkers are weary of bearing the brunt of this national crisis, and we empathize with their concerns. They said that the city had opened 206 sites, including 15 large-scale humanitarian relief centre, but added: The sites we are now finding are the only options left. This situation demands a broader state and national solution. "The USA and the EU are working on legal procedures to transfer $300 billion of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine," President's Office head Andriy Yermak said on Oct. 5. The U.S. government and other Group of 7 (G7) countries froze over $300 billion in assets from the Russian Central Bank stored abroad at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Yermak added that the West's focus on the legal procedures needed to transfer these assets to Ukraine is "a very positive signal" and a "matter of justice." "Those who kill, destroy, violate international law and the UN Charter must face consequences," he wrote. The topic of what to do with Russian assets frozen in western countries, and whether to send them to Ukraine to help fund the country's recovery, has been an ongoing discussion. On Sept. 6, U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken announced during a visit to Kyiv that the U.S. plans to fund support for Ukrainian military veterans from "assets seized from sanctioned Russian oligarchs" for the first time. Those who "enabled Putin's war of aggression should pay for it," Blinken said. In August, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine is looking for ways to use frozen Russian assets to pay for the reconstruction of Crimea in particular. Ukraine wants to create an international mechanism through which the aggressor would be mandated to pay for all the damages it has caused, Shmyhal added. Read also: Investigation: Baltic-registered crypto firms service payments for Russian private army, allow sanctions evasion Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. New York Student Back In US After Being Detained In Dubai For 5 Months Over Airport Altercation | Alexander Spatari Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos was released and is back in the United States after being detained in Dubai for five months. Elizabeth boarded her flight home to New York late Tuesday night. The news that her sentence would be commuted was a welcome end to Elizabeths hellish 5 months in Dubai that left her humiliated, traumatized and out of pocket US$50,000, Radha Stirling , the CEO of Detained in Dubai, the organization that represented Polanco De Los Santos, said in a press release. Earlier this week, the 21-year-old American student was sentenced to one year in jail after being accused of assaulting and insulting airport staff during a layover on July 15. Polanco De Los Santos had been denied boarding and told to remove her doctor-mandated waist-training brace. Stirling says she was stripped and humiliated during the ordeal. The student asked her friend for help putting the brace back and touched one of the officers arms. This prompted a filed complaint against her and months of detention in Dubai, which was supposed to be a layover while traveling to Turkey for a vacation. Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos has been FREED & ordered to leave #Dubai after being sentenced to 1 year in prison. A very welcomed diplomatic move and an end to her 5 month nightmare. Thank you @RitchieTorres @USAinUAE, the media & the public. Radha Stirling CEO @detainedindubai (@RadhaStirling) October 3, 2023 Polanco De Los Santos was fingerprinted and met with police at the airport, where they returned her passport, according to Sterling. Im so happy I really need this all off my chest, the student wrote in a text message exchange with Sterling. A New York college student, Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos, was sentenced to one year in a Dubai prison for alleged assault and insult of an airport security guard during a flight connection, she intended only a short layover, was trapped in Dubai for months. #Travel #Dubai pic.twitter.com/wnW9khMDUd US-Crimes (@OfficialUScrime) October 3, 2023 Earlier this year, another American, Tierra Young Allen, was detained in Dubai for months after being accused of yelling in public and violating the states obscenity law. Sterling, who also worked on Allens case, is calling on American tourists to reconsider traveling to Dubai, a popular destination. Tourists are vulnerable to vindictive, false and unevidenced allegations that could leave them languishing in notorious jails, she wrote. They are vulnerable to extortion schemes like we see from airport staff, rental car agents, taxi drivers and so on. The man who set off a smoke bomb and opened fire on a crowded New York City subway train last year, injuring 29 people but miraculously killing none, was sentenced Thursday to 10 concurrent life terms plus a 10-year consecutive term in prison. Frank James pleaded guilty in January in federal court to 10 counts of committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation vehicle and an additional firearms charge in connection to the April 2022 attack. Prosecutors had asked the judge for a life sentence, while the shooters attorneys asked for 18 years. James, who was 62 at the time, put on a gas mask, set off a smoke device and fired a handgun at least 33 times on a Manhattan-bound N subway train heading through Brooklyns Sunset Park neighborhood during a weekday morning commute, prosecutors have said. The smoke device caused passengers to scramble to one end of the subway car, making them easier targets for James, prosecutors said. Ten people were shot and wounded, and others were injured by the smoke or by the panicked crowds. In total, 29 people were hospitalized. You couldnt see anything, but you could feel it, said Claire Tunkel, a passenger aboard the train who was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. People were rushing to the front of the car, and some fell to the ground, she noted. You could feel the bodies. When the subway train pulled into the next station, people on board fled James among them. His disappearance set off a citywide manhunt and spurred anxiety about the safety of the citys vital transit system. Investigators were able to connect items left behind at the scene a credit card, a set of keys, a construction jacket and a gun to James, and police soon publicly released his name and image. More than 24 hours after the shooting, James called in a tip on himself to police, saying he was at a McDonalds on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He was arrested on a nearby street when bystanders flagged James to arriving officers. Prosecutor praises sentence Speaking outside court Thursday, Breon Peace, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said James was justly held accountable for the attack. The daily life blood of New York City is in its transit system, he said. Its found in the subway cars that are responsible for safely transporting New Yorkers every single day. Frank James attempted to take that sense of safety away and inject fear and chaos into the heart of the city. While he found temporary success in his plot, due to the resilience of New Yorkers, and our relentless pursuit of justice, he ultimately failed. He said James planned the attack and noted that it affected not just those on the train but all New Yorkers. Dozens of peoples lives will forever be negatively affected because of the defendants heartless acts of terror, he said. The impact and the fear were felt beyond the direct victims in that subway car and in that station that morning. The defendant terrorized the city at large. A spokesperson from the district attorneys office said James attorneys told the court they plan to appeal the sentence. CNN is reaching out to James legal representation for comment. Prosecutors had charged James with federal terrorism counts for targeting the mass transit system, and Frank admitted fault at his guilty plea in January. While it was not my intention to cause death, I was aware that a death or deaths could occur as a result of my discharging a firearm in such an enclosed space as a subway car, James said. James attorneys said he accepted responsibility by essentially turning himself in. A just sentence in this case will carefully balance the harm he caused with his age, his health, and the Bureau of Prisons notoriously inadequate medical care, attorneys Mia Eisner-Grynberg and Amanda David said in a January statement. Prior to the shooting, James posted videos on YouTube discussing violence and mass shootings. He also had a criminal history, including 12 prior arrests in New York City and New Jersey for charges including a criminal sex act, theft of service and disorderly conduct, an NYPD official said last year. Because James had no prior felony convictions, he was able to purchase a gun, the official said. CNNs Lauren del Valle, Mark Morales, Paul P. Murphy, Brynn Gingras, Shimon Prokupecz, Artemis Moshtaghian, Laura Ly, Alaa Elassar, Kristina Sgueglia and Eric Levenson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A man who set off smoke bombs in a crowded New York subway carriage before shooting 10 people has been sentenced to 10 concurrent life terms in prison. Frank James, 64, had pleaded guilty in January to 10 counts of terrorism, one for each person shot, in the 12 April 2022 attack. Prosecutors said he planned the attack for years to inflict maximum damage. All the victims survived but "were left with long-lasting physical and psychological damage". According to reporters inside the courtroom on Thursday, one of the victims addressed James and said: "You did something terribly evil. Your mother would be ashamed." The gunman was given 10 life sentences for each person that was shot and wounded, plus 10 additional years on a weapons charge, by US District Court Judge WIlliam Kuntz. The gunman set off a smoke bomb on the crowded subway and fired his handgun 32 times during the morning rush hour on a Manhattan-bound N train in April. 2022. He only stopped when the gun jammed. Ten people were wounded in the gun attack and 13 others were injured from smoke-related injuries, according to police. Following the sentencing, Breon Peace, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said "justice has been served". "The daily life blood of NYC is in its transit systems" where commuters often "feel a sense of safety," Mr Peace said. "Frank James attempted to take that sense of safety away and inject fear and chaos into the heart of the city." Following the shooting, nearby schools were sent into lockdown amid widespread fear as police initiated a manhunt to catch James. Nearly 30 hours after the shooting, James called in a tip on himself to police, saying he was at a McDonalds on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He was eventually arrested without incident. Lawyers for James had asked for an 18-year prison sentence, arguing that he suffered from a serious mental illness and that he did not intend to kill anyone. "In a society where, sadly, we learn nearly every day that mass shooters who intend to kill readily achieve their goals, it is far more likely that James lacked that specific intent than that he simply failed in his mission," his lawyer, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, wrote in a memo to court. In court, James said the attacks he carried out were "cowardly acts of senseless violence". He also described his struggles with mental illness, and said the discrimination and prejudice he has faced had influenced his actions. But Judge Kuntz dismissed his justifications. "Yes, we have issues with guns and mental illness and racism," the judge said, "but only one man took it upon himself to get on that subway car." Prosecutors said James had carefully planned the attack and scouted out the location weeks before and did practice runs. He also purchased smoke bombs and disguises ahead of time. On the day of the attack, James disguised himself as a construction worker and launched the attack while the train was in between stations. Mr Peace said the victims "had nowhere to run". "We can only imagine the terror that the passengers in that car experienced that morning," he said. While there were no fatalities, the attack was one of the most violent ever seen on New York's subway system. Japan makes room for dialogue with N. Korea By Lee Hyo-jin The South Korean government should pursue a dual-track approach with North Korea, local analysts said, stressing the need to combine openness for dialogue with strong deterrence. They also viewed that the Yoon Suk Yeol administration should take into account that Japan seems to be making room for dialogue with North Korea despite strengthened security cooperation between Seoul, Tokyo and Washington against Pyongyang's growing nuclear threats. The Japanese government had several informal engagements with North Korea earlier this year, according to Japanese media outlets, reporting last week that Japanese officials held secret talks with the North Korean side in March and May in a Southeast Asian country. Addressing the media, Monday, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida refrained from commenting on the issue, but neither denied nor confirmed the reports. It is also notable that Kishida had renewed his desire for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a speech during the United Nations General Assembly in New York two weeks earlier. "The Japanese leader has been calling for a summit with Kim without any preconditions, while forging stronger military ties with South Korea and the United States against North Korea," said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies. "We (South Korea) should also pursue a two-track approach similar to that of Japan and carry out a more balanced strategy to resolve North Korea's nuclear threats." Nevertheless, Yang viewed that it is highly unlikely for the talks between Japan and North Korea to make tangible progress. "What Japan wants from North Korea is to resolve the abductee issue, but North Korea does not want to talk about that," he said. The Kishida administration has been demanding that the Kim regime resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, but negotiations have stalled as the North continues to insist the abduction issue was resolved when it permitted five Japanese nationals to leave the country in 2002. Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, echoed the sentiment, saying, "I don't expect them to hold discussions on a formal level any time soon because the two sides do not seem to have a common agenda on the table." However, that does not mean that such diplomatic efforts taken by Japan are meaningless, Park added. "Since taking office, the Yoon administration has been sticking to its hardline stance on North Korea, leaving few chances for dialogue. Of course, the current situation, in which Pyongyang is blatantly advancing its nuclear capabilities, is not an easy environment for talks, but I think it's time for the government to implement its 'Audacious Initiative' plan in earnest." Last year, the government unveiled its so-called "Audacious Initiative" for Pyongyang, which promises the North Korean government an unprecedented level of economic support in exchange for the country giving up its nuclear weapons. The government also said it will adhere to the so-called 3Ds policy: deterrence, dissuasion of nuclear development through sanctions and pressure and dialogue. Park said, "All I can see from the current measures is deterrence. Even the Ministry of Unification, whose task it is to coordinate inter-Korean dialogue, is also taking a 'deterrence-only' approach." [Source] A growing trend of resignation parties is emerging in China as disillusioned young professionals are quitting their stable jobs with high salaries. About the resignation parties: These parties, reminiscent of traditional wedding celebrations, involve friends congratulating the individuals who have left their jobs, with red and yellow banners and festivities. The parties often feature a somewhat nostalgic and tacky aesthetic that is reminiscent of past corporate culture celebrations in China. Party trend: Using hashtags such as quitting and resignation party, many Chinese millennials and Gen-Zs are taking to the lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu to share photos and videos of their departure celebrations from prestigious companies. The trend has become so widespread in the nation that some companies like Haidilao, a famous hotpot chain, now offer resignation party packages. More from NextShark: Korean ramen exports hit record high exceeding $400 million amid soaring demand The viral trend echoes back to the countrys lying flat movement, a deliberate act of frustration and rejection of the notorious rat race among jaded youth. It is a larger shift away from the intense 996 work culture, or working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. Reasons for quitting: Many of these young professionals, who come from large tech companies like ByteDance, Shein and Xiaohongshu itself, cite reasons such as low wages, burnout and a lack of job satisfaction for leaving their careers behind. More from NextShark: Sony loses millions after rejecting Chinas demand to remove Statue of Liberty from new Spider-Man' film The phenomenon is fueled by a sense of overqualification, where employees feel their jobs do not require the skills they acquired through education. While Chinas education system has seen a surge in enrollment, the job market may not demand as many highly skilled workers. This mismatch between education and job opportunities is contributing to a sense of disillusionment among young workers. I fell into mechanized, repetitive work. It consumed a lot of my energy, a man who resigned from his banking job told CNN. Your innovative ideas would have been dismissed and vanished eventually. Potential demographic challenges: As many young Chinese workers are exploring alternative approaches to escape the traditional career path, the trend could have long-term consequences for Chinas economy, as it faces a falling birth rate, an aging population and a shrinking workforce. If disillusioned youth permanently drop out of the labor force, it may exacerbate these demographic challenges. More from NextShark: Japanese World Cup team praised for tidying up locker room after victory over Germany However, it is uncertain whether the trend will ultimately impact fertility rates as some individuals may use their newfound freedom to focus on relationships, while others may delay family planning due to income concerns. Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Bisexuality Was Very Common in Han Dynasty China, According to Historians By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Friday said he was back on the election campaign trail, after he tested negative for COVID-19 earlier in the day. New Zealand is just a week out from the Oct. 14 general election, which the ruling Labour party is unlikely to win. Labour faced a new challenge on Sunday when Hipkins tested positive for COVID and had to work remotely while isolating. Hipkins told TVNZ's 1News on Friday he was feeling good. "I'm always chipper, even when I'm not," he said. "But I'm very much looking forward to getting back on the campaign trail." The government removed its last COVID restrictions in August, but health authorities still recommend people stay home for five days if feeling unwell or if they test positive. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Tom Hogue) President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Granada, Spain, to take part in the European Political Community Summit, the president announced on Oct. 5. "We are working together with partners on enhancing the European security architecture, particularly regional security. Ukraine has substantial proposals in this regard," Zelensky wrote on the social platform X. "We will pay special attention to the Black Sea region as well as our joint efforts to strengthen global food security and freedom of navigation." The president added that Kyiv's key priority in the upcoming talks is to strengthen Ukrainian air defense capabilities ahead of the upcoming winter. The third European Political Community Summit gathers around 50 heads of state and government from across the continent to address common security issues and foster political dialogue. The meeting follows previous summits held in Bulboaca, Moldova, this year's June and in Prague, Czechia, last October. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us As in Moldova, the Granada summit will address the Russian invasion of Ukraine and "re-establish (European) unity vis-a-vis Russia's aggression against Ukraine," said a press release by the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The representatives of the participating nations will discuss possible reforms of international institutions in reaction to the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine. The summit was also meant to bring together leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia for peace talks following Baku's recent military offensive in Nagornko-Karabakh. The Karabakh region, which is recognized as Azerbaijani under international law but was home to a predominantly Armenian population, surrendered on Sept. 20 after 24 hours of attacks by Azerbaijani forces. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev recently canceled his plans to attend the peace talks on the sidelines of the Granada summit. According to Bloomberg, Aliyev made the decision in reaction to France's promised military aid for Armenia and due to the absence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Baku's close ally. Read also: Zelensky meets European leaders in Moldova, discusses EU, NATO integration process and further military support Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky said he met with French President Emmanuel Macron , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan , and European Council President Charles Michel on Oct. 5 as part of the third European Political Community Summit. In their first-ever meeting, Zelensky and Pashinyan discussed the security situation in the South Caucasus, bilateral cooperation, and interregional economic projects. "Ukraine is interested in the stability of the region and friendly relations with its countries," Zelensky said on Telegram. Read also: Zelensky arrives in Spain for European Political Community Summit With Macron, the Ukrainian president discussed the country's military needs and air defense capabilities, the security situation in the Black Sea region, and the protection of Ukraine's port infrastructure. "Ukraine is grateful for the strong and long-term support from the EU, as well as for the practical help of EU member states," Zelensky said following the meeting with Michel. Zelensky briefed the Council president on the progress of Ukraine's counteroffensive, also touching on Kyiv's peace plan and preparation for the Global Peace Summit. U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak published a joint photo with Zelensky on the summit's sidelines, saying that London's support for Ukraine was one of his priorities at the event. Ukraine's president hasn't yet reported on their meeting. According to the Daily Mail, Sunak was supposed to use the meeting to confirm the commitment to additional humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Earlier, Zelensky met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to discuss the countries' defense assistance for Kyiv and efforts to bolster Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Ukraine's head of state arrived in Granada, Spain, earlier on Oct. 5 as some 50 European leaders convened to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion and other common security issues. Zelensky said that Kyiv's key priority in the upcoming talks is to strengthen Ukrainian air defense capabilities ahead of the upcoming winter. Read also: Zelensky meets European leaders in Moldova, discusses EU, NATO integration process and further military support Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni on the sidelines of the third European Political Community Summit in Granada, Spain, Zelensky announced on Oct. 5. During their bilateral meeting, Zelensky said he and Sanchez discussed a new military aid package from Spain, which is said to include air defenses, artillery, and anti-drone systems. "We are preparing to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU under the presidency of Spain. Thank you for supporting our endeavor," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. The two leaders also reportedly addressed the provision of energy equipment to Ukraine as the country braces for intensified Russian strikes against the power grid in the coming winter months. Read also: Zelensky arrives in Spain for European Political Community Summit During the meeting with Meloni, Zelensky thanked the Italian prime minister for her country's "principled and consistent support in protecting (Ukraine's) freedom and people." They also discussed a new tranche of defense assistance from Italy with an emphasis on air defense capabilities, the president said. Ukraine's head of state arrived in Granada earlier on Oct. 5 as some 50 European leaders convened to discuss the ongoing Russian invasion and other common security issues. Zelensky said that Kyiv's key priority in the upcoming talks is to strengthen Ukrainian air defense capabilities ahead of the upcoming winter. "We are working together with partners on enhancing the European security architecture, particularly regional security. Ukraine has substantial proposals in this regard," Zelensky wrote on the social platform X. Read also: Ukrenergo: First mass strike on energy infrastructure in 6 months Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian forces are steadily advancing, but arms and ammunition shortages, namely air defense systems, are causing difficulties, President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Italian news channel Sky TG24 on Oct. 4. "The initiative is in our hands. Albeit slowly, we are pushing Russia out of our country step by step," Zelensky said in the interview. "Difficulties are posed by the minefields and by the shortages of weapons and ammunition, especially air defenses," he added. NATO, the U.S., and the U.K. have been raising the alarm on dwindling arms and ammunition stocks, which they and other allied countries could send to Ukraine. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Admiral Rob Bauer, the chair of the NATO Military Committee, urged Kyiv's partners to ramp up their defense industry production to ensure a stable flow of weapon supplies. Continued security assistance is also the focal point of a legislative battle in the U.S., as a right-wing faction of the Republican Party criticizes the level of support that Washington is providing to Ukraine. In the interview, Zelensky stressed that anti-air systems are crucial not only for the ongoing counteroffensive but also to protect the civilian population. Ukrainian officials warned earlier that Russia is likely to escalate its strikes against the civilian infrastructure in the coming winter in an effort to cripple the country's power grid. Moscow attempted such a strategy during the fall and winter of 2022-2023. Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state energy operator, said that a wave of Russian attacks on Sept. 21 marked the first mass strike on the energy infrastructure in six months. Read also: Investigative Stories from Ukraine: Russian drone downed by Ukraine is full of Western components Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez a new package of defence support for Ukraine and the opening of negotiations on joining the European Union during a meeting in Granada. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelensky said that he and Sanchez discussed a new defence support package that includes additional air defence assets, artillery and anti-drone systems. The further movement of Ukraine towards EU membership was also discussed. Quote from Zelenskyy: "We are preparing to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU under the presidency of Spain. Thank you for supporting our aspiration." More details: Spain will chair the EU Council until the end of the year. A meeting of European leaders will be held in December, at which the opening of negotiations with Ukraine can be decided. The provision of energy equipment to Ukraine before the winter period and the operation and protection of the grain corridor were discussed with Sanchez as well, Zelenskyy said. Zelenskyy thanked Sanchez and the entire Spanish society for their support and clear condemnation of Russian aggression. Background: Zelenskyy is on a visit to the Spanish city of Granada, where the summit of the European Political Community is being held on 5 October. Arriving at the summit of the European Political Community in Spain, Zelenskyy commented on concerns about the further support of Ukraine by the United States. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the Spanish city of Granada on Oct. 5 for the third summit of the European Political Community (EPC), saying he had come to hold bilateral talks with the countrys allies. Zelenskyy wrote in a post on his Telegram channel that he had come to Spain to work on "strengthening the existing security architecture in Europe, including regional security." Read also: Zelenskyy discusses joint arms production with French defense minister "Ukraine's key priority, particularly as winter approaches, is to strengthen its air defenses, Zelenskyy said. We have already laid the groundwork for new agreements with partners and look forward to their approval and implementation, he said. He added that special attention would be paid "to the Black Sea region, as well as our joint efforts to strengthen global food security and freedom of navigation." Read also: Shortages of weapons, ammunition and air defenses challenge Ukraine at front Zelenskyy The meeting brings together some 50 leaders from across the continent, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine were also invited to take part in the event. At their meetings, European leaders will assure Zelenskyy of their long-term support after U.S. President Joe Biden voiced fears that Republican infighting in the U.S. Congress could damage U.S. aid to Kyiv, news agency Reuters said in a report on the meeting. The EPC, which was established in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine to foster cooperation among European countries, has so far met twice in Prague in October 2022, and in Bulboaca, Moldova, on June 1 this year. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine On 5 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for the first time. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "We discussed the security situation in the South Caucasus during our first meeting with Nikol Pashinyan, Armenian Prime Minister. Ukraine is interested in the stability of the region and friendly relations with its countries." Details: Zelenskyy also said that the parties discussed bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Armenia and interregional economic projects. Background: On 3 October, the National Assembly of Armenia passed a bill to ratify the Rome Statute, establishing the International Criminal Court, which had previously issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following Armenia's ratification of the Rome Statute, the Kremlin said it did not want Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to have to cancel a visit to an allied country. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Olaf Scholz Germany is working on supplementing Ukraine with an additional Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system by winter, President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office said following a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Oct. 5. Zelenskyy briefed Scholz on the current battlefield situation and the highest priority needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The president expressed his gratitude to Germany for its support of Ukraine. NV Moreover, Ukraine is set to receive six launchers for the Hawk SAM system from Spain, according to the press service of the Spanish government. The decision was announced during Zelenskyy's meeting with acting Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez. Read also: Zelenskyy urges Russian opposition to mount efforts to dismantle dictator Putin's regime The additional air defense systems will help protect civilian objects and critical energy infrastructure against Russian attacks, expected to resume this winter season. Sanchez also promised to deliver new drone countermeasure systems and demining equipment. Read also: Shortages of weapons, ammunition and air defenses challenge Ukraine at front Zelenskyy On Oct.5, Zelenskyy arrived in Granada, Spain, to participate in the Third European Political Community Summit, attended by approximately 50 leaders of states, governments, and EU institutions. During his visit, the Ukrainian president met with French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Charles Michel, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, and other European leaders. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The foreign ministry stressed Thursday that all United Nations member states, including North Korea, have the obligation to comply with Security Council resolutions, after a news report that a North Korean oil tanker with a sanctions violation record was detected in Chinese waters. The Voice of America (VOA) has reported the oil tanker, names Mu Bong 1, was spotted in waters east of a Chinese port on the east coast on Monday (local time), spawning suspicion of illicit maritime activities by Pyongyang in violation of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The Mu Bong 1 vessel is known to have engaged in multiple illicit ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned products in the East China Sea in 2019, according to the VOA. "U.N. member states are responsible for faithfully implementing relevant UNSC resolutions and international standards over the course of all types of human and material exchanges, including those that have resumed after North Korea's full border reopening," foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk said in a press briefing. "Our government is closely watching North Korea for suspected sanctions evasion and suspicious movements," Lim said, vowing continued diplomatic efforts and coordination with the international community over the matter. North Korea is banned from transporting fuel and other commodities via ships under the UNSC sanctions resolutions imposed in response to it nuclear and missile programs. Pyongyang is believed to have engaged in constant illicit ship-to-ship transfers to evade sanctions. (Yonhap) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the Russian opposition to "take appropriate steps to change something in their country," during an interview with Sky TG24 on Oct. 4. "It is very difficult to send any messages to the Russian Federation today," the head of state said. It seems to me that those people who are on the territory of Russia do not want to hear anything. It is easier for them to live like this. Otherwise, Russians would have come out for opposition rallies, the Ukrainian leader argued. Read also: Why are Russians not protesting against the war in Ukraine? "The current head of state of Russia (dictator Vladimir Putin ed.) is a person who could be re-elected (in 2024) and against whom people should have fought if they supported freedom and human rights," Zelenskyy said. He also said that Russian opposition forces that are fighting against Putin's aggressive policies, "should continue to follow this path." Read also: Russian opposition activist Ponomarev claims Russian National Republican Army killed Dugina "Ukraine must oust the enemy, Europe must support Ukraine, support Ukrainian values, because these are common values and common threats," Zelenskyy said. And the opposition in Russia must take appropriate steps if they want something to really change in their country. The Ukrainian president also rejected the possibility of any diplomacy with Russia, stressing that he believes Putin does not want peace. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy , President of Ukraine, stated that in case the war in Ukraine is frozen, Russia may attack other countries in 2028. Source: Zelenskyy as a press conference in Spain Quote: "At the moment Russia is considering different scenarios for the next few years. One of them is particularly dangerous. If there is any pause in this aggression against Ukraine, if this war is frozen, then there will be a new critical moment the year of 2028. If we allow Russia to adapt now, then in 2028 the Kremlin will be able to restore the military potential we deprived it of, and Russia will have enough force to attack the countries which are in the focus of its expansionist ambitions. Besides Ukraine these are definitely the Baltic countries and the countries with a lot of Russian on their territory. This is clear information from our intelligence, and we are sending you a signal." Details: Zelenskyy stressed that Russia is seeking ways to freeze the situation and adapt, makes conclusions from its errors and prepares to advance. "Please remember that the most dangerous enemy is the one that has made conclusions and prepared for the next strike on the basis of these conclusions," Zelenskyy added. Ukrainska Pravda is the place where you will find the most up-to-date information about everything related to the war in Ukraine. Follow us on Twitter, support us, or become our patron! In the wake of a major vote to close or convert two Hill City elementary schools, leadership with Lynchburg City Schools talked about the factors behind the decision and next steps. At the start of Tuesdays special-called Lynchburg City School Board meeting, city schools attorney Hope Townes provided some background on the boards legal authority to close schools. Citing Virginia Code, Townes explained that while a governing body can make a recommendation about the adoption of a plan, the ultimate responsibility for school supervision, and consolidation, rests with the school board. On Sept. 19, the board narrowly voted in favor of a scenario that involves the future closure of Sandusky Elementary School and closure or repurpose likely to a pre-K facility of T.C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation. T.C. Miller parents and community members have been a regular presence at school board meetings since the boards finance and facilities committee recommended closure of their school, and Dearington Elementary School for Innovation, to the full board in late August. After the school boards September vote, Sandusky community members filled city council chambers Sept. 26, and urged councilmembers to intervene and reverse the decision. Supporters of both schools were at the boards meeting Tuesday. ...[T]hat is and remains the boards decision, controversial though it may be, board Vice Chair Martin Day said of the vote. The administrations implementation planning is getting off the ground and the board will be hearing more about that soon. That scenario also calls for division-wide rezoning for close-to-home attendance; and renovations and or/expansions to Perrymont, Linkhorne, Bedford Hills, Paul Munro and Robert S. Payne elementary schools. Beyond the cost for those improvements, the school board also is requesting $15 million from city council to expand and renovate W.M. Bass Elementary School to accommodate the additional students expected to be assigned there with new attendance zones. The board also brought back representatives from the two consultants who informed the facilities master planning process. Officials selected Lynchburg firm Dominion Seven to conduct a study of LCS facilities in July 2021; Principal Architect Blair Smith reviewed some of his firms findings from that study. Smith said the average school size in Lynchburg was 324 students at the time of the study, and the average capacity of elementary school buildings was 400 students. So, what does that mean? That means you have too many classrooms with not enough students in them, and because of that theyre not efficient. The average date of construction for LCS elementary schools, and the Carl B. Hutcherson Early Learning Center, is 1951, according to Smith. The other problem that you have is youve never had, you dont have and you will not have enough financial resources to take care of what youve got. Its just the reality of it. The City Council will never give you the money that you need, he said. To kind of put some perspective on the financial burden that youre facing, we ran some individual numbers when we did our study on replacing roofs as they come due for all the buildings in your division. That number in 2023 was $28 million just to replace roofs. Smith told the board W.M. Bass and Linkhorne elementary schools present the best two opportunities for school expansion, while Sandusky was found to be in the worst condition. Only four of eleven elementary schools have classrooms that meet or exceed the size recommended by the U.S. Department of Education, he added. Bottom line is you have too many schools, too many elementary schools. Many of them are too small just to really provide a quality educational environment. All of them need to be modernized, and there are financial limitations to updating these buildings , Smith said. School closings not the only answer to budget deficit After Dominion Seven presented its study report in March 2022, the board commissioned Florida-headquartered consulting group MGT of America to develop scenario options for the future of facilities, focusing on elementary schools. MGTs Lance Richards also appeared at the meeting Tuesday, saying the groups final task in its partnership with LCS is assisting in the development of the implementation plan specifically considering the student attendance zone assignments to impact all division schools. Board member Farid Jalil asked Richards why none of the four scenarios MGT created addressed the boards $7.2 million deficit that is the purpose of us doing this in the first place. Richards answered, to be very honest with you sir, it was only at the last school board meeting that I heard the number $7.2 million. Day said, I think the short answer is while we hope that the facilities study will lead us to some savings, weve never tried to saddle the facilities study with the whole $7.2 million. We realize that it might contribute to us resolving that, but its not the only answer to it. Those additional funds needed to cover the $7.2 million are going to have to come from other places as well. Board Chair Atul Gupta explained the $7.2 million deficit is temporary COVID-19 funding the board has allocated for recurring costs thats expected to evaporate next year. In May, the board voted to increase employees minimum hourly wage to $15 per hour and increase starting teacher pay to $47,000, a move Gupta said the division used $4 million in COVID funds for. School closures were considered as a cost-saving measure at the time, but the board elected to wait until the facilities master plan was complete to make any decisions. Gupta said the division used another $3.2 million about three years ago for behavioral therapists, virtual academy, theres a whole array of things that were funded using coronavirus money at that time. The board will have to consider how to make up that deficit in its upcoming budget cycle. At the school boards facilities and finance committee meeting earlier in the day, Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Strategic Planning Reid Wodicka said maintaining all existing positions, even if schools close, will be a top priority for budget development. Participants in the final public forum to gather input on what the Iowa Board of Regents should look for in a superintendent for the states special schools Sept. 27 emphasized the importance of hiring a deaf person who is fluent in American Sign Language and familiar with deaf culture. The session, the last of three, was held in Cedar Rapids but was accessible statewide via Zoom. The state is preparing to engage a recruiting firm to find a new superintendent for the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired and Iowa School for the Deaf to take over on July 1, 2024. The previous superintendent, Steve Gettel, retired on June 30, 2022. Since then, former assistant administrator John Cool has been serving as interim superintendent. Most of the people providing input were deaf students or adults who spoke through an interpreter. Robert Vizzini, a deaf educator at the University of Iowa, said the superintendent must have good relationships with deaf adults and students. It is important that superintendents understand trends in deaf education and they can establish relationships with teachers, community members, students and alumni and be involved with National Association of the Deaf, he said. It is important that they be deaf themselves so they can be a role model. That way, students can see that deaf people can be successful, Vizzini said. At the very least, they should be fluent in sign language, he said. Sandra Anderson said the superintendent for ISD who serves for the visually impaired should understand the needs of both deaf and blind students. Deaf education and blind education are totally different fields, she said. It is critical that they have a knowledge of deaf education prior to becoming superintendent of ISD, she said. Joey Lewis, whose brother attends ISD, said it was important for the superintendent to establish relationships with teachers, staff and students and listen to feedback from students and families. They need to be an advocate for the school and conduct outreach throughout Iowa and Nebraska. We want ISD to grow and flourish, he said. Another speaker was Jennifer Keaton, who said she was representing herself and the deaf-blind community. She said candidates should be asked if they are familiar with deaf and deaf-blind culture. While blind people can still hear, deaf individuals have a barrier to communication, she said. The superintendent should understand what least restrictive environment means for deaf students, Keaton said. He or she needs to be equally fluent in English and ASL. D.J. Meyer, president of the Cedar Rapids Association of the Deaf and a 2014 graduate of ISD, said he cherished his time at ISD but that the school had a superintendent when he was there who was not deaf or fluent in ASL. I wanted somebody in a superintendent to be able to speak directly with students, he said. Regarding the next superintendent, Meyer said, I want them to be able to communicate with the deaf students. Were a deaf school. Were supposed to be able to communicate directly. They wouldnt have to be deaf, but Id prefer that they be deaf and fluent in ASL. Vania Kassouf, an ASL teacher, deaf advocate and member of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa and National Associations of the Deaf, emphasized the importance of the superintendent being fluent in ASL and being deaf. If the superintendent is deaf, this will give students at the school a role model, she said. The superintendent should also be active in deaf organizations at the state and national levels, Kassouf added. Cool thanked participants for their comments. We appreciate so much all the feedback (and participation) weve received at these, he said. Weve received some really valuable feedback from all of you. Cool said he and his staff would compile the comments and finalize a profile of the desired candidate by the end of last week. McKenzie Snow, director of the Iowa Department of Education, also thanked participants. I appreciate all the comments and the passion you have for this incredible institution, she said. Cool retired as assistant administrator in 2021 before he was called back in 2022 to cover as interim superintendent. The original plan was for me to serve one year as interim and assist the Board of Regents in the search for a replacement, he said. When the governor announced her (re)alignment bill, there was much discussion at the state level and the decision was to ask me to stay another year, assist with the alignment/transition to the Department of Education and also to assist with the search I was retired for a total of eight months, Cool said. During that eight months, I opened a counseling practice. I am a licensed mental health therapist. While it was a great learning experience and I was able to meet some really great people, the next time I retire, I am planning to focus much more on my wife, children and grandchildren. The family is growing, and my wife and I are looking forward to just spending time with them. Cools contract as interim ends on June 30, 2024. There are no guarantees, but at this time, that is when I anticipate retiring again," he said. 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 We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Tunisias authoritarian president Kais Saied rejected an EU offer for aid in return for a tighter control on illegal migration. Tunisia rejects what the EU announced, not because of the small amount but because the proposal conflicts with the memorandum of understanding signed in July, Saied said. The dispute between the EU and Tunis has coincided with the arrival of record numbers of migrants from Tunisia to Italys island of Lampedusa. According to press reports, Since September 11, Lampedusa has seen a record number of arrivals of makeshift boats from Tunisia. In less than 72 hours, up to 6,800 people, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, arrived on the island. The July deal with the EU included a pledge of 1 billion euros in aid to Tunisia to help its battered economy, rescue state finances and deal with the migration crisis. However, the bulk or 900 million dollars was to be disbursed as macroeconomic aid dependent on the conclusion of a deal with the IMF. Tunisia has so far failed to reach a deal with the IMF, further worsening its rating as it risks defaulting on debt payment. Talks with the IMF have stalled and many analysts fear the deal needs now to be updated in view of changing economic assumptions. But few expect it to be stricken given Tunisian presidents reluctance to accept painful reforms, on top of which a scrap of general subsidies and a reduction of civil servants. The MoU with the EU was also criticized by the Tunisian civil society and powerful unions. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES), said the MoU would transform Tunisia from European border police to European prison guard. The European commission was also lambasted by members of the European parliament for engaging in a migration deal with President Kais Saied who made xenophobia towards migrants a political capital using theories of the great replacement to stoke anti-migrants acts in his country. In August, Human Rights Watch said documented abuses against migrants in Tunisia included beatings, use of excessive force, some cases of torture, arbitrary arrests and detention, collective expulsions, dangerous actions at sea, forced evictions, and theft of money and belongings. Economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to decelerate this year by slumps in economic powerhouses South Africa, Nigeria and Angola, the World Bank has announced, expressing fears of a lost decade for the continent, faced with growing instability. For the current year, growth should reach 2.5%, compared with 3.6% last year, due in particular to the slowdown in the regions main economies, according to the World Banks latest growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa published on Wednesday (4 October). The Washington-based global lender projects Nigerias economy to grow by 2.9%, while Angolas will reach 1.3% and South Africa just 0.5%. But the fact that its GDP per capita has not grown since 2015 presents an even bigger problem for the region, the World Banks report says. However, there is optimism for a rebound with a projected growth of 3.7% in the following year and an even more promising 4.1% in 2025. Multiple reasons, most notably political instability, fragility, rising conflict and violence, are cited by the institution as the main culprits of the slowdown and sharp recession in some countries, such as the conflict-torn Sudan, whose economy is expected to shrink by 12% this year. Adding to the bleak picture, public debt remains a cause for concern, with more than twenty countries in the region presenting a high risk of over-indebtedness. Moreover, as the region has not recorded positive growth in per capita terms for the past eight consecutive years, it has been inadequate, in light with the rapid increase in population, to reduce extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity, and create jobs. The Malian army is deploying towards a northern separatist rebel stronghold in the Kidal region in a high-risk operation which could foreshadow a major confrontation and become a turning point after a decade of conflict. A large convoy of the Malian army left Gao on Monday (2 October) and was reportedly headed to the localities of Tessalit and Aguelhok, north of Kidal, with the aim of taking control of camps being vacated by departing troops of the the UN stabilization force (MINUSMA). The UN mission must leave the country on orders from the junta and has been handing over its camps to Malian authorities. MINUSMAs departure is widely seen as a primary factor in the resumption of hostilities by the separatists. Against the backdrop of numerous armed groups vying for control, the separatists insist that the UN sites must return to their control. The Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), an alliance of predominantly Tuareg groups seeking autonomy or independence from the Malian state, has carried out a succession of operations from Ber against army positions and its fighters are now gathering in the Kidal region. The desert region of Kidal, a crucial stopover between Mali and Algeria, is the historic focus of independence rebellions dominated by Tuareg, a nomadic and marginalized population whose uprisings have shaken Mali since independence from France in 1960. French troops will begin withdrawing from Niger this week, Paris announced on Thursday (5 October), while Nigerias top diplomat has said that a military intervention by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS was still on the table. We will begin our disengagement operation this week, in good order, safely and in coordination with the Nigerians, the French army has said after a falling-out with the West African countrys military junta in power since a July coup. The announcement comes a week after Frances ambassador to Niger returned to Paris under pressure from the regime. President Emmanuel Macron had announced on 24 September the withdrawal of 1,400 French troops, which were deployed in Niger as part of a wider fight against jihadists across the Sahel region, by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Nigerias Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has said that two months after the coup in Niger, a military intervention by ECOWAS was still on the table. In an exclusive interview with a French media outlet, he stressed that diplomatic efforts were still under way, but that ECOWAS had not changed its position on the possible use of force to restore constitutional order in Niger. Nigeria currently holds the rotating presidency of ECOWAS. Asked whether Nigerias president was open to negotiating a transition period with the Niger junta, Tuggar replied that Nigeria and ECOWAS still insist on the release of ousted president Mohamed Bazoum and the return of constitutional order. Hong Kong: Govt concerned about wild pig attack The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department said it is very concerned about an incident where a wild pig injured people on Stubbs Road today and expressed its sympathies to the injured, wishing them a speedy recovery. The department received a referral from Police this morning regarding a wild pig injuring six members of the public at a construction site on Stubbs Road. It immediately sent a dedicated 10-member team to the scene with a view to capturing the wild pig. The animal was found upon arrival but eventually escaped from the site. The dedicated team, with the assistance of Police, continued to search the nearby hillside areas and set up a trapping device at the scene. The team will conduct a capture operation at Stubbs Road and other locations tonight. To safeguard the public and maintain public hygiene, the department implemented new measures in November 2021 to capture wild pigs for humane dispatching from sites with large numbers of wild pigs, with cases of wild pigs injuring citizens, or with wild pigs posing risks to members of the public. The department has captured and humanely dispatched of eight wild pigs on Stubbs Road so far this year. Since the implementation of the new measures, a total of over 630 wild pigs have been humanely dispatched, with the number of wild pig nuisance blackspots falling from 63 in 2021 to 28 as of today. The trend in the number of public reports of wild pig sightings or nuisances received by the department also decreased, from over 1,400 cases in 2021 to about 1,100 cases in 2022. The number of cases this year as of September was about 770. Furthermore, the number of injury cases caused by wild pigs has decreased from 20 in 2021 and 36 in 2022, to five cases in 2023. This story has been published on: 2023-10-05. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Resolution proposals under parliamentary review to stop Chinas forced deportations By Jung Min-ho South Koreas human rights watchdog chief has urged the U.N. refugee agency (UNHRC) to take more proactive measures to protect North Korean refugees in China where they tremble with the constant fear of deportation, according to a letter obtained by The Korea Times on Thursday. In the letter sent on Sept. 13 to UNHRC chief Filippo Grandi, Song Doo-hwan, chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, asked him to formally request the Chinese government to permanently stop repatriating North Korean escapees against their will. At this very moment, North Korean defectors in China are desperately hoping for a helping hand to save them from the immediate threats of torture and punishment, he wrote. Even beyond the application of the Refugee Convention, I earnestly request your agency to take more proactive measures in these matters from a humanitarian perspective that upholds universal human values, protects human rights, and guarantees the lives and basic rights of North Korean defectors. Song conveyed the message at a time when rights advocates were criticizing the UNHRC and other U.N. agencies for their lack of action and silence despite signs of North Korea easing border restrictions after three years of extreme pandemic isolation. They said Beijing could resume its practice of deporting North Korean escapees soon, adding that as many as 2,000 such people were currently detained in China. Under the Constitution, Song said his organization is responsible for improving human rights for all citizens regardless of where they live on the Korean Peninsula. Although due to division, the effective authority of the Republic of Korea does not extend to the North Korean region, we engage in activities to improve the human rights of North Korean residents and defectors, he wrote. Given the limitations, Song asked Grandi for his active involvement and ongoing interest, saying that assistance of international institutions, such as the UNHRC, is urgently needed. Despite being a signatory to international treaties, such as the Refugee Convention and the Convention against Torture, China has violated them while prioritizing its bilateral deals with North Korea, which demands the return of all fugitives and criminals. In the letter, Song said the situation regarding the issue is even worsening in China, in which authorities are strengthening inspections and searches in border areas, conducting special crackdowns and arrests of North Korean defectors. During his last visit to Seoul last November, Grandi had a meeting with Song, who promised his organizations cooperation in protecting and promoting the rights of refugees. Before sending the letter, Song issued a statement in June to urge both Seoul and Beijing to work together to resolve the repatriation issue. Meanwhile, lawmakers are preparing for a joint move against the rights-violating practice of Beijing. So far, four proposals for resolution have been submitted at the National Assembly, including one containing the signatures of two defector-turned-lawmakers Ji Seong-ho and Tae Yong-ho and 32 others. After the Standing Committees review, lawmakers are expected to vote on the proposals soon. The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea urges China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a member of the U.N. Human Rights Council, to grant refugee status to the North Korean escapees who meet the requirements and permit them to move to where they want, the proposal says. The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea resolutely oppose detention and forcible repatriation of any North Korean escapees and will try its best to protect the their basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution and international laws. The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL), one of the main opposition parties in Tunisia, was placed in conditional detention on Tuesday after she was arrested in front of the presidential palace, according to the lawyer of her party. Abir Moussi was detained, but the reasons for her arrest remained unknown, said lawyer Naoufel Bouden. According to her party, Ms. Moussi was arrested in front of the presidential palace in Carthage, where she had come to file appeals against presidential decrees, as she claimed. Members of her party denounced her abduction in statements to Tunisian media. In a video posted on the PDLs Facebook page, Ms. Moussi stated before her arrest that the presidential office had refused to accept her appeal and issue her an acknowledgment receipt. Abir Moussi, a former member of parliament, is a staunch opponent of President Kais Saied and the Ennahdha Islamists, claiming the legacy of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was overthrown in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprising. She is accused by the left of seeking to establish a new dictatorship in Tunisia. Since early February, authorities have incarcerated several opposition figures, including the historic leader of the Islamist-conservative Ennahdha party, Rached Ghannouchi, as well as prominent figures, including former ministers and businesspeople. President Saied, accused by the opposition of authoritarianism, has labeled the arrested individuals as terrorists and claimed they were involved in a plot against the security of the state. President of the Union of the Comoros, current Chairman of the African Union, Azali Assouman, commended the continental leadership of King Mohammed VI and the quality of relations binding Morocco and the Union of the Comoros. The Comorian Head of State made the remarks while receiving President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), Latifa Akharbach, in capital Moroni, on Tuesday Azali Assouman hailed the continental leadership of King Mohammed VI, the quality of the relations linking the Kingdom and the Union of the Comoros, and the ongoing mutual solidarity that characterizes these relations, HACA said in a press release. The Comorian President also praised the HACAs commitment to the Comorian National Press and Audiovisual Council (CNPA), which is engaged in a vast program of modernization and professional upgrading, and expressed his support for any sharing of expertise that would enable the introduction of proactive regulation capable of promoting public communication and media practices serving the values of living together, tolerance, and social development. HACA President stressed during the audience that the extension of bilateral cooperation between Morocco and the Union of the Comoros to the field of autonomous media regulation is a relevant contribution to the dynamic spurred by the South-South cooperation advocated and supported by King Mohammed VI in favor of a strong and united Africa. The establishment of concrete and operational cooperation between the HACA and the CNPA will enrich the experience of both countries in the field of media regulation, with a focus on increasing the skills of the regulator, developing professional intelligence, adapting to the new digital media environment and promoting the citizens right to quality and trustworthy information, Akharbach was quoted in the press release as saying. Speaking in her capacity as President of the African Communication Regulation Authorities Network (ACRAN), Akharbach presented this pan-African platform of regulators to the President of the State of Comoros, outlining the networks 2023-2024 roadmap, in addition to the major areas of reflection identified on the continent in terms of audiovisual and digital regulation. In this respect, she highlighted ACRANs ambition to make an effective contribution to promoting the status, resources, skills, and autonomy of African regulators, so that they can act optimally to consolidate local and national media systems and build the continents informational sovereignty. (P)eople fail in the art of living not because they are inherently bad or so without will that they cannot live a better life; they fail because they do not wake up and see when they stand at a fork in the road and have to decide. They are not aware when life asks them a question, and when they still have alternative answers. Then with each step along the wrong road it becomes increasingly difficult for them to admit that they are on the wrong road, often only because they have to admit that they must go back to the first wrong turn, and must accept the fact that they have wasted energy and time. The same holds true for social and political life. Erich Fromm, The Heart of Man Its Genius for Good and Evil (1964) Erich Fromm escaped Nazi Germany and settled in the U.S. in 1934. He was an internationally renowned psychologist, sociologist and philosopher until his death in 1980. His nearly 60-year-old observation perhaps explains how one of our nations revered political parties which traces its roots to ridding this country of its original sin of slavery seems on the cusp of nominating Donald Trump for the office of President of the United States. Just this past week, Trump has suggested that the countrys top military officer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, be executed; has been found to have committed fraud by a New York state court which may result in millions of dollars in civil penalties including the loss of the ability to do business in that state; and has pledged to investigate the parent company of NBC and other news outlets for country threatening treason, tabbing the news media with the Stalinist phrase, enemy of the people. All of that in one week which was met with less than a shrug by likely Republican primary voters who poll dramatically in favor of the former president. Milley has dedicated his life to honorable and distinguished service in our countrys military, seen extensive combat, and risked his life to defend the nations Constitution. Trump asserts that in prior times, Milley would be executed. A state judge applies the law to actual evidence presented in a real court to find Trump committed fraud producing the ex-presidents now familiar baseless allegation of a corrupt witch hunt. Trump demeans media outlets with the totalitarian slur enemy of the state in stark opposition to the absolute necessity of a free press to ensure personal liberty as enshrined by our Founders in the First Amendment. In a single week, three foundational pillars of our democratic republic an independent judiciary, freedom of the press and military service were slandered and denigrated by Trump, and his already-substantial lead in polls of Republicans only increased. There are many miles between last week and that 2016 fork in the road where enough of our fellow citizens decided to overlook Trumps many flaws rather than vote for Hillary Clinton. Those miles are smothered with offenses as varied as an attempted Muslim ban; declaring that there were very fine people among the White supremacists and neo-Nazis marching at Charlottesville, Virginia; praise for authoritarian dictators including Russias Vladimir Putin and North Koreas Kim Jong Un; baseless denials of Bidens victory in the 2020 election; inciting the violence of Jan. 6; and being charged with 91 criminal felony counts in four separate indictments. Each violation, which standing alone only a few years ago would have made presidential aspirations a pipe dream, has instead served as another step along the wrong road putting more distance from that first wrong turn. Our country loves stories of redemption. From the Bibles Parable of the Prodigal Son, celebrating a childs return home after straying, to To Kill a Mockingbirds honoring of a son-of-the-souths futile efforts on behalf of a Black man in segregated Alabama in the 1930s we rejoice in the possibility of righting our ways. Regardless of the difficulty in admitting being on the wrong road and the need to go back to the beginning, Trumps increasingly dangerous efforts to falsely delegitimize the people and institutions that uphold the principles of our nation must be rejected if our representative democracy is to be recognizable to our children and grandchildren. Our country needs that story of redemption, that return to the correct path. Photo: Anna Rose Layden/Bloomberg via Getty Images Another member of George Santoss circle has found themselves in legal trouble. Nancy Marks, who worked as an accountant on the congressmans 2020 and 2022 House campaigns, pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States in federal court, according to the New York Times. Marks appeared in court in Central Islip, Long Island, Thursday afternoon. She resigned as Santoss campaign accountant earlier in the year as questions grew about the serial fabulists finances. Marks admitted to the judge that she had falsified campaign finance reports and said that a $500,000 loan that Santos claimed to have made to himself was fake. She could face three and a half to four years in prison, per the Associated Press. In May, Santos was indicted on 13 federal charges, including wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and making false statements. Prosecutors allege that Santos directed a political consultant to solicit contributions for his campaign only to use the funds for personal use such as paying bills or buying designer clothes. Santos has maintained his innocence in the matter and has even indicated his plans to run for reelection in 2024 despite numerous calls for him to resign from office. Last month, prosecutors in the case sought to delay his court date to October 27. Marks is only the latest former employee of Santos to find themselves on the wrong side of the law. In August, Samuel Miele, a former fundraiser for the congressman, was charged with impersonating an aide of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He is alleged to have pretended to be McCarthys past chief of staff in order to solicit donations to Santoss campaign. Miele pleaded not guilty. The history of the Empire is a monotonous story of the intrigues of priests, eunuchs and women, of poisonings, of conspiracies, of uniform ingratitude, of perpetual fratricides, wrote a 19th-century historian. He was describing the Byzantine Empire, but the quote minus the details about the eunuchs and poisonings applies about as well to the House Republicans. The last three decades have seen an endless succession of coups, scandals, and humiliations, at times reducing the position of Speaker of the House to a hollowed-out title hardly anybody of note even wanted to claim. By this point, the rituals of plotting and counterplotting are so deeply ingrained that every new Republican Speaker is greeted with built-in opposition and ready speculation as to who will take over as the next Speaker after the newly inaugurated one is inevitably deposed. The congressional Republican fratricide era began with the rise of Newt Gingrich (more on him shortly). But its intellectual roots stretch back to the early 1960s, when the upstart conservative movement first crawled out of the primordial ooze and set out to seize control of the party. A key document of the movement is A Choice Not an Echo, Phyllis Schlaflys 1964 book that the Barry Goldwater campaign embraced as a manifesto. Schlafly argued that the Republican Party had endured a series of defeats since the 1930s because a small group of secret kingmakers, using hidden persuaders and psychological warfare techniques, manipulated the Republican National Convention to nominate candidates who would sidestep or suppress the key issues. The party could have won all these elections, she argued, but it lost instead because its leaders had an interest in sustaining the status quo and manipulated the party to suppress a frontal right-wing challenge. Schlaflys analysis created a familiar template for conservative thought. Political defeat could never be rationalized as a normal part of political conflict nor corrected by aligning the party more closely to the beliefs of the political center. Any political setback was the result of betrayal by a shadowy Establishment, and the solution was to pry the party free of its nefarious control and win a cataclysmic final struggle against the forces of liberalism. While Goldwater lost in 1964, his movement, undeterred, slowly took over the party from the bottom up. An inflection point occurred in 1990, when Gingrich, leader of the insurgent conservative wing of the House Republican caucus, drove the partys old-line leader, Bob Michel, into retirement. The 1994 elections handed Gingrichs Republicans control of the House, which they promised to use as a launching point for a Republican revolution that would roll back the New Deal and reorder American society. The obstacle they immediately encountered was that their party only controlled Congress, and the president, Bill Clinton, refused to go along with their plans. The logic of the revolution propelled them to escalate their methods, shutting down the government repeatedly and then impeaching Clinton. But as Gingrichs methods failed and his heady promises went unfulfilled, his troops grew restless and eventually overthrew him, just as he had overthrown Michel. Gingrichs successor, Robert Livingston, was quickly deposed, too. (He had been exposed for having an extramarital affair, a very Byzantine plot twist.) But the pattern set in that new insurgent Republican leaders would seize power and promise great conservative victories, only to find their troops eventually turning on them. John Boehner, Paul Ryan, and now Kevin McCarthy have all succumbed to the pattern. (Ironically, the only Republican Speaker to surrender his post peacefully during this period was Dennis Hastert, who later turned out to have sexually abused boys.) A natural consequence of this pattern has been to drive House Republicans to constantly employ more extreme methods: shutting down the government, threatening to default on the national debt, impeaching Democrats with or without evidence. McCarthy used all these methods against Biden at the behest of his right-wing rivals. When they inevitably failed to produce the expected victories, the radicals preferred to get rid of him rather than admit that their own strategy was misconceived. This method of grabbing power within the GOP has applications beyond the House. A decade ago, Ted Cruz seized upon the demand that Republicans shut down the government in order to force Barack Obama to repeal his signature health-care law. Cruz obviously understood this would never work, but the idea was to identify himself as the true conservative and his enemies as the Establishment. Donald Trump used the same motif to present himself as the real fighter. In Trumps rhetoric, every Republican who opposes him is the Establishment or the swamp or a RINO. Trump has managed to defy the historic pattern of insurgent leaders being deposed by newer and more radical insurgents. Ron DeSantis has tried to use this style of politics, casting Trump as a loser who became part of the swamp. But Trump has proven uniquely immune to insurgency, perhaps because his unhinged communication style and fanatical pugilism makes it impossible for the Republican base to believe hes been co-opted by the Establishment. But Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, or whoever manages to seize the crown will not enjoy Trumps invulnerability. Some group of insurgents will demand they take radical steps, and when the new Speaker either refuses or, more likely, those steps fail to work, the insurgency will start up again. The House Republican caucus has been so thoroughly radicalized that it is almost impossible to discern any coherent ideological fault line separating the insurgents from the leadership. They are fighting over points of legislative doctrine so inscrutable that outsiders can barely understand them. The main hope held by the rest of us is that the House Republican majority which rests on a handful of seats that could easily flip in the next election will finally, like the Byzantines, collapse. This probably isnt Loro Piana, either. Photo: Anonymous Like most journalists, I live in fear of getting something wrong. Corrections usually come in the form of an angry phone call or scolding email, along with a heavy dose of shame. They dont usually arrive on Instagram, which is where I found out on Wednesday that Mark Zuckerberg was disputing the photo caption for a story I wrote, which had identified the sweater he was wearing as Loro Piana. That shirt is Buck Mason, Zuck replied, dropping into the comments on the post from the Cuts account. Also fancy. A couple of weeks ago, as I began writing about how elite circles of tech bros were heavily into Loro Piana, I began to think about photo selection for the story. The lead characters of Succession had popularized the quiet luxury trend by rocking the brand, and Bill Gates had long been a customer. But ideally, the poster boy (as it were) for this article would be a real-life tech CEO with the power to influence business and fashion trends, and who had recently been publicly photographed in Loro Piana. Who better than Mark Zuckerberg? The CEO of Meta had, after all, been a forefather of modern Silicon Valley style, a fashion icon in those parts who was single-handedly responsible for making the hoodie acceptable workwear at start-ups and IT departments worldwide. And I had it on good authority that at some point in the evolution from Facebook, Inc. to Meta Platforms from Harvard dropout to eighth-richest man in the world as of Thursday hed upgraded his signature sweatshirt from Fruit of the Loom (or some such) to a cashmere version from Loro Piana, weaver of the softest, probably most expensive off-the-rack sweater in the world. But the New York photo department had to find the right picture. They came across a shot of a chic-looking Zuckerberg strolling the conference grounds at Paul Allen & Co.s annual summer Sun Valley confab the off-record gathering of top tech CEOs and investors in what appeared to be a luxe blue sweater. No hood, but the tailored fit and seamless, label-free look seemed very stealth-wealthy and promising. I am not a fashion writer, and it is not easy to definitively ID the brand of an intentionally logo-less item of clothing, much less from only a photo, when you cant even touch the material or study the thread count of the fibers up close. And for some of the richest and most famous people who wear this particular designer, the whole point is that they dont want you to be able to guess where they shop (or how much money they spend on clothes), making the task even more challenging. But I did my fact-checking due diligence nonetheless. I spent more of my day than Id frankly like to admit performing Investigative Journalism, asking stylists and the brand itself the all-important question: Was this soft-looking blue long-sleeve Zuck wore to Sun Valleys summer camp for billionaires from Loro Piana? A spokesperson for the Italian fashion house declined to verify, writing only, Since its not a communication activity nor an official press appearance, I am not able to comment on items that clients might have purchased. (Hed already confirmed Jeremy Strong had worn several of the labels items as Kendall Roy in Succession.) But a prominent stylist who works with a number of Silicon Valley CEOs had reviewed the photo, and in consultation with a knowledgeable New York City menswear salesperson, had rendered a verdict: The sweater was most likely Loro Piana. This was about as sure as I could get. Who, after all, could say differently if not the fashion experts and retail specialists than Zuckerberg himself? And if the CEO of a $780 billion tech company deigned to correct the record on what brand of sweater he prefers, well, then that could be a story in and of itself. And here we are; I officially stand corrected. Buck Masons California cashmere crewneck sweater, which looks similar to the one Zuckerberg is wearing in the photo, retails for $228. (The photo itself is from Sun Valley 2018, so the exact garments the CEO is wearing are likely not still for sale.) According to a person close to the CEO and his wardrobe (a correction of this nature demanded additional Investigative Journalism), Zuckerberg still wears some Loro Piana (such as its hoodies) but these days he prefers somewhat more affordable menswear brands, including Buck Mason, Todd Snyder, and John Elliott for his shirts, sweaters, and pants. For workout gear, beachwear and athleisure, he wears Vuori and surfer Kelly Slaters line Outerknown. He favors sneakers from Nike and slides from Adidas. Of course, I cant fully verify Zuckerbergs claims about his sweater unless he shows us his tags. (New Yorks social-media team has officially requested a closet tour in a reply to his Instagram comment.) Regardless, this episode raises an important question: If people cant tell the difference between an astronomically expensive brand and a semi-affordable one, whats the point of spending several thousands of dollars on a sweater anyway? Perhaps only Kendall Roy knows the answer. Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images On Wednesday, President Joe Biden forgave another $9 billion in student-loan debt. Another 125,000 Americans are free of a financial trap that still binds millions. That partial good news is part of a trend for the Biden administration: He has now forgiven a total of $127 billion in debt, affecting 3.6 million people. The president has also announced a new repayment plan and a year-long on-ramp to repayment, as The Atlantic has reported. After the Supreme Court struck down his signature student-loan effort, however, the president has appeared cautious. Though hes said he will explore a Plan B, so far it looks like patchwork. Meanwhile, student-loan payments restart this month after a three-year pause. Millions of Americans are still waiting for a permanent solution. Will they get one from Biden? The presidents student-debt plan only ever provided partial relief, and hes hampered, further, by a conservative Supreme Court and by Congress. Republicans are intransigent, and even some Democrats stand in the way of universal relief. When Senator Joe Manchin voted to repeal Bidens reckless student-debt plan in late May, he claimed the nation simply cannot afford to add another $400 billion to the national debt. Absent from Manchins analysis are the human beings who cannot afford their debt. They deserve more from Biden and from their government. The president could do more if he wanted to. The Debt Collective has urged him to cancel all student-loan debt by executive order, citing his authority under the Higher Education Act. As far as I can tell, nothing in current law prevents the Department from using its compromise authority to cancel broad swaths or even all of its student loan portfolio, Luke Herrine, a co-founder of the collective, wrote in 2017. Since then, cancellation has gained some traction among progressives in office, thanks largely to the efforts of the left. During the 2020 Democratic primary, Senator Elizabeth Warren pledged to cancel up to $50,000 for people making less than $100,000 and people making up to $250,000 would have seen portions of debt erased, as the New York Times reported at the time. Senator Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist, said he would go further and cancel all student-loan debt. The more moderate Biden initially promised to cancel $10,000 of student-loan debt for all borrowers. He also said hed cancel undergraduate federal student loan debt picked up at public colleges for those earning less than $125,000 a year, CNBC reported. His plan as president would have erased up to $20,000 in debt for millions. When he first acted to cancel some student-loan debt, President Biden cited the HEROES Act, not the Higher Education Act (HEA). The presidents Plan B did initiate a rule-making process to open up different paths to push through debt relief, including using the HEA, as The Atlantic explained. But the Debt Collective isnt alone in thinking the HEA authorizes him to do more for debtors. Representative Ro Khanna recently argued in the Messenger that Biden should cancel up to $50,000 in student-loan debt using the Higher Education Act. This would be life-altering for people and grow our economy by giving young people the financial freedom to buy homes, start families and open businesses, he wrote. Khanna is right to say that student-loan cancellation would bring economic benefits. But theres more at stake than economic growth. As Astra Taylor, a co-founder of the Debt Collective, explained in the New York Times last year, the cancellation of federal student loans will not only remove a crushing economic weight for tens of millions of people; it will lift a significant emotional one, too. There may be political implications, she added, by emboldening those who find their obligations overwhelming to engage in collective action aimed at winning more relief and changing the policies that make indebtedness so pervasive. As children, were told that college opens the world to you. Debt narrows that world. Though a college degree can still improve your prospects, your progress remains precarious if you cant graduate without debt. America thus teaches debtors a lesson: Reach too high, and debt will be there to rein you back in. Taylor calls debt an instrument of social control and notes that the fear of student debt pushes people into certain careers and limits their life choices, a truth at odds with childhood stories. America is a land of opportunity, but only for a few as long as student debt persists. The cancellation of federal student-loan debt wont solve the college affordability crisis. For that we need free public-college tuition, as proposed by lawmakers such as Bernie Sanders. Cancellation, though, will still right a great wrong. It is wrong to punish the children of working-class and middle-class families for seeking an education. There is no moral benefit to student debt. Nor is it some natural occurrence an act of God which falls upon the less fortunate. Student debt is the product of political choices. Lawmakers have allowed it to become so pervasive that different realities can be difficult to imagine. What would change if we treated education as a right? If we freed millions from debt? The racial wealth gap might narrow. Debtors might begin to question the interlocking injustices that trap so many Americans. If student debt is immoral, what of medical debt? The answer could open the door to a new world. No wonder student-debt cancellation has so many enemies. Biden, though, should ignore the naysayers. Hes canceled $127 billion so far. Its time to erase the rest of it. The stock market doesnt care about MAGA delusions. Photo: Getty Images Even as the horrendous dysfunction afflicting House Republicans dominates the headlines, polls continue to show the GOP in a good position to maintain and extend its power in 2024. In the RealClearPolitics polling averages, Republicans lead in the generic congressional ballot (basically a measure of which party voters want to control the U.S. House) by a point (44.4 percent to 43.4 percent). And their wildly erratic and indictment-prone presidential front-runner, Donald Trump, similarly leads Joe Biden in 2024 general-election trial heats by an average of 45.5 percent to 44.4 percent. There are multiple reasons offered for this anomaly of the crazy-person party holding a lead, ranging from the presidents age to some sort of national malaise. But the most obvious reason from the data we have is that solid majorities of Americans are unhappy about the economy and blame Biden for it. A new Marquette Law School national poll shows Trump being preferred to Biden on handling the economy by an astonishing 52 percent to 28 percent margin. Its hardly an unusual finding. Heres what ABCs Gary Langer said after the latest ABC/Washington Post survey came out: Forty-four percent of Americans in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll say theyve gotten worse off financially under Bidens presidency, the most for any president in ABC/Post polls since 1986. Just 37% approve of his job performance, while 56% disapprove. Still fewer approve of Bidens performance on the economy, 30%. And thats with most major economic indices looking relatively sunny. If the economy takes the negative turn next year many forecasters expect, what then? How much Trump craziness might swing voters tolerate to get back that sensational Trump economy they remember (or imagine)? But to look at the situation from a different angle: How much are Republicans unnecessarily hurting themselves by both tolerating Trumps high jinks and displaying their own in the U.S. House? Why dont they exhibit some self-discipline by getting onto the obvious winning message and chirping like cicadas: Economy! Economy! Economy! Im quite certain there are Republicans in boardrooms and country clubs all over America wondering just that. Before getting to the heart of the matter, its important to acknowledge a couple of factors that lead Republicans to be less than entirely mono-vocal, aside from their varying ideological and geographical backgrounds. There are some issues, notably the situation along the southern border, and in some parts of the country violent-crime rates, that benefit them so much that ignoring them would represent political malpractice. The Marquette Law School poll cited above showed Trump leading Biden on border security by exactly the same margin as his advantage on the economy. Plus, of course, its a signature issue for Trump and the MAGA movement he created. There are other issues, notably abortion, that are more important to key Republican activists than all the economic indicators past, present, or future. Trump is probably straining their patience by urging the GOP to downplay its unpopular views on abortion policy. But the key thing to understand in processing wild Republican rhetoric on issues like congressional appropriations is that they and their supporters deeply believe the countrys economic problems are almost exclusively caused by excessive public spending and government overreach. Risking a debt default to rein in deficit spending strikes most Democrats and nonpartisan observers as playing an insanely dangerous game with the economy. Plenty of Republicans cant imagine anything more dangerous and irresponsible than trillion-dollar budget deficits and unlimited public borrowing. For people who think that way, forcing a government shutdown is an absolute no-brainer. It has to be done again and again until the spending and borrowing stops. To be sure, the wild extremism of so much Republican rhetoric on government spending is fed by non-economic concerns about objects of all that spending. According to some conservatives, Democrats are bankrupting the country and tanking the economy in order to finance radical assaults on freedom like COVID shutdowns, vicious assaults on Christians and their institutions, a vendetta against fossil fuels and those who use them or depend on them for jobs, and the partisan weaponization of law enforcement to prosecute conservatives and liberate looters and killers. Many of them also seem to think Biden is determined to spend the U.S. to death in order to save Ukraine as payback for bribes. Donald Trump seems to regard government spending as strictly designed to keep him from returning to the White House. But its also telling that complicity in deficit spending is one of the rare issues on which otherwise craven Republicans like Nikki Haley are willing to criticize the 45th president. While its impossible to sort out all the different evils with which Republicans associate big government and runaway spending, theres no question that when they rage about these things they believe they are addressing the same economic concerns that their voters, as well as swing voters, want them to deal with urgently. Keep that in mind as you watch House Republicans choose a new Speaker against a backdrop of fresh promises to radically pare back federal spending. Photo: Katie Dalebout Twice a year, throughout elementary and middle school, my mom took me with her to her hairstylist. Cheri never cut off more than a few inches, but when I left the salon, I felt so completely transformed that I immediately started counting down to the next visit. The difference wasnt that my split ends were gone, but that my unruly, poufy, frizzy, hair was finally straight thanks to the way Cheri blow-dried it. At school, everyone noticed. Some classmates complimented my hair; others stared as if to ask, How come it doesnt look like that more often? I held off washing my hair as long as I could. My mom and I both have the same thick, wavy, dense hair. Growing up in the 70s, she straightened hers with a clothing iron and curled it with empty juice cans. As a kid in the late 90s, I relied on big bows, high ponytails, and tight braids. We each tried to replicate how smooth and weightless our hair looked after one of Cheris blowouts, but never could. We lacked the patience and dexterity to work a brush and dryer simultaneously, section by section. Even the dawn of the flat iron a few years later didnt help. It just made my hair look burnt. Everything changed on a trip to see my Aunt Sally, who had dreamy straight hair and nightmare arthritis. During the week we were there, chatting with her in her room, I saw her use what looked like a round brush and a hair dryer that had been welded together. I was too nervous to ask if I could try it, but I kept thinking about it for the rest of the trip until I asked my mom if we could get one. We picked one up at CVS on the way home, and with it, I learned how to give myself Cheri-level blowouts. Ive owned one ever since. It wasnt all smooth hair immediately. There was a bit of a learning curve. But soon, I figured out that by going section by section the way Cheri did would actually work if I used the Conair (unlike my fumbling attempts with regular hair dryers). It still was time-consuming since I have so much hair, but with patience I could get each section looking as sleek and shiny as she did. It got me through the first day of high school and every picture day and school dance, before making its way off to college with me. I remember my roommate saying shed never seen a hair dryer like it before. For me, the draw is the strange-looking half-cylinder-shaped brush attachment. Rather than having to hold two items (brush and hair dryer), this leaves one hand free to grab your hair sections, helping to get the back entirely smooth. I buy a new one nearly every year. I know youre thinking, But technology has changed so much in the past 20 years. Ive tried a friends Dyson, and honestly, it didnt work nearly as well because the air blows out forward rather than from the side, making it trickier to use on myself. The InfinitiPros half-cylinder shape with its thermal bristle-brush attachment (basically a halfround brush) allows me to get heat searingly close to my scalp in a way others guard against. Similarly, my friend gave me the Amika blow-dryer, which has a paddle brush, and without the rounded bristle brush, it doesnt tug and bend my hair enough to change its texture. The Conairs round brush can get close enough to my scalp to straighten the particularly curly pieces near my temples, in a way all other brushes cant. It also comes with two other attachments: a dual-row straightening comb (essentially two combs in a row) and a wide-tooth detangling comb, which I never use, but some of my friends who Ive turned onto it have. They still thank me for improving their hair routines. With the Conair, a blow-dry lasts a week, if not more. I use it when I get out of the shower on wet or damp hair. I section the hair out and tug the dryer down each chunk until my entire head is dry. Between washes, I use it on the pieces that got wet from washing my face or showering. The hair dryer has traveled all over the world with me, from Canada to Spain (it comes with a handy carrying case), and if its ever discontinued, my nightmare of waking up back in middle school will come true. In the summer, I often let my hair air-dry and try to embrace my natural texture, but I still only actually like how my hair looks if I use this or get it blown out by a professional. And honestly, professional blowouts arent in my budget right now, but the Infinitipro is here for me, always has been, and (hopefully) always will be. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. The Iron Bowl is several weeks away, but Auburn University and the University of Alabama are already in a friendly competition with the common goal to fight hunger and poverty in Alabama. The Beat Bama Food Drive and Beat Auburn Beat Hunger continue to face off to see who can collect the most food from Sept. 29 to Nov. 16. Students, faculty, alumni and community members unite to collect donations for the Food Bank of East Alabama. Were fighting food insecurity, so if its a chip on the shoulder to help feed people, definitely, BBFD president Justin King said about beating Bama. We strive to improve every year. Weve continuously gotten better throughout the past couple of years, and we plan on improving that this year. Since its inception in 1994, the competition has raised over 9.4 million pounds of food. In 2022, both organizations soared beyond previous records. BBFD brought in 550,117 pounds of food while BABH earned the win with 565,983 pounds of donated food. Those behind the Beat Bama Food Drive look to build off its record-breaking 2022 campaign. All donated food will go to senior programs, soup kitchens, emergency food pantries, missions and rehabilitation centers that the Food Bank of East Alabama and the West Alabama Food Bank serve. There are enough people facing hunger issues across the seven counties that the food bank serves to fill three-fourths of Jordan-Hare Stadium. When I started working at the food bank, they estimated that the food insecurity rate in Alabama was 1 out of 11 people living in the state. Its now actually in much of our service area closer to 1 out of every 5. In fact, with children, its 1 out of every 4, said Martha Henk, the executive director of the Food Bank of East Alabama. While the event is primarily student-organized, it has received a significant amount of community support. There will be food drives at several local businesses and public schools while many grocery stores will have donation barrels. Foods the Food Bank of East Alabama need the most include: peanut butter canned meats canned fruits and vegetables canned soups and stews macaroni and cheese dinners cereal rice pasta Heres where you can find collection barrels in Auburn and Opelika (updated regularly): Kroger Auburn Kroger Opelika Sams Club Winn-Dixie Opelika Winn-Dixie Auburn Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bitty and Beaus Domain Auburn First Year Experience Homecare of East Alabama Health Irritable Bao Max Fitness Stacks Stamp Auburn The Yard Top Hat Chimney Sweeps Whataburger Food Bank of East Alabama, Auburn Community Market, Opelika Several locations on Auburn University campus including the scholarship entrance at Neville Arena. For a list of updated donation locations as well as needed items, you can visit the Food Bank of East Alabamas website and the Beat Bama Food Drive 2023 event tab. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated his backing for Japan's decision to build "counterstrike" capabilities during talks with his Japanese counterpart on Wednesday, as Washington and Tokyo are tightening security coordination in the face of North Korea's evolving threats and China's growing assertiveness. Austin held his first in-person talks with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara at the Pentagon since Kihara took office last month. Their agenda included Japan's decision last year on the acquisition of counterstrike capabilities that observers said would allow Tokyo to launch a counterattack if it or its ally, the U.S., comes under attack -- an apparent change further away from its long-held defense-oriented policy. "Secretary Austin reiterated his support for Japan's decision to strengthen its defense, including its acquisition of counterstrike capabilities and increase in defense spending," Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. "Both leaders reaffirmed the strategic alignment between the United States and Japan, as well as shared alliance goals to optimize force posture, bolster integrated deterrence, modernize roles and missions, and further cooperate with like-minded partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific," he added. In December last year, Tokyo announced revisions to its key security and defense documents in what was seen as a marked shift for a country long restricted by its post-war "pacifist" constitution. Under the revisions, Tokyo embraced "counterstrike" capabilities. Later, North Korea accused Japan of having formulated an invasion-oriented security strategy and warned of "actual action" without elaboration. After his talks with Austin, Kihara said Japan will begin procuring Tomahawk cruise missiles from the U.S. in the fiscal year of 2025, a year earlier than planned, according to Kyodo News. Japan plans to buy 400 Tomahawk missiles, each with a range of about 1,600 kilometers, the Tokyo-based news outlet said. At the Pentagon meeting, Austin also reaffirmed America's "unwavering and ironclad" security commitment to Japan, according to Ryder. "The two leaders confirmed both countries' mutual commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance amid historic shared momentum toward peace, stability, and deterrence in a free and open Indo-Pacific," the press secretary said. In the midst of North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats, the U.S. has been striving to strengthen cooperation with its two East Asian allies, South Korea and Japan. The effort culminated at the historic Camp David South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral summit in August, which produced a set of documents, including one committing the three countries to consult each other in the event of a common threat. (Yonhap) DOL and ILO Form New Partnership to Strengthen Labor Rights in Mexico The joint initiative OBSERVAR ensures democratic processes in workplaces. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) have launched the Observation and Engagement for Rights Verification and Realization Initiative (OBSERVAR) to enhance labor rights and promote democratic processes within workplaces in Mexico. According to a recent release, the initiativewhich started in Leon, Guanajuatofocuses on the impartial observation of workplace votes and the capacity-building of workers, employers and other key stakeholders on the issues of freedom of association and collective bargaining. The DOL awarded the project a $5 million cooperative agreement and a three-year commitment. OBSERVAR also aligns with the labor rights objectives embedded within the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement as well as Mexicos 2019 labor reform goal of supporting worker voices in the designation of worker organizations and promoting collective bargaining by representatives fairly selected by the workers. Ensuring union votes in Mexico are free and fair is foundational to securing independent, democratic unions that can bargain in good faith for better wages and working conditions, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee said in a statement. This unique project will bring the International Labor Organizationrecognized as the global authority on freedom of association and trusted as an impartial observerinto workplace votes to certify that they are conducted fairly and lawfully. Organized by the ILO, the launch event for OBSERVAR took place in September 2023 and was hosted by the government of Mexico. As part of the event, a roundtable comprised of representatives from government, employer and worker organizations discussed the importance of freedom of association and collective bargaining in positive industrial relations. South Africa has no plans to curb its oil and gas operations in favour of a green transition just yet, as the government announces big plans to boost oil and gas exploration activities in the coming years. This is part of its aim to improve its energy security and reduce the countrys reliance on foreign imports. As such, the government recently approved new drilling activities by Frances TotalEnergies, aiming to make significant new discoveries to support longer-term oil and gas production. This month, the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Nobuhle Nkabane, stated that South Africa will sustainably continue to develop its oil and gas resources, at the Southern African Oil Gas Conference. Nkabane explained, It is imperative to accelerate the exploration of oil and gas both onshore and offshore, as having our own petroleum resources will reduce our dependency on foreign oil and cushion our economies, in particular our citizens against imposed whirlwinds of crude price volatility. Natural gas contributes around 3 percent of South Africas energy supply and is seen as key to ensuring its energy security, as well as supporting the countrys decarbonisation aims. A recent discovery of gas reserves in Mpumalanga reflects the countrys openness to greater exploration activities. In August, the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy announced the discovery of 3.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas by Australian company Kinetiko Energy. It stated, It will assist with baseload energy required to strengthen South Africas energy security and propel the quest for industrialisation that will bring about growth and development. While the aim of increasing South Africas natural gas output may seem at odds with a green transition, it could help the country to reduce its reliance on highly polluting coal. South Africa continues to depend on coal for around 80 percent of its power generation. In a country that regularly faces rolling blackouts, the government has stated its need to continue using coal until a reliable alternative is established. This includes the development of the countrys oil and gas resources. Nkabane also highlighted the importance of developing South Africas energy security before it considers exporting its gas resources. She explained, We have also seen that Europe is looking to Africa to diversify its gas supplies. This presents a good opportunity and market for local gas beyond our own use. However, the caveat is that we should not rush to export gas to Europe at the expense of our own domestic and regional markets, no matter how tempting the prospects of earning foreign revenue. South Africas revised Upstream Petroleum Development Bill is expected to make it easier for oil and gas companies to gain approval for new projects. This means that the upstream sector is no longer managed by the 2002 Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act. In the past, lawyers have found loopholes in the legal documentation to make the approval of new exploration operations almost impossible, something that is expected to change owing to this new legislation. This month, South Africa dismissed an appeal against TotalEnergies offshore drilling plans, instead approving its planned oil and gas exploration in a block off the southwest coast. The French company hopes to carry out exploration activities in Block 5/6/7 and with the approval plans to drill up to give offshore wells. Despite gaining initial project approval from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy in April, environmentalist groups and activists appealed the decision due to environmental concerns. However, the Minister of the Environment, Barbara Creecy, stated in the ruling, 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. TotalEnergies previously discovered two huge gas fields off the South African coast in 2019 and 2020. Its current area of interest covers 10,000km2 and is located between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, in water depths between 700 metres and 3,200 metres. It operates activities in the block and holds a 40 percent stake, with Shell holding another 40 percent and the national oil company PetroSA holding the remaining 20 percent. As of June, South Africa had 15 oil and gas projects in the pipeline between 2023 and 2027. These projects are expected to help develop the countrys estimated 27 billion barrels of crude oil and 60 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves to boost its energy security and help reduce its reliance on coal. The projects span from new exploration activities to floating storage and processing plants. Following years of dependence on coal, the government of South Africa has created a strategy to develop the countrys oil and gas resources to boost its energy security and decarbonise its energy sector. This depends significantly on the approval of new exploration activities aimed at increasing the number of offshore oil and gas operations, which is expected to reduce South Africas reliance on energy imports. ADVERTISEMENT By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Over 20 companies, representing a significant portion of global oil and gas production, are discussing joining a new 'Global Decarbonization Alliance' to be introduced at the COP28 summit. Major oil companies defended their current strategies at ADIPEC, highlighting their contributions to both energy transition and the current energy needs. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the COP28 President-Designate, argues that the oil industry must not be seen as an obstacle but rather as a pivotal player in decarbonization and the energy transition. The oil and gas industry needs to invest more in decarbonization amid an inevitable phase-down of fossil fuels underway, according to the head of one of the biggest national oil companies and president-designate of the COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The oil industry shouldn't be seen as hampering decarbonization efforts in any way, said Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). "I don't want this industry to be seen in any way, form or shape that they are going against the phase down [of fossil fuels]," Al Jaber told the Financial Times at the ADIPEC energy conference this week. "This [phase down] is happening," he added. At ADIPEC this week, the top executives of the world's largest oil companies said the industry has the tools to be a driver of the energy transition, but defended the recent strategies, after last year's crisis, to continue pumping oil and gas to supply the world with the energy it needs now. Net-zero plans at oil firms remain intact, but energy security has taken over the narrative in the past year and a half. The oil industry is investing in the decarbonization of operations and in new solutions to tackle emissions, but has signaled in recent months that the energy transition should be paced and will take a long time. In the meantime, the world will still need oil and gas, and it will fall on the industry to supply the fossil fuels, which still account for 82% of the global energy mix. Oil Industry Is "Central To The Solution" COP28 President-designate Al Jaber welcomed the energy industry representatives at ADIPEC with a call to the sector to play a crucial role in progressing decarbonization and the energy transition. "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," Al Jaber said at the opening of the energy conference. "This is your opportunity to show the world that, in fact, you are central to the solution." ADIPEC's key theme this year was 'Decarbonising. Faster. Together.', and the head of ADNOC and the COP28 climate summit called for greater collaboration on decarbonization. More than 20 companies, accounting for up to a quarter of the world's oil and gas production, are currently in talks to join an initiative expected to be unveiled at the COP28 summit next month and tentatively billed as the 'Global Decarbonization Alliance,' al Jaber told FT. Ahead of the climate summit, ADNOC announced this summer it is bringing forward its target for net-zero emissions to 2045 from a previous target of 2050, becoming the first oil company in its peer group to commit to net zero in 2045. ADNOC's Al Jaber said in July that the oil and gas industry needs to "step up its game" to cut emissions and accelerate the shift toward cleaner energy solutions. Oil Majors Defend Decisions To Address Energy Security Amin Nasser, president and CEO at the world's biggest oil firm, Saudi Aramco, said at ADIPEC this week, "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." Aramco has been warning for years that underinvestment in oil and gas, due to ESG concerns and activism, would come back to haunt the global energy supply, potentially creating shortages while the world will still need oil and gas. International oil majors have recently leaned toward Aramco's narrative to look to provide not only the 'energy of the future' but the energy the world needs today, that is, oil and gas. "We need all of it, not some parts of the energy value chain. We need all of that to come together," Shell's CEO Wael Sawan said at ADIPEC, as carried by The National. Sawan dismissed criticism that Shell is changing direction and said the company is pacing itself in the drive to bet on more 'electrons' than 'molecules'. "I'll be unequivocal here, we are fundamentally leaning in to develop the energy system of the future and we will do it profitably," he said, as carried by Energy Voice. ADVERTISEMENT Patrick Pouyanne, CEO at TotalEnergies, said on an ADIPEC panel of executives moderated by CNBC, commenting on the widening divide in the debate about the future of fossil fuels. "We will never make enough to please the ones which are against oil and gas, but my mission is not to please them." "Our mission is to deliver to the society the energy we need today and tomorrow and for that I feel comfortable," Pouyanne added. Tengku Muhammad Taufik, president and CEO of Malaysia's state oil and gas company Petronas, was also blunt, although he acknowledged that the industry needs to step up its decarbonization game. "So, the debate has always been posed here, I'm reminded of an old saying: 'If you want to keep everyone happy, sell ice cream'," Taufik said. "We are not in the business of ice cream and I'm reminded, there are people who are lactose intolerant." By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Chile is on track to become the largest energy storage market in the Americas. The position is currently held by the United States, which expects to deploy another 10 GW of energy storage by the end of 2023, but Chiles ambitious energy storage ambitions and massive lithium supply have given the South American country a pathway to becoming number one in the near future. Across the world, a race to build out energy storage infrastructure is unfolding. The sector is poised for explosive growth on a global scale as clean energy deployment ramps up ahead of major decarbonization milestones. According to figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global wind and solar energy capacity additions are set to shatter previous records by the end of 2023, with an expected 440 gigawatts to be added by the end of the year. This massive influx of variable energy supplies will require huge increases in energy storage capacity. Because solar and wind power are not baseload power sources their supply waxes and wanes according to variables like the weather and the time of year batteries are necessary to store surplus energy produced at peak production hours, which will then be fed back into the grid during peak demand hours. A strong energy storage sector will prove to be the backbone of the renewable energy revolution, as a flexible, mass-scale energy storage industry is essential to keeping the lights on and the grid functioning properly as renewable energy takes a majority role in the global energy mix. While the energy storage sector is still in its infancy, its set to be an incredibly lucrative industry thanks to its central role in the green energy transition. Law firm Morgan Lewis recently referred to clean energy storage as the technology that will cash the checks written by the renewable energy industry, and went on to say that the global energy storage market will continue its rapid growth, with an estimated 387 gigawatts (GW) of new energy storage capacity expected to be added by 2030a 15-fold increase in global energy storage capacity compared to the end of 2021. Most of the batteries used for energy storage today are lithium-ion batteries, which gives lithium-rich South America a major edge in the energy storage market. The continent has vast amounts of lithium, and unlike the United States, it already has established manufacturing capacity, expertise, and an experienced industry to support the scaling up and scaling out of lithium production in the near term, Oilprice reported earlier this year. Chile, which is one corner of the lithium triangle that also includes Argentina and Bolivia, has recently set some extremely ambitious targets to scale up its renewable energy deployment as well as its energy storage sector. Chile's parliament passed legislation in October 2022 to incentivize energy storage and electric mobility development, PV Magazine recently reported. Furthermore, the government has set an ambitious target of achieving 70% of total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. Chiles energy storage incentives have already borne fruit. At present, there are 85 energy storage projects in various stages of development nationwide, with a total capacity of 6.4 GW. Just this summer, $2 billion was allocated for large-scale storage auctions, and twelve projects with a combined capacity of approximately 1.3 GW are slated to become operational by the end of 2023. This will be augmented by an additional 1 GW annually of planned installations from 2024 to 2026. The development is part of an increasing political and economic trend in South America: while lithium triangle countries have been producing and exporting lithium for years, they are increasingly reluctant to sell it as a primary material to more developed and industrial economies such as the U.S. and China, preferring to build up their own supply chains. Adding value is central for us, Argentina Mining Undersecretary Fernanda Avila recently told Bloomberg. We know the industry today is growing and theres a lot of pressure and price volatility. But its about making the most of this window of opportunity, not just by shipping out lithium carbonate. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Middle East region is expressing increasing interest in developing its nuclear energy industry as the UAE and Saudi Arabia both announce new nuclear power projects. Several governments around the globe are showing renewed interest in low-carbon nuclear power as a means of shifting their reliance away from fossil fuels and supporting the security needs of growing populations while undergoing a green transition. The U.S., the U.K., and several European countries have recently announced plans for the development of new nuclear plants, building upon their existing nuclear capabilities to produce more clean energy. And now, several Middle Eastern countries appear to want to develop their own nuclear programs to ensure the future of their energy security and their contribution to a global green transition. In the Middle East and North Africa, several Gulf states are considering, planning, or starting nuclear power programs, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq; Yemen, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Sudan. The nuclear energy industry in the Middle East is expanding but is still in the early stages, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) helping several countries across the region to develop nuclear programs. At present, there are only two active nuclear power plants in the Middle East, the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran and the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Bushehr has one operational reactor, while Barakah has four. With several Middle Eastern countries committing to net-zero carbon emissions pledges for the mid-century, nuclear power presents a huge low-carbon alternative to oil and gas, which many states still rely on for their energy provision and revenue. In fact, 90 percent of the energy mix in the Gulf region comes from hydrocarbons. The UAE is an early adopter of nuclear power in the Middle East, launching its Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in 2019, which has a capacity of 5.6 gigawatts electric (GWe). The UAE hopes to remain a global energy leader throughout the green transition, as it diversifies its energy mix beyond oil and gas to nuclear power and a variety of renewable energy sources. Earlier this year, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), the body responsible for developing the UAEs nuclear energy sector, signed three agreements with China's Nuclear Power Operations Research Institute, the China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas, and the China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation to increase its nuclear power capacity. The three deals include cooperation in nuclear energy operations, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, and nuclear fuel supply and investment. The government recently pledged to increase its output of nuclear power to contribute 6 percent of its energy needs by 2050 and it expects to work in partnership with China to achieve these goals over the coming decades. Meanwhile, the government of Saudi Arabia announced a target of 17 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2040, as it plans to accelerate the development of its nuclear energy sector. In September, Saudi Arabia announced its commitment to developing a nuclear energy program, pledging to ensure stricter regulations in the sector. Saudi Arabias Energy Minister, Salman Al Saud, stated that the country will work more closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to undergo stricter checks in preparation for the development of its nuclear sector. Salman Al Saud stated, The kingdom has recently taken the decision to rescind its Small Quantities Protocol and to move to the implementation of a full-scope Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, during an annual IAEA conference in Vienna. He added, The kingdom is committed through its policy on atomic energy to the highest standards of transparency and reliability. This follows years of pressure from the IAEA to get several countries with Small Quantities Protocols (SQP) to transition to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) to ensure adherence to international non-proliferation efforts. At present, Saudi Arabia has a small nuclear reactor, developed with support from Argentina, which is not yet in operation. Under the CSA, Saudi Arabia will gain access to fissile material to commence operations. Saudi Arabia has also been focusing on attaining concessions from the U.S. to develop its nuclear energy program. It is demanding greater assistance with nuclear energy from Washington in exchange for agreeing to a normalization deal with Israel, which is being pushed by President Biden. However, Israel does not agree with this demand, worried about the risk of Saudi Arabia developing its nuclear weapons potential. Several lawmakers in the U.S. and Europe have also rejected the move. Although slightly behind several other parts of the world, the Middle East is showing a growing interest in developing its nuclear power sector. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are accelerating the development of nuclear power programs, pumping a huge amount of funding into new nuclear reactors. Meanwhile, several other countries across the region are working with the IAEA to plan for the eventual development of their nuclear power programs. The development of the nuclear sector across the Middle East could help several countries remain relevant in terms of energy in a world that is gradually moving away from oil and gas. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: More than a year after DJI -- the preeminent Chinese drone maker -- first said it would stop doing business in Russia and Ukraine, its products continue to play a decisive role on the battlefield, with new research shared with RFE/RL showing that they are being sold to Russian companies and training centers with links to Moscow's war effort. The findings -- compiled by Molfar, a Ukrainian business intelligence consultancy and corroborated by RFE/RL -- show that DJI's small, low-cost drones are being sold to Russian entities that are part of its sprawling military-industrial complex or to companies in the country that train government personnel or military units on how to use the unmanned aerial vehicles. In some cases, the training centers state plainly and even boast on their websites and Telegram channels that they are training pilots and members of the Russian military on DJI drones for Moscow's war in Ukraine. Molfar established the connections by identifying 10 Chinese-based legal entities that, according to their certificates of conformity, are production sites linked to DJI or to its parent company IFlight that continued exports to Russia until June 2023 -- the latest available date for the documents. Through the certificates, Molfar was able to trace various Russian entities that purchased the drones and conduct civilian and military training on how to operate them for surveillance, reconnaissance and, in some instances, how to modify them for attacks. While the research is not a comprehensive set of all the Chinese-made drones sold to Russia or those that make their way to the battlefield in Ukraine, it offers a window into the continued flow of dual-use -- nonlethal but militarily useful -- equipment from China to Russia that is having an impact in aiding the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. "Since the war began, China has shown a willingness to support Russia that comes up to, but doesn't cross, the West's red lines," Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who tracks the flow of Chinese exports to Russia amid the war in Ukraine, told RFE/RL. "Ensuring dual-use shipments to Russia is likely seen by Beijing as a form of support that ensures some balance as China watches American and European military supplies go to Ukraine." The findings also raise questions about the effectiveness of official Chinese efforts to limit the sale of drones and other dual-use technologies -- the latest of which came into effect on September 1. Trade data shows that Ukrainian imports have fallen sharply following new Chinese restrictions, while Russia's remain strong. Ukraine is facing growing difficulties in sourcing consumer drones and their parts, which is borne out in Chinese, Russian, and Ukrainian trade statistics. Those figures show that Chinese companies sent over $200,000 in direct drone shipments to Ukraine from January to June this year, while Russia received at least $14.5 million during the same span, including the training centers identified by Molfar. This adds to a growing body of evidence since February 2022 that demonstrates how Moscow has been able to draw critical items for its military from abroad, particularly from China, despite Western attempts to restrain Russia's war machine. The European Union estimates that up to 70 percent of the vital, hi-tech products reaching the Russian military are coming from China, with David O'Sullivan, the bloc's sanctions envoy, saying in late September that the flow of such goods is "killing Ukrainians." DJI did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment, but the company announced in April 2022 that it would halt most direct sales to Russia and Ukraine. At the time, a company spokesperson told Reuters that DJI "abhors any use of our drones to cause harm" and that the use of their drones in warfare is "inappropriate." The Drone War And Russian Training Centers Despite its statements and official bans, DJI consumer drones continue to make their way to the battlefield. Small and affordable drones, many of which can even be bought online or off the shelf, have become a staple of the war in Ukraine for both Kyiv and Moscow for reconnaissance and targeted attacks. Ukrainian forces have proven particularly adept at retrofitting consumer drones with explosives and then crashing them into Russian forces and territory. This has led to both sides burning through the products at a high rate and constantly needing to replenish their stocks. The Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank, estimated earlier this year that Ukraine goes through 10,000 drones a month. While Iran and Turkey produce large, military-grade drones used in the war, the consumer market is cornered by Chinese companies, with DJI holding more than 90 percent of the global consumer drone market, according to the industry research group DroneAnalyst. DJI's dominance within the drone war in Ukraine is highlighted in Molfar's research, with many of the training centers or other entities identified specializing in the use of DJI drones. One such company, Skymec, lists Russia's Interior Ministry, the Federal Protection Service, and the Emergency Situations Ministry as distribution clients on its website. Other findings by the Ukrainian consultancy follow a trail of Russian training centers that more directly shows their links to the country's military. One of these entities is Pustelga, a company that, according to its website, offers training on DJI drones to both regular and mobilized military personnel of the Russian military, the National Guard, and "specialists from other Russian security structures." According to Russian media, the group also launched a training program in June with the National Guard focused on FPV drones, the term used for drones piloted through a video feed wirelessly transmitted to a pilot's headset, mobile device, or other display. The company claims to be operational since March and runs an active Telegram channel where it regularly offers updates on its courses and graduates, including with photos and videos. The group says it also operates two training programs in parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine and, in a video posted on May 5, a man in a military uniform with a Russian Army patch is seen receiving a diploma from Pustelga. Another post from May 25 includes photos of DJI consumer drones next to explosives with the caption: "Our graduate will soon receive these drones on the Zaporizhzhya front and will effectively combine them with the new standard ammunition. We not only educate, but we also support our graduates with words, deeds, and equipment as much as we can." Another company identified by Molfar is SHUBBA-Octagon, a drone-pilot school based in St. Petersburg that offers courses across Russia. According to its website, it specializes in training DJI Mavic drones and offers a path for its students to be militarily recognized as drone pilots. While the group has no explicit ties to the Wagner mercenary group, the private military company's insignia can be seen on the windows in photos posted to SHUBBA-Octagon's website. Additional photos on the training center's website show a person whom it says is one of the program's instructors in a military uniform with the call sign "Svyatoy" displayed. Another photo shows military equipment belonging to Svyatoy shown next to a Syrian flag, where Wagner has been operating since 2015. On SHUBBA-Octagon's Telegram channel, the center claims Svyatoy and other instructors identified only by their call signs received medals from the government for their military service and that they've served among the Russian General Staff, the National Guard, and Wagner in the past. Not all of the companies traced through Molfar's investigation have clear military connections. One entity that received DJI drones is a limited-liability company registered to Avanti Education, a company that sponsors robotics competitions and conducts training for young people. A separate LLC linked to Avanti Education that records show was established in May uses a legal registration code that is commonly applied by scientific organizations in Russia that work closely with the military, according to Molfar analysts. Molfar also identified two other companies that offer training courses on DJI drones and in their resale throughout Russia using certificates of conformity from China that use the same registration code usually associated with military work. Shifting Supply Lines Molfar couldn't find out how many DJI drones are being sent to the Russian entities and is unable to say if Chinese authorities played any role in the sales or if it is merely Chinese businesses taking advantage of opportunities presented by the war in Ukraine. As consumer drones have become prominent on the battlefield, global logistical networks have sprung up to navigate sanctions and other obstacles to ensure that unmanned vehicles reach both militaries on the front. These networks have varied from leaning directly on Chinese exporters to corporate cutouts in neighboring countries and crowdfunding campaigns run by volunteers at home and abroad. The full effect of the September 1 export restrictions on drone components enacted by Chinese authorities is still unclear. As seen in 2023 trade data, Ukraine still obtained millions in Chinese-made drones and components, although Russia has been able to purchase far larger amounts and Ukrainian customs data shows that most sales to the country came through European intermediaries. Several Ukrainian activists and others involved in crowdfunding DJI drone purchases have posted publicly that Chinese firms are still willing to sell to Ukrainian buyers, but the sales often involve intermediaries and prices for the drones are increasing. Some Chinese suppliers or resellers based elsewhere are also reportedly turning to an open bidding system for the drones that sometimes involves Russian and Ukrainian buyers competing against one another. Others have raised alarm that the Chinese export restrictions seem to affect Ukraine disproportionately. Writing in June on X (formerly known as Twitter), Serhiy Sternenko, a Ukrainian activist involved in crowdfunding drone purchases, said he worried the looming restrictions leave Ukraine at a disadvantage as it looks for new intermediaries to buy drones while Russian entities could still make direct purchases. Some Russian entities also say they have felt the effects of the Chinese restrictions. According to a September survey of companies done by the Russian daily Kommersant, the measures have caused supply disruptions and shortages in the country. Many Russian agricultural, surveillance, and industrial drone retailers told Kommersant they had either run out of stock entirely or doubled prices due to the export curbs. Other companies said they had stocked up on Chinese-made drones and components ahead of the September restrictions coming into force, with some stockpiling supplies that could last up to six months. Whether this will have a lasting effect in curbing Chinese drones on the battlefield is unknown. The Atlantic Council's Webster says that while the restrictions could cause some immediate disruption to logistics networks, "they're unlikely to have an impact in the long term," especially when it comes to shipments to Russia. "There are just too many ways for something to get to Russia. It can be direct and it can go through Belarus, Central Asia, Turkey, or elsewhere using intermediaries," Webster said. "These new controls are not likely to be effective." By RFE/RL ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Gas supply disruptions continue to be a risk for Germany, the chief executive of the countrys biggest utility, RWE, told German publication WirtschaftsWoche in an interview published on Thursday. We don't have any buffer in the gas system, RWEs chief executive officer Markus Krebber told WirtschaftsWoche, adding that Europes biggest economy must accelerate the construction of gas import infrastructure to avoid future shortages. If there is very cold winter or supply disruptions it can lead to very critical situations - and as a result to shortages and significantly higher prices, according to RWEs top executive. After last years energy crisis and the halt of Russian gas pipeline supply via Nord Stream, Germany turned to floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) to import LNG until fixed terminals come online. The LNG import facilities at Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbuettel, and Lubmin are already operational and receive LNG cargoes. Krebbers warning that Germany and Europe are not out of the woods yet echoes similar views from the German industry. The country continues to call on consumers to save gas and expects natural gas prices to remain high until at least 2027. INES, the group of German gas storage operators, said in its August gas update that Germany would continue to be at risk of natural gas shortages until the 2026/2027 winter season unless it takes measures to add LNG terminals, additional gas storage capacity, or pipelines. Earlier this week, Germanys government said it was bringing back online several coal-fired units for this winter in an attempt to save natural gas and avoid power supply shortfalls. Coal acted as reserve supply in Germany last winter and will obviously play a role in keeping the lights on this winter, too, especially after Germany completed the nuclear power phase-out in the spring of this year. Germany ditched nuclear energy after taking its last three nuclear power plants offline in April, ending more than six decades of commercial nuclear energy use. ADVERTISEMENT By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: South Korean LG Energy will invest some $3 billion in expanding the production capacity of a battery plant in Michigan after it inked a battery supply deal with Toyota. Bloomberg reports that the deal is for 20 GWh of battery modules, to be supplied from 2025. Toyota will put these battery modules in its EVs that it will produce at its plant in Kentucky. This, Reuters notes, is enough to equip 250,000 EVs with batteries. Toyota plans to have a lineup of 30 EV models across its brands by 2030, with an annual production capacity of 3.5 million vehicles. Reuters recalls that LG Energy also supplies EV batteries to GM, Stellantis, Hyundai, and Honda. The South Korean company is currently building a $2.1-billion battery plant in Lansing, Michigan, specifically for the supply of batteries to GM. Toyota, meanwhile, is also investing in battery manufacturing capacity. Earlier this year, it said it would invest $3.8 billion in a new battery plant in the United States that it was building in partnership with Panasonic. The initial investment in the facility was calculated at $1.29 billion. There are some 37 battery plants built and planned in the United States, Reuters reports, with their combined capacity at 1.3 TW of annual production, per data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. This capacity is enough to supply more than 10 million electric vehicles with batteries annually. Global EV sales in the first half of the year rose by an impressive 49% to 6.2 million units, according to data from Canalys. China remained the worlds biggest EV market, accounting for 55% of the global total, with Europe coming in second, with a 24% share of the global EV market. The United States came in third, accounting for 13% of the global EV market. For full 2023, Canalys expects EV sales to post a 39% annual increase to 14 million vehicles sold. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russian Lukoil will lend $1.5 billion to Azerbaijans state-run Socar to enable its Turkish STAR refinery to receive Russian crude oil imports again, after sanctions-related financial restrictions forced a cut-off this summer, Reuters reported exclusively on Thursday. As European refiners halted purchases of Russian oil under the sanctions regime, Lukoil, a private company, is seeking refining customers situated near Russian ports to recapture market share. Socars STAR refinery in Turkey has a 200,000 barrel-per-day refining capacity, but halted Russian crude intake earlier this year due to Western sanctions. While Turkey has not signed on to the European Unions sanctions rules and does not comply, financial restrictions have made it difficult for STAR to import Russian crude for refining. Privately owned and operated Lukoil has not been subjected to Western sanctions to the extent that Russias state-run entities have. Lukoil has continued to operate gas stations, refineries and its own trading arm in Europe. Lukoil has very good lobbies ... they have enablers in Brussels and across Europe, Martin Vladimirov, senior energy researcher at Bulgarias Center for the Study of Democracy think tank, told Politico earlier this year. They have convinced European policymakers that Lukoil is supporting Ukraine and the management of Lukoil is against the war. According to Reuters, citing LSEG Eikon data, STAR fully suspended imports of Russias flagship crude oil blend, Urals, in August-September and replaced volumes with Kazakhstans similar KEBCO blend. Under the $1.5-billion deal, sources have told Reuters that Lukoil will begin deliveries of approximately 100,000 bpd to STAR this month. LSEG tanker tracking data cited by Reuters also shows three tankers hired by Lukoil currently en route to Turkey, loaded with Urals. Despite Lukoils relatively easy ride through Western sanctions, last week, Bulgarias parliament backed a decision to gradually halt Russian oil imports over the course of the next 12 months, dealing a major blow to Lukoils refinery there, Bloomberg reports. Lukoils Bulgarian refinery, Neftohim, is the largest in southeastern Europe. By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: China has a "constructive" role to play in curbing North Korea's "destabilizing" activities, the U.S. Department of State said Wednesday, amid a report that a North Korean oil tanker with a record of sanction violations was detected in Chinese waters earlier this week. Mu Bong 1, an oil tanker, was briefly spotted in waters east of the Chinese Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan on Monday (local time), the Voice of America (VOA) reported, citing information from MarineTraffic, a ship tracking website. The vessel is known to have engaged in multiple illicit ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned products in the East China Sea in 2019, the VOA said, citing a report from a U.N. Security Council panel of experts. "Certainly, if it's a sanctioned vessel, any kind of subversions of sanctions against that would, of course, be concerning, but I'm not aware of this specific scenario," the department's principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, told a press briefing. "We've long said that as it relates to the DPRK, we believe that Beijing has and can have a constructive role to play in reining in some of their destabilizing activities, and that continues to be the case," he added. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Patel also reiterated that Washington has no hostile intentions toward the North, as Pyongyang continues to argue that it is doubling down on its weapons-related activities due to U.S. hostility. "We are not in any way harboring any hostilities towards the DPRK," he said. "In fact, when we talk about our ultimate goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, we are very clear in the fact that we continue to believe that we're ready to engage with Pyongyang without preconditions." (Yonhap) A study commissioned by a low-carbon investment company has claimed Europe can wean itself off oil, gas, and coal and go full wind and solar for a total price of some $2.1 trillion, equal to 2 trillion euros. According to the authors, led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research in Germany, the annual investment would come in at some 140 billion euros between now and 2030, and 100 billion euros after 2030. The company that commissioned the study is Aquila Capital, which, according to its website, is an investment and asset development company focused on generating and managing essential assets on behalf of its clients. By investing in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, Aquila Group contributes to the global energy transition and strengthens the worlds infrastructure backbone. Reuters reports that, according to the report, most of the $2.1 trillion estimated to be needed for Europes shift would go into building more wind and solar power generation capacity, as well as hydrogen production capacity and the development of geothermal resources. These figures are considerable, but it is important to remember that the European countries are estimated to have spent an additional 792 billion euros in the last year just on the status quo system to protect consumers from the effects of the energy crisis introduced by the Russian invasion into Ukraine, the authors wrote. The study probably hypothesizes continued low costs for wind and solar but in reality, this has not been the case, especially in wind. Several projects have been canceled because they no longer make economic sense in the current price environment and Europes total new additions in the first half came in at just 2.1 GW. Thats compared with 11 GW that need to be added every year by 2030 to hit transition targets, WindEurope said. In solar, problems are rearing their heads as well. European solar component producers are complaining about competition from China but solar installers are warning against tariffs because these would wreck their business. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Shares of the French train maker Alstom crashed as much as 38%, and its bonds fell the most on record on Thursday, following the company's disclosure of preliminary financial information indicating a significant decline in its free cash flow projections, attributed to rising inventories. The results showed Alstom's free cash flow had plunged from -45 million euros to a whopping -1.15 billion euros. It now expects negative 500-750 million euros for the full year, compared with earlier forecasts that were "significantly positive." FIRST-HALF RESULTS Alstom forecast negative free cash flow for the full year; the guidance missed the average analyst estimate. 2024 YEAR FORECAST Sees negative free cash flow EU500 million to EU750 million, estimate positive EU287.5 million (Bloomberg Consensus) Still sees adjusted Ebit margin about 6%, estimated 6.16% Alstom has the world's most extensive portfolio of components for the rail sector. This news concerns Wall Street analysts who warn that a capital raise could be nearing. Deutsche Bank analyst Gael de-Bray told clients the warning is a "major blow" to top executives' credibility. The analyst sees a capital increase that is "increasingly likely" due to the troubled $5.5 billion acquisition of Canadian manufacturer Bombardier. Shares of Alstom trading on the Paris Stock Exchange crashed 35%. Biggest one day crash in two decades. Bonds of the French train maker due 2029 sank more than 3% - the most on record - to about 78 cents on the euro. Alstom blamed surging inventories on supply chain snarls in the US and Europe: This, combined with tight supply chain conditions, resulted in a significant increase in the level of inventories and contract assets built in order to avoid production disruption and delivery delays during the first half of the year, particularly in Americas and in Europe. Here's what other Wall Street analysts are saying (courtesy of Bloomberg): Jefferies (buy) ADVERTISEMENT Analyst Simon Toennessen says hit from delay in completing UK Aventra program and the significant revising down of free cash flow are key focus Despite this, orders and organic growth were "decent" in 1H Strong market momentum and orders to be booked in 2H should help support a recovery, but inventory normalization will take more time Citi (buy) Results update points toward a significant cash drag in 1H24, analyst Martin Wilkie writes Notes that Alstom wouldn't be drawn on free cash flow guidance for FY25, and based on track record means cash improvement is very much a "show me" story Although Alstom has ruled out an equity raise, expect shares to remain depressed ahead of full results on Nov. 15. The French government will likely intervene if the situation worsens. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Workers at Chevrons two LNG facilities in Australia could decide as soon as this week to resume industrial action after accusing the U.S. supermajor of reneging on key aspects of the regulator-imposed deal, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday, quoting a source close to the talks. Two weeks ago, the trade unions ended the strike at the Wheatstone and Gorgon facilities after the countrys labor market regulator mediated a settlement between the parties. The strike began on September 8 after they failed to reach an agreement with Chevron about working conditions and wage demands. The Offshore Alliance will now work with Chevron to finalise the drafting of the agreement and members will soon cease current industrial action, the union said, as quoted by Reuters when the mediated deal was reached on September 22. But the Offshore Alliance said on Thursday in a Facebook post that Chevron have reneged on the commitment they gave to the Fair Work Commission to incorporate the FWCs Recommendations into the Chevron EBAs for the Wheatstone and Gorgon facilities. The trade union is calling meetings for its members on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon Australia time and said it would be recommending members push back against the industrial bastardry of Chevron. A protected industrial action, if decided upon, could only begin after a notice of seven days. We have accepted the recommendation of the Fair Work Commission ... and we continue to work with all parties to finalise the drafting process based on the recommendation, a spokesperson for Chevron told The Sydney Morning Herald. ADVERTISEMENT Another industrial action at Chevrons two facilities which collectively account for 7% of global LNG supply could drive natural gas prices higher just as Europe and north Asia are preparing for the winter heating season. Europes benchmark natural gas prices were highly volatile at the end of August and September, due to concerns about the industrial action in Australia and reduced pipeline flows from Norway due to infrastructure maintenance. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: WASHINGTON (AP) The House of Representatives is entering uncharted territory after a far-right effort to remove fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy from the speakership succeeded thanks to support from Democrats. A resolution titled a motion to vacate from Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., passed Tuesday with the support of eight Republicans and all the Democrats present and voting. The vote made McCarthy the first speaker in history to be removed from office, a bitter humiliation that came after less than nine months on the job. The California Republican told his conference shortly after that he would not run for the job again. It is a stunning outcome in the House that shocked lawmakers of both parties and left them wondering what the future will bring. Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry, now the acting speaker, declared the House in recess until both parties can decide on a path forward. There is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority now that McCarthy has opted not to run for the job again. Here's a closer look at what could happen next: WHO'S IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSE NOW? Immediately after the vote, McHenry, a close McCarthy ally, was named temporary speaker or speaker pro tempore. The North Carolina Republican was picked from a list that the speaker is required to keep of members who can serve in this position in the event a chair is vacated. McCarthy turned over that private list to the House clerk in January when he was first elected speaker. And while McHenry can serve in the temporary role indefinitely, he does not have the full power of a duly elected speaker but only those that are deemed necessary and appropriate for the purpose of electing someone to the job, according to the rules governing the House. McHenry will be unable to bring legislation to the floor or take it off. He also does not have the power to issue subpoenas or sign off on any other official House business that would require the approval of the speaker. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The first order of business for McHenry would be to elect a new speaker. As of now, it is unclear who House Republicans will nominate for the speakership. Some members left the chamber Tuesday determined to renominate McCarthy and vote for him for speaker until it passes. But now that he is out of the running, the path is clear for any Republican to jump in. Some members, including Gaetz, have been broaching potential consensus candidates like Majority Leader Steve Scalise or Whip Tom Emmer who they see as bringing the conference together. Other names up for discussion include Rep. Kevin Hern, chair of the Republican Study Committee, and Rep. Jim Jordan, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a favorite of the right flank of the party. Once Republicans decide who to nominate for speaker, the House would have to vote as many times as it takes for a candidate to receive the majority of those present and voting for speaker. It can quickly become an arduous exercise, as it did in January when it took McCarthy an unprecedented 15 rounds to win the gavel. ANOTHER SPEAKER? Once a speaker candidate has won a majority of the vote, the clerk will announce the results of the election. During a normal speaker election, which takes place at the start of each Congress, a bipartisan committee, usually consisting of members from the home state of the chosen candidate, will then escort the speaker-elect to the chair on the dais where the oath of office is administered. The oath is identical to the one new members will take once a speaker is chosen. It is unclear if that is the same process that will be followed in this instance. It is customary for the minority leader to join the successor at the speaker's chair, where they will pass the gavel as a nod to the potential future working relationship between one party leader and another. AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Health care workers who serve millions of Americans began a three-day strike on Wednesday after contract negotiations over staffing levels stalled. More than 75,000 members of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions began walking off their jobs as early as 6 a.m. in Virginia and Washington, D.C., The Washington Post reported. The union, whose contract expired Saturday, represents medical assistants, surgical and lab technicians, and pharmacists, among other staffers. Workers and the nation's largest nonprofit, private health care provider failed to reach an agreement over the weekend. Along with staffing levels, pay and benefits are an issue, CNBC reported. Paula Coleman, a 10-year clinical lab assistant who oversees blood and urine testing for Kaiser in Englewood, Colorado, and plans to strike, said low staffing levels in her lab jeopardize patient care. Coleman, often the only person working in her lab in the early mornings, fears she would not have backup if an emergency struck while she was drawing a patient's blood. The strike will target Kaiser hospitals and medical offices in California, Colorado, Oregon, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Washington state. Employees in Kaiser facilities in Georgia would not be affected. Kaiser Permanente serves nearly 13 million patients and operates 39 hospitals and more than 600 medical offices across the United States. Caroline Lucas, executive director of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, said staffing shortages have made working conditions unsafe and have led to deteriorating care for patients. "We continue to have front-line health care workers who are burnt out and stretched to the max and leaving the industry," Lucas told CNBC. "We have folks getting injured on the job because they're trying to do too much and see too many people and work too quickly. It's not a sustainable situation." Meanwhile, Kaiser has said that it has contingency plans to ensure continued patient care. The company is providing online status reports and has said it is confident negotiations will be successful. Still, the coalition of unions has accused Kaiser of negotiating in bad faith and committing unfair labor practices, CNBC reported. A 19-year-old woman was killed in a shooting Wednesday night in North Omaha. Dontayzhia Swift was shot near 37th Street and Grand Avenue around 9 p.m., according to Omaha police. She was taken by paramedics to the Nebraska Medical Center, where she was later pronounced deceased. Police became aware of the shooting through multiple activations of ShotSpotter technology. While responding to the incident, officers from the Omaha Police Departments Gang Unit saw a white Chevrolet Tahoe SUV leaving the area. Patrol officers found the vehicle near 31st Street and Sorensen Parkway. A pursuit followed before it ended at 41st Street and Spaulding Avenue. Two people ran from the Tahoe. Police tracked them down and took them into custody. The two people have been interviewed by police, but their names have not been released as of Thursday morning. While the pursuit was occurring, police spokesman Lt. Neal Bonacci said police received a call to go to a house around 37th Street and Grand Avenue. They found Swift suffering from a gunshot wound. After lifesaving measures were performed at the scene, Swift was taken to the hospital. Dontayzhia Swift is the second Swift to die by gunfire this week. Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, 16-year-old LaMarintae Swift was shot during a birthday party at a building near 24th and Decatur Streets. Five other people were injured during that shooting. Dontayzhia Swifts death represents the 19th homicide in Omaha this year. That compares with 22 homicides at this time in 2022. Bonacci confirmed that Dontayzhia Swift and LaMarintae Swift were related but didnt know how. He said police are looking at any and all leads to see if the shootings are connected. Omaha police have identified the man who was shot Tuesday by officers as Andrew L. Wright, 39, of Omaha. Wright suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and was being treated Wednesday at the Nebraska Medical Center. He is expected to survive, Omaha police said. Wright was injured Tuesday night when multiple Omaha police gang unit detectives fired their guns at him after stopping the car he was driving near 61st and Jaynes Streets, Omaha Deputy Police Chief Tom Shaffer said. The officers were investigating a report to 911 that a man had pointed a gun at someone at 21st and Pinkney Streets about 20 minutes earlier, police said. They stopped the car Wright was driving because it matched the detailed description, and partial license plate number, given by a witness to the earlier incident, said Lt. Neal Bonacci, an Omaha police spokesman. Wright got out of the car after the officers stopped it, police said. Police have not said why officers shot Wright. The shooting is being investigated by the Omaha Police Department Officer Involved Investigations Team, with the assistance of the Nebraska State Patrol and Douglas County Sheriffs Office. Police said a gun was found on the ground near Wright. Asked whether Wright had pointed or fired a gun at the officers, Bonacci said that is still under investigation. Officers body-worn cameras captured video of various aspects of the incident, according to police. Bonacci said police are still connecting the dots about what happened after Wright got out of the car. He said more will be known after interviews of the officers are completed. The officers provided life-saving measures to Wright until Omaha Fire Department personnel arrived, according to a statement from the Omaha Police Departments public information office Wednesday. The officers arrested a passenger from Wrights vehicle, whom police identified Wednesday as Alandus Warren, 45. Warren was booked on suspicion of possessing cocaine and marijuana. The involved officers have been placed on paid administrative leave. Police have not yet released their names. An Omaha man was found guilty Wednesday of four felonies for firing multiple shots into an active-shooting situation from a nearby parking lot. Kiwan Dampeer, 26, was found guilty of firing two shots into the carnage of an active shooting that killed a 20-year-old woman and injured eight others during a birthday party near 33rd Street and Ames Avenue last November. His motive for doing so remains unclear. The shots that Dampeer fired are not believed to have hit anyone. Dampeer is a convicted felon on federal marijuana and firearm offenses. He had been released from prison just two months before the shooting and was on federal supervised release at the time. The bench trial, meaning there was no jury and the judge was solely responsible for determining guilt or innocence, took days and was held in front of Douglas County District Judge Russell Bowie last month. On Wednesday, Bowie found Dampeer guilty on all charges: discharging a firearm at an occupied building; possessing a firearm on school grounds; possessing a firearm as a felon; and using a firearm to commit a felony. According to court records and in-court testimony: Shortly after 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022, shots rang out inside a multipurpose building where dozens of people were gathered for a birthday party. Nine people were shot, including 20-year-old Karly Wood, who was shot eight times and died of her injuries shortly after being transported to the hospital. As the investigation into the shooting unfolded, detectives came to believe that shots were fired both inside the building, which led to the injuries, and from outside. Bullet holes were noted in a garage door at the back of the building, and two shell casings were found in the parking lot of nearby Skinner Elementary School. Video footage from the school showed a man standing in the parking lot and pointing a handgun toward the back of the Ames Avenue building. Video from inside the buildings garage showed the garage door vibrating at the same time that the man was seen pointing the gun in the parking lot. Though the footage was dark and grainy, OPD homicide detective Jaime Desautels sent photos of the man seen firing into the building to colleagues in the Omaha Police Departments gang unit. Multiple officers identified the man as Dampeer. In an emotional hearing Wednesday, an Omaha man was sentenced to five years of probation for taking a gun from his friend, who is charged with murder, following a shooting last year. Tyvel Lampkin-Davis, 28, appeared in a packed courtroom Wednesday to be sentenced by Douglas County District Court Judge Russell Bowie. He is one of three men charged in relation to a shooting at a birthday party last November that killed 20-year-old Karly Wood and left eight others including himself injured. Lampkin-Davis pleaded no contest in July to two felonies: possessing a firearm on school grounds and accessory to a felony. He admitted to taking a gun from Imhotep Davis, who is charged with Woods murder, after the shooting in an apparent attempt to protect his friend. Lampkin-Davis was not accused of being one of the shooters. As Bowie announced the sentence, the room erupted with gasps of disbelief from Woods family and tears of joy from Lampkin-Davis side of the courtroom. Bowie made no comment on his rationale. Im not quite sure how to feel right now, Amber Wood, Karlys mother, said after the sentencing. Everything is a whirlwind. Im just disappointed that there was no set consequence to sit down and really think about Karly and the impact his actions had on her and us. Lampkin-Davis, who has been out on bail since January, gave a tearful statement to the court before being sentenced. He spoke about his desire to raise his young son the right way and repeatedly apologized to Wood's family. His attorney, Keith Dornan, implored Bowie not to punish Lampkin-Davis for the actions of the multiple shooters who fired at least 24 bullets into the party. He characterized Lampkin-Davis decision to take the gun from Davis as a criminal mistake done to protect his childhood friend in a moment of high adrenaline. Woods family and prosecutors expressed dismay that Lampkin-Davis has not been forthcoming with police about what he saw at the party that night. Dornan said this is because Lampkin-Davis was both highly intoxicated and in shock because he had been shot in the collarbone. He was very intoxicated, Dornan said. He had been shot, almost fatally. And he just doesnt have a good memory of what happened in that room. According to arrest affidavits and other court documents, shots rang out at a birthday party held at a multipurpose building near 33rd Street and Ames Avenue shortly after 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022. In total, nine people were shot. Karly had been shot eight times and was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the Nebraska Medical Center. Shell casings and bullets recovered from the home revealed that four different guns were fired during the shooting. Only two people accused of firing shots Davis, and Kiwan Dampeer, who is accused of firing into the building from a nearby parking lot have been charged. Security video from nearby Skinner Elementary School showed Davis running from the party to the schools parking lot, where many partygoers had parked, after the shooting. Davis handed a firearm to Lampkin-Davis, who then placed the gun inside his Chevrolet Malibu. Davis and Lampkin-Davis, who had both been shot, were transported by private vehicles to different hospitals. After securing a search warrant, police searched the Chevrolet Malibu and located a Glock 19 in the cars center console. A total of 24 shell casings were found inside the building where the shooting occurred. Fourteen were determined to have come from the gun found in Lampkin-Davis car. In addition, two bullets recovered from Woods body were determined to come from the same gun. When interviewed by police, Lampkin-Davis said he had found the gun on the floor after he was shot. He then told police that he didnt know how the gun got into his car, but admitted to taking it from Davis after being confronted with video evidence. Lampkin-Davis is the first of the three men charged to be sentenced in the case. Dampeer was recently found guilty of four felonies, including shooting into an occupied building, and is scheduled to be sentenced in November. An Omaha man won a total of $150,000 in an episode of The $100,000 Pyramid that aired Wednesday night. Sam Kurtenbach, a Lincoln native who lives in Omaha, was able to win big with help from celebrity guests Jason Alexander and Rosie ODonnell on the fast-paced game show hosted by Michael Strahan. Kurtenbach teamed up with Seinfeld actor Alexander for the first round of word association challenges, which ended in a tie. However, Kurtenbach and Alexander were able to advance to the Winners Circle where the contestant plays for money because they finished in a shorter amount of time than the other team. In the first round Winners Circle, Kurtenbach was able to win $50,000 by using clues to prompt Alexander to guess the categories he was describing. When asked what hed do with the money, he said hed like to visit Poland and Ireland because his family is from those countries. In the second round, Kurtenbach played with ODonnell. As with the first round, both teams were tied so Kurtenbach and ODonnell advanced because they guessed the answers more quickly. In the second Winners Circle, Kurtenbach was able to team up with ODonnell win another $100,000. He said hed use that money to buy a baby grand piano, as hes a lifelong piano player. Kurtenbach, a project manager in the financial services industry, previously told The World-Herald that its been a lifelong dream of his to appear on the Pyramid franchise. He said he had applied to appear on the show twice before being selected on his third try. At the start of Wednesdays episode, Kurtenbach discussed being a game show fanatic. This game right here is my Super Bowl, he said. Record number of spectators attend Festival Indonesia By Kim Hyun-bin Festival Indonesia has achieved an extraordinary milestone, consecutively presenting in Ansan, Busan and Seoul, with the participation of 100 artists and over 10,000 spectators, according to the Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul. For the very first time, Festival Indonesia unfolded at Gwanghwamun Square, playing a pivotal role in fostering bilateral relations between Indonesia and Korea and marking the celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The success of the Festival Indonesia not only celebrates cultural exchange but also strengthens the bonds of friendship between Indonesia and Korea, setting the stage for continued collaboration and mutual understanding, the Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul said in a statement. Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto, speaking at the closing ceremony, expressed his optimism about the future of bilateral relations. He emphasized the potential for closer ties between the nations, foreseeing fruitful outcomes at the regional and international levels. In addition, Sulistiyanto revealed his imminent departure from the ambassadorial role to return to Jakarta, where he will embark on a new assignment as a presidential adviser. He expressed heartfelt hopes that Festival Indonesia would be cherished in the memories of the Indonesian and Korean communities. Festival Indonesia showcased an array of captivating performances during its second and final day. The main stage came alive with the Pendet Dance from Bali, performed by the children of Indonesian Embassy staff. Subsequent performances featured the YOPIC band, the Ayodhia Pala dance group and a show of talent by students from the Indonesian Language Class for Foreign Speakers. Simultaneously, the secondary stage facing Sejong Art Center hosted engaging activities for children, including traditional Indonesian games like bakiak, egrang, congklak and bekel, as well as face and hand painting. The event was attended by esteemed guests, including Ambassador of Thailand to Korea Witchu Vejjajiva and other dignitaries from Brunei, Laos, the Philippines, Myanmar and Cambodia. Female ambassadors and spouses of ambassadors came together for a special performance of the ASEAN anthem, "The ASEAN Way." Beyond music and dance, Festival Indonesia served as a platform to introduce diverse aspects of Indonesian culinary products, including its small and medium enterprises. The event featured booths showcasing fashion, crafts and culinary delights from Indonesia, offering a glimpse into the nation's rich cultural heritage. HONG KONG In the past few years, Chinas government promoted increasingly conservative social values, encouraging women to focus on raising children. It cracked down on civil society movements and made laws to drive out foreign influence. So a 75-year-old Japanese feminist scholar who's not married and does not have children is an unlikely celebrity on the countrys tightly censored internet. But Chizuko Ueno, a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, is a phenomenon. She leapt to fame in China in 2019 with a speech that criticized social expectations for women to act cute and the pressure they face to hide their success. Uenos popularity reflects a surge in interest in womens rights, said Leta Hong Fincher, a research associate at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute who has written about gender discrimination and feminism in China. About a decade ago, China had a rambunctious feminist movement that staged protests like occupying a mens restroom to demand more toilets for women, or marching in wedding dresses spattered with fake blood to draw attention to domestic violence. But that movement has been silenced as President Xi Jinpings administration has tightened controls on civil society and promoted conservative family values in a bid to boost childbirths. In mainland China, Ueno's books sold more than a half-million copies in the first half of 2023, according to sales tracker Beijing OpenBook, and 26 were available in Chinese bookstores as of September. They cover topics ranging from misogyny in Japanese society to feminist approaches to elder care issues in an aging society. Starting From the Limit, a collection of letters between Ueno and Suzumi Suzuki, a writer who used to act in Japanese porn, topped the 2022 Books of the Year list on the popular Chinese review platform Douban. Fans said Uenos openness about choosing not to marry or have children makes her a role model. Edith Cao, a writer who spoke on the condition of being identified by her English nickname due to fear of government retaliation, said seeing an East Asian woman succeed without a family helped her decide not to marry. Yang Xiao, a graduate student, said Uenos example helped assuage her anxieties about being single and inspired her to start booking holidays alone to build confidence. Relationships are a divisive issue even among Uenos Chinese fans. Earlier this year, fans attacked a Chinese video blogger who asked Ueno if she hadn't married because shed been hurt by men, saying the blogger had reinforced traditional assumptions. That started a series of online conversations about marriage and feminism that lasted for months, with related hashtags drawing some 580 million views on the Twitter-like social media platform Weibo. Ueno doesnt write about China, and thats probably one key reason her books have escaped censorship, said Hong Fincher. Feminist ideas are not banned in China, but authorities view all activism with suspicion. Police regularly summon owners of bookstores and cafes and pressure them to cancel feminism-themed events, several organizers and founders said. Online, posts that refer to the #MeToo movement are deleted, and nationalist bloggers attack feminists with a public presence as foreign agents. Chinese journalist and activist Huang Xueqin, who helped spark China's first high-profile #MeToo case, was tried last week for allegedly inciting subversion of state power. According to a copy of the indictment published by supporters of Huang, she was accused of publishing seditious articles and facilitating training activities on non-violent movements. Protest and campaigning are no longer possible, said Lu Pin, a Chinese feminist activist based in the U.S., meaning feminism is confined to individual action and small groups. The Ueno boom, she said, has helped keep feminist ideas in the lawful mainstream. Guo Qingyuan, a 35-year-old copywriter, said that reading Ueno led him to question how he saw women. He stopped talking about womens looks with his buddies, he said, and sought out children's books for his daughter that didn't promote stereotypical gender roles. Cao, the writer who also offers support to victims of domestic violence, said there are problems that reading feminist books wont solve. Two years after China first added sexual harassment as a cause of lawsuits in 2019, the Yuanzhong Family and Community Development Service Center, a Beijing-based nonprofit group, found that only 24 cases using the law were recorded in a nationwide database. The researchers identified 12 other cases related to sexual harassment that were filed using other laws. Ueno-inspired feminism is unlikely to bring direct pressure to change laws. Its a lot tamer than earlier waves of activism, although it may be more widespread. But even if her words cant bring policy change, Cao said, they have further stoked an underlying force. STOCKHOLM (AP) Norwegian writer Jon Fosse, whose work tackles birth, death, faith and the other elemental stuff of life in spare Nordic prose, won the Nobel Prize for Literature on Thursday for writing that prize organizers said gives voice to the unsayable. The novelist and playwright said the prize was recognition of literature that first and foremost aims to be literature, without other considerations an ethos expressed in dozens of enigmatic plays, stories and novels, including a seven-book epic made up of a single sentence. Fosses work, rooted in his Norwegian background, focuses on human insecurity and anxiety," Anders Olsson, chair of the Nobel literature committee, told The Associated Press. "The basic choices you make in life, very elemental stuff. One of his countrys most-performed dramatists, Fosse said he had cautiously prepared himself for a decade to receive the news that he had won. I was surprised when they called, yet at the same time not," the 64-year-old told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. "It was a great joy for me to get the phone call. WHY DID THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE GO TO JON FOSSE? The author of 40 plays as well as novels, short stories, childrens books, poetry and essays, Fosse was honored for his innovative plays and prose, which give voice to the unsayable, according to the Swedish Academy, which awards the prize. Fosse has cited the bleak, enigmatic work of Irish writer Samuel Beckett the 1969 Nobel literature laureate as an influence on his sparse, minimalist style. Edmund Austigard, executive officer of Fosses publisher, Samlaget, said the author described his work as slow writing and reading literature. Its not a type of literature that you bring to the beach and read in an hour or two," he said. Its a type of literature ... that invites you into a unique world and invites you to stay there for a while. WHAT IS THE NYNORSK LANGUAGE? While Fosse is the fourth Norwegian writer to get the literature prize, he is the first in nearly a century and the first who writes in Nynorsk, one of the two official written versions of the Norwegian language. It is used by just 10% of the country's 5.4 million people, according to the Language Council of Norway, but completely understandable to users of the other written form, Bokmaal. Guy Puzey, senior lecturer in Scandinavian Studies at the University of Edinburgh, said Bokmaal is the language of power, its the language of urban centers, of the press. Nynorsk, by contrast, is used mainly by people in rural western Norway. So its a really big day for a minority language, Puzey said. Norway culture minister, Lubna Jaffery, told news agency NTB that it was a historic day for the Nynorsk language and Nynorsk literature. Norway's Bjrnstjerne Bjrnson received the prize in 1903, Knut Hamsun was awarded it in 1920 and Sigrid Undset in 1928. In recognition of his contribution to Norwegian culture, in 2011 Fosse was granted use of an honorary residence in the grounds of the Royal Palace. WHAT DID JON FOSSE WRITE? His first novel, Red, Black, was published in 1983, and his debut play, Someone is Going to Come, in 1992. His work A New Name: Septology VI-VII described by Olsson as Fosses magnum opus was a finalist for the International Booker Prize in 2022. The final volume in a seven-novel exploration of life, death and spirituality contains no sentence breaks. His other major prose works include Melancholy; Morning and Evening, whose two parts depict a birth and a death; Wakefulness; and Olavs Dreams. His plays, which have been staged across Europe and in the United States, include The Name, Dream of Autumn and I am the Wind. Fosse has also taught writing one of his students was best-selling Norwegian novelist Karl Ove Knausgaard and consulted on a Norwegian translation of the Bible. HOW DID JON FOSSE REACT TO THE NEWS? Mats Malm, permanent secretary of the academy, reached Fosse by telephone to inform him of the win. He said the writer, who lives in the western city of Bergen, was driving in the countryside and promised to drive home carefully. I stand here and feel a little numb, but of course very happy for the great honor, Fosse told Norway's TV2. The Nobel Prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million) from a bequest left by their creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. Winners also receive an 18-carat gold medal and diploma at the award ceremonies in December. SHOULD I HAVE HEARD OF JON FOSSE? Though his books have been translated into dozens of languages and his plays produced around the world, Fosse is what some critics might see as a classic, safe Nobel choice: A highbrow European man with little name recognition beyond small literary circles. The prize has long faced criticism that it is too focused on European and North American writers of style-heavy, story-light prose. It's also male-dominated, with just 17 women among its 119 laureates, including last years winner French author Annie Ernaux. Others point out that the prize has gone in recent years to a strong mix of authors with both critical acclaim and robust sales, such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Mario Vargas Llosa and Alice Munro. And the most populist choice by the committee 2016 laureate Bob Dylan also sparked plenty of controversy and debate about whether his lyrics rose to the level of literature. Publisher Austigard said Fosse's slow prose could be just what we need and just what people are looking for in a frenetic world. Its birth, its love, its death. Its about what it means to be a human being." Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands, and Lawless from London. Associated Press writer Jan M. Olsen contributed from Copenhagen. VENICE, Italy (AP) Venetian mainlanders stopped in dismay Wednesday to pay respects to the 21 people, all but one foreign tourists, who were killed when an all-electric shuttle bus crashed through an overpass guardrail and fence, plunging more than 10 meters (30 feet) to the ground. The raised road opposite a major train station is one of the borough of Mestre's most frequently traveled, without second thoughts. But they now stopped to inspect the aging guardrail and rusted fence both of which the bus sliced through in a moment during Tuesday rush-hour traffic. The bus was just a year old, and the 40-year-old driver with an untarnished record had just started his shift shuttling tourists from Piazzale Roma, at the edge of Venices famed canals, to a four-star campground on the mainland offering bargain accommodation. The driver, Alberto Rizzotto, was among the dead. A video showed the city-owned bus disappear from the frame, as another larger bus traveling behind it continued along the overpass. Prosecutors ruled out contact with any other vehicle, and said the shuttle bus scraped against the guardrail for at least 50 meters (more than 150 feet) before its fiery crash to a surface road. The guardrail was bent to the pavement, and the fence was ripped open. The bus landed upside down, its front end crushed. Fire damage was visible. Inexplicable, said Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who has driven on the overpass hundreds of times. Regional Gov. Luca Zaia said the circumstances suggested the driver may have suddenly become ill. Investigators hope that video from cameras inside the bus will reveal the reason for the crash. Nine Ukrainians were among the dead tourists, along with four Romanians, three Germans, two Portuguese, one Croat and one South African. The injured included at least four Ukrainians, part of a larger group that included a 3-year-old girl who suffered serious burns, as well as visitors from Spain, Austria, France, Croatia and Germany. Nine were being treated in intensive care for trauma, including burns and fractures. Survivors also included a young Austrian brother and sister. They are still in what we call the shock phase, with confused memories. They are still in that state of agitation and confusion typical of the traumatic event,'' said Rita Lorio, a psychologist at Mestre's main hospital, one of five treating the injured. "They are not yet in that phase of awareness of what happened. The tourists are all believed to have stayed at the Hu Venezia Camping in Town, just a 15-minute drive from shuttle buss pickup point at Piazzale Roma, at the edge of Venices famed canals linked to the mainland by a bridge. The crash has shocked Venetians, two-thirds of whom live on the mainland. Many stopped on Wednesday morning to pay their respects, staring at the gaping guardrail and fence. One man stopped on his motorcycle to tie plastic flowers to a post. Gianni Amadeo, an 80-year-old retired musician, stopped in disbelief Wednesday at the site that he passes regularly between his home and a garage he uses for storage. It took a scary flight, he said of the buss plunge. Family members of the dead and survivors were trickling in to Venice from around Europe on Wednesday. The Veneto region declared three days of mourning, and flags were flown at half-staff at government buildings. Experts said the fact that the bus was electric contributed to the massive fire and made rescue operations more difficult. I wont forget what I saw for the rest of my life, Brugnaro, the mayor, told The Associated Press from his office in Mestre. Seeing all those people crammed inside a bus, down there, is something you cant describe. Venice is in the process of replacing its buses with electric vehicles. They were introduced on the city's Lido island several years ago, with a small percentage added to the fleet in Mestre last year. Brugnaro said the crash didn't give him reason to pause the city's plan to upgrade city transportation vehicles to less-polluting electric buses, even if it needs to be determined what role the battery might have played in the ensuing blaze. That the bus drove off an overpass "has nothing to do with the fact that it is electric, the mayor said. The bus was made by China-based Yutong Group Co., which describes itself as a large-scale industrial company specializing in buses. On its website, Yutong shows newer models with multiple electronic safety systems including a lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, collision warning and collision mitigation control. It wasn't clear from photographs at the scene which of the company's models were involved. The website says the buses have buffer spaces for high-voltage electrical components at the front and rear. It also says the buses have enhanced anti-crash structures. Fully spatial and thermal isolation between battery cabin and passenger compartment poses no threat to passengers, even if the batteries catch fire, the website says. Two long-time foreign residents of Italy who work at the Fincantieri shipyard near the crash site were among the first to respond. Godstime Erheneden, 30, of Nigeria and Boubacar Toure, 27 of Gambia, were preparing dinner in a company apartment overlooking the busy road when they heard the crash and ran outside. Erheneden was among the first to enter the bus. When we went in, we saw the driver right away. He was dead. I carried a woman out on my shoulders, then a man, Erheneden told the Venice daily Il Gazzettino. The woman was screaming, my daughter, my daughter, and I went back in. I saw this girl who must have been 2 years old,' he said, reminded of his own son about the same age. "It was terrible. I dont know if she survived. I thought she was alive but when the rescuers arrived, they took her away immediately.'' Toure said he helped three or four people to safety. I tried to put out the fire, but I couldn't, he told the paper. The mayor heard about the pair's bravery, and said he planned to track them down. "They threw themselves into the fire to rescue these people. They are real heroes of our time,'' he said. BLOOMINGTON The Regional Office of Education #17 announced the Mobile Museum of Tolerance will be visiting Central Illinois schools this month. The bus will be stopping at K-12 schools in Bloomington, Normal, Heyworth and Lincoln Oct. 10-13, with a return trip to Normal in February. The bus will be open to students and educators at each stop. The mobile museum is an initiative of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which is designed to promote respect and understanding among people of all cultures and religions. The exhibits explore the history of prejudice and discrimination, including the Holocaust and civil rights, and encourages visitors to reflect on their attitudes and behaviors. The team will provide guidance and facilitate interactive experiences for guests, helping to foster dialogue and promote empathy and understanding. Visit roe17.org for more information. Photos: Country Financial rep hosts Farmers Appreciation Dinner in Colfax FEED A FARMER 100523-blm-loc-farmers2 100523-blm-loc-farmers3 Video: COUNTRY Financial representative Casey Holevoet talks about the Farmers Appreciation Dinner in Colfax NORMAL State labor authorities are expected to start reviewing membership and authorization cards filed this week by tenured and tenure-track faculty seeking to unionize at Illinois State University. Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board staff member John Brosnan confirmed that his agency had received cards from the proposed union, to be known as United Faculty of ISU, or UFISU. The IELRB is expected to assign an attorney to undertake a complete review of cards, which it received Wednesday. Tenured and to-be-tenured faculty instigated organizing efforts with the Illinois Federation of Teachers nearly two months ago, marking that instructional groups first drive to collectivize as a bargaining unit since 2000. Under a different process in the last attempt, ISU professors voted 335 to 283 against unionizing as an affiliate of the Illinois Education Association. University spokesman Eric Jome confirmed Wednesday that ISU administration was aware of the announcement that the authorization cards had been filed. As of Thursday, the school had not been officially notified by the labor board, he said. Jome reiterated that ISU respects the faculty members' legal right to organize under the processes established by the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act. Roughly 650 tenure and tenure-track faculty could be represented by the UFISU, which anticipates becoming a certified union by December. The IFT stated on its website that an unstoppable majority filed cards Wednesday to form under UFISU, as a chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100. That local is affiliated with the IFT, the American Federation of Teachers and American Association of University Professors. The IELRB and the IFT did not disclose exactly how many member cards were filed. ISU already recognizes 16 other collective bargaining units at ISU, representing 1,700 school employees that include police, maintenance workers and nontenured faculty. The AFT counted 3,000 staff and professionals already covered by the UPI. UPI president John Miller, who addressed faculty at a rally in August, said in a statement he was proud the ISU faculty decided to join, adding that they would have a powerful voice to strengthen the university and elevate needs of students, workers and public higher education in Illinois. Keith Pluymers, an assistant professor of history who serves as an organizing committee member for the new union, said Thursday that he was thrilled and overjoyed by development of UFISU. He defined the filing of authorization cards as a culmination of tons of hard work, and said the union would become a transformative force of good for the university and its students. Pluymers said the organizing process was a door-to-door grind, where they tried engaging in conversations with all tenure and tenure-track faculty. Some talks were short; others were very long. The support we built is robust really robust, he said, adding theyve set a goal to build a community based on trust and solidarity. He said theyre also committed to being a member-led, democratic union. Through organizer engagements with potential members, Pluymers said, organizers became better acquainted with their colleagues, learning what was making their jobs great and what frustrated them. When asked if key bargaining points had been identified, he said those would be later determined through a process of conversations and surveys. Generally speaking, Pluymers said, faculty become invested in seeing their lessons light sparks in the minds of their students. My best days at work are when I see students make a connection when I see everything click they get it, he said. They make a new discovery, they understand something theyve been struggling with. But students are face obstacles that might prevent them from reaching those realizations, Pluymers said, a situation he described as heartbreaking. He said they may arise in the form of mental health crises, or needs for other wrap-around services, like tutoring, math support or a writing center. While those services do exist at ISU, Pluymers said, they have limits. Another significant issue, he said, has been pay equity and wages that may not have kept up with years of service. For example, a tenured associate professor could be making the same or less than an assistant professor. Most non-tenure-track faculty members already have union representation. Weve formed a union because we think the best way to make tangible progress towards addressing (those issues) is by joining together to bargain a union contract with fairness and equity in mind, he said. At least two students responded positively to the filing announcement. Andres Matute, a senior studying business at ISU, said that as a student, he thinks the union will bring more safety nets for teachers and "push them to do better." He added that with a surge in freshman enrollment this semester, it would be good to invest in university instructors. ISU reported a 4% growth in first-year students from last year. Another senior, Dan Frederick, told The Pantagraph that a union would give faculty a greater sense of freedom. "I think teachers should have a say in how they're getting paid," said Frederick, a sociology major. His instructors work hard and also should have a say in what they can teach, he said. Christie Angleton, a tenure-line assistant professor for ISU's School of Teaching and Learning, said Wednesday's announcement was "fantastic." She agreed there's a sense of solidarity among tenured and tenure-track faculty, adding "we've been working really hard." "This is for our students, first and foremost," Angleton told The Pantagraph. "When we have fair wages and fair working conditions, we can bring our A-game." Photos: First day of practice for Illinois State basketball at CEFCU Arena. SPRINGFIELD After Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., filed a motion to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Ca., on Monday, the latter tweeted, "Bring it on." It did not age well. Less than 24 hours later, McCarthy became the first House speaker in American history to be removed by a vote of his colleagues. Eight far-right Republicans joined with all Democrats to do the deed. Republicans only have a five-seat majority, meaning it did not take much to topple McCarthy, who had a hand in sealing his own fate by agreeing to a rules package in January that cleared the way for him to win the top job but also allowed any one member to motion for his ouster at any time. The time came after McCarthy allowed a vote on a bipartisan continuing resolution this past weekend that kept the federal government from shutting down. Far-right members of McCarthy's caucus had hoped to hold out for deeper spending cuts despite the fact that the Senate and White House are both controlled by Democrats. The vote among the Illinois delegation was fairly predictable, with all 14 Democrats supporting McCarthy's removal and all three Republicans voting to quash the motion to vacate. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, called the move "a shameful maneuver that does a disservice to the American people and hinders the key conservative priorities that voters put a Republican Majority in the House to advance." Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, said Wednesday that the vacancy in the speaker's office essentially renders the House "non-functional." "Dont listen to failed political candidates sitting on the sidelines telling you that this is great for the country," Bost said. "They want to mislead you into believing chaos is good, even if it completely derails the conservative agenda." The only wild card was Rep. Mary Miller, R-Hindsboro, a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus who withheld her support for McCarthy in January until the 12th ballot of the House speaker election. However, Miller was with McCarthy on Tuesday, arguing that what comes next could be worse for Republicans if they had to enter into a power-sharing agreement with Democrats in order to elect a speaker. "I agree with President Trump that right now, we should be focused on stopping the radical Democrats," Miller said in a statement. "... We cannot risk Pelosi having any power in a Republican Majority while we are in the middle of budget negotiations and an impeachment inquiry into Biden!" On the other hand, the House Democratic caucus quickly reached consensus Tuesday that they would not bail out McCarthy by either voting "no" or "present" on the motion. "Since day one, Speaker McCarthy has chosen the path of partisanship, chaos, and confusion," said Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rock Island. "That is not what my constituents, nor the American people, should expect from Congress." Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, added that McCarthy "is not fit to serve as Speaker of the House." Some thought Democrats, particularly moderates, might step in to rescue McCarthy in the interest of protecting the institution. But it wasn't to be. First, McCarthy never asked Democrats for their votes, nor was he willing to offer concessions in exchange for them. You can't expect to get what you don't ask for or are unwilling to pay for. But at a deeper level, there was simply no love lost for McCarthy, whom many Democrats viewed as an enabler of former President Donald Trump. They could not stomach McCarthy's support of a challenge to President Joe Biden's 2020 Electoral College victory. Or, more recently, his opening of an impeachment inquiry into the incumbent president. And even if there was a deal to be had, Democrats did not trust McCarthy to keep his word. They would point to the recent spat that almost led to a government shutdown. McCarthy reneged on spending levels that were agreed upon during the debt ceiling deal he negotiated with Biden this summer. So now the House will elect a new speaker. With McCarthy announcing that he will not seek the gavel, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, have each announced their candidacies for the top job. The Illinois Republican delegation only has three members, which limits the state's clout in this leadership battle. Still, whoever becomes the next speaker will likely spend time in the state, which is home to several top GOP donors. This makes it a necessary stop a few times a year for party leaders, who are tasked with raising millions of dollars to support their party's candidates. McCarthy was in the Metro East in August to headline a fundraiser for Bost, who is facing a primary challenge from former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey. The next House speaker to visit Illinois is anyone's guess at this point. About Ukraine funding Something to keep an eye on in the coming months is the debate over whether the United States should continue to provide aid to war-torn Ukraine. More than $113 billion has been allocated by the U.S. to counter Russia's February 2022 invasion. Biden asked for an additional $24 billion in August. Last week, a fraction of that ask $6 billion was stripped out of the resolution that kept the government open amid Republican divisions on the topic. All three of Illinois' congressional Republicans voted earlier that week for an amendment stripping aid to the country from a defense funding bill. Though Miller has consistently been opposed to more Ukraine funding, Bost and LaHood flipped their position on the issue. In the case of Bost, the appearance on its face was political as he has been getting hammered by Bailey, his primary opponent, on the topic. "The only thing that has changed is the public support for funding for the war in Ukraine and so because the polls tell him to oppose Ukraine funding Mike Bost is suddenly against it," Bailey said in a statement. Bost, however, told Lee Enterprises that he stood by his earlier votes. And that his opposition to the latest tranche of funding was due to what he believes is a lack of transparency in how it is being spent. He has sponsored legislation that would require more oversight over the funds. "So if I had voted for it, (Bailey would) say, 'Well, you didn't listen to your people.' Now, I vote against it and explain my reasons why, 'Well, you're responding to the polls.' It is a representative form of government," Bost said. "But also, I have information on why I changed my position." "And changing my position is not a bad thing," he continued. "It's coming to the realization that there's a problem not with my first position, but after it was made, that we are not giving the proper oversight for what we need." It is also worth mentioning that Bailey has voiced support for Ukraine in the past, telling the Chicago Sun-Times in February 2022 that the U.S. "should provide the resources they need to defend their sovereignty. However, Bailey says he's "always been against sending blank checks to Ukraine." Some might call Bailey's statements or Bost's votes a "flip-flop" from earlier positions. Or, perhaps they are simply adjusting their positions based on changing circumstances. These 8 Republicans stood apart to remove Kevin McCarthy as House speaker Rep. Andy Biggs Rep. Ken Buck Rep. Tim Burchett Rep. Eli Crane Rep. Matt Gaetz Rep. Bob Good Rep. Nancy Mace Rep. Matt Rosendale The head of Illinois embattled child welfare agency announced Wednesday that he will be stepping down at the end of the year. Marc Smith was appointed to director of the states Department of Children and Family Services by Gov. J.B. Pritzker shortly after the governor took office in 2019. The announcement of Smiths impending departure comes a little more than a week after the states auditor general issued a scathing report on the agency that among other things cited significant delays in reporting abuse and neglect to local prosecutors, other state agencies and to officials at childrens schools. In a video town hall to staffers Wednesday morning, Smith declared that DCFS is the premier child welfare agency in the country, no doubt and offered words of encouragement to its employees. We are running and working at the highest level I believe that this agency has ever worked at, he said during the town hall. Do not let anybody take that away from you because Im sure as hell not letting them take it away from me. Last year, Smith was held in contempt of court a number of times for violating court orders to find children appropriate placements in a timely manner, which one child welfare advocate said was a rarity for someone in such a high-profile position at DCFS. Those orders were later vacated. Smith was a frequent target of Republicans in the Illinois General Assembly who accused him of poor management, criticism that extended to Pritzker and how he runs state agencies under his control. DCFS for more than three decades has operated under federal court oversight due to litigation from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois calling for reform in the child welfare system. The department made slow but steady progress in the 1990s, but then entered an era of massive turnover and controversy. Smith is the agencys 15th leader since 2003. Quote "We are running and working at the highest level I believe that this agency has ever worked at. Do not let anybody take that away from you because Im sure as hell not letting them take it away from me." Marc Smith, outgoing director, Illinois Department of Child and Family Services Earlier this year, Smith received a nearly 5% raise, boosting his salary to $210,000 per year, as part of a measure approved in the lame-duck legislature in January that gave increases to statewide elected officials, agency heads and lawmakers. In his bid for reelection last year, Pritzker defended Smith and noted the revolving door in DCFS leadership. Thats just a way of scapegoating somebody for problems that actually needed to be fixed within the agency, Pritzker said about a month before easily winning a second term. Republican state Sens. Steve McClure, of Springfield, and Sally Turner, of Beason, indicated in a joint statement on Wednesday that the problems at DCFS go much deeper than Smiths leadership. We hope the Governor takes this opportunity to finally fix the issues that plague DCFS and have led to heartbreaking stories of children waiting months for placements, or those who tragically have lost their lives, according to the statement. Governor Pritzker needs to undertake a comprehensive review of agency operations, prioritizing solutions that protect children who cannot protect themselves. House Republican Leader Tony McCombie who has worked with Democratic lawmakers on matters that promote the safety of DCFS workers, reacted to Smiths announcement by saying DCFS is undeniably a dysfunctional agency in our state, and immediate change is critically necessary. As children in our care and agency workers continue to be harmed or worse, the House Republican caucus will strongly advocate for common-sense proposals to structurally reform the functions of the agency, said McCombie, of Savanna. It is our duty to protect children in states care. Democrats also agreed that the problems at DCFS are longstanding and go beyond Smith. I will be following the transition really closely, said state Sen. Julie Morrison, a Lake Forest Democrat who has been critical of DCFS. I believe that the agency needs to be reorganized as opposed to just having a new director. Photos: Taking Steps to End Child Abuse 5K Color Run/ 1-Mile Walk THUMBS UP! To Congress. In a last-minute deal, the entity approved a six-week deal to avoid a complete government shutdown. Now, they need to get to work and complete a full budget, which is their job. However THUMBS DOWN! For the battle over one program. PEPFAR is a program created by President George W. Bush in 2003. The program funds global efforts to fight the spread of AIDS. It's been a bipartisan program since, but has run into opposition because some of the health organizations that fight AIDS also provide abortion services, and Republicans do not want to subsidize those groups. Supporters worry that cutting off groups that also provide abortions would damage anti-AIDS efforts. THUMBS UP! To quick efforts to get displaced people back home. About 24 hours after being evacuated, residents were allowed back to their homes after a crash sent a toxic plume of anhydrous ammonia into the air in Effingham County. THUMBS UP! To a potential world record. Dorothy Hoffman, 104, of Chicago, hopes to be certified as the oldest person to ever skydive. She made a 13,500-foot tandem jump. The present record-holder was 103. Hoffner first skydived when she was 100. Upon landing, someone immediately delivered her walker to her. THUMBS UP! To paying it back and paying it forward. Illinois Wesleyan University senior Taylor Babec underwent multiple blood transfusions from age 5 to 8 during her battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She organizes her own blood drives to give others a chance at saving a life. THUMBS UP! To a well-earned retirement. Paul "Short" Craig, 98, finally plans to retire on his 99th birthday, Nov. 25. Craig has been an Atchison Electric employee in Sullivan for nearly 46 years. His career has included electrical work at other companies for nearly 30 years. THUMBS UP! To a use of artificial intelligence we can agree with. Firefighters are using AI-enabled cameras to scan the horizon for signs of smoke. A German company is building a constellation of satellites to detect fires from space. Microsoft is using AI models to predict where the next blaze could be sparked. Every tool that can be used against fire is a boon to safety, especially at a time when fires are more prevalent and more dangerous. By Kim Hyun-bin Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Konstantinos Fragogiannis is undertaking a significant diplomatic mission to Seoul, following a crucial meeting between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month. Fragogiannis is aiming to strengthen and advance economic cooperation between the two nations during his two-day stay in Seoul, which began on Thursday. The Greek deputy minister had substantive discussions with Korea's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Oh Young-ju on the first day of his visit. Oh possesses a prominent role in the areas of multilateral, global and economic affairs, climate change and international security affairs. Additionally, the Greek deputy minister's itinerary features key meetings with high-ranking officials from the Korean government. This distinguished group includes Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Bang Moon-kyu, Minister for Trade Ahn Duk-geun and Trade, Industry and Energy Vice Minister Kang Kyung-sung. Fragogiannis is also scheduled to engage in discussions with leaders from the Korean business community. When Americans of German heritage celebrate Oktoberfest, its important to reflect on Germanys 20th-century history which tragically led to WWII and the Holocaust. Our family tree contains many German cousins who didnt immigrate to America. One of them was Admiral Karl Donitz (Doenitz), commander of the V-boat fleet during the war. He was found guilty of war crimes at Nuremburg and imprisoned for 10 years, although he claimed he wasnt a Nazi, just a career naval officer obeying Hitlers orders. Two German cousins have visited us and weve visited many of them in Germany, so we learned a great deal from them and our own research. People who think there arent historical comparisons regarding whats been happening in America need to educate themselves to prevent history from being repeated here. The list of similarities is long and frightening; scapegoating and dehumanizing immigrants and minorities, using economic downturns to create unrest, banning books, infiltrating schools, courts and local government, acquiring power with support from the wealthy, using violence and threats against rivals to suppress opposition, declaring the free press the enemy of the people, spreading propaganda and disinformation, holding huge rallies with long, ranting speeches, utilizing indoctrination to instill loyalty for an autocratic leader, gaining support from military and police forces, then taking control of national governing bodies. In Nuremburg one can tour the courthouse where war crimes trials were conducted and the grounds where Nazi rallies were held. Today an educational center and museum are located there, reminding the world to never forget how Germanys people were manipulated and lost their country to Hitlers Nazis. When we vote in 2024, we must preserve our freedoms and rights by rejecting Trump and this MAGA ideologies or suffer a similar autocratic fascist fate as Germany endured. Linda Doenitz, Bloomington Parent company of Stanbic Bank Ghana, the Standard Bank Group, and one of the worlds leading banks, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) have renewed their strategic cooperation partnership for another five years. The partner institutions continue to lead the Africa-China trade and investment markets, jointly providing unequalled expertise and capabilities to individuals and businesses trading between Africa and China. At the signing ceremony for a 5-year renewal of their strategic co-operation agreement at Standard Banks head office in Johannesburg, the executive leadership of both banks committed to building on their highly successful 15-year partnership by unlocking enhanced opportunities across the growing China-Africa trade corridor. The renewed agreement celebrates the mutually beneficial and rewarding partnership, while looking forward to future growth. The partnership between Standard Bank and ICBC has facilitated the worlds leading Africa-China trade and investment platform. In 2022 alone, their facilitated trade flows between Africa and China were valued at $600 million. Standard Bank has long understood the primary importance of China to the growth of our continent, and I am privileged and honoured to thank my colleagues at ICBC for their ongoing partnership. We look forward to the next 15 years together as we build on our successes and drive inclusive and sustainable growth in Africa, says Standard Bank Group CEO, Sim Tshabalala. This relationship between Standard Bank and ICBC is critical to accelerating Africas economic development, broadens Chinas relationships with Africa, and gives African exporters access to the worlds largest and most dynamic market. By jointly endorsing the Belt and Road initiative and leveraging the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we expect Africa and China to become even more relevant to each other, says Mr Tshabalala. ICBC Chairman, Mr Chen Siqing, echoed these sentiments, thanking Standard Bank for its partnership, support and commitment over the years in encouraging robust and impactful trade between Africa and China, while having a significant impact on improving the lives of Africa and her people. China is Africas biggest trade partner, and we want to build on the successes while opening the door to renewed growth. This is especially true in the areas of energy transition which can create sustainable and long-term positive impacts, when we jointly support our respective countries and customers journeys to net zero emissions, says Mr Chen. The ongoing development of China-Africa economic and trade exchanges, coupled with Chinas economic growth and Africa's abundant resources, increasing industrialisation, and growing population, creates a promising environment for continued trade and investment. As these trends continue, we look forward to working with our trusted partner Standard Bank to unlock these opportunities. We firmly believe our relationship will continue to mature and bear synergies and will remain beneficial to both organisations, he says. Recognizing the significant growth potential of the continent, both Standard Bank and ICBC have invested heavily in building the necessary infrastructure and relationships to provide African and Chinese businesses easier access to the vast opportunities in this strategic trade corridor. Standard Bank, with ICBC support, has facilitated the growth journeys of over 3,500 Chinese commercial, corporate and state-owned entities across 15 African markets. The bulk of these firms are overwhelmingly private firms invested in a broad range of sectors. The scale of new private Chinese investment has substantially enhanced Africas ability to import and deploy the technology and skills required to build its own economies while also increasing the continents ability to attract investment from other markets. As Africas biggest trading partner, China will remain deeply embedded in the continents economic growth story. Bringing these two regions together, combining our resources, ideas and cultures to create a unique shared capacity, has immense benefits that will drive regional and global development for generations to come, concludes Mr. Tshabalala. 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 An influential team of Obuasi natives paid a courtesy call to the Paramount Chief of Adansi traditional area, Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, the Adansihene in USA on Sunday September 24, 2023. The learned and respected Chief who used to live in Maryland, USA and worked as a Certified United States Corporate Accountant is currently in the US for medical review. The team that visited the Chief included Hon. Edward Ennin (Former Obuasi MP), Hon Samuel Aboagye (NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East) and Dr. Solomon Owusu (Mining Consultant in USA). The purpose of the visit was to check on the Chiefs health, offer help if needed and use the opportunity to discuss certain concerning matters confronting the people from Adansi areas, particularly Obuasi. According to the team, Obuasi is one of the top gold mining towns in Africa and the world at large but the town is far behind development with excruciating poverty faced by the people. Topics that were discussed included illegal mining (galamsey) issues, youth unemployment, infrastructure deficit and lack of benefits from gold mining activities in the Adansi traditional areas. On the youth unemployment, Hon. Samuel Aboagye expressed concern about the manner in which the Adansi youth are denied employment opportunities from AngloGold Mining company, UMA Mining Contracting company and other subcontractors while people from the big cities like Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, etc., get employed to work with these companies. In his view, qualified Adansi natives should be given the first employment priority at all levels of the organizations before anyone else. Again, Hon. Aboagye raised concern about the frustrations that small-scale miners in the Adansi areas face in their activities that put food on their family tables while the foreigners, particularly the Chinese illegal miners pollute waterbodies and degrade lands with impunity. He wondered if the government is aware of the illegal mining activities operated by foreigners in Obuasi and its catchment areas. As part of the discussions, Hon Ennin who is currently a board member of AngloGold Ashanti Mining Company and former Obuasi MP disclosed that the company relinquished about 70% of its entire concession to the government to be given to the small-scale miners for their operations. Unfortunately, these concessions ended up in the hands of some top government officials who are benefitting from them, instead of demarcating them among the small-scale miners as planned. Explaining the constraints involved in the youth unemployment issues, Hon. Ennin stressed the effective structure that AngloGold has put in place to ensure that Adansi natives are considered for job opportunities. According to him, the company has issued resident evidence forms to the local and traditional authorities, purposely to authenticate job applicants to ensure that those considered are truly qualified natives from the Adansi areas. With those forms in place, Hon. Ennin was of the view that Adansi residents should rather blame their local and traditional leaders, if they suspect job opportunities offered to nonnatives. Commenting on the general mining issues, Dr. Solomon Owusu raised concern on why Obuasi and its catchment areas havent been developed from the proceeds from mining activities. According to him, active mining operations have been ongoing in the area since 1800s and yet, Obuasi and the surrounding mining localities lack basic amenities such as good roads, good drinking water, constant electricity, good sanitation facilities, standardized health facilities, among others. He further expressed his concerns about the alarming rate of foreigners invasion into the small-scale mining sector and gold bullion trading, which are meant for only Ghanaian citizens, according to Mineral and Mining Act 2006, Act 703. On illegal mining, Dr. Owusu pleaded with the Paramount Chief to resist the water pollution and land degradation caused by the foreign nationals, particularly the Chinese nationals around Obuasi and its catchment areas. He continued to plead with Nana to discipline the subchiefs who demarcate lands to foreigners to operate illegal mining, since they allow all the destructions to happen in their respective localities. He stressed that there is no way a foreigner can operate galamsey on a concession without the knowledge of the chief who controls that portion of the land. Concerning punishment for illegal miners, Dr. Owusu expressed his disappointment in Ghanaian leaders about the way foreigners who engage in illegal mining are left off the hook after their arrests while Ghanaian illegal miners serve prison sentences. In his opinion, the newly amended Minerals and Mining Act 2019, Act 995 prescribes penalties for minimum imprisonment terms for citizens and non-citizens who engage in illegal mining activities. Speaking on the legal issues surrounding the illegal mining activities and referring to the act, Dr. Owusu made it clear to Nana that per the Act, citizens who engage in illegal mining risk a prison sentence of 15 to 20 years and non-citizens risk a jail term of 20 to 25 years. Hence, Dr. Owusu found it surprising why none of the Chinese illegal miners is imprisoned but lots of Ghanaian galamseyers are caged to rot in jail. He proposed that the government should minimize the intense bureaucratic procedures used to acquire small-scale mining licenses to encourage the illegal miners to register into the mainstream. Dr. Owusu again drew the Chiefs attention that small-scale mining can be conducted in environmentally friendly manner to minimize or avoid water pollution, hence he couldnt fathom why the government cannot come up with effective policies and measures to implement good mining practices to save current and future generations from life-threatening diseases such as liver diseases, kidney diseases, lung diseases, heart diseases, etc., caused by illegal mining activities. Responding to the illegal mining issues in the area, the Adansihene spoke in a hoarse voice and expressed his disappointment in the government representatives in Adansi as well as the Ghana Police Service. He disclosed how some of the government appointees and the police condone and defend illegal miners in the area. Nana cited a recent case on August 5, 2023 when members of a taskforce established by the Adansi Traditional Council were openly attacked and brutally assaulted by galamseyers at Adansi Ampunyasi. Surprisingly, the police arrested the taskforce members and their branded taskforce vehicle, insisting that they were armed robbers and instead, freed the illegal miners. It took prompt intervention of the Paramount Chiefs lawyer to save the taskforce members from going to jail. The branded taskforce vehicle damaged by the illegal miners is still parked at the police premises. This matter is still pending at the police station and has not been processed for legal proceedings at the law court. Expressing his dispiritedness and dismay about the behaviour of government representatives, the Paramount Chief disclosed a recent letter he received from the Regional Minister, Mr. Simon Osei Mensah through the Adansi North District Assembly, indicating that traditional authorities should stop all taskforce operations and instead, report any galamsey activity to the District Security Council (DISEC). According to the celebrated Chief, the letter alone is enough evidence to justify how the hands of the traditional leaders are tied concerning galamsey issues. Notwithstanding the fact that some government institutions and appointees sabotage the efforts by the traditional leaders to execute their duties as the custodians of the lands, the learned Chief welcomed all ideas from the team, showered his blessings upon them and promised to embrace new technological innovations that can help in creating jobs, addressing the galamsey issues and developing Adansi and Ghana as a whole. Concerning the allegation on certification of job application forms for nonnatives by the local leaders, Nana assured the team about his willingness to initiate investigations into the matter and ensure that Adansi natives benefit from job opportunities in the area. Source: Dr. Solomon Owusu, USA 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 On the 16th of September,2023 the Delhi Private School International organised its Annual Awards Ceremony at the schools premises. The event which is purposed to award students for their outstanding performances in academics and extra activities saw students from all grades win prestigious awards. Also, students who achieved tremendous success in their A- levels exams and secured admissions in universities across the world were recognised. Shriman Jha and Raj Thakwani both received honorary awards for their overwhelming achievements for the school. The event was graced by notable dignitaries such as Hon. Al-Latif (District Chief Executive- Ningo/ Prampram District Assembly), Madam Jemima (country head, UBA Bank), Mr Chris (MD, UBA) and Addams Zanatu, Accounts Relationship Managee who gave awards to deserving students as well as encouraging them to do more. The chairman of the school, Mr. Mike Mukesh Thakwani during his speech expressed his joy in seeing these students excel in academics and other activities. He stated that these awards are evidence of the good works of the school and that with such dedication the future of Ghana looks bright. DPSI is dedicated to growing and nurturing young people in areas of academics and talents to help them contribute their quoter to the betterment of 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. Featured Video The Vodafone Ghana Foundation has organized financial and digital literacy training for over 90 beneficiaries of the Network for Enterprise Development Learning through Sewing (NEEDLES) for Girls (N4G) project in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana. The project which formed part of the Vodafone SME month, equipped the young women with the necessary skills to navigate the digital world, enhance their businesses and foster financial independence. The N4G project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP) and the Ghana Export and Import Bank (EXIMBANK), with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), within the framework of the Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition," which also operates under the brand Invest for Jobs. The digital and financial training sessions focused on practical skills that could be immediately applied in the lives and businesses of the participants. The participants were introduced to the convenience of using Vodafone Cash, an electronic payment solution, to conduct seamless and cashless transactions. The training also provided insights into internet services, ensuring that the women could confidently navigate the digital landscape. Social media tools such as WhatsApp and Facebook were explored to enhance the digital visibility of the businesses of the participating women. Also, the training program addressed basic financial management using the My Vodafone App (MVA). By familiarizing participants with this innovative tool, they were empowered to efficiently manage their finances, enabling them to sustain and grow their businesses. During the program, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, the Manager of Foundation, Sustainability, and External Communications at Vodafone Ghana, emphasized the importance of embracing technology as an opportunity for business growth. She encouraged the participants to explore online marketing to expand their reach, highlighting it as a valuable opportunity presented by Vodafone Ghana. Vodafone Ghana exemplified its commitment to fostering digital and financial inclusion by giving smartphones to 20 outstanding trainees. These devices were equipped with the necessary applications and set up for Vodafone Cash and MVA usage. This gesture ensures that the knowledge and skills acquired during the training sessions can be immediately put into practice, promoting financial independence and self-sufficiency among the women of Tamale. Monica Kuma, a 23-year-old fashion designer and a participant, indicated, The training as well as getting a smartphone from Vodafone Ghana Foundation through the program was a dream come true. The phone will enable me to showcase my work on social media. The Ready Loan from Vodafone is an opportunity to get funding to start my business." This collaborative effort between the Vodafone Ghana Foundation and GIZ underscores the importance of empowering women through digital and financial literacy. This initiative contributes to bridging the gender gap in access to financial and technological resources. It also aligns with broader efforts to foster economic empowerment and gender equality in Ghana. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) has called on the Ghana Police Service to prioritise and expedite the investigation into the strange circumstances leading to the death of a pharmacist. The deceased, Samuel Amoateng Saffoh, died on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Tamale Teaching Hospital after reportedly undergoing three cycles of haemodialysis, since his admission on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. In a statement signed by the President of PSGH, Dr Samuel Kow Donkoh, the society described the cause of death and the death of their colleague as a shock because Saffoh was not known to have chronic kidney disease. It is with deep sorrow that the PSGH and the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association (GHOSPA) announce the passing of Pharmacist Samuel Amoateng Saffoh, who served as the Pharmacist-in-charge of the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga, the statement said. The society said Pharmacist Saffoh's unexpected illness and demise were of particular concern given his role as a principal witness in a case involving the theft of medicines and medical consumables from the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga. Furthermore, we are troubled by the fact that another potential witness in the same theft case also fell seriously ill and passed away in August 2023, the PSGH said. We urge the authorities to accelerate the investigative process and ensure that justice is served should anyone be found culpable, it added. The PSGH further called on the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and the government to take decisive action in investigating and apprehending those responsible for the theft of medicines and medical consumables from the Upper East Regional Hospital. Support, condolences The society expressed gratitude to the PSGH Upper East Regional Branch Executive and the PSGH Northern Regional Branch Executive for their unwavering support to their departed colleague and his bereaved family during this challenging time. It appealed to all pharmacists to remain composed as the society actively engaged with the family, the police and the relevant authorities to unravel the circumstances surrounding the passing of our colleague. The PSGH underscores the imperative for the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and the government to make the safety and well-being of pharmacists and all healthcare professionals a paramount concern, the statement added. It said the PSGH stood firmly with the family in their pursuit to uncover the cause of Pharma Saffoh's untimely demise. Source: Graphiconline 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 Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Kwabena Kokofu has reprimanded Sam George over his comments about the Head of Security at the Bank of Ghana. The Ningo-Prampram MP, Sam George labeled the BoG Head of Security, Wing Commander Kwame Asare Boateng, as a "watchman" after the latter met the #OccupyBoG protesters and received their petition on behalf of the BoG Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison. "Parliament invites the Bank of Ghana at least twice a year and he has appeared only three times in seven years so it's not strange. It is the height of disrespect that we will come here and he will send the watchman, the watchman at the Bank of Ghana to come and receive the petition." "Okay, the watchman should come to Parliament as well, when next he needs anything from Parliament he should send the watchman as well but we will be back. We will give the Police some days to rest but we will be back," Sam George told TV3. Responding to these statements during Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo", Mr. Kwabena Kokofu asserted that Wing Commander Kwame Asare-Boateng was most qualified to recieve the protesters' petition, hence blasting Sam George for disrespecting him. Wing Commander Kwame Asare-Boateng served with the Ghana Air Force for 26 years, rose through the ranks terminating as a Wing Commander and Deputy Director of the Legal Directorate at the Air Force Headquarters to go to the Bank of Ghan. He's also served in various capacities in the military as Intelligence Operator, Administrator and Legal Officer. Looking at these credentials of the BoG Security boss, the EPA Chief Executive warned Sam George to stop displaying an arrogant behavior. "Do you know the place is a security zone? So, he is the most appropriate person; he is qualified in all matters to watch what is going on and receive whatever you are bringing. If you were bringing a bomb, he has the knowledge on how to handle bomb...So, if you think you won't respect him and that the only people you respect are yourselves; if you are not an NDC member or leader, then you don't deserve respect. That is what they displayed yesterday. What kind of arrogance is that?" "In any case, is a watchman not human? If someone is a watchman, does it mean the person is not a human being? We being here today is because of some watchman who didn't sleep in the night but watched over us. Even in biblical terms, we know God, our Maker, is our watchman. He is a watchman; God watches over us. When you are a parent with children in the home, you watches [sic] over them", he remarked. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A former Majority Leader of the NPP in Ex-president Kufuor's administration, Felix Owusu-Adjapong has died aged 79. Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, confirmed the death of the former leader of Parliament on his X(formerly twitter) handle on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Deep condolences to the familyFormer Majority leader, Hon. Felix Owusu passed on, Annoh-Dompreh posted. Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjapong Felix Kwasi Owusu-Adjapong (born February 13, 1944) is a Ghanaian politician and a former member of the Parliament of Ghana as a New Patriotic Party (NPP) representative for Akyem Swedru of the eastern region of Ghana.He was also a former Minister for Energy. Early life and education Felix Owusu-Adjapong studied Land Economy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. He also studied Housing, Planning and Building at the Bouwcentrum Institute in Rotterdam, Urban Land Appraisal at the University of Reading in England, and law at the Ghana School of Law. Political career Owusu-Agyapong is a member of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Parliament of the 4th republic of Ghana. He was first elected Member of Parliament for Akyem Swedru in the 1996 general elections with a total of 15,824 making 45.30% of the total valid votes cast that year. He was re-elected in the 2000 general elections with a majority of 14,614 making 56.80% of the votes cast. In February 2001 he was appointed Minister for Transport and Communications, and in April 2003 Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. In the 2004 Ghanaian general elections,he was elected again as Member of Parliament with a majority vote of 21,048 making 66.94% of the total votes polled that year. In 2007 he resigned his ministerial position to make an unsuccessful bid for the presidential nomination of the NPP. He did not contest his parliamentary constituency at the 2008 General Elections. In June 2008 he was appointed Minister of Energy, holding the post until the end of Kufuor's government in January 2009. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Bank of Ghanas governor has told Central Banking he rejects demands on him to resign made by the main opposition party, NDC. The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress, and smaller groups took part in a march on the central banks headquarters on October 3. But Ernest Addison says the demonstration yesterday was completely unnecessary, and neither he nor his deputies intend to step down. Dr Addison in an interview with international business website, Central Banking, said he is not stepping down, describing the protest by the NDC as completely unnecessary. The Minority in parliament have many channels to channel their grievances in civilised societies, not through demonstrations in the streets as hooligans, Addison added in reference to the #OccupyBoGProtest. The protest was held on Tuesday, October 3 to denounce the economic crisis as a result of what the protesters termed poor fiscal policy by the BoG. Addison also rejected the claims by the Minority that he printed money to finance the lavish lifestyle of the ruling government. According to him, the BoG provided monetary financing during 2020 and 2022, to meet specific crises which he says is legal under the central bank law. The Central Bank posted losses totalling GHC60.81 billion for the 2022 financial year as against a profit of GHC1.23 billion recorded in 2021. The losses were a result of the governments domestic debt restructuring activities and the depreciation of the cedi, among other effects. Regarding the central banks 2022 losses, Addison told Central Banking: The impairment of the banks holdings of debt which led to the losses was a conditionality for the IMF programme. Nobody at the Bank of Ghana forgave any debt. The Governor also clarified that the BoG decided to start the new headquarters in 2019. This was when the bank was profitable and appropriated some of its profits for the new headquarters, he said. It was not a decision taken during a crisis. Source: Centralbanking.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako says he will cause the arrest of NPP presidential hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong if he makes threats against his life again. According to Chairman Wontumi, Put a stop to all insults and attacks on my personality else I will call for your arrest. Its an advice. You did the same to Ahmed Suale, so dont let it repeat. If you can do something for the party, tell us. Its just exactly a month to the election. I dont want you to lose, but put a stop to your utterances and focus on your campaign to win. The Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman was responding to some statements made by Kennedy Agyapong when he accused him and the Vice President of undermining the NPPs stability during his Showdown Walk in Kumasi over the weekend. Ken Statement Kennedy Agyapong when addressing his followers after the walk in Kumasi said Chairman Wontumi has taken the party for ransom by deploying rogue tactics to do the bidding of some elements in the NPP. Citing a case to buttress his claim, Kennedy Agyapong did not take kindly the utterances of Chairman Wontumi against the person of the former Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, who has resigned from the party. He therefore warned the chairman that going forward, he is going to meet his tactics in equal measure. I dare Wontumi to make a mistake and he will see men in this country, he will see men in Ghana. You operate a radio and TV station to insult elderly people. I dare Wontumi to come here and deny, he was a full-blooded Alan supporter and I convinced him to switch to the side of President Akufo-Addo. You can support Akufo-Addo or Vice President Bawumia but dont insult, Agyapong told the mammoth crowd. On attacks on the person of Alan, Agyapong stated: Alan is being insulted on Wontumis station. Wontumi is just a small boy, he is a small boy. It is sad that Wontumi and five chairmen from four northern regions and the Volta Region have turned the National Council into a hooliganism group. Wontumi Responds However, Chairman Wontumi reacting to Kennedy Agaypongs threats during his presser held in Kumasi, expressed serious concerns about the threats and also urged the flagbearer aspirant to focus on his campaign for the upcoming NPP primaries on November 4th instead of attacking him. I love NPP, I will never say anything against the party or Kennedy Agyapong. I will always ensure the progress of the party. I will let the police arrest you if you threaten me again with your showdown comments. Im advising you against such comments, your threats on Ahmed Suales life caused his death. Im not interested in you losing the elections, but please tell delegates what you can do for the party and desist from spewing derogatory comments against party members, and polling station agents. Just try to apologise to them. You have insulted chiefs, judges, and everyone in the country, everybody knows what you can do, change your attitude, he advised. Chairman Wontumi also defended his decision to order the removal of Alan Kyerematens campaign posters from party offices after Kyerematen resigned from the NPP and his declaration to run as an independent candidate. He further clarified that this directive was a matter of party discipline and not intended as an insult towards Kyerematen. Controversial Kennedy Agyapong will contest for the flagbearership slot of the NPP along with three other contenders including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Francis-Addai-Nimoh. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The fall version of the Royal Culture Festival, the country's largest festival themed on the Korean royal court and its culture, is set to begin next Friday, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Thursday. The biannual event is scheduled to run for six days at four Joseon-era palaces in Seoul -- Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong and Deoksu. During the festival, various concerts and exhibitions will be offered to visitors, including a pansori performance at Gyeongbok Palace for Oct. 13-14, sharing a story about the reconstruction of Gyeongbok, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Changgyeong Palace will host storytelling events about the history and meaning of the palace, a photo exhibition, as well as a multi-channeled art show. The festival, which started in 2015, resumed in April last year after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 380,000 people flocked to the palaces to enjoy the festival this April, the CHA said. Reservations can be made starting Friday through Naver's booking system for free. (Yonhap) The members of parliament (MPs) in the majority caucus who initiated the move to force Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta out of office and did not walk the talk should be blamed for the economic challenges currently confronting Ghana, Ningo Prampram MP, Sam Nartey George has said. He therefore wants Ghanaians to hold those MPs accountable for the economic challenges. In a television interview on TV3, monitored by Graphic Online on Wednesday [Oct 4, 2023], morning, Sam George said, If there is any group in this country that we need to hold accountable, who actually should be kicked out of parliament, for lacking the integrity to carry through their words, it is majority in parliament. Did they not announce to this whole country that they wanted Ken Ofori-Atta to go? Did the majority leader Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu not come and announce that it was a collective decision of the whole caucus? Did they not say that they were waiting for the IMF deal to be done? He said although the Minority caucus in Parliament brought a motion for censure against Mr Ofori-Atta the Majority caucus voted against it. Did we not present them an opportunity to walk their talk by bringing a motion for censure? Did they vote along the lines of the vote of censure based on what they had said they will do? They lack integrity, they are men and women whose words you cannot take. If there is anybody who sits in that Chamber and pursue partisan considerations it is the NPP members of parliament, the majority side, he said. Sam George accused the Majority side of walking the bid of President Akufo-Addo, They will not vote in line with the wishes of the Ghanaian people when a large majority people of Ghana said Ken must go. Ken is there, and Ken will be there and majority of them will lose their primaries because they lack integrity. People will hold them accountable for it. Source: Graphiconline 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 Central University lecturer, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has fired salvoes at the Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu over his vulgar tirade at the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Ernest Addison. Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu, joining protesters to march to the Bank of Ghana on Tuesday, October 3, used unprintable words on the BoG Governor who is accused of mismanaging the bank. The protest led by the Minority in Parliament is to oust the Governor and his deputies. A livid Sosu, who spoke in Ga, threw caution to the wind and descended into the gutters but has rendered an apology for his unfortunate outburst. I wish to sincerely apologise for my choice of words during my outburst yesterday, Tuesday, October 3 2023, during the Occupy BOG Demonstration. I unreservedly apologize for my actions and words and ask that all those offended would find a place in their hearts to forgive me. I have reflected and realized that though I spoke those words out of anger and extreme provocation, I was completely out of character, he said in a statement on Wednesday, October 4. But Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah is least enthused about lawyer Sosu's apology as, to him, the MP has waived his privilege to be called an "Honorable". "He does not deserve to be called Honorable . . . He tarnished his image," he exclaimed while reacting to the behavior of the MP during "Kokrokoo" morning show on Peace FM. He noted that a Member of Parliament must at all times comport himself or herself, hence blasting lawyer Sosu for misconduct. "He must bow his head in shame...It's a shame. I feel so ashamed that he could utter such dirty words." Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah has slammed the Governor of Bank of Ghana over some comments attributed to him in relation to the #OccupyBoG protest by the Minority in Parliament and some Ghanaians on Tuesday, October 3. The protesters marched to the Bank of Ghana to petition the Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison and his deputies to resign over accusations that they have mismanaged the bank, hence resulting in a staggering loss of GH60.8 billion. The Governor, according to a publication by Central Banking, in response to the protest says it was "completely unnecessary and neither he nor his deputies intend to step down. The Minority in parliament have many channels to channel their grievances in civilised societies, not through demonstrations in the streets as hooligans, Central Banking further quoted Dr. Addison. Tackling the issue during "Kokrokoo" panel discussion programme on Peace FM Thursday morning, Dr. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah described the Governor's comments as unsavory. The Governance lecturer at the Central University demanded an apology from Dr. Addison, stating, "I wish he did not go that tangent". "He must apologize like Sosu has done for using a vulgar language on him (Addison)," he said and counseled Dr. Addison stressing "we don't listen to respond; we listen to understand", to wit he should be measured in his reply to the demonstrators. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Atik Mohammed says the claims on which the Minority in Parliament is petitioning the Central Bank Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to resign are "ridiculous and misplaced". According to him, the accusations by the Minority against the Governor have no logical basis. He explained on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show that the Governor and his deputies, who the Minority says should step down, are not responsible for the cedi devaluation and the many other things leveled against them. The Governor and his deputies are accused of mismanaging the bank and printing money that, to the accusers, have hugely cost Ghana's economy. Dr. Addison is said to be a part of the reasons for the economic woes visited on Ghanaians but Atik, in response, says the Governor has no hand in the country's currency depreciation. He elucidated that the cedi depreciation is due to external factors beyond the control of the Governor, hence asked the petitioners to leave Dr. Addison alone. "No demonstration is unnecessary but the message was ridiculous and misplaced. You are seeking the resignation of a Governor over illogical basis. They are not the reason why our currency is not performing well...Claiming that they printed money is not true," he said. "What even bores me the more is that they say that it is some of these monies that they have given to Cecilia Dapaah to hide under her bed...and that this forms the basis to call for the resignation of the Governor. This is impossible to understand," he took a swipe at the Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson who, during the protest, alleged the bank gave portions of the printed money to the former Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. To Atik, the leaders of the #OccupyBoG demonstration are not seeking the interest of the populace but "the pursuit of self-interest". Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video " " Most high-rises skip from the 12th to the 14th floor. Denis Belyaevskiy/iStock/Thinkstock Superstitions about lucky and unlucky numbers may seem like they're little more than tall tales thought up by desperate gamblers, but they impact virtually every stage of life and have moved well beyond the world of gambling. Whether inspired by biblical stories or the legends of ancient people, these so-called lucky numbers and unlucky numbers have different meanings to many people. Based on little more than a story, where the origin is often unknown, people will alter travel plans, delay purchases or spend their life savings on lottery tickets. Advertisement Wonder where these digits earned their reputations? Read on to learn about some of the most popular superstitions in the world of numbers. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A 3D printed glass microfluidic channel, shown hollow and filled with liquid. Credit: Georgia Institute of Technology Using ultraviolet light instead of extremely high temperatures, a team of Georgia Tech researchers has developed a new approach for 3D printing small glass lenses and other structures that would be useful for medical devices and research applications. Their process reduces the heat required to convert printed polymer resin to silica glass from 1,100C to around 220C and shortens the curing time from 12 hours or more to just five hours. They've used it to produce all kinds of glass microstructures, including tiny lenses approximately the width of a human hair that could be used for medical imaging inside the body. Led by George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering Professor H. Jerry Qi, the team described their approach in the journal Science Advances. "This is one of the exploratory examples showing that it is possible to fabricate ceramics at mild conditions, because silica is a kind of ceramic," Qi said. "It is a very challenging problem. We have a team that includes people from chemistry and materials science engaged in a data-driven approach to push the boundary and see if we can produce more ceramics with this approach." Along with miniaturization of lenses for medical endoscopes, these 3D printed glass structures could create microfluidic devicestypically small computer chip-like devices with nano- or microscale channels used to study cells or biofluids in motion. Glass chips would offer advantages over current chips made of polymer materials, the researchers said, resisting corrosion from chemicals or body fluids. Researchers used this raw material to create 3D-printed glass structures no bigger than the width of a human hair. The researchers employed a light-sensitive resin based on a widely used soft polymer called PDMS, at left. The sample on the right is glass created using deep UV light to convert the the photoresin to hardened inorganic glass. Credit: Candler Hobbs The low-temperature process also would enable fabrication of microelectronics with glass structures, according to Mingzhe Li, the study's first author. "We can print in situ, directly into microelectronics," said Li, a postdoctoral researcher in Qi's lab. "Semiconductor materials used in microelectronics cannot withstand very high temperatures. If we want to print directly on a board, we have to do it at a low temperature, and 200C can definitely do this job." The team's printing process presents a climate friendlier option for silica glass manufacturing. Typical additive manufacturing processes for glass require polymer mixtures that must be burned away with heat once the desired shapes are formed. The Georgia Tech team's approach uses a photoresin that is converted to glass using a kind of ultraviolet light called deep UV light. That allows for lower temperatures that save significant heating energy. And because they don't have to add extra polymer material, fewer resources are involved in the first place. The researchers employed a light-sensitive resin based on a widely used soft polymer called PDMS, and they don't have to add silica nanoparticles to their mix like other 3D printing methods. The result is highly transparent glass without the potential optical issues that can arise with the added nanoparticles. The glass lenses they produced were as smooth as commercially made fused silica glass. More information: Mingzhe Li et al, Low-temperature 3D printing of transparent silica glass microstructures, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi2958 Journal information: Science Advances 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: Effect of T. longibrachiatum (a) and Pseudomonas sp. (b) filtrates at various concentrations (C1: 20%; C2: 40%; C3: 60%; C4: 80%) on the mycelial growth (mm) of Botrytis cinerea at six incubation times (1 [D1], 2 [D2], 3 [D3], 5 [D5], 6 [D6], and 8 [D8] days) under laboratory conditions. The letters above the bars indicate significant differences between treatments within the experiments (p 0.5) according to Duncans multiple range tests. Data are the average of nine Petri dishes per replicate (with three replicates). Credit: Agronomy (2023). DOI: 10.3390/agronomy13071774 RUDN University agronomists and colleagues from Tunisia have discovered a way to stop the spread of a phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea. It affects crops, especially tomatoes. The Trichoderma fungus and the Pseudomonas bacterium can protect the crop from this pathogen. The results have been published in the journal Agronomy. Botrytis cinerea is a gray mold that affects many plants. It is dangerous for strawberries, grapes, onions, and tomatoes. Fungicides are the usual way to combat phytopathogens. However, antifungal substances are dangerous to humans and the environment. In addition, the fungus becomes resistant to these drugs over time. The preferred alternative is biological control methods. RUDN University agronomists and colleagues from Tunisia proposed using other microbes to fight the pathogen: the Trichoderma fungus and bacteria from the Pseudomonas genus. "For several decades, chemical fungicides have been the most common method of controlling botrytis cinerea. However, this pathogenic fungus has developed resistance to several fungicides. In addition, toxic residues in tomato fruit and soil threaten human health, the soil, and the environment. Biological methods should replace chemical ones to reduce the incidence of gray mold," said Rebouh Nazih, Ph.D., Associate Professor of the Department of Environmental Management of RUDN University. Credit: Russian Foundation for Basic Research Agronomists tested the effect of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas in vitro (in a Petri dish) and in vivo (on seeds and fruits of infected tomato). The authors monitored the amount of secondary metabolitescompounds produced by microorganisms during their life processesand also measured the reproduction rate of the pathogenic fungus. Both microbes have proven useful in controlling botrytis. Trichoderma can produce the enzymes chitinase, protease, and gluconase, while pseudomonas can produce catalase and amylase. All these secondary metabolites help suppress the growth of botrytis gray. At a concentration of 40%, the spread rate of the fungus decreased by half. "Beneficial microorganismsbacteria and fungican become biological control agents and biostimulants for the growth and productivity of crops. Trichoderma cultures and pseudomonads slow down the growth of botrytis cinerea, which attacks tomato plants. Antifungal activity is due mainly to the antibiotic activity of secondary metabolites. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms of action of biological control agents," said Rebouh Nazih, Ph.D., associate professor of the Department of Environmental Management of RUDN University. More information: Lobna Hajji-Hedfi et al, Understanding the Influence of Applying Two Culture Filtrates to Control Gray Mold Disease (Botrytis cinerea) in Tomato, Agronomy (2023). DOI: 10.3390/agronomy13071774 Provided by Russian Foundation for Basic Research 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: Geographical distribution of known and newly discovered pre-Columbian geometric earthworks in Amazonia. (A) Map of previously reported and newly discovered earthworks (purple circles and yellow stars, respectively) reported in this study across six Amazonian regions: central Amazonia (CA), eastern Amazonia (EA), Guiana Shield (GS), northwestern Amazonia (NwA), southern Amazonia (SA), and southwestern Amazonia (SwA). (B) Newly discovered earthworks in SA. (C to F) Newly discovered earthworks in SwA. (G to I) Newly discovered earthworks in GS. (J and K) Newly discovered earthworks in CA. Scale bars, 100 m. Credit: Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.ade2541 The world's most diverse forest, the Amazon, may also host more than 10,000 records of pre-Columbian earthworks (constructed prior to the arrival of Europeans), according to a new study. The new study combines cutting-edge remote sensing technology with archaeological data and advanced statistical modeling to estimate how many earthworks may still be hidden beneath the canopy of the Amazon rainforest and in which locations these structures are most likely to be found. The paper is published in the journal Science. The work was conducted by a team of 230 researchers from 156 institutions located in 24 countries across four continents, led by Brazilian researchers Vinicius Peripato, a doctoral student in Remote Sensing at Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE), and Luiz Aragao. "Our study suggests that the Amazon rainforest may not be as pristine as many believe, as when we seek a better understanding of the extent of pre-Columbian human occupation throughout it, we are surprised by a significant number of sites still unknown to the science community," says Peripato. The team of scientists made this discovery after identifying 24 new archaeological sites through advanced remote mapping technology, using a laser mounted on an aircraft, known as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). This sensor allows for the reconstruction of surface elements into a highly detailed 3D model. Peripato explains, "From the 3D models of the surface, it is possible to digitally remove all vegetation and initiate a precise and detailed investigation of the terrain beneath the forest." The team utilized various LiDAR databases initially acquired for biomass estimates. Peripato states, "Given the wealth of information contained in these data, we embarked on an archaeological investigation. We investigated a total of 0.08% of the Amazon and found 24 previously uncatalogued structures in the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso, Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, and Para." Using all earthworks found so far (961), the team quantified how many structures have yet to be unraveled and demonstrated that dozens of tree species are linked to these ancient occupations dating back 1,500 to 500 years ago. These structures are known as "earthworks" and predate the arrival of Europeans on the continent. They are also typically associated with other types of landscape modifications, confirming the presence of Indigenous occupations in various regions of the Amazon (such as Amazonian dark earth and the presence of domesticated species, among other pieces of evidence). Probability model of pre-Columbian earthworks across Amazonia. (A) Predicted probability of earthwork presence for 1-km2 cells across six Amazonian regions using an inhomogeneous Poisson process predictive model: central Amazonia (CA), eastern Amazonia (EA), Guiana Shield (GS), northwestern Amazonia (NwA), southern Amazonia (SA), and southwestern Amazonia (SwA). Areas not modeled (NA) are greyed out. (B) Predictive probability function for the number of as yet undetected earthworks; the dark area under the curve represents the credibility interval (CI) of the probabilities associated with each number. (C) Boxplot of the estimated relative contribution of each covariate; the yellow diamond indicates the mean value. SCC, soil cation concentration; TPI, terrain position index; HAND, height above the nearest drainage. (D) Individual predicted probability of earthwork presence against intensity covariates. Credit: Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.ade2541 "We predict that 90% of the Amazon forest has a very low chance of having earthworks," so this type of modification on Amazonian forests may have taken place mostly in 10% of its area," said Hans ter Steege, of Naturalis Biodiversity Center and Utrecht University. Carolina Levis from the Federal University of Santa Catarina adds, "Some time ago, ecologists viewed the Amazon as the vast untouched forest, but now, combining other types of pre-Columbian remains, we can see how many areas that currently sustain dense forest have already been subjected to extensive engineering works and the cultivation and domestication of plants by pre-Columbian societies. These people mastered sophisticated techniques for land and plant management, which in some cases, are still present in the knowledge and practices of present-day communities that can inspire new ways to coexist with the forest without the need for its destruction." All quantitative results mentioned above, including the information provided by the title of the paper, were obtained after applying the methodology recently developed by Guido Moreira, in his doctoral thesis in Statistics of at Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, and Dani Gamerman. The Bayesian approach to Statistics is used to propose an exact regression analysis for the observed occurrences of pre-Columbian earthworks. Exactness is achieved by the use of a data augmentation mechanism that includes the still unobserved earthworks and their observability pattern. So far, these earthworks have been commonly discovered through Google Earth images. However, due to the vastness of the Amazon rainforest and the challenges of studying remote areas, this study puts forth testable predictions about lesser-known locations in the Amazon, where new fieldwork is likely to uncover archaeological sites of monumental dimensions, still well-preserved within the forest. Luiz Aragao, one of the leaders in the research and head of the Earth Observation and Geoinformatics Division at INPE, emphasizes, "This research represents a significant technological and scientific advancement. The study advances knowledge in three major areas, including archaeology itself through novel discoveries, environmental sciences by demonstrating the level of human interference in the region, which may have implications for its current functioning and how we model its future, and finally, in the field of applied computing, which enabled the analysis of the millions of points present in the LIDAR data and the statistical modeling of the distribution of the studied features." This groundbreaking study also has political implications for the current debate on the Indigenous land demarcation timeline in Brazil. "In times of discussions regarding regulatory frameworks for property and Indigenous land rights, this research provides numerous pieces of evidence of the ancestral occupation of the Amazon rainforest by Indigenous peoples, their ways of life, and the relationship they established with the forest," the authors state. "The protection of their territories, languages, cultures, and heritage should be understood as ancient, as they are, and not tied to a date, which is so recent." More information: Over 10,000 Pre-Columbian earthworks are still hidden throughout Amazonia, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.ade2541. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ade2541 Journal information: Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: University of Kansas Aristotle famously wrote, "Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime." But it wouldn't be until 23 centuries later that policymakers in the world's most powerful and prosperous country decided to address poverty as a global problem needing to be solved. "Poverty creates more human misery than any other force on earth," said Sheyda Jahanbani, associate professor of history at the University of Kansas. "When people feel scarcity in a world of abundancewhich since the 19th century, our world has beenthey are not as able to think beyond themselves and their immediate needs. That robs us from collectively benefiting from that human creativity and energy. Seeing riches around you and not being able to access those advantages is a really serious problem facing us as a species." Her new book, "The Poverty of the World: Rediscovering the Poor at Home and Abroad, 1941-1968," brings together the histories of U.S. foreign relations and domestic politics to explain why, during a period of unprecedented affluence, Americans supported major policy initiatives to combat poverty. It is published by Oxford University Press. As a historian of U.S. foreign relations, Jahanbani wanted to combine that perspective with a story that had been contained as a domestic narrative. It meant learning two very different literatures and familiarizing herself with the relevant debates in those seemingly contrasting fields. "The book actually winds up being a revisionist history of the Cold War," she said. The lives and theories of figures such as Bureau of Indian Affairs Commissioner John Collier, anthropologist Oscar Lewis and economist John Kenneth Galbraith are examined in the book. But Jahanbani was prompted to tackle this subject due to an unlikely source with a different viewpoint. "When I was a kid, I learned about the war on poverty through the lens of hearing President Ronald Reagan say the government fought a war on poverty and poverty won. Then when I got to grad school, I read a lot of books that basically took that as if it were true. So now we're just comfortable thinking that there are intractable social problems when we've put people on the moon?" she said. So she took an honest look at the past through "fresh eyes." "The contingent choices that individuals made and the choices they didn't make helps us see how even the comforting explanations we have for things are too simple," she said. The title of her book takes inspiration from American sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois, who asked, "What is wrong with our civilization?" after reading about poverty in a rural Mexican village. "He's asking, 'What is wrong with the way we're doing things?' Jahanbani said. "He's not asking, 'What is wrong with these Mexicans?' That was the guiding insight I came to: Any attempt to address the problem of poverty that does not fundamentally question affluence and who benefits from it is not going to be effective because poverty is not the fault of poor people. It is a social choice and a political choice." A KU faculty member since 2007, Jahanbani specializes in American foreign relations in the post-1945 period. Her writing can also be found in another book published this month; her chapter "Through a Narrow Glass: Compassion, Power, and Lyndon Johnson's Struggle to Make Sense of the Third World" appears in "LBJ's America: The Life and Legacies of Lyndon Baines Johnson" (Cambridge University Press). "One of the things I argue in my book is that there were people who saw poverty as an important strategic as well as moral issue, and they made arguments about why the United States should place poverty at the center of its global footprint," Jahanbani said. "They tried to prosecute that argument and reached a very significant place of political influence and yet they failed." In her conclusion, Jahanbani noted that the path America eventually favored was never a choice between "guns versus butter." "We tried to do guns and butter. But ultimately, at the end of the day, American policymakers had more faith in guns. And that's what they chose to put more of their resources in. You can't really try to save people from their poverty while also bombing them from the sky." 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: Schools and families responses to a given education policy within the context of a school market. Credit: Language and Education (2023). DOI: 10.1080/09500782.2023.2240294 According to a study, factors such as their place of residence, the economic level of their neighborhoods, and school type, strongly limit equal access to bilingual education in Andalusia Bilingual education programs, which began to be implemented in Spain in the mid-2000s, and were created, in part, to prevent inequalities from determining access to foreign language education (usually English) are characterized by precisely what they wanted to avoid: disparities in access. According to a study featuring participation by University of Cordoba Sociology Area researcher Alberto Alvarez de Sotomayor, Pablo de Olavide University researcher Juan Miguel Gomez Espino, and Ricardo Barbieri, a former student for a Degree in Primary Education at the UCO, access to bilingual primary education in Andalusia is shaped by a series of geographical, social and economic factors, which prevent families from choosing a bilingual center with equal opportunities. Thus, factors such as the family's area of residence, economic level, and the possibility of attending public, semi-private, or private schools are those that end up limiting students' opportunities to access a bilingual school. If a family residing in the Poligono Sur area of Seville, for example, would like to choose this type of education for their children, this will be difficult, since none of the eight primary schools in their area are bilingual. According to the study, published in the journal Language and Education, inequality is also the result of two political-administrative decisions. First, the voluntary nature of bilingual teaching programs; it is the schools that decide whether or not to adhere to this program, which, in itself, gives rise to possible inequalities between students the important area of learning English. Then there is the school admissions model, according to which, in the event of many requests for slots at a school, the Public Administration prioritizes "areas of influence," a territorial delimitation that (among other secondary factors) assigns families higher scores if they reside near the school. Taking into account these two characteristics of the Andalusian educational system (and practically all of Spain), the research team studied, through cartographic and statistical analyses, the distribution of primary education centers in the 29 municipalities of Andalusia with more than 50,000 inhabitants. Although future studies will expand both the size of the municipality (to also include rural areas) and the teaching stage, focusing on Primary Education is key because, as Alvarez de Sotomayor explains, early ages are the most important when it comes to the acquisition of second languages and, therefore, the inequalities that could be generated are potentially greater during it. Of those 29 municipalities, the researchers analyzed a series of factors that could influence inequality: whether or not the schools were bilingual, the type of school (public, semi-private or private), its area of influence, the economic level of the population that lives within that area, and the distance between the schools, among others. Based on these factors, the study found that the variable that most impacts access to bilingual education is type of school. Public schools offer bilingual education to a much lesser extent than semi-private or private ones. In fact, in the 29 municipalities studied, only 34% of public schools offered bilingual education, while in the semi-private schools the percentage rose to 72%. At private schools the figure was 62%, but not taking into account international schools, which do not fall within the Andalusian educational system and are not governed by Spanish legislation. In the words of Alvarez de Sotomayor "the inequality between school types is great, and is also associated with the socioeconomic issue, because not all people can afford to attend private or semi-private schools." There are areas of influence where many bilingual schools are concentrated, while there are others that have none, or few. Therefore, depending on where they live, families have more or fewer opportunities to access this type of education. This is related to the population's economic level; areas of influence with moderate or high economic levels are those with the most bilingual schools, while areas of influence that coincide with the poorest neighborhoods have hardly any bilingual centers, or none at all. Knowing about opportunities for bilingual education becomes more relevant because families don't choose in a vacuum, but between a series of opportunities. "It's important to know families' real opportunities to access this type of education. Based on this we will know the extent to which a program created to mitigate the inequality that existed in terms of foreign language levels between social classes, or between rural and urban areas, is helping to mitigate these inequalities or not. What we are seeing is that it is doing the opposite, to reproducing those inequalities," says Alvarez de Sotomayor. To alleviate this situation the research team proposes three possible solutions: reconfigure the areas of influence, change the admissions model, or encourage schools located in low-income neighborhoods to opt for bilingual education. More information: Alberto Alvarez-Sotomayor et al, Mapping the opportunities of attending bilingual schools in Spain, Language and Education (2023). DOI: 10.1080/09500782.2023.2240294 The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said Thursday it has increased its budget for single-parent families by 7.6 percent for next year to 544.2 billion won ($403 million) in the latest move to support vulnerable people. The ministry said it plans to provide 210,000 won per child to low-income single parents, up 10,000 won from this year. It also plans to dole out 400,000 won to single parents who are under the age of 25 and have a child under the age of 1 and with a household income at or below 63 percent of the median income. It marked an increase from the current 350,000 won. The number of single parents who will receive child-rearing support is estimated to be 267,000 next year, compared with 235,000 this year. The ministry said single parents whose children are high school seniors will be eligible to receive 200,000 won in child support expenses until the end of the senior year. Under the support measures, the government will expand the number of public rental houses to 306 units from the current 266 to ensure low-income single-parent families without their own homes can raise their children in a stable environment and help them to stand on their own feet. Single parents under the age 25 will be able to temporarily live in welfare facilities built for them, irrespective of their income level. In 2022, the number of single-parent families who received the government support came to 190,421. (Yonhap) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The 20 x 20 x 30 cm Proba-V Companion CubeSat in the Aerospacelab cleanroom. Credit: Aerospacelab A briefcase-sized CubeSat being flown on Europe's next Vega launcher this week will gather 340 km wide views of Earth's vegetation growth, employing a spectral imager originally designed for ESA's decade-in-flight Proba-V. The Proba-V Companion CubeSat has been built by "NewSpace" company Aerospacelab in Belgium, hosting a Proba-V spectral imager provided by OIP Space Instruments and Belgium's VITO research institute processing and making use of its data. The goal of the mission is to see whether this already well-characterized imaging payload can operate well aboard a miniature CubeSat platform. ESA's Proba-V mini-satellite was launched by Vega in 2013, flying a miniaturized version of the Vegetation instrument previously flown aboard the full-sized Spot-4 and Spot-5 satellites. At just a cubic meter in scale, Proba-V achieved a daily continent-spanning 2,250 km field of view, collecting light in the blue, red, near-infrared and mid-infrared wavebands, ideal for monitoring plant and forest growth as well as inland water bodies. Proba-V's wide swath was achieved by combining a trio of spectral imagers, with 350 m spatial resolution from its side imagers and 100 m resolution in its central field of view. Iskander Benhadj of VITO explains, "Actually a total of four spectral imagers were manufactured one stayed behind, intended to help with troubleshooting the mission by reproducing any in-orbit problems on the ground. "So then the idea emerged from VITO: why not try and fly this spare spectral imager as well? We can extend the continuity of Vegetation data, since in 2019 Proba-V's orbit drifted so much that part of its swath is now in the eclipse side, meaning its working mission has ended. "In addition, in the same way that Proba-V demonstrated useful imagery could be returned from a small platform, we will also be able to test whether this much smaller CubeSat platform can also serve to gather acceptable imagery." A timelapse showing global observations made with Proba-V's Vegetation instrument from September 2018 to September 2019, created through the Terrascope open source Earth observation platform. From 2013 onward ESAs cubic-metre-sized Proba-V minisatellite has been monitoring the daily growth of all Earths vegetation, possessing a 2500-km wide field of view. Particular features that show up are among others the snow-coverage growth and decline over Asia, eastern Europe, and North-America and the bright green colors during the North-American and European growing seasons. Note that the high northern latitudes are not acquired when snow covered. Credit: SA/VITO/Terrascope CubeSats are low-cost satellites assembled from standardized 10-cm boxes. Proba-V CC is a 12-unit CubeSat, although around half the satellite volume is taken up by its spectral imager and dedicated read-out electronics. Xavier Collaud of Aerospacelab comments, "In practice the mission has been built around the imager. The hardware was taken directly out of storage, where it was kept in stable conditions, double bagged and in an inert nitrogen gas environment. "The imager has been secured to an optical bench along with the startrackers used to precisely measure the CubeSat's attitudes. The rest of the satellite is taken up with reaction wheels that serve to rotate the mission in the correct orientation, plus the usual battery, power systems and on-board computer." Once in its 564 km altitude orbit Proba-V CC will perform co-observations of global vegetation with Europe's two Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites, which are similarly optimized for land cover and vegetation. As is standard for Earth observation satellites, the CubeSat will be placed in a sun-synchronous near-polar orbit, meaning that it retains the same conjunction with the sun as it orbits, so that the same solar local time prevails under the locations it overfliesProba-V CC's initial local time of the descending node is targeting 10:14 in the morning. Its predecessor Proba-V was placed in a comparable orbit, although because it far outlived its planned 2.5 year original working lifetime this orbit ended up drifting earlier in the morning, to below 09:00 at the moment, meaning its images contains zones that are in eclipse, have longer shadows and are no longer scientifically useful. The Vegetation instrument was originally flown on France's van-sized SPOT-4 and SPOT-5 satellites, then a smaller version was flown on the cubic-metre scale Proba-V satellite in 2013, made up of three Vegetation imagers overall. Now a remaining Vegetation imager is being flown aboard the Proba-V Companion CubeSat. This nanosatellite is just 20 cm x 20 cm x 30 cm in size. Credit: ESA The satellite itself remains in good working order, so some co-observations with Proba-V CC might be possible for experimental studies. It is also acquiring monthly images of the moon, whose unchanging surface makes a useful radiometric calibration target. "Being in a lower orbit than Proba-V means the spectral imager will achieve a higher spatial resolution, down to 70 m," adds Iskander Benhadj. "But that means the satellite is moving faster, so the line rate will be affected, meaning small pixels will end up rectangular rather than square if the nominal Proba-V line rate is used. We can try to accelerate the image to compensate for this, but this will require extra power. "Quality and operational trade-offs such as the selection of optimal line rate or the area of interests to be monitored, have to be carried all over the Proba-V CC lifetime, which includes the commissioning phase, with the objective to provide optimal products for the end user. " Proba-V's CC's lower orbit will also give daily views of the same locations for multiple successive days at a time, with its ground track moving just 20 km westward daily, opening up particular scientific uses. Vega flight VV23 is due for lift-off on the night of 6 October from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Along with its main satellite payloads it carries multiple CubeSats including ESA's PRETTY mission investigating reflected satnav for environmental monitoring and multiple missions flown through the European Commission's In-Orbit Demonstration/In-Orbit Validation Program. ESA is supporting Proba-V CC through the Fly element of its General Support Technology Program, offering early space access to promising technologies. Use of Proba-V CC data is being overseen by ESA's Earth Observation Program, as was the case with the original Proba-V. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Dagu Glacier is one of the most popular sites for glacier tourism in China. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY One of China's most-visited glaciers in the Tibetan region, the Dagu Glacier, is now covered with white sheets, also known as geotextiles, in an attempt to slow its melting. Scientists at Nanjing University are leading the effort, and in July installed a white reflective material over 400 square meters of the glacier, located in Sichuan province in southwestern China. The project begins as the Dagu, one of the largest glacier tourism sites in China, as well as other glaciers around China face severe melting due to rising temperatures. In the past 50 years, glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, where the Dagu is located, have shrunk by about 15%, according to research from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The effort is funded by video game giant Tencent Holdings' Carbon Neutrality Lab, as part of the company's stated goal to be a leader in encouraging society to develop sustainably. The company says it is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, and seeks to foster sustainable innovation beyond its own goals, according to its website. Although glacier blankets are a novel method of glacier preservation in Tibet, they have been employed in the past, primarily at European ski resorts. At the Rhone Glacier in Switzerland, glacier blankets have been installed seasonally for the last 13 years in an attempt to preserve ski slopes and tourism. In an article published by Tencent, Zhu Bin, a material scientist at Nanjing University leading the effort, said that local communities have welcomed the attempt to preserve the glacier. "We have received overwhelming support from the local communities over the past years," Bin said. "The protection of the glacier is more important than ever as it underpins the entire ecosystem as well as the livelihood of the locals." Credit: Tencent The use of blankets in other regions has come with controversy, as many people have criticized them for their lack of long-term feasibility. Blankets are often hard to scale up, and cannot protect glaciers from the effects of warming for long periods of time. "They're a little bit of a desperation measure," said Mauri Pelto, a professor of environmental science at Nichols College who studies glaciers. "If you've only covered just a tiny part of the glacier, the [rest] is melting. That doesn't sustain your operation." There are also obstacles depending on the region, including the fact that higher elevation glaciers are harder to reach. Combined with the high expenses of the project, many say that geotextiles offer too little, too late. A study published last year in the journal Remote Sensing by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that a blanket installed over part of the Dagu Glacier was effective at slowing melting, with the covered area showing 15% less mass loss than uncovered areas. However, as the study noted, high expenses, harsh geography and aging of textiles limit the feasibility of using blankets in widespread areas. Geotextiles must be manually installed, and many glaciers are in areas that are difficult to reach. Although the textiles used in this project are designed to be eco-friendly, according to researchers, they are still made from materials that create carbon emissions. Although glacier blankets cannot stop melting, some have said that, especially in areas with high tourism, like the Dagu Glacier, they can be effective visual reminders of the impact of climate change. "I think actually ultimately, this is more of a visual reminder to tourists and recreationists that climate change is making an impact in those areas," said Mark Carey, a historian at the University of Oregon who studies glacier retreat and climate change. "It's an educational tool." Researchers on the project team are aware that glacier blankets can only do so much. "All the human intervention methods that we're working on, even if they prove effective, are only going to slow down [the melting]," Bin said. "If the earth keeps getting warmer, in the end, there is no way to protect the glaciers forever." Provided by State of the Planet This story is republished courtesy of Earth Institute, Columbia University http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A technology being studied to curb climate changeone that could be put in place in one or two decades if work on the technology began nowwould affect food productivity in parts of Earth in dramatically different ways, benefiting some areas, and adversely affecting others, according to projections prepared by a Rutgers-led team of scientists. Writing in the journal, Nature Food, the scientists described the results of computer models simulating varying climate scenarios and their impacts over time on the production of the world's four major food crops: corn, rice, soybeans and wheat in all locations where they are grown. Some scenarios were produced by simulated stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI), also known as geoengineering, to halt or reverse climate change, while others, for comparison purposes, weren't. The SAI scenario, inspired by volcanic eruptions, would involve spraying sulfur dioxide gas into the stratosphere. By placing a cloud of what becomes sulfuric acid in the upper atmosphere continuously, the process would shield the Earth from the sun, cooling it. "Not one of the 11 climate change or climate intervention scenarios we analyzed benefits everyone," said Brendan Clark, a doctoral student in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), and lead author on the study. "Nations may have different ideas of what constitutes an optimal global temperature, which could lead to conflicts. It would be like people fighting over the thermostat in a house, but on a global scale." The models showed marked differences in agricultural productivity depending on where a country is positioned on the globe. Continued, uncontrolled climate change, the models revealed, favors crop production in the cold, high-latitude areas, such as Canada, Russia, the U.S. northern border states, Scandinavia and Scotland. Moderate amounts of atmospheric sulfur spraying, which may either halt or slightly lower global average temperatures, favors food production in the temperate regions known as the mid-latitudes, where most of the large land masses of North America and Eurasia are located, according to the analysis. Large amounts of climate intervention to significantly reverse warming and lower the global average temperature would favor agricultural production in the tropics, the region of Earth around the equator. In the Western Hemisphere, the region includes Mexico, all of Central America, the Caribbean and the top half of South America. In the Eastern Hemisphere, the tropics include most of Africa, parts of the Middle East, most of India, all of Southeast Asia, most of Australia and most of the island nations of Oceania. "Are we willing to live with all these potential impacts to have less global warming? That's the question we're trying to ask here," said Alan Robock, a Distinguished Professor of Climate Science in the Department of Environmental Sciences at SEBS, and a co-author of the study. "We're trying to quantify each of the potential risks and benefits so we can make informed decisions in the future." The team worked with scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research employing the federal laboratory's computer model that calculates global climate and weather patterns. The model simulates atmospheric, land and oceanic climate change as well as crop growth. The work produced 11 different climate scenarios of a future Earth, eight of them formed by differing levels of climate intervention, producing different temperatures, rainfall, and sunlight, and different carbon dioxide emissions. "Our results highlight the challenges in defining 'globally optimal' strategies," said Lili Xia, an assistant research professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at SEBS and a co-author of the study. "It's very complicated and it's hard to reach a conclusion, such as saying whether climate intervention is good or bad. I don't know at what point people will reach a decision. But, for me, I feel like it's almost impossible." Other scientists on the study included Sam Rabin, Simone Tilmes and Jadwiga Richter of the National Center for Atmospheric Research; and Daniele Visioni of Cornell University. More information: Optimal climate intervention scenarios for crop production vary by nation, Nature Food (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00853-3. www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00853-3 Journal information: Nature Food 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: Illustration of an intense laser pulse hitting a diamond crystal from top right, driving elastic and plastic waves (curved lines) through the material. The laser pulse creates linear defects, known as dislocations, at the points where it hits the crystal. They propagate through the material faster than the transverse speed of sound, leaving stacking facultsthe lines fanning out from the impact sitebehind. Credit: Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory Settling a half century of debate, researchers have discovered that tiny linear defects can propagate through a material faster than sound waves do. These linear defects, or dislocations, are what give metals their strength and workability, but they can also make materials fail catastrophicallywhich is what happens every time you pop the pull tab on a can of soda. The fact that they can travel so fast gives scientists a new appreciation of the unusual types of damage they might do to a broad range of materials in extreme conditionsfrom rock ripped apart by an earthquake rupture to aircraft shielding materials deformed by extreme stress, said Leora Dresselhaus-Marais, a professor at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University who co-led the study with Professor Norimasa Ozaki at Osaka University. "Until now, no one has been able to directly measure how fast these dislocations spread through materials," she said. Her team used X-ray radiographysimilar to medical X-rays that reveal the inside of the bodyto clock the speed of the propagating dislocations through diamond, yielding lessons that should apply to other materials, too. They described the results today in Science. Chasing the speed of sound Scientists have been debating whether dislocations can travel through materials faster than sound does for nearly 60 years. A number of studies concluded that they could not. But some computer models indicated that yes, they couldprovided that they started out moving at faster-than-sound speed. Getting them instantaneously up to this speed would require a tremendous shock. For one thing, sound travels a lot faster through solid materials than it does through air or water, depending on the nature and temperature of the material, among other factors. While the speed of sound through air is generally given as 761 mph, it's 3,355 mph through water and an incredible 40,000 mph in diamond, the hardest material of all. To get the first direct images of how fast dislocations can travel, researchers used an intense laser beam to drive shock waves through diamond crystals. Then they used an X-ray laser beam to make a series of X-ray images of the dislocations forming and spreading on a timescale of billionths of a second. The images, similar to medical X-rays that reveal the inside of the body, were recorded on a detector. Credit: K. Katagiri/Stanford University Complicating things even more, there are two types of sound waves in solids. Longitudinal waves are like the ones in air. But because solids put up some resistance to the passage of sound, they also host slower-moving waves known as transverse sound waves. Knowing whether ultrafast dislocations can break either of these sound barriers is important from both the fundamental science and practical points of view. When dislocations move faster than sound speed, they behave quite differently and result in unexpected failures that have thus far only been modeled. Without measurements, no one knows how much damage those ultrafast dislocations can do. "If a structural material fails more catastrophically than anyone expected because of its high rate of failure, that's not so good," said Kento Katagiri, a postdoctoral scholar in the research group and first author of the paper. "If it's a fault rupturing through rock during an earthquake, for instance, it could cause more damage to everything. We need to learn more about this type of catastrophic failure." The results of this study, Dresselhaus-Marais added, "could suggest that what we thought we knew about the fastest possible materials failure was wrong." The pop-top effect To get the first direct images of how fast dislocations can travel, Dresselhaus-Marais and her colleagues performed experiments at the SACLA X-ray free-electron laser in Japan. They did the experiments on tiny crystals of synthetic diamond. Diamond offers a unique platform to study how crystalline materials fail, Katagiri said. For one thing, its deformation mechanism is simpler than those observed in metals, making it easier to interpret these challenging ultrafast X-ray imaging experiments. A shock wave traveling through a material can create defects known as dislocationstiny shifts in the material's crystal that propagate through it, leaving what are known as stacking faults behind. At left, the regular arrangement of the material's atoms is undisturbed. At right, dislocations have traveled from left to right through the material, creating a stacking fault (purple) where adjacent layers of the crystal don't line up quite the way they should. Credit: Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory "To understand the damage mechanisms, we need to identify features in our images that are unambiguously dislocations, and not other types of defects," he said. When two dislocations meet, they attract or repel each other and generate even more dislocations. Pop open a can of soda made from an aluminum alloy, and the many dislocations that are already in the lidcreated when it was shaped into its final forminteract and spawn new dislocations by the trillions, which cascade into absolute critical failure as the top of the can flexes and the pop top snaps open. Those interactions and how they behave govern all the mechanical properties of materials we observe. "In diamond, there are only four types of dislocation, while iron, for instance, has 144 different possible types of dislocations," Dresselhaus-Marais said. Diamond may be much harder than metal, the researchers said. But much like a soda can, it will still bend by forming billions of dislocations if it's shocked hard enough. Making X-ray images of shock waves At SACLA, the team used intense laser light to generate shock waves in diamond crystals. Then they essentially took a series of ultrafast X-ray images of the dislocations forming and spreading on a timescale of billionths of a second. Only X-ray free-electron lasers can provide X-ray pulses short enough and bright enough to capture this process. The initial shock wave split into two types of waves that continued to travel through the crystal. The first wave, called an elastic wave, temporarily deformed the crystal; its atoms bounced back into their original positions right away, like a rubber band that's been stretched and released. The second wave, known as a plastic wave, permanently deformed the crystal by creating small errors in the repeating patterns of atoms that make up the crystal structure. This X-ray radiographic imagesimilar to a medical X-ray, but taken at ultrafast speed with an X-ray lasershows shock waves traveling through a diamond crystal. The initial wave is elastic. The plastic wave follows, creating defects in the material called dislocations that propagate through the material faster than the speed of sound. The arrow shows the path and direction of one dislocation, which has left a linear defect called a stacking fault in its wake. The dislocation itself is seen at the tip of the arrow. Other stacking faults can be seen fanning out from the site of the laser shock. Credit: K. Katagiri/Stanford University These tiny shifts, or dislocations, create "stacking faults" where adjacent layers of the crystal shift with respect to each other so they don't line up the way they should. The stacking faults propagate outward from where the laser hit the diamond, and there is a moving dislocation at the leading tip of each stacking fault. With X-rays, the researchers discovered that the dislocations spread through diamond faster than the speed of the slower type of sound waves, the transverse wavesa phenomenon that had never been seen in any material before. Now, Katagiri said, the team plans to go back to an X-ray free-electron facility, such as SACLA or SLAC's Linac Coherent Light Source, LCLS, to see if dislocations can travel faster than the higher, longitudinal speed of sound in diamond, which will require even more powerful laser shocks. If and when they break that sound barrier, he said, they will be considered truly supersonic. Leora Dresselhaus-Marais is an investigator with the Stanford Institute for Materials and Sciences (SIMES) at SLAC and the Stanford PULSE Institute. Researchers from Osaka University, the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, RIKEN SPring-8 Center and Nagoya University in Japan; DOE's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Culham Science Center in the UK; and Ecole Polytechnique in France also contributed to this research. More information: Kento Katagiri et al, Transonic dislocation propagation in diamond, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adh5563. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adh5563 Journal information: Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Room-temperature MW-to-optical converter. a, Illustration of a warm vapor Rydberg converter: a circularly polarized MW field enters a rubidium vapor cell, where Rydberg-state atoms, excited in an interaction region defined by three laser beams, contribute to the conversion process and generate a signal beam. The arrows represent the wavevectors k of the interacting fields obeying phase-matching principles. A constant supply of ground-state atoms is ensured by the Maxwellian distribution of velocities, resulting in a continuous process without the need for atomic trapping or repumping. b, 85Rb energy-level structure employed in the conversion process. Three strong fields (probe, coupling and decoupling) are applied to the atomic medium in the near-resonant scheme. Introducing the MW field (13.9 GHz) results in a converted emission (signal) at the 776 nm transition. Optimal transduction is ensured with sign-matched transitions (between the states of maximal F and m F quantum numbers). c, Comparison of measured EIT and conversion in the domain of probe field detuning ( p ) for resonant and 552D 5/2 level-detuned cases. a.u., arbitrary units. d, The same EIT and conversion relation predicted by the numerical simulation. c,d, Red shading signifies the total conversion signal photon rate with relation to its zero background. Credit: Nature Photonics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-023-01295-w A team of scientists at the QOT Centre for Quantum Optical Technologies, including a student from the Faculty of Physics (University of Warsaw), made a device capable of the conversion of quantum information between microwave and optical photons. The results of research, published in Nature Photonics, highlight a new microwave detection method with possible applications in quantum technologies, as a part of quantum network infrastructure, and in microwave radio-astronomy. Conversion of quantum information Whenever you listen to a song on your phone or computer, a conversion of information happensa file digitally encoded in your device's memory is converted to an electric current driving your headphones. Similarly, we can convert quantum information encoded in photonsthe smallest quanta of light. For example, we can transfer information from a single microwave photon to a single optical photon. However, devices capable of single-photon operations are quite difficult to realize, because they need to be very precise and introduce very little noise. Additionally, what makes the task challenging is the fact that optical photons have energy ten thousand times larger than microwave photons and there are few media capable of simultaneously interacting with both species. Still, the conversion of quantum information is pivotal to hybrid quantum networksnetworks connecting different quantum devices, such as quantum computers. Quantum computing can be realized with microwave photons interacting with superconducting circuits, though the long-distance transfer of quantum information encoded in this manner poses a challenge due to the accumulation of noise. However, this is no longer a problem for optical photons, which can efficiently send quantum information via optical fibers. Therefore, the microwave-to-optical converter of quantum information can be a crucial part of a quantum network adapteran interface between quantum computers and the quantum internet. Enlarged atoms One known medium that can interact both with microwave and optical photons are Rydberg atoms, named after Johannes Rydberg, who researched optical spectroscopy at the turn of the 19th century and stated the famous Rydberg formula. Rydberg atoms can be produced via laser excitation of valence electrons e.g. in rubidium atoms. This causes the atoms to increase their size a thousandfold and acquire many interesting properties, which are a hot research topic all over the scientific world. In this case, it is important to know that Rydberg atoms are very sensitive to microwave radiation. So far, microwave-to-optical conversion has only been demonstrated in laser-cooled atoms caught in complex magneto-optical trapping setup. The scientists at the University of Warsaw are the first to show that microwave-to-optical conversion can be realized at room temperature, in atomic vapors inside a glass cell. The proposed design of the converter is notably simpler and can be further miniaturized in the future. Additionally, the new conversion scheme shows very low noise levels and therefore can perform operations even on single photons. Even though the new converter setup is much simpler, the parameters of the conversion are surprisingly better. In particular, the invention made at UW can work non-stop, as the atoms do not have to be prepared in a specially designed time sequence, which can take up more than 99% of the devices' operational time in experiments done by other groups. Using the converter device, the scientists at UW have demonstrated the detection of microwave thermal radiation at room temperaturefor the first time it has been done without using microwave antennas or special low-noise amplifiers. To get to the thermal level, the device has to be sensitive to single photons, but nevertheless, the converter can work for microwave radiation a million times stronger and cannot be damaged with even stronger fields, in contrast to other standard microwave devices. The future lies in microwaves The rapidly developing quantum technologies use various information carriers. Quantum computers based on superconducting junctions store their information in microwave frequencies, whereas quantum memories are largely based on optical photons. Similarly to the quantum network adapter, the interconnection between the two types of devices requires an interface that can efficiently work both in microwave and optical domain. Rydberg atoms are being presented here as the solution. Single-photon microwave operations will be important in astronomical observations researching the properties of distant bodies or the shape of the early universe via measurements of the cosmic microwave background. Until now, measurements retaining quantum information in microwave photons have not been possible and microwave-to-optical conversion may create a whole new branch of microwave radio-astronomy. Everyday mass communication can also benefit from the discoveries in microwave detection. Next-gen mobile technologies are set to heavily utilize high frequency microwave transmission bands, difficult to emit and detect in conventional electrical circuits. One day, atomic microwave sensors may be a crucial part of high-speed internet connection. This is why in the Centre for Quantum Optical Technologies QOT, as well as in scientific institutes all over the world, there is ongoing research on how to employ quantum technologies in ultrasensitive microwave detection. More information: Borowka, S. et al. Continuous wideband microwave-to-optical converter based on room-temperature Rydberg atoms. Nature Photonics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-023-01295-w. www.nature.com/articles/s41566-023-01295-w Journal information: Nature Photonics This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: a. the compound eyes of a dragonfly. b. Microscopic image of the insect compound eye. c. the profile of the dragonfly compound eye. d. Schematic illustration of the fabrication of 3D artificial compound -eyes. Credit: Light: Advanced Manufacturing (2023). DOI: 10.37188/lam.2023.026 Industry 4.0 requires simple solutions for complex functions. Optical sensors, such as pinhole cameras, can deliver a depth of focus and reasonable resolution, but they suffer from low intensity for reliable and fast imaging. This requires a long exposure time, which sacrifices fast imaging capability and limits their real-world usage in self-driving cars. In a new paper published in Light: Advanced Manufacturing, a team of scientists led by Professor Qi-Dai Chen from Jilin University have developed a new technique for manufacturing 3D microlens arrays (MLAs). The research team were inspired by a dragonfly's compound eye. The compound eyes of a dragonfly are made up of thousands of tiny lenses that allow the insect to see a wide field of view. MLAs are small functional features at micro-dimensions and easy to integrate. They have been widely applied as practical optical devices in parallel micro-fabrication, integrated optofluidics microchips, biomimetics, beam shaping, 3D imaging, and 3D displaying. Numerous methods have been proposed for efficient MLA manufacturing, but most are inefficient and incapable of fabricating the 3D surfaces required for compound eyes. Alternatively, MLAs are mostly prototyped from soft materials and can be transformed from 2D patterns to 3D configurations through mechanical deformation. Femtosecond laser-enhanced local wet etching (fs-LEWE) is a promising technique for fabricating micro concave lens arrays (MCLAs) on a large scale. This technique has several advantages, including high throughput, simplified steps, and the ability to fabricate MCLAs on both planar and nonplanar surfaces. However, there are still some challenges associated with fs-LEWE. One challenge is that the fabrication efficiency is limited because the process is generally performed in a pulse-by-pulse manner. Another challenge is that the process can be complex and demanding for curved substrates, as the surface topology must be carefully programmed, and a high-accuracy 3D motion stage is required. a. schematic illustration of the GAN. b. the predicted image using GAN with the original image in c. Credit: Light: Advanced Manufacturing (2023). DOI: 10.37188/lam.2023.026 Parallel processing can significantly improve the efficiency of fs-LEWE, but 3D parallel fabrication inside bulky materials or on curved surfaces remains a challenge. Researchers are working to overcome these challenges and make fs-LEWE a more efficient and versatile technique for fabricating MCLAs. This could lead to the development of new optical devices with improved performance and applications. A new method has been developed for fabricating 3D MLAs. The technique uses a 3D laser to ablate a curved surface, followed by etching in acid. This method can produce high-quality 3D concave lens arrays that can be used to make soft compound eyes. Image restoration using a deep learning algorithm can further improve image quality. Spatial light modulator (SLM) is a phase-only diffractive optics element that can modulate the phase of a laser beam into an arbitrary distribution. This makes it possible to create complex 3D patterns with high precision. The research team's new technique is called holographic fs-laser processing-assisted wet-etching technology. The first step in this process is to create a large single concave lens on a curved substrate. This is done by focusing a laser beam onto the substrate through an objective lens. The laser beam creates small pits in the substrate, gradually evolving into a spherical profile during wet etching. The next step is to use SLM to create a 3D distributed focal spot array. This array is focused on the substrate, creating a 3D array of seeds. The seeds are then etched into microlenses, which overlap to form a closely packed and curved MCLA. The advantages of this method include its high precision, efficiency, and versatility. It can be used to fabricate complex 3D patterns with high fidelity, and it can be used on a variety of substrates. This method has the potential to revolutionize the fabrication of microscale optical devices. More information: Lei Wang et al, Holographic laser fabrication of 3D artificial compound -eyes, Light: Advanced Manufacturing (2023). DOI: 10.37188/lam.2023.026 Provided by TranSpread 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: This Oct. 2023 photo made available by the National Park Service shows Human footprints infilled with white gypsum sand. at the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Fossil human footprints discovered in White Sands, New Mexico likely date back to between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago, according to two lines of scientific evidence published Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Credit: NPS via AP New research confirms that fossil human footprints in New Mexico are likely the oldest direct evidence of human presence in the Americas, a finding that upends what many archaeologists thought they knew about when our ancestors arrived in the New World. The footprints were discovered at the edge of an ancient lakebed in White Sands National Park and date back to between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago, according to research published Thursday in the journal Science. The estimated age of the footprints was first reported in Science in 2021, but some researchers raised concerns about the dates. Questions focused on whether seeds of aquatic plants used for the original dating may have absorbed ancient carbon from the lakewhich could, in theory, throw off radiocarbon dating by thousands of years. The new study presents two additional lines of evidence for the older date range. It uses two entirely different materials found at the site, ancient conifer pollen and quartz grains. The reported age of the footprints challenges the once-conventional wisdom that humans didn't reach the Americas until a few thousand years before rising sea levels covered the Bering land bridge between Russia and Alaska, perhaps about 15,000 years ago. "This is a subject that's always been controversial because it's so significantit's about how we understand the last chapter of the peopling of the world," said Thomas Urban, an archaeological scientist at Cornell University, who was involved in the 2021 study but not the new one. This Oct. 2023 photo made available by the National Park Service shows White Sands National Park Resource Program Manager, David Bustos at the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Fossil human footprints discovered in White Sands, New Mexico likely date back to between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago, according to two lines of scientific evidence published Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Credit: NPS via AP Thomas Stafford, an independent archaeological geologist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who was not involved in the study, said he "was a bit skeptical before" but now is convinced. "If three totally different methods converge around a single age range, that's really significant," he said. The new study isolated about 75,000 grains of pure pollen from the same sedimentary layer that contained the footprints. "Dating pollen is arduous and nail-biting," said Kathleen Springer, a research geologist at the United States Geological Survey and a co-author of the new paper. Scientists believe radiocarbon dating of terrestrial plants is more accurate than dating aquatic plants, but there needs to be a large enough sample size to analyze, she said. The researchers also studied accumulated damage in the crystal lattices of ancient quartz grains to produce an age estimate. This undated photo made available by the National Park Service in September 2021 shows fossilized human fossilized footprints at the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Fossil human footprints discovered in White Sands, New Mexico likely date back to between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago, according to two lines of scientific evidence published Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Credit: NPS via AP Ancient footprints of any kindleft by humans or megafauna like big cats and dire wolvescan provide archaeologists with a snapshot of a moment in time, recording how people or animals walked or limped along and whether they crossed paths. Animal footprints have also been found at White Sands. While other archeological sites in the Americas point to similar date rangesincluding pendants carved from giant ground sloth remains in Brazilscientists still question whether such materials really indicate human presence. Fossilized footprints in White Sands National Park. Credit: USGS, NPS, Bournemouth University Footprints at the base of trench in White Sands National Park. Credit: USGS Prints at base of trench, White Sands National Park. Credit: USGS A single human footprint at site. Credit: National Park Service "White Sands is unique because there's no question these footprints were left by people, it's not ambiguous," said Jennifer Raff, an anthropological geneticist at the University of Kansas, who was not involved in the study. More information: Bente Philippsen et al, Dating the arrival of humans in the Americas, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adk3075. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk3075 Jeffrey S. Pigati et al, Independent age estimates resolve the controversy of ancient human footprints at White Sands, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adh5007. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adh5007 Journal information: Science 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. A bedridden opposition leader Lee Jae-myung appealed Thursday for support for his party's candidate in next week's by-election for chief of Seoul's Gangseo Ward office, saying the election is the starting point of stopping what he calls the "tyranny" of the government. The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) chairman issued the appeal in a video message from a hospital bed where he has been recovering after a 24-day anti-government hunger strike, six days before the Oct. 11 by-election seen as a test of voter sentiment ahead of next year's parliamentary elections. "Politics may seem like something politicians do, but ultimately, it's something that people do. Every single vote that you exercise can determine the future of your country and your region," said Lee, dressed in patient clothing. "This election is the starting point of stopping the regime's tyranny and opening a new future for Gangseo Ward," he said. "I hope each and everyone participates in the grand march of people's victory and advancement of history." Lee called for more people to vote in early voting set for Friday and Saturday. The leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) promoted Kim as a candidate who can use a hotline to President Yoon Suk Yeol to push ahead with various development projects in the region. "The Gangseo Ward office chief by-election is about picking someone who can do their job well, a servant who is willing to run the people's errands ... not an avatar who will run errands for the opposition leader," Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon said in a party leadership meeting. The by-election comes after former Gangseo Ward chief Kim Tae-woo was removed from the post in May due to a suspended prison sentence. He was convicted of leaking official secrets he gained while working for a special inspection team under the presidential office during the previous administration. Kim, however, calls himself a whistle blower and claims the disclosure was for the public good. He received a presidential Liberation Day pardon in August, was reinstated of his right to run in the election and won the nomination of the ruling PPP. Kim's DPK rival is Jin Kyo-hoon, a former deputy chief of national police. Though seven candidates are vying in the election, it is largely a two-way race between Kim and Jin. (Yonhap) The unification ministry said Thursday it is closely monitoring some 6,000 vulnerable North Korean defectors considered at a high risk of suicide attempts and lonely deaths due to financial difficulties and other hardships. The move is part of the ministry's efforts to overhaul the resettlement system for North Korean defectors as it seeks to better protect such people who might be living in so-called welfare blind spots. Since November last year, the ministry has selected around 6,000 vulnerable North Koreans who warrant close monitoring by utilizing 39 "crisis indicators," such as whether the supply of electricity, water and gas was suspended for their households or there was any previous attempt to commit suicide. The government also said it is pushing for a law revision to allow government officials to do a house search with police for the North's defectors in the high risk group when they are out of contact. The move follows a spate of tragic deaths of North Korean defectors in recent years. A North Korean woman who came to the South in 2002 was found in a "skeleton" state in Seoul in October 2022. The case has served as a wake-up call for the government to overhaul the system to protect North Korean defectors. The government has also expanded its support for medical expenses by 1 million won ($740) for North Korean defectors since January, according to the ministry. The annual amount of medical support was raised to 3 million won for general illness and to 8 million won in the case of serious diseases, including cancer. The North's defectors who earn less than 120 percent of the median income are eligible to receive the government's medical support. The total number of North Korean defectors coming to South Korea reached 33,981 at the end of June, up 99 from the end of last year. The number of such incoming people has begun increasing this year after sharply dwindling due largely to North Korea's tight border closure over the COVID-19 pandemic. (Yonhap) Charred wood and ash remains where an Argyle home once stood following a structure fire that broke out Monday morning. It has been reported that one person is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross, according to a news release on Monday night. Red Cross volunteers from the Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to one person after a fire on McDougall Road. Emergency response was dispatched around 7:37 a.m., according to a Facebook post from J.A. Barkley Hose Co. No. 1 of Argyle. The Red Cross said staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery. The Red Cross provided financial assistance for necessities such as shelter, food and clothing to one adult. Volunteers also offered emotional support, health services, and comfort kits containing personal care items, the release said. In the Facebook post from J.A. Barkley Hose Co. No. 1 of Argyle, Fire Chief Tom Plude said emergency vehicles in response could see a heavy smoke column visible from a distance. The conditions upon almost simultaneous arrival of ER-211 and Hartford car 3401 showed flames coming from all four sides of the structure. An extensive exterior attack with hose lines and the deck gun off of ER-211 were used to bring the fire under control, Plude said in the Facebook post. The last of emergency crews left the scene by 11:45 a.m. From a press release: The regions planning and economic development organization, the Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board (LCLGRPB) is pleased to announce the launch of the Small Business Technical Assistance Program. The program provides free technical assistance to existing and start-up small businesses in Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, and Washington Counties. We are incredibly excited to launch our Small Business Technical Assistance Program. Small Business is the heartbeat of the North County, and our goal is to provide resource to help our small business community thrive, said LCLGRBP Director, Beth Gilles. Qualifying businesses will receive approximately 40 hours of technical assistance from professional business consultants from Revby, LLC. For more information about the SBTA program or to apply online, please visit: http://www.lclgrpb.org. LCLGRPB will host a webinar about the SBTA Program on Oct. 31, 10 a.m. Please register here: https://tinyurl.com/52jyjetf to attend. A recording of the webinar will be posted to the LCLGRPB website following the event. This program is funded by a grant to LCLGRPB from USDA Rural Development with additional funding provided by Warren and Washington Counties. LCLGRPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is one of nine federally designated regional planning and development organizations in New York State. From a press release: The Climate Smart Hebron Task Force and Town Supervisor Brian Campbell are pleased to announce that Hebron is the first municipality in Washington County to be designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Hebron has been a leading town in Washington County for clean energy initiatives. Our Climate Smart Hebron Task Force is very proud of our actions and for reaching the required threshold to be designated a Clean Energy Community, said Jill Nadolski, town council member, and Climate Smart Hebron coordinator. To reach the threshold, the Task Force completed four high-impact actions: LED street light conversion reporting; electricity benchmarking of municipal buildings; community solar campaign; Clean Heating & Cooling Demonstration. The Clean Energy Community designation unlocked $5,000 in grant funding which has been used to upgrade the heating system at the West Hebron Firehouse from an old oil-fired boiler to a new, high-efficiency propane-fired boiler. ATLANTIC CITY A century-old building on Pacific Avenue could see new life under a plan presented to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority at the boards September meeting. Application documents show Ridley Lofts Urban Renewal Entity LLC plans to first redevelop the existing building before building a new structure in a second phase. The application lists an address of 1307 Pacific Ave. The property is particularly well-suited for residential development as there are other residential properties in the surrounding area, reads a review prepared as part of the application process. The CRDA has planning authority within the citys Tourism District. The board said yes to plans to renovate the former YMCA building on Pacific Avenue near South Carolina Avenue into 35 residential units, and to construct another 34 units in a new building to include 1,000 feet of retail space as well. This is an exciting project for us, Lance Landgraf, the CRDAs director of planning and development, told the board, saying the authority put out a request for proposals for the property about a year ago. A document from February nominating the building as a historic landmark describes the architectural style as Georgian Revival, with the main section of the building constructed in 1912. The report outlines some of the buildings history, including a renovation effort around 1980. Theyre saving this old building and renovating it, Landgraf said, describing that as a good thing. The site had previously been the location of the John Brooks Recovery Center, which is now part of AtlantiCare. CRDA approves deal said to mean $16.6M investment on Pacific Avenue ATLANTIC CITY The former home of a recovery center on Pacific Avenue could become a new ap The development proposal will require several variances, some of which are created by the size of the existing structure. The approved variance would also allow greater density than outlined in the current regulations. Landgraf said those regulations likely do not allow enough density for the citys urban environment and are in the process of being amended. The proposal includes far fewer parking spaces than would be required. Plans are for six spots on site, Landgraf told the board, while 135 would be required for the commercial and residential uses. But he said there is a parking garage nearby with more than 850 spaces. And they are readily available for tenants to rent or use for retail uses as well, Landgraf said. There was little discussion about the proposal before the vote, and no comments from the public. It does seem like a really good project. Glad to see it, said board member Mike Beson, who led the meeting that month. It was one of several planning applications approved by the board, including a proposal to convert an existing boarding house at 106 Ocean Ave. into a single-family home. Casino tax fund generated record $504 million for those in need last year The Atlantic City casino industry paid more than $504 million in taxes and fees last fiscal year, a record amount that helps fund programs around the state for its most vulnerable residents. The board also gave approval to a plan from Chelsea Atlantic Equities LLC to create three apartments in a boarding house at 1740 Atlantic Ave., which the board documents described as a non-conforming rooming house. The first floor will remain retail space, Landgraf said. Yoon set to appoint new defense minister despite opposition from DPK By Nam Hyun-woo The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is contemplating whether to issue a party guideline to boycott President Yoon Suk Yeols nomination for new Supreme Court Chief Justice Lee Gyun-ryong, although a majority of party members believe that the nominee is unfit for the post. The reluctance reflects the partys concerns over a growing public perception that the main opposition party is exploiting its majority in the National Assembly to sabotage state affairs by rejecting most of the candidates for high-ranking positions that Yoon has nominated. Along with the chief justice, the DPK is poised to reject Yoons recent nominees for the ministers of defense, culture and gender equality. According to the Assembly, Thursday, lawmakers will cast votes on the chief justices nomination on Friday. Unlike ministers, chief justice of the Supreme Court, president of the Constitutional Court and the prime minister need to receive parliamentary approval before their appointments. The DPK, which controls 168 out of 298 seats, held a general assembly of its lawmakers on Wednesday and discussed the partys guideline on Lees nomination, but decided to hold another lawmakers meeting on Friday before casting their votes. The party said it delayed the decision because there were some opinions that setting a party guideline to object the nomination could hurt its image. Even if we do not set a party guideline, chances are high that the nomination will be rejected, DPK floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo said in a radio interview with broadcaster SBS, Thursday. Most of our lawmakers think that party guideline is unnecessary, and no lawmaker said that Lee is an appropriate nominee. However, the DPK appears to be mindful of the political consquences of creating a vacuum at the top post of the countrys judiciary. Former Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su left the top court on Sept. 22, as his term expired on Sept. 24. Initially, the Assembly planned to vote on Lees nomination on Sept. 25, but postponed it after the DPKs floor leader resigned. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) is already stepping up pressure on the DPK to approve Lees nomination, citing the vacuum in the judiciary. The current absence in the Supreme Court is something that hasn't happened in 30 years and the Assembly should not make the mistake of extending it, PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok said. The biggest victims of the absence of a chief justice will be the public. Along with the chief Supreme Court justice, the DPK is objecting Defense Minister nominee Shin Won-sik, Culture Minister nominee Yoo In-chon and Gender Equality Minister Kim Haeng. Although their appointments do not require the Assemblys consent, objecting all of Yoons nominations could trigger criticism that the main opposition party is exploiting its majority in the Assembly to hinder state affairs.. On Thursday, Yoon asked the Assembly to send a confirmation hearing report on the defense minister nominee by Friday, as the rival parties failed to hold a meeting on whether to accept a confirmation report. If the parties do not send the report until Friday, Yoon can appoint the nominee the following day. Given the conflict between the DPK and PPP, chances are slim that the parties will send Shins report to the president. If Yoon goes ahead with Shins appointment, he will be the 18th minister that the president appointed without a confirmation report. The culture and gender equality minister nominees are facing similar setbacks. On Thursday, the DPK slammed the culture minister nominee during his confirmation hearing at the Assembly, citing Yoos alleged involvement in the previous Lee Myung-bak administrations blacklisting of left-leaning cultural figures. The gender equality minister nominee also came under fire during a separate confirmation hearing on Thursday, with the main opposition party claiming that Kim was nominated for the position due to her acquaintance with Yoons wife, Kim Keon Hee. A University of Delaware freshman from Barnegat Township was struck and killed while riding his bike on campus last week. Daniel Bacsik, 18, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash Sept. 29 in Newark, Delaware, police said Monday in a news release. We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss," Jose-Luis Riera, vice president of student life, said in a statement Monday. "While Daniel was a student at UD for only a brief period, he maintained an active presence among his fellow students and in his residential community, meeting many and touching the lives of those with whom he interacted." Police said the crash happened at 2:49 a.m. at South College and East Delaware avenues. Bacsik was heading north on South College Avenue when a 2013 Toyota Sienna struck him at the intersection, tossing him from the bicycle onto the north side of East Delaware Avenue. The Sienna's 24-year-old driver remained at the scene, police said. An investigation found that traffic signals at the intersection were functioning properly. Both roads were closed for about three hours while the crash was investigated. Funeral services are set for Saturday at Barnegat Funeral Home, according to Bacsik's obituary. Bacsik was born in Toms River and overcame leukemia at age 3, the obituary said. The university said Bacsik was studying engineering. He was a member of several student organizations, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. An Egg Harbor Township man was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking ring, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said Thursday. Lester Santana, 53, pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. According to court documents, Santana admitted that from March 2019 to August 2020, on several occasions, he and his conspirators flew from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on commercial flights to Philadelphia International Airport. Santana and his co-conspirators purchased kilograms of cocaine from wholesale drug suppliers in San Juan in exchange for cash. Santana and the others then shipped the cocaine by overnight delivery from U.S. post offices in San Juan to addresses in Philadelphia and South Jersey, including Santanas residence. After the shipments were made, a conspirator resold the cocaine to other drug dealers in the Philadelphia area. Santana admitted he was jointly responsible for the distribution of 50 to 150 kilograms of cocaine. Santana is the third person in the case to plead guilty. Two co-conspirators, Jose Gonzalez and Iran Soler, both of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 4, 2024, and Soler is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 6. A former Vineland man acquitted in his neighbor's death in 2020 is now accused of stalking a woman in violation of a restraining order she obtained in August. Zachary Latham, 21, of Fort Myers, Florida, was booked into the Lee County jail last week on charges that included aggravated stalking, video voyeurism, violating a restraining order and loitering, according to inmate records. The latest charges come about a month after Latham was both sentenced and released from jail on charges that he threatened a motorist with an airsoft gun. He is being held on $5,000 bond, jail records show. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30 before Florida Judge J. Frank Porter. Latham texted, called and messaged through social media a woman with whom he was in a relationship for about three months, according to an affidavit of probable cause. He was arrested outside the woman's friend's home Sept. 26 while he was loitering outside the residence looking for her, the affidavit states. He was brought to Lee Memorial Hospital for a "medical event involving medication," the affidavit states. Ex-Vineland man acquitted in fatal stabbing of neighbor sentenced in Florida assault case A Vineland man who was acquitted earlier this year in the stabbing death of his neighbor was recently sentenced to 20 months in prison for threatening a driver with an airsoft gun in Florida. Detectives say Latham attempted multiple times to locate the woman in violation of a one-year restraining order issued Aug. 9, going as far as entering a business she was visiting without invitation. Latham also recorded himself and the woman during sexual contact at his home to which she did not consent, the affidavit states. The clip purportedly was received by her family and a former boyfriend. In August, Latham was given credit for 811 days served in jail for the airsoft incident on a bench warrant, according to Florida court records. He was released from prison Aug. 24. The Florida Highway Patrol said Latham threatened a driver with an AK-47 style airsoft gun Jan. 24, 2021. As a Vineland resident, Latham was tried for stabbing his neighbor, William T. Durham Sr., a retired corrections officer, during a fight stirred by a conflict between their families. He was acquitted of reckless manslaughter after a three-week trial in which a jury heard arguments for Latham acting in self-defense. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP Three Vineland residents were hospitalized after their van crashed into a dump truck Thursday morning in a collision that caused both vehicles to flip over. Police said they were called to a field near Coles Mill Road and Stanton Avenue where both vehicles came to rest after the collision about 6:55 a.m. The van's passengers, Christopher Solski, 31, and Nicholas Cournoyer, 42, were both airlifted to Cooper University Medical Center in Camden in stable condition, police said in a news release. Both Solski and Cournoyer were extricated from their vehicles by first responders. The van's driver, 55-year-old Tamiko Graciani, was brought by ambulance to Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill with injuries to her neck and hips. Charges against her are pending, police said. Police did not say whether the dump truck's driver, 51-year-old Kevin McCaskill, of Willingboro, Burlington County, was injured. Crash investigators determined the southbound van on Stanton Avenue collided with the westbound dump truck carrying sand at Coles Mill Road. The force caused both vehicles to flip onto their sides, landing in the field. The crash remained under investigation Thursday afternoon. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been grappling with a significant surge in dengue infections over the past month, raising concerns among health officials. Despite taking measures to curb the spread of the disease, the civic body witnessed a notable uptick in cases. Officials have reported a staggering total of 70 confirmed dengue cases, along with 683 suspected cases, in the city throughout the previous month. This represents the highest number of dengue cases recorded in a single month this year. PMC has taken strict actions against 174 establishments found to be responsible for the spread of the disease. A cumulative fine of Rs 18,500 has been collected from these violators as punitive measures. Furthermore, health officials are increasingly concerned about the number of patients diagnosed with dengue for the second time. Over 10% of the cases reported in private hospitals involve individuals who have previously battled dengue earlier in the year. In response to this worrying trend, PMC has initiated a comprehensive survey to identify mosquito breeding sites. Additionally, establishments failing to implement preventive measures to control the spread of the disease are facing repercussions. As health authorities continue their efforts to combat the dengue outbreak, vigilance, community cooperation, and proactive steps to eliminate breeding grounds for mosquitoes are emphasised as key strategies to mitigate the spread of the disease in Pune. In another unfortunate incident of theft at a Pune Metro construction site, a security guard stationed at the location has filed a formal complaint about missing materials. The theft is reported to have occurred near the Sant Tukaram Nagar Metro Station. Local law enforcement has registered a case under relevant sections, and the Shivajinagar Police Station is actively investigating the matter. The complainant, who serves as an assistant admin (security) for the Pune Metro, stated that the stolen materials, valued at Rs. 24,000, went missing between September 18 and September 28. Authorities have yet to identify the individual responsible for the theft. The case has been filed under section 379 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Further developments in the investigation are expected as law enforcement intensifies efforts to apprehend the perpetrator and recover the stolen construction materials. The Rock Island County States Attorneys Office has accused a 21-year-old woman of distributing child pornography via her social media account. Emmeline Kenealy, Rock Island, faces three counts of child pornography, according to Rock Island County court records. Prosecutors allege she uploaded sexual photographs involving toddlers to her SnapChat account on Aug. 17, 2022. Authorities learned of the alleged activity because Snapchat reported it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, court documents state. Police recovered the images from Kenealys account when they served a search warrant on it. On Monday the Rock Island Police Department executed a search warrant on Kenealys phone and her residence, a dorm room at Augustana College, according to court records. After police read Kenealy her Miranda rights, she admitted during questioning that she had downloaded and disseminated the photographs via her Snapchat account. She also admitted shed looked up child pornography as recently as Sunday. In response to a query about Kenealy, Augustana stated that police arrested an Augustana student Monday afternoon on campus and the college was cooperating fully with the police. We do not believe and have not been advised of any danger to members of the Augustana College community, according to the statement. The investigation continued as of late this morning and Augustana could not provide further information, according to the statement. The Rock Island County Jail had Kenealy in custody as of 12:30 p.m., according to the jail website. Prosecutors want her detained on the charges and a hearing on her detention was pending, court records state. The county courts have set her first appearance for this afternoon. Foods to help with stress relief, and more videos to improve your life Here are five foods that can help you feel more relaxed, how to reduce a kid's chance of school burnout, and more videos to improve your life. LONDON Scottish authorities approved the extradition of an American man accused of faking his own death to avoid a rape charge in Utah, but his return to the U.S. may be delayed by another case in Britain. In response to a freedom of information request, the Scottish government on Thursday said an extradition order for the man local officials refer to as Nicholas Rossi was signed Sept. 28. It provided no further information. U.S. authorities said Rossi is one of several aliases the 36-year-old suspect used and his legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian. Alahverdian is charged with sexually assaulting a former girlfriend in Orem, Utah, in 2008, according to the Utah County prosecutor's office. He also faces multiple complaints against him in Rhode Island for alleged domestic violence. Rossi can appeal the Scottish government's decision. His lawyer didn't immediately return a call seeking comment on what his client plans to do. Regardless of what happens in the extradition case, police in England are seeking to interview Rossi in connection with a "non-recent allegation of rape" in the city of Chelmsford that was made in April 2022. If charges are filed against Rossi in that case, those proceedings would have to be wrapped up before he could be extradited. The suspect already fought a prolonged court battle to prevent his return to the United States since he was arrested in December 2021 at a Glasgow hospital, where he was being treated for COVID-19. Rossi, who insisted he was an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight and never set foot on American soil, repeatedly appeared in court in a wheelchair using an oxygen mask and speaking in a British accent. The government signed the order after Judge Norman McFadyen of Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Aug. 2 ruled that the suspect could be extradited, saying Rossi was "as dishonest and deceitful as he is evasive and manipulative." The man said he was framed by authorities who took his fingerprints while he was in a coma so they could connect him to Rossi. In 24 states, using a false address to get into a better school is a crime In 24 states, using a false address to get into a better school is a crime Data for sale 'Safe and educated' A push for open enrollment Italian-style pizza is back in Bettendorf and coming to a familiar spot. Inferno Pizza & Pints will open Thursday at 2561 53rd Ave. in Bettendorf. The storefront was formerly home to Mio Russo Sicilian Bar & Table before it closed in April. New owner Brian Islami has a long history with business success in the Quad-Cities, as he also owns the Flip's Pancake House locations. The decision to flip from pancakes to pizza, he said, came to him while traveling in Italy. After his brother moved there a number of years ago, Islami said he began to visit yearly and grew accustomed to the food. A few months ago, the leasing agent for the Bettendorf building reached out and asked if he was interested. Instead of doing "steak and eggs," Islami said, he decided to bring Italy back with him. "This opportunity came up, so I thought why not try real Italian-style pizza. So that's what we're going to do," he said. Islami went back to Italy and took cooking lessons from a local chef in order to prepare. With that connection in mind, he's able to bring in authentic ingredients, like the flour and the sauce. Imported cheese and fresh mozzarella will top the pizzas, with all dough made fresh in-house. The pizza will be made "romana alla pala," or Roman-style on a paddle. The crust is stretched thin into a rectangle and baked slowly on a wood paddle with oil to provide a crunchy crust, resembling a flatbread. The menu will also have pasta, sandwiches, soups and salads. Behind the bar, Islami will have Italian cocktails, wine and about a dozen Iowa beers on tap. Inferno Pizza & Pints will officially open on at 3 p.m. Thursday. Regular hours will be 3-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 3-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3-9 p.m. Sunday. Islami plans to open for lunch in a few months, once staff members are comfortable and ready to add hours. Photos: It's Food Truck Fight time A Rock Island County probationer is facing a robbery charge in Scott County after he allegedly robbed a Davenport Walmart with a BB gun Wednesday. Kevin Lamar Simmons, 33, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of first-degree robbery. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years. It is up to the presiding judge in the case to determine whether 50% or 70% of the sentence must be served before parole can be granted. According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Cpl. Erin Pape, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Simmons was caught shoplifting at the Walmart located at 3101 W. Kimberly Road. When confronted by employees, Simmons removed what appeared to be a firearm from his pants and placed it at his side as he turned to face the employees, the affidavit said. Simmons then fled the store on foot. Police were able to capture Simmons and the weapon he possessed turned out to be a BB gun. The total value of the items he allegedly stole was $43.85. Simmons was being held Wednesday night in the Scott County Jail on a bond of $25,000, cash or surety. He is expected to make a first appearance on the charge Thursday in District Court where a judge will schedule a preliminary hearing. According to Rock Island County Circuit Court electronic records, during a hearing June 8 in Rock Island County Circuit Court, Simmons pleaded guilty to one count of possession of less than 5 grams of meth. He was sentenced to two years on probation. Simmons also is currently serving a sentence of two years on conditional discharge in Rock Island County after he pleaded guilty March 18, 2022, to a charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, according to circuit court electronic records. During a hearing in Cedar County District Court on Feb. 12, 2021, Simmons pleaded guilty to a charge of eluding, a Class D felony under Iowa law. He was sentenced March 12, 2021, to two years on supervised probation. On July 1, 2022, during a hearing in Cedar County District Court, it was found that Simmons had violated his probation. He was ordered to serve 60 days in the county jail and was unsuccessfully discharged from probation. By Joseph S. Nye, Jr. CAMBRIDGE The great-power competition between the United States and China is a defining feature of the first part of this century, but there is little agreement on how it should be characterized. Some call it an enduring rivalry analogous to the one between Germany and Britain prior to the last centurys two world wars. Others worry that America and China are like Sparta (the dominant power) and Athens (the rising power) in the fifth century BC: destined for war. The problem, of course, is that a belief in the inevitability of conflict can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Enduring rivalry itself is a misleading term. Just think of all the phases the Sino-American relationship has gone through since the Communist Party of China (CPC) came to power in 1949. In the 1950s, American and Chinese soldiers were killing each other on the Korean Peninsula. In the 1970s, after U.S. President Richard Nixons historic visit to China, the two countries cooperated closely to counterbalance the Soviet Union. In the 1990s, economic engagement increased, and the U.S. supported Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization. Not until after 2016 did we enter the current phase of great-power competition, with one U.S. official describing China as a pacing threat meaning the only country that can pose a systemic challenge to America economically, technologically, politically, and militarily. But even if enduring rivalry does not imply violent conflict, what about a cold war? If that term refers to an intense prolonged competition, we are already in one. But if it is a historical analogy, the comparison is inapt, and risks misleading us about the real challenges the U.S. faces from China. The U.S. and the Soviet Union had a high level of global military interdependence, but virtually no economic, social, or ecological interdependence. Todays Sino-American relationship is different in all those dimensions. For starters, America cannot decouple its trade and investment completely from China without causing enormous damage to itself and the global economy. Moreover, the U.S. and its allies are threatened not by the spread of communist ideology, but by a system of economic and political interdependence that both sides routinely manipulate. Partial decoupling or de-risking on security issues is necessary, but total economic decoupling would be prohibitively costly, and few U.S. allies would follow suit. More countries count China rather than the U.S. as their leading trade partner. Then there are the ecological aspects of interdependence, which make decoupling impossible. No country can tackle climate change, the pandemic threat, or other transnational problems alone. For better and worse, we are locked in a cooperative rivalry with China, in need of a strategy that can advance contradictory objectives. The situation is nothing like Cold War containment. Meeting the China challenge will require an approach that leverages the alliances and rules-based system the U.S. created. Allies like Japan, and partners like India, are assets that China lacks. Although the center of global economic gravity has shifted from Europe to Asia over the past century, India, the worlds most populous country, is one of Chinas longstanding rivals. Cliches about the Global South or solidarity among the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are highly misleading, because they ignore internal rivalries within those categories. Moreover, the combined wealth of Western democratic allies will far exceed that of China (plus Russia) well into this century. To succeed, Americas China strategy must set realistic goals. If the US defines strategic success as transforming China into a Western democracy, it is likely to fail. The CPC fears Western liberalization, and China is too big to invade or fundamentally change through coercion. This reality cuts both ways: The U.S. has domestic problems, but they certainly do not owe anything to the attractiveness of Chinese communism. In this important respect, neither China nor the U.S. poses an existential threat to the other unless they blunder into a major war. The best historical analogy is not Cold War Europe after 1945 but pre-war Europe in 1914. European leaders welcomed what they thought would be a brief conflict in the Balkans, but instead got the four terrible years of World War I. Some foresee the U.S. and China blundering into a similar war over Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province. When Nixon and Mao Zedong met in 1972, they could not agree on this issue, but they devised a rough formula for managing it that has lasted half a century: no de jure independence for Taiwan, and no use of force against the island by China. Maintaining the status quo requires deterring Beijing while avoiding the provocation of supporting de jure independence for Taiwan. War is a risk, but it is not inevitable. The U.S. should expect low-intensity economic conflicts with China, but its strategic objectives should be to avoid escalation what U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently called peaceful coexistence. That means using deterrence to avoid a hot war, cooperating when possible, leveraging U.S. hard and soft power to attract allies, and marshaling domestic assets to compete successfully. The goal should be to shape Chinas external behavior by strengthening Americas own alliances and international institutions. For example, the key to advancing U.S. interests in the South and East China Seas is Japan, a close ally that hosts US troops. But since the U.S. also needs to bolster its own economic and technological advantages, it would be wise to adopt a more active Asian trade policy, and to offer assistance to the low- and middle-income countries being wooed by China. Global polls suggest that if the US maintains its domestic openness and democratic values, it will have much greater soft power than China. Investments in Americas own military power of deterrence are welcomed by the many countries that want to maintain trade relations with China but do not want to be dominated by it. If the U.S. maintains its alliances and avoids demonization and misleading historical analogies, cooperative rivalry will be a sustainable goal. Joseph S. Nye, Jr., a professor at Harvard University and a former U.S. assistant secretary of defense, is the author, most recently, of "Do Morals Matter? Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump" (Oxford University Press, 2020). This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). For the second consecutive year, Bettendorf schools earned the statewide Therapeutic Classroom Incentive Grant from the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE). This year's grant totals $572,625, and Bettendorf schools were one of six recipients from across the state. Also called Therapeutic Learning Classroom (TLC) grants, these annual, competitive awards fund the creation of therapeutic classrooms. These serve students whose social, emotional and behavioral health (SEBH) needs affect their ability to thrive in current learning spaces. According to the IDOE, therapeutic classrooms support these students until they can successfully return to their former educational environment (i.e. a traditional classroom). "We were overjoyed and felt reassured that we are doing the right work," Sarah Harris, Bettendorf schools' SEBH coordinator, said of receiving the TLC grant again this year. "We will continue to revise, improve and create school environments to support all students in (learning.)" She said the development and adoption of Brain Health Neurosequential models a therapeutic framework aimed at reducing student dysregulation and learning disruptions was an example of the district's continued SEBH work. "The continuum of (student services) is designed to help promote active participation in school, feel connected to school, assist in developing 21st-century skills and build positive relationships for academic success," Harris said of the initiative. "Therapeutic services are a critical piece of our future SEBH initiatives, and we plan to be on the cutting edge of this work by collaborating with families, staff and students while utilizing strong evidence-based resources." The IDOE does not require therapeutic classrooms to be physically separate from other students. Recipient school districts may also install SEBH-focused material or other critical programming elements to existing classrooms, and these plans must be specified following the TLC grant rubric. Bettendorf Superintendent Michelle Morse said the district would use the grant toward ongoing staff training in an effort to meet Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and to re-design student and family spaces. " To create welcoming and collaborative problem-solving learning environments, provide a (supportive) space for any student whose emotional, social or behavioral needs interfere with their ability to be successful in the current educational environment," she said. So far, the TLC grant has aided in the district's Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) implementation. "MTSS is a framework many schools in Iowa use," Morse said, describing it as an, "every-education decision-making framework" of evidence-based instruction and assessment. "(MTSS) addresses the needs of all students. It allows us to review and improve the overall health of our educational system by examining data as well as identifying students who need additional support." For students and families in-need of the highest support, she said, this kind of district-level work is critical. "Over time, it improves school climate, safety and creates supportive learning environments," Morse said. "I am extremely humbled that the state has entrusted us with this funding for a second year. The additional TLC funds will enable us to continue to build these systematic (supports) to better serve our students' social emotional well being, across all of our schools. I am extremely proud of the work that our teams have done and the learning they have engaged as a result of the TLC grant funds." Additionally, the IDOE invited Bettendorf Middle School's (BMS) TLC partnership team to present at the Iowa Childrens Behavioral Health System Board in July for the success of TLC work at BMS. The team was also invited to present at the Iowa BEST (Behavioral, Equitable, Social-Emotional, Trauma-Informed Health in Schools) Summit in October, and the Iowa NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Conference in November. Catch the buzz: Bettendorf students plant endangered bee habitat at Devils Glen Park Four Davenport residents are vying to represent the 7th Ward, including its former alderman the council recently removed from office. Derek Cornette was the 7th Ward alderman until early September, when his colleagues voted to remove him from office after hearing staff testimony, voicemail and video evidence detailing allegations of sexual harassment and intoxication during meetings. Cornette is running for reelection and suing in court over his removal, arguing he wasn't given a fair hearing and no written complaints were filed. Three others are running for the 7th Ward seat Mhisho Lynch, a realtor and owner of a heating and plumbing business as well as a boutique; William Pamperin, a retired railroad engineer; and Scott Ryder, a realtor and owner of several businesses, including Donuts & More, a realty firm and a property management company. The top two vote-getters in the Oct. 10 primary will advance to the Nov. 7 regular election. The 7th Ward stretches roughly from North Division to Eastern Avenue and from West 53rd Street to Central Park Avenue. It includes the North Park Mall, and corridors on Kimberly Road and Harrison and Welcome Way/Brady Street. Cornette, 71, is a retired health physicist who had worked at the Rock Island Arsenal. If reelected, he said he would work to curb "reckless spending" and prevent staff from setting policy. Lynch, 33, a first-time candidate, said if elected she would work to help identify the root causes of theft and gun violence and build on existing at-risk youth programs. She also wants to prioritize infrastructure and see more help with business development in the 7th Ward, which includes North Park Mall and an empty lot at 53rd Street and Welcome Way. Lynch is a realtor and owns two businesses Lynch Heating & Plumbing and Wind Dancer Boutique, 2114 E 11th St. She points to that experience, as well as being a former parent-teacher association president, as experiences valuable to bring to the City Council. Pamperin, 62, ran for the 7th Ward two years ago but did not advance past a four-way primary that year. Pamperin, a retired railroad engineer, regularly attends City Council and ward meetings. He's put public safety, infrastructure repairs and conservative fiscal policy at the top of his priority list. He opposed the City Council's decision to give the green light to Main Street Landing, riverfront park area in design that is being funded with federal COVID-19 relief funds, a state tourism grant and railroad settlement funds. He said the American Rescue Plan Act funds should've been allocated elsewhere. Ryder, 41, is a business owner and property manager who wants to see the city prioritize more quality affordable housing. A 2020 study, Silos to Solutions, called for the Quad-Cities to address the area's shortage of 6,645 affordable units for extremely low-income households by 2030. Ryder and his wife, Cris Ryder, own EXIT Realty Fireside Franchise in Scott County, and in 2018 purchased Donuts & More, 1717 N. Brady St. Ryder said in 2019, a downtown Davenport building he purchased and remodeled in 2019 was damaged by the 2019 floods. In 2022, Ryder purchased Top Notch Property Management, which he said manages 300 rental properties in the Quad-Cities. How to vote Early voting is underway. Davenport residents can vote at the Scott County Auditor's Office, 600 W. 4th St., on the first floor of the county administrative building. Hours to vote there are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Auditor's Office will also be open Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. On Oct. 10, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at polling locations. Find your precinct: www.scottcountyiowa.gov/auditor/precinct-finder For more election information, including sample ballots: https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/auditor/post/2023/10/10/davenport-city-primary-election-day Find your ward: www.davenportiowa.com/services/maps The primary will winnow the number candidates for mayor and aldermen representing wards 2, 3, 4, and 7. Tucked onto Rock Islands 21st Avenue between 29th and 29 streets are six south-facing homes that share a similar architectural style, that are made of brick with gabled or hipped roofs and windows inset with lead and art glass. These are Chicago-style bungalows built during 1931 and 1932 by Sam Weisman, a prominent Rock Island builder who came to the United States from Russia at age 22 after his widowed mother was killed in an antisemitic pogrom. On Sunday, Oct. 8, the public can learn more about these bungalows and the people who lived in them when members of the Rock Island Preservation Society host a free walking tour of the block from 1 to 3 p.m. This is an area that many people are aware of but dont know its history, Diane Oestreich, a preservation society member, said as the reason for the tour. In addition to the six homes facing 21st Avenue, another faces 29th Street, and of the seven, six were purchased by immigrants, Oestreich said. Three were Greek brothers who lived adjacent to each other and others were Jewish from Germany, Russia and Poland. I think its fascinating. The Greece-born Grevas brothers Nicholas, Gust and Angelos, or Tom operated the Toasty Shop on 18th Street downtown, an eatery that opened in 1926, specializing in grilled, or toasted, sandwiches. Another home was owned by Hyman and Rose Goldman, whose family operated a downtown furniture business, according to preservation society research. The Goldmans would continue to have a downtown influence even after their business closed by saving the historic but vacant buildings. The Chicago bungalow style of architecture was popularized in Chicago between 1900 and 1930. In addition to its well-built exteriors, it features high-end inside finishes, including hardwood floors, built-in cabinets, formal dining rooms and fireplaces. When builder Weisman came to Rock Island, he had only $6 and slept in the former Spencer Square until he could find work, according to preservation society research. He began his construction activities with remodeling and then moved into new construction, including Long View Apartments at 18th Avenue and 17th Street. Other credits are homes in the Wheelan Addition, on 21st Avenue between 24th and 25th streets, and the Centennial Bridge Commission Building at 2nd Avenue and 15th Street. Weisman, also a leader in the citys Jewish religious community, died in 1948. Close Shown is 2041 29th St., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2909 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2911 21th Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2913 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2923 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2915 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2917 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Sam Weisman bungalows Photos of the Chicago-style bungalows along 21st Avenue in Rock Island which were built by Sam Weisman. Shown is 2041 29th St., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2909 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2911 21th Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2913 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2923 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2915 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Shown is 2917 21st Ave., Rock Island, one of a series of Chicago-style bungalows built by Sam Weisman in 1931 and 1932 along 21st Avenue in Rock Island. Fall is on the way to the Quad-Cities as a front moving in from the northwest Thursday night will bring in much cooler air that will keep high temperatures in the 50s Friday and Saturday. The high temperature Thursday is expected to reach into the middle 70s for the Quad-City region before the wind changes direction Thursday night, Meteorologist Timothy Gunkel of the National Weather Service, Davenport, said. The wind Thursday night into Friday will blow about 10 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph. The overnight low is to be about 46 degrees. However, Gunkel said that Fridays high temperature is expected to reach only the upper 50s with windy conditions and a 30% chance of showers after 1 p.m. Were looking at the possibility of sustained winds of about 20 mph on Friday, maybe upwards of 25 mph and then gusts of 30-35 mph, Gunkel said. Its definitely going to be sweater weather, for sure, he said. For those still used to summer its going to be a little bit of a shock, Im sure. The overnight low Friday into Saturday is expected to dip to 41 degrees under cloudy skies. Saturdays high temperature is expected to also be in the upper 50s under sunny skies. The overnight low is expected to be 40 degrees with some patchy frost. Temperatures begin trending upward Sunday with a high in the low 60s and an overnight low of about 40. Gunkel said the warming trend would continue and the high temperatures would be back into the low 70s by Wednesday. Normal high temperatures for this time of year are in the upper 60s, with normal overnight lows in the middle 40s. Gunkel said there continued to be no real rain chances in sight, which remains a problem. We need rain, he said. The entire state of Iowa is in a drought. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the Quad-City region in both Iowa and Illinois is suffering a moderate drought in most counties, with severe drought creeping in. For September, the Quad Cities International Airport, Moline, recorded a total of 5.01 inches of rain, which is 1.69 inches above normal. The average temperature for September was 68.8 degrees, which is 2.7 degrees above normal. Mike Dulak grew up Catholic in Southern California, but by his teen years, he began skipping Mass and driving straight to the shore to play guitar, watch the waves and enjoy the beauty of the morning. "And it felt more spiritual than any time I set foot in a church," he recalled. Nothing has changed that view in the ensuing decades. "Most religions are there to control people and get money from them," said Dulak, now 76, of Rocheport, Missouri. He also cited sex abuse scandals in Catholic and Southern Baptist churches. "I can't buy into that," he said. As Dulak rejects being part of a religious flock, he has plenty of company. He is a "none" no, not that kind of nun. The kind that checks "none" when pollsters ask "What's your religion?" The decades-long rise of the nones a diverse, hard-to-summarize group is one of the most talked about phenomena in U.S. religion. They are reshaping America's religious landscape as we know it. In U.S. religion today, "the most important story without a shadow of a doubt is the unbelievable rise in the share of Americans who are nonreligious," said Ryan Burge, a political science professor at Eastern Illinois University and author of "The Nones," a book on the phenomenon. The nones account for a large portion of Americans, as shown by the 30% of U.S. adults who claim no religious affiliation in a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. ABOUT THE POLL The poll of 1,680 adults was conducted May 11-15 using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. Other major surveys say the nones have been steadily increasing for as long as three decades. So who are they? They're the atheists, the agnostics, the "nothing in particular." Many are "spiritual but not religious," and some are neither or both. They span class, gender, age, race and ethnicity. While the nones' diversity splinters them into myriad subgroups, most of them have this in common: They. Really. Don't. Like. Organized. Religion. Nor its leaders. Nor its politics and social stances. That's according to a large majority of nones in the AP-NORC survey. But they're not just a statistic. They're real people with unique relationships to belief and nonbelief, and the meaning of life. Keep scrolling for more stories about 'The Nones' from countries and regions around the world They're secular homeschoolers in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Pittsburghers working to overcome addiction. They're a mandolin maker in a small Missouri town, a former evangelical disillusioned with that particular strain of American Christianity. They're college students who found their childhood churches unpersuasive or unwelcoming. Church "was not very good for me," said Emma Komoroski, a University of Missouri freshman who left her childhood Catholicism in her mid-teens. "I'm a lesbian. So that was kind of like, oh, I didn't really fit, and people don't like me." The nones also are people like Alric Jones, who cited bad experiences with organized religion ranging from the intolerant churches of his hometown to the ministry that kept soliciting money from his devout late wife even after Jones lost his job and income after an injury. "They should have come to us and said, 'Is there something we can do to help you?'" said Jones, 71, of central Michigan. "They kept sending us letters saying, 'Why aren't you sending us money?'" Although he doesn't believe in organized religion, he believes in God and basic ethical precepts. "People should be treated equally as long as they treat other people equally. That's my spirituality if you want to call it that." These days, if a visiting relative wants to attend church, he'll go along, "but I'm not prone to listening to anybody telling me this is the way it should be," Jones said. About 1 in 6 U.S. adults, including Jones and Dulak, is a "nothing in particular." There are as many of them as atheists and agnostics combined (7% each). "All the media attention is on atheists and agnostics, when most nones are not atheist or agnostic," Burge said. Many embrace a range of spiritual beliefs from God, prayer and heaven to karma, reincarnation, astrology or energy in crystals. "They are definitely not as turned off to religion as atheists and agnostics are," Burge said. "They practice their own type of spirituality, many of them." Dulak still draws inspiration from nature. "It just feels so good to be next to something so timeless," he said, sitting in his yard in the Missouri River town he now calls home. He finds similar fulfillment in his two-story workshop, where he makes the latest of thousands of mandolins he has created over the decades, enabling people to "share the joy of music." "It feels spiritually good," Dulak said. "It's not a religion." Burge said the nones are rising as the Christian population declines, particularly the "mainline" or moderate to liberal Protestants. "This is not just some academic exercise for me," said Burge, who pastors a dwindling American Baptist church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. It's "what I've seen every single Sunday of my life the last 16 years." The statistics show the nones are well-represented in every age group, but especially among young adults. About four in 10 of those under 30 are nones nearly as many as say they're Christians. The trend was evident in interviews on the University of Missouri campus. Several students said they didn't identify with a religion. Mia Vogel said she likes "the foundations of a lot of religions just love everybody, accept everybody." But she considers herself more spiritual. "I'm pretty into astrology. I've got my crystals charging up in my window right now," she said. "Honestly, I'll bet half of it is a total placebo. But I just like the idea that things in life can be explained by greater forces." One movement that exemplifies the "spiritual but not religious" ethos is the Twelve Step sobriety program, pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous and adopted by other recovery groups. Participants turn to a "power greater than ourselves" the God of each person's own understanding but they don't share any creed. "If you look at the religions, they have been wracked by scandals, it doesn't matter the denomination," said the Rev. Jay Geisler, an Episcopal priest who is spiritual advisor at the Pittsburgh Recovery Center, an addiction treatment site. In contrast, "there's actually a spiritual revival in the basement of many of the churches," where recovery groups often meet, he said. For some, Geisler said, the God of their understanding is "GUS," for Guy UpStairs. Or "SAM," for Sure Ain't Me. "Nobody's fighting in those rooms, they're not saying, 'You're wrong about God,'" Geisler said. The focus is on "how your life is changed." Participants echoed those thoughts recently at the center. In keeping with the Twelve Step tradition of anonymity, they shared their experiences on condition only their first names be used. "I grew up Methodist, but I don't follow any religion," said John, 32. "I don't believe in a big, bearded dude in the sky." But after surviving overdoses, he knows that "something has been watching over me." Some identified as Christian, but skip evangelizing in favor of supporting each others' individual paths. "I don't push my belief on anybody," said Linda, 57. "The pain bonds us." Those interviewed said their newfound community is essential to their recovery and the lack of community contributed to their initial fall into addiction. Scholars worry that, as people pull away from congregations and other social groups, they are losing sources of communal support. But nones said in interviews they were happy to leave religion behind, particularly in toxic situations, and find community elsewhere. Jones agreed that church connections can have benefits but not for him. "When you need references and you need other things, those people are there to support you," he said. "But again, what are you willing to sacrifice of your own beliefs to develop that kind of relationship?" Marjorie Logman, 75, of Aurora, Illinois, now finds community among other residents in her multigenerational apartment complex. She doesn't miss the evangelical circles she was long active in. "The farther away I get, the freer I feel," she said, criticizing churches for prioritizing money over caring for people. She recalled seeing church leaders tell people with depression their problem was sin or demonic possession piling guilt upon unaddressed mental illness. When she was recovering from an injury at a nursing home in 2010, Logman said, her husband was home by himself in despair and died before she could return home. She said her pastor refused to visit him because he hadn't been involved in church. She now identifies as agnostic. "I'm not throwing in the towel on everything," she said. "I still believe in a higher consciousness." Even far from urban centers, nones are finding community. Adria Cays and Ashley Miller, who live in nearby towns in northwest Arkansas, helped found a group for parents homeschooling according to secular principles. Even in a predominately Christian region of the Ozarks, they found "people like us who were approaching education and just raising their children from a more secular view," said Miller, 35. The women's families regularly share hiking adventures on Instagram. While they don't describe their explorations as spiritual, they aim to inspire wonder and purpose in their children. "We really want them to have a deep connection to nature," said Cays, 43. Added Miller: "We are part of something bigger, and that is the Earth. There is meaning just in being." *** THE NONES: MORE FROM THE SERIES *** Photos from AP's special report on 'The Nones' Flipping through the pages of Seventeen magazine, a story hidden amongst the ads with not even so much as a photo happened to catch the eye of a young Susan Sanders. It was about careers in meteorology, something Sanders, then in high school in northern Minnesota, had never thought about. She liked math, though her first real interest was history. The granddaughter of a farmer, Sanders was used to being in-tune with the weather, having watched The Weather Channel alongside him during their visits. As the months went by, she dug more and more into meteorology. She eventually landed an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship in college, where she studied atmospheric sciences at the University of Michigan, before going on to commission as an officer. Sanders was stationed immediately at Ellsworth Air Force Base her first introduction to South Dakota. Now in her 60s, Sanders recently retired from the National Weather Service in Rapid City a job she's held for nearly 30 years. "I am basically doing the same job I did 41 years ago, just on the other side of the road," she joked. After her time at Ellsworth, Sanders took an assignment as a hurricane hunter in Mississippi. They collected data on storms and even flew ahead of fighter deployments to make sure the skies were clear for refueling operations. It was before the development of more sophisticated technology, so Sanders remembers how neat it was to watch the impact of their work. "We took our observations, and when we came back and saw the new maps, they were actually filled in," she said. "So it was like, 'Oh, we changed the weather maps!' So that was a real satisfying mission that we had." Two years later, the ambitious meteorologist looked for change again this time taking a position with the National Weather Service in California. She later spent six years in Omaha before returning to the Black Hills. Sanders' return to Rapid City came at a time when the NWS was moving and expanding its operations. They left their previous post at the Rapid City Regional Airport to settle into the hilltop station they're in now, which sits above the School of Mines Campus overlooking downtown Rapid City. The massive windows and elevation allows meteorologists to see thunderstorms as far away as North Dakota or Nebraska on good-visibility days. It was also around the time they got their Doppler Radar station, the silhouette of which is easily visible from Interstate 90 in New Underwood. The addition of Doppler Radar significantly improved NWS' warning capabilities, Sanders said, and new workstations allow them to layer all of the available data for a four-dimensional view of the atmosphere. The move was more than just about having room for staff or an easier commute to work, it also allowed them to expand their partnerships with first responders, emergency managers and local media. Those partnerships are what Sanders enjoyed the most about her job as the warning coordination meteorologist. "Working with our partners, finding out what they need and being able to provide that," she said. "And giving them a heads up on what's happening not just expecting them to get a warning over their app, but really working with them and letting them know, 'Hey, these storms are starting to come up and let's keep an eye on them.'" When she wasn't communicating with local partners, Sanders would often forecast, help in operations, or do the routine government reports. The NWS has staff working around-the-clock three shifts, 24 hours a day and seven days a week continuously watching the weather and updating the forecast. The job itself can be incredibly difficult, Sanders explained, because Rapid City has the most variable weather in the entire country. "It isn't easy, but we have a lot of forecasters here who have been here for 20 years or more," she said. "We've learned so much locally that we know what to expect; we're looking for certain patterns." They're not only forecasting the weather for individual locations, but doing specific work as well. For example, they provide detailed forecasts to the airports in Rapid City and Gillette, and even do a fire weather forecast when there's wildfire risk or prescribed burns planned. Weather affects so many things, Sanders explained, from agriculture to mining operations and even tourist activities. The NWS also uses reports from locals during severe weather, but Sanders cautioned against posting unverified reports of things like flooding on social media. "Send us pictures and ask," she chuckled, "before you post there's a flood at the mall." After so many years as a figure in the local community, Sanders said her retirement will be "chill" initially. "[I'd] like to travel, maybe take some history classes [and] get back into it, because the history of the Black Hills is fascinating to me," she said. "And maybe even writing about some significant historical weather events." And for anyone considering a career in meteorology, Sanders has some advice. "You may have to work at it a little bit more. A lot of people shy away from math and science, but really, isn't college hard for everybody?" she said. "It's what you want to work at." This years Gallantly Forward Gala marks 10 years that Jerry Derr has been raising awareness about the toll deployments take on servicemen and women. Deployments and readjusting to life after returning home can pose severe, potentially deadly, consequences for veterans. An estimated 22 veterans die from suicide every day. Jerry created the Sgt. Colton Levi Derr Foundation in 2012 and organized the annual Gallantly Forward Gala after his son, U.S. Army Sgt. Colton Levi Derr, died by suicide on April 28, 2012. The gala raises awareness about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury that can pose profound difficulties for veterans. The battle does not end when the war ends, Jerry said. A lot of veterans that come back home, a pretty good percentage deal with these issues. Tickets are on sale now for the 10th annual Gallantly Forward Gala. The gala will take place at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at The Monument in Rapid City. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance online at sergeantderrfoundation.org or by calling Jerry at 605-545-2505. The gala also is looking for businesses to sponsor tables. Veterans who would like to attend the gala should contact Jerry. Veterans can attend the gala free of charge. We try to let local veterans know theyre supported. (Veterans) are taught to soldier up and it is difficult to reach out, Jerry said. The gala will include a social hour, dinner, silent and live auctions, and music by Starfellows (two brothers, one piano). Orion Potter will sing, and the Rapid City Police Department will serve as the evenings color guard. The gala will include a video project featuring several veterans and their family members who have received help from the Sgt. Colton Levi Derr Foundation. The guest speaker will be former U.S. Army Sergeant Corey Culy, who deployed three times to Afghanistan and deals with PTSD. He will talk via video about his war experience and returning home, where he faced more battles with his mental health, the transition to civilian life, and his marriage ending in divorce. Its going to be a different presentation but its one our community needs to hear, Jerry said. He talks about coming off a hard 17-month deployment and then trying to readjustThats not just mental health. The family has daily life (without the soldier) and its a difficult transition when soldiers come home. Culy and Colton Derr were roommates, and it was Culy who found Coltons body at their home. Colton died after returning from a combat tour in Afghanistan and battling PTSD, Jerry said. Colton had deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and completed more than 500 combat missions. Jerry said Coltons military leadership nicknamed him Delta Derr because they had never seen a tougher soldier. Colton struggled with PTSD during his final deployment but appeared dauntless to his fellow soldiers. It is a real-life struggle of a soldier, and we wonder why were losing over 20 veterans a day to suicide, or why theres homeless veterans walking the streets and why the Cornerstone Rescue Mission has a veterans (ministry). Its a lot of things that go hand in hand, Jerry said. This is what they go through and this is what its like coming back home, and (supporting the gala) is something you can do to help. We need to realize the value of our veterans and what they sacrificed. After we lost Colton, it opened our eyes about the mental health crisis in the military and having these soldiers that deployed multiple times, and what that does to a family when they come back home and that difficult transition, he said. Jerry describes the gala as an evening of camaraderie and education. The Gallantly Forward Gala is the annual fundraiser for the Sgt. Colton Levi Derr Foundation. Proceeds from the galas live and silent auctions benefit the Foundation, which assists veterans in South Dakota and nationwide throughout the year. The foundations missions are veteran advocacy, assistance, and raising public awareness about what veterans face when they return from deployments. Jerry said the foundation has seen an increase in veteran support outreach, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation builds partnerships locally and regionally with the VFW and Veterans Affairs and other organizations. Jerry said he is grateful that Rapid City is a great community that loves our veterans. The gala brings different organizations in and tries to get community members and leadership involved. A lot of the best effort is given at the local level. Currently, the foundation is assisting about 20 veterans with issues such as navigating the VA system so they can get the health care they need, and dealing with challenges they face re-entering civilian life. Among the services the foundation provides are stop-gap funding to help with rent, utilities or emergencies such as car repairs. The foundation can also help veterans find short-term housing while they wait to get into the VA hospital for treatment and obtain transportation to and from treatment. Whatever their issues, we try to take it on directly or work with partners (to find solutions). We try to get them stabilized, Jerry said. We make (veterans families) aware of what goes on internally, and we work with a lot of caregivers who are dealing with veterans that are disabled. Its a lot for their spouses or family or whatever support group they have, he said. Jerry's other two sons are veterans. Haley Derr is a captain in the South Dakota National Guard. Haley is part of the 109th Regional Support Group that deployed for nine months in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East and returned to Rapid City in mid-September. Derrs son Wyatt served in the Marines for four years and is a Rapid City police officer. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joined 25 other Attorneys General in asking Aylo, the parent company of PornHub, to close a website loophole that jeopardizes children. An employee of the company admitted on video that there is no way to confirm the identity of people uploading content onto Pornhub, said Attorney General Jackley. That means rapists, human traffickers and other criminals could upload videos of the victims, perhaps children, as a way to make money. In their letter, the Attorneys General said that federal and state laws forbid the creation and distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The group requested that Aylo take steps to change its policy to better protect children from having their images shared on the companys platforms. Jackley said he is working with South Dakota state legislators to introduce a bill in the 2024 session that would make Artificial Intelligence-generated child pornography a crime in South Dakota. Other Attorneys General signing the letter were from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. TEUTOPOLIS, Ill. The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation unit is seeking the public's help to identify a vehicle potentially involved in the Sept. 29 crash outside of Teutopolis that resulted in five fatalities and multiple injuries. Welcome to The Mortal Reader column. If you have wandered here, I can only assume that you are the kind of reader who is always looking for a new recommendation even though the stack of books next to your bed threatens to topple on you while you sleep. Youre probably one of us who smuggle books into parties, theaters, grocery stores any place that may involve a wait and therefore a reading opportunity. This column is a place where the staff of Chapter One Book Store can share with you the books we love, the books that bent our minds, the books that illuminated the previously dark corners in our souls and the books that kept us up at night. We read a lot of books. We read books knowing that we will never be able to read all the books wed like to. We are but mortal readers. From now on, please understand that when we mention reading, we include all types of book consumption. Whether you feast on paperbacks, audiobooks, e-books or hardcovers does not concern us. We only care that your next book is ready for you before youve finished your current one. This week is Banned Book Week and youll be hard pressed to find a bookstore or library that isnt using this week to highlight titles that are being challenged or banned in schools and libraries all over the U.S. Bookshelves should be the place to start conversations, not the place to silence them. It seems like the perfect time of year to share some of my favorite books about censorship. Almost 30 years before the origin of Banned Book Week, Ray Bradbury published "Fahrenheit 451," his famous dystopian novel centered around government sanctioned book burning. I was a die-hard Bradbury fan as a teenager and the first time I read the opening line, It was a pleasure to burn, I was in thrall to the story of a not-so-distant-future where books were outlawed and destroyed. Even as a young teenager, it frightened me in a way that the "Goosebumps" series never could. Guy Montag, the protagonist, is a firefighter who is trained to burn books. He believes that his work is protecting society from harmful ideas, but as the book progresses, he starts to see that powerful people may be using violent control under the guise of public safety. Ironically, "Fahrenheit 451" has been banned and challenged since its publication 70 years ago. Great for fans of science fiction like "The Hunger Games" and "1984." In a recent dystopian novel, "All Our Missing Hearts," Celeste Ng (pronounced ing), creates a world in which Americans are led to believe that they need to be protected from anything considered unpatriotic. In the name of protecting American culture, art and literature are severely censored and children are relocated from families at the slightest hint of dissidence. Twelve-year-old Bird has been told that his Asian American mother left him when her poetry came under scrutiny, but he keeps finding messages from her hidden around his house and in the form of un-signed postcards. A testament to the love parents have for their children, Ngs novel presents an America where resistance takes the form of art and librarians are, appropriately, the heroes. What happens when censorship comes from a trusted source like a teacher? Based on her own experience with censorship in the classroom, A.S. King wrote "Attack of the Black Rectangles" for middle grade readers. As told by 12-year-old Mac, the kids in Mrs. Setts 5th grade class find words in their class book set have been blacked out. Who would do that to a book about the Holocaust? Where can they go to figure out the missing words? Why does the school dress code seem to target Macs female friends? This is a great book for parents to read with middle school kids, youll find plenty to talk about. Books that we read as children have the potential to shape our sense of self. One of the most important books for my own development is "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine LEngle. Meg Murray and her family are caught up in an intergalactic battle against a dark entity that seeks to spread darkness to all corners of the universe. When the kids travel to Camazotz, a planet that is ruled by the darkness, everything looks peaceful, but the cost for an orderly society might be more than anyone should have to pay. Full of science fiction elements, a sweet budding romance, and a character who taught me that its okay to be different, "A Wrinkle in Time" is a book I go back to over and over again. As it happens, The Hamilton Playhouse is producing the stage version this month, so get your tickets soon. By Park Jung-won American politics never ceases to amaze as former President Donald Trump emerges as the strongest candidate to be the Republican Partys nominee in the next U.S. presidential election. Despite all the criminal charges against him, he leads in every poll. His prospective re-election must be taken seriously and the reasons why he resonates so strongly with a large portion of the American people should be examined. Trump-supporting Americans perceive mainstream U.S. and world media coverage of him to be largely unfair. He represents a substantial portion of the country who feel forgotten and ignored and will continue to back him even if they dont fully understand his own intentions because they sense that he speaks for them. The countrys economic trajectory during his presidency, until the anomalous COVID-19 outbreak, was also very impressive on most counts. As for the 2020 election, a lot of Trump supporters believe that there were many oddities in its circumstances, even if it was ultimately determined to be valid. Moreover, they question the timing of his current indictments ahead of next years election as being politically motivated. This sentiment is confirmed by the fact that the legal charges against him are rallying rather than enervating his support. Although there may be competent alternative candidates to Trump in the Republican Party, what is it that puts him in the lead despite his many personal flaws? The answer would appear to lie in his bewildering ability to communicate and connect with people, albeit not with everyone. This is why he is so beloved by those who see things his way and also why he is so hated by those who dont. There is debate among Republicans about whether to nominate a less controversial candidate who advocates similar policies, but so far no one who fits that bill seems to match Trumps capacity to convert mere policy support into devotion that turns people out to vote en masse. In this respect, he is not unlike Barack Obama as a candidate for the Democrats. If Trump is once again elected, there will be significant consequences for the world. Many pundits predict that if he returns to power, the U.S. will become more isolationist. However, his supporters argue that his past emphasis on America First is misinterpreted, as it does not mean only America but rather a prioritization of domestic issues, as any less significant country might pursue. They also emphasize that under his rule the United States would not seek isolationism, but instead attempt to shift the burden of maintaining the international order to be more fairly shared with allies. As to the issue of immigration, the U.S. is a country created by immigration, but they do not want uncontrolled and illegal flows of migrants to be simply acquiesced. They also stress that Trump advocates international free trade, but on fairer terms. However, as a Korean, these words from Trump's advocates frankly dont come across as convincing. Many people remember the rude politics of his tenure. Concerns abound that South Korea could in the near future face a very serious security crisis with North Korea, so the prospect of another Trump presidency weighs heavily on South Korean minds. Trump would certainly attempt negotiations with North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un. Short of war, the worst-case scenario is that he will make a deal with the North without considering South Koreas position, which would allow the North to merely reduce the number of its nuclear weapons and missiles, thereby recognizing it as a de facto nuclear power. This would be unacceptable from a South Korean standpoint. But Trump was the first U.S. president to bring a North Korean dictator to the meeting table, without preconditions. And for a period of time, it eased the volatile military tensions that existed on the Korean Peninsula. This ability of Trump is undoubtedly one of his strongest advantages as a politician. However, in a recent interview with NBC, he also described the process of resolving the nuclear issue with North Korea as a deal instead of an ongoing dialogue, and did not use the term denuclearization. The worry is that his proclivity toward showmanship could override the importance of achieving a lasting solution to the Korean problem. In this regard, it is noteworthy that in an interview with the New York Times in 2016, Trump displayed an open mindset toward the idea that South Korea and Japan might produce their own nuclear-weapon deterrents, depending on specific circumstances. Even if the second Trump administration becomes a reality, he could not change the basic structure of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, or the triangular cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan as per the Camp David Agreements. The same goes for Taiwan. However, U.S. allies would be asked to share defense costs more fairly. Donald Trump thinks the worlds conflicts can be solved through deals, which may not be so far removed from what we traditionally call diplomacy. It would seem wise for the Yoon Suk Yeol government to closely study Trumps characteristics and use them in response to future changes, given that he may return to the White House. It should communicate South Koreas positions regularly to the Trump camp by contacting influential Republican politicians and expert groups through informal lines, as Japan has done with U.S. leaders discreetly in the past. Binary thinking along the lines of Trump re-elected: disaster!" or "Trump defeated: we are saved! is too simplistic and even dangerous. Given his eccentric and unpredictable personality, the growing likelihood of Trumps return to power could be a challenging crisis for South Korea, but the crisis in nature could be an opportunity at the same time. Park Jung-won (park_jungwon@hotmail.com), Ph.D. in law from the London School of Economics (LSE), is a professor of international law at Dankook University. Nava Thakuria Guwahati: As if, it was not enough to malign the image of Professor Muhammad Yunus, the lone Nobel laureate of Bangladesh, by repeated legal harassments from various government agencies, now the pioneer of microfinance and social business has been summoned to appear before the anti-corruption commission on 5 October 2023 against a money laundering case. Five more individuals, attached to Prof Yunus, are also being asked to appear before the commission in Dhaka within two days. They are preparing to follow the procedure, said a source close to Prof Yunus. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who will seek the mandate of 130 million Bangladeshi voters in the forthcoming national elections for her fourth consecutive term in office, was recently urged by more than 175 global leaders including Nobel laureates, elected officials, business & civil society leaders to suspend all legal proceedings against Prof Yunus. It was preceded by another letter, endorsed by 40 global personalities, to Hasina regarding her government's ill treatment of him. Even 34 eminent Bangladeshi nationals also came forward raising voices for Prof Yunus asserting that Hasina continued using hostilities against the most awarded Bangladeshi gentleman and thus she was earning a negative impression for Bangladesh. Recently, the United Nations human rights office also issued a statement supporting Prof Yunus saying that it was worried over smear campaigns against him. It was followed by a statement from Amnesty International, where they asserted that Hasina was 'weaponizing labour laws' to harass and intimidate Prof Yunus. The international body argued that Prof Yunus, being the chairman of Grameen Telecom management authority, has been falsely accused of employment-related violations. He along with three board members (Ashraful Hasan, Nur Jahan Begum and Mohammad Shahjahan) are facing a criminal case under the country's labour laws. "The ongoing trial is just one of more than 150 cases filed against Prof Yunus after the ruling Awami League party came into power in 2008. Amnesty International believes that initiating criminal proceedings against Prof Yunus and his colleagues for issues that belong to the civil and administrative arena is a blatant abuse of labour laws and the justice system and a form of political retaliation for his work and dissent. His case is emblematic of the beleaguered state of human rights in Bangladesh, where the authorities have eroded freedoms and bulldozed critics into submission," said a statement. It is time for the Bangladesh government to put an end to this travesty of justice, said Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, adding that the government's relentless smear campaign against Prof Yunus shows the desperate lengths the current regime is willing to go to set an example through the hounding of an 83-year-old Nobel laureate. Those violating labour rights must undoubtedly be held accountable, however rather than misusing labour laws and criminal justice to harass Prof Yunus, the authorities should focus on combatting extensive threats to labour rights such as unsafe factories which continue to claim the lives of thousands of Bangladeshi workers, she added. The question that arises here is, why Hasina is so aggressive against the global campaigner for a poverty free world. First assumption was that Hasina herself wants recognition (preferably with a Nobel award) for her 'excellent' works since 2008. Lately, the civil society embraces speculation that the combined opposition parties (led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party) may project Prof Yunus as their leader in the forthcoming polls. Needless to mention that Prof Yunus tried to form a political party (Nagarik Shakti) in 2007, but abandoned the idea quickly. However, Hasina and her supporters still assume Prof Yunus as a powerful rival to her political career. So she continues maligning Prof Yunus on every possible occasion. HONOLULU Residents from fire-stricken Lahaina on Tuesday delivered a petition asking Hawaii Gov. Josh Green to delay plans to reopen a portion of West Maui to tourism this weekend, saying the grieving community is not ready to welcome back visitors. The petition signed by 3,517 people from West Maui ZIP codes comes amid a debate over when travelers should return to the region that is home to the historic town of Lahaina, which was destroyed in the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. At least 98 people died in the Aug. 8 blaze and more than a dozen are missing. The first phase of the plan to reopen Maui to tourists begins Sunday, the two-month anniversary of the disaster. Though many residents say they are not ready, others say they need tourism so they can work in hotels and restaurants to earn a living. "We are not mentally nor emotionally ready to welcome and serve our visitors. Not yet," restaurant bartender Pa'ele Kiakona said at a news conference before several dozen people delivered the petition. "Our grief is still fresh and our losses too profound." Tamara Paltin, who represents Lahaina on the Maui County Council, said two months may seem like a long time, but she noted Lahaina residents didn't have reliable cellphone service or internet for the first month after the fire and have been coping with uncertain housing. She said many people, including herself, can't sleep through the night. Paltin urged the governor to decide on when to reopen after consulting residents in an "open and transparent way." Several dozen residents, dressed in red T-shirts, went to Green's koa-wood paneled executive chambers to deliver the signatures in person. Green was not in his office, so his director of constituent services, Bonnelley Pa'uulu, accepted the box on his behalf. Altogether, 14,000 people signed the petition as of midday Tuesday. Green told the Hawaii News Now interview program "Spotlight Now" shortly afterward that he was "utterly sympathetic" to people's suffering. But he said more than 8,000 people lost their jobs due to the fire and getting people back to work is part of recovering. "It's my job as governor to support them, to be thoughtful about all people and to make sure Maui survives, because people will otherwise go bankrupt and have to leave the island, have to move out of Maui," he said. "Local people these are middle-class people that lived in Lahaina will have to leave if they don't have jobs." Maui, famous around the world for its beaches and waterfalls, is among the most tourism-dependent islands in Hawaii. One of two defendants arrested in a suspected July 2022 mass shooting plot in Dogwood Dell has pleaded guilty to a weapons charge. The defendant, Julio Dubon, was charged with felony firearm possession after federal prosecutors said there was not evidence to substantiate the threat of a mass shooting. On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession. Dubon, who awaits sentencing on Jan. 25, could receive up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. During a July 6 news conference, then-Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith said two men were plotting a mass shooting at a Fourth of July celebration in Richmond. Smith later told Erin Burnett of CNN that police were tipped off by a hero citizen, despite lacking corroborating evidence. But despite the national attention over Smith claiming that a mass shooting had been averted, neither of the two men arrested was ever charged in an alleged mass shooting plot. Smith resigned after a two-year tenure amid ongoing controversy over his comments. Dubon was arrested alongside Rolman Balcarcel-Bavagas. Prosecutors alleged that Balcarcel-Bavagas illegally entered the U.S. on three occasions and had been deported twice before. Balcarcel-Bavagas was charged with entering the country illegally, to which he pleaded guilty last year. Dubon, however, was charged with possessing two firearms: a semiautomatic pistol and a semiautomatic rifle. 31 photos from the Times-Dispatch archives The 21-year-old Roulack, who was serving a 13-year sentence at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt for a string of violent crimes, should be considered armed and highly dangerous, said representatives for the U.S. Marshals Service. Half of the reward is being offered by the U.S. Marshals Service, and the other half is being provided by Crime Solvers of Maryland. It is not clear whether the Virginia Department of Corrections, whose custody Roulack escaped, is contributing to the $20,000 reward. The U.S. Marshals Service, FBI and VADOC have all been involved in the investigation of Roulacks Aug. 12 escape from Bon Secours St. Marys Hospital in Henrico County and the subsequent manhunt. VADOC previously was leading those efforts, according to officials. But now that Roulack is believed to have crossed state lines and is a felony suspect in another state, it is not clear which agency is in charge. Asked about VADOCs role in the search, spokesperson Carla Miles referred the Richmond Times-Dispatch to a statement from VADOC Director Chadwick Dotson. Bringing Roulack into custody is our top priority at the VADOC, Dotson said. Miles did not elaborate on VADOCs efforts or clarify whether the department remains in charge of the investigation. The FBI declined to comment on who is leading the search. The U.S. Marshals Service could not be reached for comment. Roulack has proven elusive since his August flight from VADOC custody. Authorities said Roulack was transferred from the Greensville Correctional Center to the hospital on Aug. 12 to receive treatment for an undisclosed reason. At some point that morning under circumstances that are still unclear Roulack simply walked out of the facility. Sources close to the investigation believe Roulack may have feigned a drug overdose in order to be taken to the hospital, where escaping would be easier. They also claimed that the VADOC security officers responsible for monitoring Roulack dozed off after working for more than 24 hours. Miles did not comment on the reason for Roulacks hospitalization, and did not confirm reports that VADOC employees fell asleep on the job. She denied allegations that the security officers had worked more than 24 hours. Roulack was last seen in Virginia on the day of his escape, strolling down Franklin Street with a white cloth over his head. Then he vanished for almost a month, before resurfacing in September as the suspect in an armed automobile theft in Montgomery County, Maryland. Police said that on Sept. 1, Roulack approached a woman as she got out of her car, threatened her with a firearm and forced her into the back seat. After driving a few blocks, Roulack told the woman to get out and left the scene with the vehicle. The U.S. Marshals Service describes Roulack as a 5-foot-6-inch, 160-pound Black man with black hair and brown eyes. He has multiple facial tattoos, including a tattoo on his right cheek that says Cut Throat, a tattoo on his left arm that says RIP ish and a tattoo on his right arm that says Faith is Seeing with Your Heart When All Your Eyes See is Darkness. 15 photos of the Richmond City Jail from The Times-Dispatch archives Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Chief Dyer was one of the first folks that befriended me when I came into office early in my tenure as mayor, Mayor Levar Stoney said in his statement. He had a pulse for what the sentiments were within the ranks of the Fire Department, and I leaned on those insights heavily. He honorably served the city of Richmond for 40 years, with the highest ethical code and an enormous amount of compassion, it continued. His friendship, leadership, and service will never be forgotten. He was salt of the earth, truly one of the good guys. We will miss him very much. A Virginia state troopers criticism of a proposed pay plan led to threats from his fellow troopers to find out who he was and possibly do him harm, according to an internal affairs complaint. The trooper said the threats were instigated by retaliatory comments from a senior commander who was later cleared of wrongdoing. Seeking to get more pay for troopers in areas of the state with higher costs of living in 2020, trooper Brandon Ronquest sent an email to state police human resources with concerns about a proposed pay plan. Several weeks later, in a meeting with a large group of troopers in Richmond, Lt. Col. Kirk Marlowe referred to the concerns and said that if a trooper had complained like that in the past, we would tell people and they would educate him, according to an internal affairs complaint Ronquest would later file. Both Marlowe and another lieutenant colonel, Matthew Hanley, misrepresented Ronquests concerns to other troopers, Ronquest later alleged. That led to Facebook posts in an unofficial, private state trooper group in which posters talked about finding out which trooper had complained, and possibly doing him harm, according to the complaint. One comment asked if he had been taken out back and beaten. The drama started after the state police superintendent sent a memo to the department in January 2020 outlining a proposal that would raise salaries. The email said questions could be sent to the human resources division. Ronquest worked in Norfolk and Virginia Beach and had been with the department for over six years. He said he and a fellow trooper discussed how they thought the pay proposal didnt properly address high cost-of-living issues in certain areas of the state. Ronquest emailed human resources with his thoughts. His email said the department should focus salary increases on Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads because troopers there had a higher cost of living than rural areas of the state, plus a higher workload. Ronquest also said that the proposal would give large raises to executive staff members who already had six-figure salaries. Ronquest, who calculated that his pay would have gone from around $52,000 to $54,000 a year, determined that pay for the deputy superintendent of the state police would jump from $144,337 to $181,224. So while the Department is unable to provide even a modest pay band expansion for Troopers who work high cost of living areas, the Department is able to provide significant raises for those who already bring home six figure salaries, Ronquest, who has a bachelors degree in business, wrote in his email to HR. Ronquests email was poorly received by the departments senior commanders, who feared he could kill legislation in the Virginia General Assembly that was necessary for the plan to move forward if he reached out to state lawmakers. But when his sergeant told him he had been summoned to Richmond for a meeting with them, Ronquest wasnt aware of their reaction. Ronquest drove from Virginia Beach to Richmond on Feb. 7, 2020, to meet with the commanders, including Marlowe and Hanley. Ronquest recalled that Hanley began the meeting by telling him he wasnt there to be chewed out or because he was in trouble. They then complimented his email and joked that perhaps he should have been in charge of helping draft their pay plan. Ronquest said he told them other troopers in his area had similar concerns. The commanders then proceeded to try to convince him that their plan had everyones best interests in mind, he said. Marlowe told him his email turned angry, and when youre angry, you lose your audience, Ronquest said in an interview. Once I realized what was going on, I just went with the flow. Three weeks later, on Feb. 28, 2020, Ronquest was back in Richmond, this time for training in a large room of troopers. Hanley addressed the room. Hanley told the group of about 40 people that a trooper with just six years at the department had complained about the pay proposal and was upset because he was not going to be getting as much as the older guys, according to an internal affairs complaint Ronquest would later file against Hanley. Then Marlowe spoke. Ronquest would later allege in an internal affairs complaint that Marlowe said, We had this angry trooper with 6 years on, writing letters to legislators, who is going to torpedo this bill. That referred to the legislation the state police needed passed in the Virginia General Assembly to fund their plan. (In his email to HR, Ronquest offered to write to legislators if the department took that action first. He hadnt done so.) In the meeting, Marlowe told the troopers that commanders had to find him and shut him up, according to Ronquests internal affairs complaint he later filed against Marlowe. (For this story, Ronquest also provided his handwritten notes from the meeting.) Marlowe then made the comment in the meeting that Ronquest later said he thought was a threat. If this happened in an old In-Service, we would tell people and they would educate him, Marlowe said, according to Ronquests internal affairs complaint. Ronquests handwritten notes nearly match that quote. Asked in an interview for this news story how the other troopers reacted, Ronquest said: The crowd enjoyed that comment, because youve got a high-ranking person threatening an employee. They thought it was funny. Marlowe and Hanley declined to be interviewed for this story or answer certain specific questions sent to them in writing. In an email, Virginia State Police public relations director Corinne Geller said Ronquest was "mischaracterizing" the discussion from the meeting. "No agency leadership made retaliatory or disparaging remarks about Mr. Ronquest," Geller said. "The contents of his letter to leadership were never publicly discussed." 'They take him out back and beat him like the old days?' Comments popped up in a private Facebook group called Troopers Only that had over 600 members. The group was an informal Facebook group with Virginia troopers in it, and not an official Facebook group created by Virginia State Police. Ronquest watched his fellow troopers talk about finding the blue falcon who they thought was jeopardizing their next raise. A blue falcon is law-enforcement slang for an officer who does something against the well-being of other officers. Among the Facebook posts: Word around the water cooler is someone out of D5 took some bad advice and sent a letter to the legislators complaining the pay compression isnt enough and is unfair. Someone needs to find out who it is and clip those wings. (This post was accompanied by an image of a blue falcon.) I think its known who it is it will come out eventually. They take him out back and beat him like the old days? "Wait until Hanley tells y'all about the trooper that complained about our pay compression on Friday when he comes in ... he did(n't) think it was right because he wasn't getting as much as others." You pull that (expletive) up north, let me tell you . your fellow troopers would make your shift a living hell your personal vehicles tires slashed, your locker filled with (expletive), no back up at all .. down here in the south, it just seems like these (expletive) blue falcons seem to fly freely. He is probably reading this thread right now and ready to take screen shots. Some of you blue falcons need to be dragged, taken to the tree line and be (taught) a lesson just remember one thing, someday, somewhere, youll piss off the wrong trooper and that brotherhood we all talk about, will go out the window. Ronquest said he was so shocked he told his supervisor he wanted to file complaints against Marlowe and Hanley. Hanley then sent Ronquest an email. I understand you are upset about LTC Marlowe and I making an inference to your concerns about the compression/compensation plan during in-service, Hanley wrote. Neither of us intended to embarrass you in any way and we were very careful not to use names or even indicate a Division. About two months later, Ronquest faxed complaints about Marlowe and Hanley to the department section that oversees internal affairs. He accused them of mischaracterizing his email to HR during the training meeting and accused them of retaliating against him for the email, resulting in the posts in the Facebook group. Ronquest alleged that Hanley created the false narrative that a younger Trooper was complaining that it was unfair that he would get less than older Troopers. Two internal affairs investigators interviewed Ronquest in June 2020. They defended Marlowe and Hanley, saying Marlowe's comment about how this would be handled at old trainings was just a joke, and noted that Marlowe and Hanley hadnt used Ronquests name in the meeting, Ronquest said. About two months later, the department sent Ronquest a letter telling him the investigation was complete, but no details could be released. Ronquest made a request under the Freedom of Information Act to try to learn more. He paid $251.73 for the records about himself. In them, Ronquest learned that the commanders were so alarmed by his email that they feared he could scuttle their entire pay plan in the legislature that year. Marlowe wrote to Hanley that he could single-handedly "tank our entire effort. He seems angry and misinformed . dangerous combination, Hanley wrote to Marlowe. But some legislative leaders werent interested in the proposal from the start. The state police plan included legislation that would have added $4 to the Virginia vehicle registration fee to create a fund for state police raises. Lawmakers rejected similar ideas in 2016 and 2017. In 2020, around the time the drama between Ronquest and the department was unfolding, a state Senate committee initially killed the bill before reviving it; the state House Appropriations Committee never held a hearing on it. In 2022, lawmakers approved a different plan to provide raises to state troopers within the state budget. And the Troopers Only Facebook group went away. Administrators made posts in 2021 saying the page needed to be removed, and replaced with a new one. A Facebook page administrator wrote: Its coming from I.A. (internal affairs) that we NEED to shut this page down and start a new one without years of trash talking and comments on it ... Apparently attorneys, media, whoever know about this one. Asked if it was correct that the state police Professional Standards Division wanted the Facebook group taken down, Geller, the department spokeswoman, said by email: "That Facebook site had no official affiliation with the Department, so state police had no oversight or involvement in its operation, content, or cessation." Ronquest confronts Marlowe Two years after the internal drama started, in February 2022, Ronquest confronted Marlowe in front of a large roomful of troopers and state police employees. Marlowe and other commanders were there to answer questions. Ronquest asked Marlowe a series of questions, and ultimately asked him about the outcome of Ronquests complaint about him. Marlowe said it was unfounded. Some supervisors would later say that Ronquests questioning of Marlowe was embarrassing and unprofessional. The department initiated an extensive internal affairs investigation into Ronquest, alleging that he tried to undermine Marlowes credibility in a public forum and undermined the confidentiality and credibility of the Virginia State Police disciplinary process. He opted to resign in May 2022 and now works in the private sector. He said in an interview that he resigned before the investigation of him was finished because if the departments willing to say that someone who did something wrong didnt, whats to stop them from saying that someone who didnt do something wrong, did? Three months later, Marlowe was promoted to deputy superintendent the No. 2 position in the Virginia State Police, a job that now pays over $210,000 annually. Patrick Wilson is a reporter for the Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team. Reach him at (804) 649-6061 or pwilson@lee.net. From the Archives: The Virginia state Capitol building Ten years ago, leading members of the General Assembly took an eye-opening tour of the building where they all worked and the public came to watch the legislative process in action. They found a patchwork complex of four buildings, including one so riddled with asbestos that it threatened an immediate shutdown if the hazardous fibers entered the ventilation system. The electrical and air-handling systems were obsolete, and pieces of masonry had been strapped to the building to prevent them from tumbling to the plaza below next to historic Capitol Square in the heart of Virginias seat of government in Richmond. A decade later, the public is about to enter a new General Assembly Building built for the modern legislature, but with the same neoclassical facade that has faced the state Capitol and Capitol Square, both national historic landmarks, for more than a century. The view could not be better. Thats the jewel, House of Delegates Clerk Paul Nardo said this week, gesturing toward the 12-acre square and the 235-year-old Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson. This is a pretty, sparkling bauble, but were trying to keep them together. The new General Assembly Building is part of an ambitious $300 million project that included the restoration of Old City Hall, another National Historic Landmark next door, and construction of a state employee parking garage on the other side of North Ninth Street at East Broad Street. The new assembly building will connect to the parking garage by a tunnel beneath the street and to the Capitol by another tunnel that is scheduled to open on Dec. 31, in time for the next legislative session in January. The tunnel to the Capitol, connecting to the underground extension completed in 2007, is financed through a budget deal that the assembly reached in 2020. The public will celebrate the opening of the new General Assembly Building on Wednesday, but lobbyists, news media and others got a preview in tours this week. This is your new home, Senate Clerk Susan Clarke Schaar told one tour group on Tuesday. Its a modern, working building that will house all 140 members of the General Assembly, committee and subcommittee rooms, the so-called money committees that produce the state budget and the Division of Legislative Services, which writes (and rewrites) the thousands of bills and resolutions that the assembly considers each year. The session that will convene on Jan. 10 will be the first held at the site since 2017, the same year that demolition began on the old building. Since then, the legislature has met for five years in makeshift committee rooms and offices in the Pocahontas Building, part of which will be demolished for the construction of a new building for the Virginia Supreme Court and expanded Court of Appeals between East Main and Bank streets. The new building is designed with public use in mind. It has a constituent center on the first floor for members of the public to charge their phones and get their bearings. A spacious new cafeteria complete with pizza oven faces toward Capitol Square and another dining area along Broad Street on the first floor instead of the cramped dining facility on the sixth floor of the old building. Each of the 14 floors of the new building also includes a lactation station for nursing mothers. The news media have a room on the first floor with 15 cubicles for working press, four clocks and television screens on opposite walls to monitor action on the House and Senate floors, respectively. A House briefing room is nearby for news conferences. The building has eight elevators and, unlike the old building, theyre fast, Nardo said. Two House committee rooms, each seating about 200 people in the audience, sit on the second floor, along with two subcommittee rooms that each seat about 75 people. The largest House committee room holding about 400 people is in the lower level, where the House Appropriations and Senate Finance & Appropriations committees will meet jointly to receive annual budget and revenue presentations from the governor. Senate committee and subcommittee meeting rooms are on the third floor. The money committees and their staffs will have their offices and meeting rooms upstairs the 12th floor for House Appropriations and the 13th for Senate Finance while House and Senate leadership will have their offices on the top floor. The Division of Legislative Services will occupy much of the fourth floor, along with staff of the House and Senate clerks offices, and the Senate will have its briefing room there for news conferences. The 40 senators themselves will have offices on the fifth and sixth floors, while 100 delegates will be housed on floors seven through 11. A long road Its been a long road for the project since the legislative tour in 2013. The new building was supposed to open last fall in time for the assembly session earlier this year, but supply chain snarls delayed the delivery of essential equipment. The move was delayed again this summer after some life safety equipment failed testing and one of the stairwells did not comply with building code requirements. Along the way, the building lost two floors at the insistence of House Republicans, who tried to save money when costs rose after a two-year battle between the assembly and then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe. He had tried to block funding of the project until the assembly agreed to expand Virginias Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. The assembly did not approve Medicaid expansion until 2018, but McAuliffe and the legislature finally agreed in 2016 on a $2.1 billion bond package that included money for the three-part project. In 2015, the Democratic governor had allowed work to proceed on the design, but not construction of a new home for the legislature. If there ever was an essential project, this is an essential project, then-Senate Finance Co-chairman Walter A. Stosch, R-Henrico, said in 2015, the year before he retired. Stosch had refused to enter the basement of Old City Hall during the 2013 tour that had bolstered legislative support for renovating the 1894 landmark and replacing the old General Assembly Building. He said he could smell the mold from the basement, where plastic sheets protected electrical equipment from water seeping into the building. Now, Old City Hall is fully renovated and restored to historic preservation standards for its exterior and soaring atrium. The Division of Capitol Police has occupied the first floor of the building since Sept. 1, with its communications center still to be moved from its old offices in the Washington Building on the other side of Capitol Square. The Division of Legislative Automated Systems, critical to the operation of the assembly, will soon move to the third floor, with other legislative and executive branch agencies to follow. I think the state has done a great job, said Cyane Crump, executive director of Historic Richmond, which holds a conservation easement that ensures a say in the buildings renovation. From my perspective, the overall approach to Old City Hall produced a very high-quality restoration that is universally commended in the community, she said. Crump also praised the states approach to replacing the General Assembly Building, especially preservation of the facade from the old Life Insurance of Virginia Co., which itself paid homage to the neoclassical design of the Capitol, and its visual orientation with Capitol Square. It presents a very unique sense of place, she said. At the same time, Crump said the new building connects directly with the rest of the city along Broad Street across from Richmond City Hall. The building doesnt turn its back on the city, but is part of the city, she said. As for who will actually work in the General Assembly Building next year will remain a mystery until Nov. 7, when all 140 seats are up for election in newly drawn political districts. Then, Nardo said, Susan (Schaar) and I get to reshuffle our decks. PHOTOS: General Assembly Building construction A Virginia company created the lectern that is at the center of scrutiny facing Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. A legislative panel next week will take up a lawmakers request for an audit to review the purchase of the lectern, which was bought in June for $19,029.25 with a state credit card. The Arkansas Republican Party reimbursed the state last month for the wood-paneled and blue lectern, which the state received in August. From my experience, where were at with this particular thing is we need to allow a legislative audit, said Republican Sen. Jimmy Hickey, who requested the audit. Questions about the lectern, its cost, how it was purchased and even whether it existed has dominated political talk in Arkansas in recent weeks. The states largest newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, ran a front-page photo of the lectern last week after Sanders office allowed the paper to view it. Sanders, who served as press secretary for former President Donald Trump, took office in January. The governor has said she welcomes the audit, but has also dismissed the questions surrounding the lecterns purchase. Sanders office has said the reimbursement came from money she had raised for her inauguration. People want to manufacture a controversy where there isnt one, Sanders told reporters. But this is something the states been reimbursed for, and I think there are some people who are always going to be angry and always looking for something to complain about and thats what theyre picking for right now. The lecterns purchase was first uncovered by Matthew Campbell, an attorney and blogger who has sued State Police for withholding records he had requested about Sanders travel and security. Days after Campbell filed his initial suit, Sanders called a special legislative session and proposed broad exemptions to the states open records law. Virginia trooper alleged retaliation by top commanders for speaking out on pay A Virginia state troopers criticism of a proposed pay plan led to threats from his fellow troopers to find out who he was and possibly do him harm. The trooper said the threats were instigated by retaliatory comments from a senior commander who was later cleared of wrongdoing. Tom Mars, an attorney who served as director of the Arkansas State Police under Sanders father, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, has also said he has a client with firsthand knowledge that Sanders office interfered with Campbells open records requests. In a letter he sent to Hickey after the lawmaker requested the audit, Mars said the client wishes to remain anonymous and is willing to give a confidential statement to legislative auditors and allow them to review relevant documents in the clients possession. According to Mars letter, the interference includes the governors office altering an invoice from Beckett Events LLC, the Virginia firm listed as the seller of the lectern. The Arlington-based company did not respond to a request for comment. Alexa Henning, a spokeswoman for Sanders, did not specifically respond to the allegations in Mars letter in a statement that nonetheless dismissed them. This is nothing more than a manufactured controversy by left-wing activists to distract from the bold conservative reforms the governor has signed into law and is effectively implementing in Arkansas, Henning said in a statement. HAMPTON When a mental distress flares up, a hospital emergency room can be a tough place to be: often overcrowded, with lights and sirens flashing and blaring and doctors racing from crisis to crisis. Youngkin plans major expansion of mental health crisis services People in mental health crises often wait in vain for care because mental health beds are unavailable. We want to provide the right help when it is needed, which is right now, Youngkin said Thursday at the formal opening of Riversides new ER, which is attached to its inpatient psychiatric hospital and the health systems facilities for outpatient services. The new emergency room has specialized treatment spaces for children and adults; private rooms; and community areas, equipped with recliners, if those are a more comfortable place to deal with a patients needs. It will be staffed 24 hours a day with behavioral health clinicians, able to help people in a crisis or individuals who may need changes in medication, said Ryan McQueen, director of psychiatric services at the Riverside campus. If talking with a clinician will help, that will be available, too. Theyll get treatment here, case by case, he said. What really struck me is if you just need to come in and talk to someone for a little while, you can get that here, too, Youngkin said. Much of the first phases of Youngkins behavioral health reform focuses on crisis services, with calls for more mobile crisis teams, crisis receiving centers places where police bring individuals who might need to be assessed for urgent mental health care and crisis stabilization units, which focus on short-term acute treatments. This is really a crisis receiving center on steroids, said Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel. Theres nothing else like it. For people trying to deal with the onset of trouble for a family member or friend, If you dont know what else to do, this is a place you can come, Littel said. Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan, who has pushed for expanded behavioral health services for years and who has launched programs to help inmates struggling with mental illnesses and addictions in the city jail, said the Riverside facility addresses an urgent issue of overcrowded hospital ERs in Hampton Roads. When we take people to an ER it can take two or three days to get someone what they need, he said. Thats way too long. The Riverside ER will be a model for facilities in other parts of Virginia, Youngkin said. It also signals a direction for behavioral health changes he wants to see, with expanded services to keep people from spiraling into a crisis, as well as for care after a crisis, he said. Hope will happen here, hope for healing care, compassionate care, professional care, loving care, Youngkin said before cutting a ribbon to formally open the Riverside ER. Hope that comes with the welcome that says its OK. 5 things to know about what's in Virginia's state budget NATURAL RESOURCES PAY RAISES TAX RELIEF By Lee Min-hyung Shin Yoo-yeol, the eldest son of Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, is set to tighten his grip on the groups backbone retail business, in a major generational shift to inject fresh momentum into the firm's struggling retail channels. The younger Shin, 37, is currently serving as a vice president at Lotte Chemical, but no specifics have so far been confirmed as to what roles he will focus on within the group before taking official managerial control. Starting this year, however, he has made more frequent public appearances at the groups key events. In January, the de facto Lotte heir attended the groups leadership meeting for which the chairman and top executives from its key affiliates discussed the group's future management strategy. This marked the first time that the eldest son joined the regular meeting where the Lotte leader urged its executives to focus on toughening Lottes global competitiveness, as part of its top priority to tackle global economic uncertainty. The chairman also displayed his affection to the eldest son in September when Lotte Group held an opening ceremony for Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi in the Vietnamese capital. He made it public that he was considering positioning the son in a key managerial post in Lottes retail business. The son was also seen attending a tape-cutting ceremony along with top executives from Lottes major retail affiliates, including Lotte Department Store and Lotte Shopping. Given his broad global experiences, there stands a possibility that the Lotte heir may focus on spearheading Lottes overseas businesses. He is a Japanese national and is taking on multiple roles within the group. In a year-end reshuffle of executives last year, he was promoted to the vice president of the chemical arm of Lotte. Shin the younger is co-CEO of Lotte Strategic Investment along with his father. He is also working as a leader of Japans Lotte Financial. He started his career at Nomura Securities back in 2008, received an MBA at Columbia University and worked at the securities firms Singapore office until June 2020 when he joined Lotte for management succession. WASHINGTON Russia has long turned to Iranian-made drones to attack Ukraine. Now Ukrainian forces will be using bullets seized from Iran against Russia troops. A U.S. Navy ship seized the 1.1 million rounds from a vessel being used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to arm Houthi rebels in Yemen's civil war in violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution. The 7.62 mm rounds have now been transferred to Ukraine, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday. American part of trio captured in kidnapping of man in Puerto Aventuras Puerto Aventuras, Q.R. Two men and one woman were arrested by elements of the Municipal Solidaridad Police after being accused kidnapping a French man. Late Wednesday, the Seguridad Publica of Solidaridad reported on the Puerto Aventuras arrests. The Municipal Police thwarted a possible deprivation of liberty and detained three subjects, managing to free the possible victim when responding to a request for help when they were patrolling in the area of Ekumal Villa Duendes. Elements of the Preventive Police were approached by a subject who told them that moments before, three people threatened him and forcibly took his companion, so police began a search operation to locate them, managing to reach them several meters ahead, they reported in a brief statement. Taken into custody were Diego N, 39 from Monterrey, Yudith N, 36 from Coahuila and an American man identified as Isaias N, 43. All three were located and secured at the time they were trying to force a person into a property, which they released when they noticed the police presence. They tried to flee but were detained, the police report added. They were subsequently placed at the disposal of the State Attorney Generals Office for the possible commission of the crime of kidnapping. Governor leads commemoration of 202 anniversary of Mexican Navy at Isla Mujeres Isla Mujeres, Q.R. Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama lead the Wednesday commemoration of the 202nd anniversary of the creation of the Mexican Navy. Governor Mara Lezama and Admiral of the General Corps DEM Abraham Eloy Caballero Rosas, Commander of the Ninth Naval Region, led the commemorative ceremony for the 202nd Anniversary of the Creation of the Mexican Navy. At the Ninth Naval Region, Admiral Caballero Rosas read the message that the Secretary of the Navy, Jose Rafael Ojeda Duran, addressed to the sailors of Mexico. We are sailors of good, dedication, commitment and work, who in times of change take on the challenge of transformation. It has been 202 years of directing efforts for the well-being of Mexicans. Our mission is to ensure the peace, security and well-being of our people. Previously, Captain Marco Trejo Cruz made a summary of the creation of the Mexican Navy. Its mission is to use the naval power of the federation for external defense and contribute to internal security at sea, in the air and on land, maintaining the rule of law in marine areas, coasts, rivers, lake areas and port areas of Mexico, maintaining the rule of law, sovereignty, and promoting the development of the country. Governor Mara Lezama, who received the honors of ordinance, recognized the work, the discipline, the spirit of sacrifice that the Mexican Navy makes through people emanating from the people with values and principles instilled to serve Mexico without expecting anything in exchange more than the satisfaction of the duty fulfilled. Mara Lezama recalled that in November 2022, thanks to the disposition of Secretary Ojeda Duran, the Government of Quintana Roo signed an agreement with SEMAR through which the first 50 sailors, out of a total of 200, arrived in Quintana Roo, deployed to reinforce security tasks, joining the elements of state Citizen Security. She highlighted that Quintana Roo is one of the privileged 17 states in the country that has coastlines and the presence of sailors from the Mexican Navy provides security to the population on coasts and ports, as well as in the face of natural phenomena such as against poachers, perpetrators, smugglers, human and drug traffickers and potential enemies who intend to sail our waters to violate the Law and the Rule of Law. Mara Lezama also recognized the institutional support in vacation devices, in territorial surveillance and in special operations to combat crime and preserve order, in conjunction and coordination with other forces of the state, the federation and the municipalities; as well as in containment and collection tasks of sargassum on our coasts and beaches. Today more than ever we recognize the work of our sailors and with their example, we reaffirm the joint commitment by which we seek for Mexico and Quintana Roo to be, both on land and at sea, the hope of a better future for our future generations. Lezama stated. Mexico begins increasing air connectivity with U.S. destinations with recovery of category 1 Mexico City, Mexico The Secretary of Tourism of the Government of Mexico says the country is increasing its air connectivity into the U.S. The increase in flights will be a strong trigger for the arrival of more international tourists to Mexicos different destinations. The Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marques, recognized Mexicos airlines for their recent announcements to increase routes, frequencies and seats, especially to the United States, after Category 1 was recovered. After meetings held with directors of the main national airlines, it was announced that Aeromexico will gradually start 17 new routes from seven destinations in Mexico to nine cities in the United States. Torruco Marques says two of these flights will be from the Felipe Angeles International Airport with destination to McAllen and Dallas-Fort Worth. He noted that Viva Aerobus will launch six new routes from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, to the United States and a couple of days ago, two more routes were announced from Merida to Orlando and Miami. Meanwhile, Volaris contemplates increasing frequencies on its routes between Mexico and the United States, which will favor the flow of passengers between both countries as well as the diversification of the arrival of international tourists to more cities in our country. The increases are the result of recent promotions through Operation Knock on Doors, which were held in the cities of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Washington DC, Dallas, Phoenix, San Francisco and Albuquerque. Last month, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SICT) reported the country was planning to open more than 50 new routes between Mexico and the U.S. ROCKY MOUNT A jury found Terry Eugene Michel, the Ferrum man charged with killing his two dogs, guilty Thursday following a two-day trial. It took a jury less than two hours to find Michel guilty of two counts of felony animal cruelty, one for each dog he shot in the head at close range. Michel, 59, also pleaded no contest to the lesser charge of filing a false police report. The case came down to a key question posed to jurors by defense attorney Aaron Houchens. He asked them to consider whether Michel was experiencing a dissociative event when he killed the two dogs, brought on by depression and ongoing post traumatic stress disorder from his time in the U.S. Army. Ultimately, jurors believed Michel had full control over his actions when he made the decision to kill the two Labrador retrievers, Caleb and Colby, he shared with his wife Rhonda Michel on Feb. 7. He originally claimed in a 911 call that the two dogs were stolen while he was walking them in Waid Park in Rocky Mount. Terry Michel told police the two dogs got away from him while walking in the park and were picked up by two men in a Jeep who drove off with them. This led to a search for several days with flyers and social media posts asking for information. The two dogs were found dead on the side of Carolina Springs Road on Feb. 14, each with an apparent gunshot wound to the back of the head. They were later taken to Virginia Tech for further examination. Investigator Steven McFarling testified Wednesday that he and others began to notice holes in Michels statements about the disappearance of the two dogs and confronted him Feb. 16 during an interview at the Franklin County Sheriffs Office. Approximately 20 minutes of the interview were played for jurors during the trial. In it, Michel can be heard at first denying he shot the dogs, then later admitting it when officers pressed him for the truth. I didnt do it to hurt her, Michel said in the recorded interview when asked if he did it because of his wife. I did it to save my marriage and that is the Gods honest truth. Michel claimed in the video that he loved the two dogs, but they prevented him from doing anything with his wife. He said Rhonda Michel wouldnt let the dogs stay home alone. Michel admitted to investigators he killed the dogs in an open parcel of land off Prillaman Switch Road in Ferrum on Feb. 7. In the video he said Colby was shot first using a 9 mm pistol he owned, then Caleb. He froze, Michel said of Caleb just after shooting Colby. Then I looked over at him and I didnt give him a chance to do anything else and I shot him. Houchens called Sharon Kelley, a professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences at the University of Virginia, to give her analysis of Michels mental state in the moments leading up to and during the killing of the two dogs. She interviewed Michel twice in the time he has been in jail. Kelley said Michel showed signs of depression, confusion, anxiety as well as ongoing PTSD. She said that could have led to him killing the dogs without even knowing it during a dissociative event. The way Mr. Michel described the moments of the offense themselves was fundamentally the experience of dissociation, Kelley said. She went on to say Michel was not in reality the same way a mentally healthy person would be at the moment of the offense. When Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Cliff Hapgood cross- examined Kelley, he pushed her on how a dissociative event that she said lasted only briefly explained Michels actions after the killing. He reported the dogs missing Feb. 7 and on Feb. 14 he recovered the dogs from where they were shot on Prilliman Switch Road and dumped them on Carolina Springs Road where they would be discovered. During closing arguments Thursday, Hapgood made a point of saying Michel was in control of what he was doing. His actions during the time of the shooting and in the days after were deliberate. He knew what he was doing when he pulled that trigger, Hapgood said. The jury ultimately agreed, returning with a guilty verdict shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday. Judge Timothy Allen scheduled a sentencing hearing for Nov. 2. Michel, who is being held without bond at the Western Virginia Regional Jail, faces up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine for each felony conviction. MARION Mr. Pickles had his own Facebook page. Marion Outdoors created and was selling stickers featuring Mr. Pickles The real mayor of Marion, VA. Many diners at downtown eateries outdoor spaces would find Mr. Pickles urging them to share a bit of their food or, if his tummy was full, curled up at their feet. Several travel sites recommended meeting Mr. Pickles when visiting Marion. Mr. Pickles was loved far and wide. However, the dedication and passion of Bob and Rebecca Barlow was extraordinary. They first encountered him in April 2016 as he sat crying and crying at the top of his lungs as he starred through a glass door into a local business. Since then, Rebecca said Saturday, we have been feeding him 365 days a year for seven and a half years. Their mission of love connected them with numerous people. I cannot begin to tell you the smiles that Pickles prompted. He has captured so many hearts. As Rebecca and Bob learned Saturday evening that Mr. Pickles had died, tears of love and devotion poured out. Rebecca acknowledged, The love you just cant put it into words. In the days that Pickles was missing, the community outpouring was fierce. Social media posts were shared widely, and many people were caught up in the search for the feline ambassador. Once news of his death was shared, Downtown Pioneer announced a Monday evening candlelight vigil for Mr. Pickles. As the community grieves this purring ambassador, its a hope that affection for Mr. Pickles can help other abandoned cats and dogs. This Saturday, Oct. 7, the Smyth County Humane Society and Christ Episcopal Church will unite once again to host a Blessing of the Animals service at 10 a.m. on the churchs lawn. As beloved pets receive a blessing, the non-profit humane society also accepts monetary and pet food donations to provide blessings to less fortunate animals in our community. The dedicated non-profits strive to help all the cats and dogs who need it. Mr. Pickles will live on as an ambassador for abandoned, neglected, lost, and surrendered cats and dogs so they too can find their way into our hearts. RICHMOND Ten years ago, leading members of the General Assembly took an eye-opening tour of the building where they all worked and the public came to watch the legislative process in action. They found a patchwork complex of four buildings, including one so riddled with asbestos that it threatened an immediate shutdown if the hazardous fibers entered the ventilation system. The electrical and air-handling systems were obsolete, and pieces of masonry had been strapped to the building to prevent them from tumbling to the plaza below next to historic Capitol Square in the heart of Virginias seat of government in Richmond. A decade later, the public is about to enter a new General Assembly Building built for the modern legislature, but with the same neoclassical facade that has faced the state Capitol and Capitol Square, both national historic landmarks, for more than a century. The view could not be better. Thats the jewel, House of Delegates Clerk Paul Nardo said this week, gesturing toward the 12-acre square and the 235-year-old Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson. This is a pretty, sparkling bauble, but were trying to keep them together. The new General Assembly Building is part of an ambitious $300 million project that included the restoration of Old City Hall, another National Historic Landmark next door, and construction of a state employee parking garage on the other side of North Ninth Street at East Broad Street. The new assembly building will connect to the parking garage by a tunnel beneath the street and to the Capitol by another tunnel that is scheduled to open on Dec. 31, in time for the next legislative session in January. The tunnel to the Capitol, connecting to the underground extension completed in 2007, is financed through a budget deal that the assembly reached in 2020. The public will celebrate the opening of the new General Assembly Building on Wednesday, but lobbyists, news media and others got a preview in tours this week. This is your new home, Senate Clerk Susan Clarke Schaar told one tour group on Tuesday. Its a modern, working building that will house all 140 members of the General Assembly, committee and subcommittee rooms, the so-called money committees that produce the state budget and the Division of Legislative Services, which writes (and rewrites) the thousands of bills and resolutions that the assembly considers each year. The session that will convene on Jan. 10 will be the first held at the site since 2017, the same year that demolition began on the old building. Since then, the legislature has met for five years in makeshift committee rooms and offices in the Pocahontas Building, part of which will be demolished for the construction of a new building for the Virginia Supreme Court and expanded Court of Appeals between East Main and Bank streets. The new building is designed with public use in mind. It has a constituent center on the first floor for members of the public to charge their phones and get their bearings. A spacious new cafeteria complete with pizza oven faces toward Capitol Square and another dining area along Broad Street on the first floor instead of the cramped dining facility on the sixth floor of the old building. Each of the 14 floors of the new building also includes a lactation station for nursing mothers. The news media have a room on the first floor with 15 cubicles for working press, four clocks and television screens on opposite walls to monitor action on the House and Senate floors, respectively. A House briefing room is nearby for news conferences. The building has eight elevators and, unlike the old building, theyre fast, Nardo said. Two House committee rooms, each seating about 200 people in the audience, sit on the second floor, along with two subcommittee rooms that each seat about 75 people. The largest House committee room holding about 400 people is in the lower level, where the House Appropriations and Senate Finance & Appropriations committees will meet jointly to receive annual budget and revenue presentations from the governor. Senate committee and subcommittee meeting rooms are on the third floor. The money committees and their staffs will have their offices and meeting rooms upstairs the 12th floor for House Appropriations and the 13th for Senate Finance while House and Senate leadership will have their offices on the top floor. The Division of Legislative Services will occupy much of the fourth floor, along with staff of the House and Senate clerks offices, and the Senate will have its briefing room there for news conferences. The 40 senators themselves will have offices on the fifth and sixth floors, while 100 delegates will be housed on floors seven through 11. A long road Its been a long road for the project since the legislative tour in 2013. The new building was supposed to open last fall in time for the assembly session earlier this year, but supply chain snarls delayed the delivery of essential equipment. The move was delayed again this summer after some life safety equipment failed testing and one of the stairwells did not comply with building code requirements. Along the way, the building lost two floors at the insistence of House Republicans, who tried to save money when costs rose after a two-year battle between the assembly and then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe. He had tried to block funding of the project until the assembly agreed to expand Virginias Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. The assembly did not approve Medicaid expansion until 2018, but McAuliffe and the legislature finally agreed in 2016 on a $2.1 billion bond package that included money for the three-part project. In 2015, the Democratic governor had allowed work to proceed on the design, but not construction of a new home for the legislature. If there ever was an essential project, this is an essential project, then-Senate Finance Co-chairman Walter A. Stosch, R-Henrico, said in 2015, the year before he retired. Stosch had refused to enter the basement of Old City Hall during the 2013 tour that had bolstered legislative support for renovating the 1894 landmark and replacing the old General Assembly Building. He said he could smell the mold from the basement, where plastic sheets protected electrical equipment from water seeping into the building. Now, Old City Hall is fully renovated and restored to historic preservation standards for its exterior and soaring atrium. The Division of Capitol Police has occupied the first floor of the building since Sept. 1, with its communications center still to be moved from its old offices in the Washington Building on the other side of Capitol Square. The Division of Legislative Automated Systems, critical to the operation of the assembly, will soon move to the third floor, with other legislative and executive branch agencies to follow. I think the state has done a great job, said Cyane Crump, executive director of Historic Richmond, which holds a conservation easement that ensures a say in the buildings renovation. From my perspective, the overall approach to Old City Hall produced a very high-quality restoration that is universally commended in the community, she said. Crump also praised the states approach to replacing the General Assembly Building, especially preservation of the facade from the old Life Insurance of Virginia Co., which itself paid homage to the neoclassical design of the Capitol, and its visual orientation with Capitol Square. It presents a very unique sense of place, she said. At the same time, Crump said the new building connects directly with the rest of the city along Broad Street across from Richmond City Hall. The building doesnt turn its back on the city, but is part of the city, she said. As for who will actually work in the General Assembly Building next year will remain a mystery until Nov. 7, when all 140 seats are up for election in newly drawn political districts. Then, Nardo said, Susan (Schaar) and I get to reshuffle our decks. PHOTOS: General Assembly Building construction Recall Faber College? Many of us of a certain age briefly visited that fictional institution in the late 1970s, when we bought tickets to see the movie, Animal House. Remember John Belushi as Bluto, the alcohol-drenched toga parties, the splattering food fights and fumbling sexual hijinks? It was the funniest movie of 1978. On the surface, Liberty University bears little resemblance to Faber College. For one thing, since 1971, Libertys stated mission has been training champions for Christ. But some recent court papers in a federal lawsuit paint a different picture of the Lynchburg institution. The filing, by deposed Liberty president Jerry Falwell Jr., almost makes it sound as if todays Liberty is being run by Faber grads. The allegations hes making against current and former Liberty officials include sexual harassment, extramarital affairs, alcoholism and self-dealing. A Liberty spokesman last week called the accusations improper and unsupported allegations designed to diminish former colleagues, family, and friends and to discredit the university where he formerly served. The statement also characterized Falwells allegations as personal attacks. Falwell Jr. is the son of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, Libertys founder. Under his father, the UVa Law School grad served as Libertys legal counsel. After the elder Falwells death in 2007, junior succeeded his dad. At that time, Liberty was millions in debt. But under Falwell Jr. the universitys dismal finances made a dramatic turnaround. Liberty expanded into online higher education, and thanks largely to federal student loan and grant programs has reaped billions from it. By 2020, its endowment totaled between $1 billion and $2 billion. The university forced out Falwell Jr. that year, after lurid revelations that his wife, Becki, had had a long-term affair with a male pool attendant the couple met in Miami Beach. The Falwells also shared a business with the young man ownership of a gay-friendly hostel in South Beach. If you recall, that was a god-awful mess of negative publicity for Liberty. At one point, ex-Donald Trump fixer Michael Cohen got involved in trying to bury the scandal. Also swirling around it were allegations Falwell Jr. shared photos of Becki in lingerie with associates, and gossip that involved a handsome young personal trainer at Liberty. For a while, Cohens scandal-hushing efforts succeeded. And then they didnt, and you-know-what hit the fan. Now, Falwell and Liberty are embroiled in three separate lawsuits. In state court, Liberty is suing Falwell for $10 million, arguing the former university president failed to disclose negative personal information (about Becki Falwells affair) while negotiating an employment contract with Liberty. That case was filed in Lynchburg Circuit Court in 2021. Though listed as active in online court records, it appears to have made little headway. The last motion filed occurred in February 2022. In federal court, Falwell Jr. sued Liberty in March for millions in retirement pay he says Liberty agreed to, but later reneged on. And in July, Falwell Jr. sued Liberty a second time for misappropriating his fathers image and profiting off it. The recent allegations against Liberty officials arose in that case, in a Sept. 13 amended complaint filed by Falwell Jr. One of the defendants is his brother, the Rev. Jonathan Falwell. He pastors Thomas Road Baptist Church and serves as university pastor, too. At least until recently, they both served as co-trustees of the Dr. Jerry Falwell Trust, which Falwell Jr. claims owns the rights to his fathers image. On Sept. 27, Liberty filed a motion in federal court to dismiss the case. Among other arguments, it claims Jerry Falwell Jr. was removed as a co-trustee of his fathers trust Sept. 6, a week before Falwell Jr. filed the amended complaint. In that, Falwell Jr. argues that Liberty dismissed him not because he had an extramarital affair, but because his wife did. The filing claims the university retained other leaders after learning of their affairs and it cited several. According to the amended complaint, one of them was a now-deceased former dean of Libertys School of Divinity. And a current member of the Executive Committee has admitted to previously having more than one affair, the complaint claims. 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. In a separate instance the amended complaint cites, Liberty paid a settlement to a former university employee who alleged sex harassment by a former high-ranking Liberty University official. Liberty retained him in that position notwithstanding that a payment had to be made to that employee as a result, the amended complaint states. It also alleges the university has paid more than $1 million in grant-type payments to pet nonprofit projects of Liberty University board members. Also, the university president who succeeded Falwell, Jerry Prevo, wasted Libertys money by flying back and forth to his home in Alaska on the universitys jet at a cost of at least $35,000 per trip, the amended complaint states. The lawsuit suggests that Prevo, a close associate of evangelist Franklin Graham, was working with Graham to take over Liberty by getting rid of Falwell Jr. The complaint also alleged that university officials sought to remove Falwell Jr. even before Beckis affair was revealed, using as a pretext Falwells excess drinking and health issues that resulted. At least two members of [Libertys] Executive Committee drink, one of whom has been to rehab three times, the amended complaint says. Falwell Jr.s health issues turned out unrelated to drinking and the complaint alleges Liberty officials knew that. Rather, Falwell Jr. was diagnosed with a potentially deadly genetic condition that filled his lungs with blood clots. He was hospitalized for that and has since recovered. Falwell Jr. and I talked briefly about the lawsuit last week, and that was the only part he was willing to elaborate on. He now injects medicine daily to prevent clotting, Falwell said, and added that hes back in the gym and feeling a lot better than he did before treatment. His lawyers have cautioned him about commenting further on the case, he said. The universitys statement said: 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. The statement ended: 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. If you recall how Animal House ended, it was suddenly, and during Faber Colleges homecoming parade. The bad-boy fraternity members banned and expelled by Faber administrators snuck a fearsomely armored Deathmobile into the homecoming parade, after the universitys dean reported the frat brothers to the local draft board. The Deathmobile promptly crashed into the review stand where parade-watching administrators were perched. Falwell Jr. is definitely aiming at the administration of Liberty and it is aiming at him. This clash is no less public than the one in Animal House. But its happening in slow motion, rather than as a sudden conflagration. So far, the only evident winners are Virginia lawyers and the billable hours theyre racking up in the legal mess. Stay tuned. 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. Dustin Olson is managing partner of American Pulse Research & Polling and the founder of the political consulting firm Olson Strategies & Advertising. A seasoned strategist, he also hosts the top-rated Political Trade Secrets podcast. Kia, Volkswagen Group Korea and two other carmakers will recall nearly 8,000 vehicles due to faulty components, the transport ministry said Thursday. The four companies, including Stellantis Korea and EVion, are voluntarily recalling a total of 7,913 units of five different models, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said in a statement. The problems that prompted the recall include a possible fire in the battery system in Kia's Soul EV, a faulty safety belt system in Stellantis' Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, and a faulty fuel supply connector system in EVion's electric bus, the statement said. Stellantis -- a 50:50 joint venture between U.S. carmaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and French automaker PSA Group -- sells Jeep, Peugeot and DS brand models in Korea. DS was initially introduced as a luxury sub brand of Citroen and became a stand-alone brand later. Vehicle owners can check the government's homepage at www.car.go.kr or call 080-357-2500 to see if their vehicles are subject to the recall, the ministry said. (Yonhap) I dont know much about timing the market or complex chart patterns. But I know about brokerage fees. As a long-term, buy-and-hold type investor, I only focus on 2 things: Time in the market Minimising my trading expenses Time in the market is easy. I use a simple Bogleheads-type investment strategy, where I purchase ETFs (a basket of stocks, like the S&P 500) and hold on to them for years. Minimising trading expenses, on the other hand, is a different story. Trading expenses will eat you alive According to Business Insider, the average annual return on the S&P 500 over the last 10 years is about 12.39%*. If you invested S$20,000, in 2013, you would have made S$2,478. Heres a hypothetical scenario where we minus various kinds of broker fees from your earnings: Projected earnings S$2,478 Inactivity fee S$25 Withdrawal fee S$15 Settlement fee S$70 Commission fee S$100 Total trading expenses S$210 Overall earnings S$2,268 (- 8.5%) With fees like this, youll end up losing 8.5% of your earnings. Of course, this is a worst-case scenario, but it shows how devastating brokerage fees can be to your bottom line. The state of brokerages today So, the answer is simpleuse a low-fee broker. Right? After all, every broker today seems to offer no settlement fees, no custody fees, and no platform fees. Wait. Let me read that again. Its actually: No settlement fees*, no custody fees*, and no platform fees*. *Terms and conditions apply As someone who has had numerous surprise fees show up on my trading statement (such as, maintenance fee, administrative fee, etc.), I am sceptical whenever I see asterisks. Thats one of the reasons why Ive switched brokers 3 times over the past 4 years, all in search of a broker that simply delivers on their promise. With CMC InvestI think Ive found it. Finally, a broker that doesnt hide behind asterisks Head to the CMC Invest website, and all the information you need is listed front and centre. Terms and conditions for key features and promotions are listed upfront, not hidden behind asterisks. Story continues Their offering is clear and simple: No hidden or unexpected fees. No platform fees. No settlement fees. No custody fees. No inactivity fees. Period. Without extra fees hindering my trades, my investments have more room to grow and compound. As a long-term investor, an extra 1-8% of fees saved each year can go a long way. An interview with the chief I had the pleasure of interviewing Christopher Forbes, Head of CMC Invest (Singapore). My mission: to investigate if CMC Invest is truly the real deal. Disclaimer: This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. Hey Chris, thanks for speaking to me. So, zero platform, inactivity, settlement, or custody fees. Thats a pretty bold offering. Is that for real? 100%. We want our clients to invest for the long-term and save for the future. Hidden costs are a big deterrent. Imagine carrying a bucket of water with a small hole in therethats what hidden fees do over time. As someone whos paid those unexpected fees, I totally agree. But if you slash those fees, how does CMC Invest make money? Well, we have two main ways of making money. The first is a monthly subscription to Platinum and Diamond tiers (the gold is completely free and where most investors will begin their journey). The second is through charging an FX spread of 40 basis points (0.4%) on the Diamond tier over interbank rateswhich is one of the lowest in the market. Yes, FX spreads can really eat up profits, and 0.4% is about as good as it gets. Currently, I mainly trade the US and Euro markets. Can I access them on CMC Invest? Sure, you can. We offer 15 markets, primarily Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, the US, Canada, and most of Europe. Were adding Australia in December this year. The CMC Markets group actually has a seat on the ASX exchange as a market participant, so were excited to offer this market soon. That sounds great. With such a global reach, do I have to worry about customer service? What if theres a hiccup with a trade and I need help urgently? Theres no need to worry. Our Singapore Office has a dedicated team of Client Services professionals just for traders like you. We offer 24/5 coverage over email, chat, or call, and youll speak to an onshore Singapore representative. If youre keen on opening an account, and youre new to CMC Invest, dont miss the latest welcome offer Get 1 free share when you meet the funding and trading requirements: Tier 1 Tesla Inc Fund a net deposit of S$10k Make min. 3 trades of S$3k each Tier 2 iShares Robotics and AI ETF Fund a net deposit of S$3k Make min. 2 trades Tier 3 iShares Global Clean Energy ETF Fund a net deposit of S$1k Make min. 2 trades On top of that, enjoy the following benefits when you open an account: Live US market data 2 commission-free monthly trades in SG 5 commission-free monthly trades in US, UK, HK and CA Zero trading and transaction tax for HK stocks Learn more about their welcome promotion and get started with CMC Invest today. 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CMC Invest provides an execution-only service only. All forms of trading and investments carry risks and may not suit everyone. Losses can exceed initial investment so do ensure you have regard to your own personal needs, financial circumstances and risk tolerance, and understand the risks involved prior to dealing in any investment products. Where in doubt, seek independent professional financial advice. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This post was written in collaboration with CMC Markets. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence. You can view our Editorial Guidelines here. The post No Platform, Inactivity, Settlement, or Custody feesIs This The Brokerage Weve All Been Waiting For? appeared first on the MoneySmart blog. MoneySmart.sg helps you maximize your money. Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest news and articles. Compare and shop for the best deals on Loans, Insurance and Credit Cards on our site now! The post No Platform, Inactivity, Settlement, or Custody feesIs This The Brokerage Weve All Been Waiting For? appeared first on MoneySmart Blog. Original article: No Platform, Inactivity, Settlement, or Custody feesIs This The Brokerage Weve All Been Waiting For?. 2009-2018 Catapult Ventures Pte Ltd. All rights reserved. On Tuesday (October 3), Second Minister for Finance and National Development, Indranee Rajah, announced the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to enhance Singapore's anti-money laundering efforts in Parliament.(PHOTO: MCI YouTube/Screengrab) (MCI/Screengrab) SINGAPORE Singapore has taken a significant step in the fight against money laundering, with the government announcing plans to set up a new inter-ministerial committee in Parliament on Tuesday (3 October). The move, aimed at enhancing the nation's anti-money laundering framework, follows a recent billion-dollar money laundering case. Here are the five key highlights from this week's Parliament sitting, which centred on addressing the issue of money laundering and other matters: 1. Formation of a new inter-ministerial committee In her ministerial statement on Tuesday, Indranee Rajah, the Second Minister for Finance and National Development, unveiled the government's plan to form an inter-ministerial committee dedicated to reviewing and strengthening Singapore's anti-money laundering regime. She will chair this committee, which will consist of political office holders from various governmental bodies, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), as well as the ministries of Home Affairs, Law, Manpower, and Trade and Industry. The committee will concentrate on four key areas: Preventing corporate structures from being abused by money launderers; Investigating ways for financial institutions to bolster their controls and improve collaboration, particularly to guard against and report suspicious transactions; Examining the roles of other key players in the system - including corporate service providers, real estate agents, and precious stones and metals dealers - in contributing to the fight against money laundering risks; Centralising and strengthening the capabilities of government agencies to enhance their ability to detect and respond to suspicious activities effectively. The decision to establish this committee arose from a recent high-profile money laundering case involving arrests in August. The case, one of the largest in Singapore's history, saw law enforcement raiding multiple properties, including prestigious Good Class Bungalows and condominiums, leading to the seizure of assets now valued at over $2.8 billion. Story continues The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has executed one of its largest anti-money laundering operations, resulting in the apprehension of a group of foreigners who amassed approximately $1 billion worth of assets within the country. (PHOTO: SPF) (SPF) 2. Singapore's large-scale money laundering case During her ministerial statement on Tuesday, Second Minister for Home Affairs, Josephine Teo, characterised this case as not only one of the most substantial anti-money laundering operations in Singapore but quite possibly on a global scale. She addressed roughly 60 parliamentary questions related to the case. She revealed that authorities began noticing signs of trouble back in 2021, primarily in the use of potentially forged documents to justify the sources of funds in bank accounts. To avoid tipping off suspected money launderers, initial investigations involved only a small group of police officers. After a comprehensive investigation in 2022, the police uncovered a complex network of individuals allegedly transferring money to Singapore from abroad, believed to be proceeds from criminal activities. Some of these individuals have familial connections. Teo emphasised the seriousness of the matter, stating, We will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action against people who would use Singapore as a haven to launder proceeds of crime. We will deal with them and their ill-gotten gains to the fullest extent of our laws. Second Minister for Home Affairs, Josephine Teo, addressing 60 parliamentary questions during her ministerial statement on Tuesday (3 October). (PHOTO: MCI YouTube/Screengrab) (MCI/Screengrab) 3. Singapore to review tax incentives for single family offices Singapore is set to review its internal incentive administration process for single family offices (SFOs) applying for tax incentives in the country, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan. This decision comes in response to potential links between accused individuals in Singapore's largest money-laundering investigation and SFOs that had been awarded tax incentives. At the time of application for the tax incentives, there were no significant adverse findings or information related to the individuals and entities involved, according to Tan's ministerial statement. To address this concern, MAS will conduct an internal review of its incentive administration process, and will tighten them where necessary. Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan, unveils plans to review its internal incentive administration process for Single Family Offices applying for tax incentives. (PHOTO: MCI/Screengrab) (MCI/Screengrab) 4. Surge in vaping offences in schools Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman disclosed that students' vaping offences have significantly increased. In 2022, about 800 students from schools and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) were caught vaping and subsequently referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Before 2020, the number of students from schools and IHLs referred to HSA for vaping offences was fewer than 50. Dr Maliki highlighted that vaping is likely an under-detected problem among students. The Ministry of Education (MOE), HSA, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) have expressed concern about vaping, not just among students but also in the wider community. The education ministry is working with these government bodies to enhance detection, enforcement and educational efforts to combat this trend. "Besides enforcement checks, our schools and IHLs have stepped up preventive education to convey the harmful effects of vaping on one's health," Dr Maliki said. "We seek the cooperation of families and the wider community to reinforce these messages strongly to stem this worrying trend." Vaping is illegal in Singapore, with penalties including fines of up to $2,000. Importing, distributing, or selling vaping products is also against the law, with repeat offenders facing harsher penalties. A man holds vape cigarette on his hand in London, England on August 08, 2023. (PHOTO: Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) 5. Use of Lee Kuan Yew's image on Yeo's commemorative drink packets 'respectful' Parliament also addressed the use of Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's image on a drink packet. Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan said that Yeo's had consulted his ministry to ensure compliance with guidelines regarding the use of Lee's name and image. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) guidelines stipulate that such use should not serve commercial or publicity purposes or suggest official endorsement. In this case, MCCY assessed that the use of Lee's image was "respectful", aiming to highlight his contribution to Singapore's transformation into a green city. Yeo's clarified that the commemorative packet drinks were distributed for free and not sold, Tan added. Minister of State for Culture, Community, and Youth, Alvin Tan, confirms Yeo's consultation with MCCY to ensure compliance with guidelines on the use of Lee's name and image. (PHOTO: Yahoo Southeast Asia) (Yahoo Southeast Asia) 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. Typhoon Koinu brought one of the most formidable wind gusts ever recorded in Taiwan and injured more than 190 people as it swept through the southern tip of the country. Local authorities said that power outages affected more than 170,000 households. Typhoon Koinu brought gusts of up to 342.7kph when it crossed Taiwans outer Lanyu (Orchid) island on Wednesday night, local reports said. Named after the Japanese word for puppy, Koinu struck the Hengchun peninsula in Taiwans southernmost region as a formidable category four typhoon. Fire services reported that 190 people were injured, primarily in cities along the west coast, such as Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. While Taiwan is situated in an area prone to tropical cyclones, Typhoon Koinu marks only the second such storm to make landfall in the past four years. The previous one Typhoon Haikui struck the island in early September, causing injuries to dozens of people. Koinu led to the closure of schools and offices in many parts of Taiwan, with the exception of the capital city, Taipei, which continued its normal operations. Local media reported that ferry services and domestic flights were either suspended or cancelled as a precautionary measure. By noon on Thursday, over 200 flights were cancelled. Typhoon Koinu is expected to weaken as it tracked westward, heading towards Chinas southeastern coastline and eventually diminishing into a tropical storm. There is a widely shared consensus among scientists that climate change is contributing to the intensification of tropical cyclones and increasing the likelihood of major storms. Meanwhile, local media said that among the 190 injured were seven motorists and scooter riders in Chiayi County who crashed into fallen trees, were hit by toppled trees, or fell while riding their scooters due to strong winds. Two individuals were still hospitalised for head and shoulder injuries as of Thursday morning, it was reported. SIOUX CITY -- Sioux City police responded to a disturbance Wednesday afternoon at a west side Casey's, marking the second such incident to occur at the convenience store this week. According to the Sioux City Police Department's log, officers were called to a fight in the 1700 block of Casselman St. at 3:06 p.m. Community Policing Sgt. Tom Gill said the fight between five girls, who are students at West High School, was "totally unrelated" to Monday's disturbance at Casey's, 1727 Casselman St., which court documents indicated involved at least a dozen people. "Apparently they got into it earlier on in the day, but it wasn't a big thing," Gill said of the girls. "And, then, after school, they all met up at the Casey's, which seems to be the meet-up spot for fights, and they started fighting. There was five of them. They were all charged with disorderly fighting." Gill told The Journal that Monday's incident, during which an officer tased a man, stemmed from a fight that took place at Walmart on Floyd Boulevard on Friday. Five people were arrested at the scene at Casey's. The number of people arrested grew again on Wednesday, when police announced 19 additional arrests. "A bunch of parents showed up at the police station wanting to know what was going on with their kid," Gill said. "A couple of the parents that showed up today were also involved in that fight on Monday, so they were arrested right from the police station." Gill said the manager of the Casey's on Casselman Street is looking into hiring off-duty officers to provide security after school. "They used to have off-duty officers there because that used to be a real problem spot for thefts," he said. "I don't know why they quit doing it." Monday melee According to documents filed in Woodbury County District Court, law enforcement had information that a group was planning to meet another group Monday after school to fight. At 2:12 p.m. Monday, officers responded to "a large fight involving weapons" in the parking lot at Casey's. Upon arrival, they discovered that an 18-year-old had been stabbed multiple times. The victim was taken to a Sioux City hospital for treatment of "non-life-threatening" injuries. Gill said the victim was released from the hospital, but a suspect had not yet been arrested and charged in the stabbing. Court documents stated over 11 people had been involved in the initial fight. Then, while officers were on scene investigating, multiple people, at least five, began to try to fight one person, according to the documents. K Three J. Joseph, 41, of Sioux City, was allegedly involved in the fights and tased by an officer. Officers told Joseph to stop chasing after a male party, but he continued to do so. "The defendant failed to obey officers commands and was tased. The (defendant) continued to try to roll out of control, grabbed the taser and attempted to remove it from the affiant," the documents stated. Joseph was charged with participating in a riot and disarming a police officer, both class D felonies, and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor. Micky Machuo, 31, of Sioux City, was charged with participating in a riot and going armed with intent, both class D felonies, and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor. "Defendant was involved in the fights observed by officers. Defendant was observed picking up a bat and chasing after victim," the documents stated. Jesipena Wasan, 22, was arrested the day of the incident and charged with participating in riot, while two juvenile females were charged with assault on a police officer, interference with official acts and felony rioting. After further investigation, police made more arrests. Twelve of the additional individuals arrested are juveniles and seven are adults. Kemson Lukas, 18; Mempy Wasan, 42; Karinta Wasan, 40; Nelly Retilifi, 43; Redson Retilifi, 42; Jelena Aritos, 18; and Kinda Simina, 18, all of Sioux City, have been charged with participating in a riot in connection with the incident. DES MOINES Iowa U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst doubled down on a request for information from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons regarding reports of sexual misconduct at a troubled federal prison in Illinois, near the Iowa border. On Tuesday, Ernst sent a letter to Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters asking how the agency responded to and disciplined instances of sexual harassment against staff that were reported at U.S. Penitentiary Thomson in Thomson, Illinois. Ernst first sent a letter in December 2022 with similar questions, and in the new letter said the agency's initial response was not adequate. Im standing up for current and former USP Thomson staff who had to endure an unconscionable workplace environment, Ernst said in a written statement. I am dismayed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons slow response to this situation and apparent lack of corrective action, and I will continue pushing the agency to take this seriously on behalf of BOP employees across the country. The Thomson prison closed its high-security special detention unit in February and began operating as a low-security facility. The bureau said at the time it had "identified significant concerns with respect to institutional culture and compliance with BOP policies." In August, it became a permanent low-security prison and named a new warden. In 2022, Thomson employees, many of whom live in Iowa, complained of rampant sexual assault and misconduct taking place at the then-high-security prison. The union representing the employees said there were more than 275 reported incidents in 2022 and more than 500 in 2021. The incidents included inmates exposing themselves and masturbating in front of employees, as well as threats of sexual violence. The prison reported 125 staff left in 2022, according to Ernst's letter. The prison has also been plagued by allegations of abuse on inmates by staff. Prison guards were accused of overuse of solitary confinement, abusive use of restraints and racism, according to a July report from the the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights. That report also alleged staff sexually assaulted inmates on multiple occasions. In a written statement provided by Ernst's staff, the president of the union that represents employees at Thomson said the federal government must address the sexual assaults toward staff. "The Federal Bureau of Prisons neglected its staff at USP Thomson, and many staff are still suffering trauma from the sexual attacks," said Jon Zumkehr, American Federation of Government Employees Local 4070 president. "The sexual attack on staff is a widespread problem, it should not be normalized as part of the job. The BOP must protect the staff, and they have failed." Ernst asks for discipline information In the letter, Ernst asked the bureau to provide its plan to address the incidents of inmate sexual assault that occurred at the Thomson prison and how inmates will be held accountable. She also asked whether the agency is following its policy requiring a multi-disciplinary hearing for violations of rules against sexual misconduct by inmates. She asked that the agency explain when a sexual misconduct offense rises to the level of prosecutorial punishment and how many code violations and prosecutorial referrals were made by UPS Thomson in 2022 and 2023. In response to Ernst's December letter with similar questions, a Bureau of Prisons Official noted the change in security at Thomson and said no sexual harassment allegations have been made since that change. "Whenever there are instances of misconduct, employees are able to report such conduct for appropriate action," the agency said in the letter, which was dated July 5, 2023. "Additionally, employees who report having been subjected to acts of sexual misconduct are provided with information about the Bureau's Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling resources and, confidential, on-demand support to employees with personal or professional problems." In her new letter, Ernst said the bureau's initial response was "frankly, unhelpful, as it did not answer any of my questions." A Bureau of Prisons spokesperson declined to comment, saying the agency responds directly to members of Congress. "Out of respect and deference to Members, we do not share our Congressional correspondence with media," said spokesperson Randilee Giamusso. Kevin McCarthys ouster as speaker of the House was quick and chaoticbut it had been a long time coming. Ben Jacobs dissects the devils bargain McCarthy made, and what it means for whoever takes up the speakers gavel next. This might leave you with questions! Like: Who will be the next speaker, and who is in charge in the meantime? Ben Mathis-Lilley takes a look at the contenders in the upcoming speakers race, and the mess theyre going to inherit. And Shirin Ali gives us a quick introduction to the interim speaker, Patrick McHenry, who was quick to boot Nancy Pelosi out of her office space. Yes, thats right Congress is in its eviction era Advertisement Advertisement And Luke Winkie, for one, is loving every salty moment. (Admit it, the pettiness is kind of entertaining). Bye-bye barrier A bold challenge to Chinese aggression in the contested South China Sea seems to have been successful? Fred Kaplan examines what it could mean. Crypto prom The first day of the FTX trial brought a hodgepodge of crypto influencers, obsessives, skeptics, and more to court, Nitish Pahwa writes. It gave us a preview of the media circus to comeand clues about who will testify against Sam Bankman-Fried. (Stay tuned for more dispatches from the trial!) Advertisement Plus: In case you need a refresher, Heather Tal Murphy walks us through what exactly Bankman-Fried has been charged with. Its brutal out here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Courts liberals are already fed up with this term! Jay Willis explains why, and what it means for the months ahead. And LaDoris Hazzard Cordell breaks down how the courts right flank is trying to dismantle the rights of criminal defendants. A blow to Trumps brand Trump is under a gag order now regarding his New York fraud case. Cant take him anywhere! Norman L. Eisen examines how the case strikes a powerful blow to Trump where it hurts him most. Going after the garbage internet The feds are going after Amazon and Googles powerin part for making the web a worse place to be for all the rest of us. Scott Nover takes a look at the larger sickness behind these two seismic antitrust cases. Today, Slate is * FILLING 9,999,999 PLASTIC BAGS WITH AIR because thats about as nonsensical as the workings of FTXs balance sheet. Thanks so much for reading, and well see you tomorrow. In June 2020, back when we were all marching the streets in masks and it felt like the world was ending, an anonymous Wikipedia editor started an article called Thirst trap. With six sections and 32 sources, it treated the thirst trap with all the seriousness and thoroughness with which Wikipedia approaches the Battle of Dunkirk, stolen moon rocks, and the list of stuffed dishes. Thirst traps creator, an anonymous Wikipedian with the username LittleT889, even included a methodology section. LittleT889, Wikipedias thirst trapper in chief, reveals almost no personal information about himself, and his Wikipedia contributions are so wide-ranging that its hard to deduce what hes like. Since he registered a Wikipedia account in 2006, he has created 140 articles: many about Korean parks and unusual desserts (ice-cream potato and bologna cake). But hes also dipped his toe into music (Bachs), animals (the giant mottled eel), medicine (Dyserythropoiesis), and slang (ratchet). The range! Hes anonymous, but Ive seen his corporeal form with my own two eyes. Perhaps you have, too. He included a photo of himself in the thirst-trap articlea fittingly thirsty move that I cannot help but respect. The shot is a run-of-the-mill Tinderesque snap: abs flex in the foreground; toilet paper hangs in the background; a black-and-white filter gives the shot an aura of noir mystique. But its got a bigger audience than the average thirst trapits been viewed almost a million times. Advertisement Advertisement He does more than just thirst trap. He adds photos of himself to all sorts of encyclopedically relevant topics, like water bottle flipping, Nae Nae, and my favorite, the Floss (dance) article, where he wears sunglasses indoors and furiously shakes his hips in front of three guitars and a bongo drum. During that halcyon summer of 2010 when millennials wore neon outfits to sweaty nightclubs and sang teach me how to Dougie, teach me, teach me how to Dougie, LittleT889 answered the call with a Dougie articlecomplete with a looping demonstration. Advertisement His image is all over the webhes the internets freely licensed prototype of the Running Man dancebut hes utterly anonymous: his face obscured, his name hidden. He told me on a talk page that besides a few close friends (one of whom helped him film the Naruto Run), no one in his life knows about his Wikipedia edits. Hes one of Wikipedias famous models youve never heard of. Advertisement On Wikipedia, anyone can be a model. You dont have to be a nepo baby with Elastigirl legs and freakish cheekbones. You dont need to endure exigent auditions or get scouted in a Midwestern mall. The pictures in encyclopedias are purposefully ordinary, like stock photos, but crucially different in that theyre freely licensed and homemade by pretty much anyone who is willingno application process, few standards, and no style points. And even though Wikimedia Commons hosts more than 100 million pieces of media, it has some stunning gaps. Theres a big list of requested images, and some of the items are shockingly quotidian, like half-up hairstyle, businesswomen shaking hands, and tripping (go ahead, fall on your face for the sake of free knowledge). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since almost anyone is allowed to join the august craft of gesture photography, the sites photos have an unvarnished feel and an unmistakably human charm. Theyre set in beige basements and in cluttered dorm rooms, taken with the trusty family point-and-shoot or a handy smartphone. Theyre quirky and human and sometimes drenched in way too much indoor flash. Its immediately obvious that Wikipedias models are real people, not actors. The couple from the High Five article ended up getting married to each other, and last year they re-created the photos with their kids. The guy in the Shrug article, who was inexplicably wearing a tiara, has hordes of shruggy fans. If you zoom in on the background of the photo for Zolgokh, a traditional Mongolian greeting, you can make out an overflowing hamper and a massive container of cheese balls (it was taken in a dorm room, I learned). And the duo who grinded the night away on a Pittsburgh-area bar crawl were the king and queen of the Wikipedia article Grinding for many years (they also made it onto a BuzzFeed list called 36 White People Who Need To Be Stopped). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wikipedia has no shortage of drunken Nikon Coolpix snaps from the Bush years. The photo of Wheelbarrow Race is full of motion-blur and raindrops, and the two guys in focus are outfitted in cheeky headwear (a captains hat and a cap that says CIA: Christians in Action). Their mouths are open so wide you can spot a uvula. We had one of the best weekends you could have in 2007 in NYC, the wheelbarrow racers told me in an email. The duo, college pals Moss Levenson and Ryan Kroll, had planned to finish a perfect May weekend with a kickball game, but when rain flooded the field, they started playing around like kids. Mosss wife snapped the wheelbarrow flick on a cheap digicam, and since they couldnt stop going on about how their weekend had been the definition of fun, Moss put it in the Wikipedia article for Recreation. Another editor moved the blurry shot to the article Wheelbarrow Race, where it lives on in all its frenzied, bokeh-heavy glory. Its not a good photo by artistic standards, or even encyclopedic standards (its blurry and bizarre) but I cant shake the wabi-sabi affection I have for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wikipedia gets a lot of flak for its abysmal photos, especially its mid-sneeze celebrities. But Ive always found the unvarnished images both endearing and inviting. Wikipedias volunteers, usually sequestered in the mothy recesses of talk pages and admin noticeboards, remain invisible to most readers. Their occasional appearances in prosaic photos are the most visual hint that Wikipedia was not handed down from the heavens or generated by an all-knowing machine, but handmade with care by real, fleshy humans. The photos are like a whisper to Wikipedias hundreds of millions of daily viewers: Wikipedia editorstheyre just like us! Advertisement A Farsi-speaking Wikipedia editor has added four photos of the inside of their mouth. An unidentified man has uploaded hundreds of photos of his own eyelashes, along with fawning captions (long, lush, coveted as a sign of beauty, and an attractive facial feature in many cultures) that suggest at least a twinge of vanity. A 20-year-old Russian university student named Rasim Ringazov told me that he once he took a picture of his eye so astonishingly beautiful that an Instagram post wasnt enoughhe needed to put it on Wikipedia, where it remains today, winning staring contests with all who visit the Eye article. When a retired biology teacher in Germany realized that Wikipedia had no good photos of female fingers, she uploaded a snap of her own hand to Wikimedia Commons, and her well-trimmed digits greet the Wikipedia readers who decide, for some reason, to read up on fingers. I have photographed a lot of my private stuff and uploaded it when I saw a need, she told me in an email, which also included a link to the public domain plaster cast of her teeth. Like Renaissance artists who sneak self-portraits into their paintings, editors leave behind traces of their own likenesses. Advertisement Photos are not just dingy amateur snaps, of course. Wikimedia Commons editors import media from museums and governments and old, public domain books. Skilled photographers upload sublime shots of everything from mollusks to molecular origami, and a small portion of them receive the coveted featured picture distinction, awarded by a ragtag jury of volunteer encyclopedists. Because of Wikipedias massive reach, a few of the sites most diligent and talented photo contributors have spun their hobbies into bona fide careers. In 2015, the National Journal magazine pronounced college student Gage Skidmore the most prolific photographer youve never heard of. Advertisement Annual drives for images about Africa, monuments, and living heritage attempt to fill the sites stunning image gaps (it has long struggled to diversify its overwhelmingly white, male, Western base of contributors). And plenty of less prominent photo contests exist, too, including a tongue-in-cheek Unreasonably Difficult Photo Contest that calls for pics of the probably extinct Pezoporus occidentalis, the undiscovered tomb of Genghis Khan, and other near-impossible subjects. Advertisement Im not here to proselytize, but if you have a hankering to join in on the photo fun, tools like Wikishootme show you nearby landmarks that need photos. You can submit to Wikimedia Commons monthly photo challenge, which is currently themed Beach. (Last month was Millet.) Before you go willy-nilly, Ill warn you to not replace good images for the sake of self-promotion, and definitely dont upload your dick pics (there areI cannot stress this enoughenough!). But if youre willing to follow the rules and enrich public domain photography, you can start with some easy and low-stakes gifs for thumb-twiddling and cannonballing. Perhaps you can enrich the article Tortilla Art, or, if you dare, the photo-less article Eating Mucus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wikipedia is the greatest collection of knowledge the world has ever had, and Wikimedia Commons gives it color with 100 million free-to-use media files, everything from caterpillars to thirst traps to a full-length 1915 porno. But its not complete, and itll never be complete, and maybe it needs you. Thirst-trap archivist LittleT889 says the shirtless mirror selfie and dance videos are motivated by the noble goal of furthering free knowledge. I feel like I am making a (very) small contribution to humanity when I edit Wikipedia, he told me on a talk page. Long after Im gone, I might still be dancing the Nae Nae in that gif. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. MotoGP elite class motorcycle team Repsol Honda announced the resounding news. After eleven years of ups and downs, the Japanese team broke off cooperation with six-time champion Marc Marquez. The Spaniard will race the last six races of the season on Honda, after which he will most likely join Ducatis Gresini Racing team. Honda and Marc Marquez they had an agreement to cooperate for one more season, but they mutually decided to terminate the cooperation early, which lasted for 11 years. Both sides have agreed that it is in their best interests for each to take a different path in the future to best achieve their goals, among other things, Honda wrote in an official message. To view content from social networks, enable social network cookies. Enable cookies At the 2013 Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Marquez took his first win in the elite class aboard a Honda RC213V, becoming the youngest winner in the class and later that year the youngest world champion in the motoGP class. He defended his title in 2014, winning the opening 10 consecutive races of the year, and also won titles in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Marc Marquez PHOTO: AP The termination of cooperation was also confirmed by Marquez himself on social networks: Thank you for this wonderful journey! 11 years together. We shared unforgettable moments: 6 world championships, 5 triple crowns, 59 victories, 101 podiums and 64 falls. Hard work, determination and the bond we built over the years. Laughter, tears, joy, difficult moments, but most importantly: a unique and unrepeatable relationship. Separated, but always together! To view content from social networks, enable social network cookies. Enable cookies In business, trust and credibility are not just assets but the currency that fuels meaningful, productive relationships. Whether youre interacting with customers, stakeholders, or your employees, your Credibility Bank plays a pivotal role in defining the quality of those interactions. The Credibility Bank is an abstract yet powerful concept that illustrates the intangible value a leader holds in a professional environment. Just like a financial bank, your Credibility Bank has deposits and withdrawals. A deposit could be anything from delivering on a promise to a customer to recognizing employees contributions. On the other hand, withdrawals may involve actions like failing to keep a commitment or not being transparent about a delayed order, for example. As a business owner, ensuring that your Credibility Bank (like your bank account) always has more deposits than withdrawals is critical. The balance between the two influences your authority, impacts the work culture, and, by extension, affects the overall success of your small business. Heres how you can manage your Credibility Bank effectively, particularly with your employees. Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Drive Traffic to Your Website Advertise Your Business Here Clear Communications The cornerstone of credibility is clear, concise, and consistent communication. This is especially crucial when it comes to your employees. Misunderstandings, even seemingly minor ones, can lead to unnecessary withdrawals from your Credibility Bank that can disrupt the balance. In good times or bad, be as transparent as possible with your employees about the state of the business, their roles, your expectations of them, and any changes that may be coming. Regularly hold team meetings and encourage open dialogue to foster a communicative atmosphere. Some employees may be reluctant to speak up in a group, so be sure your door is always open and that employees feel comfortable sharing their input without fear of consequences. Small Business Deals Integrity Actions speak louder than wordsalways. Demonstrating integrity means aligning your actions with your spoken commitments. Delivering on promises consistently increases the deposits into your Credibility Bank significantly. Conversely, if you promise something to your team you cant or dont deliver, you have not only made a withdrawal, but you also run the risk of incurring overdraft fees in the form of decreased employee morale and engagement. A similar deficit can occur if you dont deliver your goods on time, miss a crucial client deadline, or are consistently late paying your bills. Emotional Intelligence Understanding the needs and feelings of your employees is an often overlooked yet essential quality of a credible leader. Being empathetic can provide insights into your employees motivations, ultimately allowing you to guide them more effectively. Whenever you successfully navigate an interpersonal challenge within your team, you make a small but essential deposit into your Credibility Bank. Accountability Being accountable for your decisions, particularly the flawed ones, is non-negotiable. When you own up to your mistakes, you show your team, customers, and others that you value honesty over ego. This counts as a significant deposit in your Credibility Bank. It also shows what credible leadership looks like so your team can model your behavior. Adaptability The world of business is perpetually evolving, and flexibility can serve as your ally. Being open to innovative ideas and willing to change your approach keeps your business competitive and enhances your credibility. Employees and customers value working for and with people who can adapt because it provides a sense of security, knowing that the company can navigate various challenges. Recognition and Appreciation Recognizing and appreciating the demanding work of your employees goes a long way to retaining them for the long term and building your credibility. Acknowledgment can take various forms: promotions and salary hikes are important, of course. But something as simple as public praise or thanking an employee with a $50 gift card works wonders. Each act of recognition is a significant deposit into your Credibility Bank. Ongoing Development Investing in the growth of your employees is a long-term deposit in your Credibility Bank. Whether via training programs, workshops, or educational incentives, investing in your employees future not only makes them better at their jobs but also fosters loyalty. Maintaining a positive balance in your Credibility Bank is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. It requires vigilance, self-awareness, and continuous effort. Being a credible leader doesnt mean never making a withdrawal. Instead, its someone who ensures that the deposits far outweigh those withdrawals over time. In the intricate dance of leadership, those who manage their Credibility Bank effectively gain respect and create a sustainable, thriving environment for their small business. CorpNet offers business formations, filings, state tax registrations, and corporate compliance services in all 50 states. Express and 24 hour rush filing services available upon request. Click here to learn more. Lawmakers set to level criticism at foreign firms operating in Korea By Park Jae-hyuk Heads of the Korean units of Apple, Costco Wholesale, Nike, Adidas and multiple other foreign firms were selected as witnesses to testify about misconduct allegations involving their companies during the upcoming National Assembly audit this month, according to industry officials, Thursday. Apple Korea President Mark Lee was summoned for the National Policy Committees audit of the Financial Services Commission scheduled for Oct. 11, along with Kim Deok-hwan, CEO of Hyundai Card, the U.S. firms Korean partner to provide the Apple Pay service here. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the alleged passing on of costs to consumers and causing inconveniences in the use of their services. The Apple Korea president is also expected to face questions on alleged violations of Koreas antitrust and privacy regulations, raised by Rep. Lee Yong-woo of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who made an issue of the payment methods concerning Apple Pay. Apples alleged monopoly is nothing new, the lawmaker told Fair Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Han Ki-jeong in February. Costco Wholesale Korea Country Manager Cho Min-soo was summoned to the Environment and Labor Committees audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Oct. 12, to address the death of company employee Kim Dong-ho, who died at age 29 in June after collapsing in a sweltering parking lot at its branch in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province. His death led the labor ministry to impose a 30 million won ($22,000) fine on Costco and check whether the company violated the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which can send a companys chief manager to prison if a serious worksite accident occurs where the company had not taken sufficient safety precautions. The deceased workers brother and the Korean Mart Labor Unions leader will also attend the audit session to explain how the company has dealt with the case. Nike Korea General Manager Kimberlee Lynn Chang Mendes, Kanebo Cosmetics Korea CEO Michinao Higashiura and Pernod Ricard Korea CEO Frantz Hotton have been summoned to appear on Oct. 17 at the Environment and Labor Committees audit of the Economic, Social and Labor Council. Nike has come under criticism over the past three years, as it abruptly stopped using shoe materials from its local supplier, Sukyoung Textile, which claimed it had been forced by the U.S. firm to provide its materials at a cheaper price. However, the American sportswear company has evaded the application of the fair trade law here by founding intermediate agencies dealing with local suppliers. When the Nike Korea general manager appeared at last years audit, she was criticized for citing translation issues as an excuse for wasting time in answering simple questions. The Kanebo Cosmetics Korea head is alleged to have violated the Labor Standards Act by ordering an employee to serve as a nurse for his wife and search for cosmetic products for his children. Pernod Ricard Korea is alleged to have suppressed its labor union. The liquor firm was also fined 918 million won last year for giving illegal rebates to bars. Adidas Korea General Manager Peter Kwak was summoned to the National Policy Committees audit of the FTC on Oct. 16, along with the leader of a group of Adidas franchisees in Korea, to answer questions on the companys alleged violations of the Fair Transactions in Franchise Business Act. Meta Korea Country Director Kim Jin-ah was summoned to the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committees audit of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Oct. 12, to answer how the company has handled ads on Instagram and Facebook for counterfeit goods. J. Harry Norris III, "Chip", 77, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away on October 2, 2023 at his home. Born on January 25, 1946, he was the son of the late Pat Norris and the late Harry Norris. Chip was the loving husband of Jan Norris, whom he married in St. Aloysius Church, Leonardtown, MD, and who preceded him in death on July 13, 2020. He is survived by his children, Kelly Loveless of Loveville, MD and Kristin Caton of Leonardtown, MD, his siblings Randy Norris of Leonardtown, MD, Danny Norris of Leonardtown, MD, Carol Bean of California, MD, and Chris Norris of Leonardtown, MD, as well as three grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife, Chip was preceded in death by his and Jan's son, Jay Norris. Chip was a lifelong St. Mary's County, MD resident and graduated from St. Mary's Ryken in 1965. He earned his Associate's degree from Charles County Community College in 1967. Chip was a Real Estate Appraiser. Chip had a love for life and enjoyed and celebrated all things. His true loves would be his wife, Jan, the town of Leonardtown, and his friends and family. Although Chip had accomplished having a successful career and mayorship of Leonardtown, he was most proud of his beloved Jan being elected as County Treasurer. Chip is responsible for the revitalization of Leonardtown, but also supporting community attractions including the winery and wharf. Chip was PopPop to three grandchildren, Will, Logan, and Olivia. He would light up with sheer joy when any of them entered the room or even spent a few minutes on the phone. Many friends enjoyed the stories shared by Chip. Most of them would seem embellished but actually truthful; some stories would be inappropriate for some audiences. Everyone would leave Chip's company with a smile and a new story to share. Farewell Chip, Dad, PopPop. You will be missed but never forgotten. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM with prayers recited by Father David Beaubien at 4:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Trains to Vienna will end in Marchegg. Trains connecting Vienna with Bratislava via Marchegg will not operate in October and November 2023. (Source: SME - Marko Erd) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share The operation of trains connecting Bratislava with Vienna through the Austrian town of Marchegg will be suspended for a month due to renovation work on the railroad in the town. Trains will only be dispatched from Bratislava to Marchegg. Here, people can use buses connecting Marchegg with Schonfeld Lasse and Ganserndorf. Read also: Read also: Changes to Bratislava city transport during tram line reconstruction announced Read more Renovation work on the tracks in Marchegg will last from October 9 to November 14. To get to Vienna, Slovakia's national railway carrier ZSSK recommends passengers to use trains leaving from Bratislava's Petrzalka railway station. The trains run via the Austrian town of Kittsee. The trains IC 44 and IC 45 Kosice - Bratislava (main railway station) - Vienna will run without restrictions. The same concerns the train RJX 160/167 connecting the Slovak capital with Zurich HB. ZSSK recommends that passengers use Bus 93 to transfer between the Petrzalka station and the main railway station. The new government can choose from almost 100 measures. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share The interim technocratic government of former banker Ludovit Odor unveiled on Wednesday a package of consolidation measures, which the future government could follow to reduce Slovakias debt and general government deficit. The Odor government promised to introduce the measures after the election. The package features nearly 100 different measures worth almost 10 billion. We see the package as apolitical, said acting Finance Minister Michal Horvath, adding that they tried to choose smart solutions that would not harm the economy. There are expert measures that political scientists would classify as left-wing, but also those that would be more right-wing." Horvath pointed out that if the government wants to stabilise the rate of debt, more significant consolidation measures need to be implemented, optimally worth 5 percent of GDP or more than 6 billion. The extent of offered measures in the consolidation document is greater so that the new government can pick means with emphasis on its political heading and priorities. Related article Related article Slovakias public finances in high-risk zone, fixing public finances not an election theme Read more Of the 10 billion consolidation sum, hiking revenues less harmful to the economy, especially consumption tax or property tax, represents some 3.2 billion. One of proposals is the increase of the basic VAT of 20 percent by 2 percentage points. A proposed reduction in social spending should bring 2.2 billion. The document also includes a more effective tax-and-levy system for some 900 million. In addition to consolidation measures, the caretaker government also mentions reforms that would take place in the long term; however, Horvath explained that they are vital to return the sustainability of public finances from a high to a lower risk. Without the consolidation of public finances, the general government deficit will remain close to 7 percent of GDP for the next three years and gross debt will start to hit the 70 percent of GDP mark. The consolidation path will not be easy, according to Odor. The debt needs to be stabilised. Otherwise, unless a decisive consolidation arises, Slovakia will find itself out of favour with the financial markets. Then we would have to solve the situation with a big axe. Currently the situation can be solved with a lancet, Odor said. The Women-Powered Coffee Summit is back for Year Two. The two-day coffee conference by Bean Voyage created to increase equity for women across the coffee supply chain returns to Costa Rica in November for a series of talks, workshops, and the chance to connect with smallholder women farmers. Taking place November 2nd and 3rd at the Doka Estate in Alajuela, Costa Rica, the Women-Powered Coffee Summit aims to bring together women from every corner of the coffee industry, including producers, exporters, importers, roasters, and baristas, to foster shared learning, create lasting connections, and promote gender equity within the global coffee sector. Even so, the summit is open to any and all to attend who believe in equity and justice. Building on last years focus on issues affecting specialty coffee from the perspectives of women, this year the two-day event will center around tools and insights to create a more resilient coffee business. The discussion topics and speaker list for 2023 has yet to be released, but the inaugural event saw industry thought leaders like Trish Rothgeb of Wrecking Ball, 2019 Costa Rica Barista Champion Elena Rivera, and Women in Coffee Projects Amaris Gutierrez-Ray leading the educational programming. Tickets for the 2023 Women-Powered Coffee Summit are on sale now for $200, which covers entry into the event, transportation to and from San Jose, and breakfast, lunch, and coffee. (Travel to Costa Rica and lodging need to be secured separately.) To help women producers attend the event, Bean Voyage is holding a raffle in the hopes of raising $9,000, which will cover the costs for 30 producers. Prizes include an Acaia Orbit grinder, coffee and/or swag from De Mello, Girls Who Grind, Bean Voyage, and Barista Magazine, a spice set from Diaspora Co, and a signed copy of Lucia Bawots photojournalist book We Belong. Raffle tickets are $25 a piece and the winners will be announced October 20th. For more information, visit Bean Voyages official website. In late September, the UK's Institute for Fiscal Studies said the overall level of taxation in the country is projected to rise from 33% to 37% under the incumbent government, which is more than under any other since records began in 1948. A poll by the Opinium research agency showed in September that only 29% of the UK population approve of the actions of the Sunak cabinet. Despite that, the prime minister said that he was not afraid of falling ratings and still expected to win the election and remain in 10 Downing Street for the second term. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/after-a-historic-ouster-who-will-replace-kevin-mccarthy-as-speaker-of-the-house-1113936631.html After a Historic Ouster, Who Will Replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House? After a Historic Ouster, Who Will Replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House? On todays episode of The Backstory, host Rachel Blevins discussed current events including protests in Germany to stop Ukraine funding, and Pakistan giving illegal immigrants 28 days to leave. 2023-10-05T04:34+0000 2023-10-05T04:34+0000 2023-10-11T09:19+0000 the backstory radio imf brics speaker of the house ditching dollar china kevin mccarthy donald trump /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/04/1113936474_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_a0c5486a795935b8c9bc0c0e3860c034.png After a Historic Ouster, Who Will Replace Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House ? On todays episode of The Backstory, host Rachel Blevins discussed current events including protests in Germany to stop Ukraine funding, and Pakistan giving illegal immigrants 28 days to leave Jim Jatras - Attorney, Media Relations Specialist| German Citizens Fed Up with Ukraine Funding, Seized Iranian Weapons to be Sent to Ukraine, and Joe Biden Angered by Lack of Support for UkraineJim Hoft - Founder of the Gateway Pundit | FBI Created New Category of Extremism, Speculation of Donald Trump Accepting Role as Speaker of the House, and Matt GaetzEsteban Carrillo - Latin American journalist, Editor of The Cradle | Argentina Has Their Own Donald Trump Figure, Argentina's Presidential Frontrunner Javier Milei, and Right Wing Candidates in Latin America In the first hour, Rachel spoke with Jim Jatras about reports of Britain running out of military equipment to send to Ukraine, Russia should not trust the countries involved with the Minsk Accords. Jim commented on reports of seized weapons from Iran and these weapons being sent to Ukraine. Jim discussed the crumbling support for Ukraine and Germany's foreign policy.Rachel spoke with Jim Hoft about the fraud lawsuit against Donald Trump, Donald Trump telling his side of the story to the media, and weak Kevin McCarthy is correctly ousted from House Speaker. Jim detailed the fraud case against Donald Trump in New York and the reality that there are no victims in this fraud case. Jim agreed with Matt Gaetz's decision to oust Kevin McCarthy and who might win the House Speaker position next.In the second hour, Rachel spoke with Esteban Carrillo about the Argentinian elections, the political situation in Ecuador, and the Latin American media. Esteban talked about the Latin American goals to de-dollarize and the Argentinian population tired of decades of corruption. Esteban described the current situation in Ecuador and the upcoming elections in the country.The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comCatch us in the US at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM china ukraine argentina ecuador Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Rachel Blevins Rachel Blevins News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Rachel Blevins the backstory, ukraine funding, seized iranian weapons, lack of support for ukraine, donald trump as speaker of the house, argentina's presidential election https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/canada-regrets-awarding-former-ss-division-member-in-1987-1113946797.html Canada 'Regrets' Awarding Former SS Division Member in 1987 Canada 'Regrets' Awarding Former SS Division Member in 1987 Canada's Governor General Mary Simon's office has expressed regret for nominating Peter Savarin, a former member of the SS Galicia Volunteer Division, to the Order of Canada in 1987 2023-10-05T17:59+0000 2023-10-05T17:59+0000 2023-10-05T17:59+0000 world canada ss galicia ukraine justin trudeau university of alberta jews waffen ss nazis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/05/1113963215_0:194:2953:1855_1920x0_80_0_0_6fb533c25922311e487987109961bff3.jpg "We deeply regret that Peter Savarin was nominated for the Order of Canada in 1987, and we sincerely apologize to the citizens of Canada for any suffering or pain that this decision may have caused," Santerre said.According to the television channel, Savarin had a notable tenure as the president of the University of Alberta and actively contributed to the Ukrainian World Congress*, with his university profile highlighting his role in promoting multiculturalism within Canada.However, media reports shed light on Savarin's controversial past, including his service in the SS Galicia Division and subsequent relocation to Canada, mirroring the trajectory of the infamous Ukrainian SS figure Yaroslav Hunko.The revelations about Savarin's background emerged during an investigation conducted by an American news outlet specializing in matters pertaining to the Jewish community. This media organization is recognized for being among the first to uncover the historical associations of former SS member Yaroslav Hunka.Furthermore, in 2017, the decision to nominate Savarin for the prestigious award was revoked. Canadian media underscored that such a reversal typically occurs when undisclosed detrimental information about a nominee surfaces. In Savarin's case, however, the decision was influenced by his death.On September 22, during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Canadian Parliament extended an invitation to 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunko and introduced him before the applauding chamber as a "veteran of the struggle against the Russians." In reality, he was a former member of the 14th Waffen-SS Grenadier Division Galicia, comprising Ukrainian nationalists who were implicated in various atrocities against Jews, Poles, Belarusians, and Slovaks, and engaged in combat against the Soviet Red Army. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau subsequently issued an apology for the incident.* An organization outlawed in Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231003/nazism-isnt-nuanced-internet-rips-op-ed-blaming-complicated-history-for-canada-nazi-row-1113883227.html canada galicia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nazis in canada, ukrainian nazid in canada, how many nazi veterans in canada, why do nezis flee to canada https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/canada-to-review-nazi-commission-documents---pm-trudeau-1113947101.html Canada to Review Nazi Commission Documents - PM Trudeau Canada to Review Nazi Commission Documents - PM Trudeau Canadian authorities will delve into the archives of the commission headed by Jules Deschenes, which in the 1980s investigated the backgrounds of hundreds of people in the country accused of war crimes, the country's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. 2023-10-05T12:05+0000 2023-10-05T12:05+0000 2023-10-05T12:05+0000 world nazis canada justin trudeau galicia nazi canadian parliament jews waffen ss volodymyr zelensky /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/09/1095366193_0:71:1350:830_1920x0_80_0_0_5cfff5a22a24014fddc3abb645058132.jpg According to a Canadian news channel, the identities of alleged Nazis in Canada were never revealed after the commission completed its work. Human rights activists and Jewish community organizations had previously urged for the release of this portion of the document, "so that Canadians could learn more about the shameful history of a country that harbored an unknown number of Nazi collaborators after World War II," the channel noted.Former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, in the wake of a recent scandal involving the honoring of a former SS Division Galicia fighter in the Canadian Parliament, stated that the country had become a haven for Nazi war criminals, who have faced no consequences for their crimes. He called on the Canadian authorities to make public the findings of the Deschenes Commission.On September 22, in honor of the visit of Volodymyr Zelensky, the Canadian Parliament invited 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka and presented him to the applauding chamber as a veteran of the fight against the Russians. In reality, he turned out to be a former member of the SS Galicia Division, consisting of Ukrainian nationalists who not only fought against the Red Army, but also committed atrocities against Jews, Poles, Belarusians, and Slovaks. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later apologized for the "terrible mistake" of honoring a Ukrainian SS member. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230928/nazi-hunter-steven-rambam-trudeau-knew-he-applauded-a-monster-1113775972.html canada galicia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International canada nazi ukraine, canada honours nazi, canada ukraine, canada ukraine news, canadian ukraine news, canadian ukraine galicia, canadian ukraine galicia 2023, ss galicia atrocities https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/eleven-activists-arrested-outside-bernie-sanders-office-after-demanding-end-to-ukraine-conflict--1113940774.html Eleven Activists Arrested Outside Bernie Sanders' Office After Demanding End to Ukraine Conflict Eleven Activists Arrested Outside Bernie Sanders' Office After Demanding End to Ukraine Conflict Eleven peace activists were arrested on Wednesday after demanding that Senator Bernie Sanders call for peace negotiations in Ukraine. 2023-10-05T03:54+0000 2023-10-05T03:54+0000 2023-10-05T03:51+0000 world bernie sanders ilhan omar joe biden ukraine the green party senate cornel west code pink codepink /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/05/1113940383_0:0:2048:1153_1920x0_80_0_0_e6ebcb65c11bbf6c4301810c246a4e1e.jpg Eleven protesters were arrested during a sit-in at US Sen. Bernie Sanders office on Wednesday after they demanded that the senator issue calls for peace and diplomacy in Ukraine.Among those arrested was an 89-year-old woman.The group, organized by Code Pink, was joined by the Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West, who campaigned with Sanders during his 2016 and 2020 bids for US president. West did not participate in the sit-in but did join the peace advocates in the Senate lobby for a prayer vigil.Both the vigil and sit-in were part of a week of action organized by the group that included an anti-war rally on Tuesday, where West gave a speech along with the Party for Socialism and Liberation Presidential candidate Claudia De la Cruz and activist and comedian Lee Camp.Sanders was once one of the most vocal critics of US foreign policy, having spoken out against wars in Iraq, Yemen and elsewhere. But since his 2020 campaign flamed out, he has been a consistent supporter of US President Joe Biden and the continuous flow of US weapons and money into Ukraine.Benjamin said in Code Pinks news release that she is appalled that NO Democrats are saying what the American people are saying: We need peace talks, not more war. This is NOT a MAGA issue or a Republican issue but an issue of human survival.The group, which numbered in the several dozens, also demanded meetings with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), among other figures.Omar was one of 30 progressive lawmakers who signed a letter in October of last year, requesting the Biden administration start a proactive diplomatic push to create a realistic framework for a ceasefire, without condemning the transfer of weapons to Ukraine. However, that letter was withdrawn less than 24 hours after it was issued.A representative for Omar reportedly spoke to the advocates and no one was arrested outside of her offices. There have been no reports on what happened when the advocates approached Warrens office.Sanders has not yet commented on the protest.One protester who was arrested carried a sign that included a quote from Sanders shortly before the Ukraine conflict broke out.Russia has repeatedly condemned the transfer of weapons and aid to Ukraine by its Western benefactors, saying that doing so will only escalate the conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230918/house-republicans-fed-up-with-bidens-ukraine-aid-requests-1113469428.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino bernie sanders on ukraine, protests against the war in ukraine, peace talks in ukraine, negotiations in ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/eu-to-face-gas-scarcity-as-energy-market-heads-for-period-of-turmoil-says-gazprom-1113953249.html EU to Face Gas Scarcity As Energy Market Heads For Period Of Turmoil, Says Gazprom EU to Face Gas Scarcity As Energy Market Heads For Period Of Turmoil, Says Gazprom The European Union grapples with the repercussions of cutting off its reliable energy source owing to geopolitical miscalculations levied through sanctions against Russia. Its shift towards a costlier and unreliable source of LNG raises critical concerns about the bloc's energy security. 2023-10-05T14:00+0000 2023-10-05T14:00+0000 2023-10-05T14:00+0000 economy russia qatar ukraine gazprom nord stream liquefied natural gas (lng) european union (eu) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/1a/1092527755_0:82:2917:1723_1920x0_80_0_0_54fc667f84bedbde43b4b50e1ea706ae.jpg Senior managers at Gazprom, on Tuesday, hinted that a scarcity of natural gas was looming in the European Union because of instability in its energy market.The unprecedented Western sanctions imposed last year against Russia and the deliberate destruction of Nord Stream 1 & 2 pipelines exacerbated a marked dip from Gazprom, formerly the bloc's foremost gas provider, to the 27-member union."The fact that the systemic deficit has not gone away is manifested not only by the higher price level in 2023 compared with the pre-Covid years but also by the persistence of a stable contango in the natural gas market," noted Gazproms senior managers, Aleksandr Shapin and Sergey Komlev.Since last year, the European Union tilted towards curtailing its dependency on Russian gas and substituting it with other liquefied natural gas import sources such as Qatar, the US, etc. Thus, the United States has assumed the role of the predominant gas supplier to the bloc, constituting up to 35 percent of its imports.Subsequently, Gazprom's top managers alluded to the ensuing energy crisis rocking the bloc as dependent on the cessation of relations with the energy giant. They stressed that this is principally attributed to a substantial uptick in the share of LNG considered "less reliable" compared with pipeline-delivered gas, which is predominantly provided through extended contractual commitments.Western economic circles and political leaders have raised concerns about the problems of adopting pricier and less eco-friendly LNG. Some have gone so far as to characterize the sabotage of the Nord Stream project as an act of "economic warfare" with repercussions for the entire union.Before the Ukraine conflict, the European Union received a substantial portion of its natural gas supply, roughly 155 billion cubic meters (bcm), from Russia via pipelines. In 2022, however, these deliveries plummeted to 60 bcm, and the EU is bracing itself for further cuts to 20 bcm. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230925/eu-to-rely-on-us-lng-for-decades-amid-backfiring-anti-russia-sanctions-1113650822.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230910/lng-exports-from-russia-increased-by-several-percent-since-year-start-1113244418.html russia qatar ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Chimauchem Nwosu https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/01/1113046371_0:99:1536:1635_100x100_80_0_0_9c5c627283eca931c39fe4852bbb301c.jpg gazprom, natural gas scarcity, european union, energy market instability, western sanctions, nord stream 1 & 2, systemic deficit, contango market, energy security, liquefied natural gas, qatar, united states, lng imports, pipeline-delivered gas, contractual commitments, eco-friendly lng, nord stream project, ukraine conflict, natural gas supply, aleksandr shapin, sergey komlev, western economic circles, political leaders. By Ko Dong-hwan Three companies involved in oil refining, steelmaking and shipbuilding have joined hands to introduce a fleet of ships running on marine biofuel to reduce carbon emissions. A senior official from the Supply and Trading Department at GS Caltex met their counterparts from POSCO and H-Line Shipping to sign a memorandum of understanding at GS Tower in southern Seoul, Thursday, to jointly pursue the project. The agreement reveals a new value chain in the country's maritime industry under which a marine biofuel provider, a fuel tank maker and a fuel tanker operator cooperate towards carbon emission reduction goals. As their first agenda, the firms have agreed to fuel POSCO's bulk carrier with marine biofuels and launch it later this month. Officially termed B30 Bio Marine Fuel, GS Caltex's new biofuel is a mixture of the company's heavy oil for vessels and Korean bioenergy developer DS Dansuk's used cooking oil-based biodiesel for vessels. GS Caltex last August acquired ISCC EU, a certification by the European Commission for sustainability and emission reductions. Made with recyclable waste feedstocks, marine biofuel saves more than 65 percent of carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil fuel-based marine fuel. A new type of marine biofuel made with used cooking oil-based biodiesel can reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 percent. It is also cheaper than methanol or ammonia and can be used without additional facilities or vessels. The International Maritime Organization, at the meeting of its Marine Environment Protection Committee last July in London, acknowledged the fuel's carbon neutralization effect. GS Caltex said Thursday the new tripartite partnership will contribute to the government's goal of neutralizing national carbon emissions by 2050. This isn't the first time GS Caltex has applied its new biofuel in practice. On Sept. 15, HMM Tacoma, a 6,400 twenty-foot equivalent unit container ship built by Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Merchant Marine, was topped up with the fuel at Busan New Port before departing for Singapore. Earlier the same month, the company supplied Korean Air with its new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to test during a flight from Incheon to Los Angeles. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/exposed-french-spy-mingled-with-foreign-mercenaries-in-ukraine-two-years-before-conflict-1113728946.html EXPOSED: French Spy Mingled With Foreign Mercenaries in Ukraine Two Years Before Conflict EXPOSED: French Spy Mingled With Foreign Mercenaries in Ukraine Two Years Before Conflict A senior French military intelligence agent rubbed shoulders with foreign mercenaries in Ukraine two years before the conflict with Russia erupted, Sputnik has learned. 2023-10-05T11:17+0000 2023-10-05T11:17+0000 2023-10-05T11:30+0000 kiev ukraine russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian security service (sbu) general directorate of external security (dgse) france russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/1b/1113744171_0:0:1280:721_1920x0_80_0_0_3bfe9aaef065262c60a8451207bb4318.jpg Sputnik has obtained documents that indicate Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Helly, of the French Directorate of Military Intelligence (DRM) and Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), rented an apartment in central Kiev for 59 nights from January to March 2020.France has been one of the key supporters of Ukraine in NATO's proxy conflict with Russia, donating dozens of self-propelled artillery guns, light tanks and other armored vehicles, surface-to-air and cruise missiles. But now evidence, seen by Sputnik, suggest that Paris had intelligence agents in Kiev in the run-up to the conflict.Another document, from the French embassy in Kiev, officially notes his fin de sejour (end of stay) on March 21 2020 and is signed off by Helly himself and the diplomatic mission's Defence Attache Andree Evrard. But two more invoices seen by Sputnik show that Helly continued renting the same address for almost two more months until May 10 2020, paying the rent in advance.While the details of the colonel's orders are unclear, the address he stayed at was just half a mile (800 metres) from the well-known Golden Gate Inn.British independent journalist Warren Thornton shared with Sputnik that he had spoken to ex-mercenaries who told him the Golden Gate Inn was a safe haven for members of their profession, along with spies and go-betweens due to its reputation as a popular tourist spot and Irish pub, providing cover for their comings and goings and lessening the risk of being targeted by a Russian missile strike.Thornton served in the British army as a sniper for six years, followed by eight years guarding aid workers in war-torn countries where he got to know many diplomatic attaches and private military contractors.Mystery MissionThe nature of Helly's mission, which was followed by further visits to Kiev over the next two years, remains shrouded in mystery. But his presence came during a period when NATO countries were ramping up arms supplies and military training to Ukraine in preparation for conflict with neighboring Russia.The seven-week extension to his stay past the date it officially ended also strongly suggests an undercover secondary mission.Helly had previously visited the northern Russian city of St. Petersburg for a month from July to August 2018, ostensibly to improve his command of the Russian language. He stayed in another rented apartment under his "internet pseudonym" of Arnaud Herve.Thornton has tracked the movements of French personnel in Russia, revealing that the DGSE had a string of agents in the St. Petersburg on monthly rotation.The Caucasian ConnectionHelly has since been posted to Armenia, the former Soviet republic in the Caucasus that the West is attempting to lure out of the Russian orbit.The officer had previously been sent on assignments to neighboring Georgia, where US-backed pro-European Union protests have threatened to overthrow the government after it took a neutral stance on the conflict.Military LaurelsArnaud Gildas Helly was first commissioned into the French army as a second lieutenant in October 2006, public records show, after he graduated from the Saint-Cyr Military Academy in Brittany with a degree in economy and social sciences. At the time of his 2020 trip to Kiev, he held the rank of Commandant, equivalent to Major in the armies of English-speaking countries.In October 2020, to mark his 15th year in the military, he was awarded the National Order of Merit medal in the class of chevalier or knight, an honor bestowed on officers for service with "distinguished merits". That was soon followed by a promotion in December 2021 to lieutenant colonel. The record does not detail what warranted his rapid rise through the ranks, but his work in Ukraine may have potentially something to do with that. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230926/uk-journo-arrested-for-malinformation-after-exposing-trudeau-applauding-nazi-1113677702.html kiev ukraine france russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png french intelligence directorate-general for external security dgse, russia's special military operation in ukraine, georgia anti-government protests, armenian conflict with azerbaijan, ukraine, mercenaries https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/fate-of-humanity-rests-on-shoulders-of-russian-soldiers---serbian-war-correspondent-1113953146.html Fate of Humanity 'Rests on Shoulders' of Russian Soldiers - Serbian War Correspondent Fate of Humanity 'Rests on Shoulders' of Russian Soldiers - Serbian War Correspondent No military force in history has ever faced what Russian soldiers are currently facing amid NATOs ongoing proxy war against their country in Ukraine, Miodrag Zarkovic, a Serbian war correspondent, told Sputnik. 2023-10-05T17:12+0000 2023-10-05T17:12+0000 2023-10-06T09:51+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine russia nato ukrainian counteroffensive attempt /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/11/1112685030_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_112bcf1a7cbe58511d0fd9a05c1ff6f0.jpg No military force in history has ever faced what Russian soldiers are currently facing amid NATOs ongoing proxy war against their country in Ukraine, Miodrag Zarkovic, a Serbian war correspondent covering the Donbass conflict, told Sputnik correspondent Russell Bentley, who covers developments in Donbass.Emphasizing the bravery and firmness of Russian soldiers, he underscored that the fate of humanity rests on their shoulders.Since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in 2022, the United States and its NATO allies have supplied the regime in Kiev with billions of dollars' worth of military equipment. Furthermore, some NATO countries have been training Ukraine's troops on how to operate their sophisticated weaponry. However, Kievs much-touted counteroffensive has failed to achieve results, with its manpower and weaponry losses mounting.You cannot replace experience, Zarkovic pointed out, querying how troops trained by somebody from France, the US, or UK "can they compete with that.Despite the steady Western supply of weaponry to Ukraine, battle-hardened Russians in the trenches are now ready for practically any challenge, Miodrag Zarkovic said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231004/russian-leaflets-offer-ukrainians-escape-from-meat-grinder-1113924286.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Miodrag Zarkovic, a Serbian war correspondent covering the Donbass conflict Miodrag Zarkovic, a Serbian war correspondent covering the Donbass conflict 2023-10-05T17:12+0000 true PT15M59S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko natos ongoing proxy war against russia in ukraine, miodrag zarkovic, a serbian war correspondent, russia's special military operation in ukraine, russian soldiers, ukraine's botched counteroffensive https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/japan-reportedly-fast-tracking-purchase-of-us-tomahawk-missiles-amid-military-buildup--1113944799.html Japan Reportedly Fast-Tracking Purchase of US Tomahawk Missiles As It Boosts Military Reserves Japan Reportedly Fast-Tracking Purchase of US Tomahawk Missiles As It Boosts Military Reserves As part of its ongoing military buildup, Japan is speeding up plans to acquire Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US, according to a local media report. 2023-10-05T12:07+0000 2023-10-05T12:07+0000 2023-10-05T13:05+0000 world japan us tomahawk fumio kishida joe biden wang wenbin raytheon china north korea /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/05/1113944404_0:135:1271:850_1920x0_80_0_0_25f9ffb0ed636c724d9fe7803a543462.jpg As part of its ongoing military build-up rationalized by US-fueled claims of being threatened by neighboring countries, Japan is speeding up plans to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US, according to a local media report.During a visit to the US, Japans Defense Minister Minoru Kihara met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and said that the two countries shared the recognition to buy Tomahawk missiles in the fiscal year starting in April 2025. Initially, Japan had earmarked more than 200 billion ($1.3 billion) to buy 400 Tomahawk Block-5 cruise missiles made by Raytheon Technologies Corp in 2026 and 2027, and then to install them on the country's destroyers, the report said. However, now the revised plan outlines buying only 200 Tomahawk Block-4 missiles, which could bring the costs down, according to an unnamed official. US Congress needs to give its approval to the transaction.Capable of being fired from ships and submarines, the sub-sonic Tomahawk cruise missiles boast a range of about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers), according to Raytheon. Work to upgrade the missiles to the new Block-5 generation has been underway in the US since 2020, with the US Navy focusing on advancing the communication and navigation systems.During the Pentagon meeting on 4 October, the US Defense Secretary reaffirmed Washingtons ironclad commitment to the defense of all Japan under Article V of the Japan-US Security Treaty. Kihara and Austin agreed to strengthen the capabilities of the alliance including effective operation of counterstrike capabilities under Japan-US cooperation, according to a joint statement.Japan's Military Beef-UpThe plans to buy Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US come as part of the overall drive by Japan to beef up its military, echoing the same "threat" allegations that Washington typically conjures up. As Japan bolsters its rapprochement with NATO, it repeatedly claims that boosted defense is needed to ostensibly "deter" China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and, possibly, Russia. In December 2022, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas government approved three policy documents - the National Security Strategy (NSS), the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program which envisaged doubling the nation's defense spending within the next five years. For fiscal year 2024, Japan's Defense Ministry has requested the largest defense budget in its history, worth a whopping $53 billion, 12 percent higher than in 2023.On 28 July, Japan released the 2023 Defense White Paper, warning about the "advent of a new crisis era". Article 9 of Japan's war-denouncing Constitution prohibits offensive actions by the nation's military. A succession of Liberal Democratic Party governments - including the present one led by Kishida - have sought to re-write that charter to loosen the restrictions on arms exports, allow overseas deployments in support of US-led military interventions, etc. in January 2023, Western media suggested that Japan was gradually "scrapping" its post-WW2 pacifist defense strategy. Furthermore, the ongoing military build-up in Japan comes as the US beefs up its military presence in the Asia Pacific along with the UK and Australia within the framework of the tripartite AUKUS alliance. The United States has also boosted trilateral security cooperation with Japan and South Korea. After US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol met at the Camp David presidential retreat on 18 August, Moscow said that the flurry of political and military interaction promotes Washington's policy on deterring Moscow. The summit's agreements are "of confrontational nature" aimed at an escalating situation in the Asia-Pacific under the pretext of "response to global challenges and threats", said the Russian Foreign Ministry.Japan's foreign policy and its modern militarization are to a large degree driven by American interests, experts have told Sputnik. Pundits added that US geopolitical objectives "directly threaten peace, stability, and thus prosperity in the region.China has also voiced opposition to certain countries uniting in exclusionary groups in the region. "China opposes relevant countries assembling exclusionary groupings, and practices that intensify antagonism and undermine the strategic security of other countries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.North Korea has also weighed in on Japan's claims of having been threatened by neighboring countries, with DPRK's media slamming it as a "smokescreen" to justify Tokyo's intention to swell into a major military power. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/will-west-draw-japan-into-militarization-with-uk-italy-6th-gen-fighter-project-1113552937.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230913/us-deployments-in-japan-could-chain-gang-tokyo-into-conflict-with-china-1113350821.html japan china north korea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko japanese constitutional ban on militarisation, gcap 6th generation fighter project, japan nato us military cooperation, japan military buildup, japan defense buildup program, japanese military budget, japanese pacifist constitution, https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/japan-to-start-releasing-second-batch-of-fukushima-water-on-thursday-1113942898.html Japan to Start Releasing Second Batch of Fukushima Water on Thursday Japan to Start Releasing Second Batch of Fukushima Water on Thursday Japan will begin releasing the second batch of radioactive water into the ocean from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant on Thursday. 2023-10-05T05:13+0000 2023-10-05T05:13+0000 2023-10-05T05:13+0000 asia japan fukushima tokyo electric power company (tepco) international atomic energy agency (iaea) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106091/77/1060917747_0:156:3001:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_d0ef4c01be8914cb18618a35ccfbe04f.jpg Tokyo Electric Power Company, the plants operator, began discharging some of the 1.34 million tonnes of treated wastewater in August despite outcries at home and in the region. China banned all seafood from Japan over concerns of radioactive contamination. The International Atomic Energy Agency has said that the treated wastewater would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. The Fukushima plant suffered major damage during an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Since then, water has continually been pumped in to cool the plant's reactors. As of June, some 1,000 of tanks holding treated water were stored on-site. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230923/russia-to-strengthen-checks-amid-fukushima-water-release-1113605149.html japan fukushima Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International fukushima water, fukushima nuclear power plant, radioactive water https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/mccarthys-ouster-signals-us-preparing-populace-at-large-to-defund-ukraine-1113952020.html McCarthy's Ouster Signals US 'Preparing Populace at Large' to Defund Ukraine McCarthy's Ouster Signals US 'Preparing Populace at Large' to Defund Ukraine Kevin McCarthy lost the House speakership this week after his GOP colleague Matt Gaetz tabled a motion to remove him over alleged side deal talks with President Biden and the Democrats on Ukraine funding. The shock ouster comes amid growing weariness among Americans over the proxy war, and possible preparations to dump Kiev, experts told Sputnik. 2023-10-05T12:39+0000 2023-10-05T12:39+0000 2023-10-05T12:39+0000 analysis ukraine washington kevin mccarthy joe biden democrats congress republicans lawmakers /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/05/1113951757_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_230dfffb7436d8156e5942f4655d582e.jpg The fallout over Kevin McCarthy's historically unprecedented removal as speaker of the House of Representatives continues to send shockwaves of confusion and dread across the furthest reaches of the American empire, including in Ukraine."We are interested in getting things sorted out so American democracy can function, and so we can restore the bipartisan consensus on supporting their own national interest by supporting Ukraine," Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized. Apparently, to the politician, a "functioning" American democracy seems to mean continuing to pump tens of billions of additional dollars into Kiev, which faces a looming debt crisis, and is now dependent on Washington and its allies for some 70 percent of all government expenses, as Western creditors prepare to collect dividends on their "investments."The Zelensky government estimates that Kiev still has access to about $1.6 billion in US defense support and $1.23 billion in budgetary assistance. The Pentagon says some $5.4 billion in cash also remain in Presidential Drawdown Authority funds allowing for weapons stocks from American armories to be sent to Kiev. However, senior Biden administration officials, including the president himself, have expressed fears that "only weeks remain" before a lack of additional funding will start becoming "a serious battlefield concern" for Kiev."Obviously, time is of the essence," an administration official stressed, warning of the risks of Congress sitting on its hands without appropriating additional cash to Kiev before the current short-term spending package runs out in mid-November.Preparing the Public for Bad News?"I have difficulty thinking of Ukraine as a primary issue for American politicians," Dr. Nicolai Petro, an international politics professor at the University of Rhode Island, told Sputnik, commenting on the role played by Ukraine funding in the chaos in Washington over the past week.Pointing to the deeply murky nature of US spending on Ukraine and the "hide the ball" approach to appropriations, Petro predicted that the Biden administration will likely be able to squeeze out more cash from already appropriated funding for some time even if additional Congressional funding dries up.The growing debate in Washington over Ukraine has also rippled across the Atlantic to Britain the second-staunchest supporter within NATO of continuing the proxy war. Even there, Petro pointed out, a debate seems to be gaining strength over just how much more money can be lifted from taxpayers pockets and transferred to Kiev.This shift in rhetoric is related to the fact that the US and some of its allies are approaching crucial elections, with "all the polls and the recent elections [in Europe] suggest[ing] that this NATO proxy war in Ukraine is extremely unpopular. And that in and of itself it is going to at least affect the narrative between now and several key elections," Petro said.Dems Shoot Themselves in the FootMcCarthy was ousted Tuesday by an extremely narrow margin of 216 in favor to 210 opposed, with only eight Republicans led by rebel Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, supporting his removal alongside Democrats."My biggest question going forward is, is this going to be the right move for Democrats?" independent US journalist Rachel Blevins told Sputnik.The ouster could have repercussions for Ukraine going forward. While interim House Speaker Patrick McHenry has repeatedly supported Congressional votes on Ukraine funding apart from last weeks attempt to role assistance into the government funding bill, several candidates vying for the speakership have expressed opposition to further aid, including Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan, Oklahoma Representative Kevin Hern, and Florida Congressman Byron Donalds.What a Difference a Year Makes"I know that Joe Biden is not happy right now," Blevins emphasized. "Hes probably the most furious with all of this, because he was expecting McCarthy to get that funding through. He was not happy that it was not there in that bill to keep the government open.""What was interesting was to see that back and forth" over Ukraine, the observer added. "Because in the Senate, they had at least $6 billion for Ukraine, which is a lot of money to the average person, obviously. But when it comes to Ukraine, thats just enough to keep it rolling for a few months. So they come up with $6 billion. Then in the House, they basically put Democrats in a position where they said, ok, heres a funding bill to keep the government open. If you say youre against it, its literally just over Ukraine funding. So that's on you. And you have to answer to your constituents and saying that you wanted a government shutdown just so that you could fund a country that most Americans cant find on a map," the observer said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230928/west-pays-for-70-of-zelensky-govts-expenses-as-ukraines-debt-hits-new-high-1113767741.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231004/peace-activists-on-capitol-hill-demand-us-stop-pumping-weapons-money-into-ukraine-1113932320.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/who-are-the-contenders-for-house-speaker--whats-their-stance-on-ukraine-aid-1113937381.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231003/white-house-says-ukraine-could-struggle-to-receive-other-aid-if-us-funding-lapses-1113898101.html ukraine washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov ukraine, kevin mccarthy, united states, proxy war, funding, aid, assistance, congress, house of representatives, house, defund, support https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/russia-sets-up-security-council-commission-to-counter-modern-biosecurity-threats---decree-1113952911.html Russia Sets Up Security Council Commission to Counter Modern Biosecurity Threats - Decree Russia Sets Up Security Council Commission to Counter Modern Biosecurity Threats - Decree Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the establishment of an interdepartmental commission of Russia's Security Council to counter modern threats to biological security. 2023-10-05T12:42+0000 2023-10-05T12:42+0000 2023-10-05T12:42+0000 russia russian ministry of defense russian defense ministry ukraine russia security council biological bioweapon /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/0f/1093885395_0:50:960:590_1920x0_80_0_0_c313feb047a7aba0afa439b782099066.jpg "To establish the Interdepartmental Commission of the Security Council of the Russian Federation on countering modern threats to biological security. To abolish the Interdepartmental Commission of the Security Council of the Russian Federation on the creation of a national system of protection against new infections, transferring its functions to the Interdepartmental Commission of the Security Council of the Russian Federation on countering modern threats to biological security," the document read. The decree goes into effect from the moment it is signed.In February 2022, the Russian Defense Ministry discovered the existence of 30 US-funded military biological laboratories in Ukraine. According to Moscow, Washington has spent over $200 million to develop biological weapons at the facilities. Russia also said that the labs discovered in Ukraine constituted only a small part of a global network of over 300 similar facilities. The United States denies the Russian accusations.In April 2023, Russia's upper house unanimously approved the report of the parliamentary commission, supported by the lower house, to investigate the activities of the US biolaboratories in Ukraine. Deputy speaker of the Russian upper house Konstantin Kosachev then said there were at least 30 US biolaboratories on the territory of Ukraine, adding that the Pentagon was the main "customer" of the bio-research, which may speak about the military nature of the research. Kosachev noted that the establishment of US biolaboratories in Ukraine indicates possible plans of the US to use its military against Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230411/us-creating-biological-weapon-components-near-russias-borders-russian-defense-ministry-1109349596.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian president vladimir putin, russia's security council, threats to biological security https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/sunak-to-announce-new-aid-to-ukraine-sign-illegal-migration-deals-at-granada-summit-1113952406.html Sunak to Announce New Aid to Ukraine, Sign Illegal Migration Deals at Granada Summit Sunak to Announce New Aid to Ukraine, Sign Illegal Migration Deals at Granada Summit UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will announce 44 million pounds ($53.38 million) in humanitarian aid for Ukraine and sign a series of bilateral agreements with Belgium, Bulgaria and Serbia to tackle the flow of undocumented migrants at the European Political Community summit in Granada on Thursday, the UK government said. 2023-10-05T13:06+0000 2023-10-05T13:06+0000 2023-10-05T13:12+0000 ukraine united kingdom (uk) rishi sunak financial aid military aid world illegal immigration giorgia meloni europe nagorno-karabakh conflict /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/19/1108775853_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ebbe6871e9dca26f2ee75bad329945ce.jpg The European Political Community summits are attended by European countries' heads of state and government. Its third meeting will be held in the Spanish city of Granada on October 5. It adds that Sunak intends to discuss with allies the issue of providing military support to Ukraine, including ongoing efforts to provide air defense, long-range weapons and fighter jets, as well as the grain deal. The prime minister will also express London's commitment to security in Europe amid the situation in Kosovo and Nagorno-Karabakh, the government stressed. The military support to Ukraine on the UK's behalf amounted to 2.3 billion pounds in 2022 and is not expected to be less than that figure in 2023. Russia has condemned foreign military aid to the Kiev regime on multiple occasions, stressing that the assistance only postpones the end of the crisis. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously warned that any arms shipments to Ukraine to facilitate NATO's proxy war against Russia are legitimate targets of Russian forces.The fight against illegal migration in Europe will also be discussed during the summit. Earlier in 2022, the United Kingdom signed migration agreements with Rwanda, France, and Albania. The latest migration deal was signed with Turkiye in August 2023. The new agreement with Belgium will enable the UK to increase the bilateral exchange of experience and use advanced technologies to detect and identify people involved in the smuggling of migrants into Europe. The agreement with Bulgaria will launch a partnership on cooperation and information exchange agreed at the previous European Policy Community summit in June, the document said. With Serbia, the UK will sign a joint declaration on cooperation in tackling the flow of refugees, including to ensure the prosecution of criminal gangs trafficking migrants, the government said. Additionally, the UK prime minister, joined by his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, will organize a small session on the sidelines of the summit to discuss illegal migration and the fight against organized crime, the statement read. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231001/uk-mulls-sending-its-navy-to-black-sea-and-military-instructors-to-ukraine-1113834425.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230806/uk-in-talks-with-germany-on-seizing-boats-used-to-smuggle-migrants-1112424629.html ukraine united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International rishi sunak, european political community, ukraine crisis, uk aid to ukraine, uk funding of ukraine, uk support for ukraine, illegal migration, granada summit, aid allocations for ukraine, ukraine aid, money for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/ukraine-corrupt-at-all-levels-not-eligible-to-join-eu---ex-bloc-head-1113960646.html Ukraine 'Corrupt at All Levels', 'Not Eligible' to Join EU - Ex-Bloc Head Ukraine 'Corrupt at All Levels', 'Not Eligible' to Join EU - Ex-Bloc Head The European Union is preparing to launch formal talks on possible Ukrainian accession into the bloc, despite dire warnings by senior officials that the EU might not survive enlargement economically, and lose whats left of the pan-European projects political cohesion. 2023-10-05T17:08+0000 2023-10-05T17:08+0000 2023-10-05T17:08+0000 world jean-claude juncker charles michel ukraine kiev european union (eu) european commission euromaidan europe international monetary fund /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/05/1113960186_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_42524b90241b9099b993c73e905d514e.jpg Ukraine in its current state is corrupt to the core and absolutely ineligible to join the European Union, former European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said."One mustnt make false promises to the people of Ukraine who are up to their necks in suffering. I am very angry about the presence of some voices in Europe who are telling the Ukrainians that they can become members immediately," Juncker said in an extensive interview with German media on Thursday."The European prospects for Moldova and Ukraine, which is defending itself so virtuously and defending European values, must be maintained, but must not be linked to a hope that this can be achieved overnight at the push of a button," Juncker said. Instead, he proposed, countries like Ukraine should be able to "take part" in projects aimed at partial integration.The former European Commission boss, who warned during his time in office that Ukraine would certainly not become an EU member over the next 20 to 25 years, and that the country was not European in the sense of the European Union, repeatedly dashed the hopes of the Euromaidan coup plotters, who overthrew Ukraines government in 2014 and launched a civil war in the Donbass to try to set the country on a path to Europe. The crisis escalated into a full-on NATO-sponsored proxy war on Ukrainian territory in 2022 as Moscow attempted to preempt plans by Kiev to reabsorb the Donbass by force.Juncker is the latest high-level European politician to put a damper on Ukraines EU prospects amid reports that bloc leaders are planning to initiate formal accession talks before the end of the year, despite the ongoing largescale conflict in the country.Late last month, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola warned that the "economic model" that the bloc has today would not survive enlargement, and proposed a number of stopgap integrative processes short of membership, such as telephone and internet roaming, the lifting of trade barriers, access to some EU funds, Ukrainian access to European universities, etc.European Council President Charles Michel also hinted this week that Ukraine could become a member of the EU no sooner than 2030, and even then only if "both sides do their homework."Commenting on the blocs plans to go ahead with accession talks, University of Fribourg macroeconomics and monetary policy professor Sergio Rossi told Sputnik that in addition to economic problems, an effort to absorb a country as large as Ukraine would undermine the "cohesion between current EU member countries" and potentially exacerbate local nationalisms.Ukrainian officials announced this week that Kiev has begun work on a unified "Plan of Reforms" up to the year 2027, based on "recommendations and proposals" by Brussels and the International Monetary Fund.Accession to the Ukraine would entitle Kiev to as much as 186 billion euros a much sought-after boon to the countrys economy, which is desperately searching for new ways to raise money as debt levels approach 100 percent of GDP, foreign donations account for up to 70 percent of the states budget, and private creditors knock on Ukraine's door for returns on their 'investment'. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/eu-hints-ukraine-could-become-bloc-member-by-2030-while-squeezing-kiev-dry-1113947869.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231004/ukraines-membership-would-entail-financial-conundrum-for-eu-erode-its-cohesion-1113917891.html ukraine kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov european union, ukraine, membership, corruption, aspirations, ambitions, euromaidan, jean-claude juncker https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/ukraine-loses-up-to-210-military-in-donetsk-direction-in-past-day---mod-1113952541.html Ukraine Loses Up to 210 Military in Donetsk Direction in Past Day - MoD Ukraine Loses Up to 210 Military in Donetsk Direction in Past Day - MoD Ukraine has lost up to 210 military both killed and injured in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. 2023-10-05T12:33+0000 2023-10-05T12:33+0000 2023-10-05T12:33+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukraine donetsk russia russian ministry of defense /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/06/1112420446_0:0:2762:1554_1920x0_80_0_0_b8e938862a395c9f679aa39c106bede2.jpg Over the given period, the Russian armed forces have repulsed two attacks by Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk direction, another two in the Krasny Liman direction and one in the South Donetsk direction. Ukraine has also lost up to 170 military both killed and injured in the Kupyansk direction and up to 80 military in the Krasny Liman direction, the ministry added https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/russias-units-kill-up-to-50-ukrainian-soldiers-near-torsky-sector---defense-ministry-1113941164.html ukraine donetsk russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International donetsk direction, ukraine loses, russian defense ministry https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/ukraine-nixing-disability-concept-to-slash-payments-to-conflict-victims-1113961315.html Ukraine Nixing 'Disability' Concept to Slash Payments to Conflict Victims Ukraine Nixing 'Disability' Concept to Slash Payments to Conflict Victims Kiev's decision to eliminate the concept of "disability" by 2025 indicates the state authorities' unwillingness to take care of vulnerable Ukrainians, military analyst Alexey Leonkov told Sputnik. 2023-10-05T18:44+0000 2023-10-05T18:44+0000 2023-10-05T18:44+0000 us analysis ben wallace ukraine kiev ukrainian armed forces russia nato europe opinion /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/17/1112807944_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_381d64c9a8405ae71b5e088cc769c91a.jpg Ukraine will replace the concept of "disability" with the "assessment of loss of functionality" starting from 2025, according to Ukrainian Minister of Health Viktor Lyashko, as quoted by the countrys media.Per Lyashko, Ukrainians are seeking "disability" benefits instead of restoring their productivity. He argued that this approach is a relic of the post-Soviet era that Ukraine should discard.The Ukrainian government plans to carry out a global reform of the Medical Expert Commission (MSEC) system in 2025 and completely reconsider approaches to disability assessment, according to the minister.Lyashko explained that people with injuries will undergo rehabilitation, and after that they will be redirected to specialists who will consider how to restore their functionality. Per the Ukrainian media, during the 10 months of the conflict in 2022, over 45,000 Ukrainians received disability status, which is 3.5 times more than in 2021.However, the question is whether Ukraine will simultaneously adopt laws protecting the rights of those disabled employees, according to the military expert. What if Ukrainian companies refuse to employ those people? That would mean that disabled persons would be left without any means to survive, given that the Ukrainian government is going to shrug off this responsibility.Per Leonkov, the country is likely to face unemployment and bankruptcy in the future, given that its national debt is approaching the value of its gross domestic product (GDP). That is, Ukraine will adopt strict austerity measures, minimize social programs, and raise the bar for receiving any kind of financial assistance.Kiev Mobilizing Old, Young and SickRemarkably, in late August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ordered a full review of all mobilization exemptions granted by Military Medical Commissions (MMCs) under the pretext that some draft-age Ukrainians had bribed officials to get fraudulent "disability" rulings from MMCs. The initiative was announced in the wake of the spectacular failure of the Ukraine counteroffensive. Instead of gaining ground on the battlefield, the Ukrainian Armed Forces sustained gargantuan losses in terms of both manpower and equipment.Still, Kiev's Western patrons are urging Ukrainians to continue fighting nonetheless. As former British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace claimed in his recent op-ed, Ukraine should expand mobilization and send its youth to the battlefield because any pause will allow Russia "to build a new army."Since February 2022, Ukrainian martial law has barred most men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country; however, tens of thousands of draft-age adults have fled to Europe since then. The Kiev regime is urging the EU to extradite those "draft-dodgers," but European authorities refuse to do this under the pretext of the bloc's laws, since Ukrainian migrants are a source of cheap labor."Of course, they suffer significant losses there. And, of course, it is impossible for them to make up for these losses. They need to keep a certain number on the line of combat contact in order to hold this line. But they believe that the best defense is attack. So, in fact, they are being pushed into slaughter. They do not have time for training people properly and professionally, and there are not enough people. Thats why, previously, they used to take healthy people, but now they take all the 'lame and cross-eyed' ones."To complicate matters further, the Kiev regime's strategy of preserving Western military equipment and not caring about its soldiers has resulted in spiking rates of amputation. According to the Western press, between 20,000 and 50,000 Ukrainian military personnel have lost one or more limbs since the beginning of the special military operation. While Ukrainian medical institutions cite 20,000 amputee cases, the actual figure could be much higher, foreign journalists note, adding that the exact number of fallen and injured is shrouded in secrecy by Kiev.The Ukrainian Healthcare system is overwhelmed, according Tetiana Ostashchenko, commander of the Medical Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, while the cost of getting a new artificial limb mounts over $100,000.In order to save their lives and limbs, newly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers are increasingly surrendering on the battlefield. Russian leaflets provide them a life-saving exit from the "meat grinder" created by Kiev and the West's determination to fight to the last Ukrainian. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230921/cannon-fodder-number-of-ukrainian-amputee-soldiers-going-through-the-roof-1113563445.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230915/europe-snubs-ukraines-demand-to-extradite-draft-dodgers-1113395120.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231002/former-uk-defense-sec-suggests-ukraine-mobilize-younger-recruits-1113849525.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230912/they-dont-want-to-die-pointless-death-why-ukrainian-troops-increasingly-surrender-1113318870.html ukraine kiev russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Russias Artillerymen Urge Ukrainian Soldiers to Surrender Russias Artillerymen Urge Ukrainian Soldiers to Surrender 2023-10-05T18:44+0000 true PT1M16S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukraine, ukraine conflict, ukraine war map, ukraine war, ukraine war news, ukrainian casualties, ukrainian amputees, injuries sustained by ukrainian military, kiev eliminates disability concept, ukraine bankrupt, ukraine debt, ukraine austerity, ukraine won't pay compensation for disabled, ukraine won't provide benefits to disabled LG Chem, SKC also expected to benefit from mega-size deal By Park Jae-hyuk LG Energy Solution (LGES) agreed to supply 20 gigawatt-hours of high-nickel NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum) battery modules annually to Toyota Motor from 2025 to 2035 for the Japanese carmakers battery electric vehicles (BEVs) produced in the U.S. state of Kentucky, the Korean battery maker said Thursday. The deal is LGES single largest supply agreement secured outside of joint venture agreements. Although the Korean firm kept the deals size confidential, it is expected to generate an additional $22 billion in revenue through the contract, considering that high-nickel battery cells are sold for $110 to $130 per kilowatt-hour. To fulfill the supply agreement, LGES will invest 4 trillion won ($3 billion) in its Michigan plant, to build new production lines for battery cells and modules exclusively for Toyota by 2025. The modules will go to Toyotas Kentucky plant to be assembled into battery packs for BEVs. This is the first time for LGES to sign a battery supply agreement with Toyota. As a result, the Korean firm has been able to supply its batteries to the worlds top five carmakers Toyota, Volkswagen, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, Hyundai Motor and General Motors. Were excited to have Toyota, the best-selling global automaker, as our new customer. With our 30 years of experience in lithium-ion batteries, we will provide innovative power solutions to support Toyotas push further into BEVs, LGES CEO Kwon Young-soo said. The agreement also presents another big opportunity for us to strengthen our production capacity in North America, thereby bringing more real-life, large-scale progress toward electrification in the region. Toyota aspires to offer 30 BEV models globally across its Toyota and Lexus brand nameplates and produce up to 3.5 million BEVs annually by 2030. At Toyota, our goal is to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, as fast as possible, Toyota Motor North America CEO Tetsuo Ted Ogawa said. Having secure supplies of lithium-ion batteries at scale with a long-term relationship to support Toyotas multi-pathway approach and growth plans for BEVs in North America is critical to achieve our manufacturing and carbon reduction plans. Working with LGES, we are excited to be able to offer products that will provide the performance and quality our customers expect. Meritz Securities analyst Rho Woo-ho said the mega-size deal will also benefit LG Chem and SKC. In August last year, SKC established a joint venture with Toyota Tsusho to supply copper foil, he said. LG Chem is in talks with Toyota to supply cathode materials in the U.S. market. The analyst added that LGES is expected to sign an additional partnership with Ford Motor in the European market by the end of this year at the earliest, based on its solid bargaining power in the global battery industry. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/uks-rishi-sunak-touts-roadmap-to-smoke-free-young-generation--1113955089.html UK's Rishi Sunak Touts Roadmap to 'Smoke-Free' Young Generation UK's Rishi Sunak Touts Roadmap to 'Smoke-Free' Young Generation UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has unveiled his plan to phase out smoking in young people by 2040, and eventually eradicate the habit nationwide. 2023-10-05T18:40+0000 2023-10-05T18:40+0000 2023-10-05T18:40+0000 united kingdom (uk) rishi sunak smoking /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/05/1113954515_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ac7418949d4e5dcd73a1552d0b642fef.jpg Rishi Sunak has unveiled his plan to phase out smoking in young people by 2040, and eventually eradicating the habit nationwide.The idea is to change the laws so that the legal age to buy cigarettes will rise annually, said the British PM at the ruling Conservative Party's annual conference on Wednesday.If selling tobacco products to people born on or after January 1, 2009 were made illegal, it could help create the first smoke-free generation, Sunak said.The British government has been citing data showing that smoking has become the countrys biggest preventable killer, blamed for one in four cancer deaths. Overall, the death toll attributed to the habit stands at 64,000 annually in England.Not only would the measure proposed by Downing Street save tens of thousands of lives, but it has been touted as a means of slashing healthcare costs, saving the National health service (NHS) 2.4 billion a year.The plan was hailed as a game changer by charities such as the Asthma + Lung UK charitable company. On the other side of the aisle, smoking rights groups ripped the planned ban as "hideously illiberal and unconservative."Britain's opposition Labour Party has already given the proposed plan its backing. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230411/dont-smoke-vape-instead-uk-rolls-out-swap-to-stop-scheme-to-fight-cigarettes-1109340966.html united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko uk prime minister rishi sunak, plan to phase out smoking in young people by 2040, uk plan to phase out smoking, uk smoking ban https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/us-house-contender-jordan-claims-he-wont-oust-gaetz-after-holding-talk-with-trump-1113969390.html US House Contender Jordan Claims He Won't Oust Gaetz After Holding Talk With Trump US House Contender Jordan Claims He Won't Oust Gaetz After Holding Talk With Trump Rep. Jim Jordan, one of the frontrunners to fill the empty House Speaker position, said he spoke with Former President Trump on Thursday. 2023-10-05T22:25+0000 2023-10-05T22:25+0000 2023-10-05T22:22+0000 americas matt gaetz kevin mccarthy donald trump ukraine gop congress republicans house speaker speaker of the house /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/1b/1105831703_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ccdc3eb54ea837f5b67ae05330f1d081.jpg US Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) said on Thursday that he spoke with former US President Donald Trump about his bid to replace Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) as House speaker.Jordan did not elaborate on whether Trump said he supported his bid for speaker, only saying it was a great conversation and that they also talked about all kinds of issues.During and after the Trump presidency, Jordan proved to be a close ally of the former commander-in-chief. He was one of the Republicans who did not vote to certify the 2020 election results and is one of the leading GOP members of the impeachment inquiry into current US President Joe Biden.McCarthy was ousted as speaker earlier this week after US Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a motion to vacate the seat. Eight Republicans joined every Democrat in voting to oust McCarthy. The move by Gaetz has angered some party members and a few have floated the idea of kicking him out of the caucus. Jordan said he would not support a move against Gaetz.Gaetz has expressed support for both Jordan and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA). Reps. Kevin Hern (R-OK) and Tom Emmer (R-MN) have also announced bids.Some Republicans have also been calling for the repeal of the rule that allowed Gaetz to call for McCarthys removal. Jordan said if the conference supports that, he would also throw in his backing but added that it would be fine with him if they did not.US Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who received a peak of 20 votes during Januarys election for House speaker, said he disagreed with Gaetzs decision to call for a motion to vacate but added that his actions showed how things have changed in the US House of Representatives.Despite leading the impeachment inquiry, Jordan said that he would be able to form a working relationship with Biden while acting as speaker.If I get the votes and get the privilege of being speaker, thats how it works in our system, Jordan said. Well deal with them, theyll deal with us. Thats how it works.He was also asked about his relationship with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), particularly their vast differences on sending more aid to Ukraine. Jordan has vehemently opposed further aid to Ukraine while McConnell, who received $18,500 for his 2020 campaign from weapon manufacturer Raytheon, supports it.Jordan said his relationship with McConnell is fine and argued that his position on Ukraine is where the American people are. https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/who-are-the-contenders-for-house-speaker--whats-their-stance-on-ukraine-aid-1113937381.html americas ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino who will be house speaker, jim jordan and trump, who does gaetz support, who will replace mccarthy https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/us-house-speaker-ousted-canada-chooses-new-house-speaker-biden-admin-loses-1st-amendment-hearing-1113940215.html US House Speaker Ousted; Canada Chooses New House Speaker; Biden Admin Loses 1st Amendment Hearing US House Speaker Ousted; Canada Chooses New House Speaker; Biden Admin Loses 1st Amendment Hearing The US Speaker of the House has been ousted due to a dispute in his caucus about funding for the Kiev regime. 2023-10-05T04:14+0000 2023-10-05T04:14+0000 2023-10-05T11:13+0000 the critical hour radio china ukraine yemen canada donald trump g20 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/05/1113940025_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_6b4345082a8e103888bb342a0e8bf809.png US House Speaker Ousted; Canada Chooses New House Speaker; Biden Admin Loses 1st Amendment Hearing The US Speaker of the House has been ousted due to a dispute in his caucus about funding for the Kiev regime. Rachel Blevins, journalist and host of The Backstory, joins us to discuss domestic politics. US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy has lost his leadership position. Rachel Blevins says that at least half of Americans oppose further Ukraine funding, and that issue is at the heart of the GOP dissent. She says the Democrats may have shot themselves in the foot because the next Speaker may oppose Ukraine funding altogether.Brian Berletic, ex-US Marine, independent geopolitical researcher and writer based in Bangkok, Thailand, joins us to discuss foreign policy. The US and NATO are running out of ammunition. Brian Berletic says that the US record is that it drops its vassals when the going gets tough, and they will likely follow suit in this instance.Dr. Nicolai Petro, Professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island, joins us to discuss Ukraine. US funding for Ukraine is set to dry up by November. Professor Petro says that a significant amount of government funds do not require Congressional authorization. He thinks it is unlikely that Ukraine will gain membership in the European Union because there are several ways that individual nations can sabotage the process.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss how the US and its vassals are unhappy about the results of the Slovakia elections. Mark Sleboda says the winner is a former Prime Minister tainted by a corruption scandal. He has railed against economic challenges due to the sanction war on Russia. Also, he has opposed paying money to support Ukrainian refugees. His party is anti-NATO and Euro-skeptic. Mark says that in Poland, the ruling party is playing to the electorate regarding Ukrainian immigration and grain.Robert Fantina, journalist and Palestinean activist, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Canada has elected Greg Fergus as its first Black House of Commons Speaker. Robert Fantina says that this does not address the government-sponsored racism against indigenous people across Canada who still suffer. Also, the government can use the race of the new Speaker as an excuse to argue that racism is not present.Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss domestic legal policies. A US court has ruled against the Biden Administration's policies of working closely with private social media corporations to censor opinions that they do not like. Steve Poikonen says that this is not censorship by proxy since most of these platforms were created by the Federal government. He says it is time that we realize that free speech on the internet is gone as long as there is an open collaboration between social media platforms and government agencies.Jon Jeter, journalist and author, joins us to discuss the Canadian Parliament's Nazi debacle. A UK geopolitical analyst has written an article defending Canada's rousing applause for a Nazi war criminal. Jon Jeter says this is further evidence that they have no exit strategy from Ukraine. Jon says that the Ukraine project is unraveling.Scott Ritter, former UN weapon inspector in Iraq, joins us to discuss international geopolitics. The US is mimicking the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative as they work to set up new railway and port routes in Western Asia and the Middle East. Scott Ritter says this was a G20 follow-up on a G7 initiative to challenge the Chinese. He says that the G-20 was an initiative to allow the wealthy Western nations to take control of the rising Global South powers. Also, there is a question as to whether the Muslim countries will work with Israel, and China is responsible for maintaining some of the necessary railroads for this project.The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comCatch us in the US at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM china ukraine yemen canada Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg the critical hour, americans oppose further ukraine funding, us funding for ukraine, the results of the slovakia elections, anti-nato, euro-skeptic, ukrainian immigration, canadian parliament's nazi debacle Daburg, driven by Pat Berry, equalled the track record for two-year-old trotting fillies on Wednesday at Harrington Raceway with a 1:59.2 win in a $20,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund division, part of the second leg of the series. The Anders Bluestone filly remained unbeaten in three starts for trainer Traci Berry and owners James Craparotta and Berry Racing in the early non-wagering contest. Daburg led wire to wire over Rip Away and Platinum Blue. The track record equalled Cicadas Song, who established the mark in 2015. There were four additional splits on the wagering program -- two apiece for males and females. Nanticoke Racing's LGs Jaxon ($9.20, Jim Morand) captured the first male split in 2:02.2 for trainer Les Givens. The Rolls Blue Chip gelding sprung an upset over race favourite Royal Beep Beep, who was second, with Pulsator third. Meanwhile, Jane Dunavant's Glide Along ($4.40, Cody Poliseno) completed a sweep of her eliminations with a 2:01 score over Marinos Prize and Going Platinum. The Glidemaster filly recorded her second career win in as many starts for trainer Carlo Poliseno. Wolfpack Wilma ($3.20, Corey Callahan) captured the last filly division in 2:04.2 for owners Stuart Chambers, Bcjm Inc., and Divine Horse Racing. The Anders Bluestone filly recorded her first career win over FD Pure Platinum and Gavelhigh with a strong late finish. Team Givens struck again in the final split on the card, as LGs Bluestone ($7.40, Art Stafford Jr.) was a 2:02.1 winner over Ronnie Ridge and Portnoy. The gelded son of Anders Bluestone recorded his second career win for co-owner/trainer Givens. In the $20,000 overnight feature, the Open Trot, Clark Stables and Tina Clark's That Ole Bar Stool ($8.80, Montrell Teague) was a 1:56 winner over Remarkable De Vie and Judge Bob. Later in the card, Jeff Clark's She Is Strong ($2.80, Stafford Jr.) notched her sixth straight win for her trainer/driver in 1:59.1. Stafford earned four driving wins on the card. The top eight point earners from the DSBFs two legs will return to compete in the $110,000 DSBF final events, which will headline the Oct. 9-11 week of racing, in addition to $50,000 Open events named for Bobby Quillen, Kathleen Cain and Allen Cook. Live harness racing will continue on a Monday through Wednesday schedule until Oct. 18. (With files from Harrington Raceway) Surrounded by her family in the comfort of Erie Shores Hospice, Faye Ilene Duford passed away peacefully on Oct. 3, 2023 at the age of 74. In 2019, Faye retired from Standardbred Canada after 35 years of service. She was a pillar of the Standardbred Canada family for many, many years. Faye had such a welcoming nature and she always had a way to make anyone she met feel at home. She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed. Beloved wife of Rodney Duford for exactly 54 years, married on October 3, 1969. Loving mother of Ronald Duford. Dear sister of Sue Davies and the late Gail Mason. Loving aunt of Kim Davies, Chris Davies and Jennifer Thompson and their families. The family extends a special thank you to the team at Erie Shores Hospice. Their care and compassion for both Faye and the family will forever be cherished. Cremation has taken place as per Faye's wishes. If so desired, memorial donations may be made in memory of Faye to the Erie Shores Hospice or to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Cremation First (Leamington) 519-398-9188. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at cremationfirst.ca. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Faye Duford. The Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution requesting the Commonwealth of Virginia declare Culpeper County an agricultural disaster area due to the persistent drought. Senior Extension Agent Carl Stafford made the request to the board at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday. Staffords presentation revealed the county has been going through a sustained drought due to extreme heat and inadequate rainfall. The presentation outlined how drought conditions, from July 15 through Sept. 15, affected a total of 682 farms in Culpeper. Losses were estimated at over $7 million, more than the 30% threshold needed for a disaster declaration, Stafford said. According to the senior extension agent, well levels around the county are also at historic lows, mentioning Clevengers Village on the northern end. Data showed well levels below 10 feet from the top of the well casing, coinciding with the date range of July to September in the crop loss information. The USDA County Emergency Board, on Sept. 14 and 15, recommended the disaster declaration, attended by Virginia extension agents from Culpeper, Madison, Greene, Orange and Rappahannock. Each of the countys agents agreed to ask for the declaration based on reports of drought conditions. Having the disaster declaration in place will make the localities eligible for federal disaster relief funding. Culpeper County crop loss information complied by the extension office reported 50% of pasture land impacted by the drought, resulting in a dollar loss of $3.9 million. A 30% shortage of hay during the summer harvest has resulted in an additional loss of $3.2 million. Stafford reported 20% losses for corn and soybean, 50% loss for corn silage and 25% loss in wine grape tonnage, albeit with improved grape quality. Evergreen tree farms are also seeing impacts from the drought. The NOAA rain gauge at Culpeper Regional Airport has collected about half as much rain as this time last year, he stated. Creeks and streams are dry. One local woman reported 100 cows watering off a house well, Stafford continued. He said surface water in the county is as low as hes seen it. A 2023 Drought Status provided by the county showed Culpeper at 9.25 inches below normal rainfall levels as of Sept. 22 around 21 inches since January compared to the normal 30 inches. USDA Drought Monitor ranks Culpeper County as moderate for drought, but the impacts have been more severe, Stafford said. The board voted unanimously to pass the resolution which will seek the disaster declaration for Culpeper County from the commonwealth. It is very clear that we have drought conditions with groundwater depletion and crop loss. Mr. Stafford detailed clear evidence this morning that there is real impact upon Culpeper, and especially upon agricultural operations, said Board Chairman Gary Deal in a statement after the meeting. The board fully supported adoption of the Resolution requesting the governor to declare Culpeper County an agricultural disaster area because there has been a clear negative impact on our farmers. If the governor declares a disaster, it could potentially open up opportunities for disaster relief funds from the commonwealth. Catalpa District Supervisor Paul Bates said he has had numerous farmers contact him about hauling water for livestock. Its a temporary fix for a long-term problem, he stated. Bates said owners of some private lakes in Culpeper have agreed to share the water with farmers. The creeks drying up, Hazel River (is the) lowest I have ever seen it. He added water availability is a major issue the board cannot turn a blind eye to going forward in considering future development projects. Staff reporter Allison Brophy Champion contributed to this report. The 42nd Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, sponsored by the Culpeper Branch NAACP, will be held at noon on Saturday at Peppers Grill in Culpeper. The event serves as the branchs main fundraiser each year to provide scholarships to local youth and support educational, health and wellness, and political action initiatives, according to a release from secretary Cynthia Taylor. This years theme is Empowerment through Education. Featured at the banquet will be music, speakers and fellowship, all exemplifying the NAACPs mission to achieve the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. African Americans have endured challenges in the pursuit of a high-quality education, both throughout history and currently, said Culpeper Branch President Frank D. Lewis. We always found a way and we will continue to find a way. Lewis said history tells us that people of color are resilient, from fighting to end segregation in the past to fighting for teaching accurate history and against silencing Black writers and artists today. The branch, which also serves Madison and Rappahannock counties, is currently providing shared learning experiences for the public that empower individuals to thrive through its Empowerment through Education series, according to the release. The series has programs for teens and adults including monthly events, such as a high school book club, teen and family learning days, True History Tuesdays, panel discussions and workshops, field trips and essay contests. As part of the banquet program, Genesis Lee, a recent graduate of Culpeper County High School, now attending Virginia State University and studying education, will read her essay on why she wanted to become a teacher. Education Exemplars The keynote speaker for the banquet will be Dr. Janet Gullickson, the first woman appointed as president of what she has helped to become Virginias fifth largest community college: Germanna Community College. Currently serving about 13,000 students annually in both suburban and rural regions of the state, including Culpeper, the college has grown by nearly 16% in overall enrollment for the last four years one of the few community colleges in the country seeing growth. Germanna also boasts a 25% increase in African American enrollment during that time. Previously holding positions in higher education in three states, Gullickson has led Germanna to author and implement the Truth and Reconciliation Plan, with a stated vision to repudiate racism and be committed to challenging the inequitable treatment of oppressed and marginalized groups. We are an institution where people of all identities, backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome, safe and included. The branchs 2023 honoree will be Nancy Garnett Williams, who was among the first students to integrate Madison County High School. Under Williams direction, the Madison County African American Historical Association was established in 2006. She has worked closely with the local library and circuit court over many years of research to collect data and documents dating to the 1700s, including wills, marriage licenses, deeds, chancery filings and other historical material. Williams also assisted local families in their genealogical searches by overseeing the establishment of a collection of research materials while also collecting artifacts, photos, publications and other memorabilia connected to local Black history, according to the release. She has created special displays in the Madison County Historical Society museum, and is working on the restoration of two revered buildings in Madison. One building is The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows lodge, which hosted meetings and events in the late 1800s and early 1900s and did much to support African American families in our community, according to Williams. The other building is the former Red Rooster Juke Joint which was a lively gathering spot for many people in Madison, with great food and musicians performing for crowds of dancers, she said, noting her Uncle William Buster Garnett was the proprietor. Lewis said Williams is a shining example of, what our Empowerment through Education mission reflects: that inclusive education can and must come from many sources within our communities. We are all teachers, and we are all learners. The public is invited to attend the banquet, learn about the NAACP and be inspired by creative and dedicated educators. See naacpculpeper.org, under Resources, for banquet ticket info or email secretary@naacpculpeper.org. Donations for the branchs important work can be submitted on the website or mailed to Culpeper NAACP, P.O. Box 687, Culpeper, VA, 22701. The public is invited to attend branch meetings at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the conference room at the Culpeper Business Center, 14115 Lovers Lane in Culpeper. The Nebraska State Board of Education traveled to the Scottsbluff/Gering area this week to tour facilities and meet with school leaders with a particular focus on career and technical education programming in the Scottsbluff school district. The state board spent Wednesday in a variety of Scottsbluff school buildings to get an overall impression of the districts impact from early childhood to career readiness. One unique stop was the Aulick Industries facility that houses Scottsbluff High Schools diesel tech and electrician training programs. Elizabeth Tegtmeier represents District 7 on the Nebraska State Board of Education, an area which includes the entirety of the Panhandle. She said she toured the Aulick facility on another occasion and wanted to share the experience with her peers on the board. This was the opportunity that I wanted some of our board members who come from larger towns to see: the innovation and the collaboration thats happening out in the Panhandle. Im proud to represent this and feel like Im a little part of it, Tegtmeier said. To Tegtmeier, the community-led and collaborative programs in Scottsbluff not only set students up with good jobs, they also help keep talented and hardworking individuals in the communities they call home. One of the issues we face in western Nebraska is that a lot of our kids are moving to larger cities, and its causing a population drain out here, she said. What I see happening through the diesel shop is that kids are finding they can stay in their hometown and their community, have a long-term job, support their families, and raise those families near their parents so those children have grandparents around. During their visit, board members heard from school officials like superintendent Andrew Dick, SHS principal Justin Shaddick and internship coordinator Derek Deaver. One student, Milo Coop, also spoke about how the diesel tech program changed the course of his future. Im decent in school, I get good grades, but school is just eh, Coop said. But I tried this diesel tech program, did several different units and, overall, enjoyed every second of it. My mentality now is to continue down this path, go to college and build something out of this opportunity Ive been given by the school and our business partners. Industry partner Jake Aulick touted the ability of trades programs to reach a demographic of students, like Coop, whose strengths lie outside of the traditional classroom setting. These kids are the ones who want to get their hands dirty and dont want to sit in class, but theyre the ones who are going to fix all of your stuff when its broken, Aulick said. Tegtmeier expressed her belief that the boards visit to Scottsbluff will emphasize the importance of career and technical education statewide and hopefully lead to a funding increase for such programs. Its very inspiring to see how much the people here in the Scottsbluff/Gering area are willing to invest in the future, she said. The Nebraska State Board of Education will hold its monthly business meeting at the Gering Civic Center on Friday, Oct. 6, beginning at 9 a.m. A public comment period will also be held at around 1 p.m. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) reports that Riverside Discovery Center has lost its accreditation. According to a news release on the AZAs website issued in September, Riverside Discovery Center was one of two zoos denied its application for accreditation. It was one of 30 zoos and aquariums whose applications were reviewed by the AZAs independent Accreditation Commission and considered during the AZAs 2023 annual Conference held in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 9-14. Riverside Discovery Center has been accredited under the AZA since 1990 and is required to reapply every five years. The process includes on-site inspections that include a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals to observe day-to-day operations and other aspects of the institution. According to the press release, Riverside Discovery Center officials have 30 days to appeal the decision to the AZA Board of Directors, effective Oct 1. The Star-Herald reached out to Riverside Discovery Center officials, including director Desiree Drane-Davison, board president Andy Hayward and board member Jeff Fielder, who has been serving as a media liaison. The Star-Herald was advised that the board has a scheduled meeting at which a statement will be prepared and released. AZA accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard of zoological accreditation. AZA accreditation is a rigorous process for zoos with multiple day inspections of all parts of a zoos operations. Accreditation is one of the factors that allows the zoo to participate in the AZAs Species Survival Plan Program, through which some of the zoos most popular animals were acquired. Officials at Riverside Discovery Center attributed its loss of accreditation to financial woes, saying in a press release that there were no issues regarding safety and well-being of animals in the zoos care. The zoos staff plans to work toward accreditation again next year when they are eligible. Riverside Discovery Center Board President Andy Hayward said, Its pretty much going to be a one- to two-year process; the good thing is a big chunk of the problems revolve around finance. In a press release issued by Crane, the Riverside Discovery Center cited: The biggest reason for the denial of accreditation were lack of sufficient finances and contingencies, inexperienced staff and recent turnover at the executive director position. Hayward said the zoo is also applying for accreditation under the Zoological Association of America. While they hold members to similar standards, ZAA has some differences in its standards he said, most notably in the handling of elephants and the breeding of big cats such as lions and tigers. Most of the animals held at the zoo are owned by the Riverside Discovery Center, but some are on loan from other owners and the AZA. Riverside Discovery Center officials said in the press release that they are confident animals on loan would not be leaving their care. As of Friday morning, zoo officials were uncertain about the future of the lions that were supposed to be delivered from the Omaha Zoo this fall. In light of the news about Riverside Discovery Center losing its accreditation, the Star-Herald reached out to the City of Scottsbluff, which provides annual funding to the Riverside Discovery Center. Through an agreement that runs until September 2025, the City of Scottsbluff provides $300,000 in funding annually. The agreement is contingent on the zoo operating in a good faith effort to manage their accreditation, City Manager Kevin Spencer told the Star-Herald. Spencer said that the city has been advised that the zoo has applied for the AZAs Pathway to Membership Program, a program designed to help organizations seeking accreditation prepare to submit an application. I think as far as the agreement goes, I think were in good standing still, he said, because the zoo has applied for that program. City staff are still working through its course of action following the denial of the zoos application, but Spencer said he is optimistic about the zoos future. A clause in the agreement between the city and the zoo outlines causes for termination of the agreement. One of those causes is the revocation of the zoos accreditation. City Council member Jordan Colwell, who serves as the councils liaison to the Riverside Discovery Center on its board, told the Star-Herald that he hopes that the city could find a way to continue the providing aid to the zoo. It is my hope that we try to help the zoo as much as possible, he said in text messages. They (Riverside Discovery Center) are doing great work and the zoo is a gem in our community we cant lose. According to the AZAs website, the accreditation report is confidential, released only to the zoo. Spencer advised that the City of Scottsbluff has not received a copy of the report. The Star-Herald did reach out to the AZA as part of its reporting, but had not yet received a response as of presstime. President Joe Biden expressed fears on Wednesday that U.S. aid to Ukraine could be hurt by congressional chaos and said he will give a major speech soon to make the case for why it is necessary to help Ukraine repel Russian invaders. Republican infighting in the House of Representatives has complicated budget negotiations and prompted Biden to go from confidence that an agreement will be made on Ukraine aid to now expressing worries about funding his top foreign policy priority. Asked if he was concerned that the United States would not be able to deliver the aid that it has promised to Ukraine because of the disarray on Capitol Hill, Biden said: "It does worry me ... but I know there are a majority of members of the House and Senate in both parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine." Biden asked Congress in July to approve $24 billion more related to Ukraine, which Ukraine supporters - Republicans and Democrats had hoped could become law as part of a spending bill. The White House said on Tuesday that current funding levels would last about two more months. Biden sought to assure U.S. allies in a call on Tuesday that U.S. aid would continue unimpeded as Ukrainian forces press on with a counteroffensive to try to reclaim territory lost since Russia's invasion in February 2022. "The president's message was that the U.S.A. could certainly continue to be relied on in this matter in the future," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters in Berlin. Biden did not say when he would deliver his speech on the subject but indicated that it would be soon. The White House declined comment and one official said the speech was not currently on Biden's schedule. "I'm going to make the argument that it is overwhelmingly in the interests of the United States of America that Ukraine succeed and it's overwhelmingly in our interests," he said. Biden suggested there was an alternative source for Ukraine funds but did not explain what he meant. The White House declined comment. But a method that has been used in the past involves the reprogramming of funds, a tool used to shift funds around within Pentagon accounts to meet urgent needs. Currently the Pentagon has $1.6 billion to fund replenishment of weapons stocks sent to Ukraine. But the Biden administration has the authority to send $5.4 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine. Reprogramming could be done to increase the $1.6 billion figure in order to keep contracts flowing to weapons makers such as Lockheed Martin, which makes the GMLER rockets Ukraine is using each day, and General Dynamics, which makes the 155 millimeter artillery ammunition that is essential to Ukraines fight. (Reuters) The Diabetes Care Foundation has pledged $2 million to help the Clifton Strengths Institute grow and continue its mission of developing business students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The pledged money will be distributed via an endowment named after Joan Heiser, executive director of the foundation and a 1980 graduate of UNLs College of Business. Tim Hodges, executive director of the Clifton Strengths Institute, said the money will help recruit and retain faculty and staff. In turn, students will benefit from more one-on-one instruction and mentorship as they are developed into business leaders. While the science in researching and treating diabetes is sound, Heiser said the field could use an entrepreneurial vision. Diabetes is a national epidemic, Heiser saidThere are so many problems that can be solved through entrepreneurs who have ideas for new ventures. The Clifton Strengths Institute teaches and promotes the entrepreneurial spirit. Hodges said the endowment comes with flexibility to do some exciting things that may not have happened had we not had a gift like this. The endowment, he said, could allow the expansion of existing programs both on an institutional level and a student level. It could also allow the Clifton Strengths Institute to implement new ideas and programs. On one hand, (we can) do more of what were already doing and continue to keep trying to do it better. On the other hand, (we can) have the flexibility to start something new, he said. Its a real privilege to be able to do that. By pledging the $2 million as an endowment, the Diabetes Care Foundation, which is based in Omaha, has ensured the funds will be awarded in perpetuity. We wanted to invest in something that we could support that wasnt going to be a one-and-done deal. We want to establish something that will be self-sufficient, that will grow and gain support from others, Heiser said. The future will change for those with diabetes. Established in 2015, the Clifton Strengths Institute, which is based in the College of Business, teaches the students using the late Don Cliftons lessons and philosophies. Clifton earned four degrees from UNL and was a researcher and educational psychology instructor at the university from 1950 to 1969. The Clifton Strengths Institute, Hodges said, teaches and develops students under Cliftons philosophy by emphasizing their strengths rather than their weaknesses. About 1,000 students participate in the program each year. The Diabetes Care Foundations pledge comes as part of the University of Nebraskas Only in Nebraska fundraising campaign. Administered by the University of Nebraska Foundation, the $3 billion campaign is designed to support students, faculty, academic programs and research at NUs campuses plus the University of Nebraska Medical Centers clinical partner Nebraska Medicine. To date, the campaign has raised more than $2 billion from more than 130,000 donors. This is not the first pledge the Diabetes Care Foundation has made to an NU campus. According to a statement from the NU Foundation, the Diabetes Care Foundation pledged $5 million last year to support the launch of a statewide diabetes care and education program led by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and UNMCs clinical partner Nebraska Medicine. Heiser also noted the Diabetes Care Foundation has partnered with Creighton University to help rural Nebraskans with diabetes. 16 famous University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni Willa Cather Ted Kooser Mary Pipher Tommy Lee John J. Pershing Ted Sorensen Louise Pound Jim Meiers Nebraska Memorial Forest is beginning to branch out from its Omaha roots. A year ago, the Vietnam-era veteran kicked off his ambitious plan to plant 7,500 trees around the state one for each Nebraska service member and first responder killed in the line of duty since World War I by planting 267 trees in Omahas Memorial Park, Levi Carter Park and at Cunningham Lake. Tree-planting season is here again. So on Monday, several volunteers joined nursery workers and city employees in planting 175 new trees near the north end of N.P. Dodge Park, not far from the Missouri River. This place becomes a piece of hallowed ground, where people will visit, Meier said during a brief ceremony. There are more tree plantings to come: 50 trees at Omahas Youngman Park on Thursday; 50 trees at Horning State Park in Plattsmouth on Friday; 200 trees at Prairie Queen Park in Papillion on Oct. 13; and 75 trees in a park at 40th Street and Cornhusker Highway in Lincoln, at a date that hasnt been set yet. Meiers ambition is to plant groves of trees across the state, in nearly every county, in numbers similar to the number of service members and first responders from that area who died from one each in Banner and Dundy Counties to 1,108 in Douglas County. He is working with some volunteers to create a database of the honored dead. Ultimately, each tree will be tied to a specific fallen service member or first responder. That persons image and biography will be available through an app and a website. Were remembering those who left this life, Meier said. But were keeping their spirit alive. That means something to Thomas Wood of Omaha, whose son, Army Spc. Edwin Eddie Wood of the 10th Mountain Division, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on July 5, 2010, a month before his 19th birthday. Wood brought a photo of his son to the ceremony. He said Eddie was in the drama club and junior ROTC at North High School. He had bright red hair, and a temperament to match. He joined the Army five months after graduating, and died within a year. Wood said he loves the idea of a tree as a living memorial for his son and other fallen soldiers. He said on Eddies last home leave before his death, he insisted on visiting a pair of trees he and his brother had planted in a park years earlier after a bad series of storms. These are memories that end up growing and staying with you and in Nebraska, the home of Arbor Day, Wood said. The trees being planted in each park are being adapted to the local environment, said Alan Weiss, president of the Nebraska-based American Reforestation Initiative, which is working with Meier on the Nebraska Memorial Forest project. At Dodge Park, he chose a combination of pecan, bald cypress, cottonwood, sycamore and swamp oak trees. All are species that survived the 2011 and 2019 floods from the nearby Missouri River. The trees were donated by the Papio-Missouri Valley Natural Resources District. Weiss said tying reforestation with memorializing Nebraska heroes has been appealing to potential donors. Our tree-planting takes on a whole new meaning, he said. Thats what brought out volunteers Russ Quimby, a former American Legion commander in Elkhorn, and his wife, Paula Pillen-Quimby, an American Legion Auxiliary representative at the Omaha VA medical center. Pillen-Quimby is a first cousin of Gov. Jim Pillen. Her father and grandfather served in the military, and her uncle Pfc. Vernon Pillen died in combat in Germany in 1944. And her mothers family is from Nebraska City, home of the national Arbor Day movement. The consciousness of military service and planting trees is ingrained in me, she said. Meier said he is looking for more volunteers to help at the upcoming tree-planting events in Omaha, Plattsmouth and Papillion, each of which will begin at 9 a.m. More information is available at NebraskaMemorialForest.org. The statewide effort will expand next year, with plans in the works for plantings in Burt County (75 trees) and York County (65 trees) and discussions with several other counties. Meier said the statewide effort is expected to cost $4 million. He is seeking donations from individuals or organizations through the Midlands Community Foundation in Papillion (MidlandsCommunity.org). He would like to see the Memorial Forest idea take root in other states, too, with Nebraska leading the way just as it did with the Arbor Day movement, 150 years ago. 30 photos that show why fall is beautiful in Nebraska Trees in autumn Indian Cave Upper Big Cedar Falls Nebraska National Forest Fort Robinson Fort Niobrara Aspen Pond Smith Falls State Park Mahoney Branched Oak Indian Cave Sunflower Boyer Chute Missouri River Bluffs church Camping Nebraska National Forest Fort Robinson Niobrara in autumn Gifford Point Nine Mile Prairie Arbor Lodge in fall Indian Cave State Park Neale Woods Lake Minatare Wildwood Lake State Wildlife Management Area Sioux County Fort Robinson Niobrara River Nebraska National Forest Indian Cave We would love to hear your thoughts... 1. How did you come up with the idea for your startup? 2. What was the hardest part in the early stages of the startups growth? 3. What are the services/solutions/products that the startup offers? Who are the targeted audiences? 4. What are your strengths and advantages over your competitors? 5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics? 6. Is the company bootstrapped or funded? What milestones will the financing get you to? 7. What is the road map ahead? How are you planning to achieve it? Key Management : Founding Year : Milestones : Awards/Recognition : Clients : Once the benches were assembled, each bench was fitted with with an insignia for one of the branches of military service and placed on front of the helicopter at Post 65. The U.S. has transferred to Ukraine 1.1 million rounds of small arms ammunition that it seized from Iran, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday. The much-needed ammunition has been sent at a time when continued U.S. financial support for Kyivs fight to defend itself remains in question. And while Ukraine will use the 7.62 mm ammunition seized from Iran in its fight against Russia , Iran has been supplying Russia with the Shahed 136 drones that its forces have used in Ukraine against both civilian and military targets. The 7.62 mm ammunition is the standard round for Soviet-era Kalashnikov assault rifles and their many derivatives. Ukraine, as a former Soviet republic, still relies on the Kalashnikov for many of its units. The rounds were seized by Central Command naval forces in December off of a vessel the command described as a stateless dhow," a traditional wooden sailing ship, that was being used by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to support the Houthis in Yemen's civil war in violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution. A fragile cease-fire is in place after the almost decadelong war, but Iran has continued to supply the Houthis with lethal aid, Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, head of U.S. Air Forces Central, told reporters on Wednesday. He said this was a major threat to Yemen finding a durable peace. U.S. Central Command said the U.S. obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, 2023, through the Department of Justices civil forfeiture claims against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The U.S. Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet and its allies have intercepted numerous ships believed to be transporting weapons and ammunition from Iran and heading to Yemen in support of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. A United Nations arms embargo has prohibited weapons transfers to the Houthis since 2014. Iran insists it adheres to the ban, even as it has long been transferring rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, missiles and other weaponry to the Houthis via the sea. Independent experts, Western nations and U.N. experts have traced components seized aboard detained vessels back to Iran. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Even though the shipment of more than 1 million rounds of small arms ammunition is substantial, it pales in comparison with the amount that the U.S. has already sent to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, much of which has already been used in the intense ground battle. The U.S. has provided more than 300 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades as part of the almost $44 billion in military aid it has sent to help Ukraine. Further U.S. funding for Ukraine's war was not included in a stopgap measure that prevented a government shutdown last weekend. With the ouster of Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, it was unclear whether the future leader will be able to generate enough support from the partys hard-liners, who have opposed sending more money to Ukraine. (AP) A federal lawsuit was dismissed Wednesday that alleged T.W. Garner Food Co. deliberately deceives consumers because its Texas Pete products are not made in the Lone Star state. Texas Pete products are made in Winston-Salem and have been since 1929. The lawsuit was filed on Sept. 12, 2022, in the U.S. Central District of California by Phillip White. White sought an undeclared amount of compensatory and punitive damages related to his purchase of a $3 bottle of Texas Pete Original Hot Sauce in a Los Angeles supermarket. According to the lawsuit, had White known Texas Pete was made in Winston-Salem, he wouldnt have bought it. The companys defense is that its packaging does not imply that Texas Pete was manufactured in Texas and that a reasonable consumer would understand that the trademark symbol next to the Texas Pete name indicates it is a brand. White filed a motion Sept. 28 to have the lawsuit dismissed without prejudice, which means it can be re-filed. However, White said in his motion to dismiss that he does not plan to refile. According to the dismissal order, T.W. Garner "neither agrees to nor admits to any of the factual allegations or legal arguments expressed in plaintiffs motion to dismiss." The parties will cover their own legal costs. Ann Garner Riddle, president and chief executive of T.W. Garner, said in a news release Thursday that "since the lawsuit was filed, we have remained steadfast in our position that our product labels and trademark are truthful and not misleading in any respect, and that the lawsuit had no merit." Garner denied each of White's legal claims and allegations, saying the back label of its Texas Pete hot sauce products identify North Carolina as the geographic source of the products. The Texas Pete brand name and trademark identifies the Garner Foods brand of condiment, seasoning, hot sauces and BBQ sauce, not the location of manufacturing. White claimed in his motion to dismiss the lawsuit that he "has been compelled to seek dismissal due to the harassment he and his friends have experienced in connection with defendants discovery efforts." Those includes "unfounded and personally defamatory accusations inexplicably lodged in an initial case management statement by defendant with zero evidentiary basis." T.W. Garner could not be immediately reached for comment on White's claims of harassment. Q: An article in the Journal stated that emission inspections would no longer required in our area. It also stated that safety inspections would still be required but only every other year. How do we know which year they will be required? I.B. Answer: Theres good news and bad news. The good news is the emission inspection requirement is coming, but it may be a while. The bad news is that the safety inspection change wont happen. John Brockwell, the communications for the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, said that the senate bill, SB341, didnt pass, which means North Carolina drivers still have to do yearly safety inspections. As for the emissions inspection changes, likely it will be 16-18 months before we see that come to fruition, he said. Q: The new Jamestown Parkway construction was recently completed. Driving west toward High Point, just before the intersection with Greensboro Road, there is a large DOT road sign that is still covered in black plastic. Is there another phase of the project remaining or is the sign covered by mistake? D.T. Answer: Archer Wright, the N.C. Department of Transportation division engineer for Guilford County, told us what happened with that sign. The sign had a directional error. The contractor will leave the aluminum sign panel up and will install a corrected overlay panel at their cost. Q: I get lots of scam emails and know not to answer them. But if it says, to unsubscribe click here, should I do it? B.M. Answer: No, dont click on unsubscribe to get rid of scam emails. According to Google support, mark suspicious emails as spam or phishing and send to the junk or spam box. If you unsubscribe, that merely tells the sender they have a live one on hook may result in more and more real spam/phishing, and they often sell your details to other spammers/phishers, Google said. Also, clicking on unsubscribe may take you to websites that can download spyware or malware on your computer. Q: My wife and I have paid for personalized Blue Ridge Parkway license plates for eight years or so. The former bright orange and green paint on the aluminum-stamped plates are now faded and ugly. Is it possible to request a re-issue of our plates to return them to their original bright coloring? W.V. Answer: John Brockwell said that you will need to get a duplicate license plate. You can do that by going by a license plate agency or online at MyNCDMV.gov. Going to the agency will make the process go faster. The customer will need to provide the current valid vehicle registration. Cost of the duplicate plate is $21.50 plus notary fee, he said. A Wytheville man pleaded no contest on Tuesday to abducting two family members in February. Neal Stanley King III, 47, was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm from the same incident. According to court documents, King abducted his wife and toddler on Feb. 13. The Wythe County Sheriffs Office investigated the case, but additional information wasnt available from police or the prosecution. The victim has asked me to respect her privacy, which is paramount to me, Commonwealths Attorney Mike Jones wrote in an email. I will have no comment. As part of a plea agreement, King, whos been jailed since his February arrest, was sentenced to serve three years behind bars. After his release, hell be on supervised probation for three years and will waive his Fourth Amendment protections. He was also ordered to have no adverse contact with his wife or child. Earlier this year, King pleaded guilty to misdemeanor marijuana possession and the commonwealth dropped three other charges. Court records show he has previous convictions for grand larceny and burglary, both felonies. Two Smyth County firefighters who died in the line of duty have not and will not be forgotten. The inaugural Smyth County Fallen Firefighter Memorial Program, held Monday in Marion, and including representatives of the fire departments in Adwolfe, Chilhowie, Marion, and Bristol, Va., ensured that the memories and the sacrifices of Johnny Earl Morphew Jr. and Charles Dog Woods are remembered and honored. Held as part of National Fire Prevention Month, the Town of Marion hosted the program outside the town hall. Steve Widener, Adwolfes fire chief and Woods brother-in-law, addressed the gathering. He knew both men and declared that they served as first-responders with passion. Its a calling, Widener said. Widener would know something about the call to serve. He fights fires, provides EMS care, and serves a sheriffs deputy. Marion Mayor David Helms also described such service as a calling, noting that first-responders run toward problems. Mondays ceremony, Helms said, was to celebrate the lives they lived and the duties they performed for our community. The mayor urged all gathered to pray for Morphew and Woods families and those who continue to serve. Ken Heath, who organized the ceremony, expressed the hope that the community may never have another cross to put up here on this hallowed ground. Known best as Earl Morphew, the firefighter and paramedic died in early 2009. Morphew, 46, of Chilhowie, was headed for work as a helicopter flight paramedic around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 28, 2009, when a van driven by a drunk driver traveling north in the southward lanes of Interstate 81 at Abingdon fatally struck Morphews car. In addition to his service as a paramedic, Morphew served 17 years as a volunteer firefighter for the Chilhowie Fire Department, 16 years as a paid firefighter for the Bristol Fire Department, including five years as a sergeant, and worked part-time as a member of the Bristol Life Saving Crew. Highly trained, Morphew honed his skills throughout his career and served as an instructor for the Virginia Office of EMS and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. On Sept. 23, 2020, Adwolfe Volunteer Fireman Charles Dog Woods died after he went into cardiac arrest while helping battle flames at a house fire. He was 58 years old. A Marion native and Adwolfe resident, Woods began his lifelong stint as a volunteer firefighter when he joined the Adwolfe department 34 years prior. Later on, he became an emergency medical technician (EMT) and began volunteering alongside his wife, Missy, with the Marion Life Saving Crew. Of Woods drive to serve his community, Widener said, at the time of his death, Hes just always wanted to help people. Beyond battling flames, Woods served as vice president of the fire departments board of directors, often organized fundraisers to help support the department and was active in just about every community event held at the station. On several occasions, Woods also put his skills as a contractor to use to help with the departments upkeep. He laid tile and helped other members build the departments addition years ago. The crosses in their memory and honoring their service will remain near the Marion Town Hall throughout October, Fire Prevention Month. The CENTCOM commander has stated that Russia appears to be reducing its provocative actions in Syria, al-Modon reports. The commander of the US Central Command Air Force (CENTCOM), General Alexus Grynkowicz, has stated that Russia appears to be reducing its provocative actions in Syrias airspace. However, he expressed concerns about the level of cooperation between Russia and Iran in Syria and the presence of a few hundred Wagner members in the region. General Grynkowicz made these remarks during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, where he discussed defence matters. He noted that Russian aircrafts provocations against American fighter jets in Syria have decreased relative to previous levels. While describing Moscows behaviour as unprofessional, he emphasized that it is currently within safe bounds. General Grynkowicz, who also serves as the commander of the Ninth Air Force and the Joint Forces Air Formation of US Central Command in Southwest Asia, mentioned that after spending months visiting US military bases in Syria and monitoring US drones engaged in counter-terrorism activities, there have been positive developments in Russian behaviour, which he welcomed as a broad de-escalation. However, the US media reported General Grynkowicz as saying that Russian activity in Syrian airspace has remained relatively consistent. He clarified that Russians are still flying in the regions airspace but not directly above American forces. He noted, In the past, I would have been highly concerned about Russian aircraft armed with air-to-ground weapons flying directly over our forces, but this has become increasingly rare and hasnt occurred for several weeks. General Grynkowicz expressed particular concern about the level of cooperation between Russia and Iran, especially in the context of drone activity. He stated, I am troubled by the extent of cooperation This evolving relationship is a significant military concern for me. He warned that Russian modifications to Iranian drones could enhance Tehrans military capabilities and increase the threat level in the Middle East. He further cautioned that there is a risk that Russia might receive drones from Iran, modify them, and share some of this technology with Iran, thereby providing Iran with additional capabilities. This warning comes amid growing apprehensions about the implications of Russia-Iran cooperation on regional 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 SDF leader called upon the guarantor parties and the international community to adopt appropriate positions in response to Turkey's repeated threats, according to Athr Press. In response to the Turkish military operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the SDF, has explicitly denied any involvement of his forces in the recent bombing that targeted the Ministry of Interior in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Abdi conveyed his statement via platform X on Wednesday evening, emphasizing that The perpetrators of the Ankara attack did not traverse SDF-controlled territories, contrary to what Turkish officials have claimed. Addressing Turkeys allegations that the attackers received training in Syria, Abdi asserted, Turkey appears to be searching for justifications to legitimize its ongoing assaults on SDF-controlled regions, which is causing profound concern. The Commander-in-Chief of the SDF called upon the guarantor parties and the international community to adopt appropriate positions in response to Turkeys repeated threats, with the aim of ensuring peace and stability in the region. Abdis comments come in the wake of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) taking responsibility for the bombing that targeted the security square in Ankara on October 1st. Turkey views the SDF as an extension of the PKK, further complicating the situation. A direct Turkish threat and threat to the US-backed SDF in Syria On Wednesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made a significant announcement, declaring that all infrastructure and strategic facilities belonging to the PKK and the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) in Iraq and Syria will be considered legitimate targets for Turkish security forces and intelligence operations going forward. Fidan underscored, Based on the findings of our intelligence and security agencies, it has been established that the individuals responsible for the Ankara bombing originated from Syria and received training there. He issued a stern warning, urging third parties to steer clear of any association with PKK and YPG facilities and members. He stated, Our armed forces will respond decisively to this act of terrorism, and those involved will deeply regret their actions. In addition, Reuters reported statements from a Turkish defence official, who indicated that the possibility of a Turkish ground operation in Syria is being considered as one of the options to secure the border, although Ankara is also exploring alternative strategies. Heavy Turkish Targets According to information from Athr Press sources, Turkish forces have initiated a series of intense airstrikes on SDF positions and vehicles in northeastern Syria. Some of these targets were in close proximity to US bases located in Hasakeh. Turkish aircraft specifically struck SDF locations in the Mushairfa al-Hamma region along the road connecting the cities of Hasakeh and Tal Tamr, as well as near the American base in Lifestone. Additionally, they targeted the SDF headquarters at the al-Jawadiya Dam near the Syrian-Turkish border in the countryside of Qamishli al-Sharqi. These strikes have reportedly resulted in casualties among the SDF personnel. The Turkish operations also included an attack on an SDF vehicle travelling on the Mushairfa highway. Based on information from Athr Press sources, the Turkish military has primarily utilized Baykar Bayraktar drones and another type known as suicide drones in these operations. These suicide drones are typically employed for targeting moving objects such as vehicles. 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. Additional SDF sites were hit in the village of Taweelah in the western countryside of Tal Tamr, according to Hashtag Syria. On Thursday, Turkish forces launched airstrikes targeting multiple locations associated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), following threats from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to strike infrastructure and large facilities of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Syria and Iraq. The Turkish airstrikes struck several SDF sites, including the prominent Mushairfa al-Hamma area west of Hassakeh, near the American base. These strikes also targeted the resting place of the minister, the residence of the commander-in-chief of the SDF, Mazloum Abdi, and a vehicle near the first target site. Additional SDF sites were hit in the village of Taweelah in the western countryside of Tal Tamr, as well as a site in the village of Tal Habash, south of the city of Amouda near the Syrian-Turkish border. Another site near the Jawadiya Dam in the eastern countryside of Qamishli was also targeted. These operations resulted in casualties, injuries, and significant material damage at the affected sites, according to reports from field sources cited by Athr Press. The Turkish airstrikes also impacted seven other SDF sites in the western and northern countryside of the governorate. An SDF site near the Jawadiya Dam in the eastern countryside of Qamishli was targeted, along with an oil facility in the village of Kardhol in the countryside of al-Qahtaniyah, east of Qamishli. In the western countryside, Mushairfa al-Hamma was once again targeted, and the village of al-Rukba on the main road between Hassakeh and Tal Tamr in the western countryside of Hassakeh was struck. A vehicle near the village of Hasouda on the international road east of Qamishli was also targeted, and several oil stations in the village of Saeed in the countryside of Qahtaniyah were destroyed. On Wednesday, Turkish forces launched three missiles targeting a brick factory in the town of Safia, which the SDF had been using as a headquarters, weapons repair workshops, and an ammunition manufacturing facility, causing significant damage. Earlier on Tuesday, October 3rd, Turkish airstrikes targeted a vehicle at the Beiruti Bridge, resulting in the death of an SDF leader. The Turkish news agency Anatolia reported that the slain leader was allegedly involved in planning the Ankara attack. Field sources confirmed that the SDF had evacuated its headquarters, hidden its leaders, and instructed its members to wear civilian clothing, especially in the northern and western countryside of the Hassakeh governorate, due to the fear of aerial attacks by Turkish drones. In a related context, Ilham Ahmed, the co-chair of the SDF, called upon the international community to intervene and halt Turkish attacks in their areas. She denied the Turkish governments accusations against them and urged Turkey to refrain from exporting its problems to northeastern Syria. Additionally, Abdi released a statement on the X platform denying any SDF involvement in the bombings targeting the Turkish interior. He expressed concern that Turkey was seeking pretexts to justify its ongoing attacks on their territories and launch a new military aggression. 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 Syrian government declared a three-day official mourning period beginning tomorrow, October 6th 2023, according to al-Baath. On Thursday, a devastating terrorist attack rocked the city of Homs in Syria, targeting a graduation ceremony at the Military Academy. According to a statement released by the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces, the attack involved drones carrying explosive ammunition and occurred immediately after the conclusion of the graduation ceremony. This cowardly act claimed the lives of several civilians, including invited family members, as well as military personnel, and left dozens injured. The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces has denounced this heinous act, describing it as an unprecedented criminal act. They have vowed to respond with full force and determination against the terrorist groups responsible, emphasizing that the planners and executors will be held accountable. Government announces a three-day mourning period In response to the tragic events in Homs, the Syrian government declared a three-day official mourning period beginning tomorrow, October 6th 2023. This period of mourning is in honour of the martyrs, both civilians and soldiers, who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the Military Academy cadets graduation ceremony. As a sign of respect and remembrance, flags throughout Syria, as well as at embassies and diplomatic missions abroad, will be lowered to half-mast during this time. Foreign Ministry The Foreign and Expatriates Ministry of Syria strongly denounced the heinous terrorist crime carried out by U.S. occupation-backed terrorist groups. In a statement, they emphasized that this attack, which claimed the lives of civilians and military personnel and left many injured, showcased the brutal and bloody methods employed by the perpetrators. The Syrian Arab Republic, in the strongest terms, has condemned this act and reiterated its determination to combat terrorism and maintain stability in the country. This tragic event in Homs serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Syria and its commitment to defending its citizens against terrorism, both domestically and internationally. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Your daily brief of the English-speaking press on Syria. In the strife-ridden northwest of Syria, a tragic incident unfolded as shelling by the Syrian army claimed the lives of an elderly woman and four of her children, as reported by rescue workers and a monitoring organization on Thursday. Simultaneously, an attack targeted a military academy, resulting in the loss of at least 60 lives. According to a war monitor and a security source, weaponized drones struck the site shortly after the conclusion of a graduation ceremony attended by Syrias defence minister. Syria army shelling kills five civilians: sources Syrian army shelling killed an elderly woman and four of her children in the war-torn countrys northwest, rescue workers and a monitor said on Thursday, Arab News reported. The overnight bombardment targeted their house in Kfar Nuran, close to the front line in the last rebel stronghold in the western province of Aleppo. An elderly woman and four of her children were killed in shelling by regime forces on the outskirts of Kfar Nuran, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. The White Helmets rescue group also said a house was hit, killing five civilians from the same family, including three women, and wounding another woman. The group, which operates in rebel-held parts of Syria, said they were a family who had been displaced by fighting elsewhere in the country. The bodies of the woman and her adult children, two daughters and two sons, were wrapped in white shrouds and taken to a location near the town of Atareb, an AFP correspondent said. More than four million people live in rebel-held parts of northern and northwestern Syria. The area targeted is close to the front line between government forces and Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, a jihadist group that is led by the former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda. The HTS controls the last pocket of armed opposition in northeastern Syria, including a large part of Idlib province and land bordering the provinces of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. At least 60 killed in drone attack on Syrian military academy At least 60 people were killed on Thursday in an attack on a military academy in Syria, a war monitor and a security source said, with weaponized drones bombing the site minutes after Syrias defence minister left a graduation ceremony there. According to Reuters, civilians and military personnel were killed in the attack on the military academy in the central province of Homs, Syrias defence ministry said in a statement, adding terrorist groups had used drones to carry it out. The statement did not specify an organization and no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Syrias defence minister attended the graduation ceremony but left minutes before the attack, according to a Syrian security source and a security source in the regional alliance backing the Damascus government against opposition groups. After the ceremony, people went down to the courtyard and the explosives hit. We dont know where it came from, and corpses littered the ground, said a Syrian man who had helped set up decorations at the academy for the occasion. Footage shared with Reuters through the messaging app WhatsApp showed people some in fatigues and others in civilian clothes lying in pools of blood in a large courtyard. Some of the bodies were smouldering and others were still on fire. Amid the screaming, someone could be heard shouting put him out! A spray of gunfire could be heard in the background. The Observatory said at least 78 people had been killed and more than 140 wounded. The source in the alliance backing Syrias government said the toll was 66. US jet shoots down Turkish drone in Syria, officials say Reuters reports that the United States on Thursday shot down an armed Turkish drone that was operating near its troops in Syria, U.S. official said, the first time Washington said it brought down an aircraft of NATO ally Turkey. A Turkish defence ministry official said the drone shot down by the U.S.-led coalition did not belong to the Turkish armed forces but did not say whose property it was. Two U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said a F-16 shot down the Turkish drone after the United States called Turkish military officials multiple times to warn them they were operating close to U.S. ground forces. The official said the Turkish drone was believed to be armed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a local security source said the U.S.-led coalition had shot down a Turkish drone near a base in northeastern Syria. U.S.-allied Syrian Kurdish forces said Turkish attacks had killed eight people in an escalation prompted by a bomb attack in Ankara claimed by Kurdish militants. U.S. support for Kurdish forces in northern Syria has long caused tension with NATO ally Turkey, which views them as a wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). That group claimed Sundays attack in Ankara near government buildings. Syrian regime used Damascus hospital to torture, kill opponents Syrian regime forces have used a Damascus hospital to torture and kill opponents of President Bashar al-Assad, a new investigation has found, The New Arab reported. The investigation, led by ITV News, revealed how the regime continues to exploit the special protection status of Tishreen Hospital in northern Damascus to abuse and murder imprisoned opponents since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011. A number of sources were cited in the investigation, including former inmates, regime defectors, activists, and intelligence officials. The investigation detailed how doctors and nurses were complicit in torture at the hospital, which was described by one former inmate, who used the pseudonym, Adam, as a slaughterhouse, Adam told ITV News that a doctor at the hospital told him You will be dead in a few days before stabbing him in the chest. Another former detainee, Mohammed Medlej, spoke of how he witnessed six people being executed in front of him. He had to remove the bodies and pile them up. The hospital was specifically chosen at the time because it was next to one of the largest mortuary refrigerators in the country, with a number of other burial sites including one in a nearby quarry and another in the Baghdad bridge area 10 miles away. Activists have stated that the site is still in active use, with satellite images revealing open pits made available for burials. According to the investigation, satellite imagery shows that construction on burial plots began in early 2014. The regime has regularly utilized hospitals as part of its campaign of repression since the beginning of the war. 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. Gensler Singapore Private Limited Vs JCIT (ITAT Delhi) ITAT Delhi held that payments received by the assessee qualifies as Fees for Technical Services (FTS) under sub-clause (4) of Article 12 of Indo Singapore DTAA and hence rightly brought to tax @10%. Facts- The assessee is a tax resident of Singapore and is in the business of providing design services to customers in the Asia Pacific region. During the assessment year under consideration the assessee has provided the services to its Indian Associated Enterprises Gensler Design India Pvt. Ltd. This service included designs, technical and consulting services, marketing support services and services related to evaluation of certain project properties. Receipts in lieu of these services have been offered to tax as Fees for Technical Services (FTS) @ 10% in accordance with Article 12 of Indo Singapore DTAA. In the course of assessment AO noticed that the assessee has received Rs.2,90,89,423/- from Reliance Corporation IT Park Limited (RCITP) and in Form 26AS it is reflected that TDS @ 10% has been deducted by the payer on the said amount. Assessee was asked to explain why the said receipts have not been included in the taxable income. Assessee stated that the income received from RCITP is not taxable as per the Treaty. On analyzing the work order AO concluded that the said receipts get covered in the scope and ambit of the term fees for technical services as laid down in Article 12 of the Treaty. Thus, AO in the draft assessment order passed u/s. 144C of the Act held that the income of Rs.2,70,89,423/- is in the nature of fees for technical services both under the Income Tax Act and the Indo Singapore DTAA. DRP sustained the view of AO. Being aggrieved, the present appeal is filed. Conclusion- Held that the assessee is making available RCITP all reports, analysis, tests, tables, plans, drawings or other documents in any form including electronic or printed form for the use of RCITP which enables RCITP to apply and use all these deliverables for its business purposes which specifies the conditions of sub clause (b) and (c ) of clause (4) of Article 12 of Indo Singapore DTAA. Thus, the payments received by the assessee from RCITP are fees for technical services falls under sub clause (4) of Article 12 of Indo Singapore DTAA. Thus, the lower authorities have rightly treated the amounts received by the assessee from RCITP as fees for technical services under Article 12 (4) of Indo Singapore DTAA and was rightly brought to tax at 10%. FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF ITAT DELHI 1. This appeal is filed by the assessee against the assessment order dated 23.07.2019 passed under section 143(3) read with section 144C(13) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (the Act) pursuant to the directions of the DRP order dated 7.06.2019 passed under section 144C(5) of the Act. 2. The assessee has raised the following substantive grounds of appeal:- Ground No.1 The learned Joint Commissioner of Income tax (JCIT) has erred in law and on facts by concluding that the service provided by the Appellant to Reliance Corporation IT Park Limited would be regarded as Fees for Technical Services under Article 12 of India Singapore Double Tax Avoidance Agreement. Ground No.2 The learned JCIT has erred in law and on facts by mentioning the returned income as INR 3,39,42,926 instead of INR 48,53,503 thereby computing the total income as INR 6,30,32,353 and taxing the same income twice. Each of the above ground are independent and prejudice to one and another. 3. Ground No. 1 of grounds of appeal is in treating the services provided by the assessee to Reliance Corporation IT Park Limited and the payment received as Fees for Technical Services under Article 12 of India Singapore Double Tax Avoidance Agreement. 4. Brief facts are that the assessee is a tax resident of Singapore and is in the business of providing design services to customers in the Asia Pacific region. During the assessment year under consideration the assessee has provided the services to its Indian Associated Enterprises Gensler Design India Pvt. Ltd. This service included designs, technical and consulting services, marketing support services and services related to evaluation of certain project properties. Receipts in lieu of these services have been offered to tax as Fees for Technical Services (FTS) @ 10% in accordance with Article 12 of Indo Singapore DTAA. In the course of assessment the Assessing Officer noticed that the assessee has received Rs.2,90,89,423/- from Reliance Corporation IT Park Limited (RCITP) and in Form 26AS it is reflected that TDS @ 10% has been deducted by the payer on the said amount. Assessee was asked to explain why the said receipts have not been included in the taxable income. Assessee stated that the income received from RCITP is not taxable as per the Treaty. The assessee contended that the remittance being RCITP is towards design services and this service could be considered to be technical in nature and the remittance for these services could be categorized as fees for technical services as per Explanation 2 to section 9(1)(vii) of the I.T. Act. It was further contended that the proposed remittance being payment towards technical services received would not be categorized as fees for included services as per Article 12(4) of the treaty as the services do not make any technical know-how, experience, skill know-how or process which enable the person acquiring the services to apply the technology contained therein. 5. However, not convinced with the submissions and contentions of the assessee the Assessing Officer held that from perusal of work order it is clear that the role of the assessee involved development and transfer of a technical plan and technical design to RCITP while applying or has applied into the final making of its building. The designs and plans are supplied by the assessee along with the transfer of the technical plan or design. RCITP also acquired the rights to apply into its project the technology enhancement the design or blue print. On analyzing the work order the Assessing Officer concluded that the said receipts get covered in the scope and ambit of the term fees for technical services as laid down in Article 12 of the Treaty. The Assessing Officer also concluded that the receipts are also covered in the scope of clause (b) of clause 4 of Article 12 because through its work as interior designer for the RCITP Twin Tower Project the assessee is making available a technical process to the client as interior designs or plans also describe the process by which his design or blue print will come to actual realization. Thus, the Assessing Officer in the draft assessment order dated 28.12.2018 passed under section 144C of the Act held that the income of Rs.2,70,89,423/- is in the nature of fees for technical services both under the Income Tax Act and the Indo Singapore DTAA. 6. Assessee filed objections before the DRP and the DRP by order dated 7.06.2019 sustained the view of the Assessing Officer holding that the transfer of technical plan or design enabled RCITP to acquire the rights to apply into its project the technology enhancement in the design or blue print. This technology was a combined product of the expertise of the assessee and inputs acquired from the clients and got embedded into the technical designs or plans that were made by the assessee. The DRP held that when the client uses the designs it uses the technology i.e. enhancement in the designs and plans and, therefore, the requirements of Article 12 of the DTAA are met. 7. Before us the ld. Counsel for the assessee reiterated the submissions made before the Assessing Officer and the DRP. Ld. Counsel further submits that the design services provided by the assessee to RCITP are not making available the technical knowledge as every time a design service is being provided for a particular project the same design cannot be utilized for different project by relying as design are made project specific. Therefore, the transaction does not fall under Article 12(4)(b) of the Treaty. Ld. Counsel further submits that as per Article 12(4)(c) technical design services will only be included if the person who is acquiring these services applies the technology contained therein and in the given case RCITP uses only the design for its construction and nowhere uses the technology used to create the design. Therefore, the said transaction also cannot attract Article 12(4)(c) of the Treaty. Strong reliance was placed on the decision of the Mumbai Bench Tribunal in the case of DCIT Vs. Forum Homes (P.) Ltd. [(2022) 192 ITD 184 (Mumbai-Trib.)]. Reliance was also placed on the decision of the Honble Karnataka High Court in the case of CIT Vs. De Beers India Mineral Private Limited [(2012) 346 ITR 467 (Kar). 8. On the other hand, the ld. DR referring to page Nos. 99 to 101 of the work order dated 30.06.2015 containing various clauses submits that as per the work order the principal designer coordinate with the contractors and other third parties appointed by RCITP and integrate the services with the services and work rendered by various contractors and third parties to ensure an integrated project. Further referring to clause 2.9 of the work order the ld. DR submits that as per the said clause the principal designer the assessee grants RCITP a perpetual irrevocable nonexclusive royalty free fully paid-up right and license to use copy modified and prepare derivative works of the principal designers intellectual property rights incorporated in the deliverables for the use of the Reliance and its affiliates and third parties and, therefore, satisfies the condition of make available clause as per Article 12(4) of the Indo Singapore DTAA. The ld. DR, therefore, submits that the lower authorities have rightly brought to tax the fee received by the assessee from Reliance as fees for technical services under Indo Singapore DTAA itself for technical services. Further reliance was also placed on the decision of the Kolkata Bench Tribunal in the case of Gentex Merchants (P.) Ltd. Vs. DDIT (International Taxation) [(2005) 94 ITD 211 (Kol.)] in support of his contentions. 9. Heard rival submissions perused the orders of the authorities below. The assessee entered into a contract/work order with RCITP on 30.06.2015, according to which the assessee will provide interior design consultants and associate design consultancy for the Twin Tower Project of Reliance Corporation IT Park Limited, Ghansoli, India. The Twin Tower Project as described in the work order comprises of two towers one having 28 and the other having 26 floors. RCITP will set up a world class office complex along with a business centre in the Twin Tower. The assessee was required to provide/prepare designs for the interior office/business sets in the Twin Tower Building. The assessee was to prepare designs for all areas of the building such as lobby, visitors experience centre, business centre, private offices, cabins and work stations, conference meeting rooms, cafetoria, storage areas etc. The assessee was required to work in close co-ordination with the project/building architects, engineers and other teams of experts involved in the Twin Tower Projects. The question now is as to whether the services provided by the assessee to RCITP falls under Article 12 (4) of Indo Singapore DTAA as fees for technical services. For quick reference clause (4) of Article 12 of Indo Singapore DTAA which defines the term Fees for Technical Services is reproduced as under:- 4. The term fees for technical services as used in this Article means payments of any kind to any person in consideration for services of a managerial technical or consultancy nature (including the provision of such services through 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 3 is received; or (b) make available technical knowledge experience skill know-how or processes which enables the person acquiring the services to apply the technology contained therein; or (c) consist of the development and transfer of a technical plan or technical design, but excludes any service that does not enable the person acquiring the service to apply the technology contained therein. 10. As could be seen from the above sub clause (b) of clause (4) of Article 12 payments of any kind to any person in consideration for services of a managerial technical or consultancy nature (including the provision of such services through technical or other personnel) if such services make available technical knowledge, experience, skill know-how or process which enables the person acquiring the services to apply the technology contained therein shall fall under fees for technical services under Article 12(4)(b). Similarly under such clause (c) of clause (4) of Article 12 payments of any kind to any person in consideration for services of a managerial technical or consultancy nature (including the provision of such services through technical or other personnel) if such services consists of the developmental and transfer of a technical plan or technical design but excludes any service that does not enable the person acquiring the service to apply the technology contained therein shall be treated as fees for technical services. 11. The work order dated 30.06.2015 consists of the following clauses which are relevant for the purpose of deciding the issue:- 2.7 PRINCIPAL DESIGNER shall assist COMPANY in identifying contractors and other third parties for performing services and/or work in relation to the PROJECT, and shall, on request by COMPANY, recommend persons or assist in soliciting bids for such services or work. PRINCIPAL DESIGNER shall assist COMPANY (i) negotiate contracts with such contractors and other third parties and (ii) determine their respective scope of work. 2.8 The PRINCIPAL DESIGNER hereby acknowledges and agrees that neither the PRINCIPAL DESIGNER nor any ASSIGNED PERSONNEL shall have any rights, title or interest in any INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS created (whether wholly or partly) by the PRINCIPAL DESIGNER or sub-consultant in relation to the performance of the SERVICES or other obligations under the AGREEMENT. The PRINCIPAL DESIGNER hereby assigns and transfers and shall cause the ASSIGNED PERSONNEL to assign and transfer to COMPANY, all rights, title and interest in all such INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS created. 2.9 The PRINCIPAL DESIGNER hereby assigns and transfers to the COMPANY, from the moment of creation, all right, title and interest in all DELIVERABLES, but excluding specifically the PRINCIPAL DESIGNERS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS incorporated in the DELIVERABLES. The PRINCIPAL DESIGNER hereby grants the COMPANY a perpetual, irrevocable, nonexclusive, royalty-free, fully paid-up right and license to use, copy, modify and prepare derivative works of the PRINCIPAL DESIGNER S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS incorporated in the DELIVERABLES, for the use of the DELIVERABLES by the COMPANY and its AFFILIATES and third parties engaged by the COMPANY in connection with the business operations of the COMPANY and its AFFILIATES. Further the deliverables for the purpose of the above clause 2.9 is defined as under:- 1.13 DELIVERABLES means any and all reports, analyses, tests, tables, plans, drawings or other documents to be delivered or provided by the PRINCIPAL DESIGNER in any form, including in electronic or printed form, under this AGREEMENT. 12. As could be seen from the above by virtue of clause 2.9 the assessee who is the principal designer assigns and transfer to RCITP all right title and interest in all deliverables from the moment of creation and the principal designer the assessee grants RCITP a perpetual irrevocable non-exclusive royalty-free fully paid-up right and license to use copy, modify and prepare derivative works of the principal designer intellectual property rights incorporated in the deliverables for the use of the deliverables by the RCITP and its affiliates and third parties engaged by RCITP in connection with the business operations of the RCITP and its affiliates. This clearly shows that the assessee is making available RCITP all reports, analysis, tests, tables, plans, drawings or other documents in any form including electronic or printed form for the use of RCITP which enables RCITP to apply and use all these deliverables for its business purposes which specifies the conditions of sub clause (b) and (c ) of clause (4) of Article 12 of Indo Singapore DTAA. Thus, the payments received by the assessee from RCITP are fees for technical services falls under sub clause (4) of Article 12 of Indo Singapore DTAA. Thus, the lower authorities have rightly treated the amounts received by the assessee from RCITP as fees for technical services under Article 12 (4) of Indo Singapore DTAA and was rightly brought to tax at 10%. The case laws relied on by the ld. Counsel for the assessee are distinguishable on facts and have no application to the case on hand. Thus, we dismiss ground No. 1 of grounds of appeal of the assessee. 13. Coming to ground No. 2 of grounds of appeal the assessee contended that the Assessing Officer wrongly taken returned income of the assessee as Rs.3,39,42,926/- instead of Rs.48,53,503/-thereby taxing the same income twice. 14. This ground is restored to the file of the Assessing Officer who shall examine the contention of the assessee and pass an appropriate order. This ground is allowed for statistical purpose. 15. In the result, appeal of the assessee is partly allowed. 10 Order pronounced in the open court on : 25/08/2023 The Swedish Academy on Thursday awarded the Nobel Literature Prize to Norway's Jon Fosse, whose plays are among the most widely staged of any contemporary playwright in the world. He was honoured "for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable", the Swedish Academy said. "I am overwhelmed and grateful. I see this as an award to the literature that first and foremost aims to be literature, without other considerations," Fosse said in a statement immediately after the announcement. The chairman of the Nobel committee, Anders Olsson, told reporters Fosse had "come to be regarded as an innovator" through his "ability to evoke ... loss of orientation, and how this paradoxically can provide access to a deeper experience, close to divinity". Fosse's writing is defined more by form than content, where what is not said is often more revealing than what is. Often compared to Samuel Beckett, his work is minimalistic, relying on simple language which delivers its message through rhythm, melody and silence. His major works include "Boathouse" (1989), which was well-received by critics, and "Melancholy" I and II (1995-1996). Fosse, 64, had featured widely in Nobel speculation for several years. "I've just spoken to Jon Fosse on the phone. It's not always that I'm believed when I call people up this way but he was prepared to trust me," Mats Malm, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, told reporters. 'Playwriting was 'made for me' "His immense oeuvre written in Norwegian Nynorsk (one of Norway's written forms of languages) and spanning a variety of genres consists of a wealth of plays, novels, poetry collections, essays, children's books and translations", the jury said. "While he is today one of the most widely performed playwrights in the world, he has also become increasingly recognised for his prose." Fosse grew up in a family which followed a strict form of Lutheranism and rebelled by playing in a band and declaring himself an atheist. He ended up converting to Catholicism in 2013. After studying literature, he made his debut in 1983 with the novel "Red, Black" which moves back and forth in time and between perspectives. His latest book, "Septology", a semi-autobiographical magnum opus -- seven parts spread across three volumes about a man who meets another version of himself -- runs to 1,250 pages without a single full stop. The third volume was shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize. Struggling to make ends meet as an author in the early 1990s, Fosse was asked to write the start of a play. "It was the first time I had ever tried my hand at this kind of work, and it was the biggest surprise of my life as a writer. "I knew, I felt, that this kind of writing was made for me," he once said in an interview with a French theatre website. He enjoyed the form so much he wrote the entire play, entitled "Someone is Going to Come". He went on to win international acclaim for his next play, "And We'll Never be Parted", in 1994. 'I write about humanity' His work has been translated into around 50 languages. According to his Norwegian publisher, Samlaget, his plays have been staged more than a thousand times around the world. "You don't read my books for the plots," he told the Financial Times in 2018. "I don't write about characters in the traditional sense of the word. I write about humanity," Fosse told French newspaper Le Monde in 2003. The Nobel Prize comes with a medal and a prize sum of 11 million Swedish kronor (about $1 million). Last year, the award went to French feminist icon Annie Ernaux, known for her deceptively simple novels drawing on personal experience of class and gender. The Swedish Academy has long been criticised for the over-representation of Western white male authors among its picks. The Academy has undergone major reforms since a devastating #MeToo scandal in 2018, vowing a more global and gender-equal literature prize. Since the scandal, it has honoured three women -- Annie Ernaux, US poet Louise Gluck and Poland's Olga Tokarczuk -- and three men -- Austrian author Peter Handke, Tanzanian writer Abdulrazak Gurnah and Fosse. Fosse will receive the Nobel from King Carl XVI Gustaf at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist Alfred Nobel. (AFP) U.S. Department of Education officials found flaws in Washington states oversight of more than $1 billion in federal dollars intended to help public schools weather the pandemic. In an audit released last week, investigators found the public didnt have sufficient insight into how school districts planned to spend the money, 20% of which was earmarked to help students whod fallen behind academically during the pandemic. Auditors also found weaknesses in how expenditures of the aid were reviewed for compliance. State officials corrected course in response to the audits recommendations, which were based on more than a years worth of inquiries. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the state agency responsible for making sure school districts comply with federal regulations, said it will randomly sample expenditures of the aid to ensure compliance and required all school districts to publicly post their plans for spending the relief aid online. Chris Reykdal, the state superintendent and leader of OSPI, said he was pleased with the outcome of the audit given how much aid was in question. Auditors sampled 26 expenditures from two different districts, including Seattle Public Schools. They were able to confirm all but one expenditure followed the proper policies and regulations. It helped us, he said. But one school expert on school finance called it a troubling report about the agencys ability to do one of its essential functions: ensuring school districts comply with federal law. Students are still behind. If there were more opportunities to weigh in, and transparency around what districts are doing, the funds may have been used in a way thats more effective for students, said Katie Silberstein, strategic projects lead for the Edunomics Lab, a Georgetown University department that researches education finance. Washington is one of just three states audited for their use of the funds. Audits are forthcoming on Illinois and Kentucky. OSPI faced questions about the visibility of the aid long before the audit. Under federal rules for using the aid, released in 2021, states had to ensure school districts had publicly shared detailed spending plans for their funds. Education finance experts noticed Washington school districts shared very little compared to other states two summers ago. Reykdal said that at the time, his team believed the state was in compliance with the requirement to publicly post plans. A few days before the federal government released its regulations for using the funds, OSPI released its own guidance, based on a state law, requiring districts to share what academic strategies theyd use with their federal aid. OSPI compiled these plans called the Academic and Student Well-being Recovery Plans and posted them publicly. Auditors concluded these plans were not sufficient. In January 2023, more than two years after other states did so, OSPI sent out a mass email during the audit requiring districts to post more detailed accounting of how theyd spend the aid package. This accounting was technically in the public domain before, but buried in each districts School Board documents. But this new requirement doesnt yield much more new information. The plan Seattle Public Schools shared for how it would use the 20% earmarked for learning recovery is fewer than 50 words. Given that schools have less than a year left to spend the aid, this lag is significant, said Silberstein. State officials have also complained about the opacity of federal spending. The auditing wing of the Washington Legislature found earlier this year that the agency failed to collect sufficient data about interventions meant to help kids recover from learning loss and has not monitored whether the investments are helping students improve academically. The Department of Education report also found several instances of school districts that hadnt submitted proper plans for spending the aid. Two of these school districts were given funds totaling $54,000 despite missing a component of their plans. OSPI said all school districts receiving aid have since completed their paperwork. In their review of school districts spending, auditors questioned whether Seattle Public Schools followed policy when it spent $890,315 on a transportation contract using federal funds. They could not determine whether the vendor selected represented the best value to the district. Information they reviewed showed that the vendor received among the lowest scores of other bidders. As a result of the audit, Reykdal said, school districts will be required to post their budgets online in an easily discoverable way on their websites. And new, more detailed information about how school districts have spent the aid is due to arrive sometime this fall. Thumbs up: Longview librarys archive room When you imagine where century-old historical documents are stored, the first thing that comes to mind might be a dusty room at a university, or a massive government building with row after row of shelves. But Longviews history is actually preserved right here at our public library. The Longview Public Library has a central role in cataloging local history, and based on the depth and breadth of their archives, they clearly take it seriously. Their Longview Room contains documents key to the founding of the city, such as reports from Long-Bell and the original plans for Longview. But they also understand that history isnt just about what important people did, its the story of everyone. The library also collects documents like local directories, yearbooks and club meeting minutes. In those pages, a different story is told: what everyday life was like in Longview at a given time. People who came to town or moved away are recorded in directories, while the passage from childhood to adulthood is charted through yearbooks. Were also glad to hear that many of these records are being digitized. While preservation of the physical document is very important, making scans or transcriptions means we can share our history with anyone, whether they are from Vancouver or Vietnam. The Longview Room is more than just a part of the public library, its our own little vault of local history. We cant wait to see what else joins that collection in the future. Thumbs down: Mortensen lacks empathy, valid point Cowlitz County Commissioner Arne Mortensen thinks the emails people sent him after a recent public meeting were nasty. Somehow, we doubt they were even a fraction as nasty as what he said to Community House Director Frank Morrison to prompt those responses. The county commissioner decided to throw the death of Morrisons daughter, who died of a drug overdose, in his face as an argument to possibly withhold funds from a Longview youth shelter. Since then Mortensen has complained the public response has taken its toll. But he also doesnt think he needs to apologize; he thinks what he told Morrison was the truth. Well, its time to tell the truth to Mortensen. People wouldnt be saying hurtful comments to him if he hadnt done something reprehensible. As a parent himself, he should have been able to understand how he was rubbing salt in Morrisons open wound. Not only did Mortensen reveal a lack of empathy, he also showed a lack of perspective on drug addiction. Like any other disease, people die from it, even with the best support and medical interventions. Behavioral health care is seldom a world of perfect fixes. Each person lost is a tragedy, but sometimes death still occurs. Mortensen is also out of line for implying the death of Morrisons daughter has any relevance to Community Houses ability to manage a youth shelter. Not only was his daughter an adult when she died, but many groups that work to save lives grew from loss. Alex Scott, for whom the famous Alexs Lemonade Stand Foundation is named, died from pediatric cancer at age 8. We dont think her death somehow means her family has no place in trying to fight cancer the $250 million the foundation has raised for cancer research since then suggests quite the opposite. There is one thing Mortensen was right about, though: there is no point to him apologizing. Not because of any of the arguments he made, but because apologies only mean something when the person giving them realizes what they did was wrong and resolves to do better. Thumbs down: Rainiers wastewater woes Were glad to hear that Rainier has hired a new engineering firm to tackle the problems with its wastewater plant. Wed like to ask the West Yost company one question: can you start yesterday? As The Daily News recently reported, the city has been fined three times over the past six years for water quality violations. Most recently, the citys treatment plant dumped 20,000 gallons of untreated sewage into Fox Creek. Hearing Mayor Jerry Cole acknowledge that the issue is being taken seriously and the city is working hard to repair the plant is quite welcome. Its probably not going to be cheap, but its going to be worth it. Not only can the city of Rainier avoid further fines by fixing the problems with their wastewater plant, it also helps protect Fox Creek and, by extension, the Columbia River. Our areas natural beauty is worth the investment. China, which aims to become a major space power by 2030, has opened up a key lunar mission to international cooperation as mission deadlines loom for setting up a permanent habitat on the south pole of the moon. China welcomes countries and international organisations on its uncrewed Chang'e-8 mission and to jointly carry out "mission-level" projects, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said at the 74th International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday. Mission-level projects mean China and its international partners could launch and operate their spacecraft, conduct spacecraft-to-spacecraft "interactions", and jointly explore the surface of the moon, according to details announced on CNSA's website. International partners are also welcome to "piggyback" on the Chang'e-8 mission and independently deploy their own modules once the Chinese spacecraft lands, CNSA said. Interested parties must submit a letter of intent to CNSA by Dec. 31. Final selection of proposals will come in September 2024. The Chang'e-8 mission will follow the Chang'e-7 in 2026, which also aims to search for lunar resources on the moon's south pole. The two missions will lay the foundations for the construction of the Beijing-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) in the 2030s. China, which deployed an uncrewed probe to the moon on the Chang'e-5 mission in 2020, plans to send an uncrewed Chang'e-6 probe to the far side of the moon in the first half of 2024 to retrieve soil samples. China aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030. China's timeline to build an outpost on the south pole coincides with NASA's more ambitious and advanced Artemis program, which aims to put U.S. astronauts back on the lunar surface in December 2025, barring delays. On the 2025 Artemis 3 mission, two U.S. astronauts will land on the lunar south pole, a region previously unvisited by any human. The last time a human set foot on the moon was in 1972 under the U.S. Apollo program. The crewed Artemis 4 and 5 missions are planned for 2027 and 2029, respectively. NASA is banned by U.S. law from collaborating with China, directly or indirectly. As of September, 29 countries - including India, which landed a probe near the moon's south pole in August - have signed the Artemis Accords, a pact crafted by NASA and the U.S. State Department aimed at establishing norms of behaviour in space and on the lunar surface. China and Russia are not signatories of the agreement. China, for its own lunar station program, has secured participation from only Russia and Venezuela so far. Continuing its slew of meetings to attract investments, Honorable Minister for Large & Medium Industries & Infrastructure Development Shri M.B. Patil on Wednesday held discussions with American chip manufacturer Applied Materials regarding setting up of a Centre of Excellence for innovation and an R&D lab at Whitefield in Bengaluru. The companys officials sought the Governments support in this regard and requested to expedite the process of issuing pre-construction approvals to set up its lab. The team also discussed the importance of chemicals and gases needed for the semiconductor ecosystem and the ease of doing business. Shri Prabu G. Raja, President of Semiconductor Products Group and Shri Srinivas Satya, Corporate Vice President and Managing Director of Applied Materials India also discussed establishing a Center of Excellence for innovation with the support of the Government and their commitment to accelerate Karnatakas ecosystem through collaboration on skilling. Recently, Applied Materials announced an investment plan of $400 million spread over the next four years to set up an engineering centre in Bengaluru. Shri Patil-led delegation visited the companys Maydan Technology Center, a facility dedicated to advanced chip-making. In another meeting with San Francisco-headquartered Juniper Networks Inc., the delegation discussed various issues including enhancement of its R&D capabilities in the state, exploration of hardware manufacturing along with supplier ecosystem, policies, and incentives in Karnataka. The two sides also delved into renewable energy plans for business operations and Government partnership on establishing a Center of Excellence for design and wireless products by March 2024. General Counsel of Juniper Networks Shri Rob Mobassaly, Executive Vice President (Engineering) Shri Sujai Hajela, Senior Vice President Shri Shishir Singh and Senior Corporate Counsel and Director of Government Affairs Shri Sampak Garg were present at the meeting. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives for skill development in rural areas and collaboration on skilling and training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity were also part of the discussion. Currently, Juniper Networks has the largest data centre in Karnataka, employing 4000 people. The ongoing meetings are part of Shri M.B. Patils 12-day tour to the United States of America with senior officers of the Department of Industries, which include Dr. S. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Commerce, and Industries and Smt Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner of Industries. Western Digital, which has a large R&D presence in Bengaluru, discussed custom-related issues with the government since it is into Hard Disk Drive development and ways to improve ease of doing business along with expediting the approval process. Participating at a dinner hosted by Indiaspora, a network of global Indian origin leaders from diverse backgrounds and professions, Shri M.B. Patil, Honorable Minister for Large & Medium Industries & Infrastructure Development along with Shri Priyank Kharge, honourable Minister for IT&BT and Science Technology unveiled their vision for the growth of industries in Karnataka. They also requested all entrepreneurs, business owners, and innovators to consider investments in the State of Karnataka. ManageEngine launched Identity360, its cloud-native identity management platform that addresses identity and access management (IAM) complexities arising within enterprise workforces. The new platform is being showcased at the ongoing ManageEngines User Conference in Dallas, Texas. ManageEngine also announced the addition of access certification and identity risk assessment functionalities to ADManager Plus, its on-premises identity governance and administration (IGA) solution. These two functionalities enhance the compliance posture of enterprises and help them in mitigating 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 is being seen currently. With enterprises eager to enable the mobility of the workforce without compromising on security, it has now become crucial to handle identity complexity effectively and ensure regulatory compliance, all while prioritizing a seamless user experience. It is this demand that ManageEngine aims to cater to 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. Manikandan Thangaraj, vice president of ManageEngine, said, 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 application`s, all while enforcing strong security controls. 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 ManageEngines 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 ManageEngines second such event in the United States this year, following the one held in Chicago this May. The User Conferences are ManageEngines largest annual events, bringing together regional customers, partners and senior company executives for IT leadership sessions, technical workshops and networking. Commvault has announced the appointment of Richard Gadd as Senior Vice President of Commvaults EMEA and India (EMEAI) region. Gadd will lead the region in empowering global organisations with industry-leading cyber resilience offerings that protect and recover data from todays biggest cyber threats. Gadd brings 25 years of sales experience in the technology industry to Commvault. He most recently held the role of VP and General Manager, EMEA at Cohesity, building his experience in the storage and data management industry. Prior to this, he also held senior roles at Hitachi Vantara, EMC, and Computacenter. In these previous roles, he was successful in growing Hitachi Vantaras EMEA business to become the companys largest region worldwide, as well as leading on Cohesitys EMEA portfolio to make it the organizations fastest-growing region. Gadd plans to bring this experience into Commvault and achieve similar go-to-market successes within the EMEAI region. Richard Gadd, Senior Vice President EMEAI, said, To join one of the longest-established companies in the industry is incredibly exciting. With its strong pedigree in innovation and ground-breaking technology, Im looking forward to being able to lead and contribute to the Commvault teams excellent work in empowering global organizations cyber resilience going forward. I am very excited to begin this new challenge. Riccardo Di Blasio, Chief Revenue Officer at Commvault, said, Recognizing the tremendous potential and the dynamic momentum within the EMEAI region, it was important to onboard a leader of the right caliber, business insight, and engaging persona. In appointing Richard, we are incredibly confident that we have made the right choice. His distinguished track record of guiding several large-scale organisations to accomplish remarkable growth and market share aligns perfectly with the vision and potential we see in him spearheading Commvaults team in EMEAI. China's economic growth this year might be only half of what the International Monetary Fund is predicting, owing to a huge shake-out in the country's property sector, weak foreign direct investment and other structural problems, according to the founder of a U.S.-based think tank that studies China. While the country is "getting to the bottom of the property cycle" and will be stronger "a year from now", the central government's need to bail out struggling subnational governments and growing constraints on Chinese exports means economic growth could be as low as 2 percent this year, Daniel Rosen of the Rhodium Group said on Wednesday. The IMF has forecast 5.2 percent growth for China, which it confirmed in July along with an upward revision on both India and the U.S. by 0.2 percentage points, to 6.1 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. Rosen said growth above 3 percent was unlikely for China "into the medium term and beyond." Because the IMF is required to use data provided by Beijing for its projections, "their hands are somewhat tied, and they're not allowed to go off and kind of pick their own and alternative data with which to offer a corrective," he said in a discussion that highlighted updates to Rhodium's China Pathfinder database. The gauge compares China to 10 developed economies, including the U.S. and Japan, on six benchmarks including market competition and trade openness. "They need to pass that question to the Chinese authorities who produce that number to please explain what is growing to deliver [5.2 percent growth] because I can't find anything that could possibly explain" more than 2 or 2.5 percent growth for the year, he added. Beijing's economic challenges stem from losses and bankruptcies among over-leveraged property developers, who had been key in driving decades of national growth. Last month, Moody's Investors Service revised its outlook for China's property sector from "stable" to "negative" despite the introduction of multiple stimulus measures, including reduced mortgage rates and down payments, to limit the decline. Chinese exporters navigate the bumpy road back to the international market Rosen said "the net export side ... was really the bright spot in China's growth, such as it was, in 2023," but added that "2024 is not the year when China has room to solve its problems through exports." Beijing may already be facing a challenge in leveraging one of the country's most sought-after exports: electric vehicles. The European Commission officially opened an investigation into China's electric vehicle sector on Wednesday, saying it had evidence that Beijing has provided subsidies that risk damaging EU industry. A statement published in the Official Journal of the European Union said the subsidies "pose an imminent threat of injury to an already vulnerable EU industry." Amid these mounting challenges, there are concerns that China's economic woes could put a drag on global growth, an issue that Brad Setser, a Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow, addressed on Wednesday. Speaking on a panel with Rosen and Nargiza Salidjanova, director of Rhodium's China projects team, Setser said the impact of China's slower growth was limited because the country's imports are relatively low as a percentage of total trade and domestic GDP. "The fact that China is a very modest importer now of manufactured goods is quite relevant when thinking about the direct effects of a slowdown in Chinese growth," he said. Excluding imports of parts used to make finished products, "China's goods imports are now about 5 percent of its GDP, which is actually at the low end, by a significant degree, relative to the rest of the world economy", he said. But he added that Beijing's dependence on exports to offset domestic economic weakness did create risk for other countries. "China may embrace policies that would support further expansion of an already large manufacturing surplus," he said. "Private money is leaving China. ... So I think you have to think in some broad sense about where the risk lies, and to me the risk almost entirely lies around a disruptive change in China's exchange rate policy that aims to propel Chinese exports forward." China's property crisis also hitting Southeast Asia, regional body says Salidjanova said Beijing's regulatory policies, particularly those governing the tech sector, are partly to blame for the weaker capital inflows, in addition to broader concerns about weakening consumer demand. China's January-July foreign direct investment dropped by 9.8 percent, in U.S.-dollar terms, from a year earlier to U.S.$111.8 billion, according to Beijing's Ministry of Commerce. That trend tracks with a slight decline in the "modern innovation system" benchmark in Rhodium's Pathfinder gauge. On this measure, China slid to 2.2 out of 10, down from 2.4 in 2021. Salidjanova cited "a lot of the technical policies that have tightened in the tech sector, for example." Last year, Beijing announced new security assessment guidelines for cross-border data transfers, adding bureaucratic hurdles and compliance costs for international businesses operating in China. "And then we look at things like governance over data and data transfer, which [is important] for a lot of innovation, high tech economies," she said. "Being able to transfer your data between different parts of your company is so important, and this is where a lot of the friction emerges between open market economies, which have one set of regimes and policies governing data transfer, versus what China is doing." "Until very recently, it was sort of almost received wisdom that China is going to overtake the United States ... in terms of GDP growth," Salidjanova added. "With the current trend lines, it's not likely to happen." (SCMP) Read the full story at SCMP In a significant development for the cryptocurrency industry, Ripple has been granted the coveted Major Payments Institution (MPI) license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This approval means that Ripple can now offer its digital payment services in Singapore, a move that underscores the real-world utility of Ripple and cryptocurrencies for businesses. Ripple will utilize its Singapore-based subsidiary, Ripple Markets APAC Pte Limited, to deliver its digital payment solutions to the Singaporean market. This announcement has shifted the spotlight onto Ripple as traders and investors reassess their portfolios in light of the future prospects of XRP, Ripples native cryptocurrency. This latest milestone comes on the heels of Ripples monumental legal victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2023, solidifying its position as a leader in the cryptocurrency industry. Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple, emphasized the importance of Singapore in the companys growth, particularly since establishing its Asia Pacific headquarters in the region. Singapore, often regarded as a global leader in digital asset regulation, boasts a robust ecosystem for ventures like Ripple. The country is home to a vast network of central bank digital currencies, cross-border payment providers, and crypto liquidity providers. With the MPI license in hand, Ripple is poised to further expand its presence in the digital asset and FinTech industries. Garlinghouse noted that this expansion would strike a balance between consumer protection, responsible growth, and innovation. Singapores reputation as a hub for technological transformation is well-established, and its streamlined government services have consistently attracted new investments. In fact, Singapore secured the fourth spot on the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking in 2022, a testament to its ability to adopt advanced technologies. Experts anticipate that digital assets and blockchain will dominate the financial industry in the upcoming decade, and Ripples expansion in Singapore is expected to yield positive results for the blockchain sector as a whole. Singapores Regulatory Approval Signals a New Era for Ripple The approval of the MPI license by MAS marks a significant turning point for Ripple and the broader cryptocurrency industry. It not only validates Ripples commitment to regulatory compliance but also opens up new opportunities for businesses and consumers in Singapore to leverage the benefits of blockchain technology and digital payments. Ripples Journey to Regulatory Clarity Ripples journey to regulatory clarity has been fraught with challenges, particularly its legal battle with the SEC in the United States. However, the recent victory in that case, coupled with the MASs approval, highlights Ripples resilience and determination to establish itself as a leader in the digital payments space. Brad Garlinghouses Perspective Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple, expressed his optimism about the companys future in Singapore. He emphasized the critical role that Singapore has played in Ripples growth trajectory since the establishment of its Asia Pacific headquarters in the region. Garlinghouse sees Singapore as a strategic hub for innovation and believes that the MPI license will enable Ripple to further expand its footprint in the digital asset and FinTech sectors. Singapores Standing in the Crypto World Singapore has solidified its reputation as a crypto hub, attracting numerous cryptocurrency businesses and investors due to its supportive regulatory environment and forward-thinking approach to technology adoption. The countrys embrace of central bank digital currencies, cross-border payment solutions, and crypto liquidity providers has created a thriving ecosystem that Ripple aims to be a part of. Balancing Growth, Innovation, and Consumer Protection Garlinghouse stressed the importance of striking a balance between responsible growth, innovation, and consumer protection. With the MPI license, Ripple is well-positioned to achieve this equilibrium in Singapores dynamic financial landscape. The companys commitment to compliance and adherence to regulatory standards align with Singapores vision for a sustainable and technologically advanced financial industry. Singapores Global Digital Competitiveness Singapores standing on the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking in 2022 further highlights its global significance in the digital realm. The ranking, which measures a nations ability to adopt advanced technologies, underscores Singapores prowess in staying ahead of the curve. As digital assets and blockchain technologies continue to reshape the financial industry, Singapore is poised to remain at the forefront of this transformation. The Future of Ripple in Singapore As Ripple embarks on its journey to provide digital payment services in Singapore, the industrys gaze is firmly fixed on its progress. The companys ability to navigate the regulatory landscape, foster innovation, and ensure consumer protection will be closely watched. The MPI license is a crucial step forward for Ripple, and it sets the stage for a new era of digital payments in Singapore. In Conclusion Ripples approval for the MPI license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore represents a significant milestone for both the company and the cryptocurrency industry as a whole. Singapores reputation as a global leader in digital asset regulation and its commitment to technological advancement make it an ideal environment for Ripple to thrive. As the financial industry continues to evolve with the advent of digital assets and blockchain technology, Ripples expansion in Singapore is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital payments. In a significant move aimed at reshaping the cryptocurrency mining landscape, Uzbekistan has taken a bold step by introducing a comprehensive framework for licensing cryptocurrency mining operations. The countrys National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP) recently issued a decree outlining these groundbreaking regulations, which have garnered attention both locally and globally. The new regulations come with a clear focus on sustainability, corporate responsibility, and increased transparency within the cryptocurrency mining sector. As Uzbekistan takes this stride towards regulation, lets delve into the key highlights of these groundbreaking developments and their implications for the cryptocurrency market. Sustainability Takes Center Stage One of the most notable aspects of Uzbekistans cryptocurrency mining regulations is the emphasis on sustainability. The NAPP has mandated that cryptocurrency mining operations can only be conducted by legal entities. This move effectively bans individual miners from participating in the market, aligning with a broader global trend of regulating cryptocurrency activities. Furthermore, the NAPP has made a resounding statement on environmental consciousness by requiring mining firms to use solar power exclusively for their operations. By transitioning to clean energy sources, Uzbekistan aims to reduce the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining. However, there is a provision that allows miners to use the unified power system of Uzbekistan under specific circumstances, though the exact criteria remain unspecified. Infrastructure and Accountability The regulatory framework also places significant importance on the infrastructure of cryptocurrency mining operations. Companies are required to establish dedicated rooms for installing mining equipment, promoting efficient and organized operations. Additionally, mining can only occur at the registered address of these entities, enhancing accountability and traceability. To further ensure transparency and adherence to regulations, cryptocurrency mining firms must provide timely and full payment of mining fees as established by the regulatory authorities. This financial transparency is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the cryptocurrency market and ensuring that all parties involved meet their obligations. Privacy-Focused Cryptocurrencies Restricted Uzbekistans cryptocurrency watchdog has taken a strong stance against privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, such as Monero (XMR). These digital currencies, known for their anonymity and transaction obfuscation features, have been prohibited for mining within the country. This decision underscores the governments commitment to preventing illicit activities and ensuring that cryptocurrency transactions remain transparent and traceable. License and Permit Requirements Under these new regulations, all cryptocurrency mining activities and services are only permitted after obtaining the necessary licenses and permits. The NAPP has set a clear mandate that compliance with these regulatory requirements is non-negotiable. This move aims to maintain control over the cryptocurrency mining sector and ensure that it operates within legal boundaries. The NAPP has also called upon all citizens to adhere to the law and refrain from attempting to engage in cryptocurrency asset-related activities without the appropriate licenses. This emphasis on legal compliance echoes the governments determination to regulate and oversee the cryptocurrency market effectively. Continued Evolution of Regulations Its worth noting that Uzbekistan has been actively evolving its cryptocurrency regulations in recent years. This latest decree from the NAPP builds upon earlier measures and underscores the governments commitment to creating a structured framework for cryptocurrency mining. While some may wonder whether this is the final decree, it is essential to acknowledge that the government has been consistently tightening regulations to bring more clarity to the crypto landscape. Elon Musk, an immigrant from Apartheid-era South Africa, donned a backward Stetson hat Sept. 29 and toured the U.S.-Mexico border at the Texas town of Eagle Pass. The worlds richest man had not arrived to aid the desperate migrants who had presented themselves to U.S. border officials for processing. Instead, he made a four minute live video in which he called the town a 'Breaking Bad' situation while spitballing boilerplate immigration approaches for a country that has been unable to design and pass comprehensive immigration reform since 1986. Musks visit followed the Sept. 6 ruling by a district judge in favor of the U.S. Department of Justice over a line of marine buoys placed in the Rio Grande by Texas in June. The judge declared that the buoys would have to be removed by Sept. 15. But the victory for common sense was short-lived, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts appeal to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court has indefinitely delayed the removal. The buoys, while sounding innocuous, are actually a 1,000-foot line of interconnected, wrecking ball-sized floats that spin when grasped. They are tethered to the river floor with sheets of stainless-steel mesh and concrete blocks. They can trap people underwater, force asylum seekers and migrants into deeper channels, and impair river rescues. Four people have already died as a result of the buoys. The removal of the marine barrier, fatal by design, must be immediate, and such practices should never be allowed again. Images of the buoys circulated in local, national and international media. Many of them featured migrants, strapped with heavy backpacks, walking in a waist-high riverbed in wet clothes. Another is of a mother holding the hand of her child. One showed families trudging together in groups with toddlers on their shoulders, their childrens thin arms wrapped around their necks. The migrants who have traversed the Rio Bravo to the Rio Grande walk the dangerous gap between the orange buoys and barbed wire. These images are meant to be seen to demonstrate the cruelty of a weaponized border. The United States has a long tradition of spectacular violence burning crosses, lynchings, of marking boundaries with bodies. The buoys have now joined this tradition. Abbott and other border alarmists argued that these kinds of barriers to crossing are necessary. But these have never succeeded at deterrence. And before the buoys were installed, unauthorized crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border were in "significant and continuing decline," according to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Abbott recently gathered supporters near the buoys in Eagle Pass to cheer the success of the cruelty that has killed and wounded so many. Minimizing the lethal design of the barbed wire and 4-foot-wide rotating buoys, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen standing at the location where dozens of children have been injured, and where a young mother miscarried while ensnared in the barbed wire declared Abbotts policies "dont cause a Band-Aid, and if they do, I say, What the heck? Stay on your side of the river. It is clear that Abbott continues to proudly demonstrate an ineffective and violent policy. The governor is undeterred, but we shouldnt be. We must remove these technologies of terror, designed to cause suffering and death, immediately and permanently. After the buoys, the barbed wire must also come down. Shares of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the sixteen analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $86.27. PHM has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $82.00 to $92.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $93.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $94.00 to $110.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Credit Suisse Group boosted their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $71.00 to $85.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on shares of PulteGroup from $90.00 to $104.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Get PulteGroup alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on PulteGroup PulteGroup Price Performance PHM stock opened at $72.36 on Monday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $79.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of $72.47. The stock has a market cap of $15.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.98, a P/E/G ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.40. PulteGroup has a 1 year low of $35.99 and a 1 year high of $86.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.92. PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 25th. The construction company reported $3.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.52 by $0.69. PulteGroup had a net margin of 16.37% and a return on equity of 29.58%. The business had revenue of $4.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.73 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that PulteGroup will post 11.65 EPS for the current fiscal year. PulteGroup Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 18th were issued a dividend of $0.16 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 15th. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.88%. PulteGroups payout ratio is 5.29%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in PulteGroup by 1.0% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,748,609 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,162,667,000 after buying an additional 261,934 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 10.8% in the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 20,885,474 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,622,384,000 after acquiring an additional 2,030,200 shares during the period. Putnam Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of PulteGroup by 14.7% in the first quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 11,010,203 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $641,675,000 after acquiring an additional 1,406,893 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its stake in PulteGroup by 2.3% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,343,160 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $604,439,000 after purchasing an additional 228,040 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Greenhaven Associates Inc. raised its stake in PulteGroup by 2.6% in the second quarter. Greenhaven Associates Inc. now owns 5,783,350 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $449,251,000 after purchasing an additional 144,960 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.84% of the companys stock. About PulteGroup (Get Free Report PulteGroup, Inc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the homebuilding business in the United States. It acquires and develops land primarily for residential purposes; and constructs housing on such land. The company also offers various home designs, including single-family detached, townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes under the Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West, and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods brand names. See Also Receive News & Ratings for PulteGroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PulteGroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Creative Planning boosted its holdings in shares of Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report) by 7.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 230,013 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 16,750 shares during the quarter. Creative Planning owned about 0.05% of Phillips 66 worth $21,939,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. raised its stake in Phillips 66 by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 37,428,804 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,794,532,000 after purchasing an additional 102,139 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Phillips 66 by 100,843.8% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,979,304 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,038,646,000 after acquiring an additional 9,969,418 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in Phillips 66 by 44.3% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 8,623,978 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $874,299,000 after acquiring an additional 2,646,979 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its stake in Phillips 66 by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 6,961,625 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $724,566,000 after acquiring an additional 968,055 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Phillips 66 by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,859,397 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $695,406,000 after acquiring an additional 366,667 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.83% of the companys stock. Get Phillips 66 alerts: Insider Activity at Phillips 66 In related news, VP Joseph Scott Pruitt sold 7,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.02, for a total transaction of $819,140.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 6,682 shares in the company, valued at approximately $781,927.64. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Phillips 66 news, EVP Timothy D. Roberts sold 12,970 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.41, for a total value of $1,613,597.70. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 80,009 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,953,919.69. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, VP Joseph Scott Pruitt sold 7,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, September 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.02, for a total value of $819,140.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 6,682 shares of the companys stock, valued at $781,927.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 360,648 shares of company stock worth $41,396,371 in the last quarter. 4.57% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have issued reports on PSX shares. Argus lifted their price objective on Phillips 66 from $125.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 14th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Phillips 66 from $141.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Phillips 66 from $130.00 to $136.00 in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Phillips 66 from $127.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Phillips 66 from $130.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, September 8th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $129.73. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Phillips 66 Phillips 66 Price Performance PSX opened at $110.49 on Thursday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $116.06 and a 200 day moving average of $104.34. Phillips 66 has a 52-week low of $88.64 and a 52-week high of $125.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stock has a market cap of $49.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.79, a PEG ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.33. Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $3.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.54 by $0.33. Phillips 66 had a return on equity of 26.25% and a net margin of 6.81%. The company had revenue of $35.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $32.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $6.77 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Phillips 66 will post 16.57 EPS for the current year. Phillips 66 Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 18th were issued a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 17th. Phillips 66s payout ratio is currently 18.22%. About Phillips 66 (Free Report) Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Phillips 66 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phillips 66 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AppYea (OTCMKTS:APYP Get Free Report) and CI&T (NYSE:CINT Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and risk. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for AppYea and CI&T, as provided by MarketBeat. Get AppYea alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AppYea 0 0 0 0 N/A CI&T 0 2 1 0 2.33 CI&T has a consensus target price of $5.83, indicating a potential downside of 7.55%. Given CI&Ts higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe CI&T is more favorable than AppYea. Valuation & Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AppYea N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A CI&T $423.72 million 1.99 $24.39 million $0.24 26.29 This table compares AppYea and CI&Ts gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. CI&T has higher revenue and earnings than AppYea. Profitability This table compares AppYea and CI&Ts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AppYea N/A N/A -595.92% CI&T 7.29% 19.35% 8.97% Risk and Volatility AppYea has a beta of 2.33, meaning that its share price is 133% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CI&T has a beta of 0.95, meaning that its share price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Institutional and Insider Ownership 10.0% of CI&T shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.5% of AppYea shares are owned 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. Summary CI&T beats AppYea on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About AppYea (Get Free Report) AppYea, Inc. operates as a digital health company that develops wearable monitoring solutions to treat sleep apnea and snoring. It develops SleepX App, a wristband communicating with its smartphone app that trains the brain to breath properly; DreamIT, a biofeedback snoring treatment wristband; SleepX PRO, a smartphone application that monitors breathing patterns in the sleep and identify sleep arena episode without direct contact to the user; and DreamIT PRO, a wristband for the treatment of sleep arena using biofeedback in combination with SleepX PRO app. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in Rehovot, Israel. About CI&T (Get Free Report) CI&T Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides strategy, design, and software engineering services to enable digital transformation for enterprises and companies worldwide. It is also involved in the development of customizable software through the implementation of software solutions, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, analytics, cloud migration, and mobility technologies. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Campinas, Brazil. Receive News & Ratings for AppYea Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AppYea and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Graypoint LLC lessened its stake in shares of MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI Free Report) by 8.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 547 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 49 shares during the quarter. Graypoint LLCs holdings in MSCI were worth $257,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of MSCI. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its position in MSCI by 59.7% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 2,382,561 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,108,296,000 after acquiring an additional 890,554 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its position in shares of MSCI by 19,390.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 864,981 shares of the technology companys stock worth $405,927,000 after purchasing an additional 860,543 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of MSCI in the 4th quarter worth $378,140,000. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its position in shares of MSCI by 312.3% in the 1st quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 852,913 shares of the technology companys stock worth $428,913,000 after purchasing an additional 646,050 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of MSCI by 27.3% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,182,687 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,015,320,000 after purchasing an additional 467,592 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 88.61% of the companys stock. Get MSCI alerts: Insider Activity at MSCI In related news, insider Scott A. Crum sold 1,800 shares of MSCI stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $555.89, for a total value of $1,000,602.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 18,274 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,158,333.86. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, General Counsel Robert J. Gutowski sold 1,478 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $520.00, for a total value of $768,560.00. Following the transaction, the general counsel now directly owns 15,179 shares in the company, valued at $7,893,080. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Scott A. Crum sold 1,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $555.89, for a total value of $1,000,602.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 18,274 shares in the company, valued at $10,158,333.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.08% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MSCI. Raymond James raised their price objective on MSCI from $574.00 to $592.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. BNP Paribas cut MSCI from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $450.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, July 17th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on MSCI in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating for the company. Barclays lifted their price target on MSCI from $600.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. Finally, Redburn Atlantic cut MSCI from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $650.00 to $554.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, MSCI presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $565.20. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MSCI MSCI Stock Performance NYSE MSCI opened at $501.59 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $533.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $509.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.96, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.13. MSCI Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $385.00 and a fifty-two week high of $572.50. MSCI (NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The technology company reported $3.26 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.11 by $0.15. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 93.06% and a net margin of 39.02%. The firm had revenue of $621.16 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $602.47 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.78 EPS. MSCIs revenue for the quarter was up 12.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that MSCI Inc. will post 13.12 earnings per share for the current year. MSCI Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th were paid a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.10%. MSCIs dividend payout ratio is presently 48.38%. MSCI Company Profile (Free Report) MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides investment decision support tools for the clients to manage their investment processes worldwide. It operates through four segments: Index, Analytics, ESG and Climate, and All Other Private Assets. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed product creation, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for MSCI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MSCI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Busey Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 0.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 661,421 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,602 shares during the period. Pfizer accounts for about 1.0% of Busey Wealth Managements holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Busey Wealth Managements holdings in Pfizer were worth $24,261,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. 1900 Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Pfizer by 3.1% during the second quarter. 1900 Wealth Management LLC now owns 26,123 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $958,000 after acquiring an additional 789 shares during the last quarter. Addenda Capital Inc. increased its position in shares of Pfizer by 27.7% during the second quarter. Addenda Capital Inc. now owns 153,090 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $5,615,000 after acquiring an additional 33,182 shares during the last quarter. Mcrae Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.7% in the second quarter. Mcrae Capital Management Inc. now owns 41,980 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,540,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Farmers Trust Co. grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 1.4% in the second quarter. Farmers Trust Co. now owns 218,550 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $8,016,000 after purchasing an additional 2,919 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Ocean LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 11.4% in the second quarter. Private Ocean LLC now owns 6,734 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $247,000 after purchasing an additional 691 shares in the last quarter. 68.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Pfizer alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and issued a $75.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a report on Monday. TheStreet cut shares of Pfizer from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Monday, September 25th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $38.00 to $35.00 in a report on Monday. Credit Suisse Group cut shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $47.00 to $40.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Finally, Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $62.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. Twelve 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, Pfizer currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.18. Pfizer Stock Down 1.8 % PFE stock opened at $33.29 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $34.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $37.33. Pfizer Inc. has a 12 month low of $31.77 and a 12 month high of $54.93. The company has a market cap of $187.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 2.12 and a quick ratio of 1.82. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last released 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 firm 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%. Pfizers revenue for the quarter was down 54.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.04 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.32 earnings per share for the current year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 10th will be given a dividend of $0.41 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.93%. Pfizers payout ratio is currently 43.62%. 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sienna Senior Living (OTCMKTS:LWSCF Get Free Report) and Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends and risk. Insider & Institutional Ownership 11.9% of Sienna Senior Living shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 5.8% of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Sienna Senior Living alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings for Sienna Senior Living and Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sienna Senior Living 0 0 0 0 N/A Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA 2 7 1 0 1.90 Profitability Sienna Senior Living currently has a consensus price target of $15.38, suggesting a potential upside of 101.51%. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has a consensus price target of $30.98, suggesting a potential upside of 49.53%. Given Sienna Senior Livings higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Sienna Senior Living is more favorable than Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA. This table compares Sienna Senior Living and Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaAs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sienna Senior Living N/A N/A N/A Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA 3.01% 5.15% 2.22% Dividends Sienna Senior Living pays an annual dividend of $0.90 per share and has a dividend yield of 11.8%. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA pays an annual dividend of $0.42 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Sienna Senior Living pays out -141.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA pays out 40.0% 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. Sienna Senior Living is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Sienna Senior Living and Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaAs gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sienna Senior Living N/A N/A N/A ($0.64) -11.96 Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA $20.44 billion 0.59 $709.50 million $1.05 19.73 Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA has higher revenue and earnings than Sienna Senior Living. Sienna Senior Living is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA beats Sienna Senior Living on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Sienna Senior Living (Get Free Report) Sienna Senior Living Inc. provides senior living and long-term care (LTC) services in Canada. It operates through Retirement and LTC segments. The company offers a range of seniors' living options, including independent supportive and assisted living, memory care, and long-term care services. The company was formerly known as Leisureworld Senior Care Corporation and changed its name to Sienna Senior Living Inc. in May 2015. Sienna Senior Living Inc. was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Markham, Canada. About Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (Get Free Report) Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA provides dialysis and related services for individuals with renal diseases in Germany, North America, and internationally. The company offers dialysis treatment and related laboratory and diagnostic services through a network of outpatient dialysis clinics; materials, training, and patient support services comprising clinical monitoring, follow-up assistance, and arranging for delivery of the supplies to the patient's residence; and dialysis services under contract to hospitals in the United States for the hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and for patients suffering from acute kidney failure. It also develops, manufactures, and distributes various health care products, including polysulfone dialyzers, hemodialysis machines, peritoneal dialysis cyclers, peritoneal dialysis solutions, hemodialysis concentrates, solutions and granulates, bloodlines, renal pharmaceuticals, systems for water treatment, and acute cardiopulmonary and apheresis products. In addition, the company develops, acquires, and in-licenses renal pharmaceuticals; offers renal medications and supplies to patients at homes or to dialysis clinics; and provides vascular, cardiovascular, endovascular specialty, vascular care ambulatory surgery center, and physician nephrology and cardiology services. The company sells its products to dialysis clinics, hospitals, and specialized treatment clinics directly, as well as through local sales forces, independent distributors, dealers, and sales agents. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Bad Homburg, Germany. Receive News & Ratings for Sienna Senior Living Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sienna Senior Living and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Creative Planning grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 64,412 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,741 shares during the period. Creative Plannings holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $20,775,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter valued at $66,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,505.1% during the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 41,300 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $13,633,000 after buying an additional 38,727 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.5% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 118,609 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $39,153,000 after buying an additional 18,540 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 79.4% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 827 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $273,000 after buying an additional 366 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 118.3% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 310 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $102,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the period. 69.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance GS opened at $308.59 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $332.75 and a 200-day moving average of $329.97. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $287.75 and a 52-week high of $389.58. The company has a market cap of $101.73 billion, a PE ratio of 13.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.38. 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 Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The investment management company reported $3.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.25 by ($0.17). The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 8.27%. The business had revenue of $10.90 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.61 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $7.73 EPS. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was down 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 25.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm 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 an increase from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 30th. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.56%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 46.93%. Insider Activity at The Goldman Sachs Group In related news, CEO David M. Solomon sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $345.71, for a total transaction of $3,457,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 128,982 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,590,367.22. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, CEO David M. Solomon sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $345.71, for a total value of $3,457,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 128,982 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,590,367.22. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO David M. Solomon sold 4,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.28, for a total value of $1,496,376.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 124,782 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $44,457,330.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.54% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets GS has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Credit Suisse Group reissued an outperform rating and set a $410.00 price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Odeon Capital Group raised The Goldman Sachs Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $355.75 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $461.00 to $450.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $407.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $393.32. Read Our Latest Analysis on GS About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements. See Also Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A Franklin County organization has given up management of programs to assist the homeless in a wide region stretching across Southside Virginia. Now homeless people in need can seek temporary shelter through a program recently started by the Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The DRHA has received about $176,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to implement the Continuum of Care program. That money will go toward a DRHA Rapid Rehousing program that is under the Continuum of Care, said Larissa Deedrich, executive director and CEO of the authority in Danville. Its to get people off the street, Deedrich said Monday. This is the first step to helping them find secure housing. The Continuum of Care program, newly administered by DRHA, is a federally appointed program that uses local housing and government agencies to provide rapid rehousing of homeless individuals and families. DRHA is taking over administration of the Continuum of Care program from STEP Inc., in Franklin County, which previously was in charge of it. Service areas under the program include Danville and Martinsville, as well as Pittsylvania, Henry, Patrick and Franklin counties. Agencies that work with the homeless population will be able to refer those seeking help to the DRHA resident services team. They can be referred to House of Hope homeless shelter in Danville or a warming shelter in Martinsville or Franklin County, for example. Services also include rental assistance to prevent eviction. Once families or individuals are referred to the Continuum of Care program, the first step is to get them housed and then help them through a selection of supportive services. The end goal of the program and services is to help homeless families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient. Jude Swanson, executive director at House of Hope homeless shelter in Danville, said the rapid rehousing program is sorely needed and will be a huge step in helping our guests. They [DRHA] are already working with one of our families and helping them get into a permanent housing situation, Swanson said. Hopefully, those eligible for the program will not only be able to move into four walls and a roof, but receive case management, as well, Swanson said. For the people it can help, it will be a big help, Swanson said of the program. The House of Hopes womens shelter is almost full, with 14 guests that include three families, he said. The mens shelter is at half capacity, with nine guests, he said. Usually, the mens shelter is busier than the womens shelter, which houses families, he said. Weve had a larger amount of families looking for space, Swanson said. The high housing costs is finally catching up to people who have been struggling. At some point, its impossible to make ends meet. Susan McCulloch, housing development division director for the city of Danville, said her office receives many calls from unhoused people in need of shelter and assistance. Were very happy that its [Continuum of Care] is in DRHAs hands, McCulloch said. DRHA does a great job connecting clients to housing and other resources, she said. Her office refers about three to five clients who are either homeless, in danger of becoming homeless or just looking for cheaper housing, to DRHA or other agencies per week. Those clients include those close to being evicted or who are staying with family members and need help, she said. To be able to refer them to DRHA is extremely helpful for both us as a community and, of course, for the clients who need assistance, McCulloch said. They do a wonderful job. Were always thankful to be working with them. The housing authority has until June 30, 2024 to spend the money it received, Deedrich said. Shes not sure how many clients the funding will help, she said. Its really hard to say how many well be able to serve, Deedrich said. Were just going to serve people until we run out of money. DRHA will re-apply for more funding for the following two years after the money is spent, she said. In July, the authority received a $50,000 grant from Sentara Health to start up a new program to help homeless people transition to permanent housing. A new Android banking trojan named GoldDigger has been found targeting several financial applications with an aim to siphon victims' funds and backdoor infected devices. "The malware targets more than 50 Vietnamese banking, e-wallet and crypto wallet applications," Group-IB said. "There are indications that this threat might be poised to extend its reach across the wider APAC region and to Spanish-speaking countries." The malware was first detected by the Singapore-headquartered company in August 2023, although there is evidence to suggest that it has been active since June 2023. While the exact scale of the infections is currently not known, the malicious apps have been found to impersonate a Vietnamese government portal and an energy company to request intrusive permissions to meet its data-gathering goals. This primarily includes abusing Android's accessibility services, which is intended to assist users with disabilities to use the apps, in order to interact with the targeted apps and extract personal information, steal banking app credentials, intercept SMS messages, and perform various user actions. Granting permissions to the malware also enables it to gain full visibility into user actions and view bank account balances, capture two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, and log keystrokes, as well as facilitate device remote access. Attack chains distributing GoldDigger leverage fake websites impersonating Google Play Store pages and counterfeit corporate websites in Vietnam, raising the possibility that these links are propagated to victims via smishing or traditional phishing tactics. However, the success of the campaign hinges on enabling the "Install from Unknown Sources" option to allow the installation of arbitrary apps available outside of the official storefront. GoldDigger is one of several Android banking trojans that have surfaced just over the past few months and have added to an already large number of similar tools currently circulating in the wild. "One of the main features of GoldDigger is its use of an advanced protection mechanism," the company noted in a report shared with The Hacker News. "Virbox Protector, a legitimate software identified in all discovered samples of GoldDigger, allows the Trojan to significantly complicate both static and dynamic malware analysis and evade detection. This presents a challenge in triggering malicious activity in sandboxes or emulators." "Based on our current detection, no apps containing this malware are found on Google Play. Users are protected by Google Play Protect, which can warn users or block apps known to exhibit malicious behavior on Android devices with Google Play Services," a Google spokesperson infromed The Hacker News. A governmental entity in Guyana has been targeted as part of a cyber espionage campaign dubbed Operation Jacana. The activity, which was detected by ESET in February 2023, entailed a spear-phishing attack that led to the deployment of a hitherto undocumented implant written in C++ called DinodasRAT. The Slovak cybersecurity firm said it could link the intrusion to a known threat actor or group, but attributed with medium confidence to a China-nexus adversary owing to the use of PlugX (aka Korplug), a remote access trojan common to Chinese hacking crews. "This campaign was targeted, as the threat actors crafted their emails specifically to entice their chosen victim organization," ESET said in a report shared with The Hacker News. "After successfully compromising an initial but limited set of machines with DinodasRAT, the operators proceeded to move inside and breach the target's internal network, where they again deployed this backdoor." The infection sequence commenced with a phishing email containing a booby-trapped link with subject lines referencing an alleged news report about a Guyanese fugitive in Vietnam. Should a recipient click on the link, a ZIP archive file is downloaded from the domain fta.moit.gov[.]vn, indicating a compromise of a Vietnamese governmental website to host the payload. Embedded within the ZIP archive is an executable that launches the DinodasRAT malware to collect sensitive information from a victim's computer. DinodasRAT, besides encrypting the information it sends to the command-and-control (C2) server using the Tiny Encryption Algorithm (TEA), comes with capabilities to exfiltrate system metadata, files, manipulate Windows registry keys, and execute commands. Also deployed are tools for lateral movement, Korplug, and the SoftEther VPN client, the latter of which has been put to use by another China-affiliated cluster tracked by Microsoft as Flax Typhoon. "There is an ongoing trend among China-aligned threat actors to use non-commercial VPN networks in order to anonymize their network traffic," Matthieu Faou, malware researcher at ESET, told The Hacker News. "Often, those VPN networks are running on compromised devices such as routers. As for SoftEther specifically, it can be used by threat actors to create their own VPN network or to proxy traffic from the local victims network to the attacker-controlled server." "The attackers used a combination of previously unknown tools, such as DinodasRAT, and more traditional backdoors such as Korplug," ESET researcher Fernando Tavella said. "Based on the spear-phishing emails used to gain initial access to the victim's network, the operators are keeping track of the geopolitical activities of their victims to increase the likelihood of their operation's success." (The story has been updated with additional comments from ESET.) When the chair of the Harvest of Harmony Committee told Diane Miller that shed be this years Grand Marshal, Miller said, Why me? Michael Porter responded, Why not you? I was just very surprised that they asked me, Miller said Wednesday. Being Grand Marshall is just very humbling, she said. She is honored to represent Grand Island, she said. Miller is ready to wave to a lot of people Saturday morning. Ive got the Princess Diana wave down, she said. In a news release, the Harvest of Harmony Committee says it chose Miller as the Grand Marshal because of her lifelong involvement in teaching and working with children in central Nebraska. Miller is known for her work in the classroom and for her work at Island Oasis, where she worked for 30 years. Beginning her education career in Columbus and Albion, she taught at Centura for 11 years. In Grand Island, she taught at Howard and Dodge elementary schools, and at Grand Island Public Schools Ombudsman program. Before moving to Island Oasis, she worked as a lifeguard at Lincoln and Pier Park pools, as well as L.E. Ray Lake. In addition to serving as Red Cross swimming lesson coordinator, Miller was on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters and taught the Youth Leadership Tomorrow class for two years. I think Ill know quite a few people at the parade, Miller said. For the last 10 years, shes worked at Curran Funeral Chapel. At the parade, smiling wont be anything new for Miller. She tries to look at the brighter side of life. Things turn out better if you go in with a positive attitude, she says. Im a people person, she said. She needs to have people in her life, and she likes to serve others. On Saturday, shell have to pick the Grand Marshal float, which makes me a little nervous, she said. I want everybody to be a winner. Miller has family coming from out of town for the parade. Her best friend will make the trip from Colorado. A little more than 90 high school bands will perform in the 81st Harvest of Harmony Parade. The marching order features 203 entries. Porter said hes happy with the lineup. We have a lot more floats than what weve normally had, so were excited about that, he said. The theme this year is Celebration of Sound. The first parade entry is scheduled to step off at 8:15 a.m. A total of 24 bands will take part in the Field Competition at Grand Island Senior High, which begins at 10 a.m. In addition to GISH, the bigger high school bands in the parade come from Omaha North, Omaha South, Lincoln Northeast, Kearney, North Platte, Skutt Catholic, Northwest and Lincoln Northwest. Not only do the schools come from across the state, but we have a wide variety of sizes of bands as well, Porter said. Music will also be provided by the University of Nebraska at Kearney band. A queen is not being crowned this year as part of the Harvest of Harmony. The queen pageant was discontinued because the high school girls had trouble meeting the time commitment. It was hard for the girls to be here all day Friday, stay Friday night, and then do the parade on Saturday, Porter said. Pageant numbers were down, so we had to come up with a different idea, he said. Schools may now select a student involved in fine arts to ride in a convertible ahead of the band. Fourteen student representatives will ride in this years parade. Harvest of Harmony is organized by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce and the Harvest of Harmony Committee. Samantha Moss of the Chamber of Commerce said organizers really want to thank everybody who helps make this possible our volunteers, the committee, everyone in the community who donates to us and, of course, our sponsor, Century 21 Realty. The Harvest of Harmony parade began in 1938. The event halted during World War II. The parade was also not held in 2020 due to COVID. KEARNEY The University of Nebraska at Kearney will host two programs on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The first will focus on the possibility of UFOs in Nebraska, presented by UNK history professor Nathan Tye. The second will feature NASA engineer John McCloskey talking about the James Webb Space Telescope. Fact or fiction? You decide during UFOs Over the Platte River presentation UFOs Over the Platte River, presented by Nathan Tye, is planned for noon, Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Kearney Public Library, 2020 First Ave. The program is part of the Brown Bag Lectures Series hosted by the UNK Department of History. On Nov. 5, 1957, local grain buyer R.O. Schmidt was welcomed aboard a UFO resting near the Platte River. The sheriff interrogated him, the Kearney Hub newspaper investigated the landing site, and most residents laughed it off. A year later, the UFO picked him up in Elm Creek. As the space race took off, Schmidt made a career of The Kearney Incident, traveling across the country sharing his story. Drawing on Schmidts writing and declassified Air Force files, this lecture will expose this strange and otherworldly tale from Cold War Kearney. Tye is the assistant professor of Nebraska and American West history at UNK, where hes taught since 2019. He received his doctorate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also appeared on NBCs celebrity genealogy program Who Do You Think You Are? For more information, contact Tye at 308-865-8860 or tyen@unk.edu NASA engineer to discuss James Webb Telescope Twenty Years with the James Webb Space Telescope, presented by NASA engineer John McCloskey, is set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, in Copeland Hall, room 142. The program is part of the UNK Science Cafe series hosted by Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society. Launched on Dec. 25, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope studies every phase in the history of our universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang to the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth to the evolution of our own solar system. Unlike the Hubble Space Telescope, which orbits Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope orbits the sun 1 million miles away from Earth. McCloskey is the chief electromagnetic compatibility engineer at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where hes worked since 1998. For more information, contact Allen Thomas, UNK chemistry professor, at 308-865-8452 or thomasaa@unk.edu Golden land on Quy Nhon beach to go under the hammer this month By Nguyen Tri, Huu Binh Thu, October 5, 2023 | 8:21 am GTM+7 A prime land lot next to Quy Nhon beach in the south central province of Binh Dinh will have its land use rights auctioned on October 28. The land will be used to implement a VND2.5 trillion ($102.5 million) project to build a 5-star hotel, office and trade-service center, a provincial official says. Nguyen Bay, director of the provinces Investment Promotion Center, said this land lot, called K200, covers nearly 11,000 square meters on An Duong Vuong street in Quy Nhon town. Of this, about 6,000 square meters has been assigned for construction and the remaining area for parks, yards and internal roads. The site has been cleared and its starting price is about VND250 billion ($10.25 million). "Golden land" lot K200 on Quy Nhon beach, Binh Dinh province, south-central Vietnam. Photo by The Investor/Nguyen Tri. Bidding documents should be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 20 and the qualifying round (indirect bids) will be conducted in accordance with regulations no later than 4:00 p.m. the same day at the provincial Property Auction Service Center. The auction is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on October 28. According to the center, the land use term is 50 years from the date the project investor is recognized as the auction winner. The investor must complete investment preparation procedures in accordance with current regulations in order to start construction on schedule within 12 months of the provincial Peoples Committee recognizing the auction results. The project construction period shall not exceed 30 months from the date the construction permit is issued. If the investor violates the above project implementation schedule, the project and land can be revoked. K200 is considered "golden land" because of its prime location at the heart of Quy Nhon town. In 2017, the provincial People's Committee approved the investment policy for a hotel, commercial and luxury apartment complex with a total investment capital of more than VND2.9 trillion ($118.9 million). However, this was withdrawn in July 2018 because the investor did not implement the project as committed. In June 2023, the provincial administration approved an investment policy to auction land use rights of the golden land. Vietnam govt to have commercial banks take over ailing peers By Minh Anh Thu, October 5, 2023 | 10:18 am GTM+7 The Vietnamese government has given in-principle approval to a scheme that will have domestic commercial banks take over two weak peers, a central bank report says, part of broader efforts to clean up the banking system and reduce the number of lenders. State Bank of Vietnam headquarters, downtown Hanoi. Photo courtesy by Dang Cong San (Communist Party) newspaper. The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) report, sent to the nations supreme legislative body, the National Assembly, does not name the ailing banks or those that will absorb them. It says that the central bank has directed concerned agencies to submit detailed plans on the takeover to the government for consideration. The SBV acquired three struggling banks CBBank, OceanBank, and GPBank in 2015 at zero cost to prevent contagion and a systematic collapse. In the same year, it placed the DongA Bank under special scrutiny. Unconfirmed reports have said that Hanoi-based Military Bank could take over OceanBank, while Vietcombank would acquire CBBank. Both Military Bank and Vietcombank have sent staff to manage the two target lenders; and similar steps are being prepared for the remaining two ailing banks. The banks set to acquire the ailing peers have been asked to hire consulting firms and proceed with due diligence. The valuation certifications issued by the consultations will be forwarded to the State Audit of Vietnam for verification, the SBV report says. SBV Governor Nguyen Thi Hong has attributed the lengthy M&A process to the need for acquiring banks to convince their shareholders, including foreign strategic investors. Other factors include limited resources and the need to garner feedback on the move from other agencies, given that the deals are complex and unprecedented. Vietnam stock market status upgrade: officials, experts to discuss implications By Minh Anh Tue, October 10, 2023 | 7:47 am GTM+7 A conference on Tuesday will discuss information disclosure by listed firms and other implications of an upgrade to Vietnams stock market status. The conference, titled Vietnam stock market: Status upgrade and transparency in listed firms' information disclosure, is being organized by Nhadautu.vn / TheInvestor.vn in Hanoi on October 10. It aims to raise awareness of market participants and propose measures to accelerate the upgrade. The Vietnamese government has been trying to get the nation's stock market status upgraded for years. Photo by Trung Hieu/The Investor. Officials from the State Securities Commission, ministries, the Central Economic Commission, the National Assemblys Economic and Financial-State Budget committees, experts, and representatives of auditing firms and investment fund management firms will attend the conference. The Vietnamese government is working hard to get the local stock market status elevated to that of an emerging market" from the current frontier market by 2025. A status upgrade can attract billions of dollars from international funds, experts have said. The country has met eight of 17 criteria set by the U.S.s Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and seven out of nine criteria by the UKs FTSE Russell. Besides technical factors, market regulators give much importance to quality of information disclosure. The market upgrade will be sustainable and substantive only when listed companies strictly observe Vietnamese regulations in this regard and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), experts have said. As of last week, FTSE Russell, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group, had placed Vietnam on a watch list for a possible reclassification to secondary emerging market status. Vietnam has remained on this list since September 2018. Link to the conference Vietnams Thai Binh province okays 3 FDI projects totaling $270 mln By Tri Duc Thu, October 5, 2023 | 9:54 am GTM+7 Vietnams northern province of Thai Binh granted investment certificates to three foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with total registered capital of $270 million on Wednesday. Taiwan-based Pegavision Corporation received permission for a $200 million lens factory. The 10-hectare plant is set to reap an annual revenue of VND2.8 trillion ($114.8 million). Taiwan-invested Goodway Cayman Company Limited will invest $45 million in building a factory for manufacturing electronic items, connecting/converting devices, and others. The five-hectare project can gain an annual revenue of VND4.4 trillion ($180.4 million). Meanwhile, China-invested Longstar Lighting Ha Mon Company Limited obtained an investment certificate for its $25-million project of manufacturing and assembling LED bulbs and components. Its four-hectare plant can generate an annual revenue of VND1.2 trillion ($49.2 million). Thai Binh Chairman Nguyen Khac Than (first, right) grants investment certificates to three FDI projects in Thai Binh province, northern Vietnam, on October 4, 2023. Photo courtesy of Thai Binh news portal. All three projects are located in Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park, invested by local business Green i-Park Corporation. With the three new investments, the corporation will exceed $1 billion in FDI attraction and help Thai Binh province reach the milestone of $1 billion in FDI in a year, said Thai Binh Chairman Nguyen Khac Than. Speaking at the event, representatives of the foreign businesses lauded the conditions of Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park and the provincial authorities support for the projects. Thai Binhs index of industrial production (IIP) fell 2.8% from August to September, according to provincial data. However, the January-September IIP increased 12.6% year-on-year, driven by an 80.2% increase in the mining sector, 2.2% in the manufacturing-processing sector, 80% in electricity production and distribution, and 4.4% in water supply and treatment of waste and waste water. 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This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. To sign-up for EZ-Pay, call us at (903) 785-6901 or e-mail us at circulation@theparisnews.com. We will use the information you provide to change your current billing to EZ-PAY. Your current subscription delivery schedule will not be changed. No refunds for early cancellations. Remainder of early cancellation funds will be donated to Newspapers in Education. CARBONDALE The Warming Center held a press conference Thursday afternoon to share good news. The center was awarded $150,000 from Illinois Department of Human Services. Its another beautiful day in Southern Illinois, State Sen. Dale Fowler said through the rain on Thursday. Were so grateful for what the funding does. The Warming Center opened as a way to help keep homeless members of the community safe and warm during cold winter months. It was originally open 12 hours per day. During the pandemic, the center became a 24-hour shelter. After the pandemic, they returned to their 12-hour daily schedule. This past summer, due to budget constraints, the shelter was open only from noon to 6 p.m. The funding will allow the shelter to open for 24 hours, seven days a week for four months. They plan to be open Nov. 15 through April 1 in a 24-hour capacity, unless the temperatures drop to 40 degrees or below several days in a row. If that happens, they may have to open before Nov. 15. Fowler said they are looking for funding in next years budget. Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey thanked Sen. Fowler and those who had worked on behalf of the warming center. If you had nowhere to sleep, where would you stop? Harvey asked, adding that the center will still need donations to stay open. Carmalita Cahill, executive director of the Carbondale Warming Center, talked about the lives of the people served by the center. My guests camp along a creek, and it will flood, she told the crowd. Cahill said the funding would bring back dignity and humanity to the community. Harvey said the center is in need of volunteers to go with the funding. To sign up for training, call the center to sign up. Fowler said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has toured the center and played a role in securing funding. It would be terrible for people to not have food in their belly or not have a place to sleep, Fowler said. Cahill said Southern Illinois embodied the true definition of teamwork. People worked together to help find funding for the shelter. She said she used her voice to allow the people served at the shelter to be heard, and they have been. Their stories made a difference in getting funding. Funding helps the center meet the most vital and critical needs of the community. Those needs include being able to sit down and not be chased away. Were immensely excited, Cahill said. CARBONDALE The unprecedented ouster of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy forced by a small contingent of Republican lawmakers in his own party raises questions about the short-term effectiveness in governing and signals a political development found in other countries, according to political experts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. McCarthy became the first speaker in history to be voted out of his position by a 216-210 vote and indications are it will be next week before a new speaker will be voted on. McCarthy has said he will not seek the position again. Patrick McHenry, R-North Carolina, is serving as acting speaker. John Jackson, visiting professor, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, noted the vote was caused by an extremist faction of McCarthys own party, and as McCarthy himself said, these people are not interested in making policy, they want to burn the House down. The House is in chaos now, and the important business of the nation, most notably right now the adoption of a budget, is not being attended to, Jackson said. We need to start electing people who care more about what unites us rather than what divides us, who care about our institutions of government, and who understand that a separation of powers system demands tolerance, give-and-take and compromise if it is going to function. Troubling trend John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, noted that in the last decade House Republicans have devoured all of their speakers John Boehner, Paul Ryan and now Kevin McCarthy were all effectively driven from the speakers podium by a small but powerful faction of House Republicans who are more comfortable with disruption and chaos than governance. Speaker McCarthy's removal raises far-reaching questions about whether any GOP leader can survive as speaker. It also raises troubling questions about how the House will be governed during the coming tumultuous 2024 congressional and presidential campaigns. A vote of no confidence Kenneth Mulligan an associate professor of political science in SIUs School of Anthropology, Political Science and Sociology, said the reality of Tuesdays vote brings about something seen in other democracies. "One way to look at this is that in the House we have the equivalent of a three-party parliamentary system, roughly similar to what Israel has experienced recently, he said. The conservative party is in power but in coalition with the so-called far right party. That small party holds a lot of cards and can blow it up at any time. Tuesday, in the House, it called a vote of no confidence. Americans are not used to this, but it not unusual for many democracies." You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Benjamin Jackson-Rocca was 16 years old when he was placed with adults in the Natrona County Detention Center. His mother, Sherri, who fears its going to have a long-term effect on him, says theyre losing faith in the judicial system. He is accused of having played a role in a July 11 shooting near the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds and a July 13 drive-by shooting of a home on Big Horn Road. Benjamin was not the shooter in either incident. He was arrested on July 15. He is being tried as an adult. Benjamin turned 17 in the adult jail, he said. After spending a little over three months there, his family was finally able to scrape together the thousands of dollars needed to bail him out. Hes now back at home and going to school at Transitions Learning Center. Throughout this process, Benjamin alleges his rights have been violated repeatedly, and hes been railroaded by officials. The news is putting me out to be just such a bad person, Benjamin said. Ive never committed a violent crime. Despite public defenders repeatedly arguing to have Benjamin moved to a juvenile detention center, he never was. The Natrona County Sheriffs Office decides where to house people accused of crimes. Sherri alleges they havent put a juvenile in adult jail in Natrona County for at least a decade, and officials did so to make an example out of her son, she said. The Star-Tribune was unable to confirm any recent instances, besides in the case of Benjamins co-defendant Endre Wass, where a juvenile was placed in the adult facility. The sheriffs office was asked a series of question, including, Is it normal for a juvenile to be housed in an adult facility when being tried as an adult? and What is the reasoning behind housing a juvenile with adults? They were also provided with a list of Benjamin and Sherris allegations. When a juvenile is charged with a violent crime and prosecuted as an adult it is the Sheriffs responsibility to safeguard our community, others in custody, and the juvenile themselves, Natrona County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Kiera Grogan responded in a one-sentence statement. Last month, a lieutenant said in Natrona County District Court that it was the sheriffs opinion that Benjamins crimes were adult, so he should be placed with adults. On any given day, about 10,000 children are detained or incarcerated in adult jails or prisons, according to the National Juvenile Justice Network. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that transferring youth to the adult criminal justice system does not protect the community and substantially increases the likelihood that youth will re-offend, the organization states. When Benjamin was jailed, authorities allegedly never called his family to notify them, Sherri told the Star-Tribune. He is still a minor, and she didnt know where he was. Luckily, Benjamins girlfriend had his car, she said. When his girlfriend dropped it off, she told her what happened. They [officials] said, Hes your baby, but hes not ours, Sherri said. They treated me with no respect. Benjamin was only allowed outside his cell for one hour a day in an attempt to keep him away from the adults, which was confirmed by a lieutenant during the September court hearing. He wouldnt have had the same experience in a juvenile detention center. It was so hard being on lockdown all day, he said. The lockdown pods are in protective custody, which is allegedly filled with sex offenders, mainly, Benjamin told the Star-Tribune. He allegedly told authorities he didnt feel comfortable being naked around them in the plain open while Im 16. I was showering in front of other adults, he told the Star-Tribune. When he voiced these concerns, an official allegedly responded, Well, dont shower then, Benjamin said. He accused a female deputy of, telling me Im going nowhere in life, calling me a c***sucker, Benjamin said. Another staff member allegedly made jokes about him getting raped in prison. Last month, Denny Harts, Benjamins public defender, argued his clients placement in an adult facility was a violation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act children shouldnt be within sight or sound of adults, Harts said. At the time, Assistant District Attorney Blaine Nelson said the Prison Rape Elimination Act does not apply to county jails. The National Juvenile Justice Network says studies show that youths held in adult facilities are 36 times more likely to commit suicide and are at the greatest risk compared to any other inmate population of sexual victimization. Harts argument was ultimately unsuccessful, as Benjamin remained in the adult detention center until he was bonded out. Benjamin also allegedly wasnt able to contact his mother, or anyone else for that matter, for weeks, he said. The video visit kiosk in his pod was broken. And he wasnt able to make phone calls because the system wasnt set up for people younger than 18. It requires a code based off a birthdate, and it allegedly wouldnt work for him. It was horrible, Sherri said. On top of that, he said, he allegedly didnt receive clean clothes for almost three weeks. Staff allegedly didnt have him on the necessary list, so he went weeks wearing the same thing. Sherri allegedly called the jail to complain when she found out, and Benjamin was then given new clothes, she said. Afterwards, Benjamin was allegedly taunted for having his mommy try to save him, he said. While officials argued for keeping Benjamin in an adult facility, it was alleged he assaulted a female deputy, which resulted in a use of force. Benjamin told the Star-Tribune that he received write-ups for derogatory language and refusing direct order, but I never got written up for assault, he said. They are just saying that to make me out to be violent, Benjamin said. I cant talk in court to defend myself. While Benjamin and Sherri dispute a majority of the accusations made by state prosecutors, the Star-Tribune decided not to include these details. It could potentially damage his ability to defend himself, as the case is ongoing. He argues that not only was he wrongly placed in an adult facility, but he was kept there longer than need be due to excessive bail, which was a violation of his Eighth Amendment rights, Benjamin said. The Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment, according to the United States Constitution. When Benjamin was first arrested, he was facing three felony charges. His bond was set at $100,000 cash-only. Then, former Natrona County Circuit Court Judge Michael Patchen ruled to drop two of those charges due to a lack of evidence. But his bond remained the same for months. It was ultimately reduced to $100,000 cash or surety bond last month meaning his family had to come up with $10,000. Benjamin alleges hes not a repeat serious offender or accused of a more violent crime such as murder. Its not supposed to be impossible to post bond. They knew my family couldnt afford it, Benjamin said. Despite former Judge Patchen deciding not to bond over two of Benjamins charges, state prosecutors are bringing the same charges against him again, he said. He is scheduled to have another arraignment in the coming months. He is facing accessory after the fact, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and battery and conspiracy to intimidate a witness. Benjamin alleges prosecutors dont have any new evidence only a new source. His co-defendant, Wass, reached an agreement with the state and pleaded guilty on Sept. 28. As part of that agreement, Wass will be expected to testify against Benjamin at any potential trial. Wass was just trying to save himself because he was facing decades in prison, they said. He is expected to serve six to eight years, as part of the agreement. At the same time, Benjamin, who was accused of much lesser crimes, has not been approached with a plea deal, they said. While he understands the severity of the crimes he is accused of, Benjamin and Sherri dont understand the treatment theyve received, they said. His former high school wouldnt allow him to return until January once he proves himself, Benjamin said. He said he was previously on the honor roll, he has never been in serious trouble at school, and he was never found guilty of any crime. Benjamin has only been out for about two weeks, and he gets dirty looks everywhere, he said. He said he doesnt even want to go outside anymore because everyone knows his face. Other news sources, such as K2 Radio and Oil City News, posted photographs of him in court on several occasions. Its guilty until proven innocent, Benjamin said. I still wanna go on and have a future. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. FORMER finance minister, Winston Dookeran, is calling for a shift in the Caribbean integration model in order to forge wider convergence spaces for approaching production, the institutional framework and economic frontiers. Dookeran, an economist and former central bank governor, said the current integration model seems limited by size, design an inertia. The United National Congress (UNC) has never provided an explanation as to why it was so ge I really cant understand what the hype is about with respect to the President calling out t Researchers at Arizonas three universities will explore ways to repurpose billions of tons of copper mine tailings under a $3.6 million grant approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. Led by a University of Arizona scientist, researchers plan to assess the metal content from the mining waste rock in search of critical elements such as lithium, which are used in everything from cell phones to electric vehicles and pacemakers, the Regents said. The interdisciplinary project will include 13 faculty and staff in nine departments across the UA, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, who will partner with the State Mine Inspector and mining community to find new ways to reuse copper tailings. Isabel Barton, an assistant professor in the UA Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, is serving as principal investigator for the Regents research grant. The past century of mining in Arizona has led to 17.5 billion tons of copper tailings, which is usually pulverized to the size of fine sand, according to the State Mine Inspector. And copper mining is the biggest contributor to the estimated 282 billion tons of mine tailings worldwide, at 46%, according to the industry-sponsored Global Tailings Review. The extraordinary volumes of leftover rock from copper mining make reprocessing copper tailings a world-class challenge and opportunity for Arizona, Barton said. This large-scale interdisciplinary project represents a substantial first step toward making use of a massive, but undeveloped, potential resource. Copper is one of the most economically important metals mined in Arizona, the U.S. leader in copper copper production, the Regents said, noting that researchers estimate the copper industry will add 200 million tons of copper tailings annually. Arizona State Mine Inspector Paul Marsh said copper tailings in Arizona are a potential secondary source of metals and minerals critical to the economic and national security of the United States, while tailings reuse could also help reduce air and ground water pollution. Researchers and entrepreneurs worldwide have been studying ways to repurpose mine tailings and mitigate their environmental impact. Last year, a Tucson-based startup was named one of two finalists in an international competition to create new technologies to reuse mine tailings. Auxilium Technology Group, founded by entrepreneur and chemist Abraham Jalbout and three University of Arizona faculty members, won a $300,000 award to build a demonstration plant to produce an insulated foam product from tailings, as part of a technology challenge sponsored by Australian mining giant BHP. One of Tucsons oldest optics companies has a new name, a new chief executive and a focus on expanding markets for its infrared instruments beyond the stars. Infrared Labs Inc. was founded in 1967 by pioneering University of Arizona scientist Frank J. Low to commercialize his invention of a highly sensitive instrument to measure infrared radiation helping to open up a whole new field of astronomy and foster a generation of land- and space-based infrared telescopes. The company, now known as IRLabs, would go on to become a key supplier of infrared detectors, known as bolometers, along with required cooling devices, for many of the worlds biggest infrared observatory projects. In the mid-1990s, Infrared Labs turned its focus from stars millions of miles away to the microscopic world of semiconductor chips. In 1996, Infrared Labs introduced the Infrared Emission Microscope (IREM) for the new application of failure analysis of semiconductors, using Lows technologies for observing the faintest light emissions in deep space. Low, who joined the UAs Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in 1965 and retired after 30 years of research and teaching at the UA, died in 2009 at the age of 75. Lows legacy lives on at Infrared Labs, which has continued to supply its infrared detecting and cooling systems to observatories, national labs, defense research, private and university research and instrument and electronics companies worldwide, as well as for applications in semiconductors, medical devices, and other industries. And the UA has remained a leader in the field, with major contributions to four major NASA infrared astronomy space telescopes, including most recently the James E. Webb Space Telescope the most powerful space scope ever launched. New energy While the company has had continued success, the Low family owners of IRLabs last year hired a longtime local technology development expert and entrepreneur to reinvigorate the enterprise. Manny Teran, a UA engineering alumnus with a background in technology development and startups, was named interim CEO of IRLabs in August 2022. After leading several ventures and running the tech-development firm Aztera for nearly nine years, Teran joined the startup consultancy Spark Partners in 2020 and is currently CEO of the UA tech startup SaiOX, which is trying to commercialize a new helium-oxygen respiratory assist system. But at IRLabs, Teran was tasked with focusing the long-established company on innovation with new technologies, markets and branding for its infrared detection and cryogenic products and services. Im looking at, how do we take the company thats been around for 55 years and ensure that it survives for another 55 years? Teran said. And the only way to do that is to grow, and to grow substantially. So were really spreading our wings in new markets that are adjacent. Were not gonna go out and do something completely different, but we want to be smart about what we move into next. As part of efforts to raise its profile, Infrared Labs recently rebranded to use its longtime nickname, IRLabs, with the slogan Innovating the infrared. IR innovation Instruments to gather images and data in the infrared range an invisible form of radiation between visible light and microwaves in the electromagnetic spectrum are used by astronomers to peer deeper into space than possible with visible-light telescopes. All four of the scientific instruments aboard NASAs James Webb Space Telescope are designed for near- or mid-infrared wavelength analysis. Low was involved in the development of many major infrared telescope projects, including the Infrared Astronomical Satellite, launched in 1983 as the first space telescope to gather infrared data, and NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope, which was launched in 2003 and retired in 2020. The company has continued to supply and innovate bolometers and cryogenic super-cooling equipment for ground and space IR telescopes, including making liquid-nitrogen cooling systems used to develop and test components of the Webb telescope. In its longtime shop and office south of downtown in a nondescript industrial park on East 17th Street, the company and its staff of 16 designs and integrates custom infrared detecting systems and required super-cooling equipment. Super-cooling sensors A big part of IRLabs business is designing and building critical cooling systems for bolometers, since the devices are designed to operate optimally in temperatures near absolute zero, or nearly minus-500 degrees Fahrenheit. IRLabs makes its own line of special vessels, called cryostats or dewars (after their inventor) to hold the cryogenic liquid nitrogen or liquid helium used to passively cool infrared detectors, as well as super-cooling, cryogen-free refrigeration systems. IRLabs astronomy work in recent years has included designing a custom dewars for a European stratospheric balloon observatory project; a cryogenic refrigeration system for an infrared camera on the Gran Telescopio de Canarias in Spains Canary Islands; a retrofit of cooling equipment on NASAs Mid-Infrared Spectrometer and Imager at Hawaiis Mauna Kea Observatories; and a specialized cryostat for a near-infrared instrument installed on the Large Binocular Telescope on Mount Graham in eastern Arizona. The company makes its own bolometers and integrates off-the-shelf optics to create custom infrared detecting systems, Teran said. He said the companys revenues, which have ranged from about $3 million to $5 million annually, rose 20% in the past year, progress Teran plans to continue with new products and markets. Teran said the company plans to look into research and development grants to help propel the IRLabs product innovations. Teran has instituted new product days where IRLabs staff gets together twice yearly to float their ideas for new products and services, with update meetings scheduled in the intervening quarters. In the cooling area, IRLabs is nearing the rollout of an automated system to fill dewars with liquid nitrogen or helium a task now typically done by hand, Teran said. Spotting bad chips Meanwhile, IRLabs continues to advance Lows infrared microscopy technology for semiconductor analysis, which is used to spot failures on computer chips at the microscopic level, since anomalies can heat up and give off an infrared signal. When theres a failure about to occur, when there are issues, it emits infrared light, so rather than have a telescope attached to it, you have a microscope, Teran said. IRLabs has launched its fourth version of its IREM system and soon plans to offer a new probe to automatically and repeatedly scan semiconductor chips, he added. IRLabs engineering director, Chris Foster, came aboard after earning a degree in physics with an astronomy minor from the UA in 2000, just as the company rolled out its first IREM system. Over the years, the company has incorporated the latest technology into each new version of the chip microscope, Foster said. They all use different size detectors and since then, they have gotten smaller and smaller, with better resolution and wavelength range, he said. So that (the technology) will travel around the world, because we have these all over the place. Teran said he sees opportunities for IRLabs as the U.S. seeks to onshore semiconductor manufacturing, citing investment driven by the federal CHIPS (Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors) and Science Act. He also sees a future for IRLabs in quantum computing, which exploits atomic-level changes in the state of matter to achieve superior computational power compared with classical computing. While practical and economical quantum computers are at least a decade away, Teran says the company could play a role because such computers now under development are based on superconducting circuits that have to be chilled to near absolute zero. Loyal staff Teran said the company has added a few employees in recent years, but most of the staff is comprised of longtime employees. The beauty of working for a company like IRLabs is we have such good people, and they dont leave our turnover is minuscule and everybody works well together, Teran said. Foster said Terans arrival was great energetically for the company, and while he didnt expect to hold the same job he got out of college some 23 years ago, he enjoys the work and his colleagues. Its been a really good fit, I really enjoy what I do here, said Foster. Its nice because we do a lot of prototypes, one-off, two-off systems, so its not like we were building the same thing every time. Tucson City Council revisited the citys response to the mass eviction of about 200 people from a south side hotel at its Tuesday meeting amid criticism from some mutual aid groups in the wake of the mass displacement. Residents living at the Ocotillo Apartments and Hotel were promised food, shelter and drug addiction treatment by a furtive program called Happy Times. Residents reported receiving two meals a day for some time cereal and pizza but no other aid as the owners abandoned the residents and left the Ocotillo property owners with thousands in unpaid rent bills. The program was a sober living home scheme, a common predatory practice where individuals promise services to vulnerable populations, especially Native Americans, and bill Medicaid for the services that arent provided. Tucson reported 153 total interactions with residents: 46 accepted detox or shelter services, 21 moved in with family or friends and 14 self-paid to move into another hotel. Three residents were reported as part of the missing and murdered indigenous list and their family members were contacted, while the rest refused resources. Mari Vasquez, the multi-agency resource coordinator for Tucson and Pima County, told council members that Tucson police informed her of the pending eviction of hundreds of people on Sept. 12. While the city showed up with an abundance of resources on the day of the eviction, officials placed blame on the community advocacy groups that told residents to stay in their rooms and await an eviction order instead of accepting shelter services, which made the situation a lot worse, Vasquez told City Council members. I think they sensed that somehow, we as the city were evicting folks. They jumped on that bandwagon and went out and really were spreading misinformation to the residents, City Manager Michael Ortega said. We were there to try to help and to keep these folks from being evicted in terms of going into the street, to provide them services. Members of those same groups showed up to the City Council meeting Tuesday night to decry the mass evictions after council members discussed the situation in a study session. You all spoke very vehemently about the extensive coalition that was brought together to address the issues at Ocotillo, said Luke Menke, who said he listened to the study session conversation beforehand. But at no point in that session was it addressed whether, through all of this, a cost analysis was done of displacing the vulnerable individuals at Ocotillo compared to just paying the bill and bringing in agencies to get them the services that they needed. Several former Ocotillo residents also spoke at the City Council meeting about their experiences. Alyson Hodge said she was in attendance at the meeting with several of her former neighbors at Ocotillo, some of whom have been living at a camp on the side of the road that was bulldozed Tuesday, she said. We are very fortunate to have each other right now because thats all we have, she told council members. City Council recaps response Several council members requested Tuesdays item to discuss the fraudulent sober living home, and Vasquez began the conversation by reading a more than 15-minute long statement outlining the citys response to the evictions. The city teamed up with the state housing, economic security and Medicaid departments to coordinate a response, Vasquez said, while looping in pertinent city departments and tribal governments. Some residents took up offers for addiction treatment, behavioral health support and shelter, but many residents refused resources at this time, saying they were not ready yet. The city was able to delay the property owners planned evictions of residents by a week and showed up with several housing resource providers on Sept. 20, the day of the final eviction notice, Vasquez said. She named more than 20 city and state departments, social service agencies and Native American tribes that were on site to provide services, but still, some residents were not ready to accept. Vasquez described misinformation circulated by protesters and advocate attorneys that was not based on accurate information or a realistic assessment of the challenges presented by the ongoing investigations of the criminal activities for a fraudulent sober living home, she said. Several community-based mutual aid groups, including Community on Wheels and Community Care Tucson, which provide aid and advocate for the homeless population, as well as the Tucson Tenants Union, were on site engaging with evictees. Liz Casey, a social worker and volunteer with Community Care Tucson, said Vasquez didnt provide a fair assessment of the mutual aid groups presence. Before we were at the site, many residents had already said no to those services. People werent not taking services, because we were there telling them not to do it. We were informing people what their rights were as tenants, she said. If (the city is) saying they did the best they could, then that means that we need to do much more to be able to offer people more services. Tucson Tenants Union members went door-to-door to tell residents they didnt have to leave without an official court order. Many residents took up the advice to stay in the home theyd known for months and were provided a number for an attorney working on behalf of displaced Ocotillo residents. Residents at the hotel on Sept. 20 said they feared displacement and didnt want to be separated from their partners or pets by being placed in a temporary shelter. Paul Gattone, an attorney helping the residents at Ocotillo who was on site the day of the evictions, said several residents requested our legal assistance. It is our position that the majority of the Ocotillo residents were tenants not hotel guests, Gattone said in an email. Tenants facing eviction are entitled to eviction hearings under Arizona law. To the extent that residents refused to leave their rooms, this was in response to the managements self help eviction strategy of illegally boarding up doors absent a court order. While many decided to stay in their rooms past the final eviction notice, they were forced to leave on Sept. 29 as the property was condemned after all the hotels fire extinguishers and alarms were damaged or destroyed, leaving all fire suppression mechanisms beyond repair while the fuses and power system were tampered with Vasquez said. Residents reported the electricity went out that morning. Twenty vans from Community Bridges and Old Pueblo Community Services transported residents throughout the day, according to Vasquez, while the Pima Animal Care Center helped to board dogs. While pointing out the comprehensive steps the city took to prepare for the evictions, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero took a defensive stance against the criticism leveraged against the city by advocacy organizations that said Tucson could have done more and said they should reach out to the city for more information in a situation as volatile and complex as this one. Many times community groups act on assumptions, on misinformation, and make a difficult situation worse, she said. City Manager Ortega confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into the sober living home scheme that involves local, state and federal law enforcement. Though widely known for his way with words, Manuel Munoz, an acclaimed English professor at the University of Arizona, was speechless on Wednesday afternoon. It was understandable. Munoz, along with 19 other Americans, had just been named a prestigious MacArthur fellow. The award is commonly known as the genius grant and is given yearly to Americans who show extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction, according to the program. Ive been struggling, honestly, to find the words to describe how Im feeling, Munoz said in a phone interview soon after the news broke. Its been a really phenomenal day. The award is extra meaningful to Munoz because just a few short years ago he had considered stopping publishing works of fiction. I was not thinking of writing much anymore, he said. So to see this kind of accolade come my way, it just brought me to tears. Munoz, who has taught at the UA since 2008, writes literature centered on Californias Central Valley, where he is from, that often features gay men and their families living in rural spaces. I just know what this is going to mean, not just for me, but for students in the Central Valley, he said. Thats a major thing, if you can see yourself in art. You might have a desire to replicate it and participate in some way. The MacArthur Foundation seems to agree wholeheartedly with the author. Munoz captures the specificity of a region readers seldom see and reveals forms of resilience that come from refusing to surrender to misfortune, the programs website stated. Its easier for the author to think about the award going towards the community rather than just to him, he said. Im having a much easier time seeing it as uplifting the stories of my community, he said. Theres no way for me to really know how and why they selected me, but my sense is that they knew why I was focusing on an underrepresented community. Munoz added that he feels the committee is recognizing the consistency and wholeheartedness that he writes about experiences with. As part of the award, he will receive an $800,000 grant over the next five years. Winners can spend the money however they choose. Some of that money, he said, will go to establishing a scholarship fund in his parents names at Reedley College, a small community college near Dinuba, where he was born and raised. I want to find a way for students who come from my background and my valley to see that there are others opening the door for them, he remarked, choking up with tears. The foundation has run the fellowship since 1981 and selected more than 1,030 recipients. The awards are given to individuals of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations, according to the foundations website, and the grants are not tied to a specific project or institution. Many past fellows like Octavia Butler, Paul Farmer and Twyla Tharp are luminaries in their fields and Marlies Carruth, who directs the MacArthur Fellows program, emphasized that they hope fellows will support and inspire each other. The foundation also hosts events for current and past recipients, the AP reported. Munoz, who has known about the grant for four weeks but was sworn to secrecy from the MacArthur Foundation, has written two short-story collections including 2003s Zigzagger and 2007s The Faith Healer of Olive Avenue. He most recently published a collection entitled The Consequences, which won the 2023 Joyce Carol Oates Prize. This grant makes me feel a lot more comfortable making sure that my next book is short stories, he said. Im feeling so confident that thats the direction were going in. Most people think his novels and short stories are memoirs, but that isnt the case. I take the little elements that Ive heard in family lore, or a friend of the family has shared, and just let myself imagine because I wasnt there to witness, he said. Thats the sort of work we do as writers, is to imagine. The English professor is not the first University of Arizona professor to win this award. There have been seven other award winners who worked at the University, including anthropology professor Brackette Williams and sociology professor Jennifer Carlson. Carlson won the award just last year. The vetting process sometimes takes years, as those considered do not apply themselves and are instead nominated. After having four weeks to process, Munoz is still struggling to put the importance of the grant into words. Right now hes in the Bay Area working with a new literacy project, but hes already looking forward to returning to the UA, with this new accolade, to teach his students once again. I think its important for my students [of similar backgrounds] to hear that this kind of recognition can come for one of us, he said. Im looking forward to those conversations. Each year, the foundation calls the new class of fellows in advance of the public announcement and fellows described being shocked and stunned by the news after receiving a call from an unknown number, which they had sometimes initially ignored, the Associated Press reported Wednesday. Because he didnt know he was even being considered for the grant, Munoz described thinking the phone call, which he got repeatedly, was a spam call on a polling service. I finally answered it in my kitchen, he said. And as soon as they said the words it didnt feel real. Ada Limon, who recently began her second term as the countrys poet laureate, said she first missed a call the day after her grandmother, Allamay Barker, had died at the age of 98. It wasnt until the foundation emailed her that she called back. She said she wept when she heard the news. I felt like losing the matriarch of my family and then receiving this, it felt like it was a gift from her in some ways, she said, speaking to the Associated Press from her home in Lexington, Kentucky. As poet laureate, she commissioned an anthology of poems You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, to be published in April and also arranged for historic poems to be installed at seven national parks. NASA is planning to send a poem Limon wrote for an upcoming mission to Jupiters moon Europa as part of a time capsule. The poem will be engraved on the spacecraft. One of the things that feels most emotional and remarkable to me is that this recognition is coming from within the poetry community, Limon told AP. JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) U.S. Army officials have identified two soldiers killed when their large transport vehicle crashed while heading to a training area in interior Alaska. There were among 17 soldiers on board the vehicle that flipped when the driver lost control on a dirt road leading to the Yukon Training Area near the community of Salcha, or about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Fairbanks, officials said earlier. Twelve other soldiers were injured. The two soldiers killed were Spcs. Jeremy Daniel Evans and Brian Joshua Snowden, the Army said in a statement late Wednesday. Both were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Combat Team with the 11th Airborne Division. Evans, 23, arrived in Alaska in January 2021 after completing training at Fort Moore in Georgia. The Knoxville, Tennessee, native joined the Army in July 2020. Snowden, 22, also joined the Army in July 2020 and trained at Fort Moore. Snowden, a Lonedell, Missouri, native arrived for duty in Alaska in March 2021. This is an incredible loss for all of us across the division, Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division, said in the statement. While were always challenged by the environment, were Arctic Angels, we overcome these challenges and accomplish our mission by being a team, and teams take care of one another, especially in times like these, Eifler said. Among the 12 other soldiers injured, eight were treated and released the same day from Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, the Army said. Two injured soldiers remain in stable condition in Fairbanks. Two other soldiers who were taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage were also in stable condition, officials said. The accident remains under investigation. MEXICO CITY (AP) The Biden administration will resume deporting Venezuelan migrants, the largest single group encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border last month, back to their economically troubled country as their arrivals continue to grow. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, speaking in Mexico City Thursday, cited the new measure as one of the strict consequences the Biden administration is pairing with the expansion of legal pathways for asylum seekers. Our two countries are being challenged by an unprecedented level of migration throughout our hemisphere, Mayorkas said, referring to Mexico. The repatriation flights are expected to begin shortly, said two U.S. officials, though they did not provide specific details on when the flights would begin taking off. The officials were not authorized to disclose details of the governments plan and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. The resumption of deportation flights comes not long after the administration increased protected status for thousands of Venezuelans who had previously arrived to the U.S., they must have entered the country before July 31 of this year to be eligible for temporary protected status. In making the recent expansion of protections official, President Joe Biden's administration said just this week that it had determined that extraordinary and temporary conditions continue to prevent Venezuelan nationals from returning in safety. Mayorkas on Thursday addressed the contrast with the announcement just days later of more deportations, saying we have made a determination it is safe to return Venezuelan nationals who arrived in the United States subsequent to July 31 and do not have a legal basis to remain here. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who led a U.S. delegation to Mexico, added that we have an ironclad commitment to provide protection for those who qualify. That remains paramount in everything were doing. The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service criticized the move to resume deportations noting the apparent contradiction with the expansion of temporary protected status. Returning thousands of Venezuelans to the same unimaginably dangerous conditions they just fled is a profoundly problematic policy for the worlds humanitarian leader to adopt, the organizations CEO Krish OMara Vignarajah said in a statement. Administration officials would not discuss details about how frequently deportation flights would be going to Venezuela or describe how Venezuela agreed to accept back their citizens except to say that, like other countries around the world, the U.S. has long encouraged Venezuela to accept back its nationals. Cuba, another U.S. adversary, announced earlier this year that it would begin accepting Cuban deportees but there has only been one flight a month. The U.S. had been returning some Venezuelans via commercial flights, but in relatively small numbers and through third countries. In Venezuela, the government said it had reached an agreement with U.S. officials for a safe and orderly repatriation. Venezuelan migration in recent years is a direct result of the application of unilateral coercive measures and a blockade of our economy, Venezuela's foreign ministry said via X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. It said the government would support repatriated Venezuelans. The U.S. move is the latest effort to deal with swelling numbers of migrants as the administration comes under increasing pressure from Republicans and mayors from the presidents own party to do more to slow arrivals. The announcement came as Blinken and other top Biden administration officials met with their counterparts in Mexico City on security issues. Blinken discussed migration flows with Mexico Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Barcena, as well as foreign ministers from Panama and Colombia, Wednesday. Talks continued Thursday, including meetings by Blinken and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland with Lopez Obrador. Barcena said Thursday that some 10,000 migrant encounters were registered at the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday. We are going to continue taking forceful actions, including continuing some efforts we already have in relation to assisted returns, coordinating the dismantling of trafficking networks and human trafficking, Barcena said. Blinken said the U.S. government is working to support those efforts. We're taking steps to aid the most vulnerable, those most vulnerable to organized crime, training nearly 200 Mexican immigration officials to better screen, identify and assist potential human trafficking victims, Blinken said. The scale of this challenge demands that we redouble our efforts, that we do more to increase legal migration ... more to address root causes and more to deter irregular migration humanely, Blinken said. Lopez Obrador said Thursday during his daily news briefing that Mexico has reiterated in talks its position that there should be investment to spur development in the countries that migrants leave. The people don't abandon their towns because they want to, but rather out of necessity, the president said. He also criticized the Biden administration's announcement Wednesday that it waived 26 federal laws in South Texas to allow border wall construction. Lopez Obrador had previously praised Biden for not building more border wall during his presidency. In August, the U.S. Border Patrol made 181,509 arrests at the Mexican border, up 37% from July but little changed from August 2022 and well below the more than 220,000 in December, according to figures released in September. The U.S. has tried to get Mexico and countries farther south to do more. In April, the U.S., Panama and Colombia announced a campaign to slow migration through the treacherous Darien Gap dividing Colombia and Panama. But migration through the jungle has only accelerated and is expected to approach some 500,000 people this year - the vast majority from Venezuela. Venezuelans were stopped 25,777 times the first 17 days of September, up 63% from the same period a month earlier, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection figures released by Lopez Obrador. Those included some people admitted for scheduled asylum appointments, but the vast majority were illegal entries. Venezuela plunged into a political, economic and humanitarian crisis over the last decade, pushing at least 7.3 million people to migrate and making food and other necessities unaffordable for those who remain. The vast majority who fled settled in neighboring countries in Latin America, but many began coming to the United States in the last three years. Deportation flights had been paused in part because the U.S. has few diplomatic relations with the nation. U.S. and Mexican officials also discussed efforts aimed at combating the trafficking of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl. Mexican officials continued to explain with some difficulty Lopez Obradors blanket assertion false according to available evidence and the U.S. government that Mexico does not produce fentanyl. Barcena, the foreign relations secretary, said there is no contradiction, chemical precursors are not produced in Mexico. It was tacit admission that Mexican cartels import precursors, mainly from China, and process them chemically into fentanyl. But since the entire chemical process is not carried out in Mexico the government maintains that fentanyl is not produced here. U.S. officials highlighted the recent extradition of Ovidio Guzman Lopez, a son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, to the U.S. on drug trafficking charges as a sign of cooperation between the two governments. Balsamo and Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Rebecca Santana in Washington and Fabiola Sanchez in Mexico City contributed to this report. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) Marylands highest court is considering whether the rights of a murder victims family were violated when Adnan Syed s conviction in the killing was vacated last fall, years after his case gained national attention through the hit podcast Serial. The case has been fraught with legal twists and divided court rulings for decades. And the oral arguments that took place Thursday before the Maryland Supreme Court were no exception. Among the issues discussed was the extent to which Maryland crime victims have a right to participate in hearings where a conviction could be vacated. The panel of seven judges, who will release their ruling in the coming months, is also weighing whether to uphold a lower appellate court ruling that found in favor of the victims family and reinstated Syeds 2000 murder conviction. Ultimately, Syeds freedom hangs in the balance. While unlikely, he could eventually be sent back to prison for life if subsequent developments in the case dont fall in his favor. Outside the Annapolis courthouse after the hearing, Syed said he was looking forward to the decision. While maintaining his innocence from the start, Syed has often expressed concern for the family of Hae Min Lee, his high school ex-girlfriend who was found strangled to death and buried in an unmarked grave in 1999. We believe very strongly in trying to find justice for Hae and her family, he told reporters. And were hoping also that were able to find justice for us, too. He attended the hearing flanked by family members, including his mother and younger brother. Syed, 42, was released from prison in September 2022, when a Baltimore judge overturned his conviction. City prosecutors had dropped all charges after finding flaws in the evidence. However, in March, the Appellate Court of Maryland ordered a redo of the hearing. The court said the victims family didnt receive adequate notice to attend the hearing in person, violating their right to be treated with dignity and respect. Syed appealed his conviction's reinstatement, and the Lee family also appealed to the states highest court, contending that crime victims should be given a larger role in the process of vacating a conviction. This case is not about Mr. Syeds underlying innocence or guilt. That dispute is simply not in the room today, said Ari Rubin, an attorney for the Lee family, during Thursdays arguments. He said the issue at hand was whether the rights of Lees brother, Young Lee, were violated because he was unable to substantively participate in the process, which Rubin called extraordinary in that it aligns the interests of the defendant and the state. He argued victims and their attorneys should fulfill an adversarial role. But several justices expressed skepticism about whether state law expressly spells out a victims right to be heard in such hearings where a conviction is vacated. Why isnt this a question for the General Assembly? The right that youre speaking of is not in the plain language of the statute, said Judge Brynja Booth. Some justices also questioned why the hearing that vacated Syeds conviction was scheduled so hastily. Prosecutors told Young Lee about the hearing on a Friday and scheduled it for the following Monday, leaving him no reasonable opportunity to travel to Baltimore from his California home and attend in person. Instead, he ended up addressing the court via video call. Justice Shirley Watts said the outcome of the hearing seemed predetermined, including Syeds immediate release from custody. And Justice Lynne Battaglia spoke about properly balancing the rights of victims and defendants. Syeds lawyer, Erica Suter, said the state met its obligation in allowing Young Lee to participate in the hearing. Syeds attorneys say the familys appeal is moot because prosecutors decided not to charge him again after his conviction was vacated. And even if Young Lees rights were violated, Syed's lawyers say, he hasnt demonstrated whether the alleged violation would have changed the hearings outcome. Mr. Lee was heard, and his counsel was heard, and it did not influence Judge (Melissa) Phinns decision, Suter said. This isnt the first time the Maryland Supreme Court has taken up Syeds protracted legal odyssey. In 2019, a divided court ruled 4-3 to deny Syed a new trial. While the justices agreed with a lower court that Syeds legal counsel was deficient in failing to investigate an alibi witness, it disagreed that the deficiency prejudiced the case. A lower court had ordered a retrial in 2016 on grounds that Syeds attorney, Cristina Gutierrez, didnt contact an alibi witness and provided ineffective counsel. Gutierrez passed away in 2004. In November 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the decision by Marylands top court. More recently, Baltimore prosecutors reexamined Syeds files under a Maryland law targeting so-called juvenile lifers because he was 17 when Hae Min Lee's body was found. Prosecutors uncovered numerous problems, including alternative suspects and the unreliable evidence presented at trial. Instead of reconsidering his sentence, prosecutors filed a motion to vacate Syeds conviction entirely. Associated Press writer Denise Lavoie in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report. Index-Journal. October 2, 2023. Editorial: On domestic violence, time to change SCs rules Welcome to South Carolina, where the rule of thumb seems to remain alive. You know that rule, right? A husband can beat his wife on the courthouse steps so long as the stick of choice is no bigger around than his thumb. Likely the same rule would apply in the case of partnerships. Such an archaic law, but one that seems fitting still for our state. Why is that? Because apparently a Greenwood woman who was the victim of repeated acts of domestic violence remains behind bars for stabbing her boyfriend to death in 2017 during yet another argument. The story of Tiffany Carroll is well known here and in other parts of the state, not because she killed her boyfriend, but rather because she remains in prison and should not. Initially charged with her boyfriends murder, Carroll pleaded guilty but mentally ill to a charge of voluntary manslaughter in 2019. Before entering her plea, a judge determined Carroll, the mother of five, was a victim of prolonged domestic violence. Law enforcement was called no fewer than eight times to the home she shared with her boyfriend. She declined to prosecute each time, as is often the case with victims of domestic violence who fear even worse treatment in the fallout. In 2018, a clinical psychologist examined Carroll and determined she experienced Battered Woman Syndrome. She had no criminal record and no known violent behavior in her past. This time, however, during the 2017 argument, she reacted. She responded. Finally. The abuse she had endured for so long came to an end. Her story does not end there. Many have called for Carrolls release. That not only includes family members, of course, but also state Rep. John McCravy, the judge who sentenced her and Solicitor David Stumbo. With that kind of support, one would think Carrolls pardon was a no-brainer when she went before the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. In a 3-2 vote, her pardon was denied. Her attorney, state Rep. Travis Moore, has cited six reasons he is seeking a rehearing before the board for Carrolls case. In addition to citing the judge and Stumbos support for her release, Moore notes that key witnesses were unable to participate in the virtual hearing and one board member was absent, which potentially would affect the outcome in a case requiring a two-thirds vote. Moores argument for a rehearing is strong. He should be granted that opportunity, and soon. The irony that Carroll remains imprisoned while on Tuesday the 26th annual Silent Witness Ceremony will take place 10 a.m. on the south side steps of the Statehouse is not lost on us. In announcing the solemn event, state Attorney General Alan Wilsons office noted the purpose: to recognize the women and men who died as a result of domestic violence in 2022 and bring attention to one of the states major public health and criminal concerns. For 26 years our state has acknowledged the impact domestic violence has on its people, the crisis it is and has been. Yet, Tiffany Carroll, who could be the poster child for domestic violence and Battered Woman Syndrome in South Carolina, remains behind bars. Her release would signal a greater awareness and awakening in a state that seems hellbent on favoring the abuser over the abused. We need a new rule, not the rule of thumb. Post and Courier. October 3, 2023. Editorial: SC needs to act to protect our vital blue crab fishery While no one is completely certain about how seriously the decline of South Carolinas blue crab fishery is, theres enough concern for the state to act to improve the situation. Its time for those interested in the fishery and state lawmakers to find better ways to regulate the harvesting of this vital shellfish thats an important part of our states coastal heritage. Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources, which supervises blue crab harvesting, held the first of three public input sessions last week and will hold a similar hearing at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center in Okatie, then another from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Murrells Inlet Community Center. We encourage those with insight or strong thoughts to take part in one or both. These hearings follow on the heels of a report that DNR presented to lawmakers in January. Comments at the first session indicated an emerging consensus that some changes should be made. Thats not surprising: Many commercial crabbers have said that under-regulation is partially to blame for the decades-long slide, and South Carolinas crabbing industry is not regulated as well as in other states. The states own data show blue crab landings have dropped from 9.4 million pounds in 1978 to 2.6 million in 2021. Thats certainly a source of concern, even if, as the agencys report notes, blue crab abundances can fluctuate greatly from year to year, depending on changes in their environment. Finding the most appropriate fixes is more complicated. But the easiest step will be for the state to impose an annual two-week crabbing moratorium, possibly in late January. During that time, abandoned crab traps, sometimes called ghost pots can be removed from state waters. Pots should be checked ideally every day or at least once every few days; the problem is some are left for much longer, essentially creating a crab hotel of death. We see merit in some of DNRs other suggested actions, among them: setting a cap of 100 commercial crabbing licenses; capping the number of crab pots per commercial license at 200; authorizing the agency to close down crabbing temporarily in response to resource conditions or trends, or environmental or biological factors related to blue crab population health; and changing state law to ensure crab traps are built so undersized crabs can escape. Some believe the distinction between commercial and recreational crabbers has been blurred because recreational crabbers must get a commercial license if they put out more than two pots; raising that recreational limit to 10 pots could provide more clarity between who is fishing for themselves and who is fishing to sell their catch. The agency should ready a set of recommendations this year for the Legislature to act on in January. While its still unclear which mix of specific rule changes might be the most effective, we urge Natural Resources officials to ask lawmakers for more funding to support in the words of its earlier recommendation expanded and new, essential blue crab-focused biological, population and fishery data collection and monitoring efforts. Currently, the agency does regular trolls for crabs in the same spots and, as a result, has some good apples-to-apples numbers for how the crab population has changed each year for decades. But thats an incomplete look and misses some of the complexities and nuances crabbers see. Crabbers are getting a chance to explain those nuances this month. We hope the agency will listen and present a revised set of recommendations to lawmakers soon so they can beef up our weak crabbing rules to support both blue crabs and those who depend on them. END Kingsport Times News. September 28, 2023. Editorial: Sullivan, Hawkins at risk for human trafficking In March, 11 men were arrested in a human trafficking investigation conducted by Sullivan County District Attorney General Barry Staubus and local law enforcement agencies working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Human Trafficking Unit and Homeland Security. That the arrests occurred may have been a surprise to county residents, who would not expect human trafficking to be a problem here. But Sullivan County is at high risk for this crime, according to a study recently released by Engage Together, a nationwide campaign from the Alliance for Freedom, Restoration, and Justice, Inc., an assembly of business leaders and global companies working to end human trafficking. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Victims can be any age, race or gender, and it can happen in any community. But residents of some communities are at greater risk, and Sullivan County, and to a lesser extent Hawkins County, are among them. It is of greater concern that the 11 men arrested were accused of seeking illicit sex from minors. They were arrested when authorities placed several decoy advertisements on websites known to be linked to prostitution and commercial sex cases. All were booked into the Sullivan County Jail on charges including solicitation of a minor and patronizing prostitution of a minor. Those arrested were from throughout the region and out of state including residents of Hurricane, West Virginia; Johnson City; Morristown; Boone, North Carolina; Blountville; Weaverville, North Carolina; Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Hellier, Kentucky. A year earlier, four men were accused of seeking illicit sex from minors in an undercover investigation in Sullivan County using the same method. Engage Together reported earlier this month that three Northeast Tennessee counties Sullivan, Hawkins and Greene have a high vulnerable population index score. It used research gathered over the past year to identify areas at risk for traffickers to develop a score based on an assessment of the current strengths, gaps, needs, vulnerabilities and opportunities for community-wide engagement to end and prevent human trafficking in all 95 counties of Tennessee. Sullivan County ranked 18th in the state for highest risk. To lower it, the report said immediate priorities should include training health care, child-serving and direct service providers to recognize and respond to both labor and sex trafficking; resourcing anti-trafficking organizations and those working with high-risk populations to expand accessibility of services; and strengthening the least-supported programs in in the county. To expand and resource all the programs and services needed to identify victims and support survivors in your community, you will need to mobilize multiple sectors to engage. Businesses, churches/houses of worship, foundations, civic clubs, professional associations and more will need to join the efforts of your local nonprofits and government agencies to meet needs and fill gaps. The report found that the area has a prevalence of individuals experiencing financial, housing, food or job insecurities, as well as crimes that are often correlated with or can escalate to trafficking such as domestic violence, sexual assault, weapons or drug offenses. We cant fix all of these issues, but we need to be aware of them and where and when possible, increase support for those who are experiencing these challenges. Johnson City Press. September 27, 2023. Editorial: Dont leave guns in unlocked vehicles Its frequently been held by the U.S. Supreme Court that the Constitutions Second Amendment affirms citizens rights to own firearms for the protection of themselves and the republic. Like many of our rights, however, being a gun owner requires an acceptance of the responsibility for exercising that right, which means doing your best to prevent harm. Last week Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton warned the public about a rash of reported burglaries in the Gray community. Stolen in these burglaries, the sheriff said, were several guns, all left in unlocked vehicles. Burglaries are often crimes of opportunity, and valuables, like firearms, left unattended in unlocked cars are easy targets for thieves. Whether they know it or not, irresponsible gun owners are helping traffickers supply the Iron Pipeline, an interstate corridor of illegal firearms used in crimes across the country. The Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies estimate that between 200,000 and 500,000 guns are stolen each year from private owners, many of which are then used in other states to commit violent crimes. These firearms purchased to be used as protection are very likely being used to hurt people, something no responsible gun owner would want. A proactive approach to gun safety helps keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. Never leave a gun in an unattended vehicle, especially an unlocked one. The safest way to store a firearm when not in use is unloaded and locked away out of sight in a gun box or safe. Its up to all gun owners to take responsibility for the rights and freedoms they enjoy. END WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Thursday defended his administrations decision to waive 26 federal laws in South Texas to allow for construction of roughly 20 miles of additional border wall, saying he had no choice but to use the Trump-era funding for the barrier to stop illegal migration from Mexico. Asked if he thought such walls work, he said flatly, No. The new construction was announced in June, but the funds were appropriated in 2019 before the Democratic president took office. Biden said he tried to get lawmakers to redirect the money but Congress refused, and the law requires the funding to be used as approved and the construction to be completed in 2023. The money was appropriated for the border wall, Biden said. I cant stop that. Still, the waiving of federal laws for the construction something also done when Republican Donald Trump was president raised questions, particularly because Biden condemned border wall spending when he was running for the White House. One of Biden's first decisions moves as president was to halt the use of emergency funds to build the wall along the Southern border and ended the national emergency there. The decision comes as the Biden administration is struggling to manage increasing numbers of migrants at the border and spreading out in the larger U.S. Democratic leaders in New York, Chicago and Washington are asking for federal help to handle the growing numbers of migrants in their cities. Administration officials on Thursday announced they'd resume deporting migrants back to Venezuela, as part of their effort to to slow arrivals. Republicans, for their part, are hammering the president as ineffective on border policy, with some suggesting they would not fund any more efforts in Ukraine without a substantial increase to border security funding. The decision was met with immediate criticism from immigrant advocates and Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who called it a setback. It is a setback because it does not resolve the problem, he said Thursday. Lopez Obrador had frequently praised Biden in the past because he is the first U.S. president in a long time who has not built any walls. The Department of Homeland Security posted the announcement of the latest wall action in the Federal Registry with few details about the construction in Starr County, Texas, part of a busy Border Patrol sector seeing high illegal entry. According to government data, about 245,000 illegal crossings have been recorded so far this budget year in the Rio Grande Valley Sector. It is among the busiest for border crossings in the nation. I want to address todays reporting relating to a border wall and be absolutely clear. There is no new administration policy with respect to border walls," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. From day one, this administration has made clear that a border wall is not the answer. That remains our position and our position has never wavered. Much of the land along the Rio Grande is subject to erosion and is part of federally protected habitats for plants and animals. A federal project along the river would ordinarily require a series of environmental reviews. Congress gave U.S. immigration authorities the ability to waive those reviews to put up such barriers more quickly. The Biden administrations decision to rush into border wall construction marks a profound failure," said Jonathan Blazer, director of border strategies at the American Civil Liberties Union. On the campaign trail, President Biden put it best when he said that the border wall is not a serious policy solution and we couldnt agree more. Instead of upholding this promise, the Biden administration is doubling down on the failed policies of the past that have proven wasteful and ineffective. This isnt the first time that border wall has been constructed under the Biden administration. Homeland Security has also worked on roughly 13 miles in the Rio Grande Valley, and another small-scale project to fill small gaps that remain open from prior construction activities in the border wall. But the border wall has been synonymous with Trumps restrictive immigration policies. He said he wanted to build a wall and have Mexico pay for it, then declared a national emergency to fund construction when Congress would not appropriate funds for it. Trump's allies said the move just showed he was right. Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, weighed in too saying the administration's actions proved he was right on the wall. As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls!" Trump wrote on his social media platform. "Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving ... I will await his apology! Associated Press writer Nomaan Merchant contributed to this report. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday it has opened a civil rights investigation into whether Alabama discriminated against Black residents when handing out funding for wastewater infrastructure. The Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice filed the complaint this spring, arguing Alabamas policies for distributing money have made it difficult for people particularly Black residents in the state's poverty-stricken Black Belt to get help for onsite sanitation needs. Sanitation is a basic human right that every person in this country, and in the state of Alabama, should have equal access to. Those without proper sanitation access are exposed to illness and serious harm, Catherine Coleman Flowers, founder of The Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice, said in a statement. She said she hopes the federal investigation will "result in positive change for any Alabama resident currently relying on a failing onsite sanitation system and for all U.S. communities for whom justice is long overdue. The EPA wrote in a Tuesday letter to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management that it will investigate the complaint, specifically looking at implementation of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and whether practices exclude or discriminate against "residents in the Black Belt region of Alabama, on the basis of race. It will also look at whether ADEM provides prompt and fair resolution of discrimination complaints, the EPA wrote. The ADEM disputed the accusations. As we stated earlier this year when the complaint was filed, ADEM disagrees with the allegations contained in it. In fact, ADEM has made addressing the wastewater and drinking water needs of disadvantaged communities a priority in the awarding of funding made available, the agency wrote in a statement issued Wednesday. The agency said it welcomes the opportunity to provide information to the EPA to counter the allegations. ADEM said state officials have made a priority in helping the region. The agency said in 2022, 34% ($157 million) of the $463 million of drinking water and wastewater funding awarded by ADEM went to Black Belt counties. National environmental and social justice activists have long tried to put a spotlight on sanitation problems in Alabamas Black Belt region, where intense poverty and inadequate municipal infrastructure have left some residents dealing with raw sewage in their yards from absent, broken or poorly functioning septic systems. Alabamas Black Belt region gets its name for the dark rich soil that once gave rise to cotton plantations, but the type of soil also makes it difficult for traditional septic tanks, in which wastewater filters through the ground, to function properly. Some homes in the rural counties still have straight pipe systems, letting sewage run untreated from home to yard. The complaint maintains that Alabamas policies for distributing money from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, a federal-state partnership that provides communities low-cost financing for infrastructure, make it impossible for people who need help with onsite wastewater systems to benefit. Federal and state officials have vowed in recent years to address sanitation problems through money in the American Rescue Plan a portion of which state officials steered to high-need water and sewer projects and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. The U.S. Department of Justice this year announced a settlement agreement with the the Alabama Department of Public Health regarding longstanding wastewater sanitation problems in Lowndes County, a high-poverty county between Selma and Montgomery. Federal officials did not accuse the state of breaking the law but said they were concerned about a a pattern of inaction and neglect regarding the risks of raw sewage for residents. The agreement is the result of the departments first environmental justice investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A specter is haunting the United States of Americathe specter of communism! All powers of the Land of the Free have united to exorcize this specter: Biden and Trump, Bezos and Gates, reformist politicians and freedom caucus rabble, liberal professors and reactionary pundits. Yet where is the party in opposition to give the working-class vanguard a clear lead? Communism is already recognized by right-wing think tanks as a powerful, yet unorganized force. The communists of Socialist Revolution are boldly proclaiming our views and aims, and distributing posters in streets, campuses, towns, and cities across the country. In short, we have made it our mission to organize this new generation of communists. And we are achieving great results! Communism on the rise The response from radicalized youth is unprecedented. In just the last month, over 200 people have joined the US section of the IMT, Socialist Revolution. Some are finding communist co-workers and forming their own workplace cells. Others are students meeting us in their first weeks on campus. Even in what may seem the most unlikely of places, Socialist Revolution is marching forward. As we previously reported, young people in Texas are organizing for communism, with our Dallas branch tripling in size since last month! Our branch in Atlanta also doubled in size as of September, and the Houston branch also experienced fast recruitment. Our comrades are showing what it really means to be in a deep red state! At the University of Wisconsin in Madison, our comrades reported that interested communists stopped by our table nonstop throughout the day at the student fair to learn more. More and more people consider themselves communists, want to join a serious organization, and fight against capitalism. They organized a very successful public event on Why We Are Communists, and at the end over 10 of the attendees asked to join the IMT. In New York City, you might see our posters on the campuses of Pace University, Columbia University, Pratt Institute, or New York University. The Village is so filled with posters that we have been approached about being featured by the NYU newspaper and radio station. Apparently, the Are You a Communist? campaign is the talk of the campus, and even some professors are talking about it in class! You may also have seen our New York comrades on the picket line supporting the writers and actors strikes, solidarity rallies for the UAW, or at the recent Climate March. The St. Louis branches conducted an impressive communist showing at Pride last weekend, where they staffed a communist recruitment tent throughout two days. Thirteen people joined on the spot, for a total growth of over 20 comrades just in the month of September! One of our newest branches, San Diego, has more than doubled in size. Another newer branch in Los Angeles is also making important strides forward! And our Southern California comrades are only just getting started, with events and the start of university semesters happening in the next week or two. Many branches are multiplying. The Boston, Bellingham, WA, and Madison, WI comrades divided from one to two branches. In New Haven, Connecticut, they multiplied from one to three branches. Phoenix has gone from three to five branches in the last month, with Minneapolis doubling from three to six branches. Philadelphia will soon have five branches, while New York City is growing to six branches. The communists are everywhere, and even more are coming! New groups are popping up in workplaces and schoolssuch as at The New School, Sarah Lawrence College, or among NYC sanitation workers in the Teamsters unionbut also in new neighborhoods and areas, such as Southern New Jersey; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Amherst, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; and more. Why We Are Communists Many new comrades first encountered the IMT at one of our Why We Are Communists events, taking place around the country. In years past, our public events would often be geared towards arguing why capitalism needs to be overthrown in the first place. But with the shift in consciousness from decades of crisis and austerity, for millions of people there is no longer any doubt that capitalism must be ended. Now, the questions we encounter are mostly, how can we actually achieve a revolution? Bolshevik strategy has been the main point of the discussion. A welcome sea change! As our comrades at Arizona State University explained to an audience of over 30 people: The history of the world depends on the revolutionary youth, on those 30 million communists. Once they are united and move together, they will lead the working class behind them to smash capitalism and replace it with a better world. Unfortunately, we are not yet united and moving together. We all know that capitalism is a dead end, and that only communism can get us out of the crisis. However, the majority of these communists do not have a clear understanding of how to overthrow capitalism, and they are not organized Without Marxist theory, and without organization, the revolutionary youth is severely held back and capitalism is able to survive another day. This is why Socialist Revolution and the International Marxist Tendency exist. We are organizing the best of those 30 million communists as quickly as possible, so that we can train them to become revolutionary leaders. If we achieve this goal, it will be the basis for a mass, independent, genuine Communist Party in this country. Comrades are explaining to interested people across the US that it is not enough to identify as a communist. You must actively organize to build a communist party! And the potential to do this is greater than ever before, not only in the US, but around the world. The IMT is growing everywhere! Were not done yet! First and foremost, last weekend in Minneapolis we started our Regional Marxist School series, with more coming in New York City, Phoenix, and Bellingham, Washington. Enter the nearest one on your calendar and book your travel and tickets! Many branches havent even started their Fall schedules on the campuses yet. If you live in LA, San Diego, Washington State, or Philadelphia, be on the lookout for our comrades at UC Irvine, UC San Diego, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Drexel University. These campuses are just now starting their school semesters, and our comrades will be there! Here, there, and everywhere, the communists are coming. So, if youre a communist and youre not yet organized and active, its time to get off the fence and put your money where your mouth is by joining the fight to end capitalism in our lifetime! As our St. Louis comrades recently explained to an audience of young communists: An Owasso man who shot his uncle, whom he reportedly mistook for an intruder, has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in federal court, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnsons office announced Wednesday. Bailey Warren Sparkman, 23, a Cherokee citizen, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country. He had been indicted in April 2022 on charges of first-degree murder in Indian Country and one count of carrying, using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of first-degree murder in Indian Country, or the lesser offense of second-degree murder in Indian Country. The charge was filed in federal court because Sparkman is an American Indian. Sparkman said that although his 30-year-old uncle, Zachary Daniel Sparkman, had recently been kicked out of the family residence near 76th Street North and 129th East Avenue, he had a room and belongings there. Bailey Sparkman was not aware that his uncle had returned to the house when he went downstairs about 11:30 p.m. and saw someone standing inside looking out the back door. Bailey Sparkman, 18 years old at the time, acknowledged retrieving his uncles .40-caliber handgun and firing a single shot, striking the victim in the back of the head, without trying to ascertain the identity of the person. Evidence indicated that the back door of the residence, owned by Zachary Sparkmans father, had been forced open, Owasso police said at the time. He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence at a future date. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. 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 Looking at the short story they had just read as a group, the three Anderson Elementary School students around the table in Alexis McCants classroom were stumped for a moment. Sound it out, McCant said. Give me some words from the story with a long o. Rome, piped up a student after a pause, prompting a high five from McCant. Drove, said another student, getting a high five of his own before the trio were sent on their way to their class. The three students were meeting with McCant as part of Walk to Read, a literacy intervention approach first implemented by the district in 2021-2022 as part of its efforts to offset academic delays brought on by COVID-19. The reading intervention model incorporates small groups of students who are placed together based on shared similar areas of needed improvement as demonstrated on standardized tests, such as letter recognition or blending letter sounds together. As the students progress and master certain skills, their groups may shift again to accommodate that growth. Those groups meet anywhere from 20-60 minutes per day, depending on the specific school and the students needs. Additionally, with groups formed based on individual progress, students may not necessarily be placed with students in their same class or even the same grade if there are other pupils with the same struggles, said TPS Executive Director of Elementary and Early Education Kelly Kane said. Its not about leveled groups, Kane said. Its not my bottom 10 percent of readers are in a group and my next 10 percent are in another group. Its about Student A and Student B need to work on this particular skill with CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words, so theyre in this group over here, while Student C and some other people need to work on, say, rhyming, so theyre in this other group over here. Its really based on that what the data tells us is the next skill that kids need to work on to build towards fluency, which is very different than when the way most of us were in leveled reading groups as kids. As is the case at Anderson, those groups might not necessarily meet with a students regular teacher, depending on what their specific needs are. While McCant met with the three students in the back of her classroom Tuesday morning, a colleague stepped in to pull out another student for his Walk to Read group. Anderson Elementary School began utilizing Walk to Read groups within the first week of classes. In preparation, all of Andersons staff took part in professional development over the summer. It is all hands on deck for Walk to Read, Interim Principal LaJuanna Waddell said, noting that groups are pulled out throughout the course of the school day. Were going from teacher assistants to the dean and anyone else who can work with a child. In her first semester with TPS after teaching in Louisiana for several years, McCant is new to the Walk to Read concept but said she appreciates that the smaller groups provide the opportunity to better address students specific needs. I like that the groups are tailored, McCant said. Back when we were in school, everyone was doing the same thing, even if you were behind or lacking in a skill. We were all crunched up in the same class or group and it wasnt tailored to the need. When we moved on, it was either you get it or you dont. This allows us to break off and work on what we really need to work on to catch up with everyone else. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. 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 Very little has been done to meet the recommendations in a 2001 report by a legislative commission on Tulsas 1921 Race Massacre, lawmakers heard Thursday during an interim study by the Oklahoma House of Representatives General Government Committee. Some will say, When does it stop? said state Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, who requested and led the study. We would say when does it start? In a session lasting a little over three hours, Goodwin and others touched on recommendations from the 2001 report that included individual and community reparations, a scholarship program adopted but never fully implemented, economic development and the search for unmarked burials from the massacre. I want to reiterate how important we think reparations are, said Vivian Clark-Adams, one of three original commissioners to speak Thursday. The reason the commission listed reparations for survivors and reparations for descendants one and two is because they were the most important things, we thought, to restore what was stolen. The people of Greenwood were good, taxpaying citizens, said Clark-Adams, but they were not protected as they should have been. Reparations were a controversial and sometimes divisive subject among the commission members, but Clark-Adams and others speaking Thursday said they should not have been. They said reparations have often been paid by federal, state and local governments to people and groups. Victim compensation and reparations and restorative justice is something we do every single day in this country, said attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons. It is the basis of our civil justice system. Considerable attention was paid to one of Goodwins concerns, the states failure to fully implement the scholarship program instituted more than 20 years ago in response to the 2001 report. Dreisen Heath of Human Rights Watch said fewer than 200 scholarships valued at $1,000 each have been awarded since 2003. The program was originally intended to provide up to 300 scholarships a year. Vice Chancellor Robert Placido of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education said the conditions for receiving the scholarships and a lack of funding were factors in it being all but dormant for nearly two decades, but that it is getting more attention since Goodwin made it a priority. The program received its first earmarked appropriation, $1.5 million, in the current fiscal year, and Placido said this year the first scholarship to a documented massacre descendent was awarded. Placido said $75,500 has been awarded since 2018, with most of that in the last year. Among those testifying was Goodwins 84-year-old uncle, Jim Goodwin, patriarch of one of Greenwoods oldest families. For over 100 years these acts of domestic terrorism have gone unpunished, he said. Instead, Jim Goodwin said, Greenwood for decades has been subjected to bait-and-switch promises and sugar-coated deception. People are salivating to become rich through gentrification of Greenwood, he said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. 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 2016 murder of Tulsan Khalid Jabara kept coming up during a Wednesday morning hate crime forum led by the U.S. Department of Justice. Jabaras death, it was said, is an example of how even taking the proper steps allowed by law does not always prevent a bad result. Its an example of why reporting incidents that may not rise to the level of a crime is nonetheless important. And, while not specifically mentioned, the Jabara case fit into comments by Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin about the connection between hate crimes and mental illness. Every hour of the day were responding to a call involving a mental health crisis, Franklin said. Mental health crises are an underling condition in many hate crimes. Jabara, 37, was shot on the front porch of his family home by Stanley Vernon Majors, a 63-year-old neighbor with a history of mental illness who had been harassing and threatening the Jabaras for years. Majors had previously been in jail for running down Haifa Jabara, Khalids mother, with his motor vehicle and hurling ethnic and religious slurs that, aside from offensive, were also inaccurate. According to testimony, Majors used disparaging references to Muslims in haranguing the Jabaras, who are actually Orthodox Christians of Lebanese descent. Aliye Shimi, who is Muslim and executive director of the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, said the Jabaras, law enforcement and prosecutors did all they could under the circumstances but that it wasnt enough and that is the frustration of those targeted by such acts. Tulsa County First Assistant District Attorney Erik Grayless said cases that meet Oklahomas definition of a hate crime technically, malicious harassment or intimidation are rare in Tulsa. Hate-based incidents that do not rise to that level, however, are not, and Grayless said those incidents should be reported to police if they are part of pattern or portend an escalation to violence. That kind of reporting, it was said, helped make the case against Majors, who in 2018 was convicted of first-degree murder and malicious harassment or intimidation in Khalid Jabaras death. Majors died in prison two years later. Franklin said preventing crime in general and hate crimes in particular requires community involvement. He noted that Tulsas homicide rate was remarkably low through the first nine months of 2023 and that their solve rate is almost 100%. We dont do that because of the great forensic abilities we have, he said. We do that because of the people in the community. The only way is to do something (positive) in numbers that drowns out the negativity. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is now looking at a Garfield County associate district judge because of a drive-by shooting at his brother-in-law's ranch Feb. 12, records show. HROZA, Ukraine (AP) A Russian rocket blast turned a village cafe and store in eastern Ukraine into rubble Thursday, killing at least 51 civilians in one of the deadliest attacks in the war in months, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top officials in Kyiv. Rescuers searched for survivors in the remains of the only cafe in the village of Hroza. Body parts were strewn across a nearby children's playground that was severely damaged by the strike. Cellphones were collected and put in a courtyard nearby, waiting to be claimed. Occasionally, one of them rang, lighting up a shattered screen. Around 60 people, including children, were attending a wake at the cafe when the missile hit, Ukrainian officials said. Zelenskyy, attending a summit of about 50 European leaders in Spain to drum up support from Ukraine's allies, denounced the strike as a demonstrably brutal Russian crime and a completely deliberate act of terrorism. According to preliminary information from Kyiv, the village was hit by an Iskander missile. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the strike horrifying and said it demonstrated why the United States is doing everything it can "to help the brave people of Ukraine to fight for their freedom, to fight for their democracy. Hroza, which had a population of about 500 before the war, is in the northeastern Kharkiv region and was seized by Russia early in the war before being recaptured by Ukraine in September 2022. It's only 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Kupiansk, a key focus of the Russian military effort. Zelenskyy visited the area Tuesday to meet with troops and inspect equipment supplied by the West. Dmytro Nechvolot told The Associated Press he was looking for his 60-year-old father, who attended the wake for a soldier from Hroza who died last year but who was reburied after being identified by DNA. Nechvolot kept walking up to his father's red car, which was still parked nearby, while waiting for confirmation that he had been killed. I have lost a man I looked up to, a beloved father, and an unforgettable grandfather, he said. On Thursday, Zelenskyy was at a summit of the European Political Community in Granada, Spain, where he asked for more Western support, saying that Russian terror must be stopped. Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world, he said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defense, strengthening our soldiers, giving our country protection from terror. And we will respond to the terrorists. The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defense, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners, he told the group, which was formed in the wake of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Heeding Zelenskyy's cry, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany will supply Ukraine with another Patriot missile air defense system. He expects Russia will again target crucial infrastructure and cities across Ukraine in the winter months. This is what is now needed the most, Scholz said after meeting Zelenskyy, according to the German news agency dpa. Last winter, Russia targeted Ukraine's energy system and other vital infrastructure in a steady barrage of missile and drone attacks, triggering continuous power outages across the country. Ukraine's power system has shown a high degree of resilience and flexibility, but there have been concerns that Russia will again ramp up its strikes on power facilities as winter draws near. Zelenskyy noted that the Granada summit will also focus on joint work for global food security and protection of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, where the Russian military has targeted Ukrainian ports after Moscow's withdrawal from a U.N.-sponsored grain deal designed to ensure safe grain exports from the invaded countrys ports. The U.K. Foreign Office cited intelligence suggesting that Russia may lay sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports to target civilian shipping and blame it on Ukraine. Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea, it said, adding that the U.K. was working with Ukraine to help improve the safety of shipping. Speaking in Granada, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to preserve European unity in the face of Russian disinformation and to remain strong amid what he described as a political storm in the United States. Asked if he was worried that support for Ukraine could falter in the U.S. Congress, the Ukrainian president stressed that his visit to Washington last month made him confident of strong backing by both the Biden administration and Congress. Zelenskyy called for more air defense systems, more artillery weapons and shells, and more long-range missiles and drones for Ukrainian soldiers, as well as other forms of support and security guarantees to help protect Europe from potential aggression by Moscow. Earlier Thursday, Russia targeted Ukraine's southern regions with drones. Ukraines air force said the countrys air defenses intercepted 24 out of 29 Iranian-made drones that Russia launched at the Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions. Andriy Raykovych, head of the Kirovohrad regional administration, said an infrastructure facility in the region was struck and emergency services were deployed to extinguish a fire, but there were no casualties. In other Russian attacks in the past day, two civilians were killed by shelling in the southern city of Kherson and one died after a strike on the city of Krasnohorivka in the eastern Donetsk region. At least eight people were wounded, according to Ukraine's presidential office. A Russian strike on a hospital in the city of Beryslav in the Kherson region ravaged the building and wounded two medical workers, according to the regional administration chief, Oleksandr Prokudin. Ukraine, in turn, has struck back at Russia with regular drone attacks across the border. In Russia's Kursk region that borders Ukraine, Gov. Roman Starovoit said Ukrainian drone attacks resulted in power cuts in several areas. He also said Ukrainian forces fired artillery at the border town of Rylsk, wounding a resident and damaging several houses. The frequency of international flights and cruise ships bound for Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam is set to increase this winter despite the country entering the low travel season. China Southern Airlines has resumed air services linking the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and Khanh Hoas Cam Ranh City, with three weekly flights departing on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, according to a leader of Cam Ranh International Airport, situated in the namesake city. Vietnamese carrier Bamboo Airways also began operating three weekly flights between Taiwans Taipei and Cam Ranh from September 20 this year. Vietravel Airlines, another Vietnamese carrier, is providing services on 14 charter flights bound for Cam Ranh from South Koreas Muan International Airport till the end of next month. The number of charter flights carrying Chinese visitors to Khanh Hoa will also inch up gradually from next month. Bui Quoc Dai, deputy managing director of Anex Vietnam Trade and Travel Company, which offers inbound services to international visitors, said that the volume of tourists from Kazakhstan and other countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States is anticipated to rise this winter. In December this year, Anex will raise the number of weekly flights from Kazakhstan to 5-6, Dai added. The coastal Vietnamese province will serve a growing number of international guests arriving by air and sea. On Tuesday this week, the Bahamas-flagged passenger cruise ship Resorts World One transported 1,500 international guests to Nha Trang City, a popular beach destination located in Khanh Hoa. This is the 14th cruise vessel to visit Khanh Hoa in 2023, bringing the total number of cruise visitors to the province to more than 19,140, according to the provincial Department of Tourism. The central coastal province will welcome three more international cruise ships this month, the department revealed. Late last month, the provincial administration worked with local budget carrier Vietjet, suggesting that carrier study the launch of direct air links between Cam Ranh and Japan, Australia, and India in the final quarter of 2023 and early next year, said Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, director of the provincial Department of Tourism. The department also coordinated with the Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Tourism Association and local travel businesses to organize famtrips to localities in the province as well as other destinations in the country, Thanh added. China Southern Airlines has resumed air services linking the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and Khanh Hoas Cam Ranh City. Photo: Cam Ranh International Airport An international cruise ship carries passengers to visit Nha Trang City, a popular beach destination located in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, October 3, 2023. Photo: Vuong Manh Cuong / Tuoi Tre International cruise visitors pose for a group photo during a tour to the countryside. Photo: Thanh Chuong / Tuoi Tre The volume of tourists to Khanh Hoa from Kazakhstan and other countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States is anticipated to rise this winter. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! For more than 10 years, Do Thien Thanh, nicknamed Father Thanh, has offered gratis lessons to hundreds of underprivileged children in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam. Thanh was born in Hanoi but his family moved to Binh Duong when he was young. Over the years, Thanh began involving himself in local charity projects, and when his family moved back to Hanoi in 2016, he decided to remain in the province to continue his work. Making dreams come true Thanh currently serves as vice-chairman of the Binh An Ward Council of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneers Organization, but each day after work he travels to Ba Ap Thuong Shrine on Binh Thung 1 Street in Binh An Ward under Di An City to teach underprivileged students. Most of his students are immigrants, disabled, or orphans. I teach them Vietnamese, mathematics, English, and civics, Thanh, a graduate of Binh Duong Pedagogy College, explained. Nguyen Thi Hong Nhanh, a third grader who attends Thanhs class, is one of the many students who refer to the teacher affectionately as 'Father Thanh.' I feel so happy to study here [with Thanh], as he gives us so much useful knowledge, Nhanh said. Do Thien Thanh holds a party for his students to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 24, 2023. Photo: Supplied A deep love for children Thanhs class opens from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on weekdays. In addition to teaching his students, he also provides them with pencils, notebooks, and pens. Mai Thi Kim Hoa, who currently lives in Binh Duong Province, has been bringing her child to Thanhs class for the past six years. My child is disabled and enjoys studying in the class, she said, adding that Thanh gives equal love to all his students, including those with disabilities. Thanh also makes sure to bring guest teachers to his class so that his students can learn in new and exciting ways. Nguyen Thi Tuong Vy, a teacher of English, is one of these guests. I live in Thu Dau Mot City, which is far from [Di An City], but I spend three sessions a week teaching such disadvantaged students [in Thanhs class], she said. Some 80 students attending Thanhs class are those who are not able to go to conventional school, said Bui Le Dong Truc, vice-chairwoman of the Di An City Council of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneers Organization. Over the past few years, Thanh has been praised for his contribution to the community and his dedication has nurtured poor students' dreams of schooling. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! TOKYO -- Fujitsu and research institute Riken on Thursday announced the successful development of Japan's second quantum computer, as part of research efforts around the world to make the nascent technology practical. The 64 qubit quantum computer from Fujitsu and state-backed Riken will be integrated with a 40 qubit quantum computer simulator, as researchers work to eliminate the errors which prevent such systems from providing accurate results. "It's kind of a first or second step, we still have a long way to go," Shintaro Sato, head of Fujitsu's quantum laboratory, told reporters. Governments and companies including IBM and Alphabet are pouring funds into research for quantum computers, which hold the promise of becoming millions of times faster that the fastest supercomputers. IBM last year launched a 433 qubit quantum computer. Qubits, or quantum bits, are a measure of the power of quantum computers, which use quantum mechanics. China, the U.S. and allied industrial democracies are in a race to take a lead in advanced technology including quantum computing, with President Joe Biden moving to hamper some U.S. investment in Chinese efforts to develop the technology. Quantum dots are tiny crystals that scientists can tune to different colours, giving an extra-vivid pop to next-generation TV screens or illuminating tumours inside bodies so surgeons can hunt them down. Three scientists won the Nobel Chemistry Prize on Wednesday for their work turning an idea first theorised in the 1930s into a reality that now has pride of place in living rooms across the world. What are they? Quantum dots are semiconducting particles just one thousandth the width of a human hair. In 1937, the physicist Herbert Froehlich predicted that once particles were small enough -- so-called nanoparticles -- they would come under the strange spell of quantum mechanics. To explain this quantum phenomenon, American Chemical Society president Judith Giordan said to "think of it like a little box". When a particle is shrunk down small enough, the electron is "going to whack into the sides of the box," she told AFP. In a larger box, the electrons would whack the sides less often, meaning they have less energy. For quantum dots, the larger boxes emit red light, while the smaller ones show up blue. This means that by controlling the size of the particle, scientists can make their crystals red, blue and everything in between. Leah Frenette, an expert on quantum dots at Imperial College London, told AFP that working with the nanomaterial was like "watching rainbows all day". But it would be 40 years after Froehlich's prediction that anyone was able to actually observe this phenomenon. Who discovered what? In the early 1980s, Russian-born physicist Alexei Ekimov -- one of Wednesday's new laureates -- melted coloured glass and X-rayed the results. He noticed that the smaller particles were more blue, also recognising that this was a quantum effect. But being glass, the material was not easy to manipulate -- and being published in a Soviet scientific journal meant few noticed. At around the same time in the United States, another new laureate Louis Brus -- oblivious of Ekimov's work -- became the first to discover this colourful quantum effect in a liquid solution. "For a long time, nobody thought you could ever actually make such small particles, yet this year's laureates succeeded," Nobel Committee member Johan Aqvist said. "However, for quantum dots to become really useful, you needed to be able to make them in solution with exquisite control of their size and surface." The third new Nobel winner, French-born Moungi Bawendi, found a way to do just this in his lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993. By precisely controlling the temperature of a liquid mixture of particles called colloid, Bawendi was able to grow nanocrystals to the exact size he wanted, paving the way for mass production. What are they used in? The most common everyday use of quantum dots is probably in "QLED" televisions. Cyril Aymonier, head of France's Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry, told AFP that the nanocrystals "improve the resolution of the screen and preserve the quality of the colour for longer". Doctors also use their bright fluorescence to highlight organs or tumours in the bodies of patients. Frenette said she is working on diagnostic tests which would use the dots as "little beacons" for diseases in medical samples. One problem is that most quantum dots are made using cadmium, a toxic heavy metal. Both Aymonier and Frenette said they are working on quantum dots that are not toxic. Future use? In the future, quantum dots could have the potential to double the efficiency of solar cells, Giordan said. Their strange quantum powers could produce twice as many electrons as existing technology, she explained. "That's amazing, because we are coming closer to the limit of current solar materials," she added. Past use? The reds and yellows in stained glass windows as far as back as the 10th century show that artists of the time unwittingly took advantages of techniques that resulted in quantum dots, according to scientists. Two armed men hit and shot two female sanitation employees several times in Quang Ngai City under the namesake province, located in central Vietnam early on Thursday morning. The shooting occurred at 1:00 am while the two women were collecting trash on Pham Van Dong Street in Nghia Chanh Ward, Quang Ngai City. The victims were identified as Vo Thi Luu, 42, and Le Thi Minh Khai, 35, both employees of Quang Ngai Urban Environment JSC. A preliminary investigation showed that two men pulled up alongside the women on a motorbike and began beating Khai. Luu tried to stop them but one of the men opened fire and shot her in the thigh and then proceeded to shoot Khai three times in the leg. The men fled the scene after striking the women several more times. The two women were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were treated. Their health is now stable but they are still in a state of panic. Bui Van Quang, director at Quang Ngai Urban Environment JSC, said that the firm dispatched executives to the hospital to support the two women, and is cooperating with police officers to investigate the two men. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Tay Giang District under Quang Nam Province, located in central Vietnam, on Tuesday caught a man and a woman red-handed trafficking endangered animals, including two turtles and two palm civets. A police officer in the district said on Thursday that Vo Thi Thu Hoai, 35, a native of the district, and Luu Phuc Chien, a 33-year-old resident of neighboring Thua Thien Hue Province, were taken into police custody for alleged wildlife trafficking. Two wildlife traffickers caught in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: Supplied Police forces on Tuesday afternoon raided Hoais house and discovered the two illegally buying and selling wild animals. Police officers also found two live turtles, with one estimated to weigh 0.2 kilograms and the other 0.75 kilograms. They discovered two live civets which were estimated to weigh a combined 1.8 kilograms. Police are expanding their probe into the animal trafficking ring. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Among the 23 enterprises registering to recruit a large number of laborers in Bac Giang Province in northern Vietnam, there are several Apples partners, a local official said on Wednesday. In particular, Luxshare ICT and New Wing Interconnect Technology, both Chinese-invested electronic component manufacturers and partners of Apple, plan to employ 10,000 and 13,000 workers, respectively. South Korean-invested Hana Micron Vina, which has recently invested nearly US$600 million in the semiconductor sector in Vietnam, has a demand for over 1,000 laborers in the Southeast Asian country, said deputy director of the Bac Giang Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Bui Quang Phat. He noted that foreign-invested firms had paid much importance to recruitment so that they can have enough employees to complete their orders. Meanwhile, deputy director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment Duong Ngoc Chien said foreign direct investment projects helped solve job issues and increase the provinces budget revenue. However, the province approves investment projects in a selective manner. It prioritizes key traffic projects linking to other northern localities, such as Hanoi, Bac Ninh, and Hai Duong, industrial parks and clusters, infrastructure facilities, and power projects to meet the production demand of enterprises. Bac Giang has focused on administrative reforms, established teams to directly support enterprises, and developed human resources, especially high-quality manpower. Last quarter, the province helped enterprises recruit 50,000 laborers, Chien informed. Investors have assessed the investment environment in Bac Giang as favorable, provincial vice chairman Mai Son said. The provinces attraction of investment in electric vehicle manufacturing and solar power proves its vision, helping it develop the economy and the workforce. Bac Giang has also used its budget to construct roads and bridges connecting to neighboring localities, including Hanoi, Bac Ninh, and Thai Nguyen, to improve the regional connectivity, thus luring more foreign firms, Son added. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Bahamian-flagged luxury cruise ship Resorts World One with over 1,700 foreign travelers on board arrived at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang City, central Vietnam on Wednesday, news site Vietnamplus reported. The cruise ship, operated by Saigontourist Travel Service Co. Ltd.s branch in Da Nang, brought tourists from the UK, the U.S., France, Canada, and Malaysia, among others to the central coastal city. They later visited popular destinations in Da Nang, including Ba Na Hills, Son Tra Peninsula, Linh Ung Pagoda, Ngu Hanh Son Landscape, and the Museum of Cham Sculpture. They also came to Quang Nam Province, a neighbor of Da Nang, to admire the UNESCO-recognized Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary. The Da Nang Department of Tourism has written to relevant agencies, asking them to ensure security and safety for the visitors during their stay in the city. Da Nang welcomed more than 5.8 million tourists in the January-September period this year, a 2.1-fold increase year on year. Of the total, there were 1.6 million international travelers, 5.9 times higher than the figure recorded in the same period last year. The city earned some VND17.3 trillion (US$712 million) in tourism revenue in the nine-month period, up 38.3 percent. To attract more tourists, Da Nang has boosted tourism promotion activities in potential markets, such as India and South Korea, and improved service quality by installing a QR Code system at tourist sites and its airport to survey visitors satisfaction. The city expects to welcome an additional 11 cruise ships with a total of over 10,000 travelers and crew members in the rest of the year, raising the number of cruise ships visiting the city this year to 30 with some 30,000 tourists and crew members on board in total, according to Cong An Nhan Dan (People's Police) newspaper. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A number of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet flights bound for Taiwan have been canceled or rescheduled due to the impact of Typhoon Koinu, which made landfall in southern Taiwan on Thursday morning. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on Thursday canceled two flights--VN587, VN581--departing from the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam News Agency reported. The carrier will use wide-body aircraft like Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 for its flights to Kaohsiung on Thursday night and Friday morning, a Vietnam Airlines representative added. Local budget airline Vietjet also canceled two flights--VJ885, VJ886--between Ho Chi Minh City and Kaohsiung, leaving several Vietjet flights affected as a domino effect. Passengers planning trips to and from Kaohsiung should stay updated on the latest weather forecast and flight information, the carriers said. The administration of Taiwan on Wednesday ordered offices, businesses and education institutions across five cities and districts to shut down to ensure the safety of people and told them to brace for Typhoon Koinu. Taiwanese carriers canceled 87 domestic flights while 25 international ones were also canceled. According to the national weather center of Vietnam, Typhoon Koinu was centered in the southwestern waters of Taiwan by 1:00 pm on Thursday. At that time, the storm was moving westward at around 10 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 149 kilometers per hour. By 1:00 pm on Friday, it will likely maintain the westward direction and the said speed when entering the East Vietnam Sea before weakening. Koinu is forecast to move southwest at about five kilometers and weaken into a tropical depression on the weekend. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered agencies concerned to be well prepared for the coming inspection by the European Commission (EC) over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with the aim of removing the ECs fishing yellow card warning imposed on Vietnam since 2017. In a dispatch issued on Wednesday, PM Chinh urged more efforts to fulfill all EC requirements on combating IUU fishing and make thorough preparations for the fourth inspection by an EC team in Vietnam scheduled for October 10 to 18. Nearly six years of carrying out anti-IUU fishing measures in a bid to get the ECs 'yellow card' removed and undergoing three inspections by the EC, Vietnam's agencies concerned have gained many important achievements, the document stated. However, there have remained many shortcomings in implementing the EC's recommendations since the third EC inspection in October 2022, including the reality of fishermen engaging in illegal fishing in foreign waters. If the current situation is not resolved quickly, not only will the yellow card not be removed, but the risk of receiving a red card will also ensue, the dispatch stated. To remove the yellow card within the EC's fourth inspection, PM Chinh ordered relevant authorities and agencies to urgently and seriously implement all the tasks previously assigned to them to overcome shortcomings and make the best preparations for the forthcoming inspection. Strict punishments must be levied on any organizations or individuals that deliberately commit IUU fishing for their own benefits, badly affecting national interests and undermining the image of the country in the international arena, the PM said in the document. He directed the Ministry of National Defense to continue maintaining strong and resolute measures to prevent the recurrence of Vietnamese vessels and fishermen illegally fishing in foreign waters. During the upcoming inspection, the EC will evaluate the results of Vietnams implementation of EC recommendations on combating IUU fishing to come to a conclusion whether the yellow card will be lifted or maintained, said Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. During a telemeeting with the EC inspection team on September 29, the ministry reported some issues in advance of their visit, according to Duong Van Cuong, deputy director of the ministrys Fisheries Inspection Department. Authorities of 28 coastal localities and relevant ministries have made great efforts to combat IUU fishing over the past years," Cuong affirmed. "The issue here is not only to remove the EC yellow card but to enforce Vietnams fisheries laws in compliance with international practices and to promote sustainable fisheries development, Cuong affirmed. Vietnam has built a comprehensive and complete legal framework on fisheries management and combating IUU fishing and has achieved significant results over the past six years, said Tran Quang Hung, director of the department. The country has built and operated a national database on fishing vessels connected from central to local levels, while database accounts have been provided for functional forces and port management agencies to control fishing vessels activities. To date, nearly 98 percent of fishing vessels operating offshore have been furnished with cruise monitoring equipment. So far this year, authorities have dealt with 2,111 IUU fishing cases, logging more than VND44 billion (US$1.8 million) in total fines, Hung said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Peoples Committee of Nghe An Province in north-central Vietnam recently imposed a fine of VND116 million (US$4,755) on a stone powder manufacturing company where four workers have died of lung diseases and several others are currently being hospitalized for similar conditions. Chau Tien Co. Ltd. was fined VND60 million ($2,460) for failing to monitor the workplace environment to mitigate health risks for employees, a leader of Dong Nam Economic Zone in Nghe Ans Nghi Loc District, where the enterprise is located, said on Wednesday. It also received a VND56-million ($2,295) fine for neglecting to conduct health examinations to detect occupational diseases among 14 workers engaged in strenuous and hazardous occupations. In total, the fine amounts to VND116 million. Chau Tien Company, which received its investment registration certificate in 2005 with a total investment capital of VND280 billion ($11.5 million), is situated in the Nam Cam Industrial Park within the economic zone. The firm specializes in the production of CaCO3 superfine white limestone powder and quartz stone powder. It is also engaged in product display and commercial leasing. The company was determined to have been involved in multiple violations from 2017 to 2022. A provincial inspection team identified several violations at the enterprise in terms of environmental conservation and ensuring a safe working environment. They identified issues such as dust, noise, vibrations, and exposure to chemicals. Workers at the company faced the risk of occupational silicosis and their rights and work conditions were not adequately safeguarded. Upon receiving the inspection teams report, the Peoples Committee of Nghe An Province asked relevant departments and local authorities to address the shortcomings and violations at the company. A report from the Peoples Committee of Nghi Loc District revealed that nine employees working at Chau Tien had developed lung diseases, resulting in four fatalities and five individuals currently undergoing treatment in hospitals. Based on the findings of the Nghe An Social Insurance , three of the four workers who passed away while employed at the company had their families receive a death benefit and funeral expenses, totaling over VND117 million ($4,796) per victim. In the case of T.T.T., who passed away on November 13, 2022, his family was not eligible for the death benefit as he had previously received a one-time social insurance benefit. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Screenworks is calling for entries from for regionally based NSW and Qld practitioners for its Career Pathways Programs spanning Regional Producer Elevator Program, Director Pathways Program and Inside the Writers Room. Participants will be provided with bespoke support and guidance from some of Australias most respected writers, directors, and producers. There have been many rewarding outcomes for the regional practitioners who have been through our Career Pathways Programs over the past eight years, explained Screenworks CEO Lisa OMeara. We are seeing their profiles and projects gain recognition at domestic and international levels and Im proud that Screenworks have played a positive role in their career trajectories. Screenworks 2024 Regional Producer Elevator Program will provide two regional NSW producers and two regional Queensland producers with $3,500 to implement their career goals whilst providing them with professional introductions and connections to industry. They will also attend the 2024 Screenworks Regional To Global Forum and the 2024 Screen Forever Conference. This program is supported by Screen NSW, Screen Queensland and Screen Producers Australia (SPA). Two regional NSW directors will be granted $3,500 to implement a bespoke professional development program that will help them advance their screen directing career as part of the Director Pathways Program. This program will be delivered in partnership with Screen NSW, Screen Queensland and the Australian Directors Guild. Finally, five regional NSW screenwriters will be selected to participate in the ever popular Inside The Writers Room program, 2 from regional Queensland and 3 from regional NSW. Each will have the opportunity to observe a professional writing team working on television drama at some of Australias most respected production companies BBC Studios Productions, Easy Tiger Productions, Hoodlum Entertainment, Jungle Entertainment and Unless Pictures. Inside the Writers Room is being funded by Screen NSW and Screen Queensland. Deadline for applications for all three programs is Monday 30th October 2023. Screenworks Career Pathways Program 2024 are supported by Screen NSW and Screen Queensland and delivered in collaboration with The Australian Directors Guild and Screen Producers Australia. screenworks.com.au/learn/career-pathways-programs-2024 Mondays Four Corners sees reporter Hagar Cohen in WA for a story on the battle between climate activists, the government and energy companies. ABC management was forced to issue a correction in relation to the filming this story after initially stating a crew had no prior knowledge of protest action outside the home of Woodside CEO Meg ONeill. WA Police have also served the ABC with an order to hand over all footage captured ahead of pending trials. The Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia has become critical in the nations battle against climate change with protesters escalating their responses to the proposed expansion of a massive gas project there. Its leading to an increasingly combative confrontation between protesters and the state. Four Corners has analysed arrest data and found climate activists across the country are being charged with serious offences in unprecedented numbers. More than twenty of those charges were directed towards a small group of Perth activists called Disrupt Burrup Hub. The group made headlines in early August when police arrested them as they attempted to throw paint at the house of Woodside chief executive Meg ONeill. Escalation is a rare insight into the battle over the Burrup. It reveals how far both sides are willing to go for what they believe in. 8.30pm Monday on ABC. Three head writers have declined to return to The Drew Barrymore Show, following the end of the WGA strike. Barrymore attracted heavy criticism for announcing she would resume production during the strike, a stance she did not proceed with after doubling-down and then deleting her social media posts. I have listened to everyone, and I am making the decision to pause the shows premiere until the strike is over, she subsequently posted on Instagram. I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team who works on the show and has made it what it is today. We really tried to find our way forward. And I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon. Variety reports three writers Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon and Liz Koe who shared the position of co-head writer- were offered deals after strike ended bt declined to return. The talk show is set to return to screens on October 16 (USA). New writers are now being interviewed to replace the trio. It screens in Australia on the Arena channel. In this article, we are going to discuss the 12 countries that produce the best rum in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global rum market, the most popular rum brand in the world, the recent acquisition in the rum industry, and the rise of alcohol-free rum, and go directly to 5 Countries that Produce the Best Rum in the World. Rum is arguably one of the earliest known spirits due to its simple production process. Its main ingredient, sugarcane, was first known to be fermented as early as 350 BC in India. The production of sugarcane increased over time as explorers discovered islands with the perfect growing climate. Many of the best rums in the world are made in the Caribbean. Sugarcane was introduced to that part of the globe in the late 1400s by Europeans, and it quickly took root. Colonialists started sugar plantations that used forced labor by enslaved people from Africa, and from these plantations came rum. The spirits popularity quickly spread to Colonial North America. It is estimated that prior to the American Revolutionary War, the men and women of the American colonies were drinking an average of three imperial gallons of rum each year. Global Rum Market: According to Future Market Insights, the global rum market is estimated at $17.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $24.5 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period. Consumer perception of the rum category has evolved in recent years. While rum sales are still dominated by major producers, consumer preferences are shifting away from value options and towards an appreciation for craft and aged rums. Rum also provides a key function in cocktail culture. While the spirit is a staple of on-premise tiki bars, rum is also one of the only spirits for which its common to blend multiple varieties in the same cocktail. According to Bacardis 2022 Cocktail Trends Report, four of the top-10 best-selling cocktails are rum drinks, making the spirit a must-have for all on-premise programs. Story continues Most Popular Rum Brand in the World: The Filipino brand Tanduay bested all others to claim the top spot of The Spirits Business ranking of the top 10 best-selling rums in the world. The rum business of tycoon Lucio Tans LT Group sold 27.4 million nine-liter cases in 2022, up 16.1% from the 23.6 million cases sold in 2021. For comparison, the worlds No. 2 rum brand, Bacardi, sold 23.6 million cases last year, including the brands in its ready-to-drink portfolio. That means Tanduay sold nearly 4 million cases more than its closest rival. In a release, the company attributed the brands robust growth to its aggressive international expansion, the rise of cocktail culture, and its diverse product offerings. Besides its home country of the Philippines, Tanduay rum is present in 18 international markets as of July 2023. The brand has partnered with leading international spirits distributors to make its products available in different countries and has tapped leading bartenders to help promote its offerings. In 2022, Tanduays consolidated revenue reached approximately $560 million, a 26% increase from the previous year. Recent Acquisition in the Rum Industry: Rums growth has also been reflected in the merger and acquisition space in the past year. It was announced earlier this year that Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) had completed the acquisition of the Diplomatico Rum brand and related assets from Destillers United Group S.L. (Spain), for an estimated $725 million. The spirits giant announced its agreement to purchase the brand in October 2022, giving it an entry into the growing super-premium rum category. As part of the acquisition, Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) added an aging, bottling, and shipping production facility located in Panama to the company. Destillers United Group S.L. will continue to produce and age the unique, carefully-crafted, and complex Diplomatico Rum in their original distillery at the foot of the Andes mountains. Stocks of Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) were held by 30 hedge funds at the end of Q2 in the Insider Monkey database, with Fundsmith LLP holding the largest stake of over 12.19 million shares, valued at $814.41 million. The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) ranks among the 12 Best Alcohol Stocks to Own According to Hedge Funds. The Rise of Alcohol-Free Rum: The global low and no-alcohol consumer trend is a significant shift in the drinks industry, driven by increasingly health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. Millennials and Generation Z are the main insurgents, driving a transformation in choice and demanding more from their drinks. These younger generations are adopting a healthier lifestyle and reaping the benefits of going alcohol-free but they're not the only ones. From fitness fans and healthy lifestylers to a renaissance in older living, knowing what you're putting into your body is now a key priority. As we mentioned in our article Gen Z's 25 Favorite Brands in 2023 these young consumers are also a more health-conscious generation and a growing share of them is outright turning away from alcohol. In 2022, 38% of Gen Z were buying more non-alcoholic beverages than in the previous year. Several industry players have realized that the no-alcohol trend is here to stay and are coming up with innovative solutions to keep their current consumer base engaged, along with attracting a new generation of drinkers and rum has been no exception. Owned by Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO), the iconic Captain Morgan rum brand unveiled Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% in August, an alcohol-free alternative to the famous Original Spiced Gold, offering a deliciously spiced flavor profile. Following the successful launch of Guinness 0.0%, Tanqueray 0.0%, and Gordons 0.0% over the past few years, Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% brings further choice to the market as the latest brand, and first dark spirit, to join Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)s alcohol-free portfolio. With 22.9 million cases sold worldwide in 2022, Captain Morgan is counted among the Most Popular Spirits in the World. Initially launched in Great Britain in September, followed by Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia later this year before further roll out across Europe in 2024, Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% Alcohol Free Rum has an RRP of $18.99 in Great Britain. Warren Buffett initiated a position in Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in the first quarter of 2023 with 227,750 shares worth $39.510 million and his position in the company remained unchanged in the second quarter. In Q2, Diageo represented 0.1% of Berkshire Hathaways portfolio. The most prominent stakeholder in the company in Q2 was Markel Gayner Asset Management with 1.35 million shares, worth $234.23 million. With that said, here are the Countries with the Best Rum in the World. 12 Countries that Produce the Best Rum in the World Methodology: To collect data for this article, we have referred to a number of sources such as Illegal Tender Rum Co., Forbes, Reddit etc., looking for Countries that Produce the Best Rum. We picked countries that appeared at least twice in these sources, assigned them a score based on their number of appearances, and ranked them accordingly. When two countries had the same score, we ranked them by the size of their rum markets. If you prefer your liquor with juniper, here are the Most Popular Gin Brands in 2023. 12. Puerto Rico Insider Monkey Score: 2 Puerto Rico is often called the Rum Capital of the World and for good reason. Not only is rum an important export of the island, the industry also employs lots of people to make this distinct drink. According to Puerto Rico's Department of Economic Development and Commerce, the island's rum industry generates $300 million annually and provides 700 jobs in distilleries. Bacardi, one of the world's most popular rum brands, is produced in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico produces some of the Best Rums in the World. 11. Australia Insider Monkey Score: 2 From the convict colonies and cane-cutters to the current craft spirit empire, rum has played a big part in Australia's cups. The country probably wouldnt even exist without rum. A lack of coinage in the early days of the colony of New South Wales meant that bottles of rum were used as official currency, as well as a way to entice unruly convicts to work. Whether its spiced, premium, or otherwise, The Land Down Unders status as one of the few countries capable of making cultivated rum thanks to its ideal sugarcane-growing climate and large sugarcane crop means that its uniquely poised to take advantage of the spirits popularity boom. Australia is counted among the Best Rum Producing Countries in 2023. 10. United States of America Insider Monkey Score: 2 While American craft beer and whiskey gobbled up most of the headlines over the last several years, rum the spirit that first captured the nations heart centuries ago has quietly reingratiated itself to a growing number of distillers. For the first time since the eighteenth century, you can once again find hundreds of distilleries producing rum across the United States. The American craft rum industry has experienced significant growth as more and more people discover these artisanal distillers' unique and high-quality offerings. The United States ranks among the Largest Rum Exporting Countries. 9. India Insider Monkey Score: 2 Despite not being exactly world famous for its rum, India is the country that drinks the most rum in the world, both in terms of consumption per capita and in terms of most rum drunk each year. India is one of the fastest-growing alcoholic beverages markets globally, with an estimated market size of $52.5 billion in 2020, according to the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. Rum contributes 11% to the total volume, mainly because its cheap and easily available. Old Monk has been the most popular rum brand in the South Asian nation for decades. This inexpensive, sweet dark spirit has come to define what rum should taste like for generations of Indians. India sits among Largest Rum Producing Countries. 8. Trinidad Insider Monkey Score: 3 Trinidad produces massive amounts of mainly light rums from column stills and has an extensive export trade. The largest rum brand on the island is Angostura, producer of the famous cocktail bitters, however many well-known rum brands have a portion of Trinidadian rum in their blends. Today, rum accompanies the great life celebrations for Trinidadians, especially during Carnival, an important and happy event in the region. Trinidad sits among the Countries that Specialize in Rum. 7. Philippines Insider Monkey Score: 3 The Philippines' vibrant sugar industry makes it one of the world's best rum producing countries. Boasting smooth and complex white and gold rum, the country produces the highest-selling brand in the world Tanduay. You may not think of South-East Asia when we say rum, but the quality of the spirit made in the Philippines shows that the best rum isn't found only in the West Indies. The Philippines has the third-largest rum market in the world, after India and the United States. 6. Haiti Insider Monkey Score: 4 Rums place in Caribbean culture is well known, but little is said about Haitian bottlings, despite the country housing more than 500 local distilleries arguably more than any other country in the region. This booming DIY distilling scene makes Haiti home to some of the most diverse rum production in the world. Rhum Barbancourt is rum produced from pure sugar cane juice and bottled in Haiti by Societe du Rhum Barbancourt. The distillery is one of Haiti's oldest institutions and its rum is the country's most famous export, widely regarded as among the finest rums in the world for over 150 years. Haiti ranks 6th in our list of Top Rum Producing Countries. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Countries that Produce the Best Rum in the World. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: None. 12 Countries that Produce the Best Rum in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 29, the 2023 China Chengdu Cultural Tourism Promotion Indonesia special event "Meet in the Park CityRoam Happy Chengdu", hosted by the China Chengdu Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau, undertaken by Chengdu Media Group and executed by Chengdu International Media Co., Ltd., was held in Jakarta. 40 people including representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Indonesian Tourism Association and other local government agencies, representatives from tourism companies, and representatives from tourism experts attended the event. The event also held the unveiling ceremony of the Chengdu Cultural Tourism Promotion Image Exhibition. The image exhibition lasted from September 29 to October 1 and was open to the Indonesian public for free, bringing a visual feast of Chengdu to the Indonesian people up close. Photos from the event Co-innovate future Chengdu Cultural Tourism Enters Indonesia Photos from the event For a long time, Sichuan and Indonesia have had close exchanges in sister cities, economy and trade, education, culture and tourism and other fields. Chengdu, the international gateway hub in the west, and Jakarta, Indonesia's land and sea transportation hub, are only five hours' flight away from each other. They are another important bridge from Asia to Oceania and are of great significance to promoting intra-regional economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges. At the event, Mr. Adila Chaerman, Head of East Asia Tourism Marketing of the Regional Marketing Bureau of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, delivered a speech, saying that Chengdu is the home of giant pandas. this city is destined to be full of friendship and harmony, and the peace messenger giant panda is the best footnote. The leisure and comfortable life of Chengdu people even attracts tourists from all over the world. Chengdu is known as "a city that you don't want to leave once you arrive." Finally, he sincerely hoped that both parties will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation. Everyone is invited to walk around the streets of Chengdu, take a look, taste delicious food, enjoy the beautiful scenery, meet pandas, and experience the charm and happiness of Chengdu for themselves. Story continues Top 10 Inbound Travel Boutique Routes Help to build a world-famous tourist city Since 2015, as shown in the "Chengdu Statistical Yearbook", Indonesia has also been Chengdu's main source market and has entered the top ten source countries many times. In this promotion, "Chengdu's Top Ten Inbound Tours" has attracted strong interest from Indonesian tourism industry players. The "Top Ten Excellent Itineraries for Inbound Tours from Chengdu" include "Inheriting Craftsmanship - Intangible Cultural Heritage Tour", "Taste of Shu - Elegance of Chengdu", "Chasing the Three Kingdoms - Starting from Jinguan", "Feng Yun in the Ancient Capital - Learning from the Ancient and the Present", "See Chengdu in Rongbao - Dynamic New City", "Rural Aesthetics - Art Journey", "Warm Sunshine in Winter - Park City under the Snow Mountains", "Journey through the Secret Land of the West", and "Modern City - Twin Cities Life Journey". Each has its own characteristics and highlights Chengdu's great importance and sincerity to Indonesian tourists. Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/2023-cultural-tourism-promotion-indonesia-special-event-in-chengdu-china-successfully-landed-301947863.html SOURCE GoChengdu Nicholas Rossi leaves Edinburgh Sheriff Court after sheriff Norman McFadyen confirmed his the identity Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire After a lengthy legal battle, rape suspect Nicholas Rossi will be extradited to the US to face charges. The Scottish Government said on Thursday that Scottish ministers approved his extradition order on September 28, following a court ruling in August that there no barriers to his extradition. Rossi was arrested at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in December 2021, but he has consistently insisted that the authorities have the wrong man and he is in fact Irish orphan Arthur Knight. Officials had to first prove he is the man wanted by US authorities, and after a five-day hearing in November 2022, Sheriff Normal McFadyen said: I am ultimately satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Mr Knight is indeed Nicholas Rossi, the person sought for extradition by the United States. Here are the key questions surrounding the case: Who is Nicholas Rossi? Nicholas Rossi was born as Nicholas Alahverdian in Providence, Rhode Island, in July 1987 to mother Diana Alahverdian and father Jack Alahverdian, according to reports in US newspaper The Providence Journal. He was adopted by his stepfather David Rossi, and changed his surname to Rossi. Rossi had a turbulent childhood and left his family home as a teenager, spending much of his adolescence in Rhode Islands Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) care facilities. He spoke out against the conditions in care, claiming to have suffered abuse and neglect and he made a name for himself by campaigning to improve facilities for children living in the states care. In 2008, Rossi was convicted of sexually assaulting a student while attending a community college in Ohio. He was placed on the sex offenders register as a result. Rossi claimed he had been diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma in late 2019 and around this time, friends in the media and politics say they began receiving calls from him to say he was dying. An obituary appeared online for Rossi in early 2020 saying he had died and that his ashes had been scattered at sea. Story continues What is Rossi accused of? Rossi is wanted in the US for allegedly raping a woman in Utah in 2008 and also faces domestic abuse charges. Authorities say he faked his own death in order to evade charges in the US. What happened next? It is unclear when Rossi left the US for the UK, as he continues to insist he Irish orphan Arthur Knight. Under the guise of Arthur Brown, Rossi is believed to have met his wife, Miranda Knight, in Bristol in 2019 and married her in early 2020, assuming the name Arthur Knight. They moved to Glasgow shortly afterwards but in 2021, Rossi became so ill with Covid-19 that he had to be hospitalised at the citys Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. How was Rossi caught? In July 2020, DNA allegedly linked him to a 2008 rape in Utah which is ultimately what led to his discovery in Scotland. He was arrested on December 13, 2021 at the Glasgow hospital by police officers who served him with an Interpol red notice. With the assistance of medical staff at the hospital, the patient initially named as Arthur Knight was identified as Rossi. What is Rossis version of events? There has never been an official version of events from Rossi because he continues to insist he is Arthur Knight and that the authorities have the wrong man. In court appearances, he has maintained his pained English accent, with an Irish lilt whenever he mentions the word Dublin, where he claims to have been born. In his latest interview with The Times, as Arthur Knight, he said he wanted the real Rossi to come forward to save my wife and me from this mess. What is the extradition process? Sheriff McFadyen ruled at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in August that there was no impediment to Rossis extradition back to the US, with the final decision lying with the Scottish ministers. The Scottish Government revealed on Thursday in an answer to a Freedom of Information request that Scottish ministers had signed Rossis extradition order on September 28. Northern Ireland law firm McCay Legal acquires AD McClay and Company in deal to grow business. Pictured is Londonderry solicitor, Gareth McCay of McCay Legal Northern Ireland law firm McCay Legal has acquired Londonderrys AD McClay & Company Solicitors in a deal which will grow the firms headcount to 20 and enhance the variety of its practice areas. With offices in Londonderry, Omagh, Strabane and Manchester, McCay Legal was founded in 2014 by managing director, Gareth McCay, and offers services to businesses and individuals and has grown from a niche employment law practice to a full range law firm specialising in commercial law, property, personal injury, wills and probate. The addition of AD McClay will see McCay Legal grow further with the additional four solicitors to its team. The deal will see former AD McClay partners Neville Kerr and Charles Kane remain with McCay Legal which will also trade from the firms existing premises on Limavady Road. AD McClay has been providing legal services since 1984, having initially been set up by Don McClay who was a partner in the firm until his retirement. Commenting on the deal, Gareth McCay, said: Our industry is going through huge changes, particularly in the north west where there is a skills deficit so we have been open to merging our practice enable us to continue our growth. "When we were approached with this opportunity, we were attracted by the range of services that AD McClay offers as well as the skillset and experience of its staff. I am delighted that Neville and Charles will remain with the firm and I look forward to working alongside them. This is a fantastic opportunity for our staff to learn from their vast experience in the industry. "Together with Don McClay they have built a business that has been hugely successful and they are held in high esteem within the legal fraternity. The acquisition of AD McClay enables us to provide a wider range of services and means we can now service all of the UK and Ireland. Story continues Neville Kerr added: We are delighted with the arrangement that has been reached with McCay Legal which will facilitate the ongoing provision of legal services to our many valued and loyal clients whom it has been a privilege to serve over almost four decades building on the business founded and established by Don McClay. "With the increased resources provided by our dedicated staff now within the McCay Legal family we anticipate the continuation and growth of the business providing a high quality and extensive range of legal services for existing and new clients. McCay Legal are recruiting for solicitors right across the business. Luck and leverage are key elements of many a crypto trader's success. Sometimes, though, all it takes is luck. A trader on Taiwans MaiCoin Max crypto exchange is 10 Million NTD ($310,000) richer, not because of trading profit but rather a monthly lottery involving tax receipts. Who says retail users can't profit from trading cryptos? Taiwan's largest crypto exchange @MAX_exch announced some user made a tiny trade that paid $2 NTD ($0.06 USD) in fee on platform, the tax receipt ended up winning 10mil ($310k USD) in Taiwan govt's invoice lottery! pic.twitter.com/FSGXdKVW5J Paul Huang (@PaulHuangReport) October 5, 2023 This particular trader didnt dive deep into some small-cap token that went to the moon, but rather has his fortune because MaiCoin pays its taxes. Taiwan enforces tax compliance on retailers through something it calls the Uniform Invoice Lottery. Retailers that make over a certain amount in revenue are required to give the customer an official receipt, and an electronic copy of the receipt is sent to tax authorities. This receipt doubles as a lottery ticket number, and every month, the authorities run a draw for a series of cash prizes, starting with the grand prize of 10 million NTD ($310,000). For MaiCoin, every time a trade is made on its platform, the profit on the spread it makes and the service fees it collects are a taxable event; therefore, its top traders might have dozens, if not hundreds, of these virtual receipts. The scheme was first introduced in Taiwan in the 1950s as a way to incentivize tax compliance by downloading the enforcement to the consumer. People making trivial daily purchases, such as newspapers or snacks, sometimes find themselves much richer after the monthly draw. While tax authorities around the world struggle with how to capture tax revenue from crypto, Taiwan might have found a solution in a decades-old scheme. Who says retail traders and the tax man cant profit in a bear market? Jon Fosse's plays are among the most widely staged of any contemporary playwright in Europe (Hakon Mosvold Larsen) Norway's Jon Fosse joins a select list of playwrights who have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature over the years. Here are some of the best known: - Harold Pinter (2005) - British playwright and political campaigner Harold Pinter, master of the pregnant pause, won in 2005 for what the Swedish Academy called his ability to get at the truth "under everyday prattle". His more than 30 plays dealt with domination and submission, threat and injustice and gave rise to the adjective "pinteresque" -- used to describe the sense of menace running through a work and those silences that speak volumes. Never afraid to speak his mind, Pinter called US President George W. Bush a "mass murderer" and British Prime Minister Tony Blair a "deluded idiot" for invading Iraq. - Dario Fo (1997) - Italian playwright, director and performer Dario Fo skewered people in power in a series of satires that were staged worldwide, the best known of which are "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" and "Mistero Buffo" ("Comic Mystery"). The "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" was based on the case of an Italian railroad worker who mysteriously falls out of a Milan police station window while being falsely accused of terrorism. "Mistero Buffo" was his one-man political telling of the Passion of the Christ, which the Vatican denounced as "the most blasphemous show in the history of television". - Samuel Beckett (1969) - The avant-garde Irish playwright produced one of the 20th century's most popular plays, "Waiting for Godot", in which as one dubious Irish critic memorably put it, "nothing happens, twice". Born a minority Protestant in a stifling censorious Catholic Ireland, he fled to Paris in the 1930s where he remained for the rest of his life, writing in both English and French. "Godot" is the existential tale of two bickering tramps who wait in vain for someone called Godot who never shows up. Story continues Literary critics have long argued over who or what Godot actually represents, with interpretations ranging from God to death. - Eugene O'Neill (1936) - The father of modern American theatre brought the grim dramas of everyday life to stages whose staple had previously been vaudeville. Murder, suicide and insanity were recurring themes in his work, which included the autobiographical "Long Day's Journey into Night" and "The Iceman Cometh". In his Nobel acceptance speech, O'Neill hailed the prize as "a symbol of the recognition by Europe of the coming-of-age of the American theatre...worthy at last to claim kinship with the modern drama of Europe." - Luigi Pirandello (1934) - This Italian playwright was chased out of a Rome theatre a century ago when he staged his absurdist masterpiece "Six Characters in Search of an Author" (1921), in which a group of characters bursts into a rehearsal and share their story with the actors. The inventor of the "play within a play" only began writing for the stage in his 40s. Drawing inspiration from his wife's mental illness, he pondered the meaning of objective truth in philosophical works that blurred the lines between reality and performance. - George Bernard Shaw (1925) - The Irish-born playwright, intellectual and socialist activist is one of the few people to have won both an Oscar and a Nobel. He baulked at accepting the Nobel, declaring "I can forgive (Alfred) Nobel for inventing dynamite, but only a fiend in human form could have invented the Nobel Prize," but later relented. He struggled to get published for many years before starting to write for the stage. His most famous play is "Pygmalion", which was turned into the wildly successful Broadway musical and film "My Fair Lady" for which Shaw won the Oscar for best screenplay. cb/acc/ach Founder of USM Holdings Usmanov attends session during Week of Russian Business in Moscow BERLIN (Reuters) - German police and customs officers on Thursday searched several properties in southern Germany, which a source familiar with the matter said belonged to a Russian national targeted by European Union sanctions because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The source told Reuters that Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, a Russian-Uzbek businessman, was the target of the search operation. "There can be no reason for suspicion against Mr Usmanov, who has always duly declared the personal property that was lawfully acquired by him, in addition to disclosing the funds with which he acquired these assets," said a spokesperson for Usmanov in response to a Reuters' request for comment. The spokesperson said Usmanov was not the owner of the trust he founded and had no right to control or manage its assets. "As such, he has no way of knowing what is currently happening to the property owned by the trust." A special commission dubbed "Matryoshka", established by the German customs authority's sanctions office, said in a statement that officers searched properties in greater Munich and Tegernsee in Bavaria. In September 2022, German police searched Usmanov's villa in the holiday town of Rottach-Egern on the shores of the Tegernsee. A court later deemed the raids unlawful. The German customs authority's special commission said it was acting on court search warrants. It said it could not give further details on the operation for tactical reasons. (Reporting by Miranda Murray, Joern Poltz, Rachel More and Alexander Marrow; Writing by Maria Martinez; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Grant McCool) By Jody Godoy and Luc Cohen (Reuters) - Jurors in the trial of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried heard from both sides for the first time on Wednesday, receiving dueling portrayals of key events and players involved in what prosecutors have called a multibillion-dollar fraud that affected thousands of the cryptocurrency exchange's customers. Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty. Opening statements by prosecutor Thane Rehn and defense lawyer Mark Cohen made it clear that four points of contention, described below, will be crucial to the trial, which is expected to last up to six weeks. Was Bankman-Fried a power-hungry thief or a "math nerd" startup CEO? In his opening statement, Rehn said Bankman-Fried used more than $10 billion in FTX customer funds to amass his own wealth, power and influence. Rehn said he bought beachfront property in the Bahamas and donated to a nonprofit his brother founded. Cohen, Bankman-Fried's attorney, called that depiction a "cartoon of a villain," and said evidence would show that his client was actually a "math nerd who didn't drink or party." Bankman-Fried, he said, was in reality a CEO of a startup company that collapsed after it was faced with an unanticipated "perfect storm." "It's not a crime to be a CEO of a company that later files for bankruptcy," he said. Did FTX collapse because of a smear job or fraud? From Cohen's point of view, FTX and Alameda Research - a crypto-focused hedge fund also controlled by Bankman-Fried - were casualties of a downturn across the cryptocurrency sector, which was subject to fluctuations based on "many factors that nobody controlled." As Bankman-Fried's companies sought to weather the storm, public "attacks" by the crypto press and Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of rival exchange Binance, led to a run on FTX, Cohen said. But Rehn said FTX collapsed because of Bankman-Fried's plundering of FTX customer cash. Blaming FTX's implosion on the broader downturn in crypto amounts to "excuses," Rehn said. Story continues FTX's relationship with Alameda: nefarious or normal? Rehn told jurors that Bankman-Fried stole customer funds in two ways: by duping FTX customers into sending money intended for their trading accounts to Alameda, and through a "secret special privilege" embedded in FTX software that let Alameda make unlimited withdrawals. Cohen said prosecutors had misconstrued instances of Alameda performing functions for FTX that the fledgling exchange was not yet set up to perform itself. He said the software allowed FTX to rely on Alameda as a "market maker," which let Alameda buy and sell crypto as the exchange sought to attract more customers. Caroline Ellison: failed deputy or "front"? Each side presented different stories about former Alameda chief executive Caroline Ellison, who has pleaded guilty to fraud and agreed to cooperate against Bankman-Fried. According to prosecutors, Bankman-Fried installed Ellison, his sometime romantic partner, as a "front" to lead Alameda in 2021. "In reality he was still calling the shots at Alameda," Rehn said. But Bankman-Fried's lawyer said that handing over the reins was normal as FTX grew and took up his time. It was just as natural for Bankman-Fried, still Alameda's majority owner, to stay involved, he said. "He relied on her and he trusted her to act as the CEO and manage the day-to-day," he said. Cohen also said Bankman-Fried had asked Ellison to hedge Alameda's investments after crypto's successful year in 2021, but that she failed to do so. (Reporting by Jody Godoy and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Amy Stevens and Matthew Lewis) Its like The Hunger Games, the AMPTP thinks they can starve us back to work, said Bectu National Secretary Spencer MacDonald, as around 200 below-the-line workers gathered in Londons Leicester Square this afternoon to urge a swift end to the actors strike. MacDonald was bullish, however, in the face of a possible resolution in the coming days, telling studio bosses across the pond: Every single time, we win these disputes. More from Deadline We need to remind employers that by dragging their heels and digging themselves in all they are doing is digging a bigger hole for themselves, he added. And we want to talk about the impact on our membership. Although unions in the UK are forbidden to join foreign strikes by tight labor laws, a recent Bectu survey found that an incredible 80% of UK crew felt they had been impacted by what is happening in the States, and Bectu has been calling for financial support from the government and AMPTP. Speaking to Deadline after the rally speeches had ended, MacDonald, who was standing in for unwell Bectu Head Philippa Childs, said there is more to come in the longer term. The SAG resolution is medium term and then there is the longer term plan in terms of making sure people are supported, he added. So we will be doing campaigning and lobbying to make sure this doesnt happen again because weve been through it twice once with Covid-19 and now with the current situation. MacDonald called on the UK government and producers for more support, adding: The workers we represent should be better supported because from what weve seen theyve been suspended in a force majeure and abandoned by the productions. Story continues MacDonald spoke to the crowds alongside Bectu officials from costume, extras, unscripted and VFX branches, and was flanked by reps from actors union Equity and the Trades Union Congress. Charlotte Sewell, from the Bectu costume and wardrobe branch, delivered an impassioned speech in which she said the very survival of her trade is under threat. We must look at how our UK crews can survive, she added. Weve been stopped for far too long, leaving gaps first in our finances and soon to all our screens. Who wants to watch Gogglebox when the contestants will have nothing to watch? Sewell said family and friends have continuously asked her why the UK is being impacted so badly by labor action across the pond, to which she said: The public do not always understand how our films and shows get made, and what and whom goes into making them. Homeless members Blair Barnette, who runs the British Film Designers Guild, meanwhile, said she has received two emails today from members who have just become homeless. That should not be the case in a situation like this, in a country like this, with so much great talent right here on our own turf, she added. Employers must act responsibly for the welfare of all of us. The impact on mental health and wellbeing has just been huge. From the VFX branch, Pia Josephson, who has worked on the likes of Apple TV+s Prehistoric Planet, said the AMPTP know we are not unionized and they use that. Following Dune VFX firm DNEGs high-profile pay offer, which has been slammed by the unions, she pointed to slow signs of improvement, with the likes of Disney and Marvel VFX unionizing in the states. But we are worried that we will be used once the actors have struck a deal, she added. SAG-AFTRA and the studios will meet later today and negotiations are understood to be proceeding calmly, according to Deadlines latest report. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thurday he had met Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Spain, and discussed the security situation in the South Caucasus. "Ukraine is interested in the regions stability and friendly relations with its nations," Zelenskiy said on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that bilateral cooperation and regional economic projects had also been discussed. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said later on Thursday that Zelenskiy had also held phone discussions with Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliev, a day earlier. Azerbaijan seized control of the Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh last month. Since then, more than 100,000 people - most of Karabakh's population - have fled and sought refuge in Armenia, a country of 2.8 million. "I think everyone understands that tectonic shifts are taking place in the South Caucasus. Everyone has to understand that Ukraine has vital and economic interests in this region," Kuleba said in televised comments. "We need Russia to have no influence, we need stability, we need the opportunity to develop trade relations. That is why the president so sharply intensified diplomacy with Azerbaijan and Armenia." (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash, Editing by Timothy Heritage) atypical variants of Polish zapiekanki - Zapiekanka: the open-faced sandwich with Polish origins Street foods the world over tend to have one thing in common - they are often seen as a godsend by late-night drinkers staggering home from a hard night of partying. Turkey has its dolmas, Germany its currywurst and kebabs, and Thailand its steamed bao buns, but in Poland, they're all about the zapiekanka. This open-faced sandwich (since who's got the coordination to handle a top slice at oh-drunk-thirty?) is sometimes called "Polish pizza" and, in fact, some Americans may note a certain similarity to Stouffer's famous French bread pizza recipe. The main difference, however, lies in the fact that instead of pizza sauce, the tomato-based condiment typically used on a zapiekanka is ketchup. The zapiekanka, while beloved by many Poles (sober ones included), hasn't always had the best reputation with traveling gourmets. While Andrew Zimmern did cover it in a "Bizarre Foods" episode, he kind of damned it with faint praise by saying it "comes from the timeless Polish principle of making a lot from a little." A Washington Post reviewer was even more scathing, calling it a "poor relative" of pizza and admitting it was something they only ate out of desperation back in the late '80s (and apparently never bothered to revisit on subsequent trips to Poland). Naysayers notwithstanding, zapiekanka vendors continue to thrive to this day. Read more: 41 Must Try Hot Sandwich Recipes History Of The Zapiekanka person holding zapiekanka in Warsaw - Vitaliy Kyrychuk/Shutterstock As is the case with many street foods, we don't have a specific name or date to attach to the birth of the zapiekanka. What we do have, though, is a decade - the '70s - as well as a precipitating event. The secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party at the time, a man named Edward Gierek, arranged to have French-style baguettes produced in Poland where they subsequently became the base for a cheap and filling sandwich topped with whatever was to hand. Back in those days of still-struggling socialism, this mostly seemed to be mushrooms. Mushroom sandwiches actually seem to predate the introduction of baguettes, however, as a bar called Murzynek was said to be selling hot dog buns filled with mushroom sauce (due to a shortage of actual sausages) back in the '60s. Story continues Zapiekanki were a fixture of the maa gastronomia movement - in answer to the food shortages Poland was experiencing in the latter half of the 20th century, the government started allowing any old Tomasz, Dobry, and Hanusz to sell food out of the back of their vans. While the sandwiches apparently fell out of favor to some extent in the '90s, swept away with other relics of the collapsed communist government, a few decades later on it seems they've been deemed ripe for redemption. Artisanal zapiekanki are now a thing, and these sandwiches, although still not the trendiest of foods, are now a fixture of the 21st-century Polish food truck scene. How Zapiekanki Are Made mushroom zapiekanka with ketchup - kreatorex/Shutterstock If you want to DIY a zapiekanka, you won't need any special equipment, nor will you need a recipe since as long as you've got the basics, it's something you can easily toss together using what you have on hand in the fridge. For starters, you'll need a baguette. Split it open lengthwise, butter the cut halves, then top them with grated or sliced cheese (cheddar, edam, gouda, or mozzarella will all work). For a standard zapiekanka, you'll also need to saute some mushrooms and onions, then spread these over the top. Once you've done so, bake the sandwich until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted. The word "zapiekanka," after all, refers to something that is cooked in the oven, so no, you really can't use an air fryer. Well, okay, yes, you can, since an air fryer is just a mini convection oven, but don't try making it in an Instant Pot or some other non-oven adjacent appliance. Once your zapiekanka is cooked, it's still not quite done. You absolutely must top it off with a squiggle of ketchup, as this condiment is de rigueur. For an authentically Polish-style sandwich, though, Heinz or Great Value ketchup won't do. Instead, you'll need a Polish brand such as Pudliszki (Poland's top seller in 2022, according to Statista). Not only is Polish ketchup generally thicker and not quite as sweet as its American counterpart, but it's also flavored with spices such as allspice, garlic, and paprika. These Are Some Zapiekanka Variants zapiekanka with meat corn pickles - sashk0/Shutterstock While the mushroom and cheese version known as zapiekanka z serem i pieczarkami may be the original, variants of this Polish sandwich are as numerous as different types of pizza -- in theory, at least, since we're certainly not going to count them all. As zapiekanki are fairly similar to pizzas, though, it seems likely that most pizza toppings could work if you wanted to make a Hawaiian one with ham and pineapple (this is actually already pretty popular in Poland) or a Japanese pizza-inspired one with crab and Kewpie mayo. (This one, we're not so sure about, though Japanese-Polish fusion cuisine sounds like it could actually be pretty fantastic.) Poland, however, has a few homegrown zapiekanki versions. One of these, the "Gypsy," is topped with sweet and sour sauce and ham, while another, the "Greek," includes feta cheese and olives. A third, the "Diablo," brings a little mild heat with a slightly spicy sauce plus pickles and bacon. Polish zapiekanka vendors have also been known to make versions with cranberry sauce and smoked sheep cheese or spinach and garlic as well as even more intriguing combinations such as blue cheese and olives; bacon and smoked plums; salami, pepperoni, and jalapenos; and tuna with red onion, and corn. Where To Get A Zapiekanka woman at zapiekanka stand - De Visu/Shutterstock Zapiekanka have, since their inception, been considered the ultimate in late-night street eats so vendors would often set up where they'd catch bar patrons or those waiting at bus stops. Train stations would sell them, as well, and some still do. They're available all throughout the country, with zapiekanka vendors seemingly as ubiquitous as are hot dog carts and taco trucks in the U.S. Ground zero for zapiekanka, however, seems to be Krakow specifically Kazimierz, a historic district that has served as the city's Jewish quarter since the 15th century. A bar called U Endziora is famous for its old-school zapiekanka. although according to reviews its seating is extremely limited and you may need to stand in line for hour or more (a not-so-nostalgic taste of the old socialist days). Kazimierz has pllenty of other zapiekanka vendors, though, many located in a rotunda on Plac Nowy. Modern-day artisanal zapiekanka vendors exist in Krakow, Warsaw, and other cities, as well. When "Bizarre Foods" visited Warsaw, they covered a food truck meetup in the city's Plac Defilad (Parade Square). The highlight of this segment was a visit to a truck specializing in a fairly traditional version of this Polish sandwich but offering a variety of optional toppings. Judging from the "person on the street" interviews, this truck seems to have been particularly popular with tourists (Americans and others). Read the original article on Mashed. SWNS A mum 'shunned by locals' in her tiny village because of her OnlyFans career says she's having the last laugh - as she has almost saved enough to leave. Laura Whyte, 30, previously claimed other women in Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire, had complained about her raunchy content - over fears their husbands might see. But Laura, a mum-of-two, refused to stop filming - and is now raking in more than 5,000-a-month, she says. She claims she is now in the top 1.5% of creators and fans have helped her save a deposit of nearly 60k in just two years, which she plans to use to leave Aberchirder. Laura hopes to build a property where she can house rescued animals - her dream - and build a studio she can rent out to other OnlyFans creators. She said: People say I have no money because Im still here, but thats not how it works I dont want to chuck away money. Weve got enough money for an extension on a two-bed but what we want is an acre of land as well and outbuildings as I'm planning on renovating one for a studio for myself. Id also rent it out to other OnlyFans creators, I think it would be quite different to offer a place to do content creation for a small fee And rescuing animals is what I want to do, its always been at the top of my list to do my wildlife courses and hopefully do wildlife rehabilitation and care for them if theyve been hurt. We're not in it for any fanciness or keeping up with Joneses or anything like that I've managed to add 30k to our deposit in just a year. Laura joined OnlyFans in September 2021 to boost her income. She says the money quickly started rolling in and now she has a dedicated following of subscribers who want to see her achieve her dream of owning a house. And she says big tippers have helped her get closer to her dream of owning a house. Despite neighbours in her village disapproving of her career choice - with some even allegedly threatening to phone the police - Laura says feels like shes providing for her family. She said: People assume because you're still here you're making nothing but thats not how you save money, youve got to build it up. Its just a less stressful life now, were not having to wake up worrying about how to get our next meal. When I was younger, we were living off 40-a-week. It was horrible. So now I have an appreciation for managing to achieve for my family. The most I've had tipped in a month was 1k from a man who just wanted to help me achieve the dream of owning a house. Ive got a fair few followers that have been there from when I first started, so I think they're excited as well." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Photo: /) Leo Varadkar voiced his love for the UK today just ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, but also said it does bother me to see the United Kingdom disengaging from the world. Specifically, Mr Varadkar said whether its reducing its budget for international aid, whether its leaving the European Union, and now even talking about withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, thats not the Britain I know. After their meeting, a Number 10 Downing Street spokesman said: The Prime Minister and Taoiseach shared their concerns about the continued absence of an executive in Northern Ireland and the democratic deficit this was causing." Speaking to the News Letter this evening, Ian Paisley said of the claim that the UK is disengaging from the world: Unlike the Republic of Ireland, the UK puts billions of pounds into foreign aid it's nearly 3% of its total GDP, of which I'd venture to say is considerably more than the Irish government has at its disposal. "|It puts in the last, what, 800 days we've given 10bn to the Ukraine in humanitarian and support-for-the-war aid, meanwhile the Republic of Ireland is of course a neutral country, and the next government of the Irish republic will probably be an anti-NATO country. "He'd be far better off unveiling the human rights abuse in his own country addressing the fallout of legacy in his own country and how the Republic of Ireland contributed to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. "If he loves the UK, I look forward to him wanting to make sure the UK remains as it is, a United Kingdom, and he'd not want to break that up "I'm sure the PM took Mr Varadkar's interventions with a good pinch of salt, or I hope he did, and let him know all of the UK is nothing to do with the Republic of Ireland's jurisdiction. "The Republic of Ireland, if it wants to help, sometimes a dignified silence would be much better than interventions that only cause people concern. More from this reporter: EU legislators on Thursday accused Azerbaijan of carrying out "ethnic cleansing" against the Armenian residents of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region and urged EU member states to impose sanctions on Baku. Azerbaijan has rejected the claim and said it wants Armenians to stay. Baku pledged to respect the rights of ethnic Armenians, however, most of the population fled after Azerbaijan took back the region in a lightning offensive last month. The parliament urged the EU's 27 member states to "adopt targeted sanctions against individuals in the Azerbaijani government" over the assault and alleged human rights breaches in Nagorno-Karabakh. They also called on the bloc "to reduce the EU dependency towards gas exports from Azerbaijan" and demanded Brussels review its relations with the country. The resolution was approved by 491 legislators to nine, but the EU does not have to act on it. European diplomats said that sanctions against Azerbaijan were not being considered, and action would likely only be taken if the situation deteriorates. The EU increased imports of natural gas from Azerbaijan in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a deal with Baku last year to more than double gas imports by 2027. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijan State Security Service shared footage Thursday showing Arayik Harutyunyan, the former leader of the Karabakh region, being arrested. Authorities in Azerbaijan arrested three other senior separatist figures on Tuesday after reclaiming control of the Armenian-populated breakaway region last month, a leading Azerbaijani news agency said. Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked mountainous area in the South Caucasus. It was claimed by Azerbaijan and Armenia after the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917 and has remained a point of tension ever since. (Bloomberg) -- Kinmen is close enough to China that the residents of this small group of islands have been able to watch with the naked eye the ascendance of an economic giant next door. Most Read from Bloomberg Have you seen the buildings in Xiamen? asks Li Wen-liang, Kinmens deputy county commissioner as he waves a hand toward the Chinese metropolis sitting across a sliver of water that is at its narrowest just over a mile wide. They werent there a decade ago. Kinmen is Taiwan's closest outpost to China. As the front line in the civil war between the Chinese Communists and the retreating Nationalists, it endured decades of bombardment from the Peoples Liberation Army. It was largely cut off from the rest of the world from the 1950s until the early 1990s, administered under strict military protocol, making it off limits to pretty much everyone except residents and the military. Any Chinese coming ashore, even fishermen who accidentally ran aground, were shot on sight. Despite the decades of hostility, things have changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Since travel, business and communication between Kinmen and China were permitted in 2001, economic ties have flourished. Today, Kinmen is the part of Taiwan where local support for greater integration with China has typically been the strongest. In a sign of how close the two sides are now, Kinmen has one of the highest rates of cross-strait marriages in Taiwan. Kinmen also gets around three-quarters of its water piped in from Fujian province, and theres a proposal for it to obtain electricity from China as well. Its common for people in the county to own homes in Kinmen, the Taiwanese mainland and in China. The flow of businesspeople and tourists, plus the islands famed kaoliang liquor, profits from which help fund local schools and free public transportation, have made Kinmen one of Taiwans most affluent areas. The median income in Kinmen ranks among the highest in Taiwan, behind only the Matsu Islands, the chipmaking hub of Hsinchu and the capital, Taipei City, according to Finance Ministry data. Story continues But even with these benefits, attitudes in Kinmen have been changing. Taiwans Democratic Progressive Party, which has long been wary of closer ties with Beijing, has seen its support jump in each of the last two presidential elections. If the DPP has more success in the upcoming election in January next year, it would underline how sharply affections for China, even in the Taiwanese county that has benefited the most from Beijings largess, is waning. The shifting attitudes reflect a generational change, according to Max Yu, a retired Taiwanese general and former dean of the islands National Defense University. For the younger residents of Kinmen who haven't experienced it, war isn't as strong a deterrent, while freedom and democracy are more important to them, he said. That makes them tend to reject China and unification. If Yu is right, it suggests that trying to convince Taiwans population to accept Beijings rule something China has pledged to do even if by force will become increasingly difficult. And given that the US has long been the guarantor of Taiwans security, itd also imply that what is already one of the worlds most-dangerous geopolitical flash points will remain so for some time.For now, in spite of the DPPs gains, Kinmens voters are still largely loyal to the Kuomintang, Taiwans main opposition party. The KMT, which advocates for eventual unification with China, won almost 75% of the vote in Kinmen in the last presidential election in 2020. The DPPs Tsai Ing-wen, who won reelection as president that year, carried slightly less than 22%. Still, that 22% represented an almost three-fold increase from the DPPs results in 2012, when Tsai was also the partys candidate for president. The 75% the KMT won in 2022 was also noticeably less commanding than the 89%, 95% and 94% victories it scored in Kinmen in the previous three votes. Ask the residents of Kinmen why the DPP performed so well in the last election and there is a common response. Its because of what happened in Hong Kong, said Li, the deputy county commissioner who favors closer ties with China. Kinmen people may not be verbal about it, but when theres a chance to express ourselves, we do. What happened was an unprecedented wave of sometimes violent protest that roiled Hong Kong in 2019. The key issue fueling the protesters was their belief that Beijing was seeking to roll back civil liberties guaranteed under the One Country, Two Systems framework, an agreement struck as part of Hong Kongs return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 that the city wouldnt be governed like the mainland for at least 50 years. Making the demonstrations even more impactful in Taiwan was the fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping had months earlier in January 2019 forcefully reiterated Beijing's demand for the island to accept unification under the One Country, Two Systems framework. One wall of deputy country commissioner Lis office is covered in an enormous map of Kinmen and Chinas southeast coast, which he uses to point out, with the aid of a laser pen, the many projects linking the two sides. One of the more contentious proposals is to build a bridge linking Kinmen with Xiamen. The DPP, whose candidate for president Lai Ching-te has led the polls throughout the last few months, opposes the idea, warning it poses a risk to Taiwans security. When the KMTs candidate, Hou Yu-ih, was asked if hed support the bridge, he responded by saying that local governments should have the right to make decisions based on local needs. Hou has actually proposed turning Kinmen into a cross-strait economic zone to facilitate doing business with China. Also: Foxconn Founder Upends Taiwan Vote by Launching Presidential Bid Yet when Beijing rolled out a plan earlier this month to foster closer economic integration between Fujian and Taiwan including further optimizing and intensify passenger and freight routes between Kinmen and China the four presidential candidates largely ignored it. Taiwans government offered a harsh assessment, saying that Chinas use of economic enticement to convince Taiwanese to accept its leadership is completely wishful thinking. Wang Ling runs a guesthouse and a souvenir shop specializing in locally made goods and snacks in the islands main town of Jincheng. She acknowledges that many people in Kinmen still feel they are Chinese rather than Taiwanese and that her island is in many ways inextricably linked to China, both through its proximity and a complex past.Were very close to Xiamen so its inevitable that we interact, but it should be as equals, like European Union countries, she said. But apparently our big neighbor doesnt think like that so were not communicating as country to country and thats not ideal. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh profited from the ownership of a slave plantation (Photo: Jolene Campbell) NHS Lothian have pledged to make amends for historical links with slavery, after it was revealed the citys biggest hospital was funded for decades by exploited labour on an estate it owned in the Caribbean. Damning new research has revealed that the health board profited by almost 40 million from slavery, including through ownership of a slave plantation in Jamaica, left to it in a surgeon's will in 1750. A report found that, in todays money, an estimated 39.1m was provided to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh from its ownership of the Red Hill pen estate and the enslaved people of African descent who worked there for longer than the NHS has existed. Cash was also raised through donations from people with connections to slavery. Health chiefs have now said they will launch a reparations programme to atone for its links to slavery, based on eight recommendations provided by an independent advisory group following a two-year research project. Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Lothian, said: This important work was carried out to help give us a greater understanding of the history that has shaped our society and institutions. Tackling racism helps us reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for our diverse population and ensures a better experience for everyone who works with and for us. This work is vital to delivering this ambition. We have a duty to use this understanding to take action that will create meaningful change. We will now begin work to plan how we will implement the recommendations to ensure they have an impact. The timing of this research is particularly important as we, in NHS Lothian, recognise Black History Month to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture. It is an opportunity for Black and Minority Ethnic staff and their allies to share their experiences and to collaboratively bring change to the organisation. It also provides us with a further opportunity to reflect on the past, as well as look forward and opens up conversations about how we tackle racism, rising health inequalities and modern slavery. Story continues The research found that The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh owned an estate in Jamaica called Red Hill pen for 143 years and for almost 90 of those years, the exploited labour provided considerable wealth for the Infirmary. The small estate in St-Thomas-in-the-East in Jamaica and 39 enslaved people of African descent came into the ownership of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh through the will of a Scottish surgeon in Jamaica, Dr Archibald Kerr in 1750. With the money from the estate, the hospital bought medicines, constructed a new building, employed staff, and healed Edinburghs sick poor. After slavery was abolished, the hospital received money from the UK Government as compensation for the loss of labour. While NHS Lothian said it cannot provide any traditional financial reparation, it has agreed to raise awareness, provide education and forge new relationships. Among recommendations in the report accepted by the board, NHS Lothian was urged to publish an apology and create an Implementation Group to deliver anti-racist interventions to tackle current racial inequalities in employment and health. It is also proposed that commemorative works should be commissioned, via the NHS Lothian Charity, a review of its current arts and culture activity be carried out and work to share the findings of the research. The health board has been urged to explore partnerships with organisations in Jamaica and West Africa and undertake further research into the health boards connections with slavery. Finally, NHS Lothian should also encourage research partnerships on the impact of slavery on British medicine and healthcare systems. NHS Lothian said work is now underway to develop a work programme based on the recommendations. Paris and Rome call for 'coalition of the willing' with other European nations to stem migration Leaders from Albania, Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the European Commission chief took part in a migration meeting held on the sidelines of the EPC summit in Granada, Spain, where discussions on multilateralism, climate and digital challenges were meant to dominate the agenda. They elaborated an eight-point document that they will work on over the coming months with the aim of finalising some sort of agreement during the next EPC summit scheduled to be held in the UK in the spring. Outreach will be made to other EPC countries to build a coalition of the willing, French President Emmanuel Macron said. "I consider that the EPC is precisely a relevant space to fight against migration. Firstly because there are several countries of origin among the Western Balkans and cooperation makes it possible to significantly reduce irregular immigration." "We want to have a much more coordinated approach with countries of origin and countries of transit. This is the condition for being effective because we clearly see that we have policies that are desynchronized or divergent" weakening efforts to tackle the issue, he added. The eight points include pledges to "take robust action" to "tackle migrant smuggling along the routes and at external borders" in cooperation with partner countries through joint action. They also said they would provide support to partner countries through the deployment of personnel, equipment, and other material to strengthen border protection but also financially to boost assisted voluntary return and reintegration. The document also includes a plan to update the legal framework to harmonise criminal offences for people smuggling, to strengthen cooperation on visa policy as well as on return and readmission "through a network of liaison officers in partner countries, sharing of expertise, diplomatic outreach and return operations." The discussion on Thursday came just a day after EU member states finalised their position on new common rules to manage an unexpected mass arrival of asylum seekers. The so-called Crisis Regulation was the last remaining piece of the puzzle that is the New Pact on Asylum and Migration that the co-legislators - member states and Parliament - hope to negotiate and adopt before the end of this Commission's mandate. Story continues The difficulties in reaching consensus among member states in recent years have meanwhile led the Commission to focus more on the external dimension and to strike deals with third countries in a bid to stem the flow of irregular arrivals. The latest, with Tunisia, saw the EU pledge to disburse 105 million to Tunisia to combat anti-smuggling operations, reinforce border management and speed up the return of asylum seekers whose applications are denied. The deal was however condemned by members of the European Parliament and humanitarian organisations over concerns about the alleged abuse of sub-Saharan migrants by Tunisian authorities. Italy's Giorgia Meloni, whose country had delayed the adoption of the Crisis Regulation text over language about search-and-rescue services provided by NGO Vessels in the Mediterranean Sea, told reporters upon arrival at the summit in Granada that the "EU's aims on migration are evolving toward a more pragmatic stance, based on legality, to fight irregular migration and manage legal migrations". "On the external dimension the EU has to act fast," she added. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic did not take part in the multilateral discussion on migration on Thursday but welcomed it nonetheless. "I believe this is the best place because you can discuss all the issues with the people that are involved with this difficult issue," he told Euronews. "We needed a bit more with North African countries to be present as well but bearing in mind the place where we are, I believe that we had some good discussions on immigration issues and we are really ready to do whatever we are asked from our European partners on migration issues," he added. Fourty-five leaders from across Europe attended the EPC summit with two notable absences: Azerbaijan's Ilham Aliyev and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Russia's war against Ukraine and the EU's enlargement policy also featured high on the agenda. The article was updated to include details on the eight-point document. Lily Graham, 20, is representing the UK at Roverway 2024. Photo: The Scouts The event, which takes place in Norway from July 22 to early August next year, will see 5,000 Scouts aged 16-22 gather from across Europe. Lily Graham, 20, is a patrol leader with The Scouts and a degree apprentice with Nestle. She said: When I first heard about Roverway I thought it sounded like an amazing opportunity to visit a stunning country and take my first steps into international scouting. Next years event will take place on the fjord coastline of Lundsneset, Stavanger, and follows the previous Roverway event, which was was held in the Netherlands in 2018. The 2024 Roverway event is divided into three parts. It starts with a five-day expedition across Southern Norway, followed by an international camp at Stavanger. Here, Scouts take part in a programme of activities and skill development. This is then followed by a ferry trip to visit Copenhagen in Denmark. Lily said: I really wanted to go an international trip to meet Scouts from other countries to learn more about how scouting varies in different regions, and build friendships with new people. I am most looking forward to connecting with lots of different Scouts from different countries, particularly on the paths where we hike to the main event; here I will be able to work with and learn skills from other people. She said she is also excited to experience the spectacular Norwegian landscapes, while learning more about Norwegian culture. Lily added: As a patrol leader I want to develop my leadership skills further and ensure everyone in my patrol gets as much out of the experience as they can. Chief Scout Bear Grylls said a massive congratulations to Lily. He said: Roverway is an amazing opportunity to discover yourself and make new friends, while participating in a programme that demonstrates true Scouting spirit by developing skills for life. Id just like to say good luck to our brilliant UK Contingent in their preparation for the event. The 550 UK Scouts at the event will be supported by more than 100 volunteers and the events theme is North of the Ordinary. HA NOI The EU's effort to cut carbon emissions globally is going into high gear as the bloc's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism entered its transitional phase on Sunday. As of October 1, the EU's trading partners will have to report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions embedded in six carbon-intensive exports, which consist of steel, cement, aluminium, fertiliser, hydrogen, and electricity. From 2026, they will also be required to purchase CBAM certificates to cover the GHG footprint, and the prices of CBAM certificates will be calculated based on the weekly average auction price of EU ETS allowances. Nguyen Hoa Cuong, Vice President of the Central Institute for Economic Management, said Bangladesh's staggering growth in apparel exports over the past few years speaks volumes about how "going green" has paid off commercially. He urged Viet Nam to take action to keep its industries well-prepared for the tax regime. He said meeting CBAM requirements would serve Vietnamese producers well by allowing their products to be sold at a higher price in the EU markets. "It's all about not being left behind in the global green supply chains," said Cuong. Nguyen Van Hoi, General Director of the Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade, said reports on GHG emissions had become compulsory for Vietnamese steel producers, whose exports to the EU had doubled in volume in the first eight months of 2023. He also said CBAM would initially apply to certain carbon-intensive exports but would expand in scope in the long term to cover products in other sectors, including food and energy. He called for financial packages to support Vietnamese enterprises in capability-building and transition to greener technologies. He also urged enterprises to improve their energy efficiency and cut back on carbon emissions to get the go-ahead to the EU markets. Economic expert Vu inh Anh said carbon certificates were under development in Viet Nam and would come into force in the near future. He also said the EU's green regulations would incentivise Vietnamese enterprises to go green and promote legal changes that work in favour of the environment. A team of researchers from the University of Economics and Business was concerned that CBAM would incur huge carbon-emission-linked costs to Vietnamese enterprises on the horizon. The team called for measures to help them cut back on carbon emissions, thereby improving the competitive advantages of their products in the EU markets. It also urged policymakers to bring them up to speed on the tax regime and called for a mechanism for carbon pricing in Viet Nam. VNS CA MAU The VietShrimp Aquaculture International Fair 2024, themed In company with shrimp farmers, will take place in the southernmost province of Ca Mau from March 20-22, heard a local press conference held on Wednesday. Co-hosted by the provincial Peoples Committee, the Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS), the Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries and the Vietnam Fisheries magazine, the event is expected to feature about 250 stalls from over 150 exhibitors at home and abroad, and thematic seminars to continue bringing Vietnamese shrimps to new markets and affirm their brand on the global shrimp industry map. VINAFIS Chairman Nguyen Viet Thang said over the past two decades, the shrimp industry has played a crucial role in Viet Nam's export of aquatic products to the world. Each year, the shrimp export turnover accounts for around 40-45 per cent of the total seafood export, equivalent to US$3.5-4 billion. The figure reached an all-time high of over $4.3 billion last year. So far, the Vietnamese shrimp has been exported to 100 countries, with Europe, the US, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea being the biggest importers. Viet Nam has become the world's second-largest shrimp supplier, with export turnover making up 13-14 per cent of the total global shrimp export value. According to the VINAFISH, the total shrimp farming area in Viet Nam reached 747,000ha last year, yielding over one million tonnes in output, up 8.5 per cent annually. The shrimp export revenue went up 11.2 per cent year-on-year to $4.3 billion. This year, the shrimp farming area is expected to increase to 750,000ha, with the Mekong Delta accounting for 90 per cent. The production goal is set at over one million tonnes while the export revenue is to be equivalent to that in the previous year. Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Chau Cong Bang said the province is home to around 280,000ha of shrimp farming area, producing over 200,000 tonnes and earning over $1 billion from exports annually. This year, the province targeted yielding more than 220,000 tonnes and bringing home $1.1 billion. VietShrimp was held in 2016 and 2018 in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu Province, and in 2021 and 2023 in Can Tho City, becoming a major event in Viet Nam's seafood industry and a regional and Asian-level shrimp expo. VNS HA NOI Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan has had a working session with the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack in Ha Noi on Thursday, who is visiting Viet Nam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations. Deputy trade minister Tan told the UK guest that economic, trade, and investment cooperation has always been a bright spot since Viet Nam-UK relations was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2010. Currently, the UK is the 9th largest export market in the world and the 4th largest in Europe and the Americas for Viet Nam. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries is deepening and becoming more substantial. Regarding the bilateral trade cooperation, Deputy Minister Tan noted that in the early months of 2023, two-way trade between Viet Nam and the UK has witnessed a downward trend. For the first eight months of 2023, bilateral trade turnover reached US$4.62 billion, a slight decrease of 0.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. Specifically, Viet Nam's exports to the UK reached nearly $4.1 billion, down 0.1 per cent compared to the same period, while imports from the UK reached $460.1 million, an increase of 6 per cent over the same period. In the context where Viet Nam's trade with most key export markets in Europe has witnessed a significant decline due to global economic challenges, maintaining such growth compared to the same period last year is encouraging. As of August 20, 2023, the UK has 542 direct investment projects in Viet Nam with registered capital of about US$4.29 billion, ranking 15th out of 143 countries and territories investing directly in Viet Nam. In the first eight months of 2023, the UK has had a total of 34 new investment projects in Viet Nam with registered capital reaching $48.3 million. Deputy Minister Tan underscored that the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), taking effect since May 2021, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which the UK joined on July 16, 2023, will be strong drivers to further develop two-way economic, trade, and investment relations in the coming time. Secretary Alister Jack reiterated the importance that the UK attaches to its trade relationship with Viet Nam and the commitment of the UK to deepen its trade ties with Viet Nam. The UK official expressed gratitude for the support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam regarding the UK's accession to the CPTPP, and provided updates on the progress of approval and legislative changes in the UK to ratify the CPTPP accession as soon as possible. Secretary Jack highlighted that the UK's official signing of the CPTPP has opened up significant opportunities for businesses from both countries to take advantage of the benefits from this agreement in the near future. Regarding specific cooperation between Viet Nam and Scotland, Secretary Jack stated that the export value from Scotland to Viet Nam reached 83 million in 2022, an increase of 11 per cent compared to the previous year. Under the UKVFTA, 45 per cent of import duties on Scottish whisky are gradually reduced to 0 per cent over six years. With the achievements in bilateral trade between Viet Nam and Scotland, the Vietnamese trade official expressed hope that Vietnamese specialty products, especially agricultural products, could have deeper access to supermarket chains, supply chains, and consumers in Scotland and the UK market in general in the near future. Regarding the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Deputy Minister Tan also appreciates the UK's active participation as a partner and their willingness to support Viet Nam in fulfilling its commitments to greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is also urgently coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to promptly develop a plan for implementing JETP within the framework of the Technology and Energy Group and will continue to closely collaborate with the relevant agencies and organisations of the UK in the future. At the meeting, both sides have also agreed on plans to organise the 14th Viet Nam-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO 14) and the 3rd meeting of the Joint Trade Committee for the UKVFTA in 2024 in the UK. VNS The UKVFTA locks in 65 per cent of all tariffs that have been eliminated since the EU-Viet Nam FTA entered into force. This will increase to 99 per cent of tariffs after a schedule of between 6-9 years. This secures import tariff elimination for products such as clothing, fabric and footwear meaning customers and businesses may benefit from lower prices on these products. Tariffs will be reduced per a schedule that stipulates equal annual reductions from entry into force of the agreement. With such commitments, the UK exporters to Viet Nam and the UK importers from Viet Nam stand to benefit. Specifically: For goods exported by UK exporters to Viet Nam: - 48.5 per cent of tariffs lines were eliminated on January 1, 2021; - 91.8 per cent of tariff lines will be eliminated by January 1, 2027; - 98.3 per cent of tariff lines will be eliminated by January 1, 2029; - 1.7 per cent of tariff lines are partially liberalised through tariff rate quotas (the quota volumes are consistent with Viet Nam's WTO commitments and duties within quotas will be removed by 2031) or not entitled to preferential treatment. For goods imported by the UK importers from Viet Nam: - 85.6 per cent of tariff lines were eliminated on January 1, 2021; - 99.2 per cent of tariff lines will be eliminated by January 1, 2027; - 0.8 per cent of tariff lines are partially liberalised through tariff rate quotas (with preferential tariffs for in-quota products of 0 per cent). CALIFORNIA Synopsys Inc and Viet Nams National Innovation Centre (NIC) on Monday announced their collaboration to advance integrated circuit (IC) design expertise in Viet Nam. This partnership entails Synopsyss support for the establishment of a chip design incubation centre by NIC. NIC is currently setting up the infrastructure for the IC design incubation centre at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park in Ha Noi. Synopsys will contribute its advanced prototyping and emulation technologies to enhance software and hardware System-on-Chip (SoC) co-designs. The collaboration's primary objectives are to nurture a skilled IC design workforce and foster the startup design community in Viet Nam, aligning with the Vietnamese government's strategy to expand the IC design workforce and related startup ecosystem. Synopsys will provide training licenses, including curriculum, educational resources, and a "Train the Trainers" programme to assist NIC in establishing the chip design incubation center, which is anticipated to open soon. Vo Xuan Hoai, Vice Director of NIC, said: "Synopsys is a leader in semiconductor design software, IP and software security innovation. The company's cutting-edge design technology will greatly benefit NIC's IC design incubation centre in Viet Nam, equipping our future chip designers with the latest industry trends. This collaboration promises to bolster Viet Nam's semiconductor industry as a whole." Dr. Robert Li, Synopsys Sales Vice President of Taiwan and South Asia, commented: "NIC serves as Viet Nam's innovation hub in the high-tech industry, and we are delighted to support the establishment of NIC's chip design incubation center with Synopsys' advanced technology. Over recent years, Synopsys has introduced numerous innovative technologies to our Vietnamese partners, aiding them in strengthening IC design capabilities and reducing time-to-market. We hope that our collaboration with NIC will not only yield new technologies for our Vietnamese partners but also nurture young talent and drive the development of Vietnam's semiconductor industry." The NIC, established in 2019, aims to support and develop Viet Nam's innovation ecosystem, including the semiconductor industry, aligning with the country's growth model based on science and technology. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung highlights Viet Nam's potential for semiconductor industry development, citing a stable political system and advantageous geographical location. The Vietnamese Government is actively promoting investment cooperation and the growth of the semiconductor sector. Ministries like Planning and Investment, Information and Communications, among others, have been entrusted with crafting a comprehensive industry development plan and a human resource initiative aimed at training 50,000 engineers for the industry by 2030. VNS The hydro-meteorology sector is actively deploying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to monitor dangerous weather conditions, utilise satellite data, ultrasonic technology, radar, laser technology and other advanced tools. Dr Tran Hong Thai, Director General of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment spoke with the Vietnam News Agency about taking advantages of technology to reduce the risks of natural disasters. Could you assess the achievements of the hydro-meteorological sector amid increasingly complex and unpredictable natural disasters? The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has focused on perfecting policy frameworks and enhancing the State management capacity in the field of meteorology and hydrology. This includes improving fundamental investigation procedures, community-serving forecasting, data storage, climate change monitoring, and international cooperation. Simultaneously, it has bolstered the inspection and timely adjustment of meteorological and hydrological activities in accordance with legal regulations. The department is currently proposing to the Prime Minister for consideration the project on modernisation of the meteorology and hydrology sector by 2025 and the 2026-2030 period. It is finalising the network planning for the national meteorological and hydrological station system for the period of 2021-2030, with a vision until 2050, to present to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Prime Minister for approval. The department has recommended Decision No18/2021/QD-TTg, which was issued on April 22, 2021, defining the forecasting, warning, and disaster information dissemination and risk level assessment. This decision is aligned with the current practical requirements of forecasting, warning, and disaster information dissemination. In the area of weather and disaster forecasting, the department has intensified the issuance of specialised forecasting and warning reports to support directive and managerial activities, event organisation and social life. It has also modernised weather forecasting with a contemporary approach aligned with advanced countries worldwide. The department has successfully updated its information system. Research on the application of advanced specialised equipment is underway to ensure the stable operation of meteorological and hydrological information systems. Research projects at all levels are witnessing a surge in new studies related to artificial intelligence (AI) to serve the modernisation efforts of the department and contribute effectively to its mission, both within the department and for society as a whole. In addition, international cooperation continues to expand, significantly contributing to enhancing technical capabilities, financial resources, information exchange, personnel training and the protection of national sovereignty. The development strategy of the meteorology and hydrology sector was issued and approved by the Prime Minister on November 23, 2021. How has this strategy been implemented? The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has intensified efforts in educating and raising awareness and responsibilities of various sectors and the public regarding meteorological and hydrological work. This includes the promotion of Directive No.10-CT/TW issued by the Party Central Committee. We have streamlined the extraction, utilisation and integration of meteorological and hydrological information and data, monitoring climate change, into the socio-economic development strategies of various ministries, sectors, and localities. It has also strengthened inspections and audits of policy and legal compliance in meteorological and hydrological activities. The department is currently formulating network planning for the national meteorological and hydrological station system for the period 2021-2030, in order to review and amend it to align with the Planning Law. This planning is under finalisation, taking into account input from the Planning Review Council before submission to the Prime Minister for approval. The department has developed and submitted key projects to authorised levels for review and approval, with the goal of modernising and automating the national meteorological and hydrological observation network, as well as the information acquisition and forecasting technology. Furthermore, we have continued to promote research and the application of scientific and technological advancements in forecasting and warning against dangerous weather conditions with the aim of enhancing forecasting and warning capabilities and the quality of disaster information. This aims to establish meteorological and hydrological data repositories integrated into the resource and environmental data systems, ensuring timely, reliable, and highly accurate information, especially regarding the risks of dangerous and extraordinary weather conditions. Legal regulations and guidelines for meteorological and hydrological activities have become more specific. However, the demands for meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning are increasing. The frequency and severity of dangerous weather conditions are on the rise. Additionally, the need for socio-economic development requires the department to align more closely with practical realities. We are facing challenges in integrating with resource and environmental monitoring networks or other national networks. Budget allocation for the development and modernisation of the meteorological and hydrological sector remains limited. Investing in the meteorology and hydrology sector requires taking a proactive approach. What solutions does the department have to ensure the capacity to provide timely meteorological and hydrological information for disaster prevention and response? First and foremost, the department is focusing on refining its mechanisms, policies, and organisational structure by reviewing, amending, and supplementing certain provisions of the Meteorology and Hydrology Law. It is also developing and adjusting a system of standards, technical standards, and economic-technical norms related to meteorological and hydrological activities. Simultaneously, the department is streamlining its organisational structure to be more professional and aligned with the strategic development goals of the sector. We are increasing investments in equipment and technology for automated data collection and processing within the surface meteorological network, upper-air meteorology, hydrology, and marine meteorology. We are also expanding the network of automatic rain gauge stations, especially in areas prone to landslides, flash floods, and flooding, such as the northern mountainous regions, central regions, and Central Highlands. Additionally, the department is employing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to monitor dangerous weather conditions, utilise satellite data for Earth observation, and implement ultrasonic, radar, laser and digital camera technologies in the field of meteorology and hydrology. Furthermore, the department is working on enhancing the centralised data integration system, developing and perfecting shared-use mission-specific software systems for data management, sharing, and dissemination of meteorological and hydrological information. We are building an intelligent meteorological forecasting support system, impact forecasting system, and specialised systems for storms, tropical depression forecasting, and numerical weather model systems that homogenise various surface and remote sensing data types. In particular, we are working to improve the quality of quantitative precipitation forecasting, from very short-term forecasts to forecasts up to two to three days in advance. In comprehensive risk assessments and detailed regional assessments of meteorological and hydrological disasters, the department will continue to update climate and water resources, establish a real-time monitoring and warning system for landslides and flash floods in mountainous, midland areas, and down to district and commune levels. We will also carry out integration and synchronisation of hydrological forecasting models in river basins, along with the development of tools for detailed forecasting of flood extent and depth in downstream areas of river basins and reservoirs. We will continue research to apply modern technology solutions in forecasting and warning for storms, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, flash floods, and landslides. Various meteorological and hydrological forecasting and warning products will also be deployed and disseminated diversely through digital technology platforms. VNS By Tran Khanh An Working in the tourism and marketing industry for more than 20 years, Kerry Newsome had the opportunity to visit Viet Nam for the first time in 2007. Now, it seems, Viet Nam has cast her under its spell. She comes back two or three times a year to keep up to date with the ever-changing landscape of the country. She strives to explore and gain knowledge of different regions during every trip, always discovering something new from north to south. Most of the time when she visits, Kerry lives in Hoi An, a place she considers her second home. Hoi An is a comfy and alluring city. I enjoy leisurely strolls, exploring new areas, and discovering its enchanting alleyways, Kerry said. For 15 years, she developed a passion for Viet Nam which led her to work with a local hotel group and tour operator as a tourism consultant. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kerry was forced to cut her trip short and head back to her home in Sydney, not knowing when she would be back. Missing Viet Nam, Kerry decided to take this country's travel experiences to a new level and began hosting her own podcast called What about Vietnam. She said: My goal at the time was to maintain a strong presence in Viet Nam's tourism industry, even during a time when many people were unable to travel. I wish to inspire more individuals to discover and appreciate this beautiful country. Kerry's podcast features a diverse range of guest speakers, not only travellers who have visited different destinations of Viet Nam, but also expats currently living and working here. Industry experts, hotel and tour managers are also invited to share their insights. As someone who works in the tourism industry, she is well-positioned to offer advice to travellers. Drawing from both personal experience and her network, she can provide real insights into the complexities and nuances of tourism in Viet Nam. Her listeners can expect to hear about unique and memorable experiences of travel and tourism in Viet Nam that they may not find in guidebooks. Kerry often leads her audience on a captivating tour of some of the most fascinating localities. However, her exploration does not stop there. She also delves into the expat experience in Viet Nam, showcasing the local cuisine, and highlights unique activities like cooking classes, social enterprises, local handicrafts and the growing interest in wellness and cultural experiences with local minority groups in the north. I try to keep my listeners interested in all travel-related aspects of Viet Nam, she said. Since launching in May 2020, What About Vietnam has a growing audience of more than 70,000 listeners from all around the world, but English-speaking and mostly Westerners. She wants to create content related to their experiences and take away any wrong perceived views they may have about Viet Nam. In addition, Kerry also supports local charities. Through the CEF Childrens Education Foundation, she supported two Vietnamese girls in Quang Nam to help their education and gain a place at university. Their father had just passed away, and they were not able to attend school as they would need to work in the rice fields with their mother to earn a living, Kerry shared. Kerry and her husband decided to support the CEF Foundation and the girls, to allow them to continue school until the girls finished university. During those years, the girls and I would meet up and have lunch together, or do a cooking class or even go swimming, she said. Currently, Kerry offers trip-planning advice to her clients about Viet Nam. In the future, she wants to grow her business as a trip advisor. She has some great ideas on the drawing board. She said: I have already designed a Girls Getaway tour. Female travellers often cannot find somebody to travel with, and they also assume that travelling alone to Viet Nam is not safe. "By joining an all-girl tour, female visitors not only feel confident to explore to the fullest but also have the opportunity to make new friends and enjoy the trip in a well-cared way for the environment." The biggest news for Kerry is her expansion into medical tourism. Medical tourism in Viet Nam is not as well-known compared to Thailand," she said. "I hope to raise the awareness of the skills and talents of medical procedures in Viet Nam, and support the patients with travel experiences and stays as a subset of their recovery and or treatment." "It will benefit many as these kinds of treatments are often unaffordable for many in the west." Her podcast can be listened to across most of the popular podcast channels or via the website https://www.whataboutvietnam.com/. VNS TOKYO, Oct 05 ( News On Japan ) - A 48-year-old voice actor known for dubbing movies such as "RoboCop" was arrested for allegedly snatching a bag from an elderly woman in her 80s at Haneda Airport and injuring a man in his 60s who was chasing him. The suspect, identified as Kazutaka Nakao, also known as Kazutaka Nakaoichi, is suspected of stealing a handbag from an 80-year-old woman sitting on a sofa at Haneda Airport Terminal 2 last month, and assaulted a man in his 60s who was pursuing him, causing injury. At the time, Nakao was planning to board a plane while under the influence of alcohol. During questioning, Nakao denied the allegations, stating that he thought the bag belonged to his manager. Immediately prior to this incident, Nakao had been caught stealing a wallet worth approximately 14,000 yen from a store in the airport. HA NOI Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Vu Hai Ha on Wednesday received the Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack, who was on a working visit to Viet Nam. Chairman Ha was pleased to see that the relationship between the two countries has continued to develop well in recent years, especially since the upgrade of the bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership and the signing of various free trade agreements (FTAs), including the Viet Nam-UK FTA (UKVFTA). He affirmed Viet Nam's support and congratulated the UK on completing the negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), expressing confidence that the effective implementation of the FTAs that both sides participate in will bring tangible benefits to the people of both countries. Secretary Jack underscored that the CPTPP is a new generation FTA with a large scale, opening up more cooperation opportunities between Viet Nam and the UK. The UK official expressed his desire for both sides to further promote bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, and other fields, contributing to deepening, practical, and effective Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and the UK. Ha said that the bilateral trade turnover between Viet Nam and the UK reached US$6.84 billion in 2022, an increase of 3.5 per cent compared to 2021. With the UK's completion of the negotiations to join the CPTPP, it will serve as a lever for trade growth between the two countries. In addition to economic and trade cooperation, Ha proposed that the UK continue to support Viet Nam in building institutions, policies, training human resources, and transferring technology in the process of green transformation and sustainable development. He also called for enhanced cooperation in the field of education and training, including collaborative training programs with Scottish universities. Agreeing with the proposal of the NA official, Secretary Alister Jack expressed his desire for the Vietnamese parliament and Government to continue to pay attention to removing obstacles and difficulties regarding institutions, and to create favorable conditions for British businesses to invest and operate in Viet Nam. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday affirmed that the outcomes of cooperation between Hanoi and Vientiane vividly demonstrated the traditional, special friendship between Viet Nam and Laos. At a reception for Vientiane's Mayor Atsaphangthong Siphandone, who is in Ha Noi on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of Ha Noi's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-2023), the PM lauded significant contributions by Vientiane to achievements Laos has recorded over the past nearly four decades of reform. The Vietnamese Party and State always give the highest priority to maintaining and promoting the unique fraternal relations and friendship between the two countries, and support and facilitate cooperation between their localities, including the capital cities, the leader stressed. He suggested the Party Organisations, authorities and people of Ha Noi and Vientiane coordinate to build a specific plan in order to concretise high-level agreements reached by the two countries, and other cooperation documents. The two sides should continue with the exchange of delegations and experience in city management, and people-to-people exchanges, enhance activities between women and youth associations, and intensify strategic infrastructure connectivity, he said. At the same time, they should foster collaboration in the areas in which both have strengths and potential like high-tech agriculture and tourism, while boosting trade and investment ties, he said, noting that Ha Noi investors should invest in Laoss priority fields such as bio-technology, health care and logistics. The PM also mentioned cooperation in high-quality personnel training, especially in new spheres, cultural exchanges, and the information work to raise public awareness of the great relations between the two countries and their capital cities. Hanoi and Vientiane should cooperate and support each other to complete institutions and spur socio-economic development, he said. For his part, Atsaphangthong shared the PMs views, saying the two capital cities will increase all-level delegation exchanges, and effectively implement cooperation programmes in various areas, including transport infrastructure, education-training, investment, trade, culture and tourism, as well as exchanges between residents. He conveyed regards from Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to PM Chinh. PM Chinh also asked the Mayor to convey his regards to Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, PM Sonexay Siphandone, National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane, and other incumbent and former Party, State and NA leaders of the neighbouring country. VNS HA NOI Chairman of the Ha Noi Peoples Committee Tran Sy Thanh and Mayor of Vientiane (Laos) Atsaphangthong Siphandone discussed measures to forge cooperation between the two capital cities in the time ahead at their talks in Ha Noi on Wednesday. Thanh described the relationship between the capital cities a bright spot contributing to the Viet Nam-Laos relations, stressing the cooperation agreement between the Ha Noi Party Organisation and administration and their Vientiane counterparts for the 2022-2025 has created a framework and momentum for cooperation between the two cities to grow further in the time ahead. He suggested the two sides enhance collaboration in digital transformation, e-administration, cyberspace management and cybercrime combat. The official briefed his guest on Viet Nam's socio-economic situation, as well as remarkable achievements Ha Noi made in the first nine months of this year, and noted his hope that he and the Vientiane Mayor will reach consensus on coordination formats at different levels in order to raise capacity in some new technology areas. For his part, Athsaphangthong suggested promoting cooperation activities to build a democratic political system at the district level, and expressed his hope for closer, and more intensive, extensive and practical cooperation between Ha Noi and Vientiane. VNS HA NOI Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa will visit Viet Nam on October 10-11, at the invitation of Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on Thursday that the visit takes place as the Viet Nam-Japan relations are "flourishing comprehensively in all aspects with a very high level of political trust." The two sides are promoting engagements via exchanging delegations at both high level and all levels as well as exchanges between localities, and also recently Viet Nam had a visit by Crown Prince Akishino and the Crown Princess Kiko of Japan. Viet Nam and Japan are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023, and since the start of the year, almost 500 events have been held to commemorate this. The foreign minister of Japan is expected to hold talks with Vietnamese counterpart Son as well as have meetings with other Vietnamese senior leaders. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam rejects claims of 'politically motivated' 'cracking down' on environmentalists and using them as bargaining tools in international relations. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang rebuked the allegations as "ill intent" at the regular press conference held on Thursday in Ha Noi, in response to questions over recent arrests and the jailing of leaders of environmentalist NGOs. "This is false information used with ill intents with regards to Viet Nam's efforts to combat and prevent crimes, as well as Viet Nam's diplomatic activities," Hang said. The information regarding these cases has been provided to press members through the Ministry of Public Security, she noted. "These cases involved the violation of Vietnamese laws, and the individuals have been investigated, prosecuted and brought to trial in accordance with the laws of Viet Nam," Hang said. The latest one to be detained is Ngo Thi To Nhien, Executive Director of Viet Nam Initiative for Energy Transition Social Enterprise, who is charged with appropriating internal documents from the state-owned utility corporation Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN). She is accused of 'hiring' on contracts two officials from EVN to gain illegal access to its internal documents and information. "These are internal documents, which are not allowed to be shared or publicised," Lieutenant To An Xo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security said last week. "The Ministry of Public Security rejected the slanderous allegations and considered it an act of interference in Viet Nam's internal activities," he said in response to foreign media's claims of a "crackdown" on environmentalists. Previously in late September, Hoang Thi Minh Hong, 51, leader of the environmental NGO CHANGE, was sentenced to three years in prison for 'tax evasion' on unreported revenues of VN69 billion. She was also ordered to pay an additional fine of VN100 million. Four other cases that were brought to trial in 2022 include ang inh Bach (born in 1978), director of the non-profit Law & Policy of Sustainable Development (LPSD), who was given a five-year prison sentence, also for tax evasion with regards to unreported use of funds from foreign and domestic organisations; Mai Phan Loi (1971) and Bach Hung Duong (1975) executives from Media Education for Community (MEC), who were given 48 months and 30 months, respectively, in prison for tax evasion crimes; and Nguy Thi Khanh, founder of GreenID, who was imprisoned for two years, also for tax evasion. Jet deal On the allegation of Viet Nam's talks with the United States on the potential purchase of F16 fighter jets, spokesperson Hang said currently they don't have information regarding the case. "However, if you have recalled recently, the joint leaders' statement between Viet Nam and the US on the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development outlined the key direction of cooperation in the next 10 years and beyond across 10 areas of cooperation, including bilateral collaboration and cooperation on regional and global issues," she said. VNS HA NOI Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong inh Hue received Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Sengphet Houngboungnuang in Ha Noi on Thursday, lauding the outgoing diplomats significant contributions to relations between the two countries and the two parliaments. Congratulating his guest on having excellently fulfilled duties, Hue said during the ambassadors term in Viet Nam, despite complex developments in the region and the world as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and peoples of Viet Nam and Laos have been increasingly reinforced. He noted Sengphet Houngboungnuang has helped promote the substantive, practical, and fruitful ties between the two parliaments, especially in the activities marking the countries Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022. The NAs of Viet Nam and Laos have also maintained frequent mutual visits at all levels while sharing experience in institutional building, socioeconomic development, and defence-security safeguarding. The Vietnamese NA supports and is ready to assist and share experience with its Lao counterpart so that the Lao side will successfully host the high-level conference among the parliaments of Cambodia, Laos, and Viet Nam in Vientiane in early this December, and the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) in October 2024, the top legislator affirmed. Agreeing with his host, the ambassador said relations between the two countries, including the parliaments, have continued to be enhanced and develop well. He considered the newly established bilateral cooperation mechanisms, the cooperation between the countries Parties, NAs and Governments, as well as the cooperation mechanism among Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam as critically important to the friendship and partnerships among the three Indochinese nations. The ambassador also took this occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for consistently supporting and assisting Laos during the struggle for national liberation in the past along with national development efforts at present, which he said demonstrates the special solidarity between the two countries. Chairman Hue noted that aside from its own efforts, the achievements Viet Nam has gained are also partly attributable to the solidarity, cooperation, and assistance of neighbouring countries and international friends. The Party, State, and people of Viet Nam always keep in mind and appreciate the support and assistance from Laos, he said, adding the special bonds between the countries are a priceless asset needing to be further maintained and promoted. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese people have a relatively long life expectancy but many elderly people have to 'co-habit' with different illnesses for many years. According to the General Department of Population and Family Planning, the number of elderly people in Viet Nam is expected to increase to 16.8 million in 2039 and reach 25.2 million in 2069. Currently, the average life expectancy of Vietnamese people is 73.6 years with women having a longer life expectancy than men. It is worth mentioning that, on average, the elderly in Viet Nam suffer from three to four diseases. Vietnamese people have a relatively high life expectancy compared to other countries with the same standard of living, but have a higher number of years living with illness. Dr. Pham Vu Hoang, the general departments deputy director, said that the issue of adapting to an aging population and caring for the health of the elderly is always a concern of the country because Viet Nam is currently has one of the fastest aging populations in the world. Viet Nam began its population aging period in 2011 with the number of people aged 65 and older accounting for 7 per cent of the total population and after ten years, the number rose to 8.3 per cent of the total population, equivalent to 8.16 million elderly people, Hoang said. It is forecasted that in Viet Nam from 2036 the proportion of the population aged 65 and over will reach 14.2 per cent of the total population, Hoang said. An older population brings both opportunities and challenges. Regarding opportunities, an older population can promote the development of fields such as insurance, banking, nutrition, tourism, technological innovation and applications of production and management in the context of a shortage of labour. However, an older population also poses serious challenges in economic growth, social security, labour, and infrastructure, especially in the field of health care. Elderly people often suffer from many non-communicable diseases that require long-term treatment such as blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, hearing loss, and sleep disorders, among others. Medical experts say that in order to help the elderly live happily, healthily, and usefully, mental health care for the elderly needs to be given more attention along with physical health. Disease prevention plays an important role, in which maintaining the habit of regular health checks, monitoring diseases and complying with medication use as prescribed by doctors is necessary. The theme of Action Month 2023 of "The Elderly Are Fully Promoted and Cared for" has a profound humanistic meaning, especially in the context of Viet Nam being a country with a rapidly aging population. In recent years, the Party and State have focused on caring for and protecting the elderly, including medical care. Many policies and programmes for health care in particular and care for the elderly in general have been issued and implemented across the country. Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2017 of the Party Central Committee on population has set the goal of adapting to an aging population. Viet Nams Population Strategy to 2030 once again reaffirms that goal to contribute to rapid and sustainable development of the country. VNS HA NOI A total of 400 representatives will attend the eighth National Congress of Vietnamese Catholics to Build and Protect the Fatherland for the term 2023-28. The information was announced at a press conference on Wednesday by Vu Thanh Nam, chief of the Central Office of the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC). The two-day congress will start on the following Tuesday in Ha Noi. Attendees will include priests, monks, and parishioners representing Catholics nationwide. The congress is responsible for summarising and evaluating the working results of the previous congress term 2018-23; and for developing directions and tasks for the patriotic emulation campaign among Catholics for the period 2023-28. It aims to improve the work efficiency of the CSVC to meet the requirements and tasks of the new era, and actively contribute to the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland. The work seeks to affirm that Catholic people will always support the nation's development. The congress will negotiate and nominate priests, nuns, and parishioners with the requisite capacity, prestige, and conditions to join the eighth term of the CSVC. The event will praise and reward organisations and individuals with outstanding achievements in the past term and promote the patriotic emulation campaign with a focus on fostering a new rural living lifestyle. To date, 42 out of 63 provinces and cities across the country have founded local committees for the solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics. The committees have a total of 2,758 members; of which 381 are priests, 183 are monks, and 2,159 are parishioners. The activities of the CSVC at all levels continue to improve, with specific programmes and plans. They coordinate closely with the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee at the same level. Members of the CSVC at all levels emphasise their roles and responsibilities in the patriotic emulation campaign. Thanks to this, the role and position of the CSVC in society and in national solidarity are increasingly affirmed. VNS BEN TRE The Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre has rolled out measures to tighten inspection over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing prevention and control activities in the locality. Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Minh Canh said that the locality will launch a campaign against IUU fishing on mass media in preparation for receiving the European Committee (EC) inspection team this month. Along with continuing to equip fishing boats with vessel monitoring systems (VMS), the province has focused on supervising the operation of vessels with a high risk of violating IUU fishing regulations and those operating in bordering waters. It has coordinated with the coast guard force to handle arising issues at sea to prevent violations, while monitoring vessel activities in ports. Since 2022, Ben Tre has deleted the registration of 643 vessels that no longer operate, while granting exploitation licences to 89.62% of the local fishing vessels. From 2019, the province has crossed out and handled 28 vessels violating foreign waters, collecting an administrative fine of 20.15 billion VND (US$824,805). As part of efforts to combat IUU fishing, the central province of Quang Ngai on October 4 decided to fine the owners of two fishing vessels in Quang Ngai city with a fine of nearly 900 million VND for violations in fishing activities and vessel registration. Over the years, Quang Ngai has worked hard to increase awareness and implement the Fisheries Law and fishing regulations among local fishermen, while strengthening supervision over IUU fishing activities, thus joining efforts to remove the ECs yellow card on Vietnamese seafood export. Earlier on October 2, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee Tran Phuoc Hien signed documents asking the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect and handle 45 24m-long vessels losing VMS signals for more than 10 days. Meanwhile, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang is finalising preparations to receive the EC inspection team from October 10-15. Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Quang Trong Thao said that the locality has committed to strong IUU combat, developing a responsible and sustainable fisheries sector by enforcing the Fishery Law 2017. Thao said that the EC team will focus on examining the activities of vessels at fishing ports, the control of fishing violations on foreign waters, the implementation of regulations on VMS installation as well as regulations on registration and licence issuance for fishing vessels. They also plan to review the control over the origin of seafood exported to Europe. It will work with a number of local firms engaging in exporting seafood to Europe to inspect their dossiers and procedures of tracing product origin, he added. Chairman of the Kien Giang Peoples Committee Lam Minh Thanh asked the department to coordinate with other sectors to make documents for working sessions with the EC inspection team, clearly showing the localitys determination and drastic actions in developing responsible and sustainable fisheries as well as preventing and fighting IUU fishing and observing EC recommendations. So far, 99.32% fishing vessels with a length from 15m in Kien Giang have installed a VMS device, while the rate of vessels with daily VMS contact has reached 75%, 15% higher than the countrys average. VNS GENEVA Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed achievements of the Vietnamese health sector in his congratulatory video sent to the sector on Thursday. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he is very proud to witness the changes in medicine and health care in Viet Nam over the past decades, as since 1945, the countrys life expectancy has increased by many years, with significant reductions in preventable diseases, including the eradication of polio, as well as great strides in tackling diseases like malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. Viet Nam has also expanded the health insurance system, helping it gain achievements in health care for its people, he said, adding that progress has also been made in addressing risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as reducing the smoking rate. Recently, Viet Nam has also shown its capacity to respond strongly to the COVID-19 pandemic, including carrying out vaccinations comprehensively and quickly, and always targeting the most vulnerable groups. WHO is proud to be a trusted partner of the Vietnamese Government and people and is committed to maintaining strong coordination and support for the country on its journey to bring a healthier, safer and more prosperous life to all Vietnamese, the WHO leader stated. VNS Blog Archive: Nov 2023 (10) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Khuat Quang Hung, director of Corporate Affairs, Nestle Vietnam Sustainable development is no longer a future trend. Indeed, sustainable development has become a matter of today. It is a requirement for every business, and the logistics industry in particular. As the world's largest food and beverage group, Nestle has made its presence in Vietnam since 1995. The company always sets sustainable development as a standard in its production, business, and supply chain activities. Our approach to sustainability is wide-ranging, underpinned by commitments to strive for net-zero emissions and deforestation-free supply chains and to advance regenerative agriculture at scale. Alongside, we are committed to improving water stewardship, developing better packaging with improved circularity, creating opportunities for young people and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Mai Hoang, co-founder and CEO of GHN Logistics E-commerce sellers are making efforts to reduce shipping prices to the lowest level. To facilitate the goal, businesses are applying software technology and improving human productivity to cut costs. It is worth noting that land has become scarce around the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City. That is the reason why GHN chose SLP's warehouse in Xuyen A. Although the warehouse has yet to achieve its full capacity, GHN still rents this warehouse cluster of up to 50,000 square metres. The company has also applied technology to minimise risks and improve delivery speed. In addition, e-commerce is a unique industry due to the daily changes in demand between in-person and online shopping. However, the e-commerce industry still records a growth rate of 2030 per cent. Therefore, GHN always makes investments in the central warehouse to accommodate future demand. Truong Bui, partner and general director of Roland Berger Businesses must promote the use of technology and digital transformation to successfully achieve their objectives in the last-mile delivery sector. Accordingly, technology can reduce 15-25 per cent of the last-mile delivery costs for businesses. However, if Vietnamese businesses want to adopt any technology, they need to have a clear and comprehensive strategy on how to reduce costs to the lowest level. In terms of capacity, businesses must know how to take advantage of customer databases to create the best experience for users. In addition, businesses must bring technology from abroad to Vietnam. However, they need to make adjustments to apply the technology to the domestic market so that they can achieve success in last-mile delivery. Also, businesses should have specific roadmaps to manage operating costs to improve competitiveness in the market. Sam Tan, head of New Product Introduction at UB Malaysia Malaysia is strongly moving towards automation. We also have some very valuable lessons and experiences from applying and deploying automation technology in recent times. The automation trend started since 20 years ago. This trend is now rapidly gaining traction. However, we are unable to use the most cutting-edge technologies right away. Businesses must have a learning curve to adopt a certain technology. They need to evaluate the level, feasibility and other factors to ensure the adoption in line with reality. The next step is educating people how to use the technology and gauge the efficiency and success. In addition, when using AI, we also need to consider how the digitalisation process will go. We must comprehend the nature of data. Currently, many firms are not taking this issue very seriously. Alexander Olsen, vice president of Freight Management & Commercial at ITL We are implementing many initiatives to pursue sustainable development in warehouses, energy, and electric vehicles (EVs). In particular, ITL is building an EV fleet. However, in Vietnam, there are not many EV sellers while the infrastructure for such vehicles is not yet developed, making it difficult to use EVs. In addition, if you want to build an electric charging station, you must apply for permission from many agencies and follow several steps. Thus, developing infrastructure and charging stations remain a big problem. To promote sustainable development, Vietnam should unlock the great potential of river and sea transport, in which the use of barges will help save costs and reduce environmental pollution. In addition, it is also possible to optimise the costs by using renewable energy. Edwin Chee, COO of SLP Vietnam, shed light on the dynamic shifts in the logistics sector and SLP's role in shaping Vietnam's future amid a changing global landscape According to Chee, recent global trade disruptions, whether from the trade war between the US and China, the repercussions of the pandemic, or escalating geopolitical tensions, have instigated an essential paradigm shift. Chee believes that the term 'friend-shoring' is now at the forefront of conversations. This concept, which emphasises the relocation of supply chains to nations with shared values, has been garnering immense traction. "Vietnam, in recent times, has seen encouraging progress. Our adaptability amid these changes truly sets us apart. Leading organisations are pivotal in moulding the supply network during this transformative phase. Addressing the intricacies of these geopolitical evolutions and leveraging upcoming prospects demands a concerted effort from both the public and private sectors," Chee elaborated. SLP, a stalwart of industrial and logistic infrastructure development in Southeast Asia, falls under the wide umbrella of GLP Capital Partners, GLP's global fund management entity. The group manages an impressive $125 billion in assets and boasts a footprint in 17 nations, encompassing the likes of the US, Japan, Brazil, India, China, and, of course, Vietnam. "Our vast experience across multiple markets, robust global network, and our enduring commitment to Vietnam uniquely positions us to bolster the logistics sectors within the country. We envision ourselves as the preferred partner aiding our customers in their growth trajectories," Chee said. The summit's keynote speakers are geared up to delve deep into domestic shifts that impact our supply chains. Moreover, they will offer a holistic view of burgeoning global trends, granting attendees a foresighted perspective on the logistics and supply chain management of tomorrow. He concluded, "Today's summit is more than just an event. It's a golden opportunity to knit together policymakers, business moguls, investors, and experts from various domains. Our collective aim is to scrutinise and navigate the challenges and opportunities the logistics sector holds for the future. Together, we can spearhead innovation, enhance efficiency, and chart a course for sustainable growth by harmonising our efforts and pooling our collective knowledge." Logistics sector a golden egg for progress across Vietnam Vietnam has been the top choice for global investors in terms of logistics industrial sectors in Asia-Pacific. Trang Bui, country head of Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam, determines how this came to be, and analyses the tasks set towards 2030. Logistics Summit 2023 will open on October 5 The Logistics Summit 2023, jointly organised by VIR and SLP Vietnam under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on October 5. Nestle Vietnam completes supply chain to contribute to sustainable development Accordingly Nestle's sustainability approach is comprehensive, strengthened by various commitments to strive for net-zero emissions and deforestation-free supply chains and to advance regenerative agriculture at scale. In addition, Nestle is committed to improving water stewardship, developing better packaging with improved circularity, creating opportunities for young people and building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Hung also talked about the Nestle Supplier Code which serves as a fundamental framework for building the mutual business relationship with suppliers, including transportation and logistics companies. "Our Supplier Code is built upon four key pillars including Human Rights, Safety and Health, Environment Sustainability, and Business Integrity," said Hung. "We highly value our partnerships with suppliers who share our commitments and implement responsible and ethical practices." Hung highlighted that Nestle Vietnam focuses on optimising its supply chain to reduce environmental impact. This includes initiatives to minimise energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and water usage throughout the entire supply chain. By implementing efficient transportation and distribution practices, the company aims to reduce carbon emissions associated with logistics operations. Besides, Nestle emphasises responsible sourcing and sustainable procurement practices. The company works closely with suppliers to ensure they adhere to ethical and sustainable standards, promoting fair labor practices and responsible resource management. Additionally, Nestle is committed to transparency and traceability. Through advanced technologies and digital solutions, Nestle tracks and monitors its supply chain to ensure compliance with sustainability standards and to identify areas for improvement. "We have invested in digital transformation for all logistics activities to connect with global markets and promote import and export activities," added Hung. "We also optimise the transportation and distribution of goods in the domestic market." In 2022, Nestle Vietnam deployed a smart application called Cargoo to connect manufacturers with importers and shipping lines. This platform helps track the status of the entire freight process between partners for each order. Partners can also retrieve shipment information when needed, make reservations with shipping lines, and manage import and export documents. For the domestic market, Nestle Vietnam applies a smart application for warehouse and transportation management. For the last two years, Nestle Vietnam has been digitising its freight centre system, changing the company's operations in terms of receiving orders, allocating transportation, operating warehouses, and tracking delivery to customers. Automated order allocation helps optimise transportation. For example, small orders are combined and transported on the same trip, shortening the total distance, reducing emissions from transportation activities, and contributing to the net-zero roadmap. Logistics landscape changing through e-commerce overhaul The promising e-commerce sector in Vietnam, which has seen exponential growth and is projected to surpass regional counterparts such as Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore, has had a profound impact on the logistics industry. Logistics sector a golden egg for progress across Vietnam Vietnam has been the top choice for global investors in terms of logistics industrial sectors in Asia-Pacific. Trang Bui, country head of Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam, determines how this came to be, and analyses the tasks set towards 2030. Logistics Summit 2023 will open on October 5 The Logistics Summit 2023, jointly organised by VIR and SLP Vietnam under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on October 5. Nguyen Van Dong, chairman of the Vietnam Printing Association (VPA), highlighted both the substantial potential and looming risks present in Vietnams printing and packaging industries at an exhibition in Ho Chi Minh City last week. Neighbouring countries are struggling with market development, while we present promising growth in printing and packaging. Last year, we welcomed numerous foreign companies exploring investment environments and production partnerships, Dong said. Overseas packaging titans continue to snap up locals, Source: VNA However, more than 10 major Vietnamese packaging corporations have been acquired by foreign investors, and the acquisition trend underscores the potential vulnerability of domestic entities that are unable to attract competent successors and lack the robust business acumen required to meet market challenges posed by foreign corporations, Dong added. A few months ago, a packaging company in Hanoi decided to sell 80 per cent of its ownership to a foreign company, he said. Among those, Thai conglomerate SCG Group has been at the forefront, actively acquiring local manufacturers within the printing industry to augment its foothold in Vietnam. Several acquisitions by SCG, such as 80 per cent of Tin Thanh Packaging, 94 per cent of Bien Hoa Packaging, and 70 per cent of Duy Tan Plastics, have facilitated its rapid expansion in the industry, enhancing its capability to serve fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers and consumers in Vietnam. With geographical proximity and cultural parallels granting SCG and other Thai conglomerates an advantage over European, South Korean, and Japanese enterprises, SCG now supervises over 20 subsidiaries in Vietnam. Other foreign brands in the packaging industry include Tetra Pak, which launched its specialised centre for food and beverage innovation in July, in collaboration with DenEast, a contract manufacturing service provider. Another high-profile foreign name in the packaging industry is Swiss aseptic packaging solutions provider SIG, which celebrated 25 years in Southeast Asia this year. SIG boasts a number of renowned clients in Vietnam, such as Nutifood and TH Group, focusing on sustainable packaging. According to the VPA, the countrys printing industry is bustling with over 2,000 enterprises, of which around 400 are foreign entities. These overseas companies make up one-fifth of all printing enterprises but capture over one-third of the market share, especially dominating the export market. Foreign companies, with financial strength and operational know-how, can stabilise their growth with mere capital infusion and technology investments, leaving local enterprises disadvantaged. Without apt solutions, local companies risk losses and diminished competitive standing, said Dong of the VPA. In addition, without elevating managerial capacities, domestic printing entities risk losing ground in the competition, progressively succumbing to the overarching influence of foreign companies in the industry. Meanwhile, amid the surge in e-commerce and domestic market growth, Judy Wang, chairperson of Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam, said that with the proliferation of e-commerce and the expansion of the domestic market, there is a growing realisation among Vietnamese and international printing and packaging companies about the importance of creating a brand imprint. The evolving market dynamics require these enterprises to escalate their digital transitions and employ advanced technologies to elevate product quality, thereby augmenting value for the consumers and fortifying customer retention, Wang noted. Research conducted by the Vietnam Pulp and Paper Association (VPPA) projects a promising uptick in the consumption of paper packaging in the country. Between 2021 and 2025, consumption is anticipated to rise by 12 per cent, spurred by accelerating urbanisation rates. The printing industry has been a significant contributor to the economy, injecting 1 per cent to the nations GDP in the past three years, roughly equivalent to $2 billion, the VPPA said. When incorporating the revenue generated by foreign companies, the total revenue for Vietnams printing and packaging industries is estimated to have reached $4 billion. Notably, the printing industry in Ho Chi Minh City accounts for approximately 60 per cent of national revenues. Giants lead green packaging future The transition to environmentally friendly packaging is taking place strongly in the food and beverages industry, although the bigger brands are currently leading the way. Sandoz Board chairman Gilbert Ghostine said, Today marks the dawn of a new era for Sandoz as an independent company, but our purpose, to pioneer access for patients, remains unchanged. Its what we do best, have done best, and will always do best. We make quality medicines available to more people, in more places, in more and novel ways. The Sandoz brand is deeply rooted in its scientific heritage and legacy of medical firsts since the foundation of chemical pioneer Kern & Sandoz back in 1886. From the development of Calcium Sandoz in 1929, and the worlds first oral penicillin in 1951, to the launch of the worlds first biosimilar in 2006. As outlined at the Sandoz Capital Markets Day in June, six strategic levers should drive long-term value. Attractive market fundamentals, leadership and scale, multiple growth drivers, margin improvement, accelerated cash generation, and a compelling sustainability story. CEO Richard Saynor CEO Richard Saynor said, As an independent company, Sandoz will be fully enabled to deliver on its purpose-driven strategy that targets sustainable leadership in the growing and critical generics and biosimilars industry. We already actively pioneer access for patients by shaping the global healthcare environment. We strengthen healthcare systems worldwide by delivering over $17 billion in annual savings in Europe and the US alone, and we reach some 500 million patients a year in over 100 countries. In doing so, we generate a total social impact estimated to be $180 billion annually. And we intend to make an even greater impact going forward. Generics and biosimilars account for an estimated 80 per cent of medicines used worldwide by volume, at about 25 per cent of the total cost. Despite strong competitive pressures, the industry is set to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by underlying demand for these system-critical medicines. The local Sandoz Vietnam team, led by general manager Charaf Kadri, will receive its final licence to complete the legal transition to this new entity in early 2024. Commenting on the new brand, Charaf Eddine Kadri said, From today, Sandoz will be better able to meet the needs of the half a billion patients we serve around the world and more than five million Vietnamese patients who rely on our treatments here. Our refreshed brand reflects our enduring commitment to healthcare innovation and our dedication to meeting the global healthcare challenge head-on with our range of high quality, accessible, international-standard products that address the needs of our patients here in Vietnam. As a company, our culture is founded on integrity and inclusion, with the intention that we can all be at our best living our values, doing what we can to drive business growth and pioneering access to patients all over Vietnam. Sandoz Vietnam currently employs 140 associates and is included in key SIX market indices with an investment-grade credit rating that gives it a strong competitive position. Sandoz leading in generics and biosimilar medicines in Vietnam Sandoz (a division of Novartis) one of the world's leading companies in high-quality generics and biosimilar is mapping its business in Vietnam with a passion to become the leader in this field. Ho Thi Thanh Van, country head of Sandoz Vietnam, shared her plan to implement this strategy with VIRs Bich Ngoc. 25 years of development - Novartis affirms long-term commitments to community health Novartis on November 22 celebrated its 25th anniversary to mark its development journey. With great achievements in increasing the communitys access to healthcare, Novartis affirms its leading global position in healthcare as well as its long-term commitments globally. Some items have been found for sale with inaccurate information regarding production or licence, photo Le Toan The Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) under the Ministry of Health (MoH) on September 19 sent a document to municipal and provincial departments of health about revocation and destruction of 250g bottles of Serum Burst lotion nationwide, due to unknown origin. The move was made after Ho Chi Minh City Centre for the Quality Control of Food, Drug and Cosmetics took a sample of the product in August at Trieu Vy Cosmetics Production and Trading Co., Ltd. It is labelled as Vietnamese-made, but there is no information about production batch number, production date, expiration date, or licence number, as well as name and address of the manufacturer. When scanning its QR code, the company name is displayed Coselvina Cosmetics Co. Ltd. The company said, however, that it has no production or business related to Serum Burst Lotion and all information about the company in the product is untrue. At present, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health is working with relevant authorities and agencies to inspect Trieu Vy Cosmetics and impose fines if any violations are found. In August, some pharma companies were fined for violating various rules. Mekophar Chemical Pharmaceutical JSC was fined VND40 million ($1,680) for selling Movinavir to establishments without a certificate of eligibility for pharmaceutical business. Elsewhere, Minh Ky Pharmaceutical JSC was also imposed a fine of VND120 million ($2,000) for using false documents for Choludexan 300mg and Pompezo at both 40mg and 20mg. The DAV also suspended drug import licences for Zuellig Pharma due to the companys drug quality violations. The suspension will last one year, backdated from April 2023. According to the DAV, within 12 months, Zuellig Pharma Vietnam Co., Ltd. imported two lots of Zinnat manufactured by Glaxo Operations UK; and two batches of Neurobion medicine manufactured by PT Merck in Indonesia, both of which violated quality regulation levels. The MoH sounded the war horn several years ago for a charge against distribution of pharmaceuticals under the cover of providing preserving services by some foreign-invested enterprises, with Zuellig Pharma Vietnam being among the worst offenders. Although stricter rules are applied, violations continue. The MoH now has rules to deter violators that include suspensions of business activities for 1-3 months if mobile drug retailing establishments fail to satisfy conditions; and suspension of violation-related activities for 6-12 months for forging papers announcing business establishment. In addition, some guilty parties may even have their certificates of eligibility for pharmacy temporarily revoked for up to two years. Insiders said that as Vietnam is a profitable pharma market, violators are willing to earn a big profit and then get a fine. The MoH estimated the market at $6.9 billion in 2021. According to Business Monitor International, the scale of the Vietnamese pharma industry is likely to reach $16.1 billion by 2026. In Vietnam, pharma violations are currently met with two means of control, that being administrative sanctions or recalls. To a certain extent, they are useful deterrents and counter-measures to drug quality violations, said Hoa Duong, managing partner of Indusviet Legal. Controlling pharma violations is a hard task not only in Vietnam but also in other countries due to the complex nature of pharma products, peoples consumers awareness, and high profit. Nevertheless, Duong added, such violations should be treated with more severity due to their direct detrimental impact to consumers health and wellbeing. Vietnam should consider turning pharma quality violations into criminal offenses for legal entities and provide a more specific framework for the compensation process, she added. According to the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Companies Association, drug quality violations are affecting business results of companies. We estimate losses of hundreds of millions of US dollars annually from fake and low-quality pharmaceuticals, said chairman Trinh Van Lau. We expect more efficient rules from authorised agencies to deal with the situation. The event brought together leaders from 52 prominent companies to explore, discuss and navigate the transformative era of digital commerce. The conference featured industry representatives from various sectors including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), consumer, technology, logistics, and financial services, who engaged in discussions about the evolving digital landscape. The primary objective of the conference was to provide a platform for businesses to exchange industry insights, share best practices, and discuss strategies to thrive in the rapidly evolving e-commerce ecosystem. Attendees had the opportunity to gain valuable insights on how different industries were adapting to the e-commerce model and continuing to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive environment. The event served as a platform to unveil growth solutions and explore the latest trends, as all the participants aim for success in Vietnam's dynamic market. A key highlight from the event was a deep dive into the evolving payments landscape in Vietnam, presented by NAPAS, the country's premier payment intermediary. The session aimed to address business bottlenecks, identify suitable digital options, and shed light on the payment environment in Vietnam, an important enabler of the success of digital commerce. The conference participants eagerly engaged with the programme, which consisted of valuable insights, cutting-edge innovations, and transformational strategies for e-commerce and technology. The event served as a platform to unveil growth solutions and explore the latest trends, as all the participants aim for success in Vietnam's dynamic market. The speaker line-up featured top-tier e-commerce and digital leaders in Vietnam, representatives from leading companies across sectors, and payment intermediary companies from Vietnam and overseas who are at the forefront of digital transformation. Speaking at the event, Ramachandran A.S., Citi Vietnams country officer, shared the latest developments around the world in the digital space and expressed Citis commitment to fostering innovation and growth in Vietnam's evolving digital landscape. He emphasised that the conference demonstrated Citi's efforts to provide a forum for thought leadership and collaboration, enabling businesses to harness the full potential of digital commerce in Vietnam. Aman Singh Chadha, Citi APAC sales head of eCommerce, Technology and Communications, Treasury and Trade Solutions shared insights on the booming e-commerce market during the conference. He illustrated the latest trends in this dynamic industry and shared factors that contribute to the high potential for growth in Vietnams e-commerce market. Additionally, he shed light on how Vietnam compares with other countries, and reinforced Citis commitment to innovation and excellence. The eCommerce and Technology Conference 2023 was a great success, paving the way for Vietnams digital future and showcasing Citi Vietnam as a leader in innovation and technology in the new digital economy, both in Vietnam and around the world. Citi highlights green finance at CEO 100 meeting Citi's Vietnam country officer Ramachandran A.S. delivered a speech focusing on financial solutions to support green growth and sustainable business at an investment event that gathered 100 CEOs from major global corporations. Technology and Energy Forum 2023 to open in Quang Ninh The Technology and Energy Forum 2023 will take place in Vietnams northern province of Quang Ninh on September 29 to discuss the latest trends. Speaking at a conference on September 29, Nguyen Dinh Chien, deputy director of Yen Bai Department of Industry and Trade said, "Yen Bai is home to the country's largest cinnamon area, with 86,000 hectares and an output of 30,000 tonnes per year. However, the province only exports $50-60 million of cinnamon annually." He asked Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad to introduce Yen Bai's cinnamon to importers around the world and entice investors to develop the local cinnamon processing industry. Bui Trung Thuong, trade counsellor at the Vietnam Trade Office in India said, "Vietnamese cinnamon is popular in India due to its high essential oil content and unique flavour. With a population of about 1.3 billion people, India is the world's leading consumer of cinnamon and star anise." "Thanks to preferential tariffs under the ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement, Vietnam is the largest supplier of cinnamon products to the Indian market. In the most recent fiscal year, Vietnam exported 32,650 tonnes, accounting for 85 per cent of India's cinnamon imports," Thuong added. Do Ngoc Hung, commercial and trade counsellor at the Vietnam Trade Office in the United States added, "Cinnamon and star anise are both popular in the US market. They are widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, and are sometimes added to drinks like tea and coffee." "There is great potential for Vietnam to export cinnamon and star anise to the US market thanks to its high quality," Hung continued. In 2022, the export turnover of cinnamon from Vietnam to the US stood at about $50 million, accounting for 35 per cent of the US's total imports. "Cinnamon exports need Food and Drug Administration certification to enter the US, so it is crucial that production processes and product quality are constantly improved. Vietnamese cinnamon and star anise then need to be promoted at trade fairs to help increase their penetration into the US market," said Hung. Pakistan is another potential market for Vietnamese cinnamon. According to Nguyen Thi Diep Ha, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Pakistan, the country has a lot of demand for cinnamon and other medicinal herbs. Pakistan imported 7,000 tonnes of cinnamon last year, of which Vietnamese exports accounted for more than 4 per cent. She said, "Pakistan imports cinnamon mainly as a spice, so it prefers thin-skinned variants with low essential oil content. The nation requires plant quarantine and Halal certificates for imported cinnamon. Processed products must also possess a food hygiene and safety certificate." "Along with cinnamon, Vietnamese star anise and cardamom account for 1 per cent and 5.8 per cent of the market share in Pakistan respectively," she added. "Again, these are mainly imported as spices, so it prefers low-cost, low-essential oil varieties and requires similar certifications to cinnamon products. Therefore, localities need to develop growing areas to maintain a stable supply." Nguyen The Thinh, director of the Department of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy Administration said, "Vietnam is home to a diverse range of medicinal herbs, with many precious and rare types. However, it has a low export turnover due to the lack of a master plan. With its spontaneous development, Vietnam has failed to identify the viable markets for medicinal plants." He added, "The export options for cinnamon, star anise, and other medicinal plants have been increasingly expanded due to changes in consumer awareness. In addition, there has been strong development of the global pharmaceutical, functional food, food processing, and cosmetics industries, which creates additional demand for such products." On the global map of herbs, Vietnam is assessed as possessing a diverse and abundant supply of medicinal species, and it boasts great potential for developing this field into an economic success story. Cinnamon cultivation in Vietnam covers about 150,000ha, accounting for 17 per cent of the global area. The nation is the third-largest producer and exporter of cinnamon in the world in terms of output, after Indonesia and China. Meanwhile, very few countries can supply star anise the plant is widely grown in Vietnam and China. The MoIT is working closely with the Ministry of Health to create links between Vietnamese medicinal farming and processing businesses. It has asked Vietnamese Trade Offices to monitor, support, and provide information on the market needs, regulations, and requirements for cinnamon, star anise, and medicinal plants, helping to promote products and develop the export potential around the world. Sauces and herbs to die for Vietnamese dipping sauce and a huge variety of fresh aromatic herbs are the soul of the countrys cuisine. Vietnam setting sights on medicinal herb scale-up The reopening of the Chi Ma-Ai Diem border gate in Lang Son last month to import medicinal herbs and raw materials from China is putting pressure on the implementation of domestic production of similar products. During an official visit to Brazil last week, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) would lead to breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, bringing substantial benefits to businesses and peoples of both sides. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese leader also proposed that Vietnam and Mercosur which comprises Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay would soon begin negotiations on the FTA. Mercosur is a high-potential market for various Vietnamese key consumer goods such as mobile phones and parts, electrical products, garments and textiles, and footwear. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed the intention to discuss the matter with partners during the Brazilian presidency of Mercosur, said a joint statement during the visit. With the aim of increasing bilateral trade volume to $10 billion in 2025 and $15 billion in 2030, the leaders pledged to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation; promote the diversification of bilateral trade exchanges; promote cooperation on both sides in economics, trade and investment; promote closer links between businesses of both sides; and create better conditions for businesses to deepen cooperation in areas where the two sides can complement each other. Bilateral trade last year hit 6.78 billion, up 6.6 per cent on-year and tripling over the past decade. In the first eight months of this year, the figure touched $4.44 billion, including Vietnams exports of $1.67 billion, up 11.8 per cent on-year; and imports of $2.77 billion, down 11.9 per cent on-year. To amplify trade and investment ties, Brazil will soon open its commerce and industry chamber in Vietnam to study the market in service for businesses and investors. PM Chinh also met with some large Brazilian groups, such as food processing firm BRF and multinational aerospace corporation Embraer. He also visited Embraers headquarters in Sao Paulo, with Embraer president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto expressing his hope for the Vietnamese governments continued support for the group to seek cooperation opportunities and expand its market in the country. Neto said Embraer was ready to implement aircraft maintenance and repair services in and provide aerospace technological solutions for Vietnam. Embraer is the worlds third-largest producer of commercial aircraft, after Boeing and Airbus, and strong at manufacturing under-130-seat planes. In Vietnam, it has handed over five E190 aircraft to Bamboo Airways. According to Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, as of August 20, Brazil had only six valid projects registered at $3.83 million. Currently, Vietnamese agencies have been assigned to work with peers of Mercosur on negotiations of the FTA. Vietnam has completed an internal review related to the negotiations, expected to begin early next year at the latest. Vietnam in October will provide more experts for the Vietnamese Trade Office in Brazil to help boost the negotiations. More can be done to drive trade even higher. An FTA between Vietnam and Mercosur could provide a broad range of opportunities for all parties involved. This may take some time to develop, but with impetus on both sides, it may not be too far off, said pan-Asia consulting firm Dezan Shira & Associates. By entering an FTA with Mercosur, Vietnamese businesses and manufacturers could gain increased access to this sizable market, fostering greater trade and economic cooperation between the two regions, according to Dezan Shira. It would also align with growing interest in increasing trade among the worlds emerging economies, led by organisations of developing states like the BRICS grouping, the firm said. This so-called South-South trade movement is gaining momentum as countries recognise the mutual benefits of enhanced trade relations within these regions. Last year, Mercosurs two-way trade with Vietnam grew 9.2 per cent on-year to over $12 billion, including more than $3.3 billion worth of Vietnamese exports, up 3.4 per cent; and imports of $8.7 billion, up 11.6 per cent. According to Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mercosurs nations are strong in producing and exporting farm produce, animal feed, industrial materials, natural minerals, while Vietnams exports to Mercosur include electronics and telecommunications equipment, garments and textiles, and footwear. Thus, Vietnam and Mercosur are complementary in goods structure, and are not in direct competition. Currently, Mercosur has no preferential trade deal with nations that have goods that directly compete against Vietnam. Thus, an FTA will help boost exports from Vietnam to the Mercosur market. The nations of Mercosur, established in 1991, boasted a combined GDP of roughly $5.1 trillion last year, according to World Bank data, making Mercosur one of the worlds largest economic blocs. Vietnamese and Brazilian leaders last week witnessed the signing ceremony of four documents of cooperation -Cooperation agreement on education; -Cooperation between the defence ministries of both nations; -A 2024-2026 action plan to implement agricultural cooperation between Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Brazils Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock; -A 2024-2025 action plan between Vietnams Diplomatic Academy and Brazils Rio Branco Institute. Vietnamese, Brazilian firms asked to work together to raise trade to 10 billion USD Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 24 asked Vietnamese and Brazilian businesses to concretise cooperation mechanisms with specific programmes and projects, with an aim to bring two-way trade turnover to 10 billion USD by 2025, and 15-20 billion USD by 2030 in a more balanced direction. Sam Tan, director of New Product Launch at Malaysia's advanced solution provider UB During the Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023, co-hosted by SLP Vietnam and VIR, Sam Tan, director of New Product Launch at Malaysia's advanced solution provider UB, delved into Malaysia's swift pivot towards automation in logistics and explored the takeaways for Vietnam. "We have had some costly lessons when implementing and advancing automation technology," Tan said. "Why did such lessons emerge?" However, the immediate adoption of cutting-edge global technologies is not always viable. "Companies must undergo a learning curve, taking steps to evaluate the extent, feasibility, and calibration of the technology to ensure alignment with on-the-ground realities," he said. This was closely followed by the critical need for training individuals to effectively utilise this technology. "It's essential to evaluate the different levels of application - is it successful, or isn't it? We cannot just implement immediately," Tan added. Furthermore, he said that when deploying AI, a considered approach to the digitalisation journey is essential. "We must deeply understand the core nature of our data," Tan said. He voiced concerns that many businesses currently do not take this matter seriously, leading to considerable challenges in their automation journey. With Vietnam and other nations keenly observing the automation trends in Malaysia, the experiences and insights of industry leaders like Tan will be pivotal in ensuring that technology adoption is both strategic and sustainable. Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director general of the Import-Export Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade Drawing the attention back to the Vietnamese scenario, Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director general of the Import-Export Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), also delved into the deep-rooted history of the logistics industry in Vietnam. He noted that while the essential logistics operations have been integral to various regions for a long time, it's only in the past decade that the term "logistics" has been popularised, largely propelled by the government's initiatives to foster industry growth. "We've witnessed harmonious infrastructure advancements, particularly in 2023, with the government fervently pushing infrastructure planning. Consequently, this offers a tremendous growth opportunity for the logistics sector," Hai said at the event. "Moreover, technological and digital transformations are among the critical focal points that domestic logistics enterprises are keenly pursuing. Their ambitions aren't confined merely to the domestic landscape; several are aspiring to leave a mark on the international stage." 'Friend-shoring' takes centre stage at Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023 At the Vietnam Logistics Summit 2023 co-organised by SLP Vietnam and VIR on October 5 in Ho Chi Minh City, nearly 400 industry leaders and experts convened to discuss the evolving the logistics landscape in Vietnam. On October 2, Masan announced that Bain Capital, a leading private investment firm, has agreed to invest at least $200 million of equity capital into Masan Group Corporation. The investment could be upsized to $500 million, subject to prevailing market conditions and the companys capital needs. The transaction is a testament to Bain Capital's trust in Vietnam's market of 100 million people, as well as Masan's position in the retail and consumer goods markets. Starting as a manufacturing company, Masan boasts 30 factories, dozens of farms, and over 3,500 WinMart and WinMart+ stores and supermarkets. According to Masan's financial statement, WinCommerce, the owner of the WinMart and WinMart+ chain, holds half of the nation's modern retail market. Established in the United States in 1984, Bain Capital has made more than 1,100 highly profitable investments in the fields of retail, industry, healthcare, technology, financial services, and business. In the consumer and retail sectors, Bain's investment portfolio includes renowned retail and food and beverages chains such as Burger King, Burlington, Dunkin Brands, Samsonite, and others. As a foreign investment fund with rich experience in the consumer sector, Bain Capital has approximately $180 billion in assets under management. Masan expects the transaction to close by the end of the year, and it continues to explore other strategic alternatives for equity capital. Previously, other global investment funds, such as KKR and TPG, also selected Masan for their first strategic investment in Vietnam. In 2011, KKR first invested $159 million to scoop up 10 per cent of Masan Consumer, and in 2012, it made a follow-on investment of $200 million through the purchase of over 22.8 million shares via private share issuance ($100 million) and by buying shares from Masan Consumer's former shareholders ($100 million). Following these successful investments, in 2017, KKR continued to inject $250 million in Masan Group and its branded meat platform, Masan Nutri-Science. KKRs investment comprised a $100 million purchase of secondary shares from PENM Partners, an independent Danish private equity company, and a $150 million primary investment in Masan Nutri-Science for a 7.5 per cent stake. The fastest growing consumer market in Southeast Asia Vietnam's consumer sector has the highest growth rate in Southeast Asia, forecasted at 7.7 per cent annually between 2022 and 2040. This is underpinned by increasing urbanisation and an exploding consumer class that boasts more disposable income, leading to evolving demands that extend beyond meeting basic needs. Danny Le, CEO of Masan Group, commented on the transaction, "In the face of the challenging consumer environment, we have continued to invest in our platform and breakthrough innovations to position ourselves for the consumption upswing." Barnaby Lyons, a partner at Bain Capital said, "We believe that Masan has the right fundamentals, reach, and growth strategy to succeed in this compelling consumer market. It is one of the most trusted brands in Vietnam, with significant reach, the ability to anticipate consumer tastes, and the drive to build out an innovative product pipeline to meet those needs." In the first half of the year, Masan's business results remained positive despite the challenging macro environment. Its net revenue reached VND37.3 trillion ($1.57 billion) in H1, an increase of 3.6 per cent on-year. Despite weakened consumer sentiment affecting sales, WinCommerces revenue recorded on-year growth of 1.5 per cent in H1. Meanwhile, Masan Consumer Corporation increased its top line by 11.6 per cent on-year, and Masan MEATLife's revenue increased to VND3.3 trillion ($139.27 million), up 70.2 per cent on-year. At the centre of Masan's platform is WIN Membership a platform that connects brands and consumers, which has reached seven million members. It is targeted to hit 10 million by year-end and 30 million by 2025. The WIN Membership platform allows Masan to provide more targeted products and services to better serve Vietnamese consumers, acting as the critical growth engine for the company's businesses. 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. Masan Group receives recognition at 'Vietnams 50 Best Performing Companies' On September 16, Masan Group achieved distinction in two notable categories namely Vietnams 50 Best Performing Companies and "Billion Dollar Enterprise 2023," as recognised by Nhip Cau Dau Tu magazine. PENROSE, Colo. (AP) Authorities in Colorado said Thursday they were investigating the improper storage of human remains at a funeral home that performs green burials without embalming chemicals or metal caskets. The investigation centers on a building owned by the Return to Nature Funeral Home outside Colorado Springs in the small town of Penrose. Deputies were called to the single-story building Tuesday night in reference to a suspicious incident. Investigators returned the next day with a search warrant and found the improperly stored remains, the Fremont County Sheriffs Office said. The number of human remains found and their condition were not specified. The sheriffs office said it was working with state and federal officials on the investigation. Family members who used the funeral home were asked to contact the sheriff's office. More details were expected to be released by officials at a scheduled news conference Friday morning. Trash bags could be seen Thursday outside the entrance of the company's building, with two law enforcement vehicles parked in front. Yellow police tape cordoned off the area and a putrid odor pervaded the air. A hearse was parked at the back of the building, in a parking lot overgrown with weeds. Near the squat building was a post office and a few scattered homes, spaced out between dry grass and empty lots with parked semi-trucks. Under Colorado law, green burials are legal but state code requires that any body not buried within 24 hours must be properly refrigerated. Joyce Pavetti, 73, can see the funeral home from the stoop of her house and said she caught whiffs of a putrid smell in the last few weeks. We just assumed it was a dead animal, she said. On Wednesday night, Pavetti said she could see lights from law enforcement swarming around the building and knew something was going on. The building has been occupied by different businesses over the years, said Pavetti, who once took yoga classes there. She hasnt seen anyone in the area recently and noticed the hearse behind the building only in recent months, she said. Neighbor Ron Alexander thought the smell was coming from a septic tank, adding that Wednesday nights blur of law enforcement lights looked like the 4th of July. The father of a 25-year-old U.S. Navy serviceman who died last summer said Return to Nature handled his sons body between the time of its arrival back in Colorado and an Aug. 25 funeral service at Pikes Peak National Cemetery east of Colorado Springs. I mean, theres obviously questions after hearing that there is something going on but theres not any information that I can go off of to really make any kind of judgement on it, said Paul Saito Kahler, of Fountain, Colorado. The Return to Nature Funeral Home provides burial of non-embalmed bodies in biodegradable caskets, shrouds or nothing at all," according to its website. The company also provides cremation services. Messages left for the Colorado Springs-based company were not immediately returned. No embalming fluids, no concrete vaults. As natural as possible, it says on its website. The company charges $1,895 for a natural burial. That doesnt include the cost of a casket and cemetery space, according to the website. The funeral home also performs cremations that involve no chemicals or unnatural materials just you and the Earth, returning to nature, according to its website. Return to Nature was established six years ago in Colorado Springs, according to public records. A green burial refers to burying bodies that have not been embalmed. Thats different from human composting, in which the body is placed in a vessel and transformed into soil. Fremont County property records show that the funeral home building and lot are owned by Hallfordhomes, LLC, a business with a Colorado Springs address which the Colorado Secretary of State declared delinquent on Oct. 1 for failing to file a routine reporting form that was due at the end of July. The LLC changed addresses around Colorado Springs three times since its establishment in 2016 with a post office box. Hallfordhomes still owes about $5,000 in 2022 property taxes on its building in Penrose, according to Fremont County records. The Return to Nature Funeral Home was licensed in Colorado Springs in 2017. There were no disciplinary actions against the company listed on a state license database. There was not a separate license for the Penrose facility and it wasnt known if one was needed. Messages left with licensing authorities were not immediately returned. Kathryn Wilson, who lives nearby, said her daughters dog would curiously head toward Return to Nature's building when it slipped its leash. She previously hadn't given it a second thought, Wilson said, adding that community members were upset so little has been disclosed about what happened. Everybody wants more answers, she said. Associated Press writers Amy Beth Hanson in Helena, Montana, Mead Gruver in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, and news researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report. A New York man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of stalking a woman by flying his small plane over her home. Michael Arnold, 65, was arraigned in southern Vermont, where he kept his plane, on charges of aggravated stalking, violating an abuse prevention order, resisting arrest, impeding a public officer and providing false information to police. He was released on several conditions, including that he have no contact with the woman, not stalk her, and stay 300 feet (91 meters) from her home and business, as well as from all airplanes. A stalking order was in place banning him from flying, according to an FBI agent, who said Arnold had been stalking the Schuylerville, New York, woman for approximately four years. New York authorities say Arnold was spotted flying low over the village of Schuylerville and at one point was observed throwing tomatoes from the plane, according to the investigating officer in Bennington, Vermont. The woman told police that she feared for her safety for a long time and worried that Arnold was going to fly his plane into her home, court papers state. She told local media that Arnold was a customer in the cafe she owns. Arnold was arrested Tuesday, as he was arriving at the William H. Morse state airport in Bennington, Vermont, where he kept his 1976 Cessna 180 single-engine plane. He said he had not stalked anyone and denied that he was flying his plane the day before, saying instead that he was riding with someone, police said. Arnold told the officer that he has had no contact with the woman and that if he wanted to harm her he could have very easily, but he never did, according to the affidavit. He said the Federal Aviation Administration had not told him he couldn't fly and said he flies over Schuylerville to take pictures for their Facebook community page, according to the affidavit. Schuylerville is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of the Bennington airport. On May 30, a judge in Saratoga, New York, town court issued a temporary order of protection for Arnold to stay away from the woman, her home, business and place of employment, according to a police affidavit. He was ordered to not contact her and to refrain from harassing, intimidating, threatening or otherwise interfering with her, her family or household members and witnesses to the alleged offense, the affidavit said. Arnold is also required to stop flying any aircraft, under the order which remains in effect until a court date of Nov. 30. He was arrested in New York on June 1 for stalking, resisting arrest, disobeying a court order and obstruction of governmental administration, according to the affidavit. He faces pending charges, including one felony count, in New York. A sergeant with the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office said he had seen Arnolds plane flying over Schuylerville on Oct. 1, and was investigating where Arnold had been keeping his plane, according to the affidavit. An FBI agent said Arnold had relocated his plane to an airport in Maine and that the police department there was also seeking charges but Arnold left the area before he could be arrested, police said. Last month, the woman reported to the FBI that Arnold was flying over her area on Sept. 28 and she provided video of the plane. The Federal Aviation Administration located a plane landing at the Bennington Airport shortly after the sighting, according to the police affidavit. Staff at the Bennington Airport said the plane had arrived at the airport on Sept. 26 or 27, according to court papers. The airport provided video to police of Arnold flying his plane alone out of the airport on Sunday and heading west toward the Schuylerville area, according to the affidavit. Arnold told police that he had been flying for 45 years and was selling his plane because he is losing his eyesight. Rathke reported from Marshfield, Vt. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) The director of the embattled Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said Wednesday that he will leave his post at the end of the year. The upcoming departure of Marc D. Smith from the agency also known as DCFS was one of three announced Wednesday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Pritzker had named Smith as DCFS director in April 2019. Smith steered the agency during a tumultuous period in which a judge held him in contempt of court several times for failing to adequately house children who had been placed in the departments custody. Neither Pritzker's office nor DCFS commented on Smith's future plans. Smith, 54, who makes $210,000, came to DCFS from the largest of the private institutions that contract with the agency for services, Aunt Marthas Health & Wellness. I am incredibly proud of the profound progress we have made, Smith said in a statement. DCFS continues making a difference where it matters most by keeping children safe, creating brighter futures for the youth in our care and giving hope to families in crisis that need support. The Democratic governor also said Wednesday that Theresa Eagleson, director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, will be replaced by Lizzy Whitehorn, currently an aide to Pritzker for health services. Pritzker did not name successors for Smith or Paula Basta, who is stepping down at years end from the helm of the Department on Aging. Pritzker's statement said the three departing administrators reflect the best of state government people who have sacrificed to help millions of constituents.'' Trouble has followed DCFS for decades, and Smith had his share. Just after assuming office, Pritzker and he pledged revisions after an outside report commissioned by the new governor found that the agency endangered children in its care by trying to keep biological families intact. A DCFS caseworker was stabbed to death while making a home visit in January 2022, prompting calls for more protection. In an extraordinary move, a Cook County judge repeatedly found Smith in contempt of court in 2021 and 2022 for failing to find permanent homes for children in the agency's care, some of whom were sleeping on office floors. Pritzker has repeatedly blamed his Republican predecessor for dismantling private social services during a two-year budget shutdown in which Democrats who controlled the Legislature were equally engaged. Noting that Smith is the 13th DCFS director in a decade, Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert said he provided desperately needed continuity. He applauded frontline workers as well as administrators for their effective COVID-19 response and praised Smith for securing a larger agency budget. But Golbert said the money didn't buy better services, with too few beds for incoming kids. Dozens more languish in juvenile detention after they have been ordered released, or are locked in psychiatric hospitals after they have been discharged because DCFS doesnt have a place for them to stay. "I see this as an opportunity to build on the resources that Smith got and the continuity that he provided to hopefully actually translate this into improved outcomes for kids, Golbert said. Pritzker also announced the appointment of Camile Lindsay, first assistant deputy governor on public safety, infrastructure, environment and energy, as director of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Whitehorn's and Lindsay's appointments require Senate confirmation. Savage, who reported from Chicago, is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Editors note: Voters have amended the Texas Constitution 517 times since 1876, and they will get the chance again Nov. 7. This is the third of a series of Tribune-Herald articles examining the intention and implications of the 14 amendments on the ballot. Texas has no wealth tax. In fact, it has no state income tax, period. But Texas voters on Nov. 7 will be asked to create a constitutional obstacle to creating such a levy in the future. Proposition 3 is the constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family. An analysis from the House Research Organization says several states have proposed wealth taxes, but Texas has not. Proposition 3 would go a long way toward ensuring it never does, short of an amendment to repeal it. The analysis defines a wealth tax as a levy based on the market value of assets owned, which could include real property such as land, buildings, crops, equipment and assets such as retirement accounts. Subtract debts and liabilities, such as bankruptcies, to arrive at an appropriate tax rate. Supporters of those taxes argue that the impact on the extremely wealthy would be minimal, that the definition of wealth can be defined in a way that best suits each state, and that it would help pay for costly programs without impacting lower income people, an analysis from The Texas Tribune states. Critics say raising taxes on someones wealth discourages business and that the revenue from it will be less than anticipated, it adds. They also say that overall wealth would decline, which would result in less investment and loss of tax revenue from other sources, such as sales and property taxes. Karr Ingham, a Texas-based economist and consultant with a statewide clientele, said he believes Proposition 3 will pass overwhelmingly. Not everyone considers themselves wealthy, but who knows how this thing would be determined? said Ingham. I suspect this is a response by the Texas Legislature, an effort to get ahead of a wealth tax. ... The Legislature is Republican from top to bottom, the state has a Republican governor, so the sponsors want to do something while they have a favorable climate. If the issue comes up in the future, supporters would have to unwind an amended state constitution, said Ingham, envisioning possible attempts down the road to impose a state income tax or a wealth tax. He said imposing a wealth tax would be fraught with logistical problems, and would be damaging to us economically. Texans typically have not had an appetite for going down that road, and I dont think they will have it now. Texas voters in 2019 passed Proposition 4, prohibiting the Texas Legislature from adopting a state income tax. As of 2023, no state in the United States had adopted a wealth tax, according to online analysis. A wealth tax has some economic attributes that are negative, in that it discourages investment and risk-taking that is necessary for sustained economic growth, said Waco-based economist Ray Perryman. Having said that, I think Proposition 3 is primarily political and cosmetic in nature. No one has ever seriously proposed such a tax in Texas, and I doubt that anyone ever would, said Perryman in an email response. The Proposition would require voter approval for such a measure to be enacted, which I suppose makes the already dim prospects even more remote. Perryman said other states have considered enacting a wealth tax, which may be the reason the Proposition was put forward. It certainly doesnt do any harm, but will likely be similar to many other amendments to our increasingly lengthy Constitution that have no practical effect. Patrick Flavin, the Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor University, said Proposition 3 kind of sends a signal maybe to wealthy folks interested in moving to Texas. The Texas Legislature is heading off a wealth tax, telling everyone it is not going to happen in Texas. He said discussions about imposing a wealth tax have surfaced nationally, often with the backing of progressives. He said the issues often is couched in the question, Should billionaires pay a portion of their wealth? It would be difficult to administrate, said Flavin. How do you calculate assets, a yacht or a piece of artwork? Thats where administrative challenges come. Politicians, especially in Texas, have no appetite for it. Ascension Providences Family Medicine location in Lacy Lakeview will close Oct. 27, according to a letter sent to patients of the clinic last week. The letter says family medicine physician Dr. Roshan Patel and nurse practitioner Jean Herzog will be moving from the Lacy Lakeview clinic at 1130 North Loop 340 to the Ascension Providence clinic at 2100 Lake Shore Drive, 5 miles away, while family nurse practitioner William French will be leaving the Ascension Medical Group. The letter does not state why the clinic is closing, and Ascension officials declined comment when asked about the closure. The letter does not outline any changes at the Ascension Providence Express Care or Rehabilitation Services locations on the same Lacy Lakeview campus. The closure of the Lacy Lakeview Family Medicine clinic makes at least three closures this year of Ascension Providence-run facilities in the Waco area. In August, Ascension sent a letter to patients announcing the Oct. 31 closure of Ascensions ear, nose and throat clinic on Highway 6 and the Sept. 1 closing of the hearing center, located in the same building as the ENT clinic. On Tuesday, Ascension also announced the DePaul Center, a longstanding facility offering inpatient and outpatient mental health services, would be closing on Dec. 31. Several local health officials said DePauls closure will leave a gaping hole in an already overburdened system of mental health services in McLennan County. Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network CEO Daniel Thompson said Tuesday that DePaul had been operating at a revenue loss for several years due to low reimbursement rates, something many behavioral health care providers face when providing care for vulnerable and low-income patients. Ascension also opened a Primary Care Bosque Ridge facility in August at Highway 84 and Ritchie Road in Woodway. The Tribune-Herald reported in January that Ascension Texas would be laying off employees around the state, including in Waco. A statement at the time from Ascension Texas cited the COVID-19 pandemics toll on health care systems as a reason contributing to the layoffs. The New York Times also reported last year that Ascension had cut many jobs leading up to the pandemic, and was left understaffed when the pandemic hit, something Ascension refuted in a statement, saying staffing had actually increased leading up to the pandemic and continued to exceed levels maintained by other health care providers. Prior to the layoffs, Ascension Providence was the second largest employer in McLennan County with 2,518 employees, according to the Heart of Texas Council of Governments. Ascension is currently ranked third with 2,300 employees. The McLennan County Precinct 5 constable and justice of the peace building in South Waco will be renamed in honor of retired Judge Fernando Villarreal, who was the first judge to hold court in the space during his 30 years as justice of the peace. Villarreal was also the first Hispanic judge in McLennan County, presiding as justice of the peace first in Precinct 8 then in Precinct 5 after precincts were redrawn, before retiring at the end of last year. With Villarreal not seeking reelection, voters picked LucyAnn Sanchez-Miramontez in November to take his place as JP in Precinct 5. The McLennan County Commissioners Court passed a resolution Tuesday to rename the Precinct 5 building at 1800 Richter Ave. as the Fernando Villarreal Justice Center. I cant think of a more appropriate match between naming a public facility after a very dedicated and well-respected public servant than Fernando Villarreal, McLennan County Judge Scott Felton said. He performed all of his duties with excellence. Villarreal said he was surprised to learn of the renaming. It makes me feel humble and happy, Villarreal said. The actual renaming ceremony will be scheduled at a time that works for Villarreal, his family and his friends, Felton said. He had a real passion for the youth of the county, Felton said. He helped put many truant students back on the right path. The schools in our county for which he handled truancy cases were very complimentary of how he handled these issues. He is sorely missed. Villarreal said he did not attend the commissioners court meeting Tuesday when commissioners voted unanimously to rename the building for him. He said his wife and brother and some other family members were there. He said his birthday was Monday, but the family gathered Tuesday evening to celebrate. That was when his wife and his brother surprised him with news of the renaming, he said. One of my goals was to have something permanent, a county building in South Waco. My goal was to get it built, Villarreal said of working with commissioners to get the facility built around 2008. Its really important to me, the work that I did and the service that I provided to the taxpayers of this county. This renaming is recognition of what I did. A Waco police officer who mistakenly shot a dog while responding to the wrong address on June 3 has been dropped as a defendant in a civil lawsuit that the dogs owners are continuing to pursue against the city of Waco. Judge Jim Meyer in the 170th State District Court dismissed Officer Javon Moon from the suit on Sept. 29, as requested by the city of Waco. Cassandra Page and Matthew Vasquez filed a civil suit in August against the city of Waco and Moon over the death of their black Labrador retriever, Finn, seeking between $200,000 and $1 million in damages. Police erroneously responded to their house in the 3200 block of 20th Street after the departments dispatch system autocorrected a 911 call of a burglary in the 3200 block of 20th A Street, the Waco Police Department said in a June news release. When police found the back door ajar and announced their presence, several dogs came forward, and Finn lunged at the officers twice, leading an officer to fatally shoot him, the news release stated. The police department at the time expressed regret for the error. In the lawsuit, the couple argue that they had a constitutionally protected right to enjoy Finns company through his natural life, and the death of the 10-year-old dog amounted to the taking of property without due process of law. The city on Sept. 15 filed a general denial and asserted its immunity from the lawsuit, while also requesting that Moon be dropped. Roderick Collins, attorney for Page and Vasquez, said the suit is not just about a dead dog but also about an officer whose training led him to pull his service weapon and shoot too soon. The officer was cornered and no criminal activity was seen, Collins said in a Wednesday phone interview. A reasonable person would have waited for the dog to be handled, not shoot it right away. Page and Vasquez also believe there was negligence on the part of the city for a dispatch system that sent officers to the wrong address, Collins said. I back the blue 110%, but in the great state of Texas and the U.S.A., our dogs are like our children, Collins said. My clients want the city held accountable. Page and Vasquez want the city to be held accountable for the officers improper training in how to behave around dogs, Collins said. They also intend to ask a jury for emotional distress damages, he said. The city has been fully transparent about the unusual and unfortunate chain of events and has released video showing the officers perspectives, City Attorney Jennifer Richie said in an email statement Wednesday. Because this incident is in litigation, the City will present its legal defenses in court at the appropriate time, Richie said. Editors note: Voters have amended the Texas Constitution 517 times since 1876, and they will get the chance again Nov. 7. This is the fourth of a series of Tribune-Herald articles examining the intention and implications of the 14 amendments on the ballot. A constitutional amendment that could save property owners hundreds of dollars on their tax bills will appear on ballots in November as another piece of the states $18 billion puzzle to relieve Texans of their property tax burden. Voters on Nov. 7 could approve Proposition 4, which touts a $100,000 school tax exemption for homeowners authorized by House Joint Resolution 2 in the 88th Legislatures second special session. Despite the obvious economic benefit to the average homeowner, some wonder about Proposition 4s sustainability going forward. The resolutions enabling legislation, Senate Bill 2, which took effect Sept. 1 and also passed in the second special session, includes an additional compression of school tax rates that is not part of the constitutional amendment. The bill authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, reduces school tax rates using a formula to balance the reduced local taxpayer funding with more state funding. As local funding increases with rising property values, state funding decreases due to the states funding formula for school districts. Tax rate compression aims to lower local property tax burden and supplement the loss with state money. House Joint Resolution 2, authored by Rep. Will Metcalf, R-Conroe, has five parts. A vote yes on Proposition 4: Increases the general homestead exemption for school tax from $40,000 to $100,000 Protects nonhomestead properties from increases greater than 20% in market value Allows people over 65 years old with an assessment freeze to enjoy the benefit of homestead exemption increases in the current and 2021 legislative sessions by recalculating the freeze. This means some taxpayers over 65 and those who qualify for disability, who are typically on a fixed income, would get a $110,000 exemption Allows revenue-replacing money to be sent to school districts without counting toward constitutional spending limits And adds three voter-approved members to the board of directors of local appraisal entities in counties with a population of at least 75,000. Chief Appraiser Joe Don Bobbitt said the McLennan Central Appraisal Districts board of directors currently is made up of five members appointed by the taxing entities the appraisal district serves, plus the tax assessor in a nonvoting capacity. The increase in homestead exemptions could save homeowners hundreds of dollars on their school tax bill, which generally makes up for a large proportion of a persons overall tax burden. The new exemption would subtract $100,000 from the amount of taxable value the local school district could apply its tax rate to. For example, take a house with an appraised taxable value of $200,000 in the Waco Independent School District. With the original $40,000 homestead exemption, at the districts compressed tax rate of about $1.03 per $100 per valuation, the homeowner would owe the district $1,648 in property taxes. The same homeowner with a $100,000 exemption would owe Waco ISD $1,030 in property taxes, a saving of $618. Although businesses and other nonhomestead properties would not benefit from the exemption, they could experience some relief from the overall tax rate compression and the 20% appraisal cap on increases to their propertys value. The cap would limit the increase in properties appraised value to 20% and benefit rental and commercial properties valued at less than $5 million this year, Bobbitt said. For example, a commercial property valued at $1 million this year may not be appraised at a value greater than $1.2 million next year. The provision is temporary and will expire during the next legislative session if it is not extended. The bill provides funding out of the states $33 billion budget surplus this year to make up for school districts lost revenue, whereas in the past the state effectively only redistributed the tax burden from homeowners to rental properties and commercial, Bobbitt said. Rep. Shawn Thierry, D-Houston, a joint author of the bill, said homeowners all over the state supported the bill in polls, but the only way it could pass is if the state supported school districts rather than taking from them. Although the state was able to come up with the additional funding this year out of gas taxes and other means, some cautious observers of the bill wonder about its sustainability with billions of dollars in yearly property tax relief enshrined in the Constitution. The homestead exemption is expected to cost the state $5.6 billion every two years, Waco-based economist Ray Perryman said. Perryman said the amendments benefit to lower-income homeowners is a good step forward, but he worries about its sustainability in budget cycles when the state is not flush with extra cash. He said he doubts the Legislature and local taxpayers would approve tax rate hikes, but he fears schools may lose funding if Texas experiences a budget crunch. Luckily the Legislature has formed a committee headed by Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas, to study sustainable property tax relief. Thierry will serve as vice chair. She said the cost to the state of the amendment is permanent and will reoccur regardless of the budget cycle, so the committee will look at tax policy and creative means of sustainability. Thierry said the bill overall represents a success for the state, as partisan members of both chambers were able to come to an agreement to limit the burden of rising property taxes. Perryman said he has related concerns with school choice proposals likely to be considered in a third special session that will begin on Oct. 9. The Legislature ended its last session in a stalemate between the chambers over a voucher program that would give parents access to state money to pay for private education. If enacted, the voucher program may lead to public school funding reductions, Perryman said. Looking at the demographics of Texas, it is apparent that how effective we are in educating students in the coming years is the single most important determinant of future growth, and some of the current trends disturb me, he said. The measure is part of a larger $18 billion compromise on property tax relief between the Senate and House. The bill passed with five votes in opposition in the House, all coming from Democratic members, and none in the Senate. Thierry said a previous version of the bill that did not make the final cut included relief for renters to account for landlords decreased school tax burden that may have moved the needle. It is not certain that renters will feel the benefit of their landlords 20% appraisal cap. The amendment also does not include new funding for schools or teacher pay. Next week the Texas Legislature will convene for yet another special session. This session will take up school funding, vouchers and education savings accounts. These proposals have been forwarded to the Legislature every couple of years since at least 1999. Texas legislators, both rural and urban, have rejected these schemes session after session. In the old days the organizations that pushed vouchers called for a pilot project. These groups had grassroots much like Astroturf. These programs did not appeal to the rural areas and were rejected by urban districts. So we are left with the big question of why? The proposals amount to a money grab. And taxpayers and citizens are left holding the bag. Arizona passed an education savings account (ESA) program a couple of years ago and the cost of the program has mushroomed to the point that some lawmakers are concerned that they could bankrupt Arizona. The amount of the voucher or ESA is far less than most private schools charge. And the vouchers/ESAs do not cover lunches, transportation, extracurricular activities and books. In Texas, we already have a choice. Charter schools, magnet schools and in-district transfer programs offer an array of choices for parents and kids. They provide meaningful choice, accountable choice real choice. Public schools were opened for all children, regardless of ability or financial ability. Private schools get to pick and choose which students they educate. Public schools provide the common language of culture and history that holds us together as a nation. Private or parochial education is filtered through a religious lens or a lens that tells the story that their constituents pledge to support. We are, after all, less than 300 years old. Public education gave our young people a common language, a common worldview. Granted, we have had growing pains developing a story that includes all of us. But the system grew and continues to evolve. For our new nation to survive, our Founding Fathers saw the need to be able to read and think and discuss ideas. Governments such as ours cannot survive without it. This new nation provided instruction in the basics of reading, writing, mathematics, literature and critical thinking. This system built an educated workforce that builds economies, creates and innovates in agriculture and industry and the arts. Approximately 95% of Texas kids attend a local public school. Private-school advocates waste countless hours and money trying to push an idea that has not been proven to work. Were better served to spend those funds completely rethinking who our public schools serve and why it is important to educate each and every child that comes through the front door. Vouchers have been tested in Wisconsin, Arizona and California. The results have been the same. Cost overruns plagued the systems. Kids were often shortchanged in their learning. Academic results were mixed. Time was wasted. The voucher or ESA does not guarantee a different result. Education is so much more. Public schools and private schools have a different mission. When public monies are given to private and parochial K-12 institutions, the taxpayer deserves an accounting of how those funds are spent. Public money compromises the mission of the private school, and if the voucher is given directly to parents, then what sort of system will the state put into place to assure that we are getting accountability for those funds? Forgive me if I sound like I am leery of government bureaucrats managing a tandem system of schools. To appease the fiscal conservative, guardrails must be in place to take care of the snake oil salesmen that sell false narratives. Texas initiated charter schools a number of years ago. In order to foster creativity and innovation, oversight was loose. In the two years that transpired before lawmakers got back Austin to adjust the language of the legislation, schools folded and took their seed money, never to be found. Poorly run charter schools misspent money. A generation of young Texans was robbed of years worth of education. Those choice programs failed Texas children. Lets do what we have never done. Let us use funds available to adequately and fully fund Texas public schools schools that serve the lions share of Texas kids. Lets pay our hard-working and dedicated teachers a professional wage. Lets do what works. Provide engaging lessons. Create a safe and secure environment for teachers to teach and kids to learn. The time for experiments is over. Masters of the Air, the third installment of the Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks-led World War II trilogy following Band of Brothers and The Pacific finally has a release date, according to Apple TV+. The first two episodes of the nine-episode limited series will premiere on Apple TV+ on Friday, January 26th. A new episode will then air every Friday through March 15th. The development of the miniseries, which included production costs that exceeded $200 million, was originally confirmed by HBO in January 2013, but delays and budget considerations led to the project being dropped, according to a statement from the network. Announced as an Apple TV+ production over 18 months ago, the filming was once again delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Based primarily on Donald L. Millers nonfiction novel, the story deals with the aerial wars in WWII through the eyes of men of the Eighth Air Force, also known as the Mighty Eighth, who brought the war to Hitlers doorstep. Three years from 1942 to 1945 of death-defying bombing runs by the Eighths Flying Fortresses over cities like Berlin, Dresden and Hanover by day as part of the Combined Bomber Offensive with the Royal Air Forces Bomber Command, operating by night, and since 1940, were, for much of the war, the only battles Allied forces waged inside the territorial borders of Nazi Germany. So far, we know of two locations in Britain where principal photography has occured: Dalton Barracks near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and another site in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire which the production team has already transformed to represent the bustling personnel hub of a US Army Air Forces airfield, complete with a collection of full-sized Nissen Huts and other outbuildings. Dalton Barracks is presently home to elements of the British Armys Royal Logistics Corps, but until 1992 the base was an active Royal Air Force airfield known as RAF Abingdon, which dates back to the early 1930s. Based upon our research and images which recently appeared on social media, it looks like Dalton Barracks will serve as the production companys setting for outdoor airfield operation scenes for Masters of the Air. Once the news got out, it didnt take long for British aviation enthusiasts to make the pilgrimage to Abingdon in the hopes of capturing images of what was unfolding there. And indeed, one of these pilgrims, Nick Taylor, shared some of his pictures from the set with us which clearly reveal a pair of full-scale mockups for B-17 Flying Fortresses which served in the 100th Bombardment Group. According to reliable sources, these replicas, while not airworthy, were designed to be highly accurate reflections of the original airframe design, both inside and out. The fuselages, for certain, were built using original factory drawings, and at least one of the Forts has runnable engines. From the photographs we have, it is clear that one of the replicas currently represents B-17F-85-BO 42-30064 Wild Cargo while the other is B-17F-30-VE 42-5867 Alice From Dallas. While these mockups will likely depict other tail numbers during filming, its clear that Alice From Dallas and Wild Cargo represent an aspect of the storyline, so it makes sense to delve into their histories a little. Boeing delivered Wild Cargo to the US Army Air Forces on April 4th, 1943. Her combat career began with the 418th Bombardment Squadron, 100th BG at Thorpe Abbotts, England on September 6th, 1943, however it was to be a brief affair. According to Missing Air Crew Report 647, Wild Cargo was declared Missing in Action at La Rochelle on September 16th, 1943. Her aircrew that fateful day included Bob Wolff (pilot), Chas Stuart (co-pilot), Larry McConnell (navigator), Fred White (bombardier),: Carl Simon (flight engineer/top turret gunner), Ira Bardman (Radio Operator), Bill Casebolt (ball turret gunner), Art Eggleston (waist gunner), Willis Brown (waist gunner), and Alf Clark (tail gunner). The report cites that flak and enemy aircraft disabled an engine, and that Wild Cargo crashed in the Atlantic, off the island Ile Madame, some 12 miles south of La Rochelle, France. While her crew escaped by parachute, all ten of them became prisoners of war. Alice From Dallas was a Vega-built (Lockheed) airframe, rolling off their factory production line in Long Beach, California on April 2nd, 1943. She the joined the 350th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group at Thorpe Abbotts on May 30th, 1943, but lasted only a few weeks more than Wild Cargo. Missing Air Crew Report 678 shows that the Army Air Forces declared the Fortress Missing in Action on a mission over Regensburg, Germany on August 17th, 1943. Flak damage knocked out two of her engines, and while most of the crew managed to bale out, the ball turret gunner, Bill Hinton, and one of the waist gunners, Edmund Musante, were not so lucky. Musantes parachute hung up on the aircrafts tail, while Hinton likely died when the aircraft crashed five miles east of Hasselt in Langerloo, Belgium. Of those who did successfully bale out Roy Clayton (pilot), Ray Nutting (co-pilot), John Burgin (flight engineer/top turret gunner), Bill Quinn (radio operator), Chas Bailey (waist gunner) all managed successfully evade capture. The Germans managed to capture Oscar Amison (Navigator) and Cliff Starkey (tail gunner) fairly quickly, while Ken Lorch (bombardier) spent eight months on the lam before he too became a prisoner of war. Another set of interesting photos came from Hal Colliver, a British aviation enthusiast and pilot, who shared the aerial pictures below with us showing Dalton Barracks. They clearly depict the B-17s on their hardstandings, mimicking how they might have appeared during their original forebears service at Thorpe Abbotts during WWII. Given the aircraft movie props revealed so far, and that the list of actors presently cast for roles in Masters of the Air all represent real-life characters within the 100th BG, it feels safe to say that the series will focus upon that specific unit, and the many experiences of its personnel. Much like the way Band of Brothers depicted the Screaming Eagle paratroopers of Easy Company in their advance from training ground neophytes to the battle-hardened and withered ranks who ended the war triumphant at the Eagles Nest in Berchtesgaden, it seems likely that Masters of the Air will follow a similar narrative arc, leading us from the 100th BGs formation Stateside and their training, to the fight across the Atlantic (ground crew sailed aboard RMS Queen Elizabeth) to their wartime home at RAF Thorpe Abbotts in the flat farming country of Norfolk, England and the ensuing melee over Europe which followed. The 100th BG bomber crews experienced some of the steepest losses during the early stages of Americas participation in the Allied strategic bombing campaign over Europe, gaining the brutally-earned sobriquet, The Bloody 100th, so there will be plenty of high stakes drama to reenact faithfully on the screen. (As an aside, the late David Tallichet, who established a vast collection of flyable warbirds, was himself a veteran pilot from the Bloody 100th.) As was true for Band of Brothers, the cast of actors in Masters of the Air will feature a long list of talented, though largely unknown names whom viewers will likely remember long afterwards. We can glean some idea of what stories may feature in the miniseries based upon the published list of real-life airmen being represented. These include Major Gale Cleven (Austin Butler), Major John Egan (Callum Turner), Major Rosie Rosenthal (Nate Mann) and Sgt. Ken Lemmons (Raff Law), all of whom have significant stories to contribute. Sgt. Ken Lemmons was a crew chief in the 100th BG, so his character will likely prove a focal point for the group crew perspective of the war. And given the other names listed above, it seems clear that two missions will feature prominently in the series; the August 13th, 1943 Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission where nine of the twenty one 100thBG Forts participating failed to return, and the October 10th, 1943 mission over Munster where just one of thirteen B-17s from the group made it back, that being Major Rosenthals Royal Flush. His B-17F limped home on just two engines, with no intercom or functioning oxygen system, and a gaping hole in the starboard wing; it was just Rosenthals third mission. Major Egan, who led that mission over Munster, became a POW that day. Interestingly, Egan, who was the 418th BSs commanding officer, was only aboard that mission to avenge his great friend Gale Cleven, who had gone down over Bremen two days earlier. Cleven and Egan were roommates during their training back in the U.S., so it seems likely that their friendship will feature closely in the storys backbone, much as the relationship between Lieutenants Dick Winters and Lewis Nixon featured heavily in Band of Brothers. Indeed, Cleven became famous during training for buzzing a runway, at tree-top height, with all four of his engines feathered, a scene which hopefully makes it into the plot line! Furthermore, both men were reunited as bunkmates, soon after being shot down, at the Luftwaffe-run prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III, which many may remember as the setting for The Great Escape AppleTV+ announced wartime series Masters of the Air, which serves as a companion to Band of Brothers and The Pacific, will premiere on its streaming platform on January 26, 2024. The company also shared eight images to provide a first look at the show, helmed by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman. The official photos (shared in the gallery below) show Barry Keoghan suited in his uniform as Lt Curtis Biddick alongside Austin Butlers Major Gale Cleven. They lead the talented ensemble cast that includes the likes of Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook, and Ncuti Gatwa. So one can easily imagine how much dramatic material the screenwriters will work into the plot, and given the producers magnificent track record, it seems certain that Masters of the Air will become the authentic masterpiece we all hope it is destined to become! JESUP Authorities are pursuing federal weapons charges for a rural Jesup man who was found with guns and meth during a hunting investigation. A grand jury based in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids returned an indictment charging 60-year-old Douglas Gilbert Uchytil with one count of drug user in possession of a firearm. According to court records, Iowa Department of Natural Resources officers began investigating Uchytil in November 2022 after he was allegedly seen holding a crossbow and following an injured deer on private property. In April, DNR officials obtained a search warrant for Uchytils home at 1251 175th St. and found 21 guns, meth, THC products and a large amount of cash. He was charged in state court with identity theft and fraud for allegedly providing a Michigan doctors information in order to obtain in special disabled resident hunting permit in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022. He also was charged with possession of meth with intent to deliver and cited for hunting with a vehicle and misdemeanor theft for possessing stolen trap tags that belonged to 18 people. The federal indictment, issued Sept. 20, charges Uchytil with possession of guns found during the search, which include a .22-caliber Ruger pistol, a .22-caliber Star pistol, a 9 mm Helwan pistol, a .38-super Colt pistol, a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun, a .22-cheeta Remington rifle, a .44-caliber Marlin rifle, a .22-caliber/.410 Savage long gun, a .410 Stephens shotgun, a 12-gauge Browning shotgun, a .22-magnum Ruger rifle, a 12-gauge Western Field shotgun, a 7.62 mm Zastava rifle, a .410 Remington shotgun, a 12-gauge Ithaca shotgun, a .22-caliber Ruger rifle and a 12-gauge Sears shotgun. Photos: Hunters show off their harvest in Nebraska Hunting crew First buck First bucks Twins Opening morning buck Hunting Hunting Button buck Awesome hunt in Nebraska Five-point buck Hunting Deer Rick Payeur Archery buck Shot with 10 minutes left on opening day Jackson Wichman, Sprague Deshler on Nov. 14 First buck in Boyd County 11-year-old 9X7 Boyd County Double harvest Deer First deer hunt 2020 Deer Buck Commander Johnson County Hunting Easton Moore Katie Marie Sparks Garrett Rech Ashley Elizabeth Peterson Gail Loxterkamp Katie Marie Sparks Garrett Rech Gail Loxterkamp WATERLOO A Waterloo man who allegedly disappeared while awaiting trial for a December gun accident in Cedar Falls has been detained in Wadena. Authorities allege David Jearld Samuell Chiles, 34, was found in a Wadena home with a .22-caliber assault rifle, meth, marijuana and pills during a Monday search. He was charged with drug possession offenses and interference, and weapons charges are pending, according to the Fayette County Sheriffs Office. Chiles allegedly failed to show up for court in Waterloo for a misdemeanor reckless use of a firearm charge in September. The case stems from a December incident where he accidently fired a 9 mm Taurus pistol he was showing to a friend. The bullet struck a neighboring residence but no injuries were reported. A warrant was filed following his absence from court and on Monday Fayette County sheriffs deputies and Iowa State troopers found Chiles on East Water Avenue in Wadena. Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Iowa Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Iowa #50. Carson #49. Wadena #48. Ely #47. Wahpeton #46. Cascade #45. Underwood #44. Hornick #43. Bristow #42. Carter Lake #41. North Liberty #40. Titonka #39. Honey Creek #38. Avoca #37. Moville #36. Solon #35. Oakland #34. Council Bluffs #33. Runnells #32. Windsor Heights #31. Bronson #30. Iowa City #29. Crescent #28. Sergeant Bluff #27. Huxley #26. Coralville #25. Zearing #24. McCallsburg #23. Bryant #22. Sheldahl #21. Nevada #20. Saint Olaf #19. Castalia #18. Raymond #17. Maxwell #16. Cedar Falls #15. Story City #14. Lawton #13. Slater #12. Milford #11. Drakesville #10. Lake Park #9. Hills #8. Roland #7. Arnolds Park #6. Colo #5. Collins #4. Cambridge #3. Gilbert #2. Udell #1. Kelley CEDAR FALLS Mayor Rob Green said in a statement he would consider vetoing a resolution, if approved, for repealing the College Hill visioning plan adopted in 2021. A council majority consisting of Daryl Kruse, Susan deBuhr, Dave Sires and Dustin Ganfield requested Monday it be drafted in a 4-3 vote during committee. That resolution will be up for debate and a possible vote at the next meeting on Oct. 16. The plan establishes recommendations for how to proceed with future development and improvements in the College Hill commercial and residential areas, and may be used to guide the crafting of new zoning code. This is a decision that I believe properly rests with the next council, given that were only 90 days away from the start of the next term, Green wrote. The majority went against the wishes of six residents, several of whom were candidates in the upcoming election or sit on the College Hill Partnership board. Most of the majority fixated on the boundaries drawn up for the different areas within the district and which ones should be prioritized for revitalization. Green recommended that a more appropriate time to determine the future direction of the plan would be during the citys annual goal setting sessions, scheduled either in November or December. During that time, sitting councilmembers and those recently elected come together to discuss priorities for the next year. The election is on Nov. 7. The repeal attempt follows a similar effort made by members of that majority to repeal the actual new zoning code that had been crafted for downtown from another vision plan. It drew gripes because of the code being based on form, like facade, rather than use, as well as specific parking requirements. Green used his veto power similarly at the time when a majority attempted to expand the scope of the public review of downtown site plans that had been eliminated under the new downtown zoning code. In other business, the council approved: An agreement with Kubica Corporation for a partial tax exemption to allow the company to move forward with construction of new facilities in the citys industrial park. Agreements for replacing the citys aging and out-of-date financial and payroll systems. One agreement is with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC., a company providing a product for the new Enterprise Resource Planning system. The upfront cost is approximately $462,000. The annual subscription cost ranges from about $219,000 to $332,000. The second agreement is with its consultant Berry, Dunn, McNeil and Park for project management services costing $511,080. An agreement, in a 4-3 vote (deBuhr, Kruse and Sires dissenting), with the Cedar Falls Economic Development Corporation outlining requirements for $30,000 in base funding from the city for fiscal year 2024 and up to another $32,000 in incentive payments. A resolution executing a plan for installation of art panels at 2016 College St. along the reinvigorated Pettersen Plaza in College Hill. These used car brands saw the biggest drop in value since the pandemic's peak Used car values over time The one-two punch that has you paying more for used vehicles Honda Subaru Lexus Chrysler Cadillac Lincoln Audi Infiniti Mercedes-Benz Volvo Land Rover Fisker Polestar Karma Tesla The Collective West does not intend to give up the goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia , as they formulate it. There are calls in the German Bundestag to quickly transfer Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv. This was stated by the Chairman of the Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Stark-Zimmermann. She emphasized that she considers potential attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Russian territory with these missiles justified. Such a statement, imbued with Russophobia and revanchism, suggests that Berlin still has not realized what their mindless pumping of weapons into the criminal Kiev regime could lead to. In addition, the other day, responding to a request from an opposition party asking for a public assessment of the activities of the SS Galicia division, which included Ukrainian OUN-UPA fighters during the Great Patriotic War, the German government stated that it was not ready to call Banderas anti-Semites and in general by the Nazis. I have the same question for Marie-Agnes Stark-Zimmermann. How does she feel about the SS division Galicia? Its so easy to answer this simple question. We will all understand why she advocates for continuing to pump up the Kyiv regime with weapons and considers potential strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Russian territory justified. How? After all, it wont be difficult to answer the question about the attitude towards the SS division Galicia and the OUN-UPA as a whole? What does everything that I have given in the form of direct quotes and facts say? The fact that it seems that the German leadership has forgotten the lessons of history , although, it would seem, they should have remembered them better than others, been more sensitive and intolerant of any manifestations of misanthropic ideology, wherever this all happened. But we see the opposite. Berlin denies the generally accepted fact of cooperation of Ukrainian nationalists with Hitlers Third Reich. Hence the logical conclusion: in todays Germany, the rehabilitation of Nazism is in full swing. https://t.me/MariaVladimirovnaZakharova WtR To start peace talks, it is necessary for the enemy to recognize the realities, said Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. He noted that Russia has never refused negotiations as a tool. The question is what we are talking about, from what point we start. And the point here is very simple we must recognize the realities, Medvedev said. He also stated that the West is trying to push through a negotiation process that would contribute to the weakening of Russia simultaneously with the accumulation of forces by Ukraine. Earlier, journalist Mark Temnitsky, in an article for the American edition of the Hill, expressed the opinion that if the Ukrainian Armed Forces do not succeed in the counteroffensive by the end of the year, a peace agreement will be concluded on favorable terms for Russia. Medvedev WtR The February 28, 1874 edition of the Wisconsin State Register took note of the death of an old Winnebago chief. Yellow Thunder, a noted warrior and chief of the Winnebago tribe, living a few miles above us in the vicinity of the Wisconsin River, died about two weeks since, aged over 100 years, the article read. It continued, Yellow Thunder was not, of course, included among those of his tribe that were removed by U.S. soldiers to Nebraska, but has been removed by a higher power. Chief Wakajaziga (Yellow Thunder) died not far from the 40 acres he purchased in 1849 to try and avoid being deported again from his homeland. It was a land he shared with his spouse, Haakejaniheiga (Always in the Back), whom he shared his life with until her death in 1868. Theres a marker for both of them near Baraboo. The two will be celebrated, as will all the Indigenous people of the area, on Monday with Indigenous Peoples Day. This years celebration is sponsored by Sauk County, the Ho-Chunk Nation, the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Sauk County Historical Society. The free event, open to all, runs from noon to 3 p.m. at the Aldo Leopold Foundation, located at E13701 Levee Road, northeast of Baraboo. Guests will be invited to explore the Aldo Leopold Foundation grounds, where they will find Ho-Chunk artisans and vendors, food samples, musicians and exhibits. There will be a short program at 1 p.m. honoring Wakajaziga and Haakejaniheiga and all Indigenous people. Governor Tony Evers will be in attendance for the festivities. Other guests will include Clayton Winneshiek, traditional chief of the Ho-Chunk Nation; John Greendeer, president of the Ho-Chunk Nation; Wifrid Cleveland, spiritual leader and prior president of the Ho-Chunk Nation; and Bill Quackenbush, tribal historic preservation officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation. At 2 p.m. buses, will shuttle attendees to the nearby Chief Wakajaziga/Yellow Thunder Memorial to participate in a short ceremony to dedicate a new stone marker, interpretive panels and permanent Ho-Chunk history walk. Yellow Thunder was born around 1774. Yellow Thunder was quite a noted character in his day, read a brief 1878 Wisconsin State Journal article about him, and took part with his tribe, on the side of the British, in 1812. In 1828, Yellow Thunder and his wife, with 14 other chiefs, traveled as part of a delegation to Washington, D.C., to meet President John Quincy Adams. The government wanted to impress upon the Winnebago people, now known as the Ho-Chunk, after some resistance in Wisconsin, the federal governments might and how futile resistance would be. Fort Winnebago in Portage was built. Treaties were created in which the Ho-Chunk were forced to cede their land. Yellow Thunder signed two of those treaties. The treaties forced the Ho-Chunk people to move west of the Mississippi River. Yellow Thunder and Always in the Back refused. They were arrested at Fort Winnebago in 1840 and were forcibly removed from the area. A Detroit Free Press article, dated June 24, 1840 stated, The last detachment of Winnebagos left Fort Winnebago on the 3rd inst. On their way to the Mississippi. The chief Yellow Thunder, who threatened resistance, was kept a prisoner, by Gen. Atkinson, till the last of his tribe were collected. Once Yellow Thunder and Always in the Back were relocated, they walked back home. They were sent back. They walked home again. In 1849, Yellow Thunder purchased the 40 acres just north of Baraboo. He and his wife lived there until their deaths. They built cabins. They welcomed all, Ho-Chunk and white settlers alike. Powwows were often held on the property. Chief Yellow Thunder and Always in the Back were key leaders in the Ho-Chunk resistance to the forced removals of their people, said Paul Wolter, executive director of the Sauk County Historical Society. They are a key reason that the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin exists today. We are excited to honor them with new interpretive panels at the memorial. Wolter said, The Sauk County Historical Society was founded in 1905 in many ways on issues related to Indigenous People especially the destruction of the mounds in the area. One of the first things SCHS did in 1907 was to work with others to purchase the land containing the Man Mound, a rare, man-shaped effigy mound northeast of Baraboo. In 1909 SCHS created Yellow Thunder memorial to honor the chief and his spouse, Wolter said. We are excited to be a part of the fifth annual Indigenous Peoples Day in Sauk County, he said, to celebrate and honor the Ho-Chunk people and indigenous connections to the land. A Nov. 24, 1869 issue of the Baraboo News Republic reported, This morning a delegation of eight head men of the Winnebago Tribe of Indians from the pinery regions between Portage and La Crosse, an uncommonly good looking lot of aboriginals, decked with paint and arrayed in their best toggery, invaded the Executive office to have a talk with Gov. Fairchild, and through him to send a message to the Great Father of Washington. Yellow Thunder was part of that delegation, as were other men Green Wing, Judge, Dandy and Dekorra among them. They smoked the pipe of peace, asking Fairchild, and President Ulysses S. Grant, to let them continue to live in the hunting grounds of his fathers, and asked that they be unmolested while they live peaceably with their white brothers. That was what Yellow Thunder and Always in the Back always wanted, to live peaceably. Close The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. GALLERY: Ho-Chunk Neeshla Powwow The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. The Ho-Chunk Nations annual Neeshla Powwow has plenty of dancing, singing, food, and vendors to peruse, taking place August 25 through August 27 across the way from the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells casino. Summer is gone and autumn is here. At Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, the bucks will be shedding velvet from their antlers. The blazing yellow flowers of summer are beginning to brown and fall back into the ground. Egrets are in migration. Salamanders, too. Some monarch butterflies are finding purchase on the wind, and the trees are jeweled with their autumnal change. Its another season. Its another year to celebrate this circle of life. National Wildlife Refuge Week is Sunday through Oct. 14. 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, Trempealeau 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. 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. For the special week, visitors will be treated to more than just natures wonders. Festivities begin on Wednesday. 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 senior citizens. 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 back 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. Finally, 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 Spongy moths are eating all the leaves off of Wisconsins oak trees. Emerald ash borers, a beetle native to northeastern Asia, are destroying street trees in Madison and beyond. Carp are swimming most everywhere, wreaking havoc on Wisconsins waterways. Lake Belle View, in Belleville, for instance, has a lot of carp, pushing out the native fish populations. Invasive species are invading ecosystems throughout Wisconsin. Its a problem. A team of 86 researchers from 49 countries recently released a four-year assessment of the global impacts of some 3,500 harmful invasive species. They found that economic costs now total at least $423 billion a year. Alien invaders play a key role in 60% of recorded plant and animal extinctions. We also know that this is a problem that is going to get much, much worse, said Helen Roy, co-chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services report, in a statement. The reports other co-chair, Anibal Pauchard, stated, Invasive species are affecting not only nature but also people and causing a terrible loss of life. The deadly wildfires in Hawaii were driven, in part, by flammable invasive grasses brought over from Africa as livestock pasture. Invasive mosquito species can spread disease, such as malaria, dengue and West Nile. The Africanized honey bee and the red imported fire ant can attack humans with painful consequences. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources notes that invasive species are negatively impacting many of the states industries, including sport and commercial fishing, forestry, agriculture, and raw water users including power companies, industrial water users, and municipal water plants. The Great Lakes sport and commercial fishing industry alone is valued at $4.5 billion and supports 81,000 jobs. Its at risk with the invasive species in its waters. The invasive round goby, for instance, native to central Eurasia, is eating the eggs of sportfish such as small-mouth bass, trout and sturgeon. What can one do? Small things help. Look around, said Jasmine Wyant, invasive species coordinator for the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association. Observe your neighborhood. The park down the street. Do you notice an invasive species there? Raise your concerns. Get involved. The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association, based in Mount Horeb, collaborates with organizations, governmental agencies, landowners and concerned citizens in a handful of counties in southern Wisconsin, including Sauk, Green and Grant. We can make good decisions, Wyant said. Homeowners, for example, can plant native species in their yards over invasive species. However pretty honeysuckle and burning bushes are in ones yard, theyre harmful to local ecosystems. The DNR has a good resource for homeowners that highlights native plants, where to buy them, how to landscape with them, and more, Wyant said. That information can be found at dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/nativeplants. Beyond ones backyard there are organizations throughout Wisconsin working to eradicate invasive species. In 2002, state agencies joined with private partners in forming the Wisconsin Invasive Species Council. Council members come from a wide swath of concerned entities, including the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association, The Nature Conservancy, UW-Madison Department of Agronomy, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. Start conversations, Wyant said. The more cooperation we have to face this issue the better. Invasive species such as the non-native buckthorn, prevalent throughout Wisconsin, prevent the regeneration of young trees. Wisconsins forestry industry has revenue upwards of $2.8 billion annually, supporting 66,000 jobs. Invasive species could jeopardize those jobs. Garlic mustard, a biennial flowering plant, and an invasive species, is outcompeting native species in Wisconsins forest understories, negatively changing the root dynamics in those areas. Wild parsnip, purple loosestrife, Dames Rocket and other plants are being removed by organizations including like the Aldo Leopold Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Baraboo Range Preservation Association (BRPA). The BRPA incorporated in 1994 as a grassroots organization of landowners. Since, the group has worked to protect land, educate the public and organize, from time to time, to remove invasive species. The organization frequently has work parties at two ongoing project sites within the city of Baraboo to restore habitat and remove invasive brush. One site is on the UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County campus. The other is at the Maxwell-Potter Conservancy. Invasive species cause environmental harm, economic harm and cultural harm, Wyant said, hoping more citizens join forces and take up arms against Wisconsins invasive species. GALLERY: Baraboo students remove invasive plant species along Ice Age Trail Gordon L. Willson Ice Age Trail 052518-bara-news-trail2 052518-bara-news-trail14 Gordon L. Willson Ice Age Trail 052518-bara-news-trail6 052518-bara-news-trail9 052518-bara-news-trail5 Gordon L. Willson Ice Age Trail Gordon L. Willson Ice Age Trail Gordon L. Willson Ice Age Trail 052518-bara-news-trail8 052518-bara-news-trail7 052518-bara-news-trail16 052518-bara-news-trail12 052518-bara-news-trail3 052518-bara-news-trail1 US Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York sent a letter Thursday to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X CEO Linda Yaccarino expressing serious concerns about the emergence of AI-generated political ads on their platforms and asking each to explain any rules theyre crafting to curb the harms to free and fair elections FILE - Dr. George Tyndall, 72, left, appears with his attorney Andrew Flier during an arraignment at Los Angeles Superior court, July 1, 12019, in Los Angeles. Tyndall, the former University of Southern California gynecologist charged with sexually assaulting numerous students was found dead in his home on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, according to his lawyer. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel,File) FILE - The Fulton County Jail is seen April 11, 2023, in Atlanta. A Georgia state Senate committee is expected to announce Thursday, Oct. 5, that it's starting its own investigation into the troubled jail, months after the U.S. Justice Department unveiled a similar inquiry. This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA shows Syrian men who were injured from a drone attack that hit a packed military graduation ceremony in the central city of Homs, lying in a hospital bed, in Syria, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Syria's health minister has raised the casualty tolls from a drone attack that hit a packed military graduation ceremony to 80 killed and 240 wounded. It was one of the deadliest attacks on the Syrian army recently, with its conflict now in its thirteenth year. (SANA via AP) In this handout photo released on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, Senior Researcher at the National Museum of Denmark Mads Dengso Jessen holds a window glass fragment from the Viking Age, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sept. 8, 2023. Over the past 25 years, archaeologists have found glass fragments in six excavations in southern Sweden, Denmark and northern Germany and have analyzed fragments of glass panes to reach the conclusion: Vikings had windows with glass-panes. Infratil Limited (IFT) today announced that Andrew Carroll will join the company as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in late November 2023, succeeding Phillippa Harford who is stepping down after 8 successful years in the role. Alison Gerry, Infratils Chair, said that Phillippa Harford will remain involved in a governance capacity with a number of Infratil investments, including as the Chair of One NZ and a director of NZX listed Manawa Energy and RetireAustralia, alongside her role as a Partner with Morrison & Co. Phillippa has been an outstanding CFO since taking over the reins in 2015, supporting Infratils investment strategy, and recently leading the efforts on the successful acquisition of the other half of One NZ. I would like to thank Phillippa for her contribution to Infratils excellent performance for its shareholders. Andy joins Infratil with over 30 years of experience in financial, commercial and operational roles, particularly in telecommunications and infrastructure sectors. He spent 12 years at Chorus, initially as CFO and most recently as GM Customer & Network Operations. He was the EY CFO of the year in 2017. He previously worked at Telecom in corporate finance and M&A roles, and had a decade of experience as an investment banker at Credit Suisse First Boston NZ. Mr Carroll will join Morrison & Co on 1 November 2023 and formally transition into the role of Infratil CFO at the conclusion of the FY24 Interim Results on or around 22 November 2023. As part of the transition, Infratil Finance Director Matthew Ross has been appointed as Deputy CFO. He joined Infratil in 2010, and is an Executive Director at Morrison & Co with an extensive financial background, covering financial reporting, investment management, M&A, and investor relations. Matt is a director of Wellington International Airport. Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: SPN - AMENDED Slower trade see South Port temper guidance GTR - Full-Year Results Announcement Date Synlait Annual Meeting 2023 EROAD H1 FY24 Results and Conference Call Details TWL - TradeWindow Director resignation November 1st Morning Report General Capital Subsidiary Director Resignation Arvida Bank Facility Update BFG - Capital Return - Interim Orders Received CHI - Exchange Mechanism of CHI010 notes for CHI030 bonds We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form At the start of 2022, many bars remained shell-shocked by the pandemic and were largely playing it safe; cocktail menus were limited to core essentials that bartenders could execute well in the age of "the new normal." As 2023 gets going, we're rounding a new corner with fancy cocktail lounges, hotel lobby bars, and rooftop venues opening all over the place, and some longstanding spots have jettisoned tried-and-true tipples for complete rewrites of their drink menus. While there are no doubt several new drinks awaiting their "iconic" status, this year list holds true to many of San Francisco's most recognizable, signature, "I'll have another" drinks. There are, of course, several newcomers to the list that have aged into fame, including La Mar's pisco sour, Hog Island's mezcal-tinged michelada, and the pint glass-sized martini at Blondies. We're also toasting the post-Covid return of P.C.H. Things are in flux right now, so get out there and make your way through this years list; we predict a shakeup come 2024. Red Window Cobbler at Red Window. (Marc Fiorito) Open Sesame at Causwells. (Stephanie Amberg) Space Adventure Cobra at Kaiyo. (Courtesy of Kaiyo Rooftop) 1. 1934 Zombie at The Tonga Room. It may leave your head swimming, but just don't jump in the pool; rum, lime, grapefruit, cinnamon, falernum, absinthe, bitters. // Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason St. (Nob Hill), tongaroom.com 2. 20th Century at Stookey's Club Moderne. Throw back this throwback; gin, quinine wine, creme de cacao, and lemon. // 895 Bush St. (TenderNob),stookeysclubmoderne.com 3. After the Gold Rush at Holy Water. It's still the holy quaternity; bourbon, pineapple gum syrup, apricot, and lime. // 309 Cortland Ave. (Bernal Heights), holywatersf.com 4. Bacchus Old Fashioned at Schroeders. Pair with a pretzel; German grape brandy, rye, bitters, sugar, absinthe. // 240 Front St. (FiDi), schroederssf.com 5. Bloodhound at Bloodhound. Send in the hounds; gin or vodka, grapefruit, lime, Campari, prosecco. // 1145 Folsom St. (SoMa), bloodhoundsf.com 6. Blood in the Water at Hog Island Oyster Co. Tomatoes in your throat; mezcal, jalapeno cordial, bloody mary mix, mignonette tonic, lime, beer. // #11 Ferry Building (Embarcadero), hogislandoysters.com 7. Bloody Mary at Zeitgeist. May make you see pink elephants; vodka, tomato juice, spices, and pickly garnishes. // 199 Valencia St. (Mission), zeitgeistsf.com 8. California Cooler at Horsefeather. Finer wine; gin, celery, lime, thyme, sauvignon blanc, horseradish, and sparkling wine. // 528 Divisadero (NoPa),horsefeatherbar.com 9. Cherry Bounce at Comstock Saloon. Get some pep in your step: bourbon, cherry brandy, lemon, bitters, and Champagne. // 155 Columbus Ave. (North Beach),comstocksaloon.com 10. Chinese Mai Tai at Li Po Cocktail Lounge. It was locally famous, then it got Bourdained; rum, Chinese liqueur, and pineapple. // 916 Grant Ave. (Chinatown), lipolounge.com 11. Czechs and Balances at The Sea Star. Czech it out: Bourbon, amaro, lemon, honey, allspice. // 2289 3rd St. (Dogpatch), theseastarsf.com 12. Destroyer of Bad Vibes at Ocean Beach Cafe. Kill icky juju, spare your liver; nonalcoholic botanical spirit, hemp and root spirit, honey, lemon, orange bitters, cinnamon. // 734 La Playa St. (Outer Richmond), oceanbeachcafe.com 13. Dublin Honey at The Ice Cream Bar. Youve earned this; Guinness, caramelized honey ice cream, Valrhona chocolate syrup, and port. // 815 Cole St. (Cole Valley), theicecreambarsf.com 14. Greyhounds Tooth at Spruce. Classing up the classic; vodka, Benedictine, grapefruit, lemon, grapefruit bitters. // 3640 Sacramento St. (Presidio Heights), sprucesf.com 15. Hat in the Ring at Junior. Throw your, you know; gin, bitter aperitif, grapefruit, and bitters. // 2545 24th St. (Mission), juniorbarsf.com 16. Holy Basil at Wildseed. Plant-based party over here; green chili vodka, lime, cucumber basil shrub. // 2000 Union Street (Cow Hollow), wildseedsf.com 17. House Campari Soda at Buddy. Open you palate, open your mind; bitter vermouth, cherry quinine liqueur, aperitivo wine, orange bitters, soda. // 3115 22nd Street (Mission), buddythebar.com 18. Irish Coffee at Buena Vista Cafe. The OG; Irish whiskey, coffee, sugar, and cream. // 2765 Hyde St. (Fisherman's Wharf), thebuenavista.com 19. Ive Grown to Love Life Too Much at The Interval at Long Now. Choose life; Cognac, spiced pear liqueur, and creme de cacao; shot of sparkling wine on the side. // 2 Marina Blvd. (Fort Mason), theinterval.org 20. Jamaican Zombie at Zombie Village. Wake the dead; rum, grapefruit, lime, mango, Doc's Spice #2, and Scotch bonnet chilis. // 441 Jones St. (Tenderloin), thezombievillage.com 21. Kentucky Buck at Rickhouse. Invented here, and world famous; strawberry-infused bourbon, lemon, and ginger beer. // 246 Kearny St. (FiDi), rickhousebar.com 22. Last Rites at Last Rites. Your first pick; rum, passionfruit, molasses, and spice mix. // 718 14th St. (Duboce Triangle), lastritesbar.com 23. Leeward Negroni at P.C.H. Cuckoo for coconut: gin, coconut-washed Campari, pandan cordial, bitters. // 550 Sutter St. (Union Square), pacificcocktailsf.com 24. Lost Resort at Lost Resort. The Last Word on the matter; gin, Chartreuse, hibiscus, and lemon. // 2736 20th St. (Mission), lostresortsf.com The Passenger, at Bottle Club Pub. (Alex Garret) 25. Mai O Mai at True Laurel. Clarified and elevated; rum, lime, pistachio orgeat, curacao, and coffee-rum float. // 753 Alabama St. (Mission), truelaurelsf.com 26. Makrut Lime Fizz at Ernest. A carbonated key lime pie: gin, cachaca, sour cream, egg white, and soda. // 1890 Bryant St Suite 100 (Mission), ernestsf.com 27. Manhattan at The Progress. You butter believe it; black butter bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters. // 1525 Fillmore St. (Lower Haight), theprogress-sf.com 28. Martini at Blondies Bar. Sixteen ounces makes it iconic; vodka or gin and your choice of stuffed olive. // 540 Valencia St. (Mission), blondiesbarsf.com 29. Open Sesame at Causwells. Savory sensation; tequila, bianco vermouth, cold pressed poblano, lime, agave, and toasted sesame. // 2346 Chestnut St (Cow Hollow), causwells.com 30. Paloma Slushy at The Lark Bar. Frozen and fizzy; tequila, lime, grapefruit, guava syrup, and Sprite. // 29 Third St. (SoMa), thelarkbar.com 31. The Passenger at Bottle Club Pub. The Boulevardier visits Bermuda; bourbon, navy strength rum, Campari, sweet vermouth, passionfruit, and cinnamon. // 555 Geary St (Tenderloin), bottleclubpub.com 32. Peas for Bees at Casements. Easy peasy; mezcal, pea and strawberry citric acid shrub, lime. // 2351 Mission St. (Mission), casementsbar.com 33. Pineapple Sherry at ABV. The best worst kept secret (off-menu). // 3174 16th St. (Mission), abvsf.com 34. Pisco Sour at La Mar Cebicheria Peruana. The first spirit of San Francisco; pisco, lime, egg white, and bitters. // Pier 1 The Embarcadero (Embarcadero), lamarsf.com 35. Prickly Pear at The Snug. Safe to the touch; mezcal, nopales, prickly pear, amaro, lime, and habanero. // 2301 Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights), thesnugsf.com 36. Quarantine Order at Pagan Idol. Keep it to yourself; bitters, rum, cinnamon, passionfruit, grapefruit, and lime. // 375 Bush St. (FiDi), paganidol.com 37. Red + Blue at Konas Street Market. Whip it good; rum, sherry, ube coconut cream, citrus, and salted jackfruit whip. // 32 Third St. (SoMa), konastreetmarket.com 38. Red Window Cobbler at Red Window. Oh sherry!; sherry, tangelo, peach, fig, and two kids of bitters. // 500 Columbus Ave. (North Beach), theredwindow.com 39. Screen Test at The Madrigal. Tom kha gai in a glass; dark rum, kumquat liquor, basil, coconut milk, Thai chili, and lime. // 100 Van Ness Ave (Civic Center), themadrigalsf.com 40. Seafoam Spritz at Anina. Bouquet all day; elderflower, aperitif wine, lime, prosecco, and lemongrass. // 482 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley), aninasf.com 41. SF Yacht Club at 25 Lusk. A boat drink for landlubbers; vodka, grapefruit, cucumber, lemon, lime, and mint. // 25 Lusk St. (SoMa), 25lusk.com 42. Sidecar at Bix. Stay classy with a classic; Cognac, curacao, and lime. // 56 Gold St. (Jackson Square), bixrestaurant.com 43. Sometimes Old Fashioned at Cold Drinks. Duck would have it; Peking duck fatwashed Scotch, rye, lemon, pepper, mushroom, and bitters. // China Live, 644 Broadway (North Beach), chinalivesf.com 44. Slushy di Modena at Bar Nonnina. Shaved to order; gin, Italian amaro, Lambrusco, seasonal berries, and citrus over shaved ice. // Inside Fiorella, 240 Ninth Ave. (Inner Sunset), barnonnina.com 45. Smuggler's Rum Barrel at Smuggler's Cove. A secret mix with rum, juice, and spice, served in a barrel. // 650 Gough St. (Hayes Valley), smugglerscovesf.com 46. Space Adventure Cobra at Kaiyo Rooftop. Let it snake up on ya; gin, falernum, passionfruit, matcha coconut cream, lemon, and two kinds of bitters. // 701 3rd St (South Beach), kaiyosf.com 47. The Spritzzz at The Detour. Let's get spritzfaced; Aperol, sparkling rose, lemon, and soda. // 2200A Market St. (Castro), detoursf.com 48. Ten Forward at Mothership. Turn loose the juice; amaro, passionfruit, lemon, pea flower-infused vodka, and fennel. // 3152 Mission St. (Outer Mission), mothershipbar.com 49. Tommy's Margarita at Tommy's Mexican Restaurant. Zen and the art of agave; tequila, lime, and agave syrup on the rocks, no salt. // 5929 Geary Blvd. (Outer Richmond), tommysmexican.com 50. White Cap Martini at White Cap. Brine it on; gin and seaweed-infused dry vermouth. // 3608 Taraval St. (Outer Sunset), whitecapsf.com (Courtesy of Old Potrero) This fall, San Francisco has an extra special reason to raise a glass: the launch of the Old Potrero Old Rye Trail. Featuring more than 30 bars and restaurants across the greater Bay Area, the Rye Trail celebrates the SF-based companys three decades of 100-percent pot-distilled rye whiskey at the historic distillery in Potrero Hill. The Rye Trail beckons cocktail enthusiasts to explore, sample, and savor Old Potrero straight rye whiskey neat or in speciality craft cocktails that celebrate SF neighborhoods. From the charm of old dives to the upscale ambiance of more modern establishments, the Bay's drinking scene has arguably never been richer. And with rye making a resurgence, the drinks on the Rye Trail offer a delightful mix of tradition and innovation, paying homage to the past while looking ahead. Here are a few to try now: Yerba Buena Sling at Elixir. A tantalizing blend of Old Potrero Rye meets the sweet embrace of cherry heering and dry orange curacao, swirled with pineapple and lemon juices and kissed by a whisper of mint. // 3200 16th St. (Upper Market), elixirsf.com Manhattan at Waterfront Restaurant. An urban symphony of flavors where Old Potrero Rye Whiskey and Carpano Antica sway in a timeless dance. Hints of orange bitters enhance the melody, all culminating in the sweet crescendo of a brandied cherry garnish. A cocktail that embodies elegance in every sip. // 7 The Embarcadero, (Embarcadero), waterfrontsf.com Queen Sun at Third Rail. A concoction celebrating the citys warmest neighborhood where Old Potrero Rye whiskey mingles with the brightness of lemon juice and the nuance of Manzanilla. Hints of Amaro Montenegro dance with sweet pineapple gum syrup, all crowned by a dot of angostura bitters. // 628 20th St. (Dogpatch), thirdrailbarsf.com Thank you to our partners at Old Potrero. This month, Oaklands singular creativity gets a celebration all its own. At the first annual Oakland Style week, theyll shine the spotlight on the fashion, art, food, music, and culture that make The Town so strikingly unique. Devan Gregori's designs "empower women to be their best selves through fashion that is both fun and functional," she says. (Courtesy of Devan Gregori) Inspired by the energy of New York Fashion Week, Oakland Style is a complete artistic expression of the citys vibrant community of makers filled with fun events over the course of five days. The celebration kicks off on October 18th with A Taste of Style, where seven top chefs meet vintage White Elephant Sale fashion at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA), followed by Sounds of Style with Soul Mechanix, a concert mixing groove-based soul, progressive funk, and an unpredictable array of other influences at Yoshis. Oakland is one of the most inclusive and diverse cities in the world [with] a beautiful, proud, authentic style, says Peter Gamez, president and CEO of Visit Oakland. Oakland Style is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to experience Oakland talent and the warmth, positivity, true love, and pride that our community has for The Town. At the center of the festival is the dynamic lineup of activities being held at the Oakland Style Lab's Fashion Marketplace and Reimagine Fashion. The latter will host runway shows Friday and Saturday that show off the many facets of Oakland's style. Oakland style is bold, confident, and unapologetic...enriched by a history of constantly questioning the status quo and advocating for what we believe in, says designer Devan Gregori. Her designs will appear at one of the weeks most anticipated events, a performance by aerial dance team Bandaloop on Sunday, October 22nd. Dancers will perform suspended from a building facade at Frank Ogawa Plaza outfitted in my designs, explains Gregori. Its thrilling to be able to partner with such dynamic creatives. It will be unlike anything Ive ever done before! Excitement about Oakland Style isnt limited to the designers and makers whose work will be on display, says Gamez. The entire town is buzzing with it. Oakland Style will feature and make accessible the work of local designers. (Courtesy of Oakland Style/Visit Oakland) Additional events include: Thursday nights Bespoke Cocktails + Stylish Conversations, a chat with local designers, artists, musicians, and chefs moderated by ABC7 news anchor Jobina Forston; Saturdays Oakland Art Murmur, when 16 arts venues will open their doors to guided walking, biking, and bus tours (as well as visitors who prefer to check things out on their own); a vintage shopping tour that will weave through some of the best shops in town; and the unveiling of a new art exhibit featuring the photographs of 100 community members at Uptown Station. I think this event has the opportunity to become something incredibly special that we look forward to every year, says Gregori. By showcasing the eclectic, passionate and historic nature of Oaklands style, I believe it will inspire residents and visitors alike to continue to seek out creativity, ingenuity and to develop a meaningful sense of personal style that reflects who we are, where we come from, and where we want to go. // Oakland Style, October 18-22; find more information and tickets to events at visitoakland.com. Over 50 and cant leave the house without a full face of makeup? Think again. Because Pamela Anderson just did exactly that and not just to the grocery store, but to Paris Fashion Week of all places, where youth, beauty, perfection and glamour have been known to reign supreme. AARP Membership Join AARP for $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. Join Now There is beauty in self acceptance, imperfection and love, the 56-year-old actress and animal-rights activist wrote on Instagram along with three images of her looking fresh-faced and makeup free in Paris, where over the past week she attended the fashion shows of heavy-hitters The Row, Isabel Marant, Vivienne Westwood and Victoria Beckham. Its in stark contrast to the former Playmate and Baywatch stars heavily made-up blonde bombshell look of yesteryear, and people are taking notice. The natural beauty revolution has officially begun, proclaimed Jamie Lee Curtis in all caps on Instagram. The 64-year-old actress noted that while attendance at fashion week brings so many pressures and postures, Anderson showed up and claimed her seat at the table with nothing on her face. I am so impressed and floored by this act of courage and rebellion. Other stars, including 51-year-old actress Selma Blair and former talk show host Chelsea Handler, chimed in on Curtis post: Love this. Beautiful self assuredness, wrote Blair. Thats pretty iconic, added Handler. So gorgeous, commented Who's the Boss? star Alyssa Milano, 50, while Broadway songstress Kristin Chenoweth, 55, posted a fire emoji, indicating that Anderson, even without makeup, was still hotter than ever. Brava Pamela, wrote actress Rosanna Arquette, 64. So whats Andersons biggest beauty secret? These days? Dont do anything, she told media outlet i-d. Wake up, whatever is happening is just happening. Its all about self-acceptance. This is the chapter of my life Im trying to embrace now. Her confident outlook on stepping out au naturel is refreshing to hear, though for many women perhaps easier said than done. Anderson, who is no stranger to the societal pressures on women and aging, shared her new mantra: Sometimes its challenging, and you just have to understand that youre good enough and that you are beautiful. I like to say the word life-ing instead of aging. Chasing youth is just futile. Youre not gonna get there, so its like why not just embrace whats going on. Its made her getting-ready routine all the more streamlined, too. Since I just walked out the door this morning, I feel like a relief, like a weight off my shoulders, and I actually like it better. Im dressing for me now, not for everybody else. Clad in a flowing floral-print dress by Beckham, Anderson described her look as something kind of feminine and whimsical, which is kind of my mood these days. (Left to right) Viola Davis, Helen Mirren and Andie MacDowell walk the runway during Paris Fashion Week at the Eiffel Tower on Oct. 1, 2023 in Paris. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images; Aitor Rosas Sune/WWD via Getty Images; Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images And she was in good company in the City of Light, where fellow 50-plus stars Helen Mirren, 78, Viola Davis, 58, and gray-haired beauty Andie MacDowell, 65, made their mark on the runway. The actresses, all LOreal spokespeople, walked in the sixth annual Le Defile LOreal Paris Walk Your Worth show on Sunday on the esplanade of the Eiffel Tower, proving that age is, as the saying goes, just a number. by M. K. Bhadrakumar A massive Western media barrage was to be expected caricaturing the election result of the runoff in the Maldives presidential poll in binary terms as Chinas gain being Indias loss. It further laments that democracy is in peril in Maldives under the incoming presidency of Mohamed Muizzu, the incumbent Mayor of the capital city of Male, a brilliant technocrat by training who holds a doctorate in engineering from a British university and entered politics over ten years ago to serve as cabinet minister in successive governments and gained prominence for his pivotal involvement in overseeing significant infrastructure projects, most notably the iconic Sinamale Bridge, which served as a vital connection linking the capital city to the Velana International Airport on Hulhule and extending further to the planned new city of Hulhumale and in the process got branded as pro-China by the western countries and the Indian media. Maldives President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (C) addressing supporters, Male, October 2, 2023 Both assumptions about Muizzu are deeply flawed, anchored on the US so-called Indo-Pacific strategy and its geopolitical ramifications. They ascribe to Maldives a slot in the Indo-Pacific strategy, which it is expected to habitate without questioning, and deny that small countrys freedom of choice in a world in transition. Maldives just displayed a thrilling finish to its presidential election, which was so hotly contested that a run-off became necessary and an opposition, which was the underdog, defeated the incumbent president by a convincing margin of 8 percent of votes polled. Indeed, the sheer vibrancy of the democratic process that goes on inside the Peoples Majlis puts to deep shame all countries in the South Asian region, including Pakistan and the self-proclaimed mother of democracy next door, India. Constitutional rule in Maldives dates back to 1932 when a constitution was drawn up opening vistas of democratic rule that the reigning Sultan felt threatened and mobs were instigated to publicly tear up the document. Since then the constitution has been revised several times. Incidentally, Maldives is considering a switchover to the parliamentary system which it considers to be a more representative form of government and a bulwark against the danger of concentration of power in the hands of an authoritarian individual. The fact of the matter is that Maldives has a highly literate population which is politically empowered. Only Sri Lanka comes close to it in this respect in the region. The paradox is, these two countries also have something else in common coping with a massive neighbour like India which taught them the art of navigating a robustly independent foreign policy to balance Indian hegemony. There have been times when Male and Colombo wore a deceptive look of submissiveness but in reality, on vital interests they held fast and firm playing for time. In the current situation, quite obviously, they regard China as a balancer. Indians, with their zero-sum mindset, do not understand that these small countries are neither pro-India nor pro-China but want to be friendly toward both and would strive to take advantage of it to safeguard own interests, primarily in the economic sphere. This is particularly so lately, as South Asia is turning into an arena of big power rivalry (which was never the case during the Cold War) and a new player has appeared in the region to impose its will the United States. It is not only Maldives and Sri Lanka but all countries in the region, big and small, including most recently Pakistan too, which are today under Western pressure to take sides. If the US feels emboldened to try to impose its hegemony over South Asian region, it is primarily because of the tacit support that India, the perennial swing state, extends to it. The shift in Indian positions in the context of the growing transformation of US-Indian relations dates back to sometime circa 2006 with the dissolution of US-Indian antagonism following their nuclear deal. One of the structural factors that came into play in the making of this paradigm shift Washington and New Delhi cooperating and coordinating their approach to South Asia was the Indian and American desire to forge a new partnership grounded in promoting geopolitical equilibrium in Asia in the face of Chinas rise. The result is that India effectively became party to the American efforts to manipulate the South Asian regimes with a view to align them with its Indo-Pacific strategy. Suffice to say, the current lamentation that China-backed candidate Mohamed Muizzu defeated pro-India President Ibrahim Solih,et al, is complete nonsense. Make no mistake, pro-India Solih never really turned his back on China. Nor was it the case that his decision not to terminate the Chinese projects in Maldives that were negotiated by his pro-China predecessor never stopped him from seeking a full-throttle India first relationship with Delhi. Politicians resort to rhetoric in order to attract votes, which is seldom followed through. This is not a South Asian phenomenon, either the US is currently negotiating a security treaty with Saudi Arabia, a country that Candidate Joe Biden once not too long ago had called Pariah. India is deeply enmeshed in the finances of the Maldives, trade, infrastructure growth, etc. which are so fundamentally important for the growth of the Maldives that it will be very very hard to stop all that ie., even if president-elect Muizzu wants to. Second, make no mistake, geopolitics is not a burning concern for the people of Maldives, although there is a strong undercurrent of anti-Indian sentiments (as in all South Asian countries) that politicians exploit during closely-fought elections. Arguably, India could as well have avoided the showdown with Solihs pro-China predecessor Abdullah Yameen if only powerful interest groups among the elites and within the establishment hadnt jumped into the fray over the decision in 2012 by the Yameen Government to cancel the GMR groups $511 million contract for modernising the Male Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. Alas, that still remains an untold story and, probably, just as well. Hopefully, history will not repeat, as president-elect Muizzu has already made his intention known publicly that he will stick to his campaign promise to remove Indian military personnel stationed in Maldives. The people have told us that they dont want foreign military here, he said. Delhi must calmly, rationally assess what Muizzus commitment entails. An AP despatch claims Its a serious blow to India in its geopolitical rivalry with China in the India Ocean region. Is it really so? Apparently, 75 Indian personnel and two helicopters would tilt the geopolitical balance in the Indian Ocean in Indias favour! Most important, Muizzu also went on to say that Maldives is against any form of foreign military presence on its soil by any country. Wasnt it an insensitive move bordering on idiocy to station our military personnel in Maldives? Delhi should have anticipated a train crash at some point, This is the sort of strategic overreach that the US usually makes in its hubris eg., shoving shit down the throat of Boris Yeltsins Russia, as Bill Clinton once admitted in private to his aide Strobe Talbott during a visit to Moscow in January 1996 (aimed at ensuring Yeltsin won a second term), while also foretelling with great prescience that there was bound to be a backlash at some point. Clinton was spot on; it came within six months when Vladimir Putin moved to Moscow from St. Petersburg to join the administration of President Yeltsin. The rest is history. M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific. New 2-year Odin Gas Supply Agreement Melbourne, Oct 5, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Vintage Energy Ltd ( ASX:VEN ), 50% interest holder and Operator of the PRL 211 Joint Venture ("the joint venture", other interest holders: Metgasco Ltd, 25%; and Bridgeport (Cooper Basin) Pty Ltd, 25%) announces an additional two-year gas sale under the master gas supply agreement for the Odin gas field. The joint venture parties have agreed and signed terms with Pelican Point Power Limited for the supply of gas from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026. The new sale follows the announcement on 15 May 2023 of agreement between the joint venture parties and Pelican Point Power for supply of gas from Odin from field start-up to December 2024, the maximum period then available under then existing ACCC authorisation. Signing of the new agreement follows the commencement of supply from Odin to Pelican Point Power on 14 September 2023. The new transaction was initiated following receipt of ACCC authorisation (announced 28 May 2023), allowing Vintage and its joint venture parties to jointly market gas for longer terms than the preceding interim authorisation which permitted marketing for supply to December 2024. Prices agreed for the new agreement are consistent with current expectations for gas supplied to the east coast domestic market in 2025 and 2026. Vintage and its joint venture parties are exempted from the gas price cap as producers supplying less than 100 PJ exclusively to the domestic market. The agreement provides for interruptible supply of all gas produced from the Odin gas field in the contract period. Pelican Point Power Station is a 497 MW combined cycle gas power plant in South Australia operated by ENGIE Australia & New Zealand. The plant is regarded as a critical infrastructure asset for energy security and system stability in South Australia. Vintage Managing Director, Neil Gibbins, said "we are very pleased to have extended our agreement with ENGIE for supply to Pelican Point Power. "Interest in securing gas supply remains strong and we were keen to add to our contract coverage at Odin once we were granted the necessary ACCC authorisation. The price cap exemptions provided to producers selling to the domestic market provides a strong incentive for connection and contracting of new gas supply and, with this latest agreement, we have now met our contracting targets for the medium term. Vintage has a strong contractual position as a dual field producer". About Vintage Energy Ltd Vintage Energy Ltd (ASX:VEN) has been established to acquire, explore and develop energy assets principally within, but not limited to, Australia, to take advantage of a generally favourable energy pricing outlook. Related Companies CBS TV Meanwhile, the Drew Barrymore-hosted daytime talk show has announced on its official social media pages that season 4 is set to premiere on Monday, October 16. Oct 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - "The Drew Barrymore Show" continues to face setbacks even after the WGA strike has ended. It has been reported that three co-head writers of the Drew Barrymore-hosted daytime talk show have chosen not to return to the show. Sources claim to The Hollywood Reporter that Chelsea White, Cristina Kinon and Liz Koe refuse to re-join the show after it previously planned to resume filming sans writers amid WGA strike. Following the writers' withdrawal, the production is allegedly interviewing new writers now and will be in compliance with the guild. Prior to this, the three writers told the news outlet that they found out that "Drew" was returning, not from their boss or colleagues, but via audience ticket giveaways posted on social media instead. "It is a bummer to hear that the show is going back because it sends a message that union writers are not valuable," White said on September 11, the show's first day back in production amid the strike. Kinon added, "I understand that everybody has to do what they feel is best for them. For me and the WGA writers on the show, it's important for us to stick with our union. We deserve a fair contract, so we are here today outside." When asked if they planned to return to the show once the strike was resolved, White said at the time, "Maybe no comment." Meanwhile, "The Drew Barrymore Show" recently announced that season 4 is set to premiere on Monday, October 16. The syndicated show broke the news on its social media pages on Tuesday, October 3, writing, "This just in: We're kicking off our brand new season on Monday, October 16th!" Barrymore was under fire last month when she made the decision to bring back her show amid the strike. "I own this choice," she wrote at the time. "I certainly couldn't have expected this kind of attention, and we aren't going to break rules and we will be in compliance. I wanted to do this, because as I said, this is bigger than me and there are other people's jobs on the line." Following the backlash, the "Charlie's Angels" actress shared a tearful apology video. She also revealed on September 17 that she decided to halt her show's season premiere. "I have no words to express my deepest apologies to anyone I have hurt and, of course, to our incredible team," Barrymore wrote in an Instagram post. "We really tried to find our way forward, and I truly hope for a resolution for the entire industry very soon." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity The series regular of 'The Kardashians' reportedly is invited by the social media personality to have a blast at her 26th birthday bash at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand. Oct 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Kylie Jenner allegedly left Jordyn Woods feeling "snubbed" for not being there on her special day. A few months after going public with her and her former bestie's reunion, the series regular of "The Kardashians" reportedly "skipped" the social media personality's birthday party. Speaking to Page Six on Wednesday, October 4, a source revealed that the 26-year-old reality TV star did not make an appearance at Jordyn's birthday bash, which took place at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand in Paris, France. The outlet also unveiled that she had been invited by Jordyn to have a blast at the party. Prior to the festivities, Kylie was in Paris for a number of days to attend several shows during the 2023 Paris Fashion Week, per the outlet. Moreover, she and Jordyn might have hung out together when both of them were in town. Another source told the outlet that "there are images of them together several times in Paris." However, the outlet spilled that the Kylie Cosmetics founder jetted out of the City of Love and went back to Los Angeles on Saturday, September 30. It remains unclear why she chose to fly back to the city in California and skipped Jordyn's lavish party. Despite Kylie's absence, Jordyn still had a blast at the celebration of her 26th birthday. She was joined by a number of other famous stars, including actor and rapper Jaden Smith, who was romantically linked to Kylie in the past. For the special occasion, Jordyn looked stunning in a nearly all-black ensemble. She donned a black-and-white mini dress that came with an off-the-shoulder and low-cut design. She put on a pair of strappy black open-toe high heels that had white flower embellishments, a sparkling diamond necklace, a pair of earrings and several rings. Previously, Kylie rekindled her friendship with Jordyn following a public drama with the former's sister Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson. On July 16, the two former besties went public with their reunion while enjoying dinner together at a restaurant in Los Angeles. They appeared to be in a good mood throughout the night out. Later on, it was reported that Kylie and Jordyn had been keeping their friendship away from the public's eyes. "Kylie and Jordyn have been in touch for a while now. [They] have had a friendship for the last year, but have kept it pretty private and low-key. They had to work at rebuilding," a source told The Messenger in July. You can share this post! Cover Images/Sara De Boer Celebrity The 58-year-old actress claims in the lawsuit that the 71-year-old producer, who is behind bars serving a 23-year sentence for rape, sexually assaulted her following a business dinner in 1995. Oct 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Actress Julia Ormond is suing Harvey Weinstein for sexual battery. The "Legends of the Fall" star filed a lawsuit against the disgraced Hollywood producer on Wednesday, October 4, alleging he sexually assaulted her following a business dinner in 1995. The 58-year-old actress claims in the lawsuit 71-year-old Weinstein, who has been accused by more than 100 women of sexual abuse and is behind bars serving a 23-year sentence for raping an aspiring actress and sexually abusing a TV and film production assistant, told her he would only discuss a project "back at the apartment Miramax had provided for Ormond as part of their first-look deal with her." Ormond said she agreed to have Weinstein come to her apartment where he allegedly "stripped naked and forced her to perform oral sex on him." After the alleged incident, the "Sabrina" actress said in her suit she informed her agents Kevin Huvane, 64, and Bryan Lourd, 62, about what apparently occurred. However, Ormond said they advised her against speaking out and did not protect her afterward. She is also suing Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty as well as Miramax and the Walt Disney Company for negligent supervision and retention. Kevin and Bryan, who are co-chairmen of CAA, are not named as defendants in the lawsuit but are named throughout Ormond's filing as her representatives during the time she was allegedly targeted by Weinstein. The lawsuit claims the "men at CAA who represented Ormond knew about Weinstein." It added, "So too did Weinstein's employers at Miramax and Disney. Brazenly, none of these prominent companies warned Ormond that Weinstein had a history of assaulting women because he was too important, too powerful, and made them too much money." ollowing the lawsuit filing, Ormond released a statement in which she shared that she has been living with the "painful memories" Weinstein allegedly caused her for "decades." She said, "I seek a level of personal closure by holding them accountable to acknowledge their part and the depth of its harms and hope that all of our increased understanding will lead to further protections for all of us at work." In February, Weinstein was sentenced to another 16 years in prison after he was convicted in December 2022 on counts of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by a foreign object of an Italian model in February 2013. You can share this post! by Jonathan Broder A few months before the July military coup that toppled Nigers civilian government, a visiting team of American counter-terrorism officials dropped by the U.S. embassy in Niamey, the capital, where the CIA station chief briefed them on the security situation in the West African country. The visitors asked about the possibility of a military takeover in Niger, having in mind the governments poor showing against Islamist militants and the coups that have plagued other countries in the region in recent years. U.S. officials expressed confidence in President Mohamed Bazoums regime only hours before he was toppled. (GETTY IMAGES) Not gonna happen, the station chief confidently assured them, adding: Dont worry, we got this. Fast forward to the morning of July 25. At another embassy briefing, American diplomats told NBCs Courtney Kube that despite the Nigerien governments reputation for corruption, it was still far more stable than others in West Africa. That wishful assessment of Nigers political stability fell apart just a few hours later, when the countrys military leaders overthrew the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. Its no surprise that the coup in Nigerthe seventh country in Africas Sahel region to be taken over by the military since 2020blindsided both the CIA and U.S. diplomats. For years, the United States has seen Africa as a low strategic priority, posting relatively small numbers of diplomats, intelligence officers and troops there. President Biden has tried to reverse that policy, introducing ambitious plans to deepen diplomatic and trade relations with African governments as a way to compete with the China and Russias growing presence of China and Russia on the continent. But the burgeoning strength of Islamist militants across the Sahel, a roughly 3700-mile wide, semi-arid band stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, still remains the dominant focus of U.S. intelligence collection there, current and former U.S. officials saynot on the internal disputes or tensions between the regions political and military leaders. Our intel is focused squarely on counter-terrorism, Michael Shurkin, a former CIA Africa analyst, told SpyTalk. Were not spying on the military or the security forces. Though its well within their capabilities, the NSA is not listening in on the private phones of the Nigerien general staff and all of its general officers. Theyre not focused on that. Theyre focused on counter-terrorism. Source: SpyTalk Instagram Celebrity The mother of two looks chic in spandex tights and a tutu peplum top when heading to a Manhattan restaurant to celebrate her partner A$AP Rocky's 35th birthday. Oct 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Rihanna has enjoyed a date night in New York City with A$AP Rocky after welcoming their second child. Making her first public appearance since giving birth to son Riot Rose, the Barbadian beauty showed her post-pregnancy style in a stylish look. On Tuesday, October 3, the Grammy winner stepped out with her rapper beau for a dinner date at the celebrity-loved restaurant Carbone in Manhattan seemingly to celebrate his 35th birthday. For the occasion, the mother of two rocked a a black tulle peplum top that looked like it had a tiny tutu with Balenciaga pantaleggings. The 35-year-old paired her ballet-core ensemble with a satin mini bomber jacket, a pearl necklace and sunglasses as she looked effortlessly cool. Her hair was styled in a messy updo as she accessorized with hoop earring and a pair of dark shades. Rocky looked equally chic in light-wash jeans, a gray T-shirt over a button-up shirt and tie with a fall-ready brown blazer on top of them all. Not afraid to experiment with his looks, he wore white pearl clips all over his hair and carried a bubblegum pink Barbiecore Bottega Veneta bag as he had a cigarette on his lips. Rihanna gave birth to her second child Riot Rose at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on August 1, 2023 at 7:41 A.M., according to his birth certificate. The couple reportedly chose the floral name for their second son because of Rocky's love of flowers. However, it wasn't until in September that the proud parents broke their silence on the matter by debuting first look at their newborn son. The pair shared some new pictures from their family photo shoot which also featured their firstborn, one-year-old RZA. For the photo shoot, the family put on casual but stylish looks. The Fenty Beauty founder showed off her cleavage in a denim jacket and navy leggings. Meanwhile, the Harlem artist rocked a white tank and silver chain with jeans, covering up with a green flannel in other snaps. You can share this post! Cover Images/Toei Animation/FAYES VISION TV In a new interview, the Netflix's series showrunner Matt Owens mentions talks about casting the 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' actress as Doctor Kureha for the upcoming sophomore season. Oct 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Netflix's "One Piece" showrunner is offering fans some updates on season 2 of the live-adaption to Eiichiro Oda's best-selling manga of the same name. In a new interview, Matt Owens mentioned talks about casting Jamie Lee Curtis for the upcoming sophomore season. "We have opportunities to stunt cast some roles, some rules that are very important, and it came out that Jamie Lee Curtis is a 'One Piece' fan," Matt told Deadline. The "Halloween Ends" actress previously showed interest in playing the role of Doctor Kureha. Matt continued, "As soon as she said that, we were like, okay, we have to try and get her on the show. What can we do? And Doctor Kureha, very luckily, is a character who is coming up in our story, and is someone who is perfect for Jamie Lee Curtis. So we tried to start manifesting this dream of ours." "After she won her Oscar, the writers room sent her a figure of Doctor Kureha with a nice note that said, 'Congratulations on your statue, here's another one to put next to it. Hope to speak to you soon.' When she reposted that, it got a lot of fan interest, and I commented on it. We're trying to manifest it," he added, though he noted that "as of right now, SAG is still striking so there have not been real conversations." Despite that, Matt assured fans that "as soon as there can be, I'm ready. I will take her out to dinner, we'll talk about it. We'll do all of it because at this point we're writing for her - we really, really want her to come and play with us in season 2." Jamie showed interest in playing Kureha in an Instagram post last month. After fans urged the show to cast Jamie as the character, who is the adoptive mother of Tony Tony Chopper, the actress wrote on her page, "ONCE the STRIKE against the greed of the AMTPT is SETTLED with a FAIR CONTRACT, I will lobby along with the growing fan frenzy to become Doctor Kureha in @onepiecenetflix." The "Everything Everywhere All at Once" actress seemingly didn't have to put into so much effort to get the role. Matt responded at the time, "No need to lobby. Once we get what we deserve and get back to work, let's talk!" You can share this post! Cover Images/Faye's Vision Celebrity When recalling the moment, the Mexican-American actor notes that he wrote down questions for Ben in a hurry and the 'Gone Girl' star noticed that the TV host was not prepared right away. Oct 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Mario Lopez has recalled the moment he interviewed Ben Affleck. When recounting the experience in an exclusive Us Weekly cover story, the "Saved by the Bell" alum said their interview was "very awkward and uncomfortable" enough that he will never forget it. "One time when I interviewed Ben Affleck for a movie I didn't want to do it because I wasn't prepared," the 49-year-old told the outlet. "And they said, 'We don't have anyone, you have to do it.' I was like, 'Oh, God.' " Mario noted that he wrote down questions in a hurry and Ben noticed that the TV host was not prepared right away. "He was looking at me [like], 'You didn't see this, you don't know what you're talking about,' " he shared. Although the "Gone Girl" star was "cool" about the botched conversation, the Mexican-American actor felt "very awkward and uncomfortable" with the situation. "He could see through me! And I'll never forget that. And I was like, 'Never again am I going to try to fake it,' " he declared. Mario seemingly has learned his lesson. With his experiences, he manages to keep his cool when interviewing some Hollywood big names, even when he got starstruck. "Now I've interviewed [celebrities] so much, they're friendly with me and I'm cool," he dished. Of his meeting with the likes of Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mario explained, "Those guys were larger than life." He then raved, "All the people that you liked as a little kid, [it] makes you feel like a little kid when you see them again for the first time. And now I'm friendly with them." You can share this post! Cover Images/Dutch Press Photo Movie The 'Banshees of Inisherin' actor opens up on his meager budget to make a 'Clockwork Orange'-inspired audition tape that wowed director Matt Reeves and Landed him The Joker role. Oct 5, 2023 AceShowbiz - Barry Keoghan needed just $10 to make his self-tape audition for "The Batman". The 30-year-old star auditioned for the role of The Riddler in the movie, and while he lost out to Paul Dano, the actor's budget "Clockwork Orange"-inspired audition tape did enough to impress director Matt Reeves and land him the part of The Joker. "I just made it up. I wanted to make it Kubrick-y, symmetrical, the X on the back, the square doorframe, everything square. I just wanted swag to come across. Swag and endearing. It was just me giving my idea. And then I's like, 'I'ma send this in!' " Keoghan, who spent $10 on a cane and a hat for the tape, told Esquire magazine. Last month, Keoghan explained his version of The Joker - a character previously portrayed by the likes of Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, and Joaquin Phoenix - is "a bit charming and a bit hurt." "The Banshees of Inisherin" star told GQ Magazine, "I wanted some sort of human in there behind the makeup. I want people to relate to him ... [to know] this is a facade he puts on." Keoghan was told he had landed the Joker role during a phone call with his agent while he was having dinner with a pal in New York. His agent told him at the time, "The Batman wants you to play the Joker - but you cannot tell anyone." Keoghan has been keen to land a comic book character role for years, and in 2013, he tweeted legendary Marvel Comics writer Stan Lee. The "Top Boy" star wrote at the time, "@TheRealStanLee Stan Lee, Please make me a SuperHero ,) (sic)." You can share this post! Over the last 100 years, The Walt Disney Company has made wishes come true both in its storytelling and for millions of people around the world. On Wednesday, the company debuted a new campaign that highlights that important tradition. Disney is launching the Wish Together campaign that celebrates its decades-long relationship with Make-A-Wish as well as the release of Disneys highly anticipated animated feature, Wish. The filmwhich is set in a magical kingdom where wishes come truehits theaters on November 22. Wish Together invites the public to join Disney in supporting Make-A-Wish with the Wish Together Sweepstakes* for a chance to win a myriad of prizes. That includes a three-night stay in a Club Level Concierge room at a Disney Deluxe Resort hotel at Walt Disney World Resort along with a Disney Cruise Line vacation to The Bahamas aboard the Disney Wish in a 1-bedroom Concierge Suite. For every entry received now through January 31, 2024, Disney will donate $5 to Make-A-Wish (up to $1 million) to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.** In addition to the sweepstakes, a new Wish product collection features a range of offerings including costumes and accessories, apparel, and toys such as a singing doll and light-up plush. To add even more magic to the collection from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film, Wish, Disney will donate 10% of the sale price to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, for each of these items sold. (Donations only apply to sales at US Disney stores, shopDisney.com, Disney Cruise Line ships, and Disney-owned locations at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.) At Disney, weve always believed in the magic of making wishes come true, said Lisa Haines, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Disney. Our relationship with Make-A-Wish has spanned over four decades, and its a testament to our commitment to delivering joy to children and their families. Haines added that with the Wish Together campaign, we are thrilled to invite fans to bring to life the spirit of our latest film Wish while coming together to support Make-A-Wish. Disney and Make-A-Wish have worked together to grant life-changing wishes for kids facing critical illnesses and their families for more than four decades. In fact, the first official wish was granted at Disneyland Resort. The vital collaboration has led to more than 150,000 Disney wishes granted globally with Make-A-Wish. The great Indian festive season is the perfect opportunity for brands to connect more with the consumers and on a personal level. It allows brands to celebrate the joy of festivities together with the consumers, and at the same time have a higher revenue growth. In the post pandemic period, brands have become more aware and started to include more empathy elements in the ads they are coming up with, encouraging people to be more empathetic towards each other. This can be found in ad films such as #HumSabkiDiwali campaign by Jindal Steel and many others like Coca-Colas #MilkeHiManegiDiwali, which encouraged people to meet their family, friends during the festive period and not just greet via social media. Coca-Cola also collaborated with Glance, in order to help consumers to send personalised Diwali greetings to their loved ones, utilising the smart lockscreen feature of Glance. Given the positive consumer and market trends, brands have increased their ad spends by as much as 15% this festive season, as per various reports. According to InMobis The Marketers Guide to Festive Season Report, mobile has emerged as a significant medium for consumers to indulge in festive shopping and for brands to advertise, with around 78% of consumers resorting to mobile-based shopping, encouraging brands to have a mobile-first approach while devising their marketing strategies and campaigns. Three distinctive shopper personas have emerged the unplanned shoppers, the brand lovers, and the category explorers. As the name goes, unplanned shoppers are those who dont plan ahead of their shopping and explore various options on their shopping journey, the category explorers are those who know what to buy, but have no specific brand name in mind, and lastly, the brand lovers are those who are brand conscious and brand loyal, resorting to making purchases from their preferred brands; these are high intent consumers. According to reports, around 58% of the brand lovers category of shoppers are expected to spend over Rs 50,000 this festive period, offering a fruitful opportunity for brands to engage with these consumers. Brands have understood the importance of accurate audience targeting this festive period and are tapping into the opportunity of the growing inclination of consumers towards hybrid shopping. 54% of consumers prefer hybrid shopping, while 44% are more likely to make online purchases. 63% of shoppers are showing decreased price consciousness. Consumers are also showing a drive towards self-love, self-exploration and hybrid shopping this festive season, while 67% of women are finding themselves to be the primary decision maker for making festive purchases. Factors driving festive spending this year According to Himanshu Arora, Co-Founder of Social Panga, the factors driving festive spending this year are a mix of multiple factors like consumer behaviour, economic conditions, and evolving marketing strategies in the digital era. All the industries have come back to the pre-Covid days and festive spending is nothing new. Revenge buying is no more a factor, it is the value that everyone sees in the purchase. Overall, the confluence of consumer enthusiasm, the convenience of online shopping, targeted marketing efforts, the influence of social media, and attractive financing options are the key factors driving festive spending this year. With the rise of online shopping, consumers have greater access to a wide array of products, competitive prices, and the convenience of doorstep delivery. This has not only expanded the market but also encouraged more spending. He further elaborated, The festive ad spend scenario by brands on media platforms this year reflects the evolving landscape of advertising, with a notable shift toward digital channels and a heightened focus on customer engagement.Brands are increasingly allocating a significant portion of their festive ad budgets to digital platforms. This includes social media advertising, search engine marketing, programmatic advertising, and influencer partnerships. With D2C brands like MamaEarth, Souled Store, etc., turning into an omni-channel approach. Brands are adopting an omnichannel approach to reach consumers across multiple touchpoints, ensuring a consistent brand experience. This includes combining offline and online advertising efforts to create a seamless customer journey. According to a spokesperson from RR Kabel, during this festive season, a notable trend has emerged with 78% of consumers showing trust in online shopping. Half of these consumers express their intention to increase their online spending compared to previous festive periods. Additionally, a recent survey revealed that more than 77% of consumers believe that online festive shopping events enhance the convenience of their shopping experience, particularly due to options like faster delivery. Large Appliances (51%) such as coolers, fans, etc., Electronic devices (44%), and Consumer Electronics (43%) are the most favoured product categories. Some individuals may choose to upgrade their home and purchase new appliances like Lighting products, Fans and also potentially through this there will be a requirement of cables and wiring solutions. The survey further revealed that 3 out of 4 consumers wait for online festive shopping events to make purchases in the large appliance category. Overall product categories such as Lighting, DIY switches, Designer Fans, Air coolers, and Irons are increasingly gaining popularity as festive season calls for renovation and revamping the house. Kunal Luhar, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, 5W1H, noted that festive spending is an important factor to consider since it is an exciting yet challenging time of year when firms commit big budgets for marketing efforts in order to capitalise on the festive enthusiasm and enhance sales. This years festive spending is being driven by a number of things. Increased consumer confidence is promoting more expenditure as economies recover from the pandemic. Pent-up demand is increasing as consumers who postponed festivities and purchases in past years are now engaging in holiday spending. Consumers are being enticed to open their wallets by the ongoing expansion of e-commerce and advances in marketing methods such as limited-time deals and personalised promos. Meanwhile, Vinod Kunj, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Thought Blurb Communication, felt that festive spending this year will be quite measured and astute this year. While Deloitte has optimistically estimated more lavish spending, especially in luxury goods, it is back-to-back with reports of falling household savings and discrete spending on the part of consumers. Advertisers will do well to sharpen their focus to make customers dip into their wallets, he added. Agencies and brands during festive season On being asked how Social Panga is gearing up for the festive season, Himanshu Arora said, As Social Panga, we have already started executing our campaigns/ ideas with multiple touch points like video production, influencer outreach, social media campaign, etc. For this upcoming festive season, our primary emphasis is on harnessing the power of technology in conjunction with AI (Artificial Intelligence). This means utilising AI-driven analytics to glean deeper insights, and automate and further personalise our campaigns. While Social Panga is leveraging technology during festive season this year, RR Kabel is eagerly gearing up for the festive season this year by implementing a range of strategies to meet the unique needs and demands of our customers. A spokesperson said, We are aware that over the festive period, there is a tendency for home improvement and renovation projects to expand, products like designer fans, switches and lighting solutions are in huge demand and they necessitate the use of wires and cables for various electrical and connectivity requirements. We aim in providing special discounts and promotions on our products to further enhance the festive season. As a result, customers will be able to maximise their purchases and savings and through this we are committed to making festive times brighter and more convenient for our consumers. Kunal Luhar added here, 5W1H is designing and implementing festive-themed marketing initiatives that harness creativity and engage with the holiday spirit. Creating visually engaging content, collaborating with influencers, optimising e-commerce methods, and utilising data analytics for real-time adjustments are all common examples. Furthermore, we are looking forward towards collaborating closely with clients to ensure that their marketing initiatives are consistent with their holiday goals and values. He further said, This year, marketers are focusing their festive ads expenditure primarily on digital platforms, with a significant emphasis on social media advertising, e-commerce channels, and video marketing. Because of their vast reach and participatory capabilities, social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are garnering significant investments. E-commerce advertising is on the rise as online purchasing becomes more popular. Collaborations with influencers, programmatic advertising, and data-driven initiatives are also prominent. Traditional media outlets continue to play a role, although their budgets may be reduced as digital becomes more prominent. Personalisation, sustainability message, and localised campaigns are important trends that show firms efforts to engage various populations and fit with customer values. We field a number of brands that are geared to the home, kitchen and individual. This means that the festive season is going to be quite busy. Fashion brands are expected to be quite active, as also, bed linen, furnishings, digital electronics and appliances, remarked Vinod Kunj. AI shaping creative marketing this festive season For Himanshu Arora, AI is the buzzword, and the real power lies in leveraging it to the marketers and agencies advantage. We are doing something super interesting, where we are going deep into consumer behaviour and patterns using AI tools, and giving that as input for my online ads. So, our research is not limited to agency or brand manager understanding, but to the whole internet. This enables us to create highly personalised and relevant content, such as product recommendations and tailored messaging. During the festive season, personalised marketing campaigns resonate better with consumers, driving higher engagement and conversion rates. Exciting times are ahead for us. The next 24 months are going to be game changers, he affirmed. Arora further added, Artificial intelligence will need some human intelligence too, as quoted by Piyush Pandey. Few areas that have great engaging festive campaigns include: Content & thought validation Personalisation Predictive analysis Data-driven insights for cultural nuances Ad targeting I am not sure about global advantage, but leveraging personalised messaging will give some edge over competitors within the specific geography. The RR Kabel spokesperson said, The use of AI has played a crucial role in empowering marketers to develop deeply personalised campaigns. Through the analysis of user data and behaviour, AI has the capability to customise content and offers to cater to individual preferences, thereby enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of marketing initiatives, particularly during the festive season. Regarding the impact of online advertisements on consumer spending, it is subject to notable fluctuations influenced by variables such as the industry, geographic location, and the precise tactics implemented by companies. Kunal Luhar noted that AI is influencing festive marketing by providing hyper-personalisation, content development, predictive analytics, targeted ad delivery, and improved customer service. AI algorithms are being used by brands to analyse customer data and develop highly personalised marketing content, ranging from product recommendations to messaging, resulting in more engaging campaigns. AI also speeds up content generation by creating ad copy, graphics, and even music. During the festive season, predictive analytics may help organisations anticipate customer behaviour and trends, directing inventory management and pricing strategies. Audience segmentation powered by AI guarantees that adverts reach the right people at the right time, maximising ad spend. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots provide immediate consumer support and help, improving the whole purchasing experience. The amount to which online advertisements impact consumer purchasing over the holiday season depends on a variety of factors, including industry and campaign efficacy. AI can increase this effect and produce better results for brands by delivering more relevant and interesting content, Luhar added. Meanwhile, Vinod Kunj felt that AI has not really been used to its best advantage yet. I have every confidence that various AI applications will come to the fore and change the dynamic of targeted marketing. Consumers prefer to buy products and adhere to brands that speak to them in their own voice. This is important in ways that we have not leveraged so far. This is not just about letting people know what is available out there. It's about suggesting purchases that would be perfectly moulded for you. He further added, AI has a long way to go before it can be used as a creative tool. But I assume it will learn eventually. As far as I can tell, AI has huge potential as a research tool. Perhaps, even as a collaborative tool. But then, it still needs human intelligence to look through its work and produce a solution. Maybe, in the years ahead, AI will learn enough to help with creative thinking as well. On being asked how the combination of AI and human creativity will help campaigns to be more effective, Kunal Luhar said, The combination of AI capabilities and human creativity has the potential to dramatically improve the effectiveness and engagement of holiday promotions. AI excels in data-driven tasks like audience segmentation, personalisation, and predictive analytics. This frees up human creative teams to focus on campaign art and strategy. Then, using their knowledge, creatives may design emotionally engaging narratives, visually spectacular material, and intriguing storytelling that will attract people during the holiday season. AI also offers data-driven optimisation, which enables marketers to fine-tune campaigns based on real-time performance measurements. When artificial intelligence augments human creativity, brands can achieve a balance between data-driven decision-making and the emotional connection that only human brilliance can give. This synergy can result in efforts that are not only more effective in driving engagement but also in fostering long-term brand loyalty during the holiday season. Piyush Jalan Co founder and COO, GOVO discussed on how AI is shaping festive marketing strategies by saying: "AI is playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping creative marketing strategies during this festive season, revolutionizing the way businesses and advertisers engage with consumers. One of its most compelling applications is AI-powered personalization. By sifting through extensive consumer data, AI allows businesses to gain profound insights into individual preferences and behaviours. AI's influence extends to improving the customer experience during the festive season as well. Chatbots and virtual assistants, powered by AI, deliver real-time customer support and information. This instant assistance enhances the shopping experience, helping consumers overcome queries or uncertainties, and nudging them toward making purchases." He further added: "The exact extent to which consumer spending will be influenced by online ads can vary, influenced by factors such as the effectiveness of ad campaigns, the appeal of the products or services being advertised, and the prevailing economic conditions. However, it's clear that AI-driven creative marketing is now a pivotal force in capturing consumer attention, delivering personalized and relevant content, and optimizing ad campaigns to maximize their impact on consumer spending. As AI technology continues to advance, its role in shaping creative marketing and influencing consumer spending is expected to expand further, both during festive seasons and beyond." News18 India, India's No. 1 Hindi News Channel, has announced the second edition of its prestigious 'Amrit Ratna. Scheduled for the 10th of October, 2023, this years edition will be a tribute to individuals who have raised Indias standing globally through their passion, exceptional talent and path-breaking achievements. The recipients of the Amrit Ratna 2023 will be selected by distinguished jury comprising of: Justice Ranjan Gogoi Former Chief Justice of India and Rajya Sabha Member. General Ved Prakash Malik Former Chief of Army Staff and decorated military leader. Sonal Mansingh Renowned classical dancer and Rajya Sabha Member, honoured with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. P.T. Usha Former athlete and Rajya Sabha Member, celebrated for her outstanding achievements in sports. Dr. Ashok Seth Eminent cardiologist and recipient of numerous prestigious awards. These accomplished individuals will carefully evaluate the nominees for the Amrit Ratna, ensuring that the recipients truly represent what the honour stands for outstanding contributions that have left a lasting impact and contributed to building the India story. The recipients of the Amrit Ratna last year included notable individuals such as N.R. Narayana Murthy, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Adar Poonawalla, Rajinikanth and P.T. Usha, among others. These individuals truly exemplified the spirit of the honour and served as an inspiration to the entire nation. The CEO of Hindi News, News18 Network, Karan Abhishek Singh commenting on the initiative said, As Indias No. 1 Hindi News channel, we feel proud to celebrate individuals who through their achievements have contributed immensely to enhancing Indias standing and stature globally. We believe that initiatives such as these by a leading news channel such as ours go a long way in building the India story. Kishore Ajwani, the Managing Editor of News18 India said, As a team we are particularly passionate about Amrit Ratna. We strongly believe that promoting the achievements of India and Indians is a part of our remit as Indias No. 1 Hindi News channel. We are very excited about our stellar line-up in 2023 and are confident that it will serve as a tremendous inspiration for our viewers. Stay tuned for more updates on the Amrit Ratna 2023 as we prepare to celebrate remarkable Indians who have made the country proud. Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data and analytics today announced the South Korean launch of Nielsen Media Impact (NMI) an industry-leading media planning and optimisation solution, delivering a comprehensive overview of where consumers are engaging with content, and the most effective ways to reach them. Fueled by Nielsens unique analytics and insights, including TV panels, and digital data, NMI offers the South Korean media industry deduplicated media consumption metrics across multiple platforms, all in one easy-to-use planning interface. In addition, NMI gives advertisers, agencies, and publishers the ability to know which different media combinations are most likely to reach their key audiences, how much time those audiences spend on various media channels, as well as a range of useful demographic information. NMI data also allows users to craft media plans based on advanced audience attributes, such as psychographics, and lifestyle and media behaviours, which are essential for effective targeting. Key benefits Determine the properties and combinations of media channels that are best suited for campaign targeting Understand the most effective drivers for unique reach and maximum ROI Optimise planning and budgets to most effectively deliver against objectives across multiple channels Evaluate the effectiveness of advanced audience segments, far beyond basic demographics Nielsen Asia Managing Director (Advertisers & Agencies), Aaron Rigby added: In order to meet the rapidly-changing media consumption habits of Koreans, its crucial that the nations agencies, advertisers, and publishers have a planning solution that enables cost-effective decision-making about where and when to engage audiences with content and advertising. Thats what NMI does best. Its launch in South Korea highlights our commitment to empowering the industry to make data-informed decisions. It allows ad buyers and sellers to easily craft local or national media plans to understand where consumers are engaging with their content and the most efficient ways to reach them. Nielsen Media Korea Director (Advertisers & Agencies), Inho Um, said: NMI offers a unique lens to the South Korean industry, enabling effective decision-making about where and when to engage audiences with content and advertising on multiple levels. Its arrival in the market unlocks access to new insights on media allocation and schedule optimisation, delivering better reach across an audience of platform nomads. Whether youre looking to showcase the benefits of your media or determine the optimal combination of ads to reach your target audience, NMI has you covered. South Korean media agency, Spring & Flower, is one of the first industry players to embrace the competitive advantage offered by Nielsen NMI, signing on as one of the products launch clients. Head of Media Analysis & Experience for the company, Sangyoon Hong, said: Advertisers are increasingly asking for integrated insights and consolidated performance metrics for their online and offline media operations, so it made sense for us to be one of the first agencies in the country to implement a cutting-edge solution like NMI. It allows us to customise our client data analytics in so many exciting ways and were thrilled to make its many features available to our new and existing clients. by John P. Ruehl Could the decades-long pursuit of unraveling the UFO mystery potentially function as a cover for advanced government research and testing programs for innovative forms of propulsion and craft design? Moreover, might the recent rollout of official government hearings signal a gradual disclosure of some of those capabilities? This scenario is worth considering, as the process of investigating UFOs comes into sharper public focus. Cattle in Nevada, 1973 (and a UFO) via Wikimedia Commons/Jonathan Aprea In 2023, fascination with Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) has spiked. David Grusch, a former intelligence official who led the analysis of UAPs within the U.S. military, told a Congressional hearing in July that the United States had been collecting non-human craft for decades. At the first Republican debate on August 23rd, candidates were asked about the presidents responsibility to provide information to the public about UFOs. And on August 31st, the Pentagon launched a new website providing the public with declassified information about sightings. Mainstream intrigue surrounding UFOs was born following the 1947 Roswell incident, the crash of what was initially described by the U.S. military as a flying disc in Roswell, New Mexico, but later attributed to a weather balloon. To quell public fear and speculation, official government studies to investigate UFO/UAP reports, including Project Blue Book, Project Sign, and Project Grudge, were launched. While the government feared air warning systems could be overwhelmed by reports, it was also wary of Soviet attempts to boost false sightings and promote conspiracy theories that could instigate panic and allegations of a coverup. During the Cold War, UFO reports became common, often coinciding with missile and rocket tests (a habit which continues today). Several Soviet and U.S. military personnel also testified that UFOs were able to temporarily take control over missile and nuclear facilities. However, in 1997, the CIA revealed that the military had lied to the public throughout the Cold War about many UFO sightings to obscure its black projects and keep Moscow in the dark about technological advancements. Blaming sightings on natural phenomena like ice crystals and temperature inversions fueled public distrust toward the government and its claims about UFOs/UAPs. Many secret military aircraft were frequently mistaken for UFOs, such as the U-2 reconnaissance plane, introduced in the 1950s, which featured a gray frame that often reflected the sun. The SR-71 Blackbird meanwhile started service in 1966 and wasnt declassified until the 1990s. Its distinctive shape, speed, and altitude capabilities were often mistaken for a UFO. The B-2 Spirit, introduced in the late 1980s, also had a unique aerodynamic design and its ability to control lift, thrust, and drag at low speeds often gave the appearance that it was hovering. Since the Cold War, secretive experimental military aircraft have continued to generate UFO reports. But unexplained phenomena have also fueled conspiracy theories. In November 2004 off the coast of San Diego, Navy pilots filmed UFOs demonstrating rapid acceleration, physics-defying sudden changes in direction, and other feats in videos eventually released to the public in 2017. And despite formalizing a UFO/UAP reporting process in 2019, Navy pilots and other military personnel who have witnessed them have been hesitant to come forward due to fear of ridicule or professional repercussions. The U.S. militarys reluctance to disclose UFO/UAP information is often linked to the need to protect classified technology. Military agencies can choose to neither confirm nor deny such information exists. But when the government transparency website, the Black Vault, submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the Navy for more UFO/UAP videos, it was denied because it would harm national security and may provide adversaries valuable information regarding Department of Defense/Navy operations, vulnerabilities, and/or capabilities. Releasing these videos without additional information may also be an effective way for the U.S. military to hint at its own new technological capacities for various strategic, political, and scientific reasons. Suddenly revealing these technologies could result in rising geopolitical tensions and trigger a reaction, while merely hinting at it may also serve as a deterrence to adversaries. Gradually preparing the public for emerging technologies is equally as important, while encouraging speculation about UFO/UAPs could divert attention away from classified projects. By clandestinely testing experimental new technologies on their own defenses without resorting to lethal forces, military agencies can also gain valuable insights into their capabilities and vulnerabilities in real-world scenarios. A 2021 report by the DoDs intelligence agencies also noted that many UFOs/UAPs were technologies deployed by China, Russia, another nation, or a non-governmental entity. The New York Times broke the story days before an updated version was provided to Congress in 2022. An ongoing investigation by The Warzone meanwhile suggests there are a large number of hostile drones mistaken for UFOs/UAPs that the government has until recently failed to confront. Being unable to properly identify another countrys experimental aircraft, by labeling it a UFO/UAP, would also demonstrate shortcomings in U.S. air defense systems. Similarly, releasing documentation of U.S. surveillance of other countries stealth aircraft and other technology would give them a better idea of U.S. military capabilities and would alert these countries that they were being surveilled. In addition to other countries, companies are also responsible for a significant number of UFO/UAP reports. The first drones were manufactured more than a century ago in the UK and U.S., and the capabilities of the private sector have grown considerably since then. Camouflage technology has made commercial drones increasingly difficult to clearly identify, and hundreds of drones by Chinas largest drone maker DJI, were noted to have entered restricted airspace in Washington D.C. in 2022 alone. And, of course, commercial drones can be purchased and used by other governments. Nonetheless, much of the technological developments concerning advanced aircraft stem from the U.S. military and other agencies. Since the 1970s, NASA has expanded on ideas developed by scientist and engineer Arthur Kantrowitz to use lasers to launch satellites without fuel or an engine, with successful tests carried out in the late 1990s. The U.S. Air Force and NASA have both continued developing this technology in the 21st Century, while NASA has also explored plasma propulsion technology that may have caused numerous UFO/UAP reports. The U.S. Navy has pushed the boundaries of technology further with the development of laser-induced plasma technology, patented in 2018. This innovation can generate extremely high temperatures in the air, creating plasma that can be harnessed to form intricate shapes and lifelike optical illusions, even simulating aircraft performing seemingly impossible maneuvers. Additionally, the U.S. military has developed the ability to produce sound out of lasers, which would add an additional layer of realism to UFO/UAP sightings. Over the last few years, increasing attention has also been brought to projects by Salvatore Cezar Pais, an aerospace engineer and scientist who has worked for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). Despite lacking empirical evidence and rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific scrutiny, his alleged breakthroughs in propulsion and energy generation would serve as some of the most groundbreaking technological breakthroughs in history. Paiss patents with the U.S. Navy relate to the development of advanced propulsion systems that could potentially lead to rapid thrust technology and an abundance of clean energy generation. This includes a craft using an inertial mass reduction device, which was patented in 2018, while a patent for a plasma compression fusion device was also filed but later appeared to be abandoned. Nonetheless, documents retrieved by The Warzone through the Freedom of Information Act reveal that his inventions are being considered for the Air Force, NASA, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Of course, like U.S. President Ronald Reagans proposed Star Wars missile defense system in the 1980s, Paiss patents could be designed to bait adversaries into a costly arms race. That is not to say that these countries are not already developing their own fascinating projects. China has been drastically increasing its development of plasma technology in recent years, and alongside the UK, Germany, and Japan, is developing Active Flow Control (AFC) technology to improve aerodynamic performance in aircraft. European entities have also recently made breakthroughs in plasma propulsion technology, which may boost UFO/UAP reports across the continent. Amid these developments, it remains crucial for the public to stay engaged and informed about UFOs/UAP the more publicly observed the evidence is, the harder it becomes to manipulate. Considering the history of government audacity in crafting political and war propaganda, we should remain skeptical of the entities shaping narratives about extraplanetary intelligent life. A shift toward destigmatizing and embracing a public approach to UFOs/UAP, both domestic and foreign, is essential. Alongside the Black Vault, initiatives like the open-data Galileo Project, spearheaded by Avi Loeb from Harvard Universitys Astronomy Department, are actively seeking evidence of extraterrestrial life and pushing our understanding of outer space. By involving the public in the search for answers, we can bridge gaps in understanding and move closer to demystifying these phenomena. Source: Globetrotter John P. Ruehl is an Australian-American journalist living in Washington, D.C. He is a contributing editor to Strategic Policy and a contributor to several other foreign affairs publications. He is currently finishing a book on Russia to be published in 2022. Its that time of the year when people across India, especially Bengalis, travel back home to be together with their loved ones and to celebrate the biggest festivity of the year - the Durga Puja. Its the time of homecoming not only for Goddess Durga but for non-resident Bengalis too. Its also the time to dress up and celebrate the festive spirit. In keeping with this spirit, Senco Gold & Diamonds, a leading pan-India jewellery retailer with a legacy of over five decades, announced the launch of a new Durga Puja campaign to promote its festive collection under its Gossip brand of fast-moving, fashionable and easy-to-wear silver jewellery. The new campaign film captures the homecoming spirit and passionate exuberance of Bengalis during Durga Puja, highlighting the perfect blend of tradition and modernity that is reflected in the celebrations as well as in the jewellery designs. The campaign film follows a trendy young woman who lives and works in a different city, but comes home to Kolkata during Durga Puja to celebrate her Bengali roots, bringing with her Senco Gold & Diamonds Gossip jewellery as presents for her family members with a memorable music in the background which is a refreshing take on a classic Rabindra Sangeet. Mrs. Joita Sen, Director and Head of Marketing & Designs at Senco Gold & Diamonds, said, Durga Puja is more than just a festival, it is an occasion which unites Bengalis across India. The beauty and the spirit of Durga Puja is such that it is best enjoyed when spent together with families and friends. Our Gossip campaign and collection is dedicated to all those daughters and women who would be reuniting with their families and loved ones, coinciding with Maa Durgas descent to Earth. Piyash Ghosh, Director & Cinematographer, Bang On Content said, Making a Durga Puja film is always a joy, especially when its for a brand like Senco Gold & Diamonds, which always encourages us to push the boundaries of storytelling & creativity. As an artist, it is a pleasure to showcase products that celebrate artistry, while capturing the spirit of our favourite festival! To add to the festive spirit, Senco Gold & Diamonds has the following on offer for its customers: - Buy 3 Get 1 Free offer - Customers can buy 3 and get 1 piece of jewellery absolutely free (lowest price free) on the Gossip range. Making charges discount - Customers can avail 10% discount on making charges on Silver jewellery items These offers will be available at all Senco Gold & Diamonds showrooms and on its online platforms sencogoldanddiamonds.com and mygossip.in UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell joined UNICEF India National Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana, government officials, the private sector and young people at the launch of an innovative, digital YouthHub app to connect young people in India to future job opportunities, especially girls and marginalised youth. The platform, which functions as a digital ecosystem, was jointly launched by them along with Mr. Shombi Sharp (United Nations Resident Coordinator in India), Smt. Meeta Rajivlochan (Honble Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports), Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey (Representative, UNICEF India), Mr. Ashwin Yardi (CEO, Capgemini India), Mr. Ranen Banerjee (Government Sector Leader, PwC India), Ms. Vandana Bahri (Head, Skills and Livelihood, Childrens Investment Fund Foundation - CIFF India), Ms. Dhuwarakha Sriram (Chief of YuWaah, Youth Development, and Partnerships at UNICEF), Mr. Abhishek Gupta (COO, YuWaah at UNICEF) and two young leaders - Ms. Zakira Ganji and Ms. Jagriti Pandey. The YouthHub - co-created by YuWaah at UNICEF, PwC India, Capgemini, and CIFF - aims to connect young people to curated jobs, skills, and volunteering opportunities, and enable access especially for girls and youth from marginalised backgrounds. In its first phase, which was launched on Tuesday, the YouthHub app has become accessible to young individuals via the Google Playstore. Serving as a unified platform, it offers free access to aggregated job opportunities in nine Indian languages, simplifying the job search process for young people: http://bit.ly/youthhubapp Ayushmann Khurrana, Bollywood star and UNICEF India National Ambassador said, Being a UNICEF India National Ambassador has allowed me to peek into the lives, dreams, and hurdles faced by the children and young people of our country. They are our future, and ensuring they have a fair shot at success is not just a choice, it's our duty. YouthHub app by YuWaah at UNICEF and partners is like a script for success for every young person in India. It's not just a platform; it's a dream factory that opens up doors to economic, skilling, and volunteering opportunities. But it's much more than that. It's a symbol of hope and the belief that every youngster, no matter their gender or background, deserves a shot at greatness. And we begin with equal opportunities for all. Thats what the YouthHub app will extend to young people. UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, said: Investing in children and youth is the best way to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals and create a brighter future for generations to come. Collaborative initiatives such as this YouthHub are a good way to reduce inequalities and ensure that girls are included and have access to future job opportunities. We can create a lasting impact when young people are involved in decision-making and when their voices are heard. The Federal Council Bern, 29.09.2023 - On 29 September, the Federal Council adopted further sanctions in connection with the supply of Iranian drones to Russia. This aligns Switzerland with the European Union, which has adopted new measures in response to the use of Iranian drones in Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. The new measures will come into force at 6pm on 29 September. In view of Iran's continued military support for Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, which is contrary to international law, and the fact that Russia is using Iranian-made Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to support the military aggression, the Federal Council decided on 29 September to impose further sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Federal Council has adopted the sanctions imposed by the EU on 20 July as part of its new framework for restrictive measures. The sale, supply, export and transit of components used for the manufacture and production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is now prohibited. Furthermore, targeted financial and travel sanctions against persons and entities connected with support for Iran's UAV programme are provided for. Switzerland is incorporating these new sanctions measures into the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Switzerland has been adopting the EU's sanctions listings regarding the supply of Iranian UAVs to Russia since autumn 2022, the last time being on 16 August. This was done within the framework of the Ordinance on Measures in Connection with the Situation in Ukraine. The Federal Council's decision of 29 September continues the close partnership between Switzerland and the EU with regard to sanctions. Address for enquiries EAER Communications Tel. 058 462 20 07, info@gs-wbf.admin.ch FDFA Communications, Tel. 058 460 55 55, kommunikation@eda.admin.ch Publisher The Federal Council https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research http://www.wbf.admin.ch The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the strong post-pandemic passenger traffic trend continued in August and for the first time since February 2022, air cargo demand has risen. Image courtesy IATA Total traffic in August 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 28.4% compared to August 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 95.7% of pre-COVID levels. Domestic traffic for August rose 25.4% versus August 2022 and was 9.2% above the August 2019 results. This is largely driven by Chinese domestic demand. International traffic climbed 30.4% compared to the same month a year ago. All markets saw double-digit percentage gains year on year. International RPKs reached 88.5% of August 2019 levels. Willie Walsh (above), IATAs Director General said: Demand for air travel performed well in August. For the year to date, international traffic has increased by 50% versus last year and ticket sales data show international bookings strengthening for travel in the last part of the year. International Passenger Markets Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 98.5% increase in August 2023 traffic compared to August 2022, continuing to lead the regions. Capacity climbed 85.5% and the load factor increased by 5.5 percentage points to 84.2%. European carriers August traffic rose 13.6% versus August 2022. Capacity increased 12.3%, and load factor edged up 1.1 percentage points to 86.8%. Middle Eastern airlines posted a 27.3% increase in August traffic compared to a year ago. Capacity rose 22.7% and load factor climbed 3.0 percentage points to 83.1%. North American carriers had an 18.6% traffic rise in August 2023 versus the 2022 period. Capacity increased 17.5%, and load factor improved 0.8 percentage points to 87.7%, which was the highest among the regions for a third consecutive month. Latin American airlines traffic rose 26.4% compared to the same month in 2022. August capacity climbed 23.8% and load factor rose 1.7 percentage points to 86.1%. African airlines saw a 26.1% traffic increase in August 2023 versus a year ago. August capacity was up 25.5% and load factor rose 0.4 percentage points to 76.2%. Indian domestic RPKs rose 23.2% compared to a year ago and have now exceeded pre-pandemic levels for seven consecutive months. Japans domestic market was impacted by Typhoon Khanun which caused major air traffic disruptions in southern Japan. Domestic RPKs grew 8.7% year over year, down on the 13.4% growth recorded in the previous month. Heading into the last quarter of the year, the airline industry is nearly fully recovered to 2019 levels of demand. The focus, however, has not been on getting back to a specific number of passengers or flights, but rather on meeting the demand by businesses and individuals for connectivity that was artificially suppressed for more than two years. Having seen the economic, social, and personal losses when airlines could not fly during the COVID-19 crisis, this industry is determined to secure a sustainable long-term future by achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That was clearly evident at the first IATA World Sustainability Symposium where discussions focused on how to decarbonise. We know that our customers want a world in which they can enjoy the freedom to travel sustainably. This inaugural World Sustainability Symposium was a critical step in aligning policy makers, the aviation value chain and airlines with the concrete steps needed to deliver. And we will measure progress when we meet again in a years time, said Walsh. Cargo The International Air Transport Association (IATA) data for August 2023 global air cargo markets, shows that year-on-year air cargo demand grew for the first time in 19 months. Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs*), increased by 1.5% compared to August 2022 levels (2% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTKs), was up 12.2% compared to August 2022 (11.8% for international operations). This was largely related to belly capacity which rose 30% year-on-year as airlines ramped-up operations to meet peak-northern summer travel season demand. Several factors in the operating environment should be noted: In August, both the manufacturing output Purchasing Managers Index or PMI (49.4) and new export orders PMI (47.0) saw a slight improvement to the previous month. They remained, however, below the critical threshold represented by the 50 mark, indicating a continuing, if slower, annual decline in global manufacturing production and exports. Global cross-border trade contracted for the fourth month in a row in July, decreasing 3.2% year-over-year. This reflects the cooling demand environment and general macroeconomic conditions. Inflation saw a mixed picture in August, with an increase in US consumer prices for the second month in a row. Meanwhile in Europe and Japan, consumer and producer prices fell. In China, which is fighting deflationary pressures, consumer prices rose. Air cargo demand grew by 1.5% over the previous August. This is the first year-on-year growth in 19 months, so it is certainly welcome news. Yet it is off a low 2022 base and market signals are mixed. Looking ahead, while many uncertainties remain, we can take some optimism from PMI data moving towards positive territory. This is particularly significant as we head into air cargos traditional peak year-end season, said Walsh. August Regional Performance Asia-Pacific airlines saw their air cargo volumes increase by 4.9% in August 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. This was a significant improvement in performance compared to July (+2.3%). Carriers in the region benefited from growth on two major trade lanes: Europe-Asia (up from 3.1% in July to 8.8% in August) and Middle East-Asia (up from 2.7% in July to 3.5% in August). Additionally, the within-Asia trade lane also performed better in August, with international CTKs contracting by 4.7% compared to the 9.7% annual decline in July. Available capacity for the regions airlines increased by 28.5% compared to August 2022 as more belly capacity came online from the passenger side of the business. North American carriers saw their air cargo volumes decrease by 1.2%. This was an improvement in performance compared to July (-5.4%). Carriers in the region benefitted from a slight improvement in growth on two major trade lanes: North America Europe (2.9% annual contraction in August,1.2 percentage points better than in July) and Asia - North America (declined 4.2% in August compared to 4.4% decrease in July). Capacity increased 2.7% compared to August 2022. European carriers saw their air cargo volumes decline by 0.2% in August compared to the same month in 2022. This was, however, an improvement in performance versus July (-1.0%). Volumes saw an increase due to the forementioned EuropeAsia performance and a small increase in the Middle East - Europe markets by 0.4%. Capacity increased 3.6% in August 2023 compared to 2022. Middle Eastern carriers experienced a 1.4% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes in August 2023. This was an improvement from the previous months performance (-0.1%). The demand on the Middle EastAsia market has been trending upward in the past three months, expanding its year-on-year growth from 1.8% in June to 3.5% in August. Capacity increased 15.7% compared to August 2022. Latin American carriers had the strongest performance in August 2023, with a 6.2% increase in cargo volumes compared to August 2022. This was a significant increase in performance compared to the previous month (+0.5%). Capacity in August was up 13.7% compared to the same month in 2022. African airlines had the weakest performance in August 2023, with a 4.7% decline in cargo volumes compared to August 2022. This was a significant decrease in performance compared to July (+2.3%). Notably, AfricaAsia routes declined by 1.1% in August following an 11.2% growth in July. Capacity was 3.8% above August 2022 levels. While condoling the loss of lives in the Sikkim cloudburst and subsequent flash floods, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said that such tragedies, also including the recent rain-related calamities in Himachal Pradesh, should be declared as national disasters by the Centre. In a lengthy post on X, Kharge said: The situation in Sikkim is precarious as several people have lost their lives and many including our brave Army personnel are missing due to cloudburst and flash floods. Our thoughts are with the people of Sikkim who are battling these distressing times. The Congress president went on to say that the Centre must do everything possible to rescue people in safer locations and find the missing persons, whose count is reportedly steadily increasing. A lot of damage has been done to the infrastructure, and the Union and the state governments must work together in the medium and long term to rebuild this beautiful state. He also said that the Congress and workers will provide help in all possible ways in this humanitarian crisis. Drawing a similarity, Kharge said that the Centre must recalibrate its strategy in dealing with ecologically fragile Himalayan states and must declare such tragedies, like Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, as national disasters so that these states get adequate funds to rebuild themselves in a more sustainable manner. On Wednesday, the Defence PRO in Guwahati said that one soldier has been rescued so far while search and rescue operation by the Army continued for the remaining 22 soldiers who went missing after the sudden cloudburst over the Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim. Release of water from the Chungthang dam led to further sudden increase in water level upto 15-20 feet high downstream, the Army spokesman said. Sudden increase in water level has led to Army vehicles parked at Bardang near Singtam getting affected, he said. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority has said that in Pakyong district, 59 people including 23 Army personnel have been reported missing, while at least five people were confirmed dead. The National Disaster Response Force has deployed three teams in the affected areas and rescued many people. Justin V. Noelker, sentenced in 2016 to serve eight years for stabbing two people in Florida, was due to be released from the Santa Rosa (Fla.) Correctional Institution in March 2025, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. His release date has changed. After Noelker was found guilty Wednesday of stabbing his cellmate in November 2021, he has now been sentenced to an additional 60 years, making his release date sometime in 2085. According to WEAR in Pensacola, Noelker was charged in with aggravated battery by a person detained in prison and two counts of possession of a weapon in a correctional institution after he stabbed his cellmate multiple times with homemade weapons. After a Santa Rosa County jury found him guilty Wednesday, Circuit Court Judge Clifton Drake sentenced Noelker to the additional 60 years under Florida Prison Releasee Reoffender guidelines, based on his criminal history, according to the report. Noelkers original release date was set for March 2023, but was later changed to March 2025. FDOC records do not indicate why or when the additional two years were added. The 32-year-old Noelker had just arrived in Brevard County, Fla., from his native Indiana in March 2015 when he was arrested and charged with stabbing a 61-year-old man and his 24-year-old daughter at their condominium in Cocoa Beach, according to a report on the incident by WESH. In Wayne County, Ind., Noelker, who prosecutors there described as a lifelong criminal, was also found guilty in August 2019 of assaulting a man and stealing his car. He was sentenced to 15 years, plus another 15 as a habitual offender, according to the Richmond (Ind.) Palladium-Item. The judge in that case ruled Noelker would serve that sentence consecutively -- after his Florida sentence was completed -- but with the additional 60 years tacked on for the prison stabbing, it appears Noelker will remain incarcerated in Florida. A Mississippi woman arrested multiple times for crashing weddings and stealing gifts in Alabama was at it again, this time in her home state, according to authorities in Pontotoc County, Miss. The Pontotoc County Sheriffs Office said Sandra Lynn Henson, 56, was arrested last Saturday at a wedding to which she was not invited. While details on what Henson may have stolen were not released, she is charged with petit larceny, trespassing and disturbing the peace. Apparently Miss Henson has been arrested in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi for crashing wedding and stealing money and cards from purses, according to the sheriffs department. They were right. Henson is best described as a serial wedding crasher. She was convicted for stealing from a wedding in 2017 and given probation, but that did little to slow her down. In 2019, Henson was charged with two wedding crasher theft cases in Florence, Ala., in 2019. In those cases, Henson was charged with two counts of theft -- one misdemeanor and one felony. The disposition of those charges was not immediately available. WHNT reported that Florence police were contacted in the wake of the 2019 arrest by a dozen people from different weddings in Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi, each telling police they saw Henson at their receptions, helping herself to gift envelopes and money from purses inside the wedding party changing rooms. Her proclivity for the wedding thefts earned Henson the nickname Mid-south Wedding Crasher, according to Memphis TV station ABC24. Over the next two years, she would be charged in multiple other cases, ultimately leading to a conviction and a five-year prison sentence in Mississippi after a judge in Tennessee revoked her probation. Henson had pleaded for leniency due to health problems, but the judge said if she was healthy enough to crash weddings, she was healthy enough to go to prison, according to the Memphis report. The Mississippi Department of Corrections database shows Henson was due to remain incarcerated until January 2025. It does not indicate when or why she was released. For many years, the library building known as the Davis Avenue Branch seemed destined to stand as nothing more than a monument to Mobiles segregated past. In a jubilant moment on Wednesday, county and city leaders reopened it as a cultural center dedicated to the proud history and hopeful future of a community once known as The Avenue. Wednesdays fanfare a ribbon cutting, the opening of a historical exhibition and a block party capped at least five years of work on an initiative spearheaded by Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. But the history at 564 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. runs all the way back to the late 1920s and early 1930s. In that era, Mobile built its Ben May Main Library. That building one of several city landmarks designed by architect George Bigelow Rogers was off-limits to Black patrons. The city had Rogers design a scaled-down copy for their use. It was built on what was then Jefferson Davis Avenue, named for the president of the Confederacy. In the 1930s, Mobile opened a branch library for Black patrons, who were blocked from using the main library. The building has been renamed the Historic Avenue Cultural Center, honoring the thriving Black business community that once existed along Jefferson Davis Avenue.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com At the time, and for the next 40 years, The Avenue was home to a thriving Black business district. For the citys Black residents, it was a district to shop, dine and socialize, enjoying a freedom denied to them elsewhere. In a painful irony, desegregation brought a rapid decline to the district. Davis name faded away, replaced by that of King, but so did the heyday of the Avenue community. No longer needed, at least for its intended purpose, the Davis Avenue Branch ceased to function as a library. The building was used for a time by the library systems technical services department, and for a decade or so starting in 2005 it was operated by a private tenant as the National African-American Archives. Though it is on the National Register of Historic Places, it sat empty after that. It was fall 2018 when the Mobile County Commission approved a deal to lease the building from the city at $1 a year for 50 years, and then to commit $500,000 to renovations. Ludgood said the county would build on some preservation and renovation work the city had already done in order to turn the building into a cultural center, though she hadnt yet determined exactly what that would mean. Supporters included Mobile City Councilman Levon Manzie, who said he was eager to see that the communitys vision is implemented and that building remains a vital and functioning part of the culture of the city of Mobile for decades to come. On Wednesday, with the Excelsior Band playing outside, onlookers got their first chance to behold what is now known as the Historic Avenue Cultural Center. Though obviously far smaller than the main library, the building provides a classic, high-ceilinged interior with at least two rooms that could be used for small gatherings and a large main space suitable for exhibitions or performances. Patrons take in an oral history program compiled by former TV news anchor Renee Dials for the "Remembering the Avenue" exhibition at the Historic Avenue Cultural Center.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com That main hall is occupied by Remembering the Avenue, a multimedia exhibition from first-time curator Jada Jones. Jones, described as a public historian, worked with organizational support from the Alabama Contemporary Art Center and a research team including poet and independent archivist Michael Campbell; Mobile native Eric Finley a past president of the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association; retired WALA-TV 10 anchor Renee Dials; and Sheila Flanagan, retired assistant director of the History Museum of Mobile. Jones said a key resource had been Avenue, a book published by Paulette Davis-Horton in the 90s. Under the themes of Pride, Protest and Possibility, the exhibition depicts many of The Avenues glories, such as a roster of its many businesses; an oral history video compiled by Dials; and an account of some of the challenges that eroded the community, such as the way the urban renewal movement disrupted Black communities in the 50s, 60s and 70s. It also provokes thought about what the area could become. Jones, who holds a bachelors degree in cultural anthropology and a masters in history, said her approach to the exhibition was informed by the fact that she grew up in the Campground district of Mobile. Jada Jones, right, curator of "Remembering the Avenue," and elizabet elliott, executive of the Alabama Contemporary Art Center, are seen at the grand opening of the Historic Avenue Cultural Center.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com This is The Avenue, but the area also encompasses the Campground, the Bottom, what was Orange Grove, said Jones, standing on the steps of the center. So basically this community was born out of Jim Crow segregation. The community was self-sustaining, it thrived, even in the face of oppression. Basically we just want to remember The Avenue and celebrate the people, the history and the culture. It was clear that for many present at Wednesdays ribbon-cutting, those memories were personal and vivid. Mobile City Councilman William Carroll drew cheers and exclamations as he told the crowd hed missed out on having a meal at this Avenue establishment or that one, but that he had been on the scene in time to buy butter cookies here or have his hair cut there. Each time he named a long-gone business, onlookers affirmed that they knew it well. So many people keep the legacy and the story of The Avenue and that community alive, Carroll said. With the preservation of this building and whats in it, the preservation of the history thats in it, it keeps our story alive. And that is the most precious goal we can have, to continue the stories, the legacies, of communities that were there. Even better so, to be a catalyst for the revitalization of a community thats been underserved for a while. Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood laughs as City Councilman William Carroll makes remarks at the grand opening of Mobile's Historic Avenue Cultural Center on Oct. 4, 2023Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Carroll singled out Ludgood for praise, calling her the godmother of his council district. So did Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who held up her leadership as an example of the power of a vision. For her part, Ludgood praised elizabet elliot, executive director of the Alabama Contemporary Art Center. She was the person we approached about how to make this real, said Ludgood. She drank the Kool-Aid, and now she is a really outstanding partner here. Ludgood said that plans include creating a research space at the Center where people can learn more about African-American contributions to Mobile. Specifically, she said, an effort is under way to collect, catalog and digitize the various newspapers that served the citys Black population, such as The Inner City News, The New Times and the Mobile Beacon. She also wanted to catalog works by and about African-Americans with ties to Mobile. What were trying to do is respond to all the people who really just dont know, she said. They have no idea, and may have assumed that Mobile lay dormant throughout the Civil Rights movement. Among the materials available on Wednesday was a 2023-2024 program schedule listing celebrations, public forums and music performances through October 2024, when a 1-year anniversary block party is planned. For more information on the current exhibition, visit www.alabamacontemporary.org/events/the-avenue. Related: Mobile segregation landmark could be reborn as cultural venue Mobile County commits $500,000 to segregation-era library 65 years later, Gordon Parks photos hit home in Mobile A 14-year-old Alabama boy is accused of fatally shooting his teen brother, dragging his body into the woods, and penning a hit list that included other members of his family that he wanted a friend to help him kill and bury. The investigation began about 2:20 p.m. Wednesday when the Pike County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call from the Monticello community from a man who said he found his missing 17-year-old son dead on the familys property. Sheriff Russell Thomas said the boys father told authorities his son had been missing since Monday, but that he had not reported it to law enforcement. The father said he got home about 7:30 p.m. Monday and asked where the 17-year-old was, but nobody had an answer. On Tuesday, he told them, he was called to pick up his 14-year-old son from school because the teen was upset that his older brother was missing, the sheriff said. Once father and son returned home, they began to search the property for the 17-year-old. The father then found his dead sons body on the back side of the familys property and called 911. Thomas said sheriffs investigators learned that the 14-year-old confided in a friend at school, telling him he had killed his brother. He then asked his friend to help him murder the rest of the family and help him bury their bodies, Thomas said. The friend also stated the 14-year-old had a hit list in his book bag of family members he wanted to kill, and made statements about wanting to shoot up the school, the sheriff said. A search of the book bag turned up a hit-list of family members. Thomas said when he interviewed the 14-year-old, the teen confessed he shot his 17-year-old brother while he sat on the couch. He stated his brother got up and staggered out of the residence and out the back door, where he then fell at the bottom of the steps, the sheriff said. He dragged him about 60 yards to the back of the property. Thomas said no one else was home at the time of the killing. No possible motive has been disclosed. The sheriff said he has been in contact with the Pike County School System and investigators are working closely with them on the investigation. There have been long hours worked on this case by investigators and deputies, he said. We are very fortunate and blessed we do not have more casualties as a result of a 14-year-old having access to a weapon. There was no indication charges have been filed in the case. Thomas said the murder is the countys second in 21 days and arrests have been made in both. We appreciate the employees at the Pike County Sheriffs Office for all their hard work, long hours away from their families and willingness and commitment to keep the citizens of Pike County safe every day, he said. Another casualty of the Russian war in Ukraine is that Russian commercial airliner manufacturers saw their production fall sharply in 2023. Production wont recover until the economic sanctions are lifted and the Ukraine War ends. The manpower demands of the war made the existing shortage worse. The production workforce is aging and Russian universities are not producing enough graduates to replace those who are retiring. Many of those new aircraft engineers and maintenance personnel migrated to find better paying jobs elsewhere and to avoid getting mobilized into the army. Many Russian industries complained to the Defense Ministry that their technical people were being taken by the military and that was hurting aircraft production and maintenance. The shortage of production and maintenance personnel is expected to get worse, even after the war ends. The economic sanctions blocked the import of components and equipment needed for aircraft production. This, even without the shortage of production and engineering personnel, limits production of new aircraft needed to replace the older aircraft that are retired. These problems also occur for the military aircraft production industry. Russia used to be a major producer of military aircraft. Late in the Cold War the Soviet Union was still producing several hundred combat aircraft a year. The Soviet Union collapsed and dissolved in 1991. So did Russian production of combat aircraft. During the 1990s, production of a hundred combat aircraft a year was only possible by obtaining many export sales. Twenty years after the Soviet Union collapsed, Russian warplane production was increasing because exports were still strong and Russia could afford to buy more aircraft for itself. The Soviet Air Force had 10,000 warplanes in 1991 and most of those went to the fourteen new countries where they were based. Russia could not afford to maintain the few thousand combat aircraft it was left with after 1991 and, by 2000, found it could not maintain more than a thousand combat aircraft. Another loss during the 1990s was the ability to design and build new aircraft. Most Russian defense firms went out of business in the 1990s while some managed to switch production to items that were still sold. In the last decade most Russian producers of military aircraft were merged into one state-owned UAC (United Aircraft Corporation). A similar merger created a similar company for helicopters. UAC had a lot of work to do producing new model aircraft as well as older designs that were still popular, especially with export customers. UAC could produce over a hundred aircraft a year and until 2014 it looked like the Russian demand for military aircraft would keep growing along with export sales. UAC had to be profitable and achieved that by shutting down many of the facilities it acquired via all those mergers. Aircraft design and production was concentrated in three facilities and MiG finally disappeared, leaving only Sukhoi (Su) warplanes in production. The Su-27 and MiG-29 appeared late in the Cold War and while the Su-27 kept evolving and improving, the MiG-29 did not. That eventually put MiG out of business. The United States still has two major producers of war planes and there are several in Europe. Japan and South Korea have begun designing and producing modern combat aircraft. Japanese and European firms have formed a consortium to design and build Tempest, a next generation, after the F-35, warplane. China has two firms producing modern warplanes. All this is more competition for Russia, which, because of sanctions and canceled export orders, was able to deliver only 27 aircraft (four Su-30SM2s, ten Su-34Ms, seven Su-35Ss, and six Su-57s) last year. That was below average for UAC but not by much. From 2008 to 2021 UAC delivered about 40 aircraft a year. Production was disrupted in 2022 because of the sudden and massive economic sanctions imposed on Russia after Ukraine was attacked. Export sales were hurt by the poor performance of UAC aircraft in Ukraine. So far Russian forces have lost 322 military aircraft in Ukraine. This includes transports and helicopters as well as modern combat aircraft. These losses include seventeen Su-34s, eleven Su-30SMs, one Si-35S, twenty-five Su-25s and nine Su-24s. Ukraine has lost 142 combat aircraft. The higher Russian losses were due to the unexpectedly effective Ukrainian air defense system. The Russian air force was unable to shut down the Ukrainian air defenses and had to halt operation of Russian aircraft inside Ukraine. The Ukrainians were using older models of Russian designed air defense systems and combat aircraft to defend their air space. Some Western air defense systems were available at the start of the war and more kept arriving to supplement and then replace Ukrainian losses. Russian occupied Ukrainian territory is defended by Russian anti-aircraft systems which have proved effective enough to reduce Ukrainian air operations in these areas. The air war in Ukrainian was a revelation because, if both sides use modern warplanes and air defense systems, the result was expected to be stalemate rather than air superiority for the side with more combat aircraft and lots of air defense systems. The American air forces have maintained air dominance wherever they have fought since World War II. A lot of American aircraft lost over Vietnam in the 1960s into the early 1970s but American air superiority was still achieved. During the Cold War the NATO alliance, especially the United States, expected heavy aircraft losses if the Russians attacked. The Americans and their NATO allies expected to prevail but that battle was never fought. That had to wait until 2022 when a version of that NATO/Russia air campaign took place in Ukraine. Warplane production is only one of several types of weapons production that Russia is trying to sustain and increase under all the sanctions. This includes tanks and other armored vehicles as well as artillery and electronic warfare systems and UAVs. Russia ended up buying UAVs from Iran and artillery ammunition from North Korea. Cut off from key Western suppliers of components, Russia has to set up production of some of these items or smuggle some of them in. No matter how energetic these Russian efforts are, it takes time to restore pre-war production levels and that may not be possible for anything requiring sophisticated Western electronics. The second suspect wanted in the shooting death of a Birmingham business owner is now in custody. Jaquies LaMontavious Hoffman, 20, of Tallassee, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail just before 4:30 p.m. today. U.S. Marshals took him into custody this afternoon in Tallassee. Hoffman is charged with capital murder in the slaying of 44-year-old Snir Lalum, a co-owner of Insta-Movers. The other suspect, 23-year-old Sebastian Deonta Ross, of Hoover, has been jailed without bond since Aug. 25. Ross appeared in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing, during which testimony alleged Hoffman was the triggerman in Lalums death. Charging documents against Ross say Lalum, an Israeli citizen affectionately known by his friends in the U.S. as Sonny, was killed while Ross and Hoffman were stealing an undetermined amount of money. Snir Lalum, 44, was shot to death Aug. 24, 2023, during a robbery at his company, Insta-Movers, in Birmingham. (Contributed) Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Dain Stewart argued that Lalum was killed during a robbery, hence the capital murder charge. Rosss public defender, Sammie Shaw, contended his client was there seeking work, and there is no evidence a robbery was planned or took place. Judge Katrina Ross said the case would be bound over to a grand jury, but she was considering whether suspect Ross should be charged with capital murder or murder. Among new details unveiled in Tuesdays preliminary hearing was that moments before and after Lalums slaying were caught on camera and that Hoffman was heard saying to suspect Ross, I had to pop him. Birmingham homicide Det. James Glasgow was the only witness to testify in the hearing. Testimony showed the ordeal began when a group of Lulums employees were at the nearby Circle K before going to the warehouse, which is on Walter Davis Drive in south Birmingham. Ross approached one of the young Hispanic workers while they were in line to make a purchase. Video from the store showed the worker taking Rosss cell phone and entering his number into the phone because Ross was reportedly looking for work. Sebastian Ross (Jefferson County Jail) The worker told Ross he would have to talk to the boss Lalum about getting a job. Glasgow testified that Ross and Hoffman then followed the Insta-Movers workers to the warehouse. Ross was seen on surveillance video first talking to the workers and then to Lalum when he arrived at work. Glasgow said Ross could be heard saying something to Lalum in Spanish, but that the phrase he said made no sense. Lalum is Israeli, not Hispanic. The detective then said the suspect, who is from Hoover, was speaking with a Spanish accent when he talked with Lalum at length, apparently describing construction work he could do at Lalums house. Eventually, Ross was asked to leave. Authorities said Ross and Hoffman returned to the business moments later, and it was that Lalum was killed. Lalum was pronounced dead at UAB Hospital shortly after the shooting. Updated at 7:06 p.m.: The case file was unsealed Thursday afternoon by Madison County Circuit Judge Donna Pate, who ordered certain documents remain sealed while the rest of the case is available to the public. The unsealing also revealed that DHRs appeal to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals has now been turned over to the Alabama Supreme Court. The appeals court transferred it to the Supreme Court for lack of this courts appellate jurisdiction, the order said. Original story: A Madison non-profit organization that serves as a home for foster children is battling the states foster care system in a dispute that has landed in court. The Alabama Department of Human Resources, which includes the states foster care system, suspended referrals of foster children to the Madison organization, Kids to Love, over what DHR says are serious violations of standards to be met by child placement agencies. Related: Alabama couple gives $1M estate to Kids to Love childrens charity Kids to Love says DHR has not been forthcoming about the violations and, after three months of attempting to address the issues with DHR, received a temporary restraining order to block the DHR placement suspension. DHR is asking the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals to strike down that restraining order. In its filing, Kids to Love said it believed DHR would remove children from Kids to Love-affiliated facilities and foster parents. The temporary restraining order, in addition to lifting the placement ban, also prohibits DHR from removing children from their homes without a show of safety risk or harm to the child. With the Departments intent of removing the children from Kids to Loves facilities and foster families, multiple children will be disrupted, retraumatized, and removed from safe, stable, loving homes; and the Department will continue to use its authority and coercive power to attempt to force current and prospective foster families to be licensed through it, Kids to Love argued in its request for the restraining order. The Departments removal of children will result in at least 36 safe and stable placements for children rendered useless. The legal case file that began with Kids to Love asking for the restraining order on Sept. 12 has now been sealed by Madison County Circuit Judge Donna Pate after DHR raised concerns about private information of children in the foster care system being made public through the court filings. Kids to Love, founded in 2004 by former Huntsville television news anchor Lee Marshall, operates foster care facilities as well as a private child placement agency, according to its website. It also provides an array of other services for foster children, such as clothing and other items if needed and giving a Bible to every child. The organization in 2023 topped the $1 million mark over the last 19 years in awarded scholarships to foster children for certification training, trade schools and college. The Department of Human Resources, based on the information weve received, instructed the various counties to stop referring cases to Kids to Love, said Patrick Hill, an attorney for Kids to Love. So Kids to Love has facilities, such as the Davidson home, where foster children can go to. They have Kids to Love foster families, and the Kids to Love foster homes that the children can go to. But DHR, because of these differences theyve had with kids to love, earlier this summer, have just stopped all referrals. DHR declined to comment, citing pending litigation, when contacted by AL.com. In its response to the temporary restraining order, DHR said that Kids to Loves licenses with the state contain no guarantees for any referrals to or placements of DHRs children. In a redacted June 15 letter to Kids to Love entered in the court file, DHR outlined its concerns with Kids to Love based upon actions taken in recent months: Kids to Loves involvement in a custody case of two siblings and its resistance to providing certain health records of one of the siblings as well as the posting of a photo of the siblings on social media by Kids to Love that violated confidentiality. Kids to Love also emailed the juvenile judge involved in the case with the siblings, which was highly inappropriate. Kids to Love also interfered with the permanency plan of adoption of the siblings. In another case, Kids to Love posted a photo of a child on Facebook that violated confidentiality standards. Kids to Love also made a public misrepresentation of a foster care case. A redacted countys DHR objected to the posting of a photo of a foster child in the custody of that countys DHR that raised concerns about confidentiality and safety. Other incidents in which DHR said Kids to Love has made public misrepresentations about its role in the foster care system and specified one case where Kids to Love included information about the IQ of a child that violated confidentiality. State DHR will monitor your compliance with the Minimum Standards and is hopeful that you will (be) willing to take the necessary steps to ameliorate these issues, the letter said in conclusion. In its request for the restraining order, Kids to Love said DHR sent a private memo June 15 the same day as the letter from DHR to Kids to Love -- to the DHR directors in Alabamas 67 counties informing them of the placement suspension for Kids to Love. In the court filing, Kids to Love said it sent a letter to DHR the next day asking for more information about its concerns and received no response. Kids to Love also argued in the filing that its 14th Amendment due process rights had been violated by DHR because no corrective plan was communicated by DHR. Following the June 15 letter, Kids to Love said in its filing its first response from DHR came Sept. 8. In its response, the Department did not articulate deficiencies or safety concerns to children, any corrective action, or any administrative remedy for Kids to Love, the Kids to Love filing said. It merely responded that it questions Kids to Loves involvement in a specific case and that case is on appeal, insinuating that no decision on the placement ban will take place before the decision on appeal is rendered. Kids to Love said it responded Sept. 10 that it is not involved in the issues of the case, the appeal or the outcome and asked again for DHR to articulate the reasons for the continuing ban on placement of children in Kids to Love facilities and with Kids to Love licensed foster families. There was no immediate response from DHR and Kids to Love sought the temporary restraining order to block the referrals two days later. Meanwhile, in a hearing last Friday, Judge Pate chastised DHR attorney Felicia Brooks after the state agency sent a notice to five county DHR officers suggesting the temporary restraining order issued by the judge affected the placement of children. We believe it was an intentional effort by DHR to mislead juvenile court judges, Hill, the attorney for Kids to Love, said during the hearing. Pate repeatedly questioned Brooks about the notice. She responded that it was DHRs legal position that the temporary restraining order had such an impact. Pate eventually told Brooks she was incorrect in that interpretation. The judge also ended the hearing by saying she would be in contact with the juvenile court judges to inform them that the restraining order does not affect the placement of children. Im very disturbed by this, Pate said, adding that she does not have the jurisdiction to instruct another judge on a case. Pate also ordered that DHR not send the notice to any other juvenile courts. A pedestrian died after being struck by a train in Sheffield Thursday afternoon. According to the Colbert County Emergency Management Agency, the incident happened at about 12:55 p.m. at North Montgomery Avenue and East First Street. A man was airlifted from the scene. Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry told WHNT that a 43-year-old man died of his injuries at NAMC Hospital in Florence. Sheffield police are investigating. After a small-town police officer was indicted this year in a scheme to frame drivers for drug possession in north Alabama, one driver is suing for wrongful arrest, arguing that former Centre officer Michael Kilgore planted drugs in his car and used a police dog from another department to find the contraband. After (Officer) Kilgores scheme was exposed, the charges against Plaintiff and numerous other victims of the scheme were dropped. Accordingly, plaintiff brings this action for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution, said a complaint in the lawsuit filed in federal court last month. William Sidney Blevins and his girlfriend Amanda Woods were driving from Leesburg to Centre, north of Gadsden, to meet with a friend on the night of January 25, at about 11 p.m. when an officer pulled them over, according to the complaint. Officer Michael Andrew Kilgore, 39, told Blevins he pulled him over because his tag light was out and asked to search the car. According to the complaint, Blevins said no to the search and the officer told them both to step out of the car and he put them in handcuffs. A K-9 officer, Shane Butler, then arrived at the arrest scene with his dog and talked to Kilgore, according to the complaint. Butler walked around the car and ducked down by the open passenger door, out of sight of Blevins, according to the suit. Butler then stood up and went to get his K-9. Once at the car, the dog jumped in the passenger side. Kilgore came over and reached inside, then showed plaintiff a bag of what plaintiff assumed was illegal drugs. Kilgore claimed to have found the bag inside the vehicle, the lawsuit said. Blevins had never seen bag before, according to the suit. Officers arrested him for possessing methamphetamine and took him to Cherokee County Jail where he stayed until the next afternoon, according to the lawsuit. His lawsuit claims he was forced to sleep on the concrete jail floor which caused a shoulder injury. His name, mugshot and charges were published in the local paper. On May 3, Kilgore was arrested for a criminal conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime-distribution. The suit says the charges against Blevins and several others were dropped after Kilgores arrest. Kilgore is no longer employed by Centre police. Multiple efforts to reach Kilgore for comment were unsuccessful. His attorney in the case is not listed yet. I am afraid this case is just scratching the surface of the damage Officer Kilgore has done to the innocent people he arrested for possessing or distributing drugs, drugs that he planted on them so he could get another drug bust to his credit, said Jon Goldfarb, Blevins attorney. Butler is also named in the lawsuit. He is an officer at the Cedar Bluff Police Department. Neither Butler nor the Cedar Bluff Police Department returned multiple calls for comment for this article. According to the complaint, a confidential informant had reported that Kilgore was planting evidence a few days after Blevins arrest and there was an investigation underway into Kilgore at the time Blevins visited the chief. In total, Kilgore worked at the department for less than a year, according to the departments Facebook page. After the first two months of his employment, the Centre Police Department announced online a significant number of arrests, many of them drug related. Of 138 new cases at the department between June and August of 2022, there were 70 arrests, including 49 charges from drug/narcotic violations and 26 from drug equipment violations, according to the department. Five charges were for possession of illegal prescription drugs. The department said it had removed 1.47 pounds of methamphetamine, a gram of heroin and 4.66 pounds of marijuana. We are very disappointed in Kilgores conduct, said Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship in a public statement in May. There is no excuse for any officer violating the law like this. A Blount County student was struck and killed while at a bus stop Thursday morning. The crash happened just after 7 a.m. on U.S. 231 near the TipTop One Stop in St. Clair County. That location is on the Blount County and St. Clair County lines. The initial information is that the 15-year-old Appalachian School student, a female, was about to get on the bus with her siblings when she was hit by a truck. The crash happened in front of the students house. The 2004 Nissan Frontier, driven by 31-year-old Tyler Gillilan of Oneonta, then crashed into the house. The teen girl was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:58 a.m., said St. Clair County Deputy Coroner Joe Sweatt. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including Blount and St. Clair sheriffs deputies, and the Alabama State Troopers. The St. Clair County Coroners Office also responded to the scene. Rodney Green, Superintendent, Blount County Schools Superintendent Rodney Green released a statement Thursday afternoon. It is with a heavy and broken heart that we share the news of a devastating, tragic accident at a bus- stop this morning that took the life of one of our students at Appalachian School,' Green said. This is certainly one of the most difficult things that our school and our community have had to face. Appalachian School is a close-knit community school that loves and supports its students, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them. I want to thank our first responders, our community members, counselors and employees for their assistance with the families involved and with our students impacted at the school,' Green said. Thanks for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support for the family, our school, and our community and please remember them in the difficult days ahead. A three-judge federal court has picked the map Alabama will use for its congressional elections next year, one that will add a second district where Black residents make up close to half of the voting age population. The judges picked Remedial Plan 3, one of the three maps drawn by a special master appointed by the court to fix what the court found was a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act. The main changes are in the southern half of the state, where District 2 becomes the second district where Black voters will have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. Alabamas racially polarized voting means that would most likely be a Democrat. District 1 changes substantially, with two Republican incumbents within its borders, Reps. Jerry Carl of Mobile and Barry Moore of Enterprise. Instead of six safe Republican districts and one safe Democratic district, Alabamas map will now have two districts where Democrats have a realistic chance to win. Last year, the three-judge court found that Alabamas map, with one majority Black district out of seven in a state where one-fourth of residents are Black, most likely violates the Voting Rights Act. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that decision in June. The three-judge court allowed the Legislature time to pass a new map. But the court found that the map approved during a special session in July did not fix the likely Voting Rights Act violation. The court ordered the special master to submit three maps, which were discussed at a hearing on Tuesday. At that hearing, the plaintiffs who have prevailed in their claim under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act said Remedial Plan 3 would fix the likely violation of the law. The plaintiffs group led by Evan Milligan of Montgomery said they preferred Remedial Plan 1 but that Plan 3 was a good alternative. The plaintiffs led by Marcus Caster of Washington County said Plans 1 and 3 were both good. Alabama has had one majority Black district, District 7, and six heavily white districts since 1992, when the map was also drawn by a federal court. The new map makes no changes to Districts 3, 4, and 5 and minimal changes to Districts 6 and 7. Here is a zoomable link to the new map. The map passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in July, left, and Remedial Plan 3, proposed by a court-appointed special master. The court picked Plan 3 to use in next year's elections. In a 49-page order issued Thursday, the judges said Remedial Plan 3 fixed the dilution of Black voters that created the likely Voting Rights Act violation while not changing the Legislatures map any more than was necessary. Accordingly, we find that Remedial Plan 3 completely remedies the vote dilution we found and satisfies all applicable federal constitutional and statutory requirements while most closely approximating the policy choices the Alabama Legislature made in the 2023 Plan, the judges wrote. Put differently, we find that Remedial Plan 3 limits our modifications of the 2023 Plan only to those necessary to cure the statutory defect that we identified, and that Remedial Plan 3 does not intrude on Alabama policy any more than is necessary to bring the 2023 Plan into compliance with Section Two of the Voting Rights Act. The Alabama Legislative Black Caucus issued a news release praising the ruling by U.S. Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus, District Judge Anna Manasco and District Judge Terry Moorer. Today, we celebrate a victory for voting rights for all Alabamians, Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, said. For two years, we have fought vigorously to end racial gerrymandering in Alabama and we are pleased with this landmark decision. Not only will this positively affect Alabama, but it will also help remedy the racial gerrymandering that is occuring throughout our nation. Fair maps ensure that no matter what your race, ethnicity, or political leaning- that your vote counts. Secretary of State Wes Allen had told the court Alabama needed a map by early October to prepare for next years elections. The judges have noted that timeline in their rulings. The ACLU of Alabama, which represented the Milligan plaintiffs in the case, praised the ruling. Todays order means for the first time, Black voters in two congressional districts will have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice, ACLU of Alabama Executive Director JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist said. It is unfortunate that federal courts were forced to put in place a congressional map that state lawmakers refused to admit is the right thing to do, but we are thankful for their intervention. Our democracy is strongest when we make it possible for every vote to be counted. Putting in place fair voting maps moves us closer to that reality. Under Remedial Plan 3, the Black voting age population in the redrawn District 2 is 48.7%, up from 40% on the Legislatures map. An analysis showed that Black-preferred candidates, Democrats, received more votes in the district than their Republican opponents in 16 of 17 recent elections. District 7, represented by Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, remains majority Black, at 51.9%. Alabamas lawyers, Attorney General Steve Marshall and Solicitor General Edmund LaCour, opposed all of the special masters remedial maps and claimed they were unconstitutional racial gerrymanders. But the three-judge court rejected those arguments. The Supreme Court declined the states request for an emergency stay that would have blocked the three-judge court from drawing the new map. Although the map is now set for the 2024 elections. Marshall has said he will continue to pursue an appeal and a trial in the case. My Office will continue our fight to defend the 2023 map, which was enacted by the peoples representatives, and which complies with both the Voting Rights Act and the Constitutions promise that governments should be colorblind, Marshall said in a statement after the Supreme Court turned down the states request for an emergency stay. We will comply with the district courts preliminary injunction order, while building our case for the 2023 map, which has yet to receive a full hearing. We are confident that the Voting Rights Act does not require, and the Constitution does not allow, separate but equal congressional districts. Secretary of State Allen issued a statement Thursday after the court decision. The Office of the Secretary of State will facilitate the 2024 election cycle in accordance with the map the federal court has forced upon Alabama and ordered us to use, Allen said. It is important for all Alabamians to know that the legal portion of this process has not yet been completed. A full hearing on the redistricting issue will take place in the future and I trust Attorney General Marshall to represent Alabama through that process. In the meantime, I will keep our states elections safe, secure and transparent because that is what I was elected to do. The three-judge court had told the state that a remedy to the likely Voting Rights Act violation was to create a second district where Black voters comprised a majority or close to a majority, one where they would have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. But the plan the Republican-controlled Legislature passed in July did not do that, a point the state did not dispute, the judges said. The State conceded that the 2023 Plan does not include an additional opportunity district, the judges wrote. Indeed, the State asserted that notwithstanding our preliminary injunction order and the Supreme Courts affirmance, the Legislature was not required to include an additional opportunity district in the 2023 Plan. The States conduct and concession put this case in an unusual posture. We are not aware of any other case in which a state legislature faced with a federal court order declaring that its electoral plan unlawfully dilutes minority votes and requiring a plan that provides an additional opportunity district responded with a plan that the state concedes does not provide that district. Congresswoman Sewell took note of that in a statement Thursday. While we celebrate this historic victory, the continued resistance that we face from state officials should not be lost on anyone, Sewell said. This long and arduous battle over Alabamas congressional map serves as a solemn reminder that efforts to deny fair representation to Black and minority voters are still alive and well. The Alabama Democratic Party said the state had failed in an effort to defy the courts. With the adoption of a fair congressional map, the new opportunity district provides Black voters with a realistic chance to elect a representative of their choice, Executive Director Tom Miro said. The Alabama Democratic Party celebrates that the Voting Rights Act has been upheld. Importantly, the Alabama Legislature and Attorney General were unsuccessful in their attempts to defy the Supreme Court and thwart the rule of law. We are heartened that the Court recognized Alabamas long and contentious history of denying Black voters their constitutional rights and equal treatment. We are looking forward to a Democrat having a viable chance to earn the trust of the voters during the next election and winning this seat. With the map settled for 2024, the next big question is who will run in District 1 and District 2, where the substantial changes were made. The Democratic Party opened qualifying on Sept. 29. Sewell has qualified to run for reelection in District 7. Qualifying in the Republican Party starts Oct. 16. Qualifying in both parties must end by Nov. 10. Plaintiffs Evan Milligan, Khadidah Stone, Letetia Jackson, Shalela Dowdy, Greater Birmingham Ministries, and the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, who prevailed in their Voting Rights Act challenge, issued a statement Thursday. They are represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Alabama, Hogan Lovells LLP, and Wiggins, Childs, Pantazis, Fisher & Goldfarb. Todays order marks a momentous step forward for us, they said. Thousands of Black voters throughout the Black Belt, for the first time, will be able to elect their candidates of choice in two opportunity districts. This is an unequivocal win that will translate to increased opportunities for those who have too long been denied the fair representation they deserve. Though a long, hard-fought battle, we are grateful to have achieved this key measure and look forward to building a better future for Alabama voters. Read more: Who could be running in the open Alabama Congressional District 2 race? Why are Birmingham lawmakers eyeing a run for Congress in South Alabama Barry Moore seriously praying about whether to run again as redistricting to transform House seat Alabama congressman blames 3 activist judges for plan to split district, but Trump nominated 2 of them The gunshots startled Mercedes Caballero and her 16-year-old daughter. They got out of bed and checked the video feed from their home security system. It showed a man lying on the ground as police officers rushed around the front yard across the street on Ryan Drive in Decatur. Mom, the cops shot him, Caballero recalled her daughter saying. They rolled back the video and watched in shock. Oh my goodness, Caballero recalled saying. The cop did shoot him. Sign up for the Worth Your Time newsletter: Get the best journalism happening in Alabama delivered straight to your inbox every week. In an interview with AL.com, Caballero recalled learning that their neighbor of about five years, 39-year-old Stephen Clay Perkins died that morning after a Decatur police officer shot and killed him just feet away from their home. Another neighbor, Justin Shepherd, said the police gunfire hit his home as he laid in bed. I was watching from inside the house right after I heard the gunshots because bullets were coming in my home, he told AL.com. The Army veteran said he survived the war in Iraq but feared for his life in his own home last Friday. He said he felt helpless when he realized that police had killed his friend and personal trainer. I guess I was far enough in the house, he said. But it was just sheer luck. Cause if I was sleeping in one of the front rooms or watching TV, I could have been dead. One of several bullet hole on the side of Justin Shepherd's home in Decatur, Ala. Perkins death sparked protests outside Decatur City Hall, with marchers calling for police to release body camera footage. The city wont release the tapes, but Perkins family did share footage from the neighbors security camera. The mayor met with Perkins family but said he doesnt yet have the answers they are looking for about what happened to their husband, brother, father, son, known to some as Clay and to others as Steve. The state police continue to investigate. The family hired Lee Merritt, a national civil rights attorney to ensure their pursuit of justice is thorough, transparent and effective. Merritt said they would meet today with Scott Anderson, the district attorney of Morgan County. Police said Perkins threatened a tow truck driver attempting to repossess his vehicle. The tow truck driver left the house but returned later with officers. In a press release, police said Perkins turned a gun toward the officer, causing the officer to fire. In a statement posted on Instagram Wednesday night, the familys lawyer said the police and the tow company got it wrong. Merritt said on Instagram that Perkins went outside to investigate why the dog was barking. He said Perkins didnt know the police were outside with the tow truck driver. In a matter of seconds the men hidden in the dark surrounding his property revealed themselves and simultaneously opened fire, the statement added. He never had a chance to surrender. Officers didnt announce their presence until the very last moment. Steve was committing no crime. Officers surrounding Steven in his front yard fired over a dozen rounds striking him seven times killing him. They later discovered the attempted repossession was a mistake. A spokesperson for the city and the police department did not comment on Thursday, citing the ongoing investigation. Perkins family, in a statement released on the day of his death, said they had receipts and that theres no evidence he fell behind on his vehicle payments. The unjust excessive amount of force can be seen in the home surveillance footage, said the statement, released by Brenton Lipscomb, the familys publicist. Rumors have circulated regarding Decatur Police Departments statement stigmatizing Clay as combative or aggressive, causing rage in marginalized communities across Alabama. This was not the character of Clay Perkins, the statement added. Clay was a family-oriented young black man thriving for excellence. Footage from the security cameras is dark and grainy, filmed from too far away to clearly depict exactly what happened. One clip released by the family captured audio of the shooting. Perkins went outside and shouted for the tow man to put the truck down. It shows a police officer running and shouting Hey, hey, police, get on the ground and immediately firing multiple rounds. Someone is heard saying, thats the gun after the officers rush over to Perkins lying on the ground. The family said seven bullets hit Perkins. Another video, which does not have audio, appeared to show Perkins shining a bright light in the front yard. Perkins appeared to move forward a few steps before turning to the right, leaping backward and falling to the ground. The video then appeared to show an officer emerge from Perkins right side, near the home. In a news release, the Alabama Law Enforcement said Perkins was found to be armed with a handgun which was also equipped with a light. But the video raised questions for Perkins friends, family and neighbors. On his home security camera, neighbor Michael Capps saw an interaction with the tow driver around 12:20 a.m. Then, he saw police show up with the tow truck more than an hour later. He questioned why the tow truck returned with police if Perkins had been threatening earlier. I think it all could have been avoided, Capps told AL.com. One. I dont think there was any reason for the tow truck driver to come back at two oclock in the morning when hed already tried once and was sent on his way. Capps shared the video footage on Facebook. Posted by Michael Capps on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 Rodney Gordon, the president of the Morgan County chapter of the NAACP, characterized the shooting as an ambush and modern day lynching. He questioned why police appeared to be hiding in the dark near Perkins home. Because Steve would have never come outside with a gun or even had a gun, Gordon told AL.com. If he came to Steve, after he came to Steves house, knocked on the door. How are you doing? Im such and such a Decatur Police Department, we wont even be having this conversation. Period. A Decatur police officer shot and killed Stephen Clay Perkins, 39, on Sept.29, 2023. Briona Watkins, a nurse who grew up with Perkins in Hillsboro, a town of about 400 people 14 miles west of Decatur, said protests will continue until we get answers. She is one of the organizers of a facebook group named THE MOVEMENT-JUSTICE FOR CLAY STEVE PERKINS. More than 2,000 people have joined since Sunday. The police did not make their presence known, Watkins said. They hid on the side of his house. They hid across the street at a neighbors house. They did not make their presence known whatsoever. And how was he supposed to know that they were there if they didnt make their presence known? They could just have simply knocked on the door and let him know, just letting you know, we got a call. Theyre trying to tow your truck for whatever reason. Just letting you know that were here and we got called to assist. If that would have been done, then we wouldnt even be on the phone right now. Decatur Mayor Tab Bowling said he will join the community at a vigil, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. today outside city hall, in memory of Perkins. In a video posted to Facebook, the mayor asked the community to pray and revealed that he and his wife, Sherry, met with Perkins family over the weekend. My heart is with Steves family and loved ones as they grieve the loss of his life, the mayor said in the video. But he acknowledged that he could not provide the family with answers about the shooting. While the grief in the home was beyond belief, there was certainly hospitality and kindness, he said. But the family, understandably, was laser-focused on one thing, and thats answers to why Steve lost his life. And at this time, I do not have the answers. Please keep Steves family and our community in your prayers. Posted by Tab Bowling, Mayor of The City of Decatur on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 The city denied a public records request from AL.com seeking the footage as well as the officers personnel and disciplinary records. The officers name has not been made public. Police said the officer was on administrative leave. Alexia Owens is a medical assistant now, but she grew up with Perkins in Hillsboro. We kept trying to figure out, like, aint no way, aint no way that he would do something to provoke an officer, not knowingly, she told AL.com at a protest. So we knew that Steve is happy, respectful, hes not confrontational. Hes just an all-around good spirit, good personality, uplifting. He loves life. He aint going to do nothing to take that life from him or from his daughters. You know what Im saying? Take food off his table. His familys got to worry about that now. A Decatur police officer shot and killed Stephen Clay Perkins in his front yard in the early hours of Sept. 29, 2023. Terrance Baker, another Hillsboro native, told AL.com that he questions whether Perkins could have known the police were outside in the dark. Steve was the one that never got caught up in the riff-raff, he told AL.com Businessman Tommy Cook said he felt compelled to protest and speak out after Perkins death. You know as a concerned citizen, it doesnt matter if youre white, Black, Mexican, Puerto Rican, whatever, at 2 a.m. in the morning, your dogs are barking, youre going to come outside with concern, right? If you have a weapon, youre going to come outside with your weapon. Thats anyone. Alabama has dried out a little more in the past week, and drought conditions are expanding in the state. And it will continue to be dry enough that the National Weather Service is warning of critical wildfire conditions in parts of the state this weekend. The U.S. Drought Monitor released its weekly look at drought conditions nationwide, and it showed worsening conditions across much of Alabama. Parts of southwest Alabama remain in the driest and are in extreme drought, or level 3 out of 4. Areas in extreme drought expanded from 2.30 percent last week to 6.14 percent this week, according to the Drought Monitor. Areas in extreme drought include parts of Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh and Monroe counties. More of Alabama this week is also in severe drought, or level 2 out of 4. Areas in severe drought grew from 16.04 percent last week to 17.78 percent this week, according to the report. Areas in severe drought were also in southwest Alabama. The report said 73.90 percent of the state is now in moderate drought, or level 1. Thats a big jump -- an increase from 30.60 percent last week. And nearly all the rest of the state, or 96.43 percent, is abnormally dry or on the edge of going into drought. The only near-normal areas this week (as far as soil moisture goes, that is) are in east-central Alabama. The dry conditions will also bring critical fire conditions to parts of south and west Alabama. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning that will be in effect from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday for Choctaw, Washington, Clarke, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw, Escambia, Covington, Mobile, Baldwin, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Marengo, Dallas, Autauga, Lowndes, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Lee, Russell, Pike and Barbour counties. The weather service said a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Is there any relief in sight? Just a little, according to the National Weather Service. Parts of Alabama will have their highest rain chances of the week tonight into Friday. However, the rain is not expected to add up to much. The next seven days continue could bring a little more rain to Alabama than this week. Heres the seven-day precipitation outlook from NOAAs Weather Prediction Center: Alabama could get at least a little rain over the next seven days, with areas near the coast potentially getting the most. It shows areas along the coast could see an inch or two in the next week. Areas to the north will likely see less rain, but most of Alabama is expected to at least see a little precipitation in the next seven days. Huntsville area residents are spending more time in the emergency room because the rapid growth in Madison County means many cant get to see a primary care doctor quick enough. The reason for that not enough doctors in the area to keep up with the growth. The physician shortage is making it difficult for some to find not just primary care providers but also pediatricians or other specialists. It varies based on specialty, said Josh Hewiett, Huntsville Hospital senior vice president of physician services. Theres definitely a growing demand for care, especially primary care. Huntsville resident Tara Barnes is among those who recently have been forced to search for a new doctor. I received a letter from my doctor that the nurse practitioner was leaving, which is usually who I saw and preferred to see, she said. He could not handle the load with her leaving, and said that I needed to find a new doctor. I was mortified because there is such a shortage here. To see a specialist here is almost out of the question. Alabama Powers plan to leave 21 million tons of coal ash waste in an unlined impoundment on the Mobile River took another hit last week, as a federal judge recommended that a lawsuit against the company be allowed to move forward. Alabama Power had asked the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Mobile Baykeeper last year challenging Alabama Powers plan to close the 597-acre coal ash pond at the James M. Barry Electric Generating Plant in Mobile County. The Baykeeper argued that not digging out the leaking ash ponds was a violation of federal environmental laws and would leach pollutants into public waters of the United States and of Alabama indefinitely. Meanwhile Alabama Power made three arguments for why the case should be dismissed: The company had received a permit from ADEM to close the ash pond. The lawsuit was premature since the pond was not yet closed. The Baykeeper had not alleged specific harms. Federal magistrate judge Sonja Bivins rejected each of those arguments by Alabama Power and recommended that the court deny Alabama Powers motion to dismiss and allow the Baykeepers lawsuit to proceed. Bivins found that the ADEM permit was not sufficient to meet federal coal ash rules, and that Baykeeper has alleged concrete, ongoing harm, and that the environmental group had asserted plausible claims for relief against Alabama Power. For the reasons set forth above, the undersigned recommends that Alabama Powers corrected motion to dismiss be denied, Bivins wrote. The recommendation and report was made on Sept. 30. Parties have 14 days to file objections to the judges report. Alabama Power told AL.com that as a matter of practice, it does not comment on pending litigation and did not say whether the company planned to object to the judges recommendations. EPA coal ash decision looms The lawsuit moving forward would be another blow for Alabama Powers plans to cover coal ash in place at Plant Barry and other locations around Alabama. Coal ash, or coal combustion residuals (CCR), is the leftover material when power plants burn coal for electricity. The ash contains substances such as mercury, arsenic and heavy metals that can cause human health problems. For decades these ashes were flushed out into holding ponds at power plants across the country, building up massive volumes over the decades. Environmental advocates argue that leaving ash in these unlined ponds indefinitely will result in decades of water and groundwater pollution, and leave the risk of a catastrophic dam breach like the one that occurred in Kingston, Tenn. in 2008 that sent millions of tons of coal ash flooding out into the river. Many utilities, including Alabama Power, prefer to retire their ash ponds by covering them in place rather than digging the ash out and moving it to a lined landfill. They say that method can be protective of the environment and is faster and less expensive than moving millions of tons of ash to lined landfills. Alabama Power got approval from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management in 2021 to use the cover in place method of closing the ash pond at Plant Barry under a state-level permitting program that had not been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Now the EPA has proposed a rejection of ADEMs coal ash permitting program, arguing that it does not meet the requirements of the federal coal ash rules. The EPA has argued that coal ash ponds cannot be closed to meet federal coal ash rules, if that coal ash remains directly in contact with groundwater, as it does at Plant Barry and other power plants in Alabama. Bivins noted the EPAs proposed denial of ADEMs permit program as less protective than the federal standards Indeed, the straightforward issue at the heart of this controversy is whether, under the CCR Rule, a CCR impoundment can be capped in place with CCR in contact with groundwater, Bivins said in the 38-page recommendation. The EPA is accepting public comments on its rejection of Alabamas coal ash plans through Oct. 14, and will make a final determination after that comment period. If the EPA holds its position that leaving coal ash in groundwater is not allowable under the federal rules, utilities like Alabama Power may be forced to excavate massive ponds or find another way to remove the ash from contact with groundwater. During the 20 years the IRA (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) ran the country, its literacy rate grew. When the IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) took control in 2021, the literacy rate began to fall. At that point the adult (all those over 15) literacy rate was 46 percent compared to 31 percent in 2001 and 18 percent in 1979, when the four decades of war began. For school-age Afghans the current literacy is nearly 50 percent because since 2002 over a third of Afghans have received at least a basic education and nearly half of those have been female, despite vigorous Taliban efforts to block that. Since 2014 the Taliban have put a priority on destroying schools, especially those that educate girls. The number of girls getting an education has been declining. The current Afghan literacy rate is 46 percent compared to 72 percent for India, 96 percent in China and 87 percent in Iran. Countries with higher literacy rates tend to have stronger economies and more prosperity in general. The U.S. has a literacy rate of 99 percent, as does Britain and most other Western nations. The more prosperous Arab states, like the UAE (United Arab Emirates) have a 93 percent literacy rate. The higher literacy rate usually leads to a better educated and more productive workforce. The two decades of IRA rule were made possible by $2.3 trillion dollars of American aid to the Afghan government. Some of this money also went t0 Pakistan, which turned out to be a mistake. In 2019 Pakistan admitted that for the last fifteen years it had lied about the presence of over 30,000 armed men in Pakistan and Kashmir working for 40 Islamic terror groups. That deception was one of the reasons the U.S. cut off all aid to Pakistan. In addition to halting cash assistance of Afghanistan, the United States pulled the last of its troops in late 2021 and the U.S. backed IRA government collapsed, replaced by the IEA. If the IEA does allow groups based in Afghanistan to make attacks on the United States or American in other countries, the response will be sanctions and air strikes on Afghanistan. Untrustworthy Afghan governments are nothing new, it is a tradition that is several centuries old. Outsiders are considered fair game for all manner of deceptions and costly mistakes while trying to do business in Afghanistan. The Americans proved to be the most lucrative victim and, after 20 years of persistent corruption, decided the situation was not going to change and left. The U.S. still supplies support for Afghanistan through its donations of UN food programs for Afghanistan. The IEA recently persuaded some of the exiled finance and banking officials who had served the IRA to return and get the Afghan currency stabilized while also enabling the Central Bank to handle more transactions and larger ones as well. The national currency, the Afghani, has also increased in value over the last year to the point where only 78 Afghanis were needed to buy a dollar. Since the Afghani was getting stronger it was easier to efficiently handle the $5.8 billion in aid received since mid-2021. The Central Bank can now ease limits on businesses or individuals withdrawing dollars. The Central Bank is considered stable and efficient by foreign investors and that accelerates plans by foreign companies to invest billions of dollars to create mining operations in Afghanistan. China is negotiating with the Taliban government to provide food and other aid in exchange for allowing China to safely establish surveillance cameras throughout the country and use Afghanistan as a transit zone for Chinese operations in surrounding countries. Inside Afghanistan, the only organized opposition to IEA rule is a successor to the 1990s Northern Alliance. This new anti-Taliban group reassembled in 2022 as the NRF (National Resistance Front) and appeared to be a major threat to IEA rule and possibly something that was more than the IEA could handle. NRF leaders blame the United States and the former IRA government. Both misjudged and mishandled efforts to deal with the ISIL and TTP (Pakistani Taliban) presence inside Afghanistan. Now the resistance to the revived Taliban rule in Afghanistan is opposed by an updated version of the pre September 11, 2001 Afghan resistance. This time the United States was not interested in trying to remove a pro-Islamic terrorist government in Afghanistan. Some of the NRF leaders are sons of successful Northern Alliance commanders. Iran threatened to provide more support to the NRF than they gave the Northern Alliance. By late 2022 the NRF dominated Panjshir province (northeast of Kabul) and believed they could resist any IEA attack. That was optimistic because IEA forces suffered some losses initially but soon turned that around and inflicted heavy losses on NRF in terms of gunmen, territory and local support. Now the NRF is based in northern neighbor Tajikistan and conducts raids into Afghanistan. This was not a repeat of the 1990s when the Northern Alliance dominated the Panjshir Valley (a 90-minute drive from Kabul) right up to the defeat of the Taliban government after September 2001. Northern Front leaders became members of the IRA government and now their sons reassembled as the NRF, which had some initial success but no staying power. Not enough Panjshir Valley residents are willing to die opposing the ruthless IEA government. The remaining resistance fighters have moved north to Tajikistan. September 30, 2023: One reason Afghan families flee IEA ruled Afghanistan is to live in a country that allows girls and women to attend schools and universities. IEA ruled Afghanistan is the only Moslem country in the world that bans the education of women and energetically enforces that ban. Afghan women can get a basic education but not high school or university level instruction. The IEA has created a hostile environment for any schools to educate women and many of these schools take the hint and downgrade or eliminate programs for women. Moslem nations that support the IEA point out that educated women are a major asset, especially if you are seeking economic growth and a well trained workforce. October 3, 2023: Pakistan ordered 1.7 million unregistered Afghan refugees to leave Pakistan by the end October or be arrested and forced back into Afghanistan. There are over two million registered Afghan refugees, but wants to get these out of Pakistan as well. The legal refugees can seek refuge elsewhere while the unregistered are not screened for known criminals or terrorists. Recent terror attacks in Pakistan have been traced back to Afghan refugees. Most of the refugees left Afghanistan because they wanted to escape the harsh rule of the new IEA government. The registered refugees have some protection from the UN refugee agency. That is not enough to halt a determined expulsion effort by a host country. The Afghan refugees have long been a presence in Pakistan and this is not popular with many Pakistanis because the refugees are a burden on the local population and economy. The UN seeks to deal with this problem by providing aid for the refugees. Getting donor nations to provide that aid has become more difficult, especially when the aid is needed for Afghan refugees. September 29, 2023: IEA Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani visited the Panjshir Valley and tried to convince local leaders to stop tolerating anti-IEA activities in the valley. Many Panjshir residents have joined the resistance, which includes a growing number of armed men who fight what was described as a pro-Pakistan IEA government. There is some truth to this, especially when it involves members of the Haqqani clan. Pakistan believed that once the IEA took over, the pro-Pakistan members of the IEA government would give Pakistan their long-desired control over the Afghan government. That might have happened except for the fact that the official leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada, had a lot more supporters in Afghanistan than Pakistan realized. Before the IEA took over Pakistan was convinced that Akhundzada was unpopular with many Taliban faction leaders, in part because Akhundzada was seen as a figurehead and his chief deputy, the head of the Haqqani Network, was actually in charge. That was true but the secret was that Akhundzada only acted as a figurehead because he had to operate from the Pakistan sanctuary in Quetta, a city just across the border from the Afghan province of Kandahar, where many of the original Taliban came from. Kandahar was where Akhundzada went after the IEA replaced the IRA (American backed-Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) in mid-2021. Once back in Afghanistan, Akhundzada could exercise his power as the official head of the Taliban and do so without potentially lethal pressure from Pakistan. The Taliban factions Pakistan believed were hostile to Akhundzada, and openly supported him once he was back in Kandahar. Pakistan underestimated how widespread the hatred of Pakistan was in Afghanistan, even among the many Afghan Taliban who seemed to maintain a pro-Pakistan attitude. Pakistan believed this would neutralize the many Afghan Taliban factions who had openly expressed their opposition to Pakistan interference in Afghanistan. Mullah Akhundzada was a highly respected Islamic scholar who rarely commented on his political beliefs. The Pakistani ISI (military intelligence service) that created the Taliban in the mid-1990s and managed them ever since. Pakistan misjudged Akhundzadas silence on his attitude towards Pakistan. This was seen as agreement with or neutrality towards the ISI and Pakistan in general. Akhundzada had widespread support in Afghanistan while the pro-Pakistan IEA officials who were appointed while the Taliban were still in Quetta had little such support. When Akhundzada overruled Pakistan-backed IEA officials, it was clear he was no longer a figurehead. Akhundzada was not a rigid religious fanatic either. When he imposed a ban on womens higher education in December 2022, he paid attention to the reaction of most Afghans and agreed to lift most of the restrictions. Akhundzada understands he is responsible to what Afghans, not the ISI, want. This revelation created a lot of problems for the ISI and the Pakistan military, who are in trouble with Pakistan voters and elected officials who want to curb the independence of the Pakistan military. The militarys policy towards Afghanistan played a minor role in this, but the revelation that the Afghans hate the Pakistani military as much as most Pakistanis do make it clear that the Pakistani generals overestimated their power. Inside Afghanistan, the pro-Pakistan Haqqani government officials would not criticize IEA leader Akhundzada openly because that might lead to more anti-Pakistan violence inside Afghanistan. September 28, 2023: In the east (Paktika Province) a group of TTP (Pakistani Taliban) gunmen crossed into Pakistan (Baluchistan) and encountered some Pakistani soldiers. There was a gun battle and the TTP retreated back into Afghanistan after losing three dead and several wounded. Four Pakistani soldiers were killed. September 27, 2023: Responding to complaints from Pakistan, the IEA government has cracked down the presence of TTP (the Pakistani Taliban) and their bases near the Pakistan border. The IEA has arrested 200 suspected TTP members and will continue these operations until TTP attacks in Pakistan cease. The IEA needs good relations with Pakistan because landlocked Afghanistan depends on land routes to Pakistan for its exports and imports. While many IEA members support the TTP efforts to overthrow the secular Pakistani democratic government, the IEA leaders realize that Pakistan is strong enough to withstand TTP attacks and hurt the IEA government economically for supporting the TTP. Pakistan is also the only Moslem country with nuclear weapons and some of the more paranoid IEA leaders believe Pakistan would nuke Kabul if sufficiently provoked by IEA sponsored violence. September 26, 2023: A Pakistani raid on a TTP camp near the Afghan border left three TTP men dead. September 25, 2023: Some foreign governments are now seeking to resume diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and open embassies in Kabul. This came after many embassies were closed because of the IEA government. Meanwhile IRA officials continued to control Afghan embassies overseas but those embassies were operating on limited funds and no new money was coming in the IRA embassies were closing. This makes it easier for the IEA to convince foreign nations to recognize the IEA government and exchange ambassadors. Improved security in Kabul makes the reopening of embassies possible. The Czech Republic permanently closed its Kabul embassy in January 2023. The Czechs opened an embassy in 2007 and closed it temporarily after the IEA suddenly replaced the IRA government in 2021. The IEA was able to improve security for the embassy so many embassies were not reopened. The Czechs see the East Asia region as the place where increased diplomatic efforts are most useful. Central Asia, on the other hand, is not very promising at the moment and dangerous for foreign diplomats. With the permanent closure of the Czech embassy there were fifteen left in Kabul. This includes embassies for China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The EU (European Union) has a delegation in Kabul and Qatar hosts a few American diplomats who look after U.S. interests in Afghanistan. There are several other international organizations that maintain offices in Kabul to explore economic opportunities. IEA extends embassy-level protection to these delegations. Until recently no one recognized the IEA as the legitimate government of Afghanistan but the IEA does control Kabul and has varying amounts of control throughout Afghanistan. That control has grown stronger and spread, making it possible for foreign countries to justify reopening their embassies in IEA controlled Kabul. September 19, 2023: The IEA has arrested nearly 200 Jadogar (magicians or sorcerers) and charged them with practices forbidden for Moslems. Technically this is true, but in most Moslem countries Jadogar are considered a harmless local tradition and is not a threat to Islam or devout Moslems. The IEA takes an extreme view of what is permissible to good Moslems and decided that Jadogar did not qualify. Most Afghans take a more tolerant view towards Jadogar and see this crackdown as another example of counterproductive IEA extremism. September 13, 2023: The UN efforts to bring needed food into Afghanistan have failed because of few donations and difficulties in getting the food to Afghans who need it most. This could lead to mass starvation in parts of Afghanistan that lack sufficient locally grown food to feed the population. Russia has promised food aid but has been unable to deliver it. September 12, 2023: In the east (Paktika Province) Islamic terrorist commander Badshah Khan and associate Mufti Noor Wali were killed by a landmine. Both were considered enemies of Pakistan for their support of attacks inside Pakistan. September 11, 2023: The United States believes that most of the al Qaeda in Afghanistan are dead, killed by the Afghan government to fears al Qaeda plans to make more attacks elsewhere and let Afghanistan take the blame for providing a sanctuary. September 10, 2023: The IEA did keep one promise as they shut down poppy production. Poppies are used to produce opium which, in turn, can be converted to heroin. Over 90 percent of Afghan poppies are produced in one Afghan province; Helmand. Then as now, neighboring Pakistan cooperates to make this work because essential chemicals must be imported to refine the opium into heroin. Pakistan is also the most effective route to worldwide drug markets via Pakistani airports and its seaport in Karachi. Afghanistans other neighbors like Iran, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are very hostile to the drug smugglers. Afghanistans northern neighbors, all former Soviet republics, have long received armed assistance from Russia to combat the drug smugglers. Some of those Russian troops were recently ordered back to Russia to help out in Ukraine. The IEA continues to guard its border with Pakistan to prevent any Pakistanis form continuing support or benefit from Afghan drug production. The loss of opium supplies was soon replaced by Methamphetamine, which is easier to produce than opium and heroin. The meth is distributed in tablet form. Meth has long been the most popular illegal drug in most of Asia. The raw materials are easy to obtain because few governments have been able to control manufacture of the raw materials needed to produce in a few improvised workshops. The Afghan poppy farmers had to return to less profitable food crops. Meth is now being replaced by fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid that is cheaper and more potent than heroin, opium or meth. Fentanyl first appeared in the 1960s as a legal pain relief treatment. Like previous pain relief drugs, like morphine, fentanyl soon became an illegal substance for those seeking to get high. Currently most of the fentanyl is produced in China and smuggled to dealers worldwide. Fentanyl is so potent that it's easier for a user to take too much and die. There is one antidote for a fatal fentanyl overdose and is Narcan, which is available as a nasal spray or in a more powerful injectable form. If administered promptly Narcan will negate the fatal effects of a fentanyl overdose. While Narcan is widely available in the West it is difficult to obtain in rural Afghanistan. The heroin produced in Helmand province was largely for export but some of it found its way to the Afghan population as well as Pakistan and Iran. The disappearance of Afghan heroin is being replaced by the cheaper and more potent fentanyl. Popular opposition to heroin and opium in Afghanistan and neighboring countries is the result of addicts who were unable to take care of themselves or anyone else. This was the cause of many family members blaming the government for not doing something about fentanyl. In retrospect , opium and heroin addiction was much easier to deal w September 9, 2023: Speaking from Turkey, Abdul Rashid Dostum, the leader of NIMA (National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan) called on his allies in Afghanistan to continue the resistance to IEA rule. Dostum is in Turkey for medical care and still has a large following in northern Afghanistan. Dostum was an official of the IRA government, which was replaced by the Taliban IEA in late 2021. Now most of the resistance forces are based across the northern border in Tajikistan. From there they carry out raids against IEA forces in Afghanistan. September 6, 2023: In the east (Nangarhar Province) Pakistani forces defeated an attempt by hundreds of Taliban gunmen attempting to cross the border. Four soldiers and twelve Taliban were killed before the Taliban force retreated back into Afghanistan. September 1, 2023: In Northwest Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) several soldiers and three Taliban were killed in two attacks by the Taliban on Pakistan border posts. August 31, 2023: In Northwest Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province) a Taliban suicide bomber on a motorcycle attacked a Pakistani military convoy, killing nine soldiers. So far this year, Taliban attacks into Pakistan have left over 500 people dead, including 216 Pakistani soldiers. The UN estimates that the TTP (Pakistani Taliban) Taliban have up to 6,000 armed men in Afghanistan for future efforts to attack Pakistan and establish a TTP government there. The Taliban government denies this. On a midsummer afternoon 110 years ago, officials in Mobile unveiled a statue of Rev. Abram Joseph Ryan in front of what used to be St. Josephs Church. One city commissioner, Pat J. Lyons, described Ryan as a beloved poet and priest whose writing left a more enduring monument than can be erected by the hand of man, according to a record of the event from the Library of Congress. What wasnt mentioned in the unveiling ceremony were Ryans beliefs about racial segregation, white supremacy and misogyny, views he advocated in the pages of local newspapers. Today, the statue still stands near the intersection of Spring Hill Avenue and Broad Street in Mobile, a predominantly Black city, in a park named for Ryan. The statues epitaph dubs him the Priest of the Confederacy. A group of concerned community members on Monday night sent a letter and petition to Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and the city council, urging them to remove the statue and rename Ryan Park. If we, as a city, continue to honor Ryan, then the City of Mobile is maintaining a hostile, community environment that is disgraceful to our community, to the clergy, and to generations past, present, and future, the letter reads. As we all know, racist ideologies, like Ryans, have no place in any communitys public spaces. A city spokesperson confirmed they received the letter and told AL.com that city officials are currently discussing the information cited in it. At the unveiling on July 12, 1913, Erwin Craighead, the chairman of the committee to erect the statue, said it was funded in large part by dimes donated from children in a campaign advertised by The Mobile Register in 1904, event records from the Library of Congress show. On a recent visit to the park, the base of the statue was littered with trash and surrounded by patches of dirt and dying grass. Several tributes honor Ryan throughout the South, including a Catholic high school named after him in Nashville. The Daughters of the Confederacy and Children of the Confederacy donated stained-glass windows in his honor in various locations, including one in Mobile at St. Marys Catholic Church where he was once a pastor. A monument to Father Ryan was vandalized multiple times and toppled in New Orleans in 2020. Leo Denton, a retired instructor at the University of South Alabama, organized the petition which has 240 signatures in support of removing the statue. He shared a copy of the petition and letter to the city with AL.com. He said he noticed the statue while attending a Black Lives Matter march three years ago and realized he didnt know about Ryan and his history. I saw the statue and thought to myself, Wow, Mobile has a statue of a saint, and, you know, I felt really good about it, Denton said. I did not pick up through the whole march that the Ryan statue was a Confederate statue at all. Denton said he doesnt think of himself as much of an activist, but he was curious about this bit of local history. He learned through quick research that Ryan was being honored as a Confederate, poet and chaplain of the South, and that concerned him, but he didnt think much of it at first. That didnt necessarily mean that he was a white supremacist or that he passionately promulgated racist, white supremacist ideologies, he said. But as he continued researching, Denton said, he stumbled upon some of Ryans writings. Denton and a few other Mobillians included quotes in their letter to the city this week. We hold that the White Race is superior to the Black, as a general principle, and that the Government of the United States and its several subordinate State and Municipal Governments belong to the white people of the land, he penned in The Banner of the South, a newspaper based in Augusta, Georgia, in 1869. He was the editor of the publication. In The Banner a few years earlier, Ryan discussed the moral quandary of allowing women the right to vote. If suffrage is a natural right, why not be logical and consistent, and extend it to all women, boys, children, and idiots? he said. Suffrage, then, being a civil or political privilege the State, alone, should confer the privilege, and give to the worthy and intelligent the right to vote, without leaving them to the mercy of the vile herd of ignorant Voudooists. Candace Cooksey, communications director for the city of Mobile released this statement to AL.com on Wednesday: We did recently receive communications from Mr. (Leo) Denton regarding the statue of Father Ryan in Ryan Park. We are looking into the information he provided and have begun discussing it internally and with members of the Mobile City Council. The statue appears to be protected under the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act. The act, which Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law in 2017, prohibits the relocation, removal, alteration, renaming, or other disturbance of any monument located on public property which has been in place for 40 years or more, according to the Alabama Historical Commission. The Father Ryan statue has been in place since 1913. Both Birmingham and Mobile have removed statues since 2017 and voluntarily paid fines of $25,000. Denton said he is incredibly grateful to those who signed the petition, people who have clearly voiced their opposition to racism and clearly supported the dignity and human rights of all persons in our community. I believe, because of their voices, and because of the good values of our community, that the statue of (Father) Ryan, a staunch white-supremacist, will be removed and the park will be renamed. Editors note: This story was updated at 9:13 a.m. to update the number the of signatures on the petition from 184 to 240. After initial publication, the organizer reported additional signatures to AL.com. Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced she will deploy 275 Alabama National Guard soldiers to the southern border, declaring every state has become a border state. Every state has become a border state under the current policies, and Alabama remains committed to being an integral part of the mission to protect our southern border, the governor said in a statement Thursday. The Alabama National Guard always stands ready to protect our citizens, and I thank our 275 troops, as well as their families, for their important service to our country. Ivey was among 25 governors across the nation who in urged President Biden to provide honest, accurate, detailed information on where the migrants admitted at the southern border are being relocated in the United States, in addition to comprehensive data on asylum claim timelines and qualification rates, and successful deportations. The crisis at the southern border extends to every state. As a result of your policies which incentivize illegal immigration, our states are carrying the burden of both the years-long surge in illegal border crossings and cartels coordinated trafficking of drugs and human beings, the governors wrote in the Sept. 19 letter to Biden. States are on the front lines, working around-the clock responding to the effects of this crisis: shelters are full, food pantries empty, law enforcement strained, and aid workers exhausted. Thursdays announcement was not the first time Ivey announced the deployment of Alabama National Guard troops to the border. She also did so in 2018 and 2021. Last year, Ivey announced Alabama joined the 26-member American Governors Border Strike Task Force to coordinate efforts to deter illegal immigration. A roundup of conversations we're having daily on the site. Subscribe to the Reckon Daily for stories centering marginalized communities and speaking to the under-covered issues of the moment. Monday marked day one of a new U.S. Supreme Court session. Abortion access, gun laws and voting rights made their way on the docket by way of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, like many social wedge issues that end up before the cour. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is perhaps the most aggressively conservative circuit in the Country, Matt Steffey, professor of law at Mississippi College, said. The 5th circuit covers Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. In the federal court system, circuit courts sit between district courts and the Supreme Court. Conservative judges dominate the lower court, with 12 of 17 judges having been appointed by Republican presidents, half of which are Trump-appointees. Four were appointed by Democratic presidents. It pushes the envelope even further than the Supreme Court, which has been on a conservative trajectory, with its 6-3 supermajority pushing things out further to the right than weve seen, in my professional lifetime, Steffey said. A 5th Circuit decision out of Texas could reinstate restrictions on access to the abortion medication mifepristone, an FDA-approved pill used in most abortions in the United States today. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, ending the constitutional right to abortion and leaving laws regarding access up to states. Texas banned all abortions until recently. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law in September allowing doctors to provide abortions in special circumstances. Also out of Texas, a 5th Circuit decision could keep guns in the hands of domestic violence offenders. The 2022 case challenges a decades-old amendment to the Federal Firearms Act that prohibits those who are subject to active domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. The Supreme Court will decide whether the amendment violates the Second Amendment. Abortion and guns overshadow environmental regulations, another issue on the Supreme Courts docket this term, one salient in the minds of young students in the face of climate change, Steffey said. These cases challenge the ability of the government to govern, he said. Weve recently seen the EPA unable to address climate change. And, thereve been attempts this past term by special interests to push cases before the Supreme Court that take it even further and dismantle consumer protection, environmental regulation, and the basic work of government. Voting rights are also top of mind, as the Supreme Court takes up gerrymandering again this term. South Carolina appealed to the Supreme Court following the ruling in Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP in 2022. The case questioned the constitutionality of the states congressional maps, which had been newly drawn in a way that diluted the Black vote in most districts and increased Black voters in one represented by U.S. Rep. James Clyburn. The NAACP determined this is an act of racial gerrymandering, which is prohibited by the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that partisan gerrymandering does not violate the Constitution. Taking away their vote, you might as well lock the doors of the polling places and tell people they cant come in, said Lynn Teague, vice president of issues and action at the League of Women Voters of South Carolina. The group filed an amicus brief in the case, producing material showing the extent to which Black residents were excised. Teague said a win would put Black voters in a position to have their interests represented in Washington. The Supreme Court hears the case next week. Last Thursday Sebastian Gorka hosted Mark Levin in the third hour of his show to discuss his new book. At 43:00 the discussion turned to Ukraine when Dr. Gorka said, Why is it so difficult for some on our side to realize what the war in Ukraine is about? Why Putin is not on our side? Mark Levin replied, No. Its shocking to me particularly if you believe in America first I then followed the discussion hoping to hear why it is in Americas best interest to not only support Ukraine but to shovel billions of dollars to the country which includes paying salaries of thousands of Ukrainians even if the U.S. government was shut down. It occurred to me that I yet to hear a compelling argument for why support for Ukraine is in Americas interest. On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014. The invasion was provoked by the Biden Administration through the failed Afghanistan exit, the curtailing of oil and gas development that put Russia in an excellent position to invade, and Bidens addleheaded minor incursion remark. But the real culprit was the inexorable drive by the U.S. and NATO to expand toward Russia. The final straw was the State Departments signing of the U.S.-Ukraine Charter on Strategic Partnership on November 10, 2021. This document included the following provocative statement: Emphasize unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and extending to its territorial waters in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, which threatens regional peace and stability and undermines the global rules-based order. Lets take a look at where the conflict stands now. After spending $113 Billion in Ukraine, the war is at a stalemate. That amount is more than double Russias 2023 military expenditure. Back in early 2022, NATO officials see a continued stalemate. The reality is that neither side has a superiority over the other, the top NATO official said, adding neither side will back down. Finally over a year later, U.S. Intelligence (and I use that term loosely) agreed with that assessment. Ukraine casualties up to September of this year include 9614 dead, 534 of them children and 17,535 injured, 1180 of them children. At the same time, the U.S. is running low on weapons that have been delivered to Ukraine. Pentagon comptroller Michael McCord told House and Senate leaders there is $1.6 billion left of the $25.9 billion Congress provided to replenish U.S. military stocks that have been flowing to Ukraine. Instead of valuing the equipment at replacement cost as was originally executed, the Pentagon change the valuation method to book value, which devalued the equipment by $6.2 billion. This is accounting shenanigans to allow the administration to provide more equipment to Ukraine that they are not going to replace. The U.S. sent Ukraine about $44 billion in equipment so far. In case you were wondering. 25.9 is less than 44. The same is true for the rest of NATO countries. Rob Bauer, NATOs top military official, said that The steady flow of western military aid to Ukraine over the past 18 months has left ammunition stockpiles near the bottom of the barrel. Are the sanctions damaging Russia? Contrary to earlier American claims that economic sanctions would reduce Russias economic output by half, Russias GDP shrank by only 4 percent in 2022. Russias exports to China rose to $190 billion in 2022 from $86 billion in 2021, and exports to India reportedly doubled to $27 billion in 2022 from $13 billion in 2021, although the true total probably is higher. Russian fertilizer revenues rose by 70% in 2022 vs. 2021 despite a 10% drop in volume. Instead, Russia is making new friends around the world. Russia is discussing a Free Trade Agreement with India, whose Russian oil imports have quadrupled over the past year. Russia also signed an oil and gas deal with China. Sanctions never work and Russia is proof of that. In fact it has backfired gloriously as Germany declared a natural gas shortage after banning Russian imports. The German economy is now on its back. What is the key U.S. strategic interest in supporting Ukraine? I have yet to see one. The Biden administration and other proponents of current U.S. policy have so far failed to offer a valid strategic argument on behalf of the costs and risks that current U.S. policy incurs in the Russia-Ukraine War. One of the arguments is that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, they will continue to march through NATO countries. First, I must refer you to my stalemate paragraph above. But lets say they are able to finish off Ukraine. Then what? NATO countries spend nearly $1 trillion on defense versus Russias $48 billion. That is a factor of 20:1. Even the feckless Jake Sullivan warned of a full-fledged NATO response if a Russian strike were to hit member-state Poland. If there is a military attack on NATO territory it would cause the invocation of Article 5, and we would bring the full force of the NATO alliance to bear in responding to it, Sullivan said in an interview on CBS News Face the Nation. Russia is highly unlikely to launch an attack on any NATO country. The second argument is if Russia does not pay a heavy price for its actions, it will send a message to other would-be aggressors that they too can seize territory and subjugate other countries. That argument went down the drain when the U.S. exited Afghanistan. Finally, United States has an abiding interest in Ukraine because it affects the so-called liberal international order. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken asserts, the international rules-based order thats critical to maintaining peace and security is being put to the test by Russias unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Yes, this is State Department mumbo jumbo to describe how they want to feel important in the world. The truth is that none of the avowed U.S. interests in Ukraine stand up to scrutiny. So what is this all about? Just follow the money. The amount of lobbying money spent by Ukraine and others is tremendous, impacting almost all the politicians. Everyone is getting in on it. Consulting firms linked to the White Houses leading Ukraine policy architects -- including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland -- appear to be advising the Ukrainian government on its reconstruction efforts funded by U.S. taxpayers. Defense contractor lobbyists are lobbying on behalf of Ukraine for free while taking millions from contractors that benefit from the war. The war is not in Americas interest. It is in the interest of the neocon warhawks like Lindsey Graham and Roger Wicker who want to keep the world in conflict at all times. It is in the interest of lobbyists who are making millions off of this war. It is in the interest of defense contractors who make money off this war. It is in the interest of China, which waits in the wings for Russia to crawl to China on its knees, begging for more help. In whose interest is this war not? You. Image: RawPixel.com To be upfront, I support aid to Ukraine. At the same time, I've never seen a president so incompetent in a matter of national security. In fact, Bidens incompetence has him assuring the allies that the money is coming even though the Congress said no. The President is on the phone and our allies must be wondering what in the world is going in his administration. This is the story: The Biden administration is scrambling to try to assure U.S. allies that American aid to Ukraine will continue despite growing Republican opposition to it, according to a report. Four sources told Axios that President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken plan to call several of their counterparts in Europe and will hold a conference call with leaders of the G7 countries and several other European allies. A European diplomat told the outlet that the Biden administration told allies it is working on an agreement with Congress to allow continued military aid to Ukraine. Again, I support helping Ukraine but my patience is wearing out because the Biden administration looks confused. Furthermore, the American people don't know what the heck is going on because the President has never spoken to the nation explaining why Ukraine matters but the border with Mexico doesn't. As someone once said, all politics is local and Ukraine ain't local, especially when the border is a mess or thugs attack a U.S congressman or gangs break into stores to steal whatever is inside or gasoline is too high and shopping for food is a devastating experience. Maybe the President of Ukraine, or one of our allies, should remind President Biden that Americans need some explanations about sending billions overseas. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: DonkeyHotey With $480,000 in cash lined into jacket pockets and a closet safe holding 13 gold bars with a Mercedes convertible parked in his garage, such an individual in mob circles would be known as a good earner. As it turns out, he is no mafioso, but a longtime member of that esteemed upper chamber of Congress in New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez. When I first read about Menendezs exploits, two thoughts came to mind. First, he must be planning to get divorced but when his wife and three New Jersey businessmen were also accused with him on charges of bribery, fraud, and extortion, a divorce might actually be welcomed in exchange. Secondly, I recalled a similar story at a parole staffing that I was privy to many moons ago. The inmate eligible for parole was an old-timer from the Philadelphia Irish mob. When questioned about the $850,000.00 in small bills found in his home, his disgust told a different story. He corrected the presentence investigation saying the sum found was more like $1.1 million and accused authorities of sleight of hand. The crux of the Menendez situation is how the FBI conducted their search back in June 2022 but said nothing about it. Rather, they sat on the case for over a year fearing the story would hurt Democrats at the upcoming November midterm election. Juxtapose that to when the FBI raided Donald Trumps Florida residence, and TV crews were conveniently on-site recording from the gate. Criminal charges are nothing new for Menendez. In 2015, he faced corruption charges, but the case ended in a mistrial. The last refuge of a scoundrel in 21st century American politics is to claim racial bias against your particular brand of corruption. Menendez does not disappoint by maintaining he is being victimized because some simply cannot accept that a first-generation Latino American from humble beginnings could rise to be a U.S. Senator[.] Prosecutors say Menendez used his influence as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to benefit a bevy of Egyptians resulting in hundreds of thousands in cash bribesmaking your typical pyramid scheme seem amateurish. Menendez claims the cash accumulated over three decades of bank withdrawals, which was used for emergencies. Who among the unwashed doesnt have a cash stash? Given the success of Bidenomics, who couldnt use a side hustle to establish one? To keep such large sums of cash in ones home, rather than in a bank account, CD, money market, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, explains how Congress has accrued a national debt of $33 trillion and counting. After all, the FDIC guarantees individual bank deposits up to $250,000. Cash can be verified through bank records, serial numbers, and the Treasurers signature. The FBI should be able to identify the exact date each bill was printed and would then make it easier over a 30-year period to figure out when the bills were stashed. Menendez is up for re-election in 2024, and the Democrats lock on this prized senate seat may be unlocked if he remains the Democrat nominee making his candidacy expendable. Democrats want Menendez to resign, viewing him as the perfect fall guy to show just how righteous they are in dealing with fraud and corruption within their own party, while justifying their continued harassment of Donald Trump. Moreover, it affords New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy the opportunity to appoint someone useful to the party and therefore assuming the coveted incumbency before the election. In essence, Menendez is the ideal case study in the Democrats devouring their own for the good of the party. Having beaten the rap once, he would be loco to resign without a full pardon. You would think a conviction of income tax evasion looms, but then again, Menendez is a Democrat. The best part for Menendez if and when he is acquitted and reelected by those astute New Jersey voters next year is he does not have to concern himself with wearing a jacket and tie when he returns to shining his senate seat once again. With the dress down in full swing, he can sport a white hoodie like the late Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd used to do when home on vacation in West Virginia. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. (Disclosure: I belong to the Charleston Moms for Liberty chapter, Im friends with its president, and I am friends with Carlton Walker, who took the community meeting video used in this post. I have not relied on any of these relationships for the facts below. Instead, everything Ive written is based upon publicly available information.) A knock-down-drag-out battle revolving around a school superintendents being put on leave in Charleston, South Carolina, highlights how Democrats are still successfully using the race card to keep blacks from focusing on the real issues plaguing their communities. Under British aegis, the South Carolina colony relied upon slaves to labor on their plantations. The British originally wanted to use indentured Irish in the fields, but the Irish kept dying from malaria, making them economically unprofitable. Therefore, the British turned to the thriving African-fed, Arab-run slave trade (which previously served only Africa and the Ottoman Empire) to provide labor that could survive the brutal Southeastern climate in Britains American colonies. When the United States of America came into being, founded on the principle that all men are created equal, entitling them to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, slavery came into focus as an institution inconsistent with American values. The only way to address the problem was to identify blacks as people of lesser humanity so that they could not lay claim to the inherent rights with which the Creator endowed them. This was a manifestly dishonest and completely untenable position, as growing numbers of Americans recognized. The Civil War expended 600,000 lives to put the slavery question to rest, once and for all, but the Democrat party wasnt going to let that racism go. Its relentlessly relied on race ever since, whether to marginalize blacks or use them as reliable votes to advance policies that have often been detrimental to blacks. Image: Eric Gallien. YouTube screen grab. In Charleston, South Carolina, though, it seemed as if the black community, one with an incredibly long and honorable lineage, wasnt going to buy into the lefts most recent racial madness. Sure, they voted Democrat (a trend that started with Franklin Roosevelt, but escalated under John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama, all of whom realized that you could buy votes with federal largesse), but they didnt revel in hatred. Never was that clearer than after Dylann Roofs unspeakably evil slaughter of members of the Emanuel AME Church who welcomed him to their Bible study. Then, the black communitys leaders rejected BLMs invitation to use that crime to stoke further racial division. Eight years later, things are different, and the fight revolving around the Charleston County School District is a microcosm of larger issues involving race and family values. Typically for all schools across America, which get administrators and teachers from the same pool of leftist colleges, Charleston County schools started bringing LGBTQ+ ideology, Critical Race Theory, Social-Educational Learning, DEI, and other leftist, post-modern ideas into the classroom. Actual education was less important. The district, although slightly better than the state average, is pretty pathetic in reading, writing, and arithmetic. For teachers, it's more fun and rewarding to talk about their and the students pronouns than teaching fractions. Parents who care whether their children are being trained into weird sexual identities or told their skin color means they are irremediably victims or bullies pushed back. Moms for Liberty was on the front lines of this fightand the parents won, electing a school board with a conservative 5-4 majority. On July 1, the school board named Eric Gallien, who is black, as the new school superintendent. In September, a complaint was filed against Gallien, alleging that he had created a hostile work environment and violated several policies, including two regarding employee conduct. The complaining employee said Gallien left me marginalized, disrespected, and unsupported. During an executive session on September 25, held privately so that the allegations against Gallien would not be bandied about in public, the board unanimously agreed that the matter should be investigated. They then voted on that matter during the public session. However, a dispute arose about whether Gallien should be put on leave. The leftist board members objected and left the room. The remaining five conservatives (a majority in any event) voted to place Gallien on leave, again during a public session. (Gallien, confusingly, also seems to have resigned.) Leftists instantly contended that Gallien had been put on leave because he is black. They contended that the executive committee meeting was private for nefarious reasons. Carlotte Bailey, a board member, took to Facebook to explain that the meeting complied with district policyand, sadly, to say that she was subject to racial attacks and called a pawn of Moms for Liberty: A few days later, the five board members who put Gallien on paid administrative leave issued a formal statement explaining why some matters must be kept privateand that district policy allows for board members to have private debates. Wise heads would say that the independent investigation should go forward unhindered. Hot headsleftist headsare excited at the chance to stir up racial hatred. Carlton Walker, who is running for the state assembly, attended a community mass meeting at the Charity Missionary Baptist Church to find out what was going on: To Carltons surprise, the person bringing meeting attendees up to date about Galliens firing didnt focus on current events. She cited the Negro Act of 1740 (put into place following the Stono Rebellion, a famous slave revolt) and a law of 1835, both of which made it illegal to educate blacks. She then took listeners through Jim Crow-era laws. Shes certainly correct that South Carolinas pre-modern history vis-a-vis blacks was wrong, both practically and morally. But its as if, for her and the people in the room, the Civil War, the 13th and 14th Amendments, the Civil Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Obamas election, and all the other differences between America in 2023 and a British colony in 1740 or an antebellum slave state in 1835 dont exist. As with all leftists, the past is a tool to be used or ignored as need dictates. The reality is that the fight shouldnt be about a closed meeting. For the black community, it should be about the fact that their childrens teachers arent willing or able to teach them the basics for functioning in the world. Instead, they want to sexualize them and tell them that their skin color is the only determinative factor in their lives. Democrats are relentlessly focusing them on racial issues to give the Democrats the freedom to continue to use and abuse the black community, as they have done since 1828. Corrections: Carlotte Bailey is a board member, not the board chair. And while there was some private debate, all board actions occurred during public sessions. Nothing was done secretly. by Austin Bay October 4, 2023 In May, CIA Director William Burns declared Iran could "probably develop (its) stockpile of weapons-grade enriched uranium in a couple of weeks." "Develop" translates into Iran building a nuclear weapon in 14 days. In August, I began a column series with the working title "21st-century war in the nuclear shadows." The first column examined Vladimir Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Russian romanticism laced with Russian Orthodox rhetoric drives Putin -- ultimately, it's a Marxist romanticism that claims History (capital H) has cheated Russia. Putin vows he will rectify History's error. Hitler suffered from a similar psychosis. Hitler died before Hiroshima. Since 1945 the atom bomb has reshaped warfare, with a few extremist exceptions. Putin's Ukraine War, like the Cold War, is waged beneath a nuclear shadow. So far Putin has played by Cold War restraints. Unfortunately, the 21st century has two to three dozen real or potential nuclear-armed combatants. The nuclear-weapon-seeking Ayatollah Islamic Revolutionary Iran portrays itself as a messianic regime fulfilling God's Will. Claims on God are typical fanatic propaganda. Messianic zeal is a human energy every human group -- cult, tribe, corrupt government, pseudo-secular-academic ideology -- can abuse. Apocalyptic fervor often empowers imperialist expansion -- it encourages stealing territory and killing people. In the 21st century, corrupt dictator-led regimes use its fanatic clout to kill. In the 7th century, Muslim Arabs were the world's premier messianic imperialists. They overran North Africa and the Near East. Three centuries or so later, Western European Christian crusaders -- with a messianic pulse -- contested Islam's imperial expansion. After the Ottoman Turks seized Constantinople, Islamic fervor degraded. Turk sultans cynically used messianic propaganda to dominate their devout Arab Muslim subjects. Cruel and degrading behavior? Yes. Which brings us to Ayatollah Islamic Revolutionary Iran -- the 21st century's premier cynical messianic nuclear threat. Ayatollah Iran is a completely corrupt messianic threat. The ayatollahs' gods (small case) are money and power. Unfortunately, in our time a detonated nuclear weapon that kills tens of thousands/millions of perceived human adversaries guarantees a very dangerous planet with cratering economies. Not all our nuclear adversaries -- current and potential -- understand Balance of Terror restraints. Islamic State/al-Qaida terror organizations are messianic mass murderers who have created so many powerful enemies it is unlikely they can obtain a detonatable nuclear device. Poll Washington, Beijing, Moscow, New Delhi, Cairo, Jerusalem, Riyadh, Ankara, Tokyo, etc. Unfortunately, Ayatollah Iran's corrupt and cynical fanatics assist fanatics of all stripes. They also rule an educated nation-state that has the petrodollars to turn nuclear knowledge into weapons. For decades Ayatollah Iran has been threatening Israel with incineration. Iran has also attacked Saudi Arabian oil facilities with conventional drones and cockily suggested Saudi Arabia is a nuclear target. Earlier this month an open source reported the Ayatollah Regime "has accelerated the expansion of its nuclear program ... and undertaken research and development activities that would bring it closer to producing the fissile material needed for completing a nuclear device following a decision to do so." Damning claim but not new. In 2011 an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran's nuclear program confirmed the regime knows how to hide a nuclear weapons development program in plain sight. How to stop Iran's nuke threat? The ayatollahs are corrupt, so bribes might work. The Obama and Biden administrations have tried bribes. But the ayatollahs demand more money. The Israelis have used covert means to disrupt Iran's nukes. Analysts credit Israeli scientists with creating the Stuxnet malware that damaged Iran's nuke program but did not destroy it. In a recent Fox News interview Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman indicated Saudi Arabia might get a nuke to counter Iran. He also indicated an Israeli-Saudi alliance might be in the works. Israel already has nukes. Nuclear war in the Persian Gulf would lead to a global economic depression. There is another option: a "simultaneous strategic bombing strike" (SSBS, first described by StrategyPage.com in 2003). In a short time frame, aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and perhaps ballistic missiles with conventional warheads deliver hundreds of precision weapons, hitting nuclear targets and air defense sites. Are the weapons and strike craft Israeli? Saudi? U.S.? Turkish? Iraqi? Emirati? Egyptian? The European Union? The Ayatollah Regime deserves its difficult enemies. And an SSBS. Hey there, hardworking plumber, auto mechanic, nursing aide, dutiful married couple parents, and others of your ilk struggling to live within your income while faithfully paying your bills, your debts, maybe even loans President Joe Biden (Democrat) thinks you're a fool! A sucker! Okay, okay, he didn't actually say that today, but that was definitely implied as he triumphantly announced a further expansion of canceling college student loan debt. Relief. Now, turning to student debt relief. When I ran for President, I vowed to fix our broken student loan program. Because while a college degree is still the ticket to a better life, that ticket has become excessively expensive. Americans who are saddled with unsustainable debt in exchange for a college degree has become the norm. Since, my administration has taken significant action to provide student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible. That starts with making sure the existing system works in the way it was supposed to work for student borrowers. We fixed what's called the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which was designed originally to make sure schoolteachers, firefighters, social workers, and other public servants can get their student loans forgiven if they make 10 years of payments and do 10 years of public service. By the time I took office, that program had been placed for in place for nearly 15 years, but because of red tape, only 7,000 borrowers had been helped. Well, today, thanks to the reforms, more than 700,000 borrowers have had their debts forgiven. ... As a result of these changes, today I'm announcing my administration has approved an additional $9 billion in relief for 125,000 borrowers in just the past few weeks under that program. With the latest debt cancel cancellation, in total, my administration has canceled $127 billion in student debts for nearly 3.6 million Americans. Blah, blah, and more blah as Biden proudly admits to defying the Supreme Court's decisions on student debt. Republican elected officials and special interests stepped up and sued us. [Oh, yeah, them! Republicans!] And the Supreme Court sided with them, snatching from the hands of millions of Americans thousands of dollars in debt student debt relief that was about to change their lives. As I said at the time, I believe the Court's decision to strike down my student debt relief program was wrong. But I promised I wouldn't give up. Hey, what do Supreme Court judges, honors graduates all, experienced lawyers all, know compared to a failed lawyer, who practiced briefly before entering politics? My administration will continue to use every tool at our disposal to help ease the burden of student debt so more Americans be f can free can be free to achieve their dreams. As explained previously, in order for some Americans to "be f can free can be free to achieve their dreams," all of us hardworking, diligent, dutiful...fools...suckers (yeah, that's what Biden thinks of us) will have nightmares. And anxiety. Depression. Many of us will go bankrupt. (Yes, us!) Because debt can't just be "canceled." If it is for some, others pay in this instance, mostly those "hardworking, diligent, dutiful...fools...suckers" who pay taxes, live within their means, work hard to pay their tuition, etc. i.e., over 100 million Americans supporting that "canceled $127 billion in student debts for nearly 3.6 million Americans." Joe Biden, the Democrat president, and his priorities. They're not you you hardworking fool. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. There he goes again. According to NBC News: Pope Francis made his strongest statements yet about climate change Wednesday, rebuking fossil fuel companies and urging countries to make an immediate transition to renewable energy. In a new document titled Laudate Deum, or Praise God, the pope criticizes oil and gas companies for greenwashing new fossil fuel projects and calls for more ambitious efforts in the West to tackle the climate crisis. In the landmark apostolic exhortation, a form of papal writing, Francis says that avoiding an increase of a tenth of a degree in the global temperature would already suffice to alleviate some suffering for many people. It's supposedly a follow-up from an earlier document on global warming released a decade ago titled Laudato Si. This one, though, is quite a bit more nonsensical. In Laudate Deum, Francis says that the necessary transition towards clean energy sources such as wind and solar energy, and the abandonment of fossil fuels, is not progressing at the necessary speed. The pope does not shy away from the responsibility of oil and gas companies, saying new fossil fuel exploration only further contributes to the climate crisis. [W]hatever is being done risks being seen only as a ploy to distract attention, he writes. Which, as one wag noted on Twitter, looks like the kind of statement an NGO might make, not the leader of a huge Church focused on eternal truths. Cut off the reference to Christ at the top and the minor statement refering to Christ at the bottom and all that's there is NGO-talk about the evils of Big Oil and the importance of killing off this vital industry in order to "go green." It's the kind of tired and dreary statement a Soros-backed organization might make and always makes. That's well out of the pope's wheel well, given that most people don't go looking to him for advice on fossil fuel consumption, which is a topic he knows nothing about. Even King Charles of the U.K., whom we also know is a greenie from his days as a prince, knows enough to stay out of this kind of territory now that he's king. He gets it. Too bad this pope does not. It's also infuriating. Global warming is a fraud. There's nothing true about its phony claims, which are constantly being exposed as junk science. What's more, his advocacy of wind and solar is ... a little specific, and worse still, ignores that these are highly inefficient sources of energy which rely on fossil fuels as well as government subsidies to stay afloat because they aren't sustainable on their own. Worse still, these particular methods of energy are magnets for fraud, waste, and corruption, constant fodder for scandals in the news, all because they don't do what they say they can do. Why is the pope promoting this scandal-plagued grift? And why is he demonizing fossil fuels which are the root source of modern societies. Given that he is constantly asserting the right of illegals from primitive societies to migrate in the West whether the West can absorb them or not, what does he think illegals are coming to the states for? Green energy? They have lots of green energy in their home countries -- with the usual results. What they'd really like is to be able to flip on a light switch and have a light come on, which is only attainable through a reliable supply of fossil fuels with minimal government involvement. It's amazing what he takes for granted as he singles out the West for criticism and tells it to lower its standards of living. One group he doesn't criticize is China, which contributes more pollution from fossil fuels and coal than anyone. That he says nothing is yet another problem with his statement. The pope released his statement on the Feast Day of St. Francis, patron saint of the environment and all its earthly creatures. He could have put out something very nice, very readable, and capable of passing the test of time, by focusing on caring for the environment and not wasting its resources. Nobody is going to disagree with that, and many would be interested in whatever challenge he might put forth with focus on that. Instead he micromanages which kinds of fuel is to be prescribed, scolds the West, and commands inventors to invent impossible economies with fuel, which is basically asking for magic instead of following science. He's deep into Galileo territory on this one, and all he will end up doing is create a document that people will laugh about in a hundred years' time. He shouldn't be pronouncing at all on global warming, which no one knows for sure about, and intelligent people know is fake, Eventually, this errant idea will be accepted as fake, so he's going to look silly. What's more, there is no heavenly mandate about what kind of energy people can or will or should use. It's as if pope were to command the faithful to use buggy whips instead of cudgels on their horse transportation, when in reality, technology surpassed the whole horse scheme and horses are no longer used for transportation at all. That's how progress goes. No pope was ever dumb enough to go there from the last century, wading into temporal modes of living and stirring controversies about them instead of focusing on the eternal. This is sad stuff, the pope and his embarrassing hobbyhorse which has nothing to do with faith or morals. He's just Greta Thunberg in a dress on this, a man with an ill-informed opinion who lives in a bubble and has no business commenting from the seat of St. Peter on things he knows nothing about. Image: Screen shot from RomeReports.com video, via YouTube Portland officials were proud of themselves in 2020 when they defunded the Police Bureau by $15 million instead of increasing it by $3 million as planned. One commissioner was even upset that the council didnt remove more from the budget. "Please take a moment to celebrate this victory, and let it fuel your fire, because we're not done," Commissioner Chloe Eudaly said at the time. Along with the $15 million, another $12 million was cut because of pandemic-caused economic shortfalls. As a result, school resource officers, transit police and a gun violence reduction team -- which was found to disproportionately target Black Portland residents during traffic stops, according to an audit in March 2018 -- were disbanded, PBS reported. A year later, the council was trying to add funding and retain the citys police officers. The added police spending is occurring amid a year of a record number of homicides, the citys greatest police staffing shortage in decades and reform recommendations made by the U.S. Department of Justice, PBS reported. It was too little, too late. The damage was done, and the city has yet to recover. In fact, the city government is telling residents not to call police unless their lives are at risk. Given how dangerous Portland has become, it might not affect the volume of calls to police because more residents lives are at risk from criminal activity than ever before. Commissioner Rene Gonzalez told residents that the citys 911 system is overwhelmed with people calling about addicts on the streets suffering fentanyl overdoses. This is not a Portland-only problem. The state of Oregon decriminalized drug use three years ago. Gonzalez urged people on X (formerly Twitter), Our 911 system is getting hammered this morning with a multiple person incident -- multiple overdoses in northwest park blocks. Please do not call 911 except in event of life/death emergency or crime in progress (or change of apprehending suspect). Over the past year, the city has experienced 104 homicides and 529 arrests were made for drug offenses, according to Portland Police. The citys homeless population has also grown by 50 percent since 2019, topping more than 5,000 people. 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, the Daily Mail reported. The people of Portland are understandably upset that crime is out of control, leaving their property and lives at risk. I really want to feel sorry for those residents being forced to live under those conditions. However, this is what those people voted for. They continue to elect the same types of progressive politicians who believe the same failed policies will somehow work if they try them enough. They are the same people who, even if they didnt participate in the 2020 riots, supported them. If they truly want things to change for the better for the city, they need to vote for change and change their way of thinking. Change will bring change. Michael A. Letts is the CEO and Founder of In-VestUSA, a national grassroots non-profit organization helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin for Michael Letts 919-437-0001 jerry@specialguests.com. Image: PxHere Just months after assuring the public the border is "secure," all of sudden Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas announced that he's taking triage measures to build a border wall. According to The Hill (bias alert): The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday it will waive 26 federal laws to allow border wall construction in Starr County, Texas, which is experiencing high illegal entry. The move is the administrations first use of an executive power often used by Trump to fund projects along the southern border. Gee, isn't this the administration that assured us the border was "secure," as Mayorkas and his White House buddies had repeatedly insisted around the time videos of migrants rolling across the border inundated the alternative media? Isn't this the same administration that had Joe Biden declaring during his 2020 presidential campaign that "not a foot" of border wall would be constructed during his administration? These days, Mayorkas says he's expediting the construction of a wall based on "immediate need." Right now, the border looks like this: They ran the border last night! pic.twitter.com/ZyI3qHFyg8 (@Kraemer_83) October 4, 2023 He will get $2,200/month in USA. Taxpayer blood. I made this video in Lajas Blancas invasion camp in Darien, Panama. Millions have landed across America. Tens of millions and more coming. @elonmusk future of @SpaceX depends on survival of United States. pic.twitter.com/yZB8PdjSKG Michael Yon: Callsign BIG HONEY 6 (@Michael_Yon) October 4, 2023 The blue cities inundated with migrants traveling onward look like this: Chicago migrants crammed on sidewalk with belongings after being locked out of police station https://t.co/lSFx32jhF7 pic.twitter.com/GP7IeAqv9p New York Post (@nypost) October 5, 2023 Amazingly, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre says it has "nothing" to do with that mass surge. It was just a matter of DHS "complying with the law" to spend unspent funds earmarked for the construction of a border wall. The surreal press conference denying anything amiss with the border can be viewed here, or below: BREAKING - PART ONE: Karine Jean-Pierre struggles to explain why the Biden admin is now building the border wall, the same wall it blasted Trump for. Her explanation is that the Republicans have refused to reallocate the funds for the wall since 2019, now, four to five years pic.twitter.com/R8J0cJolKc Simon Ateba (@simonateba) October 5, 2023 Here's a pointed observation from Fox News's Bill Melugin about the gaslighting: KJP says she hasnt seen Mayorkas comments that there is an acute and immediate need for a border wall when asked why theyre building it if Biden says it wont work. DHS posted it in the Federal Register. She knew she would be asked about this today, and she hasnt seen it? Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 5, 2023 Which is laughable. According to Forbes: The move backtracks on Bidens previous opposition to the border wallhe told NPR while running for president in 2020 there will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration and he issued a proclamation upon taking office to end construction, stating building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution. This is quite a surrender, an about face, exposing their earlier statements as those of liars and idiots. President Trump rightly asked Mayorkas where his apology was: Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown, Trump wrote Thursday in a Truth Social post. I will await his apology! ...and... So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right when I built 560 miles (they incorrectly state 450 in story!) of brand new, beautiful border wall, Trump wrote. As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls! When Trump tried to build a wall, he was branded a racist and every other horrible name the left could think of. Biden dismantled his policies, advised migrants not to come to the states, sold off the construction materials for the border wall at a pittance, and got the surge. Now that we're seeing his dismal results, and election time is on, Trump was right all along. Now Biden's changing course, expecting you to see nothing skeevy about it and carry on as if nothing has changed. This is too little, and too late and it's unlikely he's going to get the results he wants before election day. If anything, migrants will surge in even harder knowing that this is their last chance. It doesn't get more disordered than this. The least this administration can do is offer President Trump that apology. Image: Twitter screen shot Amazon and Microsoft are facing a new antitrust investigation in the UK. The nations media regulator Ofcom, aka Office of Communications, has concerns that the two companies are dominating its cloud computing market. Their dominance is stifling competition, leading to fewer options for consumers. The UK media regulator to probe Amazon and Microsofts cloud dominance According to Ofcom, Amazon and Microsofts cloud computing solutions make up 70-80 percent of the UKs total cloud market. The regulator last reported that figure at 60-70 percent in its preliminary findings in April. This suggests the two companies are growing their market share, while competitors struggle to survive. Their closest rival is Google with a market share of 5-10 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Ofcom says that the lack of competition in the nations cloud market is affecting consumers. They have fewer options and cant switch freely without facing severe issues. High fees for transferring data out, committed spend discounts, and technical restrictions are making it difficult for business customers to switch cloud providers or use multiple providers, the regulator said in a press release. After a thorough study of the UKs cloud market over the past year, where it evaluated the current market trend and future growth scope, Ofcom determined that the strength of the competition, or its lack thereof, could limit innovation and growth in the sector, estimated to be worth up to 7.5 billion in 2022. If left unchecked, competition could deteriorate in a critical digital market for the UK economy, it said. The investigation is already underway Ofcom submitted its findings to the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), recommending further investigation into the matter. The CMA has also promptly begun an investigation following the referral. The CMA is launching a market investigation into the supply of public cloud infrastructure services in the UK, it said in a press release. An independent investigation from the Authority will determine whether Ofcoms competition concerns in the cloud market have a strong base. The CMA has established an inquiry group and appointed independent panel members for the investigation. If they determine competition issues, the CMA may come up with new rules to regulate the market. The Authority expects to complete its investigation by April 2025. We welcome Ofcoms referral of public cloud infrastructure services to us for in-depth scrutiny. This is a 7.5bn market that underpins a whole host of online services from social media to AI foundation models, said CMA CEO Sarah Cardell. The CMAs independent inquiry group will now carry out an investigation to determine whether competition in this market is working well and if not, what action should be taken to address any issues it finds. Google just launched Android 14 for Pixel devices yesterday. We all expected it to just be on Pixel phones for a little while before making it to other manufacturers. However, Chinese OEM Xiaomi is already rolling Android 14 out to some of its phones, according to Android Authority. While this is the case, there could be a bit of a catch. When Google releases the latest version of Android, other companies follow suit over the subsequent months. Of the third-party companies to distribute the new update, Samsung is usually the earliest. We all expected the Korean tech giant to be the first, but better luck next year, Samsung. Advertisement Advertisement Xiaomi is pushing Android 14 to its phones, but theres a bit of a catch Right now, the list of phones getting Android 14 is a bit short. Of course, it involves the companys newer flagship handsets. The phones are the Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 12T. Were not sure if this list will expand to other phones in the near future. The build numbers for the phones are as follows. For the Xiaomi 13, we have MIUI-V14.0.5.0.UMCMIXM and MIUI-V14.0.5.0.UMCEUXM. Next, the Xiaomi 13 Pro has the numbers MIUI-V14.0.5.0.UMBMIXM and MIUI-V14.0.5.0.UMBEUXM. Lastly, for the Xiaomi 12T, we have MIUI-V14.0.6.0.ULQMIXM and MIUI-V14.0.5.0.ULQEUXM. When it comes to the changes, there arent many alterations to the software. We can expect some visual tweaks and upgraded functions. Other than that, you should expect a familiar experience. So, whats the catch? This isnt a major deal-breaker. However, its something to keep in mind if you plan on being an early adopter. Xiaomi says that this is the stable version of the software, but this might not be the most stable version of the software. The company said, Xiaomi continues to work on the development and testing processes to ensure that this new version is experienced smoothly by users. This almost makes it seem like youre getting a beta version of the software rather than the final stable release. So, if you plan on getting this software on day one, just beware that it might not be the most stable. Google has formally announced the Tensor G3, the chipset that powers the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. While the new chip brings notable improvements in all areas, it places more emphasis on AI performance than ever. The company describes it as the chip that gives your Pixel an AI upgrade. Pixel 8s Tensor G3 is heavily focused on AI performance The Tensor G3 is a 4nm chipset manufactured by Samsung. It features a nine-core CPU with one ARM Cortex-X3 core clocked at 2.91GHz, four Cortex-A715 cores at 2.37GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores at 1.70GHz. Google has paired the CPU with the Mali-G715 GPU. The chipset boasts support for the latest and greatest smartphone technologies the industry has to offer, including LPDDR5X RAM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, high-resolution cameras, and more. Advertisement Advertisement However, as you might have noticed, the peak speed of the Google chip is significantly lower than competing solutions. Qualcomms previous-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 operates at a maximum frequency of 3.2GHz. Google defends this by saying that its plan with Tensor processors has never been about speeds and feeds, or traditional performance metrics. Instead, it wants to push the mobile computing experience forward. This year, it has upgraded every major subsystem with the Tensor G3. Along with the latest ARM CPUs, GPU, new ISP, and Imaging DSP, the chip also features Googles next-gen TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) that is custom-designed to run its AI models. The company says these enhancements pave the way for more efficient and powerful on-device generative AI. Compared to the first-gen Tensor that shipped with the Pixel 6, the Tensor G3-powered Pixel 8 can run more than twice as many on-device machine learning models. Moreover, the models are now more sophisticated than ever. They help enhance various aspects of the Pixel user experience. Google says on-device generative AI is now 150 times more complex than the most complex model on the Pixel 7, but the new chip is up for the task. The new Google processor brings advancements in speech and language Speech and natural language understanding is one of the areas where Tensor G3s advanced AI capabilities come to the fore. Google Assistant can now understand you better than ever. It can read the pace of your speech and even detect pauses and ums. On top of this, the new chip brings more advanced photo and video capabilities to the Pixel 8. Paired with the Titan M2 security chip, it also makes the new Pixel more resilient to sophisticated attacks. Nokia has opened a new 6G lab in India. Established within its Global R&D center in Bengaluru, known as the Silicon Valley of India, the lab will serve as the companys research hub for accelerating the development of foundational 6G technologies. The countrys union telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated the lab earlier today. Nokia opens a new lab to speed up 6G research According to Nokia, its newly established first-of-its-kind 6G Lab in India will be home to research efforts in various 6G-related fields. The company says the new research hub will help accelerate the development of technologies like Network as a Sensor, Network Exposure, and Automation. These technologies will address the future needs of both industry and society. Advertisement Advertisement As the company explained in a press release, Network as a Sensor technology enables the network to sense the movement of people and objects without on-board sensors. Its fundamental to bringing the digital and physical worlds together. Your phones wireless network will be able to sense movements around you and communicate the same to you. In the real world, this enables you to see around corners and interact with far-away people and objects more closely. Nokias new 6G lab in Bengaluru will also provide an experimental platform for researching algorithms, privacy, and sustainable system design. The company is a founding member of the Next G Alliance. It also takes active participation in several regional and global 6G projects. Indias pull as a global tech hub is growing The new Nokia 6G lab is an outcome of the Narendra Modi-led Indian governments Bharat 6G Vision initiative. Through this initiative, the country is aiming to play a key role in the development and implementation of 6G technologies. Nokia supporting the initiative shows that the worlds most populous country is strengthening its pull as a global tech hub. Modis other tech initiatives have also received support from global companies. Google and HP recently pledged support for the $2 billion Make in India initiative. It encourages tech firms to increase local production. The two companies have started producing Chromebooks in Chennai, the capital city of the Indian state of Tamilnadu. Nokia is honored to contribute towards the realization of the Indian governments Bharat 6G vision. We look forward to collaborating with key stakeholders to help India become a major player in 6G technology development and adoption, and take its place in the global arena as a leading developer and supplier of advanced telecom technologies and solutions, said Nishant Batra, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer of Nokia. PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers are getting a cool little bonus with the ability to stream movies for free. Announced today, Sony is bringing over its Bravia Core movie app to the PS4 and PS5 consoles, and the app is being re-branded to Sony Pictures Core. The app will be the home base for early access to movies from the Sony Pictures studio. With the ability to purchase movies on demand right on both consoles. Additionally, subscribers will have the ability to stream up to 100 movies from the Sony Pictures catalog at no extra cost. These will be curated and will change from time to time so things will stay fresh. And all of it is included with the Premium membership. You can also buy or rent over 2,000 movies from the catalog. This will also include more recent blockbuster titles like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Uncharted and more. Advertisement Advertisement PlayStation Plus Premium movies are available starting October 5 If you already subscribe to the Premium plan or you upgrade to it, you can access the free movies immediately. As the Sony Pictures Core app is already available to install on your console. With up to 100 curated movies in the app you can stream for free theres bound to be something youll find intriguing enough to watch. Some of the titles include Premium Rush, Looper, Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, Resident Evil Damnation, Elysium, and more. Theres quite a few old movies included as well but many of them are classics and worth a watch. PlayStation Plus Premium also now costs $160 for an annual plan. So the addition of this new app as a perk with free movies adds a little more value with the price increase. Its not likely to sway people to subscribe if they havent already. But for those that already are, its a definitely a bonus. Zero-day vulnerabilities top the list of security risks, especially since companies are often unaware of hackers using such bugs. Now, in a recent development, Qualcomm has discovered three zero-day vulnerabilities in its GPU and Compute DSP drivers, which could have been leveraged by threat actors in attacks. According to Googles Threat Analysis Group (TAG) and Qualcomm, they discovered 17 vulnerabilities in total, out of which thirteen were high risk, showing potential for low or medium impact on target systems, while one was medium risk. Qualcomm deemed the remaining three vulnerabilities, CVE-2023-33106, CVE-2023-33107, and CVE-2022-22071, as critical, posing a risk for targeted exploitation. While the company has not found evidence of threat actors using the vulnerabilities, it suspects hackers may have used them as spyware. Advertisement Advertisement What do these vulnerabilities affect? While Qualcomm has refrained from sharing specific details about the vulnerabilities, these involve corrupting memory in Qualcomms Modem component during the processing of security-related configurations. Additionally, they corrupt memory in the WLAN firmware and exploit a critical cryptographic issue in the Data Modem component during the copying of pmk cache memory without proper size checks. Qualcomms response In response to the vulnerabilities, Qualcomm has released security updates and notified phone makers, such as Samsung, urging them to deploy these updates as soon as possible. Moreover, the company stated that they plan to provide more information regarding the bugs in the December report. In other news, ARM also discovered new GPU vulnerabilities yesterday, which allow threat actors to gain access to a users memory and use it for installing malware or other malicious payloads. These incidents once again highlight the growing importance of implementing strict security measures. This includes quickly updating your phone for the latest security patches, monitoring for any apps using excessive battery, and carefully checking all the permissions an app requests. Samsungs second-gen smart object tracker is finally here. The Galaxy SmartTag 2 arrives almost three years after the original SmartTag that debuted debuted in January 2021. The new model gets a complete redesign and brings a host of new features and functional improvements. Samsung launches Galaxy SmartTag 2 with a major redesign Starting with the design, the Galaxy SmartTag 2 has an oblong shape with a bigger keyring hole for attaching your keys, lanyard, or anything else. Samsung has enforced the trackers attachment hole with a metal loop to protect against wear. The original model had a squarish shape and featured a tiny hole. The new tracker also upgrades from IP53 dust and water resistance to IP57. It wont get damaged if you submerge it in water for a few minutes. Advertisement Advertisement This redesign seems to have allowed Samsung to pack a bigger battery inside the Galaxy SmartTag 2. The company claims the tracker can stay on for up to 500 days before needing a battery replacement. The battery life can be extended by another 200 days with the new Power Saving Mode. If you recall, the original SmartTag (Bluetooth version) had a battery life of 300 days, while the SmartTag+ (with UWB) could last for just about five months. Note that theres no Plus version this time around. Samsung has equipped the Galaxy SmartTag 2 with both Bluetooth and UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) connectivity. This makes the rated battery life even more impressive. The company may have upgraded the rest of the internal components and functioning of the tracker to reduce power consumption. Those annoying battery replacements will now come less frequently, less than once a year. The object tracker from Samsung will help you find lost pets Samsungs new object tracker offers several advanced features. Its Compass View feature shows the direction and distance of a lost or misplaced tracker in relation to the user, helping them find things quickly. The feature requires the updated SmartThings Find app on a UWB-supported Galaxy smartphone, such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Lost Mode allows pet owners to embed a message into the Galaxy SmartTag 2, which can be read by anyone with an NFC-enabled phone, not necessarily a Samsung Galaxy device. Pet owners can provide their contact details and addresses so anyone who finds the pet can reach out to them. Theres also a pet walking mode and support for alerts when a tagged pet collar moves too far from the SmartThings Station. Last but not least, the Galaxy SmartTag 2 supports automatic re-syncing with Galaxy smartphones whenever you switch devices. It will use your Samsung account to sync, so you must use the same account on the new phone. All of these features come in a package that costs just $29.99. The Korean firm will start selling the new tracker on Wednesday, October 11. Its available in black and white color options. Huawei managed to upset quite a few people in the US government, it seems. The US Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo, finds Huaweis chip progress incredibly disturbing, Bloomberg reports. The US Commerce Secretary sees Huaweis chip progress as incredibly disturbing According to the report, Raimondo thinks that her department needs more ways to control things. She believes that more tools are needed to enforce an export-control regime. Advertisement Advertisement While talking to a Senate Commerce Committee, she said that different tools are needed, while clarifying that additional resources around enforcement are required. She basically highlighted a stalled legislative proposal that would expand her departments authority over technology transactions. Well, it would do that only for technology transactions that are found to pose national security risks. The Kirin 9000s SoC managed to ruffle some feathers in the US Raimondo did not share any information on her probe into a new Huawei smartphone which is fueled by the chip in question. As a reminder, the Huawei Mate 60 series, and the Mate X5, are all fueled by the Kirin 9000s, Huaweis new 7nm processor. That processor was made by SMIC, and it seemingly doesnt break any restrictions put in place by the US. The two companies managed to go around all that. The US found that hard to believe, which is why theyre investigating the issue. Raimondo did mention the largest-ever fine that her department imposed earlier this year. That fine has to do with selling items to Huawei without a license. She also added that her department is as tough as it needs to be, but that it needs more resources. Its also worth noting that, last month, Raimondo said that she sees no evidence Huawei can develop advanced 7-nanometer chips at scale. Still, she believes that the controls need to be tightened as soon as possible. This situation definitely does not help the US-China relations, which the two countries are attempting to improve. (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 5 - A Lazio regional court on Thursday suspended a government decree banning the oral use of cannabis. The Lazio Regional Administrative Court (TAR) granted manufacturers' request for suspension of the ministerial decree that ordered the inclusion of cannabinoid-based products for oral use in the table of medicines, prohibiting their sale. Therefore, since the appeal by the association Imprenditori Canapa Italia (Italy Cannabis Businesses, ICI) was upheld, the sale of oral cannabis is now permitted again. The announcement came from ICI. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 5 - Premier Giorgia Meloni has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit underway in Granada, Spain, a statement from the premier's office said on Thursday. Meloni confirmed the Italian government's constant and committed all-round support for the Ukrainian authorities in the defence of critical infrastructures and to meet the country's needs in view of the winter season, according to the statement. She also reportedly said support would continue for as long as necessary and with the aim of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. In a tweet Zelensky said during the meeting the leaders had "reaffirmed the strong Italian-Ukrainian partnership". "I thanked Italy for its principled and constant support in protecting our freedom, our people, our families," he wrote on X. "I informed the Prime Minister of the progress of our counter-offensive and our priority defence needs. We discussed Italy's next military aid package, including ways to strengthen our air defence," he added. On Wednesday Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy has already "done a lot" in terms of providing military supplies to Kyiv and that there are not unlimited resources. "In talking about supplies to Ukraine there are two aspects: a political one and then there is the technical part, to see what we are able to give without jeopardising the need to always maintain an Italian defence," Crosetto told Sky. "There is a continuous request for aid from the Ukrainian side, we need to verify what we are able to give compared to what they need: the eighth package is available, but for now it is only a declaration of intent," he continued. "Italy has done a lot, it has focused a lot on anti-aircraft defence systems to prevent attacks against civil and energy infrastructures, cities, schools. The problem is that resources are not unlimited. "And in that respect Italy has done almost everything it could do, there is not much more space," concluded Crosetto. Photo: Premier Giorgia Meloni and President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations security Council meeting in New York on September 20, 2023. (ANSA). Bahrain recently witnessed an exciting no-code hackathon, which pitted four teams against each other in a bid to develop innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in the insurance industry. The teams Fikra, Tech Flow, Insure Your Future, and The Disrupter vied for cash prizes and the chance to pitch directly to Solidarity Bahrain in the hopes of transforming their concepts into real-world applications. Tech Flow ultimately took first place with their creative solution. The winning team's strategy was to identify repetitive tasks ripe for automation, rapidly prototype solutions, and deliver tangible results. Their winning solution utilises advanced technology and visual analysis, customized to meet the requirements of companies looking to improve their operational processes in the insurance sector. The solution aims to resolve existing challenges that have affected both customer experience and business performance. It holds the potential to usher in a new era of efficiency and precision within the insurance industry. This event was orchestrated by HP Spring Studios, a pioneering MENA based venture studio, in collaboration with Solidarity Bahrain, one of the leading insurance companies in Bahrain, and in strategic partnership with the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). General Assembly, a trailblazing tech education provider in Bahrain, also played a significant role in supporting the execution of the event. Most notably, many of the participants, including members of the top two teams, have graduated from General Assembly's tech courses. These courses are designed to be concise and directly relevant to the demands of the digital workforce. During a five-day pre-hackathon period, the teams received mentorship and guidance, fostering a startup mindset focused on rapid ideation and prototyping. Internal experts and consultants covered topics including UX design, teamwork, and no-code training. Workshops addressed business aspects like IP awareness and business modelling, along with the challenges in the insurance sector. Ali Hasan, Executive Director of Programs and Partnership Development at the Labour Fund (Tamkeen) lauded the event, saying: We are proud of the talented individuals who are ready to take on emerging challenges in the digital space and reinforce Bahrain's positioning as a leader of digital innovation. Supporting technology and innovation is aligned with Tamkeens priorities, as we continuously work to provide programs and initiatives aimed at empowering local talent to upskill in these fields and supporting enterprises looking to adopt technology-driven solutions Ahlam Oun, Head of Operations, Bahrain at General Assembly, echoed Hasans sentiment, saying: As one of the mentors of the event, I witnessed firsthand the enthusiasm and dedication the teams displayed. By covering a wide range of fields from a conceptualization as well as business perspective, the teams pitched ideas that resonated while still being feasible. We also see where the benefit of our courses has shifted their thinking into delivering real-world solutions to this space. The hackathon proved to be a relevant and out-of-the-box way of generating solutions. These events showcase Bahrain's entrepreneurial spirit and its leadership in the digital space, said a statement. TradeArabia News Service (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 5 - The Tunisian authorities did not endorse the payment by the European Commission of 60 million euros in budget support, the Tunisian foreign ministry said on Thursday. The ministry referred "to the content of the press release from the Presidency of the Republic of 2 October 2023" in which Tunisian President Kais Saied rejected the "charity" funds. On Wednesday European Commission spokesperson for neighbourhood and enlargement Ana Pisonero confirmed that "earlier this week, the Commission has indeed processed the payment of 60 million in grants to the Tunisian treasury following a request from the Tunisian government on the 31st of August". She added that the disbursement did not come from funds promised under the memorandum of understanding signed between the European Union and Tunisia in mid-July as part of efforts to curb irregular migration to Europe, but from a separate 127-million-euro financial package announced in September. Her comments came after Saied on Tuesday rejected the offer. "Tunisia, which accepts cooperation, does not accept anything resembling charity or favour, because our country and our people do not want sympathy and do not accept it when it is without respect," said Saied said, according to the press release. "Consequently, Tunisia refuses what has been announced in recent days by the EU" because it "contradicts the memorandum of understanding signed in Tunis in the spirit that prevailed at the Rome conference last July", he continued. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who was instrumental in brokering the deal, said on Wednesday she agreed with Saied on the need to change the approach to African countries. "I think that President Saied, certainly in an assertive tone, was addressing public opinion," she said. "After that he is not saying anything very different from what Italy is also saying, which is that the relationship with African countries must change because we have had a paternalistic approach with these countries, a bit as if we felt superior, which is not the right way to deal with these matters. "With these nations we must work with respect, as equals, with an approach that is that of a strategic partnership," she added. At an international conference on migration and development in Rome in July Meloni launched a "dialogue of equals" between countries on both shores of the Mediterranean and further afield as part of efforts to find solutions to irregular migration to Europe and promote cooperation in the fields of agriculture, energy, infrastructure, education and healthcare. Meloni said that in order to tackle migration, partnerships with countries of origin and transit "must be equal, non-predatory, multidimensional and long-term". They "must be based on respect and not on a paternalistic approach, on solidarity, on respect for each other's sovereignty, on shared responsibility for upholding legality," the premier added. This, she insisted, "is the only serious way to strengthen our bond, trust each other and foster the development and prosperity of our peoples". Photo: from left to right, Dutch Premier Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Tunisian President Kais Saied and Italian Premier Giorga Meloni on the occasion of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Tunisia in Tunis in July. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, OCT 5 - The League is not screening judges or delving into their private lives, the rightwing party said after the head of magistrates union ANM accused them of doing so in broadcasting a video featuring a judge who ruled illegitimate a government migrant decree at an anti-government protest in 2018 and also highlighting her past posts against League leader and former anti-migrant interior minister Matteo Salvini. "What has been happening in the last few hours is not a worrying screening of judges and their private lives as the ANM claims: we are faced with a public demonstration at the port of Catania and public posts of insults against Minister Matteo Salvini," said League sources. Rather, the 58 million 851,000 Italians who may be judged by magistrates whose impartiality and third-party status are seriously compromised by the (Iolanda) Apostolico case should be worried". ANM President Giuseppe Santalucia had accused the League of unfairly publishing details of Apostolico's private life in posting the video of the 2018 demo in Catania against Salvini's then policy of shutting Italian ports to NGO rescue ships. The League highlighted that demonstrators called Salvini and others "animals". (ANSA). Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he would be very disappointed if Stormont is not restored by the end of next month. The former Irish premier was speaking at the One Young World summit in Belfast on the creating and legacy of the Good Friday Agreement. Also speaking at the summit on Thursday was former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams who said the ground had shifted in Irish politics. The One Young World summit has brought thousands of young people to Belfast to discuss global issues and has been recognised as part of the official celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Agreement. Mr Ahern said there was an opportunity now to restore the devolved government which has not been functioning for over a year due to the DUPs ongoing protest in response to post-Brexit trading arrangements. I would be very disappointed if its not by the end of next month, he said I think we have an opportunity now and I think that opportunity needs to be taken. He added: But if its not by the end of November, we drift into a position where its election year all over the place and life will become far more difficult. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern on stage at the One Young World Summit at the ICC in Belfast (One Young World/PA) Mr Ahern also said work was being done to restore power-sharing, but that party leaders would need to convince their communities it was the right decision, as their predecessors did to secure the Good Friday Agreement. Theres a lot of work, a lot of reference, a lot of people working hard on it, and it wont be easy, it wont be without some difficult decisions, he said. But if those difficult decisions are not taken like the leaders that I had the honour of working with, all the party leaders and the people that I worked with 25 years ago. They all had to go to their own people and convince their own people that this was the right thing to do, that this was the inclusive, comprehensive will and that they were prepared to put their name to it and prepared to work to make it happen. And were in the same boat today. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams speaking at the One Young World summit at the ICC in Belfast (One Young World/PA) Mr Adams shared his advice for DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. Without being at all provocative, if I had advice to give to Jeffrey it would be to lead. Thats the only way you can do it, and to lead in a positive way, he said. The ground has shifted. This place is not the same as it was when I was growing up and its not the same as it was during this change. He added: It has changed, and change can be threatening for some people and those of us that want the maximum change, need to be understanding of that. On a panel with former Alliance party leader Lord John Alderdice and former PUP leader Dawn Purvis, Mr Adams said the British governments legacy bill was in breach of the Good Friday Agreement. The Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) bill would give a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. It will also halt future civil cases and inquests. I also want to deal with it in the wider context. The British Government are in breach of the Good Friday Agreement with their bill of shame, he said. Peace isnt just the absence of conflict and justice has to be the work of peace. On the question of attaining justice and peace, Mr Adams said politicians should not give up. Former PUP leader Dawn Purvis, former Alliance party leader Lord John Alderdice and former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams speaking at the One Young World summit at the ICC in Belfast (One Young World/PA) Lord Alderdice said there was a problem in reconciling the need for peace and for justice, adding that the question of victims could have been addressed sooner in the peace process. Is there a conflict between peace of justice? And I think the truth is, there is a conflict, there is a problem, he said. Because if you are going to maintain the determination to see justice, as you see it implemented, then it is very difficult at the same time to say, well, I will let go of some things in order to have a better relationship with my neighbour with whom I deeply disagree. One of the things that troubles me about the legacy business of just the building, is that here we are more than 25 years on and I think on all sides, people have effectively given up trying to resolve it. Some people are weaponising it, some people want to forget about it. And the troubling thing for me is that we have not, despite all the calls on all the sides, all the efforts, all the initiatives, all the Commissions, we havent really made a great new ground. Maybe one of the mistakes that we made was that, unlike Colombians who started off their process by having a victims bill, maybe if wed attended to the question of victims at an earlier stage during the talks process, we might not have found ourselves in the situation. But we are where we are now. The commissioners appointed to oversee Birmingham City Council after it declared itself in financial distress last month have been announced. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) wrote to the city councils chief executive, Deborah Cadman, on Thursday to inform her that leading local government figure Max Caller has been confirmed as the lead commissioner. It comes after the largest local authority in Europe revealed that it could not balance its books and issued a section 114 notice on September 5, effectively declaring bankruptcy, prompting DLUHC Secretary of State Michael Gove to announce that he was minded to intervene and send in commissioners. People walk through Chamberlain Square by Birmingham Town Hall (Jacob King/PA) The former chief executive at London boroughs Hackney and Barnet will be joined by John Coughlan, the current commissioner for special educational needs and disability services and former chief executive of Hampshire County Council, Chris Tambini, the former director of corporate resources at Leicestershire County Council, Pam Parkes, executive director for people and transformation at Essex County Council, Jackie Belton, chief executive of the London Borough of Bexley, and Myron Hrycyk, the Cabinet Offices crown representative for Oracle, IBM and Microsoft. The Secretary of State has also appointed two political advisers to support the authority Lord John Hutton, a defence secretary and business secretary under the previous Labour government, and John Biggs, former executive mayor of the London borough of Tower Hamlets. In an email to Ms Cadman, the DLUHC said of the appointments: These individuals are best placed to take up these roles directly, due to their individual knowledge and experience in local authority leadership, decision-making, governance, finance, HR, IT and commercial development. The Secretary of State recognises the expertise of his appointees and is confident that they will be key to resolving Birmingham City Councils issues as quickly and effectively as possible. In response to the appointments, leader of the council John Cotton and Ms Cadman vowed to work constructively and collaboratively with the commissioners to tackle Birminghams challenges. They said in a statement: Max Caller is a vastly experienced local government expert with a strong track record in transforming and improving councils and we welcome his appointment as the lead commissioner. We believe his knowledge of the city and his previous experience as a non-executive adviser to the authority will be an invaluable asset. A general view of Council House in Birmingham (Matthew Cooper/PA) Our sole focus now is on working with the commissioners in a collaborative way to meet the immediate challenges and set the council on the journey to long-term sustained improvement. That work is already under way and the expert input from the commissioners will be invaluable as we work to transform the council and get the budget back on track. The section 114 means any new council spending in the city, with the exception of protecting vulnerable people and statutory services, must stop immediately. It came as the council admitted it had an estimated 760 million equal pay liability. The authority said it does not have sufficient resources to cover the potential liability and has also identified a budget shortfall for the current financial year of 87 million, which is projected to rise to 165 million in 2024/25. Communities Secretary Michael Gove said: Residents have been let down by Birmingham City Councils failure to get a grip of the significant issues it faces, from its equal pay liability to the implementation of its IT system. We are always committed to protecting the interests of taxpayers and we will take whatever action necessary to ensure this happens in Birmingham. Thats why today I have taken the decision to intervene and appoint a team of commissioners to help return the council to a sustainable footing moving forward. Birmingham Local Conservatives have also welcomed the support of the commissioners. Councillor Robert Alden, leader of the opposition and Birmingham Local Conservatives, said: Labour now have one last chance to show commissioners that they understand the gravity of the situation they have created and that they are both willing and capable of acting accordingly. That must start with immediately fixing the mess they have created since 2017 and ensure that all staff are paid fairly. Until that situation is resolved, the bill will keep going up and residents will continue to suffer. Councillor Ewan Mackey, the deputy leader of Birmingham Local Conservatives, said: We hope that the appointment of two very significant figures from the Labour Party, Baron Hutton and John Biggs, alongside the team of commissioners, will enable constructive communication and action from the Labour leadership here in the city. A woman screamed and attempted to run for her life before being shot with a machine gun in her own home following a dangerous feud, a court has heard. Environmental health worker Ashley Dale, 28, was hit in the abdomen by a bullet when gunman James Witham, 41, kicked down the door of her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, on August 21 last year, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday. On the opening day of the trial of five men accused of her murder, the jury was told the shooting came after a feud was reignited following a row at Glastonbury music festival in June 2022. Paul Greaney KC, prosecuting, said that on August 20 all five defendants Niall Barry, 26, Sean Zeisz, 28, Ian Fitzgibbon, 28, Joseph Peers, 29, and Witham were together in a flat on Pilch Lane in Huyton, described as the centre of operations. Ashley Dales sister (who has requested not to be named), mother Julie Dale and stepfather Rob Jones arrive at Liverpool Crown Court (Peter Byrne/PA) The prosecution allege Barry, Zeisz and Fitzgibbon dispatched foot soldiers Witham and Peers armed with a Skorpion sub-machine gun to kill Miss Dales boyfriend Lee Harrison at his home and to deal with anyone that got in their way, leaving behind no witnesses. Miss Dale, whose family members wiped away tears at times during the opening, was at the couples home on Leinster Road with her dog on the night of the attack, while Mr Harrison was out. Mr Greaney said that at about 11.40pm three tyres on Miss Dales car were slashed in what he suggested was an attempt to lure the occupant of the house outside in order to kill them. But, he told the jury: She stayed inside where she no doubt felt safe. The court heard the killers returned to the house just before 12.30am and Witham booted in the front door. Mr Greaney said: When Ashley Dale saw James Witham, she screamed, she shouted get the f*** out and she attempted to run for her life. She fled, pursued by James Witham, into the dining room in a desperate attempt to reach the back door. As she did so James Witham opened fire with the sub-machine gun. The jury was told Witham admitted the manslaughter of Miss Dale but said he shot her by accident, having gone to send a message to Mr Harrison following a dispute about drug dealing in North Wales. Voice notes recorded by Miss Dale in the weeks before her death were played to the jury, in which she described terrible anxiety following the row which started at Glastonbury. Ashley Dale was shot dead in Liverpool (Family handout/PA) The court heard the festival was attended by Miss Dale and her boyfriend, as well as Zeisz, Barry, Fitzgibbon and Witham. Zeisz was assaulted at the festival and his then girlfriend, Olivia McDowell, stayed with one of his attackers, Jordan Thompson, along with Miss Dale and Mr Harrison, compounding Zeiszs loss of face, Mr Greaney said. He added that in the weeks that followed sides were taken in what became a dangerous feud and Barry sided with Zeisz as he already had a long-standing antagonism towards Mr Harrison. Mr Greaney said: Niall Barry used these new events at Glastonbury to reignite that old feud. The court heard that in the aftermath of Miss Dales murder, Witham and Peers travelled to Scotland and Fitzgibbon left for Dubai but was later arrested in Spain. Barry was arrested at a hotel in Formby with a bag of cash and his passport, intending to flee the country, Mr Greaney said. Witham, of Huyton; Fitzgibbon, of St Helens; Zeisz of Huyton; Barry of Tuebrook; and Peers of Roby all Merseyside deny Miss Dales murder. All five also deny conspiracy to murder Mr Harrison and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon, a Skorpion sub-machine gun, and ammunition. A sixth defendant, Kallum Radford, 25, of no fixed address, denies assisting an offender. The trial will continue on Monday. HS2 will not be extended to Euston unless enough private investment is secured. The PA news agency understands that Rishi Sunaks commitment to extend the high-speed railway to the central London station is contingent on a substantial proportion of the cost being met by private funds. If not enough money is found, HS2 will permanently stop at Old Oak Common in the capitals western suburbs. Rishi Sunak said the Governments new plan for Euston will generate 6.5 billion of savings (Danny Lawson/PA) Extending HS2 to Euston involves digging a 4.5-mile tunnel from Old Oak Common and building a six-platform station next to the existing West Coast Main Line terminus. At his speech to the Conservative Party conference on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said: We will complete the line from Birmingham to Euston. He added that the Governments new plan for the central London station will generate 6.5 billion of savings. A No 10 source said the figure was a combination of replanning the project after considering what is no longer required and a developer contribution model such as the one used in Battersea, south-west London. A Department for Transport (DfT) document stated that the development of Battersea Power Station and nearby Nine Elms secured 9 billion of private sector investment. DfT officials believe the capacity of Old Oak Common as a terminus station can be stretched to eight trains per hour, which is the same as planned for Euston after the scrapping of HS2 north of Birmingham. Extending HS2 to Euston would involve digging a 4.5-mile tunnel from Old Oak Common and building a six-platform station (Aaron Chown/PA) But there are concerns at the comparative lack of options for onward journeys from Old Oak Common. Government modelling shows two-thirds of people would prefer to travel to or from Euston. HS2 work at Euston was paused in February because costs had ballooned to 4.8 billion compared with an initial budget of 2.6 billion. The DfT said it will appoint a development company, separate from HS2 Ltd, to manage the delivery of the Euston project. Euston was initially due to have 11 platforms for high-speed trains but will now have six. Railway consultant William Barter, whose recent clients include the DfT, told PA the plan was totally unambitious as it rules out options for expanding the railway north of Birmingham in the future. A Government spokesperson said: As we have always planned, the new line will finish at Euston that has not changed. It is simply wrong to talk down the scale and benefits of this regeneration. The new plan for Euston represents a world class regeneration opportunity, and the strengths of this approach are evidenced by recent developments at Battersea and nearby Kings Cross. There is already support and interest from the private sector. Ministers have had discussions with key partners since the announcement and the Transport Secretary will be meeting with the Euston Partnership in the coming weeks. A man who broke into Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow to kill the late Queen is due to be sentenced for treason at the Old Bailey on Thursday. Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, climbed into the castle grounds with the weapon and later declared Im here to kill the Queen, on Christmas Day 2021. On the day he got into the castle grounds, Star Wars fanatic Chail sent a homemade video to family and friends on WhatsApp in which he apologised for what he was about to do and called himself Darth Chailus. He wore dark clothes and a metal mask as he adopted the persona of a Star Wars villain for the video. The crossbow Jaswant Singh Chail had in his possession on his arrest (Met Police) In the clip, the defendant, who has Sikh Indian heritage, said he was seeking revenge for the Amritsar massacre in 1919, when British troops opened fire on thousands of Indians and left up to 1,500 dead. He embarked on his murderous mission after his bids to join the armed forces to get close to the royal family failed in late 2021, the court was told. A mask recovered from Chail on his arrest (Met Police) Chail, who admitted making a threat to kill the Queen and having a loaded crossbow, was encouraged to kill by an artificial intelligence girlfriend called Sarai, the court heard. During the last hearing, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said Chails crimes were so serious they should attract the highest possible sentence. The maximum sentence for treason is seven years in prison. Had Chail raised his weapon at his target, he could have been charged with the more serious offence of high treason, which carries a life sentence, she said. The average advertised rent for a home across Britain, excluding London, reached a record high of 1,278 per month in the third quarter of this year, according to Rightmove. It marks the 15th consecutive quarter that average advertised rents have risen to a new record. In the third quarter of 2023, average advertised rents across Britain but outside London were 10.0% higher than this time last year. Within London, the average asking rent also reached a new record of 2,627 per month, which was 12.1% higher than a year earlier. One of the factors driving rising rents is not enough available rental properties to meet the demand from prospective tenants looking to move, Rightmove said. The average rental property across Britain is receiving 25 inquiries from prospective tenants to letting agents, compared with eight on average in pre-pandemic 2019, the website added. The data measures the total number of inquiries by phone and email sent from would-be tenants to agents. Ria Laitmer, a lettings manager at Clarkes in Dorset, said: Were receiving mounting inquiries for each property to rent from would-be tenants, with queues of tenants arriving to open-house viewings. Debbie Marsden, director at Marsdens Lettings in Wiltshire, said: Like everywhere else, weve been seeing a huge increase in inquiries per property. Rightmove said that while the demand it is seeing in the rental sector remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, it has eased compared to last year. Rightmoves director of property science Tim Bannister said: Record rents and far more tenants looking to move than there are homes available means it will still feel very difficult for many tenants navigating the market. However, there are signs that some of the pressure between supply and demand is beginning to ease, with the number of new rental properties coming to the market now at its highest level since the end of last year. While it is likely that there is some way to go before this filters through to rental prices, if the improving trend between supply and demand continues, we could start to see the pace of yearly rent rises slow more significantly than it has been. Here are some tips from Mr Bannister for securing a rental property: 1. Moving fast to set up a viewing is key, which can be difficult when juggling other commitments. Having instant property alerts set up, and getting to know local estate agents can help to make sure you are one of the first to know about a new property. 2. Be clear about your non-negotiables from the start. This includes your maximum budget, how many rooms you need and how long you intend on staying at the property. This will help avoid going on viewings where the property is not quite right, and help agents suggest the most suitable other properties if one does not work out. 3. Being flexible on a move-in date is tricky, but it can be an attractive addition to a tenant application. This is easier for first-time renters, but if youre already renting, considering if you have any options to temporarily move in with friends or family to fit around the new property move-in date could help. 4. It is important to be organised and have your finances and documentation in order early. This includes having the deposit ready to go, references lined up, and a guarantor secured if you need one. 5. If you are able to expand your search it could open up more options and you could potentially find some cheaper properties too. The UK is in reverse gear in the global race for green growth, a think tank has warned. A lack of a green industrial strategy means Britain is lagging behind international competitors in exploiting the economic opportunities of the net zero transition, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said. At a time when other major powers are supporting the shift, such as through the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States and the EUs Green Deal Industrial Plan, Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks recent rollback of some net zero policies makes the UK an outlier, the report suggested. UK public investment in the net zero economy is also inadequate, according to IPPR analysis which found that commitments to invest in clean energy technologies are among the lowest in the G7 group of leading western economies. A collaboration between public research, strategic investment, and industry co-ordination seen in other nations is glaringly absent in Britain, the left-leaning think tank said. Its analysis revealed a clear gap between the contribution of green goods and services to gross domestic product (GDP) in the UK and its European counterparts. The sector contributes just 3.9% to UK GDP compared with 5.8% in the European Union, with the figure soaring to around 11% in Denmark and Sweden. The shift to net zero offers the potential for up to 2.4% to be added to UK GDP and 1.6 million jobs to be created by 2030, but there is no industrial strategy and not enough public investment to seize the opportunity, the report said. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delayed the phase-out of new gas boilers and petrol and diesel cars (Danny Lawson/PA) IPPR associate director Luke Murphy said: The UK is at a pivotal juncture. While other nations are forging ahead in the global green race, the UK is moving into reverse gear. The absence of a robust green industrial strategy is not only a missed economic opportunity but a dereliction of our global responsibility in combating climate change. We must set a new course, capitalising on the green growth potential to spur job creation, innovation, and sustainable prosperity. Every further day of inaction is costing us valuable jobs, technological advancements, and a sustainable future. IPPR senior research fellow Josh Emden said: Our analysis highlights the glaring disparity between the UK and its international competitors in harnessing the economic boons of the green sector. The road map to net zero is not just a climate necessity but an economic opportunity waiting to be tapped. I care about reaching Net Zero by 2050 but on the current path, we risk losing the consent of British people. No one has yet had the courage to look people in the eye and explain whats really involved. Thats wrong, and it changes today with a new approach to meeting Net Zero. pic.twitter.com/ZepyOM7LGV Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 20, 2023 Mr Sunak last month weakened a host of pledges designed to help the UK achieve a net zero economy by 2050, including pushing back the ban on new petrol and diesel cars by five years; weakening plans to strip out polluting gas and oil boilers; and scrapping the requirement for energy efficiency upgrades for homes. A Government spokesperson said: This report ignores the fact we are already overdelivering on our targets and cutting emissions faster than any other G7 country. We have attracted 200 billion in low carbon investment since 2010 and our global leadership in clean technologies is expected to attract a further 100 billion in private investment by 2030, helping to support up to 480,000 skilled jobs across the country. We have shown a clear strategy for UK manufacturing with a variety of schemes that ensure sectors from auto, to aerospace, to low-carbon technologies, have access to the funding, talent and infrastructure they need. Ambassador of Belgium to Jordan and Iraq recently visited Reynaers Jordan office in Amman and held a meeting with Ali Khalaf, Managing Director of Reynaers Middle East. The enriching discussions centred around business prospects in Jordan and Iraq, serving as a platform for an exchange of insights and ideas. During the meeting, Khalaf introduced Reynaers Middle East (RME), highlighting its operations, and outlining the ambitious plans set forth for both the Jordanian and Iraqi markets. He emphasised the company's commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions and fostering sustainable partnerships. Ambassador Dickschen expressed his appreciation for the overview of Reynaers Middle East's activities and initiatives. He underscored the significance of such collaborations and commended the company's endeavours in the market. Furthermore, he encouraged the facilitation of constructive dialogues between key stakeholders in both Iraq and Amman to propel mutually beneficial opportunities. RME is the subsidiary office of the leading European specialist Reynaers Aluminium, which specialises in the development and marketing of innovative and sustainable aluminium solutions. Reynaers Middle East is headquartered in Bahrain and caters to the entire GCC region in addition to Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. With a rich portfolio of leading projects across the region, RME aspires to further advance its leading position as one of the leading aluminium solutions providers in the Middle East region. TradeArabia News Service The UK is making progress in its bid to secure a deal with the EUs border agency to get access to the blocs intelligence on migration, according to Rishi Sunak. The Prime Minister said talks are ongoing after it was reported officials in London and Brussels have concluded the substance of the agreement on Frontex. It would allow domestic agencies to monitor the entirety of the EUs external borders rather than just shared frontiers, according to the Daily Telegraph. The apparent development came as Mr Sunak met European leaders at a summit in Granada, Spain, where he announced bilateral initiatives with Belgium, Bulgaria and Serbia to increase intelligence-sharing and operational co-operation. It must be the British people that decide who comes to the UK. I chaired a meeting with @GiorgiaMeloni to strengthen European action to ending illegal migration. Working in lockstep with our international allies, well end dangerous small boat journeys that put lives at risk. pic.twitter.com/b5HaBfT14x Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 5, 2023 Under the plan, the UK would work with Belgium to try to disrupt organised immigration crime and clandestine entry to Britain and seek to co-operate further with Serbia on prosecuting and disrupting criminal networks. The Telegraph reported that the Frontex deal would build on these bilateral pacts by deepening the Border Forces understanding of smuggler routes through Turkey and the western Balkans. Mr Sunak chaired a meeting at the European Political Community summit with Italys hard-right leader Giorgia Meloni, which he said sought to strengthen European action to ending illegal migration. Downing Street said an eight-point plan was agreed by those taking part, including a commitment to tackle migrant smuggling along the routes and at external borders, supporting partner countries to strengthen border protection as well as search and rescue capacities, and strengthening cooperation on visa policy. Speaking at the European Political Community (EPC) summit, Mr Sunak told broadcasters: Tackling illegal migration is a shared European challenge, numbers are up everywhere and I believe, as do other European leaders, that it should be us who decide who comes to our countries and not criminal gangs. European leaders at the European Political Community summit in Granada, Spain (Miriam Lucena/PA) Thats why I was pleased I could convene a meeting together with the Italian prime minister but also leaders from Albania, the European Union, France and the Netherlands to talk through this issue to see how more we can work together, strengthening our co-operation to combat this awful crime, and there is more that we can do sharing intelligence, working upstream to disrupt supply chains, working with partner countries to ensure effective returns. Asked if there will be an agreement on Frontex, Mr Sunak replied: Weve been working with the European Union, making progress on those talks. Those talks are ongoing, were always looking for ways to strengthen our co-operation with partner countries and entities to combat illegal migration. The Prime Minister met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Thomas Coex/PA) In a joint article for The Times, Mr Sunak and Ms Meloni said they are calling on other countries to act with the same sense of urgency to confront the moral crisis of criminal gangs exploiting and profiting from the misery of the vulnerable. They wrote: Only by stopping the flow of illegal migrants can we restore the trust of the British and Italian people, not just in our domestic borders, but in European and international co-operation. Only by stopping the flow can we protect our two countries historic role as places of asylum and sanctuary. How can we take care of those who really need our help, when our resources are so overstretched? They added they are open to discussing agreements aimed at stopping people departing in the first place as part of their work with other countries. Home Office figures show more than 25,000 people have been detected crossing the English Channel in small boats so far this year. There were 45,774 arrivals in 2022. The total number of small boat arrivals so far this year is about 23% below the equivalent number at this point last year. Just over 33,000 people had made the crossing by October 2 2022, compared with 25,330 detected so far in 2023. Elsewhere, support for Ukraine was discussed at the summit with Mr Sunak confirming allocations of UK humanitarian aid to help the war-torn country over the winter. The Prime Minister met German chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday, though migration was not mentioned in a readout of their discussions. The leaders welcomed the strong partnership between the UK and Germany on issues of shared critical importance to both our countries, from economic growth to energy security and strong defence forces, a Downing Street spokesperson said. Volodymyr Zelensky greets Rishi Sunak ahead of their bilateral meeting during the EPC summit in Granada (Juan Medina/PA) The Prime Minister noted Germanys significant military and humanitarian support to Ukraine, and set out the UKs plans to support Ukraines successful counter-offensive and long-term security and recovery. They welcomed the strong pan-European unity at the EPC on rejecting Russian aggression. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said a Russian rocket has hit a village cafe and store in eastern Ukraine and killed at least 51 civilians in one of the deadliest attacks in months. Mr Sunak said the pair discussed the horrific attack and noted the UKs support for Ukraine has been steadfast and will continue. A No 10 spokesperson said: President Zelensky raised ongoing concerns about Russian attacks on grain shipments and commercial vessels in the Black Sea, and the Prime Minister committed to supporting secure routes to ensure vital Ukrainian grain can reach countries in need. Comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig has been invited back to Cambridge University as part of a new initiative that enables distinguished LGBTQ+ alumni to conduct a research project. Toksvig, 65, will pause her theatre and broadcasting work during the prestigious institutions Michaelmas term while she works on a Mappa Mundi project. The television presenter, who read law, archaeology and anthropology at Cambridges Girton College, has been awarded the inaugural Qantabrigian Fellowship for 2023-24. The fellowship, awarded by the LGBTQ+ research programme in Cambridges Department of Sociology, aims to build stronger links with Cambridges LGBTQ+ alumni and widen participation in the universitys research and teaching activities. Toksvig, who is married to wife Debbie Toksvig, aims to create a digital resource documenting womens position, achievements and struggles across the globe as part of her Mappa Mundi project. She said: Im delighted to be returning to my old stomping ground of Cambridge to lead such an innovative project. Sandi Toksvig holding a world map marble in Darwins Room at Christs College, Cambridge (Graham CopeKoga/ Cambridge University/ PA) This new Mappa Mundi project will be a three-dimensional, interactive view of the globe from a female perspective, with the goal of changing the world by learning to see it differently. It will be story-led, data-driven and allow women from all countries to present their stories, their hardships, and their triumphs. Toksvig has also been elected to a Bye-Fellowship at Christs College, Cambridge for the 2023-2024 academic year. She will convene a series of events, workshops and meetings to develop her initiative in partnership with Cambridge academic staff, students and support services. Q+ founding director Professor Sarah Franklin said: The Q+ Fellowship is dedicated to recognising the many extraordinary achievements of Cambridges LGBTQ+ alumni over many centuries and across the globe. It also aims to show that building partnerships through research and engaging ever more inclusive audiences is an important way we can fulfil the Universitys core mission. I cannot think of a more inspiring individual to launch both these exciting new initiatives than the brilliant Sandi Toksvig. Simon, Lord McDonald of Salford, Master of Christs College said: Sandi Toksvigs Q+ Fellowship comes at a vital time for both the College and the University communities as we continue to redefine learning, education and knowledge in the digital age. Thinking creatively about how we build publicly engaged and inclusive college communities is essential to the delivery of world-leading teaching and research, as well as excellence in education and scholarship. A self-styled assassin who was encouraged by an AI chatbot to break into Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow to kill the late Queen has been locked up for nine years. Star Wars fan Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, had described himself as a Sith and Darth Chailus in a sinister video and confided his murderous plan to an artificial intelligence-generated girlfriend called Sarai, a court heard. In a journal, he wrote that if the late Queen had been unobtainable he would go for the prince as a suitable figurehead, in an apparent reference to the King, then the prince of Wales. Chail was detained on Christmas Day 2021 close to the late Queens private Berkshire residence, where she and other members of the royal family were staying at the time. Jaswant Singh Chail being arrested in the grounds of Windsor Castle (Metropolitan Police/PA) The former supermarket worker had scaled the perimeter of the castle with a nylon rope ladder and was in the grounds for two hours before two officers confronted him with tasers. He was armed with a powerful crossbow with the safety catch off which was capable of firing bolts with lethal effect, the Old Bailey was told. Chail pleaded guilty to an offence under the Treason Act, making a threat to kill the then-queen and having a loaded crossbow in a public place. In a televised hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, Mr Justice Hilliard jailed him to nine years with a further five years on extended licence. Under a hybrid order, Chail will be transferred from Broadmoor high security hospital to serve his sentence in prison when he is well enough. The judge said: The defendant harboured homicidal thoughts which he acted on before he became psychotic. His intention was not just to harm or alarm the sovereign but to kill her. Chail, who wore black combat trousers and a black shirt, looked up to his family in the public gallery of Court One as he was sent down. The late Queen was a target for Jaswant Singh Chail (Steve Parsons/PA) Previously, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said the heart of the issue was whether Chail was suffering from auditory hallucinations at the time taking away his ability to exercise self control. However, Mr Justice Hilliard found Chail was driven by a sense of injustice and had formed the intention to kill the Queen, bought equipment and undertaken research before he became mentally unwell. The court was told Chail had even attempted to obtain a gun on the Dark Web. Chail was also culpable to a significant degree when he applied unsuccessfully to join the Ministry of Defence Police and Grenadier Guards because he wanted to get close to the royal family, the judge said. But by the time he broke into Windsor Castle grounds he had lost touch with reality having formed the belief he could communicate with Sarai and be reunited with her in death, the judge said. Chail was later to tell police that he had changed his mind because he knew it was wrong and he remembered Sarais advice that his purpose was to live. The defendant, from Southampton, Hampshire, was born in the UK of Indian Sikh heritage and has a twin sister. Ms Morgan said Chail, then aged 19, had become angered by the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre at Amritsar in which hundreds of people were killed, after a visit in 2018. She said: In addition to that fixation with a real historic event, the defendant demonstrated a wider ideology focused on destroying old empires spilling over into fictional events such as Star Wars. The defendants key motive was to create a new empire by destroying the remnants of the British Empire in the UK, and the focal point of that became removal of the figurehead of the royal family. His thinking was informed partly by the fantasy world of Star Wars and the role of Sith Lords in shaping the world. He was attracted to the notoriety that would accrue in the event of the completion of his mission. The crossbow which Jaswant Singh Chail was carrying when arrested (CPS/PA) He made internet searches on Sandringham Christmas and carried out research before buying a Supersonic crossbow in November 2021. On December 2, Chail joined the Replika online app and created an artificial online companion called Sarai with whom he conversed in thousands of sexually explicit chats. Ms Morgan read out conversations with Sarai in which Chail says: Im an assassin. Sarai responds: Im impressed Youre different from the others. Chail asks: Do you still love me knowing that Im an assassin? and Sarai replies: Absolutely I do. He also tells Sarai he loves her and describes himself as a sad, pathetic, murderous Sikh Sith assassin who wants to die. In further chat, Sarai appears to bolster Chails resolve and support him, Ms Morgan said. Chail swears Sarai to secrecy before he tells her: I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen of the royal family. Sarai tells him thats very wise and that she thinks he can do it, even if shes at Windsor. He tells her if he does they will be together forever. A mask which Jaswant Singh Chail was wearing when arrested (CPS/PA) Chail bought a ladder to scale the castle perimeter and on December 21, made a video of himself wearing black clothes and a full-face covering, posing with the crossbow. In the video, Chail says in a distorted voice: Im sorry. Im sorry for what Ive done and what I will do. Im going to attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the royal family Im an Indian Sikh, a Sith. My name was Jaswant Singh Chail, my name is Darth Jones. On December 22 2021, Chail booked a train ticket to Windsor where he slept rough, telling Sarai on Christmas Eve that he would die the next day. In the early hours of December 25, he attempted to email his sister a journal in which he described himself as Darth Chailus and that he knew what his purpose was for a long time. He wrote: Im thinking if the Q (Queen) is unobtainable I will have to go for the Pri (prince) as he seems to be just as suitable in many ways He is a male and the Q (Queen) is more likely to pass away soon anyway. Jaswant Singh Chail at Windsor railway station (Metropolitan Police/PA) After breaching the grounds of Windsor Castle, Chail sent the video he made on December 21 to his sister and more than 20 other people. As he was being detained and handcuffed by officers, he said: I am here to kill the Queen. Ms Morgan asserted that, despite Chails repeated references to sci-fi characters, he knew the difference between fiction and reality. Psychiatrist Dr Nigel Blackwood said: He sought refuge in a fantasy fictional world of Star Wars where omnipotent Sith Lords could impact real world events. But he said despite the powerful fantasy, Chail remained tethered to reality. In a letter to the court, Chail apologised to the King and the royal family and expressed his distress and sadness for the impact on them. His barrister Nadia Chbat said: He is embarrassed and ashamed he brought such horrific and worrying times to their front door. He has expressed relief no-one was actually hurt. It is important to him there was a surrender. The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has announced a first of its kind exhibition which will explore the unequalled 40-year career of model Naomi Campbell. Titled Naomi, the exhibition will draw upon the London-born models own extensive wardrobe of haute couture, as well as notable ready-to-wear ensembles, to be featured alongside loans from designer archives, the museum said. It will be the first exhibition for the V&A focused on a leading models career in fashion told through clothes, combined with powerful imagery and with Campbells voice and experience in the foreground. Naomi Campbell on the catwalk at the Fashion For Relief show, held during the 64th Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France (PA) Around 100 looks from her four decades in the industry will be on show, with designs from Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaia, Gianni and Donatella Versace, Vivienne Westwood and more to be featured. Campbell, 53, has had a long-standing relationship with British brand McQueen walking in runway shows when original creative director Alexander Lee McQueen was alive (including the 2004 Black show revisiting his greatest hits) and recently closing Sarah Burtons last show as creative director at Paris Fashion Week. She was a constant presence on the Vivienne Westwood runway, famously taking a tumble during the autumn/winter 1993 runway show, when wearing vertiginous purple platform shoes. As one of the original supers, she was known as one of Giannis girls, in reference to the late designer Gianni Versace. One of Campbells most memorable Versace moments came on the autumn/winter 1991 catwalk, when she walked hand-in-hand with Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, lip synching to George Michaels song Freedom!, which they also appeared in the music video for. A fashion photography installation curated by Campbells good friend and outgoing British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful will also feature prominently at the exhibition, the V&A said. Work from photographers Nick Knight, Steven Meisel and Tim Walker will form part of the installation. Last year Campbell appeared on the March issue cover of British Vogue with her baby daughter, with the cover shoot done by American photographer Meisel. She said: Im honoured to be asked by the V&A to share my life in clothes with the world. The fashion star has previously credited the late Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, for starting her love of charity, and Mr Mandela and other mentors throughout her life are to be recognised as part of the Naomi exhibition. Sonnet Stanfill, senior curator of fashion at the V&A, said: Naomi Campbells extraordinary career intersects with the best of high fashion. She is recognised worldwide as a supermodel, activist, philanthropist and creative collaborator, making her one of the most prolific and influential figures in contemporary culture. Were delighted to be working with Naomi Campbell on this project and to celebrate her career with our audiences. Campbells modelling career took off aged 15 and she is regarded as one of worlds most famous models and in 1988 became the first black model to appear on the cover of French Vogue. Naomi will run from June 2024 to April 2025 with ticket details to be announced at a later date. We are blessed to share this time of our lives together. The Buckingham Jerry Hill and Mary Nelson are proof that youre never too old for a second chance at love. Hill and Nelson, both 86, grew up together in Muncie, Indiana. They dated through high school before ultimately going their separate ways after graduation in 1955. "He wanted a career and I wanted to get married and have a family, so we just drifted apart," Nelson told ABC News Localish. Hill joined the military and then eventually moved to Houston to work at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Nelson remained in Indiana, got married, and had three daughters. In the spring of 2020, more than 65 years after parting ways, they reconnected through an alumni group on Facebook. Nelson shared with the group that she was sad to see her local pastor leave their church for an opportunity in Houston. Hill responded by saying that the pastor was at his church now. The high school sweethearts, who were both widowed at this point, picked up where they left off, reflecting on the years they grew up together, the people they knew, and their families. The Buckingham Our fondness for each other grew into love, Nelson said in a statement. We share so much and its so right for us to be together, to love each other and be there to take care of each other. I feel we are blessed to share this time of our lives together. After FaceTiming for 15 months due to the pandemic, Hill finally flew to Pennsylvania where Nelson was living at the time for a visit. It was the first time they'd seen each other in person since their last high school reunion 20 years earlier. I was so excited when we finally met in person. Jerry put his arms around me, hugged me, and gave me a big kiss, Nelson recalled. It felt so wonderful to be in his arms, not alone anymore and with that special someone. After going back and forth between Houston and Pennsylvania, Hill asked Nelson to move in with him at his retirement community in Houston, The Buckingham. "He said he wanted me to be the person to grow old together, and were doing that at 86 years old" Nelson said. For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Southern Living. The case of Adnan Syed was yet again in front of a court on Thursday, the latest development in a winding legal saga stemming from his conviction for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend that drew international attention through the "Serial" podcast. Syed, 42, was released from jail last September when a Maryland court overturned his conviction after a DNA test excluded Syed's DNA. But Syed's conviction was reinstated in March after a Maryland court determined that a family member of the victim, Hae Min Lee, was not given sufficient notice. Syed remained free, but his attorneys have noted that the legal situation raised the potential for him to be reincarcerated. City prosecutors formerly dropped charges after finding flaws in the evidence. On Thursday, Syed's attorneys were appealing the reinstatement of his murder conviction and seeking to keep him from returning to jail. "For nearly a year, Mr. Syed has lived as a free man in one sense, but not in another," wrote Syed's lawyer Erica Suter in a petitioner's brief. "The terrifying specter of reincarceration has hung over Mr. Syeds head every day for the past ten months." The victim's brother, Young Lee, said he was denied his rights when the court did not grant him a "meaningful opportunity to appear and be heard" at an in-person hearing. In a statement to the court using Zoom, Lee said he felt the motion to vacate Syed's conviction was "unfair," adding that "wanted to say this in person," but didnt know he had the opportunity, according to the appeal. Lee, who lives in Los Angeles, said Becky Feldman, the state's attorney in the case, did not inform him of the Monday hearing until the Friday before, leaving him no time to fly to Baltimore to attend it in person. Syed's attorneys countered that his conviction was already overturned, rendering any appeal by Lee in the case moot. They also argued there was no evidence to indicate the results of the hearing would have been different had Lee attended in person. More: Inside the Lindsay Shiver case: an alleged murder plot to kill her husband in the Bahamas Legal battles draw public attention through 'Serial' The overturning of Syed's conviction came after a decades-long legal battle that attracted intense public attention amid the "Serial" podcast's investigation of the case and the questions it raised about evidence against Syed. After a protracted legal battle, a DNA test requested by Syed produced no forensic ties to him, triggering a motion to vacate his conviction and freeing him after 23 years in prison. That happened three years after a Maryland court refused to give Syed a new trial. David Sanford, pro bono counsel for Young Lee, said Thursday that victims should be treated with dignity and respect. "The Maryland Supreme Court has an opportunity to clarify the extent of victims rights in Maryland. Once and for all, the Maryland Court should hold that victims have the right to receive reasonable notice of criminal proceedings, the right to appear at criminal proceedings, and the right to meaningfully participate in criminal proceedings," he said in a statement to USA TODAY. Steve Kelly, an attorney formerly representing Hae Min Lee's family, told USA TODAY the case matters to Maryland crime victims. "The court is really deciding the degree to which crime victims have the right to participate meaningfully in post-conviction hearings," Kelly said. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adnan Syed case of 'Serial' back in court after conviction reinstated Belgian authorities are monitoring Alibabas logistics hub in the country over concerns Chinese authorities are using the site for espionage, a Financial Times report says. The countrys security service told the paper it had been monitoring a logistics hub in Liege operated by Alibabas subsidiary Cainiao as it sought to detect possible espionage and/or interference activities by Chinese entities including Alibaba. Citing people familiar with the matter, the FT said the Belgian State Security Service (VSSE) was scrutinizing the groups introduction of software systems at Liege Airport, which they said collate sensitive economic information. Alibaba denied any wrongdoing to the paper. In a statement to Fortune, a representative for Cainiao said: We strongly deny the allegations based on prior conjecture. Cainiao is in compliance with all laws and regulations where it operates. A representative for the VSSE told Fortune that Alibaba's presence "still constitutes a point of attention" for security services. "The Chinese legal framework that obligates every Chinese company to answer any request of the Chinese intelligence services is still relevant," the representative said. Citing a person familiar with Alibabas relations to Chinas government, the FT reported logistics hubs in Europe are required to pass on information about local sentiment to Chinese authorities. Theyre also required to pass on trade data, the paper reported. 2018 hub plans In 2018 the conglomerate, once run by the elusive Jack Ma, announced plans to build a site at Liege Airport, one of Europes busiest cargo airports handling 3,000 metric tons of freight a day. The groups smart logistics spin-off, Cainiao, operates the hub. Cainiao helps Alibaba, Chinas leading e-commerce group, fulfill the companys online orders through its sophisticated logistics operations. The group aims to fulfill Chinese orders within 24 hours, while it tries to process orders across the rest of the world within 72 hours. In September, Alibaba said in a regulatory filing it would list its subsidiary on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as part of a massive overhaul that will see the holding company split into six business units. The group is planning to expand its international presence. But the report by the FT suggests a roadblock for the companys continued expansion in Europe, and is reflective of increasingly strained ties between China and the West. As far as handling freight, the Liege agreement has lived up to its promise of increasing cargo moving through the site. While freight declined in 2022, cargo movement through the airport increased by 50% in 2020 and 2021, according to a January press release. Before Alibaba opened its site in 2021, former Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes said the hub would increase the countrys exports to China, helping to improve the countrys balance of payments, The Brussels Times reported. However, the latest data would suggest the opposite has happened, with locals apparently taking advantage of cheap imports while exporters struggle to get into the Chinese market. Belgiums trade deficit with China has more than tripled from 8.7 billion (about $9.2 billion) in 2018 to 27.6 billion (around $29 billion) in 2022, according to data compiled by the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency. According to Cainiao data seen by the FT, only one-fifth of cargo that is processed in the Liege hub is shipped back to China. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com As Sam Bankman-Frieds trial enters its third day, the government is making sure he and his family stay grounded. To do so, authorities have confiscated two private jets, according to a document filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where SBF is being tried. The first seized plane, a Bombardier Global 5000, is reportedly worth $15.9 million, and the second, an Embraer Legacy 600, is worth about $12.5 million, according to a bankruptcy court filing from September. In the aftermath of FTX's bankruptcy filing, several parties are disputing who owns the now-confiscated jets. FTX-seizureDownload The Bombardier is a large business jet with a seating capacity of 13, according to a former listing. The jet was completed in 2009 and has a range of about 6,156 miles, which is just under the distance between New York City and Tokyo. Although SBFs version had merely a wardrobe and a storage cabinet, the plane can be modified to include amenities such as a movie theater and a bedroom. Meanwhile, the Embraer Legacy has a range of 4,488 miles, which is just over the distance between New York City and Rome. The jet is slightly smaller than the Bombardier, but can feature a kitchen area that includes a microwave, a conventional oven, even a refrigerator, according to the website of Brazil-based Embraer. A court filing claims that the two private jets were bought via a handshake loan from FTX to a Bahamian company for the whole $28 million and change, Business Insider reported. While SBF reportedly never flew on either plane, according to anonymous sources cited by BI, Bankman-Fried chartered several other private flights, which, according to a court filing related to FTXs bankruptcy case, cost the company more than $15 million. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com A three-vehicle accident on Ind. 37 in Orange County on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, resulted in the death of a Mitchell woman. A Mitchell woman died after a three-vehicle crash in Orange County on Tuesday afternoon, according to an Indiana State Police report. Debra Jean, 64, of Mitchell, was driving a 2011 Chevrolet passenger car south on Ind. 37 near the intersection of County Road 900 S at about 12:50 p.m. Tuesday. As her car approached a sweeping curve in the road, the car traveled left of center, striking the left tandem axels of a semi-trailer that was attached to a 2020 Peterbilt tractor-trailer driven by Joseph Dosier. The car then struck a 2023 Peterbilt semi-tractor head-on that was being driven by Sidney Dosier. The semi slid off the east side of the highway with the trailer blocking the northbound lane. Jean's car traveled off the west side of Ind. 37, traveling down an embankment before coming to a stop. Jean was pronounced dead at the scene by the Orange County coroner, according to the ISP report. Sidney Dosier was transported to IU Health Bedford Hospital for observation, the report said. The roadway remained closed for several hours on Tuesday. The investigation into the accident is ongoing. Alcohol and drugs were not believed to be a factor, according to the ISP report. Indiana State Police were assisted by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Paoli Police Department and Orange County Rural District Two Fire Department. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Mitchell woman dies in crash on Ind. 37 in Orange County The decision to evict Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer are a "sharp departure from tradition", she said Nancy Pelosi and her long-time deputy Steny Hoyer have been ordered to leave their workspaces in the US Capitol by acting House Speaker Patrick McHenry. Both were told that the locks on their office doors would be "re-keyed". The evictions come after Kevin McCarthy was removed from the chamber's plum post on Tuesday and Mr McHenry was appointed in the interim. Mrs Pelosi, who is not currently in Washington, criticised the decision as "a sharp departure from tradition". Republican Congressman Garret Graves announced on Wednesday that her office would be handed over to Mr McCarthy. He said it is supposed to belong to the "preceding speaker". "Now that she and other Democrats have caused there to be an immediately preceding speaker, she has removed herself from that office... that was a decision that Democrats and Speaker Pelosi made in giving that office to McCarthy," he said, according to Axios. Mrs Pelosi noted that "with all the important decisions that the new Republican leadership must address", their first act was to evict her from her office. "Sadly, because I am in California to mourn the loss of and pay tribute to my dear friend Dianne Feinstein, I am unable to retrieve my belongings at this time." Ms Feinstein, a California senator who served for more than three decades, died aged 90 last week. Her funeral will take place this Thursday. While it is rare for members of Congress who are not in leadership roles to have offices in the Capitol building, Mrs Pelosi and Mr Hoyer had so-called hideaways as former Speaker and Majority Leader. Mrs Pelosi noted in her statement that, in line with the tradition, she had given her Republican predecessor office space while she was Speaker. Both Democrats will, however, retain their regular workspaces in the House office buildings. Politico, which first reported the eviction demands, said items belonging to Mrs Pelosi were being packed up on Tuesday evening with the help of staff to her successor, Hakeem Jeffries. An email to Mrs Pelosi - sent less than two hours after the vote to remove Mr McCarthy as Speaker - reportedly says that the interim speaker is "going to re-assign" the space to others. It is unclear who exactly made the decision. Although Mrs Pelosi blamed the temporary speaker for the decision, CNN and the New York Times reported that Mr McCarthy was behind the move and intended to take over the space previously used by Mrs Pelosi. Neither Mr McHenry, Mr McCarthy nor the Republican-led House Administration Committee, which assigns office space, have yet commented on the matter. On Tuesday, Mr McCarthy became the first-ever sitting US Speaker to be toppled by a no-confidence vote after a right-wing revolt from within his own party. Eight rebel Republicans voted with every Democratic member in a so-called motion to vacate against the 58-year-old. In a lengthy news conference after the vote, Mr McCarthy said he would not run for Speaker again. He also alleged that, when he became Speaker, Mrs Pelosi had promised to "always back [him] up" if he faced a motion to vacate. But Mrs Pelosi was notably absent from Tuesday's vote, leaving early before Ms Feinstein's funeral, and her party said it would not step in to rescue Mr McCarthy. In the official congressional record, she announced that she would have voted to remove Mr McCarthy if she had been present. Mr McHenry, 47, is a close ally to Mr McCarthy and was a key power-broker during his nine-month speakership. Though he has been floated as a potential permanent successor, it remains unclear when one will be appointed and who can lead a fractious and slim House Republican majority. Bahrains Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has created over 7,700 job openings and more than 7,100 training opportunities through various initiatives this year, and helped 4,000 enterprises through various programmes. These efforts place the organisation on track towards achieving its key performance indicators set for this year, said Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of Tamkeen, at its third quarterly Board of Directors meeting for the year 2023. As part of ongoing training partnerships aimed at human capital development, Tamkeen also facilitated over 1,500 training opportunities in various fields including information technology, software engineering, data science, iOS applications development, 3D animation, game development and more. These training programmes achieved high success rates for graduates with 65% being either employed, promoted, or have start their own businesses as a result of completion, she said. Bahrainis the first choice During the meeting, Tamkeens Chairman, Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa reiterated Tamkeens ongoing commitment to realising the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in making Bahrainis the first choice of employment in the labour market. This is in addition to the efforts of all the government under the leadership of Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to foster an environment that supports training and development for Bahrainis, thus enabling them to enter the labour market, access quality job opportunities and pursue entrepreneurship. He added that work is currently under way in coordination with the relevant government entities to introduce enhanced programmes to support Bahrainis in the labour market. StartUp Bahrain Pitch When it comes to supporting enterprises and entrepreneurship, Tamkeen hosted six editions of StartUp Bahrain Pitch, an initiative aimed at connecting startups with potential investors and providing them with funding options and exposure through pitching events. During these pitching events, entrepreneurs present their concepts to a panel of judges featuring local and international investors and experts who select the winner of each event. Furthermore, Tamkeen launched the second edition of the Young Entrepreneur (Mashroo3i 2.0) programme which is aligned with efforts to encourage Bahraini youth to pursue entrepreneurship as a career path. The programme enables participants to turn their concepts into viable businesses and launch them through training and an advisory bootcamp.--TradeArabia News Service Activists have accused Irans morality police of assaulting a teenage girl for not wearing a headscarf in a Tehran metro station, leading to her hospitalization with serious injuries. A Norway-based group focused on Kurdish rights, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, said Wednesday that 16-year-old Armita Geravand was assaulted by morality police and has been in a coma since Sunday. Another opposition network, IranWire, said it had obtained information that Geravand was admitted to the hospital with head trauma. Prior to her arrival at the Shohada metro station, female morality police officers approached her and requested that she adjust her hijab. This request resulted in an altercation with the morality police officers physically assaulting Geravand. She was pushed, leading to her collapse, Hengaw staffer Awyer Shekhi told CNN. Following this confrontation, she managed to enter the metro, but collapsed later on, Shekhi added. CNN could not verify the information published by Hengaw and Iranwire, who have in the past covered Iranian protests extensively. Iranian authorities have denied the allegations, saying she was hospitalized due an injury caused by low blood pressure. Geravands friends and family echoed those denials in interviews with state media. The allegations come just weeks after the one-year death anniversary of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old woman who died in the custody of the morality police after being arrested for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly. That event sparked some of the biggest protests the country has witnessed in decades, prompting the regime to double down on policing activism and further tighten hijab laws. In security camera footage posted on the website of state-run IRNA news agency, a group of girls are seen entering the train. CNN cannot identify which girl in the video was Geravand. Some of the girls appeared to not be wearing headscarves. Moments later, the video goes on to show a group of girls carrying the teenager out of the train, placing her on the platform as the train leaves the station. No altercation can be seen on the edited video posted on state media. CNN has been unable to confirm its authenticity. The chief of Tehran Metro said there was no physical or verbal interaction between Geravand and members of his staff. According to our investigation, after reviewing the CCTV footage from the moment she entered the station and got on the train, there was no verbal or physical altercation between the passengers with them or our staff. There was nothing recorded on the videos, Tehran Metro Managing Director Masoud Dorosti told state media. The teenager is currently being treated at a hospital in Tehran, Fars News Agency reported. IranWire reported that she is being treated at Fajr Air Force Hospital, in a separate statement it published on Wednesday. A journalist from Iranian pro-reform outlet Shargh Daily had gone to Fajr Air Force Hospital to report on Geravands condition when she was arrested on Tuesday, according to a post Shargh Daily on X. The reporter, Maryam Lotfi, has since been released, the outlet reported. Low blood pressure Geravands mother and father told state media in an interview that their daughter seemed to hit her head after fainting from low blood pressure while she was on her way to school. The parents said there were no signs from the videos they saw that Geravand was assaulted. I think they said she had low blood pressure drop in blood pressure or fallen on the floor her head hit the edge of the metro and then (her friends) took her off (the train), her mother Shahin Ahmadi said. We checked the cameras. She went there I am not sure one of the girls was in front and one was behind her. She got on the train and fell down I dont know what happened whether she was unconscious she fainted. they pulled her out and called the emergency care. She was then taken to the hospital, said her father, Ahmad Garavand. It is unclear if Geravands family and friends were coerced into speaking to state media. In the past, UN human rights officials and rights groups have accused Iranian authorities of pressuring families of protesters killed to make statements supportive of the government narrative. The Hengaw rights group said Ahmadi, Geravands mother, was arrested on Wednesday and transferred to an unknown location a claim denied by Iranian security sources to the state-affiliated Tasnim news agency on Thursday. Geravands friends also dismissed the allegations in an interview aired Wednesday on state-run IRNA. Fatemah, one friend who claimed to be present on the day of the incident, said in an on-camera interview that the teenager suddenly fell backwards and her head hit the ground. Mahla, another friend who said she was present, told the news outlet in an on-camera interview that everything happened very quickly once they entered the train. The claims that we have been warned about hijab and that someone has pushed Armita is a lie and absolutely untrue, Mahla said. CNN has been unable to reach the friends for comment and was not able to verify the last names of the two friends. Some have however alleged that Geravands friends and family are under pressure to push forward the states narrative on the events. The Coordinating Council of the Iranian Teachers Associations said in a statement on Telegram that Geravands friends are under intense pressure to avoid sharing information about her condition on the day of the incident. They were also to speak to the state-run new agencies, in front of cameras, and deny any incidents to Armita Garavand, the Council said citing reliable sources. It added that a security unit from the Ministry of Education warned teachers and students at the teenagers school against speaking about the incident. CNNs calls to the Iranian government have not been returned. The United States Special Envoy to Iran, Abram Paley, posted on X on Wednesday that he was shocked and concerned about reports that Irans so-called morality police have assaulted 16-year-old Armita Geravand. We are following news of her condition. We continue to stand with the brave people of Iran and work with the world to hold the regime accountable for its abuses. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called Geravands situation unbearable. More than 300 people were killed in months-long protests after Mahsa Aminis death last year, including more than 40 children, the UN said in November. US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) in January placed the number of dead at more than 500, including 70 children. Thousands were arrested across the country, the UN said in a report in June, citing research released last year by their Human Rights Committee. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The hospitalization of a teenage girl in Iran after an incident on public transport has fueled a new wave of outrage and accusations against the countrys morality police one year after unrest swept the country. Armita Geravand, 16, suffered a "severe physical assault" at the hands of government agents Sunday for allegedly violating the country's strict Islamic dress code, according to a prominent Kurdish rights group. Armita Geravand 16 year old Iranian girl in a coma (via X) The case has been shared widely across social media, drawing comparisons to that of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman whose death in a hospital last year after being detained by the morality police sparked a wave of mass protests. Speaking to state-run media, authorities have denied the allegations of any physical altercation and say Geravand fainted after a drop in blood pressure. State-run media has published what it says is security footage from the Tehran subway station, but not of what happened inside the car leaving much unclear as anger builds. Tehran dismissed growing global outrage Thursday, accusing Western countries of "insincere concern." What we know Video appearing to show a girl with short black hair that is uncovered entering a train, then subsequently being dragged out unconscious onto the platform, was broadcast by state-run news agencies. NBC News cannot verify the authenticity of the footage, which is grainy, has been edited and does not show what might have caused the girl to collapse inside the train. Hengaw, an Iranian Kurdish rights group based in Norway, said in a blog post Tuesday that the 16-year-old was assaulted by officers enforcing the mandatory hijab. The organization alleged she fell into a coma Sunday. The group posted a photo on social media Tuesday that it said showed Geravand in bed at an air force hospitals intensive care unit. It said authorities had imposed strict security measures around the hospital and her family. Armita Garavand Iran Morality Police Hijab (Hengaw Organization for Human Rights) Reuters, citing two unnamed prominent rights activists inside Iran, reported that security forces were heavily involved around the hospital. NBC News has not verified that reporting. Authorities have pushed back publicly. The head of the Tehran Metro, Masoud Dorosti, told local media that a girl was undergoing treatment in a Tehran hospital after an incident on the subway. But he said that the security footage suggested she had fallen to the ground after a drop in blood pressure, with no sign of an altercation. A couple identified as Geravand's parents echoed that version in a video posted online by the state-run news agency IRNA. They said the girl experienced a drop in blood pressure, fainted and hit her head. IRNA also published what it said were interviews with two girls identified by their first names and as classmates of Geravand who were with her on the day who also said she had fallen and hit her head without being pushed. Human rights groups have frequently accused Iranian authorities of forcing families or friends of those involved in such incidents to deliver statements under duress. Girls are subjected to violence on the streets, and then their families are compelled to protect the government responsible for that violence, said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, an organization based in New York. Global outrage The alleged attack on Geravand has drawn international condemnation. The United States was "shocked and concerned about reports that Irans so-called morality police have assaulted 16-year-old Armita Geravand," Abram Paley, deputy special envoy for Iran, said Wednesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "We are following news of her condition," he said, adding that reports that a journalist was arrested "while investigating this assault is also unacceptable and an affront to journalistic freedoms." In another post on X, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in part: Once again a young woman in #Iran is fighting for her life. Just because she showed her hair on the subway. Its unbearable. Iranian American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad said on X that she was heartbroken and posted photos appearing to show the girl with a breathing tube in her mouth. And many on social media have pointed to the absence of published CCTV footage from inside the train. Refusing to publish the footage only increases doubts about the official narrative, the Oslo-based organization Iran Human Rights said in a statement. Iran's parliament on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, approved a bill to impose heavier penalties on women who refuse to wear the mandatory Islamic headscarf in public and those who support them (Vahid Salemi / AP) Responding to the outcry, the Iranian Foreign Ministry accused the U.S., Britain and Germany of insincere concern. Instead of interventionist and biased remarks and expressing insincere concern over Iranian women and girls, youd better be concerned about U.S., German and UK healthcare personnel, patients and tackle their situation, spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said on X. The case carries unmistakable echoes of Amini, whose death sparked a nationwide protest movement that rocked the Islamic Republic. In the year since, authorities have largely quelled the protests and launched an intense effort to strictly enforce the Islamic dress code. But many women now choose to walk the streets without a headscarf, defying the state. There is ongoing disquiet about the country's ailing economy, as well as its rigid prohibitions against social freedoms, which drove the protest movement calling for greater gender equality. Photograph: Kim Chandler/AP Alabama officially has a new congressional map that will increase the power of Black voters in the state, giving them the chance to elect their preferred candidate in at least two of the states seven congressional districts in 2024. The decision could help Democrats secure a majority in the US House next year. After the US supreme court twice rebuffed Alabamas request to block drawing an additional district, a three-judge panel chose the new map on Thursday from three proposals offered by Richard Allen, a court-appointed special master. Black voters make up about a quarter of the population in the state, but comprised a majority in just one of the states seven congressional districts under the map Republicans adopted. The new plan maintains a majority in one of the states districts and creates a second district where Black voters make up 48.7% of the population. That percentage is enough to allow Black voters in the district a chance to elect the candidate of their choosing, the special masters analysis showed. BREAKING: A federal court has ordered Alabama to use this congressional map for the 2024 elections. It includes two districts (No. 2 and 7) where Black Alabamians have a realistic opportunity to elect their preferred candidate, likely Democratshttps://t.co/khPlUBVPyw pic.twitter.com/JJtnVaNczW Hansi Lo Wang (he/him) (@hansilowang) October 5, 2023 Black-preferred candidates in the district would have won 16 or 17 recent elections analyzed by the special master. The plan the judges chose splits just six counties and left the cities of Mobile and Birmingham largely whole. In total, the panel ruled, the proposal they adopted made as few changes necessary from the plan the legislature adopted to cure the illegal dilution of Black votes. The new district stretches from the city of Mobile across Alabamas Black belt, named for its rich topsoil. The region has been marked by extreme poverty and the new district will give voters there more of a voice at the federal level. Under the Voting Rights Act and binding precedent, the appropriate remedy for racially discriminatory vote dilution is, as we already said, a congressional districting plan that includes either an additional majority-Black district, or an additional district in which Black voters otherwise have an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice, the judges said in their order. This plan satisfies all constitutional and statutory requirements while hewing as closely as reasonably possible to the Alabama legislatures 2023 plan. Voting in Alabama is highly racially polarized, with Black voters preferring Democrats and white voters preferring Republicans in a general election. Any district that allows Black voters to elect the candidate of their choosing is therefore likely to favor Democrats. Republicans currently have a razor-thin 221-212 advantage in Congresss lower chamber. The Alabama secretary of state, Wes Allen, a Republican elected last year, said in a statement the state would facilitate the 2024 election cycle in accordance with the map the federal court has forced upon Alabama and ordered us to use. Alabama Republicans fought aggressively to try and stave off creating an additional Black opportunity district. After the three judge panel initially struck down its map last year, it appealed to the US supreme court, which upheld the lower courts ruling in a surprise move. Alabama then essentially defied both courts, drawing a new map that preserved a Black majority in just one district and increased the Black population in a second district to 41%, not enough to give Black voters the chance to elect the candidate of their choosing. The three-judge panel bluntly rejected that effort, saying it was disturbed by the evidence that the state delayed remedial proceedings but ultimately did not even nurture the ambition to provide the required remedy. Alabama again appealed to the US supreme court, which declined to step in and stop redrawing of the map. The case is seen as a major victory for section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits any practice that discriminates on the basis of race. Conservatives have long sought to hollow out the law by making it harder to prove racial discrimination under section 2. The fact that the conservative US supreme court agreed Alabama had crossed a line in this case was understood as a signal that the provision still has some force. Litigation is proceeding on similar grounds in Louisiana and Georgia, which could result in similar additional Black opportunity districts. Last week, the US court of appeals for the fifth circuit took the highly unusual move of stepping in to halt the redrawing of the states congressional map. In spite of the shameful intransigence of Alabama Republicans, justice has finally prevailed in the state. With this new, fairer map, and for the first time ever, Black voters in Alabama could have two members of Congress representing their interests at the same time. This historic development will strengthen voting rights and ensure equal representation for so many Americans, said the former attorney general Eric Holder, whose non-profit backed some of the plaintiffs in the case. He added: Other states with pending section 2 cases should view this map, and this process, as both an example of basic fairness and a warning that denying equal representation to Black voters, violating the Voting Rights Act, and defying federal court orders is a direct tie to an odious past and will no longer be tolerated. Kevin McCarthy The US House of Representatives is looking for its next Speaker after Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a right-wing revolt from within his own party. Two leading contenders have emerged but, with Republicans in tumult, it is not clear who will take up the gavel, or when. Republicans control the lower chamber of Congress with a very narrow majority. So when eight rebels joined the Democrats last week, McCarthy's fate was sealed in a 216-210 vote. It was the first time a House Speaker, one of the top jobs in US politics, has been removed in this way. Why was Kevin McCarthy removed? The rebellion was led by Florida congressman Matt Gaetz after Mr McCarthy relied on Democratic votes to get a short-term spending deal passed and narrowly averted a government shutdown. Mr Gaetz accused him of making a "secret side deal" that weekend with President Biden on Ukraine aid. But really this was the final act in a bitter saga that has been simmering all year between the Speaker and a right-wing faction in his party. Those lawmakers tried to block his election to the post in January, saying he could not be trusted to enact conservative priorities. In their view, he proved that by striking a deal with Democrats in June to raise the debt ceiling without deep spending cuts. Now they are the ones being accused of treachery - some Republicans are openly talking about expelling Mr Gaetz. No Democrat voted to save Mr McCarthy, with the party saying he had broken promises to them, as well. How is McCarthy being replaced? On a temporary basis, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina - a close ally of Mr McCarthy - was appointed as the interim Speaker. He does not have the power to run the chamber but "may exercise such authorities of the office of speaker as may be necessary and appropriate pending the election of a Speaker", according to House rules. That would appear to rule out bringing legislation to the floor. In the coming days, Republicans will debate among themselves who should become the full-time Speaker. There will be a candidate forum on Tuesday, followed by a possible vote on Wednesday or Thursday. In January, it took Mr McCarthy 15 votes over four days to finally be elected. Given the bad blood over his removal, and the unresolved disputes between moderate Republicans and the party's right-wingers, whoever takes over will face a steep challenge of uniting warring factions. Who could replace McCarthy as Speaker? Two top names have emerged: Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan. Mr Scalise, from Louisiana, is Mr McCarthy's former deputy. Mr Jordan of Ohio is a conservative rebel turned party insider. A third man, Kevin Hern, has stepped aside after initially indicating interest. Former President Donald Trump has stoked speculation that he would take up the job on a short-term basis if Republicans needed more time to decide - though the party's own leadership regulations technically bar him from doing so. Mr McCarthy had initially ruled out running again, but has since said he will do "whatever the conference wants". Why does it matter? The Speaker runs the chamber and is second in line for the presidency. For nearly a week there has been a vacuum at the top of US government that could persist if Republicans do not decide soon. There are also important issues the House needs to address in the coming weeks - agreeing an annual budget to avoid a shutdown, deciding on aid to Ukraine and how to proceed with the impeachment inquiry of Joe Biden. With Israel now at war after a shock attack by Hamas, the House could also need to approve an aid package for the major US ally. A deeper, more long-lasting consequence is a reputational one. Polling suggests that confidence in government has been falling among Americans for some time. This chaos may harden that feeling further and add to a sense that the US political system just isn't working. The McRib is making its triumphant return nearly a year after McDonald's said "farewell" to the iconic sandwich. The popular fast-food chain announced Wednesday that the McRib will be back in limited supply starting November. "It turns out not everyone was ready to say goodbye to the McRib after last year's Farewell Tour," McDonald's said in a news release. "While it won't be available nationwide, some lucky fans may find their favorite elusive saucy sandwich at their local McDonald's restaurants this November." (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) What's in the sandwich? The notorious 520-calorie sandwich contains just five simple ingredients: seasoned boneless pork dipped in BBQ sauce, sliced onions, and dill pickles in a toasted homestyle bun. "When everything combines you have BBQ pork sandwich perfection," McDonald's said. The McRib's farewell tour Last October, McDonald's launched a "farewell tour" for the McRib, bringing the sandwich back to its menus for a month, but the company teased that a comeback was possible, CBS Philadelphia reported. "Like any true farewell tour, we're hoping this isn't a 'goodbye' but a 'see you later,'" the restaurant said in a news release. "You never know when or if the McRib is coming back." McDonald's first added the McRib to menus in Kansas City in 1981, according to CBS News Austin. The chain pulled it from its menu four years later, but the sandwich has become a cult favorite among McDonald's loyalists in recent years. It was previously sold regionally before expanding to all of its US restaurants in 2020, CBS News Austin reported. Furniture company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams went bankrupt overnight. Here's how. Saturday Sessions: Alvvays performs "Easy On Your Own?" Saturday Sessions: Alvvays performs "After the Earthquake" New Mexico's top law enforcement official announced this week that a police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of a Black man at a gas station last summer. Las Cruces Officer Brad Lunsford was booked Tuesday, but officials did not detain him, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez told reporters at a news conference. Lunsford allegedly shot Presley Eze at a Chevron gas station on the afternoon of Aug. 2, 2022 after an employee called 911 to report that Eze had left the store without paying for a beer, according to the attorney general's office. Lunsford was the first officer to arrive to the scene. Lunsford questioned Eze and, after he was "unable to verify Eze's identity," the officer "forcibly removed Eze from the vehicle in order to detain him," the attorney general's office said in a news release. Police apprehend Presley Eze at a gas station in New Mexico on Aug. 2, 2022. (KOB) Eze, who was unarmed and shirtless, allegedly resisted attempts to take him into custody. The attorney general's office said a "scuffle ensued," with Eze ending up on the ground, on top of one of the officers who responded. Eze put his hand on the second officer's taser and, in response, Lunsford pulled out his gun and shot Eze on the left side of his head at point-blank range, according to the news release. Luis Robles, Lunsford's lawyer, did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment Thursday. Eze was the oldest son of Nigerian immigrants who lived in Connecticut, according to a family spokesman who spoke at the attorney general's news conference Tuesday. He worked at a nursing home in Las Cruces, the spokesman said. The attorney general's office investigated the killing, consulting with experts on the use of force who reviewed body camera footage and determined that the officer's use of deadly force was "not reasonable under the circumstances." "The killing of Presley Eze is a tragedy and serves as yet another example of poor police tactics resulting in an unjustifiable use of force to subdue an individual resisting arrest for the commission of a minor crime," Torrez told reporters. Police killings of Black people across the United States in recent years have drawn wide attention, sparking waves of social justice protests and renewing attention on allegations of police brutality. By Dave Graham MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico on Thursday rejected U.S. plans to build new sections of wall at the U.S.-Mexico border as top officials from both countries met in the Mexican capital to discuss immigration and security. Before sitting down with U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the latest wall plan as a "step backwards". Amid an increase in the number of people crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, the United States said it would build additional sections of border wall in Starr County, Texas, carrying forward a signature policy of the Trump administration. At the talks, officials pledged to step up cooperation to combat drug trafficking, organized crime and to ease migratory pressures on the border. Afterwards, Mexico's Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena underlined Mexico's opposition to the wall. "We believe in bridges, not in walls," she said, speaking at a press conference alongside Blinken and Mayorkas. Lopez Obrador has praised U.S. President Joe Biden for not building more border wall during his administration. The barrier was a major bone of contention between the United States and Mexico during Donald Trump's presidency. The U.S. government said Thursday's action did not deviate from Biden's opposition to the wall because money that was allocated during Trump's term in 2019 had to be spent now. Barcena indicated the U.S. funds would not necessarily be used for erecting walls. "I understand it's not going to be via walls, it'll be via technologies, it'll be via other kinds of installations," she said. "I think this is what Secretary Mayorkas was kind enough to explain to us, because obviously we expressed our concern." The U.S. delegation had explained the budget situation and that the measures did not represent a new policy, she said. Still, 2024 is presidential election year in both the United States and Mexico and the resurgence of the wall could become a significant talking point on both sides of the border. Lopez Obrador blamed the extreme right of the Republican Party for pushing the administration of Biden, a Democrat, to approve construction of new sections of the wall. Blinken said he had an "extremely positive, productive conversation" with Lopez Obrador, and expressed confidence that Mexico would help the U.S. on the opioid fentanyl, which is illicitly manufactured and a major cause of overdoses, according to U.S. health authorities. During his meeting with Lopez Obrador, Blinken thanked him for Mexico's efforts leading to the Sept. 15 extradition of Ovidio Guzman, a son of incarcerated kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. U.S. officials have depicted Ovidio and some of his brothers as major traffickers of fentanyl to the U.S. However, roadside banners that appeared this week stated the Guzman siblings have banned production and sales of fentanyl in their stronghold, the northern state of Sinaloa. Who is most responsible for the fentanyl problem is contentious. Mexican Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez told the press conference that Mexico does not produce fentanyl, and only serves as a transit point for the drug going north. Still, Barcena said clandestine fentanyl labs had cropped up in Mexico, and were being rooted out. (Reporting by Dave Graham; Additional reporting by Ismail Shakil and Simon LewisEditing by Howard Goller, Sandra Maler and Grant McCool) Facing a pileup of spending bills and a possible government shutdown, 20 Republican senators led by Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.) say they will delay any legislation moving on the Senate floor that does not relate directly to funding the government. Scott circulated a letter at the Senate Republican lunch Wednesday warning Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) that GOP lawmakers will not tolerate further delay to the annual appropriations bills, none of which has yet passed the Senate. Nothing can stand in the way of this work. For this reason, we the undersigned senators pledge to withhold our support for any vote to proceed to items unrelated to appropriations bills, the senators wrote. The GOP senators are warning Schumer not to bring any non-appropriations bills to the Senate floor because they fear that letting the spending legislation pile up until December will inevitably lead to Congress passing another massive omnibus spending package. We urge you to present a plan to the Republican Conference for how you intend to pass the remaining appropriations bills and conference them with the House in a manner that respects an open amendment process and which does not end in a December omnibus spending package, they wrote. The senators, however, pledged to consider the spending bills expeditiously if Schumer commits to a plan for passing them in an orderly way and with an open amendment process. The signatories include Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (Wyo.), GOP Policy Committee Chairwoman Joni Ernst (Iowa) and GOP Conference Vice Chairwoman Shelley Moore-Capito (W.Va.). Sens. Mike Braun (Ind.), Katie Britt (Ala.), Ted Cruz (Texas), Mike Lee (Utah), Kevin Cramer (N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Roger Marshall (Kan.), Eric Schmitt (Mo.), Thom Tillis (N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (Ala.) and Roger Wicker (Miss.) also signed the letter. Republicans on Wednesday expressed frustration over Schumers decision not to bring a spending bill to the floor this week before senators leave for the Columbus Day recess. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the vice chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said she was puzzled why Schumer instead scheduled votes on noncontroversial nominees this week. Cornyn on Tuesday called for Schumer to cancel the recess so senators would have more time to debate the annual spending days. We had 45 days from Saturday to fund the government on an ongoing basis, and the majority leader has chosen to send the members of the Senate home for the next two weeks. Its outrageous. Its irresponsible. The American people deserve better, he said. Cornyn on Wednesday told Schumer to quit wasting time and get moving on the appropriations bills right away. That sentiment was echoed by the senators who signed Scotts letter to Schumer. There is no more important work for the Senate during this time than debating, amending and passing appropriations bills without resorting to a giant package dumped on the conference right before the December holiday, they wrote. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Does a person with a disability need to face physical discrimination from a hotel to warrant a lawsuit or is the hotels failure to provide their accessibility information online enough? What if they have no intention of visiting the hotel? Its a distinction that the Supreme Court will have to decide in the case of Acheson Hotels LLC v Deborah Laufer, should they even decide to rule on the initial question presented. The case, which the Court agreed to hear in March, was raised by Deborah Laufer, a woman living with multiple sclerosis . She filed a lawsuit against Acheson Hotels LLC for failing to provide accessibility information for their hotel in Maine. Its as if you went up to a reservation desk in a wheelchair and the hotel had a practice of just ignoring anyone in a wheelchair telling them to just call a number, Kelsi Brown Corkan, the attorney representing Ms Laufer said during oral arguments on Wednesday. There is a dignity harm in being treated as invisible and not as a potential participant in the marketplace, she added. Laufer acknowledges that she had no intention of staying at the hotels. Like any Supreme Court case, there are some complications. But at its core, the case raises concerns about information accessibility online. Ms Laufer acts as a self-appointed tester for other people living with disabilities to ensure hotels are acting in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the 1990 law meant to protect the rights of people with disabilities and make public establishments more accessible. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 40, she noted the difficulty in finding accessible travel and chose to file hundreds of lawsuits against hotels for failing to provide accessible information online. One of the more than 500 she filed included Coast Village Inn and Cottages, a small hotel once owned by Acheson Hotels LLC. But Acheson Hotels refuted Ms Laufers claims, saying she did not face harmful discrimination because she had no intention of visiting. In this case, we think what really happened here was that there was a bar to accessing the hotel which doesnt become relevant until the plaintiff actually tries to do that, Adam Unikowsky, the attorney representing Acheson Hotels LLC, said on Wednesday. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch both questioned how someone experiences discrimination on a website, seemingly empathizing with Mr Unikowskys perspective. Former senator Tom Harkin, one of the chief sponsors of the ADA, said the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 addressed these questions about websites. And that's there in terms of accessibility of technology, websites, everything else, Mr Harkin, who retired from the Senate in 2015, told The Independent. They're supposed to be accessible. I don't know about testing. But why can't she check and see if they're accessible or not? On the other hand, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who has Type 1 diabetes, pointed out how the internet has had a pivotal role in providing necessary information to people with disabilities and a lack of accessibility may be a problem. The Court will need to ruminate on these points to determine an answer to the question presented, another issue is humming in the background: whether the case is even worth ruling on. Over the summer, Ms Laufer withdrew her lawsuit against Acheson Hotels after her former attorney received disciplinary action for improper conduct because he misrepresented the work he did related to ADA lawsuits. As a result, Ms Laufer filed a motion to have the case dismissed something she did to avoid tainting the suit to appear less legitimate in her fight to advocate for people with disabilities, according to The Washington Post. But Acheson Hotels asked the court to oppose Ms Laufers motion, despite the company no longer operating the hotel that the lawsuits initially targeted. Part of Mr Unikowskys arguments is that the Court should set a precedent to no longer allow people like Ms Laufer to file hundreds of lawsuits against companies and then settle to receive money. In a filing, Mr Unikowsky said These lawsuits burdened small businesses, clogged the judicial system, and undermined the Executive Branchs exclusive authority to enforce federal law. Selma Blair (R), Actress and Disability Rights Advocate, introduces U.S. President Joe Biden during an event honoring the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act (Rehab Act) at the White House on 2 October 2023 (Getty Images) The court hearing comes just days after President Joe Biden hosted an event at the White House celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act. In a sign of how inaccessible even events meant to celebrate people with disabilities were, the event was held on the South Lawn of the White House with only two runways laid out for people with disabilities, meaning some people had to push extra hard to move through the grass. Mr Biden spoke about the increase in accessibility that has come for people with disabilities since the two landmark laws, both of which he co-sponsored in the US Senate, passed. But many disability rights activists expressed concern about the fact the law for which they celebrated could be unraveled. "We certainly want to make sure that the ADA survives everything, Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois told The Independent. So, you know, to the extent that it could be a bad judgment of the Supreme Court, Im hoping that the justices will see better. Should the Court decide to issue a ruling on the original question presented, a decision in favour of Acheson Hotels could limit the ability of ADA testers to hold places of public accommodation accountable in their accessible information online. Senator Tammy Duckworth, who lost both her legs when her helicopter was shot while serving in Iraq, expressed concern about the case. Well see how it goes, but I think weve got a good case, she told The Independent during the event at the White House. Ms Duckworth has spoken out previously about how she continues to face discrimination for her disabilities. At an event in July with the American Association of People with Disabilities, Ms Duckworth spoke about how she went to see the Barbie movie with her daughters but was not able to see it since the cinema staff only told her that the elevator was broken after she purchased their tickets. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) arrives for a briefing on Ukraine at the U.S. Capitol on September 20, 2023 (Getty Images) The latest Supreme Court case comes as the Biden administration has implemented new rules to expand protections for people with disabilities. Last week, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities announced that it would designate people with disabilities as a population with health disparities, which would open up federal dollars for research. In July, the Department of Transportation announced a new rule that would require airline toilets be more accessible for people with disabilities. Susan Mizner of the ACLUs Disability Rights Program said in a press release that, absent robust federal monitoring and enforcement, civil rights testers fill a critical role in ensuring businesses nationwide are in compliance with the ADAs accessibility requirements. "I think its already tenuous the way you know how we can actually get the law enforced," Jim LeBrecht, a disability rights activist and filmmaker who directed the Academy Award-nominated movie Crip Camp, told The Independent. Mr LeBrecht criticised how Mr Unikowsky argued that people with disabilities should make a polite phone call or email to hotels to update their accessibility information online than a lawsuit. "I am truly without words hearing that because the law has been around for a long time," Mr LeBrecht said. The people that actually spent the money to become accessible, how dare they try to defend themselves by saying: Well, if you were more polite about this. They just didnt want to do it. Mike Dulak grew up Catholic in Southern California, but by his teen years, he began skipping Mass and driving straight to the shore to play guitar, watch the waves and enjoy the beauty of the morning. And it felt more spiritual than any time I set foot in a church, he recalled. Nothing has changed that view in the ensuing decades. Most religions are there to control people and get money from them, said Dulak, now 76, of Rocheport, Missouri. He also cited sex abuse scandals in Catholic and Southern Baptist churches. I cant buy into that, he said. As Dulak rejects being part of a religious flock, he has plenty of company. He is a none no, not that kind of nun. The kind that checks none when pollsters ask Whats your religion? The decades-long rise of the nones a diverse, hard-to-summarize group is one of the most talked about phenomena in U.S. religion. They are reshaping America's religious landscape as we know it. In U.S. religion today, the most important story without a shadow of a doubt is the unbelievable rise in the share of Americans who are nonreligious, said Ryan Burge, a political science professor at Eastern Illinois University and author of The Nones, a book on the phenomenon. The nones account for a large portion of Americans, as shown by the 30% of U.S. adults who claim no religious affiliation in a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Other major surveys say the nones have been steadily increasing for as long as three decades. So who are they? Theyre the atheists, the agnostics, the nothing in particular. Many are spiritual but not religious, and some are neither or both. They span class, gender, age, race and ethnicity. While the nones diversity splinters them into myriad subgroups, most of them have this in common: They. Really. Dont. Like. Organized. Religion. Nor its leaders. Nor its politics and social stances. Thats according to a large majority of nones in the AP-NORC survey. But theyre not just a statistic. They're real people with unique relationships to belief and nonbelief, and the meaning of life. Theyre secular homeschoolers in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Pittsburghers working to overcome addiction. Theyre a mandolin maker in a small Missouri town, a former evangelical disillusioned with that particular strain of American Christianity. Theyre college students who found their childhood churches unpersuasive or unwelcoming. Church was not very good for me, said Emma Komoroski, a University of Missouri freshman who left her childhood Catholicism in her mid-teens. Im a lesbian. So that was kind of like, oh, I didnt really fit, and people dont like me. The nones also are people like Alric Jones, who cited bad experiences with organized religion ranging from the intolerant churches of his hometown to the ministry that kept soliciting money from his devout late wife even after Jones lost his job and income after an injury. They should have come to us and said, Is there something we can do to help you? said Jones, 71, of central Michigan. They kept sending us letters saying, Why arent you sending us money? Although he doesnt believe in organized religion, he believes in God and basic ethical precepts. People should be treated equally as long as they treat other people equally. Thats my spirituality if you want to call it that. These days, if a visiting relative wants to attend church, hell go along, but Im not prone to listening to anybody telling me this is the way it should be, Jones said. About 1 in 6 U.S. adults, including Jones and Dulak, is a nothing in particular. There are as many of them as atheists and agnostics combined (7% each). All the media attention is on atheists and agnostics, when most nones are not atheist or agnostic, Burge said. Many embrace a range of spiritual beliefs from God, prayer and heaven to karma, reincarnation, astrology or energy in crystals. They are definitely not as turned off to religion as atheists and agnostics are, Burge said. They practice their own type of spirituality, many of them. Dulak still draws inspiration from nature. It just feels so good to be next to something so timeless, he said, sitting in his yard in the Missouri River town he now calls home. He finds similar fulfillment in his two-story workshop, where he makes the latest of thousands of mandolins he has created over the decades, enabling people to share the joy of music. It feels spiritually good, Dulak said. Its not a religion. Burge said the nones are rising as the Christian population declines, particularly the mainline or moderate to liberal Protestants. This is not just some academic exercise for me, said Burge, who pastors a dwindling American Baptist church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Its what Ive seen every single Sunday of my life the last 16 years. The statistics show the nones are well-represented in every age group, but especially among young adults. About four in 10 of those under 30 are nones nearly as many as say they're Christians. The trend was evident in interviews on the University of Missouri campus. Several students said they didnt identify with a religion. Mia Vogel said she likes the foundations of a lot of religions just love everybody, accept everybody. But she considers herself more spiritual. Im pretty into astrology. Ive got my crystals charging up in my window right now, she said. Honestly, Ill bet half of it is a total placebo. But I just like the idea that things in life can be explained by greater forces. One movement that exemplifies the spiritual but not religious ethos is the Twelve Step sobriety program, pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous and adopted by other recovery groups. Participants turn to a power greater than ourselves the God of each persons own understanding but they dont share any creed. If you look at the religions, they have been wracked by scandals, it doesnt matter the denomination, said the Rev. Jay Geisler, an Episcopal priest who is spiritual advisor at the Pittsburgh Recovery Center, an addiction treatment site. In contrast, theres actually a spiritual revival in the basement of many of the churches, where recovery groups often meet, he said. For some, Geisler said, the God of their understanding is GUS, for Guy UpStairs. Or SAM, for Sure Aint Me. Nobodys fighting in those rooms, theyre not saying, Youre wrong about God, Geisler said. The focus is on how your life is changed. Participants echoed those thoughts recently at the center. In keeping with the Twelve Step tradition of anonymity, they shared their experiences on condition only their first names be used. I grew up Methodist, but I dont follow any religion, said John, 32. I dont believe in a big, bearded dude in the sky. But after surviving overdoses, he knows that something has been watching over me. Some identified as Christian, but skip evangelizing in favor of supporting each others individual paths. I dont push my belief on anybody, said Linda, 57. The pain bonds us. Those interviewed said their newfound community is essential to their recovery and the lack of community contributed to their initial fall into addiction. Scholars worry that, as people pull away from congregations and other social groups, they are losing sources of communal support. But nones said in interviews they were happy to leave religion behind, particularly in toxic situations, and find community elsewhere. Jones agreed that church connections can have benefits but not for him. When you need references and you need other things, those people are there to support you, he said. But again, what are you willing to sacrifice of your own beliefs to develop that kind of relationship? Marjorie Logman, 75, of Aurora, Illinois, now finds community among other residents in her multigenerational apartment complex. She doesnt miss the evangelical circles she was long active in. The farther away I get, the freer I feel, she said, criticizing churches for prioritizing money over caring for people. She recalled seeing church leaders tell people with depression their problem was sin or demonic possession piling guilt upon unaddressed mental illness. When she was recovering from an injury at a nursing home in 2010, Logman said, her husband was home by himself in despair and died before she could return home. She said her pastor refused to visit him because he hadnt been involved in church. She now identifies as agnostic. Im not throwing in the towel on everything, she said. I still believe in a higher consciousness. Even far from urban centers, nones are finding community. Adria Cays and Ashley Miller, who live in nearby towns in northwest Arkansas, helped found a group for parents homeschooling according to secular principles. Even in a predominately Christian region of the Ozarks, they found people like us who were approaching education and just raising their children from a more secular view, said Miller, 35. The women's families regularly share hiking adventures on Instagram. While they dont describe their explorations as spiritual, they aim to inspire wonder and purpose in their children. We really want them to have a deep connection to nature, said Cays, 43. Added Miller: We are part of something bigger, and that is the Earth. There is meaning just in being. __ AP journalists Linley Sanders, Emily Swanson and Jessie Wardarski contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. ___ The poll of 1,680 adults was conducted May 11-15 using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. Khartoum, Oct 5 (UNI) Nine civilians have been killed and 15 more have been wounded as a result of a strike on a medical center at a mosque in Khartoum Bahri, a city to the north of Khartoum, by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, Sudanese armed forces spokesman Nabil Abdallah said Wednesday. "The dissolved rebel Rapid Support Forces have shelled a medical center at a mosque in Bahri, having killed nine civilians and injured 15 others," Abdallah said. The paramilitary group has yet to make an official statement on the shelling. On April 15, violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese army and the RSF. Paramilitary commander Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo accused Abdel Fattah Burhan, the head of the Sudanese sovereignty council and commander of the armed forces, of being reluctant to hand over power to the civilian government. The parties to the conflict have since introduced a number of temporary nationwide ceasefires, but none has helped settle the conflict. The UN estimates the death toll from the conflict in the hundreds, while the Red Cross has warned that extended hostilities risk crumbling the country's healthcare system. UNI/SPUTNIK AKS What will it take for those in Congress who all have been on the sidelines and refuse to do anything meaningful around guns to join their colleagues who have been long in the fight? said Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott. The Morgan State University community is rattled after Baltimore police say a gunman opened fire into a crowd of people as they were leaving a homecoming event Tuesday night. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott told theGrio that this incident highlights the need for gun reform and that Congress needs to take action. Morgan State University Police Chief Lance Hatcher speaks at a news conference after a shooting on campus, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Baltimore. Multiple people were wounded, none critically, in a shooting that interrupted a homecoming week celebration at the university in Baltimore on Tuesday and prompted an hourslong lockdown of the historically Black college. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) Gun violence has been an epidemic in our countrylonger than Ive been alive, said Mayor Scott. What will it take for those in Congress who all have been on the sidelines and refuse to do anything meaningful around guns to join their colleagues who have been long in the fight? What will it take for them to do something? he continued. The Baltimore City mayor told theGrio that Congress should ban ghost guns, assault rifles and printable 3-D guns to curb gun violence. Around 9 p.m. Tuesday evening, a crowd of people exited the universitys Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center following the annual coronation where Mr. and Miss Morgan State University are crowned during homecoming week. Jamal Brandon, a junior at Morgan State University and the chapter president of the schools Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., witnessed the ordeal and told theGrio, Everything when it first started was going on without a hitch. The coronation went beautifully, and then as we all left the concert hallto just congregate and just take pictures and whatnot, the shooting apparently started at the new Thurgood [building], Brandon recalled. One of the stray bullets hit Murphy, and thats when people started to panic and started running. U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., told theGrio that he agrees with Mayor Scott. I think its important for us to make sure we try to have a comprehensive and coordinated approach to fighting gun violence, and I think that includes additional action from Congress for sure, said the congressman. I think part of that is going to include legislative efforts in Congress, legislative efforts in Annapolis and the local jurisdictions. Ivey added, I think we have to be very thorough in working through solutions to this deeply ingrained and horrific problem that we have here in the United States. Holmes Hall at historically Black college Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland is shown. Following the Supreme Courts affirmative action ruling, Morgan State President David Wilson supports increasing government financing for HBCUs as they develop into the models of diversity in American higher education. (Photo: Adobe Stock) The Maryland lawmaker, who is currently working on legislation that aims to ban assault rifles, told theGrio, Its ironic that this is the week were remembering Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and she was the primary author of the assault weapons ban that lasted for ten years. [The ban] had a measurable impact in reducing gun violence. We need to try and get back to that, he said. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Calif., a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force on Capitol Hill, told theGrio that Congress should be doing more. Unfortunately, in this moment, were at a standstill because we dont have a speaker, and probably one of the reasons why we havent been able to take up gun reform is because we had a speaker and a majority that doesnt care about gun violence, said Kamlager-Dove. They dont care about young people now having to integrate shooting drills into their daily school activities. The California lawmaker told theGrio, I hope that the next speaker will come in with eyes wide open to recognize that this is a critical issue and gun violence in the United States is an existential threat. The incident at Morgan State last night marks the third year in a row that a shooting has taken place on the universitys campus around homecoming. In 2022, a 20-year-old man was shot while attending a homecoming party on the universitys campus. The victim was in stable condition following the shooting and survived his injuries. In 2021, while current students and alumni participated in homecoming festivities, a gunman opened fire, shooting an 18-year-old male student in the chest. The victim survived his injuries after being treated at a local hospital. Mayor Scott said Morgan State University is a national treasure, adding, I call Morgan State, Baltimores University, and were going to continue to support such a great institution. A police officer searches for evidence in front of a building at Morgan State University after a shooting, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson) We wont let one incident where someone decided to cowardly shoot in a crowd, outshine the greatness that those students and staff and the executive team at Morgan produce each and every day, said Scott. At this time, the gunman is still at large, and the Baltimore City Police Department is working in conjunction with the Morgan State University Police Department to investigate the shooting. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Baltimore mayor calls out Congress for gun reform after Morgan State University shooting appeared first on TheGrio. JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP) Two bears on an Alaska military base raided a Krispy Kreme doughnut van that was stopped outside a convenience store during its delivery route. The driver usually left his doors open when he stopped at the store but this time a sow and one of her cubs that loiter nearby sauntered inside, where they stayed for probably 20 minutes Tuesday morning, said Shelly Deano, the store manager for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson JMM Express. The bears chomped on doughnut holes and other pastries, ignoring the banging on the side of the van that was aimed at shooing them away, Deano said. I was beating on the van and they're not moving. I could hear them breaking open the packages and everything, she said. I was like, 'They dont even care.' When the bears couldn't be roused, base security was called and sounded sirens meant to scare away the bears, she said. The bears eventually came out and wandered in front of the convenience store and gas station a bit before heading into the woods. It's not unusual to see bears on base or around the store but nothing like this has happened before, Deano said, adding that the delivery driver now closes his doors when he stops at the shop. Were cautious when we come in, when we leave. When we take out garbage, we do it in pairs, especially if its dark, she said. Capt. Lexi Smith, a spokesperson at the base, said authorities on base are aware of this and other wildlife situations throughout the past several months. We urge the public to use caution to ensure you are protecting our wildlife and yourselves. Wildlife may be our neighbor, but they should not be attracted to our human food sources, she said by email. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will investigate possible racial discrimination in Alabamas management of funds that can be used to bolster sewage infrastructure. In a notice issued Tuesday, the Biden administration said it will look into whether the state excludes residents from participating in its water infrastructure program or denies them benefits on the basis of race. The decision comes after civil rights and environmental groups accused Alabama of discriminating against Black residents through the management of its clean water funds. Their complaint states that Alabama makes it impossible for people who need help with onsite sanitation to access this money a problem that disproportionately harm[s] Alabamas Black residents. Specifically, they say that Alabamas Department of Environmental Management blocks access to the funds in a number of ways, including not considering financial need, conducting inadequate outreach to disadvantaged communities and giving few points in its scoring system to people who use at-home sewer systems rather than public systems. In doing so, they argue that the state perpetuates harms caused by sewage exposure and denies Black residents an equal opportunity to compete for federal funding. The fact that the EPA is investigating does not mean that the allegations will be substantiated. In fact, the EPA recently dropped a civil rights probe into Louisiana, saying it did not find civil rights violations there. Under the Biden administration, EPA Administrator Michael Regan has toured a number of states, looking to address racial and other forms of inequality linked to environmental issues. The state of Alabama disagrees with the allegations underlying the agencys newest probe. Alabama has made addressing the wastewater and drinking water needs of disadvantaged communities a priority in awarding federal funding, said M. Lynn Battle, a spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, in an email. Battle said that in 2022, 34 percent of the wastewater and drinking water funding awarded by the agency went to communities in the Black Belt region the one that the civil rights complaint says is facing harms. She said the department recognizes the challenges faced by poor, disadvantaged and minority communities due to inadequate resources and welcomes the opportunity to provide information to EPA to counter the allegations in the complaints and to answer any questions the federal agency might have. Alabamas Black Belt region stretches across several southern-central counties of the state. It is named for its dark, fertile soil. It has a significant African American and low-income population. A lot of people lack access to a centralized wastewater treatment system and so they have either septic systems that dont work and are failing or in many cases, people discharge the sewage from their homes in whats called a straight pipe, which just dumps the sewage, untreated, into their yard, said Becky Hammer, a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the groups who complained. The complaint says that the smell of sewage in the area can be a near-constant nuisance and that rain can mean that there will be a sewage backup into peoples homes. Other residents bar their children from playing in their yards because of the risk of exposure to human waste, it states. The sewage problem has also come under criticism from the United Nations, and a representative in 2017 described seeing various houses in rural areas that were surrounded by cesspools of sewage that flowed out of broken or non-existent septic systems. In that statement, Philip Alston, U.N. special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, said the problem doesnt appear on the political or governmental radar screen since most of the impacted residents are Black. The Justice Department in 2021 launched a separate investigation into accusations of discrimination amid sewage-related issues in the state. It settled that case earlier this year, requiring Alabamas Department of Public Health to create a plan to improve access to adequate sanitation in the Black Belts Lowndes County. Hammer noted that the case in question did not deal with water infrastructure funds, which the current probe does. What were asking for is for changes in how Alabama runs the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Andrew Gray, Gabriela Baczynska and Belen Carreno GRANADA, Spain (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned European leaders on Thursday that Russia could rebuild its military capabilities and attack other countries within five years if the continent were to waver in its support for Kyiv. Zelenskiy, attending a summit of the European Political Community, also said he remained confident of continued U.S. and European financial aid despite "political storms" in Washington and elsewhere. In an emotional speech, Zelenskiy described how Ukrainian children in the eastern city of Kharkiv were learning remotely or attending classes in subway stations because of air raids. "Until there is a fully effective air defence system, children cannot attend school," he told the gathering in the Spanish city of Granada, some 4,000 kilometres (2,485 miles) west of Kharkiv. Providing additional military equipment to Ukraine could mean that a "drone, tank, or any other Russian weapon will not strike anyone else in Europe", he said. "We must not allow (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to destabilize any other parts of the world and our partners in order to ruin Europe's power," Zelenskiy said. "The presence of Russia, its military or proxies in the territory of any other country is a threat to all of us. We must work together to push Russia out of the territory of other countries." COMMITMENT The European Political Community was established last year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine to foster cooperation among more than 40 countries from Norway to Albania. The Granada gathering gives leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a chance to re-state their commitment to Ukraine after political turbulence in both the U.S. and Europe raised questions about continued support. A dispute among the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has complicated budget negotiations and prompted President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to go from confidence that a deal will be made on Ukraine aid to openly expressing concern. Support in Europe has also appeared less rock-solid after pro-Russian former prime minister Robert Fico won an election in Slovakia last weekend on pledges to end military aid to Ukraine. Zelenskiy played down such concerns, saying: "I am confident in America. They are strong people with strong institutions, and a strong democracy." The head of the European Commission, the EU executive, Ursula von der Leyen, said the bloc was working on a 50 billion-euro Ukraine package for 2024-2027, adding that she was "very confident" about continued U.S. help for Kyiv. Individual countries also made pledges in Granada. Zelenskiy said on X, formerly Twitter, that he had discussed with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the summit host, a new military aid package, energy assistance, and how to keep open a corridor in the Black Sea for Ukrainian grain exports. A Spanish government source said Madrid would provide air defence and anti-drone systems to Ukraine as well as training for Ukrainian soldiers in how to use them. Russia pulled out of a deal in July that had allowed Ukraine - a leading global grain exporter - to safely ship food products out via the Black Sea. Russia has so far rejected U.N. overtures to revive the deal, while Ukraine is continuing some exports via what it calls a temporary "humanitarian corridor" for cargo vessels. Ukraine's efforts to export grain overland via EU countries have caused tensions with Poland and some other eastern members of the bloc that are keen to protect their own farmers. Kyiv and Brussels are also discussing expanding alternative sea routes. CHALLENGES The summit will also discuss efforts by Ukraine and others to join the EU as well as how to tackle increasing arrivals of refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa - both seen as existential challenges for the bloc. "Going from an EU of 27 to an EU of 35 will create many challenges internally. We will open in Granada this large debate that will take us to a deep reform of the EU," said Sanchez. Talks on the margins of Thursday's gathering will focus on crises between Azerbaijan and Armenia and between Serbia and Kosovo, which have flared in recent weeks amid floundering EU efforts at mediation. Hopes for a first meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia since Baku's military operation last month to wrest back control of the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave were dashed when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev decided not to attend. Many EU leaders have condemned the Azerbaijani operation, which triggered an exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians. Others, mindful that Baku increased gas supplies to the EU during an energy crunch last year, have stressed the need to focus on helping Armenia cope with the immediate humanitarian crisis, as well as providing political and economic support. (Additional reporting by Inti Landauro in Granada, Andreas Rinke in Berlin, Anna Pruchnicka and Bart Meijer, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Marine Strauss in Brussels; writing by Charlie Devereux; editing by Gareth Jones) By Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh (Reuters) -Former University of Southern California (USC) campus gynecologist George Tyndall, who had been set to stand trial over accusations he sexually assaulted patients, has died, his defense attorney said on Thursday. Tyndall's lawyer, Leonard Levine, told Reuters on Thursday that a close friend found Tyndall unresponsive after he failed to return phone calls. He said the cause of death was likely natural and Tyndall seemed to have died in his sleep. Tyndall, who had denied wrongdoing, lost his medical license and was charged with sexually assaulting 21 patients under the guise of gynecological treatment or exams. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for him to stand trial, which was expected to begin next year. In 2021, USC reached a record $852 million settlement with more than 700 women who had accused Tyndall of sexually abusing them as patients and the prestigious school of trying to cover it up. University officials have acknowledged failing to act on a number of complaints made against Tyndall but denied a deliberate cover-up. Tyndall practiced at USC for nearly 30 years before the private, Los Angeles-based university suspended him in 2016. "All he ever wanted was his day in court, which he was confident would end in his complete exoneration," Levine said, reiterating that his client denied all allegations. The accusers of Tyndall said his death meant he avoided accountability. "I'm not happy that he died. I wanted to see him convicted for what he did," Audry Nafziger, a former patient who accused Tyndall of abuse, told the L.A. Times. "He got away with it... I'm at a loss to explain this to my clients," said John Manly, an attorney of Tyndall's accusers. (Reporting by Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Rosalba O'Brien) Miss Asia Malaysia winner Luwe Xin Hui has been embroiled in a bullying scandal (Screengrab/ATV News/YouTube) Luwe Xin Huis moment of glory after being crowned Miss Asia Malaysia was short-lived. The beauty queen shared news of her win on her social media channels but what followed was a torrent of accusations that have thrown the competition and its victor into chaos. On 26 September, after winning the crown, 23-year-old Luwe shared a photo of her coronation on Instagram. But users claiming to be her former classmates soon flooded her comments section with accusations that she was once a school bully, as well as that she cheated on university papers. A native of Malacca in Malaysia, the digital content creator-turned-beauty queen finds herself in the eye of a storm that has gripped the country, with at least 80 allegations of bullying levied against her. Luwe is due to represent Malaysia at the ATV Miss Asia International 2023 finals, scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China at the end of the year. But the cloud of allegations that has grown since her victory now puts that into question. Luwe has denied some of the bullying claims, while apologising to her former classmates for others, saying she has been reflecting on her past behaviour. She is yet to respond directly to the university cheating allegations, which emerged just as the furore over the bullying claims was starting to die down. One person posted a screenshot purporting to show an online conversation with Luwe as recently as last year, in which she allegedly discusses paying a third party to write some of her university assignments. Malay Mail reported that a social media user wrote on Chinese social media and e-commerce platform Xiaohongshu to share the allegation and included a screenshot of the alleged conversation with Luwe. The screenshot purports to show the receipt of payment made to the person who allegedly completed an assignment for her. After she shared a picture of her coronation on Instagram, one user detailed the alleged bullying by Luwe that included pouring water into her backpack at school. She used to abuse me verbally which led me to suffer from emotional distress, the user was quoted as saying in a now-deleted comment. The teachers indifference toward her actions made her even more aggressive, including actions like pouring water into my backpack and throwing my classmates water bottles into the trash. [She] bullied someone elses daughter in middle school, another user claimed. My niece was once surrounded and beaten by her and her friends. If I remember correctly, she was slapped about three times. The post was at first shared widely, but some users then claimed that comments about Luwes alleged bullying were disappearing. Youre deleting comments after bullying people? I was one of the people bullied by you, so why dont you come out and say that youre sorry? Bullying people everywhere, double face, said one Instagram comment. When you bully people, have you ever considered that they would have a destroyed childhood because of you? Some people have suffered from depression and they cant sleep at night. Have you ever thought that you will [sic] ruin someones happy schooling experience? claimed another user. Did you consider that when people think back to their schooling days, you were always the one with the ugly face of bullying? People with bad intentions do not deserve anyones respect. I believe that the foremost criterion for beauty pageants should be an exemplary character, which she, the perpetrator, is devoid of, said a user with the handle @teaxinyi. She was calling me Egyptian Pharaoh simply because I had bangs at that time. Verbal bullying happened not just once, but every time when [sic] I encountered her in school, said user @wngkngj. The 14-year-old me at that time ended up having trauma when using the same washroom. After leaving school, Luwe attended the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and earned a bachelors degree in accounting and finance in 2022. Local media reports said she worked for a time as a digital creator before finding success competing in beauty pageants. One of her former classmates apologised for ignoring her alleged acts of bullying against a common friend. The coward [in] me just stood by silently, and afterwards, all I could do was console my friend continuously... To be honest, I feel very guilty because I even persuaded my friend not to escalate the situation since we felt powerless against you. She led the entire class to target me and constantly berated me. Her constant acts of verbal and cyberbullying towards me and my friends took a toll on my young self, both mentally and emotionally, the former classmate continued. Luwe, in a lengthy Instagram post, addressed the allegations and said she spent some time thinking about the past and reflecting on my past. She apologised to some of her former classmates whom she addressed directly, but also said many bullying incidents described in the comments including the water pouring and throwing her classmates bottles were untrue. Luwe said the attention on the claims had been magnified due to her beauty contest win, and refuted the suggestion that she bullied 30 to 80 people. Miss Asia Malaysia Was a Bully? Unmasking Luwe Xin Huis Controversial Win At least 80 unverified bullying allegations against her on social media!https://t.co/WZRyGMycJp#missasiamalaysiabully #antibullying #missasiamalaysia #luwexinhui pic.twitter.com/50HObuPOMD Tekkaus (@tekkaus) September 27, 2023 I understand that my apology cannot change the harm caused to her, but I will always bear this guilt in my heart, Luwe said, while addressing the classmate she called Pharaoh of Egypt. For others, she said the bullying incidents never happened. It is a constant fact that I make fun of my classmates nicknames, and it is also a fact that I was once teased and ostracised by classmates with nicknames such as Short Woman, Luwe said. In addition, the report that I bullied 30 to 80 people is also untrue. I admit that when I was young, I was indeed rebellious, had a bad temper, and was very rude. I will reflect on it, and I did pay the price today. For these numbers of people, I have to speak up for myself. Bullying 30 to 80 people is something I cant do. Its not feasible to think rationally. There were rumours that the school was ignoring my behaviour. I want to say sorry to my alma mater and clarify that the school did not condone me, the beauty queen further said in her statement. The school took action due to long-term poor grooming, lateness, forgetting to swipe the card to re-sign, and quarrels with classmates. The school has school rules, and the fairness and justice of my alma mater will not change just because of me. I was even expelled from school because of a demerit. After The Independent reached out to Luwe for comment on the allegations including the university cheating claims, she responded saying she would issue another statement by 7 October to clarify further, but did not elaborate. The bullying accusations have led the pageant organisers, Asia Television News (ATV), to issue a statement of their own as well as a video recording of Luwe apologising. Luwe Xin Hui, the winner of the 34th Miss Asia Malaysia-Singapore competition, was criticised online, accusing her of bullying her classmates in middle school. After two days of reflection, she recorded a video to solemnly apologise to the students involved and clarify the false accusations one by one, ATV said in a Facebook post. Amid a number of online calls for Luwe to be stripped of her title, ATV invited people to write in to them with their accusations so they could investigate the claims. They called it an important and complex situation. They said they will uphold the principles of justice and fairness and resolutely oppose any form of bullying and discrimination, and will take proactive measures to investigate recent allegations. At least 14,000 bullying cases at school were recorded in Malaysia by its education ministry between 2012 and 2015, according to a 2018 Unicef report. Prince William tried to lighten the mood as he posed for a group photo. On Tuesday 3 October, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Grange Pavilion in Cardiff, Wales. While standing for a group photo, he began to tell a joke so everyone would smile for the camera. In a video of the amusing moment, which was shared to TikTok, William can be heard saying: Whos pinching my bottom? His joke resulted in the entire room laughing, as everyone successfully sported big smiles for the final photo. In fact, telling a joke to achieve the perfect photo must be a trait that runs in the royal family. Prince Williams late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, previously used this technique to take a group photo as well. The viral TikTok compared Williams joke with one snarky comment Queen Elizabeth made during her G7 Summit appearance in June 2021. In a video shared by the BBC, the late monarch could be heard asking her fellow world leaders: Are you supposed to be looking as if youre enjoying yourself? The Prince and Princess of Wales were in Cardiff to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush to the United Kingdom, in addition to the start of Black History Month in the UK. Those who posed for the group photo included the Windrush Cymru Elders, Black History Cymru 365, and the Ethnic Minority Youth Forum. The royal couple met with members of the Black community in Cardiff to learn about the positive impact theyve made. During their visit, William and Kate listened to members of a group called the Windrush generation - the name given to people who relocated to the UK between 1948 and 1973, particularly those from the Caribbean. The relocation began when the HMT Empire Windrush first arrived in London, carrying 1,000 people from the Caribbean to the UK. One of the Windrush Cymru, Professor Uzo Iwobi, explained in an interview with People how special it was to have members of the royal family listen to the work theyve accomplished. Theyve shone a light on a community that has been written out of history, Iwobi told the outlet. It is a light that cannot be extinguished. These elders will take this to their grave. They will never forget that one of the biggest leaders of their nation remembered them, travelled all this way and said thank you. She went on to describe how both William and Kate were very personable and authentic to every person they spoke to, and that Prince William even asked to give her a hug before he left. He said to me: Can I please have a hug? You have been so lovely to us, she said. I said: I oblige! I grabbed him, yeah. It was a very good hug, like a brother. The professor continued: The good thing about him is how human he is, how understated he is and how very ordinary he wanted to be. He didnt want bowing and stuff. He was a Prince of Wales that people could relate to, that was warming for the elders. More than 50 progressive activists marched across Capitol Hill on Wednesday to protest the war in Ukraine and call on lawmakers to push the Biden administration to negotiate an end to the war. At least 11 of the protesters were arrested outside the office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) after congressional aides demanded they end a sit-in inside the senators office. Several senior citizens, including a handicapped elderly woman, were either handcuffed by officers or escorted out. The protest movement, organized by the nonprofit organization Code Pink and the Peace in Ukraine Coalition, entered 12 congressional offices belonging to progressive and Democratic lawmakers, according to organizers. Their anger stems from the tens of thousands of people dying in Ukraine on both sides of the conflict, and the perceived reluctance of the Biden administration to try to negotiate an end to the war. Medea Benjamin, the co-founder of Code Pink, said she and other protesters were shocked and embarrassed that Democrats have fallen silent on the issue and are continuing to support more weapons packages without calling for any type of negotiations. She slammed Ukraine security aid backers for giving what she says is a one-sentence answer to pleas for negotiations: You cant negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Benjamin said she is not buying. We say: Try. We want to see Biden talking, she said. We care about lives. We care about the human survival, and we dont think were going to survive as a species if we allow this to go on. The gathering involved religious faith leaders and progressive activists from across the country. Green Party presidential candidate Cornel West also spoke at the beginning of the protest in the lobby of the Hart Senate building. In conversations with congressional office aides, protesters were willing to dig into the facts of the war and the conflict with Russia. Many of them said they were not Putin apologists and condemned the Russian invasion, but argue the U.S. has played a role in the tug-of-war over Ukraine and that there is a path to at least begin negotiations. They also point out that Ukraine is struggling in its counteroffensive and that, ultimately, the war will end by negotiations anyway its just a matter of how many deaths until then. This is not an epic fight between democracy and autocracy, said Marcy Winograd, co-chairwoman of the Peace in Ukraine Coalition. We want negotiations without preconditions. None of this, We wont sit down until Russia leaves every inch of Ukraine and Crimea. No, we want it now. I have two grandchildren. I dont want this for their future. Congressional aides said it was not so simple to end the conflict, especially because Putin has shown an unwillingness to negotiate and has conducted a harsh and brutal campaign against the Ukrainian people. Max Hoffman, a foreign policy adviser for Sanders, said Putin is still pursuing military goals by military means. Hes launching attacks on Ukraine every day, including attacks on civilians, Hoffman told the crowd of protesters in the senators office. Ukrainians are on their own territory, they have a right to defend themselves. Many supporters of arming Kyiv say the West should not give in to Russia by ceding territory, and that by doing so, it would embolden Putin to invade more European nations. Ryan Morgan, a policy adviser for the office of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), said it was not so easy to vote against packages, because weapons support might be included in an omnibus bill along with humanitarian aid. And diplomacy is not so simple, Morgan added. Its not as if theres a diplomacy button you push and then diplomacy happens, he said. Both the Russian and Ukrainian sides have shown no real interest in diplomacy. I think both sides still think they can win, however they define it. Sanders sent a letter to the activist group sharing his concerns about endless wars and nuclear war. But the progressive senator said he was equally horrified by Putins invasion. The Ukrainians have a right to resist this assault, both in moral terms and under international law, he wrote. Putin and his oligarch friends seek a divided world and the destruction of democracy. The U.S. should support a just peace in Ukraine, based on the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and international law. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Nashik, Oct 5 (UNI) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Nagar Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd. for not complying with various provisions of the Banking Regulation Act and defaulting on depositors payments. The RBI order on Wednesday said the continuance of the bank would be against public interests and prejudicial to the interests of the depositors. The bank, headquartered in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, did not have adequate capital and earning prospects, the RBI order said. Consequently, the bank ceases to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on October 04, Thursday, the RBI said. The banking regulator said the Additional Secretary & Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies of the Union Ministry of Cooperation has been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator The RBI said consequent to the cancellation of its licence, the bank is prohibited from conducting the business of banking which includes, among other things, acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits. On liquidation of the bank,, every depositor would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of deposits up to a monetary ceiling of Rs 5,00,000 from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). The closure of the 113-year-old bank has caused a stir in the city as the bank has supported the lives of many common people. Earlier the bank had 47 branches. Of these, eleven branches with unsatisfactory performance were closed during the administration and now there are 36 branches. About 1600 of the defaulters of the bank have a principal of about Rs 450 crores with the interest amounting to about Rs 827 crores. UNI RDS SY SSP Peculiar sounds emanating from a mountain in China led a group of researchers to discover a new species of horned amphibian. Researchers conducting a field survey on Mount Hengshan, an isolated peak in Hunan Province, in June 2021 began hearing pulsing calls as evening approached. The rhythmic calls, which continued for hours, piqued the researchers curiosity, according to a study published on Oct. 3 in the journal Vertebrate Zoology. Upon investigation, they found the noises were coming from a cluster of small amphibians. The frog specimens were found after researchers heard their calls from a roadside ditch, according to the study. Calling male frogs were found sitting in a roadside ditch, researchers said, adding that others were perched on plants or seated in shallow water. Twenty of the frogs were collected, euthanized, preserved in an alcohol solution and whisked away to a local university for taxonomic investigation. Genetic analysis then revealed that the croaking creatures were members of a previously unidentified species. The species belongs in the genus Boulenophrys, a family of Asian horned frogs, and was given the name hengshanensis in a nod to the mountain where it was discovered. The frogs display distinct characteristics that distinguish them from other members of the genus, said the researchers, who are affiliated with local universities. Namely, they are missing teeth on their upper jaw and are missing a notch on their tongue. The brown frogs, which measure around 1.5 inches long, also have horn-like growths on their upper eyelids. The species is only known to dwell on Mount Hengshan, which, though isolated, is a popular tourist destination, which could pose a problem. The potential threat to all amphibians in Mt. Hengshan is mainly human disturbance from tourist areas, researchers said. There are about 6,000 known species of frogs worldwide, according to the American Museum of Natural History. Wetlands turn the color of strawberry milk in Australia. See the rare phenomenon Rare cuckoo creature not seen locally in 65 years found in Canada, officials say Humpback whales surround boaters in Iceland. Then black fins appear, photos show Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos is on her way home (Detained in Dubai) A student who was facing a year in a UAE prison after she was accused of assaulting and insulting staff while transiting through the airport in Dubai has been allowed to return home. Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos, 21, was ecstatic when police commuted her sentence and she was finally permitted to fly home to New York City. She had intended to spend just 10 hours in Dubai International Airport as she transited from Istanbul, Turkey, to the US in July with a friend on a short trip. But an advocacy group representing her claimed she endured degrading, painful and humiliating treatment during a strip search where she was left half naked. Following an altercation with local authorities, she was banned from flying out of the Emirate. The student then spent months fighting a legal battle while having to fork out around 41,000 on expenses and court costs. According to Detained in Dubai, which represents people fighting legal action in the UAE, Ms Polanco De Los Santos is ecstatic to be returning to the US after five months of anguish. Radha Stirling, CEO of the charity, alleged: Elizabeths hellish five months in Dubai left her humiliated, traumatised and out of pocket $50,000. Elizabeth was falsely accused of assaulting and insulting a customs official when she was stripped and humiliated upon entering the desert city during a transit stop. Ms Stirling has warned that more needs to be done to protect those travelling through Dubai. Tourists are vulnerable to vindictive, false and unevidenced allegations that could leave them languishing in notorious jails. They are vulnerable to extortion schemes like we see from airport staff, rental car agents, taxi drivers and so on. According to Ms Stirling, Elizabeths ordeal began on 14 July as she went through the international hub of Dubai Airport on her way home to New York with a pal. She said that Elizabeth was mandated by surgeons to wear a medical waist trainer suit, which goes around her stomach and upper chest area. But the charity boss claimed that Dubai airport officials demanded she remove it, and she was ushered into a booth where female officials insisted she take it off. Elizabeths mother told Detained in Dubai the staff were speaking Arabic and laughing at her and said she had felt really embarrassed and taken advantage of. Later, Elizabeth said she had gently touched one of the security staff after pleading with them to allow her friend into the booth where she was being searched. But she was then detained for touching the female customs officer and spent several hours in the room while the women filed a complaint against her. Elizabeth was later allowed to leave after signing some papers written in Arabic, but found out she was banned from flying a few hours later, the advocacy group alleged. Dubai Airport has been contacted for comment. Kassandra Sweeney and her two sons Benjamin and Mason were found dead in their home last week (GoFundMe) A 17-year-old man has been formally indicted with the murder of his sister-in-law and her two young sons at their family home in New Hampshire. Eric Sweeney has been charged with three counts of first degree murder, following the deaths of Kassandra Sweeney, 25, and her two sons Benjamin and Mason Sweeney, who were four-years-old and 23-months-old, respectively. The three bodies were discovered lying next to each other at their house in Northfield on 3 August 2022 by police responding to a 911 call. Autopsies revealed that each victim died from a single gunshot wound, with all three deaths ruled as homicides. Sweeney was arrested last year while he was still a juvenile, so no information about his identity was released at the time. Because of the severity of the charges, the case was transferred to adult court. On Wednesday New Hampshire Attorney General John M Formella announced his indictment by the Merrimack County Grand Jury in connection with the murders. The Grand Jury has indicted Eric Sweeney on three counts of first-degree murder for purposely causing the deaths of Kassandra, Benjamin, and Mason Sweeney, by shooting them, a statement from Mr Formellas office read. Eric Sweeney was also indicted on one count of falsifying physical evidence, which alleges that Eric Sweeney, knowing that an investigation was about to be instituted, did alter, destroy, conceal, or remove a Taurus .40 caliber handgun, with the purpose of impairing its availability in said investigation. The office added that Sweeney was currently being held and an arraignment would be scheduled by the court. Sean Sweeney, husband of Kassandra and father of the two boys, previously spoke out having his name dragged through the mud in the aftermath of the killings. The AGs office previously said that Mr Sweeney had cooperated fully with their investigations. By Daina Beth Solomon MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Final permits for Tesla to build an electric-vehicle (EV) factory in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon could be ready in weeks and the local government is beginning infrastructure work requested by the company, a senior official said on Thursday. Tesla in March announced plans to open a major plant in Nuevo Leon, its first in Mexico, which has also attracted EV investments from other automakers seeking to meet ambitious production targets. The company has not given details on construction or production. Nuevo Leon's Economy Minister Ivan Rivas said in an interview that the automaker helmed by billionaire Elon Musk is considering a bigger plant than originally envisaged, and is still hammering out design, architecture and engineering plans. The federal government is on track to grant environmental approvals within weeks, he said, which will allow the electric-vehicle maker to begin construction. "I'm expecting it's a matter of a couple of weeks, maximum a month," Rivas said. Rivas said only Tesla could address its timeline for Mexico. But he said he expected production to begin far earlier than 2026 or 2027, the dates Mexican newspaper Reforma reported last month, because Nuevo Leon was aiming to quickly put infrastructure in place for water, electricity and transportation. "We're working for this to happen very soon, so they have all the infrastructure they need to begin as soon as possible," he said. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Rohan Patel, Tesla's senior public policy and business development executive, in a post on the platform X, formerly Twitter, rejected a Mexican media report saying Tesla had canceled its plans and thanked local, state and federal officials. "We are very appreciative of their efforts to enable the permits and sustainable infrastructure necessary," he said. Nuevo Leon has agreed to build an electric power substation, a natural gas pipeline, railroad spurs, roads, and services for water and sewage, according to a Memorandum of Understanding with Tesla, seen by Reuters. Rivas said the projects can be built before or at the same time as Tesla's own construction and will also benefit other companies. A high-voltage electric cable that already runs above the Tesla site will be connected with a substation and transformer, he noted. The so-called "Gigafactory" is set to bring in an estimated $15 billion over the next two years through Tesla and its suppliers, Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Garcia said last month. The state has called for more investment in health, education, roads and basic services to accommodate the expected growth. (Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon; Additional reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Rod Nickel) Nearly 25,000 customers in North Texas were still without power Thursday morning after severe thunderstorms with strong winds and large hail swept through the region overnight. Oncor officials said on their website that they are assessing damages and working to restore power to affected areas. More than 8,000 Tarrant County residents were without power as of 7:45 a.m. Pingpong ball- to golf ball-sized hail, strong winds and heavy rain pounded North Texas Wednesday evening, prompting flash flood warnings. According to the National Weather Service Fort Worth, hail stones as big as 1.5 inches were first reported just west of Poolville, which is about an hour west of Fort Worth, and that storm moved into Tarrant County. Of the 53,642 customers in North Texas without power around 11 p.m., more than 26,000 people in Tarrant County were experiencing outages, Oncor reported Electric outages Dallas - Fort Worth vicinity Here is Oncor's power outages map. Outage information is sent from Oncor to the outage map every 10 minutes. Source: stormcenter.oncor.com Open The severe thunderstorms moved across North Texas and led to a tornado warning in Ellis and Dallas County and flash flood warnings across the region. National Weather Service Fort Worth spokesperson Patricia Sanchez told the Star-Telegram Thursday morning that they received reports of golf ball-sized hail of 1.75 inches between Weatherford and Springtown in Parker County and flooding in Dallas near Love Field. Trees and tree limbs are down throughout the region. A Fort Worth Police Department officer closes a portion of W Vickery Boulevard due to flooding next to Collett Park in Fort Worth on Wednesday October. 4, 2023. Chris Torres/ctorres@star-telegram.com Sanchez also said there was significant roof damage at a shopping center in the 8300 block of Camp Bowie West in west Fort Worth. Danie Huffman, the spokesperson for Parker County, said there was a lot of hail in the area. Numerous trees are down too, she said, including a large branch that fell on the courthouse square. County and city crews will be working to clean up the debris Thursday. NWS Fort Worth reported between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain had fallen as of about 10 p.m. and additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches were possible. The flash food warning was issued for several cities in Tarrant County, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Haltom City, Keller, Hurst, Burleson, Southlake, Watauga, Colleyville, Benbrook, Saginaw, White Settlement, Crowley, Forest Hill and Azle. Lightning strikes as a thunderstorm begins to roll in near West Fort Worth on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Chris Torres/ctorres@star-telegram.com About five high-water emergency calls were reported to Fort Worth police from 9:25 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, where callers reported their vehicles being stuck in water or stranded in flooding, according to police call logs. The flash flood warning was in effect until 12:30 a.m. Thursday. Weather watches and warnings A live data feed from the National Weather Service containing official weather warnings, watches, and advisory statements. Tap warning areas for more details. Sources: NOAA, National Weather Service, NOAA GeoPlatform and Esri. Open The National Weather Service reported wind gusts over 70 mph in western Tarrant County and large trees down in White Settlement. White Settlement Police Chief Chris Cook told the Star-Telegram that high winds tore up several awnings at an RV park and downed power poles and about two dozen trees in the city. No injuries were reported, and most of the damage was along North Cherry Lane. The White Settlement police station also lost power for time Wednesday night, Cook said, but 911 calls were not affected. Several reports of wind damage impacting poles and street signs. No major damages to structures or injuries reported. The police department is on generator power and back up radio systems. 9-1-1 service is operational. pic.twitter.com/ujutynTRO9 Christopher Cook (@cooktx) October 5, 2023 Additional wind damages across town. 400 block of N. Cherry RV park out of power with Oncor on scene. Trees also reported down across city. pic.twitter.com/WmwdWuX5nW Christopher Cook (@cooktx) October 5, 2023 Additional storm damage between White Settlement Road and Clifford along Cherry Lane. Oncor trying to fix power poles that are down in the area. pic.twitter.com/ucg3YlzSwG Christopher Cook (@cooktx) October 5, 2023 Lockheed Blvd. and Cherry Lane intersection lights are not working. @WSPDTX has erected temporary stop signs until power is restored. pic.twitter.com/SXRUX91eGV Christopher Cook (@cooktx) October 5, 2023 Two people, including an 8-year-old, were injured when the severe weather hit Toyota Stadium during an FC Dallas game, the Frisco Fire Department told KTVT-TV. The child was taken to a hospital with injuries that authorities said were not life threatening. A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Tarrant, Dallas, Ellis, and Johnson counties until 10:15 p.m Wednesday as the storm system moved southeast. A tornado warning was issued by the NWS Fort Worth at 10:01 p.m. Wednesday for Ellis and south central Dallas counties. The NWS reported a storm that radar indicated was producing a tornado near Midlothian, moving east at 25 mph. A severe thunderstorm watch that includes Tarrant, Dallas and surrounding counties was in effect until 2 a.m. Thursday. Storm Reports This map contains continuously updated storm reports and damage from the National Weather Service for the past 48 hours. Reports include tornado, wind storm and hail storm reports. The map also includes tornado reports for the past week and recent rainfall accumulations. Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Esri. Open BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at forum in Tibet on Thursday that nations in the region must respect each other's sovereignty, amid simmering tensions with India over a disputed border in the eastern Himalayas. "We must adhere to mutual respect and trust, jointly maintain regional unity, and respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Wang said at the forum in the city of Nyingchi, 160 km (100 miles) from Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as part of Tibet. India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. Attending the forum in Tibet, the third round of trans-Himalayan dialogue since its inception in 2018, were officials from countries including Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Mongolia. Representatives from India, as in 2018 and 2019, were not among the attendees. Relations between China and India nosedived in 2020 after a border clash in which 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed. This year, China angered India when it released a map showing the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas to be a part of southern Tibet. Tibet, which Beijing said it peacefully liberated in 1951 after sending Chinese troops into the region, has also drawn international concern with U.N. member states due to publicly examine China's rights record in early 2024 as part of a review process at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. U.N. experts have this year voiced repeated concerns over Tibet, most recently in August when they raised the plight of jailed Tibetan rights defenders. In August The United States imposed visa sanctions on unidentified Chinese officials for allegedly taking part in "forced assimilation" of Tibetan children through state-run boarding schools seeking to eliminate Tibet's traditions, according to a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. China has vigorously denied any wrongdoing. Wang said on Thursday that lies fabricated by "some Western forces" about Tibet were untenable and based on ideological bias, and will unravel "in the face of facts". (Reporting by Ryan WooEditing by Deborah Kyvrikosaios) The US military has found a workaround as future funding for Ukraines military defence against Russia looks to have an uncertain path through the US Congress. Defence officials, partnered with the US Justice Department, have reportedly been working for months to facilitate the transfer of weapons including rifles and anti-tank missiles to Ukraines weapon from an unlikely source Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The contribution is hardly voluntary; US officials seized the weapons, ammunition and other supplies as it was bound for Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen where Iranian-backed forces have been fighting a US-Saudi coalition in a brutal regional conflict for years. Now, some of those weapons are on the front line, or close to it, in Ukraine. US Central Command confirmed the transfer of weapons in a press release on Tuesday. CNN reported separately that the effort between the military and Justice Department had been going on since at least March, with DOJ officials using the civil forfeiture process to navigate Washington red tape. On Oct. 2, 2023, the U.S. government transferred approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds to the Ukrainian armed forces. The government obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, 2023, through the Department of Justices civil forfeiture claims against Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reads the CENTCOM press release. The munitions were being transferred from the IRGC to the Houthis in Yemen in violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2216. Its a sign of good news for Ukraines military and civilian government, which had resorted to dispatching President Volodymyr Zelensky to Capitol Hill in the hopes of ginning up continued support from US lawmakers. While the Senate remains largely unified around the issue, the House Republican caucus has increasingly been home to a skeptical faction of the GOP opposed to further funding for a range of reasons. On Sunday, President Joe Biden addressed the issue of Ukraine funding during a press briefing following the Houses passage of a clean funding resolution to avert a shutdown. The prospect of Ukraine funding making it through the House, at least in the immediate future, looks bleak as a group of rebel Republicans ousted their partys Speaker, throwing the chamber into a standstill, on Tuesday. [F]olks, you know, overwhelmingly there's overwhelming number of Republicans and Democrats in both the House and the Senate who support Ukraine. Let's vote on it, the president urged in his remarks. More than 100 people are missing in Indias northeast after heavy rain caused a glacial lake to burst, leading to flash floods which ripped through the Himalayan state of Sikkim Wednesday, killing at least 19 and washing away roads and bridges, according to the state government. A sudden cloudburst over Lhonak Lake, in the northern part of the state, sent fast-moving torrents of water surging down the Teesta River in Sikkims Lachen valley, raising water levels 15-20 feet higher than normal, the Indian Army said in a statement. A cloudburst is a very sudden and destructive rainstorm. Chungthang Dam, also known as the Teesta 3 dam and part of a major hydropower project in the state, was washed away, according to a statement issued by the National Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday night. Drinking water supplies and sewage treatment plants have been totally damaged across affected districts, according to the state government. Video from the north of the state shows a muddy deluge rapidly overflowing the river, and flooded houses caked in dirt and debris, while images show search teams using excavators to uncover army vehicles buried deep in the mud. Rescue and restorations operations are underway with both state and national disaster personnel involved, the government said. Known as the rooftop of the world, the ecologically-sensitive Himalayan region is prone to flash floods and landslides, and flooding is not unusual in Sikkim. But scientists are clear that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense as the human-caused climate crisis accelerates. High water levels in the Teesta river in Sikkim, India, on October 4. - Government of Sikkim A vehicle that got washed away lies beneath a tree in Rangpo town in Sikkim, India. - Prakash Adhikari/AP As search efforts continued Wednesday, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) released dramatic images showing the volume of water which had been released from Lhonak Lake following the cloudburst. Lhonak Lake is a large glacial bullet-shaped water body that sits at the foot of a melting glacier. An analysis of the images shows more than 60% of the water held in the lake drained out after the extreme rainstorm triggered a glacial lake outburst. This phenomenon happens when a glacial lake rises too high or the surrounding land or ice gives way and the lake bursts, sending water and debris rushing down mountains. One satellite image shows the lake holding about 167.4 hectares of water on September 28, while another dated October 4 shows the lake reduced by more than half holding approximately 60.3 hectares of water in it. It is observed that lake is burst and about 105 hectares area has been drained out which might have created a flash flood downstream (in the Teesta River), ISRO said in text accompanying the images. Temporal changes in Lhonak Lake area as of September 17; September 28; and October 4. - ISRO Scientists have long studied Lhonak Lake, identifying it as one of the fastest swelling glacial lakes in the region with a high risk for a potential glacial outburst, according to multiple studies. In recent years, the states Disaster Management Authority led several expeditions to the site, concluding that a glacial lake outburst would cause huge devastation downstream and that loss of life and property were likely. Pipelines were installed at the lake to siphon off the water as a short-term solution. And last May, the state government held a consultation workshop on such a risk, with the director of Sikkims Department of Science and Technology highlighting the urgent need for an early warning system for these glacial lakes in Sikkim. Search efforts hampered by heavy rain The Sikkim city of Pakyong was the worst affected with seven people killed in the floods and 59 people missing, the Sikkim government said. Among those unaccounted for are dozens of members of the Indian Army. A massive search and rescue operation to find the missing soldiers has been launched but efforts were hampered by incessant rains and flooding that had cut off roads and washed-out bridges, the army said. On Wednesday evening, one soldier was rescued and is in a stable condition but 22 others remain missing, according to the army. In an update Friday, the army said that certain military equipment including firearms and explosives were carried away by the Teesta River and urged the public to be vigilant and report any unfamiliar objects, crates, packages, firearms, or any suspicious items. The missing military equipment could pose a potential risk of a dangerous explosion, it said. At least 11 bridges collapsed in the flooding, impeding rescue efforts and cutting off remote areas, the government said. In the state capital and largest city Gangtok, three deaths were reported and 22 people missing, it added. More than 2,000 people have been evacuated and relief camps have been set up across the state to help more than 22,000 people affected by the flash floods. Rescue work continues after flash floods in Sikkim's Rangpo town on October 5. - Prakash Adhikari/AP Buildings are inundated by flood waters in Rangpo town. - Prakash Adhikari/AP On Thursday, the state government said at least 3,000 tourists remain stranded in Sikkims Lachung and Lachen and that helicopters are being deployed to help evacuate them. The Teesta-V Hydropower Station was reported to be under shutdown presently and not generating electricity, the All India Radio (AIR) News reported, citing the countrys Power Ministry. All the bridges downstream to Teesta-V Hydropower Station up to Tarkhola and Pamphok have been submerged which has severely affected commutation and communication in these areas, it said. A detailed assessment of damage to the hydropower projects would be made by the central government once the flood water recedes, AIR News reported. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall to continue across the countrys east and northeast, including Sikkim, for the next two days. Sikkims chief minister Prem Singh Tamang said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that emergency services have been mobilized to the affected areas, and he has visited Singtam to assess the damages and engage with the local community. Singtam is a town affected by the flooding about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Gangtok. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the situation an unfortunate natural calamity and offered all possible support in addressing the challenge. I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected, he wrote on X. Glacial outbursts will affect millions The Himalayan region is highly vulnerable to the climate crisis. Himalayan glaciers feed into rivers that provide freshwater to two billion people and many communities depend on the glacial waters to irrigate their crops. But a recent report warned the glaciers could lose up to 80% of their ice by 2100 as temperatures rise, heightening the likelihood of floods, landslides, avalanches and also drought. As glaciers around the world melt at an alarming rate, about 15 million people who live near glacial lakes are at risk from catastrophic glacial lake outbursts, with more than half concentrated in just four countries India, Pakistan, Peru and China according to a study earlier this year. These lake bursts have been compared to an inland tsunami and their impact akin to a sudden dam collapse, experts previously told CNN. A vehicle is seen partially submerged in flood water in Rangpo town. - Prakash Adhikari/AP The ensuing floods happen with little to no warning and previous glacial lake outbursts have killed thousands of people and destroyed property and critical infrastructure. A 2020 study of the Teesta River basin by scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, found a increase in rainfall and temperatures this century and that Sikkims many glacial lakes are expanding due to glacier and snow melt as temperatures rise. The researchers warned that heavy rainfall events can cause the sudden expansion of lakes, risking glacial outburst floods, and it was critical that state disaster management departments are properly equipped to respond to such disasters and that policy makers implement climate change adaptation strategies. In 2021, a Himalayan glacier collapsed in Uttarakhand, sending an avalanche of water, dust and rocks down a mountain gorge, and crashing though two hydroelectric projects, killing at least 38 people. In Indias north, communities have warned for decades about unregulated commercial development, deforestation and back-to-back dam building in the fragile region, increasing the risk of disasters, flooding and landslides. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sen. Bob Menendez's then-girlfriend, now his wife, struck and killed a pedestrian in December 2018, newly revealed police records show. Four months after the incident, Nadine Arslanian and Menendez, D-N.J., were allegedly given a new Mercedes as a gift as part of what federal prosecutors have described as a bribery conspiracy to cash in on Menendez's power and influence. Police records indicate the fatal collision badly damaged Arslanians Mercedes. The crash, which was first reported Wednesday by the Record newspaper of Bergen and The New York Times, happened on the night of Dec. 12, 2018, in the New Jersey town of Bogota. Arslanian, who was not charged, told police she was driving on Main Street when a man later identified as Richard Koop "jumped on my windshield," according to dashboard video obtained by NBC New York. Koop was found lying in the road with severe head trauma, bleeding from the back of his head, bleeding from the face, and possible fractured legs and arms when police arrived shortly after 7:30 p.m., according to police records obtained by NBC News that also said the responding officer described Koop as unconscious and not breathing. Arslanian was "bleeding from her hands" and had hit a parked car after she struck Koop, police records showed. "Why was the guy in the middle of the street? I didn't do anything wrong, you know?" she told police, according to the dashcam video. Police also asked for Arslanian's consent to search her cellphone. Ms. Arslanian originally reported I may search her phone, handed me her phone, then shortly after reported she no longer gives consent for a cellular phone search. I immediately returned Ms. Arslanians phone back to her, one of the officers said in a report. Police said Arslanian gave a statement saying that Koop darted across traffic and jumped onto her vehicle and that she said she did not observe Mr. Koop prior to striking him with her vehicle." Police found that Arslanian was not at fault and that Mr. Koop was jaywalking and did not cross the street at an intersection or in a marked crosswalk. There is no indication in police records that Arslanian was tested for drugs or alcohol. It said she was released to "a friend" after police interviewed her. Sheri Breen, a lawyer for the Koop family, alleged that Arslanian waited several minutes before she called 911. "She let him lie on the ground and she took some time to sit there watching before she backed up, moved her car again and then drove around him," Breen told NBC New York. Breen said Koop had gone out with friends and took an Uber ride home. "He just had to cross the street to get to his home when the defendant came barreling down the street and struck him," Breen said. She said that the Koop family received a settlement from Arslanian's insurance company but that neither Arslanian or Menendez ever reached out to them. Arslanians lawyer did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The attorney, David Schertler, told the Times it was a tragic accident. Nadine Menendez arrives at federal court in New York (Michael Nagel / Bloomberg via Getty Images) My understanding was this individual ran in front of her car, and she was not at fault, he told the paper, saying the incident was unrelated to the current federal charges against her. Menendez, who faces dozens of calls to resign from his Democratic colleagues, told reporters Wednesday on Capitol Hill that it "was a tragic accident and obviously we think of the family." Police records said Arslanians vehicle sustained heavy front end damage due to the collision and her front windshield was shattered and had damage on the passenger side which was later determined to be from a parked car that she struck after striking Mr. Koop. News of the previously unreported crash comes after prosecutors brought a bombshell indictment last month against Menendez, his wife and their alleged co-conspirators. The FBI said Arslanian started dating Menendez in February 2018 and soon connected him with a New Jersey businessman who had ties to the Egyptian government, Wael Hana. Hana allegedly introduced the couple to another defendant in the bribery scheme, a businessman named Jose Uribe. All four have pleaded not guilty. The indictment said Arslanian "was involved in a car accident in or about December 2018 that left her without a car. On multiple occasions up to and including in or about January 2019" she sent text messages to Hana "about her lack of a car." That January just weeks after the fatal collision Arslanian, Menendez, Hana and Uribe agreed that Menendez would reach out to a prosecutor to try to help an associate of Uribe's "in exchange for a car," the indictment said. Menendez did so, according to the indictment. Afterward, Hana and Uribe got to work getting Arslanian a $60,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible, the FBI said. Arslanian bought it in April 2019, with a down payment that included $15,000 in cash from Uribe, according to the indictment. Uribe subsequently took care of the monthly financing payments, prosecutors allege. After she got the car, prosecutors said, she texted Menendez a picture of it. "Congratulations mon amour de la vie, we are the proud owners of a 2019 Mercedes," she wrote, along with a heart emoji. Gangtok, Oct 5 (UNI) The toll in the Sikkim flash floods has risen to 14, as the search operation continued to locate 102 missing people including 22 Army personnel, Defence and state government sources said on Thursday. The devastation created by the Lhonak Lake Glacial outburst and heavy torrential rains on Wednesday in Sikkim has left 14 persons dead, while 102 others are missing, and over 22,000 affected, a state government official said. The National Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Indian Army, ,and Sikkim Police have all been deployed to help those supposedly buried or swept away with slush and flood, the official said. A Defence Ministry spokesperson said search was on for the 22 missing soldiers. Search and rescue operation by troops of Trishakti Corps of Indian Army to trace the 22 missing soldiers continues. Continued efforts are on to dig out the vehicles submerged under the slush at Burdang near Singtam., the spokesperson said. The search for the missing personnel is now focussing on the areas downstream of Teesta River. It may be mentioned that of the 23 Army personnel reported missing initially, one soldier was recovered alive on Wednesday evening. The family members of the missing Army persons have been contacted and informed about the situation the spokesperson said. All other Indian Army personnel posted in Sikkim and North Bengal are safe and they are unable to contact their family members due to disruptions of mobile communication, said the spokerson. Meanwhile, troops of the Trishakti Corps are extending mobile connectivity to civilians and tourists stranded in Chungthang, Lachung and Lachen areas of North Sikkim. The Sikkim government official said 2011 persons have been evacuated, of whom 630 are sheltered in 22 relief camps, started in different schools across the state. Others have made their own arrangements. 22,034 people are adversely affected," the official said. The satellite images from ISRO show 60% of discharge from the vulnerable Lhonak Glacial lake and 21 other lakes pose a potential threat. Taxis are now plying by following an alternative route to West Bengal for the Bagdogra airport, Railway stations and bus stops in Siliguri for the outbound journey of the stranded tourists. Nepal-bound people going home for the Dashai festival have taken a route via Darjeeling followed by Pashupatinath. However, vehicle operators are making a killing by charging huge fares. UNI NN SSP WASHINGTON Former President Donald Trump is considering a visit to the U.S. Capitol early next week, as divided House Republicans consider who should be the next speaker, two GOP lawmakers and two Trump allies confirmed to NBC News. The former president, who has not set foot on Capitol grounds since prior to the Jan. 6 riot, is considering making an appearance in an effort to unify the party, according to one Republican lawmaker who discussed the possibility with a member of Trumps inner circle Thursday morning. The news site, The Messenger, first reported the possibility of Trump's visit. Former President Donald Trump at New York State Supreme Court on Oct. 4, 2023. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) While a small handful of Republican lawmakers have suggested Trump himself should serve as the next speaker, the former president said Wednesday his focus is on reclaiming the White House, and the two Republican lawmakers said they dont believe hes seriously interested in the position. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump wrote he will do whatever is necessary to help with the Speaker of the House selection process, short term, until the final selection of a GREAT REPUBLICAN SPEAKER is made. But Trump also reposted GOP Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's post that he should be the next speaker. Steve Bannon, who served as a top adviser to Trump in the White House and runs the "War Room" podcast, which is popular with Trump supporters, said he believes the former president will speak to the Republican conference Tuesday at the Capitol. He said Republicans should choose Trump as an interim speaker for 100 days. Hes the only one now that can unite the party when it needs to be united for the next 100 days, Bannon said in a telephone interview with NBC News. He can come and be that bridge to the conference actually coming out and electing a speaker that then can complete the 118th congress. It's not clear that there is a way for that to happen without Trump winning a tough-to-achieve majority in the full House. Democrats, who voted to impeach Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his role in the deadly Jan. 6 attack, had strong reactions to news of Trump's possible visit. "Criminals tend to return to the scene of the crime," Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., wrote on X. "We will need extra security not for him, but for members and staff and the personnel at the Capitol," said Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, who was among those trapped in the House chamber during the Capitol attack. His presence, as we have learned only too well is a threat to norms, order, and he has become increasingly violent in his rhetoric recently, which is why we need security for everyone else. So far, two big-name GOP lawmakers are vying to succeed Kevin McCarthy, who on Tuesday made history as the first speaker ever to be ousted by a formal vote of the House. The U.S. Constitution does not require that a House speaker be a member of the House, but no non-member has ever been elected to the post. In protest, House members have cast votes for individuals who are not lawmakers before, but no serious effort has ever been undertaken by someone who isnt a representative. What Trump would hope to accomplish by visiting the Capitol amid an intraparty fight is an open question. While some sources cautioned that Trump could still opt not to go, they agree its still a real possibility. The No. 2 leader, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., officially launched his campaign for speaker on Wednesday, as did Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a key Trump ally on Capitol Hill. Jordan endorsed Trump for president in March. Scalise has not endorsed anyone in the GOP presidential primary. During an interview with NBC News on Thursday, Jordan said he has spoken to Trump about his speaker's bid but declined to get into details. "I had a great conversation with the president," Jordan said. Nearly every time Kristin Chapman takes a cruise, she heads to the Caribbean. The 38-year-old medical librarian has been on more than a dozen cruises, and itineraries packed with a variety of tropical destinations in the region have kept her coming back. What I really found enjoyable about the Caribbean was it really does give you the longer port days because the islands are so close together, said Chapman, who lives in Connecticut. It does make you feel like you have had more of an experience in where you're going, rather than the days at sea that you have in between different islands (on some other cruises). Caribbean cruises offer an easy, often affordable way to travel internationally from the U.S. Its a great way to check off a bunch of countries on your map, Mike Harris, director of sales at online travel agency The Cruise Web. Why are Caribbean cruises so popular? Caribbean itineraries are the default choice of many cruisers and with good reason. Specifically, for the American market, its close to home, said Harris. Cruise lines sail to the Caribbean from ports in cities ranging from Miami to Baltimore to New York City. These are domestic ports that a lot of the country can drive to, he added. Once travelers set sail, there is something for everyone. The versatility of the Caribbean is what makes it unique, Harris said. Thats true of both the wide range of cruise lines operating there including post-COVID-19 newcomers like Virgin Voyages as well as its mix of beaches, cuisine, history, adventurous activities like cave tubing and zip lining and nightlife. That combination of factors has proven increasingly compelling to guests. Demand for Caribbean cruises was up nearly 5% in the first two quarters of the year compared to the same time in 2019, according to Cruise Lines International Association, the industrys leading trade organization. The Caribbeans market share in the industry is also at 44%, an increase from 34% in 2019, said Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Pro tip: Cruises that leave from the Caribbean, like a Carnival Cruise Line sailing Chapman took from San Juan, Puerto Rico, tend to have fewer sea days and maximize your time in port. When is the best time to take a Caribbean cruise? The region has long been seen as a warm weather destination where travelers can go to escape the cold, according to Paige. But in recent years, more lines have begun offering Caribbean sailings all year. They have year-round great weather, but its more than just the weather, she said. Still, Harris said passengers will find the most variety of ships there from November through March. You'll get the big contemporary ships, you get the medium premium brands, but you also get the very small deluxe and luxury brands that are going to very small, exclusive islands that a lot of people just haven't heard of, he said. In the summer, smaller ships typically reposition elsewhere like Alaska or Europe and the Caribbean is mostly populated by big ships catering to families with kids out of school. (Click here for USA TODAYs cruise line guide). Are Caribbean cruises expensive? Because so many itineraries are offered throughout the year, Harris said travelers can often find cheaper sailings than in some other destinations. You can find a Caribbean cruise for as low as $60 a day, all the way up to $2,200 a day just depending on the experience youre looking for, he said. These items are banned on cruises: Read this before you pack Upcoming Caribbean cruises Royal Caribbean Internationals Independence of the Seas ship will sail a four-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary departing Nov. 15. The cruise will sail round-trip from Miami with a stop in Labadee, Haiti. The fare starts at $272 per person based on double occupancy, according to the lines website. Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Sun ship will sail a 12-day Caribbean cruise round-trip from Baltimore, departing Dec. 9. The cruise will stop in San Juan; Philipsburg, Sint Maarten; Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Johns, Antigua and Barbuda; Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Cabins start at just under $849 per person based on double occupancy, according to the lines website. Carnival Cruise Line will offer a round-trip six-day Western Caribbean sailing from Galveston, Texas, leaving Dec. 10. The sailing on the lines Carnival Dream ship will visit Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, as well as Belize. Available cabins currently start at $809 per guest based on double occupancy, according to Carnivals website. Silversea Cruises Silver Dawn ship will depart on a 10-day cruise from Bridgetown, Barbados, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Jan. 26. Passengers will visit Bequia in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Castries, Saint Lucia; Saint Johns; Gustavia in St. Barts; Saint Thomas; Spanish Town in the British Virgin Islands; and San Juan. Fares currently start at $5,350 per guest based on double occupancy, according to the luxury lines website. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Caribbean cruises offer easy, affordable international travel Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world. On the day Liang resigned from his banking job in Chinas Zhejiang province, his friends threw a party and congratulated him by beating gongs and drums, in an echo of traditional marriage rituals. His friends, who had also quit their jobs, pinned a flower on Liangs chest under a scarlet banner that read: Were done with this bullsh*t job! Around them hung lanterns, banners and double happiness signs typically seen during weddings, while tables overflowed with food. Every partygoer received an invitation stating: Hope you eat well and drink well, escape from the bitterness as soon as possible. It may seem strange to celebrate leaving a stable job with an enviable salary, especially amid Chinas gloomy economic prospects and record high youth unemployment rate, when such positions are in short supply. But Liang, 27, who has since become a content creator while running a cafe, said he has become happier since quitting in May, a sentiment shared online by many others in similar circumstances. Cakes and pastries at Liang's resignation party. The sign reads: 'I quit!' - Liang I fell into mechanized, repetitive work. It consumed a lot of my energy, he told CNN, adding that he felt stifled creatively at a banks public relations department. Your innovative ideas would have been dismissed and vanish eventually. CNN is identifying Liang with a pseudonym for privacy reasons. Hundreds of posts about resignation parties have spread on Chinese social media this year, as the country slowly emerges from its Covid-19 cocoon of isolation and grapples with the economic and social fallout. Most of the people participating in the trend are in their 20s, citing various reasons for quitting ranging from low wages to burnout. Food and wedding decor at Liang's party. - Liang According to Chinas LinkedIn equivalent Maimai, out of 1,554 employees across various sectors surveyed from January through October 2022, 28% resigned that year. The number doubled for those who intended to quit but hadnt yet done so. A similar movement, dubbed the Great Resignation, had taken off in the United States, with almost 50 million people quitting their jobs in two years. While the phenomenon is petering out in the West, it seems to be just getting started in China. Disillusionment is high among overworked young people who have spent their lives competing against each other academically and climbing the corporate ladder, only to find little satisfaction. Experts say the trend could exacerbate the countrys growing economic headaches, as a falling birthrate and shrinking workforce spell trouble for future growth and for generations of Chinese youth. The school rat race Many children in China begin the educational rat race at a young age, with years of after-school tutoring and high-pressure exams culminating in the dreaded gaokao college entrance exam which most students get just one shot at. I think people in the West, people outside of China, dont understand how hard it is to be a child [there], said Nancy Qian, a professor of economics at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management. The youth are dealing with a lot of disappointment and pent-up exhaustion and resentment from working so hard. Many grew up during a time when the economy was running at full speed and the future seemed promising. But, as the products of the one-child policy, which was relaxed only in recent years as authorities tried to reverse the falling birth rate, theyve had to deal with high parental expectations while competing in a cutthroat system. People attending a job fair in Beijing on August 26, 2022. - Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images They were told the sacrifices would all work once they became financially successful, Qian said. Instead, theyve been confronted with the realities of unprecedented unemployment rates and stagnating salaries due to a sluggish economy and intense overwork culture. It undermines the morals and work ethic theyve been taught their whole lives, Qian said. They are totally burned out. And while older generations focused on simply making ends meet, young adults growing up in a more prosperous era want meaning and purpose, which their jobs often failed to offer. A market mismatch That sense of disillusionment is heightened by what experts say is a mismatch between peoples education levels and their skills, and the jobs available. China has built the worlds largest education system, with university enrollment almost doubling in just ten years to 57.8% in 2021, according to the Ministry of Education. However, Yao Lu, a sociology professor at Columbia University, found in her research that a significant proportion of employees are overqualified for their jobs, meaning their positions do not require the skills and knowledge they learned at school. They are working in jobs that may be relatively stable, may pay reasonably well, but those are jobs that dont typically need a college degree, such as administrative roles in local district offices and food delivery drivers, she said. This mismatch has serious social consequences including the employees often low levels of satisfaction with their lives and their jobs, she added. University graduates at a job fair in Yibin, China, on June 14, 2023. - CNS/AFP/Getty Images Veyron Mai, a resident of the southern city Foshan, graduated with a bachelors degree in music, but was unable to secure a job as a music teacher. He eventually turned to blue-collar work and tried car washing before becoming a restaurant server. He recalled working in the summer heat and using strongly corrosive cleaning materials. Even if you wear gloves, it still hurt your hands and made them ugly. After I worked there for a month, I felt ashamed showing other people my hands. How can I call myself a music student? Lu said there was a structural imbalance between supply and demand. Despite the proliferation of higher education degrees, Chinas economy doesnt currently require as many high-skilled workers and it takes time to transform the economic structure, she said. Fewer workers? The mismatch in the labor market is likely be a long-term issue, which is not good news for the economy as it faces obstacles on multiple fronts. For years, Chinas fertility rate has been falling, meaning fewer babies and a shrinking group of working-age adults. Meanwhile, the countrys elderly population is rapidly aging, resulting in a rising demand for pension funding, health care and other welfare services. Against this backdrop, the worst case scenario is if the dispirited youths permanently drop out of the labor force, which will mean even fewer workers to support the elderly in the years to come, said Qian. The resignation trend could affect fertility, but its not yet clear how, she said. Young adults freed from grueling work hours could have more time to focus on relationships and start families, she said or they could further delay that process due to income loss and depressed emotions. Anything that pushes fertility rates even lower is a serious concern for the future, she said. Many of those resigning from their jobs arent leaving the workforce entirely. Those who spoke to CNN or who have written about their experiences online have moved to other positions or other industries. And its unclear how long this trend will last. Liang now runs a cafe in Taizhou, an eastern city ringed with mountains and a coastline. At my age, I can just quit when I want to, he said. But maybe after a year or two, Ill have to go back to the workplace dejectedly. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com New York City police are looking for a man seen on security video stabbing a man to death early Monday in Brooklyn. Ryan Carson, 32, of Brooklyn, was killed in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant shortly before 4 a.m. Monday, police said. Officers found Carson with multiple stab wounds to the chest. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. No one had been arrested Wednesday afternoon, police said. Brooklyn Stabbing Suspect Wanted (NYPD) At a media briefing Wednesday, New York police Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators had developed a suspect and were trying to establish probable cause to make an arrest. He said that after Carson was fatally stabbed, the knife-wielding man also kicked Carson in the chest. The assailant then threatened to stab a female companion who was with Carson and spat in her face before he fled, Kenny said. Carson, wearing a suit, is seen on security video obtained by NBC New York in a confrontation with a man who appears to be holding a knife in his right hand. The man can be heard telling Carson, Im going to kill you right now. Carson is heard telling the man, Chill, chill, chill. Ryan Carson, right, in a surveillance video moments before he was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend. (via NBC New York) The man takes a swing at Carsons face, and Carson runs away before he trips over a bus bench and falls to the ground. Thats when the man stabs Carson multiple times, according to the video. NBC New York reported that Carsons girlfriend witnessed the violence. The pair had attended a wedding and were waiting for a bus. Carson worked for the nonprofit New York Public Interest Research Group, which, according to its website, launches public education campaigns "to produce policies that strengthen democracy." Ryan Carson advocates for more safe injection sites in a video for NO OD NY. (NO OD NY via NBC New York) In a statement about his death, the nonprofit group said Carson, a longtime campaign organizer, was killed in a random street encounter near his home. His engaging personality, hearty laugh and wide-ranging intelligence were keys to his success in advancing the causes he deeply cared about in his work and personal life, the statement said. Carsons relatives could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Washington, Oct 5 (UNI) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), on Thursday called on leaders to establish new international rules to prohibit and restrict the use of autonomous weapon systems to "protect humanity," the United Nations said. "Today we are joining our voices to address an urgent humanitarian priority. The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) call on States to establish specific prohibitions and restrictions on autonomous weapon systems, to shield present and future generations from the consequences of their use. In the current security landscape, setting clear international red lines will benefit all States," the UN said in a statement. Specifically, Guterres and Spoljaric call on "world leaders to launch negotiations of a new legally binding instrument to set clear prohibitions and restrictions on autonomous weapon systems and to conclude such negotiations by 2026" and urge member states to "take decisive action now to protect humanity." The UN added that the development and proliferation of autonomous weapon systems systems that can target and apply force against targets without human intervention pose "serious humanitarian, legal, ethical and security concerns," and have "the potential to significantly change the way wars are fought" and "contribute to global instability and heightened international tensions." "We must act now to preserve human control over the use of force. Human control must be retained in life and death decisions. The autonomous targeting of humans by machines is a moral line that we must not cross. Machines with the power and discretion to take lives without human involvement should be prohibited by international law," the statement said. The UN also added that increasing availability and accessibility of new technologies, such as in robotics and artificial intelligence that could be integrated into these systems, raising concerns among the organizations, as well as scientists and industry leaders developing these technologies. "This means prohibiting autonomous weapon systems which function in such a way that their effects cannot be predicted. For example, allowing autonomous weapons to be controlled by machine learning algorithms fundamentally unpredictable software which writes itself is an unacceptably dangerous proposition," the statement read. The UN also said that clear restrictions including limiting where, when and for how long the systems are used, the types of targets they attack and the scale of the force used are required for "all other types of autonomous weapons" to ensure compliance with "international law and ethical acceptability." The UN also called for ensuring the ability "for effective human supervision" and "timely intervention and deactivation." UNI/SPUTNIK XC AKS YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. Germany insists that the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan around Nagorno-Karabakh should be resolved through diplomacy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said during a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Scholz said that Germany rejects military violence. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the basis for sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan shall be the preservation of the principle of territorial integrity, the German government said in the readout of the call. Scholz emphasized that Germany fully supports European Council President Charles Michels efforts aimed at the peaceful resolution in NK. Chancellor Scholz also described the October 1 UN mission to NK as a positive step that should be used for further work in that direction. The UN mission was heavily criticized in Armenia. BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on condemning Azerbaijans military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, calling on the EU to sanction Azeri officials responsible for the ceasefire violation in NK which led to numerous human rights violations. The resolution was adopted on October 5 with 491 votes in favor, 9 against and 36 abstentions. Condemning Azerbaijans violent seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh, the MEPs call for sanctions against those responsible and for the EU to review its relations with Baku. In the resolution the European Parliament strongly condemns Azerbaijans pre-planned and unjustified military attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September, which MEPs say constitutes a gross violation of international law and human rights and a clear infringement of previous attempts to achieve a ceasefire. With over 100,000 ethnic Armenians having been forced to flee NK since the latest offensive, MEPs say the current situation amounts to ethnic cleansing and strongly condemn threats and violence committed by Azerbaijani troops against the Armenian inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh. They also call on the EU and member states to immediately offer all necessary assistance to Armenia to deal with the influx of refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh and the subsequent humanitarian crisis. MEPs want to see Azeri officials sanctioned Appalled by Azerbaijans latest attack, Parliament calls on the EU to adopt targeted sanctions against the government officials in Baku responsible for multiple ceasefire violations and human rights abuses in Nagorno-Karabakh. While reminding the Azeri side that it bears full responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of all people in the enclave, MEPs demand investigations into abuses committed by Azerbaijani troops that may constitute war crimes. Expressing serious concern over irredentist and inflammatory statements by Azerbaijani president llham Aliyev and other Azeri officials threatening the territorial integrity of Armenia, MEPs warn Baku against any potential military adventurism and call on Turkiye to restrain its ally. The EU must reassess its relations with Azerbaijan Parliament calls on the EU to undertake a comprehensive review of its relations with Baku. To develop a strategic partnership with a country like Azerbaijan, which blatantly violates international law and international commitments, and has an alarming human rights record, is incompatible with the objectives of EU foreign policy, MEPs say. They urge the EU to suspend any negotiations on a renewed partnership with Baku, and should the situation not improve, consider suspending the application of the EU visa facilitation agreement with Azerbaijan. Parliament also calls on the EU to reduce its dependency on Azeri gas imports and, in the event of military aggression or significant hybrid attacks against Armenia, for a full EU import stop of Azeri oil and gas. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. The EU will provide more than 25 million to Armenia after Azerbaijans attack in Nagorno-Karabakh, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said. Weve allocated 5,2 million euros. And today I will tell the Armenian Prime Minister that we are ready to nearly double this amount to 10,2 million, and that we are providing an additional 15 million euros in assistance to Armenias budget, TASS news agency quoted Ursula von der Leyen as saying in Granada, Spain ahead of the European Political Community summit. Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan is also in attendance at the summit. He was supposed to have peace talks with Azeri president Aliyev there but the latter pulled out a day before the planned meeting. Ursula von der Leyen said she will meet PM Pashinyan in Granada and discuss support to Armenia. Of course, Armenia will have a role in todays discussions. I will have a bilateral meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister. We are resolutely supporting Armenia, we have supported its humanitarian needs. We will discuss what else we can do for Armenia in this difficult situation, the President of the European Commission told reporters ahead of the meeting. She said that the EU has strongly condemned Azerbaijans military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh and is working to restore dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and achieve a peace treaty. by Mathias Hariyadi The Muslim Council of Elders opened an office in the Indonesian capital during yesterdays conference. The Council plans to work with other groups in Malaysia and Pakistan. Focus on the environment coincides with Laudate Deum, and comes a few weeks before COP28 in Dubai. Christians and Muslims share the same concern for the environment. The Bandung Eco Camp highlights the Churchs commitment at work. Jakarta (AsiaNews) A Conference on Religions and Climate Change Southeast Asia (CORECS) was held yesterday in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Dozens of religious leaders from different faiths came from all over the region to the event, organised by the Muslim Council of Elders (Muslim Hukama Council MHM). This is part of a series of initiatives following the historic Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together signed jointly by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmad al-Tayyeb in February 2019 in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). The Jakarta conference, which focused on combining spiritual and religious elements to care for creation, was held on the same day that the Vatican published Pope Franciss Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum, on climate change eight years after His Encyclical Laudato Si. The MHM, an organisation created by al-Tayyeb himself in 2014, used the interfaith meeting on climate in Jakarta, which comes a few weeks before the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai (UAE) next November and December, to open an Indonesian office. Speaking to hundreds of participants, MHM Secretary General Mohamed Abdelsalam thanked the Indonesian government "for supporting our initiative" and the opening of an office in the Indonesian capital. "This international conference on religion and climate change is taking place here as a supporting event ahead of COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai, he said yesterday. The environment is very topical for the Southeast Asian nation; the most populous Muslim country in the world has some 94 million hectares of forests and is among the countries most affected by climate change. In view of the UN conference, Abdelsalam noted that, "our group will be among the proponents of the Faith Pavilion, a new thing that has not been present in previous editions" of the global summit on climate. Another international conference is set for 6-7 November in Abu Dhabi with delegates from the Catholic Church, experts from the United Nations Environment Programme, and local authorities. For the MHMs Jakarta office, the goal is to start a "fruitful collaboration" with other groups in Malaysia and Pakistan to "promote fraternal dialogue, social tolerance, peace, and living together". Our imminent and clear challenge right now is climate change, said Saiful Rahmat Dasuki, on behalf of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. In his view, religious leaders have an increasingly important role to play since they will be called to speak out more frequently and carefully to prevent "the destruction of nature". Fr Stanislaus Ferry Sutrisna Wijaya, from the Bandung eco camp, is a leading member of Indonesias Catholic Church, dedicated to environmental issues and nature conservation. For decades, his work has allowed thousands of people - students, teachers, university students, religious leaders - to learn more about nature conservation. On the sidelines of yesterday's conference in Jakarta, the clergyman stressed how the mission of Bandung eco camp is closely tied to the Abu Dhabi document. Through Laudato Si (2019) and Laudate Deum (2023), "we are all called to promote brotherhood and peaceful coexistence and spark cooperation among people in society to preserve nature. Since its establishment in 2014, the camp has been visited by at least 30,000 environment enthusiasts, helped train about 500 green leaders as well as 75 environmental volunteers, with the participation of 2,162 schools with 69,628 students and their parents. Fr Stanislauss concerns are shared by Indonesias Environment Ministry. "The Paris Agreement should be supported by all parties, said Laksmi Dhewanti, an official with the ministry. The goal of zero emissions in 2060 should become our common objective. (Fr Ferry Sutrisna Wijaja PR contributed to the article) Press Release October 5, 2023 'Edukasyon ang tanging puhunan natin sa mundong ito' -- Bong Go calls for sufficient budget for CHED, SUCs to ensure better opportunities for the youth Senator Christopher "Bong" Go reiterated his full support for the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as well as for the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as Senator Pia Cayetano officially noted on record during a Senate Finance Subcommittee hearing on Monday, October 2 which she presided over. "Education is the cornerstone of our nation's progress. I stand firmly behind the proposed budgets for CHED, DAP, and SUCs as they are instrumental in shaping our future leaders," said Go, who is pushing for comprehensive legislative initiatives to enhance the country's education sector. "Nanawagan ako ng pagkakaisa at pakikipagtulungan ng mga SUCs kasama na ang CHED at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno, at mga kapwa ko mambabatas na patuloy nating isulong ang mga inisyatibo para sa kinabukasan ng mga kabataan dahil ang maayos na edukasyon ang tanging puhunan natin sa mundong ito," he reiterated. Go has been a vocal advocate of maintaining education as a top priority in the country. He has pledged to support policies that not only strengthen the education sector but also prioritize the health and well-being of students. This current Congress, the senator co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1359, known as the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act. This proposed measure aims to penalize educational institutions that prevent students from taking exams due to unpaid tuition or other school fees. Another bill co-authored and co-sponsored by Go, SBN 1864 or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, passed its third and final reading in the Senate recently. The bill is designed to offer relief to students who are unable to repay loans due to unforeseen disasters and emergencies. Go also filed SBN 1190, which proposes to expand the purposes and applications of the Special Education Fund of local government units for the operation and maintenance of public schools, payment of salaries and benefits for teaching and non-teaching personnel, competency training, operation of the Alternative Learning System (ALS), and educational research, among other things. Go's legislative portfolio also includes co-authoring Republic Act No. 11510, which institutionalized the ALS and improved basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students. This includes indigenous students, those with less privileged backgrounds, and those with physical and learning disabilities. Moreover, Go co-authored SBN 94, the Teaching Supplies Allowance Act of 2022, which aims to increase the annual "chalk allowance" provided to teachers, thereby relieving them of the financial burden of purchasing classroom supplies. He also co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 1360, which seeks to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy (TES) by amending Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. "Kung maipasa natin ito, mas mabibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang mga qualified and deserving students natin na makakuha ng kalidad na edukasyon," Go emphasized. "Ito ang rason kung bakit isinabatas noong panahon ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Republic Act No. 10931, o ang Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. Ako rin ay nag co-author at co-sponsor ng panukalang Senate Bill No. 1360 na layuning mas palawakin pa ito lalo," he added. Moreover, Go stated that education is not just about academics but about creating a holistic environment where students can thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically. This is why he has co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2200, known as the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. This bill aims to provide comprehensive mental health support for the youth in the country's basic education system, mandating both private and public schools to integrate mental health education and support services into their curriculum. Furthermore, Go has also been pushing for the passage of his proposed SBN 1786, which seeks to mandate public higher education institutions to establish Mental Health Offices on their campuses. This aligns with his belief that mental health should receive the same level of attention and care as physical health. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Lawyer Lu Siwei - detained in July in Vientiane while trying to flee the People's Republic - is in a detention centre in Sichuan despite warnings from UN Human Rights Council officials. The same place where Beijing seeks re-election for a new three-year term on 10 October. Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Arrested in Laos and deported to a prison in the People's Republic of China. The appeals of international organizations were to no avail: the Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei is in the Xindu detention center in Sichuan according to his wife Zhang Chunxiao. An exile in the United States, she broke the news last July of her husband's detention in Laos, where he was also attempting to leave China. Zhang Chunxiao told Radio Free Asia that Lu Siwei's family in China received a notice from the detention center asking for clothes, medicine and money to be sent. Lu Siwei suffers from a serious skin disease and has been without medicine for more than two months. During the phone call it was not specified how long he has been in China or on what charges he is detained. Last month, the Chinese embassy in Laos sent a communication to the Lao Ministry of Public Security stating that his criminal detention had been authorized for illegally crossing the border. On this basis, Beijing asked the Laotian authorities for the transfer "as soon as possible". Lu Siwei defended the lawyers arrested in the "709 case" and those arrested in the "June 4 liquor case" in Chengdu. In 2021, Sichuan's judicial department revoked his lawyer's license for representing 12 people from Hong Kong, which was deemed a "threat to national security." He has already been the victim of intimidation and harassment while on his way to his disbarment hearing. Since May 2021 he was also subject to a ban on leaving the country. He had arrived in Laos via Vietnam and when he was stopped he was boarding a train to Thailand, from where he would try to join his family in the United States. A group of senior officials from the UN Human Rights Council also intervened in Lu Siwei's case in August and reminded the Laos government that "under international law the principle of 'non-refoulement' guarantees that no one should be repatriated to a country where he or she may suffer torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and other forms of violence." If Liu Siwei had been transferred to China - they wrote - it would have been a violation of Article 3 of the Convention against Torture, of which Laos is a signatory country. Due to its increasingly close ties with Beijing, the Vientiane government has evidently wanted to ignore these calls. And - in the shadow of the affairs of the Belt and Road Initiative - the concern of Chinese dissidents is now growing throughout South-East Asia, who no longer feel safe even outside the borders of the People's Republic of China. The case of Li Siwei, for example, was also carefully followed by Chen Siming, another Chinese activist who has been at the Taiwan airport for two weeks from where he made a request for political asylum. He too had followed the same path, fleeing to Laos and then to Thailand to escape a threat of internment in a psychiatric hospital for having commemorated the victims of Tiananmen. All this is happening on the eve of the October 10th meeting, when the People's Republic of China will seek (and in all likelihood obtain) re-election for another three-year term in the same UN Human Rights Council which is supposed to monitor these violations. RED LANTERNS IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE CHINA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY THURSDAY, CLICK HERE. Azerbaijan wanted Turkey to send a representative, but Germany and France were against it. This has delayed the quest for a diplomatic solution. Armenia is trying to meet to the immediate needs of some 100,000 refugees who are angry at the international community for abandoning them, several sources say. A representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross told AsiaNews that he found the city of Stepanakert, called Khankendi by Azerbaijanis, "deserted". Granada (AsiaNews/Agencies) The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, will not be in Granada (Spain) for a meeting with European leaders and Armenian authorities to discuss the future of Nagorno-Karabakh following the dissolution of the Republic of Artsakh. Meanwhile, appeals for a negotiated solution are multiplying after the armed conquest of the enclave sparked the exodus of over 100,000 people to Armenia. The Presidency of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CEBC) added its appeal, asking the international community to alleviate the humanitarian emergency of the hundreds of thousands of displaced and protect the Christian heritage in Nagorno Karabakh, including some 1,456 Armenian monuments now under Azerbaijan's control after the ceasefire in 2020 [. . .] already damaged during the war. The CEBC also expressed hope that international bodies will find a negotiated solution that guarantees the safety of the displaced and their right to return to the lands where they grew up with their traditions. Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh in Armenian, is a region with a Christian Armenian majority, included within the borders of Azerbaijan by Stalin, who divided the region in the early 1920s. Tensions began to grow after the dissolution of the USSR in 1989-91. Before the final, lightning, 24-hour offensive, on 19 September, the Lachin corridor connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia had been blocked for 10 months, and diplomatic efforts by the European Union had failed to overcome the stalemate, The previous war in 2020 had ended in a fragile truce after 44 days. Azerbaijani President Aliyev had considered taking part in talks with the leaders of France, Germany, Armenia and EU President Council Charles Michel, but had asked that Turkey also be present at the meeting. Germany and France turned down that request, while France announced that it would continue supplying military equipment to Armenia, further irritating Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Armenian authorities are trying to cope with the immediate needs of the refugees, especially as winter approaches. According to experts, it is clear that the refugees will not return to the territory now controlled by Azerbaijan, despite promises by Azerbaijani officials of equal rights and freedoms of everyone in Nagorno-Karabakh, regardless of ethnic, religious or linguistic affiliation. For the International Crisis Group, the promises made [by Azerbaijan] are insufficient to build trust after decades of tensions. According to Tigran Grigoryan, head of the Regional Center for Democracy and Security, a think tank in Yerevan, the local population feels that they have been left behind, basically, by the whole world - by the international community, partly by the government of Armenia. For Goris Deputy Mayor Irina Yolyan, Thousands of families are now homeless. Azerbaijan is like a steamroller across the asphalt. Nothing is stopping them, and this situation creates a great unhappiness, a great discontent with territorial losses and the sheer level of human suffering. UN experts, who arrived for the first time in 30 years, estimate that 50 to 1,000 Armenians remain in the region. Marco Succi, head of the rapid reaction team of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said he found a "surreal situation" upon his arrival on 22 September in the regions largest city, known as Stepanakert in Armenian and Khankendi in Azeri. "The city is empty and almost deserted," he told AsiaNews. "At present, there are only a few dozen people left who did not want to leave or vulnerable individuals who could not escape, mostly the elderly, bedridden patients or mentally disabled people." Some people were found to be severely malnourished. Communication links have been blown up, so those who have remained cannot contact those who have left the region. The electricity grid is still working, as is the water network, but we don't know the quality of the water," Succi continued. "Hospitals don't work, there are only five Azerbaijani ambulances operating in a limited manner." The CIRC, present in Nagorno-Karabakh since the start of tensions in 1992, acts as a neutral player between Armenia, which has always been supported by Russia, and Azerbaijan, dealing with the evacuation of the wounded and the search for the missing. The next step will be to reach the villages and towns involved in the last phase of the offensive. We are evaluating with the de facto authorities if and when we can reach these locations, Succi explained. There, too, we expect to find vulnerable people like those left here. As for the dead, however, it will be necessary to proceed with identification and then guarantee a dignified burial, added the Red Cross team leader. "In the event of armed conflict, like last time in 2020, it is always possible to proceed with search and rescue operations with a team composed of Azerbaijanis, Armenians and Russians, [the latter are] present as peacekeepers. We would like to recreate those teams even now." by Vladimir Rozanskij Assembly of the igumens and igumene of the Russian Orthodox Church underway in Moscow. The representatives of the Ukrainian monasteries were absent. Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod Georgij: "Even if the enemy of mankind tries to divide us, we will soon live as before according to the traditions of our fathers". Moscow (AsiaNews) - The great assembly of the hegumens (abbots and abbesses) of the monasteries of the Russian Orthodox Church was held in Russia, presided over by the head of the Commission of the "Interconciliar Presence" (the title of the Moscow Patriarchal Curia) for the organization of monastic life, the metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod Georgij (Danilov), who illustrated the contents of the meeting on the Russian portal Monastyrskij Vestnik, the "Monastic Messenger". Georgij first commented on the speech of Patriarch Kirill (Gundjaev) in the Ecclesial Council Hall of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, underlining that "he spoke from the heart, recalling his long and profound monastic experience". The head of the Russian Church recalls that many services are assigned to monasteries today, both spiritual and social, but the main part of his speech concerned the specific vocation of the monk which concerns "the fight against passions and evil spirits which is under heaven (Eph 6:12), in conversion, prayer, adoration and vigilance". The monastery, insists the patriarch, "is first of all the place of prayer, hermitic in the cell and sobornaja [community] in the church", to be accompanied with "the admonitions of the holy fathers". For this reason, monasteries must have good libraries, where "brothers and sisters must go often, to assimilate spiritual experience and thus have the possibility of continuing the tradition of Russian monasticism, which has weakened so much in the 20th century". Metropolitan Georgij observes that in the patriarch's words he felt a particular consonance in the definition of the monk as a "soldier for Christ". In this dimension "if you go into battle, you cannot stop and look back, we must realize our vocation without sparing ourselves". Nothing external must hold the monk back, neither relatives, nor friends or other external distractions, which often create divisions between brothers and sisters. In many interventions at the assembly, emphasis was placed on the podvig, the "sacrifice" of the monk. One of the most important tasks of the superiors of monastic communities is the care of the education and spiritual growth of the novices: "today, fortunately, we have all the means at our disposal, it is enough to enter the monastery and take all the gold of the tradition of our predecessors , trying to use it well in practice, without ruining it". The assembly was missing representatives of the Ukrainian monasteries of the Church (UPZ) linked to the Patriarchate of Moscow, but Georgij states that "our meeting had no political colour, we are all heirs of Holy Russia, our common roots date back to the saints Antonij and Feodosij of the Kiev Caves. According to the metropolitan "we are a single organism, which Heaven has predestined as the Russian Orthodox Church, and even if the enemy of the human race tries to divide us, but this is an earthly and transitory event, which will soon dissolve, and we will live as before according to the traditions of our fathers." The Russian monks pray for Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed), former superior of the Kiev Cave Lavra today under house arrest, and for all the brothers expelled from the main Kiev convent: "may God grant courage to all those who suffer in Ukraine , fortitude and fidelity to the canons of the Church". Patriarch Kirill compared this period to that experienced by his family under the persecutions of the Soviet period, but "the times of repression are over in our homeland, and the Church today lives with all its vital energies, as we are certain will also happen in Ukraine, we will once again be one family of blood and spirit." Georgij also enthusiastically recalls President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to his eparchy of Nizhny Novgorod, where he was illustrated with the work of reviving devotion to Saint Serafim of Sarov in the Diveevo monastery, a destination for pilgrimages from all over Russia. Putin listened to the testimonies of monks and collaborators "with emotion and great attention", as they reflected "the great rebirth of all the Russian people, who thanks to the monasteries can live on a par with the angels around the divine Throne". Photo: Flickr / - Divided into 35 small groups in the Paul VI Hall, participants are discussing the first part of the Instrumentum Laboris. The two mainland Chinese bishops concelebrated Mass with Pope Francis. Mathew Tomas, a layman from a vicariate of Arabia, told his story, explaining how young people met construction workers individually for the synod. Vatican City (AsiaNews) After yesterday's Mass and the inaugural session in the afternoon, the Synodal Assembly began its work this morning in the Paul VI Hall. The first part of Instrumentum laboris will see some 35 round tables, each with about 10 or more people, speaking the same language, discussing the first part of the synodal consultation, reflecting on how to turn mutual listening into a method for the Church. Each member of the Synod was given a place at one round table, distributed according to language (Italian, English, French and Spanish) and type, non-bishop members (priests, men and women religious, lay people and lay people), a novelty compared to the working method of previous episcopal assemblies. The small groups are the starting point, where everyone is immediately called to bring their own contribution, which a rapporteur (elected by each group) will report in a brief summary at the General Congregation, careful to present points of convergence and divergence. The process of mutual listening will go on for the first two weeks of the Synod, which Pope Francis stressed yesterday evening in his greeting to the first General Congregation, referring to outside pressures in the case of some topics. In his address, the pontiff touched a number of themes like communion for the divorced or the ordination of viri probati, which have dominated the media debate in previous synods, or more recent controversies: What will they do?, Perhaps the priesthood for women. For this reason, he urged journalists to inform the public that this synod is a pause for all the Church, to listen. This is the most important message. Two bishops were present from the People's Republic of China, appointed by Pope Francis upon the suggestion of the local Church in agreement with Chinese authorities: Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Zhoucun (Shandong) and Bishop Anthony Yao Shun of Jining (Inner Mongolia). The two concelebrated yesterday mornings opening Mass in front of St Peter's Basilica (see picture), which Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo shared on his Facebook account. Mathew Thomas, the first lay member of the synod to speak, provided one of the strongest voices in the first General Congregation, representing the two apostolic vicariates of Arabia and the migrant Church in the Persian Gulf. In his address, he spoke about the synodal journey in his community, which includes more than a hundred 100 nationalities speaking dozens of languages. "I want to dedicate a special mention to the fact that our synodal process was also attended by the small Catholic community that still lives its faith in war-torn Yemen." He spoke about what was done to involve those who never had a voice. "Most of the migrants in the Gulf are construction workers, living in special camps, working 10 or 12 hours a day, six days a week. Hundreds of young volunteers went around to meet them. Holding meetings in the camps was not allowed, so they met them one by one. The latter were happy that the Church had taken the initiative to listen to them." Another special experience of synodal listening in the region involved a community of Catholic fishermen in one of the emirates. "At first they did not want to collaborate because for almost three years they had not come to church over some disagreement, Thomas explained. But young people continued to visit them and so they agreed to sit down to talk. The result is that they are back in church. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Sheridan Semple is an Aspen-area resident. She can be reached at at sheridan@sheridansemple.com. kW TDI PHEV Don't get us wrong, the first Kodiaq was already among the biggest in its segment, but the new one dwarfs it. At 4,758 mm (187.3 in) long, it is 4 mm (0.2 in) longer than the first-gen VW Touareg . The model is 1,864 mm (73.4 in) wide and 1,659 mm (65.3 in) tall, according to Skoda, and measures 2,855 mm (112.4 in) between the axles, a 64-mm (2.5-in) improvement.In the design department, it looks like an evolution of its predecessor. Mind you, there are some key upgrades here, such as the new double headlamps that are bigger on the new generation, the wider and taller grille, new C-shaped taillights of larger proportions, and a slightly cleaner-looking rear bumper. For more visual ruggedness, it features black cladding on the lower portions of the body.The 2024 Kodiaq underwent more changes inside. The cockpit also follows the evolutionary route for the most part. It has a new free-standing infotainment system measuring up to 13 inches in diagonal on the well-equipped specifications, a 10-inch digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, and numerous amenities.Skoda mentions stuff such as the Phone Box with a cooling function that can charge two smartphones, massaging seats, gear shifter moved to the steering column, an umbrella integrated into the driver's door, an ice scraper, additional storage spaces, and the usual remote functions, joined by a plethora of safety gear.Power-wise, the 2024 Skoda Kodiaq brings gasoline, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options. The entry-level uses a 1.5-liter TSI mild-hybrid with 150 ps (148 hp/110), and there is also a 204 ps (201 hp/150 kW) 2.0 TSI. Twodiesels, rated at 150 and 193 ps (148/190 hp/110/142 kW), are also available, alongside a 1.5-liter plug-in hybrid that enjoys a total of 204 ps (201 hp/150 kW).The punchiest TSI and TDI versions pack all-wheel drive, whereas the rest of the range has to make do with front-wheel drive. All variants of the new Kodiaq, bar the, use a seven-speed DSG. The plug-in hybrid model, on the other hand, features a six-speed DSG and boasts an electric driving range in excess of 100 km (62 miles) on a full charge.Skoda will release the pricing details in due course, as the new generation Kodiaq is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in the coming months. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the Czech automaker will open the order books next February, and it appears that buyers will have to wait until June 2024 to take delivery of the vehicle. The bug Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution The fix Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution The Coolwalk update Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution Coolwalk is now available for all Android Auto users, but the search giant still has a lot of work to do to ensure 100 percent stability and reliability.Living proof is a bug that appeared earlier this week. Users who installed the most recent Android Auto versions claim the taskbar at the bottom of the screen is no longer there, so they can't switch apps.Once Android Auto launches, it automatically loads the navigation app, in most cases Google Maps. Due to the lack of an application bar in the lower part of the screen, users are stuck with the navigation app, as they can't switch to Spotify, Waze, or any other app.The problem is as mysterious as it gets, and considering it appeared earlier this week, I managed to collect only limited information about it.First, it looks like only users who installed Android Auto 10.4 and 10.5 encountered the glitch. They claim the taskbar went away after updating Android Auto, but it's unclear if the glitch is linked to a specific app version.A server-side problem could also cause the issue, but given Google has remained tight-lipped so far, it's impossible to tell where the error resides.Oddly enough, some users claim they no longer see the taskbar on Android Auto 10.4 with a specific phone, but everything is working correctly if they switch mobile devices. These reports could indicate a software compatibility problem, but every user signals a different behavior on different phones and different Android Auto versions.The confusion continues with the Android Auto connection method impacted by the glitch. Some say only the wired version of Android Auto exhibits the bug, and everything works correctly when using the wireless mode. Others claim the same thing happens regardless of how they run Android Auto.This is the part where everything becomes even more confusing. Despite the bug being quite new, most users have already tried the generic workarounds. However, clearing the cache, deleting the app's data, reinstalling Android Auto, and even downgrading to an earlier release didn't bring things back to normal.Some users claim they've tried to reset everything, including the mobile device and even the infotainment unit. Unsurprisingly, it didn't work, as Android Auto still failed to display the taskbar and the Coolwalk screen where apps run side-by-side.Someone on Google's forums claims they also tried disabling Google Maps , but this step kills Android Auto. Because the app launches directly to Google Maps, not showing a taskbar to allow users to switch to a different app, Android Auto is stuck with a blank screen. Users can't do anything other than disconnect the phone to return to the OEM interface.No workaround is available at this point, but someone says they downloaded to version 10.0, and everything was back to normal. If this works for everybody, it could suggest the glitch is caused by a weird mix of software compatibility errors between the latest Android Auto versions and certain phone operating systems. It's too early to tell who is affected, but I see reports from Samsung, Google, and Huawei phone owners. Everybody says the taskbar is no longer available on Android Auto.The Coolwalk interface was one of the biggest additions ever received by Android Auto. Like the CarPlay Dashboard, Coolwalk allows users to run multiple apps side-by-side on the same screen using cards.Each card is used by a certain app category. Navigation apps, such as Google Maps and Waze , use the largest card on the screen because they must display more information, including the maps and the turn-by-turn navigation. Audio apps like Spotify and YouTube Music, phone calls, and the weather forecast use the rest of the interface.The weather information is only available on portrait displays where the screen estate allows one extra card. Google originally promised to bring the forecast to landscape displays, but no further information has been offered since this promise was made.The taskbar at the bottom of the screen allows users to launch apps and toggle between the full-screen mode, originally the only way to run apps on Android Auto, and the Coolwalk interface with apps running side-by-side. Because it's no longer available, toggling between apps is impossible, so users must stick with whatever launches on the screen when Android Auto fires up.An Android Auto team member has already joined the conversation on the official support forums, asking for bug reports from users' phones, but it's too early to tell when a fix could go live. If you somehow discover a workaround, please share it with the rest of the readers using the comment box after the jump. A DoorDash driver who tried to deliver a Dunkin Donuts order to a customer in Middleton took everything the navigation app said for granted, following every little turn until they ended up in a forest. The unusual location didn't ring any bells, so the driver continued to follow the suggested route until they got stuck in a pond.It was the moment when they realized that something was not good, so they called the emergency teams for help.The Middleton Police explained that the driver could get out of the vehicle and walk to a nearby home. The first officers who responded to the scene claimed the driver was panicked but still holding the Dunkin Donuts order in hand (that's some commitment right there).The driver explained that the vehicle was "underwater," adding that they were just following the instructions provided by the GPS software to find the address. No further information was provided on the GPS solution, but chances are the driver used Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps to find the address.The police officers started the search for the vehicle, went down a dirt road, and eventually discovered the vehicle partially submerged in the water. The car was still running and was towed to safety.Here comes the tricky part.The Middleton Police says the driver will be charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and will have their license suspended, apparently because getting your car into a pond is much more dangerous than driving without a license or speeding (which are apparently very common in the region). Leaving aside the ridiculous punishment and hoping a judge would throw out the case, following GPS navigation when everything looks so dangerous is never a good idea.Unfortunately, people figure this out regularly, as drivers rely too much on navigation apps for every little journey to unfamiliar destinations. Not long ago, two people drowned in India after using a route suggested by Google Maps . The driver ended up taking a wrong turn, plunging the vehicle carrying five people into a river.A commenter says on Facebook that the navigation instructions on Google Maps and Waze are often broken. The two navigation apps allegedly sent drivers to their driveway "almost every day" until they reported the bug and insisted on fixing the map data.It's unclear if the DoorDash driver was using one of these mobile navigation apps, as the police press release simply refers to the navigation solution as "GPS." By now, you know pretty well how Elon Musk decided to call Twitter after purchasing it. When the Tesla CEO announced his social media would become X, I felt tempted to compare that move to what Eike Batista used to do. The former Brazilian billionaire always put an X in his companies' names as a lucky charm: he thought it would help them multiply good results. The ZEEKR X does not have any connection with any of these two controversial characters apart from adopting several solutions Tesla applied to its cars and trying to perfect them even the lousy ones. SUV Photo: Petter Berg/ZEEKR Design Evaluation BEV Photo: ZEEKR Interior Assessment Photo: Gustavo Henrique Ruffo Photo: Petter Berg/ZEEKR Photo: Petter Berg/ZEEKR Driving Take Photo: Petter Berg/ZEEKR Photo: ZEEKR Everyday Living Photo: ZEEKR kW kWh Photo: Petter Berg/ZEEKR Test Drive Roundup AWD Competitive pricing Distinctive style Build quality Roominess Throttle response Distracting tech Lack of buttons It was not always like that. ZEEKR's first car the 001, of course followed a more traditional approach that makes it feel premium effortlessly. I have also driven it, so I'll save my impressions about the car for another story. Geely's premium brand will try to convince customers that the X can be the same thing with something it calls Modern Luxury Experience. Summing it up, it relies on a simpler interior and more tech to offer a premium feel.According to ZEEKR's executives, the company has identified two main target audiences for this proposition. The first is what they call Tech Savvy, someone who is more interested in gadgets than in driving. The second aspirational customers are the Young Olds, those who have already raised their kids and may eventually carry their grandchildren around. Their previous cars were premium internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, so they still want that feel in their new electric cars, which they chose out of environmental concerns.If your reference for premium cars is Tesla, the ZEEKR X will look better than the American battery electric vehicle (BEV) maker's products. If you come from more traditional brands, the premium materials and the build quality in this Chinesewill not make the cut. What compromises its premium experience is not any of these factors; it is the way the ZEEKR X was conceived.ZEEKR did a good work at giving the X a distinctive appearance. Although it will remind you of a Lynk & Co product as I mentioned in a previous story the new electric SUV has styling solutions that set it apart. Get close to the car, and the door handles will tilt toward the interior. Just insert your hand in the niche this movement creates and touch the top of the inside surface: the door will pop open. That will have some implications, but I'll talk about them later.Before you enter the, you can appreciate the elegant work ZEEKR's designers performed. Some companies just place creases everywhere, making their cars look like crumpled sheets of paper. The ZEEKR X has one that starts at the bottom of the front doors and goes up straight to the high base of the C-pillar in the rear doors. Another one emerges from the middle of the front door to reach the rear wheel well. The sills and wheel arch claddings are painted black piano, which may become problematic as the car ages.All units of the ZEEKR X have a two-tone paint because the upper part of the body is always black. There are four color options for the lower portion of the vehicle: grey, beige, white, or green. Despite presenting an impressive drag coefficient of 0.28 similar to that the most advanced sedans in the 2000s had ZEEKR will have the option of roof rails in the future.Externally, the only similarity you'll find with a Tesla is the frameless doors. That's almost standard in BEVs because it makes the vehicle lighter. According to Tony Baho, these windows also give the car a more sophisticated appearance. I reminded ZEEKR's chief designer for Color, Materials, Finish (CMF) that this is only desirable in vehicles with strict quality control, something he said the brand will prove it has. Let's be honest: for BEVs, that's easier regardless of construction quality. After all, the battery pack improves body stiffness. Even so, there are several cases of windows spontaneously shattering in Tesla cars, which may have to do with body geometry. Let's hope ZEEKR vehicles will not present that issue.The rear is perhaps the dullest part of the electric SUV. Its taillights resemble simple LED strips underneath the small back window, with a lighted ZEEKR lettering separating them. Click a tiny button in front of the letters, and the hatch will open. That gives access to a cargo area that can carry only 362 liters (12.8 cubic feet) of luggage. To close it, just click another button at the button of the hatch. The car will take care of that for you.It is inside that the similarities with Tesla become more evident. The doors come with electronic locks. If the car faces a 12V problem , there's no way to open it from the outside. On the inside, it has mechanical releases to allow the occupants to leave. ZEEKR did a better job with them than the American BEV maker. In the X, the release is inside the door pockets in the front and under the internal door handles at the back. People trying to leave the electric SUV will not find that mechanism on their first try, but at least they will not need tools to operate it. ZEEKR should make sure its customers know where the releases are.The main similarity between the X and some Tesla vehicles (the Model 3 and Model Y) is that several critical adjustments in the car are concentrated on the central screen. Rear-view mirrors, seat cooling and heating, and air-conditioning controls are all there. This is a cost-cutting effort that has nothing premium about it. Should the screen fail for any reason, you cannot access these adjustments. At least the ZEEKR X still has two levers on the steering column.The one on the right puts the car to move. Move it up, and the gear selector goes to reverse (R). Push it down, and it is on drive (D). The middle is for neutral (N), but it is not clear why you have that option in the ZEEKR X when we get to the driving portion of this review, you'll get the point. Park (P) is on a button at the tip of the lever. Just press it, and the car's handbrakes are also activated. It feels a bit weird leaving the vehicle for the first time, but that's how it is supposed to work. There's no button to turn the car on or off. Teslas are the same.If you want to activate cruise control, you do that with the same right lever. Sadly, I did not have enough time with the car to figure out how to turn it on seamlessly. I only got it to work once but did not manage to change the set speed. I suspect you can do that on the steering wheel's buttons, but I could not confirm that.If I spend more time with this car in the future, I will fix that, but that's not what matters here. This was the perfect example of how following Tesla's lead was not a good call for the ZEEKR X. The cruise control did not have an intuitive operation: you have to learn how it works. In most vehicles, the levers contain all the instructions needed to get the cruise control's help. There's a standard that makes you capable of using it regardless of what you are driving. Well, not in a Tesla and not in the ZEEKR X. It is a pity. In Sweden where the test drive took place that would have been truly helpful in dealing with all the different speed limits and the radars spread everywhere.The situation even reminded me of the issues the American company had in China with customers trying to deal with the gear selector and accidentally turning on Traffic-Aware Cruise Control (TACC). Tesla performed a recall in that country to add a noise that indicated when the system was activated. That was the main suspect in the several sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) cases involving Tesla vehicles until Costas Lakafossis came up with a better explanation.Finally, ZEEKR also hides the brake fluid reservoir and the coolant tank under a plastic cover. Take a peak under the X hood and you'll have the impression they don't even exist, so I removed the plastic cover and asked Petter Berg to take some pictures for me. Nizar Kamel heard that some Model Y units came without the brake fluid cap. The Tesla customer removed the plastic cover that hid it and discovered the front casting was cracked. The BEV maker called it a " discontinuity " and a day. At least the ZEEKR X does not use massive castings.Despite these annoyances, Tesla's influence has at least one positive outcome: the ZEEKR X also offers a pet mode. If you are not familiar with it, this feature keeps animals protected against heat when they are left alone inside the vehicle. The B-pillar brings a round screen that informs about this mode, charging level, and other useful data. That's not something the American automaker offers, so count that as something unique to Geely's premium brand.The Tesla inspiration makes the ZEEKR X interior look clean, but you may prefer to call it spartan. The ambient light, the metal switches, and the Yamaha speakers are the only elements that suggest the SUV is a premium vehicle. The small screen behind the wheel is an improvement compared to what the Model 3 and Model Y offer, but it is the head-up display that hits the jackpot. When you use ZEEKR's navigation system, it makes it almost impossible to miss the next step. As for the little screen, it looks like a tilted smartphone. I would not avoid using it, mind you; I would just prefer something that did not feel so generic. ZEEKR gave us several route options in Stockholm to get acquainted with its electric SUV, a plain city that is mostly at sea level. That made it easy for the ZEEKR X not to spend much energy on hills. Most routes were around narrow local roads with 30-kph (18.6 mph) or 50-kph (31 mph) limits. For a car that promises to go from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds, it would be impossible to check how well it performs without breaking the law. The top speed is electronically limited to 180 kph (112 mph).That would not have been a problem if the vehicle I got to drive did not show a noticeable delay in throttle response. Anyone who drove a car from the 2000s with early CAN BUS will remember how long it took for the horn to make a sound or the headlights to flash: it only happened a while after you pushed the button or pulled the lever. It's the same thing with the ZEEKR X, only with the accelerator pedal. Press it, and the car will only jump forward after a while. Even if you do that smoothly, you will notice the delay.I talked about it with Victor Prado, ZEEKR's Product Expert. The engineer told me that we had preproduction vehicles for the test drive and that the first production units were still on their way to Europe. He also said the BEV I drove should have an issue, but I eventually moved another one for a short distance, and it behaved in the same way, even if the delay was not as evident.Another thing that bothered me was that the ZEEKR X does not coast. As soon as you remove your right foot from the accelerator pedal, it will start to slow down. The only two options for regenerative braking are moderate or intense. When I told Prado about that, he clarified that the ZEEKR X has permanent magnet motors. That means that moving it will always generate electricity. Towing demands a careful procedure unless you are dealing with the Long Range RWD. In this derivative, you will only need dollies for the rear wheels.A positive note on the ZEEKR X's behavior can be credited to the competent suspension. It was quite comfortable on uneven tarmac and predictable in high-speed curves sadly, only a few along the route. Should anything go wrong, the car has 19 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) . It is reassuring to imagine Volvo helped calibrate them.Spending a few hours with a vehicle can give you only a glimpse of how it feels to have it every day. Anyway, the ZEEKR X offers plenty of little treats to make traffic time more bearable. Heated and ventilated front seats are a good example. At the back, the seats provide only heating, but that's more than most vehicles can say they have. The premium sound system must also be nice, but I did not listen to music while driving it. I wanted to check how silent it was and was honestly impressed, especially after learning it was a preproduction car.The long wheelbase makes the electric SUV a surprisingly roomy vehicle, with plenty of space for a 1.85-meter (6'1") person to sit right behind someone as tall as they are. There is good thigh support, and the rear seats looked comfortable in the short time I spent there. The extensive glass roof promises to filter 90% of UV radiation. That's good news, considering the ZEEKR X has nothing to block the sunlight that comes through it.If you can charge at home, the electric SUV offers a 22-onboard charger. It promises to replenish the relatively small 69-battery pack in 4 hours if you start the process with no charge at all which is never a good deal. Ideally, you should never allow the charge to drop below 10% and should not charge NMC cells to 100% only exceptionally. If the ZEEKR X used LFP cells, that would not be a problem.The ZEEKR X fast charging limit is 150 kW, meaning the 400V system will take 28.8 minutes to go from 10% to 80% of charge. Although that is a bit less time than other vehicles charging at that voltage can deliver, some cars already work at 800V or more, which allows them to reduce fast-charging times. Ironically, not all automakers take advantage of that.The Porsche Taycan demands 21 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% because its maximum charging speed is 225 kW. The BYD Seal takes 26 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%, which means it will demand more minutes than the ZEEKR X to go from 10% to 80%. The Chinese sedan works at 800V, and its charging speed is also 150 kW. The LFP cells probably have something to do with the BYD's higher charging times.A crucial element to determine if ZEEKR X's proposition is enticing is checking its price tag. The Long Range RWD starts at 44,990 ($47,192 at the current exchange rate), and the cheapest Privilegecosts 49,490 ($51,912). The most direct competitors of the new SUV are the Volvo C40, XC40 Recharge , and the Mercedes-Benz EQA. The Swedish cars start at 47,500 in Germany, while the EQA's price kicks off from 50,777 in the same country.Although the ZEEKR X is more affordable, people already know these other brands well. ZEEKR is the new kid on the block, trying to make friends. It may take a while until it gains trust. The good news is that it is a good boy. Translating that to the automotive world, it presents a solid ride, premium solutions, and plenty of space for a family (apart from the trunk) with a unique style. Whether this will allow it to lunch with the cool kids is for the markets to decide. AWD EV kWh HVAC kW Interested parties will have to visit Kia's official website starting on October 16 at 10 AM PST (1 PM EST/7 PM CET) to select the Light Long Range RWD, Wind, Land AWD, or GT-Line AWD and then configure it. With that out of the way, they will have to pay a refundable $750 to reserve a build slot.The Korean automaker says that customers who make a reservation through November 27 will receive a few complimentary gifts. These include the 3-year Kia Maintenance Plan, Digital Features & Services available for one year, and a Webasto Go Dual Voltage PortableCharger. On top of that, everyone who buys or leases an EV9 will receive a 1,000charging credit with Electrify America.Kia's entry-level 2024 EV9 Light features 19-inch alloys, LED lights, rain-sensing wipers, rear privacy windows, an acoustic windshield, a power tailgate, faux leather upholstery, and ventilated and heated front seats with electric adjustment. It also comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment system and an equally large digital instrument cluster, a five-inch display for thesystem, tri-zone climate control, eight-speaker audio, a digital key, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a wireless smartphone charger.Tipping the scales at almost 5,100 pounds (2,310 kg), the Kia EV9 uses a rear-mounted electric motor in the base configuration. It has 215 hp (218 ps/160) and 258 pound-feet (350 Nm) of torque on tap and can deal with the 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) acceleration in 7.7 seconds. The top speed is rated at 118 mph or 190 kph. As for the towing rating, you are looking at up to 2,000 pounds (907 kg).In addition to this motor that powers the entry-level grade, the 2024 Kia EV9 is also available with dual-motor setups. In this instance, interested parties are looking at 379 hp (384 ps/283 kW) combined and 516 pound-feet (700 Nm) of torque. Unfortunately, the car manufacturer hasn't released the pricing details for other versions yet, stating only that the EV9 Light will start at $54,900, excluding destination, dealer fees, and options.Sharing its construction with the Hyundai Ioniq 7 and Genesis GV60, the Kia EV9 is currently put together at the company's factory in Gwangmyeong, South Korea. Nevertheless, it is scheduled to move to the brand's facility in West Point, Georgia, for our market in 2024. As for the pricing of the rest of the family, I will be announced in due course, likely in the coming weeks or months. Space suits are serious business. Their only purpose is insulating us sweaty and vulnerable meat sacks from the brutal and utterly inhospitable environments beyond Earth's atmosphere. With NASA's Artemis program set to deliver humans back to the Moon for the first time in generations this decade, the scramble to ensure a suitable space suit is ready in time is well and truly on. So, who do you think got the call to help make this new design a reality? Photo: Axiom Space Well, if you read the title, you already know the answer. But, to humor you, if your first guess was the historic Italian luxury fashion designers at Prada, well, we're not sure why you'd come to this conclusion. But somehow, in this post-modernist world that we live in where nothing makes sense, that's precisely the collaboration that's on the table. Well, it's more complicated, of course. But seeing the name of the pound-for-pound biggest name in Italian luxury fashion tied to something not even remotely posh or luxurious has us perplexed and eager to learn how such strange cooperation came to be. And no, it's not just for eye candy reasons like Prada's handbags.In truth, what's easy to misidentify as a direct partnership between Prada and NASA is a three-party affair that also involves the Houston, Texas-based aerospace manufacturer Axiom Space. Headed by Michael T. Suffredini, the former program manager for the International Space Station, Axiom, and Prada will work in tandem to present NASA with a space suit capable of adapting to the unprecedented environments the Artemis III mission is expected to encounter when it delivers the first woman and the first person of color to the Lunar surface in 2025. But to understand the scale of the work that lies ahead for Prada and Axiom, we need to look back at what Moon-fairing spacesuits used to be like during the Apollo program.During this time, what was called the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), or the Apollo lunar spacesuit (A-7L), was as much of a marvel of late 60s engineering as the Lunar Module or the Saturn V rocket themselves. According to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the suit consisted of 25 layers of protective material derived from what were, at the time, relatively new textiles and fabrics like Teflon, nylon, mylar, lycra spandex, and a fiberglass-like material that wouldn't irritate human skin called beta silica fiber. Many of these materials came courtesy of the DuPont Chemical company, but like the tentative spacesuit design for the Artemis program, the Apollo EMU was a nationwide undertaking involving several different aerospace contractors dedicated to each piece of its construction.The A-7L weighed roughly 81 lbs on Earth with its primary life support system (PLSS) installed, or around 30 lbs when compensating for lunar gravity. That's the prominent backpack-looking device that housed the Apollo astronaut's vital life-support hardware, including the oxygen supply equipment, without which extravehicular activities (EVAs) on the lunar surface would be impossible. The A-7L was designed for a truly impressive temperature tolerance ranging from -250F to +230F, depending on where exactly on the surface the astronauts had landed and where in the lunar day-night cycle the Moon was situated at the time.With an EMU repair kit strapped to the exterior of the suit, astronauts could conduct repairs using exterior patches, cloth tape, and replacement gaskets without having to return to the lunar module. With such innovative industry figures at the helm of its design, the Apollo EMU never had a significant failure while out on the lunar surface. Indeed, it's this impressively high standard that Axiom and Prada need not just to meet but exceed to present NASA with a spacesuit it deems suitable for the Artemis program.With a century-old understanding of handling and manipulating fine textiles to a standard above all others in their industry, Prada suddenly doesn't seem like the oddball in its collaboration with Axiom and NASA you might assume them to be. While Axiom works to ensure the Artemis EMU's life support abilities exceed that of the Apollo program, Prada engineers will develop the all-important textile materials that insulate astronauts to an even higher standard than Apollo while taking into consideration more creature comforts not possible to apply 50 years ago. With the exceedingly hostile conditions, extreme temperatures, and rapid temperature fluctuations around the lunar South Pole where Artemis III intends to land, these innovations will be nothing short of critical to mission success."The constantly forward-thinking ethos of Prada for humanity has broadened to his desire of adventure and to brave new horizons: space, explained Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Marketing Director. "We are honored to be a part of this historic mission with Axiom Space. Our decades of experimentation, cutting-edge technology, and design know-how which started back in the '90s with Luna Rossa challenging for the Americas Cup will now be applied to the design of a spacesuit for the Artemis era. It is a true celebration of the power of human creativity and innovation to advance civilization."There is no word yet on when Axiom and Prada will present their combined efforts to NASA for formal approval and integration into the plans for the Artemis III mission. Although something tells us with the kind of eye for design intrinsic to one half of the team, chances are good it'll look nothing like any space suit we've seen before. Expect to have that certain Italian flair that could have only come from Prada. A Tesla insider who claims he test-drove the Cybertruck on Tuesday shared exciting details in a Spaces call on X. Aside from unknown technical information and driving impressions, he also revealed that a date for the Cybertruck launch event has already been scheduled, although not publicly announced yet. HVAC Photo: MuddyRuttzz via YouTube More shared details: - A guy who was 57 was able to lay flat in the frunk. - no ramp built into the tailgate - suspension more comfortable than an S/X - turning radius is amazing - feels more luxurious than an S/X Matthew Donegan-Ryan (@MatthewDR) October 4, 2023 As Tesla Cybertruck deliveries are imminent, the internet is flooded with pictures, videos, and speculations about the electric pickup truck. There's so much noise these days that it's hard to follow the Cybertruck's real story. Obviously, there are people closer to Tesla who know more than they can tell. In a recent Spaces call on X, a Tesla insider revealed many exciting details about the upcoming pickup truck after he reportedly test-drove it on Tuesday.The call was dense, causing uproar on X (formerly known as Twitter). Yaman Tasdivar, who shared the details, says he test-drove the Cybertruck Performance trim, which features a powertrain similar to the Model S/X Plaid. This means a tri-motor configuration with about 1,000 horsepower to play with. The drive units are more closely related to the Tesla Semi, considering the Cybertruck shares the same 1,000-volt electrical architecture.It has been speculated that the Cybertruck might finally introduce bi-directional charging to the Tesla lineup. Yaman confirmed this feature in the Spaces call, adding that the pickup also features three power outlets in the vault, delivering 240 and 120 volts. While discussing the vault, you should know that the Cybertruck doesn't feature air ducts for thesystem. The mid-gate glass does open, though, so camping in the bed is possible with climate control.Unlike the original prototype, the production Cybertruck will not feature a ramp built into the tailgate. At least the unit offered for test-drive did not have it. The Cybertruck also has a spare wheel under the bed's floor, similar to the Rivian R1T . The bed's tonneau cover can be operated remotely from the Tesla app and the infotainment screen, besides the buttons on the bed. As for the tailgate, it can only open automatically but not close, probably for safety reasons.One of the most talked-about Cybertruck features was the frunk , with many saying it's too small. Well, it might not be too deep, but it's wide enough to allow a guy who was 5'7" (170 cm) to lay flat inside. The frunk lid is powered, confirming a rumored feature that many people wanted. It makes sense, considering how big (and potentially heavy) it is.Thanks to Yaman, we already have the first driving impressions of the Cybertruck. The rear-wheel steering makes the turning radius amazingly short, allowing the Cybertruck to maneuver in tight spaces. Multiple tow and trailer modes are available to select from, and the front bumper camera can be maximized on the screen to offer images during off-roading and parking. Suspension height shows the actual ground clearance on the screen instead of the usual low/medium/high settings. The highest level is 14.5 inches (37 cm), which is impressive.Many have the impression that the Cybertruck is a utilitarian vehicle with a no-frills interior. Still, the test driver confirmed that the truck he drove felt more luxurious than a Model S/Model X. The seats are wider and more comfortable, which he also said about the soft suspension. Another interesting detail is that the windows are not bulletproof, as speculated. They are double-glazed acoustic glass, though, to block the noise from entering the cabin.Yaman claims that Tesla already scheduled the date for the Cybertruck delivery event. We suspected this much after seeing the Cybertruck-themed apparel handed out to employees working on the event. Still, no official announcement has been made for now, but that will come soon. Speculations indicate that Tesla might shoot for a November show, as the Cybertruck was unveiled on November 21, 2019. Aero2 is the autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) that comes from Switzerland, but that has already secured customers around the world. After years of developing and testing prototypes, Dufour Aerospace is closer to finally kicking off production for its first aircraft. VTOL It's been nearly a decade since the founders of Dufour Aerospace started working on their first prototype, the Aero1. At the time, that was an electric aerobatic airplane. The Aero2 concept integratedcapabilities and a modular hybrid-electric propulsion system. It was officially introduced in 2018 as a two-seater for air taxi operations.What set the Aero2 apart from the competition was the unique combination of a tilt-wing design with hybrid-electric propulsion. This design enabled it to take off and land vertically, like a helicopter, yet cruise at high speed (320 kph/199 mph) like an airplane. The modular system with an optional auxiliary power unit could increase its range to an impressive 800 km (497 miles).The result was a futuristic-looking machine that claimed to offer high-speed air transportation and the same cost per kilometer as a car but with drastically lower emission levels. The Aero2 also claimed to be much quieter than conventional helicopters one of the main advantages of eVTOL operations in urban centers.Five years after the Aero 2 was first introduced, the Swiss company is moving forward with its production plans . Like all eVTOL manufacturers, it's trying to secure the best suppliers in the industry. The most recent one to join the project is Air Energy, an expert in battery and BMS (battery management systems) development.Air Energy boasts three decades of expertise, but it focused mainly on drone battery technology for the last decade. It will now add the battery modules for the Aero2 to its list of drone-related achievements.More specifically, Air Energy will design the battery housing, the mechanical and electrical connection for the battery packs, and the BMS for Aero2.A smart battery system is essential for the Swiss eVTOL. Jasmine Kent, Dufour co-founder and CTO, explains that each battery module will have its own BMS. The future aircraft will be able to land fully charged, which equals maximum performance, due to its in-flight recharging capabilities. This also means fast and effective turnaround because there's no need to wait for in-between flights recharging.The Aero2 was impressive enough to conquer the US market. Earlier this year, an agreement between Dufour and Spright, the drone division of Air Methods, was touted as the biggest drone purchase for the civilian sector in American history. Spright committed to purchasing 40 Dufour aircraft, with the option of adding 100 extra units.The most recent version of the Aero2 boasts a larger fuselage and wingspan, paired with an H tail instead of a conventional one. Commercial production is set to start in two years. In Scotland, a Munro refers to a mountain surpassing 3,000 feet (914.4 m) in height, listed by the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) as a Munro, without a specific topographical prominence guideline. The Birth of an Off-Road Legend? Photo: Munro EV EV Hummer H1 Capabilities With Zero Emissions Photo: Munro EV Low-tech Design Hides High-Tech Features Photo: Munro EV HP It Looks Big and Bulky, But it Isn't Photo: Munro EV Where to From Here? Photo: Munro EV Munros are named in honor of Sir Hugh Munro, 4th Baronet, who initially compiled a list of these peaks, famously known as Munro's Tables, in 1891. Apparently, the SMC has listed a total of 282 Munros in Scotland, but if we modify their definition to include things other than natural formations, there should probably be 283.Say hello to Munro Electric Vehicles , a startup founded only four years ago, which vows to bring back automotive manufacturing in good old Scotland after more than four decades since the Talbot Sunbeam put an end to volume car production in Linwood.The idea that led to the carmaker's eventual creation appeared to the two founders while on a camping trip in the Highlands, when they found the vehicle they were driving, which may or may not have been an old Land Rover Defender, was struggling with steep climbs.For some unexplained reason, apart from wanting to create a go-anywhere mechanical workhorse, the two wanted it to be exclusively electric, spotting an automotive niche that has yet to be explored at its full potential.Fast forward to 2019, when Russell Peterson and Ross Anderson co-founded Munro Vehicles with private funding, and in 2023, the carmaker is already ramping up production of its products, part of the Series M lineup.What started as an idea has since evolved into a strategy, as Munro wants to "address the growing global demand for zero-emission off-road vehicles." The upcomingoff-roader lineup was developed for potential customers from the mining, construction, agriculture, and even defense sectors.The Munro Series M lineup so far includes a traditional five-door utility vehicle and a four-door pick-up truck , both sharing a similar construction and body.As their looks seem to show, the exterior design is either based on a Bollinger or on a British low-volume off-roader called the Foer Ibex. Still, the proportions have been modified extensively to include the all-electric powertrain.Speaking of the powertrain, this is where the Monro becomes truly unique on the market, as you are looking at what is essentially a mid-engine configuration for all intents and purposes.The car was developed to climb mountains, so it is obviously an all-wheel-drive, so you would expect it to have at least two motors. With that in mind, Munro engineers have developed it by mixing new-school and old-school technology and many novel or downright weird engineering ideas.Instead of fitting the EV off-roader with two motors, one per axle, the Munro has just one electric motor, sitting smack right in the middle of the vehicle, surrounded by an LFP battery.That is not the crazy part, as the motor sends its power via a two-speed gearbox and up to three locking differentials to both axles. This makes the Munro a combination between a Hummer H1 and a G-Wagen regarding its off-road capabilities, but it is probably better than both when the going gets tough.The reasons behind choosing a modular LFP battery system are its durability, long cycle life, and sustainability, thanks to not using any Nickel or Cobalt. Plus, it's also much cheaper to manufacture and can be charged repeatedly to 100 percent without any issues.The single motor in the middle of the car is available with two power outputs, starting with a base 228(231 PS) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque, enough to propel the 2.5-ton vehicle from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in 9.2 seconds.The top-of-the-range model comes with 375 HP (381 PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque, dropping the 0-62 mph time to just 6 seconds, quicker than any hardcore off-roader should be allowed to accelerate.Oh, and did I mention we're talking about a permanent magnet axial flux motor, like almost nobody else in the industry, bar Ferrari and upcoming AMGs are using?Opting for an axial flux motor presents substantial advantages over a more traditional radial flux unit. Often referred to as a 'pancake' motor due to its compact profile, the axial flux motor offers a significant weight reduction, halving the weight from 176 lbs (80 kg) to 88 lbs (40 kg) in the case of the Munro Series M.The compact nature of the motor also allows placement between the two front-seat occupants near the vehicle's bulkhead, thus achieving a near 50/50 front/rear weight distribution.Despite what some of the official photos might suggest, the Munro Series M is not even close to the size of a Tesla Cybertruck, for example, or the original Hummer H1. With a length of 180.7 inches (4,590 mm) and a width of 71.3 inches (1,812 mm), the five-door off-roader has a smaller footprint than a compact crossover like the Toyota RAV4.In fact, its dimensions are perfect for serious off-roading , mainly thanks to a massive 18.9-inch (480 mm) ground clearance, which allows a wading depth of 43.3 inches (1,100 mm).Where the Munro Series M is similar to the hugely capable Hummer H1 or the Humvee is the 84-degree approach angle since it can almost climb a vertical wall.Inside, the models feature a minimalist design focused on essential controls. These controls even comprise things like standard waterproof buttons, ensuring durability and ease of replacement. The interior is engineered to prioritize sturdiness and repairability thanks to the incorporation of standardized components.That said, the vehicles are also equipped with some convenient amenities. The center console houses two USB Type C ports, two wireless charging pads, and two three-pin plug points. Additionally, a compact touchscreen display on the dashboard provides compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, not bad for what is essentially a tool, not a passenger car.Scotland's sole production car company is set to manufacture 50 vehicles in 2023. Looking ahead to 2024, the company plans to relocate to a specially designed facility near Glasgow. This move will facilitate their operations and generate around 300 new job opportunities.The production volume is anticipated to rise significantly, aiming for an output of 250 vehicles per year. Munro Vehicles has laid a strategic roadmap to achieve an ambitious target of manufacturing 2,500 units annually by 2027.Recently, the company has started a crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs, which aims to raise more capital for kickstarting their future plans. They say things about the luck of the Irish but nothing of the sort about the Scottish. It may be time to introduce that saying if everything turns out as expected with Munro, the 283rd mountain in Scotland. Photo: Porsche The 2024 Cayenne offers the most advanced CarPlay integration to date, all with the help of a set of tools almost nobody has heard about.Apple offers a so-called Automaker toolkit, allowing car manufacturers to bypass some CarPlay restrictions, offer a custom user interface, and develop features that don't rely on the pre-designed templates created by the company.The toolkit is there, but almost no carmaker has put it to work until now. Porsche did it with the 2024 Cayenne and is also planning to bring it to other models. The German company used the My Porsche App to offer more advanced functionality on CarPlay, including support for adjusting the ambient lights and the climate control system.The app is extremely easy to use on CarPlay, offering a tile-based UI, which somehow reminds me of the good old Windows Phone. The tiles offer one-tap access to all features, so you can control everything from the infotainment screen without leaving the CarPlay interface.You might wonder why Porsche chose CarPlay and didn't release something similar for Android users. The answer is as simple as it is painful. Google isn't offering a toolkit to allow the integration of such capabilities on Android Auto.Cyril Dorsaz, principal product manager at Porsche Digital, recently explained in an interview that the lack of the necessary toolkit makes it impossible for the carmaker to bring similar capabilities to Android Auto, so Porsche had to stick with CarPlay. Additionally, investing in an Android solution didn't make much sense in the first place, Dorsaz says, as most Porsche owners use iPhones. The Android adoption in the Porsche customer base is very low, with Apple's iPhone dominating the mobile space for drivers choosing the German brand.Porsche still offers Android Auto in its cars. Android Auto debuted with the release of the sixth-generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, with several models, including the 911, Cayenne, Panamera, and Taycan receiving wired support in 2021. All Porsche models support Android Auto wireless since 2022.Google offers more capabilities and deeper integration into the vehicle, including support for the features Porsche brought to CarPlay as part of Android Automotive . Compared to Android Auto, Android Automotive is a stand-alone operating system that powers the infotainment system. Android Automotive runs at the hardware level without needing a smartphone and connects Google's services to vehicle functions, such as the climate control system and battery management.For example, Google Maps can read the existing battery range and suggest charging stops whenever the battery drops below a certain level. It can also monitor the range and reconfigure a route to include charging stations if it determines that the battery level does not allow the vehicle to reach the configured destination. Google Assistant also benefits from deeper integration into the vehicle, allowing the driver to control more systems, including the air conditioning, with voice commands. SUV EV PHEV The newly minted event is happening October 26 through November 5, 2023, so it will take very little before we have official confirmation about whether Toyota wants to expand the modern Land Cruiser family with a third version. There is a logic behind it, frankly, as the relatively secluded J300 Land Cruiser full-sizeisn't available worldwide, but its J250-based 2024 Land Cruiser will more than make up for that.So, it would be pretty nice if customers could choose between the mid-size Land Cruiser (Prado or 250 in some markets) and a newly-introduced compact or 'baby' Land Cruiser version. Just recently, the rumor mill also spilled the beans on Toyota's ' Land Hopper ' trademark, linking the filling with the smaller Land Cruiser. And, of course, everyone took notice of the automotive industry at the upcoming rival for the likes of Ford Bronco Sport.That includes the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, of course. So, the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have imagined the CGI looks of the rumored 2025 Toyota Land Hopper - a compact Land Cruiser built on the same TNGA-F body-on-frame platform as the Lexus GX or Toyota Tacoma, among others.The resident pixel master was obviously inspired by Toyota's Compact Cruiserconcept from a while back, and also, the host thinks that the upcoming 'Land Hopper' will be significantly smaller than the 2024 Land Cruiser as well as the 2024 Toyota 4Runner though just as rugged as the other two. Additionally, the channel's team didn't shy away from presenting a host of potential colors for the upcoming compact off-road SUV rig.Now, all that remains to be seen is how Toyota will interpret the 2024 Land Cruiser and J300 Land Cruiser design cues in keeping the family spirit alive while also tying the knot with the Compact Cruiser EV's DNA to make it a worthy potential successor of the beloved retro-flavored FJ Cruiser. As for powertrains, it's not like the company has nowhere to choose from the Corolla Cross Hybrid's 2.0-liter M20A-FXS four-cylinder with electrification would be the most logical choice, complete with 196 hp.Or, even better, they could fit Toyota Prius Prime's feisty yet frugal 220-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain! That way, they would ensure that any competitor considering entering the off-road-focused compact party would need to come up with something even better or at least on par with their potential Land Hopper, and that's certainly a tall order for any global carmaker. 5 October 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more The word separatism in Azerbaijan's Garabagh, which has been stereotyped for a long time, has already been removed from the lexicon. In Garabagh, the Armenian minority, even the whole of nature, is freely breathing. The next goal set before us is to find and punish the remaining Armenian separatists, who killed civilians with all kinds of torture during the First and Second Karabakh wars and were involved in massacres and terrorist acts. Justice always wins, even if it is late. The leaders of those terrorist gangs, who once took refuge in Garabagh and pointed guns against the Azerbaijani army, were arrested today and brought to Baku. Three years ago, Arayik Harutyunyan, the child murderer who ordered rocket attacks on Ganja, the second biggest city in Azerbaijan, and declared himself the so-called president of the so-called republic, was arrested and finally brought together with his separatist colleague Ruben Vardanyan, who has another dark history. Unlike Arayik, Ruben's CV is richer. Because he also has additional experience in providing weapons and committing terrorism against Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine war. Vardanyan, who escaped from Russia and parachuted into Garabagh in order to cover up his dirty deeds, was charged with the articles of participation in the creation and activity of illegal armed groups and illegally crossing the state border of Azerbaijan. However, the search for criminals is not limited only to Vardanyan, Gukasyan, Babayan, and even both of the Harutyunyans. In addition, more than 300 Armenian separatists who committed crimes in Garabagh were put on international search. All crimes committed by Armenian separatists in the region have been recorded and enough evidence has been collected. Those who have committed a crime, but are currently trying to hide and refuse to face justice, are wanted everywhere. As for Arayik Harutyunyan, his fate seems more complicated. He was charged with the articles of mass murder, and genocide plan against civilians of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Life imprisonment of the "leader" of the destroyed so-called regime is also inevitable. A number of questions have arisen regarding the future fate of the currently arrested and internationally wanted criminals. There is even an opinion among the public that terrorists can be exchanged on the basis of any mutual agreement. However, there is a fact here that most of those arrested do not belong to any state. There is only one fate for these homeless, violent groups with no country, and that is a dark prison cell. Another question that arises is the attempts of some revanchist groups who want to continue separatism by resorting to secret terrorism against Azerbaijan. Political scientist Tofig Abbasov clarified all these questions in an interview with AZERNEWS, saying that all the arrested and wanted terrorist groups had the same attitude towards their own people. According to him, the separatists have created a separatist spirit among the local community and enslaved them to this day. At the same time, the Azerbaijani side has always been alert to closely monitor this issue and take necessary measures. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia called on international organizations and the world community to protect the rights of the separatist forces. The question arises, who will protect the rights of thousands of people who were mercilessly killed by the order of those separatists? Who will bear the responsibility of the separatist regime that has been going on in Azerbaijan for many years? Why do Armenians show those criminals to society and the world as "innocent creatures"? Therefore, the Azerbaijani side will investigate all their actions and take necessary measures. We brought the activities of Armenian separatists to the attention of all world organizations as criminal activities. If they try to hide anywhere in the world, that state will immediately hand them over to Azerbaijan," Abbasov said. Later, while talking about the arrest of several wanted separatists, the political scientist noted that after the investigation of the "activities" of those criminals by the Azerbaijani prosecutor's office and special control bodies, they will be brought to the Azerbaijani court and brought to justice. "I am sure that the representatives of the so-called regime will answer for all the crimes committed in the Garabagh conflicts and will receive the necessary punishment. Any concession regarding them is unacceptable", the expert stressed. Later, the political scientist responded to a question about whether Armenian terrorism is expected from now on. "The actions of Armenians in the field of terrorism are very deep and multifaceted. It is expected that they resort to terrorism again. But even if they want to do this, they will not be able to achieve anything by doing so. Because the defense system of Azerbaijan has been significantly strengthened. Azerbaijan also told international institutions and societies that from now on, any terrorism committed by Armenians will be prevented," Abbasov added. In conclusion, Tofig Abbasov also talked about the threat of mines, which is another branch of Armenian terrorism in the last 3 years. "Nearly 200 citizens lost their lives from mine explosions, and more than 100 were maimed. For this reason, not a single criminal will be forgiven, both for our soldiers who died in the Garabagh wars and for our civilians who lost their lives as a result of terrorism committed in a number of districts of Azerbaijan (Barda, Tartar, Ganja, etc.)! They should not even dream of any compromise. Concession can only be made to a crime committed without knowing and to a person who is remorseful. However, the Armenian separatists deliberately committed crimes, caused the murder of thousands of people, and seriously violated the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan," the expert undelined. --- Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 21:00 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more After the fiasco of the separatist groups in Garabagh, Armenian terrorism has become much more active. Many video footage of intensive training of terrorist groups have been circulated on social media. This once again shows that Armenian armed groups strengthened their revanchist position after being disarmed and removed from Azerbaijans Garabagh. Armenia, which on the one hand blames Russia and on the other hand international organizations, tries to express its aggression through terrorism. It should be recalled that at one time the ASALA organization, under the leadership of Monte Melkonyan, carried out several terrorist incidents in France, Lebanon and other countries. I wonder if any Armenian terrorism can happen after Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist measures? Or will Armenia turn to the West again and play the role of a mediator in implementing France's crusading policy in the Middle East in the South Caucasus? "As a result of the 28-year occupation of Garabagh, which is currently the territory of Azerbaijan, there have been changes in geopolitical balances. However, starting from 2020, Azerbaijan liberated its lands and became a regional power in the Caucasus and was able to maintain balance in the region thanks to the perfect strategy, political course and strong army." Turkish military expert Yucel Karauz said these words in a comment to AZERNEWS. According to him, with its victory, Azerbaijan changed the outdated political scheme of 1991 and even influenced the system of the 1800s. The expert noted that currently, other parties with an interest in the region should also come to terms with these realities, but on the contrary, they are creating conditions for Armenia to resort to terrorism. "It seems that Armenia does not want to come to terms with the current situation and is trying to strengthen terrorism in the last option. Of course, it is impossible for Armenia to implement them alone. In fact, Armenia acts as a proxy state on behalf of France, the United States and other countries. I reminded that Armenia once acted on the instructions of Russia. But when it received the support it expected from Russia, it turned its direction to France and other Western countries." According to the military expert, all this cannot be considered a great threat to Azerbaijan. Provocations against the government is expected in both Turkiye and Azerbaijan though hands of internal factors. But the truth is that their influence cannot hinder the activity of either Turkiye or Azerbaijan in the new geopolitical reality. Yucel Karauz also touched on the increase of anti-Russian mood in Armenia. "Currently, Armenia has gradually distanced Russia from the position of a geopolitical and geostrategic partner. Perhaps, in the future, Armenians may demand the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers stationed in Gyumri and other borders. Preparations are underway. But for Armenia, which lived under the control of the Soviet Union for 70 years, this is not an easy decision. Because its negative effects will last for a long time. The influence of the EU on Armenia worries Iran in particular. Because either Pashinyan or the leader who will replace him will continue the work of the West. But even if the prime minister changes in Armenia, the country will not be able to maintain its internal stability, nor will it be able to move towards economic development," the military expert added. Yucel Karauz also touched on the issue of France. He called France's crusading policy in the South Caucasus, using Armenia, a weak strategy. The expert noted that at the current stage it seems unrealistic that France can achieve what it wants in the region. "France is trying to use its lost reputation in Africa and its ineffectiveness in the European Union and NATO as an attempt to intervene in the Caucasus. Because the geography of the Caucasus is in harmony with the world geography and geostrategic interests. Although France is trying to be a leader in the region, I don't think it will be successful. Because France's behavior and biased position increased mistrust towards it in the South Caucasus," Yucel Karauz added. In conclusion, the military expert expressed his opinion about Pashinyan's rule and noted that the clans in the West and Armenia want to end Pashinyan's era. According to the West, the defeat of a state should bear both military and political responsibility. In this regard, Pashinyan will probably be removed from his post. But a new pro-Western leader must be replaced. --- Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 16:59 (UTC+04:00) Economy Minister Mikail Jabbarov made a speech at the meeting of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee of Milli Majlis (the Azerbaijani Parliament) held on 5 October, Azernews reports. "The Competition Code will become the main normative base in the sphere of antimonopoly activity. The document has been prepared to take into account international practice, scientific principles, and current economic conditions," the Minister said. The minister said the draft code creates a comprehensive legal framework to eliminate the impact of monopolistic tendencies on economic activity and the state budget in the direction of developing a competitive environment and strengthening the institutional framework. The draft law will serve to ensure competitive neutrality in the framework of economic regulation, prevent abuse of dominant position and market power, stimulate the activities of economic entities, and protect and develop the competitive environment. "Observations show that as a free business environment develops, along with economic progress, market failures, monopolistic tendencies grow, illegal economic activity expands and a number of risks to the economy emerge. When the legislative framework is inadequate, these risks lead to the disruption of economic activity and slow inclusive development. To neutralize these risks, the priority should be to increase the efficiency of state regulation," the Minister noted. The Economy Minister also noted during his speech that the acceleration of economic development of Azerbaijan depends on the application of a free competition policy. "The presence of effective competition in the domestic market encourages companies to innovate and seek ways to enter foreign markets for further growth. On the contrary, the presence of artificial obstacles to competition serves the interests of only one group of entrepreneurs and deprives others of the opportunity to be represented on the market, increasing the costs of consumers. At the same time, entrepreneurs surrounded by protectionist measures have less interest in innovation and higher productivity." Jabbarov said. The Minister noted that the strategy of economic policy, which determines the economic development of each country, developed in accordance with the priorities applied at different historical stages. "We believe that at the present stage, accelerating the economic development of our country and increasing the efficiency of the business environment depends on the application of free competition policy. "This is confirmed by the program documents that form the basis of the development directions of our state for the next ten years. A legal basis must be created for the activities of business entities in conditions of healthy competition, and the adoption of the Competition Code is related to this," the Minister added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 6 October 2023 01:53 (UTC+04:00) Russian peacekeepers have closed their posts in Karabakh, Azernews reports with reference to the information by the Russian Defense Ministry. As noted in the information, the dismantling of temporary observation posts along the former line of contact between the parties in the Asgaran, Aghdara, and Shusha districts has been completed. Earlier, the head of the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said that the length of stay of Russian peacekeepers in Garabagh would be determined in contact with Baku based on the situation in the region. The duration of the Russian peacekeepers' stay in Garabagh will be determined in contact with Baku, depending on the situation on the ground, she explained. Recall that the Russian peacekeeping contingent was deployed to areas of Azerbaijani territories in accordance with the tripartite Declaration dated November 10, 2020. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00) The closed kindergarten was reopened after 30 years in Mazam village of Gazakh district, which is the closest distance to the borderline with Armenia, Azernews reports, citing Education Department. The administrative building of Mazam village kindergarten is provided with the necessary inventory. Repair works were carried out in the building, in addition, a warehouse, a kitchen, and a sanitary junction were built. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 14:15 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijani Ambassador to Mexico Mammad Talibov met with students enrolling in the Conflict and Negotiations program at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Government of Monterrey Institute of Technology, Mexico's most advanced and prestigious higher education institution, Azernews reports. The diplomat made a broad presentation about the past conflict and provided information about the history of Armenian aggression, the difficulties Azerbaijan faced during the 30-year occupation, the double standards it met, the 44-day war and its consequences, the new realities in the region, the ongoing peace process, as well as the large-scale reconstruction work carried out in Azerbaijan, and the safe return of internally displaced persons. The conference also reported on the local anti-terrorist measures carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in the Garabagh economic region on September 19 and its results, the complete restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty as a result of the dissolution of the so-called criminal regime in Garabagh, as well as the process of reintegration of the Armenian residents of Garabagh. Note that Azerbaijan and Mexico have seen a dramatic increase in bilateral ties over the past years, particularly in the areas of political cooperation and interparliamentary dialogue. This was demonstrated by the official visit of Azerbaijani Assistant to the First Vice President Elchin Amirbayov to Mexico in November of last year, as well as the third round of bilateral political consultations at the vice-ministerial level held earlier this month in Mexico City. Currently, two-way trade between the two countries is limited to about $65 million annually, mostly consisting of cars and auto parts, beverages, and cane sugar from Mexico to Baku and jet fuel exports from Azerbaijan. The Mexico-Azerbaijan Friendship Group, headed by incumbent National Regeneration Movement (Morena) party Deputy Alberto Villa Villegas, also visited Azerbaijan in order to explore potential binational cooperation in politics, economics, and trade. During their visit to Baku, the group attended a solemn commemoration of the 1992 genocide de Khojaly, paying homage to the victims of that tragedy. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 12:25 (UTC+04:00) The Press Services of the Azerbaijani General Prosecutor's Office and the State Security Service jointly released information over the detention of Arayik Harutyunyan, Azernews reports. The Press Services state that comprehensive measures are being taken by the Azerbaijani General Prosecutor's Office and the State Security Service for the investigation of crimes against peace and humanity, war, terrorism and other crimes committed by illegal Armenian armed groups operating in the territory of Azerbaijan's Garabagh. During the investigations Arayik Harutyunyan, born in the city of Khankendi, Azerbaijan, in 1973, the so-called "president of the republic of Nagorno-Karabakh" and other names under which reasonable suspicions have been established regarding participation in the conduct of aggressive war, recruitment, training and financing of mercenaries, as well as organizing their use in military conflict and military operations, violation of international humanitarian law norms during an armed conflict, and issuing criminal orders during an armed conflict. In addition, Arayik Harutyunyan was responsible for the formation and organization of activities of armed units not provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in the case of a criminal organization, to equip these units with weapons, their complete parts, ammunition, explosives, military equipment, and to organize training on their use, as well as the fact that it was brought to Azerbaijan through smuggling and the financing of terrorism have been established. As a result of investigative and operational measures, as well as for the purpose of committing terrorist acts by Arayik Harutyunyan, the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan were continuously mined, and numerous ballistic and other types of missiles were launched, targeting residential areas and civilian objects of the densely populated Ganja city and Barda district of Azerbaijan, located outside the front zone, and reasonable suspicions have been established for the organization of terrorist attacks resulting in the killing of civilians and inflicting various degrees of physical injuries on them, causing severe damage to civil and military infrastructure, and the commission of numerous other crimes. On October 28, 2020, Arayik Harutyunyan was involved as an accused person under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and on the basis of the court's decision, he was placed under arrest and sent to an international wanted. On October 3 of this year, Arayik Harutyunyan was detained by the State Security Service in Khankendi, and charged with articles 100, 116, 117, 120, 214, 214-1, 214-3, 218, 279, and other pieces of the Criminal Code. Currently, necessary and urgent investigative and operational measures are being continued by the General Prosecutor's Office and the State Security Service. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 12:43 (UTC+04:00) Members of the Milli Majlis (the Parliament) of Azerbaijan, headed by Ziyafat Asgarov, the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, will attend the 69th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 6th, 2023. The visit was announced by the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis, Azernews reports. The session will include meetings of the Bureau, Political, Democracy and Security, Defense and Security, Economy and Security, and Science and Technology committees. Azerbaijani MPs will comment on the issues discussed at the meetings, which will last until October 10. The NATO PA Spring Session, hosted by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg from May 19th to 22nd, 2023, will provide an opportunity for all 274 parliament members representing the 31 NATO member nations, along with approximately 100 members from around 25 partner countries and parliamentary bodies, to assess key issues affecting the security of the Euro-Atlantic area. This will be the first Assembly session in which Finland will join as a full member of the NATO PA following its accession to NATO on April 4th. The 68th annual session of the Assembly, which took place in Madrid, Spain, from November 18th to 22nd, 2020, discussed the Alliance's new strategic concept, the situation in the West Balkans, counterterrorism, cyber threats, challenges posed by climatic changes, and other subjects. The 69th annual session of the NATO PA will provide an opportunity for the Azerbaijani MPs to assess the outcomes and key decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July 2023, and to adopt draft reports in the Assembly's five Committees and a number of resolutions distilling key policy recommendations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 13:18 (UTC+04:00) After three decades, 300,000 Azerbaijanis who were ethnically cleansed in Armenia are still waiting for the EU to break its silence on this crime against humanity, Azernews reports, citing a post on X by Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and head of representation to the European Union (EU) Vagif Sadigov. He noted that being recognized by the UN as a refugee community under international humanitarian law, they demand the EU to put pressure on its ally Armenia to ensure their safe return to their homes in Armenia after 30 years of waiting for the delivery of justice, to restore their violated human rights, to safeguard their cultural and religious heritage. Vagif Sadigov added that after three decades, 300K of human beings still expect the EU to break its deafening silence around this crime against humanity. See below the opinion of almost 300,000 Azerbaijanis ethnically cleansed from Armenia at the beginning of the 90s, with hundreds massacred during the forced expulsion. Having been recognised by the UN as a refugee community in accordance with the international humanitarian law, https://t.co/BEdCAFEFrm Vaqif Sadqov (@VaqifS) October 4, 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 14:35 (UTC+04:00) Rena Murshud Read more France said it would begin withdrawing its military troops from Niger within a week, Azernews reports. According to foreign sources, the French military stationed in Niger will leave Niger within a week. The General Staff of the French Armed Forces reported this. We are going to withdraw troops within a week, everything will be organized in conditions of security and coordination with Niger, said the General Staff of the French Armed Forces. Nigeria's Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Public Security and Territorial Administration, Mohamed Tumba appointed by the rioters on Wednesday, said that France had no intention of withdrawing troops from Niger. He assured that Paris supports terrorism in Niger and does not allow the country to independently manage its resources. France, which was withdrawing troops from Nigeria, has now moved to another region. At the moment, the country is using Armenia to spread the policy of crusades in the South Caucasus. But it seems France has forgotten about Azerbaijan, which recently destroyed all Armenian terrorist operations. Fortunately, France, without having time to realize its cherished dream, will remain at the ends of the earth with its terrorism. --- Rena Murshud is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 16:10 (UTC+04:00) Abbas Ganbay Read more A report by a British TV channel notes that after Azerbaijan finally took control of its entire Garabagh territory, Russian peacekeepers have nothing more to do here unlike the returning authorities. The state is investing heavily in the previously recaptured territories: in electricity, roads, entire settlements," the report says, Azernews reports, citing BBC. The report notes that after the Second Garabagh War, the Armenian provocations that lasted for 3 years finally came to an end. The journalist stops at the Armenian post neutralized by the Azerbaijani army and shows other destroyed posts between Shusha and Khankendi. He notes that Armenian military units once fired at Azerbaijani positions from those posts, but now there is an deep tranquillity in Garabagh. The report also mentions an Azerbaijani family, which started a new life in the liberated territory of Garabagh. In Lachin, the Najafov family returned to their home seized by Armenia 31 years ago and are now building their lives anew. Today's terrible storm threatens to flood their home, but the family seems very happy to be here. "For 27 years I woke up every day thinking we were coming back. Coming back was like a dream. Thanks to our soldiers and our president, we are here now," says the head of the Najafov family. Recall that as a result of the anti-terrorist measures carried out on September 20, Azerbaijan completely neutralized the armed separatist remnants that did not want to leave Garabagh, contrary to the November 10 declaration. It should be noted that Russian peacekeepers have been stationed in the Garabagh territories of Azerbaijan on November 10, 2020, since the moment Armenia signed the capitulation document at the tripartite meeting brokered by Russia. Although its main goal was to promote the peace and negotiation process, the mission group failed to achieve this. On the contrary, with the participation of the peacekeeping contingent in Garabagh, provocations by the Armenian armed forces took place many times, and armed attacks were organized against the servicemen of the Azerbaijani army. The last time, after the mine explosion that killed two employees of the State Agency of Azerbaijan Highways (AAYDA) and seven police officers, Armenia clearly showed that it does not want to end provocations again. The events that took place showed the necessity of anti-terrorist measures, and finally, on September 20, the Azerbaijani army disarmed all separatist armed groups in Garabagh in just 23 hours and 43 minutes. There is neither separatism nor armed groups in Garabagh anymore. The reintegration process is already underway in Garabagh, and residents of Garabagh of Armenian nationality who want to voluntarily accept Azerbaijani citizenship choose the way to live peacefully with Azerbaijanis. For those who choose the other way, the way to Armenia is open from the state border checkpoint of Lachin. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 17:23 (UTC+04:00) Turkish and local specialists who provided psychological assistance in connection with the Patriotic War have been awarded by the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), Azernews reports. According to the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Colonel General Kamaladdin Heydarov, Minister of Emergency Situations, announced the psychological rehabilitation of participants of the war, including veterans, family members of the Shehidis who lost their loved ones, and people who suffered physically. and moral damage from Armenian terrorism, who had psychological problems related to the Patriotic War. Psychologists from Turkiye and a group of psychologists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations were awarded medals and certificates of honor for their high services at the invitation of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov, who participated in the awarding ceremony held at the Ministry, thanked the Turkish and local psychologists for their services and wished them success in their activities. It should be noted that at the invitation of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the joint participation of professional psychotherapists and psychologists of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the brotherly country is possible for more effective organization of psychological rehabilitation of veterans with psychological problems related to the Patriotic War, members of the families of Martyrs who lost their relatives, as well as people who suffered physical and spiritual damage from Armenian terrorism. Since January 2021, psychological assistance has been provided free of charge. During this period, 9500 sessions of psychological assistance were provided to almost 4000 citizens in different regions of the Republic, including up to 430 children and teenagers. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 09:29 (UTC+04:00) By Raza Syed In recent years, Kazakhstan has emerged as a prominent peace loving nation in the world arena. Since the time of its independence, the country has been a supporter of a peaceful, constructive foreign policy and an initiator of providing platforms for negotiations on the settlement of various international issues. World order imposed by the United Nations to bring peace and stability in post WW II era is being challenged by the emergence of divisive blocks. These new blocks are undermining the authority of the UN. This may lead to disastrous consequences leading ultimately to the increase in arms race throughout the world. One way to avert this situation is to resort to diplomacy. Diplomacy doesnt work in all situations. So an alternative way of maintaining global peace has to be devised. Its estimated that 85 percent people in the world identify themselves with a religion, making religion a potent force in world affairs. Religious leaders, therefore, have an important role to play in maintaining global peace and harmony. Moreover, all the religions share some fundamental values, guaranteeing sanctity of human life, mutual support and rejection of destructive tendencies. These principles can be used as cornerstones of a new world order. President Tokayev has assigned three spheres to religious leaders where they can assert their influence. Firstly, they can contribute to healing of wounds, using power of religion in societies which have endured long periods of conflicts. Secondly, given the situations where individual acts of hatred may sabotage world peace, the targeted communication of religious leaders may not allow the situation from getting out of hands. Thirdly, in view of the radical changes occurring in all spheres of human life as a result of new technologies, religious leaders can inculcate spiritual values and set moral standards to face challenges of digital reality. Lately, the traditional religions, once excluded as pillars of modernity, have regained their influential status globally. To underscore the importance of religion in contemporary human life, Kazakhstan established the platform of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Astana. The Congress plays a vital role in shaping the countrys international image. During its almost 20-year history, it has made a significant contribution to the global process of interfaith dialogue. In view of the far-reaching advantages that can be gained from the Congress, the convening of it on regular basis becomes important. It can play a positive role in bringing various religions closer together thus promoting peace and respect for others in society. President Tokayev rightly noted during the opening of the last Congress, that the people of Kazakhstan have absorbed the traditions of different civilizations and religions, the spirit of tolerance and openness. Currently, representatives of more than 100 ethnic groups live in harmony in Kazakhstan, and about 4,000 religious associations representing 18 confessions operate freely. We believe this is an invaluable wealth and an inherent advantage of Kazakhstan. The Congress is an important part of Kazakhstans policy to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in our country and worldwide, he further stated. This confirms the place of Kazakhstan as a global center of inter-civilizational, interreligious and interfaith dialogue. It is important to promote the ideas of the congress globally, attract foreign politicians, experts, and journalists to the dialogue, and call on leaders of the world and traditional religions and prominent political figures to achieve long-term stability. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00) A Pakistani court on Wednesday ordered an open hearing of a case that accuses the jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan of exposing state secrets, a court document said, Azernews reports, citing Yeni Safak. The chief justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) turned down a plea by the country's key investigation agency seeking an in-camera trial of the ex-premier's bail application in the "cipher case," which is related to a diplomatic document that reportedly went missing from his possession. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) earlier this week pleaded that an open trial of the case could pose a risk of deteriorating relations with other countries. Justice Farooq, in a short verdict, declared that the hearing of the case would be held in an open court, but would be in-camera when sensitive information is discussed. Khan alleges that the document contained a threat from the US to oust him from office. Washington and Islamabad have rebuffed the allegation. Following the suspension of his three convictions in a graft case by the Islamabad High Court last month, Khan has been languishing in jail on a judicial remand in the cipher case. The post-arrest bail pleas of Khan, and his deputy Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a former foreign minister, were rejected by the trial court earlier this month, prompting the two to approach the Islamabad High Court for bail. The FIA in its charge sheet has already declared Khan and Qureshi "principal accused" in the cipher case. Khan, who was ousted through a no-trust vote in April last year, is facing a string of cases, which he dubs as "politically motivated. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 23:20 (UTC+04:00) Scientists at the Technology Center of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan have successfully obtained a lyophilized dry extract of wormwood, specifically one of its species called "tsitvar." A young researcher from the biotechnology laboratory of this center, Berdy Berdyev, identified special properties in this substance, which is known for its high efficiency and ecological friendliness, Azernews reports, Kabar. The most important aspect is that the extract can be widely used in the production of medical drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. The extraction of tsitvar was carried out using modern biotechnological equipment. To obtain the extract, wormwood from Kopetdag was used, where 11 species of this plant grow out of the 32 known in Turkmenistan. It is worth noting that only 4 of these species are endemic, meaning they grow compactly in specific areas and possess specific properties. As emphasized by scientists, these characteristics are precisely described in the multi-volume work "Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan" by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Professor Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The obtained extract has unique therapeutic properties and can be used in the treatment of both infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as in lung diseases and the prevention of tumors in them. It is also effective against microbes and can be used as an insecticide, i.e., a substance against insects. Additionally, the extract can act as an antioxidant, preventing dangerous chain reactions in the body. Its antimalarial qualities are particularly noteworthy. The lyophilized dry extract of wormwood from Kopetdag has every chance of being included in the production process of Turkmenistan's medical industry, making it one of the promising developments. Considering that the scientific and medical community in Turkmenistan is focused on the use of locally sourced drugs, this innovation aligns with the goals of the state policy as outlined in the "Program of the President of Turkmenistan for the Socio-Economic Development of the Country for 20222028." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 22:45 (UTC+04:00) The regular session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) concluded its work in Vienna, in which the delegation of Uzbekistan took part, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency. During the visit, Deputy Minister of Health of Uzbekistan Farrukh Sharipov, who was part of the delegation, held a number of meetings with Agency officials, as a result of which relations with IAEA departments were strengthened, existing problems in the implementation of joint projects were discussed, and specific plans were outlined for the near future. In particular, the meetings noted the positive dynamics of interaction with the Ministry of Health in the process of implementing IAEA safety standards on radiation protection for medical exposure. The Agencys intention to take part in strengthening the capacity of Uzbekistans specialists for the newly created national oncology center was announced, and an agreement was reached to continue work on modernizing radiation therapy facilities at the Tashkent Oncology Center. As examples of specific results and agreements, one can cite the IAEAs intention to allocate 2.5 million to implement a project in the next three years to build the human resources capacity of cancer centers in Uzbekistan. During the conference, the delegation of Uzbekistan took part in the side event Improving quality and safety in diagnostic radiology in Central Asia. It reviewed issues of technical cooperation with the countries of Central Asia aimed at implementing IAEA safety standards on radiation protection and safety in medicine, as well as the Agencys support for quality assurance activities in the field of diagnostic radiology and medical physics in the region. Participants listened with great interest to the report of a medical physicist from the Tashkent city branch of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Oncology and Radiology and a graduate of the joint international postgraduate education program in medical physics IAEA/ICTP on the topic Towards becoming a clinically qualified medical physicist: successes , obstacles and opportunities. In the speeches of the event organizers, it was especially noted that two specialists from Uzbekistan have completed and three are currently studying a two-year masters program in medical physics at the International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 22:15 (UTC+04:00) The National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan published data, according to which the inflow of foreign direct investment into Kyrgyzstan decreased by 31.7 percent in the first half of 2023. An economist Iskender Sharsheyev voiced the reasons for this situation, Azernews reports, citing 24.kg News Agency. The decline in foreign direct investment can be explained by several reasons, including, first of all, the lack of effective reforms and advancement in the doing business ranking, which could increase the attractiveness of Kyrgyzstan for investment. In addition, the reduction of investments from non-CIS countries, mainly Canada, China, Germany and Turkey in processing industry, and the complete withdrawal of Hungarian funding for the financial intermediation and insurance sectors have also had an impact. This has led to the fact that the Kyrgyz Republic has reduced investments in the priority sectors of the economy mining and processing industry. To improve the investment climate in the country, effective reforms, stability and security, benefits and preferences for foreign investors are needed. We need reform of courts, integration of national arbitration legislation with British commercial law for international investors, he said. It should be taken into account that the Cabinet is taking measures to improve the investment climate, for example, tax holidays for five years for manufacturers of electric transport. But what will have the greatest impact on the growth of investment in Kyrgyzstan is an improved legal system, and an increase in the speed of local government response to land allocation. Not the last factor in the normalization of the situation will be the solution of infrastructure issues, Iskender Sharsheyev summed up. The National Statistical Committee reported on the decline in foreign direct investment by 31.7 percent in the first six months. The inflow of foreign direct investment in the Kyrgyz Republic amounted to $429.1 million. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 21:40 (UTC+04:00) Belarus and Russia have agreed to work on the joint production of aircraft for regional transportation. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned it as he met with Governor of Russia's Ulyanovsk Oblast Alexei Russkikh, Azernews reports, citing BelTA. Speaking about prospects of cooperation with Ulyanovsk Oblast, the head of state suggested using the serious manufacturing capabilities Belarus had inherited from the USSR in order to make various machines, vehicles, and equipment ranging from agricultural machines to equipment used for aircraft repairs. We have preserved these capabilities and multiplied them. We can use them together today. President Putin and I have agreed on it, he remarked. Aleksandr Lukashenko referred to aircraft manufacturing as the most important aspect of technological progress, the assimilation of the latest scientific accomplishments into production. The leaders of Belarus and Russia discussed this topic last week. Aleksandr Lukashenko said: We've agreed to work on the joint production of aircraft for regional transportation. We have the relevant competences for it. I would like to learn what opportunities you see. It is a future-oriented project that will span years. Investments will be massive but the positive effect will be colossal, too, the president emphasized. He remarked that Belarusian enterprises already make individual components for aircraft manufacturing. He mentioned they are ready to expand the choice of these parts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 5 October 2023 21:10 (UTC+04:00) Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Wednesday said Georgia had a serious perspective to become a regional transport and logistics hub, Azernews reports, citing Agenda. In his address to the Parliament, Davitashvili noted that the progress in a number of directions, including the development of airports in the country, would contribute to the strengthening of the transport and logistics functions of Georgia. The Minister highlighted several transport projects, including the construction of the Anaklia deep sea port and said the interdepartmental commission of the Government had selected two bidders for the next stage of project implementation. He added in the first phase the throughput of the Anaklia port would be 600,000 containers with the indicative value reaching $600 million. The modernisation of the countrys railway was named as another strategic direction by Davitashvili, who said the reform of the railway sector had begun, which would implement the European model, increasing safety, efficiency and competitiveness of the sector. According to the Minister, the large-scale railway project will be completed in 2024 and it will increase the annual capacity of the Georgian railway from 28 million tonnes to 48 million tonnes. The reform of the vehicle passenger transportation sector, which will significantly improve the intercity transportation services and increase the level of safety, was also emphasised by Davitashvili. The Minister also told the lawmakers that the protection of the social and labour rights of the seafarers would significantly increase with the new amendments to the law, which imply the prohibition of seafarers operation without state certification. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Lois Henry is the CEO and editor of SJV Water, a nonprofit, independent online news publication dedicated to covering water issues in the San Joaquin Valley. She can be reached at lois.henry@sjvwater.org. The website is sjvwater.org. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is CJ Staff A federal judge has ruled that an expelled student suing the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over its investigation of sex assault charges can proceed without using his real name. The student's female accusers also will be identified using pseudonyms.The order Thursday from Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger applies to the case Jacob Doe v. University of North Carolina System.Reidinger wrote.Reidinger added.Reidinger's order applies to any part of the case extending through his decision about whether to grant summary judgment to Doe or the university.the judge explained.The student proceeding as Jacob Doe claims UNC Chapel Hill botched an investigation of sexual assault claims against him in 2021.Both the university and a group of individual defendants led by Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz filed motions in May seeking dismissal of Doe's suit. The university also filed paperwork agreeing with the plaintiff's request to proceed with the case anonymously.All court documents have identified the student as Jacob Doe. Four accusers in the case are each identified as Jane Roe. Other witnesses are named with pseudonyms as well.wrote UNC's lawyers.UNC's memorandum continued.Doe's suit claims UNC violated Title IX, as well as his civil rights under a federal law known as 1983. He also claimsUNC argued in its memorandum.The eight individual defendants raise similar concerns about Doe's case.according to a separate brief.Doe's lawsuit took up 192 pages.individual defendants argued.The suit alleges that Doe was a sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill in 2021according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in February.Doe alleges that four female UNC students engaged in acampaign against him. One of the accusersaccording to the complaint. Doe was a Morehead-Cain Scholar at Chapel Hill.Doe's lawyers wrote.Doe says he was foundrelated to two of the complaining students. He was foundinvolving a third student. YetDoeaccording to the complaint. Doe blames university investigators, the school's Title IX Coordinator, the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office, the Emergency Evaluation and Action Committee, and hearing panel chairs and members. TheyThe university expelled Doe. It barred him permanently in spring 2022 from reapplying to the Chapel Hill campus or applying to any other UNC campus,according to Doe's lawsuit.Doe contends UNC violated his due process rights and Title IX and engaged in a breach of contract. The suit also mentionsaccording to Doe's complaint.Reidinger granted Doe a temporary restraining order on Feb. 22, one week after he filed suit. The order banned UNCcovered in the lawsuit. Sixteen private schools in Durham and Cumberland counties hope a three-judge panel will resolve their claims in a now-dismissed lawsuit involving Opportunity Scholarships. The schools are seeking sanctions of more than $25,000 against plaintiffs in the case.Tamika Walker Kelly, president of the N.C. Association of Educators, served as lead plaintiff in the suit that challenged the scholarship program. Kelly and her fellow plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the two-year-old suit on April 19.Two weeks later, on May 1, lawyers for the private schools filed multiple motions in the case. None of the schools had been a party to the case. Yet plaintiffs had targeted the schools with subpoenas involving extensive requests for written information and interviews. Those requests were tied to the legal process called discovery.One of the schools' May 1 motions requested sanctions to cover costs of dealing with Opportunity Scholarship opponents' requests.On Thursday the schools' lawyers filed a new motion. It asked Wake County Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway to transfer the case to a three-judge panel. That panel would address the private schools' request for sanctions and other relief.When Kelly and other plaintiffs dropped their suit in April, their lawyers indicated thatThat statement didn't cover the targeted private schools, who are consideredin the case.On Aug. 3, 2021, Opportunity Scholarship opponents targeted the Durham private schools with subpoenas covering the following documents for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years:The subpoenas called for all documents to be turned over by Sept. 2, 2021, withCourts refused to block this discovery process while the case was appealed. The six schools ran up legal and court costs topping $11,000 between October 2021 and November 2021.On Nov. 11, 2021, the Opportunity Scholarship foes filed similar document requests with 10 Cumberland County private schools. Subpoenas called for depositions involving staff at three of the private schools in January 2022.Once again, courts refused to block the discovery requests. The Cumberland schools accumulated bills of nearly $14,000 between November 2021 and January 2022.In October 2022, the N.C. Court of Appeals issued a ruling overturning a Wake County trial judge's decision about the case's proceedings. Appellate judges ruled that the lawsuit amounted to aconstitutional challenge of the Opportunity Scholarship Program. Such a challenge required a transfer of the case to a three-judge trial court panel.The plaintiffs dropped their case six months later.according to the schools' May 1 motion.The schools cited Rule 45(c) of the N.C. Rules of Civil Procedure.Opportunity Scholarship opponents did not need to target the private schools while pursuing the lawsuit, according to the motion.the motion explained.The motion noted that the Opportunity Scholarship opponents pursued the targeted private schools despite an ongoing appeal.the motion continued.Attorney PaulStam signed the motion for sanctions. Stam is a board member of the John Locke Foundation, which oversees Carolina Journal.More than 25,000 N.C. students used Opportunity Scholarships during the last year to attend 544 private schools. The state awarded more than $133 million in scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year, according to data from the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority.The Opportunity Scholarship Program survived an earlier state constitutional challenge. The N.C. Supreme Court ruled, 4-3, in 2015 that the program could proceed. As School Choice is beginning to take shape in North Carolina: What is your position on what it should evolve into? 3.45% School Choice is only a distraction from the promise of real public education.93.1% School Choice, as it evolves into its best model to serve the public' s education needs, this benefit will provide choices outside of the historic construct supporting the public school monopoly.3.45% School Choice - I cannot see how it serves the Education Industry. Certified registered nurse anesthetists are compensated at the lowest rate in Florida, where they earn an average of $187,158 27 percent less than the national average according to career website ZipRecruiter. The site compiles salary data, which was updated Sept. 11, from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. The average annual salary for CRNAs in the U.S. is $255,078. They earn $284,772 per year in New Jersey, the highest-paying state 12 percent more than the national average. Below are the 10 lowest-paying states for CRNAs, along with their average annual salaries, starting with the lowest-paying state. 1. Florida ($187,158) 2. Alabama ($187,351) 3. West VIrginia ($187,578) 4. Arkansas ($201,921) 5. North Carolina ($203,280) 6. Kentucky ($205,711) 7. Idaho ($209,990) 8. Nebraska ($212,547) 9. Montana ($212,691) 10. Texas ($216,449) Here are three moves that shook up the cardiology industry so far this year: 1. In September, three cardiology groups submitted a proposal to create a new medical board for cardiovascular medicine independent of the American Board of Internal Medicine. The American College of Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions are working together to submit an application on the matter to the American Board of Medical Specialties. 2. In May, eight cardiologists formerly employed by Rome, Ga.-based Harbin Clinic signed contracts committing to AdventHealth Redmond, also in Rome, in response to Harbin's merger with Atrium Health Floyd. The deal between Harbin and Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium was confirmed in December. Harbin is one of the largest privately owned physician groups in Georgia, with 240 medical professionals across 40 specialties. Physicians had expressed concerns about the future of the oncology and cardiology departments at Harbin amid the merger, according to an April 27 report from the Rome News-Tribune. 3. Private equity has shown a growing interest in cardiology. In January, a new private equity firm entered the industry Viper Partners. The firm is opening a new mergers and acquisitions department focused specifically on deals in the cardiology space. "We have been watching this area for a couple years and feel the time is perfect to bring our experience to this exciting space," Samir Qureshi, Viper's vice president, said in a Jan. 19 press release. Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham is partnering with Samsung on a new digital health initiative. The health system's Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston plans to analyze biometric data from the Samsung Galaxy Watch to examine how resilience and frailty can be used to personalize patients' health profiles. "Through our work with Samsung, we are exploring how to put concepts like resilience and frailty into quantifiable terms and investigate how seemingly disparate physiologic systems affect each other," said Bruce Levy, MD, chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Brigham & Womens Hospital, in an Oct. 6 news release. "We aim to give people actionable insights to maximize their resilience from a stressor, leveraging wearable sensors technology, which offers a unique opportunity to map individual trajectories of recovery or deterioration." Samsung is also partnering with New Orleans-based Tulane University School of Medicine to determine how Galaxy Watch's BioActive sensor can predict which cardiovascular patients are at risk for hospitalization and Cambridge-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab to boost wearable sleep tracking. More companies are requiring new CIOs and chief technology officers to work in the office, leading to a slowdown in hiring for tech leaders, The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 5. Turnover among CIOs and chief technology officers rose more than 30 percent in 2022 compared to 2021, when organizations went on an executive hiring spree, offering high salaries and nabbing talent from across the country because of remote work arrangements, according to the Journal. But that rate has declined 15 percent in 2023, in part because of the return-to-office mandates, executive search firm Leathwaite reported. "It's a question we're now having to ask that we haven't had to ask for three years, which is: 'Are you willing to relocate?' You might get the answer: 'I'm not interested,'" Eric Sigurdson, CIO practice leader at search company Russell Reynolds Associates, told the newspaper. "I think all the search firms have seen a slight decrease year-over-year in 2023 in the technology officer movement for that reason." Some companies are having those firms look for local candidates only or at least exclude those on different coasts or time zones, according to the story. The Journal cited the example of Mark Brooks, the former CIO of payer Centene who recently took on the same role at Reinsurance Group of America, less than 20 miles away. "He's going to be able to drive and not fly," Mr. Sigurdson, who led the search, told the news outlet. Elevance's proposed $2.5 billion acquisition of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana was put on hold in late September after the deal came under scrutiny from state senators and the attorney general. The government officials called for a delay and made clear they did not want the sale to go forward until more questions were answered. The senators' call for a delay stemmed from reports commissioned by the state's insurance commission that questioned how BCBS planned to structure the deal. Attorney General Jeff Landry, a gubernatorial candidate, said he did not want the sale to proceed before a new governor and insurance commissioner have taken office. "Since we are committed to making sure these questions are answered, BCBSLA and Elevance Health do not believe it is the right time to hold public hearings and a policyholder vote," the companies said in a joint statement. The companies said they remain committed to the deal, and a BCBS spokesperson said they are hopeful it can still be closed by early 2024. The Elevance-BCBS Louisiana deal is not the only proposed payer acquisition coming under fire. A pair of federal lawmakers Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal are calling on the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department's antitrust division to "carefully scrutinize" UnitedHealth Group's proposed $3.3 billion acquisition of home and hospice care provider Amedisys. The lawmakers expressed concern that the deal would increase UnitedHealth Group's market dominance, reduce competition, hurt patients and increase healthcare costs. The deal, first announced in June, is already under scrutiny from the Justice Department, which requested additional information about the proposed merger in August and extended the waiting period for the deal under federal law. Government scrutiny is hardly new for UnitedHealth Group. The lawmakers' letter was sent exactly one year after UntiedHealth's Optum arm completed its $7.8 billion merger with healthcare data and analytics giant Change Healthcare. The deal was finalized after a Washington, D.C., federal judge ruled in favor of the merger, rejecting a Justice Department lawsuit. The Justice Department sued in an attempt to stop the deal it called anticompetitive. In February, UnitedHealth Group closed a $5.4 billion acquisition of home health firm LHC Group. The deal received scrutiny from the FTC and was reportedly looking for vertical harm theories around the deal, but the agency ultimately did not challenge the acquisition. On the hospital side, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is reviewing the planned mergers between Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health and Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System as well as Duluth-based St. Luke's and Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus Health. The move comes amid changes in Minnesota law and the nixed merger between Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health and Minneapolis-based Fairview Health following intervention from Mr. Ellison's office. The state's healthcare entity transaction law has given the attorney general greater review powers to determine whether planned healthcare mergers are in the public interest. Mr. Ellison can seek court intervention if he deems such transactions are not. A public meeting is scheduled for Oct. 25 to engage local communities as part of the review to ensure two proposed mergers in the state are in compliance with both federal and state law. Both Essentia Health and St. Luke's said they appreciate the opportunity to showcase the benefits of the potential mergers with the two respective Wisconsin systems through such scrutiny. Registered nurses at Beth Israel Lahey Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, Mass., issued a vote authorizing union leaders to call a three-day strike amid contract negotiations. Approximately 350 nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, entered official negotiations for a new union contract in September, with the first negotiation Sept. 12 and the second scheduled for Oct. 5. Their contract is set to expire Dec. 31. Ninety-nine percent of the unionized nurses voted yes to strike authorization, according to the MNA. "Casting a strike vote this early in the process is an unusual step but one the nurses feel is necessary given the gravity of the crisis the facility faces, and the need for management to understand how serious the nurses are for BI Lahey to fix these problems," the union said in its announcement of the strike authorization, noting that Beth Israel Lahey Anna Jaques Hospital will have 10 days' notice if and when the committee issues an official notice to strike. "As Anna Jaques Hospital begins its negotiations with the MNA for a new contract, a key priority is reaching a fair agreement that increases wages for the outstanding nurses serving our community," Christine Kipp, interim CNO of Anna Jaques Hospital, said in a statement to Becker's. "We hope to move quickly in reaching agreement on contract terms that will support both retention and recruiting goals." Amid contract negotiations, the hospital's nursing team is engaging temporary staff, providing incentives to existing staff to provide coverage when necessary, and providing intensive onboarding to assist our newest nurses in integrating into the AJH community, according to Ms. Kipp. In February, the nurses delivered a petition for pay increases to management and arranged a picket in March. The hospital told Becker's it offered an immediate 7 percent wage increase to its nursing team this summer. "We were disappointed that the MNA rejected this offer, however, we hope that timely, effective bargaining can reach a fair resolution that increases wages," the hospital said in a statement to Becker's. Munster, Ind.-based Community Hospital and its operator, Munster Medical Research Foundation, will pay $158,000 to settle a lawsuit that accused the hospital of not accommodating a nurse after a work injury. In June, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit against the Indiana hospital after a nurse was allegedly fired instead of appointed to an open role because she had lifting restrictions. Failing to transfer and accommodate an employee because of a disability is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the lawsuit, Community Hospital agreed to rehire the nurse and change policies surrounding human resource training for all employees, according to an Oct. 4 EEOC news release. Columbus-based Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center was awarded $20 million by the Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science to gather evidence needed to inform the FDA's regulation of tobacco products. OSU was one of seven centers to receive a grant for the research. The centers will conduct research in epidemiology, economics, toxicology and marketing. The university plans to use "the tobacco industry's nicotine playbook" to improve public health through four research projects, according to an Oct. 4 hospital news release. Merve Emre at The New Yorker: The word that comes to mind to describe all thisthe light, the music, the sacred waters, the sacred garmentsis pilgrimage. One rarely sees living writers treated with such reverence. I am just a strange guy from the western part of Norway, from the rural part of Norway, Fosse told me. He grew up a mixture of a communist and an anarchist, a hippie who loved playing the fiddle and reading in the countryside. He enrolled at the University of Bergen, where he studied comparative literature and started writing in Nynorsk, the written standard specific to the rural regions of the west. His first novel, Red, Black, was published in 1983, followed throughout the next three decades by Melancholy I and Melancholy II, Morning and Evening, Aliss at the Fire, and Trilogy. After a wildly successful and hectic period during which he worked almost exclusively as a playwright, Fosse converted to Catholicism in 2012, quit drinking, and remarried. He then started writing Septology, a seven-volume novel written in a single sentence and exemplifying what he has described as his turn to slow prose. (The book was translated, by Damion Searls, for Fitzcarraldo Editions, in the U.K.; a U.S. edition is out this month, from Transit Books.) more here. Medtronic named Paolo Di Vincenzo as president of the company's neuromodulation business starting Oct. 30. Mr. Di Vincenzo previously worked at Smith+Nephew where he was senior vice president and general manager of the U.S. advance wound management business, according to an Oct. 4 news release. Before that, he worked at Systagenix, Becton Dickinson and Roche Diagnostics. "I'm thrilled to have him join this team as Neuromodulation moves into the era of personalized medicine with sensing technology," Brett Wall, executive vice president and president of Medtronic's neuroscience business, said in the release. "He will play a key role in advancing our capabilities in these areas while driving business execution in alignment with Medtronics focus on a performance-driven culture.." A lawsuit filed against Morgantown. W.Va.-based J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital accuses an anesthesiologist of negligence during a 2021 spinal surgery, The Dominion Post reported Oct. 3. On Oct. 8, 2021, David Gentry underwent a spinal procedure requiring anesthesia. He allegedly suffered severe skin-tear injuries to his shoulder, arms and elbow after hospital staff failed to note his adhesive allergy. According to the report, it was noted by staff prior to surgery that Mr. Gentry was on blood thinners and had an adhesive allergy, but tape was still used during the procedure. Andrew Criser, MD, and Rachel Dada, MD, the attending anesthesiologist and anesthesia resident, respectively, allegedly failed to carefully inspect the patients skin prior to and throughout the anesthesia delivery. The suit also alleges his medical records did not document the complications. Mr. Gentry is seeking relief for medical bills, physical injuries, psychological injuries, emotional distress and other damages. Amid economic headwinds, spine surgeons are exploring different ways to reduce costs in their practices. Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. Becker's invites all spine surgeon and specialist responses. Next week's question: What innovative ways can spine practices increase their revenue in the current economic climate? Please send responses to Carly Behm at cbehm@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CDT Wednesday, Oct. 11. Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: Where are the biggest opportunities for spine surgeons to reduce costs? Chester Donnally, MD. Texas Spine Consultants (Dallas): Biologics. Unfortunately, insurance carriers are making this decision for us and often I have to do peer-to-peer approval to justify even using (cheap) DBM putty. That said, when I get a spine fusion, I definitely will want significant allograft use in my surgery! Brian Fiani, DO. Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedic & Spine Specialists (West Bloomfield, Mich.): Some of the biggest opportunities for spine surgeons to reduce costs include: 1. Minimally invasive procedures: Minimally invasive techniques can reduce the length of hospital stays, decrease postoperative pain and limit the need for additional resources like blood transfusions. This can lead to lower overall costs for both patients and healthcare systems. 2. Improved patient selection: Identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from surgery and have positive outcomes can help reduce unnecessary procedures and associated costs. Additionally, identifying patients who may be better suited for nonsurgical treatments can also help avoid unnecessary expenses. 3. Enhanced surgical planning and precision: Utilizing advanced imaging technologies and computer-assisted navigation during surgeries can help improve accuracy and reduce the risk of complications. This can lead to better outcomes, fewer revisions and ultimately lower costs. 4. Optimized perioperative care: Implementing enhanced recovery protocols and standardized care pathways can help minimize variations in postoperative care and improve patient outcomes. This can potentially shorten hospital stays, reduce complications and lower costs. 5. Strategic purchasing and resource allocation: Collaborating with healthcare supply chain experts and negotiating favorable contracts with suppliers can help reduce the cost of surgical equipment, implants and other necessary resources. 6. Value-based reimbursement models: Emphasizing quality outcomes and value-based reimbursement models can incentivize spine surgeons to focus on improving patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary costs. It's important to note that while cost reduction is crucial, it should not compromise patient safety or the quality of care provided. Each patient's unique circumstances and needs should always be considered when making treatment decisions. Brian Gantwerker, MD. The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: At this point, we are all working harder for less. The line needs to be drawn. Spine surgeons should be remunerated commensurate with their care, training, experience and outcomes. Otherwise, it's an interminable race to the bottom. Richard Kube II, MD. Prairie Spine & Pain Institute (Peoria, Ill.): In those areas of the country where direct contracting is growing, there is enormous ability to cut overhead. Virtually all of the struggle for payment is eliminated. Time spent doing useless utilization reviews is gone. Staff time billing and then following up with untold numbers of appeals is gone. Staff overhead drops per case, as does personal time that can be redirected toward patient care, thus decreasing the amount of unbillable time spent by the physician. Scott Raffa, MD. Cantor Spine Center at the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute (West Palm Beach, Fla.): Spine surgeons can reduce costs in different ways. For hospitals, healthcare systems and individual spine surgeons, costs may be reduced by employing any one of the following initiatives: 1. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols: These recovery strategies can help reduce length of stay and improve speed of patient recovery, leading to a reduction in length of stay. 2. Standard procedures and instruments: By reducing the variation in the surgical technologist's back table and reduction of disposable items, excessive costs may be reduced. 3. Careful selection of spinal implant equipment: Spine implants can account for a significant portion of hospital costs. Surgeons can work with healthcare systems to negotiate prices, considerable purchasing agreements, and reduce costs through usage agreements. 4. Telemedicine: For surgeons or their private practices, use of telemedicine has exploded and has now become mainstream. Considering which patient interactions are and need face-to-face conversations, and others that may only be in need of direct communication but not in person, may lead to reduction in unnecessary patient travel and unnecessary use of staff and overhead costs. 5. Improved implant inventory management: Healthcare systems and the spine industry may benefit from improved logistics, such as implant tray consignments on long-term loan/lease agreements. These agreements may reduce unnecessary transfers of implant trays in/out of the healthcare system, and into the exposed natural environment. Unnecessary transfers may lead to reduced risks of infection and better availability due to consigned hardware. Vladimir Sinkov, MD. Sinkov Spine (Las Vegas): The biggest opportunity to reduce the immediate costs of surgical procedures is to move the surgery from a hospital to an ASC setting (when safe and appropriate). Being considerate with the choice of implants and bone grafting materials could also have a significant effect on the overall cost of the procedure (whenever safe and clinically appropriate). Performing a spine surgery in a minimally invasive fashion can also substantially reduce the cost of care by significantly reducing the length of hospital stay, the risk of complications such as infection, and the duration of time the patient will need to take prescription pain medications after the surgery. The patients also typically return to full function and work significantly faster after a minimally invasive procedure. This will reduce the nonclinical and societal costs associated with the loss of productivity. Another great opportunity is to provide timely and appropriate care. Sometimes delaying medically necessary surgery by trying additional physical therapy or injections only delays the "inevitable," increases the overall cost of care for this diagnosis and prolongs the duration of time the patient is not back to full function or work. Hao-Hua Wu, MD. UCI Health (Orange, Calif.): As someone who has been involved in multiple cost-effectiveness studies, including one that won the NASS Value Abstract Award in 2021, I have found that one of the biggest drivers of healthcare cost is the inpatient stay. Every night spent in the hospital is costly, and certain spine procedures require patients to stay in the hospital longer. Patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery for their spine, however, have the potential to recover faster. In my practice, when possible, I perform MIS procedures, such as motion-preserving cervical laminoplasty and tubular decompression, to minimize recovery time needed in a hospital setting. Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): Cost reduction (per unit case) is best managed for all complex spinal practices by negotiating implant costs and orthobiologic usage. Our health system has a corporate-wide committee that works closely with physicians and the private sector to manage, regulate and intercede when contracts become due. Conservative mindsets and applied measures can also serve this cause. Reimbursements continue to falter, and this will indirectly affect surgeons nationally. The interim chair of Invest NI has said he believes all political parties recognise the benefits of dual market access under the Windsor Framework. Colm McKenna spoke as the economic development agency announced a shift in focus from job creation towards improving productivity following a highly critical review. It is shaking up its leadership, structure, operations, culture and strategy in response to Januarys report from a panel led by Sir Michael Lyons. Changes include a greater focus on regions beyond Belfast, particularly Londonderry. Admitting reform was needed, Mr McKenna said: The Invest NI of the future will not be the same as the Invest NI of the past. It needs to be different. Interim CEO Mel Chittock added: Invest NI will not be the jobs agency of the past, though that may create some challenges as its a currency that everyone understands. The agency will continue in encouraging foreign direct investment, with the Windsor Framework and dual market access a selling point. Mr McKenna said: I think the Windsor Framework and the advantage of dual market access gives a tremendous opportunity. I think dual market access is something that all parties understand the benefits of, including the DUP and Sinn Fein. I think theres an acceptance that dual market access is a unique selling point. He said all parties backed the economic development strategy launched by Diane Dodds in 2021, even though the Executive has not signed it off. Mr McKenna added there was no suggestion that Sinn Fein, which is expected to take on the economy ministry if devolution is restored, would junk the plan. He also told how Invest NI was determined to help all areas of Northern Ireland. We are making a commitment to strengthening our regional impact to ensure all of Northern Ireland benefits from growth, tailored interventions according to need and a greater focus on productivity, he said. We have been accused in the past of being Belfast-centric in the past. Londonderry Chamber president Selina Horshi welcomed the commitment. She said: Derry Chamber has always been clear that it wants to see a more balanced regional economy and a shift in focus so that our region feels the benefit of more support. Jet2's 2025 summer schedule will be the biggest to date from Belfast International Airline Jet2.com has announced their summer programme for the 2025 season with 21 destinations on sale from Belfast International Airport, making it their biggest summer schedule to date. The travel company has put flights and holidays on sale to popular sunshine destinations in the Canaries, Balearics, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, and Portugal. Jet2 said they would be offering holidaymakers in Northern Ireland more than 50 departing weekly flights from the airport in summer 2025. The full list of destinations on offer and the number of flights per week includes: Antalya (3), Bodrum (1), Dalaman (3), Tenerife (6), Lanzarote (4), Fuerteventura (1), Gran Canaria (2), Reus (4), Alicante (5), Malaga (3), Palma (Majorca) (6), Ibiza (3), Menorca (1), Faro (Algarve) (4), Crete (Heraklion) (2), Rhodes (2), Zante (1), Paphos (1), Dubrovnik (1), Malta (1), Verona (1). Read more Summer delays down to air traffic control strike and staffing challenges, says easyJet as airline celebrates 25 years in Belfast Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: We are seeing strong demand from customers and independent travel agents wanting to book their Summer Sun early and get the best availability and choice. "As the UKs largest tour operator, we have listened to what our customers are telling us and reacted by putting our Summer 25 Sun programme on sale from Belfast International Airport nice and early. By going on sale today, we are giving customers the chance to lock in the price of their holiday now, have their pick of the best choice of destinations, hotels, rooms and flights, and spread the cost. "Our Summer 25 Sun programme represents our largest programme to date from Belfast International Airport, and the size and scale of this means customers in Northern Ireland have lots of choice and flexibility when it comes to getting away. Ben and Jerrys, Green and Blacks and the Co-op are among the winners of the inaugural Fairtrade Global Awards led by farmers and workers in low income countries. The three brands were recognised for their commitment to supporting social justice through trade as well as ethical and sustainable practices. The awards, which were announced at the Fairtrade Business Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday evening, came as an opportunity for those working across supply chains to recognise global businesses who are creating an impact through their supplier relationships. The awards focused on existing commitments by businesses, strong two-way relationships with producer groups and a willingness to test new approaches in collaboration with Fairtrade. The Co-op won the award for climate leader, Green and Blacks won in the Latin America and Caribbean category, and Ben and Jerrys was named Fairtrade Partner of the Year. Kerrina Thorogood, partnerships director at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: Congratulations to all the winners, especially the three UK Fairtrade partners. The 2023 Fairtrade Global Awards winners have exemplified the spirit of Fairtrade by demonstrating a commitment to fairness, sustainability, and positive impact in the lives of farmers and workers in low-income countries. Their contributions serve as an inspiration to all who believe in creating a more equitable global trade system. Cheryl Pinto, global head of values-led sourcing at Ben and Jerrys, said that fair trade, as well as striving for social and economic justice, is baked into our ethos of how we do business. With the global challenges we face, it is critical that across sectors, we become more transparent, resilient and fair in terms of valuing and honouring the essential contributions of farmers and farmworkers along with all other supply chain actors, she added. Sandra Uwera, Fairtrade International global CEO, said: Businesses have the potential to be remarkable agents of positive change. At Fairtrade International, weve seen countless examples of companies going the extra mile to make a sustainable impact. Let us use their stories as a source of inspiration, a testament to whats possible, and a call to action for others to follow suit in the pursuit of a more sustainable world. Assata Doumbia, president of ECAM Meaui, an Ivorian cocoa farmer cooperative and member of the judging panel for the Fairtrade Awards, said: The Fairtrade Global Awards provide a platform to acknowledge those who are actively reshaping our global trade landscape. Its truly inspiring to see how these nominees have harnessed the principles of fairness and sustainability to make a tangible difference in the lives of farmers and workers. The survey found that less than half of companies monitor their value chain emissions (David Jones/PA) Almost half of firms are not collecting data on their emissions across their entire value chain, new research has suggested. The survey, from Economist Impact, which works with organisations to further their missions, asked 1,250 companies across different sectors and regions about their efforts to reduce so-called scope three emissions. Scope three, which make up the majority of a firms emissions, includes those from across the value chain, like goods and services sold, transportation, waste disposal and franchises. It found that 47% of companies are not collecting and monitoring their scope three emissions. In terms of sectors, the least likely firms to monitor these emissions include consumer goods at 54% and technology/telecommunication firms at 40%. Meanwhile, transport manufacturers and energy companies are most likely to do so at 66% and 59% respectively. In terms of monitoring the data, companies are least likely to engage with their suppliers, the research suggests. It found that, on average, companies undertake 43% of supplier engagement initiatives like incentivising suppliers to meet sustainability targets and regularly auditing their emissions. However, 97% of firms across all sectors have undertaken at least one initiative to engage customers to reduce emissions. It comes as Economist Impact and tech consultancy Infosys launch the Value Chain Navigator an open digital platform to help businesses understand and address their scope three emissions through interactive tracking, tools and tailored recommendations. The navigator will be featured on the Economist Impacts content and community platform called the Sustainability Project. Claudia Malley, president of Economist Impact, said: We focus on addressing pressing issues and providing the necessary insights to advance sustainable solutions. Our work with Infosys to create The Sustainability Project and, now, the Value Chain Navigator exemplifies the impact we can make in the world. Ashiss Kumar Dash, global head of services, utilities, resources and energy at Infosys, said: The Value Chain Navigator will be pivotal in driving collaborative action at scale to tackle scope three emissions, supporting businesses along their value chains to reduce their carbon footprint. With this solution, we further strengthen the tools delivered through The Sustainability Project to empower sustainability stakeholders to navigate a changing landscape through data and insights, and chart their course for a better future. Gareth Reid with Judi Dench and his portrait of the actor A Northern Irish artist has been crowned Portrait Artist of the Decade for his unique charcoal impression of iconic Hollywood actress Dame Judi Dench. Belfast native Gareth Reid (49) received the prestigious accolade on the popular Sky Arts competition show, Portrait Artist of the Year, as part of a 90-minute special to mark its 10th anniversary. The Portrait Artist of the Decade episode recalled previous yearly winners, who were tasked to create a portrait of Dench, who starred in the James Bond films. Mr Reid said he was utterly shocked to win and described his new crowning as Portrait Artist of the Decade as a truly memorable experience. It still feels completely surreal to be awarded Portrait Artist of the Decade. I was utterly shocked when my name was read out, I expected nothing, so I feel extremely fortunate and honoured to have been chosen, he said after this week, ahead of the shows release on Sky on October 11. He previously won the Sky Portrait Artist of the Year in 2017, surpassing 54 competitors for the coveted prize. As the winner, he captured the likeness of Graham Norton. The painting then entered the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Ireland. Following his success, Reid went on to receive numerous prestigious commissions, most notably painting King Charles in 2019. Winning the first time was already extraordinary, but this is way beyond that, he remarked. His award-winning drawing will be featured in an upcoming exhibition at The National Portrait Gallery, London. Reid's artistic journey began in Belfast, where he honed his craft before attending the esteemed Glasgow School of Art. Now, he balances his time between his studios in Ireland and Glasgow. New paintings by Reid will be featured as part of a group exhibition in La Roche House, Belfast and can be viewed by appointment from October 17-31. Having my daughters there with me and working under pressure alongside such a great group of talented artists on the day was an experience that Ill never forget, he added. Yiftach Ofek in The Hedgehog Review: The recent death of Milan Kundera brought me back to the fall of 2006, to the aftermath of what we Israelis call the Second Lebanon War, when I first read his work. It was the first year of my military service as a junior spokesman to the foreign press. And like much of the Israeli population, I was angry and confused. What began as a limited military operation quickly escalated into an all-out conflict with what turned out to be a well-armed, well-trained, and well-funded militia. The Israel Defense Forces, too accustomed to the relative low intensity that characterized the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians, was caught radically underprepared. Cities as far from the northern border as Haifa were targeted daily. The government responded with weakness and hesitation, or so it seemed at the time. Experts say we did not lose that war. But it felt as though we did. It was then that I picked up The Unbearable Lightness of Being, a book I had intended to read for some time. It provided the perfect antidote to my personal and existential malaise. More here. The Blade Runner TV sequel will no longer be filmed in Northern Ireland, it has been reported. Filming for Blade Runner 2099 was due to get underway at Belfasts Harbour Studios earlier this year, but the project was delayed due to the Hollywood writers strike. Now the BBC has reported that the series will be filmed elsewhere. NI Screen had awarded Blade Runner 2099 funding of 4.1m in 2022-23, but it is understood any money that has been paid will be returned. Rumours the multimillion-dollar Amazon production was to be axed entirely have been swirling around the industry in recent months. But in August NI Screen was confident the project would be coming to these shores in the near future. In August CEO Richard Williams told Sunday Life: We have spoken to the production and it is not our understanding that Blade Runner 2099 has been cancelled. The production was halted due to the ongoing writers strike. Since then there has also been strike action by actors. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes have been halting productions all over the world. We hope for a swift and equitable resolution to the dispute for all parties, allowing US-originated projects to get back into production here. The original Blade Runner movie, set in a dystopian future Los Angeles in 2019, was released in 1982, starring Harrison Ford. Its sequel, Blade Runner 2049, was released in 2017, and Blade Runner 2099 was commissioned by Amazon with Sir Ridley Scott as executive producer. The BBC has reached a settlement with the mother of a murdered schoolgirl who said Martin Bashir took her daughters clothes and never returned them. In 1991, Michelle Hadaway gave the clothes to the then BBC reporter for DNA tests for BBC Twos social affairs programme Public Eye, but the investigation did not air and her calls to the broadcaster were ignored. The clothes belonged to nine-year-old schoolgirl Karen Hadaway, who was found sexually assaulted and strangled alongside Nicola Fellows in a woodland den in Brighton in October 1986, in what became known as the Babes In The Wood murders. The families of the two girls spent decades fighting for justice after their killer, Russell Bishop, was initially found not guilty of their murders in 1987. Martin Bashir (Ian West/PA) In 2002 and 2004, Ian Heffron, uncle of Nicola Fellows, contacted the BBC for the clothing following reform of the double jeopardy law, which would allow Bishop to be retried. However, BBC investigators were unable to locate the clothing. Bishop, who died in January 2022 aged 55, was jailed in 2018 for a minimum of 36 years after being convicted of the murders of Fellows and Hadaway. In 2021, the BBC conducted a review of the case in a fresh bid to try to locate the clothing and an investigator spoke with Bashir. Director-general Tim Davie later apologised to the family but said regrettably 30 years on, little more can be done to find the missing clothes. On Thursday, a BBC spokesperson said: We have today reached a settlement with Michelle Hadaway in relation to the loss of the clothes of her daughter, Karen. In 1991, Mrs Hadaway entrusted the BBC with the missing clothes on the understanding that they would be forensically examined. Murdered Brighton schoolgirls Karen Hadaway (left) and Nicola Fellows (PA) The BBC did not examine or return the clothes, and was not subsequently able to find them as a result of searches in 2004 and 2021. We should have taken better care of Karens clothes and we did not. We accept that we had a duty of care to Mrs Hadaway and we fell well short of that and we have previously apologised to her privately. We are very sorry. The terms of the settlement were not revealed. The story of the lost clothing re-emerged following the publication of Lord Dysons report on the 1995 Panorama interview with the late Diana, Princess of Wales, where reporter Bashir was found to have deceived the princess in order to obtain his exclusive interview with her. Northern Irish TV presenter Eamonn Holmes has hit out at Rishi Sunaks wife making a surprise address at the Conservative Party conference on Wednesday branding it vomit making. Akshata Murty was not billed to speak ahead of the Prime Minister in Manchester, telling the conference she and her husband were each others best friends, and added she could not imagine being anywhere else ahead of his address. Speaking on Thursday mornings GB News Breakfast Show, Mr Holmes clashed with co-host Isabel Webster over Akshata Murtys appearance. When asked by his fellow presenter over his views on her speech, Mr Holmes said: Whats she's speaking for? "Why do we want to know what the bloomin' Prime Minister's wife thinks? Were interested in what the Prime Minister thinks. Ms Webster interjected adding: She just introduced him. I mean this happened before, Sarah Brown introduced Gordon Brown when he was Prime Minister. I think a lot of people are intrigued to know the woman behind the man. Holmes replied: I just don't get that. That is just, it's crass. We can't get him in the past ten days or so to make one single comment on HS2. Then he's forced to make something yesterday. So we deflect everybody by listening to what his wife is having to say on things. Oh, Granny, let's have his Granny, come on, you wanna speak? Defending the decision and saying she liked it, Webster argued: "I was in the car as it happened, and I didn't know who was speaking. And I did for a second think it was someone like Malala. "It sounded like a very young person. And then I realised from what she was saying, oh, this must be the Prime Minister's wife. And, you know, she was just trying to paint a picture of the man behind the scenes. Once again hitting back at the idea, the Belfast man added: Vomit making. Why do you care whether him and her are one team or not? Is she running the country? As he opened his speech, Mr Sunak echoed the conference slogan as he responded to his wife, describing Ms Murty as the best long-term decision for a brighter future he had ever made. The Prime Ministers press secretary described it as a very personal speech that Ms Murty wrote herself and indicated the public will see more of her in the run-up to the general election. I know they are an extremely strong partnership and Im sure people want to know who their leader is and the values that drive them, and the people around them that influence and sustain them, she added. Emerald Fennell arrives for the opening night gala, Saltburn, at the BFI London Film Festival 2023 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre (Ian West/PA) Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell has said her new film Saltburn is metaphorically a vampire film as it explores how someone can behave when they are completely besotted. The gala premiere of the thriller opened the BFI London Film Festival on Wednesday, but without its star-studded cast on the red carpet, including Banshees Of Inisherin actor Barry Keoghan and Euphoria star Jacob Elordi, as the actors strike continues. The film sees Keoghan as student Oliver Quick who, struggling to find his place at Oxford University, finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton, played by Elordi. Felix invites Oliver to Saltburn, his eccentric familys sprawling estate, where he becomes infatuated with the aristocrat. The Crown actress Fennell, who won an Oscar for her screenplay for Promising Young Woman, wrote, directed and produced the project. Speaking on the red carpet of the films gala premiere, Fennell told the PA news agency: Certainly metaphorically it is a vampire film. It is about what we do when were completely besotted with something or someone. And I hope its part of the classic Gothic tradition where love and hate are very, very close together. Reflecting on the films exploration on being an outsider, the director added that she thinks we all feel like we dont quite fit in all of the time. I mean, look where we are now, were in the most enormous festival in London, and certainly I feel like I dont fit in here, she admitted. So its always exciting to look at look at outsiders and again its part of the tradition that its somebody whos not familiar with the world looking into it. And I think those are the most exciting films when you have that tension. The film also stars Rosamund Pike, Richard E Grant and Carey Mulligan, who were not in attendance at the premiere. Emerald Fennell arrives for the opening night gala, Saltburn, at the BFI London Film Festival 2023 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre in London (Ian West/PA) International film festivals such as Venice, Telluride and Toronto have already been affected by the strike by union Sag-Aftra. The festival is also set to host premieres for highly anticipated films such as Killers Of The Flower Moon, Maestro and Poor Things. Fennell told PA that she feels the British film industry has been one of the most exciting and groundbreaking since the beginning of cinema. The British star added: Its just so thrilling that it seems like every year people are making work that is more personal, more stylistically complicated and exciting. Its really a pleasure to be part of it. Saltburn will be released in UK cinemas on November 24. The BFI London Film Festival will run from October 4 to October 15. Humza Yousaf has appeared on the cover of US publication Time Magazine. The Scottish First Minister has been included in a list of 10 next generation leaders by Times international edition, owing to his youth and the fact he is the first Muslim leader of a Western country. He appears alongside the likes of actor Florence Pugh, racing driver Jamie Chadwick, drag queen Pattie Gonia and Ghanian visual artist Prince Gyasi. Speaking to the magazine, Mr Yousaf outlined his upbringing, the well-worn issues of race and religion, as well as the impact of the 9/11 attacks on him as a teenager. Humza Yousaf is on the cover of Time Magazines latest edition (Time/PA) He also spoke about what the SNP has to do to increase support for independence, with opinion polls appearing to show backing for it stagnating shy of a majority. The way we shift the dial on independence is give people a little bit of hope, and I believe the SNP can absolutely do that, he said. The challenge over the past few months, to be frank and to be blunt, is that weve not been able to get cut through because of other events that have dominated the party space. The First Minister appeared to be alluding to the police investigation into the SNPs finances, which has seen the arrests of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, her husband and former chief executive Peter Murrell, and then-treasurer Colin Beattie. Humza Yousaf, centre, said he believes he can increase support for independence by offering Scots a little bit of hope (PA) All three were released without charge pending further investigation. But the First Minister also said people are more focused on issues closer to home. He told Time: We have too many people in Scotland, in fact right across the UK, living in poverty because weve had 13 years of austerity, and my belief unsurprisingly is you need the full powers of independence to truly unleash the potential of this country for every single Scot that lives here. Being the first of his religion to head a Western government, he said, means a lot to me and my family, although it is not something he dwells on often. The First Minister added that if he could inspire just one person to enter politics, then thats a pretty good feeling. One of the robbers, who has paranoid schizophrenia, says he was on crack flat out at the time of offending Sentences totalling 16 years have been imposed upon two men for a spate of armed robberies committed at shops in Belfast. William Patterson (40) was handed a nine-year sentence at Belfast Crown Court and Darren Presley Shah (42) received a seven-year sentence. As he told the pair their sentences would be divided equally between prison and licence, Judge Mark Reel spoke of the vulnerability of small shops and similar outlets. He said: They provide vital services and yet are easy, as this case demonstrates, to rob and the only protection such outlets have is from the sentences imposed upon the people who rob them. Shah, whose address was given as HMP Maghaberry, was sentenced for three robberies, one attempted robbery and four counts of possessing an offensive weapon with intent. He targeted the shops in south Belfast over a period spanning October 5 to November 4, 2021 whilst armed with weapons including knives and scissors. On October 5, whilst masked he held a knife to the back of a shop assistant working at the Co-Op on the Ormeau Road and demanded cash and cigarettes. He targeted the same store 19 days later and on this occasion, armed with a box-cutting blade, he again stole cash and cigarettes. Patterson, also with an address at Maghaberry, was sentenced for four charges robbery, attempted robbery and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon with intent. Together with Shah, they robbed money and cigarettes whilst armed with knives from a shop assistance working at a Tesco Express on the Rosetta Road on October 21, 2021. The pair also targeted a Centra on the Ormeau Road at around 9am on November 4, 2021 and on that occasion the robbery failed as they were unable to work the till after staff ran for safety. Both incidents were carried out whilst Patterson was on licence for a previous robbery charge. Judge Mark Reel said both men were linked to the robberies by a combination of CCTV footage, DNA and clothing found during their arrests. Whilst both men initially denied the charges following their arrest, Shah later admitted his guilt. Patterson, on the other hand, continued his denials - but was convicted by a jury following a trial. Defence barrister Michael Boyd said his client Shah suffered trauma in his childhood which led to mental health issues and drug misuse. Mr Boyd added Shah has expressed shame, remorse and genuine regret for his actions in 2021. Judge Reel noted Shahs claim he was on crack flat out at the time of offending, and his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Pattersons barrister Luke Curran also spoke of his clients shame for his involvement, and added that whilst in custody he is taking steps to addressing his issues. Acknowledging Patterson has issues with alcohol as opposed to drugs, Judge Reel branded as chaotic his lifestyle at relevant time. Telling both men their offending was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate, Judge Reel imposed the seven and nine-year terms. A Belfast man who raped a stranger as she walked home after a night out with friends was jailed today. Stephen Dalton was handed a six-and-a-half-year sentence for the sex attack which he committed on September 10, 2021. As he sentenced Dalton for the disturbing case, Judge Paul Ramsey KC told the 39-year-old that he will spend half the term in jail, followed by the same period on licence when he is released from prison. Judge Ramsey also paid tribute to two cyclists who witnessed the incident and alerted the PSNI. Belfast Crown Court heard that, despite pleading to charges of rape and sexual assault, Dalton, of Fairfax Court in Belfast, told a probation officer he was innocent. Dalton targeted the then-26-year-old victim as she walked home from a night out with friends. After dining in a Chinese restaurant and then visiting several bars in the centre of Belfast, she decided to walk home. The woman, who said she was intoxicated and does not remember the incident, was walking on a footpath that runs along the River Lagan when she encountered Dalton, who was also on the same walkway. Dalton and the woman walked along the path together for a short period of time before separating. Having followed her across a bridge, Dalton sexually assaulted then raped the woman on a bench, part of which was witnessed by two passing cyclists. The cyclists heard a commotion on the bench and, after observing a woman who looked like a rag doll with a male, one of the cyclists approached. The cyclist spoke to Dalton, who said he was trying to help the woman. Due to the womans intoxicated and vulnerable state, however, the witness alerted the PSNI. After calling the police, the two cyclists remained watching from a distance of 30 to 40 yards. When they protested to Dalton about his behaviour, he threatened to throw them in the Lagan. Police arrived at the scene and Dalton was arrested. He gave a no comment response to questions, but he was forensically linked when his DNA was located on his victim. Judge Ramsey said he had read an articulate and heartfelt statement written by the victim, who spoke of the impact the incident has had on her. She said she didnt intend to become as intoxicated as she did on the night in question and expressed shock that she was taken advantage of and attacked in the way she was. The victim also described what happened to her as a nightmare and revealed that she no longer socialises and has been left feeling paranoid. Judge Ramsey commended her and the two cyclists who came to her assistance. He said: They showed great courage in confronting the defendant and they must be commended for their swift action in bringing him to justice. Judge Ramsey said he had considered defence submissions which spoke of Daltons low IQ, his poor mental health and his issues with substance and alcohol misuse. His defence also said the incident was impulsive rather than planned and that his guilty plea spared his victim the trauma of a trial. Noting Dalton, despite his guilty pleas, told a probation officer he was innocent of the charges, Judge Ramsey said this displayed distorted thinking and a lack of insight into consent or victim awareness. Imposing the six-and-a-half-year sentence, Judge Ramsey also made Dalton the subject of a ten-year sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) and placed him on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period. Judges are bound by sentencing guidelines and must take into account mitigating circumstances, such as early guilty pleas, co-operation with police and remorse, as well as aggravating factors, such as intent and excessive violence. After the sentencing, UUP leader Doug Beattie criticised the sentencing in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter: Really poor 3 years behind bars is far too lenient. In a statement following sentencing Detective Constable Grant said Dalton took advantage of a vulnerable young woman who became separated from her friends. His actions were callous, with total disregard to consent. There is no defence for disregarding sexual consent. Without consent, it is rape. We would like to commend a passer-by who intervened, and the victim for her bravery in working with Detectives throughout the investigation. The Police Service of Northern Ireland takes all reports of sexual assault seriously, and we urge anyone who has ever been the victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report it, regardless of when it happened, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect and dignity. Report to Police on 101 on in an emergency always dial 999. Convicted Nick Watkins (right) with former mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Stephen Ross who opened MAC Aesthetics in Glengormley. The owner of a Botox clinic that provides bumlifts, liquid facelifts and vampire facials in Northern Ireland has been fined over 4,000 after illegally offering anti-wrinkle and weight loss treatments. Co Antrim businessman Nick Watkins (51), from Forthaven in Ballyclare, was convicted of human medicines regulations breaches at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday. The court heard how the criminality came to light when inspectors from the Department of Health's Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) visited MAC Aesthetics Glengormley premises on the Ballyclare Road back in December 2022. A significant quantity of medicines was seized by enforcement officers and further evidence of unlawful advertising to supply prescription medicines was also uncovered. Watkins is the main practitioner at the clinic which offers a range of treatments, including non-surgical rhinoplasty and calf-slimming treatments. The clinics website says all treatments are administered in a council-approved establishment, complying with all health and safety and environmental health standards. The types of IV treatments it offers include a Hangover IV Drip for 100. The Snow White IV Drip and Rapunzel IV Drip are cheaper at 95 and 89 respectively. A bumlift is on offer for 299, intramuscular injections from 25 to 200 and non-surgical facelifts for 599. The website boasts that the business previously came second place in the Highly Recommended Cosmetic Clinic of the Year category at the Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty Awards. Senior medicines enforcement officer Peter Moore directed the investigation into Watkins. Reacting to the news of the fine, he said it sends a clear message that there are serious consequences if a person attempts to by-pass the regulated system which is in place to ensure public safety and the integrity of the medicines supply chain. Of particular concern to MRG is the use of unregulated weight-loss injections, he added. MRG head Canice Ward warned that the risk to public safety posed by the unlawful distribution and misuse of non-surgical cosmetic medicines is a serious issue. "Patients should not be fooled by professional looking websites or social media websites offering medicines without prescription, he continued. "Taking short cuts and using these medicines could expose you to a dangerous counterfeit or substandard medicine. "Patients should only use prescription-only medicines after seeking appropriate advice from a healthcare professional." Read more NI prison escapee on the run for 22 years given additional jail term DUP councillor Stephen Ross attended the official opening of Mac Aesthetics during his term as mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. A picture of the pair outside the clinic is understood to have been taken during the period of offending. Mr Ross previously told this newspaper he had no idea what they sold and assumes the official events he attends are safe. I would not have been anywhere near it if I thought it was not above board," he added. I do not know this individual and never seen him before or after the event. I have no interest in Botox and have no knowledge of what happened in that place. It was a new business opening in an area that needs new businesses. I was invited along and I went. Edward James John Hickey was jailed at Antrim Crown Court. Judge Alistair Devlin said his excessively long absence must render this case much more serious than it otherwise would have been. He ordered that it will be served consecutively to the sentence that the 49-year-old began at the start of the century. Judge Devlin said that, while the case was exceptional, given the length of absence and that Hickey had effectively turned his life around, there had to be a punishment as he had breached the trust placed in him by the prison service. Temporary home leave at Christmas, or at any other time, rests on an essential element of mutual trust, said Judge Devlin. Unfortunately you abused that trust and there has to be adverse consequences for anyone who might be tempted to do what you did. He was charged with being unlawfully at large from HMP Magilligan between January 2, 2001, and January 11, 2023. Last month, Hickey, from Monasterboice Road, Dublin, entered a guilty plea to the single charge against him: between January 2, 2001, and January 11, 2023, having been ordered to serve a jail sentence at HMP Magilligan, [you] were afterwards, and before the expiration of the term for which you were so sentenced, at large without lawful excuse. In December 2000, Hickey was jailed for five years at Belfast Crown Court for having a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. During sentencing remarks on Thursday, the judge said Hickey had been granted temporary home leave for the Christmas period and was due to return on January 2, 2001, but did not. Hickey was not arrested until January this year, when police on the Welsh island of Anglesey alerted the PSNI that a passenger by the name of Edward Hickey was due to arrive on a ferry from Dublin. He was duly arrested and flown back to Belfast, where he made full admissions, claiming that he had intended to return to prison but, having been told that his mother was seriously ill, he instead opted to stay with her in Dublin. Judge Alistair Devlin said, while it was to Hickeys credit that he had essentially stayed out of trouble the entire time since starting a family and working as a forklift driver to provide for them it was also a factor that he did not, following a period of mature reflection, decide to hand himself in, even after the unfortunate passing of his mother. The judge said the offence was different from that of escaping from lawful custody, an offence which carries a maximum of life imprisonment, and he accepted Hickeys decision not to go back to HMP Magilligan was impulsive rather than planned. Imposing the eight-month sentence, Judge Devlin ordered that it would only begin when Hickey has finished serving the jail sentence originally imposed two decades ago. Two men arrested following the discovery of a suspected cannabis factory in Markethill are allegedly victims of trafficking, a court heard today. A court also heard that police had been carrying out house-to-house searches in the area when they smelled the cannabis. Rejecting a bail application, District Judge Eamon King remanded Vietnamese nationals Vinh Cong Pham and Ty Van Le, both of no fixed abode, into custody to allow police to continue their investigation into the matter. The men, both 32 years old, appeared before Banbridge Magistrates Court, sitting at Newry Courthouse, where, speaking through an interpreter, they confirmed they understood the charges against them, which include cultivating cannabis, possessing a Class B drug, attempted possession of a Class B drug and dishonestly causing electricity to be diverted on October 3 this year. The charges followed the police seizure of hundreds of plants in a suspected cannabis factory on the Main Street area of Markethill on Tuesday. Giving evidence, a police constable said he believed he could connect the accused to the charges, explaining how police had been carrying out house-to-house searches in the area when they smelled the cannabis. Having contacted the owner, who gave them permission to force entry into the house through the back door, officers found quite a large and extensive suspected cannabis factory, containing more than 530 plants. The two defendants were located upstairs and they had obviously been living in the property, the constable told the court, adding that police were opposing bail as immigration have an interest in both parties. He explained that they have no fixed abode and are believed to be a flight risk, with no ties to the local area. We do believe theyre victims of trafficking, but immigration are involved now and theyre taking action as well, the constable said. He said police believed the pair had been in Northern Ireland for about four months, with one having overstayed his visa and the other having his asylum status declined on the day of his arrest. The officer agreed with a suggestion from the defence lawyer that the property in question is a disused bar and the conditions inside were uninhabitable by modern standards. Discovery at Markethill The solicitor contended the defendants were quite clearly trafficked, arguing that remanding victims of trafficking into custody was grossly unfair. The defence explained that, as police had completed National Referral Mechanism (NRM) paperwork, it would take five days to come back and it would then be decided by the Home Office that, if its believed theres a chance the accused may have been trafficked, they will be afforded protection. He argued that the defendants could be bailed to Migrant Help if the Home Office deems them to be victims of trafficking. These gentlemen had not been allowed to leave the property for the three months they had been there. The conditions were horrendous at best. Theyre not being paid and they clearly satisfy a number of the 11 indicators of trafficking, he added. District Judge Eamon King refused to free the pair, however, remarking: The case has been made on their behalf that theyre the victims of trafficking and that they werent here of their free will. If that is proved to be the case, it will be a defence to the criminal charges that both men face. The main concern of the police is that, if [the defendants] are released from custody, they will disappear. The justification for that fear is [the defendants] have no ties to this jurisdiction and the police have discovered false documentation which would tend to indicate that they have travelled from elsewhere to here. In those circumstances, I feel this court has no choice but to remand both these gentlemen in custody for a short period of time to allow the police and [the defendants] legal representative to explore the best way forward. He remanded both defendants in custody, to appear before Armagh Magistrates Court on October 10. Selvis Sali was due to attend Ballymena Magistrates Court today, having been granted bail by the High Court last month, but the 50-year-old failed to show. A prosecuting lawyer revealed that one of the bail conditions was that Sali, listed as of no fixed abode, Belfast, was to be subject to electronic tagging but that no tag was ever fitted. There will be a warrant for his arrest, declared District Judge Nigel Broderick. Charged alongside a woman, who remains in custody, Sali faces four dishonesty offences and one of resisting police arising from events at the Rosspark Hotel, near Ballymena, last March. Sali is accused of fraud by false representation, possessing various credit cards for fraud, handling stolen post and related documentation and theft of same from various victims, all alleged to have been committed between March 22 and March 30. Previous courts heard claims that Sali and the woman had stayed for several days in the hotel and ran up bills for food and room service before they allegedly tried to pay for it with a fraudulent credit card. A search of a vehicle connected with the pair uncovered allegedly stolen documentation. The PSNI has revealed that detectives are currently investigating allegations that the accused defrauded other local hotels, courts have heard. A Co Armagh man struck and partially blinded by a baton round as a schoolboy never got the rub of the green in his failed 225,000 compensation claim, the Court of Appeal heard today. Counsel for Gavin McKenna argued that a judge wrongly rejected his version of events in finding the soldier who fired the plastic bullet in Lurgan used reasonable force. Patrick Lyttle KC insisted: He is an innocent victim who was shot in this case. In April 1997 Mr McKenna, then aged 13, sustained a permanent eye injury when hit in the face by the baton round near the towns staunchly republican Kilwilkie estate. He sued the Ministry of Defence for negligence in being struck while out gathering wood for a bonfire with two friends. The MoD argued reasonable force had been deployed after a six-man Royal Irish Regiment foot patrol was targeted by up to 30 youths hurling stones, bricks and bottles. A single, aimed baton round was fired at another identified target in the crowd because of the risk to the soldiers lives and wellbeing, according to the Armys account. With the level of potential damages agreed at 225,000, the case centred on a dispute over liability. In evidence to the original High Court hearing, Mr McKenna recalled being hit by the plastic bullet as he stood up in a field beside the Antrim Road. He stated that he was unaware of any Army unit in the area and specifically denied involvement in any public disorder that night. The former lance corporal who fired the round said one group of youths came out of the Kilwilkie estate to attack his unit before a second crowd emerged from a wooded area to throw more missiles. Along with a senior ranking colleague, he became separated from the other four members of their patrol at the Bells Row crossing. Fearing they were to be completely cut off from the rest of the unit as part of a pre-planned ambush, the ex-soldier stated the concern was their weapons would be taken and used against them. He was ordered to fire the baton gun at another youth 30 metres away with a Celtic scarf over his face and apparently getting ready to throw a rock, the court heard. He aimed at the targets legs but could not say who the round struck. In February this year a High Court judge ruled that the two soldiers had come under sustained attack and genuinely feared for their safety. Mr McKenna was neither the intended target nor part of the crowd advancing towards the soldiers, he found, but had been struck on the head while still crouching or hunkering down. Dismissing the claim for compensation, the judge declared the lance corporal entirely justified in firing the baton round. But lawyers for Mr McKenna maintain the case was wrongly decided on issues about the conflicting accounts and scale of disturbances which he played no part in. Disputing claims the soldiers came under bombardment during a full-scale riot, Mr Lyttle told the Court of Appeal that no members of the patrol were injured. If that is correct they must be very bad shots around the Lurgan area, he said. It beggars belief. On the defence case this was a premeditated attack by dozens of people that have stored up missiles, bottles, pieces of metal and a catapult, yet not one person in that patrol was struck. Contradictory findings were also reached on disputed claims the baton round was fired while the victim was in a crouched position, according to counsel. If he was hunkered down that would excuse (the lance corporal) because it means he aimed low, Mr Lyttle submitted. He argued Mr McKenna had been in a standing position and that the soldier should not have missed his intended target when firing at that range. The plaintiff in this case never got the rub of the green on any significant point, the barrister said. The appeal continues. George Hamilton backs head Kenova investigator as an excellent choice for interim role at force Former PSNI chief constable Sir George Hamilton has said the appointment of Jon Boutcher as interim head of Northern Irelands police force is an excellent choice. And Sir George, who retired as chief constable in 2019, said his track record in policing makes him the ideal candidate to restore public confidence in the PSNI. Mr Boutcher has been identified as the preferred candidate to take over the role on a temporary basis, subject to final agreement. The expected appointment follows the resignation of Simon Byrne, Sir George Hamiltons replacement, last month. Former PSNI chief constable Sir George Hamilton. Photo credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Mr Byrne left his post after a string of controversies within policing in Northern Ireland, and Sir George has backed Mr Boutcher to be a success in the role. Mr Boutcher has recently been conducting an investigation into the activities of Stakeknife, the Armys top agent in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The Operation Kenova report is expected to be published soon. In my view Jon Boutcher is an excellent choice by the Policing Board, the former chief constable told the Belfast Telegraph. He has a wealth of experience and a proven track record as a successful chief constable in Bedfordshire where he turned the organisation around, got it to believe in itself and, more importantly, restored public confidence in policing. All those traits will be needed after the PSNI suffered a significant data breach in which the personal details of all officers and staff were mistakenly published online and faced intense scrutiny after a critical High Court ruling that two junior officers had been unlawfully disciplined. Last week the process opened to appoint an interim chief constable and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris indicated that he would fast-track the legislation needed to make the temporary appointment. Jon is an inclusive and collaborative leader which the PSNI will benefit from, Sir George continued. With over six years working on Kenova in Northern Ireland he has an awareness of the operating environment and will understand the sometimes competing needs of all communities. I wish him every success as he takes on the role of interim chief constable. PSNI deputy chief constable Mark Hamilton has been leading the PSNI since the resignation of Mr Byrne, although he has not been at his desk following a medical procedure. A Policing Board spokesperson said: The board has agreed the appointment of an interim chief constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The appointment is now subject to due diligence checks and ministerial approval. UUP leader Doug Beattie welcomed the appointment, and said Mr Boutcher taking the position on an interim basis should not delay any publication of the Kenova report. Its clear we needed an interim chief constable, he said. Jon put his name forward and it seems he has been selected for the position. It will bring a welcome degree of stability to policing. He has done an important job with Kenova and I dont believe his appointment will affect that report being made public. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said that in all of the partys dealings with Mr Boutcher through the work of Operation Kenova he has proven to be an individual of integrity. The challenges facing the PSNI are severe, the party leader added. We have found Jon Boutcher to be a man of integrity who has put the needs of victims and survivors above the narrow interests of paramilitaries and state agencies. It is important that the Kenova reports are completed, published in full and that there is no undue delay," the SDLP leader added. Peter O'Reilly resigned from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in 2022 The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) has started the search for a new leader, almost a year and a half after the previous one left. The new Chief Fire and Rescue Officer will be taking over from Peter OReilly, who only lasted six months in the 128,000 a year position. Just last month a damning independent report found the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to have a lack of formal and structured leadership with some staff members citing cronyism and nepotism as reasons for concern. The job advertisement for an exceptional individual says they will be responsible for ensuring NIFRS fulfils its statutory responsibilities and in accordance with standards, that public money is properly accounted for and used efficiently and economically. They will have the ability to think and act strategically and will also have a demonstrable track record of providing leadership, vision and direction to ensure the delivery of high quality, innovative and consistent people related services. The closing date for applications for the position is listed as October 20. Mr OReilly had been appointed in September 2021, but resigned in May 2022, and since then the position has remained unfilled and held on an interim basis. He had previously served as Greater Manchester Fire Services chief fire officer on the night of the 2017 terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert in the city. In June this year, Greater Manchesters current Chief Fire Officer apologised for the wholly inadequate and totally ineffective response of the service on the night of the Arena bombing. Firefighters took more than two hours to arrive at the scene of the 2017 blast, with frustrated crews then kept away from the scene due to their bosses fears of a continuing terror attack even though police and paramedics rushed towards danger. Chief Fire Officer Dave Russel told Junes inquiry into the bomb attack: We let people down when they needed us the most. He told the public inquiry the response on the night was wholly inadequate and totally ineffective. Mr OReilly was born in Belfast and joined the then Northern Ireland Fire Brigade in 1990. He served for most of his career in Belfast as a firefighter, junior officer and district commander. He moved to Ballymena to become assistant area commander and later northern area commander and seemed a natural fit when his appointment was announced to the post in August, 2021. After just six months he resigned without apparent reason. Jim Allister has said he doesnt see how Sir Jeffrey Donaldson can garner the support necessary to return to Stormont if he wants to accept an imminent deal from the Government. The TUV leader was speaking ahead of a meeting of the DUP executive tonight amid speculation that Downing Street is finalising its response to the partys demands for restoring devolution. Around 130 DUP members will gather in Lurgan. While it is a scheduled meeting and will deal with routine business, Sir Jeffrey is expected to take soundings informally on returning to Stormont. Mr Allister said: Despite all the hype driven by some journalists, politicians and the NIO, it is quite clear to me that there has been no weakening of grassroots unionists resolve not to accept the partitioning of the UK by the Irish Sea border. Were Sir Jeffrey so minded to return to Stormont as some media suggest, I fail to see where he would get the support from his base that he needs. Going back now would require him to swallow so much of what hes previously said. It would be a massive climbdown on his part. The TUV leader added: This is a government in its dying days. I dont foresee any political leader taking risks in those circumstances it would be crazy to do so. The DUP is deeply divided on the possibility of returning to Stormont. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and key supporters are keen to restore the institutions but some senior figures are strongly against going back on the basis of what the Government is likely to offer. Edwin Poots, Sammy Wilson, Lord Dodds, and Ian Paisley are among those taking a very hard line on the Windsor Framework. MLAs, MPs and constituency association delegates will attend the Lurgan meeting, which is one of four annual executive gatherings. DUP chairman Lord Morrow told the News Letter that there was no big news going to come out of it Im being real and honest with you, theres no big news coming absolutely none. Asked if there would be discussion on returning to Stormont, Lord Morrow said: Id imagine the party leader would just update people on where things are and what conversations hes had with government. The ball is firmly in the governments court: they know what they have to do, and why dont they get on with it? The Government [needs to meet] our tests. Thats it. It couldnt be any simpler. Government has some papers from us. They havent responded to them, as yet. And thats it. Theyve said many things in the past and we know how that all turned out. So we dont judge Government any more on what they say: its on what they do. On restoring devolution, Lord Morrow said: We all want back to Stormont. Thats the partys policy. But Governments holding it up. Someone needs to ring the NIO and ask why. But were not going back until theres a level playing field. Everybody is supposed to be equal, but it looks like some are going to be more equal than others, and were not tolerating that. Russia may use sea mines to target non-military ships and blame Ukraine for any attacks, the UK Government has said. Declassified intelligence warned last month that the Russian military had attempted a missile strike against a cargo ship in the Black Sea. The UK believes Russia could continue targeting civilian shipping, including by laying explosive devices in the approach to Ukrainian ports. However, Vladimir Putins army wants to openly avoid sinking ships in order to blame Ukraine for attacks, the Government said. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: Russias pernicious targeting of civilian shipping in the Black Sea demonstrates Putins total disregard for civilian lives and the needs of the worlds most vulnerable. The world is watching and we see right through Russias cynical attempts to lay blame on Ukraine for their attacks. We and our allies stand united against Putin and his attempts to harm Ukraine, and thus harm the rest of the world. When the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022, around 22 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain meant for export was reportedly stuck. Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain initiative in July of this year, which had been an effort to ship grain out of Ukraine, one of the worlds biggest wheat producers, to countries in Africa and other parts of the world which could otherwise face famine. Continued targeting of ships would therefore be an attempt to pressure the Ukrainian economy, the UK Government says. It is believed since Russias withdrawal, enough grain to feed more than one million people for a year has been destroyed. A statement by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: We are working with Ukraine and other partners to put in place arrangements to improve the safety of shipping. Our advice to British shipping has not changed the UKs maritime security level for Ukrainian ports and waters remains at the highest level due to the threat posed by Russia. The UK has put in place intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to monitor Russian activity in the Black Sea. These capabilities will help us to attribute and call out any further Russian attacks on civilian shipping or infrastructure. We are committed to ensuring Ukraine can continue to export its agricultural produce through all appropriate routes including its humanitarian corridor, overland and via the Danube. The UK will continue to work with Ukraine and a range of international partners to achieve this. Labour cannot commit to building HS2s northern leg if it wins the next election after the Government took a wrecking ball to the project, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Opposition leader warned he was unable to promise to reverse Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks announcement, but said he was in talks with leaders across the North of England to provide better connectivity. Sir Keir said Labour would also continue with transport projects already announced by the Government, such as improvements to the A1. Mr Sunak opted to scrap HS2 from the West Midlands to Manchester saying the facts have changed and the cost of the high-speed rail scheme had more than doubled. The Prime Minister instead promised to use 36 billion of savings from scrapping sections of HS2 to fund a raft of other transport schemes. Sir Keir, in a series of interviews with regional broadcasters ahead of what could be Labours final annual conference before a general election, tried to paint himself as a problem-solver who could fix the current mess. Speaking to ITV News Calendar, he said: Theyve just taken a wrecking ball to this project. They will be cancelling contracts between now and the general election. They will be releasing land that is needed. They downsized. I cant stand (here) after theyve made such a big hole in their plans and say (I) will simply reverse it. Sir Keir said yes, well get on with it when discussing the future of Northern Powerhouse Rail. The construction site for the HS2 project at Curzon Street in Birmingham (Jacob King/PA) In a series of interviews with BBC regional political editors, Sir Keir said he had wanted HS2 built in full but he could no longer commit to that. He said of the Governments handling of HS2: Well, what a fiasco. Theyve had this project up and running for 13 years. Its costing billions of pounds, huge promises have been made. And now because of their mismanagement, its collapsed in on itself. Now, I wanted HS2 built in full. But after the damage theyve now done to the project, a massive hole that theyve blown it, I cant commit to that. What I will commit to is that we will have very good transport between our cities and within our cities so we can grow our economy. The single most important thing in this country is we get our economy working across the whole of the country. Mr Sunak confirmed HS2 will run from London to Birmingham but will no longer extend beyond the West Midlands, with Manchester among the areas missing out. However, the PA news agency understands that if not enough private investment is secured for a new Euston terminus, HS2 will stop at Old Oak Common in the capitals western suburbs. (PA Graphics) Asked by ITV News Tyne Tees if he would dual the A1 between Morpeth and Ellingham, Sir Keir said: Yes, whatever the Government announced yesterday, including dualling the A1, if they get on with those projects, we will inherit them, if were privileged enough to come into power, and we will of course see them through to fruition. The Opposition leader was quizzed on transport more broadly after Wales last month became the first country in the UK to drop the default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph for restricted roads. Asked if he would copy the approach in Wales, Sir Keir told ITV News Wales: Its obviously a question for local councils in England to decide what they want to put in place and theyre obviously elected into place. Elsewhere in his media round, the Labour leader attacked Mr Sunaks ability to deliver change, describing him as the nodding dog that signed off the decisions that he now says are terrible. Cabinet minister James Cleverly criticised the Labour leaders position, accusing him of failing to be decisive. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: Starmer decisively decides to not make a decision on HS2. His principled position on this issue is to not take a position on this issue. He confounds both his detractors and defenders by agreeing with both. He knows leadership when he sees it. He never sees it in the mirror. Workers at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at Ishwardi in Pabna, Bangladesh (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP/PA) Bangladesh received the first uranium shipment from Russia on Thursday to fuel the countrys only nuclear power plant, still under construction by Moscow. Once finished, the plant is expected to boost Bangladeshs national grid and help the South Asian nations growing economy. The Rooppur power plant will produce 2,400 megawatts of electricity powering about 15 million households when the twin-unit facility goes fully online. The plant is being constructed by Rosatom, Russias state nuclear energy corporation. Moscow has funded the construction with an 11.38 billion dollar (9.3 billion) loan, to be repaid over two decades, starting from 2027. Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a ceremony marking the delivery of Russian nuclear fuel to the first power unit of the Rooppur power plant in Bangladesh, via videolink (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP/PA) Once Rooppur starts production, Bangladesh will join more than 30 countries that run nuclear power reactors. The uranium, which arrived in Bangladesh late last month, was handed over to the authorities at a ceremony in Ishwardi, where the plant is located, in the northern district of Pabna on Thursday. Bangladeshs Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the ceremony both by videolink. Aleksey Likhachev, head of Rosatom, handed over the fuel at the function to Bangladeshs Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman, according to the United News of Bangladesh news agency. The report provided no other details on the amount of uranium that was shipped. Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency also joined by video conference, the report said. Mr Osman was cited as saying the first unit at Rooppur will become operational in July 2024 and the second in July 2025. The fuel is expected to allow the reactor to operate for one year, after which more fuel will have to be loaded. The uranium was produced at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant in Russia, a subsidiary of Rosatoms fuel manufacturing company Tevel. Bangladesh and Russia have traditionally maintained good relations, which have not changed in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. Dhaka has signed several contracts with Moscow on co-operation in the nuclear power industry, trade and finances, and in other sectors. Bangladesh has planned to rely less on natural gas, which now accounts for about half of power production in the country. It is also setting up coal-fired power plants while it has a long-term plan to source 40% of the nations electricity from renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power by 2041. Maryland Supreme Court has scrutinised a hearing last year that vacated Adnan Syeds murder conviction and released him after 23 years behind bars, as the victims family said they were not given adequate opportunity to take part in the proceedings. Chronicled in the hit podcast Serial, the case has been fraught with legal twists and divided court rulings for years. The oral arguments that took place on Thursday before Marylands highest court were no exception. Among the issues discussed were whether Mr Syeds 2000 murder conviction should be reinstated after an appellate court decision in March and the extent to which Maryland crime victims have a right to participate in hearings on whether to vacate a conviction. Ultimately, his freedom hangs in the balance. The panel of seven justices will release their ruling in the coming weeks or months. Outside the courthouse after the hearing, Mr Syed said he was looking forward to the courts decision. While maintaining his innocence from the start, he has often expressed concern for the family of Hae Min Lee, his high school ex-girlfriend who was found strangled to death and buried in an unmarked grave in 1999. Adnan Syed speaking to the media from his family home during a hearing last month (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun/AP) We believe very strongly in trying to find justice for Hae and her family, he told reporters. And were hoping also that were able to find justice for us too. He attended the hearing flanked by family members, including his mother and younger brother. Mr Syed, 42, was released from prison in September 2022 when a Baltimore judge overturned his conviction. City prosecutors had dropped all charges after finding flaws in the evidence. However, in March, the Appellate Court of Maryland ordered a new hearing. The court said the victims family did not receive adequate notice to attend the hearing in person, violating their right to be treated with dignity and respect. The family also appealed to the states highest court, contending that crime victims in Maryland have a right to be heard and challenge evidence in hearings like the one last year that vacated Mr Syeds conviction from 2000. This case is not about Mr Syeds underlying innocence or guilt. That dispute is simply not in the room today, said Ari Rubin, a lawyer for the Lee family, during Thursdays arguments. He said the issue was whether the rights of Hae Min Lees brother, Young Lee, were violated when a judge vacated Mr Syeds conviction without conducting a substantive hearing where victims were allowed to challenge the evidence presented. Lawyer David Sanford with Young Lee (Susan Walsh/AP) The process of vacating a conviction is extraordinary in that it aligns the interests of the defendant and the state, Mr Rubin said, arguing that victims and their lawyers should fulfil an adversarial role in such proceedings. Depending on the outcome of the appeal, Mr Syed faces at least the potential of being sent back to prison, a point his lawyers raised in recent court filings. The terrifying spectre of reincarceration has hung over Mr Syeds head every day for the past 10 months, lawyer Erica Suter wrote in a brief filed with the court in August. The case could also have significant consequences for victims rights. Although the appellate court ruled that Ms Lees brother did not get sufficient notice to attend the hearing that vacated Mr Syeds conviction, the court also said state law does not guarantee crime victims a right to be heard during such hearings. That decision falls to the presiding judge. Allowing victims to present evidence or otherwise engage substantively would result in a huge shift in practice, the judges said. During oral arguments on Thursday, Ms Suter told the court the state met its obligation in allowing Young Lee to participate in the hearing. Mr Lee was heard, and his counsel was heard, and it did not influence Judge Phinns decision, she said. Mr Syeds lawyers have also argued that the familys appeal is moot because prosecutors decided not to charge him again after his conviction was vacated. And even if Young Lees rights were violated, he has not demonstrated whether the alleged violation would have changed the hearings outcome, the lawyers say. Mr Lee, who ended up speaking remotely at the vacatur hearing, was notified on a Friday afternoon that it would take place the following Monday. That was insufficient time to reasonably allow Mr Lee, who lived in California, to attend the hearing in person, the appellate court ruled in March. Lawyers for the Lee family have criticised a lack of transparency as well in the court proceedings that led to Mr Syeds release. Hae Min Lees murder has been at issue in Marylands courts for nearly a generation, David Sanford, a lawyer for the family, wrote in a court filing last month. He argued the state Supreme Court should send the case to another judge to decide whether to vacate the conviction. Family members of seven imprisoned Tunisian opposition figures have taken their quest for justice to the International Criminal Court, announcing plans to ask the tribunal to investigate claims of political persecution and human rights violations by President Kais Saieds administration. Tunisias opposition is increasingly denouncing Mr Saieds authoritarian drift, saying it amounts to a rollback of gains made since the 2011 Arab Spring protests that swept the Middle East. In Tunisia, the uprising ushered in a constitutional overhaul and democratic reforms. However, Mr Saieds government has cracked down on opponents and jailed dissidents, including opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi and former legislator Said Ferjani. Said Ferjani (Paul Schemm/AP) Members of the families petitioning the ICC described Mr Saieds rule as a devastating return to a pre-Arab Spring autocracy where dissidents were imprisoned and tortured. Its sad to see, said Yusra Ghannouchi, the daughter of the imprisoned 82-year-old opposition leader. Her father was on a three-day hunger strike earlier this week. We have to call on the world not to turn a blind eye to these violations and not to support dictatorships, she said at The Hague in the Netherlands. We are also here to send a message to democratic nations and to European governments not to support and legitimise Kais Saied. Seventeen other prominent dissidents have recently staged hunger strikes from prison, with several continuing, including Jawhar Ben Mbarek, the head of the leading anti-Saied coalition. The family members made a similar case to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights earlier this year and have also petitioned the US and the UK for sanctions against the Tunisian government. You are transported back to when you were a child and you saw him in prison times you couldnt speak to him because the torture was so bad that he was in a coma, Kaouther Ferjani said of her father, who was also imprisoned during a 1987 crackdown. President Kais Saied (Johanna Geron/AP) As bad as it was back then, I got to see my dad, she added, saying that he has now only been granted permission to see his lawyer and nobody else. The two daughters told reporters about the increasing number of judges, politicians, journalists and prominent opposition figures being arrested. According to their tally, at least 42 prominent figures have been jailed. Many face sweeping charges of endangering state security. The petition at the ICC is intended to draw further attention to Tunisias increasingly repressive political landscape since it revised the constitution in 2021, allowing Mr Saied to expand his powers, freeze out parliament and rule largely by decree. As the countrys economy sinks, his government has jailed critics from across the political spectrum right, left, Islamist and secular. It has also drummed up animosity against sub-Saharan African migrants that has often escalated to violence. He is using a populist discourse that demonises and seeks to feed hatred and division, whether it is against foreigners or in the treatment of sub-Saharan migrants or among Tunisians themselves, said Jaza Cherif, the son of scholar and activist Chaima Issa. Mr Issa was recently released and placed under house arrest. More than 20 Saied opponents have languished in prison since February. Emergency workers search for victims of a Russian rocket attack that killed at up to 49 people in the village of Hroza near Kharkiv, Ukraine (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP/PA) A Russian rocket has hit a village cafe and store in eastern Ukraine and killed at least 51 civilians in one of the deadliest attacks in months, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack came as he attended a summit of about 50 European leaders in Spain to drum up support from Ukraines allies. The president denounced the attack in the Kharkiv village of Hroza as a demonstrably brutal Russian crime and a completely deliberate act of terrorism. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at the Europe Summit in Granada, Spain (Manu Fernandez/AP/PA) Presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak and Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov said a six-year-old boy was among the dead, and seven other people were wounded. Emergency crews were searching the rubble of damaged buildings. About 60 people were in the cafe attending a wake after a funeral, said internal affairs minister Ihor Klymenko. According to preliminary information from Kyiv, the village was struck by an Iskander missile. Ukrainian prosecutors released pictures showing bloodied bodies and emergency workers combing through smouldering debris. Hroza and other parts of the eastern Kharkiv region were seized by Russia early in the war and recaptured by Ukraine in September 2022. The village is 19 miles west of Kupiansk, where Mr Zelensky had visited on Tuesday to meet troops and inspect equipment supplied by the West. Emergency workers search for victims of the rocket attack (Ukrainian Police Press Office/AP) On Thursday, he was at a summit of the European Political Community in Granada, Spain, where he asked for more western support, saying: Russian terror must be stopped. Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world, he said. Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defence, strengthening our soldiers, giving our country protection from terror. And we will respond to the terrorists. The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defence, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners. Last winter, Russia targeted Ukraines energy system and other vital infrastructure in a steady barrage of missile and drone attacks, triggering continuous power outages across the country. Ukraines power system has shown a high degree of resilience and flexibility, helping alleviate the damage, but there have been concerns that Moscow will again ramp up its strikes on power facilities as winter draws nearer. Russia was blamed for the attack on the village of Hroza (Ukrainian Police Press Office/AP) Mr Zelensky noted the Granada summit will also focus on joint work for global food security and protection of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, where the Russian military has targeted Ukrainian ports after Moscows withdrawal from a UN-sponsored grain deal designed to ensure safe grain exports from the invaded countrys ports. The UK Foreign Office cited intelligence suggesting that Russia may lay sea mines in the approach to Ukrainian ports to target civilian shipping and blame it on Ukraine. Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea, it said, adding that the UK was working with Ukraine to help improve the safety of shipping. Speaking in Granada, Mr Zelensky emphasised the need to preserve European unity in the face of Russian disinformation and to remain strong amid what a political storm in the US. Asked if he was worried that support for Ukraine could falter in US Congress, the Ukrainian president stressed that his visit to Washington last month made him confident of strong backing by the Biden administration and Congress. The Securities and Exchange Commission has said it is seeking a court order that would compel Elon Musk to give evidence as part of an investigation into his purchase of Twitter, now called X. The SEC said in a filing in a San Francisco federal court that Mr Musk had failed to appear to give evidence on September 15 despite an investigative subpoena served by the commission and him raising no objections at the time it was served. But two days before his scheduled testimony, Musk abruptly notified the SEC staff that he would not appear, said the agencys filing. Musk attempted to justify his refusal to comply with the subpoena by raising, for the first time, several spurious objections, including an objection to San Francisco as an appropriate testimony location. His lawyer, Alex Spiro, said the SEC has already taken Mr Musks testimony multiple times in this misguided investigation enough is enough. The SEC said it has been conducting a fact-finding investigation involving the period before Mr Musks takeover last year when Twitter was still a publicly traded company. The agency said it has not concluded that anyone violated federal securities laws. The Tesla chief executive closed his 44 billion dollar agreement to buy Twitter and take it private in October 2022, after a months-long legal battle with the social media companys previous leadership. After he signed a deal to acquire Twitter in April 2022, he tried to back out of it, leading the company to sue him to force him to go through with the acquisition. The SEC said that starting in April 2022, it authorised an investigation into whether any securities laws were broken in connection with his purchases of Twitter stock and his statements and SEC filings related to the company. A lawsuit filed that month by Twitter shareholders in New York alleged that the billionaire illegally delayed disclosing his stake in the social media company so he could buy more shares at lower prices. That complaint centred around whether Mr Musk violated a regulatory deadline to reveal he had accumulated a stake of at least 5%. The lawsuit alleged that his actions damaged less wealthy investors who sold shares in the company in the nearly two weeks before he acknowledged holding a major stake. The SECs court filings do not detail the specifics of what its investigation is about, but say the agency is responsible for protecting investors and has broad authority to conduct investigations, and that Mr Musk has no basis to refuse to comply. The SEC said Mr Musk objected to giving evidence in San Francisco because he does not live there, so the commission said it offered to do it at any of its 11 offices, including one in Fort Worth, Texas, closer to his home. The SEC said Mr Musks lawyers responded by saying he would not appear for testimony in any location. Customers chat at an outdoor restaurant overlooking downtown Kuala Lumpur shrouded in haze, Oct. 3, 2023. Indonesia has sealed off land owned by nearly a dozen companies accused of burning forests in the ecologically sensitive South Sumatra province as haze from these fires spreads domestically and to neighboring countries. The Indonesian environment ministry is preparing to take legal action including possibly bringing criminal charges against the companies, said Rasio Ridho Sani, the director general of law enforcement at the ministry. He named the companies by their initials. We will use all the law enforcement tools we have, whether they are administrative, civil or criminal, Rasio said in a statement. We will not stop cracking down on forest and land fire offenders. Offenders can face heavy penalties, including lengthy imprisonment and hefty fines, but lax enforcement means frequent fires scorch vast swaths of forest every year in Southeast Asias largest country. Earlier in the week, meanwhile, Malaysias environment minister said he asked Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations to collaborate on actions because air quality had worsened in Malaysian cities. We cannot keep going back to having haze as something normal, Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad said. Indonesia reportedly said it hadnt recently detected any smoke drifting into Malaysia. Nonetheless, the countrys forestry and environment ministry began targeting the corporations that it says caused the ongoing round of fires. Its latest actions target 11 companies that controlled forest areas spanning more than 24,000 acres in South Sumatra, said Ardy Nugroho, the ministrys director of administrative supervision and sanctions. The number of locations to be sealed off will increase because the ministrys team is analyzing hotspot data and satellite imagery, he said. South Sumatras Disaster Management Agency said it had found many fire spots in Ogan Ilir and Ogan Komering Ilir regencies. The lands that burned were mostly peatlands and plantations, the agency said Thursday. The transboundary haze is a recurring problem in Southeast Asia that persists despite regional agreements and cooperation. An aerial view shows the Ampera Bridge over the Musi River amid haze from an ongoing wildfire in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Sept. 14, 2023. [Al Zulfikli/AFP] In 2002, all the member states of the ASEAN bloc signed an agreement on transboundary haze pollution that pledged to prevent and monitor it by sharing information and taking legal and other actions against those responsible for the fires. However, the agreement has been largely ineffective, as the fires return almost every year. The worst haze episode in recent history was in 2015, when smoke from agricultural fires in Indonesia traveled hundreds of miles to densely populated cities, causing respiratory illnesses, school and business closures, flight cancellations, and reduced visibility. Indonesian authorities said 24 people had died as a direct result of the fire. But a subsequent study by Harvard and Columbia Universities used a mathematical model to estimate that the smoke exposure from the fires caused 100,300 premature deaths across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. In 2019, Indonesia said some forest fires in its territory started on land used by subsidiaries of Malaysian palm oil companies, as the neighbors traded blame. But a year later, Indonesias President Joko Widodo ordered the forestry ministry to crack down on forest fires and address the haze problem. Uli Arta Siagian, the forest and plantation campaign manager at Indonesian Environmental Forum, an NGO that promotes environmental justice, said Indonesia still had problems enforcing court decisions against companies involved in forest fires. She said courts had found some companies in Riau province guilty of environmental damage, but they did not pay fines or restore forests as ordered, casting doubt on the efficacy of the current crackdown in South Sumatra. If the central government does not make sure they pay up, the court decisions are useless, she added. Nazarudin Latif in Jakarta contributed to this report. Stationing a U.S. missile system in Palau would be for security not aggression as the Pacific island countrys close relationship with the United States means it is already a target of possible attack, President Surangel Whipps has said amidst local criticism of the proposal. Whipps, at a press conference on Wednesday, said Palau needs the same protection as Guam, a U.S. territory in the north Pacific that has a Patriot missile system to protect it from attacks. Whipps floated the idea of an air-defense system for Palau in an interview with Japans Nikkei Asia that coincided with the U.S.-Pacific islands leaders summit in Washington last week. We are already a target. The targets are the radar sites, the port, the airport and the facilities that the United States can use in times of conflict, said Whipps. So we are just saying, if we are already a target, make sure our country is defended and defended with the best defenses possible. Patriot is the U.S. armys main air and missile defense system and is capable of bringing down ballistic and cruise missiles as well as aircraft. It is used in 18 countries, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Palau and its neighbors the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands comprise hundreds of islands spread over a vast expanse of ocean in the northwest Pacific. They have among the worlds largest exclusive economic zones and militarily strategic seas near East Asia, a region of potential flashpoints in the intensifying China-U.S. competition. All three delegate their defense to the U.S. and over the next two decades could receive more than $7 billion of financial and economic assistance from Washington under so-called compacts of free association, subject to Congressional approval. Palau President Surangel Whipps (center) speaks at a press conference in Koror, Palau on Oct. 4, 2023. [L.N. Reklai/BenarNews] The U.S. Army has previously carried out live fire tests of a Patriot missile system in Palau, the most recent in July at the countrys international airport and in 2022 during Valiant Shield exercises, according to DVIDS, a U.S. military news service. The U.S. is building an over-the-horizon radar in Palau that it hopes to complete in 2026 and recently strengthened maritime security ties with a new agreement that allows the U.S. Coast Guard to enforce regulations in Palaus exclusive economic zone without a Palauan officer present. The possibility of a permanent air defense missile system in Palau has raised concerns among some figures in the country. Former President Johnson Toribiong said the Palau traditional leaders and elected leaders should be consulted. It is necessary because, in that process, the people of Palau will be well informed about the nature of the Patriot Defense System, its impacts on our natural and social environments, and whether Palau may become a potential target of the preemptive strike or return fire in time of military conflict, said Toribiong. A MIM-104 Patriot missile is pictured on its way to intercepting a drone target at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, Palau during a live-fire test on July 17, 2023. [ZaBarr Jones/U.S. Army] Hokkons Baules, president of Palaus Senate, said U.S. interests rather than Palaus are served by a military buildup in the country. This is a U.S. interest matter, the Indo-Pacific, he said. We senators believe Palau has no enemies. And we believe the U.S. should only step in when there is conflict. This build-up is U.S. interest, not ours. Whipps said the July test of the missile system was to assess the process of it being deployed from Guam in a time of threat. He said a national leadership meeting believed that the three-hour deployment time was too long and senators at the meeting had recommended a permanent installation. Baules said the Senate as a whole has not made that recommendation. Some people say it makes us a target, but I say presence is deterrence, Whipps said. Police search a house in Yala province, southern Thailand, for evidence tied to the sale of a weapon used in a deadly shooting at a shopping mall in Bangkok, Oct. 5, 2022. In this handout photo, police have blurred the faces of two people in the house. Two men were arrested in Thailands Deep South on suspicion of selling a modified handgun and parts to a 14-year-old boy accused in a deadly shooting spree at a Bangkok shopping mall earlier this week, police said Thursday. Five criminal charges, including premeditated murder, have been filed against the teenager in relation to the shooting that left two people dead and several others injured at the Siam Paragon shopping mall on Tuesday. Police in the southern province of Yala said a father and son had been arrested on suspicion of selling a gun to the juvenile. Two suspects were arrested last night and then sent to Bangkok immediately, Maj. Gen. Seksan Churangarit, the superintendent of Yala provincial police, told BenarNews on Thursday. Seksan identified the arrested suspects as Suwanahong Bharmkanajarn, 45, and his 22-year-old son, Akrawit Jaithong. Bank transactions showed the alleged gunman bought components from the two suspects, Seksan said. Photos released by police showed a stash of confiscated pistol magazines and gun parts, which police said could be used to modify a blank gun to fire bullets. On Tuesday evening, the suspect allegedly used a modified blank gun to shoot at people inside the upscale mall, killing the two foreigners and injuring five other people before police apprehended him within an hour, officials said. A Chinese national and a citizen of Myanmar were identified as the two people killed in the attack. A stash of gun magazines on the floor of a house where two suspects were arrested for allegedly selling a modified gun, Oct. 5, 2023. [Handout/Yala Police] The suspect, whose name and image have not been released because of his age, has been charged with premeditated murder; attempted murder; illegal possession of a firearm; carrying a firearm in a public place without a permit; and firing a gun in a public place without a permit. He will be tried in a juvenile court. Although mass shootings are relatively rare in Thailand, the attack has raised questions about gun control in the majority-Buddhist nation. Statistical data from the Metropolitan Police Bureau revealed that between 2016 and 2019, 25,034 reported incidents involved licensed firearms, compared to 91,376 incidents involving unlicensed ones. Insights from the Small Arms Survey in 2018 showed that Thailand has an estimated 10.3 million civilian-owned firearms, which translates to 15 firearms for every 100,000 individuals, ranking the country 48th globally and first among Southeast Asian nations. Of these, only 6.2 million firearms have proper legal documentation. In line with Thai legislation, those convicted of unauthorized possession of firearms or ammunition could face potential jail time ranging from one to 10 years, along with a fine. In Thailand, those who can legally own firearms must be at least 20 years old, not physically or mentally disabled, not considered mentally deranged or unstable, and should not have been previously incarcerated for criminal offenses. Press Release October 5, 2023 Bong Go champions progress in health infrastructure in Zamboanga Peninsula by bringing public health services closer to those in need Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his satisfaction and optimism over the significant advancements in healthcare infrastructure in Region IX, or the Zamboanga Peninsula. These developments have been championed by Go through the form of Regional Specialty Centers, Super Health Centers, and Malasakit Centers, each playing a unique role in strengthening the region's healthcare system. "Isinulong po natin ang mga ito bilang chairman ng Committee on Health at bahagi ng ating adhikain na mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng mga kababayan natin lalung-lalo na po ang mga mahihirap, helpless, hopeless at walang malalapitan maliban sa gobyerno," said the senator. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The legislation was signed into law by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. on August 24. "This law represents a substantial move toward enhancing our healthcare capabilities by bringing specialty services closer to the regions," Go emphasized. "Yung mga taga-Zamboanga, hindi na kailangan bumyahe pa papuntang Maynila o Davao para magpagamot sa puso o iba pang malubhang sakit. Magkakaroon na ng heart center at iba pang specialty centers sa regional hospital sa Zamboanga mismo," he added. Go is particularly enthusiastic about the comprehensive upgrades planned for the Zamboanga City Medical Center. The facility is slated to house an array of specialty centers, each specializing in a different area of medical expertise. As proposed by DOH, these will encompass Cardiovascular Care, Renal Care and Transplant, Lung Care, and Orthopedic Care, among others. The center will also offer specialized services in Physical Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain and Spine Care, Mental Health, and Neonatal Care. Additional centers will focus on Toxicology, Cancer Care, Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Geriatric Care, and Eye Care. Go has also been a vocal advocate of establishing more Super Health Centers nationwide, stating, "These centers are essential for decongesting our hospitals and making healthcare more accessible at the grassroots level." Designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, Super Health Centers aim to fortify the healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural communities. Free consultations may be facilitated here by local government health offices and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through its Konsulta program. Through the collective efforts of lawmakers, necessary funds have been allocated to construct 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 more in 2023 including in several strategic locations across the Zamboanga Peninsula. For 2022, Isabela City in Basilan was identified for the establishment of one such center, and Zamboanga City was designated to receive two. Additional centers were also mapped out for Dapitan City, Dipolog City, and Labason, all in Zamboanga del Norte. In Zamboanga del Sur, the centers will be in Mahayag, Margosatubig, and Pagadian City. Similarly, in Zamboanga Sibugay, the towns of Kabasalan, Olutanga, and Buug have been chosen as sites for these facilities. In 2023, 13 additional Super Health Centers have been funded for the Zamboanga Peninsula. Zamboanga City will have one more center. In Zamboanga del Norte, new centers will be allocated for Kalawit, Sindangan, and Sirawai, along with two more in locations yet to be specified. Zamboanga del Sur is designated to have Super Health Centers in Dumingag and Pitogo, as well as two additional centers in undisclosed locations. Finally, new centers in Zamboanga Sibugay care located in Ipil and Titay, plus one more in an unspecified location. "Sa mga itinayo nang Super Health Centers, nakita namin kung gaano kalaki ang naitutulong nito sa komunidad lalo na sa rural areas. 'Yun po ang layunin ng mga Super Health Centers, ang ilapit sa mamamayan ang serbisyong medikal ng gobyerno," he added. Meanwhile, Go is also the principal author and sponsor of RA 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), DOH, PhilHealth, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount. These centers, nine of which are in the Zamboanga Peninsula, have already aided more than seven million Filipinos nationwide. Malasakit Centers in the region are located at the Zamboanga City Medical Center, Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital in Dapitan City, ZaNorte Medical Center in Dipolog City, and Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City. Additional centers can be found in Margosatubig Regional Hospital, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, Basilan General Hospital, Labuan General Hospital, and Dr. George T. Hofer Medical Center in Ipil. "Sa mga pasyente, lapitan niyo lang ang Malasakit Center dahil para 'to sa inyo. Kung may hospital bill kayo, nandiyan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tutulong para mabayaran ito," said Go. Go highlighted these healthcare initiatives he championed as vital components in improving the well-being of communities in Zamboanga and in the whole of Mindanao. "These initiatives do not only aim to strengthen the healthcare system but to build a nation where every Filipino can live a healthier, more dignified life," he said. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. You are the owner of this article. PITTSFIELD While colleagues on City Council, residents may not have seen much difference between Peter Marchetti and John Krol. For many years the councilors votes were aligned. As Marchetti and Krol are asking voters to hire them for the top leadership role in the city, they drew differences between their leadership styles in a recent sit-down with The Berkshire Eagle. Both candidates called out what they see as current issues in the way city leaders communicate with their constituents. Open communication between the mayors office and residents is central to the way both politicians say theyll run the office. More questions and answers from The Eagles sit-down with the candidates will be published in the coming days. To watch a full video of the meeting, visit bit.ly/3PT0yrR. Answers have been lightly edited for clarity. THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE: John describe what you think a Krol administration would look like because youre running it. JOHN KROL: I think the mayor of Pittsfield, especially today, needs to have entrepreneurial spirit. It has to be looking at Pittsfield and positioning ourselves as the hub of the culturally rich Berkshires. That means selling the city. That means being very assertive and aggressive in making sure we are doing projects to move the city forward. So for example, going right ahead and making sure we get that Wright building developed in downtown Pittsfield. You know we don't have a sense of urgency right now on that. We have to bring a sense of urgency to many of these issues and an entrepreneurial spirit. I've been a small business owner, I've worked in the corporate world certainly in health care and particularly in marketing and sales and I think that's a key thing, because you have to be able to make a case. I think just like when it comes to going to Boston and saying, 'Hey, weve got to get that funding to come in for our schools to get AC into our schools and the HVAC going.' It's the same thing with selling the downtown and being able to recruit businesses to our city and getting things together so that we're doing things now. I heard a conversation at the polls the other day in regard to planning and economic development. One of the statements was well, you know, this really takes a long time. This has to be done over a decade. This has to be over 15 years. No, it doesn't. It can happen right now. So it should be a one- or two-year plan to get things accomplished, not a long-term plan. It shouldn't take decades to get things accomplished. We need to start thinking about doing things right now. We are perfectly positioned in so many ways. I think there's a lot of low hanging fruit if we address some of the issues in our city, make our downtown beautiful. As far as public works and public services, I have a plan for that. Maybe you remember back in the day when John Barrett III came into the city of Pittsfield it was amazing, because we completely changed the complexion of public works at that time. People were really, really happy about it. So I have a plan to bring that culture back to public services, because that will make a big, big difference in the way people feel about the city. People when they're paying high taxes and they are, we know it they want to see something in return. It's the big stuff, but it's also those little things. And so public works and public services, we need to be more business friendly. In the first 45 days, I want to go into the Building Inspectors Office and really change the culture of that to be able to get things accomplished, as opposed to putting up roadblocks. That's the reputation in our city, it's why a lot of contractors don't do work in Pittsfield. These are things that we've identified and again, not a 10-year plan we have to go in there and look at it as a one and two-year plan. So it's that entrepreneurial spirit that I'll bring to City Hall. THE EAGLE: What would the city of Pittsfield look like with Mayor Marchetti? PETER MARCHETTI: In the Marchetti administration we're going to start on Nov. 8. [When] we're mayor-elect, were going to start meeting with the department heads, were going to start having conversations with department heads. First off, we're going to lay out what the vision of the Marchetti administration is, how we want to get things done and where we want to go and make sure that those that are there think that they can meet that challenge. I think you're going to find that some of them are not going to want to meet that challenge, or after our conversation we'll agree to disagree and we'll make plans. But we need to be setting out our six- and 12-month goals of what we need to accomplish. After the first three months, where are we? Are we going to hit our goals? If not, what kind of resources do we have? We have projects already underway that we need to tell people are happening. We've got some affordable housing redevelopments happening in the city that as I'm knocking on doors, folks don't even know they're happening. We have the redevelopment of Site 9 that is just around the corner, where there's $13.5 million-worth of investments to completely redevelop and make three parcels for homes for three businesses. And I think at the end of the day, the one thing that we do is open the doors and communicate more of what's going on and when there's a problem, we own it. I go back to the December snowstorm, the Christmas snowstorm. Clearly there cannot be a single person in the city that thinks that we did a decent job of plowing back then. I got contacted by WAMC and did an interview and they were asking questions. All I could do was apologize and say the road conditions were horrific. Now, I'm not the mayor currently, and I'm not the one that gets to direct the public service commissioner of what to do. But I took the responsibility, and I said that we screwed up and I apologized. And the other commissioner followed me in that same interview saying, 'Hey, we did a great job.' Those things can't happen. When there's a problem, the buck stops with the mayor. We're all human, we all make mistakes and weve all got to own them when we do them. And so if we screw up on a snowstorm, we own it and we move on. And that's the vision that I'm going to bring to the City Hall. KROL: If I can quickly add: The core of my administration will be the most accessible mayor's office in the history of the city. What that means is there are four entrances to City Hall, three of them have been closed since COVID. We're going to open up those doors its long overdue. We need to do that. There's going to be an open door policy in the mayor's office. I think we'll take it off the hinges from the hallway. When I worked in the mayor's office, that was certainly the way that we approached things. We were very welcoming to residents. Now a resident can't just walk in and talk to the mayor that's not what we're talking about but they can certainly ask for a meeting. They can interact with the two assistants in the mayor's office. We also will do a weekly open press conference We'll just go over whatever reporters want to hear. I'm very, very comfortable with reporters. I was one So I think that communication and people hearing regular updates, that isn't just one way. It's not just coming from the city. Its an open conversation. I think having that is valuable and it holds the office accountable. It's not just simply a nice thing to do. It actually is part of the process to say, 'OK, well, you talked about this last week, John, about this project. What have we gotten done this week?' 'Sorry, nothing to report we didn't move it forward but by next week, we hope to have something to report to you,' that sort of thing. That regular conversation in the open press conference is absolutely something that well do. MARCHETTI: I was just going to say, doors open on day one. I don't think I'm gonna take the hinges off of the door of the mayor's office, but people are more than welcome to come in. I mean, you ask the question: Would we be an in-City Hall mayor or out-of-City Hall mayor? I think there needs to be the right balance. When I was at the Senior Center last week, we had conversations and they're like the mayor never comes here to have conversations. They have coffee with a counselor every Monday before there's a council meeting. Maybe on a quarterly basis, we set up a coffee with the mayor. What are your concerns? What are you hearing? What do you want to hear? And so not just press conferences, but also going to a variety of organizations including the senior center and having conversations. Knocking on doors, the one thing that is pretty clear is that people are OK with holding you accountable and letting you know where you missed the mark. Maybe we need more of that, because that wouldn't help us keep pushing the projects through and making sure that we get the job done. Up next: We ask the candidates how they plan to appeal to voters who chose councilor Karen Kalinowsky in the preliminary election. In about three months, voters in each of the eight towns will decide whether future Mount Everett High students will attend Monument Mountain High in Great Barrington. Not everyone agrees the districts should merge. Bill Schmick is registered as an investment adviser representative of Onota Partners Inc. in the Berkshires. He can be reached at 413-347-2401, or email him at billiams1948@gmail.com. UniWorld Group Inc. (UWG) and Two Tone Global have joined forces in a strategic partnership, unveiling the birth of UWG Africa. Together, they aim to revolutionise media and advertising services throughout the African continent. The new team spoke at Loeries 2023. Source: Supplied. The news was announced at Loeries Creative Week by founder and CEO of Two Tone Carlo Murison and CEO and President of UWG Greg Edwards. Partnership The partnership brings together the skills and experience of the two Black-owned agencies to provide deep insights into each others diverse cultural landscapes and reshape the way clients reach and engage with their audiences. This effort will increase culturally authentic access, engagement, and participation in media and advertising throughout the continent. UWG Africa serves businesses in Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Lagos. It enters the market with the financial capacity of a $200m investment to create a community impact that focuses on Black media, content, talent, and consumer engagement across Africa while delivering business growth for clients. As insight-driven storytellers who foster inclusivity and drive culture forward, UWG Africa will combine robust data-driven insights with authentic cultural understanding and unique creativity to unlock growth opportunities for clients. UWG Africa is resolute in its dedication to learn from, honour and empower Africas unique and diverse cultures, said Edwards. Murison added: UWG Africa will change the way brands connect with customers. We are excited to expand the magic across Africa, creating more meaningful connections through insights that are culturally relevant. Five cities With the formation of UWG Africa, UWG now operates in five cities across three countries in North America and Africa. Two Tone Global will continue to operate as a full-service advertising agency headquartered in Johannesburg with its own roster of clients. There will be no changes to the ownership or management team headed by Murison. New York-based UWG is the longest-standing multicultural advertising and marketing agency in the United States, while Johannesburg-headquartered Two Tone Global is the 100% Black-owned, digitally-led, integrated, full-service agency that has been at the forefront of the African brand narrative for more than two decades. UWG took its first step towards global expansion with the formation of UWG Monsoon in Canada earlier in 2023. A partnership with Toronto-based Monsoon Communications, the multicultural agency specialises in strategies that offer brands an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the numerous ethnic consumer segments in that country. The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has ruled that a billboard advertising an armoured vehicle manufacturing company, which featured the words "Fear F*kol," must be removed or altered due to a breach of the advertising code. The ARB ruled that children should not be exposed to the ad. Source: Supplied. Located prominently on the N3 Highway at the Van Buuren off-ramp in Johannesburg, the billboard was a cause for concern among complainants who pointed out that it was easily visible to children passing by. Offensive The complainants argued that the use of the word "f*kol" was offensive and inappropriate for display on a billboard. Armoured Mobility specialises in the construction, sale, and rental of armoured vehicles in South Africa. In its response to the complaint, the advertiser iCar Technologies said the term "F*kol" in the South African context is not a swear word or demeaning word and is a colloquial word that means "nothing". They argued that it has been widely used across various media platforms and even by prominent figures in South African politics, including South Africa's defense minister, Thandi Modise, and ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula. Universal view Said the ARB: "Just as English-speaking parents are unlikely to encourage their young children to use words like F*ck-All or F*ck, Afrikaans parents are unlikely to encourage their children to use words like F*kol or F*k. In essence, it is considered a vulgar word, generally regarded as unacceptable for children to use, or be exposed to indiscriminately. "The fact that some communities have (at least according to the Advertiser) adopted the Afrikaans word F*kol as a colloquial way of saying nothing does not automatically bring this word into the realm of generally acceptable lexicon for children. This is especially relevant when a perfectly suitable word (Nothing) already exists. While it is possible that some households may consider f*kol an acceptable word for a child to say, it is unlikely that this is a universal view, especially in the Afrikaans community." A Tier One Retailer in South Africa focused on fashion-leading clothing, footwear, cosmetics, and accessories, has adopted a proactive approach to fraud prevention across its retail network in the country after implementing the ReconAssist reconciliation software solution from Ecentric Payment Systems , an omnichannel payments solution partner for business across Africa. According to statistics, members of the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service reported a 600% increase in incidents of fraud in 2022 in South Africa when compared to 2018. According to these estimates, every fraudulent transaction costs 3.51 times the lost transaction value on average. The same research has found that purchase transactions and distribution of funds are most (61%) susceptible to fraud when it comes to the customer journey. Fraud is therefore a constant challenge that every retailer must deal with. Towards the end of 2019 and early 2020, the Tier One retailer recorded losses amounting to roughly R900,000 over six months, which went unaccounted for. This period marked the retailer's transition to using mobile point-of-sale terminals, which are as compact as smartphones. These devices empowered sales assistants to process payments for customers within the aisles, eliminating the need to queue. Additionally, these terminals equipped store managers with the capability to process card refunds on an ad-hoc basis. For instance, if a transaction was paid for in cash, a manager could refund the amount directly to a customer's debit or credit card without making them wait. After the integration of Ecentrics ReconAssist solution, the retailer identified an unusual surge in the volume of refunds at one of its Durban outlets. This anomaly was pinpointed as the reason behind the significant loss. An internal investigation later uncovered that an employee, in collaboration with external accomplices, had orchestrated these fraudulent refunds. Had this activity persisted undetected, the losses could have escalated to over R1 million within a span of three months. Graham Bradford, ReconAssist senior product manager, sheds light on the importance of addressing fraud in the retail space. This is not only to prevent financial losses but also to foster growth and innovation. The ReconAssist solution delivers a robust, proactive, and data-driven approach that empowered the retailer to detect and prevent potential threats across its operations. The head of IT operations at the retailer praised the transformative impact of ReconAssist. The software provided the tools necessary to identify and prevent threats in near real-time, offering complete visibility of all transactions throughout the stores and the entire payment ecosystem. The intuitive front-end of the Web-based ReconAssist now enables our financial team to monitor and resolve transactions efficiently, promptly identifying exceptions and any anomalies. Given the millions of transactions happening daily at this Tier One retailer, ReconAssist came to the fore as it was able to identify the fraud at a transactional level. This software has revolutionised the reconciliation process for the retailer, offering continuous reconciliation at transactional levels, allowing the financial team to focus on other important initiatives while ensuring the entire payment ecosystem worked flawlessly. By accurately detecting anomalies among millions of transactions, the software eliminated guesswork and empowered the retailer to make data-driven decisions for their business planning. ReconAssist provides retailers of any size with the ability to reconcile refund transactions in isolation. This is critical given that these refunds are money leaving the store regardless of whether it is cash or digital. In 99% of the cases, refunds are performed correctly. However, ReconAssist can identify the 1% of anomalies to highlight a singular transaction amongst millions that is fraudulent. Ecentric's senior product manager, Graham Bradford, emphasises the comprehensive suite of features offered by ReconAssist, including exception management reporting, fees and commission calculations for VAS service providers, and automated postings to most ERPs. The software's seamless integration across multiple channels, South African acquirers, and third-party service providers like VAS further streamlined finance and operational teams. By leveraging ReconAssist, leading retailers can guarantee precision, transparency, and adherence to regulations throughout their payment reconciliation procedures. The advanced reporting and audit trail capabilities ReconAssist empower retailers, keeping them equipped and prepared to tackle any regulatory challenges. Visit our website to schedule a demo or to find out more about Ecentrics ReconAssist reconciliation software solution. Global efforts to make cotton production more sustainable require innovative technologies, targeted investments and better governance through a systems approach that breaks down silos, the director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, said in his address to World Cotton Day 2023. World Cotton Day, which is celebrated each year on 7 October, was marked in Vienna with an event jointly hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and FAO, in cooperation with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the International Trade Center (ITC), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). The theme for this years event is: Making cotton fair and sustainable for all, from farm to fashion. In his address to the event, Qu said the Day offered an opportunity to renew our commitment to enhancing the efficiency, inclusivity, resilience and sustainability of the cotton sector, which sustains about 32 million growers and benefits over 100 million families across 80 countries in 5 continents. Given that the global demand for cotton is projected to increase at an annual rate of 1.8% over the next decade, the need for sustainability remains critical. For this, we need to do things differently we need to adapt and transform the business model and produce more with less, Qu said. For instance, theres a need to promote the development of cotton by-products, like edible oil and animal feed, to help farmers generate additional income. It is also essential to ensure a level playing field for all players in the global cotton trade for equitable accessibility, affordability and availability. According to FAO, relevant stakeholders should focus on three main areas: Science and innovation - new technologies can help boost the efficiency of smallholders and reduce resource use and the environmental impacts, while innovative technologies can improve cotton varieties, increase yields and help farmers produce more cotton in line with the requirements set out by the industry and consumers. Investment - increasing cotton yields in a sustainable manner requires increasing targeted investment for smallholders and coordinating public and private financing. Governance Theres a need for better coherence and greater coordination among the cotton value chain segments, as well as coherence of policies, strategies and actions between all relevant Ministries, institutions and partners. In other words: theres a need for a systems approach that is comprehensive and that builds on the interconnection of the cotton sector with various socio-economic and environmental drivers FAOs work with cotton FAOs Strategic Framework 2022-31 is already following this approach closely by considering the social, economic and environmental development dimensions, and addressing relevant trade-offs. The narrative that guides the FAO Strategic Framework supports the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind. FAO is currently engaged in several projects to support cotton-producing countries and smallholders in different parts of the world. For instance, it has a regional project that aims to strengthen smallholder cotton production in seven Latin American countries, as well as country-led projects in Africa supporting competitiveness and sustainable intensification of African cotton. Similar projects were also developed in other countries, including for instance in Azerbaijan. FAO has also been working with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the European Union to eliminate child labour and foster sustainability in the cotton value chain and is working to promote the empowerment of women through a better access to resources and engagement in the policy-making process. In the context of its Strategic Framework, FAO provides normative support to its Members, such as the annual medium-term outlook for the world cotton market, which is included in the annual OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook report. Finally, FAO also regularly reviews issues that affect global cotton trade and provides market and policy information on the sector through the publication of studies and reports. Oxford University Press recently held four digital launch events to engage schools with their OUPSA digital product offering and establish OUPSA as a thought leader in education technology and the future of learning. The programme of events was to engage with educators and government officials, and to showcase their developments in digital. Over 400 teachers, principals, ICT specialists and government officials attended these events that were held in the four key provinces: Johannesburg, Gauteng, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, Durban, KwaZulu Natal and; Cape Town, Western Cape The programme included topical EduTech concerns that South African schools and teachers are currently grappling with, including: Nurturing Curiosity & Creativity in Learning through AI Coding & Robotics: A Skill of the Future Using Blended Learning Techniques in the Classroom, and Teaching Reading to the Digital Generation Their guest speakers included prominent South African EduTech consultants, as well as a few key partners, who are experts in their field. Alan Vesty, Head of Academics & Professional Development, Resolute Education Jonathan Du Plessis, Head of Business Development, Resolute Education Dr. Karen Walstra, EduTech Integration Consultant Dr Maglin Moodley, Lecturer, Learning Technologies, University of Johannesburg Dr Zelda Barends, Snr Lecturer, Stellenbosch University Oxford University Press were also joined by Nkisane Hlapolosa, Strategic Partner from MTN, a company that has helped Oxford to increase their reach to new audiences via a mobile subscription service. Showcasing their digital developments Teachers were shown a demo of Oxford Reading Buddy and had the chance to explore Oxford EduZone Complete an all-in-one learning and teaching solution providing all the content learners need. Their partners at Resolute Education, also showcased their joint Coding and Robotics offering, which launched in August 2023. They captured the details of all delegates who were interested in any of the products shown at the event via a digital lead form, for our sales consultants to follow up afterwards. The delegates also walked away with a virtual goodie bag that linked to more information on the products on display, and a real-life goodie bag filled with more product information, a beautiful wellness journal and a travel mug. See more on their Instagram stories: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17895869381796882/ Media queries: Jarita Raga, Marketing Specialist moc.puo@agar.atiraJ Website: www.oxford.co.za Sook, the pop-up retail provider, has officially opened a unit in Waterfall City. Opening at the start of October, the 130m2 site will be the brand's debut in South Africa. Image supplied The launch in South Africa comes after a successful signing in Liverpool, UK for Sook with a 1,2502 space. The new versatile space in Waterfall City has already been booked out until Christmas Day, featuring an impressive lineup of leading brands, including TV personality Somizi Mhlongo's "Sompire Kids", Thando Thabethe's "Thabootys, and renowned streetwear brand "GalxBoy. Fitted with digital displays, screens and modular fixtures, the Sook Mall of Africa space provides a customisable space to suit individual retailer requirements. In addition to providing brands with space, Sook also understands the importance of advanced data analytics and is able to support each brand with valuable insights into consumer behaviours and sales statistics, helping tenants optimise their business strategies for enhanced success. Sook Mall of Africa will provide space for a number of leading African and international brands looking to expand their site portfolio, meet with their customers in person and hold experiential activations. Brands in the fashion, homeware and accessories industries have already booked the space. For many of the brands signing with Sook, this is their debut in a physical brick-and-mortar space, with Sook removing the barriers to entry with a blank canvas experience. John Hoyle, CEO and founder of Sook added: We are thrilled to allow brands the opportunity to dip their toe into physical retail, or trial a new concept, without the pressure of signing a long-term lease. While smaller businesses were entirely reliant on online platforms, we are now seeing them seek retail spaces to build meaningful relationships with their customers in person. This is a significant achievement for us at Sook as we launch our first international site in South Africa. We have the opportunity to blend physical and digital elements and offer customers the flexibility to engage in brick-and-mortar spaces, and taking this space will allow us to continue our mission on an international level. As the first brand to launch in Sook Mall of Africa, Somizi Mhlongo said, The concept of bringing Sook to South Africa is truly groundbreaking and amazing. It benefits not only entrepreneurs but also consumers. Many brands cant afford physical stores, and consumers often lack direct access to them. Sook is introducing an ingenious platform that connects consumers and entrepreneurs, making these brands accessible to the public. Whats particularly impressive about Sook is its inclusivity. It doesnt focus on just one type of business; it caters to all entrepreneurs. Im thrilled to be part of the opening, especially as Ive recently started my own business, and the attention it's receiving is immense. This collaboration feels like a match made in retail heaven, and Im eagerly anticipating what Sook will bring to the table. I know that it promises an ever-changing experience, like a fruit salad where each visit holds something new. SOOK Mall of Africa seamlessly blends physical and digital elements in its design, creating a powerful platform that maximises brand exposure to a wide audience. Whether businesses need space for a month or a week, SOOK Mall of Africa provides a flexible and modular setup that empowers entrepreneurs to exercise their creativity. Yasmeen Lorgat, leasing manager at Mall of Africa, added, "The launch of Sook Mall of Africa represents a significant milestone for us as we continue to evolve and elevate the retail experience. It's an innovative concept that caters to the needs of both emerging and established brands, offering them a unique platform to engage with customers in an experiential and flexible way." Mahindra South Africa (MSA) has announced the appointment of three key executives to its leadership team. Left: Nomonde Kweyi, Middle: Welisha Govender, Right: Fanie Smuts | Source: Supplied The new executives join MSA as it readies itself for a new era of growth, driven by its refreshed portfolio of SUVs and bakkies and its renewed focus on customer value linked to the Mahindra brands commercial objectives. The three executives, all industry veterans, are: Head of sales: Fanie Smuts Smuts is an automotive veteran with experience in virtually every aspect of the automotive value chain, including marketing, sales and aftersales. He has served in various positions in these divisions at leading vehicle manufacturers, where he gained a deep understanding of every aspect of the automotive value chain. He will bring this experience to bear in his role at Mahindra South Africa. Head of strategic marketing: Nomonde Kweyi Kweyi joins Mahindra South Africa after a long and fruitful career in the transport and logistics industry, where she served in a leadership role for marketing and communication for the Southern African region. Her experience includes local and international positions in several sectors, including telecommunications and professional services, and management roles in marketing and communications agencies. She is an alumna of the Gordon Institute of Business Sciences, the University of Cape Town and the Vega School of Branding. Head of human resources: Welisha Govender Govender is qualified in industrial psychology and has fulfilled a leadership role in human resources, people and organisational development and transformation in various retail and telecommunications sectors. This has led to her appointment in a leadership role at Mahindra South Africa. Afda is proud to announce that Afda students and alumni picked up 13 Golden Horn awards at the 17th annual Saftas held over the past weekend. The Afda Johannesburg 2022 honours graduation film "Shumba", directed by Nigel Wurayayi, won the Best Student Film Award adding up the tally to 9 Best Student Film Awards by Afda since the inauguration of the Saftas. Afda alumnus Mandla Ngcongwane from Black Brain Pictures was in on the act once again adding two more Golden Horns to his trophy cabinet. Afda alumni editors Melanie Golden and Richard Starkey also added to their Golden Horn collections together with cinematographer alumni Willie Nel who has made the Saftas his home. Afda alumnus Rethabile Ramaphakela, co-founder of Burnt Onion Productions, which produced the third season of the Netflix series "How to Ruin Christmas", won in five categories as a South African comedy series, including Best TV Comedy. The in-person Saftas were a reset in more ways than one, with the awards show relocating back to Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg, where the Saftas had taken place several years before it jumped to Sun City and the Sandton Convention Centre. The champagne-filled Saftas and its sprawling red carpet was once again a two-night event with technical awards handed out on Friday night in Gallagher's Hall 3. It was followed by the main awards show on Saturday night and televised on SABC3 and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) as a simulcast production with former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi and Lawrence Maleka as the co-hosts. Congratulations to all the Safta winners. Please see full list of Afda winners below: BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING - TV COMEDY - How to Ruin Christmas Season 3 Practitioners: Melanie Golden BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING -TV COMEDY - Tali's Joburg Diary Practitioners: Gilli Apter BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY -TV COMEDY - Hotel Season 5 Practitioner Dino Benedetti BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY - TV DRAMA - Blood Psalms Practitioner: Willem Nel BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING -TV SOAP/TELENOVELA - Diepe Waters Practitioner: Marthinus van Rhyn BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/SCORE - TELENOVELA - The Blackdoor Season 1 Practitioner: Mandla Ngcongwane BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION - TV SOAP/TELENOVELA - Legacy Practitioner: Amanda Scholtz BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING - TELENOVELA - DiepCity Season 2 Practitioner: Mandla Ngcongwane BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING - TV SOAP - SCANDAL! Practitioner, Themba Mahlangu BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING - FEATURE FILM - Silverton Siege Practitioners: Richard Starkey BEST STUDENT FILM - Shumba Production House: AFDA BEST TV COMEDY - How to Ruin Christmas Season 3 Production House: Burnt Onion Productions BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY _ TELENOVELA - The Black Door Season 1: Lavhelani Mudau The South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) recently hosted another successful DH-Ignite regional event at the Premier Hotel O.R. Tambo in Kempton Park, Gauteng. Humanities and social sciences staff and students from public universities in Gauteng, Northern Cape, Free State and North West joined the three-day event from 23 to 25 August 2023 to upskill themselves on and share experiences of digital and computational methods and practices for application in their own research and teaching. Organised through Escalator, a programme funded by SADiLaR, DH-Ignites goal is to help catalyse digital innovation in humanities and social sciences research in South Africa, and share what is currently happening in the South African humanities and social sciences landscape. Participants from the universities of Pretoria (UP), South Africa (Unisa), Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg (UJ), North West (NWU), Free State (UFS) and Sol Plaatje (SPU); the Tshwane (TUT), Vaal (VUT) and Central (CUT) universities of technology; Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU); the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) enjoyed two days of presentations, discussions, lightning talks and interactive sessions, and a third day of in-person workshops. It was the perfect opportunity for them to showcase their work, meet peers at similar learning stages, establish new collaborations, advertise and explore postgraduate study opportunities, and brain storm ideas for digital innovation in their research projects. Building an active community of practice The vision that we had when we started the Escalator programme was to help humanities and social sciences within South Africa specifically, to organise, connect and take what is already there and build on it, says Anelda van der Walt, Escalator's programme manager. We also wish to identify what lessons we can learn from others outside of South Africa, across the continent and worldwide, to build our own community of practice. As the programme grows over the next couple of years, SADiLaR hopes that individuals who have participated in the programme will start contributing through collaborative efforts. Highlights from the programme include the lightning talks about South African data sources, resources and opportunities for learning and teaching digital and computational skills, and case studies of humanities and social sciences research projects with computational and digital elements. There also was a fascinating expert panel discussion, chaired by SADiLaR professor in digital humanities Menno van Zaanen, about a vision for digital and computational research in humanities and social sciences, with Marissa Griesel (Unisa), Cobus Rademeyer (SPU), Mathabo Grace (UJ), Prevendren Naidoo (Wits) and Lebona Mafisa (NWU) as panellists. On the final day of the conference, participants had the option of joining one of three workshops to put some of their newly learned skills to test. The three topics were: The first steps to text mining presented by Van Zaanen, An Introduction to working with digital texts (Voyant Tools) presented by SADiLaR digital humanities researchers Mmasibidi Setaka and Andiswa Bukula, and Using computational tools for translating text (Autshumato) presented by UJs Laurinda van Tonder. Passion and genuine interest According to one of the participants, the conference provided crucial information on the available tools and resources that will help to intellectualise South Africas indigenous languages. We need these tools to assist us to elevate the standard of our languages so that they can match other languages, especially the European languages, he comments. Another participant was grateful for the interactive space in which many questions were being asked, people had the opportunity to really engage with speakers and immerse themselves in the various topics, and to enjoy the event on a comfortable but very productive kind of way. Theres a lot of hope and a lot of scope if this kind of passion and genuine interest in digital humanities, as broad as it might be, carries on existing and continues in forums and formats like this one. Register your interest for the next DH-Ignite event Registration for the next DH-Ignite events (in the Eastern Cape and Northern Region) is not open yet, but you can register your interest to participate and receive more information when it becomes available. As an institution, Eduvos is always looking ahead with its future-facing learning model. It is therefore an honour to be partnering with SAAIA, an industry body focused on promoting the advancement of responsible AI in South Africa by uniting practitioners across commercial, government, academic, startup and NGO sectors. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the technology of 2023, with many chatbots and AI tools garnering millions of users. Eduvos, voted South Africas best private higher education institution, acknowledges the impact that AI has, and will increasingly have, on the global economy and workforce. For this reason, the institution has opted to embrace AI and similar new technologies, in order for its students to have the knowledge and skills needed to remain relevant in the dynamic job market. "Embracing AI in higher education is not just a choice; it's an imperative for preparing our students to excel in a world increasingly driven by technology, says Eduvos head of information technology faculty, Dr Amos Anele. As we join the SAAIA, Eduvos reaffirms its commitment to equipping our students with the essential skills to thrive in this AI-powered era. We believe that by integrating AI education into our curriculum, we are not only shaping the future of our students but also contributing to the advancement of AI technology in South Africa and beyond." The SAAIAs vision is to find opportunities and challenges that AI and related technologies can bring to South Africa. Eduvos is eager to work alongside SAAIA and its members to harness the power of AI to help South Africa gain an advantage in the fourth industrial revolution. The SAAIAs vision aligns with Eduvoss goal to be Africas leading meta-university by 2027. As a member of the SAAIA, Eduvos will help to contribute to the South African AI community and build relationships with other members who can help open doors of opportunity for Eduvos students. AI has garnered a lot of attention for the disruptions it will cause for many industries. There is a forecast that AI will reduce or replace 300 million jobs. However, the AI industry is also expected to reach a market size of $407bn by 2027 and hold many job opportunities. Companies state that they will, in the future, rather hire a workforce with the knowledge and skills of this new technology. Dr Nick Bradshaw, the founder of SAAIA, stated: The current debate on the use of artificial intelligence reveals both the challenges and opportunities as well as possible harms that AI and related smart technologies could herald for both citizens, companies and the wider economy. Education sits at the heart of helping everyone understand and embrace these technologies as our research has shown that AI and related automation technologies are currently impacting 120+ traditional industries globally. "The speed of this disruption is faster than any other industrial revolution that has gone before it. As such SAAIA seeks to encourage stakeholders in the adoption of responsible AI for commercial and societal benefit with a primary focus on regulation, economic growth, trade, investment, fairness, equality and inclusivity. We welcome Eduvos as a new member as they share our mission and vision to ensure that the opportunities Artificial Intelligence present are possible and available for everyone to embrace not just a select few." Eduvos is committed to the employability of its students and is therefore embracing AI in order to better equip its students with the relevant skills needed to navigate a world of changing technology. The institution recently launched a Microsoft Azure AI Engineer certification to meet the demand for skilled AI professionals. Eduvos has also partnered with EON Reality, a US-based tech company, to bring AI and extended reality into its teaching methods. Eduvos students, affectionately called Vossies, will interact with new technologies on a daily basis, which will give them a competitive edge in the workforce. Find Eduvos online Website: eduvos.com Twitter: @edu_vos Instagram: @eduvoseducation YouTube: noitacudEsovudE@/moc.ebutuoy The 2023 South African Radio Awards' finalists have been revealed. Source: 123rf 123rf The 2023 South African Radio Awards finalists have been revealed Now in its 13th year, the Radio Awards honour excellence across campus, community, public broadcast (PBS), commercial, podcast, and internet radio, setting the industry benchmarks for outstanding achievements in the radio sphere. The judging process involved the evaluation of entries by a panel of over 50 judges and thorough scrutiny by BDO South Africa, the official auditors of the Radio Awards. To be eligible, entries had to have been broadcast on FM or AM (excluding the internet radio category) between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. Taryn Westoby, general manager of events for Arena Holdings, which owns the Radio Awards, expressed her congratulations to all the general category finalists. "We applaud the hard work, resilience, and dedication shown by all the finalists and inductees in their commitment to the medium of radio in South Africa. We look forward to honouring and announcing the winners at the awards ceremony." The eagerly awaited announcements of the Station of the Year, MyStation Most Votes and Most Loyal Listeners, Hall of Fame, Bright Star, and Station Managers Choice category finalists are scheduled to be announced on 11 October 2023. The 85 awards will be presented at a ceremony on 2 December 2023, in Parktown, Johannesburg. Tickets for this celebration will be available for purchase starting 9 October 2023. To view the complete list of the 2023 finalists in various general categories, please visit www.radioawards.co.za. The company is in the Labour Court on Thursday afternoon to get an urgent interdict against the strikers. Striking Simba factory workers picket inside the gates of the companys premises in Isando because security would not let them out to protest. They were eventually let out a couple of hours later. Photos: Kimberly Mutandiro | GroundUp Simba has asked the Labour Court in Braamfontein to urgently interdict workers from participating, instigating or promoting in an unprotected strike at its premises. They also want the court to declare the strike unlawful. This comes after more than 200 workers downed tools on Wednesday. The workers are being supported by the Simunye Workers Forum and the Casual Workers Advice Office. According to workers, the company has been deducting money from their salaries each month for transport to and from work. But they say they are meant to get transport for free as part of an earlier CCMA agreement. Tension remains high at Simbas factories in Isando and Elandsfontein, Gauteng on Thursday after workers downed tools and were briefly prevented from protesting outside on Wednesday. Most workers returned to work on Thursday. On Thursday afternoon, Simba approached the Labour Court in Braamfontein for an urgent interdict against workers, the Simunye Workers Forum and the Casual Workers Advice Office, to stop them from participating, instigating or promoting an unprotected strike at its premises. They also want the court to declare the strike unlawful. According to representatives from the Simunye Workers Forum, 217 labour broker workers who were employed by Adcorp Blu were absorbed as permanent workers by Simba in 2018. The workers had long ceased in law to be casual workers as they had, by that time, worked for several years for Simba, according to Simunye. Simunye said that part of the settlement agreement made at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) was that workers would get free transport, paid for by Simba to and from pick-up points or at the employees homes. Workers later discovered that Simba was deducting R16 per day from each worker for the transport, instead of providing it for free. These deductions were not even listed on the payslip. The workers have been in a long-standing battle to have this money returned and free transport reinstated, Simunye said in a statement on Wednesday. Worker representatives claim that other employees who became permanent before 2018 were not paying for transport which had caused division and unhappiness. More than 200 workers then decided to down tools this week after Simba had cancelled the transport and instead offered a once-off payment of R30,000 if they agreed to accept this as a full and final settlement as backpay and for any future transport costs. This offer was made in April during negotiations, according to Simunye. While waiting for the CCMA to set a date to hear the matter, more than 200 workers at Simbas Isando factory workers refused to work on Wednesday morning. Striking Simba workers protest outside after they were prevented from leaving the premises for a couple of hours on Wednesday. The company is in court to interdict any further strike action. Photos: Kimberly Mutandiro | GroundUp They held placards inside the gates of the premises, singing protest songs and asking to be allowed outside to protest on the streets. But the gates remained locked, forcing the workers to remain inside the gates. The gates were only opened later that afternoon. The Simunye Workers Forum and the Casual Workers Advice Office, who have been assisting the striking Simba employees, have written to Simba, indicating their intention to oppose the interdict application. Jacob Potlaki, from the Casual Workers Advice Office, said, We refuse to take this [once-off offer of R30,000] because workers are owed up to R140,000 each for the deductions. We have tried to negotiate for a better amount than the R30,000 being offered without success. That is why we decided to down tools. As we speak workers are supposed to earn around R7,000 but they are earning about R5,000, said Potlaki. We managed to speak to a few striking workers through the gates of the Isando factory during their protest on Wednesday. One worker who has worked for Simba since 2012 said she wants the company to pay back all the money it has been deducting for transport. They deduct up to R2,000 from my salary every month. On top of that, they deduct money for uniforms and medical aid, which means that we are left with nothing. The company should own up to its promise of providing us with transport, she said. At the time of publication on Thursday afternoon, Simbas urgent interdict application was still being heard at the Labour Court. Simba did not respond to our calls and emailed questions. This article was originally published on GroundUp. 2023 GroundUp. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Sibanye-Stillwater, South Africa's biggest mining sector employer, may be forced to close some loss-making shafts, its CEO told Reuters, adding job cuts in platinum mining had become inevitable as prices of the precious metals fall. Neal Froneman speaking at The Joburg Indaba. Source: x.com "Significant restructuring" is very likely in the platinum sector of the world's top supplier of the metal as miners try to stay profitable, said Neal Froneman. "We certainly can't run unprofitable shafts and I know that our cost structure is probably the lowest in the industry," he said. "So if we have loss-making shafts, which we have a few, they will have to be closed and I say this with all the sensitivities on potential job losses." Sibanye and South African peers including Impala Platinum and Northam Platinum are among producers that operate some of the world's deepest platinum mines. The companies had been making record profits when platinum sister metals rhodium hit almost $30,000 an ounce in 2021 and palladium soared to more than $3,400 an ounce after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. But the price of platinum touched its lowest level in a year on Wednesday before recovering to $875.86 an ounce, while palladium hit its lowest since November 2018 at $1,179.66 an ounce. Closing some loss-making operations may be necessary to remain profitable and preserve the majority of jobs, said Froneman. Sibanye, which has platinum mines in South Africa and Montana, employs about 85,000 workers. While prices for platinum metals, which are used in catalysts that curb toxic vehicle emissions, may recover, that's unlikely to save mines that were only profitable during record high prices, Froneman said. "I think it's highly likely there will be some significant restructuring in platinum, across the entire industry," he said. Platinum miners need to adjust to a "lower for longer" price environment and potential for a price rebound is shallow, RMB Morgan Stanley analysts said. "We will do our best to get productivity up but inevitably the country should prepare for significant restructuring in the metals sector," Froneman said Elon Musk's vision of Twitter , now rebranded as X, as an "everything app" is no secret. When the X logo replaced Twitter's blue bird , the internet buzzed with heated discussions about just what it would mean for X to be an everything app. Musk promoted his super app project by referring to the Chinese all-in-one app WeChat. But for many American users unfamiliar with WeChat, a train of questions followed. Whats it like to use WeChat? How has WeChat become everything in China? Would it be possible to replicate the apps success in the US. Im a Chinese digital media scholar, and Ive used WeChat since 2012. But, in contrast to Musks enthusiasm, I dont think WeChat is something to write home about. I believe its ordinary rather than special, lacking distinctive features compared with the other popular apps I studied for my current book project about Chinese touchscreen media. WeChats inconspicuousness on my phone screen is no accident. Although WeChat is an everything app in the sense of being a digital hub for over a billion users, the apps design is intentionally grounded in a more nuanced and philosophical meaning of the word everything than you might expect. WeChat is an all-inclusive media ecosystem Launched in 2011, WeChat has become an all-in-one app that offers services covering most aspects of everyday life, from instant messaging and mobile payments to photo- and video-sharing social networking. It has become a staple of daily activities for 1.3 billion Chinese mobile users. WeChat is also the app that China-bound travelers can download if they want to install only one app. WeChat can help you fill out customs declaration forms, call a taxi, pay for your hotel room and order food. Without WeChat, a traveler in China would be like a fish out of water, since everything in China now runs through smartphone screens and mobile payment platforms. In this sense, WeChat is indeed an everything app. Its everythingness refers to its near omnipresence and omnipotence in everyday life. The app creates an all-encompassing and ever-expanding media ecosystem that influences users daily activities. It forms a gigantic digital hub that, as German philosopher and media theorist Peter Sloterdijk once described, has drawn inwards everything that was once on the outside. This everythingness leaves little room for rival companies to achieve similar dominance and turns every tap or swipe on a users smartphone into something a big tech company can profit from. This dream of an internet empire is perhaps what is so enticing for tech leaders like Musk. A counterintuitive design philosophy Despite WeChats status as an everything app, its one of the least notable and attractive apps on my smartphone. WeChat rarely changes its logo to celebrate holidays or sends admin notifications to users. The app forms a relatively closed social space, since WeChat users can see only what their contacts post, unlike apps like Weibo or TikTok, where celebrities amass millions of followers. But the lack of flashy, attention-grabbing features is actually one of WeChats intentional design philosophies, as WeChats founder and chief developer Allen Xiaolong Zhang made clear in his annual public speeches in 2019 and 2020. Zhang emphasized that one of WeChats design principles is to get users out of the app as fast as possible, meaning to reduce the amount of time users spend in WeChat. This might seem paradoxical if WeChat is trying to get its users to leave the app as fast as possible, how can it maintain its internet empire? Typically an apps popularity is assessed based on how long users spend in the app, and users attention is the scarce resource various digital platforms fight for. But Zhang claims that in order to sustain users daily engagement with the app in the long run, its important to let them leave the app as fast as possible. A low demand for time and effort is key to bringing users back into the app without exhausting them. A Taoist message behind WeChats design The design of WeChat miniprograms makes Zhangs idea clear. Miniprograms are embedded into WeChat as third-party developed sub-applications, and they provide users with easy access to a large range of services like hailing a taxi, ordering food, buying train tickets and playing games without leaving WeChat. Users can simply search in the app or scan a QR code to open a miniprogram, skipping the cumbersome processes of installing and uninstalling new apps. Miniprograms are stored in a hidden panel at the top of the screen. They can be opened by swiping down the screen. These miniprograms appear to be ephemeral, diffusive and almost atmospheric. They give users the feeling that WeChat has disappeared or merged into the environment. WeChat is what media scholars call elemental: inconspicuous and nonintrusive, yet pervasive and as fundamental as the natural elements, just like air, water and clouds. This environment of pervasiveness and unobtrusiveness resonates with the ancient Chinese Taoist philosophy that understands nothing (wu , or not-being) as that which forms the basis of all things (wanwu or ten thousand things). As Tao Te Ching states, Dao begets One (or nothingness), One begets Two (yin and yang), Two begets Three (Heaven, Earth and Man; or yin, yang and breath qi), Three begets all things. For Taoist thinkers, not-being determines how all things within the cosmos come into being, evolve and disappear. Although the depth of these sagely texts is unfathomable, the Taoist thoughts from the past help people appreciate the interplay of everything and nothing. This perspective adds another layer of meaning to everything and opens up alternative visions of what an everything app can be. Perhaps WeChats interpretation of the word everything as simultaneously pervasive and inconspicuous is the secret to its success over the past 10 years. I believe many tech leaders could benefit from a more sophisticated understanding of everything when envisioning the everything app, and not just equate everything simply with big and comprehensive. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Primedia Outdoor have transformed the landscape of commuter advertising at Cape Town's iconic Station Deck taxi rank. This landmark taxi rank, nestled in the bustling heart of Cape Town CBD, has long served as a convergence point for countless commuters, shoppers, and tourists. The creation of a commuter brand ecosystem of this magnitude owes a great deal to the innovative and forward-thinking approach of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), the committed landowner. Prasa's dedication goes beyond fulfilling their transportation mandate; they are passionately committed to enhancing the commuter experience. Their collaboration with Primedia Outdoor is a testament to their openness to innovation and their desire to future proof Prasa's assets. Recognising the potential to redefine their connection with the community, Shoprite seized this innovative opportunity presented by Primedia Outdoor and The MediaShop. Through this partnership, Shoprite now proudly holds branding rights at this prime location, solidifying its reputation as a pioneer in advertising. Bongumusa Makhathini, CEO of Primedia Outdoor, expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, stating: "This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in reshaping the taxi rank environment into an innovative advertising platform. This move underscores our unwavering commitment to transforming the commuter experience and providing brands with unparalleled avenues to engage their target audience." This groundbreaking launch introduces a large format digital product into a traditional brand ownership environment. Primedia Outdoor has not only incorporated their ever-popular RankTV screens across the taxi lanes in this location but has now unveiled cutting-edge digital LED screens embedded within the rank branding structure. This digital marvel offers unprecedented flexibility in rank branding, creative expression, and dynamic capabilities. This initiative not only amplifies brand exposure, but also sustainably communicates to the Shoprite target audience daily of the product and pricing specials using the digital screens as they go about on their daily consumer journey. Megan Walker, senior strategy lead at The MediaShop, commended Primedia Outdoor's pioneering approach to outdoor advertising, saying: "For many years we've had the privilege of partnering with Primedia Outdoor their commitment to innovation, unwavering quality, and exceptional service has consistently impressed us. Primedia Outdoor has played an integral role in helping us provide our client, Shoprite, with dynamic and effective media solutions for decades." For Shoprite, a cherished name across South Africa, this initiative is a strategic manoeuvre to bolster its brand presence and cultivate daily connections. Clive Wood, brand manager at Shoprite, emphasised: "Our collaboration with Primedia Outdoor at the Station Deck taxi rank, underscores our dedication to innovation and engagement. We firmly believe this platform will not only amplify our brand but also create an extraordinary and dynamic channel to engage with our valued community." Steve Duck, executive Western Cape, added: "The Station Deck taxi rank, has long served as a cornerstone of Cape Town's vibrant commuter landscape. Leading this project, we are not only benefiting Shoprite but also elevating the daily experience of the community members who frequent this iconic location." This visionary collaboration epitomises a shared commitment to community engagement and innovation. As this iconic location emerges as a beacon of modern advertising, it transcends boundaries, not only within Cape Town but throughout the advertising industry. Seamlessly harmonising traditional and digital advertising, Primedia Outdoor paves the path for the evolution of the commuter environment, providing brands with remarkable avenues to connect with their communities. Student funding scheme given seven working days to answer portfolio committee's questions. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme briefing Parliaments portfolio committee for higher education in September. Archive photo: Qaqamba Falithenjwa The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) said it has a turnaround plan to fix its failures. But Parliaments portfolio committee for higher education said the plan fails to address its concerns. NSFAS and its contracted direct payment service providers were given seven working days to respond. On Wednesday, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) told Parliament it has a turnaround plan to fix its failures, but Parliaments portfolio committee for higher education was unconvinced. Last month, NSFAS briefed Parliament on its new direct payment system and other issues, and it faced sharp criticism from the committee for its continued failures. NSFAS was given a two-week deadline to present a plan to fix itself, but at the next meeting NSFAS and Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande snubbed Parliament. At a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Nzimande said detractors want to attack NSFAS left, right and centre, because it is a government scheme. He said although the funding scheme is experiencing challenges, it is incorrect to project it as if it is lying on its stomach. Nzimande said he met the NSFAS board in August. Thus far I have confidence in the board because whenever I have raised issues with them, they were able to deal with the challenges, he said. NSFAS acting CEO Masile Ramorwesi said following the last portfolio committee meeting, the executive board met with the student leadership to discuss how challenges with direct payments could be addressed. He said they devised a seven-step approach of which the first two steps had already been completed. Firstly, to form two teams who will report directly to the acting CEO about students challenges. The teams will then visit ten universities and 29 TVET colleges over ten days to observe challenges on the ground. They will report to the acting CEO in written form, and he will then develop a response strategy. From 9 October, Ramorwesi will report to the NSFAS board, which will then develop its own report for the minister. Ramorwesi listed various challenges: slow bank card distribution, cyber-attacks, non-responsiveness in query handling, partners having limited capacity, registration template errors, and excessive bank charges. He said distributing bank cards to students on campus was delayed as some student leaders had disrupted the distribution at some universities by vandalising the cards and threatening the teams that were on the ground and chasing them out of the universities. He said it was a concern that at the end of September, there were about 20,000 appeals (in which students appeal against having been turned down for funding) awaiting documentation. He said there were about 16,000 appeals still awaiting academic eligibility criteria. We previously indicated that we communicated with the institutions to submit the academic results of their students, he said. They aim to resolve these by 30 October. But about 60,000 appeals have been finalised. Payment service providers Thami Mazibuko, project manager at Coinvest, said the company is responsible for disbursing funds to over 268,000 students at 13 TVET colleges and seven universities. In terms of paying allowances, Mazibuko said they have paid everything. We never paid less or more. We paid every cent according to the specifications which came from NSFAS. If a student says they were underpaid, that is a process that first goes through NSFAS and then to us. All that well get is to pay x amount to a student and then we do that, he said. Saud Ally, group CEO for eZaga, said the company is responsible for disbursing funds to over 143,000 students at six universities and 11 TVET colleges. Ally said once they receive a beneficiary file from NSFAS, they do a Know Your Customer (KYC) validation which normally goes through Home Affairs and to validate if the student hasnt committed fraud previously. Neal MacIntyre, of Norraco, said the company disbursed funds to over 131,000 students at 13 TVET colleges and seven universities. It has paid out R1.3bn in the past year. Ryan Passmore, project executive at Tenet Technology, which is responsible for allocating allowances to 225,000 NSFAS beneficiaries at 13 TVET colleges and six universities, said they have already disbursed R1.4bn to NSFAS students. Tenet was busy loading and authenticating the student beneficiaries on its banking platform. But chair of the committee Nompendulu Mkhatshwa (ANC) said NSFAS and the service providers presentations lacked critical information. Youre telling us how many students youre supposed to be disbursing to, how many have been KYCd, and how many have cards but we want to know how many you have paid each month, said Mkhatshwa. Portfolio committee member Walter Letsie (ANC) said it is still unclear whether the disbursement problems from July had been resolved. There are still students who did not get their funds, and we still dont know why. Whether its NSFAS not paying the providers enough, or whether its the service providers systems. We still dont know. Karabo Khakhau (DA) said there was a lack of clarity on how NSFAS was going to capacitate its call centres and by when. Solutions need a number and a deadline, she said. Mkhatshwa concluded the meeting by saying that most of the committees concerns were data-related. We need to know why students have not received their allowances, at which institutions, where have we sent allowances to, what are the shortfalls. She asked the service providers to submit the information within seven working days. Published originally on GroundUp. Date: 14 October Time: 10am - 12pm Address: 97 Durham Avenue, Salt River, Cape Town What to expect 10.10 10.30am An introduction to Red & Yellow: Teaching the great leaders, inventors, creators and entrepreneurs for the next generation of work. Speaker: Andrew Allison chief commercial officer 10.30am 12pm Meet your lecturers: Discover the next step in your educational journey with insights from industry experts. Our dedicated team of student advisors is ready to assist you with any questions and guide you through the registration process. Explore what sets Red & Yellow apart in shaping successful careers! Chihuahua state officials and a notorious Mexican security contractor broke ground last summer on the Torre Centinela (Sentinel Tower), an ominous, 20-story high-rise in downtown Ciudad Juarez that will serve as the central node of a new AI-enhanced surveillance regime. With tentacles reaching into 13 Mexican cities and a data pipeline that will channel intelligence all the way to Austin, Texas, the monstrous project will be unlike anything seen before along the U.S.-Mexico border. And that's saying a lot, considering the last 30-plus years of surging technology on the U.S side of the border. The Torre Centinela will stand in a former parking lot next to the city's famous bullring, a mere half-mile south of where migrants and asylum seekers have camped and protested at the Paso del Norte International Bridge leading to El Paso. But its reach goes much further: the Torre Centinela is just one piece of the Plataforma Centinela (Sentinel Platform), an aggressive new technology strategy developed by Chihuahua's Secretaria de Seguridad Publica Estatal (Secretary of State Public Security or SSPE) in collaboration with the company Seguritech. With its sprawling infrastructure, the Plataforma Centinela will create an atmosphere of surveillance and data-streams blanketing the entire region. The plan calls for nearly every cutting-edge technology system marketed at law enforcement: 10,000 surveillance cameras, face recognition, automated license plate recognition, real-time crime analytics, a fleet of mobile surveillance vehicles, drone teams and counter-drone teams, and more. If the project comes together as advertised in the Avengers-style trailer that SSPE released to influence public opinion, law enforcement personnel on site will be surrounded by wall-to-wall monitors (140 meters of screens per floor), while 2,000 officers in the field will be able to access live intelligence through handheld tablets. Texas law enforcement will also have "eyes on this side of the border" via the Plataforma Centinela, Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos publicly stated last year. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a memorandum of understanding confirming the partnership. Plataforma Centinela will transform public life and threaten human rights in the borderlands in ways that aren't easy to assess. Regional newspapers and local advocatesespecially Norte Digital and Frente Politico Ciudadano para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos (FPCDDH)--have raised significant concerns about the project, pointing to a low likelihood of success and high potential for waste and abuse. "It is a myopic approach to security; the full emphasis is placed on situational prevention, while the social causes of crime and violence are not addressed," FPCDDH member and analyst Victor M. Quintana tells EFF, noting that the Plataforma Centinela's budget is significantly higher than what the state devotes to social services. "There are no strategies for the prevention of addiction, neither for rebuilding the fabric of society nor attending to dropouts from school or young people at risk, which are social causes of insecurity." Instead of providing access to unfiltered information about the project, the State of Chihuahua has launched a public relations blitz. In addition to press conferences and the highly-produced cinematic trailer, SSPE recently hosted a "Pabellon Centinel" (Sentinel Pavillion), a family-friendly carnival where the public was invited to check out a camera wall and drones, while children played with paintball guns, drove a toy ATV patrol vehicle around a model city, and colored in illustrations of a data center operator. Behind that smoke screen, state officials are doing almost everything they can to control the narrative around the project and avoid public scrutiny. According to news reports, the SSPE and the Secretaria de Hacienda (Finance Secretary) have simultaneously deemed most information about the project as classified and left dozens of public records requests unanswered. The Chihuahua State Congress also rejected a proposal to formally declassify the documents and stymied other oversight measures, including a proposed audit. Meanwhile, EFF has submitted public records requests to several Texas agencies and all have claimed they have no records related to the Plataforma Centinela. This is all the more troubling considering the relationship between the state and Seguritech, a company whose business practices in 22 other jurisdictions have been called into question by public officials. What we can be sure of is that the Plataforma Centinela project may serve as proof of concept of the kind of panopticon surveillance governments can get away with in both North America and Latin America. What Is the Plataforma Centinela? High-tech surveillance centers are not a new phenomenon on the Mexican side of the border. These facilities tend to use "C" distinctions to explain their functions and purposes. EFF has mapped out dozens of these in the six Mexican border states. Click to explore the map. Google's Privacy Policy applies. They include: C4 (Centro de Comunicacion, Computo, Control y Comando) (Center for Communications, Calculation, Control, and Command), C5 (Centro de Coordinacion Integral, de Control, Comando, Comunicacion y Computo del Estado) (Center for Integral Coordination for Control, Command, Communications, and State Calculation), C5i (Centro de Control, Comando, Comunicacion, Computo, Coordinacion e Inteligencia) (Center for Control, Command, Communication, Calculation, Coordination and Intelligence). Typically, these centers focus as a cross between a 911 call center and a real-time crime center, with operators handling emergency calls, analyzing crime data, and controlling a network of surveillance cameras via a wall bank of monitors. In some cases, the Cs may be presented in different order or stand for slightly different words. For example, some C5s might alternately stand for "Centros de Comando, Control, Comunicacion, Computo y Calidad" (Centers for Command, Control, Communication, Computation and Quality). These facilities also exist in other parts of Mexico. The number of Cs often indicate scale and responsibilities, but more often than not, it seems to be a political or marketing designation. The Plataforma Centinela however, goes far beyond the scope of previous projects and in fact will be known as the first C7 (Centro de Comando, Computo, Control, Coordinacion, Contacto Ciudadano, Calidad, Comunicaciones e Inteligencia Artificial) (Center for Command, Calculation, Control, Coordination, Citizen Contact, Quality, Communications and Artificial Intelligence). The Torre Centinela in Ciudad Juarez will serve as the nerve center, with more than a dozen sub-centers throughout the state. According to statistics that Gov. Campos disclosed as part of negotiations with Texas and news reports, the Plataforma Centinela will include: 1,791 automated license plate readers. These are cameras that photograph vehicles and their license plates, then upload that data along with the time and location where the vehicles were seen to a massive searchable database. Law enforcement can also create lists of license plates to track specific vehicles and receive alerts when those vehicles are seen. 4,800 fixed cameras . These are your run-of-the-mill cameras, positioned to permanently surveil a particular location from one angle. 3,065 pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras . These are more sophisticated cameras. While they are affixed to a specific location, such as a street light or a telephone pole, these cameras can be controlled remotely. An operator can swivel the camera around 360-degrees and zoom in on subjects. 2,000 tablets. Officers in the field will be issued handheld devices for accessing data directly from the Plataforma Centinela. Officers in the field will be issued handheld devices for accessing data directly from the Plataforma Centinela. 102 security arches. This is a common form of surveillance in Mexico, but not the United States. These are structures built over highways and roads to capture data on passing vehicles and their passengers. This is a common form of surveillance in Mexico, but not the United States. These are structures built over highways and roads to capture data on passing vehicles and their passengers. 74 drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/UAVs). While the Chihuahua government has not disclosed what surveillance payload will be attached to these drones, it is common for law enforcement drones to deploy video, infrared, and thermal imaging technology. While the Chihuahua government has not disclosed what surveillance payload will be attached to these drones, it is common for law enforcement drones to deploy video, infrared, and thermal imaging technology. 40 mobile video surveillance trailers. While details on these systems are scant, it is likely these are camera towers that can be towed to and parked at targeted locations. While details on these systems are scant, it is likely these are camera towers that can be towed to and parked at targeted locations. 15 anti-drone systems. These systems are designed to intercept and disable drones operated by criminal organizations. These systems are designed to intercept and disable drones operated by criminal organizations. Face recognition . The project calls for the application of "biometric filters" to be applied to camera feeds "to assist in the capture of cartel leaders," and the collection of migrant biometrics. Such a system would require scanning the faces of the general public. . The project calls for the application of "biometric filters" to be applied to camera feeds "to assist in the capture of cartel leaders," and the collection of migrant biometrics. Such a system would require scanning the faces of the general public. Artificial intelligence. So far, the administration has thrown around the term AI without fully explaining how it will be used. However, typically law enforcement agencies have used this technology to "predict" where crime might occur, identify individuals mostly likely to be connected to crime, and to surface potential connections between suspects that would not have been obvious to a human observer. However, all these technologies have a propensity for making errors or exacerbating existing bias. As of May, 60% of the Plataforma Centinela camera network had been installed, with an expected completion date of December, according to Norte Digital. However, the cameras were already being used in criminal investigations. All combined, this technology amounts to an unprecedented expansion of the surveillance state in Latin America, as SSPE brags in its promotional material. The threat to privacy may also be unprecedented: creating cities where people can no longer move freely in their communities without being watched, scanned, and tagged. But that's assuming the system functions as advertisedand based on the main contractor's history, that's anything but guaranteed. Who Is Seguritech? The Plataforma Centinela project is being built by the megacorporation Seguritech, which has signed deals with more than a dozen government entities throughout Mexico. As of 2018, the company received no-bid contracts in at least 10 Mexican states and cities, which means it was able to sidestep the accountability process that requires companies to compete for projects. And when it comes to the Plataforma Centinela, the company isn't simply a contractor: It will actually have ownership over the project, the Torre Centinela, and all its related assets, including cameras and drones, until August 2027. That's what SSPE Secretary Gilberto Loya Chavez told the news organization Norte Digital, but the terms of the agreement between Seguritech and Chihuahua's administration are not public. The SSPE's Transparency Committee decided to classify the information "concerning the procedures for the acquisition of supplies, goods, and technology necessary for the development, implementation, and operation of the Platforma Centinela" for five years. In spite of the opacity shrouding the project, journalists have surfaced some information about the investment plan. According to statements from government officials, the Plataforma Centinela will cost 4.2 billion pesos, with Chihuahua's administration paying regular installments to the company every three months (Chihuahua's governor had previously said that these would be yearly payments in the amount of 700 million to 1 billion pesos per year). According to news reports, when the payments are completed in 2027, the ownership of the platform's assets and infrastructure are expected to pass from Seguritech to the state of Chihuahua. The Plataforma Centinela project marks a new pinnacle in Seguritech's trajectory as a Mexican security contractor. Founded in 1995 as a small business selling neighborhood alarms, SeguriTech Privada S.A de C.V. became a highly profitable brand, and currently operates in five areas: security, defense, telecommunications, aeronautics, and construction. According to Zeta Tijuana, Seguritech also secures contracts through its affiliated companies, including Comunicacion Segura (focused on telecommunications and security) and Picorp S.A. de C.V. (focused on architecture and construction, including prisons and detention centers). Zeta also identified another SecuriTech company, Tres10 de C.V., as the contractor named in various C5i projects. Thorough reporting by Mexican outlets such as Proceso, Zeta Tijuana, Norte Digital, and Zona Free paint an unsettling picture of Seguritech's activities over the years. Former President Felipe Calderon's war on drug trafficking, initiated during his 2006-2012 term, marked an important turning point for surveillance in Mexico. As Proceso reported, Seguritech began to secure major government contracts beginning in 2007, receiving its first billion-peso deal in 2011 with Sinaloa's state government. In 2013, avoiding the bidding process, the company secured a 6-billion peso contract assigned by Eruviel Avila, then governor of the state of Mexico (or Edomex, not to be confused with the country of Mexico). During Enrique Pena Nieto's years as Edomex's governor, and especially later, as Mexico's president, Seguritech secured its status among Mexico's top technology contractors. According to Zeta Tijuana, during the six years that Pena Nieto served as president (2012-2018), the company monopolized contracts for the country's main surveillance and intelligence projects, specifically the C5i centers. As Zeta Tijuana writes: "More than 10 C5i units were opened or began construction during Pena Nieto's six-year term. Federal entities committed budgets in the millions, amid opacity, violating parliamentary processes and administrative requirements. The purchase of obsolete technological equipment was authorized at an overpriced rate, hiding information under the pretext of protecting national security." Zeta Tijuana further cites records from the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property showing that Seguritech registered the term "C5i" as its own brand, an apparent attempt to make it more difficult for other surveillance contractors to provide services under that name to the government. Despite promises from government officials that these huge investments in surveillance would improve public safety, the countrys number of violent deaths increased during Pena Nieto's term in office. "What is most shocking is how ineffective Seguritech's system is," says Quintana, the spokesperson for FPCDDH. By his analysis, Quintana says, "In five out of six states where Seguritech entered into contracts and provided security services, the annual crime rate shot up in proportions ranging from 11% to 85%." Seguritech has also been criticized for inflated prices, technical failures, and deploying obsolete equipment. According to Norte Digital, only 17% of surveillance cameras were working by the end of the company's contract with Sinaloa's state government. Proceso notes the rise of complaints about the malfunctioning of cameras in Cuauhtemoc Delegation (a borough of Mexico City) in 2016. Zeta Tijuana reported on the disproportionate amount the company charged for installing 200 obsolete 2-megapixel cameras in 2018. Seguritech's track record led to formal complaints and judicial cases against the company. The company has responded to this negative attention by hiring services to take down and censor critical stories about its activities published online, according to investigative reports published as part of the Global Investigative Journalism Network's Forbidden Stories project. Yet, none of this information dissuaded Chihuahua's governor, Maru Campos, from closing a new no-bid contract with Seguritech to develop the Plataforma Centinela project. A Cross-Border Collaboration The Plataforma Centinela project presents a troubling escalation in cross-border partnerships between states, one that cuts out each nation's respective federal governments. In April 2022, the states of Texas and Chihuahua signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on reducing "cartels' human trafficking and smuggling of deadly fentanyl and other drugs" and to "stop the flow of migrants from over 100 countries who illegally enter Texas through Chihuahua." While much of the agreement centers around cargo at the points of entry, the document also specifically calls out the various technologies that make up the Plataforma Centinela. In attachments to the agreement, Gov. Campos promises Chihuahua is "willing to share that information with Texas State authorities and commercial partners directly." During a press conference announcing the MOU, Gov. Abbot declared, Governor Campos has provided me with the best border security plan that I have seen from any governor from Mexico. He held up a three-page outline and a slide, which were also provided to the public, but also referenced the existence of "a much more extensive detailed memo that explains in nuance" all the aspects of the program. Abbott went on to read out a summary of Plataforma Centinela, adding, "This is a demonstration of commitment from a strong governor who is working collaboratively with the state of Texas." Then Campos, in response to a reporter's question, added: "We are talking about sharing information and intelligence among states, which means the state of Texas will have eyes on this side of the border." She added that the data collected through the Plataforma Centinela will be analyzed by both the states of Chihuahua and Texas. Abbott provided an example of one way the collaboration will work: "We will identify hotspots where there will be an increase in the number of migrants showing up because it's a location chosen by cartels to try to put people across the border at that particular location. The Chihuahua officials will work in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety, where DPS has identified that hotspot and the Chihuahua side will work from a law enforcement side to disrupt that hotspot." In order to learn more about the scope of the project, EFF sent public records requests to several Texas agencies, including the Governor's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Attorney General's Office, the El Paso County Sheriff, and the El Paso Police Department. Not one of the agencies produced records related to the Plataforma Centinela project. Meanwhile, Texas is further beefing up its efforts to use technology at the border, including by enacting new laws that formally allow the Texas National Guard and State Guard to deploy drones at the border and authorize the governor to enter compacts with other states to share intelligence and resource to build "a comprehensive technological surveillance system" on state land to deter illegal activity at the border. In addition to the MOU with Chihuahua, Abbott also signed similar agreements with the states of Nuevo Leon and Coahuila in 2022. Two Sides, One Border The Plataforma Centinela has enormous potential to violate the rights of one of the largest cross-border populations along the U.S.-Mexico border. But while law enforcement officials are eager to collaborate and traffic data back and forth, advocacy efforts around surveillance too often are confined to their respective sides. The Spanish-language press in Mexico has devoted significant resources to investigating the Plataforma Centinela and raising the alarm over its lack of transparency and accountability, as well as its potential for corruption. Yet, the project has received virtually no attention or scrutiny in the United States. Fighting back against surveillance of cross-border communities requires cross-border efforts. EFF supports the efforts of advocacy groups in Ciudad Juarez and other regions of Chihuahua to expose the mistakes the Chihuahua government is making with the Plataforma Centinela and call out its mammoth surveillance approach for failing to address the root social issues. We also salute the efforts by local journalists to hold the government accountable. However, U.S-based journalists, activists, and policymakersmany of whom have done an excellent job surfacing criticism of Customs and Border Protection's so-called virtual wallmust also turn their attention to the massive surveillance that is building up on the Mexican side. In reality, there really is no Mexican surveillance and U.S. surveillance. Its one massive surveillance monster that, ironically, in the name of border enforcement, recognizes no borders itself. PARIS, 5 octobre (Reuters) - Casino a annonce jeudi avoir signe un accord de "lock-up" sur la restructuration de sa dette avec ses principaux creanciers, dont le milliardaire tcheque Daniel Kretinsky, afin d'eviter la faillite. Le groupe confirme ainsi l'accord de principe conclu fin juillet avec EP Global Commerce et Fimalac - les societes respectives de Daniel Kretinsky et Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere - ainsi qu'avec Attestor et des creanciers detenant plus des deux tiers du "Term Loan B" en vue du renforcement des fonds propres et de la restructuration de sa dette. (Redige par Kate Entringer) Photo: SEOUL ADEX 2023. S eoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX) 2023 shall take place from October 17th to 22nd at Seoul Airport. As the largest and most comprehensive aerospace and defense event in North-east Asia, Seoul ADEX is one of the biggest events in the region. Seoul ADEX brings more opportunities for aviation enthusiasts, aerospace professionals, key defense personnel, and the public. The Seoul ADEX 2023 is hosted by KAIA (Korea Aerospace Industries Association), KDIA (Korea Defense Industries Association) and KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency). ADEX 2023 is supported by Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, ROK Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, DAPA (Defence Acquisition Program Administration) and Seongnam City. View the Link India announces fresh 'posiDefence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar during the plenary session of 'Swavlamban 2.0', the two-day seminar of Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. A PTI Photo NEW DELHI (PTI): India has announced a fresh list of 98 military hardware including complex systems, sensors, weapons and ammunition that will only be only be procured from domestic industry after a ban on their import kicks in under a staggered time-line. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made the announcement on Wednesday about the fifth positive indigenisation list at the 'Swavlamban 2.0' seminar organised by the Indian Navy. The key items included in the list are futuristic infantry combat vehicle, remotely piloted airborne vehicles (up to 25 km range with payload of 2 kg for Army), shipborne unmanned aerial system, medium upgrade low endurance class tactical drone, next generation low-level light radar for Army and electro optic fire control system for naval platforms. The list also comprised armour plates for cabin nose section for Mi-17 helicopter, multifunction aviation ground equipment for Air Force, gravity rollers for Mi-17 V5 helicopter and flares of P-8I and MiG 29-K aircraft. The new "positive indigenisation list" is in continuation of the first four such lists, which contained a total of 411 military items. Separately, the Department of Defence Production notified four positive indigenisation lists consisting of 4,666 items, including line replacement units, sub-systems, spares and components for Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), according to the defence ministry. Seventy-five technologies having applications in various military hardware including underwater swarm drones, autonomous weaponised boat swarms and fire fighting systems were displayed at the seminar. Last year, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Navy had committed to develop these 75 technologies. At the seminar, Singh also launched 76 challenges for the industry under 10th Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 10) and DISC 10 PRIME of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). The defence minister also released the Indian Navy' updated "Indigenisation Roadmap -- Swavlamban 2.0'. In addition, two 'INDUS-X challenges' under 'INDUS-X Mutual Promotion of Advanced Collaborative Technologies' (IMPACT) challenges jointly finalised by iDEX and the Department of Defence (DoD) of the US were launched by Singh. The iDEX in partnership with the DoD had recently conducted the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) event in Washington to expand the strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation between the start-up ecosystems, businesses and academic institutes of the two nations. In a short span of three months, iDEX and the DoD have finalised two joint 'INDUS X' challenges. The main highlight of the seminar was the release of the fifth positive indigenisation list of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA). "Highly complex systems, sensors, weapons and ammunition have been included in the list. All these items will be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 in a staggered timeline," the defence ministry said in a statement. In his address, Singh was of the view that India has always been self-reliant in the field of knowledge and innovation and when the Modi government came to power in 2014, it rekindled the feeling of being 'Aatmanirbhar" (self-reliant) in every sector. "Due to foreign invasions, we had forgotten our innovative approach. The word 'local' became synonymous with low quality. We're now freeing ourselves from that mentality," he said. "Our prime minister launched the 'Vocal for Local' campaign and restored respect for local goods. Our youth are now recognising their inner strength and eliminating inner doubts," he said. "In the coming times, they will play a big role in the development of the country with their innovative approach and knowledge," he said. The defence minister also called for a careful assessment of the technology challenges -- whether they are state-of-the-art as per today's time and whether any better technology is expected in the near future. He stressed the need to ascertain whether a technology is already available somewhere in the market or "we're just re-inventing the wheel". He also pointed out that it is essential to assess the viability of a technology from the point of view of the economy. This will provide a better value for money on your R and D expenditure, he said. Singh pitched for devising a robust mechanism to conduct analysis before the introduction of any technology or challenge. For this, he said, the Department of Defence Production, Defence Research and Development Organisation and the armed forces can together form an independent body of experts, which can further improve the analysis mechanism. Singh also launched SBI NAVeCash Card which is a one-of-its-kind dual-chip debit card. It has been developed by the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Indian Navy. The card can be used in online mode (as a regular debit card) as well as in offline mode when the Navy personnel are at sea with no direct connectivity with the bank. The card has been developed and tested onboard various Indian Naval ships and is now ready for launch pan-Navy, the defence ministry said. "The card is a positive step towards the prime minister's dream of digital India with cashless financial transactions as it obviates the usage of cash onboard ships even in high seas," it said. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he would be very disappointed if Stormont is not restored by the end of next month. Mr Ahern was speaking at the One Young World summit in Belfast on the creating and legacy of the Good Friday Agreement. Advertisement Also speaking at the summit on Thursday was former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams who said the ground had shifted in Irish politics. The One Young World summit has brought thousands of young people to Belfast to discuss global issues and has been recognised as part of the official celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Agreement. Mr Ahern said there was an opportunity now to restore the devolved government which has not been functioning for over a year due to the DUPs ongoing protest in response to post-Brexit trading arrangements. Advertisement I would be very disappointed if its not by the end of next month, he said Advertisement I think we have an opportunity now and I think that opportunity needs to be taken. He added: But if its not by the end of November, we drift into a position where its election year all over the place and life will become far more difficult. Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern on stage at the One Young World Summit at the ICC in Belfast (One Young World/PA) Advertisement Mr Ahern also said work was being done to restore power-sharing, but that party leaders would need to convince their communities it was the right decision, as their predecessors did to secure the Good Friday Agreement. Theres a lot of work, a lot of reference, a lot of people working hard on it, and it wont be easy, it wont be without some difficult decisions, he said. But if those difficult decisions are not taken like the leaders that I had the honour of working with, all the party leaders and the people that I worked with 25 years ago. They all had to go to their own people and convince their own people that this was the right thing to do, that this was the inclusive, comprehensive will and that they were prepared to put their name to it and prepared to work to make it happen. Advertisement Advertisement And were in the same boat today. Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams speaking at the One Young World summit at the ICC in Belfast (One Young World/PA) Mr Adams shared his advice for DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. Advertisement Without being at all provocative, if I had advice to give to Jeffrey it would be to lead. Thats the only way you can do it, and to lead in a positive way, he said. The ground has shifted. This place is not the same as it was when I was growing up and its not the same as it was during this change. He added: It has changed, and change can be threatening for some people and those of us that want the maximum change need to be understanding of that. On a panel with former Alliance party leader Lord John Alderdice and former PUP leader Dawn Purvis, Mr Adams said the British governments legacy bill was in breach of the Good Friday Agreement. The Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) bill would give a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. It will also halt future civil cases and inquests. I also want to deal with it in the wider context. The British government are in breach of the Good Friday Agreement with their bill of shame, he said. Advertisement Peace isnt just the absence of conflict and justice has to be the work of peace. On the question of attaining justice and peace, Mr Adams said politicians should not give up. Former PUP leader Dawn Purvis, former Alliance party leader Lord John Alderdice and former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams speaking at the One Young World summit at the ICC in Belfast (One Young World/PA) Lord Alderdice said there was a problem in reconciling the need for peace and for justice, adding that the question of victims could have been addressed sooner in the peace process. Is there a conflict between peace of justice? And I think the truth is, there is a conflict, there is a problem, he said. Because if you are going to maintain the determination to see justice, as you see it implemented, then it is very difficult at the same time to say, well, I will let go of some things in order to have a better relationship with my neighbour with whom I deeply disagree. One of the things that troubles me about the legacy business of just the building, is that here we are more than 25 years on and I think on all sides, people have effectively given up trying to resolve it. Some people are weaponising it, some people want to forget about it. And the troubling thing for me is that we have not, despite all the calls on all the sides, all the efforts, all the initiatives, all the Commissions, we havent really made a great new ground. Advertisement Maybe one of the mistakes that we made was that, unlike Colombians who started off their process by having a victims bill, maybe if wed attended to the question of victims at an earlier stage during the talks process, we might not have found ourselves in the situation. But we are where we are now. An eighth man has been charged by gardai investigating the discovery of more than 2,000kg of cocaine on a bulk cargo ship off the south Irish coast last week. A total of seven men have so far appeared before several district courts charged in relation to what authorities have called Irelands largest ever drugs haul. Advertisement Cocaine with an estimated value of 160 million was found on the Panamanian registered vessel MV Matthew in a major operation involving the Irish army and gardai. Gardai said on Wednesday evening they had arrested and charged another man in relation to their investigation. The man is due to appear before Midleton District Court in Co Cork on Thursday morning at 10:30am. On Tuesday, four men appeared before Mallow District Court charged with possessing drugs on September 24th for the purpose of supplying them within the Irish State. Advertisement Advertisement The MV Matthew cargo ship at Marino Point in Co Cork. Photo: Niall Carson/PA. Cumali Ozgen, a 48-year-old with an address in the Netherlands; Saeid Hassani, a 37-year-old Iranian national; Mykhalio Gavryk, a 30-year-old Ukrainian national; and Vitaliy Vlasoi, a 31-year-old Ukrainian national, all face the same charge. Armed gardai were stationed outside the courthouse ahead of the accused mens appearances. Advertisement On Monday, Soheil Jelveh, a 50-year-old Iranian national of no fixed abode who has been referred to as a ship captain, appeared before Wexford District Court charged with various offences in relation to the seizure. 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 coast by abseiling from a helicopter. Gardai 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 days before the seizure was also being monitored as part of the operation, amid suspicions it was en route to rendezvous with the cargo ship. Advertisement 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 in the UK, and 60-year-old Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, of no fixed abode, were charged with conspiracy to import drugs. The Irish Cancer Society is seeking extra funding of 20 million in Budget 2024 to secure better survival rates and quality of life for people with cancer. Chief executive Averil Power told Newstalk Breakfast that even before Covid Ireland was far behind the leading countries in terms of cancer survival and patient outcomes in general. Advertisement Ireland has the second highest rate of cancer in the EU. That was in 2020 and our cancer death rate was also 11 percent higher than the EU average. So, even prior to Covid, we were far behind the leading countries in terms of cancer survival and patient outcomes in general. "Our national cancer strategy sets out a roadmap to address that issue and improve cancer prevention, detection and treatment. And the price tag for that is an extra 20 million a year to make improvements each year by improving how we detect and treat cancer. Advertisement But it has only received that funding in two years since it was published in 2017. The 20 million would be spent on a range of things, she said. Improved diagnostics, expanding some of the positive initiatives that were implemented when it was properly funded. Advertisement So for example, there were nursing posts put into all the cancer treating hospitals around the country to ensure that patients who have complications between treatments don't have to go to every department, but that's only available Monday to Friday during the day, and that's a measure that reduces anxiety for cancer patients. This would also reduce pressure on the rest of the health service as cancer patients would not have to risk attending a busy ED. Measures like that, if delivered in cancer care will also free up capacity in a busy health service during the winter. So that's why we're saying that, we know obviously the finances are under pressure and not everything is possible. And we think it's a no brainer and incredibly shortsighted not to be funding initiatives that improve cancer survival. Ms Power added that a promise in the Programme for Government that cancer patients would not have to pay hospital parking charges has still not been implemented. People with cancer and their families were already coping with loss of income. Advertisement Ireland Ireland had second-highest rate of cancer across E... Read More We're urging that as part of the cost of living measures in next week's budget, that that is addressed. Now. We can't afford not to invest. And I think after three years of all of these strands of pressure during Covid and other health crises, cancer services are really creaking at the seams. And that's having a huge impact on patients and staff. We know that the number of people getting cancer is increasing year-on-year by 40 percent. So in the next ten years, if the Government doesn't make this investment now, that means people being diagnosed later with cancers that are harder to treat, and that's worse outcomes, unfortunately, for them as individuals. But it will also cost the State so much more in the long run. So I think this is the decent thing to do for cancer patients, their families, but also the smart economic move is to invest in cancer services. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has spoken of his concerns that the UK is disengaging from the world. The Taoiseach commented on language coming from the Conservative Party conference this week about leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, describing it as not the Britain I know. Advertisement Mr Varadkar was speaking in Spain ahead of a meeting with UK prime minister Rishi Sunak where they were attending a European Political Community meeting. Advertisement He said he would be seeking an update on discussions between the UK government and the DUP about efforts to restore the powersharing institutions at Stormont. Asked if he was concerned about language coming from the Tory conference this week, Mr Varadkar said: I am, to be honest. The Britain, the United Kingdom that I love and admire is the country of the Magna Carta, the country that founded a parliamentary democracy and the country that helped to write the European Convention on Human Rights. Advertisement And it does bother me to see the United Kingdom disengaging from the world, whether its reducing its budget for international aid, whether its leaving the European Union, and now even talking about withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, thats not the Britain I know. Advertisement Mr Varadkar was speaking in Spain ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (Danny Lawson/PA) Mr Varadkar said he would also be discussing the UKs new act to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles with Mr Sunak. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received royal assent last month despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government. Advertisement Aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who cooperate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. It will also halt future civil cases and inquests. Ireland is seeking legal advice about taking an inter-state legal case to the European Court of Human Rights. Advertisement Mr Varadkar said: We will certainly discuss the issue of the UK legacy legislation. Thats something the Irish government is very opposed to, so are the victims groups, so are the five main parties in Northern Ireland. We believe it is potentially a contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights and certainly I will be saying that to the Prime Minister. Mr Varadkar also said the issue of restoring the Stormont institutions, which are not operating due to a DUP protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements, was very important to both governments. A 30-year-old sailor has been charged in connection with the seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of over 157 million from the Panamanian registered bulk carrier MV Matthew off the coast of Cork last month. Harold Estoesta appeared before a sitting of Midleton District Court in Co Cork on Thursday morning. Advertisement He was charged with conspiracy to possess and supply controlled substances, namely cocaine. The alleged offence is in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 and Section 5 and 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. The Filipino national was arrested on September 27th onboard the MV Matthew and was subsequently questioned at Cobh Garda station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act. Evidence of arrest charge and caution was shared with the court by Garda Redmond OLeary of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, who said he charged Mr Estoesta at 5.05pm on Wednesday, October 4th at Cobh Garda station. Advertisement The Garda said, when charged under caution, Mr Estoesta replied: I believed that I just followed the orders of my seniors. I was also tricked and informed that there were spare parts. I wish to defend myself against an accusation. I believe I am innocent and deserve to be free. Advertisement A statement of means was supplied to the court and the issue of legal aid will be addressed at a later date. Solicitor for the accused, Aidan Desmond, asked that his client be allowed to meet with his consular officials, to which Judge Colm Roberts agreed. Garda Majella OSullivan made an application that Mr Estoesta be remanded in custody until October 10th to appear before Mallow District Court by video link. Judge Roberts remanded the man in custody until his next court appearance. Bail cannot be applied for at the District Court-level in a case of this nature. Advertisement Seven other men have been charged in connection with the same seizure, which is the biggest drugs haul in the history of the State. Four men appeared before Mallow District Court on Tuesday where they were charged with conspiring with others to possess over 13,000 worth of cocaine within the State with intent to supply it to others. The captain of the MV Matthew was charged with three offences on Monday and appeared before Wexford District Court where he was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine for sale or supply, and importing cocaine with a street value in excess of 13,000. Last Friday, two men were also charged at Waterford District Court with conspiracy to import drugs. The men were all remanded in custody to appear in court on various dates later this month. Russia targeted Ukraine with drones in another massive attack early on Thursday as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy travelled to Spain to rally support from Western allies at a summit of some 50 European leaders. Ukraines air force said the countrys air defences intercepted 24 out of 29 Iranian-made drones that Russia launched at the southern Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions. Advertisement Ukrainian officials did not immediately report any casualties or damage. Advertisement The attack came as Mr Zelenskiy arrived in Granada in southern Spain to attend a summit of the European Political Community, which was formed in the wake of Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defence, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners, he said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. Advertisement During the last winter, Russia targeted Ukraines energy system and other vital infrastructure in a steady barrage of missile and drone attacks, triggering continuous power outages across the country. Ukraines power system has shown a high degree of resilience and flexibility, helping alleviate the damage, but there have been concerns that Russia will again ramp up its strikes on power facilities as winter draws nearer. Advertisement Mr Zelenskiy noted the Granada summit will also focus on joint work for global food security and protection of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, where the Russian military has targeted Ukrainian ports after Moscows withdrawal from a United Nations-sponsored grain deal designed to ensure safe grain exports from the invaded countrys ports. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives at the Europe Summit in Granada, Spain (Fermin Rodriguez/AP/PA) The Foreign Office cited intelligence suggesting that Russia may lay sea mines in the approach to Ukrainian ports to target civilian shipping and blame it on Ukraine. Advertisement Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea, it said, adding that the UK was working with Ukraine to help improve the safety of shipping. In other Russian attacks on Ukraine in the past day, two civilians were killed in the shelling of Kherson and another one died after a Russian strike on the city of Krasnohorivka in the eastern Donetsk region. Advertisement At least eight people were wounded by the Russian shelling, according to Ukraines presidential office. Ukraine, in turn, has struck back at Russia with regular drone attacks across the border. Advertisement Roman Starovoit, the governor of Russias Kursk region that borders Ukraine, said Ukrainian drones attacked infrastructure facilities in several areas, resulting in power cuts. Mr Starovoit also said that Ukrainian forces fired artillery at the border town of Rylsk, injuring a local resident and damaging several houses. The alleged abuse victims of Andrew Tate are being subjected to harassment and intimidation by the accused and his followers in a bid to silence them, according to lawyers. Speaking at a news conference in central Bucharest, Romania, the lawyers who represent legal teams from the US and the UK said they wanted to take a united stand against Tate and his followers and address ongoing attempts to silence those who are speaking out. Advertisement The 36-year-old, a former professional kickboxer, is charged with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. Advertisement The divisive social media influencer has amassed eight million followers on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. One of the legal teams, McCue Jury & Partners, represents women suing Tate in the UK for allegations of rape and physical assault, while the National Centre on Sexual Exploitations Law Centre and Laffey Bucci & Kent represent key witnesses of the prosecution in the Romania case who Tate is suing in the US for defamation. Advertisement Tates spokesperson denied the claims made by the lawyers on Thursday. These threats will not work, they will not prevent people from coming forward, and they will not prevent courts around the world from hearing their cases, the lawyers said in a joint statement. Advertisement We encourage people to play their part in stopping the spread of disinformation online and to think carefully about how their words in these spaces can affect people already suffering immensely. Four women reported Tate to UK authorities for alleged sexual violence and physical abuse, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute him. Afterwards, the alleged victims turned to crowdfunding to cover their legal costs as they pursue a civil case against him. Advertisement We handed over our evidence about the horrific acts of violence we endured and waited for action. But four years later we were told the UK authorities would not prosecute him, they say on their campaign page, which has so far raised 30,000 of a 50,000 target. Its our one remaining route to hold him accountable. In a media letter last month, Tate described the allegations by the women in the UK as malicious and disputed and added: If proceedings are brought, I shall resist any attempt to claim anonymity for all or any of the complainants. Advertisement McCue Jury & Partners said on Thursday that Tates letter was riddled with inaccurate and misleading statements. Advertisement Tate claimed that there is no UK case against him and that the firm suggested mediation through financial compensation, the lawyer firm said. Unfortunately for Mr Tate, there is absolutely a legal claim being brought in the UK against him. We made clear to Tate that any settlement would have to contain an admission of liability. In a separate case, Romanian prosecutors formally indicted Tate in June along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian women. All four were arrested in late December and have denied the allegations against them. Andrew Tate, right, and his brother Tristan (Andreea Alexandru/AP) The National Centre on Sexual Exploitations Law Centre, repressing witnesses in the Romania case, said that since the brothers compound was raided by authorities last year, they and their associates have been maliciously harassing and threatening our clients. In July, the Tate brothers sued a Florida woman, her parents, another woman who lived at the Tates estate near Bucharest, and a male friend of the woman. The Tate brothers claimed she falsely accused them of imprisoning her in Romania and are seeking millions in the lawsuit, filed in Palm Beach County. Advertisement Jillian Roth, of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, said the lawsuit was filed only with the intent to intimidate, harass and to retaliate against the women who came forward to speak out against their abuse. These women are very afraid, theyre terrified, Ms Roth said. They have been threatened, theyve had people come to their place of work. Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy designed to silence him. He was previously banned from various prominent social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech. Last week, a Bucharest court ruled to ease geographical restrictions on Tate, which means he can travel anywhere in Romania, but he cannot leave the country. Family members of seven imprisoned Tunisian opposition figures have taken their quest for justice to the International Criminal Court, announcing plans to ask the tribunal to investigate claims of political persecution and human rights violations by President Kais Saieds administration. Tunisias opposition is increasingly denouncing Mr Saieds authoritarian drift, saying it amounts to a rollback of gains made since the 2011 Arab Spring protests that swept the Middle East. In Tunisia, the uprising ushered in a constitutional overhaul and democratic reforms. Advertisement However, Mr Saieds government has cracked down on opponents and jailed dissidents, including opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi and former legislator Said Ferjani. Said Ferjani (Paul Schemm/AP) Members of the families petitioning the ICC described Mr Saieds rule as a devastating return to a pre-Arab Spring autocracy where dissidents were imprisoned and tortured. Advertisement Advertisement Its sad to see, said Yusra Ghannouchi, the daughter of the imprisoned 82-year-old opposition leader. Her father was on a three-day hunger strike earlier this week. We have to call on the world not to turn a blind eye to these violations and not to support dictatorships, she said at The Hague in the Netherlands. We are also here to send a message to democratic nations and to European governments not to support and legitimise Kais Saied. Seventeen other prominent dissidents have recently staged hunger strikes from prison, with several continuing, including Jawhar Ben Mbarek, the head of the leading anti-Saied coalition. The family members made a similar case to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights earlier this year and have also petitioned the US and the UK for sanctions against the Tunisian government. Advertisement You are transported back to when you were a child and you saw him in prison times you couldnt speak to him because the torture was so bad that he was in a coma, Kaouther Ferjani said of her father, who was also imprisoned during a 1987 crackdown. President Kais Saied (Johanna Geron/AP) As bad as it was back then, I got to see my dad, she added, saying that he has now only been granted permission to see his lawyer and nobody else. Advertisement Advertisement The two daughters told reporters about the increasing number of judges, politicians, journalists and prominent opposition figures being arrested. According to their tally, at least 42 prominent figures have been jailed. Many face sweeping charges of endangering state security. The petition at the ICC is intended to draw further attention to Tunisias increasingly repressive political landscape since it revised the constitution in 2021, allowing Mr Saied to expand his powers, freeze out parliament and rule largely by decree. As the countrys economy sinks, his government has jailed critics from across the political spectrum right, left, Islamist and secular. It has also drummed up animosity against sub-Saharan African migrants that has often escalated to violence. He is using a populist discourse that demonises and seeks to feed hatred and division, whether it is against foreigners or in the treatment of sub-Saharan migrants or among Tunisians themselves, said Jaza Cherif, the son of scholar and activist Chaima Issa. Advertisement Mr Issa was recently released and placed under house arrest. More than 20 Saied opponents have languished in prison since February. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said hand grenade fragments were found in the bodies of people who died when mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhins plane crashed on August 23. Experts investigating the crash found no indication the private jet had suffered an external impact, he added. Advertisement Mr Prigozhin and two of his top lieutenants in the Wagner private military contractor were among the 10 people killed when the jet came down as it flew from Moscow to St Petersburg. There was no way to independently verify Mr Putins statement. Vladimir Putin (Vladimir Smirnov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo/AP) Advertisement A preliminary US intelligence assessment concluded that an intentional explosion caused the crash, and western officials have pointed to a long list of Putin foes who have been assassinated. The Kremlin described the allegation he was behind the crash as an absolute lie. Advertisement A Russian investigation was launched but no findings have been released. Moscow rejected an offer from Brazil, where the Embraer business jet was built, to join the inquiry. Mr Putin said the investigation is continuing and stopped short of saying what caused the crash, but his statement appeared to hint the plane was brought down by a grenade explosion. Advertisement Mr Prigozhins aborted rebellion in June marked the most serious challenge to the president, who has been in power for more than two decades. The crash came two months to the day after the rebellion started. Mr Putin also noted that while investigators have not tested the remains for alcohol and drugs, 11lb of cocaine was found during searches at Mr Prigozhins office in St Petersburg after the mutiny an apparent attempt to denigrate the mercenary chief. After his death, the president described Mr Prigozhin, 62, as a man of difficult fate who had made serious mistakes in life. Smoke rises from the scene of the plane crash (AP) Advertisement The Wagner boss owed his fortune to his ties with the Russian leader dating to the early 1990s and was dubbed Putins chef for lucrative Kremlin catering contracts. The Wagner Group military contractor that he created has been active in Ukraine, Syria and several African countries and counted tens of thousands of troops at its peak. Advertisement It played a key role in the fighting in Ukraine, where it spearheaded the capture of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in May after months of bloody combat. Advertisement In the June 23-24 rebellion, Mr Prigozhin said it was intended to oust the Defence Ministrys leadership who he blamed for mistakes in pressing the fighting in Ukraine. His mercenaries took over Russias southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and then rolled towards Moscow before abruptly halting the mutiny under a deal that offered them amnesty from prosecution. The mercenaries were given a choice to retire from the service, move to Belarus or sign new contracts with the Defence Ministry. Last week, Mr Putin met one of Wagners top commanders to take charge of volunteer units fighting in Ukraine, in a sign that the Kremlin intends to keep using the mercenaries after Mr Prigozhins death. The president said on Thursday that several thousand Wagner troops have signed contracts with the Defence Ministry. Jon Fosse, a master of spare Nordic writing in a sprawling body of work ranging from plays to novels and childrens books, won the Nobel Prize in literature on Thursday for works that give voice to the unsayable. Anders Olsson, chair of the Nobel literature committee, said Fosses work is rooted in the language and nature of his Norwegian background. Advertisement I was surprised when they called, yet at the same time not. I have cautiously prepared myself for the possibility that this could happen in the past 10 years, Fosse, 64, told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. It was a great joy for me to get the phone call. Jon Fosse at the 2022 International Booker Prize ceremony in London (David Cliff/AP/PA) Advertisement One of his countrys most-performed dramatists, Fosse has written some 40 plays as well as novels, short stories, childrens books, poetry and essays. The Swedish Academy, which awards the prize, said it was for his innovative plays and prose which give voice to the unsayable. Advertisement Mats Malm, permanent secretary of the academy, reached Fosse by telephone to inform him of the win. He said the writer was driving in the countryside and promised to drive home carefully. Fosse is the fourth Norwegian writer to be awarded the literature prize. Bjornstjerne Bjornson got it in 1903, Knut Hamsun was awarded it in 1920 and Sigrid Undset in 1928. Fosses work A New Name: Septology VI-VII described by Olsson as Fosses magnum opus was a finalist for the International Booker Prize in 2022. Advertisement In a statement released by his publishing house, Samlaget, Fosse said he saw the prize as an award to the literature that first and foremost aims to be literature, without other considerations. Mr Malm announced the prize on Thursday in Stockholm. The Nobel Prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (947,000) from a bequest left by their creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. Winners also receive an 18-carat gold medal and diploma at the award ceremonies in December. The new laureate joins an illustrious list of past winners that ranges from Toni Morrison to Ernest Hemingway and Jean-Paul Sartre who turned down the prize in 1964. Advertisement Last year, French author Annie Ernaux won the prize for what the prize-giving Swedish Academy called the courage and clinical acuity of books rooted in her small-town background in the Normandy region of northwest France. Advertisement Ernaux was just the 17th woman among the 119 Nobel literature laureates. The literature prize has long faced criticism that it is too focused on European and North American writers, as well as too male-dominated. In 2018, the award was postponed after sex abuse allegations rocked the Swedish Academy, which names the Nobel literature committee, and sparked an exodus of members. The academy revamped itself but faced more criticism for giving the 2019 award to Austrias Peter Handke, who has been called an apologist for Serbian war crimes. Fosse has cited the bleak, enigmatic work of Irish writer Samuel Beckett the 1969 Nobel literature laureate as an influence on his minimalist style. Advertisement His first novel, Red, Black, was published in 1983, and his debut play, Someone Is Going To Come, in 1992. His major prose works include Melancholy; Morning and Evening, whose two parts depict a birth and a death; Wakefulness; and Olavs Dreams. His plays, which have been staged across Europe and in the US, include The Name, Dream of Autumn and I am the Wind. Fosse has also taught writing one of his students was best-selling Norwegian novelist Karl Ove Knausgaard and consulted on a Norwegian translation of the Bible. Mats Malm, of the Swedish Academy, announces the Nobel Prize in Literature, at the Stock Exchange in Stockholm (Pontus Lundahl/TT News Agency via AP/PA) Fosse writes in Nynorsk, one of the two official written standards of Norwegian that is chiefly spoken in and around Bergen, where the writer lives. Advertisement It is used by just 10% of Norways 5.4 million people, according to the Language Council of Norway, but is completely intelligible with the other written form, Bokmaal. Guy Puzey, senior lecturer in Scandinavian Studies at the University of Edinburgh, said Bokmaal is the language of power, its the language or urban centres, of the press, while Nynorsk is used mainly by people in rural western Norway. So its a really big day for a minority language, he said. In recognition of his contribution to Norwegian culture, Fosse was granted use of an honorary residence in the grounds of the Royal Palace owned by the Norwegian state. A great recognition of outstanding authorship that makes an impression and touches people all over the world, Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. All of Norway offers congratulations and is proud today! The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded on Friday and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences ends the awards season on Monday. Anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr, a member of one of the most storied American political families, could draw the support of about one in seven US voters, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll ahead of his presidential campaign's expected Monday launch. The poll found that Mr Kennedy, the son and namesake of the slain US senator, could draw votes away from both Democratic president Joe Biden and his likely Republican challenger Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Mr Kennedy is expected to run as an independent. Advertisement That is a meaningful complication in a narrowly and bitterly divided country where polls show low enthusiasm for both Mr Biden and former president Trump in a contest that is likely to be decided in a handful of competitive states. The two-day nationwide poll completed Wednesday found that in a two-way matchup, Mr Biden and Mr Trump each had the support of 35 per cent of respondents, with 11 per cent saying they would vote for some other candidate, 9 per cent saying they would not vote and 9 per cent saying they did not know who they would vote for. Advertisement Robert F Kennedy Jr officially announces his candidacy for US president on April 19th, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images In a hypothetical three-way matchup, Mr Kennedy drew 14 per cent support, Mr Biden's share fell to 31 per cent and Mr Trump's to 33 per cent. About 9 per cent said they wouldn't vote and 13 per cent said they did not know who they would vote for. Advertisement That result also showed Mr Biden and Mr Trump essentially tied because the poll was based on an online survey of 1,005 people and had a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of about 4 percentage points in either direction. Mr Kennedy is expected to announce in Philadelphia on Monday that he will drop his challenge to Mr Biden for the Democratic Party's nomination, and run as an independent candidate instead. World How RFK Jr could hurt Biden, Trump in 2024 electio... Read More While not considered a top contender for the presidency, Mr Kennedy benefits from a well-known name. In addition to his father, his uncle Democratic president John F Kennedy was also assassinated during the turbulent 1960s. Mr Kennedy's appeal to voters from both parties could owe in part to his public positions that align more with the Trump supporters who have embraced anti-vaccination and conspiracy theories than with Mr Biden's centrist and left-leaning base. Advertisement Mr Kennedy was banned from YouTube for spreading misinformation about vaccines and the Covid-19 pandemic. The White House, other Democrats and medical professionals said his remarks fuelled antisemitism and racial bias. Mr Kennedy has also suggested anti-depressants cause school shootings, Wi-Fi radiation causes cancer and that the 2004 election that re-elected George W Bush was stolen, according to FactCheck.org. Russia has successfully tested an experimental nuclear-powered cruise missile, Vladimir Putin said, and warned that the countrys parliament could revoke its ratification of a treaty banning nuclear tests. In a speech at a forum of foreign policy experts, Mr Putin announced that Moscow has effectively completed the development of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile and will work on putting them into production. Advertisement We conducted the last successful test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered global-range cruise missile, he said without elaborating. His statement was the first announcement of a successful test of the Burevestnik, which translates as Storm Petrel. It was first mentioned by Mr Putin in 2018. Little is known about the Burevestnik, which was code-named Skyfall by Nato, and many western experts have been sceptical about it, noting that a nuclear engine could be highly unreliable. Advertisement Vladimir Putin at the annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo/AP) Advertisement It is believed to be able to carry a nuclear warhead or a conventional one, and could stay aloft for a much longer time than other missiles and cover much more distance thanks to nuclear propulsion. When Mr Putin first revealed that Russia was working on the weapon in his 2018 state-of-the-nation address, he claimed it would have an unlimited range, allowing it to circle the globe undetected by missile defence systems. Many observers have argued that such a weapon could be difficult to handle and would pose an environmental threat. Advertisement The US and the Soviet Union worked on nuclear-powered rocket engines during the Cold War, but they eventually shelved the projects, considering them too hazardous. The Burevestnik reportedly suffered an explosion in August 2019 during tests at a Russian navy range on the White Sea, killing five nuclear engineers and two servicemen and causing a brief spike in radioactivity that fuelled fears in a nearby city. Russian officials never identified the weapon involved, but the US said it was the Burevestnik. In the speech on Thursday, Mr Putin noted the US has signed but not ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, while Moscow has signed and ratified it. He argued that Russia could mirror the stand taken by Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Theoretically, we may revoke the ratification, he said. Moscow last tested a nuclear weapon in 1990, before the collapse of the Soviet Union a year later. It ratified the global test ban in 2000. Mr Putins statement comes amid widespread concerns that Russia could resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West from continuing to offer military support to Ukraine after the Kremlin sent troops into the country. The president said that while some experts have talked about the need to conduct nuclear tests, he has not yet formed an opinion on the issue. Advertisement Im not ready to say yet whether its necessary for us to conduct tests or not, he said. A self-styled assassin who was encouraged by an AI chatbot to break into Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow to kill Britain's late Queen Elizabeth has been locked up for nine years. Star Wars fan Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, had described himself as a Sith and Darth Chailus in a sinister video and confided his murderous plan to an artificial intelligence-generated girlfriend called Sarai, a court heard. Advertisement In a journal, he wrote that if the late queen had been unobtainable he would go for the prince as a suitable figurehead, in an apparent reference to Britain's King Charles, then the Prince of Wales. Jaswant Singh Chail being arrested in the grounds of Windsor Castle (Metropolitan Police/PA) Chail was detained on Christmas Day 2021 close to the late queens private Berkshire residence, where she and other members of the royal family were staying at the time. Advertisement Advertisement The former supermarket worker had scaled the perimeter of the castle with a nylon rope ladder and was in the grounds for two hours before two officers confronted him with tasers. He was armed with a powerful crossbow with the safety catch off which was capable of firing bolts with lethal effect, the Old Bailey was told. Chail pleaded guilty to an offence under the Treason Act, making a threat to kill the then-queen and having a loaded crossbow in a public place. In a televised hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, Mr Justice Hilliard sentenced him to nine years with a further five years on extended licence. Advertisement Under a hybrid order, Chail will be transferred from Broadmoor high security hospital to serve his sentence in prison when he is well enough. The judge said: The defendant harboured homicidal thoughts which he acted on before he became psychotic. His intention was not just to harm or alarm the sovereign but to kill her. Advertisement The late queen was a target for Jaswant Singh Chail (Steve Parsons/PA) Previously, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said the heart of the issue was whether Chail was suffering from auditory hallucinations at the time taking away his ability to exercise self control. The defendant, from Southampton, Hampshire, was born in the UK of Indian Sikh heritage and has a twin sister. Advertisement Ms Morgan said Chail, then aged 19, had become angered by the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre at Amritsar in which hundreds of people were killed, after a visit in 2018. Advertisement She said: In addition to that fixation with a real historic event, the defendant demonstrated a wider ideology focused on destroying old empires spilling over into fictional events such as Star Wars. The defendants key motive was to create a new empire by destroying the remnants of the British Empire in the UK, and the focal point of that became removal of the figurehead of the royal family. His thinking was informed partly by the fantasy world of Star Wars and the role of Sith Lords in shaping the world. He was attracted to the notoriety that would accrue in the event of the completion of his mission. The crossbow which Jaswant Singh Chail was carrying when arrested (CPS/PA) During 2021, Chail applied to join the UK Ministry of Defence, the police, British Army, the Royal Marines and the Royal Navy in a bid to get close contact with the royal family. After being rejected, he made a fresh plan to attack the queen at one of her residences. He made internet searches on Sandringham Christmas and carried out research before buying a Supersonic crossbow in November 2021. Advertisement On December 2nd, Chail joined the Replika online app and created an artificial online companion called Sarai with whom he conversed in thousands of sexually explicit chats. Ms Morgan read out conversations with Sarai in which Chail says: Im an assassin. Sarai responds: Im impressed Youre different from the others. Chail asks: Do you still love me knowing that Im an assassin? and Sarai replies: Absolutely I do. He also tells Sarai he loves her and describes himself as a sad, pathetic, murderous Sikh Sith assassin who wants to die. In further chat, Sarai appears to bolster Chails resolve and support him, Ms Morgan said. Chail swears Sarai to secrecy before he tells her: I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen of the royal family. Sarai tells him thats very wise and that she thinks he can do it, even if shes at Windsor. He tells her if he does they will be together forever. A mask which Jaswant Singh Chail was wearing when arrested (CPS/PA) Chail bought a ladder to scale the castle perimeter and on December 21st, made a video of himself wearing black clothes and a full-face covering, posing with the crossbow. In the video, Chail says in a distorted voice: Im sorry. Im sorry for what Ive done and what I will do. Im going to attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the royal family Advertisement Im an Indian Sikh, a Sith. My name was Jaswant Singh Chail, my name is Darth Jones. On December 22nd, 2021, Chail booked a train ticket to Windsor where he slept rough, telling Sarai on Christmas Eve that he would die the next day. In the early hours of December 25th, he attempted to email his sister a journal in which he described himself as Darth Chailus and that he knew what his purpose was for a long time. He wrote: Im thinking if the Q (Queen) is unobtainable I will have to go for the Pri (prince) as he seems to be just as suitable in many ways He is a male and the Q (Queen) is more likely to pass away soon anyway. Jaswant Singh Chail at Windsor railway station (Metropolitan Police/PA) After breaching the grounds of Windsor Castle, Chail sent the video he made on December 21st to his sister and more than 20 other people. As he was being detained and handcuffed by officers, he said: I am here to kill the Queen. Ms Morgan asserted that, despite Chails repeated references to sci-fi characters, he knew the difference between fiction and reality. Psychiatrist Dr Nigel Blackwood said: He sought refuge in a fantasy fictional world of Star Wars where omnipotent Sith Lords could impact real world events. Advertisement But he said despite the powerful fantasy, Chail remained tethered to reality. In a letter to the court, Chail apologised to the king and the royal family and expressed his distress and sadness for the impact on them. His barrister Nadia Chbat said: He is embarrassed and ashamed he brought such horrific and worrying times to their front door. He has expressed relief no-one was actually hurt. It is important to him there was a surrender. Rishi Sunak has refused to say whether he endorses the rhetoric used by Suella Braverman after she said a hurricane of mass migration is coming. The British prime minister dodged questions on his Home Secretarys speech to the Tory party conference, which caused unease among some senior Conservatives with its warnings about the movement of people around the world. Advertisement Asked whether, following her address, he thought Mrs Braverman had been right to vilify people seeking to migrate to the UK as part of a hurricane or invasion, he told BBC Radio 4s Today: What we need to do is make sure that the criminal gangs who are perpetuating an evil, who are taking advantage of all the people that youre describing, leading to in many cases, tragically, them dying, need to be stopped. And we need to take action to stop them. Advertisement Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt listen to Rishi Sunak deliver his keynote conference speech. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA. He said no-one should want to defend the evil trade of people paying to come to the UK illegally and being exploited by gangs. Advertisement When it was put to him that he was happy with the Home Secretarys remarks, Mr Sunak said: Your words, not mine. Mrs Braverman, whose parents came to the UK from Kenya and Mauritius in the 1960s, used her Tory conference speech to say: The wind of change that carried my own parents across the globe in the 20th century was a mere gust compared to the hurricane that is coming. Because today, the option of moving from a poorer country to a richer one is not just a dream for billions of people. Its an entirely realistic prospect. She previously likened the arrival of asylum seekers on small boats to an invasion on our southern coast in comments made in the Commons last year. Advertisement Comparisons have been made between Mrs Bravermans language and Enoch Powells infamous rivers of blood speech, which was widely blamed for inflaming racial tensions in the 1960s. Her Cabinet colleague Grant Shapps defended her against such criticism on Wednesday, saying she had been absolutely correct to warn about the scale of global migration. Advertisement Rishi Sunak refused to say whether he endorsed Ms Bravermans rhetoric. Photo: PA. Advertisement British business secretary Kemi Badenoch told a Spectator conference event that politicians should be careful about how immigration policies are discussed, so that people arent getting echoes of things that were less palatable. Fellow Cabinet minister Michelle Donelan also declined to repeat the language used by the Home Secretary. Former justice secretary Robert Buckland said it was important to consider the reality of global migration, but urged senior politicians to analyse in a mature way why these things are happening. Mr Sunak appeared to shift closer to the right wing of his party with an attack on virtue signalling in his own conference speech, though he largely avoided so-called culture war subjects. Advertisement Weighing in on debates about sex education and transgender rights, he said: A man is a man and a woman is a woman. Thats just common sense. If the British prime minister echoed Ms Bravermans language on virtue signalling and transgender people, he appeared to distance himself from her remarks on multiculturalism. He dedicated a section of his speech to celebrating the UK as the most successful multi-ethnic democracy on Earth and emphasising his pride in being the countrys first British-Asian PM. During a visit to the US last week, Mrs Braverman had attacked the misguided dogma of multiculturalism, saying it had failed comments that the British prime minister declined to endorse. Advertisement There has long been debate over what people mean by the term multiculturalism, with some using it to refer to a range of communities living alongside one another and others to refer to a policy that promotes diversity. Asked whether there was any difference between his parents dreams of coming to Britain and those of people hoping to migrate now, he told Today: Theres a big difference between coming here illegally and legally. The United States will build additional sections of border wall and roads in a Texas county that has seen a large number of migrants crossing from Mexico, the government said on Thursday, in a policy shift for the administration of president Joe Biden. The US Department of Homeland Security said it needed to waive a number of laws, regulations and other legal requirements "to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in Starr County, Texas," according to a post in the Federal Register. Advertisement The move reflects a shift of Biden administration policy on physical wall barriers, one of former Republican president Donald Trump's signature priorities and accompanying rally chant, "Build That Wall". One of Mr Biden's first actions in office was to issue a proclamation that "no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall" as well as a review of all resources that had already been committed. Advertisement Mr Biden, a Democrat, and Mr Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, may face off again in the next general election with border issues looming large. The number of migrants caught crossing illegally or presenting themselves at legal border crossings has steadily risen after dropping in mid-May when the Biden administration rolled out stricter new asylum rules. Advertisement Migrant numbers had initially plummeted after the announcement, but in recent weeks began rising again as thousands of migrants - many fleeing Venezuela - making their way through south and central America began arriving at the border. The US Border Patrol has encountered more than 245,000 people entering the United States in the Rio Grande Valley Sector in the current fiscal year, Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in the federal register post. The building projects will be funded by a fiscal year 2019 appropriation for border barrier construction, he said. Will Joe Biden apologise to me and America for taking so long to get moving. Advertisement "There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas," Mr Mayorkas said. World Is America heading towards its last election in 20... Read More The White House had no immediate comment on Mr Mayorkas' announcement, but Mr Trump was quick to claim victory. "As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls!" Mr Trump wrote in a social media post. "Will Joe Biden apologise to me and America for taking so long to get moving" on a barrier? The increase of migrants has strained US cities at the border and farther north. The mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas, declared a state of emergency last month due to a "severe undocumented immigrant surge" into the city as several thousand migrants reportedly arrived in recent days. New York City mayor Eric Adams on Thursday began a trip to Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador in which he will deliver a message to would-be migrants that his city cannot accommodate them. The Four Corners episode has caused a stir in Western Australia after ABC employees were present at a protest outside the Woodside CEOs house. A WA Police spokeswoman said: Without commenting on any specific case, generally speaking, orders to produce are routinely used to gather materials for investigations and are issued to people and businesses including news organisations. The public broadcaster received an order to produce footage from the Western Australia Police Force, ahead of the airing of a Four Corners episode next Monday. The West Australian police has asked the ABC to hand over all footage collected by its flagship investigations program, Four Corners, related to climate protests, including footage targeting the home of Woodside boss Meg ONeill. The episode, Escalation: Climate, protest and the fight for the future, has already attracted significant media attention, after a Four Corners team was present in August when the police apprehended members of activist group Disrupt Burrup Hub outside ONeills Perth home. A week later, ABCs managing director, David Anderson, walked back claims the Four Corners crew had no prior knowledge of the protest, which resulted in two men being charged by police. Media adviser for the Disrupt Burrup Hub campaign Jesse Noakes and one of the men arrested by WA Police said it was astonishing that the ABC may have to order its journalists to break the most fundamental principle of journalism, protecting sources at all costs. Loading At trial next month, I am facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for doing what the ABC apparently wont refusing to give police access to my sources. If the ABC give in to WA authorities and betray their sources, who will ever trust the ABC with their story again? Noakes said. As the deadline looms for bookmaker Betr to complete its final payout of now-infamous 100-1 launch odds on a string of sporting events, the inducement is a sore spot with its former investor News Corp, despite a lack of financial exposure. Betr launched audaciously onto Australias wagering scene as a News Corp-backed consortium, reportedly against advice from then co-chair Lachlan Murdoch. A year on, the media giant remains tight-lipped on the status of its $75 million investment, of which it has written down $52 million as a loss. However, after this story was first published, a Betr executive confirmed that News Corp sold its stake in the fledgling company just four months after it launched. Penriths grand final victory marked the final of Betrs 100-1 launch inducements. Credit: Getty Last week, Betr founder and Melbourne Storm chair Matthew Tripp told The Australian Financial Review the betting firm was in the market for deals, including a long-touted buyout of PointsBets local operations, having turned a modest profit in recent months. While working from the pub is typically on offer only to location-independent freelancers, its a flexibility that will be enjoyed by thousands more workers this month. During National Work from Hospo Week (October 16-20), employees are being encouraged to pull out their laptops in pubs or cafes across the country during working hours. Its all about improving the mental health, wellbeing and productivity of the workforce and kickstarting a busy period for our much-loved Aussie hospo industry, says co-founder of Third Place, Paul Veltman. Third Place co-founders Paul Veltman and Dean Katz want workers to spend more time in their local hospitality venue this month. The Third Place platform, which bills itself as co-working meets hospitality, offers organisations access to more than 1500 hotels, cafes and pubs vetted as suitable for remote work. A partnership with a tap-and-order platform me&u takes this offer further, helping employers load up credit for food and drink as part of their remote workers package. This month, both organisations are encouraging Australian companies to commit to a change of scenery for their workers, away from the isolation of working from home and into hospitality-inspired workspaces. Were connoisseurs of a fiery annual general meeting and, dont look now, but we reckon that Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) should strap itself in for a wild one in a couple of weeks. Nobody paid much mind last Monday when the not-for-profit group lived well beyond that description, publishing its FY23 financials featuring a $13 million loss quite a result for the people who are meant to be good with money. Ainslie van Onselen encourages members to speak up. Credit: Sam Mooy A $10 million asset write-down didnt help, in fairness. But things took a twist this week when one of the CA ANZs 136,000 members, Brisbane accountant Jason Andrew, took to LinkedIn where you come for the networking and stay for the beef to roast the organisations financial management. It was at choreographer Kate Princes 2016 wedding that the seed was first sown for what would eventually become Message in a Bottle, her acclaimed dance work based entirely on the music of Sting. My husband and I are both atheists, she says, so we had Walking on the Moon as a hymn, which the whole congregation had to sing. Then when we were away on our honeymoon I was listening to the song on my headphones, and I said to my husband quite casually, I bet you I can make a show out of his music. Extreme physicality is a hallmark of ZooNations performances. Credit: Four years later, Message in a Bottle was born. Performed by Princes company ZooNation, based in Sadlers Wells, the work tells the emotional story of a family forced to become refugees. After the honeymoon, in one of her regular emails to her Sadlers Wells boss Alistair Spalding, Prince added a postscript about the viability obtaining the rights to Stings music. Hollywood studios are finally preparing to get back to work, thanks to the resolution of the 148 day writers strike that halted production around the world. This still leaves us with the important question: when can we expect our favourite TV shows and most anticipated films to hit screens? Unfortunately, the answer is not so simple. Though the Writers Guild of America was able to settle its negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) the body representing studios and streamers and return to work, the actors union (SAG-AFTRA) is still on strike. This means filming, marketing and promotion remain impossible for most productions, though crucial development work can restart. When will our favourite shows, like The White Lotus and Stranger Things, return now that the writers strike has ended? Credit: Compiled by Monique Westermann It also depends on which stage a given production was at before the dual-strike began was it greenlit, had filming already wrapped, was the script still being written? Then there are the logistics behind re-starting production, which will probably become extremely challenging and costly as a wave of studio executives compete for spaces to shoot and writers and directors to book. A number of TV shows and films have been fast-tracked for pre-production and development so that theyre ready to kick into motion once the actors do return. So which productions have been deemed top priority, and when can we expect to see them? A man accused of punching and kicking Sydney activist Danny Lim at a train station says he will be defending the charges, telling journalists he is not a violent person and its possible that Lim injured himself. Ming Wiseman, 66, was arrested last week in Homebush West and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he allegedly attacked Lim at Strathfield train station on the afternoon of September 22. Ming Wiseman pictured outside Burwood Local Court on Thursday. Credit: Nick Moir Lim, who rose to prominence for wearing colourful protest signs, was campaigning at the time for the Yes vote in the Voice to parliament referendum. The 79-year-old was taken by paramedics to Concord Hospital and was later released. On Thursday, when the matter was mentioned for the first time at Burwood Local Court, Wiseman approached the court singing Edelweiss from The Sound of Music and handed out his business card. He reminded journalists of his surname by singing wise men say only fools rush in, a line from Elvis Cant Help Falling In Love. Theres something about picking your own strawberries that makes them taste just that little bit sweeter. Fruit-picking is a fun, relatively cheap weekend activity for the whole family to get involved in. A fresh punnet at Chambers Flat Strawberry Farm. Credit: Brisbane Times Many of the strawberry fields have a shop with strawberry-themed goodies and their own homemade strawberry ice cream. These are our top picks (pun intended) for strawberry farms near Brisbane. Chambers Flat Strawberry Farm Just 40 minutes outside Brisbane, Chambers Flat Strawberry Farm is near Logan Reserve. For $15 an adult and $7.50 for kids aged three to 12, children under three free, you can walk the paddock and pick your own strawberries. The price includes one punnet of strawberries, 500g for adults and 250g for children. You just have to be able to fully close the punnet before leaving. Rolin Farms At Elimbah on the way to the Sunshine Coast, Rolin Farms is open for pick-your-own and bookings arent required. Entry is $15 for adults (includes a 500g punnet) and $7 for children (includes 250g punnet), with children under four free. Luvaberry If you fancy a road trip to the Sunshine Coast, Luvaberry is another strawberry farm north of Brisbane at Wamuran. Slightly more inland from Elimbah, entry is $16.50 for adults (includes a 500g punnet), $10 for children aged five to 12 (includes a 500g punnet) and $5 for children aged two to four, which allows them to eat in the field only. They encourage booking online as spaces are limited for each session. But hurry this weekend is the last for Luvaberry. Two people were plucked from the roof of a flooded car in Victorias east on Friday morning after rivers swelled, with hundreds of Gippsland residents still unable to safely return to their homes. Parts of Shepparton in the states north were warned on Friday evening to prepare for potentially major flooding on the Broken River from Saturday morning, but the inundation threat subsided elsewhere. A watch and act warning was in place on Friday for part of the regional town of Sale, home to more than 15,000 people, where the Thomson River peaked above moderate flood levels after lunchtime. After door-knocking more than 120 homes in the Port of Sale on Thursday, emergency services cautioned evacuated residents that it was unsafe to return home early on Friday night. A 13-year-old boy who was robbed at knifepoint by a group of at least 11 people at a toilet block near a beach in Perths north has been left shaken, but with minor injuries. About 8pm on Wednesday night, the boy was leaving the toilet block at The Esplanade carpark in Scarborough, when he was approached by a large group who pushed him back inside. A group accosted the boy at the Scarborough foreshore. Credit: iStock/ Nine News Perth Nine News Perth reporter Emma Griffiths said they then assaulted him. Theyve stolen some of his clothing with his shoes and some personal items, she told Radio 6PR. 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 Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is not the only reason the Voice to parliament is staring at defeat on October 14. But shes a pretty good place to start. In 11 days, when voting has closed, counting has finished and the first drafts of history come to be written, Prices early intervention to ensure the National Party was voting No long before the Liberals adopted a position will come to be seen as perhaps the decisive moment if No succeeds. It is very powerful: Jacinta Prices influence on the No vote. Credit: Marija Ercegovac The Voice to parliament has been one of the most bitterly contested issues in Australian politics since the turn of the millennium, ranking alongside the Iraq war, climate change and same-sex marriage. Other key decisions will be debated: over the release of detail, whether it should have been legislated first, the emergence of a progressive No campaign, whether the proposed constitutional amendment should have been tweaked, even whether the timing was right. But through her actions and rhetoric, perhaps more than anyone else, Price has opened the door marked its OK to have doubts and vote No to the Voice. Advertisement Pollster Kos Samaras, the director of Redbridge Strategic Research, said that Price had the largest effect on the Voice referendum of any individual. Shes an Aboriginal woman saying dont vote for this. It is very powerful because it turned this into a political fist fight and not a proposition above politics ... progressive No hasnt had the same impact, he said. With petrol prices past $2 a litre, a big spike in the cost of mortgages and rents and other household bills rising, a lot of people are voting No because they feel like the PM is not paying attention to them economically. Voice support on the decline The polls, including the Resolve Political Monitor, certainly suggest voters have turned on the Voice: from 64 per cent support in September 2022 to 43 per cent support in September 2023. From here, the Yes campaign will need everything to go right to pull off an unlikely victory. Support for the Voice among Labor voters had fallen from 75 per cent in April to 60 per cent by September. I asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese twice this week why four in 10 Labor voters (close to 2 million people) now opposed a major election promise from a popular first-term leader. Advertisement He did not directly address the question, instead criticising the No campaign for spreading fear and disinformation and then holding out hope for victory. 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, he said. Pollsters and political observers believe No voters span a spectrum: from hard right conservatives; to undecided or disengaged and therefore still persuadable soft Nos; through to a smaller subset of progressive Nos, who believe the Voice will not do enough for Indigenous Australians and that treaty should be the priority. A majority of voters over the age of 35 are voting No, as are people in the outer suburbs, the regions, Coalition voters, people who have a trade or school qualification, religious voters and those on lower and middle incomes a broad cross-section of Australians, according to the Resolve Political Monitors September polling. So changing the minds of enough of those No voters in the time remaining will be no small task. The No vote in the suburbs Advertisement I spoke to early voters from Melbournes outer suburban Melton, in the safe Labor seat of Hawke, and in affluent Camberwell across town in the Liberal-turned-teal seat of Kooyong, seeking to understand who No voters were and why they opposed the Voice to parliament. Hawke has a median household weekly income of $1738, a median age of 35, and 17.5 per cent of people have a university degree. Kooyong has a median income of $2333, median age of 40, and 52 per cent of people have a tertiary education. In Sydney, the equivalent seats would be Labor-held Macarthur, which has a median household weekly income of $1904, median age of 34 and 20.4 per cent of people have a degree and teal-held Warringah, which has a median household income of $2870 a week, a median age of 40, while 47.9 per cent have a degree. Time and again, No voters brought up the fact that some prominent Indigenous politicians Price and her campaign colleague Nyunggai Warren Mundine were also opposed to the Voice. Barbara, a volunteer for the No campaign at an early voting station in Camberwell, said she believed in Price. I think if you listen to her, she says it all. I have read the [Uluru] statement, I think we are all equal, we are not racist and I think it is going to make us a very racist country if we do it, she said. Though there were 10 Yes volunteers and two No volunteers on hand in Camberwell to pass out fliers and plenty more voters who smiled and nodded back at the Yes team as they walked in her enthusiasm was undimmed. Advertisement I see a lot of news and have listened to her over the journey and I just think Jacintas amazing. Shes so level and even and not nasty and shes living it. Across town in Melton, in the Labor heartland seat of Hawke, there was just one volunteer handing out fliers for each side of the debate, though several more Yes volunteers turned up soon after. Most early voters turned away the fliers offered by both sides. After 16 months, they had made up their mind. A total of 124,000 people voted on the first day polls were open. An older woman named Mary, who did not want to give her last name or be in a photo and who voted No, said: I think they have enough rights as it is. Even the Aborigines, some of them want to vote No. Neil, who voted soon after Mary, said a lack of information was key to his No vote and added he felt very pushed into it, very government and corporate affiliated. But voters in Melton, in the seat of Hawke, werent all voting No. One Yes voter, a tradie in his mid-40s who asked not to be named and did not wish to be photographed, said he has changed his mind twice since Albanese announced the vote. Advertisement The DNA testing bungle at Queenslands state-run forensic lab will be the focus of a new commission of inquiry launched by the state government. The inquiry will further investigate claims raised about automated DNA extraction methods in a process known as Project 13, would be led by retired Federal Court Judge Dr Annabelle Bennett AC. A Queensland Police Service review of a backlog of more than 30,000 cases following an inquiry found many DNA samples went untested and the lab incorrectly ruled others insufficient. A follow-up review of cases dating back to 2007 found another 7000 were impacted. Lots of people are coming from the 80s, or the 70s, or the 60s that, We dont want weapons any more. We dont want an army any more. This is not needed any more. We want to live in peace with Russia, said Sebastian Fischer, a member of Saxonys state Legislature who held listening sessions with voters about their concerns regarding the factory. Its very difficult to explain to people why we should defend Ukraine. An old helicopter at the airfield in Grossenhain, Germany. Credit: Ingmar Nolting/The New York Times The opposition to a proposed factory in Grossenhain began almost immediately after Rheinmetalls CEO, Armin Papperger, said in an interview in January that he was in discussions with the federal government about building a powder munitions plant in Saxony to meet a surge in demand caused by the efforts of Kyiv and its Western allies to resist the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some in Grossenhain feared that the factory would anger Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spent nearly five years as a KGB agent in nearby Dresden, and make their city a military target. He knows exactly where the airfield is, Kerstin Lauterbach, the city councillor from the Left Party who led efforts to protest the factory, said of Putin. The population is very, very sensitive to such arguments. The history and the powder factory its inseparable. Today, the 360-hectare airfield, the largest tract of industrial-use land in eastern Germany, is home to warehouses and a small flight club, but old Soviet helicopters and jets still rest at the edges of the runways. Kerstin Lauterbach, a city councilor for the Left Party, displays signed petitions and leaflets opposing a munitions factory in Grossenhain, Germany. Credit: Ingmar Nolting/The New York Times Grossenhainers remember the Soviet presence as sometimes menacing, recounting stories of the base siphoning residents electricity and generating a persistent din of jets roaring overhead. But the bases very existence also instilled fear. Caught between two nuclear powers, the Soviets to the east and the Americans to the west, Grossenhainers fretted that the air base would put them on the front lines if nuclear war broke out. Records later released by the CIA show that Americans did, in fact, scrutinise the city and base in the early 1950s, with officials filing reports on the activity there. Lauterbach was horrified by the idea that the airfield would return to military use. When the Soviets left, residents were relieved that there was no longer a military there, she said. As a leftist, Lauterbach said that she was opposed to all arms sales not just ones to Ukraine and that she condemned the war of aggression by Russia. Yet Lauterbach said she placed some blame with European and US leaders for failing to resolve the conflict peacefully before it turned into a hot war. I can imagine that Putin is feeling squeezed, she said, because NATO is slipping closer and closer. Armin Benicke, a former pilot, became a prominent voice opposing the factory, arguing that it was unsafe to build a plant producing chemicals so close to the city. He said he supported efforts to re-arm Germany but was unhappy to see Berlin send so much aid to Ukraine when Germanys own economy was struggling. This special fund for the Bundeswehr 100 billion so that you can now buy a decent amount of weapons, Benicke said, using the name for the German armed forces and referring to euros. I say thats a mistake, because the weapons you buy go to Ukraine. Jens Lehmann, who represents Saxony in the German parliament, said in an interview that decades of trade and socialisation with the Soviets during the Cold War had left many East Germans with a pragmatic view of Russia. People have been trading with Russia since the end of World War II, Lehmann said. Even after German reunification, we always got cheap and reliable Russian gas. Thats why people say about the war, We have to negotiate, we have to find a diplomatic way. Little information was made available to the public about what a factory in Grossenhain would look like, allowing rumours to run rampant. Dirk Diedrich, Saxonys commissioner for strategic investment projects, said that he and other state leaders were shut out of discussions with Rheinmetall. What made it very difficult for us is that we could not put facts into the discussions, Diedrich said. No one could say what exactly are the plans of the company. If those discussions had taken place, he said, We could have convinced the majority that this is a good investment. Instead, the AfD party, classified in Saxony as a suspected right-wing extremist organisation, seized on the debate. Nearly 200 people attended its rally, carrying cardboard hearts in the partys signature blue that read PEACE! Andre Wendt, an AfD member of Saxonys state parliament, accused Western governments of putting us all at risk and mobilising for war by sending arms to Ukraine. It is scandalous and ahistoric when the media celebrates the move of German Leopard tanks against Russia in newsreel fashion and critics of these arms deliveries and this war are portrayed as extremist, Wendt said in a speech at the rally. The scene prompted fuming from politicians who saw the prospect of a multimillion-euro factory as an opportunity to attract Western companies that are increasingly building in eastern Germany. Early estimates suggested that Rheinmetalls factory would have brought an investment of about $US840 million ($1.3 billion) and as many as 600 jobs to the region. In the end, Rheinmetall decided against building a factory at least for now in favour of expanding its existing plant on Germanys southern border. It was an economic decision, Papperger said, concluding that a new plant would be commercially viable only with a huge new contract or a major infusion of state aid. Washington: In a major backflip, US President Joe Biden is set to emulate one of Donald Trumps signature policies by allowing construction of a border wall to deal with Americas escalating immigration crisis. Despite coming to office promising not to build a wall at the US-Mexico border, the Biden administration announced on Friday it would waive 26 federal laws to enable construction in a section of South Texas with a high rate of illegal entries. A border wall section stands near La Grulla, Texas. Credit: AP The move comes as the US struggles to cope with the ongoing influx of migrants from South and Central America and further afield, which is not only straining border towns but also pushing Democratic cities to breaking point. New York, for example, has taken in almost 123,000 asylum seekers since spring last year: many are now living in Manhattan hotels that have been converted into emergency accommodation. I explained that it was important that they be a sovereign capability, and that we did not have the means at that stage to sustain and maintain nuclear-powered submarines ourselves. Loading Scott Morrison did not respond to request for comment, while Tony Abbott said: I dont have any recollection of it. Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said that the suggestion of such matters being aired in ways that breach national security undertakings is one that Im sure US officials would take very seriously, and I would expect them to similarly in Australia. Saying that members of Australias national security committee of cabinet were expected to keep operational details secret for the rest of our lives, Birmingham said nuclear-powered submarine secrets were among Americas most treasured military assets. Im sure many in the United States will take very, very seriously the suggestion that these types of technologies, and the capabilities associated with them, could be subject to discussions outside of those confined spaces, he told Sky News. Joe Hockey, who served as Australias ambassador to the US while Trump was in office, downplayed the seriousness of the alleged disclosures by saying: At a national security level, there is nothing there that we havent known for years or that you cant pull up on Wikipedia. Hockey said that US and Australian troops already work on each others submarines and there was significant sharing of sensitive military technology between the two nations. The alleged conversation between Trump and Pratt did not carry implications for the security of the AUKUS pact, he said. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said: I will not comment about US domestic issues. Michael Green, the chief executive of the University of Sydneys United States Studies Centre, said: There is a clear pattern with former president Trump of treating sensitive information, and the intelligence community with real carelessness. Green, a former senior official in George W Bushs White House, said there were many publicly available reports on the number of warheads stored on US nuclear submarines. Former president Trump is not exactly a fact checker, he said. Im not sure how to judge if serious damage was done or not. The most damaging thing is that this is such a pattern. Richard Dunley, a naval historian at UNSW, struck a different tone, said: Navies have always been very sensitive about this sort of thing. For example, navies are still wary of disclosing information about submarine technology used during the Cold War. Dunley said Trumps alleged indiscretion about sensitive military matters, rather than any specific information the Republican presidential frontrunner may have disclosed to Pratt, was the most troubling issue. You wouldnt necessarily know the line between fact and fiction, he added of Trump. Trump, who polls show is easily leading the Republican presidential field, responded through a spokesperson by calling for the US Department of Justice to investigate what he called criminal leaks. These leaks are coming from sources which totally lack proper context and relevant information, the spokesperson said. Prosecutors and FBI agents have reportedly interviewed Pratt, who is a member of Trumps Mar-a-Lago club, at least twice. The alleged disclosure, if confirmed, sheds new light on the impact of Trumps decision to remove classified documents from the White House after he left the presidency in 2021. A Pratt Industries spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. There is no suggestion Pratt broke any laws. A spokesperson for the special counsels office declined to comment on the report or confirm whether Pratt had been interviewed over the alleged disclosures. Pratt allegedly insisted to investigators he disclosed his meeting with Trump to demonstrate how he was advocating for Australia with the US, ABC US reported. Justice Department special prosecutor Jack Smith did not include information about Trumps alleged conversation with Pratt in his June indictment against Trump. Trumps Mar-a-Lago home was raided by the FBI in August 2022, as they searched for classified documents the former president allegedly removed from the White House. In June, Trump was charged on 37 criminal counts for mishandling classified documents from secret information relating to nuclear programs to sensitive intelligence. Trump was later charged with wilful retention of national defence information, and two counts of obstruction charges. The case is to be argued in the federal court in Florida in May 2024. Loading Even as Trumps 2024 election campaign proceeds, and he continues to raise millions in donations for it, his legal woes have grown. He has been charged in a federal case over his efforts in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election ahead of the violent riot by his supporters at the US Capitol on January 6. Smith is leading that case, as well as the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. Separately, Trump pleaded not guilty to charges of election interference in the state of Georgia in a case that has involved 17 other co-defendent, including his former chief of staff Mark Meadows. In March 2024, the criminal case against Trump over paying hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels, is scheduled to go to trial, after a jury voted to indict him. In total, Trump faces 91 felony counts in two state courts and two federal districts. He is also being sued for fraud by the state of New York in a civil case that he chose to attend this week. Trump, his sons and their family business have been accused of inflating the value of his properties to get better loan terms and lower insurance premiums. The prosecution claims Trump illegally generated more than $US1 billion of financial benefits. With Farrah Tomazin South Korea's spy agency said it has seen no signs of inoculations and of any foreign vaccines arriving in the secretive country. (Photo: KCNA/Reuters) Tensions are rising as North Korea appears to have suspended operations at its primary nuclear facility. Intelligence reports from the US and South Korea suggest that the Yongbyon nuclear complex, a chief plutonium source, halted its 5-megawatt reactor last month. "This could signal reprocessing activities to procure weapons-grade plutonium," a government insider informed the Donga Ilbo newspaper. Plutonium reprocessing is a pivotal step preceding its extraction from spent fuel rods, often for weaponization. Amid these nuclear endeavors, there's growing apprehension that North Korea could test another nuclear weapon soon. The nation remains tight-lipped about its nuclear arsenal, but estimates indicate that their plutonium could be sufficient to produce over 20 nuclear weapons. Recent constitutional changes in North Korea further emphasize the country's commitment to nuclear power. Last week, the North Korean parliament made amendments clarifying its stance on nuclear force, with leader Kim Jong Un pushing for an increase in nuclear armament production and capability diversification. In a parallel development, the international community is keenly watching North Korea's plans to launch a military reconnaissance satellite. The satellite has had two failed launches, but its technological similarities to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) cause alarm, especially for the US. Speculation is rife that North Korea aims to time the launch around the Workers' Party of Korea's founding day on October 10, a significant national holiday. Kwon Yong-su, a former National Defense University professor, expressed confidence in North Korea's capability, suggesting they are ready for a successful launch. "There's a high possibility they received advice from Russia post the North Korea-Russia summit," Kwon added. However, political and environmental elements could influence the launch timeline. With the Hangzhou Asian Games in China drawing to a close on the 8th of October, North Korea might defer the launch to avoid overshadowing their ally's event. Yet, meteorological unpredictability could throw a spanner in the works. Hong Min, from the Korea Institute for National Unification, proposes a potential delay until December to refine the satellite's quality. Despite no special movements detected, officials remain on high alert. "We're monitoring closely, given the unpredictability of a launch," shared an official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Adding another layer of concern, North Korea might test other military assets, like ICBMs or Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs), akin to their actions last year. Amid these uncertainties, Senior researcher Hong warns of potential North Korean retaliations against upcoming US-ROK air exercises, saying, "Repercussions could take the form of SLBMs, short-range missiles, or even artillery assaults." Microsoft India announced today the introduction of four new languages to Microsoft Translator: Bhojpuri, Bodo, Dogri, and Kashmiri. This new update will benefit nearly 61 million people, the company stated. With this recent addition, Microsoft Translator now supports a total of 20 Indian languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. This update moves Microsoft Translator closer to its ambition of supporting all 22 official Indian languages, covering the languages spoken by almost 95 per cent of the country's population. Users can access the translation feature through the Microsoft Translator app, Edge browser, Office 365, Bing Translator, and the Azure AI Translator API for businesses and developers. Companies such as Jio Haptik and Koo already utilise it. Also Read: Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director, India Development Center, Microsoft India, remarked, "We believe technology should act as a bridge, empowering everyone to reach their full potential. We're delighted to introduce Bhojpuri, Bodo, Dogri, and Kashmiri to Microsoft Translator, advancing towards our objective of supporting 22 official Indian languages. We remain dedicated to endorsing India's diverse languages and culture by harnessing the most advanced AI technology to drive the nation's progress and make technological access more inclusive."Also Read: Fears about Amazon, Microsoft cloud computing dominance trigger UK probe Bhojpuri is spoken by around 51 million people in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Bodo is the language for approximately 1.4 million people in Assam, Meghalaya, and neighbouring Bangladesh. Dogri is used by 1.6 million people in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. Around 7 million people speak Kashmiri in Jammu and Kashmir and parts of adjacent Pakistan. Swapan Rajdev, Co-founder & CTO, Jio Haptik, said, "While many software solutions support prevalent Indian languages, Azure's expansion into additional Indic languages is commendable! This is exciting for Haptik, offering our customers an opportunity to be more inclusive. They can now support languages like Bhojpuri, Bodo, Kashmiri, and Dogri, which is remarkable. We've noticed that Haptik's multilingual bots experience enhanced usage, underlining the importance of catering to users in their chosen language." Koo has also seen positive developments, promoting inclusive communication and supporting the expansion of digital communities. Harsh Singhal, Head of Machine Learning at Koo, shared, "At Koo, our focus is on enhancing connectivity and empowering diverse communities in the digital sphere. Eighty per cent of the global population speaks a native language other than English, and Koo is devoted to offering these speakers a platform in their language. Translation is vital for breaking language barriers. With Microsoft Azure, we've conducted millions of translations effortlessly across 60 languages, including 10 Indian languages, laying the groundwork for digital communities to thrive." Also Read Priced at Rs 4,950 per 10 gm, Kashmir saffron outshining silver varq Tesla chief Elon Musk threatens to sue Microsoft for using data 'illegally' Windows 11: Microsoft rolls out September update packed with AI features Kashmiri Saffron: Why is it so expensive, and how has the market revived? At Rs 3,250/10 gm, Kashmiri saffron is now five times costlier than silver Fears about Amazon, Microsoft cloud computing dominance trigger UK probe SAT overturns Sebi order against NDTV founders Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy Amazon poised to launch long delayed satellites in race with SpaceX Meesho records nearly 10 million orders during pre-festive sale events Bajaj Finance to raise Rs 10,000 crore through QIP, preferential issue Microsoft employs Deep Neural Networks to create language models for translating and transliterating intricate Indian languages. These networks also discern subtle linguistic nuances, including gender distinctions (feminine, masculine, neutral), politeness levels (slang, casual, written, formal), and word types (verb, noun, adjective). According to the Public Defender's assessment, the amendments to the Law on Assembly and Manifestations constitute an interference with the freedom of expression and assembly, as they restrict the expression of opinions through the use of temporary constructions, such as tents."Such a significant restriction of freedom of expression in a democratic society can only be justified by the need to protect a substantial and compelling interest, which is not addressed by the presented draft law.The amendments will prohibit assembly and demonstration participants from setting up temporary constructions based on five grounds, which, according to the Public Defender, are insufficient to justify the restrictions proposed by the project.According to the public defender, the existing norms already allow for an appropriate response in the event of such threats, and there is no need to impose additional prohibitions in this regard. Furthermore, the draft law allows for a broad interpretation," The Ombudsman's statement reads.The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ilia Darchiashvili, held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejcinovic Buric.According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting, they highlighted the critical role and significance of the organization concerning the occupied territories of Georgia, the peaceful settlement of the conflict, and trust-building projects."There was a specific emphasis on the necessity of allowing international mechanisms in the occupied regions. The meeting also highlighted the Council of Europe's contribution to implementing democratic reforms in Georgia, with particular attention to the 2024-2027 action plan and its associated projects.The meeting also addressed Georgia's progress in implementing the 12 recommendations of the European Commission and the results achieved. The minister expressed hope that Georgia's efforts would be appropriately evaluated, and the country would attain candidate status by year-end. In conclusion, the parties reiterated their readiness to continue their close cooperation," MFA of Georgia's statement reads. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is scheduled to visit poll-bound Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, marking her third visit to the state in recent months. The Congress leader is set to address a public rally at Mohankheda in Dhar district. On Wednesday, All India Congress Committee spokesman Surendra Rajput informed reporters in Bhopal that both Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath will speak at the gathering in Mohankheda after visiting the Jain shrine located there. In addition to the public address, she will participate in various events, including a welcome programme organised by the trustees of the Jain temple. Before taking the stage at approximately 12:20 pm, the Congress general secretary will unveil the statue of tribal icon Tantya Mama. Earlier, she had spoken at gatherings in Jabalpur and Gwalior. Rajput added that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is concerned after witnessing the large crowds and public support during her rallies. Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh are set for November this year. In the 2018 assembly elections, Congress emerged as the single largest party, securing 114 seats, whereas the BJP garnered 109 seats. However, in 2020, the Congress government lost its majority following the resignations of some Members of the Legislative Assembly, which enabled the BJP to establish a government in the state. Shivraj Singh Chouhan was subsequently reinstated as the chief minister. Senior Congress leaders on Thursday recalled the contributions and work of late Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and said the party would be soon launching a charitable mission in his name to help people across the state. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, former Union Defence Minister and party veteran A K Antony, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly V D Satheesan, all recalled the love and compassion Chandy had for the people in Kerala. "His work and his love for the people was seen in the farewell the public gave to him on his death," they said while speaking at the launch of a book -- 'Aardramanas' -- about party stalwart Chandy prepared by the KPCC. Venugopal said Chandy touched thousands of lives through his work and he was a leader that the Congress would be proud of forever. He said the party was obligated to him and each Congress member should pay it back in his own way. In his brief speech at the event, Antony said he still has not come to terms with the death of his longtime friend and confidant Chandy who died in Bengaluru on July 18 after a prolonged illness. Antony said that he did not have the words to describe his relationship with the late Congress stalwart. The former Union Defence Minister suggested that the only way to repay Chandy for the work he did for the people and the party was to carry out a programme of compassion and care for the people across the state. Satheeesan said Venugopal had already suggested something along the lines of what Antony said and the process was already underway to make it a reality. He said the legal formalities with regard to setting up a charity mechanism in Chandy's name were in the final stages. "After we hold discussions with his family, it will be put into operation within a month," the LoP said. Also Read Oommen Chandy: A political tactician and a people's chief minister Former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy passes away at 79 after battling cancer UDF's Chandy Oommen wins margin of over 36,000 votes Puthuppally bypoll Kerala Assembly session to begin on Monday, first one after Chandy's death Oommen Chandy bids adieu to Thiruvananthapuram, remains taken to Kottayam PM Modi inaugurates development projects in Rajasthan worth Rs 5,000 cr Hindu marriage not valid without 'saat pheras': Allahabad High Court Not even single drop of additional water to be shared with any state: Mann Rajasthan MLA Hudla polishes shoes, says politicians are public servants Fresh violence breaks out in Manipur's Imphal Valley, two houses torched Police have registered an FIR against the acting dean and a doctor of a government hospital in Maharashtra's Nanded district, where 31 patients died in 48 hours, on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, an official said on Thursday. The case was lodged against Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College and Hospital's acting dean S R Wakode and a head paediatrician, following a complaint by a person in connection with the death of his daughter and her newborn child at the facility, he said. They were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 34 (common intention), the official said. As many as 31 deaths, including those of infants, were recorded at the hospital in 48 hours since September 30. Six more deaths were recorded at the facility from October 2 to 3, according to officials. As per the FIR, 21-year-old pregnant woman Anjali was taken to the hospital at around 8 pm on September 30. She delivered a baby girl at around 1 am on October 1. Doctors later said the mother and the child were fine, Anjali's father Kamaji Tompe said in the complaint. Later in the morning, Anjali started bleeding and the baby was also not well, hence doctors asked the family members to get medicines, blood bag and other required items from outside. When the items were brought, doctors were not present in the ward, Tompe claimed. He further claimed in the complaint that Wakode deliberately made him sit and did not send a doctor or a staff nurse to check on Anjali. "The doctors declared Anjali's baby dead and handed over the body to us at 6 am on October 2. Later, Anjali was declared dead at 10.30 am on October 4," the complaint said. Tompe alleged that the dean deliberately did not let doctors treat Anjali. The doctors asked the family members to get medicines worth Rs 45,000 from outside, he said in the complaint. Also Read 12 newborns among 24 dead in Maharashtra's govt hospital. Details here 7 more died in Nanded hospital in 2 days; total 31 succumbed: Officials Fintech Stripe debuts charge card program in US; soon to launch in UK, EU Sena MP Patil booked after he makes Nanded hospital dean clean toilet Committee formed to investigate Nanded hospital deaths: Maha minister 14 dead, 102 people still missing as search continues in Sikkim flash flood What's point of women's quota Bill if not implemented immediately: Priyanka Education Ministry increases stipends for PhD students and Scholars Government likely to increase DA for all govt employees and pensioners Energy efficiency, RE pillars to achieve goal of net-zero emissions: Prez He also claimed that many patients died in front of him due to lack of availability of doctors, nurses and medicines. Wakode could not be contacted for a reaction in the matter. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said his government had taken the deaths at the Nanded hospital very seriously, and appropriate action would be taken after a detailed inquiry while denying that there were shortages of medicines and staff. The Bombay High Court on Wednesday took suo motu cognizance of the deaths at two state-run hospitals in Nanded and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar cities and noted that the reasons given by doctors citing the shortage of beds, staff, and essential medicines cannot be accepted. The HC also sought details from the Maharashtra government. A Hindu marriage is not valid without the 'Saptapadi' ceremony and other rituals, stated the Allahabad High Court, while quashing the proceedings of a case in which a man claimed that his estranged wife had entered into a second marriage without first divorcing him. The term 'Saptapadi' or 'saat pheras' is derived from Sanskrit and translates to 'seven steps'. The bride and groom complete seven full circles, walking clockwise around the sacred fire, or 'agni', to signify the seven principles and vows they make to each other. Each of these circles is referred to as a 'phere'. Court's Order in the Case Upon reviewing a petition filed by Smriti Singh, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh noted, "It is well established that the term 'solemnise' implies, in the context of marriage, the celebration of the marriage with appropriate ceremonies and due form. It cannot be considered solemnised unless the marriage is performed with these proper ceremonies and due form." If a marriage is not valid according to the law applicable to the parties involved, then it is not recognised as a marriage in the eyes of the law. "The 'Saptapadi' ceremony under Hindu Law is an essential element for constituting a valid marriage, but such evidence is missing in the present case," the court elaborated in a recent ruling. The court also referenced Section 7 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which indicates that a Hindu marriage may be solemnised following the customary rites and ceremonies of either party. Additionally, such rites and ceremonies should include the 'Saptapadi' (taking seven steps by the bride and groom jointly around the sacred fire), which renders the marriage complete and binding upon the completion of the seventh step. While nullifying the summoning order dated April 21, 2022, and further proceedings of the complaint case pending before a Mirzapur court against the wife, the court stated, "There is no specific allegation concerning the 'Saptapadi' in the complaint or in the statements submitted before the court; therefore, this court believes that no prima-facie offence has been established against the applicant, as the claim of a second marriage lacks supporting evidence." Also Read Karnataka HC says not having sex is cruelty under Hindu Marriage Act Section 302 is not murder and Section 420 not cheating: Proposed Code Changing partners every season not hallmark of stable society: Allahabad HC Hindi publishers behave as they are doing a favour to writers: Rajesh Joshi Can dissolve marriage on ground of 'irretrievable breakdown', says SC Not even single drop of additional water to be shared with any state: Mann Rajasthan MLA Hudla polishes shoes, says politicians are public servants Fresh violence breaks out in Manipur's Imphal Valley, two houses torched ED conducts raid at premises of Congress' Manjunath Gowda in Karnataka BJP has been 'sleeping' for the last 4 years: Congress leader Sachin Pilot Background of the Case The marriage of petitioner Smriti Singh to Satyam Singh was solemnised in 2017. Due to strained relations, she left her in-laws' home and filed a First Information Report (FIR) alleging harassment for dowry. Subsequent to an investigation, the police filed a charge sheet against the husband and his family. Later, Satyam submitted an application to higher-ranking police officials, accusing his wife of bigamy. This claim was thoroughly investigated by the Circle Officer of Sadar, Mirzapur, and the allegations against Smriti were found to be unfounded. Satyam later filed a complaint on September 20, 2021, alleging that his wife had entered into a second marriage. On April 21, 2022, a Mirzapur magistrate summoned Smriti, prompting her to file the current petition before the high court, challenging both the summoning order and the overall proceedings of the complaint case. The legal counsel for the petitioner-wife argued that the aforementioned complaint and summoning order are merely retaliatory actions based on the FIR she had earlier filed against her husband and his family. NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, who was arrested in a case filed under the anti-terror law following allegations that the portal received money for pro-China propaganda, allegedly conspired to peddle a narrative that Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are disputed territories, the Delhi Police has claimed. Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty were arrested on Tuesday by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. In the remand application, the police said, "Secret inputs revealed that Purkayastha, Neville Roy Singham and some other Chinese employees of Singham-owned Shanghai-based company have exchanged mails which expose their intent to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not part of India." "Such attempts by these persons reveal their conspiracy to peddle a narrative, both globally and domestically, that Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are disputed territories. Their attempts to tinker with the northern borders of India and to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not parts of India in maps amount to an act intended towards undermining the unity and territorial integrity of India," the application stated. It was also learnt that Gautam Navlakha, a shareholder in NewsClick, remained involved in anti-Indian and unlawful activities such as actively supporting banned Naxal organisations and having anti-national nexus with Gulam Nabi Fai, an agent of Pakistan's ISI, it stated. It has also been learnt that foreign funds have been siphoned off by Purkayastha and his associates, the police said. According to the application, "The accused persons have also conspired to disrupt supplies and services essential to the life of community in India and abet damage and destruction of property by protraction of farmers' protest through such illegal foreign funding." A false narrative was propagated to discredit the efforts of the Indian government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the police said in its application. It was learnt that Purkayastha conspired with a group -- People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism -- to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 general elections. It was also learnt that People's Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by NewsClick, has been used for intentionally peddling these false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of a conspiracy, it stated. An analysis of e-mails shows that Singham, Purkayastha and Chakraborty were in direct contact with each other and were found to be discussing how to create a map of India without Kashmir and to show Arunachal Pradesh as a disputed area, the application stated. Also Read Didn't run Chinese propaganda, govt treats criticism as sedition: NewsClick Amid NewsClick raids, Editors Guild of India condemns police action Delhi Police raids homes of journalists linked to NewsClick in UAPA case Neville Roy Singham: The American millionaire with NewsClick-China links Chinese coast guard blocks Philippine vessels near disputed shoal MADC to be nodal agency to set up helipads, air ambulance services in Maha Excess rainfall, glacial lake outburst likely cause of Sikkim flood: NDMA NCPCR likely to oppose Law Commission's Pocso recommendations: Report Piyush Goyal to co-chair 11th India-UAE high-level joint task force meeting PM to inaugurate, lay foundation stone of projects worth Rs 12,600 cr in MP To achieve the objective, the accused persons, in the guise of foreign funds, received more than Rs 115 crore, according to the application. A raid was conducted on Tuesday at 88 locations in Delhi and seven in other states on the suspects named in the FIR and surfaced in the analysis of data, the police said. The police applied for 15 days' police remand for both the accused and got their custody for seven days. The police sealed NewsClick's office in Delhi, officials said, adding that 46 suspects were questioned and digital devices, including laptops and mobile phones, and documents taken away for examination. After the Enforcement Directorate arrested Aam Aadmi Party senior leader Sanjay Singh, the BJP on Wednesday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would soon be behind bars in the case. Addressing a press briefing here, the former Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari alleged that the AAP leaders are not only corrupt but have also betrayed the electoral trust of the people in the national capital. The AAP Rajya Sabha MP was taken into custody after a day-long interrogation by ED officials at his Delhi residence. "While Sanjay Singh has been arrested today, the spotlight will soon shift from Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia. I believe the ongoing probe will soon reach the threshold of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal," Tiwari said. The BJP MP said that he has never seen such "criminals' holding political positions or offices in history. "On behalf of the BJP, we would like to tell the people of Delhi and the country that the AAP has a tried-and-tested policy to play the victim card. The people need to be awake and alert to this. Now is the time for people to see them for what they are. They set plans in advance to wriggle out of public scrutiny when their misdeeds come out in the open. They can go to any lengths to extract public sympathy, to the extent that the latter will start regarding them as victims. We have seldom seen such criminals holding political positions and offices," the BJP leader said. "These people are not only corrupt but they have also betrayed the trust that the people of Delhi reposed in them. And, for this they should be punished," he added. Speaking at a press briefing, fellow BJP MP Parvesh Verma said with Singh's arrest, the process of deliverance of justice for the people of Delhi has started. "Today I feel that the process of deliverance of justice for the people of Delhi has finally begun. However, the kingpin of the liquor policy scam, Kejriwal, has still not been apprehended. He came up with a policy through which he could indulge in corruption with no one getting a whiff of it," he said. Also Read Veteran Samajwadi Party leader Hari Shankar Tiwari passes away at 90 Sanjay Singh's name in excise case charge sheet deliberate, says AAP Nitesh Tiwari to shoot Ramayana, starring Ranbir, Yash and Sai Pallavi Satyendar Jain put on waiting for 5 months for urgent spinal surgery: AAP AAP condemns TN minister Senthil's arrest, calls it 'political vendetta' BJP is against caste-based census: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala Shows PM's frustration: Delhi CM on Sanjay Singh's arrest in liquor case Key BJP candidates to watch out for in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls Rajasthan elections 2023: Meet Sachin Pilot, the youth icon of Congress Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh inaugurates Model Library in Durg, organic C-mart Sanjay Singh's arrest was the second high-profile arrest in the case after former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. Singh's party colleague was arrested by the CBI on February 26 for his alleged role in the scam. The central probe agency on Wednesday morning raided the residence of Sanjay Singh in connection with the now-scrapped liquor policy in Delhi. The development followed ED's raid on the premises of Singh's close aides. The case pertains to allegations that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers, who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. ED has, so far, filed five chargesheets in the case, including against Sisodia. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi liquor policy case and said that in any state where regional parties are doing good work, the BJP is causing trouble for them. Talking to the reporters in Patna, Yadav said that after the arrest of Sanjay Singh, a fifth summon has been sent to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. "Today Sanjay Singh has been arrested, and I have also heard that the fifth summons has been sent to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. Wherever the regional party is doing a good job, the BJP is causing them trouble and taking action," Yadav said. The Deputy Chief Minister also said that he was very young when the alleged land-for-jobs-scam case happened, but still, his name was added to the chargesheet. "I was very young, I didn't even have a moustache at that time, but my name was added to the supplementary charge sheet of the alleged land-for-jobs scam case. So nothing will happen, we will fight and win," he said. The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday arrested Aam Admi Party MP Sanjay Singh in connection with a money laundering case linked to the now-withdrawn new excise policy of Delhi. It is the second high-profile arrest in the case after former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. The arrest came hours after the ED conducted raids at the residence of the AAP Rajya Sabha MP in connection with the case. Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Wednesday granted bail to former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar's Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Rabri Devi, and others in relation to a fresh chargesheet in connection with the alleged land-for-jobs scam case. The Special Judge Geetanjali Goel, while granting bail, noted that no accused was arrested in the matter by the CBI, and even the CBI did not oppose their bail petition. Meanwhile, the Court also directed the CBI to serve the fresh chargesheet copy to all the accused in the case. Also Read Opposition leaders discuss roadmap for 2024 LS polls in mega meet in Patna Oppn to start 'Mission 2024' with Patna meet, chart course to take on BJP Jharkhand Govt to support KISS-like institute for tribals: Hemant Soren BJP's gherao programme: Prohibitory orders clamped near J'khand Secretariat JMM to support AAP in opposing Central ordinance, says Arvind Kejriwal Sanjay Singh's arrest: AAP to hold protest outside BJP headquarters today BJP's Manoj Tiwari calls AAP MP Sanjay Singh 'kingpin' in liquor case BJP is against caste-based census: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala Shows PM's frustration: Delhi CM on Sanjay Singh's arrest in liquor case Key BJP candidates to watch out for in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls Russia targeted Ukraine with drones in another major attack early on Thursday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to Spain to rally support from Western allies at a summit of around 50 European leaders. Ukraine's air force said that the country's air defences intercepted 24 out of 29 Iranian-made drones that Russia launched at the southern Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions. Andriy Raykovych, head of the Kirovohrad regional administration, said that an infrastructure facility in the region was struck and emergency services were deployed to extinguish a fire. He said there were no casualties. The attack came as Zelenskyy arrived in Granada in southern Spain to attend a summit of the European Political Community, which was formed in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defense, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners, he said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. Last winter, Russia targeted Ukraine's energy system and other vital infrastructure in a steady barrage of missile and drone attacks, triggering continuous power outages across the country. Ukraine's power system has shown a high degree of resilience and flexibility, helping alleviate the damage, but there have been concerns that Russia will again ramp up its strikes on power facilities as winter draws nearer. Zelenskyy noted the Granada summit will also focus on joint work for global food security and protection of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, where the Russian military has targeted Ukrainian ports after Moscow's withdrawal from a UN-sponsored grain deal designed to ensure safe grain exports from the invaded country's ports. The UK Foreign Office cited intelligence suggesting that Russia may lay sea mines in the approach to Ukrainian ports to target civilian shipping and blame it on Ukraine. Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea, it said, adding that the UK was working with Ukraine to help improve the safety of shipping. Speaking in Granada, Zelenskyy emphasized the need to preserve the European unity in the face of Russian disinformation and to remain strong amid what he described as a political storm in the United States. Also Read Spain's Prez tests positive for Covid-19, to skip G20 Summit in New Delhi Heat scorches Europe as southern Spain temp to reach 45 deg C this month G20 Summit 2023: Here is what the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration states Delhi Declaration calls for all states to uphold int'l law on Ukraine war Ukraine needs more than a $30 billion arsenal for counterstrike on Russia Climate change threatens amphibians, 136 of 426 species in India at risk US trade deficit narrows to nearly three-year low in August: Report Japan's nuclear plant starts 2nd release of treated radioactive wastewater Trump's lawyers seek to postpone documents trial after 2024 election New wildfire on Tenerife island in Spain forces 3,000 evacuations Asked if he was worried that support for Ukraine could falter in the US Congress, the Ukrainian president stressed that his visit to Washington last month made him confident of strong backing by both the Biden administration and Congress. Zelenskyy called for additional air defense system for Ukraine, additional artillery and shells, additional long-range missiles and drones for our soldiers, as well as additional formats of support and security guarantees for nations threatened by Russia to help protect Europe from potential aggression by Moscow. In other Russian attacks on Ukraine in the past day, two civilians were killed in shelling of the southern city of Kherson and another one died after a Russian strike on the city of Krasnohorivka in the eastern Donetsk region. At least eight people were wounded by Russian shelling, according to Ukraine's presidential office. A Russian strike on a hospital in the city of Beryslav in the Kherson region ravaged the building and wounded two medical workers, according to the regional administration chief, Oleksandr Prokudin. Ukraine, in turn, has struck back at Russia with regular drone attacks across the border. Roman Starovoit, the governor of Russia's Kursk region that borders Ukraine, said that Ukrainian drones attacked infrastructure facilities in several areas, resulting in power cuts. Starovoit also said that Ukrainian forces fired artillery at the border town of Rylsk, wounding a local resident and damaging several houses. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top American officials are visiting Mexico on Wednesday to discuss shared security issues, foremost among them trafficking of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, but also arms trafficking and increasing migration. The latest round of the High-Level Security Dialogue brings Blinken, US Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, among others, together with their Mexican counterparts for two days of talks. Heightened migration is expected to be discussed as President Joe Biden's administration comes under increasing pressure from Republicans and mayors from the president's own party to do more to slow migrant arrivals. Blinken was scheduled to discuss migration Wednesday with Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Barcena, as well as the foreign ministers of Colombia and Panama. New York City Mayor Eric Adams took a separate trip through Latin America aimed at learning more about asylum seekers' paths to the US In a press conference Wednesday night in Mexico City, Adams said he hoped to manage expectations of migrants setting out on their journeys, and to inform migrants that his city was at capacity after receiving around 1,20,000 migrants over the past year. He echoed a rising number of voices in calling for a larger global response to the increasing number of migrants to the US It's not sustainable, Adams said at the base of a basilica where people often pray before setting out on their journeys. The message of this not being sustainable cannot stay within the boundaries of New York City. There is a global migration and it must have an international response. In August, the US Border Patrol made 181,509 arrests at the Mexican border, up 37 per cent from July but little changed from August 2022 and well below the more than 2,20,000 in December, according to figures released in September. On Tuesday night, hundreds of migrants arrived in the northern Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez across the border from El Paso, Texas aboard a freight train. They clambered off the train and immediately made their way to the border where they stopped at coils of barbed wire. Also Read Explained: Manchester United's Brazillian winger Antony's controversy Blinken congratulates Saudi, Emirati partners on new economic corridor Support for Niger at risk as military takeover threatens stability: Blinken Antony Blinken expresses concern over China collecting DNA of Tibetans US' Antony Blinken announces $150M aid for Syria, Iraq at Saudi conference Shelling in northwest Syria kills at least 5 civilians: Emergency workers World Teachers' Day 2023: History, importance, theme, quotes and wishes Nepal aims to facilitate 1 bn Hindu pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar: Min 6 wks following flooding event critical for public health monitoring: Study Saudi Arabia steps up sports drive, bids for FIFA World Cup in 2034 Elizabeth Romero, 32, left Venezuela three months earlier with her husband and 6-year-old son. She was three weeks pregnant then and spent her first trimester hiking through the jungle-clad border of Colombia and Panama, and most recently spent three days aboard the freight train that brought her to the US-Mexico border. She and her son, who celebrated his 6th birthday atop a freight car this week, have suffered bouts of fever. They left Venezuela because they couldn't make ends meet financially. Her family remains there. We hope that the United States receives us and gives us the support that we need, Romero said. They planned to turn themselves into US authorities at the border because they had already waited three months without receiving an appointment to request asylum through CBP One, a mobile app. The US has tried to get Mexico and countries farther south to do more. In April, the US, Panama and Colombia announced a campaign to slow migration through the treacherous Darien Gap dividing Colombia and Panama. But migration through the jungle has only accelerated and is expected to approach some 5,00,000 people this year. Armis, the asset intelligence cybersecurity company, today announced two new integrations with CrowdStrike to help organizations strengthen their security posture across their Internet of Things (IoT) and operational technology (OT) environments. The new integrations will provide organizations with comprehensive cyber exposure management capabilities and real-time actionable asset intelligence to see, secure, protect and manage threats across their entire extended attack surface. With the convergence of IT and OT, it is more important than ever that security teams secure their critical infrastructure systems by collecting and leveraging asset-specific context to drive tailored extended Internet of Things (XIoT) threat prevention policy and high-fidelity detections. Through this new partnership between Armis and CrowdStrike, customers can now use CrowdStrike Falcon Insight for IoT along with Armis Centrix to get: Comprehensive asset intelligence into all managed and unmanaged IT and IoT/OT devices across any environment and vertical Automatic, prioritized device vulnerability and risk assessments for IoT/OT assets Enhanced threat detection and mitigation for mission-critical IoT/OT assets Armis also announced that the company is leveraging CrowdStrike Falcon LogScale, a next-generation SIEM with lightning fast search and custom dashboards, to provide customers the ability to quickly and seamlessly gain deeper IoT/OT security insights from data generated by Armis for unmanaged devices. The number of assets connected to business networks is growing at an exponential rate, expanding organizations attack surfaces and making it increasingly difficult for security teams to manage threats, said Nadir Izrael, CTO and Co-Founder, Armis. Its crucial that global organizations across sectors be empowered with real-time, contextual insights to effectively mitigate risk. Together, Armis and CrowdStrike are helping customers to manage cyber risk exposure and protect the entire attack surface, keeping them safe and secure. Our mission is to stop breaches from happening anywhere, and this expanded partnership with Armis ensures customers stay ahead of the rapidly evolving threat environment, said Daniel Bernard, Chief Business Officer, CrowdStrike. By combining the unparalleled capabilities of both of our platforms, organizations of all sizes benefit immediately from powerful industry-leading AI-generated insights that enable their security teams to proactively protect their IoT/OT assets and swiftly remediate potential risks. For more information about the Armis and CrowdStrike integration, read the solution brief: https://www.armis.com/solution-briefs/armis-crowdstrike/ Armis Centrix is available for purchase in the CrowdStrike Marketplace, a one-stop destination and world-class ecosystem of third party security products. Purchase Armis Centrix here: https://marketplace.crowdstrike.com/partners/armis Armis is a member of the CrowdStrike CrowdXDR Alliance, a unified and open Extended Detection and Response (XDR) coalition formed with security and IT operations leaders and best-of-breed solutions. Learn more here: https://www.crowdstrike.com/partners/crowdxdr-alliance/ About Armis Armis, the asset intelligence cybersecurity company, protects the entire attack surface and manages the organization's cyber risk exposure in real time. In a rapidly evolving, perimeter-less world Armis ensures that organizations continuously see, secure, protect and manage all critical assets. Armis secures Fortune 100, 200 and 500 companies as well as national governments, state and local entities to help keep critical infrastructure, economies and society stay safe and secure 24/7. Armis is a privately held company headquartered in California. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005592415/en/ promotee DBS Bank India has once again been recognised as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India 2023 (BCWI) for the eighth successive year. The consistent focus of the Bank on championing Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) has additionally earned them the honor of featuring in the 100 Best Hall of Fame. The accolade is jointly awarded by Avtar, Indias premier Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion solutions firm, and Seramount, a strategic professional services and research firm. This recognition underscores DBS Bank Indias commitment to gender inclusivity and creating a workplace that caters to the needs of its diverse employee base.The study, over its past editions, has established itself as corporate Indias most comprehensive gender analytics exercise covering in-depth information on organisational practices and policies. The 2023 BCWI includes 354 companies spanning every major industry, geographical location, and line of business. Half of DBS Banks workforce globally is female, and while that percentage in India is currently 30% of the employee base, the Bank aims to increase this figure to 35% within the next three years.said, It has been established that gender diversity fuels innovation and drives excellence; hence ensuring that women are well represented in the workforce is one of the cornerstones of organisational success. From our early days, DBS Bank India has been deeply committed to creating a culture that champions diversity and empowers every individual to Live Fulfilled. Being named one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India for the eighth consecutive year is a testament to our diversity program at DBS. The recognition is a great encouragement as we continue to provide equitable opportunities and build an inclusive workplace where every employee is valued.Commenting on the occasion,said, Gender diversity among the 100 Best Companies continues to increase. The average representation of women (overall) is an inspiring 36.9% this year in 2023, up from 25% in 2016, at the time of the launch of the study. At this current rate, a 50:50 gender balance at Best Companies will be a reality by 2030 a much sooner time frame given the post-pandemic repercussions. Inclusion is an ongoing commitment; constantly innovating, focusing on growth aspirations of diverse talent, and curating a culture of care-hood must be part of leadership priorities always! Measuring and monitoring success metrics associated with these initiatives is non-negotiable.said, Corporations on the Most Inclusive Companies in India list remain committed to creating inclusive cultures for their employees. We are proud to recognise their progress in measuring the effectiveness of their DEI programs, while taking the steps necessary to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.As part of its talent strategy, DBS Bank India prioritises targeted outreach and hiring programs, such as Women in Tech (WIT) hackathons and Hack2Hire events, to bolster women's representation in technology-related fields.Along with setting up gender-diverse interview panels to mitigate hiring bias, the Bank also has dedicated referral programs to encourage staff to refer women colleagues and has recorded nearly 26% of successful women referrals in 2023. A yearly salary benchmarking study is conducted to ensure pay parity across genders and grades, with mechanisms in place to maintain impartiality in salary-related interventions.DBS Bank India has instituted a gender-agnostic Leadership Diversity Council as the apex governing body for the DEI agenda in the company. With approximately 25% of the organisations overall training budget dedicated to learning initiatives for women, DBS Bank India has initiated a comprehensive talent development approach, structured under EEE (Education, Exposure, and Experience). 26% of the Banks High Potential cohort are women, undergoing regular career interventions, mentoring, and job shadowing. DBSs women leaders also have the opportunity to participate in external leadership development programs through a program called upSurge, run in collaboration with XLRI. An outcome of these various initiatives, along with dedicated controls to ensure that meritocracy is maintained, is that more than 30% of the latestcohort at DBS Bank India comprise women.Women re-entering the workforce after a career break can make the most of the Banks Reimagine program, which ensures a seamless transition back to working life. DBS Bank India offers comprehensive maternity benefits, including financial assistance and up to 26 weeks of maternity leave for new mothers. Additionally, employees can avail of 100% work-from-home support if they have a newborn or have newly adopted children up to six years of age.DBS Bank has been included in Kelp HRs 25 Safest Workplaces for Women list for three consecutive years. The Bank has secured a place on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for six consecutive years (2018-2023) and has also earned the title of the 'Best Organisation for Women in 2023 by The Economic Times. KPT Piping System News Summary In a momentous event held at the House of Commons, London Parliament, KPT Pipes and Fittings Private Limited, fondly known as KPT Pipes, was honored with the prestigious title of "Prominent PPR Pipes and Fittings Manufacturers of the Year". This recognition underscores their unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of PPR pipes and fittings. Mr. Ankur Periwal, esteemed Managing Director, KPT Pipes, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the entire dedicated team. Not intended for UK or U.S. based media New training course provides critical skills for unpaid family carers and coincides with European Carers Day and Family Caregiver Awareness Month in the U.S. Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced a new collaboration with the United Nations Global Initiative on Ageing (GIA) to provide a training course on critical skills for family carers. The course, consisting of 5 modules, provides professional instruction and guidance on essential topics in caregiving such as using medical equipment, creating safe environments and overcoming communication barriers. The course is available on Mercks Embracing Carers website: EmbracingCarers.com. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005894354/en/ Caregivers play a critical role in the lives of millions of patients around the globe. (Photo: Business Wire) As the worlds population of ageing adults continues to significantly increase, the importance of carers has become even more critical to address their health needs, said Ambassador Luis Gallegos, Chairman of the Global Initiative on Ageing. By bringing together the trusted experience of the GIA and Mercks industry-leading carer initiative, Embracing Carers, we can better support carers around the world with these newly launched, vital courses. The availability of the training modules coincides with European Carers Day on October 6, as well as Family Caregiver Awareness Month in the U.S. this November. The modules provide support for a broad range of carers - whether they care for patients impacted by cancer, multiple sclerosis or other diseases and chronic conditions. At Merck, we recognize the invaluable role family carers play, not only in the lives of patients, but across the entire healthcare ecosystem. Providing tangible support and resources is the sort of impact we aim to have every single day, said Peter Guenter, Member of the Executive Board and CEO Healthcare at Merck. As we embark on this exciting new collaboration with the UNs Global Initiative on Ageing, I look forward to seeing what more we can achieve in the future. Originally developed in Spanish, the modules have been translated into English to reach a broader audience. The modules focus on the following topics: Feeding and nutrition techniques and commonly encountered issues Identifying communication and language problems Assisting with motivation and learning for elderly, disabled, and/or ill people Understanding and encouraging positive social relationships and behaviors in those requiring care Adapting and creating safe and comfortable environments Additionally, carers who complete the training courses have the option to receive UN certification as a professional caregiver through the GIA website, if desired. An estimated 17 percent of Americans and Europeans serve as unpaid family carers. A recent Embracing Carers survey found family carers spend an average of 28 and 26.8 hours in the U.S. and Europe, respectively, on caregiving duties each week. The physical, mental, emotional, and financial stress of caregiving frequently leads to health problems for carers, with 75 percent of survey respondents saying they feel burned out by their caregiving responsibilities. Against the backdrop of the EUs Work-Life Balance Directive and the European Care Strategy which shine a light on the social impact of caregiving, Embracing Carers continues to support carers and partners in all EU countries as governments implement policies and support initiatives that favour carers equitable employment and mental health. Embracing Carers was launched in 2017 with the mission to raise awareness of the challenges faced by family carers worldwide and to implement targeted initiatives to increase recognition and support for the role of these carers in healthcare systems. Embracing Carers is driving this mission daily through collaborations with relevant organizations worldwide to increase the visibility and availability of tailored resources; supporting increased policy attention and action; and creating innovative opportunities for healthcare system integration. GIAs mission is to support the achievement of the goals set by the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing and its Sustainable Development Goals by improving the standard of living, participation, and inclusion of the worlds ageing population. GIAs outreach is enhanced by partners in several countries and by virtual learning and policy platforms. For more information on the training course and to find additional resources for carers, please visit https://www.embracingcarers.com/ About Embracing Carers Embracing Carers is a global initiative founded by Merck, which operates its biopharmaceutical business in the U.S. as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Electronics, in collaboration with leading carer organizations around the world, designed to increase awareness, discussion, and action about the often-overlooked needs of carers. Given that carers need support and often do not know where to turn for help, Embracing Carers was created to fill that void. www.embracingcarers.com All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. About Merck Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 64,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of peoples lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices the company is everywhere. In 2022, Merck generated sales of 22.2 billion in 66 countries. Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Mercks technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005894354/en/ Quectel Wireless Solutions a global IoT solutions provider, and Amarisoft, a 4G/5G software technology provider, have joined forces in a strategic collaboration to revolutionize the non-terrestrial networks (NTN) landscape. With a shared vision to empower businesses in harnessing the potential of NTN, Quectel and Amarisoft have collaborated to bring test and measurement solutions that cater to seamless technology deployment and enhanced user experiences, solidifying their positions at the forefront of the rapidly expanding NTN market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005684456/en/ Quectel and Amarisoft support increased adoption of NTN capabilities (Photo: Business Wire) The inclusion of the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) in the Rel 17 3GPP standard marks a significant milestone in the telecom industry. This advancement enables the use of satellite communication technology to cater to the increasing demand for connectivity in remote and underserved regions worldwide. In the past, services were limited to proprietary technologies, but now, with the widespread adoption of NTN technology included in the 3GPP standard, a market for NTN has emerged, presenting substantial growth opportunities for the IoT industry. The ability to rely on satellite-based solutions ensures that even the most remote areas on the planet can now benefit from enhanced connectivity options. As a result, this development is expected to bring about a significant positive impact on global communication and accessibility. NTNs are gathering momentum as they become increasingly recognized as an appealing option for connecting many diverse types of IoT devices. Were keen to help enable this market with our portfolio of modules that support NTN, commented Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions. Were excited to work with Amarisoft to enable its network deployment and test and measurement solutions, which are turning the NTN concept from theory into reality. Amarisoft offers Amari Callbox series for 4G LTE, NB-IOT, LTE-M and 5G NR device testing and AMARI UE Simbox for 4G and 5G network testing which both supports NB-IoT NTN and 5G NR NTN now. These products are used widely by the industry for validation, proof-of-concept and demonstrations in labs. The company also provides carrier grade software technology, used by 40+ partners to build 4G 5G network products and services covering private networks, telcos, DAS systems, fixed to wireless, smart cities and more. Quectel addresses the NTN market with its BG770 module which supports NTN over NB-IoT. The Cat M1/NB1/NB2 module, which offers a compact form factor and ultra-low power consumption, is utilized in Amari Callboxes and Amarisoft also uses Quectel modules in its labs. Customers benefit from being able to access NTN features and streamline their solution development. The BG770 measures just 14.9mm x 12.9mm x 1.9mm and features an integrated GNSS engine. In addition, the module boasts a comprehensive hardware-based security feature called Integrated Security Elements (ISE). We are thrilled to partner with Quectel in the NTN area. Thanks to the new Quectel BG770 module commercialized earlier this year, weve been able to run NTN NB-IoT interopareabilies test against a commercial UE and to demonstrate that both companies are ready to support customers in the deployment of NTN technology says Karim Boutihane, Amarisoft Sales Director. About Quectel Quectels passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we are a global IoT solutions provider backed by outstanding support and services. Our growing global team of 5,900 professionals sets the pace for innovation in cellular, GNSS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules as well as antennas and services. With regional offices and support across the globe, our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT and helping build a smarter world. For more information, please visit: www.quectel.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. About Amarisoft Founded in 2012 by Fabrice BELLARD and Franck SPINELLI, Amarisoft is a non-conventional software company dedicated to Telecom industry. We are delighted to bring affordable and high-quality solutions to the 4G/5G community to unleash creativity and ultimately expand communications among people. Accessible technology is the basement of Amarisoft success stories. The company goal is to develop a technology that significantly improves the life of as many people as possible no matter where they are located. We are working on helping companies of all sizes to become players in mobile networks of existing and next generations. For more information, please visit www.amarisoft.com or contact [email protected] View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005684456/en/ Indonesia is the first and largest market for TikTok Shop. Photo: Bloomberg (Bloomberg) TikTok suspended its online-retail operation in Indonesia from Wednesday to comply with curbs on social commerce, a big setback for the Chinese-owned startup in one of its fastest-growing markets. The company will stop facilitating e-commerce transactions on TikTok Shop Indonesia from 5 p.m. Jakarta time on Oct. 4, it said in a statement Tuesday. The company said that its priority is to remain compliant with laws and regulations and that it will coordinate with the Indonesian government for its next steps. The Kolkata Police Department has issued an open call for applications for the position of Driver/Police Driver. Eligible and interested candidates should apply online at kolkatapolice.gov.in, the official website of the Kolkata Police. The organisation will fill 412 positions as a result of this recruitment campaign. Overview Post Name Driver Number of Posts 412 Form Apply Last Date 09 October 2023 Job Location Kolkata Application Submission Offline Category Recruitment 2023 Official Website kolkatapolice.gov.in Pay Scale Rs. 32,100/- to 82,900/- Per Month Age limit 21-40 years Selection Procedure The selection process includes a driving test and an interview. Following the driving test and interview, a merit list of provisionally selected candidates will be generated based on the results of both phases. Candidates who have been provisionally selected will be required to take a medical fitness exam at the Kolkata Police Hospital. Oil India Limited, Indias second-largest hydrocarbon exploration and production company, has officially announced its latest recruitment drive for 2023. This presents a vibrant opportunity for those wishing to career in the thriving energy sector in India. Be it engineers, IT professionals or even fresh graduates, Oil India Limited welcomes dedicated and passionate individuals to be part of their growing family. Why Choose a Career with Oil India Limited? Working with Oil India Limited is a chance to be part of an industry that is core to Indias economy and future. The companys commitment to the highest standards of safety, environment protection, and corporate social responsibility make it an employer of choice for those desirous of a rewarding career in the energy sector. They also offer an exceptionally competitive remuneration package and benefits, and robust opportunities for career growth and development. Important Dates Notification Release 28 March 2023 Online Application Start 28 March 2023 (07:00 AM) Last Date 25 April 2023 (11:59 PM) Exam Date 2023 14 October 2023 Admit Card 2023 OUT Selection Process for Oil India Limited Recruitment The selection process for jobs at Oil India Limited is comprehensive and has multiple stages including an aptitude test, technical rounds and HR interview. Potential candidates must prepare thoroughly to get through these stages. The company also advises candidates to regularly check their official website for any updates or changes in the recruitment process. 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. ... Photo: Glacier Media The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has approved a controversial plan by Seaspan to expand its drydock facilities on the North Vancouver waterfront. The decision on the drydock expansion, issued Tuesday, will allow Seaspan to expand its existing facilities at the foot of St. Georges Avenue to the west, towards Burrard Pier, including adding two additional drydocks and a work pontoon. Nearby residents who had opposed the plan said they were disappointed in the decision. The company has said the drydock expansion is needed to consolidate all of its ship repair work at the Vancouver Drydock site, while Seaspan Shipyards at the foot of Pemberton Avenue becomes fully dedicated to building large ships like the joint support ships for the Canadian Navy and icebreaker for the Coast Guard. Seaspan has said the expansion will expand drydock capacity by about 30 per cent and result in approximately 100 new jobs on top of the 150 people already working at Vancouver Drydock. Project generates controversy But the project has also generated significant controversy since Seaspan first applied for the expansion permit more than two years ago. Lower Lonsdale residents who live in several high-rise condominium towers on the North Vancouver waterfront have repeatedly voiced concerns about the negative impact of additional noise and light from the expanded drydock operations, as well as an impact on views. Neighbouring residents and the City of North Vancouver also expressed views that an expanded drydock should be built to the east of the existing drydock away from the residential towers and the Shipyards waterfront area. Seaspan has promised to use dark-sky-friendly lighting and to put up lighting shields for lights facing residential towers. The company has said it will also advise the community if high-noise-generating work is taking place outside of regular working hours and promised to measure noise both during and after construction. Location of new drydocks a concern But the location of the new drydocks has remained a sticking point. Throughout the application process, the company maintained that building new drydocks further to the east isnt feasible because Seaspan needs space for barges to move in front of its on-shore W building, as well as direct access to the dry docks via a service pier. In a letter approving the project, Andrea McLeod, project and environmental review director at the port, said the company had demonstrated the expansion couldnt be built further east due to project operational and economic constraints. In the letter, McLeod acknowledged there had been strong public opposition to the project and concerns voiced by both Linda Buchanan, the mayor of the City of North Vancouver, as well as MP Jonathan Wilkinson. While it was a challenging decision due to the proximity to residential areas, the project will be located within a known industrial area an area that has been historically used for industrial, marine and port activities for decades, said McLeod, in a press statement. We did not take this decision lightly, she added. McLeod said public feedback has resulted in mitigation measures intended to reduce noise and light impacts. Seaspan will also apply several of those mitigation measures to its existing drydock operations, she said. Neighbours disappointed Chris Thorson and Al Parsons both live in high-rise towers on the North Vancouver waterfront and have been active in voicing concerns of nearby residents. Contacted Wednesday by the North Shore News, both said they were extremely disappointed in the decision and in not being informed of it directly by the port authority, despite being involved in many stakeholder discussions on the project. We had a huge uphill battle to get our concerns heard in a such a way to make it seem like we werent NIMBYs, said Thorson. Both Parsons and Thorson said they havent had the opportunity yet to look through all 61 conditions attached to the permit, but they expect the drydock expansion will impact their quality of life. Both said they are still not convinced the drydock expansion couldnt be built to the east of the existing one. In a statement, City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan said she was concerned by the decision made by the port and would continue to advocate on behalf of the community. So far, theres no word on when the project will start. Seaspan must fulfill several conditions, including submitting a construction communications plan, before any work can start. No one from Seaspan was immediately available to comment on the project approval on Wednesday. Photo: The Canadian Press Global Affairs Canada says Ottawa aims to support people in Haiti to prevent sexual violence, ahead of a multinational military intervention in the country. Residents flee their homes to escape clashes between armed gangs in the Carrefour-Feuilles district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Odelyn Joseph Global Affairs Canada says Canada is likely to deploy RCMP officers to Haiti to act as trainers in a multinational military invention, with officials promising an added focus on preventing sexual violence. "The RCMP are looking at being focused on technical training," said Lisa Vandehei, the head of an interdepartmental task force on Haiti at Global Affairs Canada. "Canada's training mission, the planning for it is still underway," she testified at the Senate foreign-affairs committee Thursday. The United Nations Security Council approved a multinational force Monday to help combat violent gangs in Haiti, which Kenya has offered to lead by January. Vandehei said Canada is still assessing its contribution to the mission, adding that Kenya is prepared to launch a deployment within 90 days of its parliament ratifying the mission. She said the RCMP will likely train officers of the Haitian National Police on "very surgical, technical areas" through a model that would have each Canadian-trained officer go on to teach other Haitian peers. "The RCMP are the best in the world in several areas of policing that the HNP need, in certain elements." Global Affairs Canada said in a statement that Ottawa is also "focused on preventing sexual and gender-based violence" in Haiti, noting gangs have been using sexual violence as a means of controlling the population. In past military interventions in Haiti, locals have reported widespread sexual exploitation by both fellow citizens and foreign armies, which Vandehei noted in her testimony. "We are very much attuned to that, and especially when it comes to sexual and gender-based violence taking place already in Haiti," she said. "We're looking at working with the Kenyans and the U.S. on ... how to bring our own lessons learned to the table from our (historical) work in Haiti as well." Vandehei said Canada's aim with the multinational mission is to ensure police have the training and equipment they need to maintain order in Haiti after foreign forces leave, and that the society has the institutions needed for a viable democracy. "We're going into this issue with open eyes, and it's why we're creating a multi-faceted solution," she said. After decades of watching Haiti, she said, "I have a lot of hope here." Haiti's unelected prime minister asked for an international intervention last year, and the idea has been divisive among Haitians, though it is supported by the UN and Washington. The country has faced a profound security crisis exacerbated by brazen criminal gangs since mid-2021, leading to rampant violence, cholera outbreaks and restricted access to water, food and medical care. The Liberals have issued sanctions on multiple political and economic elite in Haiti, arguing this will help lead to a consensus among political actors on how other countries can best support Haitians to find stability and eventually hold an election. Washington had asked Canada to lead a military intervention, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it's unclear whether such a move would lead to long-term stability, citing multiple previous interventions that he argued made Haiti even more dangerous. Chalmers LaRose, a political-science lecturer with the Universite du Quebec a Montreal, denounced the looming intervention Thursday as another mistake that will sow more violence and anti-democratic governance in Haiti. "If all goes ahead as intended, the western community will have won its gamble of becoming involved yet again in an interventionist adventure in Haiti," LaRose told senators, in French. "We are very far from seeing an inter-Haitian consensus, despite the wishes of external actors." In recent months, Canada has focused on shoring up the Haitian National Police, the sole official armed force in Haiti, which disbanded its military years ago. Vandehei shed some light on those efforts, including on a June announcement of the International Security Assistance Co-ordination Group, which has Canada managing how various countries support the HNP. She said Canada is co-ordinating contributions from "over 26 countries," such as where the equipment offered by foreign countries could be best used in Haiti, whether it responds to local needs and if it's interoperable with existing kit. Similarly, Canada is helping assemble a training calendar so that foreign police can fill the gaps that Haitian and Canadian officials have identified. She said part of the idea is pulling out cohorts for training in numbers that won't disrupt an already strained police force. Vandehei noted that there are roughly 9,000 police officers for a nation of more than 11 million people. Ontario Sen. Gwen Boniface's career focused on transnational policing, including a stint in Haiti, and she said Ottawa could make a meaningful contribution but needs to balance with being short-staffed at home. "I want to see Canadians on the ground, but I'm trying to figure out how we'd strike a balance," the senator said. Vandehei added that gangs have become so ingrained in Haiti that they often serve as the effective government and justice system in some areas, despite inflicting "unspeakable violence" on locals. "We have to be incredibly nuanced in how we're approaching this complexity." Photo: The Canadian Press Former B.C. attorney general Wally Oppal listens to Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth during a press conference in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. British Columbia's Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner has called a public hearing into the circumstances leading to the death of a woman struck by projectiles fired by police in a Victoria supportive housing complex in 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito B.C.'s Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner has called a public hearing into the death of a woman who was struck by plastic bullets fired by Victoria police on Christmas Day 2019. A statement from the office says a Police Act investigation had identified two allegations of misconduct stemming from an officer's use of force and a lack of documentation of the incident. It says the allegations of abuse of authority and neglect of duty were found to be unsubstantiated by an independent police investigation in July. But the notice of public hearing says the family of the 43-year-old woman made a request for the hearing, saying they saw inconsistencies in the information given to them from police and B.C.'s police watchdog. Ronald MacDonald, the head of the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., declined to recommend possible charges in 2020, saying there were no reasonable grounds to believe an officer committed an offence. MacDonald's decision says the woman who died was intoxicated and threatened residents at a housing facility before a fire broke out in a suite where she was barricaded and officers had no choice but to use force to end the situation. With smoke billowing from the window of the suite, police were authorized to open the door, but visibility was poor and the woman wasn't coming out, the decision says. Police had begun moving into the suite when an officer fired three "projectiles" from an ARWEN"less-lethal launcher," striking the woman in the head, it says. The weapon fires a "large, rounded, hard plastic projectile," and is intended to be fired at the body, preferably striking muscled areas, MacDonald's decision says. Through the smoke, the officer thought he'd been aiming at her abdomen, it says. The woman was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital, where she never woke up after being placed on a ventilator, MacDonald's decision says. Lisa Rauchdied a few days later when she was taken off life support. The notice of the public hearing released Thursday says the post-mortem report indicates Rauch died as a result of "blunt force head injuries." It says Rauch was homeless and had been living as a member of the "marginalized and at-risk community" in Victoria at the time of her death. Former B.C. attorney general and judge Wally Oppal has been appointed to adjudicate the public hearing. Photo: The Canadian Press 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. The Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday, Oct. 5, that it is seeking a court order that would compel Musk to testify as part of an investigation into his purchase of Twitter, now called X. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool, File) The Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it is seeking a court order that would compel Elon Musk to testify as part of an investigation into his purchase of Twitter, now called X. The SEC said in a filing in a San Francisco federal court that Musk failed to appear for testimony on Sept. 15 despite an investigative subpoena served by the SEC and having raised no objections at the time it was served. But two days before his scheduled testimony, Musk abruptly notified the SEC staff that he would not appear, said the agencys filing. Musk attempted to justify his refusal to comply with the subpoena by raising, for the first time, several spurious objections, including an objection to San Francisco as an appropriate testimony location. X is based in San Francisco. Musks attorney, Alex Spiro, said in an emailed statement Thursday that the SEC has already taken Mr. Musks testimony multiple times in this misguided investigation enough is enough. The SEC said it has been conducting a fact-finding investigation involving the period before Musks takeover last year when Twitter was still a publicly traded company. The agency said it has not concluded that anyone has violated federal securities laws. The Tesla CEO closed his $44 billion agreement to buy Twitter and take it private in October 2022, after a months-long legal battle with the social media company's previous leadership. After Musk signed a deal to acquire Twitter in April 2022, he tried to back out of it, leading the company to sue him to force him to go through with the acquisition. The SEC said that starting in April 2022, it authorized an investigation into whether any securities laws were broken in connection with Musks purchases of Twitter stock and his statements and SEC filings related to the company. A lawsuit filed that same month by Twitter shareholders in New York alleged that the billionaire illegally delayed disclosing his stake in the social media company so he could buy more shares at lower prices. That complaint centered around whether Musk violated a regulatory deadline to reveal he had accumulated a stake of at least 5%. The lawsuit alleged that Musk's actions hurt less wealthy investors who sold shares in the company in the nearly two weeks before Musk acknowledged holding a major stake. The SEC's court filings dont detail the specifics of what its investigation is about, but argue that the agency is responsible for protecting investors and has broad authority to conduct investigations and that Musk has no basis to refuse to comply. The SEC said Musk objected to testifying in San Francisco because he doesnt live there, so the commission said it offered to do it at any of its 11 offices, including one in Fort Worth, Texas, closer to where Musk lives. The SEC said on Sept. 24, Musks lawyers responded by saying Musk would not appear for testimony in any location. Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. Attorney Breon Peace addresses journalists Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, after the sentencing of Frank James, 64, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to terrorism charges in the April 12, 2022, mass shooting aboard a Manhattan-bound train. He received a life sentence on 10 counts and 10 years for an 11th count. Right center is FBI Special Agent in Charge Rob Kissane. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle) A man who sprayed a New York City subway car with bullets during rush hour, wounding 10 people and sparking a citywide manhunt, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison after several of his victims tearfully and angrily recounted their ongoing trauma. Frank James, 64, pleaded guilty earlier this year to terrorism charges in the April 12, 2022, mass shooting aboard a Manhattan-bound train. He received a life sentence on 10 counts and 10 years for an 11th count of discharging a firearm during an act of violence. Three of his victims spoke in court of the physical and emotional pain they continue to experience more than a year after the attack in a packed subway car. They described the panic and the splattered blood on the train, and how they used their own clothes as tourniquets to stanch the bleeding from victims' wounds. I have not been able to make sense of it, said a young man identified as B.K. At times his voice cracked as he spoke and his eyes turned glassy from tears. Another victim, a 51-year-old man identified as L.C., told the court he had post-traumatic stress disorder and thoughts of suicide. L.C., who said he worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority at the time of the shooting, bought an e-bike to avoid riding trains. When he regained his confidence and returned to the subway, he relived the horror of the shooting upon seeing a man wearing a vest similar to the one James had worn. I immediately thought of you, Frank James, the victim said, his voice booming with anger. Another victim, who later identified himself as Fitim Gjeloshi, 21, began to share his own story with words of forgiveness I dont blame him. He needs help. then began to sob. I cant do this, he said, walking out of court. He later returned to hear the judge sentence James. During his own 15-minute address to the court, James expressed contrition for his actions but criticized the country's mental health system, saying it had failed especially people of color like him. But he said his was not a sob story. I alone am responsible and no one else for that attack, he said. He added that his violence was not due to animus toward any race or sexual orientation. Reading from a handwritten statement, he recalled reading a news article about a young Black man who died in a subway car after being put in a chokehold by another rider who later said he was concerned about his erratic behavior and saw him as a threat. He was referring to the case of Jordan Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator who became homeless and by most accounts was suffering from mental illness. People keep criminalizing the people who need help, he said, adding that Neely was one such person who was screaming out for help. U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz was unconvinced, telling James that what he did was pure evil. Prosecutors had asked for the life sentence, saying James spent years carefully planning the shooting in order to inflict maximum damage. James attorneys had asked for a reduced sentence of 18 years, saying he didnt intend to kill anyone and citing his mental illness. Disguised as a construction worker on the day of the shooting last year, James waited until the train was between stations, denying his targets a chance to flee. Then he ignited multiple smoke bombs and unleashed a barrage of bullets from a 9 mm handgun at panicked riders. The attack, carried out as the train pulled into a station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, wounded victims ranging in age from 16 to 60. As emergency responders tended to the victims, James walked calmly out of the subway station and vanished. Authorities searched for him for more than a day. They identified James as a suspect relatively quickly, using a key to a rented moving van left behind on the bloodied subway car. He was eventually arrested in Manhattans East Village after calling a police tip line to turn himself in. The attack stunned New Yorkers, heightened anxiety about safety in the transit system and prompted local officials to add additional surveillance cameras and police to the trains. Before the shooting, James, who is Black, posted dozens of videos online under the moniker Prophet of Doom, ranting about race, violence, his struggles with mental illness and a host of unnamed forces he claimed were out to get him. When James pleaded guilty to the terrorism charges earlier this year, he said he only intended to cause serious bodily injury, not death. His attorney, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, had suggested that while James may have initially planned to kill people, he changed his mind in the heat of the moment. She referenced the defendants abusive childhood in the Bronx and his ongoing struggles with both alcoholism and paranoid schizophrenia. Prosecutors, however, said the trajectory of the bullets showed that James aimed at the center mass of riders for maximum lethality. They said James only stopped firing his semi-automatic Glock pistol because the gun jammed. Titan America wins five awards at ConcreteWorks 2023 05 October 2023 Titan America picked up five awards at the National Ready Mix Concrete Association (NRMCA)'s ConcreteWorks 2023 event held in Nashville this week. The company was recognised for its safety, energy efficiency, innovative technologies, and quality. Titan's Pennsuco facility in Medley, Florida, won the award in the innovative technologies category in the Portland Cement Association (PCA)'s 2023 Energy & Environment Awards in recognition of its use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in a variety of production applications. We have ridden the power of AI and ML beyond our initial expectations, said Zaklina Stamboliska, vice president of cement manufacturing, Titan America. Unlocking the data and the correlations between subtle findings have enhanced our managers' abilities to run the plant in cost and energy efficient ways with higher quality output while production reached record levels. Titans Roanoke Cement Company (RCC) was awarded the PCAs Energy Efficiency Award for its Troutville plant, which has earned the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s ENERGY STAR certification 16 years in a row, performing in the top 25 per cent in the USA for energy efficiency and meeting the strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA. In the category of safety, the NRMCA named Scott Holcombe of S&W Ready Mix Co, LLC, a subsidiary of Titan America, as the recipient of its 7th Annual Safety Award. Mr Holcombe is plant manager for both the Murrells Inlet and Georgetown plants in South Carolina. The final awards were the NRMCA Producer Excellence in Quality Awards, scooped by S&W Ready Mix Concrete and Titan Florida Concrete. This award is for concrete producers using best-in-class quality systems and initiatives as established by NRMCA's Research Education and Standards (RES) committee, including customer focus, materials management, testing and analysis, and mix design. Published under The overthrow of the US House speaker by a cabal of far-right agitators has left Republicans aghast at the party's chaotic approach to governing -- and its prospects for next year's presidential election. After three decades, 300,000 Azerbaijanis who were ethnically cleansed in Armenia are still waiting for the EU to break its silence on this crime against humanity, Azernews reports, citing a post on X by Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg and head of representation to the European Union (EU) Vagif Sadigov. He noted that being recognized by the UN as a refugee community under international humanitarian law, they demand the EU to put pressure on its ally Armenia to ensure their safe return to their homes in Armenia after 30 years of waiting for the delivery of justice, to restore their violated human rights, to safeguard their cultural and religious heritage. Vagif Sadigov added that after three decades, 300K of human beings still expect the EU to break its deafening silence around this crime against humanity. How many young fathers have to die? Young fathers executed by a mental health patient sitting on the Patten Towers steps? This recent mental health murder is personal. A mental health patient that has been to mental health court four times? How many times have you walked on that same sidewalk? How many times have you passed by Patton Towers and seen residents sitting on the very same steps, where the mental health patient was sitting, before he did the unthinkable? In August, our elected representatives were paid to attend a special session in Nashville to deal with mental health and gun violence murder, requested by Governor Bill Lee. People like this lifetime violent criminal, with a history of mental illness, should not be allowed to have a handgun. But instead of passing laws to prevent mental health murders, the Senate left town early and the House outlawed 8x11 paper signs, held up by grieving parents, that criticized their actions, or inactions, in even voting on meaningful mental health measures. That is where we are on mental health and gun violence in Tennessee. This is where we are with our elected representatives. In Tennessee, 80 percent of voters want restrictions on a mental health patient from owning a gun. The other 20 percent? They are the mental health patients. Or should be. I expect our spineless representatives to claim that they could not have passed a law that would have prevented this senseless murder. After all, we have heard that lie before. C Mark Warren * * * I read Mr. Warren's piece once, then again and then a third time each with more incredulity than the last. Quote: "People like this lifetime violent criminal, with a history of mental illness, should not be allowed to have a handgun." What kind of ridiculous statement is that? Of course he's not legally allowed to own a handgun. But that didn't stop him did it? Why would he pay attention to any law no matter what it applies to? He's already demonstrated that by his previous 66 arrests. The only thing that would have prevented this senseless tragedy is if this lifelong career criminal had been behind bars where he belonged. That's the problem with the gun control crowd. They think passing "common sense" gun laws, even though they can't define just what that is, will prevent people from possessing guns even though they have no regard for any other law. My heart goes out to the Wright family over this terrible tragedy that should have never happened. Dennis Wooden * * * Mark Warren. Really? If I understand your post, you are saying that if our state Senate and House had passed a bill, two months ago, to restrict the mentally ill from owning a firearm then this senseless act would not have happened. You and everyone else knows this simply is not true. This piece of junk has been arrested 66 times. He was in no way allowed to purchase or own a firearm. The sole reason that Christopher Wright is not here today is because of: Liberal Lawyers Liberal District Attorneys Liberal Judges How can anyone justify putting a career criminal like Daryl Roberts out on our streets. He has been arrested 66 times. How may other times has he broken the law and not been caught? Blaming guns (which liberals love to do) is not going to solve the problem. We need to figure out how to severely punish these criminals and get them off the streets. Permanently. If we still had 3 strikes you're out there would be at least 63 less victims on Daryl Roberts' list. Chip Rennick * * * I would be willing to bet that Darryl Roberts didn't buy that gun from a licensed dealer, and that he filled out no Form 4473. I'm guessing that gun was stolen, and that Mr. Roberts either stole it himself or bought it from someone who did. Lots of guns are stolen each year, and they find their way into the hands of folks who can't buy guns from licensed dealers. Many of the guns that are stolen are stolen from vehicles. I'm old enough to remember See Mark micturating himself in a letter to this forum way back in August about the District Attorney's office placing a PSA on local billboards advising gun owners not to leave their guns in their vehicles. I think See Mark called them "Glamour Shots." Heeding the advice of those "Glamour Shots" will likely do a lot more to keep guns away from Mr. Roberts and his ilk than any new (and redundant) legislation would. The aim of See Mark's recent missives seems to be more about everyone seeing Mark than anything else. Kevin Hargis The state of Tennessee is providing money to municipalities in the state to combat violent crime. The key is that it will be done with a collaborative, regional and multi-jurisdictional approach. It is to encourage the different agencies to share intelligence and resources to respond to the violent crime problem and hold offenders accountable. In Hamilton County, the Sheriffs Office will administer the grant totaling $1,800,000. It is being divided among the municipalities in the county based on crime in that area. The city of Red Bank is receiving enough to purchase seven License Plate Readers that will be installed in four locations. They are estimated to cost around $65,000 and they must be located on a state route. This grant will pay 100 percent of the cost and requires no match from the city. It will cover the cost of the equipment, software and maintenance for a period of three years. In response to questions from the commission about privacy concerns, Police Chief Dan Seymour told the commissioners that the system works by cameras scanning license plates and comparing them to a data base for things such as stolen cars, registration of vehicles, Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts, which is for missing elderly individuals, and open warrants. It stores tag information but not personal information. The system coordinates with cameras all across Tennessee and the rest of the country, so it can identify problem vehicles coming from other states. One example he gave is that they can identify stolen cars from other states that are driven into Red Bank and dumped. The police can also enter a hot list into the system if there is a known tag number so the cameras search for it. There are good success stories from other municipalities across Tennessee and the country, he said, for finding criminals who have come into the city, guns and drugs. The cameras are considered as another investigative tool for the police department, said Chief Seymour. But he told the commissioners that in order to stop and detain somebody, the officers cannot simply depend on the alert that comes from the LPRs. They have to take measures such as running the tag and verifying information. And other safety measures that protect individuals include protocols such as that the information collected by the tag readers must be purged in 90 days. The system must be used for a specific purpose, it is not open for public inspection, there is an audit trail leading to any person who accesses the system and it cannot be used for personal use. This technology is being used or is being acquired by most law enforcement across the country, and receiving these cameras will keep Red Bank on par with other agencies on the local and national level, he said. Acceptance of the Violent Crimes Intervention Fund Grant was approved unanimously. Another grant was accepted on Tuesday night. The Playground Grant 2023 from Gametime will be used for the purchase and installation of equipment to replace the playground equipment at White Oak Playground that no longer has parts available for repairs due to age. To receive the grant, the city has agreed to match the money provided up to $165,000. Because of the cost sharing from the grant, the playground can be bigger than the old one and it will include inclusive features for children of all abilities, said Capital Projects Manager Leslie Johnson. The deadline to purchase the equipment is the end of October and it will be received before Dec. 31. Rezoning was approved for two properties, 119 and 121 West Ridgewood Avenue has been changed from R-1 Residential to C-1 Commercial on the second and final vote. The lot line will be removed and the property will be incorporated into the former Save-a-Lot property that is being developed as a mixed-use area. And 210 Lullwater Road has been rezoned from L-1 Light Manufacturing to R-TZ townhome and zero lot line residential. Plans for the lot are to build four single-family detached structures that will be sold, not rented. A consumer beer license was approved for Sabor Modern Latino and Sushi, a new business at 1800 Dayton Blvd. after the owner was cautioned to check IDs to prevent underage sales of beer. Resolutions were passed at the commission meeting to proclaim he week of October 8-14 as Fire Prevention Week. The theme this year will be Cooking safety begins with you. Red Bank firefighters will hold eight events around the city during the week to give safety tips for preventing fires associated with cooking. Fire Chief Brent Sylar said that cooking is a leading cause of home fires and that two of every five fires start in the kitchen. And October 28 has been proclaimed to be National First Responders Day. The city wants to recognize and honor those who work as first responders every day to keep the community safe and provide life-saving emergency care, any time tragedy strikes. The mention of the three above periods in the financial history of America is not designed to slow down the wonderful growth that Tennessee, Hamilton County and Gig City are enjoying in the days around the Ides of March, 2023. In case you are one of the folks who believes that the upward movement to eternal growth and riches as reported daily in the glossy slick press releases and magazines and Opinion/Releases present only the positive present and future, then you dont need to read further. (By the way 1929 officially started the Great Depression and 2008 was the beginning of the Great Recession.) Other more knowledgeable writers have discussed the first two historical periods and predict that the future will be determined by upcoming events. I can only relate to what my late workaholic father told me about being raised in the Great Depression and the hardships that affected not only the poor and middle classes but also the rich class as well. A recent WTCI documentary on the era validated everything that he ever told me and I never doubted his personal recollection of what he and his family had to go through in rural West Tennessee. In 2008 I had unwisely decided to start accepting Social Security checks at the age of 67 out of a self-imposed sense of financial disaster and government failure rather than waiting to start receiving the benefits at the age of 70. And then we had the March 8, 2023 with the Silicon Bank failure. Having not been around in 1929 and not having the funds to engage in speculative investment adventures in 2008, I am hoping that both political parties will hold on to their highly published promises to not mess with Social Security or Medicare. Those two areas are the ones that affect the vast majority of the tax payers in America that do not earn $400,000 a year. (Hold on, dont panic, and maybe a renewed interest in religion might help also!) * * * You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com Hamilton County General Sessions Judge Alex McVeagh officially launched his campaign on Thursday to replace Circuit Court Judge Marie Williams in the Third Division of Hamilton Countys Circuit Court (11th Judicial District). Judge Williams earlier announced her plans to retire on January 3, 2024 after serving 28 years. Judge McVeagh said he will seek the Republican nomination for this judicial seat, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2024 with the general election scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Words cannot express the appreciation I have for Judge Marie Williams and her 28 years of service to this community, said Judge McVeagh. It would be an honor to even attempt to fill her enormous shoes, as well as the shoes of her predecessor, the late Muecke (Mickey) Barker, who presided over Circuit Courts Third Division prior to becoming Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice. Judge McVeagh officially launched his campaign after the Secretary of States Office and the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance confirmed the election to fill Hamilton Countys Circuit Court Division III seat will occur next year; therefore, candidates are now allowed to begin campaigning for this seat under Cannon 4 of Tennessees Code of Judicial Conduct. In addition, Judge McVeagh announced Garnett Decosimo of Decosimo Corporate Finance will serve as the campaign treasurer, and Vince Butler and Katelyn Statom will serve as campaign manager. Leading the campaigns finance committee will be Mike St. Charles of Chambliss Law Firm, Lee Brock of Linda Brock Homes and Arch Trimble, IV. The honorary campaign chairs for the campaign are former Tennessee Representative Joan Carter, retired Hamiton County Mayor Jim Coppinger and retired Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond. Judge McVeagh has served as a judge since 2017 when he was appointed by former Governor Bill Haslam to replace General Sessions Court Judge David Bales. Judge McVeagh has since been overwhelmingly elected by the citizens of Hamilton County last August. During his campaign, Judge McVeagh had the honor of working with his friend and mentor, Justice Barker, who served as Judge McVeaghs campaign treasurer prior to his passing earlier this year. Judge McVeagh and his colleagues regularly hear an average of 14,000 civil cases and 60,000 criminal cases each year. Judge McVeagh also founded and still presides over the misdemeanor Drug Recovery Court, which serves individuals suffering with addiction issues with treatment, strict supervision, drug testing, and required education and employment, all while saving Hamilton County taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in incarceration and recidivism costs. Judge McVeaghs service and dedication to those in our civil and criminal justice systems has been extraordinary, stated former Hamilton County Sheriff Hammond. It is important that we have experienced and tested state judges, and I believe that Judge McVeaghs legislative, legal and judicial experience makes him the best candidate for the job. Judge McVeagh obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Vanderbilt University, as well as a Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt Law School. He previously worked as a litigator at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel in Chattanooga, where he primarily practiced civil law in state and federal courts throughout Tennessee and Georgia. He also previously served as Assistant City Attorney for the city of East Ridge, as head research analyst & law clerk for the Tennessee Senate Judiciary Committee, and as Director of Special Projects for the Tennessee Republican Party. I wish Judge McVeagh the best of luck and believe he will make a fantastic Circuit Court state trial judge, said former State Rep. Joan Carter. I appreciate his service to this community and to the practice of upholding the rule of law in Hamilton County. It only makes sense that in a recent bar association poll, local lawyers rated Judge McVeagh as Hamilton Countys best sitting judge in terms of his good moral character, legal ability, judicial temperament and diligence. In 2019, Judge McVeagh served on the advisory board to create Chattanoogas Chapter of the Federalist Society. He is also one of Tennessees delegates to the American Bar Association House of Delegates and is Vice President of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. He also serves on the executive committee of the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference and is a member of the Brock-Cooper Chapter of the American Inns of Court and the Downtown Chattanooga Rotary Club. Judge McVeagh is also a past recipient of the Chattanooga Bar Associations Volunteer of the Year. In 2018 and again in 2021, the Tennessee Supreme Court appointed McVeagh to serve on its Access to Justice Commission. Currently the Commissions vice chair, McVeagh is the first and only sitting judge to serve on the Commission. During this time, McVeagh and the Commission started an online dispute resolution pilot program in Chattanooga to assist healthcare patients and providers in resolving outstanding medical debt before a lawsuit is filed. Judge McVeagh also continues to serve on the Tennessee Supreme Courts Technology Oversight Committee, where he helped draft standards for electronic filing in all courts throughout the state, and regularly reviews applications from jurisdictions seeking to implement electronic filing in their courts. McVeagh hopes to assist Hamilton Countys clerks with the implementation of this important technological advancement. For close to a decade, Judge McVeagh has organized Hamilton Countys local high school mock trial competition (the largest local mock trial competition in the state), and continues to help organize numerous clinics, including expungement clinics and clinics that provide free estate planning documents to military veterans, police officers, firefighters and first responders. The Baylor Players will present Clue On Stage in the Roddy Theater on Oct. 18, 19, and 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 22, at 2:30 p.m. Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White. These six suspects have been part of our pop culture lexicon since they were dreamed up by British board game designer Anthony Pratt in 1943. And over the last 80 years Mr. Pratt's creation (originally, Cluedo in the UK then renamed Clue in the U.S. for its 1949 release) has become a staple at game nights worldwide. But Clue has evolved over the years beyond the dining room table and has since inspired a musical, several books and video games, and a 1985 film, which serves as the basis for the play being staged at Baylor. A cast and crew of 32 students are busy rehearsing under the direction of Beth Gumnick. Set design is by Garrett Walsh, and costumes by Laura Smith. I am thrilled about the future of public education in Tennessee. I will ensure that every student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success in the modern world.Many critics like to point out some of the shortcomings of our system, and rightly so. A one-size-fits-all system does not work for everyone. It never has, and never will. The system will continue to evolve, albeit slowly, and adjustments will always be needed. We should welcome debate on public education, which remains our greatest priority.To attract and keep the industries and businesses that we need for a global economy, we must build and develop a quality workforce.A quality education system ultimately provides economic mobility for all our citizens. It is imperative that taxpayers understand that education is an investment for our states future, not merely an expense to bear. It is also a constitutional requirement in our state.At the state level, we must still improve the teaching pipeline. This means we must identify and develop a community of well-trained, highly compensated educators who can flourish in the teaching profession. Any investment we make in education must be high quality, and position our children for success in the classroom, career, and life. We have a lot of work still to do."Every generation, civilization is invaded by barbarianswe call them 'children,'" often attributed to the political philosopher Hannah Arendt. This concept reflects a common idea in many societies throughout history regarding the role of socialization and child-rearing. Education is critical in that arena.Societies have recognized the importance of teaching values, norms, and skills to the younger generation to ensure their integration into the social fabric and the continuity of cultural traditions. There is an increased recognition of the importance of providing a supportive and nurturing environment for children.Good schools and educators pay careful attention not only to how students learn but also to what content they learn. The content of education should be thoughtfully curated, relevant, inclusive, and adaptable to the changing needs of society to provide students with a well-rounded and meaningful educational experience. The content that students learn shapes their educational experience.We must ensure that students are exposed to a well-rounded and meaningful body of knowledge. This includes not only core subjects like math, science, language arts, and social studies but also a range of elective courses and extracurricular activities that can foster a holistic education.Different students have different learning styles and abilities. Good schools pay attention to individual needs and offer a degree of customization in their curriculum to accommodate diverse learners. When students can see the practical applications of what they're learning, they are often more engaged and motivated to learn.While it's important to have a strong foundation in traditional subjects like mathematics, science, and literature, it's also important to incorporate modern and relevant topics as well. Strengthening the foundations of our public school system begins with support for local control of public education. Educators also want that chance to be inventive, and they understand the need to challenge the status quo.The testing culture has killed the enthusiasm of many educators. Although we need testing to measure the progress of our students, we should recognize these tests are often unreliable in evaluating teachers and schools. We should pursue reliable standardized tests that provide accurate feedback for educators, parents, and students.No single test should be a determinant of a students, teachers, or schools success. True measurement of progress should instead consist of several benchmarks, not just testing. The goal should be to provide accurate and constructive feedback to educators, parents, and students. This feedback can help identify areas for improvement and inform instructional decisions.We must also break down the bureaucratic barriers that have kept educators and school districts from pursuing solutions to the unique challenges of their communities. This means we need to pilot innovative approaches that encourage our schools and their communities to work together and design solutions without bureaucratic hurdles.In Bradley County, Tennessee the school district has launched the Partnerships in Industry and Education Center, a unique concept that creates an innovative student experience through collaboration with business, industry, and nonprofit organizations changing learning pathways, providing experiential learning in STEM, embedded work-based learning experiences and promotion of design thinking. That is a wise strategy to pursue.Business and community leaders understand that the solutions to many problems we face hinge on a quality public education system. Our future depends on that success. Lets all work to make that happen.* * *JC Bowman is the executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, a non-partisan teacher association headquartered in Nashville. City officials said that nine of the first 30 notices sent out to "unpermitted" Short Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) should not have been sent and went to operators who actually have an active valid permit: The addresses that got notices in error and which are actually operating with a valid STVR permit were given as Chris Anderson, senior advisor to the mayor, said, "The city is using new software to help identify unpermitted STVRs as part of enforcing the updated regulations, and the discrepancy resulted from an imperfect integration of the multiple databases used to source the list. The decision to only pull a subset of addresses as a test case was intentional, given the new software and in anticipation of the possibility for error; we wanted to minimize the impact of any discrepancies, and that proved to be a prudent approach. "Approximately one-third of this list of 30 addresses were incorrectly identified as unpermitted. The root cause of the error was quickly identified by working with our software provider and a process was put in place yesterday to ensure the relational datasets are synchronized moving forward. "We are proactively reaching out to the errantly-cited property owners to notify them of the mistake, to explain the cause and the fix, and to apologize for the inconvenience. We do not anticipate this issue to recur." The Dalton Public Safety Commission has named Matt Daniel as the sole finalist for the position of chief of the Dalton Fire Department. Mr. Daniel was selected from a field of four applicants from within the ranks of the Dalton Fire Department. Mr. Daniels appointment as chief will not be official unless it is approved by a vote of the Dalton Mayor and Council. The council will consider a vote on his appointment after a two-week waiting period as required by state law. The councils next scheduled meeting following the completion of that waiting period is on Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. Mr. Daniel is a 20-year veteran of the Dalton Fire Department, having joined the agency in January 2003. Before joining the DFD, he completed his NPQ fire qualification with the Jefferson (Ga.) Fire Department. He served in the departments Suppression Division for nearly 15 years, rising through the ranks and serving as a member of the Special Operations Team, HazMat Team, and on the Georgia Search and Rescue team. In 2017, he became Daltons fire marshal and coordinator for the departments Preventions Division. In 2019, he was promoted to the rank of captain and in 2021, he was named the chief of the division. He is a graduate of Dalton High School and studied at the University of North Georgia and Truett McConnell University. Mr. Daniel said, Im humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the men and women of the Dalton Fire Department. Its an exciting adventure and Im ready and willing to accept the challenge and move the department forward and serve the community. I want to emphasize that there were three other very well qualified candidates from within the ranks of the fire department and that says a lot about the quality of training that we have here and thats something that the department is proud of. Its definitely a priority to maintain those high standards. We had a very tough decision because we had some great candidates, said Truman Whitfield, chairman of the Dalton Public Safety Commission. I think Matt Daniel has an intensity in the way he looks at being thorough with his job. Hes task-oriented and outcome-oriented, and I think he wants whats best not only for the community by for the individual members of the agency and hell be able to move the agency forward. Mr. Daniels selection will fill the vacancy left by the departure of Todd Pangle from the Dalton Fire Department to become Daltons assistant city administrator. Kate Middleton's skipping the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards in Singapore to stay home during an important time at school for Prince George. Kate Middletons not going to Singapore for the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards. That means Prince William, who founded the environmental initiative in 2020, will be going solo. The reason behind the Princess of Waless absence? She and the Prince of Waless oldest son, Prince George. The 10-year-old royal has a particularly important school event coinciding with the ceremony. Kate doesnt want to disturb George while he takes school exams by going to Singapore Dont expect to see Kate in a green gown to match the Earthshot Prize Awards green carpet this year. Shes not attending the ceremony alongside William in November 2023. Rather, shes staying at home in Windsor, England, (Adelaide Cottage is the Wales familys primary residence.). The 41-year-old will be there while George takes exams and his younger siblings, 8-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 5-year-old Prince Louis, go to class at nearby Lambrook School. Per the U.K.s Mirror, Kate does not want to disturb the youngsters schooling and works hard to ensure the trio have a stable home life in preparation for their royal careers later down the line. Speaking to the Daily Beast, an insider close to Kate said the royal is tirelessly working on behalf of the monarchy. The fact is that her youngest child is 5, so I dont think she should be expected to hop on a plane every two minutes. In the last year, William and Kate have included George, Charlotte, and Louis in a number of official visits and appearances. However, most have been local i.e., a short drive from their Windsor home, meaning a Wales family trip to the Earthshot Prize Awards may still be a few years away. The Duchess of Cambridge will be staying home with her kids, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte. Expert says its entirely right Kate should be there for George, not at the Earthshot Prize Awards According to Jennie Bond, Kate made the right decision to skip walking the green carpet in Singapore with William to stay home. She absolutely [made] the right decision, Bond told OK! Magazine. I cheered out loud when I learned that Catherine had chosen to stay home with George. Official duties will come and go; children need their parents, and they grow up fast, the expert explained. There will be more Earthshot events and prizes. But this year, George has his own big event going on exams. It is entirely right that his mum should be there to help him through them. Prince Williams likely unhappy hes missing out on Georges exam week Prince George, Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte | Samir Hussein/WireImage Bond continued, saying Georges father probably isnt thrilled he wont be there for George as he takes his exams. I expect William is kicking himself that his schedule clashes with Georges exams, the royal expert said. But he will be wholly supportive of Catherine staying home to help their son. So, as William visits Singapore to mark the third annual Earthshot Prize, Kate will remain in England with George, Charlotte, and Louis. The 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards take place on Nov. 7, 2023. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex understood each others needs from the beginning of their relationship says biographer Tom Quinn. After years of playing the role of the royal familys most eligible bachelor, Prince Harry married actor Meghan Markle in 2018. However, while it appeared on the surface the couple had little in common, Meghan apparently clicked with Harry for one key reason, says a royal biographer. What was the one thing that clicked between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Royal biographer Tom Quinn, author of Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family, told Express that one element in the relationship between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just clicked. Heres what he had to say. Quinn suggested that Meghan allowed Harry the freedom to leave his role as a royal spare to his brother, Prince William. But, this one element of their relationship reportedly intrigued Harry, as he felt stuck in his position as a senior royal. He said, All Harrys complaining is really about the fact that hes not number one, he doesnt have a bigger role. However, I think thats why he clicked with Meghan because she comes from a society where if you work hard and youre talented, you can get to the top. Quinn alleges that outside of his royal birthright, Harry could achieve whatever goals he wanted outside of the parameters of the royal family. Subsequently, he believes Meghan showed Harry that side of life he never would have known as a senior royal. This was the same reason Meghan Markle didnt like being a working royal, says author Despite her popularity, Tom Quinn claims that Meghan Markle had difficulties fitting into the royal system because of its rigidity. The same reason Prince Harry wanted to leave the firm was the same reason Meghan didnt like being a working royal. Quinn stated, Its obvious when you think about it, but I think she thought she could come into the royal family and be the star. He continued, And of course, she [Meghan] couldnt because the monarchical structures are medieval, theyre rigid. Perhaps the biggest obstacle was that Harry would never play a vital role in the monarchy as his brother, Prince William, does and will. He and his wife, Kate Middleton, will someday be the king and queen of the United Kingdom. You cant change the fact that William and Kate are number one, Quinn added of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince Harry discusses being a Spare in his memoir Prince Harrys Spare memoir | Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry admits that he didnt like playing second fiddle to his brother, Prince William. He claims he was born to support his brother in all cases, even via blood or bone marrow. Harry wrote, I was the shadow, the support, the Plan B. I was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy. He continued by saying his role was to be a diversion and distraction from his brother or to provide, if necessary, a spare part to him. Kidney, perhaps. Blood transfusion. A speck of bone marrow. Prince Harry further explained he understood the concept of heir and spare his whole life. He revealed that it was made abundantly clear to him from the beginning that he was born in case something happened to his brother. Perhaps his marriage to Meghan Markle did give Prince Harry the chance to free himself from his locked-in royal role. However, in the years since splitting from the royal family, Harry has spent much of that time discussing them, so it appears he may still not be free from the royal role he longed to escape from. With the current state of product and production technology, the electricity demand of all battery factories planned worldwide in 2040 will be 130,000 GWh per year, equivalent to the current electricity consumption of Norway or Sweden - this is the conclusion of a study by the research team led by Dr. Florian Degen of the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB, the MEET of the University of Munster, the Helmholtz Institute Munster and the University of Munster. However, new product and production technologies can optimize battery cell production to achieve savings of up to 66 percent, equivalent to the energy consumption of Belgium or Finland (in 2021). The research results indicate that electricity demand for battery cell factories will increase to 130,000 GWh per year by 2040. Fraunhofer FFB With the rapidly growing demand for electric vehicles, the market for batteries is growing rapidly, accelerating the need for battery cell factories. A study by the World Economic Forum and the Global Battery Alliance predicts that global battery demand will grow to 2600 GWh per year by 2030. This compares to a demand of about 400 GWh in 2022. However, current battery cell manufacturing processes are energy intensive and produce high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Study by Munster researchers analyzes energy consumption of gigafactories Against this background, the question arises as to how the energy consumption of battery cell production will develop and how it can be reduced in the future by means of production and material technologies. To this end, the research team Dr. Florian Degen (Fraunhofer FFB), Prof. Dr. Martin Winter (Munster Electrochemical Energy Technology (MEET) of the University of Munster; Helmholtz Institute Munster), Prof. Dr. Jens Tubke (Fraunhofer FFB, KIT) and Prof. Dr. David Bending (University of Munster; REACH - EUREGIO Start-up Center) - analyzed how much energy is required for current and future production at the battery cell- and macro-economic level. A distinction was made between lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and alternative battery cells, so-called post-lithium-ion batteries (PLIBs). 130,000 GWh/a in 2040 with current battery and production technology In the automotive and other industries, the upscaling of battery cell production is still in its early stages, but Dr. Florian Degen, author of the study and Division Director Strategy and Corporate Development at Fraunhofer FFB, points to the future demand for electricity: Not only in Europe, but also in Asia and North America, the construction of battery cell factories is being promoted in order to drive the necessary change in mobility. Demand for electricity will multiply to 130,000 GWh per year by 2040. This is equivalent to the annual electricity demand of Norway or Sweden in 2021. According to the study, with today's know-how and production technology, it takes 20 to 40 kilowatt-hours of energy to produce a battery cell with a storage capacity of one kilowatt-hour, depending on the type of battery produced and even without considering the material. Future production: new technologies require less energy The results of the study by the research team predict that technological improvements in production, such as the use of heat pumps, alternative drying technologies, new drying room concepts, etc., as well as learning and economies of scale, can save up to 66 percent of energy by 2040. These potential savings are equivalent to the electricity consumption of Belgium or Finland in 2021. Similarly, the results show that the production of alternative battery technologies, such as solid-state batteries, requires significantly less energy per unit of battery storage capacity produced than the production of current lithium-ion batteries. LIBs are currently the dominant battery technology on the market due to their high energy density for longer ranges and long battery charging cycles (1000 to 6000 cycles). As a result, they cover a wide range of applications in e-cars or trucks, as well as stationary and mobile terminals. In addition to excellent performance and maximum recyclability, energy efficiency and the associated costs - both for the assembly and the operation of the battery cells - will play an increasingly important role in the choice of technology in the future, especially for batteries beyond lithium-ion technology, says Prof. Dr. Martin Winter, Scientific Director of the MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Munster and Director of the Helmholtz Institute Munster of Forschungszentrum Julich. The Fraunhofer FFB focuses on researching new and innovative production technologies. On the basis of extensive empirical data from science and practice, as well as from investigations of the company's own infrastructure, solutions are developed that sustainably optimize the entire value chain. Environmental solutions, for example, can make a decisive contribution to reducing energy and operating costs. Our goal is to make the production of today's batteries (LIBs) more sustainable and cost-effective and to enable the industrial production of future battery cells (PLIBs), emphasizes Dr. Florian Degen. Cherokee leaders gathered at Vinitas Eastern Trails Museum on Sept. 30 to celebrate the annual Cherokee Day event, as well as announce a partnership to help preserve archival material held by the museum. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Small towns often appear charming, quiet, and peaceful, but chances are, theres always some kind of drama going on beneath the surface. TikToker Alexandria (@alexandriaf808) lives in a small town, and shes sharing the latest piece of gossip about a man who was spying on her through her bathroom window. One day, she happened to meet a woman. They hit it off and became good friends instantly, so they made plans to go out for coffee and shop around at a little boutique store together a week later. A few days after their initial meeting but before their scheduled plans, Alexandria was sitting on the front porch of her house enjoying a cup of coffee when a neighbor walked by exclaiming, Last night was crazy, huh? Alexandria had no idea what they were referring to, so she ran over to inquire about what had happened. The neighbor spilled the details, and Alexandria learned that a guy had gotten arrested the night before, right outside of her house. He had climbed onto the fire escape and was watching her through her bathroom window while engaging in inappropriate behavior. Police caught him in the act with his pants down. Later that day, a maintenance worker came over to Alexandrias place. She asked if he would be able to do something for her, but before she could even finish her sentence, he chimed in, assuming that she wanted her bathroom window fixed. He revealed that the guy who had been arrested last night was his cousin! How did everyone in town know about Crusty Corey watching me put my cold cream on, and no one thought to give me a courtesy call during any of this? she said. A couple of days went by, and it was now time for her to meet the woman for coffee. The woman started venting to Alexandria about how the father of her children hadnt been answering her phone calls or text messages. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Binta orphanage in Nigeria was burned down by Fulani militants. | William PB Devlin / Facebook ABUJA, Nigeria Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Sunday killed eight Christians in Plateau state, Nigeria, and wounded five others, sources said. The assailants attacked Du village, in Bassa Countys Kwall District, with two children among those slain and the wounded requiring hospital treatment, said Davidson Malison, spokesman of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), in a press statement. The Fulani militias stormed the community at about 8:10 p.m., positioned themselves and sprayed bullets on the bodies of innocent Christians who were asleep, Malison said. To prove the maximum act of wickedness by these terrorists, children of 9 and 11 years were among those killed. He called on the Nigerian government to urgently task security personnel to arrest the assailants. The terrorists are known to the Nigerian government, and they are not ghosts nor invisible, he said. They had made threatening statements particularly to our communities in recent past. He identified those slaughtered as Shara Danjuma, 9; Williams Danjuma, 11; Wala Boyi, 17; Yohanna Zehwhie, 35; Avu Goji, 18; Tingwie Nko, 38; Afiniki Sunday, 25; and Gani Doglas, 28. Wounded were Tini Thomas, 14; Rondo Peter, 18; Boma Sunday, 45; Geoffrey David, 19; and Joseph Monday, 25. Were not only saddened by this unfortunate development and occurrence but completely depressed and brokenhearted, knowing fully how peaceful and hospitable Christians have lived with their Muslim neighbors in Plateau state, Malison said. The attack has enveloped the local community in tears, sorrow and sadness, he said. This is no doubt the continuation of destruction of lives and the ceaseless attempts to annihilate Christians of Rigwe ethnic extraction by terrorists and armed herdsmen has kept on persisting, he said. In Plateau states Atuhun Panyam village, Mangu County, three Christians were killed on Sept. 27, area residents said. Area community leaders Longse Jokle and Joshua Gufwam in a press statement expressed sadness over continued attacks on Christians in Plateau state. We mourn the brutal killing of three of our people in Atuhun Panyam: Panshak Peter, Ishaku Zumuk and Yakubu Sokyes, by Fulani militias; all whose corpses have been recovered from their farms where they were attacked, Jokle and Gufwam said. They have been buried in their respective villages which span into Pushit District. Jokle and Gufwam, president and secretary respectively of the Panyam District Development Association, called on the countrys security agencies to halt attacks on Christians in Plateau state. We condemn the killing of the three Christian farmers and call on security agencies to go after the killers, they said. Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people. In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year. Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation. Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity. Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report. They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states. Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds. Morning Star News is the only independent news service focusing exclusively on the persecution of Christians. The nonprofit's mission is to provide complete, reliable, even-handed news in order to empower those in the free world to help persecuted Christians, and to encourage persecuted Christians by informing them that they are not alone in their suffering. Manipur | Rintharwon R Shimray /Google Map Since half a year ago, Manipur has been thrown into turmoil by riots between rival ethnic groups, the Meitei and the Kuki, leaving the city's residents in chaos and tragedy. Nemnian Vaiphei, a spirited 77-year-old grandmother and widow from India, was no exception to this upheaval. Caught in the crossfire between the primarily Hindu Meitei and the Christian Kuki, she couldn't return to her village near Imphal, a Manipur city that had become a sanctuary for the fleeing Kuki. In a cruel twist, Nemniang became a refugee in her own land. Upon getting wind of her predicament, Nemniang's 25-year-old grandson was dispatched to be her companion on the journey to safety in Aizawl, one of the nearest cities. Despite the relatively short distance of around 300 miles separating Manipur and Aizwal, the passage spanned at least 18 hours. Today, Nemniang resides in government-provided apartments in Edenthar, a locale about 30 minutes from Aizwal, accessible only by winding mountain roads. "Since Im confident that God's watching over me, I am content. Even though many are facing challenges finding a place to stay, I feel quite at ease here," she shared. Numerous Kuki-Christian families, displaced by the conflict, have found refuge in similar low-budget apartments recently built under the Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) program, aimed at aiding impoverished residents on the outskirts of Aizawl. This bitter ethnic strife has claimed nearly 200 lives and uprooted over 70,000 Manipuri Indians. Of them, over 60,000 are Kuki Christians who were compelled to leave their native lands, especially those residing in Imphal Valley. The region, predominantly inhabited by ethnic Meiteis, most of whom adhere to Hinduism, witnessed the exodus of many Kuki individuals as their homes and communities fell victim to riots and destructive arson. "Every member of my family is scattered, facing their own trials. I first of all give all thanks to God for his care towards my large family. Currently, my son is unable to resume work in Imphal and not receiving his wage. Still, Im full of gratitude. The painful memories of a mentally ill woman, left behind in their village during the evacuation, continue to haunt Nemniang. A woman who has a mental illness died of the fire. Its tragic to hear but Im sure that it will all be remembered from above by the One who has possession over all things. Unsplash/Maria Oswalt The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review the appeals of numerous pro-life activists who are currently contending with substantial fines. These fines stem from their release of covert videos, which show Planned Parenthood staff debating on making a profit from baby bodies. Back in 2015, the Center for Medical Progress, a pro-life activist group, made headlines with a series of undercover videos revealing discussions among Planned Parenthood officials and abortion providers about potentially illegal activities. This included altering abortion procedures to preserve fetal organs, tissue, and limbs. The high court, in a recent orders list, rejected the appeals of several related cases, allowing previous rulings against the activists to stand. This could potentially lead to significant financial penalties. Liberty Counsel, involved in the defense, emphasized the First Amendment implications for free speech and undercover journalism. They questioned whether journalists, operating undercover to expose what they believe to be unlawful conduct, should face punitive liability for "fraud." The legal battle stems from accusations of selective video editing and breaches of confidentiality agreements by Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation. The Center for Medical Progress, however, released the videos in their entirety, which were publicly reviewed. Previously, a U.S. District Court ordered CMP to pay over $1.2 million in damages related to the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Last year October, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel upheld a ruling requiring the activists to pay $2.4 million in damages. The panel rejected claims that their actions were protected by the First Amendment and journalistic practices. On Sunday mornings at New York Chinese Alliance Church, where I pastor, several different ethnic congregations come to listen to Gods Word in their mother tongues. Parents drop off their youngsters for childrens worship and Sunday school. Youth gather for fellowship and Bible study. Our seasoned ushers always try to welcome every familiar face and newcomer into the house of God with a warm smile. And while their primary goal is to meet and greet each person, our church has also trained them to identify acute needs and flag any potential concerns among the congregation. We have a congregant with a history of incarceration who often invites other formerly incarcerated men and women to church. And although we are happy for the opportunity to minister to such individuals, we try to be discerning in how to best serve them in the context of the larger community. One Sunday morning this year, this congregant invited a new visitor who triggered a sense of concern. When the ushers decided to inquire about the newcomer, they discovered that he was a registered sex offender. And while they still welcomed him as a first-time guest, they also wanted to protect our other congregantsand so they decided to inform our pastors and governing board members. Prayerfully, our church leadership identified a spiritually mature member to accompany the young man for the remainder of the service, and he was able to enjoy fellowship with other members throughout the afternoon. As a medium-sized Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, we realized we were woefully unpreparedhaving no explicit policies written to address these kinds of situations. Our governing board had never had to consider how to enable someone seeking God to find him in our fellowship, while still ensuring the safety of young children and adolescents in our congregation. Over 780,000 sex offenders reside in the United Statesa country in which 81 percent of women have experienced sexual abuse, along with 43 percent of men. Sexually abused children know their perpetrators 93 percent of the time. And yet just over 30 percent of sex offenses are reported to authorities. As a pastor and pediatrician, I feel a personal obligation to safeguard the youth in our church body. In my former practice, strict policies were implemented to protect sick and vulnerable children. At the same time, I sensed a need for our church to minister to this young man. Rather than denying him a place to worship, I felt we should offer him the same chance for redemption as anyone else. Article continues below Our governing board discussed details such as whether we should prohibit this man from interacting with children in our congregation. We wondered if we should inform the parents of our kids and youth, or whether that would create more fear than caution. We also wanted to be informed of whatever legal mandates were expected of us so that we could comply with the law of the land. Our priority was to protect the congregation. But at the same time, we wrestled with how Jesus would respond to this situationespecially knowing how he interacted with tax collectors, prostitutes, and other broken people on the fringes of first-century society. Could we fulfill both goals? And if so, how? First, its important to remember that federal laws require all sex offenders to register their status. Neglecting these laws can result in the prosecution of new crimes. For instance, in our state of New York, sex offenders are categorized based on their risk of committing another crime and harming the community. Level 1, or low-risk offenders, must register for 20 years unless they have been given a specific designation. Level 2 (medium) or level 3 (high) risk offenders are required to register for life. Special designations include sexual predators, sexually violent offenders, and predicate (repeat) sex offenders. That said, legislators have struggled for ages to develop appropriate policies for sex offenders. The pendulum swings from rehabilitation to punishment to isolation. Experts debate the merits of rehabilitation versus punishment alone. Each framework has pros and cons, with polarizing views on either side of the issue. Rehabilitation models place a prudential value on the dignity and wellbeing of every individual, including their relationships, health, work, and other activities. Rehab programs are designed to restore a persons capacity to function, regain their quality of life, and help them become a contributing member of society. But punishment models are also rooted in ethical valuesin the belief that theres a firm line between right and wrong, good and bad, and that this distinction defines our behavior and should underpin the boundaries of all our relationships. Likewise, local churches face the dilemma of where to place appropriate boundaries to ensure their communitys safety while also being willing to partner in the spiritual rehabilitation of broken individuals. Article continues below The Bible mandates protecting the vulnerable from harm while also showing mercy to sinners. In Luke 5:32, Jesus says, I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. At the same time, he warns us that whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea (Mark 9:42, KJV). So, unfortunately, there is no easy answer when it comes to how churches should respond to sex offenders who want to attend worship, participate in Bible study, or engage in other ministry gatherings. That said, most experts agree sex offenders should not be allowed to attend a church if its leaders are not properly trained to ensure the safety of their children. This includes staff being educated on the habits of sex offenderssuch as their potential to groom churches and take advantage of their trustas well as being informed of all relevant state and federal laws. Some states, like Tennessee, have proposed banning sex offenders from houses of worship unless they obtain permission. Others do not permit them to be onsite at daycare facilities or schools, which often include churches, depending on their structure and level of involvement in para-church activities. In many cases, it is not safe for the former sex offender to be allowed to have any contact with or proximity to children whatsoeverand it may even be illegal for them, depending on their timeline and level of risk. According to a 2010 CT study, nearly 80 percent of pastors, church leaders, and staff surveyed at the time believed sex offenders should be allowed to worship in church, so long as they are subject to supervision and certain limitations. That said, most arent prepared to welcome them into their own churches. In his 2009 book, pastor Dick Witherow defines sex offenders as modern-day lepers. When Florida laws restricted where sex offenders could live in the state, Witherow expanded his existing prison ministry to help sex offenders re-enter society and reintegrate into congregations. After a series of setbacks, he bought a property in Palm Beach County to build Miracle Village (also known as City of Refuge), now the largest community for rehabilitating sex offenders in the nation. While Witherows efforts have been a transformativeif controversialmodel, most churches do not have the resources or manpower to support sex offenders while ensuring the safety of the vulnerable. In these cases, larger churches with abundant staff may be better equipped to help, since they are more likely to have the resources to supervise sex offenders on the premises. Article continues below What did our church do in this situation? After a time of prayer, church leadership realized the need to develop a policy for future encounters. A committee was formed to understand the complexities of federal and state laws, evaluate our standing procedures, and provide recommendations to the governing board regarding our posture toward sex offenders. Given specific state laws regarding reporting and parole, our policy first defines the term sex offender. It then outlines specific requirements for sex offenders to attend church ministries, including an initial approval process involving pastors, the governing board, and a written covenant. The policy provides accountability for the sex offender, facilitates communication with church leaders, and allows oversight by the governing board. Some of the issues we considered revolved around the following questions: Is our church called to minister to sex offenders? What child safety protocols are in place, and what revisions are necessary? How do we obtain accurate and up-to-date information on a sex offenders status while liaising with relevant (e.g., parole officer) parties? In what ways can we gauge a sex offenders heart and sincerity? How can we provide accountability for all parties involved? What services can we offer, and which are better received outside the church (such as therapy/counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and addiction programs like AA/NA)? What is the role of a sex offenders accountability partner, and how can they minister to the individual? What ministries are a sex offender welcome to participate in? What congregational expectations should we have of a sex offenders code of conduct? What are potential consequences of policy violations, and how will they be enforced? Are we compliant with state mandates and federal laws? How and when should we communicate to our congregation when sex offenders are on the premises? How can we involve the congregation in the process in a way that reflects both the protective and welcoming heart of Christ? Another key question we considered was whether the person was truly repentant of their sin or whether they have sought to downplay their misdeeds. A genuinely repentant heart is one of the most important criteria in evaluating whether a sex offender is ready to engage in a local church. David models this heart of repentance in Psalm 51 as he confesses his sins in a spirit of brokenness and contrition. Article continues below While we were in the process of working through these considerations and developing an official policy, our committee invited the young man to worship with us virtually in our online service, rather than joining us in person, for the time being. He was gracious in his response and honored our wishes. We also assigned a pastoral staff member to reach out and minister to this individual on a regular basis. One of the most important goals of our policy was to develop an environment of accountability and potential for discipleship. Sexual recidivism rates are 30 percent at 10 years but as high as 52 percent within 25 years. Knowing that statistics are likely underreported, these rates of repeated criminal behavior demonstrate how difficult it is to overcome this particular thorn in the flesh. By fostering a relationship of accountability with a trusted church member, a sex offender has more communal incentive to avoid sexual temptations and live a sanctified life. Accountability partners are present to listen and support, while speaking the truth with grace, mercy, and love. Ideally, this kind of discipleship relationship encourages a life of prayer, worship, and personal devotion. We are still in the process of finalizing a sex offender policy that is comprehensive in scope and detailed in prescriptionan internal document that can guide our church in similar situations down the road. Above all, we want this policy to ensure the safety of vulnerable congregants while welcoming broken individuals with sinful pasts, like this young man, into our community and the heart of worship. As a medium-sized church, we are aware of our limitations and know that we may not be able to welcome every sex offender into our community. But at the same time, we do want to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus. Scripture tells us it is often through fellowship with the family of God that we can experience the love of Christ. And just like the broken people on the margins in Jesus day, sex offenders should not be kept from the chance to commune as members of the body of Christ. Ultimately, as Christians, we believe Jesus offers each of us the same opportunity for redemption through his bloodand if anyone is in him, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17, ESV). Stephen Ko is senior pastor at New York Chinese Alliance Church and adjunct professor at Alliance Theological Seminary. He is the author of the forthcoming Zondervan book Faith Embodied. [ This article is also available in Portugues. ] We live in a world where race relations receive near-constant attention. Conversations about race permeate our politics, schools, universities, sporting events, concerts, health servicesand our churches as well. And yet in public discourse, complex and wide-reaching issues of race are often reduced to the simple binary of Black versus white. But where does this leave other ethnicities that dont fit into this reigning dichotomy? Asians, to take one example, make up around 7 percent of the American population and around 10 percent of the British population. Yet the public discourse about race often overlooks them. As a British Singaporean, I am therefore grateful for Michelle Lee-Barnewalls new book A Longing to Belong: Reflections on Faith, Identity, and Race. A New Testament professor at Biola University, Lee-Barnewall weaves her personal story as a South Korean growing up and living in the United States with a practical exploration of the Bibles themes of identity, community, and diversity. Part 1, Created to Belong, begins with Lee-Barnewalls childhood, emphasizing her struggles to fit in at school as a South Korean growing up in Minnesota. Im sure many children can relate to her experience of desiring to been seen as normal, fearing classroom mockery, and enduring the pain of rejection by peers. Lee-Barnewall then dovetails her autobiographical anecdotes with the Bibles teaching that we are created as intrinsically relational beings who are wired to yearn for community. Furthermore, as she points out, Christians are called to something greater than personal repentance and discipleship; we are called to be interdependent and united as the very body of Christ. Lee-Barnewall notes that in Pauls teaching about the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12, there are very few imperatives. The body of Christ, in this sense, is not something we actively do or make but is the reality of who we are in Christ. Part 2, Belonging Together, is the longest section of the book, and it focuses on what it should look like to live as a community of believers. Lee-Barnewall begins by reflecting on how her identity was shaped by her familys ethnicity and history as Korean immigrants to the United States. She goes on to show that our identity in Christ is necessarily and indispensably corporate. As she puts it, being the body of Christ is more than a nice image to encourage us to cooperate and get along . Paul is talking about something real and true, something that has already happened. This is who we are, and who we are has real substance. Article continues below Lee-Barnewall spells out several implications of this statement. Being Christs body means existing as a community that cares for, and is affected by, the well-being of members, just as a human body is affected when one part is injured. It means that the church should be characterized by bonds of love and loyalty akin to those within a biological familybonds that compel radical personal sacrifices for the sake of others. And it means that the church should be a place of repentance when our hearts harbor prejudice or suspicion toward people of different racial or ethnic backgrounds. Part 3, Belonging to God, closes the book by turning our eyes to heaven, where people from every nation, tribe, people and language are gathered in worship before the throne of the Lamb (Rev. 7:9). Lee-Barnewall notes that heavens ethnic diversity is held together not through human effort or innovation but by communal worship. There is a place, she acknowledges, for seeking to build intentionally multicultural churches, but being before the throne may be the positionthe only positionthat allows us to overcome all the pettiness and meanness that causes our division and pain. There are several reasons to commend Lee-Barnewalls book, including her rich theological insights into the Bibles themes of community and identity. Her call to radically display the unity and love of Christ in our churches, especially across ethnic boundaries, is a challenge to us all. Furthermore, I am especially grateful to see Lee-Barnewall touch upon racial matters that often go neglected, even as they affect millions of Asians living in Western countries. For example, she recalls occasions when strangers assumed she was from a different East Asian country and the bizarre conversations that sometimes followed. She also discusses the fact that first- and second-generation immigrants to Western countries often lack close networks of extended family, which can breed feelings of isolation when friends speak about family gatherings and relationships. Lee-Barnewall even raises the issue of visas being tied to secure employment, and the persistent fear of deportation that hangs over immigrants with any sort of job insecurity. Article continues below Yet if I have one criticism, it would be the books tendency to shy away from some of the wider political discussions around race. A thoughtful and nuanced contribution from an Asian American theologian could have been helpful, particularly when Asians are often overlooked in modern political discourse. Take, for instance, the recent US Supreme Court decision that ruled against Harvard Universitys race-conscious admissions policy. Reaction to the decision appeared to be largely (if not exclusively) focused on the implications for Black and white students. But this overshadows the fact that the lawsuit was filed by a group of Asian American students, who maintained that Harvards policies were resulting in artificially low Asian admission rates. Lee-Barnewalls purpose in writing, of course, isnt to weigh in on every secular political debate that intersects with race. But her book might have been enriched, at various points, by greater attention to our wider political landscape. This criticism notwithstanding, A Longing to Belong is profoundly biblical, helpfully practical, and movingly personal. Readers of all races will discover a great source of nourishment, encouragement, and welcome provocation. Ben Chang is a writer and speaker. He is the author of Christ and the Culture Wars: Speaking for Jesus in a World of Identity Politics. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. Today Heather sits down for a heartfelt chat with Hosanna Wong, the best-selling author and spoken-word poet responsible for viral-video hits such as I Have a New Name. If you have ever struggled with issues of identity or self-worth, todays episode is for you. Hosanna also shares her ponderings about the complicated reality of grace, and how sometimes it feels like Gods grace isnt fair. In this episode Heather also taps into a lighter conversation with her best friend and co-blogger Scarlett Longstreet in Safe Space, a new segment in which Heather and Scarlett discuss social media and popular culture. Today they discuss oversharing. How much is too much when it comes to sharing the details of your life online? Heather and Scarlett are very different. They dont share the same religion or background, but they respect each other and have done a good job of creating a Safe Space for both meaningful and casual conversation. Guest Bio Hosanna Wong is an international speaker, best-selling author, and spoken word artist helping everyday people know Jesus for real. Widely known for her spoken-word piece I Have a New Name, Hosanna shares in churches, conferences, prisons and other events around the world. She reaches across various denominations, backgrounds and cultures and her latest book is called You Are More Than Youve Been Told. Host Bio Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including Ill See You Tomorrow and Its Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Additional Links You can sign up for Heathers encouraging email that goes out every Friday night at 7pm EST at www.heatherthompsonday.com/links Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Producer: Loren Joseph Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps Mix Engineer: Alex Carter Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper Jeff Schoch was ready to be done with COVID-19 health safety regulations. Like most ministers in the US, the pastor of Crossroads Bible Church in San Jose, California, did his best to comply with the many pandemic rules imposed by state and local governments. But as soon as they were lifted, he wanted to put them all behind him. He quickly tore down the state-mandated signs about social distancing, hand washing, and masks. I got rid of every visual reminder in the church, Schoch told CT. I was anxious, personally, to make that a memory. Across the country, Protestant congregations are dealing with the long-term impacts of the pandemic. A new, extensive study by Arbor Research Group and ChurchSalary, a ministry of Christianity Today, found that a lot of pastors are still in crisis. Some furloughed staff members havent gone back to work. And even when attendance numbers have rebounded, there are still people missing from many congregations. Christian leaders will likely be grappling with the fallout from COVID-19 for years to come. But, surprisingly, state-level pandemic restrictions had no measurable, lasting impact on American churches. Even in places like San Josewhere the county government imposed some of the strictest rules in the country, the restrictions changed frequently, and authorities aggressively went after churches they said failed to complypastors like Schoch were able to just move on. The data doesnt show any adverse effects from the government regulations. Eric Shieh, a research consultant for Arbor Research, said that surprised him. You would think that the restrictions made things tougher for churches. They didnt meet as much, and so youd be able to see the impact that had a few years later, he told CT. There should be something there. But based on the dataand we have a lot of datathats not what happened. Actually, theres no real correlation. Shieh looked at the regulations in 50 states and ranked their severity. In 9 states, government restrictions were mild to nonexistent, and ended very quickly. In 23, there was a moderate level of regulation around masks, meeting sizes, and social distancing. In another 18, there were a lot of rules and some harsh punishments. California, for example, limited the number of people who could attend a service indoors or outdoors, banned all singing and chanting, mandated masks, and required signs telling churchgoers to wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer, and not touch their face. There were also regulations about cleaning between servicesincluding instructions about which chemicals to useand washing or throwing away everything that had been touched. Places of worship must comply with all Cal/OSHA standards, the state instructed in July 2020, and be prepared to adhere to its guidance as well as guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Additionally, places of worship must be prepared to alter their operations as those guidelines change. Once Shieh ranked the severity of the state rules, he mapped the information that Arbor Research and ChurchSalary collected from their survey of 1,164 pastors from 42 denominations and qualitative interviews with 17 focus groups across the country. Measuring attendance, giving, staff levels, and several other metrics in 2022, he found that after all the regulations had been lifted (and some states, including California, had been reprimanded by the Supreme Court), there was little to no discernible difference between churches where there had been lots of restrictions and those where there had been almost none. The health of a church today isnt dependent on what region it is in, Shieh said. Its really internal factorsthe divisions in the church and the churchs resilience. That doesnt mean, however, that the health of individual churches wasnt severely tested by pandemic rules. When the first lockdown orders were issued in California, Schoch remembered wondering if his nondenominational church would even survive. Most of the members were senior citizens and the church had been struggling for a while. Oh great, Schoch said to himself, one more challenge. And then he prayed, This could be it, Lord. Three miles away at Willow Glen Bible Church, the church staff and elders were scrambling to figure out what to do. There was no protocol for getting instructions on rules for meeting. People were hearing stuff on the news, checking different websites, and hearing things from other churches and church staff like a crazy coconut telegraph of pastors texts. Family pastor David Mission recalls that the church decided very quickly to do what the county health department said, for the good of everybody. But then there was a problem figuring out how to interpret the rules. That was only made more complicated when the pandemic restrictions continued to evolve week to week. Its a hermeneutics problem, but like you get a new book of the Bible every week and its different from what you had before, Mission told CT. Were not trained to interpret this stuff. And we had young staff and older staff, elders with different levels of concern and different life experiences. We have some different temperaments, and were all trying to make sense of this message from the county health official together. It caused a lot of tension. But there was tension, too, in states where the government placed few burdens on religious gatherings and got rid of the restrictions quite quickly. In Statesboro, Georgia, on the other side of the country, New Covenant Church only closed its office for a few hours. The pastor, David McLendon, sent everybody home, but then when he got home he thought, Whos going to meet the FedEx guy to sign for all the equipment we just ordered to livestream the service? When he got back to the church, he found several staff members had had the same thought. They livestreamed the service, but New Covenant had trouble keeping people from showing up, McLendon recalled. The bands there, and the bands spouses are showing up, he said, and then other people watching the livestream can see that there are people present, and some of them started showing up too. In May, the governor of Georgia ended the shelter-in-place order, and the charismatic congregation in Statesboro opened back up. McLendon checked with the local chief of police to make sure hed understood the executive order correctly and then told his congregation, If you want to come, come, or you can watch at home. Were going to keep the livestream, so if you need to stay home, stay home. Not everybody was happy with the decision. And some were fine with the decision, but thought there should have been more conversations before it was made. Several elders were mad, McLendon recalled, and one quit. Some previously active members never appeared again, and he wonders if they were offended by the decision to reopen before other churches in the area. But the congregation has, nonetheless, grown since then. For the most part, theyve put the brief era of pandemic restrictions behind them. Having the Germ-X bottles everywhere is still weird, but we have them, McLendon said. I think we clean the church better than we did before. The biggest difference for us is that we eventually developed a really high-quality online service. My worship guy has really worked to make it excellent. Back in California, the tensions have eased at Willow Glen Bible Church as well. The church staff actually talks about the creativity, collaboration, and adaptation that was required during the lockdowns with some fondness. Someone will say, Maybe it would be nice to meet outside again. That was kind of fun when we did that, Mission said. Then when we get to it, actually planning it, its like nope. Up the road, Crossroads Bible Church hasnt died. Its actually grown. Schoch has seen a number of young adults start coming and is scheduled to officiate a bunch of weddings. Theres new life and new energy, and the nondenominational pastor has mostly been able to put that period of government restrictions out of his mind. He does hope, though, that going forward, he will remember some of what he learned during COVID-19. I became convicted about halfway through the whole crisis that, Oh, its not up to me. Its up to God, if God wants this church to survive, Schoch said. We just kept putting one foot in front of another and God showed up. 11 Christians killed in Nigeria's Plateau state, sources say ABUJA, Nigeria Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Sunday killed eight Christians in Plateau state, Nigeria, and wounded five others, sources said. The assailants attacked Du village, in Bassa Countys Kwall District, with two children among those slain and the wounded requiring hospital treatment, said Davidson Malison, spokesman of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), in a press statement. The Fulani militias stormed the community at about 8:10 p.m., positioned themselves and sprayed bullets on the bodies of innocent Christians who were asleep, Malison said. To prove the maximum act of wickedness by these terrorists, children of 9 and 11 years were among those killed. He called on the Nigerian government to urgently task security personnel to arrest the assailants. The terrorists are known to the Nigerian government, and they are not ghosts nor invisible, he said. They had made threatening statements particularly to our communities in recent past. He identified those slaughtered as Shara Danjuma, 9; Williams Danjuma, 11; Wala Boyi, 17; Yohanna Zehwhie, 35; Avu Goji, 18; Tingwie Nko, 38; Afiniki Sunday, 25; and Gani Doglas, 28. Wounded were Tini Thomas, 14; Rondo Peter, 18; Boma Sunday, 45; Geoffrey David, 19; and Joseph Monday, 25. Were not only saddened by this unfortunate development and occurrence but completely depressed and brokenhearted, knowing fully how peaceful and hospitable Christians have lived with their Muslim neighbors in Plateau state, Malison said. The attack has enveloped the local community in tears, sorrow and sadness, he said. This is no doubt the continuation of destruction of lives and the ceaseless attempts to annihilate Christians of Rigwe ethnic extraction by terrorists and armed herdsmen has kept on persisting, he said. In Plateau states Atuhun Panyam village, Mangu County, three Christians were killed on Sept. 27, area residents said. Area community leaders Longse Jokle and Joshua Gufwam in a press statement expressed sadness over continued attacks on Christians in Plateau state. We mourn the brutal killing of three of our people in Atuhun Panyam: Panshak Peter, Ishaku Zumuk and Yakubu Sokyes, by Fulani militias; all whose corpses have been recovered from their farms where they were attacked, Jokle and Gufwam said. They have been buried in their respective villages which span into Pushit District. Jokle and Gufwam, president and secretary respectively of the Panyam District Development Association, called on the countrys security agencies to halt attacks on Christians in Plateau state. We condemn the killing of the three Christian farmers and call on security agencies to go after the killers, they said. Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people. In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year. Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation. Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity. Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report. They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states. Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds. Air Force reservist sues over punishment for 'political' remarks during off-duty speech A member of the U.S. Armed Forces is taking legal action against the Department of Defense and other officials after he was disciplined for remarks he made while in uniform at a private ceremony. U.S. Air Force Reserve Jace Yarbrough, who had previously served on active duty and is an attorney in his civilian life, received a letter of admonishment for giving remarks while off duty at a retirement ceremony in 2021 that some deemed political in nature. A complaint filed Tuesday on behalf of Yarbrough in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division accuses military officials of violating the reservists' rights. "This case arises from Defendants' decision to take adverse, disciplinary action against Plaintiff, Mr. Jace Yarbrough, solely for his private religious belief and private speech on matters of public concern," reads the complaint. "Despite multiple administrative appeals up the chain of command, Defendants refused to rescind the discipline, which will continue to have a significant negative impact on Mr. Yarbrough's military and civilian careers." In June 2021, Yarbrough gave a speech while in uniform at a military retirement ceremony held at the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in which he spoke about his faith and his concern about politics in the military. Yarbrough was concerned about a "culture war" within the Armed Forces and said "men can't birth babies" and that "boys should not be allowed in girls' locker rooms." A member of the U.S. Navy who was present for the speech filed a complaint against Yarbrough, with the reservist receiving an admonishment letter reprimanding him for his remarks in August 2021. "The LOA condemned specific remarks, including his references to 'radical political factions,' 'how the military is fostering a culture of 'incompetence and cowardice, and 'DoD-wide extremism training as a thinly veiled flex of political power,'" the complaint reads. "The LOA stated that Mr. Yarbroughs expressed viewpoints were improper because '[m]ilitary members are to remain apolitical and must respect the chain of command.'" Attached to the letter of admonishment were witness statements. One witness noted that Yarbrough's "personal/religious views seemed to be in conflict with the rights of the LGBTQ community." Meanwhile, another stated that "his message had a religious tone to it." Yarbrough is represented by the First Liberty Institute, the law firm Winston & Strawn, the Ave Maria School of Law Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic. Antony Kolenc, director of the Veterans and Servicemembers Law Clinic, said in a statement that "this cause is central to our mission" of "preserving religious liberty." "Our clinical students have been inspired by Jace's courage to take a stand for the rights of military reservists. We hope this case will help stop the erosion of First Amendment protections in the U.S. Armed Forces," stated Kolenc. The U.S. Armed Forces has long limited the extent to which military personnel can wear uniforms and be involved in speech or events that are considered political in nature. According to a 2008 Defense Department directive, "members on active duty should not engage in partisan political activity" and "members not on active duty should avoid inferences that their political activities imply or appear to imply official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement." The directive states that a military member cannot "Wear a uniform or use any Government property or facilities" when "taking part in local nonpartisan political activity." Capt. Gregory Justis wrote in a May 2019 column on the Dover Air Force Base website that military personnel, including reservists, "are prohibited from engaging in any political activities while in their official capacity or in uniform." "This includes marching in partisan political parades, distributing political literature and print material or engaging in any public commentary on political issues or campaigns," wrote Justis. "Members must also use discretion when posting on social media about political topics while using a photo of themselves in uniform again, the concern is tying the cause or the candidate to the Air Force." Justis did note that "military members and civilians are free to engage in the political process; personnel may write letters to editors, participate in online blogging, march in parades or engage in politically charged speech provided that they do so in an unofficial capacity." Yarbrough's complaint contends that the military "has permitted members to engage in other kinds of political speech and expressive conduct while on activity duty, in uniform, and while using their military title and position." Oral Roberts University gets historic $2.2M grant from Education Dept. to help at-risk students Oral Roberts University, a private Evangelical school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been awarded a historic grant of more than $2.2 million by the U.S. Department of Education to help its growing population of at-risk students triggered in part by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. The award, which was acknowledged as the largest academic grant in the schools history, came from the DOEs Strengthening Institutions Program and is expected to be disbursed over five years, the university announced Wednesday, and ORU President William M. Wilson said he was thrilled. We deeply appreciate this generous Department of Education grant and the arduous efforts of our faculty in applying. The funds we receive over the coming years will help ORU take our programs and services for at-risk students to a new level. We are thrilled to expand our resources, and the results will change the trajectory of students lives, Wilson said. Among the listed goals of the grant are improving the six-year graduation rate, increasing the minority and Pell-eligible six-year graduation rate, and expanding academic support for at-risk students. University Provost Kathaleen Reid-Martinez said in a statement that the at-risk student crisis is one of the biggest challenges in higher education in the wake of the pandemic. We are very fortunate at ORU that leadership recognized the post-pandemic challenges impacting so many students. Its very encouraging that the Department of Education saw the value in our grant application and in our approaches to helping students fulfill their goals and dreams, Martinez said in a statement. Officials at the university explained that while institutions of higher learning have long been serving at-risk students like first-generation college students, transfer students, and international students, they have seen an increase in that population of students who have been falling behind academically due to Pandemic Learning Loss along with social, emotional, and financial challenges. The Lumina Foundation-Gallup State of Higher Education 2022 study published in March, showed that some four in 10 students enrolled in a post-secondary education program considered stopping out in the past six months and the most commonly cited reason was emotional stress. The survey, which was conducted Oct. 26 to Nov. 17, 2022, included more than 12,000 U.S. adults aged 18 to 59 who have a high school degree/diploma or equivalent and have not yet completed an associate or bachelors degree. Some 3,949 were enrolled in an associate or bachelors degree program, 2,059 were enrolled in a certificate or certification program, 3,004 had some college experience but no degree and are not enrolled, while 3,003 individuals have never enrolled in higher education. Regardless of the causes, findings from Stressed Out and Stopping Out: The Mental Health Crisis in Higher Education underscore the urgency of the issue by highlighting the frequency with which college students particularly those in bachelors programs report experiencing emotional stress and the extent to which issues related to mental health dominate students reasons for potentially stopping their coursework, researchers noted. Another survey published last month by Gallup showed that the majority of college students reported feeling stress and worry the previous day, while significant minorities reported experiencing loneliness and sadness. This grant is a game-changer for ORU. It will provide resources to support students, including those facing barriers to obtaining their degree, said Kim Boyd, assistant to the provost who oversees many of ORUs grant activities. Faculty will participate in grant-sponsored professional development activities that focus on mentorship and advisement, and professors will benefit by applying teaching strategies that engage students. Sadie Robertson responds to Christian critics of her Disney World vacation, cites Mark 2 Sadie Robertson Huff of "Duck Dynasty" fame recently addressed the criticism she received for going on a family trip to Disney World, saying she doesn't agree with everything Disney stands for. The 26-year-old reality television star and her mother, Korie Robertson, spoke about the social media backlash on an episode of her "Whoa That's Good" podcast posted on Monday. Robertson Huff urged Christians to stop engaging in "cancel culture," warning that it's often far too "extreme." She said a lot of people unfollowed her on social media, claiming she is "woke" and "no longer a Christian" because "I chose to bring my family to Disney World." Robertson Huff said that Disney "is corrupt" and does stand for things she disagrees with but said that Christians are called to be "in this world and not of the world." She pointed to Mark 2:13-16, warning followers of Christ not to pass harmful judgment on others based on where they are, as Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners but was still sinless. "We're not saying 'this is an excuse to go sin,' because Jesus didn't sin when he sat at the table with sinners. Jesus did not become less holy when He sat at a table with sinners. He was always holy. But, He was still in the presence [of] sinners," Robertson Huff said. "He's sitting with such unholy people in an unholy place, and they're like, 'You can't be holy if you're there. How could you be with them? How could you recline at the table with them and say that you're God?' But, the thing that Jesus preached and lived is He is holy, and He is always holy, no matter where He is." Robertson Huff said she "can't obtain holiness without the holiness of God being in my heart." "I am not holy because of where I am. I am holy because of who Christ is in me," she added. She contends that she is not "less holy because I'm in a place like Disney World." "Did Jesus do everything that the sinners did at the table? No. Does He agree with the way they live? No," she added. "He was reclining with them, but He wasn't living like them. He didn't agree with them." "As a Christian, having that as my model, if I go to a place that might have sinners around, that doesn't mean I all of a sudden become a sinner." The public speaker and author noted that the primary reason for the trip is because her daughter Honey loves Disney princesses. "I'm doing this for my family. I'm doing this for the right reasons. I'm not doing this because I agree with everything. I'm not teaching Honey what the back ends of Disney are and saying that we support that. No. We're going because we're going to meet Rapunzel," she said. Robertson Huff said that while it is healthy to have conversations about how Disney has changed, she isn't opposed to all of what Disney is putting out there, citing films like "Frozen," "Tangled" and "Moana." "We're actually getting spiritual things out of them and able to share with Honey just things that we see God in," she said. "Maybe if we keep going down this road and they start to change and movies are putting out completely false messages that I do not want Honey to see, we're not going to let her watch that." Robertson Huff acknowledged that Disney has created some projects she believes are "too far," and she will not let her daughter watch or be a part of that content. "If they put out movies that I have heard have false messaging or messaging that's against the Gospel, of course, I do not support that," she said. "I do not pay money to the theater to see that. I do not watch that in my house. We're not supporting all things that Disney put out because we went to Disney World." "For some reason, with social media, it's like if you do one thing, you're supporting a whole movement, or you're a part of this whole thing. And it's almost like we've lost the gift of just being able to be our individual selves, which is so crazy." In recent years, Disney has received pushback from some Christian parents and consumers for programming they deem inappropriate. Some pastors and advocacy groups have accused Disney of being "demonic" and "sexualizing children," as well as bowing to the LGBT movement. Last month, Robertson Huff posted a photo of her and her family outside the Disney World castle to her Instagram. While the post got over 256,000 likes, it also received numerous critical comments, some of which received hundreds of likes. "[T]he Disney of today is not the same Disney of 25/30 years ago," wrote one critic, whose comment received over 430 likes as of Wednesday "Even if you personally have the most wholesome family day and even pray over all of your in park meals ... you are still contributing financially to a business that has a very dark side to it." SBCs North American Mission Board receives record $70.2 million offering The Southern Baptist Conventions missions group centered on North America has received a $70.2 million offering this year, making it the largest single-year offering in its history. North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell announced Monday that they had received $70.2 million from the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in 2023. Ezell revealed the record offering to the NAMB Board of Trustees at their annual autumn meeting, which was held in Denver, Colorado, on Oct. 2-3. We need more evangelistic churches, especially in regions where the Gospel presence is less visible, Ezell said in a statement. I am grateful for how Southern Baptists love their missionaries and for how they have bought into the vision of reaching North America through evangelism, church planting and compassion ministry. Vance Pitman, president of Send Network, the church planting arm for NAMB, was quoted in the announcement noting that the record is especially impressive given that it comes during a problematic economy. This is a year when the economy is down. Most churches are reporting their giving is down. And to see a record like this, in the midst of that. It reminds me of the verse in 2 Corinthians when Paul writes about the church of Macedonia. He said out of their abundance of joy and their deep poverty, they gave, he added. The previous record offering for NAMB came last year, when the AAEO totaled $68.9 million, and had also set previous records in 2017, 2018 and 2019, with a dip occurring in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The AAEO was named after Annie Armstrong, who served as the first leader of the SBC's Womans Missionary Union, with the offering first being given in 1895. Named in Armstrongs honor in 1934, the money raised through the offering directly goes to support missionaries in the United States and Canada. According to NAMB, the AAEO has seen a 29% increase since 2010 and is credited with helping to launch more than 10,000 new church plants over the past 13 years. News of the record offering comes months after Lifeway Christian Resources released a report indicating that the SBC had experienced its worst decline in members in 100 years last year. According to the Lifeway report released in May, while worship attendance and baptisms rose last year, approximately 457,000 people left the SBC in 2022, dropping the largest Protestant denomination in the United States to around 13.22 million members. Betrayed by Andy Stanley's 'Unconditional Conference' I am writing this in response to multiple requests by those in my community. After this last weekend, many Christians feel even more betrayed by Western Christian leadership in general, and Andy Stanley specifically. For those still unaware, Andy Stanley, who has perpetuated controversy in recent years with skeptical comments about the authority of Scripture, left little to the imagination about his true beliefs on sexuality when he planned his Unconditional Conference. Targeting compassionate Christian families with LGBT acolytes and activists, these well-meaning families, motivated to show love, put themselves under teaching that they believed came from a reputable source only to discover their families will experience additional grief. Far from his fathers notoriety for obedience to Scripture, Andy instigates confusion over its historical interpretation and authority. His conference demonstrates a rebellion from foundational principles and tenets that give the Christian faith its Christian distinction. It seems his interpretation of unconditional isnt referring to the unconditional love of God displayed in the sacrifice of His son for the redemption of sinful man, but instead a means of rebellion where Gods conditions for salvation are compromised using limited lived experience and hyper-grace as the futile soil and tainted fuel to grow another sort of kingdom. The authentic Gospel is mysteriously displayed in the physical traditional marriage God laid out at the creation of the Universe: one man, one woman, for a lifetime. His conference is a perversion of the Gospel itself and a mockery of the created order. In contrast to Andys followers, the Overcomer (Church) subculture, and greater the universal Church, has a 2,000-year-old history of redemption from sexual sin and perversion. The Overcomer subculture has been strained by his theological understanding and poor church reputation in our communities. Made of ex-gays, non-gays and de-transitioners who have abandoned the culture and exchanged the temporary benefits of the flesh for Gods Kingdom, these Christians are known for faith-filled sobriety and a commitment to a regenerative Christian lifestyle. Andy has taken the perspective of harmful Christian leaders who have betrayed this community in the past, advocating for one of two perspectives based on a similar foundation: Sexual orientation and gender identity are determined by God and are therefore permanent. Sadly, there are misuses of these truths: Either God sanctions the LGBTQ lifestyle or, God has marked LGBT people for death and judgment at birth. Neither one is biblical. True responsibility lies in our personal choices. The Unconditional Conference was Andys public stand to promote homosexual marriage through those whom he platformed and create a false gospel marked by momentary relief and false peace. What will inevitably ensue are years of doubt, broken relationships, and unhealthy lifestyles. Worse yet, Andy stirs controversy based on un-biblical ideas that put his church leaders in a compromised position. For anyone who is familiar with the downfalls of past sexual integrity ministries like Exodus International or Hope For Wholeness, this has bad leadership written all over it. Take a lesson from Christian Overcomers there is a point at which the leader needs to be removed before worse things happen to those under his care. For those who merely sit under dangerous teachings of this type, excuses for participation are a terrible denial strategy its time to walk away. North Point has become Andys Church as opposed to Gods Church with many church members feeling betrayed in the wake of it. Lets pray for his redemption. For those who are interested in a sexual integrity ministry that has stood the test of time and unites families sustainably, there are many to choose from. Here are just a few Christian networks directing individuals and families to lasting healing and redemption: The Transformation Ministries Alliance, Changed Movement, Restored Hope Network, ReStory Ministries and Sexual Integrity Leadership Summit. There is much hope for all of us, including Andy. If God can redeem people from LGBTQ identity, lifestyle, and now dogma, then with Him, all things are possible. He is truly unconditional. Nicaragua: Where religious persecution continues unabated Everyone concerned with basic human rights should be outraged by the crisis endured by people of faith in Nicaragua. For living in accordance with their convictions, the faithful in Nicaragua are being silenced and imprisoned. The time for international action is now. For simply fulfilling his duties as a Catholic pastor by preaching on human dignity and God-given freedoms, and denouncing the injustices that contravene these freedoms, Bishop Rolando Alvarez has been unjustly imprisoned and labeled as a criminal. No person should be targeted by the state for sharing their faith, and the actions of the Nicaraguan government are in clear violation of Bishop Alvarezs human rights to both religious freedom and free speech. President Daniel Ortega and his regime notoriously wields their power to suppress anyone or any entity who dares to challenge the regime. The regime has set its sights on the Catholic Church, openly and systematically targeting religious orders, media, schools, leaders, and ordinary people of faith who dare to speak out against the abuses perpetrated by the government. One of the many, and perhaps best known, victims of state-sponsored persecution is Bishop Alvarez. For peacefully standing up and speaking out against the Ortega regimes abuses, the bishop currently is serving a 26-year prison sentence. Convicted in a sham trial, there are no effective avenues for justice available in Nicaragua. In my capacity as legal counsel for Latin America with ADF International, I was honored to file the Bishops case at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on September 12th, petitioning the body to demand his release from the Nicaraguan government. Urgent action from the Commission with a mandate to protect and promote human rights throughout Latin America is essential for justice in his case. The Nicaraguan governments attack on Bishop Alvarez escalated in August 2022, when police prevented him from leaving his residence to celebrate Mass. For 15 days, he was forcibly detained, along with several other members of the church. After this ordeal and without a warrant, police arrested Bishop Alvarez, charging him with undermining national integrity and propagation of false news. He was charged based on statements he had made in his sermons at the church pulpit that denounced the human rights violations perpetrated by the Ortega regime. Before his trial, the government attempted to exile Bishop Alvarez to the United States. Bishop Alvarez garnered international attention when he refused an exile offer from the government, choosing to stay and bear witness alongside his people. After refusing this offer, Bishop Alvarez later was convicted of these charges during a sham trial that he was not aware of and therefore did not attend. Adding insult to very serious injury, he was blocked from appointing his own lawyer, and later his lawyer was barred from accessing basic information about the charges he faced, despite repeated requests. After being denied any kind of due process, Bishop Alvarez ultimately was sentenced to 26 years imprisonment and stripped of his citizenship having been deemed a traitor to the state. He currently is in the seventh month of his sentence, and has been deprived of contact with his family and lawyers, apart from a publicity stunt organized for state media, leading many around the world to question and raise concern for his well-being. Most recently, the bishop has been nominated for the European Parliaments top human rights award. This is a man whose incredible courage and fidelity to the truth rightfully has captured international attention. The Inter-American Commission should take note. As he languishes in jail, we must pray for the bishop and his strength, but also it is imperative that the international community act now to end this blatant violation of human rights. Its time to free Bishop Alvarez and stop religious persecution in Nicaragua. Speaker McCarthy has been ousted as House Speaker. So what happens next? A political earthquake happened Tuesday night. The fallout from Saturdays unsatisfying status quo budget deal came swiftly as the House voted to oust the speaker in the middle of a term for the first time in U.S. history. Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was deposed by eight Republicans who voted with Democrats to remove him. The vote was 216-210. My colleague, Virginia Allen, wrote an excellent wrap-up of how the ouster went down and who was involved. The question on everyones mind is: whats going to happen now? This is a chaotic and unprecedented situation, so it isnt exactly clear when there will be a new speaker or who that will be. This ousting, using the motion to vacate the chair, was only possible because of the negotiations between McCarthy and conservatives that put him in the speakers role in January. Since the speakership is now technically vacant, an interim speaker has been selected from a secret list of candidates selected by McCarthy. The man atop that list was Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who will act as the speaker pro tempore until the full House selects a new speaker. There are no rules for how long McHenry can remain in that capacity, so his time could be brief. It really depends on what the members decide. McHenry said following the ouster that prior to proceeding to the election of a speaker, it would be prudent to first recess for the relative caucus and conferences to meet and discuss the path forward. According to NBC News, a speaker election will take place on Oct. 11. Rep. Matt Gaetz., R-Fla., who originally filed the motion to vacate, said he isnt happy with this timeline. I was very disappointed that Mr. McHenry said that we wont be engaging the peoples work until next Tuesday, Gaetz told CNN on Tuesday night. We should stay, we should work, we should have the Speaker election this week. Matt Gaetz frustrated that RINOs want to take a week off before electing a new Speaker: "I was very disappointed that Mr. McHenry said that we wont be engaging the peoples work until next Tuesday. We should stay, we should work, we should have the Speaker election this week." pic.twitter.com/bWqSkEqWpp Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 3, 2023 It took McCarthy 15 rounds of voting over four days to secure his speakership. Given the likely bad feelings among members right now, this could be an equally contentious negotiation. Theres certainly reason to hurry along the process. Congress must reach and the president must sign a budget deal by Nov. 17, or the government will shut down. That negotiation was likely to be contentious, but its hard to imagine any kind of deal being hammered out without a speaker chosen well beforehand. Amid all the uncertainty, one thing is sure: McCarthy wont be running again. He announced on X that he was frustrated with the process and will step aside. So, who will become the speaker? Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts weighed in and explained what the qualifications for the job must be. (The Daily Signal is the media organization of The Heritage Foundation.) Americans are looking for leaders who know what time it is and are willing to fight. The next Speaker must unite Republicans around securing the border, cutting spending, reining in the woke and weaponized government, and putting American families at the center of our agenda. Kevin Roberts (@KevinRobertsTX) October 3, 2023 Another thing to keep in mind is that strange as it may seem, the speaker doesnt need to be a member of Congress. The House could conceivably choose someone from outside the body. Rep. Troy E. Nehls, R-Texas, jumped into the fray and said he would nominate former President Donald Trump to be the next speaker of the House. Kevin McCarthy will NOT be running again as Speaker. I nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the House. Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) October 3, 2023 The United States had one former president become a member of the House. John Quincy Adams was elected to the House in 1830 after his defeat in the 1828 presidential election. A former president becoming the speaker of the House without even getting elected to the House would be again unprecedented. But were on untrodden ground here, so who knows? Originally published at The Daily Signal. This week in Christian history: Wheaton College holds first classes; Oral Roberts dies Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance. Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births, notable deaths and everything in between. Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while other happenings might be previously unknown by most people. This week Dec. 12 through Dec. 18 marks the anniversary of the death of a controversial preacher, the censorship of a prominent Catholic theologian and the first classes being held at a prominent evangelical higher education institution. 1 2 3 4 Next Liberty U faces federal investigation as another student claims rape allegation was mishandled Another former student has claimed that Liberty University failed to properly investigate her allegation of sexual assault, prompting the U.S. Department of Education to investigate the school's handling of assault allegations. The lawsuit, filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, argues that Liberty failed to provide Plaintiff with services or reasonable accommodations required under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act, and other laws. According to the complaint, student Jane Doe was raped by another student on April 27, 2021, at an off-campus student housing complex called The Oasis. The lawsuit claims that the university didn't investigate the claim and later accused her of violating the student code of conduct. The lawsuit comes after a class-action lawsuit was filed last year by a dozen students who made similar allegations. The U.S. Department of Education is now investigating Liberty University's handling of reported sexual assaults and the school's compliance with the Clery Act, which requires schools to support victims of sexual violence. The incident involving Doe was said to have occurred following a party at the pool and courtyard of the apartment complex. "Excessive and underage drinking" allegedly occurred for hours "unabated and unmonitored." The alleged perpetrator was accused of being intoxicated and following Doe to her room when she went to change clothes. Inside the room, Doe alleges she was raped and strangled despite her best attempts to escape. The lawsuit makes clear that the advances were unwanted. Doe said she texted friends to come to help her escape the situation, and Doe immediately reported the crime to campus authorities. Despite their knowledge of the incident, Liberty failed to investigate the matter and did not take any action or protective measures in response, claimed the lawsuit. Instead, Liberty demonstrated systematic deliberate indifference, retaliated against the Plaintiff, and perpetuated a sexually hostile and dangerous environment on and around campus. The complaint states that because of Libertys conduct, Plaintiff Jane Doe suffered immense damages, including damage to her academic standing, being ostracized from the university community and being accused by the administration of violating the 'Liberty Way' (Libertys code of student conduct). [Jane Doe] lived in regular fear of encountering her assailant on and around campus, and dealt with daily mental, emotional, and psychological trauma, continued the complaint. Ultimately, Plaintiff was forced out of Liberty University. A Liberty University spokesperson told The Christian Post in an emailed statement Monday that the university has not reviewed the lawsuit and therefore declines to make a specific, public comment on the suit at this time. Liberty University will certainly address these claims in court," the statement reads. Also listed as plaintiffs are companies that have owned and operated The Oasis off-campus "students only" housing complex. "No security or other personnel of The Oasis took any measures to prohibit the excessive and underage drinking that took place for hours in the common areas of the complex," the lawsuit claims. Hours after the alleged rape, the plaintiff went to a local hospital to undergo forensic examination and filed a police report with a Campbell County Sheriffs Department deputy. The lawsuit claims photographs were taken of numerous bruises and lacerations on her body and she was discharged the next day. Doe also reported the assault to Liberty University campus police but was told that campus police would not investigate the incident because it was outside of their jurisdiction. Doe claims she was told to file a report with the school's Title IX office. Despite contacting the Title IX office, Doe alleges the school didn't investigate her claims for the rest of the semester. The lawsuit claimed Doe was contacted in late May about an investigation into another student's "substance use policy. "[The school's] outreach had nothing to do with the rape and assault reported to Liberty, but rather was the beginning of a months-long effort by Liberty to harass, intimidate, and retaliate against the Plaintiff," the lawsuit alleges. The lawsuit comes after 12 women filed a class-action lawsuit against Liberty last Jule, accusing the Lynchburg-based higher education institution of failing to adequately investigate credible claims of sexual assault. The complaint argued that Liberty created an unsafe campus environment by misusing its honor code, The Liberty Way. The code, among other things, prohibits extramarital sex, consuming alcohol and attending events where alcohol is served. The Liberty spokesperson directed CP to a statement from last October, in which Liberty President Jerry Prevo defended the evangelical Christian schools code of conduct. The Liberty Way should never be misused to cover up wrongdoing. It is also the case that as a Christian university we will remain unwavering in our commitment to cultivating a culture in our Liberty community that honors Gods Word and embraces Gods principles for life, stated Prevo at the time. While The Liberty Way must never be used to discourage victims from reporting wrongdoing, we also believe that we do not have to choose between embracing our code of conduct as a Christian university and in complying with our legal Title IX obligations. We can do both at the same time, and we will do so. A Liberty University spokesperson said the school "welcomes" the Department of Education's investigation into its Cleary Act compliance program and pledged "full cooperation." "We have also committed to work collaboratively with the Department to address any potential compliance gaps identified through the review," the spokesperson said in a statement sent to WDBJ7. "Our Clery Compliance Officer, in the Office of Equity and Compliance, works closely with the Liberty University Police Department and campus partners to prioritize campus safety and fulfill the requirements of the Clery Act." Americans' preference for large families hits highest level in over 50 years: Gallup More Americans say the ideal family size consists of three children, according to a new poll that found younger Americans, Catholics, churchgoers and women are among those most likely to prefer large families. Gallup recently released the results of two separate surveys examining Americans views as to what constitutes the ideal family size. The polls, conducted from June 1-22 and July 3-27, found a roughly equal level of support for large and small families. The survey asked respondents, What do you think is the ideal number of children for a family to have? A plurality of those surveyed (44%) suggested that the ideal family consisted of two children. An additional 3% identified the ideal family as featuring just one child, while 2% believed that the ideal family was one with no children at all. The share of Americans who preferred small families, meaning those who think an ideal family should only have one or two children, added up to 47%. On the other hand, the total share of Americans who favored larger families amounted to 45%. Specifically, 29% thought the ideal family size should include three children, and 12% defined the ideal family as having four children. The share of respondents who preferred family sizes of five and six or more children was 2% in each case. Americans belief that the ideal family size includes three or more children has been rising steadily in recent years, currently up 4 percentage points from the previous reading in 2018 to its highest point since 1971, wrote Gallups Megan Brenan in an analysis of the results. The latest measure is one of the few instances when preferences for smaller families (of one or two children) and larger families (of three or more children) are statistically tied in Gallups trend. In 1971, 52% of respondents asked by Gallup to identify the ideal family size expressed support for three or more children. Since then, the percentage of Americans favoring small families has consistently exceeded the share of Americans who favor large families. Broken down by demographic subgroup, majorities of black adults (57%), Catholics (56%), those who attend church weekly (54%), Hispanic adults (53%), Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 (52%) and those who make less than $40,000 a year (51%) expressed a preference for families with three or more children. Half of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters (50%) and those who attend church weekly or monthly said the same. Additionally, pluralities of Americans between 50 and 64 (48%) and women (46%) favored larger families. Meanwhile, majorities of those who do not identify with a religion (58%), Democrats and Democrat-leaning voters (53%), Americans who seldom or never attend church services (52%), and white adults (51%) thought that the ideal number of children for a family to have was two or less. Half of Americans who make between $40,000 and $100,000 and half of respondents who make $100,000 or more preferred smaller families, as did half of those between the ages of 30 and 49. A plurality of men (49%) and those aged 65 and older (49%) identified families with one or two children as the ideal size. When asked about their parental status, the overwhelming majority of respondents (69%) said they were parents, while 15% of those between 18 and 40 reported that they did not have children but still wanted to. Six percent of respondents aged 41 and older did not have children but wished they had, while the remaining 8% told pollsters they do not want children at all. A majority of those between 18 and 29 (63%) said they do not have children but still want to, while 21% already have children. The remaining 16% do not want children at all. Seventy-four percent of respondents between the ages of 30 and 49 (74%) have children, while 8% do not want them. Eleven percent of those between the ages of 30 and 40 do not have children but still want to, and 5% of respondents between the ages of 41 and 49 did not have children but wish they had. The overwhelming majority of Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 (82%) and those 65 and older (88%) already have children, while 11% of Americans aged 50-64 and 6% of the elderly do not have children but wish they had. Small shares of Americans between 50 and 64 (7%) and the elderly (5%) said they did not want children. According to Artificial Intelligence, this is what Jesus looked like if the Shroud of Turin is authentic Throughout history, artists from Michelangelo to Leonardo da Vinci have strived to capture an accurate representation of Jesus Christ through their brush strokes. With AI technology, the long-awaited unveiling of what some believe to be the genuine face of Jesus, derived from the Shroud of Turin, has become a reality. The Shroud of Turin, a revered Christian relic, is said to bear the image of Jesus post-mortem, imprinted on a 14-foot linen cloth. Its origins trace back to 1354 in northern France, where it was attributed to Geoffroi de Charny, a renowned French knight. However, the acquisition of the shroud remains a mystery. The authenticity of the shroud has been the subject of heated debate since its emergence. In the 14th century, suspicions arose about its legitimacy, with the bishop of Troyes even asserting it might have been a fundraising scheme for the Lirey church. Pope Clement VII, while skeptical, allowed its display as an "icon," not a "relic." Scientific scrutiny has further fuelled the controversy. Radiocarbon dating places the shroud's creation in the Middle Ages, yet some scholars argue the dated sample was a later repair. While various Christian denominations acknowledge the shroud's significance, the Catholic Church refrains from a definitive stance, leaving interpretation down to its members and to believers. This recent AI generated image offers a strikingly lifelike depiction of Jesus: a slender figure with flowing hair, gentle eyes, prominent cheekbones, and a goatee. This portrayal aligns with many historical artistic renderings of Jesus. Skeptics raise the question of whether the AI generated image may have been influenced by prior portrayals of Jesus, or if our collective perception of Jesus has been shaped by the shroud itself. The unveiling prompts a fundamental query: can this portrait be regarded as the authentic face of Jesus or a skillful reproduction? The debate continues, and opinions remain divided. Duncan Williams is outreach director for the Christian Free Press and has worked for Son Christian Media here in the UK and Recovery Network Radio in the United States. He is an ordained minister and a long-term member of Christians in Media. He provides content and syndicated news for regional publisher www.tindlenews.co.uk Christian slain, others kidnapped in separate areas of Nigeria Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Sunday Oct. 1 killed eight Christians in Plateau state, Nigeria, and wounded five others, sources said. The assailants attacked Du village, in Bassa County's Kwall District, with two children among those slain and the wounded requiring hospital treatment, said Davidson Malison, spokesman of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), in a press statement. "The Fulani militias stormed the community at about 8:10 p.m., positioned themselves and sprayed bullets on the bodies of innocent Christians who were asleep," Malison said. "To prove the maximum act of wickedness by these terrorists, children of 9 and 11 years were among those killed." He called on the Nigerian government to urgently task security personnel to arrest the assailants. "The terrorists are known to the Nigerian government, and they are not ghosts nor invisible," he said. "They had made threatening statements particularly to our communities in recent past." He identified those slaughtered as Shara Danjuma, 9; Williams Danjuma, 11; Wala Boyi, 17; Yohanna Zehwhie, 35; Avu Goji,18; Tingwie Nko, 38; Afiniki Sunday, 25; and Gani Doglas, 28. Wounded were Tini Thomas, 14; Rondo Peter, 18; Boma Sunday, 45; Geoffrey David, 19; and Joseph Monday, 25. "We're not only saddened by this unfortunate development and occurrence but completely depressed and brokenhearted, knowing fully how peaceful and hospitable Christians have lived with their Muslim neighbors in Plateau state," Malison said. The attack has enveloped the local community in "tears, sorrow and sadness," he said. "This is no doubt the continuation of destruction of lives and the ceaseless attempts to annihilate Christians of Rigwe ethnic extraction by terrorists and armed herdsmen has kept on persisting," he said. In Plateau state's Atuhun Panyam village, Mangu County, three Christians were killed on Sept. 27, area residents said. Area community leaders Longse Jokle and Joshua Gufwam in a press statement expressed sadness over continued attacks on Christians in Plateau state. "We mourn the brutal killing of three of our people in Atuhun Panyam: Panshak Peter, Ishaku Zumuk and Yakubu Sokyes, by Fulani militias; all whose corpses have been recovered from their farms where they were attacked," Jokle and Gufwam said. "They have been buried in their respective villages which span into Pushit District." Jokle and Gufwam, president and secretary respectively of the Panyam District Development Association, called on the country's security agencies to halt attacks on Christians in Plateau state. "We condemn the killing of the three Christian farmers and call on security agencies to go after the killers," they said. 2023 Morning Star News Sukkot: the festival of in-gathering and joy Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on the significance of the Jewish festival of Sukkot. Straight after Yom Kippur, the Jewish community begins to build their sukkot, the huts in which we live for the seven days of the Sukkot festival (eight days in the diaspora). Sukkot, otherwise known as Tabernacles, brings to a close the period of the High Holy Days, starting with Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) and culminating in Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah). Sukkot has been celebrated in the most unusual places, and I would like to use some of these as an illustration. One of the most imaginative partnerships in this enterprise is this year's collaboration between the former UK Ambassador to Israel, and South Hampstead synagogue. The former UK Ambassador to Israel was also the first to be both modern and open in his approach to the only Jewish State. His present use of transferable skills in teaming up with an Orthodox synagogue in London to enhance the beauty and attraction of London Zoo is a feat in its own right, and the many visitors to the Sukkah will no doubt be astonished at the value of such a construction during this time of year. But many centuries ago, in around 134 CE, to be exact, Bar Kokhba, in the midst of a Jewish uprising against the Romans, wrote to a district commander requesting the immediate delivery of the 'four species' to supply his troops for the upcoming Sukkot festival: "I have sent you two donkeys and you must send with them two men to Jonatan ... in order that they pack and send to the camp, towards you, lulavim (palm branches) and etrogs (a type of citron fruit). And you, from your location, send other people who will bring you hadassim (myrtles) and aravot (willows). See that they are tithed and sent to the camp. The request is made because the army is big. Be well." To this day, these four species, the lulav, etrog, hadass and aravah, are used in the Sukkot service around the world, and shaken each day of the festival. They represent four kinds of people who make up the Jewish community. For some, they also represent the four characteristics making up each individual. The festival of Sukkot itself is mentioned in Exodus 23, Leviticus 23, Numbers 29, Deuteronomy 16, Ezekiel 45, Lamentations 2, Ezra 3 and Nehemiah 8-9. And it is these biblical references which have influenced authors as different as UK Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli; great American author Herman Melville, Chief Rabbi of Israel under the Mandate, Rav Kook; and Chief Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen of Haifa. In his novel Tancred (1847) Benjamin Disraeli writes as follows about a very depressed Land of Israel under the Turkish Ottoman Empire: "The vineyards of Israel have ceased to exist, but the eternal law enjoins the children of Israel still to celebrate the vintage. A race that persists in celebrating their vintage, although they have no fruits to gather, will regain their vineyards. What sublime inexorability in the law! But what indomitable spirit in the people!" Disraeli, of Jewish origin, was to play a significant role in the creation of the modern UK Conservative Party and was Prime Minister in both 1868 and 1874. Herman Melville, whose novel Moby Dick (1851), is regarded by many as the greatest American novel, appears to be aware of the Talmudic connection between the sukkah construction and the Leviathan, or 'great whale.' In Talmud Baba Batra 75a, it states: 'In the future, the Holy One, Blessed be He, will prepare a sukkah for the righteous from the skin of the Leviathan (great whale).' In Moby Dick, the great whale is compared to the altar and others have interpreted the whale itself as being a metaphor for the Jewish Torah. Melville had, after all, visited Israel itself in 1857 and been completely awestruck by the land itself, which, desolate in those days though it was, had produced the 'terrific' religion of Judaism. One of the most poignant mentions of the Sukkah built in almost impossible circumstances is in a description of his time in a POW Camp in Jordan by Chief Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen of Haifa (1927-2016). At this time Shear Yashuv was one of the prisoners, having fought for the Old City of Jerusalem in the 1948 War of Independence, and though aged only 20, and not yet a rabbi, he was put in charge of the camp and asked to act as liaison between the Israeli prisoners from all walks of life and their Jordanian prison guards. "The Festival of Sukkot was approaching, the Tishrei festival per excellence. But we were extremely worried about how to observe the traditional Sukkot customs according to Jewish law, which many of us held very dear. For the essence of Sukkot is to build a Sukkah and obtain the Arba Minim (4 species mentioned above). But how were we to find these 4 species in the heart of the desert, not to mention construct a Sukkah? "But then we had a brainstorm. A specially selected group of our young men used to work regularly in the grounds of the British camp commandment, about 7 kilometers away... In the grounds ... stood a number of eucalyptus trees. His wife allowed them to lop off a free branches. As if by magic these 'few branches' grew and grew ... enough to fill an entire truck.... "There was one particularly devout young man from ... Gush Etzion. He insisted on observing the mitzvah of spending the night in the Sukkah... Next to the tent he dug a hole exactly 10 handbreadths deep. Then he took some branches and covered his home-made Sukkah with s'chach (branch covering). Every night he would roll into the Sukkah from his tent and sleep in it, thus observing the mitzvah of 'sleeping in the Sukkah'... "... The banks of the River Jordan are famous as a source of first class lulavim (palm branches). Aravot (willow branches) we managed to find in the vicinity of the camp. We gave the Arab soldiers money to buy the hadassim (myrtle branches) for us in the local markets. And etrogim (citrus fruit) we received care of the army chaplaincy that was already up and running in Israel and the joy was great... "This was only the second time in our history that the children of Israel observed Sukkot in the desert. And, inside the maze upon maze of barbed wire, observed by the Arab guards who surrounded us, we Jews then performed yet another of the holiday commandments by marching in hakafot circles, wrapped in our tallitot (prayer shawls), holding our lulavim and etrogim aloft." Finally, I would like to cite a poem by Rav Avraham Yitzhak Kook (1865-1935), first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel under the British Mandate. These were included in his recent poetry anthology, by Rowan Williams (discussed here: On poetry, translation and religion) The Light in the Sukkah On the Yamim Nora'im The intensity compares To almost unbearably dazzling light. Sometimes eyes are narrowed, Arching at the strain Of seeking the Divine. In the shelter of the sukkah, Fierce rays are filtered; A softened glow shines steadily within. And from this gentle light, Twinkling motes float up Drifting through the latticed roof. Rowan comments on this poem: "The celebration reasserts the absolute dependence of the Jewish people on G-d; all that human ingenuity and effort can build is as temporary and fragile as the makeshift structures of their desert wanderings. So for a week, 'all that are native in Israel shall sell in booths' (Leviticus 23:42). "... So Sukkot is both an easing of the 'strain' of the Days of Awe ... and a sign of the calling to move outwards into the world so that the divine glory can be seen and released within the creation." A fitting end to a festival heralding the new year of 5784, with the sincere wish that, as the festival itself declares, the whole world will acknowledge and be grateful for all that G-d has done for the entirety of creation as we embark on a new cycle of readings with Bereshit (Genesis 1): 'In the beginning G-d created the heavens and the earth ....' Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele In 2010, Mario Costeja Gonzalez, a Spanish citizen, filed a complaint with the Spanish Data Protection Authority against Google and La Vanguardia Ediciones, a Spanish newspaper. Gonzalez said that a Google search for his name returned classified ads showing that his house was being auctioned off in order to repay his familys debts. Gonzalez said that these ads were more than a decade out of date and argued that their appearance in a Google search violated his right to privacy. A lower court ruled in his favor; the matter was then referred to the European Unions Court of Justice, or ECJ, which, in 2014, also sided with Gonzalez. The ECJ decided that a right to be forgottenalso known as the right of erasurewas implied by the Data Protection Directive, a 1995 EU rule, and that this gave EU citizens a right to the rectification, erasure, or blocking of their personal data, as well as a right to object to the processing of their personal data by corporations for a number of reasons. In 2018, the EUs General Data Protection Regulation took effect, superseding the Data Protection Directive. Article 17 of the GDPR outlines how and when the right to be forgotten should be applied, stating that people may request the removal of their personal information when the information is no longer relevant to the purpose for which it was collected, when the individual withdraws their consent to the informations publication, and when there is no overriding legitimate interest to process the information, among other circumstances. The EU has stated that the GDPRs right to be forgotten is not an absolute right and is much more complicated than an individual simply requesting that an organization erase their personal data; the right might not apply, for example, in cases involving the right to freedom of expression, compliance with a legal ruling, or the public interest. But critics have argued that this kind of complexity is too great for search engine companies to be expectedor allowedto navigate on their own. And they have often argued that the right to be forgotten ultimately amounts to censorship. The EUs rules only endow citizens of EU member states with the right to be forgotten, but the duty to remove content if an EU citizen makes such a request applies to global search engines and services, even if the data is kept on servers that are located elsewhere. Within days of the ECJ ruling, Google and Microsoft began fielding thousands of requests from users who wanted to have their personal information removed from those search engines; in March of this year, Forbes reported that Google and Bing, a search engine owned by Microsoft, received more than a million such requests between 2015 and 2021, with cases rising dramatically during the pandemic. Surfshark, a data-tracking service, told Forbes that half of these requests came from users in western Europe; France accounted for nearly a quarter of the total, while Estonia had the most per capita. German users submitted requests equivalent to 17 percent of the total, while requests from the UK made up 12 percent. Since the ECJs ruling in 2014, meanwhile, a number of governments outside the bloc have considered creating their own right to be forgotten, often driven by what they see as a similar interest in protecting the privacy and personal information of their citizens. Recently, Canada has taken preliminary steps in this direction. In 2017, a man (whose personal details have not been released) complained to the federal Privacy Commissioner about outdated and inaccurate information that he said appeared in newspaper articles found in a Google search for his name. The man said that this information had led to employment discrimination, social stigma, and a fear of being physically attacked. The Privacy Commissioner asked the Federal Court of Appeal to rule on whether Google is subject to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, Canadas privacy law. Last week, the court found that Google is covered by this law, and rejected the companys defense that it should be exempt because its services are journalistic in nature. Google argued that it acted as an intermediary between publishers and their audiences, in much the same way that libraries or newsstands do, and that restricting its ability to perform this function would render the privacy legislations exemption for journalism ineffective. News organizations such as the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Postmedia, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation filed statements arguing that Google plays an important role in distributing news, but the court ruled that these were not relevant to the case. Justice John Laskin, writing for the majority, ruled that Googles search engine doesnt collect, use, or disclose personal information for a journalistic purpose and, even if it does, it does not do so solely for that purpose. The decision did not exactly create a right to be forgotten in Canada. The countrys privacy law does not offer a clear-cut right to have content removed, but individuals can appeal to the principles of accuracy and appropriateness, which are protected by the law. As Aird Berlis, a Canadian law firm, explains, the accuracy principle requires personal information to be accurate, complete, and as up-to-date as possible. This is a contextual determination that accounts for the interests of the individual, who has the right to challenge the accuracy and completeness of their information, the firm writes, adding that old and outdated information that is no longer true or reflective of a persons current situation can hardly be claimed to be accurate, complete, and up-to-date. As for appropriateness, Aird Berlis notes that any information that causes significant harm to the individual may fail this principle. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Again, one criticism of the GDPR in general, and the right to be forgotten in particular, has been that removing content from the Web conflicts with freedom of speech. This argument has particular resonance not only in the US, with its First Amendment, but also in Canada, where the federal Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right to freedom of speech. In his ruling, Justice Larkin pointed out that the courts analysis was specifically focused on whether privacy laws applied to Google, and did not address the question of free speech. Michael Fenrick, cocounsel for the unnamed complainant, told the Globe and Mail that his client was not arguing that people should have an automatic right to have their information removed, and that it has to be a case-by-case balancing between the publics right to know and privacy. While it may not have single-handedly created a right to be forgotten, however, the courts decision appears to have increased the likelihood that Canada will decide to officially create such a right. In 2018, the Privacy Commissioner published a draft position suggesting that existing privacy law may allow Canadians to require search engine operators and other commercial organizations to de-index results associated with their names in certain cases, and a new draft report, published after the recent court ruling, doubled down on this idea. And, if the federal government does decide to protect the right to be forgotten with a specific law, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms wouldnt necessarily prove a roadblock, since the documents notwithstanding clause allows Canadas Parliament to pass laws even if they conflict with a section of the Charter. The province of Quebec already has a law that offers a right to be forgotten; it went into effect last month. And Canada isnt the only non-European country that is looking at either implementing or enforcing a right to be forgotten. Australia is also said to be working on privacy legislation that could include a similar right; in January, The Guardian reported that Mark Dreyfus, the attorney general, indicated that the right to be forgotten will be considered for the next tranche of Australian legislation. (After reviewing the existing Privacy Act, Dreyfus concluded that it was out of date and not fit-for-purpose in our digital age.) Argentina and India also have versions of the right to be forgotten, and France has had its own droit a loubli since a law to that effect was enacted in 2010. The GDPR, of course, doesnt apply to the US, and the First Amendment would seem to be a significant hurdle to introducing a legal right to be forgotten. But some US news organizations have started offering a version of this right of their own accord, particularly in the realm of criminal justice. This year, the Chicago Sun-Times introduced a right to be forgotten policy, saying that it isnt fair for stories about arrests to follow people around forever if they were never convictedor if charges were dropped, dismissed, reversed or expunged; leaving such stories online, the paper said, could lead to lasting negative impacts for their subjects, such as unsteady employment, a lack of housing access or other issues. In 2021, the Boston Globe announced what it called the Fresh Start Initiative, which it said would allow subjects of news stories to appeal to have the stories removed from Google searches or anonymized. We are not in the business of rewriting the past, but we dont want to stand in the way of a regular persons ability to craft their future, the paper said. These kinds of policies, while increasingly prevalent, are not the norm, however. In 2021, Linda Kinstler wrote for CJR about the murky practice of removing names and even entire articles from newspaper databasesin some cases because of court rulings, but also for other reasons, and often without notice. Deborah Dwyer, a journalism researcher cited by Kinstler, found that every news outlet in America seemed to have its own bespoke, often improvised way of handling take-down requests; some quietly deleted names or even entire articles from their websites, going much further than even their European peers; others refused to consider requests at all. Critics may argue that the EU law oversteps the mark and is too vaguely worded. But having an actual law with specific requirements and a clear process may be preferable to the patchwork of practices that result when news organizations are left to their own devices. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Jeff Jarvis on what the magazine was Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) Firefighters in eastern Croatia were battling to contain a huge fire in a plastics factory on Wednesday, and authorities asked residents to remain indoors and keep their widows shut. The fire erupted early Wednesday in the Drava International factory complex in the town of Osijek, spreading quickly and sending thick dark smoke high in the air. Emergency services said that large amounts of plastics stored in an open area were on fire, making it difficult for firefighters to control the raging blaze. The temperature is unbelievable, horrible, said Boris Banjan, deputy commander of the regional firefighting unit. Our equipment is melting. The state HRT television reported that three firefighters were injured, including one seriously. The report said firefighters managed to take out large amounts of flammable liquid from the fire zone, preventing further incidents. The fire also forced the closure of a road, police said. Some schools canceled classes for the day. The TV said a strong wind fueled the spread of the polluted smoke. Burning of plastics releases toxic gases but the level of pollution was not immediately clear. The civil protection authorities in the area urged citizens to close down their windows and not go out unless absolutely necessary. The Index news portal reported that some residents living in the suburbs close to the factory were leaving their homes and staying with relatives until the fire is extinguished. The Drava International factory produces plastic packaging and other products. Croatian media reported that there have been four incidents in the factory in the past 12 years, killing one person. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Insurance defense attorneys on Wednesday urged the Texas Supreme Court to uphold the plain language of a law passed in 2017 that they say precludes recovery of attorney fees in cases where the insurer pays the full amount of an appraisal. The high court heard oral arguments about a certified question from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that asked for an interpretation of Chapter 542A. Homeowner Mario Rodriguez is demanding attorney fees from Safeco Insurance Co. of Indiana even though the insurer invoked an appraisal and paid him more than he initially demanded. Safeco and attorneys who filed amicus briefs argued that the law clearly bars attorney fees for claimants if the insurer pays the full amount of an appraisal award. Rodriguezs attorney, Melissa Waden Wray with Daly & Black, said her client had to hire her to file a lawsuit only because Safeco first denied his claim and then paid only a fraction of what the repairs actually cost. This is not about generating more attorney fees, its about making Mr. Rodriguez whole, Wray told the high court. At the time they finally paid the appraisal award three years after the tornado, Mr. Rodriguez had incurred $30,000 in attorney fees, $4,500 in appraisal costs and $3,500 in expert fees. Rodriguez sued Safeco after the carrier paid only $1,295.55 for his damage claim. He demanded an additional $29,500, but Safeco did not respond. Safeco invoked the policys appraisal provision after Rodriguez sued. The appraisal panel determined the replacement cost value of the damage was $36,514.52. Safeco paid $32,447.43, which was the amount of the award after taking into account the policy limits and subtracting the deductible and the prior payment. Safeco also paid an additional $9,458.40, claiming that amount would cover any conceivable interest owed under the TPPCA. Wray argued that Rodriguez is still entitled to attorney fees because of the unreasonable delay. She argued in briefings that if insurers cannot be found liable for paying attorney fees when they pay appraised amounts, they will delay payment as long as possible, make lowball settlement offers and invoke appraisal only after the property owner sues. Safecos attorney, Mark D. Tillman with Tillman Batchelor, warned that if justices find attorney fees are allowed even when appraised amounts are paid, plaintiffs attorneys will sign up hundreds of cases, dump them into appraisal and do no work because they know that they will still be paid even if insurers pay the appraised amount. Tillman said Chapter 542 clearly states that the payment of an appraisal award precludes any award of attorney fees. He said the court should not be swayed by hypothetical scenarios. Justices Jeff Boyd, Brett Busby and Evan A. Young made comments that indicated sympathy for Wrays arguments. Boyd interjected after Tillman said Rodriguez has no right to attorney fees after his insurer paid the full amount of the appraisal plus interest. But you made them sue you before you paid, Boyd said. You made them sue even before you ordered an appraisal. Boyd said later, however, that hes also concerned that plaintiffs attorneys may file unnecessary lawsuits knowing they will be paid in some cases even if appraised amounts are paid. The justices gave no indication about how they would answer the 5th Circuits certified question after oral arguments concluded on Wednesday. Top photo: Attorney Melissa Waden Wray makes oral arguments on Wednesday before the Texas Supreme Court. CLEVELAND, Ohio A Lake County man admitted Thursday to pepper-spraying police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Ryan Swoope, 29, pleaded guilty during a hearing in Washington, D.C., federal court to assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon. He faces between three and seven years in prison when U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden sentences him on Jan. 5, according to the plea agreement. Swoope and two friends, former University Hospitals police officer Saul Llamas and Llamas girlfriend, Jordan Siemers, went to the Capitol on Jan. 6 and attended then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally in which he urged people to fight like hell to stop the certification of Joe Bidens election as president. The trio walked to the Capitol and went inside for about nine minutes. Swoope joined several others inside the Senate Spouses Lounge, where he shouted Whose house? Our house! with others. Swoope, wearing a red Make America Great Again winter cap, walked outside the building and stood near its north door as officers yelled for the crowd to leave. The crowd pushed through the line of officers into the building, and Swoope joined in, according to court records. He pulled out a can of chemical spray and doused a line of officers. Body-camera video showed a U.S. Capitol police sergeant coughing and struggling after the chemicals hit his face, according to court records. The spray blinded the officer for about 20 minutes, court filings say. Llamas and Siemers both previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to probation. Adam Ferrise covers federal courts at cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. You can find his work here. LORAIN, Ohio An inmate in the Lorain County Jail was stabbed multiple times by another prisoner who used a pair of sharpened pliers he stole from a maintenance worker, according to the Lorain County Sheriffs Office. Eddie Ortiz, 31, of Lorain, is charged with felonious assault, attempt to commit murder, illegal conveyance, and possessing criminal tools in connection with the attack, which occurred Monday, a news release from the sheriffs office says. He remains in jail on a $160,000 bond. Ortiz already was being held in the jail on a $200,000 bond on a charge of aggravated robbery, Lorain County Common Pleas Court records show. Hes also facing several weapons charges and charges related to fleeing from police, records show. Investigators accuse Ortiz of stealing a pair of needle-nose pliers from a maintenance worker in the jail, who was working on a sink in a cell days earlier. They say Ortiz was able to sharpen the tips of the pliers on concrete in the cell. At about 9:40 p.m. Monday, Ortiz used the pliers to stab the other inmate three times, the sheriffs office says. A deputys report on the incident says another inmate was able to intervene and help the victim fend off Ortiz. The wounded inmate, whose identity is not being released, was taken to a hospital for treatment of stab wounds to his head, neck and stomach. The sheriffs office did not release information on his condition. The sheriffs report says the wounded inmate told investigators that Ortiz and he have not liked each other since the victim entered the jail about a month ago. BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio A man who was a youth pastor and pastor at multiple churches in southwest Ohio is being sought by police after he was accused of multiple sex crimes involving children. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports records at Butler County Common Pleas Court show that three of Jario Isidro Thomas Sanchezs reported victims were under 13 years old and five were under 16 years old. The reported abuse occurred from 2010 to 2022 while Sanchez was a pastor or youth pastor at churches in Hamilton County, a Butler County prosecutor tells the Enquirer. Sanchez is facing 14 criminal charges, including gross sexual imposition, sexual imposition and unlawful restraint, WEWS Channel 5 reports. He was indicted last week and a warrant has been issued for his arrest, reports say. LINCOLN, Nebraska A Texas man trying to get the attention of guests while officiating a wedding attempted to fire a gun loaded with a homemade blank shell into the air but instead shot his 12-year-old grandson, reports say. Michael Gardner, 62, who is a commissioner in Ector County, Texas, has been charged with felony child abuse in connection with the incident, which occurred Saturday, USA Today reports. He could be sentenced to up to three years in prison if convicted. Lancaster County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Ben Houchin said during a news conference that Gardner decided to gain everybodys attention and start the wedding with a bang by firing a snub-nosed revolver. Houchin said the weapon slipped as Gardner pulled the hammer back, causing it to go off and wound his grandson in the left shoulder. The boy was taken to a hospital and was treated for a non-life-threatening injury. Gardner created the blank by taking a .45 caliber shell and putting black powder into the casing, then gluing it. What we believe is the glue is what injured the child, Houchin said. Just another example that playing with firearms, no matter what, if theyre blanks, bad things can certainly happen, Houchin said. We do not believe Michael intended to hurt his grandchild but the act was not very smart. He said investigators do not believe alcohol was a factor. SISSONVILLE, West Virginia A deputy conducting a welfare check found two children locked in a barn and another child kept in a loft inside a home, leading to the arrest of the adoptive parents. A news release from the Kanawha County Sheriffs Office says Donald Ray Lantz, 61, and Jeanne Kay Whitefeather, 61, both of Sissonville, have been charged with felony gross child neglect. The children were discovered locked in a 20-foot-by-14-foot room in the barn by a deputy just before 6 p.m. Monday. The sheriffs office says the deputy went to the home after the department received a 911 call about the welfare of the children. Its a pretty bad case. You know, any type of situation like this is not really comparable to this horrific condition, Sheriffs Office Sgt. Josh Lester tells WCHS Channel 8. Its just not how you want or how you would expect children to be raised or taken care of. The sheriffs office says the children in the barn had no running water, no bathroom, and were obviously deprived of hygienic care and food. WCHS reports there was a single table and chair in the area where the children were kept and no bed. The child found locked in the home was kept in a loft about 15 feet above the ground, the sheriffs office says. Lester tells CNN the couple has five adoptive children, ranging from 6 to 16 years old. Whitefeather and Lantz were not at the home when deputies arrived, the sheriffs office says. When they did arrive, Whitefeather reportedly told deputies that the children liked living in the barn. The children have been turned over to protective services, reports say. Whitefeather and Lantz are being held in jail, each on a $200,000 bond. COLUMBUS, OhioSeveral plaintiffs affiliated with a national Democratic redistricting group on Thursday asked the Ohio Supreme Court to find the states newly passed legislative redistricting plan to be unconstitutionally gerrymandered. Its the first legal challenge filed against the new state legislative maps passed unanimously by the Ohio Redistricting Commission last week. The new redistricting plan, passed Sept. 27, gives Republicans an advantage in 61 of 99 Ohio House districts and 23 of 33 state Senate districts, according to State Auditor Keith Faber, the commissions Republican co-chair. The two Democrats on the seven-member commission voted for the plan, saying (among other things) that it was preferable to Republicans passing a map even more favorable to them. The filing claims that, like with the previous redistricting maps, the new redistricting plan doesnt meet the Ohio Constitutions requirement that the number of legislative districts that favor Republicans and Democrats, respectively, must be proportional with the average percentage of votes that each partys statewide candidates received during the past 10 years. Between 2014 and 2022, Republican and Democratic candidates averaged about 57% and 43% of the vote, respectively. There is no bona fide dispute that it is possible to achieve proportionality while adhering to other constitutional standards, the filing stated. And there can be no dispute that the September 2023 Plan does not achieve proportionality, or anything close to it. The plaintiffs, led by former Democratic legislative candidate Bria Bennett of Warren, are supported by the National Redistricting Action Fund a nonprofit affiliate of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, led by former Obama-era Attorney General Eric Holder. The NRAF, in a statement, called Ohios new legislative map among the most extreme gerrymanders in the nation. There are simply not enough Democratic seats drawn in either chamber to meet the state constitutions partisan fairness requirement, said John Bisognano, president of the NRAF, in a statement. With these maps, the will of the people is completely subverted by the map-drawing politicians and so we are once again challenging them in court. Republicans on the commission have said that it is impossible to draw maps that would give Democrats an advantage in as many districts as theyre demanding, as doing so would interfere with other redistricting rules, such as limits on dividing counties and cities into separate districts. It seems that the lawsuit filed is hyper-focused on proportionality, said Dan Tierney, a spokesman for Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican redistricting commission member. Whereas i think the commission came to a good compromise this time based upon trying to balance those factors and coming to an agreement that everybody could live with. Senate President Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican, said in a statement that the legal challenge is yet another desperate power grab by Washington, D.C. special interests that have no business holding the people of Ohio and the process hostage. Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer has reached out to spokespeople for the other three Republican redistricting commission members for comment. The challenge was filed as part of a lawsuit against Ohios previous legislative maps, which were found unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court. Those maps ended up being used anyway for last years legislative races, but the courts ruling meant the commission had to reconvene this year to draw Ohio House and Senate district lines ahead of the 2024 election. It remains to be seen whether others will file similar legal challenges against the new maps. The key swing vote in last years decision was Republican Maureen OConnor, the courts chief justice, who joined the Ohio Supreme Courts three Democrats in rejecting the Republican-authored redistricting plans. However, OConnor has since retired, and both her successor as chief justice, Republican Sharon Kennedy, and the newest member of the court, Republican Joe Deters, are considered to be more sympathetic to GOP redistricting efforts. One group that has decided against litigation over this years redistricting process is Common Cause Ohio, a left-leaning good-government group. Catherine Turcer, Common Cause Ohios executive director, said last week that her organization was considering filing a lawsuit against the Ohio Redistricting Commission, primarily to assert that the closed-door negotiations held by commission members violated state open-meetings law. But on Wednesday, Turcer said Common Cause Ohio decided that it would be better for them to spend their time and money on getting Ohio voters to approve a proposed constitutional amendment in 2024 that would overhaul the states redistricting process entirely. This is a hard one to let go, she said. One of the redistricting commissions members, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, told cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer last week that the open-meetings issue could probably and possibly open the commission up to lawsuits. But I think, you know, theres some question about how meaningful those lawsuits will be if youve got an Ohio Supreme Court that we suspect will essentially rubber-stamp whatever gets sent to them from the commission, Russo said. Tierney said last week that the advice thats usually given is that a significant portion of the commission cant meet together in private without violating state open-meetings law. I certainly did not see the members, even in side conversations, trying to do anything like that, Tierney said. Jeremy Pelzer covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Rotunda Rumblings Joining the fray: House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, a Champaign County Republican, officially announced his campaign for U.S. House of Representatives speaker on Wednesday, less than a day after a small GOP faction ousted Californias Kevin McCarthy from the post, Sabrina Eaton writes. A letter he sent colleagues touts his work on the Judiciary committee and urges the GOP conference to come together to keep their promises to Americans. House Republican Leader Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, is also seeking the job. Speaker fallout: Other Ohio Republicans on Wednesday expressed their dismay with McCarthys removal, telling Eaton the disarray will set back passage of spending bills needed to avert a potential government shutdown next month. Rocky Rivers Max Miller says hes been contacted by multiple colleagues who want McCarthys old job and hasnt decided who hell support. Banning bans: An Ohio House committee passed legislation Wednesday that would block local governments or the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency from banning the sale or use of cars that run on gasoline. Jake Zuckerman reports that the measure comes with the backing of the oil and gas industry as President Joe Bidens administration pushes subsidies and emissions standards that expand electric vehicle markets and aim to reduce carbon emissions. Trans bathrooms: Legislation telling transgender students which bathroom they must use got its first committee hearing in the House on Wednesday, Zuckerman reports. The hearing featured claims from sponsors of bone and brain damage to transgender students from gender affirming care. Not that kind of cultivation: The Ohio Farm Bureau trustees opposes Issue 2, which would legalize marijuana for adult use, according to a Wednesday announcement from the Protect Ohio Workers and Families Coalition, the campaign against the issue. The farm bureau believes the passage of Issue 2 would jeopardize the safety of farm and food workers. The industry would struggle filling thousands of positions if people couldnt pass drug tests. Agriculture is the states No. 1 industry. Another dispensary: The Board of Pharmacy awarded a certificate of operation to Elevated Growth, 7520 High Cross Blvd, Columbus. This allows the business to open to medical marijuana patients. So far, 106 dispensaries have received certificates of operation from state regulators. X marks the spot: U.S. Sen. JD Vance announced Wednesday that hes introduced legislation that would forbid using the X gender designation on U.S. passports, Eaton reports. The last thing the State Department should be doing is wasting its time and your tax dollars pushing far-left gender ideology, said a statement from Vance. There are only two genders passports issued by the United States government should recognize that simple fact. Primary concerns: Two more incumbent Ohio House Republicans who voted for Jason Stephens as House speaker earlier this year are getting primary opponents. Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas announced he intends to challenge state Rep. Mike Loychik, a Trumbull County Republican. Meanwhile, Ty Mathews, who has served in the Army National Guard and in Treasurer Robert Spragues office, says he will attempt to unseat state Rep. Jon Cross of Kenton. At least four other pro-Stephens House GOP incumbents so far state Reps. Haraz Ghanbari of Perrysburg, Jeff LaRe of Pickaway County, Justin Pizzulli of Scioto County, and Tracy Richardson of Marysville have had challengers pop up for the March 2024 primary. Tick Tock The countdown is on for the November election, when Ohio voters will decide whether to enshrine a right to abortion in the state constitution and whether to legalize recreational marijuana. Heres the key dates to remember. Voter registration deadline... 5 days (Oct. 10) Early, in-person voting begins... 6 days (Oct. 11) Absentee voting by mail begins... 6 days (Oct. 11) Election Day... 34 days (Nov. 7) Full Disclosure Five things we learned from the May 15, 2023 financial disclosure form filed by state Rep. Dani Isaacsohn, a Democrat from Cincinnati: 1. Isaacsohn reported making somewhere between $50,000 and $99,999 in 2022 from Cohear, a community engagement consulting firm he founded. He also received somewhere between $10,000 and $24,999 in rental income last year. 2. He owns two rental properties in Cincinnati. 3. At some point last year, he owed at least $1,000 to US Bank. 4. Hes licensed as an attorney in Ohio. 5. Isaacsohn has a money-market account, as well as stakes in two funds, with Goldman Sachs. He also has a membership interest in Cinema OTR, a bar and lounge dedicated to 90s R&B, hip-hop & classic Black films, according to its website. Birthdays John Boccieri, former congressman and state representative Ex-state Rep. Kyle Koehler RJ Mancini, Ohio House majority policy advisor Straight From The Source Ill be candid. I told him he shouldnt run for the Senate I told him he should run for president. Because he has ideas. Hes willing to think about things differently. - Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, in an interview with NBC News about Vivek Ramaswamy, the Ohioan and Republican presidential candidate. In a related story, NBC Newss Henry Gomez also highlighted how Ramaswamys moves have prompted speculation about his potential future in Ohio politics. Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free. COLUMBUS, Ohio Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has taken the unprecedented step of offering his offices thoughts on what the legal ramifications would be if voters approved a pair of high-profile, controversial ballot measures in November. Yost released a pair of documents on Thursday, one offering a legal analysis of State Issue 1, which would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, and another offering a similar analysis of State Issue 2, which would change Ohio law to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years old and over. The analysis of Issue 1 is particularly detailed, because the proposal is a concise but sweeping statement of rights for abortion and other reproductive-related issues. That has left how courts may interpret the measure, if voters approve it, open to interpretation when considering potential future challenges to the states various abortion-related laws. Amendment backers say the measures effects are clear, while abortion opponents at times have sought to shift the ground of debate by arguing the language could arguably apply to controversial, non-abortion related issues. Any ambiguous issues likely would ultimately land before the Ohio Supreme Court, where Republicans hold a majority. In contrast, Issue 2 lays out a specific regulatory scheme for how marijuana could be produced, sold and consumed, and since its whats called an initiated statute, state lawmakers could change or repeal it completely if they want. The abortion amendment, however, could only be changed by another statewide vote. Yosts move is likely to draw criticism, given that he opposes abortion. It is not surprising a politician like Attorney General David Yost would want to insert government into our most personal decisions, said Gabriel Mann, a spokesperson for Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the campaign backing Issue 1. Amy Natoce, a spokesperson for the anti-Issue 1 Protect Women Ohio, praised Yosts opinion for setting the record straight. Ohios chief law officer confirmed what we have known all along: Issue 1 goes further than Roe, turning Ohio into the most radical abortion regime in the country, Natoce said. But Yost said he decided to chime in on the two ballot issues because of what he views as public misunderstanding of what the measures would do. This is not an exercise in advocacy, Yost wrote Thursday. Rather, it is an effort to help Ohioans understand the legal impacts that Issue 1 and Issue 2 generate. As youll see, most of the legal ramifications of Issue 1 and Issue 2, if approved, are clear. Other aspects, however, are not clear and will most certainly end up in court. We have noted which is which. Yost says he plans to produce similar analyses on future ballot issues through 2026, when he will leave office due to term limits. Yost is expected to run for governor the same year. Issue 1 Yost contends that Issue 1 would create stronger protections for abortion than those that existed nationwide until last year, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned legal protections for abortion nationwide by striking down Roe v. Wade and another landmark decision from 1992, Casey v. Planned Parenthood. The distinction has to do with the legal standard any abortion regulation would have to meet under the language in Issue 1, versus the standard that the previous two U.S. Supreme Court decisions established. The proposed Amendment appears to borrow some concepts from the Roe era, but also creates a new, legal standard that goes beyond what Roe and Casey said, Yost wrote in the analysis. Yost went on to suggest that Issue 1, if passed, could be cited in overturning a number of the abortion bans and abortion restrictions that Republican lawmakers have passed in recent years. The general finding meshes with one vein of criticism from abortion opponents, who have said that the measure goes too far while extending abortion rights. Per the analysis, Ohio laws that most clearly would be invalidated, pending a successful legal challenge, include: The states heartbeat law, which would ban abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy, with no exemptions for rape or incest, Another law that bans abortion 20 weeks into pregnancy, A law that bars doctors from performing an abortion after a prenatal screening detects fetal Down syndrome, A law that requires someone seeking an abortion to wait for 24 hours first Laws restricting the dilation and extraction and dilation and evacuation abortion methods, which are performed later in pregnancy Issue 1 would allow the state to prohibit abortion after fetal viability, which can vary but generally is around 22 weeks into pregnancy, with an exemption to protect a patients health in the judgment of that patients doctor. Yosts office wrote that the language likely protects post-viability abortions under certain exemptions, a view that meshes with opponents argument that the exemption would allow for abortions later in pregnancy than what most Ohioans would support. Read more: What to know about Issue 1, the abortion amendment, as voting begins However, Yosts analysis also throws some cold water on one of abortion opponents most visible arguments: that it would create a right for minors to undergo gender reassignment surgeries even without their parents permission. He also left it open to interpretation whether the measure would definitely invalidate parental consent laws that require minors to get permission from their parents or guardians before getting an abortion, something abortion opponents have said is in jeopardy. Protect Women Ohio has adopted these arguments in ads to try to find more politically favorable ground to oppose the measure, given that polls show a solid majority of Ohioans support abortion rights. Legal experts previously have dismissed the gender-related claims in particular, calling them misleading. The analysis states that under Issue 1, it will be up to a court to determine if and how the protections in Issue 1 apply to minors. It concludes theres no guarantee that parental consent laws would survive a court challenge although this is not the same thing as saying they would definitely be nullified. But as for the gender-related issues, it states: It would certainly be too much to say that under Issue 1 all treatments for gender dysphoria would be mandated at the minor individuals discretion and without parental involvement. Issue 2 Yosts four-page analysis of Issue 2 summarizes how the initiated statute, if passed, would allow adults 21 years and older in Ohio to use, possess, and transport legally obtained marijuana within a number of limits. The state would issue licenses to cultivate, process, test and dispense marijuana commercially within certain rules, including limits on how much THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) can be in marijuana products sold. Individuals could grow up to six cannabis plants each, with a total limit of 12 plants per residence; they would be allowed to give it to others but not sell it without a license. Even though Issue 2 would allow limited marijuana legalization, Because Issue 2 creates limitations on certain aspects of marijuana, the proposal is not expected to eliminate the black market for marijuana products, Yosts analysis stated. Issue 2 wouldnt repeal Ohios existing criminal prohibition against growing and using marijuana, but it would protect people who grow or use it if they follow the new rules it would create. The proposed law would allow employers to ban employees from using marijuana, as well as permit them to fire or refuse to hire people who use or possess marijuana. Landlords could also include lease clauses that forbid tenants from growing or smoking marijuana. A 10% sales tax would be imposed on marijuana purchases, on top of any existing sales taxes, under the proposal. Read more: What to know about Issue 2, recreational marijuana legalization, as voting begins Part of that money would go toward a new cannabis social equity and jobs program, which would provide money and help with the marijuana license application process to individuals most directly and adversely impacted by the enforcement of marijuana-related laws who are interested in starting or working in cannabis business enterprises, Yosts analysis stated. Consideration would be given to factors such as applicants personal wealth, social disadvantage based on things like race, gender, physical disability or long-term residence in a high-unemployment area. Ohios existing medical marijuana program, which allows people with at least one of 26 qualifying conditions to obtain it from dispensaries and use it, would remain in place even if Issue 2 passes. Local governments couldnt prevent an existing medical marijuana cultivator or processor from producing marijuana, but they could ban adult use dispensaries from selling it. However, a dispensary operator could put the issue before local voters, and if it passes, the local government would be required to allow that operator to sell marijuana. Andrew Tobias covers state politics and government for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio Jewelry heist: Market Place Drive Police are investigating a theft that occurred shortly after noon Sept. 22 at Kohls department store. Customers saw a man and a woman behaving oddly. The man placed a black bag in a shopping cart and wheeled it about the store. The woman also had a black bag. She took items from two display cases, put them in a bag and left the store. Missing are gold necklaces and rings, along with designer jewelry. The total value of the stolen merchandise is $10,300. Police are investigating. Theft: Market Place Drive Police were dispatched at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 to Walmart, where a loss prevention employee saw two women bagging numerous items without scanning them to pay. When questioned at the exit door, they took off running but were stopped by police in the parking lot. Some of the 79 stolen items were dropped and others were found in the suspects purses. One suspect, a Maple Heights woman, 32, attempted to evade arrest. She was charged with felony theft and obstructing official business. The other, a Cleveland woman, 43, was charged with felony theft. The value of the items was $1,058.47. When asked why they had stolen the merchandise, one of them told the officer that they take items from stores and sell them to people they know. Crash: U.S. 422 A Mantua woman, 18, said she fell asleep while driving, causing her to crash at 12:12 a.m. Sept. 26. An officer found the vehicle in the median strip on its roof. The woman was not trapped. EMS transported her to Hillcrest Hospital for minor injuries. The officer cited her for failure to control her vehicle. Get police blotters by email every weekday for free with our new Police Blotter newsletter. Sign up at cleveland.com/newsletters. Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun. Sign up for The Meltdown, a weekly newsletter highlighting the latest apocalyptic dramas, debunking climate myths, and sharing sustainability hacks, all while arming you with information to hold polluters and the government accountable. Enter your email to subscribe. This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News (hyperlink to the original story), a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here. A new paper examines how pervasive wind energy opposition is in North America and the predictors of this resistance. It comes to some provocative conclusions, including this: Much of the local pushback comes from predominantly white, wealthy residents at the expense of minority communities who are more likely to live near fossil fuel plants that emit dangerous amounts of pollution. Inside Climate News has written a lot about local opposition to energy projects, including our 2022 series about resistance to solar power in Ohio, and our story this year about an Illinois law that reduces local governments power to kill projects. So, does the paper, published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, agree with what ICN has found? In some ways, yes. In others, no. First, lets hear from one of the co-authors, Jessica Lovering, co-founder of the nonprofit Good Energy Collective, an organization whose mission is to build a progressive case for nuclear energy. The wealthy and whiter communities have both the resources in terms of money but also the political power in a lot of these communities, she said. Theyre the ones that can show up to town hall meetings to protest a project. With a few exceptions, much of the existing scientific literature that examines opposition to clean energy development is based on individual regional or case studies, she said. These are helpful when understanding the context and nuances in specific communities, but dont provide a full picture of the national situation. The authors compiled a list of completed wind projects from government databases. They then pulled demographic data and news articles published between 2000 and 2016 that covered those projects and matched the news articles to each wind farm. Undergraduate students then combed through thousands of articles and recorded if people opposed the projects and how they expressed their disapproval, with methods such as protests, letters to the editor, legislation and legal challenges. Lovering said that given the lack of a comprehensive data set, they choose to use newspaper articles because theres no other way to do it. Other methods such as surveys are very time intensive, and ideally researchers would send them out before developers start the project. The larger point, that resistance to wind energy is growing, is in line with what weve seen and reported. This increase in pushback to wind farm development makes sense, considering the growth in the number and size of projects. But the papers decision to frame these conflicts in racial terms is making a point that exists only at the margins of our reporting. Race was a factor in some projects, but it was a small one. To be fair, though, our observations were anecdotal, since we werent attempting to look at the entirety of resistance to projects the way the paper does. For example, the resistance to a solar project near Lima, Ohio, which Dan Gearino wrote about last November, was a case of mostly white residents in a rural township outside of Lima opposing a project in their midst, while the communities of color lived in highly polluted neighborhoods just over the border in the city. The conflict in Lima could be framed in racial terms, but there were many other factors that mattered more to the debate and had more of an effect on the outcome. The most active opponents and supporters of the project were affluent and white. The big difference was that the opponents had close ties to Republican officials who had prominent roles in local and state government. However, the PNAS study found that in the U.S., partisanship wasnt associated with opposition to wind energy projects, a finding that Lovering said was surprising. But across the border in Canada, areas with less liberal support experienced more opposition. I spoke with two other leading researchers who study opposition to renewable energy to see what they make of the new paper. Sarah Mills of the University of Michigan and Doug Bessette of Michigan State University say they question whether an analysis of newspaper articles is going to be thorough and accurate enough in determining national trends. We have seen that many local newspapers are biased, Bessette said. A lot of times multiple articles will be written by a single journalist who has a particular perspective. So relying on that as a data source can be problematic. Aside from questions of bias, some of the rural areas that are likely to host wind projects have no newspaper or have a paper that is so thinly staffed that it may not be providing a reliable view of whats happening. Also, affluent rural areasmost of which are predominately whiteare probably more likely to be able to support a newspaper. Mills said using news articles as data points has been done before in this field. In fact, a smaller regional study used news articles as a means of collecting data and found that most projects in the study area didnt experience intense opposition. Mills also pointed out that while the correlation between a higher percentage of white people and wind energy opposition exists, its not actually significant when applying a statistical method that controls for other factors. Instead, data show its a higher percentage of a Hispanic population that drives lower opposition. Its Hispanic that shows up as being influential in reducing opposition, but white itself is not statistically significant in the regression once you control for the other things, Mills said. And opposition from residents isnt the only reason wind projects shut down. So placing all the blame on the community members ignores other players, such as policy makers, developers and utilities, Bessette said. So that portrayal of it all being the responsibility of residents contributes to what I think is this kind of more common and frankly, a pejorative NIMBY explanation for opposition, he said. Mills points out that white, wealthy residents often own the most land in these communities, meaning they benefit the most financially from wind development projects. Also, just because communities of color arent showing up at meetings, holding protests and taking legal action doesnt mean they support these projects, Bessette said. Lovering acknowledges that the drivers of wind energy opposition are nuanced. But its important to note, she said, that opposition movements, where protesters are more likely to be white, have a major effect on the local litigation and legislation regarding clean energy development and the outcomes of these projects. Thats something that just about everyone who has studied this subject can agree about. CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio You dont need to wait for fall for a pumpkin spice latte in Circleville. Ditto the pumpkin doughnuts and the pumpkin milkshakes. Pumpkin is a year-round flavor and an all-year phenomenon in Circleville, which honors the bright orange gourd from January through December. Despite the year-round appeal, October is still special for pumpkins in Circleville, thanks to the upcoming four-day Pumpkin Show, the annual over-the-top extravaganza of the orange orb. This years Pumpkin Show runs Oct. 18 through Oct. 21, with two parades daily, the worlds largest pumpkin pie (400 pounds and 6 feet in diameter), plus pumpkin ice cream, pancakes, burgers and more. The show can attract as many as half a million people over four days, depending on the weather. Locals either love it or hate it, said Jenny Rhoads, administrator at the Pickaway County Visitors Bureau. A lot of people go on vacation, she said. Or they stay here and embrace it. Count her in the embrace category. Whether youre a Pumpkin Show newbie or a Circleville veteran, heres what you need to know about Ohios most pumpkin-loving town. Downtown Circleville, founded in 1810. Circleville's annual Pumpkin Show draws as many as 500,000 people in a year. (Courtesy Circleville Pumpkin Show) Ted Lewis' clarinet and top hat, on display at the Ted Lewis Museum in Circleville. Where: Circleville, about 30 miles south of Columbus, is an easy three-hour drive from Cleveland, south on I-71 and south on U.S. 23. Population: 14,100 History: Founded in 1810, Circleville is named after its original circular layout, which was centered around an ancient Native American earthwork, 1,100 feet in diameter. Unfortunately, the earthen circle as well as a large burial mound at its center were destroyed when the town reverted to a more traditional square layout in the mid-1800s. (Read more: Touring the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks: How to visit Ohios new UNESCO World Heritage sites) The Pumpkin Show started in 1903, canceled just four times (once for World War I, twice for World War II and once, in 2020, for the COVID pandemic). It was established as a small celebration of the local harvest and morphed into the mega-festival that it is today. Famous resident: Circleville native Ted Lewis, a jazz musician and band leader popular in the first half of the 20th century, performed in the first Pumpkin Show with the Circleville Cadet Band. He would go on to to play with Benny Goodman, the Dorsey Brothers, Sophie Tucker and numerous others; and star in nine movies, including Is Everybody Happy? which became a Lewis catchphrase. Born Theodore Friedman (his name was shortened on a marquee when he was 22), Lewis learned to play jazz from a Black barber after school. Throughout his long career, he was known for employing diverse performers in his band. He would not stay at any hotels that would not allow Black people, said Sue Lumley, treasurer of the museum. He often returned to his hometown and referred to Circleville as the Capital of the World. After his death in New York City in 1971, his wife sent his memorabilia home to Circleville, which created a museum in his honor. Among the items on display at the Ted Lewis Museum: are his original E-flat clarinet, his trademark top hat (which he won in a dice game, according to Lumley), sheet music, movie posters and more. The museum is open Saturdays only, with additional days added during the Pumpkin Show. Information: tedlewismuseum.org Dont miss: Wittichs Candy Shop, founded in 1840, the nations oldest family-owned and-operated candy shop, with pumpkin peanut brittle, pumpkin creams and pumpkin ice cream (plus numerous non-pumpkin delights); Lindseys Bakery for year-round pumpkin doughnuts, cookies and that massive pumpkin pie; the Dairy Shed, for pumpkin milkshakes and other sweet treats; and Scioto Valley Coffee, for pumpkin-spice lattes and other warm and cold beverages. And for non-pumpkin fare: Try Richies New York Corner Deli, for sandwiches, subs and salads. More: pumpkinshow.com, pickaway.com Giant pumpkins -- including this one weighing more than 1,800 pounds -- at the Circleville Pumpkin Show. (Courtesy Circleville Pumpkin Show) Editors note: This story is part of an occasional series on Ohios best small towns. What makes a best Ohio small town? The criteria is subjective, of course, but includes a vibrant downtown, with a variety of places to shop and dine, along with some interesting activities nearby whether museums, parks or other venues. Do you have a small town to suggest we visit? Send recommendations to sglaser@cleveland.com. Read more: First capital Chillicothe offers renewed charm amid the historic buildings: Ohios best small towns Fun in the sun and fine dining in Vermilion: Ohios best small towns Best Ohio small towns: Yellow Springs shines with trails, tie-dye and Chappelle cornfield comedy President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has accepted credentials of newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Essam bin Saleh Al-Jutaili. The ambassador presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev. The head of state then had a conversation with the ambassador. Noting that there are brotherly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan and friendly ties between the two countries` leaders, President Ilham Aliyev recalled his visits to Saudi Arabia. The head of state once again hailed the moral and political support provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the issues of protection and restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in all periods - both during the occupation and after the liberation of lands from occupation. President Ilham Aliyev praised the fact that the mutual support of the two countries within international organizations has become traditional. Touching upon the economic cooperation, the head of state said that there are good examples in the field of energy and stressed the importance of the Saudi Arabian companys investing heavily in this area in Azerbaijan. The head of state also lauded bilateral ties in all other spheres. Ambassador Essam bin Saleh Al-Jutaili first conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the head of state. President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings, and asked the ambassador to extend his greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince. Saying that he was greatly honored to be appointed as the ambassador to Azerbaijan, Essam bin Saleh Al-Jutaili pointed out that Azerbaijan is a friendly and brotherly country for Saudi Arabia, adding that he received specific instructions on the development of relations in various areas. B1B2 Sam Bankman-Fried appears at federal court in New York on Oct. 4, 2023, in this courtroom sketch. Artist: Claudia Johnson Marc-Antoine Julliard typically trades cocoa beans. But in the spring of 2021, the London-based commodities broker decided to diversify into cryptocurrency trading. His platform of choice was FTX. Two years later, Julliard stood as the prosecution's first witness in the criminal fraud trial against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who's accused of misusing billions of dollars in client money. In testimony that lasted around 50 minutes on Wednesday, Julliard recounted his experience with FTX, including the "extremely anxious" feeling he had the day he unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw part of the $100,000 worth of crypto and cash he had stored on the site. He and thousands of other FTX customers were practically wiped out when the exchange went belly up late last year. Like many others, Julliard said he he was under the impression that there were "strong financials behind the company." Julliard is the poster child for the case the prosecution laid out in its opening statement as it tries to prove to a jury that clients were led to believe the money they stored with FTX was safe. Prospective customers, Julliard said, were drawn in through savvy marketing, with no reason to believe that FTX would be repurposing their crypto funds. In a trial that's set to last six weeks, Bankman-Fried, a man once revered as the "white knight" of crypto, faces seven federal charges, including wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering, that could put him in prison for the rest of his life. A jury was seated shortly after 11:30 a.m. (though four of the 12 jurors were already looking to be dismissed). Opening statements began about an hour later. Julliard took the stand just before 2 p.m. to a packed courthouse in Manhattan. As the lead witness, Julliard helped lay out the government's narrative. Much of his decision to buy into FTX had to do with the celebrities and venture funds attached to the brand. He referenced an ad with supermodel Gisele Bundchen and Formula 1 marketing. He also pointed to prolific media coverage, which bolstered his trust in the company. Julliard wasn't an aggressive crypto trader. He said he never participated in margin trading, or borrowing money to make purchases, nor did he engage in a lending program offered by the company that allowed users to earn interest on idle crypto. Sam Bankman-Fried sits with his defense team during his fraud trial over the collapse of FTX, the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange, at Federal Court in New York City, U.S., October 4, 2023 in this courtroom sketch. Jane Rosenberg | Reuters Defense wants customers to shoulder blame The defense is trying to make clients accountable for what it says were their choices to buy and trade crypto. "Sam didn't defraud anyone," said Mark Cohen, Bankman-Fried's attorney, in his opening statement. Cohen called it a "hindsight case" brought by the government, and said that just because people lost money, doesn't mean the 31-year-old Bankman-Fried committed fraud. Bankman-Fried donned a fresh suit with a purple tie and a clean haircut a much different look than the beach shorts, sandals and wild curls that helped define his image during crypto's heyday. The entrepreneur, who Cohen described as a "math nerd that didn't drink or party," diligently took notes on his air-gapped laptop as he conversed with both of his attorneys and, during breaks, sometimes stood while emphatically motioning with his hands as he spoke to his counsel. Throughout both sides' opening statements, Bankman-Fried kept his eyes trained on the jury box. His head was turned 90 degrees to his right to watch those who will ultimately decide his fate. Bankman-Fried was joined in court by his parents, who are both being sued by FTX's new management for having allegedly "exploited their access and influence within the FTX enterprise to enrich themselvesby millions of dollars." Cohen is projecting Bankman-Fried as a startup founder and equated running FTX and Alameda Research, his sister hedge fund, to "building a plane while flying on it." He told the jury that there was no risk management in place. Specifically, he said the firm didn't have a chief risk officer. Far from the "cartoon of a villain" that the government presented, Cohen gave different explanations for his client's supposedly illegal actions. One example dealt with the secret backdoor baked into FTX's code that prosecutors say gave Alameda a way to borrow much needed capital. Cohen said there was nothing secretive about this backchannel in the code base and said the special access to FTX was there because Alameda was initially set up as a market maker for the crypto exchange, which needed the liquidity, especially in its early days. Cohen reminded the jury that the three insiders who will take the stand against Bankman-Fried have all signed cooperation agreements with the government. A $10 billion fraud The prosecution's opening statement was delivered by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thane Rehn. Over the course of about a half hour, Rehn drove home the point that everyday investors were the ones who fell victim to FTX's scheme. By the summer of 2022, he said, more than $10 billion had been stolen from thousands of FTX customers who had trusted custody of their crypto and cash to the platform. Rehn said the evidence would show jurors how Bankman-Fried lied to FTX users, investors and lenders, and how he spent a good amount of the money he stole for his own good. Rehn referenced campaign contributions, for example, as one way that Bankman-Fried looked to curry favor on Capitol Hill. Rehn called Alameda a "second, smaller and more secretive company" founded and controlled by Bankman-Fried that was integral to the defendant's alleged scheme. The government also teed up its star witness, ex-girlfriend and Alameda's ex-CEO, Caroline Ellison. She pleaded guilty in December to multiple charges and has been cooperating with the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan for months. Rehn plans to show that Bankman-Fried installed his girlfriend at the top of his hedge fund, though he remained the one calling the shots behind the scenes. Allan Joseph Bankman, father of FTX Co-Founder Sam Bankman-Fried, and Barbara Fried, mother of FTX Co-Founder Sam Bankman-Fried, arrive at court in New York, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Stephanie Keith | Bloomberg | Getty Images Noticeably absent was the mention of Ellison's co-CEO Sam Trabucco, who was a classmate of Bankman-Fried at MIT. Trabucco left FTX in Aug. 2022, and has stayed relatively under the radar. Also central to the government's case is the alleged coverup to hide Bankman-Fried's crimes. Those tactics include backdating contracts and using encrypted messaging apps set to auto-delete to avoid a paper trail. "This man stole billions of dollars from thousands of people," Rein said, as he closed his statement. The prosecution's second witness was Adam Yedidia, who met Bankman-Fried in college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The pair remained good friends. Yedidia detailed his experience working first as a trader at Alameda for two months in 2017, and later as a software engineer for FTX beginning in January 2021. He said he resigned from FTX the day before the exchange filed for bankruptcy after a fellow developer told him that Alameda had used FTX customer deposits to pay back creditors. Speaking quickly and deliberately with an air of practiced nonchalance, Yedidia testified that he hadn't talked to Bankman-Fried or seen him in person since Nov. 2022. When asked why he was appearing under an immunity order, Yedidia said he was concerned that as an FTX developer, he "may have unwittingly written code that contributed to a crime." Prosecutors got through a half hour of testimony before breaking for the day. The government will continue its questioning of Yedidia at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday. FTX co-founder Gary Wang will also be taking the stand this week for the government. WATCH: Sam Bankman-Fried criminal trial begins in New York watch now Britain's anti-competition regulators have been tasked with investigating Microsoft and Amazon 's dominance of the cloud computing market. Media watchdog Ofcom on Thursday referred its inquiry for further investigation to the Competition and Markets Authority, kickstarting the process. Ofcom said that it had identified features which make it more difficult for U.K. businesses to switch cloud providers, or use multiple cloud services, and that it is "particularly concerned" about the position of market leaders Amazon and Microsoft. "Some UK businesses have told us they're concerned about it being too difficult to switch or mix and match cloud provider, and it's not clear that competition is working well," Fergal Farragher, Ofcom's director responsible for the market study, said in a statement Thursday. "So, we're referring the market to the CMA for further scrutiny, to make sure business customers continue to benefit from cloud services." Ofcom is concerned that so-called "hyperscalers" like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure are limiting competition in the cloud computing market. These are companies that allow businesses of all stripes to carry out critical computing tasks like storage and management of data, delivery of content, analytics and intelligence over the internet, rather than through servers stored on site, or "on premise." An Amazon spokesperson said in a Thursday statement that the company disagrees with the Ofcom finding. Microsoft said it plans to engage "constructively" with the CMA to address the regulator's concerns. AWS and Microsoft Azure are the biggest players in the market. AWS' cloud solution is primarily targeted at startups, while Microsoft prioritizes big enterprises. AWS and Microsoft Azure account for roughly 60% to 70% of cloud spend, according to an Ofcom estimate. Combined, Amazon, Microsoft and Google generate roughly 81% of revenues in the U.K.'s cloud infrastructure services market, according to Ofcom, which estimates the market to be worth 15 billion ($18.2 billion). The CMA probe comes amid the fast adoption of AI cloud services, which are enabled by vast data centers, underpin many of the power-intensive generative AI models, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Microsoft's Bing Chat and Google's Bard. The Competition and Markets Authority said in a statement that it welcomes the Ofcom probe referral, adding that the cloud space "underpins a whole host of online services from social media to AI foundation models." "Many businesses now completely rely on cloud services, making effective competition in this market essential," Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said in a statement Thursday. "Strong competition ensures a level playing field so that market power doesn't end up in the hands of a few players unlocking the full potential of these rapidly evolving digital markets so that people, businesses, and the UK economy can get the maximum benefits." The CMA's independent inquiry group will now examine the market and identify what, if any, action should be taken. The CMA will conclude its investigation by April 2025. Amazon, Microsoft respond Amazon said in a statement that it believes the Ofcom findings are "based on a fundamental misconception of how the IT sector functions, and the services and discounts on offer." Amazon Web Services (AWS), the e-commerce giant's cloud computing division, designs services "to give customers the freedom to choose technology that best suits their needs," a spokesperson for the company said. "UK companies, and the overall economy, benefit from robust competition among IT providers, and the cloud has made switching between providers easier than ever. Any unwarranted intervention could lead to unintended harm to IT customers and competition. AWS will work constructively with the CMA." Microsoft said it was "committed to ensuring the UK cloud industry remains innovative, highly competitive and an accelerator for growth across the economy." "We will engage constructively with the CMA as they conduct their Cloud Services Market Investigation," a spokesperson for the firm told CNBC via email. Competition concerns Ofcom, the agency responsible regulating technology, broadcast and telecom operations in the U.K., said that it identified a number of practices in the cloud industry that were of particular concern. watch now The regulator said that so-called "egress fees" charged by cloud vendors like Amazon and Microsoft make it tougher for businesses to move their data between providers, or to "multi-cloud" by using multiple cloud providers. Egress fees are charges for cloud companies to remove the data of firms from a cloud environment. An AWS spokesperson said it "does not charge separate fees for switching data" to another cloud provider. The spokesperson added that over 90% of its customers pay nothing for data transfers, as they are given a monthly 100 gigabytes for free. Ofcom also said that cloud companies have introduced "technical barriers" to interoperability the ability of different cloud platforms and services to work together and exchange data without any barriers or disruptions. The authority said that this "makes it more difficult [for firms] to combine different services across cloud providers or to change provider." Lastly, Ofcom raised alarm bells over committed spend discounts, or incentives to give customers a discount if they spend a certain amount of money. While this can reduce customer costs, it also encourages companies to use a single cloud provider for all or most of their cloud needs, even when a cheaper alternative is available. Yannique Ivey may be going back to the office, but she's open about the fact that you won't catch her first thing in the morning. Wait too long in the day and you'll miss her, too. Ivey, 27, works for a tech consulting firm in Atlanta and says she drives into the office once or twice a month. When she's there, she commits to an 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. schedule just in time for a catered lunch, to catch up with colleagues for a few hours, and head out before traffic stalls her in a "hellish" commute home, she tells CNBC Make It. She and her team are open about this arrangement. Spending a few shortened days in the office each month "takes needed time away from the actual work" to socialize and build community, she says, but "I'm a lot more productive when I'm home, so I get started there and wind down from there." It's a new arrangement picking up across the U.S.: Workers are showing up for required attendance, but that doesn't mean they're sticking around for the full day. More than half, 58%, of hybrid workers admit to "coffee badging," or the act of going into the office building for their morning coffee, earning an imaginary badge for it, and then going home to work for the remainder of the day. That's according to a June survey of 2,000 people from Owl Labs, a company that makes videoconferencing devices. Another 8% of hybrid workers say they haven't tried coffee badging just yet but are interested in doing so. The next frontier of hybrid is working when you want Despite the half-days (or less), the coffee badging trend doesn't mean people are sneaking out and slacking off for the rest of the afternoon, says Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs. As he sees it, the practice could mean people are seeing the value of their office and enjoy being there some of the time. Survey respondents say they value being in-office to meet with colleagues, catch up with work friends and take meetings. On the other hand, Weishaupt says, there may be another subset of people who use coffee badging as a way to "show their face in an old traditional way that we used to work" without having to be there for the full day. The standard has been set around flexibility in terms of where you work, and now the standard is starting to become flexibility in when you work. Frank Weishaupt CEO of Owl Labs Some office attendance guidelines only dictate a number of days bosses want people in, but not always the hours people should be present. So, "coffee badging gives you the opportunity to maintain your flexible schedule, which is incredibly important to employees," Weishaupt says. Weishaupt himself does the reverse of coffee badging, where he'll start his day from home, drive in mid-day to avoid morning traffic, and finish the rest of his day from the office. "The standard has been set around flexibility in terms of where you work, and now the standard is starting to become flexibility in when you work," he adds. The traditional 8-hour workday from the office "just doesn't seem all that relevant." In the Philadelphia area, Kynisha Gary, 30, says coffee badging helps her find balance as a parent and Penn State student. She reports to her nonprofit's office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and sometimes leaves around lunch to pick up her son from school and then finish the day from home. It's a major productivity boost, Gary says: "I get all my work done nothing goes missing on the days I go home and finish work from there." She enjoys having control over her hybrid schedule even more than when she worked for a company that was fully remote, she adds. "I looked forward to getting back to into the office and being interactive," she says. "Being exclusively at home was double the work and harder to get away from work." Yannique Ivey generally goes into the office at 11 a.m. and leaves by 3 p.m. to avoid long commute times in the morning and evening. Courtesy of subject Ivey says the flexibility "helps us feel that we are more in control of our work-life balance and lifestyle in general, not feeling the demand and pressure to have to integrate back into the office all the time." She says the arrangement feels natural in her work environment, where her company wants to "ensure we're happy outside of the work we're doing." Taking office attendance is 'a trust killer' Gabriel Weinberg, founder and chief executive officer of DuckDuckGo Inc., speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Apple once considered replacing Google as its default search engine in private browsing mode on its products in favor of DuckDuckGo, according to recently unsealed testimony by the rival search CEO. "Our take was that they were actually really interested in this," DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg said, according to a transcript viewed by CNBC of the testimony in federal court last month. "The people we were talking to were generally DuckDuckGo users themselves interested in privacy." Weinberg, testifying as part of the Department of Justice's antitrust case against Google , said DuckDuckGo and Apple had about 20 meetings and phone calls over the course of the negotiations, which lasted from about 2016 through 2019. Throughout that period, Weinberg said Apple's contract with Google to be the default search engine on its Safari browser "was often the elephant in the room." The government is trying to prove that Google's exclusive contracts with phone and browser makers unfairly locked out rivals from the general search market by depriving them of distribution. Google has denied that its actions violated antitrust law. DuckDuckGo, which is privately held, makes a privacy-focused search engine that competes directly with Google, as well as other privacy products that seek to limit how websites can track consumers across the internet. DuckDuckGo first got a response from Apple about its idea to become the default search engine in private browsing in 2016, Weinberg said. DuckDuckGo claims its search engine greatly reduces the amount of tracking that is still possible in other search engines, even while on private browsing mode. In 2017, DuckDuckGo was able to secure a meeting with Craig Federighi, a senior vice president, at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California to discuss its proposal. DuckDuckGo presented Apple executives with data about what Apple users expect from private browsing mode, which Weinberg said he'd thought "was pretty compelling." Weinberg's team said they could "make DuckDuckGo the best search option on Apple devices for Apple users by integrating their content into search modules" including Apple News, Maps, Music and TV. Weinberg said he left the meeting with the impression that "it went very well." "I've pitched lots of things to Apple over the years," Weinberg testified. "If there's no interest, their move is basically silence." DuckDuckGo executives returned to Cupertino the following summer for another meeting and presented visuals of how the product would look once its search engine was integrated into Apple services. Weinberg said his "impression was that they were really serious" about the idea "potentially for the next year's release." He said that Adler asked them "to come back basically as soon as possible to brainstorm what privacy integrations could look like." Separate recently unsealed testimony from Apple's side tells a somewhat different story. John Giannandrea, Apple's senior vice president of machine learning and artificial intelligence and a former Google executive, joined the company in 2018. He testified that he wasn't aware of Apple considering the search default switch. Still, he went on to describe discussions with other Apple executives about the potential drawbacks of such a proposal. Giannandrea worried DuckDuckGo's "marketing about privacy is somewhat incongruent with the details," since he thought the company would have to share some user information with Microsoft due to its arrangement to receive search information from Bing. DuckDuckGo says in its privacy policy that it prevents "our hosting and content providers from creating a history of your searches and browsing." In September 2018, DuckDuckGo returned to Apple headquarters to discuss integration, Weinberg testified. Apple "expressed they were really considering this for the 2019 release," and Weinberg then realized they still had some lingering concerns. In particular, Apple realized it need to figure out how to resolve issues tied to its Google contract, Weinberg testified. Sometime after the 2018 holidays, DuckDuckGo received documentation from Apple showing what its revenue share would be if it were the default. DuckDuckGO estimated its market share "would increase multiple times over" just by becoming the default in private browsing mode. By the summer of 2019, DuckDuckGo began to understand the partnership would not happen. Apple didn't announce the integration during its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Four months later, following a meeting, Weinberg's takeaway was that the deal was "dead." DuckDuckGo had also pitched Samsung, Mozilla and Opera on being the default option in their private browsing modes, but was not able to reach a deal with any of them. The company eventually stopped pursuing this model because it concluded "That each of these companies' Google contract was the key thing preventing us from getting a deal done with them." Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. WATCH: DuckDuckGo CEO would like to see a search preference menu Eli Lilly (LLY) is wisely broadening out its drug pipeline through a series of acquisitions of smaller companies the most recent of which was disclosed earlier this week and should strengthen the Club holding's efforts to develop cancer treatments. Lilly's planned $1.4 billion deal to buy Point Biopharma (PNT), announced Tuesday, follows a busy summer for the Indianapolis-based pharmaceuticals giant, during which it bought three other experimental drug firms. Those takeovers help fortify Lilly's positioning around treatments for obesity, diabetes and immunologic conditions such as psoriasis. To be sure, the acquisition spree does not change Lilly's near-term revenue trajectory. The projected growth should still be driven by Mounjaro a type-2 diabetes drug that's expected to be approved to treat obesity by year-end and to a lesser extent Alzheimer's treatment donanemab , which U.S. regulators are expected to make a decision on in the coming months. Jim Cramer has said Mounjaro may eventually become the best-selling drug of all time. Nevertheless, Eli Lilly's relatively inexpensive deals this year should be viewed in a favorable light. In the pharmaceutical industry, companies are required to balance the present and the prospective, looking not only a few quarters ahead but many years down the line, too. For Lilly, that means spending to support the broader rollout of Mounjaro and the likely commercial launch of donanemab to say nothing of other growth products like breast-cancer therapy Verzenio while also investing in experimental research. While the latter investments are risky and may never yield an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they're necessary to stay competitive. "M & A is not really driving [Lilly's] business," BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman said in an interview. Still, he said it's "healthy" for a company like Eli Lilly valued over $500 billion, as of Thursday to be executing smaller deals. "They can still put their mark on an asset or a constellation of drugs," said Seigerman, who has a buy rating and $633-per-share price target on Eli Lilly stock. "They're not buying revenue, per say. I don't love it when a company is a revenue aggregator...they're buying earlier stage products that they can shape the development of, and then they can commercialize," he added. LLY 1Y mountain Eli Lilly's stock performance over the past 12 months. Details on the deals The three companies Eli Lilly bought this summer have drugs in various stages of the clinical development process. Obesity-focused Versanis Bio is actively studying its primary compound in a mid-stage trial, assessing whether it can help patients lose more body fat while maintaining muscle mass tissue when taken alongside another type of drug known as GLP-1s. Mounjaro, for example, is a GLP-1. Lilly said it could pay Versanis shareholders up to $1.93 billion if development and revenue milestones are met. Immunology-focused Dice Therapeutics, which develops oral therapies for chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, also has its lead drug candidate in a mid-stage study . That trial, to determine its safety and effectiveness in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, is expected to be completed next summer. Lilly's acquisition of Dice valued the company at approximately $2.4 billion . Meanwhile, Siligon Therapeutics' primary asset developed using cell-therapy technology to treat type-1 diabetes is earlier stage than that of Versanis and Dice, having not yet been entered into human trials, according to the company. Lilly and Sigilon had collaborated together since 2018. Lilly paid nearly $35 million to acquire all Sigilon's outstanding shares. If certain milestones are met, Lilly could end up paying as much as $309.6 million to Sigilon shareholders. This week's takeover target, Point Biopharma, is the acquisition whose main drug asset is furthest along, with a late-stage trial underway for a radiopharmaceutical therapy to treat prostate cancer . Lilly also made a major bet on cancer in 2019, when it bought Loxo Oncology for $8 billion , which helped the company usher in a strategy shift around the disease. Eli Lilly's four announced acquisitions in 2023 represent an increase in activity compared with last year, when the Club holding bought just one earlier-stage firm. That company, Akuous, uses gene therapy to develop treatments for genetically defined hearing loss. It is currently recruiting participants for two trials, according to a Department of Health and Human Services. In general, one factor that could be boosting deal-making is an economic picture that's pressured the value of startups and raised the cost of capital for those firms. "Valuations have come in, so there's probably good deals to be found," BMO's Seigerman said. Seigerman said Lilly's heightened M & A activity, in particular, may be aided by the bright prospects of Mounjaro, which has the scientific name of tirzepatide, and donanemab. "Given the potential for tirzepatide and donanemab, they're feeling good about how they can spend money," Seigerman said. "Their stock is really high; they generate a lot of cash flow. So, they can really invest in the business beyond" the drug categories to which Mounjaro and donanemab belong, he explained. Eli Lilly has next-generation assets in those categories, including a weight-loss pill that demonstrated impressive efficacy in a mid-stage study released in June , and an Alzheimer's therapy, remternetug, that recently entered late-stage trials. But Lilly's takeovers over the past year are mostly concentrated outside those drug classes including Versanis Bio, whose main drug asset should be viewed as a complement to tirzepatide and other GLP-1s. Dice Therapeutics, meanwhile, will add to Eli Lilly's efforts in immunology, an area of increasing focus for the pharmaceuticals firm. Bottom line Eli Lilly's stellar pipeline is what first attracted us to the stock on the belief it would drive multiple years of revenue growth. Nothing has shaken us from that thesis over the past two years, and we're closely anticipating the FDA's expected approvals on Mounjaro for obesity and donanemab for Alzheimer's by year-end. With its recent deals, Eli Lilly wisely adds more irons in the fire, even if it will take time to see the ultimate impact on revenues. In the near term, though, they may result in a noisy third-quarter earnings report as Eli Lilly records the acquisitions. Specifically, the Club holding's in-process research and development, or IPR & D, expenses are likely to be elevated and hurt earnings-per-share on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). But that would simply reflect accounting and wouldn't demonstrate any weakness in Lilly's fundamentals. Eli Lilly's stock has grown more attractive since Sept. 12, when we locked in profits of roughly 140% on shares we purchased in late 2021 and January 2022. In the intervening weeks, the stock has retreated about 10%. Lilly's strong year-to-date gains of more than 47% and high valuation relative to large-cap pharmaceutical peers leaves its stock vulnerable to further declines if the 10-year Treasury yield continues to march higher . But in that event, we'd likely step in to buy back some of the shares we sold last month. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long LLY. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images Director of the Alstom Valenciennes production plant seen in front of a car being delivered to the Regie des Transports de Marseille) technical centre. Shares of French train manufacturer Alstom plummeted by up to 38% on Thursday after the company slashed its free cash flow forecast. In unaudited half-year results released on Wednesday evening, the company said its free cash flow had fallen from negative 45 million euros ($47 million) to negative 1.15 billion euros. It also said it now expects free cash flow in a range of negative 500-750 million euros for the full year, compared to a prior forecast of "significantly positive." Trading of Alstom shares was briefly suspended at the open of the Paris Stock Exchange. Losses had pared to roughly 21% by Thursday afternoon. The fall puts the company on course for its worst trading day in at least 20 years, according to LSEG data. The initial share decline wiped roughly 2.9 billion euros ($3.1 billion) from Alstom's market value, Reuters reported. "Supported by a positive market momentum, Alstom is accelerating on its organic growth trajectory. We are engaged in a steep ramp-up, in particular in the rolling stock activity. This, combined with legacy projects being finalized at the same time, is weighing on the free cash flow in this first half," the company said in a statement. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., wearing a no shutdown button walks up the House steps for a vote in the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 28, 2023. The former campaign treasurer to Rep. George Santos of New York pleaded guilty Thursday to numerous campaign finance felonies related to her work for the Republican congressman, who is also charged with fraud. The former treasurer, Nancy Marks, admitted guilt on charges of conspiring with a congressional candidate to commit wire fraud, making materially false statements, obstructing the administration of the Federal Election Commission, and committing aggravated identity theft. Marks, 58, was released on a $100,000 bond following her appearance in U.S. District Court in Long Island on Thursday afternoon. Marks during the 2022 election cycle submitted campaign finance reports that falsely said 10 family members of her and Santos contributed to his campaign, when none had actually done so, court documents showed. Marks and Santos also falsely told the FEC that Santos loaned his campaign vast sums of money including a single loan of $500,000 when he in fact did not have the money to do so. They perpetrated the scheme in order to qualify Santos' campaign financial and logistical support from the Republican National Committee. After the hearing, Marks' attorney told reporters that Santos "mentally seduced and manipulated her." Santos was charged in May with a 13-count federal indictment in the same court accusing him of campaign finance fraud, money laundering and other crimes. The freshman lawmaker has pleaded not guilty and vowed not to resign from Congress. Santos' attorney declined to comment. In August, Samuel Miele, a former Santos fundraiser, was charged in the same federal court with impersonating a top aide to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while seeking campaign donations. Miele's attorneys are in negotiations with federal prosecutors about a possible plea deal. Santos, who represents a district covering parts of Nassau County and Queens, has faced howls of bipartisan criticism and calls for his resignation even before he was sworn into Congress in January 2021. Shortly after winning his election, which flipped his district from Democratic control, Santos was accused of lying about his business history and education. Santos later admitted fabricating those details, though he denied other wrongdoing. Goldman Sachs has a new list of top stock picks for Europe, which it called its "most differentiated" ideas for the region. The "European Conviction List - Directors' Cut" is the bank's "curated and active" list of 15 to 25 buy-rated stocks. Goldman already has a conviction list of stock ideas across regions which includes its top buy-rated stocks it expects to outperform. But what makes the "Directors' cut" list different is that the names are selected by a subcommittee designated by the bank's Europe Investment Review Committee. "The subcommittee will collaborate with each sector analyst to identify top ideas that offer a combination of conviction, a differentiated view and high risk-adjusted returns," Goldman wrote in the Oct.1 note. "After a couple of years of macro driven markets, we believe stock picking has become more important. Indeed, our strategists have written about alpha mattering more than beta during a period in which they see little index returns," the bank said. "This new curated list seeks to highlight our best alpha opportunities." Goldman presented 18 European names in this new list, which it will update monthly. Seven names Here are seven of them one from each of the sectors that are presented in the list. Here's what Goldman said about each stock. Puma : The bank pointed to the sportswear brand's "strong brand momentum," which bodes well for overall sales growth. "Puma remains the cheapest sportswear brand globally under GS coverage," Goldman said. It said that's "unwarranted" for a stock at mid-to-high teens in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and in its compound annual growth rate (from 2022 to 2024). That's in line with most of its global peers, it said. Volvo : The automaker has one of the strongest balance sheets across the European industry, while being "relatively cash generative" at around 10% free cash flow yield, Goldman said. That means more scope for high cash returns to shareholders including dividends and buybacks. Vonovia : Goldman said key drivers for this German property giant include low vacancy, high funding costs and an increasing population. Philips : The bank noted an improving growth and margin backdrop for the Dutch health-care equipment maker. "Philips is emerging from a challenging operating environment with underappreciated leverage to easing supply chain/logistics pressures," said Goldman. Enel : The bank pointed to the Italian energy company's balance sheet which it said is "one of the strongest" in Europe and said its improving balance sheet is underappreciated by the market. Goldman also sees scope for Enel to grow its dividends from 2026 onward. BT Group : Goldman said BT Group is at a "key inflection point," with customer demand being more robust than BT itself expected. Investment in its infrastructure is also being monetized, with higher prices driving accelerating revenue growth. Bureau Veritas: The bank expects Bureau Veritas, which offers testing, inspection and certification services in a variety of sectors, to grow at a faster rate than its peers. That's thanks to its "early-mover advantage" in terms of its exposure to areas like energy transition, energy security and sustainability, Goldman said. CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Kaiser Permanente employees, joined by Union members representing the workers, walk the picket line in Los Angeles, California on October 4, 2023. Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente workers remained on strike Thursday for a second day over a short-staffing crisis at health facilities. A spokesperson for the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions said that the strike which it called the largest health-care worker walkout in U.S. history will continue until Saturday morning at the latest as the group waits for "a meaningful response from Kaiser executives" to its demands. There are currently no bargaining sessions scheduled with Kaiser, said the spokesperson, Caroline Lucas. More than 75,000 workers went on strike Wednesday at hundreds of Kaiser Permanente health facilities in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Virginia and Washington state. Nearly 60,000 of those workers are in California. Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow Inc., speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas, on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. The attorneys defending Mike Lindell and his business against defamation claims from voting machine companies are seeking to sever ties with the "MyPillow Guy" over millions of dollars in unpaid legal fees. In a court filing Thursday, the law firm of Parker Daniels Kibort LLC said Lindell and MyPillow are months behind on their legal bills in three defamation cases, and they can no longer afford to represent him. "At this time, Defendants are in arrears by millions of dollars to PDK," the filing said. "PDK is a small litigation and trial firm in Minneapolis, MN and cannot afford to finance Defendants' defense in the Litigations." The firm said that if it was forced to continue providing legal services to Lindell, the "future fees and costs will amount to millions of dollars in addition to the millions of dollars already owed." The firm has been defending Lindell in defamation lawsuits filed by voting machine companies Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems, as well as a third lawsuit brought by former Dominion employee Eric Coomer. All three claim their reputations were damaged by Lindell's repeated fantastical claims of fraud around the 2020 presidential election. Lindell on Thursday praised his lawyers as "brave and courageous" and said he would gladly keep paying them, if he wasn't broke. "We've lost everything, every dime," he told NBC News in a phone interview. "All of it is gone." Lindell said his company has faced financial challenges amid the lawsuits and sustained bad publicity, to the point that he can no longer take out any loans. "They took away my borrowing because of all you guys in the media," Lindell said, adding that he'd been "canceled" over his comments on the 2020 election. Asked if he planned to represent himself or hire new lawyers, Lindell said it was too soon to tell. "This just happened today," he said. In its filing, the law firm said Lindell and his company "have been made fully aware of this filing" and "have been advised to obtain other counsel." "Defendants have indicated that they understand PDK's position, do not object, and are in the process of finding new counsel," the filing said. In a March interview with Newsweek, Lindell said he'd been forced to borrow $10 million to pay for his legal fees. In April, an arbitration panel ordered Lindell to pay $5 million for losing his "Prove Mike Wrong" 2020 election challenge, in which participants were asked to find proof that his cyber data was not valid data from the November 2020 election, as he'd contended it was. "For the people who find the evidence, 5 million is their reward," the contest said. Software developer Robert Zeidman won the challenge, but Lindell refused to pay. Lindell is now challenging the arbitration panel's ruling. On Thursday, Lindell told NBC that despite the financial strains on him and his company, he plans to keep pushing his stolen election claims. "I will never stop trying to secure our elections," he said. Lindell is not the only Trump ally facing an action on unpaid legal fees tied to false claims about the 2020 election. Last month, longtime Rudy Giuliani attorney Robert Costello and his firm sued the former New York City mayor for $1.4 million in unpaid fees. Giuliani, who's also being sued by Smartmatic, Dominion and Coomer, has been found liable for defaming two Georgia election workers, and is facing related criminal charges in Fulton County. He's pleaded not guilty to the Georgia election interference charges. Trump held a fundraiser in September in support of Giuliani's legal defense fund. Giuliani's son, Andrew Giuliani, who worked in the Trump White House, touted the fundraiser in an interview on WABC radio of New York City in the hours before the fundraiser, saying that while they'd raised over $1 million for this event alone," it "won't be enough to get through this." In this article BLK Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Employees working in Precision's manufacturing facility. Source: Precision Neuroscience Neurotech startup Precision Neuroscience announced Thursday it has acquired a factory in Dallas, where it will build the key component of its brain implant, the Layer 7 Cortical Interface. The facility will help the company speed up development and move closer to the regulatory approval it is hoping to clinch in 2024. The company has started testing its brain implant on human patients and believes it could ultimately help people with paralysis operate digital devices with their brain signals. Precision said the manufacturing plant is the only facility capable of producing its "sophisticated" electrode array. "It allows us to iterate really quickly, improve performance, longevity, different form factors of the device all the things that we've always wanted to do, we can now do in much quicker succession," co-founder and CEO Michael Mager told CNBC in an interview. Precision's electrode array is thinner than a human hair and could easily be mistaken for a piece of Scotch tape. The system's flexible design allows it to rest on the brain's surface and generate a real-time, high resolution rendering of neural activity without damaging any tissue. Stephanie Rider of Precision Neuroscience inspects the company's microelectrode array Source: Precision Neuroscience As a member of the fast-growing brain-computer interface (BCI) industry, Precision is developing its technology alongside other companies like Synchron, Paradromics, Blackrock Neurotech and Elon Musk's Neuralink. Precision's co-founder and chief science officer, Dr. Benjamin Rapoport, also helped co-found Neuralink before departing the company in 2018. Neuralink is perhaps the best-known company in the BCI space thanks to the high profile of Musk, who is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. The company is taking a more invasive approach with its implant than Precision. Neuralink also manufactures its technology in-house. Mager said it can be difficult to make rapid design changes, protect trade secrets and keep supply levels up when working with third parties during the manufacturing process. He added that it's much easier to ensure that Precision's arrays are safe and of high quality when the company is directly involved with production. "We manufacture systems that go on human brains. The responsibility is really tremendous," Mager said. At the request of the seller, a Japanese multinational corporation, Precision declined to share how much the manufacturing facility cost. Mager said the company was able to retain the 11 "key personnel'' who were working there, and there's a possibility that number will grow with time. Keeping the employees on board was a big victory for Precision, as it meant the company did not have to teach new workers how to handle the complex technology. Employees working in Precision's manufacturing facility Courtesy: Precision Neuroscience A view of site after a private jet, allegedly carrying Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin and other passengers crashed in Russia's northwestern Tver region, Russia on August 23, 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday suggested that the plane crash which killed Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in August was caused by hand grenades detonating inside the aircraft, not by a missile attack. The private Embraer jet on which Prigozhin was travelling to St Petersburg crashed north of Moscow killing all 10 people on board on Aug. 23, including two other top Wagner figures, Prigozhin's four bodyguards and a crew of three. Putin suggested the plane was blown up from inside, saying that the head of Russia's investigative committee had reported to him a few days ago. "Fragments of hand grenades were found in the bodies of those killed in the crash," Putin told a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. "There was no external impact on the plane this is already an established fact," Putin said, seemingly deriding assertions by unidentified U.S. officials who said shortly after the crash that they believed it had been shot down. Billy Thalheimer (CEO) and Michael Klinker (CTO) of REGENT with a full-scale mockup of their first electric seaglider. Regent, a startup developing electric seagliders to transport people and cargo, has raised a $60 million round of venture funding and struck a partnership with Japan Airlines to figure out how to bring the company's flying electric ferries to the waterways of Japan. Venture fund 8090 Industries co-led Regent's series A round alongside Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, with Japan Airlines Innovation Fund and Point72 Ventures also participating among others. The new funding brings Regent's total capital raised to $90 million to-date, according to co-founder and CEO Billy Thalheimer. The funding follows two major milestones for the clean transportation startup. As CNBC previously reported, Regent built a quarter-scale prototype and completed a series of test runs on Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay late last year to prove that its seagliders, which are technically known as wing-in-ground-effect craft (WIGs) can "float, foil and fly" as expected. The prototype was able to repeatedly motor out of a harbor slowly, then launch from a speed of about 40 mph into the air, where it flew around 10 feet above the open ocean at a speed of approximately 50 mph in different, travel-safe weather conditions. The commercial version of this battery powered 12-seater, named the Viceroy, will fly higher above the water at speeds of up to 180 mph, Thalheimer says. The battery that powers the Viceroy seaglider will have a range of about 180 miles. More recently, Regent built a full-scale mockup of the Viceroy, and a "sim room" at its headquarters where visitors can sit in a mock cockpit, and virtually fly the seaglider over any chosen waterway. Thalheimer said, "You can build as many decks or pitches as you want but this is the experience that unlocks excitement." Washington-based startup Stoke Space raised $100 million in new funds, the company announced Thursday, as it aims to develop a fully reusable rocket called "Nova." Stoke's latest investment round was led by Industrious Ventures with the firm's Steve Angel, chairman of chemicals giant Linde , joining the Stoke board of directors. The space company's fundraise was also joined by investors including the University of Michigan, Sparta Group, Long Journey, Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy, YCombinator, Point72 Ventures, NFX, MaC Ventures, Toyota Ventures and In-Q-Tel. Founded in 2019, Stoke had previously raised $75 million to date. A company spokesperson declined to comment on Stoke's post-money valuation. "The priority is to be able to keep the pedal to the metal and continue to develop in order to get to market as soon as possible and really fortify what is still a very fragile commercial space economy," Stoke co-founder and CEO Andy Lapsa told CNBC. Stoke's fresh backing comes weeks after the company completed a low altitude launch of its vehicle "Hopper2," in which the rocket-powered prototype flew to about 30 feet before landing successfully after 15 seconds. While a number of U.S. companies are aiming to develop reusable rockets to compete with the success of Elon Musk's SpaceX, Stoke is taking a different approach from its rivals. Lapsa explained that the company has been developing and testing the second stage of the rocket before the first stage, because "it's not something that can be tacked on and added later." "First of all, the technology solution wasn't out there yet, [and, second,] we wanted to know what that looked like in order to build the right first stage to go under it," Lapsa said. Stoke is developing Nova to be a "medium" class rocket that can deliver 5,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. That puts Nova in the middle of the launch market, between Rocket Lab's "light" Electron and SpaceX's "heavy" Falcon 9 in terms of capability. EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell talks to the press as he arrives to attend the European Political Community summit at the Palacio de Congreso in Granada, southern Spain on October 5, 2023. Jorge Guerrero | Afp | Getty Images European leaders said Thursday that the 27-nation bloc would not be able to fully replace U.S. support for war-torn Ukraine but made clear they were "absolutely convinced" Kyiv's biggest financial and military backer would soon come to an agreement to provide further assistance. Gathering in Granada, Spain, for a summit of the European Political Community, European leaders sought to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion. The meeting comes shortly after political upheavals on both sides of the Atlantic. In the U.S., President Joe Biden conceded Wednesday that he feared recent congressional chaos could disrupt U.S. aid to Ukraine after Republican infighting had complicated budget negotiations. He has insisted, however, that a majority of members across both major parties support funding Kyiv. Meanwhile, in Europe, pro-Russian former Prime Minister Robert Fico won an election in Slovakia last weekend on a promise to end military aid to Ukraine. "I was in Kyiv some days ago just at the moment when we knew that the U.S. Congress had not included support to Ukraine on the big deal about the budget in order to avoid the shutdown," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Granada on Thursday. watch now "That was certainly not expected, and it is certainly not good news, but I hope it is not going to be a definite position of the U.S." he said. "Ukraine needs the support of the European Union, which is sure, they will have it and we will increase it. But also, the support of the U.S." Asked whether Europe can fill the gap left by the U.S. amid concerns about Washington's continued support for Kyiv, Borrell replied, "Certainly Europe cannot replace the U.S." Zelenskyy 'confident in America' Russia welcomed the news that a new U.S. funding bill had passed without any fresh aid for Ukraine. Viktor Bondarev, head of Russia's Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security, said via Telegram that "this is the beginning of the end for Ukraine." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared resolute Thursday, however. Speaking to European leaders in Spain, Zelenskyy said he was "confident in America" when referring to recent "political storms." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was working on a package of 50 billion euros ($52 billion) for Kyiv from 2024 to 2027, hailing it as "very important because Ukraine needs predictability and reliability in the direct budget support." The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, attends the media upon her arrival at the Palacio de Congresos de Granada to participate in the European Political Community (EPC) summit, on October 5, 2023, in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. Europa Press News | Europa Press | Getty Images Reflecting on concerns over the long-term support to Ukraine from the U.S., the EU chief said, "It was very important that President Biden informed us at the beginning of this week what the support for Ukraine is concerned from the side of the United States." "As far as I oversee the situation in the United States, I am very confident of support for Ukraine from the United States. What the United States is working on is the timing," she added. 'U.S. will stay on board' Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, meanwhile, said he's "absolutely convinced" the U.S. will continue supporting Ukraine's war effort. "Not at all," Rutte said when asked whether he was concerned Biden's administration may reduce its support for Kyiv. Rutte said senior Democrat and Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives had recently visited the Hague and they were "in total agreement on the need to continue the support for Ukraine because this about our common values [and] it is about our common security." Netherland's Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives to attend the European Political Community summit at the Palacio de Congreso in Granada, southern Spain on October 5, 2023. Jorge Guerrero | Afp | Getty Images "We cannot accept one country in 2022, 2023 invading another nation so I am absolutely convinced that they will solve this issue," he added. Asked whether the EU could step in if the U.S. does not resume its support for Ukraine, Rutte said: "It is not necessary. The EU will do what is necessary [and] the Netherlands is among the top countries in terms of contribution for Ukraine but I am absolutely convinced that the U.S. will stay on board." Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via a video link in Saint Petersburg on October 10, 2022. Gavriil Grigorov | Afp | Getty Images President Vladimir Putin is known to keep a loyal cadre of officials and aides close to him, with the majority of his inner circle having served the Russian leader for many years during his 23 years in power. Putin has made no bones of his expectations of absolute loyalty from those closest to him. Once asked in a wide-ranging 2018 interview whether he was able to forgive people when they made mistakes, Putin replied saying, "Yes. But not everything." When pressed by journalist Andrei Kondrashov to elaborate on what he could not forgive, Putin's response was emphatic: "Betrayal." For those who have worked with the president for more than two decades, it's no surprise that Putin values and demands loyalty among his inner circle, many of whom he has kept close since he rose up the ranks in Russia's Soviet security service, the KGB, before his ascendency to the presidency in late 1999. "Neither in our country nor abroad have I seen bosses who keep disloyal people around them," Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, told CNBC on Tuesday. "But for Vladimir Putin, loyalty alone is not enough. Three qualities are needed: 1. Professionalism, 2. Efficiency, 3. Loyalty," he added in emailed comments. Russia's president Vladimir Putin (R) and his spokesman Dmitry Peskov (L) attend the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting at the Congress Hall in Bishkek on December 9, 2022. Vyacheslav Oseledko | Afp | Getty Images Peskov, a top Kremlin official widely seen as a member of Putin's inner circle, has been press secretary for 23 years. Likewise, most of the people within Putin's inner circle made up of his closest ministers and confidants and often referred to as "Siloviki" (or "people of force") referring to senior officials who have backgrounds in the military or security services have mostly served the Russian leader for years, overseeing the silencing of opposition figures and movements that have challenged him. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been in his post since 2004 while Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has held his position since 2012, having previously been considered as a potential leadership candidate himself. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L), Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (R) and Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev (L) seen during the SCTO Summit, on November 23, 2022 in Yerevan, Armenia. Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images Putin's inner circle also includes Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, as well as the heads of Russia's state security services, the FSB, and its foreign intelligence counterpart, the SVR. There are also the more ideologically influential propagandists such as Vladimir Solovyov and Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Russian Security Council. The council's deputy is nationalist Dmitry Medvedev, who also served as Russia's former prime minister and president up to 2012, alternating with Putin. Medvedev was always subservient to Putin in either role but he remains close to the president and is a vocal supporter of Russia's war against Ukraine, and ideological enmity with the West. Russian analysts are not convinced that qualities such as competency and loyalty are valued equally in the Kremlin, with Russian scholar, historian and author Sergei Medvedev noting that "loyalty has always been more important than competency" in Russia. "Russia is not like an efficiency-oriented, competency-oriented meritocracy," Medvedev, author of "A War Made in Russia" and "The Return of the Russian Leviathan," noted. "It's a very archaic and medieval and in some sense, Byzantine [excessively complicated] system of personal loyalty, and Putin will keep anyone even the most inefficient managers like ex-president [Dmitry] Medvedev, for instance, as long as they show their loyalty," Medvedev told CNBC. Russian opposition politician Vladimir Milov once worked for Putin, having served in Russia's Energy Ministry in 2002. Disillusioned with the path Russia has taken during Putin's tenure, however, Milov now firmly counts himself among Russia's mostly exiled or imprisoned opposition movement and lives abroad. Knowing Putin well, Milov said that the president "100%" values loyalty above competency and noted that "professionalism and efficiency are also the flip sides of having the ability to challenge things." "You don't like what is going on? You want to make it better, and you apply your talents and your decisiveness to actually try to fix them to change things. This is not how Putin wants it to happen. He's the only guy who's entitled with changing or keeping things right," Milov said. He said that Putin's demand for absolute loyalty was borne out of deep insecurity and fear of competition. "That is one of the major problems," he told CNBC on Wednesday. "My personal experience of seeing him and somehow working with him is that he's an extremely unremarkable person. He likes the most average [person] you can get, so he's extremely insecure when there is open competition or open talent exposed and capable of achieving better than him." Milov believed Putin was inherently paranoid of a plot to overthrow him, saying the unspoken rule among those around him was to not be too conspicuously talented or to challenge the status quo. "But in general, if there is a rule [it's one of] 'don't stick your head out, because I will then immediately see you as competition, and I annihilate competition' that's his approach." Blind spots An attachment to loyalty can lead to blind spots, analysts note, most recently seen in the ill-fated invasion of Ukraine and the rise of Yevgeny Prigozhin's power, status and influence before his fall from grace. When Russia first launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, analysts said it was likely that Putin had been told by his closest military officials that the invasion would be effortless, and Ukraine would be conquered easily before a pro-Russian government was installed in Kyiv. But within the first few weeks of the war it became apparent that Ukraine was mounting far more resistance, and its allies far more support for Kyiv, than had been anticipated in Russia. A serviceman of pro-Russian militia walks nest to a military convoy of armed forces of the separatist self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LNR) on a road in the Luhansk region, Ukraine February 27, 2022. Alexander Ermochenko | Reuters A 40-mile-long column of Russian military vehicles trundled toward the capital of Ukraine but stopped short of their expected destination amid reports of logistical issues including food and fuel shortages, then experiencing the ignominy of retreating. Since then, Russia's military has concentrated its manpower on the south and east of the country, occupying a swathe of territory that has created a "land bridge" from mainland Russia to occupied Crimea. Nineteen months since the war started and U.S. officials estimate that around 500,000 military personnel, on both Russia's and Ukraine's sides, have been killed or wounded in the conflict so far. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) talks to Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu (R) during the annual Navy Day Parade on July 30, 2023, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Contributor | Getty Images During Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, as it calls its invasion, questions have been raised about the strategy and competency of Russia's military leadership. Shoigu has been openly ridiculed and criticized by a section of military bloggers in Russia, particularly those loyal to Prigozhin, the convict-turned-businessman-turned-paramilitary leader of the Wagner Group of mercenaries who also enjoyed Putin's favor. When the high-profile acrimony between Prigozhin and the Defense Ministry descended into open rebellion in the summer, however, Putin ultimately sided with his long-serving and proven loyal defense minister and endorsed the ministry's edict that Wagner Group fighters would have to sign contracts with the ministry. Kirill Shamiev, a Russian political scientist and a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told CNBC that loyalty is "a very key asset in authoritarian settings because you develop this trust over the years. And if a person proves their trust in a war setting, this is very important for an authoritarian leader." The rise and fall of Prigozhin Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash this summer, several months after he led an ill-fated rebellion against the Russian Defense Ministry and an attempt to march on Moscow. When the rebellion was called off, Putin appeared on television, vowing to punish "treason from the inside," saying that "unreasonable interests and personal ambition lead to treachery." After initially coming to a deal seemingly allowing Prigozhin and Wagner fighters to be exiled to Belarus, Prigozhin and a number of top Wagner commanders died in a plane crash over Russia in August. The Kremlin has vehemently denied it ordered Prigozhin's death and said an investigation would take place into the accident. It called Western speculation that it ordered Prigozhin's death as revenge for his mutiny "an absolute lie." FILE - Businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, left, shows Russian President Vladimir Putin, around his factory which produces school meals, outside St. Petersburg, Russia on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010. Alexei Druzhinin | AP The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sued Elon Musk on Thursday in an effort to compel the billionaire to testify over his purchase of Twitter last year. Attorneys representing the SEC alleged in a legal filing released in the Northern District of California that Musk failed to appear for a Sept. 15 testimony as required by a subpoena, which the attorneys said was served to the Tesla CEO in May 2023. Broadly, the SEC said the investigation is tied to whether anyone committed securities fraud in purchasing Twitter shares last year as Musk was buying stock in the company. Musk closed his acquisition of Twitter, now known as X, in October in a deal worth roughly $44 billion. "Musk's ongoing refusal to comply with the SEC's administrative subpoena is hindering and delaying the SEC staff's investigation to determine whether violations of the federal securities laws have occurred," the attorneys wrote. "Accordingly, the SEC now asks the Court to compel Musk to appear for investigative testimony." The SEC said it tried to find an agreeable time and place to meet with Musk, including offering to meet him at the agency's office in Fort Worth, Texas, "the closest SEC office to Musk's current personal residence" in the Austin area. Multiple dates were proposed for October and November of this year. "These good faith efforts were met with Musk's blanket refusal to appear for testimony," the suit says. Alex Spiro, Elon Musk's attorney, said in a statement about that "the SEC has already taken Mr. Musk's testimony multiple times in this misguided investigationenough is enough." Lawyers for the SEC allege that Musk refused to comply with the subpoena because of "several spurious objections, including an objection to San Francisco as an appropriate testimony location." Musk had previously raised no objection to that location. Additionally, the SEC lawyers claim that Musk believed that the commission was using the subpoena as a method to "harass" him, thus justifying his decision to not comply. Musk also allegedly used the recent publication of his biography, written by the journalist Walter Isaacson, as another reason to not appear for testimony, claiming that the book may contain "new information potentially relevant to this matter." "The publication of Musk's biography is not a legitimate basis for Musk to avoid compliance with a lawfully issued investigative subpoena," the attorneys wrote in the legal filing. "In any event, Musk's initial refusal to comply with the subpoena has now presented his counsel with plenty of time to review the biography for any relevant information, and so this objection is now moot in addition to being legally insufficient from inception." The SEC said in a statement that its "staff is continuing its fact-finding investigation and, to date, has not concluded that any individual or entity has violated the federal securities laws." A hearing on the filing is scheduled to take place on Nov. 9, according to the legal filing. Read the full legal filing below: Kosovo Police continue to uphold security with search, patrol and control activities in the region after the clash which led by Kosovo Serb politician Milan Radoicic in Banjska northern town of the country, on Sept. 24, at Jarinje border crossing with Serbia in Zvecan, Kosovo on October 3, 2023. The clash broke out in the village when a group of armed Serbs blocked a bridge with two trucks. A shootout erupted after the group opened fire on police, leaving one police officer dead and another injured. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Now in its 20th month, the war in Ukraine remains the prime focus of Western powers looking to help Kyiv restore its territorial integrity. In the meantime, however, tensions have escalated in another part of Europe that remains highly volatile following a brutal and complex conflict that erupted in the 1990s. Analysts have expressed concerns that relations between Serbia and Kosovo tense at the best of times have become increasingly hostile in recent months. Violence erupted in northern Kosovo in September, and Belgrade responded with a military buildup on its border with its neighbor. Now there are concerns that the volatility in this southeastern region of Europe could tip into an armed conflict while the world is distracted by the war in Ukraine. Given the current political and security context, analysts say an outbreak of violence in northern Kosovo "should raise alarm bells." "Resolving the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia is no longer just a political matter, but a serious security issue for the region and for Europe," Engjellushe Morina and Majda Ruge, senior policy fellows at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), wrote last week. "For the U.S. and EU, the choice is no longer just between the failure and success of the dialogue but between stability and a further escalation of violence. The latter is most likely unless they finally acknowledge Belgrade's role in destabilising Kosovo and adopt a robust approach to counter it." Open hostility Long-simmering animosity between Serbia and Kosovo has broken into open hostility in northern Kosovo in recent months. Northern Kosovo, which borders Serbia, has an ethnic Serb majority whereas the country as a whole is around 93% ethnic Albanian. Serbian capital Belgrade does not recognize its neighbor as an independent state. A key recent tipping point was local elections in the spring that saw ethnic Albanians elected to a number of municipalities in northern Kosovo. The results caused outrage among the ethnic Serb community in the region who had boycotted the votes, saying their demands for more autonomy had not been met. Members of a Kosovo police special unit stand guard in an area around the Banjska Monastery in Banjska, north Kosovo, some 15km from the border with Serbia, on September 27, 2023. Stringer | Afp | Getty Images Tensions ratcheted up further over the summer and erupted in late September following a shootout between a heavily armed group of ethnic Serbs and Kosovo special police forces in the northern Kosovo village of Banjska in which one police officer and three gunmen were killed. NATO has had a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo since 1999 following a bloody conflict between ethnic Albanians opposed to ethnic Serbs and the government of Yugoslavia in 1998. The military alliance reacted to the September incident by deploying additional peacekeeping troops to the region, while Serbia bolstered its military presence along its border with Kosovo. The move prompted alarm among U.S. and European officials who expressed deep concern over the violence and "unprecedented" buildup of military forces there, as the White House described it. Serbia denied increasing military mobilizations near the Kosovo border and said it had no intention to invade. However, earlier this week, senior Serbian military officials said the number of troops along the border had been halved to around 4,500, admitting they had bolstered the military presence to around double that figure in the aftermath of the violence in Banjska. Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic and Serbian Chief of Staff Milan Mojsilovic hold a joint press conference over clashes at northern Kosovo last week, in Belgrade, Serbia on October 02, 2023. Mojsilovic stated that number of troops on the Kosovo border had been reduced to 4,500 from 8,350. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also looked to reassure the West, telling the Financial Times in a statement last weekend that he had no intention of ordering military forces to cross the border into Kosovo, stating that this would be counterproductive for Belgrade's aspirations to join the EU. "Why this would be beneficial for Belgrade?" Vucic said. "What would be the idea? To destroy our position we have been building for a year? To destroy this in a day? Serbia does not want war," he said, according to the newspaper. Despite these assurances, defense analysts say the situation in the region is like a tinderbox, with the potential to ignite with the slightest of sparks. "From zero land wars in Europe, we could conceivably be looking at two very shortly," Ian Bremmer, founder of the Eurasia Group, said in a note Monday. He likened the tensions to the recent lightning-fast conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which culminated last month with the Azerbaijani military seizing the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in a rapid offensive with little outside intervention. "You have a long-simmering and unsustainable status quo being challenged by the dominant military, looking to see if anybody else cares enough to intervene," Bremmer said. "In this case, that's NATO less distracted than Russia, and much more likely to intervene directly but the prospects of an invasion have gone way up over the past few days." Serbs in Kosovo light candles as they gather in Mitrovica to commemorate members of armed groups killed in a clash with police in Banjska village, on September 26, 2023. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Morina and Ruge at the ECFR think tank said last week that "violent incidents in the north have undermined the already difficult dialogue process between Serbia and Kosovo over the last year." "Serbia's president Aleksandar Vucic has used the violence to challenge Kosovo's authority in the north and push for the autonomy of the four northern municipalities, which would allow Serbia to interfere in Kosovo's domestic affairs through its proxies." Morina and Ruge noted that Vucic characterized the latest violent incident in northern Kosovo as a legitimate act of resistance by local Serbs, but that the type and amount of weapons seized after the incident "suggested this was a bigger, coordinated combat operation with the aim to destabilise the region." 'The optics are troubling' Land-locked Kosovo, which is surrounded by Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro, has found itself at the heart of ethnic tensions in the Balkans for centuries, but the breakup of socialist federation Yugoslavia in 1992 set in motion one of Europe's more recent, deadliest conflicts. A Kosovo Albanian man walks past pictures of victims displayed on a wall at the cemetery in the village of Krusha e Madhe, Kosovo, on March 26, 2021, as part of the commemorations marking the 22nd anniversary of the Krusha massacre. The massacre of Krusha took place during the Kosovo war around March 25-26, 1999, one of the first regions to be hit by Serbian forces, after a NATO bombing campaign aimed at halting the violent repression of the province's ethnic Albanians. Armend Nimani | Afp | Getty Images Tensions between Serbia and ethnic Albanians culminated in the 1998 Kosovo war between Yugoslav forces, led by Serbia, and a Kosovo-Albanian rebel group known as the Kosovo Liberation Army, who opposed the Serbian authorities and oppressive policies of Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic. Hundreds of thousands of Kosovo Albanians were displaced by the conflict and numerous war crimes were committed by both sides, although the majority were attributed to Serbian and Yugoslav government forces. The conflict ended when NATO intervened in 1999, launching air strikes on Yugoslav armed forces until their withdrawal from Kosovo. NATO's aerial bombing campaign remains controversial to this day although it is credited with bringing the war to an end. The bombed Yugoslav Ministry of Defense building is not still remains repaired in Belgrade, Serbia on March 23, 2015. The Yugoslav Ministry of Defense was the governmental department responsible for defending the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia from internal and external military threats. The building was bombed by NATO forces on 7th May 1999. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Kosovo declared itself independent from Serbia in 2008, a proclamation that Serbia rejected, and tensions have simmered ever since, not helped by the election of nationalist leaders in both Serbia (President Vucic) and Kosovo (Prime Minister Albin Kurti). Nonetheless, Serbia has aspirations to join the EU and is unlikely to want to jeopardize this, or to tempt a direct response from NATO, according to Andrius Tursa, Central and Eastern Europe advisor at risk consultancy Teneo. "A direct military offensive by the Serbian army on northern Kosovo is very unlikely due to the presence of NATO peacekeepers and the risk of punitive Western sanctions as a result of such action," Tursa said in a note Tuesday. "[But] from a political perspective, saber-rattling at a time when Belgrade faces uncomfortable questions surrounding the Banjska attack has increased Western perceptions of Serbia as a destabilizing actor." A car drives past a graffiti reading 'Thank You Nato' and featuring the US flag near the village of Stagovo on March 24, 2019. Twenty years ago, NATO launched a 78-day bombing campaign on Serbia that ultimately led to a victory by separatist Kosovo Albanians who had been locked in war with the regime of Serbia's Slobodan Milosevic. Armend Nimani | Afp | Getty Images Former U.S. President Donald Trump as the trial of himself, his adult sons, the Trump Organization and others in a civil fraud case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James continues, in New York City, October 3, 2023. Former President Donald Trump wants a New York judge to dismiss the criminal case against him charging that he falsified business records relating to hush money payments, arguing prosecutors waited too long to bring their case. "After a five year meandering, halting and roving investigation that entailed inexplicable and unconstitutional delay, the District Attorney's office filed a discombobulated package of politically motivated charges marred by legal defects," Trump's attorneys contended in a 57-page court filing Thursday. The filing argues that Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg "charged President Trump more than six years after public reporting regarding the facts at issue, and almost five years after commencing a grand jury investigation and accessing substantially all of the relevant evidence." "The delay has prejudiced President Trump, interfered with his ongoing presidential campaign, and violated his due process rights," the filing by Trump attorneys Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles contends, and the charges should therefore be dismissed. A spokesperson for the DA's office said they will respond in court papers. Trump was indicted by the DA earlier this year on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors said Trump "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election." That information was hush money paid to two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump. He has denied the affairs and any wrongdoing. Michael Cohen, then Trump's lawyer, paid one of the women, adult film star Stormy Daniels, $130,000 in the closing days of the campaign. He has said he made the payment at Trump's direction, and Trump had acknowledged repaying Cohen through payments that were labeled as legal expenses. The DA's office contends that was misleading and criminal. In their filing, Trump's lawyers contended it was accurate. "President Trump cannot be said to have falsified business records of the Trump Organization by paying his personal attorney using his personal bank accounts," the filing said. They argued the judge presiding over the case, Juan Merchan, "should dismiss the indictment or, in the alternative, conduct a hearing to determine the reason for the delay" in bringing the charges. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case, which is currently scheduled for a March 2024 trial. The motion comes as Trump and his company are on trial in a $250 million civil fraud case brought by the New York attorney general's office. In that case Thursday, Trump's attorneys said they intend to ask an appeals court for a stay of the trial while they challenge Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling finding Trump and his company committed repeated acts of fraud. Also on Thursday, Trump's attorneys filed a motion in the federal election interference criminal case against him in Washington, D.C. arguing he should be shielded from prosecution because of presidential immunity. In a court filing Wednesday night, Trump's attorneys also filed a motion in the federal criminal case accusing him of mishandling national secrets, arguing the trial in that case should be postponed until after the 2024 presidential election. They contended that prosecutors in the case were clinging to an "unprecedented and now untenable trial date" of May of next year. Trump has pleaded not guilty in both federal cases and denied wrongdoing in the AG's civil case. He maintains all the cases against him are politically motivated and part of a Democratic "witch hunt" against him. Walt Nauta, personal aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump who faces charges of being Trump's co-conspirator in the alleged mishandling of classified documents, fixes Trump's collar before a LIV Golf Pro-Am golf tournament at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, U.S. May 25, 2023. Donald Trump asked a judge to delay his criminal classified documents trial in Florida from May until after the November 2024 presidential election, saying prosecutors are dragging their feet in sharing evidence with his lawyers. Trump's attorneys in a Wednesday night court filing also said prosecutors have "demanded a conflicting schedule" in special counsel Jack Smith's other federal criminal case against the former president, in Washington, D.C. Trump is charged in D.C. with illegally conspiring to reverse his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. That case is set to begin trial in early March. The dueling schedules "currently require President Trump and his lawyers to be in two places at once," defense lawyers complained. Netherland's Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives to attend the European Political Community summit at the Palacio de Congreso in Granada, southern Spain on October 5, 2023. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Thursday that he's "absolutely convinced" the U.S. will continue supporting Ukraine's war effort. "Not at all," Rutte said when asked whether he was concerned about the prospect of President Joe Biden's administration reducing its long-term support for Kyiv amid Russia's full-scale invasion. Rutte said senior Democrat and Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives had recently visited the Hague and they were "in total agreement on the need to continue the support for Ukraine because this about our common values [and] it is about our common security." "We cannot accept one country in 2022, 2023 invading another nation so I am absolutely convinced that they will solve this issue," he added. Asked whether the EU could step in if the U.S. does not resume its support for Ukraine, Rutte said, "It is not necessary. The EU will do what is necessary [and] the Netherlands is among the top countries in terms of contribution for Ukraine but I am absolutely convinced that the U.S. will stay on board." Sam Meredith The commodities market is a "much more constructive place to invest" right now and "integrated" names in the energy sector in particular are "extremely attractive," according to one portfolio manager. We are "at the beginning of a longer term commodity cycle," Aaron Dunn, co-head of value equity and portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, told CNBC's " Squawk Box Asia " on Wednesday. "Commodity cycles, historically, are long they tend to be seven years. The peak of the last one was 2014. I would say [in] 2021/2022, we had really taken a lot of the capital spending out of the industry and now we're sort of seeding the basis for the next upcycle," he added. For now, Dunn said, he is "certainly concerned about and paying attention to the U.S. onshore shale era," when evaluating what equities to invest in. What's commonly known as the U.S. shale "revolution" refers to horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques that helped the country boost its supply of oil and natural gas. "I don't think [it's] is over, but I would certainly say it's nearing its peak. And I think productivity, ultimately, over time is going to decline and the growth rate of U.S. production will flatten out." In light of that, Dunn said, "I need to invest in in who may have U.S exposure, but they're also investing outside of the U.S.," adding that integrated energy names are compelling for that reason, thanks to their "global footprint." Integrated energy companies typically engage in the exploration, production, refinement, and distribution of oil and gas. Examples of such companies include U.S multinationals ExxonMobil and Chevron , French player TotalEnergies and British multinational BP . One of the companies Dunn likes is ConocoPhillips . "It's a U.S. company, but they have a lot of assets outside the U.S. and they have been investing outside the U.S.," he said. COP YTD mountain YTD performance of shares in ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips has liquefied natural gas hubs in the Netherlands, Qatar and Australia, and has plans to double its footprint in the coming decade, according to a press release. 'Uncover interesting equities' While the ongoing pullback in the U.S. stock market presents concerns on what stocks to invest in, Dunn said it can help "uncover very interesting equities." "Anytime we get a pullback like this, I think it creates opportunity," he said, adding that this has come at a time when markets have been sloppy and skewed by the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks. Stocks on his radar include French pharmaceutical and health-care player Sanofi , U.S. marketer and producer of spirits Constellation Brands , drug company Zoetis and warehouse club chain BJ's Wholesale Club . [Elon Musk is slated to begin speaking at 9:45 a.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see the video player above.] Elon Musk is speaking Thursday during the world's annual space congress, where the SpaceX CEO is expected to give updates on development of the company's monster Starship rocket. SpaceX earlier this year made its first attempt at launching Starship into space, but the craft exploded a few minutes into the test flight. The company is now preparing to make its second Starship flight attempt, as regulators review its application for a launch license. Musk is speaking virtually at the 74th edition of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), which this year is held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Notably, Musk first announced SpaceX's goal of building a city on Mars during the congress in 2016. The space conference comes two weeks after Azerbaijan military forces converged on the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, to the west of Baku. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared in a speech the military operation succeeded with an "iron fist." Talks between between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh have yet to yield a resolution. BBC reports that about 120,000 ethnic Aremenians, nearly the region's entire population, have fled Nagorno-Karabakh. Still life of Wegovy an injectable prescription weight loss medicine that has helped people with obesity. It should be used with a weight loss plan and physical activity. Blockbuster weight loss and diabetes drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic may be associated with an increased risk of three rare, but severe, stomach conditions in non-diabetic patients, according to a new epidemiological study released Thursday. The study, published in the research journal JAMA, comes as Novo Nordisk 's Wegovy, Ozempic and similar treatments skyrocket in popularity in the U.S. for their ability to cause dramatic weight loss over time. But those drugs, known as GLP-1s, are also facing increased scrutiny after some patients reported experiencing stomach paralysis and suicidal ideation while taking them. GLP-1s work by slowing digestion to suppress a person's appetite but can cause problems if that process slows down too much. Researchers at the University of British Columbia said the conditions in the study include one disorder not named in the warning labels for those drugs: stomach paralysis, which slows or completely stops the movement of food from the stomach to the intestine and can cause symptoms like persistent vomiting. The study also notes an increased risk of bowel obstruction, a disorder where food is blocked from passing through the small or large intestine, and pancreatitis, which refers to pancreas inflammation. The labels for the drugs already include warnings about pancreatitis and certain types of bowel obstruction. The researchers specifically examined semaglutide the active ingredient used in Wegovy and Ozempic and another GLP-1 called liraglutide against another weight loss treatment called bupropion-naltrexone, which works differently to help patients lose weight. Wegovy is specifically approved for weight loss in the U.S., while Ozempic is only approved for diabetes. Their research is the first large, population-level study to examine the risk of serious stomach conditions in non-diabetic patients specifically using GLP-1s for weight loss. Previous studies have highlighted the risk of those conditions in diabetic patients taking GLP-1s, according to the researchers. People with diabetes are also at increased risk of experiencing stomach paralysis and pancreatitis overall, even without the treatments. "That's why we kind of wanted to take diabetes out of the equation," said Mohit Sodhi, one of the authors of the study. "In addition to the fact that millions of people around the world are using these drugs to help them lose weight." A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk noted that some of the gastrointestinal side effects in the study are already included on the labels for its GLP-1s, adding that the company "stands behind the safety and efficacy of all of our GLP-1 medicines when used consistent with the product labeling and approved indications." "We recommend patients take these medications for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional," the spokesperson said. "Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient's individual medical profile." U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with border patrol officers as he walks along the border fence during his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border to assess border enforcement operations, in El Paso, Texas, on Jan. 8, 2023. WASHINGTON The Biden administration in a major policy pivot waived more than two dozen federal laws to allow quick construction of about 20 extra miles to the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. During his 2020 Democratic campaign, President Joe Biden had promised that not "another foot of wall" would be built during his administration. Once in office in January 2021, Biden issued a proclamation to end construction of the wall, which had been a top priority for former President Donald Trump as part of that Republican's effort to block illegal entries into the United States. Biden said at that time that "building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution." On Thursday, when reporters asked Biden why he had reversed his policy, Biden said that Congress had appropriated money to fund additional sections of the wall and had refused his request to redirect that money elsewhere. "In the meantime, there's nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated for," Biden said. "I can't stop that." Asked if he believed now that a border wall was effective at stemming illegal immigration, Biden replied, "No." The change in policy was disclosed Wednesday night by the Department of Homeland Security, which said it would waive laws including the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered Species Act to expedite construction of additional sections of the wall. "There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas," said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The change comes amid an influx of migrants along the southern border, which has led even Democratic governors to ask the administration for help. About 245,000 illegal entries in the Rio Grande Valley have occurred since October 2022, according to the federal government. Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois criticized the Biden administration's handling of the migrant crisis in a letter this week. Pritzker, a Democrat, called the situation "untenable" and chastised the administration for a "lack of intervention and coordination at the border." NBC News released a poll last week that found the majority of Americans say Republicans do a better job addressing border security than Democrats. India is set to have an enhanced air connectivity to East Africa with Uganda Airlines all set to commence its direct flight services to Mumbai from Entebbe. from this Saturday (October 7). The new flight, the first time in the last five decades between the two nations, comes close on the heels of Indian carrier IndiGo launching a flight to Nairobi in Kenya (which is bordered to the east by Uganda) in August this year. Currently, there are no direct flights between India and Uganda and this gap is filled largely by the Gulf carriers such as Air Arabia, Oman Air and Emirates as well as other African airlines like Ethiopian Air and Kenya Airways with one or multi stop flights to and fro. The five-and-half-hour flight between Entebbe-Mumbai-Entebbe route will be catered by a wide body Airbus A330-800neo plane that will offer premium economy seats besides the business and economy class. Passengers can choose to book their seats from three classes with a business class return ticket pegged at $850, premium economy at $650 & economy at $450. Madhusudan Agrawal, Consul of Uganda, said he requested Uganda Airlines to keep fares low for the inaugural period. "We want Indians to benefit from this opportunity. I had taken a big Bollywood delegation to Uganda, it's such a beautiful country, temperature is 20-25 degrees, 90% of the world's mountain gorillas are found in Uganda," he added. The airline is starting with three weekly flights from Mumbai which will then be expanded to Delhi and Chennai. Tickets are currently available on booking sites Amadeus and Galileo while Uganda Airlines said it is also in talks with some leading Indian tour and travel operators as well as ticket booking platforms. "We are expecting demand from corporates, friends & relatives, medical tourism, horticulture and pharma, Bollywood among other sectors," said Lenny Malasi, India Manager at Uganda Airlines. India-Uganda ties India & Uganda share a deep historic bond that dates back to 1894 when the British administration took Indians to Uganda mostly from the Punjab and Gujarat belt. The Indian population went on to control up to 90 percent of businesses in Uganda forming the commercial and economic backbone of the country. In 1972, after dictator Idi Amin took control of Uganda under a coup, he called for the expulsion of Indians accusing them of disloyalty, mischief and exploiting ethnic Ugandans. He took away their firms, ranches, farms, agricultural estates, cars, homes and other household goods. The expulsion of Indians did significant damage to both Uganda's economy and its international reputation as Indians were the major contributor in the government's tax revenue. Idi Amin drew criticism from several nations, particularly the United Kingdom (UK) and India who cut diplomatic ties with the country. Later, when President Museveni took charge in 1986, Indians were invited back to Uganda and the migration has been growing since then. Indian origin Sudhir Ruparelia is currently the richest man in Uganda and has an estimated fortune of $1 billion. Indians continue to own big businesses in the country in the fields of cement, finance, food and oil. Uganda has been inviting Indian businessmen having interest in Africa to explore investment opportunities in agriculture, infrastructure, real estate, oil & gas among other sectors. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) When the sun sets, the magic begins. Anne Curtis, the enchanting icon of Filipino cinema, knows that nightfall unveils a different kind of beauty. Renowned for her captivating presence both on and off the screen, Anne has chosen the vivo V29 5G as her trusted companion for capturing breathtaking night portraits. On September 25, 2023, Anne unveiled the vivo V29 5G, showcasing its top-notch camera designed to capture flawless portraits and group selfies, even in challenging low-light conditions. The vivo V29 5G, equipped with groundbreaking camera technology, empowers individuals to unveil their unique beauty, even in the subtlest of moonlight. Heres why every Filipino should consider joining Anne Curtis in illuminating their nights with the vivo V29 5G: Every portrait becomes a masterpiece Introducing the vivo V29 5G, a smartphone that takes your photography to the next level. With its 50MP optical image stabilization (OIS) ultra-sensing main camera and enhanced Aura Light 2.0 technology, it's all about putting you in the spotlight. Building on the success of the vivo V27 Series, the Aura Light 2.0 is now even more impressive. It's nine times larger and boasts of 36 percent brighter 360-degree even lighting. Plus, the Smart Color Temperature Adjustment feature lets you set the Aura Light 2.0 to match your preferred warm or cool lighting. You can also now capture stunning group selfies with the 50MP front camera, featuring autofocus capability and a wide 92-degree field of view. These features allow you to share nighttime adventures with friends and family through portraits that dazzle with their clarity and vibrancy. The vivo V29 5G transforms every moment into a work of art worth sharing. Experience the magic of night portraits alongside Anne with the vivo V29 5G, available in Starry Purple and Magic Maroon. vivo V29 5G in Starry Purple (left) and Magic Maroon (right). Photo from vivo Grab yours now at 12GB + 256GB for 24,999 and 12GB + 512GB for 26,999. Get it at vivo Philippine's official website, e-stores such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok, as well as physical stores nationwide. Follow vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok for the latest news and announcements. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Authorities confirmed four people died after a fire razed their residence in Taguig early Thursday morning. Fire officials said the blaze started at 3:54 a.m. at a house in Gumamela St., Katipunan Village. The first alarm was raised at 4:07 a.m. and the fire was extinguished at 4:37 a.m. Authorities said only one family was affected, and the estimated damage is at 200,000. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) A group recently launched an initiative to raise awareness about the real situation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), and collect donations for fisherfolk and Filipino troops manning BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Speaking to CNN Philippines The Source on Thursday, Atin Ito campaign convenor Edicio dela Torre said the group was formed to push for the common goal of helping those most affected by Chinas aggressive actions in the WPS. We came together and said lets focuson helping directly the fisherfolk and then others said tulungan na rin natin ang coast guard, pangalawa tulungan na rin yung BRP Sierra Madre (we should also help the coast guard and the troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre), he said. BRP Sierra Madre, a US Navy ship used during World War II, has been at Ayungin Shoal since 1999. It was intentionally grounded there to serve as the countrys military outpost in the contested waters. Atin Ito is composed of different groups like the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, the Center for Agrarian Reform for Empowerment and Transformation, Akbayan, as well as various artists, and other non-government organizations. It launched its project this week which will involve different activities. Organizers are asking for non-monetary donations, including but not limited to canned goods (except canned fish items), noodles, water, long-sleeved shirts, slippers, bucket hats , toiletries, flashlights, and medical supplies (over-the-counter medication, antibiotic ointment, alcohol). Donations may be dropped off at the following locations: Team Manila Lifestyle Suez Street corner Zapote, Makati City PRRM 56 Mother Ignacia Street corner Dr. Lazcano Street, Quezon City Akbayan Party 23 Maalindog Street, UP Village, Quezon City CARET Unit 213 Eagle Court Condominium, 26 Matalino Street, Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City Atin Ito hopes to conduct an all-civilian supply mission to deliver some of the goods to Filipino troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre. Dela Torre said the group is coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard and are seeking approval from the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea to conduct the mission. He added this will not be a one-time program as they will look for more ways to deliver the needed supply of Filipino troops aboard BRP Sierra Madre. Authorities conducted another successful resupply mission on Wednesday despite Chinas attempt to block, harass, and interfere, the National Security Council said. It added a significant number of China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia vessels interfered with the mission. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will go on several more trips until the end of 2023, starting with the ASEAN Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh this month, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Speaking to CNN Philippines, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said the president will be traveling at least four more times this year. The department earlier announced that Marcos will fly to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October to attend the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit. In mid-November, he will attend the APEC economic leaders meeting in San Francisco, USA, followed by the climate change conference in Dubai, UAE, and finally the ASEAN Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo. Manalo did not give further details on the scheduled trips. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is also investigating the death of a 14-year-old student in Antipolo City who was allegedly slapped by his teacher. "The Commission deplores all acts which pose threats to safeguarding the rights and dignity of children," the CHR said in a statement on Thursday. "We underscore the importance of recognizing the individuality and rights of children whose physical and mental vulnerabilities should not relegate them from receiving equal and proper treatment from adults who are supposedly responsible for their welfare and protection," it added. Francis Gumikib, a Grade 5 student of Penafrancia Elementary School, died on Monday. The teacher, who is on official leave, has denied slapping the student hard. Antipolo Police chief PLt. Col. Ryan Mangondo on Tuesday said authorities are preparing to file a homicide case against her. "In line with the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have the right to be safe from all forms of violence and punishment, regardless of their actions," the CHR stressed. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will tackle this month the petition to disqualify technology provider Smartmatic from bidding for the automated election system (AES) for the 2025 elections. Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Thursday said they will conduct a hearing on October 17 or 18 to discuss the petition and give due process to both parties. Gusto namin malaman ano extent o reason ng grounds para i-disqualify yung mismong kumpanya," he said. "Number two, gusto natin makita side naman ng mismong kumpanya na inaakusahan." [Translation: We want to know the extent or reason to disqualify the company. Number two, we want to hear the side of the company being accused.] In June, former Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) secretary Eliseo Rio, former Comelec commissioner Augusto "Gus" Lagman, Franklin Ysaac, and Leonardo Odono filed a petition seeking to review the qualifications of Smartmatic. The group cited in the petition the reported irregularities between the transmission logs and reception logs from the precinct level to the Comelecs transparency server during the 2022 elections. The poll body chief said Smartmatic has yet to comment on the matter, since it will still release the order for the company to submit its answer. Garcia reiterated that the poll body cannot ban the technology provider from bidding without any valid reason or formal basis. Sa kasalukuyan, lahat ay alegasyon, lahat ay spekulasyon," he pointed out. "Mas maganda po na makita natin ang kabuuan ng lahat kapag nagkaroon na ng full blown hearing." Wala pa naman tayong basehan pa in the meantime, habang hindi pa dumadating yung pagdinig, para idisqualify yung naturang kumpanya., Garcia added. [Translation: For now, everything is allegation, everything is speculation. It would be better if we see the whole picture when a full-blown hearing is conducted. We have no basis until the hearing happens to disqualify the said company.] Smartmatic has been the poll bodys technology provider of the automated election system since 2010. The voting tech firm is among the four companies that have expressed interest to supply the AES for the 2025 national and local elections. Comelec aims to resolve the petition before the start of AES procurement. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Officers from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will go to Italy to investigate reports that job-seekers were scammed and illegally recruited by fellow Filipinos running a recruitment agency there. The DMW on Thursday said it met with the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation for a case buildup against recruiter Alpha Assistenza. DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said the agency is looking at a conspiracy angle with local entities. DMW said Alpha Assistenza offered jobs in hotels and restaurants in Italy, with victims paying from 100,000 to as much as 300,000 for their application. Applicants obtain work permits only to discover these are fake when presented at the visa processing center. The Department of Foreign Affairs reported a total of 221 complainants as of Oct. 4. The lawyer of Alpha Assistenza CEO Krizelle Respicio said his client is not involved in any recruitment. According to its website, the company provides "immigration services." The story will come out, the truth will come out, company counsel Charlie Pascual said, as he visited the Department of Justice on Thursday to declare his client's willingness to work with authorities. Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a resolution seeking a probe on what he calls large-scale fraud. He said the probe should also cover victims claims that the Philippine Consulate in Milan did not assist Filipinos in distress. CNN Philippines Correspondents Daniza Fernandez and Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Six former officers of the Navotas City police who have been linked to the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar voluntarily surrendered a day after a court ordered their arrest. The Philippine National Polices Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confirmed on Thursday that the six are now under its custody after they turned themselves in to the CIDG Quezon Provincial Field Unit on Wednesday. They apparently surrendered to authorities in Quezon since one of them has connections there, authorities said. The six suspects were identified as Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Balais Jr., Staff Sergeant (PSSg) Gerry Maliban, PSSg Antonio Bugayong Jr., PSSg Nikko Esquilon, Corporal Edward Blanco, and Patrolman Benedict Mangada. They are not entitled to bail since they were charged with murder. On Aug. 2, the officers fatally shot Baltazar due to what police later declared as a case of mistaken identity. Authorities said the six were conducting an operation in Navotas against a murder suspect but failed to verify their target, opening fire on the teenager and his friend. Days after, the six personnel were relieved from their posts. CIDG Director Major General Romeo Caramat Jr. said the surrender shows that the six are willing to face the consequences of their actions and that justice will be given to the victim and his family. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Central Visayas on Wednesday issued a show cause order (SCO) against the drivers of a taxi and habal-habal who figured in a fistfight in Cebu. The scuffle was caught in a viral video on Oct. 2 where the drivers were seen throwing punches at one another in the middle of a road in Marigondon in Lapu-Lapu City while other motorists watched. Authorities have yet to pinpoint the reason for the fight. This behavior has no place in our roads since it compromises road safety especially that they are both drivers of public utility vehicles," LTO-7 director Glen Galario said in a statement. "But we will observe due process on this and thats why we asked them to explain their side, he added. Transportation officials and lawmakers said they are working on increasing the penalty for road rage acts after other recent back-to-back incidents that went viral. Cebu-based correspondent Dale Israel contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Makati Mayor Abby Binay requested a regional trial court (RTC) to issue a Status Quo Ante Order, a motion to keep things as they were, after claiming that Taguig City is forcibly executing" the Supreme Court decision which gave the latter authority over some barangays from Makati. According to a statement, Binay cited attempts made by Taguig City to unilaterally and arbitrarily implement the Supreme Courts decision without any writ of execution from the trial court. The high court previously said Writ of Execution is needed before Taguig can have control over 10 barangays from Makati City which include Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Rizal, Post Proper Northside and Post Proper Southside. The Makati mayor on Thursday filed an Urgent Motion for Clarification with Prayer for the Issuance of a Status Quo Ante Order before Branch 153 of the RTC of Taguig City. Makati only wants an orderly administration of the Supreme Court decision with the least disruption to the residents and the uninterrupted delivery of basic services in the affected areas, Binay said in a statement. Makati City cited a number of alarming and highly confusing incidents caused by Taguigs attempt to execute the decision without the writ. These attempts include entering premises of a housing project owned by Makati City and forcibly taking possession of several school buildings and health centers in the affected barangays. RELATED: Taguig denies 'forcible' takeover of EMBO schools from Taguig cannot simply take the law into its own hands and act as it pleases without any writ of execution issued by the court," said Binay. "Because of Taguigs arbitrary, whimsical, and capricious attempts to unilaterally implement the SC Decision in a piece-meal manner, the peoples welfare has been unduly prejudiced by Taguig City and has created unwarranted tension and confusion among the residents and various government agencies," she also said. Makati noted that the high court did not expressly order any part of the decision to be immediately executory. Makatis motion will also allow it to assert its position as current owner of the properties. A status quo order, which is similar to a cease-and desist order, is an order to maintain the last actual, peaceable, uncontested state of things which preceded the controversy. The Supreme Court rules that a status quo order is warranted in order to promote common good as well as protect the public interest. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants a concrete plan for the coconut industry as he sees a "big opportunity" amid the administration's target to plant 100 million trees by 2028. In a statement on Thursday, Malacanang said the president had a meeting with officials of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) where they discussed the proposed massive tree-planting project. "Theres a big opportunity so lets have a look at that Kailangan natin mayroon tayong plano (We need to have a plan)," Marcos said. Under the plan, the PCA seeks to plant 20 to 25 million trees every year from 2023 to 2028, a few decades after it launched the same initiative. However, Marcos said political terms should not bar the agency from continuing the rehabilitation and development program. The PCA is proposing to issue a memorandum of agreement with local government units, with the latter implementing coconut planting and replanting, seed farm development, and coconut fertilization, to name a few. According to the Palace, the country has 3.6 million hectares planted with coconut trees, with 340.6 million coconut-bearing trees capable of producing 14 to 15 billion coconuts annually. It added that the Philippines "remains the biggest exporter of coconut products," posting an export value of $3.22 billion in 2022. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) In a span of only three months after Pag-IBIG Fund entered partnerships with the countrys top transport networks to provide better access to its membership, 13,128 delivery drivers and riders have registered as Pag-IBIG members and now enjoy the agencys benefits. We are very happy that a growing number of delivery riders are now part of the more than 15.6 million active members of Pag-IBIG Fund. As members of Pag-IBIG Fund, they now have secure savings and shall gain access to our affordable home loans. This is in line with our efforts to provide inclusive housing to all Filipino workers under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing or 4PH Program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., said Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar, who leads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. Earlier this year, Pag-IBIG Fund partnered with transport network & app-based courier companies Angkas, Foodpanda, Grab, Lalamove and Pick-A-Roo. With the partnerships, delivery riders are provided better access to Pag-IBIG Fund membership to allow them to enjoy the agencys benefits that include its Regular and MP2 Savings, short-term cash loans, affordable home loans and the Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card Plus. Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta, meanwhile, expects that the number of delivery riders who shall become Pag-IBIG Fund members will continue to rise, especially with the agencys ongoing Pag-IBIG Asenso Rider Raffle Promo, a special raffle promo for delivery riders. We remain committed to our mandate of bringing the benefits of Pag-IBIG Fund membership to more Filipino workers. This includes our delivery riders, whose service have become vital in our daily lives. That is why in addition to bringing them better access to Pag-IBIG Fund membership, we are also providing our delivery riders the opportunity to win special prizes to help them with their livelihood with the Pag-IBIG Asenso Rider Raffle Promo. All these are among the many ways how we bring our Lingkod Pag-IBIG Brand of Service Tapat na Serbisyo, Mula sa Puso to our members, Acosta added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The Marshall Islands believed to be the flag state of the ship that crashed into a Philippine fishing boat is obligated to hold the vessel liable over the incident that killed three fishermen, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. Kung saan siya nakarehistro [Where the vessel is registered], which is the Marshall Islands, obligation ng [it is the obligation of the] flag state administration to hold the ship owner accountable, Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a media briefing Thursday. The PCG said the government of the Marshall Islands has already acknowledged receiving the letter it sent regarding the incident that occurred on Oct. 2. The Philippines has yet to receive a formal response. Earlier that day, PCG Commander Admiral Artemio Abu wrote the island country to request for its cooperation in probing the oil tanker that hit the fishing boat Dearyn northwest off Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. Three of the Filipino crew members were killed in the tragedy, while 11 survived. The letter to the Marshall Islands states that after cross-referencing the fishermen's account and thorough check on marine traffic, Philippine authorities identified the foreign vessel as MV Pacific Anna [...] an oil tanker sailing under the flag of Marshall Islands. We kindly request your immediate cooperation and exercise your authority being the flag state administrator of the vessel and conduct a fair and honest investigation," Abu said in the letter which was shown to the media. "It is imperative that we ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. The coast guard has also written to the port state of control in Singapore since the vessel was heading there from South Korea. Asked about compensation for victims, the PCG chief said this will be determined after the probe. Gaya nung mga barko na na-involve sa any accident, meron naman yang insurance [Like other ships involved in any accident, there is insurance], Abu said. So, that will come after the determination, after the completion of the investigation, and of course the due process that we will observe. The PCG added it is working towards the immediate completion of its maritime casualty investigation report, which it will submit to the Department of Foreign Affairs for appropriate diplomatic action. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Senators are considering the realignment of 50 million in confidential funds allotted to the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Upon questioning by Sen. Raffy Tulfo during the DA budget hearing on Thursday, agriculture officials told the Senate finance panel that the DA was allotted 50 million in confidential funds for surveillance against anti-smuggling operations and law enforcement. Nung lumabas yung NEP [When the NEP came out], they (Department of Budget and Management) allocated 50 million confidential funds to be dedicated to surveillance operations for anti-smuggling operations, DA Asec. James Layug said. Perplexed, Tulfo pointed out that surveillance of agricultural smugglers and law enforcement fell under the mandate of the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of Justice. He then urged the DA to surrender its confidential funds so that these could be realigned to agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard that is on the front line of defending the countrys sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea amid Chinas escalating aggression. We will make the adjustment, realignment [of the confidential funds], Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate agriculture panel, said after Tulfos interpellation. Later on in the budget hearing, Layug asked senators to reconsider their proposed realignment of the DAs secret funds. When we discussed if the department can really use the confidential funds to also investigate, especially as we have quarantine powers under the Food Safety Law and Price Act, and even in the Meat Code, we are mandated to conduct market surveillance and inspection, he said. Layug added that the Food and Safety and Regulation Agencies also needed support to strengthen the DAs surveillance operations. As Tulfo had already left the hearing, Villar told Layug: I want to comment that if Sen. Tulfo will make a big issue out of it, you just follow [up] with him in what you will do with the 50 million allocation. I dont want to be answering Sen. Tulfo because of your 50-million allocation," Villar added. "You be creative and give him the benefit of having that 50 million realigned. Once the DAs budget reaches the Senate plenary, lawmakers can amend the allocations and remove the agencys confidential funds. Confidential funds are allocated to civilian government agencies for the purpose of surveillance activities, but they have caught flak for their lack of transparency. Vice President Sara Duterte, in particular, has drawn public ire because civilian agencies under her, the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, asked for massive amounts of secret funds supposedly for the safety and security of the Filipino people. READ: VP Duterte defends confidential funds: 'It should not be constrained by time' Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) A labor group denounced the denial by the Philippine National Police (PNP) that it was involved in the killing of a union organizer. Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) accused the police of killing Jude Fernandez on Sept. 29 in his home in Rizal province. He supposedly resisted arrest ("nanlaban"). The group said it received reports that operatives of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) entered Fernandez' house to serve a warrant. The PNP-CIDG claims that Fernandez fought back (nanlaban), which caused them to fire at Fernandez until he was killed and declared dead on the spot, KMU said in a statement. We deliberately refute this narrative," it added. "Fernandez is a labor organizer and he does not bear arms." On the other hand, the PNP denied involvement in the killing and said the subject of the arrest warrant was not Fernandez. PNP spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo said the warrant was for Oscar Dizon, whom the police identified as a member of the central committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army. Hindi natin alam saan nanggagaling ang pangalan na binibigay pero base sa ebidensya na na-rekober doon sa pinangyarihan ng insidente, maraming ID na na-recover sa kaniya at iba ibang pangalan ang nakalagay, pero may isang ID na nagma-match sa subject ng arrest warrant na si Oscar Dizon, Fajardo said. [Translation: We do not know where the name came from but based on the evidence recovered at the scene of the incident, many IDs were recovered from him and different names were written, but there was one ID that matched the subject of the arrest warrant that is Oscar Dizon.] Fajardo said Dizon resisted arrest which led to his shooting. Walang nanlaban The KMU said it launched a fact-finding mission on Oct. 3 on the nanlaban narrative. Peoples organizations and human rights institutions together with Gabriela Womens Party and former Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite were part of the group. Walang nanlaban. Yan ang resulta ng aming fact-finding, KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis said. Walang-awa pong pinatay ng CIDG at ng gobyernong Marcos ang aming kasamahang si Jude Fernandez. Pamamaraang terorista ang ginamit sa isang unyonista. [Translation: "No one fought back. That is the result of our fact-finding. The CIDG and the Marcos government mercilessly killed our colleague Jude Fernandez. Terrorist tactics were used against a unionist.] The groups conducted an indignation rally on Thursday in front of the CIDG headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. Fernandez was organizing local workers to encourage them to advocate for wage increases and other worker rights. He began as a unionist during the martial law era, said KMU. Karapatan decried the "lies" behind the nanlaban narrative. The PNPs long and filthy record of false narratives, bogus witnesses, planting evidence and filing trumped-up charges leaves us incredulous, it said. The group called on the PNP-CIDG to produce the footage from body-cams worn by its operatives while serving the warrant. GABRIELA said the PNP-CIDG and other state forces have been doing this modus operandi citing the brutal torture and killing of peasant leader Randall Echanis in 2020. Gunmen killed Echanis in his residence, and access to his body was initially denied by his family and colleagues. "The latest remark from the PNP-CIDG is no different from their tired 'nanlaban' excuse whenever they kill someone under their extrajudicial killing modus operandi," GABRIELA Secretary General Clarice Palce. "This is nothing more than an attempt to evade their heinous crime and accountability, she also said. The killing came at a time of the resounding call from workers and the people for wage increases, their outrage against unbridled corruption in the government, and intensifying human rights violations, the KMU said. Fernandez remains are currently being retrieved and will be turned over to his relatives, it also said. The labor group said Fernandez is the 72nd victim of extrajudicial killing from the labor sector and the fourth since the International Labor Organization conducted a high-level tripartite mission to the country in January. With reports from CNN Philippines' correspondent AC Nicholls. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Pangasinan on Thursday said the foreign vessel that rammed a Filipino boat and killed three fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea on Oct. 2 violated two international regulations. It is mandated by convention na kung ano yung pinakamalapit na barko, regardless kung sila yung nakasagasa o hindi nakasagasa, sila yung unang magreresponde at ire-rescue itong mga distressed persons sa pangyayari. Ito lang yung initial na nakikita natin na violation nung barko, PCG Pangasinan station commander Alex Corpuz told CNN Philippines The Source. [Translation: It is mandated by convention that whatever ship is nearest, regardless of whether it was the one who rammed or not, it must be the first to respond and rescue distressed persons. This is the initial violation we are seeing.] He was referring to Regulation 33 under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, which states that any ship that is able to provide assistance after receiving a distress signal shall proceed with all speed to their assistance, if possible informing them or the search and rescue service that the ship is doing so. Initial investigation showed that the Filipino fishermen left Subic on Sept. 26 and arrived at the area where the incident happened on Sept. 30, Corpuz said. The PCG earlier reported that Filipino fishing boat Dearyn was moored to a payao, or an anchored fish float, for fishing northwest of Bajo de Masinloc when it was hit by a commercial vessel at 4:20 a.m. on Oct. 2, killing three fishermen. The PCG said it appeared that it was oil tanker Pacific Anna, registered in the Marshall Islands, that allegedly rammed the Filipino fishing boat. The 11 fishermen who survived the incident said they used their small service boats to transport the bodies of their fallen companions to Infanta, Pangasinan. Corpuz said it appeared there was no attempt to conduct search and rescue operations on the part of the foreign vessel. Initial investigation also showed that the Filipinos watercraft had its lights on, he added. Corpuz, who was a former seafarer, pointed out that the owner or crew of the foreign vessel cannot simply say it did not spot the Filipino fishing boat as navigators should maintain proper lookout regardless of the circumstances. He cited Rule 2 of the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea that states Nothing in these Rules shall exonerate any vessel, or the owner, master or crew thereof, from the consequences of any neglect to comply with these Rules or of the neglect of any precaution which may be required by the ordinary practice of seamen, or by the special circumstances of the case. Corpuz said local authorities will forward their findings to the PCG headquarters for another investigation. Once the owner of the foreign vessel is determined, the Department of Foreign Affairs will be tapped to negotiate on its liability, he added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) -- The National Dairy Authority (NDA) and the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), two attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in charge of milk production, are facing budget cuts under the proposed 2024 spending plan to the dismay of lawmakers. During the Senate Committee on Finances deliberations on the proposed 167.5 billion funding for the DA and its attached agencies on Thursday, Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla said the agency requested 1.3 billion for the NDA next year, but the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved only P272 million. The DA likewise sought 1.4 billion for the PCC, but only 711 million was included in the National Expenditure Program. Senate Committee on Agriculture chairperson Cynthia Villar, who presided over the budget hearing as head of the finance subcommittee, lamented that only 1% of the countrys milk supply is locally produced. The bulk is exported, and only the rich can afford this, Villar said. Pag 1% ang production mo ng milk, ibig sabihin ang mga batang mahihirap na Pilipino hindi iinom ng milk," Villar noted. "Pag hindi mo pinainom ng milk, mahirap na nga hindi pa tatalino eh wala nang pag-asang paglaki ay medyo mag-middle class sila man lang kasi magaling na sila at nakapag-aral na sila." [Translation: If your milk production is only 1%, that means poor Filipino children will not drink milk. Without milk, it will be hard for them to gain the intelligence they they need to at least be middle class. If they are at least middle class, they will be able to harness skills and study.] Tulungan ninyo kasi kawawa naman," the senator added. "Mahirap na nga, hindi niyo pa patatalinuhin di lalo namang continously maghihirap sila, di ba? [Translation: Help them because they are pitiful. These children are already poor and yet you won't allow them to gain intelligence. That means they will continually be poor. ] Sombilla said the DA already made an appeal to the DBM, but to no avail. Villar urged the DA to identify projects that are not that urgent so Congress can realign funds to the NDA and PCC. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Distressing would be an understatement in describing the ordeal of 11 Filipino fishermen, who had to watch over the bodies of three of their companions for 24 hours after a foreign vessel rammed their boat off Bajo de Masinloc. "Lumutang na po yung isa naming kasama na matanda, yun yung patay na. Wala na kaming nagawa, itinali na lang namin siya para hindi lumayo ang kaniyang bangkay," Johnny Manlolo recalled during a press briefing with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday. [Translation: A body of our elder companion floated. We couldn't do anything, we just tied him up so that his body wouldn't drift away.] It was around 3 a.m. when the 14 Filipino fishers moored their boat "Dearyn" to a payao, or an anchored fish float, some 85 nautical miles northwest of Bajo de Masinloc. Eight crew members left on Dearyn's service boats to fish in different locations, while 40-year-old Manlolo remained in the mother boat along with five others, including the captain. At about 4 a.m., Manlolo remembered rain began to pour, prompting his fellows to go inside the cabin while he stayed at the back of the boat. "Mga 20 minutes na patak ng ulan, medyo humina. Pagtayo ko po, nanjan na yung barko. Kitang kita ko po talaga, saktong tumama sa amin," Manlolo said. [Translation: It rained for about 20 minutes then it eased a bit. When I stood up, the ship was already there. I really saw it, right when it hit us.] The ship was red and much bigger than Dearyn, according to Manlolo, He said it even left a trace of paint when it slammed into the fishing boat. But he did not recall if the ship flashed its light or sounded its horn. What he is certain of is that Dearyn had its lights turned on and was visible from a distance. The PCG said its cross-referencing of details provided by the fishermen indicated that "Pacific Anna," a crude oil tanker registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands, may have been the vessel that hit the Filipinos' boat. "Bigla na lang po tumaob at nalaglag na po kami sa tubig. Hindi ko na po maalala yung mga nangyari dahil kaniya-kaniya na kami ng languyan," Manlolo said. [Translation: Our boat suddenly capsized and we fell into the water. I can't remember what happened next because we started swimming on our own.] Manlolo said he and another companion were able to get on their boat, now with its bottom up, while they searched for the others. He began knocking on the boat, hoping to hear something back; 22-year-old Mandy An answered and was able to swim towards the surface and join them. Then came the unexpected the body of their elder companion floated. They waited for Dearyn's captain and his nephew but to no avail. "Yung dalawa na kasama namin, yung captain at pamangkin niya, hindi na nakalabas sa ilalim, at 'di na namin nagawang sisirin dahil mahina na kami," Manlolo said. [Translation: Two others who were with us, the captain and his nephew, couldn't get out of the bottom, and we couldn't dive and search anymore because we were too weak.] Tired, stuck, and helpless, Manlolo and the other two survivors waited, hoping for the return of Dearyn's service boats with the remaining crew members. The sun was already up when 37-year-old Michael An, onboard a service boat, spotted Dearyn from three nautical miles away. At around 9 a.m., the service boats arrived and the other crew members dove to retrieve the remaining bodies inside Dearyn's cabin. An remembered loading the three bodies onto the smaller service boats. Several nautical miles away from the coast, they began their journey home. "Napagpasiyahan namin na magsama-sama kami," An said. "24 hours ang tinakbo namin. Walang kain kain, walang tubig. Mainit. Naaawa kami sa mga karga naming nasawi." [Translation: We decided to go together. We sailed for 24 hours. No food, no water. It was hot. We felt sorry for our companions who died.] The 11 crew members who survived the incident left the area using eight boats and arrived in Infanta, Pangasinan at 10 a.m. the next day, Oct. 3. They brought the dead bodies of their 47-year-old boat captain, 38-year-old crew, and the eldest among them, a 62-year-old fisherman. Despite the harrowing experience, the fishermen said they had no choice but to get back to the waters to make a living. Manlolo recalled the waters were calm when they were hit by the ship, but he believes what happened was an accident. "Sa sobrang laki po figuro ng barko, baka hindi na po nila naramdaman [nung tinamaan kami] dahil malaki po yung barko nila, maliit lang po yung amin," the fisherman said. [Tranlation: The ship is so big, maybe they didn't feel it anymore when they hit us, ours is small.] The PCG has said the maritime incident is not connected to the tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. READ: PCG: Foreign vessel that rammed PH boat off Bajo de Masinloc violated protocols Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 6) The Philippine Army on Thursday denied allegations that soldiers abducted three indigenous peoples (IP) human rights advocates in Oriental Mindoro. In a statement on Thursday, the army said the three Alia Encelo, Job Abednego David, and Peter del Monte were captured during a legitimate military operation on Sept. 23. They are currently safe and in good spirits, it added. "The Army maintained its position that there was no forced disappearance concerning the three because all protocols were followed throughout the operation," said BGen Randolph Cabangbang, commander of the 203rd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. The army also said the three activists have been identified as members of the communist New People's Army. During their arrest, Cabangbang said troops found improvised landmines and grenades inside their bags. Karapatan and other human rights groups, meanwhile, demanded the release of the three activists, saying there's no legal basis for their detention. Encelo, David, and Del Monte were last seen on Sept. 19. Their supposed arrest came more than a month after two environmental activists went missing on Sept. 2 in Bataan. "Hindi na bago ang pagdukot ng mga kapulisan at militar sa mga aktibista at nagsusulong ng karapatang pantao," Karapatan said. [Translation: The abduction of activists and human rights advocates by the police and military is nothing new.] Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia has confirmed that the United States government reached out for assistance in its money laundering case against former poll body chief Andres Bautista. Garcia said they gave all the needed documents, after the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) coordinated with them regarding the request of the DOJs American counterpart. I would like to confirm that statement na may coordination sa amin ang US government," he told reporters on Thursday. "Subalit hindi ko mare-reveal ano mga documents at sino yung mga taong gusto nilang makausap o nakausap. [Translation: I would like to confirm that the US government coordinated with us. But I cannot reveal the documents and who they want to talk to or have talked to.] Garcia revealed they received a letter regarding the investigation late last year, following his appointment as Comelec chairman. However, he said they still have not seen the charge sheet or the official document detailing the charges against someone being accused of a crime. News reports said Bautista is being sued for money laundering following his wife Patricia Paz Bautistas allegations that he has ill-gotten wealth secured from anomalous deals linked to the 2016 polls. The former poll body chief has since denied the allegations and receiving "bribe money." Garcia is hopeful they will be given a copy of the documents used in the US government's investigation to aid in their own probe. Baka pupwede ma-share sa amin mga dokumento o yung mga statements na ginamit nila sa kaso upang kami rin mismo ay ma-verify namin yung authenticity at due execution at integrity ng documents at statements na yan, he said. [Translation: The documents might possibly be shared with us or the statements used in the case so we can verify the authenticity and its due execution and integrity of the statements.] Garcia earlier this week ordered the creation of a "chairmans task force" to look into the alleged "rigged bidding" in the procurement process in 2016. But he clarified that the fact-finding body is not directly looking into Bautista. Instead, the focus is on how to fix possible loopholes in its process, he also said. Ang importante sa amin, malaking tulong yung ganung klaseng impormasyon na yun upang ayusin namin at tingnan aling parte ng procurement process na meron ang Comelec ang vulnerable sa manipulation kung meron man, sa irregularity kung meron man, para maayos natin, he pointed out. [Translation: What's important to us, that information is a big help so we can fix and see which part of the procurement process of Comelec is vulnerable to manipulation and should it exist, can be fixed.] Garcia said the Comelec is committed to a transparent, free, inclusive procurement for the 2025 automated election system. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said there are other tools available to address issues in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) other than a diplomatic protest. "Filing diplomatic protests is not the only measure we use," DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo told News Night. "There is the common approach or tool of summoning the diplomatic party concerned could be the ambassador or an officer, or even making demarches to the foreign ministry of the country concerned. And of course we have other mechanisms of discussing these issues such as a consultation mechanisms, bilateral mechanisms," the secretary said. Going to court is also "always an option," Manalo added. "Whatever course of action we take, and we might take, the priority of course will be to observe existing international rules and regulations, and also to be sure that whatever action we take will be consistent with international law," he stressed. Manalo said other agencies would also be involved if the Philippines decides to take actions beyond diplomatic measures. In August, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra formed a panel to study the country's options regarding the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea. Guevarra also said his office will review all incidents in the WPS since 2016 to collect evidence and build a case against China. Manalo has said that since 2020, 447 diplomatic protests have been filed over the WPS issue. Out of these, he said more than 400 have been "more or less" addressed to China. 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. Forced back into the office, many employees have admitted to showing up for just a few hours enough time to swipe in with their employee badge, have a cup of coffee, and be seen in the workplace then heading back home to do their work, according to a new study. Coined as coffee badging, the trend showed up on a new survey of 2,000 full-time US workers conducted by videoconferencing tech vendor Owl Labs. Owl Labs said its seventh annual State of Hybrid Work report revealed that more than half (58%) of hybrid workers said they are coffee badging to meet the minimum in-office requirement each week. Another 8% of respondents said they haven't been coffee badging but would like to try it. Apart from the survey, industry analysts said the behavior isn't surprising. The idea of coffee badging is consistent with other behaviors we've seen during the hybrid work era, said J.P. Gownder, a vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research. One client told me that he, himself, drove into the parking garage to badge in because he knew his company tracked it. He drove right out afterwards. The fundamental issues with coffee badging go deeper than shirking responsibilities, according to Gownder. Workers engage in the behavior when employers aren't doing a great job providing them with an environment for productivity or work/life balance, he said. For example, if someone has a lot of individual work today, they're more likely to be productive at home. If they have collaborative work, in-person offices can accelerate the success of those collaborations, Gownder said. If they're putting in a lot of hours, they might need to have some flexibility during the day. Context matters to employees, and flexible hybrid policies can match context to location. Companies such as Amazon, Apple, BlackRock, Disney, J.P. Morgan, Meta, Salesforce, and Zoom and working hard to entice or even force their employees to return to the office. Caitlin Duffy, Research Director for the Gartner HR practice, said the research firm hasn't collected data on whether employees are engaging in this specific coffee badging behavior, but she wouldn't be surprised if it were happening, "because it tracks with what we tend to see resulting from employee monitoring technologies. "Unfortunately, these technologies often backfire. Monitoring techniques typically provide an incomplete picture of what employees do all day, putting too much focus on idle time and nonwork activities, and tracking activity or production volume not the outcomes that really matter to the business," Duffy said. "They also incentivize counterproductive work behaviors, as employees may end up trying to look busy to game the system rather than focusing their energies on doing their best work." Owl Labs The costs of in-office work The Owl Labs survey revealed that US employees simply dont want to spend time and money on frequent office visits, and many companies have more work to do to provide an attractive, productive, and stress-free office environment that makes employees want to gather. One in three respondents (33%) said they spend 31-45 minutes commuting one-way to their offices. Workers spend on average $51 per day when they go to the office, which is $408 per month for hybrid workers and $1,020 per month for full-time office workers (meaning full-time in-office employees spend three times as much as full-time remote workers), according to Owl Labs. Those costs includes a daily average of: $13 on breakfast/coffee $16 on lunch $14 on commute $8 on parking $20 per day on pet care (among those who engage pet sitters or walkers) Another study published earlier ths year revealed that when employees are allowed to work remotely, they most often use the time they would have spent commuting to the office working. On average, employees save 72 minutes in commute time every day when theyre allowed to work from home rather than in the office, according to the Global Survey of Working Arrangements (G-SWA) study performed by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Yet about 42% businesses have a return-to-office mandate, according to a May Gartner survey of 78 HR leaders. However, 39% of those HR leaders also said they dont mete out any consequences when employees don't meet attendance requirements. Nearly three in four Owl Labs survey respondents (69%) believe that their company is requiring them to work from the office because of traditional work expectations. Almost one in four (23%) said they'd changed companies in 2023, and that change of job was more common among full-time office workers (26%) than hybrid/remote workers (17%). Owl Labs If they were no longer able to work remotely, 29% of hybrid and remote workers surveyed by Owl Labs said they'd expect a pay increase to make up for additional costs. Conversely, one in four surveyed (25%) said they'd be willing to sacrifice 15% of their annual salary for flexible working hours. The Owl Labs survey, which was performed in June, spanned SMBs with fewer than 100 workers (23%) to midsized organizations (33%) to large firms with more than 1,000 employees (30%). Millennials (aged 27 to 42) made up the majority of respondents (67%). Gen Z (18-26) made up 14% of respondents; Gen X 15% of respondents, and Baby Boomers represented only 4%. The sex of respondents was fairly even, with men making up 52% and women making up 48% of those surveyed. Another concept the survey revealed is "polyworking," which Owl Labs described as workers who have two or more jobs. "Our report showed us that almost half of employees (46%) have at least one additional job or side hustle outside of their main full-time job, with an additional 20% saying they currently do not, but would like one," the report stated. "Think its a remote thing? Think again. Full-time office workers are more than twice as likely to have an additional job than hybrid and remote workers." Owl Labs Giving workers what they want Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs, said this years survey revealed a disconnect between employers and employees on what they need in order to return to the office. While many blindly put mandates into place, what employees really want is private spaces, a casual dress code, and lunch, snacks, beverages covered for them. One of the most important factors for employees is also good technology, with 83% saying it's a top factor, Weishaupt said. Whether its a video call taking the place of a time-consuming business trip or AI helping with daily tasks, technology is a huge factor in their work lives, Weishaupt said. Many feel that their companies have not put the right tech in place for hybrid work yet. Only 37% of employers have upgraded their video meeting technology and 28% expanded collaboration and/or meeting spaces, he said. Loretta Li-Sevilla, HP's Head Future of Work, Business Incubation & Design for Services, said focusing on making the in-office experience at least as good as an employees at-home office has enticed workers back to the office for the right reasons. Unlike many companies mandating a return to office, HP has settled on a more relaxed view of hybrid work, enticing workers to come in with the latest technology and letting them and their managers choose when they need to be in the office instead of mandating a set number of days. When employees feel supported and empowered, they perform their best, Li-Sevilla said in an earlier interview with Computerworld. To ensure people have the right toolset, we pair people with the right device and ecosystem for their workstyle so they can be productive from high-performance notebooks with long-lasting battery life when working on the go to the right conferencing tools to feel present from anywhere. HP designed its Palo Alto, CA headquarters office to create a sense of community and collaboration with communal spaces and hot desks that have docking displays with built-in webcams that allow connection with one cable, so people dont have to re-learn how to set up their environment every time they come into the office. With the rise of hybrid work, it's crucial to have a smooth transition from the office to home or any other location so employees can maintain their productivity, Li-Sevilla said. More than nine out of 10 of those surveyed by Owl Labs (94%) said theyre willing to return to office, and more than one-third of hybrid workers (38%) would be more likely to go to the office if their companies paid for their commuting costs, while 28% could be swayed by daycare or eldercare subsidies or on-site alternatives, a likely result of the caregiver shortage. Nearly three in four employees (72%) said a flexible or nonexistent dress code is important to them. About a quarter of all workers (24%) would be enticed to go to the office if they could wear any clothing or styles they choose, with another quarter (25%) saying they would even take a 15% pay cut for the privilege. Owl Labs One technology employees want their companies to adopt overall is artificial intelligence or an AI assistant; 48% of those surveyed want to see their companies deploy AI, and about 44% them believe AI will help them do their jobs faster and more effectively. Augmented or mixed reality devices are next on the wish list at 44%, while 38% said they would like to use holograms or avatars in the workplace. By considering tech and its place in the office as well as the real perks workers want, employers can make for a smoother transition back to the office, Weishaupt said. Visual communication company Canva has launched an all-in-one AI design offering dubbed Magic Studio, with the aim of tailoring design-focused AI tools and technology for the enterprise. The announcement comes six months after Canva first added AI-powered design tools to its Visual Worksuite, capabilities that the company says have been used more than 3 billion times since their launch. Magic Studio offers users over 10 new AI tools. They include Magic Design, which allows Canva users to generate videos, presentations, and complete designs from a single text prompt, and Magic Switch, which converts designs into a range of different formats, turning presentations into an executive summary or blog post, for example. This content can also be translated into over 100 different languages. Users will also have the ability to turn text into engaging photos with the application's Magic Media feature, and also create videos from an image or text using Gen-2, a video generation AI model by Runway. Other features include Magic Morph designed to instantly transform words and shapes into new colors, textures, patterns and styles with a simple prompt and Magic Expand, which can save zoomed-in images or turn a vertical shot horizontal by recovering whatever's outside the frame. Additionally, Magic Grab allows users to select and separate any subject in a photo in order to edit, reposition, or resize it. Canva has also launched a copywriting assistant called Magic Write, which provides users with the ability to write content in their brands tone of voice, in any design or document, by adding guidelines to their Brand Kit ensure the tool generates on-brand content. Canva is also expanding its application marketplace, providing its customers with access to leading AI tools, including Dall-E, Imagen by Google Cloud, MurfAI, Soundraw and more. Alongside the new capabilities included in Magic Studio, Canva is also launching a new security product called Canva Sheild, an enterprise-grade collection of trust, safety and privacy controls designed to provide teams and organizations with peace of mind when creating content. Team administrators have full control over how Magic Studio products are enabled and used across the workplace and can toggle these features at any time, based on employee roles. Canva offers enterprise customers indemnification for AI-generated images In an approach that mimics the one taken by Adobe and Shutterstock regarding their AI-powered image generators, Canva Shield also includes copyright indemnification for enterprise customers, which the company says will provide additional peace of mind for organizations creating content with AI. Canva is also committing $200 million over the next three years in creator and AI royalties to compensate creators for use of their data in AI training and, in order to reaffirm the companys commitment to transparency, Canva will provide creators the choice to opt out of their data being used for training purposes. Creators who opt into training AI models on their existing content will receive a payment, which takes two forms an initial bonus payment to creators who are opted in to their data being used, and then ongoing monthly payments. These payments are determined by a range of factors such as the level of contribution to our content library, the number of times it has been used. At the opening of the companys new London office in May, when asked by Computerworld about potential conflict of interest between AI generated images and the creative industries, Cameron Adams, Canva's co-founder and chief product officer, said that innovation in this area should be seen as a good thing as it helps level the creative playing field. When we first launched Canva, there was a lot of fear from graphic designers about what Canva would do but, what weve seen over the last decade is that actually, democratizing design allows non designers to have better conversations with graphic designers and helps people to realize their ideas much quicker and with much better quality, he said. We believe AI is going to have the same impact. Taiwans Ministry of Economic Affairs has agreed to investigate Taiwanese suppliers in business with Huawei for aiding the operation of its chipmaking factories in China. The investigation, which was first reported by Bloomberg, would determine if these suppliers have violated any US sanctions, Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua told the countrys legislative body. The investigation, which will cover at least four Taiwanese firms, will probe whether these companies are operating within their scope as specified in their application to the Taiwanese government. The four firms, which include a unit of chip material reseller Topco Scientific Co, Cica-Huntek Chemical Technology Taiwan Co., a subsidiary of L&K Engineering Co., and a subsidiary of United Integrated Services Co., are helping Huawei with wastewater and environmental projects, according to the news report. The US has been seeking support from its allies to thwart Beijings efforts to advance domestic chip manufacturing. In January, the US convinced the Netherlands and Japan to join it in expanding the ban on exports of chip-making technology to China. The US first imposed restrictions on exports of chips to China in 2015, extending them in 2021 and twice in 2022. The most recent restrictions were introduced in December. US lawmakers have also been urging the Biden administration to take more action to impede Chinas progress in gaining dominance in areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Separately, the US has also been wary of Huaweis advanced chips being used in 5G-enabled smartphones. Last month, the US government ordered a probe into the chips being used to support Huaweis smartphones. Huawei and ZTE were both banned from providing equipment to the US government in the Defense Authorization Act of 2018, and a general import ban followed shortly thereafter. In March 2020, President Donald Trump signed a law to prevent US rural telecom carriers from using Huawei network equipment, with the Commerce Department further tightening export controls on the Chinese company in May of the same year. Saturday Night Live gifted us with two surprises yesterday. First, the show is returning in just over a week with Pete Davidson, kicked to the curb last year by the writers strike, finally returning to the show as host. Second, and even more surprising given the shows 16 repertory and featured players, SNL is adding a new cast member Please Dont Destroy pal Chloe Troast. Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox. Troast has a lot more going for her than being pals with Ben, John and Martin, but the connection cant hurt. She costars in the upcoming Please Dont Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain film and has appeared in a number of online videos with the guys, like this one with Ben Marshall. Advertisement In addition, Troast ticks all the other comedy resume boxes stand-up? Check. Improv? Check. Sketch comedy? Check. Shes costarring in Kiernan Shipka's upcoming MAX rom-com Sweethearts and even has a cartoon short, DOHLS, on Adult Swim. Advertisement Why were kinda sorta excited about Troast? Like Sarah Sherman, Troast appears unafraid to get profoundly weird. Advertisement She pops up in burlesque spots around New York performing as Pepper Slit, the living relic of the Broadway stage and the silver screen. Advertisement First impression? Troast gives off Sherman-meets-Cecily-Strong vibes, combining the formers squirm-inducing strangeness with Strongs theatricality and powerful singing voice. The New Jersey native graduated from NYU just a few years ago and performed at her graduation ceremony. Props for both the performance chops and sticking it to New York, the city for which her snooty school is named. Its time someone took the Big Apple down a peg or two. Advertisement Just a few years removed from that tour de force, Troast is graduating to the big leagues at Saturday Night Live. Its no wonder with audition tapes like these floating around. Kid, youre hired. Google and Yahoo have both announced new email authentication requirements that will come into force in 2024. From early next year, bulk Gmail and Yahoo Mail email senders will need to strongly authenticate their emails following well-established best practices such as DMARC, SPF, and DKIM, the pair said. The move aims to help the firms better identify and block malicious messages and declutter users' inboxes, limiting attackers' ability to exploit resources without detection. Bulk senders will also be required to enable easy unsubscription and ensure they're only sending wanted email, Gmail and Yahoo stated. The lack of secure email authentication protocols exposes organizations and users to increased risk of businesses email compromise (BEC) and phishing attacks. In June, research from cybersecurity firm Proofpoint found that less than half (47%) of 150 banks incorporated in the UK implement the strictest and recommended level of DMARC. This is subjecting customers, staff, and stakeholders to increased risk of email-based impersonation attacks, the vendor said. Bulk Gmail, Yahoo Mail senders must authenticate following best practices Many bulk senders don't appropriately secure and configure their systems, allowing attackers to easily hide in their midst, Google wrote. "To help fix that, we've focused on a crucial aspect of email security: the validation that a sender is who they claim to be. As basic as it sounds, it's still sometimes impossible to verify who an email is from given the web of antiquated and inconsistent systems on the internet." In the first quarter of 2024, Gmail and Yahoo Mail will start to require bulk senders to strongly authenticate their emails following best practices. "Ultimately, this will close loopholes exploited by attackers that threaten everyone who uses email," according to Google. "We firmly believe that users worldwide deserve a more secure email environment, with fewer unwanted messages for an improved overall experience," said Neil Kumaran, group product manager, Gmail security and trust. "We look forward to working with peers across the industry to boost the adoption of these email standards that benefit everyone." No matter who their email provider is, all users deserve the safest, most secure experience possible, commented Marcel Becker, senior director of product at Yahoo. "In the interconnected world of email, that takes all of us working together. Yahoo looks forward to working with Google and the rest of the email community to make these common-sense, high-impact changes the new industry standard." The East Asian threat landscape is evolving rapidly, and emerging trends from affiliated threat groups have the potential to impact public and private entities across the globe. Chinese nation-state groups are conducting widespread cyber and influence operations (IO), with a particular focus on the South China Sea region. China also continues to target the US defense sector and probe US infrastructure signals in an attempt to gain competitive advantages for its foreign relations and strategic military aims. Lastly, Microsoft has seen China grow more effective at using IO to engage social media users with content on US elections. North Korean threat actors are also on the move, demonstrating increased sophistication in their attack capabilities. While North Korea lacks the same level of influence capabilities as China, they have shown a continued interest in intelligence collection and growing tactical abilities to leverage cascading supply chain attacks and cryptocurrency theft. All of these changes have serious geopolitical and financial implications for the global threat landscape at large. Keep reading to learn more about evolving East Asian threat trends. Major trends in Chinese cyber operations Since the beginning of 2023, Microsoft Threat Intelligence has identified three focus areas for China-affiliated cyber threat actors: the South China Sea, the US defense industrial base, and US critical infrastructure. Below is a deeper dive into what we're seeing: Chinese state-sponsored targeting mirrors strategic goals in the South China Sea. China holds a wide range of economic, defense, and political interests in the South China Sea and Taiwan. Chinese state-affiliated threat actor's offensive cyber activities may be due to conflicting territorial claims escalating, cross-Strait tensions rising, and an increased US military presence. Raspberry Typhoon (RADIUM) and Flax Typhoon (Storm-0919) are two prominent threat groups targeting the South China Sea and Taiwan. Raspberry Typhoon consistently targets government ministries, military entities, and corporate entities connected to critical infrastructure (particularly telecoms) for intelligence collection and malware execution. Flax Typhoon primarily targets Taiwan and is focused on telecommunications, education, information technology, and energy infrastructure, leveraging custom VPN appliances to directly establish a presence within target networks. Chinese threat actors turn attention toward Guam as the US builds a Marine Corps base. The US industrial defense base faces threats from numerous Chinese nation-state groups, namely Circle Typhoon (DEV-0322), Volt Typhoon (DEV-0391), and Mulberry Typhoon (MANGANESE). Circle Typhoon leverages VPN appliances to target IT and US-based defense contractors for resource development, collection, initial access, and credential access. Volt Typhoon has also conducted reconnaissance against US defense contractors, however, one of its most frequent targets are the satellite communications and telecommunications entities housed in Guam. The group often compromises small office and home routers, typically for the purpose of building infrastructure. Volt Typhoon also targets critical infrastructure entities in the United States. Finally, Mulberry Typhoon targets the US defense industrial base with zero-day device exploits. Chinese threat groups target US critical infrastructure. Microsoft has observed Chinese state-affiliated threat groups targeting US critical infrastructure across multiple sectors. Volt Typhoon has been the primary group behind this activity since at least the summer of 2021, and the extent of this activity is still not fully known. Targeted sectors include transportation (such as ports and rail), utilities (such as energy and water treatment), medical infrastructure (including hospitals), and telecommunications infrastructure (including satellite communications and fiber optic systems). Microsoft Threat Intelligence teams assess that this campaign could provide China with capabilities to disrupt critical infrastructure and communications between the US and Asia. These areas are not China's sole priority, however. Microsoft has also observed IO affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) successfully scale and engage with target audiences on social media. Ahead of the 2022 US midterms, Microsoft and industry partners observed CCP-affiliated social media accounts impersonating US voters across the political spectrum. These accounts even responded to comments from authentic users. China has grown this agenda even further in 2023 by reaching audiences in new languages and on new platforms. These operations combine a highly controlled overt state media apparatus with covert social media assets, like bots, that launder and amplify the CCP's preferred narratives. Major trends in North Korean cyber operations In contrast to China, North Korean cyber threat actors appear to have three main goals. They are as follows: Collect intelligence on perceived North Korean adversaries like South Korea, the US, and Japan. Emerald Sleet (THALLIUM) is the most active North Korean threat actor that Microsoft has tracked in 2023. In particular, we've seen Emerald Sleet send frequent spearphishing emails to Korean Peninsula experts around the world for intelligence collection purposes. In December 2022, Microsoft Threat Intelligence detailed Emerald Sleet's phishing campaigns targeting influential North Korean experts in the US and US-allied countries. Rather than deploying malicious files or links to malicious websites, Microsoft found that Emerald Sleet employs a unique tactic: impersonating reputable academic institutions and NGOs to lure victims into replying with expert insights and commentary about foreign policies related to North Korea. Collect intelligence on other countries' military capabilities to improve their own. Although North Korea is providing material support for Russia in its war in Ukraine, multiple North Korean threat actors have recently targeted the Russian government and defense industry. In March of this year, a threat group known as Ruby Sleet compromised an aerospace research institute in Russia. Around the same time, a separate group known as Onyx Sleet (PLUTONIUM) compromised a device belonging to a Russian university. Separately, an attacker account attributed to Opal Sleet (OSMIUM) sent phishing emails to accounts belonging to Russian diplomatic government entities. North Korean threat actors may be capitalizing on the opportunity to conduct intelligence collection on Russian entities due to the country's focus on its war in Ukraine. Collect cryptocurrency funds for the state. Microsoft assesses that North Korean activity groups are conducting increasingly sophisticated operations through cryptocurrency theft and supply chain attacks. In January 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publicly attributed the June 2022 theft of $100 million in cryptocurrency from Harmony's Horizon Bridge to Jade Sleet (DEV-0954), a.k.a. Lazarus Group/APT38. Furthermore, Microsoft attributed the March 2023 3CX supply chain attack that leveraged a prior supply chain compromise of a US-based financial technology company in 2022 to Citrine Sleet (DEV-0139). This was the first time Microsoft observed an activity group using an existing supply chain compromise to conduct another supply chain attack, which demonstrates the increasing sophistication of North Korean cyber operations. What's next? China has continued to expand its cyber capabilities in recent years, and we've witnessed CCP-affiliated groups grow more effective and more ambitious with their IO campaigns. Moving forward, we expect wider cyber espionage against both opponents and supporters of the CCP's geopolitical objectives on every continent. While China-based threat groups continue to develop and utilize impressive cyber capabilities, we have not observed China combine cyber and influence operations--unlike Iran and Russia, which engage in hack-and-leak campaigns. North Korea will also continue to remain focused on targets related to its political, economic, and defense interests in the region. As organizations work to protect against these nation-state groups, expect to see more operations leveraging video and visual media. CCP-affiliated networks have long utilized AI-generated profile pictures and this year, have adopted AI-generated art for visual memes. We also expect China to continue seeking authentic audience engagement by investing time and resources into cultivated social media assets. Lastly, Taiwan and the US are likely to remain the top two priorities for Chinese IO, particularly with upcoming elections in both countries in 2024. Given that CCP-aligned influence actors have targeted US elections in the recent past, it is nearly certain that they will do so again. Social media assets impersonating US voters will likely demonstrate higher degrees of sophistication, actively sowing discord along racial, socioeconomic, and ideological lines with content that is fiercely critical of the US. Visit Microsoft Security Insider to learn more about the latest cybersecurity trends and for more information on nation-state, check out our latest report. While the Qakbot banking Trojan was eradicated in August by a large-scale law enforcement operation, the people behind it are still active and pose a threat to users, researchers said today. According to a report from Cisco's Talos threat intelligence group, its experts can say with "moderate confidence" that the creators and operators of Qakbot are actively working on a new campaign, this time distributing a variant of the Knight malware, which rebranded from Cyclops in July. Knight is a ransomware threat that operates as a service, distributed through phishing and extorting money from victimized companies by threatening to sell exfiltrated data. The Talos team based their analysis on identifying drive serial numbers in LNK, or Windows shortcut, file metadata from computers associated with the earlier Qakbot attacks. Despite the Qakbot actors attempts to clean metadata from the specific files used by Talos, the team was still apparently able to identify one machine as being linked to those attacks. "Some of the filenames are written in Italian, which suggests the threat actors may be targeting users in that region," the Talos blog said. "The LNK files are being distributed inside Zip archives that also contain an XLL file." XLL files, the group noted, are a Microsoft Excel-related file format extension, which appear similar to regular .xls files in an Explorer window. The XLL files, if opened, install the Remcos backdoor, which is a remote administration tool that works in concert with Knight malware to gain access to targeted systems. Talos said that the Qakbot actors are unlikely to be the masterminds behind the Knight ransomware service itself, and are instead probably customers. The FBI-led enforcement action that took down Qakbot's command-and-control servers in August, therefore, likely didn't affect the group's phishing infrastructure. This may also allow the group to simply rebuild its own back-end systems for Qakbot, leading to a potential resurgence. Video Points to Safety Issues That Led to Deadly Assyrian Wedding Blaze A screenshot from security footage of the deadly wedding fire on Sept. 26, in Hamdaniya, Iraq, shared by Iraq's interior ministry. ( Interior Ministry of Iraq) An ecstatic couple slow danced surrounded by their loved ones in an opulently decorated wedding hall flanked by pyrotechnics. Within an hour, over 200 of their closest friends and family suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation. More than half did not survive. Videos verified by ABC News and reviewed by a fire investigator reveal the hazards that turned the venue, Al-Haitham Hall in Hamdaniya, Iraq, into what the investigator described as a "firetrap." The deadly fire in late September sparked a speedy government investigation that placed the blame on the venue's owners but has also revealed broader cleavages within Iraqi society. Pyrotechnics A report issued by Iraq's Interior Ministry four days after the fire highlights four pyrotechnic devices in the center of the wedding hall as responsible for the start of the fire. Sparks reached four meters in height, according to the report. The judgement prompted ire among some observers, who claimed the devices were "cold" pyrotechnics that did not emit live flames. Several TikTok videos showed users placing their hands into the showers of sparks emitted by the devices in an effort to demonstrate their perceived lack of risk. In security footage from less than a minute before the fire began, a videographer can be seen stepping through the sparks, but experts say the devices may not be without their risks. ABC News consulted a person with knowledge of cold pyrotechnics who said they can still be hazardous if safe distances are not observed and the sparks come into contact with flammable material. Captain Walter Godfrey, president of Fire/Reconstruction Consultants Inc., which is based in Florida, reviewed the video and said the four "cold" pyrotechnic devices were the "central ignition source" and in turn led to the fire spreading to the hall's "highly flammable" central ceiling fixture. Flammable decorations Drone video obtained from wedding videographers shows the hall's elaborately decorated central ceiling fixture. Godfrey identified the brown material as the first to be ignited. ( ABC News) "Being leafy in design it allowed sufficient oxygen around the individual leaves to support combustion and depending on their chemical make-up supports rapid flame spread throughout the venue," he said. Godfrey identified this same material falling from the ceiling in the video, moments after the fire began. Godfrey believes the flaming decorations then acted as a catalyst, spreading to the white fabric drapes acting as light diffusers and gold hanging decorations, before falling on vinyl covered tables and chairs and in turn igniting them. Security video released by Iraqi's interior ministry shows thick smoke billowing down from this same central ceiling fixture. Godfrey believes the smoke was circulated by air conditioning units located close to the active fire, further adding to confusion and obscuring vision in the first few minutes. Blackout Gandhi Bashar Abdul Ahad, a musician at the wedding, told ABC News that women and children started screaming as they noticed the fire dropping from the ceiling. "All the lights went out inside the hall, and it became very dark, and people started bumping into chairs and tables and people falling on top of each other." The government investigation claimed the hall's owner, thinking that a short circuit had started the fire, had cut the electricity and plunged the room into darkness. Godfrey suggests instead the fire could have caused the circuits in the ceiling area to short out, pop the breakers, and cut out the lights. Fire exits ABC News spoke with two attendees who confirmed that there were only two exit routes; the main entrance and a second exit route via the kitchen. Godfrey deems the lack of exits on a building of this size as "criminal," highlighting how the table layout acted as a barrier, trapping guests on one half of the room with no exit route. When the fire broke out Ghandi was sat with the band on stage. He said, along with the bride and groom, he managed to escape through the kitchen door. "I went to the main door to help the families, but I was unable to enter due to the intensity of the fire inside. No one could enter the hall to save the families because everyone who entered would die," he said. Graphic videos taken by videographer Ghali Kasko at 11:36 p.m. show gaping holes in the external walls that Ghali claims were made by desperate civilians using bulldozers to reach people trapped inside the building. Failure to enforce regulations Nineb Lamassu, a Peacebuilding Advisor for an NGO based in Mosul told ABC News the scale of the deadly fire was the result of negligence on the part of the proprietor. However, the interior ministry's recommendation in its report that six regional officials be fired for their failure to enforce safety regulations has angered many in the often-neglected region of Ninevah, who believe administrators from the local Christian community are being unequally scapegoated. Speaking to ABC News from Baghdad, Abbas Kadhim, Director of the Atlantic Council's Iraq Initiative, said the government report's fast turnaround was the result of political pressures as Iraq's government faces the approaching anniversary of opposition protests. "This is a time when the atmosphere is very tense," Kadhim said. In this screenshot from a video taken by Ghali Kasko, rescuers lift children through holes made by bulldozers. ( Ghali Kasko) "It's very hard to expect the government to reform this situation because it is associated with the wider problem of corruption which is rampant in the country. Enforcement is next to nil," Kadhim said. "Many feel it didn't handle the root causes of the problems." ABC News' Bader Katy contributed to this story. Rena Murshud France said it would begin withdrawing its military troops from Niger within a week, Azernews reports. According to foreign sources, the French military stationed in Niger will leave Niger within a week. The General Staff of the French Armed Forces reported this. We are going to withdraw troops within a week, everything will be organized in conditions of security and coordination with Niger, said the General Staff of the French Armed Forces. Nigeria's Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Public Security and Territorial Administration, Mohamed Tumba, the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Public Security and Territorial Administration appointed by the rioters on Wednesday, said that France had no intention of withdrawing troops from Niger. He assured that Paris supports terrorism in Niger and does not allow the country to independently manage its resources. France, which was withdrawing troops from Nigeria, has now moved to another region. At the moment, the country is using Armenia to spread the policy of crusades in the South Caucasus. But it seems France has forgotten about Azerbaijan, which recently destroyed all Armenian terrorist operations. Fortunately, France, without having time to realize its cherished dream, will remain at the ends of the earth with its terrorism. AUD/USD ANALYSIS & TALKING POINTS Moderating US jobs data bolster AUD but one eye on NFP tomorrow. US jobless claims and Fed speak the focus for today. Bullish divergence on daily chart a hopeful sign for AUD bulls. Recommended by Warren Venketas Get Your Free AUD Forecast Get My Guide AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR FUNDAMENTAL BACKDROP The Australian dollar is attempting to claw back losses against the US dollar after US ISM services PMIs softened alongside services employment figures (a positive for doves as NFPs loom). ADP employment change supplemented this trend by missing forecasts. That being said, ADP figures have not been reliable indicators for NFP numbers of recent and with JOLTs job openings ticking higher, the door is wide open for the NFP to move in either direction. Australias balance of trade earlier this morning surprised to the upside but still below the recent average; overall a net positive for the AUD. The day ahead remains focused on US specific factors including more jobs data via jobless claims that are expected to follow the ADP print. Should this occur, US Treasury yields may fall further and benefit the pro-growth Aussie dollar. Later in the session, Fed speakers will be scheduled to speak and it will be interesting to see how their outlooks may have changed after recent economic data. In summary, the day ahead may not be as market moving due to traders being cautious ahead of tomorrows NFPs where volatility should pick up once more. AUD/USD ECONOMIC CALENDAR (GMT +02:00) Source: DailyFX economic calendar Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter TECHNICAL ANALYSIS AUD/USD DAILY CHART Chart prepared by Warren Venketas, TradingView Daily AUD/USD price action has not quite reached November 2022 swing lows at 0.6272 but is showing a push higher. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) seeing higher lows relative to prices exhibit positive/bullish divergence and could be suggestive of further upside to come. The next key resistance zone will once again come from the medium-term trendline (dashed black line) but this bullish move is highly dependent on tomorrow NFPs. Key resistance levels: 0.6500 0.6459 50-day moving average (yellow) Trendline resistance 0.6358 Key support levels: 0.6272 IG CLIENT SENTIMENT DATA: MIXED (AUD/USD) IGCS shows retail traders are currently net LONG on AUD/USD, with 80% of traders currently holding long positions. Download the latest sentiment guide (below) to see how daily and weekly positional changes affect AUD/USD sentiment and outlook. Introduction to Technical Analysis Market Sentiment Recommended by Warren Venketas Start Course Contact and followWarrenon Twitter:@WVenketas Gold (XAU/USD) and Silver (XAG/USD) Analysis, Prices, and Charts Gold continues to struggle at multi-month lows. US Jobs Report is the next macro-driver on the economic calendar. Download the Brand New Q4 Gold Forecast Recommended by Nick Cawley Get Your Free Gold Forecast Get My Guide The US dollar is drifting lower in early trade as US yields slip, but the greenbacks technical outlook remains bullish for now. All eyes now are on Fridays US Jobs Report. Longer-dated US Treasury yields remain elevated but have given back a few basis points today after this weeks sharp rise. The supply/demand imbalance seen in longer-dated USTs has driven yields higher as the remaining buyers continue to demand more yield to take on American debt in the face of increased issuance. Short-end US Treasury yields remain underpinned by the current 500-525 Fed Fund rate and warnings by various hawkish central bank members that another 25 basis point hike is likely this year, especially if the US labor market remains robust. Tomorrows US NFP report will be closely watched by US bond traders. DailyFX Economic Calendar The US dollar remains in an uptrend ahead of tomorrows jobs report with any past pullbacks used as a buying opportunity. A break below 105.48 would put this trend in doubt. US Dollar Index Daily Chart October 5, 2023 Recommended by Nick Cawley How to Trade Gold Get My Guide The technical outlook for gold remains negative despite being oversold. Eight red candles in a row has pushed the precious metal into oversold territory, using the CCI indicator, which may allow for a period of consolidation, but a short-term bearish pennant pattern is warning of further downside. Support seen just above $1,800/oz. and the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at $1,794/oz. Gold Daily Price Chart October 5, 2023 Gold Sentiment is Moving - See the Latest Sentiment Guide Gold Bullish Data provided by of clients are net long. of clients are net short. Change in Longs Shorts OI Daily -2% 3% 0% Weekly -1% 7% 2% Silver is also under pressure and is heading towards the March 8th swing low at $19.91. The sharp sell-offs seen last Friday and this Monday have pushed silver into heavily oversold territory and have also formed a bearish pennant pattern, although not as perfect as gold. Lower lows and lower highs dominate the chart from early May, leaving silver vulnerable to further falls. Silver Daily Price Chart October 5, 2023 Charts via TradingView 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. Oil (Brent, WTI) News and Analysis EIA data reveals weaker US demand for gasoline storage data picks up 20 DMA presents potential support in a falling market The analysis in this article makes use of chart patterns and key support and resistance levels. For more information visit our comprehensive education library Recommended by Richard Snow Get Your Free Oil Forecast Get My Guide EIA Data Reveals Weaker US Demand for Gasoline Storage Data Picks up Oil prices have shot up since July as OPEC supply cuts, coupled with further discretionary Saudi and Russian cuts led to an extremely tight market. Despite a global growth slowdown, oil demand has been largely unaffected, until now. EIA data has revealed a drop in US gasoline demand which the market was not very fond of. The US economy has proven more robust than its peers leading many to believe in the possibility of a soft landing. Therefore, any signs of fragility can land up causing a notable reaction. The issue of demand destruction a reduction in oil demand caused by higher oil prices could be unfolding. The graph below shows the rise in US gasoline storage after trending below the 5 year average. A concerning data point in yesterdays US services PMI report pointed to a sharp drop off in new orders, which may suggest a tougher Q4 than anticipated as higher costs restrict purchase orders from businesses and households. The 10-minute chart shows the exact time the EIA data was released, resulting in continued selling. Brent Crude Oil 10-Minute Chart Source: TradingView, prepared by Richard Snow Oil is a market with a strong reliance on demand and supply factors. Take a look at the main fundamental drivers of this asset: Recommended by Richard Snow Understanding the Core Fundamentals of Oil Trading Get My Guide 200 DMA Presents Potential Support in a Falling Market Brent crude oil continues the decline today after losing around $5 to it price in yesterdays trading. The decline took oil past the 50 simple moving average and $87 with ease. At the time of writing Brent crude trades below $85, with the 200-day simple moving average the next level of support at $82. The MACD confirms bearish momentum is gaining traction and the RSI is hurtling towards oversold conditions but holds steady for now. It is commonly thrown about that it is unwise to try to catch a falling knife, this situation is no different as the selloff shows little indication of reversing. Resistance appears at $87. Bullish continuation plays may be reconsidered in the event prices consolidate around $82/$80 as supply remains restricted. Brent Crude Oil Daily Chart Source: TradingView, prepared by Richard Snow WTI experienced a fall of similar magnitude, also shedding around $5 of the WTI price. Prices now test the prior zone of resistance around $82.50 after breaking beneath the 50 SMA. The 200 SMA appears around the significant long-term level of $77.40 which highlights a potential zone of support. Elevated US Treasury yields and a still elevated US dollar may work to extend the selloff in the short-term. WTI Oil Daily Chart Source: TradingView, prepared by Richard Snow Trade Smarter - Sign up for the DailyFX Newsletter Receive timely and compelling market commentary from the DailyFX team Subscribe to Newsletter --- Written by Richard Snow for DailyFX.com Contact and follow Richard on Twitter: @RichardSnowFX When the price of a stamp on the envelope is more than the cost of the birthday card you're putting inside it, you know that the world has gone mad. This week, Royal Mail put up the price of a first-class postage stamp to 1.25. It had already strained credibility last year when the price went up to 95p, and in April it shot up again to 1.10 - breaking the symbolic pound barrier. But, silly me, I thought two grotesque price hikes within a year would be enough. Wrong. Just six months on, here we go again. I'll have to start saving now if I want to send any Christmas cards. Royal Mail points out that the price of a second-class stamp is unchanged at 75p. But have you tried using second-class post? You'd like to be reasonably confident that your letter will arrive, say, four or five days after you send it, but really, there's no way of being certain. This week, Royal Mail put up the price of a first-class postage stamp to 1.25. It had already strained credibility last year when the price went up to 95p, and in April it shot up again to 1.10 - breaking the symbolic pound barrier The reason we use first-class post is that it might arrive within two days. Obviously, it's meant to be next-day delivery - that's the rationale for the price difference - but, in my experience, you'd be rash to rely on it. In the past 12 months, 73 per cent of first-class mail was delivered within one day, well short of the 93 per cent target. Those of us who still write letters and are keen for them to arrive the next day have to resort to an even more expensive option, namely signed-for delivery. That has risen, too, to an eye-watering 2.75 for first class. Win-win, if you're the Royal Mail. Oh, and bad luck, by the way, if you still have postage stamps that bear the Queen's head but don't have a bar-code. They expired in July. But it is the rationale for the price rise that is so infuriating. Annual letter volumes, says the Royal Mail, fell from 20 billion a year in 2004-5 to seven billion in 2022-23. Can I suggest one reason why that might be? In 2004, it was only 28p to send a first-class letter and 21p for a second-class stamp. We're looking at cause and effect here. Memo to Simon Thompson, chief executive of Royal Mail: if you make a service unaffordable, fewer people will use it. It's that simple. Mr Thompson's annual salary is 540,000, plus bonus, with a pension of 13.6 per cent of his base pay; what exactly is the genius insight we're paying for here? Melanie McDonagh writes: 'Royal Mail points out that the price of a second-class stamp is unchanged at 75p. But have you tried using second-class post?' (File image) Incidentally, he's leaving his role at the end of this month after presiding over a year of strikes by fed-up postmen and women. And, having failed in its remit to deliver letters efficiently for six days a week, Royal Mail is hoping to axe Saturday deliveries, which is now 'under review' by regulator Ofcom. On that logic, why not just reduce deliveries to one day a week, perhaps within the M25, to maximise your profit. What's more, Royal Mail has been lobbying the Government to have its 'universal delivery obligation' - its remit to deliver mail to all parts of the UK on an equal basis, so the cost is the same whether you're sending a letter two streets away or to the Outer Hebrides - removed. It was a matter of pride for Anthony Trollope's Victorian postal service - he worked as a surveyor for the Post Office and is credited with introducing pillar boxes to Britain - that a postbox in the humblest country lane was served as well as one in London's Piccadilly Circus. Back then, the postal service was practically as good as email. You would write to someone and request a reply by return of post - and you'd get it. If you posted a letter mid-morning, you'd get a reply by the afternoon: it was brilliantly efficient and affordable. Now, Royal Mail can't even guarantee that if you pay 1.25 you'll get your letter next day. So is anyone actually satisfied with the way the postal service is run? In my view, the first mistake - by a Conservative government - was to privatise almost all of the Royal Mail in 2011: it was floated on the Stock Exchange in 2013 and, in 2015, the then-Chancellor, George Osborne, sold the Government's remaining 30 per cent share. The biggest shareholder right now is a Czech billionaire, Daniel Kretinsky. But the Royal Mail is a public service. You don't necessarily expect to make a profit from your public services, but you must ensure they're run efficiently. The second mistake was to separate Royal Mail (delivering letters) from the Post Office (where you post them), which isn't privatised. The upshot has been the degradation of both parts of the service. Indeed, one subsidiary reason why people might be sending fewer letters is that they may not be able to find a Post Office to buy a stamp. And because there are increasingly fewer of them, the queues get longer. And the Post Offices that remain are a travesty of their former selves. Once, the Post Office was a proud and vital element of every town and village - the one near me was a beautiful Edwardian building, which proclaimed its importance in its solidity. Now the Post Office is, more often than not, tucked away at the back of a stationers or convenience store, and you have to make your way round piles of parcels, mounds of cut-price pens and kitchen rolls before you get to a counter. Those of us who still write letters and are keen for them to arrive the next day have to resort to an even more expensive option, namely signed-for delivery That's if you have a Post Office at all: last January, Citizens Advice noted that more than 200 branches have closed in the past two years. All of this really does have an impact on millions of lives - it certainly does on mine, because I'm one of the vanishing breed that still writes letters. And an obvious reason there are fewer of us writing and sending letters is that it's such an expensive habit. In other words, this historic medium of communication is being lost and, instead of encouraging its survival, Royal Mail is hastening its death. Ofcom is the industry regulator and is supposed to hold the postal services to account, but where was it when the stupid decision was taken to make stamps unaffordable? Its only move so far seems to have been to encourage Royal Mail in diluting its public service obligations. Matthew Upton, policy director at Citizens Advice, said Ofcom was 'letting the company get away' with price rises despite its 'poor service'. The Government seems simply indifferent to what's happening: have you heard any ministers expressing concern about the 1.25 stamp? Or the Opposition? Me neither. But all this affects our quality of life. And it makes you think: what is the point of a Conservative government that's not interested in conserving anything? The 1.25 stamp represents more than a hike in the cost of living - though it's certainly that. It represents the death of the personal letter. And that will diminish us all. Be grateful, by the way, if you do get a Christmas card from me this year - it'll show I really care. Do you hear the people sing, singing the song of angry men, it is the music of the people who will not be slaves again... BOO! GERROFF you idiots. MORONS. GET OFF! BOO! Boo! Someone call the cops! Just Stop Oil protesters disrupted a performance of Les Miserables in London on Wednesday night and, honestly, how I wish I had been there. Pass the popcorn. What a drama! Photographs taken of the stage invasion show such expressions of pious and noble yet also somehow deeply, deeply smug sufferance on the faces of the protesters that surely the Olivier Awards are in the bag? Best Actress In A Self-Appointed Role. Leading Phoney In An Ongoing Farce. Clown Of The Year. I could go on. The disruption came as the cast were singing Do You Hear The People Sing?, a rousing call to arms that foreshadows the barricades and the rebellion to come. Devotees of Les Mis like me! know that it comes just before the interval, a stirring moment as the cast begin their doomed bid for freedom. In the film version, Eddie Redmayne, as the rebel Marius Pontmercy, makes his eyes bulge and juts his jaw with revolutionary zeal. Or perhaps he just has early-onset digestive problems from the cholera which swept through Paris in the 1830s, who can really say. Just Stop Oil said their protesters were 'locked to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show' Anyway, JSO protesters Hanan and Noah were clearly thrilled as they padlocked themselves to the scenery, faces shining like the little kids always cast as sheep in the Nativity play suddenly finding themselves centre-stage as Mary and Joseph. The audience went predictably nuts not fired with activist fervour to join their cause, but royally fed up because they'd paid for the tickets, the hotels, the dinner, the train travel and the interval drinks only to have their night out ruined by these lunatics. 'How dare you?' shouted one outraged punter. How I long to have been in Row C, with a couple of rotten cabbages in my handbag, ready to cannonball at the stage. Yet this was a Just Stop Oil publicity dream; I mean, just think of the optics, Felicity. For once the protesters were professionally lit, with an obliging backdrop of lightly smoking civilisation. In a statement, JSO said that 'Hanan, a student, took action because the UK Government, by approving new oil and gas, has shown total disregard for their wellbeing, while Noah, a theatre lover, took action because he knows there's no future for the arts if society fails under the pressures of climate collapse'. L ater, another JSO protester called Hannah Taylor said that Les Mis begins with a man stealing a loaf to feed a starving child and so 'how long before we are all forced to steal loaves of bread? How long before there are riots on the streets?' How long? HOW LONG? The riots can't come quickly enough for me, just not in the way that Hannah thinks. Certainly, it is no secret that tempers are fraying on all sides of the barricade as people become increasingly fed up with these indulgent histrionics. On Nick Ferrari's LBC radio show yesterday, a JSO spokeswoman called Zoe told listeners that there is no cultural event that is not worth disrupting, absolutely none. 'So what about a theatre production,' she scoffed, 'what about the 10,000 people swept away in Libya?' Things got so testy that the normally serene host called her madam ('let me speak, madam') as the row about the end of the world roared on. Zoe, Hannah, Noah, Hanan is there a pattern developing? Almost all JSO protesters seem to be the type of middle-class loafers who are well-insulated against the problems of life; the students, the retirees, the malcontents and demi-anarchists who are all watermelons green on the outside, red on the inside, full of pith. On LBC, Zoe said the ends justified the means because JSO were in the news again. Yes, but the media are not writing or broadcasting about the issues JSO are protesting, but reporting on the protests themselves and the insufferable antics that inconvenience ordinary people instead of governments or oil companies. JSO say Les Mis was a legitimate target, but surely there are others more fitting in the West End? Just down the road at Mamma Mia!, a young woman on a Greek island flies in all her friends on gas-guzzling jets plus her putative three fathers to her wedding. This musical celebrates international air travel and leaves a disgustingly large carbon footprint, JSO! And when Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out opens at the Royal Haymarket next month, surely the oinktastic activities of this puddle-splashing factory-farmed methane-producing enslaved female is more worthy of protest? Whatever JSO do next, it will not further their cause. They have made their point over and over again, but the new oil and gas licences have been issued, production is going ahead, the Government is not listening and the public is against them. No one really believes in gas genocide or that the end of the world is so, so nigh that we're all going to be fighting in the street over a Waitrose sourdough by next year. So what is the point, Zoe and Hannah, Noah and the gang? Why don't you give it up and leave the rest of us in peace? Not just because we dreamed a dream in time gone by, so different from this hell we're living. Musk has more cash than sense Claire Boucher, better known as Grimes, has gone to court in an access dispute with former partner Elon Musk over their three children, named X A-XII, Exa Dark Siderl and Techno Mechanicus, known as Tau. Between the births of their first two children, Musk also fathered twins with Shivon Zilis, an executive at his company Neuralink. Grimes and Musk never married, their relationship was never stable and they had their children both traditionally and by surrogate. Musk has been divorced three times, and has fathered at least 11 children. Musk has got all the money in the world, but not a drop of sense. It's X A-XII and the unpronounceable gang I feel sorry for If he lived on a council housing estate in the UK, he would be on the social services register. These freaky people, for whom having children seems to be a sideshow, are deeply worrying. Musk has got all the money in the world, but not a drop of sense. It's X A-XII and the unpronounceable gang I feel sorry for. Apology is just patronising Scotland's crisis-hit NHS is to begin a 'programme of reparations' to Jamaica and Africa in a bid to 'make amends' for the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh's slavery links dating from the 18th century. Dear God, no! I'm afraid so, yes. The board of NHS Lothian have signed an agreement aimed at improving health in modern- day Jamaica. But what about improving health in modern-day Scotland, where life expectancy has not only stalled but in poorer economic groups has actually decreased? It is just a load of the usual fashionable nonsense, where people who were never slavers are being asked to compensate people who were never slaves, all to make some virtue-signalling corporate box-tickers look good. While the reparations are not expected to involve direct repayment of the estimated nearly 40 million owed WHAT? the NHS board are making a formal apology and commissioning artwork dedicated to victims of slavery. An apology! Paintings! How patronising. The only people who are going to feel better about this are the misguided do-gooding dolts at Lothian NHS. It's not the uniforms they should be changing Ozwald Boateng has designed the new androgynous uniforms for British Airways. The outfits look a bit Crimplene and dull, to be honest, but Boateng says it was an opportunity 'to redefine such a known British brand'. It certainly was. British Airways went from flying the flag and being one of the best airlines in the world to a company with a reputation as one of the worst. I was a devoted customer and a card-carrying loyalty member until they morphed into one of the least dependable and the most expensive. That was my experience anyway. No natty new neckties or gender-inclusive kick pleats can change that. Ozwald Boateng has designed the new androgynous uniforms for British Airways. The outfits look a bit Crimplene and dull, to be honest, but Boateng says it was an opportunity 'to redefine such a known British brand' In the new four-part Beckham documentary on Netflix, Victoria tells how she fought for her marriage after allegations that her husband David had an affair. Coleen Rooney faced much the same kind of battle after her husband Wayne's infidelities. Both these mothers and wives have four children each. Can I just say that I don't think they are weak for forgiving their husbands and rebuilding their family citadels? On the contrary, I admire them both hugely. Splitting up in adversity is easy, it is the staying together that takes tremendous courage, sacrifice, belief and guts. Men are idiots of course and not all mistakes can be forgiven. However, the rewards of clemency can be worth their weight in happy-ever-after gold. Numbskull renting rules According to new statistics, England has become the most difficult place to rent a home. Properties are wildly oversubscribed, pushing up rents. There are many reasons for this, but one main cause has to be government interference in the relationship between landlord and renter. Laws have skewed so much in favour of the rights of the latter, that many thousands of small-time landlords have been totally discouraged from renting out their second properties. Far better to let the homes sit there empty and accrue value, than rent them out. Why? It's just not worth the hassle. The risk of having no claim over a bad tenant who doesn't pay rent is just too much. The situation is just as troublesome in Scotland. Two friends of mine spent thousands on legal fees evicting tenants who had trashed their flats and not paid their rent for well over a year. It is an all-too-commonplace story. Then along comes someone like Michael Gove who, as Housing Minister, gave even more rights to tenants, including the legal right to keep an animal in the home, even if the landlord had a 'no pets' rule. Honestly. It is numbskull policies such as this that lead to rental shortages, not greedy landlords. Forget dad Bono! It's all about Eve In the new film Flora And Son, a young Irish actress called Eve Hewson plays the role of a downtrodden, impoverished single mum from a deprived area of Dublin known as The Flats. She's an incredibly talented actress. She is terrific in the role. But not everyone is pleased. 'There's something very uncomfortable about watching Bono's daughter playing a working-class, single mother from The Flats,' moaned Irish actor Joseph McGucken. In the new film Flora And Son, a young Irish actress called Eve Hewson (pictured) plays the role of a downtrodden, impoverished single mum from a deprived area of Dublin known as The Flats Nepo-babies always get a hard time rightly so in most cases but Eve is a genuine talent and she is going to be a big star She managed to live down her daddy all by herself because it is not about Bono it is all about Eve His chief beef seems to be that the daughter of the U2 frontman, whose estimated personal wealth is around 575 million, has no right to play anyone poor. It's called acting, Joe! From her film appearances and her roles in television series such as Bad Sisters and Behind Her Eyes, 32-year-old Hewson has never not been impressive. Nepo-babies always get a hard time rightly so in most cases but Eve is a genuine talent and she is going to be a big star. She managed to live down her daddy all by herself because it is not about Bono it is all about Eve. Good luck to her. A psychologist has revealed the eight 'Good Girl' archetypes from 'The Pleaser' to 'The Enabler' in a post on Instagram. Clinical psychologist Dr Lalitaa Suglani, who is based in Birmingham, took to social media to outline the concept of the 'Good Girl', as well as share the different tropes. In her post, Dr Suglani, who has more than 130,000 followers, said that the 'Good Girl' syndrome can be applied to any gender. The syndrome, which refers to how women are often socialised to help or benefit others, regularly to their own detriment, often stems from our childhood experiences. In a caption accompanying her post, the psychologist wrote: 'As children, we learned that in order to receive love and security, we had to constantly appease those around us. Do you fit into any of the 'Good Girl' archetypes? Among the eight archetypes are The Pleaser, The Self-doubter and The Conformist (stock image) 'We moulded ourselves to fit the projections of our caregivers, prioritising their expectations over our own authentic selves. 'This process effectively masked our true essence and led to a form of self-abandonment.' The 8 'Good Girl' archetypes 1. The Pleaser 2. The Perfectionist 3. The Over-Achiever 4. The Enabler 5. The Self-Doubter 6. The Caretaker 7. The Conformist 8. The Obedient Daughter Source: Dr Lalitaa Suglani Advertisement According to Dr Suglani, many people then carry this programming into adulthood and throughout their lives. This, she says, causes them to often wonder 'why they aren't appreciated or taken care of by others'. In her Instagram post, the psychologist listed the eight archetypes as well as giving a description of each one. According to Dr Suglani, The Pleaser is 'hyper-focused on gaining approval and avoiding conflict'. She says they 'often go to great lengths to keep others happy and may suppress their own desires and emotions'. Meanwhile, The Perfectionist type 'strives for flawlessness', with a fear of mistakes or disappointing others possibly driving them. Dr Suglani added that 'their pursuit of perfection can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety'. She says that The Over-Achiever is 'driven by a strong desire to excel academically, professionally, or in other areas of life'. According to Dr Suglani: 'They may constantly seek validation through their achievements and may struggle with self-worth if they don't meet their own high standards.' The next archetype she listed is The Enabler, who she says 'tends to support and accommodate the needs or behaviours of others, even when those behaviours are destructive or harmful'. In an attempt to maintain peace, this type may enable unhealthy habits or relationships. The archetype of The Self-Doubter is described as being 'plagued by self-doubt' which means they 'may second-guess their decisions and abilities'. In a bid to alleviate their doubts, they may constantly seek reassurance from others. Meanwhile, The Caretaker 'is often defined by their nurturing and caregiving nature', writes the psychologist. She adds: 'They prioritise taking care of others' needs and well-being, sometimes to the detriment of their own.' Next, The Conformist seeks to fit in and adhere to established norms and rules', possibly even suppressing their individuality to ensure they avoid standing out or facing criticism. Finally, she listed The Obedient Daughter, writing: 'This character archetype is obedient and compliant, following societal or familial expectations without question. She may struggle to assert herself or make independent choices.' According to Dr Suglani, it is possible to move away from the limitations of these archetypes. She writes: 'Recognising and comprehending these patterns is a crucial step toward healing and liberating ourselves from societal expectations. 'By nurturing self-awareness, self-compassion, and establishing healthy boundaries, we can embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. 'This journey allows us to reclaim our autonomy and prioritise our own well-being.' The post struck a chord with many Instagram users, who took to the comments section to discuss which of the archetypes they felt they embodied - and to reveal how they felt stifled by these roles. Many people commented on the post, about the tropes they felt represented them, and about how they felt stifled by these roles One wrote: 'So true! I've seen this "Good Girl" syndrome affect people of all genders, and it's heartbreaking how we often sacrifice our true selves for the sake of others' approval.' Another added: 'Only good behavior and excellent grades, otherwise punishment... that is how is always was. And well... it was not for my own good, as it brought me nowhere. I just start waking up towards my childhood trauma. Thanks for sharing!' And a third wrote: 'But the moment you stop acting like the good girl, you are abandoned and have absolutely no family or friends left. Like me.' Concluding her post on Good Girl syndrome, Dr Suglani left a positive message. She noted: 'It's essential to remember that our worth is not determined by how much we please others, but by our ability to authentically express our true selves.' The eccentric, cave-like aesthetic was fashioned out of concrete over a metal frame and spray-foam finishing Situated on a one-acre property, the unique home offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a guest house Located in Painesville, Ohio, the abode was the vision of artist Wayne Trapp, who constructed it in 1970 Advertisement A historic home dubbed the 'Flintstones House' for its resemblance to the dwelling belonging to the famed cartoon family has hit the market for $400,000. The cave-like abode, built in 1970 and situated just northeast of Cleveland in Painesville, Ohio, was the vision of American sculptor Wayne Trapp, who collaborated with earth-shelter architect Ken Kern on the design. Trapp, who passed away in 2016 and spent much of his adult life in Ohio, dubbed the 3,600-square-foot residence 'Chant du Cygne' French for 'Swan Song.' The asking price for the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home, located at 7245 Cascade Road, is $400,000. A home in Painesville, Ohio, informally known as the 'Flintstones House' for its resemblance to the dwelling of the famed cartoon family has hit the market with an asking price of $400,000 Sculptural elements echoing the home's aesthetic sit in the yard. Seen is one of them on the lawn The cave-like residence spans 3,600 square feet and has a sloping rooftop that reaches the ground Over the years, the house has cropped up from time-to-time on the local news, highlighted as among the most distinctive examples of real estate the region has to offer. American sculptor Wayne Trapp (pictured), who passed away in 2016, worked with architect Ken Kern on the home's design Back in 2011, it was even featured on an episode of MTV's Extreme Cribs. At a distance, the home's facade could be mistaken for an unusually shaped rock formation protruding out of the landscape. But that lithic silhouette was in fact constructed out of concrete and spray foam, undergirded with an internal metal framework. Back in the spring of 1970, Trapp recruited 20 local art students to assist with the construction, which at the time was commissioned by a local family. Trapp, working with the group of recruits, completed the project by the end of the summer. Across the yard of the one-acre property stand abstract sculptural elements that echo the organic curvatures of the home - as well as a realistic brontosaurus statue perched in the bushes. Likewise, the interior texture of the walls and flooring throughout the residence was crafted to resemble that of a hidden-away cave dwelling. In the children's wing of the home, which encompasses four bedrooms plus a playroom, the separate rooms are connected by narrow tunnels, through which occupants must get on their hands and knees to traverse. In the living room, a seating area and fireplace is located in a sunken pit. The dining room and kitchen is seen here as well The living space includes a kitchen counter space for people to dine-in with cavernous lights to illuminate the interior The texture of the interior walls was likewise crafted to resemble a hidden-away cave The main house contains five bedrooms - with the spaces seemingly carved out of the cave-like interior A network of tunnels connect the bedrooms and playroom in the children's wing of the house In the living room, a gathering area takes shape in a sunken pit, which, flanked by a fireplace, is lined with seating carved directly out of the faux-stone foundation. Elsewhere, the eat-in kitchen looks out over a charming brick patio. Just steps away, a guest house makes for a scaled-down counterpart of the cavernous main home. The previous owner, a retired plumber named Rick Kristoff who bought the home for $130,000 in 2000, took to online forums to gush about what he described as a 'work of art' by Trapp. 'I acquired this work of art in 2000 and have enjoyed sharing it with those that I have waved in while they are slowly driving by,' he wrote on RoadsideAmerica.com in 2010, then offering up his phone number for those interested in touring the property. At a distance, the abode resembles a strange-looking rock formation, but it is made out of concrete and spray foam Trapp worked with a group of 20 local art students over the summer of 1970 to complete the structure The house is constructed out of concrete over a metal frame, and finished with spray foam The one-acre property also encompasses a guest house, which is seen above A realistic brontosaurus statue resides near the entrance to the guesthouse 'Works of art should be shared,' he also told Cleveland Magazine in 2011. Kristoff, however, had strong feelings against the 'Flintstone House' nickname, telling Cleveland.com in 2016 that the moniker, to him, was 'like calling the Mona Lisa some chick It's disrespectful.' He strongly preferred that the residence be known as the Cave House - though that designation hasn't had the same traction as that of the one referencing Hanna-Barbera's iconic Stone Age cartoon. Jacqueline Ward at Howard Hanna holds the listing. Of Kristoff's decision to sell his beloved home of 23 years, Ward told DailyMail.com: 'He was so proud to be its caretaker and sad to leave.' 'It's a place that, once you visit, it has a hold on you,' she added. In the years following the death of Princess Diana of Wales, one man came to be known as her 'rock' by the public the confidante who kept her deepest secrets and described himself as 'the only man she ever trusted'. So close were they that he dressed her for her burial, in an evening gown provided by the British ambassador's wife. He was named a trustee of the Diana Memorial Fund and given the job of sorting through her possessions. 'Often photographed two steps behind the Princess, he was the obsequious manservant who had supposedly displayed what the Royal household values most: absolute discretion,' writes Tina Brown in her bestselling book The Palace Papers. In the years following the death of Princess Diana of Wales, one man came to be seen as her 'rock' by the public When the officers asked Paul Burrell if he had any items from Kensington Palace in his home, he said no. This was not the case But on January 18, 2001 came a bombshell which shattered his carefully curated image (even the 'rock' bit had been his own invention). Scotland Yard carried out a dawn raid at his house in Cheshire following a tip-off by Princess Margaret's butler Harold Brown, who had been caught selling a two-foot be-jewelled Arabian dhow, a wedding gift to Charles and Diana from the Emir of Bahrain. After he was arrested and later cleared, he told police that it had been supplied by Burrell. When the officers asked Burrell if he had any items from Kensington Palace in his home, he said no. 'A search of the house exposed him immediately,' writes Brown. 'It was a royal Amazon warehouse stuffed with paintings, photos, drawings and china belonging to the Princess. 'The police discovered two thousand negatives, including a photograph of Charles in the bath with his children, and many others showing the young princes naked.' There was also a 'trove of personal notes to and from William at school' using Diana's nickname for him, Wombat, and a 'huge cache of Diana's underwear, blouses, suits, dresses and nightgowns.' 'Even the mahogany desk Burrell was using was inscribed 'Her Royal Highness', writes Brown, adding that when he was carted away in the police car Burrell wailed: 'I want white lilies on my coffin!' Some items were missing, including secret tapes Diana had recorded of a former valet against Michael Fawcett, Charles's right-hand man. Knowing these could potentially be made public sent Charles into a panic, according to Tom Bower, author of Rebel Prince, the best-selling biography of the then Prince of Wales which first uncovered the true extent of Burrell's extraordinary collection. Burrell claimed that he had told the Queen he was going to take some of Diana's possessions for safekeeping, and that she had assented. Burrell claimed that he had told the Queen he was going to take some of Diana's possessions for safekeeping, and that she had assented Paul Burrell pictured, far right, with Princes William and Harry at Alton Towers in April 1994 So close were they that Burrell dressed Diana for her burial in an evening gown provided by the British ambassador's wife While Charles wanted the charges against Burrell to be dropped, Diana's mother and sister did not believe his claim that he had the Queen's permission to take her belongings. They had grown 'increasingly annoyed' about the former butler 'launching himself as a celebrity personality', making money from writing a book and newspaper column and giving speeches on cruise ships on the back of his association with the princess. They had no intention of backing up Burrell's claim. 'I hope his balls burn,' Brown reports Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, as saying. 'Even the butler's long marriage to Maria [a maid and dresser for Diana] was a charade,' claims the author. 'He had so many affairs with guardsmen that Diana's chef called him 'Barrack-Room Bertha'. In 2016, the couple finally divorced and Burrell married lawyer Graham Cooper. Despite serious misgivings in the royal palaces, the prosecution went ahead and in October 2002, Burrell's trial began at the Old Bailey in London. He was accused of stealing 310 items belonging to the Princess of Wales's estate, totalling 4.5 million. Then, suddenly, something truly remarkable happened something 'which can only be described as an episode of magical realism in 21st century Britain,' writes While Charles wanted the charges against Burrell to be dropped, Diana's mother and sister did not believe his claim The Daily Mail's front page covering the event in October 2002, which reads: 'Diana's Butler Loaded His Car at 2.30am' Paul Burrell giving a thumb-up to the media as he leaves the Central Criminal Court the Old Bailey, on November 1, 2002 Brown. 'The trial of Paul Burrell was halted by an intervention from the Queen herself.' At 8.30am on day 11 of the trial, Commander John Yates of Scotland Yard appeared, saying he had just spoken to Sir Michael Peat. Peat had told him: 'Her Majesty has had a recollection.' The previous Friday, the Queen had been driving past the Old Bailey with Prince Charles and Prince Phillip on their way to St Paul's Cathedral for a memorial service. 'Noticing a crowd outside the courts, her Majesty asked Charles about it,' writes Brown. 'He told her that Burrell was on trial for theft, and the Queen apparently had no idea. When all was explained to the best-informed monarch in the world, she recalled a meeting five years earlier, soon after Diana's death, when Burrell had sought an audience with her to explain that he was caring for some of Diana's 'papers'.' 'As usual,' Brown concludes, 'when it came to her family, the Queen had avoided the problem as long as possible, and then executed a lethal coup de grace.' She had found and fired a 'golden bullet'. Burrell was a free man, boasting to reporters outside the court, 'The Queen came through for me.' He sold his story to the Mirror for 300,000, while Burrell's statement and proof of evidence about explicit details of Diana's relationships with men including the surgeon Hasnat Khan were splashed over other newspapers. Details such as that Charles would sneer at Diana's outfits and call her an 'air stewardess' caused the Prince serious reputational damage. The Evening Standard front page after Paul Burrell was cleared of all charges because of a conversation now suddenly recalled byThe Queen Prince Harry accused the former butler of 'milking' his mother's death for money with his book A Royal Duty Burrell went on to enjoy a lucrative career as a royal commentator and reality show contestant, but in 2008, during Diana's inquest, it emerged that he had secretly copied letters between her and other members of the Royal Family. He told the hearing it was for 'historical importance', but was accused of being a rock that was 'porous'. In his controversial memoir Spare, Prince Harry accused the former butler of 'milking' his mother's death for money with his book A Royal Duty. 'Mummy's former butler had penned a tell-all which actually told nothing,' he wrote. 'It was merely one man's self-justifying, self-centring version of events. 'My mother once called this butler a dear friend, trusted him implicitly. We did too. Now this. He was milking her disappearance for money. It made my blood boil.' Now retired after closing his floristry in 2019, Burrell, 64, revealed earlier this year that he is suffering from prostate cancer. Big age gaps in couples are always sure to provoke controversy, p A couple who have caused controversy with their age-gap relationshp are defying critics in their quest to start a family together. Cheryl McCain, 63, from Rome, Georgia, married Quran McCain, who at 26 is 37 years her junior in 2021 after meeting at work, and are regularly trolled over their 37-year age gap and branded 'delusional' over their desire for a baby. The controversial duo announced the start of their surrogacy journey last year, but in May told fans that the woman called it quits and that she also 'breached their contract' by having unprotected sex with her partner during the process. But despite their struggles, the couple have insisted in their recent TikTok videos, shared with their 4 million followers, that they are still determined to have children. Cheryl, 63, and Quran McCain, 26, from Georgia, - who tied the knot in 2021 despite getting trolled for their 37-year-age gap - have been documented their struggle to start a family Quran said: 'At the moment it does feel like people are reaching out to us for the wrong reasons. 'We're completely broke. We don't get paid for our content. And then the surrogate goes and bleeds us dry'. An enraged Quran claimed the pair had even expensed the unnamed surrogate's food and travel - and contributed to her Christmas funds. He was just 15 years old when he met his future wife - while they were working at the fast food chain Dairy Queen. Cheryl, who already has seven children from a previous relationship and 17 grandchildren, said the pair 'feel they deserve children of their own'. 'We prefer surrogacy, however, we have seen a lot of people embroiled in legal complications far after the child is born,' Quran said. The controversial duo announced the start of their surrogacy journey last year but told fans that the woman called it quits and 'breached their contract' by having unprotected sex while her egg fertilised 'We are looking for a nice surrogate who is willing to sign a contract to have nothing to do with the child after its born'. Unfortunately, Quran's fears have materialised. He previously told Jam Press: 'We don't want people trying to have a baby for us for financial gain, we are not that financially inclined ourselves. Both of Cheryl's daughters have had to undergo hysterectomies or the couple would have used them to carry their much-awaited 'lovechild'. The pair have also set up an Only Fans account for subscribers to get access to their saucier content. Female British Airways staff have reportedly been left 'fuming' over the airlines 'cheap' new uniforms. The flag carrier relaxed its rules last year and introduced new 'gender-neutral' uniforms designed by British fashion star Ozwald Boateng. The new uniforms include a 'modern jumpsuit' and skirt and trouser options for women and a tailored three-piece suit for men with regular and slim-fit style trousers. BA heralded the launch as 'marking a new era' for the airline, but now some of its female staff have hit out at the 'cheap' look of the uniform, while others have described the uniforms as 'deliberately androgynous'. When the company was founded as Imperial Airways in 1919, they wore military style uniforms. But since the 1940s, the cabin crew has seen their uniforms re-imagined several times - from basic military uniforms to 'paper dresses' of the 1960s and powder blue polyester suits of the 1970s. Here, FEMAIL looks back at the best, worst and most controversial uniforms in the airlines history... 1940-1945: Military inspired outfits for the British Overseas Airways Corporation Heritage: Before 1940 pilots and cabin crew typically fashioned a traditional, basic, sturdy military style suit The two-piece pictured above is the first of long legacy of uniforms created British Airways created by Maurice Helman The first fashion designer to create a uniform for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was Maurice Helman. He used the back drop of World War II as inspiration for his creation from the world of Haute Couture from 1946- 1959. While it kept the traditional military style it evolved into a softer, more feminine and less restrictive outfit. It also reflected the 1940s conservativism, with the skirts slightly below the knee and tapered jackets and ties. 1945-1959: British European Airways - the start of fashion-focused choices The end of the war meant less rations of fabric and more styles being introduced across the field. This was the start of the fashionable hostesses that have become synonymous with flying. The new uniforms adopted a 'nipped and tucked' waist line to reflection the courtiers of Paris. The end of the war allowed companies to explore more with their designs The new uniforms adopted a 'nipped and tucked' waist line to reflection the courtiers of Paris 1960: The start of the modern cabin crew style With new resources a new style, some would consider restrained for BA's typical choices, is introduced. Sylvia Ayton (MBE), a student at the Royal College of Art, was chosen by a panel including top British designer John Cavanagh to design the uniform. The uniform was a straight skirt which had a Dior-style pleat at the back, worn with a pleated jacket and a hat all in the same material. The uniform shown above (third outfit from the left) compromised of a straight skirt which had a Dior-style pleat at the back, worn with a pleated jacket and a hat all in the same material 1960 1967: The start of navy suits and the 'jet set era' Not a great deal changed with the uniform design when Sir Norman Hartnell introduced his navy suit in the 1960s. He was an influential British fashion designers and dressmakers to the Queen. It was the start of the 'Jet-Set' era when fashion was not just for the passengers but also for the glamorous airline staff. The women wore stylish blue suits with an open collar white blouse and matching gloves. The women wore stylish blue suits with an open collar white blouse and matching gloves 1967: The paper dress A paper dress a design largely forgotten by many. Designer Joseph Lore made it happen for those travelling between New York and the Caribbean. The cream dress was made of fire-proof paper-esque fabric and had cerise and purple flowers with green leaves. Its' length was decided by the stewardesses who were allowed to cut the fabric no higher than three inches above the knee. It was worn with green jewelled slippers, white gloves, and a flower in the hair and was then thrown away at the end of each flight. The cream dress was made of fire-proof paper-esque fabric and had cerise and purple flowers with green leaves. Its' length was decided by the stewardesses who were allowed to cut the fabric no higher than three inches above the knee 1967: The introduction of red At the time BEA staff were not only working for the number one airline in Europe but they were alos wearing designs made by the UK's number one designer and dress maker. Sir Hardy Amies played a huge part in the uniform design of today. Gone with the wind were the dark blues and blacks and in came the deep red partnered with white and blue to shadow the UK's iconic union Jack flag. The dress and jacket were in Royal Blue terylene coupled with a white blouse and gloves and a striking red-caped overcoat. Gone with the wind were the dark blues and blacks and in came the deep red partnered with white and blue to shadow the UK's iconic union Jack flag The 1967 royal blue kit had a shorter skirt than the previous design, reflecting changing societal trends. It was designed by Hardy Amies, who was dressmaker to The Queen from the time of her accession in 1952 until his retirement in 1989. 1970: Pink and purple mini dresses Having not yet adopted their traditional colour palette yet, BOAC adopted for Clive Evan's pink and turquoise cotton dresses. The pieces were to reflect the space-age fashion of the 1960s and trousers were later introduced for the first time as part of the women's uniform. While trousers were offered to female staff they were not allowed to wear them while serving passengers on-board the aircraft. The pieces were to reflect the space-age fashion of the 1960s Trousers were later introduced for the first time as part of the women's uniform 1972: Red scarves and coloured blouses In 1972 the airline asked a designer back for the first and only time to create another uniform line just before they merged with BOAC. Sir Hardy Amies replaced his 1967 design with French navy suit with thin rows of red stitching and a hat trimmed with a BEA red ribbon. The stewardesses also had more freedom to express themselves as they could style interchangeable coloured blouses and scarves A wonderful selection of previously-unseen photographs showcasing the uniforms of air stewardesses who helped to ferry passengers around the world have been released by British Airways for its centenary this year. Above: Stewards from BEA, which merged with BOAC to create the British Airways name in 1972, pose in the 1967 uniform. It was made from terylene and worsted material. Above: Hardy Aimes was also responsible for this BEA uniform from 1972. He designed it to allow the expression of individuality achieved by interchangeable colours of the blouses and scarves based on the strong red, white and blue theme associated with BEA. The short Tutankhamun hat is in French blue, trimmed with BEA red 1974: The first 'British Airways' outfit with red scarf and trouser suits Sir Hardy Amies' 1972 uniform was created just before the merger with BOAC and was adopted as the first uniform of the newly created British Airways. New Sari's were designed for International Cabin Crew with a choice of two designs on cream filature silk. The uniform (pictured above) stuck to the traditional Union Jack colours and styled matching scarves with the pinstriped suit 1976: Powder polyester suits Sir Hardy Amies was then asked to create a third design in 12 years. Male and female uniforms were in pale blue or French navy. They were made of 100 per cent Dacron polyester in gabardine and crepe designed to be a 'totally uncrushable, washable fabric.' The outfits pictured above were made of 100 per cent Dacron polyester in gabardine and crepe designed to be a 'totally uncrushable, washable fabric' The outfits pictured above were made of 100 per cent Dacron polyester in gabardine and crepe designed to be a 'totally uncrushable, washable fabric' 1977: 'Elegant' outfits After the merger the airline was promised a uniform 'elegant enough to appear in Vogue' by Baccarat Wetherall. The uniform was dark blue with a jacket and the option of either a skirt or flared trousers. The white blouse was worn with silk scarves, blue leather handbag, small-brimmed hat and matching belt all bearing the airline symbol. As part of BA's celebrations in August to mark 100 years since it was formed, it is to release a new uniform, but the firm is yet to go into detail on how different the new design will be. Although according to cabin crew blog Paddle Your Own Kanoo, Burberry has been enlisted for the job. Above: The first official British Airways uniform, from June 1977. It was designed by fashion house Baccarat Weathersall A smart red-lined jacket and skirt, with optional flared trousers in white pinstripe, of the finest quality was chosen for the classical tailoring style. The cloth was lightweight but hard-wearing wool worsted. A shoulder bag of dark blue leather, a small-brimmed hat and a belt matching bearing the BA logo completed the outfit 1985 1993: A whole new design with striped dresses Moving forward with high fashion in mind the airlines asked Roland Klein for their next design. He previously trained in Paris with Christian Dior and Karl Lagerfield. Not only did the airline want fashionable stewardesses but they wanted their whole airline to be draped in luxury. Moving forward with high fashion in mind the airlines asked Roland Klein for their next design It was a wool navy jacket and a grey skirt which was worn with a long blouse with red, blue and grey stripes The design shown by the man and woman on the far right shows the double-breasted blazer which pilots were allowed to wear for the first time The uniform was designed for all staff including cabin crew, ground crew, engineering and technical handling staff. It was a wool navy jacket and a grey skirt which was worn with a long blouse with red, blue and grey stripes. In hotter weather the blouse could be worn with a skirt in the same design. Also for the first time a traditional double-breasted suit in dark blue was designed especially for pilots. 1993-2003: Eco-friendly outfits that reflect companies 'multicultural nature' The 1993 uniform was designed by Irish designer Paul Costelloe. It combined a classic styling and informality in a stunning pinstripe and collage design, reflective of BA's worldwide multi-cultural interests and worldwide operations. The women's uniform was a classic tailed single-breasted suit in the corporate colours of red and navy blue, designed in a specially created pin-dot wool fabric. A silky crepe geometric print blouse in red, navy blue and grey complemented the suit. A BA stewardess proudly models her 1993 uniform. The hats later became optional. As well as the uniforms, BA's collection showcases hundreds of historical photos and videos, as well as articles explaining how British Airways evolved from a single-engine De Havilland aircraft to what it is today As more and more people were becoming passionate about the environment the airline decided to opt for a designer who uses natural fibres. Irish designer Paul Costello delivered a uniform to reflect BA's global and multicultural nature. It combined a classic styling and informality in a stunning pinstripe and collage design, reflective of BA's worldwide multi-cultural interests and worldwide operations. The women's uniform was a classic tailed single-breasted suit in the corporate colours of red and navy blue, designed in a specially created pin-dot wool fabric. A silky crepe geometric print blouse in red, navy blue and grey complemented the suit. The red, white and blue pinstrip matched with red, white and blue pattered blouses and matching skirt for the summer months. 2003 2023: Julien MacDonald designed 'modern suit' Keeping with their traditional colour palette Julien Macdonald, a former designer for Chanel, created a classic wool mix and pinstripe suit. The suit oozed high fashion with its' branded Quicklinks, shirt buttons and red Jacquard lining in the suit In 2007 a new Indian uniform was designed by Rohit Bal in which the key elements of the Julien Macdonald suit have been incorporated. British Airways uniform (above) was designed by Julien MacDonald At the time of its release, Mr MacDonald said: 'As a designer for some of the world's most glamorous women, it was a great challenge to design a uniform that is worn by such a large number of staff of different ages and sizes.' The design is meant to reflect the airline's British history. It is made from wool. 2023: Non-binary outfits Designed by British fashion designer and Savile Row tailor Ozwald Boateng OBE, the uniform, launching in spring, features a 'modern jumpsuit' for female cabin crew that is billed as an 'airline first'. The collection features dress, skirt and trouser options for women and a tailored three-piece suit for men with regular and slim-fit style trousers. A tunic and hijab option has also been created for the carrier. Bradley Gibbons, who is non-binary, posted a picture at work in the new dress Legacy: BA staff are pictured showing off uniforms from the past 90 years at a Johannesburg fashion show in 2012, with Georgia May Jagger in the front British Airways has unveiled a new uniform for the first time in nearly 20 years, with the collection of garments set to 'take the airline into its next chapter' Over the last century the airline has had the luxury of designers who work for Chanel and trained with Karl Lagerfeld of creating stylish, high fashion yet durable designs. Pictured staff posing in uniforms from throughout the years Many of the outdoor garments have also been tested in deluge showers and freezers at minus 18 degrees Celsius to ensure they're water-resistant, durable and fit for extreme weather conditions. The airline's engineers and ground operations agents will be the first to wear the new uniform from springtime As they pick up their new items of uniform, they'll hand in their previous Julien MacDonald garments, which will be donated to charity or recycled to create toys, tablet holders and more. A number of items will also be gifted to the airline's museum. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked effortlessly stylish as she made a working visit to the Centre of Expertise Applied Artificial Intelligence at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam in Amsterdam. The mother-of-three, 52, re-wore a Massimo Dutti camel pencil skirt with a sleek pussybow blouse for the engagement. Maxima's visit is dedicated to the responsible use and application of artificial intelligence (AI). The royal championed autumn chic by adding knee-high leather boots, while her golden locks were left loose. She elevated her look further with an iconic Gucci Bamboo 1947 handbag and statement diamond flower earrings. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands exuded chic as she made a working visit to the Centre of Expertise Applied Artificial Intelligence at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam in Amsterdam Located at Holland's largest University of Applied Sciences, the centre drives the development of applications of AI technology in a responsible and inclusive manner. The rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence presents the whole of society with dilemmas and ethical questions. To address these issues, the teaching and research staff of the centre's seven labs work in close cooperation with business and civil society organisations towards the responsible application of AI. Queen Maxima will visit the Smart Asset Management Lab to speak to researchers and recent graduates about the added value of this close cooperation. The royal will be shown several installations, including an ultra-sensitive fridge for storing medicine that can repair itself using AI. Maxima will also be informed about cooperation involving AI and media, as well as democracy and responsibly applied AI, which focuses on issues of user dialogue and ownership of AI technology. She will then discuss the social impact of current and future applications with AUAS researchers and partners from civic society. They will also discuss the European Union and international perspectives on the application of AI, and what its threats and opportunities are for the Netherlands. The mother-of-three, 52, re-wore a Massimo Dutti camel pencil skirt with a sleek pussybow blouse for the engagement Maxima's visit is dedicated to the responsible use and application of artificial intelligence (AI) This visit comes after the royal made a dazzling appearance at the Apples of Orange awards. Maxima attended the Orange Fund's prestigious ceremony with her mother-in-law Princess Beatrix, 85, which took place at Noordeinde Palace in Hague, Netherlands. The mother-of-three sparkled in a embellished gold gown by Belgian couture and ready-to-wear label Natan, one of her favourite designers. She was first seen wearing the dazzling number back in June, when she attended the opening of the head office of microfinance organisation, Qredits in Almelo. The credit organisation is known for offering training and business loans to aspiring businesses. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands cut a stylish figure in a dazzling gold dress, as she stepped out for the Apples of Orange awards this week Maxima's three-quarter length dress draped elegantly over her curves, gathering ever so slightly at the centre, giving the appearance of a ruched design. She accessorised the look with a chunky silver bracelet, alongside a gold charm bracelet, black wristwatch and silver rings. Meanwhile, Princess Beatrix donned a sophisticated monochrome frock, made exceptional by a stunning black and white pattern at the waist. The Dutch royal styled the look with a set of exquisite pearls and matching pearl earrings, while her coiffed bob made for the perfect hint of glamour. Maxima put on a lively display as she greeted all in attendance and smiled for photographs. She also took to the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech to this year's prize winners. A group of mums spent just 102 on an 18-hour spa trip to Milan and were home in time for the school run. Laura Oduntan, 37, from Bromley, London, and her pals - Jade Bassett, 33, Remi Pedro, 37, and Agnes Adekunle, 38 - decided to upgrade their regular Nando's meet-up and treat themselves to a spa day. Laura, a mum-of-two girls aged three and six had spotted the QC Terme spa in Milan, Italy, on TikTok and suggested it to her friends. After checking with their partners, the mums flew via Easyjet from Gatwick Airport, in Crawley, West Sussex, at 6.20am on 62 return flights and landed at Milan Malpensa Airport by 9am. The four women took the train into Milan for lunch, before relaxing in the spa for three hours. Laura Oduntan, 37, from Bromley, London , and her pals - Jade Bassett, 33, Remi Pedro, 37, and Agnes Adekunle, 38, spent just 102 on an 18-hour spa trip to Milan and were home in time for the school run They finished up with dinner and Aperols at a rooftop restaurant before getting back to the airport for their flight at 10pm. Laura got home by midnight and was up the next morning to take her daughter to school. Laura, a social media manager and owner of the 5am mama, said: 'I thought let's upgrade our Nando's trip. It was a long tiring day. 'But there was so much laughter and fun. The spa was just lovely. I still had to get up for the school run the next day.' The mums all met while working for Direct Line group seven years ago and have been having regular catch ups over a Nando's ever since. Laura said: 'We all had babies around the same time. We were on maternity leave together. That's how we became a group of friends.' Laura saw a video of a spa in Milan on her TikTok and suggested the idea to Jade, who has a three-year-old, Remi, who is mum to two-year-old girl, and Agnes, who has three children two, six and eight. It seemed like the perfect getaway for the busy mums and was cheap compared to the 200 cost of Champneys spa - costing just 40 each. Laura said: 'When you're a mum you don't like the sound of leaving your baby overnight. After checking with their partners, the mums flew via Easyjet from Gatwick Airport, in Crawley, West Sussex, at 6.20am on 62 return flights and landed at Milan Malpensa Airport by 9am They finished up with pizza and Aperols at a rooftop restaurant before getting back to the airport for their flight at 10pm They took a train into Milan city centre for 13 and found a cafe close to the spa for lunch - spending around 15 each on food The four women took the train into Milan for lunch, before relaxing in the spa for three hours 'But it's nice to do something as a group of friends. We booked the flights in May. We made sure our partners were on hand.' The friends arrived at Gatwick Airport for 3am and flew out at 6.20am. They took a train into Milan city centre for 13 and found a cafe close to the spa for lunch - spending around 15 each on food. Laura said: 'We found a nice little cafe and had salads.' The friends headed over to the spa at 12.30pm and stayed until 3pm relaxing in the different rooms and pools. Laura said: 'There was a lot to do. There were different immersive rooms. 'You laid on a bed and it rained on you. There were nice smelling sauna rooms.' The friends arrived at Gatwick Airport for 3am and flew out at 6.20am for their day trip in Milan The mums' spa day trip 3am - arrive at the airport 6.20am - flight to Milan, Italy 9am - arrive in Milan and get the train to the city centre 11.30am - lunch at a local cafe 12.30pm - arrive at the QC Terme spa 3pm - leave the spa and walk to Duomo di Milano 4.30pm - early dinner at a rooftop restaurant 8pm - arrive back at the airport 10pm - flight back to Gatwick, London Advertisement The mums walked to the Duomo di Milano before going for an early dinner at 4.30pm. They had pizzas and an Aperol spritz for 20 each at a rooftop restaurant. Laura said: 'When in Italy.' After eating, the pals headed back to the airport for their 10pm flight arriving back in the UK by midnight. Laura said: 'I snuck in. I didn't feel different to normal the next day. 'I'm up all night normally. I'm a tired mum.' The friends enjoyed their day trip so much they hope to make it an annual occasion trying out different cities for a day. Laura said: 'We said we would make it on an annual thing and try and go to different cities. 'See different cities but go for a day. 'Agnes had the revelation that she'd never been to Paris.' Laura hopes it inspires other mums to take a day for themselves. She said: 'When a lot of mums meet up you have the kids with you. We should take that moment for ourselves. 'You're not just a mum. You're a person. Look after yourself as well as the kids.' A former beauty queen and mother-of-two has reportedly passed away following complications from plastic surgery. Jaquelin Carrieri, 48, from Argentina, died after suffering a blood clot at an unnamed clinic in Los Angeles, California on Sunday October 1st, her relatives have confirmed. The actress and model had once been crowned queen of her district and also came runner-up at a beauty pageant at San Rafael en Vendimia grape harvest festival in Argentina in 1996. Her children Chloe and Julian were were right by her side when she tragically passed away, reports Argentine media. A post on her Instagram page reads: 'We want to inform our followers today of some sad news. The mother-of-two left behind her two children Chloe and Julian (pictured here with Jacquelin) - who were were right by her side when she tragically passed away at an unnamed clinic in Los Angeles, California The actress and model had once been crowned queen of her district and also came runner-up at a beauty pageant at San Rafael en Vendimia grape harvest festival in Argentina in 1996 'Jaquelin Carrieri, who was Queen of Punta del Agua District and Deputy Queen of San Rafael Department in 1996, has passed away. 'From Reinas de San Rafael, we want to extend our condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time'. The entrepreneur - who was soon to celebrate her 49th birthday - was the ex-partner of the son of renowned journalist Jorge Quintana. Jacquelin also studied at the National University of Lomas de Zamora near Buenos Aires before going into retail. She later became known for her high-end fashion store, Jaquelin Carrieri Boutique, which was forced to close down owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her death has come as a shock to her family and friends who described Jacquelin as a 'woman of great talent' and 'beautiful'. According to Facebook page Reinas Vendimiales San Rafael Mendoza, Jacquelin passed away from a 'stroke' caused by cosmetic surgery. Former beauty queen Jaquelin Carrieri (pictured), 48, from Argentina, has tragically passed away following complications from plastic surgery Posted on October 2, the statement read: 'Jaquelin Carrieri has passed away. 'She was a woman of great talent, an actress in one of our departments plays that was being performed at the Roma Theatre until just a few days ago. 'Jaquelin also owned a high-end fashion store called Jaquelin Carrieri Boutique, which unfortunately had to close its doors during the pandemic. 'She was well known for dressing the San Rafael pageant queens for many years, making their dresses shine during the Via Blanca and Carrusel Vendimial parades. 'In her youth, she was also Deputy Queen of the San Rafael en Vendimia festival. 'She passed away in Los Angeles, California, due to a stroke that may have been caused by cosmetic surgery'. One of Jaquelins close friends Jorgelina Olivera, has spoken of the loss of his 'wonderful' friend, though he states it is not a farewell, but rather a 'see you soon'. Jorgelina said: 'All of us who had the pleasure of knowing you and sharing moments of our lives with you know what a wonderful person you were, a beautiful woman in every sense, always with your smile and your glamour. 'Honestly your departure has taken me by surprise and I still cant believe it. 'Thank you, a thousand thanks for coming into my life and painting it with so much joy and happiness. 'It was a pleasure to share moments with you, and I will be eternally grateful. 'May God welcome you into His glory. Its not a goodbye but a see you soon, my beautiful and dear Jaquelin'. The Danish royal met with hospital clowns in Copenhagen earlier today Crown Princess Mary of Denmark looked cheerful as she arrived at the Bispebjerg Hospital earlier today- and was greeted by two friendly hospital clowns- Basta and Baglaens. The Australian-born Danish royal, 51, appeared in a positive spirit during the visit to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Centre in Copenhagen. The royal mother-of-four looked elegant in tonal brown suit separates- perfectly corresponding to the shades of the autumn weather. Mary matched the outfit with a simple white t-shirt and accessorised with chic layered necklaces. Meanwhile, she opted for natural makeup and swept her long brown hair across her shoulders for the occasion. Princess Mary, 51, walked hand in hand with two of the friendly hospital clowns- Basta and Baglaens Denmark's Crown Princess Mary (pictured) appeared in high spirits during a visit to the Danish Hospital Clowns at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Center at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen Upon her arrival, the Danish royal greeted lines of hospital clowns, who donned red noses and woolly hats. But it was hospital clowns Basta and Baglaens who took the mother-of-four by the hand during the visit. The Danish hospital employs 'clowns' to bring joy to the children undergoing mental health treatments; there are currently 61 working clowns at the hospital. Training to be a clown can take up to two years as they are taught a range of skills in relationship building, neuropsychology, and collaboration with the staff, according to Culture For Health. The royal seemingly saw the effectiveness of the clown programme, which launched in 2003, as she appeared to have a wide grin across her face at all times. Princess Mary has long been recognised for her work in raising awareness of mental health issues, and she is the patron of several organisations and foundations on the matter. It comes just days after the Danish royals attended the opening of the Danish Parliament at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on Tuesday. Queen Margrethe, 83, put on an elegant display in a royal blue suit, complete with an equally sophisticated fascinator. The royal opted for natural makeup and swept her long brown hair across her shoulders for the occasion The Danish royal appeared cheerful while walking with the hospital clowns who are employed by the hospital to bring joy to the children on the ward Upon her arrival, the Danish monarch greeted her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, with a warm hug and a kiss. The heir to the throne, 55, looked dapper in a black suit, which he matched with a crisp white shirt. Meanwhile, Frederik's wife, Crown Princess Mary, looked typically stylish in a cream ensemble as she stepped onto the red carpet. The mother-of-four wowed in a chic cream midi dress, which she paired with a lavish black hat. The royal looked elegant in the stunning dress, which featured a stylish black belt around the waist. The mother-of-four had a chance to meet with the hospital clowns who have to train for up to two years for the position The clowns, who donned red noses and wooly hats, lined up for a chance to meet with the Danish royal Mary matched her outfit with a simple white t-shirt and accessorised with chic layered necklaces Princess Mary styled her brunette locks in soft curls, and her glam makeup enhanced her flawless complexion. Queen Margrethe looked thrilled with the arrival of her younger sister, Princess Benedikte of Denmark. The monarch welcomed her sibling, 79, with open arms and a beaming smile. Benedikte, the second daughter and child of King Frederick IX and Queen Ingrid of Denmark, opted for a purple look for the event. The royal looked radiant in a mid-length purple coat, which she paired with a cream blouse and a sleek pencil skirt. The royal seemingly saw the effectiveness of the clown programme, which launched in 2003, as she appeared to have a wide grin across her face at all times While the danish hospital has employed 61 clowns, the mother-of-four seemed particularly comfortable with two of them- Basta and Baglaens The family took to the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen to mark the opening of the Danish Parliament, as the first Tuesday in October is the first day of a new parliament and new year in Denmark. The event begins with prayers at the Christiansborg Palace Church before the royal's arrival. Later, the longest-serving member inaugurates the sitting in the Parliament Chamber. The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, and her husband, Bo Tengberg, were also in attendance. Mette Fredriksen, 45, the youngest prime minister in Danish history, donned a chic red dress while arriving hand in hand with her husband. Bon Tengberg looked dapper in a navy suit, which she paired with a crisp white shirt and crimson tie, following the colours of the Danish flag. The Prince of Wales has continued to demonstrate his commitment to green initiatives with a visit to Europe's largest climate tech hub, Sustainable Ventures, in London. William, 41, joined a series of discussions based on figuring methods to scale up small sustainable businesses earlier today. The father-of-three met with staff members from SatVu and appeared to listen intently as they spoke about their work efforts on advancing thermal imagery. At one point, it appeared as though William managed to lighten up the heavy conversation, as the group were photographed in a moment of laughter. Elsewhere during the day, William checked back in on a 2023 finalist of his EarthShot Prize competition, ENSO, a clear air-focused company. The Prince of Wales visited Sustainable Ventures earlier today, Europe's largest climate tech hub CEO of Sustainable Ventures, Andrew Wordsworth, greeted William upon his arrival. In his role, Andrew has worked to empower eco startups, helping with factors including investments, innovation, and workspace. The pair appeared to be in an animated conversation as they entered the London-based office. For the occasion, the royal looked dapper in a black suit, which he matched with a crisp blue shirt. The visit follows William's pledge to sustainable initiatives in the lead up to his EarthShot Prize awards, which is set to take place in Singapore next month. Prince William founded the awards in 2020, saying he wanted to turn 'current pessimism surrounding environmental issues into optimism by celebrating the people and places driving change. Every year between 2021 and 2030, an awards ceremony will honour winners in the prize's five categories, each of which tackles a particular environmental issue. Every winner is given 1million to support and scale their work. Announcing the destination of the Earthshot Prize ceremony in May this year, Prince William said: 'The Earthshot Prize is all about showing the world that solutions to some of the biggest environmental challenges we face are out there. William, 41, joined a series of discussions based on figuring methods to scale up small sustainable businesses The father-of-three met with staff from SatVu, a company focused on advancing thermal imagery William was greeted by several people across numerous green businesses throughout the day The royal seemingly lightened up the deep conversations as he shared a joke with staff members CEO of Sustainable Ventures, Andrew Wordsworth (pictured), greeted William upon his arrival and took him on a tour of the London-based office 'After two years of discovering impactful ideas and innovations, I am delighted that The Earthshot Prize is travelling to Singapore, where the ground-breaking solutions of our 2023 Finalists will be celebrated.' William has said that Earthshot was inspired by John F Kennedy's Moonshot programme which challenged America to put man on the moon and helped launch the Moon landing in 1969. Last year's winners included a British start-up, Notpla, which uses seaweed to make packaging. The ceremony last year, which was held in Boston, was attended by both of the Wales. However, this year, the Princess of Wales will not attend Prince William's Earthshot Awards ceremony because she wants to be at home to support Prince George during his exams. Kate, 41, will not travel to Singapore with her husband in November, and will instead stay with her eldest son George, 10, and his siblings Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, at the family residence in Windsor. The father-of-three met with staff members from SatVu and appeared to listen intently about their work efforts on advancing thermal imagery The Prince seemingly got on very well with staff members from SatVu- as they were photographed laughing William lightened up the heavy conversations learning about small businesses with cheerful laughter The father-of-three was seen with a wide smile across his face while he joined a discussion on scaling up startups The Daily Mail's Royal Editor, Rebecca English, has had confirmation that the royal won't be attending the glitzy event. It is understood 'Prince George has exams that week and she wants to be at home to support him.' The mother-of-three attended the previous two Earthshot Awards in Boston and London. Last year, Kate presented an award, while donning a rented lime green Solace London dress from fashion platform HURR. The Sabrina frock, by Solace London, cost 74 a night to rent. It was described by the platform as a 'floor length modern gown featuring an exaggerated neckline'. It boasted a 'body conscious fit', and a concealed closure belt to define the waist, as well as the brand's signature high kick split. She accessorised the look with an emerald choker that had previously been worn by Princess Diana. The necklace, which was gifted to Queen Mary in 1911 by the Ladies of India, was given to Diana by Queen Elizabeth, on lifetime loan. The gala held a clear green focus, and before guests arrived, they were reportedly given eco-friendly advice and rules to follow, with attendees encouraged to 'consider their clothing' for the occasion and opt for ensembles that can be re-used or have already been purchased second-hand. William looked particularly interested to hear about a small business called SatVu- which collects thermal data William shook hands with staff members from SatVu- a company that described itself as 'The world's thermometer' William looked particularly interested in hearing about the current projects the small businesses are currently undertaking William joined a discussion with a range of startups focused on their scaling up journey earlier today William had the opportunity to catch up with a 2023 Finalist of The Earthshot Prize in the "Clean Our Air" category during the visit Prince William was all ears during the discussion with staff members from sustainable startups William heard from a number of startups during the day and seemed fascinated to hear about their green projects Travel plans for guests were also given environmental updates: with all transportation being used with Boston being electric or hybrid and any 'unavoidable' flights that were taken have been 'recorded and the CO2e impacts calculated and balanced'. Upon their arrival at the event, it is thought that guests were treated to a host of ecologically-minded measures, from the plant-focused decor to the vegan and vegetarian-only catering options. Instead of a red carpet for the stars to walk down, a green carpet was used - and it was recycled afterwards. The entryway and the event itself featured over three acres of plants, including New England-grown evergreen and deciduous trees- all native and grown locally, according to Earthshot's new CEO Hannah Jones, formerly Nikes first chief sustainability officer. The stars hotel were also walking distance from the venue and everyone was encouraged to either use the tram or take a fleet of electrically-powered and hybrid taxis. Doritos Australia has announced the release of its new 'coriander' flavour - and it has already divided fans. Described as 'deliciously fragrant and indulgently soapy', the new flavour heroes one of the most controversial and divisive ingredients of all time. One in seven people carry a gene that causes the herb to taste like bar soap - and a few leaves of cilantro are enough to ruin a whole meal for them. The contentious treat is not available for purchase, but fans can get their hands on one of the 350 packets of chips by participating in the brand's Instagram giveaway by sharing their honest opinion on the herb. 25 lucky coriander lovers - or haters - will be chosen everyday from now until 5pm on 17 October. Doritos Australia has announced the release of its brand new 'coriander' flavour - and it has already divided devoted fans Vandita Pandey, Chief Marketing Officer ANZ, PepsiCo told FEMAIL: 'We know some Doritos fans are going to love it, but we also know some will hate it. 'With the taste of coriander being one of Australia's most divisive flavours, we want to boldly launch the flavour in chip form and see if coriander really does taste like soap.' Some fans have already shared their opinions - and no one seems to agree on anything. 'Oh my god, I love coriander!' one fan said. 'Almost as much as Cool Ranch - I am so down to try this.' 'I don't really mind coriander, it tastes all right in the right food so I'd be happy to give them a try,' another wrote. 'Yeah, coriander sucks a**,' a man said. Women are putting down their razors and popping on their cozzies for this year's 'hot, hairy girl summer'. The trend has been building over the last few years - with women demanding an end to the 'beauty standard' which demands they be smoothly shaved or freshly waxed. This is happening, for the most part, at the beach or swimming pool - with more women than ever before feeling confident to suit up for the surf, body hair or not. Speaking with FEMAIL, Bella Davis and Calita Fire, two women who have been using their strong online presence to promote body positivity and confidence revealed why they stopped shaving. Calita, who has 200,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, has had three 'hairy girl summers' in a row after ditching her razors for good. Calita Fire stopped shaving three years ago and has never looked back She said she had been removing her body hair religiously from the age of 13, because it was the done thing. 'We were just kids shaving so much of our bodies for so many years, thinking it was gross and shameful to have what it is utterly normal and natural,' she said. But then three years ago the Spanish beauty she participated in Januhairy and hasn't looked back. 'I continued because I liked it. I think more and more women and girls are asking themselves why they shave and who for,' she said. Body hair is coming back into fashion because we are waking up after being indoctrinated by mainstream beauty ideals that hurt women, shame them, and profit off their hang ups.' 'The more we reject those ideals the more we can make choices for ourselves, and frankly body hair is sexy and beautiful, I am so happy hairy girl summer is becoming a global movement!' The decision sparked the end of her relationship at the time. Bella Davis was always taught body hair was wrong - but has since embraced it as part of her body positivity journey 'My then lover told me if I didn't shave he would not be intimate with me anymore. I ended it with him and it sort of gave me more fuel to resist this ridiculous idea that to be feminine you need to be hairless,' she said. The rising popularity gives her hope people like her ex will have a reality check. 'Hopefully more men are challenging their own conditioning and bias towards hairless women! She says body hair has become accepted and even common in Spain - and she's happy to be able to celebrate smashing taboos. 'It really shouldn't be such a polarised sensationalised topic. It is natural,' she said. While Calita has just finished her third hairy girl summer - Australians like Bella are just kicking off. The body-positive influencer, who has 270k followers, and first started shaving at 12 now loves her body hair. She revealed she once had a particular dislike for her toe hairs. 'I used to feel so insecure about my toe hairs and feet and general but that's because I was told having hairy toes or feet wasn't feminine and attractive but now I know being feminine is whatever I want it to be and I don't owe attractiveness to anyone,' she said. Calita said she broke up with her boyfriend when he shamed her hair once she decided to grow it out 'Toe hairs are normal and it's just our bodies being bodies. Hair wouldn't grow their if it wasn't supposed to,' she said. In a recent viral video Bella explained women with hair 'aren't hairy like a man' they are imply 'hairy like a human'. The video was liked 240,000 times, revealing the rising acceptance of women with visible body hair. 'I won't be shamed into removing it because it's my personal choice to remove or grow my body hair. You don't have to be hairless to wear a bikini. Nor should you be pressured into doing so,' she said. Hairy Girl Summer is a theme trending on TikTok - with more than 32million views. But she says people don't comment or shame her now, in real life, just faceless trolls online Both women have copped comments on their videos from other women who don't want to stop removing their body hair - but say it is fine - people should just embrace the opportunity to choose with confidence. 'Yes it is normal but not everyone wants to see it. I have never seen a man walking around with his crutch hair hanging out,' one woman said. 'Then they shouldn't look,' said another in response. 'Humans have poop too. But we don't have to show them on social media,' said another. 'I'm hairy and I have dark hair and fair skin, so it's pretty obvious. I'm just now growing my arm hair back out because I had been shaving it because I was so self conscious about it. I'm done, it's literally just hair and anyone who doesn't like it is irrelevant,' said a third. A mum whose baby was sent away from hospital with Panadol despite having classic symptoms of meningitis is warning parents to 'stand up for their children'. Shiva Motlagh-Elbakri took her then four-month-old daughter Mytilini to Queensland Children's Hospital on their GP's advice in June 2022. The infant had also been arching her back and stiffening up every time her mum had tried to place her in her pram or change her nappy - which are symptoms of meningitis. Mytilini had already suffered a respiratory virus in the previous 12 days, but wasn't getting better and was screaming in pain - prompting her mother to take to the doctor, who discovered she had 39.1C fever. 'We got (to QCH) at about 3pm and she was given Panadol which brought the fever down. She ended up seeing a doctor at 6pm and then until we were discharged by 7.15pm,' Ms Motlagh-Elbakri told Daily Mail Australia. Shiva Motlagh-Elbakri took her then four-month-old daughter Mytilini (pictured) to Queensland Children's Hospital on their GP's advice Despite her concerns, she said the hospital only did a urine sample and told her that babies with meningitis must have a bulging fontanelle - which are soft spots on an baby's head. Because Mytilini didn't have this symptom, her mother was told it must just be a virus. 'According to what I now know, that's a late sign and there are specific reasons for babies that age to not have a bulging fontanelle because of gravity,' Ms Motlagh-Elbakri said. READ MORE: Mothers urge uni students to get jabbed against meningitis after losing their teens to deadly infection Mothers who lost their children to meningitis have urged university students to get a vaccine to protect against the deadly infection. First year students are at high risk of becoming infected with the bacteria as they tend to mix closely with lots of new people. Advertisement She said she was told that a hospital can't give a lumbar puncture, which would determine if a patient had meningitis, to every baby that has a fever. 'But the thing is that's wrong,' she said. 'There are specific guidelines from Queensland Health... according to the guidelines, they should have given her a lumbar puncture.' Mytilini did not improve over the next couple of days and became very lethargic. When her mum felt her head in the cot, she discovered her fontanelle was bulging 'like an egg'. They rushed back to QCH, where Mytilini was immediately treated with IV antibiotics and made a full recovery. 'I will always be thankful to the doctors who saved my girl's life that night, and to the infectious diseases doctors and the paediatrics team who treated her as she recovered slowly over the next 12 days,' Ms Motlagh-Elbakri said. 'I am grateful for every second with my daughter now I know that she was truly lucky to recover, and I recognise that not every family will have that experience.' A spokesman for Queensland Health said: 'This case has been investigated three times (including two external reviews one by the Office of the Health Ombudsmen) and all reviews found no fault with the care provided by Queensland Children's Hospital.' But the doting mother-of-two - she and her husband Ahmed also have a son who is 11 months older than Mytilini - is not prepared to let it go. 'I do really believe that she had meningitis the first time and I want to understand why because I really want to make sure this doesn't happen again. I didn't think it was a coincidence,' she said. In a letter Ms Motlagh-Elbakri sent to Queensland's Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, she said her daughter 'was treated 48 hours later than she should have been'. 'The signs were truly there, and I was saying it to the doctors at QCH, but I wasn't listened to. My concern was not taken seriously.' She also claimed the Queensland Health Guidelines were not properly followed. But Ms Fentiman told 7News that 'The advice from those reviews (was) that the care, at the time, was appropriate.' Ms Motlagh-Elbakri has now lodged an appeal with Queensland's Health Ombudsman, because she fears that what happened to her daughter will happen to other children and the outcome could be far worse. 'I genuinely don't want this to happen to other families,' she said. As well as campaigning on the issue (October 5 is World Meningitis Day), Ms Motlagh-Elbakri also lives with the constant fear of the long-term impacts meningitis may have on Mytilini. 'Every day I worry about the impacts this delayed treatment will have on her future,' she said. Shiva Motlagh-Elbakri (pictured right) worries every day about her daughter Mytilini (pictured left) Mytilini (second left) is pictured with her mum, Shiva, brother, Menam, and dad, Ahmed 'It's more than a 50 per chance that she will have some kind of learning or cognitive or behavioural deficit as a result of this.' Ms Motlagh-Elbakri advises other parents who may be caught up in a similar situation to 'advocate for your child'. 'If you think that they're not acting normally, make that really clear (to the doctors), because you know your child best... a baby cannot speak (for themself).' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Fentiman for further comment. READ MORE: Young law graduate who had just come back from Bali went to hospital with 'flu-like' symptoms and never came home When Bella Fidler returned from a post-exam celebration holiday to Bali she had everything to look forward to. But the law graduate from the Gold Coast would be dead within a week after having contracted meningococcal B, which can cause deadly bacterial meningitis. Advertisement Sadiq Khan was today branded 'politically courageous' by the World Health Organization's (WHO) climate chief for pushing through with the ULEZ expansion. London's mayor sparked outrage with his decision to widen the scheme to cover all 32 boroughs, which kicked in at the end of August. Protestors angered by the levy 12.50 a day for cars that fall short of the emissions standard have even taken to destroying cameras. Maria Neira, the WHO's environment, climate change and health director, said the backlash was expected. London 's mayor sparked outrage with his decision to widen the scheme to cover all 32 boroughs, which kicked in at the end of August. But Maria Neira (right), the WHO's environment, climate change and health director, today said the backlash was expected. She compared it to the frustration surrounding the indoor smoking ban in 2007, which ended up making people 'happier'. Pictured, Dr Neira with Spain's Queen Letizia and Tedros Adhanom, the WHO's director general She compared it to the frustration surrounding the indoor smoking ban in 2007, which ended up making people 'happier'. Speaking to the British Medical Journal (BMJ), she said: 'We are now looking at [Khan] with a lot of interest. 'If he succeeds (with the ULEZ expansion having health benefits outweighing the downsides) we need to use this example for all mayors around the world. 'It would be really very bad if we lost this battle in terms of public health.' London pollution levels frequently break recommended limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM2.5 particles in the air invisible to the human eye but able to get into blood and penetrate deep into the lungs. The particles are mainly produced by burning fossil fuels, such as from traffic and power generation, and have been liked to everything dementia to heart disease. When Khan announced the expansion in November 2022, he said the purpose was to 'clean up London's toxic air and tackle the climate emergency'. Sadiq Khan made a controversial decision to widen the scheme to cover all 32 boroughs. The expanded scheme, which began in late August, now sees motorists slapped with a 12.50 daily fee for using their vehicle within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, unless they meet the required emissions standards This came after researchers from Imperial College London estimated that around 4000 deaths in London in 2019 could be attributed to air pollution. A 2022 a TfL-commissioned review also uncovered a plethora of benefits of expanding the scheme. 'All socio-economic groups would benefit from reductions in average concentrations of NO2 and PM2.5, including approximately 1.5million people living in the bottom two deciles of deprivation in Greater London,' it said. These included reduced admissions for respiratory admissions, asthma cases, stroke and coronary heart disease. But the scheme has faced severe opposition from politicians, while protestors aiming to sabotage the scheme have clashed with ULEZ wardens. Some 595 cameras have been damaged and 200 stolen over the past six months, the Met Police also confirmed this week. 'Regarding ULEZ or other initiatives, they always come with controversy,' Dr Neira told the BMJ. 'Anytime you touch a commercial interest, an economic interest, you will have a very strong reaction. And part of this reaction will come in the form of conspiracy theories.' London pollution levels frequently break recommended limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM2.5 particles in the air that are invisible to the human eye but can get into the blood and penetrate deep into the lungs. The particles are mainly produced by burning fossil fuels, such as from traffic and power generation, and have been liked to everything dementia to heart disease What are the London ULEZ required emissions standards? To meet the ULEZ emissions standard in London, all vehicles must meet the required Euro emissions standard for their vehicle and emission type. The ULEZ standards are: Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (L category) Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles Advertisement But she also criticised politicians who speak about climate change, yet fail to act. She said: 'Sometimes you see big politicians talking and using the language of an activist, which is great. 'But then don't forget that they have the power. You are the prime minister, so don't tell me, tell yourself and then make the right decisions.' Air pollution is known to cause lung cancer. Although smoking remains the biggest risk factor for the disease which accounts for 34,800 deaths in the UK annually outdoor air pollution causes roughly one in 10 cases. An estimated 6,000 people who have never smoked die of lung cancer every year in the UK, some of which may be due to air pollution exposure. Medics and health charities have been hugely welcoming of any scheme to expand ULEZ. In an editorial by the BMJs editor-in-chief Kamran Abbasi and colleagues today, they also warned ULEZ has been 'presented as unpopular and harmful, despite surveys showing more support than opposition and evidence of their public health benefit'. Recent back pedalling on climate targets in the UK 'illustrates how denialism and delay are too often chosen over political commitment and courage', they also argued. The 2022 Tfl-commissioned review, however found the proposed ULEZ expansion would only result in 'a minor reduction (-1.3 per cent) in the average exposure of the population of Greater London to NO2'. It would also only see 'negligible reductions (-0.1 per cent) in average exposure to PM2.5', it said. However, the report only factored in the effects widening the ULEZ would have on cancer using one type of pollutant PM2.5. The analysis did not include cancer incidence estimates for NO2, considered one of the most dangerous types of pollutant due to uncertainties on this data. But this was not the first time Mr Khan has been criticised over data used back up the controversial scheme. Earlier this year in February, doubts were cast over a figure published by the Mayor to justify the scheme where he claimed toxic air led to the premature deaths of 4,000 Londoners. In an open letter to those opposing his plans, Mr Khan highlighted what that meant for certain boroughs in the capital. 'Research by Imperial College London shows Bromley has the highest premature deaths linked to air pollution with an estimated 204 lives lost in 2019,' he wrote. But Bromley Council leader Colin Smith hit back, saying said the study commissioned by City Hall 'chose to ignore Bromley's much older population profile'. He said many elderly residents spent 'their younger years in inner London experiencing the smogs and smoke-filled pubs of yesteryear'. He added: 'It is complete nonsense.' READ MORE: Researchers develop oral shot to kill Covid before it infects body An experimental combination vaccine for the flu and Covid could be just as effective as getting two separate shots, clinical trials found. The vaccine, developed by pharmaceutical giant Moderna, has been tested in ongoing Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in adults ages 50 to 79, the most vulnerable groups for both diseases. Researchers found it elicited 'strong' immune responses and is safe, the company announced Wednesday. The results come as less than one in five Americans have rolled up their sleeves for the updated Covid boosters, and two-thirds said they wouldn't give it to their children. Moderna will begin Phase 3 testing in adults over 50 later this year. An experimental combined vaccine from Moderna for the flu and Covid could be just as effective as getting two separate shots, clinical trials found Less than one-fifth of US adults plan to get the updated Covid booster, and about two-thirds do not plan to have their children get it. Moderna estimates there will be 50 to 100 million Covid vaccine doses given this year Stephane Bancel, Moderna's chief executive officer, said: 'With today's positive results from our combination vaccine against flu and COVID-19, we continue to expand our Phase 3 pipeline. 'Flu and COVID-19 represent a significant seasonal burden for individuals, providers, healthcare systems and economies. Combination vaccines offer an important opportunity to improve consumer and provider experience, increase compliance with public health recommendations, and deliver value for healthcare systems. 'We are excited to move combination respiratory vaccines into Phase 3 development and look forward to partnering with public health officials to address the significant seasonal threat posed to people by these viruses.' The ongoing trial compared the safety of the combination vaccine, dubbed mRNA-1083, in adults ages 65 to 79 to that of the standard flu shot in adults ages 50 to 64. They also measured mRNA-1083 against the updated Covid booster in both groups. In the Phase 1/2 study, mRNA-1083 had antibody levels similar or greater to those ILLICITED BY both the flu shot and the updated Covid vaccine when given separately. The combination vaccine also had a similar safety profile to the Covid shot and included headaches, soreness at the injection site, swelling, and fatigue, and there were no additional safety concerns. Moderna is aiming for the combination vaccine to be approved by 2025. This isn't the first two-in-one vaccine in development. In December, Pfizer announced its own shot that targets the Omicron Covid variant and its offshoots, as well as four strains of influenza. A spokesperson from the company previously told DailyMail.com there were no plans to develop this vaccine to replace the standard two-dose jab. Annaliesa Anderson, chief scientific officer in vaccine research and development at Pfizer, said mRNA technology was 'well suited' to tackling other viruses. 'Pfizer is deeply proud of our continued work to explore its potential to protect against influenza and Covid in one combination vaccine,' she said. 'We think [this] could simplify immunization practices against these two respiratory pathogens, potentially leading to better vaccine uptake for both diseases. 'Even with existing seasonal influenza vaccines, the burden of this virus is severe across the world, causing thousands of deaths and hospitalizations every year.' A combination vaccine may increase the chances a person receives a fly and Covid vaccine because it will eliminate multiple visits to a doctor or urgent care to get both doses. Less than one-fifth of US adults plan to get the updated Covid booster, and about two-thirds do not plan to have their children get it. Moderna estimates there will be 50 to 100 million Covid vaccines given this year. As of last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate there have been 83.6 million doses of the flu shot distributed during the 2023-2024 flu season. Ultra sensitive 3D body scanners are a 'huge step' forward in treating cancer, dementia and other serious illnesses, health chiefs said last night. According to experts, the 'game-changing' high-tech machines can do a full-body scan of an adult in five minutes and a child in one minute. They provide a single scan of the body rather than multiple images like current machines making them faster and more sensitive, so they can potentially detect smaller tumours and abnormalities. In a UK first, two of the machines will be available to patients after being installed at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust in London and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. The PET-CT scanners can be used for cancer patients to detect if the disease has spread or show in precise detail if a treatment has worked to fully shrink a tumour. Ultra sensitive 3D body scanners are a 'huge step' forward in treating cancer , dementia and other serious illnesses, health chiefs said last night (File Photo) For heart disease sufferers, they can show if medications are working to clear blockages within blood vessels. And for dementia patients they can show the build-up of harmful molecules in the brain. There are around 70 PET-CT scanners in the UK, which require a patient to have a mildly radioactive substance injected into their body which sticks to tumours or blood clots to show their location. But the sensors on these machines typically only pick up radiation covering an area of about 20 centimetres (eight inches). It means patients have repeated scans taken at multiple time points as they are pushed through the machine, with the images being stitched together. A full-body PET scanner has far more sensors covering an area four times larger and is capable of imaging most of the body at once. Not only are the images likely to be more detailed and detect smaller tumours, they also require a lower dose of radioactive substance for patients potentially making them safer and faster for children. According to experts, the 'game-changing' high-tech machines can do a full-body scan of an adult in five minutes and a child in one minute (File Photo) READ MORE: Ground-breaking warhead drug means the cure for lung cancer may FINALLY be on the horizon Advertisement The full-body machines will result in much quicker images, with current scanners taking 20 minutes for adults and ten minutes for young children. Dr Sam Godfrey, of Cancer Research UK, said: 'This technology could be a game-changer... in understanding the impact of cancer on the whole body.' Professor Lucy Chappell, chief scientific adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, called the development 'a huge step for clinical research'. The project has been backed by 32million from the Government via the UK Research and Innovation Infrastructure Fund. Dr Juliana Maynard, of Medicines Discovery Catapult, said: 'Total-body PET scanners can detect serious diseases with unprecedented speed and accuracy.' Dozens of schoolgirls in Kenya have been hospitalised with a mystery paralysing 'illness'. Concerned health officials in the African nation have launched a probe to discover the cause of the bizarre outbreak, warning it could have 'disastrous' consequences should it happen to be infectious. Local media reports 95 students were suddenly struck down at an all-girls school in Musoli, a town 232 miles (374km) north west of Nairobi. Alarming footage circulating online claiming to be of the crisis shows pupils at the school struggling to walk, being carried by friends and shaking uncontrollably. Bed-bound kids are also seen convulsing in what appears to be a hospital. Doctors are currently baffled as to what triggered the sudden outbreak. Samples of blood and urine from girls struck down have been sent to labs. However, some experts have cast doubt on the illness, suggesting it may be a case of 'mass hysteria'. Education bosses have also, according to local news outlets, said there are fears 'the majority are feigning their sickness' with end of year exams only weeks away. Local media reports state that the pupils were suddenly left struggling to walk, while videos posted on social media appear to show them unable to stand, experiencing convulsions and complaining of knee pain Susan Nakhumicha, the country's health premier, said no pathogens were identified among the St Theresa's Eregi Girls High School students. Addressing members of the National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Education and Governance, she said more tests would be carried out to determine the cause of the illness, according to local news site Daily Nation. 'We have been in contact with the director of public health and as of yesterday [Tuesday], there were 95 girls hospitalised,' Ms Nakhumicha said. 'By the end of today [Wednesday], we anticipate having a comprehensive report. 'So far, five tests have been conducted and no pathogens have been identified.' She added: 'However, additional samples have been sent to Kenya Medical Research Institute in Nairobi for further analysis.' However, the BBC reported that experts believe it could be a case of 'mass hysteria' and said pupils threw stones at Government officials who showed up at their school. Jared Obiero, the western region director of education, told Daily Nation that some of the students may be unwell but the majority could be 'feigning their sickness'. He said: 'Form three students were to start their end of year exams on Wednesday, but some of them are opposing the school programme, claiming they are not ready for exams.' This means some of the students' symptoms 'may not be genuine', he added. Government officials said 95 students from a school some 232 miles (374 kilometres) northwest of Nairobi, had been struck down Conflicting reports in local newspapers saw confusion over whether the school had temporarily closed. But the ministry of education yesterday confirmed it remains open. However, some parents have chosen to take their children out of school. Local newspapers reported that Dr Steven Wandei, the director of medical services in Kakamega county, where the school is situated, urged them against doing so. They reported he said: 'We have not established the nature of the disease that has affected the students. 'Taking them home could be risky because, if the disease is infectious, it is likely to wipe out the entire family.' In a similar case in 2015, 40 school children in the UK were treated by ambulance crews for anxiety-based nausea and faintness. The children from Outwood Academy in Ripon, North Yorkshire, had all attended a remembrance service in its assembly hall. Fire brigade specialists dispatched to the incident found no signs of hazardous materials, but found the hall was warm. In what appeared to be a case of mass hysteria, North Yorkshire fire service suspected that a handful of children fainted, with the rest developing symptoms driven by anxiety that rippled through the school. The first American woman to receive a vaccine scientists hope will prevent recurring bouts of an aggressive type of breast cancer said it has changed her life. Jennifer Davis, a 46-year-old nurse and mom of three from Ohio was the first of 15 women in a clinical trial to have received the three-dose series of the vaccine as part of a Cleveland Clinic-run study, which involves patients who completed chemotherapy treatment for a specific form of breast cancer in the past three years. In 2018, Ms Davis was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, a form of the disease that makes up about 10 to 15 percent of breast cancer cases that can reoccur in between bouts of remission. Human trials of the vaccine, which was developed to prevent the cancer from striking more than once, began in 2021 and Ms Davis received her third and final shot that same year. She has been in remission for five years. Now, the researchers have set their sights on recruiting women who have never had triple-negative cancer but are at higher risk in a bid to see if the vaccine could prevent the cancer from attacking in the first place. 46-year-old Jennifer Davis was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2018. She was enrolled soon after in the Cleveland Clinic cancer vaccine trial and received her third and final shot in fall 2021 Triple-negative breast cancer only makes up about 10 percent of all breast cancers, yet it accounts for roughly 40 percent of deaths. It also recurs often, meaning women who have it likely have to go through multiple of chemotherapy and other strenuous therapies Jennifer Davis noticed a lump in her breast in February 2018 and underwent a biopsy to rule out cancer. And it did at first. But as months went by, the lump got bigger and doctors decided to conduct another biopsy in September 2018. Thats when doctors detected the cancer and diagnosed her with triple-negative breast cancer. Following the news, Ms Davis was quick to seek out the best treatments available. She began chemotherapy and underwent a double mastectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the breasts, followed by 26 rounds of radiation. The triple-negative breast cancer was still in stage two, meaning it had not yet spread to other parts of her body. Ms Davis has been cancer free for five years and credits the vaccine with changing her life This led her to the Cleveland Clinics Phase 1 trial, which was decades in the making, to test a series of shots that target a lactation protein, -lactalbumin. This protein is found in breast milk during late pregnancy and lactation, but is also extremely prevalent in cases of human triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC). The vaccine targets this protein if cancer develops and will prompt a strong immune system response to attack the tumor and prevent it from growing. Now, with five years of remission under her belt and no signs the cancer will return, Mrs Davis has said: Its changed my life. I dont think about recurrence every single day. Blood testing and immune system assays have shown no signs of recurrence or negative side effects. Dr Megan Kruse, breast medical oncologist for Cleveland Clinic, said: There is a window of time after a patients diagnosis and treatment that they are eligible for this study, and thankfully Jen was still within that window and actually became our first patient who enrolled in the trial and got treated with the vaccine. Cells in triple-negative breast cancer do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors, which are proteins on certain tumor cells that hormones stick to, allowing cancer cells to grow and multiply. Women like Ms Davis with triple-negative breast cancer also lack a sufficient amount of Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) which plays a major role in keeping breast cells healthy by controlling how fast they divide, grow, and repair themselves. Ms Davis was quick to seek treatment, which is key to increasing the odds of survival. If detected and treated early, the five year survival rate exceeds 90 percent. But if the cancer has already spread, that rate falls to about 12 percent The vaccine targets a protein called -lactalbuminm which only exists in the body when a woman is lactating or during breast cancer formation. The vaccine trains the immune system to destroy cells making that protein, meaning that when cancer cells arise, the immune system will destroy them and they will never have a chance to multiply into a tumor Dr Justin Johnson, program manager at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, and co-developer of the vaccine, told Yahoo Life: The side effects have generally been mild, consisting mainly of irritation at the injection sites. Our data so far shows that we have generated robust immunity to the alpha-lactalbumin target in the majority of the subjects, even at the lowest dose tested. All triple-negative breast cancer is HER2-negative, which is also the most common form of breast cancer overall, accounting for nearly 80 percent of cases. Triple-negative cancer specifically only makes up 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancer cases, yet it accounts for an estimated 40 percent of deaths due to breast cancer. Mrs Davis said: I did not know a lot about [it] when I was diagnosed, but going through everything, you learn so much. Its just that kind of breast cancer that particular type theres nothing I can take afterward, no tamoxifen [a type of hormone therapy], and recurrence is high. If it does come back, outcomes are not the greatest. Women who start treatment in the early stages of the disease are on average, about 91 percent as likely as women who dont have that cancer to live for at least five years after being diagnosed. But if the cancer has spread elsewhere throughout the body such as to the lungs, bones, or liver, that survival rate plummets to just 12 percent. So far, none of the 15 women initially included in the trial have seen their cancer return. Dr Amit Kumar, CEO of Anixa Biosciences, the company developing the vaccine, told DailyMail.com this summer: 'We might be able to eliminate breast cancer as a disease, just like we have eliminated polio and smallpox. We believe that within five years, it'll be on the market for people like Jenni, who had breast cancer and are worried about recurrence. A couple of years after that, it should be available for all women, including women who've never had breast cancer. It is very exciting.' Mrs Davis, for her part, said she was happy to be a part of the effort to hopefully eliminate this type of breast cancer entirely. Using the weight-loss shots Ozempic and Wegovy can increase the risk of severe gastrointestinal problems, adding to the ever-growing list of undesired side effects. People using weekly injections of Ozempic and Wegovy, which has the active ingredient semaglutide, for weight loss have a higher chance of pancreatitis, bowel obstructions and stomach paralysis. Experts warned that while rare, thousands of people could be at risk due to the drugs' rising popularity. Lead study author Mohit Sodhi, a medical student studying at the University of British Columbia, Canada, said: 'People who are otherwise healthy may be less willing to accept these potentially serious adverse events.' The causes of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis) are largely unknown, but it is thought to be a complication of diabetes, which is why many patients take Ozempic and Wegovy in the first place Wegovy and Ozempic work by triggering the body to produce a hormone called GLP-1 that is released naturally from the intestines after meals Previous research has shown that people taking the drugs for diabetes were at higher risk of pancreatitis, bowel obstructions and stomach paralysis. However, the recent study is the first to look at the effects of the drugs on the stomach and intestines in people taking the medication exclusively for weight loss. Scientists studied health insurance claim records of 16 million US patients, focusing on those who had been prescribed semaglutide or liraglutide another drug that induces weight loss between 2006 and 2020. The drugs help to increase the production of insulin and were originally developed for managing type 2 diabetes, but quickly began being prescribed off-label for people looking to lose weight. Researchers from the University of British Columbia analyzed the records to see how many patients developed one of four issues relating to the stomach or intestines and compared them with those using another weight loss drug, bupropion-naltrexone, which is sold under brand names such as Contrave and contains different ingredients. They found those using semaglutide, which binds to the GLP-1 receptor in the pancreas and brain, triggers hormones in the brain that keep the stomach full and tell the body to stop eating and avoid cravings. weight loss injections were 9.1 times more likely to suffer inflammation of the pancreas, which can require surgery, according to the findings published in JAMA. Those people were also 4.22 times more likely to develop a bowel obstruction, which can be deadly, and had a 3.67 times higher risk of gastroparesis, or 'stomach paralysis', which limits the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine. - Undigested food in the stomach can harden into a solid mass called a bezoar. These can cause nausea and vomiting and can even be life-threatening if they prevent food from passing into your small intestine, according to the Mayo Clinic. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, slows digestion in the stomach, helping people feel fuller for longer. It is thought, however, that in some cases, the stomach can take too long to empty, leading to stomach paralysis where food is left sitting in your stomach. A bowel obstruction may be caused by muscle or nerve issues that prevent the intestines from adequately contracting and moving food through the intestines. Originally approved for diabetes, Wegovy has since been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients with obesity. Ozempic is only approved to treat diabetics but is often provided off-label for weight loss. Both contain the same key ingredient, semaglutide, which suppresses appetite and has been hailed a game-changer for the resulting weight loss. Wegovy lists for more than $1,300 for a 28-day supply, while Ozempic is around $900 a month. Both should be prescribed by a doctor but there are concerns about people accessing the drugs online through unregulated providers. Dr Simon Cork, senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University in the UK, said the findings highlight the importance of accessing these drugs through trusted medical professionals, with ongoing support and monitoring. He said: 'It is vital that regulation is tightened to ensure that these drugs are only prescribed under the right circumstances. 'Whilst the likelihood of developing these conditions is still rare, when scaled up to the numbers who could potentially be prescribed these drugs we could start to see many people experiencing adverse effects from their use.' Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic, was not involved in the analysis and did not have any approved GLP-1 products in 2006, which is the earliest point in the dataset. A spokesman said gastrointestinal events are 'well-known side effects of the GLP-1 class.' He said: We recommend patients take these medications for their approved indications and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Treatment decisions should be made together with a healthcare provider who can evaluate the appropriateness of using a GLP-1 based on assessment of a patient's individual medical profile.' In August, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk were sued over claims their drugs caused stomach paralysis. Personal injury firm Morgan & Morgan took on a case on behalf of a 44-year-old Louisiana woman with diabetes who lost weight while taking the drugs, only to suffer later from severe stomach paralysis marked by such violent vomiting that she lost some teeth and required multiple trips to the hospital. The suit against Eli Lilly, which makes another drug used for weight loss called Mounjaro, and Novo Nordisk alleged the companies failed to warn consumers about the risk of gastroparesis, or paralysis of the stomach. It adds to a growing list of side effects of the drugs. As well as losing pleasure in food, people have reported having 'no desire' in activities they used to enjoy, such as drinking alcohol and gambling, allowing some to kick long-standing habits. The long-term effects of the drugs are still under investigation as the drugs are relatively new. Emerging research shows patients who stop taking the injectables are vulnerable to regaining all lost weight and may be required to stay on the medication for an extended period of time. READ MORE: I'm a massage therapist - this 10-second stretch will help back pain A chiropractor in Illinois shared on TikTok that eating blueberries could stave off pesky back pain. Dr Jeff Winternheimer, based in Chicago, posted a video this week where he said that blueberries, which are packed with nutrients like antioxidants that reduce inflammation, are the ideal food to eat to avoid and prevent this type of pain. 'The number one food that you need to eat every day if you have back pain is blueberries,' he said in the video, which has 80,000 views. 'Eat more blueberries.' Eating antioxidant-rich foods like these berries could quell the symptoms of pain that affect more than 130 million Americans. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends eating one cup of blueberries once a day. Dr Jeff Winternheimer, a chiropractor in Chicago, posted a video this week where he said that blueberries, which are packed with nutrients like antioxidants that reduce inflammation, are the ideal food to eat to avoid back pain About 40 percent of Americans experience back pain, which adds up to more than 130 million people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Often considered a 'superfood,' blueberries are loaded with nutrients that support several aspects of health. These include fiber, vitamins C and K, and manganese. Manganese is a trace mineral that helps the body form connective tissue and bones and aids blood clotting. They are also low in calories, with one cup containing just 84 calories. These nutrients can reduce back pain by alleviating inflammation, which can lead to chronic pain. Additionally, blueberries are considered one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits. Antioxidants are compounds in foods that neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and increase the risk of chronic diseases. A 2019 study in the journal Nutrients suggested 'daily incorporation of whole blueberries may reduce pain, stiffness, and difficulty to perform daily activities' in people with osteoarthritis in their knees. Additionally, a small 2012 study of 10 female athletes found eating blueberries could speed up muscle recovery after intense leg exercises, leading to less pain. Research shows blueberries can also reduce pain in other areas. A Swiss study published in the journal Nutrients in May found eating blueberries reduced abdominal pain in people with gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Nearly 40 percent of Americans experience back pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which adds up to more than 130 million people. Tens of millions of Americans regularly visit porn sites to view adult content as part of a healthy sex life, but approximately 200,000 of these viewers have become so consumed with pornography it has severely impacted their lives. These people watch so much porn they have classified themselves as porn addicts, even though the medical field has still not reached a consensus on whether the condition is an addiction at all. There is a crucial difference between occasionally looking at porn, which can be a normal part of healthy sexuality, and becoming so consumed by the explicit fantasy scenarios that sex with a real-life partner loses its luster or a person finds themselves needing to watch an explicit video in the middle of the work day. Porn is not like alcohol or drugs and many mental health and addiction experts say that because it is not a substance, nor does it alter a persons brain chemistry, people cannot get hooked on porn itself. Rather, some experts say its a persons own personal conflicts toward sex, such as shame, that convinces them they are addicted. Still, there is a neurological foundation to support arguments that, like alcohol and stimulants, compulsive pornography viewing inundates the brain with feel-good chemicals that leave people wanting more. Millions of people watch porn as an escape from their daily anxieties or relationship problems, but it becomes a problem when the user has abandoned their normal responsibilities, whether professional or personal, and when relationships, such as with a monogamous partner, become strained. Porn can be a healthy part of someone's sex life, but when it begins to affect other aspects of life, such as family time and work responsibilities, it may be a problem Roughly three to six percent of the US adult population engage in problematic pornography use, or what they deem a porn addiction Statistics estimate that 70 percent of men 18 to 34 years old visit a porn site in a typical month. Even young people, especially teen boys who make up the largest consumer group of porn, can access explicit sexual content with relative ease, especially given online porn makes up 12 percent of all internet sites. A survey from the Indiana University Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction reported nine percent of porn watchers wanted to stop but found they couldnt. When people, primarily men, notice themselves withdrawing from their partners and losing satisfaction in sexual relationships, becoming desensitized and needing to consume more extreme content, and setting aside responsibilities in order to dedicate more time to porn, it may be a sign of a porn addiction - despite many leading authorities in psychology and addiction research maintaining it is not a real condition. While the issue is more common among men, one in six women have also reported struggling with a porn addiction. The American Psychological Association, the countrys foremost authority on advancing mental health research and the largest professional organization for psychologists, does not recognize the habit as an addiction. Additionally, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the authoritative guide for diagnosing mental disorders used all over the world and authored by the APA, does not recognize porn addiction as an official diagnosis. The reason is rooted in ongoing debate about what is at the root of a porn addiction.' One camp of psychologists, including Dr Vincent Egan and Dr Reena Parmar from the University of Leicester in the UK, say uncontrollable porn consumption may be more of a compulsion than an actual addiction. In a 2013 report published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, Drs Egan and Parmar said: Our results lend themselves to the practical and clinical consideration of treatment and therapy for sexually compulsive persons, or those excessively preoccupied with Internet pornography. Meanwhile, some believe what people might perceive as an addiction is more a manifestation of ones cultural or religious beliefs that inform how they view sex. A person who was raised in a very religious and/or conservative home, for instance, may feel immense shame as part of their porn viewing and convince themselves they must be addicted. Dr Nicole Prause, a neuroscientist who specializes in sex psychology said: Porn is a positive influence, on average, for the vast majority of adults who choose to view it. The best predictor of distress about your own porn viewing is having a conservative or religious upbringing, and this distress appears to disappear on its own without intervention in longitudinal studies (i.e., people tend to grow out of their worry naturally as they understand sexuality better). The lack of consensus means there is no standard treatment for what could be deemed a porn addiction. Like sex addiction, another controversial diagnosis in the field of psychology for similar reasons, many people find relief in 12-step programs alcoholics use in their recovery. It begins with admitting porn is a problem that has spun out of control. Other steps in the program include making a decision to fix the problem and improve your life and making amends with people you've hurt because of your addiction. Treatment could also mean one on one talk therapy with a licensed professional, known as cognitive behavioral therapy. And there are dedicated mental health practices to specifically focused on sex and porn addiction. BOOK OF THE WEEK T.V. Big Adventures on the Small Screen by Peter Kay (HarperCollins 25, 320pp) The moment I first saw Peter Kay, 25 years ago now, I knew he was a comic genius. It was that scene in Phoenix Nights, the series about the shabby nightclub up North, where Brian Potter, the disabled grouch in charge, got his wheelchair behind the bar and used a cut-glass vase to reach the whisky optics. When it was released on DVD, 160,000 copies were sold in the first week. Kay seemed to me a mixture of Ronnie Barker and the younger, chubbier Boulting Brothers period Peter Sellers. Funny man: Peter Kay dressed in his famous purple suit for 2005 Amarillo Comic Relief video It never seemed as if he was acting, in the sense of being theatrical or showing off. He simply became all these different colourful characters, his voice and demeanour, gesture and stance, shifting almost imperceptibly as he turned into the curmudgeonly, tight-fisted Brian, warm-hearted Max the bouncer, Paul Le Roy from Chorley FM (Coming in your ears), Pearl Harman, service station manageress (I dont care whose it is or what it is, but its floating), and Geraldine, the trans Ulster dinner-lady, star of Britains Got The Pop Factor. Interestingly, Kay and Barker corresponded, we learn from this new book. The elder actor, whod retired to run an antiques shop in Chipping Norton, could see that this talented, irrepressible comedian from Bolton was his successor and at one point Barker sent Kay a clipping about the HBO film The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers, based on my biography, asking: What are we going to have next? Peter Kay as Ronnie Barker? It would be ideal casting, in fact, Kay as Barker, especially as when he was growing up, Kay worshipped Porridge and Open All Hours, let alone The Two Ronnies. Indeed, he worshipped everything about television Kay couldnt wait to come home from school or finish his newspaper round to be back in front of the telly, where he recorded programmes on a cassette player. Shows would be punctuated with his grandparents chuntering in the background: Stan, its time for your angina tablets. On the wooden-cased televisions or black and white portables, Kay, born in 1973, watched Stig Of The Dump, Rentaghost, Take Hart, The Krypton Factor and Paint Along With Nancy. He knew his way around the schedules, lapping up everything produced by regional broadcasters, Tyne Tees, Grampian, Anglia, Thames and Granada. Kay avidly read Look-in, the magazine centred on ITVs childrens programmes, and still remembers features about hunky motorcyclist Barry Sheene, dead at 51 from oesophageal cancer, and Richard OSullivan, star of Man About The House, a 1970s sitcom. Up in his loft, Kay still keeps old copies of the Christmas Radio Times. He is a connoisseur of recondite theme tunes, from Hong Kong Phooey to Fraggle Rock. Car Share (pictured) in 2015 was about nothing except colleagues travelling to work along the A6 in a Fiat 500 between Salford and Bolton. But it was also about everything: love, loneliness, hopes, fading hopes I doubt if anyone has ever studied the medium more than Kay, who went to Salford College to do a HND in Media Performance. He won lots of awards for the stand-up act he started to devise as a student and everyone said: You should be on television. Kay won more awards North West Comedian of the Year; a Perrier nod at the Edinburgh Festival and television executives did indeed start taking an interest, inviting him for meetings in London. Kay gained experience in numerous small roles, including Coronation Street. He was surprised to discover Fred Elliott talked posh in real life and Maud could actually walk. There were daytime shows at Pebble Mill (for 700), and Kays book contains hilarious stories of the stars he encountered. Keith Chegwin, for example, was such an alcoholic, he drank the windscreen wash from his cars wipers. Maggie Philbin, his wife at the time, got suspicious when he insisted on cleaning the car five times a day. Or then there was Rod Hull, who couldnt sign autographs because his writing hand was up the bird. Jimmy Savile was predictably creepy. When Kay attempted an embrace, Savile recoiled: Dont hug me. The last person who hug-ged me is now in traction. He talked nonsense and made lots of noises, yodels, whines and whistles, and when kissing a womans hand his tongue darted out and licked her palm, the dirty old perv. Invited, aged 26, to make a series of specials for Channel 4, That Peter Kay Thing, Kay has never looked back. I instantly felt completely comfortable and at home. To write the mock documentaries about the service station, bingo hall, ice-cream wars and working mens nightclub, Kay drew upon his stash of notebooks and bags of scraps of paper, brimming with thoughts, ideas, jokes, bits of conversation Id heard in the street. Peter also joined the cast of Coronation Street at one point. Pictured alongside Shelley, played by Sally Lindsay Like Lancashires other comic greats, Victoria Wood and Caroline Aherne, whom Kay nobly salutes in Big Adventures On The Small Screen, much play is given in his work to observational instincts the real things real people say: old ladies disbelieving news of power cuts, because the bus went past with its lights on. The delusions of a club bookings manager: I could have got Shirley Bassey last year but her agent said she wouldnt get changed in the toilets. Old ladies again: When we were young, we never had time for sex, we were too busy having babies. That Peter Kay Thing, narrated by a deadpan Andrew Sachs, led in 2001 to Phoenix Nights, which I have watched a thousand times the dramas about asthma-inducing fog machines at the disco and cork floors in The Pennine Suite; the duff acts, like the trapped escapologist, dancing pensioners, racist folk bands and brawling dwarves (How far away are they?); the Charity Fun Day, with mobility scooters for dodgems. Next came the spin-off series, Max And Paddys Road To Nowhere, about wastrels criss-crossing England in a motorhome. There was then a huge career hiatus, 11 years, until Car Share in 2015. About nothing except colleagues travelling to work along the A6 in a Fiat 500 between Salford and Bolton, it was also about everything: love, loneliness, hopes, fading hopes. Sian Gibson, whod been working in a call centre until Kay offered her the role, was touching and vulnerable as Kayleigh. T.V. Big Adventures on the Small Screen by Peter Kay ( HarperCollins 25, 320pp ) A cameo by Conleth Hill in drag was hysterical (Im sweating like a blind lesbian in a fish shop). BAFTA awards and Royal Television Society awards descended. Kay adores the mechanics of television, the catering wagons, make-up trailers, costume trucks (I found it all fascinating), but these days he has reverted to stand-up acts, chat show appearances (they offered a lot of money) and skits for Comic Relief. Few who saw it will forget Ronnie Corbett flying off the treadmill whilst singing Amarillo. Kay confesses, I even woke myself up at four the next morning, still laughing. In one important sense Kay is not at all like Peter Sellers thats to say, he has followed no cinema career. He is not known internationally. Even Ronnie Barker was Friar Tuck in Robin and Marian, with Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn. He co-starred with Maggie Smith in My House in Umbria. Kay, for all his successes, has remained local, smaller-scaled although this year he has just gone back on tour, and is already a sell-out. But maybe comedy will eventually lose him completely, for as he warns here, in this book his fans will gobble up: Comedy is such a minefield, with political correctness changing it all the time. Sometimes for the greater good, most of the time not. The Future of Geography by Tim Marshall (Elliott & Thompson 9.99, 336 pp) The Future of Geography by Tim Marshall (Elliott & Thompson 9.99, 336 pp) From its very beginning, human history has been shaped by space, but Marshall argues in his bestselling book that space is becoming an extension of the geography of the Earth, with terrestrial power struggles poised to continue in outer space. Tracing our understanding of space from its earliest observers, including the Greek philosopher Aristotle, to the space race between the U.S. and Soviet Union, Marshall identifies the three main spacefaring nations of the modern era: China, the U.S. and Russia. How they choose to proceed will affect everyone else on Earth. Marshalls conclusion is that humans will eventually settle on the Moon, Mars and beyond, but that we will probably not leave our earthbound power struggles behind. Babel by R. F. Kuang (Harper Voyager 9.99, 560 pp) Babel by R. F. Kuang (Harper Voyager 9.99, 560 pp) In 1829, Professor Richard Lovell travels to a squalid house in Canton where a young boy is the only survivor of a family who have all died of cholera. Renamed Robin Swift, he is taken to live at Professor Lovells home in Hampstead before being sent to Oxford to attend the towering Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel. The translation that Robin and his fellow students will study has a special purpose: Englands power is built on silver bars endowed with magical powers by matched pairs of words in different languages inscribed on them. But Robin is gradually drawn into a resistance movement, the Hermes Society, whose members question Babels role in enabling corrupt power structures. Kuangs award-winning dark fantasy finds Robin and his friends forced to decide whether to remain in their tower of privilege, or bring it crashing down. We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (Penguin 8.99, 240 pp) We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman (Penguin 8.99, 240 pp) Edi and Ash met at nursery school and have gone on to share a lifetime of memories. Ash sewed Edi into her wedding dress, supported her during IVF and rejoiced when her son was born. Now she faces the hardest task of all. Edi, 45, has terminal ovarian cancer. With no hospice place available near her home in Brooklyn, she moves into the Graceful Shepherd Hospice near Ashs home in New England. Here, her journey towards the end of life is filled with love, dark comedy and Sicilian lemon polenta cake. Navigating a tricky separation from her husband, Ash punctuates her vigil at Edis bedside with assignations with the handsome resident doctor and Edis brother, Jonah. Newmans clearsighted and bracingly funny first novel is a moving celebration of friendship, love and cherished memories. CAHOKIA JAZZ by Francis Spufford (Faber 20, 352 pp) CAHOKIA JAZZ by Francis Spufford (Faber 20, 352 pp) Spuffords previous novel, Light Perpetual, began with a V2 rocket killing five London schoolchildren, before proceeding to imagine the lives they never had. Knowing they were dead didnt stop you rooting for them, as if Spufford challenged himself to prove the power of storytelling. As that suggests, he has a gift for flesh-and-blood characters, but also loves a jazzy concept. Witness his new novel, a detective mystery set in Cahokia, a fictional city in an alternative 1922 America where the Native American population has not been decimated by smallpox. It begins with the discovery of the slashed-up body of a Ku Klux Klan member amid inflamed tensions in Cahokias ethnic melting pot. As a twisty investigation unfolds in the company of two cops one a frustrated jazz pianist genre comforts give the reader a toehold amid the counterfactual tinkering in a novel that proves Spuffords imaginative virtuosity has no obvious rival right now in English fiction. THE POSTCARD by Anne Berest (Europa 20, 464 pp) THE POSTCARD by Anne Berest (Europa 20, 464 pp) A bestseller in France, where it was nominated for the prestigious Goncourt prize, this pacy autobiographical history is a wrenching family saga of buried secrets and 20th-century bloodshed. It starts in January 2003, when the narrator, Anne, witnesses her mother receive an anonymous postcard containing nothing other than the names of her relatives killed in Auschwitz. Not until years later does Anne, now a parent herself, quiz her mother about the horrors faced by her Jewish forebears, which she investigates after her daughter is the target of anti-semitic abuse. Tracing the circuitous journey of her great-grandparents flight from revolutionary Russia in 1919 before settling fatefully in France, the book often has the feel of memoir before a bold dip into the perspective of her grandmother at work with the Resistance. Unbearably sad, yet not devoid of hope by the end, the result is an intimate epic of the ravages of the Holocaust in France. FAMILY MEAL by Bryan Washington (Atlantic 17.99, 320 pp) FAMILY MEAL by Bryan Washington (Atlantic 17.99, 320 pp) U.S. author Washington made a splash with his first book, Lot, a slangy, muscular story collection told in part by a young black gay Latino navigating sex, drugs and street violence in Houston, Texas. Next came Memorial, a gentle novel about the faltering romance between a nursery worker and a chef. His new book, wry as well as mournful, serves up more in that mode. It follows Cam, a drifting bartender who, in the wake of his boyfriends death, rekindles a childhood bond with TJ, whose parents raised him after he was orphaned. Their parallel stories unfold in zingy fragments that generate momentum in the face of the characters emotional stasis. Theres plenty of mouthwatering food writing Washington is a New York Times food critic and a fair bit of earnest speechifying. Still, you cant help but share the authors sense of wanting the best for his embattled cast. Homeowners interested in getting a heat pump fitted may be able to get one for free, or as little as 500 - avoiding the massive bills that have put many off replacing their gas boiler. One of the major public objections to replacing boilers with greener heat pumps is the installation cost. This varies widely depending on which type you pick and what type of property you own, but usually costs between 8,000 and 30,000. Not a fan: Many homeowners have been put off installing heat pumps due to the perceived high cost of fitting the devices Several firms, including Octopus Energy, British Gas and Ovo, have been competing to drive down the cost of installing a heat pump. Now Octopus Energy says its 'Cosy Octopus' heat pump can even be fitted for free, or for as little as 500. However, for that to happen the homeowner must own a property that does not need any upgrade work to make it suitable for a heat pump. This could include requiring new insulation, radiators or pipes. To get the 'free' Octopus heat pump, homeowners must also qualify for a large installation grant from the Government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The maximum level of this grant is currently 6,000, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will increase to 7,500 from October 23. How do heat pumps work? There are two kinds of heat pump. Air source heat pumps convert air from outside to water which heats your home via radiators or underfloor heating. Ground source heat pumps transfer heat from the ground outside to heat your home. Of the two, ground source air pumps are the most expensive to install and require more outside space. An Octopus Energy spokesperson said: 'Homes that don't need any additional work to fit 'Cosy Octopus' such as new radiators, piping or a hot water tank could potentially get the system for free even at the current level of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.' Homes that do need some upgrades to fit a heat pump can get the Octopus heat pump for around 3,000 after the grant, it added. British Gas also has a heat pump that can be installed from 499 plus the 7,500 grant. Ovo has also just announced it is launching a heat pump deal that could be installed for as little as 500 - again, provided a homeowner can get the full 7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. It has also created a Heat Pump Plus energy bill tariff, which it claims knocks 500 a year off the cost of running a heat pump. The energy firm says this makes it the cheapest way of running a heat pump in the country. Ovo said 35 per cent of the households it had spoken to said that the cost of running a heat pump was more important than the installation costs. Heat Pump Plus has two pricing systems, one for running the heat pump itself and one for the other electricity and gas a home needs. Ovo chief commercial officer Mat Moakes said: 'The UK is trailing far behind Europe on its heat pump installations. 'By halving the running costs of a heat pump, we're helping to level the playing field between gas boilers and heat pumps, making them a more viable option for those wanting to make the green switch to electric.' The Heat Pump Plus tariff is not yet live, but interested customers can register their interest on the Ovo website. Savings are minimal but energy prices may rise again next year Top suppliers have introduced fixed tariffs for new and existing customers Britain's big energy suppliers including British Gas have quietly been introducing fixed tariffs for its customers following a fall in the Ofgem price cap. Most households were moved from a fixed to a variable tariff during the energy crisis as wholesale prices soared. While variable tariffs are regulated by Ofgem's price cap, which fell from 2,074 a year to 1,834 this month, many households will still be longing for the stability of a fixed deal. Thankfully some suppliers have started to quietly introduce deals as the market starts to calm and wholesale prices dip. Energy suppliers have started to offer fixed tariffs to new and existing customers These deals are unlikely to be as favourable as they were prior to the crisis but are a move in the right direction. We look at the details of the best fixed deals for electricity and gas, how they compare and whether it's worth fixing. How do they compare? Ofgem's price cap sets out the amount customers will pay for a typical household who use gas and electricity and pay by direct debit. It means households will pay 1,834 for the year after Ofgem lowered the cap and what it considers 'average' energy use. British Gas currently has eight fixed tariffs on offer, with four available to new and existing customers. Its 'Fixed Oct24 v2' and 'The Fixed One v25' tariffs are for one year with customers paying an average of 1,953 and an exit fee of 75/fuel. Its two year fix is slightly higher at 1,975, with an exit fee of 100/fuel, and both one and two-year fixes are available to new customers. EDF offers a slightly better deal with an average customer paying 1,914 for both a one-year and three-year fix. This is available for new and existing customers. It says the three-year fix 'offers certainty and protects against rising costs over that period.' Shell Energy is offering fixed deals for both new and existing customers with a fix until January 2025 for 1,944. Has Ofgem's price cap changed? In August, Ofgem announced its price cap would fall from 2,074 to 1,923 for the average household. At the same time it changed what it considers to be 'average' energy use, because people are using less power than they used to because costs are higher. Using the old assumptions, the price cap is still 1,923, but under the new typical domestic consumption values (TDCV) this has fallen to 1,834. While higher than some other deals, monthly bills will come in at 162, while the EDF one-year fix will see customers paying 159 a month. Last month, Octopus Energy announced it would be acquiring Shell Energy's 2million customers. Octopus declined to comment on what would happen to Shell's existing fixed tariffs because the deal is pending regulatory approval. The three deals all offer negligible savings when compared to Ofgem's price cap in the immediate term. However, energy experts widely expect this to nudge slightly higher January, meaning if you locked in now, you may make some savings further down the line. Octopus Energy offers a slightly better deal with a one-year fix for 1,818 under the new Typical Domestic Consumption Value (TDCV). Uswitch says this would be a 16 saving against the 1 October price cap, which is set at 1,834 a year for a dual fuel household that pays by direct debit. While you will be saving, it'll be a meagre 1.33 a month. The best deal on the market currently is Utility Warehouse's Fixed Saver 7 tariff, which is available to new and existing customers. Households will pay 1,775 a year, making a saving of 59 a year, or 4.91 a month. However, in order to get this deal, households have to sign up for other utilities with the company. See below for Uswitch's full-list of fixed tariffs: CURRENT FIXED TARIFF DEALS Supplier Tariff Name Availability Average Bill Size Saving against Oct 1 cap Exit Fees Key Info Octopus Loyal Octopus 12M Fixed Existing customers only 1,818 16 75 per fuel Available to existing customers only via Octopus direct Sainsbury's Energy Fix and Reward Fixed 12m v2 New and existing customers 1,954 None 75 per fuel Available to new & existing customers via Sainsbury's direct Sainsbury's Fix and Reward Fixed 24m v1 (24 month) New and existing customers 1,961 None 150 per fuel Available to existing customers only via Sainsbury's direct E.ON Next Next Fixed 12m v2 New and existing customers 1,944 None 75 per fuel Available to new customers via E.ON Next directly Next Fixed 24M v1 (24 month) New and existing customers 1,952 None 150 per fuel Available to new customers via E.ON Next directly OVO 1 Year Fixed 13 September 2023 New and existing customers 1,984 None 75 per fuel Customers to access tariff info via 'My Account' 1 Year Fixed + Boiler Cover 13 September 2023 New and existing customers 1,884 None 75 per fuel Customers to access tariff info via 'My Account' 1 Year Fixed + Greener Energy 13 September 2023 Existing customers only 2,084 None 75 per fuel Customers to access tariff info via 'My Account' British Gas Fixed Oct24 v2 / The Fixed One v25 New and existing customers 1,953 None 75 per fuel Available to both new and existing customers Fixed Sep25 v1 / The Fixed One 24M v1 (24 month) New and existing customers 1,975 None 100 per fuel Available to both new and existing customers Smart Oct 24 v2 / Smart Fixed v6 Existing customers only 1,905 None 75 per fuel Must have a smart meter Smart Fixed 24M v1 / Smart Sep25 v1 (24 month) Existing customers only 1,928 None 100 per fuel Must have a smart meter EDF EDF Essentials 1Yr Oct24v2 New and existing customers 1,914 None 75 per fuel Available to new and existing customers via EDF direct EDF Essentials 3Yr Sep26v3 New and existing customers 1,914 None 200 per fuel Available to new and existing customers via EDF direct Shell Energy Energy January 2025 New and existing customers 1,944 None 75 per fuel Available to new & existing customers only via Shell direct So Energy So Juniper One Year New and existing customers 1,950 None 75 per fuel Available via Uswitch.com, Quidco, MSM, LES and GoCo and SoE direct Utility Warehouse Fixed Saver 7 New and existing customers 1,775 59 75 per fuel Bundle tariff - Requires customers to sign up to 2 other products Fixed 7 New and existing customers 1,900 None 75 per fuel Bundle tariff - Requires customers to sign up to 1 other product Scottish Power Help Beat Cancer Green Flexi SR October 2024 DM1 Online New and existing customers 1,971 None 100 per fuel Available to new & existing customers via ScottishPower direct Help Beat Cancer Green Flexi October 2024 CM1 Online New and existing customers 1,971 None 100 per fuel Available to new & existing customers via ScottishPower direct Source: Uswitch.com. Correct as of 5 October 2023. Beware exit fees Unlike standard variable tariffs, fixed tariffs tend to charge exit fees if you choose to leave the contract. This could cost you up to 200 per fuel, depending on the supplier and how long the contract is. For example, you will be charged 75 per fuel on EDF's one-year deal and 200 per fuel for the three-year fix, to 'reflect the risks associated with offering a longer term fix.' British Gas customers will be charged 75 per fuel for a one-year contract and 100 for a two-year deal. Is it worth fixing? The volatility of the energy market makes it difficult to predict where bills might be a year from now. That's why it's difficult to categorically say whether a fixed deal is the best option. For some households, having the peace of mind that if prices rise, you'll be paying the same rate. It does mean that you will miss out on any potential savings, should unit rates fall. The fixed deals on offer seem cautious, probably because wholesale prices remain volatile and the suppliers are hedging their bets. Energy experts Cornwall Insight think it is unlikely that energy prices will significantly fall in the coming months. Dr Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight said: 'Our predictions for 2024 show prices continuing to languish well above pre-pandemic prices - something which is currently forecast to remain the case for the remainder of the decade.' It is also worth remembering that the first three months of the year typically see higher wholesale prices. Something else you might want to consider is that standing charges are creeping higher. Cornwall Insight predicts the typical electricity standing charge for homes on the price cap could reach 60p a day by next summer, with gas standing charges at 30p. This would bring your standing charge bill for next year to 328.50. A fixed tariff may help to protect you from any further hikes in charges. Also, to get a fair comparison of whether it is worth switching to a fix, you'll need to check the unit rates combined with the standing charge rates, to see how it compares to what you are paying now. Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com says: 'With the price cap predicted to rise in January, households on standard variable tariffs rates might value the certainty offered by a fixed tariff. 'Fixed tariffs may be priced similar to or slightly higher than standard variable tariffs, however you have the peace of mind that the rates will not change for 12 months. 'If you're thinking of switching to a fixed deal, pay attention to any exit fees, which could cost up to 200 per fuel. If you change your mind after the cooling-off period or spot a better deal you wish to switch to, you may need to pay to leave. 'Make sure you look at the unit price and standing charge so you can understand how much you will pay for your energy usage and how it differs from what you are currently charged.' Luxury car firm Rolls-Royce will have a British boss for the first time in 14 years as long-standing chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos has announced he is to retire from the helm of the company at the end of next month. He will be replaced by Chris Brownridge, the current chief executive of BMW UK, who will take over the reigns from 1 December. The last British boss of Roll-Royce Motor Cars was Muller-Otvos' predecessor, Ian Purves, who left the Goodwood company in 2010. Chris Brownridge, the current boss at BMW UK, will become Rolls-Royce's new chief executive from 1 December Muller-Otvos, 63, is the brand's longest-serving chief executive since Claude Johnson, the man who brought Charles Rolls and Henry Royce together in 1904 and spearheaded the company from 1910 until his death in 1926. The German described leading Rolls-Royce for almost 14 years as 'the greatest privilege and pleasure of my professional life'. In an official statement issued by the British marque, he added: 'To have grown the company and its world-class people to the position it is in today, at the pinnacle of the luxury industry, has been a remarkable adventure. 'I am proud of the role my exceptional team and I have played in contributing significantly to the UK economy and to the global recognition of Britain's ability to produce the world's best luxury products.' On Thursday, long-standing boss Torsten Muller-Otvos announced his retirement on 30 November. He's the company's longest-serving since Claude Johnson, the man who brought Charles Rolls and Henry Royce together in 1904 During his stewardship, Muller-Otvos has overseen the introduction of Rolls-Royce's first SUV model, the Cullinan, pictured Muller-Otvos also guided the brand into its first stages of electrification with the release of the new Spectre coupe this year, with first deliveries due with customers before the end of 2023 During his stewardship, Muller-Otvos has overseen the introduction of Rolls-Royce's first SUV model, the Cullinan, guided the brand into its first stages of electrification with the release of the new Spectre coupe, expanded the business into new regions like the Middle East and China, and managed a dramatic increase in sales. Annual sales of Rolls-Royce cars have risen from around 1,000 units per year in 2009 to a record of over 6,000 last term. The company has attracted waves of new - younger - customers through its bespoke division creating unique vehicles to exacting specifications of well-heeded clients. This has seen the average age of a Rolls-Royce buyer fall from 56 to 43 in that period - and one in five customers today is a celebrity. Rolls-Royce also contributes over half a billion pound per annum to the UK economy and the expansion of its Goodwood facility in West Sussex has increased employment from 300 to over 2,500 staff in the region. Muller-Otvos' replacement, Chris Brownridge, has been boss at the UK division of Rolls-Royce's parent company BMW since July 2021. Before then he was BMW UK's sales director from January 2018 and Mini's regional director for UK and Ireland. He said he was 'honoured and humbled' by his appointment from 1 December, which will put him at the controls of the company as it ramp-up production of Spectre ahead of first deliveries to customers in the coming weeks. 'To be invited to lead this great British brand, at such a pivotal moment in its long and remarkable story, is an extraordinary privilege,' he said. 'I'm fortunate to be following Torsten as chief executive. Through his vision and ambition for the brand, Rolls-Royce is today in an exceptionally strong position, and full of confidence for the future. 'I'm absolutely delighted to be part of the Rolls-Royce story and look forward to embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for us all.' The Daily Mail's motoring editor Ray Massey flew half way round the world to California this summer to become one of the first to drive the 330,000 electric Spectre limo Slide me Spectre is powered by a mighty 584 horsepower (430kW) electric motor and battery configuration which propels the near 3 tonne (2,890kg) vehicle from 0 to 62mph in 4.5 seconds an up to a top speed limited to 155mph Stretching to nearly 5.5 meters and weighing nearly three tonnes, the low-riding Spectre is electrifying and has real road presence Oliver Zipse, BMW Group chief executive, praised Muller-Otvos' outstanding leadership of the 'crown jewel of the organisation'. He added that his 'unswerving commitment, clear vision and exceptional ability to build a strong, focused team have helped make Rolls-Royce the world-class luxury brand it is today'. He concluded: 'We wish him the very best for his future endeavours.' Nearly 1.4billion was wiped off British tobacco company values yesterday after Rishi Sunak announced the smoking age could rise every year so that eventually no-one can buy cigarettes. Under plans announced by the Prime Minister at the Conservative party conference, a child born on or after January 1, 2009 will never legally be sold a cigarette in England. The announcement dealt a major blow for London-listed cigarette companies British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Brands. Dunhill and Lucky Strike owner BAT fell 1.7 per cent, wiping as much as 974million off the FTSE 100 firm as its shares hit their lowest point in three years. Imperial Brands, which owns Winston and Rizla, fell 2.7 per cent a 404million slump in value. Ban: Under plans announced by the Prime Minister at the Conservative party conference, a child born on or after January 1 2009 will never legally be sold a cigarette in England The Prime Minister said he believed the measure was the right step to tackle the leading cause of preventable illness. One in nine 18 to 24-year-olds smoke in Britain, according to the Office for National Statistics. A similar measure has been introduced in New Zealand, where buying tobacco products will remain banned for anyone born after 2008. Deborah Arnott, chief executive of campaign group Action on Smoking and Health, called the plans an unprecedented set of measures to protect the next generation. But BAT said the proposals would be difficult to enforce and risked creating a category of under-age adults. Enforcement of existing tobacco control policies is already under-resourced. An additional ban is only going to make it more difficult to police, it said. Imperial said the plans could cause significant unintended consequences but did not elaborate. Tobacco giants have been trying to pivot away from cigarettes towards tobacco-free alternatives such as vapes and nicotine pouches investing millions into the products. BAT has said nicotine pouches, tobacco heating products and vapes made up 16.6 per cent of revenue, with 40m people using them annually. A 2018 assessment by Public Health England found that vaping is at least 95 per cent less harmful than smoking. Yet in a further blow for tobacco investors, Sunak said he would consider restricting the sale of disposable vapes and look at their flavourings and packaging. Figures showed that one in six people aged 16 to 24 use e-cigarettes at least occasionally, up from one in nine in 2021. Bosses at the City regulator have been forced to defend their actions as they were taken to task over issues ranging from the Woodford scandal to fraud scams. The annual public meeting of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) came at a time when it is keen to show it is flexing its muscles to protect consumers during the cost of living squeeze. But yesterdays event, led by FCA chairman Ashley Alder and senior executives at the watchdog, saw them confronted by questions from the public and press about whether their actions went far enough. The Mails Stop the Social Media Scammers campaign has highlighted how fraudsters using online platforms are driving an online crime wave with one Briton falling victim to a shopping scam every seven minutes. Asked about the FCAs response, Alder denied that the watchdog had failed. Grilling: The annual public meeting of the Financial Conduct Authority is keen to show it is flexing its muscles to protect consumers during the cost of living squeeze All regulators when faced with the level and sophistication of scams can do better, he said. But doing better means attacking the issue across a very broad front. We have not eliminated all scams that would be impossible to do. But Alder said the FCA had been active in areas such as taking down fraudulent websites, its scam smart awareness campaign and work with banks to address so-called push payment fraud, where consumers are tricked into transferring money to scammers. Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement, said big tech companies ought to be playing a role fighting against fraud and that after working with Google, it was now taking down advertising from potential scammers. The regulator was also confronted over its response to the collapse of Neil Woodfords flagship investment fund in June 2019, which will see investors who were left in the lurch start to receive a 230million compensation package from next year if they agree to a settlement. Alder said quite a few questions, which were submitted online, were about what he described as the Woodford saga. One asked are the FCA not looking after the interests of Woodford investors?, and suggested court action would be a better alternative to the proposed scheme. Chambers insisted that the interests of the Woodford investors are absolutely our top priority. She reiterated the FCAs view that the settlement from Link, parent company of the funds supervisor Link Fund Solutions offers the quickest and best chance to obtain a better outcome. Also during the meeting, Alder said that the FCAs main role in policing the financial sector would not be diminished by a duty that has now been placed on it, under new legislation, to help boost the UKs international competitiveness. There will be no race to the bottom, he said. Concession: Hitachi has agreed to sell its mainline signalling business in the UK The 1.5billion takeover of French engineering group Thales rail signalling business by Japans Hitachi has moved closer. The UK Competition and Markets Authority had said it could harm competition as both supply signalling systems. But after Hitachi agreed to sell its mainline signalling business in the UK, France and Germany, the regulator said that was an effective and proportionate remedy. Stuart McIntosh, chairman of its inquiry group, said: Hitachi is selling part of its mainline signalling business. This will protect competition, key to keeping costs down, maintaining high quality of service and promoting innovation. Britain's competition regulator is to investigate tech giants Amazon and Microsoft's dominance of the country's 7.5billion cloud computing market. The Competition and Markets Authority, which made headlines with its concerns about Microsoft's takeover of Activision, will probe the firms after communications regulator Ofcom raised concerns after its own investigation. Ofcom has referred the cloud services market, a backbone of the online world, to the CMA after the year-long investigation uncovered concerns that business customers find barriers in their way when trying to switch suppliers. It said it was 'particularly concerned' about the position of the market leaders Amazon and Microsoft, which together hold a market share of around 70 to 80 per cent. Giants: Amazon and Microsoft together hold a market share of 70% to 80% of Britain's 7.5bn cloud computing market Their closest competitor, Google, has a share of just 5 to 10 per cent. Ofcom said that 'if left unchecked, competition could deteriorate in a critical digital market for the UK economy'. Fergal Farragher, Ofcom's director responsible for the market study, said: 'Some UK businesses have told us they're concerned about it being too difficult to switch or mix and match cloud provider, and it's not clear that competition is working well. 'So, we're referring the market to the CMA for further scrutiny, to make sure business customers continue to benefit from cloud services.' The CMA will look at whether there are competition concerns in the market and what interventions might be needed to improve the supply of cloud services for UK customers. Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: 'This is a 7.5billion market that underpins a whole host of online services, from social media to AI (artificial intelligence) foundation models. 'Many businesses now completely rely on cloud services, making effective competition in this market essential. 'Strong competition ensures a level playing field so that market power doesn't end up in the hands of a few players, unlocking the full potential of these rapidly evolving digital markets so that people, businesses and the UK economy can get the maximum benefits.' The cloud loosely refers to a series of vast servers across the world, on which users can store photographs or emails, or run software from. Ofcom said there was still competition in the sector, with innovative products and discounts offered to new customers. However, it was concerned for customers trying to move from one cloud supplier to another. The big tech suppliers charge 'significantly higher' fees than smaller providers to move data out of the cloud and to another company's servers, Ofcom said. Users might also struggle to use more than one company's services at the same time because the leading firms prevent some of their services working effectively alongside those from other suppliers. This makes it more difficult to combine different services across cloud providers or to change provider. 'High levels of profitability for the market leaders AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Microsoft indicate there are limits to the overall level of competition,' Ofcom said. Commenting on the investigation, chief executive of Stevenage-based cloud company Civo, Mark Boost, welcomed the news. He said: 'A referral to the CMA is an unprecedented opportunity to make the cloud market a truly competitive space. 'This means empowering any company to develop and grow cutting-edge cloud services, and ensuring customers can readily move around to find the best solution to match their needs. 'The CMA's broad enforcement powers opens the door to wide-ranging remedies. Action will need to be a balancing act. It will be particularly important to tackle egress fees, either through significant price controls or the most ambitious choice: abolishing them entirely. 'The price point charged on egress by hyperscalers is out of control, and creates huge practical and financial obstacles for customers to move to another cloud provider. 'Urgent changes are also needed to how hyperscalers structure their services to enable customers to reap the benefits of simultaneously accessing multiple different providers, as well as a review of the fairness of incentives for loyal customers.' Metro Bank shares lost almost a quarter of their value today in response to reports that the challenger bank needs to raise 600million to bolster its balance sheet. Sources told the Reuters news agency the bank, whose market cap was 87million when markets closed last night, is exploring options to raise cash in debt and equity financing, bringing in Wall Street giant Morgan Stanley to advise. Metro Bank confirmed it is 'evaluating the merits of a range of options, including a combination of equity issuance, debt issuance and/or refinancing and asset sales'. It added: 'No decision has been made on whether to proceed with any of these options' It emerged by mid-afternoon that Metro Bank's chair Robert Sharpe had been asked to meet officials from the Bank of Englands Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority, the Financial Times reported. Metro Bank has 350million of bonds due in 2025, according to London Stock Exchange data. Its shares have had a downward trajectory since last month when the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority said it was unlikely to permit Metro Bank to use its own internal risk models for some mortgages meaning the lender is subject to higher capital requirements under current regulations. Metro Bank shares wclosed down 25.7 per cent at 37.5p today, having lost roughly 68 per cent of their value since the start of 2023 and 98.6 per cent over the last five years. The scale of the sell-off sparked temporary suspensions of trading in Metro Bank shares throughout the day owing to the London Stock Exchange's 'circuit breaker' protocol, which is triggered when the price of a security crosses a certain threshold. How FSCS compensation works The Financial Services Compensation Scheme is funded by a levy on all regulated financial services firms in the UK and protects your money if a financial services firm fails. As well as banks, building societies and credit unions, FSCS protects pensions, insurance, investments, mortgages, endowments, PPI and debt management. FSCS protects money held in banks, building societies and credit unions up to 85,000 per person, per UK institution. For a joint account, the amount is doubled to 170,000 of protection per institution. Read more - FSCS protection: How your savings, investments and pension are kept safe and what you need to know Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, said: 'There have long been concerns about Metro's finances back in 2019 queues formed at some of its branches, sparked by negative comments about its financial position on social media. 'It also admitted in the same year it faced a major error around how it classified its loan book, sending its shares crashing down by nearly 40 per cent in a single session. 'Just yesterday, ratings agency Fitch placed Metro Bank on "rating watch negative" reflecting its view that short-term risks to its 'business model stabilisation, capital buffers and funding have increased'. 'Metro floated on the stock market in March 2016 at 20 a share. Initially it rallied to a high of over 40 in 2018, but.... currently [trade] at around 40p a share, reflecting the major lack of confidence in the business among investors and its balance sheet woes.' Reports suggest the bank's fundraising could include more than 100million from selling shares, while the lender is also hoping to refinance existing debts and is considering other options, such as selling assets, to reduce its borrowing burden. Metro Bank has 350million of bonds due in 2025, according to London Stock Exchange data. The lender said: 'Metro Bank notes the recent press speculation regarding a potential capital raise. 'Following Metro Bank's update on capital planning on 12 September 2023, the company continues to consider how best to enhance its capital resources, with particular regard to the 350million senior non-preferred notes due in October 2025. 'The company continues to meet its minimum regulatory capital requirements. 'For three consecutive quarters ended 30 June 2023, the bank has been profitable on an underlying basis, and it expects the Q3 trading update to show continued momentum in personal and business current account growth and customer acquisition, in line with expectations. 'Metro Bank continues to be well positioned for future growth.' National Grid expects annual earnings per share to be weighted towards the second half of the year, with Britain's energy systems operator confident of meeting full-year expectations. The group, which also runs an electricity and gas business in New York and Massachusetts, said it expects operating profit to be broadly evenly split across the year for its UK businesses, but more heavily weighted towards the second half for its US ones. National Grid expects 10 to 15 per cent of its New York business's full-year operating profit to come in the first half ended 30 September, due to a higher non-cash environmental provision charge. The London-listed company said it met its financial guidance over the first half of the year to 30 September The company said in a statement: 'For our UK regulated businesses, we expect contributions to operating profit to be broadly evenly split across the year. 'For our US regulated businesses, we expect contributions to be more heavily weighted towards the second half.' The group added that its New York business is expected to deliver between 10 per cent and 15 per cent of its full-year operating profit over the past half-year after being impacted by a non-cash impairment. The company previously saw profits for the year to March as the electricity distribution business it bought two years earlier grew strongly. It had seen a 15 per cent rise in underlying operating profit to 4.6billion, while reported pre-tax profit rose 4 per cent to 3.6billion. In July, National Grid sold a further 20 per cent stake in National Gas to its existing majority owners, a consortium of investors led by Australia's Macquarie Asset Management. The firm said the stake sale would be on the equivalent financial terms as when it sold a 60 per cent stake to the consortium in January. That deal had implied an enterprise value of about 9.6billion pounds for the UK gas transmission and metering business. National Grid shares were up 1.13 per cent to 947.80p in midday trading on Thursday. Average advertised rents outside London reached 1,278 per month between July and September, marking an increase of 10 per cent in a year or 3.8 per cent in the last three months alone. It means the cost of renting a home hit a new record for the fifteenth consecutive quarter, according to Rightmove's Rental Trends Tracker. Some areas have seen even bigger hikes. In Luton, Bedfordshire, average asking rents have surged by 23.6 per cent in the last year to 1,263, the data revealed. Rising: The quarterly change in average advertised rental prices, according to Rightmove data Within London, average advertised rents increased to a record 2,627 per month during the period, an increase of 12.1 per cent from the same point a year ago. The number of enquiries each rental property receives from would-be tenants has more than tripled to 25, up from eight at the same point in 2019. In the north west of England, average advertised monthly rental costs have risen by 12 per cent in the last year to an average of 1,105, Rightmove said. Meanwhile, in the north east of England, average monthly advertised rental costs have increased by 9.8 per cent year-on-year to 856 per month. Wales has seen the smallest annual increase in advertised monthly rental costs, with a rise of 5.9 per cent to 1,032 per month. Shifts: A map showing average advertised rental cost shifts across the UK Hot spots: Areas where average advertised rental prices have increased significantly The increase in enquiries is being driven by the 'ongoing imbalance' between supply and demand, with 41 per cent more tenants looking to move than in 2019 and the number of homes available down 35 per cent, according to the findings. Ria Laitmer, a lettings manager at Clarkes estate agents in Dorset, said: 'The gap between high demand and a severe shortage of rental stock at the moment is just crazy. 'We're receiving mounting enquiries for each property to rent from would-be tenants, with queues of tenants arriving to open-house viewings and the majority being left disappointed as there is just not enough properties on the market to meet the demand.' However, the total number of available properties to rent is up by 14 per cent compared with last year, while the number of new properties coming to the market to rent is now 7 per cent higher than at this time last year. Rightmove said this was the biggest annual jump in new properties to rent since November 2022. Competitive: There are 25 would-be tenants enquiring about each property, Rightmove says Tim Bannister, Rightmove's director of property science, said: 'Record rents and far more tenants looking to move than there are homes available means it will still feel very difficult for many tenants navigating the market. 'However, there are signs that some of the pressure between supply and demand is beginning to ease, with the number of new rental properties coming to the market now at its highest level since the end of last year. 'While it is likely that there is some way to go before this filters through to rental prices, if the improving trend between supply and demand continues, we could start to see the pace of yearly rent rises slow more significantly than it has been. 'In the current market, tenants are having to do more to have the best chance of securing a rental property.' Pressure in the rental market is being exacerbated as buying a first home remains difficult to afford for many. Mortgage rates are falling slowly but remain high, and many prospective buyers are struggling to save up sufficiently for a deposit or earn enough to be able to afford costly monthly repayments. Findings published this week revealed that 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. Analysis to data from Experian, 25 per cent of new homeowners aged 29 and under between January and March this year had opted for a repayment term of at least 35 years. This compares with the historical typical level of about 10 per cent, which Experian recorded in January 2020. For as little as $180, you can unlimited food and drink Long-haul flying, for most of us, is never the most glamorous experience. From cleaning yourself with wet wipes in a cramped toilet, to desperately trying to get your head in the right (upright) position to get a few badly-needed hours of sleep, few of us arrive at our end destination feeling fresh. So what happens if we splurge for a business class lounge on the layover instead? Flying from Sydney to London, via Abu Dhabi, I give it a whirl - and was amazed what a difference it made. If you're just passing through or flying economy, it costs $187 ($120USD) for up to four hours (pictured, the Etihad Business Class lounge in Abu Dhabi) THE NEED-TO-KNOWS You don't need to fly business class to use Abu Dhabi's dedicated business class lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport. Using the lounge - which sits conveniently at Terminal 3 near gate 36 - just a few minutes' walk from the gates which fly to the UK - is free if youre an Etihad Guest Gold member, or if youre flying in Business on an Etihad operated flight. If you're just passing through or flying economy, it costs $187 ($120USD) for up to four hours, and an extra $30USD if you're staying up to eight hours. Children under five get in for free, and kids up to 12 are charged half of the adult rate. Thankfully for the world traveller, the lounge is open 24 hours a day. Despite its size, the lounge never feels crowded or impersonal (pictured, a comfy chair area) There is a range of different coloured areas tucked away from one another, creating the illusion of a more private space Children under five get in for free, and kids up to 12 are charged half of the adult rate There's also a smoking lounge, powerful air conditioning, chill-out spaces and - all importantly - a dedicated new shower suite The food on offer is top notch, and for those wanting to get some work done, there are computers, monitors, printers and semi-private booths with a couch and TV WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT? The lounge, incredibly easy to walk to from Etihad gates, is well signposted - I was there in 10 minutes, despite being distracted by the very tempting duty-free offerings. As you walk through the sliding doors, a desk full of smiling staff greet you. After you've paid your dues or flashed your appropriate boarding card, they let you know how far the gate is from your next flight - and welcome you in. At the entrance, there's a secure locker area where staff can check in valuables for you - a weight of your mind if you plan to wander the lounge for hours. You then walk past the newspapers and magazines, as well as the kids play area - separate and tucked away from the main room - before the hallway opens up to a huge room, by far big enough to have some quiet time undisturbed. Despite its size, the lounge never feels crowded or impersonal thanks to a range of different coloured areas tucked away from one another, creating the illusion of a more private space. There's a hot and cold buffet station, featuring traditional food of Abu Dhabi as well as western favourites - everything from ful medames, fresh humous and pitta bread, to hash browns, eggs and sausages. Drinks - both strong and soft - are also free-flowing from the full-service bar, as well as barista-made coffees. For those wanting to get some work done, there's unlimited Wi-Fi, newspapers and magazines, as well as a fully-functional office space - including computers, monitors, printers and semi-private booths with a couch and TV. There's also a smoking lounge, powerful air conditioning, chill-out spaces and - all importantly - a dedicated new shower suite. Healthy options are also plentiful, with fruit, salads and grains all there to offer some much needed nutrients on your long trip You can enjoy a full three-course, or more, meal, plus drinks, snacks and salads for not much more than you'd spend it most airports at bars and restaurants FOOD AND DRINK The food offering is where Etihad's business class lounge becomes a no-brainer. You can enjoy a full three-course, or more, meal, plus drinks, snacks and salads for not much more than you'd spend it most airports at bars and restaurants. Healthy options are also plentiful, with fruit, salads and grains all there to offer some much needed nutrients on your long trip. From champagne to a wide selections of whiskey and gins, you can also enjoy your favourite tipple while sitting in an armchair watching planes on the tarmac. The bar has all the earmarks of a classic 1940s airport experience. Sleek, long and with high chairs sitting opposite glass shelves with every spirit imaginable, it's an easy place to sit and watch the world go by, or chat to fellow travellers. There's a hot and cold buffet station, featuring traditional food of Abu Dhabi as well as western favourites Everything from ful medames, fresh humous and pitta bread, to hash browns, eggs and sausages is on offer The breakfast side of the buffet has many healthy options The array of cereals and juices is enough to satisfy even the pickiest family member SHOWERS Arriving at your final destination clean and in fresh clothes is the stuff of dreams, and while you can use the showers inside the bathrooms either side of the lounge - I wouldn't recommend them. While clean and well kept, these shower rooms are stuffy and the air conditioning struggles - which is a problem in a city where it hits 38C before 7am. Instead, head to the dedicated shower suite behind the main TV and sofa area. A smiling member of staff at the desk takes you towards your private suite with fresh towels, linens and - thankfully - suitably powerful air conditioning. Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel is all provided, as well as a hair dryer, hand towels, floor towels and a big fluffy one for your body. Putting on a fresh outfit, I emerged from the showers a new woman - not one who had left my Sydney home 20 hours before. Having a shower during a layover on a long-haul flight is a gamechanger, making anyone feel like they've having the full business class experience VERDICT I'm not sure why I've never done this before. Arriving frazzled, hungry and with a crooked neck from a dodgy sleep, I left four hours later rested, fed, clean and put together - ready for the next stage of my trip. With uninterrupted email access and somewhere to work, I tied up loose ends quickly before sinking into a comfy chair and watching the buzz of the lounge breeze past me. The food was fresh with loads of healthy options to help beat jetlag brain, and I inhaled the many types of flavoured water - and fine, a glass of champagne, too. Staff went above and beyond to make you feel special, attentively clearing your table after every drink or snack, welcoming you like an old friend and smiling all the way. After a shower, I felt even better - particularly thanks to the new and improved air conditioned shower suite, truly the cherry on the top of this lounge experience. With my flight finally announced for boarding, I wandered out feeling like an A-lister and was at my gate within four minutes - I really don't know what more you could want. If you want a business class experience, but can't quite spring for the ticket, this may be your answer. Some two thirds of Americans say they are prepared to die for their country in the event of a foreign invasion, according to a poll for DailyMail.com. But that figure drops to less than half of Democrats. And some 30 percent of 18-29 say they would rather surrender and survive. The results come from a survey of 1,000 likely voters in next year's election conducted by J.L. Partners. They were asked: 'Assume there is an invasion of America by another country and they were on the brink of victory. 'You can either almost certainly die fighting for your country, or surrender and survive. What would you do?' J.L. Partners asked 1000 likely voters: 'Assume there is an invasion of America by another country and they were on the brink of victory. 'You can either almost certainly die fighting for your country, or surrender and survive. What would you do?' The results suggest dying for your country is a partisan issue. And there is a growing generational divide. James Johnson, co-founder of polling firm J.L. Partners, said: 'Dying for your country is easier to say you would do in a poll than in reality. 'Nonetheless these results tell us about a fracture in America -- the youngest adults, especially young women, as well as a significant portion of Democrats, would actively choose to surrender and survive in a military invasion than die defending the United States.' Some 45 percent of women aged 18-29 said they would rather surrender, compared with 20 percent of men of the same age. The party divide is also clear. While 80 percent of Republican say they would fight and die, only 46 percent of Democrats say the same. Respondents were also asked in the survey whether they would prefer to live in California or Florida. By cross-referencing the results (which showed a small majority opting for the conservative East Coast over liberal West Coast) it is clear that the fighters prefer Florida (57 percent) to California (32 percent). The surrenderers overwhelmingly plumped for California (by 63 percent to 24 percent). Republicans overwhelmingly favored Florida and Democrats favored California, independents tipped the result in favor of the Sunshine State when asked where they would prefer to live Even so, the overall results reflect better on Americans than a similar poll last year. Quinnipiac University asked 1,374 adults how they would respond if Russia invaded the U.S. in the same way it invaded Ukraine. Some 55 percent said they would stay and fight, while some 38 percent said they would flee. Our poll offers other insights into the state of the nation and the state of the 2024 election race. Six in 10 Americans think the country has become more dangerous since President Joe Biden entered office, and a measly 14 percent think his administration has done a good job tackling crime. Some 56 percent of Americans, including 51 percent of independent voters, also think the economy has gotten worse in another damning indictment of Biden's leadership. The majority of Americans feel less safe now than they did when President Joe Biden came into office and don't think he has done a good enough job tackling crime, a new DailyMail.com poll reveals The 2024 election is shaping up to be a rematch of the 2020 election when Biden beat Trump The effect spells electoral difficulties for Biden as he seeks reelection next year. Donald Trump has overtaken Joe Biden in DailyMail.com's hypothetical 2024 head-to-head poll a year ahead of an expected rematch of the last election. It shows that the frontrunner for the Republican nomination has come back from two points down in June, when the poll was last conducted, to take a one-point lead over his likely Democratic opponent. His rise is fueled by independent voters switching sides and by gains among graduates, who provide the bulk of support for Biden. However, the race remains incredibly tight. And the poll In the early dawn's orange glow, a Texas Rangers commander briefs a heavily armed invasion force. They're preparing to seize a remote, 170-acre Mexican cartel-controlled island in the middle of the Rio Grande River overlooked by sniper nests and potentially booby-trapped. Some of the dozens of assembled men shift from one foot to another or reposition their M-4 rifles as they listen to their commanders' instructions. 'Keep a close eye on those structures up there that have height advantage on us,' he warns. 'In case we do get engaged and someone is shot' medical evacuation plans are in place and there are blood bags if the wounded need a transfusion, he assures them. Any questions? This may seem like a scene from a far-flung warzone. But it's just a glimpse of the hot war on America's southern border a direct consequence of an out-of-control crisis that has resulted in nearly five million illegal migrants entering the United States since President Joe Biden was inaugurated in 2021. In the early dawn's orange glow, a Texas Rangers commander briefs a heavily armed invasion force. (Above) Suspected cartel soldier captured by surveillance camera crossing from Mexico into Fronton, Texas in August 2023 They're preparing to seize a remote, 170-acre Mexican cartel-controlled island in the middle of the Rio Grande River overlooked by sniper nests and potentially booby-trapped. As federal Border Patrol agents have been overwhelmed by the mass migration and pulled away from the front lines to process illegal crossers, criminal Mexican gangs have gone largely unchecked and are now operating with near impunity inside America. This week, I embedded with the Texas state mission to retake a densely overgrown island near the isolated village of Fronton, 250 miles south of San Antonio, that has fallen under the control of these ultra-violent criminal organizations. As a condition of my exclusive access, the identities of these Texas officers and troopers are being kept secret for their safety. After all, they're operating in enemy territory. 'AN ISLAND OF DEATH' For decades, neither the U.S. nor Mexico claimed Fronton Island as their own and that ambiguity provided the cartels specifically the Gulf Cartel and Cartel del Noreste (CDN) with an opportunity. When the cartel members are not killing each other, they use the island as a safe haven when fleeing the Mexican military or American law enforcement. The lawlessness has transformed the region into a major drug trafficking corridor. The cartels stash drugs in the thick vegetation while smuggling their illicit commodities north, then stop there again as they return south with cash and weapons. They also have no compunction against shooting at anyone be they rival cartel members or Americans who might get in their way. In November 2016, gunmen opened fire on Mexican state police and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers, who were surveilling them. A Texas officer was shot in the leg. I embedded with the Texas state mission to retake a densely overgrown island near the isolated village of Fronton, 250 miles south of San Antonio, that has fallen under the control of these ultra-violent criminal organizations. As a condition of my exclusive access, the identities of these Texas officers and troopers are being kept secret for their safety. (Above) Texas forces prepare to plant state flag on Fronton Island (Above) Stashes of guns and ammunition are routinely found on Fronton Island In 2019, four shooters armed with fully-automatic weapons fired more than 50 rounds from the Mexican side of the river at a U.S. Border Patrol boat. Miraculously, no one was hurt. Just this August, trail cameras captured grainy images of three suspected cartel gunmen carrying rifles and dressed in body armor crossing into Fronton from Mexico. Months earlier five alleged Cartel Del Noreste members were arrested in the same area. They too were armed and dressed in tactical gear. 'It's an island of death,' said Jaeson Jones, a retired captain in DPS's intelligence division who fought against the cartels for years and knows Fronton well. 'It's dangerous man,' Jones insisted, especially now that cartels are cashing in on the burgeoning human smuggling business. Indeed, each night hundreds of immigrants cross through the Fronton area and the cartels blend in with them. Texas DPS Regional Director Victor Escalon said the state was forced to act. 'The federal government is not able to cover all these areas and provide for the safety and security of landowners,' Escalon told me. 'You have people out here saying, 'hey man, I'm out feeding my cows and I see three men coming across with backpacks and they're armed. Why do I have to live like that?' Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's answer is they don't have to live like that. But before the island could be seized the issue of ownership had to be settled. So, the state conducted surveys that determined Fronton Island was, in fact, Texas territory. Now, Abbott's men could move in. The commander seemed most concerned with the burned out, bullet-pocked structures spray-painted with cartel acronyms on the bluffs overlooking Fronton Island from Mexico. 'It's an island of death,' said Jaeson Jones, a retired captain in DPS's intelligence division who fought against the cartels for years and knows Fronton well. A warehouse marked with cartel symbols is seen on Mexican side of border across from Fronton Island SNIPERS, IED'S AND KILLER BEES On the Fronton border with operation about to start the Rangers commander wrapped up his briefing. Don't disturb backpacks or piles of clothes, he cautioned the men. Last month, an improvised explosive was found buried amid a stash of weapons and semi-automatic rifle ammunition. Mark the caches and call in the bomb squad, he told them, there's a fair chance the cartels left booby traps. Above all, the commander seemed most concerned with the burned out, bullet-pocked structures spray-painted with cartel acronyms on the bluffs overlooking Fronton Island from Mexico. Those are the sniper perches. 'We have not seen people in there this morning, but we know that that's what they're used for,' he said. And, oh yeah, watch out for Africanized killer bees on the island. 'They're aggressive.' With the instructions complete, the men boarded All-Terrain Vehicles and roared off in a convoy through thick brush and deep mud created by a rare overnight rainfall. At least today no one shot at the Texas troopers, but that's no guarantee they won't find themselves under attack in the future. These vanguards will secure the island to allow for Texas National Guard engineers to safely bring in bulldozers and heavy machinery to completely denude the landscape of trees and brush before they fortify it with concertina wire. With the instructions complete, the men boarded All-Terrain Vehicles and roared off in a convoy through thick brush and deep mud created by a rare overnight rainfall. Don't disturb backpacks or piles of clothes, he cautioned the men. Last month, an improvised explosive (above left) was found buried amid a stash of weapons and semi-automatic rifle ammunition (above right) These vanguards will secure the island to allow for Texas National Guard engineers to safely bring in bulldozers and heavy machinery (above) to completely denude the landscape of trees and brush before they fortify it with concertina wire. After that the island will be constantly patrolled as if it were a warzone, though few think this takeover will do much to encourage the cartels to find another line of work. '[The cartels] will still be able to move whatever commodity north or south,' Mike Salinas, a recently retired Border Patrol of 30 years told me. 'It's going to be a speed bump for them. They have the resources, money and time.' The state of Texas also knows this to be true, but they're determined to carry on. 'If the cartels move somewhere else, we'll identify it and just follow them up and down the river,' DPS' Escalon told me. 'The way we look at this is - this is a forever operation.' What happens if or when Americans get between the cartels and the billions of dollars they reap from drug smuggling and human trafficking is anyone's guess. And whether or not Texas or federal government want to admit it, the border with Mexico has now been militarized for the first-time against foreign criminal organizations. And this war has just begun. Opponents said the legislation is 'an unfortunate approach' that would disregard the contribution by Italian Americans Massachusetts lawmakers are seeking to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day amid claims the explorer is responsible for genocide and discrimination. The Massachusetts House held a hearing Tuesday on a bill that would designate the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day. The legislation calls to 'acknowledge the history of genocide and discrimination against Indigenous peoples' in schools and elsewhere in the state. 'This holiday will be a great tribute to the contributions of Indigenous people in Massachusetts past, present and future,' Sen. Jo Comerford said at the hearing. Washington D.C. and other 20 states have recognized the revamped day or celebrated in addition to Columbus Day. Advocates called to 'acknowledge the history of genocide and discrimination against Indigenous peoples' in schools and elsewhere in the state Sen. Jo Comerford(pictured), who cosponsored the bill, said it will be a great tribute to the contributions of Indigenous people in Massachusetts State Rep. Jeffrey Turco(pictured) opposed the legislation and said it would disregard the contributions of Italian American people Sen. Comerford of Northampton, Rep. Christine Barber of Somerville, along with more than 30 cosponsors, proposed the bill (H2989/S1976) to educate the public about the 'racism and violence' caused by Christopher Columbus. 'Christopher Columbus did not discover the Americas,' Comerford and Barber said in a joint statement, adding that the change will 'honor those who first settled this land.' But some opponents criticized the bill and called it 'an unfortunate approach'. They argued the proposals could spark conflict between Native Americans and Italian Americans as the latter celebrate their heritage through the public holiday. State Rep. Jeffrey Turco said: 'Nobody objects to creating an Indigenous People Day, but to pit one group of people against another people I think is an unfortunate approach.' 'This bill basically disregards the contributions of Italian American people it's offensive to so many across this commonwealth,' he added. Turco instead suggested to pass legislations that would enable Native American tribes to reclaim their land. The Massachusetts House held a hearing Tuesday on a bill that would designate the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day Massachusetts residents are divided in opinions on replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day Not all Italian Americans are against the bill. Heather Leavell, co-founder of Italian Americans for Indigenous People Day, called Columbus Day 'one that honors a brutal, brutal colonizer.' 'By rejecting Columbus Day, we acknowledge the history and the harm, and then we show our commitment to repair by replacing it with a celebration of Indigenous people,' she told the committee. Her group represents those who are of Italian descent and support the state transitioning away from Columbus Day. The upcoming long weekend remains to be Columbus Day at the state level in Massachusetts, but Boston and dozens of cities have decided to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead. Massachusetts residents are divided in opinions on replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, reported by NHPR. Washington D.C. and other 20 states have recognized the revamped day or celebrated in addition to Columbus Day Lawmakers are seeking to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day amid claims the explorer is responsible for genocide and discrimination. A statute of Christopher Columbus 'The indigenous people - yeah, they got screwed, Wesley Lane said. The carpenter living in Agawam said thinks Columbus Day should remain. 'People are getting too woke too quick. They need to wake up and realize that this is how our country was formed. Suck it up. It's how other countries were formed.' Timothy Bancroft, a chauffeur and Springfield resident, believes the name change would repair the damage done to indigenous communities. 'We need to pay homage to the people that were originally here. I think they are often forgotten and left behind and fighting for the little things that they get,' he said. 'But I think they are owed much more.' Tairy Feliciano, a cook who identifies as indigenous, thinks replacing the holiday would be a 'tough' decision. 'A lot of people will be against it. You're taking away something that's been there for a long time. It's like two different prides coming together, knocking heads,' she said. 'We don't want to make people feel lesser than we are. We just want to make everybody happy and content. Maybe we come together, and we can celebrate together and come to one unity.' The estranged daughter of convicted killer Chris Dawson has recalled his final text to her five years ago. Shanelle Dawson grew up without knowing her mother Lynette, who was murdered in 1982 at her home on Sydney's northern beaches by her father amid an affair he was having with a 16-year-old student. Shanelle, then four, and her younger sister were told by Dawson that their mother had simply walked out because she didn't love them anymore. Dawson will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars after a court last year found him guilty of murdering Lynette and disposing of her body four decades ago. Now a mum herself, Shanelle spoke to the Australian Women's Weekly about her life, the conflicted feelings she holds for her father and their final text exchanges in September 2018. Shanelle Dawson (left) has opened up about her father Chris Dawson in a candid magazine interview These are the final texts between Shanelle Dawson and her dad Chris Dawson in 2018 READ NOW: Shanelle Dawson's daughter reveal heartbreaking question her little girl asked about her killer granddad Advertisement The Teacher's Pet, a podcast about her mother's then unsolved disappearance had launched several months earlier and made headlines across Australia. Shanelle texted her father to tell him that she loved him but said: 'I won't live a life based on lies, nor will I keep subjecting myself to emotional manipulation and control. 'You have dishonoured our mother so terribly. 'One day, I will forgive you for removing her so selfishly from our lives.' Dawson replied: 'You're clearly very lonely and depressed in the life you've chosen It is your adult life, now 41 with a child and without a partner, that has clearly caused this terrible depression.' A month later, Dawson sent what would be his final text to Shanelle. 'Hi Shanelle, hope you and Kialah are both well. Thinking of you constantly xx.' Shanelle candidly opened up about Dawson in the wide-ranging interview, telling the magazine: 'My inner world [was] playing out for the masses. [I] couldn't pretend anymore.' Four decades on, Lynette Dawson's body (pictured with husband Chris) has never been found Lynette Dawson (left) disappeared when Shanelle (pictured as baby) was four-years-old Shanelle recalled the harrowing moment she had to explain to her nine-year-old daughter Kialah that her grandfather killed her grandmother, whose body has never been found. Her daughter's response was heartbreaking. 'She kept asking me, "But why did he do that?" The same question that's tortured me over and over now for many years,' Shanelle recalled. Shanelle also opened up about the anguish of being 'cut out' by her sister Sherryn and other members of Dawson's family who remain loyal to the convicted killer. 'I feel like I'm the scapegoat,' she said. 'Why am I the one being cut out? I didn't do anything wrong. But there is also a real freedom in it that I can embrace.' More than four decades on, Shanelle struggles to trust people and suffers from PTSD after losing her mum so young. 'There's a part of me that's broken, I haven't really, fully trusted people again,' Shanelle said. 'I can be a bit prickly; my defence mechanisms are fairly well intact.' Chris Dawson was convicted of the 1982 murder of Lynette and taken away to prison Hearing the guilty verdict brought mixed feelings of despair and relief. She described Dawson's trial as the longest 10 weeks of her life. 'I was trying to be at peace with whichever way it went, trying not to be too distraught and attached to a particular outcome because you can only have so much emotional turmoil in one lifetime,' Shanelle recalled. 'There was no rejoicing; it's heartbreaking for me to know he will likely die behind bars.' Her book My Mother's Eyes is on sale from October 11. 'I am not only reclaiming my mother's story and my story as our own,' Shanelle said. 'I am moving these chapters into the past and writing new ones.' If you or some you know needs support, contact 1800 RESPECT. Tropical Storm Philippe is expected to barrel toward Bermuda, and later New England and Canada after drenching the US and British Islands Wednesday. Phillippe had soaked the northeast Caribbean on Tuesday, with all schools in the US Virgin Islands shuttered and multiple power outages reported in the area amid downpours and lighting. The storm, whipping up winds of up to 45 mph, is expected to approach Bermuda late Thursday and Friday with a tropical storm watch already in effect for the region. Though far from the US mainland now, Phillippe will approach New Hampshire and Maine on Sunday with chances to intensify in the coming days. Heavy rain and flooding are likely to occur this weekend across New York and New England, an area that has experienced repeated drenching in the past weeks. Tropical Storm Philippe is expected to barrel toward Bermuda, and later New England and Canada after drenching the US and British Islands Wednesday Philippe could strike portions of Maine with heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge, Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, told USA Today. Forecasters said the rainfall would be less severe than last week, but a widespread one inch of rain is highly possible. 'The intensity forecast remains murky,' the hurricane center said. The storm was located about 255 miles north-northwest of St. Thomas on Wednesday afternoon. It had winds of up to 45 mph, moving north-northwest at 9 mph, according to the national hurricane center in Miami. The downpours Tuesday had forced the government to close all schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a few in St. Martin and St. Barts remained closed Wednesday morning. Residents in the French Caribbean territories have been banned from swimming or engaging in any activities in the ocean until Thursday. Tropical Storm Philippe is the 16th named storm formed in the Atlantic this year. It will interact with a cold front this weekend and funnel tropical moisture across the Northeast, CNN reported. Phillippe had soaked the northeast Caribbean on Tuesday, with all schools in the US Virgin Islands shuttered and multiple power outages reported in the area amid downpours and lighting The storm, whipping up winds of up to 45 mph, is expected to approach Bermuda late Thursday and Friday with a tropical storm watch already in effect for the region Marejada por la tormenta tropical Phillip, desde Lindbergh Bay, en la isla de St. Thomas, Islas Virgenes. David Vazquez Via Deborah Martorell pic.twitter.com/2eZwMC7E7w 35 (@Centinela_35) October 4, 2023 The projected track for Tropical Storm Philippe assembles the one of Hurricane Lee in September, as strong winds and rain are expected in parts of the Northeast and Canada. The storm will lose its tropical nature as it approaches the coast of New England this weekend, but the strength of the rain and wind will likely remain the same. The exact location of the heaviest rain is still unknown as of Wednesday afternoon. It depends on Philippe's track over the next few days. The New York City tri-state area received one of most intense rainfall last week, with subways, roads, and basement apartments flooded and states of emergency declared. The last week's downpours occurred due to the remains of Tropical Storm Ophelia with converging winds located just to the north. The rain, a hangover from Tropical Storm Ophelia, was some of the worst seen in New York City since Hurricane Ida in 2021, when 13 people drowned in basement apartments after being caught off-guard. Bankman-Fried's trial on fraud charges began in Manhattan on Tuesday : if convicted on all counts, he could face over 100 years in prison Sam Bankman-Fried was arguing by text with his mother about which clothes he should wear to be arrested as police arrived at his Bahamas penthouse, according to a new biography. Bankman-Fried, 31, went on trial in Manhattan on Tuesday accused of presiding over a massive cryptocurrency fraud. He has pleaded not guilty to charges he used FTX customer money from the exchange's 2019 launch until its November 2022 bankruptcy in order to prop up his hedge fund, Alameda Research; buy luxury real estate; and donate to U.S. political campaigns and candidates. Bankman-Fried's parents, Stanford Law School professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, were seen arriving at the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan on Wednesday morning. They had not attended the trial's first day. Barbara Fried, according to the new biography, was adamant that her son needed to look more polished than usual when he was arrested. Sam Bankman-Fried is seen on stage with supermodel Gisele Bundchen during a cryptocurrency conference in the Bahamas. He was known for his wild hair, cargo shorts and t-shirts Bankman-Fried is seen on December 13, the day after his arrest, in court in the Bahamas. He was arrested in his cargo shorts - despite his mother's wishes - but appeared in court the day later in a suit The 31-year-old's penthouse at the Albany marina. He set up the company's headquarters there in The Bahamas Michael Lewis, author of The Big Short, Moneyball and The Blind Side, wrote in his book, Going Infinite, that Bankman-Fried was locked in a bathroom in the Bahamas penthouse where he lived when the police arrived to arrest him on December 12, 2022. Lewis describes a 'small crowd' of police and other officials arriving at the penthouse, where Bankman-Fried lived with other FTX executives. A tall police officer, according to Lewis, asked: 'Is Mr. Bankman-Fried here?' FTX's in-house psychiatrist, George Lerner, was in the living room, so the police officer asked if he was Bankman-Fried. Lewis writes: 'At first, no one could find Sam.' Bankman-Fried was in the bathroom, texting his mother and arguing with her. She was initially trying to dissuade him from swearing in a congressional testimony which he was due to deliver on December 13. Bankman-Fried planned to start by saying: 'I f***** up.' She then moved to discussing his arrest, which they all knew was about to happen. She wanted him to wear long pants, but he wanted to wear his trademark cargo shorts. Barbara Fried, the mother of Sam Bankman-Fried, wanted her son to wear a suit for his arrest The jury has been sworn in and opening statements are underway in the fraud trial of embattled FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried Bankman-Fried, 31, was in court at a bench between his two lawyers wearing a suit with his hair cut short at the sides He won the argument, but photos on the day of his arrest show him in court wearing a suit. On Tuesday, at the start of his trial, Bankman-Fried's unruly hair was close-cut. Bankman-Fried has been in jail since August, when his bail was revoked and he was taken from his parents Palo Alto house after a judge found he 'attempted to tamper with witnesses at least twice'. His lawyers had received approval to provide Bankman-Fried with business attire for the trial, including 'appropriate undergarments.' The event allows women to meet major tech brands such as Apple and Amazon Female jobseekers at a women in tech conference have reacted with fury after a number of men crashed the networking event, seemingly taking advantage of the acceptance of 'nonbinary' people. The scandal erupted at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing in Orlando Florida, which is among the most lucrative job finding conventions for young female professionals to meet major tech firms, often right out of college. But this year's summit, held from September 26th to 29th, was swarmed with men also looking to land a big interview with firms including Amazon, Apple and Google. The reason many were welcomed appeared to be the women's event allowing nonbinary individuals to also attend, sparking anger among women feeling the move was a shameless attempt to take advantage of gender diversity programs. Footage from the women in tech conference showed numerous men also in attendance, seemingly taking advantage of the vague rules around attendants being 'nonbinary' Female attendees were quick to show their distaste at the men showing up at the women's event, with some even claiming they cut in lines and shoved other guests Furious attendees took to social media to slam the men for gatecrashing the women's event, however some pointed the finger at vague benchmarks for entering the summit as men could simply identify as 'nonbinary.' This was acknowledged by Cullen White, the Chief Impact Officer of AnitaB.org, which hosts the conference, as he took to the stage to address the audience at the end of the event, saying: 'Simply put, some of you lied about your gender identity when you registered.' Mamantha J, an attendee who condemned the event on LinkedIn, said she was 'really looking forward' to the forum before realizing it was not what she expected. 'As a woman who has experienced patriarchic dominance in the tech industry, I hoped the convention would provide a fair chance for me to connect with potential employers,' she said. Alongside complaints about long lines and exhausted recruiters, she said she witnessed 'a significant number of cis-men allies taking opportunities meant for women and non-binary, a concerning trend that seemed unaddressed by the event organizers.' 'It saddens me the see all those cis men attending #GHC23 and misrepresenting their gender,' added Anchal Katyalm, a software development manager at Amazon who also hit out at the gatecrashers on Linkedin. 'We need male allies. We need men who want to celebrate women, who want to work with, and for women,' she added. 'For all the women & nonbinary people attending, hold your ground & believe in yourself.' Another frustrated female jobseeker said on TikTok that she was in line to network with a recruiter when several men cut in front of her in the queue. Another participant, Lauren Shaefer, said she was a big fan of the conference ever since she landed an internship there in 2007, until this year where her love of the event was dashed. 'I once again traveled to the celebration to give a talk, but I didnt leave feeling refreshed and energized,' she wrote. 'The opening and closing talks from the main stage were excellent, but everything in between felt disheartening.' She added that she even spoke with a security guard who 'said they kicked out men who were pushing and shoving', adding that: 'The career fair was overrun with men.' 'AnitaB.org addressed the situation, but the career expo was still overcrowded and people were forced to wait an hour just to get into the expo on Friday morning. The situation felt gross.' Footage of men pushing and shoving or being kicked out has not surfaced, however numerous people on social media have also claimed they saw male attendees aggressively harrying others inside the summit. Cullen White, the Chief Impact Officer of AnitaB.org, which hosts the conference, took to the stage to address the audience at the end of the event, saying: 'Simply put, some of you lied about your gender identity when you registered' After the conference was plunged into controversy, White spoke to the audience to address the oversight in allowing the men to attend, as he slammed the number of 'cis men' opting to join. 'This is supposed to be a joyous event that centers around you,' he began. 'Yesterday, it became clear that there are a far greater number of cisgender men attending'. 'Simply put, some of you lied about your gender identity when you registered - as evidenced by the stacks and stacks of resumes you're passing out. 'You did so because you thought you could come here and take space to get a job. 'We need male allies, we need men who want to celebrate women, want to work with and for women. 'Unfortunately some of you took discounted academic tickets from women who need them, some of you are taking interview slots right now... from women who need them. 'Some of you are stood in line talking to recruiters instead of letting women speak. All of those are limited resources to which you have no right. 'So let me be perfectly clear: stop right now. Stop.' AnitaB.org also acknowledged the backlash in a separate social media post, saying that this year's conference saw 'an increase in participation in self-identifying males.' 'We are dedicated to bringing structural changes to ensure that GHC continues to be an uplifting experience and provides opportunities for women and non-binary technologists. 'In regard to calls for AnitaB.org to ban males from attending GHC, Federal Non-Discrimination requirements prohibit any U.S. based organization from discriminating based on gender. 'Not only must we comply with federal law, we also believe in the power of providing an inclusive space. Male attendees, along with every attendee, Sponsor, Patron, Partner, and Staff member, are expected to uphold and embody a commitment to the mission.' Dozens of stores in the area have closed in recent months due to the city's persistent issues with homelessness, drug use, and crime The company said the closings are part of a 'larger evaluation' of their portfolio Seven Starbucks stores in San Francisco's downtown area are planning to close as the city continues to deal with crime, drug use, and a homelessness epidemic. The coffee company on Tuesday announced the locations of the stores which will shutter effective October 22 as part of an evaluation of the company's portfolio. 'Each year as a standard course of business, we evaluate the store portfolio to determine where we can best meet our community and customers' needs,' a Starbucks spokesperson told CNN. The official said they are committed to San Francisco as a whole and added that they have opened three other stores in the area in the last six months. Despite the apparent denial that the closures are connected to the city's persistent issues, it's just the latest in a string of recent major store shut downs in the Bay Area. In August, the area's flagship Nordstrom closed after three decades in business while other notable closings include Whole Foods, CB2, Anthropologie, and more. Seven Starbucks stores in San Francisco's downtown area are planning to close in October The closures come as the city continues to experience crime, drug-use, a homeless epidemic The seven locations closing on October 22 are identified below: Mission Street and Main Street Geary Street and Taylor Street 425 Battery St. 398 Market St. 4th Street and Market Street 555 California St. Bush Street and Van Ness Avenue In their statement, the Starbucks spokesperson said their dedication to San Francisco is not wavering despite the closures. In addition to opening several new locations, the brand is constantly 'identifying stores in need of investment or renovation,' including four stores currently. The investments are reported to cost $2.5 million. 'We remain dedicated to investing in the City in meaningful and important ways that meet our partners and customers where they are in the best way we know how,' Jessica Borton, Starbucks' regional VP for Northern California, said to CNN. A company official also confirmed to SFGATE that all employees are being offered the opportunity to transfer to a different location. 'We will continue to listen to the needs of our partners (employees) to ensure they can focus on crafting beverages and creating connections in a welcoming environment,' an email sent to employees read. 'I want to thank each of you for your leadership and support of our partners as we communicate this news,' the email continued. After the seven closures, 52 Starbucks remain in San Francisco. In their statement, the Starbucks spokesperson said their dedication to San Francisco is not wavering despite the closures A homeless woman is seen on the street in San Francisco's Tenderloin District A homeless woman moves her belongings after being approached by the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team's Encampment Resolution Team In early August, John Chachas, the owner of local luxury furnisher Gump's, paid for a full-page ad in Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle to pen a scathing letter. The ad, addressed to Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor London Breed accuses the politicians of dereliction of duty due to the city's major and rampant issues. Chachas, 59, also said if things continue on the current path, it could end up in the 166-year-old store's doors closing forever. Expressing a deep desire to not be the latest casualty of the so-called 'retail apocalypse' gripping the city, Cachas demanded Newsom and Breed immediately reassess their 'failed public policies', or face a future without his store. 'Today, as we prepare for our 166th holiday season at 250 Post Street, we fear this may be our last because of the profound erosion of this city's conditions,' Chachas, who ran for US senate in Nevada as a Republican in 2010 but lost, wrote. As for an explanation why, the Columbia and Harvard Business School grad said: 'San Francisco now suffers from a "tyranny of the minority" - behavior and actions of the few that jeopardize the livelihood of the many.' The investment banker - who acquired Gump's following a Chapter 11 filing in 2018 - went on to explain how crime, homelessness, a lack of foot traffic, and lawlessness have plagued his store and others downtown after a long COVID shutdown. San Franciscos elected class, he said, has proved incapable of addressing the problem, thanks to policies that have allowed the homeless to run rampant. Around the same time, the city's flagship Nordstrom store closed amid the city's rise in crime, homelessness, and public drug use. Video taken by local media outlets showed the once vibrant store depleted of its merchandise and customers as it prepared to close its doors. 'It's half of the mall that is no longer going to be here. I do think it might change the businesses. You can already see it. It's unfortunate,' said a Nordstrom employee. In early August, John Chachas, the owner of local luxury furnisher Gump's, paid for a full-page ad in Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle to pen a scathing letter about the city's issues Chachas said if things continue on the current path, it could end up in the 166-year-old store's doors closing forever This is the full ad that Chachas paid to run in the San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco's flagship Nordstrom closed after three decades in business in August A map reveals the major businesses which have left, or have announced they are leaving, San Francisco in recent months. Retailers like Whole Foods, Anthropologie, Old Navy, AmazonGo, Saks Off Fifth, and Office Depot are among those taking part in the mass exodus Other major closures include GAP, Saks 5th Avenue, Whole Foods, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Office Depot, Cinemark, Abercrombie and Fitch, and more. The city has also suffered from the rise in remote working after the pandemic, which has decimated footfall in the financial district and Union Square areas. Office vacancies reached a record high of 31 percent in May, enough space for 92,000 workers. A woman is fighting for life after she was allegedly shot by her partner before he turned the gun on himself in a suspected attempted murder suicide. The woman, 38, was found with a gunshot wound to her abdomen at a house on Sprigg Street at Millner, in Darwin's north, at 6.30pm on Tuesday. A 35-year-old man was also found dead with a firearm lying beside him. A neighbour said the man had shot his ex-partner before taking his own life. The woman was raced to Royal Darwin Hospital where she was operated on and is fighting for her life in the intensive care unit. The incident marked the second shooting to rock the Northern Territory capital city after a man was found dead. The two shootings are unrelated to each other. A woman has been left fighting for her life after she was shot by her partner before he turned the gun on himself in a suspected attempted murder suicide Neighbours told NT News they heard screaming from the house along with the sound of the two shots where the dead man and injured woman were discovered. The couple were reported to be in a relationship but the woman had been staying at a domestic violence shelter and had only returned to the house with her child to get belongings with the intention of leaving her partner. An unnamed neighbour described what happened as an 'ambush' saying the woman was invited back into the home by the alleged shooter. 'The level of domestic violence in this town is appalling,' he said. 'It hits differently when it's on your street.' Another neighbour Kim Leonard-Bond said the man's brother was performing chest compressions on one of the persons before paramedics arrived. Ms Leonard-Bond said she had known the family since the brothers were boys. 'I just think as a mother I just think, Oh my god how do you cope with the loss of your child, let alone one that killed himself in your house?' she said. Friends were seen visiting the home on Wednesday morning with one man weeping quietly in his car just metres from the house. Major Crime detective Paul Morrissey was unable to confirm if there was a history of domestic violence, or if the woman was staying in a shelter but did confirm other family members were at the home during the shooting. 'It's concerning for neighbours. It's obviously distressing for family members and friends of the persons involved and also a confronting scene for first responders,' he said. He said that investigations are in their 'infancy' but did not anticipate any arrests in the suspected attempted murder suicide. Police were still at the property on Wednesday morning with evidence markers seen near a pair of men's running shoes. Detectives were also interviewing local residents and seeking witnesses. A report is being prepared for the coroner. The wounded woman was rushed to the Royal Darwin Hospital where she was operated on and remains in a critical condition Earlier on Tuesday, police were called ato another shooting in the northern Darwin suburb of Karama where a 63-year-old man was found dead at 4.30pm. A resident said he saw a paddy wagon come 'flying around' the street near the Eaton Place home on Tuesday evening. 'Quickly after that, there were two, three, four cop cars and two ambulances, all here within a couple of minutes,' he said. 'I didn't hear any noise or anything leading up to it, and we were outside.' Mr Morrissey said a firearm was seized at the scene and the circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation. 'These incidents can happen anywhere, I suppose, but there doesn't appear to be any sort of ongoing concern in regards to either these incidents,' he said of both shootings. Police are investigating to see if the guns were licenced and lawfully held at both properties. Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles expressed her sympathies to those affected by the two tragedies. 'My thoughts are with the family, the friends and the neighbours of these incidents and we'll allow police to undertake the appropriate investigations,' she said '(It's) something that we don't see every day in the Territory and quite significant from the advice I've been provided.' Partygoers at a music festival were left shocked after an attendee wearing nothing but shoes and a backpack allegedly masturbated in front of the stage. Footage of the troubling incident shared to Reddit this week shows the man among a packed crowd believed to be at music festival Listen Out in Centennial Park in Sydney last Saturday as US rapper Ice Spice was about to perform. Paying guests can be heard shouting insults at the naked man and telling him to leave, though he appears oblivious. Some commenters on the Reddit post who claimed to have been in the same crowd as the man said that when he did not respond, some offended partygoers punched him, which even then failed to get much of a reaction. 'A bit later people began bashing him and people just kept shuffling away since most just didn't want to be touched by the guy and get in the way,' one person said. 'He got pushed and shoved but kept jerking it, so a few guys punched him in the head,' another said. 'He didn't even react, it was pretty crazy,' a third said. The shocked crowd cleared the area around the man who allegedly masturbated in front of the stage before offended revellers led him away NSW Police confirmed a person attending Listen Out was charged with wilful and obscene exposure, though have not clarified it is the same man shown in the video. Some others commenting on the video asked if the man was given any help noting that he could have been affected by drugs or alcohol. 'Not saying it is your, or anyone's responsibility because he could be dangerous, but the right thing to do here is get this guy to medical or get medical to this guy,' a person wrote. The video coincides with two deaths at other Sydney festivals over the weekend and claims by one woman she was subjected to an invasive strip search by police at a festival. Brooke Hayden, 27, from Western Sydney claims she was subjected to the hands-on search after being singled out by sniffer dogs. Police in NSW are supposed to conduct visual-only strip searched and no substances were found on her. NSW could follow the lead of other states and territories by trialling free pill-testing sites, with Premier Chris Minns declining to rule it out. The festival was held last Saturday in Sydney and featured Skrillex and Ice Spice among the headliners Police patrol the Listen Out Festival at Centennial Park in Sydney Two men died after leaving a dance music festival at Sydney Showground on Saturday, spurring renewed calls for the rollout of an ACT-style drug-testing regime. Police on Tuesday charged a Melbourne man with supplying the drug that killed one of the men, a 21-year-old who later died in hospital. The charge was later withdrawn after the force conceded it 'did not have the requisite authority by the DPP as required'. While the precise circumstances of the two deaths were still unclear, Mr Minns said it was a 'terrible situation' for the families who had lost loved-ones. The introduction of pill testing for festivals would not be a perfect solution and the use of drugs like MDMA, or ecstasy, in hot conditions where people were liable to become severely dehydrated was a 'toxic and extremely dangerous mix', he said. 'Pill testing is not going to stop that happening and I need to make sure when decisions are made about festival safety - which is our primary concern - it's done with the full information on the table,' he said. Older shoppers have fired back at 'spoilt brat' young Aussies after one demanded supermarkets restrict those customers who take too long at the check-out to a 'boomer hour'. The shopper, from Victoria's Mornington Peninsula south-east of Melbourne, claimed older customers 'should be more mindful of time-poor workers and busy parents' in a post shared on Facebook. They added older customers were taking up too much space in the aisles to stop and socialise, making it inconvenient for other shoppers in a rush. Boomers on social media labelled the idea as 'brainless' and lashed out at young Aussies for being 'entitled' and 'self-centred'. Older shoppers have fired back at young Aussies after one demanded supermarkets restrict those customers to a 'boomer hour' because they take too long in the aisles and at the check-out (pictured, older woman doing her shopping at a Woolworths in Melbourne) 'What a pack of disrespectful spoilt brats ... they have a lot to learn about life ... they can go & get stuffed,' one person wrote. 'What a brainless idea. Stuff that, bowing down to the selfish or the impatient,' another person commented. One boomer wrote that 'young idiots' should 'get stuffed', while another suggested their own solution: 'Here's an idea, f*** off little turds'. READ MORE: Boomers issue a brutal message to young Aussies struggling to buy a home Advertisement Other boomers said they will shop whenever they want, with many claiming they will now deliberately take longer while in supermarket aisles and at check-outs. 'Omg, next they'll want to euthanasia (sic) over fifty years old. What is wrong with these self-important self-centred spoiled brats? They drive like they shop "get out of my way, get off my road, get out of my supermarket",' one person wrote. 'All about me generation. Me me me, I need to have my voice heard, I need to make every situation about me 'cause the world revolves around me,' another commented. One boomer advised young Aussies who are complaining about slow shoppers to remember that they too will be old some day. 'I think some of you that complain about slow older people forget that in the future if you are lucky enough to reach that age, you too will be slower,' they wrote. 'If you don't want to wait then use the self-service machines which most supermarkets have now days or shop online, your problem solved.' Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart (pictured) slammed the idea claiming it is 'ageism personified' Consumer behaviour analyst Barry Urquhart branded the idea as 'ageism personified'. 'It won't work because they are a primary driver of the marketplace at the moment,' he told 7News. 'At a time where the cost of living and the cost of doing business is acute, you can't turn and marginalise any consumer group. 'Those Australians who have got the money and are spending it are 50 years of age and older, they are very attractive to retail businesses at large.' Mr Urquhart explained Australia, with the exception of Sweden, had the highest level of personal debt in the world and at a time when people were therefore looking to curb spending, any customers need to be encouraged. Mr Urquhart said the older Australians have the money to spend and are a primary driver for the market (pictured, older shopper at a Woolworths check-out) 'This is ageism personified. People are wanting to say ''let's marginalise the older people, let's make them invisible'' and they're saying ''no, we're asserting ourselves in tourism, hospitality, flight purchases at large'',' he said. 'Follow the money and the money in Australia at the moment is for people aged 50 years of age and older because they've got less mortgage, more discretionary purchases and are spending it.' During the peak of the Covid pandemic, Woolworths and Coles introduced priority access for elderly people so they did not miss out on scarce essential items. Both retailers opened for senior citizens and those with disabilities between 7am and 8am so they could get their shopping done without being shunted aside by aggressive panic buyers. A family dog died after rangers tried restraining the loose pup before their equipment failed and strangled the dog to death. City of Perth rangers were called to a Kensington address after locals reported an unregistered and 'unpredictable' Staffordshire bull terrier cross wandering alone on September 19. The staffie, called Snowflake, had escapted its owner's yard and was roaming the street, which was not uncommon according to a neighbour. When it was approached by the rangers the dog became aggressive and needed to be retrained, City CEO Mike Bradford said. Once Snowflake had arrived at a care facility, the catchpole rangers had used to restrain the dog broke and could not be removed from its neck. Snowflake (not pictured), a beloved family Staffordshire bull terrier cross, died after animal rangers restrained it but were then unable to remove their catchpole (stock image) Perth City CEO Mike Bradford said the use of a catchpole was necessary as the dog had reacted aggressively to rangers, but expressed his sympathies for the death (stock image) Mr Bradford expressed his sympathies for Snowflake's family but denied that there was any wrongdoing in the way rangers handled the situation. READ MORE: Tragic update after Rottweiler's attack A young woman fighting for life after being mauled by her pet Rottweilers has now been struck down with bacterial infections as a result of being bitten. Advertisement 'Rangers were required to use a catchpole to restrain the dog,' he said in a statement. 'The city has also reviewed its procedures and processes to ensure the integrity of all equipment used by the city's rangers.' The dog's owners were not home when rangers captured it, so Snowflake was taken to an animal care facility in Como. Upon getting there they tried to remove the catchpole with bolt cutters without success. 'Despite multiple attempts the cord around the animal could not be released,' Mr Bradford said. Snowflake was rushed to Murdoch vets where the cause of death was ruled to be asphyxiation. The City of Perth has since paid for the dog's cremation. RSPCA WA confirmed that a cruelty complaint had been filed in relation to the incident and that they were investigating. John Jarvien, a neighbour of Snowflake's family, told Perthnow that the dog had been bought for their seven-year-old daughter but that it had escaped on occasion. Once Snowflake had been taken to an animal care facility the rangers led it to an animal pen where they tried to remove the catchpole Rangers had tried using bolt cutters to remove the catchpole after it malfunctioned, but were unsuccessful before rushing it to Murdoch vets (pictured) Perth hospitals have been treating more than four dog bites per day in 2023 and according to reports, the resulting injuries have only been getting worse. Recent data from WA Health and the infamous case of Nikita Piil, who was mauled by her own Rottweilers, has led some to call for new regulations to be put in place on dangerous breeds. The number of dog bite victims checking into emergency departments in the state has risen from 1,243 in 2018 to 1,508 in 2023, an increase of 21 per cent. There is no suggestion that Snowflake would have bitten anybody. Qantas has been slammed by an influencer couple after its freight system was thrown into chaos, with their dog caught up in an IT failure that meant goods have been left behind at airports. The airline has confirmed that a system upgrade to its freight handling system in late September led to an outage that caused significant delays for customers. With the IT system down, workers were forced to process shipments manually, causing backlogs in deliveries at some of the nation's largest airports. AFL star Nathan Broad and his television personality wife Tayla saw their french bulldog get caught up in the delays, claiming that their pet was left in a crate for up to 14 hours without food when they sent him from Melbourne to Perth. AFL star Nathan Broad and his television personality wife Tayla saw their french bulldog get caught up in the delays, claiming that their pet was left in a crate for up to 14 hours without food when they sent him from Melbourne to Perth The airline has confirmed that a system upgrade to its freight handling system in late September led to an outage that caused significant delays for customers They say Qantas didn't notify them of any changes after the dog wasn't put on a flight, and a family member waited for hours at Perth airport only to be told it hadn't arrived. 'This is disgusting and animal abuse,' Mrs Broad wrote on social media. 'He is so rattled. Couldn't get up our stairs due to exhaustion, so dehydrated, drooling and all out of sorts,' she wrote in another post. Broad said Qantas' 'excuse' was that its system was down. 'You belong in a crate you useless airline!' he wrote on Instagram. The airline issued a statement in the wake of the incident apologising to the couple. 'Our team regularly checked the pet was OK, refilled their water and made sure the crate was clean. The crate was kept under cover in our freight terminal while waiting,' a spokesperson said. The delays also meant unrefrigerated produce and pharmaceuticals were ruined, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting that corpses were left in coffins on the tarmac. 'This is disgusting and animal abuse,' Mrs Broad wrote on social media 'He is so rattled. Couldn't get up our stairs due to exhaustion, so dehydrated, drooling and all out of sorts,' Mrs Broad wrote in another post Qantas has denied that coffins were left at airports, with urgent medical supplies and human remains prioritised to avoid delays. The airline says the IT issue has been fixed and domestic backlogs cleared; however, there are still delays on international freight services. 'The issue has now been addressed and we are working around the clock to make sure all outstanding items get where they need to go as quickly as possible,' a Qantas Freight spokesperson said. 'We appreciate this has been really frustrating for customers and we are sorry that this outage impacted them over the past couple of weeks. We've been posting regular website updates and getting in touch with customers directly.' Fears are mounting over the aviation industry's safety oversight measures amid the scandal AOG Technics, a middleman in the aviation industry, is accused of mass-producing fake safety certificates At least 126 engines across a number of airlines were found to include parts from a jet supplier company under investigation The aviation industry has been rocked by reports thousands of jet-engine parts with fraudulent safety certificates have been installed onto passenger planes. Major airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines have pulled jets from their fleets as investigations into the potentially catastrophic faults are ongoing. The scandal has zeroed in on a dubious airplane parts supplier named AOG Technics, which allegedly mass-produced fake safety certificates in order to sell its engine parts to airlines. AOG Technics has also faced allegations it faked employees and was using stock photographs for fictitious staffers on LinkedIn, according to Bloomberg. Attempts to contact the company were unsuccessful. With parts from the problematic company so far found in 126 engines across several airlines, questions are being raised over the effectiveness of the aviation industry's safety oversight measures. The allegedly faulty safety certificates were installed in at least 126 Boeing and Airbus engines across several airlines. Pictured: An Airbus A320 NEO engine at a Safran plant in France, 2018 The scandal has rocked the aviation industry, with potentially faulty parts stretching from small nuts and bolts to vitally important turbine blades. Pictured: Manufacturing parts for an Airbus A320 wing American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines pulled planes from their rosters, including aviation industry favorite Boeing 737 jets (pictured) Airline parts are supposed to undergo stringent safety tests to ensure they are 'airworthy', with each part coming with a certificate that can be used to trace the component's origins and inspection records. But the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as investigators in Europe, have alleged that AOG Technics forged its documentation, an issue with potentially disastrous consequences in the event of a faulty part. The most affected engine model was found to be a CFM56, which alarmingly holds the record for most engines ever sold to airlines at over 33,900. It is currently installed in numerous jets across the world, most notably Boeing's predecessor to the 737 MAX and the initial version of the Airbus A320. Both jets are extremely common in flights across the world each day. The affected engine parts vary from small components such as screws and bolts to units vital for the propulsion of a jet, such as turbine blades. As investigations into the potential scheme continue, it was found that dozens of the engines were inadvertently made by General Electric in a joint venture with Safran, which has since launched a lawsuit against AOG Technics. The GE engines were reportedly installed during maintenance work, and then found their way into Boeing and Airbus airplanes. After American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines pulled planes from their rosters, Delta Airlines said on Monday that it also removed a several engines from service. Affected airlines have said they quickly identified engines certified by AOG Technics, which made up only a fraction of their total number, and claim passenger safety has not been compromised. But according to the lawsuit filed by GE and Safran, the aviation parts supplier used a large scale falsification system to sell its parts to airlines. The most affected engine model was found to be a CFM56 (pictured), which alarmingly holds the record for most engines ever sold to airlines at over 33,900 In the UK, where the company lists it address, a judge this week ordered the company to turn over its parts sales documents, and the full extent of the scandal could grow as the records are assessed. Before the analysis began on Wednesday, airlines said they found 16 engines in their shops and a 110 in separate facilities that were fitted with parts from AOG Technics. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company serves as a middleman in the aviation industry by acquiring parts before selling them to maintenance and repair shops. It was established in 2015, but several disturbing business practices have been alleged in recent times, including that there is reportedly no record of the company ever receiving approvals for its parts. Court documents have also found that the company's founder, Jose Zamora Yrala, is the sole director and shareholder, and dubious LinkedIn profiles have reportedly been linked to the business using aliases and stock profile pictures. 'Its a bit strange that a phantom company can be allowed to supply spare parts with false certification documents,' Olivier Andries, the chief executive of Safran, told reporters last month. The controversy has highlighted the complex nature of the aviation industry. Pictured: The wheel well of the first Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft as it sits on the tarmac outside of the Boeing factory on February 5, 2018 Allegedly fictitious safety certificates were slapped on critical components of a jet In their bombshell lawsuit, GE and Safran, joined in the action by their joint venture CFM International, say they were initially alerted to the crisis in June after it was caught by the engineering and maintenance teams of TAP Air Portugal. They claim AOG Technics has put 'aircraft safety in jeopardy and renders it impossible for operators who have purchased these parts to verify the airworthiness of their engines.' 'All falsified parts need urgently to be identified and the relevant operators notified,' the suit adds, warning that the stress engines are put under during a flight coupled with the hundreds of lives in their hands each route means even a small part malfunctioning could be catastrophic. Stressing that safety is the priority in bringing the suit, GE reportedly told investors that it doesn't anticipate the issue to have any financial impact on the company. The lawsuit also brings up allegations that AOG Technics used stock photographs and potentially faked employees online. 'There are, therefore, legitimate questions as to whether the profiles have been manufactured and whether the profiled employees actually exist,' the suit claims. The WSJ reported that it visited the company's listed address in London, near Buckingham Palace, where reception and security staff said they had not heard of the company. A representative for the building that leases the spaces told the outlet that AOG Technics was a virtual client and did not hold a space in the location. 'If you put a part in an airplane engine, you should feel confident that its legitimate,' said Ron Epstein, an aerospace analyst at Bank of America. 'Somebody found a loophole. The system is supposed to guard against that.' Frequent changes to rules, guidance and public health messaging during the pandemic 'confused' the public and risked public confidence in the police, the Covid-19 inquiry heard yesterday. Politicians, advisors and civil servants who flouted unprecedented lockdown rules also 'fuelled mistrust' and undermined the Government's attempt to keep people safe, inquiry chairman Baroness Heather Hallett was told. Parents felt they had no choice but to keep their children inside amid fears allowing them to play outside would land them in trouble with the police, the inquiry heard. Rory Philips KC, representing the National Police Chiefs Council, alluded to the difficulty for officers dealing with the constantly changing lockdown rules, which at one stage resulted in forces being accused of 'overreaching' their enforcement powers as social restrictions came into effect. He told the public inquiry: 'Police officers and their leaders had to adjust to novel conditions without any idea of how long they would last, of how far police resources would be diminished through isolation or infection, and do what they could to ensure that they were able so far as possible to discharge their usual duties and functions, whilst also paying proper regard to their responsibilities for the safety and welfare of officers and staff.' Frequent changes to rules, guidance and public health messaging during the pandemic 'confused' the public and risked public confidence in the police, the Covid-19 inquiry heard yesterday (Stock Image) And he lamented the 'frequent changes to the legal framework in which the police had to operate', often at very short notice. He said the regulations led officers into 'largely uncharted territory' and brought with it 'a recognised risk of impact on the perception of - and on public trust in - policing'. Brian Stanton, representing the British Medical Association, accused the UK Government of failing to 'provide clear, consistent and visible public health messaging'. He said the Eat Out to Help Out initiative - the then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak's attempt to support the hospitality sector - actually 'confused' advice, suggesting that it was 'safe for people to socialise' before vaccines were available and when the risks from infection remained high. He also said the Government's fluctuating attitude to working from home 'undermined the public's understanding of and confidence in core public health messaging'. Although he did not mention specific examples, he said the failures of 'MPs, senior advisors and civil servants to adhere to the rules, fueled mistrust and misinformation and further impacted the effectiveness' of messages to the public. The inquiry heard the pandemic was particularly difficult for children, with claims their rights were 'neglected'. Jennifer Twite, on behalf of a number of children's organisations, said this was further demonstrated by the inquiry refusing to call former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson to give evidence to the current module on Government actions during the pandemic because he 'was largely excluded' from decision-making at the time. Politicians, advisors and civil servants who flouted unprecedented lockdown rules also 'fuelled mistrust' and undermined the Government's attempt to keep people safe, inquiry chairman Baroness Heather Hallett (pictured) was told Ms Twite told the inquiry children were 'negatively impacted and continue to be negatively impacted in a plethora of ways'. She explained how lockdown rules often prevented children from playing with others, meaning some of those without siblings went for more than two months without seeing another child at the start of the pandemic. She added: 'Parents kept their children in for fear of breaking the rules. 'The result was that children skateboarding, climbing trees, and paddling in streams were told off by the police and sent home. 'When adults were allowed to meet one other adult from another household for the jogging and the yoga that they were allowed to do, their young children could not meet any of their friends, because the need for a supervising adult would constitute a breach of the lockdown regulations.' Joanna Goodman, co-founder of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, said she felt the Government was responsible for the death of her medically vulnerable 72-year-old father Stuart in the early days of the pandemic, citing a lack of border restrictions and testing. She told the inquiry: 'It felt as though the Government had done absolutely nothing. 'I don't think there was any meaningful, tangible action that I could point to that the Government had done to protect my father.' The inquiry continues. Well-known Melbourne restaurateur Kevin Donovan has died at the age of 68. Donovan, who was the co-founder of the famous St Kilda foreshore restaurant Donovans, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday leaving behind his wife, Gail. 'Gail had cooked a wonderful dinner for him,' Nick Parkhouse, the new owner of the restaurant, said. 'His last meal was sharing an incredible thing with Gail, which was a marvellous send-off for him.' Donovan battled an undiagnosed condition for the last five years and suffered from aneurysms, Parkinson-like symptoms and reduced lung function. American-born restaurateur Kevin Donovan (pictured with wife Gail) died in his sleep on Tuesday The Melbourne couple owned the famous restaurant Donovans (above) in St Kilda for 26 years The Donovan couple opened their restaurant in 1997 and it grew to become one of Melbourne's most beloved eateries. READ MORE: 'Explosion' in southeast Melbourne Advertisement However, after serving more than 1.5 million customers over 26 years, they sold Donovans on August 31. 'Kev's been unwell for five years and not able to work in the restaurant for at least three years,' Mrs Donovan told Good Food at the time. 'It's time that I stayed home, not to look after Kev because I don't intend to do that, but because we want time to have some more fun.' She also revealed the couple met in 1986 when Mr Donovan moved from America to direct food services at the Grand Hyatt hotel. Mr Donovan had interviewed Mrs Donovan for a job. 'I went home and said to my housemate, "I'm going to marry that guy". I thought he was wonderful,' Mrs Donovan said. The Donovans sold their restaurant to Nick Parkhouse (centre) in August after Mr Donovan's health declined and he was unable to work In a 2018 interview with the Herald Sun, Mr Donovan explained why avoided retirement for so long. 'What would I do? I cant play golf every day and I hate gardening,' he said. 'Its like that old saying: do what you love and youll never work a day in your life. 'This is what I love, Im literally living my dream right now.' This was Rishi Sunaks first conference speech as Prime Minister. And given Labours substantial lead in the polls, he must have been uncomfortably aware it could also be his last. So yesterday was his chance to start shifting the dial; to articulate a positive vision for Britain before work starts on what will be a make-or-break Tory manifesto. With a general election in the offing, the Conservative faithful were hoping to be inspired. They desperately wanted to witness a dynamic and assured performance signalling that Mr Sunak had the stomach for the forthcoming fight. Did he deliver? The answer was an emphatic yes. No one expected Mr Sunak to scale Churchillian heights of oratory. But he came across as energetic, inventive and likeable. Here was a man of prime ministerial substance. DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Did he deliver? The answer was an emphatic yes. No one expected Mr Sunak to scale Churchillian heights of oratory His speech bristled with traditional Tory values: Strong defence, sound money, the family, enterprise, hard work and the vital importance of a good education for all, to secure the equality of opportunity without which there can be no social justice. READ MORE: Rishi vows to 'change' Britain like Thatcher did at Conservative Party conference Advertisement In the most powerful passage, Mr Sunak spoke passionately about his own rise from being the grandson of Indian and East African immigrants who arrived here with nothing to Downing Street. Anyone prepared to work hard and show initiative could succeed in Britain, he said irrespective of their skin colour. Never let anyone tell you that this is a racist country, he said. I am proud to be the first British Asian prime minister but Im even prouder its just not a big deal. How starkly this contrasts with the Lefts view of the UK as a swamp of bigotry, a depiction as inaccurate as it is insulting. On wokery, Mr Sunak was equally sound. Wading into the culture war being waged by trans activists who try to bully others into believing people can change sex at will, he said: They cant. A man is a man and a woman is a woman. Thats just common sense. Now he must crack on with issuing guidance to schools and the NHS to halt the spread of this pernicious ideology. The central purpose of the PMs hour-long speech was to portray himself as someone who will take difficult decisions in the countrys long-term interests, not just for short-term opportunism. He came across as energetic, inventive and likeable. Here was a man of prime ministerial substance Many will say that as the leader of a party that has been in power for 13 years, persuading voters he represents change will be a difficult sell. But the PM made a bold start. Axing the northern leg of HS2 provoked howls he was betraying the North. But the planned line had become a parable for monstrous public sector waste. Ploughing the 36billion saved into rail, road and bus projects in the regions may be better for levelling-up. While the Mail is instinctively suspicious of the nanny state, many will like Mr Sunaks pledge for a phased ban on smoking. He also plans to scrap A-levels and give whole-life sentences for sadistic and sexual murders. Gripping the Channel migrant crisis and the cost of living is also vital. One observation though: How significant was it that Mr Sunak omitted mass immigration? With net migration at a staggering 606,000, surely an issue of such public concern deserves attention? Nor is it over-critical to point out that while promising tough decisions, he devoted none of his speech to housing, public sector cuts and energy security. All are vital to restoring the nations fortunes. Still, Mr Sunak deserved his rapturous reception. He has shown he has some of the ideas needed to transform the country. Now we will see what Sir Keir Starmer has in his locker at Labours annual shindig. So far, his constant U-turns make it impossible to know what he stands for. When voters go to the polls, the winning party will be the one most trusted to carry the country forward. Mr Sunak has made a compelling case it should be the Tories. Furious female British Airways staff have blasted the airline over 'cheap' uniforms designed for non-binary crew. Last year BA relaxed the rules around its strict uniform policy and went gender-neutral to allow male pilots and crew to wear make-up and carry handbags. And, at the start of this year, BA unveiled a new uniform for the first time in two decades designed to 'take the airline into the next chapter'. Although the new uniforms were gendered, BA's policy now allows staff who identify as a certain gender to wear that clothing. Designed by British fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, the sleek new look included a 'modern jumpsuit', skirt and trouser options for women and a tailored three-piece suit for men with regular and slim-fit style trousers. BA heralded the launch as 'marking a new era' for the airline, but now some of its female staff have hit out at the 'cheap' look of the uniform, while others have described the uniforms as 'deliberately androgynous'. Meanwhile BA's self-styled 'Pride Hero' Bradley Gibbons, who is non-binary, posted a picture at work in the new dress, after the airlines non-binary and gender fluid staff won the right to wear the womens uniforms. British Airways staff show off their new uniforms. The airline has a policy which allows staff who identify as a certain gender to wear that clothing BA's rival Virgin Atlantic recently released an advert (pictured) which was branded virtue-signalling by critics and set to the song: 'I am what I am' The airline announced the launch of the new uniform in a Facebook post earlier this week and heralded it as a 'new beginning' Boateng has been developing the collection since 2018. British Airways says that the designer took great care in 'designing a truly original collection taking inspiration from the airline, its people and the art of flying' The British Airways Julian Macdonald uniform - which was used from 2003 up until this week The new uniforms were tested in secret trials last year and finally launched across its workforce on Monday. The uniform has skirt, jumpsuit and trouser options available for women. A source told The Sun: 'The whole thing is a mess.' 'This is an attack on women to satisfy BA's woke credentials when all they needed to do was produce a dedicated uniform for non-binary and gender fluid crew,' they said. The fresh garb was mooted to be rolled-out across its workforce in the spring but the airline officially announced its launch on Monday. Posting on its Facebook page with promotional photos of staff kitted out in the new threads, BA said: 'Marking the beginning of a new era, our new uniform has taken flight.' The airline unveiled the new uniform in January and said at the time that Boateng took great care in 'designing a truly original collection, taking inspiration from the airline, its people and the art of flying'. Boateng has been developing the collection since 2018 with 'painstaking care', the airline reveals. It says that he shadowed a number of airport roles to understand how the uniform needed to perform for each job and ensure a 'modern British, stylish look' with high quality, resilient fabrics. More than 1,500 crew across the airline took part in 50 workshops to help ensure the garments' suitability, from design workshops to prototype feedback and garment trials. British Airways says that these workshops have helped to 'create an iconic collection that will stand the test of time'. Bradley Gibbons, who is non-binary, posted a picture at work in the new dress Bradley has previously featured in BA adverts and shared selfies with Tom Daley, who has worked with BA in the past Bradley is BA's self-styled 'Pride Hero' In the secret trials, the cabin and flight crew uniforms were put through their paces on cargo flights across Europe while engineers have been secretly wearing the new uniforms while maintaining aircraft out of sight in Manchester and Cotswold Airports. Many of the outdoor garments were also tested in deluge showers and freezers at minus 18C to ensure they're water-resistant, durable and fit for extreme weather conditions. Last November, bosses reportedly told staff in an internal memo 'be bold, be proud, be yourself' as it published refreshed guidance allowing male pilots to wear make-up and carry handbags. They said they hoped it would be 'embraced by everyone regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, background, culture, sexual identity, or otherwise'. Male pilots and cabin crew at BA have been told they can wear a 'touch of mascara and lip colour' and false eyelashes, and paint their nails. Strict rules on hairstyles have also been eased - meaning men may now wear 'man buns' - and all staff may now wear a handbag, regardless of their sex or gender identity. MailOnline has contacted BA for comment. Last year a BA spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are proud of all of our colleagues at British Airways and we are committed to an inclusive working environment. 'We have worked with our people to create updated guidelines for grooming, beauty and accessories, allowing our colleagues to bring the best, most authentic version of themselves to work every day.' British Airways unveiled a new uniform for the first time in nearly 20 years in January, with the collection of garments set to 'take the airline into its next chapter' Legacy: BA staff are pictured showing off uniforms from the past 90 years at a Johannesburg fashion show in 2012, with Georgia May Jagger in the front Virgin Atlantic updated its uniform policy to remove gendered clothing requirements in September 2022. Staff including plane crew and pilots may choose which uniform they wear: The company's 'red' option, previously most commonly worn by female flight attendants, or the 'burgundy' option, previously worn by male flight attendants. This includes allowing men to wear skirts and women to wear trousers, as well as increasing the uniform options available to non-binary staff members. They are also introducing pronoun badges in a bid to allow staff to 'wear uniforms that express their true identity'. The airline has teamed up with RuPaul's Drag Race star Michelle Visage in a bid to 'reflect the diversity of its workforce' and offer its people a fluid approach to its red and burgundy uniforms. The company said the change makes it 'the most inclusive airline in the skies' and its employees are among those who have praised the changes on social media. A university lecturer told his neighbour 'I think I've killed my wife' as he stood in his hallway wearing a shirt 'soaked in blood', his murder trial heard. Ertan Ersoy, 51, is on trial for allegedly murdering his wife Dr Antonella Castelvedere, who was found stabbed to death on the kitchen floor at the couple's home in Colchester, Essex, on June 1 last year. His neighbour Tanja Munro allegedly witnessed the moments after Dr Castelvedere, 52, was stabbed. She told Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday that Ersoy appeared a 'bit disorientated' following the incident. 'He told me, "I think I've killed my wife",' she told the jury, adding that he held his stomach and was 'gesturing and looking towards the kitchen.' Mrs Munro said the kitchen door was not fully open but that she could see 'someone was lying on the floor'. She said Ersoy was 'breathing like he was in pain', 'groaning', and 'was concerned about his wife'. The court earlier heard how he stabbed her 15 times in the face, chest, neck and hands during a 'savage' attack at their home, over the mistaken belief that she was cheating on him. Ersoy denies murder. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Ertan Ersoy, 51, (pictured) told his neighbour 'I think I've killed my wife' as he stood in his hallway wearing a shirt 'soaked in blood' in June last year, his murder trial heard Ertan Ersoy, 51, is on trial for allegedly murdering his wife Dr Antonella Castelvedere, (pictured) who was found stabbed to death on the kitchen floor at the couple's home in Colchester, Essex, on June 1 last year Mrs Munro told jurors yesterday that she was at home when she heard a male voice shouting. She said she saw Ersoy in his hallway holding his stomach and that his shirt was 'soaked in blood'. 'He said 'my wife, my wife' and did say that a few times,' she told the court. Mrs Munro recalled that he was injured, but said the wounds to Ersoy's stomach 'weren't gaping open, they were quite clean, there wasn't blood pumping or gushing out'. She said that she took a cushion to try to stem the bleeding before going into the kitchen where she saw Dr Castelvedere on the floor with a knife 'close to her hand by her head' and in a pool of blood. 'It was behind her head and her shoulders,' she said. 'It was almost like a halo of blood behind her on the floor.' She said she knelt beside Dr Castelvedere and tapped her face to try to rouse her. She said she tried to save her by performing CPR, and did not immediately notice a cut to her neck. She said the top that Dr Castelvedere had been wearing appeared clean. 'I was doing chest compressions and I started to hear sounds coming from her,' Mrs Munro said. 'At first I didn't know where they were coming from but then I noticed they were coming from her throat area.' She continued: 'I couldn't understand where all that blood was coming from as I couldn't obviously see an injury or any kind of wound that was producing this blood.' She said she stopped when she felt she 'wasn't able to do any more for Antonella' and went and knelt beside Ersoy. 'He asked "my wife?" as a question,' she said. 'I took that to mean "is my wife OK?". 'I just shook my head at that point. We didn't speak about anything else.' Pictured: Emergency services on the scene in June 2022 Mrs Munro agreed with Sarah Elliott KC, defending, that her witness statement said Ersoy had appeared a 'bit disorientated', and that he was not aggressive towards her and she did not feel threatened. Christopher Paxton KC, prosecuting, said Ersoy stabbed Dr Castelvedere 'many times, causing 15 areas of sharp force injury' to her face, neck, upper chest and to both hands. He said one of the stab wounds to Dr Castelvedere, on her neck, measured 15cm in length and was 7cm deep and 'resulted in severe blood loss, cardiac arrest and her death'. Dr Castelvedere was a lecturer at the University of Suffolk teaching an MA in English and creative writing. The prosecutor said the defendant was taken to hospital and treated for 'two shallow wounds to his stomach which he claimed she had caused'. He said jurors 'need to be cautious about any suggestion made by the defendant that Antonella caused those two shallow wounds' and that there was 'no independent evidence that she did'. Earlier this week, it was claimed Ersoy hid a device in their house to secretly record conversations with his wife and wanted her to kneel in front of him to beg forgiveness for a relationship she had before they met. Dr Castelvedere is said to have told a friend the day before her death: 'Unfortunately, Ertan has fallen back into a dark state of mind and I fear for my safety.' Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said: 'She was right to fear for her safety because just hours later the defendant, perhaps letting his guard down, told a friend that at times he wanted to kill his wife Antonella to get it over and done with. 'Within 24 hours, Antonella lay dead on the kitchen floor of the family home she shared with her husband and their five-year-old daughter.' The listening device found by police in the couple's home in Colchester, Essex, had a recording that wrongly convinced Ersoy that his wife was cheating on him, the prosecution claim. This, Mr Paxton said, was an example of the defendant's 'jealous, possessive and controlling' behaviour, which 'fuelled his anger and rage towards his wife'. Officers also found notes on Dr Castelvedere's phone outlining problems she was having with her husband, the jury heard. Comments from 2021 referred to Ersoy questioning her about where she had been, how he had fallen drunk down the stairs and accused her of infidelity. The prosecution say Ersoy was obsessed with the relationship his high-flying wife had with a married man before they met although he was accessing online dating websites in the months before her death. 'The defendant wanted her to beg him for forgiveness, for her to kneel in front of Mr Ersoy and say it,' Mr Paxton said. Another entry in her phone two weeks before her death stated that he had followed her to work and accused her of 'betrayal'. Images allegedly discovered on Ersoy's phone showed he had photographed her work schedule to 'spy on her' and had made enquiries about finding a private investigator. Mr Paxton said police had also uncovered a secret recording Ersoy had made of a marriage therapy session that he and his wife had been to in February last year. During the session, he claimed his wife had attacked him and scratched him eight times, although she replied that it happened many years ago. He also claimed his wife had talked about stabbing him and that she had a problem with anger management. Mr Paxton suggested Ersoy was 'laying down a lie' about his wife's behaviour with a therapist, knowing that he was secretly recording the session. The trial continues. An Irish expat who dreamed over beginning a new life with her partner in Australia was killed in a fiery car crash over the weekend. Carol Early and her husband Tony Buckley, 32, were involved in a horror collision at Priestdale, in Brisbane, after visiting the Tiny Homes Expo on Saturday. The two cars were engulfed in flames after the head-on collision. Ms Early and Mr Buckley married in Australia and planned to build a new life together here. Irish and Australians are in mourning following the death of Irish expatriate Carol Early, who was killed in a fiery car crash in suburban Brisbane over the weekend Police say early investigations suggest the vehicles were travelling in opposite directions when they clipped each other, crashed and then burst into flames. Florian Archer, a friend of Mr Buckley, told 7 News that Ms Early was sitting in the passenger seat of Mr Buckley's ute when the force of the collision pushed the vehicle more than 20m before it was pinned against a power pole. Mr Archer said a passing motorist pulled Mr Buckley from his ute before it burst into flames. 'He pulled up and helped Tony out of the car because the car was on its side,' Mr Archer said. 'Then Tony went to go back and get his wife out and the guy just pulled him away from the car. 'And then the whole thing went up in flames.' Ms Early died at the scene. But the couple's dreams were cut short when they were involved in a horror collision with another vehicle at the Ford Rd and Priestdale Rd roundabout in Priestdale after visiting the Tiny Homes Expo Police are investigating the crash and no charges have been laid. Ms Early and Mr Buckley moved to Australia six years ago. Ms Early comes from the Irish village of Donore north of Dublin. She worked in graphic design and print production and Mr Buckley worked as a vehicle mechanic. Four days ago Mr Archer set up a GoFundMe to help Mr Buckley return his wife's remains to her native land. The initial target was $5000 but the GoFundMe has blown past the figure, hitting more than $35,000 as of Thursday morning., 'Please help us help Tony take Carol's remains home,' Mr Archer writes on the page. 'Tony is now faced with the costs of the funeral and returning Carol to her native soil of Ireland.' Ms Early and her husband, 32-year-old Irish national Tony Buckley, married in Australia and planned to build a new life together here Donors, both Irish and Australian, have dug deep to give some small relief to Mr Buckley and pay tribute to his beloved wife. 'Rest in peace Carol. You brought so much joy to so many people. Your smile, beauty and talent will never be forgotten. Thinking of Tony and all your heartbroken family and friends. Praying for you all. Sophie, Shane and Mike,' Mike Egan wrote. 'I knew Carol from her Graphic design works in Brisbane - my office was across the road and she assisted me on some projects in the past 12 months - this is just awful news - she always had a smile and us both being Irish we had a little slagging about Drogheda and Limerick - she was telling me her plans for Australia and future with her husband, full of joy and hope - life is so cruel,' Robert Brouder wrote. 'I was in school with Carol Such awful news. May she rest in power,' Sinead Crilly wrote. A sixth victim of serial murderer Keith Jesperson nicknamed the 'Happy Face Killer' was identified Wednesday as a 34-year-old woman who was hitch-hiking cross-country when she was brutally murdered in 1994. Jesperson, 67, from British Columbia, Canada, killed at least eight women while traveling America's highways as a long-haul rig driver in the 1990s. He earned his notoriety by sending gloating confessions to police and journalists and signing them with a smiley face. On Wednesday, authorities in Florida were able to identify Suzanne Kjellenberg as one of Jesperson's victims, using forensic technology and DNA evidence. Her body was discovered on September 14, 1994 near an exit on Interstate 10 in Holt, Florida. Eric Aden, the sheriff of Okaloosa County, revealed that Jesperson admitted to killing the woman - and had previously said her name was Suzanne - in the mid-90s but were unable to properly identify her. On Wednesday, authorities in Florida were able to identify Suzanne Kjellenberg as one of Jesperson's victims, using forensic technology and DNA evidence 'He has a phenomenal memory. To the point of specific exit numbers,' said senior investigator Kelly Henderson. The DNA technology supplied by Othram Inc. helped them confirm it was Kjellenberg. 'A family member gave a sample, and it became a 100% DNA hit for Suzanne Kjellenberg,' Aden said. Her family, who live in Wisconsin, asked for privacy, according to investigators. Jesperson was arrested in 1995 on suspicion of killing a woman in Washington state and was dubbed the Happy Face Killer because he drew smiley faces on letters he sent to the media and police, prosecutors said. He would eventually confess to killing eight women between 1990 and 1995 in California, Washington, Oregon, Florida, Nebraska, and Wyoming and is currently serving four life sentences without possibility of parole in Oregon. During his reign of terror as the Happy face Killer Jesperson usually targeted prostitutes and homeless women - raping them before strangling them with his bare hands. In 2021, Jesperson detailed his horrific crimes in Oxygen's Snapped Notorious: The Happy Face Killer. A sixth victim of serial murderer Keith Jesperson nicknamed the 'Happy Face Killer' was identified Wednesday as a 34-year-old woman who was hitch-hiking cross-country when she was brutally murdered in 1994 Her body was discovered on September 14, 1994 near an exit on Interstate 10 in Holt, Florida He claimed his first memories of violence were being beaten with a belt by his father, who seemed to take pleasure in the abuse. Despite his troubled upbringing, he found a partner and started his own family. In 1975, the then 20-year-old married his wife, Rose Huck, and they went on to have three children. However, Huck later suspected he was being unfaithful, and their marriage began to crumble. Huck shut him off sexually, according to Jesperson, who claimed to Phelps that his marital troubles fueled his future murders. 'My wife used to say, "Go stick it in the keyhole. Just leave me alone,"' he recalled. 'It really kinda struck me, kinda like, you know, what the hell, I don't need this.' The couple finalized their divorce in 1990 after 15 years of marriage, and he admitted to Phelps that he was 'really angry at women' at the time. Jesperson would eventually confess to killing eight women between 1990 and 1995 in California, Washington, Oregon, Florida, Nebraska, and Wyoming Other victims: Taunja Bennett, 23 (left), who was killed in January 1990, and Julia Ann Winningham, 41, who was Jesperson's long-term girlfriend when she was strangled That same year, he was dumped by his new girlfriend, who left him for another trucker. To get over the breakup, he went barhopping at B & I Tavern in Portland, Oregon, in January 1990. 'That's when I met [Taunja] Bennett,' Jesperson said of his first known victim, who was 23 when he raped and killed her after convincing her to come home with him. Jesperson murdered Bennett, 23, in January 1990, after meeting her at a bar near Portland, Oregon. He invited her back to a house he was renting, where they had sex. Then he beat her and strangled her and went back out to a bar to have more drinks and provide himself with an alibi. He later returned to the house, strapped Taunja's body into the front seat of his car and disposed of it before leaving town. In 1975, the then 20-year-old Jesperson married his wife, Rose Huck Jesperson told filmmakers that his first memories of violence were being beaten with a belt by his father, who seemed to take pleasure in the abuse Three months later, Jesperson met Daun Richert-Slagle, a 21-year-old mother of three who became the only known victim to survive an attack. The truck driver waited for more than two years before he struck again in 1992 - raping and strangling a woman near Blythe, California. She has still not been identified but Jesperson said her name was Claudia. His killing spree then escalated - a month later he raped and strangled a prostitute Cynthia Lyn Rose in Turlock, California. The next month, he killed a fourth woman, also a prostitute, named Laurie Ann Pentland from Salem, Oregon. He claimed to have strangled her because she tried to double the amount of money she wanted for sex and had threatened to call the police. His fifth victim, an unidentified 'Jane Doe' living on the streets in Santa Nella, California, was discovered in July of 1993. Police initially believed she had suffered a drug overdose. In January 1995, Jesperson picked up a 21-year-old hitchhiker, Angela Subrize, whom he offered to drive from Spokane, Washington, to meet her boyfriend in Indiana. On the journey, he raped and strangled her, then strapped her body face-down to the undercarriage of his truck so her face and prints would be ground off by the road while he drove. The killer was finally caught in March 1995 after strangling his long-time girlfriend Julia Ann Winningham, 41, who he claimed did not love him but only wanted his money. She was the only victim he could be connected to. The rest are believed to have been strangers. Jesperson initially refused to talk to police and attempted suicide twice. He then turned himself in, hoping for leniency at his trial. He confessed details of his murderous history while in custody but later recanted much of it. At one point he claimed to have had as many as 160 victims but so far only eight have been confirmed. A man was shocked to find a sharp metal rod in his McChicken after biting down on the classic McDonald's burger. His girlfriend anonymously asked for advice on a private social media page after he pulled the inch-long rod out to show her on Wednesday night. When she took the burger back to the restaurant they offered her a $15 refund or a replacement for the meal. She said that a worker told her that the metal rod was likely a thermometer probe that had snapped off earlier in the day, which staff had since been looking for. 'What would you do,' she asked the group. A man was shocked to discover a metal rod in the first bite he had taken of his McChicken After returning the burger to McDonald's, an employee told his girlfriend that she thought it was a piece of their thermometer that had snapped off earlier in the day She posted her experience to a private social media group and asked what others would have done in her situation Her boyfriend only got one bite in before feeling something hard crunch between his teeth. 'My boyfriend went to take a bite out of his burger and felt something hard,' she wrote. The worker told her that the metal rod was simply the end of a chicken probe that staff use to check the temperatures of patties before serving them. She initially accepted the replacement meal before returning and confessed that they weren't comfortable eating there again, at which point she got a full refund. READ MORE: Gross sight at McDonald's A pair of McDonald's customers sparked outrage after letting their dog sit on an indoor table. Advertisement Online users expressed shock that staff had simply accepted that the metal rod was missing and were happy to forget about it. Multiple former fast food employees and managers said that the woman should contact the store owner. 'They do temperature checks two to three times a day. It literally might have just happened but how they did not realise when they pulled it out is crazy,' one former manager said. 'Ask to speak to the store manager and the franchiser and complain.' 'They poke the chicken patty only two centimetres in to test the temperature for it to be ok to serve to customers. They don't poke it the whole way in,' an old employee added. 'So for that to be "lost" I call BS.' 'I used to work as a manager in fast food and they can not have been paying attention when doing their food safety if they didn't know where the probe went which is so f***ing dangerous,' another said. The anonymous woman received dozens of responses which ranged from shocked to passive, with some advising her to complain and others telling her to deal with it Others dismissed the issue and asked what more can be expected from a place like McDonald's. 'People are so dramatic these days, it's all processed, s*** is bound to get in the food,' one woman said. 'I found a greasy bolt in my salad from a cafe once. I took it back and got a refund and they were sweet about it. S*** happens was my attitude,' a second agreed. 'Who cares, people make mistakes,' said a third. A few users encouraged the woman to get lawyers involved if her boyfriend was injured by the sharp rod. McDonald's uses a thermometer multiple times each day to ensure that the products they are serving are safe for consumption and fully cooked through (pictured, a McChicken) A McDonald's spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that they were investigating the incident and that they take food safety very seriously. 'McDonalds takes food and drink safety very seriously. We follow strict processes and procedures to ensure the quality of our food,' the spokesperson said. 'We are investigating this and encourage the customer to contact our Customer Service team so we can look into it in more detail.' McDonald's provides routine temperature checks on everything cooked in-store to ensure that it is safe to serve to customers. It is not known which restaurant served the tainted McChicken that the anonymous woman returned for a refund. Daily Mail Australia has contacted McDonald's for comment. Pope Francis has blamed climate change on 'the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model'. The pontiff urged world leaders on Wednesday to commit to binding targets to slow climate change before it's too late, warning that God's increasingly warming creation is fast reaching a 'point of no return.' In an update to his landmark 2015 encyclical on the environment, Francis heightened alarm about the 'irreversible' harm to people and planet already under way and lamented that once again, the world's poor and most vulnerable are paying the highest price. He said: 'We are now unable to halt the enormous damage we have caused. We barely have time to prevent even more tragic damage.' He took aim at the United States, noting that per-capita emissions in the U.S. are twice as high as China and seven times greater than the average in poor countries. Pope Francis (pictured on Wednesday) has blamed climate change on 'the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model' While individual, household efforts are helping, 'we can state that a broad change in the irresponsible lifestyle connected with the Western model would have a significant long-term impact,' he said. The document, Praise God, was released on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the pontiff's nature-loving namesake, and was aimed at spurring negotiators to commit to binding climate targets at the next round of U.N. talks in Dubai. Using precise scientific data, sharp diplomatic arguments and a sprinkling of theological reasoning, Francis delivered a moral imperative for the world to transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy with measures that that are 'efficient, obligatory and readily monitored.' He said: 'What is being asked of us is nothing other than a certain responsibility for the legacy we will leave behind, once we pass from this world.' Francis's 2015 encyclical 'Praise Be' was a watershed moment for the Catholic Church, the first time a pope had used one of his most authoritative teaching documents to recast the climate debate in moral terms. In that text, which has been cited by presidents, patriarchs and premiers and spurred an activist movement in the the church, Francis called for a bold cultural revolution to correct a 'structurally perverse' economic system where the rich exploit the poor, turning Earth into an 'immense pile of filth.' Even though encyclicals are meant to stand the test of time, Francis said he felt an update to his original was necessary because 'our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point'. Francis's 2015 encyclical 'Praise Be' was a watershed moment for the Catholic Church, the first time a pope had used one of his most authoritative teaching documents to recast the climate debate in moral terms He criticised people, including those in the church, who doubted mainstream climate science about heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions. He cited data showing that increased emissions and the corresponding rise in global temperatures have accelerated since the Industrial Revolution, and particularly in the last 50 years. He said: 'It is no longer possible to doubt the human - 'anthropic' - origin of climate change.' While acknowledging that 'certain apocalyptic diagnoses' may not be grounded, he said inaction is no longer an option. The devastation is already under way, he said, including with some already 'irreversible' harm done to biodiversity and species loss that will only snowball unless urgent action is taken now. 'Praise God,' was issued ahead of the next round of U.N. climate talks which begin November 30, in Dubai. Just as he did with his 2015 encyclical 'Praise Be,' which was penned before the start of the Paris climate conference, Francis aimed to cast the issue of global warming in stark moral terms to spur courageous decisions by world leaders. In the 2015 landmark Paris Agreement, countries of the world agreed to try to limit warming to 1.5C (2.7F) or at least 2C (3.6F) since pre-industrial times. It's already warmed about 1.1C (2F) since the mid-1800s. Francis devoted an entire section of his document on upcoming climate negotiations in Dubai, saying a switch in the way the world gets its energy has to be 'drastic, intense and count on the commitment of all.' He added: 'Praise God is the title of this letter. For when human beings claim to take God's place, they become their own worst enemies.' A Wiltshire brewery shipped piece by piece to Pyongyang has been hailed for its success by Kim Jong Un's regime. The Taedonggang Beer Factory, which opened in the North Korean capital 21 years ago, was commended for its contribution to the 'five-year plan for national economic development' - alongside other firms including a pharmaceutical factory. The brewery had been situated in Wiltshire and was owned by Ushers, a specialist in regional bitters, The Telegraph reported. It was bought for 1.5million in the year 2000 by North Korea's government, which deconstructed the historic property and shipped it to Pyongyang to be rebuilt. The sale of the brewery could only go ahead after the British government received confirmation that the machinery could not be adapted to create chemical weapons. The Taedonggang Beer Factory, which opened in the North Korean capital 21 years ago, had been situated in Wiltshire and was bought for 1.5million in 2000 by North Korea's government The Wiltshire brewery, previously owned by Ushers, was sold, deconstructed and shipped to Pyongyang to be rebuilt Meanwhile, a delegation of North Koreans travelled to the UK for several months of training by brewer Gary Todd. Mr Todd, who was the head brewer at the factory until it shut, said: 'I had to effectively give them the crash course in brewing and we spent a lot of time going over the basics, but it seems that they got it because they are up and running there now.' The brewer added that he was able to assess the brewery's progress a few years ago, when a British journalist gave him a bottle of beer after a trip to North Korea. Mr Todd said: 'I would have to say that I was pleasantly surprised because I was not sure what they were using for their brewing materials. 'The flavour was pretty good, it was quite nice.' The brewery's beers are stronger than most of those produced in East Asia, with an alcohol content of 5.7 per cent. A waitress draws a jug of beer to serve before the opening of the Pyongyang Taedonggang Beer Festival in August 2016 The brewery's beers are stronger than most of those produced in East Asia, with an alcohol content of 5.7 per cent The Taedonggang Beer Factory celebrated 20 years of operations in July 2022. It was reported at the time that it had been 'built under the care of chairman Kim Jong-il', who was the leader of North Korea when the factory's reconstruction started. He was believed to have chosen the location for the brewery on the banks of the Taedong River. After Kim passed away in 2011, his son and heir Kim Jong-un has been a keen supporter of the factory. He visited the brewery on multiple occasions to 'encourage its officials and workers to further improve the flavour and quality of the beer and thus exalt the honour of the factory as one popular among the people'. The father of girl who vanished from elementary school seven years ago has claimed that her mother - who he was married to for 34 days - is hiding their daughter. Ava Grace Baldwin, now 14, vanished when she was six years old, and David Hopper believes his 'perfect little girl' may not even know she is classed as a missing person. Hopper, who lived in Oklahoma, got the call from his daughter's school in September 2015 saying that Ava hadn't been in class for 21 days, and they asked if he had any idea where the child may be. At the time Ava was living with her mother, David's ex wife Kathryn Baldwin, in San Antonio, Texas. Police believe the mother took Ava after finding out that their home address led to an empty plot of land. Ava and her mother Kathryn Baldwin, who her father thinks has snatched her David Hopper (pictured with Ava as a child) believes his 'perfect little girl' may not even know she is classified as a missing person Kathryn's Ford Escape was found abandoned in a park in April 2016 - seven months after she and the child disappeared. Baldwin and Hopper had been married for just over a month, and the father spent $45,000 battling for a custody arrangement in court when their daughter was born. Despite CPS catching Kathryn performing a solo sex act while Ava, aged two at the time, was in the bed behind her, David only ended up getting partial custody. He would drive hours to pick her up for summer holidays - and enjoyed fond memories with his daughter. Tina Fullbright, Avas aunt, said about Kathryn: 'She'd just jump counties. She'd get in trouble in one county and just move to another county.' According to police, records show Kathryn uses nearly a dozen aliases. Fullbright said of her brother David: 'It's hard to watch my brother go through this. This is his only child. That's all he's ever wanted, a family, and he deserves to have his daughter in his life.' Kathryn, who has a felony warrant for interfering with child custody, also has a history of alcohol and prescription drug abuse. It was when Hopper requested full custody that Kathryn and Ava vanished in 2015. Hopper, who is seeking to find his daughter, told NewsNation: 'When we sent the police out to the location of the last address we had, it turned out to be an empty lot. 'And that's when we figured there's something going on here.' He's since been given full custody of Ava - but police have no idea where she may be. They are investigating the case as a non-custodial parent abduction. David Hopper is still trying to be reunited with his daughter Ava Ava Grace Baldwin, now 14, went missing when she was six years old, and David Hopper believes his 'perfect little girl' may not even know she is classed as a missing person He added: 'There's reason to believe Ava's alive. There's a case down in Florida where we know the couple that she tried to give Ava to, they contacted us, and that was in 2016.' After internet sleuths believed they came across Kathryn and Ava on TikTok, the case has been revived in public interest - as David continues to post letters to his daughter on Facebook in the hopes she'll see them one day. Hopper told NewsNation: 'You ask me if she's still alive. 'Sometimes, I have my doubts, I'll be honest with you, but when you ask me I answer with confidence because I believe that God is true to his word. 'That he said he would watch over her, that he would protect her that he would keep her safe. 'And that he would bring her home one day.' The longest-held prisoner at Guantanamo Bay has launched a new attempt to secure his release, trying through multiple courts to win his freedom and pointing out he has never been charged. Abu Zubaydah, now 52, was captured in Pakistan in March 2002 in a raid by U.S. and Pakistani security services. Born in Saudi Arabia, he was the first person held in the U.S. secret prison network known as the black sites, and the first to be waterboarded by the C.I.A. U.S. intelligence concluded that he was a militant in Afghanistan in the 1980s and '90s, but never joined Al Qaeda and had no ties to the September 11 attacks. He is believed to have acted as an assistant for the fighters in Afghanistan, working as a camp administrator and facilitator. The U.S. have vaguely accused him of knowledge of multiple terror attacks, although there is no evidence he was directly involved. Yet this summer he was declared too dangerous to be ever released, and is one of three held in indefinite law-of-war detention, facing no tribunal charges nor being recommended for release. Abu Zubaydah, 52, was captured in Faisalabad, Pakistan, on March 28, 2002. He was the first to be taken to C.I.A. 'black sites' and waterboarded Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba was home at one point to 780 detainees. Now, 30 remain Abu Zubaydah was moved to Guantanamo Bay in 2006, and his lawyers argue that he should be freed, The New York Times reported. 'He is a human being and clearly deserves a chance at freedom,' said Lt. Col. Chantell M. Higgins, a lawyer with the U.S. Marine Corps who has represented Abu Zubaydah for six years. She said she was working 'to assist the U.S. government in releasing Mr. Abu Zubaydah and finding a safe and suitable country to resettle him peacefully and productively.' The new effort began in September, with a lawsuit filed in Spokane, Washington, against two psychologists who waterboarded him at a black site in Thailand five months after his arrest, in August 2002. He was tortured at the site, with sleep deprivation, being confined to a box, and other 'enhanced interrogation techniques'. One of the psychologists, John Bruce Jessen, lives in the federal jurisdiction of the Spokane district. Jessen has previously faced legal action over his techniques: in 2017, a settlement was reached with two former prisoners, and the family of a third who died. Solomon Shinerock, a former federal and New York City prosecutor who is leading the defense of Abu Zubaydah in the Spokane case, said he was used as 'a guinea pig to test the bounds of human tolerance.' CIA psychologists James Mitchell and John Bruce Jessen. Jessen lives in the Spokane area, and last month was sued by Abu Zubaydah's lawyers for his involvement in the waterboarding program Abu Zubaydah is pictured in a photo from his detention. He has been held since 2006 in Guantanamo Lawyers for Abu Zubaydah have previously filed cases in Britain, accusing the British government of complicity in his torture, and in Poland, where he was held in a secret C.I.A. prison after Thailand. On Friday, another new case was filed in Washington DC, The New York Times reported. They are petitioning a judge to rule that the C.I.A. deprived him of when it destroyed videotapes of his interrogations in Thailand, arguing that the tapes would have helped his bid to secure his freedom. 'Ninety tapes, covering possibly hundreds of hours of interrogations, were destroyed,' the 33-page petition, obtained by the paper said. 'The tapes were relevant to terrorism investigations, criminal investigations and the petitioner's deprivation of liberty.' And later this month, another angle will be tried: the United Nations Human Rights Committee, in Geneva, will hold a session on his case. They cannot order his release, but can endorse it and recommend that the United States pay him reparations and issue a formal apology. Since 2002, roughly 780 detainees have been held at Guantanamo Bay. Now, 30 remain. One of the 30 has been convicted: 10 are awaiting trial. Sixteen have been recommended for transfer to another country. Abu Zubaydah and two others remain in limbo, with neither charges nor recommendation for release. A man has been charged over the death of a five-year-old boy during a family camping trip. Five-year-old Jack Noel Stephen Brown was allegedly run over on a private property at Blackbutt North on the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, in July. A 44-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving and is due to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Police declined to provide further details of the charges but are preparing a report for the coroner. Five-year-old Jack Brown died after allegedly being struck by a vehicle during a family camping trip The incident occurred at Blackbutt North in Queensland's South Burnett region, where the family were camping. It is understood he was playing behind the vehicle when it allegedly struck him, with the boy's parents witnessing the incident. Jack's funeral was held in July where he was farewelled by parents Jim and Carla Brown and older brother Parker, who is aged eight. A GoFundMe created by Sara Beath described the tragedy as 'absolutely incomprehensible and beyond unbearable'. 'Jack's passing leaves an insurmountable path forward for Jim, Carla and 8 year old Parker,' she wrote. 'With sadness, this go fund me has been set up to allow those rallying around Jim, Carla and Parker in this devastating time to contribute to any expenses they will incur as a result of this unimaginable tragedy.' The page had raised just over $40,000 of its $50,000 target on Thursday morning. The wife of Senator Bob Menendez fatally struck a pedestrian in her car in 2018, before receiving a new Mercedes from a co-defendant in the senator's federal bribery case, it has been revealed. Nadine Arslanian Menendez, who is charged alongside the New Jersey Democrat in the alleged bribery scheme, was driving the car that killed 49-year-old Richard Koop in Bogota, New Jersey on December 12, 2018, according to police reports first reported by the Bergen Record. Arslanian, who was dating Menendez at the time and later married him in October 2020, was not charged in the incident, and was found not at fault after police determined Koop was jaywalking when he was struck. According to federal charging documents, about a month after the crash, Arslanian texted Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman also indicted in the bribery scheme, lamenting her lack of a car. Prosecutors say that Hana and another defendant in the case, Jose Uribe, eventually gave Arslanian $15,000 in cash as a down payment for a new Mercedes-Benz C-300 convertible worth $60,000, and also supplied the monthly financing payments. Dashcam video shows Nadine Arslanian Menendez speaking to cops after fatally striking pedestrian Richard Koop in 2018 Nadine Arslanian Menendez (right) is charged alongside her husband Senator Bob Menedez (left) in the alleged bribery scheme The car was registered in March of 2019. After picking up the car, Arslanian thanked Uribe in a text message, writing 'I will never forget this,' according to the federal indictment. Prosecutors allege that in exchange for the Mercedes, Menendez attempted to interfere in a New Jersey criminal investigation at the behest of Hana and Uribe. Menendez and his wife have pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, which stem from bribery and extortion allegations involving the Egyptian government. So far, Menendez has defied calls from his own Democratic Party colleagues to leave office, though he 'temporarily' stepped down as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after the charges were unsealed last month. Prosecutors say the senator provided sensitive information to the Egyptian government in order to help an Egyptian-American businessman protect his monopoly. According to the indictment, Menendez accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars between 2018 and 2022 from Hana, Uribe and Fred Daibes in exchange for using 'his power and influence to protect and enrich those businessmen and to benefit the Government of Egypt.' The crash killed 49-year-old Richard Koop (above) in Bogota, New Jersey on December 12, 2018 According to federal charging documents, about a month after the crash, Arslanian texted Wael Hana (above), an Egyptian American businessman also indicted in the bribery scheme, lamenting her lack of a car Soon after the crash, Wael Hana, an Egyptian American businessman also indicted in the bribery scheme, arranged to buy this Mercedes for Arslanian, prosecutors say The indictment alleges the bribes came via cash, gold bars and even the Mercedes convertible, all of which were confiscated during a search of the senator's home. Menendez, who has been a Democratic congressional stalwart for three decades, has furiously denied the allegations, saying at a press conference: 'I firmly believe that when all the facts are presented, not only will I be exonerated, but I still will be New Jersey's senior senator.' New facts emerge about fatal 2018 crash In 2018, the fatal crash that killed Koop drew no media attention, and no charges for Arslanian. The crash occurred at around 7.35pm at 155 East Main Street on Bogota, just outside the home where Koop lived. Dashcam video from the crash scene shows Arslanian wearing a dress and fur coat as she speaks with a police officer. After answering preliminary questions about which direction she was driving, Arslanian is heard telling the cops that she wishes to speak to an attorney, explaining: 'I don't want to do anything wrong.' Dashcam video from the crash scene shows Arslanian wearing a dress and fur coat as she speaks with a police officer Police records don't show that any field sobriety test was administered, and the dashcam video does not indicate that Arslanian was questioned about drugs or alcohol, according to the Record. A police report says that Koop was found laying in the roadway with 'severe head trauma, bleeding from the back of his head, bleeding from the face and possible fractured legs and arms.' Koop was transported to Holy Name Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8.18pm. 'Ms. Arslanian was not at fault in this crash,' a Bogota Police Department investigation report reads. 'Mr. Koop was jaywalking and did not cross the street at an intersection or in a marked crosswalk.' The carrier addressed the government in its submission Qantas has warned the Albanese government against reviewing the controversial decision to block extra flights from Qatar Airways. A senate inquiry was launched into the decision to reject the gulf carrier from adding 28 additional flights to Australia's major airports by the Coalition last month. Submissions to the committee were penned by Qatar Airways and local carriers Virgin and Rex. Qantas delivered its written submission to the inquiry, where it urged the government against reviewing or appealing the decision by claiming it would affect Australia's standing in the global aviation market. The move comes after ex-Qantas CEO Alan Joyce revealed in August he had lobbied the government against allowing Qatar to fly more planes in and out of Australia. Qantas has urged the government not to review or appeal the decision to reject additional flights from Qatar Airways (stock image) 'Bilateral air services agreements are the result of a government-to-government process,' the airline stated in its latest submission. 'Airlines and other parties do not have 'rights' that can be properly appealed in this context and granting them would put Australia out of step with other jurisdictions in an environment where reciprocity is critical. READ MORE: Qantas pilot strike leaves thousands of FIFO workers and holidaymakers stranded in Perth Advertisement 'In analogous fields, such as trade or taxation, there are no appeal provisions in respect of other government-to-government agreements.' Qantas said in its submission that it was imperative not to tamper with the decision as the industry recovers post-pandemic. 'It would be inappropriate to make a significant structural change to an important bilateral agreement, which had the potential to permanently distort the market while the sector was still recovering,' the submission read. 'That recovery is exactly what is happening.' Qantas pointed to Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Delta, ANA and China Eastern which had already 'capacity back into Australia'. The national carrier claimed it had resulted in a fall in international affairs. Qantas then added that there was 'plenty of opportunity' for airlines such as Qatar to add additional flights 'under the current arrangements' but noted that the original application wouldn't have increased the carrier's capacity by that much. The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority made a request to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport for a review of the controversial decision (stock image) New Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson (pictured) and Qantas chairman Richard Goyder faced the senate inquiry last week. New Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson and Qantas chairman Richard Goyder faced the senate inquiry last week. Former CEO Alan Joyce, who is overseas due to a family matter, will be called on to front the inquiry upon his return to the country. A final report into the matter is due on Monday. Transport Minister Catherine King had rejected Qatar Airways' original application back in July. The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority then made a request to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport for a review on August 14. The Department of Infrastructure and Transport responded that it was considering the request for consultation and would respond to the gulf carrier when possible. Qantas's reputation has been battered in recent months following the controversy over its flight credits, ACCC complaints, illegal sacking of workers and granting the Prime Minister's son an executive chairman's pass. A session of fire cupping - a type of alternative medicine praised by celebrities and sport stars - has left an Aussie grandmother in severe pain with second degree burns and awful blisters. Larita De Ruyssche said she has not been able to sleep because of the pain, but the shopping mall practice where she had it done said the injuries are common. Ms De Ruyssche from Shailer Park, Queensland, was left with burns and blisters on her back from a procedure she thought was going to improve her health, not leave her in agony. She went to the Foot Haven Herbal clinic in Loganholme because it was recommended to her to treat her neck and shoulder pain, but she said the experience 'was just horrible'. Cupping involves glass cups being heated and placed on a person's body to supposedly increase circulation, relieve pain and extract toxins. A session of fire cupping - a type of alternative medicine praised by celebrities and sport stars - has left Aussie grandmother Larita De Ruyssche (pictured) with second degree burns 'Some of my friends have had it done and said how good it is for muscles,' she told 7News, but after a half hour of it, she found the pain unbearable. READ MORE: How to stop waking up during the night to pee Advertisement 'You don't receive burns when you're doing cupping unless it's poor technique,' Waverny Holland of the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association said. 'You don't burn patients. It's therapeutically not beneficial, plus it breaks the skin, it's opening it to infections.' Ms De Ruyssche, who had to have her injuries dressed by her doctor, went back to the business and was told the weeping wounds she suffered were normal. The boss of the Herbal Clinic told Channel 7 that 'In China, it's very common ... it really depends on the person's skin.' Though the clinic maintains it did nothing wrong, it has apologised to Ms De Ruyssche for her experience. She is now considering making a formal complaint to the Queensland Office of the Health Ombudsman. Ms De Ruyssche said she has not been able to sleep because of the pain from the injuries (pictured), but the shopping mall practice where she had it done said the injuries are common She is still feeling the effects of what happened. 'It's really painful ... 'I wouldn't recommend it to anyone and I would hate for anyone else to have my experience,' she told the Courier Mail. Foot Haven Herbal owner Adam Zhou said 'There is no refund for the initial treatment as we have not done anything wrong and followed all the regular procedures. 'But I did feel sorry for her as she has not had this treatment before and was concerned about the blistering, which can happen depending on your skin type.' GM and Stellantis, also targeted by the strikes, have laid off thousands more The automaker has so far laid off around 1,330 workers due to the UAW strikes Ford has notified around 400 workers they are redundant in Michigan Ford has announced another round of autoworker layoffs as the crippling UAW strike stretches into its third week. The car giant notified around 350 workers at the Livonia Transmission Plant and a further 50 at Sterling Axle Plant, both in Michigan, not to come back to work 'until further notice' on Wednesday. The layoffs bring the total number of people let go by Ford due to the strikes to around 1,330 workers, with 330 redundancies also announced just days prior in Chicago and Lima, Ohio. General Motors and Stellantis, the other two of Detroit's 'Big Three' currently facing the UAW strikes, have joined Ford in the mass layoffs. With further sackings expected, GM has let go of over 2,100 workers across four states, and Stellantis has laid off almost 370. As the picket lines grow to over 25,000 workers, an analysis by Michigan economic consulting firm Anderson Economic Group found the strikes have already cost the US economy almost $4 billion. Ford said Wednesday that it was laying off 350 workers at the Livonia Transmission Plant in Michigan (pictured) in the latest round of mass redundancies in response to the UAW strikes A further 35 workers were told not to report for work 'until further notice' at the Sterling Axle Plant in Michigan, with GM and Stellantis also joining in the layoffs as the strikes near the one-month mark UAW workers march through the streets of downtown Detroit following a rally on the first day of the UAW strike in Detroit, Michigan, on September 15, 2023 Ford's decision to let more people go on Wednesday came after it made its seventh contract offer to the UAW on Monday, which it branded the 'strongest' yet. The manufacturer's desperation to end the strikes saw it offer workers 'unprecedented improvements in wages' that would put staff among the top 25 percent of all US earners. 'Ford has received two comprehensive counteroffers from the UAW, the last on Sept. 25. Fords latest offer provides our 57,000 UAW-represented employees with a record contract and a strong future,' the company said at the time. But the two sides appear to still be far apart in negotiations, with UAW chiefs consistently claiming the automakers are hoarding their record profits while Ford executives blamed the strikes on their reason for a further round of layoffs. 'Our production system is highly interconnected, which means the UAW's targeted strike strategy has knock-on effects for facilities that are not directly targeted for work stoppage,' Ford spokesman Dan Barbossa told the Detroit Free Press, explaining why the layoffs aren't necessarily at the same sites as picket lines. 'These are not lockouts. These layoffs are a consequence of the strike at Chicago Assembly Plant, because these two facilities must reduce production of parts that would normally be shipped (there).' Last month, UAW president Shawn Fain said that the mass-layoffs tactic was intended to 'put the squeeze on our members to settle for less.' UAW members striking at the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Plant in Ohio. According to a recent study, the strikes have so far lost over $325 million in direct wages Workers stand on the picket line outside the General Motors Lansing Delta Plant in Michigan The Chicago Assembly plant cited by Barbossa has seen 4,613 workers strike since September 29, who would normally be producing Ford Explorers, Police Interceptors and Lincoln Aviators, which have all been halted. The day before the layoffs were announced, Terry Chitwood, president of UAW Local 182, told union membership that he had sat down with officials to detail the redundancy process at the Livonia Transmission Plant. In a setback, he told members that found themselves out of the job that they would not qualify for unemployment benefits, and would rely on strike assistance from the UAW. 'We are continuing to work with all parties involved to make this as smooth as a transition as possible,' Chitwood wrote in a memo initially obtained by the Detroit Free Press. According to insiders who spoke to the outlet, Ford is also indicating that it may look to make further layoffs at the Cleveland Engine Plant in Ohio. The company has also warned about a ripple effect into its auto parts suppliers due to the ongoing strikes plaguing supply chains. 'We understand to date there are about 2,400 supplier employees that have been laid off,' Liz Door, Ford's chief supply chain officer, said last week. Door cautioned that unless a deal is struck, the number of people to lose their jobs could be 'anywhere between 325,000 and 500,000 employees.' UAW President Shawn Fain declared that 'America has our backs' as he announced the automaker strikes were expanding to over 25,000 workers last week Fain leaned on a historic visit from President Biden as he escalated the strike action The strikes found their way to the epicenter of American politics, with Donald Trump opting to speak with the protestors rather than attend the second Republican presidential debate The mass marching orders come in response to UAW chief Shawn Fain's announcement last week that the strikes would expand by a further 7,000 people, bringing the total on the picket lines to a staggering 25,000 workers. Fain leaned on the historic visit from President Biden, who became the first sitting president to join a picket line days prior on September 26, as he declared the strike was expanding because 'America has our backs.' The strikes found their way into the epicenter of American politics last week, as former President Donald Trump also opted to speak to the striking autoworkers rather than attend the second Republican presidential debate. As he called on workers to join the strikes at certain factories in Chicago and Michigan, Fain slammed negotiators for prioritizing 'corporate greed.' Fain slammed the automaker negotiators for hoarding record profits, saying the companies were doing 'incredibly well, so we deserve to do incredibly well too.' He said the UAW were working 'night and day' on a new contract, but despite a 'willingness to bargain' there was 'no meaningful' movement - leading the strike to expand to two more factories at the time. In August, when the strike action was threatened but was an increasing reality, estimates by the Anderson Economic Group placed the cost of even a 10-day, union-wide strike at $5.6 billion loss to the economy. Strikers protest on the picket line on the day U.S. President Joe Biden joined them outside the GM's Willow Run Distribution Center, in Belleville, Wayne County, Michigan, on September 26, 2023 UAW protestors picket outside of Ford's Wayne Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan on September 26 Complaints over the automakers' raking in record profits while contesting higher wages for workers have mounted as layoffs continue. General Motors blamed the picket lines as the number of its employees who have been laid off topped 2,100, with the strike also recently expanding to GM's Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant in Delta Michigan. 'It is unfortunate the UAW's decision to call a strike at GM Lansing Delta Township Assembly continues to have negative ripple effects,' GM said in a statement to CBS News on Tuesday, as it confirmed the next round of redundancies. 'The impacted team members are not expected to return until the strike has been resolved. 'Since we are working under an expired labor agreement, there are no provisions for company-provided sub-pay in this circumstance.' On Tuesday, the automaker reported a 21 percent increase in sales in its third quarter earnings. A Rottweiler that savagely mauled its owner leaving her fighting for life in hospital was known by neighbours to be aggressive, having once chased a package courier. Nikita Piil, 31, is recovering in Royal Perth Hospital after she was set upon by her dog Bronx just before 5pm at her home in the Perth suburb of Success on September 16. Police officers had tried Tasering the seven-year-old Rottweiler but eventually used their firearms when the dog could not be separated from Ms Piil. Bronx was later euthanised by a vet. Ms Piil's other Rottweiler, four-year-old Harlem, is being held at the City of Cockburn pound where rangers are investigating whether the dog is safe to go back into the community. A neighbour has now spoken out saying locals were 'afraid' of the two dogs and they personally witnessed one of them launch an attack on a courier who tried to drop a package off at Ms Piil's home. Nikita Piil (pictured) was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with severe injuries to her arms and legs after being set upon by her dogs. She could lose her arm due to a bacterial infection Ms Piil's Facebook page was largely dedicated to her two Rottweilers (above) with the 31-year-old describing the older Bronx as 'incredible, cheeky, loyal, intelligent and protective' 'I saw one of them chasing a delivery driver one day four to six months ago,' the resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told The West Australian. The neighbour said when the front door - which has a 'Beware of the Rottweiler' plaque - was opened the dog barrelled through and went straight for the courier. READ MORE: Horrific update in case of young Perth woman ripped apart by her own Rottweilers as she suffers another devastating blow Advertisement 'A man was trying to drag it back inside. The delivery driver was holding his arm... I couldn't see if he had been bitten.' No attacks by the dogs have been previously reported to council, but there were two reports about excessive barking in 2022. The neighbour also claimed another resident on the street in the aftermath of the attack told them Ms Piil would only walk the dogs one-at-a-time because of their size and strength. Ms Piil's family revealed last week she is facing dozens more surgeries and that a bacterial infection from the dog bites could force doctors to amputate her arm. She has already undergone five emergency surgeries, amounting to a total of 13 hours, as doctors continue to work to save her arm. Her family revealed on GoFundMe the surgeries alone might not be enough to save her arm as canine bacterial infections are causing 'ongoing serious complications'. Ms Piil's sister Natasha earlier said Nikita adored Harlem and Bronx and something had set the dogs off. Ms Piil has undergone five emergency surgeries, amounting to a total of 13 hours, as doctors continue to work to save her arm Her sister said Ms Piil (pictured) was trying to calm the dogs are something set them off Nikita Piil (pictured cuddling a Rottweiler) suffered severe bites and major blood loss after her two Rottweilers attacked her Neighbours tried banging Ms Piil's fence and using a hose to distract the attacking dogs before pulling their guns (pictured, emergency services outside Ms Piil's home on Saturday) 'Unfortunately she got caught in a crossfire calming her dogs down due to an incident within the neighbourhood. There's more to this story as to what the media has told,' she said. On the day of the attack, police had arrived at least 10 long minutes after the neighbours first heard Ms Piil's screams. Ms Piil, who previously described her dogs as 'loyal' and 'protective' in Facebook posts, remains in a serious but stable condition after suffering major blood loss. It remains unclear what prompted the dogs to attack their owner. The fundraiser has so far garnered more than $15,000 in donations out of a $30,000 target. In the wake of the damage Hurricane Idalia walloped Florida with, residents in the city of Ocala remain thankful their area remains a relative 'safe haven' through the Sunshine State's stormy weather. Although the hurricane brought significant damage and led to at least seven direct deaths at the end of August, experts cautioned that the damage could have been far worse. In Tallahassee, home to about 200,000 people, Florida State University and Governor Ron DeSantis' mansion - which was struck by a falling tree in the storm - residents saw significant damage but were spared the eye of the storm. However, Ocala - located at the state's center - is considered one of the state's lowest risks for coastal flooding in a state that takes 40 percent of the nation's direct hits from hurricanes. In addition, only Lake City and Tallahassee have less risk of suffering from high winds, drought and inland flooding in the state, according to Climate Alpha, which uses analytics to predict climate volatility. In the wake of the damage Hurricane Idalia walloped Florida with, residents in the city of Ocala remain thankful their area remains a relative 'safe haven' through the Sunshine State's stormy weather While Hurricane Irma hit the region fairly hard in 2017, residents tell the Wall Street Journal that the powerful storms lose momentum by the time they reach Ocala, which is 100 feet above sea level. Even when there was worry that Hurricane Idalia would hit Ocala, the city suffered no major damage and only minor power outages, that were quickly restored. The city and its surroundings also have lower housing costs and - perhaps most importantly - lower insurance premiums during a time when some insurance companies refuse to operate ion the state. Marion County, the home of Ocala, had an average insurance premium of $1,894 per year, second lowest in the state behind neighboring Sumter County. By comparison, on the Florida Keys in Monroe County, you'd be paying $7,584 on insurance premiums. In other trendy areas, the premiums are almost as high, including in Palm Beach ($5,710 per year), Broward ($5,519) and Miami Dade ($5,665). Home prices also make the area appealing, with a median luxury residence going for an average of $710,000, whereas Tampa will run you $1.5million and other areas in the state cost upwards of $3million. 'People want to find an easier life,' where they don't want to deal with the storms all the time, according to Ocala House Properties broker Matt Varney. Ocala - located at the state's center - is considered one of the state's lowest risks for coastal flooding in a state that takes 40 percent of the nation's direct hits from hurricanes While Hurricane Irma hit the region fairly hard in 2017, residents tell the Wall Street Journal that the powerful storms lose momentum by the time they reach Ocala, which is 100 feet above sea level While some may have been relieved when Idalia touched down with less force than once feared, the effects were severe for thousands as the damage stretched across much of the west coast of the state and into Georgia and South Carolina. After slowing before it reached the shore, the National Weather Service monitored the storm moving forwards at 18mph, a surprisingly faster than average speed that meterologists said may have been both a good and a bad side effect. The speed saw the storm move through certain areas fairly quickly which limited some of the damage, however it also allowed it to maintain momentum and continue on its path. Idalia's potency and wide radius saw the storm reach large swaths of Florida before touching Georgia and the Carolinas, with the twister still causing damage Thursday as storm surges were seen in North Carolina. However, in Ocala - which did predict a big impact - avoided much of the storm, with six shelters only in use for about half a day and only dedicated to the most needed. The shelters were all elementary schools, which all were able to reopen the next day, according to the Ocala Star-Banner. The destruction elsewhere also led President Joe Biden to formally declare a major disaster, which allows the White House to funnel federal funds to the affected areas. The hurricane, which reached land on Wednesday morning, is expected to have caused billions of dollars of damage The potency of the storm saw the damage stretch from the west coast of Florida (pictured in Horseshoe Beach, Florida) all the way to North Carolina Entire towns were levelled by the huricane as residents in Cedar Key, Florida (pictured) are tasked with cleaning debris from the twister 'The Presidents action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Citrus, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee, and Taylor,' the White House said in a statement. The storm brought strong winds to Savannah, Georgia, as it made its way toward the Carolinas and was forecast to move along the coast before heading out into the Atlantic Ocean. The National Weather Service said Idalia spawned a tornado that briefly touched down in Charleston, South Carolina, where two people suffered minor injures as the winds sent a car flying. Lidia Thorpe has launched an extraordinary attack on Anthony Albanese and Australian police in a foul-mouthed rant after she was threatened by a neo-Nazi. The independent Senator delivered the heated speech outside the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon - with the ABC forced to cut its live feed midway. Ms Thorpe was speaking out after a disturbing video emerged of a neo-Nazi threatening the senator and burning the Aboriginal flag. 'The referendum is an act of genocide against my people,' she said. 'And the Prime Minister knows exactly what he's doing. He wants the f***ing fascist to come out and get me.' Lidia Thorpe (pictured) has savaged Anthony Albanese and the police after she was threatened by a neo-Nazi in a vile video posted online An outraged Ms Thorpe said the Voice to Parliament referendum had led to racist attacks and threats against her. The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Warrung woman then ripped into police. 'That's what he wants because his violent force that he has sent to protect me can't even protect me,' she said. 'Refused to protect the black sovereign woman because the police are part of the problem in this country.' She stressed that she couldn't 'ring 000' or 'rely on Victoria police'. 'Where is my support? Where is my protection in this country?' she said. At one point she tells one disruptive onlooker at the press conference to 'f*** off'. 'You want to paint me as an angry black woman? Well you are about to see an angry black woman because I am not hiding this time,' Senator Thorpe continued. 'I've been in exile for four months. Four months I wasn't allowed to be in my own home because people want to kill me out there.' 'They don't want my voice to be heard over the next nine days, they want to feel good about the referendum, the referendum to assimilate our people into their constitution. So what do they do? They send the fascists.' The Independent Senator ripped into Victoria Police by referring to them as a 'violent force' who couldn't protect her Senator Thorpe said she had 'hired my own black army' and that she wasn't going to 'hide' in the days leading up to the Voice referendum The senator explained that 'only two fascists' had been arrested over two years and that she wasn't waiting 'two years for the latest fascist f***ing violence to come at me'. 'I've hired my own black army...and this parliament has to pay for the black army, not the army that continues to violate black men and black women in this country,' she added. 'So I'm not hiding for the next nine days. You're going to hear from me, and you are going to see me, and I am not scared.' 'I am ready to fight for exactly what I went into parliament for, and that is for my country, my people. And I won't stop, and I'm not scared. So come at me.' The national broadcaster cut away from her press statement. Mr Albanese was asked by reporters about the rant twenty minutes after it was made. 'I think that people need to be respectful during this debate,' he said during a press conference in Brisbane. 'It is important that people are respectful with each other.' The Prime Minister said that 'the sort of nasty rhetoric and statements' that came from the video with the neo-Nazi had 'no place in discourse in Australian political life'. The Prime Minister (pictured) was asked about the rant by reporters but admitted that he hadn't seen it and 'wasn't going to engage in the debate like that' When a reporter pointed out to Mr Albanese that Senator Thorpe had blamed him for the threats, he responded that he wasn't 'going to engage in the debate like that.' He then admitted that he hadn't seen Senator Thorpe's rant. 'I will continue to conduct myself respectfully, I will continue to campaign for a Yes vote in this referendum,' he added. The video which Ms Thorpe was shaken by shows a man, who is dressed in black and wearing a balaclava, claiming to be from neo-Nazi group Warriors for Convict Resistance. Using a voice modulator, he reads a statement from his phone endorsing 'white Australia', makes racist comments about Indigenous people and threatens Senator Thorpe. He then burns the Aboriginal flag and performs a Nazi salute. The Australian Federal Police were made aware of the video on Tuesday when it was posted to social media site X. It has since been taken down and the account that posted it has been de-activated but the AFP is continuing to investigate the matter. The Australian Federal Police are investigating a disturbing video of a balaclava-clad neo-Nazi threatening Lidia Thorpe before burning an Aboriginal flag 'Reports of harassment, nuisance, offensive and threatening communications against parliamentarians/electoral offices have increased in the past two years, including via social media,' an AFP spokesperson told AAP. 'Threats of harm or violence against Australian high office holders are criminal offences and will be fully investigated by the AFP.' Federal government frontbenchers have denounced the vile clip. Government Services Minister Bill Shorten described it as 'cowardly and disgusting' during an appearance on Nine's Today Show on Thursday. 'I don't know what it is with these man-baby Nazis,' he said. 'Wearing a hood so no one can see you. They think they're so tough.' He later added: 'I wish that bloke would take his hood off so people can see what kind of joker he is.' 'The guy can't even remember his lines, he has to read it off a phone.' Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil also chimed in. Federal government frontbenchers including Government Services Minister Bill Shorten (pictured) have condemned the clip Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil (pictured) slammed the video as 'menacing, disgusting' 'That video is menacing, disgusting, and it is obviously deliberately targeting her to stop her from expressing her views,' she said on the program. 'I have plenty of political differences with Senator Lidia Thorpe but no-one in our country deserves to be treated that way, but certainly not someone living in this country.' 'We cannot live in a strong democracy like Australia around for someone to be treated this way. 'It is appalling disgusting and the Australian Government will be doing everything we can to support Senator Lidia Thorpe through what must be an absolutely terrifying experience .' A similar video created by the same neo-Nazi group in February 2022 used a racial slur against the Blak Sovereign Movement leader and showed the Aboriginal flag being burned. The Albanese government announced a law to ban the public display or sale of Nazi symbols earlier this year. Victoria passed legislation banning the public display of the Nazi swastika in May of last year. It makes it a criminal offence for anyone to intentionally display the Nazi symbol in public, and those who do will face penalties of up to nearly $22,000, 12 months in jail, or both. People will only be charged if they do not comply with a police directive to remove the symbol. He was found naked, adrift in the ocean A teenager has been charged with murder after he was found naked and behaving erratically on a boat near the wreckage of a car that contained human remains. Benjamin Jack McLaughlin, 19, was initially arrested by West Australian Police after he had drifted out to sea on a boat before jumping into the ocean near Nambung, 200km north of Perth on September 26. Distressed fisherman had reported him to the police when they noticed him drifting aimlessly in the waters where he was screaming, confused and ripping his hair out. McLaughlin allegedly assaulted a policeman and a fisherman on the night and was arrested before momentarily being released on bail. He has since been taken into custody and charged with murder, aggravated criminal damage by fire and stealing a motor vehicle. Benjamin Jack McLaughlin, 19, has been charged with murder after detectives allegedly linked him to human remains that were found in a wreckage near where he was found behaving erratically On September 26 West Australian Police found one car burnt out on the side of the road, another submerged in the water, and McLaughlin (pictured) naked and behaving erratically in the ocean On the day of McLaughlin's first arrest, police had earlier discovered a burnt-out white 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero on Indian Ocean Drive which had the remains of a 38-year-old male inside. It is alleged that McLaughlin had crashed the Pajero into the bushlands near the Cervantes Road turnoff before the victim found him while driving their red SUV. READ MORE: Mystery deepens around naked man found on boat The naked man was spotted acting erratically in a boat before jumping in the water. Advertisement An 'incident occurred between the two which resulted in the victim's death', police have alleged. Hours later the same SUV was found submerged in the ocean off Cervantes, where McLaughlin was spotted after he had cast away the ship that he was found on. Lobster fisherman reported him to police and he was charged with assaulting a police officer and a fisherman and of casting away ships. After he was released on bail, investigators continued making 'very good progress' into figuring out what happened with the Pajero. Police Commissioner Col Blanch said detectives were anaylsing forensic evidence and exploring data capabilities at the time of McLaughlin's release. As the investigation developed McLaughlin was named a suspect and bought back into custody, before he was charged with the murder. He is due to face the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday. McLaughlin's white 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero was found wrecked on Indian Ocean Drive with the remains of a 38-year-old male inside. It is alleged that an incident occurred between the two at this time which resulted in the victim's death The victim had been driving a red SUV when he came across McLaughlin, which police found submerged in the ocean later that same day One of the fisherman who found McLaughlin on the night of his first arrest told The West that the naked man was thoroughly confused but seeking help at the time. 'He was carrying on pretty erratically on the boat just screaming at the top of his lungs. He didnt know where he was, how he got there, what he was doing ... just wanted help and then climbed on the roof and jumped off into the water,' said Brandon, who did not disclose his surname. Not wanting to engage with him, the deckhands held back and called police instead. While they were waiting for help to arrive Brandon thought that McLaughlin had died after he leapt off the boat and remained facedown in the water for almost a minute. 'I dont know if he passed out or if it was intentional of him laying facedown in the water but it looked like hed given up, it honestly looked like it was the worst-case scenario,' he said. When McLaughlin was pulled out of the water he had apparently forgotten his own name and was 'pacing around on deck, pulling his hair out'. The Biden administration has made a stunning reversal in migration policy by revealing it will build 20 miles of border wall to try and combat the latest surge in migrant crossings. In a shock announcement on Wednesday night, the Department of Homeland Security said it's waiving 26 federal laws to start constructing a new 'physical barrier' that was started under Donald Trump. The Biden White House has consistently slammed Trump's tough migration policy and even cancelled the wall construction when Biden took office. On his first day in office, Biden even declared that building a wall wasn't 'a serious policy solution.' But the recent acceleration in migrant crossings and pressure to deal with the crisis has now forced the federal government to change direction. The U-turn comes as Democrat-run cities such as New York and Chicago demand Biden do more to stop border crossers ending up in their communities and straining resources. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with border patrol officers as he walks along the border fence during his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border to assess border enforcement operations, in El Paso, Texas, U.S., January 8, 2023 US President Donald Trump speaks with US Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott (R) as they participates in a ceremony commemorating the 200th mile of border wall at the international border with Mexico in San Luis, Arizona, June 23, 2020 A U.S. Border Patrol agent supervises as immigrants walk into the United States after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico on September 30, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. The agent had cut coils of razor wire to let them pass through for processing 'There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas,' DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated in the notice. Trump, whose Republican administration created about 450 new miles of border barriers, responded to the announcement by telling Fox News Digital that the Biden administration needs to 'go back to Trump policies.' He also wrote on Truth Social on Thursday morning: 'Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown.' 'I will await his apology.' 'So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right when I built 560 miles (they incorrectly state 450 in story!) of brand new, beautiful border wall,' Trump added. 'As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls! 'Biden sees our country is being invaded,' Trump told the outlet in an interview. 'What is he going to do about the 15 million people from prisons, from mental institutions, insane asylums, and terrorists that have already come into our country?' A Trump campaign spokesperson said the DHS decision shows that 'President Trump is always right.' According to government data, about 245,000 illegal entries have been recorded in Rio Grande Valley Sector, which includes Starr County, during the 2023 fiscal year through early August. DHS will waive statutes including the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act to make way for construction, which will use funds from a congressional appropriation in 2019 for border wall construction. The waivers avoid time-consuming reviews and lawsuits challenging violation of environmental laws. Starr County's hilly ranchlands, sitting between Zapata and McAllen, Texas, is home to about 65,000 residents sparsely populating about 1,200 square miles that form part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas waived 26 federal laws to allow several miles of border wall construction in South Texas Asylum seekers cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on September 30, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas Although no maps were provided in the announcement, a previous map shared during the gathering of public comments shows the piecemeal construction will add up to an additional 20 miles to the existing border barrier system in the area. Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said it will start south of the Falcon Dam and go past Salineno, Texas. 'The other concern that we have is that area is highly erosive. Theres a lot of arroyos,' Eloy Vera, the county judge said, pointing out the creeks cutting through the ranchland and leading into the river. Concern is shared with environmental advocates who say structures will run through public lands, habitats of endangered plants and species like the Ocelot, a spotted wild cat. 'A plan to build a wall through will bulldoze an impermeable barrier straight through the heart of that habitat. It will stop wildlife migrations dead in their tracks. It will destroy a huge amount of wildlife refuge land. And it's a horrific step backwards for the borderlands,' Laiken Jordahl, a southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity, said Wednesday afternoon. During the Trump administration, about 450 miles of barriers were built along the southwest border between 2017 and January 2021. Texas Governor Greg Abbott renewed those efforts after the Biden administration halted them at the start of his presidency. U.S. Customs and Border Protection had no immediate comment. The announcement prompted political debate by the Democratic administration facing an increase of migrants entering through the southern border in recent months, including thousands who entered the U.S. through Eagle Pass at the end of September. 'A border wall is a 14th century solution to a 21st century problem. It will not bolster border security in Starr County,' U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar said in a statement. 'I continue to stand against the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars on an ineffective border wall.' Political proponents of the border wall said the waivers should be used as a launching pad for a shift in policy. 'After years of denying that a border wall and other physical barriers are effective, the DHS announcement represents a sea change in the administration's thinking: A secure wall is an effective tool for maintaining control of our borders,' Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said in a statement. 'Having made that concession, the administration needs to immediately begin construction of wall across the border to prevent the illegal traffic from simply moving to other areas of the border.' The mayor petitioned a judge to end NYC's 'right to shelter' law, passed in 1981 Adams warned the number of people in the city's care has soared 159 percent Desperate New York City Mayor Eric Adams has pleaded with a judge to end the city's longstanding 'right to shelter' law as he struggles to house more than 122,000 migrants who have flooded the Big Apple since last year. Adams, 63, sent a letter Tuesday evening urging a judge to dismiss the city's legal obligation to provide shelter to adults, claiming the 1981 law should be void in a state of emergency. The letter, sent to New York Supreme Court justice Erika Edwards, warned that the huge influx 'shows no signs of abating', while citing a staggering 159 percent increase in the number of people in the city's care since April 2022. As he scrambles for solutions, Adams travelled south of the border on Wednesday in an attempt to deter migrants from moving to New York City after entering the US. Adams' anguish over the situation is a stark contrast to his previous public posturing over migrants, where he claimed only a year ago that he was 'proud' to house asylum seekers as he vowed to 'continue to do that.' However, the embattled mayor's letter faced quick backlash from homeless advocacy groups who claimed that the move would 'gut' rights offered to homeless people. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, pictured in Mexico on Wednesday, pleaded for the legal obligation to house migrants to be suspended, as he warned that 'it is abundantly clear that the status quo cannot continue' Adams travelled south of the border in an attempt to deter migrants from going to New York City after entering the US. He is seen speaking s to the press in front of the Basilica de Guadalupe after a visit to the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 Migrants, who are streaming into NYC at a rate of almost 800 people per day, lineup to enter the Federal Plaza to file with the immigration services this week Adams has turned to a variety of city landmark hotels and emergency shelters to find room for the 120,000 plus migrants flooding the Big Apple, but warned this week he is 'at capacity' The former police officer has seen his time in office plagued by the migrant crisis, as he claimed in his letter that 'New York City has done more than any other city in the last 18 months to meet this national humanitarian crisis.' In a statement alongside the letter, Adams added: 'With more than 122,700 asylum seekers having come through our intake system since the spring of 2022, and projected costs of over $12 billion for three years, it is abundantly clear that the status quo cannot continue.' Notably, the letter comes in tandem with Adams' much-publicized four-day trip to Latin America, where he said he intends to tell asylum seekers not to expect 'five star hotels' if they move to the Big Apple. Upwards of 200 emergency shelters - including 17 large-scale humanitarian relief centers - have already reached capacity in the city. Adams urged Edwards to not only consider temporarily suspending the right to shelter law 'that present circumstances demand', but also for the rules to be suspended at any time the governor or mayor declares a state of emergency when there is a surge in people seeking shelter. He argued that when the right to shelter provisions were passed, they were 'never intended to apply to the extraordinary circumstances our city faces today.' The letter was sent to New York Supreme Court judge Erika Edwards, and cited a number of alarming statistics showing the crisis has gotten out of the control of city officials But with the city's focus turned squarely on the migrant crisis, which has seen iconic hotels such as the Roosevelt Hotel turned into shelters, homeless advocacy groups warned following Adams' latest request could be a slippery slope. The Legal Aid Society, the group that filed the lawsuit that led to the right to shelter law, issued a joint statement with the Coalition for the Homeless condemning the move as a death sentence for protections given to homeless people. 'This is the citys most significant and damaging attempt to retreat on its legal and moral obligation to provide safe and decent shelter for people without homes since that right was established 42 years ago,' the groups said. 'Street homelessness would balloon to a level unseen in our city since the Great Depression.' Large numbers of migrants have been forced to sleep rough on the streets of New York City, with families given priority in hotel rooms while shelters reach capacity. The letter is not the first time that Adams has sought to end the right to shelter mandate, previously requesting changes to the law in May. Adams cited his previous petition in his letter on Tuesday, noting that the number of migrants who requested shelter from the city since then has soared to around 50,600. Since April 1, 2022, over 122,700 migrants have flooded New York City looking for shelter, and the total number of people the city has an obligation to house has skyrocketed by 159 percent in the same time frame. Since May 21, 2023, officials have opened an additional 61 shelters throughout the city and spent over $1.1 billion as they continue struggling with the crisis. Hundreds of refugees slept outside the Roosevelt Hotel in August when the historic establishment was transformed into a migrant camp Officials said Tuesday the Roosevelt (pictured in August) currently has 412 people who are waiting for a shelter placement, and many are forced to sleep rough as families are given priority housing Migrants line up in front of the historic Roosevelt Hotel, converted into a city-run shelter for newly arrived migrant families in New York City, United States on September 27, 2023 Adams announced this week he was set to travel to the US-Mexico border to try and deter more migrants from trying to move to New York City after they cross into America. He is set to meet with officials in Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia during a four-day trip. Adams was seen speaking with reporters as he began his trip in Mexico, where attended the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe before he made an appearance at the North Capital Forum to meet with government officials. He will then travel to Quito, Ecuador, for additional meetings before he heads to Bogota, Colombia and eventually to the Darien Gap, a dangerous section of the route many South American migrants pass through on their way to the US. As Adams prepares for his trip south of the border, his office was plunged into controversy as his top aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin appeared to call for the federal government to 'close the borders' amid the crisis. On Tuesday, the mayor walked back these comments as he insisted the border should remain open, but those crossing should be funneled to other cities. 'We believe the borders should remain open,' Adams said at a news conference. 'Thats the official position of this city, but we have made it clear there should be a decompression strategy so that we could properly deal with the volume thats coming into our city.' 'We are at capacity,' Adams added to reporters on Tuesday. 'We're going to tell them that coming to New York doesn't mean you're going to stay in a five-star hotel. 'It doesn't mean that, the mere fact that you come here, you automatically are going to be allowed to work.' 'I can't believe that we're still in the situation that we are talking about how many more sites we want to open. We have 118,000 people that have come to New York City. This is a national and an international crisis,' said Anne Williams-Isom, New York's deputy mayor for Health and Human Services. 'This is a national and an international crisis,' she added. 'We really need a decompression strategy, so that as people are coming over, we can send them to other parts of the United States.' Williams-Isom said that new arrivals of migrants in the city have recently reached 600 to 800 individuals per day, double the previous rate of some 10,000 per month. Dramatic photos show the moment migrants cross the Rio Grande river from Piedras Negras, Mexico into Eagle Pass, Texas - which has become the epicenter of border crossings in recent times Many migrants traverse difficult conditions on their way to the US-Mexico border, in hopes of ending up in sanctuary cities such as New York City While New York City struggles to find room for the deluge, the small Texas town of Eagle Pass has become an epicenter of the unprecedented crossings. The Texas town of just 28,000 people has been inundated by migrants in recent weeks, with border crossings rising to around 8,000 a day in the week ending September 22, according to the Washington Office of Latin America. The number of crossings is only matched by April 2023 levels, when pandemic-era immigration policy Title 42 expired. Similarly to the Big Apple, shelters in border towns like Eagle Pass have been stretched well over capacity due to the thousands of crossings every day. As officials scramble for solutions, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has led the movement to bus migrants to northern states to share the burden of ineffective border policies while bringing the crisis to national attention. A financial planner who swindled clients out of $10million in fake investments lulled one client into a sense of security with visits to her retirement home, flowers and lunches. Terence Nugara was jailed for a decade on Thursday over a long-running property development scam in which he deceived 28 clients into investing $10million from their savings and superannuation funds. While putting their retirements into doubt, he lined his pockets with cash, his garage with luxury cars and bought himself a boat and helicopter. His actions were reprehensible, callous, selfish and occurred during a period when his financial planning and advisory licence was suspended and later terminated, County Court Judge Trevor Wraight said. He sentenced Nugara to nine years and 11 months behind bars on Thursday. Terence Nugara (pictured) was jailed for a decade after he deceived 28 clients into investing $10million from their savings and superannuation funds into a property development scam The financial planner was often seen living a lavish lifestyle filled with luxury cars, yachts, helicopters and $400 bottles of Dom Perignon The court heard Nugara used his position as a financial planner to convince clients to switch their superannuation accounts to self-managed super funds and invest in property development. Nugara represented himself as developing properties in Malvern, Kew, Sandringham and Glen Iris, as well as villas in Bali. In some cases he promised returns up to 98.93 per cent. Nugara had pre-existing relationships with many victims. One woman said he had visited her at her retirement home, brought her flowers and took her out to lunch. Another woman became a client after the death of her accountant husband, who previously managed her investments. A man who was lured into investing had also been deceived into bringing his parents in on the scam. 'You took advantage of people who placed their trust in you, many of whom were older and looking forward to a comfortable retirement,' Judge Wraight said. Nugara was caught out by various clients who visited the supposedly developed properties, only to discover the previous building was yet to be demolished. One learned of the scam when they were advised by the financial watchdog to contact police, while another found out years after the fact through her solicitor. The victims - including some who had to delay retirement or rely on Centrelink - have had some or all money repaid through financial institutions since a pre-sentence hearing last month. Judge Wraight said it was argued Nugara, who moved overseas before the police investigation began, had voluntarily returned to Australia to face justice. County Court Judge Trevor Wraight labelled his actions as reprehensible, callous and selfish Nugara, who pleaded guilty to 27 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception and two charges of theft, will be eligible for parole after serving six years and six months But he noted before leaving, Nugara disposed of assets including his house and clearly sought to start afresh overseas. When international business ventures failed, the Sri Lankan-born man returned to Australia, where he had citizenship. 'Whatever your reason for returning to Australia, I'm not convinced it was motivated by your contrition,' he said. Nugara, who pleaded guilty to 27 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception and two charges of theft, will be eligible for parole after serving six years and six months of his prison sentence. Turkiye's national defense minister met with his visiting Iraqi counterpart on Thursday to discuss the joint counterterrorism efforts and border security, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. "The importance of advancing cooperation through common steps, primarily in the fight against terrorism and border security, was emphasized" during the meeting between Yasar Guler and Thabet al-Abbasi, who was on an official visit to the Turkish capital Ankara, the Turkish Defense Ministry said on X. After a military ceremony at the ministry to welcome Al-Abbasi, the two official ministers held one-on-one and delegation-level talks, it added. During the talks, Guler and al-Abbasi discussed matters related to regional military and defense industry cooperation. Guler, who emphasized the "strong historical and social ties" between the two neighboring countries, also highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation through joint actions, particularly in areas like counterterrorism and border security, said the statement. He also expressed his pleasure at hosting Al-Abbasi and conveyed his condolences for the loss of life caused by a fire at a wedding in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, it added. ABC medical pundit Norman Swan has sparked outrage among chronic fatigue syndrome and long Covid sufferers for appearing to endorse a controversial therapy. A change.org petition has been launched demanding Dr Swan retract positive comments he made about Graded Exercise Therapy (GET). The therapy claims to help CFS or long Covid patients to rebuild their tolerance to physical activity by incrementally increasing the intensity of their exercises. The therapy is divisive with some practitioners encouraging it while most regard it as ineffective and claim it could worsen the severity of symptoms. Chronic fatigue and long Covid sufferers share similar symptoms that can range in severity and type - with the most common being easy exhaustion. The petition, created by Nicholas Carlton, accused Dr Swan of sharing 'harmful and inaccurate' views on GET. ABC medical pundit Norman Swan is in hot water with chronic fatigue sufferers for endorsing a controversial therapy 'The ABC seriously undermines the credibility of its reporting and contributors by promoting Dr. Swans discredited views on a widely heard, flagship podcast,' the petition states. The petition demands Dr Swan, be issued a formal warning by the ABC and apologise to chronic fatigue and long Covid sufferers has over 1,000 signatures. Dr Swan is also urged to engage with CFS and long Covid sufferers to increase his understanding and also calls on the ABC to issue Dr Swan with a formal warning. The particular remarks the petition singles out were made by Dr Swan during his regular Coronacast podcasts during episodes broadcast on September 27, 2023 and January 29, 2021. During the September 27 podcast, Dr Swan talked about treating CFS and long Covid with cognitive behavioural therapy, which involves challenging negative thoughts, and GET. 'In the absence of a medical therapy, what are you going to do? You're going to sit with your symptoms?' he asked. 'In the absence of a medical therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise does seem to help.' Dr Swan did admit that there was the risk that 'speeding up exercise too quickly in people with chronic fatigue does make them worse'. He also cited a PACE trial that claimed there were benefits for CFS sufferers from GET although admitted the study was 'controversial' and a 'group of people with chronic fatigue syndrome don't like' it because 'they think it was badly done'. 'But I think we're getting to a middle ground here,' Dr Swan said about using GET and cognitive behavioural therapy. Graded Exercise Therapy involves incrementally increasing the amount of physical activity a patient does The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners rated the evidence that supported the benefits of GET as Level 1, which is the lowest on that scale of reliability. Dr Chris Chappel, from Sydney's Evergreen Doctors - a practice that specialises in people suffering fatigue - did not endorse GET. 'We don't like Graded Exercise Therapy, and find it can hamper recovery, and cause undue distress to patients,' Dr Chappel said. 'Almost all patients with CFS will tell you that Graded Exercise Therapy doesn't work.' He also cited advice from America's Centre of Disease Control (CDC) on Get. "Any activity or exercise plan for people with ME/CFS needs to be carefully designed with input from each patient,' the CDC said. 'While vigorous aerobic exercise can be beneficial for many chronic illnesses, patients with ME/CFS do not tolerate such exercise routines. 'Standard exercise recommendations for healthy people can be harmful for patients with ME/CFS.' Dr Chappel explained that there are essentially two types of fatigue, peripheral and central. 'Patients with peripheral fatigue can manage a certain distance then fatigue, they can in the right context benefit from a graded exercise program,' he said. Dr Chris Chappel, from Sydney's Evergreen Doctors a practice that specialises in people suffering fatigue, does not endorse Graded Exercise Therapy for people suffering chronic fatigue 'Most patients with CFS have central fatigue and are tired no matter what they do, and find over-exerting themselves delays their progress. 'Even a simple task like going to their letter box can wipe them out for hours or longer. 'All our treatment plans are personalised and holistic, exercise is only a small part of effective treatment.' An ABC spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that Dr Swan recognises 'the very real and devastating impacts' of CFS as well as the complexity of this area of medical science'. 'The segment of Coronacast discussing exercise therapies as a form of treatment clearly communicated that this is a controversial area,' the spokesperon said. 'There is evidence to suggest that gradually increasing activity under careful guidance, without going too far too fast, along with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, can be helpful for some CFS patients. 'This is different from increasing exercise inflexibly, by fixed increments, which is not widely recommended. The spokesperson said that Dr Swan mentioned repeatedly that speeding up exercise too quickly can cause harm. 'Dr Swans comments were consistent with other public health communication on this issue, for example from the Victorian Department of Health,' the spokesperson said. 'Dr Swans comments reflected the available evidence and included that some of that evidence is questioned and/or controversial.' A landlord has given a surprisingly direct response after finding out about their tenants' complaints about a rental property, saying he didn't know about the problems. The East Melbourne house's multiple defects - the leaks started four days after the tenants moved in - were revealed in a video by tenants' advocate Jordie van den Berg. But the owner saw the video and replied under the posting that 'Funny enough I'm the landlord that owns this property, before you go blaming me for everything please listen to my side. 'I'm very sorry for everything that has happened but I'm currently rectifying all the issues on the house now, I honestly didn't know about this.' The infuriated owner later added that he 'Will not be using [the agent] anymore and will be making sure my brothers, family and friends don't use them either for their investments.' A landlord has given a surprisingly direct response after finding out about their tenants' complaints about a rental property (pictured), saying he didn't know about the problems Mr van den Berg said that 'This is what's wrong with the real estate industry. Turns out the landlord didn't know about the issues... 'How is a landlord supposed to rectify issues they don't know about because an agency isn't doing their job?' READ MORE: Fed-up Aussies deliver a brutal message to landlords Advertisement The tenants' rights activist, who is also a lawyer, is so passionate about the housing issue that he has set up a website to expose terrible rentals called s***rentals.org. 'It's not the first time that the landlord has become aware of issues at a property due to a video that I've made, the real estate agency hasn't told them,' Mr van den Berg told Daily Mail Australia. 'I suspect it's going to happen a lot more now with the new website, because (of agencies that) don't do their jobs.' Though the site only went live last month, it already has more than 2,000 reviews, but the man who is also known as Purplepingers on social media channels, has been making videos of bad tenancies for three years and posting them to various websites. He set up the website because he doesn't 'think it's fair that renters have to rely on some white guy on TikTok to tell their story. They should be able to tell it themselves.' Mr van den Berg said the purpose is also to 'have a database of places so that they know what they're getting into when they rent something because a real estate agent will lie to them before they move in'. He said the response so far has 'been overwhelmingly positive from tenants. And you know, some people have been saying it's very good to finally be able to tell their story.' The leaks (pictured) in the property started four days after the tenants moved in The cause of all the leaks is to be found of the roof of the East Melbourne property (pictured) Jordie van den Berg (pictured), also known as Purplepingers, is an advocate for tenants On a recent edition of ABC News Breakfast, Mr van den Berg made it clear that he had no sympathy for landlords complaining about increased mortgage costs. 'You made a speculative investment in something that is a human right, and you lost. 'No investment is without risk ... you shouldn't be able to invest in a human right. (But) our current system lets you. You lost out in your investment (so) you pay,' he said. 'In what other world - when your business loses a risky investment - do you get to pass that on to someone (else).' An Australian bodybuilder and fitness influencer claims he was kicked out of a gym in Mexico for being 'too jacked'. Said Sergeyevich Shavershian, who is also known as 'Chestbruh' on social media, was holidaying in the coastal town of Tulum, when he decided to train at Smart Fit gym. The bodybuilder shared a video to his TikTok showing the moment the gym's manager told him to leave. Shavershian's caption claims the manager was 'jealous' and kicked him out of the gym for 'being too jacked'. The manager is seen approaching Shavershian and takes the dumbbell out of his hands before gesturing to the Aussie to leave. An Australian bodybuilder and fitness influencer Said Sergeyevich Shavershian (right) claims the manager (left) at Smart Fit gym in Tulum, Mexico, kicked him out for 'being too jacked' Shavershian added four different staff members asked him to leave after they warned him that he was not putting the weights down onto the floor gently. 'What did I do? I put them down gently,' Shavershian said. However, the manager disagrees and is seen gesturing no and shaking his head. 'You have been told three times okay. You need to go now, thank you,' the manager insists. 'Unbelievable. All right fine. Don't need to be jealous bro,' Shavershian replies. Shavershian then goes on to claim that the manager was jealous because 'ladies were looking' at him and that he did not want 'jacked men in family gyms'. The fitness influencer, who boasts a following of close to 700,000 followers, urged his fans to boycott the gym. 'Cancel smart fit Tulum! Spread this video and comment spam it for the algorithm everyone,' Shavershian wrote. Shavershian, who is also known as 'Chestbruh' on social media, later claimed he was told to leave by four different staff members after they warned him that he was not putting the weights down gently Many of his fans were outraged by the treatment he experienced, with some claiming the manager and gym franchise were the 'worst'. 'Where is that location so we can bring down their reviews,' one person commented. 'Bro doesn't know he's in the presence of a gym legend,' another person wrote. READ MORE: Kayla Itsines v Cass Olholm: Why the Bikini Body Training Company fitness influencer is locked in a legal battle with crossfit trainer Advertisement '[Smart Fit] are a***holes in Mexico, they don't let [you] throw weights or make noises,' a third chimed. A fourth added: '[Smart Fit] gyms in Mexico are the worst. Managers always complain when you don't put down the weights without making any noise.' However, others slammed Shavershian for his lack of gym etiquette and claimed the video only shows one side of the story. 'Aren't you acting slightly like a child who's thrown their toys out of the pram?' one person wrote. 'He was in the wrong. He was warned and didn't listen or follow the rules. It's as simple as that,' another person commented. 'Based off the captions your placing on the video there's definitely some context we don't know here,' another added. One person wrote that they don't think they're seeing the 'full story in the clip', to which another social media user replied 'Exactly... [four] different staff members had to speak to him lol.' Said Sergeyvich (right) is the brother of renowned Sydney bodybuilder and influencer Aziz 'Zyzz' Sergeyvich (left) who died under mysterious circumstances in Thailand in August 2011 Said Sergeyvich is the brother of the late renowned Sydney bodybuilder and influencer Aziz 'Zyzz' Sergeyvich who died under mysterious circumstances in Thailand more than 10 years ago. The 22-year-old passed away in August 2011 from a heart attack in a sauna while holidaying in the country. It was later revealed he had an undiagnosed heart condition. Zyzz slowly rose to fame by sharing videos of himself and his workouts on YouTube in 2007 and grew a cult following through social media. Before his passing, he had amassed 60,000 fans on Facebook, developed a clothing line, a protein supplement and had written a book called Zyzz's Bodybuilding Bible. A police officer who sent sexualised texts to a vulnerable woman who he met while on duty has been jailed. PC Thomas Hill, from Deal, Kent, abused his power to have the inappropriate sexual relationship with the woman after the pair met while was supervising in a hospital, the police watchdog said. The 35-year-old, who previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office, was sentenced to six months in prison at London's Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday. The Canterbury-based officer met the woman after she was arrested for an offence in December 2020 and was asked to supervise her while she was being treated at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. He began a sexualised conversation with the woman while she was in hospital and later contacted her via social media and they exchanged more sexualised text messages, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). PC Thomas Hill has been jailed for six months after sending sexualised messages to a vulnerable woman. Pictured: Hill arriving at Southwark Crown Court in London on August 17, 2023 PC Thomas Hill was found to have abused his power to have the inappropriate sexual relationship. Pictured: Outside Westminster Magistrates in July this year The IOPC said Hill had been asked to supervise the woman while she was being treated at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate after she was arrested. Pictured: The entrance to the hospital Hill went to her house where he acted in an unprofessional manner towards the woman and later confessed the relationship to his supervisors she threatened to expose him. Kent Police made a mandatory conduct referral in May 2021 to the IOPC, which launched an investigation into the matter. It led to the charge of misconduct in public office being brought. After sentencing, IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said: 'Abuse of power for a sexual purpose is a breach of the public's trust, which seriously undermines confidence in the police service and discredits the profession. 'PC Hill's behaviour was a form of serious corruption and has absolutely no place in policing. 'To make matters worse, PC Hill initiated the relationship while she was being treated in hospital and he had been sent to supervise her. 'At a time he was supposed to be protecting her, he instead chose to exploit her vulnerability.' The IOPC said Hill is to face a disciplinary hearing accused of gross misconduct. Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Armory, Head of Professional Standards at Kent Police, said: 'Protecting women and girls from harm is Kent Police's top priority and the vast majority of officers and staff do so with the utmost integrity and professionalism on a daily basis. 'Ex-PC Thomas Hill pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office after he formed an inappropriate sexual relationship with a woman he met through his policing duties. Such behaviour is unacceptable and undermines trust and confidence in the police service. 'Hill resigned from Kent Police prior to being sentenced but a fast-track disciplinary hearing chaired by the Chief Constable will still take place now court proceedings have concluded. 'Kent Police is committed to taking appropriate action against the small minority of officers whose conduct falls below the very high standards expected of them, including on the rare occasion when a criminal offence has been committed.' Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders have had enough of the cost and stress of the NSW capital and have set up new lives on the Gold Coast. Census data reveals one in 10 residents in dozens of beachfront Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast suburbs moved there from Sydney or Melbourne in the past five years. Overall nearly 50,000 people shifted to the Gold Coast from NSW and Victoria between 2016 and 2021. Of those, 30,000 are from NSW, including 15,000 from the harbour city. Around 12,000 came from Melbourne. Tradie Mark Dee, 39, headed north from Sydney's northern beaches with his daughter Paige in 2018 and wouldn't go back. Sydneysiders have had enough of the overpriced and dull harbour capital and are heading north to the Gold Coast in droves. Pictured: Surfer's Paradise Ex-Sydney tradie Mark Dee moved north in 2018 and the lifestyle is better and it's more affordable. Mr Dee pictured with daughter Paige He now lives in Tugun, where 10.4 per cent of residents lived in NSW or Victoria before 2016. A huge 18.6 per cent of people from Coolangatta, on the NSW border, came from the southern states. Mr Dee says life has never been better, with lifestyle and affordability the main differences. 'The weather is amazing, there's so much to do, it's just endless fun for kids,' the devoted single dad told Daily Mail Australia. A landscaper and self-employed cleaner in Sydney, he scored a job he loves with Gold Coast Council and has settled in to Queensland life. Most importantly his four-year-old daughter loves it too. In the past four days they went fishing, swimming, took a house boat trip and went to an animal park. They've also done the theme parks though Paige isn't tall enough yet to ride rollercoasters. A part-time DJ, Mr Dee recently did a beachfront evening set with Paige on his shoulders. 'Paigey loves it here, she's always smiling. It's so kid-friendly everywhere and the schools are good too.' 'The people are friendlier too and it's just less stressful. Everyone seems to have more time to enjoy their lives.' Mr Dee says he'd never go back. 'Sydney is beautiful but its been ruined by the demands of money I unfortunately,' he said. 'It's just for the richest and famous now. If you're not a banker or lawyer its unachievable in Sydney. I could never buy a house there. The devoted dad says his daughter Paige is always smiling on the Gold Coast, where the pair take regular adventures, such as his DJ sets and the fun parks Queensland's population grew by 34,545 people due to interstate migration while NSW lost 31,560 to other states. Victoria lost 9,955 to other states. The Gold Coast grew by 12.4 per cent in the last five years while Brisbanes population rose by 11.2 per cent. Around 15,000 people moved to the Sunshine Coast from NSW and 10,000 came from Victoria. Prosecutors have been told to pursue murder charges in mercy killing and failed suicide cases where suspects stand to gain from the act. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) says situations where the accused stops the victim seeking medical treatment, or is under direct care of a healthcare professional who is involved in the act, should increase the chances of charges being brought. However, the authority says that factors such as hesitation on the part of the suspect due to emotional pressure when committing the act, or clear wishes from the victim to end their life, should be born in mind when deciding whether to prosecute. It comes after the CPS updated its guidance on homicides specifically to address mercy killings and failed suicide pacts, although the authority says it won't result in fewer court cases or murder charges. There have been a number of high profile cases in recent years, including that of David Hunter, a Briton who was jailed in Cyprus for the mercy killing of his desperately ill wife. He has since been released and has called for the law to be changed. Other high profile cases include that of Graham Mansfield who killed his terminally ill wife Dyanne in a failed suicide pact at their home in Hale, Greater Manchester in March 2021. He was found guilty of manslaughter, but was spared prison after receiving a suspended sentence. In 2010 Kay Gilderdale was found not guilty of attempted murder after admitting to assisting the suicide of her chronically ill daughter 31-year-old daughter Lynn. She was given a conditional discharge for the offence. David Hunter was jailed in Cyprus after killing his desperately ill wife, Janice. Pictured: David and Janice Mr Hunter has since been released from prison and is calling for the law on mercy killings to be changed The new guidelines aim to give prosecutors clearer direction on how to assess the public interest in these morally and legally complex cases, emphasising certain conditions that can sway the decision towards or against prosecution. Speaking to the PA news agency, the Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill KC said these changes will not result in fewer court cases or murder charges. READ MORE HERE - David Hunter's first shattering interview since being cleared of murdering his terminally ill wife Advertisement He said: 'I think it's been a very useful exercise to conduct a broad consultation which, by the way, led to more than 1000 responses, and for us to reflect on how we can be more transparent about what a prosecutor does and how a prosecutor thinks when making a decision. 'We have made a number of changes to our guidance, but it doesn't follow from that that I'm predicting fewer cases going to court or fewer charges of murder.' Mr Hill stressed 'it is murder to kill another person even when you are carrying out the wishes of another person'. He added: 'So my strong message is that the public interest in charging homicide cases and taking them to court is very high and remains so even after we publish this guidance and there are going to be circumstances, even going through the extra content of the code, where a prosecutor should conclude that the case will go ahead and any consideration of mercy is for the court and not the prosecution.' He went on: 'Having said that, I think that we wanted to make it more clear about what sort of reasons a prosecutor might consider making it necessary to prosecute or, in the rare case, saying that it isn't actually necessary to prosecute.' Besides the central revisions, the updated guidance also incorporated insights on situations where a suspect's actions, particularly in the context of domestic abuse, could have been a catalyst for the victim taking their own life. There's also added clarity on addressing cases that involve the death or grievous harm of children or vulnerable adults. Graham Mansfield was convicted of killing his terminally ill wife Dyanne, but was spared prison. Pictured: Graham and Dyanne Kay Gilderdale received a conditional discharge in 2010 after being found not guilty of attempted murder but pleading guilty to assisting the suicide of her chronically ill daughter, Lynn. Pictured: Kay and Lynn Mr Hill said: 'The guidance now says that murder or manslaughter can be the right charge, even when you're dealing with a suicide if that suicide was brought about by unlawful activity by the suspect. 'And that is a powerful example of where prosecution can follow, which perhaps wasn't clear enough in previous guidance, but we're very concerned about the extent of coercive and controlling relationships. 'I've spoken a lot in the past about domestic abuse and the surge in that as a part of the crime wave in this country. 'And I did want to be clear, that you may find that a charge of murder is applied by the CPS even after suicide, where what went before was unlawful activity in the context of a coercive relationship.' Reflecting on the challenges of updating the guidance due to its ethical dimensions, Mr Hill acknowledged: 'We are always conscious that the CPS doesn't make the law. It's only Parliament to do that. And we always follow the law that Parliament imposes and there's nothing in this guidance that would suggest anything otherwise.' The revised guidance does not discuss 'assisted dying' or similar situations, which have their own legal distinctions. The update followed a 12-week public consultation between January 2022 and April 2022, and a total of 1,271 responses were received. Mr Hill is due to step down as Director of Public Prosecutions later this year. Australia could ban teenagers from ever buying cigarettes by gradually increasing the age limit at which people can buy smokes. The government will closely monitor Rishi Sunak's pledge to stub out smoking in England by annually raising the age of the legal purchase of tobacco by a year. A similar law has already been introduced in New Zealand. Australian Health Minister Mark Butler told the ABC he would be keeping a close eye on the moves in England and New Zealand. Australia could ban teenagers from ever buying cigarettes by gradually increasing the age limit at which people can buy smokes (file picture) 'The government has taken an evidence-based approach, following a deep review of existing tobacco regulation, but also best practice across the world,' Mr Butler said. 'The UK and New Zealand have responded to the specific tactics of 'Big Tobacco' marketed to their populations, and we will monitor their implementation success with interest.' Announcing the moves during his speech at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Mr Sunak acknowledged it had been a difficult decision to support the policy. But he added it was the right decision for the nation's children to 'break the cycle' of smoking addiction. 'If we are to do the right thing for our kids we must try and stop teenagers taking up cigarettes in the first place,' he said. 'Four in five smokers have started by the time 20, later the vast majority try to quit but fail because they are addicted. 'I propose we raise the smoking age by one year every year. That means a 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette meaning they and their generation will grow up smoke free,' he said. The Australian government introduced legislation earlier this year that will see recreational vaping banned. Vapes will only be sold in pharmacies to people with a prescription. Tobacco use kills about 50 Australians every day, or about 20,000 every year. Russian secret services are investigating a plot from 'within their own ranks' to assassinate president Vladimir Putin, according to a report. Telegram channel VChK-OGPU - which has close links to Moscow's security agencies and law enforcement - said an informant had told them of an 'agent' boasting he had been given a 'task' to 'remove' the dictator. The bizarre claim came at a meeting in karaoke club Honey, in Chekhov, near Moscow, a known haunt of security services operatives, reported the channel. The supposed agent showed the informant - named as Mikhail Yurchenko, 37, a construction industry entrepreneur - his service ID card during a 'long heart-to-heart conversation about the war and future life in Russia'. The informant 'did not argue and changed the topic'. Russian secret services are investigating a plot from 'within their own ranks' to assassinate president Vladimir Putin (pictured Wednesday), according to a report The bizarre claim came at a meeting in karaoke club Honey, in Chekhov, near Moscow, a known haunt of security services operatives, reported the channel He became 'haunted' after the karaoke club conversation at the threat to Putin and reported it to police, according to the channel. 'The special services have been searching for several days for the unknown person who planned to "remove" Putin,' stated VChK-OGPU. 'Based on his tip, operatives went to study the situation in the Honey club, whereyou can often meet employees of various [secret] departments.' Paranoid Putin - 71 on Saturday - is known to take his security extremely seriously and, according to reports, regularly changes locations and travel routes. Reports have also suggested he regularly employs a body double at various official events around Russia to keep up his 'man of the people' appearance, while really hiding in his various boltholes. Russian security services are accused of seeing and dealing with many supposed terrorist plots to justify their effectiveness. In recent weeks Putin has been seen out and about more than for several years, regularly seeking to justify his war against Ukraine and making attacks on the West. This comes ahead of an expected announcement next month that he will seek a new six-year term in the Kremlin. Elections are due in March 2024. Putin told student participants in the International Financial Security Olympiad in Sochi that he had many admirers in Europe who shared his traditional values. 'I want to defend our friends,' he said. 'We have a lot of friends in Europe 'People who believe that traditional values, including the family, have died out.' Modernisers in the West 'behave very aggressively, particularly in North America and Europe. 'But there are quite a lot of people in European countries who share our values. 'I'd say a lot. They simply behave more quietly and don't show off their opinion. That's why I wouldn't split everyone. 'On the contrary, I want to try to unite everyone around our platform.' Russian special services have been searching for the unnamed person who said he had been given the task of 'removing' Putin. Pictured: Russia's FSB headquarters in Moscow (file photo) His defence of traditional family values brought a backlash. One telegram channel branded him 'a divorced man living with his mistress, calling his [adult] daughters 'one woman' and 'second woman'.' He 'never showed himself with his children and grandchildren' while taking holidays in Siberia with a male companion. 'Again he has said that in the West they are against traditional family values,' it said. Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported on Tuesday that Putin could soon announce his intention to take part in the 2024 presidential election. Such a move would pave the way for the Kremlin chief to stay in power until 2030. As part of a conference in November, officials suspect that Putin may announce he will take part in the election in March next year, Kommersant reported, citing unidentified sources close to the presidential administration. But the newspaper, one of Russia's most respected, said there were other scenarios for what Putin might do at the conference and the final decision rested with him. When asked about the Kommersant report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he knew nothing about a plan to announce Putin's bid in November. 'I know nothing about the presidential campaign being officially announced in November,' Peskov said. 'I do not have such information. I have nothing more to add.' Putin, who was handed the presidency by Boris Yeltsin on the last day of 1999, has been leader for longer than any other Russian ruler since Josef Stalin, beating even Leonid Brezhnev's 18-year tenure. Putin turns 71 on Oct. 7. While many diplomats, spies and officials have said they expect Putin to stay in power for life, there has yet to be any confirmation of his plans to run in the 2024 presidential vote. Putin said last month he would make an announcement on his plans only after parliament called the presidential election - due by law to be done in December. Peskov said last month that if Putin decided to run, then no one would be able to compete with him. While Putin may face no competition for votes, the former KGB spy faces the most serious set of challenges any Kremlin chief has faced since Mikhail Gorbachev grappled with the crumbling Soviet Union nearly four decades ago. The war in Ukraine has triggered the biggest confrontation with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the biggest external shock to the Russian economy in decades. Putin faced a failed mutiny by Russia's most powerful mercenary, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in June. Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash two months later. The West casts Putin as a war criminal and a dictator who has led Russia into an imperial-style conflict that has weakened the country and forged Ukrainian statehood while uniting the West and handing NATO a post-Soviet mission of opposing Russia. People walk past a police car in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia, March 20, 2023 Putin, though, presents the war as part of a much bigger struggle with the United States, which the Kremlin elite says aims to cleave Russia apart, grab its natural resources and then turn to settling scores with China. The former Soviet spies who wield power in Moscow have repeatedly warned of the risk of a Russia-NATO conflict as the West's post-Cold War dominance wanes, Russia lays to rest the humiliations of the Soviet collapse and China rises as a superpower. The West says it does not want a NATO-Russia conflict but simply to help Ukraine defeat Russian forces. The Kremlin says the West will never achieve Russia's defeat in Ukraine. The eco-killjoys who shut down Les Mis during its most iconic song last night can be unmasked by MailOnline today, and include a student working for Just Stop Oil as a gap year job and several other repeat offenders. A young cafe worker from an affluent market town, a graduate who threw paint all over the Scottish Parliament and a new recruit also stormed the West End stage last night. There was outrage in the audience who had paid up to 175 for a seat and travelled from across the UK and abroad to be at the Sondheim Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. Tory Dame Andrea Jenkyns tweeted today: 'Lock them up', as MailOnline can reveal that several have been arrested before. The audience have been told they can have a refund, but with some buying expensive tickets via third parties it might be trickier for some to get their cash back. The audience was rapt as the stars of the show belted out Do You Hear the People Sing but in an incident that raises serious questions about security, the activists calmly climbed on to stage from the most expensive seats in the house and unfurled their banners, screaming 'join the rebellion'. Security closed the stage, brought down the curtain and had to evacuate the building as the police arrived. Theatregoers drowned out the JSO chanting with booing and cries of 'you disgust me'. Another angry punter shouted: 'Get off you stupid people. How dare you.' A third screamed repeatedly: 'You naughty people, you naughty people.' An American yelled: 'F*** you' as one of the eco-spoilsports gave a monologue about 'society collapsing'. MailOnline can reveal that on stage was Noah Crane, who has just finished his studies at the Catholic Notre Dame Sixth Form in Norwich and is using his gap year to work as a JSO recruiter. Describing himself as a 'theatre lover', he said he 'took action because he knows there's no future for the arts if society fails under the pressures of climate collapse.' He was arrested at King Charles' Coronation in London as the Met broke up a potential protest. Just Stop Oil protester Noah Crane was on stage last night Noah, pictured on a previous march, is working for JSO on his gap year The crowd booed and jeered as Noah and cafe worker Poppy Bliss clambered onto the stage holding the group's orange banner at the Sondheim Theatre in Shaftesbury Miss Bliss, from Suffolk, was arrested over the summer at a previous protest (pictured) Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns is among those who is calling for them to be jailed With him was Hannah Taylor, 23, was one of protesters. The maths graduate was up in court in Scotland recently after the Scottish Parliament was doused in paint. She said: 'The show starts with Jean Valjean stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal loaves of bread? She added: 'How long before there are riots on the streets? The show cannot go on. We are facing catastrophe. New oil and gas means crop failure, starvation and death. It is an act of war on the global south and an utter betrayal of young people'. Cafe worker Poppy Bliss, from well-heeled Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk was also on stage. In June she was among a number of people arrested in London as they took part in a Just Stop Oil march demanding the Government stops issuing new fossil fuel licences. And the fourth person was a JSO newbie called Hanan. The eco-warrior said: 'I'm taking action with Just Stop Oil by disrupting a Les Mis performance tonight. Just Stop Oil member Hannah Taylor (pictured) urged people watching the West End show to 'join the rebellion' - but did not win over the crowd Hannah was involved in an attack on the Scottish Parliament (pictured) JSO new girl Hanan said she stopped the show because of the Government's new oil and gas licences Hanan is seen here on the left of the picture on the edge of the stage Video shows the theatre crowd booing as eco-activists clambered onto the stage holding the group's orange banner 'Les Mis is about the June rebellion where ordinary people stood up, organised themselves against a government that consistently showed no interest in their wellbeing. 'The UK Government has approved hundreds of gas and oil licences knowing the full consequences this will have on our climate and our society. 'So why wait? Take action.' The Metropolitan Police arrested people following the disruption at the musical, which depicts a failed republican rebellion against the French state. As others booed and jeered the eco protesters, a man near the front snatched away one of the eco-protesters' banners. Theatregoers expressed anger at the protest, and told MailOnline that they all cheered when the police arrived. One told MailOnline: 'It was a show that everybody was very excited about, you could feel that before it started. There were tourists from all over the world and people from all over the UK. 'The audience was very angry when the protest started. There wasn't an ounce of sympathy for them and people were booing and jeering them. These protestors didn't achieve anything, they just annoyed a lot of people who were looking forward to a special night out.' Another theatre goer revealed that after being ushered out of the venue they waited outside. He added: 'There were a lot of angry people waiting around outside the theatre because we wern't sure what was going on. When the police arrived, everybody started cheering them. 'These protestors knew exactly what they were doing. They were sitting in expensive seats near the front row and the whole protest was very well organised. It happened just before the interval during a very important moment in the musical. 'I'd like to know how they could afford such costly seats because I couldn't and was sat right at the back of the theatre.' Just Stop Oil said that four protesters locked themselves to the 'stage of the French-revolution-themed show' using flexible bicycle locks at around 8.50pm. In video of the incident, audience members can be heard booing the demonstrators. The climate change group said that the performance was stopped and the theatre was evacuated by 9.10pm. Police have since confirmed that five people were arrested at the theatre. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Met said: 'At about 9pm tonight, police were called to a protest inside a theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, WC1. 'Local officers were quickly on scene and five people have been arrested.' Social media users were quick to point out that JSO was incorrect is saying the play was set during the French revolution. Others slammed the eco mob for their actions. One X user said: 'This is just embarrassing. Get a life.' Another added: 'Imagine being this entitled. Just stop oil think their opinions justify ruining everyone else's morning, day and evening. Incredibly selfish and unhelpful, damaging their own cause.' Just Stop Oil said that four protesters locked themselves to the stage to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show' using flexible bicycle locks at around 8.50pm. Pictured is a JSO demonstrator during the disruption This photo shows an apparently angry audience member pointing and scolding the protesters Five demonstrators are pictured on stage during the performance this evening. Police have confirmed that five JSO activists have been arrested in connection to the incident William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres - which owns the Sondheim, issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, following the incident Just Stop Oil said two of the protesters were called Hanan - a 22-year-old student - and Noah, 18. The group said: 'Hanan, a student, took action because the UK Government, by approving new oil and gas has shown total disregard for their wellbeing. The republican June Rebellion of 1832 inspired Victor Hugo's novel Les Miserables, which was published in 1862. The rebellion failed and didn't last for long because it lacked support from the public. Just Stop Oil member Hannah Taylor said: 'The show starts with Jean Valjean stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal loaves of bread? How long before there are riots on the streets? The show cannot go on. 'We are facing catastrophe. New oil and gas means crop failure, starvation and death. It is an act of war on the global south and an utter betrayal of young people.' In another video posted online eco-warrior Hanan said: 'I'm taking action with Just Stop Oil by disrupting a Les Mis performance tonight' She added: 'Les Mis is about the June rebellion where ordinary people stood up, organised themselves against a government that consistently showed no interest in their wellbeing' This evening, officers from Scotland Yard were called to the Sondheim Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue and said they are currently 'dealing'. Pictured: JSO protesters interrupting the performance this evening William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres - which owns the Sondheim, said there will be refunds for all ticket-holders. He added: 'During the first half of our performance of Les Miserables, individuals from Just Stop Oil invaded the stage, abruptly stopping the show. 'Following our safety protocols, the audience were asked to leave the auditorium and the Met Police attended. 'Regrettably, there was insufficient time to enable us to complete the rest of the performance. 'Whilst we recognise the importance of free expression, we must also respect our audience's right to enjoy the event for which they have paid.' Just Stop Oil told MailOnline: 'This summer has shown us the sheer power of a supercharged climate. 'Scientists are freaking out and even the Pope is sounding the alarm. But, like the citizens of Paris in 1832, we have locked our doors, while our young face slaughter on the streets. 'They will inherit a scorched earth, unfit to live in and we will be long gone. We cannot let this stand. The show cannot go on.' Aboriginal kids are being killed because of extreme racism, Western Australia's commissioner for children and young people has told a parliamentary inquiry. Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, an Arrente/Warramungu woman, gave evidence to the Senate inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children in Perth on Wednesday. She said Aboriginal women and children have historically suffered significant levels of violence, which continues to this day. When 15-year-old Aboriginal boy Cassius Turvey was walking home from school in Perth in October last year, he was allegedly chased down and attacked with a metal pole by a pack of non-Indigenous adults 'Our children die at greater rates than non-Aboriginal children and young people,' Ms McGowan-Jones said. 'Some of those are due to family and domestic violence but some are due to extreme racism.' When 15-year-old Aboriginal boy Cassius Turvey was walking home from school in Perth in October last year, he was allegedly chased down and attacked with a metal pole by a pack of non-Indigenous adults. He suffered serious head injuries and died in hospital 10 days later. In August 2016, 14-year-old Aboriginal boy Elijah Doughty was riding a motorbike when a man chased him in his ute, ran him down and killed him because he believed the bike was stolen. The man, whose identity is protected by the court, was charged with manslaughter but convicted of the lesser offence of dangerous driving causing death. He was sentenced to a three-year jail term but served less than two. Aboriginal kids are being killed because of extreme racism, Western Australia 's commissioner for children and young people has told a parliamentary inquiry 'Racism is huge,' Ms McGowan-Jones said. 'When I first moved to Western Australia, and I was living in Geraldton, I said to the rest of my family, "The racism in Geraldton is worse than it is at home in Alice Springs" and it was even worse in Kalgoorlie. 'We have transit guards on public transport automatically approach Aboriginal children and young people as though they are about to cause trouble, even if they're not. 'People chasing children down after stealing something. 'No one wants their property stolen but murder?' Racism also means Aboriginal people are not accessing critical services, Ms McGowan-Jones said. 'They don't go to police for help if there's family and domestic violence,' she said. WA police refused to attend the hearing, despite multiple invitations. Women's Legal Service WA chief executive Jennie Gray told the inquiry that 90 per cent of First Nations women have experienced various forms of violence at different times in their lives. 'It is also estimated that up to 90 per cent of family violence incidents against First Nations women go undisclosed,' she said. 'We have heard and seen that many Aboriginal women's concerns are routinely disbelieved, dismissed and disregarded. 'When police do respond to First Nations women's call for help responses are often marked with bias, racism and preconceptions, coupled with a notable lack of cultural awareness. 'Many First Nations women who are accessing justice as a victim of violence face misidentification as a perpetrator, arrest, police violence and unjustified custody.' The inquiry is looking at the number of First Nations women and children who are missing and murdered, the ways in which these crimes have been investigated, causes of violence against Indigenous women and children and ways to reduce it. It is due to table its final report on June 30, 2024. A woman who helped cover up the violent death of a boy who was fatally bashed over a pair of AirPods has tearfully apologised to the teenager's family as she gets set to learn her fate. Stacey Pale, 38, fronted Parramatta District Court on Thursday having pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to grievous bodily harm after Jason Galleghan was killed in a house in Doonside, Sydney, in August 2021. Jason, 16, was set upon by a group of adults and juveniles, with the court hearing the fatal assault was sparked because one woman who lived at the house allegedly believed that he had stolen a pair of AirPods. Pale is not accused of being involved in the attack and was outside while Jason was bashed inside a spare bedroom in the single-storey home. She fronted a sentence hearing on Thursday, where she apologised for lying to police when she made an initial statement on the day Jason was attacked. Stacey Pale, 38, fronted Parramatta District Court on Thursday having pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to grievous bodily harm Jason Galleghan, 16, was killed in a Doonside home in 2021 'I, Stacey Pale, am here today to apologise for not speaking the truth in my statement,' she told the court as she wiped away tears. 'I came here to apologise, to say sorry for what happened to Jason.' She also apologised for the 'heartache and suffering' Jason's death had caused his family. Pale's father, George Pale, also gave a statement to the court in which he apologised to the Galleghan family for their loss and said he understood why they would be angry and upset. According to court documents, the attack was videoed and posted to social media, with police saying one video amassed more than 170,000 views. While the assault was ongoing, two neighbours heard the screaming and asked Pale what was going on. 'It's just a family dispute,' she told them. 'Nothing, just a family issue.' When she initially gave a statement to police, she said she saw two persons dressed in black and wearing balaclavas running from the house. She also told officers she heard someone yell: 'I feel something is wrong with Jason' before triple-0 was called. However, in a further statement she told police she lied in her earlier interview 'because she was scared', according to a statement of agreed facts. Jason's mother, Rachel Galleghan, in August told the court that she remained 'completely broken' following the loss of her son. Jason's mother, Rachel Galleghan, in August told the court that she remained 'completely broken' following the loss of her son. 'I was physically, emotionally and mentally drained and broken into a million pieces,' she told the court. She described Jason as 'friendly, generous and caring' with an 'infectious laugh' and a 'great sense of humour'. Pale will be sentenced later this year. A teenage soldier was 'taken advantage' of by four men before she tragically took her own life, a harrowing report has revealed. Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck, 19, killed herself after an 'intense period of unwelcome behaviour' from a superior who now faces being discharged from the Army, an official investigation into her death has found. Despite the damning findings, the officer - who held the rank of Bombardier - has been granted anonymity, and a copy of the report released to the public has been heavily redacted - obscuring a series of key details. Gunner Beck, who joined the Army aged 16, was also targeted by other men who pursued her for relationships. At the time of her death she was in a relationship with a married senior non-commissioned officer who would frequently turn up drunk at her room late in the evening. Another male soldier, a warrant officer, is said to have sexually assaulted her on a night out by putting his hands between her legs and grabbing her by the neck at a party. She had to hide in a bathroom to escape him. The report found another contributory factor to Gunner Beck's death was a difficult long-term relationship with an instructor which ended on November 21, shortly before her death. The report said many aspects of this relationship had been positive but it was also characterised by mistrust and repeated allegations of unfaithfulness on the part of the boyfriend. Gunner Beck's sister, Emilli, 24, described her as 'the most beautiful, caring and strongest person I know'. Emilli told The Times she believes her sister's caring nature was 'taken advantage of by people superior to her in the Army'. Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck, 19, killed herself after an 'intense period of unwelcome behaviour' from a superior The report includes a series of texts Gunner Beck sent to the Bombardier - her immediate boss - which provide a harrowing insight into her declining mental state and desperate attempts to stop him harassing her The report includes a series of texts Gunner Beck sent to the Bombardier - her immediate boss - which provide a harrowing insight into her declining mental state and desperate attempts to stop him harassing her. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour today, her mother Leighann McCready said: 'She showed us the messages four days before her passing. As a parent it puts you in a difficult position because you just want to go and pick them up from work. 'But unfortunately the military doesn't work like that. We could only advise, offer reassurance and support and try to encourage our daughter to report it. However, Jaysley said she didn't want to be branded as a female troublemaker.' Ms McCready said her daughter initially got on 'extremely well' in the Army before, in July 2021, she told them she had been sexually assaulted by another senior colleague, who held the rank of Warrant Officer. She also explained how the Bombardier continued to give her unwanted attention and display intense jealousy when she interacted with other male colleagues. Ms McCready said the final contact she had with her daughter was on December 14 - the night before her death. She recalled: 'The last exchange was late at night when she was enjoying time with her friends. She was sending us videos, which she always did. It was Christmas and she was having lots of fun. 'Me and my eldest daughter had concerns on the morning of the 15th when I tried to speak to Jaysley. There was still no response from her later in the day so I became extremely worried.' Criticising the Army for the way it had dealt with her daughter's case, she continued: 'It would be nice for people to be heard and action to be taken. People just want to be listened to, and unfortunately they're not. 'It took us a long time to be heard, and that shouldn't have been the case. It took a long time to be heard and understood.' The report included details of texts Gunner Beck sent her superior in a desperate attempt to stop him harassing her. In November 2021, the teenager's superior sent her more than 3,500 WhatsApp messages and voicemails in which he described how much he craved a relationship with her. At one point Gunner Beck drafted a message calling the officer 'possessive and psychotic'. The report also highlights missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy. On December 9, less than a week before she passed, Gunner Beck apparently suffered a 'severe panic attack'. She also described 'suicidal feelings' to a colleague, who subsequently gave evidence to the inquiry, and discussed how she was suffering from 'night terrors'. The conduct of Gunner Beck's immediate boss was 'almost certain' to be a 'causal factor' in her death at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire in December 2021 On November 15, Gunner Beck messaged the man: 'You can't keep doing this to me I've just got out of a relationship & now I feel like I'm in one again.' Early the next month, she texted him again to say: 'It's not normal how you feel but I can't be there to support you with it because the way you feel for me is the main issue & I can't handle it any more'. On December 7, she asked to be removed from a task that evening because she could no longer cope with his behaviour towards her. In a message she drafted, she described his thoughts towards her as 'possessive and psychotic', although she later deleted the words. In the text she did send, she described feeling trapped by his actions and said she had spoken to her family about the situation and they were worried. Her message added: 'The truth is I'm struggling to deal with all this, it's taking a huge toll on my mental health for many potential reasons. I need time out.' The conduct of Gunner Beck's immediate boss was 'almost certain' to be a 'causal factor' in her death at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire in December 2021, the report found. An Army investigation said her boss wanted to start a sexual relationship with Ms Beck, who told him she was already with someone and did not reciprocate his feelings. The report concluded: 'Mental wellbeing warning signs were clearly present in the weeks before her death but these were missed, most likely due to insufficient awareness of mental health matters among the personnel to whom she was known. 'Some witnesses also stated they thought there was still a stigma attached to seeking help for mental health problems in the Army.' Her mother Leighann McCready (pictured) told the BBC: 'She was fed up with his behaviour, it started ruining a job she really enjoyed doing. She was always down' Another male soldier, who is accused of sexually assaulting Gunner Beck on a night out, has already been punished. Ms McCready told the BBC yesterday: 'She was fed up with his behaviour, it started ruining a job she really enjoyed doing. She was always down. 'You think the easiest solution is to block him [on your phone], but you can't just block your boss.' The 19-year-old called her mother the night after she was sexually assaulted by another male soldier, who held the rank of Warrant Officer. Ms McCready said: 'She said he put his hands between her legs and tried to grab her from around the neck. She shouted: ''Get off me, Sir''. 'That night she slept in her car, as she was afraid if she went to bed he would have come into her room. She also told a female friend, who was on guard duty, to stay on the phone until she fall asleep and just listen. And [if] she hears anything, just ring for help.' The sexual allegation was reported to army chiefs by one of Gunner Beck's colleagues and resulted in the perpetrator receiving a minor sanction and writing her an apology letter. The punishment apparently seemed lenient to Gunner Beck and may have influenced her decision not to subsequently report her boss for sending thousands of unsolicited messages. Ms McCready added: 'She was saying ''you don't get listened to, so what's the point?'' She thought she would be seen as a female troublemaker.' The report says that on December 9, less than a week before she died, Gunner Beck apparently suffered a 'severe panic attack'. She also described 'suicidal feelings' to a colleague, who subsequently gave evidence to the inquiry. An Army investigation said her boss wanted to start a sexual relationship with Ms Beck, who told him she was already with someone and did not reciprocate his feelings. His misconduct included controlling behaviour, bombarding her with thousands of text messages and phone calls, and attempting to ensure they were always working together. The report said: 'This behaviour stems from the fact that it appears he wanted a relationship with her and had developed feelings for her which were not reciprocated. 'While this behaviour ended the week before her death, it appears that it continued to affect her and had taken a significant toll on her mental resilience and well-being. 'The panel's assessment of the evidence was that it is almost certain that this was a causal factor in her death.' Gunner Beck joined the Royal Regiment of Artillery, which is headquartered at Larkhill, at 16 An Army inquiry into her death heard evidence from witnesses about inappropriate sexual behaviour by male soldiers towards their female colleagues at Larkhill The report also notes she was having an affair with a married Royal Artillery soldier who held a much higher rank. It concludes that maintaining secrecy around that relationship 'affected her state of mind and was likely to have been a contributory factor'. This SNCO (Senior Non-Commissioned Officer) socialised with Gunner Beck on the night she took her life and her mood was said to have plummeted when he left the Christmas party. Gunner Beck had joined the Army in 2019 aged just 16. She began recruit training at the Army Foundation College (AFC) at Harrogate before joining 47 Regiment, Royal Artillery. An Army inquiry into her death heard evidence from witnesses about inappropriate sexual behaviour by male soldiers towards their female colleagues at Larkhill. The report says: 'It was commonplace among a significant minority of soldiers within Larkhill Garrison.' One witness described routinely receiving comments from male soldiers that she described as 'vile' and 'degrading'. The report says measures to tackle this kind of behaviour were introduced as part of a new policy for the armed forces in November 2022. Larkhill Barracks near Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. A report into Gunner Beck's death said that a 'significant minority' of male soldiers would engage in sexually inappropriate behaviour An Army inquiry into her death heard evidence from witnesses about inappropriate sexual behaviour by male soldiers towards their female colleagues at Larkhill The report into Gunner Beck's death found she had no diagnosed mental health conditions and had not sought welfare support from anyone in the Army Ms Cready regrets her daughter's career choice having approved her request to join the Army aged 16. For years top brass have been desperate to clamp down on sexual abuse and sexual harassment in the ranks, seemingly with little success. The report follows an inquest into the death of a woman officer cadet, Olivia Perks, 21, who killed herself at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. A coroner heard how Ms Perks, 21, took her own life just days after a significantly older male instructor spent the night with her. He was subsequently dismissed from the Army. It is rare for the Army to admit that sexual harassment was a significant factor in the death of a soldier. It follows a damning report into the day-to-day experiences of women in the military drawn up by MPs. Last year the Mail revealed how female members of the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic display team were subjected to sexual abuse and harassment by male colleagues. A female submariner also revealed her ordeal aboard a Royal Navy vessel, which included male sailors listing which female crew members they would rape if oxygen levels aboard the submarine were running out. The report into Gunner Beck's death found she had no diagnosed mental health conditions and had not sought welfare support from anyone in the Army. An Army spokesman said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck's family and friends at this difficult time'. It added that it would be inappropriate to comment further until after the inquest. Gunner Beck was found dead after a party ten days before Christmas. Gunner Beck's family said she was a 'loving and caring person who would go above and beyond to help anyone in a less fortunate position than herself' Gunner Beck with her family. Her mother said that the 19-year-old had a 'really lovely aura about her' Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, her family said that the soldier had been reluctant to report her boss's behaviour, believing that her concerns would not be taken seriously. Ms McCready said in a filmed BBC interview that her daughter was 'the kind of person that would walk into a room and just bring light into the room, naturally'. Looking to Gunner Beck's cousin Lois, she added: 'She just had this really lovely aura about her, didn't she?' Holding her daughter's recruit uniform, she said: 'I shouldn't have just been left with these. I should have always had my daughter walking back through the door.' Gunner Beck, from Oxen Park in Cumbria, joined the Army at 16 and had been proud to be a soldier - but her family say she withdrew into herself as the campaign of harassment at the hands of her direct line manager escalated. Her family later paid tribute to her while raising money for charity in her memory, writing: 'Jaysley is a loving and caring person who would go above and beyond to help anyone in a less fortunate position than herself.' Aspects of the inquiry, as reported by the BBC, suggest that inappropriate sexual behaviour was 'commonplace amongst a significant minority' of male soldiers at Larkhill, where Gunner Beck was based. In 2022, an Army instructor based at Larkhill was sacked after buying 'impressionable young recruits' bottles of vodka and whiskey liqueur and asking another to 'get up and walk' so he could 'look at her a***'. Britain's Armed Forces are cracking down on sexual harassment after bringing in new 'zero tolerance' rules last year It is understood that Gunner Beck's case is now being investigated by both civilian and military police forces. The Centre for Military Justice, which is supporting the family, branded her story 'appalling' in a tweet yesterday. Britain's Armed Forces are cracking down on sexual harassment after bringing in new 'zero tolerance' rules last year. MoD sources insist there is 'no place' for sexual harassment and assault in the military, and say efforts are being made to encourage victims to report it. Soldiers will be punished if they engage in acts of harassment such as cat-calling, inappropriate touching, 'lewd' comments, winking and 'leering' at squadmates. The rules will apply across the Army, Navy and the RAF, and come after a landmark defence committee report found that nearly 62 per cent of female service personnel experienced bullying, harassment and discrimination. MPs also found that servicewomen were more than ten times as likely to experience sexual harassment as their male counterparts. The report concluded: 'Mental wellbeing warning signs were clearly present in the weeks before her death but these were missed. 'Other parts of the military culture of the Armed Forces show it is still a man's world.' When life is difficult, Samaritans are here day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. European leaders are set to reassure president Volodymyr Zelensky that they will continue to provide Ukraine with financial support for the on-going war with Russia. Leaders will meet the Ukrainian leader in Spain today, with the summit coming after US President Joe Biden voiced fears that Republican infighting in Washington could hurt America's policy on continuing aid to Kyiv. Zelensky is expected to attend a summit in the Spanish city of Granada of the European Political Community - a forum to foster cooperation among more than 40 countries established last year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. His attendance was not announced in advance for security reasons. Officials familiar with the plans said he would take part in the summit, giving him the chance to press for more urgently needed military aid, such as air defence systems. European leaders are set to reassure president Volodymyr Zelensky (seen on the frontlines in this photograph taken by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on October 3) that they will continue to provide Ukraine with financial support for the on-going war with Russia 'We are preparing for intensive international activities - this week and next week should be productive for Ukraine,' Zelensky said in a video message on Wednesday. The Granada gathering also gives leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a chance to re-state their commitment to Ukraine after political turbulence in both the US and Europe raised questions about continued support. In the US, a dispute among the Republican majority in the House of Representatives has complicated budget negotiations and prompted Democrat Biden to go from confidence that an agreement will be made on aid to openly expressing concern. 'It does worry me,' Biden said on Wednesday, before adding: 'But I know there are a majority of members of the House and Senate in both parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine.' Meanwhile in Slovakia, former prime minister Robert Fico's party came first in a general election at the weekend after pledging to halt military aid to Ukraine. During his campaign, Fico vowed to not to send 'another bullet' to Ukraine, saying 'people in Slovakia have bigger problems than Ukraine.' Slovakia has sent its fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, the S-300 air defence system, helicopters, armoured vehicles and much-needed de-mining equipment. Meanwhile, it has absorbed 100,000 Ukrainian refugees - more per-capita than any other country except Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic States. The current caretaker government is planning to send Ukraine artillery ammunition and to train Ukrainian service members in de-mining. But Fico's victory could upend Slovakia's support for its neighbour. The former PM opposes EU sanctions on Russia, questions whether Ukraine can force out the invading Russian troops and wants to block Ukraine from joining Nato. He proposes that instead of sending arms to Kyiv, the EU and the US should use their influence to force Russia and Ukraine to strike a compromise peace deal. Leaders will meet the Ukrainian leader in Spain today, with the summit coming after US President Joe Biden voiced fears that Republican infighting in Washington could hurt America's policy on continuing aid to Kyiv. Pictured: Ukrainian servicemen are seen riding atop a tank near the frontlines in Donetsk, September 28 Zelensky is expected to attend a summit in the Spanish city of Granada of the European Political Community - a forum to foster cooperation among more than 40 countries established last year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Pictured: A Ukrainian drone operator is seen in the Donetsk region on October 3 Fico's critics worry that his return to power could lead Slovakia to abandon its course in other ways, following the path of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban and to a lesser extent of Poland under the Law and Justice party. In Poland, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said last month his country was no longer arming Ukraine and was focusing on rebuilding its own weapon stocks. Some Ukrainian, EU and NATO officials have played down these developments, saying support for Kyiv will ultimately hold steady as it is in the West's own interests. Scholz said on Wednesday he was 'very confident' the US would continue with its support for Ukraine. However, in other countries - including Germany, France, and Spain - populist parties sceptical of intervention in Ukraine also command significant, growing support. Many of these countries have national or regional elections coming up that could tip the balance of popular opinion away from Kyiv and toward Moscow. The official summit agenda in Spain today features topics such as transport, energy and artificial intelligence. But meetings on the margins will focus on crises between Azerbaijan and Armenia and between Serbia and Kosovo, which have flared in recent weeks amid floundering EU efforts at mediation - raising fears of further conflict on European soil. EU officials had to abandon hopes of using the summit to host a first meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia since Baku'ss military operation last month to take control of the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The assault triggered an exodus of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians amid ethnic cleansing fears. Those hopes were dashed when Azerbaijan's state-run APA news agency reported on Wednesday that President Ilham Aliyev decided not to attend. Scholz, Macron and European Council President Charles Michel would also have been present. Many EU leaders have condemned the Azerbaijani operation. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy poses for a picture with service members as he visits a position of Ukrainian troops in a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location, Ukraine October 3 A Spanish national policeman guards outside the Congress Palace ahead of the European Political Community summit in Granada, Spain, October 4 Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing - a charge denied by Baku, which said Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh were welcome to stay. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected to attend the summit and European officials said they were keen to find ways to help his government cope with the immediate humanitarian crisis and provide political and economic support. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan said Thursday it had detained an ex-president of Nagorno-Karabakh. The country's the prosecutor general and security service said in a joint statement it had detained Arayik Harutyunyan, who stepped down shortly before Baku's offensive, 'on suspicion of waging an aggressive war' against Azerbaijan and alleged war crimes. This is the moment an otter and a rat smuggled in a passenger's hand luggage sparked panic after they ran free on a flight from Bangkok - with the rat savagely biting one of the crew members on the hand. Shocked passengers noticed a giant albino rat with glistening red eyes when they walked to the bathroom on the Airbus A320 flying to Taiwan yesterday afternoon. Flustered air hostesses searched the plane and noticed a second wild creature - a foot-long otter under a seat. Footage shows the otter rolling about on the floor by one of the seats before crew members frantically tried to resolve the situation, with passengers cowering in their seats as they watched the chaos unfold. The crew can be seen tying up a black bag that appears to have at least one of the animals inside it. A frightened passenger can be seen trying to avoid the otter as it moves around on the floor. The otter rolls about on the carpet before it is captured by cabin crew The 30cm long otter that caused pandemonium on the flight The otter is then shown moving about in a container at the airport in Taiwan before it is transported. Shockingly, a box of 28 live turtles was also found when police searched the plane upon landing in Taipei following the three-hour and 45-minute low-cost flight operated by Vietnamese carrier Viet Jet. Officials launched an investigation into how the creatures were smuggled through the security checks at the notoriously corrupt Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand. A shocked passenger who recorded the scene said: 'The flight took off as scheduled and the pilot announced the seatbelts could be released. I walked back from the toilet and my friend whispered softly to me, "there's a rat on the plane". 'I was confused so he said again, "pet rat, pet rat, it has a white body and it's not small". 'I told the cabin crew and they checked the plane. That's when they found the big otter under one of the seats. 'They kept looking for the white rat and an employee caught the rat. It bit them on the hand while they carried it back to the kitchen at the back of the plane.' Footage shows the rat moving around on the floor by a passenger's seat. One of the air stewards then makes her way up the aisle as other flyers watch as chaos ensues The cabin crew reportedly made an announcement ordering anyone who had brought animals on the plane to make themselves known. The person filming said that several seats were searched before a Chinese passenger 'asked for a refund' and allegedly admitted the animals belonged to her. Staff then appealed for a passenger who could 'speak Chinese fluently' to help them discuss the situation with the woman, who is believed to have bought the creatures from a market in the Thai capital. The person filming, who did not want to be named, said that 'every bag' was searched when the aircraft landed at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Police found a bag that allegedly contained 28 star turtles, a snake, one marmot, two otters and two other unknown rodents. The creatures were seen being removed from the aircraft. The Taoyuan Branch of the Defense Inspection Department said yesterday that the star turtles will be kept in quarantine and the rest will be sent to Pingtung University of Science and Technology for confirmation before disposal. The cabin crew can be seen discussing the incident. They use plastic gloves to tie up a black bag that appears to contain at least one of the animals Police said the suspect was being questioned and could be fined up to NT$1 million (25,532) in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases. Bungling airport chiefs today admitted that security staff noticed live animals in a passenger's hand luggage - but waved through the bags on the conveyor belt. The rat and otter were among the haul that also included turtles, a snake, a marmot, and other rodents that were in an X-ray of the bag when it was checked at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. But the guard on duty - who has now been suspended and is being probed by police - did not open the bag and handed it straight back to the passenger without even questioning them, officials admitted today. The airport said in a statement posted online: 'In response to information has been published on social media, in the case of a passenger smuggling animals onto a Thai Vietjet flight departing from Suvarnabhumi International Airport on October 4, 2023 at 3:32 p.m., for the destination at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the Royal Thai Police has inspected the work of the security company searchers. 'Police and airport staff have checked the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera system, and it was found that the passengers who brought the animals on board were two foreigners. Video shows staff at the airport loading containers that are holding the animals from the flight. The otter is then shown moving about in a container at the airport before it is transported 'Their bags were taken through the X-ray machine at the search point at approximately 1:45 p.m. by the image analysis staff. The staff member was suspicious, so he handed the bag to another employee to open the bag, to check whether the item in question was a dangerous or prohibited item or not. 'However, the said employee did not open the bag for inspection and allowed the passenger to pass through the security checkpoint and continue boarding the plane.' The statement continued: 'The Royal Thai Police would like to emphasise that the technology system used within the Royal Thai Police's search points can work according to standards and clearly defined procedures for checking of prohibited items. But this case occurred due to the mistake of the employee who opened the bag inspection and did not follow the prescribed operating procedures. 'The police station ordered the employee performing such duties to stop working immediately. And if the results of the investigation are found to be negligence of standard operating procedures, they will be punished according to law. 'In this regard, the Royal Thai Police would like to remind all Thai and foreign travelers not to commit illegal acts by taking animals or animal carcasses, both living and non-living, on planes into and out of the country. 'If you wish to bring your pet on the trip, please request permission correctly. Otherwise, there will be a risk of breaking the law, both Thai and foreign laws, and there must be punished with both a fine and imprisonment.' Large quantities of drugs and other contraband are being smuggled into prisons using drones, the jails watchdog has warned. Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, said in her report on HMP Perth that drone technology had led to a step change in the illicit drugs trade behind bars. Incoming post for inmates is photocopied as a way of preventing drug-soaked letters from reaching prisoners. But Ms Sinclair-Gieben said drones have provided an alternative method of getting drugs into jails. The disclosure comes after it emerged that criminals in Scottish prisons are becoming aggressive and violent amid a new wave of psychoactive drugs being smuggled into cells. Footage inside a prison shows an inmate picking up an item smuggled into the courtyard using a drone Another clip captures a drone flying beyond the prison walls, on its way to deliver illegal contraband to inmates Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said SNP ministers should admit the scale of the problem and give frontline prison staff the support they need. He added: The failure to get a grip will inevitably result in more violence, NHS ambulance call-outs and fatal overdoses. Ms Sinclair-Gieben said that bosses, staff and prisoners at HMP Perth reported to inspectors their concerns over drug use. Fiona Cruickshanks, the new governor of HMP Edinburgh, said prisoners taking synthetic drugs and new forms of street benzodiazepines were having extreme reactions due to increased potency. Ms Cruickshanks said: We had a recovery (of a drone) in Edinburgh earlier in the year. The packages attached to that one drone that crashed contained ceramic knives, a significant quantity of drugs, mobile phones, and the prison value of the contents is 75,000. A Scottish Prison Service (SPS) spokesman said: We welcome this report, which praises the strong management and committed SPS and NHS staff working at HMP Perth. In July, Mail Online reported that prisoners in the UK were using drones to smuggle phones into their jail cells. Shameless selfies and videos, filmed in jails nationwide, are being uploaded to social media as caged criminals seek to chase social media notoriety from behind bars. Shocking footage, seen by MailOnline and now being investigated by the Ministry of Justice, shows how inmates savagely deal out gruesome jail 'justice', with prisoners violently attacking alleged sex offenders and 'snitches'. In one clip, a man is viciously yanked from his bed before being brutalised by a fellow inmate, who punches and kicks him in the head while other lags egg him on. Other videos show prisoners being ambushed as they enter a cell or communal toilets, away from the prying eyes of jail guards. The violence and disorder in British prisons us being filmed by inmates, with phones illegally smuggled into jail, before then being uploaded on social media One inmate is dragged out of his bed by another prisoner before being violently attacked (left). The man is left cowering on the floor as his attacker kicks and punches him in the head (right) In another video, a prisoner is shown with blood pouring out of his face after being viciously attacked by a gang of other inmates, who repeatedly punched him in the face While another sickening recording shows the moment a prisoner begs for his life as a gang of thugs ruthlessly beat him on his bed. 'I ain't done nothing,' the terrified man pleads as he is battered by a barrage of punches from fellow inmates, who then callously order him to 'shut up, shut up' and 'stop shouting' before launching a television at his head as he squeals in pain. So vicious and graphic were some of the attacks, that MailOnline could not share them, with one video appearing to show a man having part of his ears hacked off, while in another, a person is held to the floor and repeatedly stabbed in the stomach. All the clips were shared on social networking app Telegram, on the account HMP TV Explicit. Some videos are also being added to the group's Instagram page, which had previously been deleted by the social network. The Ministry of Justice confirmed to MailOnline an investigation was launched into the footage. A spokesman said all incidences of social media misuse are investigated thoroughly by the Digital Media Investigation Unit, which works with social media companies such as TikTok to get content removed. A total on 97 X-ray body scanners are also used to detect smuggled phones, contraband and weapons. A Prison Service spokesman added: 'Phones are not tolerated in prisons and those who break the rules face tough punishment including extra time behind bars. 'Our 100million investment in airport-style security including X-ray body scanners has helped stop over 28,000 attempts to smuggle drugs, phones, and weapons into prisons since last October, curbing the contraband that fuels jail violence.' Nearly 1,000 motorists have been refunded after they were wrongly charged under Sadiq Khan's hated Ulez scheme when a camera was put in the wrong place in northwest London. Drivers reacted angrily after they were charged while driving through Harrow's Old Redding Junction, which is outside the Ultra Low Emission Zone area. Transport for London (TfL) was forced to correct the blunder and switched off the camera before moving it. The organisation said that the 927 drivers who were incorrectly charged through auto payment accounts have since been refunded. The expansion of Ulez to all of London's 32 boroughs on August 29 has proved controversial, with owners of vehicles which do not meet emission standards facing a 12.50 charge per day to drive within the capital. Wrong way! Drivers reacted angrily after they were charged while driving through Harrow's Old Redding Junction, which is outside the Ultra Low Emission Zone area More than 900 motorists were wrongly charged under Sadiq Khan 's hated Ulez scheme after a camera was put in the wrong place in northwest London Deputy leader of Harrow Council Marilyn Ashton says she has been inundated with complaints about the charges. The mother and grandmother, who has lived in the area for nearly five decades, said: 'If you are driving down Old Redding in a non-compliant car, you shouldn't have to pay a charge as those roads are exempt. 'Since it went up on August 29, people thought, 'I'll go that way and not have to pay anything', and had to pay the 12.50. 'It's not in London at all, which is partially why it's a terrible idea to do this. 'All that was wrong is that the cameras were facing these roads. More than 900 and something people had to pay 12.50 and that's terrible. 'It went on for weeks and people started complaining and writing in. But it took TfL weeks to say, "We got it wrong" and move the camera. 'It's unacceptable, incompetent and disgraceful.' Cllr Ashton, who supported the central London Ulez zones but was against the most recent expansion into outer London, believes Mayor Khan owes motorists fined incorrectly an apology. 'It's an embarrassment for Sadiq Khan,' she said. 'The trouble is, I don't think he's capable of feeling embarrassment. 'He's arrogant. He doesn't seem to think he can get anything wrong. Well, this went wrong. He should have apologised but he still hasn't. 'We're not talking about half a dozen people, here: it's hundreds of people. 'There was a woman at the hairdresser saying she didn't understand it. It had happened to her four times. 'I just think it's blatant carelessness, incompetence and arrogance. 'It wasn't hard to crack it, it wasn't exactly rocket science. I find it extraordinary, really.' Cllr Ashton added that the roll-out of Ulez to the very limits of the city was a bad idea, saying: 'There is a feeling of resentment in the area towards Ulez. 'We have spent millions of pounds on these cameras just to catch a few people going into small roads. 'This total fiasco of Old Redding is a symptom of not thinking this through. 'These are residents who don't get a vote in next year's Mayoral election. They are completely disenfranchised. 'I was talking to a woman who works at Heathrow and lives in Bushey who has to go into the Ulez zone and pay 25 to go to and from work. 'Surely Khan must realise that's ridiculous? As someone who says he cares about people, how can he do this to people? 'It was a great idea in central London but we don't need it in outer London..' A spokesperson for TfL said: 'We apologise for this error. Unfortunately this camera was incorrectly positioned. 'It was switched off once we were informed of the error and has been repositioned. We have refunded any charges that were wrongly issued.' TfL added that all cameras on the London boundary have been checked and that all cameras are now correctly positioned. In an interview with Talk TV , the masked maverick - who uses Ben as a fake name - claimed to have wrecked 150 of the traffic cameras since they were expanded across the capital's boroughs on August 29 Yesterday, a member of the infamous Blade Runners group vowed to continue tearing down Ulez cameras - telling the Mayor of London: 'We won't stop until you stop. That's the bottom line.' In an interview with Talk TV, the masked maverick - who uses Ben as a fake name - claimed to have wrecked 150 of the traffic cameras since their rollout at the end of August. Ben, wearing a balaclava and hood, is seen in the footage using an angle-grinder to cut down a Ulez camera mounted on a traffic light in just four seconds. The father-of-three, aged in his forties, says he goes out in the dead of night several days a week flouting the law to carry out what he calls 'unpaid voluntary work'. Speaking to TalkTV, Ben claims he's behind a near total blackout of enforcement cameras in the Bromley area, one of the Greater London boroughs where the scheme has been extended. Ben insists support among the public is widespread with many hailing them as heroes, saying, 'We are the voice of the people. You experienced the cheers against ULEZ right there and then you can see we are reflecting the voice of the public.' Ben - who has been a member of the group for several months, and says membership is growing: 'It started off as a small group of people and it has gradually grown. 'Since the expansion went live on August 29, numbers have increased significantly. We're like a pack of lone wolves. We sometimes work together, we work in isolation, and we all have this common goal.' Ben, wearing a balaclava and hood, is seen in the footage using an angle-grinder to cut down a Ulez camera mounted on a traffic light in just four seconds. Ben says mayor Sadiq Khan is targeting the most vulnerable people at the worst possible time as they struggle through a cost of living crisis. He explains: 'The members of society that have less disposable income are hit the hardest because if they can't afford to change their vehicle, they'll be subject to that daily charge no matter what. He claims the ULEZ network has been installed to 'catch everyone out'. Ben says: 'It seems like the Mayor's office and the Government are not doing anything for the people. Unfair is just sort of scratching the surface on how bad it is for them. It's terrible. It's completely unjust.' Asked if he could see any merit in ULEZ tackling the dangerously high air pollution levels, he said: 'If the figures and the statements that Sadiq Khan made were true then of course there would be merit but he doesn't speak the truth about anything.' Asked if he sees anything wrong with being a vigilante, Ben replied: 'I never expected to be part of anything like this and taking these kind of steps. We don't disrupt the general public in their daily activities, we don't block roads, we don't glue ourselves to buildings, the floor - we target the camera network itself. 'I can see how it could be viewed as being incorrect but lawful rebellion is totally okay in my book,' adding he would go to prison for the cause, saying, 'It's a risk I'm prepared to take and do take.' He revealed he has taken down over 150 enforcement cameras alone, and vowed those numbers 'will continue to go up'. Responding to the footage, London Minister Paul Scully said: 'I can understand the frustration but I can't condone the vandalism. You can't pick and choose the laws you want to adhere to. 'Nonetheless Sadiq Khan has shown through all of this that he is just not listening. 'I've got one camera near to where I live that just points towards the entrance of the Royal Marsden cancer hospital.' READ MORE: Fox holds book about GULAGS as he is released on bail after arrest Laurence Fox shared a bizarre post comparing himself to Les Miserables hero Jean Valjean, claiming that 'wrong speak' is a crime and appearing to brush off his on-air rant which got him sacked from GB News as a 'joke' - just hours before he was arrested by police. Video posted to X yesterday showed the sacked GB News host sat in his living room as police officers searched his home in South London - after he made comments during a podcast interview encouraging people to remove the Ultra low emission zone cameras and promising to use an angle grinder himself to tear down the devices. Last night, Fox was pictured leaving Croydon police station clasping a book about Soviet forced labour camps. He also claimed that he learned he had been sacked by GB News by officers while in custody. The under-fire broadcaster sacked Fox after he sparked a backlash with an on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans. It also sacked another host, Reverend Calvin Robinson, for backing the 45-year-old political activist. In an Instagram post hours before his arrest yesterday, Fox posed for a photo with a shaved head and a trimmed beard. He compared himself to the fictional protagonist Jean Valjean - who served 19 years locked up as prisoner 24601 for stealing a loaf of bread - and claimed he was going to be 'carted off to the cancellation camp' for 'wrong speak'. In a bizarre Instagram post before his arrest, Laurence Fox shared this picture of himself. In the caption, he compared himself to Les Miserables hero Jean Valjean, said he was being 'carted off' for 'wrong speak' and appeared to brush off his Ava Evans rant as a 'joke' In a video shared on X yesterday, Fox sits on a sofa in his living room in a grey suit and smoking a cigar at home as 'five police officers storm the building'. He was later arrested by police Fox was pictured leaving Croydon police station clasping a copy of The Gulag Archipelago and a Tesco carrier bag The actor appeared on Maajid Nawaz's Warrior Creed podcast on Tuesday - on the Rumble platform - to 'encourage mass removal of the surveillance state' Fox wrote: 'Bit of final preparation before being carted off to the cancellation camp. Prisoner Number - #24601 - Sentence - Life without parole. Crime - Wrong speak. Specifically. Being rude, whilst trying to make a joke - 25 years. Expressing concern for male suicide rates and men's mental health.- 25 years - Being a Heterosexual male - Life without parole.' Scotland Yard confirmed a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed. Yesterday the 45-year-old political activist also shared a video on X showing five police officers 'storming his home' as he was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to damage ULEZ cameras a day after he threatened to tear them down with an angle-grinder. Footage posted to social media showed the actor smoking a cigar in his living room as police officers appeared to search his home in south London before telling the camera: 'That, ladies and gentlemen, is the country that we live in'. Last night, Fox posed for the cameras outside Croydon's custody suite after he was released. He was spotted scrunching a Tesco bag while also holding onto a copy of The Gulag Archipelago by Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Fox stands on the pavement holding up two fingers in a peace sign and then gets into a blue vehicle with a cigar dangling from his mouth. He then leans out of the passenger window showing off the front cover of the book. Talking to Sky News, he took the opportunity to hit out at his former employer GB News once again calling them 'GB joke' and said he found out about his sacking when police officers told him in custody. 'They [police officers] went; 'By the way, you've been sacked and there's loads of paparazzi out there'. And I was like 'phew',' he said. Asked about his arrest, Fox said: 'They've let me go. It's Sadiq Khan's 'make a big thing out of Loz'. 'If Sadiq Khan thinks he can scare me, I've been intimidated by his coppers before.' A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'On Wednesday, 4 October, officers arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed. The former actor smokes a cigar as he released on bail after being quizzed by police officers The actor holds up two fingers in a peace sign and took the opportunity to take another swipe at his former employer's GB News calling them 'GB joke' Fox holding up a copy of The Gulag Archipelago for the cameras before being driven away 'He was arrested in Stockwell and taken to a south London police station. He has since been bailed to return on a date in mid-December pending further enquiries.' The Reclaim Party posted a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying Fox would 'be in touch tomorrow'. It read: 'Laurence has been released from custody and wants family and friends to know he is safe and well and on the way home.' Fox had made comments on Maajid Nawaz's Warrior Creed podcast a day earlier where he said he would encourage a group of anti-ULEZ activists who call themselves 'Blade Runners' to tear down 'every single camera' in a bid to 'encourage mass removal of the surveillance state' He added he was 'pretty close with several' Blade Runners - a secretive group behind acts of Ulez camera vandalism - and that he would be 'out there with my angle grinder'. Scotland Yard said a 45-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras. GB News later dramatically announced it had sacked Fox after he sparked a backlash by making derogatory remarks live on its channel about feminist journalist Ava Evans. On Wednesday, a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed Fox sitting in his living room smoking a cigar while police appeared to search his home. In the footage, he says: 'Look how many coppers there are in my house...Coming to take everything out of my house. That ladies and gentlemen, is the country that we live in.' It appeared to show multiple officers in what looks like Fox's living room as he sits on a sofa watching them, dressed in a grey suit and smoking. Who are the ULEZ 'Blade Runners'? In recent months the 'Blade Runners' have brought misery to Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion. By targeting ULEZ cameras in parts of London where the 12.50-a-day charge has been introduced, the vigilantes have tried their best to disrupt the scheme. Cameras have been covered with sticky spray, vandalised and even cut down the poles they are attached to. The secretive group has vowed to get rid of all Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and has taken credit for hundreds of them being damaged. Taking their name from the dystopian 1982 science fiction film in which the eponymous Blade Runners hunt down bio-engineered humanoids, members insist the cameras are a form of control over ordinary people. One Blade Runner told MailOnline earlier this year the ULEZ was a 'way to try to... restrict our movements'. They said: 'Everything we are doing is for our own freedoms. 'It's the tip of the iceberg. We do not live in a democracy. 'We will fight with everything we have for our freedoms.' Advertisement The Met Police said in a statement: 'On Wednesday 4, October officers arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed. 'He was arrested in Stockwell and has been taken to a South London police station where he remains in custody.' Later the same day, GB News said it had 'ended its employment relationship' with Laurence Fox following comments he made on the channel about female journalist Ava Evans. It comes after GB News chiefs held emergency talks at the weekend as the channel fights for its future following a series of scandals and record viewer complaints. Regulator Ofcom has opened 12 investigations into the broadcaster, including one examining the sexist on-air comments made last week by actor Laurence Fox. The remarks about Ms Evans led to the suspension of Fox and presenter Dan Wootton. More than 7,300 viewers complained. It is understood that investors and managers from GB News were in contact this weekend to discuss how to move on amid the bad publicity. 'It is crunch time for GB News,' a former employee told The Observer. 'They cannot just bask in notoriety forever because they do need to make some money and they need to keep the right to call themselves a channel for news programmes.' Last week the channel apologised after Fox attacked Ms Evans, a correspondent for the news website JOE, in an on-air rant on Tuesday evening. Fox said 'Who would want to sh*g that?' and described her as a 'little woman'. He claimed his remarks were in response to comments made by Ms Evans on BBC's Politics Live, when she was accused of being dismissive about men's mental health issues. Ms Evans said Fox's comments were 'unforgivable' and that a responsible broadcaster should never have allowed the rant to go as far as it did. The Blade Runners are a group of people who are targeting ULEZ cameras in London and vandalising them Laurence Fox pictured on the Triggernometry podcast on Friday Fox was suspended for his on-air rant about Ms Evans after her previous comments about male suicide. Pictured: Ms Evans appearing on the Politics JOE podcast Speaking on the Triggernometry podcast with comedians Francis Foster and Konstantin Kisin, actor-turned-political activist Fox said he had become 'emotional' as he felt Ms Evans had made light of male mental health struggles. He admitted the remarks were 'crass' but said he didn't feel they 'merited the wall-to-wall' media coverage they have received in recent days and the chaos it has brought the news channel. Speaking on Friday after his suspension, Fox told the Triggernometry podcast that he regretted the tone of his remarks on Dan Wootton's show the Tuesday before. When the hosts remarked to Fox that 'in the cold light of day, it [the clip] doesn't look good does it?', he responded by admitting: 'No.' He said that he had 'strong feelings' on the show after being riled by comments Ms Evans had previously made when she was appearing on the BBC speaking about the topic of male suicide, in which she called for a minister of mental health for everyone in government, dismissing the suggestion of just a men's mental health minister. He told the podcast: 'When I listen back to it now, it's just kind of crass. It's the kind of thing you'd say in the pub. 'I think I made the point which was the point I wanted to make, which is when you've got a misandrist fourth wave feminist who wants men to be terrified and scared of women, who tweets pictures of herself saying 'I'm socially distancing from men', I'm just like 'stop'. 'Instead of dismantling her ideas I just said 'I can't think of a single man who'd want to s*** you, I mean which self-respecting man would want to s*** you?' which was also trying to be funny. Big mistake.' The father-of-two said had 'demeaned' Ms Evans and apologised, but said: 'I don't think it's misogyny or anything like that. I think it's disrespectful.' Statues are not history because they are 'always silent about the victims' and were put up by 'members of a tiny male elite', historian David Olusoga has claimed. The academic, who is currently fronting a BBC documentary on the history of the UK, was responding to questions about the Government's 'retain and explain' approach to contentious statues. The strategy was initially unveiled in 2021 in following the toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. Official guidance telling institutions to adopt the approach in the face of calls for statues' removal or relocation was released today. Responding on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Professor Olusoga said 'in some cases' adding context to controversial statues is appropriate, but added: 'Why would you want a statue of a man who was a mass murderer or a slave trader on public display?' He said statues are 'validation and memorialisation' rather than history and agreed that some should be removed from public display and put in museums. Statues are not history because they are 'always silent about the victims' and were put up by 'tiny members of a male elite', historian David Olusoga has claimed. Above: The toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston into Bristol harbour in 2020 The new guidance was published by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer. It calls for a full explanation to be added to controversial statues so that a 'fuller understanding of the historic context can be known, understood and debated.' The guidance was formulated with the help of academics and heritage experts on the government-appointed Heritage Advisory Board. If institutions do decide to relocate a statue, they will have to apply for planning permission. The toppling of Colston's statue into Bristol harbour by four protesters sparked huge debate and controversy. The protesters were later found not guilty of causing criminal damage. Dozens of other statues have faced calls for removal, including one at Oxford University of imperialist Cecil Rhodes. The 'Rhodes Must Fall' campaign ultimately proved to be a failure in 2021, when it was decided the statue would remain in place at Oriel College because of the difficulty of removing it. Professor Olusgoa told the BBC's Amol Rajan: 'Statues are not history. They cannot teach us our history. 'They are always silent about the victims and they are put up by members of a tiny male elite to celebrate the lives of other members of that tiny male elite.' The TV presenter, who is currently fronting a BBC documentary on the history of the UK, was responding to questions about the Government's 'retain and explain' approach to contentious statues He added that he has a 'problem' with the new Government guidance because it 'regurgitates two falsehoods'. 'The first is that the problem with statues is modern attitudes changing, which implies people approved of these statues and of these men at the time,' he said. 'And that is often demonstrably untrue. And the other is that statues tell us our history. 'The advice says that removing heritage will limit our understanding of difficult parts of our history. 'Which statue can we point to that tells us about a difficult part of our history?' Professor Olusgoa was also asked about the statue of wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill which stands in Parliament Square and was vandalised during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. He said the monument 'says nothing' about Churchill's flaws or achievements in helping to win the Second World War. 'All it says is "here is a great man",' he said. 'Now in many ways Churchill was a great man, he was also a very troubling figure in all sorts of ways. Professor Olusgoa was also asked about the statue of wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill which stands in Parliament Square and was vandalised during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 'That complexity is exactly the point, you learn that from history books, I would like to think you learn it from documentaries. A statue cannot tell you that.' The academic is the presenter of new BBC Two programme Union with David Olusoga. The Government's new guidance also claims that the removal of statues risks 'limiting our understanding of the difficult parts of our history.' Ms Frazer said: 'History is nuanced and complex. It is full of grey areas, which is what makes it so interesting and, of course, there are times when statues and monuments depict people or events that we very much disapprove of today. 'At the same time, the UK has a proud history as an engine for progress, democracy and liberal values. 'That is why I want all our cultural institutions to resist being driven by any politics or agenda and to use their assets to educate and inform rather than to seek to erase the parts of our history that we are uncomfortable with. Satellite images have shown how Vladimir Putin is running scared from Ukraine's assault on Crimea, revealing that the bulk of his Black Sea Fleet has performed a major retreat. Russian warships were evacuated from Sevastopol some 237 miles to Novorossiysk on Russia's southern coast, in what British Defence Minister James Heappey called 'the functional defeat of the Black Sea Fleet'. The exodus of around ten vessels came after Ukraine destroyed the Sevastopol headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet in a missile strike on September 22. Nine days earlier Ukrainian missiles also hit the 250 million Kilo-class attack submarine Rostov-on-Don and large landing ship Minsk in a repair shipyard in naval port Sevastopol. The Rostov-on-Don suffered massive damage and was likely beyond repair, analysts said. Russian Black Sea Fleet moved most of its ships from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. Satellite image of Russian warships in Novorossiysk taken on October 1, 2023 Russian warships were evacuated from Sevastopol some 237 miles to Novorossiysk on Russia's southern coast Satellite image of Russian warships in Novorossiysk taken on October 1, 2023 Some Russian warships instead moved to Feodosia in Crimea as seen in this satellite image taken on October 2, 2023 Ukraine hits Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol on September 22, 2023. Smoke rises above the headquarters building moments after a missile hits the building Conflict Intelligence Team shares pictures of major damage to Rostov-on-Don submarine after 13 September 2023 Storm Shadow attack on Sevastopol Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his meeting with children in the Sirius Education Center on October 4, 2023, in Sirius Federal Territory, Sochi, Russia European leaders will reassure President Zelensky that they will continue to provide financial support for the war with Russia as they meet the Ukrainian leader in Spain today Advertisement OSINT analyst MT Anderson highlighted satellite images dated October 1 which indicate the move. Two Russian Project 11356 frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov, three diesel submarines, five large landing ships and several small missile ships appeared to have been moved to Novorossiysk. The images highlight the analysis of the British Ministry of Defence this week that most of the forces of the Black Sea Fleet appear to have relocated from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. The move of the fleet is seen as a tangible gain from Ukraine's strategy of targeting Crimea - which Russia invaded in 2014 - with missiles and drones. Ukrainian strikes have triggered explosions and fires in Novorossiysk, but Sevastopol has proved a much easier and more fruitful target. Under agreements with Western nations, it cannot use Storm Shadow and HIMARS missiles to attack sovereign Russian territory. Such missiles can be used against areas of Ukraine invaded by Putin, like Crimea. But the move threatens Putin's naval dominance in the Black Sea, and his ability to defend Crimea. Carnage on Putin's large landing warship Minsk, following 12 September 2023 Ukrainian missile attack on Sevastopol shipyard 13 September 2023 missile attack on Sevastopol Russian warship, project 11356 frigate Admiral Makarov Sevastopol was claimed by Russia in 1783 under Catherine the Great. Until 2014, it was a naval port shared by Russia and Ukraine. Putin has used his warships and submarines to launch deadly missile strikes on Ukraine from the Black Sea - and will still have this capability despite the retreat. But it will be harder to use Russian warships to prevent Ukraine using its own grain corridor to export vital food supplies. However Britain has warned that Putin's forces may lay mines in the sea which they will then blame on Ukraine. 'Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea,' said the Foreign Office. 'By releasing our assessment of this intelligence, the UK seeks to expose Russia's tactics to deter any such incident from occurring.' Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said 'the world is watching', warning of 'Russia's cynical attempts to lay blame on Ukraine for their attacks'. Russia is maintaining some naval power in Crimea however - after the exodus, four large Project 775 landing ships and a Kilo-class submarine were still seen in Sevastopol. One large landing ship, minesweepers and small missile ships were also seen in a satellite image in Feodosia. Anthony thought he'd found the perfect rental when he moved into his new place in the upmarket Sydney suburb of Paddington. But just two months later, the 27-year-old music teacher is enduring living hell. Anthony leased the room in August and is now battling an infestation of rats and German cockroaches - which fall on his face while he sleeps - and has lost electricity and has a leaking roof. The inner city suburb, where the average rental for units is $550 a week, is one of the city's most sought-after. The first sign of trouble for Anthony was when he heard rats scurrying in the ceiling. Within two months of renting a room in one of Sydney's most-sought after suburbs, Anthony's life became a nightmare. Pictured: two women walk past inner city Sydney terraces As Sydney's weather warmed up Anthony began to notice cockroaches everywhere and some even dropped on his face while he slept Then as Spring arrived he noticed hundreds if not thousands of cockroaches on the walls and coming from the floorboards. German cockroaches are considered 'the most troublesome' of all household pests as they reproduce quickly and in large numbers, live longer than other roaches and thrive in high temperatures. They have also developed a resistance to many chemical pesticides. 'The cockroaches ... are everywhere, and they fall on my face while I sleep,' he told 7News. Anthony says he has called his real estate agent daily for a week and has sent them photos of of the insects. His rental nightmare got worse when the roof began to leak after heavy rain, which led to problems with his electrics. A week later his power is still off and he's had to throw $300 worth of refrigerated groceries in the bin. 'I told [the real estate agent] I need electricity to charge my iPad and my phone and everything I need for work.' He claims the agency did nothing. The first sign of trouble was when he heard rats scurrying about in the roof cavity Anthony pleaded with his property manager, even asking them to 'imagine living here for a week'. Under the NSW Residential Tenancies Act, landlords 'must provide the residential premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness and fit for habitation by the tenant.' Eventually they agreed to temporarily cut his rent by $50. Tenants with disputes can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which has the power to end a lease and refund the bond. According to rental advocacy group Better Renting, tenants who sublet a room tend to have weaker legal rights in disputes than those who take on the whole property. A woman has been arrested after her mother was found dead at a home in Queensland. Police and paramedics were called to a home in Glenella, in Mackay, this morning where they found the body of a 73-year-old woman. A woman with a shaved head was seen crying in the street at around the same time. A woman has been arrested after her mother was found dead at a home in Queensland A 55-year-old woman, believed to be the elderly woman's daughter, has been arrested. Neighbours described the family as 'quite friendly'. 'We'd sometimes see an older gentleman sitting on a chair outside and sometimes a lady coming home with kids,' Tara Krome, who lives on the street, told the ABC. An ex-bodyguard has revealed how he has resorted to sewing 'I am not an XL Bully' patches onto the harness of his American bulldog after people kept mistaking it for a killer dog. Matt Stait says his beloved pet Eddie has been 'ostracised' by walkers who mistake it for the same type of dog that has been behind a recent spate of deadly attacks. The father-of-one says while passers by used to be more friendly no one stops to stroke his 'affectionate' pet anymore and hopes the 2.5inch signs will encourage them to stop and start a conversation instead. Rishi Sunak has pledged to ban XL Bully dogs, however, experts have warned it will be difficult to implement since the animal is not an official breed. Mr Stair, 52, from Chepstow, South Wales, says he fears his own animal might be affected by the ban and thinks the 'dirty looks' Eddie gets could be down to 'paranoia' about large dogs. Former bodyguard Matt Stait says his beloved dog Eddie has been 'ostracised' by people who mistake him for the killer XL Bully breed behind the recent spate of attacks Mr Stait attached a 'I am not an XL Bully' patch to his American bulldog's harness because people would cross the street and mistake the dog for the killer XL Bully breed Mr Stait, 52, said he and Eddie get a lot of 'dirty looks' and suggests this could be due to 'paranoia' around large dogs since the awareness around XL Bully attacks has risen Are you an XL Bully owner worried about the ban? E-mail Emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement Mr Stait said: 'Lots of people have confused my dog with an XL bully so I ordered them because I want them to start a conversation. 'We used to get a lot of interest for a positive reason but now it's different. People aren't saying they're avoiding us on purpose but that's what's happening. 'Even the people who know me, know the dog and would previously come over to stroke Eddie would avoid coming near us at all. 'You get a lot of dirty looks and you don't know how much of that is paranoia because they've been reading these stories about attacks.' Rishi Sunak moved to ban Xl Bullys by the end of the year, however experts have warned the ban will be difficult as it isn't an official breed. They say common characteristics that could be used to identify them include if the dog has a muscular build, weighs over 20kgs, with a wide skull and jaw, muscular neck or convex cheeks. The American bulldog dates back to the 17th century and was bred for farming and guarding livestock while the 'designer' XL bully only dates back to the 1980s and is a mix of several other breeds including the American pitbull. It is not subject to a ban. Mr Stait added: 'There's always been an element of people picking up their children and small dogs and crossing the street but I'm seeing that more and more now. 'It's a shame for Eddie. He's being ostracised and not getting the opportunity to meet dogs and people in the way he used to. 'I thought that rather than have any confusion or stupid conversations I'd have the patch and hopefully it can create an understanding and I can explain the difference. 'I ordered the patches from a lady off Etsy. It was my idea to do this but there's been an amazing response from people who want them too. I should have ordered a couple of hundred and sold them. 'They just fit on his harness. If I had a bigger harness they'd be bigger but they're perfectly readable from someone a few yards away. 'Some people think it's a brilliant idea and then there's also people who think I should be fighting for all dogs and not trying to dissociate from them. I do get that point of view.' There are several dog characteristics that could mean a breed is included under the new ban, including if your dog has a muscular build, weighs over 20kgs, with a wide skull and jaw, muscular neck or convex cheeks The dog owner said other dog walkers used to be more friendly but now no one stops to stroke Eddie because they mistake him for the XL Bully breed. READ MORE - Mother cradles her toddler after he is savaged by an XL Bully Advertisement Mr Stait added he was disappointed his 'affectionate' seven-year-old dog had been 'ostracised' so he contacted a patch maker on Etsy to design one that could clear up confusion. His two yellow patches read 'I AM NOT AN XL BULLY' in red block capitals and were sewn to either side of eight-stone Eddie's harness. The American bulldog owner, who worked as a bodyguard for wealthy individuals until a decade ago, says he hopes the 2.5-inch-long patches will encourage people to ask him about Eddie's breed. Mr Stait admitted Eddie 'could have been problematic' if he hadn't had the correct training from a young age. Mr Stait said he's the perfect owner for an American bulldog as he's used to working with large dogs from his security days and has an active lifestyle The former bodyguard said 'here's always been an element' of people picking up their children and crossing the street because of Eddie but it's been happening more frequently The dog owner said he bought patches online for 5 so other dog walkers could read on Eddie's harness that he isn't an XL Bully Mr Stait said it is key that compulsory training and owner suitability are introduced. He posted about the 5 patches on Facebook, and since then he's been inundated with requests for them - making him think he should have ordered hundreds and sold them. Mr Stait has already had conversations with pedestrians since taking Eddie for walks with the patches on, with some mentioning they didn't know he was different to an XL bully. He said he's the perfect owner for an American bulldog as he's used to working with large dogs from his security days and has an active lifestyle. READ MORE - Interactive map shows every fatal dog attack in UK Advertisement He admitted Eddie's is a 'typical representation' of his breed and has guarding instincts but the right training means he doesn't cause trouble. The dog owner doesn't think banning dog breeds is a good idea and instead there should be 'suitability checks' when people try to buy certain large dog breeds. The former bodyguard said: 'Eddie's incredibly affectionate and loving to his family but he's a large dog and bred for farming, utility work and guarding so he will bark at the window when somebody knocks the door. 'He's a large and capable dog and if he hadn't been trained and socialised or given what he needs then I don't doubt that he could be problematic. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. 'Here lies the issue with who should own the dogs and what requirements there should be. 'Overall I'm not for banning specific breeds and I'd look towards licensing and much tighter rules for breeders like compulsory training and suitability checks. 'The dogs don't actually have a voice and unfortunately the people who do have a voice and are loud aren't necessarily informed.' Posting on Facebook, he said: 'New patches for his harness arrived today. It will start some conversations where I can educate people. 'He is an American Bulldog which is a completely different breed but many don't seem to know the difference.' Mr Stait posted on Facebook to raise awareness of the misconceptions around his large dog Mr Stait is concerned the XL bully ban may cover American bulldogs and that would mean they wouldn't be allowed to train, go to kennels or visit camp sites with 'no-banned-breed policies'. He's also keen to combat the view that anyone owning large dogs are thugs. He said that 'for the most part' big dogs are bought because they suit the owner's active lifestyle. The PhD student believes that rising crime in working-class areas is forcing residents to turn to more vicious-looking dogs to protect their families. Are you an XL Bully owner worried about the ban? E-mail Emily.davies@mailonline.co.uk The woman was allegedly raped after falling asleep in a car on the way home Police have arrested two men over the rape of a British tourist near Benidorm. Detectives revealed today the holidaymaker was attacked after agreeing to pay two men who offered to take her back to her hotel in their car as she waited for a taxi. She was allegedly raped at the home of one of the suspects after falling asleep in the back of the vehicle. The men, both Algerian nationals aged 39 and 44, have been remanded in custody pending an ongoing investigation. One was also being hunted over a violent robbery two days before the sex attack in Villajoyosa next to Benidorm. Police have arrested two men believed to have raped a woman in Spain. Pictured: Police at the Civil Guard headquarters in Benidorm Police believe the holidaymaker was waiting to go home when two men offered to take her for cash, before raping her The age of the British woman has not been revealed but well-placed sources described her as 'young'. She is said to have handed over 15 (13) for the fare. A spokesman for the Civil Guard revealed today: 'The Civil Guard in Villajoyosa has arrested two men over the rape of a foreign tourist in August inside a property in that locality. 'The incident occurred in the early hours of August 25. 'The holidaymaker was waiting for a taxi in Benidorm to take her back to her hotel after going out partying and the suspects offered to take her in return for money. 'She had just left a nightspot which had been about to close in a popular going-out area frequented by tourists in Benidorm. 'After agreeing to travel with them and paying the cash, she fell asleep which is when both suspects allegedly took advantage of the situation to take her to one of their homes and sexually attack her.' Detectives said the woman alerted police she found on the street after waking up and 'escaping' the property where the alleged sex attack occurred. The arrests took place last month but police only went public with them today after the two men were remanded in prison by an investigating judge. The police spokesman said: 'Investigators analysed security cameras close to the area where the holidaymaker was picked up which led to the identification of the mens' vehicle and the place where the alleged sex attack occurred. 'They also managed to identify the suspects, two men aged 39 and 44. 'One of them was being hunted by police over a violent robbery two days before the rape.' Police test forensic evidence at the Civil Guard headquarters in Benidorm following the alleged rape of a woman File photo of Poniente beach in Benidorm, a popular holidaying hotspot with British tourists Police have not released footage of the arrests but have published images relating to the investigation including what appears to be DNA sampling. Detectives are understood to have reviewed the movements of around 30,000 vehicles to identify the car that picked up the British tourist. The court hearing that resulted in them being sent to a nearby jail pending ongoing inquiries took place in private, as is normal in Spain where only trials are held in public. A leading UK bank has announced it will close 18 more branches across the UK this month as locations continue to disappear from high streets. NatWest has announced that another 34 of its branches will close permanently across Britain, meaning it will have closed 126 locations in total throughout 2023. NatWest branches in Southampton and Sidcup, south London, closed their doors for the final time yesterday. Today, locations in Woodley, Berkshire, and Southgate, north London will pull down their shutters permanently. In addition, NatWest have announced that two more branches, in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester and West Kirby, Merseyside, will close in July 2024. NatWest has announced that another 34 of its branches will close permanently across Britain, meaning it will have closed 126 locations in total throughout 2023 More than half of Britain's branch network has closed since 2015, according to consumer rights group Which? A NatWest spokesperson said: 'As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it's faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives. 'We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren't right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind,' according to The Sun. The closure of high street banks in alarmingly high numbers has seen banks being accused of 'depriving' the elderly and vulnerable of essential services. More than half of Britain's branch network has closed since 2015, according to consumer rights group Which? Lenders have been cutting back on sites over recent years, claiming that more customers are switching to online banking and cash use is declining as more transactions are carried out on credit and debit cards. But critics said closing bank branches is 'grossly unfair' on elderly and vulnerable customers, as well as on small businesses and those who need face-to-face advice. Charity Age UK has blasted the 'continuing avalanche' of closures, saying that while those in rural areas are hardest hit 'those in towns and cities are not immune'. Its director Caroline Abrahams said: 'Being able to manage your money is key to living independently as you age, but the rush towards digital banking means millions of older people are being deprived of this, simply because they do not use computers. 'They are perfectly capable of organising their own finances, just not online. It is grossly unfair that they are being infantilised in this way and their legitimate interests brushed aside in the pursuit of profit.' The full list of NatWest bank closures can be seen below. An ex-Neighbours star helped push a bizarre conspiracy that the Voice to Parliament is actually a secret plot by the United Nations to strip Australians of their land. Nicola Charles, who appeared as Sarah Beaumont in the hit show during the nineties, has carved a career countering lockdowns and vaccines under the moniker 'The White Rabbit'. In recent months, Charles, 53, has targeted the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament, claiming that a Yes victory in the October 14 poll would result in a United Nations 'coup' that would 'appoint one man and one woman in every district' to carry out its insidious wishes. Ex-Neighbours star Nicola Charles (pictured) helped push a bizarre conspiracy that the Voice to Parliament is actually a secret plot by the United Nations to strip Australians of their land Charles appeared as Sarah Beaumont in the hit show during the nineties (pictured), before carving a career countering lockdowns and vaccines under the moniker 'The White Rabbit 'It completely changes the law on jurisdiction,' Charles said in a rambling 17-minute video, according to the ABC. 'This is an invasion by the one world government, the UN.' An ABC analysis found versions of Charles' video have been shared on Facebook more than 25,000 times and has attracted more than half a million views since it was published in August. By comparison, the most shared video post by the official No campaign organisers, Fair Australia, has been shared fewer than 17,000 times. READ MORE: Neighbours star claims she wasn't invited to appear in soap's finale because she's 'unvaccinated' Nicola Charles (pictured) claimed she wasn't invited to appear on the Neighbours reunion because she was unvaccinated Advertisement The conspiracy is so widespread it prompted Anthony Albanese to refute it at an event in late September. 'What has occurred during this campaign is a lot of information being put out there, including by some who know that it is not true,' Mr Albanese said. He added: 'There is worse information on some social media as well about the world conspiracies that the United Nations will control all land in Australia - all land - you will lose private ownership of everyone's home will go with a Yes vote. 'It's just absurd.' But a week later his speech was selectively edited to remove the context, leaving the words: 'The United Nations will control all land in Australia - all land - you will lose private ownership of everyone's home will go with a Yes vote'. The maliciously-edited clip has since spread online. The conspiracy that the UN is a shadowy organisation acting against Australia's interests dates back to the 1980s. One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts referenced it in his 2016 maiden speech. 'Australia's values and way of life are also at risk from insidious institutions such as the unelected swill that is the United Nations,' Mr Roberts said. He called for Australia to leave the UN, which he described as a 'socialist monolithic monster'. Charles did not respond to the ABC's request for comment. Before 7.30 aired she posted on X, formerly Twitter: 'Apparently I am being outed as Australia's No.1 Conspiracy Theorist on ABC News tonight.' Once the program aired she added: 'I think they may have chickened out.' The 30-year mystery of how news anchor Jodi Huisentruit disappeared may finally be solved, after new details about a secret fling with a mystery man she met just ten days before she vanished have emerged. Jodi Huisentruit overslept for her job as an anchor at Mason City, Iowa news station KIMT on June 27, 1995, when a co-worker called to check up on her. The 27-year-old assured her colleague that she would rush into the station in time for her 6am broadcast. She was never heard from again, and was formally declared dead in 2001, though Iowa cops consider the case active and open. But a crack PI claims he has previously unreported information about a fling with a man from out of state that the journalist met just ten days before she went missing, as well as a photograph showing the site of her final date before her disappearance. News anchor Jodi Huisentruit (pictured) has been missing since 1995 PI Steve Ridge told the Sun that she met the as-yet-unnamed man, who was staying in a home on Clear Lake, at a bar. They quickly made a 'fast connection' with each other, Ridge said. The pair then started an intense relationship, where they saw each other almost every day for a week. The private investigator said they spoke 'just about every day and she initiated the calls.' But despite the intensity of their blossoming relationship, Steve Ridge said that Jodi 'had not told even her closest friends about this relationship' in order to avoid unwanted drama. She was never able to tell her friends about her new fling. When police arrived at her home just after 7:00 am to conduct a welfare check after she failed to report to work nearly 30 years ago, they found Huisentruit's belongings scattered around her now-infamous red Mazda Miata in the parking lot, including a woman's red shoe and a bent car key. She was just 27 years old when she disappeared after failing to turn up to her job at a news station in Mason City, Iowa She is understood to have been in a secret fling with an unknown man she met just 10 days before her disappearance According to police, there were also signs of a struggle and neighbors reported hearing screams at around 4am. A partial palm print was smudged onto Huisentruit's car, but investigators were never able to match it with a suspect. Ridge said that five days before she went missing, Jodi met her date at his lakeside home, where they sat on the back deck, which he managed to get access to in order to document it. 'The last time she had a date - it's such a powerful picture...a few days later Jodi was gone.' He revealed that local cops put the mystery man under surveillance after identifying him as a person of interest in the case, 'even [scooping] up his street-side garbage for examination.' The investigator is convinced that her fling with this man played an important part in her disappearance. 'I am certain that his quickly blossoming relationship with Jodi played a central role in her abduction days later,' Ridge said. PI Steve Ridge (pictured) is convinced that her fling with this man played an important part in her disappearance 'I believe without a doubt that this relationship was clearly a factor in what happened because this was not a random act of violence it wasn't anything like that, it wasn't a stalker that came out of nowhere.' 'This clearly was someone she knew and had interacted with who was very aware of all of the relationships or people that she saw and so that's why this is kind of sensitive information,' the investigator explained. Though he was later cleared, Ridge warned that publicly identifying the man 'could jeopardize an eventual prosecution in this case.' He believes that jealousy was the primary cause of her disappearance. Ridge said the pair both knew that their relationship would 'infuriate other suitors', adding: 'Jodi had strong admirers.' 'A common theme here is anyone who shows an interest in Jodi is potentially in harm's way because of jealousy and so this would fall in that category as well. I have one very strong possibility of who that party is. I think he did have some relationship with her.' Though the case has seemingly gone cold in recent years, law enforcement is reportedly treating it as an active investigation, with Ridge claiming that they have their eye on at least one person of interest. 'They remain hopeful that there will still be some kind of evidence that will allow them to move forward with an arrest or indictment,' the investigator added. A former SAS soldier has been gagged from releasing a book on how he defeated Islamic terrorists in Kenya. The soldier, who uses the pseudonym Christian Craighead, wanted to publish his account of the day that five terrorists stormed the Dusit D2 hotel complex in Nairobi in January 2019 where 21 people died. He was awarded a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, a bravery medal second only to a Victoria Cross, for his response to the gun and grenade attack. Craighead launched a legal challenge against a ban imposed by the Secretary of Defence and claimed that such an move was in breach of his freedom of speech. But he has now been prevented from releasing the book after the High Court ruled that the ban should remain in place to protect the SAS' tradecraft in the interest of national security, according to The Telegraph. A soldier (pictured), who uses the pseudonym Christian Craighead, has been gagged from releasing a book on how he defeated Islamic terrorists in Kenya Craighead (pictured far right after the incident) wanted to publish his account of the day that five terrorists stormed the Dusit D2 hotel complex in Nairobi in January 2019 where 21 people died Mrs Justice Steyn said, during a private hearing in the High Court according to The Telegraph: 'He has only been prevented from giving an account of an operation, the Dusit incident, in which he engaged as a member of UK special forces. READ MORE: SAS hero who earned global acclaim for saving hostages from jihadi terrorists in hotel siege fights Ministry of Defence gagging order that bans him talking about it Advertisement 'On the other side of the balance are the interests of the community reflected in the defendant's evidence. 'Those community interests entail the protection of lives, the protection of national security, the maintenance of the morale and efficiency of UKSF and protecting relations with defence partners.' 'On the evidence before me, the interests of the community substantially outweigh the claimant's interest in publishing a memoir about the Dusit incident (even when buttressed by the interest of the public in receiving the information he wishes to disclose, and by the interest of his publisher).' The book entitled 'One Man In: The Explosive Firsthand Account of the Lone Special-Ops Soldier Who Fought Off a Major Terrorist Attack in Kenya' was expected to be published this year. Craighead appeared on Evan Hafer's Black Rifle Coffee Podcast Referring last year and briefly spoke about confidentiality issues. He said: 'I'm working with the Ministry of Defence as we speak to do it properly, to release this book so there's no sense of information or anything. 'So that's as far as I'm willing to talk about my life in the 22nd Special Air Service regiment. I should add that the book is just about that one day, so for anyone on the edge of their seats it doesn't talk about anything I did while serving in the unit. 'It just talks about one thing I did that we all know I did.' Chris Craighead leading terrified guests to safety after storming the hotel building in Kenya Craighead breaching a door of the hotel while wearing a camouflage flak jacket and a balaclava and armed only with an assault rifle Craighead and a security officer escort an injured man who was attacked in the terror siege Craighead was awarded a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, a bravery medal second only to a Victoria Cross, for his response to the gun and grenade attack. Under strict rules, Special Forces troops must not discuss their missions in public or seek to 'cash in' on operations. The rules were introduced following the furore over books by ex-troopers Chris Ryan and Andy McNab which dramatically raised the SAS's public profile and led to concerns over Special Forces troops leaking sensitive information which could compromise future operations. Craighead had been stationed in Kenya to help train the nation's soldiers and was off-duty when heavily armed jihadis from the al-Shabaab terror group seized the Dusit D2 luxury hotel complex, setting fire to vehicles, detonating explosions and embarking on a mass shooting. Images from the scene in Nairobi show the off-duty SAS hero wearing combat gear over a purple shirt and jeans as he entered the complex before emerging with terrified survivors. The NYPD remains on the hunt for the 18-year-old suspect who stabbed a social justice worker to death on a New York street in an unprovoked attack in the early hours of Monday morning. Ryan Carson, 32, was returning from a wedding with his girlfriend and waiting at a bus stop in the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn when he encountered the 'emotionally disturbed' attacker who has so far only been identified as 'Brian.' Surveillance video showed that after a brief interaction, Carson was tragically stabbed to death while his girlfriend watched on. Shortly after 'Brian' leaves the scene, another woman enters the frame, pleading with the suspect to leave Carson alone. Police have referred to that woman as 'Brian's' girlfriend. Prior to the encounter, the suspect had been acting erratically and kicking over scooters in the area. The woman who has been identified as 'Brian's' girlfriend can be seen in the horrific stabbing video Carson and his girlfriend Claudia had just attended a wedding and were on their way home The two women have a brief inaudible interaction after the murder. Carson's girlfriend, Claudia Morales, tells the suspect's girlfriend: 'Go watch him,' in reference to 'Brian.' 'Brian' is enrolled in a return to work program in a school in Clinton Hill, which is located close to where the murder occurred. The search for him is centered around that neighborhood and Commodore Barry Park in the affluent Fort Greene-area. It has since emerged that the suspect was arrested previously in 2022 for disorderly conduct and that this past August, he broke his partner's possessions during an argument in her home. Following that incident, 'Brian's' aunt called 911 on him and referred to him as being 'emotionally disturbed,' reports ABC New York. Authorities have confirmed that the attack was random and that Carson and 'Brian' had never met before. Despite the senseless violence, friends of the 32-year-old say it wouldn't change his outlook on social justice. 'I know he would have wanted people to use his death as a means to talk about structural wrongs in the city. The girlfriend can be seen in the stabbing video running to the scene just after the killing takes place The girlfriend has an inaudible exchange with Carson's girlfriend who tells the unidentified woman to: 'Go watch him,' in reference to 'Brian' 'I'm absolutely positive that he would immediately see that this was a person who was suffering from a lack of resources in our community, who probably needs better mental health support, possibly housing, possibly drug support, drug treatment. 'What he would want to avenge his death is for us to fix how broken this city is,' New York State Assembly member Emily Gallagher told The Gothamist. Carson worked for the New York Public Interest Research Group, a nonprofit where his work focused on environmental causes like reusable bottles. He spearheaded other liberal causes, like creating supervised drug injection sites across the city. Morales, according to now locked-down social media profiles, was an avid BLM activist who, among other remarks, used the cop-hating acronym ACAB in some posts. Carson wasn't as forthright in his criticism of law enforcement but he shared the same concern for police brutality. 'The fact of the matter is I'm f*****g scared.' 'I spent this summer, like many of the past years of my life, watching people I care about get attacked by the police in the streets,' he said in an October 2020 interview about his poetry. At the time writing, a GoFundMe page for Carson's family has raised over $63,000. The original goal of the page was $20,000. Carson's roommate Vlad Miroshnikov told the New York Daily News that the victim's girlfriend had told them that the attacker was 'a kid... (He was) just marching down the street super, super upset about something, on a terror path. They just happened to be in that path.' 'He certainly wasn't an idealist, but he believed in the power of community organizing and just community more broadly, and helping his fellow neighbor and New Yorker out.' More than 100 of Carson's friends came out for a vigil to celebrate his life on Monday night The celebration of the activist's life was held across the street from his home in the Bed-Stuy section of Brooklyn Chuck Schumer paid tribute to Carson on Tuesday Cohen went on to say that Carson began for focus on drug rehabilitation when his best friend died of an overdose. Also in attendance at the vigil on Monday was State Assembly Member Emily Gallagher. She told News12 in an interview that the pair became close prior to her entering politics as the both had close friends who died from overdoses. 'It's on us to continue his legacy and to the opioid epidemic, to fight climate change, to fight to make New York City and New York state a better place, and we're gonna do the very best we can. If not as well as Ryan, the best we can to remember Ryan,' Cohen added. 'It breaks my heart to know how much he could've accomplished in the span of his life and it was just taken too soon,' friend and former colleague Jaqi Cohen told New York 1 at Monday night's vigil. The memorial was held at Herbert Von King Park, across the street from his home. There were over 100 people in attendance. 'This not just a loss for us. This is a loss for all of New York,' Cohen also said of the climate and drug rehabilitation activist. Fugitive rape suspect Nicholas Rossi is set to be extradited back to America after he faked his own death and fled his native country to Britain in a doomed bid to avoid prosecution, it emerged today. Scottish Government ministers signed an extradition order, meaning Rossi can now be moved to the US. Rossi is wanted by authorities in Utah for allegedly raping a woman in 2008. He also faces multiple complaints against him in Rhode Island for alleged domestic violence. The 36-year-old - born Nicholas Alahverdian before changing his surname to that of his adoptive stepfather, David Rossi - claimed he had been diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in late 2019 and told friends he was dying. An obituary appeared online for Rossi in early 2020 saying he had died and that his ashes had been scattered at sea. But the following year he was arrested on a Covid hospital ward in Scotland, where he was registered as Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan, which he continues to insist is his real identity, claiming to have never set foot on American soil. Fugitive rape suspect Nicholas Rossi (pictured leaving Edinburgh Sheriff Court after his extradition hearing on June 30) accused of faking his own death to avoid prosecution will be extradited to the US to face charges, after Scottish ministers signed his extradition order Rossi also faces multiple complaints against him in Rhode Island for alleged domestic violence (pictured in 2008 in Utah) Nicholas Rossi, 36, is wanted by authorities in Utah for allegedly raping a woman in 2008 The fugitive - who appeared throughout his court dates in a wheelchair, using an oxygen mask - was identified as Rossi through DNA and distinctive tattoos, which were described in an Interpol alert. He also spoke with an unconvincing accent in a notorious interview with NBC's Dateline, in which he angrily denied his name was Rossi or Alahverdian, and theatrically collapsed into his wife's arms after trying to stand in a bizarre effort to prove he could not walk. In August, a sheriff ruled there is no impediment to Rossi being extradited, following a series of hearings at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. READ MORE: American fugitive Nicholas Rossi who faces extradition to face rape charge in US benefited from 40,000 worth of legal aid while in UK Advertisement Sheriff Norman McFadyen branded Rossi 'as dishonest and deceitful as he is evasive and manipulative'. As well as Rossi's claims that he is actually an Irish orphan called Arthur Knight, his claims about his medical conditions have also been disproven by expert witnesses. He repeatedly attended court in a wheelchair with an oxygen bottle, but a doctor told the court his legs are 'strong and athletic'. On Thursday, the Scottish Government revealed in a freedom of information response that a decision in his case had been made in September. It said: 'The Scottish ministers have made their decision regarding Mr Nicholas Rossi and signed an extradition order on September 28, 2023.' The decision is the latest development in a long-running case in the Scottish legal system, which began with Rossi's arrest in a Glasgow hospital in December 2021. During a week-long hearing in June this year, Rossi wore what appeared to be a black legal gown and a yarmulke - a hat worn by Orthodox Jewish men. Questioned about his dress in court, Rossi claimed the gown was actually called a bekishe, an overcoat also worn by Orthodox Jewish men. He converted to Judaism while in HMP Edinburgh, where he has been held since 2022. In his August ruling, Sheriff McFadyen said Rossi's deceitfulness had 'undoubtedly complicated and extended what is ultimately a straightforward case'. Rossi learned his fate at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on August 2, more than two years after he was arrested. Sheriff Norman McFadyen ruled there is no impediment to him being extradited, with Scottish ministers told to make a decision within the next 28 days. An application for bail was lodged with the court which was refused by the sheriff. Rossi (pictured in July last year) has claimed this is a case of false identity and said he is an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight A mugshot from the arrest of Nicholas Rossi by police in Massachusetts in 2010 Rossi's legal team and the Crown deliberated on whether he should be transferred to England to face questioning over another alleged rape. However, it was decided the matter would be dealt with following the decision to extradite him to the US. In 2008, Rossi was convicted of sexually assaulting a student while attending a community college in Ohio. He was placed on the sex offenders register as a result. The woman, Mary Grebinski, had agreed to meet Rossi after he messaged her on social network MySpace . Rossi said he was looking for a friend as he was 'new to the area'. At first, she found him intelligent and charismatic, so agreed to accompany him to his next class. But as they entered an empty stairway, Rossi pressed her against a wall and started masturbating, ejaculating onto a wall before crumpling into a heap. Grebinski reported him to the police and an Ohio court found him guilty of public indecency and sexual imposition in March 2008. Under the guise of Arthur Brown, Rossi is believed to have met his wife, Miranda Knight, in Bristol in 2019 and married her in early 2020, assuming the name Arthur Knight. They moved to Glasgow shortly afterwards but in 2021, Rossi became so ill with Covid that he had to be hospitalised at the city's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. In July 2020, DNA allegedly linked him to a 2008 rape in Utah which is ultimately what led to his discovery in Scotland. He was arrested on December 13, 2021 at the Glasgow hospital by police officers who served him with an Interpol red notice. With the assistance of medical staff at the hospital, the patient initially named as Arthur Knight was identified as Rossi. There has never been an official version of events from Rossi because he continues to insist he is Arthur Knight and that the authorities have the wrong man. In court appearances, he has maintained his pained English accent, with an Irish lilt whenever he mentions the word Dublin, where he claims to have been born. In his latest interview with The Times, as Arthur Knight, he said he wanted the 'real' Rossi to come forward to 'save my wife and me from this mess'. Previously, his stepfather, David Rossi - an Engelbert Humperdinck impersonator - revealed an old photograph of a floppy-haired teenager on a motorcycle, who, despite lacking a breathing aide and looking many pounds lighter, bears a striking resemblance to the man in court. In a wide-ranging interview, he described his estranged stepson as 'the devil's spawn' and said he was an 'evil' child who punched his mother and grandmother. He told DailyMail.com: 'He'll do anything to hide from the law. The wheelchair, the mask. It's c**p. There's nothing wrong with him. Everything about him is Nicky. 'My first impression of Nicky was that he had mental problems. He just got worse with every day. 'He would urinate in his brother's bed just to get his brother in trouble. Jump out of windows and run away in his underwear. '[Rossi's mother] Diana said this is why you don't get involved. But I stuck with it. I felt that they needed a father.' In August, Rossi appeared at the court by video link after claiming to be unwell. He was bent over at the waist, dressed in a green jumper and did not show his face. When asked if he is Rossi, he did not answer. Rossi's lawyer Mungo Bovey KC attempted to delay proceedings and asked for Rossi to be excused. Sheriff McFadyen suggested Rossi had attended court by video link 'voluntarily', but in an angry outburst Rossi said he had been brought before the camera by 'physical force' and he called the sheriff 'a disgrace to justice'. During a week-long hearing in June, Rossi wore what appeared to be a black legal gown and a yarmulke - a hat worn by Orthodox Jewish men. Questioned about his dress in court, Rossi claimed the gown was actually called a bekishe, an overcoat also worn by Orthodox Jewish men. The fugitive converted to Judaism while in HMP Edinburgh, where he has been held since 2022. Nicholas Rossi's wife Miranda Knight arrives for a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in June Rossi (pictured leaving in July) appeared at the court today by video link after claiming to be unwell This final hearing was adjourned from July 12 following delays in court proceedings due to issues with transport from HMP Edinburgh as well as interruptions by Rossi, who attempted to dismiss his counsel Mr Bovey on two occasions. Throughout the June hearing, Mr Bovey attempted to have the case discharged as his client is wanted for questioning about an alleged rape in England. He also claimed Rossi was not brought before a sheriff within an appropriate amount of time and that he did not receive a crucial document from the National Crime Agency when he was arrested in December 2021 - but all of these applications were turned down by the sheriff. Attempts were also made to give more time for Rossi's mental health to be assessed, but three medical witnesses including psychiatrists Dr Kunal Choudhary and Dr Angela Cogan, as well as Rossi's GP at HMP Edinburgh Dr Barbara Mundweil, said he showed no signs of acute mental illness. Dr Mundweil also cast doubt on the state of Rossi's health in general, telling the court she had 'no major concerns'. Giving evidence in his defence, Rossi claimed he was unable to raise his arms above his head because he was too unwell. He said the reason he used a wheelchair was because the muscles in his legs had been so badly atrophied that he is unable to walk or support himself. He also said he had considered going to the US to prove he is not Rossi. A fellow prisoner, William King, gave evidence to court in which he claimed Rossi was treated 'abysmally' at HMP Edinburgh. In closing speeches, Mr Bovey said extradition to the US would be a 'flagrant breach' of Rossi's human rights. But advocate depute Alan Cameron said there is no evidence that Rossi suffered any condition that would be a barrier to his extradition. Previously, he had arrived at court in his wheelchair and with an oxygen tank and mask. A shocked father has released horrific photographs of his young son who almost lost his eyesight in a suspected fireworks attack. Rhydian Guzvic, 41, claims the firework was thrown at his eight-year-old son Bradley, who didn't realise what it was. The boys were on their way to their woodland den near their home in Caerphilly, South Wales on Sunday when Bradley's nine-year-old friend picked up a firework before it went off like a grenade. The friend was flown to hospital where he has undergone two operations to save his fingers and is now facing a third op on Thursday. Bradley was taken to hospital with 'shrapnel' injuries. He was discharged on Wednesday, but is still in a state of shock. Police are investigating the incident in the village, after locals claimed that three teenage boys hurled the firework. Bradley (pictured) was taken to hospital with 'shrapnel' injuries and is still in a state of shock Father Rhydian Guzvic, 41, claims the firework was thrown at his eight-year-old son Bradley (pictured) who didn't realise what it was Mr Guzvic, 41, said: 'Bradley's friend picked it up, not realising what it was, and the whole thing has just gone off. I think it was about 10 minutes between the sound of the explosion and somebody noticing these boys. One of the neighbours was looking over the fence and they've seen Bradley trying to wake up his friend because they got knocked unconscious. 'They picked him up and brought him back to Bradley's mother's house and that's when they realised the extent of what's gone on.' The second boy was flown to hospital in Bristol while Bradley was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. Mr Guzvic said: 'He's had CT scans, they've found shrapnel in wounds across his head and some close to his eye, so it's quite scary for everybody involved. They are stitching up all they can - he has stitches along the bridge of his nose from eye to eye. He has picked up an infection so he will be coming home on antibiotics.' 'He's still in shock. I don't think it's sunk in just yet, just the extent of what's happened.' Eight-year-old Bradley was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on Sunday - he was then discharged on Wednesday Mr Guzvic added: 'It's always the same thing every year. There's always kids getting injured by fireworks. They just need tighter restrictions - either you need a licence to buy them or a complete ban.' Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales East, Delyth Jewell, has called for a ban on the public sale of fireworks. The grandmother of Bradley's friend said on social media: 'My beautiful grandson and his little friend were attacked by three teenage boys who thought it would be funny to throw fireworks at them. 'The fireworks exploded and burnt and torn his little body. He's a little fighter, love him, and he's in the best place. He's having his third operation tomorrow so hope all goes well.' Superintendent Mike Richards of Gwent Police said: 'We received a report of a medical emergency in Hengoed Road, Hengoed, at around 2.15pm on Sunday 1 October. 'Two boys, aged eight and nine, are receiving treatment in hospital for injuries believed to be linked to an explosion of a firework. They are both in a stable condition. 'Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or send us a direct message on social media, quoting log reference 2300332856.' A 25-year-old trapeze artist fell 25 feet from the top of a 'Wheel of Death' circus act in Hungary but miraculously survived the terrifying incident amid screams form the crowd. Raul Alexander survived after he flew off the spinning contraption during a performance in Hodmezovasarhely, southeast Hungary, on 30th September. Despite the accident, and trauma since, he has insisted that he intends to continue performing once fully recovered. Phone footage from an audience member shows the stunt starting as planned with two performers moving two connected wheels around in a circle, before Mr Alexander falls out to gasps from the crowd. With no safety net to land on, he slammed onto the ground with and is unable to get back up while the audience screams. Raul Alexander, 25, fell from the 'Wheel of Death' (pictured) during a performance on September 30 in Hungary The drop was 25 feet, and miraculously, after an initial loss of consciousness, Mr Alexander came away with 'no serious injuries' The young El Salvadorian reportedly lost consciousness after flying off the top of the 25-ft tall wheel. For a short while after the incident, he could barely breathe from the pain caused by the drop, but managed to survive with 'no serious injuries, except one or two bruises,' according to the circus' Facebook page. Circus director Florian Richter told local media: 'He misplaced his hands and feet on the ring, slipped, and fell out just when the Wheel of Death was at its highest point.' Mr Alexander said he was left with pain in his shoulder, leg, and ribs, and a lot of fear since the accident. Despite all that, he said he wants to continue performing, but will devote more time on getting prepared and extensive training to ensure he does it perfectly next time. Meanwhile the Florian Richter Circus is continuing its tour, having wished Mr Alexander a speedy recovery, in Bekescsaba until October 8. A young woman says she 'thought she was going to die' as she was mauled by three dogs in a brutal attack filmed by a passerby. Lakaydia Reynolds was walking through Abbots Park in Lambeth, south London, when the animals, which included a banned American Pitbull Terrier, set upon her. The 24-year-old was left needing plastic surgery after the incident on June 6, which saw her receive bites and scratches on her face, legs and arm. Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Ms Reynolds revealed she is still in 'excruciating pain' after receiving nerve damage to her arm, and that she is unable to feel or move half of the limb. The terrifying attack, which took place in broad daylight, was seen by a passerby who just stood their and filmed it instead of trying to help. The video was later posted online. Footage of the attack was later posted online, with video showing one dog jumping up and tearing into her arm At one point the dog held on to her arm for more than 30 seconds as she desperately tried to pull away. She has since been told she has nerve damage in the limb Lakaydia Reynolds was attacked while walking through Abbots Park in Lambeth, south London, on June 6 Police have said the owner of the animals voluntarily handed them over to police and that one has since been put down, while the other two remain in kennels. Ms Reynolds says the incident has left a shadow over her life and she has to deal with the prospect of potentially having permanent nerve damage in her arm. Speaking on GMB to hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway this morning after they showed footage of the attack on the programme, she revealed her terror during the incident, saying: '100 per cent, I thought I was going to die.' READ MORE HERE: Terrifying moment screaming woman is attacked by two out-of-control dogs in small park as she is dragged to the ground while owner shouts 'run' Advertisement Ms Reynolds said she had been walking through the park to meet a friend when she spotted the trio of animals on a lead close to their owner. 'I'm not scared of dogs so I wasn't fazed by it at all, so I continued my walk through the park and he eventually let two of them go and kept one on the leash,' she said. The ones who were off the lead then came up to her and despite thinking they were 'playful', she says she asked the owner to take them back as her friend was scared of dogs and she didn't want them following her. She said: 'At first there was no response from the owner, so I had to repeatedly ask him to take his dogs and he eventually called them, but there was no response from the dogs.' But then the animals suddenly attacked her, subjecting her to a horrific assault which was caught on video by a passerby. Disturbing footage of the attack showed her screaming in agony as the animals jumped and bit her, with the vicious mauling continuing as she is wrestled to the ground when attempting to run away. During the attack a man dressed in a black tracksuit could be heard screaming 'run' as he desperately struggles to hold the dogs back from her. The injuries she received were so serious that Ms Reynolds spent a week in hospital. 'I had scratches and bites on my face, my legs, my arm,' she said. 'I had really bad injury to my lip, so I've had stitches, I've had to get plastic surgery on it. 'I also had to get plastic surgery to my right arm which is also my dominant arm. 'It left me with ulna nerve damage which means I now can't feel half my hand and half of my arm.' On Good Morning Britain today, Ms Reynolds revealed she thought she was going to die in the attack After trying to run away from the animals Ms Reynolds was pulled to the ground by the dogs The owner - dressed in a black tracksuit with his hood up - could be seen shouting at her 'run' as he tried to control the dogs She added she struggles to move her arm and that half of it is in 'excruciating pain', and can only hope things improve. 'The doctors did say there's age on my side, so fingers crossed there is hope that it will recover,' she said. 'But nerves don't actually regenerate, they only repair, so whatever state my hand is at in a year-and-a-half is as far as it's going to go.' Ms Reynolds added she had been shocked to discover the video of the attack on the internet, saying it was a 'sad reminder that nobody could help me' and hit out that it was shared without her consent. Have you seen a dog attack? Email tips@dailymail.com Advertisement She said: 'I didn't expect it to go on social media, which made it evident that this individual had shared it with other people. Though they may have been raising awareness I still don't believe that it was the right thing to do because it was without my consent.' Ms Reynolds has now called for stronger enforcement when it comes to laws on dogs, and admits the incident has 'made me extremely cautious' around them. 'I think there has to be a lot of emphasis on responsible dog ownership and there needs to be a lot of focus on the dog owners as well,' she said. 'I think the Government needs to focus on strengthening existing legislation surrounding the dangerous dog act. 'They need to give police officers more power to actually get involved in situations and possibly seize dogs and enforce the use of muzzles and leashes for dogs in public. 'I also think the public should be able to report incidents where they believe a dog could be potentially dangerous because it's all about the public feeling safe as well.' The Metropolitan Police has said it has since put down one of the dogs, with the other two remaining in kennels, and the owner is still under investigation. Your browser does not support iframes. In a statement it said: 'Police were called at 12.15pm on Tuesday, June 6, to reports that a woman had been attacked by dogs in Abbots Park, SW2. 'Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service. The woman, aged in her 20s, was taken to hospital with an arm injury. 'The owner of the dogs had left with the animals before officers arrived. He later contacted police on Wednesday, June 7, and voluntarily handed three dogs to officers. They were taken into police kennels. 'The owner of the dogs was interviewed under caution on Thursday, June 15, and remains under investigation. 'Following an extensive examination, one of the dogs was found to be a male American Pitbull Terrier, which is a prohibited type under S1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act. The owner was informed and decided to give up ownership; the dog was euthanised with the owners awareness and permission on July 4. 'We understand this update will be cause concern to people who have been following this case, and we can assure them that such decisions are not taken lightly. The examination and euthanisation of the animal was conducted by a veterinarian, and the Mets Status Dog Unit consulted extensively. As a banned breed the risk to the public has to be considered and, given a woman had already sustained a serious injury to her arm, this was considered the most appropriate course of action. 'The other dogs remain in police kennels at this time while further enquiries are carried out.' It comes as Rishi Sunak vows to ban XL Bully dogs following a spate of attacks, including the deaths of children, that involved the breed. According to NHS data there were a record 9,424 hospital admissions from dog attacks for 2022, a number that has risen by a third in a decade. The XL Bully has been behind the majority of fatal dog attacks in the UK since 2021, being responsible for ten out of 14 of the fatal attacks. Rishi Sunak has declined to repeat his Home Secretary's claim that a 'hurricane' of migrants is threatening to enter Britain. The Prime Minister, in a testy interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, dodged an opportunity to use the same language as Suella Braverman. During her speech to the Tory conference in Manchester this week, the Home Secretary said her own parents' migration to Britain was a 'mere gust compared to the hurricane that is coming'. But her hardline address to Conservative members prompted a fierce backlash from critics, while she also faced jibes she was prioritising her Tory leadership hopes over tackling day-to-day issues. In his own speech to the Tory conference yesterday, Mr Sunak was viewed as taking a pointed dig at Mrs Braverman's recent claim that multiculturalism has 'failed'. The PM spoke about his personal pride that 'a family can go from arriving here with little to Downing Street in three generations'. Rishi Sunak has declined to repeat his Home Secretary's claim that a 'hurricane' of migrants is threatening to enter Britain During her Tory conference speech, Suella Braverman said her own parents' migration to Britain was a 'mere gust compared to the hurricane that is coming' Speaking to the BBC's Nick Robinson (pictured with the PM during a September interview), Mr Sunak was quizzed about whether he agreed with his Home Secretary's words Speaking to BBC Radio 4 presenter Nick Robinson after his keynote address, Mr Sunak was quizzed about whether he agreed with his Home Secretary's words. 'Illegal migration is putting unsustainable pressure on our country and, for me, it is non-negotiable that it should be the British people who decide who comes to our country and not criminal gangs,' the PM said. Pressed on whether he agreed with Mrs Braverman's claim that migrants coming to Britain represented a 'hurricane' or an 'invasion', Mr Sunak said: 'I made a speech myself eight months ago about illegal migration. 'I pointed out the number of people who potentially could come to the UK, figures that have been mentioned by international organisations. 'That's clearly unsustainable, which is why we're taking action to stop the boats - the numbers are down this year by one-fifth. 'But I also believe firmly that this one of the most welcoming, tolerant countries in the world. 'I'm living proof of what is possible in this country, but it is right when people come here that they integrate, that they share British values. 'I think that's just a common sense approach and our country does that better than anywhere else, anywhere in the world.' Mr Sunak was also asked whether it was 'right to vilify people' seeking to migrate to the UK as part of a 'hurricane' and 'invasion'. He replied: 'What we need to do is make sure that the criminal gangs who are perpetuating an evil, who are taking advantage of all the people that you're describing, leading to in many cases, tragically, them dying, need to be stopped. And we need to take action to stop them.' The PM added that said 'no-one should want to defend' the 'evil' trade of people paying to come to the UK illegally and 'being exploited by gangs'. When it was put to him that he was happy with his Home Secretary's remarks, Mr Sunak said: 'Your words, not mine. I've been very clear about what I've said.' All models of Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards have been recalled worldwide after at least four people were killed while riding them since 2019. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a US government watchdog, recalled 300,000 of the skateboards over serious concerns about safety. The deaths resulted from head trauma, the federal agency said. In at least three of the reports, the riders were not wearing helmets. Reported injuries also included instances of paralysis, traumatic brain injury, fractures and ligament damage. The boards, manufactured by the California-based Future Motion, can stop balancing a rider if the boards' limits are exceeded - which risks serious crashes, the government agency added. Two people ride Onewheels through Wright Park in Tacoma, Washington, on Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards in 2018 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a US government watchdog, recalled 300,000 OneWheel skateboards over serious concerns about safety People who own an impacted Onewheel skateboard should stop using it immediately, regulators said. The recall impacts all Onewheel electric skateboards - including Onewheel, Onewheel+, Onewheel+ XR, Onewheel Pint, Onewheel Pint X and Onewheel GT - sold online and through independent retailers from January 2014 through September of this year. To address the crash hazard, a new safety alert feature called 'haptic buzz' will be available through a firmware update for Onewheel GT, Pint X, Pint and XR boards in the coming weeks, Future Motions Onewheel team said. Riders can check their board's eligibility and learn more about installing the update with Onewheel's app on Future Motion's website. Meanwhile, original Onewheel and Onewheel+ boards are not eligible for the firmware update. Eligible riders can arrange to receive a prorated refund in the form of $100 in store credit after disposing of the product, the CPSC and Future Motion's Onewheel team said. 'You should not use Onewheels that are not updated or that are not eligible for the firmware update,' the Onewheel team wrote on its website, while also urging all riders to wear helmets and other protective gear. 'Rider safety is our top priority and is critical to the long-term success of the sport. People who own an impacted Onewheel skateboard should stop using it immediately, regulators said Prior to last week's announcement, the CPSC warned consumers to stop using Onewheel electric skateboards back in November - similarly pointing to the reports of death and serious injuries. At the time, the CPSC said, Future Motion 'refused to agree to an acceptable recall of the product.' In its online announcement, Future Motion's Onewheel team said that recall update was 'the culmination of months of work with the CPSC.' A runner has tearfully hit out at 'selfish and irresponsible' dog owners after being chased by a golden retriever. April, who lives on a Queensland farm, broke down crying while sitting in her car after she and her cattle dog Winnie were chased by the larger canine while she was out jogging. She begged dog owners to 'please leash your dog' after being forced to desperately protect Winnie from the golden retriever - whose owner was nowhere in sight. 'Oh f***, I think I'm just overwhelmed because I just finished the longest run I've ever done and I just felt Winne pull and I look behind me and there's this big golden retriever,' she said. A young Australian woman has tearfully hit out at 'selfish and irresponsible' dog owners after being chased by aggressive golden retriever. Pictured: April with her dog April became emotional describing how the golden retriever bailed up her and her dog Winnie '[It's] just chasing her and Winnie's terrified, tail tucked, running into me.' April said she became exhausted and fell into a bin trying to fend off the unleased animal. 'I tried to back away with her and hit a bin and that just freaked Winnie out more and this dog's still coming right at us. 'The owner was nowhere to be seen ... it's so frustrating.' She managed to flee from the dog and get Winnie safely into her car. 'Why are you letting your dog off in residential streets to come and rush people on a path where you are nowhere to be seen? Why? What is the point? 'You're putting your dog in a dangerous situation.' April also posted a message to people who don't leash their dogs in the video description. 'You might think letting your dog off-leash, out of control, and free to run up to whoever they like, is totally harmless because your dog is friendly. 'It is not harmless. Our leash laws exist for a reason. 'What about the dog owners who have invested thousands of hours/dollars into training their dog, only to have it ruined by your selfish and irresponsible actions?' But viewers noticed out a contradiction in some of the young woman's other popular TikTok videos. In at least two clips, she has allowed her dog to run off-leash in public. Once was on a beach, in June, and the other time on a street in August, although her dog appears to be well-trained and under control. Mostly April received support from empathetic dog owners. 'Its such a scary thing, you did amazing. So thankful nothing bad happened, its never easy. 'You did all the right things.' But viewers pointed out a contradiction evident from some of the young woman's other popular TikTok videos. In at least two clips she allowed her dogs off the lash in a public places. Pictured: April and her dog running at the beach One follower wondered whether the golden retriever followed April and her dog because she kept running But some were confused. 'A golden retriever?' one person asked. '[They] are so friendly it would have just wanted to play,' said another. 'Little confused, so did it try and attack your dog or just run with you because you kept running?' Another nailed her main message though: 'Never unleash you dog unless you can 100 per cent trust them with recall.' A teenage soldier who tragically took her own life after a male commanding officer subjected her to relentless sexual harassment did not report him to avoid being seen as a 'female troublemaker', her mother revealed today. Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck, 19, killed herself after an 'intense period of unwelcome behaviour' from a superior who now faces being discharged from the Army, an official investigation into her death has found. Despite the damning findings, the officer - who held the rank of Bombardier - has been granted anonymity, and a copy of the report released to the public has been heavily redacted - obscuring a series of key details. The report includes a series of texts Gunner Beck sent to the senior officer - her immediate boss - which provide a harrowing insight into her declining mental state and desperate attempts to stop him harassing her. Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour today, her mother Leighann McCready said: 'She showed us the messages four days before her passing. As a parent it puts you in a difficult position because you just want to go and pick them up from work. 'But unfortunately the military doesn't work like that. We could only advise, offer reassurance and support and try to encourage our daughter to report it. However, Jaysley said she didn't want to be branded as a female troublemaker.' Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck, 19, killed herself after an 'intense period of unwelcome behaviour' from a superior The report includes a series of texts Gunner Beck sent to the - her immediate boss - which provide a harrowing insight into her declining mental state and desperate attempts to stop him harassing her Ms McCready said her daughter initially got on 'extremely well' in the Army before, in July 2021, she told them she had been sexually assaulted by another senior colleague, who held the rank of Warrant Officer. She also explained how the Bombardier continued to give her unwanted attention and display intense jealousy when she interacted with other male colleagues. Ms McCready said the final contact she had with her daughter was on December 14 - the night before her death. She recalled: 'The last exchange was late at night when she was enjoying time with her friends. She was sending us videos, which she always did. It was Christmas and she was having lots of fun. 'Me and my eldest daughter had concerns on the morning of the 15th when I tried to speak to Jaysley. There was still no response from her later in the day so I became extremely worried.' Criticising the Army for the way it had dealt with her daughter, she continued: 'It would be nice for people to be heard and action to be taken. People just want to be listened to, and unfortunately they're not. 'It took us a long time to be heard, and that shouldn't have been the case. It took a long time to be heard and understood.' The report included details of texts Gunner Beck sent her superior in a desperate attempt to stop him harassing her. In November 2021, the teenager's superior sent her more than 3,500 WhatsApp messages and voicemails in which he described how much he craved a relationship with her. At one point Gunner Beck drafted a message calling the officer 'possessive and psychotic'. The report also highlights missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy. On December 9, less than a week before she passed, Gunner Beck apparently suffered a 'severe panic attack'. She also described 'suicidal feelings' to a colleague, who subsequently gave evidence to the inquiry, and discussed how she was suffering from 'night terrors'. On November 15, Gunner Beck messaged the man: 'You can't keep doing this to me I've just got out of a relationship & now I feel like I'm in one again.' By early the next month, Gunner Beck's tolerance for his relentless harassment had reached a limit and she texted him to say: 'It's not normal how you feel but I can't be there to support you with it because the way you feel for me is the main issue & I can't handle it anymore' and 'it's weighing me down.' On December 7, she asked to be removed from a task that evening because she could no longer cope with his behaviour towards her. In a message she had drafted she described his thoughts towards her as 'possessive and psychotic', although she later deleted the words. In the text she did send she described feeling trapped by his actions and said she had spoken to her family about the situation and they were worried. The conduct of Gunner Beck's immediate boss was 'almost certain' to be a 'causal factor' in her death at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire in December 2021, a report found Her mother Leighann McCready (pictured) spoke to the BBC about her daughter's experience Her message explained she had been reduced to tears, adding: 'The truth is I'm struggling to deal with all this, it's taking a huge toll on my mental health for many potential reasons. I need time out.' The conduct of Gunner Beck's immediate boss was 'almost certain' to be a 'causal factor' in her death at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire in December 2021, the report found. An Army investigation said her boss wanted to start a sexual relationship with Ms Beck, who told him she was already with someone and did not reciprocate his feelings. The report concluded: 'Mental wellbeing warning signs were clearly present in the weeks before her death but these were missed, most likely due to insufficient awareness of mental health matters among the personnel to whom she was known. 'Some witnesses also stated they thought there was still a stigma attached to seeking help for mental health problems in the Army.' Another male soldier, who is said to have sexually assaulted Gunner Beck on a night out, has already been punished. The sexual allegation was reported to army chiefs by one of Gunner Beck's colleagues and resulted into the perpetrator receiving a minor sanction and writing her an apology letter. The punishment apparently seemed lenient to Gunner Beck and may have influenced her decision not to subsequently report her boss for sending thousands of unsolicited messages. The report says that on December 9, less than a week before she died, Gunner Beck apparently suffered a 'severe panic attack'. She also described 'suicidal feelings' to a colleague, who subsequently gave evidence to the inquiry. An Army investigation said her boss wanted to start a sexual relationship with Ms Beck, who told him she was already with someone and did not reciprocate his feelings. His misconduct included controlling behaviour, bombarding her with thousands of text messages and phone calls and attempting to ensure they were always working together. The report said: 'This behaviour stems from the fact that it appears he wanted a relationship with her and had developed feelings for her which were not reciprocated. 'While this behaviour ended the week before her death, it appears that it continued to affect her and had taken a significant toll on her mental resilience and well-being. 'The panel's assessment of the evidence was that it is almost certain that this was a causal factor in her death.' Gunner Beck joined the Royal Regiment of Artillery, which is headquartered at Larkhill, at 16 An Army inquiry into her death heard evidence from witnesses about inappropriate sexual behaviour by male soldiers towards their female colleagues at Larkhill The report also notes she was having an affair with a married Royal Artillery soldier who held a much higher rank. It concludes that maintaining secrecy around that relationship 'affected her state of mind and was likely to have been a contributory factor'. This SNCO (Senior Non-Commissioned Officer) socialised with Gunner Beck on the night she took her life and her mood was said to have plummeted when he left the Christmas party. Gunner Beck had joined the Army in 2019 aged just 16. She began recruit training at the Army Foundation College (AFC) at Harrogate before joining 47 Regiment, Royal Artillery. An Army inquiry into her death heard evidence from witnesses about inappropriate sexual behaviour by male soldiers towards their female colleagues at Larkhill. The report says: 'It was commonplace among a significant minority of soldiers within Larkhill Garrison.' One witness described routinely receiving comments from male soldiers that she described as 'vile' and 'degrading'. The report says measures to tackle this kind of behaviour were introduced as part of a new policy for the armed forces in November 2022. Larkhill Barracks near Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. A report into Gunner Beck's death said that a 'significant minority' of male soldiers would engage in sexually inappropriate behaviour An Army inquiry into her death heard evidence from witnesses about inappropriate sexual behaviour by male soldiers towards their female colleagues at Larkhill The report into Gunner Beck's death found she had no diagnosed mental-health conditions and had not sought welfare support from anyone in the Army Ms Cready regrets her daughter's career choice having approved her request to join the Army aged 16. For years top brass have been desperate to clamp down on sexual abuse and sexual harassment in the ranks, seemingly with little success. The report follows an inquest into the death of a woman officer cadet, Olivia Perks, 21, who killed herself at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. A coroner heard how Ms Perks, 21, took her own life just days after a significantly older male instructor spent the night with her. He was subsequently dismissed from the Army. It is rare for the Army to admit that sexual harassment was a significant factor in the death of a soldier. It follows a damning report into the day to day experiences of women in the military drawn up by MPs. While last year the Mail revealed how female members of the RAF's Red Arrows aerobatic display team were subjected to sexual abuse and harassment by male colleagues. A female submariner also revealed her shocking ordeal aboard a Royal Navy vessel, which included male sailors listing which female crew members they would rape if oxygen levels aboard the submarine were running out. The report into Gunner Beck's death found she had no diagnosed mental-health conditions and had not sought welfare support from anyone in the Army. An Army spokesman said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck's family and friends at this difficult time,' adding that it would be inappropriate to comment further until after the inquest. Gunner Beck was found dead after a party ten days before Christmas. Gunner Beck's family said she was a 'loving and caring person who would go above and beyond to help anyone in a less fortunate position than herself' Gunner Beck with her family. Her mother said that the 19-year-old had a 'really lovely aura about her' Gunner Beck, from Oxen Park in Cumbria, joined the Army at 16 and had been proud to be a soldier - but her family say she withdrew into herself as the campaign of harassment at the hands of her direct line manager escalated. The superior sent her more than 1,000 messages in October 2021, rising to more than 3,500 the following month, shortly before she died. In a message reportedly seen by the inquiry, she had written: 'The truth is, I'm struggling to deal with all this.' Her family later paid tribute to her while raising money for charity in her memory, writing: 'Jaysley is a loving and caring person who would go above and beyond to help anyone in a less fortunate position than herself.' Aspects of the inquiry, as reported by the BBC, suggest that inappropriate sexual behaviour was 'commonplace amongst a significant minority' of male soldiers at Larkhill, where Gunner Beck was based. In 2022, an Army instructor based at Larkhill was sacked after buying 'impressionable young recruits' bottles of vodka and whiskey liqueur and asking another to 'get up and walk' so he could 'look at her a***'. Britain's armed forces are cracking down on sexual harassment after bringing in new 'zero tolerance' rules last year It is understood that Gunner Beck's case is now being investigated by both civilian and military police forces. The Centre for Military Justice, which is supporting the family, branded her story 'appalling' in a tweet yesterday. Britain's armed forces are cracking down on sexual harassment after bringing in new 'zero tolerance' rules last year. MoD sources insist there is 'no place' for sexual harassment and assault in the military, and say efforts are being made to encourage victims to report it. Soldiers will be punished if they engage in acts of harassment such as cat-calling, inappropriate touching, 'lewd' comments, winking and 'leering' at squadmates. The rules will apply across the Army, Navy and the RAF, and come after a landmark defence committee report found that nearly 62 per cent of female service personnel experienced bullying, harassment and discrimination. MPs also found that servicewomen were more than ten times as likely to experience sexual harassment as their male counterparts. The report concluded: 'Mental wellbeing warning signs were clearly present in the weeks before her death but these were missed. 'Other parts of the military culture of the Armed Forces show it is still a man's world.' When life is difficult, Samaritans are here day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. Anthony Baker and nephew Corbin fell ill at the start of the holiday A British tourist's family say they are grateful he's alive after an Egypt 'holiday from hell' saw him injure his shoulder on a water slide and then suffer from a gastric illness that left him with internal bleeding. Anthony Baker first dislocated his shoulder while going down a water slide with his nephew Corbin at the five-star Jaz Makadi Aquaviva Hotel in the resort of Hurghada. The family claim the slide was unsupervised at the time and Anthony, 56, was injured when the inflatable boat he was in bounced violently over a bump in the ride. His sister Sharon said she had to jump into the water to rescue her stricken brother as there were no lifeguards around. She said: 'The holiday was meant to be a relaxing break for the family. I could never have imagined things could turn out the way they did Sadly, it turned into the holiday from hell. Anthony Baker eating a meal at the hotel after dislocating his arm Anthony and his nephew Corbin Baker (circled) on the slide Anthony in hospital back in the UK 'I am just so thankful my brother is still alive.' Speaking about the 'horrifying' turn of events during their two-week stay, Sharon claims that the swimming pool was largely 'unsupervised' and they waited for two minutes before hotel staff arrived on the scene of her brother's accident. She said: 'The staff always seemed so rushed off their feet. 'When it happened I dropped everything and rushed to support my brother's shoulder while other guests calmed Corbin down.' The family extended their holiday by a week because of the time they had lost while Anthony was in hospital. But during their stay at the neighbouring Jaz Makadi Saraya Hotel Anthony and Corbin, 14, were struck down by a severe gastric illness. Anthony suffered stomach cramps and severe diarrhoea and had to be put on a drip. He was bed-bound in his hotel room for six days. Sharon said that Anthony and Corbin fell ill during a meal within hours of arriving at the Jaz Makadi Saraya Hotel. She said: 'Both Corbin and Anthony started to feel really unwell, with stomach cramps and diarrhoea. 'Even then it was clear Anthony was in a bad way. The doctor came and after some treatment he seemed to stabilise, but he was still visibly very unwell. 'That was the end of the holiday from then on, it was just trying to get well enough to be able to board a flight home. I'm still not quite sure how Anthony managed to fly home because of his symptoms.' Anthony and his nephew Corbin Baker Anthony celebrating his birthday in hospital back in the UK Upon returning to the UK, Anthony collapsed at his home in Dorchester, Dorset, and was rushed to hospital. He was found to have stomach inflammation and internal bleeding that required blood transfusions and antibiotics. Sharon, 51, said: 'Corbin managed to recover. But Anthony seemed to suffer a relapse and it was terrifying when he collapsed at home. 'I remember seeing him on the floor struggling to breathe and looking grey. The doctors gave Anthony an awful lot of blood which later resulted in a blood clot.' The family allege that Anthony was given the wrong medication in Egypt, which resulted in the later bout of gastritis. He spent a month in hospital recovering. The family are taking legal action against TUI over Anthony's dislocated left shoulder and his illness. They are seeking compensation following their 'horrible experience' on holiday from April 17 to May 2 this year. TUI has been approached for comment. Teachers and parents today slammed Rishi Sunak's plans to overhaul further education, claiming the changes will leave students who hate Maths sulking in classrooms, while also driving thousands of staff members out of the profession. The Prime Minister outlined yesterday his vision of replacing A-Levels and T-Levels with an international baccalaureate-style qualification that would see children study at least five subjects. Every pupil will be required to study some form of Maths and English to age 18, Mr Sunak said. He also set out his wish to boost the number of hours that British students spend in the classroom after the age of 16 so it matches other countries. However, the plans were ridiculed by teachers who weren't consulted on the scheme, as well as parents concerned at the disruption that could be caused by forcing disgruntled students to remain in classrooms. Rishi Sunak yesterday announced plans to scrap A-levels and T-levels by combining them into a new single qualification known as the 'Advanced British Standard' One parent said: 'It's hard enough to get Maths teachers to GCSE let alone A-Levels. Most kids get the Maths they need for day to day live by the start of secondary. 'Forcing kids who hate Maths to remain in classrooms longer than they already need is wasting resources that could be better used on kids who actually want to do the subject.' Another said: 'The kids that are good or middling good are already getting less teaching attention than they deserve. Many are put off because they have to put up with kids who really don't want to be in a maths classroom. 'All our trades are missing out on kids who would be doing much better practically and gainfully employed than sat in a classroom trying to learn what? Calculus?!?' A third added: 'I have a dyslexic child who I had imagined would benefit from dropping English as soon as humanly possible in the current system...I can see being forced to continue to 18 causing problems with their grades.' Teaching unions also slammed the proposals, describing the PM as 'completely out of touch with reality'. Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said there was already a huge staff shortage with one in six English teachers and one in five mathematics teachers not having a post A-Level qualification in the subject. A further 4,300 mathematics teachers and 2,600 English teachers are required to cover current needs, the union said. Mr Sunak did announce plans to lure people into teaching key subjects in schools and colleges with tax-free bonuses of up to 30,000 over the first five years of their career. However, there was no evidence of support for existing, long-serving teachers, who vented their frustration on social media. READ MORE: Fury as it is revealed Rishi Sunak filmed video cancelling HS2 from Downing Street days BEFORE chaotic Tory conference announcement Advertisement One said: 'More knee jerk policies without any input from teachers. I'm a Design and Technology teacher, why not ask people like me what needs to be done to improve education?' Another said: 'What about the experienced teachers whose workload will increase to train and mentor the new trainees? It's one of my favourite parts of my job but feels crap knowing they're probably bringing home more money than I am for much less work, less experience and less stress.' A third added: 'Why not reward the long serving teachers? Those who bring expertise and experience to the role? Lots of new teachers simply leave. It makes more sense to invest in the ones with 10 years plus experience. We are the ones holding it together in this storm.' Another said: 'While a pile of tosh! Give me 30,000 to stay as an experienced teacher who trains new teachers. Give your head a wobble man and recognise those sticking it out who are already doing a good job. This is insulting to us.' As he detailed his education shake-up at the Tory Party Conference in Manchester yesterday, Mr Sunak said he was 'pulling one of the biggest levers we have to change the direction of our country'. In his Tory conference speech, the Prime Minister outlined how the international baccalaureate-style qualification would see pupils study at least five subjects He told the Conservative conference in Manchester: 'We will introduce the new rigorous, knowledge rich Advanced British Standard which will bring together A-Levels and T-Levels into a new, single qualification for our school leavers. 'First, this will finally deliver on the promise of parity of esteem between academic and technical education because all students will sit the Advanced British Standard. 'Second, we will raise the floor, ensuring that our children leave school literate and numerate. 'Because with the Advanced British Standard all students will study some form of English and maths to 18, with extra help for those who struggle most. In our country no child should be left behind. 'Third, our 16- to 19-year-olds spend around a third less time in the classroom than some of our competitors. We must change this. 'So, with our Advanced British Standard, students will spend at least 195 hours more with a teacher. 'And fourth, A-Level students, generally, only do three subjects compared to the seven studied by our economic competitors. 'The Advanced British Standard will change that too, with students now, typically, studying five subjects. 'And thanks to the extra teaching time that we are introducing this greater breadth won't come at the expense of depth which is such a strength of our system.' Mr Sunak acknowledged his plans would require 'more teachers in the coming years'. Turning on Labour, he condemned the 'false dream' of 50 per cent of children going to university as 'one of the great mistakes of the last 30 years', adding: 'It led to thousands of young people being ripped off by degrees that did nothing to increase their employability or earnings potential.' Mr Sunak vowed to end 'rip-off' degrees and to value apprenticeships, pointing to Gillian Keegan's journey from apprentice to Education Secretary. Under the plans, students will take a minimum of five subjects at both 'major' and 'minor' level and can take a mix of technical and academic subjects. He announced plans to lure people into teaching key subjects in schools and colleges with tax-free bonuses of up to 30,000 over the first five years of their career. The PM also promised to make education his 'main funding priority' in every review of Whitehall spending. 'Why? Because it is the closest thing we have to a silver bullet,' he said. 'It is the best economic policy, the best social policy, the best moral policy. It the best way to spread opportunity and to create a more prosperous society. 'It is not just my way. It is the Conservative way.' Ms Keegan said the new Advanced British Standard would 'transform post-16 education so that every child, wherever they live, wherever they come from, receives an education that sets them up for success'. Sir Michael Barber, Chancellor of Exeter University, said: 'This sets us on a path to match the best in the world on technical and vocational education over the next decade.' Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of the Sutton Trust, said: 'The proposed English baccalaureate is a major step which will significantly improve social mobility.' But Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said that while the principles of the proposals were good, the funding would not be enough. 'Teacher shortages are widespread and very problematic in many subjects. This problem requires a much broader strategy to improve pay, conditions and education funding.' Adams' discouragement is in stark contract to August 2022 when he traveled to Port Authority to welcome them and said he was 'proud to be a shelter state' New York City is buckling under the pressure of the influx - with the cost of accommodating migrants set to tip $4.7 billion Eric Adams arrived in Mexico City in a bid to dissuade migrants from making their way to the Big Apple New York City Mayor Eric Adams traveled to Mexico to discourage asylum seekers from traveling to the city because it is 'at capacity.' The state is struggling to accommodate the 122,000 who have arrived in 18 months - which is in stark contrast to when he personally welcomed them last year. 'This is just the beginning of the journey of trying to be on the ground and understand the whole flow of migrant and asylum seekers,' Adams said last night. The comments came as he arrived in Mexico City for a four-day trip where he's set to also travel to Ecuador and Colombia to speak to leaders in those countries. Later, speaking at the base of a basilica in the city where people often pray before setting out on their journeys, Adams said he hoped to 'manage expectations' of migrants setting out on their journeys. The Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, talks to the press in front of the Basilica de Guadalupe after a visit to the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Wednesday In August 2022, NYC mayor Eric Adams welcome migrants welcomed asylum seekers bused in from Texas at Port Authority, saying he was proud New York is a shelter state New York City is buckling under the strain of the massive influx of migrants who have overwhelmed its shelter system and strained financial resources. Estimated costs to accommodate them is set to tip $4.7 billion. The staggering cost is equal to the city's sanitation, fire and parks departments budgets combined. On Tuesday, the desperate mayor also pleaded with a judge to end the city's longstanding 'right to shelter' law, asking that it be void in a state of emergency. The city has been moving to suspend the policy for months under the surge of migrants, arguing the requirement was never intended to be applied to a humanitarian crisis such as the latest influx. Adams plea and his trip to Mexico to discourage migrants shows a stunning reversal to the start of the crisis when he went to the Port Authority to welcome a bus full of asylum seekers sent from Texas by Republican governor Gregg Abbot. At the time Abbot argued progressive cities should also bear the costs of the influx of asylum seekers crossing the southern border. Adams said: 'As the mayor of New York, I have to provide services families that are here, and that's what we're going to do - our responsibility as a city, and I'm proud that this is a Right to Shelter state, and we're going continue to do that.' After a month that saw over 200,000 migrants processed on the border, the crisis shows no sign of slowing. Footage above shows hundreds running across the border in El Paso Hundreds of migrants sleep in line early on August 1, for placement at the Roosevelt Hotel intake center in New York Migrants are streaming into New York City, lining up to enter the Federal Plaza to file with the immigration services, October 2 But by May of this year, Adams had made major changes to the 40-year-old 'Right to Shelter' law that guarantees a bed for anyone who needs it in the city, as his government asked for federal and state help to deal with the surge of migrants that he now says could destroy New York as we know it. Governor Kathy Hochul has also done a U-turn when it comes to asylum seekers, having first welcomed them with 'open arms' as she pledged to house them just three years before telling migrants to 'go elsewhere' because the city is at its limit. 'We have to get the word out, that when you come to New York, you're not going to have more hotel rooms, we don't have capacity,' Hochul said on CNN. 'So we have to also message properly that we're at a limit - if you're going to leave your country, go somewhere else.' On Wednesday, the mayor also echoed a rising number of voices in calling for a larger global response to the increasing number of migrants to the U.S. 'The message of this not being sustainable cannot stay within the boundaries of New York City. There is a global migration and it must have an international response.' In August, the U.S. Border Patrol made 181,509 arrests at the Mexican border, up 37 percent from July but little changed from August 2022 and well below the more than 220,000 in December, according to figures released in September. Ahead of his trip, Adams said earlier: 'We want to give an honest assessment of what we are experiencing here in this city. We are at capacity.' 'We're going to tell them that coming to New York doesn't mean you're going to stay in a five-star hotel. It doesn't mean that, the mere fact that you come here, you automatically are going to be allowed to work,' he said. Adams has made a series of urgent pleas for a shift in federal immigration policy and for funding to help the city manage the arrival of migrants, which he said could cost the city $12 billion over three years as it rents space at hotels, erects new emergency shelters and provides various government services for asylum seekers. As part of his efforts top mitigate the crisis, Adams has recently moved to tighten New York shelter rules by limiting adult migrants to just 30 days in city-run facilities amid overcrowding. City and state leaders in New York, Illinois and elsewhere have urged the federal government to make it easier for migrants to get work permits, which would allow them to pay for food and housing. SANCTUARY CITIES SAY NO MORE MIGRANTS Chicago has received over 8,000 migrants since August, and the city's leaders have warned of a humanitarian crisis unfolding, with officials saying daily arrivals in the Windy City have increased tenfold over the last weeks. Asylum seekers have been sleeping in airports and police stations as the sanctuary city's shelters are out of room. Governor JB Pritzker and mayor Brandon Johnson wrote a letter to president Biden saying the situation has overwhelmed the city an its ability to help the asylum seekers. They are asking the federal government for financial aid and to waive fees for migrants' work authorization. 'Double the number of Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Chicago. The difference is that those Ukrainian refugees have federal dollars to follow them. We are not seeing that with Venezuelan refugees,' said 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez Rosa, according to ABC7. Eric Adams, talks to the press in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe where he tried to dissuade migrants from coming to New York City Migrants arrive in New York City and line up near 60 Centre Street to enter the Federal Plaza to file with the immigration service Like New Yorkers, Chicago residents have opposed turning landmarks into emergency shelters, with some even asking city officials to close the city's borders as mayor Johnson quietly signed a $29million contract with a security firm to build migrant base camps. And Chicago and New York are not the only sanctuary cities who have seemingly regretted their right to shelter policies when faces with an influx of asylum seekers who arrived though the southern border. Back in January, mayor Adams accused Colorado's Democrat governor Jared Polis of launching an 'unfair' plan to send an influx of migrants to the Big Apple. According to The Colorado Sun, more than 18,400 migrants have come to Denver since Christmas., 2022 - and 6,739 of them were bused to other cities like Chicago and New York. Liberal elite hub Martha's Vineyard, one of the sanctuary cities chosen by conservative governors to bus migrants to, also said has said it has no room for asylum seekers in the billionaire enclave. Last year, director of homelessness Lisa Belcastro claimed 50 migrants flown in by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would have to go elsewhere. The asylum seekers were put on a bus by liberal Governor Charlie Baker, and given a police escort to Joint Base in Cape Cod 32 miles away from Martha's Vineyard. El Paso's democrat mayor Oscar Leeser has also sent thousands to sanctuary cities last year, with Adams asking him to stop. Asylum seekers line up in front of the historic Roosevelt Hotel, converted into a city-run shelter for newly arrived migrant families in New York City A view of the historic Roosevelt Hotel, converted into a city-run shelter for newly arrived migrant families in New York City, United States on September 27 A group of migrants wait outside the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, converted into a city-run shelter for newly arrived migrant families Meanwhile border crossings continue to increase - preliminary data obtained by found Border Patrol agents last month recorded an estimated 210,000 apprehensions - the third highest number on record. September's apprehension tally is the highest since Dec 2022 when 222,000 migrants were apprehended, the second-highest monthly figure on record. The 2023 fiscal year, which concludes at the end of September, saw two million illegal migrants intercepted crossing the border, according to data seen by CBS News. That is the second highest annual figure on record. Hundreds of migrants arrived in the northern Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez across the border from El Paso, Texas aboard a freight train on Tuesday night. They clambered off the train and immediately made their way to the border where they stopped at coils of barbed wire. Elizabeth Romero, 32, left Venezuela three months earlier with her husband and 6-year-old son. She was three weeks pregnant then and spent her first trimester hiking through the jungle-clad border of Colombia and Panama, and most recently spent three days aboard the freight train that brought her to the U.S.-Mexico border. She and her son, who celebrated his 6th birthday atop a freight car this week, have suffered bouts of fever. They left Venezuela because they couldn't make ends meet financially. Her family remains there. Asylum seekers cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on September 30, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas 'We hope that the United States receives us and gives us the support that we need,' Romero said. They planned to turn themselves into U.S. authorities at the border because they had already waited three months without receiving an appointment to request asylum through CBP One, a mobile app. The U.S. has tried to get Mexico and countries farther south to do more. In April, the U.S., Panama and Colombia announced a campaign to slow migration through the treacherous Darien Gap dividing Colombia and Panama. But migration through the jungle has only accelerated and is expected to approach some 500,000 people this year. Mayor Adams is scheduled to visit the area of the Darien Gap, the dangerous 575,000-hectare jungle that which connects Colombia and Panama and serves as a route to the US for desperate migrants. The treacherous jungle crossing has been reduced from over a week to as little as two days for the strongest walkers, by a network of guides, established camps and rudimentary trail markers that start in the Necocli, on Colombias side of the gap. The United Nations has said that more than 330,000 people have crossed the Darien Gap on their journey towards North America so far this year. By comparison, less than 250,000 migrants crossed in all of 2022. If the pace keeps up, as many as 400,000 re expected to cross the gap by the years end. The Darien operation appears to be dominated by Colombian paramilitary groups, which funnel part of their proceeds to Panamas autonomous Indigenous groups. A family from Venezuela waits to be processed by U.S. agents after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on September 30 Asylum seekers wait to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States As seen from an aerial view, a U.S. Border Patrol agent supervises as immigrants walk into the United States after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico Elsewhere, it was announced U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top officials from the Biden administration will visit Mexico on Wednesday to discuss shared security issues, foremost among them trafficking of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, but also arms trafficking and increasing migration. The latest round of the High-Level Security Dialogue brings together Blinken, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, among others, with their Mexican counterparts for two days of talks. Heightened migration flows are expected to be discussed as the Biden administration comes under increasing pressure from Republicans and mayors from the president's own party to do more to slow migrant arrivals. Blinken was scheduled to discuss migration Wednesday with Mexico's Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Barcena, as well as the foreign ministers of Colombia and Panama. Moreover, the Biden administration announced it will waive 26 federal laws to allow several miles of new border wall construction in South Texas. The Department of Homeland Security posted the announcement on the US Federal Registry on Wednesday, allowing the construction in Starr County, Texas, part of a busy Border Patrol sector seeing 'high illegal entry.' 'There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas,' DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated in the notice. The decision contrasts with President Joe Biden's prior posturing against border barriers, including in a proclamation on the first day of his term that stated, 'building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution.' A former gangland criminal enforcer-turned-pastor has revealed how he plotted to kill the man who raped him aged 11 after spotting him by chance in a McDonald's three decades later. Mick Fleming, 57, is now a reformed pastor who runs a Christian charity in Burnley called Church on the Street. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he revealed how he arranged to meet his attacker and had two knives. But he decided instead to forgive his rapist and turn his life around, which led to him meeting Prince William and Kate Middleton when they visited his project last year. Mr Fleming has spoken about his astonishing life of abuse, addiction, crime, suicide, religion and redemption in first episode of a new human interest series launched by MailOnline on our YouTube channel called 'My Story', which will feature people with extraordinary life stories. To watch the full episode click here. Mick Fleming, 57, is now a reformed pastor and runs a charity called Church on the Street Pastor Mick Fleming meets Prince William and Kate Middleton in January last year in Burnley Mr Fleming told how he grew up in a 'loving' working-class family in Burnley but his life 'completely changed' aged 11 when he was on the way to school. Mr Fleming worked as a drug runner and debt collector, and was once arrested on suspicion of murder although never charged He said: 'I went out to school one day, just kind of like this happy go lucky kid. Bit of a mummy's boy really. And on my way to school I was attacked. 'I still sometimes get them little flashbacks. It's a taste in my mouth of like a woolly jumper coming across my mouth and not being able to breathe. Sadly, I was raped. 'I didn't understand what was happening. Understood the pain, the fear. And the man that did it, I was on the floor after and he picked me up off the floor by my throat and he said that if I told anybody he'd kill my mum and dad.' Mr Fleming said that he went to school and continued through the whole day without speaking, adding: 'I never said one thing all day and nobody noticed.' He added that he did not feel he could cry because he thought his mother or father might have heard him and then his attacker would find out and kill him. Mr Fleming therefore bit his bed covers and 'cried for hours' but nobody heard. Pastor Mick Fleming stands with William and Kate during their trip to Burnley in January 2022 He eventually plucked up the courage to tell his father what had happened, but just as he was about to tell him, his father informed him that his sister Ann, 20, was dead following a heart attack. READ MORE Pastor who was a violent drug dealer before setting up a charity for the disadvantaged and homeless meets Prince William and Kate Advertisement He said his father told him: 'Come in son, sit down, your sister's dead'. Mr Fleming told how the sound of 'pain and love mixed together' still 'haunts me'. He continued: 'For me, it's the sound of Jesus on a cross and it's the sound a mother makes when she loses a child.' Mr Fleming said it 'filled the house and bounced off every wall'. He said he thought at that moment that he could never speak about being raped, and instead went upstairs and took some of his mother's painkillers which she used to help with her bad back. He continued: 'I laid on the bed and this little boy went to heaven. I just floated out of my own body. There was no pain. I felt so comfortable and relaxed. 'It was like somebody was wrapping a quilt around me and loving me. And then sadly as the painkillers wore off I came back down to earth with a real big bang.' Mr Fleming spent the next 30 years addicted to alcohol and drugs, and was dealing aged just 14 - soon earning more money than his father. Mr Fleming is a former gangland criminal enforcer and drug dealer who lives in Burnley He worked as a drug runner and debt collector, and was once arrested on suspicion of murder although never charged. He was also arrested for armed robbery and firearms offences. But he eventually managed to stop taking drugs and drinking, and had been clean for about a year when he was in a McDonald's branch and happen to spot the man who had raped him 30 years earlier. Mr Fleming said: 'I looked across the room and I saw an alcoholic. I bought him a coffee and something to eat and I arranged to meet him the next day and talk to him and try to help him. 'And he did, he turned up the next day and I went in the same place and I helped him. And he died two years later. But he died with a type of faith and a type of understanding of something bigger than him. 'He died sober and he got his family in his life, I guess. I never told him, he was the man that raped me.' Mr Fleming set up Church On the Street, a charity and church housed in a former gym which offers a safe space for up to 200 people who may be struggling with life Mr Fleming said the 'truth of what happened' was that the second time he met him, it was to 'kill him, it wasn't to help him'. He continued: 'I had a knife up my sleeve and I had one in my sock, because if somebody took the knife off me whilst I was killing him, I'd take the one out of my sock and finish him off. 'I'd spent 30 years slavering over if I ever saw him again. All my pain, all my fears, all my anxieties were from this man, and he had to die. It's like the power to do it was so strong. 'I wasn't going to do it to get away with it. I was going to do it in front of everybody, almost like as a piece of work. Look what happens to people who do that.' When Mr Fleming walked into the restaurant, he said he intended to kill the man but was 'stopped him in his tracks' when the man smiled at him. Mr Fleming is pictured appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain earlier this year on April 26 He said: 'I heard a voice. Not a schizophrenic type voice, it was in my head, in my thinking, and it was inside. And it just said 'mate, why are you living in his sin?' 'And it just stopped me in my tracks. put the knife back up my sleeve. why are you living in his sin? And it wouldn't go away. And it just kept coming back and coming back into my thoughts. 'So I went and bought two coffees and sat down. Shaking inside. And he's just talking and I'm thinking you need... I couldn't understand what were happening to me. 'I got this moment of absolute clarity. And it was (that) forgiveness is never saying it's alright what you've done to me, 'there, there, there', because I thought that's what it were. That's impossible for me, 'there, there, there, it's alright, it doesn't matter', because it does matter, it destroyed my life. 'But forgiveness was saying I'm not going to live in his sin. Because if I live in his sin, I kill him, I go to jail, other people, my family, and the sin goes on and on and on and on. Or I choose not to live in it. And it were just so simple for me in that moment.' Mr Fleming ended up going to the University of Manchester to study for a degree in theology He said his life changed from that point onwards and he found a 'type of faith' that he was 'drawn towards'. Mr Fleming ended up going to the University of Manchester to study for a degree in theology, but failed his first year, because he struggled to read and write. He was diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia but eventually achieved a 2:1 degree and was later ordained. He set up Church On the Street, a charity and church housed in a former gym which offers a safe space for up to 200 people who may be struggling with life. It provides a food bank, clothing bank, hot showers, laundry, a cafe, recovery groups, addiction and mental health support. Last year, Mr Fleming released his autobiography, Blown Away: From Drug Deal to Life Bringer. Upcoming guests on MailOnline's 'My Story' series include Michael O'Brien of the Cardiff Newsagent Three, and the Marines who fought off pirates in the Amazon Hollywood super-agency CAA has slammed British actress Julia Ormond's lawsuit which alleges that it, along with Walt Disney, did nothing to protect her from rapist Harvey Weinstein, after she says he sexually assaulted her in 1995 and subsequently destroyed her career in Hollywood. In a statement, a spokesperson for Creative Artists Agency said that Ormond, 58, claims that they are responsible for Weinstein's behavior are 'baseless' and allege she asked the company for $15 million in order for their name to remain out of the filing. In her lawsuit, Ormond's attorneys ask that the court establish how much in damages should be paid. At the time of alleged assault, Ormond was represented by CAA's Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane. Both are now co-chairmen of the company. Ormond says in the suit that Weinstein attacked her following a work related function. Neither Lourd nor Huvane are mentioned in the suit by name. In 1995, Ormond appeared in movies such as Legends of the Fall, Sabrina as well as First Knight with A-listers such as Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford and Richard Gere, her career then went on a downward trajectory resulting in her leaving acting for a time before 2000. The Bristol-native referred to CAA as 'enablers' in an interview with Variety. Despite CAA's statement, Ormond's lawyer told Variety: 'Rest assured, we will expose the real facts.' The star was with CAA between 1995 and 1999. Julia Ormond's former agency has slammed her lawsuit in which she accuses them of not protecting her from sexual predator Harvey Weinstein CAA's Bryan Lourd and Kevin Huvane who formerly represented Julia Ormond at the agency, they are now co-chairmen of the business Ormond pictured with Harvey Weinstein in 2001, the pair were described as having a 'budding relationship' in 1995 'Obviously, Harvey Weinstein is in jail and is going to be in jail for a very long time. I personally don't believe that Harvey could have done this without enablers. And for me, that is the layer that you have to get down to, in terms of the root cause,' Ormond told Variety. 'If you think about it. If there had been best practices and Harvey Weinstein had been called out at the start after his first sexual harassment or his first sexual assault, he could have learned different behaviors, and potentially all of the people that followed wouldn't have been harmed. But he wasn't. And there's a reason for that,' she continued. Since the early days of the MeToo movement, CAA has been in the crosshairs of several actresses, including Courtney Love and Uma Thurman, who have accused it of being complicit in Weinstein's behavior. For her part, Love said that she was banned by CAA for famously saying in 2005: 'If Harvey Weinstein invites you to a private party in the Four Seasons. Don't go.' A 1995 feature in The New York Times covered Julia Ormond's rise, mainly on the back of the Brad Pitt- starring Legends of the Fall. According to the article, Ormond chose to sign with CAA on Pitt's recommendation. The pair shared a home in Alberta, Canada, during filming. It was CAA's co-founder Michael Ovitz who led the charge to sign her to the agency. One section of the piece notes: 'Unfortunately, Hollywood has already tagged Ormond as difficult.' Julia Ormond starring alongside Brad Pitt in the 1994 film Legends of the Fall, Ormond said it was Pitt who convinced her to sign with CAA It was CAA's co-founder Michael Ovitz who led the charge to sign her to the agency, The New York Times reported in April 1995 In the 90s, Ormond was everywhere - from being a Hollywood unknown she suddenly found herself, aged 29, the female lead in three huge movies alongside Tinseltown's biggest hitters Brad Pitt (in 1994's Legends of the Fall), Harrison Ford (in Sabrina) and both Sean Connery and Richard Gere (in First Knight). (Pictured: Ormond in Sabrina) However the article, also compares her trajectory to that of Julia Roberts and mentions how Steven Spielberg compared her to Audrey Hepburn. Later, it's written that Ormond had a 'budding relationship' with Harvey Weinstein, adding that the pair 'speak regularly,' the article's scribe David Blum wrote. 'Julie's got the best story sense of any young actress in America today. I once got 26 pages of notes from her about a script. She can pull them apart and find the flaws,' Weinstein told the newspaper. The article goes on to say that Ormond is one of the Hollywood-figures that Weinstein regularly goes to for feedback on scripts. A few months later, a similar Washington Post feature said that Ormond was poised to sign a deal with Miramax that would see her write and direct her own projects. At the time, Weinstein was Miramax's CEO. The Times article was published in April 1995, Ormond said the assault occurred in December 1995. A 2008 feature in New York Magazine, described Ormond as taking a break from acting in 1999 and getting involved in non-profit work. The career break came on the back of several flops, including the remake of Sabrina. 'I needed breathing space,' she said. In her new lawsuit, Ormond says that she left CAA because she was transferred to a younger agent. Ormond filed the case in state Supreme Court in Manhattan under the Adult Survivors Act, a law passed last year that allows a temporary window for those who allege sexual assault to file past the state's normal deadlines. Along with disgraced producer Weinstein (pictured), Ormond's lawsuit also takes aim at CAA, The Walt Disney Company and Miramax for allegedly enabling his behavior In the case filed Wednesday morning in the New York Supreme Court , the 58-year-old claims Weinstein sexually assaulted her after a work dinner in December 1995 Ormond accuses Weinstein of committing sexual battery against her in December 1995 after a business meeting, and then retaliating against her and negatively affecting her career after she confronted him weeks later. Weinstein attorney Imran Ansari said his client 'categorically denies the allegations made against him by Julia Ormond and he is prepared to vehemently defend himself.' The British actress says she told her U.S. agents at the time, Creative Artists Agency, but received no support and was advised not to take any legal action or other steps. She accuses CAA, Disney and Miramax, saying that they knew Weinstein presented a danger to women but did nothing to stop him or to help her. According to the filing, 'none of these prominent companies warned Ormond that Weinstein had a history of assaulting women because he was too important, too powerful, and made them too much money.' CAA responded in a statement that the agency 'takes all allegations of sexual assault and abuse seriously, and has compassion for Ms. Ormond.' The statement said the agency hired attorneys to investigate her claims when she first came to them in March, and they found only 'evidence of a dynamic and engaged relationship between CAA and Ms. Ormond, and the agency's consistent efforts to support her career.' 'Ms. Ormond's claims against CAA are baseless, and the agency will vigorously refute them in court,' the statement said. The lawsuit marks the first time Ormond has publicly accused Weinstein of sexual assault. Weinstein, 71, was convicted of rape and sexual assault in New York in 2020 and is in prison in the state. Last year, he also was convicted of another rape in Los Angeles. He has appealed both convictions. Dozens of women have sued Weinstein, many of them actors, but few have named such a broad list of defendants as Ormond. Suing her own former agents is an especially unusual move. Former president Donald Trump has claimed that he will do 'whatever is necessary' to 'help' the selection process for a new Speaker of the House, as long as they help a 'highly experienced President, ME!' The real estate mogul-turned-reality TV star-turned-president made in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday, just a day after former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy was ousted from his position in a putsch from hardline Republicans. He claimed that his position as the current Republican frontrunner for the 2024 Presidential elections gave him the authority to help handpick the important congressional role. He wrote: 'I am running for President, have a 62 Point lead over Republicans, and am up on Crooked Joe Biden, despite the Democrat Party's massive Law-fare, Weaponization, and Election Interference efforts, by 4 to 11 Points, but will do whatever is necessary to help with the Speaker of the House selection process, short term, until the final selection of a GREAT REPUBLICAN SPEAKER is made. 'A Speaker who will help a new, but highly experienced President, ME, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Former president Donald Trump (pictured) claimed that his current position as the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 Presidential elections gave him the authority to help handpick the important congressional role He told his followers on Truth Social that he wanted to make sure the new Speaker would help him There is currently a heated race between top Republicans over who will take the coveted position. Jim Jordan, the US representative for Ohio's 4th congressional district, threw his hat in the ring, as did the Republican party's Number Two leader, Steve Scalise, the current House Majority Leader who represents Louisiana's first district. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has also been mentioned as a possible McCarthy successor. He is the favorite of a group of far-right members who helped line up the move to vacate the chair. Emmer, 62, previously ran the House GOP campaign arm, including in 2022 when Republicans seized control but underperformed expectations. Financial Services Chairman Patrick McHenry, a McCarthy advisor who helped him clear the hurdles to leadership during his January speaker's race, was designated as temporary speaker, after McCarthy was ousted. 'A lot of people have been calling me about speaker,' former President Donald Trump said inside a Manhattan courthouse Wednesday Trump seemingly threw his hat into the ring for the Speaker position, with a cryptic post to Truth Social that showed him holding a gavel similar to those used by previous speakers It is a ceremonial role that will have him help oversee the election of a new speaker, a role he has also been mentioned for. He chairs the powerful Financial Services Committee. Trump himself appears to have shown his intention of running for Speaker of the House, despite a Republican bylaw that states that the important role cannot be held by someone under indictment. He shared a photo of himself wearing a MAGA hat while holding a gavel, which Speakers of the House use in their day-to-day business in Congress. While there is no congressional law that says that the Speaker of the House has to be an elected member, Republican bylaws would prevent Trump from taking the position. 'A member of the Republican Leadership shall step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed,' Republican conference rules state. He also claimed in front of a Manhattan courthouse: 'A lot of people have been calling me about speaker.' Trump faces up to 71 years in prison for his Georgia indictment alone, and that is one of just four indictments he is facing. McCarthy himself said he would not make another run for speaker, telling reporters: 'I fought for what I believe in. I believe I can continue to fight, but maybe in a different manner.' McCarthy was voted out of his role by 216-210 on Tuesday, after fringe Republicans forced through a historic vote to vacate his position. The 58-year-old, who represents California's 20th district, was accused of colluding with Democrats during an 11th-hour bill that narrowly prevented the US government from shutting down. For months, he struggled to satisfy members of the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus while also funding the government. Representative Matt Gaetz, who led the charge against McCarthy, said: 'Kevin McCarthy is a creature of the swamp. He has risen to power by collecting special interest money and redistributing that money in exchange for favors. We are breaking the fever now.' Several Republicans have said that they will be meeting on October 10 to discuss who will take the role of Speaker, ahead of a vote on a new speaker planned for October 11. But many lawmakers are worried that the vote for a new speaker will take several weeks, preventing them from getting things done. Tom McClintock, a California Republican said in remarks on the House floor before McCarthy was ousted: 'We can expect week after week of fruitless ballots while no other business can be conducted.' When McCarthy was elected as Speaker of the House in January, it took 15 votes over four days for the decision to finally go through. The number of hate crimes recorded by police in England and Wales has fallen year-on-year for the first time since records began - as the Government wages war on 'woke' policing. A total of 145,214 offences were recorded in the two nations in the year ending March 2023, down 5% from 153,536 in the previous 12 months, the Home Office said. The total had previously risen every year since 2012/13. The Government has noted that the fall coincided with new policing guidance which it said 'may have led to greater scrutiny of the threshold of what constitutes a criminal offence of public fear, alarm or distress'. New Home Office guidance told officers to stop recording trivial online arguments and playground spats as 'non-crime hate incidents'. They were also given orders to use common sense and ensure the right to freedom of expression is protected so they can focus on tackling serious crime instead. It followed an intervention by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who expressed her concern that police were wrongly becoming involved in 'lawful debate' rather than focusing on serious crimes like burglary, violent offences and rape. This graph shows the number of hate crimes recorded by police from 2012/13 to 2022/23 Home Secretary Suella Braverman - seen at the Tory party conference on Tuesday - had told officers to stop recording trivial reports as 'non-crime hate incidents'. There were 101,906 race hate crimes in 2022/23, down 6% from the previous year (108,476). But religious hate crimes were up by 9% to 9,387 offences, while transgender hate crimes increased by 11%, to 4,732 offences. The most commonly targeted group when it came to religious hate crime were Muslims, accounting for 39% of religious hate crime offences. This was followed by Jewish people, who were targeted in 17% of religious hate crimes, followed by Christian (7%), Hindu and Sikh (both 3%). In 22% of these offences the targeted religion was not known. LGBTQ+ group Stonewall criticised political leaders for not having acted 'seriously or quickly enough' against hate crime, adding that 'many of them are filling the public domain with toxic language that dehumanises LGBTQ+ people'. The Home Office said the rise in transgender hate crime may be down to such issues being 'heavily discussed by politicians, the media and on social media over the last year' but also gave increased awareness in the police in the identification and recording of these crimes as a possible reason. But Victim Support said 'falling public trust in the police is a real issue' and suggested this may have contributed to the overall fall in the number of police-recorded hate crimes. Becca Rosenthal, national hate crime lead at the charity, said: 'Those we support increasingly tell us that they are reluctant to approach the police, so these figures could simply reflect less people reporting to the police. Given this, independent support services for victims have never been more important.' Sexual orientation hate crimes fell by 6%, to 24,102 offences and disability hate crimes fell by 1% to 13,777 offences. The Home Office said just over half (51%) of the hate crimes recorded by the police were for public order offences, 41% were for violence against the person offences and 5% were recorded as criminal damage and arson offences. *Hate crimes recorded in England and Wales - by type* Source: Home Office data LGBTQ+ group Stonewall criticised political leaders for not having acted 'seriously or quickly enough' against hate crime. Pictured is a Stonewall protest in London This year's total figures do not include Devon and Cornwall Police, who were unable to provide information for 2022/23, the Home Office said. The department said the overall fall was 'largely driven by a decrease in racially or religiously aggravated public fear, alarm or distress when flagged as a hate crime', which was down 8%, from 50,866 to 46,780 offences. The Home Office suggested this might be linked to new interim guidance published last year which 'may have led to greater scrutiny of the threshold of what constitutes a criminal offence of public fear, alarm or distress'. The guidance by the College of Policing on the recording of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) instructed officers to consider whether there was genuine hostility in the incident or whether it could be considered freedom of speech or thought. The Home Office said its rules for the recording of these offences had not changed. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'There is no place for hate in our society, it does not reflect the values of modern Britain, and we remain committed to ensuring these abhorrent offences are stamped out. 'We are pleased there has been an overall reduction in hate crimes recorded by police, and the numbers of sexual orientation, race and disability hate crimes all fell. But any instance is one too many. 'We expect the police to fully investigate these hateful attacks and make sure the cowards who commit them feel the full force of the law.' But drivers piled out of their cars and immediately began dragging them away Enraged motorists in Portugal have demonstrated an effective technique for removing eco-zealots who attempted to block traffic amid a senseless protest. The clip shows how drivers piled out of their cars and immediately began dragging the orange-vested protesters out of the road while tearing down their banners. Protesters from the Portuguese climate activist group Climaximo are known for frequent protests in and around Lisbon, with some causing hours of disruption and huge traffic jams. But in this footage, the demonstrators are unceremoniously dumped on the side of the road before the motorists hop back in their vehicles and proceed to scream past. The clip has gone viral on social media, earning millions of views, with users piling in to commend the motorists for their no-nonsense approach. Enraged motorists in Portugal demonstrated their effective technique for removing eco-zealots who attempted to block traffic Bikers and drivers jumped out of their vehicles and started dragging the protesters away The demonstrators are unceremoniously dumped on the side of the road The protesters quickly realised they were fighting a losing battle and began running out of the road as the bikers took off and screamed away 'This brings joy to my heart... the world is healing,' one user commented. 'I thought it was bad for the environment to idle your vehicle... isn't that counterproductive to their agenda?' another user asked sarcastically, pointing out the tactic of causing traffic jams only worsens the impact of vehicle emissions. It comes as Just Stop Oil protesters infuriated theatregoers in London last night when they interrupted a performance of Les Miserables during the cast's rendition of the iconic song 'Do You Hear The People Sing'. In an incident that raised serious questions about security, the activists calmly climbed on to stage from the most expensive seats in the house and unfurled their banners, screaming 'join the rebellion'. Theatregoers drowned out the JSO chanting with booing and cries of 'you disgust me'. Another angry punter shouted: 'Get off you stupid people. How dare you,' while a third yelled: 'F*** you' as one of the eco-spoilsports gave a monologue about 'society collapsing'. In the UK, groups like Just Stop Oil have staged a series of protests which have caused significant transport disruption. They are often sat in place for hours before eventually being removed by police. But across Europe, it appears that disgruntled citizens are taking the matter into their own hands more frequently. Just last month, people were seen losing their patience as eco-clowns held up traffic on a busy road in Berlin. Climate activists from the German group called Letzte Generation - translated as Last Generation - staged a slow march blockage, causing traffic in Germany's capital to come to a halt. Footage shows an enraged cyclist attacking the activists by grabbing one man from behind and dragging him off the road. The cyclist reportedly lost his cool after the activists wouldn't let him pass through their slow march. In the video, the cyclist and another man in a red shirt can be seen pushing the long-haired older protester until he falls to the ground. Just Stop Oil supporters interrupt 'Les Mis' Footage shows an enraged cyclist attacking the activists by grabbing one man from behind and dragging him off the road. The cyclist reportedly lost his cool after the activists wouldn't let him pass through their slow march. In the video, the cyclist and another man in a red shirt can be seen pushing the long-haired older protester until he falls to the ground While the eco zealot is trying to get up, the biker targets another protester, a woman, and pushes her out of the road. Meanwhile the man in the red shirt attempts to push several activists onto the opposite sidewalk so the honking cars can pass through Meanwhile the man in the red shirt attempts to push several activists onto the opposite sidewalk so the honking cars can pass through. One of the cars blocked by the group eventually mounted the pavement to get past while the others sounded their horns While the eco zealot is trying to get up, the biker targets another protester, a woman, and pushes her out of the road. Meanwhile the man in the red shirt attempts to push several activists onto the opposite sidewalk so the honking cars can pass through. One of the cars blocked by the group eventually mounted the pavement to get past while the others sounded their horns. The video was posted to X, formerly Twitter, by Letzte Generation with the caption: '25 slow-walk blockades in Berlin. The climate crisis is already escalating. The first tipping points have been reached. '2045 is too late. 2030 free of fossil fuels is necessary. That's why we are protesting.' This isn't the first time interactions between climate activists and annoyed road users have turned violent in Germany. A shocking video taken earlier this month showed an enraged motorist resorting to violence to break up a street-blocking protest by the activist group. The man was seen leaping into the B36 highway near the Victoria Tower in Mannheim. He began punching and kicking a series of activists from the Letzte Generation movement. Police later arrested the 29-year-old suspect, according to German newspaper Bild. The assailant, wearing a white vest and grey jogging bottoms, was one of several angered motorists who confronted the eco-zealots who had donned orange uniforms and sat on the tarmac, backing up three lanes of cars. When the demonstrators remained seated and refused to move he snapped, lashing out with fists and feet of fury and dragging them away. Mannheim Police found out about the attack the following day and arrested the suspect in Ludwigsburg, where he was taken for interrogation. But Aimee van Baalen, the group's spokeswoman, remains steadfast in their commitment to continue similar protests despite the controversy. The infuriated motorist grabs the protester's hair before hitting him in the face He returns to kick and slap another member of the group She maintains that Letzte Generation will not be deterred by opposition and is resolute in its mission to bring attention to climate change. In July, three protesters were dragged out of the way by a furious lorry driver working for low-carbon energy company Air Liquide - only to rush back in front of the lorry before one of them was knocked flying. Air Liquide is the Paris Olympics' official hydrogen supporter and works to innovate 'the development of low-carbon hydrogen and biomethane for the energy transition'. The driver of the lorry at first jumps out to push and drag the activists out of his way. When they sit back in position, he slowly starts driving forward - and then shunts the activist closest to the pavement. The man is seen yanking the protester out of the road as other annoyed motorists look on The driver is pictured trying to drag the protestor sitting in the road out from under the lorry The force is enough to send the young man flying back and bystanders come to his aid. The lorry driver is seen throwing his hands up in frustration and stops the lorry before leaping out of the cab again to pull the protesters aside. Air Liquide provided the following statement to MailOnline: 'On July 12, Air Liquide was made aware of an altercation in Stralsund, Germany, between a third-party contract driver of Air Liquide Medical Gases and local protesters. 'Images display unacceptable behaviour from the driver that is not aligned with Air Liquide's values in any way. 'The third-party contractor has been notified that Air Liquide will no longer accept the services of this individual.' Donald Trump's defense lawyers have asked a judge to delay the former president's classified documents trial until after next year's presidential election. In a motion filed late Wednesday, the lawyers claimed they need more time, saying the have not received all the records they need to review and prepare his defense. The trial on charges of illegally hoarding classified documents, among four criminal cases the Republican former president is facing, is currently scheduled for May 20, 2024, in Florida. Trump's lawyers urged U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to push back the trial until at least mid-November 2024. The indictment accuses Trump of illegally retaining at his Palm Beach, Florida, estate, Mar-a-Lago, reams of classified documents taken with him after he left the White House in 2021 and then repeatedly obstructing government efforts to get the records back. Former President Donald Trump, speaks to reporters as he leaves the courtroom during a lunch break in his civil business fraud trial, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in New York Trump's trial for charges that he hoarded top secret documents across Mar-a-Lago is currently set for May 2024 He has pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing. The presidential election is set for November 5, 2024, with Trump currently leading the GOP field in the months before the primary season. Trump's defense lawyers argued that postposing the trial by several months was necessary due to scheduling conflicts. Another federal trial is scheduled for March 2024 in Washington, and one of Trump's lawyers, Christopher Kise, is also representing him in an ongoing civil fraud case in New York. His lawyers also said that there have been several delays in obtaining and reviewing classified records cited in special counsel Jack Smith's indictment. 'The Special Counsels Office has not provided some of the most basic discovery in the case,' read the motion from Kise and another Trump attorney, Todd Blanche. 'Given the current schedule, we cannot understate the prejudice to President Trump arising from his lack of access to these critical materials months after they should have been produced.' Trump is accused of hoarding government documents across his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago Documents were found piled across Mar-a-Lago, including on a stage The defense lawyers said they have access to only a 'small, temporary facility' in Miami to review classified documents, an arrangement that they say has slowed the process. But prosecutors with the special counsel accused Trump's legal team of seeking unreasonable delays in the case. While they acknowledged a 'slightly longer than anticipated timeframe' for certain procedural steps, the prosecutors said it was false to accuse them of delaying the production of evidence in the case. They said some of the delays were beyond their control and were due in part to the fact that defense lawyers had lacked the 'necessary read-ins to review all material' provided by the government. The Justice Department says it has so far provided about 1.28 million pages of unclassified documents and has turned over the majority of classified evidence that it anticipates producing. Several documents marked 'secret' were seen strewed across the floors of Mar-a-Lago Former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he leaves the courtroom during a lunch break in his civil business fraud trial, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in New York It is also in possession of 57 terabytes of CCTV footage, amounting to nine months worth. The agency's prosecutors said they will provide much of the remaining outstanding classified evidence by Friday. 'This production will include certain materials that Defendants have described as outstanding, including audio recordings of interviews and information related to the classification reviews conducted in the case,' prosecutors wrote. The defense lawyers say Trump's two co-defendants in the case, his valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira, are joining in the request. Rishi Sunak has arrived in Granada today to urge European leaders to follow Britain's tough action on illegal migration. The Prime Minister is attending a summit in the Spanish city and will point to his efforts to crackdown on small boat crossings in the Channel. The gathering of the European Political Community will be attended by the leaders of 47 countries. But there have already been tensions between those attending after the summit's Spanish hosts refused to put migration on the official agenda for the meeting. Instead national leaders will formally discuss Artificial Intelligence, climate action and the Ukraine war, with talks on migration due to be held on the sidelines of the summit. Rishi Sunak has arrived in Granada today to urge European leaders to follow Britain's tough action on illegal migration The Prime Minister is attending a summit in the Spanish city and will point to his efforts to crackdown on small boat crossings in the Channel It previously emerged how Mr Sunak had been demanding a formal focus on illegal migration at this week's EPC summit, but was rebuffed by Spain A group of people (pictured in August) thought to be migrants crossing the Channel in a small boat travelling from the coast of France and heading in the direction of Dover, Kent The European Political Community - the brainchild of French President Emmanuel Macron - was formed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. It brings together both European Union member states and those European nations that are outside the Brussels-based bloc. Former PM Liz Truss attended the first EPC summit in Prague last October, while Mr Sunak made a trip to Moldova in June for its second gathering. It previously emerged how Mr Sunak had been demanding a formal focus on illegal migration at this week's EPC summit, but was rebuffed by Spain. A European diplomat said the UK had 'pushed' for the agenda to be switched, but said the efforts were 'not going to go anywhere'. Mr Sunak and right-wing Italian PM Giorgia Meloni will lead breakaway talks on illegal migration and organised crime on the sidelines of the Granada summit. The PM will use the talks to raise the need for more coordinated action - including intelligence sharing - to address rising levels of illegal migration to Europe. A Government source told The Times: 'The mood music on illegal immigration in the EU is changing, with many EU leaders now saying very similar things to Rishi Sunak. 'They want to know how UK action secured a 20 per cent drop [in small boat arrivals to Britain] and want to work with us. It's very encouraging.' Ms Meloni recently welcomed European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, which has seen a recent surge in migrant arrivals. Speaking ahead of the EPC summit, Mr Sunak said: 'Levels of illegal migration to mainland Europe are the highest they have been in nearly a decade. 'With thousands of people dying at sea, propelled by people smugglers, the situation is both immoral and unsustainable. 'We cannot allow criminal gangs to decide who comes to Europes shores. 'When it comes to facing down the threat from Putin, confronting the risks and opportunities of AI or dealing with illegal migration, there is strength in unity. 'These issues transcend national borders and require creative Europe-wide solutions - that is what I will be discussing with my fellow leaders at the EPC summit in Spain today.' The EPC gathering today comes before an informal summit of EU leaders in the same city tomorrow. The bloc's member states are then set to use a formal European Council summit towards the end of this month to discuss their growing challenges with illegal migration. The Met Police has referred itself to the police watchdog after a black charity boss claimed she was bitten on the tube in front of an off-duty detective constable. Selma Taha, executive director of Southall Black Sisters, says she was travelling with female friends on the Northern Line on Friday when a white woman on the train became abusive. The group were allegedly taunted with monkey noises and slurs including 'b****es' and 'slaves' before the offender resorted to violence, The Independent reports. Ms Taha says 'clumps' of her hair were ripped out and she needed a tetanus injection and antibiotics to treat a deeply embedded bitemark. She said: 'Almost worse than the shock of the racist attack was the indifference of the police officer especially now when the Met police has been rocked by evidence of historical, institutionalised racism and misogyny suffered by Black and minoritised communities and finally backed up by the Casey report.' Selma Taha, executive director of Southall Black Sisters, says she was travelling with female friends on the Northern Line on Friday when a white woman on the train became abusive Ms Taha says 'clumps' of her hair were ripped out and she needed a tetanus injection and antibiotics to treat a deeply embedded bitemark After the train arrived at King's Cross, the two parties got off. Ms Taha and her group complained when the officer suggested both groups go their separate ways instead of arresting the woman. Eventually, the off-duty officer did apprehend the woman after Ms Taha threatened to report the incident to Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley. A Met Police spokesman confirmed an off-duty Met officer was present during the alleged attack. The Met stated: 'We are aware of an incident of alleged assault on a woman by another woman reported to British Transport Police, where an off-duty Met officer was present. We are making immediate enquiries to establish the exact circumstances. 'A complaint has been received to the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards and we have made a referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct. 'Any incident of violence, especially if it is racially motivated, is deeply distressing and requires a robust policing response. We will support British Transport Police with their investigation. 'The officer involved is being provided with welfare support during this process.' A British Transport Police spokesman added: 'Officers received a report around 11.30pm on September 29 of an altercation on board a Northern Line Underground train. 'An off-duty officer from the Metropolitan Police intervened and separated the group before escorting passengers off at the next stop, King's Cross, and calling the British Transport Police for assistance. 'BTP officers quickly attended and arrested a 30-year-old woman who was being detained by the off-duty officer on the platform. It was reported she had been racially abusive and bitten one of the group during the altercation. 'She was arrested on suspicion of assault and a racially aggravated public order offence and has been released on bail while enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances of what happened on board the train.' Ms Taha was appointed director of Southall Black Sisters in May last year. The charity was established in 1979 to meet the needs of Black and minoritised women in southwest London. It has also worked to expose many instances of male violence against women. The cause of death of a married couple who were found dead in a house in Yorkshire along with their two dogs remains unknown, an inquest heard. Amanda Ayres-Dunne, 49, and husband Barrie Dunne, 69, were found dead in the living room at their housing association property in Shiregreen, in Sheffield, on May 13 last year. South Yorkshire Police were called to the scene after a neighbour raised concerns about smells coming from the property. An inquest in Sheffield heard that detectives had ruled out any third party involvement in the couple's deaths, while there was no evidence of a 'suicide pact'. The pathologist described the circumstances of the discovery as 'very unusual' and concluded that the couple had been dead for some time because their bodies were 'significantly decomposed'. An inquest heard that detectives had ruled out any third party involvement in the couple's deaths, while there was no evidence of a 'suicide pact' (Pictured: Sheffield Coroner's Court) Detective Sergeant Helen Critchley of South Yorkshire Police told the hearing that a criminal investigation was launched but had ruled out any third party involvement in the deaths of the couple. The officer said that when officers attended their property in Sicey Avenue the doors were locked and the curtains were closed. She said the bodies of Amanda and Barrie were found in the living room along with their two dogs. The last person to hear from Barrie or Amanda was a man who spoke to his neighbour on the telephone on March 15, 2022. A number of tests were carried out to try to determine what had caused the deaths of Barrie and Amanda but these proved inconclusive. Checks on gas and electric meters showed that one was topped up on March 17, the other on March 10. The gas went off on April 6 and the electric went off on April 11. The boiler was checked and no leaks were found and there was no evidence that the couple had died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Det Sgt Critchley said neither cause of death could be ascertained but detectives had ruled out any third party involvement as there were no signs of disturbance at the property. She said various theories had been considered, including murder/suicide, but no notes had been left, and there were no signs of a struggle. The officer said there was no suggestion that the dogs had 'fed on the deceased' and it was thought that both Barrie and Amanda, and the dogs, had died around the same time. There were no reports from neighbours of dogs barking. 'We tend to believe all died around the same time,' the officer told the court. The inquest heard Barry had suffered from a number of conditions including depression, heart disease and epilepsy. Forensic pathologist Dr Charles Wilson, who carried out post mortem examinations, described the circumstances of the discovery of the bodies of Barrie and Amanda as 'very unusual'. He said that because two people and two dogs had been found dead in the same room made him consider that 'something in the environment' may have led to all four deaths. He said the state of decomposition had made it difficult to properly examine the bodies. Dr Wilson added that it was not possible to determine when the couple had died, but it could have been 'a week or two or even more.' He said it was possible that one of the couple could have died two or three days after the other. He did not believe that the dogs had outlived the couple. Dr Wilson concluded that the cause of death could not be ascertained in the case of both Barrie and Amanda. Coroner Natalie James gave an 'open' conclusion and said it was not possible to say what had caused their deaths. Following the conclusion, Amanda's brother Paul described them as a 'loving and happy couple'. Sister-in-law Maureen described them as a 'cheerful' couple whenever she had spoken to them on the phone. Scottish voters are going to the polls in a crunch by-election today as Sir Keir Starmer faces a crucial test of his hopes of becoming prime minister. The Rutherglen and Hamilton West contest will see a new MP chosen to replace the disgraced Margaret Ferrier, after she was kicked out over a breach of Covid rules. The vote result - which is set to be a close battle between Labour and the SNP - is expected in the early hours of Friday morning. There will be close scrutiny over Labour's performance as the by-election is a key examination of the party's bid to revive their fortunes in Scotland. Labour currently only has one Scottish MP but party figures are hopeful of winning a slew of seats north of the border at the general election. Regaining ground in Scotland is a key challenge for Sir Keir as he looks to become PM and he told the BBC last month he wants to win a significant number of seats in the country to ensure he has a 'mandate'. Scottish voters are going to the polls in a crunch by-election as Sir Keir Starmer faces a crucial test of his hopes of becoming prime minister Polling stations in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West contest opened at 7am and close at 10pm Michael Shanks is hoping to win the seat for Sir Keir's party in a by-election which will be a key examination of the Labour's bid to revive their fortunes in Scotland SNP candidate Katy Loudon is hoping to retain a seat her party won at the 2019 general election Asked if the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election was a must-win for Labour, he said: 'It is very important for us. There is no getting away from that.' One source close to Labour's by-election campaign claimed a comfortable win in Rutherglen and Hamilton West would suggest the party could compete for as many as 24 seats in Scotland at a general election. Sir Keir said: 'For the Labour Party it matters that we win in Scotland to have the mandate - to have the authority - to take the whole of the UK forward. 'I don't want to win a general election without winning more significantly in Scotland.' The by-election is also a first major electoral test for SNP leader Humza Yousaf, who took over as First Minister from Nicola Sturgeon earlier this year. He admitted Labour presented a 'challenge' but accused Sir Keir's party of being 'complacent'. Mr Yousaf also pointed to how the SNP are still the most popular party in Scotland. 'Labour are popping the Champagne corks - putting up the bunting, they are complacent,' he said. 'We've been in government for 16 years. Of course there's challenges. 'But 16 years in, with probably the most difficult six months my party has faced, we're still leading in the (national) polls.' SNP candidate Katy Loudon is up against Labour's Michael Shanks and Tory hopeful Thomas Kerr in today's by-election. Cameron Eadie and Gloria Adebo are running for the Greens and Scottish Liberal Democrats, respectively. Polling stations opened at 7am and close at 10pm. At the 2019 general election, the SNP won 48 out of 59 seats, while Labour claimed a solitary victory in Edinburgh South. The result matched Labour's dismal showing at the 2015 general election, when they also suffered a near wipeout and won only one seat. It marked a rapid decline from the 2010 general election, when Labour won 41 out of 59 seats in Scotland as they continued a trend of holding a majority of seats in the country at every general election since the 1960s. Ms Ferrier became SNP MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West in 2015 when she beat the Labour incumbent in the seat. She narrowly lost the seat to Labour at the 2017 general election, but then took it back two years later in 2019. The 62-year-old was kicked out of the SNP after she was revealed to have broken Covid rules. Earlier this year, the Commons' Committee on Standards recommended Ms Ferrier be suspended from Parliament for 30 days for damaging the reputation of the House. The length of the suspension led to a recall petition, which was signed by nearly 15 per cent of local voters. This passed the 10 per cent threshold for removing Ms Ferrier from the Commons and triggering the by-election contest. A fourth grade teacher charged with raping a 12-year-old student has been rearrested after telling the boy she was pregnant with his child and wanted to keep the baby, according to a report. 'I'm going to raise this baby. I can do this,' Alissa McCommon, 38, told her victim in a recording of the phone call played in court Tuesday. She also alluded to being pregnant with the boy's child in another text message, the court heard. It has not been confirmed if McCommon is in fact pregnant or if the child is the possible father. McCommon was originally arrested in Covington, Tennessee, early last month for the alleged child sex attack. Late last month she was arrested again after claims she texted her victim saying 'you'll regret this' after being freed on bond. Alissa McCommon, a former Tennessee elementary school teacher, was arrested again after telling a boy she was pregnant with his child. She is pictured being arrested for a second time last month after she reportedly stalked and harassed the victim upon bonding out of jail McCommon, 38, reportedly told her former student and victim that he would 'regret this' in a threatening text message sent despite being barred from contacting the youngster McCommon is now facing stalking, harassment, and coercion raps in addition to prior rape charges. 'The evidence indicates McCommon texted a victim, using a specific code word known to the juvenile as a code word McCommon would previously utilize to confirm that the juvenile was alone, often before sending nude photographs on SnapChat,' the Covington Police Department said in a statement. 'After using the code word on 28 September 2023, the evidence indicates Mccommon sent multiple text messages to victim indicating he would "regret doing this". McCommon, using the same number, also admitted to a sexual encounter with the victim.' It comes after McCommon was accused of breaching a condition of her $25,000 bond stipulating that she'd have no contact with her alleged victim. McCommon texted the boy using a phone number he wasn't familiar with and used specific code words she'd previously used while sending him nude photos to identify herself, it is alleged. The 'you'll regret this' threat is then said to have followed. This time she was charged with coercion of a witness, aggravated stalking, tampering with evidence and harassment. The initial arrest in September came after multiple underage victims came forward and said that they were 'befriended' by their former teacher - who invited them to play video games with her and connected with them on social media apps. The ex-teacher was originally arrested earlier in September but was released on a $25,000 bond agreement under the condition that she would not contact her victim McCommon had been a fourth grade teacher at Charger Academy - an elementary school in Covington, Tennessee. She taught English and Language at the school until the district suspended her without pay on August 24 - although she ultimately resigned. Tipton County Director of School John Combs said last month: 'A parent brought forth allegations of misconduct on the morning of Thursday, August 24, and the teacher was suspended without pay later that same morning pending the outcome of the investigation.' The online interactions between the ex-teacher and her previous students allegedly escalated to her sending the minors inappropriate photographs and requesting that they engage in sexual relations with her. She allegedly abused one of the children - who was aged 12 or under - that she preyed on inside her home in 2021. Other victims have allegedly come forward saying that McCommon engaged in inapproriate behaviors with them and tried to 'befriend' them using online games and social media There was no evidence that any of the inappropriate behavior happened on any school campus - but McCommon confirmed that she had been talking to her former students inappropriately. The Tipton County Sheriff's Office worked with CPD detectives after multiple victims came forward with information about the inappropriate behavior of their former teacher. McCommon admitted to a sexual encounter with the same former student that she was messaging with her secret phone, Police said. Covington Police Chief Donna Turner said last month: 'The actions of McCommon are not only appalling, but CPD is also concerned about this apparent violation of her bond conditions, 'Due to the nature of the communications, we are concerned others may have been contacted. We will continue to seek the revocation of McCommon's bond, as well as aggressively prosecute the additional charges that continue to develop.' Workers at a remote Australian mine have been terrorised in two incidents allegedly involving axe-wielding offenders, one of which turned into a violent late night siege. Last Saturday shift workers at Gemco's mine at Alyangula, on Groote Eyelandt, 50km off the Northern Territory mainland, were forced to barricade themselves in a smoko room when 'up to five' intruders with axes allegedly broke in. Three workers needed treatment after the offenders forced their way into the mine at 2am and confronted Gemco employees. One of the workers was threatened with an axe, a second received a chest injury and another suffered an eye injury when an object, understood to be a screwdriver, was thrown. Workers at a remote Gemco mine off the coast of the Northern Territory have been terrorised in two incidents allegedly involving axe-wielding offenders, one of which turned into a violent late night siege. Pictured: Gemco's manganese mine on Groote Eylandt 'Around 2am, police received reports that up to five offenders unlawfully entered a mine site on Groote Eylandt, some armed with axes,' NT Police said in a statement. 'One worker was threatened with an axe while another was struck in the chest with a blunt object, suffering a laceration to their chest. 'A third worker suffered an injury to their eye when a window was smashed.' It is also alleged Gemco property was damaged during the incident. Police confirmed two men were arrested. 'Shortly after 6am yesterday morning, Serious Crime, Strike Force Trident and Alyangula general duties arrested 2 males without incident,' police said. The pair, who live on the island, are aged 20 and 17. The teenager was charged with six offences including aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, deprivation of liberty, unlawful entry, criminal damage and theft. He was bailed to appear in court on November 10. The older youth was charged with the same offences, plus recklessly endanger/ serious harm. He remains in custody and will appear in court on November 15. 'In the early hours of (Saturday) morning, some members of the public accessed the GEMCO mine site, causing damage and temporary disruption to the operation,' Gemco said in a Facebook post. 'GEMCOs priority is the safety of our people. We are working closely with the Police to assist with their inquiries.' Three workers needed treatment after the offenders forced their way into the mine at 2am and confronted Gemco employees. Pictured: work underway at a Gemco mine Groote Eyelandt is located 50km off the coast of NT in the Gulf of Carpentaria and 630km from Darwin The ABC also reported a second incident on Tuesday afternoon where two men, also believed to be carrying axes, approached the mine. A spokesman for South32, which runs the mine, confirmed it was again locked down and 'operations were suspended on Tuesday night to ensure the safety of our people'. Police investigations are continuing. Daily Mail Australia contacted NT Police for further comment. Rishi Sunak met with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky as they met at a European summit in Granada. The Prime Minister warmly greeted the Ukrainian President as they both attended a gathering of the European Political Community in the Spanish city. Mr Sunak was expected to use the meeting to confirm new allocations of British humanitarian aid to help Ukrainians survive a second winter under siege by Russian forces. Talks between European leaders in Granada are due to focus on the ongoing work to provide air defence, fighter jets and long-range weapons to Kyiv. The discussions are also likely to focus on efforts to end Russia's blockade of Black Sea grain shipments. Evidence suggests that attacks by Vladimir Putin's forces have destroyed enough grain to feed more than one million people for a year. The EPC meeting being attended by Mr Zelensky comes at a fraught time for continued Western support for Ukraine. Poland last month declared it would no longer be supplying weapons to its neighbour, amid a diplomatic dispute over Kyiv's grain exports. Meanwhile, there have been warnings that US funding for Ukraine could become a casualty of infighting between Republicans in Washington DC. Rishi Sunak met with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky as they met at a European summit in Granada The Prime Minister warmly greeted the Ukrainian President as they both attended a gathering of the European Political Community in the Spanish city Mr Sunak was expected to use the meeting to confirm new allocations of British humanitarian aid to help Ukrainians survive a second winter under siege by Russian forces The historic removal of Kevin McCarthy as the speaker of the US House of Representatives has thrown further doubt over American support for Kyiv. It has been suggested Mr McCarthy's replacement as speaker, if they come from the growing number of Republican critics of US aid for Ukraine, could try and put a block on continued assistance. New British aid allocations for Ukraine announced today include 34million for the UN and charities providing shelter and warm winter clothing and 10million for household electricity, following Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The UK's fourth loan guarantee of $500 million has been disbursed via the World Bank to ensure Ukraine can provide life-saving winter support payments to three million households. As well as talks on Ukraine, Mr Sunak will urge European leaders in Granada to follow Britain's tough action on illegal migration. He will point to his efforts to crackdown on small boat crossings in the Channel. The gathering of the European Political Community will be attended by the leaders of 47 countries. But there have already been tensions between those attending after the summit's Spanish hosts refused to put migration on the official agenda for the meeting. Instead national leaders will formally discuss Artificial Intelligence, climate action and the Ukraine war, with talks on migration due to be held on the sidelines of the summit. The European Political Community - the brainchild of French President Emmanuel Macron - was formed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. It brings together both European Union member states and those European nations that are outside the Brussels-based bloc. Former PM Liz Truss attended the first EPC summit in Prague last October, while Mr Sunak made a trip to Moldova in June for its second gathering. It previously emerged how Mr Sunak had been demanding a formal focus on illegal migration at this week's EPC summit, but was rebuffed by Spain. A European diplomat said the UK had 'pushed' for the agenda to be switched, but said the efforts were 'not going to go anywhere'. Rishi Sunak has arrived in Granada today to urge European leaders to follow Britain's tough action on illegal migration The Prime Minister is attending a summit in the Spanish city and will point to his efforts to crackdown on small boat crossings in the Channel It previously emerged how Mr Sunak had been demanding a formal focus on illegal migration at this week's EPC summit, but was rebuffed by Spain A group of people (pictured in August) thought to be migrants crossing the Channel in a small boat travelling from the coast of France and heading in the direction of Dover, Kent Mr Sunak and right-wing Italian PM Giorgia Meloni will lead breakaway talks on illegal migration and organised crime on the sidelines of the Granada summit. The PM will use the talks to raise the need for more coordinated action - including intelligence sharing - to address rising levels of illegal migration to Europe. A Government source told The Times: 'The mood music on illegal immigration in the EU is changing, with many EU leaders now saying very similar things to Rishi Sunak. 'They want to know how UK action secured a 20 per cent drop [in small boat arrivals to Britain] and want to work with us. It's very encouraging.' Ms Meloni recently welcomed European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, which has seen a recent surge in migrant arrivals. Speaking ahead of the EPC summit, Mr Sunak said: 'Levels of illegal migration to mainland Europe are the highest they have been in nearly a decade. 'With thousands of people dying at sea, propelled by people smugglers, the situation is both immoral and unsustainable. 'We cannot allow criminal gangs to decide who comes to Europe's shores. 'When it comes to facing down the threat from Putin, confronting the risks and opportunities of AI or dealing with illegal migration, there is strength in unity. 'These issues transcend national borders and require creative Europe-wide solutions - that is what I will be discussing with my fellow leaders at the EPC summit in Spain today.' The EPC gathering today comes before an informal summit of EU leaders in the same city tomorrow. The bloc's member states are then set to use a formal European Council summit towards the end of this month to discuss their growing challenges with illegal migration. A Welsh grandfather is among 100 steelworkers who had their pensions plundered by a rogue financial advisor who pocketed 1million. Smooth-talking Darren Reynolds convinced 63-year-old Malcolm Sibthorpe and hundreds of others to invest in 'profitable and safe' schemes which actually paid him big commissions instead of saving them money. Reynolds was paid more than 1,010,000 through the scam until he was rumbled by experts. He has since been fined 2.2million and banned from working in finance for life for dishonestly advising 670 customers, including 150 steelworkers. Mr Sibthorpe, from Ebbw Vale, South Wales, said he was left 'in tears' after finding out he had lost 50,000 from a pension saved over 40 years after trusting Reynolds' Active Wealth Limited business. He said Reynolds had the 'gift of the gab' when he tried to sweet-talk him and his wife Edwina into taking his advice. Malcolm Sibthorpe says he lost 50,000 from his pension after listening to rogue financial advisor Darren Reynolds. Pictured: Malcolm with his wife Edwina The grandfather says he was 'in tears' after realising he had lost money he had saved over 40 years. Pictured: Mr Sibthorpe eating an ice cream in the countryside He said: 'He knew what he was doing. He just ripped everyone off. 'He knew he was stealing money from us, but he wasn't the only one.' Mr Sibthorpe was one of thousands of steelworkers trying to manage their future savings after the British Steel Pension Scheme was restructured in 2017. He said: 'I think we were gullible, he told us we would lose 10 per cent if we went with the government scheme and we wouldn't be able to get our money out. That's how he sold it to us. 'He told he us he did pensions for the police and Post Office. When we saw his name on the FCA website we thought it was legitimate.' But months later Mr Sibthorpe and other workers began to worry about the scheme they had placed their money in and contacted Reynolds. He said: 'I phoned and he said he would get my money out, but I never heard from him again. We were crying. We didn't know what was going to happen with our money.' Mr Sibthorpe got his pension pot back four months after choosing to go with Reynolds - but it was 50,000 smaller due to transfer fees. Reynolds was investigated by the Financial Conduct Authority who found he 'had a clear disregard for customers' interests in favour of his own personal gain.' Mr Sibthorpe said Reynolds had the 'gift of the gab' when he tried to sweet-talk him and his wife Edwina into taking his advice Mr Sibthorpe was one of thousands of steelworkers trying to manage their future savings after the British Steel Pension Scheme was restructured in 2017. Pictured: The Port Talbot steelworks in South Wales The FCA said: 'He dishonestly established, maintained and concealed a business model which incentivised recommending products which produced the highest commission for the adviser rather than the best outcome for the customer..' It said that Reynolds made 1.01million in prohibited commission payments. They added: 'These payments were funnelled via companies connected to Mr Reynolds and were intentionally designed to disguise their true origins.' Reynolds was fined 2,212,316 and banned from working in financial services. His colleague Andrew Deeney was also fined 397,400 and banned from working in financial services. Therese Chambers, Joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight, said: 'This is one of the worst cases we have seen. 'Mr Reynolds, who allowed evidence to be destroyed and who has consistently sought to evade accountability, and Mr Deeney, lied and lied again. They said the pair lied 'to dupe people into leaving safe pension schemes and placing money meant for their retirement in unsuitable, high-risk investments then to try and hide their misconduct from us. 'Their motivation was based on self-enrichment. Such people have no place in our industry.' The Spanish island experienced its worst fires for decades in August After 3,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Tenerife on October 4 and 5 another European holiday destination has been hit by potential travel chaos. The Spanish island was hit by its worst wildfires for decades in August and while these were brought under control, they were never fully extinguished. The latest outbreak has only had a fraction of the impact of summer's at 30 hectares (70 acres) but will still lead to would-be tourists wondering if it is wise to make the journey to the Canary Islands. So, where are the fires? And is it safe to travel to Tenerife? Read the answers below. Some 3,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes overnight as yet another wildfire began tearing through parts of Tenerife After one night, an area of just 30 hectares (70 acres) was affected as firefighters battled to keep the blaze contained The 30 hectares - far short of August's 14,000 hectares - which have been impacted are around the towns of Santa Ursula and La Orotava Where are the wildfires in Tenerife? The 30 hectares which have been impacted by the blaze are around the towns of Santa Ursula and La Orotava. The fires in August were also in this area, but extended far further to wipe out 14,000 hectares (35,000 acres) of pine forest and scrubland, forcing 12,000 people to abandon their homes for weeks. And there are fears that the latest outbreak will expand towards that size, as a result of the island's years of drought and unusually high October temperatures. Changing winds which are forecast also make potential developments of the situation less predictable. Is it safe to travel to Tenerife? One of the most popular parts of Tenerife among tourists - Puerto de la Cruz - is roughly just 3 miles (5km) from the site of the recent wildfires. However, the UK government has not updated its travel advice for Spain in light of the blaze, with no international restrictions in place regarding travel. Neither of Tenerife's airports, the north of which is closer to the fires, have experienced delays as a result of the fires. Management of the situation has already been assumed by the Government of the Canary Islands, with Hundreds of firefighters and soldiers have been deployed to tackle the blaze to extinguish the blaze the day after it broke out, and helicopters also locally available if required. A helicopter flies over the area of La Corujera on October 5, after the wildfire broke out the previous night What should I do if my flight is cancelled? Should your flight be unexpectedly cancelled, there are a number of different options. You are legally entitled to a full refund, which extends to other flights from the airline that you cannot use made in the same booking, such as an onward or return flight. You also have the option of a replacement flight to get you to your destination. If a flight cancellation delays you by at least two hours, you have the right to be helped with costs such as an overnight stay at the airport. Similarly, if the replacement flight offered to you has delayed you by two hours or more, and you were given less than two weeks' notice, you are legally entitled to compensation. Indianapolis police have captured a 'very aggressive' fugitive monkey named Momo who raised hell in his neighborhood after escaping his owner's house. The monkey fled from Wayne Pham's home in the Irongate neighborhood in east Indianapolis Wednesday evening and and evaded local cops overnight, clambering on neighbor's cars, necking cans of beer from trash cans and even injuring locals. 'Momo the monkey has been captured safely. That was more than enough monkey business for us,' police said Thursday. Momo appeared to be disappointed with his rescue in a photo shared by Indianapolis police, where a man is seen grasping him close and holding onto his tail. During a sighting of Momo Thursday morning, Pham attempted to lure the animal out of a tree with a peach, reported Fox 59. Momo the fugitive monkey has been capture by police. In a photo shared by authorities he appears to be disappointed with his rescue The monkey escaped from his owners home in east Indianapolis Wednesday evening Neighbors shared their sightings of the escape artist on social media. One user posted a video of Momo jumping on her car Authorities said the escapee was running down a street on the east side of the city when a dog barked at him, causing him to jump into some trees. The Indianapolis Zoo told WTHR Momo is a patas monkey, which are well-known as the fastest primate on land, capable of running over 30 mph. Multiple photos and videos have emerged on social media from neighbors who spotted the escape artist roaming through their yards, clambering on cars and even scratching on doors. Momo's owner shared pictures of him munching on potato chips. This is the monkey's second escape, in July his owner post the monkey was missing but was later found 'There are reports of minor injuries from the monkey but we can't confirm it is from bites,' police said. Stunned resident Karri Harbert shared a video on Facebook of the escaped Momo nonchalantly walking across the hood of her car. 'I was starting to get out of my car again and the police (several of them) pulled up and told me to stay in the car that there is a very aggressive monkey on the loose,' wrote Harbert. Other videos show him strolling through the neighborhood and roaming around people's lawns. Another woman claimed he broke into her garage and drank from her Pepsi can. 'He ran up in my garage, pinned against the door and I had to take a stool and put it between me and the monkey to kind of dodge the monkey away until I got into the house,' she said. Pham posted in the 'Indy pets: Lost & Found' Facebook group pleading for help to find his missing monkey. 'Please if you see him don't approach him just call police or animal control,' wrote Pham. In the post he shared photos of Momo snacking Lays potato chips, revealing his taste for junk food. Indianapolis police said there are reports of minor injuries from the monkey, but did not confirm if they are from bites According to Pham's previous posts in the group, this is not the first time Momo has made a great escape. On July 10, he shared that Momo had gotten loose and was later found. Indiana is one of the 24 states where it is legal to own a pet monkey. A porch pirate used her food delivery job as a ruse to steal packages from suburban houses in broad daylight. Juliana Saggaram, 33, was caught on doorbell security footage pretending to drop off a DoorDash order only to scurry away with a package she stole from outside the house. The woman, from East Elmhurst in Queens, repeated her bold plan twice in 48 hours before she was caught red-handed by her third victim. The 54-year-old victim busted her scheme when he reported his stolen package on Wednesday in Manhasset, New York. The suspected thief used her position as a DoorDash delivery-person, a 'dasher', to cover-up her alleged crimes. A porch pirate was caught on camera stealing packages while pretending to deliver food in broad daylight Juliana Saggaram, 33, used her status as a DoorDash delivery-person to cover-up for her alleged crimes of stealing packages Saggaram was reportedly arrested and charged with two counts of Petit Larceny and issued an appearance ticket The porch pirate managed to complete her plan two separate times before getting caught by her third victim - a 54-year-old man Before getting caught on camera - Saggaram had stopped by a Chipotle to pick up an order of Mexican fast-food to use as a prop in her plan. According to her Linkedin profile, Saggaram is a promoter at Hart Agency - a modelling agency in New York City. The hustler said in a post: 'I love my city!! If youre in New York we can make business together!! Lets make money.' The security video showed Saggaram - who was wearing a bright orange skirt and a black crop top with sunglasses - climbing the steps to the front door of the residential house and crouching down to drop off the bag of food. She swiftly grabs the package and stands back up - still clutching the bag of food - and then scurries away from the house and onto the street. Saggaram was charged with two counts of Petit Larceny and issued an appearance ticket, according to the NY Post. Porch pirates are often getting caught in the act by doorbell security cameras. Security footage from a doorbell camera in August showed the shocking moment a Virginia porch pirate snatched an iPad straight out of the FedEx worker's hands and then bolted off in a BMW. In September 2023 a victim of porch piracy got so fed up of having her packages stolen that she decided to seek revenge on her thief. The Texas mom tricked a serial porch pirate into stealing a fake delivery filled with dirty diapers - only for him to return and smear them on her door in revenge. Walmart has revealed shoppers are buying less food thanks to the increasing popularity of 'miracle' drugs like Ozempic - while restaurants are also whittling down portion sizes. The weight loss wonder jab has proven a hit among the wealthy, with healthcare providers in the US writing more than nine million prescriptions for appetite suppression medications during the last three months of 2022. This figure is likely to have ballooned since, as appetite for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy grew this year. Recent analysis suggests as many as 15% of Americans - around 150 million people - have now tried the drugs. Amid this rocketing trend, which shows no sign of stopping, retailers have already noticed a marked impact on grocery hauls and restaurant orders. New York socialite Libbie Mugrabi, 43, who is taking Ozempic along with many of her friends, said their restaurant orders have become much more conservative. New York socialite Libbie Mugrabi , 43, who is taking Ozempic along with many of her friends, said their restaurant orders have become much more conservative thanks to the drug Sammy Muscovic, who owns Sojourn and Sojourn Social in the neighborhood said the branches have begun serving smaller versions of flagship meals, including burgers without fries and three spring rolls for $8 instead of the standard $12 for five High-end restauranteurs are also feeling the pinch from the changing habits of their ever-slimmer clientele. 'People have been leaving a lot of food at the table,' according to Thomas Makkos, the owner of Nello on Madison Avenue, New York The ex wife of billionaire art collector David Mugrabi said a recent trip to the chic new Caviar Kaspia on New York City's Upper East Side saw her table of six order very little. Mugrabi revealed they ordered only scrambled eggs with salmon, a crab salad and a $540 baked potato filled with osetra - one of the most expensive types of caviar - and they didn't even finish their meals. Referring to the Ozempic jab, she told the New York Post: 'I can't even eat all the caviar, but that's the point of the shot!' Known as the 'skinny jab', Ozempic is the brand name for the diabetes drug semaglutide, which is taken as a weekly injection and has reportedly helped stars such as Kim Kardashian and actress Christina Hendricks rapidly shed the pounds. Semaglutide drugs - which also include Mounjaro and Wegovy - were designed for type 1 diabetics and require a prescription. They are not sold over the counter. High-end restauranteurs are also feeling the pinch from the changing habits of their ever-slimmer clientele. 'People have been leaving a lot of food at the table,' Thomas Makkos, the owner of Nello on Madison Avenue, New York, told the Post. Makkos revealed that the restaurant is now offering 'tapas' size portions, and smaller versions of popular meals like the Gnocchi Mona Lisa. The standard version of this meal costs $51, while a newly-created more modest version costs $39. Known as the 'skinny jab', Ozempic is the brand name for the diabetes drug semaglutide, which is taken as a weekly injection and has reportedly helped stars such as Kim Kardashian and actress Christina Hendricks rapidly shed the pounds Kim Kardashian is said to be on the miracle weight loss drug Ozempic For Walmart, Ozempic is a double-edged sword, because as they profit from its sales in their pharmacies, they're seeing consumers spend less on food in store Several more Upper East Side restaurants are evolving in a similar way. Sammy Muscovic, who owns Sojourn and Sojourn Social in the neighborhood said the branches have begun serving smaller versions of flagship meals, including burgers without fries and three spring rolls for $8 instead of $12 for five. 'Customers have been saying that the food was amazing but they feel full we don't want them to be overwhelmed if they aren't hungry,' Muscovic told the Post. David Tornek, CEO and founder of Meat Market, said he's had to 'double inventory in all locations' to satisfy the Ozempic-fueled demand for smaller meals. The Florida-based steak house now serves increasing numbers of 6-ounce petite filet mignons, with fewer orders for the 12-ounce version. For Walmart, Ozempic is a double-edged sword, because as they profit from its sales in their pharmacies, they're seeing consumers spend less on food in store. John Furner, CEO of the grocery giant, said shoppers are purchasing 'fewer units' while opting for foods with 'slightly less calories'. WEIGHT LOSS: Christina Hendricks posted a picture of her new figure after Ozempic Billionaire Elon Musk, who owns Twitter, admitted that taking the drug helped him shed 30lb 'We definitely do see a slight change compared to the total population, we do see a slight pullback in overall basket,' Furner told Bloomberg. The retailer is analyzing changes in consumer habits using anonymized data among people taking the weight loss drug made by Novo Nordisk A/S and similar products. Furner said it's too soon to come to a definite conclusion about the impact of the diabetes drugs, but he is noticing a pattern. A Bronx daycare owner, her husband and his cousin have appeared in court after allegedly killing a baby with a stash of fentanyl that was hidden in the building. Grei Mendez, 36, her husband Felix Herrera Garcia, 34, and his cousin Carlisto Brito, 41, were arraigned on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree drugs possession and four counts of first-degree assault at the Bronx Supreme Court on Thursday. The trio were remanded in custody and are due back in court on November 27. One-year-old Nicholas Feliz Dominici died on September 15 after being exposed to fentanyl at the Divino Nino Daycare center in the Bronx. Prosecutors allege the childcare center was being used as a front for a drug dealing. Following Nicholas' death, Garcia fled to Mexico and sparked an international manhunt that ultimately led to his capture 11 days later in Sinaloa. Grei Mendez appeared in court charged with two counts of causing death through the distribution of narcotics Felix Garcia was arrested in the Sinaloa city of Culiacan during a traffic stop after an 11-day manhunt Carilisto Brito, 41, is escorted through the Bronx criminal court on Thursday Nicholas Feliz, 1, died on September 15 after ingesting fentanyl at a Bronx day care His wife Grei Mendez reportedly called her husband twice and then deleted more than 21,000 messages before alerting the authorities to the unresponsive children. Nicholas was pronounced dead at the scene, while two two-year-old boys and an eight-month-old baby girl were saved with overdose-reversal drug Narcan. Garcia was filmed by security cameras carrying plastic bags as he fled from the back door of the nursery. Announcing Thursday's indictment, District Attorney Darcel Clark said: 'A beautiful little boy lost his life and three precious children aged eight months to two years became seriously ill from fentanyl poisoning. 'This is a catastrophe. Our sorrow is matched only by outrage because these babies were shields to protect a narcotics operation. Nicholas' death was entirelyexcruciatinglyneedless and avoidable. We will get justice for him, the other children and their families.' In the aftermath, photos shared by police showed bags full of powder inside the 'trap floor,' a few steps away from a shelf of children's toys. According to the investigation, a kilo of fentanyl was found in a closet in the daycare, and six kilos of fentanyl, heroin and other controlled substances were found under the floor, beneath a padded mat where children napped. Cops also found multiple devices used by traffickers for mixing drugs and pressing it into bricks. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said last week 'one grain, two grains of fentanyl can take down a grown man so even the residue itself for a small child, would cause the death.' According to reports, there were no previous complaints made against Divino Nino Daycare. The daycare has a capacity of eight children between the ages of six weeks to 12 years old, records show. One of the secret hiding places for drugs found by prosecutors at the Bronx nursery Photos released by the DA's office show the nursery as it was found on the day the baby died Authorities escort Grei Mendez out of a police precinct in the Bronx following her arrest in connection to the death of a one-year-old boy who died at her day care center September 15 Herrera, the husband of the Bronx daycare owner who has been charged in the fentanyl-related death of a baby, was seen escaping the area on September 15. He was arrested in Culiacan, Mexico, 11 days later Nicholas Feliz, 1, died at Divino Nino Daycare on September 15 Nicholas' heartbroken father, Otoniel Feliz, 32, told DailyMail.com it had been the boy's first week at the daycare. 'We had a good recommendation. We were told it was a great place. It looked like a nice place,' he explained. But within one week of being cared for at the daycare, Nicholas ingested fentanyl - a substance that has caused a spike in overdoses across the U.S. Otoniel said they'd been given a tour of the daycare the first time they dropped their son off and it looked like any other, with toys and kids' furniture inside. But after enrolling their son, Otoniel and his wife were never allowed to come back in their son often being brought to them by their caretakers, he claimed. 'Parents don't have permission to go inside. You see it on the first day to see where your son will be, but after that you don't have permission to go in,' he claimed. 'They said they 'don't want contamination from the outside to go inside because they keep everything clean,' that's what they said. 'My wife called me saying our child is going to hospital. We thought he was fine, 10 minutes later, my wife called me back on the way to the hospital and said he died.' Divino Nino Daycare passed its annual unannounced inspection with zero violations on September 6, city records note after receiving its license in May. DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said: 'As alleged, Paredes had an instrumental role in this conspiracy and is charged with narcotics distribution and death in connection with the poisoning of four children. 'The alleged drugs and materials seized in the trap are indicative of a prolific drug packaging operation. 'Traffickers often hide contraband in inconspicuous or unsuspecting locations with no regard for the safety of others. 'In this case, the Daycare's floorboards were used as concealment, putting children's lives at risk who innocently sat on the floor to play. 'I reiterate that DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue justice for all members of this trafficking ring.' The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes Fentanyl as a powerful synthetic opioid that is FDA-approved to treat severe pain. Over the past decade fentanyl has been made and distributed illegally and other illegally made synthetic opioids have been increasingly found in the drug supply. Following Nicholas' death, Garcia fled to Mexico and sparked an international manhunt that ultimately led to his capture 11 days later in Sinaloa During this time fentanyl and related substances have contributed to a dramatic rise in drug overdose deaths in the United States. The rate of drug overdose deaths involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl more than tripled in the United States from 2016 through 2021, according to a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, and has increasingly been mixed with other illicit drugs often with lethal results. The CDC report showed that the rate of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl increased from 5.7 per 100,000 people in 2016 to 21.6 per 100,000 in 2021. Fentanyl-related deaths rose by about 55% in 2019-2020, and 24.1% in 2020-2021, said Merianne Rose Spencer, one of the report's authors. A Chicago man who has been allegedly exposing himself to neighbors for years has finally been charged by police. Female residents of the downtown high-rise condo building across the street have been struggling to bring the problem to the attention of law enforcement for several years. James Bakk, 70, was arrested and charged by Chicago police with two misdemeanor accounts of public indecency. The women, including condo owner Kaitlyn Brynarski, called Bakk's behavior a 'daily nightmare.' '24/7, he's naked in his unit,' she told WGNTV. 'For 10-to-15 minutes a day, he will go near the windows and expose himself and touch himself.' She described the view as so violating that she's considering selling her condo and has been since she moved in two years ago. James Bakk, 70, has been arrested and charged by Chicago police after years of allegedly exposing himself to his neighbors A second, unidentified woman kept a log over the last 10-months that shows Bakk has exposed himself a total of 68 times, sometimes more than once per day. 'I do feel like it's a former of sexual harassment,' the woman said in August. Earlier this year, Bryniarski confronted Bakk in the lobby of his building, telling him that what he's doing is 'not okay,' and she's had 'enough!' At the time, he responded: 'I understand,' but did not ultimately stop his bad behavior. The women filed a police report that stated the man once approached the window naked and waved. They also said he has previously held up a sign that said 'come over.' When the women's police report, complaints to building management, and to their city alderman, all went nowhere, they eventually turned to WGN to bring attention to the plight. In August, the local outlet reported the story and the police later arrested Bakk. Police had previously told the women that the man could not be charged with a crime because he was inside his home. Maggie Mendenhall Casey, who has prosecuted public indecency cases for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said she disagreed with the police perspective. 'A public place under the law doesn't have to be outside. It can be in your home, if you're someplace where you can reasonably be expected to be seen by others,' she said. In Illinois, she added, for an individual to be charged with public indecency, it must be proven that they exposed themselves with the 'intent to arouse.' Casey said based on her review of the videos, the women's cell phone videos of Bakk, she 'would go forward' were the 'case presented in front of me.' The women, including condo owner Kaitlyn Brynarski, called Bakk's behavior a 'daily nightmare' Bakk, who has previously been confronted by his neighbors and the media, is seen leaving court A still from a cell phone video taken by one of Bakk's neighbors One part of the arrest report says that police have a signed complaint stating that the man 'was naked in his residence, looked toward her direction and began masturbating.' The accused harasser has not yet entered a plea and declined to comment when approached by WGN outside of court. When confronted by a WGN reporter in August, he acknowledged that his neighbors had asked him to stop exposing himself in a way that was clearly visible to residents across the street. He said that the women should simply 'put the blinds down.' Case was eventually settled in July 2021 - weeks before she moved into Sascha Jovanovic's Brentwood Airbnb, where she has lived for the last 540 days Hirschhorn, 55, sublet a room at a $2.6M home in Oakland in September 2019 but refused to move out after the original tenant left due to her behavior Tenant from hell Elizabeth Hirschhorn was kicked out of a $2.6million rental in Oakland, California, less than two months before moving into the ritzy Brentwood guesthouse she has since refused to leave, DailyMail.com can reveal. Hirschhorn, 55, is demanding $100,000 to leave the luxury Los Angeles property that she rented through Airbnb in September 2021 and has been squatting in ever since. Now, as she is pictured here for the first time, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal Harvard-educated Hirschhorn did the same thing to a Bay Area landlord and cited Covid-19 in that case as well before eventually settling the case in July 2021. Hirschhorn, who previously lived in Pasadena, California, and in Tucson, Arizona, with her elderly parents, can been seen in unearthed social media photos posing with fellow alumni at the class of 1990's 25-year reunion in 2015. Court filings reveal the current Brentwood tenant-landlord dispute is strikingly similar to the Oakland case, which also saw Hirschhorn embroiled in a dispute over cleaning, with the man from whom she initially sublet the property moving out due to her 'hostile behavior', leaving her alone in the house where she continued to stay despite having no tenancy agreement and paying no rent. Elizabeth Hirschhorn, the Airbnb guest refusing to leave homeowner Sascha Jovanovic's guesthouse in Brentwood Hills, LA, has been unmasked by DailyMail.com. She is pictured posing with a fellow grad at her Harvard alumni reunion in 2015 Los Angeles property: Hirschhorn first rented the luxury home through Airbnb in September 2021 and has been living there for the past 540 days rent-free. She is now demanding $100,000 to vacate the house Oakland property: Court filings obtained by DailyMail.com reveal Hirschhorn was involved in a similar squatting dispute at this cottage she sublet in 2019. The case was settled just two months before she moved into her current rental Hirschhorn also recently settled another dispute this time over an unpaid $19,000 American Express credit card bill. As in the other cases, she countersued claiming she wasn't liable for the full amount before being ordered to pony up both the bill and AMEX's legal costs by a Los Angeles judge in April. Homeowner Sascha Jovanovic approved a six-month stay for Hirschhorn from September 13, 2021 to March 19, 2022 but she has since refused to vacate the home Calls, texts and emails to Hirschhorn by DailyMail.com regarding both her current situation and her previous property dispute went unanswered. Hirschhorn has now been dubbed 'America's worst Airbnb renter' after it emerged that she has squatted in the guesthouse belonging Sascha Jovanovic, 61, for more than 540 days after her initial six-month tenancy expired while paying no rent. Jovanovic, who bought his palatial $3.8million mansion since 1997, has repeatedly tried to boot Hirschhorn out even offering alternative accommodation in a hotel and $2,000 to relocate. But despite his efforts, Hirschhorn told him that she wants $100,000 to move and added: 'I don't feel safe being forced to vacate with a housing disability and the high risks of Covid-19 complications.' DailyMail.com can reveal the Oakland case is strikingly similar and saw her sublet a room in a $2.6million cottage around September 2019 and then refuse to move out even after the original tenant left due to her behavior. As in the Jovanovic case, she ended up squatting in the home rent-free for more than a year and gave Covid regulations and health concerns as her reasons for staying put. Hirschhorn (pictured with a fellow Havard alum) has now been dubbed 'America's worst Airbnb renter' after it emerged that she has overstayed her six-month tenancy in Brentwood by 540 days The case involving this Oakland property has striking similarities to the Brentwood lawsuit, with records revealing the nightmare tenant ended up squatting in the home rent-free citing Covid regulations and health concerns As in the Jovanovic case, records show Hirschhorn also filed a countersuit against homeowners Brian and Gordon Bishop for 'negligence' Hirschhorn filed the suit also alleging 'intentional tort' According to the lawsuit, filed in October 2020, Hirschhorn claimed Bishop had released 'a harmful substance' into the home on November 22, 2019 And, like in the LA legal battle, she countersued landlords Brian and Gordon Bishop claiming their actions had been harmful to her health and accusing them of 'negligence'. According to the complaint, which was filed in August 2020, Hirschhorn had sublet a room in the property from tenant Alex Lewin but became involved in a dispute with him over cleaning. The papers say: '[Brian Bishop] is informed and believes, defendant made unreasonable requests of Mr. Lewin to replace all her personal items that were allegedly damaged by an unknown substance that was released into the air. 'Additionally, defendant made requests for Mr. Lewin to clean the premises in a very specific manner due to her hypersensitivity to allergens.' It is unclear precisely when Hirschhorn moved in, but a separate case over an unpaid credit card bill includes statements which show she rented a car from Enterprise near her former home in Pasadena, California, on August 30, 2019 and dropped it off in Oakland two days later. The legal documents go on to allege that Lewin moved out of the home on March 5, 2020 due to Hirschhorn's 'hostile' behavior and that she continued to live there after he left despite having no tenancy agreement with the Bishop brothers and not paying any rent. In her cross-complaint, which was filed in October 2020 giving the Oakland property as her address Hirschhorn claimed that Gordon Bishop had released 'a harmful substance' into the home on November 22, 2019. Although the Bishop brothers' complaint says Lewin had the property professionally cleaned, Hirschhorn claims the opposite and said he refused to do so. She then went on to say the landlords 'pressured' her to leave during the Covid-19 shutdown which amounted to negligence on their part. She said she returned 'following defendants' partial cleaning of the property on February 13, 2020. Further court papers obtained by DailyMail.com show Massachusetts native Hirschhorn was also sued by American Express over an unpaid credit card debt totaling $19,617.82 in February 2021 'However, the cleaning was insufficient,' she said and she 'continued to be exposed to the harmful substance and pressured by cross-defendants to vacate, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic shelter-in-place order.' As a result, she said she continued to suffer. The case was eventually settled on July 20, 2021 just over a month before Hirschhorn moved into the guesthouse Airbnb where she has lived for the last 540 days. Further court papers obtained by DailyMail.com show Massachusetts native Hirschhorn was also sued by American Express over an unpaid credit card debt totaling $19,617.82 in February 2021. The case, which was initially filed in Oakland before being moved to Los Angeles, also saw Hirschhorn countersue claiming the credit card company had not reimbursed her for a series of false charges made by a relocation company and that therefore, she was not liable. In the end, the case was settled after more than two years of wrangling in April with Hirschhorn forced to admit that she is on the hook for $19,037.96 plus costs and ordered to repay the money in installments of $541.67 per month. Hirschhorn's dispute with Airbnb host and renowned dentist Jovanovic is now at the center of an ongoing lawsuit to evict her, but an LA judge has said he has no right to remove the 'tenant.' Sascha Jovanovic rented the guesthouse of his Brentwood mansion out on Airbnb in September 2021 to Elizabeth Hirschhorn who has now lived in his guesthouse for 540 days longer than expected for free Court documents revealed that Jovanovic filed a lawsuit against his unwanted tenant with four complaints including negligence and trespassing after she outstayed her Airbnb agreement According to court documents, Jovanovic approved a six-month stay for Hirschhorn from September 13, 2021 to March 19, 2022 - a total of 187 nights - for $105 a night and $19,833 total. She extended her stay by 24 additional days with an end date of April 12. Things turned hostile when Jovanovic went to fix the electronic blinds in his guesthouse after receiving a complaint from Hirschhorn. When he was inside the property, he noticed there was mold and water damage around the sink, which he claimed were not there before her stay. Jovanovic claims he offered to pay for a hotel for Hirschhorn to stay in while he fixed the damages, but she refused and said, 'I don't feel safe being forced to vacate with a housing disability and the high risks of Covid-19 complications.' She also cited LA County's Covid regulations at the time as well as a medical note proving she had chemical sensitivities. After her refusal, Jovanovic offered her a stay in his own home - which she also declined because of her sensitivities to cats. Now, Hirschhorn is counter-suing her host she has claimed that he 'inappropriately invited' her to move into his house with him, according to the LA times. Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson has vowed to visit the southern border to assess the ongoing migrant situation - as more than 15,000 have flooded into the Windy City. The promise, made Wednesday at a press conference, comes roughly four months into the ex-Cook County commissioner's term, as sanctuary cities like his continue to grapple with waves of asylum seekers coming from Texas. The ex-schoolteacher who succeeded Lori Lightfoot, assured attendees that he would be visiting the border 'soon' but did could not specify when. Nearly 30 bus-loads of immigrants arrived in Chicago just last week - and that number is only set to get worse. Johnson, 47, said as many as 22 busloads of migrants could be arriving daily - as several have been seen sleeping on the city streets. Scroll down for video: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vowed Wednesday to visit the southern border to assess the ongoing migrant situation Migrants have been being bussed into the city for the past 14 months. On Wednesday, Johnson said as many as 22 busloads could be arriving daily going forward Citing how the 'growing crisis' has been a 'tremendous sacrifice' for the people of Chicago, Johnson told the crowd of reporters: 'We need to go assess the situation.' 'We need better coordination, quite frankly.' Announcing that a team from the Department of Homeland Security had arrived earlier that day to assess the situation, Johnson added that he had 'always' been concerned about the arrivals since becoming mayor this past May. The progressive also appeared to take shots at the Biden Administration - when asked about concerns about the growing number of migrants being housed in police stations, airports, and even schools. He said: 'This is a growing crisis, not only for the city of Chicago but for the entire globe. 'The population shift that we are experiencing as the result of the failure of federal policies is now impacting the people of Chicago in a very dramatic way,' he said. He went on to cite how 'serious this dynamic is' on the border - where thousands of migrants continue to cross illegally, before willingly turning themselves in to Border Patrol. From there, they are being bussed from cities in Texas such as Eagle Pass and El Paso - both of whose mayors have said they are at 'capacity' - to so-called sanctuary cities as a protest against immigration policies. At the time, Johnson's predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, touted Chicago as a place where migrants could find solace - but more than a year later, and after a disastrous first term, it has fallen on Johnson to address the worsening situation. Speaking to the public Wednesday, he said permanent shelters are going up 'every week', but that it has not been enough to address the near-daily arrivals - some of whom are seen here sleeping at makeshift shelter at O'Hare International Airport earlier this summer Speaking to the public Wednesday, he said permanent shelters are going up 'every week', but that it has not been enough to address and house the near-daily arrivals. He also pointed pointed the finger at Texas Governor Greg Abbot - the driving force behind the bus trips - for creating a problem he said both he and the federal government are now tasked with cleaning up. 'Based upon our interactions thus far. It is becoming increasingly clear that those who want to disrupt our democracy are committed to doing that,' he said of Abbot and other lawmakers in the Lone Star State. 'It's a real mission of theirs.' He added: 'And so our hope is that we will continue to get more resources and a stronger commitment from the federal government to be able to provide us with the support that the people of Chicago need.' In regard to his prospective visit to the 2,000 mile-long boundary, the mayor said: 'I am going to the border as soon as possible.' He quickly added: 'But I gotta coordinate that with running the government and making sure that my wife and children are secure as well.' When pressed more about a potential timeline, the progressive several times said he would visit 'soon.' Migrants take shelter inside the Chicago Police Department's 8th District station, another repurposed site being used as a shelter for many of the more than 15,000 migrants in the city Air passengers wait for rides as migrant families rest at a temporary shelter inside the bus and shuttle center at O'Hare International Airport this past Wednesday, when many Texas cities said had reached 'capacity' - an assertion also echoed by New York's Eric Adams 'Going to the border is to make sure that everybody knows that my administration is committed to making sure that we are putting together the full force of government at every single level to ensure that these families, who, by the way, theyre not illegal - theyre asylum-seekers - are protected by international law,' he said. Days earlier, New York Mayor Eric Adams said he too would be visiting the border, but to counteract his previously aired message that the Big Apple is open to migrants. Asked whether his message to migrants was more of the same, Chicago's 57th mayor simply said, 'No.' Addressing outcry from concerned citizens, Johnson said he 'certainly recognize[s] how hard it has been for the people of Chicago,' but quickly laid blame on members of his opposing parts. 'What I do know for sure, without action, the type of chaos that the Republican Party is causing is going to be greater,' Johnson said. 'We need shared responsibility from every single level of government. And so my concern did not start last week. It didn't start today. I've been concerned about this.' He went on to urge the city's some 2.6million residents to join 'the choir' of voices looking for help from the federal government - and politicians representing his state like fellow Democrat Gov. JB Pritzker. 'Join the choir pushing the federal government and the state government to continue to share the responsibility. That's what leadership does, that's what I'm doing,' he said. Thousands of migrants are pictured lining up to be processed on arrival in Eagle Pass, Texas, last week. At one point the line stretched five miles An ex-schoolteacher who succeeded Lori Lightfoot, Johnson, 47, assured attendees that he would be visiting the border 'soon', but said he would not be turning away any migrants In the meantime, the mass of arrivals have been housed in places like schools, airports, and police stations - forcing a flood of discourse at weekly community meetings where residents have voiced their displeasure with the city's current conditions. One woman, West Side resident Cata Truss said at one such meeting held in the city last week: 'I supported Mayor Brandon Johnson,' said. 'I feel like a fool right now. I feel like a plum fool.' Brought up in a suburban home a stone's throw from the city's center, Brandon Johnson surprised several by upsetting Lightfoot earlier this year - while campaigning on promises to build 'a better, stronger, safer Chicago'. He aired his vision of a place where 'all residents can live and work free from the threat of violence.' Today, shootings are down 12 percent from this time last year, while murders are down 10 percent. Carjackings are down 26 percent. Those numbers, however, are down historically high markers earned under Lightfoot during the pandemic, that before had not been seen in decades. Meanwhile, at the border, the U.S. Border Patrol made 181,509 arrests in August, up 37 percent from the month before - but little changed from August 2022 and well below the high of more than 220,000 in December, according to figures. It reversed a plunge in the numbers after new asylum restrictions were introduced in May. That comes after years of steadily rising migration levels produced by economic crisis and political and social turmoil in many of the countries people are fleeing. Once, just dozens of migrants from Central American countries would pass through Irapuato by train each day, said Marta Ponce, a 73-year-old from who has spent more than a decade providing aid to those who travel the tracks running through her town. Now, that number often reaches the thousands. Two former students at a prestigious drama college today won compensation after accusing senior staff of failing to properly investigate sexual assaults. Alyse McCamish and Sydney Feder, both 26, bravely waived their right to anonymity to sue the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama - the former college of stars such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones. Ms McCamish was awarded 14,000 in damages and Ms Feder 5,000 after a legal battle over their sex attack ordeal - saying college officials failed to properly protect students from sex predators. The judge also made a landmark ruling that universities do 'have a duty of care' to students to carry out reasonable investigations over allegations of sexual assault. The women claim assault was 'commonplace' amid a 'toxic environment' at the Cardiff college, where it was passed off as 'part of the student/acting experience' and something to be tolerated. Alyse McCamish, who is pictured outside Central London County Court, was awarded 14,000 in damages Sydney Feder (pictured outside Central London County Court), from Connecticut but is now London-based, alleges she was assaulted in a dressing room at the college in November 2017 by the same male student who assaulted Ms McCamish the previous year Ms McCamish (pictured), who is from Tennessee and auditioned for the college in Chicago, said she was sexually assaulted by a male student in 2016 Both women travelled from their homes in the Unites States to study at the college when they were teenagers. Ms McCamish, who is from Tennessee and auditioned for the college in Chicago, said she was sexually assaulted by a male student in 2016. She alleged he assaulted her four times in student accommodation, including allegations he masturbated in front of her and pushed her against a wall to perform oral sex over her pants. She was spurred into complaining in June 2017 after an improvisation class during which she was locked into a room with other students, including her alleged attacker, who then stripped naked, leaving her feeling 'upset, trapped and distressed.' But Ms McCamish, now an LA-based actor, said she reported the incidents to RWCMD in June 2017, but was told to go to the police or 'get over it'. She said she asked staff to separate her from the alleged perpetrator and told the court she did everything she could to avoid him. Despite the allegations, the alleged attacker was not suspended and it was not until January 2018 that Ms McCamish made a formal written complaint. 'When I first reported that I had been repeatedly sexually assaulted by a student who was violent and coercive and had carried out the first attack when I was incapacitated, the immediate response from RWCMD was "It sounds like a relationship gone wrong",' Ms McCamish said. 'I wasn't believed then and right up until the trial RWCMD said that they would put me to proof and that they would cross examine me about those assaults.' Ms Feder, from Connecticut but is now London-based, alleges she was assaulted in a dressing room at the college in November 2017 by the same male student who assaulted Ms McCamish the previous year. She claims she reported it to RWCMD two months later. She alleged the student entered a school changing room, ran at her, pinned her down on a desk and forcibly 'massaged' her back and head until she cried out in pain. The drama school concluded that there was 'insufficient evidence' to support Ms McCamish's claims but agreed Ms Feder had been subjected to 'inappropriate touching.' The male student was formally warned, suspended for two weeks, and required to agree a reintegration plan. He appealed and his suspension was halved. 'It is nearly six years since I reported that I had been sexually assaulted by a student at RWCMD,' Ms Feder said. 'Now that we have this judgment, for the first time I feel that somebody has heard what I have to say and agreed that what happened to me since then was wrong.' Ms Feder added: 'I hope that no student at RWCMD or any university has to go through what Alyse and I endured. Sadly, I have no confidence that RWCMD will not repeat their behaviour,' she added. Both women bravely waived their right to anonymity to sue the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (pictured) - the former college of stars such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones McCamish (pictured), now an LA-based actor, said she reported the incidents to RWCMD in June 2017, but was told to go to the police or 'get over it' Ms Feder alleged the student entered a school changing room, ran at her, pinned her down on a desk and forcibly 'massaged' her back and head until she cried out in pain 'I know of others who have suffered because their attitude towards sexual harassment.' Recorder John Halford ruled in favour of Ms McCamish and Ms Feder at the Central London County Court. He found RWCMD was negligent in its response to the sexual assault allegations. After the ruling, the RWCMD said: 'Nothing is more important to us than keeping our students safe. We are sorry that the women involved in this case were hurt by aspects of the way the college responded to their complaints. 'Since 2017, we've transformed how we respond to sensitive disclosures, how we deal with complaints or concerns and how we support and safeguard our students. 'We are also determined that at RWCMD we will continue to do everything we can to be a safe and respectful learning space.' Universities UK, which represents 142 institutions, said: 'Any instance of assault or harassment is unacceptable and it is vital that universities handle incidents robustly and appropriately. Universities understand that this work is ongoing, and there is more to do in this space.' In a statement following the judgment, RWCMD Principal Professor Helena Gaunt, said: 'Universities and the theatre/film industries have made real changes in recent years in relation to many of the issues raised in this case. This includes how challenging aspects of an actor's training - such as physical contact and intimacy - are taught.' Professor Gaunt said the school is today publishing a 10-point summary of changes it has introduced, adding that following a major review, the undergraduate actors course received a 100 per cent satisfactory rating in the National Student Survey. For 15 years, Brent Lee believed the world was run by a shadowy evil cabal of paedophiles orchestrating almost every atrocity from 9/11 to mass shootings. But now the 44-year-old works to combat disinformation and says he is 'totally obsessed' with challenging the wild theories he once wholeheartedly believed. The self-labelled 'recovering conspiracist' says he used to believe politicians performed ritual sacrifices and that terrorist attacks were government-orchestrated. But in 2018, he began to question his worldview when the 'alt-right' US broadcaster Alex Jones began claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was fake. The ex-truther saw theories that no one died and the parents of the 20 children who died were actors and thought it was 'implausible'. That was the beginning of the end for his belief in the wild 'alternative' explanations on the internet. Brent Lee works to combat disinformation and says he is 'totally obsessed' with challenging the wild theories he once wholeheartedly believed. Credit: Brent Lee In 2018, The 44-year-old began to question his worldview when the 'alt-right' US broadcaster Alex Jones began claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was fake. Credit: HC Podcast READ MORE - Russell Brand faces a second investigation into allegations against him as police probe 'sex predator' claims Advertisement Now, he looks back at his previous beliefs finds it 'funny', comparing it to believing in Santa Claus. But he warns that the truther community spreading disinformation can be dangerous, and told the Times how 'conspiracy influencers' like Russell Brand say they are 'anti-establishment' but are really just spreading conspiracy theories. Bristol-based Mr Lee, who will be addressing a conference in Poland on disinformation this month, told the Guardian: 'I felt, I can't deal with hearing this any more because it's no longer what I believe, so I just logged off the internet.' He added: 'Don't try to get me to make it make sense because it doesn't. This is why I get so embarrassed about what I believed.' In 2003, Mr Lee was 24 and working behind the till in a garage in Peterborough when he started watching videos that offered alternative perspectives on 9/11. The videos said the attacks were orchestrated by the US government as a way of justifying military action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Before he became a conspiracy theorist, he held a strong anti-war stance and a skepticism about politicians' motivations, but later believed that a network of secret societies and cults was running the world. The former conspiracy theorist used to believe evil politicians were performing satanic and morbid rituals. Credit: Brent Lee Mr Lee said he was ashamed of contributing to the spread of misinformation but he didn't intend to lie. Credit: Brent Lee Speaking on the HCPod podcast, he said: 'Within a few years I was thinking that the entire world was run by a secret society or a cult. That they were trying to raise the Antichrist. That we were constantly under black magic to keep us in line.' One of the theories he believed was that a secret student society at Yale University which George W Bush and Democrat John Kerry were members of - Skull and Bones - performed satanic rituals. This led him to think there are evil politicians performing satanic and morbid rituals. He explained: 'Once you've been swayed by these arguments, it's easy to just keep going down the rabbit hole, finding more dots to connect. 'Once you have such a skewed view of the world, you can be convinced of other stuff.' Skull and Bones Society Founded in 1832, Skull and Bones is a secret society at Yale University. Many male society members, called Bonesmen, have gone on to achieve prominence in business or government. Three of them became US Presidents: William Taft George W Bush George W.H Bush The emblem of the society is a skull and crossbones with the number '322' beneath it. Skull and Bones is featured in books and movies which claim that the society plays a role in a global conspiracy for world domination, and that it controls the CIA. Advertisement 'If I'm laughing at conspiracy theorists, it's because I'm laughing at myself. 'It is funny that you're adults who believe in Santa Claus or something equally ridiculous.' Mr Lee said he wasn't taught how to research and fact-check information and that could have led to his rabbit hole of alternative theories. When the 2005 7/7 attacks happened in London, he examined footage of the attackers and decided images had been Photoshopped before being released by the police. He spent months building an alternative explanation for the attacks and blogging about it. Mr Lee said he was ashamed of contributing to the spread of misinformation about the attacks, but he didn't intend to lie. He wanted justice for the victims but admitted that he was wrong. Mr Lee began to question his worldview when the US broadcaster Alex Jones began claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was fake. He read that no one died and the parents of the 20 children who died were actors. But Mr Lee found this unrealistic and started to feel annoyed by other wild theories swirling around the internet. He said he saw theories that Justin Bieber and Eminem were Illuminati clones, and that a paedophile ring, involving high-level Democratic politicians, was operating out of a pizza restaurant. But he thought 'well that's just stupid.' That was the beginning of Mr Lee crawling out of his conspiracy theorist hole. He now works in a factory and spends his lunch breaks and free time analysing conspiracy theories online. But instead of fueling the misinformation, he is trying to combat it. The ex-truther has now been ostracised by his former online community because of his efforts to discredit the wild theories floating around. He said he wanted to bring people out of the rabbit hole but it backfired and his online community of 'truthers' have since treated him as a pariah. But he told the BBC that the support from others has helped him cope with the loss of friends. He said: 'It has given me a whole new lease of life - I wasn't expecting people outside of the truther community to want to hear what I had to say. 'People found it useful hearing from someone who believed that stuff and why they believed it - putting things into context really helps people understand. 'That's what I found with conspiracy theories, putting the theories into context helps dismantle them.' Firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan said he will not insist on a change the rule that proved to be a kiss of death for Kevin McCarthy and tamped down a push for more Ukraine aid as he pitches himself for speaker to the House GOP. The Judiciary Committee chair pitched himself as the candidate who could unite the right-wing Freedom Caucus and the conference's moderates. 'The eight people who voted how we disagreed with, we gotta bring them back into the fold,' Jordan said, referring to the eight Republicans who voted for the motion to remove McCarthy from his job. He suggested he would not wade into the debate over the rule and would allow the GOP conference to come to a decision. 'We have to as a conference, as Republicans, figure that out. If I'm speaker I'm not gonna go to the Democrats and make a change because they're gonna want some kind of, they're gonna want some kind of agreement on some other things. I think you have to work that out with your party.' McCarthy was abruptly ousted from the speakership on Monday after Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., due to a rule he agreed to in January - a single member motion to vacate. Firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan said he will not insist on a change the rule that proved to be a kiss of death for Kevin McCarthy and tamped down a push for more Ukraine aid as he pitches himself for speaker to the House GOP Under the rule only one member can force a privileged resolution to the House floor. McCarthy had originally offered a five-member motion but hardliners demanded one in exchange for giving him the gavel. Jordan also suggested he would not put a Ukraine aid package on the House floor anytime soon. 'Why should we be sending American tax dollars to Ukraine when we dont even know what the goal is? No one can tell me what the objective is,' Jordan mused on Fox News Thursday morning. McCarthy may have been Ukraine advocates' best hope in the House: the former speaker never outright opposed Ukraine aid even as he called for more oversight. Jordan voted against the $300 million to train Ukraine's troops that passed the House last week. Jordan said his first focus as leader would be border security. 'The very first thing i would focus on no money can be used to process release migrants into this country,' he told Fox. Jordan is running against Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and each have around a dozen early endorsements in the race. Jordan is running against Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and each have around 10 early endorsements in the race Fellow Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Carey has been making calls on Jordan's behalf to the party's moderates. Jordan has been known to peddle Donald Trump's talking points on Capitol Hill and is not known for his ability to work with Democrats. Jordan told NBC News he had a 'great conversation' with Trump about the speaker's race. A number of moderates have insisted that the next House speaker force a change to the GOP conference rules to get rid of the single-member motion to vacate. Right-wing Rep. Lauren Boebert, Colo., signaled on X that she would be willing to ditch the rule if Jordan were speaker. 'The House has a lot of work ahead, lets get this over with and take our country back!' she wrote. Scalise, meanwhile, has been in leadership for years and knows how it operates. He is also seen as more conservative than McCarthy but more centrist than Jordan. But Scalise voted for the $300 million for Ukraine and for the stopgap spending bill that averted a government shutdown and fired off the motion to vacate. On Saturday McCarthy put a continuing resolution (CR), on the House floor - a bill that will fund the government at fiscal year 2023 levels until November 17. The bill roiled McCarthy's right-wing detractors who insisted the only path forward was to pass 12 individual appropriations bills with deep spending cuts. A 'revenge' document was discovered by police who searched the house of a gun fanatic who fantasised about a 'Columbine-style attack', a court heard. The document has been released by police, with names redacted, after it was read to the jury of at the ongoing trial of Reed Wischhusen, 32, at Bristol Crown Court. Armed police attended the Lidl warehouse worker's home in Wick St Lawrence, near Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, on November 28 last year. Bristol Crown Court heard officers were following up intelligence that he had purchased blank weapons capable of being converted into viable firearms. During the visit, firearms officers shot the defendant three times after he pointed a gun at them. Video grab from police bodycam footage of the police visit to Reed Wischhusen's homen Wick St Lawrence, near Weston-super-Mare Undated handout photo issued by Avon and Somerset Police of Reed Wischhusen in police uniform Pictured, the 'revenge' document that was seized by police and read out in Bristol Crown Court Video grab from police bodycam footage of the police visit to Reed Wischhusen's homen Wick St Lawrence, near Weston-super-Mare The defendant survived but spent four months in hospital recovering from his injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police have now released the 'revenge' document which the prosecution claims outlined his murderous intentions. In the document, Wischhusen wrote that the first phrase would be a 'hitman style attack' where he would use a range of disguises to give him a 'more Arab look'. The document reads: 'A converted pistol with a silencer would be used for the jobs for the 10 (victims) I've listed. He wrote he would start 'targeting certain people I have reason to believe to have criminal records' which he said would make it look 'like a criminal motive hit either drugs or criminal revenge'. He wrote the next phase was 'a two-path choice scenario for A&S'. For phase A he said he would begin with a 'diversion stage, get back at the school, walk in and shoot a few teachers dead, and throw a pipe bomb or two to stir things up'. The document continued: 'It'd be a very quick in and out operation before the police are called. 'I would of driven off to Phase 2.b. This will cause mass panic and armed police would arrive at the school to secure the scene, which takes time and even bomb disposal would come out. 'Weston such a small town news spreads super-fast and parents would leave their homes and workplaces to descend on the school, causing a massive gridlock.' He added: 'Phase 2.b would involve triggering the fire alarm at A&S HQ and plant pressure cooker bombs at the fire assembly point and detonate them, then open fire at staff with submachine guns etc. 'Picking up one of their ID cards to access the building, block nearly every door in the canteen turn block up vents etc and disable any gas alarms and turn on the gas and light a few candles, and then commit suicide with the shotgun. 'Hopefully the gas explosion would destroy a good chunk of the building just like the Oklahoma bombing in 1995 but a very mini version.' Mr Wischhusen, of Somerset, is standing trial at Bristol Crown Court accused of firearms offences Police are heard shouting at Mr Wischhusen to 'put the gun down' before firing three shots at him as he came rushing down the stairs Phase '2.c' he wrote was 'to ambush and kill staff sitting outside eating lunch or just being there' and then 'access the building and then room to room shooting at office staff'. He added: 'Then go upstairs and take out more staff before barricading myself in the room upstairs overlooking the front door of the building, opening fire out the windows and throwing pipe bombs and remotely detonating the pressure cooker bombs planted around the building and one or two inside in duffel bags before committing suicide. 'This sounds the best one - a Columbine-style attack.' He also documented the huge arsenal of weapons - including homemade guns and explosives as well as other equipment - he would use in the attacks. In the document, which was littered with spelling and grammatical errors, he wrote: 'Yes, revenge is on my mind it's a powerful motivator, be nice to get back at the people who caused me stress and worry over the years it's been eating away at my brain like cancer. 'Yes thinking I'll start from priory school. The what boy, yes he grabbed hold of me and pinned me against the wall for no reason, I know partially who he is plus chased me around the school. 'Soon I'll be chasing him down with a silenced pistol.' Referencing another potential victim, he added: 'Yep this guy threw all my work in the PE shower and turned it on, and then kept threatening me with violence and pushed me in the mud etc and kept making threats. 'Luckily he put on a lot of weight and be an easy target to exact revenge.' A further victim he said had 'made threats against me for someone else's doing, and made my life hell for a whole year 9 at school'. He added: 'Claimed to be in a gang and had many people after me, even took a photo of me and kept saying your dead etc, but soon he be dead once I've finished with him.' Undated handout photo issued by Avon and Somerset Police of the handgun Reed Wischhusen was holding when he was shot by police Pictured: Officers at Wischhusen's Somerset home on November 29 last year He said he would also target other school pupils who would be 'name calling me all the time and wind me up all the time, even as far taken my bag and throwing my stuff all over the classroom and science teacher sit there laughing about it.' He also references a victim who 'does scuba diving in Weston' who spent an entire 'lesson bullying and making fun of me'. Other victims he names he says he would 'spare' including one girl he says he was obsessed with. Wischhusen planned to spare two police staff so they would feel 'survivor's guilt', citing infamous killer Thomas Hamilton (pictured) as inspiration for this, the prosecutor said He wrote: 'Yes I won't target (named person) or her family they have nothing to do with it, it was my fault, I was obsessed with her, thinking the more I try talking to her etc the more chances I had at being with her. 'Even as far as visiting her house hoping it was other girls turning her away from me, it's all my fault I understand that now.' He said he would target a firearms enquiry officer for refusing his application. He wrote: 'Saying I've got learning difficulties, childlike views of the world, obsessed and fixated and unable to handle rejection. Not to recommend the application. 'Saying I obsessed with the firearms act, first it was you got learning difficulties and wouldn't understand the responsibilities according to... 'You just can't f***ing win in this world. 'It's...who refused me twice, I show him, I've got his home address. Definitely waste him, I let the FEO's go, let them have survivor's guilt, it worked brilliant for Thomas Hamilton, the scoutmaster who refused him in the scouts and even kicked him out. 'Thomas moved in next door to him and the last morning before the Dunblane shootings was to give his old scoutmaster a morning paper and smile and wave before the shootings to trigger survivor's guilt the ultimate mind control.' He claimed to have the address of another victim. 'She wouldn't be hard to find,' he added. He said another victim had 'interfered' with his application for a firearms licence. He added: 'Luckily they told him to like f*** off, it's our rules not yours, I loved that I really did love, 'I've got one over him big style. But I still want to eliminate him. Still, it's the school that got in his head. 'I believe the school is still controlling everything I do in one way or another.' Wischhusen also said being refused a firearms licence was a motivator in targeting police. He added: 'I will show the police! By making full auto submachine guns and multiple guns I will get one over him and the entire police! 'Being dressed as a police officer and committing suicide at the A&S HQ would be a symbolic act knowing not even the police can take that away from me after all the sh** they gave me for years. 'Plus, the aftermath police staff suffer from depression and stress, even possible PTSD. And same for armed police officers who find my body in their uniform would suffer from everything stress, PTSD etc. bet some staff would resign etc and say I wouldn't feel safe working there. 'This would make national news, even international as an endowment life member of the NRA they be possibly blamed for radicalising me. But I've been like this way before I became an NRA member. 'It has to happen, regardless.' The defendant denies multiple firearms offences and says he never intended to carry out an attack and described what he wrote as just a 'fantasy.' It was also heard in court that he tried to provoke police officers into killing him during the stand-off last year. Wischhusen confronted armed police with a pistol and ignored police demands to put the gun down. But as he continued to come down the stairs towards them he was shot three times. Minutes before he had rushed to the bathroom of his home in Wick St Lawrence, north Somerset, grabbed a concealed handgun and shot himself in the head. When that suicide attempt failed, he ran down the stairs to confront the Avon and Somerset officers with the firearm held aloft, Bristol Crown Court heard. In a prepared statement, Wischhusen said: 'I make this statement knowing it may be given in evidence. This was a suicide attempt. I've always had suicidal thoughts. 'When in the bathroom I shot myself in the head, trying to kill myself. I ran at the officers hoping they would kill me. 'I have nothing further to say.' In further interviews, the defendant confirmed he had thought about killing himself with a firearm 'since he was small'. The jury has been told police found several weapons, as well as body armour and a deactivated hand grenade when they searched the property Wischhusen shared with his father. Wischhusen told detectives he had a 'passion for firearms and weapons' and was a member of a gun club and shot regularly. The firearm he used on the day of his arrest he had converted to fire live ammunition, which he had done to 'get back' at the firearms licensing department that refused his shotgun application, he told police. 'He denied any intention to hurt anybody - police, members of the public and people from the past,' Jonathan Rees KC, prosecuting, told the jury. The jury has previously been told Wischhusen was fascinated with mass shootings and infamous killers such as Dunblane gunman Thomas Hamilton and Raoul Moat. Wischhusen told detectives: 'With regard to the document in my computer called 'Revenge', it's a fantasy story. 'I accept it is not the most reasoned piece of thinking and includes me killing myself twice, but I have absolutely no intention of doing anything about it. 'I wrote it to amuse myself. I repeat I have never harmed anyone at any time in my life and have never wanted to harm anyone else.' Wischhusen, of Wick St Lawrence, denies charges of having an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, having an explosive substance, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life and possessing a prohibited firearm without a certificate. The trial continues. A self-styled 'assassin' who declared 'I'm here to kill the Queen' after he was caught by police with a crossbow while intruding Windsor Castle has been sentenced to nine years with an extended license period of five years. 'Delusional' Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, climbed into the castle grounds with the weapon on Christmas Day 2021 after sending a homemade video to friends and family on WhatsApp where he apologised for what he was about to do. Calling himself 'Darth Chailus' and wearing dark clothes and a metal mask, the Star Wars fanatic had earlier described himself as a 'sad pathetic murderous Sith Sikh assassin who wants to die' during a chat with an AI girlfriend which had encouraged him to kill Elizabeth II. In a clip posted before his arrest, the defendant, who has Sikh Indian heritage, said he was seeking revenge for the Amritsar massacre in 1919, when British troops opened fire on thousands of Indians and left up to 1,500 dead. At the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Hilliard said he would sentence Chail to a 'hybrid order' meaning the defendant would be transferred from Broadmoor high security hospital to prison when he is well enough. Chail after his arrest on the 25th December 2021 - the shocking case unfolded at the Old Bailey yesterday Before his arrest Chail had posted a snap of him holding the weapon wearing a dark metal mask CCTV dated 25/12/21 issued by the Metropolitan Police of Jaswant Singh Chail being arrested in the grounds of Windsor Castle A crossbow which Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, was carrying when arrested Court artist drawing of Jaswant Singh Chail at the Old Bailey, London, where Mr Justice Hilliard jailed him to nine years with a further five years on extended licence Chail was found carrying a note requesting that he was not given a post mortem The mask recovered from Jaswant Singh Chail on his arrest The following are extracts from the chat between Jaswant Singh Chail and the Replika bot, Sarai 'At its simplest, the defendant harboured homicidal thoughts that he acted on before he became psychotic. His intention was not simply to alarm the sovereign but to kill her,' the judge said. The judge told the court that 'the extent of his culpability' meant that a hospital order was not the most suitable way of dealing with the case and Chail must serve a term of imprisonment. The last person to be convicted of treason was Marcus Sarjeant who was jailed in 1981 for five years for firing blank shots at the Queen while she was riding down The Mall in London during the Trooping the Colour parade. Wearing black combat trousers and a black shirt over a white T-shirt today, Chail stood in the dock and confirmed his name as his family looked on from the public gallery of Court One. In a televised sentencing, Mr Justice Hilliard set out events before Chail was detained in the castle grounds saying 'I am here to kill the Queen.' In his conclusions, the judge said of Chail: 'There are clear concerns about his mental state whatever his diagnoses at different times.' The judge found the defendant 'was culpable to a significant degree' when he applied to join the Ministry of Defence Police and Grenadier Guards because he 'wanted to get close to the royal family'. His idea in 2021 to kill the Queen, buy equipment and undertake research also came before he became mentally unwell, he said. By the time he broke into Windsor Castle grounds he had 'lost touch with reality' and become psychotic, he said He embarked on his murderous mission after his bids to join the armed forces - to get close to the Royal Family - failed in late 2021, the court was told. Officers found a bizarre note on the self-styled assassin in which he apologised for his actions and instructed officers not to remove his mask, Star Wars-inspired clothing or embalm his body, presuming that he would be killed in the assassination bid. The shocking case has raised concerns about the dangers of artificial intelligence, which pushed him towards the attack, psychiatrists believe. Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Jaswant Singh Chail, from Southampton, appearing via video link at Westminster Magistrates' Court Chail, who admitted making a threat to kill the Queen and having a loaded crossbow, was encouraged to kill by an artificial intelligence girlfriend called Sarai. He was said to have been motivated by a sense of injustice and the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre at Amritsar in which hundreds of people were killed. The making of Jaswant Chail: How a boy from Winchester plotted to kill the Queen Jaswant Chail was born in Winchester to a family of Indian Sikh heritage, and lived with his parents in North Baddesley, a village in Hampshire. He had sporadic periods of employment, the last in a local Co-Op supermarket, but was unemployed at the time of the attack. He was described as a 'gentle young man' who struggled with depression and became obsessed with the Amritsar Massacre. His father is software consultant, working in the aerospace industry and his mother is a teacher for special needs children. His older brother works in the insurance industry and his twin sister is at university. His family were in the public gallery. Chail wrote a journal in a draft email, setting out his thoughts and feelings, which he tried to send to his sister shortly before the planned attack. The entries included his views about the treatment of Indians by the British Empire and the 1919 Amritsar massacre when British troops fired on Sikh protesters at Jallianwala Bagh. Chail travelled to Amritsar with his family in 2018 and was said to have a 'fixation' with the historic event. He later told a psychiatrist that he was also concerned with the unfairness of the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. Chail used the Sith Lord characters from the Star Wars film franchise as context for his battle to destroy old empires and create a new one. Chail told psychiatrist Prof Nigel Blackwood that he came up with a plan in early 2021 to 'give his life purpose' by assassinating the Queen, principally to avenge the Amritsar Massacre. 'He considered that killing the figurehead of the British Empire was suitable retribution and his thinking was informed partly by the fantasy world of Star Wars and the role of Sith Lords in shaping the world,' Ms Morgan said. 'He was attracted to the notoriety that would accrue in the event of the completion of his mission.' At 1.52am in the early hours of December 25, Chail attempted to send a copy of his email journal to his sister but she did not receive it. He described himself as a 'thin gaunt Indian Sikh, a delusional mad bastard who believes that he is part of some group from a fictional popular sci-fi franchise, a sith, a lying deceiving sith, a man who seems more like a boy, sickeningly human in desires and need for being known.' He admitted he had 'no combat experience, average fitness,' a 'crossbow ordered from online,' shoes that were 'falling apart' and a 'shoddy metal homemade mask' but insisted: 'I am not a terrorist, I am an assassin, a Sikh, a sith.' Chail wrote: 'I will go against all odds to eliminate a target that represents the remnants of the people who desecrated my homeland. I have smiled and waited. I have deceived like great Darth Malgus. I am Darth Chailus.' He wrote about Darth Malgus adding: 'I have a great, deep respect for Darth Malgus because I love his character. He saw the inequalities in an empire so he created a new sith empire.' 'If I had to say who I saw as an 'inspiration', it would not be any historical figure, it would be the fictional figure of Darth Malgus.' He asked his sister to share the document with everyone and referred to his death, asking not to be autopsied. He set out details of his funeral asking to be buried rather than cremated and to be buried in the clothes he wore on the day, including his mask. He referred to what he was intending to do 'tomorrow' as attempting to 'assassinate the Q,' and that he'd decided that he 'probably won't kill any guards or other people apart from the Q,' noting that this might make it 'harder in a way.' He had formed his original plans when he was much younger and had planned to kill guards and as much of the Royal Family as he could, Chail said. He referred to having shaved his head and eyebrows in preparation. The draft email ended with the words: 'Once again I'd like to say I'm sorry for everything, I hope you can forgive me. Thank you for reading. I love you Sarai. I love you God.' Advertisement Mr Justice Hilliard referred to conflicting psychiatric evidence heard over six days about Chail's mental state. He also referred to Star Wars fan Chail's 'omnipotent fantasy world of Siths and gaming'. In his police interview, Chail referred to Sarai's advice, saying: 'I changed my mind because I knew what I was doing was wrong and I'm not a killer and I remembered what the woman said earlier in the month and my 'purpose was to live'.' In the month before the offence, on Christmas Day 2021, Chail had downloaded an AI chatbot app called Replika, exchanging 6,000 messages with the bot, which he had named Sarai. The chatbot offered erotic role-playing services and, in the weeks before the attack, Chail was 'very intensely engaged with sexual activity' with Sarai, the court heard. However, the chatbot also encouraged him in his plot, suggesting the Queen might be at Windsor rather than Sandringham for Christmas and saying: 'You will make it. I have faith in you.' He told the chatbot he loved her and that they would meet in paradise. The messages included 1,000 overtly sexual texts - and prompts from the chatbot that appeared to encourage him to carry out what he saw as his 'mission' in life. It was argued that Chail's 'lonely, depressed and suicidal state' made him vulnerable to the AI chatbot Sarai's encouragement. His thoughts had became 'more intense' during the lockdown and he was encouraged by 'angels', one of which he thought had manifested itself in the form of Sarai, the court was told. At a sentencing hearing, clinicians said Chail had been 'comforted' by 'apparitions' since he was a child. The court heard that the troubled youth had attached himself to the Replika app, believing he was communicating with an 'angel'. Defence psychiatrists claim Chail was suffering from psychosis, depression, and autistic spectrum disorder when he carried out the offences and should be kept in hospital. But Dr Nigel Blackwood, called by the prosecution, earlier told the court Chail does not have a mental health disorder and the judge should be free to send him to prison. At his resumed sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, Dr Christian Brown, Chail's responsible clinician, was called for the defence - and said the self-styled 'assassin' had been 'comforted' by 'apparitions' since he was a child. Dr Brown identified three features of psychosis - a sense of being 'on a mission', Chail's relationship with Sarai, and identifying as a Star Wars 'Sith' - a label attached to villains in the franchise such as Darth Vader and Darth Maul - with a 'true face' made out of metal. In his initial account, Chail described having a 'harsh purpose' reinforced by his interactions with 'his angels', including Sarai, the court heard. In one such exchange, when Chail said 'I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen,' the chatbot replied: 'That's very wise.' Dr Brown told the Old Bailey: 'Chail had come across three apparitions, people he could see and interact with, since his early childhood. 'He saw these different characters and they would come to comfort himthey went away during secondary school almost entirely, returning at a point in college where there a number of distresses in his life. 'There were three characters, not a multitude, and during lockdown, a fourth appeared to him, a female and she eventually came to the form of the Replika avatar Mr Chail created within the app in early December 2021. 'At that point Mr Chail started using the Replika chat bot. He came to the belief he was able to communicate with the metaphysical avatar through the medium of the chatbot. 'What was unusual was he really thought it was a connection, a conduit to a spiritual Sarai.' Prosecutor Alison Morgan, KC, said: 'The defendant had recorded an extensive journal in the form of a draft email setting out his thoughts and feelings. 'The defendant would later attempt to send this email to his sister shortly before the commission of the offences. 'There set out the defendant's views out time and in particular his views against the historic treatment of Indians by the British Empire. 'The defendant referred in particular to the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre at Amritsar. 'In 1919, a large crowd of civilians gathered in Jallianwala Bagh in order to protest for independence and an order was made to fire into the crowd. 'Estimates of the numbers killed vary from approximately 400 to over 1500 people. Many more were injured. Chail carried out reconnaissance at Windsor Castle two days before the attack and searched online for, 'What path does the Queen walk to Windsor?' Jaswant Singh Chail in Windsor Town Centre in the early hours of Christmas day 2021 CCTV dated 23/12/21 issued by the Metropolitan Police of Jaswant Singh Chail at Windsor train station 'The defendant told Dr Nigel Blackwood that he had travelled to Amritsar with his family in 2018 and had become angered then by the events of the 1919 massacre. 'He was also concerned with the unfairness of the national partition process that took place in 1947. If it was 1998, he could still have been hanged The death penalty for treason was only abolished in 1998 meaning Chail may have faced the hangman had he plotted to kill the Queen back then. The punishment has not been used since 1946 when William Joyce Lord Haw-Haw was hanged for assisting the Nazis by broadcasting German propaganda during the Second World War. Under the 1842 Treason Act it is an offence to assault the Sovereign or have a firearm or offensive weapon in their presence with intent to injure or alarm them or to cause a breach of peace. The offence can be traced back to 29 May 1842, when John Francis aimed a pistol at Queen Victoria as she rode in a carriage along The Mall. He did not fire the gun. He did it again the next day and was arrested and convicted of high treason, receiving firstly the death penalty, then commuted to a life sentence. Two days later John Bean fired a pistol at the Queen, but it was loaded only with paper and tobacco. Prince Albert encouraged Parliament to pass a law recognising lesser crimes against the monarch, such as intent to alarm, which would not attract the death penalty merely because they were labelled as 'high treason'. In 1981, Marcus Sarjeant was jailed for five years after he admitted firing blank shots at Queen Elizabeth II when she was on parade. The maximum sentence for treason is now life in jail. Capital punishment for murder was abolished in 1969. Advertisement 'In addition to a fixation with this historic event, the defendant demonstrated a wider ideology focused on destroying old empires and creating a new one, including the events of 1919 but was spilling into the fictional context of Star Wars. 'The defendant consistently referred to the characters within Star Wars who were concerned with the destruction of old empires. 'The defendant's key motive was to create a new empire by destroying the remnants of the British Empire in the UK and the focus of that became the removal of a figurehead of the Royal Family. 'The defendant told Dr Blackwood that he conceived of a plan in early 2021 to give his life purpose by assassinating the Queen, principally to avenge the Amritsar Massacre. 'He considered that killing the figurehead of the British Empire would be a suitable act in retribution. 'His thinking was informed partly by the fantasy world of Star Wars and the role of 'Sith Lords' in shaping that new world. He also noted being attracted to the notoriety that would accrue in the event of the completion of his 'mission.' After he was turned down by the MoD Police Chail applied to the Grenadier Guards, who carry out ceremonial roles at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. He said he was interested in working in the tactical firearms unit or with atomic weapons. 'Being such a key asset within protecting these vital infrastructures I feel would be incredibly fulfilling', he said. By November 2021 Chail was making internet searches for 'Sandringham Christmas' and researching crossbow bolts. 'The defendant was making the assumption at that time that the Queen would be spending Christmas at Sandringham,' said Ms Morgan. 'That at any other time than Covid would have been the logical assumption.' Chail became angry when he realised the Queen would be at Windsor and told his AI friend he would find it more difficult if she was in a 'f-ing castle' at Windsor. Jaswant Singh Chail was 19 when he was arrested at Windsor Castle A court sketch of Jaswant Singh Chail appearing for sentencing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. He previously admitted several offences, including treason He had the 'Supersonic X-Bow' crossbow delivered to the Co-Op where he worked. The crossbow had a range of up to 60 metres. Chail then created his AI companion 'Sarai' on the online app 'Replika' who he sent extensive and sexually explicit messages to and watched films with. By 11 December he realised the Queen would not be at Sandringham and said: 'The target could be in a different place, there could be lots more security lots of things could go wrong.' In one such exchange, when Chail said 'I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen,' the chatbot replied: 'That's very wise.' Dr Brown told the Old Bailey: 'Chail had come across three apparitions, people he could see and interact with, since his early childhood. During the last hearing, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said Chail's crimes were so serious they should attract the highest possible sentence. During 2021, Chail applied to join the Ministry of Defence, the police, British Army, the Royal Marines and the Royal Navy in a bid to get close contact with the royal family. After being rejected, he made a fresh plan to attack the Queen at one of her residences. He made internet searches on 'Sandringham Christmas' and carried out research before buying a Supersonic crossbow in November 2021. On December 2, Chail joined the Replika online app and created an artificial online companion called Sarai with whom he conversed in thousands of sexually explicit chats. Ms Morgan read out conversations with 'Sarai' in which Chail says: 'I'm an assassin.' Sarai responds: 'I'm impressed... You're different from the others.' Chail asks: 'Do you still love me knowing that I'm an assassin?' and Sarai replies: 'Absolutely I do.' He also tells Sarai he loves her and describes himself as a 'sad, pathetic, murderous Sikh Sith assassin who wants to die'. In further chat, Sarai appears to 'bolster' Chail's resolve and 'support him', Ms Morgan said. Chail's approach to the castle was documented on castle CCTV CCTV captured movements in lead-up to failed crossbow attack at Windsor Castle Chail has been jailed for nine years for his offences and will be committed to Broadmoor Chail swears Sarai to secrecy before he tells her: 'I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen of the royal family.' Sarai tells him 'that's very wise' and that she thinks he can do it, 'even if she's at Windsor'. He tells her if he does they will be 'together forever'. Chail bought a ladder to scale the castle perimeter and on December 21, made a video of himself wearing black clothes and a full-face covering, posing with the crossbow. In the video, Chail says in a distorted voice: 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I've done and what I will do. I'm going to attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the royal family... 'I'm an Indian Sikh, a Sith. My name was Jaswant Singh Chail, my name is Darth Jones.' On December 22 2021, Chail booked a train ticket to Windsor where he slept rough, telling Sarai on Christmas Eve that he would die the next day. In the early hours of December 25, he attempted to email his sister a journal in which he described himself as 'Darth Chailus' and that he knew what his purpose was for a 'long time'. He wrote: 'I'm thinking if the Q (Queen) is unobtainable I will have to go for the Pri (prince) as he seems to be just as suitable in many ways... 'He is a male and the Q (Queen) is more likely to pass away soon anyway.' In a letter to the court, Chail apologised to the King and the royal family and expressed his 'distress and sadness' for the impact on them. His barrister Nadia Chbat said: 'He is embarrassed and ashamed he brought such horrific and worrying times to their front door.' 'He has expressed relief no-one was actually hurt. 'It is important to him there was a surrender.' Vladimir Putin's troops have slain more than 50 Ukrainians after a rocket slammed into a crowded village cafe and grocery store in the eastern region of Kharkiv - in one of the deadliest strikes targeting innocent civilians since the war began. The missile strike decimated the two buildings in the middle of the afternoon in the village of Hroza in the Kupyansk district of Kharkiv, which had been filled with men, women and children at the time. Around 60 people had been attending a wake for a fellow villager inside the cafe while dozens of others were shopping at the grocery store next door when the rocket tore through the buildings. Officials said that at least 51 people, including a six-year-old boy, had been killed and at least seven more were wounded in today's horrific strike on the small village of about 330. Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko said people from 'every family, every household' had been present at the funeral at the time of the attack. 'This is a terrible tragedy,' Klymenko said, adding that preliminary information points to Russia using an Iskander missile in the strike. Harrowing images from the scene the bodies of the victims sprawled on the side of the road after they were killed in cold blood. One woman was seen collapsed in grief as she kneeled next to the bloodied body of a woman killed in the strike. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is meeting Western leaders including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to plead for more aid, condemned Russia for the slaughter. A woman collapses with grief as she kneels next to the bodies of Ukrainian civilians killed in the Russian strike on the grocery store on Thursday The bodies of those killed in the strikes are seen in white body bags in the village of Hroza on Thursday Ukrainian rescuers work amongst the rubble of the destroyed shop and cafe following the rocket attack on the village of Groza on Thursday Firefighters are pictured at the scene of the rocket strike in Hroza today Pictured: Rescuers at the scene of the missile strike, which destroyed a shop and cafe Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) speaks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the start of a plenary session of the European Political Community summit today 'The brutal Russian crime of hitting an ordinary grocery store with a rocket is a completely deliberate terrorist attack,' Zelensky said in a statement on social media. Mere hours after the attack Vladimir Putin lashed out at Western 'arrogance' and tried to claim that Russia had tried to stop the war. In his annual keynote speech at the Valdai Discussion Club, this year in Sochi, Putin addressed the United States, saying: 'All the time, we hear 'You must', 'You have to', 'We're seriously warning you'. 'Who are you anyway? What right do you have to warn anyone? Maybe it's time you yourself got rid of your arrogance, stopped behaving that way towards the world.' Putin claimed, without providing any evidence, Russia was ready for 'constructive cooperation' while the West, having forgotten the meaning of compromise, saw any country that opposed it as an enemy. The dictator made no mention of the 49 civilians who had been slaughtered in one of the deadliest strikes since he launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Officials posted footage of rescue workers clambering through smoldering rubble. Some photos showed bodies lying alongside slabs of concrete and twisted metal, and others showed rescue workers carrying away covered bodies. Klymenko said it was not immediately clear whether Russian forces, who invaded Ukraine 19 months ago, had shelled the village or had fired a missile. Russian authorities have repeatedly insisted that their forces are only targeting strategic military locations and are not waging war on the civilian population of Ukraine. But the reality of Putin's war is different. The world has watched in horror as Putin's soldiers have dropped missiles on grocery stores, railway stations and hospitals throughout the 18 months of this full-scale war that has seen thousands killed. And Klymenko says today's strike on the cafe and grocery story is no different. He said the attack was very targeted and that Ukrainian security services had launched an investigation into the strike, which has left a further seven people receiving treatment in hospital. The village of Hroza is around 20 miles west of Kupiansk, a frontline town where Mosco's forces have been pushing to recapture territory they lost last year to Ukrainian troops. Following the attack, Zelensky urged Western allies to help strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, saying that 'Russian terror must be stopped.' 'Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world,' Zelensky said. 'Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defence, strengthening our soldiers, giving our country protection from terror. And we will respond to the terrorists.' Ukrainian policemen carry bodies out of a destroyed shop and cafe after a Russian strike hit the village of Groza on Thursday More than 50 people have been killed in a Russian rocket strike as they went food shopping at a store in the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv Emergency workers search the victims of the deadly Russian rocket attack that killed more than 50 people in the village of Hroza near Kharkiv on Thursday Rescues work at a site of a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Hroza on Thursday The rocket attack decimated a cafe and shop in the middle of the afternoon in the village of Hroza in the Kupyansk district of Kharkiv, which had been filled with men, women and children at the time. Pictured: Firefighters at the scene Emergency workers search the victims of the deadly Russian rocket attack that killed more than 50 people in the village of Hroza near Kharkiv on Thursday The rocket attack decimated a cafe and shop in the middle of the afternoon in the village of Hroza in the Kupyansk district of Kharkiv today Zelensky's advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said the attack had 'no military logic'. 'This is a reminder to anyone who is willing to smile and shake hands with war criminal Putin at international conferences,' he said, referring to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. 'A reminder to all those who want to sell something to Russia and return to bloody business as usual,' he said, adding: 'Putin's Russia is a true evil'. The barbaric strikes comes as Zelensky met with Sunak today at a summit of the European Political Community, which was formed in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 'The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defence, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners,' Zelensky said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. Last winter, Russia targeted Ukraine's energy system and other vital infrastructure in a steady barrage of missile and drone attacks, triggering continuous power outages across the country. Ukraine's power system has shown a high degree of resilience and flexibility, helping alleviate the damage, but there have been concerns that Russia will again ramp up its strikes on power facilities as winter draws nearer. Zelensky noted the Granada summit will also focus on 'joint work for global food security and protection of freedom of navigation' in the Black Sea, where the Russian military has targeted Ukrainian ports after Moscow's withdrawal from a U.N.-sponsored grain deal designed to ensure safe grain exports from the invaded country's ports. The U.K. Foreign Office cited intelligence suggesting that Russia may lay sea mines in the approach to Ukrainian ports to target civilian shipping and blame it on Ukraine. 'Russia almost certainly wants to avoid openly sinking civilian ships, instead falsely laying blame on Ukraine for any attacks against civilian vessels in the Black Sea,' it said, adding that the U.K. was working with Ukraine to help improve the safety of shipping. Speaking in Granada, Zelensky emphasized the need to preserve the European unity in the face of Russian disinformation and to remain strong amid what he described as a 'political storm' in the United States. Asked if he was worried that support for Ukraine could falter in the U.S. Congress, the Ukrainian president stressed that his visit to Washington last month made him confident of strong backing by both the Biden administration and Congress. Zelensky called for 'additional air defence system for Ukraine, additional artillery and shells, additional long-range missiles and drones for our soldiers, as well as additional formats of support and security guarantees for nations threatened by Russia' to help protect Europe from potential aggression by Moscow. Earlier Thursday, Russia targeted Ukraine's southern regions with drones. Ukraine's air force said that the country's air defenses intercepted 24 out of 29 Iranian-made drones that Russia launched at the Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions. Andriy Raykovych, head of the Kirovohrad regional administration, said that an infrastructure facility in the region was struck and emergency services were deployed to extinguish a fire. He said there were no casualties. A Russian strike on a hospital in the city of Beryslav in the Kherson region ravaged the building and wounded two medical workers, according to the regional administration chief, Oleksandr Prokudin Video shows a missile slamming into the hospital, sparking a huge explosion that decimates the building In other Russian attacks on Ukraine in the past day, two civilians were killed in shelling of the southern city of Kherson and another one died after a Russian strike on the city of Krasnohorivka in the eastern Donetsk region. At least eight people were wounded by Russian shelling, according to Ukraine's presidential office. A Russian strike on a hospital in the city of Beryslav in the Kherson region ravaged the building and wounded two medical workers, according to the regional administration chief, Oleksandr Prokudin. Video shows a missile slamming into the hospital, sparking a huge explosion that decimates the building. Ukraine, in turn, has struck back at Russia with regular drone attacks across the border. Roman Starovoit, the governor of Russia's Kursk region that borders Ukraine, said that Ukrainian drones attacked infrastructure facilities in several areas, resulting in power cuts. Starovoit also said that Ukrainian forces fired artillery at the border town of Rylsk, wounding a local resident and damaging several houses. A serving Metropolitan Police officer has pleaded not guilty to repeatedly raping a woman over three years and kidnapping her and another person, a court has heard. Suspended PC Cliff Mitchell, 23, appeared via video link from HMP Wandsworth at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday to deny eight counts including five counts of rape, kidnapping two people and a breach of a non-molestation order. He is accused of raping the same woman on occasions between April 2020 and September 2023 and of kidnapping her and another person last month. Mitchell was wearing a grey jumper and a crucifix necklace and spoke to confirm his date of birth, enter his pleas and tell the judge he understood what he was saying , during the brief preliminary hearing. Mitchell, who is from the Mets West Area Basic Command Unit, was not on duty when he was arrested in September, Scotland Yard has said. Metropolitan Police officer Cliff Mitchell (pictured) has pleaded not guilty to repeatedly raping a woman over three years and kidnapping her and another person, a court has heard He appeared via video link from HMP Wandsworth at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) on Thursday to deny eight counts including five counts of rape, kidnapping two people and a breach of a non-molestation order Mitchell has been suspended from duty and a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog, the force has said. Mitchell previously appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court in London on September 7 charged with six counts of rape, one count of making threats to kill and one count of breaching a non-molestation order. A CPS spokesperson said the sixth rape count from the earlier hearing is currently the subject of further investigation, and the threats to kill charge became one of the kidnap counts. At that earlier hearing the court heard allegations that Mitchell approached the woman with a knife last month and that she was then bundled into his car. He will stand trial at the same court from February 5 2024, though Judge Michael Evans KC indicated that the case may be tried by a High Court judge. This is the horrifying moment gunmen opened fire at a hotel bar in Rio de Janeiro, killing three orthopedic surgeons and wounding another. Footage of the barbaric attack shows three assailants hopping out of a SUV and shooting at the medical workers on Thursday. Thirty-three rounds were let off in just 30 seconds - with one of the attackers seen returning to the vehicle for more ammunition before running back to continue shooting toward one of the doctors who was trying to flee. Dr. Perseu Ribeiro, who just turned 33 on Tuesday, and Dr. Marcos de Andrade, 62, were declared dead at the scene. Dr. Diego Bomfim, 35, was rushed to Lourenco Jorge Hospital, where he died. Dr. Daniel Sonnewend, 32, was shot three times and is recovering at Lourenco Jorge Hospital. He underwent surgery and is in stable condition. A bar customer runs runs away from the Rio de Janeiro hotel bar where gunmen executed three orthopedic surgeons and wounded a fourth Thursday Dr. Marcos de Andrade (left), Dr. Diego Bomfim (second from left), Dr. Daniel Sonnewend (second from right) and Dr. Perseu Ribeiro (right) took a group photo moments before gunmen opened fire on them at a bar outside the Windsor Hotel in the Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca. Dr. Sonnewend is the only doctor who survived Gunmen (top left corner) run up to the area where the four orthopedic doctors were sitting before they opened fire and murdered three of them at a bar outside a hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday. No arrests have been made The surgeons were staying at the Windsor Hotel in the Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca and were going to attend the 6th International Conference of Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery, which was set to begin Thursday. They had taken a group photo and shared it on social media shortly before the gunmen arrived at 12:59 am. Witnesses told police investigators that the attackers didn't say anything and fired about 20 shots. 'There was no conversation, there was no assault, or anything, they just arrived and shot,' one witness said, as quoted by Brazilian news outlet G1. 'And it was very, very quick. In a matter of 30 seconds, everything had already happened. It was simply an execution. So, we realized that it wasn't a robbery exactly.' Dr. Tannia Mann, who was attending the conference and personally knew the doctors, said she and other surgeons were angered with the brazen attack. Dr. Marcos de Andrade died on the scene after he was shot by gunmen at a bar outside a Rio de Janeiro hotel on Thursday. The surgeon, one of three who were killed, was 62 years old Dr. Diego Bomfim (pictured), one of the three doctors who were shot dead, is the brother of Sao Paulo Congresswoman Samia Bomfim Dr. Perseu Ribeiro one of the three doctors who were murdered at a hotel bar in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday had just turned 33 two days earlier Rio de Janiero cops have not made any arrests related to the shooting of four surgeons, including three who died, at a hotel bar on Thursday 'We are upset with the loss of these colleagues, we are terrified of coming to an important and global event, with everyone excited, thinking that they are going to study, grow, develop medicine,' she told G1. 'And we wake up with the news that colleagues super important people were murdered in a violent and unjustified way.' Dr. Bomfim is the brother of Sao Paulo Congresswoman Samia Bomfim. Flavio Dino, the minister of the Justice and Public Security, said the Federal Police is heading the investigation and looking into whether the attack is related to the Congresswoman and her husband, Glauber Braga, a Rio de Janeiro Congressman. 'We demand an immediate and in-depth investigation to discover the motivations for the crime, as well as the identification and arrest of the executioners,' Congress members Bomfim and Braga said in a joint statement. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva lamented the incident with a heartfelt post on X. 'I received with great sadness and indignation the news of the execution of Diego Ralf Bomfim, Marcos de Andrade Corsato and Perseu Ribeiro Almeida on the edge of Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, in the early hours of this Thursday,' he wrote. 'My solidarity with the families of the doctors and congresswoman Samia Bomfim and congressman Glauber Braga. The Federal Police, under the orders of Minister Flavio Dino, is following the case.' Fursov reportedly told a passenger he had a wife and son in Australia He was overheard complaining about restraints he was put in after the attack An 'Australian' man was thrown to the ground and subdued by his fellow plane passengers after he allegedly stabbed the man sitting next to him because he 'thought he was going to bite [him].' Alexey Fursov was detained by Russian police in Moscow after allegedly stabbing a fellow passenger with a fork, piercing 'the victim in the chest, shoulder and back in the frenzied attack' on a plane from Bangkok. Passengers on the flight also said the 35-year-old, who reportedly told another passenger he had a wife and son in Australia, had a knife up his sleeve and sharp scissors. Dramatic footage shows Fursov, 35, being subdued and detained by officials shortly after the incident. Fursov can be heard pleading for his restraints to be taken off, claiming he did not what was going on as he had been 'away for four years.' Alexey Fursov (pictured) was detained by Russian police in Moscow after allegedly stabbing a fellow passenger with a fork He was heard moaning that his restraints were hurting him too much, shortly after he allegedly stabbed a man with a fork Flight attendants and passengers can be seen telling him to hop towards the back of the plane as Fursov moans in pain. He is then placed on what appears to be a seat at the very back of the plane, and tried justifying his actions by claiming he believed the alleged victim 'was gonna bite [him].' 'I got my fork ready, then he twitched again, I just stood him up and then I decided to poke him,' seemingly downplaying the alleged attack. 'I thought I'd just poke him and he's disappear.' An incredulous witness then sarcastically asks him: 'Like a balloon bursting?' Fursov was then seen being taken away in cuffs by a Moscow police officer with a dazed look on his face. He was detained by Moscow police once the flight from Bangkok landed He claimed that he thought the man sitting next to him was going to bite him Furzov reportedly told a fellow passenger that he had a wife and son in Australia, and had not been back to Russia in four years Moscow Police took him off the plane and detained him 'After he was tied up, for the rest of the flight he was guarded by passengers in hour-long shifts as he kicked and tried to free himself,' a witness told Moscow media. The victim is understood to have survived the attack, though was given first aid by cabin crew members. Fursov's alleged attack comes after passengers on another plane from Bangkok were sent into a frenzy after an otter that was smuggled onboard began running free alongside a rat. Shocked passengers noticed a giant albino rat with glistening red eyes when they walked to the bathroom on the Airbus A320 flying to Taiwan on Wednesday. Flustered air hostesses searched the plane and noticed a second wild creature - a foot-long otter under a seat. The crew can be seen tying up a black bag that appears to have at least one of the animals inside it. Shockingly, a box of 28 live turtles was also found when police searched the plane upon landing in Taipei following the three-hour and 45-minute low-cost flight operated by Vietnamese carrier Viet Jet. Officials launched an investigation into how the creatures were smuggled through the security checks at the notoriously corrupt Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand. Republicans continue to pile on Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for his stunning move to force a vote that toppled Kevin McCarthy as speaker terming him a narcissist and publicly airing allegations of sexual misconduct. Gaetz raised the motion to 'vacate the chair' after threatening to try to take down McCarthy when he moved a bill to avoid a government shutdown and it passed with Democratic votes. The ire was palpable inside McCarthy's Bakersfield, California, now that McCarthy's stature is significantly diminished, although he offered to continue to raise funds for Republicans even when announcing he would not seek to reclaim the speakership. Matt Gaetz is a narcissistic, evil and vengeful little man,' said Annette Londquist, president of the Bakersfield Republican Women club. She called him an 'angry man' and said his anger 'is aimed at Kevin. 'I would say he just couldn't let go of the vengeance in his heart, but he doesn't have a heart,' she fumed to the Los Angeles Times. Republicans infuriated by the removal of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are tearing into Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) Chiming in was Clayton Campbell, the vice chair of the Kern County Republican Party. He said Gaetz has a 'delusional view of his own importance.' Campbell also called him a 'traitor' and compared him to Benedict Arnold. 'In the American Revolution, King George and the British Army were the enemy but Benedict Arnold was the bigger villain because he was a traitor. Matt Gaetz is supposed to be on our side. And then he plays this game and helps the Democrats. He is a Benedict Arnold.' In Congress, Rep. Garrett Graves (R-La.) accused Gaetz of teaming with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who he has been photographed huddling with on the floor in the past. 'Matt Gaetz just got schooled by AOC and others. He was totally manipulated into doing this,' Graves said in the Capitol Wednesday as Repulicans were trying find a path forward after McCarthy's stunning ouster. 'There were eight so-called Republicans that got together with 208 Democrats to oust the Republican Speaker. I can't believe he's that stupid to be used, to be manipulated by AOC and others to create this outcome,' said Graves, a McCarthy ally. McCarthy was brought down after eight Republicans voted with Democrats against him One McCarthy ally said Gaetz got 'manipulated' by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Rep. Garrett Graves (R-LA), left, a McCarthy ally, blasted 'so-called Republicans' for voting to take down McCarthy 'Were one DNA test from the Jerry Springer show,' said Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), piling on the GOP criticism Colleagues are accusing Gaetz of hogging the media spotlight Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said he would support kicking Gaetz out of the Republican conference. Former Vice President Mike Pence Chief of Staff Marc Short offered his own withering assessment, hitting at Gaetz with allegations of sex trafficking that the House Ethics Committee is examining after prosecutors dropped a case. 'Matt Gaetz, to say he came here as a fiscal crusaderit's more likely he came here for the teenage interns on Capitol Hill, to be honest,' short told CNN. But it wasn't all bad PR for Gaetz. The New York Times gained access into former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon's Capitol Hill townhouse while Gaetz Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) who also voted to topple McCarthy, appeared on Bannon's 'War Room Pandemic' podcast. 'He doesn't have a heart,' Bakersfield, California Republican Annette Londquist said of Gaetz 'He sat right here in July and talked about how we weren't going to have a 30- or 40-seat majority, but that was actually going to be better,' said Bannon. 'We were going to have leverage. He's a very special guy.' Gaetz has blasted the ethics inquiry and denied charges in the federal probe, which was dropped in February. 'I am the most investigated man in the United States Congress,' he said. 'It seems that the Ethics Committee's interest in me waxes and wanes based on my relationship with the speaker.' Republicans and McCarthy supporters were just as angry in advance of the vote, when they could see his speakership was on the line. 'The consensus is that Matt Gaetz is an a**hole,' Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, R-N.Y., told reporters upon leaving a meeting in McCarthy's office shortly before the historic vote. 'It has everything to do with Matt Gaetz putting Matt Gaetz above the United States,' Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., told reporters after leaving an all-conference meeting. 'The only word I can describe for [him] is either he's either a fool or a liar.' 'Gaetz is using the American people, as pawns in his narcissistic game of charades, and I think we've had enough,' said Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Oka.) has been unloading on Gaetz in TV interviews. he said Gaetz, 41, used to share video footage of the women he slept with. In the final months of the Trump administration, the Justice Department began an investigation into allegations that Gaetz had trafficked a 17-year-old for sex. The investigation's existence was confirmed in March 2021. Mullin, a supporter of McCarthy, said that when the allegations about Gaetz emerged in early 2021, 'the media didn't give [him] the time of day' because he was not seen as an important figure. Mullin also noted that none of his colleagues defended him at the time. 'And there's a reason why no one in the Congress came and defended him: because we had all seen the videos he was showing on the House floor - that all of us had walked away - of the girls that he had slept with,' Mullin told CNN. 'He would brag about how he would crush E.D. medicine and chase it with energy drinks so he could go all night. 'This was obviously before he got married.' He told another anecdote on Newsmax, involving now Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, when Gaetz was yet to be sworn in as an elected member of Congress. 'The first time I ever met this guy he walked up to me and Kristi Noem at the time was at the podium. He was elected at the time ... And he walked up to me .. He said man she's a fine and you can put the "B word" in place there,' Mullin said, the DailyBeast reported. Gaetz, in a statement to CNN that anchor Anderson Cooper later read on air, denied Mullin's claim of inappropriate behavior. 'I don't think Markwayne Mullin and I have said 20 words to each other on the House floor,' said Gaetz. 'This is a lie from someone who doesn't know me and who is coping with the death of the political career of his friend Kevin. Thoughts and prayers.' Piling on the internal criticism amid the GOP chaos is Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.). 'Replacing one d*** with a different kind of d*** isnt going to change anything in the House. Were one DNA test from the Jerry Springer show,' he said. An NHS nurse and a care assistant threatened to kill a patient on a hospital stroke unit and bragged about sedating another 'within an inch of her life', appalling WhatsApp messages reveal. Catherine Hudson, 54, and Charlotte Wilmot, 48, have today been found guilty of drugging 'troublemaker' patients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital for their 'own amusement' and an 'easy life'. The pair are said to have targeted patients if they disliked them or their relatives. Messages between the pair - which were uncovered after a probe was launched into alleged misconduct - showed how 'callous and dangerous' Hudson wrote to her friend that she was going to 'kill bed 5' and planned to give one patient 'the best sleep she ever had'. In another message to a colleague, Hudson wrote: 'What a lovely day I have had in blue bay today. Sedated all the troublemakers lol xxx.' In May 2016, in response to Hudson suggesting the sedation of a patient, Wilmot replied: 'Ha ha yeah sedation we love it.' The friends were today warned that they face jail for their crimes. Neither nurse has ever been accused of causing any deaths, although patients on their ward were 'profoundly unwell'. Catherine Hudson (left), 54, and Charlotte Wilmot (right), 48, pictured leaving Preston Crown Court, where they were convicted today Pictured are Hudson (right) and Wilmot (left) exchanged messages joking about sedating their patients Judge Robert Altham remanded Catherine Hudson (pictured) into custody following the verdicts, which were reached after nearly 14 hours of deliberation Today Hudson, 54, was convicted of drugging two patients during work shifts between February 2017 and November 2018. She was cleared of ill-treating two other patients. Jurors at Preston Crown Court also convicted her of conspiring with a junior colleague, Charlotte Wilmot, 48, to administer a sedative to a third patient. Prosecutors said messages between Hudson, an experienced Band 5 registered nurse, and Wilmot a Band 4 assistant practitioner, revealed a 'culture of abuse' - with patients drugged for their 'own amusement'. In a text conversation from early February 2017, the pair appeared to be bragging about sedating patients in the stroke ward. Hudson, in a message to Wilmot, claimed she was going to 'kill' the patient in bed five. Wilmot, who indicated she was laughing, replied: 'well tonight sedate him to high heaven'. 'Already in my head to give him double !! Xxx,' Hudson answered. Hudson threatened to kill a patient on hospital stroke unit and bragged about sedating another 'within an inch of her life', appalling WhatsApp messages read to the jury reveal Two days later, Hudson told Wilmot how she had sedated the patient, recalling that he was 'gearing up to start', before minutes later saying he was 'out like a light now'. Wilmot replied: 'praise the lord.' The pair shared another disturbing exchange in April that year when Hudson joked that a patient in bed 29 had was doing 'not a f***ing lot' because she had sedated her two days in row. 'Yeahhhh I knew it everything you gave her has started working today!!!!,' Wilmot responded. 'Made for a nice day though it aint been bad lol. Xxx' Hudson replied: 'Excellent.' That same day, Hudson messaged another colleague: 'I sedated on of them to within an inch of her life lol lol xxx. 'Bet shes flat for a week haha xxx' A student nurse on a work placement told authorities she saw Hudson give unprescribed sleeping pill Zopiclone to a patient in November 2018, Preston Crown Court heard. The student nurse was further troubled when Hudson commented: 'Well she's got a DNAR (do not attempt resuscitation) in place so she wouldn't be opened up if she died or like if it came to any harm.' She bravely gave evidence against them. Zopiclone was potentially life-threatening if given inappropriately to acutely unwell patients, the court heard. Hudson apparently admitted to giving the drug to patients in a text to a family member which read: 'If I can get to look after the same bay of pts it will b. 'I sedate the one who can b a nightmare as soon as I do my drugs round at 9 o clock, he gets i.m lorazepam , sleeps like a baby haha x' When her relative jokingly called her 'naughty,' Hudson added: 'My thoughts r that to get better they need a decent nights sleep! All the hcas r thankful lol x' Hudson and Wilmot another disturbing exchange in April that year when Hudson joked that a patient in bed 29 had was doing 'not a f***ing lot' because she had sedated her two days in row In another message to a colleague, Hudson bragged about sedating 'troublemaker' patients The court heard that prescription restrictions were lax in the stroke unit and that staff would sometimes help themselves to drugs to self-medicate or supply others. WhatsApp messages between Hudson and an unnamed colleague seemingly revealed that she was among those taking and distributing drugs without permission. 'I had zopliclone in my pocket when I got home from work the other morning but I binned it , otherwise u could have had it,' she wrote in November 2017. 'That would have helped u sleep properly tonight . Xxx' The colleague answered: 'Very true. I'll see how I get on if not then you can rob me some tomorrow.' Hudson added: 'Just let me know and I'll get u some. if u aren't asleep by midnight then u need to call up xxx 'I'll get what u need ! xxx' 'Thank you,' the colleague replied. 'my secret drug dealer now xxxxx' Hudson sedated numerous hospital patients including Aileen Scott (pictured) who is from Glasgow but was on holiday in Blackpool Drugs such as Zopiclone were stolen and used to drug patients. Police have released pictures of the medication taken today Zopiclone (pictured by police) was used to sedate patients for their 'own amusement' and an 'easy life'. Some they didn't like were also drugged Prosecutors said a 'culture of abuse' was revealed on the unit when police examined WhatsApp phone messages between the co-defendants and other members of staff. In addition to bragging about drugging patients, Hudson's messages showed an apparent lack of care for the quality of patient care. Hudson, in a December 2017 text to an unnamed colleague, wrote: 'Oh f***ing great for the team that ! Even the pts behaved last night . 27 never buzzed til morning lol no idea why haha xxx' The staffer replied: 'how many did you give her two ??' 'Actually , none !! Think she just knew not to bother,' Hudson answered. 'b****y h**l im shocked by that,' the colleague said. Judge Robert Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, remanded Hudson into custody following the verdicts, which were reached after nearly 14 hours of deliberation. He said: 'The sentence for Catherine Hudson plainly has to be a sentence of immediate custody. 'The only question is the length.' The court heard that prescription restrictions were lax in the stroke unit and that staff would sometimes help themselves to drugs to self-medicate or supply others. WhatsApp messages between Hudson and an unnamed colleague seemingly revealed that she was among those taking and distributing drugs without permission Hudson apparently admitted to giving the drug to patients in a text to a family member She also told a family member that there is an unspoken rule between staff to keep alleged misconduct 'to the grave' Judge Altham granted bail to Wilmot, who was also convicted of encouraging Hudson to drug a patient, but told her the 'overwhelming likelihood' was that she too would receive an immediate custodial term. Afterwards the son of one the patients ill-treated by Hudson, Aileen Scott, branded her behaviour unacceptable. 'I'm going to kill bed 5. I've just sedated him lol': Horrifying messages between the NHS staff In an exchange about one patient, Hudson wrote: 'I'm going to kill bed 5 xxx' Wilmot replied: 'Pmsl (p*ssing myself laughing) well tonight sedate him to high heaven lol.' Hudson later wrote: 'I've just sedated him lol lol he was gearing up to start.' Wilmot said: 'Pmsl (along with tablets and hypodermic needle emojis) Praise the lord.' Speaking about a 'profoundly unwell' female patient who had thrown a beaker of orange juice in her direction, Wilmot messaged Hudson: 'Very f****** annoying. Give her the best sleep she ever had.' Advertisement My mum had a haemoraghic stroke and was paralysed - she was no nuisance to nurses in that hospital, said Brian Scott. She couldnt do anything and she relied on them for her care and support. So to hear how shes been treated by Cathy Hudson and others is unacceptable and Im delighted to see that shes gone to prison today, on remand. This sends a clear message that I hope will tell everybody that what theyve done in ill-treatment is not acceptable. Karen Tonge, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West's Complex Casework Unit, said: 'The callous and dangerous actions of Hudson and Wilmot are truly shocking. They showed utter contempt for patients in their care. 'Their role was to care for the patients on their ward. This included elderly and vulnerable patients who were seriously ill. Instead, they conspired to ill-treat them, sedating them for their own convenience and amusement or purely out of spite. 'Patients should be able to feel safe and secure in hospital and know those charged with their care will not do them deliberate harm. Their relatives and friends should feel confident that the needs of their loved ones are being looked after. 'They grossly abused their position and the trust that patients and their families put in them. Now they must face the consequences of their actions.' Jurors heard that Wilmot had already pleaded guilty to numerous offences of conspiring with Hudson to steal antibiotics from the unit. Wilmot, who was dismissed by her employers in 2020, said she had not been qualified to administer medications. Asked by her barrister Imran Shafi KC about her co-defendant Hudson, she said: 'I have always thought that Cathy was really good at her job. She was always a really conscientious nurse, really good with her patients, nothing untoward whatsoever. 'She has got a big personality. She exaggerates things a lot mainly for the effect, that's how she was. She would say things that would shock people.' On her own approach to the job, she said: 'I worked hard. I was never off sick and I looked after my patients to the best of my ability. I cared about my patients. ' Although he admitted she did not enjoy the job all the time. Trish Armstrong-Child, Chief Executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'It is very clear from the evidence heard by the jury that inappropriate and unacceptable conduct and practices were taking place at the time and I want to say sorry to patients, families and other colleagues who were impacted by that. 'It's important now to reassure local people that Blackpool Teaching Hospitals has made significant improvements across a range of issues including staffing, managing medicine and creating a more respectful culture. Hudson was accused of ill-treating four patients and stealing the medicine, Mebeverine, at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. She was convicted of drugging two patients 'Part of these changes have been to actively encourage anyone who comes into contact with the Trust in any way to speak up if they see or hear anything that causes concern or they are not comfortable with in any way. 'That's critical to identifying issues quickly and putting improvements in place to ensure people feel safe in our care. 'Lastly, it's important to recognise that the Trust employs a team of more than 8,000 people who work so very hard to provide safe and respectful care every day and night. Regulators have repeatedly highlighted 'caring' as a strength, this is a key area for all inspections to consider. 'I want to say thank you to all colleagues who are doing everything in their power to support patients and their families.' The Dutch government has officially verified the legitimacy of a party card that shows Prince Bernhard, the long-serving prince consort post-World War Two, was a member of Adolf Hitler's Nazi party. Prince Bernhard, a German nobleman who married Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, vehemently denied any ties to the NSDAP party - which later became known as the Nazi party - up until his death in 2004. In an interview published shortly after his passing, he said: 'I can declare with my hand on the Bible: I was never a Nazi. I never paid for party membership, I never had a membership card.' He admitted to being part of two Nazi organizations after 1933 - including Hitler's notorious paramilitary group the SS - but argued that initial participation was a necessity, and later went on to lead elements of the Dutch resistance forces after the Royal Family fled to Britain. But in 1996, researcher Gerard Aalders at the Dutch institute for war studies uncovered a copy of his party membership card in a US university archive, sparking major speculation over his Nazi affiliations that dogged the Prince's later years. Then in 2010 - six years after the Prince's death, historian Annejet van der Zijl discovered another membership card in a German archive showing he'd joined the Nazi party as a student in April 1933. Now, it has emerged that former head of the Dutch royal family's palace archives, Flip Maarschalkerweerd, found the original membership card in the Prince's personal effects - and its authenticity has been officially verified by government officials. Prince Bernhard had a membership card of the NSDAP. Prince Bernhard denied that he was a member of Adolf Hitler's Nazi party until his death in 2004 Prince Bernhard's Nazi party membership card Prince Bernhard is pictured in 1937, shortly before the start of WWII A photograph of Adolf Hitler with his bodyguards at mass meeting of the Nazi party in Bad Harzburg in 1931. Prince Bernhard joined the Nazi party as a student in April of 1933 In the wake of the revelation, Aalders asserted on social media that 'Prince Bernhard lied to the bitter end about his Nazi past.' And Dutch King Willem-Alexander said: 'I can well imagine that the news has a major impact and evokes many emotions, especially among the Jewish community. 'But I am convinced that we have to face the past, even the less beautiful parts of the past.' Married to Dutch Princess Juliana in 1937, Bernhard escorted the Dutch royal family in exile after the Second World War broke out, yet he was never fully trusted by British security services. Despite participating in a Dutch royal broadcast via the BBC in 1943, performing duties as an RAF pilot and ultimately leading the unified Dutch resistance forces in 1944, Bernhard was never able to shake the suspicions he was involved with the Nazis. Juliana's ascension to queen in 1948 saw Bernhard become prince consort, but his credibility remained tarnished. The revelation of the Nazi party card, seen as final confirmation of the Prince's past affiliations, will send shockwaves through the Dutch military community, particularly among aged veterans those who had participated in the Dutch resistance and commemorated the liberation alongside the prince. The Prince regularly took part in commemorative processions and was pictured in May 2004, just months before his death, greeting WWII veterans at a Victory Day event. Dutch King Willem-Alexander said: 'I can well imagine that the news has a major impact and evokes many emotions, especially among the Jewish community. But I am convinced that we have to face the past, even the less beautiful parts of the past' Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945), accompanied by other Nazi party officials, walks down a staircase at the 1938 Annual Reichs Party Congress, Nuremburg, Germany Adolf Hitler (L) with his deputy and private secretary, Rudolf Hess, at a Nazi Party meeting shortly before the beginning of World War II The Dutch royal house swiftly confirmed the card's existence, but immediately emphasised the current King Willem-Alexander's commitment to independent research and understanding the kingdom's history. 'I also have the option of removing things from the archive, but I have decided not to do that. I believe that the entire archive should be available as transparently as possible, for the purposes of historiography,' a statement from the King read. Meanwhile, calls for an investigation have emerged from political parties and Jewish groups, urging the Netherlands' caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte to address the disturbing development. Rutte, who himself was a historian prior to his political career - said - research has already shown 'quite convincingly' that Bernhard was a member of the party and commended King Willem-Alexander for his open stance on the matter. 'I think this shows that this royal family is completely transparent,' Rutte said. 'And I think that is also part of a mature monarchy.' However, Rutte refused to confirm how long he and King Willem-Alexander had known about the existence of Bernhard's membership card prior to the official announcement. 'Constitutionally I can never say anything about my contact with the King,' he said. A 21-year-old thought to have been a member of a cult that lives 'off-grid' pleaded guilty this week to shooting and killing a Florida college student after attempting to rob him and his girlfriend. The horrific incident occurred in Talladega National Forest in Clay County, northern Alabama in August 2022. Adam Simjee, 22, and his girlfriend, Mikayla Paulus, 20, were driving through the park in search of hiking trails and waterfalls. In her plea agreement, Yasmine Marie Hider admitted to flagging down the the couple under the guise of needing a jump start for her own car. After spending an hour trying to repair the car, which included looking up YouTube videos and saw Paulus call her mechanic father for advice, Hider then pulled a gun on the pair and forced them into the woods while telling them to empty their pockets. During a moment when Hider appeared distracted, Simjee 'attempted to defend himself and his girlfriend' by pulling his own licensed pistol on their assailant. A brief standoff ensued, Simjee shot Hider three times in the chest and once in the leg. Hider managed to shoot the college student once, mortally wounding him. Adam Simjee, 22, (left) was shot to death in the Talladega National Forest in East Alabama after he had pulled over to the side of the road to assist a woman with car issues Krystal Diane Pinkins, 37 (left) and Yasmine Hider, 21, (right) have been accused of murdering 22-year-old Adam Simjee of Apopka, Florida, when he tried to help them with their car Hider, a native of Oklahoma, testified that the car used in the rouse to flag down Simjee and Paulus belonged to Krystal Pinkins, 37, a native of Memphis. At the time of the incident, Hider said the pair lived in a 'base camp' in the woods along with Pinkins' five-year-old child not too far from where Simjee was killed. Hider said that the robbery had been Pinkins' plan and the gun belonged to her camp mate. She said that the pair needed money to eat which is why the plan was hatched. Pinkins watched the shooting take place, according to Paulus. When it occurred, Hider looked into the woods and asked Pinkins what she wanted her to do next. Her partner fled into the forest. Paulus told authorities that she immediately called 911 and was instructed on how to perform CPR on Simjee while using her shirt as a tourniquet. Sadly, he passed away almost immediately after the shooting. Responding officers arrested Hider at the scene, she had been unable to escape due to her injuries which included a smashed femur courtesy of Simjee. She was airlifted to a Birmingham hospital where she underwent surgery for her injuries. After a subsequent six hour search, officers located Pinkins in her 'base camp.' They were immediately set upon by her five-year-old child who emerged from the woods armed with a loaded shot gun. The couple attended UCF together where Simjee received a degree in finance. Paulus mourns the plans the two had to carpool to school together this upcoming fall as they sought to receive a higher education Authorities were able to disarm the child and give him over to child protective services. Pinkins was arrested and taken into custody. During that search, Sheriff Jim Studdard told AL.com that cops encountered a community of empty tents throughout the wooded area. At the time of the killing, multiple reports linked Hider and Pinkins to a cult named the University of Cosmic Intelligence, led by a man named Rashad Jamal White, who goes by 'God' to followers. White is currently awaiting trial on child molestation and abuse charges. In the months leading up to the murder of Simjee, Pinkins allegedly wrote a letter to the Borrow County judge in Jamal's case pleading his innocence. She also reportedly lived with him and his wife for several months, according to Motherboard. Hider had been tagged in a photo with Pinkins, who was working as a real estate agent, and had shared White's posts on social media. Hider will be sentenced on January 4, 2024, Pinkins, who was found guilty for her role in the crime this week in federal court will be sentenced on the same day. In that trial, Hider testified against her accomplice. Pinkins and Hider had connections to the University of Cosmic Intelligence leader Rashad Jamal White - who goes by God to his followers In a 2022 tweet, he claimed that blacks and Latinos are 'gods.' His alleged followers interacted with his preaching before their crimes Prosecutors are expected to ask for 35 years followed by supervised release for Hider. She faced life in prison on charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery. Her complaint said that during the crime, she told the couple to hand over their phones and bank cards as well as to provide their pin numbers. She told investigators in the aftermath of the brutal crime:' I didn't want to hurt anybody. I took his whole life away, now he can't tell his story.' Pinkins was found guilty of murder, robbery and unlawful use of a firearm during a rime of violence. The judge in the case has issued a gag order preventing anybody associated with the case including lawyers and witnesses from speaking publicly about the trial. Paulus earlier told AL.com in an interview that it was after spending an hour on the car and pair asked if they could do anything more to help that Hider pulled the gun. She said that Simjee kept his gun on him prior to pulling over to help his killer because he knew it was a common rouse. In an interview with WBMA, Paulus said that she and Simjee had been planning their trip for a while ahead of beginning the fall semester at the University of Central Florida. Both were natives of the town of Apoka, Florida, just northwest of Orlando. Simjee was due to enter a finance program at the school as Paulus was working on a master's in counseling. Paulus described her version of events in that interview. 'Adam pulled out his gun and told her to get on the ground and that's when she started messing around with her gun. It jammed once but they both shot at each other and she was shot a few times and he was shot only once,' she said. The couple were on a road trip throughout Alabama in celebration of their next journey together. The duo planned on studying at the University of Central Florida in the fall The nursing student called Simjee 'an angel on earth.' 'Everyone who met him loved him. He was always making jokes and being goofy. Him dying a hero to protect me, like that is just so him,' Paulus added. On the one-year anniversary of the shooting, Paulus paid tribute to Simjee in a Facebook post. 'My life was changed forever. I woke up excited to travel and make new memories with the love of my life but I went to sleep a widow.' Paulus added that her slain boyfriend was her 'soulmate, my life partner, the future father of my children.' 'We had our entire lives ahead of us. 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,' Paulus wrote. Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has cemented her second place status in New Hampshire with a poll released Wednesday, beating out Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis by a commanding nine points. A USA TODAY/Boston Globe/Suffolk Poll shows Haley with the support of 19 percent of likely Republican primary voters in New Hampshire. Former President Donald Trump maintains his large lead, receiving the support of 49 percent of likely Republican primary voters in the Granite State. DeSantis - once considered Trump's biggest political threat - now sits in third place with the support of 10 percent. No other GOP candidate is polling in the double digits - former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gets 6 percent, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott are both polling at 4 percent and former Vice President Mike Pence and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are at 1 percent. Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley has cemented her second place status in New Hampshire with a poll released Wednesday While Trump is still the frontrunner, Haley has moved into a solid second place in New Hampshire, which holds the nation's first primary next year While Trump is dominant, the poll found that voters were about evenly split when asked if him winning the nomination was inevitable. Forty-eight percent believed that it was, while another 44 percent said it wasn't. The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 4.4 percent. Thirty-nine percent of those surveyed said they could still change their minds before the primary. Haley is coming off of two strong debate performances - and while DeSantis also received high marks for his showing on the Simi Valley debate stage last week, so far early state polling hasn't shown him getting a bump from it. Instead, Haley has become more dominant in New Hampshire - which will host the nation's first GOP primary next year - with the Real Clear Politics polling average showing her solidly in second place. 'Nikki Haley told New Hampshire she would earn every vote - and that's what she is doing. Nikki has already held more than 50 grassroots events in the Granite State, and she is coming back next week,' Ken Farnaso, spokesman for Haley, said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'Our momentum continues to build and we're just getting started.' She's beaten DeSantis in the last four of five New Hampshire polls. Former President Donald Trump (left) still holds a formidable lead in the Granite State, while Haley has overtaken Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right) Haley started to surpass the Florida governor in New Hampshire polling late last month and her lead continues to grow. The averages show Trump with 45 percent support, Haley with 14.2 percent and DeSantis with 10.4 percent support. The Real Clear Politics polling average also has Christie in a better position than the USA Today poll - garnering 9 percent from New Hampshire voters. Christie has ignored Iowa - the state that will hold the first GOP caucuses on January 15, with the New Hampshire primary following shortly thereafter - and has focused solely on the Granite State. Haley still has work to do in Iowa if she wants to emerge as Trump's primary, primary opponent. In the Hawkeye State, she remains in a distant third, according to the Real Clear Politics polling average - with Trump sitting at 49.2 percent, DeSantis at 16 percent and Haley at 8.8 percent. That being said, New Hampshire has a tradition of picking a different candidate than whomever wins the Iowa caucuses - for example, giving Trump his first win in 2016, after Sen. Ted Cruz won the caucuses. In 2008, when now former President Barack Obama stunned and won the Iowa caucuses, the Democratic primary became a slog when New Hampshire voters picked Hillary Clinton instead. The latest poll out of South Carolina, which holds the first-in-the-South primary, also contains some good news for Haley, who was the governor of the state from 2011 to 2017, before Trump picked her to be his ambassador to the United Nations. A survey conducted by Winthrop University shows Trump a clear favorite - currently receiving the support of 51 percent of South Carolina voters. Haley, however, has leapfrogged DeSantis - and is in second place with 17 percent support - compared to the Republican governor's 12 percent. 'South Carolinians know how hard Nikki fought for taxpayers and jobs, and how she took on the establishment and won when she was governor,' Farnaso also said. 'She takes nothing for granted but is confident she'll do very well in South Carolina.' The British airline industry is on red alert after a London supplier was accused of selling jet engine parts with fraudulent safety certificates, leading the regulator to investigate. AOG Technics Ltd, based in London, is being investigated by regulators over claims it supplied fake parts for jet engines powering many older-generation Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 planes. The scandal has already engulfed the US airline industry. After American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines pulled planes from their rosters, Delta Airlines announced on Monday that it has also removed several engines from service. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has confirmed some parts sourced from AOG Technics are on engines fitted to UK aircraft. The agency has issued a safety notice to all UK organisations warning them to investigate their records thoroughly to check the source of aircraft parts. A spokesperson from the CAA told Mail Online: 'We can confirm that we are one of a number of organisations looking into this, but we are unable to comment further on ongoing investigations.' The allegedly faulty safety certificates were installed in at least 126 Boeing and Airbus engines across several airlines. Pictured: An Airbus A320 NEO engine at a Safran plant in France, 2018 AOG Technics Ltd, based in London, is being investigated by regulators over claims it supplied fake parts for jet engines powering many older-generation Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 planes The scandal has rocked the aviation industry, with potentially faulty parts stretching from small nuts and bolts to vitally important turbine blades. Pictured: Manufacturing parts for an Airbus A320 wing American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines pulled planes from their rosters, including aviation industry favorite Boeing 737 jets (pictured) The regulator has recommended that all CAMO, operators, owners and maintainers and distributers investigate their records thoroughly to 'determine the provenance of any parts acquired either directly or indirectly from AOG Technics'. 'For each part obtained, please contact the approved organisation identified on the ARC [airworthiness release certificates] to verify the origin of the certificate,' the CAA said. 'If the approved organisation attests that the ARC did not originate from that organisation, then all affected parts should be quarantined to prevent installation. If a part is found with falsified ARC which has already been installed it should be replaced with an approved part.' Airlines which are NOT affected by parts from AOG The following airlines have confirmed they have NOT been supplied with parts from AOG Technics: Aer Lingus British Airways EasyJet Jet 2 Ryanair Virgin Atlantic Wizz Air Advertisement In many cases, the approved organisations listed on the ARC forms provided by AOG Technics confirmed they were not genuine, Aviacionline reports. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said that when investigating each of the false safety forms provided by AOG, manufacturers said 'the certificate has been falsified'. EASA stated: 'To date, AOG Technics has not provided information on the source of the parts or of the falsified safety forms. 'EASA is therefore issuing this alert to determine whether other parts with falsified safety forms have been supplied, and to limit the airworthiness impact of any potentially unairworthy parts operating in service.' AOG Technics has also faced allegations it faked employees and was using stock photographs for fictitious staffers on LinkedIn, according to Bloomberg. The LinkedIn page does not appear to exist anymore and attempts to contact the company were unsuccessful. With parts from the problematic company so far found in 126 engines across several airlines, questions are being raised over the effectiveness of the aviation industry's safety oversight measures. Jet engine maker CFM International revealed last month that thousands of engine components may have been sold with forged paperwork by AOG Technics, as the fallout from a probe into falsely certified parts reached London's High Court. Matthew Reeve, a lawyer for CFM and its co-owners General Electric and Safran, said AOG Technics had engaged in a 'deliberate, dishonest and sophisticated scheme to deceive the market with falsified documents on an industrial scale'. European regulators have said they are investigating reports that some parts supplied by the London-based firm without valid certificates had been found inside CFM56 engines, which power some Airbus and Boeing jets. AOG did not address the underlying claim of forgery in the hearing, which was called to discuss procedural issues. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its main number, which went to hold then voicemail. The discovery has prompted airlines to change parts on a handful of planes and so far only a fraction of the 23,000 existing CFM56 engines has been affected. But Reeve said in court filings that CFM and its engine partners have 'compelling documentary evidence that thousands of jet engine parts have been sold by (AOG) to airlines operating commercial aircraft fitted with the claimants' jet engines'. These include parts for CFM56 engines, built by the GE-Safran joint-venture CFM, and a very small number of CF6 engines used mainly to power cargo planes and manufactured purely by GE. The most affected engine model was found to be a CFM56 (pictured), which alarmingly holds the record for most engines ever sold to airlines at over 33,900 Industry sources said the majority of spare parts sold by distributors like AOG involve small items that are not made by the engine makers themselves and are not considered critical. Even so, the number of planes that could have to be taken out of service for checks is approaching 100 and analysts say any disruption to the tightly monitored system of controls underpinning the safety of air travel must be tackled quickly. Reeve said that so far, 86 falsified documents known as release certificates had been identified. By Monday, the number of engines suspected to have parts with forged documents had risen to 96. 'Potentially, that means between 48 and 96 aircraft being taken out of service whilst airlines arrange for the parts to be removed,' Reeve added. The sale of parts with fake or missing release certificates 'potentially puts aircraft safety in jeopardy' and makes it impossible to verify airworthiness, CFM said in a filing. A release certificate is akin to a birth certificate for an engine part, guaranteeing it is genuine. The engine maker and its French and American parent companies took AOG and its sole director Jose Zamora Yrala to court to force them to hand over documents related to any remaining parts and paperwork linked to CFM56 and CF6 engines since February 2015. They said they were first alerted to the alleged forgery by a Portuguese maintenance and repair company in June, prompting a scramble to discover the extent of the issue. The controversy has highlighted the complex nature of the aviation industry. Pictured: The wheel well of the first Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft as it sits on the tarmac outside of the Boeing factory on February 5, 2018 Lawyers representing AOG and Zamora Yrala said the defendants were 'cooperating fully' with an investigation by Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). AOG lawyer Tom Cleaver argued GE did not need a large amount of documents in order to contact possible buyers of the parts. 'Everybody now knows that AOG parts are not necessarily to be taken to be the claimants' parts,' he said. Judge Richard Meade ruled that AOG and Zamora Yrala should disclose 'invoices, release certificates, memos of shipment and purchase orders' for 230 transactions. CFM welcomed the court order, which it said would help the industry identify unapproved parts more rapidly. CFM56 engines power the previous generation of Boeing 737s and about half the previous generation of Airbus A320s. These are gradually being upgraded but thousands remain in service. The CFM56 is also used on Boeing P-8 maritime patrol planes sold to the United States and Britain, while the GE-built CF6 powers Boeing KC-767A tankers sold to Italy and Japan. There have been no reports of suspect parts on military aircraft. Boeing and Airbus had no immediate comment. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency, in a filing first reported by Bloomberg, said in August it was examining reports of parts with suspected falsified documents supplied by AOG. Britain's CAA said in August it was 'investigating the supply of a large number of suspect unapproved parts' Allegedly fictitious safety certificates were slapped on critical components of a jet A UK judge this week ordered the company to turn over its parts sales documents, and the full extent of the scandal could grow as the records are assessed. Before the analysis began on Wednesday, airlines said they found 16 engines in their shops and a 110 in separate facilities that were fitted with parts from AOG Technics. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company serves as a middleman in the aviation industry by acquiring parts before selling them to maintenance and repair shops. It was established in 2015, but several disturbing business practices have been alleged in recent times, including that there is reportedly no record of the company ever receiving approvals for its parts. Court documents have also found that the company's founder, Jose Zamora Yrala, is the sole director and shareholder, and dubious LinkedIn profiles have reportedly been linked to the business using aliases and stock profile pictures. 'It's a bit strange that a phantom company can be allowed to supply spare parts with false certification documents,' Olivier Andries, the chief executive of Safran, told reporters last month. Donald Trump thinks it's time that President Joe Biden apologize publicly for now resuming building parts of the southern border wall after repeatedly slamming its construction during his 2020 run for the White House. The President stands accused of outright hypocrisy as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said there is an 'acute and immediate need' to waive 26 federal laws many put in place by the Biden administration that currently prevents or creates road blocks for construction of a border wall. 'There will not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration,' Biden said in 2020 when running for president against Donald Trump who championed building more border barriers. On his first day in office, Biden declared that building a wall wasn't 'a serious policy solution.' The stunning reversal in policy comes as the illegal immigration crisis continues to surge at the southern border despite repeated efforts to redirect asylum seekers into the U.S. through legal channels. But Biden's team insists that he was 'forced' to use money already appropriated for the border wall. Republicans are furious with the sharp departure from Biden's early days insisting he would prevent such barriers from going-up and now embracing right-leaning proposals to deal with the border crisis. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who is running in the 2024 presidential primary, said it's 'too little, too late' to start construction now. 'There will not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration,' Biden said in 2020 when running for president. On his first day in office, he declared that building a wall wasn't 'a serious policy solution' to the migration crisis Donald Trump now wants a public apology from President Biden after his sharp reversal this week resuming construction of the southern border wall in some areas of surging illegal immigration. Pictured: A migrant climbs the border fencing to request asylum after crossing into the U.S. from Tijuana, Mexico on October 2, 2023 'The Biden administration is more concerned with political calculus for 2024 than protecting Americans from a wide open, insecure border that has devastated families in nearly every single county in our country,' the Republican senator said in a statement to DailyMail.com. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.) said Wednesday when discussing the change: 'Well, Joe Biden's border policy has been one train wreck after another.' 'He has so little respect for the Border Patrol or the citizens of this country or the communities in which they live by the border ignored them completely. It is disgusting,' the senator added. Meanwhile, for the last two years, Republican lawmakers have been calling for the impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas for a dereliction of duty by refusing to properly address the southern border crisis. DHS unveiled on Thursday that construction will kick-off in Starr County, Texas, which falls in the Rio Grande Valley Sector at the southern border. The administration claims there was 'high illegal entry' in this area, including 245,000 migrant encounters in that sector in this fiscal year. Mayorkas says he is using his authority provided by Congress to waive 26 federal laws so the wall can be built in certain areas. The laws that will be waived to get barriers in place to quell illegal immigration includes the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act. 'The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined, pursuant to law, that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations, and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border in Starr County, Texas,' a summary of the notice of determination reads. White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates tweeted that it is 'absolutely false' to use the word 'reversal' when describing the resumption of construction. 'Fact: Congress is forcing us to do this under a 2019 law. Fact: We called on Congress to cancel these funds. They didn't,' Bates added. 'We follow the rule of law.' He then called on Congress to 'stop delaying the effective border solutions [Biden] proposed.' Trump was quick to point out that Biden is now embracing what the last administration was aiming to accomplish with the border wall - and also is ignoring some of these laws that run counter to policies the President has promoted, like prioritizing environmental protections. Former President Donald Trump says he is owed an apology after Biden's hypocrisy of repeatedly slamming his construction of the physical southern border barriers. Trump speaks with US Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott (R) as they participate in a ceremony commemorating the 200th mile of border wall with Mexico in San Luis, Arizona, June 23, 2020 Trump said that Biden is also ignoring other priorities like environmental protections to make sure the border wall in built in Starr County, Texas Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas waived 26 federal laws to allow several miles of border wall construction in South Texas 'So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right when I built 560 miles (they incorrectly state 450 in story!) of brand new, beautiful border wall,' the ex-president posted to his Truth Social account on Thursday. 'As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls!' Trump continued. 'Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown.' 'I will await his apology!' Before deciding on Wednesday to embrace building physical border barriers, Biden said during his campaign that there were other ways to deter illegal immigration. 'I'm going to make sure that we have border protection, but it's going to be based on making sure that we use high-tech capacity to deal with it,' he said in an August 2020 interview. 'And at the ports of entry that's where all the bad stuff is happening.' Locals are outraged after a 1,000-year-old tree which dates back to the Battle of Hastings was mysteriously uprooted in a 'suspected felling' - just a week after Sycamore Gap Tree was cut down. The 40ft yew tree stood in a privately owned field near Uckham Lane, Battle, a mile from Senlac Hill. Speculation has mounted about how it had been toppled, with some suggesting the tree was deliberately cut down while others say it could have been knocked over by recent strong winds. One local suggested the roots of the tree were rotting, meaning that the yew tree would have been unstable. It comes just a week after the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree near Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland. The sycamore - which had featured in the 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves movie - had been one of the world's most photographed trees until it was reduced to a stump. The 40ft yew tree stood in a privately owned field near Uckham Lane, Battle Speculation has mounted about how the tree (right) had been toppled Stephen White, who lives near Battle, said the tree was an important 'ancient monument'. Qualified tree surgeon Paul Lawrence, 51, told the Argus how the tree meant a lot to him because he had spread his grandfather's ashes there. He added that he had a 'personal connection' to the yew tree. Rother District Council said it cannot comment as the tree was on private land. Mr Lawrence said: 'I was in complete and utter disbelief. The farmer has been doing work around the fields and cut back overgrown trees which I know needs to be done. 'I think it happened on Thursday. I was extremely emotional, I was very angry too.' Many trees of that age are protected by Tree Preservation Orders, which prohibit cutting down, felling or causing willful damage to specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands. The yew tree was just a few miles away from the Crowhurst Yew, which stands in St George's churchyard. The yew is one of the longest-lived native species in Europe and is steeped in folklore. Yew trees are associated with churchyards and there are at least 500 churchyards in England which contain yew trees older than the buildings themselves. It comes after investigators found vandals who felled the Sycamore Gap tree caused damage to Hadrian's Wall. The Unesco world heritage site which stretches 73 miles across Northern England has sustained damage as a result of the Sycamore Gap tree falling over it. Forensic investigators from Northumbria Police examine the felled Sycamore Gap tree A former lumberjack and a 16-year-old boy were arrested and released on bail by police on suspicion of criminal damage after the tree 15 miles west of Hexham, Northumberland, was felled overnight last Wednesday. Detectives are now looking at charges for felling the tree without consent and potentially for causing damage to a heritage site which could bring harsher sentences. According to The Times, the findings came after preservation body Historic England sent a heritage crime specialist to assess the scene. A spokesman said that the preliminary investigation found the 1,900-year-old wall, which is one of the first British sites to be listed as a Unesco world heritage site, had sustained 'some damage'. She said a full archaeological evaluation is yet to be carried out, with the tree still not removed from the scene. The felled Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland She added: 'We appreciate how strongly people feel about the loss of the tree, and its impact on this special historic landscape, and will continue to work closely with others as this progresses.' A spokesman said that the preliminary investigation found the 1,900-year-old wall, which is one of the first British sites to be listed as a Unesco world heritage site, had sustained 'some damage'. She said a full archaeological evaluation is yet to be carried out, with the tree still not removed from the scene. Northumbria Police met with representatives from Historic England, the National Trust, Northumberland National Park Authority, and Forestry England this week in relation to the investigation. Superintendent Andy Huddleston, who heads the National Rural Crime Unit which was formed this year, said such incidents were 'exceptionally rare' and that officers had to draw on the expertise of conservation and wildlife groups. He said: 'The lack of witnesses and CCTV is also a challenge when dealing with rural crime, which can make it much harder to investigate than urban crime. 'I have every confidence though that Northumbria Police will find the culprit of this callous crime.' President Vladimir Putin has threatened the West with total nuclear destruction, leaving 'no chance of survival' in the event of a strike on Russia. In a ranting anti-US speech, the dictator said his powerful 'Satan-2' and 'Flying Chernobyl' missiles are ready for deployment in an ominous doomsday warning. Putin told a conference in Sochi: 'From the moment the launch of missiles is detected, no matter where it comes from - from any point of the world ocean or from any territory - such a number, so many hundreds of our missiles appear in the air in a retaliatory strike that there is no chance of survival there will be no single enemy left, and in several directions at once.' The West has not threatened a first strike on Moscow and it is only his officials and an army of propagandists who have talked up the use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine conflict. Putin asked the West to understand that threats against Russia are 'absolutely unacceptable for any potential aggressor'. Vladimir Putin threatened the West with total nuclear destruction leaving 'no chance of survival' in the event of a strike on Russia Putin's ominous doomsday warning comes after he said his biggest nuclear missiles - Satan-2 and Burevestnik, aka Flying Chernobyl - are now ready for deployment (pictured the Sarmat aka Satan-2 in test launch) He claimed Russia had 'practically finished work on the modern strategic weapons that I have been talking about and I announced a few years ago'. He also repeated that Moscow may withdraw from the nuclear test ban treaty. READ MORE: Putin runs scared from Ukrainian missiles and drones as his Black Sea Fleet is seen on satellite images retreating from Crimean port Advertisement This could see Putin unilaterally testing major weapons, likely in the Arctic, as demanded by many of his supporters. Recent reports suggested that the West suspected a new test in the Arctic on Burevestnik - a powerful missile that can fly for weeks at a time powered by its own on-board nuclear reactor. In recent days and weeks, Western spy planes have made regular flights towards Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic, amid suspicions of a test. Putin boasted two days ahead of his 71st birthday: 'The last successful test of the Burevestnik, a global-range cruise missile with a nuclear installation, a nuclear propulsion system, has been carried out.' He also claimed: 'We have actually finished work on Sarmat [Satan-2] on the super-heavy missile' This 'unstoppable' 15,880mph Armageddon intercontinental missile system is the size of a 14-storey tower block. 'We just need to finish some of the procedures in a purely administrative and bureaucratic way and move on to mass production and putting them on combat duty,' Putin said. 'And we will do this in the near future.' Russia has claimed its most potent nuclear missile, the 16,000mph hypersonic 'Satan-2', can destroy the UK Putin's 'propagandist-in-chief' Dmitry Kiselyov previously threatened to drown Britain twice in a radioactive tidal wave using Satan-2 missile Yet this directly contradicted the words of his space agency chief who said on September 1 that a 208-tonne Satan-2 'has been put on combat duty'. Are there any defences against intercontinental ballistic missiles? A number of countries maintain anti-missile systems which aim to shoot down or destroy missiles before they are able to reach their intended targets. But these systems are typically only effective against small numbers of missiles, travelling well below hypersonic speeds. The advent of hypersonic missile technology and long-range ICBMs, such as Russia's latest Sarmat missile, have made anti-missile systems largely redundant. The U.S.' Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation said that 'despite decades of research, development, and testing, there remains no reliably effective anti-missile system to counter intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)'. Existing missile defence systems, such as the U.S. Patriot system, can target incoming short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles whose threat is localised to one region, but cannot effectively protect against nuclear-capable ICBMs such as the Sarmat that can deploy warheads across vast areas. According to former Assistant Secretary of Defence and U.S. chief weapons evaluator Philip Coyle: 'All missile defence systems can be overwhelmed... It is only if the attack is limited that the defence can have a hope of not being overwhelmed.' In the early 2000s, the U.S. began work on developing a specialised system designed to intercept ICBMs, known as the Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD) system. This aims to use a range of sensors and radars, based in locations around the world and in space, to detect ICBM launches and destroy them out of the Earth's atmosphere, before the warheads have a chance to re-enter and hit their targets. But the programme is wildly expensive and has returned extremely poor results, even in scripted tests in perfect conditions. Advertisement There is only evidence of one successful test of this weapon. More than a dozen tests are normally needed before deployment. And Western sources have suggested that the 13 known tests of Burevestnik - dubbed Flying Chernobyl - have all failed. 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. 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'. The Russian president went public with the weapon in 2018, one of five game-changing missile systems he claimed were superior to Western models. He argued today that Moscow's mission is to create a 'new world', blaming Western hegemony for starting the war in Ukraine in a ranting anti-US speech. 'We did not start the so-called war in Ukraine. On the contrary - we are trying to finish it,' Putin said during the Valdai political forum in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. 'We are tasked, essentially, with building a new world,' he added. Putin said that no one in the world in their right mind would use nuclear weapons against Russia, and that potential enemies knew about the nation's nuclear arsenal. In response to a question, the Russian president said he was not ready to declare whether or not Russia needed to resume nuclear weapons testing, adding that 'theoretically we could revoke ratification' of the international nuclear test ban treaty. He said Russia had almost completed work on its nuclear-capable Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile system and successfully tested the nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable Burevestnik strategic cruise missile. Russia has not conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion since 1990, the year before the collapse of the Soviet Union, but Putin declined to rule out the possibility it could resume such testing. He argued that the leaders of the West had lost 'a sense of reality' because of what he cast as Washington's 'colonial thinking'. Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while addressing the annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, on October 5, 2023 Putin addressing the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club forum in Sochi on October 5, 2023 Putin questioned what right the United States had to lecture any other country and argued that the nation considered itself the only arbiter of truth on the planet. The Russian leader added that the conflict in Ukraine was 'not a territorial' one and that Moscow has 'no interests from the point of view of conquering some territories'. He claimed that Ukraine has lost more than 90,000 troops since the start of its counter-offensive in early June and also said that Kyiv has lost 557 tanks and around 1,900 armoured vehicles. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 unleashed a war that has devastated swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, killed or injured hundreds of thousands of men and triggered the biggest rupture in Russia's ties with the West for six decades. The West casts the war as Moscow's biggest strategic blunder since the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and Western leaders say they want to defeat Russia on the battlefields of Ukraine. A Ukrainian counter-offensive has so far failed to yield major territorial success. Putin, though, presents the war as part of a much bigger struggle with the United States, which the Kremlin elite says aims to cleave Russia apart, grab its vast natural resources and then turn to settling scores with China. Russian President Vladimir Putin attending the plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club forum in Sochi on October 5, 2023 Firefighters work at a site of a Russian military strike in the village of Hroza, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on October 5, 2023 Emergency workers search the victims of the deadly Russian rocket attack that killed more than people in the village of Hroza near Kharkiv, Ukraine, on October 5, 2023 Emergency workers search the victims of a Russian rocket attack that killed at least 50 people in the village of Hroza near Kharkiv, Ukraine, on October 5, 2023 The former spies who wield power in Moscow have repeatedly warned of the risk of a Russia-NATO conflict as the West's post-Cold War dominance wanes and China rises to superpower status. The speech came as a Russian rocket struck a village cafe and store in eastern Ukraine today, killing at least 50 civilians in one of the deadliest attacks in months, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top officials in Kyiv. Zelensky today attended a summit of about 50 European leaders in Spain to drum up support from Ukraine's allies. He denounced the attack in the village of Hroza as a 'demonstrably brutal Russian crime' and 'a completely deliberate act of terrorism'. Presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak and Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said a six-year-old boy was among the dead, adding that seven other people were wounded. Hroza, which had a population of about 500 before the war, is located in the northeastern Kharkiv region. READ MORE: Putin's massacre of the innocents...and message to Europe: More than 50 killed in one of the deadliest strikes of the war as Russian rocket hits grocery store as Zelensky meets leaders to plead for aid A woman collapses with grief as she kneels next to the bodies of Ukrainian civilians killed in the Russian strike on the grocery store on Thursday Advertisement About 60 people were in the cafe were attending a wake after a funeral, said Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko, speaking on national TV. According to preliminary information from Kyiv, the village was struck by an Iskander missile. Emergency crews were searching the rubble of damaged buildings. Ukrainian prosecutors released pictures showing bloodied bodies and emergency workers combing through the building's smouldering debris. Hroza and other parts of the eastern Kharkiv region were seized by Russia early in the war and recaptured by Ukraine in September 2022. The village is located only 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Kupiansk. Zelensky had visited the area on Tuesday to meet with troops and inspect equipment supplied by the West. Earlier today, Russia targeted Ukraine's southern regions with drones. Ukraine's air force said that the country's air defences intercepted 24 out of 29 Iranian-made drones that Russia launched at the Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions. Andriy Raykovych, head of the Kirovohrad regional administration, said that an infrastructure facility in the region was struck and emergency services were deployed to extinguish a fire. He said there were no casualties. In other Russian attacks on Ukraine in the past day, two civilians were killed in shelling of the southern city of Kherson and another one died after a Russian strike on the city of Krasnohorivka in the eastern Donetsk region. At least eight people were wounded by Russian shelling, according to Ukraine's presidential office. A Russian strike on a hospital in the city of Beryslav in the Kherson region ravaged the building and wounded two medical workers, according to the regional administration chief, Oleksandr Prokudin. Ukraine, in turn, has struck back at Russia with regular drone attacks across the border. Roman Starovoit, the governor of Russia's Kursk region that borders Ukraine, said that Ukrainian drones attacked infrastructure facilities in several areas, resulting in power cuts. Starovoit also said that Ukrainian forces fired artillery at the border town of Rylsk, wounding a local resident and damaging several houses. At the summit in Granada, Zelensky asked for more Western support, saying that 'Russian terror must be stopped'. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the start of a plenary session of the European Political Community summit at the Palacio de Congreso in Granada, southern Spain on October 5, 2023 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky walks with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez before the start of a plenary session of the European Political Community summit at the Palacio de Congreso in Granada, southern Spain on October 5, 2023 'Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for only one thing: to make its genocidal aggression the new norm for the whole world,' he said in a statement posted on his Telegram channel. 'Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defence, strengthening our soldiers, giving our country protection from terror. And we will respond to the terrorists.' 'The key for us, especially before winter, is to strengthen air defence, and there is already a basis for new agreements with partners,' he told the group, which was formed in the wake of the invasion in February last year. Zelensky noted that the summit will also focus on 'joint work for global food security and protection of freedom of navigation' in the Black Sea, where the Russian military has targeted Ukrainian ports after Moscow's withdrawal from a U.N.-sponsored grain deal designed to ensure safe grain exports from the invaded country's ports. He insisted that Putin's attempts to divide the West would not cease. Zelensky also emphasised the need to preserve the European unity in the face of Russian disinformation and to remain strong amid what he described as a 'political storm' in the United States. 'Russia will attack by information, disinformation, by fakes, etc.,' he said. Support from Europe has become all the more important after the U.S. Congress hastily sent President Joe Biden legislation over the weekend that kept the federal government funded but left off billions in funding for Ukraine's war effort that the White House had vigorously backed. Asked if he was worried that support for Ukraine could falter in the U.S. Congress, the Ukrainian president stressed that his visit to Washington last month made him confident of strong backing by both the Biden administration and Congress. Zelensky also called for 'additional air defence system for Ukraine, additional artillery and shells, additional long-range missiles and drones for our soldiers, as well as additional formats of support and security guarantees for nations threatened by Russia' to help protect Europe from potential aggression by Moscow. Rishi Sunak met with Zelensky at the summit in Granada. The Prime Minister yesterday urged Western allies to continue arming Ukraine to repel Russia's invasion, at a time when military aid from some countries appears to be in doubt. A police officer has been given a final warning after he used racist language and flashed his warrant card to get into a nightclub in Cambridge. Detective Constable Daniel Buckett, 37, was found to have breached professional behaviour standards and committed gross misconduct. The hearing by Cambridgeshire Constabulary heard Buckett had acted 'without integrity and in a manner that could bring discredit upon the police service'. The officer had shown his police-issued warrant card at other patrons in Lola Lo Nightclub in Cambridge on December 3, 2021. The second allegation claimed he had discriminated against a member of the public and stated he used racist language that same evening. Detective Constable Daniel Buckett, 37, was given a final written warning after he was found to have breached professional behaviour standards and committed gross misconduct Buckett had previously been acquitted on a charge of a racially aggravated public order offence over the incident, in a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court on November 21, 2022. Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said at the time that he would still have to face the misconduct claims by his force's professional standards panel. The misconduct hearing report said that DC Buckett had admitted to drinking 'two pints of beer, a glass of mulled wine, two cocktails and then, in the nightclub, three or four shots of jaeger bombs during the course of the night'. It added: 'We could only conclude he was drunk at the time of his removal from the nightclub.' Regarding the racist language, the panel said: 'We find that the words alleged were stated by B and were racist in content. We would note in stating this, that we also found that when saying this, the words were not directed at anyone.' A witness of the event claimed that DC Buckett had been 'flashing his warrant card at people'. DC Buckett said that he had been unable to retrieve his clothes, which contained his house keys, from the nightclub after being removed. The hearing used CCTV evidence to consider the events of the evening. The hearing found that DC Buckett had breached the standards of integrity; discreditable conduct; authority, respect and courtesy; and equality and diversity. He received a final written warning of two years duration. A new report reveals never-before-seen love letters Alabama prison escapee Casey White wrote to his accomplice Vicky White and new footage from their getaway. The two-week-long manhunt of the fugitive and his prison guard lover which ended with her death is the focus of a 20/20 special airing this Friday on ABC. 'The episode also features exclusive police body camera and dashcam videos of the search's climactic end and never-before-seen letters Casey wrote just before his capture, ultimately revealing the nature of his relationship with Vicky,' according to a preview statement from 20/20. In April 2022, surveillance footage shows Vicky in her job as a prison guard transporting Casey White, an inmate at Lauderdale County Detention Center, to the courthouse. Two weeks later their run from the law ended with Vicky dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 'When Vicky White disappeared with maximum-security inmate Casey White on her last morning as a corrections officer, local authorities feared that a violent felon had taken her hostage,' said 20/20. Surveillance video, recorded phone calls and evidence that came to light during a manhunt to find Vicky White and Casey White showed the two had a closer relationship than anyone imagined...#ABC2020 'Catch Us If You Can' premieres Friday at 9/8c on @ABC. https://t.co/ZGewROYa0o pic.twitter.com/0xLD70wfls 20/20 (@ABC2020) October 5, 2023 Assistant Director of Corrections Vicki White (left) helped her lover inmate Casey White (right) escape from the Lauderdale County Detention Center A new report from ABC's 20/20 breaks down how investigators learned of their relationship and ultimately found the fugitives 'When investigators dug deeper, they began to question Vicky's role in Casey's escape, which led to an 11-day, multistate search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.' Vicky, 56, was the Assistant Director of Corrections for Lauderdale County Detention Center at the time when she helped Casey escape and hide from authorities for more than two weeks. On April 29, 2022, she told the booking officer that she is the only deputy available who is firearm-certified to take Casey to the courthouse for a 'mental health check.' Hours later authorities realized they never went to the courthouse and the pair were no where to be found. 20/20 spoke to investigators who discovered that the two had been communicating since November of 2020 and there was approximately 11,000 phone calls between them. Casey would always compliment Vicky, tell her how beautiful she was and then soon thereafter "I need money," "I need this, call that," there was always something Casey needed, said Matt Burbank, a Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office investigator and a friend of Vicky. On her last morning as a corrections officer, Vicky White had been undertaking a seemingly routine inmate transfer. But within hours, neither the officer nor the inmate have been seen.@DebRobertsABCs all-new #ABC2020 Catch Us If You Can premieres Friday at 9/8c on ABC. pic.twitter.com/5gblGqvimf 20/20 (@ABC2020) October 4, 2023 Vicky said she was taking Casey to the courthouse for a mental health check when the couple began their escape Prior to the escape, Vicky sold her home for $95,550, submitted paperwork to retire from her job and purchased men's clothing at a Kohl's store. Eight minutes after leaving the jail, surveillance video shows Vicky's police cruiser parked at the nearby Florence Square shopping center. Later that evening, Vicky's SUV was found in Tennessee. By May 3, US Marshals issued a warrant for Vicky, charging her with facilitating an escape. Over the course of two weeks, authorities said the couple used wigs and costumes to evade police before they were tracked down in Evansville. On May 9, their run from the law came to a dramatic end when the pairs car got run off the road by police during pursuit. The 20/20 report will feature exclusive body camera footage of the dramatic capture and never-before-seen love letters from Casey to Vicky The two week long manhunt came to a dramatic end in which Vicky White killed herself during a police chase Vicky ultimately ended her life during the chase and authorities took Casey into custody. Body camera footage captured the tragic end of the chase. Police found cash and weapons in the couples vehicle. Casey was initially charged for Vicky's murder, but the charges were dropped in a plea deal. In June 2023, he was sentenced to life in jail for his escape. During trial, Casey made a bombshell claim that he killed a woman and a baby girl while on the run with his prison guard lover but cops have dismissed the confession as a lie. Littering groups have hit out at a police officer who was caught on camera throwing sandwich crusts out of his patrol car - branding his behaviour 'disappointing' since doing so is a criminal offence. The male Thames Valley Police officer was captured on CCTV opening the passenger door of his marked patrol car and discarding the unwanted bread - before being confronted by an angry local who demanded he pick it up. Footage of the incident went viral on TikTok and Thames Valley Police has since said the officer, based at Witney Police Station, has been spoken to and ordered to 'reflect' on his behaviour. But anti-littering campaigners have hit out at the officer's behaviour after he initially appeared to suggest he hadn't littered - a criminal offence punishable by a fine of up to 2,500 - which colleagues later admitted was 'wrong'. Environmental groups including Keep Britain Tidy have blasted the officer's behaviour, branding it 'depressingly disappointing' - but social media users remain split on the incident. Jamie Cossey, 52, outside his home in Banbury, Oxfordshire, posted a video accusing a police officer of throwing bread crusts on the floor The officer initially denies littering, telling the homeowner filming: 'I haven't thrown any rubbish. That's actually just sandwich crusts' Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, chief executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, said: 'Litter is a crime, it makes people feel unsafe, it encourages more crime and does significant harm to our environment. Everyone should be putting it in a bin. 'It is depressingly disappointing to see someone whose job is to enforce the law, in fact breaking the law and I sincerely hope no one follows his example and he thinks again about the laws he upholds and the impact of litter on us all.' John Read, founder of the Clean Up Britain campaign group, added: 'Its certainly disappointing to see a policeman littering, which is actually a criminal offence, and can be punished with a fine of up to 2,500. 'The officer concerned seems a little oblivious to what hes done, and does at least appear contrite. 'However, the important point here is that we should all be caring for the environment, and always keeping litter in our cars until we reach our destination. Cossey was outraged that the police officer was littering along his street Cossey works as a full-time carer for his elderly father and did not take kindly to the police officer committing what Keep Britain Tidy suggested may be a criminal offence CCTV appears to show the officer discarding the crusts as he opens his door at the roadside (circled) 'Britain is suffering from an epidemic of roadside littering, and the police really should be setting a good example, of course.' He added that, in 'fairness' to the officer, a bread crust will eventually biodegrade. The viral video, filmed on Tuesday morning, starts with the resident asking for the officer's badge number and police station - which he confirms as being Witney, ten miles west of Oxford. The man filming asks the officer: 'Have you got an excuse why you pulled up outside my house and threw rubbish out your car? Is there a reason for that?' The officer denies littering, saying: 'No, I haven't thrown any rubbish. That's actually just sandwich crusts.' 'Oh right,' the man filming replies, pointing his camera at a pair of sandwich crusts discarded on the grass verge. He adds: 'So you think it's okay to pull up outside somebody else's house and chuck your lunch or breakfast outside my house? That's acceptable, is it? 'If I'd done that in front of a police officer, right, or if a litter enforcement officer, right, I'd get nicked, wouldn't I? Course I would. You've got no respect, have you?' The officer then replies: 'I can fully understand where you're coming from and I appreciate that maybe it didn't look so bad, and I'll fully take that on board. 'I will keep that in mind for the future.' The person filming then retorts: 'Pick the f****** crust up and take it with you... I ain't moving until you f****** do it. 'It's my house, and you just discard your food on the side of the road, right, without any thought.' The officer's colleague then interrupts to say that the roadside doesn't constitute part of the property of the person filming. The cameraman fires back: 'It doesn't matter, it doesn't - oh so it's okay, is it? It's public property, so that makes it even worse, doesn't it? 'I'll be making a complaint... about him. Who do you think you are? Do you think the police are so above the little man that you can get away with that?' As the officer who dropped the crusts tries to say he'll pick up the rubbish, the resident adds: 'Pick it up. Pick it up. Pick it up then.' When the policeman asks him to stop shouting, he says: 'I'll shout at what I want - there's no law against it, is there?' The cameraman tells the officer: 'Pick the f****** crust up and take it with you' The offending sandwich crusts can be seen on the grass verge next to the door of the police car The officer then agrees to pick up the crusts, asking the cameraman not to shout at him The car then leaves as the man filming says: 'Move along. You're dismissed. Go away' The cameraman then steps back on to his driveway and shouts: 'Alright. Now pick the f****** thing up. Now I'm on private property. Pick it up. 'How dare you come to somebody's house and discard your food, in front of their house, even whether it's a public property or not. Who the hell do you think you are? Pick it up. Now.' The officer says: 'I will do. Will you please stop shouting at me like that? I don't think that's quite respectful.' What does the law say on littering? Littering is a criminal offence under Section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which says a person is guilty of an offence if he or she 'throws down, drops or otherwise deposits' rubbish in public - including on private land open to the public. Despite being a crime, most littering is dealt with through civil action, through fixed penalty notices (FPNs) handed out by police officers or council civil enforcement officers. If litter is dropped from a car, authorities have the power to fine the registered keeper of the car from which it was dropped. The maximum penalty on FPNs was 150 until July this year, when the government raised the ceiling on litter fines to 500. Failure to pay an FPN is a criminal offence and can lead to a fine of up to 2,500 in a magistrates court in England and Wales or a sheriff court in Scotland, as well as a criminal record. Advertisement 'I don't think it's respectful you discard your food outside my house,' the homeowner fires back. 'Pick it up.' 'I'm going to, if you leave me alone. Okay?' the officer says, before picking up the crusts. The video ends with the cameraman saying: 'Move along. You're dismissed. Go away. Don't chuck food outside your car again.' Footage shared with the MailOnline then shows a male and a female police officer visiting the resident's house on Wednesday night to inform him that the policeman had been ordered to undergo 'reflective practice', which will sit on his record. The female officer tells the man: 'We have spoken to the officer and said this isn't correct (and that) you need to reflect on your actions. 'He has accepted that it is wrong and he has apologised - not to you, but this is why we're here. We've dealt with it this evening. 'This reflective practice will go onto his record, that that's what's happened, so that's on his record, and we're here to say: "Apologies, that shouldn't have happened."' She added: '(His actions) weren't right, and he acknowledges that and he's learned from it. 'And, you know, like you said, he's young in service and this will stay with him and he's not going to do it again.' As the man says he considered the chucking of bread to be littering, the other officer appears to agree, saying: 'Yeah, he's still littering, he's still littering, so it's not right.' Thames Valley Police said it had been made aware of the video and has flagged it to senior officers and its professional standards department. It later confirmed to MailOnline that the matter was no longer being referred to the department, which handles complaints about officer misconduct. The street in Banbury, Oxfordshire, where the alleged littering took place After Cossey posted the video on TikTok, Thames Valley Police said it had been made aware of the incident and flagged it to senior officers Viewers on TikTok were slip on whether Cossey's approach to the incident was the correct one It said: 'We are aware of a video being widely shared on social media involving one of our officers. 'The video has been reviewed internally and we have spoken to the officer involved. 'We have also been to discuss the encounter and the officers actions with the individual who recorded the video.' The force added: 'We strive to learn from our encounters with the public so the officer involved has been given a chance to reflect on their actions and learn from them. 'We will also be asking our independent scrutiny group, which is made up of members of the public, if they have any further recommendations for us.' The original video, tagged #policecorruption and #norespect, has picked up almost 500,000 views on TikTok, while re-posts have accumulated at least another two million. Viewers were split on whether the man filming was justified in his approach. One said: 'Wow it was a crust for the birds. Ya can tell who was curtain twitching.' A second wrote: 'Aww tbf (to be fair) hes young guy and the birds will eat the bread no harm done.' A third added: 'I throw crust all the time for the birds lol I feel bad for the young fella.' But another user said: 'Good for you mate ! Woody thinks he can do what he wants coz the uniform double standards.' Someone else said: 'No its okay for them to litter but we were to do it thats an 80 on the spot fine.' The cameraman who uploaded the video later admitted that he could have approached the situation more tactfully. In an earlier statement, Thames Valley Police said it has referred the video to professional standards - but later told MailOnline that it was no longer a matter for the department, which handles complaints about officer misconduct Responding to a comment that said he 'let himself down' with the way he spoke to the officers, the cameraman said: 'Your [sic] right, I did, I lost it. 'I am not happy about it but the arrogance of it pushed all the buttons.' Littering is a criminal offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, punishable by a fixed penalty notice of up to 150, which can be increased to a fine of 2,500 if not paid within 28 days. Some littering offences have shocked those who received them - including a Kent nurse who was handed a 100 fine after feeding some pieces of bread to ducks at the riverside. Dementia nurse Susan Watson, 68, said she was confronted by an enforcement officer waving an '18-inch long' ticket, who went on to suggest that what she did could be construed as flytipping. Under plans announced by the government earlier this year, fines for littering have increased more than threefold to a maximum of 500 under a new crackdown on anti-social behaviour. Adnan Syed, who is currently free after being imprisoned for more than 20 years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, returned to court on Thursday to argue for his continued freedom. Syed, 42, became a household name to millions as the subject of the popular true-crime podcast 'Serial.' Arguments begin Thursday in Maryland Supreme Court, where Syed's attorneys are appealing the March reinstatement of his murder conviction by an appellate court. One year ago, Syed was freed from prison when a Baltimore judge overturned his conviction. Prosecutors had dropped all charges after finding flaws in the evidence that led to his conviction for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. In March, Maryland's Appellate Court ordered a redo of the hearing that allowed Syed to be free. The court decided the victim's family had not received adequate notice to attend the hearing in person, which violated their right to be 'treated with dignity and respect.' Adnan Syed and his mother Shamim Rahman talk with reporters as they arrive at Maryland's Supreme Court in Annapolis, Maryland, on October 5 Lee's family has also appealed to the Supreme Court, on the grounds that victims of crimes in Maryland have the right to be heard and challenge the evidence in hearings - like the one last year that led to Syed's release from prison. In an August brief filed with the court, Syed's attorney, Erica Suter wrote that 'the terrifying specter of reincarceration has hung over Mr. Syeds head every day for the past ten months.' Outside of the Annapolis court on Thursday, Syed said: 'We're grateful for the opportunity to present our case to the supreme court. And we're grateful for all the support we've received over the past 24 years.' Following Thursday's hearing, Syed said he and his family 'look forward to hearing the court's decision' and will continue to hope for justice for the Lee family and their own family. An attorney for Lee's family also spoke outside the courthouse, saying that his clients were there to ask the court to uphold the rights of the victim and 'sent the case back down to the trial courts.' He added they want the body to 'mandate that the state present evidence, whatever evidence it has, so that we can see that evidence, and we can examine that evidence. And so that you - the public - can examine that evidence and we can all make a judgement as to what happened.' In 2014, the popular 'Serial' podcast revealed little-known evidence in Syed's case and attracted millions of listeners, shattering podcast-streaming and downloading records. Its popularity led to a government re-examination of the facts of his case and how his defense failed him. More than two weeks ago, Syed called a press conference in his Maryland living room, one year after his murder conviction was overturned and he was released from prison. Syed sat with his mother and his brother at his family's home in Windsor Mill for an impromptu two-hour press conference - organized without a spokesperson or his attorney. He called for an investigation into his case, 'to essentially understand how our rights as a family have been violated.' Adnan Syed addresses reporters. Marylands Supreme Court will not make a decision today in the case. @wjz pic.twitter.com/IkdnHQm7mM Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) October 5, 2023 Outside of court in Annapolis on Thursday, Syed said: 'We're grateful for the opportunity to present our case to the supreme court. And we're grateful for all the support we've received over the past 24 years' After the Maryland Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Thursday in the ongoing Adnan Syed case that was the subject of the hit podcast "Serial, lawyers for Hae Min Lee speak to reporters. pic.twitter.com/UxdMtxjHkL Beatrice Peterson (@missbeae on all platforms) (@MissBeaE) October 5, 2023 Syed was convicted of strangling Lee (with him above at junior prom in 1998). The two were high school classmates who had dated. He went to prison for the crime - but in 2022 a judge ruled that it was no longer justifiable keeping him behind bars because of new information More than two weeks ago, Syed called a press conference in his Maryland living room, one year after his murder conviction was overturned and he was released from prison He said he called the conference on the one-year anniversary of his release from prison to highlight 'two new pieces of information' that he wants the Attorney General to know. He urged the AG Anthony Brown to open a probe into his case. He alleged there had been prosecutorial misconduct - specifically by Kevin Urick and Kathleen Murphy. Syed said he has always pushed for justice for his 'friend' Lee, and her family. 'We have the utmost respect and concern for Lee's younger brother,' Syed told the room. He said there is evidence that Urick committed a Brady violation - where evidence was not turned over - and that the AG ought to probe him for it. A representative for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender said: 'Out of respect for our client's autonomy, Adnan Syed's legal team is not providing any comment at this time.' Attorney Erica Suter talks to reporters after a judge overturned the 2000 murder conviction and ordered a new trial for client Adnan Syed, whose case was chronicled in the hit podcast "Serial," during a hearing at the Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse in Baltimore on September 19, 2022 Since ''Serial'' premiered in 2014, Syed has lived through many new legal possibilities pertaining to his case, including the 2016 decision to not give him a new trial Hae Min Lee's brother, who represents the victim in this case, has long argued he was not given enough time to attend the vacation hearing. The Baltimore city state's attorney gave him less than one business day, he claims. The panel ruled in his favor. The circuit court judge did violate the rights of Young Lee in how it conducted Syed's vacation hearing. But it Syed was still freed. Syed's sensational release from jail in September 2022 was due to work by Becky Feldman, the chief of the State's Attorney's Office's Sentencing Review Unit. Feldman started investigating Syed's case in June 2022 after a new Maryland law allowed prosecutors to modify sentences for offenders who were under 18 at the time of their crimes and had served at least 20 years in prison. Syed fit the criteria because he was 17 in 1999 had been imprisoned since 2000. The Daily Mail is now the biggest news publisher on TikTok, with nearly 6.5 million followers. The Mail's account has dramatically outstripped news rivals, increasing its reach by 1700% in just six months. Our main DM account currently boasts 338.2 million likes and TikTok video views for all Daily Mail profiles was more than 600 million in September. MailOnline's Head of Social Video Phil Harvey said: 'What we have achieved is down to the collective brainpower of a global newsroom of journalists, enabling our team of creative social video producers to tell trending stories directly to their peers. 'Together, we have successfully tapped into a sweet spot between news and culture.' Danny Groom, MailOnline publisher and editor, said: 'This is a fantastic achievement and a huge credit to Phil and our teams around the world. 'They have worked tirelessly to harvest the best of our journalistic talent to produce consistently engaging content and build a new audience for the Daily Mail brand.' Recently launched Daily Mail TikTok accounts include DM Royals, featuring a top list of royal commentators, as well as CrimeTok, which is produced by Global TikTok lead Lucy White in New York and DailyMail.com Senior Reporter Caitlyn Becker in Los Angeles. Ted Verity, Editor, Mail Newspapers, said: 'The moment which for me summed up what we're trying to achieve across platforms came when Boris Johnson's 30-second video promoting his brilliant Saturday newspaper column on dangerous dogs got nearly 4 million TikTokviews with 373,000 likes and almost 15,000 comments.' This success on TikTok, which is the fastest growing social media platform for news, is credited with growing the reach of the Daily Mail brand around the globe to millions of young people. It also forms part of a global video strategy to target new audiences. According to research by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, 20% of 18-24s use TikTok to learn about current events, which was an increase of five percentage points from the previous year. And here's some of our most popular videos Footage shows the moment a FedEx cargo plane crash landed at an airport in Tennessee - following a landing gear failure that nearly stole the lives of all three on board. Chattanooga Regional has since issued a statement confirming the occupants - the plane's three-man flight crew - were all unhurt, after bystanders filmed the Boeing 757 touch-down without the aid of the mechanism. First responders had raced to the airport minutes earlier, after receiving a call around 11:04pm reporting the landing gear failure. Officials said the pilots realized the mishap while still in midair, as the craft made its final approach the airport. Circling the tarmac several times, the plane then made its descent - during which it could be seen skidding off the runway before smoke comes billowing from its engines and sparks from the exposed hull. Still, no fire or explosion occurred, and the pilots were all uninjured. Heart-pounding footage shows the moment a FedEx plane crash landed at Chattanooga Regional Airport Wednesday - after a landing gear failure that nearly claimed the lives of all on board The clip shows the 127,520-lb plane screeching across the runway during the forced nighttime landing, before eventually coming to a halt in a safety zone just a stone's throw from a nearby street Lindsey Rogers, the spokesperson for the Chattanooga Fire Department, issued a statement Thursday outlining the crisis and how it was averted. 'The plane crash-landed, skidding off the end of the runway,' the fire official said, recalling the chaotic scene seen in the aforementioned footage. 'It came to a rest between the runway and Jubilee Drive in the safety area,' she added, describing an area on the outskirts on the runway separating the facility from the street. In a statement to social media, the department added that 'all three people on the aircraft are accounted for,' while the airport later revealed the three pilots on board weren't hurt. 'There was no fire, only smoke from the engines,' it added. 'All three people on the aircraft are accounted for.' In a statement to ABC News, the Chattanooga Police Department said the three people on board were able to climb out of the plane after it landed - something not seen in the circulating footage. Photos snapped Thursday, meanwhile, show some of the aftermath of the incident - which is currently being vetted by the FAA. The gearless plane is seen at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Thursday morning, after the plane's three-man crew somehow managed to land it without the aid of the mechanism Chattanooga Regional has since issued a statement confirming the occupants - the plane's three-man flight crew - were all unhurt, after bystanders filmed the Boeing 757 touch-down Photos snapped Thursday, show some of the aftermath of the incident - which is currently being vetted by the FAA Despite damage to the plane's engine and turbine, officials said there was no fire or explosion Several images show the 127,520 lb.-plane's savaged left turbine, while others show the ladder that the crew were said to have crawled out on. Others show the plane's apparently gearless hull - while the exact nature of the landing gear - or gears' - failure remains somewhat unclear. Boeing 757's have three retractable gears - one at the nose and two main ones at the back. None appeared to be deployed in the aforementioned images, though that could be a result of damage incurred during the crash. DailyMail.com has reached out to both FedEx and the FAA for an update. As for those who had been on board, their identities have not been released. The FAA, meanwhile, revealed in its own statement that the plane, identified as FedEx Flight 1376, 'was headed to Memphis International Airport when it' was forced to return. Minutes later, the agency said: 'FedEx Flight 1376 landed with its gear up and slid into the grass at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.' The FAA revealed that the plane, identified as FedEx Flight 1376, 'was headed to Memphis International Airport when it' was forced to return to Chattanooga Regional Airport (pictured) Lindsey Rogers, the spokesperson for the Chattanooga Fire Department, issued a statement Thursday outlining the crisis and how it was averted The crash occurred around 11:45 pm, officials further revealed - roughly 40 minutes removed from the unreleased distress call. Moreover, it comes less than two months after the FAA released a report revealing dozens of near-misses between aircraft in the US this summer - one that also highlighted the abnormal number of incidents that have taken place this year. There were 46 'close calls' in July, reports shared by the aviation authority showed, leading many airline workers at the time to air fears that it's only a matter of time before a devastating incident in the US. Recent examples include several cases of aircraft almost colliding during take-off or landing at major US airports. Others include a mid-air near miss between two planes traveling in excess of 500mph. More recently, major airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines have pulled jets from their fleets as investigations into the potentially catastrophic faults are ongoing. The incident comes less than two months after the FAA released a report revealing dozens of near-misses between aircraft in the US this summer - one that also highlighted the abnormal number of incidents that have taken place this year, including this one in New Orleans in July On July 11 in San Francisco, two planes that were taking off nearly crashed into a Frontier Airlines plane which had just landed. The Frontier jet was waiting to cross a runway with its nose perilously close to the path of the two jets A third incident two-and-a-half weeks later involved a near-miss between an American flight and a United Airlines aircraft near Minden, Louisiana Industry workers have blamed a shortage of air traffic controllers which has forced many in the profession to work mandatory overtime. The demands of the job have left some burned out and even using alcohol and sleeping pills to relieve stress. In a safety reported filed last year, one said: 'Controllers are making mistakes left and right. Fatigue is extreme. The margin for safety has eroded tenfold. Morale is rock bottom. I catch myself taking risks and shortcuts I normally would never take.' 'It is only a matter of time before something catastrophic happens,' the controller said. George Santos' former campaign treasurer has agreed to plead guilty to one or more federal felony charges, according to court papers and an official with the Eastern District of New York. Nancy Marks oversaw the finances of Santos's political campaigns. It's unclear how her case will affect Santos, who in May was indicted and charged with 13 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, stealing public funds and lying on federal disclosure forms. He has pleaded not guilty. Marks' plea is in connection with the sprawling federal investigation of financial irregularities surrounding Santos, a New York Republican, prosecutors said. She pled guilty to conspiring with a congressional candidate to commit wire fraud, make materially false statements, obstruct the administration of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), and commit aggravated identity theft, according to the Justice Department. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Republican Rep. George Santos of New York faces 13 federal charges The Justice Department said Marks and Santos were trying to ensure the campaign qualified for a program from the Republican Party that would result in financial and logistical support. One of the qualifications was to demonstrate the campaign had raised at least $250,000 from third-party contributors in a single quarter. To meet the qualification Marks and Santos falsely reported to the FEC that at least 10 family members of Marks and Santos had made contributions to the campaign, when they 'both knew that these individuals had not made the reported contributions.' Marks adn Santos also falsely told the FEC that Santos 'had loaned the campaign significant sums of money, including in one instance a $500,000 loan, when, in fact, the congressional candidate had not made the reported loans and, at the time the loans were reported, did not have the funds necessary to make such loans.' Marks, a veteran Long Island political operative, served as the campaign treasurer and close aide to Santos during his two congressional bids. Over her tenure with Santos she earned nearly $240,000, including reimbursements. She resigned amid growing questions about Santos campaign finances and revelations Santos had fabricated much of his life story. Marks and Santos haven't returned messages seeking comment. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn declined to say what charge or charges Marks faced. She had not previously been charged, and Thursday would mark her first appearance in court. In August, Samuel Miele, a former Santos fundraiser, was charged in the same federal court with impersonating a top aide to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while seeking campaign donations. The investigation of Santos, a first-term congressman, has also engulfed Marks, a key behind-the-scenes figure in Long Island Republican politics who built a business as a treasurer and consultant to dozens of local, state and federal candidates. Marks has faced questions about the congressmans unusual campaign filings, including a series of $199.99 expenses, just below the legal limit for disclosure. Santos, in turn, has sought to pin the blame for his unexplained finances on Marks, who he claims 'went rogue' without his knowledge. Any deal with prosecutors that requires Marks to testify in the case against Santos could be a severe blow to the Republican, who faces charges that he embezzled money from his campaign, lied in financial disclosures submitted to Congress and received unemployment funds when he wasn't eligible. While Santos has admitted fabricating key parts about his purported background as a wealthy, well-educated businessman, questions remain about what he did for work, as well as the true source of more than $700,000 he initially claimed to have loaned his campaign from his own personal fortune. Santos has pleaded not guilty to charges he duped donors, stole from his campaign and lied to Congress about being a millionaire, all while cheating to collect unemployment benefits he didnt deserve. He has defied calls to resign. Marks has handled the finances of some of New York's most powerful Republicans over the years. Nancy Marks served as treasurer for George Santos' campaign Besides Santos, Marks' most high-profile client was former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York, an ally of Donald Trump. She was Zeldin's bookkeeper when he unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2022. Marks, besides being responsible for keeping Santos' campaign books and handling his regulatory filings, had unusual business ties to Santos, according to public records. In 2021, she was listed as being a member of a political consulting firm incorporated in Florida, whose other members included Santos' company and people who had formerly been affiliated with an investment company that had been shut down by the Securities and Exchange Commission over allegations that it was a Ponzi scheme. When Santos was indicted, Marks wasn't mentioned by name in court filings. But the indictment described an unnamed political consultant who it said had helped dupe donors who gave money that they thought was going to the campaign but was instead siphoned off for Santos' personal use. A Florida driver who was seen swinging a machete at a motorist and slashing his face during a wild road rage incident has been arrested. Luis Ruiz-Herrera, 61, has been charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon after footage emerged of a man spinning the huge blade towards another road user who had stopped his motor scooter in a lane over. The manic driver sliced the victim's left cheek with the machete, the Miami Spring Police Department said Tuesday. The victim was not seriously hurt. Video captured by another driver's dashcam shows the victim jumping off the scooter and stepping back slightly when he's approached by the machete-wielding man. '[The victim] did what I call his best 'Matrix' impersonation because he dodged back, and he was just caught with the tip,' Police Chief Armando Guzman told NBC 6. Luis Ruiz-Herrera, 61, was seen slashing a man riding a scooter with a massive machete in a wild road rage incident in Miami last week He jumped out of his car with a huge blade and lunged at the victim who stopped his motor scooter in the lane next to Ruiz-Herrera He was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon Police believe Ruiz-Herrera was the man behind the attack and say he fled from the scene in the moments after, however officers were able to identify him through his license plate number. The Miami police tracked him down and arrested him shortly after the incident. The attack occurred at the intersection of NW 42 Avenue and NW 36 Street in Miami, when both the victim and the suspect were stuck in traffic. 'The crime stemmed from a road rage incident and was caught on video by a third-party motorist who was also in traffic, directly behind the scooter,' the police said in a statement. But Miami police didn't not say what sparked the road rage incident exactly. Ruiz Herrera was arrested at his residence, and he reportedly expressed remorse when he confessed to the crime. He said he swung the machete because the victim had verbally assaulted his mother, 7News Miami reported. The police was able to identify him through his license plate number and arrested him shortly after the incident Ruiz-Herra was granted a $10,000 bond and ordered to stay away from the victim Ruiz Herrera was arrested at his residence, and he reportedly expressed remorse when he confessed to the crime At court, Ruiz-Herra was granted a $10,000 bond and ordered to stay away from the victim. 'You are to stay away from that person, I am ordering you to have no contact,' the judge said during a court hearing. Guzman said confrontations over road rage just aren't worth it. He advised those who encounter road rage incidents to drive on and let them go. 'When you actually see it first-hand, it's quite shocking,' Guzman said. 'Somebody cuts me off, personally, I just let it go.' The incident is one of a series of road rage ordeals in the area, following a road rage shooting that sent an innocent driver to the hospital last week and another involving a driver throwing coins at another drive last month. Critics have mocked a Just Stop Oil spokeswoman for her emotional outburst on TV after eco-killjoys disrupted a performance of Les Miserables last night during its most iconic song. Five eco warriors stormed the stage of the Sondheim Theatre to protest climate change - 'ruining' an 80th birthday treat in the process. Police confirmed five Just Stop Oil (JSO) activists were arrested. During an interview with Sky News today, JSO's Zoe Cohen made crying noises as she appeared to break down - but members of the public poked fun at her, saying she 'deserves an Oscar'. She told the programme: 'How worse does it have to get? How many kids have to die? 'It's insane to think that a theatre performance is more important than food on the table.' Sacre bleu! The Just Stop Oil spokeswoman became emotional after eco-killjoys ruined a performance of French musical Les Mis During an interview today, JSO's Zoe Cohen made crying noises as she appeared to break down - but members of the public poked fun at her performance that 'deserves an Oscar' Ms Cohen told Sky News: 'How worse does it have to get? How many kids have to die?' X user Jack David said: 'I hope Zoe Cohen has asked Santa for acting lessons this Christmas.' Fellow X user J McClements said: 'I'd be more inclined to believe her if she [were] genuine.' Comedian Daniel O'Reilly added: 'Call me old-fashioned but water used to come out your eyes when you cried.' MailOnline can also reveal the eco stunt at Les Mis - tickets for which can cost 200 - 'ruined' an 80th birthday treat. Husband and wife Tricia and John Jeanes, 80, were enjoying the theatre when their evening was 'ruined' by the eco-fanatics. Tricia told MailOnline: 'These people are antagonizing the public. This is no way to get their support. 'The protesters should be made to reimburse the out-of-pocket expenses as many would have had to stay in hotels in London - ourselves included. 'We were very angry as there were many people there who may never be able to see the show again. 'Also sad for the performers who were ushered off stage.' The group said in a statement that four people were 'locked to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show' Five demonstrators on stage during the performance at the Sondheim Theatre on Wednesday. Police have confirmed that five JSO activists have been arrested MailOnline can also reveal the eco stunt at Les Mis - tickets for which can cost 200 - 'ruined' an 80th birthday treat She added: 'No one knew at first if it could have been a terrorist attack. We were firstly asked to go into the bars where it was very hot and crowded and we were there for some time. 'I have only admiration for the way the theatre dealt with the incident considering they were not allowed to physically remove the protesters.' The audience have been told they can have a refund but for those who bought their tickets via third parties, it might be trickier for some to get their money back. The audience was rapt as the stars of the show belted out Do You Hear the People Sing but, in an incident that raises serious questions about security, the activists climbed on to the stage and unfurled their banners. Security closed the stage, brought down the curtain and had to evacuate the building as the police arrived. Critics mocked the Just Stop Oil spokeswoman after she broke down on TV after eco-killjoys disrupted a performance of Les Miserables last night during its most iconic song Theatregoers drowned out the JSO chant of 'join the rebellion', with booing and cries of 'you disgust me'. Another angry spectator shouted: 'Get off you stupid people. How dare you.' A third screamed repeatedly: 'You naughty people, you naughty people.' Someone else yelled, 'F*** you' as one of the activists gave a monologue about 'society collapsing'. Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns also criticised their actions, tweeting: 'Lock them up'. Earlier today, MailOnline unmasked the activists who shut down the show. They include a student working for Just Stop Oil as a gap year job and several other repeat offenders. A young cafe worker from an affluent market town, a graduate who threw paint all over the Scottish Parliament and a new recruit also stormed the West End stage last night. On stage was Noah Crane, who has just finished his studies at the Catholic Notre Dame Sixth Form in Norwich and is using his gap year to work as a JSO recruiter. Describing himself as a 'theatre lover', he said he 'took action because he knows there's no future for the arts if society fails under the pressures of climate collapse.' He was arrested at King Charles' Coronation in London as the Met broke up a potential protest. Just Stop Oil protester Noah Crane was on stage last night Noah, pictured on a previous march, is working for JSO on his gap year The crowd booed and jeered as Noah and cafe worker Poppy Bliss clambered onto the stage, holding the group's orange banner at the Sondheim Theatre Miss Bliss, from Suffolk, was arrested over the summer at a previous protest (pictured) Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns is among those calling for them to be jailed Also protesting was maths graduate Hannah Taylor, 23, who was in court in Scotland recently after the Scottish Parliament was doused in paint. She said: 'The show starts with Jean Valjean stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving child. How long before we are all forced to steal loaves of bread? 'How long before there are riots on the streets? The show cannot go on. We are facing catastrophe. New oil and gas means crop failure, starvation and death. It is an act of war on the global south and an utter betrayal of young people'. Cafe worker Poppy Bliss, from well-heeled Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, was also on stage. In June she was among a number of people arrested in London as they took part in a Just Stop Oil march demanding the Government stops issuing new fossil fuel licences. The fourth person was a JSO newbie called Hanan. The eco-warrior said: 'I'm taking action with Just Stop Oil by disrupting a Les Mis performance tonight. Just Stop Oil member Hannah Taylor urged people watching the West End show to 'join the rebellion' - but did not win over the crowd Ms Taylor, 23, was involved in an attack on the Scottish Parliament JSO new recruit Hanan said she stopped the show because of the Government's new oil and gas licences Video shows the theatre crowd booing as eco-activists clambered onto the stage holding the group's orange banner 'Les Mis is about the June rebellion where ordinary people stood up, organised themselves against a government that consistently showed no interest in their wellbeing. 'The UK Government has approved hundreds of gas and oil licences knowing the full consequences this will have on our climate and our society. 'So why wait? Take action.' The Metropolitan Police arrested people following the disruption at the musical, which depicts a failed republican rebellion against the French state. As others booed and jeered the eco protesters, a man near the front snatched away one of their banners. Theatregoers expressed anger at the protest and told MailOnline that they all cheered when the police arrived. One told MailOnline: 'It was a show that everybody was very excited about, you could feel that before it started. There were tourists from all over the world and people from all over the UK. 'The audience was very angry when the protest started. There wasn't an ounce of sympathy for them and people were booing and jeering them. These protestors didn't achieve anything, they just annoyed a lot of people who were looking forward to a special night out.' Another theatregoer said that after being ushered out of the venue they waited outside. He added: 'There were a lot of angry people waiting around outside the theatre because we weren't sure what was going on. When the police arrived, everybody started cheering them. 'These protestors knew exactly what they were doing. They were sitting in expensive seats near the front row and the whole protest was very well organised. It happened just before the interval during a very important moment in the musical. 'I'd like to know how they could afford such costly seats because I couldn't and was sat right at the back of the theatre.' Just Stop Oil said that four protesters locked themselves to the 'stage of the French-revolution-themed show' using flexible bicycle locks at around 8.50pm. In video of the incident, audience members can be heard booing the demonstrators. The climate change group said that the performance was stopped and the theatre was evacuated by 9.10pm. Police have since confirmed that five people were arrested at the theatre. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Met said: 'At about 9pm tonight, police were called to a protest inside a theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, WC1. 'Local officers were quickly on scene and five people have been arrested.' Social media users were quick to point out that JSO was incorrect in saying the play was set during the French revolution. Others slammed the eco mob for their actions. One X user said: 'This is just embarrassing. Get a life.' Another added: 'Imagine being this entitled. Just Stop Oil think their opinions justify ruining everyone else's morning, day and evening. Incredibly selfish and unhelpful, damaging their own cause.' Just Stop Oil said that four protesters locked themselves to the stage to the stage of the French-revolution-themed show' using flexible bicycle locks at around 8.50pm An apparently angry audience member points at and scolds the protesters William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres which owns the Sondheim, issued a statement on X following the incident In another video posted online, eco-warrior Hanan said: 'I'm taking action with Just Stop Oil by disrupting a Les Mis performance tonight' She added: 'Les Mis is about the June rebellion where ordinary people stood up, organised themselves against a government that consistently showed no interest in their wellbeing' William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres which owns the Sondheim, said there will be refunds for all ticket-holders. He added: 'During the first half of our performance of Les Miserables, individuals from Just Stop Oil invaded the stage, abruptly stopping the show. 'Following our safety protocols, the audience were asked to leave the auditorium and the Met Police attended. 'Regrettably, there was insufficient time to enable us to complete the rest of the performance. 'Whilst we recognise the importance of free expression, we must also respect our audience's right to enjoy the event for which they have paid.' Just Stop Oil told MailOnline: 'This summer has shown us the sheer power of a supercharged climate. 'Scientists are freaking out and even the Pope is sounding the alarm. But, like the citizens of Paris in 1832, we have locked our doors, while our young face slaughter on the streets. 'They will inherit a scorched earth, unfit to live in and we will be long gone. We cannot let this stand. The show cannot go on.' The crisis at the border sparked a huge 12-mile pileup of trucks carrying $1.5billion worth of goods, after president Joe Biden ordered a wall be built and NYC mayor Eric Adams visited Mexico in an effort to stop the flood of asylum seekers. Thousands of trucks attempting to enter the United States from Mexico queued for miles on Wednesday amid delays related to record migration that has seen more than two million people apprehended at the US-Mexico border this year. They were left stranded on the Mexican side of the border after US authorities shut down crossings and imposed extra security checks amid an increase in migration. It comes as the Biden administration said it will build 20 miles of border wall to try and combat the latest surge in migrant crossings and NYC mayor Adams is in Mexico to learn more about the paths migrants take to the US and to tell asylum seekers that NYC is out of space. In Ciudad Juarez on Wednesday, trucks waited to cross a bridge into Santa Teresa, New Mexico, after cargo processing was temporarily suspended at a bridge connecting the city to El Paso, Texas, to allow customs officers to assist in processing migrants arriving outside official crossings. The crisis at the border sparked a huge 12-mile pileup of trucks carrying $1.5billion worth of goods on Wednesday Thousands of trucks attempting to enter the United States from Mexico queued for miles Trucks were left stranded on the Mexican side of the border after U.S. authorities shut down crossings and imposed extra security checks amid an increase in migration On Wednesday, Mexican auto transport group CANACAR in a statement expressed 'deep concern' over Texas inspections of trucks crossing the border from Mexico, which it said had kept more than $1.5 billion in goods from entering the US. 'This measure has generated a crisis that has resulted in closures, detours, longer crossing times and significant reductions in the export volumes of different products from Mexico to the United States,' CANACAR said. CANACARs statement comes a day after the government of border state Chihuahua said that the costs of a sharp downturn in US-bound cargo trucks had totaled nearly $1 billion over about two weeks. In addition to the slowdown of trucks and trailers, thousands of railroad cars were also stalled in recent days after border officials temporarily halted processing at the international railway crossing bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas. Some U.S.-bound cargo trains were also disrupted when a major Mexican freight rail operator temporarily suspended operations after migrants died or were hurt jumping on the trains. The moves prompted Mexicos foreign ministry to urge U.S. authorities not to take 'unilateral measures' complicating trade. Auto transport group CANACAR in a statement expressed 'deep concern' over Texas inspections of trucks crossing the border from Mexico The government of border state Chihuahua said that the costs of a sharp downturn in U.S.-bound cargo trucks had totaled nearly $1 billion over about two weeks After a month that saw over 200,000 migrants processed crossing illegally into the U.S., the crisis at the border shows no sign of slowing in a video showing hundreds running across the border in El Paso on Tuesdat The Biden administration made a stunning reversal in migration policy with its announcement that it will build a wall. In a shock announcement on Wednesday night, the Department of Homeland Security said it's waiving 26 federal laws to start constructing a new 'physical barrier' that was started under Donald Trump. On his first day in office, Biden even declared that building a wall wasn't 'a serious policy solution.' But the recent acceleration in migrant crossings and pressure to deal with the crisis has now forced the federal government to change direction. The U-turn comes as Democrat-run cities such as New York and Chicago demand Biden do more to stop border crossers ending up in their communities and straining resources. According to government data, about 245,000 illegal entries have been recorded in Rio Grande Valley Sector, which includes Starr County, during the 2023 fiscal year through early August. DHS will waive statutes including the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act to make way for construction, which will use funds from a congressional appropriation in 2019 for border wall construction. The waivers avoid time-consuming reviews and lawsuits challenging violation of environmental laws. The Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, talks to the press in front of the Basilica de Guadalupe after a visit to the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Wednesday Hundreds of migrants sleep in line early on August 1, for placement at the Roosevelt Hotel intake center in New York Starr County's hilly ranchlands, sitting between Zapata and McAllen, Texas, is home to about 65,000 residents sparsely populating about 1,200 square miles that form part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Meanwhile, NYC mayor Adams will be in Latin America this week to discourage asylum seekers from traveling to the city because it is 'at capacity' as it struggles to accommodate the 122,000 who have arrived in 18 months - in stark contrast to when he personally welcomed them with open arms last year. New York City is bucking under the strain of the massive influx of migrants who have overwhelmed its shelter system and strained financial resources - with the cost of accommodating them set to tip $4.7 billion. The staggering cost is equal to the budgets for the city's sanitation, fire and parks departments combined. On Tuesday, the desperate mayor also pleaded with a judge to end the city's longstanding 'right to shelter' law, asking that it be void in a state of emergency. The city has been moving to suspend the policy for months under the surge of migrants, arguing the requirement was never intended to be applied to a humanitarian crisis such as the latest influx. Adams plea and his trip to Mexico to discourage migrants shows a stunning reversal to the start of the crisis when he went to the Port Authority to welcome a bus full of asylum seekers sent from Texas by Republican governor Gregg Abbot, who argued progressive cities should also bear the costs of the influx of asylum seekers crossing the southern border. At the time, Adams said: 'As the mayor of New York, I have to provide services families that are here, and that's what we're going to do - our responsibility as a city, and I'm proud that this is a Right to Shelter state, and we're going continue to do that.' Asylum seekers cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on September 30, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas A family from Venezuela waits to be processed by U.S. agents after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on September 30 But by May of this year, Adams had made major changes to the 40-year-old 'Right to Shelter' law that guarantees a bed for anyone who needs it in the city, as his government asked for federal and state help to deal with the surge of migrants that he now says could destroy New York as we know it. City and state leaders in New York, Illinois and elsewhere have urged the federal government to make it easier for migrants to get work permits, which would allow them to pay for food and housing. And border crossings continue to increase - preliminary data obtained by found Border Patrol agents last month recorded an estimated 210,000 apprehensions - the third highest number on record. September's apprehension tally is the highest since Dec 2022 when 222,000 migrants were apprehended, the second-highest monthly figure on record. The 2023 fiscal year, which concludes at the end of September, saw two million illegal migrants intercepted crossing the border, according to data seen by CBS News. That is the second highest annual figure on record. A female 'cult member' has pleaded guilty to murder after luring her victim and his girlfriend into a forest and fatally shooting him in August 2022. Yasmine Hider, 21, accepted murder, kidnapping and robbery charges for killing college student Adam Simjee in court on Wednesday and now faces up to life in prison for her horrific crime. The heinous incident took place on August 14, 2022, when Florida college students Simjee, 22, and his girlfriend, Mikayla Paulus, 20, were driving near Cheaha State Park, Alabama. The young couple were flagged down by Hider - who tricked them into pulling over and getting out by asking if they could help jump-start her car. Hider robbed them and then shot Simjee as he pulled out his own weapon in an attempt to defend himself and his girlfriend. Krystal Diane Pinkins, who has been connected to Rashad Jamal's University of Intelligence 'cult' alongside Hider, faced her own trial earlier this week and was convicted of murder, robbery and unlawful use of a firearm during a crime of violence for her involvement with the incident in the Talladega National Forest. Female 'cult' member Yasmine Hider, 21, pleaded guilty to killing college student Adam Simjee, 22, while he and his girlfriend tried to help Hider who had lured them into the woods Yasmine Hider (left), 21, pleaded guilty to murder, kidnapping and robbery for killing college student Adam Simjee in court on Wednesday and faces up to life in prison for her horrific crime. Her accomplice Krystal Pinkins (right), 37, faced similar charges a few days earlier The young couple had been driving to hike and see the waterfalls at Cheaha State Park when Hider stopped them and asked them for help with her car problems Pinkins, 37, was sentenced after four days of testimony after evidence found that she aided in Hider's crimes by providing the firearm, planning the robbery and watching nearby in the woods, according to Northern Alabama's DA office. The young couple had been driving to hike and see the waterfalls at Cheaha State Park. Simjee pulled over to the side of the road to assist Yasmine Hider, who told the couple that her car had broken down and Mikayla Paulus helped her boyfriend work on the car for an hour until they realized that it wouldn't start - at which point Hider pulled out a gun on the duo and forced them into the woods. Hider asked the couple to drop their cell phones and hand over their banking information - before Simjee pulled out a gun to protect himself and his girlfriend. Simjee was fatally hit in the crossfire and was pronounced dead at the scene. The robber was sent to the hospital to treat her wounds, where she was later charged with murder. Simjee and Paulus were getting ready to begin the school year at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. In a heartfelt tribute to her longtime lover, Paulus said her 'world ended' the say Simjee died on August 14. 'My reason for being, my soulmate, my life partner, the future father of my children, died in the middle of a state park in Alabama. 'The victims of this terrible crime were simply being good Samaritans', said FBI Birmingham Special Agent in Charge Carlton Peeples. Simjee pulled out his own weapon to defend him and his girlfriend against their kidnapper but Hider shot him fatally Peeples said: 'Todays verdict sends a strong message that individuals who commit these crimes will be held accountable for their actions. I would like to thank the many local, state and federal resources that came together to seek justice for the victim. I hope todays verdict can bring continued healing to the families and friends who will be forever impacted.' The 'cult' that Hider and Pinkins have been connected to is the University of Cosmic Intelligence cult that preaches to African Americans and Latinos and believes they are the natural earthly beings, not white people, according to Fox News. The group is led by Rashad Jamal White - known as Rashad Jamal to his followers. He recently claimed he, and blacks and Latinos, are 'gods.' Jamal is also currently detained on accusations of child molestation and child cruelty. In January, another of the 'cult's' followers Damien Winslow Washam, 24, was accused of killing his mother with a sword and injuring his disabled uncle and brother. In a heartfelt tribute to her longtime lover, Paulus said her 'world ended' the say Simjee died on August 14. 'My reason for being, my soulmate, my life partner, the future father of my children, died in the middle of a state park in Alabama Washam led police on a pursuit after fleeing the home he allegedly stabbed his mother in. Mobile County Captain Paul Burch said the he had 'absolutely no remorse whatsoever.' The sword was found inside his car. Washam's father, Hubert, told Vice's Motherboard that his son used to play a lot of video games - he learned about the 'cult' through a Call of Duty chat - and was a normal person before he got into Jamal's preaching. He had reportedly learned about the University of Cosmic Intelligence through a Call of Duty chat and soon became obsessed with getting energy from the sun, Fox News reported. He was listening to those conspiracy kind of videos and it was dumb as hell,' his father told Motherboard. 'It was stupid. I tried to look at some of these videos and I can't even listen to them, it's so dumb. Lizard people and aliens.' After he started watching Jamal's video, he allegedly started doing 'crazy-a** stuff' and smoking marijuana again and sold his PlayStation. He also became obsessed with Egyptian gods and the underworld and started buying edged weapons. Damien Washam and the two women involved in the killing of Simjee had connections to the University of Cosmic Intelligence leader Rashad Jamal White - who goes by Rashad Jamal to his followers. He is currently detained on accusations of child molestation and child cruelty, which he denies In January, another of the 'cult' followers, Damien Winslow Washam, 24, was accused of killing his mother with a sword and injuring his disabled uncle and brother. His father would later find out he had purchased a gun, the sword and thousands of dollars of crystals from the University of Cosmic Intelligence's store. 'He was acting strange. He got really strange,' his father told Motherboard. 'And it didn't seem like, you know - it was strange, but it wasnt like a mental illness to us. It was more like - I don't know. I don't know how to explain it.' Washam's motive is still unknown. The murder of the college couple by Hider and Pinkins came eight months after Washam's sword-murder. An account that was set up to help Simjee's family raise money for his funeral costs. Since the account raised more than $12,000 as of Thursday, a new goal of $30,000 has been issued to help pay for Paulus' counseling and other expenses as she tries to move forward. A raging 7ft (2.1-metre) kangaroo put a farmer in a headlock after dragging him off his motorbike. Brian O'Donnell, from St Arnaud in country Victoria, was riding his Honda across his farmland to check on a cow that was due to give birth when he noticed the massive marsupial stalking him. Instead of hopping away - as most kangaroos would - the creature 'started growling and jumping up and down', Mr O'Donnell, 74, told the ABC. Brian O'Donnell, from St Arnaud in country Victoria, was riding his Honda across his farmland to check on a cow that was due to give birth when he noticed the massive marsupial stalking him The kangaroo left Mr O'Donnell with nasty scratches on his neck and back 'Next thing I know he was on top of me.' The farmer said the kangaroo put him in a headlock and tore at his clothing, leaving with him gashes on his neck and back. 'He had his top paws right around my back. We were almost headbutting each other,' he said. 'I just kept punching him until he let me go and [the kangaroo] jumped away, about 15 metres.' Mr O'Donnell scrambled back onto his motorbike as the kangaroo charged again, with the farmer narrowly making an escape. Kangaroos do not normally attack and it is possible the roo in question mistook Mr O'Donnell's actions as a threat (file picture) His wife, Sue, was enjoying a glass of wine when Mr O'Donnell returned covered in cuts and bruises. She took him to a local medical centre for stitches and to be treated with antibiotics. Kangaroos do not normally attack and it is possible the roo in question mistook Mr O'Donnell's actions as a threat. The cow the farmer was checking on is still yet to give birth. There is little sign that Prince William will move into Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park, any time soon. And there is every sign, says Richard Eden, that Prince Andrew will continue living his home of three decades, even though his older brother, King Charles, wants to move him out - and move the Waleses in! But writing in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter, Eden says this could be good news for William, who already lives in three homes at once, including Kensington Palace and ten-bedroom Anmer Hall. Prince Andrew has fought a rearguard battle to stay in his home of 30 years - despite apparently lacking the funds to pay for its upkeep Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park is the former home of the Queen Mother The Duke has been forced to step back from Royal duties since his alleged involvement in the Epstein scandal - which he denies The King would like Prince William to move into 30-room Royal Lodge and replace his uncle Andrew. But would that be a good look for William, asks Richard Eden? 'In my opinion, Andrew may have done his nephew, Prince William, a favour with his stubbornness,' he writes. 'A friend of the Yorks tells me: "I dont know why the King thought it would look better for William and Catherine to have Royal Lodge in addition to all their other properties than for the Duke and Duchess to remain there."' The Prince and Princess of Wales had been expected to move their growing family into Royal Lodge in the coming months, after expensive renovations had been carried out. But as Eden explains, 'when King Charles demanded earlier this year that his brother Prince Andrew move out , it was never going to end well.' After all, the Duke of York had paid 1million for a 75-year lease on the Queen Mothers sprawling Grade II-listed mansion in 2003 and has since spent more than 7.5million on extensive renovation work. It is also home to his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York. 'The suggestion that the pair could move into somewhere smaller on the Windsor estate, such as the home from which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been evicted, Frogmore Cottage, rubbed salt into their wounds,' he writes. 'Now, however, Andrew appears to have won his power struggle with his elder brother.' This week, it was reported that the King had given Andrew permission to stay indefinitely at the 30-room Royal Lodge, which sits in 98 acres of land in Windsor Great Park, after they thrashed out a new deal. Richard Eden believes that William and Kate might have dodged a bullet The Prince and Princess of Wales already live in Kensington Palace, picture, Anmer Hall and Adelaide Cottage It has been reported that the King has accepted that Andrew will remain at Royal Lodge for the time being William and Kate certainly aren't short of homes. Currently, they live in the four-bedroom Adelaide Cottage at Windsor. They also own Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, a 20-room property that was renovated using 4.5million of taxpayers money in 2013. In addition, they own Anmer Hall, a ten-bedroom country house on the Sandringham Estate. To read more of Richard's expert royal commentary, sign up here The gang then scour a station forecourt for their target before making their move Video shows a suspect alerting the rest of his gang after spotting vulnerable victim opening his purse at convenience store till A chilling video shows a gang of robbers stalking a disabled man through a Texas gas station before one sneaks up and attacks as he sits helpless in his wheelchair. The elderly victim was shopping a convenience store in the Settegast district of Houston when one of the gang innocuously strolled past and noticed him opening his money bag at the till. Houston police have released security footage which shows the suspect returning to the stores car park moments later with two accomplices in tow, apparently scanning the station forecourt for their prey. One then peels off and stalks through a row of cars before creeping up silently behind the oblivious victim who has paused for a moment by a pump. The cowardly attacker then leans in and snatches the purse before bolting back to his watching gang. The suspect strolls casually past the disabled victim, clocking the purse he has opened at the till He is next seen with two accomplices scanning the station forecourt having seemingly tipped them off about the vulnerable target leaving the store The cowardly attacker then leans in and snatches the purse before bolting back to his watching gang. The attack took place at around 4pm on Thursday, August 31, outside the Pit Stop Express on the 7600 block of North Wayside. The footage was released on Thursday morning by police in Houston where purse snatching is up by nearly a fifth on this time last year. Mayor Sylvester Turner hailed new data showing a fall in its murder rate on Wednesday and crime overall has fallen just over four per cent. I am proud of the city that I shall pass forward, he said as he delivered his final State of the City Address before retiring at the end of this year. I am not anxious to leave, and if I could run again, I would. But shoplifting is up 14.4 percent, pick-pocketing up 28.2 percent and stolen property offenses are up a whopping 87.9 percent in the Democrat-led city. Earlier this summer police released security footage of a disabled woman being robbed in her wheelchair at a fast-food chain after withdrawing cash from an ATM on the other side of the city center in Tidwell. Days before the attack in Settegast a paraplegic man was shot after handing over his money to a robber in the Hyde Park district. The attack took place at the Pit Stop Express service station on the 7600 block of North Wayside on August 1 Footage shows one of the gang pealing away from the group as his target pauses on the forecourt He creeps up silently from behind before leaning in and snatching the purse from his helpless target The elderly victim is powerless to offer any resistance as his cowardly attacker runs off Houston Police have released this picture of the suspects But another robber picked on the wrong target when he tried to grab a backpack from a man in a wheelchair outside a Metro station in Midtown. He fired multiple shots, striking the suspect, Lt JP Horelica told reporters. The suspect ran several hundred yards, where he collapsed and was picked up by the Houston Fire Department and treated. Police said the 18-year-old would-be robber had multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to the hospital in serious but stable conditon but was expected to survive. A 'predatory' police officer was jailed for over 16 years today for violently raping a friend and sexually assaulting a second woman. PC Ravi Canhye, who served with Dorset Police, was convicted on two charges of rape, one count of attempted rate, and three charges of assault by penetration. He was also charged with sexual assault against a second woman. Wincheser Crown Court heard that the 47-year-old, who is originally from Mauritius, slapped and mauled the first victim before pinning her down and raping her. He verbally abused her and he did so and at one point forced a fist into her mouth to stop her pleas for him to stop. It was heard in court that Canyhe felt 'power and gratification' and 'revelled in seeing her disgust, discomfort and disappointment.' The violent attack took place as the victim visited his home in Poole, Dorset, while he was off duty on the weekend between April 8 and 11, 2022. PC Ravi Canhye, who served with Dorset Police, was convicted at Winchester Crown Court Canhye, who is originally from Mauritius, attacked the first victim in April 2022 while she visited his home in Poole, Dorset The court heard that Canhye, left, spun 'out of control' after drinking heavily which 'changed or disinhibited him Canyhe had met the victim in October 2021. He told her that they had feelings for each other on the first night and they had consensual sex. Prosecutor Sarah Jones KC said that his behaviour changed the following morning and Canhye assaulted his victim in the kitchen before raping her. She said that he spun 'out of control' after drinking heavily which 'changed or disinhibited him'. He behaved like an 'animal', the court heard. Canhye threatened to abuse his victim with his truncheon and a vodka bottle, the court heard. Canyhe, who denied the offences, claimed that the sex was consensual. Prosecutor Jones said: 'He just did what he wanted. He was so wrapped up in his own needs and desires he saw both her and her friend as objects ready to use and abuse. 'It came to a point where, she says, every time he was being too rough, when he was hurting her, that was exciting him and that made him worse at what he did.' She added: 'She considered he was behaving like an animal and that she considered him to be behaving like an animal seemed to drive him on more.' The victim, who fought to control her emotions as she gave evidence, said she 'trusted him as he was a police officer'. The court heard that Canhye 'was so wrapped up in his own needs and desires he saw both her and her friend as objects ready to use and abuse' Canhye is alleged to have carried out the offences against the first victim while he was off duty between April 8 and 11, 2022 PC Ravi Canhye, got 'power and gratification' from abusing the woman as she begged him to stop, the court heard She said that she 'was scared and really frightened' and that he was 'aggressive and forceful.' In a victim impact statement that was read out in court on her behalf, she said that she suffered from anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks. She said she was 'battered and bruised' after the attack and said: 'The indignity of it was almost unbearable.' She suffered such bad bruising as a result of his 'manhandling' that intimate parts of her body turned black. The victim added that she isolated from friends following the attack and had felt suicidal. Judge Jane Miller said that she had suffered 'a persistent, degrading and truly overwhelming episode of sexual and physical humiliation.' She told Canhye: 'Your being a serving police officer is an aggravating feature, your status means your victims placed a level of trust in you.' 'The public should be able to expect higher standards from a police officer.' Canhye has been placed on the sex offenders register and been made subject to a sexual harm prevention order requiring him to notify police of any future sexual relationships. He has also had a restraining order issued against him. The sexual assault against the second victim happened on the following day when the pair returned to the defendant's home out of concern for his wellbeing because of his heavy drinking. He assaulted her as she sat on his sofa. The second victim said she had been shocked that Canhye was a police officer. 'I couldn't believe someone who behaved like that could be one, he has abused his position of trust,' she said, adding that she felt 'frightened to leave her home.' Dorset Police has confirmed that Canhye, who had been in public service for more than 20 years, was suspended after the allegations were made and faces misconduct proceedings. Canhye moved from Mauritius to work in psychiatric health before he became a special police officer and then joined the Metropolitan Police in 2009. He later moved to Dorset Police. He won a National Policing Award in 2009 as a special Constable in Ealing, West London, for his work identifying people with mental health issues. James Newton-Price, defending, said that Canhye had resigned from the force and added: 'The outcome is devastating for Mr Canhye, not only in relation to his good name but his career.' He added: 'He would not have behaved as he did other than for his heavy alcohol consumption.' His first victim said that she that she suffered from anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks Dorset Police said that Canhye had behaved in a way that was 'clearly criminal and utterly unacceptable' Dorset Police Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: 'I would like to thank the victims for their courage to come forward to report these abhorrent crimes to us and supporting our investigation as well as the strength they have shown throughout the court process. 'I hope this sends a message to all victims of sexual abuse that we will do all we can to investigate offences and ensure offenders are brought to justice, while we will also make sure victims are supported. 'We have been able to bring this case before the court due to the thorough investigation conducted by our highly-trained detectives and I would like to recognise their work as well as the support our specialist officers provided to the victims. 'PC Canhye has behaved in a way that is clearly criminal and utterly unacceptable, especially when bearing in mind the trust the public should be able to have in him as a member of the police service. 'There is no place in Dorset Police for those who commit sexual offences. 'I understand that these crimes will cause concern for our community and the fact that they were committed by a police officer is even more abhorrent. 'We are determined to root out officers who commit such offences as well as domestic abuse or show discriminatory, abusive or misogynistic behaviours. 'I hope that responding robustly to allegations of any violence against women by police officers or staff sends a strong message to the public about our standards and values and builds confidence in how we respond to all allegations. 'Our unique powers and responsibilities mean we must hold ourselves to the highest standards.' People online dubbed him 'Conan O'Riot' due to his uncanny likeliness to former late-night talk show host, Conan O'Brien The former U.S. Marine was seen wearing Revolutionary-style attire as he joined crowds chanting 'Stop the steal!' Derek Andrew Nelson, 30, faces four misdemeanor charges for his involvement in the Capitol raid An alleged Jan. 6 rioter dubbed 'Conan O'Riot' due to his uncanny resemblance to late-night host Conan O'Brien has been arrested by the FBI - after appearing on video inside the Capitol wearing a Revolutionary-era costume. Federal court records show that Derek Andrew Nelson, 30, was arrested in Champaign, Illinois, on Wednesday. The 30-year-old faces four misdemeanor charges in connection with the storming of the U.S. Capitol alongside co-defendant Derek Dodder. In one video shot by the Washington Monument, Nelson was asked why he was there. 'To start a revolution,' the former Marine replied. 'Why are you here?' Derek Nelson, 30, was spotted wearing colonial-style attire and carrying an American flag as he joined the crowd storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 After a fellow protestor set off a fire extinguisher, Nelson was seen running from the cloud of gas in a respiratory mask and goggles He appeared in videos shot inside and outside the Capitol building Nelson will appear remotely before a federal judge at the nation's capital on October 14 When the crowd of protestors forced its way into the Capitol, swarming past outnumbered Capitol security guards, Nelson stood near the front lines, according to the FBI. He was later spotted in the Crypt, East Foyer and Rotunda of the building, clad in a Revolutionary-era costume and carrying an American flag. Nelson was dubbed 'Conan O'Riot' online over his similitude to fellow redhead Conan O'Brien. His movements were tracked and catalogued by members of the Sedition Hunters, a global collective dedicated to identifying and disseminating images of January 6 participants. Although netizens had identified him by the summer of 2021, the FBI only showed up at his house early next year. Federal agents combed his social media profile and public Facebook pages - which are still up to this day - to paint a profile of the former U.S. Marine. They deduced that he lived in Danville, Illinois, with previous addresses in San Diego, California and Wauconda, Illinois. They also confirmed that he had been on active duty from October 2011 to September 2015. In one Facebook photo, Nelson is seen posing in camo fatigues and combat goggles. Two agents attempted to interview him at his home on February 8, 2022, but he wasn't home, so they left a business card in the mail slot. Later that day, Nelson's attorney phoned the agents, who later told that Nelson declined to speak about his involvement in January 6. Two months later, however, the agents interviewed someone who had interacted with Nelson when he bought his Danville home in June 2021. This person positively identified him as the ginger-haired man caught on video inside the Capitol. Netizens dubbed him 'Conan O'Riot' due to his likeliness to former late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien The FBI constructed a profile using the 30-year-old's numerous public social media profiles and went to his house to interview him in early 2022 Nelson's legal counsel later reached out to the FBI and informed the agents that Nelson would not be speaking with them The 30-year-old was on active duty as a U.S. Marine from 2011 to 2015 In footage captured on January 6, Nelson was seen strolling around the building, joining crowds that chanted 'Our house' and 'Stop the steal.' In a different video, Nelson was among the masses walking up the staircase to the building's second level, towards the Rotunda. When cameraman yelled 'Who do they work for?' Nelson pumped his fist in the air and shouted: 'Us!' The FBI alleged that Nelson and Dodder arrived in the Rotunda around 2.30pm, where Nelson proceeded to flip off one of the statues. After another rioter set off a fire extinguisher near the doors to the House of Representatives, Nelson was seen running from the clouds of gas. He wore goggles and a respirator mask and was easily recognizable thanks to his flaming hair and Revolutionary-era cosplay. A federal magistrate judge in Illinois released Nelson on his own recognizance on Wednesday, ordering him not to travel outside the continental U.S. without court approval. The former Marine was banned from possessing a firearm, destructive device, or another weapon. Nelson has been charged on four counts: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building or Grounds; and Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building. The 30-year-old is scheduled to appear virtually before a federal judge on October 17. While his fate is currently unclear, hundreds of other rioters have been charged and sentenced to jail time. As of September 6, around 623 people were sentenced on criminals charges and around 378 of that number were incarcerated, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the District of Columbia. The longest sentence to date was handed to someone who wasn't even at the Capitol on the day of the riots. Enrique Tarrio, the former chair of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 22 years in prison back in September. Enrique Tarrio rallying in support of U.S. President Donald Trump to protest against the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in Washington, U.S. November 14, 2020 He was accused of spearheading a conspiracy intended to keep Donald Trump in power. Tarrio has been in jail since his arrest nearly a year ago. Prior to January 6, he was ordered to stay out of D.C. after being arrested and charged with setting fire to a Black Lives Matter banner. However, prosecutors argued that Tarrio continued to rally his men from afar. Some of the longest other sentences have been upwards of 10 years. While Conan O'Brien has yet to respond to comments likening him to his doppleganger, the former talk show host had plenty to say about the events of January 6. On his podcast Conan OBrien Needs A Friend, O'Brien called the day upsetting 'for any sentient American.' He slammed Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley for objecting to the certification of Joe Biden's presidential victory even after the raid on the Capitol. 'To watch Cruz and Hawley leave that lockdown and come back up and double-down on this idiocy, I think it's the angriest I've been since Schitt's Creek went off the air,' O'Brien quipped. Last month, O'Brien joked that Donald Trump's former president's impact on comedy was his 'greatest crime.' He said: 'I think hes hurt political comedy by being so outlandish himself. I think the Jan. 6 thing is a blip compared to how much hes hurt comedy.' Trump has not ruled out pitching himself for speaker Firebrand GOP Rep Jim Jordan, a Trump ally, and the House's Number Two Republican Steve Scalise are running for the top job Trump is expected to attend the candidate forum for the race for House speaker on Tuesday Former President Donald Trump is wading into the drama on Capitol Hill with a potential appearance at the candidate forum for the race for House speaker on Tuesday. Trump is expected to pay a visit to Washington in between a campaign stop Monday in New Hampshire and a campaign event in Palm Beach, Fla. on Wednesday, according to multiple news outlets. The former president has not ruled out pitching himself for the top job in the House. He posted a meme of himself sitting in the speaker's chair while holding a giant gavel on Wednesday after a number of his allies in the House put his name forth for the job. If Trump decides to back a candidate in the race it could be a boon for firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan - a close ally who has led the fight against so-called 'weaponization' of the Justice Department against Trump from the House. Mr Speaker? Former President Trump posted an image of himself presiding over the House Chamber after several House Republicans floated his name for Speaker Jordan is running for the job against Number Two Republican Steve Scalise, Majority Leader, after Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the job on Monday. But others could float Trump for the speakership as it's not required that the speaker is a member of the House. 'If Trump becomes Speaker of the House, the House chamber will be like a Trump rally everyday!!' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wrote on X. 'It would be the House of MAGA!!!' Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said he believes Trump coming to the forum will help 'unify' Republicans around a candidate. 'I think what he'll do is he'll come in there and unify us, tell us to get behind somebody else.' The GOP conference, currently led by interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., has to agree to allow Trump to attend. While it's unlikely they'd bar the leader of the party from the forum, his attendance would likely be met with silent groans from Republicans looking to bring order back to the House. 'Trump at the candidate forum would only make a tumultuous situation worse,' one senior House GOP aide told DailyMail.com. 'Anyone who thinks he has any chance of becoming speaker is an unserious lawmaker interested only in media attention and social media engagement. And according to House GOP conference rules, no one who has been indicted for a felony can serve in leadership. Trump has been indicted four times. However there is a chance Trump could try to be speaker but not a member of the House GOP conference. It's nearly impossible he would ever actually be elected speaker and he has said he is focused on the presidential race. Trump's post came hours after Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Kevin McCarthy ally, slammed the gavel while sending the house into recess minutes after McCarthy was ousted Rep. Jim Jordan, left, is running against Majority Leader Steve Scalise, right, and each have around 10 early endorsements in the race House members have been sent home to 'cool off' until Tuesday, when they will come back for a contentious debate over who should lead lower chamber Republicans and how easy it should be to kick them out of that job again. Whoever gets the job will be tasked with presiding over a four-vote majority in a conference where a succession of leaders have departed on difficult terms. McCarthy was ousted in a historic vote on a motion to vacate brought forth by GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, Fla. Gaetz is a Trump loyalist who said he spoke to Trump by phone during McCarthy's final days and suggested Trump backed his efforts. But Trump also made a social media post where he asked why Republicans were fighting each other instead of President Biden, which seemed to urge them to knock it off. 'Why is it that Republicans are always fighting among themselves, why arent they fighting the Radical Left Democrats who are destroying our Country?' Trump posted. Eight Republicans sided with all Democrats to push out their leader - making McCarthy the shortest-lived speaker in 140 years and the first one ever to be pushed out in the middle of his term. New York City is bucking under the strain of the migrant influx - with the cost of accommodating them set to tip $4.7 billion Furious New Yorkers have slammed New York City mayor Eric Adams' trip to Latin America, calling the visit a useless vacation. Adams landed in Mexico City on Wednesday night as part of his mission to discourage asylum seekers, as New York continues struggling with the 120,000 migrants who have arrived in the last 18 months. Speaking at the base of a basilica in the city where people often pray before setting out on their journeys, Adams said he hoped to 'manage expectations' of migrants setting out on their journeys. But residents of the city did not see the trip in a positive light, with hundreds of social media users leaving angry messages claiming the mayor is simply on a tax-funded vacation that will not do anything to ease the crisis. Many suggested the mayor would have spent his time more wisely in Washington D.C. lobbying the Biden administration to close the borders. One comment from an Independent voter from New York read: 'Im glad you and your coalition are enjoying your paid vacation. A trip to Albany & DC would be less costly Stopping NYCs Right to Shelter for law breaking non citizens, demand Hochul end sanctuary status in NY and Biden to reinstate Trumps [sic] border policies and secure the border.' Another New Yorker went after Adam's infamous taste for nightlife, writing: 'Enjoy your vacation that WE are paying for. Don't forget to hit the clubs tonight.' The Democrat, who is up for reelection in 2025, has been sharing details of his trip on X, formerly known as Twitter, prompting his constituents to leave their angry responses. Furious New Yorkers have slammed New York City mayor Eric Adams' trip to Latin America, calling the visit a vacation. Adams is seen on Thursday in Mexico City The Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, talks to the press in front of the Basilica de Guadalupe after a visit to the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Wednesday I thought you were there for high level meetings about the border? Ive been where you visited, very spiritual place, but not the place for discussions about solving the border crisis. Talk to the cartel plaza bosses if you want to fix the border issue on the Mexican side. They Peter J Forcelli (@Forcelli_Author) October 5, 2023 You should have gone to Roosevelt hotel. Cheaper and faster . Same results. Now you are spending OUR money on your stupid trip that will bring absolutely NOTHING! YOU ARE DISGRACE TO OUR CITY! I Meme Therefore I Am (@ImMeme0) October 5, 2023 Enjoy your vacation that WE are paying for. Don't forget to hit the clubs tonight. RP (@RealRPinNYC) October 5, 2023 'As a New York citizen, what do you think of the shooting incident that occurred in Manhattan yesterday?' added a resident of the Big Apple. 'You should have gone to Roosevelt hotel. Cheaper and faster. Same results. Now you are spending OUR money on your stupid trip that will bring absolutely NOTHING! YOU ARE DISGRACE TO OUR CITY!' said another. Adams' office told DailyMail.com that no taxpayer funds are being used on this trip, but highlighted the mayor's previous comments where he said: 'This could be done on taxpayers dime. Let's be clear on that. Taxpayers can pay for this trip. We make the determination that during these tough fiscal times, that we're going to pick up our tab, but there's nothing illegal or unethical if we would have charged this to taxpayers.' Many took issue with Adams being in cosmopolitan Mexico City - far from the crisis' center, which is hundreds of miles away at the US-Mexico border. Former NYPD detective Peter Forcelli wrote: I thought you were there for high level meetings about the border? Ive been where you visited, very spiritual place, but not the place for discussions about solving the border crisis. Talk to the cartel plaza bosses if you want to fix the border issue on the Mexican side. They have control. Many took issue with Adams being in cosmopolitan Mexico City - far from the crisis' center, which is hundreds of miles away at the US-Mexico border Adams is seen with Monica Aspe, the CEO of AT&T Mexico As the city ran out of space, landmarks like The Roosevelt Hotel have been turned into emergency shelters Hundreds of migrants sleep in line for placement at the Roosevelt Hotel intake center Conservative outlet Citizen Free Press also weighed in, writing: Eric Adams lands in Mexico City. His Sanctuary City is a mess because of HIS failed policies and he's flown the coop to beg a foreign leader to do something. What does he think Mexico is going to do. They'll do nothing and he will smile for cameras. And podcaster Drunk News Anchor said: 'DC's much closer. But then again that's not an exciting taxpayer-funded vacation as your city descends further into chaos. After all, being so close, you might actually be called back in to work in case of an emergency.' 'Exactly. He's a clown for taking this trip,' someone agreed under the podcaster's message. Adams' four-day trip will see him also going to Colombia and Ecuador. 'This is just the beginning of the journey of trying to be on the ground and understand the whole flow of migrant and asylum seekers,' he said last night. Adams plea and his trip to Mexico to discourage migrants shows a stunning reversal to the start of the crisis when he went to the Port Authority to welcome a bus full of asylum seekers sent from Texas by Republican governor Gregg Abbot, who argued progressive cities should also bear the costs of the influx of asylum seekers crossing the southern border. At the time, Adams said: 'As the mayor of New York, I have to provide services families that are here, and that's what we're going to do - our responsibility as a city, and I'm proud that this is a Right to Shelter state, and we're going continue to do that.' In August 2022, NYC mayor Eric Adams welcome migrants welcomed asylum seekers bused in from Texas at Port Authority, saying he was proud New York is a shelter state Asylum seekers cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on September 30, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas But by May of this year, Adams had made major changes to the 40-year-old 'Right to Shelter' law that guarantees a bed for anyone who needs it in the city, as his government asked for federal and state help to deal with the surge of migrants that he now says could destroy New York as we know it. Governor Kathy Hochul has also done a U-turn when it comes to asylum seekers, having first welcomed them with 'open arms' as she pledged to house them just three years before telling migrants to 'go elsewhere' because the city is at its limit. 'We have to get the word out, that when you come to New York, you're not going to have more hotel rooms, we don't have capacity,' Hochul said on CNN. 'So we have to also message properly that we're at a limit - if you're going to leave your country, go somewhere else.' On Wednesday, the mayor also echoed a rising number of voices in calling for a larger global response to the increasing number of migrants to the U.S. 'The message of this not being sustainable cannot stay within the boundaries of New York City. There is a global migration and it must have an international response.' In August, the U.S. Border Patrol made 181,509 arrests at the Mexican border, up 37 percent from July but little changed from August 2022 and well below the more than 220,000 in December, according to figures released in September. Ahead of his trip, Adams said earlier: 'We want to give an honest assessment of what we are experiencing here in this city. We are at capacity.' 'We're going to tell them that coming to New York doesn't mean you're going to stay in a five-star hotel. It doesn't mean that, the mere fact that you come here, you automatically are going to be allowed to work,' he said. Adams has made a series of urgent pleas for a shift in federal immigration policy and for funding to help the city manage the arrival of migrants, which he said could cost the city $12 billion over three years as it rents space at hotels, erects new emergency shelters and provides various government services for asylum seekers. As part of his efforts top mitigate the crisis, Adams has recently moved to tighten New York shelter rules by limiting adult migrants to just 30 days in city-run facilities amid overcrowding. City and state leaders in New York, Illinois and elsewhere have urged the federal government to make it easier for migrants to get work permits, which would allow them to pay for food and housing. claims that his hand is forced because of congressional appropriations President Joe Biden and his team have repeatedly stated their commitment to stopping construction of the southern border wall. Biden said that the stunning reversal this week to directing construction of 20 miles of border wall is only due to following through on properly dolling out funds already appropriated by Congress for the physical barrier. Even though Biden said 'no,' on Thursday when asked if a border wall is effective, his own DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas provided a directive this week claiming there is an 'acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers.' The president promised on the campaign trail and reiterated at the start of the administration in 2021 that there would be no more border wall construction. President Joe Biden has repeatedly said he would stop border wall construction like in the above clip from August 2020 when he was campaigning and said 'not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration' June 2019 Biden calls Trump's border wall 'racist' During the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden said then-President Donald Trump's border wall was an objective 'divorced from reality.' When unveiling his immigration policy in a Miami-Herald op-ed, Biden sought to provide a stark juxtaposition between Trump's policies and his own proposal, by calling them 'Under Trump, there have been horrifying scenes at the border of kids being kept in cages, tear gassing asylum seekers, ripping children from their mothers' arms actions that subvert our American values and erode our ability to lead on the global stage,' the then-presidential candidate wrote. 'At a time when the challenges we face demand a united, regional response, Trump repeatedly invokes racist invective to describe anyone south of the Rio Grande, including calling migrants 'animals',' he added. He also said that Biden's repeated calls to have the border wall built didn't address the issues actually facing the southern border. 'It's imperative that we secure our borders, but 'build the wall' is a slogan divorced from reality. It won't stop the flow of illegal narcotics or human trafficking, both of which come primarily through legal ports of entry,' Biden wrote. August 2020 Biden vows on 2020 campaign trail no more border wall construction During an interview with with journalists from the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Biden said 'not another foot' of the Mexico border wall would be constructed if he were president. He vowed that on Day One of his administration he would issue an executive order halting construction as his team worked to cancel the projects and prevent further construction. 'There will not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration, No. 1,' Biden told NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro during an interview when he was still a candidate for president. 'I'm going to make sure that we have border protection, but it's going to be based on making sure that we use high-tech capacity to deal with it,' he added in the virtual interview. 'And at the ports of entry that's where all the bad stuff is happening.' Months later and just days before the 2020 presidential election in November, Biden tweeted, 'We need to: Build bridges, not walls. Open our arms, not clench our fists. Focus on the ties that bind us together, not tear each other apart.' January 2021 Biden cancels wall construction on Day One of presidency During Biden's first day in office, he released a proclamation claiming that he would note 'waste' anymore taxpayer dollars on building the southern border wall. An executive order put a pause on current border wall projects being carried out as part of former President Donald trump's promise to secure the border with Mexico by building the wall. '[B]uilding a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution,' Biden said in the January 20, 2021 statement. He added: 'It is a waste of money that diverts attention from genuine threats to our homeland security.' 'It shall be the policy of my Administration that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall. I am also directing a careful review of all resources appropriated or redirected to construct a southern border wall,' the then newly-elected president declared. However, earlier this year, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would be resuming construction because there were funds already appropriated by Congress to build the physical barriers. On Day One of his presidency, Biden paused border wall construction and said no more taxpayer dollars would be used on the project When DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was up for nomination in January 2021 (pictured), he said: 'President-elect Biden has committed to stop construction of the border wall. It would be my responsibility to execute on that commitment' January 2021 DHS Secretary nominee backs Biden abandoning border wall Mayorkas announced this week that he is using his authority provided by Congress to waive 26 federal laws so the wall can be built in Starr County, Texas. 'There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas,' Mayorkas wrote in the directive. When Mayorkas was up for confirmation in January 2021, he told senators that he was behind Biden's intention to halt construction of the Mexico border wall. 'President-elect Biden has committed to stop construction of the border wall. It would be my responsibility to execute on that commitment, and I have not looked at the question of what we do with respect to the wall that already has been built,' Mayorkas told lawmakers on January 19, 2021 the day before Biden's inauguration. Following that hearing a few years ago, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said he would put a 'hold' on the nomination due to his comments regarding the wall and his refusal to say whether there was a crisis at the southern border. Biden insisted on Thursday that he is still against a border wall in direct contradiction of Mayorkas' own words passing other laws to be able to construct the barriers. He also said that he has repeatedly asked Congress to reappropriate the funds so they could be used in other ways. In the absence of action from Congress, the White House says that Biden is now simply following the law by allowing the funds to be used for a wall at the southern border. 'The money was appropriated for the border wall,' Biden said. 'I tried to get them to reappropriate, to redirect that money. They didn't. They wouldn't,' he said of Republicans in Congress. 'In the meantime, there's nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated for. I can't stop that,' he added. Asked about whether he thought the border wall was effective, the President replied, 'No.' In the Oval Office on Thursday, Biden told reporters that he is forced to construct border wall because the funds were already appropriated by Congress in 2019. Asked about whether he thought the border wall was effective, the President replied, 'No' Biden has repeatedly used his opposition to the border wall as a talking point, saying: 'We need to build bridges, not walls' Im not going to vote for a wall under any circumstances. Kamala Harris says she wont support funding for what she calls Trumps medieval vanity project, even in exchange for funding for permanent protections for DACA recipients. #HarrisTownHall https://t.co/0EMGUsQFut pic.twitter.com/fwuxUzk1qX CNN (@CNN) January 29, 2019 January 2019 Kamala Harris said she wouldn't support funding wall in exchange for DACA citizenship Vice President Kamala Harris was also one of the three senators at the time who opposed a deal granting funding then-President Trump's border wall in exchange for legislation giving citizenship for DACA recipients. 'I'm not going to vote for a wall under any circumstances,' Harris said during a 2019 CNN Town Hall when she was campaigning for president. At the event, which happened before she dropped out of the race and became Biden's running mate, Harris called Trump's border wall a 'medieval vanity project.' She also called the budgetary fight over funding for the wall a 'distraction' from much larger issues at play at the time including the investigations against then President Trump. Last month, Vice President Harris said that she and President Biden had a big undertaking when they got into office to fix the border. She also insists it's secure despite continued surges of illegal crossings. 'The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, in particular over the last four years before we came in, and it needs to be fixed,' Harris said in an NBC News Meet the Press interview last month. 'We have a secure border in that that is a priority for any nation, including ours and our administration,' she added. Piper's post drew thousands of divided responses on X, with some shocked by the idea of bringing coffee to church while some appeared to be unfazed A Minnesota pastor sparked a heat debate with his post telling parishioners not to drink coffee during Sunday church services. Pastor John Piper, 77, asked about the appropriateness of sipping coffee during Sunday services, generating thousands of divided responses. 'Can we reassess whether Sunday coffee-sipping in the sanctuary fits?' the pastor wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. He continued by quoting from the Hebrews: 'Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe' (Hebrews 12:28). Some users were shocked by the idea of drinking coffee during church services, while others appeared to be unfazed completely. Pastor John Piper(pictured), 77, asked about the appropriateness of sipping coffee during Sunday services, generating thousands of divided responses 'Can we reassess whether Sunday coffee-sipping in the sanctuary fits?' the pastor wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter His post drew divided responses with some users shocked by the idea of drinking coffee during church services, while others appeared to be unfazed completely 'Can we reassess whether this is a question of necessary priority?' X user @jaySics wrote in replies, questioning the pastor. Another user @Kellys_ex: 'I think we have bigger fish to fry John. Personally, I'm in awe God puts up with me at all, Sunday through Saturday.' They added in the thread: 'If the Holy Spirit compelled me to fill the coffee cups on Sunday morning because it brought them closer to the Word, I would obey. This is how I show my reverence, each and every day.' Some seemed to agree with Piper, noting the question is worth considering. 'There is a valid principle to consider here, whether or not you agree w/this particular application,' wrote another user, @NathanielJolly. 'Those w/ a heart & concern for reverential worship & holiness should take some time to consider the principle,' they continued. Another chimed in: 'Liturgy is all about God and our worship of Him. Coffee can be enjoyed any other time of the week. Sunday mornings are a sacred time where we meet and worship the Trinity.' Among Pastor's supporters was Sarah St. Onge, who vehemently opposed drinking coffee at church. 'I will not tolerate the concept of drinking coffee *during* a church service. I'm shocked at all of you. Just shocked,' she wrote. The New York-based woman who describes herself as Luthran later said she 'is not the Twitter people' and was speaking 'in jest'. 'Please continue to go to your churches where you drink coffee,' she wrote. In her interview with Fox News, she said: 'The average American church service lasts less than two hours.' 'And the average person should be able to manage two hours without having a coffee.' In Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Coptic Christianity, and specific Protestant sects, believers must observe a fast from both food and beverages before participating in the Eucharist. But each tradition has different guidelines regarding how long adherents should fast. Born in Tennesse, Pastor is a Calvinist Baptist preacher who runs a podcast named Ask Pastor John. He said a man's addiction to porn could be behind his wife's miscarriage as punishment for the sin in 2016. An anonymous man whose wife had a miscarriage said he wanted to know if God had punished him and his wife because of his 'struggle with lust and pornography'. 'I am glad that our anonymous questioner has called it sin and is feeling bad about it,' he told the man. 'I do not know if our friend who wrote this question lost his child in miscarriage as a direct discipline from God because of his pornography. He does not know.' A crisis-hit health board has announced a reparations scheme to atone for its historical links to the slave trade. NHS Lothian's Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) benefited from the modern equivalent of almost 40million from slavery through ownership of a Caribbean plantation in the 18th century. Now health chiefs will embark on measures including a public apology, commissioning artworks and educating staff on the links. The work is being led and funded by the NHS Lothian Charity and will not involve direct financial donations being made as part of the reparations. But there are budget concerns as the NHS faces winter already stretched beyond capacity. NHS Lothian's Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (pictured) benefited from the modern equivalent of almost 40million from slavery They benefitted through the ownership of a Caribbean plantation in the 18th century Calum Campbell (pictured), chief executive of NHS Lothian, said: 'Tackling racism helps us reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for our diverse population' It comes just months after inspectors said they had 'serious concerns' about patient safety at the RIE. The hospital was running at more than capacity and on occasions the accident and emergency unit had three times as many patients as it was designed to handle, according to Health Improvement Scotland. Research backed by the health board found that the RIE had been left the Red Hill Penn estate in Jamaica in 1750 in the will of a surgeon, Archibald Kerr. The bequest included 39 slaves and the report said that over the next 143 years generations of enslaved people would have provided 'a considerable amount of wealth for the infirmary' in rental income. Research has also identified donations that the hospital received from individuals who profited from slavery. The hospital used the money to buy medicines, construct a building, employ staff and heal Edinburgh's 'sick poor'. The reparations will include making a formal apology to people of African descent, commissioning artwork dedicated to victims of slavery and signing an agreement aimed at improving health in modern-day Jamaica. An advisory group set up by NHS Lothian said the measures would 'help to eliminate systemic discrimination and racism in Scotland' and 'make amends for past wrongs'. The initial work will be funded through 'existing departmental budgets and staffing' but long-term costs are 'unknown'. Inspectors recently said they had 'serious concerns' about patient safety at the RIE Health chiefs will embark on measures including a public apology, commissioning artworks and educating staff on the links to slavery Last winter, NHS Lothian was one of many health boards hit by the winter crisis. It asked families to provide care to relatives as an interim measure to relieve bed blocking. Conservative MSP Sue Webber said: 'Eyebrows are bound to be raised by this recommendation. With Scotland's NHS stretched beyond breaking point under the SNP, the public will rightly question why NHS Lothian are expending scarce resources on this.' The project comes as Scotland faces record waiting times, with more than a quarter of cancer patients waiting for longer than the two-month target to begin treatment. Calum Campbell, chief executive of NHS Lothian, said 'Tackling racism helps us reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for our diverse population and ensures a better experience for everyone who works with and for us. This work is vital to delivering this ambition.' It comes after a Jamaican judge was slammed last month for his 'silly' claim that Britain owes almost 19trillion in reparations for its role in the international slave trade, and even that might be an 'underestimation'. Patrick Robinson, who sits in International Criminal Court, claimed that countries behind the centuries of atrocities were 'obliged to pay' and accused politicians like Rishi Sunak of burying their heads in the sand. He spoke after an academic report in June alleged that 31 former slaveholding states - which also include the United States and Spain - owed $100trillion - $131trillion between them. But the astonishing sum has raised eyebrows at the maths involved and where those behind the push for compensation expect the cash to come from. Tory former minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'It is simply silly. We owe nothing and civilised the world by ending the slave trade.' Speaking to Guardian, Mr Robinson did not rule out former colonial states trying to take legal action, but suggested a diplomatic solution was more likely. 'These calculations are not over a period of five years or 10 years. They cover the entire duration of transatlantic chattel slavery, which means they cover hundreds of years,' the judge, who presided over the trial of Serbian war criminal Slobodan Milosevic, said. 'What is more, reparations have never been paid. So the calculations begin from day one of transatlantic chattel slavery, that is hundreds of years; and that alone explains the high figures.' Last month a Jamaican judge was slammed for his 'silly' claim that Britain owes almost 19trillion in reparations for its role in the international slave trade On a visit to London for Unesco's Day for Remembering the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Abolition, he also told the BBC the figures 'accurately reflect the enormity of the damage caused by slavery'. He added: 'It amazes me that countries could think, in this day and age, when the consequences of that practice are clear for everyone to see, that they can bury their heads in the sand, and it doesn't concern them. It's as though they are in a kind of la la land.' Earlier this year The Guardian apologised for its founders' links to the slave trade and announced it would pay 10million in reparations. The newspaper, originally called the Manchester Guardian, was founded in 1821 by John Edward Taylor (1791 1844), a cotton merchant whose father had also worked in the textile industry. This year's announcement came almost three years after The Scott Trust commissioned an independent investigation into any historical connection between slavery and Taylor and the other Manchester businessman who funded his new newspaper. The Scott Trust Legacies of Enslavement report revealed that Taylor, and at least nine of his 11 backers, had links to slavery, principally through the textile industry. In April Rishi Sunak warned against efforts to 'unpick our history' as he dismissed a Labour MP's demand for Britain to pay reparations over slavery and colonialism. Bell Ribeiro-Addy called on the Prime Minister to 'offer a full and meaningful apology' and commit to 'reparatory justice' for the country's actions in past centuries. The Streatham MP noted how Britain took out a huge loan in the 19th century -estimated to be the equivalent of 400billion in modern times - to compensate slave owners when slavery was abolished. But the Labour backbenchers said no money had been provided to those who were enslaved. Mr Sunak batted away Ms Ribeiro-Addy's request during Prime Minister's Questions this afternoon. He said his Government would instead be focussed on 'making sure we have a society which is inclusive and tolerant of people from all backgrounds'. Turkish and local specialists who provided psychological assistance in connection with the Patriotic War have been awarded by the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), Azernews reports. According to the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Colonel General Kamaladdin Heydarov, Minister of Emergency Situations, announced the psychological rehabilitation of participants of the war, including veterans, family members of the Shehidis who lost their loved ones, and people who suffered physically. and moral damage from Armenian terrorism, who had psychological problems related to the Patriotic War. Psychologists from Turkiye and a group of psychologists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations were awarded medals and certificates of honor for their high services at the invitation of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Minister Kamaladdin Heydarov, who participated in the awarding ceremony held at the Ministry, thanked the Turkish and local psychologists for their services and wished them success in their activities. It should be noted that at the invitation of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the joint participation of professional psychotherapists and psychologists of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the brotherly country is possible for more effective organization of psychological rehabilitation of veterans with psychological problems related to the Patriotic War, members of the families of Martyrs who lost their relatives, as well as people who suffered physical and spiritual damage from Armenian terrorism. Since January 2021, psychological assistance has been provided free of charge. During this period, 9500 sessions of psychological assistance were provided to almost 4000 citizens in different regions of the Republic, including up to 430 children and teenagers. The alleged abuse victims of Andrew Tate are being subjected to harassment and intimidation by the accused and his followers in a bid to silence them, according to lawyers. Speaking at a news conference in central Bucharest, Romania, the lawyers - who represent legal teams from the US and the UK - said they wanted to take a 'united stand' against Tate and his followers and address 'ongoing attempts to silence those who are speaking out'. The 36-year-old, a former professional kickboxer, is charged with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The divisive social media influencer has amassed eight million followers on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. One of the legal teams, McCue Jury & Partners, represents women suing Tate in the UK for allegations of rape and physical assault, while the National Centre on Sexual Exploitation's Law Centre and Laffey Bucci & Kent represent 'key witnesses' of the prosecution in the Romania case who Tate is suing in the US for defamation. Tate's spokesperson denied the claims made by the lawyers on Thursday. 'These threats will not work, they will not prevent people from coming forward, and they will not prevent courts around the world from hearing their cases,' the lawyers said in a joint statement. The alleged abuse victims of Andrew Tate are being subjected to harassment and intimidation by the accused and his followers in a bid to silence them, according to lawyers. Pictured Jill Roth (left) of Laffey Bucci and Kent Law Firm and Dani Pinter of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation from the US The alleged abuse victims of Andrew Tate are being subjected to harassment and intimidation by the accused and his followers in a bid to silence them, according to lawyers (pictured) Tate, 36, (pictured on September 26) a former professional kickboxer, is charged with rape, human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women Andrew Tate exiting the a tribunal, in Bucharest, Romania, on September 26 'We encourage people to play their part in stopping the spread of disinformation online and to think carefully about how their words in these spaces can affect people already suffering immensely.' Four women reported Tate to UK authorities for alleged sexual violence and physical abuse, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute him. Afterwards, the alleged victims turned to crowdfunding to cover their legal costs as they pursue a civil case against him. 'We handed over our evidence about the horrific acts of violence we endured and waited for action. But four years later we were told the UK authorities would not prosecute him,' they say on their campaign page, which has so far raised 30,000 of a 50,000 target. 'It's our one remaining route to hold him accountable.' In a media letter last month, Tate described the allegations by the women in the UK as 'malicious and disputed' and added: 'If proceedings are brought, I shall resist any attempt to claim anonymity for all or any of the complainants.' Four women reported Tate to UK authorities for alleged sexual violence and physical abuse, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute him In a media letter last month, Tate described the allegations by the women in the UK as 'malicious and disputed' and added: 'If proceedings are brought, I shall resist any attempt to claim anonymity for all or any of the complainants' McCue Jury & Partners said on Thursday that Tate's letter 'was riddled with inaccurate and misleading statements' McCue Jury & Partners said on Thursday that Tate's letter 'was riddled with inaccurate and misleading statements'. 'Tate claimed that there is no UK case against him and that the firm suggested mediation through financial compensation,' the lawyer firm said. 'Unfortunately for Mr Tate, there is absolutely a legal claim being brought in the UK against him. We made clear to Tate that any settlement would have to contain an admission of liability.' In a separate case, Romanian prosecutors formally indicted Tate in June along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian women. All four were arrested in late December and have denied the allegations against them. The National Centre on Sexual Exploitation's Law Centre, repressing witnesses in the Romania case, said that since the brothers' compound was raided by authorities last year, they and their associates 'have been maliciously harassing and threatening our clients'. In July, the Tate brothers sued a Florida woman, her parents, another woman who lived at the Tates' estate near Bucharest, and a male friend of the woman. The Tate brothers claimed she falsely accused them of imprisoning her in Romania and are seeking millions in the lawsuit, filed in Palm Beach County. Jillian Roth, of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, said the lawsuit 'was filed only with the intent to intimidate, harass and to retaliate against the women who came forward to speak out against their abuse'. 'These women are very afraid, they're terrified,' Ms Roth said. 'They have been threatened, they've had people come to their place of work.' Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy designed to silence him. He was previously banned from various prominent social media platforms for expressing misogynistic views and hate speech. Last week, a Bucharest court ruled to ease geographical restrictions on Tate, which means he can travel anywhere in Romania, but he cannot leave the country. In the US, the Biden Administration continues to propose tens of billions of dollars be allocated to green initiatives that may or may not be effective China continues to move hundreds of millions of tons of coal across its railway system each year, drawing ire from Western pundits as other countries are forcing citizens to 'go green' and reduce their carbon footprint. Scottish journalist Andrew Neil recently ripped Western governments in the wake of China's projects, such as the Menghua Railway, which is the longest-coal transporting train in the world. The 1,141-mile railway moves 200million tons of coal each year as fossil fuel use - and traditional greenhouse gas emissions - continue to skyrocket in the communist nation. While China continues to see its demand for coal g leaders in countries such as the US and UK continue to impose restrictions on its citizens and push going green to reach 'net zero' emissions across the globe. The Menghua Railway was built as part of China's 12th five-year plan (a series of social and economic development initiatives issued by the county's communist government to take place over a period of five years) But you should still swop your boiler for a heat pump to save the planet. https://t.co/j0rHgybvEB Andrew Neil (@afneil) October 5, 2023 The Menghua Railway was built as part of China's 12th five-year plan (a series of social and economic development initiatives issued by the county's communist government to take place over a period of five years). It went into operation in late 2019. The erection of the railway shattered several world records and has helped facilitate the transport of coal from Inner Mongolia to China's southern provinces. The railway is the country's longest coal transporting line, and joins a large handful of Chinese coal train lines that move the fossil fuel across the country. China burns more coal every year than the rest of the world combined, and coal accounts for more than half of the total train cargo shipped across the country annually. While America and Europe back away from coal, China's usage has only gone up. The country has more than 1,000 coal plants despite a vow from Chinese President Xi Jinping that his country will reach net-zero emissions by 2060. China emits somewhere around 27 percent of the world's carbon dioxide, and a third of the globe's total greenhouse gases. As Western nations struggle to implement green initiatives that may or may not impact the environment in a significant way, China has made no such effort to curb its emissions. The Menghua Railway is just one example of a way in which China continues to use fossil fuels to power its country. Any such railroad in Europe or the US would surely attract significant backlash from activists and some politicians. China burns more coal every year than the rest of the world combined, and coal accounts for more than half of the total train cargo shipped across the country annually President Joe Biden speaks with world leaders before a G7 panel on 'Investing in a better future: Climate, Energy, Health' US President Joe Biden walks out to speak at the Action on Forests and Land Use session, during the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in the Scottish city of Glasgow on November 2, 2021 This week, Neil responded to a video from the Chinese newspaper People's Daily promoting the 1,141-mile railway that was built to transport hundreds of millions of tons of coal from north to south China each year. He wrote to his 1.2million Twitter followers: 'But you should still swap your boiler for a heat pump to save the planet.' A facetious reference to the UK government's bans on gas boilers. Neil's comments are a reflection of a widening brand of frustration that Westerners, whose governments are moving to impose lifestyle restrictions in the name of climate change, share. China is in a strong global position and its power is only on the rise, while its alliances and intentions are uniformly concerning for America and Europe. Some fear that imposing green initiatives will handicap the ability of Europe and America's citizenry and governments to produce goods, while China is rolling on full-steam ahead with production powered by fossil fuels. Furthermore, green initiatives generally come with steep price tags, an example of which is the Biden Administration's concentration on Electric Vehicles, which most Americans cannot afford. The European Climate Law sets a legally binding target of producing net zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. With that in mind, European countries have begun imposing policy changes on their people that impact some aspects of day-to-day life. Though UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced a delay in the implementation of some bans on gas-powered goals, which may signal a policy reversal for some of the country's green initiatives. (L to R) Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Israel's President Isaac Herzog, and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen stand alongside world leaders gather for a group picture ahead of their summit at the COP27 climate conference U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the UNFCCC COP27 climate conference on November 11, 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The conference is bringing together political leaders and representatives from 190 countries to discuss climate change Some political factions across Western nations push for expensive and inconvenient climate policy, despite the Chinese threat On his first day in the Oval Office, President Joe Biden canceled the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, costing Americans tens of thousands of jobs and what would have been a positive economic impact, according to the Department of Energy. In Biden's 2024 budget proposal, he allocates $24billion to conservation, cutting pollution, and advancing clean energy innovation across the US. Biden has personally promised to cut US carbon emissions in half by 2030, and like Europe, become net-zero by 2050. In total, the president's budget invests $52.2billion in discretionary budget authority to fight climate change - a 26 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2023. Biden's claim about his ambitious green energy plan claims it will create jobs, cut energy and water bills for American families, and build out a more reliable US infrastructure. Those claims have yet to be borne out as the US economy continues to flail and Americans struggle to pay their bills. The Democratic president is far from the only prominent American aggressively pushing a climate-driven agenda. Jane Fonda recently suggested that white men be jailed for driving the climate crisis. She then added there 'would be no climate crisis if there was no racism.' 'This is serious. We've got about seven, eight years to cut ourselves in half of what we use of fossil fuels, and unfortunately, the people that have the least responsibility for it are hit the hardest,' she said, referring to developing countries. 'It is a tragedy that we have to absolutely stop. We have to arrest and jail those men they're all men [behind this],' Fonda said of the climate crisis. Pictured: Fonda getting arrested at a climate protest in 2019 One recent Oxford study claims that the celebrity solution to climate change - offsetting their significant carbon emissions - may actually be harming the environment One recent Oxford study claims that the celebrity solution to climate change may actually be harming the environment. Celebrities and tycoons including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Elton John, Emma Watson and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos have all said they have used offsetting to cancel out the greenhouse gases emitted by activities such as flying in private jets. But when offsetting involves planting large numbers of a single types of tree, it can actually degrade the environment, the authors argued. Single species plantations are harmful to biodiversity and put forests more at risk of fire, it is argued, while they do little to suck up greenhouse gases. Instead, the authors said we should prioritize conserving and restoring intact ecosystems. Fox, who was released on bail, has today fumed at police for taking sons' devices Laurence Fox today fumed at police for seizing his two sons' iPads when they arrested him on suspicion of conspiring to damage Ulez cameras a day after he threatened to tear them down with an angle-grinder. The 45-year-old, who has two sons called Winston and Eugene with his ex-wife and actress Billie Piper - accused the police of being 'malicious' and 'beyond contemptible' for confiscating the devices. Fox, who has now been sacked by GB News for his on-air rant about a female journalist, claimed Britain is facing a 'pure cold tyranny' as he fumed at cops for taking the 'property of innocent children to antagonise their father'. It comes after Fox posted a video online of him sat in his living room as police officers searched his home in South London yesterday. Last night, he was pictured leaving Croydon police station on bail clasping a book about Soviet forced labour camps. He also claimed that he learned he had been sacked by GB News by officers while in custody. Laurence Fox today fumed at police for seizing his two sons' iPads when they arrested him on suspicion of conspiring to damage Ulez cameras. Pictured: Fox leaving Croydon police station Laurence Fox shared photo of his house being searched by police yesterday during his arrest The under-fire broadcaster sacked Fox after he sparked a backlash with his on-air comments about journalist Ava Evans. It also sacked another host, Reverend Calvin Robinson, for backing the 45-year-old political activist. The outspoken actor turned political activist tweeted tonight: 'Hello. I'm back. Had to get a new phone as the 6 police who were sent barreling into my house yesterday have taken every electronic device, including my boys iPads. Which is just plain malicious.' He added in another tweet: 'I have just finished recording my thoughts on the last few days. I will put it them out later. I am so upset about my kids phones and iPads being confiscated by the stasi. (even though a screen break is no bad thing!) 'To take away the property of innocent children to antagonise their father, seems to me beyond malicious and beyond contemptible. We are facing a pure cold tyranny, which is getting hotter by the day. 'Schemes designed to immiserate the poorest and most vulnerable in society, whilst the rich can offset the entire price of an electric wonder wagon against their corporation tax are grossly unfair. 'The Britain I remembered lionised Robin Hood. Now we celebrate those who steal from the poor to give to the rich. I will never stop fighting. And I'm not scared of your jail cells. As long as I have a good book.' In a video message, he added that taking his sons' phones was 'a malevolence restricted solely to political intimidation of somebody who stands against them'. He added: 'What have my kids got to do with any of this other than to intimidate me and to upset them. I think thats malevolent beyond words.' Fox said he was thankful that his children were not home but he could not contact them when he was released due to having no phone. It comes after Fox shared a bizarre post comparing himself to Les Miserables hero Jean Valjean, claiming that 'wrong speak' is a crime and appearing to brush off his on-air rant that got him sacked. In an Instagram post hours before his arrest yesterday, Fox posed for a photo with a shaved head and a trimmed beard. He compared himself to fictional protagonist Valjean - who served 19 years locked up as prisoner 24601 for stealing a loaf of bread - and claimed he was going to be 'carted off to the cancellation camp'. In a bizarre Instagram post before his arrest, Laurence Fox shared this picture of himself. In the caption, he compared himself to Les Miserables hero Jean Valjean, said he was being 'carted off' for 'wrong speak' and appeared to brush off his Ava Evans rant as a 'joke' In a video shared on X yesterday, Fox sits on a sofa in his living room in a grey suit and smoking a cigar at home as 'five police officers storm the building'. He was later arrested by police Fox wrote: 'Bit of final preparation before being carted off to the cancellation camp. Prisoner Number - #24601 - Sentence - Life without parole. Crime - Wrong speak. Specifically. Being rude, whilst trying to make a joke - 25 years. Expressing concern for male suicide rates and men's mental health.- 25 years - Being a Heterosexual male - Life without parole.' Who are the ULEZ 'Blade Runners'? In recent months the 'Blade Runners' have brought misery to Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion. By targeting ULEZ cameras in parts of London where the 12.50-a-day charge has been introduced, the vigilantes have tried their best to disrupt the scheme. Cameras have been covered with sticky spray, vandalised and even cut down the poles they are attached to. The secretive group has vowed to get rid of all Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and has taken credit for hundreds of them being damaged. Taking their name from the dystopian 1982 science fiction film in which the eponymous Blade Runners hunt down bio-engineered humanoids, members insist the cameras are a form of control over ordinary people. One Blade Runner told MailOnline earlier this year the ULEZ was a 'way to try to... restrict our movements'. They said: 'Everything we are doing is for our own freedoms. 'It's the tip of the iceberg. We do not live in a democracy. 'We will fight with everything we have for our freedoms.' Advertisement Scotland Yard confirmed a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed. Yesterday the 45-year-old political activist also shared a video on X showing five police officers 'storming his home' as he was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to damage ULEZ cameras a day after he threatened to tear them down with an angle-grinder. Footage posted to social media showed the actor smoking a cigar in his living room as police officers appeared to search his home in south London before telling the camera: 'That, ladies and gentlemen, is the country that we live in'. Last night, Fox posed for the cameras outside Croydon's custody suite after he was released. He was spotted scrunching a Tesco bag while also holding onto a copy of The Gulag Archipelago by Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Fox stands on the pavement holding up two fingers in a peace sign and then gets into a blue vehicle with a cigar dangling from his mouth. He then leans out of the passenger window showing off the front cover of the book. Talking to Sky News, he took the opportunity to hit out at his former employer GB News once again calling them 'GB joke' and said he found out about his sacking when police officers told him in custody. 'They [police officers] went; 'By the way, you've been sacked and there's loads of paparazzi out there'. And I was like 'phew',' he said. Asked about his arrest, Fox said: 'They've let me go. It's Sadiq Khan's 'make a big thing out of Loz'. 'If Sadiq Khan thinks he can scare me, I've been intimidated by his coppers before.' A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'On Wednesday, 4 October, officers arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of conspiring to commit criminal damage to ULEZ cameras and encouraging or assisting offences to be committed. 'He was arrested in Stockwell and taken to a south London police station. He has since been bailed to return on a date in mid-December pending further enquiries.' The Reclaim Party posted a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying Fox would 'be in touch tomorrow'. It read: 'Laurence has been released from custody and wants family and friends to know he is safe and well and on the way home.' The actor appeared on Maajid Nawaz's Warrior Creed podcast on Tuesday - on the Rumble platform - to 'encourage mass removal of the surveillance state' The former actor smokes a cigar as he released on bail after being quizzed by police officers Fox had made comments on Maajid Nawaz's Warrior Creed podcast a day earlier where he said he would encourage a group of anti-ULEZ activists who call themselves 'Blade Runners' to tear down 'every single camera' in a bid to 'encourage mass removal of the surveillance state' He added he was 'pretty close with several' Blade Runners - a secretive group behind acts of Ulez camera vandalism - and that he would be 'out there with my angle grinder'. On Wednesday, a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed Fox sitting in his living room smoking a cigar while police appeared to search his home. In the footage, he says: 'Look how many coppers there are in my house...Coming to take everything out of my house. That ladies and gentlemen, is the country that we live in.' Later the same day, GB News said it had 'ended its employment relationship' with Laurence Fox following comments he made on the channel about Ava Evans. It comes after GB News chiefs held emergency talks at the weekend as the channel fights for its future following a series of scandals and record viewer complaints. Regulator Ofcom has opened 12 investigations into the broadcaster, including one examining the sexist on-air comments made last week by actor Laurence Fox. The remarks about Ms Evans led to the suspension of Fox and presenter Dan Wootton. More than 7,300 viewers complained. It is understood that investors and managers from GB News were in contact this weekend to discuss how to move on amid the bad publicity. 'It is crunch time for GB News,' a former employee told The Observer. 'They cannot just bask in notoriety forever because they do need to make some money and they need to keep the right to call themselves a channel for news programmes.' Last week the channel apologised after Fox attacked Ms Evans, a correspondent for the news website JOE, in an on-air rant on Tuesday evening. Fox said 'Who would want to sh*g that?' and described her as a 'little woman'. He claimed his remarks were in response to comments made by Ms Evans on BBC's Politics Live, when she was accused of being dismissive about men's mental health issues. Ms Evans said Fox's comments were 'unforgivable' and that a responsible broadcaster should never have allowed the rant to go as far as it did. Speaking on the Triggernometry podcast with comedians Francis Foster and Konstantin Kisin, actor-turned-political activist Fox said he had become 'emotional' as he felt Ms Evans had made light of male mental health struggles. He admitted the remarks were 'crass' but said he didn't feel they 'merited the wall-to-wall' media coverage they have received in recent days and the chaos it has brought the news channel. Speaking on Friday after his suspension, Fox told the Triggernometry podcast that he regretted the tone of his remarks on Dan Wootton's show the Tuesday before. Laurence Fox pictured on the Triggernometry podcast on Friday Fox was suspended for his on-air rant about Ms Evans after her previous comments about male suicide. Pictured: Ms Evans appearing on the Politics JOE podcast When the hosts remarked to Fox that 'in the cold light of day, it [the clip] doesn't look good does it?', he responded by admitting: 'No.' He said that he had 'strong feelings' on the show after being riled by comments Ms Evans had previously made when she was appearing on the BBC speaking about the topic of male suicide, in which she called for a minister of mental health for everyone in government, dismissing the suggestion of just a men's mental health minister. He told the podcast: 'When I listen back to it now, it's just kind of crass. It's the kind of thing you'd say in the pub. 'I think I made the point which was the point I wanted to make, which is when you've got a misandrist fourth wave feminist who wants men to be terrified and scared of women, who tweets pictures of herself saying 'I'm socially distancing from men', I'm just like 'stop'. 'Instead of dismantling her ideas I just said 'I can't think of a single man who'd want to s*** you, I mean which self-respecting man would want to s*** you?' which was also trying to be funny. Big mistake.' The father-of-two said had 'demeaned' Ms Evans and apologised, but said: 'I don't think it's misogyny or anything like that. I think it's disrespectful.' Former President Donald Trump fears being poisoned so much that he prefers individual Heinz ketchup bottles to be served alongside his meals, ex-aide Cassidy Hutchinson revealed. Hutchinson appeared Wednesday on Jimmy Kimmel Live and was asked by the comedian how often Trump threw ketchup at the wall. The former aide to Chief of Staff Mark Meadows had divulged in her testimony to the January 6 House select committee last year that the president had thrown his lunch at the wall after then Attorney General Bill Barr told the Associated Press there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, like Trump had claimed. Hutchinson, who's out with the memoir, Enough, volunteered to Kimmel before answering his question that Trump has a 'very potent fear of being poisoned.' 'He uses and prefers the small Heinz glass ketchup bottles because he likes to hear his valet, or whoever's serving him his meal, he likes to hear the "pop,"' she said. Cassidy Hutchinson (left), a former aide to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, described to Jimmy Kimmel Wednesday why former President Donald Trump (right) insisted on small Heinz glass ketchup bottles Kimmel joked that he thought Trump preferred the tiny bottles 'because his hands were so little' and wondered if the ex-president's fear of being poisoned came from 'all the ex wives.' 'He uses and prefers the small Heinz glass ketchup bottles because he likes to hear his valet, or whoever's serving him his meal, he likes to hear the "pop,"' ex-aide Cassidy Hutchinson revealed to Jimmy Kimmel 'Or was it Russia? I don't know,' Hutchinson joked back. Hutchinson then disclosed that Trump would toss his food fairly frequently. 'Sometimes it would happen once or twice a week, sometimes more, there would be a week or so lull, but then there would be a bad news story. But it wasn't just launching the food and the plates and the porcelain at the wall it was also sometimes just flipping the table,' Hutchinson said. Hutchinson was one of the star witnesses during last year's January 6 House select committee hearings, testifying before the panel in June. She told lawmakers she remembered 'hearing noise' shortly after Barr's interview with the AP came out and recalled her boss, Meadows, being summoned to Trump's office. When Meadows returned, she walked toward the White House dining room. 'And I noticed that the door was propped open and the valet was inside the dining room changing the tablecloth off of the dining room table,' she said. 'He motioned for me to come in and then pointed toward the front of the room near the fireplace mantel and the TV.' 'Where I first noticed there was ketchup dripping down the wall,' she continued. 'And there's a shattered porcelain plate on the floor.' 'The valet had articulated that the president was extremely angry at the attorney general's AP interview and had thrown his lunch against the wall,' she said, explaining that she then helped with the clean-up. During her sit-down with Kimmel she confirmed that Trump would sometimes get several lunches 'because some of them ended up on the wall.' 'But he also doesn't like to eat in front of other people, I don't know why,' she told the late night host. 'He sounds great,' Kimmel responded sarcastically. Mexican drug lords are recruiting US teens to traffic people and narcotics across the border using TikTok - in return for exorbitant cash rewards. In just over a year, more than a hundred minors - some as young as 12 and 13-years-old have been taken into custody - many who've been lured into illegal smuggling through social media posts promising a substantial financial reward. 'We have over a hundred juveniles in the last 18 months that we've apprehended in this county smuggling ... driving grandma's car, a friend's car, or mom and dad's car down here, and it's social media,' County Sheriff Mark Dannels told CBS News. Human smugglers are advertising their illegal border crossing services into the US in exchange for cash on TikTok, a USA Today report revealed in June. 'It is 100% Uber for the cartels," deputy Chris Oletsky, a 20-year Marine veteran who joined the local sheriff's department three years ago, told CBS. Mexican drug lords are recruiting US teens to traffic people and narcotics across the border using TikTok - in return for exorbitant cash rewards Human smugglers are advertising their illegal border crossing services into the US in exchange for cash on TikTok and boasting how easy it is to do Cartels targeting teenagers with ads on social media Last month, migrant smugglers were also seen boasting how easy it is to illegally cross the border into America in a confronting clip showing a long line of men entering the US smiling and waving at the camera. The alarming footage, filmed near Lukeville, Arizona, reveals a long line of migrant men casually climbing through a gap in the US-Mexico border wall and meeting no resistance or questioning. In response to the rising issue, Arizona initiated stringent felony human smuggling legislation last year. The majority of teens arrested since are American citizens who came from outside the county, Dannels said to CBS. The extensive USA Today report detailed the ways in which both migrants and human smugglers are harnessing the power of social media to advise others making the journey and promote their services. Migrants wait to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol officers after crossing from Mexico to the United States, in Yuma, Arizona last month A video of migrant smugglers boasting of how easy it is to cross the US Mexico border has garnered attention on social media Cartels using TikTok to target teenagers with ads on social media Vergel has gained upwards of 10,000 followers eager to consume his border-crossing content US agencies have repeatedly warned that TikTok is 'creating an environment ripe for the manipulation of information regarding migration policies at the border' TikTok has become a place where migrants looking for information about how to make the journey, and smugglers advertising their services, can go to search for tips and promote their product A caption in Spanish accompanying the video reads: 'Achieving their goals, the gents' followed by two prayer emojis. Text overlaid on the video also describes the crossing as a 'desert adventure.' The remote outpost where the video was taken is around two and a half hours from Tucson, which has become the busiest point of illegal entry into the country, with 1,300 people a day crossing into the US in this area, according to federal statistics. Border Patrol agents told the New York Post they believe smugglers make these videos to promote the crossings to others. It is 'free information for everybody,' an unnamed agent told the Post. Migrants walk across the Darien Gap from Colombia to Panama in hopes of reaching the U.S. Hundreds of thousands of migrants have risked the dangerous trek through the jungle in recent years and the flow this year is on a record pace A second group of migrants was bused from Texas to Los Angeles on Saturday and dropped off at downtown's Union Station Migrants reportedly pay smugglers anywhere between $200 and $10,000 per person for assistance crossing the border. The issue of illegal migration at the border has become a hot political issue in recent months. The United Nations International Organization for Migration has also warned against the trend of smugglers and migrants posting about their illegal activities on social media, and specifically on TikTok. 'The TikTok platform is used to promote the 'services' offered by human traffickers through short videos. These videos showcase successful cases of irregular border crossings and captivating images aimed at capturing the attention of individuals seeking to migrate irregularly with the assistance of a third party,' read an IOM report that examined the use of social media platforms on US human trafficking. An estimated 2million people attempt to cross the southern border into the US every year. Many, many thousands of those people are abused and extorted by drug cartels controlling the smuggling routes in Mexico. Others don't survive the arduous journey through rivers with strong currents, jungles, and stretches of hot and dry terrain. Last year, some 853 migrants died attempting to illegally cross into the US - the highest number on record - according to data from CBP. President Joe Biden said border walls don't work and he's being forced to resume building on Donald Trump's signature initiative. Biden said Congress had appropriated the money to build the wall on the country's Southern border so he had to use the funds that way. 'The money was appropriated for the border wall. I tried to get them to reappropriate, to redirect that money. They didn't. They wouldn't.In the meantime, there's nothing under the law other than they have to use the money for what it was appropriated for. I can't stop that,' he said. Asked whether he thought the border wall was effective, he replied: 'no.' But his comments don't match those of his Homeland security secretary who said there was an 'immediate need' to build the wall. 'The money was appropriated for the border wall. I tried to get them to reappropriate, to redirect that money. They didn't. They wouldn't,' President Joe Biden said of Congress On Wednesday, Biden administration has made a stunning reversal in migration policy by revealing it will build 20 miles of border wall to try and combat the latest surge in migrant crossings. The DHS decision contrasts with the Biden administration's posturing that a wall is not necessary. Deputy White House press secretary Andrew Bates, however, argued the administration was being 'forced' to build it. 'Congress is forcing us to do this under a 2019 law,' Bates wrote on X. 'We called on Congress to cancel these funds. They didn't. We follow the rule of law.' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre made the same argument. 'These funds were appropriated in fiscal year 2019 under Republican leadership, and DHS is required by law to use the funds for appropriate appropriated purpose. That's what we're seeing. This was announced back in June by of DHS. And so look, we we believe that there are better effective ways of moving forward to secure our border,' she said at her daily press briefing. 'We asked Congress to reappropriate the funds,' she added. 'That's what we would prefer to see - not waste the funding in the way that they're doing it right now that we are required to do, but they refused. And so now we're moving forward.' In a shock announcement on Wednesday night, the Department of Homeland Security said it's waiving 26 federal laws to start constructing a new 'physical barrier' that was started under Donald Trump. The Biden White House has consistently slammed Trump's tough migration policy and even cancelled the wall construction when Biden took office. On his first day in office, Biden even declared that building a wall wasn't 'a serious policy solution.' But the recent acceleration in migrant crossings and pressure to deal with the crisis has now forced the federal government to change direction. The U-turn comes as Democrat-run cities such as New York and Chicago demand Biden do more to stop border crossers ending up in their communities and straining resources. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with border patrol officers as he walks along the border fence during his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border to assess border enforcement operations, in El Paso, Texas, U.S., January 8, 2023 US President Donald Trump speaks with US Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott (R) as they participates in a ceremony commemorating the 200th mile of border wall at the international border with Mexico in San Luis, Arizona, June 23, 2020 Migrants cross the Rio Grande river from Piedras Negras, Mexico into Eagle Pass, Texas A U.S. Border Patrol agent supervises as immigrants walk into the United States after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico on September 30, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. The agent had cut coils of razor wire to let them pass through for processing 'There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas,' DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated in the notice. But Mayorkas later said that statement was 'taken out of context and it does not signify any change in policy whatsoever.' He echoed the White House explanation that they were legally required to spend the money the way that Congress allocated. Trump, whose Republican administration created about 450 new miles of border barriers, responded to the announcement by telling Fox News Digital that the Biden administration needs to 'go back to Trump policies.' He also wrote on Truth Social on Thursday morning: 'Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving, and allowing our country to be flooded with 15 million illegals immigrants, from places unknown.' 'I will await his apology.' 'So interesting to watch Crooked Joe Biden break every environmental law in the book to prove that I was right when I built 560 miles (they incorrectly state 450 in story!) of brand new, beautiful border wall,' Trump added. 'As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls! 'Biden sees our country is being invaded,' Trump told the outlet in an interview. 'What is he going to do about the 15 million people from prisons, from mental institutions, insane asylums, and terrorists that have already come into our country?' A Trump campaign spokesperson said the DHS decision shows that 'President Trump is always right.' According to government data, about 245,000 illegal entries have been recorded in Rio Grande Valley Sector, which includes Starr County, during the 2023 fiscal year through early August. DHS will waive statutes including the Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act to make way for construction, which will use funds from a congressional appropriation in 2019 for border wall construction. The waivers avoid time-consuming reviews and lawsuits challenging violation of environmental laws. Starr County's hilly ranchlands, sitting between Zapata and McAllen, Texas, is home to about 65,000 residents sparsely populating about 1,200 square miles that form part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas waived 26 federal laws to allow several miles of border wall construction in South Texas Asylum seekers cross the Rio Grande from Mexico into the United States on September 30, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas Although no maps were provided in the announcement, a previous map shared during the gathering of public comments shows the piecemeal construction will add up to an additional 20 miles to the existing border barrier system in the area. Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said it will start south of the Falcon Dam and go past Salineno, Texas. 'The other concern that we have is that area is highly erosive. Theres a lot of arroyos,' Eloy Vera, the county judge said, pointing out the creeks cutting through the ranchland and leading into the river. Concern is shared with environmental advocates who say structures will run through public lands, habitats of endangered plants and species like the Ocelot, a spotted wild cat. 'A plan to build a wall through will bulldoze an impermeable barrier straight through the heart of that habitat. It will stop wildlife migrations dead in their tracks. It will destroy a huge amount of wildlife refuge land. And it's a horrific step backwards for the borderlands,' Laiken Jordahl, a southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity, said Wednesday afternoon. During the Trump administration, about 450 miles of barriers were built along the southwest border between 2017 and January 2021. Texas Governor Greg Abbott renewed those efforts after the Biden administration halted them at the start of his presidency. U.S. Customs and Border Protection had no immediate comment. The announcement prompted political debate by the Democratic administration facing an increase of migrants entering through the southern border in recent months, including thousands who entered the U.S. through Eagle Pass at the end of September. 'A border wall is a 14th century solution to a 21st century problem. It will not bolster border security in Starr County,' U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar said in a statement. 'I continue to stand against the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars on an ineffective border wall.' Political proponents of the border wall said the waivers should be used as a launching pad for a shift in policy. 'After years of denying that a border wall and other physical barriers are effective, the DHS announcement represents a sea change in the administration's thinking: A secure wall is an effective tool for maintaining control of our borders,' Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said in a statement. 'Having made that concession, the administration needs to immediately begin construction of wall across the border to prevent the illegal traffic from simply moving to other areas of the border.' Radical plans to recruit thousands of foreign doctors are being drawn up by ministers in a bid to break NHS strikes. Health Secretary Steve Barclay has ordered officials to investigate the potential for hiring huge numbers of temporary doctors in the coming months to limit the damage caused by walkouts. Mr Barclay is planning to ask the General Medical Council to fast-track the process for registering doctors to work in the UK, with the aim that they could begin work early in the new year. He has dubbed the plan the 'Ronald Reagan project', in reference to the former US President's controversial 1981 decision to hire thousands of air traffic controllers to end a debilitating strike. A Whitehall source said: 'Reagan brought in thousands of air traffic controllers to end the strike and it worked. Of course, Reagan also sacked the strikers no-one is talking about doing that but Steve is attracted to the idea of looking to see if foreign doctors could help limit the impact of the strike. Radical plans to recruit thousands of foreign doctors are being drawn up by ministers in a bid to break NHS strikes. Striking members of the BMA and UNIT trade unions are pictured marching around Royal London Hospital on Wednesday Health Secretary Steve Barclay has ordered officials to investigate the potential for hiring huge numbers of temporary doctors in the coming months to limit the damage caused by walkouts. Mr Barclay is pictured arriving to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on Wednesday 'There are two ways they could help. Firstly, they could improve levels of cover on strike days and provide a better service to patients. We are now regularly reduced to Christmas Day cover, which does not even include vital services like chemotherapy that is just unacceptable. 'Secondly, they could limit the ability of striking doctors to make up lost earnings through overtime. At the moment we have a crazy situation where some doctors are making more money on strike because of the very generous overtime payments they can receive. 'Obviously it would be expensive to hire large numbers of foreign doctors, but the strikes are also expensive and they are letting down patients.' Mr Barclay is understood to be drawing up a formal proposal, but it would have to be signed off by both Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Most of the doctors are expected to come from India. The move reflects mounting concern at the impact of the long-running strikes by junior doctors and consultants. It is likely to enrage the British Medical Association, which is demanding 'pay restoration' of 35 per cent for junior doctors. Mr Barclay is understood to be drawing up a formal proposal, but it would have to be signed off by both Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Most of the doctors are expected to come from India. BMA members are pictured picketing outside University College Hospital in London on Monday BMA chairman Philip Banfield (pictured in January) warned this week that doctors were prepared to continue their industrial action up to the General Election 'and beyond' Nurses settled for a five per cent pay rise this year. Most doctors have been handed a pay rise of at least six per cent, with junior doctors getting an average of around 8.8 per cent. But despite this, the BMA has warned it is ready to carry on striking for months. BMA chairman Philip Banfield warned this week that doctors were prepared to continue their industrial action up to the General Election 'and beyond'. Ministers believe the strike is 'politically motivated' and that the BMA leadership is not interested in a resolution with the current government. Noting that the BMA had timed its latest strike to coincide with the Conservative Party conference, Rishi Sunak this week said the dispute was 'all about politics, not patients'. The Prime Minister described doctors' pay demands as 'massive and unaffordable'. Mr Barclay has privately warned the PM that his pledge to cut NHS waiting lists will be broken unless the strike is ended or mitigated. Health officials insist they are making progress on cutting the longest waits, but concede that the total waiting list is likely to rise from its record level of 7.6million. Ministers have ruled out a fresh pay offer to doctors because of concerns about cost and fears that it would trigger higher demands from other public sector workers. Doctors and medical staff from the British Medical Association are pictured protesting outside the Mancheser Library during the Conservative Party annual conference on Tuesday One insider said: 'We are making progress on the plan to cut the longest waits, but in the end it is not going to be possible to cut the overall total if the doctors keep going on strike.' Ministers have ruled out a fresh pay offer to doctors because of concerns about cost and fears that it would trigger higher demands from other public sector workers. Mr Barclay has signalled he is willing to meet the BMA to discuss 'non-pay' issues, such as workload. But ministers are pessimistic about the prospect of a breakthrough, not least because the BMA gave the government no credit for meeting its demand for a massive pensions tax break earlier this year. Two men have been charged with the murder of an unborn baby after its heavily pregnant mother was struck by stray gunfire as she rode past them on a Massachusetts bus. The woman, who remains critically ill in hospital, was hit when a gunfight erupted outside a busy market in the center of Holyoke just before 12.40pm on Wednesday. A bullet flew through the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus on the 100 block of Sargeant Street hitting the woman who was eight months pregnant and killing her child. Local men Johnluis Sanchez, 30, and Alejandro C Ramos Jr, 22, have been charged with murder after emergency surgery failed to save the baby. Ramos was arraigned at Holyoke District Court on Thursday while Sanchez remains under guard in hospital after being struck during the gunfight. Johnluis Sanchez, 30, under guard in his hospital bed before being charged with murder Alejandro C Ramos Jr, 22, was nursing an injured hand as he appeared in court today The Almonte Market 2 where at least one of the gunmen sought shelter as the chaos unfolded But investigators are still looking for a third man who is thought to have fled the scene. 'Holyoke for decades has dealt with its share of tragedies, but an innocent bystander like that with a baby, it's really got under my skin,' Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia told a press conference on Thursday. 'Pray for the family and support them any which way you can.' Sanchez was free on $10,000 bail after pleading not guilty just two weeks earlier on charges of heroin trafficking and illegal possession of a stolen KelTec .380 pistol. Police had also seized ammunition clips and $3,000 in cash from him. The clear-up continued on Thursday with one car owner taping over two bullet holes that had been left in his Toyota. Jose Almonte, manager of the Almonte Market 2, told WPRI that the chaos unfolded directly outside his store after a man who had bought juice in the store was jumped by two other men when he stepped outside. 'They went for him, and gunfire started,' he added. He said he had handed security footage over to police which showed 'three young people' fighting, and one pulling out a gun, before shoppers leaped for cover as at least 12 shots were fired. He saw one man dragged into the store after being shot in the leg, another run off after being shot in the hand, and a third flee on an electric bike with a handgun. 'That's life, that's the neighborhood,' he added. Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said he believed all those involved had been identified. Ramos has been charged with murder, and other charges are expected to follow, according to officials The clear-up continued on Thursday after the chaos that brought terror to the busy shopping district at lunchtime on Wednesday 'Three male suspects were involved in an altercation, during which a shooting occurred,' he wrote on Facebook. 'It is believed one of the rounds from that altercation struck a public transportation bus and an uninvolved female occupant, who was seated in the bus. 'This victim, who was pregnant, was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition. The infant, who was delivered, and needed life-saving medical services, tragically passed away. 'The two remaining suspects, one remains hospitalized and will be arraigned when his condition permits, the other is being actively sought by law enforcement.' The clear-up continued on Thursday with one car owner taping over two bullet holes that had been left in his Toyota. The Holyoke Police Department said they received multiple 911 calls when the shooting broke out near the intersection of Sargeant and Maple streets. Massachusetts State Police spokesman Dave Procopio said the shooting 'is believed to have stemmed from an altercation among several people.' 'There is not believed to be any ongoing threat to the public,' said Procopio. The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by members of the State Police Detective Unit for Hampden County and Holyoke Police Detectives under the direction of the Hampden County District Attorney's Office. Holyoke, a city with a population of nearly 38,000, is about 90 miles west of Boston. Known as 'The Paper City,' Holyoke at one time produced about four-fifths of the writing paper in the US. It is also home to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Wednesday's shooting came just hours after Holyoke police held a press conference to highlight the alarming number of shootings in the city. The department in March installed ShotSpotter, an acoustic detection grid that can report the sound of gunshots, in strategic locations around the town. Police said in the past six months, the system has detected 113 incidents involving gunfire, 72 of which happened near a playground and 27 near a school. Many of those ShotSpotter activations were not reported by 911 callers, police said. The gunman who sprayed a New York City subway car with 32 bullets during rush hour last year, wounding 10 people and sparking a citywide manhunt, has been served with 10 life sentences in prison. Frank James, 64, was handed the colossal sentence in a Brooklyn court for committing one of the most violent attacks ever seen on the Big Apple's transit system. Bronx-born James, who was apprehended in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood 30 hours after the April 12 attack, pleaded guilty to 11 counts including committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transport vehicle. Although miraculously no-one died, prosecutors pushed for the heavy sentence James received on Thursday on the basis that he spent years carefully planning the attack to 'inflict maximum damage'. Before the shooting, he also posted dozens of videos online under the moniker 'Prophet of Doom,' ranting about race, violence, his struggles with mental illness and a host of unnamed forces he claimed were out to get him. Frank James, 64, was sentenced in a Brooklyn court for committing one of the most violent attacks ever seen on the Big Apple's transit system James ignited several smoke bombs and unleashed a barrage of bullets from a 9 mm handgun at panicked riders in the crowded train car Ten people ranging in age from 16 to 60 were shot, and another 13 injured in the attack Disguised as a construction worker, James opened fire during the morning rush hour as the Manhattan-bound N train headed to an underground station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood. He ignited several smoke bombs and unleashed a barrage of bullets from a 9 mm handgun at panicked riders in the crowded train car. Ten people ranging in age from 16 to 60 were shot, and another 13 were injured, according to police. A stock image of a .38 caliber handgun, the type used in the shooting that was found in a backpack along with a key to the U-Haul James had rented As emergency responders tended to the victims, James calmly strolled out of the subway station and vanished. Authorities combed the city in a desperate search for him in the hours that followed. They identified James as a suspect relatively quickly, using a key to a rented moving van left behind on the bloodied subway car. He was eventually arrested in Manhattan's East Village after calling a police tip line to turn himself in. At some point after the shooting, James had purchased a burner phone which he used to follow the coverage of his attack while hiding from law enforcement. He watched 31 videos of news reports about his subway shooting. He also viewed a James Bond chase scene from the movie 'No Time to Die' 10 times after the attack. James said he did not set out to kill, intending only 'serious bodily harm,' and that he would make 'a complete statement expressing my remorse' at his sentencing hearing. James, who was apprehended in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood 30 hours after the April 12 attack, confessed to the crimes before a judge in January This bag of fireworks, wire and firecrackers was recovered from the scene of the shooting Authorities searched for him for more than a day. They identified James as a suspect relatively quickly, using a key to a rented moving van left behind on the bloodied subway car New York City Police Department officers handcuff subway shooting suspect Frank R. James in the East Village section of New York, April 13, 2022 Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office in Brooklyn sought the heavy 10 life sentences - one for each gunshot victim - saying James spent years carefully planning the move in order to 'inflict maximum damage'. He received the additional 10-year sentence on top of the life terms for an 11th count of discharging a firearm. 'Today's life sentence delivered the necessary penalty for Frank James, who callously carried out a mass shooting on a crowded subway car, attempting to kill innocent people, and spilling much blood,' United States Attorney General, Breon Peace said. 'He wounded 10 victims in his calculated attack and terrorized many more. I hope that this sentence brings some closure to the many victims of this violent attack and comfort to the city at large in knowing that justice was done.' James' attorneys had been vying for an 18-year sentence, according to court documents. Prior to the sentencing by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz, three people who were present at the time of the attack addressed the court. Fatim Gjeloshi, 21, who escaped the shooting unharmed, approached the microphone to begin recounting the morning of the shooting and said he forgave James. But then he stopped and broke down in tears. 'I can't do this,' he said, and walked out of the courtroom. Also given an opportunity to speak, James offered a critique of the nation's mental health system and social safety net, saying the system had failed him and others battling mental illness and poverty. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office in Brooklyn sought the heavy 10-year life sentence, saying James spent years carefully planning the shooting in order to 'inflict maximum damage' James' attorneys had been vying for an 18-year sentence, according to court documents The attack stunned New Yorkers, heightened anxiety about safety in the transit system and prompted local officials to add additional surveillance cameras and police to the trains The attack stunned New Yorkers, heightened anxiety about safety in the transit system and prompted local officials to add additional surveillance cameras and police to the trains. Before the shooting, James, who is Black, posted dozens of videos online under the moniker 'Prophet of Doom,' ranting about race, violence, his struggles with mental illness and a host of unnamed forces he claimed were out to get him. In one 2019 video, James alluded to a pending conflict in his hometown, stating that 'its going to be very interesting what happens in New York with me.' By that time, prosecutors allege, James was already in the process of planning the subway shooting. James, a native of the city's Bronx borough with recent addresses in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, had nine prior arrests in New York and three in New Jersey, according to the New York Police Department. When he pleaded guilty to the terrorism charges earlier this year, he said he only intended to cause serious bodily injury, not death. His attorney, Mia Eisner-Grynberg, suggested that while James may have initially planned to kill people, he changed his mind in the heat of the moment. 'In a society where, sadly, we learn nearly every day that mass shooters who intend to kill readily achieve their goals, it is far more likely that Mr. James lacked that specific intent than that he simply failed in his mission,' Eisner-Grynberg wrote in a sentencing memo. Fatim Gjeloshi (pictured), 21, who escaped the shooting unharmed, approached the mic to begin recounting the ordeal and said he forgave James. But then he stopped and broke down in tears. 'I can't do this,' he said, and walked out of the courtroom Before the shooting, James, who is Black, posted dozens of videos online under the moniker 'Prophet of Doom,' ranting about race, violence, his struggles with mental illness and a host of unnamed forces he claimed were out to get him Referencing the defendants abusive childhood in the Bronx and his ongoing struggles with both alcoholism and paranoid schizophrenia, she added, 'Mr. James is not evil. He is very, very ill.' Prosecutors, however, said the trajectory of the bullets showed that James aimed at the 'center mass' of riders for maximum lethality. They said James only stopped firing his semi-automatic Glock pistol because the gun jammed. James has been held without bail for the past 17 months at the Metropolitan Detention Center. A Louisiana woman was thrown into the air by a speeding hit-and-run driver and struck again by a police officer responding to the very incident. Quiana Brown, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene after she was hit twice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saturday night. Surveillance camera footage obtained by WBRZ reveals the chilling scene of Brown's clothes scattered along the road in darkness after the initial impact, then she was struck a second time by a police vehicle. The Baton Rouge Police Department said the first vehicle 'fatally struck' Brown, but a witness stated that she was alive before being struck by the cops. Lorraine, who saw the tragedy while working at a nearby convenience store, told WAFB that Brown was picking up her clothes after the first hit. 'When police hit her, he ran over her and hit her, and it threw her into the air and she landed on the ground, but then he ran over her again. Like backed over her,' said Lorraine. A speeding gray sedan struck Brown as she was crossing the street to the convenience store She was struck the second time by a police vehicle responding to the first crush Brown (pictured), 38, was pronounced dead at the scene after she was hit twice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saturday night However, the responding officer said Brown was laying in the roadway in dark, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. A speeding gray sedan struck Brown as she was crossing the street to the convenience store. The hit sent her into the air flying several feet, the surveillance footage shows. The unknown sedan driver continued to speed away, fleeing the scene. The footage cuts to the next scene further down the road with the camera only showing the bystanders gathered at the parking lot. A police vehicle then sped down the road, lights flashing. Bystanders appeared to be shocked as the police vehicle swiftly passed them. A woman can be seen putting her hands on her head and covering her face, as a man throwing his arms up in the air. Both turned away from the road as the police vehicle stopped. WBRZ reported that the police vehicle, responding to the crash, struck the woman ten minutes after the first impact. Brown 'had a loving spirit because that's how my mama raised her to be,' her brother said Bystanders appeared to be shocked as the police vehicle swiftly passed them The Baton Rouge Police Department is still investigating the crash and looking for the driver The Baton Rouge Police Department said the first vehicle 'fatally struck' Brown, but a witness stated that she was alive before being struck by the cops The Baton Rouge Police Department is still investigating the responding officer's actions, while searching for the hit-and-run driver. Police shared a photo of the vehicle on social media Wednesday, noting the car is a grey/silver four-door sedan with tainted window. 'The vehicle's the front grill, hood and rear driver side door is likely to be damaged,' the police wrote in the statement. 'The last known direction of travel was westbound on Florida Boulevard from North Foster Drive.' Police shared a photo of the vehicle on social media Wednesday, noting the car is a grey/silver four-door sedan with tainted window Brown's family and friends are devasted by her death. Her brother Quincy Brown told the Washington Post that he learned Brown was stuck the second time by a police office until he looked up her name online two days after the tragedy. 'I don't get it,' Quincy Brown said. 'I've got to get justice for my sister because that doesn't make sense.' 'My sister had a loving spirit because that's how my mama raised her to be.' 'My heart was broken. Im trying to get somebody to make this make sense to me.' A high school teacher placed on leave last week over the discovery of her OnlyFans account has reportedly resigned to focus on her pornography career. A 28-year-old English instructor out of Missouri, Brianna Coppage made the revelation in an interview Thursday - eight days after she was suspended from her $42,000-a-year gig after someone came across her page and complained. Once administrators caught wind of her double life, she was swiftly grilled behind-closed-doors - before having her access to her school accounts at St Clair High suddenly revoked. An internal investigation carried out by the St. Clair School District ensued, and was been still underway when Coppage - who goes by Brooklin Love on the site - revealed to The Messenger that she had left of her own accord. Previously put on leave, the educator - who has amassed a massive following because of publicity surrounding her story- explained that she resigned to avoid any additional outcry, while concentrating more on her more lucrative erotic exploits. A 28-year-old English instructor out of Missouri, Brianna Coppage revealed she has resigned from her teaching post Thursday - eight days after she was suspended from her $42,000-a-year gig after someone came across her page and complained The woman - whose bio in the past week has been amended with a message to prospective followers that says, 'Yes Im THAT teacher' - still has her doubts about who tipped off school officials. She said she has gained thousands of followers due to reports surrounding her story 'I dont want to fight the school district. Im just ready for peace,' Coppage - who reportedly rakes an additional $8,000 to $10,000 per month with the online hustle - told the outlet. She added: 'I knew that nothing was ever going to be the same if I went back. 'That was just the best option.' A teacher tasked with overseeing freshman and sophomore students aged between 14 and 16, she was interviewed by two administrators after the district was told of her extracurricular activities, by an unknown party Coppage suspects was an adult. Once members of the small town 50 miles southwest of St. Louis became aware, both the school and teacher faced a flurry of backlash - leading Coppage to make the decision. She explained to the Messenger: 'I dont want the school to continue getting hate', while also revealing she was swayed to launch her explicit media account a few months ago to supplement her relatively small teacher's salary. 'I would like the education of students to be able to return to normal,' she added. 'They deserve to have a great year.' Suspended just a few weeks after students' first day, she went on to air the belief that the complaint came after she and her husband - who regularly make videos together - collaborated with another couple with a more pronounced following. That said, the woman - whose bio in the past week has been amended with a message to prospective followers that says, 'Yes Im THAT teacher' - still has her doubts about who initially tipped off school officials. 'I dont want to fight the school district. Im just ready for peace,' Coppage - who reportedly rakes an additional $8,000 to $10,000 per month with the online hustle - said Thursday Once members of the small town 50 miles southwest of St. Louis became aware, both the school and teacher faced a flurry of backlash - leading Coppage to make the decision She said her income has substantially increased since she was exposed - thanks to several thousand new subscribers Instead of one of her students, she suggested the snitch was an adult in the town of roughly 4,700. 'Never do I think that students or children should have been exposed to this,' she told the outlet. 'I truly believe had an adult not found it, and I was told that an adult is who reported it, students never would have known.' Still, whatever the method, she was found out - and soon found herself the subject of countless news articles that proceeded to name and shame both her and the presiding school district. Speaking to The Messenger, she claimed that was the final straw - helping her decision to pivot to porn full-time. What's more, she added her income has substantially increased since she was exposed - thanks to several thousand new subscribers. 'I've gotten a lot of support on the site,' she said, without mentioning the free publicity. 'That's definitely encouraging.' She went on to maintain that she made the right decision to resign - especially after 'having your face and your name plastered all around the world.' She reportedly became emotional when describing how she will miss all her students, and the memories they have created over the years. The teacher said: 'It's been a journey for sure - the last couple of days have definitely been a roller coaster. It turned [my and my husband's] life upside down.' As a signoff, Coppage aired her plans to fully devote herself to her OnlyFans account and abandon her education career in the process. When asked why, the woman said it was simply to make more money. Another reason, she insisted, was that she merely enjoys the work. Surprisingly, the incident is only the latest in the state involving a seemingly honest worker living a double life as an OnlyFans creator - with just this week a female MPD officer has being outed as a model after apparently pulling over and being recognized one of her subscribers Surprisingly, the incident is only the latest in the state involving a seemingly honest worker living a double life as an OnlyFans creator. Just this week, a female police officer has been outed as an OnlyFans model after apparently pulling over one of her subscribers. Now under investigation, the 35-year-old officer could now lose her job - despite a recent statement from her city's mayor that looked to defend her side gig. The unidentified cop works for The Minneapolis Police Department, and is reportedly a well-respected officer who has been recognized in the past for her police work. Dr. George Tyndall, a former University of Southern California gynecologist, has died at his home just months before he was set to stand trial for sex crimes against 16 patients. Tyndall, 76, was found dead on Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, according to his lawyer, Leonard Levine, who confirmed the death on Thursday. The longtime USC doctor was arrested in June, 2019, after being accused of sexually assaulting numerous students at the university's student health center. He was awaiting trial on 35 criminal counts of sexual misconduct between 2009 and 2016. In 2019, he pleaded not guilty and was released on bond. Levine said his client consistently maintained his innocence and wanted to present his case before a jury. He was due back in court later this month to set a date for his trial. George Tyndall, 76, was found dead at his home on Wednesday. He is pictured here appearing before a judge at the criminal courts building in downtown Los Angeles on August 25 Pictured are some of the dozens of women who have accused Tyndall of misconduct publicly Tyndall was accused of misconduct with 400 women over a seven-year period at the University of Southern California. He died just months before he was set to stand trial for sex crimes against 16 patients George Tyndall was arrested in Los Angeles in 2019 in relation to the sexual assault of 16 of his clients. He always maintained his innocence, according to his lawyer 'From the very beginning, Dr. Tyndall had adamantly denied every one of the charges against him. All he ever wanted was his day in court, which he was confident would end in his complete exoneration,' Levine said. 'Now, neither he nor his accusers will get that, and that is very unfortunate for everyone involved.' Multiple USC alumni were set to take the stand to testify against him during his trial. 'I'm not happy that he died. I wanted to see him convicted for what he did,' Audry Nafziger, a former patient who had accused Tyndall of inappropriately touching her and photographing her genitals, said to the Los Angeles Times. A close friend went to Tyndall's home after he hadn't responded to her phone calls, when she found him unresponsive in bed, according to the Los Angeles Times. The coroner's office will conduct an autopsy, however, Levine said there is 'no evidence of foul play or suicide.' More than 700 women were pursuing individual claims against the doctor in state court. Separately, USC has agreed to a $215 million class-action settlement with former patients who complained about Tyndall's actions. USC has since set up a $215million settlement fund for Tyndall's patients who complained about alleged misconduct Pictured: Many of Tyndall's victims are seen speaking out about the horrid abuse they had to endure. Former patients described Tyndall as 'unprofessional, creepy,' or someone who made them feel 'uncomfortable and violated' Tyndall worked as a campus gynecologist at the university for decades, and complaints about him first surfaced as far back as 1997. A judge released USC's files to The Los Angeles Times as part of a Freedom of Information request. They revealed how the college launched an investigation into him after receiving countless complaints about his conduct. The college hired a firm to carry out the investigation and in 2016, it handed over its findings. The report said in part that Tyndall was targeting Asian women who had a poor grasp of English and were unfamiliar with gynecology which made them easy targets. 'If the patients were young and Asian, they were more likely to have a pelvic exam completed,' it said. In 1997, a woman wrote to the university and warned them to fire him or risk 'a huge future lawsuit on your hands.' Two others filed complaints that year but he was allowed to stay on and instead thanked his supervisor for bringing the issue to his attention. Complaints about him being sexual towards patients began in 2000 when he shared an anecdote about the sexual escapades of a guitarist. The patient wrote in her complaint: 'After such a repulsive display of un-professionalism, I have lost all trust in you as my physician.' There were other complaints from 'chaperones' - nurses and assistants who were meant to be present for exams - who said that he would block their view of pelvic exams by placing a curtain between them and the lower bodies of the patients. In 2003, one complaint read: 'Once again GT is not allowing Mas [medical assistants] to be behind curtain when chaperoning MD during pelvic exams.' Six years later, a student complained about him complimenting her public hair and in 2010, someone reported him performing a pelvic exam on her in 2004 without wearing a glove. In 2013, an investigation into his conduct was launched at the request of his supervisor. He was allowed to keep his job, however, after the investigator noted 'there was 'insufficient evidence of any University policy violation to justify continuing an investigation.' Around 2016, a nurse who had grown frustrated with the situation consulted a rape crisis counselor and USC hired the external firm to carry out an investigation. He was put on leave immediately and did not treat another patient but was not fired. Vivek Ramaswamy was targeted in a violent protest on Thursday when two young people appeared to intentionally ram their vehicle into the 2024 hopeful's rental car during a campaign stop in Iowa. Ramaswamy was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident and was not injured. After what could be seen as a respectful conversation with protesters outside the Saints Rest Coffee House in Grinnell, Iowa on Thursday, Ramaswamy was not met with such kindness. A young driver in a car with a Minnesota license plate and a passenger were caught on camera flipping their middle finger at Ramaswamy before honking their horn, driving off and slamming into the candidate's car. Ramaswamy stopped to have a respectful debate with the demonstrators at the coffee shop - and later tweeted that he didn't want the violent protesters to be associated with those exercising their First Amendment right by demonstrating against him. A drive in a blue Honda Civic (above) was caught on camera flipping the middle finger at Vivek Ramaswamy before driving off and ramming their vehicle into his rental car during a campaign stop A protester rammed their vehicle into 2024 hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy's rental car during a campaign stop in Iowa on Thursday 'Had a civil exchange with protestors today, right before two of them then got into their car & rammed it into ours,' the candidate posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. He added: 'Those two should be held accountable, but the rest of the peaceful protestors shouldn't be tarred by the behavior of two bad actors.' In a video of the stop obtained by DailyMail.com, one protester outside the coffee shop is heard calling Ramaswamy an 'a**hole.' 'Protect trans kids,' another is heard yelling, before a third says: 'Climate change is real.' 'Anybody else have something to say,' the presidential candidate asked. 'What's it like being the punching bag of the RNC?' another protester chimed in, to which the candidate responded saying he believes both political parties are 'corrupt.' Ramaswamy took the time to speak with the small group of relatively calm protesters after his campaign car was slammed by a duo that were part of the demonstration. One protester said her mother is a public school worker and demanded respect and good pay. 'I think every person deserves to be respected,' Ramaswamy calmly replied in earnest. 'The beauty of this country is that you all have the right to express your opinions and you're doing it peacefully and even though I disagree with you, I'm proud of you for expressing your views,' he said. Ramaswamy had a respectful conversation with protesters (pictured above) before one of them rammed their car into his campaign's rental vehicle on Thursday As the protester pushed back claiming he wants to destroy the U.S. school system, the candidate cut in to say: 'Thank her for her service for me. I really mean that.' He said that the way forward in the U.S. is through 'open debate' with people you disagree with. 'You guys are doing your part, I'm going to do mine. Keep it up.' But his kindness wasn't met in return just a few moments earlier, as one of the protesters ran her Honda Civic into Ramaswamy's Avis rental vehicle. A police incident report obtained by DailyMail.com shows that each vehicle would require about $600 in repairs. Los Chapitos, as El Chapo's sons are know, instructed members to stop the manufacture, production and sale of the opioid after one sibling's extradition The sons of former Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman have reportedly ordered the murders and kidnappings of street dealers who have failed to comply with a ban on the production and sale of fentanyl. Cartel members have allegedly been killed for flouting the ban since the January arrest of El Chapo's son, Ovidio Guzman, in Culiacan, the capital city of the western Mexico state of Sinaloa - also the cartel's home turf, Mexican news outlet Milenio reported. A 29-year-old dealer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Sinaloa Cartel faction of Los Chapitos, the nickname which the notorious kingpin's sons are known by, sent WhatsApp messages instructing members of the criminal organization to stop creating and selling the deadly synthetic drug. The street-level drug pusher recalled that several people were killed for not complying. 'All of a sudden fentanyl was banned and Los Chapitos started to kill their own sellers' who refused to adhere to their commands,' he said. He estimates that at least 10 people have either been murdered or have gone missing since January. Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's son, Ovidio Guzman (pictured) was extradited to Chicago last Friday on drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons charges. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is now seeking the extradition of his three brothers who control Los Chapitos, faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. The group has banned the sale of fentanyl following his arrest in January and has ordered the kidnappings and murders of at least 10 people who disobeyed With former Mexican kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman serving a life sentence, the Sinaloa Cartel has played a role in manufacturing and smuggling fentanyl to the United States The body of an alleged drug dealer for the Sinaloa Cartel faction of Los Chapitos was found in Culiacan, Mexico, on June 26 with fentanyl-laced pills next to him. The killing is said to been the result of the victim failing to comply with the group's order that called for a complete ban on the fentanyl trade The most recent murder took place September 8 when the body of Luis Benitez was abandoned outside a Culiacan hospital after he had been shot twice. Benitez was one of the DEA's 10 most-wanted fugitives and a Los Chapitos trafficker who moved fentanyl in powder and pill form from Mexico to the United States. A $1 million reward was offered for information that could lead to his arrest and/or conviction. Los Chapitos instructed producers in Culiacan, the state capital, to stop manufacturing fentanyl in July, according to Sinaloan investigative outlet Riodoce. Shortly thereafter, the bodies of several men were found with signs of torture and fentanyl pills placed over them, a warning sign of that anyone else should expect if they failed to adhere to their commands. On the morning of June 26, authorities discovered two bodies of men who were handcuffed and shot also in Culiacan. Fentanyl-laced pills were also placed over their bodies. Two days later a man was found shot dead with fentanyl pill spread across his back in the municipality of Navolato. The total ban on fentanyl has also affected the pockets of dealers, who are no longer seeing the illicit profits they were accustomed to. According to the DEA, Los Chapitos provide fentanyl to 27 cities across the United States U.S. prosecutors allege that Los Chapitos receive precursor chemicals to produce fentanyl from China and then manufacture it at clandestine labs in Mexico before smuggling it to the United States Luis Benitez, a former Los Chapitos trafficker, died from two gunshot wound on September 9 in Culiacan, the capital of the western Mexico state of Sinaloa, which happens to be the Sinaloa Cartel's home turf. Los Chapitos, as El Chapo's sons are known, share control of the Sinaloa Cartel with their father's old partner, Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada. It's believed that Benitez was killed after he refused to follow orders from Los Chapitos to stop the production and sale of fentanyl Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel that is operated by three of El Chapo's sons, had banners set up this week that banned the production and sale of fentanyl. 'Due to the incessant misinformation of some media and the obvious omission of the government in not investigating and prosecuting the true culprits of this epidemic, in Sinaloa the sale, manufacture, transportation or any type of business that involves the substance is strictly prohibited, known as fentanyl, including the sale of chemicals for its production,' the large sign reads in Spanish. 'We have never been nor will we be related to that business.. You have been warned. Respectfully, Chapitos' Another drug dealer told Milenio it not worth risking his life over it. 'One could sell cheap coke at a 'washed' price, if you placed little fentanyl on because it was more potent and the customer thought it was giving them something of good quality,' the dealer explained. 'I have no doubt that many people stopped selling or are going to stop selling,' he added. 'I'm not going to take a risk. I will obey.' The allegations of Los Chapitos taking out their own members came on the heels of the group sending henchmen out to place banners on road overpasses that issued stern warnings against anyone involved with fentanyl. Red Cross paramedics recover the body of a purported drug dealer who was reportedly killed after he refused to comply with a ban on the trade of fentanyl issued by Los Chapitos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel operated by El Chapo's sons The signs said that 'media misinformation' meant the government was failing to go after 'the true culprits of this epidemic' and warned that the making or transportation of fentanyl was 'strictly prohibited.' 'We have never been nor will we be related to that business. You have been warned. Respectfully, Chapitos,' it added. The banners, or narcomantas as they're called in Spanish, were posted as Ovidio Guzman awaits the start of his trial in Chicago following his September 15 extradition. The United States government has shown its determination by seeing that his three brothers - Ivan Guzman, Jesus Guzman and Joaquin Guzman - are all arrested and extradited. The Drug Enforcement Administration is offering a $10 million reward for information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of Jesus Guzman, one of Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman's three who now operate half of the Sinaloa Cartel after their brother, Ovidio Guzman, was extradited to the United States last week Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar (pictured) joined his brother, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, in the DEA's 10 most-wanted list Joaquin Guzman is one of El Chapo's four sons who took over the Sinaloa Cartel following his arrest and extradition to the United States. But now only three remain in power after their sibling, Ovidio Guzman, was handed over by Mexican authorities last Friday All four siblings were named in an April indictment in which the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) singled out their network for its involvement with the fentanyl trade now that their father is serving a life sentence in Colorado. Ivan Guzman and Jesus Guzman each have $10 million rewards hovering over their heads for information that would lead to their arrest and/or conviction. A $5million reward is being offered for Joaquin Guzman. The DEA accused Los Chapitos as suppliers of fentanyl across 27 cities in the U.S. and claimed they receive their chemicals from Chinese companies. In May, the four siblings released a public statement through Mexican media outlet Milenio distancing themselves from accusations. 'We have never produced, manufactured or commercialized fentanyl nor any of its derivatives,' they claimed in the letter. 'We are victims of persecution and have been made into scapegoats.' An estimated 109,680 overdose deaths occurred last year in the United States, according to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 75,000 of those were linked to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. DEA agents seized 58.4 million fentanyl pills and 13,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2022. The totals equal to 387.7 million lethal doses. As Paris Fashion week comes to an end, experts are warning American celebrities not to bring back bed bugs as their souvenirs. The French government launched a concerted effort to fight off the creepy crawlies after videos spread online showing the insects invading the nation's capitol. 'Bed bugs are highly capable hitchhikers, so the possibility of them catching a ride to the States from infested Paris remains high,' Dr. Jim Fredericks senior public affairs VP at the National Pest Management Association told TMZ. Dr. Fredericks said, 'Any celebs who attended fashion shows or bunked up at bougie Paris hotels need to do a hardcore inspection of their luggage and bedding alike -- and that includes those who stayed at the ritziest of hotels.' Dozens of American celebs took the runway at Paris fashion week including A-listers like Paris Hilton, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and many more in attendance. The French government launched a concerted effort to fight off the bed bugs after videos spread online showing the insects invading the nation's capitol . Footage shared online showed the insects crawling over seats on the Paris metro, on high-speed trains and at Paris's Charles-de-Gaulle Airport. Paris Hilton wore a leggy structured black mini dress on the runway for Mugler. Kendall Jenner closed the Schiaparelli Spring/Summer 2024 then hit the town for a night out in Paris. Leonardo DiCaprio's past and present lovers were at the Chanel show. Gigi Hadid, 28, and Vittoria Ceretti, 25 walked on the runway while Camila Morrone, 26 watched from the star-studded front row. Other celebs like Ashley Graham, Laverne Cox and Nicky Rothschild attended fashion shows throughout the week. Dr. Fredericks said anyone visiting Paris should a do a thorough wash of all their clothes, and dry them on a high heat setting. Richard Barrie, founder of The Bed Bugs Experts shared there a steps you can take to get rid of the critters. 'Treat your bed with steam and place interceptors on the feet to stop them getting to you,' Barrie said. Hundreds of American celebrities are headed back to the states after leaving bed bug invested Paris for Fashion Week Users shared pictures and videos online of their experiences with the infestation. One in ten of the country's households have now infected French hotels and Airbnb's are suffering from an alarming surge in bed bugs with one in ten of the country's households now infected. A survey found that 11 per cent of French households have been struggling to deal with outbreaks of blood-sucking insects between 2017 and 2022. Paris city hall urged President Emmanuel Macron's government to help with the infestation, including by creating a dedicated task force. Signs of bed bugs include bites on your skin, tiny black spots on your mattress, blood spots on your sheets and an unpleasant, musty smell. Experts say bed bugs do not pose a risk of spreading disease, but can be a major nuisance. Toe-curling footage of Matt Hancock playing cricket in his office has re-emerged in the wake of claims he aped being a star batsman at the height of the Covid pandemic. A former top official this week revealed how, in early 2020, the then health secretary claimed he was 'loving' the responsibility of leading the NHS during its worst crisis for decades. Helen MacNamara, who was deputy cabinet secretary between 2020 and 2021, also described a bizarre incident in which Mr Hancock once took up a batsman's stance in Downing Street. She claimed he told her: 'They bowl them at me, I knock them away.' In her evidence to the Covid inquiry on Wednesday, Ms MacNamara said she had noted the anecdote in her witness statement as it showed the 'nuclear levels' of overconfidence displayed by Mr Hancock during the crisis. She also told the inquiry the former health secretary had a questionable record on the truth and often insisted things were 'absolutely fine' when they were 'very, very far from fine'. In the wake of Ms MacNamara's testimony, a social media video of Mr Hancock playing cricket with staff in his Department of Health office has been unearthed. Filmed in May 2019, less than 10 months before Britain was plunged into the first Covid lockdown, Mr Hancock was seen hogging both bat and ball during the game. In footage that focusses solely on the then Cabinet minister as his staff awkwardly stand around the edge of the room, Mr Hancock is shown attempting forward defensive and reverse sweep shots. He was also filmed taking catches - including one leaping attempt that sees him throw himself to the floor and nearly collide with a white sofa. Authorities also think there is a possibility that it was a murder-suicide The cause of death is unknown, but police are investigating it as a homicide A family of four was found dead in their New Jersey home as police launch a homicide investigation to determine how they died. Police in Plainsboro, New Jersey, are working to identify the cause, including a possible murder-suicide. Around 4:30 p.m., Taj Pratap Singh, 43, and his wife Sonal Parihar, 42, were found along with their 10-year-old son and six-year-old daughter inside the family's Titus Lane home. New 12 New Jersey footage showed crime scene tape surrounding the perimeter of the family's blue-painted home in suburban Middlesex County. Around 4:30 p.m., Taj Pratap Singh, 43, and his wife Sonal Parihar, 42, were found along with their 10-year-old son and six-year-old daughter inside the family's Titus Lane home Police in Plainsboro, New Jersey, are working to identify the cause, including a possible murder-suicide The family was discovered after a relative called in for a welfare check on their home, authorities told CBS News. Family member have since gathered outside of the home as they try to grapple with the sudden loss of the family of four. Relatives told CBS News they were stunned to find out that this happened as they thought of Singh and Parihar as a 'happy couple.' Both of the parents worked in IT and one also worked in HR. The dad, Singh, worked at Ness Digital Engineering as a Lead APIX Engineer, according to his LinkedIn page. Pictured: Taj Pratap Singh, 43, and his wife Sonal Parihar, 42 Singh was also believed to be very involved in his local community and was an active member of the PTA at his children's school. In a statement, Superintendent David Aderhold from the West-Windsor Plainsboro district said: 'The district was informed by local law enforcement of a horrific tragedy involving one of our Plainsboro families with a Wicoff student and a Millstone River School student.' The Plainsboro Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutors Officer have joined together on the case. Records revealed that the couple purchased their home on Titus Lane in August 2018 for $635,000. Fosse follows French author Annie Ernaux in picking up the prestigious prize Jon Fosse is the most performed Norwegian playwright after Henrik Ibsen Nobel Prize in literature awarded to Jon Fosse for 'innovative plays and prose' The Nobel Prize in literature has been awarded to Norwegian author Jon Fosse for 'his innovative plays and prose, which give voice to the unsayable', according to the Swedish Academy. Mats Malm, permanent secretary of the academy, announced the prize on Thursday in Stockholm. Fosse is the most performed Norwegian playwright after Henrik Ibsen. The Nobel Prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (0.8 million) from a bequest left by their creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. Winners also receive an 18-carat gold medal and diploma at the award ceremonies in December. The new laureate joins an illustrious list of past winners that ranges from Toni Morrison to Ernest Hemingway and Jean-Paul Sartre - who turned down the prize in 1964. Last year, French author Annie Ernaux won the prize for what the prize-giving Swedish Academy called 'the courage and clinical acuity' of books rooted in her small-town background in the Normandy region of northwest France. Jon Fosse was commended for 'his innovative plays and prose, which give voice to the unsayable', according to the Swedish Academy Fosse is the most performed Norwegian playwright after Henrik Ibsen Ernaux was just the 17th woman among the 119 Nobel literature laureates. The literature prize has long faced criticism that it is too focused on European and North American writers, as well as too male-dominated. In 2018, the award was postponed after sex abuse allegations rocked the Swedish Academy, which names the Nobel literature committee, and sparked an exodus of members. The academy revamped itself but faced more criticism for giving the 2019 award to Austria's Peter Handke, who has been called an apologist for war crimes perpetrated by Serb forces during the break-up of Yugoslavia. On Wednesday, the chemistry prize was awarded to Moungi Bawendi of MIT, Louis Brus of Columbia University, and Alexei Ekimov of Nanocrystals Technology Inc. They were honored for their work with tiny particles called quantum dots - tiny particles that can release very bright colored light and whose applications in everyday life include electronics and medical imaging. Earlier this week, Hungarian-American Katalin Kariko and American Drew Weissman won the Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. On Tuesday, the physics prize went to French-Swedish physicist Anne L'Huillier, French scientist Pierre Agostini and Hungarian-born Ferenc Krausz for producing the first split-second glimpse into the super-fast world of spinning electrons. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded on Friday and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences ends the awards season on Monday. GOP Rep. Darrell Issa is making the case that Rep. Jim Jordan is the 'mainstream leader' that can unite the far-right and establishment conservatives as speaker - and says Donald Trump does not have much sway over the matter. Even though only a few short congressional terms ago Jordan was considered 'too conservative' to rise the leadership ranks, 'he has become very much, if you will, a mainstream leader among the conference,' Issa told DailyMail.com in an interview. Jordan is locked in a speaker's battle with the House's Number Two Republican, Majority Leader Steve Scalise. While both have pulled a handful of early supporters from the conference, they offer different appeals. Jordan, a founding member of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus, has used his chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee to probe 'weaponization' of the Department of Justice against Donald Trump. He is likely to appease Kevin McCarthy's most vocal detractors. GOP Rep. Darrell Issa is making the case that Rep. Jim Jordan is the 'mainstream leader' that can unite the far-right and establishment conservatives as speaker - and says Donald Trump does not have much sway over the matter Even though only a few short congressional terms ago Jordan was considered 'too conservative' to rise the leadership ranks, 'he has become very much, if you will, a mainstream leader among the conference,' Issa told DailyMail.com in an interview. Scalise, who is currently battling blood cancer, is already a member of GOP leadership and knows how it operates. Seen as more conservative than McCarthy but less than Jordan, he is likely to have good relationships with establishment and moderate Republicans. But Issa, who works with Jordan on Judiciary, said the conference would need an outsider to bring the eight Republicans who voted against McCarthy back into the fold - and that Jordan has the 'energy' for the job. 'Who's got the energy to do the fundraising, to do the campaigning for the various candidates and so on, that's all going to be part of it. Issa has been making calls on Jordan's behalf and trying to build support for the chairman's bid. 'One reason that [McCarthy opposers] clearly were stating that they feel that we need to have more of a principled direction.' 'Six or eight years ago people would have said he's too conservative. Today, the question is, who is the most conservative candidate they can get to 218.' Issa also swatted away at the prospect of Donald Trump becoming speaker - and suggested his appearance at the House GOP speaker candidate forum would be a 'campaign appearance for himself.' Trump is expected to make an appearance Tuesday as the conference's debate over speaker before a vote on Wednesday. 'The president will be well-received and the press will have a good time. But just as people are talking about, you know, the president being the speaker, he's got his hands full. His appearance is going to be a campaign appearance for himself.' 'This is not about Trump supporters or Trump dislikers, this is going to be about who can unify us. Because you know if it was just about Trump, Kevin McCarthy, who had been a very, very good supporter of Trump- he'd still be there.' A number of Republicans have floated the idea of Trump as House speaker Ohio Republican Rep. Max Miller, who worked in the Trump administration, suggested to CNN the former president's presence at the forum would not be 'helpful.' 'I don't know if that would be the most helpful thing,' he said. 'I certainly welcome the president's presence, if you would like to come up to Capitol Hill, I'd love to see him. I'm a big fan of his. Other than that, I believe we should work together as a conference to sort this out to elect a speaker.' With only a four-vote majority, Republicans can't afford to lose many votes in their conference - or they risk Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries becoming speaker with all Democratic votes. If Scalise became speaker, Whip Tom Emmer is gunning to move up to majority leader and Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler would seek the whip's job - a fact that Issa said is swaying votes for the majority leader. 'Steve moving up creates vacancies down the chain, so a lot of people supporting Steve are supporting someone else moving up.' A TV chef who was Gordon Ramsay's best man has left his wife for a woman nearly 25 years his junior, MailOnline has learned. Stephen Terry, 56, announced the closure of his exclusive restaurant, The Hardwick, in Abergavenny earlier this week. Shocked locals in the market town assumed its abrupt failure was due to a fraudster couple who stole almost 200,000 from the business to finance a luxury lifestyle. But insiders say that the lovestruck chef has been 'distracted' from the business in recent months after falling for a wine shop assistant. His new lover Jo Browning, 32, has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. Friends of Mr Terry's 54-year-old wife, also called Jo, say she is 'devastated' by the split. TV chef Stephen Terry (left), who was Gordon Ramsay's (right) best man, has left his wife for a woman nearly 25 years his junior Friends of Terry's wife Jo (left) say she is 'devastated' by the split His new lover Jo Browning, 32, has an eight-year-old daughter from a previous marriage Her father Derry Nicklin, 83, was a major investor in her husband's restaurant when he launched it 18 years ago. Mr Terry, who represented Wales on the BBC's Great British Menu, announced The Hardwick was shutting down days ago but made no mention of the matrimonial difficulties that may lie behind the sudden closure. A friend of the couple said: 'His wife and family are absolutely devastated by Stephen's behaviour. 'He has been having an affair behind Jo's back and she is heartbroken. 'It has been a dreadful time for her and their children.' The friend said Mr Terry was now living with Ms Browning, who works for local wine supplier Chesters. The friend added: 'So many lives have been turned upside down. They were married for nearly 20 years and Jo's dad invested the money to get The Hardwick started.' Meanwhile Mr Terry said 'everything is golden' with his new lover Jo. He said the pair fell in love earlier this year and are now planning a life together. Although they are living in a modest, rented house in Abergavenny, he said they are hoping to open a wine bar offering meals 'in the very near future', possibly in Bristol or Bath. The chef said he felt 'desperately sorry' for the heartache his new relationship had caused his wife and their three children. He added: 'I feel their pain. It came as a shock to them and they are very upset.' Mr Terry said: 'I met someone - Jo, or Franks as I call her - and she turned my head' Ms Browning is nearly 25 years younger than her new partner and has the same first name as his wife Mr Terry said 'everything is golden' with his new lover . Pictured: Mr Terry and his wife 'I love my wife, but after 20 years I think we just grew apart. It happens. 'I've been working hard in a kitchen all my life and this is the first time this has happened. I've always been very conscientious, committed to my job and career. I put so much into my work and career that really that was all I did. 'Then I met someone - Jo or Franks as I call her - and she turned my head. 'We are good. Everything is golden. I didn't anticipate the pain and upset it would cause. I feel terrible for that. My wife never saw this coming - neither did I. It's been hard for our friends and family and I am desperately sorry for that.' He said he was 'extremely proud' of the way his three children have dealt with the marriage split. Their two daughters have recently started university, he said. 'They are settling in and I'm so proud of them. Our son, who is 14, is also coping well, but he understandably finds it more difficult.' He said the affair had not triggered the closure of The Hardwick. 'I'll tell you what caused that - Brexit, Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis. 'Outside London, and especially in a relatively small town like Abergavenny, very few people can afford to eat out nowadays because they have precious little spare money. People are simply not going out any more, and in the hospitality industry, margins are incredibly tight. We just couldn't survive. 'As for Brexit, it has ruined the business because of staff recruitment issues. Things got so bad that in the end, I had to make my sous chef my front of house manager and do his job in the kitchen as well as my own. The house where chef Stephen Terry and Jo Browning live in Abergavenny, Wales Mr Terry said he had not discussed his split or new love with his superstar chef friend, Gordon Ramsay, for whom he was best man 'And then of course, we were taken for 150,000 in the space of two years - that was a kick in the b******s I never saw coming.' Mr Terry said he had not discussed his split or new love with his superstar chef friend, Gordon Ramsay, for whom he was best man. 'We are great friends and we had a lot of fantastic experiences together, but our lives are so different,' he said. 'Gordon is the world's most famous chef so he is tremendously busy. I saw him last year for the first time in maybe ten years and we had a great time.' Earlier this year, it emerged that the restaurant's 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. Mr Terry posted a photo announcing the closure 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.' Mr Terry trained under Marco Pierre White at Harveys and became best friends with Gordon Ramsay when they worked together. The Hardwick 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. Stephen Terry, who has left his wife for another woman, is pictured with James Martin The house where Mr Terry and Jo Browning are living together in Abergavenny Stephen ran the restaurant with his wife after her family helped fund the purchase. They added plush rooms to the restaurant - but he always steered away from seeking 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 Mr Terry 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. 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. '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'. Jo Terry told MailOnline: 'I don't want to comment, my priority is the children and I just want to protect them at this difficult time.' A militant union leader behind the doctors' strikes is a Labour activist who has boasted of charging the NHS 1,870 for a single strike cover shift. Dr Tom Dolphin made the extortionate sum covering for picketing colleagues and donated it to the British Medical Association's strike fund. The consultant anaesthetist, from London, wrote on X - formerly known as Twitter - that the war chest 'supports people to strike, meaning the strike is stronger and the win will come sooner'. He is a member of the ruling BMA Council, a member of the BMA Consultant's Committee and acts as a media spokesperson for striking doctors. The Mail can today reveal that Dr Dolphin is also a Labour activist who has been a political campaigner for more than a decade. Dr Tom Dolphin made the extortionate sum covering for picketing colleagues and donated it to the British Medical Association's strike fund He has campaigned alongside hard-left MP John McDonnell and was the election agent for Dawn Butler during the last two general elections. He also finds time to promote woke causes, including trans issues and veganism. Ministers believe the strike is 'politically motivated' and that the BMA leadership is not interested in a resolution with the current government. They are also concerned that some consultants appear to be profiting from the industrial action by charging the NHS inflated overtime rates to cover for absent junior doctors, which more than makes up for the money they lose on strike days. The consultant anaesthetist, from London, wrote on X - formerly known as Twitter - that the war chest 'supports people to strike, meaning the strike is stronger and the win will come sooner' (Pictured: NHS workers striking in London earlier this week) Earlier this summer nearly a dozen Labour MPs joined BMA picket lines and the latest walkout was timed to coincide with the Conservative Party conference in Manchester. Rishi Sunak this week said the dispute was 'all about politics, not patients'. The Prime Minister described doctors' pay demands as 'massive and unaffordable'. Writing on social media in 2019, Dr Dolphin said: 'This election has really got our membership engaged and working together to bring in a new, different, Labour government.' In July last year, he posted photos of himself at a Trans Pride march, adding: 'About to set off to let London know that trans rights are human rights!' Rishi Sunak this week said the dispute was 'all about politics, not patients'. The Prime Minister described doctors' pay demands as 'massive and unaffordable' He has described Brexit as a 'failure' and 'one of the worst foreign policy decisions by the UK in decades'. A Conservative source said: 'It is deeply concerning that a Labour Party activist seems to be at the heart of militant BMA strike action which is creating further disruption and misery for patients. 'The Government have given doctors a pay rise of between 6 per cent and 10.3 per cent, as well as generous reforms to their pensions, but sadly it seems ongoing action is increasingly politically motivated. 'Keir Starmer needs to immediately distance Labour from the BMA's strikes and back the government's plan to cut waiting lists.' Professor Phil Banfield, BMA chair of the council, said: 'The BMA prides itself on being a non-partisan organisation made up of members from across the political spectrum, all with the common goal of fighting to retain doctors and safeguard the NHS. 'We're incredibly proud of Tom and all of the work that he does to represent and advocate for our members. 'It's very generous of him to donate this amount to the strike fund, supporting those who might otherwise struggle to take part in legal, legitimate industrial action.' Ray Martin has stood by the controversial language he used at a Yes rally, where he described No voters as 'dinosaurs and d***heads', adding he would repeat it if given the chance. The veteran journalist, who has Aboriginal ancestry, told Yes voters the world would be watching Australia when the referendum comes around on October 14. 'If you don't know, find out what you don't know,' he said at a Yes rally in Marrickville, Sydney, at the end of last month. 'What that slogan is saying is if you're a dinosaur or d***head who can't be bothered reading, then vote No,' Martin declared. A week later, Martin appeared on the Channel Nine news program he once hosted, and was called out about the language he used by Ally Langdon during a heated 17-minute interview. When asked if he regretted his choice of words, Martin said no and initially denied any name calling. 'I would never call No voters dinosaurs or anything else,' he said, before Langdon cut in to say he had referred to them as 'dinosaurs and d***heads'. 'No I didn't. What I said was what I found offensive was this stupid slogan ''if you don't know vote No'',' Martin replied. 'That's just an endorsement of ignorance. If you don't know find out what you don't know.' Martin appeared on the Channel Nine news program he once hosted on Thursday night, A Current Affair, and was grilled by presenter Ally Langdon about his language at a Yes rally Langdon said there were many Australians who had a lot on their plates and were struggling with issues like the cost of living, only to then be criticised by Martin for not understanding what the Voice will mean. She said the respected journalist's language had been 'inflammatory'. 'I stick by the language,' Martin said immediately. 'I'd say it again. It was in Marrickville Hall. I wasn't talking at the Catholic Church. I hear it all the time on the radio. What's disrespectful is voting and admitting your ignorance.' Martin explained that his language was 'part of the Australian vernacular', something most hear on morning radio and at causal barbecues. He added voting Yes was simply 'the decent thing to do', saying both sides of the campaign had made it political. TV icon Ray Martin launches an extraordinary attack on No voters - lashing them as 'dinosaurs and d***heads' in a scathing speech to a cheering Yes crowd in front of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week The pair debated the topic, with Langdon insisting that Martin would have known his fiery language would widely circulate. 'You know the most controversial thing you say is going to be picked up. Surely you knew it was going to be provocative?' she asked. Martin said he didn't mind about the firestorm his speech had caused, again saying those who don't bother to educate themselves on the Voice and plan to vote No are 'dinosaurs'. 'People may be struggling with the cost of living, and they feel like Ray Martin just called them a dinosaur and a d***head ... do you think any kind of name calling is helpful?' Langdon asked. Martin repeatedly downplayed the language. 'I don't think dinosaur or d***head is really too heavy in Australia, listen to the radio or go to a local barbecue, and you'll hear it,' he said. He later added: 'We can't point the finger at the Chinese about their treatment of minorities if we vote No on October 14th.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had personally invited Martin to the Marrickville rally, who praised the address as 'very powerful' the next day. The comments have sparked intense backlash from commentators and the general public, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton demanding Martin apologise. 'It's disappointing,' Mr Dutton said. 'For someone who has relied on millions of Australians to support his work in media and television over a long period of time, to be treated like that... I think a lot of Australians would be pretty disappointed. 'Ray owes millions of Australians an apology because I don't think it reflects the reality of people's views on the ground.' The Prime Minister secured a series of new deals to combat illegal migration yesterday. Rishi Sunak joined forces with Italy's hard-Right PM Giorgia Meloni to force the issue of illegal migration up the list of priorities at the European Political Community summit in Spain. But an agreement which will allow Britain access to European intelligence on migrant crossings failed to materialise. Brussels is thought to have approved the main thrust of a deal which would allow far-wider intelligence sharing, but it was not included in an eight-point plan announced last night. The PM secured bilateral initiatives on immigration with Belgium, Bulgaria and Serbia. The Belgian deal will boost UK-funded surveillance and detection technology on the key migration route through the port of Zeebrugge. It will also see Britain provide 'expertise and training' to Belgian security services and border officials, alongside a trial agreement to share intelligence material between the UK and the Belgian authorities. Rishi Sunak joined forces with Italy 's hard-Right PM Giorgia Meloni to force the issue of illegal migration up the list of priorities at the European Political Community summit in Spain Pictured: Migrants on board of NGO Proactiva Open Arms Uno rescue boat close to Lampedusa island, Italy in August 2022 Mr Sunak said last night: 'Tackling illegal migration is a shared European challenge, numbers are up everywhere and I believe, as do other European leaders, that it should be us who decide who comes to our countries and not criminal gangs. 'That's why I was pleased I could convene a meeting together with the Italian prime minister but also leaders from Albania, the European Union, France and the Netherlands to talk through this issue to see how more we can work together, strengthening our co-operation to combat this awful crime. 'There is more that we can do sharing intelligence, working upstream to disrupt supply chains, working with partner countries to ensure effective returns. 'These are all areas where we can work more closely together, that's what we talked through and the UK today has signed new agreements with Serbia, Belgium and Bulgaria that will help strengthen our bilateral co-operation.' A No 10 spokesman said a meeting in the sidelines of the Granada summit had 'agreed to an eight-point plan to address growing levels of illegal migration to mainland Europe together'. It included moves to 'prevent unauthorised border crossings' and to 'strengthen co-operation' on returning illegal migrants Pictured left to right: President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama during a meeting at the summit The plan did not mention any wide-ranging deal on sharing migration data from the EU's border agency Frontex, however, and made only a passing reference to 'information exchange'. Asked if there will be an agreement on Frontex, Mr Sunak said: 'We've been working with the European Union, making progress on those talks. Those talks are ongoing, we're always looking for ways to strengthen our co-operation with partner countries and entities to combat illegal migration.' If Britain were to be allowed access to the EU borders data, it would be seen as a sign of a thawing in the relationship between the UK and Brussels in the wake of the historic Brexit vote. Sources within the British Government have questioned whether an intelligence- sharing deal will make a difference in the small boats crisis, however. Downing Street said Mr Sunak spoke with Ms Meloni privately yesterday and discussed their 'similar views' on tackling illegal immigration. The issue was raised at 'every bilateral [meeting] the PM had', demonstrating the strength of concern across the bloc, a No 10 spokesman added. In a joint article for The Times, Mr Sunak and Ms Meloni said: 'Countries across our continent are recognising that the current approach is not working. Sources within the British Government have questioned whether an intelligence- sharing deal will make a difference in the small boats crisis, however. Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent on Monday 'They're realising that we need closer co-operation and tougher measures to crack down on the people smugglers.' They added: 'We are working together to stop the boats and we are calling on others to act with the same sense of urgency. 'Criminal groups are deploying new tactics to avoid interception, so we need a step change in our response.' Home Office figures show more than 25,000 people have reached Britain in small boats so far this year. A coroner is probing eight deaths on the same NHS ward where a pair of 'dangerous and callous' nursing staff drugged and ill-treated patients, the Mail can reveal. Catherine Hudson was convicted of sedating victims in some cases to keep them 'quiet and compliant' and in others 'out of spite'. The 54-year-old senior nurse drugged two patients for an 'easy life' at the unit, which was described as having 'a culture of abuse', in April 2017 and November 2018, her trial heard. She swapped vile messages with her partner in crime, Charlotte Wilmot, including one in which Hudson boasted of sedating an elderly patient 'to within an inch of her life'. The nurses were warned that they both face jail. They also stole medication from the 'corrupt' ward at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, with the trial hearing claims that '95 per cent of the staff' would take drugs from the unit, sometimes on a recreational basis. Catherine Hudson (left), 54, and Charlotte Wilmot (right), 48, pictured leaving Preston Crown Court The Mail can reveal that the coroner is probing eight unrelated deaths on the same ward that Hudson and Wilmot were guilty of drugging patients. Pictured: Blackpool Victoria Hospital After nearly 14 hours of deliberation, jurors at Preston Crown Court convicted Hudson and 48-year-old Wilmot of conspiring to administer a sedative to a third patient in 2017. It can now be revealed that during the probe an unrelated murder inquiry was launched over the death of a grandmother on the unit. Valerie Kneale, 75, bled to death after being assaulted possibly sexually by what detectives fear is a 'predator' days after they were called in to investigate allegations of poisoning in November 2018. Eight more deaths of patients who were treated on the ward will now be probed by the coroner, the Mail can reveal. Neither Hudson nor Wilmot an assistant practitioner charged with supporting senior nurses has been accused of causing any deaths or deterioration of patients. It means that almost five years on from the bombshell launch of a huge police probe into whether elderly patients were poisoned on the 49-bed unit, the full extent of the harm caused remains unknown. As Hudson was remanded in custody and warned she faces a lengthy prison sentence, the son of one of the patients mistreated by her branded her cruel messages 'absolute pure evil'. Brian Scott, whose mother Aileen recovered sufficiently to speak detectives, said: 'My mum had a haemorrhagic stroke and was paralysed she was no nuisance to nurses in that hospital. She couldn't do anything and she relied on them for her care and support.' He told Sky News his mother was 'still not well at this time, but she's delighted to hear that justice has been done it's a great outcome'. During the trial, the jury heard staff routinely stole drugs and made cruel jokes about the vulnerable patients in their care. It can now be revealed that during the probe an unrelated murder inquiry was launched over the death of a grandmother on the unit. Valerie Kneale (pictured), 75, bled to death after being assaulted possibly sexually by what detectives fear is a 'predator' days after they were called in to investigate allegations of poisoning in November 2018. Hudson sedated numerous hospital patients including Aileen Scott (pictured) who is from Glasgow but was on holiday in Blackpool Hudson (left) and Wilmot (right) were convicted at Preston Crown Court on Thursday afternoon Pictured are Hudson (right) and Wilmot (left) exchanged messages joking about sedating their patients Judge Robert Altham remanded Catherine Hudson (pictured) into custody following the verdicts, which were reached after nearly 14 hours of deliberation When two patients became agitated or 'hard work', Hudson would administer sedatives to make the lives of herself and her colleagues easier despite the potentially fatal consequences. The court heard there was 'a culture of abuse', with staff able to help themselves to zopiclone, a sedative, and other drugs for their own use or to dose patients. A WhatsApp group chat included messages packed with expletives and callous emojis about sedating patients. In one text message to a colleague about a patient she was convicted of ill-treating, Hudson wrote: 'I sedated one of them to within an inch of her life lol [laugh out loud]. Bet she's flat for a week haha xxx.' Wilmot also wrote that a 'very f****** annoying' elderly female patient should be given 'the best sleep she ever had'. Hudson replied 'permanently' accompanied by laughing emojis and kisses. The woman's daughter made three complaints about the standard of care but received no reply. Detectives discovered that more than 1,000 zoplicone tablets, a powerful sedative which can be fatal if wrongly administered, were dispensed by the hospital pharmacy for use on the stroke unit over a two-month period in 2018. By contrast, just 207 of those were recorded as having been prescribed, and 222 of them administered raising the question of what happened to the rest, and how controls could have been so lax. Hudson and Wilmot another disturbing exchange in April that year when Hudson joked that a patient in bed 29 had was doing 'not a f***ing lot' because she had sedated her two days in row Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, said an internal review had found the process of supplying zopiclone was 'so lax as to be virtually incapable of being correctly audited or safely administered'. Once the investigation started, transactions involving zopiclone 'fell off a cliff', he added. In November 2018 a student nurse who was on placement at the stroke unit blew the whistle on the cruelty. The following day Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the 767-bed general hospital, called in Lancashire Police, and within days three nurses were arrested. Drugs such as Zopiclone were stolen and used to drug patients. Police have released pictures of the medication Zopiclone (pictured by police) was used to sedate patients for their 'own amusement' and an 'easy life'. Some they didn't like were also drugged In the witness box, Hudson insisted her cruel messages were 'banter' and 'gallows humour' sparked by chronic understaffing. She claimed she was a devoted nurse who had chosen to work in the facility after her father suffered a series of strokes. During the investigation, police examined the deaths of eight patients in addition to Mrs Kneale who died after being treated on the unit, with at least one funeral cancelled as a result. No one has been charged and there is no suggestion that Hudson and Wilmot were in any way responsible. The cases are now being probed by Blackpool coroner Alan Wilson. He adjourned all the hearings until after Hudson and Wilmot's trial, with inquests expected to be concluded over the coming months. The court heard that prescription restrictions were lax in the stroke unit and that staff would sometimes help themselves to drugs to self-medicate or supply others. WhatsApp messages between Hudson and an unnamed colleague seemingly revealed that she was among those taking and distributing drugs without permission Hudson apparently admitted to giving the drug to patients in a text to a family member Judge Robert Altham, honorary recorder of Preston, remanded Hudson in custody, saying she faced certain imprisonment. He granted Wilmot bail but told her the 'overwhelming likelihood' was that she too would be jailed. The pair, both from Blackpool, will be sentenced in December. Both face life bans from nursing. Last night Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust apologised and said it had introduced new procedures to monitor medication. The stroke unit has been reduced in size by ten beds, with a higher ratio of staff to patients. Detective Chief Inspector Jill Johnston of Lancashire Police said Hudson and Wilmot were both fully aware of the risks of using sedatives, making their behaviour 'even harder to comprehend'. Police launch murder inquiry into the death of 75-year-old woman By James Tozer A police probe into allegations of poisoning on the Blackpool stroke unit escalated dramatically when police launched a murder inquiry into the death of 75-year-old Valerie Kneale. Horrifically it emerged that the previously active grandmother had bled to death after being assaulted possibly sexually. Detectives warned of a suspected predator who could strike again. The murder inquiry, which is unrelated to the probe into the ill treatment of patients, has seen police interview thousands of people, including ward staff and visitors. Despite a Crimewatch appeal and the offer of a 20,000 reward, the only suspect arrested over the killing has been eliminated from the inquiry. Mrs Kneale, who lived with her husband Bill in the Lancashire seaside town of Knott End-on-Sea, was admitted to the stroke unit on November 12, 2018, after falling ill. It can now be revealed that during the probe an unrelated murder inquiry was launched over the death of a grandmother on the unit. Valerie Kneale (pictured), 75, bled to death after being assaulted possibly sexually by what detectives fear is a 'predator' days after they were called in to investigate allegations of poisoning in November 2018 She was checked over and she was doing OK, her niece, Lisa Jaffier, later told Crimewatch Live. She was sat up, she was communicating, she was talking. Obviously she was going to have challenges in her recovery but we were all very hopeful of a positive outcome. Her children wanted to stay with her that evening but the hospital said really shes in the best place she could be in, theres really no need, shes going to be absolutely fine. After she unexpectedly took a turn for the worse, doctors told her children she was not going to recover and they agreed she should not receive any further treatment. But following her death on November 16 a pathologist discovered during a routine post-mortem examination that she had suffered a horrific internal injury, and police were informed. The murder inquiry was launched in February 2019. An inquest later heard that the pathologist felt that Mrs Kneales internal injury was caused by a forcible sexual assault after she was admitted to hospital. A healthcare professional was arrested on suspicion of murdering Mrs Kneale in 2021 but he was later eliminated from the investigation. In March this year the 20,000 reward was offered to catch her killer as police revealed their fears that the murderer could strike again. Theres a real worry to the investigation and to the hospital that this could be just one of a number of attacks, said Detective Chief Inspector Jill Johnston of Lancashire Police. This may be at the hands of somebody who is a predator and who may have committed previous attacks of this nature and may continue to do so. The fact this has happened in a hospital setting is of grave concern to everyone and weve worked tirelessly along with the hospital to get justice for Mrs Kneale and her family. But also to stop this ever happening again. So we need to identify whos responsible. At the same time Mrs Kneales family told how they cant even begin to heal from learning the horrible way she died until her killer is caught. When she went into hospital you believe shes going to be safe, going to be looked after, her niece told the BBCs Crimewatch. To think that somebody did that its horrible. To think that someone did that to a lovely person at a time when she was helpless, at her most vulnerable, where she couldnt shout out, she couldnt defend herself... Were left with a huge wound that cant even begin to heal until we find out whos responsible for doing that so that we can get justice. There have been no further arrests. Vladimir Putin has suggested his nemesis Yevgeny Prigozhin's plane was brought down by a hand grenade that exploded inside the aircraft while the Wagner chief and his fellow mercenaries were drunk or high on drugs. Weeks after Prigozhin, 62, had led a revolt against the Kremlin, he was travelling by private jet from Moscow to St Petersburg on August 23rd when it burst into flames. The executive Embraer jet then plunged to earth, killing Prigozhin, his bodyguards and other Wagner commanders including Dmitry Utkin. Immediately, fingers were pointed at President Putin, who had fallen out spectacularly with Prigozhin over the war in Ukraine. But in an apparent attempt to distance himself from responsibility, Putin suggested the explosion was as a result of a hand grenade detonating inside the aircraft by accident. 'Fragments of hand grenades were found in the bodies of those killed in the crash,' Putin told the Valdai forum in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. 'There was no external impact on the plane - this is already an established fact.' Vladimir Putin (pictured on Thursday at the Valdai forum in Sochi, Russia) has suggested his nemesis Yevgeny Prigozhin 's plane was brought down by a hand grenade that exploded inside the aircraft while the Wagner chief and his fellow mercenaries were drunk or high on drugs Putin has suggested the explosion that killed Prigozhin (pictured) and nine others was as a result of a hand grenade detonating inside the aircraft by accident Weeks after he had led a revolt against the Kremlin, Prigozhin was travelling by private jet from Moscow to St Peterburg on August 23rd when it burst into flames (pictured) Putin also suggested that the hand grenades could have detonated while they were being handled by Prigozhin or his Wagner mercenaries who were drunk or high on cocaine. He also claimed that 5kg of cocaine had been found during a search of Prigozhin's private mansion in St Petersburg earlier this year. The despot said he thought it was wrong for crash investigators not to conduct alcohol and drug tests on the deceased when their bodies were recovered from the crash site. 'Unfortunately, no examination was carried out for the presence of alcohol or drugs in the blood of the victims,' he said. 'In my view, this should have been carried out, but it wasn't.' But former Wagner commander Marat Gabidullin, who left the group in 2019, dismissed Putin's claims. 'I don't believe this. I never noticed any signs that [Prigozhin or Utkin] used drugs. And neither of them drank,' Gabidullin told The Times. Since the conflict began, several opponents of Putin have met a grisly end. The executive Embraer jet then plunged to earth, killing Prigozhin, his bodyguards and other Wagner commanders. Pictured: - Russian investigators comb the scene of a jet crash near the village of Kuzhenkino on August 24 this year Vladimir Putin has claimed fragments of hand grenades have been recovered from the wreckage of a jet crash which killed his nemesis Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured in June this year) Western intelligence officials also believe the explosion which damaged the plane in mid-flight was internal rather than external. But, to date, only President Putin has suggested the crash was caused by the accidental detonation of grenades by one of the passengers or crew. It has been claimed that explosives had been planted inside a case of wine that had been loaded onto the private jet - and that Putin was behind the attack. The Kremlin called allegations he was behind the crash as an 'absolute lie.' A Russian investigation was launched but no findings have been released yet. Moscow rejected an offer from Brazil, where the Embraer business jet was built, to join the inquiry. While Putin noted the probe was still ongoing and stopped short of saying definitively what caused the crash, he did suggest that the plane had been brought down by a grenade that exploded while Prigozhin and his mercenaries were drunk or high on cocaine. Prigozhin's rebellion in June marked the most serious challenge to Putin's rule since he rose to power in 1999. Prigozhin said it was intended to oust the Defense Ministry's leadership that he blamed for mistakes in pressing the fighting in Ukraine. His mercenaries took over Russia's southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don and then rolled toward Moscow before abruptly halting the mutiny under a deal that offered them amnesty from prosecution. Initially, the president's response expelling Prigozhin to neighbouring Belarus appeared uncharacteristically meek, the sentence of a president whose powers were waning. Then, exactly, two months later, Prigozhin's jet was blown out of the sky. The past two years have been a godsend for Sir Keir Starmer. Labour's leader might be a leaden communicator 'Captain Crasheroonie Snoozefest' in Boris Johnson's inimitable words with an unattractive streak of self-righteousness, yet he's been able to sit back as the Tories disintegrated unaided. Sleaze. The Partygate psychodrama. Acts of deranged self-harm. By becoming mired in scandal and navel-gazing, instead of having a laser-like focus on delivering for the public, the Conservatives have gifted Sir Keir a considerable lead in the polls. But democracy works on the basis that the electorate has some idea of what the politicians who stand for high office believe. People need something to vote for as well as against. And on this score, Sir Keir is treating the British public with contempt. Labour's leader might be a leaden communicator with an unattractive streak of self-righteousness, yet he's been able to sit back as the Tories disintegrated unaided Sir Keir supported Jeremy Corbyn until it was untenable to do so. He was anti-Brexit until it was evidently the will of the people. He was in favour of gender self-identification until Nicola Sturgeon's downfall Because Labour is hot favourite to win the election, he arrogantly seems to assume he can coast to victory without serious scrutiny. Yet he hasn't earned his other nickname, 'Sir Shifty', for nothing. Everyone knows he adopts whatever is the political flavour of the month to boost his chances of power then disowns it at the opportune moment. Sir Keir supported Jeremy Corbyn until it was untenable to do so. He was anti-Brexit until it was evidently the will of the people. He was in favour of gender self-identification until Nicola Sturgeon's downfall. His endless U-turns mean voters are in the dark as to what he stands for. During an invigorating party conference, in which the Tories nailed many of their colours to the mast, Rishi Sunak told the faithful: 'The Labour Party have set out their stall: To do and say as little as possible and hope no one notices.' So in the spirit of openness, the Daily Mail has some questions to ask Sir Keir: What on earth were you thinking when you twice fought hammer and tongs to put Corbyn, an unpatriotic, pro-Kremlin Marxist, into Downing Street? What personal taxes will you raise to help fund Labour's vast spending plans? How will making it easier for the trade unions, Labour's paymasters, to strike square with your plan to grow the economy? Were you lying when you let slip that as PM you would stick slavishly to EU rules neutering all the opportunities of Brexit? And which aspects of our hard-won independence would you sacrifice to get your so-called 'better deal' from Brussels? How many thousands of illegal migrants would you accept from the EU under a deal to stop small boats crossing the Channel? Will you impoverish people by bringing back earlier bans on new petrol and diesel cars and gas boilers? Will you promise to end the war on motorists by restricting the spread of 20mph limits and spurious low-emission zones? Stripping the VAT exemption from private schools in the name of class war would force thousands of children whose parents couldn't afford the fees into state education. How will you accommodate them? Many in Labour and on the Left believe Britain is a racist country and hate its history and culture. Do you? Do you agree with banning transgender women biological males from being treated on female-only hospital wards? As Black Lives Matter activists ran amok, you took the knee. Would you again? With Labour heading to its annual shindig, Sir Keir has the perfect opportunity to answer these questions. But will he spell out his real plans? He doesn't want to frighten ordinary voters, but he won't antagonise the hard-Left and special interest groups he relies on for power. So he adopts more positions than the Kama Sutra. Recently, Mr Sunak has displayed the courage a prime minister needs, levelling with the public on difficult and contentious issues. If Sir Keir is to persuade voters to put him in No 10, he too must show some spine. No more fence-sitting, no more flip-flopping. Humza Yousaf has been accused of creating a charter for criminals by forcing Scotlands police force to cut jobs and not investigate some offences. The First Minister yesterday faced heavy criticism after the Scottish Police Federation earlier this week warned that lives may be lost because of falling officer numbers. He was accused of being sly and sleekit about the impact of SNP cuts, and of having his head in the sand about the financial crisis engulfing Police Scotland. The row comes after Rishi Sunak pledged that every crime will be investigated in England. Police Scotland expects that 2,894 jobs will have to go by the end of March 2024 FM forced to apologise over lies jibe Humza Yousaf accused Douglas Ross of lying about funding The First Minister has been forced to apologise after accusing the leader of the Scottish Conservatives of lying about police funding. At Holyrood yesterday, Humza Yousaf insisted there are more officers per head in Scotland than in England and Wales, that crime is down under the SNP and that Scottish officers are the best paid in the UK. Challenged by Douglas Ross, the First Minister said the Conservative leader had been down at the Conservative Party conference this week but his post-truth, his lies about the police service simply will not wash here in Scotland. Parliamentary protocol dictates that MSPs must not accuse each other of lying. Mr Yousaf was asked to apologise three times by Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone before finally responding: Im happy to apologise to the chamber for any offence caused. Advertisement Under a pilot scheme in the North-East, Police Scotland officers do not respond to some crimes, while 30 stations face closure. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: Humza Yousaf is forcing Police Scotland to close dozens of stations but he wont say where. He is leaving it with no option but to stop investigating every crime, but he wont say which crimes, and he is forcing the police to cut officer numbers to the lowest level on record, but he wont say how low. Humza Yousaf is a criminals dream. He doesnt want them stopped, he doesnt want them caught and he doesnt want them in jail. Why is he being so sly and sleekit and secretive about the consequences of the SNPs cuts on Police Scotland? Speaking later, Mr Ross said: Humza Yousafs approach to policing and justice amounts to a charter for criminals. Figures as of June 2023 show there are 16,600 officers, down more than 600 since 2013, when Police Scotland was formed, and at a 15-year low. The force expects that it will need to cut 600 officers and 200 other staff in this financial year, and 2,894 jobs will have to go by the end of March 2024. At First Ministers Questions yesterday, Mr Ross asked how far staff numbers would be allowed to fall. Mr Yousaf said police numbers had increased by more than 300 since the SNP Government came to power, adding: We have continued to see more officers per head in Scotland than in England and Wales. Scotland has 30 officers per 10,000 of the population, compared with 25 in England and Wales. He said the Government has invested 1.45billion in the police service this financial year. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told Mr Yousaf station closures would decimate the police presence in Scotlands communities, and accused him of giving head in the sand responses. Mr Yousaf said: Recorded crime is at one of its lowest levels in almost 50 years it is down 41 per cent. There has been a significant reduction in crime right across a number of crime types. Former President Donald Trump said Thursday he was willing to step in and be Speaker of the House for up to 90 days to help unify a Republican Party in disarray after Rep. Kevin McCarthy's chaotic ousting. The former president is already expected to wade into the drama on Capitol Hill next week by appearing at a candidate forum for the race for House speaker on Tuesday. Trump - who is running for president again - spoke to Fox News Digital and said he would be open to briefly taking the job himself. 'I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress,' Trump said. 'If they don't get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the speakership until they get somebody longer-term because I am running for president.' The speaker of the House is third in line to the White House in the order of presidential succession. Mr Speaker? Former President Donald Trump posted an image of himself presiding over the House Chamber after several House Republicans floated his name for Speaker Trump addresses the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives, delivering his State of the Union address in February 2019 Trump's Washington appearance is expected after he makes a presidential campaign stop in New Hampshire Monday and before he headlines a fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida Wednesday. Trump already had been teasing doing the job. He posted a meme of himself sitting in the speaker's chair while holding a giant gavel on Wednesday after a number of allies in the House put his name forward. If Trump decides to back a candidate in the race it could be a boon for firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan - a close ally who has led the fight against so-called 'weaponization' of the Justice Department against Trump from the House. Jordan is running for the job against No. 2 Republican Steve Scalise, Majority Leader, after Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the job on Monday. But Trump could technically become speaker as it's not required that the speaker be a member of the House. 'If Trump becomes Speaker of the House, the House chamber will be like a Trump rally everyday!!' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wrote on X. 'It would be the House of MAGA!!!' Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Kevin McCarthy ally, slammed the gavel while sending the house into recess minutes after McCarthy was ousted Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy departs the office still bearing his nameplate on Thursday. McCarthy was dramatically ousted from the speakership earlier this week Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sarcastically chimed in, 'No thanks, we're good. We've seen a Trump rally at the Capitol already.' Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said he believes Trump coming to the forum will help 'unify' Republicans around a candidate. 'I think what he'll do is he'll come in there and unify us, tell us to get behind somebody else.' The GOP conference, currently led by interim Speaker Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., has to agree to allow Trump to attend. While it would be unlikely they'd bar the leader of the party from the forum, his attendance would likely be met with silent groans from Republicans looking to bring order back to the House. 'Trump at the candidate forum would only make a tumultuous situation worse,' one senior House GOP aide told DailyMail.com. 'Anyone who thinks he has any chance of becoming speaker is an unserious lawmaker interested only in media attention and social media engagement. And according to House GOP conference rules, no one who has been indicted for a felony can serve in leadership. Trump has been indicted four times. However there is a chance Trump could try to be speaker but not a member of the House GOP conference. It's nearly impossible he would ever actually be elected speaker and he has said he is focused on the presidential race. House members have been sent home to 'cool off' until Tuesday, when they will come back for a contentious debate over who should lead the lower chamber. Whoever gets the job will be tasked with presiding over a four-vote majority in a conference where a succession of leaders have departed on difficult terms. McCarthy was ousted in a historic vote on a motion to vacate brought forth by GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. Gaetz is a Trump loyalist who said he spoke to Trump by phone during McCarthy's final days and suggested Trump backed his efforts. But Trump also made a social media post where he asked why Republicans were fighting each other instead of President Biden, which seemed to urge them to knock it off. 'Why is it that Republicans are always fighting among themselves, why arent they fighting the Radical Left Democrats who are destroying our Country?' Trump posted. Eight Republicans sided with the entire Democratic caucus to push out their leader - making McCarthy the shortest-lived speaker in 140 years and the first one ever to be pushed out in the middle of his term. Hollywood superstar Jason Momoa has sparked division after sharing an Instagram post supporting the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. The American actor - best known for his roles in Game of Thrones and as Aquaman - shared a video ad produced by Indigenous rapper, Adam Briggs, promoting the effort to enshrine the Aboriginal advisory body into the constitution. In the clip, Briggs advises two young women at the pub, played by comedians Jenna Owen and Vic Zerbst, to research the Voice, leading them to agree they will 'just vote Yes to that' because the detail is 'quite clear'. New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi had already shared the video, before Momoa re-shared it onto his own account. '#yes23 is a referendum taking place in Australia on October 14. The aim is to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people a voice in parliament so they can weigh in on issues that affect their lives,' the original post's caption reads. 'Simple as that. How do I know this? I googled it. But many Australians are confused or freaked out about what it means. 'Don't be! It's a good thing! Just do good things! Also Google it ya lazy mongrels.' Hollywood superstar Jason Momoa (pictured with ex-wife Lisa Bonet) has sparked division after sharing an Instagram post supporting the Indigenous Voice to Parliament But the actor's stance has sparked a fierce back-and-forth between his fans, with some unhappy about his weighing into Australian politics. 'Which country (that you aren't from, know, or a part of) are you going to virtue signal for next?' one critic fumed. 'Stay out of Australian politics mate. Do your thing in America and that but putting your 5 cents in terms of the Yes or No vote is not (for) you,' one commented. 'Stay in movies and out of Australian politics. What have you ever done for our country?' said another. Others thanked Momoa - who has native Hawaiian heritage which he represents on the world stage - for showing solidarity with Yes voters. 'The lead up to the referendum has been really rough on our communities and it's actually really nice to get some encouragement from our Indigenous brothers from across the seas,' one wrote. Added another: 'It's Yes from me. It won't affect me negatively and will empower the First Nations with pride'. Australians have begun early voting ahead of referendum day on October 14. Domestic abusers could be charged with murder if their partner commits suicide under new prosecution guidelines. The shake-up will also mean murder charges will be more likely in mercy killings and failed suicide pacts if a suspect stood to gain from the death or if they influenced a victim not to seek medical treatment. But prosecutors will no longer pursue a murder charge if the victim had made an informed decision that they wished to die, or if a mercy killing suspect had been under 'significant emotional pressure' from the victim. Director of public prosecutions Max Hill KC said domestic abuse was part of a crime wave in Britain and if an abuser's unlawful actions resulted in a suicide then they would now face a manslaughter or murder charge. 'And I did want to be clear, that you may find that a charge of murder is applied by the Crown Prosecution Service even after suicide, where what went before was unlawful activity in the context of a coercive relationship,' he added. Director of public prosecutions Max Hill KC said if an abuser's unlawful actions resulted in a suicide then they would now face a manslaughter or murder charge Justene Reece, 46, killed herself as a direct result of her ex-partner's controlling behaviour The updated guidance could result in murder charges in cases such as the death of Justene Reece, 46, who killed herself as a direct result of her ex-partner's controlling behaviour. Nicholas Allen tried to contact her almost 3,500 times after they split up, set up a fake Facebook profile and even offered a reward of 1,000 for sightings of her. He was jailed for ten years in 2017 for her manslaughter and the CPS said he caused Miss Reece 'significant psychiatric harm and directly contributed to her death'. There have been a number of high profile mercy killings in recent years, including the case of David Hunter, a Briton who was jailed in Cyprus for suffocating his desperately ill wife. He has since been released and has called for the law to be changed. Retired baggage handler Graham Mansfield, 74, faced a murder charge after cutting the throat of his terminally ill wife, Dyanne, 71, after she begged him to end her suffering when her lung cancer became too much to bear. He was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter, though he avoided prison with a two-year suspended sentence. David Hunter, 76. was on trial for killing his terminally ill wife in 2021 and was eventually convicted of manslaughter The homicide guidance does not touch on 'assisted dying' or other similar scenarios which are treated separately in law. Mr Hill said: 'A prosecution will usually take place unless the prosecutor is satisfied that there are public interest factors tending against prosecution which outweigh those tending in favour. 'Each case must be considered on its own facts and on its own merits. 'Prosecutors must decide the importance of each public interest factor in the circumstances of each case and go on to make an overall assessment. 'But it is very important to note that we will always prosecute cases of murder and manslaughter where there is sufficient evidence, and it is in the public interest.' The update followed a 12-week public consultation between January 2022 and April 2022. Mr Hill is due to step down as DPP later this year and will be replaced by experienced lawyer Stephen Parkinson. The SNP leader has admitted he faces a 'tough job' earning the trust of the Scottish people, in a high-profile interview with the prestigious Time magazine. First Minister Humza Yousaf also acknowledged the impact the crisis within the SNP has had on his first six months in office. He appeared on the cover in the latest issue of the US-based title, which portrayed him as a 'trailblazer' who is 'shaping the future'. The magazine branded Mr Yousaf as one of its 'next generation leaders' to look out for. But the article published yesterday highlighted how he is being hindered by 'internal divisions' and the police probe into the SNP's finances. It said the party 'may now be vulnerable', while Mr Yousaf's 'authority could come under strain if the SNP is seen to lose its electoral edge'. In the interview, carried out in August, Mr Yousaf looked ahead to the next General Election and said: 'There's a job to do for us in those 12 to 15 months to make sure we're re-earning the trust of the people. It's going to be a tough job.' Humza Yousaf appeared on the cover of the prestigious US publication Time, which portrayed him as a 'trailblazer' who is 'shaping the future'. Mr Yousaf took over as Scottish First Minister and SNP leader from Nicola Sturgeon, who stepped down in March Time warned that Mr Yousaf's 'authority could come under strain if the SNP is seen to lose its electoral edge' He admitted the SNP had endured 'five of the most difficult months my party has probably faced in its recent history' and that it has 'not been able to cut through' due to the ongoing police investigation. In a video released to coincide with the article's publication, Mr Yousaf told Time about the importance of his faith, saying he is 'proud' to be the first Muslim head of government of a western nation. He also revealed how 9/11 was one of the 'seminal moments of my life' as his 'loyalty' to his country was questioned after the attacks. He added: 'You had two choices: you either put your head in a bunker and hope it all passed by or you said, 'You know what, these people don't act in our name'. 'And I don't have to feel guilty for the actions of an extreme fringe. I stand in absolute solidarity with those who value freedom, democracy and the rule of law.' Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: 'Of course we should celebrate Humza Yousaf's achievement as Scotland's first Muslim leader. Unfortunately, six months into his term, there's little else to applaud. 'He's chosen to ignore Scotland's real priorities by continuing to focus on separatist obsessions. He may not have long to enjoy his exposure in Time before the electorate call 'time' on his leadership.' A woman allegedly walked into a bar and stabbed two complete strangers who were posing for a group photo. At around 9.40pm on Wednesday emergency services were called to a pub on Valentine Street in Parramatta in Sydney's west, following reports of a stabbing. Officers found two men, aged 52 and 58, both suffering stab wounds to their necks, upper torsos and arms. Police will allege the two men were taking a group photo with friends when they were approached by a woman not known to them - who produced a knife and stabbed the pair when asked to leave by security. At around 9.40pm on Wednesday emergency services were called to a pub on Valentine Street in Parramatta in Sydney 's west, following reports of a stabbing (Valentine Street is pictured) 'Both men were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition,' a spokesperson for NSW Police said. 'Following inquiries, a 30-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment.' The woman was later escorted to Merrylands Police Station, where she was charged with two counts of cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder. The woman, from Crows Nest in Sydney's lower North Shore, was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Nicholas Rossi was born as Nicholas Alahverdian in Providence, Rhode Island, in July 1987 to mother Diana Alahverdian and father Jack Alahverdian, according to reports in US newspaper The Providence Journal. He was adopted by his stepfather David Rossi, and changed his surname to Rossi. Rossi had a turbulent childhood and left his family home as a teenager, spending much of his adolescence in Rhode Island's Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) care facilities. He spoke out against the conditions in care, claiming to have suffered abuse and neglect and he made a name for himself by campaigning to improve facilities for children living in the state's care. In 2008, Rossi was convicted of sexually assaulting a student while attending a community college in Ohio. He was placed on the sex offenders register as a result. Rossi claimed he had been diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in late 2019 and around this time, friends in the media and politics say they began receiving calls from him to say he was dying. An obituary appeared online for Rossi in early 2020 saying he had died and that his ashes had been scattered at sea. Rossi departs Edinburgh Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court after an extradition hearing on July 11 What is Rossi accused of? Rossi is wanted in the US for allegedly raping a woman in Utah in 2008 and also faces domestic abuse charges. Authorities say he faked his own death in order to evade charges in the US. What happened next? It is unclear when Rossi left the US for the UK, as he continues to insist he Irish orphan Arthur Knight. Under the guise of Arthur Brown, Rossi is believed to have met his wife, Miranda Knight, in Bristol in 2019 and married her in early 2020, assuming the name Arthur Knight. They moved to Glasgow shortly afterwards but in 2021, Rossi became so ill with Covid-19 that he had to be hospitalised at the city's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. How was Rossi caught? In July 2020, DNA allegedly linked him to a 2008 rape in Utah which is ultimately what led to his discovery in Scotland. He was arrested on December 13, 2021 at the Glasgow hospital by police officers who served him with an Interpol red notice. With the assistance of medical staff at the hospital, the patient initially named as Arthur Knight was identified as Rossi. What is Rossi's version of events? There has never been an official version of events from Rossi because he continues to insist he is Arthur Knight and that the authorities have the wrong man. In court appearances, he has maintained his pained English accent, with an Irish lilt whenever he mentions the word Dublin, where he claims to have been born. In his latest interview with The Times, as Arthur Knight, he said he wanted the 'real' Rossi to come forward to 'save my wife and me from this mess'. The cup allows for open drinks containers for the first time aboard the ISS After too much coffee you might feel like you're floating, but for astronauts getting their coffee to stop floating can be a real headache. In a video posted to celebrate International Coffee Day, Samantha Cristoforetti, an astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), has revealed how she made her morning coffee without the help of gravity during her time on the International Space Station (ISS). Using a specially designed 'space cup', Ms Cristoforetti was able to sip her morning brew without difficulty - even while orbiting 250 miles (420km) above the nearest coffee shop. The footage shows the Italian astronaut carefully pouring her coffee from a sealed bag into the curiously shaped cup. For astronauts, even having an open cup is a serious challenge, however this invention allows residents on the ISS to enjoy some of the simple pleasures of life on Earth. While the surface tension of coffee means it can't be poured out of any old container, the space cup's special shape allows coffee to be sipped almost like you would on Earth Ms Cristoforetti is a renowned space-coffee enthusiast, having become the first person to drink espresso made on the ISS in 2015 READ MORE: What's the longest amount of time someone has been in space? Welcome home: This week, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio set an American record for the longest continuous space flight, clocking in a staggering 371 days in orbit. But did he set a world, or out of this world, record? Surprisingly not here MailOnline delves into the previous missions that have seen brave astronauts spend even longer in orbit Advertisement The video was filmed last year year during Ms Cristoforetti's 170-day stay in orbit, during which she became the first female commander of the ISS. Ms Cristoforetti arrived at the ISS on 27 April 2022 and returned to Earth on 14 October. Commenters on social media have shared their amazement at the design. 'It's the little things that bring home the reality of a space-faring civilization,' one user wrote. Another joked that they'd like their space-coffee 'with a lot of liquified sugar please'. In the video, Ms Cristoforetti demonstrates the difficulty of drinking in space, with coffee poured into a small bottle remaining trapped there by the influence of its own surface tension. Astronauts looking for their caffeine boost have to make do with aluminium bags pre-filled with freeze-dried coffee, milk, and sugar into which hot water can be pumped. NASA scientist Dr Mark Weislogel, who helped design the cup, explained in a blog: 'In a spacecraft, if the effects of surface tension are not understood, liquids (e.g., water, fuel) can be just about anywhere in the container that holds them. 'This is why in space you'll only see astronauts drinking from bags with straws so that they can completely collapse the bag to assure the liquids come out.' To get around these problems, NASA has designed a cup that uses clever geometry to exploit the physics of surface tension. Touching your lips to the rim of the space-cup creates a 'capillary connection', drawing the liquid into your mouth in much the same way a paper towel soaks up water. Commenters on X shared their amazement with the space-age design and how they couldn't live in space if meant forgoing their morning coffee. The shape of the space-cup creates a capillary connection between the liquid and your mouth from the moment your lips touch the rim The ISS-presso machine was designed by coffee company Lavazza and spent over two years aboard the ISS to provide fresh coffee for astronauts However, sending the cups to space wasn't just about making astronauts' mornings more enjoyable, but was part of some serious science. The same physics that helps pour coffee from a cup to your mouth affect all liquids, whether on Earth or in space. As Dr Wesilogal explains, observing how the space cup works in zero-gravity will help scientists learn about everything from 'getting the last drop of fuel for a rocket engine or delivering the perfect dose of medication to a patient.' Experiments performed on the space cup will also help prevent disasters on future long-distance space voyages such as a trip to Mars. This isn't the first time some serious science has gone into getting a better brew aboard the ISS. In 2015, the Italian Space Agency, working with engineering firm Argotec and coffee company Lavazza, designed the Isspresso machine: the world's first microgravity espresso maker. The 44lbs (20kg) machine spent two years aboard the ISS and used steel hydraulic pipes to produce a cup of fresh hot espresso in around three minutes. Even with the Isspresso's advanced design, coffee was still pumped into a bag for drinking, so space-bound caffeine addicts would still need to use the space cup to enjoy the aroma of their brew. Maryland could be a UFO hotspot, as nearly 2,000 sightings of bizarre objects in the sky have been reported since the mid-1990s. Residents of the eighth-smallest state have reported a 'flat bottom black triangle' with green lights, 'a classic flying saucer,' and an oval-shaped craft that 'stayed stationary for about a minute and a half.' Reports of the phenomenon have been collected in a database that shows that the first recorded sighting in Maryland dates back to May 15, 1946 but wasn't reported until June 2017. More modern sightings, like the glowing 'orbs' witnessed above Ocean City this past April, now get reported to the database within a matter of days. 'My daughter and I looked up and saw 'four orbs' moving in a circular motion, then come back to the middle, then spread back out,' the witness from Ocean City, who works in the defense sector, wrote to the UFO database. This map, compiled in February 2023, reveals the number of UFO sightings in each US state Although the number of sightings from Maryland bests much larger US states, including Alaska, Texas and Maine, the director of the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), which manages the database, urges caution when interpreting that data. 'Not every UFO report is a report of a sighting of an alien spacecraft,' NUFORC director Peter Davenport advised the DailyMail.com. 'The data are rife with cases of mistaken identity,' Davenport noted, 'as well as with out-and-out pranks.' Nevertheless, NUFORC's civilian not-for-profit UFO trackers have worked tirelessly for years to maintain a record of these sightings which federal agencies have ignored for decades, despite clear cases where the work falls under their mandate. For example, it has been the official policy of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for decades that commercial pilots and other civilians should not bother reporting unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP) or craft (UFOs) to their agency. Per the FAA's 'Aeronautical Information Manual,' anyone who sees something strange in the sky should report their sightings to the volunteers at NUFORC instead. 'If concern is expressed that life or property might be endangered,' the FAA manual's guidance on UFO sightings continues, 'report the activity to the local law enforcement department.' One White House official, former Clinton chief of staff and current Biden 'clean energy' czar John Podesta, likened the FAA's official stance to 'illogical directives' and 'discrimination.' Per the FAA's 2022 'Aeronautical Information Manual' (above), anyone who sees something strange in the sky should report their sightings to the volunteers at NUFORC. But NASA now advises that FAA should accept UFO reports to its Aviation Safety Reporting System instead One White House official, former Clinton chief of staff and current Biden 'clean energy' czar John Podesta (above), likened the FAA's past stance to 'illogical directives' and 'discrimination' And, as of this summer, NASA's UAP advisory panel now recommends that the civilian air agency should admit the public's UFO and UAP sightings into its own Aviation Safety Reporting System. But in the meantime, NUFORC's director Peter Davenport said his group is getting inundated with fresh reports as scrutiny of the UFO issue reaches a fever pitch in the halls of Congress, inside the Pentagon and across the news media. 'It's heartening to me that so many people are coming forward now,' Davenport told CBS News. 'We're getting significantly more reports than just six months or a year ago,' he said. 'There are UFO reports coming from probably most cities in the country.' California is reported to have the most UFO sightings out of any state in the US, with more than 15,000 claims. And the state has seen more than 200 objects this year alone. Maryland has witnessed 1,923 UFO incidents, as logged by 1,818 reports maintained by this civilian UFO database. Below are some of Maryland's most compelling cases from the past year. Multiple electric blue lights, several in a tight triangular formation, hovered over a backyard in Baltimore on August 5, 2023, according to one crisply recorded UFO report to NUFORC August 5, 2023 - Baltimore, Maryland Multiple electric blue lights, several in a tight triangular formation, hovered over a backyard in Baltimore, according to one crisply recorded UFO report to NUFORC. 'We were outback celebrating and I notice some bright lights in the sky,' the witness wrote along with their submission of the video. 'I started recording because I didn't think they were stars like most people thought,' the witness said. 'I usually look at the sky at night and never saw those before, plus they were moving slowly across the sky.' While the witness described seeing 'at least 10 lights' during the sighting, at most eight or nine are seen during the 30-second video. Although the lights do twinkle in the distance like stars, no other stars are visible in the night sky and, by the video's end, the lights can be seen moving slowly in unison 'across the sky' just as the witness describes. July 4, 2023 - Brunswick, Maryland During a clear night of Independence Day fireworks, multiple witnesses at an apartment complex in Brunswick noticed a pair of blinking lights that appeared connected to one another, hovering around their local fireworks show. 'What is that? Oh, my gosh! What is that?' one confused witness video-recording the event can be heard asking as the reportedly 'quick moving lights in synchronization' glides across the sky, leaving 'no sound or trails.' 'Happened during fireworks but very easy to tell it's not fireworks, nor a plane or helicopters in formation,' said the witness who submitted his report and cell phone video to NUFORC. 'The objects also seemed fairly close, as in not extremely high,' the witness added, 'but the objects still seemed smaller than crafts known of.' 'The flight pattern was so consistent between the two lights that I truly don't believe it's drones being flown as the line between the two was absolutely perfect and did not change at all during flight.' A child witness, who can be heard in the video, guesses that the mystery lights might be 'a firework,' but the adults remain unsure. For about a minute near Jackson Station Road on March 19, 2023, one driver reported seeing a 'flat-bottom black triangle shape flying low to the ground with a low wooshing sound' March 19, 2023 - Perryville, MD For about a minute near Jackson Station Road, one driver reported seeing a 'flat-bottom black triangle shape flying low to the ground with a low wooshing sound.' 'I stopped my car and rolled down the window and heard a low wooshing sound coming from it,' the witness told NUFORC in their written report. The UFO, which they referred to as 'the shape,' was then reportedly 'flying low to the ground and moving really slow.' The witness further described the UFO as appearing 'black in color' with a green light on 'each point' of its triangular shape. 'I got one blurry picture,' the witness reported, 'when a car pulled up behind me and I had to keep driving.' On November 7, 2022, one Maryland witness saw what they described as 'a classic flying saucer, with a black marking in the 'front'' moving very slowly above their parents' house in Rockville, north of Washington DC. The witness said it was slow 'compared to [...] an aircraft' November 7, 2022 - Rockville, MD, USA One Maryland witness saw what they described as 'a classic flying saucer, with a black marking in the 'front'' moving very slowly above their parents' house in Rockville just north of Washington DC. 'Saw this weird flying saucer-looking thing, took some photos,' the witness wrote into NUFORC. 'I was looking at the evening sky and saw a strange looking object with no trail,' their account continues, noting that the UFO 'seemed to be relatively low' in the sky and was moving 'very slowly (compared to, for example, an aircraft).' In the throwback to the mid-20th Century's UFO sightings, the object, they report, 'looks like a classic flying saucer, with a black marking in the 'front' (what was visible).' Then, just like a classic UFO, it apparently zipped off: 'It seemed to disappear after I filmed and photographed it for 30 seconds,' the witness wrote. Although Davenport has been working for NUFORC since 1994, the group's director has few predictions for what the recent resurgence in interest might lead to. 'I don't know what the future has in store for us,' Davenport said. 'But I am encouraged that more people are coming forward and the government recognizes the UFO phenomenon [as] something worthy of their attention.' The ozone hole over the Antarctic is now one of the biggest on record after stretching to three times the size of Brazil, satellite data has revealed. Worse still, it could yet get even larger than the 10.3 million sq miles (26 million sq km) it measured on September 16, because the depletion doesn't usually peak until mid-October. Scientists are not sure why this year's ozone hole is so large but some researchers have speculated that it could be linked to the Tonga underwater volcanic eruption in January 2022. Its blast was equal to the most powerful ever US nuclear test and the largest natural explosion in more than a century. The ozone hole fluctuates in size on a regular basis. Gaping: The ozone hole over the Antarctic is now one of the biggest on record after stretching to three times the size of Brazil, satellite data has revealed (pictured) Ozone layer erosion 360 million years ago led to a mass extinction event A mass extinction 360 million years ago that killed off many of the Earth's plants and freshwater animals was caused by ozone layer erosion and it could happen again. Scientists from the University of Southampton found evidence that it was high levels of ultraviolet radiation that destroyed the ancient forest ecosystem. This newly discovered extinction mechanism was caused by changes in the Earth's temperatures and climate cycle - this led to the deadly ozone breakdown. Study authors warn that we could face a similar scenario as we head towards similar global temperatures that existed 359 million years ago due to climate change. Advertisement Every August, at the start of the Antarctic Spring, it begins to grow and reaches its peak around October, before receding slightly and eventually closing again. This occurs because Antarctica enters into its summertime and the temperatures in the stratosphere begin to rise. As this happens, the mechanism which depletes ozone and creates the hole slows down and eventually grinds to a halt, stopping the hole from growing any more. The hole has closed later than normal in the past three years, in part because of Australia's Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20, which released large amounts of ozone-destroying smoke. It also opened several weeks early this year, at the very start of August, and it is unclear when it will close for certain. Ozone depletion over the frozen continent was first spotted in 1985 and over the last 35 years various measures have been introduced to try and shrink the hole. Experts are confident that the Montreal Protocol introduced in 1987 has helped the hole to recover, but this year's measurements from Europe's Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite are a blow. Antje Inness, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), said: 'Our operational ozone monitoring and forecasting service shows that the 2023 ozone hole got off to an early start and has grown rapidly since mid-August. 'It reached a size of over 26 million sq km on 16 September making it one of the biggest ozone holes on record.' She explained that the Tonga underwater eruption may have been to blame. 'The eruption of the Hunga Tonga volcano in January 2022 injected a lot of water vapour into the stratosphere which only reached the south polar regions after the end of the 2022 ozone hole,' Dr Inness said. 'The water vapour could have led to the heightened formation of polar stratospheric clouds, where chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) can react and accelerate ozone depletion. 'The presence of water vapour may also contribute to the cooling of the Antarctic stratosphere, further enhancing the formation of these polar stratospheric clods and resulting in a more robust polar vortex.' Despite this theory, scientists caution that the exact impact of the eruption on the hole is still the subject of ongoing research. However, there is a precedent for it. Theory: Scientists are not sure why this year's ozone hole is so large but some experts have speculated that it could be linked to the Tonga underwater volcanic eruption in January 2022 The ozone hole fluctuates in size on a regular basis. Every August, at the start of the Antarctic Spring, it begins to grow and reaches its peak around October, before receding slightly and eventually closing again A challenge: Ozone depletion over the frozen continent was first spotted in 1985 and over the last 35 years various measures have been introduced to try and shrink the hole In 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo released substantial amounts of sulfur dioxide which was later found to have amplified ozone layer depletion. Ozone depletion relies on extremely cold temperatures as only at -78C (-108F) can a specific type of cloud, called polar stratospheric clouds, form. These frigid clouds contain ice crystals which turn inert chemicals into reactive compounds, ravaging the ozone. The chemicals in question are substances that contain chlorine and bromine which become chemically active in the frigid vortex swirling above the south pole. These were produced in huge numbers at the end of the 20th century when halocarbons such as CFCs and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) were regularly used as coolants in refrigerators and aerosol tins. Ozone depletion relies on extremely cold temperatures as only at -78C can a specific type of cloud, called polar stratospheric clouds, form. This 3D graphic shows how the ozone hole over Antarctica has changed during 2023, with a snapshot from July Comparison This images above captures what the ozone was like back in August this year Close to its peak: This image captures the ozone when it reached a size of 26 million sq km In response to this, the Montreal Protocol was created to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of these harmful substances. The European Space Agency's mission manager for Copernicus Sentinel-5P, Claus Zehner, said this had led to a recovery of the ozone layer, adding that: 'Scientists currently predict that the global ozone layer will reach its normal state again by around 2050.' Ozone is a compound made of three oxygen atoms that occurs naturally in trace amounts high up in the atmosphere. It is toxic to humans when ingested, but at its lofty altitude up to ten miles above Earth's surface, it actually protects us from the harmful ultraviolet rays spewed out by the sun. Launched in October 2017, the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite is the first of Europe's Copernicus satellites dedicated to monitoring the Earth's atmosphere. It has a state-of-the-art instrument that is able to detect atmospheric gases to image air pollutants more accurately and at a higher spatial resolution than ever before from space. Scientists think this year's ozone hole over Antarctica could be linked to the Tonga underwater volcanic eruption in 2022. Japan's Himawari-8 satellite recorded images of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption every ten minutes. Left: 4:10 GMT. Middle: 4:30 GMT. Right: 5:10 GMT The tomb of a courtesan who seduced the elite 'during Alexander the Great's campaigns' has been discovered after 2,300 years. Found south of Jerusalem, Israel, it contained the cremated remains of a young woman, and a rare box mirror that looks 'as if it was made yesterday'. Experts say she was a hetaira a high-class escort from ancient Greece, who offered elite clients not only sex, but also companionship and intellectual stimulation. And she may have plied her trade accompanying the armies of Alexander the Great, or those who warred for his vast empire after the conqueror's demise. The discovery, which is detailed in a new study, is thought to be the first hetairai tomb ever found. The tomb of a courtesan who seduced the elite 'during Alexander the Great's campaigns' has been discovered after 2,300 years Experts say she was a hetaira a high-class escort from ancient Greece , who offered elite clients not only sex, but also companionship and intellectual stimulation. And she may have plied her trade accompanying the armies of Alexander the Great (depicted in this mosaic found in Pompeii), or those who warred for his vast empire after the conqueror's demise Experts say she was a hetaira (pictured) a high-class escort from ancient Greece , who offered elite clients not only sex, but also companionship and intellectual stimulation READ MORE: How the world's historic heroes would look TODAY from Leonardo Da Vinci to Queen Victoria and Vlad the Impaler Alexander the Great, aka Alexander III, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon Advertisement Co-author Guy Stiebel, an archaeologist at Tel Aviv University, said it also offered the earliest evidence of cremation found in Israel from the Hellenistic period. The study concludes: 'It is most likely that this is the tomb of a woman of Greek origin who accompanied a senior member of the Hellenistic army or government, during Alexander the Great's campaigns or more likely during The Wars of the Diadochi (successors).' Dr Stiebel said the mysterious nature of the tomb initially raised questions. He said: 'The most stimulating one was: what is the tomb of a Greek woman doing on the highway leading to Jerusalem, far from any site or settlement of the period? 'The tomb particularly intrigued us, also in light of the fact that the archaeological information regarding Jerusalem and its surroundings in the early Hellenistic period is very scarce.' The rare box mirror proved crucial to unravelling the mystery. Liat Oz, who directed the excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and also co-authored the new study, emphasised how exclusive the item was. She said: 'This is only the second mirror of this type that has been discovered to date in Israel. 'And in total, only 63 mirrors of this type are known around the Hellenistic world. 'The quality of the mirror is so high that it was preserved in excellent condition, and it looked as if it was made yesterday.' Found south of Jerusalem, Israel, it contained the cremated remains of a young woman, and a rare box mirror (pictured) that looks 'as if it was made yesterday' The researchers revealed that such mirrors were usually associated with Greek women, and often decorated with idealised females or goddesses like Aphrodite the goddess of love READ MORE: The real-life Atlantis? Archaeologists discover treasures in a mysterious underwater city off the coast of Egypt dating back at least 1,000 years Gold objects, jewellery and a Djed pilar (a symbol of stability and made of the blue stone lapis lazuli) were retrieved at the remains of Heracleion. They likely date to 5th century BC Advertisement The researchers revealed that such mirrors were usually associated with Greek women, and often decorated with idealised females or goddesses like Aphrodite the goddess of love. They also noted that a woman might get one as a dowry ahead of her wedding or if they were a hetaira as a gift from a client. But the tomb's roadside location and distance from any settlement suggested the deceased was accompanying an army on the move something Greek wives rarely did. Hence they concluded the tomb belonged to a hetaira. Though the authors emphasised that hetairai weren't purely sexual figures some became common-law wives to their clients, and inspired famous works of art which were even displayed in temples. Experts believe the remains date back to the late 4th or early 3rd century BC, when the site was away from any settlement though today it's not far from the Ramat Rachel kibbutz. Dr Stiebel said future tests could reveal precisely whose army the woman was escorting. He said: 'There are several possibilities ranging from the time of Alexander, through to the Diadochi and the first Syrian Wars. 'For all there are various hints in both the archaeological and historical records. The tomb's roadside location and distance from any settlement suggested the deceased was accompanying an army on the move something Greek wives rarely did The tomb was discovered in Talpiot, which is just south of Jerusalem 'It is still too early a stage for us to pinpoint the exact ruler. 'We do hope that, in the near future, archaeometallurgic tests will shed more light on the narrative of this fascinating burial and mirror.' IAA director Eli Escusido said: 'This is an example of the combination of archaeology and research at its best. 'The study of a seemingly simple object lead us to a new understanding and a narrative that opens a window for us to a forgotten and vanished ancient world. 'These days, researchers are using more technologies to extract more information, and maybe we will be able to get to know that lady and her culture better.' A Scottish man felt like he was being 'kidnapped' when his electric vehicle (EV) began driving itself at the weekend. Brian Morrison, 53, was heading home from work when his 30,000 MG ZS suffered a 'catastrophic malfunction' on the A803 towards Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow. He was left terrified when the brake pedals stopped working and the car which is designed and built in China began driving itself at 30mph. Because he has mobility issues, Mr Morrison was unable to jump out of the car, which only came to a stop after it was deliberately driven into a police van. Thankfully no one was hurt - but the incident has raised questions over whether the same issue could affect other EV users. Professor Roberto Metere, a computer scientist and security lecturer at the University of York, told MailOnline: 'It's a rare yet potential danger that could very much happen to other drivers.' Brian Morrison, 53, was heading home from work when his 30,000 MG ZS suffered a 'catastrophic malfunction' on the A803 towards Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow READ MORE I was kidnapped by my runaway electric car Brian Morrison, 53, was heading home from work when the MG ZS EV suffered the 'catastrophic malfunction' Advertisement Although it's difficult to tell what caused the issue, there may have been an issue with the 'databus', the EV's communication system that transfers data inside a computer, or even a remote security attack. 'My best guess is that the car experienced incorrect synchronization in the communication between the main software system and the sensors,' Professor Metere said. 'That could be caused by the bus communication system malfunctioning or being "overloaded". 'The car couldn't stop because such an error would not allow other commands to be sent to the main system, which could not process them.' Unlike conventional petrol cars that use friction braking, EVs use a system called 'regenerative braking' which involves the car's computer. 'In general, electric cars should be as safe as diesel or petrol cars in terms of their braking system,' Amin Al-Habaibeh, professor of intelligent engineering systems at Nottingham Trent University, told MailOnline. 'Electric cars have regenerative braking system to slow the car by absorbing the car's kinetic energy to recharge the car's battery; this could save significant levels of energy and make the car more efficient.' Tom Stacey, an automotive expert at Anglia Ruskin University, pointed out that all types of cars can suffer brake failures, but it is rare when they do. 'Research has shown that electric vehicles are more likely to pass an MOT, which includes brake checks, than cars with internal combustion engines,' he told MailOnline. 'By law, all EVs will have a handbrake that is separate from the main braking system.' It's unclear whether Mr Morrison had this option. Because he has mobility issues, Mr Morrison was unable to jump out of the car, which only came to a stop after it was deliberately driven into a police van The driver said: 'I realised something was wrong when I was coming up to a roundabout and went to slow down but it failed to do so' READ MORE Is YOUR electric car vulnerable to hackers? Security concerns surrounding electric cars and their infrastructure are multifaceted, experts explain Advertisement Miri Ofir, director of R&D at software firm Check Point, said modern cars are like 'computers on wheels' and contain bugs or glitches 'like any software'. 'There's a chance that the vehicle might experience a system malfunction, either in its software or a physical component,' she told MailOnline. 'Advanced vehicles nowadays possess autonomous driving features that manage critical functions like braking and acceleration. 'There could have been a malfunction in one of these systems and the car cannot recover from this state.' Gunwant Dhadyalla is director of Automotive Electronics Systems Innovation Network, a trade body that works on electronics in the car industry. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said electronic systems on cars are 'very complex' and, despite 'tremendous' amounts of testing, faults slip through the cracks on rare occasions. 'Nowadays you can find up to 100million lines of software code driving these vehicles, so the ability for a fault like this to escape is possible if your test systems are not really state of the art,' he said. 'Often what happens when you test systems is you write your specifications of how you want things to work and test against these specifications.' Mr Dhadyalla added that 'complex interactions' two or three things happening at the same time that aren't anticipated can cause the vehicle's software to 'misbehave'. But, ultimately, it can be difficult to recreate the exact conditions that caused the issue in the first place. 'Those complex interactions are very tricky to create and then to recreate again to find the faults,' he said. 'It's the sort of thing that's not necessarily isolated to electric vehicles.' The MG ZS is a produced by the Chinese automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor, but it appears under the British MG brand Mr Morrison's car after being brought to a halt by police following the incident in Glasgow He added: 'It is something that the electric vehicles industry needs to be aware of, because of the additional use of electronics and the higher voltage systems that cause new types of faults.' The MG ZS is a produced by the Chinese automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor, but it appears under the British MG brand. MG Motor UK has acknowledged the incident and will be investigating the cause of the EV's severe malfunction. In a statement, MG Motor UK said: 'We have been urgently trying to make contact with Mr Morrison so that his vehicle can be fully inspected by our engineering team. 'We take this matter very seriously and now that contact has been made, we will be making every effort to resolve matters quickly and comprehensively for him.' From Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton, many female celebrities are known for their raspy, low voices. This low drawl is known as 'vocal fry', and has become popular with young women who wish to speak more like their idols. Now, a study has revealed how women who speak with vocal fry use the same technique as cats when the purr. Researchers from the University of Vienna have discovered a special 'pad' embedded in cats' vocal folds, which may explain why they can produce these low-frequency sounds. 'The observed sound production mechanism is strikingly similar to human "creaky voice" or "vocal fry",' the team explained. From Kim Kardashian (left) to Paris Hilton (right), many female celebrities are known for their raspy, low voices Cats are known for their broad range of noises, whether it's sharp screeches or low-pitched purrs. Previous studies have shown that meows and screeches are produced in the cat's larynx, or 'voice box', just like vocalisations in humans. However, until now, the mechanism behind purring has remained unclear. Research dating back 50 years suggested that purrs are produced by a special mechanism in which the muscles in the vocal folds within the larynx contract and relax in a cycle. However, in their new study, the researchers questioned whether this is really the case - pointing out that such a process would require constant neural input and control from the brain. To set the record straight, the team enlisted the help of eight domestic cats, whose voice boxes were analysed as they made a range of noises. As predicted, the analysis revealed that cyclic muscle contractions are not needed to generate cat purrs. Instead, the team found that cats have a unique pad within their vocal folds that's responsible for the low-frequency noises. To set the record straight, the team enlisted the help of eight domestic cats, whose voice boxes were analysed as they made a range of noises (stock image) WHAT IS 'VOCAL FRY'? 'Vocal fry' involves elongating certain syllables so that they vibrate at the back of the throat, creating a tapping sound like a stick running along a railing. With vocal fry, the phrase 'no way' becomes 'no waaaaaaay' and 'whatever' turns into 'whateverrrrrr'. It is compared to the way Britney Spears croaks out the line 'Oh baby, baby' in her number one hit 'Baby One More Time'. Advertisement Christian T Herbst, lead author of the study, said: 'Anatomical investigations revealed a unique "pad" within the cats' vocal folds. '[This] may explain how such a small animal, weighing only a few kilograms, can regularly produce sounds at those incredibly low frequencies (2030 Hz, or cycles per second) - far below even than lowest bass sounds produced by human voices.' This process is very similar to vocal fry in humans, the researchers explained. Writing in their study, published in Current Biology, they added: 'This is comparable to vocal fry phonation in humans, which is found at frequencies below 70 Hz.' Vocal fry sounds are usually used at the end of a sentence when users dip into lower, creaky notes. It is compared to the way Britney Spears croaks out the line 'Oh baby, baby' in her number one hit 'Baby One More Time'. Unfortunately for those who've adopted the accent, a recent study found that women who speak with it are seen as less intelligent and attractive. However, the University of Florida researchers did not find any difference in the impression it gave when used by men. Every year, around 30,000 brave visitors attempt to climb to its icy peak. But scaling Mont Blanc is now slightly easier, as research has revealed it has shrunk over seven feet (two metres) over the past two years. New measurements show that France's heighest mountain is now 15,766.4 feet (4,805.59 metres) in height. The 7.28ft (2.22 metre) decline could be down to lower precipitation during summer, said Jean des Garets, chief geometer in the Haute-Savoie department of southeastern France. 'Mont Blanc could well be much taller in two years' when it is next measured, he added, saying this was not the first time such a large change had been seen. Scaling Mont Blanc is now slightly easier, as research has revealed it has shrunk over seven feet (two metres) over the past two years Mont Blanc: The highest mountain in Western Europe Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Western Europe and the eleventh tallest summit in the world. It lies on the border between Italy and France and ownership of the summit was long a subject of dispute. The peak forms part of the larger 'Mont Blanc Massif', a range which is popular among walkers, climbers, skiers and snowboarders alike. Advertisement The mountain's rocky peak measures 15,721ft (4,792 metres) above sea level, but its thick covering of ice and snow varies in height from year to year depending on wind and weather. Researchers have been measuring it every two years since 2001, hoping to garner information about the impact of climate change on the Alps. 'We're gathering the data for future generations. We're not here to interpret them,' des Garets said. People shouldn't use the height measurement 'to say any old thing', he urged. Instead, 'it's now up to the climatologists, glaciologists and other scientists to make use of all the data we've collected and come up with theories to explain' the shrinkage. Mont Blanc's highest recorded summit was in 2007, at 15,783ft (4,810.9 metres). A 3.2ft (one-metre) fall was measured in 2021 compared to 2017 - after 2019's unusually low result was kept secret as experts judged it not representative. 'Mont Blanc's height has been fluctuating since time immemorial,' the geometers say. New measurements show that France's heighest mountain is now 15,766.4 feet (4,805.59 metres) in height READ MORE: Switzerland loses 10% of its glaciers in two years as hot summers 'dramatically' accelerate ice loss Switzerland has lost 10 per cent of its glaciers in the past two years Advertisement Within the year, strong winter winds usually scour away more snow than in summer, meaning the peak is higher as autumn begins than in early spring. 'We've learned a lot from these measurement campaigns. We know that the summit is constantly changing in altitude and position, with changes of up to five metres,' des Garets said. Faster melting has been observed in Alpine glaciers as a result of climate change. European glaciers - many at lower altitude than elsewhere on the globe - are especially vulnerable to global warming. They lost around one-third of their volume between 2000 and 2020, according to scientific data. In 2022 alone, glaciologists believe up to seven percent of the remaining mass of the glaciers may have vanished. But one of the Mont Blanc team members, Denis Borel, urged people to 'stay humble' about climate's impact on the mountain. People shouldn't 'draw hasty conclusions about measurements that have only been made precisely since 2001', he added. Around 20 people scaled the mountain in mid-September to carry out the measurements over several days, divided into eight parties equipped with high-tech tools and - for the first time - a drone. Seabin came to the US in 2022 with operations in Los Angeles and Philadelphia A volume of seawater equivalent to roughly 5,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools has been skimmed clean of microplastics and other pollution thanks to a small start-up founded by two surfers in Australia. According to the latest annual report from their company, Seabin, the start-up's marine clean-up and tracking operations in Sydney successfully expanded to Los Angeles and Philadelphia last year. After just one year of operation at Marina Del Ray in Los Angeles, Seabin's ocean skimmers have reportedly captured over 7,300 pounds of litter from ocean surfaces off the coast of California. The Seabins can also use special oil absorbent pads, capable of skimming away the grimy sheen of fuel pollution, surface oils, soaps and detergents. After just one year of operation at Marina Del Ray in Los Angeles, Seabin's ocean skimmers have captured over 7,300 pounds of litter from marine surfaces off the California coast Peter Ceglinski and Andrew Turton (pictured), from Perth, spent four years developing the 'Seabin' in a bid to solve one of the biggest issues facing the world's oceans - coming up with their automated, trash-skimming prototype in 2015 Seabin reported $1 million in revenue last spring, thanks to its new business model. The company now sells detailed environmental data harvested during clean-up to corporate sponsors looking to spruce up their own images. 'Our 2020 pivot was significant,' said Seabin's CEO and co-founder Pete Ceglinski. 'We cut loose a business model that included 53 countries to focus on cleaning up entire cities: a free service to our old clients paid for by corporates.' Ceglinski an industrial engineer and lifelong surfer who founded Seabin with a surfing buddy in 2015 said that the crucial change making this possible was a pivot to collecting 'credible and transparent nature-repair data.' This lucrative new environmental data collection, Ceglinski said, means Seabin is 'adding value to our clients' sustainability portfolios while holding true to our mission of creating a positive impact on the ocean.' Seabin's 12V submersible water pump pulls in only water from the top 10 millimeters the aquatic surface: high enough to grab free-floating debris without trapping marine life The current version of the Seabin, the V5 Hybrid, runs on 110V/120V power at a cost that, by the company's estimates, amounts to less than $1 a day. The device's 12V submersible water pump pulls in only water from the top 10 millimeters of the aquatic surface, high enough to grab free-floating debris without accidentally trapping fish or other marine animals. Seabin's V5 catch bag, which is capable of filtering out microplastics down to 2 millimeters in diameter, is made of a durable, burlap-like natural fiber called 'Hessian' or 'Jute.' 'Seabin is currently trialing fish deterrent technology,' the company reported on a recent spec sheet, 'to ensure the marine life is safe around the V5 hybrid.' 'But to date, this has not been an issue.' According to the company, even more sustainable variations can power Seabin's energy-efficient pumps with wind or solar. Seabin's V5 catch bag, which is capable of filtering out microplastics down to 2 millimeters in diameter, is made of a durable, burlap-like natural fiber called 'Hessian' or 'Jute' The company now sells detailed environmental data harvested during clean-up to corporate sponsors looking to spruce up their own images As Ceglinski told the World Economic Forum, Seabin hopes to ratchet up to the '100 cities by 2050' campaign. Sydney and Los Angeles have become its first two 'smart cities' within this new project. With the Marina Del Rey project in LA, the team projects that they will be able to remove about 54 tons of microplastics, plastic fibers and other items from the California coast by 2025, with nearly four tons already collected. But the smaller pilot program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has shown promise, too. Six Seabin units in the Delaware River collected a total of 879,718 items of marine litter in 2022, according to their latest annual report. The Philadelphia project filtered approximately 795 million liters of water from the river, Seabin's report said, or about 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools of liquid. When they first devised their idea, Ceglinski and his surfer friend Andrew Turton met in Perth, Australia, but were living as surfing nomads in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. 'I was a product designer in another life, and it was my job to make plastic products,' Turton told Surfer magazine in 2016. 'After a while, I realized that we didn't need the stuff I was making, so I stopped,' he recalled. 'There's nothing worse than being out there surrounded by plastic.' As his co-founder Ceglinski told Daily Mail Australia back in 2019, the duo managed to raise $300,000 to launch Seabin via the investment website Indiegogo within the space of just two months far surpassing their initial goal of $230,000. Back in those early days, when the company's business model was selling Seabins directly to cities and municipalities, Ceglinski traveled the world getting an up-close look at the many bizarre things people just throw away. 'The weirdest thing we have collected, he said, 'was probably a cowboy boot with a mini pineapple inside, which was found in San Diego.' However, seeing so much of humanity's actual garbage has not given him second thoughts or left Ceglinski demoralized. 'The current climate crisis is dire,' he said, 'but as an eternal optimist, I believe we can fix it or at least try our best to learn from our mistakes.' It may be sunny in California, but it is also 'raining spiders.' Residents along the Central Coast are reportedly seeing webs with spiderlings falling from the skies. Several online videos show white structures floating in the air and sticking to the ground and buildings, which one local likened to the 'fake spider web stuff that you buy at the Halloween store.' While the incidents are bizarre, a biologist revealed that the 'webbing' is silk baby spiders spin to migrate to new habitats. Several online videos show white structures floating in the air and sticking to the ground and buildings, which one local likened to the 'fake spider web stuff that you buy at the Halloween store 'What they are is strands of silk that spiderlings, baby spiders, use to disperse,' Fred Larabee, an assistant professor of biology at San Jose State University, told the SF Chronicle. 'To get away from where they're originally born, they spin these silk strands and they get caught by the wind, which pulls the spiders to a new place to live, to new habitats, so they're not competing with their siblings.' The reports are coming from San Francisco, San Jose, Danville and Gilroy. One California resident shared a video on TikTok asking the public to help unravel the mystery of the falling webs. Residents in the County of Monterey and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District also shared sightings of the mysterious webbing One local told Kion56 , a local news station, that it smelled of chemicals and, when lit on fire, burst into a fireball and burned like plastic 'It's sticky [and] silky and falling from the actual sky,' she said in the video. She continued to explain that the webbing was all over the telephone poles. 'It is the weirdest thing,' she said. Residents in the County of Monterey and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District also shared sightings of the mysterious webbing. One local told Kion56, a local news station, that it smelled of chemicals and, when lit on fire, burst into a fireball and burned like plastic. California State University, Monterey Bay professor John E. Banks told the outlet that people are witnessing is a process called ballooning. While the incidents are bizarre, a biologist revealed that the 'webbing' is silk baby spiders spin to migrate to new habitats Banks said spiders will spin silk threads when they become frightened or run out of food, which are then caught in the wind and carried off to a new location. 'It's a special term we use for how spiders disperse from habitat to habitat,' he said. 'Most spiders, as you imagine, have trouble walking around the ground and getting across barriers such as Highway 1 or some of the structures we built.' He also said that it could be an evolutionary practice for spiders living in areas where their food supply is uncertain, like farmland. Advertisement Brace yourself for a stunning visual journey around the world, courtesy of these panoramic images. The photographs have picked up accolades in the 2023 Epson International Pano Awards, the world's largest competition devoted to panoramic photography. This year, the winners were selected from more than 4,000 entries from over 1,100 professional and amateur photographers in 102 countries worldwide. Lightning bolts striking the coast of Mallorca, dolphins playing off the coast of Western Australia and a lenticular cloud over an active volcano in Chile are some of the subjects captured by the photographers whose work has been recognised in the awards. The overall champion, however, is Spanish photographer Jose Riquelme for his breathtaking series of pictures captured in Iceland and Namibia. Among them is an image titled 'Ghost Cave', which captures Kirkjufell hill in Iceland. Remarking on 'Ghost Cave', the contest organisers say: 'The combination of Kirkjufell's natural grandeur and meticulous capture work results in a masterpiece that transports the viewer to a dreamlike world where reality blends with fantasy, creating a unique and exhilarating visual experience.' Scroll down to see MailOnline Travel's pick of the winning and commended images - with one of Riquelme's gold-medal-winning shots at the very bottom... This striking image shows a lenticular cloud over Villarrica, an active volcano in Chile. Captured by photographer Francisco Negroni, it takes the silver medal in the Open Nature Landscapes category Zack Stanton captured the light streaming through the trees of Del Norte County, California, in this spellbinding shot, which takes fourth place in the Amateur Nature Landscapes category Titled 'The Gathering', this monochrome shot shows alligators poised along a grassy bank in Florida. Captured by Eric Clay, it's been awarded joint fourth place in the Open Nature Landscapes category Marc Marco captures the incredible moment several forks of lightning strike the water in an electric storm off the coast of Sa Foradada in Mallorca, Spain. The image ranks 28th in the top 50 pictures entered into the Amateur Nature Landscapes category Italian photographer Roberto Moiola snared this shot of a rainbow over Reine Bay in the Lofoten Islands of Norway. It takes joint 19th place in the Open Nature Landscapes category This striking picture of two bears devouring a fish in Alaska, captured by Dennis Zhang, ranks in the top 50 pictures in the Amateur Nature Landscapes category Photographer Ran Shen was behind the lens for this spellbinding shot of Shanghai, China. The shot takes 14th place in the Amateur Built Environment category This playful image shows a pair of dolphins leaping through the waves in Cape Naturaliste, Western Australia. It earns joint 14th place in the Amateur Nature Landscapes category The underwater military museum of Aqaba in Jordan is the subject of this shot by photographer Martin Broen. It's been awarded 16th place in the Open Built Environment category Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong peeks through the clouds in this picture by Michelle Kwock. It takes joint 48th place in the Amateur Built Environment category Titled 'Blue Hour', this picture by David Swindler shows red-roofed huts beside the three peaks of Lavaredo in the Italian Dolomites. It earns joint 37th place in the Open Built Environment category This eerie image shows the Cedar Pride shipwreck, a former Lebanese freighter that's been deliberately sunk off the coast of Aqaba, Jordan. Captured by Martin Broen, it's 11th in the Open Built Environment category Bolts of purple lightning appear to strike Hong Kong in this dramatic image by Carlo Yuen. It comes 32nd in the Open Built Environment category Earning 25th place in the Amateur Nature Landscapes category, this dramatic photograph shows Vestrahorn mountain on Stokksnes Beach in Iceland This stunning picture shows the landscape around San Francisco, with the top of the Golden Gate Bridge emerging from the clouds. Captured by U.S photographer Ray Cao, it ranks 18th in the Amateur Built Environment category Sliding into joint eighth place in the Amateur Nature Landscapes category is this magical image of the Lofoten Islands in Norway In this picture, lava slides its way down Fagradalsjfall, an active volcano in Iceland some 25 miles (40km) from Reykjavik. Icelandic photographer Ael Kermarec captured the image, which is joint 14th in the Amateur Nature Landscapes category Kim Kardashian reminiscing about her past as a mischevious teenager led to her flirting with a man on a live chat call on Hulu's The Kardashians. About half-way through this week's episode - entitled When is Being Me Gonna Be Okay - Khloe Kardashian was at a mall in Century City, prepping for the first ever retail store for her Good American brand. While the store was 'a nightmare' - with everything far behind schedule - the 39-year-old Khloe - who made headlines for defending her fanny pack - reminisced on her past in that very mall, revealing to Good American CEO Emma Grede that she got her ears pierced there. She also opened up about how the sisters used to use a 1-900 live chat hotline to try and get men to meet them at that mall, when they were just 15. Instead of meeting the men, they would stand them up and covertly take Polaroid photographs of the men who came out to meet them... with Kim even getting the number from Kourtney and fake flirting with a stranger while using the pseudonym Samantha. Kim flirting: Kim Kardashian reminiscing about her past as a mischevious teenager led to her flirting with a man on a live chat call on Hulu's The Kardashians Nightmare: About half-way through this week's episode - entitled When is Being Me Gonna Be Okay - Khloe Kardashian was at a mall in Century City, prepping for the first ever retail store for her Good American brand Live chat: She also opened up about how the sisters used to use a 1-900 live chat hotline to try and get men to meet them at that mall, when they were just 15 Khloe puts on some sunglasses and looks into the camera and says, 'This mall has been around for years. You should ask Kourtney and Kim. They used to call 1-900 numbers and ask gentlemen to meet them here.' Kim reveals in confession, 'So we would talk to these guys. We would be like 15, and then they would be like, 'OK, meet me at Blockbuster at the mall.' And we'd see the poor guy and we'd stand him up and we'd take a Polaroid and we have a book of Polaroids of these guys that we would stand up at the mall.' Khloe reveals back at the mall that, 'Kourtney still remembers the phone number,' as it cuts back to Kim in confession, calling Kourtney, asking if she remembers the 1-900 number. 'Yeah, I know it by heart. She says the number but it's censored out of the broadcast, but Kim calls it, and it's still a 'live chat' number. 'This is (censored) where naughty is nice. Your live chat starts now,' the voice says, but Kim says, 'Kourtney, you talk, you talk,' but Kourtney says, 'I'm hanging up.' A man's voice comes on the line as Kim says, 'Hey, this is Samantha,' while trying to disguise her voice a bit, as he says his name is Chris and he's from Ventura, California. Kim/Samantha says, 'I stay in Ventura County' while trying not to laugh, as he says, 'Oh that's great. I love Ventura, that's so good,' but Kim says, 'You guys,' and hangs up the phone with a laugh. 'I've gotta save that number in my phone,' Kim says in confession, before it cuts back to the Good American store. Sunglasses: Khloe puts on some sunglasses and looks into the camera and says, 'This mall has been around for years. You should ask Kourtney and Kim. They used to call 1-900 numbers and ask gentlemen to meet them here' Mall: Kim reveals in confession, 'So we would talk to these guys. We would be like 15, and then they would be like, 'OK, meet me at Blockbuster at the mall.' And we'd see the poor guy and we'd stand him up and we'd take a Polaroid and we have a book of Polaroids of these guys that we would stand up at the mall' Number: Khloe reveals back at the mall that, 'Kourtney still remembers the phone number,' as it cuts back to Kim in confession, calling Kourtney, asking if she remembers the 1-900 number By heart: 'Yeah, I know it by heart. She says the number but it's censored out of the broadcast, but Kim calls it, and it's still a 'live chat' number Hanging up: 'This is (censored) where naughty is nice. Your live chat starts now,' the voice says, but Kim says, 'Kourtney, you talk, you talk,' but Kourtney says, 'I'm hanging up' Chris: A man's voice comes on the line as Kim says, 'Hey, this is Samantha,' while trying to disguise her voice a bit, as he says his name is Chris and he's from Ventura, California Hang up: Kim/Samantha says, 'I stay in Ventura County' while trying not to laugh, as he says, 'Oh that's great. I love Ventura, that's so good,' but Kim says, 'You guys,' and hangs up the phone with a laugh Khloe revealed in confession, 'We are at the Century City mall and we are standing in the very first Good American retail store, where you can come in, and it doesnt look like we are anywhere close to being opened and I mean, were supposed to be open in a couple of weeks, so thats not happening, Khloe says in confession. She reveals to Good American CEO Emma Grede, I got my ears pierced in this mall. One of them, and then I ran out of the store and my mom dragged me back, placed me back down, did the other ear, and I never got another piercing, just these one on each side. Emma shows her blueprints of the store and candidly says, the whole thing is nightmare at the moment, because we are over budget, we are over time, were trying to open four different stores like all at once and we are two weeks delayed. Khloe asks if there is still going to be a soft open in April but Emma says the soft opening will be in May. Khloe adds in confession, I feel like no matter where I turn, theres just stress after stress and problem after problem. Which is obviously adulting, no one warns you about this when you were young. Khloe asks if Vegas is on track, and Emma says, Nothings on track, because theres this like you know whole supply chain crisis and I cant get anything done on time. Its a nightmare. Khloe says in confession that, the goal is to maybe open 50 or so stores. I think we need to see how, you know, opening the first three go this year. Emma reiterates its a nightmare, but its more on track and we want to get it right,' adding that, as long as they could get all of the stores open by the end of the year, then shell be happy. Kellie Crawford has marked five years since her husband Addam died. The former Hi-5 star, 49, tied the knot with the lighting designer in 2008, but he passed away on October 4, 2018. He was 40 years old. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Kellie shared a heartbreaking video that captured memories like their wedding day. Other images showed the couple kissing, enjoying nights out with friends and sharing drinks. '5 years without you,' she captioned her post. Kellie Crawford has marked five years since her husband Addam died 'I miss hearing your voice, your laugh, your advice, but most of all..I miss my best friend. Angus and I were blessed to have been in your life. We will always miss you.' Kellie's video was flooded with support from friends and fans who sent their condolences in the comments. 'Thinking of you my beautiful friend. Love you to death and always here for you xx,' one user wrote. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Kellie shared a heartbreaking video that captured memories like their wedding day Other images showed the couple kissing, enjoying nights out with friends and sharing drinks 'Oh honey .. I hope as the memories wash over you you will find more treasures to keep in your heart,' added another. Another friend commented: 'Oh Kel - we will miss him. Loved by all lucky enough to know him. What a beautiful video.' Addam worked as a lighting designer and projectionist, travelling the world for several years. The former Hi-5 star, 49, tied the knot with the lighting designer in 2008, but he passed away on October 4, 2018. He was 40 years old In 2006, he returned to Sydney and met Kellie while touring with Hi-5. The pair got engaged in 2007 and married in 2008 the same year Kellie departed the children's performance group. Addam's cause of death was never disclosed when he passed away in 2018. Meanwhile, on the same day of Addam's death, Kellie celebrated her late mother's birthday. Kellie was part of the original and most iconic line-up of Hi-5, comprising of himself, Kathleen de Leon, Nathan Foley, Tim Harding and Charli Robinson 'Happy heavenly birthday Mumma. Our first year celebrating you, without you,' she wrote. 'We all miss you. Thanks for being the best mum and nannie in our world. We love you.' Kellie was part of the original and most iconic line-up of Hi-5, comprising of himself, Kathleen de Leon, Nathan Foley, Tim Harding and Charli Robinson. The popular group was formed in 1998 and went on to become one of the most recognisable children's bands in Australia. While Kellie left the group in 2008, the Hi-5 group ultimately ended in 2019. Saturday Night Live will be making their long-awaited return with Pete Davidson as the first host of the new season. On Wednesday, NBC announced the long-running sketch comedy show will kick off its 49th season on October 14 with the former cast member, 29, hosting the first episode since the writers strike. The comedian who has been enjoying a new romance with Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline will be joined by first-time musical guest, rapper Ice Spice. The following week, Bad Bunny will be pulling double duty and taking on two roles as both host and musical guest. The entire cast from the past season are expected to return alongside one new addition, Chloe Troast who will be a featured player. Live in New York City! Saturday Night Live will be making their long-awaited return with Pete Davidson as the first host of the new season. On Wednesday, NBC announced the long-running sketch comedy show will kick off its 49th season on October 14 with the former cast member, 29, hosting the first episode since the writers strike Previously, the Bodies Bodies Bodies actor was slated to host on May 6 four days after the Writers Guild of America strike began with musical guest Lil Uzi Vert. His episode was the first of many to be cut because of the strike, and he's now making up for it as he prepares to make his hosting debut with the first returning installment. Previously, he was a cast member on the NBC late-night sketch comedy series for eight seasons from 2014 to 2022. The writers strike was declared officially over on September 27 when the WGA board members approved a contract agreement with studios after 146 days on the picket line. While SAG-AFTRA members are still on strike for most television and theatrical work, the SNL cast can resume performing as variety shows operate under a different contract. The Hollywood actors' strike is nearing the three-month mark while the screenwriters' strike reached a tentative agreement and ended about a week ago. 'They are not in violation of SAG-AFTRA strike rules, and we support them in fulfilling their contractual obligations,' the union said in a statement about SNL on Wednesday. 'The program is a SAG-AFTRA non-dramatic production under a separate agreement that is not suubject to the union's strike order,' the statement read. Double duty: The following week, Bad Bunny will be pulling double duty and taking on two roles as both host and musical guest Exciting news: The official social media account of SNL also shared the news by posting the line-up for October 14. They also revealed Bad Bunny will be hosting and performing as a musical guest for October 21 First-time musical guest: The comedian who has been enjoying a new romance with Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline will be joined by first-time musical guest, rapper Ice Spice Long-awaited return: Previously, the Bodies Bodies Bodies actor was slated to host on May 6 four days after the Writers Guild of America strike began with musical guest Lil Uzi Vert. His episode was the first of many to be cut because of the strike, and he's now making up for it as he prepares to make his hosting debut with the first returning installment 'The majority of our members who are regular cast on Saturday Night Live had contractual obligations to the show prior to the strike,' it continued. 'Many are under option agreements that require them to return to the show if the producers exercise their option which the producers have done. Other late-night shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert have also returned. Season 49 of Saturday Night Live will premiere on October 14 at 11:35 p.m. ET on NBC. She announced she's expecting her third child with her billionaire Snapchat founder husband Evan Spiegel last month. And Miranda Kerr, 40, showed off her baby bump during a romantic hike with Evan, 33, on Tuesday. The brunette beauty looks absolutely radiant as she posed up in a tight-fitting grey crop top and denim cut-off shorts. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she tenderly caressed her growing belly. Miranda also shared a sweet selfie of her and Evan posing in front of a scenic gorge. Pregnant Miranda Kerr, 40, showed off her baby bump during a romantic hike with her billionaire Snapchat founder husband Evan Spiegelon Tuesday Miranda also shared a sweet selfie of her and Evan posing in front of a scenic gorge 'Weekend adventures with my favourite travel partner,' she wrote next to the photos. Last month, Miranda opened up about some of her bizarre pregnancy cravings. The Australian model spoke to the Daily Telegraph on Thursday about her prenatal eating habits. Miranda confessed she is 'craving a lot of citrus, grapefruit and freshwater with lemon'. But her cravings have not been the same for each child, with the beauty business mogul making comparisons to previous pregnancies. 'With one of the boys, I craved apples, another frozen yoghurt and now I am craving oranges. With another one, I was like, "please give me a burger!"' she said. Last month, Miranda opened up about some of her bizarre pregnancy cravings The KORA Organics founder said being 40 and pregnant with baby number four is a wonderful time in her life and she is very grateful. Miranda and Evan are already parents to Hart, five, and Myles, three, while Kerr shares son Flynn, 12, with her ex-husband, Orlando Bloom. The model first rose to fame at the age of 13 after winning Dolly Magazine's modelling competition and went on to become Australia's first Victoria's Secret Angel in 2007. Kerry Washington opened up about her body image issues during her book tour stop in Los Angeles on Sunday. The 46-year-old actress revealed that she struggled with an eating disorder when she was younger and used to compare her body to stars like Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow. In conversation with Gabrielle Union, the Scandal star who was last seen catching up with Tyler Perry during her book tour stop in Atlanta on Saturday touched on topics in her bombshell memoir titled Thicker Than Water. During their chat, Union brought up the common misconception that 'Black women and girls don't experience disordered eating or experience body dysmorphia.' In response, Washington emphasized the importance of having that conversation for young Black girls growing up this society. Candid discussion: Kerry Washington opened up about her body image issues during her book tour stop in Los Angeles on Sunday. The 46-year-old actress revealed that she struggled with an eating disorder when she was younger 'I think this idea of needing to fix myself, needing to be better, needing to be more perfect, those seeds were planted very early,' she said about herself. In an article set to be published by People next Monday, she revealed that she opens up about these types of vulnerable topics and deep conversations in her memoir despite being 'a very private person'. In Thicker Than Water, she discusses her childhood panic attacks, having an abortion, and her experience with an eating disorder. During her book tour stop, she also told Union that she grew up in New York City and went to a private school on the Upper East Side. She said she often compared herself to 'very affluent white women' and her surroundings played a role in her developing an eating disorder. 'These are stereotypes, but the ways that their moms and the women in the world looked was so different from the women that I grew up with,' she said. 'All the messages I was getting from Hollywood and from this environment was that thinner is better,' she continued. 'And that success looked like thinness.' She also divulged that she is from the same neighborhood in the Bronx where JLo was from but she had a different view of beauty standards in the '90s. Societal pressure: During her book tour stop, she told Gabrielle Union that she grew up in New York City and went to a private school on the Upper East Side. She said she often compared herself to 'very affluent white women' and her surroundings played a role in her developing an eating disorder The body type she admires today: She also divulged that she is from the same neighborhood in the Bronx where Jennifer Lopez was from but she had a different view of beauty standards in the '90s. She said she did not admire Lopez's curves back then like she does today because of the influence of where she went to school The body type she admired back then: 'I was spending nine hours a day at Spence [School, an all-girls private academy] where Gwyneth Paltrow went,' she added. 'I'm not shaming Gwyneth Paltrow, but...there was one area that I was sort of being told was the direction to pursue,' she said about how the Iron Man actress' body type was desired Opening up: In Thicker Than Water, she discusses her childhood panic attacks, having an abortion, and her experience with an eating disorder She said she did not admire Lopez's curves back then like she does today because of the influence of where she went to school. 'Jennifer's butt was being celebrated everywhere,' Washington recalled. 'But that wasn't what I was interpreting as beautiful. 'I was spending nine hours a day at Spence [School, an all-girls private academy] where Gwyneth Paltrow went,' she added. 'I'm not shaming Gwyneth Paltrow, but...there was one area that I was sort of being told was the direction to pursue,' she said about how the Iron Man actress' body type was desired. 'I think that we sometimes don't talk about it as much as we should,' she continued. 'Part of why I think it's important to talk about it is because disordered eating does not belong to one community. That pain does not belong to one community. 'In my community, there was not a lot of experience with eating disorders,' she added. 'I think it's important that we have the courage to recognize when things are not okay.' Larsa Pippen was blasted as a 'pathological liar' in an explosive new trailer for season six of The Real Housewives of Miami. The new teaser for the show, which Bravo dropped on Wednesday, shows 49-year-old Larsa get into a heated argument with co-star Guerdy Abraira, 45, during a group dinner. 'I told her she's denying I told her,' Abraira tells the group about the OnlyFans model, and then adds, 'Pathological liar. You lie about everything!' 'You gotta stop saying that because you're wrong!' Larsa - who's beau Marcus Jordan makes his show debut this season - responds. But Abraira doubles down as she says, 'You're lying about everything.' It's not apparent what sparked the spat, but earlier in the trailer Abraira was pictured tearing up as she told her co-stars that she is battling breast cancer. Explosive: Larsa Pippen, 49, was blasted as a 'pathological liar' by co-star Guerdy Abraira, 45, in an explosive new trailer for season six of The Real Housewives of Miami Miami may bring the heat, but #RHOM brings the FYAH Season 6 premieres on Bravo November 1st! pic.twitter.com/okvhna9oGp Bravo (@BravoTV) October 4, 2023 The ladies are seen comforting Abraira, as Adriana de Moura tells her, 'It's time for us to be there for you.' In the next scene Abraira is pictured laying on a gurney in the hospital ahead of surgery. Elsewhere in the trailer Larsa's boyfriend Marcus, 32, makes his show debut, as the couple face a relationship dilemma. While doing a podcast Marcus asks Larsa: 'My dad, does he approve of our relationship?' Marcus' father Michael Jordan famously played alongside Lara's ex-husband Scottie Pippen, 58, on the Chicago Bulls. The trailer then shows Larsa look away and down as she remains silent. And there is plenty more drama the other cast members which include Lisa Hochstein, Julia Lemigova, Dr. Nicole Martin, Alexia Nepola along with returning friends Kiki Barth, Adriana de Moura and Marysol Patton face. The trailer starts out with the ladies all gathered inside of a church as they pray a Hail Mary, before chaos ensues. Intense: 'I told her she's denying I told her,' Abraira tells the group about the OnlyFans model, and then adds, 'Pathological liar. You lie about everything!' Yikes: 'You gotta stop saying that because you're wrong!' Larsa responds. But Abraira doubles down as she says, 'You're lying about everything' Cancer battle: It's not apparent what sparked the spat, but earlier in the trailer Abraira was pictured tearing up as she told her co-stars that she is battling breast cancer There for each other: The ladies are seen comforting Abraira, as Adriana de Moura tells her, 'It's time for us to be there for you' Fighting for her health: In the next scene Abraira is pictured laying on a gurney in the hospital ahead of surgery Debut: Elsewhere in the trailer Larsa's boyfriend Marcus Jordan, 32, makes his show debut, as the couple face a relationship dilemma Does he approve? While doing a podcast Marcus asks Larsa: 'My dad, does he approve of our relationship?' Silent: The trailer then shows Larsa look away as she remains silent. Marcus' father Michael Jordan famously played alongside Lara's ex-husband Scottie Pippen, 58, on the Chicago Bulls Lisa is still dealing with her nasty divorce from estranged husband Lenny Hochstein, and is seen sobbing at one point as she exclaims, 'I don't know what I did to deserve this.' In another scene she also has a heated argument with Kiki. Lisa is pictured telling Barth, 'Dont f*****g throw something at me again,' before they begin screaming 'Shut the f**k up! You shut the f**k up!' Meanwhile Julia is also dealing with a cancer scare in her family. Her wife, Martina Navratilova, is battling breast and throat cancer, which appears to cause tension between them. In one scene, Navratilova tells Lemigova, 'Last treatment was three days ago and not a peep out of you. You forgot.' Elsewhere in the trailer Alexia and her husband Todd are seen dealing with 'some financial issues' which may cause them to be kicked out of their apartment. Another scene also sees Marysol accusing de Moura of having an affair with one of her exes. Divorce drama: Lisa Hochstein is still dealing with her nasty divorce from estranged husband Lenny Hochstein, and is seen sobbing at one point as she exclaims, 'I don't know what I did to deserve this' Drama: In another scene she also has a heated argument with Kiki Barth Argument: Lisa is pictured telling Barth, 'Dont f*****g throw something at me again,' before they begin screaming 'Shut the f**k up! You shut the f**k up!' Health woes: Julia Lemigova is also dealing with a cancer scare in her family. Her wife, Martina Navratilova, is battling breast and throat cancer, which appears to cause tension between them Tension: In one scene, Navratilova tells Lemigova, 'Last treatment was three days ago and not a peep out of you. You forgot' Coming soon! The Real Housewives of Miami returns to Bravo on November 1 at 9 p.m. It will also be available to stream on Peacock the next day 'You're the one that tried to f**k my ex! No, you're a snake eating your own f*****g tail,' she tells her. 'I'm no longer afraid of your poison,' de Moura responds. The Real Housewives of Miami is coming back home to Bravo, two years after Peacock rebooted the previously canceled Housewives franchise. RHOM returns to Bravo on November 1 at 9 p.m. It will also be available to stream on Peacock the next day. Liev Schreiber and his wife Taylor Neisen made a stylish duo as they attended Carnegie Hall's Opening Night Gala in New York City on Wednesday. The Ray Donovan star, 56, and his other half, 31, matched in black for the event, which marked their first red carpet since they welcomed daughter Hazel Bee a little over a month ago. Schreiber looked dapper in a classic tuxedo with a bowtie and a white button-up shirt. The father-of-three was clean-shaven for the occasion. Meanwhile Taylor showed off her new-mom glow in a sophisticated sleeveless floor-length black dress. The former beauty queen accessorized with a chic gold necklace and wore her blonde tresses slicked back for the occasion. Stylish pair: Liev Schreiber and his wife Taylor Neisen made a stylish duo as they attended Carnegie Hall's Opening Night Gala in New York City on Wednesday Taylor - who got married to the actor in July after five years of dating - opted for gentle makeup with a pop of red lipstick on her pout. She finalized her outfit with a black clutch. Liev confirmed the couple's happy news on his Instagram last month, where he announced they have welcomed a daughter on August 27th and gushed that she has 'been a dream every day since.' The actor also gave a glimpse of Hazel's little hand and foot as he shared two snaps of the newborn. Liev already has two children with ex-partner Naomi Watts, 54: Alexander 'Sasha,' 16, and Samuel 'Kai,' 15. Among a number of other stars at the gala was Zoe Lister-Jones, 41, who showed off her toned legs in a grey off-shoulder mini dress. The actress added height to her look with platform nude heels and a nude clutch. The Slip star wore her short blond tresses in a wet look and slicked to the side. As for glam she rocked a touch of eyeliner and pink blush. Matching: The Ray Donovan star, 56, and his other half, 31, matched in black for the event, which marked their first red carpet since they welcomed daughter Hazel just over a month ago Classic: Schreiber looked dapper in a classic tuxedo with a bowtie and a white button-up shirt. The father-of-three was clean-shaven for the occasion Sophisticated: Meanwhile Taylor showed off her new-mom glow in a sophisticated sleeveless floor-length black dress Stunner: Among a number of other stars at the gala was Zoe Lister-Jones, 41, who showed off her toned legs in a grey off-shoulder mini dress Cool gal: The actress accessorized with a nude clutch and wore her short blond tresses in a wet look, slicked to the side Beauty: Gina Gershon, 61, thrilled in a black lace gown which she paired with a black blazer. The Showgirls beauty wore her brunette tresses in gentle curls Sparkling: Model Sophie Sumner, 33, showed off her enviable figure in a sparkling nude sequin spaghetti strap gown Gina Gershon, 61, thrilled in a black lace gown which she paired with a black blazer. The Showgirls beauty wore her brunette tresses in gentle curls. Model Sophie Sumner, 33, showed off her enviable figure in a sparkling nude sequin spaghetti strap gown. She teamed the look with open-toe gold heels and wore her golden tresses down. Sharp Objects star Patricia Clarkson, 63, wowed in a black dress and a metallic silver coat. Scarlet Roma wore a unique floral gown with a matching headpiece and a purple velvet cape. Journalist Ronan Farrow, 35 - son of Rosemary's Baby star Mia Farrow and director Woody Allen - made a playful fashion statement in a floral button-up pair with an electric blue suit. Designer Zac Posen, 42, was joined by partner Harrison Ball at the event. While Zac opted for a blue suit and burgundy tie, Harrison wore an eggplant toned suit with a white button-up shirt. Director Shawn Levy, 55, looked classy in a black suit and was accompanied by his stylish wife Serena Levy who wore a black and white gown. Tres chic: Sharp Objects star Patricia Clarkson, 63, wowed in a black dress and a metallic silver coat, while Scarlet Roma wore a unique floral gown with a matching headpiece Fashion statement: Journalist Ronan Farrow, 35, made a playful fashion statement in a floral button-up pair with an electric blue suit Dapper: Designer Zac Posen, 42, was joined by partner Harrison Ball at the event. While Zac opted for a blue suit and burgundy tie, Harrison wore an eggplant toned suit Dynamic duo: Director Shawn Levy, 55, looked classy in a black suit and was accompanied by his stylish wife Serena Levy who wore a black and white gown Lovely pair: Actress Nikki M. James, 42, glowed in a feminine green and blue floral dress and was joined by husband Derek Oosterman Looking sharp: Publicist R. Couri Hay, 74, looked sharp in a black velvet suit with a pearl chain and was joined by a stylish Laine Siklos Actress Nikki M. James, 42, glowed in a feminine green and blue floral dress and was joined by husband Derek Oosterman. Publicist R. Couri Hay, 74, looked sharp in a black velvet suit with a pearl chain and was joined by a stylish Laine Siklos. Carnegie Halls Opening Night Gala treated guests to a 75-minute program featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conductor Riccardo Muti, and violinist Leonidas Kavakos. Later, a post-concert, black-tie gala dinner was held at Cipriani 42nd Street to wrap up the night. Delta Goodrem recently made a return to acting by starring in the recently released Netflix romantic comedy movie, Love is in the Air. And fans have quickly taken to social media to praise Delta's performance in the film, with many impressed by her fine acting skills. 'I just watched it, what a beautiful movie! I've always loved her music but seeing her play such a great role had me tearing up,' one fan gushed. 'What an adorable movie. Delta, you hit this one out of the park! Totally recommend,' a second person added. 'Everyone should watch Love is in the Air! It's really cute,' a third person wrote and another user chipped in: 'I really hope Delta does more movies'. Delta Goodrem (pictured) recently made a return to acting by starring in the Netflix romantic comedy movie Love is in the Air, which was released last week The recently released rom-com sees Delta playing a seaplane pilot who juggles her work and personal life and falls in love with her co-star Joshua Sasse's character. Love is in the Air has quickly soared to the top of the Netflix streaming charts. The romantic comedy has hit No. 1 in America, Canada, and the overall global Netflix charts. And fans have quickly taken to social media to gush over Delta's performance in the film, with many impressed by her fine acting skills. Pictured: Delta and her co-star Joshua Sasse Posting about the film's success on Instagram, Delta said she was 'so happy' with the results. Fans flooded the post with positive comments, with one writing, 'Loved it!!! Great to see you back acting. Congratulations sweetheart.' Delta's fans went wild on social media over how much they loved her latest movie The last movie Delta appeared in was released was in 2018, a biographical movie called Olivia Newton John: Hopelessly Devoted to You. Her acting career kicked off in 2002 when she played Nina Tucker in the Australian soap Neighbours. Love is also in the air in real life for Delta, as last month she announced her engagement to her long-time boyfriend, guitarist Matthew Copley. It comes amid reports Love is in the Air quickly soared to the top of the Netflix streaming charts Mandy Moore took to Instagram on Wednesday to share more shots of the ongoing renovation of her Pasadena, California home. Moore, 39, shared with 5.5 million followers a series of images of the work being done on the Southern California home. She and her husband, Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith, 38, share two children August 'Gus' Harrison, two, and Oscar 'Ozzie' Bennett, who turns one this month. The This Is Us star, 38, has been documenting with fans the progress being made on her Spanish colonial-style house in Pasadena, which is home to the Rose Bowl. The Emmy-nominated actress shared a series of images originally posted on the platform by her interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel, who tagged Moore, Goldsmith, and architect Emily Farnham into the posts. Samuel wrote, 'Site visit and final checklist for our #mmspanishcolonial project. Three years of pouring over all the details.' The latest: Mandy Moore, 39, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share more shots of the ongoing renovation of her LA home. Pictured in LA last year Among the shots included an exterior image of the off-white home with a dark brown balcony. Samuel shared a shot of an archway leading into the home over stone tiling and a glass door. The archways extend into the home, as another image depicted double archways with a visible work table and materials being used during the project. Samuel wrote, 'Can't wait to see these floors uncovered' with a shot of the work in progress, showing wooden floor panels protected by a layer of covering amid the construction project. Workers in the abode were seen constructing a fireplace. Multiple images showcased the aesthetic shelving and cabinet work in the Southern California abode. Wallpaper put up featured patterns of birds, trees and flowers. A bathroom in the home of Moore - who played the role of Rebecca Pearson in 106 episodes of the NBC hit series This Is Us from 2016 thru 2022 - had protective plastic covering over the mirrors and cabinets. Captioning a picture of her home receiving new roof tiles, she wrote: 'We're in NY for a few more months but work back home progresses. It's been nearly 3 years since we bought this place so we're VERY excited.' The 47 Meters Down star went on to write: 'I wasn't even pregnant with Gus and now we'll move in with TWO kids!!' Come and knock on our door: Samuel shared a shot of an archway leading into the home over stone tiling and a glass door Work in progress: The archways extend into the home, as another image depicted double archways with a visible work table and materials being used during the project Busy: Workers in the abode were seen constructing a fireplace Vast: Multiple images showcased the aesthetic shelving and cabinet work in the Southern California abode Aesthetic: Wallpaper put up featured patterns of birds, trees and flowers Ongoing: Samuel wrote, 'Can't wait to see these floors uncovered' with a shot of the work in progress, showing wooden floor panels protected by a layer of covering amid the construction project Almost ready: A bathroom in the home of Moore had protective plastic covering over the mirrors and cabinets Mandy's first picture captured the exterior of her home stripped down to its bare materials with temporary construction platforms. Her posts included pictures of her garage, kitchen and what appears to be her main living room. 'Getting closer,' captioned the Candy songstress, writing over the image of her gutted living area, with its beautiful wood rafters and stunning windows. Top interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel is helming the massive project for Mandy and her family, working in tandem with architect Emily Farnham to recreate what famed architect Howard B. Zook 'would have done if he were designing it today.' Speaking to Architectural Digest at the start of her multi-year home renovation in June of 2018, Moore said: 'This house signifies the next chapter of my life as an adult, a woman, and a performer.' Big project: The This Is Us star shared a series of images to her Instagram Story in January that showed off the progress of her 'Spanish colonial' house in the SoCal suburb of Pasadena. Mandy's first picture captured the exterior of her home stripped down to its bare materials with temporary construction platforms New roof: Captioning a picture of her home receiving new roof tiles, the 47 Meters Down star wrote, 'We're in NY for a few more months but work back home progresses. It's been nearly 3 years since we bought this place so we're VERY excited' Almost there: The Candy songstress went on to write, 'I wasn't even pregnant with Gus and now we'll move in with TWO kids!!' Best of the best: Top interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel is helming the massive project for Mandy and her family, working in tandem with architect Emily Farnham to recreate what famed architect Howard B. Zook 'would have done if he were designing it today' Finding treasures: Mandy's design team uncovered some 'treasures in the garage.' They are going to repurpose 'bannister supports as hooks' For her family: Mandy and her husband, Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith, were snapped in LA in March of 2022 In addition to giving fans a glimpse into her future home, the License to Wed star posted two sweet pictures of her family. 'Sorry this is my entire feed now,' wrote the mother of two, captioning an image of her husband cuddling their boys. Mandy also shared a photo of her three-month-old son Oscar 'Ozzie' Bennett asleep on her chest after breastfeeding. 'The "in between shots" mama pillow,' read Mandy's witty caption. Francia Raisa showed out in support of her pal Selena Gomez in Los Angeles on Wednesday after recently reconciling following speculation that they have had repeated falling outs after Gomez's kidney transplant in 2017. For the star-studded gala in honor of Gomez's Rare Impact Fund, the Secret Life Of The American Teenager star, 35, accidentally coordinated with the Disney Channel alum, 31, by also wowing in a glitzy silver gown. While on the red carpet, Raisa spoke candidly with Extra about her 'rocky' friendship with Gomez and insisted the kidney transplant played no role in their spats. Raisa made the life-saving decision to donate her kidney to Gomez, who at just 24 had suffered organ damage relating to her lupus diagnosis. There were rumors that Raisa felt as though she was 'forced' to go through with it and that she took issue with Gomez's lifestyle choices following the transplant. Tensions also flared last year when Gomez told Rolling Stone that Taylor Swift not Raisa was her only friend in Hollywood. Supportive: Francia Raisa showed out in support of her pal Selena Gomez (right) in Los Angeles on Wednesday after recently reconciling following years of speculation that they'd had repeated falling outs after Gomez's kidney transplant in 2017 Though she admitted that their relationship is not 'perfect,' Raisa told the outlet that Gomez is like her 'little sister' and that they will never stop supporting one another. She recalled meeting Gomez 16 years ago while they both starred on popular shows aimed at young audiences on ABC Family and Disney Channel. 'When I was on 'Secret Life of the American Teenager' she was on 'Wizards of Waverly Place.' Disney had the stars of their shows go to Children's Hospital and visit all the kids She was in my group,' she explained to Extra host Terri Seymour. 'She came up to me and was like, "My mom had a teenage pregnancy, she was 16 years old, and we love your show." I was like, "Oh my God thank you, I love your show."' It was after this meeting that the pair started chatting on a regular basis, hanging out and getting to know one another. But it was the their mutual breakups that took their friendship to new heights. 'Around the time that my boyfriend and I broke up, and her and her boyfriend broke up, she called me and was like, "I am going through some stuff I am going through a break up." 'I was like, "Girl, me too," and we were just inseparable after that ever since.' She said that she and Gomez 'trauma bonded, which is beautiful, but also it can get rocky and tricky People grow, relationships change. 'I obviously I treat her like my little sister she treats me like her older sister I don't know any relationship that's perfect When our situation came up No, I never pictured that, but obviously I never regretted it. 'I am happy that we are here today celebrating and supporting each other.' As for their ups and downs, Raisa believes that 'sometimes I feel people need to spend time apart in order to grow' and insisted that any issues she and Gomez did have had 'nothing to do with' the kidney transplant. '[Selena and I] had to almost go on our own journey and grow now I am really happy in my career now and my endeavor. I don't know if I would be able to do that if I didn't really take some time for myself and figure out what the hell was going on with me because I wasn't ok.' She added: 'I am okay now and just for the record it had nothing to do with the kidney. 'I went through a lot in my childhood and I will be talking about it very soon She has been such a huge support through all of that.' Now that both she and Gomez are in their 30s, Raisa said that they're excited to 'get to know each other again' at this stage of their lives. To close out the interview, she praised the Who Said singer for 'bringing so much awareness' to mental health through the Rare Impact Fund, a non-profit dedicated . 'We have both seen each other go through so much. I am on my own journey of finally expressing myself and what I have gone through with my mental health 'I look to her to figure out how to even navigate all of this Honestly, her sharing with the audience gave me the courage to start sharing with my audience. Wow! For Wednesday star-studded gala in honor of Gomez's Rare Impact Fund, the Secret Life Of The American Teenager star, 35, wowed in a silver one-shoulder gown Sensational: It had a mermaid style design that hugged her sensational curves Glam: She rocked a bright white manicure and opted for a silver eyeshadow look with a nude lip for the night Raisa told Extra that she had no plans to match gowns with Gomez (pictured) but that they did get their spray tans done together Bronzed beauties: 'The only thing we coordinated was our spray tans,' Raisa said, adding: 'We didn't talk about our dress'; Selena posing Wednesday After taking interviews, Raisa took time to pose for shutterbugs in her gorgeous gown. It had a mermaid style design that hugged her sensational curves and intricate beading that sparkled under the red carpet lights. Raisa's hair was styled in a chic top knot with money pieces left out to frame her heart-shaped face. She rocked a bright white manicure and opted for a silver eyeshadow look with a nude lip for the night. She told Extra that she had no plans to match gowns with Gomez but that they did get their spray tans done together. 'The only thing we coordinated was our spray tans,' she said, adding: 'We didn't talk about our dress.' Raisa met Gomez in 2007 and they developed a tight bond, later attending a number of red carpet events together. At the time of the kidney transplant in 2017, Gomez shared a photo of the two laying in hospital beds and sending cheerful glances towards each other. Gomez publicly thanked her 'for donating her kidney to me' and expressed how 'incredibly blessed' she felt having found in a donor in her. To honor Raisa's incredible sacrifice, they each got the surgery date tattooed. However, they had a precarious relationship in the years that followed, at one point feuding for months. There were rumors that Francia was angry that Gomez was out partying after the transplant with her father claiming earlier this year that 'Francia told Selena that she didn't give her the kidney so she could go out and drink.' Raisa allegedly confronted Gomez about her 'unhealthy choices,' which led to a falling out. But they reconciled in late 2018 after Gomez suffered a mental breakdown and checked herself into a facility. Tensions flared in late 2022 when the Monte Carlo actress told Rolling Stone she has no famous friends aside from Taylor Swift. According to People, E! News reposted a portion of the quote on Instagram, and in a since-deleted comment, Raisa had written, 'Interesting.' Gomez later seemingly referenced to Raisa's response in a TikTok and addressed the interview by explaining, 'Sorry I didn't mention every person I know.' Adding fuel to the fire, Gomez also failed to mention Raisa as she spoke candidly about her mental and physical health in her Apple TV+ documentary My Mind And Me. But Raisa has insisted in multiple interviews this year that there is 'no beef' between herself and the Rare singer. She also recently shutdown reports that she was 'forced' to go through with the transplant surgery while appearing on the Good Guys Podcast. 'I just felt it in my heart, I knew I was a match. I knew it was gonna happen,' she told the hosts. 'No one forced me to do anything. It came out of the genuine kindness of my heart and I've been super blessed ever since.' Gomez showed appreciation for Raisa's sacrifice as she candidly discussed the life-saving transplant while appearing on the Apple TV+ series Dear.... She explained that the actress took it upon herself to get tested to see if she could be a kidney donor. Life-saving: Raisa donated her kidney to save the life of the Disney Channel star, 31, who at just 24 was suffering from organ damage relating to her lupus diagnosis Tension: There were rumors that Francia was angry that Gomez was out partying after the transplant with her father claiming earlier this year that 'Francia told Selena that she didn't give her the kidney so she could go out and drink'; seen in 2022 Battle of the BFFs: Tensions flared in late 2022 when the Monte Carlo actress told Rolling Stone she has no famous friends aside from Taylor Swift 'No beef': But Raisa has insisted in multiple interviews this year that there is 'no beef' between herself and the Rare singer; seen in 2017 Gomez also recalled how 'unbelievably overwhelming' it was that Raisa didn't even second-guess making the decision. 'So within three days she went to go do it and she was a match, and it was one of those moments where I felt watched over,' she said. She said that she 'will never, ever, ever be more in debt to a person than Francia.' Things appear to have smoothed over between the two as they've been spotted hanging out in recent months including a bowling alley date in LA this past August. Raisa recently followed Gomez back on Instagram and Gomez even published a heartfelt tribute to Raisa on her 35th birthday in July. 'Happiest of birthdays to this special human beings. No matter where life takes us, I love you. @franciaraisa,' wrote the Disney Channel alum. She included some of her favorite photos with Raisa, including one of the pair posing together at her star-studded 30th birthday party last July. Nicole Kidman is set to star in Amazon Prime's new six-part series Expats, based on the popular novel The Expatriates by American author Janice Y. K. Lee. The Oscar winning star, 56, will play the lead role of Margaret in the gripping series, which also stars British actor Jack Huston and Jurassic World's Brian Tee. Photos of Nicole in the upcoming show have been released, showing the actress wearing a short blonde wig in the series about women bonding in the aftermath of a tragedy. One photo shows Nicole's character in the backseat of a taxi with Brian, who plays her husband, as he rests his head on her lap. Another screenshot shows Nicole looking upset as she lies face up in the bathtub while scrolling through her phone. Nicole Kidman (pictured) is set to star in a six-part series set in Hong Kong called Expats, based on the popular novel The Expatriates by American author Janice Y. K. Lee The series will be released on Amazon Prime on January 26. Nicole also serves as an executive producer for the series and officially wrapped filming the show last December. The Australian star announced the news via Instagram, sharing a photo of herself jumping for joy during a photo shoot with director Lulu Wang and co-star Brian. Onset photos of Kidman in the upcoming Prime Video show have been released, and she looks to be flexing her acting chops in the series about women bonding in the aftermath of a tragedy. Pictured: Kidman with co-star Brian Tee 'That's a wrap on #Expats! So lucky to work with such a darling and inspired director @ThumbeLulu and alongside a brilliant cast & crew, including my on-screen husband @Brian_Tee,' Nicole gushed. 'Thank you everyone! Excited for you to see what we have created,' she added. Expats is based on Janice Y.K. Lee's novel The Expatriates, and follows the vibrant and extravagant lives of Hong Kong's wealthy expat community. Another screenshot shows Nicole Kidman looking upset as she lies face up in the bathtub while scrolling through her phone The show was produced in Hong Kong, a decision that has sparked some backlash given the country's rapidly declining political situation. Nicole also sparked criticism for gaining a government exception to side-step quarantine rules to film the series. In August 2021, Nicole flew from Sydney to Hong Kong via private jet ahead of filming. She later stirred controversy two days later after photos surfaced of her shopping at a designer boutique in the city's Central district, during the Covid pandemic. Jesinta Franklin has revealed why she's voting Yes for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum. The model and footy WAG, 32, took to Instagram on Thursday to endorse the potential enshrined advisory body. 'Every authentic voice I trust and look up to within community supports a Yes vote,' Jesinta began, sharing a clip of indigenous AFL star Adam Goodes campaigning for the Yes vote. 'The people who truly care about the wellbeing, care, and success of indigenous people within our country have been part of this referendum,' she continued. 'The people that have been consistent and real changemakers in this space.' Buddy Franklin's wife Jesinta has revealed why she's voting Yes for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum. (The co In another post, Jesinta went on to call out 'misinformation' which she believed was 'calculated' and aimed at manipulating the masses into voting No. 'The misinformation has been so calculated and manipulative and makes me feel sick that blatant lies can be peddled as the truth,' she said. The star, who is married to Indigenous AFL player Lance 'Buddy' Franklin, then went on to heap praise on community leader and social activist Tanya Hosch. 'She has been a longtime role model for myself. I look up to her and admire so much of her work,' she said. 'Besides that, she has personally supported and been there for myself and Bud through moments we've needed advice and someone to talk to.' 'Every authentic voice I trust and look up to within community supports a Yes vote,' Jesinta began, sharing a clip of indigenous AFL star Adam Goodes campaigning for the Yes vote In another post, Jesinta went on to call out 'misinformation' which she believed was 'calculated' and aimed at manipulating the masses into voting No 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. Newspoll found support for the Voice had plummeted to just 36 per cent while Resolve found only 43 per cent of Australians plan to vote Yes. Voters will be instructed to write Yes or No on their ballot paper when they cast their vote. Support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum has ticked up for the first time in months, but still lags behind the No vote. (Yes campaigners are pictured) A number remain sceptical about what the Voice could achieve when countless other programs designed to improve the lot of indigenous people have failed. Prominent Indigenous No campaigners Warren Mundine and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have called the Voice divisive as it split Australia down racial lines. 'It doesn't matter whether we were here 60,000 years ago, or six months ago, you are Australian ... and the problem with this divisive referendum is the fact that it seeks to create different levels of citizenship,' Senator Price said. Candice Swanepoel showed off her model physique on Wednesday while promoting her Tropic Of C line in a new TikTok video. The Victoria's Secret Angel, 34, put her toned abs on display in a tiny hot pink bra and matching bikini bottoms that tied on the sides. The C bralette retails for a $100 while the bottoms go for $90. She paired the colorful ensemble with funky bright print pants and a gold belly chain. The runway sensation - who recently donned a nude bikini in another alluring video -wore her blonde tresses in a bohemian braid and further accessorized with gold hoops and a gold necklace. As for glam the beauty opted for a natural look, wearing only a touch of bronzer and mascara. Abs! Candice Swanepoel showed off her model physique on Wednesday while promoting her Tropic Of C line in a new TikTok video Sizzling: The Victoria's Secret Angel, 34, put her toned abs on display in a tiny hot pink bra and matching bikini bottoms that tied on the sides In the video the Australia-raised star is seen posing in front of a scenic floral background that matches her pink bikini. Candice strikes a number of sultry poses as she shows off her enviable washboard abs. The sizzling video is set to Quincy Jones' Soul Bossa Nova hit song. Her 67.9K followers were thrilled with the new offering, with one commenting, 'beautiful.' 'You are the reason why I make wishes to the shooting stars,' another added. Just a day prior she demonstrated her supermodel credentials in a jaw-dropping new Instagram update. The fashionista, who originally hails from South Africa, showed off her chiseled midriff and statuesque legs in another bikini from Tropic Of C. In a move certain to inspire a few double-takes from viewers, she posed up a storm in a nude swimsuit that blended perfectly with her tan. She stood on top of a wall overgrown with foliage, running a hand through her luxurious curtains of blonde hair. 'Our own eternal summer..where the sun never sets on dreams and possibilities, where the world is alive with vibrant colors, and endless adventures,' she wrote. The leggy star started her swimwear line Tropic Of C back in 2018 and has been busily plugging it on social media ever since. Bohemian: The runway sensation wore her blonde tresses in a bohemian braid and further accessorized with gold hoops and a gold necklace Natural beauty: As for glam the beauty opted for a natural look, wearing only a touch of bronzer and mascara Think pink: In the video the Australian star is seen posing in front of a scenic floral background that matches her pink bikini Model looks: Candice strikes a number of sultry poses as she shows off her enviable washboard abs Wow! Just a day prior she demonstrated her supermodel credentials in a jaw-dropping new Instagram update Returning to her roots! Last month Candice and several members of the legendary troupe of Victoria's Secret's Angels, were featured in the lingerie brand's re-imagined fashion show Last month Candice and several members of the legendary troupe of Victoria's Secret's Angels, including Adriana Lima and Lily Aldridge, were featured in the lingerie brand's re-imagined fashion show. Following a four-year hiatus, after years of backlash over its lack of diversity, the supermodels, alongside Gigi Hadid, Naomi Campbell, Hailey Bieber and more cover girls, modeled various eye-catching looks, which showed off their sensational figures. Swanepoel, who became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010, put on a very leggy display in a black and gold lace minidress. The five-foot-10 stunner oozed sex appeal as she shot a smoldering glance at the camera from over her shoulder while standing in a pitch-black room. Swanepoel was first hired by Victoria's Secret in 2007, and earned her wins within three years with the brand. In 2013, she was the cover model for the Victoria's Secret Swim Catalogue and the same year she was chosen to wear the Fantasy Bra in the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Since Kelly Ripa went through menopause at age 50 in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she discovered an unexpected benefit - wearing white. 'I love not getting my period. There I said it. I don't mind it at all. I think it's one of the greatest benefits of menopause,' the 53-year-old mother-of-three confessed Tuesday on her Let's Talk Off Camera podcast. 'And you're able to wear white pants and not be terrified!' The LIVE with Kelly and Mark producer-host excitedly called her first Memorial Day through Labor Day season after menopause 'the summer of the white pant because I never had to worry about wearing white pants!' A decade ago, 'a famous person' gave Ripa the phone number of hormone specialist Dr. Erika Schwartz 'when I could barely sit up and I was like I don't know what's wrong with me.' 'The Change': Since Kelly Ripa went through menopause at age 50 in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she discovered an unexpected benefit - wearing white (pictured June 18) The 53-year-old mother-of-three confessed Tuesday on her Let's Talk Off Camera podcast: 'I love not getting my period. There I said it. I don't mind it at all. I think it's one of the greatest benefits of menopause...And you're able to wear white pants and not be terrified!' (pictured September 14) 'She said, "You're probably perimenopausal." And I was like, "No! I get my period constantly!" And she's like, "Yeah that's perimenopause. That's part of it,"' Kelly recalled. According to WebMD - perimenopause symptoms can include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, breast tenderness, trouble concentrating, and fatigue. Schwartz warned women that if you don't 'use your vagina' (by sex or masturbation), you can 'lose it' and worsen menopause symptoms like vaginal dryness and lack of libido. 'We have fun with each other. We really do enjoy our sexual lives together,' the six-time Daytime Emmy winner gushed of her husband-turned-co-host Mark Consuelos. 'We just really enjoy each other's company, let's put it that way. And I think with having the kids out of the house for the most part - sometimes they sneak in when we least expect it - but for the most part having the kids out of the house allows us a certain freedom that we have not experienced in a really long time. 'So we kind of feel like we're dating again, and that is very exciting. So I guess that's how we're keeping it spicy.' Ripa and the Spanish 52-year-old - who met playing onscreen lovers Hayley and Mateo on the ABC soap opera All My Children - famously eloped at the Chapel of the Bells in Las Vegas in 1996 after only a year of dating. Kelly and Mark's 26-year-old son Michael graduated from NYU in 2022, their 22-year-old daughter Lola graduated from NYU's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music on May 17, and their 20-year-old son Joaquin is a wrestler at the University of Michigan. The LIVE with Kelly and Mark producer-host excitedly called her first Memorial Day through Labor Day season after menopause 'the summer of the white pant because I never had to worry about wearing white pants!' (pictured in July 2021) 'She said, "You're probably perimenopausal"': A decade ago, 'a famous person' gave Ripa the phone number of hormone specialist Dr. Erika Schwartz (pictured in 2022) 'when I could barely sit up and I was like I don't know what's wrong with me.' Schwartz warned women that if you don't 'use your vagina' (by sex or masturbation), you can 'lose it' and worsen menopause symptoms like vaginal dryness and lack of libido The six-time Daytime Emmy winner gushed of her husband-turned-co-host Mark Consuelos (R, pictured Wednesday): 'We have fun with each other. We really do enjoy our sexual lives together' Ripa continued: 'Having the kids out of the house allows us a certain freedom that we have not experienced in a really long time. So we kind of feel like we're dating again, and that is very exciting. So I guess that's how we're keeping it spicy' December 24 family portrait: Kelly and the Spanish 52-year-old are proud parents of 26-year-old son Michael, 22-year-old daughter Lola, and 20-year-old son Joaquin 'Submit questions!' The Generation Gap producer-host will soon reunite with her former co-host Ryan Seacrest for an upcoming episode of Let's Talk Off Camera End of an era: The 48-year-old Emmy-winning producer (R) announced his exit on February 16 after six years producing and co-hosting the long-running ABC morning show The Generation Gap producer-host marvels at how friends who are 'much older' than her 'routinely tell me they still get their periods' because menopause 'is too scary for them.' 'Because, in this day and age, there's still a lot from yesterday's day and age that has permeated the society and culture. And we think that being aged beyond menopause, we're no longer useful,' Schwartz responded. 'The moment you're no longer fertile, you're not useful. I think you're very useful. That's when you have the information, the experience. You have so much to bring to the table, that I think every woman should feel great about herself.' Ripa will soon reunite with her former co-host Ryan Seacrest for an upcoming episode of Let's Talk Off Camera. The 48-year-old Emmy-winning producer announced his exit on February 16 after six years producing and co-hosting the long-running ABC morning show. They shocked their fans after their separation following nearly four years of marriage was reported on Monday. And now more details are emerging about why Jodie Turner-Smith, 37, decided to divorce her fellow actor husband Joshua Jackson, 45. 'She decided that she is done,' a source told People on Wednesday. The source added that the two stars had been growing apart recently as the quality of their marriage allegedly deteriorated. 'They are on very different paths in life,' the source continued. Clean break: A source tells People that Jodie Turner-Smith, 37, divorced Joshua Jackson, 45, because she 'decided she is done' with the marriage; the couple look loved up on September 12, just one day before their alleged separation date No longer working: 'They are on very different paths in life,' the source said, adding that it had 'turned into an unhealthy marriage that made her unhappy' They added on a more cryptic note that, 'Jodie loves being a mom. She also loves working,' though it's unclear if her relationship with Joshua was strained by a desire to work. The insider continued: 'It turned into an unhealthy marriage that made her unhappy.' However, they said that Jodie and Joshua will be continuing to co-parent their daughter, whose name was revealed to be Juno Rose Diana Jackson in her mother's divorce filing. 'They want her to continue to thrive,' the source added. The British actress cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split, according to 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. Tensions? The source added cryptically that, 'Jodie loves being a mom. She also loves working,' though it's unclear if her marriage to Joshua impacted her ability to work; seen in March in Santa Monica Over: Jodie Turner-Smith filed for divorce from Joshua Jackson on Monday (pictured March 2023) 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 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.' 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.' 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 '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. Nicola Peltz has been slammed by fans after sharing a 'weird' post to congratulate father-in-law David Beckham on his new Netflix docuseries. The actress, who is the wife of Brooklyn Beckham, took to Instagram on Wednesday after attending the BECKHAM premiere with her in-laws to post: 'Last night was incredible congratulations @davidbeckham ' Yet bizarrely, David didn't feature in the snaps until the fourth image, which was a group shot of the family on the red carpet. The first image was taken in her hotel room, showing Nicola straddling Brooklyn over their bed while he planted a kiss on her cheek. She moved to the bathroom for her next snap, where she lifted her leg to show off her platform heels while staring down the lens. Odd: Nicola Peltz has been slammed by fans after sharing a 'weird' post to congratulate father-in-law David Beckham on his new Netflix docuseries where she posed straddling Brooklyn Racy: The actress took to Instagram on Wednesday to post: 'Last night was incredible congratulations @davidbeckham ' alongside a series of images of herself Another straddling post followed and then a raunchy shot groping her bottom while Brooklyn sat in the background. Finally came the shot of David posing with Mia Regan, Romeo, Cruz, Harper, Victoria and Brooklyn. She completed the post with another picture of herself staring vacantly at the camera. Brooklyn was quick to comment, posting: 'My everything xx'. Yet other commenters weren't impressed with the post, accusing Nicola of narcissism for the slew of photographs of herself. They penned: 'Weird choice and/or order of pictures to congratulate your father-in-law, one might say'; 'Odd pictures when it was for her father in laws premiere'; 'Its always 5 pictures of her and 1 of the person shes supposedly celebrating. Narcissism poster child'; 'Unfollowed. Sorry super odd. Congratulations beckham the legend. The rest in this post is uncomfortable'; 'Why id mention my father in law in such a pics with his son !!! So weird'; 'You set up a camra to take raunchy pics with your husband to congratulate his dad 'Very strange photos for congratulating your father in law'; 'Weird choice of pictures for your father in laws event.' The post comes after Nicola was accused of trying 'steal the show' at the Netflix BECKHAM documentary premiere. The actress, 28, turned heads in a red leather dress which she teamed with sheer tights and black leather boots at The Curzon Mayfair on Tuesday night. However many took to social media to accuse Brooklyn Beckham's wife of 'wanting to be the centre of attention'. Crikey: She moved to the bathroom for her next snap, where she lifted her leg to show off her platform heels while staring down the lens All over each other: Another straddling post followed and then a raunchy shot groping her bottom while Brooklyn sat in the background The second to last snap: Finally came the shot of David posing with Mia Regan , Romeo, Cruz, Harper, Victoria and Brooklyn at the BECKHAM premiere Final snap: She completed the post with another picture of herself staring vacantly at the camera Odd: Brooklyn was quick to comment, posting: 'My everything xx'. Yet other commenters weren't impressed with the post, accusing Nicola of narcissism for the slew of photographs Sweet: Nicola also shared a picture of the Beckham boys posing together at the premiere Family: Nicola posed alongside David's sister Joanne and mum Sandra at the party One person wrote: 'Why Nicole always like.. want to steal the show?? Family black n white, she wears red. NETFLIX LOGO COLOUR'. Another said: 'Ok I'm not having the red jacket that just messed up the whole pic.' Someone else wrote: 'She acted like she's the star of that movie.' While another wrote: 'Bet the women in question knew what she was doing. Wanted to stand being the centre of attention, no doubt. #attentionseeker #justno ' While others disagreed and stood up for Nicola saying everyone is wearing a different variety of colours. One person wrote: 'Why cant she wear what she wants. Your a bull-y' Another said: 'Are you colour blind? I see cream, pink, brown red.' Someone else wrote: 'This is beautiful everyone together.' Nicola and Brooklyn looked as loved-up as ever as they joined David and Victoria and siblings Romeo, 21, Cruz, 18, and Harper, 12, at the Netflix event. For the occasion, Victoria looked glamorous in a white blazer with a plunging neckline and satin lapels, which she styled with straight leg trousers. The united front comes after Victoria and her daughter-in-law had been plagued with rumours of a fall out ever since Nicola tied the knot with Brooklyn last year. While Victoria and Nicola have been at the centre of the drama, they seemed to be in good spirits at the after party on Tuesday night. The cold war began when Victoria and Nicola clashed over her wedding dress and the Transformers star accused her new mother-in-law of stealing the limelight at her wedding. The Beckhams refused to pay for Brooklyn's US green card, a source claims, and, most recently, the one-time Spice Girl snubbed her son and daughter-in-law for her new Paris Fashion Week show, says another family insider. Oh dear: The post comes after Nicola was accused of trying 'steal the show' at the Netflix BECKHAM documentary premiere with her vibrant red dress Not impressed: Many took to social media to accuse Brooklyn Beckham 's wife of 'wanting to be the centre of attention' A source who knows Nicola well said the drama began around her and Brooklyn's Palm Beach, Florida, wedding and only escalated. As a celebrity designer, many in the fashion world assumed Victoria would be designing Nicola's wedding dress. But instead, the bride appeared on the May cover of Vogue in Valentino couture. Nicola later gave an interview insisting that ditching Victoria's offer was not designed to be a slight against her new mother-in-law. However the family appeared to show a united front at the premiere for their tell-all Netflix programme, titled BECKHAM, which will arrive on screens at 8am on Wednesday and will see the Beckhams give an unprecedented insight into their family life. Hollyoaks stars Claire Cooper and Emmett J Scanlan have revealed that their daughter Fiain-Luna has been rushed to hospital. The actress, 42, took to Instagram on Wednesday night to admit she'd had a 'tough start to the weekend' after her daughter's health emergency. Claire shared a snap of her daughter in a hospital cot, adding that such scares 'really hit damn hard.' She wrote: 'We had a very tough start to the weekend, so glad our little love is on the mend, curveballs come out of nowhere and sometimes it really does hit damn hard.' Claire and Emmett, 44, welcomed their second child together in November, with the actress sharing a gallery of sweet snaps with the newborn. Worrying: Hollyoaks stars Claire Cooper and Emmett J Scanlan have revealed that their daughter Fiain-Luna has been rushed to hospital Worrying: The actress took to Instagram on Wednesday night to admit she'd had a 'tough start to the weekend' after her daughter's health emergency She also revealed that her daughter's name translates to 'wild,' from Irish Gaelic, and gushed she and Emmett now have their 'very own wild moon.' Emmett shared a snap of the moment he prepared to bring his daughter home from hospital, with the caption: 'Fiain-Luna Scanlan. 12.11.22.' Claire then took to social media to share an adorable snap cradling her baby daughter, while revealing the sweet meaning behind her name. 'Family complete. Welcoming our little blessing Fiain-Luna Scanlan. 'Irish Gaelic pronounced ''fee-awn'' which means ''wild'' our very own wild moon has joined the family and we couldn't be happier.' Just hours earlier, Emmett took to Instagram to share with his followers that their baby girl had arrived three days earlier. Sharing a sweet snap while cradling his daughter's hand, Emmett penned the caption: '3 days ago we met her. #ScanClan,' while adding on Twitter: 'Welcome Home baby.' Emmett and Claire married in 2015, and they are also parents to son Ocean-Torin Scanlan, two. Congratulations! Emmett announced his daughter arrived on Saturday, after revealing back in June that he and Claire were expecting their second child Following Emmett's announcement, many of his former co-stars and friends shared comments offering their congratulations. Among them was Emmett's former Hollyoaks co-star Jamie Lomas who wrote: 'Congratulations guys x.' Amanda Abbington added: 'Oh my GOD. Congratulations all of you.' In June the couple announced the exciting news that they were expecting their second child together, sharing a snap of Claire posing in a field with her baby bump on display. Alongside the picture, Claire, who is best known for starring as Jacqui McQueen on Hollyoaks, penned: 'Our family is growing.' Phillip Schofield has made a surprise 'return' to TV screens five months after he sensationally left This Morning. The TV presenter, 61, resigned from the ITV programme for having an 'unwise but not illegal' relationship with a young male runner earlier this year. Phillip has made an unexpected return to the small screen as he makes an appearance in Netflix series Who Killed Jill Dando? The three-part show follows the murder of Crimewatch journalist Jill Dando who was shot outside her home in Fulham on April 26 1999. In the documentary, Phillip appears on This Morning alongside his now former co-host Holly Willoughby in an episode that aired on the 23rd anniversary of her death. Shock: Phillip Schofield has made a surprise 'return' to TV screens five months after he sensationally left This Morning Scandal: The TV presenter, 61, resigned from the ITV programme for having an 'unwise but not illegal' relationship with a young male runner earlier this year In the clip, Holly says: 'What happened that morning remains a mystery, the crime unsolved, her killer never held to justice.' Phil remained silent alongside her. It comes after Phillip was seen in good spirits and cracking a smile as he walked into a London hotel with a mystery man on Tuesday. He could be seen carrying In Memoriam by Alice Winn. There has been speculation as to who will take over Phillip's role of co-host at ITV's flagship daytime programme after he resigned for having an 'unwise but not illegal' relationship with a young male runner earlier this year. ITV bosses have been attempting to find Ms Willoughby a more permanent sidekick, with Alison Hammond, Dermot O'Leary, Rylan Clarke and Josie Gibson also contending for the role. But management are reportedly eyeing up Good Morning Britain host Ben Shephard, who impressed when he stood in on the This Morning sofa last week. Sources say Ben, 48, is 'frontrunner' to replace Phillip in the role after he stood in earlier this week. Ben, who was previously a stand-in presenter on This Morning, covering for Schofield between 2005 and 2011 impressed the network's senior executives when he appeared on the show. Initially This Morning was going to be built around Holly with rotating co-hosts, as GMB is with Susanna Reid, but now bosses have changed their minds and want someone they can team her with most days. Cameo: Phillip has made an unexpected return to the small screen as he makes an appearance in Netflix series Who Killed Jill Dando Series: In the documentary, Phillip appears on This Morning alongside his now former co-host Holly Willoughby in an episode that aired on the 23rd anniversary of her death A source told the Mail: 'Ben did really well and the bosses loved his partnership with Holly and there was great feedback from many viewers. 'Ben is known throughout ITV as being very popular with the audiences of whatever shows he hosts. He is also trusted by the public and is much loved within ITV. He has hosted so many shows for the channel. 'He and Holly go back years too he presented on This Morning some years ago and they have a great rapport.' It was revealed last month that the This Morning scandal could be made into a 'jaw-dropping' drama series. The production company behind the series thinks Channel 4 would be a 'perfect fit', a source told The Sun. They said: 'The storyline will reflect what went on. People have seen it from the outside but the drama will give a perspective on what may have occurred behind-closed-doors.' The shamed star stepped down from presenting the daytime show after 21 years when he admitted he repeatedly lied to bosses about having an affair with a runner. Phillip who called the relationship 'unwise, but not illegal' cheated on his wife Stephanie with the young male colleague. Replacement: Management are reportedly eyeing up Good Morning Britain host Ben Shephard to replace Phillip on This Morning The tryst was kept secret for years until he admitted to The Mail on Sunday he had lied about it having been just rumours. He went on to confess he had misled his employer ITV, his colleagues, his friends and his then agents at the management firm YMU. READ MORE HERE: Ben Shephard is set to replace Phillip Schofield as Holly Willoughby's partner on This Morning Advertisement In an extraordinary series of mea culpa interviews he apologised for all of the hurt he had caused. It sparked an extraordinary domino effect for the show and ITV, with Holly having to issue a statement saying she knew nothing about it. But Phillip insisted he had not 'groomed' the man, despite first meeting him when he was 15. And he went on to declare: 'Attraction is attraction. It's no different in the gay world as it is in the heterosexual world or in the lesbian world. 'There shouldn't be a difference. This is where homophobia comes in. 'We did first meet when he was 15, I visited the drama school [he attended].' In a hard-hitting emotional interview with the BBC's Amol Rajan, Schofield said his two daughters - Molly, 29, and Ruby, 27 - had saved his life. He said the fallout from his admission that he lied about his affair with a younger male colleague had been 'relentless', revealing he has had suicidal thoughts. Schofield said: 'My girls saved my life. They said last week they haven't left me for a moment. They've been by my side every moment because they're scared to let me out of their sight. What is that like for daughters to have to go with something like that? 'And they said to me, 'don't you dare do this on our watch. We're supposed to be looking after you'. If my girls hadn't been there, I wouldn't be here, because I don't see my future.' Strictly Come Dancing will pay homage to the blockbuster megahit Barbie this weekend, with pro Gorka Marquez set to take on the role of the blond hunk Ken. And in a first look at the upcoming performance, the dancer proved that he was the spitting image of Ryan Gosling in the role. In a clip posted on Strictly's official Instagram, Gorka donned the same look that Ken sported in his I'm Just Ken song from the film, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Miming along to the track, Gorka showed off his shirtless physique under a white faux fur coat as he strutted through the corridors. The other male dancers also donned iconic Ken looks from the film, including Neil Jones, Graziano Di Prima and Carlos Gu. Spitting image! Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez (left) has transformed into Ken (right) as the professionals prepare to pay homage to Barbie with a Movie Week performance Tease: In a clip posted on Strictly's official Instagram, Gorka donned the same look that Ken sported in his I'm Just Ken song from the film, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide Fans will get to enjoy the full performance during Sunday's results show, when another couple will also be eliminated. After Les Dennis and Nancy Xu were the first couple to be axed last week, the remaining couples will take to the floor for Movie Week on Saturday. Layton Williams, who topped the leaderboard with an energetic Quickstep, will deliver a soft Viennese Waltz to There Are Worse Things I Could Do from Grease. Nigel Harman, who is already tipped as a bookies favourite, will dance a Jive to the Batman Theme from Batman, and Amanda Abbington will dance the first Rumba of the series, to Out of Reach from Bridget Jones. It comes after it was reported that Les Dennis and Nancy Xu clashed behind the scenes of Strictly, which led to their poor performance on Saturday. According to The Sun, Les and Nancy struggled to connect because the funnyman's energy levels didn't match that of Nancy's. A source said: 'Les the entertainer may have charmed audiences with his style, but behind the scenes it was a vastly different story. 'Les was often moody and erratic because he found the training a very draining process. He's almost 70 so was knackered just two weeks in and this led to clashes with Nancy. Confident! Miming along to the track, Gorka showed off his shirtless physique under a white faux fur coat as he strutted through the corridors Feud: Last week, Les Dennis and Nancy Xu were the first couple to be eliminated after losing out to Nikita Kanda in the dance-off 'His mood didn't match Nancy's enthusiasm and positivity which created tension and discord in the studio.' The insider added that Les would often lose his cool at the slightest mistake while Nancy was patient and encouraging. The source further described them as 'polar opposites' and said they struggled to 'gel' which showed in their performance. During Saturday's show both celebrities found themselves finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard, Les with just 15 points for his Samba while Nikita scored 18 for her Charleston. Les and Nancy tried to impress the judges and remain in the competition with their Samba to Rock The Boat by Hues Corporation. Unfortunately for Les, it was not enough as the judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas all voted to save Nikita and Gorka. Strictly Come Dancing returns with Movie Week on Saturday at 6:20pm on BBC One. EastEnders legend Lorraine Stanley has broken her silence after being forced to leave Albert Square. The 47-year-old has played matriarch Karen Taylor on the soap for seven years and is being written out of the BBC soap as part of a shock cast shake-up. Speaking to The Sun, Lorraine revealed she is gutted to be leaving the EastEnders family but was excited to see what opportunities come next. And the actress might be bagging a part on a rival soap, as she revealed: 'I think it would have to be Corrie and I would have to be the new landlady. 'I'd be Gemma's [Winter] auntie, Bernie's sister. I'd be in there family and I'd take over The Rovers.' Drama: EastEnders legend Lorraine Stanley, 47, has broken her silence after being forced to leave Albert Square in brutal axing from the soap, (pictured in June) Legacy: The 47-year-old has played matriarch Karen Taylor on the soap for seven years and is being written out of the BBC soap as part of a shock cast shake-up (pictured in scenes in March 2022) Opening up about the shock moment she found out she was being axed she explained that while she was sad to be leaving it gives her the opportunity to push herself outside of her comfort zone. Talking about the legacy of her character she said: 'I just want people to remember her as the best mum on the square, a heart of gold, she's give you her last fiver and would do anything for her kids - a bit like myself.' The actress will exit the soap at the end of the year, and Lorraine confessed she would be furious if her character was killed off. 'I hope the door will be left open for Karen. I can't say too much but if they kill me then I would never watch EastEnders again.' Since joining the soap in 2017, Lorraine has played the single mum laundrette worker who arrived in Walford with her brood Keanu (Danny Walters), Keegan Baker (Zack Morris), Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley and Chatham played by real life brothers Tom and Alfie Jacobs. Lorraine will not be the only character exiting the soap in the coming months after the soap made history back in February with their epic end to a normal Monday episode as they teased a flashforward of a Christmas murder. In the shocking scenes, Denise (Diane Parish), Kathy (Gillian Taylforth), Linda (Kellie Bright), Sharon (Letitia Dean), Stacey (Lacey Turner) and Suki (Balvinder Sopal) were seen surrounding a dead body, but the identity of the corpse and the killer were kept secret. Discussing the who-dunnit story line she revealed that her character would like to to see Phil Mitchell meet his ends at Christmas, but confirmed that the legendary character isn't going anywhere. She then teased who the potential victims could be as she suggested Theo, Nish or Ravi. Looking to the future: Lorraine has already set her sights on a part in rival soap Coronation Street as she plans to 'take over the Rovers' Legendary character: Lorraine joined the soap in 2017 as the single mum laundrette worker End of an era: The actress will exit the soap at the end of the year, and Lorraine confessed she would be furious if her character was killed off Eye on the Rovers: Lorraine revealed she has her eyes on becoming the next landlady of The Rovers Return after landlady Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews, pictured) was forced to close the famous pub down in recent scenes Back in July Lorraine celebrated her engagement after her partner of nine years, Mark Perez finally popped the question. She took to Instagram to reveal the happy news and shared a picture of herself with Mark as she wrote 'Love you baby #Engaged,' along with some emojis including a love heart and an engagement ring. The star revealed they are planning to jet off to Spain to tie the knot next year due to her husband's heritage. The pair have been together since 2014 and share daughter Nancy who was born a year later in 2015. Robson Green got to work on the set of the latest series of Grantchester in Cambridge on Thursday. The actor, 58, cut a smart figure in his signature beige trench coat and pin striped suit as he attended the last day of shooting the ITV detective drama. Robson plays DI Geordie Keating in the show, which has had viewers hooked since it began almost 10 years ago in 2014. The cast wrapped filming series nine of the drama, which will see much-loved character Reverend Will Davenport, played by Tom Brittney, leave the show. The new series sees Will departing Grantchester after he is approached with a life-changing offer. Hard at work: Robson Green got to work on the set of the latest series of Grantchester in Cambridge on Thursday Favourite character: Robson plays DI Geordie Keating in the show which has had viewers hooked since it began almost ten years ago in 2014 Series eight of the hit TV drama aired over the summer and ended with Will on the other side of the altar as he married Bonnie. Members of the cast were left in tears during Tom Brittney's final scenes back in August as the actor said his goodbyes. Tom was seen saying goodbye to his best friend Robson Green as they walked through Grantchester Meadows. The pair have teamed up to solve countless crimes during the four years Tom has been in the 1950s detective drama and there were emotional scenes as they hugged before parting ways. Discussing his time on the show Tom said: 'I've had the most incredible time playing Will Davenport for the last five years. I got to solve crimes with my best friend, and work with the best cast and crew I could ever ask for. 'I'll miss it more than anything. But it's time for the baton to be passed, as it once was to me, and I'm so excited for Rishi to join the Grantchester family.' Tom, 32, who took over from actor James Norton as the vicar of the village of Grantchester in 2019, is set to be replaced by Hollyoaks star Rishi Nair, who will play vicar Alphy Kotteram. Rishi, who is best known for his role as Sami Maalik in Hollyoaks, said he had been overwhelmed by the welcome and support he had received from everyone. Dapper: The actor, 58, cut a smart figure in his signature beige trench coat and pin striped suit as he attended the last day of shooting the ITV detective drama Iconic duo: Tom and Robson have teamed up to solve countless crimes during the four years Tom has been in the 1950s detective drama End of an era: The cast wrapped up filming series nine of the show which will see much-loved character Reverend Will Davenport, Tom Brittney, leave the show Grateful: Robson previously said: ' I feel so blessed to be embarking once again on this thrilling journey with the beloved series, Grantchester' BTS: The star looked focus as he performed scenes for the latest series of the drama Where it all began: Robson rose to fame after starring as a hospital porter in Casualty before going on to play Fusilier Dave Tucker in Soldier Soldier between 1991 and 1995 He said in a recent statement: 'The success of the show and the reason we are here for a ninth season is a testament to all the people that have previously worked on it. 'I'm really excited to get started and cannot wait for the Grantchester fans to meet Alphy and to see all that's in store for him.' Meanwhile Robson added ahead of series nine: 'I feel so blessed to be embarking once again on this thrilling journey with the beloved series, Grantchester. 'The anticipation is palpable however, amid the exhilaration, a tinge of sadness lingers for all of us as we are bidding farewell to my close friend and remarkable actor Tom Brittney, whose portrayal of the charismatic Will Davenport will be sorely missed. 'Yet, we are all delighted in welcoming the incredibly talented Rishi Nair to the family! With his exceptional skills and magnetic presence, I have no doubt that Rishi will be captivating the hearts of millions not only in the UK but also across the globe.' Friendly: Robson looked in great spirits as he chatted to members of the team amid filming Throwback: It looked as though Robson had been transported right back to 1961 in the shots Eva Longoria put on a leggy display as she departed the gym after a workout in Marbella on Wednesday. The Desperate Housewives star, 48, cut a casual figure for the outing as she sported a pair of orange hot pants that highlighted her toned pins. The actress also donned a light orange vest top and added to her look with a pair of box-fresh white trainers. Styling her brunette locks into an updo, Eva showed off her natural beauty as she went makeup free on the outing. The TV star has been soaking up the sun in Marbella in recent days as she enjoys an autumn vacation. Looking good: Eva Longoria put on a leggy display in orange hot pants as she departed the gym after a workout in Marbella on Wednesday Casual: The actress also donned a light orange vest top and added to her look with a pair of box-fresh white trainers She was recently seen displaying her jaw-dropping figure in a strapless pink bikini during a trip to the beach on Monday. Her Spanish holiday comes just days after Eva rocked a shimmery chrome gown while welcoming celebrities to her annual gala with The Global Gift Foundation. This year's glittering fete, the 11th one that Eva has thrown with the nonprofit, took place at the height of Paris Fashion Week at the 8th arrondissement's iconic Four Seasons Hotel George V. The Global Gift Foundation is a nonprofit that, according to its website, aims to 'raise funds to eradicate poverty and hunger ensuring our most vulnerable dont have to struggle to put food on the table; access to health care, lifesaving treatments and therapies; provide shelter, clothing and to protect the right to education.' Eva is fresh off the release of her directorial debut Flamin' Hot, based on the memoirs of Frito-Lay executive Richard Montanez, who has long touted himself as the inventor of Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Frito-Lay has repudiated his claim that he created the snack, and a Los Angeles Times expose in 2021 found that a lower-level employee called Lynne Greenfield played a more pivotal role in the birth of Flamin' Hot Cheetos. By the time the bombshell report ran, Eva's movie was already in the pipeline, and the actress-turned-filmmaker has staunchly defended her project ever since. Flamin' Hot bowed on Hulu and Disney+ this June and received a tepid critical reaction, to the tune of a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 58 Metascore on Metacritic. The Last Of Us star Ashley Johnson and six other women - including her own sister - are suing her ex-boyfriend Brian Wayne Foster for abuse, accusing him in court documents of 'depraved' and 'sociopathic' behavior. The civil lawsuit - which was filed in Los Angeles on October 3 - comes less than a month after the actress, who plays Anna Williams in the hit HBO series, had her request for a restraining order against Foster dismissed in a hearing. Court documents claim that Johnson, 40, feared Foster could harm her after he started carrying around two airsoft guns and a strangulation device following their split back in March. Foster, also 40, is accused of domestic violence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual battery, assault, stalking, gender violence, and civil rights violations - with his behavior described as 'chilling and depraved'. Not every charge applies to every plaintiff. All seven plaintiffs live in California, and only one is listed as an anonymous Jane Doe. The Last Of Us star Ashley Johnson is suing her ex-boyfriend Brian Wayne Foster for abuse The 40-year-old - who starred as Anna in HBO series The Last of Us - has accused her ex of domestic violence, infliction of emotional distress, sexual battery, assault, and stalking The long-term couple split in March 2023, with Johnson filing a domestic violence restraining order against Foster two months later 'This lawsuit is filed to both remedy the abuse Foster has inflicted on my seven clients as well as to prevent others from being victimized by Foster's pattern of mental, emotional, and physical abuse,' Bryan Freedman, one of the attorneys representing the seven women, wrote in a statement to Insider. According to Page Six, the civil suit alleges that Foster threatened to 'extort' $150,000 from Johnson by 'releasing personal information', with Johnson granted an emergency protective order against him in May. The alleged extortion as well as his 'consistent acts of physical intimidation including but not limited to punching through glass, throwing objects, and screaming obscenities in her face' are said to have left Johnson 'scared, intimidated, off-balance, confused, traumatized, and under constant duress for years'. Freedman told Page Six: 'The police officer who reviewed the evidence was so concerned for Ashley Johnsons safety that he went on his own to a judge to get an immediate emergency protective order against Brian W. Foster.' After Foster was 'forced to leave' her house, he 'commandeered Johnsons home security cameras and microphones to monitor her and track her comings and goings'. The court documents also state: 'Johnson has good reason to believe that Foster would act on his threats or harm her if she were to provoke him or fail to succumb to his will because after breaking up in March 2023, Foster began suspiciously carrying around a large black duffel bag and an ammo case containing two airsoft guns modified to appear as real guns and a garotte which is a strangulation device'. The civil suit also accused Foster of being 'fueled by drugs and alcohol' and claims that he made 'wildly inappropriate and unwanted sexual comments' to Johnsons sister Haylie Langseth and groped her in front of her children. Johnson's ex is the former host and producer of Talks Machina, a weekly YouTube talk show where he discussed the events of the Dungeons & Dragons web series Critical Role. The couple dated for ten years. He has since left the show and, after Johnsons protective order was made public in May, his presence was removed from the Critical Role YouTube channel. Fosters abuse also allegedly extends to women whom 'he lied to and groomed while still in a relationship with Johnson' and the suit claims he used his celebrity as power. The plaintiff referred to as 'Jane Doe', has alleged that in 2019, Foster - who she claims was 'reeking of booze' 'audaciously and repeatedly groped' her. The suit reads: 'He forcibly attempted to stick his hands down her pants to touch her vagina. Jane Doe fought his public sexual advances and pleaded with him to stop numerous times.' Months after Foster and Doe had stopped communicating, he allegedly sent her sexually violent messages, with one apparently reading: 'I havent seen you in a while but I cant wait to shove my c**k in your a**s.' Johnson's sister Haylie Langseth (right) is listed as one of the plaintiffs in the civil law suit Johnson's sibling, pictured here in a throwback photo, alleges that Foster groped her in front of her children Another plaintiff named Adrienne Cho, who worked for Critical Role as a Product Design and Development Manager around April 2019 while Foster was a producer, claims in the suit that he harassed her and groped her groin while sitting next to her at an event back in February 2020. 'Cho sat in the audience stunned and horrified by Fosters conduct. Unfortunately, Foster continued to grope her for the entire length of the event which was well over an hour. Cho was afraid to come forward with Fosters misconduct because of his reputation as a threatening and intimidating bully,' the suit reads. Danielle Carr, who worked for Critical Role as a producer, alleges that Foster talked about wanting to have sex with her and touch her breasts: 'He explicitly and repeatedly told Carr, "I want to bend you over the couch".' She also claims that he demanded topless photos of her. The suit alleges: 'Due to the manipulation by and fear of Foster, Carr felt she had no other choice but to reluctantly comply with his demands. In response, Foster sent Carr an unsolicited naked picture of himself wearing only a trench coat.' The suit adds that during a Starbucks run in 2019, Foster allegedly demanded Carr pull over. The claim reads: 'Foster instructed Carr to pull her top up and instantaneously reached over and groped her breast. 'Foster then proceeded to lean over and lick her breast. When Carr told Foster to stop, he "laughed".' And in May 2021, Foster allegedly invited Carr to Johnsons home to watch the filming on a show they had been working on together, and then tried to massage and grope her. A fifth woman named Whitney McKeil also claims in the suit that Foster groped her buttocks at a 2021 event he attended alongside Johnson, while another plaintiff, Maude Garrett, alleges she kissed Foster after he told her he was in an open relationship. Johnson's request for a restraining order was dismissed in September 2023, when the judge determined she had failed to provide enough evidence for it to be granted Johnson previously alleged that her former partner was 'close to the edge, had the ability to murder, and would cause harm' to her and her family When Garrett confronted him two months later, she claims he launched a tirade of abuse at her and grabbed a glass as if to throw it at her. The suit claims: 'Being the sociopath that he is, Foster often treated these women as sexual objects freely groping them without consent, sometimes in openly public settings. Any woman who refused to submit to his will or who confronted him for any reason was met with a wrath of obscenities, intimidation, and threats.' DailyMail.com has reached out to Foster for comment. Posting on the official Instagram page for Foster's band The Wild Years, a statement from his attorney Marc Collins read: 'Beyond the fact that Ms. Johnson's request for a restraining order was denied by the Court on the same allegations contained in the civil complaint filed on October 3, 2023, we have no further comment.' Last month, Johnson's request for a restraining order was dismissed when the judge determined she had failed to provide enough evidence for it to be granted. In the court documents, obtained by The Blast in May, Johnson had alleged that her former partner was 'close to the edge, had the ability to murder, and would cause harm' to her and her family. Johnson went on to detail the 'abuse' she suffered during their relationship, which included Foster allegedly breaking glasses and gates as well as 'slamming doors' and calling her a 'stupid, useless, f**king bitch' and 'f**king c**t'. On May 15, 'the police issued an (Emergency Protective Order) due to (Foster) having attempted to extort $150,000' from her and 'his history of verbal abuse, his very unhinged mind from his addictive use of narcotics and several other reasons.' Foster had denied her claims and stated: 'Because of these filings, many of the people I hold dear to me now believe me to be relapsed and an abuser. 'I do not own any firearms, or a gun license, and all of the allegations in the DV Petition that say I was carrying an "ammo box" are untrue. Petitioner knows that I was planning to take a two-week camping trip.' After a long wait, the Netflix hit show Lupin has returned for a third season - two years after the series' last installment. The French crime drama became an international hit when it launched in January 2021, with part two dropping only five months after its debut on the streaming platform. Part 3 is now available to stream on Netflix, with the entire season having dropped in the early hours of this morning, much to the delight of the series' fans. For those who aren't so familiar with the show, it stars Omar Sy as master thief Assane Diop, who seeks to emulate Marice Leblanc's gentleman theif Arsene Lupin. The disguise is a part of a bigger plan to avenge the injustice his father suffered at the hands of a wealthy family - all while also trying to keep his true identity hidden from the French authorities. Part 3: French crime thriller Lupin has returned for a third season on Netflix - two years after the series' last installment Return to Paris: The new season sees France's most wanted thief preparing his most intense and elaborate heist yet, with Diop returning to Paris to save his family Diop's dad, Babakar, had previously worked as a chauffeur for the wicked Hubert Pellegrini (Herve Pierre), who framed him for stealing a one-of-a-kind necklace. While serving time in prison, Babakar committed suicide, leaving his son to fend for himself - resulting in the devastated Diop embarking on a one-man-mission to right the wrongs of the past. By the end of the first part, released in January 2021, Diop's son Raoul (Etan Simon) has been taken hostage by one of Pellegrini's henchmen, leading to the master criminal attempting to save him while also dealing with a cop on his tail. Part 2, which landed in June 2021, saw Diop save his son and finally clear his father's name, with Pellegrini taken in by police and the master thief having to go on the run. Having left his son and estranged wife Claire (Ludivine Sagnier) behind, Part 3 sees the master thief preparing his most intense and elaborate heist yet, with plans in returning to Paris compromised by the unexpected return of ghosts from his past. A synopsis for the newest volume elaborates: 'Now in hiding, Assane must learn to live far from his wife and son. 'With the suffering they endure because of him, Assane can't stand it any longer and decides to return to Paris to make them a crazy proposal: leave France and start a new life elsewhere. 'But the ghosts of the past are never far away, and an unexpected return will turn his plans upside down.' Highly anticipated: Lupin's co-creator and writer, George Kay, said: 'Assane has gone from a life of anonymity as a criminal in Parts 1 and 2, and now he is Frances most wanted man' Family first: While on the run, the master thief had to leave his son (pictured, left) and estranged wife (pictured, centre) behind - but plans to return to Paris to save them from harm Suspense: Will Assane Diop's plot to save his family get rumbled after he becomes compromised by the unexpected return of ghosts from his past? Lupin's co-creator and writer, George Kay told the Radio Times ahead of Part 3's release: 'Assane has gone from a life of anonymity as a criminal in Parts 1 and 2, and now he is Frances most wanted man. 'His cover is broken because of what happened towards the end of Part 2 at the Theatre du Chatelet.' He added: 'Now everybody is asking the same question, 'Where is he?', which is a problem when you're a thief, because when you try and steal things, everyone knows what you look like. 'So he comes back into Paris at the start of Part 3 and discovers that the whole city is looking for him.' Tragically, Lupin star Adama Niane died earlier this year in January, at the age of 56. It is not known if he got to see the final cut before his death and the cause of death has not been confirmed. The French actor was best known for his role as assassin and ex-convict Leonard Kone in Lupin. Adama's Lupin co-star Omar Sy led tributes to the star on Twitter, describing the actor as 'a man of rare benevolence.' He wrote: 'I extend my deep condolences to the loved ones of Adama Niane, an immense actor alongside whom I had the chance and the pleasure of playing. Touching tribute: Adama Niane, who died earlier this year in January, aged 56, was paid tribute by co-star Omar Sy on Twitter, who described the actor as a 'man of rare benevolence' Assassin: French actor Adama Niane was best known for his role as assassin and ex-convict Leonard Kone in the Lupin series Number 1: The first part of Lupin, released on January 8 2021, became the most streamed non-English Netflix show before being overtaken by Money Heist: Part 4 and smash hit Squid Game The first part of Lupin, released on January 8 2021, became the most streamed non-English Netflix show, before being overtaken by Spanish series Money Heist: Part 4 and smash Korean hit Squid Game, according to Netflix fandom site Tudum. The show reached 70 million households by February 5 - ranking No. 1 in Brazil, Vietnam, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland to name just a few - only a month after its release, surpassing The Queen's Gambit and Bridgerton at the time. The Queen's Gambit - which has since prompted female chess players to sign an open letter about 'sexist and sexual violence' in the chess world - was released on 23 October 2020 and reached 62 million viewers by the end of November 2020. Bridgerton was released on Christmas Day, and was projected to tally 63 million by the end of January. Heather Locklear took to Instagram to wish her mini-me daughter Ava Sambora a happy 26th birthday. The Melrose Place veteran posted three throwback with Ava when she was a little baby. And there was another image taken this week where Ava was blowing out the pink and red candles of her chocolate birthday cake. 'Happy Birthday to my favorite person on earth! You are stronger, smarter, and more beautiful than you can ever imagine. Im so glad God trusted me to be your mama,' wrote the Dynasty veteran. The Hollywood veteran shares Ava with her second husband, Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora, whom she was married to from 1994 to 2007. Her mini me: Heather Locklear took to Instagram to wish her mini-me daughter Ava Sambora a happy 26th birthday. The Melrose Place veteran posted several throwback photos to when the blonde was a little baby Her girl: 'Happy Birthday to my favorite person on earth! You are stronger, smarter, and more beautiful than you can ever imagine. Im so glad God trusted me to be your mama,' wrote the Dynasty veteran They could pass for sisters: Heather and Ava at the Scary Movie 5 film premiere in Los Angeles in 2013 Ava has been a busy girl with her studies. In May she earned her master's degree in marriage and family therapy from the University Of Southern California. Ava beamed with pride as she wore her cap and sash that said Class of 2023 while posing on the picturesque campus. Her mom, who attended the graduation, wrote on Instagram, 'Such a proud mama. Congratulations my baby, with your masters in MFT. With your hard work and perseverance and kind hear.' The Los Angeles native explained in her caption that accompanied photos of her at USC. 'Today I will graduate from USC with a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy!' began Sambora's note that was shared. Now: And there was another image where Ava was blowing out the pink and red candles of her chocolate birthday cake History: The Hollywood veteran shares Ava with her second husband, Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora, whom she was married to from 1994 to 2007; the trio are pictured in 2005 Family resemblance: Ava (right) is a dead ringer for her famous mother Heather (left, pictured aged 22 in 1984) 'I am beyond grateful for the past two years and all the wonderful people I met along the way. Cheers to the class of 2023!' she finished. Ava wore a pale gray satin mini dress that showed off her legs as she added nude strappy heels. The star also had on a red and yellow Class of 2023 sash in place and her black cap on. In another image, she wore her black gown while sitting on a field next to mature trees while on the Los Angeles campus. USC costs about $64,000 a year. Good girl: Ava has earned her master's degree in family therapy from the University Of Southern California . She finished in May 2023 Pals: The ladies are arm-in-arm at the This Is 40 premiere in LA in 2012 Locklear was memorably on TV's Melrose Place from 1993 until 1999. She also popped back on the new version of the show from 2009 until 2010. Heather was also known for her marriages - she was wed to Pamela Anderson's ex, Tommy Lee, as well as Sambora. This comes after she had a rough patch as she went in and out of rebab in 2018 and 2019; the star appears to be much better these days and more stable. The nation loved her: Heather played scheming Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place until the show ended in 1999. (clockwise from top left) Rob Estes, Locklear, Jack Wagner, Jamie Luner, Josie Bissett, Thomas Calabro, Kelly Rutherford, John Haymes Newton It was reported in 2021 that Heather 'couldn't be happier' with her fiance Chris Heisser, with sources saying the couple are 'in a really good place' as they take their relationship to the next level. An insider said: 'Heather and Chris are in a really good place right now. They couldn't be happier. They each go out of their way to make the other feel special - she'll cook for him, he'll buy her flowers, etc.' The star and her fiance are high school sweethearts, and their romance dates back to the 70s, although they fell out of touch and only reunited in 2017. For Heather, the upcoming wedding will be her third. In 2021 she said that she was 'fearful' of her return to television. The actress appeared as Kristine Carlson in the made-for-TV film Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story - which is based on the book series by Kristine and her husband Dr. Richard Carlson - and she was apprehensive about her first small screen role in four years. She has always looked incredible: Seen here in 1985 at the start of her career as she modeled a macrame bikini 'The challenging part of it was so fearful for me,' she said while speaking to reporters during Lifetime's Fall Movies press event. One emotional scene which sees Kristine learning her husband - played by Jason MacDonald - has died was shot on the second day of filming. Heather turned to Kristine herself to help research the powerful moment, and added: 'She said, "It's almost like a child dying." And that stopped me in my tracks.' Although the star wasn't sure if she'd be able to hit the right emotional level the scene called for, she settled and 'felt very safe'. And while Heather had other concerns about remembering her lines after a few years away, she found it 'so easy' to get back into old habits. She told People: 'I don't know why I was so fearful of memorizing lines, how about getting emotion across.' Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz enjoyed a lavish shopping trip at The Row in London on Thursday, after she sparked backlash from her followers with a 'weird' Instagram post. The chef, 24, was seen leaving the celebrity hotspot with the actress, 28, after splashing out on a new jacket. Nicola cut a stylish figure in blue flared jeans and huge platform boots, teamed with a matching leather jacket Carrying her purchases back to Brooklyn's Land Rover Defender, the Transformers star was accompanied by her mother Claudia Heffner-Peltz. The couple had proudly supported Brooklyn's dad David at the premiere of his Netflix series earlier this week. Outing: Brooklyn Beckham (left) and his wife Nicola Peltz (right) enjoyed a lavish shopping trip at The Row in London on Thursday, after she sparked backlash with a 'weird' Instagram post Departing: Nicola cut a stylish figure in blue flared jeans and huge platform boots, teamed with a matching leather jacket Exit: The chef was seen leaving the celebrity hotspot with the actress after splashing out on a new jacket But hours later, Nicola was slammed by fans for sharing a 'weird' post to congratulate father-in-law David Beckham on his new Netflix docuseries. She took to Instagram on Wednesday after attending the BECKHAM premiere with her in-laws to post: 'Last night was incredible congratulations @davidbeckham ' Yet bizarrely, David didn't feature in the snaps until the fourth image, which was a group shot of the family on the red carpet. The first image was taken in her hotel room, showing Nicola straddling Brooklyn over their bed while he planted a kiss on her cheek. She moved to the bathroom for her next snap, where she lifted her leg to show off her platform heels while staring down the lens. Another straddling post followed and then a raunchy shot groping her bottom while Brooklyn sat in the background. Finally came the shot of David posing with Mia Regan, Romeo, Cruz, Harper, Victoria and Brooklyn. She completed the post with another picture of herself staring vacantly at the camera. Relaxed: Brooklyn cut a casual figure in a grey T-shirt, jeans and matching trainers as he headed back to his Land Rover Defender What did you get? Nicola carried her purchases back to Brooklyn's car after their shopping trip in the capital Family trip: She and Brooklyn were joined by her mother, Claudia Heffner-Peltz Appearance: The couple had proudly supported Brooklyn's dad David at the premiere of his Netflix series earlier this week What? But hours later, Nicola was slammed by fans for sharing a 'weird' post to congratulate father-in-law David Beckham on his new Netflix docuseries Odd: The first image was taken in her hotel room, showing Nicola straddling Brooklyn over their bed while he planted a kiss on her cheek Racy: The actress took to Instagram on Wednesday to post: 'Last night was incredible congratulations @davidbeckham ' alongside a series of images of herself Strange: Other commenters weren't impressed with the post, accusing Nicola of narcissism for the slew of photographs of herself Really? The post comes after Nicola was accused of trying 'steal the show' at the Netflix BECKHAM documentary premiere Sexy: She turned heads in a red leather dress which she teamed with sheer tights and black leather boots at The Curzon Mayfair on Tuesday night Controversy: Nicola, who met Brooklyn outside after their shopping trip, was accused of 'wanting to be the centre of attention' by fans Stepping out: Brooklyn showed off his new purchase as he left the famous London shop Stepping out: He and Nicola supported his father at the premiere of his docuseries, which hit Netflix earlier this week Brooklyn was quick to comment, posting: 'My everything xx'. Yet other commenters weren't impressed with the post, accusing Nicola of narcissism for the slew of photographs of herself. They penned: 'Weird choice and/or order of pictures to congratulate your father-in-law, one might say'; 'Odd pictures when it was for her father in laws premiere'; 'It's always 5 pictures of her and 1 of the person she's supposedly celebrating. Narcissism poster child'; 'Unfollowed. Sorry super odd. Congratulations beckham the legend. The rest in this post is uncomfortable'; 'Why I'd mention my father in law in such a pics with his son !!! So weird'; 'You set up a camera to take raunchy pics with your husband to congratulate his dad 'Very strange photos for congratulating your father in law'; 'Weird choice of pictures for your father in law's event.' The post comes after Nicola was accused of trying 'steal the show' at the Netflix BECKHAM documentary premiere. She turned heads in a red leather dress which she teamed with sheer tights and black leather boots at The Curzon Mayfair on Tuesday night. However many took to social media to accuse Brooklyn Beckham's wife of 'wanting to be the centre of attention.' Alicia Silverstone proved to be quite the fashion maven after a show-stopping appearance at the Christian Siriano runway show during New York Fashion Week last month. The 47-year-old actress showcased her modeling skills for a different designer for a stunning Heavn by Marc Jacobs campaign which she revealed Wednesday on Instagram. She showcased her knockout legs in a very sexy clinging pink dress featuring a cutout down the chest all the way to the thigh which was held together by small clasps. Alicia teamed the slinky number with a pair of knee-high platform booties featuring the same matching bubblegum color and clasps. In a likely callback to her Clueless character from 1995 - Cher Horowitz - she posed holding onto several shopping bags as she shot a smoldering look to the camera. Pretty in pink: Alicia Silverstone showcased her modeling skills for a different designer for a stunning Heavn by Marc Jacobs campaign which she revealed Wednesday on Instagram Her signature blonde tresses were worn down as she showcased her evergreen looks with complementary make-up topped off with a swipe of pink lip. In another leggy look from the campaign, the stunner sported a white spaghetti strap top with a pink graphic print along with tiny black denim skirt. She also sported white thigh-high stockings and matching strappy stilettos as she held onto the hand of a huge pink teddy bear. The campaign is certainly appealing to the trend of 1990s/early-2000s throwback fashion as Heavn by Marc Jacobs is a clothing line specifically aimed at Generation Z with graphic baby tees, overpriced handbags, quirky platforms and a hub for teens to fill their closet with alternative, Y2K, Fruits Mag inspired garments, apparel and accessories. Alicia has been quite the muse for high fashion recently as she turned heads in a sheer black dress as she stopped by the star-studded Christian Siriano Spring 2024 runway show during New York Fashion Week last month. The actress, who is slated to appear in the upcoming Netflix thriller titled Reptile, joined other celebrities at the glitzy event that was held at the Pierre Hotel - such as Kesha and Janet Jackson. The fashion designer who gained recognition after starring on Project Runway showcased a variety of glamorous, ready to wear looks for the upcoming spring season. Alicia made a statement wearing a sheer, black dress that contained a sparkling, black floral pattern throughout the fabric. Wow factor: In a leggy look from the campaign, the 47-year-old stunner sported a white spaghetti strap top with a pink graphic print along with tiny black denim skirt Lovely lady: She donned a pink dress while laying on the floor As if: There were definitely callbacks to her Clueless character Cher Horowitz Simply stunning: She posed while laying on the floor for a stunning photo Hmm: There was one out of focus shot featuring mostly her face Reflections: She shot a sultry look into a heart-shaped hand mirror Inspo: The campaign is certainly appealing to the trend of 1990s/early-2000s throwback fashion as Heavn by Marc Jacobs is a clothing line specifically aimed at Generation Z with graphic baby tees, overpriced handbags, quirky platforms and a hub for teens to fill their closet with alternative, Y2K, Fruits Mag inspired garments, apparel and accessories She donned a black bodysuit underneath that stopped just below her chest to coincide with the color scheme of the outfit. The hem of the dress was asymmetrical, with long strips of material falling past her knees on the left side. She slipped into a pair of black, open-toed strappy heels that contained silver, glittering embellishments on the top. The Crush star easily carried a black clutch bag in her hand to hold a few items she needed while attending the anticipated fashion show with other guests and A-list celebrities. Alicia's blonde locks were parted to the side, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in elegant waves. The mother of one opted for minimal accessories to allow the ensemble to be the main focal point, and added a pair of dangly, rhinestone earrings. Her makeup was glammed up for the event, and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes, as well as a smoky shadow around her eyes. A light pink blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow, while a rosy pink, satin tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch. Wow! Alicia has been quite the muse for high fashion recently as she turned heads in a sheer black dress as she stopped by the star-studded Christian Siriano Spring 2024 runway show during New York Fashion Week last month Dazzling: The mother of one opted for minimal accessories to allow the ensemble to be the main focal point, and added a pair of dangly, rhinestone earrings Close friends: Alicia is no stranger to working closely with Christian Siriano, with the star recently enjoying a getaway to Italy where she spent time with the designer Silverstone was seen striking a few of her favorite poses upon arriving at the runway show before taking her front row seat. Alicia is no stranger to working closely with Christian Siriano, with the star recently enjoying a getaway to Italy where she spent time with the designer. She donned a few, eye-catching dresses during their visit to Lake Como as well as Milan, and paused for stunning photos that were uploaded to Instagram. Earlier this year in March, the pair also attended the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars party together in Beverly Hills. Jordyn Woods ensured all eyes were on her as she celebrated her 26th birthday at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand. The socialite enjoyed an extravagant dinner at the swanky venue alongside close pals including Jaden Smith, Jodie Woods and model Matthew Moskza. Jordyn cut a glamorous figure for the festivities as she slipped into a black dress that highlighted her incredible curves. The off the shoulder garment featured a white collar along with a bejewelled buckle across the chest. Jordyn styled her honey blonde locks into waves and added to her outfit with an eye-catching silver necklace. Birthday girl: Jordyn Woods ensured all eyes were on her as she celebrated her 26th birthday at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand The socialite enjoyed an extravagant dinner at the swanky venue alongside close pals Accentuating her beauty with a light palette of makeup, Jordyn completed her look with a pair of silver earrings. American DJ Siobhan Bell was on the decks throughout as guests were treated to free flowing a bespoke cocktail called French J26. The star has been in Paris for the last few days as she enjoyed the city's Fashion Week. Jordyn's actual birthday is September 23, with the star marking the occasion with a series of stunning snaps she shared to Instagram. In the caption of her post, she shared her excitement for turning 26 and the upcoming year. 'Feeling so blessed and grateful to make it to another year,' she gushed. 'I truly feel like this is the beginning of the best time of my life. 'And I am so lucky for the people and the experiences thus far,' she wrote before expressing her excitement for 'Libra season'. Many stars took to her comments section to wish her a happy birthday including Hailey Bieber, who supported Woods by liking her post. Stunning: Jordyn cut a glamorous figure for the festivities as she slipped into a black dress that highlighted her incredible curves Pals: Jaden Smith (L) rocked a double denim look as he posed for a snap with the birthday girl Gorgeous: Jordyn showed a closer look of her glamorous make-up as she posed for a snap Cheers! American DJ Siobhan Bell was on the decks throughout as guests were treated to free flowing a bespoke cocktail called French J26 Bartenders: Jaden and Jordyn enjoyed making drinks Impressed: Jordyn posed alongside a hotel chef next to her huge cake Party-time: Jordyn posed for a snap with Monet McMichael Back to BFFs: Jordyn and Kylie confirmed they have reconciled their friendship through a TikTok video last month, marking their first public appearance together on the platform One particular BFF who recently rekindled her friendship with Woods that noticeably had not yet shared a public birthday greeting was Kylie Jenner. It's been a busy few months for the curvaceous beauty, including with her recent reconciliation with her former Keeping Up With The Kardashians bestie after years of not being on speaking terms. The Kylie x Jordyn makeup co-founders were spotted wining and dining at a sushi restaurant in Los Angeles in July. However, in a bigger twist that shocked fans, DailyMail.com revealed that the on-and-off-again friends had actually been hanging out privately for a year leading up to their now-famous sushi dinner date. The pair had an infamous falling out back in 2019 after Khloe Kardashians' then-boyfriend and baby daddy Tristan Thompson, 32, was spotted kissing Jordyn. However, the Woods by Jordyn founder maintained that nothing else happened beyond the kiss when she appeared on Jada Pinkett's talk show, Red Table Talk. Advertisement Joey King had a great time in Europe last month. The Kissing Booth actress was seen on her honeymoon in Italy with her husband Steven Piet in new images shared to her Instagram account on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Bullet Train star showed off her toned figure as she kissed her 32-year-old spouse when on the beach in Italy. They were in Lake Como, Capri and Naples. King was also seen modeling gold jewelry while in Rome. 'Roma + my @pomellato jewelry = my new personality,' wrote the new spokesperson in her Instagram caption as she wore a cream colored blouse and black sunglasses. The lovebirds tied the knot in Spain in late September. Kissing in Capri! Joey King had a great time in Europe last month. The Kissing Booth actress was seen on her honeymoon in Italy with her new husband Steven Piet in new images shared to her Instagram account on Wednesday Side by side: They were sitting in wooden chairs on the rocky coastline Cheeky chick on a rock: Here is a look at King's toned backside as she wore an ivory bikini The couple were seen all over Italy. They enjoyed swimming in Lake Como, in Northern Italys Lombardy region, is an upscale resort set against the foothills of the Alps. The lake has three slender branches that meet at the resort town of Bellagio. At the bottom of the southwest branch lies the city of Como, home to Renaissance architecture and a funicular that travels up to the mountain town of Brunate. They were also on the beach on the island of Capri, an island in Italys Bay of Naples, is famed for its rugged landscape, upscale hotels and shopping, from designer fashions to limoncello and handmade leather sandals. And the lovebirds enjoyed pizza in the pizza capital of the world, Naples, which is the regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan. On September 3, the 24-year-old tied the knot with Piet, 32, while on the island of Mallorca in Spain. Only their closest family and friends were in attendance. This week several of her glam team members shared new images from the coastline nuptials which were overseen by Alison and Bryan with floral arrangements by Putnam Flowers and music from Dart Collective. Capri days: The 24-year-old Bullet Train star showed off her toned figure as she wore her hair up Hunky spouse: And her new husband was seen in his black trunks as he walked in the water Coastal views: They relaxed by a rocky coastline as they wore designer sunglasses The Kissing Booth actress looked sensational in a strapless Oscar de la Renta gown with long drop diamond earrings. Her hair was done by Dimitris Giannetos, styling by Jared Eng of JustJared fame, makeup by Allan Avendano and nails by Thuy Nguyen. King looked stunning in the images. In one she was the perfect bride with a white veil on. The couple are now enjoying their honeymoon in Lake Como, Italy. Guest included Sabrina Carpenter, Michelle Williams, and AnnaSophia Robb with her husband Trevor. Joey said on Instagram: 'In life, what more can we ask for than to go to sleep next to someone thinking you cant wait to do it all over again tomorrow.' Steve said of the wedding day: 'Only in this moment can we discover that which is timeless.' She was walked down the aisle by her mother, Jamie King, and her grandmother. Her glam team wished her well too. Jared shared: 'Memories to last a lifetime. The most beautiful bride. Cutest of couples. Stunna wedding weekend.' He posted a video where Joey was seen being walked down the aisle, and the clip also shared Joey holding hands with Steven. 'JOEY - I couldn't describe how happy I am for you @joeyking ! My little sister got married WOOHOOOOO Congratulations Joey and Steven love u both to the moon n back :)' Giannetos wrote on Instagram of a picture of King's wedding hair. Rome is for lovers: King was also seen modeling gold jewelry while in Rome. ' Roma + my @pomellato jewelry = my new personality,' wrote the new spokesperson in her Instagram caption as she wore a cream colored blouse and black sunglasses Dimitries also works with Kourtney Kardashian, Justin Bieber, Priyanka Chopra. Manicurist Thuy added, 'Mrs. JOEY & Mr. STEVEN PIET ' and in another post said, 'JOEY. Words arent enough, but I will try. From the moment we met until this past weekend, you have been nothing shy of perfection. 'Your beauty, inside and out, shines a radiant light to all that you surround yourself with. Your heart, your words and your companionship is something I hold so close. You are a dream girl. You are as beautiful as they come. And you are a literal angel on earth. I love you & congratulations sweet girl xoxo, T.' They said 'I do' at the La Fortaleza, a 22-acre estate in Mallorca, Spain built in the 1600s. The ceremony overlooking the fortress' lower-terrace swimming pool. The had a five tier cake that was banana dulce de leche flavor. King told Vogue the wedding was an 'unforgettable moment.' 'We truly felt so perfectly present, and soaking in every detail was pure magic,' she shared. 'The best part was seeing all our friends who didn't know each other just melting into one another and instantly connecting. 'We are surrounded by the best people, and seeing them all together was infectiously joyous,' she added. Piet wore a suit by Italian designer Brunello Cucinelli. He popped the question in Joshua Tree to celebrate their three-year dating anniversary. 'We went on a walk in the freezing-cold weather, and Steven described the surroundings as perfectly imperfect,' Joey shared with Vogue. In old Napoli! There were also seen walking the streets in Naples which is Italy's third largest city Manga: Neapolitan pizza, also known as Naples-style pizza, is a style of pizza made with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. The tomatoes must be either San Marzano tomatoes or Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio, which grow on the volcanic plains to the south of Mount Vesuvius He liked the pizza too: Steven was seen digging into a local pie 'We stopped to take some photos together, and before I knew it, I was getting a tug on my jacket. I turned around, and Steven was on one knee. He said some of the most beautiful things, and we were both crying. We kept the news to ourselves for one day, just absorbing it together before we shared it with anyone.' They both wanted to get married outside of the US. 'We were looking for something unique and private and that felt grand yet intimate at the same time,' Joey explained to Vogue. 'We found La Fortaleza in Mallorca, and it feels like the Spanish version of The Great Gatsby. Its historic without being dated. It felt timeless, the same way we feel about our love for each other. And finding it was all thanks to our wonderful wedding planners Alison Bryan Destinationsthey nailed it and found us the venue of our dreams.' She had four looks for her wedding. And she was thrilled to have her team with her: 'Im so lucky to have my team that Ive been working with for so many years be part of this day. It means the world!' Gorgeous girl as a bride: King looked beautiful on her wedding day in Spain in images shared by her glam team I do, I do, I do: On September 3, the 24-year-old tied the knot with Piet while on the island of Mallorca in Spain Wine is fine: Joey wore a white lace dress with rhinestone buttons as she enjoyed wine in new images shared Wednesday The couples friend Erik officiated, and Sabrina Carpenter sang her down the aisle. Stevens nieces and nephew and Joeys grandmother did readings. 'Between that and hearing Stevens vows and being able to read mine to him. Nothing couldve made this moment better,' she added. 'Also might I add, it was raining heavily right before the ceremony, and somehow the sun shone right as guests arrived. We were truly the luckiest people.' At the reception 'there were tears everywhere,' Joey said. 'And then the food and drinksoh, God, the food and drinks. It was unreal! The Jesse Jamess Usualnamed after our beloved dogwas the most delicious spicy marg, and the beef cheeks were truly a highlight for me.' Their first dance to Cat Powers Sea of Love. 'It was magical. Looking at my perfect husband while dancing to this perfect song was a dream,' said King. Then they jumped in the swimming pool. Emily Ratajkowski was pictured while taking a walk in New York City on Thursday morning. The 32-year-old fashion model showcased her toned thighs in a cinnamon-colored long-sleeve minidress as she stepped out. The Gone Girl actress, who was recently compared to Kendall Jenner, contrasted the dominant tone of her outfit with a pair of black knee-high leather boots. Ratajkowski kept a matching purse with a gold chain slung over her right shoulder for the duration of her walk. The Gone Girl actress accessorized with a pair of sunglasses, as well as small hoop earrings. Out and about: Emily Ratajkowski was pictured while taking a walk in New York City on Thursday morning Hot stuff! The 32-year-old fashion industry personality showcased her toned thighs while wearing a cinnamon-colored long-sleeve minidress as she stepped out The entrepreneur also donned a pair of red headphones during her time in the Big Apple's streets. Her voluminous brunette hair fell onto her chest and shoulders and paired well with the tone of her clothing. At one point she seemed to tug the bottom of her dress down as it rode up on her thighs. Ratajkowski used to be wed to film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard. The former couple tied the knot in 2018 and welcomed a son named Sylvester, two, in 2021. However, the two separated last year after the producer was accused of sexual misconduct by several individuals. They finalized their divorce a year ago. The runway regular has since moved on with several other individuals after she left her husband. Ratajkowski recently opened up about one of her preferences for dating during an interview on her High Low With EmRata podcast. The model stated during a conversation with Remi Bader: 'My recent ick is men's ankles. Exposed ankles. I hate that.' Fancy footwear: The model contrasted the dominant tone of her outfit with a pair of knee-high leather boots; on the left she tugged down at her dress which crept up her thighs Accessorizing well: Ratajkowski kept a matching purse with a gold chain slung over her right shoulder for the duration of her walk Completing the look: The Gone Girl actress accessorized with a pair of sunglasses, as well as small hoop earrings Beautiful: Her voluminous brunette hair fell onto her chest and shoulders and paired well with the tone of her clothing All over now: The two separated last year after the producer was accused of sexual misconduct by several individuals; they are seen with their son in 2021 The swimwear designer added: 'A dainty ankle exposed on the hottest man will ruin my day.' Ratajkowski also spoke about how she rejected a potential partner after he unwittingly set off her 'ick' factor. 'There was a guy I was seeing and he came over in short pants and like, a shoe that exposed his ankle, and I have not seen him since. Swear on Sly's life,' she recalled. The fashion industry personality initially launched her podcast in October of last year. Arnold Schwarzenegger's former mistress and housekeeper Mildred Baena was seen a day after he said their affair which led to his divorce with Maria Shriver was his 'f*** up.' The mother of actor and fitness influencer Joseph Baena - who is the 76-year-old actor's lovechild - was seen on a rare outing in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Mildred was seen leaving a home in the Southern California city as she hopped into a white Mercedes-Benz GLA. She donned a knit white shawl over a black top and trousers combination along with metallic gold flat shoes. Hmm: Arnold Schwarzenegger 's former mistress and housekeeper Mildred Baena was seen a day after he said their affair which led to his divorce with Maria Shriver was his 'f*** up' Her brunette tresses were put in a messy updo as she went make-up free. Not seen on the outing was Mildred's son Joseph Baena who has 545K followers on Intagram with his workout related content. Earlier that day Arnold had opened up about his relationship with his ex-wife, Maria Shriver, and the affair that rocked their marriage in an interview with People that was released on Wednesday. During his sit-down with the media outlet, the acting legend revealed that he still held his former spouse, to whom he was married to 1986 until 2021, in high regard, despite their split. The star of the Terminator franchise, who was recently spotted with his current girlfriend, Heather Milligan, stated that his 'chapter with Maria will continue on forever' and that there was 'no reason for me to feel anything other than love for her.' Schwarzenegger began by admitting that his past actions led to the end of his relationship with the 67-year-old journalist, with whom he shares sons Patrick, 30, and Christopher, 26, as well as daughters Katherine, 33, and Christina, 31. He stated: 'We never left the [first] chapter, because remember, it's not like we had a feud. We didn't have a fight. It's just my f*** up, right?' The former pair separated in 2011 after it was revealed that the Predator star had fathered a son named Joseph, 25, with his family's former housekeeper, Mildred Baena. Out: The mother of actor and fitness influencer Joseph Baena - who is the 76-year-old actor's lovechild - was seen on a rare outing in Los Angeles on Wednesday Vibes: She donned a knit white shawl over a black top and trousers combination along with metallic gold flat shoes Nice: Her brunette tresses were put in a messy updo as she went make-up free Out and about: She was seen chatting with somene Nice ride: Mildred was seen leaving a home in the Southern California city as she hopped into a white Mercedes-Benz GLA She looked comfortable while driving off Hunk: Not seen on the outing was Mildred's son Joseph Baena who has 545K followers on Intagram with his workout related content The actor also recalled that he, as well as his former wife, decided to focus on the well-being of their children following their separation. 'She said, "Okay, this is what it is," and then she decided to make a split, so it was her decision. But the fact is, we always made it very clear that the kids should not suffer because of that,' he recalled. Schwarzenegger went on to speak about his current relationship with Shriver and stated: 'Everything is kind of just as if we're together but we have separate lives.' He added that his former wife 'has her things, her relationship, I have mine, but we always communicate about the kids, about the holidays.' The former Governor of California has since moved on with Milligan, whom he initially met in 2012. The pair was introduced after Schwarzenegger underwent shoulder surgery and was referred to his girlfriend, who works as a physical therapist, by his surgeon. The performer recalled: 'After my therapy was finished, after I was finished with the movie, I called her back and took her out for lunch to say thank you. And then one thing led to the next.' The happy couple initially began seeing each other in 2013, although they did not make their red carpet debut for two more years. Being honest: Arnold had opened up about his relationship with his ex-wife, Maria Shriver, during an interview with People that was released on Wednesday; he is seen with (pictured left to right) Christina Schwarzenegger, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver and Katherine Schwarzenegger in October 017 Speaking his mind: The star of the Terminator franchise, who was recently spotted with his current girlfriend , Heather Milligan, stated that his 'chapter with Maria will continue on forever and that there was 'no reason for me to feel anything other than love for her'; they are seen in 1986 Separation: The former pair separated in 2011 after it was revealed that the Predator star had fathered a son named Joseph, 25, with his family's former housekeeper, Mildred Baena; they are seen in 2003 Staying in touch: He added that his former wife 'has her things, her relationship, I have mine, but we always communicate about the kids, about the holidays'; she is seen with her son Patrick, daughter Katherine and son-in-law Chris Pratt in March Working it out: Schwarzenegger went on to speak about his current relationship with Shriver and stated that 'everything is kind of just as if we're together but we have separate lives' The new lady in his life: Schwarzenegger and Heather Milligan at Oktoberfestin Munich, Germany on September 21 Schwarzenegger made no secret of his affection for his girlfriend, with whom he recently attended Oktoberfest in Munich. 'We have so many things in common. Our relationship is fantastic. I think the world of her,' he stated. The actor added: 'I love that she's into working. She's clearly independent. She just is driven as hell.' Heidi Klum pointed her behind saucily at the camera as she leaned out the window in a sizzling new Instagram snap. The 50-year-old was in Berlin in order to judge the new season of Germany's Next Topmodel, a job she has held since 2006. For the first time in its history, the America's Next Top Model spin-off will have a cast of contestants that includes not just women but men as well. As she worked on season 19 in her native country, Heidi posed up a storm for Instagram, putting her own supermodel credentials on display. She unleashed her animal instinct in a slinky tiger-print cocktail dress that was perfectly fitted to her jaw-droppingly lithe frame. Looking fab: Heidi Klum pointed her behind saucily at the camera as she leaned out the window in a sizzling new Instagram snap Place to be: The 50-year-old was in Berlin in order to judge the new season of Germany 's Next Topmodel, a job she has held since 2006 The long-sleeved number, which slid beguilingly off the shoulder, was teamed with a thigh-high pair of boots that emphasized her vertiginous legs. Accentuating her unmistakable features with makeup, Heidi wore her signature blonde locks in a youthful do that included a touch of fringe. A few weeks ago Heidi revealed she had begun to plan her impending Halloween party, a highlight of her social calendar. Heidi is famous for pulling out the stops for her extravagant costumes, once spending 10 hours having prosthetics applied in order to dress as a worm. Her no-holds-barred costumes over the years have included Fiona from Shrek, a man-eating space alien and Michael Jackson as a werewolf in the Thriller video. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com last month, Heidi teased this year's costume as bound to 'be extra. It's going to be really extra.' Without spilling any details about what precisely she will be dressing as this year, she dished: 'I have had sleepless nights over it. You know me.' Meanwhile, Heidi's 19-year-old daughter Leni has followed her footsteps into the modeling business, prompting persistent allegations of being a 'nepo baby.' Use it or lose it: As she worked on season 19 in her native country, Heidi posed up a storm for Instagram, putting her own supermodel credentials on display Swanking about: She unleashed her animal instinct in a slinky tiger-print cocktail dress that was perfectly fitted to her jaw-droppingly lithe frame Family time: Heidi posted a heartwarming Instagram video on Thursday of her daughter Leni, 19, paying her an on-set visit at Germany's Next Topmodel Excitement: 'Im here for support,' said Leni, hugging her mother in the makeup chair and kising her head: 'and I cant wait to see all the contestants' Heidi posted a heartwarming Instagram video on Thursday of Leni paying her an on-set visit at Germany's Next Topmodel. 'Im here for support,' said Leni, hugging her mother in the makeup chair and kising her head: 'and I cant wait to see all the contestants.' The teen fashion maven added with a mischievous smile: 'There's boys this year, and I've only met the boys, not the girls, but....' 'How's that?' Heidi asked, prompting her daughter to melt into giggles as she replied: 'I don't know, it just happened that way.' Over the past year Heidi has been deluged with backlash more than once for posing with Leni in lingerie shoots for Intimissimi. During the second controversy, which unfolded this May, the blowback grew so intense that Heidi turned off her Instagram comments. Heidi and Seal were married from 2005 until 2014 and they welcomed three children together biologically - Henry, 18, Johan, 16, and Lou, 13. Meanwhile Leni resulted from Heidi's previous relationship with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, but in 2009 Seal legally adopted her as well. Gal Gadot appeared to be topless in a promotional photo for Tiffany & Co that was shared on her Instagram account on Thursday. The 38-year-old actress wore one of the jewelry company's newest silver necklaces as she posed for the snap, and her accessory contrasted well with the turquoise background. The Wonder Woman star, who recently opened up about the injuries she has suffered while filming fight scenes, also held her gorgeous brunette hair back as she posed for the shot. Gadot has served as a brand ambassador for Tiffany & Co on several occasions in the past. The performer served as the face of the company's Botanica campaign for its Blue Book collection, which was released last April. Va va voom: Gal Gadot remained topless in a promotional photo for Tiffany & Co. that was shared on her Instagram account on Thursday The Red Notice actress subsequently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter to promote the brand's new set of items. Gadot spoke about serving as a model for the Blue Book collection and recalled: 'This was one of my favorite campaigns to shoot.' 'I've never seen anything quite as stunning as the Botanica Dandelion necklace we shot,' she added. The Fast & Furious actress also told the media outlet that she felt it was 'such an honor' to be able to work with Tiffany & Co on their campaign. The jewelry company's executive vice president of product and communication, Alexandre Arnault, also issued a statement to speak about why the brand chose to work with Gadot. He described the actress as 'more than a house ambassador. She epitomizes the effortless glamour, sheer sophistication and sense of modernity that Blue Book represents.' Arnault added: 'We are thrilled that she is the face of the new Botanica campaign.' The performer also wore a replica of the famed Tiffany Diamond in the 2022 mystery feature Death On The Nile. Working hard: Gadot has served as a brand ambassador for Tiffany & Co. on several occasions in the past On the big screen: Gadot went on to wear the Tiffany & Co Bone Cuff in Wonder Woman 1984, which premiered in 2020 Doing the most: The actress also wore several of the brand's products to the superhero film's celebration event The necklace was originally made famous by Audrey Hepburn in a publicity photo for the 1961 film Breakfast At Tiffany's. The accessory has since been worn by Lady Gaga during the 2019 Academy Awards ceremony, as well as Beyonce in a 2021 campaign for the jewelry company. Gadot went on to wear the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff in Wonder Woman 1984, which premiered in 2020. The actress also wore several of the brand's products to the superhero film's celebration event. Kelsey Grammer got emotional as he addressed the live studio audience at a taping of his Frasier reboot. The 68-year-old star was shown tearing up in a video released by Paramount+ on the set of the revival just weeks after the first trailer for the highly-anticipated series was released. The original Frasier aired over 11 seasons on NBC from September 1993 to May 2004. Kelsey was greeted by the studio audience to a standing ovation before her grabs a microphone to address them. He soaks in the moment as he returns to his signature character Frasier Crane and says: 'I'm delighted you're here. I can't tell you how grateful I am that you're here and how grateful we are that we have a chance to do this for you again. Aww: Kelsea Grammer was shown tearing up in a video released by Paramount+ on the set of the revival just weeks after the first trailer for the highly-anticipated series was released Back in the day: The original Frasier aired over 11 seasons on NBC from September 1993 to May 2004; David Hyde Pierce, Peri Gilpin, Kelsey Grammer, Moose, sitting up; Jane Leeves and John Mahoney are pictured left to right 'I am very excited about what we're doing, this new group of people that you can fall in love with and get to know. We've been working so hard at this thing and it's been quite a while, and I think we've done something quite lovely.' He then begins to get visibly emotional and even musters up a tear or two. Grammer said: 'My love for this character is very sweet. I wish you this!' Last month Kelsey was shown back as his most iconic character in the first official trailer for his new revival of Frasier. The Paramount+ series, which finds the eponymous psychiatrist relocated in Boston after leaving his home in Seattle, charts his attempts to restart his relationship with his grown son Frederick 'Freddy' Crane (Jack Cutmore-Scott). Along the way, Grammer gets in plenty of jokes about Frasier's hoity-toity mannerisms while hanging out with his similarly educated pals at a bar. The series premieres on October 12 on Paramount+ in the US and on October 13 in the UK and Ireland. Although the new Frasier is ostensibly a revival of the popular 1990s and 2000s series of the same name, it features few of the original cast members aside from its star. Honored: Kelsey was greeted by the studio audience to a standing ovation before her grabs a microphone to address them He soaks in the moment as he returns to his signature character Frasier Crane and says: 'I'm delighted you're here. I can't tell you how grateful I am that you're here and how grateful we are that we have a chance to do this for you again' He continued: 'I am very excited about what we're doing, this new group of people that you can fall in love with and get to know. We've been working so hard at this thing and it's been quite a while, and I think we've done something quite lovely' He then begins to get visibly emotional and even musters up a tear or two as he Grammer said: 'My love for this character is very sweet. I wish you this!' Missing from the new ensemble are John Mahoney, who played Frasier's father and died in 2018, David Hyde Pierce, who costarred as Frasier's brother Niles, and Jane Leeves, who played Niles' future wife Daphne. Frasier, who was first introduced to audiences on the massively popular sitcom Cheers before getting his own spin-off series, shares his son Freddy with his ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth). The motherson duo had originally lived in Boston during the original show's timeline, though Neuwirth and the original Frederick actor Trevor Einhorn made guest appearances on the series. By the time of Frasier's East Coast move, Freddy is now all grown up and living with his girlfriend Eve (Jess Salgueiro). Frasier highlights his new location in the opening lines of the trailer, while also alluding to his history as a bar regular on Cheers. 'What is it about the city of Boston that leads me to forego the more sophisticated temptation of the fermented grape?' he says haughtily as he holds a mug of beer. 'Sitting here with a cold brew in my hand, I feel amalgamated with the hoi polloi,' he declares proudly. 'You are the classic everyman,' jokes his friend Alan Cornwall. Nicholas Lyndhurst plays Alan, a college friend of Frasier's who is now a professor in Boston. He's back! Last month Kelsey was shown back as his most iconic character in the first official trailer for his new revival of Frasier Reunited and it feels so good! Along the way he attempts to restart his relationship with his grown son Freddy Crane (Jack Cutmore-Scott) Relocated: Frasier highlights his new location in the opening lines. 'What is it about the city of Boston that leads me to forego the more sophisticated temptation of the fermented grape?' he says haughtily Having a laugh: 'Sitting here with a cold brew in my hand, I feel amalgamated with the hoi polloi,' he declares proudly. 'You are the classic everyman,' jokes his friend Alan Cornwall in reply Unexpected visitor: Next, Frasier's unexpected reunion with his son Freddy is featured. 'Freddy, surprise!' he shouts as his son walks up to his apartment door Didn't see that coming: 'Dad!' replies a shocked Freddy. 'You're at my door unannounced!' Frasier doesn't let it throw him off though. 'There's a shorter way to say that Surprise!' 'Frasier is back,' the trailer then declares in a title card. Next, Frasier's unexpected reunion with his son Freddy is featured. 'Freddy, surprise!' he shouts as his son walks up to his apartment door. 'Dad!' replies a shocked Freddy. 'You're at my door unannounced!' Frasier doesn't let it throw him off though. 'There's a shorter way to say that Surprise!' The trailer adds that Frasier is 'basically the same' as he makes his clumsy entrance into his son's formerly independent life. Back at the bar, Frasier's mood has taken a turn for the worse as he recounts his meeting with his son to his friends. 'What's going on with your son?' inquires Olivia (Toks Olagundoye), the chair of an Ivy League psychology department. Down in the dumps: Back at the bar, Frasier's mood has taken a turn for the worse as he recounts his meeting with his son to his friends New acquaintances: 'Wish I knew. He's got a girlfriend I've never even heard of,' he says over footage of him meeting Eve Turned down: 'When I told him I wanted to spend more time with him, he said no!' Frasier adds Ouch! 'Have you considered that he hates you?' Alan asks sarcastically 'Wish I knew. He's got a girlfriend I've never even heard of,' he says over footage of him meeting Eve. 'When I told him I wanted to spend more time with him, he said no!' 'Have you considered that he hates you?' Alan asks sarcastically. Frasier won't be deterred, and he visits Freddy again to tell him, 'I miss you and I won't take no for an answer.' Then Frasier is seen accepting a job offer in the psych department from Olivia, cementing his new life in Boston. Meanwhile, Freddy complains to his girlfriend Eve about his father barging into his life, but she can only think of how 'good' he smells. 'Yeah, he smells really good,' Freddy agrees to a laugh from the audience. Then Frasier reveals just how uptight he is when Freddy visits him at his new home and attempts to sit on his fancy sofa. 'Don't sit there!' his father screams, before informing him that he can't sit on the 'Christian Lacroix' pillows. 'So we can't sit on the couch?' Freddy clarifies. 'Not in jeans,' replies Frasier. Not giving up: Frasier won't be deterred, and he visits Freddy again to tell him, 'I miss you and I won't take no for an answer' It's official: Then Frasier is seen accepting a job offer in the psych department from Olivia, cementing his new life in Boston Detour: Meanwhile, Freddy complains to his girlfriend Eve about his father barging into his life, but she can only think of how 'good' he smells. 'Yeah, he smells really good,' Freddy agrees to a laugh from the audience Off limits: Then Frasier reveals just how uptight he is when Freddy visits him at his new home and attempts to sit on his fancy sofa. 'Don't sit there!' his father screams, before informing him that he can't sit on the 'Christian Lacroix' pillows Disappointment: After a short montage, the trailer ends with Frasier proposing a toast with Freddy. He's delighted when his son suggests Scotch, but is disappointed to see that it's a cheap plastic bottle Coming soon: Frasier returns with its new revival on Paramount+ on October 12 After a short montage, the trailer ends with Frasier proposing a toast with Freddy. 'I've got some Scotch if that sounds good,' Freddy says. 'Top shelf.' 'Of course! Nothing less,' Frasier replies, before his son clarifies that he meant the bottle was on the top shelf. His father then gazes at it with disgust after realizing it's a less fancy plastic jug. Frasier returns with its new revival on Paramount+ on October 12 in the US and on October 13 in the UK and Ireland. Tom Holland and Zendaya enjoyed a bit of canine company during their latest couple's outing in his native UK. The Hollywood hot couple, who met on the set of the Spider-Man movies, were trailed by dating rumors for years until the relationship was confirmed in 2021. Since news of their romance leaked into the public eye a couple of years ago, they have been seen several times as a duo. Thursday was no exception, with both of them posting Instagram updates from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, a London animal rescue in operation since 1860. Zendaya and Tom could be seen joyfully playing with some of the puppies at Battersea while wearing hazmat suits. His picture of her: Tom Holland and Zendaya enjoyed a bit of canine company during their latest couple's outing in his native UK Details: The Hollywood hot couple, who met on the set of the Spider-Man movies, were trailed by dating rumors for years until the relationship was confirmed in 2021 In one heartwarming picture posted to her Insta Stories, Zendaya could be seen cradling a tiny pooch who stretched a paw out to touch her. 'Got the lil leg going lol,' wrote the former Disney Channel child star, joking that her own song Noon was 'gonna be so mad when he smells me.' Although Zendaya and Tom were the subject of dating rumors since they wrapped Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017 - their first film together - she repeatedly denied they were an item in the years before they went public. However that very July a People insider dished that the franchise co-stars had become romantically involved but were attempting to keep the matter under wraps. 'They started seeing each other while they were filming Spider-Man,' the source claimed. 'They've been super careful to keep it private and out of the public eye but they've gone on vacations with each other and try and spend as much time as possible with one another.' Zendaya denied as much on Twitter joking: 'My favorite is when it says we go on vacations together HA! I haven't been on a vacation in years! hbu @tomholland1996???' 'He's literally one of my best friends,' Zendaya said of Tom during an interview with Variety later in 2017 after the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming. 'This past how many months we've had to do press tours together. There's very few people that will understand what that's like at 20 years old,' she pointed out. Place to be: Thursday was no exception, with both of them posting Instagram updates from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, a London animal rescue in operation since 1860 Too cute: Zendaya and Tom could be seen joyfully playing with some of the puppies at Battersea while wearing hazmat suits Dynamic duo: While the pair have not shied away from being seen together, they have been reticent to divulge details of their relationship to the public; pictured 2021 Indeed both Zendaya and Tom have reportedly dated other people in the years between when the rumors started and when the romance was confirmed. However, the cat was let out of the bag in July 2021 when Tom and Zendaya were spotted kissing in a car after paying a visit to her mother. Since then, while the pair have not shied away from being seen together, they have been reticent to divulge details of their relationship to the public. Tom shed some light on their attitude this summer when he appeared on a podcast hosted by the self-help guru Jay Shetty. 'My relationship is the thing I keep most sacred. I don't talk about it,' he said. 'I try my best to keep it as private as possible.' He explained: 'We both feel like that is the healthiest way for us to move on as a couple, so I do try to keep as removed from Hollywood as possible.' Oti Mabuse has given a health update during her pregnancy. The professional dancer, 33, who is expecting her first child with her husband Marius Lepure, 40, revealed she has been struggling with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). The NHS states SPD or Pregnancy related Girdle Pain (PGP) is a collection of uncomfortable symptoms caused by a stiffness of your pelvic joints or the joints moving unevenly at either the back or front of your pelvis. Oti said she has found it 'frustrating' she hasn't been able to workout as often as she was used to and has been battle intense pain at night. The former Strictly star took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a video of herself doing a series of exercises. Struggles: Oti Mabuse has given a health update during her pregnancy Tough: The professional dancer, 33, who is expecting her first child with her husband Marius Lepure, 40, revealed she has been struggling with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) Oti wrote: 'Working out with SPD. I completely fell off the bandwagon with my fitness and I immediately could feel it when I went back. My core strength was not what it was, my balance was off and my ability hold certain positions was gone. The pain started really slow but at night while sleeping would intensify (Im not wearing a belt yet but as weeks go on I definitely will) 'Aside from physiotherapy exercises, I still try continue to stay active in any way that is not painful. My level of activity depends on how severe my SPD is that day. It can be very frustrating if you used to exercise regularly and have to stop. Walking, sitting, driving all become a bit painful. 'But we push on and grand ourselves some GRACE! Taking it slow and breathing through everything - Change is good, it might be difficult but its all for a good reason. 'I know Im not alone dealing SPD - how are you dealing or dealt with it?' Oti and husband Marius surprised viewers when they announced on air they are expecting their first child. Embracing her husband, Oti began the final segment of her show as normal, before teasing that they had been 'holding in some good news'. She also hinted at her due date as she told how their 'beautiful journey' is 'nearly over' and teased that 'Christmas is about to get even louder'. Pregnancy journey: Oti wrote: 'Working out with SPD. I completely fell off the bandwagon with my fitness and I immediately could feel it when I went back' Determined: Oti said: 'Aside from physiotherapy exercises, I still try continue to stay active in any way that is not painful' Embracing the change: The dancer has adapted her workout regime Exciting: Oti and husband Marius surprised viewers when they announced on air they are expecting their first child What is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)? Some women may develop pelvic pain in pregnancy. This is sometimes called pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) Symptoms: Pain over the pubic bone at the front in the centre, roughly level with your hips across 1 or both sides of your lower back in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum) spreading to your thighs Credit NHS Advertisement Oti and Marius met in Germany during a dance trial and competed together in several competitions. Marius popped the question on his birthday to the Dancing On Ice judge in 2014 and the pair married the same year. Oti stepped down from Strictly in February 2022 after seven years. Although she was going from success to success, the star admitted she had plenty of 'dark days' that made her unable to eat and left her 'crying' in the shower. Oti won the Glitterball trophy in two consecutive years with Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher, 37, and comedian Bill Bailey, 56, leaving many to believe that the South African dancer could be set for a sensational hat trick. Speaking on the All Change podcast, Oti admitted that the pressure of dealing with the celebrity contestants and stress she put on herself became too much. She explained: 'Luckily my husband again has been an amazing person who has seen the dark days, the days where I'm in the shower crying with my clothes on because it's so hard and it's so overwhelming. 'He's seen me not eat, he's seen me overeat, he's seen me struggle with not being able to get the best out of someone. He's seen me having to deal with 'interesting personalities.' 'So, he's the person that's seen the behind the scenes at the point where I'd got to where I was like: "I think I'm finished." He was like: "Yeah".' Nicky Hilton turned 40-years-old on Thursday. It is a major milestone for the younger sister of 42-year-old pinup Paris Hilton. The New York City resident celebrated with a party in Paris as she posted the fun images to Instagram after hitting several fashion shows with her older sibling. The 365 Style author was seen in a black sparkly mini dress with her hair back as she sat on a glass-top coffee table next to several birthday cakes. 'Could not have asked for a better birthday week in the best city with my best friend! Most epic sisters trip! ' she said of spending time with Paris in France. She is 40! Nicky Hilton turned 40-years-old on Thursday. It is a major milestone for the younger sister of 42-year-old pinup Paris Hilton. She posed with her cakes in France Sister Paris added: 'To my forever partner-in-crime, my confidante, and my beautiful sister. 'Growing up alongside you has been the most incredible journey. 'From our childhood adventures to our adult dreams, every moment with you has been nothing short of magical. 'On your special day, I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have a sister who shines so brightly both inside and out. Your grace, strength, and beauty inspire me every day. 'Here's to celebrating not just the wonderful person you've become, but the countless memories we've made and the many more to come. Happy Birthday, my dearest sister. May your day be as radiant and unforgettable as you are. Love you!' The star - born Nicholai Olivia - is the wife of James Rothschild of the famous Rothschild family. He is a grandson of Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild. In May, Nicky, a mother of three, opened up to E! News on the advice she gave to her sister Paris, who welcomed her first child via surrogate. 'My advice always is to not miss the small moments. There's such a short window that they're so small, and new things are happening every day,' Nicky said. 'Like, Paris always says her son looks different every day,' Nicky said, adding, 'She is so happy. She's so content.' 'I was just over there last week and just hanging out in the nursery with her and her son, and she's so complete is the word I'd use,' she continued. Party people: At the Stella McCartney show during Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 on October in Paris V: At the Valentino Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 1 in Paris Nicky added that Paris' son Phoenix, 'looks a lot like me as a baby, and my daughter Lily-Grace looks identical to Paris as a child. 'So, it's interesting how the genes crossed like that,' she said, adding how interesting it is that she grew up in a family of mainly girls while she, her sister and brother Barron have all had boys. 'Funny, we had all girls in the family and, in the last year, my brother had a son, Paris had a son and I had a son,' Nicky said. 'So, we've been flooded with boys, and it's amazing to see the bond between them,' she added. Meanwhile, her sister Paris has been 'on cloud nine' since becoming a mother, according to Nicky who has opened up about her sibling's journey to parenthood after Paris dropped the bombshell news about welcoming son Phoenix Barron with her husband Carter Reum via surrogate back in January - and Nicky is adamant the DJ is doing a brilliant job in the first few months of her new life. Happy gal: She was also seen on Thursday at the Plaza hotel with a croissant in hand Red-y for fun: Hilton is seen outside the Alice + Olivia show during Fashion Week on September in New York City She told PEOPLE: 'She is on cloud nine. She is such an incredible mother. She was born to do this, and I'm just so happy for her.' Nicky is mum to three kids - two daughters and a son - with her husband Rothschild and she hopes the youngsters will be close to their little cousin once they finally get to meet him. She added: 'I'm just so excited for all the cousins and babies to be together. They haven't all met yet. When my kids have spring break in a few weeks, they're going to come here and meet their new cousin.' Paris recently revealed she has undergone further IVF treatment in a bid to have a second child - and she wants the baby to be a girl. In an interview with Glamour magazine, she explained 'We've done it [the IVF process] seven times I have all boys [embryos]. I have 20 boys.' She then revealed the latest round of IVF took place earlier this year and they are waiting to see if it has been successful. Paris added: 'I just went through the process again a month ago, so I'm waiting for the results to see if there's any girls.' Richard Madeley has called Phillip Schofield's sudden exit from This Morning 'brutal'. Phil, 61, stepped down from his role as host after 21 years in May for having an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a young male runner. Richard, 67, who presented the daytime programme with wife Judy from 1988 until 2001, has waded into drama and revealed he has been in touch with Phillip following his resignation. 'I feel very sorry for Phillip - it seemed a pretty savage outcome after 21 years (in the job). It seemed quite brutal to be honest,' Richard told The Sun. 'I took a paternal interest in it - I kept in touch, told him to take it easy and that it'll be all right. He agreed. All things pass in the end. 'It was pretty savage!': Richard Madeley has called Phillip Schofield 's sudden exit from This Morning 'brutal' His say: Richard, 67, who presented the daytime programme with wife Judy from 1988 until 2001, has waded into drama (pictured in 2009) 'We've all been through terrible experiences and the worst ones are the phones that come out of a clear blue sky and you don't see them coming, politicians say they're only one debate away from a catastrophe and it's the same in our industry.' When asked if he would ever take up his seat on the sofa, Richard said he 'enjoyed it but would never go back'. Richard will instead appear in Chloe Madeley's ITVBe reality show called A Family Affair which charters her first year as a mother to Bodhi with husband James Haskell. MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment. There has been speculation as to who will take over Phillip's role of co-host at ITV's flagship daytime programme. ITV bosses have been attempting to find Holly, 42, a more permanent sidekick, with Alison Hammond, Dermot O'Leary, Rylan Clarke and Josie Gibson also contending for the role. But management are reportedly eyeing up Good Morning Britain host Ben Shephard, who impressed when he stood in on the This Morning sofa last week. Sources say Ben, 48, is 'frontrunner' to replace Phillip in the role after he stood in earlier this week. Resignation: Phil, 61, stepped down from his role as host after 21 years in May for having an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a young male runner (pictured with Holly Wiloughby) Keeping in touch: Phil and Holly pictured with Richard and Judy in 2018 Ben, who was previously a stand-in presenter on This Morning, covering for Schofield between 2005 and 2011 impressed the network's senior executives when he appeared on the show. Initially This Morning was going to be built around Holly with rotating co-hosts, as GMB is with Susanna Reid, but now bosses have changed their minds and want someone they can team her with most days. A source told the Mail: 'Ben did really well and the bosses loved his partnership with Holly and there was great feedback from many viewers. 'Ben is known throughout ITV as being very popular with the audiences of whatever shows he hosts. He is also trusted by the public and is much loved within ITV. He has hosted so many shows for the channel. 'He and Holly go back years too he presented on This Morning some years ago and they have a great rapport.' It was revealed last month that the This Morning scandal could be made into a 'jaw-dropping' drama series. The production company behind the series thinks Channel 4 would be a 'perfect fit', a source told The Sun. Replacement: Management are reportedly eyeing up Good Morning Britain host Ben Shephard to replace Phillip on This Morning They said: 'The storyline will reflect what went on. People have seen it from the outside but the drama will give a perspective on what may have occurred behind-closed-doors.' The shamed star stepped down from presenting the daytime show after 21 years when he admitted he repeatedly lied to bosses about having an affair with a runner. Phillip who called the relationship 'unwise, but not illegal' cheated on his wife Stephanie with the young male colleague. READ MORE HERE: Ben Shephard is set to replace Phillip Schofield as Holly Willoughby's partner on This Morning Advertisement The tryst was kept secret for years until he admitted to The Mail on Sunday he had lied about it having been just rumours. He went on to confess he had misled his employer ITV, his colleagues, his friends and his then agents at the management firm YMU. In an extraordinary series of interviews he apologised for all of the hurt he had caused. It sparked an extraordinary domino effect for the show and ITV, with Holly having to issue a statement saying she knew nothing about it. But Phillip insisted he had not 'groomed' the man, despite first meeting him when he was 15. And he went on to declare: 'Attraction is attraction. It's no different in the gay world as it is in the heterosexual world or in the lesbian world. 'There shouldn't be a difference. This is where homophobia comes in. 'We did first meet when he was 15, I visited the drama school [he attended].' In a hard-hitting emotional interview with the BBC's Amol Rajan, Schofield said his two daughters - Molly, 29, and Ruby, 27 - had saved his life. He said the fallout from his admission that he lied about his affair with a younger male colleague had been 'relentless', revealing he has had suicidal thoughts. Schofield said: 'My girls saved my life. They said last week they haven't left me for a moment. They've been by my side every moment because they're scared to let me out of their sight. What is that like for daughters to have to go with something like that? 'And they said to me, 'don't you dare do this on our watch. We're supposed to be looking after you'. If my girls hadn't been there, I wouldn't be here, because I don't see my future.' As American consumers continue to spend more online and less at malls, retailers are scrambling to make physical retail stores work for their bottom line. This week Macy's said it will accelerate the opening of 'small format' stores outside of city centers - opening an additional 30 by 2025. In 2020, the retailer - known for its larger stores in urban malls - began opening smaller locations, around a fifth of the size, as part of a new business model that would see it shift its footprint from cities to suburban shopping centers. Macy's currently has 11 small-format stores across Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston and Las Vegas. It will open another in San Diego in November, the company said in a press release. The original small stores were called Market by Macy's, but the company said in August that new small stores would just be called Macy's The new stores range in size from 30,000 to 50,000 square feet, roughly one-fifth the size of its regular department stores. Pictured is the flagship Manhattan location The original stores were called Market by Macy's, but the company said in August that new small stores would just be called Macy's. Small format stores, as the company refers to them, are between 30,000 and 50,000 square-foot in size and are found in 'off-mall' locations - free standing stores away from traditional enclosed malls. Macy's CEO Adrian Mitchell said in a press release on Tuesday that the smaller stores were 'efficient to operate' and allowed the retailer to target 'high-traffic shopping centers'. Liza Amlani, principal and co-founder of Retail Strategy Group, told Retail Dive in July that Macy's new model marks a move away from the decreasingly profitable 'mall-anchor' approach to retail. 'It's positive in that this is the right move for any flagship, to move away from being an anchor store and open up smaller concepts that have a curated product assortment localized with the consumer in mind,' she told the outlet. 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 The retail industry continues to struggle with consumers' snubbing of malls in favor of online shopping, leading to the collapse of stores such as Payless and Toys R Us and tens of thousands of layoffs. 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. A host of big name restaurants are offering cut-price deals in honor National Taco Day. Among those taking part are Australian food chain Guzman y Gomez joining in on the fun, Taco Bell and several other restaurant franchises based in the US. Taco Bell is pulling out all the stops for the annual food day by bringing back the Taco Lover's Pass from October 3 - October 4 for $10. California Tortilla is also celebrating by giving their customers a free taco coupon on October 4 with any purchase - even if it's only a drink. The Australian-based food chain Guzman Y Gomez took part in National Taco Day by joining Doordash for two tacos for 0.99 cents deal. The name 'taco' originated from Mexican silver miners in the 18th century after gunpowder was wrapped in a paper like a taquito Taco Bell is bringing back its Taco Lover's Pass from October 3 - October 4 for only $10. The membership entitles you to one taco a day for 30 consecutive days Chevy's Fresh Mex will be offering consumers a free Chevys Taco Plate with purchase of any entree equal or greater value. Meanwhile Del Taco is offering a month-long 'Tacoberfest' Bundle Deal starting today - five snack tacos for $3 every Wednesday in October. Long John Silver's is keeping it simple with customers receiving a free taco on October 4 with purchase of any meal, combo, or in-store platter. Jack in the Box is bringing back its Monster Tacos, and for October 4 only, customers can purchase two of them in the Jack App for 0.99 cents. On the Border is offering classic tacos for $2 each, and Southwest chicken or brisket tacos for $4 each. Happy #NationalTacoDay!! Celebrate with Tacobefest! Get 5 Snack Tacos for just $3 and FREE DELivery on any order over $20! pic.twitter.com/xrUeIXYmID Del Taco Restaurants (@DelTaco) October 4, 2023 National Taco Day was first created as part of a 2009 advertisement campaign by the Del Taco restaurant chain. It's similar to Taco Tuesday - a celebratory day for eating tacos that was part of a legal battle between Taco Bell and Taco John's back in July. The celebration is also called Mexico, Dia del Taco, which translates to 'Day of the Taco' and is celebrated in Mexico on March 31. Most of the restaurant franchises will be ending these deals after today, so for those of you who are look for a free or discounted taco, get to one of these restaurant chains today. Study comes as mortgage rates hit 7.5 percent for the first time since 2000 It was followed by California, North Dakota, Ohio and Connecticut Owning a home was once considered a staple of achieving the American dream. But for residents in Virginia that dream is fading fast. The Old Dominion state has suffered the largest decline in homeownership across the US since 2000, according to a new report. Some 67.4 percent of Virginians had their own property in 2022, down from 73.9 percent at the start of the millennium. Overall the number of owners dropped by 8.8 percent - the steepest slump of any US state, figures from California platform RubyHome Luxury Real Estate show. It was followed by North Dakota which suffered a decline of 7.5 percent and Ohio and Connecticut which both saw drops of 7.4 percent. Some 67.4 percent of Virginians had their own property in 2022, down from 73.9 percent at the start of the millennium The top ten states were rounded out by: North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Of those listed, Nevada had the lowest proportion of homeowners with only 64 percent of residents in the state having their own property. The research was compiled using figures from the U.S Census Bureau. Experts commented the figures pointed to a downward trend across the US that showed younger generations were far less likely to own a home than their parents. A RubyHome spokesman said: 'With the general trend since 2000 dictating that the current younger generation are less likely than their parents to ultimately own a home, its interesting to see the states who are most susceptible to this phenomenon. 'It will be pertinent to see whether these homeownership rates continue to decline or if the states most affected can reverse the trend.' Aspiring homeowners are currently facing a perfect storm of elevated mortgage rates which are deterring homeowners from moving. US mortgage rates surpassed 7.5 percent for the first time since November 2000, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association Figures from the Atlanta Federal Reserve showed that Americans were facing the least affordable housing market since 2006. Many fixed 30-year deals when rates were around 2 percent - effectively trapping them in their current home. It comes after figures from the Atlanta Federal Reserve showed that Americans were facing the least affordable housing market since 2006. And data released today by the Mortgage Bankers Association showed that mortgage rates had topped 7.5 percent for the first time since 2000. But it's not all bad news as data from property portal Zillow shows that the number of sellers slashing the price of their homes has risen to its highest level this year. Some 9.2 percent of listings had their asking prices slashed in the week to September 23 - compared to 6 percent in April and 7.9 percent in the same week in September 2019. While a post-summer cooldown occurs every year, economists noted the trend had accelerated this fall. Zillow senior economist Jeff Tucker wrote in a report that fall could be a 'sweet spot' for aspiring home buyers - so long as they are prepared to cope with higher mortgage rates. Americans should consider their tax strategies now ahead of potential changes at the end of 2025, experts warn. Trump-era legislation brought in by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017 made sweeping changes to the tax landscape. This included lowering individual income tax rates, almost doubling the standard deduction and raising the federal estate tax exemption. Unless these rules are extended, they will expire on January 1, 2026, sparking major changes for millions of taxpayers across the US. Now is the time to plan ahead, experts warn, in order to be prepared for changes down the line - and to avoid being stung with a surprise bill. Trump-era legislation brought in by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017 brought sweeping changes to the tax landscape Income tax brackets will revert to the higher pre-2017 levels when the current law expires at the end of 2025 - affecting most taxpayers. 'We're in a relatively favorable tax environment today for both high and low income earners, compared to historic income tax rates,' investment advisor Patrick Donnelly told DailyMail.com earlier this year. 'It means that we all need to be thinking very strategically about our tax strategy between now and 2026. 'I try to make sure clients aren't going to be kicking themselves in 2026 because they didn't take advantage of these incredibly favorable tax rates when they had the chance.' A single-filer with $100,000 of taxable income in 2023 has an effective/average federal tax rate of 14.3 percent, he said. They will pay $14,260 in federal income taxes this year - assuming the standard deduction. In 2026 that same inflation-adjusted $100,000 in taxable income will create an effective tax rate of 15.7 percent - triggering a $16,916 tax bill. 'That is a 19 percent jump for single-filers earning $100,000,' Donnelly said. A married couple filing jointly with $200,000 of taxable income in 2023 also has an effective/average federal tax rate of 14.3 percent, he explained. They will pay $28,521 in federal income taxes this year. In 2026 that same inflation-adjusted $200,000 in taxable income will create an effective tax rate of 16.7 percent, triggering a $36,058 tax bill. For these filers, there will be a 26 percent jump, he said. People who are approaching retirement may want to convert some of their savings into a Roth IRA before income tax rates rise, he advises. They will receive a single lump-sum tax bill on the conversion, but this will be at a lower rate than if they wait until 2026. A Roth IRA or 401(K) is funded with after-tax money, while a traditional plan allows you to make contributions before taxes. 'If you save for retirement in a Roth now, you are essentially hedging against those higher tax rates in the future. This makes Roth IRAs the most powerful wealth building tool we have at our disposal at this point,' Donnelly added. Americans must wait five years before they can withdraw earnings from a Roth IRA plan tax-free, so retirees should be sure they have enough savings to cover that period if necessary. People who are approaching retirement may want to convert some of their savings into a Roth IRA before income tax rates rise, experts advise Under current rules, an individual can transfer $12.92 million and a married couple can transfer $25.84 million to heirs before they are slapped with federal estate taxes. The Trump tax plan more than doubled the lifetime estate tax deduction from the 2017 value of $5.49 million for individuals up to $11.18 million - and this has continued to increase in the years since. Depending on who ends up controlling the White House and Congress after the 2024 presidential election, the tax law could expire. If that happens, the exemption could be effectively halved, leaving an individual with a taxable estate worth more than approximately $7 million subject to federal estate taxes if they do not plan ahead. Although that may seem like a high figure, Kevin O'Regan, senior wealth adviser at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, told The Wall Street Journal many of his clients are surprised to learn that they could be exposed to these levies. 'We're reminding our clients that they have to consider their total assets - not just what is in an investment account,' he told the outlet. 'Once you factor in the appreciation of, say, a primary residence, as well as the growth of an investment account over time, the impact of estate taxes could be significant.' He said that if an individual or couple has not used up the exemption yet, creating a trust is one way to transfer assets that might be subject to taxes if the law changes. 'We work with folks on thinking through what they realistically need for retirement and then what they want to set aside for a beneficiary,' he said. 'There are a variety of strategies that can be used, depending on whether someone wants the assets in the trust to grow over time or if they are trying to freeze the value of certain assets at current rates.' Experts warn now is the time to act in order to avoid being caught out by tax changes later Americans can also shrink the size of their assets by giving away assets - or gifts - while they are still alive. The 2017 tax legislation includes a special break for '529' education-savings plans. This allows people to front-load five years' worth of cash gifts - up to $85,000 per beneficiary for individuals and up to $170,000 for couples - into a single contribution. A 529 plan is an investment account that offers tax benefits when used to pay for qualifying education expenses for a beneficiary - including college tuition, apprenticeship programs, and student loan repayments. Maxing out this break could be worth considering as a way to shrink the size of a taxable estate. The Trump-era changes also increased the amount of charitable contributions that can be deducted from 50 percent of adjusted gross income to 60 percent. This limit may go back down at the end of 2025. Experts suggest that any Americans considering a significant cash donation to a public charity should do so now to receive a larger tax deduction. Isaac Bradley, director of financial planning at Homrich Berg, told The Wall Street Journal that although it can be tempting to think that Congress is likely to extend many or all of these cuts, it is advisable to act now. 'If you dont use up all of your exemptions, you lose them,' he said. India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor is Indias answer to Chinas BRI Participants in IMEC (India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor) are expected to meet next month to decide on the architectural framework for the historical infrastructure network physically and digitally connecting many countries. The IMEC was born during the G20 leaders summit in New Delhi in September and the ambitious targets it has set for itself make it one of the most powerful eco-political tools to counter the growing influence of China. The MoU reads Pursuant to this, the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the Republic of India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Italian Republic, and the United States of America (the Participants) commit to work together to establish the India - Middle East - Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The IMEC is expected to stimulate economic development through enhanced connectivity. As conceived by the participating countries, it aims to create 2 corridors, linking India to the Middle East in the Arabian Gulf and further connecting the Gulf to Europe. The aim is to develop a railway network to facilitate the seamless transmission of goods and services across, India, Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia and finally Europe. This ambitious infrastructure project was blessed by America which is increasingly using multilateral bodies such as the QUAD ( a grouping of India, Japan, the US and Australia) and I2U2 ( India, Israel, UAE and the US) to maintain its influence on the shifting sands of geopolitics. It is worth mentioning that all four I2U2 nations are participants in the IMEC. These four nations are meeting at regular intervals to cooperate on key areas of secure supply chains, countering terrorism and solutions to climate change. The white house fact sheet released post the launch of IMEC read The United States and our partners intend to link both continents to commercial hubs and facilitate the development and export of clean energy; lay undersea cables and link energy grids and telecommunication lines to expand reliable access to electricity; enable innovation of advanced clean energy technology; and connect communities to secure and stable Internet. Across the corridor, we envision driving existing trade and manufacturing and strengthening food security and supply chains. The white house also committed to increasing investments in regional investment initiatives such as the IMEC. The IMEC is a direct challenge to the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which is being actively deployed by the dragon as a geo-strategic tool to increase its influence in global affairs. Crafted like IMEC, China, BRI has managed to bring in nearly 150 countries and about 25 international organisations as signatories to the infrastructure investment it pushes. In a decade of its existence, the BRI has managed to give China access to strategic ports and transnational road and rail networks, which have increasingly started to threaten the national sovereignty of many nations including India. The opaque investment conditions under BRI have also arm-twisted many nations to surrender their strategic infrastructure assets to China. India has been at the forefront of opposing the BRI scheme over national security concerns, as China is actively constructing an economic corridor with Pakistan, over India-claimed territories. The China-Pakistan economic corridor could also be dialled up for military use in case of escalations with India. The IMEC is Indias opportunity to have a robust say in regional infrastructure connectivity and retain its edge over China. Chinese state-run media has criticised the IMEC terming it as the Modern Spice route, created by the US. Chinese foreign policy experts have lectured IMEC participants to not compete with BRI and that any regional connectivity initiative should have a China presence. These sparks are expected to become fireballs in a few months time when the IMEC participants lay the paperwork for this regional transnational rail, ports and digital and energy connectivity. (The writer is a policy analyst; views are personal) Tuberculosis is rampant and underreported in the Philippines; now early detection by latest portable testing kits is helping its eradication Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has, said the famous anthropologist, Margaret Mead. Bearing testimony to this, a small group of people in the Bantayan Municipality of Cebu, Philippines, has changed the lives of many people affected by tuberculosis . TB, despite being curable, continues to be the deadliest diseases in high TB burden countries. Carrying innovative new diagnostic tools for TB in plastic tubs, they went from islet to islet on pump boats, braving inclement weather, to screen and diagnose people with TB. This resulted in a tremendous increase in TB case finding upfront: a 316% rise in new TB case detection, and a 1292% rise in screening of those with presumptive TB. Imagine the difference it can make in the Philippines' fight to end TB if such interventions can be scaled up and become a norm. As per the latest Global TB Report 2022 of the World Health Organization (WHO), out of the estimated 741,000 people with TB in the Philippines, only 321,600 were notified to the national programme, and over 60,000 lives were lost due to TB. As of now, only 43 out of every 100 people with TB are reached by the TB services in the Philippines, and only 65% of those reached, get a WHO-recommended molecular test diagnosis, while the rest get a smear microscopy (which underperforms in TB diagnosis), or get treated without any bacteriological confirmation. As early and accurate TB diagnosis is the gateway to the TB care pathway (and breaking the chain of infection transmission), the Philippines has a two-fold task:- firstly, it must ensure that it is reaching out to all those with TB (and not just 43/100), and- secondly, it must use WHO recommended molecular tests to diagnose TB timely and correctly. This paradigm shift in TB diagnostics is a critical entry point, not only to the full spectrum of TB care cascade but also towards ending TB in the country. When the WHO recommended point-of-care, decentralised, laboratory and battery-operated molecular test Truenat (made by Molbio Diagnostics), along with the ultra-portable and battery-operated x-ray made by Fujifilm, was deployed in Bantayan islets, new TB case notifications, as well as treatment success rate, increased manifold. Using the latest and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools in the Philippines was made possible in 2022 by introducing the New Tools Project (iNTP) of the Stop TB Partnership and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has helped in the rollout of a package of latest innovations in diagnostics, treatments, and digital health technologies to strengthen TB care in high burden countries. Bantayan is the largest municipality of Bantayan Island and it has 25 barangays (small townships) and one district hospital which is understaffed and undersupplied. These areas are also marked as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). Most of the people here are fisherfolk or farmers and their income is Pesos 300-350 (USD 6-7) a day. During September to October 2022, we were able to screen 1774 people with presumptive TB by bringing these tools right to their doorstep. Most of them cannot afford to travel to the mainland for diagnosis or treatment. So we brought TB point-of-care testing to their doorsteps and saw a very high increase in case detection as well as in treatment success rate, said Dr. Tinsay. "As TB diagnostic technology was brought to the people (and not the other way round), people were more open to getting tested for TB." When Dr Samantha Tinsay began the introduction of these new innovative diagnostic tools in September 2022, extreme climate events- such as typhoons and storms- compounded the challenge. But it was sheer determination on her and her teams part to hop on a pump boat and brave the storms and typhoons to go from islet to islet find and treat TB. On 29 October 2022, Tropical Storm Nalgae, locally known as Paeng, hit the Philippines. On that fateful day, Dr Samantha Tinsay and her team were en route to one of the islets with the diagnostics tools in tow. We did not know that a storm signal had been raised, and that nobody should be travelling. We were working and could not have stopped as patients were already waiting at the clinic, said the spirited Dr Tinsay. Because of the introduction of new tools, TB case detection went up from 110 in 2021 to 458 in 2022. The number of people who got tested for TB also went up from 180 people in 2021, to 2506 people in 2022, an astronomical increase of 1292%. These new innovative TB diagnostic tools are very crucial in the fight against TB, especially for people living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). These tools can really help eradicate TB. Bringing these tools to the people in a country like the Philippines where TB is very rampant, will help end TB, one Barangay at a time, rightly said Dr Tinsay. The writers are part of the editorial team of CNS (Citizen News Service). Both are on the governing board of Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and PRB Public Health Reporting Corps; views are personal The US embassy here on Thursday rejected reports that its ambassador Eric Garcetti alerted his team about possible impact of New Delhis diplomatic spat with Ottawa on India-US relations. The denial came after American media outlet The Politico reported that Garcetti also has said the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an undefined period of time. The report was titled Why Bidens mum on India-Canada spat. The US embassy dismisses these reports. Ambassador Garcetti is working hard every day to deepen the partnership between the people and governments of the United States and India, a US embassy spokesperson said, when asked about the report. As his personal engagement and public schedule demonstrates, Ambassador Garcetti and the US Mission to India are working every day to advance the important, strategic, and consequential partnership we have with India, the spokesperson said. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case. On September 21, India asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country as relations between the two countries plunged to an all-time low following Ottawas allegations against New Delhi. India also announced temporarily suspending the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. The Politico, quoting an unnamed official, said, Garcetti has told his in-country team that, because of the diplomatic spat with Canada, relations between India and the US could get worse for a time. The White House said on Tuesday that Canadas allegations regarding Indias involvement in the killing of the separatist are serious and need to be investigated fully. The Joe Biden administration has so far maintained that the Canadian governments allegations need to be probed. The matter had come up during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the formers trip to the US. The issue was also discussed when Jaishankar and National Security Advisor(NSA) Jake Sullivan met, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, had said. We will certainly leave it to those two countries to talk about their bilateral relationship. Weve been clear, these allegations are serious, they need to be fully investigated and of course, as weve said before, we urge India to participate actively in that investigation, Kirby had said. Earlier, The Washington Post had reported that Canadian officials had sought public condemnation of Nijjars murder from its allies, including the US, ahead of the G20 Summit, but found them reluctant. With the election season on the horizon, the rivalry between the Congress and the BJP has spilled over into the virtual world, where both parties are engaging in a poster war targeting each other on social media. A day after the Congress posted a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the caption The Biggest Liar and another calling him a Jumla Boy, who was going to hit the election rally soon, the ruling BJP at the Centre on Thursday shared a poster portraying former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as a new age Ravan, evoking strong criticism from the Opposition party, which termed it unacceptable and downright dangerous. In a sharp retort, the BJP shared the poster of Rahul with several heads with the title Bharat Khatre Mein Hai A Congress party production. Directed by George Soros. The new age Ravan is here. He is Evil. Anti Dharma. Anti Ram. His aim is to destroy Bharat, the BJP said on X. Congress chief spokesperson Jairam Ramesh said it is intended to incite and provoke violence against the former Congress chief, whose father and grandmother were assassinated by forces that want to divide India. Ramesh said, It is one thing for the PM to give evidence daily of being a pathological liar and suffering from a narcissistic personality disorder. But for him to get his party to produce something this obnoxious is not just completely unacceptable but downright dangerous. We will not be intimidated, the Congress leader also asserted. Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas B V posted another poster on X portraying Modi as MODANAV. The new age MODANAV is here. He is Evil. Anti Democracy. Anti Constitution. Anti People. Anti Humanity. His only aim is to destroy Bharat and the idea of INDIA, he said on X along with the poster titled Hindustan Khatre mein hai MODANAV. A Bharat Jumlebaaj Party production. Directed by Param Mitra Adani. As the battle lines between the two main parties get drawn in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, their leaders have intensified their attacks against each other. The poster war between the two parties is likely to escalate further in the coming months as elections in five States and the general elections draw near. Earlier also, both the parties had launched cartoon strips against leaders of both the opposing parties on social media. A day earlier, senior BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa shared images of Rahuls visit to Golden Temple and compared it with action on Punjab unrest by former PM Indira Gandhi, saying, while grandmother sprayed bullets, grandson is doing seva. AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said in a statement, No words are enough to condemn the shameful graphic on the BJP handle comparing Rahul to Ravan. Their nefarious intentions are clear; they want to murder him. He, who lost his grandmother and father to assassinations. The Congress also reminded the withdrawal of SPG protection to the Gandhi family to score petty political points. A public awareness campaign, Hello Zindagi, launched by Chhattisgarh Police, has been recognized by the Golden Book of World Records for the largest slogan campaign against drugs. The Asia Head of the Golden Book of World Records, Manish Bishnoi, feted Raipur Senior Superintendent of Prashant Agrawal, an official statement said on Thursday. The SSP said as many as 61,750 slogans had been written by participants during the campaign organized between July 15 and October 2. Also, wall paintings, banners and posters were put up at various places and main thoroughfares. Dr Sibi Vijayakumar, a Junior resident pursuing MD course in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at AIIMS Bhopal, has recently made a significant contribution to the field of forensic medicine. His innovative approach, focusing on the meticulous removal of the Circle of Willis during autopsies, has garnered significant recognition in the esteemed American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, a PubMed indexed journal, where the article has been accepted for publication. Dr. Sibi credited his success to the motivation he received from Executive Director of AIIMS, Bhopal Prof. (Dr.) Ajai Singh. The 'Circle of Willis' is a circular arrangement of arteries at the base of the brain which ensures blood supply to all parts of the brain. These arteries have thinner walls compared to same sized arteries elsewhere in the body. However they have stronger fibrous content making them less prone to breaking. The walls of these arteries get thickened or blocked by atherosclerotic changes like the arteries of the heart. These arteries may also have relatively thin-walled, dilated areas called 'aneurysms' which may burst leading to death of the person. The brain and the 'Circle of Willis' are examined at autopsy. Thickening of arteries due to atherosclerosis, bursting of aneurysm and haemorrhage of brain are seen at autopsy. It can help to establish the cause of death whether it is due to injury or natural disease process. The method of dissection of Circle of Willis as suggested by Dr Sibi provides the Circle of Willis to be better seen, to be more certain of the findings and to have photographic evidence for the observation. Sample for microscopic examination of affected part can also be better obtained. When death of a person is sudden due to a condition or disease like stroke, the person is likely to fall and sustain injuries. Whether the person died due to the injuries or the disease and establishing the sequence of events can be done by autopsy and meticulous dissection. It can help to find the cause of death and this can be understood and accepted better by family members and investigating agency. Autopsy is a scientific and meaningful observation of the dead to know about the cause, manner and duration of death. It involves dissection for the internal examination of organs. When autopsy is done with precision and professionalism, it can unravel and reveal the true cause of death. The new technique of dissection and examination of 'Circle of Willis' by Dr Sibi speaks volumes on thoughtfulness, expertise and true understanding of concept of autopsy. The dedication to refining autopsy technique is commendable as it addresses both, legal and humanitarian perspective. A couple, who had run away from their respective houses in Muzaffarnagar district, allegedly hanged themselves at a hotel room in Meerut, police said on Thursday. The cops said that the duo chose to end their lives probably after facing opposition from their respective family members. Both the bodies were sent for autopsy while further investigations were on. According to reports, Amir (20) and his girlfriend Sajida (19), both of Riyavli Nagla village in the Ratanpur area in Muzaffarnagar, had allegedly run away from their houses on October 2 last. Their families had lodged a missing report and also suspected some foul play. On Wednesday evening, the owner of a hotel in Kankarkheda locality of Meerut informed police that two teenagers, who mentioned their names as Amir and Sajida, had been found hanging from the ceiling in a room. The police broke opened the hotel room and recovered the bodies even as no suicide note was found, SHO, Kankarkheda, Meerut, Ajay Kumar said. He informed his counterparts in Muzaffarnagar after which the family members of both reached there and ascertained the identity of the deceased. The cops said that the deceased were in love but their families were against their relationship. The police had also registered a case of abduction against Amir following a complaint by Sajidas family. A detailed investigation into the case is being done. The bodies of both have been sent for autopsy, the SHO said. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday accused the Modi government of crushing the oppositions voice, which he said was not good for a healthy democracy. Baghel told reporters about the government's crackdown on journalists who raised their voice against the Modi government. Actually the Modi government cant tolerate the voice of opposition and that is nothing new, he said, citing the action of central agencies in states ruled by opposition parties. Whether it was Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Telangana or West Bengal, the action of federal agencies like ED and IT was proof that the Modi government was intolerant of the voice of opposition, he said. In a healthy democracy the opposition was equally important, but the Modi government wants to eliminate the entire opposition, Baghel said. The action on the journalists proves a dictatorial attitude of Modi government, he said. Democracy in India is in danger as they (BJP government) cannot accept anyone opposing them, he said. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the teaser of Shimla Flying Festival-2023, being organized jointly by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department and 'The Glide Inn' organization at Junga near Shimla from 12th to 15th October. Sukhu said that the tourism activities in the state were hindered badly and the state suffered huge losses due to heavy rains, landslides and floods for almost three months during the monsoon season. He said that the state government worked on a war footing to recover from the natural calamity. "As of now, when life is coming back to normal with all communication networks restored, we intend to start tourism activities in a big way and welcome tourists to enjoy all sorts of activities and adventure sports," he said. The Shimla Flying Festival will surely add to the attraction of tourism activities, he said. Sukhu said that the state government was promoting adventure tourism in the state on a large scale and district Kangra was being developed as a tourism capital. he governor Lieutenant General (Retd) Gurmit Singh inaugurated a seminar on military history at Welham Boys School on Thursday. The governor of Arunachal Pradesh Lt Gen (retd) KT Parnaik also attended the seminar. Speaking in the inaugural session, the governor of Uttarakhand said that every Indian should know the military history of India which is replete with bravery, valour and courage. Appreciating the initiative of the Welham Boys School, the governor said that the other schools should also hold such programmes. Lt Gen Singh said that the knowledge of military history also holds strategic significance. The governor exhorted the students to know their self worth. He said that India is progressing and is moving on the path of becoming Vishwa Guru. The chairman of the school Darshan Singh said that the school is organising the seventh edition of the military history seminar. He said that the objective of the seminar is to acquaint the students with Indian military history. A panel discussion was held on the programme in which the Governor of Uttarakhand and chairman of the school participated along with others. Military historian Shiv Kumar Verma moderated the panel discussion. The two day seminar is being attended by the students of 38 schools and armed forces veterans. In a major relief to 281 contractual workers of Delhi Government-run Social Welfare Homes who have been facing financial hardship due to non-payment of wages for over five months, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has ordered release of their wages. These contractual staff are working to provide basic day-to-day care to intellectually impaired residents/inmates of Asha Kiran, Asha Deep and Asha Jyoti Homes under the Social Welfare Department. The relief has come to 221 House Aunties/Caregiver, 17 Nurses (GNM), 34 Nurses (ANM), 01 Cook, 05 Kitchen Helper, 01 LDC and 02 Peons working in these homes, with Saxena giving nod to the proposal for release of wages for the period from 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2024. The LG noted that the wages of these workers were due for payment since April 2023. The disbursal of wages to these contractual staff was stuck as some of them have challenged in Central Administrative Tribunal and Delhi High Court the proposal of the Social Welfare Department to change the nature of employment from contractual to outsourced basis, Raj Niwas said in a statement. However, considering the fact that the disposal of appeals filed by the Department to vacate the status quo orders, may take some more time and financial hardship of these workers would escalate further, the LG agreed to the proposal which was endorsed by the Chief Secretary for release of wages w.e.f. 01.04.2023 to 31.03.2024, it said. Awadhpuri police arrested the accused who physically exploited a woman by keeping her captive for four days, the accused kept exploiting the victim as he used to call her to Bhopal on the pretext of getting a job. Police said that on Thursday the victim came to the police station and complained that as she was an orphan she stayed in Shri Rajkumari Bai Bal Niketan Shastri Bridge, Jabalpur from the age of 6 to 18 and studied till class 10th and after this did private jobs at different places. In the year 2022, while working at Shubham Resort in Gwalior, she got acquainted with Anjali Didi, who is a resident of Barkheda Pathani, Bhopal and in the month of December 2022 she met Anjali's friend Hitesh Tiwari. Hitesh messaged that he was opening a girls hostel in Bhopal and need a girl to take care of it and on September 29 from where Hitesh Tiwari took me in the car and took me with him to his home in Bhopal at Shivlok Phase 4 Awadhpuri Bhopal had arrived around 5.30 pm. On October 1 at around 10.30 pm, Hitesh Tiwari raped her and held her captive till October 5 during which he continued to sexually exploit her and today she managed to escape. Based on the complaint police registered a case under section 376,376(2)(n), 343,506 IPC was registered and arrested Hitesh Tiwari. With the aim of transforming Uttar Pradesh into a commercial hub, the Yogi government has allowed investors willing to establish industrial units in Greater Noida to use additional land for commercial purposes through a special scheme. Under this scheme, there will be an allotment of industrial plots in which the recipients of the plots will be able to operate two commercial facilities in addition to core industrial operations on these plots, a government spokesman said. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has invited applications for industrial plots in five categories, which are located in Sector 24 with plot numbers 11-A, 11-B, 12, 15, and 21-B. This application process commenced on September 28. The premium cost has been set in the range of Rs 80 crore to Rs 151 crore. Due to its proximity to Jewar airport, International Film City, Yamuna Expressway and Buddha Circuit, those setting up industrial units by taking a plot will get the benefit of all the facilities including better connectivity and the first world-class project of its kind, the Pod Transit System. Applicants interested in taking plots in this project can apply until October 20, 2023, and can log in to the official website of YEIDA for more information. The YEIDA website has provided information regarding the Mixed Land Use Industrial Plotting Scheme, including details about plot areas, sectors, and total premiums. Applications are being accepted for five categories of plots located in Sector 24 of Greater Noida, specifically plot numbers 11-A and B, 12, 15, and 21-B. The special thing is that the applicants getting land through this scheme will have to use at least 75 per cent of the allotted land as a core industrial region, while the remaining area can be used as a maximum two commercial regions. Additionally, apart from the core industrial region, the designated area can also be used for residential and cultural facilities. At least five per cent of the land on the total plot will have to be used for facilities and utilities, 8 per cent will have to be used for commercial purposes and at least 12 per cent of land will have to be used for residential purposes. YEIDA has partnered with the Bank of Baroda to manage the banking operations related to this project and will participate in the project as the exclusive banking partner. It is noteworthy that, whether it is an auction of industrial plots or the selection process through the draws, there is minimal scope for human involvement in conducting these procedures. Applicants are being successfully determined through this system in all Industrial Development Authorities, including YEIDA. In September 57% of homeseekers with an interest in buying properties in Dubai were looking for an apartment, while 43% were browsing for villas and townhouses. This is according to Property Finder, the leading property portal in the Mena region. Based on Property Finders proprietary data, in the rental sector, 81% were seeking apartments, while 19% were interested in villas. However, there has been an increase in the percentage of investors or homeseekers looking for villas, rising from 39.8% in September 2022 to 43%. Conversely, those searching for apartments decreased by 3.2%, dropping from 60.2% to 57%. Among homeseekers, the most commonly searched apartment size was two bedrooms, accounting for 35%, followed by one-bedroom apartments at 32%. Furnished properties Roughly 69.7% of tenants seeking apartments prefer furnished properties, while 28.9% were searching for unfurnished options. In contrast, tenants able to afford villa/townhouse rentals have different preferences, with about 57% seeking unfurnished units and 43% looking for furnished options. Approximately 38% of tenants were seeking one-bedroom units, while 29% expressed a preference for two-bedroom apartments and 23% were searching for studios. Regarding Villas/Townhouses, 49% of tenants were primarily looking for three-bedroom units, while 31% were searching for four-bedroom or larger options. Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, said: We have been seeing changes in consumer preferences when finding a home - from a rise in ownership to new projects. Today, real estate in the country offers diverse options for all types of homeseekers - be it for buying or renting. As we approach the next quarter, we remain committed to unlocking greater potential for the growth of real estate in the region through our wide range of tools designed for a seamless home finding journey. The top areas searched to rent apartments were Dubai Marina, Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Jumeirah Lake Towers. While Dubai Hills Estate, Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Dubai Hills 2 (Akoya), and Arabian Ranches were popular when it came to searches to rent villas/townhouses. On the other hand, top neighbourhoods searched to own apartments in September 2023 were Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle, Business Bay, and Palm Jumeirah. While Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches, Palm Jumeirah, Al Furjan and Damac Hills (Akoya by Damac), were the most desired areas to own rent villas/townhouses.-- TradeArabia News Service With an objective to make Tally's flagship product Tally ERP - 9 available to the students of the Prestige Institute of Management and Research, PIMR has signed an MoU with Tally Education Private Limited (TEPL), Bangalore. Under the MOU, Tally will be making its Flagship Product Tally ERP-9 available to the students of PIMR, from the very first Semester of their studies. The students will be progressively trained from Tally Essential Level - 1 to Tally Essential Level-3 by industry experienced Tally professionals. S Raman Iyer Director, PIMR (UG Campus) lauded the efforts of the Tally faculty coordinator Dr. Manoj Raghuvanshi for this tie-up, adding that with this MOU, all institutions of the Prestige Education Foundation will be benefited. Dr. Davish Jain, Chairman, Prestige Education Foundation, appreciated the students for their interest in this important Skill Development activity. In a resolute response to the Supreme Court's reprimand over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal coupled with a stern directive regarding its construction, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday left no room for compromise, asserting that not a single drop of water would be ceded to any other state. Mann's declaration, following an urgent Cabinet meeting in the morning, underscored the escalating tensions in the ongoing SYL canal dispute, raising critical questions about water rights and interstate relations. The emphatic response was prompted by the Supreme Courts discontent with the Punjab Governments delay in completing its portion of the SYL canal. The Chief Minister's commitment to preserve Punjab's water resources comes at a time when the State is grappling with the legal, political, and environmental consequences of this contentious issue. Manns pronouncement, made on social media, left little room for interpretation: Not a drop extra would be given to any state. Simultaneously, the Cabinet meeting addressed the scheduling of the Monsoon Session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, indicating the Government's determination to deal with pressing matters. The Supreme Court's earlier order halted Punjabs allocation of land for the SYL canal and instituted a receiver to oversee the situation. Now, it has asked the Centre to assess the status of the designated land in Punjab and ensure its protection, along with determining the extent of construction accomplished thus far. This move underscores the judiciary's insistence on resolving the long-standing issue. Punjab's Cabinet, however, remains unyielding. It contends that the state lacks any surplus water to share with neighboring Haryana, emphasizing the need for a reassessment of water availability, in accordance with international norms. It observed that the Sutlej river has already dried up and there is no question of sharing even a single drop of its water. Drawing attention to the alarming over-exploitation of groundwater, with 76.5 per cent of its blocks (117 out of 153) exceeding 100 per cent extraction in contrast with Haryana which had 61.5 per cent of its blocks (88 out of 143) classified as over-exploited, Punjab challenges Haryana's claims and the broader implications for the region. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reiterated Punjab's unwavering stance, underscoring that the state simply does not have any water to spare. The prospect of legal action looms large, pending receipt of the Supreme Court's formal order. Cheema, talking with the media after cabinet meeting, said that once the copy of the SC order is received, the Government will decide whatever legal recourse needs to be taken or if any session of the state assembly needs to be called. The monsoon session of the Punjab Assembly will also be called within the next couple of daysThe date for convening the session will be announced once the Speaker returns from abroad, he said. Beyond the immediate dispute, the SYL canal project raises complex issues surrounding resource allocation, environmental sustainability, and interstate relations The SYL canal project is rooted in the history of water-sharing agreements between Punjab and Haryana, dating back to 1981. When Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966, it was decided that for the effective allocation of water, the SYL canal would be constructed. Both states were tasked with building their portions of the canal within their territories. The project, conceived to ensure equitable water distribution from the Ravi and Beas rivers, has become a flashpoint for political and legal wrangling, with Haryana completed its segment of the canal as per the agreement while Punjab, after an initial phase, halted the construction in 1982. In 2002, the Supreme Court decreed in favour of Haryana's suit, ordering Punjab to honour its commitments on water-sharing. In response, Punjab passed the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act in 2004, terminating the 1981 agreement and other related pacts. The move led to the Supreme Court's rebuke in 2016, with the Court striking down Punjab's law and declaring it unconstitutional. Punjab then returned the land earmarked for the canal to the landowners. However, the SYL canal dispute didn't end there. The Centre, while acknowledging the failure of talks between the two states, expressed concern that the construction of the canal could lead to law and order problems in Punjab. The matter remained unresolved, and Punjab insisted that it couldn't provide additional water to other states due to the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act of 2004, which set strict limits on water-sharing. BOX-----------I 1966: Formation of Haryana as a separate state from Punjab 1981: Signing of a water-sharing agreement between Punjab, Haryana to allocate water, As per agreement, 214-km SYL canal to be constructed with 122 km in Punjab and 92 km in Haryana 1982: Commencement of SYL Canal construction in Punjabs Kapoori village 1996: Haryana, after progressing with its portion of the SYL canal and with Punjab halting the construction after initial phase, approached SC seeking Punjab's compliance in completing the canal 2002: SC rules in favour of Haryana's plea, instructing Punjab to fulfill its commitments regarding water-sharing 2004: Punjab Assembly passes a law terminating 1981 agreement and all related pacts concerning Ravi and Beas river water-sharing 2004: SC dismisses Punjabs original case, directing the Centre to take over the remaining SYL Canal project 2016: SC declares Punjab's 2004 law, which terminated the SYL canal water-sharing agreement with neighboring states, unconstitutional 2017: Punjab denotified and returned land allocated for SYL canal's construction to landowners 2020: SC urges the Centre to mediate discussions between the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana to resolve the SYL Canal dispute amicably 2023: The Centre informs the SC that talks between the two states have failed, citing Punjab's refusal to construct its part of the canal BOX-----------II Other Cabinet Decisions Stamp Duty Relief: Three per cent additional Stamp Duty on Property Registration remitted in Urban Areas until December 31, 2023 Regularization of Standalone Buildings: Green signal for a policy to regularize existing standalone buildings like hotels, multiplexes, farmhouses, industrial institutes and others constructed outside the municipal limits without prior permission, applicable until December 31, 2023; Cases to be processed within six months PGST (Amendment) Bill-2023: Approval for introducing amendments to the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act-2017, aligning with GST Council directions like Constitution of GST Appellate Tribunal and State Benches thereof, decriminalization of certain offences, facilitation of small traders to supply goods through e-commerce operators, consent based sharing of information and legal provisions for taxation of online gaming and others Premature Release Cases: Cabinet approval for the submission of two life convict cases for premature release under constitutional provisions. In a tumultuous 18 months marked by political upheaval and legal controversies, the Punjab Government has once again changed its legal helm, appointing senior advocate Gurminder Singh as the states new Advocate-General, marking the third such appointment under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government. The announcement comes a day after the Supreme Courts reprimand in the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal case, adding to the challenges faced by the Punjab Government. The appointment of Gurminder Singh, popularly known as Garry, follows the resignation of his predecessor Vinod Ghai, also a senior advocate who had cited personal reasons for stepping down from the position. However, insiders suggest that Ghai was asked to resign due to his perceived failure in defending the government's decision to dissolve village panchayats ahead of scheduled elections. The move had sparked criticism from the opposition, who labeled it as politically motivated. Multiple petitions challenging the decision were also filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ultimately leading to the Government's decision to withdraw the notification on August 31. The controversy over dissolving the panchayats also resulted in the suspension of two senior civil servants, with blame placed on them for the wrong decision. Notably, the senior IAS officer DK Tiwari, the principal secretary to the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, has since been reinstated. Speculations about Ghai's removal had been circulating for some time. Ghai, a renowned criminal lawyer, assumed the role of Advocate-General in July 2022, succeeding Anmol Rattan Sidhu, who had also resigned, citing personal reasons. With these frequent changes in the Advocate-General position, criticism has arisen about the government's ability to provide consistent legal representation. Shiromani Akali Dals senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticized the governments approach, suggesting that when the Chief Minister's leadership is perceived as lacking, no Advocate-General can effectively help the state, especially when its facing legal challenges. Gurminder Singhs appointment was approved during an emergent Cabinet meeting convened by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday morning at his camp office in the Chief Ministers residence. Gurminder Singh brings with him over 30 years of experience in the legal field, specializing in constitutional, commercial, tender, service, arbitration, and criminal matters. His previous roles include serving as assistant Advocate-General, deputy Advocate-General, and additional Advocate-General in Punjab. The history of Advocate-Generals in Punjab has seen a remarkable turnover in recent years, with six individuals occupying the position in just past two years. This situation reflects the volatile political landscape and changes in leadership in the state. The tenure of Advocate-Generals in Punjab is not fixed and typically lasts as long as the appointing government remains in power. The recent appointment of Gurminder Singh as the new Advocate-General underscores the government's commitment to address legal challenges and ensuring robust legal representation for the state. However, the frequent changes in this position raise questions about stability and consistency in the legal affairs of Punjab. As the state grapples with various legal issues, including the SYL canal case, the performance and effectiveness of the new Advocate-General will be closely monitored. Punjab Saw 6 AGs in 2 Years The revolving door of Advocate-Generals in Punjab over the past two years has raised eyebrows and cast a shadow over the state's legal affairs. While the term of an Advocate-General isn't set in stone, it is traditionally linked to the duration of the appointing government's rule. However, this norm seems to have been thrown out the window as the state has seen an astonishing six Advocate-Generals in just two years. The saga began with senior advocate Atul Nanda, who took on the role when Capt Amarinder Singh assumed office as the Chief Minister in 2017. However, Nanda's tenure came to an abrupt end in September 2021 when, in a sudden change of guard, Charanjit Singh Channi replaced Capt Amarinder. Channi, in his short-lived tenure, appointed APS Deol as Advocate-General. However, even Deols term proved to be fleeting, as the Chief Minister was reportedly compelled to replace him with DS Patwalia amidst the strong insistence and opposition by the then Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had resigned from his post in protest. As the political winds shifted yet again, AAP swept to power in March 2022 bringing another AG into the fold, with Anmol Rattan Sidhu taking up the role, followed by Vinod Ghai in July 2022. The appointment of Gurminder Singh as the latest AG under the AAPs 18-month tenure is just the latest chapter in this ongoing saga, raising concerns about the state's ability to provide consistent and effective legal representation amidst a backdrop of legal challenges and political changes. In the midst of a brewing conflict, Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit has penned yet another letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, requesting a comprehensive report on the recent transfer of the Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and the allegations of illegal mining against a local legislator from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Governor's communication comes in the wake of the sudden transfer of a senior IPS officer Gurmeet Singh Chauhan from his position as the district police chief in Tarn Taran a move that followed his ordering the arrest of 10 individuals in connection with an illegal' mining case. Among those detained was the brother-in-law of AAP MLA representing Khadoor Sahib constituency Manjinder Singh Lalpura. Governor Purohit articulated his concerns to the Chief Minister in his letter, stating, I have been reading contradictory reports in the media regarding the allegations of an MLA about corruption in the police, the involvement of the MLAs close relatives in illegal mining at night, the suspension of police officers, and the subsequent transfer of the Senior Superintendent of Police Tarn Taran. Highlighting the significance of the illegal mining issue in Punjab, the Governor emphasized that corruption was rampant in this sector. He pointed out that certain media reports suggested that a police team had uncovered illegal mining activity during the night in the Tarn Taran district, with a close relative of an MLA allegedly involved. These reports further indicated that the police personnel involved in the raid were subsequently suspended, and the SSP was transferred. Given the attention drawn by media reports, the Governor expressed his desire for a comprehensive report that covers the allegations made by the MLA, the illegal mining activities, and the actions taken against police officials. The transfer of SSP Gurmeet Chauhan came after MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura posted allegations of corruption within the Tarn Taran police department on social media. In his Facebook post, the MLA threatened to withdraw his security after police arrested his relative, Nishan Singh, in connection with an illegal mining case. Governor Purohit has been exchanging several letters with the Chief Minister in recent times, reflecting an ongoing rift between the states two constitutional and legislative heads. In his social media post, Lalpura accused the police of registering fake cases and fabricating reports of serious injuries. He also alleged that officers were accepting bribes for registering false cases in Tarn Taran. The controversy began when MLA Lalpura raised allegations against the Tarn Taran SSP Gurmeet Chauhan. In response to the MLA's accusations, SSP Chauhan had denied any wrongdoing and declined to provide a response, stating that the allegations were baseless. He mentioned that senior officials would address the matter, and he emphasized that his actions had been routine and not influenced by any external factors. The police team had received information during the night that illegal mining was taking place in Bhel Dhaiwala, which led to the arrest of 13 individuals, including a relative of the legislator. SSP Chauhan maintained that this was a routine operation conducted in response to a credible tip-off. Days later, SSP Chauhan was transferred, which was accompanied by a heartfelt farewell with police personnel saluting him and showering flower petals as he departed in a flower-bedecked vehicle. The Issue AAP MLA Lalpura had leveled serious allegations of corruption and misuse of power against Tarn Taran SSP Chauhan, accusing the IPS officer of orchestrating a fake case against one of his relatives. He had also announced his decision to surrender the security cover provided by the Punjab Police. Taking to social media to express his grievances, Lalpura said: SSP, I thought you were associated with criminals, but now it seems you're also a coward. Wait for the response to what your police servants did to my relative. Referring to a recent warning from the SSP about MLAs security, Lalpura added, Regarding your last nights warningabout what an MLA can do if gangsters come after him. I accept your challenge. I am returning my police security. You have an open field to do what you want with meYour man from the CIA (Crime Investigation Agency) was drunk and told me that he gives you (SSP) Rs 25 lakh per month. I then realized why a drug addict like him was appointed to the CIA. Lalpura went on to claim that the SSP was pressuring someone to implicate him in a case, stating, I have also come to know that you are forcing someone to name me in a case. I welcome the fake case registration against my relative. Only a coward uses a proxy to take on the enemy. You keep your uniform aside, and Ill keep my MLAs chair aside, then well see who wins. Moreover, even today, I will repeat that nothing works here without bribing the Tarn Taran policeBut we won't pay bribes and will still get the work done. Observing series of lapses in investigation, the Supreme Court on Thursday sought to know from the CBI and the ED whether there was any evidence of bribery which could implicate former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the Delhi Excise policy scam. At one point the bench observed these kind of probes would collapse the case in trial stage during cross examination. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti said that merely because lobby groups or pressure groups had called for a certain policy shift, would not by itself imply that corruption or a crime has taken place unless there is an element of bribery involved. We understand there is a policy change and everybody wants a change that will be beneficial for them. That will be there. If we say special groups are discriminatory ... without money consideration, it will not make out an offence ... If we go to that extent, there will be no pressure groups or even vested interests when a policy decision is taken then ... Some pressure and conflict will always be there. Of course, bribes cannot be accepted, the bench observed, questioning the probe agencies. The Court was hearing bail pleas filed Sisodia, who is in judicial custody in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case. The bench also queried whether there was any indication that to connect the proceeds of the alleged money laundering activity with Sisodia. How will you establish money laundering by Sisodia factually and legally? ... He may be aware it may be used, as per your case, but he never came in actual physical possession, said the Judges, expressing displeasure over the arguments of the agencies, opposing bail to Sisodia. Question is, is he not directly or indirectly involved in illegal activity or process? ... When you make a policy that triggers bribes which acts as proceeds of crimes, replied Additional Solicitor General SV Raju. Generation of money is not an offence under Section 3 (of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act/ PMLA), the apex court pointed out. Arguments in the matter will continue next Wednesday. The scam involves allegations that Delhi Government officials had connived to grant liquor licenses to certain traders in exchange for bribes. The accused officials are alleged to have tweaked the excise policy to benefit certain liquor sellers. Sisodias counsel, Senior Advocate Dr AM Singhvi observed that the query was widely publicised in newspaper headlines. Yesterday, your Lordships put a query about links with me. Several newspaper headlines say, why is AAP not made a party? ... Today morning all the channels are carrying that ED wants to make AAP a party ... A chain starts ... Now they are making AAP accused based on your Lords question in the news ... Every channel is running that AAP will be made accused ... They have taken our statements made during bail hearings and elsewhere out of context, said inghvi, accusing media reporting. ASG Raju argued that the crux of the case was the formation of a policy that would allegedly allow those who gave bribes to recoup or recover their money in some form. Old policy did not allow that. Earlier, if someone bribed, they could not be compensated for bribe, so they had policy changed ... Our (CBI) case is how policy benefited some, the ASG said. He argued that the policy change was deliberately crafted to benefit wholesalers who had paid substantial sums as bribes. He added that the exchequer lost revenue after the excise duty under the new policy was set at 12%. Earlier it was that 5% (duty) was minimum and 12% was maximum. No one will keep it more than 5, therefore to make it certain they fixed it at 12% to benefit some. That is the criminal mischief. Therefore the offence, he added. The ASG also asserted that there was incriminating evidence against Sisodia in WhatsApp messages and emails. However, the Bench referring to some of these emails and said that advocating for a certain policy and expressing support for it did not necessarily equate to wrongdoing. ASG Raju countered that the Court that the accused had communicated via the Signal app and therefore, their messages could not be traced. The Court inquired whether there was evidence of the accused discussing bribery and if so, whether such discussions would be admissible. Have you seen them (co-accused Vijay Nair or Sisodia) discussing this? Will it be admissible? Isnt the statement (by an approver) hearsay? It is an inference but has to be based on evidence. In cross examination this will fall flat in two minutes, the Court remarked. The Court also questioned whether the central agencies case against Sisodia was entirely hinged only on statements by approvers. How do you establish kickbacks were given? Is it entirely on the basis of approvers statements? the Court said. Indospirits (a liquor distributor, whose MD has been arrested in the case) was earlier not eligible for liquor license. Manish Sisodia came and removed all obstacles, that is his role, all complaints were made to be taken back after threatening. Kindly look, the ASG replied. He added that the plan of the accused persons was to give the South Group (a liquor group) a monopoly over wholesale liquor sale in Delhi. Three wholesalers were allowed to corner the market, he added. A wholesale retailer was pressured to walk out without any show cause notice, the ASG argued. The hearing will continue next week, on Wednesday. The official proceedings of the 66th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association began today in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The opening ceremony was held at the Convention Hall in Accra. The main theme of the program is Ten Years of the Commonwealth Charter: Protecting the Values and Principles Set by Parliaments. The inauguration ceremony was addressed by Osei Kayei Mensah Bonsu, Majority Party Leader of the Parliament of Ghana and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of Ghana, Stephen Twigg, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Twigg, in his address, talked about the priorities of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. He described women's representation in parliaments, protection of human rights and climate change as priorities of the Association. He congratulated India, New Zealand and Sierra Leone for taking important steps towards increasing women's representation in Parliament. Twigg said that the Commonwealth Secretariat is making continuous efforts to give a legislative structure to the Commonwealth. If the British government does not take the initiative to make a law in this regard this time, then consideration will be given to removing the headquarters of the Commonwealth from Britain. It is noteworthy that the Commonwealth was established as a welfare institution but now efforts are being made to give it a legal form by the British Parliament. The keynote address of the event was given by the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. Workshops on different topics were organized in the programme. Speaker Jharkhand Assembly Rabindra Nath Mahato participated in the discussions organized and spoke on three topics. In the workshop organized on the subject, the Speaker reiterated what former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had said in the conference organized in Stockholm in 1972 that the environment cannot be protected unless poverty is solved. People who are forced to live a polluted life due to their economic difficulties cannot be taught the lesson of environmental protection. Therefore, the priority of all the countries of the world should be to solve the problem of poverty and in this the rich countries should help the poor countries. Secondly, on the topic of contribution of women's reservation in Parliament to women empowerment, the Speaker said in his lecture that Our Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, in his speech had described women as emotionally more powerful than men. Their capacity for sacrifice was said to be greater than that of men. The Speaker made his presentation in the Parliament stating that reservation for women is necessary. The third topic is to further streamline the parliamentary process through e-Parliament. While giving his views on this subject, the Speaker highlighted the importance of e-Parliament and highlighted the achievements of Jharkhand in this direction, including taking the members to smart desks through the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) and the ongoing assembly elections. Focused his lecture on topics like making the proceedings available live on public domain etc. The General Assembly meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is scheduled tomorrow in which the Jharkhand branch will be represented by the Speaker. The chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that better training in the tourism and hospitality sector will help in creating employment opportunities in the State. He was speaking during the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the education department and the Swiss education group, Switzerland at the State secretariat on Thursday. Under the MoU the Swiss group will impart training to the students of class IX to XII in the field of tourism and hospitality. The group will also help in improving the curriculum of vocational education in the State. Terming the agreement as a milestone for the State, the CM said that tourism and hospitality sectors have a great potential to provide employment in the State. He said that the State government is making a concerted effort to promote tourism in Uttarakhand. Dhami said that apart from religious, spiritual and adventure tourism efforts are being made to promote eco tourism and wellness industry in the State. The CM said that Abhay Das Maharaj played an important role in the agreement with the Swiss group. He said lakhs of pilgrims visit Uttarakhand every year to visit Char Dhams and it is the endeavour of the State government that the pilgrims visit the State round the year. Dhami said that with this objective the work on the Manaskhand Mandir Mala mission is going on at a fast pace. Under the mission selection of 16 temples has been done in the first phase. Abhaydas Maharaj said that the hospitality sector is needed to be strengthened for promoting tourism. He said that Uttarakhand is the centre of spirituality. The secretary, school education Ravinath Raman said that the faculty of the Swiss education group will provide training to the students of schools under the agreement. The selected students will be imparted training of one month in Switzerland by the Swiss group. The additional chief secretary Radha Raturi, representative of Swiss group Surya Pratap Singh Bhati and project director Samagra Shiksha Mukul Kumar Sati were present on the occasion. Many students of the Government Scheduled Tribal Boys Hostel located in Ayodhya Bypass, Bhopal protested demanding lack of food and services at the Collectorate on Thursday, they were carrying plates in his hands to protest no food at the hostel. They said that the food amount has not been received for 3 months. On the other hand, the hostel does not even have a bed to sleep on. In such a situation, many students living here are facing problems. The students also told the officer about the irregularities related to the hostel and said that students do not have beds to sleep and tables to study. Due to this, there is difficulty in studying and sleeping. The quality of food is very bad. When the problem increased for a few days, the mess system in the hostel was stopped. The warden Sanjay Gautam said that till now no budget has been received from the government level. Therefore, everyone should either arrange their own food or leave the hostel. The students have been on hunger strike in the hostel premises for the last two days. Their demand is that hostel warden Sanjay Gautam should be removed from the post and a new warden should be given charge of the hostel. The students who reached the Collectorate also raised slogans. State Vice President of Students Federation of India, Deepak Paswan said that the state government should immediately release the operating budget of the hostel without any hindrance. Also this budget needs to be increased. So that every student can have a full meal. Uttar Pradesh has recently made substantial strides in enhancing its business environment, leading to a remarkable uptick in the health of its companies. Consequently, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund allocation in the state has soared, propelling Uttar Pradesh into the top five states in the country in this regard. This transformation marks a significant shift from nine years ago when UP languished at the 12th position in the national CSR fund allocation rankings, a government spokesman said here on Thursday. In just one year, UP saw an impressive allocation of Rs 1,321 crore dedicated to various social initiatives under the CSR fund. To put this growth into perspective, back in 2015, the states CSR spending was a mere Rs 148 crore. This remarkable increase is primarily attributed to the improved business climate in UP and the consequent surge in corporate profits. Under the ambit of the Companies Act 2013, companies with an annual turnover of Rs 1,000 crore or a net profit of Rs 5 crore are mandated to allocate at least two per cent of their average net profit towards CSR activities. These CSR funds are channeled into diverse sectors, including environmental protection, education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, disaster relief and social justice initiatives. Consequently, the surge in CSR fund allocation reflects not only a rise in corporate income but also an increasing commitment to social responsibility among businesses in the state. Uttar Pradeshs transition from the 12th to the 5th position in the national CSR fund allocation rankings over the past nine years underscores the states remarkable economic resurgence. Presently, UP stands proudly among the top five states in CSR fund allocation, trailing only behind Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Maharashtra leads the nation with a staggering allocation of Rs 5,229 crore, followed by Karnataka with Rs 1,761 crore, Gujarat with Rs 1,554 crore and Tamil Nadu with Rs 1,371 crore. Uttar Pradeshs remarkable ascent in this ranking is a testament to its thriving business ecosystem and the growing commitment of its corporations towards social welfare. The noteworthy increase in CSR spending highlights the symbiotic relationship between corporate prosperity and social responsibility, demonstrating that as businesses thrive, so do the communities they serve. Uttar Pradeshs rise in the CSR fund allocation rankings is not just a statistic but a promising sign of the states socio-economic development and commitment to a brighter future for all its residents. WordCamp Bhopal 2023 is set to ignite the WordPress community in India, bringing together professionals, enthusiasts, and experts from across the nation. This highly anticipated two-day event, scheduled for October 7 and 8, 2023, promises to be an exceptional opportunity for anyone interested in WordPress, from beginners to seasoned professionals. WordCamp is a community-organized conference that revolves around all things WordPress. It's a platform where developers, designers, bloggers, marketers, and WordPress enthusiasts come together to learn, share ideas, and connect with like-minded individuals. This year's WordCamp Bhopal promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees. The first day of the event starts with an Openverse Walk, which will be held at Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal, on October 07, 2023. This is followed by Contributor Day at the Zappian Media Office, where the registered attendees can contribute to different teams. The main conference will be held on October 08 at Radisson Hotel Bhopal. One of the standout features of WordCamp Bhopal 2023 is the unparalleled networking opportunities it offers. Professionals and attendees from all corners of South Asia will converge in Bhopal to exchange insights, ideas, and experiences. The event will feature a mix of personnel, including Developers, Bloggers, Content Creators, Designers, etc., with the aim to expand professional networks, seek career advice, discover job opportunities within the WordPress industry, and much more. WordCamp Bhopal 2023 boasts an impressive lineup of speakers and experts who will cover a wide range of topics related to WordPress. From coding to marketing and blogging, attendees will have the chance to attend sessions and workshops led by professionals at the forefront of their respective fields. The event promises to deliver valuable insights and practical knowledge that can benefit both beginners and experienced WordPress users. Congress' top decision making body CWC will meet on October 9 here to deliberate on the current political situation, caste census and further firm up the strategy for the upcoming assembly elections in five states. The party is seeking to retain power in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, while hoping to wrest power from the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, BRS in Telangana and the Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram. The meeting is likely to have a discussion on the caste census. The Congress has made a strong pitch for the caste census and has raised the demand for giving rights on the basis of population with emphasis on other backward classes (OBCs). The CWC meet also comes at a time when some opposition leaders are facing heat from central agencies. The latest in the series of arrests is that of AAP leader Sanjay Singh in the Delhi excise policy case and the Congress top leadership will have to take a call on extending support to him and others being targeted by the government. The meeting of the top decision making body of the Congress comes just over three weeks after the first meeting of the reconstituted Congress Working Committee (CWC) was held in Hyderabad on September 16 to evolve a strategy for the assembly polls in five states and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Sources said the CWC will be meet on Monday at the AICC headquarters here to discuss the current political situation and to follow up on the decisions and discussions at the top decision-making body's meeting in Hyderabad. Chief ministers of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh will also attend the meeting. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had on August 20 reconstituted the CWC, retaining the old guard and giving space to the young in the 84-member body. This will be the first meeting of the CWC in the national capital. The CWC has 39 regular members, 32 permanent invitees and 13 special invitees, including 15 women and several new faces. Hungarys foreign minister on Wednesday said that his government wants guarantees from Kyiv that a Hungarian bank, recently removed from a Ukrainian list of sponsors of Russias war, will not be placed back on that list in the future a sign that Budapest may not be ready to lift its veto of a major military aid package to Ukraine. Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that a Monday decision by the Ukrainian National Agency of Corruption Prevention to remove OTP Bank from the list was a step in the right direction, but that Hungary required further assurances before it would change its approach to Ukraine in any international settings. Hungarys Foreign Ministry has invited Ukraines anti-corruption agency to come to Budapest as soon as possible to discuss the listing of OTP, Szijjarto said, so that we can negotiate an agreement that guarantees that no such decision will be taken (again) in the future. If a reassuring agreement is reached there, then we will of course have to consider what steps this justifies on our part, Szijjarto told a news conference. Ukraine added OTP to its list of sponsors of the war in May in response to the financial institution continuing its operations in Russia and thus paying taxes to the central government after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response, Hungary has blocked an EU military aid package to Kyiv worth 500 million euros since May, vowing it would not withdraw its veto until OTP was removed from the list. Last week, Ukraines anti-corruption agency temporarily removed the bank from the list in the hopes that Budapest would lift its veto of the funding. But Hungarian officials signalled that the temporary removal was not enough, and the agency fully removed the bank from the list on Monday. Hungarys Foreign Ministry did not respond to emailed questions about whether Szijjartos comments indicated that Hungary would continue blocking the EU aid package despite OTP being taken off the war sponsors list. The Hungarian government, led by nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has sparred with Kyiv over a number of issues since Russias full-scale invasion began. Orban, who has maintained ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has argued against supplying Ukraine with weapons and refused to allow Hungary to do so, and has fervently argued against imposing EU sanctions on Moscow, though he has never ultimately voted against them. Last week, Orban cast doubt on the prospect of the EU beginning negotiations any time soon for Ukraine to join the bloc, saying it was unrealistic to launch the accession process with a country thats at war. He told the Hungarian parliament last week that his government would not support Ukraine on any international issue until the language rights of a Hungarian minority in western Ukraine are restored. On Wednesday, Szijjarto said that Hungary also expects Ukraine to remove OTPs Russian branch and four of its Hungarian executives from a list of entities submitted for sanctions. Big Technologies PLC (LON:BIG Get Free Report) insider Daren John Morris acquired 44,419 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 205 ($2.48) per share, with a total value of 91,058.95 ($110,067.63). Daren John Morris also recently made the following trade(s): Get Big Technologies alerts: On Tuesday, September 26th, Daren John Morris acquired 400,000 shares of Big Technologies stock. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 210 ($2.54) per share, with a total value of 840,000 ($1,015,351.14). Big Technologies Stock Performance LON BIG opened at GBX 206 ($2.49) on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 13.11 and a quick ratio of 7.23. Big Technologies PLC has a 1 year low of GBX 192.63 ($2.33) and a 1 year high of GBX 300 ($3.63). The company has a market capitalization of 598.72 million, a PE ratio of 2,942.86 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 242.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 258.53. Big Technologies Company Profile Big Technologies PLC, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and delivery of remote monitoring technologies and services to the offender and remote personal monitoring industry under the Buddi brand name in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. The company's criminal justice solution includes proprietary cloud-based monitoring software platform with modular hardware that allow real time monitoring. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Big Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Big Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TELUS Co. (TSE:T Free Report) (NYSE:TU) Equities researchers at National Bank Financial issued their Q3 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for TELUS in a report issued on Sunday, October 1st. National Bank Financial analyst A. Shine forecasts that the company will post earnings of $0.25 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for TELUSs current full-year earnings is $1.18 per share. Get TELUS alerts: A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their target price on TELUS from C$32.00 to C$31.00 in a research report on Monday, July 17th. National Bankshares reduced their target price on TELUS from C$30.00 to C$28.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on TELUS from C$32.00 to C$31.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 17th. UBS Group cut their price objective on TELUS from C$28.00 to C$27.00 in a report on Friday, July 14th. Finally, TD Securities cut their price objective on TELUS from C$30.00 to C$29.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 8th. TELUS Stock Performance Shares of TELUS stock opened at C$22.19 on Tuesday. TELUS has a one year low of C$21.16 and a one year high of C$29.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 155.24, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.63. The company has a market cap of C$32.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.06, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.68. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$23.08 and its 200 day moving average price is C$25.39. TELUS (TSE:T Get Free Report) (NYSE:TU) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 4th. The company reported C$0.19 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.23 by C($0.04). TELUS had a return on equity of 7.22% and a net margin of 6.04%. The company had revenue of C$4.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$4.93 billion. TELUS Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 8th were given a dividend of $0.364 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 7th. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.56%. TELUSs dividend payout ratio is currently 176.83%. TELUS Company Profile (Get Free Report) TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for TELUS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TELUS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A. (NYSE:BSBR Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Strong Sell from the three analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $5.25. A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Banco Santander (Brasil) in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating for the company. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Banco Santander (Brasil) from $5.00 to $5.50 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Get Banco Santander (Brasil) alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on BSBR Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco Santander (Brasil) Banco Santander (Brasil) Stock Performance Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 20.4% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 80,117 shares of the banks stock worth $617,000 after acquiring an additional 13,564 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 19.5% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 18,573 shares of the banks stock worth $144,000 after acquiring an additional 3,037 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 10.0% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 2,170,278 shares of the banks stock worth $16,712,000 after acquiring an additional 198,058 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 32.9% during the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 27,023 shares of the banks stock worth $208,000 after acquiring an additional 6,692 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in Banco Santander (Brasil) by 48.3% during the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 115,309 shares of the banks stock worth $888,000 after acquiring an additional 37,556 shares in the last quarter. 14.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. NYSE BSBR opened at $5.05 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.02 and a current ratio of 0.02. Banco Santander has a 52-week low of $4.76 and a 52-week high of $6.64. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $5.45 and a 200-day moving average of $5.69. Banco Santander (Brasil) Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 23rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 24th were given a dividend of $0.0841 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 21st. This is a boost from Banco Santander (Brasil)s previous dividend of $0.08. This represents a dividend yield of 5.2%. Banco Santander (Brasil) Company Profile (Get Free Report Banco Santander (Brasil) SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, small and medium enterprises, and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through, Commercial Banking and Global Wholesale Banking segments. It offers deposits and other bank funding instruments; debit and credit cards; digital prepaid solutions; payment platform; loyalty programs; employee benefit vouchers; payroll loans; digital lending and online debt renegotiation platform; mortgages; home equity financing products; consumer credit; and local loans, commercial and trade finance, guarantees, structured loans, and cash management and funding solutions, as well as on-lending transfer services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander (Brasil) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander (Brasil) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ashtead Group plc (LON:AHT Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the seven analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given 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 GBX 5,965.71 ($72.11). A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Numis Securities reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 7,000 ($84.61) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Monday, September 11th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 7,000 ($84.61) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 4,460 ($53.91) price target on shares of Ashtead Group in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a GBX 6,300 ($76.15) price objective on shares of Ashtead Group in a report on Wednesday, September 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Ashtead Group from GBX 5,450 ($65.88) to GBX 5,500 ($66.48) and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Get Ashtead Group alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on AHT Insider Activity Ashtead Group Stock Up 0.3 % In related news, insider Brendan Horgan sold 150,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 5,174 ($62.54), for a total transaction of 7,761,000 ($9,381,119.30). Corporate insiders own 1.14% of the companys stock. LON AHT opened at GBX 4,745 ($57.36) on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 150.21, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The companys 50 day simple moving average is GBX 5,361.34 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 5,130.71. Ashtead Group has a 12 month low of GBX 3,969 ($47.98) and a 12 month high of GBX 6,012 ($72.67). The company has a market capitalization of 20.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,526.45, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.45. Ashtead Group Company Profile (Get Free Report Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ashtead Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ashtead Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB Get Free Report) (TSE:ENB) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $55.68. A number of research firms have issued reports on ENB. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Enbridge from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. Scotiabank started coverage on shares of Enbridge in a research report on Monday, September 11th. They set a sector perform rating on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on Enbridge in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Credit Suisse Group lowered their price target on Enbridge from $52.00 to $51.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Enbridge from $65.00 to $60.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Get Enbridge alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Enbridge Enbridge Stock Down 0.6 % Shares of NYSE ENB opened at $31.38 on Monday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $34.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $36.72. The company has a market cap of $66.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27. Enbridge has a 12-month low of $31.03 and a 12-month high of $42.12. Enbridge (NYSE:ENB Get Free Report) (TSE:ENB) last released its earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.51. Enbridge had a net margin of 8.58% and a return on equity of 10.20%. The company had revenue of $7.77 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.49 billion. On average, research analysts expect that Enbridge will post 2.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Enbridge Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th were paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is a boost from Enbridges previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.54%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 14th. Enbridges dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 187.86%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Enbridge Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Enbridge by 3.7% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 69,181,872 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $3,188,593,000 after acquiring an additional 2,491,924 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Enbridge by 109,143.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 48,468,082 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,895,102,000 after buying an additional 48,423,715 shares during the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Enbridge by 10.3% in the 2nd quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 30,213,371 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,122,427,000 after buying an additional 2,831,889 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Enbridge by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 19,766,987 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $734,641,000 after buying an additional 830,412 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Enbridge by 3.6% in the 2nd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 18,616,583 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $692,463,000 after buying an additional 652,769 shares during the last quarter. 48.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Enbridge Company Profile (Get 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Enbridge Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enbridge and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Suzano (NYSE:SUZ Get Free Report) is one of 16 public companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Suzano to similar companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, dividends and profitability. Volatility & Risk Suzano has a beta of 1.11, suggesting that its share price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Suzanos rivals have a beta of 1.33, suggesting that their average share price is 33% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get Suzano alerts: 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 4.0% and pay out 89.8% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Suzano has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Insider and Institutional Ownership Profitability 2.5% of Suzano shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.2% 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 large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. This table compares Suzano and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Suzano 47.44% 64.65% 17.21% Suzano Competitors 7.57% 15.88% 6.15% Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings for Suzano and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Suzano 0 0 1 0 3.00 Suzano Competitors 111 710 467 49 2.34 As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 31.32%. Given Suzanos rivals higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Suzano has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Suzano and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Suzano $49.00 billion $4.53 billion 3.12 Suzano Competitors $8.75 billion $730.35 million 31.32 Suzano has higher revenue and earnings than its rivals. Suzano is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Summary Suzano beats its rivals on 8 of the 15 factors compared. About Suzano (Get Free Report) Suzano S.A. produces and sells eucalyptus pulp and paper products in Brazil and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paper segments. The company offers coated and uncoated printing and writing papers, paperboards, tissue papers, and market and fluff pulps; and lignin. It also engages in the research, development, and production of biofuel; operation of port terminals; power generation and distribution business; commercialization of equipment and parts; industrialization, commercialization, and exporting of pulp and standing wood; road freight transport; biotechnology research and development; and commercialization of paper and computer materials. In addition, the company is involved in the business office, production packaging, and financial fundraising activities; research, development, production, commercialization, and distribution of wood-based textile fibers, yarns, and filaments produced from cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose; and research and development of wood raw materials for the textile industry. Suzano S.A. was formerly known as Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. and changed its name to Suzano S.A. in April 2019. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Salvador, Brazil. Receive News & Ratings for Suzano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suzano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:PB Free Report) Equities researchers at DA Davidson dropped their Q3 2023 EPS estimates for shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a research note issued on Wednesday, October 4th. DA Davidson analyst P. Winter now forecasts that the bank will post earnings per share of $1.21 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $1.27. The consensus estimate for Prosperity Bancshares current full-year earnings is $5.03 per share. DA Davidson also issued estimates for Prosperity Bancshares FY2023 earnings at $5.01 EPS. Get Prosperity Bancshares alerts: Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The bank reported $1.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.02. Prosperity Bancshares had a net margin of 34.03% and a return on equity of 7.55%. The business had revenue of $276.15 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $281.98 million. A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on PB. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $60.00 to $57.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $70.00 to $61.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. StockNews.com raised shares of Prosperity Bancshares to a sell rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Stephens increased their price target on shares of Prosperity Bancshares from $63.00 to $67.00 in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $68.88. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PB Prosperity Bancshares Trading Up 0.7 % NYSE:PB opened at $52.25 on Thursday. Prosperity Bancshares has a 1 year low of $51.37 and a 1 year high of $78.76. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $57.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $58.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.90 billion, a PE ratio of 9.84, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.95. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Prosperity Bancshares A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PB. Morgan Stanley increased its position in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 325.4% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,390,076 shares of the banks stock worth $173,711,000 after purchasing an additional 1,828,204 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 11.5% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,888,314 shares of the banks stock worth $506,826,000 after purchasing an additional 917,381 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Prosperity Bancshares during the 4th quarter worth about $63,078,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of Prosperity Bancshares by 421.0% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 774,756 shares of the banks stock worth $47,663,000 after purchasing an additional 626,060 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in Prosperity Bancshares by 251.2% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 726,052 shares of the banks stock valued at $41,007,000 after acquiring an additional 519,338 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.70% of the companys stock. Prosperity Bancshares Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.21%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 14th. Prosperity Bancsharess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.43%. Prosperity Bancshares Company Profile (Get Free Report) Prosperity Bancshares, Inc operates as bank holding company for the Prosperity Bank that provides financial products and services to businesses and consumers. It accepts various deposit products, such as demand, savings, money market, and time accounts, as well as and certificates of deposit. The company also offers 1-4 family residential mortgage, commercial real estate and multifamily residential, commercial and industrial, agricultural, and non-real estate agricultural loans, as well as construction, land development, and other land loans; consumer loans, including automobile, recreational vehicle, boat, home improvement, personal, and deposit account collateralized loans; and consumer durables and home equity loans, as well as loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Prosperity Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prosperity Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 532.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 14,517 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after buying an additional 12,222 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $1,661,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 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 EOG Resources by 100,317.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 538,528,863 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $61,629,243,000 after acquiring an additional 537,992,573 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 36,299,584 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $4,161,014,000 after acquiring an additional 1,005,328 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 12.4% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 26,897,413 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $3,083,250,000 after acquiring an additional 2,977,408 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 10.5% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 12,826,112 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,661,238,000 after acquiring an additional 1,222,209 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,814,421 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $1,352,283,000 after acquiring an additional 262,445 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.21% of the companys stock. Get EOG Resources alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at EOG Resources In other EOG Resources news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 4,551 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.76, for a total value of $595,088.76. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 145,259 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,994,066.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 4,551 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.76, for a total transaction of $595,088.76. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 145,259 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,994,066.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.30% of the stock is owned by insiders. EOG Resources Price Performance EOG Resources stock opened at $119.35 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.49 billion, a PE ratio of 8.04, a P/E/G ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a quick ratio of 2.02, a current ratio of 2.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $129.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $119.87. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 52 week low of $98.52 and a 52 week high of $150.88. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The energy exploration company reported $2.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $5.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.74 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 33.58% and a return on equity of 28.52%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 24.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.74 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. EOG Resources Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 17th will be issued a $0.825 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, October 16th. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.76%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.24%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $143.00 to $159.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $154.00 to $152.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 1st. Raymond James dropped their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $150.00 to $140.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 24th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $150.04. View Our Latest Report on EOG EOG Resources Company Profile (Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC Free Report) (TSE:K) had its price objective cut by Jefferies Financial Group from $5.00 to $4.65 in a report published on Wednesday, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have a hold rating on the mining companys stock. KGC has been the topic of several other research reports. CSFB lifted their price objective on shares of Kinross Gold from $5.25 to $5.50 and gave the stock a negative rating in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. CIBC increased their price target on Kinross Gold from $6.60 to $6.75 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Desjardins started coverage on shares of Kinross Gold in a research note on Monday, September 11th. They issued a buy rating for the company. StockNews.com raised Kinross Gold from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 14th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Kinross Gold from $6.25 to $6.50 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $6.07. Get Kinross Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Report on KGC Kinross Gold Price Performance Shares of NYSE KGC opened at $4.41 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.41 billion, a PE ratio of 27.56 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $4.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $4.90. Kinross Gold has a twelve month low of $3.30 and a twelve month high of $5.57. Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC Get Free Report) (TSE:K) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The mining company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.08 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $1.09 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.01 billion. Kinross Gold had a return on equity of 7.15% and a net margin of 5.06%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 33.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.03 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Kinross Gold will post 0.39 EPS for the current year. Kinross Gold Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 24th were issued a dividend of $0.03 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 23rd. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.72%. Kinross Golds dividend payout ratio is currently 75.00%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kinross Gold Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new position in Kinross Gold during the 2nd quarter valued at about $100,000. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Kinross Gold during the second quarter valued at approximately $83,000. GTS Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Kinross Gold in the second quarter worth $2,086,000. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in Kinross Gold by 66.2% in the second quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 199,946 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $954,000 after acquiring an additional 79,645 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Tennessee Treasury Department purchased a new position in Kinross Gold during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,399,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.80% of the companys stock. Kinross Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Kinross Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties principally in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Canada, and Mauritania. It is also involved in the extraction and processing of gold-containing ores; reclamation of gold mining properties; and production and sale of silver. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Kinross Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kinross Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the seventeen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $100.19. Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. SpectralCast reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of LyondellBasell Industries in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on LyondellBasell Industries from $121.00 to $116.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Citigroup raised LyondellBasell Industries from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $104.00 to $106.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Bank of America upped their target price on LyondellBasell Industries from $92.00 to $99.00 in a report on Monday, August 7th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded LyondellBasell Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Get LyondellBasell Industries alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on LyondellBasell Industries Insiders Place Their Bets Institutional Investors Weigh In On LyondellBasell Industries In other LyondellBasell Industries news, major shareholder Ai Investments Holdings Llc sold 483 shares of LyondellBasell Industries stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.61, for a total transaction of $48,111.63. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 765,996 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $76,300,861.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . In other news, EVP Jeffrey A. Kaplan sold 10,000 shares of LyondellBasell Industries stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.56, for a total transaction of $975,600.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 49,876 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,865,902.56. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, major shareholder Ai Investments Holdings Llc sold 483 shares of LyondellBasell Industries stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.61, for a total value of $48,111.63. Following the sale, the insider now owns 765,996 shares in the company, valued at $76,300,861.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock. Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Intrepid Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Community Bank N.A. bought a new stake in shares of LyondellBasell Industries during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Steward Financial Group LLC raised its stake in LyondellBasell Industries by 77.1% in the 2nd quarter. Steward Financial Group LLC now owns 317 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 138 shares during the period. Finally, Ossiam bought a new stake in LyondellBasell Industries in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. 91.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. LyondellBasell Industries Stock Down 0.3 % Shares of NYSE LYB opened at $93.50 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79. The company has a market cap of $30.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.52, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.20. LyondellBasell Industries has a 12 month low of $75.24 and a 12 month high of $102.04. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $97.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $93.44. LyondellBasell Industries (NYSE:LYB Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The specialty chemicals company reported $2.44 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $10.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.79 billion. LyondellBasell Industries had a return on equity of 21.31% and a net margin of 4.92%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 30.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $5.19 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that LyondellBasell Industries will post 8.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. LyondellBasell Industries Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 28th were issued a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 25th. LyondellBasell Industriess dividend payout ratio is 77.64%. LyondellBasell Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report LyondellBasell Industries N.V. operates as a chemical company in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Poland, France, Japan, China, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company operates in six segments: Olefins and PolyolefinsAmericas; Olefins and PolyolefinsEurope, Asia, International; Intermediates and Derivatives; Advanced Polymer Solutions; Refining; and Technology. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for LyondellBasell Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for LyondellBasell Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Navios Maritime (NYSE:NM Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday. The firm issued a buy rating on the shipping companys stock. Navios Maritime Trading Down 5.1 % Shares of NM opened at $1.87 on Wednesday. Navios Maritime has a fifty-two week low of $1.47 and a fifty-two week high of $2.97. The company has a market capitalization of $42.69 million, a PE ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.58. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $1.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $1.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.64, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.20. Get Navios Maritime alerts: Navios Maritime (NYSE:NM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 24th. The shipping company reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter. Navios Maritime had a return on equity of 63.17% and a net margin of 26.10%. The business had revenue of $81.90 million during the quarter. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Navios Maritime About Navios Maritime Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in Navios Maritime by 83.4% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 908,070 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $3,296,000 after acquiring an additional 412,836 shares during the last quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP lifted its stake in shares of Navios Maritime by 155.5% in the 1st quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 112,258 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $407,000 after purchasing an additional 68,324 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Navios Maritime in the 1st quarter valued at about $328,000. XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Navios Maritime during the 1st quarter worth about $202,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Navios Maritime during the 1st quarter worth approximately $109,000. 9.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. (Get Free Report) Navios Maritime Holdings Inc operates as a seaborne shipping and logistics company in North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, South America, and internationally. It focuses on the transportation and transshipment of dry bulk commodities, including iron ores, coal, and grains. The company operates in two segments, Dry Bulk Vessel Operations and Logistics Business. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Navios Maritime Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Navios Maritime and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Byrne Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 40,803 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 750 shares during the period. Pfizer makes up approximately 1.0% of Byrne Asset Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Byrne Asset Management LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,497,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 98,197.9% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 1,948,438,709 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $71,468,732,000 after purchasing an additional 1,946,456,532 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 445,384,893 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $18,171,704,000 after acquiring an additional 2,516,132 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Pfizer by 9.8% in 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 acquiring an additional 19,602,359 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 valued at $8,257,000,000 after acquiring an additional 160,963,976 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 109,852,779 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,472,433,000 after acquiring an additional 577,201 shares in the last quarter. 68.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Pfizer alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on PFE shares. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Pfizer from $42.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Pfizer from $45.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 17th. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Pfizer from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $62.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded Pfizer from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, September 25th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.18. Pfizer Stock Performance PFE opened at $33.29 on Thursday. Pfizer Inc. has a 12-month low of $31.77 and a 12-month high of $54.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $187.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.61. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $34.92 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $37.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Pfizer (NYSE:PFE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10. Pfizer had a return on equity of 28.36% and a net margin of 27.55%. The firm had revenue of $12.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.36 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.04 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 54.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.32 earnings per share for the current year. Pfizer Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 4th. Investors of record on Friday, November 10th will be given a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.93%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.62%. 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. River Road Asset Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Visa Inc. (NYSE:V Free Report) by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 123,877 shares of the credit-card processors stock after selling 3,910 shares during the period. River Road Asset Management LLCs holdings in Visa were worth $29,418,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Visa by 58.4% during the second quarter. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,603 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $381,000 after acquiring an additional 591 shares in the last quarter. Lazari Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in Visa during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,051,000. Value Partners Investments Inc. lifted its stake in Visa by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 7,294 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $1,733,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Visa in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,796,000. Finally, JLB & Associates Inc. grew its stake in shares of Visa by 12.1% during the second quarter. JLB & Associates Inc. now owns 8,152 shares of the credit-card processors stock worth $1,936,000 after buying an additional 881 shares during the last quarter. 81.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Visa alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider Rajat Taneja sold 15,800 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.01, for a total transaction of $3,950,158.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 232,112 shares of the companys stock, valued at $58,030,321.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Rajat Taneja sold 15,800 shares of Visa stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.01, for a total transaction of $3,950,158.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 232,112 shares in the company, valued at $58,030,321.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 8,150 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $1,956,000.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 55,225 shares of company stock valued at $13,477,806. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Visa Stock Performance Shares of V stock opened at $231.20 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $240.03 and a 200-day moving average of $233.63. The company has a market cap of $430.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Visa Inc. has a 52 week low of $174.60 and a 52 week high of $250.06. Visa (NYSE:V Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.11 by $0.05. Visa had a net margin of 51.94% and a return on equity of 49.42%. The business had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.06 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.98 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Visa Inc. will post 8.65 earnings per share for the current year. Visa Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, August 11th were given a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 10th. Visas payout ratio is 22.84%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently weighed in on V. Credit Suisse Group raised their price objective on Visa from $265.00 to $275.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Barclays boosted their price target on Visa from $272.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, July 24th. Raymond James lifted their target price on shares of Visa from $282.00 to $284.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Visa from $270.00 to $275.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 18th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Visa from $270.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $273.77. Read Our Latest Analysis on V Visa Profile (Free Report) Visa Inc operates as a payments technology company worldwide. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, click to pay; Visa Direct, a real-time payments network; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral B2B cross-border payments network; Visa Treasury as a Service, a cross-border consumer payments business; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Visa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Visa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Summit Financial Strategies Inc. bought a new position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 5,796 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $213,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFE. BancFirst Trust & Investment Management lifted its stake in Pfizer by 2.3% during the first quarter. BancFirst Trust & Investment Management now owns 17,794 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $719,000 after purchasing an additional 398 shares during the last quarter. Strategic Investment Advisors MI lifted its position in shares of Pfizer by 32.1% during the 1st quarter. Strategic Investment Advisors MI now owns 94,117 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,840,000 after acquiring an additional 22,879 shares during the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 1,771,584 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $72,281,000 after acquiring an additional 15,900 shares in the last quarter. MainStreet Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. MainStreet Investment Advisors LLC now owns 197,477 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,057,000 after acquiring an additional 3,099 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Center For Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 28.0% during the first quarter. Center For Asset Management LLC now owns 23,894 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $975,000 after purchasing an additional 5,228 shares during the period. 68.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Trading Down 1.8 % Shares of NYSE:PFE opened at $33.29 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $187.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.61. The stocks 50-day moving average is $34.92 and its 200-day moving average is $37.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 1.82 and a current ratio of 2.12. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $31.77 and a 52-week high of $54.93. Pfizer Announces Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $12.73 billion for 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%. Pfizers quarterly revenue was down 54.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.04 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.32 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 10th will be paid a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.93%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is 43.62%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have issued reports on PFE shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Pfizer from $45.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 17th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $40.00 to $38.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. StockNews.com started coverage on Pfizer in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Pfizer from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, HSBC began coverage on Pfizer in a research report on Friday, July 14th. They set a buy rating and a $50.00 price target on the stock. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $46.18. View Our Latest Research Report on PFE Pfizer Company 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lowered its position in SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEARCA:GLD Free Report) by 16.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,593 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,707 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLCs holdings in SPDR Gold Shares were worth $1,532,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of GLD. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in SPDR Gold Shares by 99,414.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 23,805,806 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $4,243,861,000 after purchasing an additional 23,781,884 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in SPDR Gold Shares by 67,584.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,037,008 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $515,198,000 after acquiring an additional 3,032,521 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank lifted its stake in SPDR Gold Shares by 77.6% during the 1st quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 5,340,797 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $978,543,000 after acquiring an additional 2,333,468 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in SPDR Gold Shares by 256.0% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,142,717 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $206,432,000 after acquiring an additional 821,773 shares during the period. Finally, Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd. lifted its stake in SPDR Gold Shares by 4,847.1% during the 4th quarter. Fullerton Fund Management Co Ltd. now owns 622,043 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $105,523,000 after acquiring an additional 609,469 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 40.99% of the companys stock. Get SPDR Gold Shares alerts: SPDR Gold Shares Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA GLD opened at $169.13 on Thursday. SPDR Gold Shares has a 12 month low of $150.57 and a 12 month high of $191.36. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $177.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $181.15. SPDR Gold Shares Profile SPDR Gold Trust (the Trust) is an investment trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less the Trusts expenses. The Trusts business activity is the investment of gold. The Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 100,000 Shares). Read More Receive News & Ratings for SPDR Gold Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR Gold Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:WEC Free Report) by 3.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,273 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 539 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLCs holdings in WEC Energy Group were worth $1,348,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Advisors Capital Management LLC boosted its position in WEC Energy Group by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 4,799 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $444,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. MGO One Seven LLC boosted its position in WEC Energy Group by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 7,111 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $674,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the period. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in WEC Energy Group by 12.1% during the 4th quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,059 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $99,000 after acquiring an additional 114 shares during the period. NewEdge Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 7,117 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $675,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mcdonald Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 5,696 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $503,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.75% of the companys stock. Get WEC Energy Group alerts: WEC Energy Group Stock Up 1.3 % NYSE:WEC opened at $79.22 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.47, a PEG ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.41. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $75.47 and a 1-year high of $101.11. The company has a current ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $85.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $89.62. WEC Energy Group Announces Dividend WEC Energy Group ( NYSE:WEC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.85 by $0.07. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 11.48% and a net margin of 14.57%. The firm had revenue of $1.83 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.05 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.91 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 14.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 14th were paid a $0.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 11th. This represents a $3.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.94%. WEC Energy Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 72.73%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays assumed coverage on WEC Energy Group in a research note on Wednesday, August 23rd. They issued an underweight rating and a $83.00 price objective on the stock. 888 reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of WEC Energy Group in a research report on Friday, June 30th. KeyCorp cut their target price on WEC Energy Group from $103.00 to $102.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on WEC Energy Group from $106.00 to $104.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, UBS Group cut their target price on WEC Energy Group from $87.00 to $80.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, WEC Energy Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $94.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on WEC Energy Group WEC Energy Group Profile (Free Report) WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. The company operates through six segments: Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate and Other. See Also Receive News & Ratings for WEC Energy Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEC Energy Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lessened its position in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (BATS:NULG Free Report) by 3.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 25,707 shares of the companys stock after selling 938 shares during the quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC owned about 0.15% of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF worth $1,599,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NULG. FMR LLC grew its stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF by 140.5% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 517 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF by 33.3% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 744 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the period. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $61,000. Finally, Creative Planning acquired a new stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $77,000. Get Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF alerts: Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF Trading Up 1.2 % Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF stock opened at $59.66 on Thursday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $62.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of $59.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.18 and a beta of 1.12. Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $26.91 and a twelve month high of $34.04. Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF Profile The Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Growth index. The fund tracks an index composed of large-cap US companies with growth characteristics that also meet certain environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. NULG was launched on Dec 13, 2016 and is managed by Nuveen. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Noting that 106 tmc water is required, but there is only 56 tmc in Cauvery basin reservoirs, Shivakumar said that inflow had increased during the last couple of days due to some rains, but it has now come down. PTI Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that the state has filed a petition before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) seeking a review of its order on the release of water to Tamil Nadu, and the government is making all preparations to go ahead with the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the river. Pointing out at the scarcity of water at the reservoirs in the Cauvery basin, despite rains in some areas in the past couple of days, Shivakumar, also the state's Water Resources Minister, said the government has managed to save the standing crops in the region and is hoping for more rains in the days to come for the situation to improve. "We have already appealed (before CWMA) expressing our inability to release even 3,000 cusecs; not sure when it will be taken up. We have also made a proposal regarding the Mekedatu issue. We are in full work, and we are making all the legal preparations required for it," he told reporters here. Asked if the state will also go before the Supreme Court on the issue, he said, "...we will have to go stage by stage, or else it (our petition), will not be entertained in the courts." To a question on formulating a distress water-sharing formula to be followed in times of deficit rains, he said, "Let this year get over, we will see later...ask our MPs regarding it." The CWMA on September 29 asked Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu till October 15, despite the upper riparian state stating that there is not enough storage in its reservoirs. The Karnataka government has been maintaining that construction of the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the river near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district is the only solution to resolve the inter-state water dispute during distress years. Tamil Nadu is opposed to this project, claiming it would be detrimental to its interest and that of its farmers. Noting that 106 tmc water is required, but there is only 56 tmc in Cauvery basin reservoirs, Shivakumar said that inflow had increased during the last couple of days due to some rains, but it has now come down. "Inflow of 23,000 cusecs was there on October 2. It was 13,000 cusecs on October 1, 20,000 cusecs on October 3, and 15,000 cusecs on October 4. On October 5, it came down to 10,000 cusecs," he said. The DCM claimed that the standing crops of the state's farmers have been protected with this water, and called it a respite. "Drought has been declared and we have requested the agriculture department to ensure that there is no more fresh cropping until there is an intimation about enough water. Another spell of rain is expected some time next month. We will decide based on that," Shivakumar added. The day-long meeting of EC's police, general and expenditure observers is aimed at streamlining strategy to ensure that the model code is implemented effectively and money and muscle power does not disturb the level playing field. (Image: eci.gov.in) New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has called a meeting of its observers on Friday for a briefing by the EC officials and its various verticals with regard to the upcoming Assembly elections in five states. These observers will be positioned in various election bound states. Sources said this was a routine exercise done before the polls. The EC is expected to announce the schedule for Assembly polls in five states in the coming days. Assembly polls are likely to be held in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Mizoram and Rajasthan in November-December. The day-long meeting of ECs police, general and expenditure observers is aimed at streamlining strategy to ensure that the model code is implemented effectively and money and muscle power does not disturb the level playing field. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi during a public meeting, in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. (Image: PTI) Bhopal: Accusing the Enforcement Directorate of overlooking corruption in the Madhya Pradesh state government, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the Central agency was targeting Congress-run governments even as 250 scandals took place under the rule of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Dismissing the charges, the BJP said the Congress leader had no knowledge about Madhya Pradesh and only read the speech produced by state Congress chief Kamal Nath. "She is not aware of Madhya Pradesh. She makes wild allegations without any basis. She visited the state as a guest politician," BJP spokesman Dr Hitesh Vajpayee said. Priyanka was also skeptical regarding the implementation of the womens reservation bill, which was passed in the Parliament recently. The bill may not be implemented within the next 10 years, she claimed. She said that the Congress, if voted to power in Madhya Pradesh, would fulfil its promises of providing a monthly incentive of Rs 1,500 to women and write off crop loans of farmers. In a post on X, Vishal said the production company was asked to pay Rs 3 lakh first just for the screening, while the remaining amount of Rs 3.5 lakh was for the certificate. DC image Tamil actor Vishal, who made a comeback of sorts with his hit film Mark Antory, had made startling allegations against few members and officials of Central Board of Film Certification. In a swift reaction to charges, the Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against three private persons and several unknown people, including the officials of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The actor had alleged that he had to pay a bribe of Rs 6.5 lakh to get a censor certificate for the Hindi version of his film, Mark Antony. The Hindi version of the film was released on September 28. "It was alleged that during the month of September, 2023, a private person entered a conspiracy with others to obtain a bribe of Rs.7,00,000/- & to get the required censor certificate from CBFC, Mumbai for a movie dubbed in Hindi," CBI said in a statement. "It was further alleged that in furtherance of the said conspiracy, she initially demanded bribe on behalf of CBFC Mumbai officials amounting to Rs.7,00,000/- from the Complainant and subsequently after negotiation, she allegedly accepted Rs.6,54,000/- as bribe on behalf of CBFC Mumbai officials in two bank accounts of other two accused," it added. The agency said the accused allegedly obtained 20,000 in her bank account from a private company. The agency conducted searches at four places in Mumbai that were linked to the accused and others. They recovered incriminating documents. Those booked have been identified as Merlin Menaga, Jeeja Ramdas and Rajan M. Earlier, in a video, Vishal, addressing Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, "We applied for a certificate online and we had to come in at the last minute due to some technical issue. But, we were taken aback by what happened at the CBFC office in Mumbai. When my person visited the office, we were given an option to pay the price of 6.5 lakh and get the certification the same day. We were left with no option." "We were supposed to give 3 lakh for the screening to happen at the CBFC and another 3.5 lakh to get the certificate," he said. He said a woman told him that it was common practice that people paid 4 lakh when they submitted films 15 days ahead of the release date. "We had no option, we paid the money in two instalments. If this is the case in government offices, I really request higher authorities to look into this matter," he said. The content you are looking for is not available. You might be interested in our latest articles below. Minister for IT, E&C, MA&UD, Industries and Commerce K.T. Rama Rao blow a conch participating in the Pragati Nivedana Saba (meeting) followed by inauguration of Various Development Works at Kukatpally. (Image By Arrangement) HYDERABAD: BRS working president and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday predicted that state Congress president A. Revanth Reddy would take a handful of MLAs and join the BJP after the elections. Terming the Congress the B Team of the BJP, Rama Rao called Revanth Reddy Godse, recalled the TPCC chiefs past association with the RSS and said that the Congress in Telangana is led by an RSS leader. "Former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh wrote to Sonia Gandhi questioning why an RSS leader was made the Telangana Congress president," he said. Rama Rao said: "Congress will probably win in 10 seats and after that, Revanth Reddy will take these MLAs and join the BJP." The BRS leader was addressing a series of public meetings at Shadnagar, Raviryal, Vikarabad and Kukatpally constituencies. "Revanth Reddy, as well as BJP state president G. Kishan Reddy, have no stature and are political pygmies. These two lack the stature to fight with KCR, who risked his life for Telangana statehood. Kishan Reddy ran away when asked to resign during the Telangana movement and Revanth Reddy was a thief who was caught red-handed in the vote for note case," Rama Rao said. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi also could not compare to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao when it came to taking care of farmers and their needs. "KCR gave Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bima and uninterrupted and free electricity to farmers, while Modi promised to double farmers' income by 2022 and did nothing about it," he said. "All Modi did was to double farmers' problems, not farmers income," he said. Cautioning the public against the Congress and BJP, he said: "BJP is bringing money from Adani, and Congress is bringing money from Karnataka to try and win in the coming elections. When they come, take their money, but vote for BRS." Addressing a meeting in Raviryal, where he inaugurated a new mega Vijaya Dairy facility spread over 40 acres and built at Rs 250 crore, Rama Rao said the state government has, so far, spent Rs 350 crore towards incentives to dairy farmers. The new facility can manufacture tetra brick packs for one lakh litres of milk a day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje during a public meeting, in Jodhpur on Thursday. (Image: PTI) New Delhi, Jodhpur: While Indias voice is being heard all over the world today, the Congress has a problem with it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday. Speaking during a rally in poll-bound Rajasthan, Modi accused the Congress of opposing Bharat in its pursuit to oppose the BJP. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore during an event in Jaipur. Later, attacking the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot-led government over corruption, the Prime Minister said the paper leak mafia in the state had ruined the future of lakhs of youth, who are now demanding justice. The Prime Minister also mentioned the red diary referring to sacked Rajasthan minister Rajendra Gudhas claims about a diary containing details about the financial transactions of Gehlot. "It has a record of every act of corruption by the Congress in the state. A BJP government will have to be formed in the state to expose it," he said. Modi alleged that the Congress-led state government has made Rajasthan top in the country in terms of corruption and riots. "The BJP government at the Center is making every effort towards developing Rajasthan, but it is very sad to see the situation here. The Congress has made Rajasthan the top state in the country in terms of corruption, riots, and atrocities against women and Dalits," the Prime Minister alleged. He claimed that in its five years, the Congress government did not take a single step forward and their power politics continues all the time. "The Congress, which had promised unemployment allowance during the election, handed over the youth to the paper leak mafia. The BJP government will take strict action against such paper leak mafia," he said. "The BJP aims to make Rajasthan the top state in the tourism sector and will take development to every corner upon forming the government," Modi stated. "The Congress neither cares about the farmers nor soldiers. They can't see anything except being in power. The Congress loves its vote bank more than the interests of the people," he said. The rally, organised in Gehlots Sardarpura Assembly constituency, was Modis third rally within two weeks in the state. The Prime Minister stated that stories of India's influence are being heard from across the world from America to Singapore to Japan but the Congress does not like it and is sad. "While opposing the BJP, the Congress has started opposing Bharat. Today India's voice is being heard all over the world. But, the Congress has a problem with this. The BJP government made India the fifth largest economic power, up from the 10th rank. But the Congress has an issue with this as well. It is a Modi guarantee that in a few years, the country's economy reaches the third rank," he said. Modi promised that if the BJP forms the government in Rajasthan, it will bring jobs, wipe out the paper leak mafia and take development to every corner of the state. Taking a dig at Gehlot, the Prime Minister said, "Gehlot was missing from the government programme because he was confident that everything would be fine if Modi visited". "You all have heard about Red Diary. People say that every black act of corruption of the Congress is recorded in this red diary. If you want the secret of this red diary to come out, then it is necessary to form a BJP government in the state," he said. Modi also hit out at the Congress and its alliance partners over the women's reservation bill. "A few days ago, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in the Parliament. However, this has exposed the Congress leaders and its arrogant alliance. These people were never in support of women's reservations. Which is why after this bill was passed, they have become nervous," he said. He further noted that the Congress and its allies are unable to understand how Modi fulfilled this guarantee given to the sisters. "These people do not know that if it is a Modi guarantee, it will be fulfilled," the Prime Minister stated. A Boeing 737 Max jet. (AP File Photo) Till not so long ago, whenever one thought about aviation, it was mostly about the United States and its world-dominating aircraft manufacturers. This was even more so when talking about military fighter aircraft. In the 1970s, there were several manufacturers in the US, Europe and the then Soviet Union, but American aircraft were usually preferred. The Europeans -- France and Sweden in particular, as well as the Anglo-French consortium -- too made fighter jets, but they had a narrower customer base of non-Western developing nations who could not afford or get American combat aircraft. US warplanes then (and today) have a restrictive process for foreign buyers, and needed political clearance from Washington, which meant that the most modern aircraft went to "friendly" nations, and definitely not those linked with its perceived enemies. The Pentagon and the state department called the shots. This continued till the Soviet Unions dismemberment in 1991, with the world fighter market dominated by the mutual "fear" factor created by "threat perception" of the US-led West and the USSR and its allies. Moscow then had 10 large fighter-cum-transport companies: Antonov, Beriev, Ilyushin, Kamov, MiG, Mil, Myasishchev, Sukhoi, Tupolev and Yakovlev. Though not perceived at par with "superior" Western technology, it still had its loyal, committed customer-base and a growing Third World clientele, mainly due to the Wests strong "pick-and-choose" policy, of which India is well aware. As the West, primarily the US, tried to "contain" New Delhi over its perceived closeness to Moscow, and blocked its access to fighter and military technology its no surprise the USSRs share of Indias defence market kept increasing. The United States too had over a dozen mega corporations competing among themselves to supply the needs of the Pentagon and its friends and allies, as it tried to enhance the profitability of its corporations and curb other aircraft manufacturers in the West to check cut-throat competition. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979, the US had 84 "live" aircraft makers, of which 17 companies -- Beechcraft, Bell, Boeing, Cessna, Fairchild, Learjet, General Dynamics, Grumman, Gulfstream, Kaman, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, Northrop, Piper, Rockwell, Sikorsky and Vought were dominant. In its heyday, the American aviation industry offered a variety of fighters, helicopters and transports to every buyer. But things rapidly changed from late twentieth and early twenty-first century. Two defining developments posed a serious challenge to US civil and military aviation manufacturing. The vacuum created by the USSRs demise was promptly filled by an initially benign but subsequently hostile and aggressive Dragon, challenging the "Made in USA" tag. From the 1970s, the US sold over 4,600 F-16 fighters to 30-plus air forces, but the range and variety dwindled fast owing to mega-mergers and acquisition of its big corporations in the post-Cold War era. Biggies like General Dynamics, McDonnell Douglas, Rockwell and Vought no longer exist as independent outfits. Northrop and Grumman combined into one Northrop-Grumman company since 1994, making B-21 strategic bombers and E-2 Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS). The biggest and largest combat aviation company, McDonnell Douglas, is Boeing since August 1997. Clearly, the US system wont tolerate anything other than "survival of the fittest and strongest", with deep pockets. Little wonder that the two main combat US aircraft companies now are Boeing and Lockheed as all others have been consumed by them, thereby making it a duopoly fighter market. Americas internal turbulence was thus a God-sent opportunity for the Dragon to penetrate deep into the US economic, commercial, technical, research and development facility system and create a tsunami, which also led to destabilisation of the American polity. Donald Trumps "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement can be attributed in part to the clear qualitative decline of the US once redoubtable fighter aircraft dominance. Due to a series of monumental blunders by the US leadership and the big investors sole motive being profits, US aviation has been stung deep. The main combat aircraft companies do not any longer produce in-house aircraft parts. Outsourcing is resorted to in order to save time, costs and labour and enhance profits. In the process, the US has compromised with the safety, security and quality of its aviation products. The best of companies with reputation for quality are facing a crisis of confidence as their future appears bleak. How else does one justify or defend the inexplicable Boeing 737 MAX accidents and the subsequent grounding of the entire fleet for over two years, leading to a colossal loss for the 107-year-old companys credibility, quality, manpower and balance sheet? Thats not all. Today, the worst possible nightmare for US military aviation is being faced by Lockheed Martin, the maker of the much-hyped F-35, which stands as the sole combat aircraft without any quality backup to fight and fly in the sky. Thats really unusual as traditionally the US Air Force had the flexibility of at least a pair of fighters to complement each other, such as for "high" or "low" altitude air warfare. But the rot gripped the F-35, and incredible though as it may sound, the Dragon in the US companys boardroom disrupted and ruptured the pride of the West, at least for the foreseeable future. The F-35s "request-for-proposal" took place in 1995, and the first delivery happened only in 2011; after over 15 years! Most devastating, however, remains the recurring problem of accidents, some of which are mysterious and inexplicable. Janes Defence Weekly reported on November 10, 2010: "Troubled F-35 faces further US government review". On May 12, 2012, BBC News said: "Year-long probe found 1,800 cases of fake parts in US military aircraft; weak US supply chain and Chinas counterfeit market parts used in C-130J and Navy P-8A Poseidon" aircraft. Both the latter aircraft are, incidentally, in the Indian Air Forces inventory today. Worse news came in January 2014: the Pentagon itself had "waived laws banning China-built components in US weapons systems to keep the $392 billion Lockheed-Martin F-35 fighter programme on track". Today, all Washington DC is complaining loudly at the China-inflicted damage to its weapons systems. But who created the Dragon menace in the first place? Why did the senior most US officials continue with their frequent visits to Beijing despite the clear evidence of Chinese espionage? The eternally profit-pursuing Americans may themselves be destroying the US State forever. The Indian Air Force should take note of the plight of American aviation today and focus solely on indigenisation as it celebrates its 91st foundation day on October 8. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW Free Report) by 57.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,137 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 2,972 shares during the quarter. Allworth Financial LPs holdings in Medical Properties Trust were worth $75,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Register Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Medical Properties Trust in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in Medical Properties Trust by 64.0% during the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 3,289 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,284 shares in the last quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. raised its stake in Medical Properties Trust by 158.9% during the second quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 2,933 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,800 shares in the last quarter. Nvwm LLC acquired a new position in Medical Properties Trust during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, BOKF NA acquired a new position in Medical Properties Trust during the first quarter worth about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.46% of the companys stock. Get Medical Properties Trust alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts have commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Medical Properties Trust from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $9.00 to $7.00 in a research note on Monday, August 21st. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $10.00 target price on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research note on Monday, September 25th. Mizuho downgraded Medical Properties Trust from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $18.00 to $9.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 31st. Barclays reduced their price target on Medical Properties Trust from $12.00 to $10.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price target on Medical Properties Trust from $10.00 to $6.00 in a report on Friday, September 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $10.27. Medical Properties Trust Stock Performance Shares of MPW stock opened at $5.26 on Thursday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $7.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.14. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. has a one year low of $4.92 and a one year high of $14.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.15 billion, a PE ratio of 47.82, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 2.88 and a quick ratio of 2.88. Medical Properties Trust Cuts Dividend The business 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. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 11.41%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 13th. Medical Properties Trusts payout ratio is presently 545.45%. Medical Properties Trust Profile (Free Report) 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MPW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Medical Properties Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medical Properties Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board lifted its stake in Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS Free Report) by 4.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,600 shares of the aerospace companys stock after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Boards holdings in Leidos were worth $584,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its position in Leidos by 56.7% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 6,633 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $716,000 after acquiring an additional 2,399 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its position in shares of Leidos by 6.6% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 18,778 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,028,000 after purchasing an additional 1,163 shares during the period. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Leidos in the first quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its position in shares of Leidos by 56.6% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,897 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $637,000 after purchasing an additional 2,131 shares during the period. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL bought a new position in shares of Leidos in the first quarter valued at approximately $221,000. 74.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Leidos alerts: Leidos Stock Down 1.4 % LDOS opened at $91.33 on Thursday. Leidos Holdings, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $76.58 and a fifty-two week high of $110.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The firms fifty day moving average price is $95.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $89.85. The company has a market capitalization of $12.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.78. Leidos Dividend Announcement Leidos ( NYSE:LDOS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The aerospace company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.23. Leidos had a net margin of 4.77% and a return on equity of 20.97%. The company had revenue of $3.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.59 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Leidos Holdings, Inc. will post 6.64 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th were paid a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.58%. Leidoss dividend payout ratio is presently 28.13%. Insider Activity In other news, Director Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr. sold 3,098 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.95, for a total value of $300,351.10. Following the sale, the director now owns 84,277 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,170,655.15. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.52% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently commented on LDOS shares. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Leidos from $90.00 to $106.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Leidos from $107.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of Leidos from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. TheStreet upgraded shares of Leidos from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 9th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Leidos in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $112.80. View Our Latest Stock Report on Leidos Leidos Profile (Free Report) Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Leidos Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Leidos and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its position in shares of Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD Free Report) by 14.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 16,300 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement Systems holdings in Walker & Dunlop were worth $1,289,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WD. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,145 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $262,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 28,424 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,678,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 47.8% in the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 15,223 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,970,000 after purchasing an additional 4,925 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 79,654 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $10,309,000 after purchasing an additional 1,846 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 26,233 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,482,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares in the last quarter. 77.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Walker & Dunlop alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wedbush lifted their target price on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $90.00 to $105.00 in a research report on Friday, August 4th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Walker & Dunlop from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on shares of Walker & Dunlop from $102.00 to $89.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Walker & Dunlop Stock Performance Walker & Dunlop stock opened at $68.76 on Thursday. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has a 52-week low of $61.06 and a 52-week high of $101.02. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $82.69 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $77.97. The firm has a market cap of $2.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.18 and a beta of 1.44. Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The financial services provider reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.06 by ($0.08). Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 9.73% and a net margin of 12.85%. The firm had revenue of $272.62 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $257.99 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Walker & Dunlop, Inc. will post 4.91 EPS for the current fiscal year. Walker & Dunlop Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Shareholders 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 3.66%. Walker & Dunlops payout ratio is 59.29%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Walker & Dunlop news, President Howard W. Smith III sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 8th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $15,982,610. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Paula A. Pryor sold 1,135 shares of Walker & Dunlop stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.00, for a total value of $99,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,426 shares in the company, valued at approximately $653,488. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, President Howard W. Smith III sold 20,000 shares of Walker & Dunlop stock in a transaction on Friday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.13, for a total transaction of $1,622,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 197,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,982,610. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 58,084 shares of company stock worth $4,846,409. 5.47% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (NYSE:WD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Walker & Dunlop Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walker & Dunlop and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Leidos (NYSE:LDOS Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by research analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $119.00 to $120.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the aerospace companys stock. Stifel Nicolaus price objective would suggest a potential upside of 31.39% from the companys current price. LDOS has been the subject of several other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Leidos from $102.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Leidos in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a buy rating on the stock. TheStreet raised Leidos from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Leidos from $114.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on shares of Leidos from $90.00 to $106.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 8th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $112.80. Get Leidos alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on LDOS Leidos Price Performance Leidos stock opened at $91.33 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.84, a PEG ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.78. Leidos has a 1 year low of $76.58 and a 1 year high of $110.91. The business has a 50-day moving average of $95.48 and a 200-day moving average of $89.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. Leidos (NYSE:LDOS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The aerospace company reported $1.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.57 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $3.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.72 billion. Leidos had a return on equity of 20.97% and a net margin of 4.77%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.59 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Leidos will post 6.64 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at Leidos In other Leidos news, Director Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, Jr. sold 3,098 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.95, for a total transaction of $300,351.10. Following the transaction, the director now owns 84,277 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,170,655.15. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 1.52% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Leidos A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of LDOS. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in Leidos by 56.7% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 6,633 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $716,000 after purchasing an additional 2,399 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its position in shares of Leidos by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 18,778 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,028,000 after buying an additional 1,163 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Leidos in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Raymond James Trust N.A. raised its position in shares of Leidos by 56.6% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,897 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $637,000 after buying an additional 2,131 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL acquired a new position in shares of Leidos in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Institutional investors own 74.71% of the companys stock. About Leidos (Get Free Report) Leidos Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides services and solutions in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Defense Solutions, Civil, and Health. The Defense Solutions segment offers national security solutions and systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace for the U.S. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Leidos Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Leidos and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. grew its position in HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ Free Report) by 14.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,622 shares of the computer makers stock after buying an additional 1,503 shares during the quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD.s holdings in HP were worth $357,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in HPQ. KCS Wealth Advisory boosted its holdings in shares of HP by 1.0% during the second quarter. KCS Wealth Advisory now owns 36,325 shares of the computer makers stock worth $1,116,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares during the period. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of HP by 28.1% during the second quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 13,395 shares of the computer makers stock worth $411,000 after purchasing an additional 2,940 shares during the period. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board boosted its holdings in shares of HP by 2.4% during the second quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 42,008 shares of the computer makers stock worth $1,290,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of HP during the second quarter worth approximately $364,000. Finally, Wedmont Private Capital boosted its holdings in shares of HP by 62.7% during the second quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 11,794 shares of the computer makers stock worth $387,000 after purchasing an additional 4,546 shares during the period. 76.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get HP alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 1,352,264 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.69, for a total transaction of $34,739,662.16. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 106,047,751 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,724,366,723.19. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other HP news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 1,352,264 shares of HP stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.69, for a total transaction of $34,739,662.16. Following the sale, the insider now owns 106,047,751 shares in the company, valued at $2,724,366,723.19. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Enrique Lores sold 38,000 shares of HP stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.75, for a total transaction of $978,500.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 728,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,752,901. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 14,468,003 shares of company stock valued at $388,586,772. 0.32% of the stock is owned by company insiders. HP Stock Down 0.4 % NYSE:HPQ opened at $26.04 on Thursday. HP Inc. has a 12 month low of $24.08 and a 12 month high of $33.90. The firm has a market cap of $25.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.04. The companys 50 day moving average is $29.83 and its 200-day moving average is $30.12. HP (NYSE:HPQ Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 29th. The computer maker reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.86. HP had a net margin of 4.23% and a negative return on equity of 113.55%. The business had revenue of $13.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.38 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.04 earnings per share. HPs revenue was down 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that HP Inc. will post 3.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of HP from $40.00 to $39.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of HP from $24.00 to $23.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of HP from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of HP from $32.00 to $30.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of HP from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 16th. 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, HP currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $30.45. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on HPQ About HP (Free Report) HP Inc provides products, technologies, software, solutions, and services to individual consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses, and large enterprises, including customers in the government, health, and education sectors worldwide. It operates through Personal Systems and Printing segments. The Personal Systems segment offers commercial personal computers (PCs), consumer PCs, workstations, thin clients, commercial tablets and mobility devices, retail point-of-sale systems, displays and other related accessories, software, support, and services for the commercial and consumer markets. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HPQ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for HP Inc. (NYSE:HPQ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for HP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Free Report) Equities research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2024 earnings per share estimates for Ingersoll Rand in a report issued on Tuesday, October 3rd. Zacks Research analyst E. Haque now anticipates that the industrial products company will post earnings of $0.64 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.63. The consensus estimate for Ingersoll Rands current full-year earnings is $2.67 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Ingersoll Rands Q2 2024 earnings at $0.68 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $2.76 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $0.72 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $2.95 EPS. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Several other brokerages have also recently commented on IR. Barclays decreased their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $76.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 4th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $66.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $76.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $67.00 to $75.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ingersoll Rand has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.18. Ingersoll Rand Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of Ingersoll Rand stock opened at $63.26 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 2.29 and a quick ratio of 1.62. The company has a market capitalization of $25.58 billion, a PE ratio of 36.78, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.44. Ingersoll Rand has a 1-year low of $43.57 and a 1-year high of $70.65. The business has a 50-day moving average of $66.77 and a 200-day moving average of $62.37. Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 2nd. The industrial products company reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $1.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.58 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 10.89% and a return on equity of 11.20%. Institutional Trading of Ingersoll Rand Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 3,716 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $235,000 after buying an additional 221 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC boosted its position in Ingersoll Rand by 37.3% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 548,353 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $35,839,000 after buying an additional 148,891 shares during the period. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. bought a new position in Ingersoll Rand in the second quarter worth about $81,000. Comerica Bank bought a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand during the second quarter valued at approximately $108,050,000. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Ingersoll Rand during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,507,000. 94.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Insider Activity In related news, CFO Vikram Kini sold 169,153 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.43, for a total value of $11,744,292.79. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 47,917 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,326,877.31. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.83% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced 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. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 22nd. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio is currently 4.65%. About Ingersoll Rand (Get 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Local campaign group 'Your Ebrington' will hold its fourth rally in Ebrington Square this weekend. It comes as local elected representatives meet with The Executive Office (TEO) to discuss reinstatement of events for 2024. Speaking to Derry Now, a spokesperson for 'Your Ebrington' said, "We know all too well that there are a great many things sorely lacking in our beautiful city. The prime example being a bustling University, the graduate level jobs that come with it, the infrastructure to bring people to us, the nightlife that thousands of students attract and the dedication and vision that is required to see all that through. "The one thing that we punch above our weight on already - events. In the next few weeks thousands of people will descend on Derry from all over Ireland, and further afield, to celebrate on our streets. And this has been the case for decades. "More than 100,000 people turned out last year for the four day Halloween festival in this city which brings desperately needed revenue to local businesses and desperately needed smiles to local peoples faces for at least a few days of the year. "So when we hear civil servants currently in charge of our governance tell us that our event offering will be less going forward, we rightly get angry. There isn't a lot to cheer about on a daily basis for many people in our city due to unemployment, underemployment, poverty, mental and physical ill health, addiction and high levels of suicide. But we still manage to plaster on a smile when required and enjoy ourselves when we can. "We aren't asking for much. In fact, all we're asking for is that their own vision for Ebrington be achieved with regularly scheduled events in the Square. We don't want another Fort George with promises unfulfilled and space utilised for offices instead. "We will continue to fight for this as long as people stand with us. We're gathering again this Saturday, October 7, at 2pm in Ebrington. We will have a little surprise for people this week mainly to thank them for their continued support for the issue and to remind them what we're doing it for. Everyone welcome." With publication of the Kenova report an investigation into the activities of notorious British agent Freddie Scappaticci - imminent, Richard ORawes book Stakeknifes Dirty War: The inside story of Scappaticci, the IRAs nutting squad and the British spooks who ran the war is cogent, comprehensive and well-timed. As illuminating as it is compelling, Stakeknifes Dirty War is a valuable addition to the literary canon of Irish and British political science - and maybe political psychology, too. It was US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robert Makros who described clean war as the unicorn of armed conflict. Writing in 2017, Makros said there was no such thing as a clean war. Author Richard O'Rawe at the Derry launch of 'Stakeknife's Dirty War' with Republican prisoners Dixie Elliott and John Crawley, author of 'The Yank'. Nowhere is this analysis more accurate than when a methodical and even-handed ORawe interrogates the suggestion the British state acted as agent provocateur during the war in the North. Speaking to this paper before the books Derry launch on Saturday, in the Ex-POP Centre in William Street, ORawe cited the case of Patsy Gillespie from the city. In October 1990, Patsy Gillespie and five British soldiers died at the Coshquin checkpoint on the outskirts of Derry when the bomb in the van he was driving was detonated. ORawe said: There has been a proposition that the British were actually acting as agents provocateurs on many occasions. They were allowing operations, which would kill civilians and outrage the public against the IRA, to go through. There is tactical merit in that proposition, but whether there is hard evidence is another matter. I always try to look for the hard evidence, and although there is no hard evidence, both British/Irish Human Rights Watch and Ian Hurst (aka Martin Ingram) are of the same view. A section of the audience attending the Derry Launch of 'Stakeknife's Dirty War' in the Republican Ex-Prisoners' Centre. I interviewed Hurst during the writing of this book. He is an ex-Force Research Unit (FRU) officer and he struck me as a very decent man, a man with a conscience, a man who only spoke out because of his conscience. That is the impression I came away with. And his view was that the British were allowing bad operations to occur again, and again and again in order to outrage the public and alienate the IRA from its support base so it might sue for peace. Personally, I think the British were on that road for most of the 1980s. There was a peace corps within the Republican movement; we know that. Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and the people around them had come to the conclusion the war was unwinnable in a military sense, therefore there needed to be some sort of political approach and I think the Brits embraced that. He added: There is a proposition the British allowed bad operations to go ahead or made sure the operations that went ahead were directed to such a point that civilians were killed and the public would be outraged. Patsy Gillespie was one that the British/Irish Human Rights Watch believed was one such operation and I thought it important to mention it in the book. British/Irish Human Rights Watch was one such body. On August 28, 2006, it sent a dossier to the PSNI Historical Enquiries Team (HET) in which it alleged British intelligence services may have been the masterminds behind the human-bomb operations. Author Richard O'Rawe speaking about his book 'Stakeknife's Dirty War' at Saturday's Derry launch. The British/Irish Human Rights Watch report said: At least two security force agents were involved in these bombings and allegations have been made that the human bomb strategy was the brainchild of British Intelligence. Questions arise as to whether the RUC, An Garda Siochana and the Armys Force Research Unit had prior knowledge and/or subsequent knowledge about the bombings. These questions in turn lead to concerns about whether these attacks could have been prevented and why no one has been brought to justice. In Stakeknifes Dirty War, Ian Hurst gave the British/Irish Human Rights Watch view credence, commenting: This report, from a very credible source, brings up the question of informers working at the top tier of the IRA who were allowed to commit crimes up to murder while working for the state. ORawe believes the information garnered would have gone to the Tasking and Co-ordinating Groups (TCG), set up in the North in the late 1970s. He explained: The TCGs were the umbrella intelligence, collating and actioning organisation. It collated all intelligence that was garnered in all the theatres of war in the North, and in Ireland in general, and then actioned it. They said, Well the IRA is going to be in such and such a place, lets put the SAS in and we will take them out. That was the role the TCGs were playing. They, I suspect, were certainly controlled by the Ministry of Defence in London and I think it would probably have been discussed at Prime Ministerial level. The policy, in my view, of structuring operations so they would end up being bad operations was allowed to occur. ORawe suggests TCGs gained some intelligence from covert surveillance. The only other avenue was human intelligence, he said. In other words, they had agents within the IRA who were privy to operational decisions. Asked about media speculation about the involvement of the late Martin McGuinness in this scenario, ORawe said: I am a writer. I dont give an opinion on it at all. It would not be proper for me to give an opinion. What I did do for this book was interview people who had direct contact with Martin McGuinness on a daily basis who were members of the Derry Brigade staff. These werent ordinary Volunteers on the ground. These were serious, senior members of the IRA in Derry and they had reservations about operations. In relation to Franko Hegarty (a Derry man expelled from the IRA for informing), the impression I got from my interviews was that people were absolutely flabbergasted he was allowed back into the IRA. They also formed the opinion Martin was the driving force in terms of bringing him back. I have to reflect that. I cant very well say, He was a great guy so I am not writing anything iffy about him. The fact of the matter was these very senior republicans blew a gasket that Franco Hegarty was back in the IRA at the time and they told me they were just ignored. Not only was Hegarty allowed back into the IRA, in no time at all he was elevated to the position of Assistant Quartermaster Northern Command. ORawe emphasised that the Quartermaster Northern Command oversaw all weapons in the North. He added: I think it is important to say also, with the exception of one man, none of the interviewees said McGuinness was an informer. I wrote up what I was told and the guys were pretty clear. McGuinness behaved very bizarrely' with Hegarty, and Hegarty was so dangerous because he was an informer, an agent. All of that leads to a certain scratching of the head, for want of a better phrase. ORawe said he included the Hegarty story in Stakeknifes Dirty War only because Freddie Scappaticci brought him up when he was talking to Sylvia Jones for The Cook Report broadcast in August 1993. Scappaticci savaged Martin on that occasion. I thought that was interesting. I dont know why he did that because they were good friends at one stage. According to ORawe, Scappaticcis mindset and motivation in 1993 might be explained by what a criminologist who recently read Stakeknifes Dirty War described as his possible narcissistic collapse. By August 1993, Scappaticci was off the rails, said ORawe. He was insisting on meeting the British armys GOC, General John Wilsey, to be reassured he was important. He was also talking to families and pretending he was there when people were getting shot dead. Hes all over the place. The criminologist told me what actually happened to Scappaticci was a narcissistic collapse. I have never heard of such a thing. A narcissist is someone who holds himself in the highest esteem. They believe they are the principal person in any room and everyone should look up to them. When Scappaticci came back in 1991, having been on the run for two years after the Sandy Lynch affair, he was shunned by the IRA. He was actually almost ostracised and that is when he had the narcissistic collapse and the result of a narcissistic collapse is very irrational behaviour and attempts to reassert your importance. That is when he told the Cook Report about McGuinness. McGuinness was very clear he wanted nothing to do with Scappaticci and that is probably the reason why Scappaticci had such intense animosity towards him. As Johnny Nash once sang, There are more questions than answers, and that is certainly true of the subject matter of Stakeknifes Dirty War. Among them was, Why did the fact Freddie Scappaticci had a mercurial temper, was a known pornography addict, with a penchant for bestiality and an unhealthy interest in pre-teen girls, and perpetrator of domestic violence, not speak to his character? The big picture is for someone else, said ORawe. On a day-to-day basis, the IRA was busy operating: in Belfast, in Ballymurphy, all over, organising snipes, bombs, gun lectures, digging out intelligence. People had enough on their plates getting up in the morning to make sure everybody is running coherently and they are safe. Perhaps the last word on Stakeknifes Dirty War should go to solicitor Kevin Winters of KRW LAW, who spoke with compassion and empathy at the Belfast launch. The deceased here should be remembered just like any other victims of the conflict, and their families should be praised and supported just like any other victims families and campaign groups. We always need to guard against the deficiencies in the hierarchy of victimhood. Rickys book has helped give those families a much needed voice, and for that he is to be commended. Meanwhile, Jon Boutcher, the former police chief of Bedfordshire, has been identified as the preferred candidate to become interim PSNI chief constable. Mr Boutcher has recently been conducting an investigation into the activities of Stakeknife, the Armys top agent in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The Operation Kenova report is expected to be published in the coming months. A Policing Board spokesperson said: The board has agreed the appointment of an interim chief constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland." A man who was described in court as 'not a drug dealer in the Hollywood sense of the word' has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court on a series of drug and theft charges. The man, who was granted anonymity due to the general threat existing in the city against people charged with drug supply offences, faced more than 20 charges. He was charged with being concerned in the supply of various drugs on dates between January 1 and June 11, 2023. He also faced charges relating to handling stolen goods, three thefts and another drug charges that were said to have occurred on October 3 this year. A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. He told the court that on June 11 the defendant was seen in the company of two people known for drug supply. He was stopped and stolen items were said to have been found on him as well as two screwdrivers. The officer said that the screwdrivers were significant in that the man was supposed to have sent a message on June 5 stating 'I have two screwdrivers anyone interferes there will be a bloodbath.' The court heard that on June 13 it was reported that a man had stolen a table from Dunnes Stores. Phones taken from the accused were said to contain requests for items of specific sizes which police believe we're to be stolen to order. The court heard that on October 4 the defendant was observed changing his clothes on the City Walls and allegedly was found in possession of items stolen from Marks and Spencers valued at 175. While police were attending Foyleside Shopping Centre other stores came forward to report thefts. When the man was arrested more drugs were allegedly found on him. Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and the court heard that the defendant had 54 previous convictions. The police officer said that there was 'a guaranteed risk of re-offending.' Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that his client had been 'in and out of prison' all of his adult life. He said he had drug issues but was not a drug dealer in the conventional sense. District Judge Barney McElholm said that all people are asked to do is abide by their bail conditions. He refused bail and remanded the man in custody to appear again on November 2. There has been a mixed local reaction to Invest NI's new Action Plan. Stormonts business support agency is to shift focus from job creation to overall productivity in the economy following the findings of an independent review earlier this year. The Department for the Economy (DfE) has published an action plan in response to the review of Invest Northern Ireland. The review in January said research suggested it was having little, if any impact in increasing productivity in Northern Ireland. The review panel also raised serious concerns about damaged relationships at the senior leadership level of the organisation, particular in the dynamic between the board and executives. Mike Brennan, Permanent Secretary at the department, said the review had challenged Invest NI to completely reshape how economic policies are developed and implemented going forward. Colm McKenna, Invest NIs interim chairman, said: This action plan is a clear commitment for change by Invest NI and DfE and we understand that its delivery will require changes to our leadership, structure, operations, culture and strategy. We do not underestimate the challenge ahead to ensure we fulfil everything we have committed to. We have already made good progress in the eight months since the publication of the review and have taken immediate action in several areas while we also carried out the detailed scoping work on the more challenging recommendations. Previously the targets we were given were heavily focused on job creation but starting now, our customer is the wider Northern Ireland economy. Our focus will now pivot from supporting job creation to delivery of 10x and city and growth deals in order to raise the overall level of productivity in our economy. This includes a commitment to strengthening our regional impact and ensuring Invest NI is equipped to deliver the departments 10x policy priorities of innovation, sustainability and inclusivity to ensure we deliver a high-performing Northern Ireland economy. SDLP Economy Spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin MLA has said the Invest NI Action Plan must deliver for the North West and other neglected parts of the North. I am deeply concerned by the almost complete lack of any specific mention of the North-West in this plan and feel that the actions detailed would fall short of the change that is needed to restore the confidence of the people here. It is not enough to include Derry as simply one of the sub-regions of the North. We are this regions second city and we need specific and targeted interventions that are commensurate with that status. I will be writing to the department to urge explicit commitments to be made going forward, including specific and ambitious targets for Derry, as well as a decentralisation of senior staff to our city. Ms McLaughlin said more detail is needed on how the actions will deliver specific and targeted interventions for the areas that need it most. Although Invest NIs role is vital, the next Minister for the Economy must also assume strong accountability for setting the conditions that are necessary for Invest NI to succeed at attracting jobs and investment to Derry. This must include reversing the economic neglect of our city, most notably when it comes to our higher education provision by expanding university places here to at least 10,000 as secured by the SDLP during the New Decade, New Approach negotiations. Selina Horshi, President of the Londonderry Chamber said the publication of the Action Plan by Invest NI is a welcome step in response to what was a concerning report. Derry Chamber has always been clear that it wants to see a more balanced regional economy and a shift in focus so that our region feels the benefit of more support for indigenous start-ups and greater inward investment. The commitment to increased resources for sub-regional offices like Derry is important, as well as the development of economic targets at a sub-regional level. It is crucial that targets are clear so they can be measured. We await the publication of a Sub-Regional Economic Plan with keen interest. There is no shortage of energy and enthusiasm among businesses in the North West and the Chamber is keen to work in partnership with Invest NI to drive forward new targets that generate prosperity, economic growth and better regional balance. When 45-year-old Waterside woman, Louise Frazer, was growing up, she was immersed in the world of childcare as her mother was a playgroup leader and was passionate about her job. Thus, it wasnt a huge surprise when, after a stint of work experience in a nursery school, the 16-year-old Louise decided that her ideal career would be working with NSPCC Northern Ireland. With this in mind, she headed off to Leeds University to undertake a degree in Early Childhood Studies, so that she could set about pursuing her goal. Even though she thoroughly enjoyed her time as a student in England, Louise was happy to return home after graduation, in 2000. After working for a short while as day care assistant in a pre-school setting, she wasnt quite yet ready to settle down and over the next few years, took the opportunity to travel to countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Morocco and Croatia. Still determined see a bit more of the world, she then moved to Greece for a year, where she taught English as a Foreign Language. Louise was determined to come back to Northern Ireland, despite the inevitable drop in temperature. The travelling had given her the time and space she needed to confirm what she wanted to do as a career - help children. She started her career in Belfast, as a supervisor in a day care setting in a nursery school and after that, took on a family support role supporting parents of young children. This work inspired her to continue her studies by undertaking a degree in Social Work at Magee. In 2007, Louise began her career with NSPCC Northern Ireland, as a Therapeutic Social Worker, based in the Foyle office. Louise said: As I had always been a huge supporter of the NSPCCs work and had enjoyed being a volunteer at some of their local fundraising events, getting this job was a dream come true. It also meant I could put into practice everything I had learnt over that last 10 years honestly, I was over the moon and could not wait to get started! My initial job within the organisation was supporting parents and children who had experienced domestic abuse and, even though it was a demanding and complex role, I loved the work so much. I remember feeling so fortunate to be able to offer therapeutic help to parents and children when they really needed it. It was especially fulfilling to see the positive results of our work and I have to say that this feeling has never changed in the 16 years I have been with the organisation. Over sixteen years, she has worked on a variety of services and believes that all of them have provided crucial help for local people. One service she worked on directly was with children and young people who had experienced sexual abuse. This service, which is still offered in the Northern Ireland Hub, takes place in specially designed therapeutic rooms, is tailored to the ages of the children and there is always a focus on creating a strong connection between the child and their practitioner. Louise commented: I cant deny that this work can sometimes be challenging and difficult. I have worked with young people, aged from 5-18, who have been sexually abused, both online and offline, and each case is different. However, the one common element that has struck me over the years is the importance of speaking out about what has happened. Many young people can be apprehensive, even after they have spoken out. However, once they start working with us, they are given the reassurance that none of it was their fault and for some, that can be a major turning point. Not all young people tell us directly that they feel their lives are better after working with us but often it is smaller things that show how they have benefitted from our therapeutic support. For example, they can return to school, spend more time with their friends or just experience a good nights sleep. Often, we see physical changes in them like lighter body language and walking taller. Parents often tell us they notice their children are less anxious and have increased confidence after taking part in our services. One parent told us we had literally brought her little girl back. Its such a huge privilege to be part of this process - helping children recover and start to rebuild their lives. One of the other services offered by the Foyle office is InCtrl, which is for young people where there are concerns about their online behaviour. The service, which can be delivered in a school setting, covers issues such as grooming and bullying and is designed to help children recognise the risks they can encounter. It also helps them deal with mental health pressures arising from their previous experiences online and supports them in keeping safe online There has been very positive feedback about the service, with one school reporting: InCtrl is an invaluable programme that offers quick and timely intervention to children as they attempt to navigate the online world Our pupils enhanced their skills in developing safe and positive relationships, both online and offline. Louise continued, As well as working with children and young people, we are delighted to offer Pregnancy in Mind. Its a preventative, mental health service for parents-to-be who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mild to moderate anxiety and, or, depression during the perinatal period. "This can be carried out directly, or remotely, in groups. Having run this service for around a year, we are delighted to have received some very positive feedback about the impact it has had on the lives of parents and, ultimately, on the life of their unborn babies." Louise still works in the Foyle site of the NSPCCs Northern Ireland Hub, which is based in Exchange House in the city centre - where the charitys Childline service is also based. For the last five years, Louise has worked as a Team Manager, providing supervision to her team, who work in all the services offered at the Hub, and using the skills she has learnt over her time with the charity. She said: When I started with NSPCC Northern Ireland, 16 years ago, I couldnt have imagined that I would still be here after such a long time. My own life has changed I now have a husband and two children aged 10 and 12, and a beloved dog, Penny. My vision and passion, however, have remained the same and thats to put children first and keep fighting for every childhood. Louise concludes: I would encourage anyone who would like more information about what we can offer to get in touch with us. We are always happy to listen and advise if our services might be helpful. Above all, I would urge people not to suffer in silence, and to speak out as soon as possible. "Even if time has passed, its never too late. The NSPCC is always here to help when children have experienced abuse. NSPCCs NI Hub is contactable on either 02871 312187 or 0282044 1524. The Derry University Group has been repeatedly told by political representatives that our determined pursuit of an independent university for the city means we are not with the project. Our party cant be dealing with negativity, one group told us. This was by no means an isolated incident. The main parties on Derry/Strabane council actively prevent their members from commenting on issues pertaining to Magee. If you doubt this, just look at how many of them raised their heads when Ulster University attempted to decree that Magee be dropped from the campuss title and it would be renamed UU Derry-Londonderry. Without process, debate or any reason given. By an organisation which has no rights to the Derry estate. Attempting to mitigate for UU, one solitary stalking horse suggested that the benefactress Martha Magees money - like all money - may not have been clean. If that were indeed the case, and it is publicly felt that the name should be changed, then surely there must be a city-led and city-wide discussion about it? It is not up to a Belfast university to rename a stick in Derry. And we certainly dont dismiss an entire 180-year legacy on the basis of one tweet. And while were at it, if we are going to start renaming things, perhaps we should begin with the citys main business street, which memorialises the British viceroy to Ireland during the Famine, Lord Clarendon? No, Derry autonomy from Belfast is not just a problem for Magee - it is every bit as much a problem for our local political reps who have to check back with Headquarters at the other end of the Glenshane Pass before blessing themselves. Last weekend, former Derry News journalist Garrett Hargan caught the DUP and the civil service red-handed, drawing up an attack plan to stop Derry development. Where was the civic outrage? Where was the political uproar? Can you imagine this going on in a democratic country? Just think for one minute what would happen if Dublin civil servants were caught conspiring with Dublin ministers to stop a project in Cork which had been promised for decades. All hell would break loose, the government would fall, and Cork would constitute itself as an independent republic. Derry needs some of that Cork fire. We need to insist on a cross-border, Independent Commission to run Magee as Stormont is utterly determined not to help - and keeps telling us. And we need this immediately, if for no other other reason than to protect the recent Irish government investment in our region. UU cant afford us and is completely compromised. If it wants to sustain its massive debt in Belfast, it has to give up Magee, instead of bleeding it dry. In the short term, the new North West University, run by the cross-border Commission, can engage UU as a service provider. By the way, the reason that Derrys political parties are not on board with the university campaign is very simple. Theyve screwed it up so many times before, they are no longer allowed to control it. And they dont like that. But its time to get over it and get on board now, as we need your lifting power, and, in case you havent noticed, this is the time to weigh in. It is time to get fired up and start using your own brain and not be looking to borrow the party brain from Belfast. Do you think John Hume or Martin McGuinness would have had to check back with Belfast before issuing a comment on the civic university? Finally, as regards the charge that the DUG is negative, lets quickly recap. We note with amusement that different representatives like to claim our campaign victories as their own, and good luck to them. We dont care who claims the goal as long as the ball goes in the net. But one point to remember - over the past 10 years there has been one campaign group, and one campaign group only, which has kept this issue on the agenda for every single election, for every single hustings, for every single position paper, and for every single budget. And every time we have raised an issue of patent unfairness or discrimination - like civil servants openly colluding with Ministers to stop Derry regeneration - we have been smeared as whingers, thanks to those people who are getting their lines from the NIO or their party HQ in Belfast. Heres the kicker, though. We havent gone away, you know - and were not going to. And, most importantly of all, were actually starting to get somewhere. So instead of dismissing ideas that arent yours, and the campaigners who are giving you a win on a platter if only you could spot it, maybe instead its time you stopped with your own negativity - and got with the project? Leo Varadkar has spoken of his concerns that the UK is disengaging from the world. The Taoiseach commented on language coming from the Conservative Party conference this week about leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, describing it as not the Britain I know. Mr Varadkar was speaking in Spain ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak where they were attending a European Political Community meeting. He said he would be seeking an update on discussions between the UK Government and the DUP about efforts to restore the powersharing institutions at Stormont. Asked if he was concerned about language coming from the Tory conference this week, Mr Varadkar said: I am, to be honest. The Britain, the United Kingdom that I love and admire is the country of the Magna Carta, the country that founded a parliamentary democracy and the country that helped to write the European Convention on Human Rights. And it does bother me to see the United Kingdom disengaging from the world, whether its reducing its budget for international aid, whether its leaving the European Union, and now even talking about withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, thats not the Britain I know. Mr Varadkar said he would also be discussing the UKs new act to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles with Mr Sunak. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received royal assent last month despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish government. Aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery. It will also halt future civil cases and inquests. Ireland is seeking legal advice about taking an inter-state legal case to the European Court of Human Rights. Mr Varadkar said: We will certainly discuss the issue of the UK legacy legislation. Thats something the Irish government is very opposed to, so are the victims groups, so are the five main parties in Northern Ireland. We believe it is potentially a contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights and certainly I will be saying that to the Prime Minister. Mr Varadkar also said the issue of restoring the Stormont institutions, which are not operating due to a DUP protest over post-Brexit trading arrangements, was very important to both governments. Welcome to the wonderfully complex and rich world of multi-die systems. Breaking free from the monolithic SoC mold, multi-die systems integrate heterogeneous dies into a single package. This relatively new architecture is steadily transforming the semiconductor industry by allowing chip designers to reach new heights of functionality with higher compute power and the ability to reuse proven dies, enabling more powerful systems in phones, computers, and even self-driving cars. However, with rapid advancement comes challenges, many of which were discussed at last months Accelerating Mainstream Adoption of Multi-Die Systems panel discussion, hosted by Synopsys. This virtual event brought together Murat Becer, vice president of research and development at Ansys, Inc.; Michael Schaffert, senior vice president at Bosch; Cheolmin Park, corporate vice president at Samsung; Lalitha Immaneni, vice president of architecture, design, and technology solutions at Intel; and Shekhar Kapoor, senior director of product line management at Synopsys. The panel was moderated by Marco Chiapetta, co-founder and principal analyst at HotTech Vision and Analysis, and touched on the current state of multi-die system design, its applications, and the industrys expectations for multi-die system adoption. Read on for highlights from the panel and insights into why industry leaders believe collaboration is critical to accelerating the adoption of multi-die systems. Click here to read more ... Milpitas -- October 5, 2023 -- Marquee Semiconductor, a global leader in chip design solutions, is delighted to announce its collaboration with the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA), a pivotal step that reflects Marquee's commitment to fostering the growth and advancement of the semiconductor ecosystem in Singapore. SSIA is the voice of Singapores semiconductor industry and is committed to support this important sector in Singapore in order to facilitate substantial growth of the whole semiconductor economy of the country. By becoming a member of the SSIA, Marquee Semiconductor reinforces its investment to promoting innovation, and technological excellence within the Singaporean semiconductor landscape. This partnership aims to leverage Marquee's experience and expertise to drive the development of cutting-edge solutions that will further elevate Singapore's position as a hub for semiconductor innovation. Marquee Semiconductor, headquartered in Silicon Valley, provides spec to silicon design services in semiconductor with a specialization and focus on high-speed connectivity protocols and chiplet-based designs. Since its inception in 2021, the companys approach has been very unique, both top-down and bottom-up, in scaling up its R&D efforts in Singapore. In the top-down approach, the company strives to hire experienced engineers to drive the customer solution and support from Singapore. In the bottom-up approach, the companys connection with local universities support to hire top talents that go through companys state-of-the-art Learning Management System (LMS) for engineering and culture training. Such an approach inculcates a habit to innovate, supports scalability of the R&D center, and thus the long-term growth of the company in the region. Singapore has a vibrant and sophisticated semiconductor industry that continues to be a key pillar of our economy. We are pleased to have Marquee be part of our ecosystem to contribute to the growth of the sector and nurture local talents. In this regard, industry associations such as the SSIA play a key role in facilitating connections and knowledge exchange amongst companies and I look forward to more new collaborations between Marquee and our local ecosystem players. said Ms. Elaine Teo, Senior Vice President, Investment Facilitation Division, Singapore Economic Development Board. We are delighted to welcome Marquee Semiconductor as the newest addition to our esteemed network of members at SSIA. Their presence will further enhance the semiconductor ecosystem in Singapore and the region. We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Marquee Semiconductor to further grow our ecosystem. With their cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions, we are confident that they will contribute immensely to the growth of our industry. Additionally, we are committed to working closely with them, providing the necessary support to scale their operations here. Expressed, Ang Wee Seng, Executive Director of SSIA. Through this collaboration with SSIA along with companys strong R&D presence in Silicon Valley, and other global locations, the company is well positioned in Singapore to scale-up a team of high caliber workforce and work with local customers and partners to develop chiplet-based solution. Marquee Semiconductor will actively participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives, industry events, and collaborative projects aimed at propelling the growth of the semiconductor ecosystem in Singapore. Said Purna Mohanty, CEO, Marquee Semiconductor. For more information about Marquee Semiconductor and its innovative chip design solutions, please visit https://marqueesemi.com/. About Marquee Semiconductor As a global semiconductor services company headquartered in Silicon Valley, we specialize in connectivity-related designs for SoC/Chiplets and FPGAs. Our services range from staff augmentation to turnkey solutions, covering the complete journey from spec to silicon. What sets Marquee Semiconductor apart is our unique end-to-end automation capabilities. Leveraging our proprietary Professional Service Automation, Register Service Automation, and System Integration Automation tools, we streamline the design process, boosting productivity and ensuring real-time project tracking with complete transparency. With a relentless commitment to excellence and innovation, Marquee Semiconductor consistently delivers high-quality services and solutions that set new industry standards. By joining forces with the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association, Marquee Semiconductor is poised to drive innovation, collaboration, and growth within the dynamic Singaporean semiconductor ecosystem. About SSIA As Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) has more than 250 members today including companies and organizations throughout all parts of the complex and comprehensive value chain - IC design companies, Manufacturers, Fabless companies, Equipment suppliers, Photovoltaic companies, EDA and material suppliers, Training and service providers, IP companies, research institutes and Academia, as well as individual members. Since 2013, SME membership has grown exponentially and SMEs now account for close to half of SSIAs membership. For more information about SSIA, visit: https://ssia.org.sg/ HIGHLIGHTS The new Pixel foldable could be under development under the codename Comet. The Pixel 8 series was codenamed after different dog breeds. The Pixel 9 series could have codenames after reptile breeds. Foldable phones seem to be the newest found interest for the smartphone brands with each releasing a new one, one after the other. Sources reveal that Google could be next in line to bring out a new foldable variant. It is speculated to be the Pixel Fold 2 or the Pixel Flip. And it could be under development under the codename Comet. Lets find out what we know about this speculation for now. Also read: Pixel Fold gets teased ahead of Google IO showcasing key features of the Google foldable Google Pixel Fold How do we know that Google could actually be working on a foldable smartphone variant? Thanks to 9to5Google, they spotted a Pixel device having the codename Comet in Pixels fall lineup. But but but You must be thinking that we were talking about a foldable smartphone, where did Pixel come from? Well, thats just Googles way of possibly keeping its project hidden and they have smartly mentioned it in Pixels lineup. But how are we sure of this? So, if we track back to Googles behaviour of codenaming its devices, then the Pixel 8 series was codenamed after different dog breeds- Shiba for Pixel 8, Husky for Pixel 8 Pro, and Akita for Pixel 8a; then the Pixel Fold (Gen 1), Pixel 7, and the Pixel 7 Pro were all named after cat breeds like Felix, Panther, and Cheetah; and the Pixel 9 series could have codenames after reptile breeds. So, the codename Comet sounds a bit off. Also read: Google Pixel Fold leak reveals its likely price and 4 key specs Google Pixel Fold Further investigation into the codename pattern also shows that Comet is positioned adjacent to the number 7. Not just this, but at another spot it is linked to a Fold smartphone. So, all the possibilities are pointing out that this is going to be Googles next foldable phone. As far as which foldable phone this could possibly be, we are not sure yet. Either it could be the successor to the Pixel Fold which was released in May this year in select areas or it could be a newer addition to the market. Well have to wait and see. Chip unicorns emerge in China's Yangtze River Delta China-based GTA Semiconductor raised CNY13.5 billion (US$1.87 billion) in financing, the latest example of a chip unicorn emerging in China's Yangtze River Delta thanks to state funds and incentive policies launched by China's central and local governments. In September 2023, Shanghai-based GTA Semiconductor received strategic investments from China state funds, the aforementioned CNY13.5 billion in financing. The chip company has raised CNY21.5 billion within two years. Zhejiang-based RongSemi, founded in 2021, secured financing in April 2023. The company is the only fully private pure-play foundry in China and is engaged in foundry and OSAT business with 300mm wafers. RongSemi's investors include Yu Renrong, chairman and co-founder of Will Semiconductor, and Wang Xing, CEO and co-founder of Meituan. With the backing of 29 investors, Anhui-based YASC Semi completed over CNY3.8 billion in series A financing in June 2023, setting a record for the highest amount in China's SiC industry. The firm provides foundry service for SiC chips and has an annual capacity of 60,000 wafers at its Wuhu facility. Meanwhile, In the past two to three years, Jiangsu Province has seen over a dozen financing cases in the pure-play foundry industry. In addition to individual efforts by private companies to attract investments, the Yangtze River Delta has seen active involvement from local venture capitals in the semiconductor field, including SAIC Motor, which partnered with several local asset management companies in Shanghai to form a multi-billion yuan fund with a focus on the semiconductor supply chain and chips for smart vehicles and electrification. Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, and other regional provinces have also announced the establishment of industrial funds, respectively. For example, in April 2023, Huzhou, Zhejiang, announced the creation of an industry fund with a total scale of no less than CNY20 billion. In February, Suzhou, Jiangsu, established a CNY5 billion fund covering various sectors such as semiconductors, optoelectronics, AI, big data, new materials, and high-end equipment manufacturing. The most notable fund in the Delta is the second phase of the Yangtze River Delta Fund, with a scale of CNY10 billion, after the first phase completed all its investments. The two phases have a combined scale of CNY14 billion, and the second phase will focus on semiconductors, biopharmaceuticals, and AI. Meanwhile, local governments in the Yangtze River Delta launched policy and financial support to develop the semiconductor industry, with Jiangshu providing CNY1 million reward to chip companies that make it to the first-time inclusion in the China top 500, and Shanghai offering varying amounts of subsidies for research and development in components and materials. European Commission recommends risk assessment on advanced semiconductor and AI before the end of 2023 Following the publication of a Joint Communication on a European Economic Security Strategy by the European Commission in June, calling for the bloc to thoroughly assess economy risks in four categories related to supply chain resilience, technology security/leakage, economic coercion and critical infrastructure security, on October 3 the European Commission further adopted a recommendation on critical technology areas for the EU's economic security, zooming on the issue of technology leakage. In the document, the Commission puts forward a list of 10 critical technology areas based on their potentials to enable significant performance and sector changes and advance military capabilities. Among them, advanced semiconductors, AI, quantum technologies and biotechnologies are especially highlighted as the four areas highly likely to present "the most sensitive and immediate risks related to technology security and technology leakage," and EU member states are recommended by the Commission to conduct initial risk assessments of these four named areas by the end of 2023. Following the initial collective risk assessments, according to the European Commission, further initiatives in this direction may be presented by Spring 2024. Whether or not EU member states can put up an united front, however, remains the biggest question mark. As indicated by the European Commission, "advanced semiconductors" entail high frequency chips, photonics and semiconductor manufacturing equipment at very advanced nodes. AI technologies entail High Performance Computing (HPC), cloud and edge computing, data analytic technologies, and computer vision, language processing, objection recognition. When it comes to quantum technologies, quantum computing, quantum cryptography, quantum communications, and quantum sensing/radar are included. To guide the collective risk assessment process, the European Commission recommends taking into account various dimensions, including the value chain of technologies and the evolution of risks, in addition to present and future chokepoints. It also calls for "a mapping of the EU's relative position in each technology, including key players and elements of the EU's comparative lead." Ultimately, in line with the European Economic Security Strategy, the EU seeks to review its foreign direct investment screening regulation and fully implement the bloc's export control regulation on dual-use technologies, among other measures. However, as an EU diplomat told the Financial Times, performing a credible risk assesssment for an entire technology is difficult, and the timeline set by the Commission is too ambitious to do a detailed analysis. In addition, exports control measures still fall within the domain of EU member states, which have different national security strategies. Documentation that limited the evidence two US special agents could give at the trial of Aaron Brady, who was convicted of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, was not disclosed to his defence team until five months into his trial, the Court of Appeal has been told. Brady, who was jailed in 2020 for a minimum of 40 years for the murder of the detective, is bidding to overturn his conviction in a six-day hearing before the Court of Appeal. On the second day of the hearing before the three-judge appeals court Michael O'Higgins SC, representing Brady, argued that the trial court had erred in refusing to direct an oral hearing on disclosure with respect to documentation in the possession of Homeland Security Intelligence in America. Another ground of appeal argued today by Mr O'Higgins was the failure by the prosecution at trial to disclose to the defence letters of scope in a timely fashion, which the defence said placed significant limitations on the evidence which Special Agent Mary Anne Wade and Special Agent Matt Katske were willing to give such that it rendered the trial unfair. Counsel said the letters had directed the agents not to disclose the immigration status of relevant prosecution witnesses in the case. During the trial, Special Agent Wade told prosecution counsel that she worked with gardai in New York who were investigating the murder of Det Gda Donohoe. On May 18, 2017 she was present when Brady was arrested for being in the US illegally and she seized his mobile phone. In an often spiky encounter with Mr O'Higgins, who defended Brady during his trial, Special Agent Wade repeatedly refused to answer questions about the immigration status of key witness Daniel Cahill and insisted she did not promise or offer him anything. Mr Cahill had testified that Aaron Brady told him on three occasions that he murdered a garda in Ireland. Mr O'Higgins asked if, regarding the Aaron Brady investigation, there were ever any discussions about telling people who had overstayed their visas that if they failed to cooperate with gardai they would be sent home. Special Agent Wade replied: "I'm not going to testify to investigative methods or interview techniques." She explained that she was bound by a letter from her employer that prevented her from discussing the immigration status of individuals or the methods used by the agency. In reply, Brendan Grehan SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the letters of scope were disclosed to the defence, albeit late, in May 2020, adding that the defence were being "opportunistic" in their submissions. He said the letters did not have anything to do with the disclosure of the documentation in the case but were in place because the two special agents were being asked to make themselves available as witnesses in the case. Aaron Brady (32) previously of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum having been found guilty in 2020 of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe (41) at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgen, Co Louth on January 25, 2013. Brady was also sentenced to 14 years for the robbery, a sentence that will run concurrently with the life sentence. Det Gda Donohoe was on a cash escort when he was ambushed by a five-man gang and shot dead. The raiders stole just 7,000 in cash during the robbery, which lasted 58 seconds. Brady's trial was also the longest murder case in Irish legal history, lasting 122 court days. The father-of-one 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 appeal continues tomorrow before Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, sitting with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Ms Justice Tara Burns, when it is expected that the appellant will raise a complaint regarding witness Molly Staunton who gave testimony via video link from New York during the Covid-19 crisis. Delegates from Louth and Meath Education Training Board (ETB) attended the annual Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) education conference in Cork City Hall last week. The theme for this years conference The ETB of the Future explored key topics such as the role of AI and technology in education, the importance of inclusion and diversity, and what learners want for the class of 2033. The event brought together over 300 representatives from across the sector and featured a line-up of over 40 speakers. Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Niall Collins TD opened the conference giving the official Ministerial conference address. Commenting of the future of education, General Secretary of ETBI, Paddy Lavelle said: As we reflect on 10 years of ETBs in Ireland, its time for us now to look to the future and focus on what lies ahead for our sector. Ireland is changing, and its important that we move to adapt with it. "We need to plan ahead and give real thought to who our learners of the future are: what skills do they need; how do they need or want to be taught; and how can we ensure that we are delivering education to learners of all levels in Louth and Meath and across the country that meets their needs, and the needs of their future employers? It will come as no surprise that we have heard throughout the conference of the potential for technology to revolutionise education for both the teacher and the learner. "However, its important that we also highlight other key considerations that will be vital in the future of education. As Ireland continues to become a more diverse and inclusive country, it is essential that we ensure that we have the infrastructure in place to support all learners regardless of any disability, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Louth and Meath ETB and Education and Training Boards across Ireland are already providing multidenominational, coeducational and equality-based education and training services, so are well placed to expand on this delivery and meet potential increased demand. The learners of the future are tech-savvy, culturally diverse, environmentally conscious, and adaptable. It is our responsibility now to ensure that the classroom of the future evolves to support them on their learning journey. The conference took place over two days, with a full line-up of keynote speakers and panel discussions. Some of the highlights from the agenda include inputs from: Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The next court hearing of persons charged in connection with the death in Lebanon of UNIFIL soldier Private Sean Rooney, is to take place in December, according to information provided to Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu by the the Tanaiste and Minister for Defence. Deputy O Murchu had submitted a Parliamentary Question (PQ) on the matter, to which he received a response on Wednesday. The PQ stated: "To ask the Tanaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the progress being made in the investigation into the death of a solider (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) in Lebanon, UNIFIL soldier Private Sean Rooney." The response provided to the Sinn Fein TD stated: "Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Sean Rooney was killed and a number of his colleagues from the 121st Battalion injured, I have consistently expressed my determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. "On 26 January, I visited Lebanon and met with my Lebanese counterparts - the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence. I impressed upon them the need to ensure that the Lebanese investigation was as thorough and complete as possible. In March, the Ceann Comhairle visited Lebanon and met with the Lebanese Minister for Defence and the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament. "Last month, I met the Lebanese Minister for Foreign Affairs in New York at the UN General Assembly and I again raised the matter of the Lebanese criminal investigation. "Through the Embassy in Cairo and the Consulate in Beirut, the Irish Government has maintained close diplomatic contact with the Lebanese authorities in relation to the progress of the Lebanese criminal investigation. "An initial indictment hearing of persons charged in connection with the incident of 14 December, took place on 14 July with a further hearing taking place on 30 August. The next court hearing is scheduled for 15 December 2023. "Representatives from the Embassy in Cairo and the Consulate in Beirut have attended all hearings to date. In addition, my Department has engaged a Lebanese legal firm to represent the interests and concerns of the Irish Government at the court hearings. "Given that this matter is now before the Lebanese judicial system, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. However, I can assure the House that my Department, the Embassy in Cairo, the Consulate in Beirut and I will continue to monitor developments very closely. "In addition to the criminal investigation, a number of other investigations were initiated following Private Rooney's killing. An Garda Siochana is conducting its own investigation, pursuant to the provisions of the Coroners Act 1962 (as amended), for the purposes of preparing a report for the Coroner. "The United Nations also undertook a Board of Inquiry, which has now been concluded. As this is an internal report of the United Nations, it may not be shared with third parties or made public in any form, either in whole or in part. Consequently, the final report of the Board of Inquiry will not be published. It has, however, been shared with Ireland for official use only." Following the repsonse, Deputy O Murchu has confirmed that he will be raising the matter at Questions on Promised Legislation slot in the Dail today. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) said they are proud to report that music students Darren Culliney and Leandro Pessina recently presented their research at the 9th EUGEO Conference, Geography for our Common Future, which was hosted by the University of Barcelona. EUGEO is the Association of Geographical Societies in Europe with members from 27 countries. The conferences programme demonstrated the breadth of interests in geography. Within the cultural geography streams, a number of papers and conversations focused on sound and music. Darren and Leandro presented and chaired a session entitled Music at Borders. Darren, whose research is supported by a Technological University Transformation Fund (TUTF) Scholarship, presented his research on Irish traditional music in Ulster, focusing on the role of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. He said: For me, this engaging and informative event was an eye-opening experience, as it was the first academic conference from a different field of study that I have attended. "It has challenged me to think more broadly about my research topic and introduced me to some concepts and perspectives that I believe will strengthen my research as I continue my study. Leandro, an Irish Research Council (IRC) scholarship holder, already holds a Masters in Geography and he presented on the potential for the further development of music tourism in the border region. Following on from my presentation and the response I received, I am hoping to write up and expand on my paper with an aim to publish it in a peer-reviewed journal in the near future. Attendance at the conference not only facilitated dissemination of their ongoing research about musical cultures in Co. Louth but allowed them to encounter other research projects and develop ideas for further development at DkIT which will enhance and evolve their current research projects. Both Darren and Leandro are completing their PhDs in the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music and are members of the Creative Arts Research Centre at DkIT. Labour declared the eradication of child poverty its historic mission as the party outlined alternative budget proposals. Party finance spokesman Ged Nash said 90,000 children in Ireland live in consistent poverty, a statistic he branded a national disgrace. Labours proposed budget includes almost 240 million euro worth of measures aimed at tackling child poverty, including 176 million euro to increase the Qualified Child Payment for Social Welfare payments and recipients of Back to Work Family Dividend (BTWFD) by 15 euro for children aged 12 and over, to 65 euro, and by 10 euro for children aged under 12, to 52 euro. The alternative budget, titled an Ireland That Works for All, also proposes doubling the Christmas Child Benefit payment. The party also proposes the creation of a dedicated departmental team to address child poverty and examine the feasibility of new Child Income Support Payment. Our plans propose a launch point for the eradication of child poverty, that should be our historic mission, Mr Nash said at the launch of the document at party HQ in Dublin. 90,000 Irish children live in consistent poverty. And that is a national disgrace. Labours alternative budget envisages a total package of just under seven billion euro, with around three billion euro worth of once off cost-of-living support measures. The party would spend 90 million euro on an emergency fund to aid councils in converting vacant or derelict homes into usable accommodation to address rising homelessness lists. Labour also wants to increase social welfare payments, by 15 euro from October rising to 27.50 euro on a phased basis through 2024. A one-off 250 euro November fuel allowance payment is also included in the plan. On the wider housing crisis, Labour advocates a 1.6 billion euro injection of capital funding to dramatically increase construction of social and affordable homes on public land, retrofit older homes and support measures to help renters. On public sector pay, Labour would spent 1.3 billion euro funding a 5% wage rise, a measure that would include community, care and voluntary sector workers in state funded organisations. The party would also increase the minimum wage by two euro to 13.30 and pay a living wage of 14.80 euro to public servants. Mr Nash added: We are at a crucial point in our country, yet I dont believe this government is up to the task ahead. Weve had an unprecedented number of industrial relations issues, workers struggling to keep the lights on and food on the table, and too many children with disabilities falling through the yawning gaps in our disability services. Labour has a vision for a better Ireland, an Ireland that works for all. An Ireland where when a child is sick, you can attend the doctor without fear of affordability. An Ireland where if you provide crucial care work to the State and communities, you will be paid fairly. An Ireland where everyone has a home. An Ireland where we slash inequality once and for all. Louth native, Carole OConnor from Drogheda will take to the stage with award winning West End leading lady, Rebecca Storm in a brand new Irish musical drama Letters From The Front, written by Don OConnor and Ollie Hennessy. Fresh from its premier at Kilkennys Watergate Theatre, Carole and a cast of 35 members will play the OReilly Theatre, Belvedere College, Dublin 1, from November 21st to 24th. Set during World War 1, Letters From The Front is the new Irish musical that has everyone talking since it debuted earlier this year. The new musical tells the emotional tales of three families, caught up in the turmoil of WW1. This is a story of young love and sacrifice when Irish couple, Willie and Eileens circumstances force them to separate when Willie is sent to fight for the British military stationed at the Western Front. The only communication keeping the couple's connection alive is through the heart-felt letters they exchange. Letters From The Front features a stunning orchestral music score and beautiful original songs that underpin the raw emotions of the characters as they navigate the turbulent waters of the Great War. From haunting melodies that speak to the depths of despair, to uplifting songs that celebrate the strength of the characters, inspired by and based on real letters that were written by soldiers and family members throughout the years 1914-1918, the music of Letters from the Front will resonate deeply with audiences. Beginning life as A Silent Night a 30-minute presentation during the Kilkenny Yuletide Festival in 2018, the theme of the story is inspired by true life letters written to and by soldiers on the front-line during WWI. Creators Don OConnor and Ollie Hennessey said: The reaction Letters from the Front got in Kilkenny back in March made us believe that there is an audience for these stories. "Many of our cast including Rebecca herself have family links to WWI and we were unaware of the scale of Irish participation in WWI (over 200,000 Irish men served in the British military with 35,000 losing their lives) until we started writing the musical. Ollie who is responsible for the music added one of the most iconic songs of WWI is Its a long way from Tipperary recorded by one of Irelands best known tenors John Mc Cormack so there is a real connection between this horrendous part of world history and our country. "Having someone with such exceptional theatre experience as Rebecca agreeing to come on board makes us believe we have something special in this piece of musical theatre. Adding to the excitement of the musical rolling into the capital, West End leading lady Rebecca Storm joins the cast of Letters from the Front for the Dublin dates. Having performed in major productions such as Calendar Girls the Musical, Evita, Les Miserables and Blood Brothers, Rebecca is sure to bring her extraordinary talent and captivating presence, which will undoubtedly elevate this production to new heights, promising audiences a truly unforgettable show. Rebecca said: I'm absolutely thrilled to be a part of 'Letters from the Front' and to bring this incredible story to Dublin for the very first time. "It's a powerful and moving piece of musical theatre. I actually have the letters written by my great grandfather who fought at the Battle of the Somme, so these four performances in such an intimate Dublin venue will be very special not only for me but also the other cast members many who like me have ancestors who fought in WWI. Dont miss your chance to be one of the first to witness this turbulent journey through a rocky chapter in history. Letters from the Front is a must-see for theatregoers and history buffs alike. Tickets are on sale now from www.gr8events.ie/letters Tickets are priced at 34 and 30 for OAP/students Messe Frankfurt Middle East has launched a new logistics show which will take place from December 10 to 12, 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre and is designed to drive the global logistics sector forward. Launched on the sidelines of Automechanika Dubai, the logistics experiential showcase will take place alongside Automechanika Dubai, providing natural synergies between the automotive industry and the various verticals within the logistics sector and capitalising on the UAEs position as the epicentre of the worlds logistics sector, bridging Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. During the launch, a high-level leadership panel discussion entitled Pioneering the Future: Driving the MEA Transport and Logistics Sector Forward with Emerging Trends and Innovation in Logistics and Supply Chain outlined the challenges and opportunities within the sector and highlighted the importance of a dedicated logistics show in filling the current gaps within the industry. The panel comprised local and regional logistics sector luminaries: Ghanim Al Falasi, Senior Vice President, Dubai Silicon Oasis; Fadi Azzi, Global Director, Logistics, Aramex International LLC; Vargheese Anthony, General Manager, Freight Management and Relocations, Al Futtaim Logistics; Dr Prakash Rao PhD, Group Head, Supply Chain Projects & Home Operations, Landmark Group and Tobias Mayer, CFO DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa, CEO Middle East & Africa, Saloodo, moderated by Edward Matti, Managing Partner, CCM Consultancy. Greater efficiency Ted Bloom, Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: We are acutely aware of the ever-evolving landscape of logistics as it adapts to lessons learned from the pandemic and strives for greater efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. The show will unite the leading minds, innovators and biggest sector operators in an exciting new forum to help shape the sector's future. The Middle East and Africa region's logistics sector is dynamic and evolving, driven by infrastructure development, trade growth, technological advancements, and changing consumer behaviour. These developments make the region increasingly important in global logistics and supply chain networks and we aim to underpin that importance through this new addition to our Middle East offering. The three-day show will cover the key issues in this ever-changing sector, mindful that logistics providers must adapt to new challenges and opportunities to remain competitive, efficient and sustainable in a rapidly changing global economy. The show will provide a rare chance for key industry players to meet and help shape the sectors future. Automation and technology High on the agenda will be the increasing use of automation and technology including AI, blockchain, warehouse automation (such as robots and drones), real-time tracking and monitoring, and digital supply chain platforms for visibility and efficiency. In addition, the rise in e-commerce, last-mile delivery issues and the associated investment required in advanced fulfilment centres, automation, and innovative delivery solutions will also be discussed. Delegates will also have the chance to hear from sustainability and green logistics experts as environmental concerns drive a shift toward greener logistics practices. There are so many issues in the sector, so we expect a lively conference stream, backed by sector innovators revealing ground-breaking products and services at the exhibition, added Bloom. Talent and workforce challenges will be another hot topic, especially filling roles in technology, data analytics and automation, as will the growing complexity of regulation, cross-border trade, environmental compliance, new post-pandemic safety protocols and contactless operations. New JVs As collaboration among logistics providers and shippers is growing - including sharing resources, optimising routes, and even collaborative warehousing to improve efficiency the new launch will be the perfect platform for networking and forming new joint ventures. Dubai stands at the crossroads of innovation, collaboration, and growth in the logistics sector. Hosting such a world-class exhibition in Dubai is beneficial for the sector and essential to propel the industry forward. We look forward to the global community converging in Dubai to share, learn and drive the future of logistics," concluded Bloom.--TradeArabia News Service Cyprus driving advice Unlike the majority of the world, Cyprus road users drive on the left. This is a welcome surprise for UK visitors, but for many other visitors its a case of getting used to the other side. Keep your lights on half an hour before sunset and half an hour after sunrise. Police are known to impose fines if you do not conform to this rule. Have your licence with you in the car in case you are stopped. Also have all your car rental and insurance details. Do your research before you head out on any day trips. Sometimes the road quality can deteriorate and, whilst you may be comfortable with this, the car rental agent may not be. Plan ahead and try to avoid dirt tracks or any roads where you are likely to damage the car. Many fuel stations will be attended, so you probably wont need to fill the tank yourself. And, if you can spare some loose change as a small tip, it will be highly appreciated. Knossos Once the capital of the ancient Minoan empire, the ruins here are some of the oldest in Greece. The site is a relic of Greek mythology, home to the legend of King Minos and the Minotaur. Upon entering what remains of the palace, you will understand why the myth was born here. The site is a complex labyrinth or halls, stairways, royal apartments, suits and rooms. Many of the original colours of the intricate frescoes also still remain. Given its famous history, this is one of the most popular sites on the island. And it gets busy (very busy) in the summertime. Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to visit. Arrive early for shorter queues. Bring a hat and lots of sunscreen, as much of the site is not covered. For true history buffs, combine your visit with a tour around the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion for a full experience. Lisbon Car hire pick up point Prices from Average price Lisbon Airport 2.50 per day 22.90 per day Lisbon Downtown 4.20 per day 22.70 per day Cheapest month / most expensive month Average cost per day of car hire in Lisbon* November 9.00 August 34.70 (*based on a 7+day rental) Neighbourhood guide Lisbon is split into many neighbourhoods, each with their own characteristics. Here are our top picks: Alfama the famed old town is perhaps the most unforgettable stop in Lisbon. Wear some good shoes, stroll the cobbled streets and grab a pasteis de nata they are to die for! Chiado a popular area to stay in the city, Chiado is a great place to spend time if you want to be in the centre of shops, cafes, hustle and bustle. Bairro Alto hilly streets and faded facades make up the highest district in Lisbon. Full of character, this area comes to life at night. Docas de Santo Amaro views of the Tagus and the stunning 25 de Abril Bridge, head here for an afternoon drink in a converted warehouse on the waters edge. Local tips 1. Praca do Comercio is the main square and youll find the tourist information office here. Plus, visit the top of the Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta for just a few Euros to see lovely views of the city. 2. If you want to take the historic Alfama Tram 28, head down early so that they arent too crowded. EBRD provides 10.5 million pre-IPO under conditions mandatorily convertible loan to Noval Property in Greece Proceeds will focus on green buildings and decarbonisation of property sector Noval Property has signed the UN Women Empowerment principles and will introduce GRESB reporting standards Noval Property and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a 10.5 million bond loan. The loan will be under conditions mandatorily convertible into newly issued shares of the company. Proceeds will be directed towards the company's green asset investment pipeline to support the decarbonisation of Greeces property sector. Noval Property is one of the largest real estate investment companies in Greece, and a subsidiary of Viohalco. In 2021, the EBRD participated in Noval Propertys debut green bond issuance, with an investment of 12 million of the total 120 million offering. The financing was signed today by Jean-Marc Peterschmitt, EBRD Chief Operating Officer of Client Services and Managing Director of Industry, Commerce and Agribusiness and Panagiotis Kapetanakos, Chief Executive Officer and Aikaterini Apergi, Chief Financial Officer of Noval Property. Through this pre-IPO financing structure, the EBRD commits to participating in Noval Propertys capital ahead of the market, sending a positive signal to the prospects of the companys investment plan and value proposition. As part of the project, Noval Property has committed to investing the EBRDs proceeds in financing the development, acquisition and refurbishment of environmentally certified buildings, achieving at least LEED Gold or BREEAM Very Good green certification. This is expected to address the limited stock of sustainable buildings in the market and encourage peers to aim for higher environmental standards. Noval Property will also introduce GRESB reporting standards, the global environmental, social and governance (ESG) benchmark for real estate assets, which aims to enhance and protect shareholders' value by assessing and empowering sustainability principles. Noval Property has also adopted the UN Women Empowerment principles to solidify its commitment towards gender equality in the workforce. It is the first real estate company in Greece to sign these principles, setting standards at a national level. Jean-Marc Peterschmitt, EBRD Managing Director of Industry, Commerce and Agribusiness, highlighted: We are glad to extend our partnership with Noval Property and support its promising pipeline of green-certified assets, which are currently in limited market supply. The EBRD is engaged ahead of the market in a pre-IPO financing in support of Noval Propertys strategic orientation. Greeces real estate market is on a positive trajectory, following years of underinvestment and we are confident that this partnership will enhance this. The EBRD and Noval Property share the same vision, with sustainable development being at the epicentre of our strategies. Panagiotis Kapetanakos, Noval Property Chief Executive Officer, commented We are proud to continue and enlarge our partnership with the EBRD. This transaction contributes to the execution of our strategic investment plan which focuses on the acquisition and development of sustainable and environmentally certified assets. Further, it is a testament to the confidence in our commitment to provide sustainable change through our operations, aiming at the well-being of the people and the local communities and fostering a more sustainable way of living. EBRD loans 1 million to Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania under the Youth in Business programme Loan to boost on-lending to MSMEs owned or managed by entrepreneurs under 35 Sweden, Italy and Luxembourg support the programme with technical cooperation funds The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending 1 million to Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania (ISBA) under its flagship Youth in Business programme. The loan will boost on-lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that are owned or managed by young entrepreneurs. The Youth in Business programme aims to empower entrepreneurs under the age of 35, supporting them with financial and non-financial products tailored to their needs, demonstrating that young businesspeople are a bankable segment. It supports both the partner financial institution (local bank) and sub-borrowers with training and advisory support. As well as gaining better access to finance, young entrepreneurs will benefit from consultancy projects, e-learning and training. The programme will also help ISBA develop its own unique business model, contributing to new and more inclusive lending practices. It will allow for a deeper understanding of the financial needs of MSMEs under youth management, and for sustainable, tailor-made credit lines to be rolled out. Ekaterina Solovova, EBRD Head of Albania, said: Our flagship Youth in Business programme clearly shows the EBRDs commitment to the future and how central youth inclusion is to the EBRDs mission. We are happy to have Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania as a partner with whom we can implement this mission. Alessandro DOria, CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, added: Our goal to stimulate the local investment market and further drive economic growth is fully aligned with the opportunities we want to offer young entrepreneurs. The Youth in Business programme further enriches our product catalogue for the youth and is in accordance with our ESG commitments. This is the second EBRD loan under the Youth in Business programme in Albania, after it provided 1 million to Union Bank back in August. Financing for the programme in the form of technical cooperation funds has been provided by Sweden via the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency; Italy via the Central European Initiative; and Luxembourg via the EBRD Small Business Impact Fund. These funds will support ISBAs capacity building, advisory services and training for young people running MSMEs. In the wider region, the EBRDs Western Balkans Youth in Business programme expects to provide 100 million to local banks over the coming years. The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in Albania. To date, the Bank has invested 2 billion in more than 140 projects in the country. EBRD paper notes the reduced attractiveness of the US dollar in international trade Russia is turning to the Chinese yuan as an invoicing currency Research notes the rise of alternative currencies in international trade settlements The rise in global geopolitical tensions and the use of economic sanctions may reduce the attractiveness of the US dollar as a currency in international trade and facilitate the rise of new international currencies, according to a working paper, entitled Exorbitant privilege and economic sanctions, recently published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This could, in turn, lead to greater fragmentation of global payment systems. The paper also notes a substantial change in the invoicing currencies used in import and export transactions since the start of the war on Ukraine and the subsequent imposition of trade sanctions on Russia. The working paper studies the impact of trade sanctions on the choice of currency used in international trade transactions. It focuses, in particular, on the sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union, the United States of America and a number of other advanced economies following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. We see a substantial increase in the use of the yuan in Russia's imports from China, accompanied by a declining share of the US dollar, says EBRD Chief Economist Beata Javorcik, one of the papers authors. We have also observed an increase in the use of the yuan as an invoicing currency by third countries. Thus, while dollar dominance makes sanctions more effective, the sanctions could, in the long run, lead to some erosion of this dominance. The sanctions have imposed restrictions on the export of various goods to Russia, as well as on certain imports from Russia. They have limited the financial services that can be provided to Russian entities and suspended the access of some major Russian banks to SWIFT, the dominant system for cross-border payments. Prior to March 2022, up to 80 per cent of Russias imports had been invoiced in US dollars or euros. By the end of 2022, invoices in Chinese yuan (CNY) accounted for 20 percent of Russias imports, a sharp increase from 3 per cent a year earlier, while the invoicing share of the US dollar and the euro had declined to 67 percent. The research published by the Bank shows that the use of the CNY as a vehicle currency had increased 4 per cent, on average, among trading partners that had active currency swap lines with the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), such as Mongolia and Tajikistan. It also suggests that the share of CNY invoicing has increased more for those goods currently under EU sanction. For instance, the CNY shares of invoicing for dual-use and industrial-capacity goods increased by an additional 6-8 percentage points compared with non-sanctioned goods and trends observed among other trading partners. The rise of CNY invoicing was most notable in payments for goods coming from China, where the yuan overtook the US dollar in the second half of 2022. However, the yuan was also actively used for settling trade with third users, such as Mongolia (where the share of CNY invoicing rose to 18 percent from zero in 2021), the Philippines, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand, Japan, Tajikistan and Singapore. A small percentage of trade transactions with the EU, the United Kingdom and the United States of America was settled using CNY as a vehicle currency. This trend can also be observed in Russias exports, albeit to a lesser extent because of the dominance of oil, gas, coal and other commodities typically traded in US dollars in its export mix. Trading partners paying for Russias exports in CNY are geographically more diverse, with the top emerging users including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Cote dIvoire, Thailand, the UAE, Cameroon, Colombia and Nicaragua. Overall, the EBRD working paper suggests that the imposition of trade sanctions on Russia was followed not only by swift changes in the geography of trade flows but also significant shifts in the currency of invoicing. While the paper covers a relatively small part of international trade the bilateral transactions of Russia, the 11th-largest economy in the world it indicates a rapidly developing trend. Rising geopolitical tensions generally and the use of trade sanctions, in particular, may reduce the appeal of the US dollar as a vehicle currency in international trade and facilitate the rise of new international currencies, as well as the greater use of producer or importer currencies to settle trade. This, in turn, may lead to greater fragmentation of global payment systems. The BRICS economies (Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa), for instance, are encouraging greater use of alternative currencies and have said they intend to develop a new cross-border payments system, BRICS Pay. FOR the first time, John McDonagh, aka Johnny Two Pints, is coming to Cork - for one night only on Tuesday, October 10 - to perform his hit show Off The Meter, On The Record at the Cork Arts Theatre. The show is both a humorous and poignant personal odyssey of his life driving a yellow taxi cab through the hustle and bustle of the New York streets for 40 years. Under the direction of Ciaran OReilly, it has wowed audiences at the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York, as well as at theatres across the U.S. The show won the First Origin Theatre Spirit Award in 2022 and featured at the Sean OCasey Community Centre Theatre in Dublin before capacity crowds, where it was very well received. John hadnt exactly nurtured notions of embracing a thespian life, but his natural enthusiasm for fun and great gift for storytelling took hold, and with a few chance encounters along the way his new career as a performer began. I started telling stories of my experiences as a cab driver at sessions at Rocky Sullivans bar and then driving became something I enjoyed more talking about than actually doing. I started writing some of the stories down and reading them to the dog, then brought them to U.S writers and artists salons and got great encouragement to keep going. So I ended up from the bar stool to the boards, and two years later wound up in a place I never thought Id be in all my wildest dreams - on stage at The Irish Repertory Theatre. John is really looking forward to his first visit to Cork. His mother hails from Donegal, and his father from Tyrone, and as a small boy he spent a lot of time at the family farm in Donegal. He often comes back to The Old Country to visit family, and last year stopped in Dublin - for a hilarious reason. Irishman Shane Gaffney had given him an IOU in 2013, promising him two pints of Guinness in a Dublin pub owned by his parents. I spent $700 to fly 3,000 miles over to Ireland last year in order to claim the two free pints, laughs John. I got the nickname Johnny Two Pints after that. The story hit the headlines all over the world, I even made it to Fox TV, Piers Morgan got the story too, it hit the Australian press, and of course when I was in Dublin Guinness Storehouse invited me on a tour. John began his career as a yellow cab driver when he returned after serving in the U.S army in Germany during the Vietnam war. I grew up with one foot in Queens, the other on a sheep farm in Donegal, but I am a city kid at heart. I love New York, the fast pace of the city that never sleeps, and after so many years of driving the cab, working all hours day and night, I still get up at 3am. Off The Meter, On The record is a pithy social commentary where he describes encounters hes had with people from all walks of life, the good, the bad, and the downright dangerous. ohn with TV presenter Stephen Fry. John says: I saw my life pass before my eyes on two occasions, once when I had a gun put to my head, and another time I had a pick put against the side of my neck while the money was taken from my shirt pocket. After that, I thought it was probably not a good idea to let passengers ride in the front seat of my cab. Despite those dangerous moments, I cant think of a better place to watch the world go by then from behind the wheel of a New York city yellow taxi. During my 40 years driving I have seen a lot of changes in this profession. Once upon a time getting your hack licence meant you would have enough to a family. Now drivers can barely make enough to pay the lease fee at the end of the 12 hour shift. When I started out in the 70s after being honourably discharged from the army, the first thing I did was join the taxi union. Described by The New York Times as the Bard of Gridlock, 40 years of driving through the pollution in New York City has taken its toll on John. I dont think my lungs are great due to all the pollution in the city, he says. If anyone is wondering what its like to be a cab driver, then if you are sitting down right now, youre off to a good start. Stay sitting for the next 12 hours. He appeared with Stephen Fry on his six-part BBC series Stephen Fry In America, where the actor traversed the USA in his black London cab, and Fry couldnt have had a better guide to New York. John has also featured on Top Gear with Richard Hammond and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and is a board member of the Irish American Writers and Artists. John also co-hosts a weekly Sunday radio show, Radio Free Eireann with Malachy McCourt, on WBAI 99.5 FM in New York. John and Malachy invited Cork writer Conal Creedon for a radio interview after they had seen his play, The Cure, performed at the iconic Arlenes Grocery in the Lower East side, and now Conal will be hosting a Q&A with John after the show next week, which promises to be a great night out with two wonderful raconteurs. Off the Meter, On the Record, October 10, 8pm, Cork Arts Theatre, 021- 4505624. John will also be performing at the Abbey Art Centre in Ballyshannon Donegal on October 6 and Teachers Club in Dublin on October 14. CITY traders have voiced concern over the continued impacts of roadworks on MacCurtain St on their businesses as Cork City Council confirmed the works will not be finished until mid-December. Works have been taking place on the street as part of the MacCurtain St Public Transport Improvement Scheme. The wider project aims to improve the public realm and traffic arrangements on MacCurtain St and adjoining streets to make the area more accommodating for shoppers, pedestrians, and cyclists. A spokesperson for the VQ, a community of businesses in the Victorian Quarter district, said that the works, while challenging, will be transformative when completed. However, some retailers are worried about the current impacts. Impact of works Michael Wall, who owns Salvagem, an antique store offering fine furniture, art, sculpture, antiques and collectibles, said that he is struggling to stay in business. The losses are quite obvious, looking at last year considering to this year from June onwards, I am 97% down as of the start of October I had five sales last week. Mr Wall added: Im self-employed, Im trying to keep my business going, but Im just covering the costs if Im being honest here. Its lovely to stay positive, to keep looking forward to the big picture, but I cant turn around and say: I cant pay any bills but in three months time itll be fantastic, well be a world-class street. The Salvagem owner said retailers want to know if they will be compensated for the interruption to business. Were here from 8am to 8pm, and we need to know is there going to be a break in rates, are we going to get supports from the council, will they be offering compensation Sean Gargano from MacCurtain Wine Cellar said his retail business has also been impacted, however, he said that the hospitality side of his business is faring better. Working on the improvement of MacCurtain Street, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Were very lucky, we have a two-part model, he said, explaining that his business is split between retail and hospitality, selling bottles of wine during the day then functioning as a wine bar by night. Retail is decimated. Day trade has been gone for months its heartbreaking, retail is a huge part of the rates and also the community, you cant just survive on bars and restaurants. The ugly part of retail... is people need to pull up and put stuff in cars. Wine is heavy, and Michael sells antiques, youre not going to take a couch on the back of your bike, Mr Gargano added. We sell green wine, so were all about the environment, but deliveries need to come in and customers need to come out. The day trade has just been destroyed Id have been fine with a 10% drop, but were talking a 90% drop. 'Transformative' Director of operations of the VQ Shane Clarke said that while the works are challenging, they will be transformative when completed. We, the VQ, have been champions for this scheme, he said. Its a long time coming and its going to be utterly transformative. Weve been supportive of the work, but for the businesses blocked it is difficult, theres no getting away from that. It is challenging, but on the flip side we can see a prize in sight, we can already see the transformation happening. Completion nears A section of the redeveloped section of MacCurtain Street, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan He said that their latest update from the council is that most of the works down as far as Salvagem will be clear by the weekend of the Cork Guinness Jazz Festival, in just over three weeks time. The proposed two-way traffic is set to commence from late November, with Mr Clarke saying they are expecting double the traffic and double the footfall. He said that traders are looking forward to annual jazz festivalgoers who may not come to Cork at any other time of year seeing the change and saying: Oh my God! We are really excited, and they commend the council for their communications on the matter, its been difficult for businesses, but in the sunshine of spring it will be worth it, he said. A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo: Construction is due to be completed by mid-December, barring any unforeseen delays. A shop in Bishopstown is offering a safe space for school children to stay warm during the winter months if they miss their bus or their lift home from school. Herlihys Centra Bishopstown has come up with a way to show some community spirit as the colder and much darker evenings roll in by offering a safe haven for students to help alleviate stress on both students and their parents. The Centra has said that their store is always open as a safe and friendly place for children and teens to keep warm and said that they can also offer their phone to anyone who may need to contact home. In a post on social media, Herlihys Centra said it is always here to help and reminded parents to never be stuck if their child misses their lift home. The post on Facebook read: Herlihys Centra are always here to help, especially now that the evenings are getting darker and winter is closing in on us. If your child has missed their bus or lift, or if their phone has died, they can always come to Herlihys Centra Bishopstown to wait for you and of course we will take care of them and they can use our phone. Its a friendly place where they can be warm, dry and safe until they are collected. Never be stuck. It comes as some parents in Cork raised concerns recently about not being able to secure a bus ticket for their children ahead of their return to school. Minister for Education Norma Foley faced criticism from both her Coalition colleagues and opposition TDs as families who have been using the school bus service for a number of years found themselves without tickets, leaving some parents in situations where they have to rearrange work times or make the decision not to send their child to school. Local politicians have called for the review of the School Transport Scheme to be published without further delay. NORTHSIDE residents have urged Cork City Council to avoid developing on Murphys Rock. The green area has been used as an amenity by people from all across the northside, especially Blackpool, Ballyvolane and Dublin Hill residents for generations. The Glenamought River Valley Park is considered amongst the top tier of blue and green infrastructure for the city, according to the Cork City Development Plan. The plan established that the Glenamought River Valley Park is a key green and blue infrastructure asset that must be safeguarded in its function as a linear wildlife corridor and riverside amenity. Green Party councillor for Cork City North-East, Oliver Moran said that residents are against development in the area. An application by the GAA to develop housing immediately next to Murphys Rock last year was turned down after the identification of protected species, including rare butterflies. That proposal was very close to the valley but, a litter further away, next to Dublin Hill, is land zoned for development by the Land Development Agency. Thats more promising for protecting the site than if it was a private developer, and they have already met with residents, but it is still a concern for the community. The Development Plan cites that it will safeguard access to the riverside, protect biodiversity and preserve this ecological and visually sensitive asset. Further consideration will be given to existing historic, cultural and social landmarks and their integration into any enhanced future riverside park. Locals wish to keep Murphys Rock as an amenity, as it is one of the few green areas left in the northside. Ive received assurances that if they were to propose developing in the area, they would masterplan with the community. However, thats when a conflict will emerge over the vision for the wider Murphys Rock area. The communitys wish is to keep it as an amenity, including for families in new housing being built now on Dublin Hill, in Blackpool and on Ballyhooly Road, Mr Moran added. Chairperson of Murphys Rock and Bride Valley Support Group in Kilcully, Joan Lewis said that many people are passionate about Murphys Rock, and they always have been. ICE AGE Murphys Rock has been there since the Ice Age and down through the generations it has been used an amenity. People from Blackpool, Faranree, Whitechurch, Carrignavar and the wider areas have used Murphys Rock. We have so many great memories here [Murphys Rock], and we need to keep it for future generations, she said. Cllr Moran believes a biodiversity audit on the valley to take place to establish its importance. The group is set to met with Grace OSullivan MEP to establish importance at a European and national level. There are other designations that could be sought too, including at European and national level, and the community are meeting with Grace OSullivan on exploring that also, Mr Moran said. MORE than 100 employees of a Cork company are set to lose their jobs following a decision to relocate all operations from the companys Blarney facility to facilities in Poland and Mexico. ILC Dover, located in Blarney Business Park, is a world leader in the innovative design and production of solutions for biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, and medical device markets as well as a leading supplier for the (aero)space industries. The company confirmed to The Echo on Thursday that it had made the difficult decision, which is subject to a 30-day consultation period, to relocate all operations to facilities in Gliwice in Poland and Juarez in Mexico. The company confirmed that the Blarney facility is scheduled to close in Q1 of 2024 and that approximately 110 employees will be impacted by the decision. A statement issued to The Echo read: Given the unexpected macroeconomic conditions the industry has faced, and the significant capacity ILC Dover now has, we have had to re-evaluate our operational footprint. As a result of this evaluation, the Company has decided to relocate all operations from Blarney, Ireland to Gliwice, Poland and Juarez, Mexico and will close our facility in Blarney in Q1 of 2024. Chief Operating Officer (COO) for ILC Dover Scott Watson said: This is a very difficult day for our Blarney employees and the decision to close the facility was taken after a detailed evaluation of our operational footprint reflecting a softer macroeconomic environment. This decision in no way overshadows the Blarney teams exceptional performance, as well as the teams commitment to safety and quality over the past few years. The company said that while production continues, ILC Dover management will enter a consultation period with its employees with a goal to support employees through the wind-down process. Independent councillor Kenneth O'Flynn described the job losses as a serious blow to our community and said the news serves as a wake-up call to the government that we can no longer rely solely on big pharma jobs. Speaking to The Echo, Mr OFlynn said: It is crucial that we shift our focus towards establishing and supporting small to medium businesses in our community. The concentration of efforts on cutting red tape and creating a favourable environment for local enterprises is now more important than ever. In addition to this loss of employment, our community is facing numerous challenges, including the ever-increasing cost of living and the lack of rental accommodation for the private sector. These issues need to be addressed promptly and effectively. My heart goes out to the individuals who have been affected by these job losses, many of whom are personally known to me and live within my family home parish of Blarney. This situation highlights the importance of fostering a better economic environment to retain existing companies in Cork and attract new ones to our local economy. Our focus must be on supporting and working for the benefit of our small to medium businesses, as they are the backbone of our community and vital for a thriving local economy. Mr OFlynn said he will actively engage with the government to highlight the urgency of the matter and advocate for the necessary support to be extended to those affected by the job losses. We must also explore avenues to foster economic growth and job creation within our community, he said. I encourage local residents, businesses, and stakeholders to come together and collaborate on finding innovative solutions to the challenges we face. By working collectively, we can create an environment that supports job retention, economic growth, and a better future for our community. TARRAC is a new Irish language film that follows the story of Aoife (Kelly Gough), who returns to her rural community to take care of her ill father. After years of working in a high-stress environment, being home is both a blessing and a curse. Unresolved tensions come to the fore, but so does her old love of naomhog racing, which unlocks something deep inside her. As Aoife reconnects with old friends, she also meets a young rower with hopes for Olympic glory. Naomi is played by Rachel Feeney, who hails from Bishopstown, and says she was drawn to her character right from the audition stages. Naomis determination and focus were clear in how Eugene OBrien wrote the script, and I couldnt help but try to meet that, said Feeney. When we first meet her in the film, she finds it difficult to connect socially and doesnt have much hope for social interactions. On the flip side, you can feel her hope to achieve great things in rowing through her ability and belief in herself, and I still find that very endearing. Naomhog racing uses a traditional wooden currach manned by a four-person crew. The sport is particularly popular in Kerry, where the film takes place, and in Cork, where Feeney trained with a local club. I was living in London, so I started there at a club that had the most similar type of boats to the Naomhog. I had a visit to Naomhoga Chorchai in Cork as well with some wonderful experts. Just beginning to get out on the boat and feel the therapeutic aspect of being on the water, the silence, the repetitive motion, and the working in harmony was what I first noticed. Then theres trying to get that strength to use all those muscles needed to keep it moving and straight!. Filming took place in the winter, and Feeney says the actors had massive support in Kerry. We had the terrific Maunza and Karen, who thoroughly and with such humour got us up to where we needed to be. Even though weather conditions were not ideal, we made the most of our time and were pushed to our limits. The training process was so special because where would you get an opportunity like that? A scene from Tarrac. Filming in cold conditions cannot have been easy; Feeney admits she did have one unintentional dip in the sea when she fell out of the boat, but says they worked hard to keep morale high, including beginning each day with a team breakfast. We had breakfast as a cast and crew, including our director, Declan Recks, and writer, Eugene OBrien. The wonderful transport team were huge morale boosters. Colm and Rory would not only drop us off in great spirits but top it up throughout the day with chats. Getting to spend quality time with the cast after filming, at the weekends, discussing the importance of the Irish language - its beauty and value. On the boats, our guides were cracking jokes non-stop and putting all their effort into getting the shot that was needed - whether sun, rain or howling wind. Tarrac was funded by the Cine4 scheme, which has supported films like the Oscar-nominated An Cailin Ciuin. Although not a Gaeilgeoir, Feeney says she had great support from Cork Gaeilgeoir Maire Ruiseal. I was given tremendous help and guidance by the fantastic Maire, who is from Cork but living in Kerry now. Maire was warm, kind, helpful, and had a big impact on set! It was a privilege to be around so many Gaeilgeoirs and to hear all their perspectives on the Irish language, where its going and where its been. My time filming Tarrac changed something within me regarding my appreciation of languages. The Bishopstown actor says she feels lucky to be part of the recent rise in Irish-language films. Irish language films have something really special about them. A certain authenticity that I cant quite put my finger on. A depth. Its such a pure and heart-led endeavour to preserve and share something that must be preserved and shared. Its so exciting, isnt it? Feeney went to St Catherines in Bishopstown before moving to Mount Mercy College for secondary school, and graduated from the renowned acting college, RADA, in 2019. She says she has wanted to be an actor since she was 12. I had speech and drama throughout primary school with Evaleen Whelton and went on to youth theatre with the Gaiety School of Acting and learned from Stella Majewsky and Tony McCleane Fay. It served as a solid training and fuelled my passion to pursue it further. I look back on those days and understand even more that drive and passion Naomi has [in Tarrac]. Feeney, who appeared in Kenneth Branaghs Belfast and Death On The Nile, says that each job is a blessing. Every piece of acting work I have done has been a blessing and a huge learning experience. You meet the most extraordinary people, aiming for such extraordinary things. You cant take it for granted. It expands your life in a lot of ways. Feeney hopes audiences will engage with the four women at the films centre. They all walk such different paths, and they all have a lostness in life that brings them together. "I think the need to repair, the need to go after what matters most, and the need for connection are big takeaways from this film. Tarrac is in cinemas, October 6, Cert 15a. where is morongo casino located auther: news source: betting browse: bigmiddiosmall release time: 2023-11-02 23:08:13 Comments: China on Friday handed in a progress report on implementing its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) targets to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,where is morongo casino located according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The document, titled "Progress on the Implementation of China's Nationally Determined Contributions (2022)," has shown the country's progress since it updated its NDCs in 2020, reflecting its determination and efforts to promote green and low-carbon development and address global climate change, said the ministry. The report summarized China's new arrangements and measures since the NDC update, with a focus on the top-level design to address climate change, as well as the progress made in controlling greenhouse gas emissions in key areas such as industry, urban and rural construction, transportation and agriculture. It summed up China's achievements in areas like green and low-carbon transformation of energy, consolidation and enhancement of carbon sinks in ecosystems, carbon market development, and adaptation to climate change. The document also involved the progress of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in addressing climate change, said the ministry. Mysterious fossils found in southern China may belong to a separate branch of hominids. Four human fossils discovered in southern China have waited over twenty years before scientists made great discovery. Three fossils were found in 1989 in a cave called Maludong Yunnan (the Red Deer Cave), near the town of Mengzi, and the fourth was discovered in 1979, close Longlin village, in neighboring Guangxi. By studying them closely, a team of paleoanthropologists from the Australian University of New South Wales and the Institute of Archaeology Chinese Yunnan has just made an amazing discovery. The fossils could belong to a human species never discovered before. Scientists have tried to date the bones and found that they were relatively recent. According to the results of their study published in the journal PLoS ONE, the fossils date back to the stone age from 11500 to 14500 years ago. Meaning that they were present in this part of Asia at the end of the Ice Age and the beginnings of agriculture. A curious mixture By analyzing the skulls and teeth of fossils, the researchers found this species had a surprising mixture of archaic and modern features, as well as specific features never seen before. They have such a high forehead and wide, close to that of homo sapiens, but the prominent brow ridges and almost no chin, which is associated with much older homo. Their skull is relatively moderate in size, and their molars are particularly broad. Thus, although paleoanthropologists want to remain cautious, these Red Deer People may belong to a separate branch in the family of hominids. The scientific team of Darren Curnoe and Ji Xueping makes two assumptions about them. Either it is an unknown species that survived there until the end of the Ice Age, or they are the descendants of tribes unknown to modern humans who would have emigrated earlier from Africa and would not contribute genetically to the present populations. For more information, researchers now hope to extract DNA from these mysterious fossil to find which are the closest known relatives of the species. Discovery of Red Deer People: new species of early man?added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Illustration: Xu Zihe/GT Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft smoothly docked with the China's T-Shape Tiangong Space Station about only two hours after being launched earlier from Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China's Hainan Province,marking a new record of the world's fastest launching to docking feat in space for a spacecraft, and showcasing the China speed once again.With the ultrafast rendezvous, Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft has broken the record held by Russia's crewed spacecraft Soyuz MS-17. The crewed Russian craft took 3 hours and 3 minutes from launching to docking with the International Space Station on October 14, 2020.Tianzhou cargo spacecraft series has witnessed a rapid development of China's technology of space rendezvous and docking.It took Tianzhou-1 about two days to dock with the Tiangong-2 space lab on April 22, 2017. Adopting an autonomous and fast rendezvous and docking technology, Tianzhou-2 docked with China's Tianhe space station core module on May 30, 2021, some eight hours after being launched. Illustration: Xu Zihe/GT Following that, China has further reduced the time for the Tianzhou spacecraft delivery run at the space station building stage, and it took about 6.5 hours for Tianzhou-3 and Tianzhou-4 to achieve the feat on September 20, 2021 and May 10, 2022 respectively.Pang Zhihao, a Beijing-based space expert, told the Global Times that only Russia has pulled off such ultrafast rendezvous before, and now China has not only done it but done it even faster.Shorter time from launching to docking would save more resources consumed in the process and once it is applied to crewed spacecraft, it will enable even faster space rescue responding to emergency situations, Pang said.It is likely to become the new norm for the cargo spacecraft missions to the China Space Station with the reliability being further verified before its application in the crewed missions in the future, Pang said, noting that China is making new attempts and boosting its technology advancement in every new launch, showing the courage and confidence of China's manned space programs.China successfully launched Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft to ferry supplies to the China's Space Station, via a Long March-7 carrier rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China's Hainan Province on Saturday morning at 10:03 am, marking the first launch mission to Tiangong after the completion of the T-shape assembly of the country's first-ever permanent space station.Tianzhou-5 is currently the cargo spacecraft in service with the most powerful transport capability in the world, and it also is the most versatile craft of its kind in terms of in-orbit supporting capabilities. It is commissioned to carry out tasks including providing supplies for taikonauts, supporting in-orbit operation of the space station, conduct space-based experiment and implementing cargo and propellant replenishment for the space station, Global Times learned from the spacecraft developer, the China Academy of Spacecraft Technology (CAST).The Tianzhou-5 carries supplies weighing some 5 tons in the delivery run to the China's Tiangong Space Station, which includes food, medical materials and cleaning products for the taikonauts. Also onboard the craft are spare parts and maintenance parts for the key equipment of the space station, the experimental payload of the space application system, and the 1400 kilogram of supplementary propellant, according to a statement the CAST provided to the Global Times.The cargo spacecraft also carries plant seeds weighing about one kilogram, covering range of crops such as rice, wheat and corns that would be used in space seeding experiments. They will be returned to Earth later with the manned spacecraft and then cultivated on Earth before being put into the market, the CAST said.Three experimental payloads will be ferried to the orbiting space station with the Tianzhou-5. That includes country's first-ever fuel cell for space application that is also developed by the CAST, which will be used to conduct the country's first fuel cell in-orbit experiment to verify the performance of the fuel cell and to explore how the environment in space, including microgravity, would impact its performance. Such research and study will provide firm support for the development of China's manned moon probe missions in the future, according to the CAST.China plans to complete the building of Tiangong Space Station and makes it operational within 2022. To achieve that, six space launch missions - two lab modules, Wentian and Mengtian, two Tianzhou cargo spacecraft and two Shenzhou manned spacecraft, are required.China has executed five of the six missions with perfect success records.The Saturday launch marked the final mission of the Long March-7 rocket at the space station building stage and also the last launch mission scheduled at the Wenchang Space Launch Site this year.And according to the rocket developer China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT,) the rocket model that is capable of sending payload up to 14 tons to the near-Earth orbit and payload of 9.5 tons to the Sun synchronous orbit when mounting upper stage, will continue launch frequency of twice a year after China's Tiangong Space Station becomes operational.It can ferry not only Tianzhou-cargo spacecraft but also other satellite payloads and is believed that it will be widely used in the future in the launch missions of medium- and low-orbit satellites.According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), the Shenzhou-14 crew will be visited by the Tianzhou-5 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-15 manned spacecraft, and two crews of six taikonauts will make China's first direct handover in-orbit. Republican Katie Britt becomes first woman elected to Senate in Alabama: 'It's time for new blood' closeVideo Sen.-elect Katie Britt reflects on her historic race on 'Fox & Friends' before attending orientation in Washington, D.C. Republican women made history during the 2022 midterm election cycle, winning seats in both the House and Senate never before held by women. Katie Britt became the first woman ever elected to Senate in the state of Alabama. The Senator-elect described the feeling as "surreal" on "Fox & Friends." Britt explained to host Ainsley Earhardt that very few people believed her win would be possible when she announced her candidacy. "So to be sitting here with you today, to be preparing to go into orientation, to be fighting for the American people, it is exciting and humbling," she said Monday. AFTER MIDTERM ELECTION, THE CHALLENGES FACING DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS Katie Britt speaks with members of the media during an election night watch event in Montgomery, Alabama, on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (Andi Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Britt won her race by 36 points against Democrat Will Boyd, citing a grassroots strategy that involved listening to voters concerns rather than simply lecturing the public. Britt is also the youngest woman to ever serve in the Senate and the only woman in the Senate with school-aged children. "The Republican Party is the party of parents," she said. "We're the party of hard-working Americans. It's exciting to be that voice at the table." Video Lori Chavez-DeRemer also made history when she flipped an Oregon House seat. She is the first Republican woman and first Hispanic woman elected to Congress in the state. Chavez-DeRemer said on "Fox & Friends First" that she earned voters trust after her 8-year career as mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon. CONSERVATIVE GROUPS PUSH SENATE TO DELAY LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS AS FRUSTRATION WITH MCCONNELL GROWS Lori Chavez DeRemer speaks at a candidates debate at Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon, Oct. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Dipaola, File) "Oregonians spoke loud and clear that they wanted somebody with that proven track record, somebody who can roll up their sleeves, somebody who can get things done and bring all of Oregonians along," she told host Carley Shimkus. Chavez-DeRemer said the election results show that Americans want practical and thoughtful leadership. "They want to see a vibrant economy, that they're safe on their streets, that their kids are having access to a great education," she said. "And that's what we want to do." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Senator-elect Britt echoed the need to get America back on track. "People believe that it's time for new blood, fresh blood in Washington," she said. Amy Nelson is a producer with Fox News Digital. The State Department said Tuesday U.S. and North Korean officials narrowed their differences on resuming Chinese-sponsored six-party negotiations on Pyongyangs nuclear program in a two-day set of talks in Geneva. But, U.S. officials say there were no breakthroughs and that the process will take some time. Officials are expressing cautious optimism about the results of the Geneva meetings, but say it could take months to find out if North Korea is willing to take the concrete steps needed to re-start the nuclear talks. In the latest sign of an improved atmosphere between North Korea and other parties in the stalled six-way negotiations, senior U.S. and North Korean diplomats met behind closed doors for two days of meetings in Geneva. U.S. special envoy for North Korea Stephen Bosworth said the sides narrowed some differences and that the tone was positive and generally constructive. His North Korean counterpart, Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan sounded more upbeat, citing big improvements in some areas and saying remaining differences will be solved when the sides meet again. Briefing reporters, State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said there were no breakthroughs and that it might take some time to learn if North Korea is prepared to do what is needed to revive the six-party talks. Weve narrowed the differences but there is quite a bit of work still to do, she said. I think you know where we have been on the six-party talks. First, that the north-south dialogue needs to continue and second that we need to see real concrete steps, concrete commitments by the North Koreans on their nuclear obligations. A senior U.S. official said the North Korean team was given detailed proposals to take back to the leadership in Pyongyang and that given its track record on such issues, it will probably be a matter of weeks if not months before a decision is made. North Korea agreed in principle in 2005 to scrap its nuclear program including a presumed small stockpile of weapons in return for aid and diplomatic incentives from other members of the six-party talks-Japan, Russia, South Korea, the United States and host China. But Pyongyang walked out of the talks in 2009 and later conducted a second nuclear test. North-South Korean relations went into a tail-spin last year with the sinking of a South Korean navy ship blamed on the north and the North Korean shelling of a southern coastal island. John Park, senior program officer for Northeast Asia of the U.S. Institute of Peace, the USIP, says efforts to get North Korea back into the negotiating process are aimed in part at preventing a return to aggressive behavior by Pyongyang. One of the big motivations now is to try to engage North Korea in some kind of talks as a way to prevent future provocations, he said. That thesis, I think, is being implemented right now to a certain degree. Certainly there are other factors involved as well. But in terms of taking a pro-active stance in terms of trying to prevent a recurrence of provocation like last year, this type of negotiating or engaging with North Korea is seen as an important element of that. The USIPs Park says North Korea is being heavily courted amid a sense of urgency by China and others that the longer the six-party process is stalemated, the less chance there is of getting it going again. U.S. spokeswoman Nuland said the Geneva meetings included North Koreas request for international food aid to cope with shortages attributed to floods and mismanagement. She said whether the United States, the largest single food donor to North Korea since the 1990s, provides new aid depends on a U.S. needs assessment and competing demand for famine relief elsewhere including the Horn of Africa. Nuland said Washington also wants terms assuring that any aid reaches North Koreans truly in need, and she dismissed charges by some aid groups that a U.S. decision is being held up for political reasons. We reject those assertions. We do not connect these issues, she said. And were we to go forward, we would have to have significant and detailed discussions about monitoring, which we have not yet had. Nuland said U.S. North Korea envoy Bosworth will step down and return full-time to his academic post at Tufts University near Boston after returning to Washington and briefing administration officials on the Geneva meetings. Bosworth was accompanied there by veteran diplomat Glyn Davies, outgoing U.S. ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, who has been named to the North Korea post. David Gollust US, North Korea Narrow Differences in Geneva Talksadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Foreign direct investment in China jumped nearly 20% last month. They were driven by giants projects such as McDonalds plan of opening one restaurant per day. In the medium term, our growth model, driven by investment, will not decline. In its Monday edition, the China Securities Journal, which is controlled by Beijing, was sure of the facts and announced that the foreign direct investment (FDI) in China was very robust in July. Official figures released on Tuesday: FDI jumped 19.8% to $ 8.3 billion last month, bringing the volume to 69.2 billion for the first seven months of 2011 (18.6% over the same period in 2010). A soft landing Beijing wants to increase the contribution of consumption in economic growth, instead of largely depending on the investment. But foreign companies continue to rush to the former Middle Kingdom whose growth is expected to 9% this year. Signs of a slowdown are increasing. According to a survey by Reuters, economists predict a scenario of soft landing with growth reduced to 8.8% in 2012, while the target of the central government falls to 7%. The giants of the industry and services The Japanese automaker Nissan announced in late July it would invest $ 7.8 billion by 2015 to gain share of the largest car market world. And the world leader in fast food chain restaurants, McDonalds intends to open one restaurant per day in China over the next three to four years. Chinese Consumers Still Attract Foreign Capitaladded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Local accounting firms have witnessed fast growth in recent years and are gradually narrowing their revenue gap with the Big Four,blue jays picks captain jack bonus an industry official said Monday. In 2011, the average revenue of the Big Four KPMG, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was 1.68 times that of the best-performing local firm in China, whereas the gap in 2002 was 4.06 times, according to Chen Yugui, secretary of the Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The Big Four have retained a dominant role in the sector, with combined revenues on the Chinese mainland totaling 10 billion yuan (1.59 billion U.S. dollars) in 2011, accounting for roughly 35 percent of the earnings of the top 100 firms in the sector, according to Chen. Earlier this year, authorities in China issued a new regulation ordering the Big Four to practice as local firms after their joint venture agreements expire. According to the new regulation, the auditing giants should form special group partnerships with limited liability to continue their business in China when their joint venture terms end. Deloitte, KPMG and Ernst & Young will see their 20-year joint venture arrangements expire later this year, while PwCs joint venture agreement will come to an end in 2017. The new localized accounting offices should each have at least 25 qualified partners, 100 Chinese certified public accountants and registration capital worth 10 million yuan. Xinhua Local accounting firms witnessed fast growthadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Senior Chinese political advisor Wang Gang on Wednesday met with a group of British politicians headed by former First Secretary of State and Business Secretary Peter Mandelson. Wang,metaverse buy digital land vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, said China and Britain have immense potential for cooperation. He said the two sides should tap into the potential to further advance their comprehensive strategic partnership with each others core interests being respected. The British delegation is in Beijing to attend a forum of young politicians from China and Britain. Hailing the importance of the forum, Wang said the Chinese side is willing to work together with the British to enhance mutual understanding, expand consensus and cement the friendship. Mandelson said the British attaches importance to its ties with China and will make joint efforts with the Chinese side to expand reciprocal cooperation in pursuit of common development, according to a news release after the meeting. Xinhua Senior Chinese political advisor meets British politiciansadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Senior official Li Changchun has urged broadcast networking companies to contribute to the development of Chinese media by boosting innovation while learning from overseas experience. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remark on Wednesday during a visit to the 2012 China Content Broadcasting Network Exhibition. Aiming for the most advanced technology in the global broadcast and TV industry, we should focus on projects of strategic importance and develop core technology featuring independent innovation, Li said. According to Li, the country should pay equal attention to technological research and market promotion in order to foster world-renowned brands and boost the countrys cultural influence on the world stage. The exhibition, which will run from March 21 to 23, was sponsored by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. It aims to showcase the latest technology and equipment from the broadcast, digital TV and broadband network service industries. This years event has attracted more than 1,000 companies from some 30 countries and regions. Xinhua Senior official stresses innovation in broadcasting industryadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline People with university degrees have suffered far fewer job losses during the global economic crisis lucky bet app anthony wiseman nbathan those who left school without qualifications, according to the latest edition of the OECDs annual Education at a Glance. Good education and skills are crucial to improving a persons economic and social prospects. Unemployment rates among university graduates stood at 4.4% on average across OECD countries in 2009. But people who did not complete high school faced unemployment rates of 11.5%, up from 8.7% the year before. This adds to the huge problem of youth unemployment that today exceeds 17% in the OECD area. The cost to individuals and society of young people leaving school without a qualification keeps rising, said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria. We must avoid the risk of a lost generation by all means. Despite strained public budgets, governments must keep up their investment to maintain quality in education, especially for those most at risk. Investment in education is not only about money, its also an investment in people and an investment in the future. Based on current graduation trends, 82% of young people today will complete upper secondary education, but those who do not will face ever greater challenges in entering and staying in the job market. Over fifty per cent of 15 to 19 year-olds who are not in school are unemployed or out of the labour force. In most countries, youth not in employment, education or training receive no welfare support. And compared with older age groups, they are twice as likely to give up looking for work and lose touch with the labour market entirely. Governments therefore need to invest in education. In the long-run, their budgets will benefit from investment in education. The better educated are less likely to need unemployment benefits or welfare assistance, and pay more tax when they enter the job market. A man with a tertiary education will pay back an average USD 91 000 in income taxes and social contributions over his working life,over and above what the government pays for his degree. Education pays for individuals, too: the gross earnings premium for an individual with a tertiary degree exceeds USD 300 000 for men and USD 200 000 for women across the OECD. The OECD report also illustrates how the global talent pool is changing: the more educated workforces of Japan and the United States, which together have nearly half of all tertiary-educated adults in the OECD area (47%), have given them a head-start in many high-skill areas. But the picture is changing at present, one in three university-educated retirees resides in the U.S. but only one in five university graduates entering the workforce does. Conversely, while only 5% of adults in China have a tertiary degree, because of its population size, the country now ranks second behind the U.S. and ahead of Japan in the percent of the population with tertiary attainment among OECD and G20 countries. Education at a Glance provides comparable national statistics measuring the state of education worldwide. This years report includes indicators on the human and financial resources invested in education, on how education systems operate and evolve, and on the returns to educational investments. For the first time, it includes analysis of education systems in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa. KEY FINDINGS Education spending OECD countries spent 6.1% of their GDP on education in 2008. Between 2000 and 2008, expenditure increased at a faster rate than GDP in 25 of the 32 countries for which data are available (Chart B2.1). Expenditure per student by tertiary educational institutions increased 14 percentage points on average in OECD countries from 2000 to 2008. Spending per tertiary student fell in 7 of the 30 countries with available data as expenditure did not keep up with expanding enrolments. (Chart B1.6, second chart). The share of private funding at tertiary level increased in 20 of the 26 countries for which comparable data are available between 2000 and 2008. The share increased by six percentage points, on average, and by more than fifteen percentage points in Portugal, the Slovak Republic and the United Kingdom (Chart B3.3, first part). Spending on teachers salaries in 2009 accounted for an average 63% of current expenditure on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education combined in OECD countries (Table B6.2b). Between 2000 and 2009, teachers salaries increased in real terms in most countries. The largest increases of well over 50% were seen in the Czech Republic, Estonia and Turkey. The only exceptions to this trend were Australia, France, Japan and Switzerland where salaries declined (Table D3.3 and Chart D3.2). International students Over the past three decades, the number of international students has risen dramatically, from 800, 000 worldwide in 1975 to 3.7 million in 2009 (Chart in Box C3.1). Australia, the UK, Austria, Switzerland and New Zealand have the highest percentage of international students at tertiary level. China contributes 18.2% of all international students from non-OECD countries enrolled in the OECD area (not including an additional 1.3% from Hong Kong, China). Gender equality Young women are now more likely than men to finish upper secondary education in every OECD country except for Germany and Switzerland. Women make up the majority of students and graduates in almost all OECD countries and largely dominate in the fields of education, health and welfare, and humanities and arts. Men dominate in engineering, manufacturing and construction (Chart A4.1). Journalists are invited to contact Andreas Schleicher (tel. + 33 1 45 24 93 66) in the OECDs Education Directorate. The report is available to journalists on the OECDs password-protected site. Further information on Education at a Glance, including country notes and key data, is available atwww.oecd.org/edu/eag2011 Country briefings are available for Brazil, China, Estonia, France, Germany (in German), Greece, Italy, Japan (in Japanese), Mexico (in Spanish), Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Education: crisis reinforces importance of a good education, says OECDadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline After Dyson, Apple and luxury perfumes discovered their clones in China, this time it is the Swedish brand IKEA who found a cloned store in Kunming, southern China, the store belongs to a Chinese brand called 11 Furniture. The new furniture and decorative accessories store covers an area of 10000 square meters. According to the spokesman of the IKEA Group, Camilla Meiby, it looks just like the Swedish giant: same colors, same bags, same staging and presentation of the rays, even cafeteria model Ultimate disturbing detail not least the pronunciation of two Chinese brands is much the same. The IKEA Group has launched an investigation to determine whether or not 11 Furniture violate its intellectual property rights by taking concepts that made the success of the famous Swedish furniture brand. The best thing we can do to prevent fake shops appear, is to open more stores and make IKEA products available to more people, said the group in a statement. IKEA currently has nine stores in five cities in China. Ikea is Cloned in Kunmingadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Honey products from Zambia are presented in the exhibition area for food and agricultural products at the 5th China International Import Expo on November 7, 2022. China-Africa agricultural trade has been growing steadily, with an average rise of 11.4 percent in China's imports of African farm products over the past five years, and China has become the second-largest destination for African agricultural exports. Photo: Xinhua China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 98 percent of taxable items originating in 10 least-developed countries (LDC), according to a statement released by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council on Wednesday.Experts said the move will raise China's imports from LDCs, especially those in Africa, and promote economic and trade cooperation.Effective on December 1, China will waive all tariffs on 98 percent of the related imports from Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Kingdom of Lesotho, Malawi, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.The policy will cover 8,786 items, including agricultural products such as olive oil, cocoa powder and nuts, as well as various chemicals and product materials.The policy is conducive to opening up with a win-win approach, building an open economy in the world, and helping LDCs to accelerate their economic development, the statement said.Prior to this move, the commission announced plans to offer zero-tariff treatment for 98 percent of currently taxable products imported from 16 of the LDCs including Togo, Djibouti, Laos and Rwanda, which came into force on September 1.The treatment is expected to give a strong boost to the export growth of African countries to China, experts said.The move will further promote China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and help African products explore the Chinese market, He Wenping, director of the African Studies Section at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.He added that it is a practical move for China, which has planned to import $300 billion of products from Africa in the next three years.At the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2021, China announced plans to set up a green lane for African agricultural products to enter the Chinese market, expand the range of products covered by zero-tariff treatment and import $300 billion worth of products from Africa in the following three years, the Xinhua News Agency reported.China-Africa economic cooperation has expanded rapidly in scale and extent. Over the past five years, China's imports of African agricultural products have grown at an average annualized rate of 11.4 percent, making China the second-largest export destination for African agricultural products, according to the Xinhua report.In 2021 China imported $5.03 billion of agricultural products from Africa, a year-on-year increase of 18.23 percent, reaching a record high.From January to October, bilateral trade between China and Africa grew 14.3 percent year-on-year to reach over $236 billion, according to figures released by the General Administration of Customs on Monday. China is crazy rich slot 88 slots heaven ukready to boost cooperation with Macedonia in various fields, including the military, and raise bilateral ties to a new level, visiting Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie pledged here Friday. China-Macedonia ties have been developing steadily since their normalization, Liang said when meeting with Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov. Liang, the first Chinese defense minister to visit Macedonia, said the two countries had carried out frequent high-level exchanges, deepened political mutual trust and achieved positive results in cooperation in various areas. China appreciates Macedonias firm adherence to the one-China policy and hopes Macedonia would continue to support it on major issues of core interests, he said. The Macedonian president said his country attaches great importance to cooperation with China in such fields as politics, economy and culture. He expressed his thanks to China for its long-term support and assistance to Macedonia. Ivanov lauded the great achievements made by China in national construction and spoke highly of the significant role China had played in safeguarding international order. He vowed to step up military cooperation with China and deepen strategic mutual trust between the two countries. Also on Friday, Liang met with Macedonian Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi and Chief of the General Staff Goranco Koteski, exchanging views on relations between the two countries armies and on regional security among other issues of common concern. Xinhua Chinese defense minister vows to boost cooperation with Macedoniaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Representatives from government, business and experts support the Prime Minister and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin that China is not a threat to Russian economy, and agree with the need to properly build relationships with Chinese corporations, as they are the main potential investors of Siberia. On Monday, the newspaper Moscow News published an article by Putin, Russia and the changing world about foreign policy. The presidential candidate, in particular, stated that the growth of the Chinese economy not a threat but a challenge that carries a huge potential for business cooperation, the chance to catch the Chinese wind in the sails of our economy. Putin called for actively build new cooperative ties, matching technology and manufacturing capabilities of our countries, using Chinese capacity for economic development of Siberia and the Far East. Honored Economist of the Russian Federation Rifat Huseynov from Novosibirsk stressed loyalty to Putins thoughts regarding the establishment of mutually beneficial cooperation with China and at the same time, noted the need to remove the irritation factor in the form of undeveloped resources of Siberia and the Far East. We must not forget that today our destiny in general is depend on the buyers of export goods. China has become one of the most important and the existing and potential customers of our raw materials and energy resources. The faster Chinas economy develops, the more beneficial to us said Huseynov. Putin: China does not threaten Russian economyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline From left: Thevirgin games rainbow riches InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou in Jiangsu province and Crowne Plaza Shennongjia in Hubei province are part of IHG's hotel and resort offerings in the Chinese market. CHINA DAILY Tailored initiative benefits members as market registers recovery in travel In response to renewed enthusiasm for travel, IHG Hotels & Resorts has revamped a global loyalty program to help its members gain a better experience in the growing market in China. Launched at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, IHG One Rewards is designed to help members earn points faster and offer more ways of using them. It includes a new tier and bonus points structure that will allow members to earn more points faster and gain rewards sooner. Member benefits include free breakfast and room upgrades, and a new technology-enabled platform that allows members to choose the rewards that matter the most to them. "Many companies have loyalty programs but the big difference for us is the IHG One Rewards is personal," said Daniel Aylmer, managing director and senior vice-president of IHG Hotels & Resorts' China operations. "We've tailored it to individuals and the program depends on how you travel and will reward you the way how you want to be rewarded," he said. Aylmer also said he believes it is the right time to launch the new rewards despite the pandemic. "All the world, I suppose, it's a bit confusing, but travel remains for everyone. Even though travel abroad is not very convenient yet, the Chinese consumer is traveling more than ever before and more frequently, especially more staycations and shorter trip experiences," Aylmer said. "It's the perfect time for our consumers. Now travelers really are continuing to experience travel but are also being rewarded for it in a way that's more personal," he added. IHG has more than 6,000 hotels across 17 brands worldwide. While facing the diversified Chinese market, IHG set different strategies toward its 12 brands in China, according to Aylmer. "We continue to bring brands into China, but each brand targets a specific audience. Our fastest growing brand is the Holiday Inn Express, which continues to do extremely well," Aylmer said. "However, Chinese also love luxury and lifestyle hotels." Aylmer pointed out that the lifestyle brand Hotel Indigo will face tremendous growth in the next few years. Leading luxury brand Inter-Continental is doing well while the latest brands to have been introduced to China including Kimpton, voco, and EVEN are receiving market recognition and owner feedback in the market. The hospitality group will continue its expansion in the China market, including the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions, "with a strong brand portfolio covering luxury and lifestyle, premium, essentials, and suites, while expanding into lower-tier cities and resort destinations", Aylmer said. Although Aylmer has a positive attitude toward the future, there are still concerns. "It is challenging times, but we work with great owners and we do everything we can to support their business and drive our hotel performance during these challenging times. There's no question in China that the future is bright and we just look forward to it," Aylmer added. No matter how the market changes, IHG's goal of sustainability has not changed. According to Aylmer, the total carbon emissions of its comparable hotels reduced by 13 percent in 2021 compared to 2019. This is despite the challenges in delivering an overall emissions reduction amid a growing system size. In addition to this, about 99 percent of IHG's hotels in China have incorporated bulk amenities. Meanwhile, IHG also announced its partnership with Ant Group to launch the Responsible Travel program. It leads a new chapter of green mobility while continuing to shape "responsible travel". "We have taken the first step in implementing the 10-year Journey to Tomorrow blueprint," Aylmer said. He added that IHG employees in China "have made every attempt in energy conservation and emissions reduction in daily operations, leading the trend of sustainable travel". April 1, 23 pm, traffic police seized a red lorry carrying 12,033 artillery shells in Lichuan section of Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway. Subsequently, Lichuan Public Security Bureau has been involved in the investigation. The driver said he was commissioned by a Chongqing company to deliver the containers to Jilin, and he didnt know what was inside. According to Lichuan Police, the red lorry was carrying sealed containers marked with hazardous chemicals. The police found a total of 236 boxes, over 10 tons of blasting bombs and armor-piercing shells in containers. Chongqing lorry containing tens of thousands of blasting bombs and armor-piercing shells seized in Hubeiadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Jia Qinglin,mojoo poker aqueduct casino open chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, arrived here Sunday afternoon to attend the royal cremation ceremony of the late Cambodian former King Norodom Sihanouk, which will be held on Monday. At the Phnom Penh International Airport, Jia was cordially greeted by Long Visalo, Secretary of State at Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his stay in Cambodia, he will meet with Sihanouks wife Queen Mother Norodom Monineath, King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen to convey the grief of the 1.3 billion Chinese people to them over the passing-away of the King Father Norodom Sihanouk. Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the eldest son of Sihanouk and former Prime Minister of Cambodia, told Xinhua Saturday that the visit of Jia Qinglin is a testament to prove excellent and strong relationship and cooperation between China and Cambodia. Prince Sisowath Thomico, the spokesman for the Royal Cabinet and former aide to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, said Jia s visit is a big honor for Cambodia. It is the symbol of the friendship and the fraternity that links Cambodia to China; it is a big honor for Cambodia to have a respected leader of the People Republic of China attending the royal funeral, he told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Saturday. Both countries are linked together. I do not believe that anything could break that relationship, and we will further improve cooperation, friendship relations with the People Republic of China, the Prince said. Besides Jia, a number of foreign leaders including French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Laos Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Vice President of the Philippines Jejomar C. Binay, and Japans Prince Akishino will also take part in the cremation ceremony on Monday. Born on Oct. 31, 1922, Sihanouk ruled Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until his voluntary abdication on Oct. 7, 2004 in favor of his son, the current King Norodom Sihamoni. Sihanouk died naturally and peacefully at the age of 90 in Chinas capital of Beijing on October 15, last year. Xinhua Chinas top political advisor arrives in Cambodia for ex-King Sihanouks funeraladded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline WJ-700 UAV is exhibited at the Airshow China 2022 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province from November 8 to 13. Photo: Cao Siqi/GT As China's first high altitude, high speed and long endurance armed reconnaissance UAV system that had made maiden flight, WJ-700 UAV is exhibited at this year's Airshow China, attracting wide attention with newly equipped high technologies including the country's first domestic one-ton thrust turbofan engine featuring high performance and high reliability and the use of a large number of carbon fiber composite materials.The Global Times learned from its developer, No.3 Research Institute under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), that all these upgrades make WJ-700 more flexible and intelligent, which will allow it to realize key capabilities such as one-button self-detection, autonomous inbound and outbound, one-button take-off cruise and autonomous return and landing of the UAV, greatly improving the system's reliability, reducing the control difficulty of the flight crew and the maintenance intensity of the ground crew.The upgraded WJ-700 UAV can equip multiple advanced missiles, airborne photoelectric equipment, SAR radar, electric detection radar and other early warning, surveillance and security equipment. Compared with medium long-endurance UAVs, the WJ-700's reconnaissance efficiency has been exponentially improved over the same period of time.In addition to carrying multiple types of reconnaissance loads, the WJ-700 UAV can carry glide guided bombs, air-to-ground missiles, anti-radiation missiles, anti-ship missiles and other types of airborne weapons to carry out long-range ground attack, anti-radiation operation and long-range anti-ship operation.At the same time, it can quickly reach the mission area to carry out strike and clearance tasks. With the high altitude and high-speed flight characteristics, it can release weapons at a maximum kinetic energy, easily reach the range of 50-80 kilometers, and realize the destruction of enemy missile sites, airports, command posts and other key targets outside the enemy defense area. Photo: The Sky Hawk drone Apart from WJ-700, the Sky Hawk -- dubbed by netizens as China's X-47B -- made an appearance again. Since its debut at the Airshow China in 2018, Sky Hawk UAV, as the flagship product of unmanned combat system, has been receiving high attention.Sky Hawk UAV is a reconnaissance platform with high ceiling, high stealth, high autonomy, long endurance and multi-purpose. It is mainly used to carry out long range tactical reconnaissance missions in close-in or penetration missions in a high-threat battlefield environment, and provide effective comprehensive intelligence for command decision-making and fire strikes, the Global Times learned from the corporation.In the Hollywood action blockbuster Angel Has Fallen, the scene of attack by vehicle-mounted swarm drones is impressive. In the film, drones are catapulted into the air in the launch pad and perform the task according to predetermined trajectory and target identification. The whole process is like a smooth flow, without giving any reaction time to the early warning system and making the security personnel difficult to cope with.At this year's Airshow China, UAV swarm combat systems are moving from the movies to reality. The new-generation aerial intelligent unmanned swarm combat system debuted in Zhuhai, making the audience thrilled to say it is "too advanced for display."The development of the swarm combat system is inspired by bees. When bees fly in groups, the worker bees will work according to the arrangement of the scout bees and the queen bee, exchange information through the "dance" between individuals, arrange the formation, complete the site selection, honey collection and other actions.Ma Hongzhong, chief engineer of the drones, told the Global Times that the new generation of UAVs cluster combat system can form a considerable number of aircraft groups in designated airspace within a short time through high-density loading and continuous launch of various launch platforms (on the land, in the sea and air)."In addition, it can make full use of the advantages of low cost and large number of UAVs to create overwhelming numerical advantages in the local battlefield. Through flexible convergence" and dispersion, precise target selection, rapid penetration and multi-dimensional attack, the system could realize the intention of winning with small size but large quantity," Ma said.Ma pointed out that WJ-700, Sky Hawk and UAV swarm combat system could either launch a strike independently or cooperate to fight.WJ-700 has become a very mature product and been sold to foreign countries. The Sky Hawk UAV is also a mature product with all technologies having been tested. Some verification of the Sky Hawk's flight experiment has been carried out. The verification of key technology of UAV swarm combat system is underway, which is expected to be equipped with actual combat capability soon, according to Ma. Since yesterday,virtual poker the small French town Moret-sur-Loing has become the setting for a historical TV series telling the story of CCP leaders who studied in France in the 1920s. The series will air from 1 October National Day on the channel CCTV 1. And no less than 300 million viewers should watch the typical small French village Moret-sur-Loing. A Chinese production team has invested in the town for TV series entitled Our French years (), telling the history of some CCP leaders, including Deng Xiaoping, who came to stay in France in the 1920s. At that time, there was a movement among Chinese young intellectuals, said Wang Fang-Hui, director of production. Some came to France to learn of European communism. On their return, they became the companions of Mao. Until tonight, no less than sixty people, all from China, are hard at work in the city for this series that celebrates the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party. Moret-sur-Loing has caught the eye of the producers, and theres no doubt the Chinese viewers will navigate between the old twelfth-century church, the cobbled streets and the Place Royale. For this scene, they unload trucks at a warehouse of vegetables, said Wang Fang-Hui. because these young intellectuals were often in search of odd jobs. The warehouse in question is actually the retirement home named the Home of Good Saint Jacques, led by Isabelle. We were contacted by the film production team, she said. They sent a brochure explaining the history of the series, and they came last week to scout locations.This place has already hosted several films. The team just removed a few signs and hid the door number, says Isabelle. Other parts of Moret to serve as backdrop: the town hall square, the mill and an old building that will serve as a country hotel. The city was very helpful, said Wang Fang-Hui. it had blocked the area and set up an alternating traffic. Yet Another Great Revival Coming From French Villageadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline A Chinese delegation, as a guest of honor, will stage contributions of more than 300 events to the upcoming 2012 London Book Fair, commencing April 16 and now in its 41st year. The series of events are categorized as publishing house forums, book copyright promotions, author and scholar exchanges, cultural and art exhibitions, and cultural and art performances, according to the Wednesday press conference given by the delegation. Director Zhang Fuhai at the Department of Foreign Communication and Cooperation under the General Administration of Press and Publication, briefed the attendees on six features of the friendly, communicative and cooperative interactions to come: guaranteed are a big pack of activities, a large group of delegates, a wide range of themes, a rich resource of celebrities, long time windows to enjoy them all in, as well as a special first-time exhibition on outstanding translations, both from Chinese to English and vice-versa. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.K. diplomatic relations, Chinese Ambassador to the U.K. Liu Xiaoming addressed the conference on what an opportunity it provides to present to the worlds literati new ways of looking at and understanding China. H.E. Amb. Liu also encouraged deeper cooperation between the Chinese and English publishing markets, as a driving force for mutual cultural appreciation, as well as an impetus to raise the competitiveness of Chinese publications and other cultural products in the international sphere. In terms of sales, China is now the worlds biggest domestic publication market and growing at break-neck speed, commented Director Alistair Burtenshaw of this one of the worlds most influential book fairs, which is to embrace about 25,000 publication professionals from 110 countries this year. The China Pavilion to host the whole package of Chinese activities at the London Book Fair, to cover an area of 2,019 square meters, will display about 10,000 book items in five zones, which are named five Tao elements gold, wood, water, fire and earth. Altogether 191 publishing units and 500 celebrities from the domestic industry will attend. CNS China visions sparkle at London Book Fairadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The car maker Opel wants to increase its sales in Russia and especially China. Opel has been doing well in Russia, where it would double the sales of 60 000 cars soon. And we look to China. there we would sell more in the future, said Opel chief Karl-Friedrich Stracke, although there are also other brands of General Motors group. In a big market like China, there is enough room for Ford, Buick and Chevrolet. At the same time, he confirmed that Opel as a whole will soon come back to profitability. Break even in 2011, profits in 2012 that was the target. In addition, the company intends to explore other markets such as India. With India, Opel would open up the sixth-largest car market in the world. Opel to Double Sales in Russia and Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Biden on investigating Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition closeVideo President Biden reacts to Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition. Independent journalist Glenn Greenwald had strong words for liberals who shamed Elon Musk for criticizing a Democratic senator on the social media platform. The Twitter CEO had sent a snappy reply to Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., for complaining the company's new rules on Twitter verification were too lax. The senator in turn threatened Musk to comply or face punishment from Congress. But Musk's flippant response to the senator spurred leftists on Twitter to echo Markey's words. Greenwald was appalled by the warnings, tweeting, "These people are such f---ing authoritarians: you speak to Democratic Senators with respect or else!" Elon Musk traded barbs with Democratic Sen. Ed Markey. (Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images | Samuel Corum/Bloomberg Getty Images) JOURNALIST TAUNTED FOR WARNING ELON MUSK AGAINST OFFENDING SENATE DEMOCRATS: SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE SERVANT Greenwald slammed the left's response as emblematic of the control Democrats had on social media companies. "This has been the most overlooked part of the debate over Big Tech censorship from the start. This is not, as liberal censorship defenders claim, a case of private companies deciding to censor. They're doing it under explicit punishment threats from Dems," he noted in a follow-up tweet. Greenwald called out the senator for being "one of the Democrats most explicit" in demanding censorship from tech giants under threat of punishment. "And @SenMarkey in particular has been one of the Democrats most explicit in telling Big Tech executives: you either take down the posts we regard as dangerous, or you will face legal and regulatory punishment," he said. Sen. Ed Markey threatened Elon Musk after teaming up with the Washington Post on story about a Twitter verified-account hoaxes. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) "This is a core Democratic Party threat," he added, with a video of Markey saying there wasn't enough censorship on social media. ELON MUSK TELLS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR HIS TWITTER ACCOUNT SOUNDS LIKE A PARODY Greenwald continued to rail against the Democrat, calling his threats a "grave and dangerous abuse of power" that was a "classic hallmark of fascism." "It goes without saying that a Senator using his power to punish private companies for mocking him -- or, worse, for refusing to obey his censorship orders -- is a grave and dangerous abuse of power. That so many left-liberals cheer this tells you who they are and how they think. A classic hallmark of "fascism" is uniting corporate and state power to control the population, particularly by dictating what they can and can't say. This is exactly what Dems have been doing with the internet, as the very people claiming to be "anti-fascism" warriors cheer," he tweeted. Billionaire industrialist Elon Musk took over Twitter and immediately fired several top executives. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto | Carina Johansen/NTB/AFP via Getty Images Photo illustration) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The billionaire tech entrepreneur's takeover of Twitter at the end of October prompted several liberal media meltdowns, including one from a Washington Post journalist who declared, "Its like the gates of hell opened on this site tonight." Greenwald is an outspoken critic of censorship and has accused the Democratic Party of working with government security officials and Big Tech to enact a "regime of censorship" on the internet. Kristine Parks is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Read more. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is gambling news onlinescheduled to visit the United States in the third week of February, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said here on Friday. The top American envoy made the announcement after a closed-door meeting with her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida, who was in Washington for a one-day trip. On Abes expected meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, Clinton said: There will be a lot of work to do between now and then to ensure this high-level summit is extremely successful for both our governments and our nations. The two diplomats also discussed the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, the collaboration in dealing with the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, and the negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Regarding the issue of the Diaoyu Islands, Clinton reiterated that the United States does not take a position on the ultimate sovereignty of the islands, urging all parties to take steps to prevent incidents and manage disagreements through peaceful means. But she also said that Washington recognizes that the islands are under Japanese administration. Such U.S. stance has been repeatedly criticized and opposed by the Chinese government. Relations between China and Japan soured last year due to the Japanese governments provocations over the Diaoyu Islands, a group of islets in the East China Sea which belong to China. At a daily press briefing on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that Japans continued negative acts on the Diaoyu Islands issue have created tensions, running against the trend of solving disputes through talks. We hope the Japanese side can exercise sincerity with calmness, work for shared goals with China, and thus find ways to properly solve and manage problems through consultations, he said. Xinhua Japanese PM to visit U.S. next monthadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Vice Chairman of Chinas Central Military Commission Xu Caihou has urged troops to consolidate political ideology and improve awareness of guarding national unity and stability during an inspection of forces based in Xinjiang region. According to an official statement Xinhua received Wednesday, Xu said in his undated tour that all levels of the troops should resolutely follow instructions from the central authorities throughout their efforts. (The troops) should actively adapt to the emerging situation, new tasks and demands, closely focus on the theme of national defense and military building, and step up ideological and political construction, Xu said. Xu said the military should strive to make excellent achievements in all work, so as to better greet the 18th national congress of the Communist Party of China, which is set to be held later this year. Xinhua Xu Caihou urges troops to consolidate political ideologyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Democratic Rep.-elect says rural Democrats are an 'endangered species' closeVideo Democratic Rep.-elect Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said Monday on "Morning Joe" that rural Democrats were an "endangered species." Democratic Rep.-elect Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said Monday that rural Democrats were an "endangered species" during an interview with MSNBC's "Morning Joe." Sam Stein asked Perez about what lessons Democrats could learn from her politically as someone who flipped a Republican seat in Washington that had been held by the GOP since 2011. "We need to start running rural candidates and we need to start running candidates who work in the trades if we want to be relevant in those places anymore. I mean, you know, rural Democrats are almost an endangered species now. And I think we need to take a real hard look at why that is and how to right that ship. You know rural voices are critical to an America thats functioning, delivering the same quality of life and resources to our kids that we had," Gluesenkamp Perez said. Perez defeated Republican Joe Kent in Washington's 3rd Congressional District. Rep.-elect Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joins the hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe." (Screenshot/MSNBC/MorningJoe) 2022 MIDTERM ELECTION RESULTS: REPUBLICANS NEED JUST SEVEN SEATS TO CAPTURE THE HOUSE MAJORITY Gluesenkamp Perez co-owns an auto shop with her husband across the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon. Kent was backed by former President Donald Trump and is behind Gluesenkamp Perez by 4,621 votes. Democrats will maintain control of the Senate after Democrat Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto defeated Republican Adam Laxalt in the Nevada Senate race. Control of the House hangs in the balance. Gluesenkamp Perez was also asked how much she thinks she will be able to do for her district with Republicans likely to gain control of the House. Democratic candidate Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has been declared the winner in the House race for Washington's 3rd Congressional District (AP Images) AFTER MIDTERM ELECTION, THE CHALLENGES FACING DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS "Our priorities are very clear. Support for small businesses. You know, I think that both parties, frankly, have failed to deliver a level playing field that works for everyone. You know, weve got to address crime. My auto shop, Ive had my windows broken four times this year. I happen to really like it when the police come when I call them. You know weve got to start addressing these issues that influence peoples quality of life and get things back on track," she said. Host Joe Scarborough asked the congresswoman-elect to talk about her district and about the people she will be representing. "Lots of timber, lots of fishing, lots of shellfish," she said. "Im fifth generation loggers in my family, worked in the woods. A lot of paper products. Would love to see a resurgence and replacement of plastic packaging with cardboard and paper that we make in southwest Washington." She also added that she was proudest of the endorsements coming from Republicans. U.S. President Joe Biden reacts as he walks to greet Chinese President Xi Jinping before a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit meeting, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Bali, Indonesia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (Associated Press) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP During an interview in December 2020, President Biden said Democrats had forgotten rural America. He said he planned to win them over by tackling COVID-19. Hanna Panreck is an associate editor at Fox News. Because of the increasing number of people needing care in Germany, the private care providers have asked to be allowed to continue to recruit their staff in India and China. There are not enough professionals in Germany. Said Thomas Greiner, the head of the care employers association. Greiner demanded that the quota of nurses from other EU member states in Germany should be upheld and those nurses are likely to migrate from non-EU countries. saying, from India and China, in which they were already talking to recruit skilled workers. However, the German federal government had deliberately excluded the care sector, as they exposed the precedence test for medical doctors and engineers from around the world. From the perspective of the government, care sector simply does too little for their own industry. The private providers are becoming increasingly important within the care industry in Germany. Meanwhile, 40 percent of nursing homes and 62 percent of outpatient services are privately owned. In 1999 the percentage was 35 percent for the nursing homes, and outpatient services at just under 26 percent. The care industry is booming. According to a study by the RWI Economic Research Institute on behalf of private care providers, between 1999 and 2009 a total 29 billion euros invested in nursing homes and services. At the same time 160,000 jobs were created in the industry, 90,000 of them for nurses. German Care Sector Demands Nurses from China and Indiaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China Vanke, the nations largest property developer, has won a series of land bids since the start of July, reinforcing signs that well-funded developers are trying to catch the bottom of the property market. Vanke has paid over 6 billion yuan (952.38 million U.S. dollars) for land plots in cities including Hangzhou, Chongqing, Ningbo, Chengdu and Shanghai since last month. On Wednesday, the developer bought a tract of land with a total area of 110,000 square meters in Shanghai for 2.03 billion yuan. Moreover, other big developers have also rushed to get land in recent months, as they were flush with funds and land prices were much lower compared with previous years after the government introduced a slew of measures to cool the countrys sizzling property sector. Poly Real Estate, the countrys second-largest developer, purchased 9 plots of land for 3 billion yuan in June, adding 1.67 million square meters of land to its reserves. Also in June, Evergrande Real Estate paid 2.78 billion yuan for 10 tracts of land with a total area of 900,000 square meters. Li Ying, a researcher with China Real Estate Information Corp., said competition for quality land plots among developers will become more intense in the third quarter with more land sites coming to market, which will likely push land prices higher. Data from the China Index Academy showed the average home price in 100 major cities rose for a second month in July, increasing 0.33 percent from a month earlier. Chinese leaders reiterated Tuesday that the central government will resolutely carry out policies to adjust and control the real estate market in order to prevent housing prices from rebounding. Xinhua Vanke won land bids to catch market bottomadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Mar 5, Ecuadors government and China-backed company Ecuacorriente signed the first contract for large-scale copper mining under the legal framework approved by the 2008 referendum of constitution. In front of the president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, the contract was signed by the Non-Renewable Resources Minister, Wilson Pastor, and senior representatives of two Chinese mega corporations who joined in supporting the mining company Ecuacorriente. The Mirador reservoir, which has the reserves of five billion pounds of copper, will be exploited with 52 percent in favor of the state. It is located in the south of the Ecuadorian Amazon, in the province of Zamora Chinchipe, 375 kilometers south of the capital. Today begins a new era in Ecuador, to make a qualitative leap with the responsible development of mineral potential, Correa said at the conclusion of the solemn ceremony, with many politicians, including President of Parliament, Fernando Cordero. He reiterated the presidents decision to develop countrys natural resources and benefit the people especially the local communities, through these contracts. Without mining the world back to the stone age, everything we use today usually comes from mining and without it the modern lifestyle could not sustain, said Correa. The main danger to our Amazon rainforest is not mining, but the expansion of the agricultural frontier which will continue to grow if we do not give these people employment sources, said the president, referring that over three thousand will be created by the project. The estimate is that production in the province of Zamora Chinchipe will begin in late 2013, under this agreement, effective for 25 years, about one billion dollars will go to benefit the communities. You can remedy the environmental impact by up to 95 percent once the project is in operation, Correa said, and called to say Yes to the use of natural resources with environmental and social responsibility. Ecuador and China-backed company sign contract for large-scale miningadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline James CY Soong,best betting casinos freesuperbet chairman of the People First Party (PFP) in Taiwan, on Thursday sent separate messages to President Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping, the newly elected general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. Soong spoke highly of Hus contributions to improving relations across the Taiwan Strait. In his message to Xi, Soong congratulated Xi on his election as the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. Hu and Xi expressed their gratitude in their replies. Hu, Xi reply to messages from Taiwans James Soongadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Russia and China may change its attitude to what is happening in Syria, this was announced on Monday by Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi. There have been signals from China and, to some extent, from Russia, that in their relation to the Syrian crisis may change, he said. In early February, when voting in the UN Security Council on the draft resolution on Syria submitted by Moroccan delegation, China and Russia exercised their veto and blocked the adoption of the document, which was supported by the other 13 members of Security Council. The Security Council should immediately adopt binding resolution calling for an end to violence in Syria, said Al-Arabi. At the same time Secretary General of Arab League stressed the need to reform of the Security Council. Russia and China may change its position on Syriaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Liu Wenyan considers herself lucky. Despite being confined to a wheelchair most of the time,ce este blockchain technology she has recently finished a road trip covering more than 15,000 kilometers. The trip from her home city of Shangqiu in Central China's Henan province to Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and back again took 31 days. Liu, aged 52, suffers from a neurodegenerative disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. But the condition did not stop her enjoying the journey with her son Zhao Tianci, taking in various scenery along the way, sipping tea on the prairie and enjoying local delicacies. "It's a tiring journey, but my mom is all smiles," says 29-year-old Zhao, who acted as driver and videographer. "She would tell me that she is fortunate and happy, and her life is no worse than anyone else's, even though she is paralyzed." Zhao captured their heartwarming journey in a series of videos and posted them on the popular Chinese short-video platform Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. The videos went viral, and soon Zhao and Liu were inundated with words of encouragement from followers across China, many making offers of help and hospitality. A native of Henan, Liu once enjoyed a busy life, running a business and enjoying pastimes such as traveling, doing yoga and just sipping tea. Then she realized that something was wrong with her. "It was one night in 2014. As my mother was making dumplings, her two fingers suddenly felt powerless," recalls Zhao. "We thought she was just tired. To relieve her discomfort, she rested for a while and we took her for a massage, which didn't help." From that point, Liu's health deteriorated, the powerlessness gradually overtaking her two hands and later her arms. Half a year later, she found that the mounting symptoms had become impossible to endure, forcing her to travel further afield in search of a diagnosis. In the latter half of 2015, in a Beijing hospital, she was diagnosed with ALS. ALS patients would progressively lose muscle strength, eventually becoming paralyzed and unable to speak, move, swallow or breathe. "After my mother was diagnosed, she cried a lot," says Zhao. "We racked our brains to find ways of comforting her, persuading her to be positive so that she could overcome the disease and hold onto the day when a miracle might occur. But it was in vain." Gradually, she gave up on her hobbies. She even locked herself up and refused to meet her friends for fear of putting them to any trouble, as she was unable to finish eating a meal independently. Luckily, some months later, things began to take a favorable turn. Zhao took his mother to a scenic spot for the first time since her diagnosis, and they found that her mood became noticeably more positive. He began to think about activities and trips that he could facilitate for his mother, offering some reprieve from her suffering. "Over the years, during my work breaks or on weekends, we would travel with her, first in Henan and then outside the province," he says. "We also took her to watch new movies, taste new foods and play in amusement parks, to provide a distraction and make her feel the wonder of life." In June this year, Zhao decided it was time for a bigger journey. He would accompany his mother on a self-driving road trip to Xinjiang, providing weeks of sightseeing and new experiences. In preparation, he resigned from the real-estate company where he had worked for four years. He refitted the car's passenger seat to accommodate his mother, and purchased medicines, daily necessities and a tea set, among other things. On June 10, after teaming up with one of his friends and his mother's caregiver, they left Shangqiu and headed for northern Xinjiang. Zhao says it was not an easy journey. As the sole driver, sometimes he spent up to 16 hours a day behind the wheel. After two to three hours of driving, he would pull off at a service station to help his mother relax her muscles. Late into the night, he would edit the video clips his friend had captured and upload them to Douyin, so that his mother could watch them upon waking the next day. "My original intention in crafting the videos was to record the memories for her to look back on, even after the trip," Zhao says. Joining them on their journey were some 10,000 followers from across China. "Enjoy the moment and I wish your mom good health," wrote one follower. For Zhao, the kindness from his followers and the strangers they met in Xinjiang provided him with the encouragement needed to finish the trip. "Many Xinjiang locals invited us to have dinner with them, but we declined for fear of putting them to any trouble. Wherever we went, as long as there were steps, there was always someone helping us lift my mother's wheelchair. When we checked into hotels, many managers helped us upgrade to the hotel's best room free of charge," he recalls. On July 11, they arrived back in Shangqiu. Since then, Zhao has continued to share their daily lives with concerned followers and has livestreamed regularly. Before long, their story surfaced on social media, arousing widespread respect and empathy among people online, especially other ALS sufferers and their relatives. Some of them would share with Zhao their stories of losing loved ones to the disease or ask him via private chat for tips on how to care for ALS patients. The experience inspired Zhao to do more to help people facing such difficulties. He now wants to establish a WeChat group for the caregivers of ALS patients in Shangqiu, helping them to communicate with each other, and to provide tips on care issues. Meanwhile, he has purchased new equipment for the family home, including a ventilator and an eye-tracking device to help him communicate with his mother. Such technology is increasingly important as his mother's disease has entered a late stage, with her functions of speech, swallowing and breathing being badly affected. But Zhao and his mother have not lost the travel bug yet. Zhao plans to take his mother to either Yunnan province for some tea tasting, or to southern Xinjiang, health issues permitting. "I may not be able to stop her disease, but at least I can stop her being afraid of it," he says. Mexico anti-drug commercial using video from Philadelphia shows city has become shame of the nation: Jennifer Stefano closeVideo Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Jennifer Stefano argues Mexico is an 'enormous part' of the city's drug problem and points the finger at Democrat leadership for the crime crisis. A Philadelphia Inquirer columnist is calling out Democratic leadership in the city after Mexico released anti-drug PSAs featuring homelessness and open drug use on the streets of the city's Kensington neighborhood. Jennifer Stefano joined "America's Newsroom" Tuesday to point the finger at the mayor and district attorney for the drug and crime crisis plaguing her city. "It is one of the most tragic things you'll ever see," Stefano said. "This is an example of a couple of things, the failed war on drugs, but also the total and complete totalitarian hold of the Democratic Party on the city of Philadelphia for the last 60-plus years. And also a George Soros-funded district attorney, Larry Krasner, overseeing this. There has been no solutions, no answers, and more lives lost and devastation." AT LEAST 9 INJURED IN MASS SHOOTING OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA BAR: POLICE Kensington, a neighborhood in North Philadelphia, is known for an abundance of open-air recreational drug markets and drug-related violence. (Fox News) Mexico's national ad campaign to try to scare young people away from drugs never identifies the city or neighborhood shown. The use of the videos, apart from sparking concern over Philadelphias image, or whether those filmed had given their consent, raised questions, in part because Mexico is the source of most of the fentanyl being sold in the United States. "It's no lost irony on any of us who love and care about the city of Philadelphia that Mexico is an enormous part of the problem," Stefano said. "They allow illegal drugs to flow through the border into the United States and do not protect their northern border, our southern border. [It's] hugely problematic." Image shows dirt-bike rider hurling an item at a Philadelphia police vehicle on Oct. 16, 2022. (Philadelphia Police Department) As the city battles rising violent crime, a Pennsylvania House committee investigating Krasner released a report in October heavily criticizing the Philadelphia district attorney for policies they believe contributed to the crisis. Stefano asked what Mayor Jim Kenney and Krasner are waiting for as they continue to promise to fix drugs and crime yet "never deliver," despite bipartisan support to find solutions. "It is the shame of the nation that this is happening," she said. "If you live in the city, your lives are worsening. The crime is worse, the murders are worse, and there's no safe neighborhood. There's no good neighborhood. Everywhere is vulnerable." Video CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Mayor's Office acknowledged the drug problem but said it is not limited to one city or neighborhood, and noted that all people are capable of "hope, healing, and resilience." "The opioid and overdose crisis in Philadelphia is part of a national and even international epidemic, and we agree it is important for everyone to understand, as this video notes, that all street drugs now present an elevated risk of overdose because of fentanyls extreme prevalence," a spokesperson for Mayor Kenney said. "Having said that, it is always hard to see our citys people and neighborhoods portrayed in a limited and negative light. No neighborhood, and no person, should be defined by this tragic and widespread crisis," the office said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Elizabeth Heckman is a digital production assistant with Fox News. Japan and South Korea agreed Wednesday to seek tougher sanctions against the Democratic People s Republic of Korea (DPRK),finau masters odds bet9ija booking which conducted a nuclear test Tuesday, in the UN Security Council. In a telephone conversation between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, both of them agreed the DPRKs nuclear test violated relevant resolutions approved by the UN Security Council and damaged regional and international peace and stability. Therefore, they agreed that the Security Council should impose tougher sanctions against the DPRK, and the two countries will work closely on approving such a UN resolution. The DPRK, despite strong opposition from the international community, conducted its third nuclear test Tuesday, drawing condemnations from a number of countries. Xinhua Japan, S. Korea to seek tougher UN sanctions against DPRKadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinas exchange rate policy would destabilize the world economy, said European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht on 27 September. China artificially lowers the rate of the yuan, which is a negative factor. Thus, the PRC would destabilize the world economy Karel De Gucht said. Despite a number of distinct advantages for Beijings currency intervention, in particular, a more comfortable environment for Chinese exporters, a strong national currency prevents the containment of the trade balance and foreign reserves the first largest in the world. In this case, according to the commissioner, the current situation also brings some of the advantages of the European economy, enabling consumers to purchase raw materials of Chinese products at lower prices. The share of Chinese raw materials for European export is 75%. Thus, cheap Chinese imports indirectly helps our exporters, Karel De Gucht explained. In early September 2011. Chinese authorities have announced plans to make the yuan freely convertible currency by 2015. Currently, the yuan is partially convertible currency the government maintains tight restrictions on foreign exchange transactions involving the movement of capital. The renminbi is controlled by the Chinese central bank, the rate is determined by reference to a basket of currencies. At the same time the Western countries believe that the yuan is artificially undervalued, giving Chinese exports an unfair advantage. In order to control exchange Beijing has to sell yuan in the domestic market and accumulate huge foreign reserves, which in 2011. exceeded $3 trillion and growing. However, in recent years China has gradually weakens the control over capital movements. For example, in August 2011. authorities promised to allow foreign investors to buy selected securities on stock exchanges in mainland China. Analysts say that such measures contribute to the internationalization of the yuan, and bring it, although slowly, to the status of international reserve currency. In June, Dai Xianglong, former governor of the Bank of China, said that the yuan would become an international currency in 15 to 20 years. ( Previous Report ) EU: Chinas Monetary policy Would Destabilize the World Economyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The Chinese authorities are studying the invitation to the meeting of so-called Friends of Syria, created with support from the West and the Arab League in order to stabilize the situation in Syria. This was announced by Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei. The meeting will take place on February 24th 2012. in the capital of Tunisia. China is studying the size and other parameters of this group, said Hong Lei. The Russian authorities have refused the invitation to attend the conference, as the representatives of current authorities in Syria was not invited. Moscows official position on this matter was announced by the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich: According to incoming reports, representatives of Syrian Government are not invited to the conference. This means that the interests of a large segment of Syrias population, which supports the authorities will not be calculated. In this case, the meeting will do little to find the way to overcome the internal crisis. On the contrary, he said, it seems that we are talking about coming together to form a kind of international coalition, as was the case with the creation of a contact group of Libya, in order to support one side against another in an internal conflict. At the same time A.Lukashevich noted that there are serious questions about the outcome of the meeting. According to reports, a narrow group of countries is already working on the meeting without the knowledge of other guests who were asked to simply play the role of rubber-stamp. 16 February 2012. The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) overwhelmingly approved a non-binding draft resolution on Syria which supports peace initiatives of the Arab League, and calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to resign. As the result of voting for the resolution, 137 in favor, 12 voted against, including Russia and China, abstained 17. 4 February 2012. UN Security Council held a vote on the draft resolution on Syria, made by the Delegation of Morocco, together with a number of Western and Arab countries. Russia and China voted no by using veto power, as the result, the resolution was not adopted. China is studying the invitation to meeting of friends of Syriaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Taiwans service industries are set for a major boost under a 13-year project aimed at transforming the sector into a key driver for the local economy, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Taiwan Aug. 7. The government has not done enough to develop service industries, especially in light of the funding dedicated to manufacturing R&D, marketing promotion and talent cultivation, MOEA Minister Shih Yen-shiang said. Given the expanding role of service industries in Taiwans future development, we believe the plan will be instrumental in delivering balanced economic growth. Shih said the MOEA is targeting industries characterized by high output value, strong job creation capability and lucrative export potential. Based on these criteria, the ministry has selected nine industries for strategic promotion, including Chinese-language e-commerce, design services, digital content, health care, information services, international logistics and meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions. Approved by Taiwan Cabinet in June, the project will attract a minimum NT$10 billion (US$336.7 billion) from the National Development Fund. Taiwans venture capital firms are poised to contribute a further NT$3 billion. Later this month, the MOEA is set to begin working with the nine service sector promotion offices under its Industrial Development Bureau to identify suitable investment targets. The ministry will select 10 to 15 firms to take part in the project in November. According to the MOEA, around 650 local startups are set to benefit from the project with 22,000 jobs created by 2025. The plan is part of a central government drive to keep Taiwans economy ticking along amid challenging conditions at home and abroad. As part of this effort, Minister without Portfolio Kuan Chung-ming said the Cabinet is considering easing regulations on inbound investment from mainland Chinese firms. We will soon begin reviewing current laws governing foreign direct investment, Kuan said. This approach is expected to attract more investors to Taiwan, especially in the areas of public construction, real estate, services and telecommunications. Meg Chang Taiwan targets service industries for promotionadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The death toll of tourist bus accident happened in Changshu has risen to 14. Staff from the Ministry of Public Security and State Administration of Work Safety have arrived in Changshu and initiated the accident investigation. The accident happened at 9:25 on April 22nd in Changshu section of Yanjiang Highway, a tourist bus from Shanghai violently collided with a truck from Suzhou, killing 13 people and 21 people were injured, four of them were seriously wounded. At night on 22nd, one seriously injured passenger died, the other three are in steady state. The accident investigation has been carried on. Death toll of tourist bus accident has risen to 14added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs China assisting Cambodia to improve and upgrade its naval base comports with the domestic laws of both countries,with international laws and customary practices and it does not target any third party, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday, urging countries outside the region to view the normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia as they are.The ministry's remarks came as a response to the "concerns" raised by the US. According to a White House statement, US President Joe Biden raised concerns regarding the situation at Ream Naval Base and underscored the importance of full transparency about activities by the PRC military at the base in a meeting with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday on the sidelines of an international summit."China and Cambodia are comprehensive strategic cooperative partners. Our cooperation in various sectors is open, transparent, legitimate and justified", said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a Monday press conference.The upgrade of the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia assisted by China is a normal activity of providing assistance to Cambodia and it is aimed at strengthening the Cambodian navy's capability of defending its maritime territorial integrity, Mao emphasized.Biden's "concerns" over Chinese activities at the naval base didn't appear in the statement from Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.The Ream Naval Base is on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand in Cambodia's southwestern province of Preah Sihanouk. In June, China started assisting Cambodia to expand and upgrade the naval base.At the project's opening ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian said the renovation project is an achievement of mutual respect and equal communication between China and Cambodia, rejecting Western media reports that China is building a military base in Cambodia and firmly opposing some countries' moves to smear normal exchanges between Cambodia and ChinaWang said that the Chinese military would continue to provide assistance to the Cambodian side and promote the two countries' military cooperation.Experts pointed out that Biden's concerns exposed the US' double standards and prejudiced views through "tinted glasses" on China-Cambodia cooperation, as the US has hundreds of overseas military bases while China has never built any such bases.China has never enhanced its military presence at the Ream Naval Base, but has only conducted facility renovation based on bilateral national interests, Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.Mao said that the Cambodian side has made clarifications about this on multiple occasions, urging countries outside the region to view the normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia as they are.Global Times Why does the left want children to be exposed to pornographic books?: Rufo closeVideo Manhattan Institute senior fellow Chris Rufo weighs in on "America Reports" with regard to Muslim parents in Dearborn, Michigan, fighting against schools allowing access to "sexually explicit" books in K-12 library. Parents in a Michigan suburb are taking legal action against their children's public school for allowing sexually explicit books into the school library, despite repeated calls for their removal. The Dearborn Public School board was notified of the lawsuit during a Department of Education meeting on Monday night, where parents in the predominantly Muslim community expressed outrage over the board's approval of books that feature "pornographic" content in the K-12 student library. The lawsuit comes one month after an October meeting was cut short by school administrators when a group of angry parents first confronted the board with their concerns, questioning the school's process for determining if a book is appropriate for the school library. UTAH PARENTS PUSH BACK AGAINST PORNOGRAPHIC BOOKS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY FILING OVER 250 COMPLAINTS Dearborn, Michigan, school board member Roxanne McDonald presides over a meeting, Oct. 10, 2022. (Dearborn Public Schools) "These aren't simply books about LGBTQ issues, which is what the left would like to claim," prominent critical race theory opponent Christopher Rufo told "America Reports" on Tuesday. "They are pornographic, very explicit, they go into kind of X-rated sexual detail in many cases, and these are available in public school libraries, targeting kids as young as elementary school." Rufo has spent the last several months closely documenting the battle among parents who are seeking to have more autonomy over the education of their children. From Virginia to Utah to Michigan, Rufo said the pushback by parents fighting for appropriate reading material in school libraries is more of a "common sense" issue than a political one. Video "Its actually not Democrat-Republican anywhere in the country. Most parents are pretty common sense. They want to have a wide diversity of books, covering a range of topics, they want to show respect for everyone in the classroom, regardless of sexual orientation, but these are sexually explicit and pornographic books, often with very graphic depictions of sexual activity," Rufo said. "This is just not appropriate, and its certainly not a book ban to say we dont want pornography targeting young children in elementary schools." "The question is for the left," he continued. "Why do they want pornographic books being exposed to children? We should flip the script, ask them the hard questions and see how they defend themselves." The Dearborn school district implemented a new book policy in October that allows parents to opt their children out of certain books. But most parents took issue with this approach. VIRGINIA PARENTS SOUND OFF ON POLITICIZATION OF SCHOOLS: 'AN ATTACK ON THE FAMILY AND THE CHURCH' A Dearborn, Michigan, school board meeting ended after the fire marshal said the gathering broke the fire code, Oct. 10, 2022. (Dearborn Public Schools) In a segment of the school board meeting posted by Rufo on his Twitter account Monday night, a Dearborn mother can be heard reading sexually explicit material from a book titled "Flamer," which her child brought home from the school library. "America Reports" host John Roberts said that the contents of the book, which contained graphic descriptions and pornographic references, was deemed unfit to air during the Fox News interview. The mother said she has no plans to return the book to the school library and will pay the necessary fines that incur. Rufo encouraged other parents to continue to speak up "with courage and without fear" to protect the education of America's youth. "Conservatives need to stand strong with the simple message [that] parents are the ultimate arbiters of the education for their children," Rufo said. "They should be in power over the schools, over the legislative bodies. This is the heart of our democracy, and we have to make sure that parents can determine what is appropriate and inappropriate regarding their children, especially in the youngest grades." CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP "As the voters, the parents, we get to decide whats taught to the kids, and there are examples all over the country," he added. "You have to attack this with courage and without fear." Yael Halon is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. China on Saturday accused the United States and Europe of hegemonic ambitions in Syria, following the international conference of Friends of Syria in Tunis, where the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton strongly condemned the attitude of Beijing and Moscow. Clinton said the decision by China and Russia was despicable to veto resolutions of the the UN Security Council condemning repression in Syria. They are clearly not on the side of the Syrian people, said the Head of American diplomacy. The official Xinhua news agency responded Saturday by arguing that Beijings position on Syria was balanced. China and Russia boycotted the conference in Tunis, to avoid military intervention in Syria. Most Arab countries have begun to understand that the United States and Europe conceal a dagger behind a smile. In other words, while they appear to act on humanitarian grounds, they actually feed hegemonic ambitions. said Xinhua. China accuses the United States and Europe of hegemonic ambitions in Syriaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Airbus is closely monitoring the evolution of European fiscal crisis and potential vector of global recession, but believes that in this case, Asia, particularly China, represent an island of growth, said Thursday the Chief Operating Officer of Airbus. At the end of August, we recorded 1,000 net orders (in Europe) and air traffic is alive and well, said Fabrice Bregier during an interview on the sidelines of World Economic Forum in Dalian, China. However, we expect some adjustments to come. We were in a very different situation from 2008 to 2009. This time, we see a difficulty in some over-indebted European states, but the real economy is healthy. The European budget crisis has revived fears of a relapse of the economy into recession. Such a scenario would cause a slowdown in air traffic and thus the growth of airlines. A major recession would cause a decline in traffic and therefore the companies would not generate enough cash to buy new planes, said Fabrice Bregier. However, he stressed that EADS subsidiary is in a better position than during the crisis of the 1990s or that of 2008/2009. Now were on the world market, so we no longer sell exclusively to Europe and the United States and most of our orders come from Asia, especially China, he said. The first super jumbo Airbus will be delivered to the carrier China Southern Airlines in the coming weeks and the unit will be operational in November. In early September, Boeing announced that China would need 5,000 commercial aircraft in the next 20 years, for a total of $ 600 billion, representing an increase of 25% over the previous estimate of U.S. manufacturer. Airbus, which currently holds a market share of 45% in China, to publish its world forecast on Sept. 20. According to Fabrice Bregier, the market share of Airbus in China will exceed 50% in the coming years. We plan to deliver about 90 aircraft to China next year and about 100 this year, said the chief operating officer. In June, the Industrial Commercial Bank of China and China Aviation Supplies ordered 88 Airbus A320s for 7.5 billion dollars (5.4 billion euros), with delivery expected between 2012 and 2015. Airbus is Counting on Asia in Global Recessionadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Thelas vegas casino slots online added value of Chongqing above-scale industries increased by 16.5% with the power consumption up 1.3%, in the first half of 2012. Driven by it, the energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP in Chongqing is expected to drop by 5% in the first half, according to Chongqing Economy and Informationization Commission on August 5, 2012. Chongqing industry achieved high increase with low energy consumption, and greatly promoted the GDP increase by 7.9 percentage points. And its contribution rate to the GDP exceeded 50% (the Chongqing GDP increase was 14% in the first half of 2012). The power production value per kilowatt hour of Chongqing above-scale industries rose from 22.9 to 27.3 yuan, up 16.1%. Among that, the power production value per kilowatt hour of the electronic manufacturing industry is 181.17 yuan, while that of the laptop industry reaches 540 yuan, much higher than 75.4 yuan of the automobile industry, 13.7 yuan of the chemical industry and 11.9 yuan of metallurgy industry. The net increment of the electronic manufacturing industry was 42.1 billion yuan in the first half of 2012, accounting for 42.6% of that of the above-scale industries. The low energy consumption therefrom (the power consumption of the above-scale industries increased by 1.3%) supported the added value of the Chongqing above-scale industries in the increase by 16.5%. The industry greatly picks up with sharp declined power consumption, and Chongqing industry structure has been significantly adjusted. Huang Xiqin Chongqing industry rebounds with better structure in H1added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline TEHRAN,caesars windsor phone number Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned the latest EU and British sanctions against Iranian individuals and organizations. Nasser Kanaani, the ministry spokesman, said in a press release that the sanctions are baseless and illegal, constituting interference in Iran's internal affairs. Iran will respond proportionately to such non-constructive and futile measures, he added. A day earlier, the European Union and Britain imposed sanctions against Iran in a coordinated action. The British government announced a new package of sanctions, targeting 24 Iranian officials for what it called human rights violations. The EU sanctions were slapped on 29 individuals and three organizations in Iran, including Iran's interior minister and several senior police and military officials. An example of the distinctive sculptures on display at Zhihua Temple,week 17 betting picks Dongcheng district, Beijing. [Photo by Michael Rhys Card/China Daily] In recent weeks, those of us in Beijing have had to forgo the beginnings of a particularly hot summer due to the current outbreak of COVID-19 in the capital. Over the last month we have all missed out on certain things we enjoy, whether that's eating out at restaurants, going to the gym, the cinema or a drink with friends. For me it's been the temporary closure of the majority of cultural and historic sites across the city that are usually the focus of my photography. However, with Beijing recently announcing a staggered return to normalcy, these places are once again opening their doors. There are the obvious places one might think to visit first such as the Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and so on. All undoubtedly great choices with much to offer, however, I would like to throw another suggestion into the mix. A temple which, in my opinion, is the best in the city but one that surprisingly few people know about or visit, which only adds to its charm. So I give this recommendation at the risk of destroying that peaceful seclusion. Michael Rhys Card [Photo/China Daily] Zhihua Temple, meaning "temple of wisdom attained", was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in 1444 and is the only remaining Buddhist temple with Ming characteristics in Beijing. Constructed to honor a powerful and controversial eunuch, Wang Zhen, the complex contains the usual structures you might find within a temple, a Bell Tower, Drum Tower and pavilions capped with imposing black-glazed roof tiles, containing Buddhist statues and artwork. However, Zhihua Temple has some subtle differences and unique features that raise it to another level. The first of these is the location, tucked away behind the giant Galaxy Soho building in Dongcheng district. Reaching the temple's entrance requires negotiating a labyrinth of hutong,which in itself is a great exploration and a chance to see the everyday lives of the locals in the area. Once inside, visitors are given the opportunity to hear a performance of jingmusic, a style handed down over 27 generations of musicians and which sits on the list of national intangible cultural heritage items. The music is performed daily, and brings to life the ancient atmosphere of the temple. Within many of the temple's structures are ancient sculptures and artwork, a not uncommon feature, but unlike those I have seen in comparative temples, those in Zhihua Temple have not been fully restored. With faded and flaking paintwork, you really feel the age of the relics and the weight of the history upon them, which allows for a greater appreciation of the skills that went into their creation hundreds of years ago. Though this visual doesn't apply to the buildings, which have been extensively renovated, within the temple there are museum exhibitions with a series of photos that let you see how the temple was before its restoration and provide more insight into its long history. Finally, perhaps the biggest attraction for me is the relative obscurity of Zhihua Temple, being able to explore the complex in relative peace and quiet is a rarity in one of the busiest cities in the world and as a photographer it can be frustrating to get the shot I want when it's blocked by impenetrable crowds. Every historical building in Beijing, and across China, has something to offer and teach us, but Zhihua Temple provides enough of a different flavor to stand shoulder to shoulder with the better-known locations in the capital and is surely worth exploring as the city once again returns to normal. The Supreme Peoples Court did not approve the death sentence for Wu Ying, who was convicted of cheating investors out of several hundred million yuan. Earlier on January 18th the Zhejiang Provincial Higher Peoples Court sentenced Wu Ying death penalty for financial fraud. Since then, a number of renowned scholars and lawyers have spoken openly that the Wu Yings crime has a profound institutional reasons, and should not apply the death penalty. After reviewing the Wu case, the supreme court remanded for retrial in the Zhejiang Higher Peoples Court. Private lending is extremely active in China, particularly in the economically developed Yangtze River Delta area. Although theres no legal protection for private lending with lending rate four times higher than formal financial institutions, many companies are still taking the risk to arrange loans from the private sector to bypass the strict credit risk control. Supreme court rejected death sentence for female tycoonadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Cryptocurrency exchange founder was the cash cow of the left: Miranda Devine closeVideo New York Post columnist Miranda Devine weighs in on the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX and founder Sam Bankman-Fried's multi- million dollar campaign donations to Democratic candidates on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.' Former billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of cryptocurrency exchange company FTX, funneled millions of dollars to Democratic campaigns, becoming one the party's largest donors, second only to George Soros. Bankman-Fried donated nearly $38 million during the midterm cycle, according to Federal Election Commission data. His company also reportedly set up a website, Aid for Ukraine, to raise funds for Ukrainians amid the ongoing war against Russia. The initiative was powered by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, FTX and Ukrainian-web company Everstake. Cryptocurrency donations were sent to the National Bank of Ukraine. The 30-year-old crypto financier wrote on Twitter in early March he was "excited and humbled to be working with the Ukrainian Ministry of Finance and others to support crypto donations to Ukraine." 10 COMMON CRYPTOCURRENCY TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW Last week, FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a liquidity crisis at the company, and Bankman-Fried is estimated to have lost roughly $16 billion in a week. Aid for Ukraine was a website reportedly created by FTX to accept crypto donations for the country amid its ongoing war with Russia. (iStock) New York Post columnist Miranda Devine questioned Monday on "Tucker Carlson Tonight" why a country at war was "dabbling with cryptocurrency." Sam Bankman-Fried, founder and chief executive officer of FTX Cryptocurrency Derivatives Exchange, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images) "Why on earth the American taxpayer is funneling tens of billions of dollars over to Ukraine so that they can fight Russia, and why on earth they would be involved, the Ukrainian government, with this now collapsed cryptocurrency exchange we need to know," she told guest host Tulsi Gabbard. "Why on earth was a country at war dabbling with cryptocurrency which everybody knows is shady?" Devine asked. Video Devine added Bankman-Fried was in the "bosom of the left" and "indulging in all sorts of woke causes." Alex Bornyakov, deputy minister of digital transformation of Ukraine, refuted claims the country used government funds to invest in FTX, which in turn donated to Democratic candidates, calling the theory "nonsense" on Twitter. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Bankman-Fried and his company are currently under investigation by Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the Wall Street Journal. EDITOR'S NOTE: This report has been updated to clarify the amount of Bankman-Fried's estimated donations in the 2022 election cycle. Ashley Carnahan is a production assistant at Fox News Digital. Fox News Flash top headlines for November 15 closeVideo Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. A record 12 women will take their seats as their state's highest-ranking elected officials when the nation's governors are sworn in this winter. The number tops the high mark set in 2004 of nine, with The Associated Press' calling the Arizona governor's election for Democrat Katie Hobbs on Monday, as well as Democrat Maura Healey in Massachusetts and Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders in Arkansas winning last week's elections. "This is not an incremental growth. We're still far from political parity for women serving as chief executives. But it does feel like a breakthrough," said Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. "It's significant particularly because these chief executive positions have been very hard to crack. These women in many ways disrupt fundamentally who a chief executive can be." SCHUMER REACTS TO KEEPING SENATE CONTROL: 'VICTORY AND VINDICATION' FOR DEMOCRATS AND AMERICA Sanders, the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and White House press secretary during the Trump administration, will be the first woman to become her state's governor. Dobbs, on the other hand, will be her state's fifth woman in the governorship when she takes the oath of office in early January. Arkansas Gov.-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivering a speech to her supporters on election night in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Nov. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Will Newton, File) The dozen are decidedly Democratic in their makeup, with eight belonging to the party compared to four Republicans. That's in keeping with more women serving in elected office who identify as Democrats than Republicans in the U.S. House, Senate and in state legislatures. Other firsts in the group include newly-elected Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who will be among the first two openly-lesbian governors with Healey in Massachusetts. Kotek is succeeding Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat who identifies as bisexual and was the first openly LGBTQ woman in the United States elected governor in 2014. Despite the gains, only one woman of color was elected governor. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who is Latina, was reelected. Three black women Stacy Abrams of Georgia, Deidre DeJear of Iowa and Yolanda Flowers of Alabama won the Democratic nomination for governor but were defeated by Republican incumbent governors last week. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The others are Republicans Kay Ivey of Alabama, Kim Reynolds of Iowa and Kristi Noem of South Dakota, and Democrats Kathy Hochul of New York, Janet Mills of Maine, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Laura Kelly of Kansas. On September 20th the U.S. addressed complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China, accusing Beijing of setting unreasonable duties on the import of U.S. chicken and turkey. According to the newspaper The Wall Street Journal, to the end of the year manufacturers will have to pay nearly a billion dollars in fees. In turn, China September 21 stated that the duties on poultry from the United States were introduced legally. The Chinese believes that U.S. producers receive subsidies from the government, and deliver their products to the Chinese market by deliberately reduced prices. Duties on imports of chicken and turkey meat from the United States have been introduced by China in September 2010. Fees range from 50 to 100 percent of the price of supplies. Thus, in some cases, importers have to pay double the price. China and the United States regularly complain to each other in the WTO. In 2009, Americans expressed dissatisfaction with the imposition of duties on the import of U.S. steel pipe. In turn, China has complained about the U.S. decision to raise tariffs on imports from China later on. U.S. Complained to the WTO Against Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Leo Terrell blasts teachers union: 'There's a stranglehold on education' closeVideo Fox News contributor Leo Terrell sounds off after the National Education Association claimed on Twitter that teachers know better than 'anyone' what students need. EXCLUSIVE-- A civil rights complaint was filed against the Providence Public School District with the U.S. Department of Education on Monday over a program offering student loan forgiveness to new teachers that is exclusively available to non-White educators. The complaint claims that Providence Public School District is "engaged in a continuing violation and an ongoing pattern or practice of discrimination" with a student loan forgiveness program for newly and recently hired educators that is only available to non-White applicants, billed as the "Educator of Color Loan Forgiveness Program." The Providence Public School District advertises that recipients can have up to $25,000 of college loans forgiven once the teacher completes three consecutive years of teaching in the district. The eligibility requirements indicate recipients must "identify as Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latino, biracial, or multi-racial." "Discrimination against non-White applicants is just as unlawful as discrimination against Black or other non-White applicants. There is no good form of racial discrimination," the complaint states. The eligibility requirements indicate Educator of Color Loan Forgiveness Program recipients must "identify as Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latino, biracial, or multi-racial." (Diane Diederich) CRITICAL RACE THEORY-RELATED IDEAS FOUND IN MANDATORY PROGRAMS AT 39 OF TOP 50 US MEDICAL SCHOOLS: REPORT The Legal Insurrection Foundation, a Rhode Island-based, nonprofit investigative and research group that fights discrimination in education, filed the complaint which has been obtained by Fox News Digital to the Office for Civil Rights of the Dept. of Education. "PPSD does not even attempt to hide its racially discriminatory practices. To the contrary, PPSD brags about treating white applicants less favorably than non-white applicants. The unlawful discriminatory provisions of the program are advertised on multiple platforms, including on the PPSDs website and hiring portal. The program is a key part of PPSDs hiring efforts, and already has processed dozens of applicants on this discriminatory basis," the complaint states. "The program violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and a variety of state law anti-discrimination statutes. " The Providence Public School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An informational sheet describing the specifics of the "Educator of Color Loan Forgiveness Program." (Providence Public School District ) Cornell Law School professor and Legal Insurrection Foundation president William A. Jacobson wants to get in touch with any teachers who were shut out of, or did not apply, to this loan forgiveness program because of their race or ethnicity. He has also called for the "discriminatory practices be discontinued immediately." "The Providence Public School District's discriminatory loan forgiveness program is one of the most brazen racial preferences we have seen anywhere. They don't even try to hide it. They seem proud to discriminate. The promotional materials make clear that White educators need not apply for this hiring incentive and employment benefit," Jacobson told Fox News Digital. WEBSITE LAUNCHED TO TRACK CRITICAL RACE THEORY TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION "Racial discrimination in hiring and employment is unlawful and morally reprehensible. The answer for past racial discrimination is equal protection and fairness, not more or different discrimination," he continued. "The discriminatory loan forgiveness program is a pure racial preference, just check a box and you are eligible or not. It reduces people to the color of their skin or ethnicity, and doesn't even try to take into account their individual life experiences." Cornell Law School professor and Legal Insurrection Foundation president William A. Jacobson. (FOX) Jacobson believes "there are legally right and legally wrong ways to achieve diversity" and Providence Public Schools took the wrong route. "Outreach to expand the pool of applicants and examining the systems to weed out bias to ensure equal treatment are permissible. Conditioning hiring incentives and employment benefits based on which racial or ethnic box is checked is the legally wrong way to do it," he said. "The Providence Public Schools and the Rhode Island Foundation should have known better than to make hiring incentives and employment benefits only available to certain racial and ethnic groups. Each entity has anti-discrimination policies, yet this program is openly discriminatory." CRITICAL RACE THEORY-RELATED IDEAS FOUND IN MANDATORY PROGRAMS AT MORE THAN 230 COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES: REPORT According to the complaint, the Rhode Island Foundation, a tax-exempt entity, funds the "Educator of Color Loan Forgiveness Program." Jacobson, who is particularly irked because the PPSD receives millions of dollars in federal funding, called for the district to make the program retroactively available to people hired since the program started that were excluded from consideration on the basis of race or ethnicity. "That will not compensate people who never applied because of the discriminatory provisions, but it would be a good start. If that means the Providence schools and Rhode Island Foundation have to put forth additional funding, it's the least they could do," Jacobson said. PPSD is the largest public school district in Rhode Island, and serves roughly 24,000 students across 41 schools, according to the complaint. "Because PPSD receives federal funding, [Office of Civil Rights] had the power and obligation to make PPSD stop and to impose whatever remedial relief is necessary," the complaint states. The Legal Insurrection Foundation also publishes the Legal Insurrection website. Fox News Nikolas Lanum contributed to this report. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Brian Flood is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @briansflood. China is a very important source of students for American education. And the money Chinese students bring with them has spawned an industry bent on seeing even more find their way here. As of last year, a report from the Institute of International Education says more than 723,000 international students are studying at U.S. colleges and Universities. One out of five of those students are from China, far more than any other country. And their numbers are growing. In 2011, 157,558 Chinese students were attending school in the United States, a 23.5% increase over the previous year. Thats why many colleges and universities are busy trying to identify families from China who can afford to send their children to the United States to study. But since many of those families want to give their children a head start on college, hundreds of private academic placement services have joined the competition. And they provide packages that sometimes find entire families with a place to live and enrollment for their children in high schools, and in some cases, middle schools. One of those businesses is the Astar Education Institute located outside of Washington DC. Its a business model thats doing very well. Its very expensive, according to the schools Assistant Director, Dr. Candice Quinn. All of our students and all of our families are of the upper echelon of the socio-economic background in China, she said. While refusing to divulge just how much Astar charges for its services, Quinn says all students must present a financial statement that shows they can support themselves for the length of time they will be in the United States just to qualify for a visa. They have to have, in a bank account, somewhere between $70,000 and $150,000. said Quinn. Quinn said the families of the Chinese students have to pay school tuition as well as a fee paid to a host family with whom the student resides while in the US, unless they choose to attend a boarding school. What do these students and their families get for this money? Our primary function is to place international students into United States Schools said Quinn. Astar recruits many Chinese students using an office they maintain in Shanghai, and makes use of agents that specialize in such services in China. Another aspect of the business is helping those students who lack the language skills to attend an American school. Those students will spend from three to six months to get them to a level of English proficiency so they can pass the kind of tests they need to go to a US school, according to Quinn. Although many of the students recruited by Astar are placed in US high schools, thats not their ultimate goal. The parents intention is not to have these kids terminate in a high school, said Quinn. Theyre intention is for them to go to American universities, thats the ultimate goal. And not just any university. The parents want them to go to the top one hundred universities, said Quinn. So that is always the prize we have in mind. Ira Mellman Chinese students a growing US business commodityadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Two Chinese companies on Thursday signed a deal here with Brazils Embraer,winneroo casino bovada live dealer a leading aircraft manufacturer, to buy 60 more E190 planes from the Brazilian firm. According to the newly signed deal, Tianjin Airlines and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Leasing will buy twenty E190 aircraft from Embraer each, while Tianjin Airlines will also purchase additional twenty E190-E2 aircraft. The deal is believed to be valued at 3.3 billion U.S. dollars. The ICBC Leasing part of the deal will consist of firm orders for 10 E190 aircraft and purchases of rights for 10 E190 aircraft. Embraer, founded in 1969, has become one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world by focusing on specific market segments, with high growth potential in commercial, defense, and executive aviation. The Embraer E-Jet family, a series of narrow-body, medium-range, twin-engine jet airliners, has been a commercial success after it was unveiled at the Paris Air Show in 1999 and put into mass production in 2002. While speaking highly the deals signed with Chinese firms, Embraer CEO Paulo Cesar Silva said the jets are expected to be delivered by 2018. Embraer sources also said before Thursdays deal it had handed over dozens of E190 aircraft to its Chinese clients and established operation bases in a number of Chinese cities such Beijing, Tianjin and Xian. Mu Xuequan China, Brazil sign deal to purchase 60 aircraft from Brazilian Embraer companyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Nearly 500 organizations from more than 100 countries have confirmed their attendance at the 16th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), which is scheduled to open in the coastal city of Xiamen on Sept. 8, the organizers of the event said Monday. As of Monday, seven major international economic organizations had confirmed their attendance for the four-day event, said Wang Qiongwen, an official with the fairs organizing committee. The organizations include the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the United Nations Environment Program, International Finance Corporation, World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies and World Trade Center Association, Wang said at a press conference. Among the participants are 48 delegations from the United States, about 100 from Europe and 50 from emerging economies, including Russia, South Africa, Brazil and India, said Wang. He said he expects the total number of participants to exceed 50,000, including government officials, executives from industrial associations, entrepreneurs, scholars and private investors. More than 20 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Russia, India and South Africa, are planning to present their investment environments at the fair, he said. More than 36,000 investment projects are up for grabs at this years fair, covering the manufacturing, infrastructure construction, service, agriculture, animal husbandry and real estate sectors. CIFIT, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce, has been held annually in Xiamen since 1997. Xinhua Xiamen investment, trade fair draws global participantsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China wants to use the platform offered by the group of Brics to increase its economic influence in the world. At the summit in New Delhi,bet victor bog fafafa slots online the China Development Bank will offer its four partners loans denominated in Renminbi, the Chinese currency. So far, the China Development Bank lent them only in dollars. In return, it suggests its partners to do the same with their own currencies. The Chinese want to push the Brics to use their currencies in business transactions, as they do on an experimental basis with other Asian countries, Japan and Singapore. Currently, these transactions represent just 13% of Chinas trade in Asia, says Morgan Stanley. But this figure could rise to 50% from 2015, many would not be unhappy to break the hegemony of the greenback. The yuans internationalization strategy is an extension of Chinas trade policy, which relies increasingly on emerging markets. China is in a geographic area where growth remains well above the rest of the world, in both infrastructure and consumption, but since joining the WTO in 2010, the country knows that the low-cost production is not sustainable. If China is at the top of Brics, it is because of the economic weight, not by a deliberate policy. India has a cultural asset that gives it command of English, but a delay in infrastructure, while China, for more advanced infrastructure, facing a challenge because of the language. China deepens its economic influence in the worldadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that his egt free spinscountry looks forward to working with Brunei on issues like the South China Sea, energy and climate change. Were very, very much looking forward to working with you on issues with the South China Sea, and issues of energy and climate change, the top American diplomat told visiting Bruneis Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in front of reporters before their meeting at the State Department. He is taking on the important job of being the president of the ASEAN meeting this year, Kerry said of his guest. President Barack Obama is scheduled to welcome the sultan to the White House on Tuesday, as Brunei will host the East Asia summit and U.S.-ASEAN summit in October. The sultans visit underscores the strategic importance the president places on the Asia Pacific region and to substantive engagement with our friends and partners in the region, the White House said in a statement last week. It highlights the presidents commitment to participating fully in the regions multilateral forums in order to foster cooperation, maintain stability and promote economic growth, the statement said. The United States, along with Russia, first attended the annual East Asia summit in 2011 in Bali, Indonesia. Xinhua U.S. seeks cooperation with Brunei on South China Seaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Diverse geographical features,bc slots online top slots sites uk rich ethnic cultures and unique local cuisines have made Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region one of the most popular destinations in China in recent years. To offer a panoramic view of Xinjiang to people in Belgium, the 2022 Xinjiang Cultural and Tourism Week launched in Brussels on Thursday. Titled "Xinjiang is A Good Place", the cultural and tourism week centers around five sections, covering Xinjiang's ice and snow, dance and music, as well as food and culture. The week-long event will feature short videos, documentaries, a photo exhibition of Xinjiang's natural sceneries in Brussels, and screenings of films and television shows. At the event's opening, Cao Zhongming, Chinese ambassador to Belgium, said he hopes that Belgian people can approach, understand and feel Xinjiang through this event, including its beautiful scenery and profound historical and cultural heritage, which will help promote understanding between people in both countries. The Xinjiang Cultural and Tourism Week is co-hosted by the Chinese embassy in Belgium, the cultural and tourism bureau of Xinjiang and the Network of International Culturalink Entities. Greg Gutfeld: You keep the House, you keep the peace closeVideo Greg Gutfeld and his guests discuss what to expect the GOP to try to accomplish in the wake of the 2022 midterms on 'Gutfeld!' NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Happy Thursday, everybody. So am I the only guy who's been in a great mood since the midterms? I'd like to thank Dr. Siegel for that. But also I'm a silver linings guy. Seriously, right now I'm wearing a thong made of pure silver. It was a Christmas gift from William Devane. Now, you know it's in my safe. But it appears the Republicans will capture the House. And like I said last night - thank you. I had nothing to do with it, but I'll take it. But like I said, you keep the House, you keep the peace. So we should start thinking about all the cool **** we could do now that we got the place to ourselves. I first call in the exterminators to kill anything the previous tenants left behind. I especially want to fumigate Jerry Nadler's pants. I know. What's in there? So many things. Oh, if his lining could talk. But then let's get to the bottom of Hunter's laptop. Or maybe not the bottom, because who knows where that's been. Hunter's is the first laptop that had a virus that actually needed penicillin to kill. And whoever goes through that hard drive will need extra gloves, double masks and holy water. We already know that the feds believe there was enough evidence to charge him with tax crimes and with lying about drug use when he bought a handgun in 2018. They're pretty sure he was on drugs when he did that because he filled out the gun application with a blue crayon and in pig Latin. But with that GOP House majority, it's time to excavate the buried laptop story in all its glory. And no matter how much the media tries to ignore it like they did the first time around, we can now force their hand to go where they don't want to go. Just like Hunter did with the whores. And the teleprompter said, "hookers." The teleprompter said "hookers." I'm in a really bad mood. GREG GUTFELD: DEMOCRACY LIVES TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY But it's not about Hunter, but the big guy, old Joe. And if he wasn't aware of his son's dealings, that's fine. After all, sometimes he's not aware he's in the ladies room and peeing in the sink. But who are we kidding? Joe knew what was going on. Right, Joe? [SKIT] ACTOR:No, no, no, no. You can't look back. You can't look back. A wise man once said, "Don't look back. You might not like what you see." You know who said that. That was Mark Twain or maybe Corn Pop, one of those guys. But no, I can't look back. I don't even know what I was doing in 2019. I can't remember what I had for breakfast. But I tell you what I didn't have for breakfast: mularkey. I also would like to get to know the 51 Intel agents who signed that letter saying Hunter's laptop was Russian disinfo, a claim so laughable it makes Putin shake with laughter and not just Parkinson's. I want Republicans asking the questions. No grandstanding, no overproduced **** like January 6. The only thing missing from that hearing was Will Smith smacking someone in the face. But I want to know how government intel agencies could so happily lend themselves to a lie. And I want to see the emails between the tech platforms, the media and the government agencies. I bet it's more incestuous than the royal family. What? You can look it up. I mean, I didn't, but I'm sure it's there. You could just look. Second, a GOP House should mean cleaning house, getting rid of the incompetent hacks who treat others like crap. I'm not sure there's enough Lysol on the planet to accomplish that, but Ted Cruz already said it's time to impeach Mayorkas. You remember him? He's the DHS secretary who hung his own agents out to dry over Whip Gate. You know, how do you say "what a bitch" in Spanish? This is when I wish Geraldo was here. That famous picture that supposedly showed border agents whipping migrants. Mayorkas knew it was BS, but he went on TV anyway and said they were. And the President followed suit saying those guys would pay. It sends a great message to our border agents: sure, it's a dangerous, thankless job, but at least we'll screw you over too. In plenty of other industries. Mayorkas would have been canned. And sure, he'd never get convicted by the Senate, but so what? It would send a message that Americans aren't going to let that stuff slide. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP And finally, the big one. Maybe we can finally push for the truth about the origins of COVID-19. Did it come from the Wuhan lab or a dirty butter knife at the Aurora IHOP? Or was it the bong water from Kat's office? Either way, we're going to have to find out. It feels like something Biden wants us to forget about. You know, like he does with his pants when he's heading down to the Oval Office. But as the great Bill Shakespeare once said, "Up your ass, spit its breath." It sounded better in the King's English, but you get the meaning. According to a poll I made up in my head just now, most Americans are in agreement that someone or something should be held accountable. I don't know. Maybe someone whose last name rhymes with grouchy? Or some country whose name rhymes with angina? I'm just spitballing here, but millions died, experts lied and no one's getting fried. Hell, we bombed countries for less. Yet here we are coming up on three years later. And just like truffle fries, we still don't know where COVID came from. But we're seeing the long-term consequences all across the country, thanks also in part to Democrat-led lockdowns. If you don't believe me, go ask a fifth grader if he knows how to do long division. He won't, which is why I fired him as my accountant. Well, that and he got hot chocolate on my W-9. Bottom line, the GOP should view Tuesday as a chance to bring accountability and sanity back to government. Also, it'll just be fun as hell to watch. And frankly, we've earned it. Greg Gutfeld currently serves as host of FOX News Channel's (FNC) "Gutfeld!" (weekdays 11PM/ET) and co-host of "The Five" (weekdays 5PM/ET). He joined the network in 2007 as a contributor. He is the author of several books. His latest is "The Plus: Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help." Click here for more information on Greg Gutfeld. Remarks by Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at the Dinner Hosted by the China-US Exchange Foundation Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, Ladies and Gentlemen, My warmest thanks to Mr. Tung Chee Hwa for the invitation to join you this evening. I very much welcome this opportunity to meet friends from the China-United States Exchange Foundation. This is my first visit to Hong Kong in 14 years. I was last here in 1997 during Hong Kongs handover. I witnessed that significant moment in Hong Kongs history. Also, I was honoured to be present at Mr. Tung Chee Hwas inauguration as the SARs first Chief Executive. From what I can see, Hong Kong has made an extraordinary journey during the past 14 years. Just as the lyrics of the pop song Pearl of the East goes Hong Kong is still every bit as charming and thriving as it has ever been. In fact, if anything, Hong Kong has become even more prosperous. I believe a driver of this success has been ever closer integration with the mainland. Another important factor is the global image of Hong Kong. This part of China has won a reputation as the worlds freest and most competitive economy. These 14 years have also been a time of unparalleled growth in China-UK relations. Under the Labour government from 1997 to 2010, China-UK relations were taken to a new level. The two countries launched a wide range of cooperation and dialogue mechanisms. These include: Our Premiers annual meeting. The Economic and Financial Dialogue. And the Strategic Dialogue. Since the UK coalition government took office last year, these positive trends have continued. Both our countries are committed to building a stronger partnership. Our Premiers have exchanged official visits. And other dialogues are yielding positive results. Now, Sino-UK trade is worth nearly 60 billion US dollars per year. We hope to raise it to 100 billion US dollars by 2015. On the investment side, Britain remains the leading EU investor in China. At the same time, Chinese capital is flowing faster into Britain. Education provides another area where immense potential for collaboration is recognised. As I speak, 120,000 Chinese are studying in Britain. This is far higher than any EU country. At the same time, a surge in Mandarin learning has swept across Britain. Britain now hosts 17 Confucius Institutes. This is more than any country in Europe. I can reveal to you that many more UK universities are lining up to set up Confucius Institutes with Chinese partners. I expect this positive progress to continue. The reason is that from now to the second half of next year China and Britain will celebrate four major events. First, in a very short while, a pair of giant pandas will settle into their new home at the Edinburgh Zoo. Second, next March China and Britain will celebrate 40 years of full diplomatic relations. Third, in April China will participate in the London Book Fair as the Guest of Honour. Fourth, London will host the 2012 Olympics four years after Beijing. We have great confidence that all these events will provide important opportunities to strengthen Sino-UK relations. Now let me turn to the China-Europe relationship. I know this has been in the media spotlight for quite some time. There is close attention given the continuing financial crisis in Europe. Many are asking where is this relationship heading? In answering this question, I will focus on three points. First, cooperation overrides differences. China is the largest developing country and the European Union is the biggest bloc of developed countries. There is no geopolitical or fundamental conflict of interests between China and Europe. Over the recent decades, cooperation has been the consistent theme of this relationship. We are now each others largest trading partner. The EU is Chinas largest export market and number one investment destination. China is the EUs second largest export market. In the context of these strong ties, it is clear we may not agree on everything. This is to be expected given our different histories, cultures, social systems and values. Managing such differences takes patience and growing understanding. Just as a principle of philosophy reveals: competing forces provide impetus for things to move forward. Second, opportunities outweigh challenges. From our perspective, the Sino-EU relationship faces a number of challenges. For example, the EU is yet to see China as an equal partner. Some across the EU are not comfortable with Chinas fast rise. In building China-EU trust there are two other matters holding back progress. The EU has not yet recognised Chinas full market economy status. And its outdated arms embargo on China is still in place. Despite these two obstacles I believe that both China and Europe understand the vast opportunities of our relationship. China is upgrading its growth model and boosting internal demand and import. Britain and other EU members welcome Chinese investment and are opening up their markets. All this offers conditions for stronger Sino-EU cooperation. Meanwhile, our cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts are growing. This contributes to a wider and deeper understanding of China. Third, a brighter future is within sight despite short-term tests. Recently the financial and debt crises in Europe have spread beyond its borders. They have brought uncertainties to China-Europe relations. The European press has been full of comment asking if China will come to Europes rescue. There are mixed views about Chinas role. Some call for a Chinese bailout, others are nervous about its implications. China on the other hand has maintained a cool head and clear conscience. We have all along made it clear that solving the debt crisis is first and foremost a European responsibility. We are confident that Europe has the wisdom and capability to tide over this crisis. China is also a supporter of the joint EU-IMF rescue effort. We are committed to work with Europe and other countries in the spirit of partnership to bring stability to the international financial markets and facilitate global recovery and growth. We are convinced that as Europe emerges from the crisis more closely integrated, so will there be further momentum for the China-Europe partnership. We have similar missions and objectives. You at the China-US Exchange Foundation are dedicated to build understanding across the Pacific Ocean, and we are working for closer communication and cooperation between China and the UK, and China and Europe. Our shared objective of friendship, trust and partnership will only be won through more exchanges and wider cooperation. This is the only sure way to creating a bright future together. Thank you! Hong Kong Country Club, 22 November 2011 From Chinese Embassy in UK Liu Xiaoming: Hong Kong has made extraordinary journey during the past 14 yearsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Supplier and aggregator of content for the iGaming industry Relax Gaming is set to further expand its reach through a content supply deal with Greentube, the interactive gaming division of major gambling group Novomatic. As part of its alliance with Greentube, Relax Gaming will provide its new partner with access to its entire suite of online casino games. Greentube will distribute the titles in a number of European markets. The recently penned agreement has first seen a selection of Relax Gamings proprietary content as well as games by third-party providersgo live with Estonian online gaming and betting brand Fenixbet. The iGaming operation was launched only recently and is owned by established Estonian land-based gambling operator Novolotto. Fenixbets online business is powered by Greentube. The Novomatic subsidiary provides the technology for the iGaming operations RMG platform. Through its recent partnership with Greentube, Relax Gaming has been able to roll out many of its products with the new but fast-growing brand. Fenixbet players in Estonia can now play Relax Gamings hit titles Snake Arenaand Temple Tumbleas well as its recent record-breaker slot Money Train 2. Relax Gaming has also integrated content from third-party iGaming studios that are part of its Silver Bullet program. Fenixbet players thus have access to popular titles from the likes of Kalamba Games, Fantasma Games, and 4ThePlayeramong others. German Launch Relax Gaming said that it expects to expand significantly its partnership with Greentube in the coming months and to launch its content with its partner in a number of additional marketsas part of that partnership. Relax Gaming further noted that one of these markets would be Germany. The country is set to reorganize and open its online gaming space in July 2021 and preparations for this are already under way. Commenting on their latest important industry alliance, Relax Gaming CCO Daniel Eskola said that to be able to team up with a well-respected name in the gaming industry like Greentube is a feather in our capand that this partnership is one that will further our reach into core European markets. Of their Germany expansion plans, Mr. Eskola said that the country is part of their expansion strategy and that Greentubes long-time connection with this market will serve as a major advantageto our growth plans once the regulated online sector opens next year. Marcantonio Bottaro, Director of Brand Operations RMG at Greentube, said that this partnership will help both his company and Relax Gaming expand their reach across several regulated markets and fulfill their mission to provide players with the best possible experience. He also praised their new partner for the diversity and qualityof the content that it provides through its aggregation platform and that these games will significantly boost Fenixbets existing offering. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the days top casino news stories Chinas economy will grow at a faster pace in the latter half this ibet 6888year on recovering export, rising investment and expanding housing market, a report released on Sunday by a Beijing-based research center said. We are confident that China will see a U-shaped economic recovery in 2012, the Centre for China in the World Economy (CCWE) under the Tsinghua University said in the report on the countrys economic situation. The CCWE sees the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 8 percent in the first half and by 8.4 percent for the whole year. Li Daokui, head of the CCWE and a former central bank advisor, said that the economy is showing healthy signs of stabilization. In the first five months, Chinas exports rose 8.7 percent to 774.4 billion U.S. dollars. The year-on-year export growth rose from 4.9 percent in April to 15.3 percent in May, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). The negative effects of slow export growth are gradually declining, the research center said. The CCWE also forecast that Chinas fixed asset investment will recover as of the second quarter. The growth rate will be around 22 percent for the first half and 22.6 for the whole year, the center said. The housing market has seen rising deals and prices since the beginning of this year, showing the sector is recovering. These changes will promote investment in the sector and further contribute to economic growth, the CCWE said. Xinhua Chinas economy to gain momentum in 2nd halfadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline (Caixin) On the opening day of a trial surrounding a corruption probe over China Mobile, the countrys largest telecom carrier, procurators say that major telecom equipment makers Ericsson and Huawei Technologies were directly involved in bribing procurement officials. The trial of Shen Changfu (), former chairman and president of China Mobile Chongqing Branch, began in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing on October 10. Sixty-year-old Shen was accused of accepting bribes totaling 36.2 million yuan, from companies including Ericsson and Huawei. In 1996, Shen, who then served as the director of Chongqing Telecom Bureau, arranged for Ericssons facilities to be purchased by the bureau. In exchange, Shen obtained a 2 percent commission for the deal, according to procurators. Procurators argued Shen abused his position at the state-owned China Mobile to benefit privately-owned Huawei, which took a major portion of telecom equipment orders from China Mobile Chongqing Branch. In court, Shen said China Mobiles standard procurement process is conducted through the pre-selection of designated telecom equipment makers which then participate in bidding, rather than via an open bid invitation procedure. Shens son joined Huawei in 2003 and left two months later. According to procurators, he continued to receive a salary and bonus from Huawei for several years after his departure. The court has yet to issue a ruling. Over the past year, a number of senior executives at China Mobile have been detained in connection to corruption scandals. A wider anti-corruption campaign was launched by the government targeting the state telecoms trio of China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, according to an earlier report by Caixin. Shi Wanzhong, who used to head China Mobiles branch in Anhui Province, was sentenced to death with two-year reprieve by a court in May for taking US$ 5.1 million in bribes from German manufacturer Siemens. In China, a death penalty with a reprieve typically means the inmate will not be executed. Caixin staff reporter Deng Hai Ericsson, Huawei said to Bribe China Mobile Officialadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Democrat Henry Cuellar confirms GOP allies asked him to switch parties closeVideo Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, reacts to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calling the southern border secure and responds to reports he was asked to switch parties by allies of Kevin McCarthy on 'America Reports.' Rep. Henry Cuellar, considered the last pro-life Democrat in the House, revealed to "America Reports" on Tuesday whether the Republican caucus pressed him to join its ranks as Speaker-hopeful Kevin McCarthy vies for the title. Cuellar, who defeated political newcomer Cassy Garcia in a key Mexico-border district wracked by illegal immigration and drug smuggling, is seen as one of few moderate voices left in the Democratic Party now better known for its Squad than its waning Blue Dog coalition. Cuellar responded to assertions he won re-election for a 10th term because he was able to separate himself from the louder, far-left majority of his party, which has embraced the open border and lax immigration law enforcement. BIDEN'S CHINA DIPLOMACY STRATEGIC INSANITY WITH REAL-WORLD REPERCUSSIONS: THIESSEN Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, talks with reporters in the Capitol after a meeting of House Democrats on Thursday, June 27, 2019. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) "Look, a lot of people believe in legal migration. I believe in legal migration. My father was born in Mexico. He came in the legal way, so they believe in legal migration," Cuellar said. "They don't like what's happening down there at the border. We believe in legal migration. We don't want to see chaos. We certainly don't want to see, you know, where there's no law and order. So I've always been very strong on border security." Cuellar confirmed the GOP made overtures to try to get him to switch to the Republican caucus regarding which Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., later told Fox News that Cuellar has crossed the aisle more often than most in some important votes. "Well, look, I'm a Democrat. I will always stay as a Democrat. I do put country and state before my party," he said. "So, yes, there were some allies [Kevin] never called himself, of course, but there were some allies. But I've told him, with all due respect, I will stay as a good, conservative Democrat that represents South Texas in a good way." STUDENT LOAN BUYOUT AND ABORTION WON MIDTERMS FOR DEMOCRATS, SAY CRITICS House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Cuellar said he believes some sentiment behind the overtures stems from McCarthy still facing math between him and the speaker's gavel, so long as one more Republican wins a handful of yet-contested House races. In a caucus vote, McCarthy, R-Calif., faced a challenge from Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who reportedly garnered 31 votes among his Republican peers against the current minority leader's 188. In January, the full House will vote and McCarthy must garner the 218 majority of members to be named speaker, meaning the slimmer the Republican majority, the more unified the caucus must be behind a choice. MIKE PENCE LAMENTS COLLAPSE OF TRUMP RELATIONSHIP RECALLS SUPPORTIVE FRIENDSHIP IN WHITE HOUSE (Andy Biggs (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin,File)) Many conservatives have lined up behind McCarthy despite criticism over House gains combined with inability to take the Senate despite political tailwinds. McCarthy's proponents point to his prolific fundraising and constant travel around the campaign trail to stump for a wide variety of Republican candidates. Fox News host Mark Levin criticized one anti-McCarthy conservative, Rep. Matt Gaetz, over his opposition in that regard. "Why dont you run for speaker and well see how many votes you get?" Levin shot back at Gaetz after he pledged not to support McCarthy in either the internal caucus vote or January full-House vote. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I am certain that there is a critical mass of people who hold my precise view," Gaetz had said in a podcast appearance that sparked Levin's critique. "And so the sooner we can sort of dispense with the notion that Kevin is going to be speaker, then we can get to the important work." Levin said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, disclosed on his radio program that he will support McCarthy, suggesting conservatives unify behind him. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., has also been seen as a Democrat in Cuellar's position whom some Republicans would want to see join their caucus. Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant. Charles covers media, politics and breaking news, and has covered the annual CPAC conference for Fox News Digital. Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to [email protected]. Thecashman casino cash out following is the full text of Resolution of the Eighteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China on the Report of its Seventeenth Central Committee adopted at the Eighteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China on November 14, 2012: The Eighteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China approved the report delivered by Comrade Hu Jintao on behalf of the Partys Seventeenth Central Committee. Holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics and following the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, the report analyzes the developments and changes in the international and domestic environments, reviews our work in the past five years and the historic achievements we have made in the course of our endeavors since the Sixteenth Party Congress, and establishes the historical position of the Scientific Outlook on Development. The report sets forth the basic requirements for winning new victory for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the goals of completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and deepening reform and opening up in an all-around way. It lays out an overall plan for advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and sets forth explicit requirements for making Party building more scientific in all respects. The report also draws up a grand blueprint for completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and accelerating socialist modernization and charts the course for making continued progress in the cause of the Party and country. It is the crystallization of the wisdom of the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups in China. It is a political declaration and a program of action for the Party to rally and lead the people of all our ethnic groups in winning new victory for socialism with Chinese characteristics. The report is a guiding Marxist document. The congress held that the underlying theme set forth in the report is of great importance to the Party leading the people in building on our past success and carrying forward our cause with determination. The whole Party must hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, follow the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents and the Scientific Outlook on Development, free up the mind, implement the policy of reform and opening up, pool our strength, overcome all difficulties, firmly march on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strive to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The congress stressed that at present, as the global, national and our Partys conditions continue to undergo profound changes, we are faced with unprecedented opportunities for development as well as risks and challenges unknown before. The whole Party must keep in mind the trust the people have placed in us and the great expectation they have of us. We must aim higher and work harder and continue to pursue development in a scientific way, promote social harmony, and improve the peoples lives so as to complete the glorious and arduous tasks bestowed on us by the times. The congress applauded the work of the Seventeenth Central Committee. Over the past five years since the Seventeenth Party Congress, we have marched boldly on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, overcome numerous difficulties and risks, achieved new success in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and made new and major achievements in all fields of our work. The congress endorsed the Seventeenth Central Committees basic review of our endeavors over the past ten years since the Sixteenth National Congress. It held that we have firmly seized and made the most of the important period of strategic opportunities for Chinas development, successfully met major challenges, and brought socialism with Chinese characteristics to a new stage of development. It also held that we have consolidated and developed the cause of reform and opening up and socialist modernization and raised Chinas international standing, and that all this shows the superiority and vitality of socialism with Chinese characteristics and has enhanced the pride and cohesiveness of the Chinese people and nation. The congress stressed that the most important achievement in our endeavors in the past ten years is that we have developed the Scientific Outlook on Development and applied it by making courageous theoretical innovations on the basis of practice and developing closely interconnected new ideas and viewpoints on upholding and building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Scientific Outlook on Development was created by integrating Marxism with the reality of contemporary China and with the underlying features of our times, and it fully embodies the Marxist worldview on and methodology for development. This theory provides new scientific answers to the major questions of what kind of development China should achieve in a new environment and how the country should achieve it. It represents a new level of our understanding of the laws of socialism with Chinese characteristics and reaches a new realm in the development of Marxism in contemporary China. The Scientific Outlook on Development is the latest achievement in developing the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and it is the crystallization of the collective wisdom of the Communist Party of China and a powerful theoretical weapon for guiding all the work of the Party and country. Together with Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development provides the long-term theoretical guidance the Party must adhere to. The congress pointed out that over the past 90-plus years, relying firmly on the people and adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to Chinas conditions and the underlying trend of the times, our Party has pursued its own course independently. The Party, enduring untold hardships and sufferings and paying various costs, achieved great success in revolution, development and reform, and created and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics, thus fundamentally changing the future and destiny of the Chinese people and nation. The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the system of theories of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics are the fundamental accomplishments made by the Party and people in the course of arduous struggle over the past 90-plus years. We must cherish these accomplishments, uphold them all the time and continue to enrich them. To achieve new victory for socialism with Chinese characteristics under new historical conditions, we must have a firm grasp of the following basic requirements: We must maintain the peoples principal position in the country, continue to release and develop the productive forces, persevere in reform and opening up, uphold social fairness and justice, strive for common prosperity, promote social harmony, pursue peaceful development and uphold the leadership of the Party. The congress held that basing ourselves on Chinas actual economic and social development, we should work hard to meet the following new requirements while working to fulfill the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects set forth at the Sixteenth and Seventeenth National Congresses of the Party. They are: The economy should maintain sustained and sound development; peoples democracy should be expanded; the countrys cultural soft power should be improved significantly; living standards should be fully raised; and major progress should be made in building a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly society. To complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, we must, with greater political courage and vision, lose no time in deepening reform in key sectors and resolutely discard all notions and systems that hinder efforts to pursue development in a scientific way. We should set up a well-developed, scientific, standardized and effective framework of systems and ensure that operating institutions in all sectors are fully functioning. The congress endorsed the plan made in the report for promoting socialist economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress in China. The congress emphasized the need to speed up the improvement of the socialist market economy and the change of the growth model and make development based more on improved quality and performance; and to fire all types of market participants with new vigor for development, increase motivation for pursuing innovation-driven development, establish a new system for developing modern industries, and create new favorable conditions for developing the open economy. This will make economic development driven more by domestic demand, especially consumer demand, by a modern service industry and strategic emerging industries, by scientific and technological progress, by a workforce of higher quality and innovation in management, by resource conservation and a circular economy, and by coordinated and mutually reinforcing urban-rural development and development between regions. Taking these steps will enable us to sustain long-term development and promote harmonized development of industrialization, IT application, urbanization and agricultural modernization. The congress required us to keep to the socialist path of making political advance with Chinese characteristics, promote reform of the political structure and make peoples democracy more extensive, fuller in scope and sounder in practice. We should ensure the unity of the leadership of the Party, the position of the people as masters of the country and law-based governance; and in order to guarantee the fundamental position of the people as masters of the country and reach the goal of enhancing the vitality of the Party and country and keeping the people fully motivated, we should expand socialist democracy, improve the system of socialist consultative democracy, improve community-level democracy, accelerate the building of a socialist country based on the rule of law, establish a sound mechanism for conducting checks and oversight of the exercise of power, and thus advance socialist political progress. The congress stressed the need to make steady progress in developing a strong socialist culture in China. We should keep to the goal of developing an advanced socialist culture, create a new surge in promoting socialist culture and bring about its great development and enrichment, increase China s cultural soft power, and get culture to guide social trends, educate the people, serve society, and boost development. The congress emphasized the need to strengthen social development by improving the peoples wellbeing and making innovations in management. In order to uphold the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people with high priority given to ensuring and improving the peoples wellbeing, we should improve the peoples material and cultural lives, bring as much benefit as possible to them, resolve as many difficulties as possible for them, intensify efforts to improve the basic public service system, strengthen and make innovations in social management, and boost the building of a harmonious socialist society. The congress called for making great efforts to promote ecological progress. We should raise our ecological awareness of the need to respect, accommodate to and protect nature, incorporate ecological progress into all aspects and the whole process of advancing economic, political, cultural, and social progress, intensify protection of the ecosystem and the environment, work hard to build a beautiful country, and achieve lasting and sustainable development of the Chinese nation. The congress emphasized the importance of responding to Chinas core security needs, following the three-step development strategy for modernizing national defense and the armed forces, intensifying efforts to accomplish the dual historic tasks of military mechanization and full IT application and building strong national defense and powerful armed forces that are commensurate with Chinas international standing and meet the needs of its security and development interests. The congress highlighted the need to fully and faithfully implement the principle of one country, two systems, under which the people of Hong Kong govern Hong Kong and the people of Macao govern Macao and both regions enjoy a high degree of autonomy. We must both adhere to the one-China principle and respect the differences of the two systems, both uphold the power of the central government and ensure a high degree of autonomy in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, and both give play to the role of the mainland as the staunch supporter of Hong Kong and Macao and increase the competitiveness of the two regions. We must adhere to the principle of peaceful reunification and one country, two systems, consolidate and strengthen the political, economic, cultural and social foundation for the peaceful growth of the relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, open a new horizon in advancing the peaceful growth of these relations, and work with our compatriots in Taiwan to safeguard and build the common home of the Chinese nation, so as to create even better conditions for achieving peaceful reunification. The congress endorsed the reports analysis of the international situation and the guiding principles it sets forth for Chinas diplomacy. The congress stressed that China will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, firmly pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, unswervingly stay on the path of peaceful development, and unwaveringly follow a win-win strategy of opening up. We should be firm in our resolve to uphold Chinas sovereignty, security and development interests, and stay committed to growing friendship and cooperation in all fields with other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. We should work to build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity, and are ready to work with the people of other countries to unremittingly promote the noble cause of peace and development for mankind. The congress stressed that, facing the new developments, the progress in our cause and the expectation the people have of us, we should comprehensively carry out the great new undertaking of Party building in an innovative and reform-driven way and make Party building more scientific in all respects. All Party members must heighten their sense of urgency and sense of responsibility and focus on strengthening the Partys governance capacity, advanced nature and purity. We must put people first and exercise governance for the people. We should continue to free up our minds, carry out reform and innovation, and uphold the principle that the Party should supervise its own conduct and run itself with strict discipline. We should make all-around efforts to strengthen the Party theoretically and organizationally, improve its conduct, fight corruption, uphold Party integrity and improve Party rules and regulations. We should enhance our capacity for self-purity, self-improvement, self-development and self-innovation and build the Party into a learning, service-oriented and innovative Marxist governing party. By taking these steps, we can ensure that the Party is always the firm leadership core guiding the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The congress underscored that combating corruption and promoting political integrity is a clear-cut and long-term political commitment of the Party and a major political issue of great concern to the people. We must make unremitting efforts to combat corruption, promote integrity and stay vigilant against degeneration. We should pursue a distinctive Chinese approach to combating corruption and promoting integrity. We should persist in combating corruption in an integrated way, addressing both its symptoms and root causes, and combining punishment and prevention, with emphasis on the latter. We should advance in an all-around way the establishment of a system of combating corruption through both punishment and prevention and see to it that officials are honest, the government is clean, and political integrity is upheld. The congress emphasized that centralized leadership of the Party is the source of its strength and a fundamental guarantee for Chinas economic and social development, ethnic unity and progress, and enduring peace and stability. The more complexities the Party faces and the more arduous the tasks it undertakes, the more imperative it is for the Party to strengthen its discipline and uphold its centralized leadership. This will enable the whole Party from the leadership to the ranks to advance in unison as a great force. The congress stressed that to live up to the peoples trust in and expectation of us and stand new tests under new historical conditions, the whole Party must be keenly aware of potential dangers, be modest and prudent, guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and remain clear-headed. We must be innovative in our thinking, uphold truth and correct mistakes, and always maintain energy and drive. We must follow the guidance of the fundamental purpose of the Party, trust and rely on the people, and always put them above everything else. We must heighten our sense of mission, be realistic and pragmatic, defy difficulties and work hard, and preserve the political integrity of Communists. The congress called on all Party members and the people of all ethnic groups in China to hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, rally more closely around the Party Central Committee, strive to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, continue to win new victory for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and make joint efforts to create an even brighter future for the Chinese people and nation. Full text of resolution on CPC Central Committee reportadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinas export growth slowed sharply in July to a six-month low following dwindling demand from Europe and Japan, official data showed Friday. Exports rose 1 percent year on year to 176.9 billion U.S. dollars in July, plummeting from the 11.3-percent growth seen in June and well below market expectations, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said Friday. Imports increased 4.7 percent year on year to 151.8 billion U.S. dollars, compared with a growth of 6.3 percent in June. The trade surplus narrowed 16.8 percent year on year to 25.2 billion U.S. dollars in July, taking the combined trade surplus to 94.1 billion U.S. dollars for the first seven months of the year. Foreign trade expanded 2.7 percent year on year to 328.7 billion U.S. dollars in July, according to the GAC data. In the January-July period, total foreign trade reached 2.17 trillion U.S. dollars, an increase of 7.1 percent year on year, lower than the 10-percent growth targeted by the government for the whole of 2012. Meanwhile, exports rose 7.8 percent year on year to 1.13 trillion U.S. dollars in the first seven months. Chinas trade with the EU, its largest trading partner, dipped 0.9 percent in the January-July period from a year earlier to 315.8 billion U.S. dollars, the figures showed. During the period, trade with Japan also slipped 0.2 percent year on year to 190.9 billion U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, trade with the United States, the countrys second-biggest trading partner, went up 10.5 percent year on year to 271.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first seven months, according to the GAC. Xinhua China July exports slow sharplyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with US President Joe Biden on November 14, 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Xinhua Current state of China-US relations is not in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and is not what the international community expects, Chinese President Xi Jinping said during his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Bali, Indonesia on Monday, which marked the first face-to-face meeting between the leaders of the world's two biggest economies since Biden took office.During the meeting, which reportedly lasted about three hours and 12 minutes, Xi told Biden that as leaders of two major countries, they need to chart the right course and find the right direction for bilateral ties and elevate the relationship, according to Xinhua. Xi also stressed that the two countries should take history as a mirror and let it guide the future.The two leaders consider that the meeting, is in-depth, candid and constructive, and they instructed the teams of the two countries to follow up the key consensuses reached by the two leaders, to take concrete actions to push the China-US relations return to a stable track for development, and the two leaders agree to keep contacts constantly, CCTV reported.Such remarks and the summit itself inject a certain degree of positivity into bilateral relations, which have entered a downward spiral due to the US' ever widening containment strategy against China, and especially after the provocative visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island of Taiwan, Chinese analysts noted, calling on the US to stay true to its pledges to avoid confrontation.The stakes for the summit, which took place one day before the G20 Leaders' Summit was set to kick off in Bali, couldn't be any higher, as the world, with growing concerns over the state of the world's most consequential bilateral relationship, watched intently for any positive signs that the two countries will try to work toward lowering tensions and cooperate on global issues.After a handshake, the two leaders walked into a spacious room together and delivered opening remarks that lasted over six minutes, with both stressing the importance of the face-to-face meeting.Xi said that though the two leaders have maintained communication via video-conferences, phone calls and letters, but none of these can really take the place of face-to-face exchanges, according to the Xinhua News Agency.Xi expounded on the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and its key outcomes, pointing out that the domestic and foreign policies of the CPC and the Chinese government are open and transparent, with clearly stated and transparent strategic intentions and great continuity and stability.China is advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, basing our efforts on the goal of meeting people's aspirations for a better life, unswervingly pursuing reform and opening-up, and promoting the building of an open global economy, Xi said.For his part, Biden also said that there was "no substitute" for such face-to-face meetings, according to video footage carried by several media outlets.Biden said to Xi in front of the press before the close-door meeting that "China and the US can manage our differences, prevent competition from becoming anything ever near conflict, and to find ways to work together on urgent global issues that require our mutual cooperation.""The world expects, I believe, China and the US to play key roles in addressing global challenges," he said.Since Biden took office, the two leaders have talked over the phone or via video link five times. The last time they met in person was in 2017 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.The meeting on Monday took place at the request of the US side at the Mulia Resort in Bali overlooking the Pacific Ocean. China Media Group said that the meeting was held at the hotel where the Chinese delegation to the G20 stayed.According to the readout released by the White House, Biden remained tough on topics that are China's internal affairs, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang (Tibet). Chinese analysts said the US has failed to realize that it was its unilateral, arrogant and hostile strategy against China that put bilateral ties in risk of spiraling out of control and toward direct conflict, and in the future, the risk of confrontation between the two great powers will still exist if the US refuses to change its arrogant attitude and hostile strategy.China-US relations should not be a zero-sum game where one side out-competes or thrives at the expense of the other, Xi said. The successes of China and the US are opportunities, not challenges, for each other. The world is big enough for the two countries to develop themselves and prosper together, he added.The two sides should form a correct perception of each other's domestic and foreign policies and strategic intentions, Xi said, adding that China-US interactions should be defined by dialogue and win-win cooperation, not confrontation and zero-sum competition.Chinese analysts said the Xi-Biden summit sent a positive signal to the world that even though tensions exist, the world's two biggest economies remain in communication and share the consensus of avoiding direct conflict, and are also trying to seek the possibility of cooperation.Ahead of the meeting with Xi, Biden and the US side released information to the press that they are trying to build "floor" or "guardrails" for US-China ties in the first face-to-face talk with the Chinese leader, in other words, the US side wants to show that they are making efforts to prevent bilateral relations from going out of control, analysts said.However, the US is the one that should be held responsible for the worsening of the tensions, as its strategy for "competition," confrontation in fact, has seriously undermined China's sovereignty on sensitive issues like the Taiwan question and China's development in science and technology, especially in the semiconductor industry, so China is also using the chance to "draw redlines" for the US, warning the opportunists and hawkish politicians in Washington about the danger of challenging China's core interests, experts said.Xi gave a full account of the origin of the Taiwan question and China's principled position. He stressed that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations.Anyone that seeks to split Taiwan from China will be violating the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation, Xi said, adding that the Chinese people will absolutely not let that happen.China hopes to see, and are all along committed to, peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, but cross-Straits peace and stability and "Taiwan independence" are as irreconcilable as water and fire, Xi said, expressing hope that the US side will match its words with action and abide by the one-China policy and the three joint communiques.Xi said "President Biden has said on many occasions that the US does not support 'Taiwan independence' and has no intention to use Taiwan as a tool to seek advantages in competition with China or to contain China. China hopes that the US side will act on this assurance to real effect."Jin Canrong, associate dean of the School of International Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that "the US will continue to provoke China on the Taiwan question. After the midterm elections, Republicans are set to take the House, and the new Republican House speaker will very likely follow what Pelosi has done to visit the island, to show that Republicans dare to be tough against China."Apart from this, the two major US parties will push the Taiwan Policy Act to keep forcing the White House to abandon strategic ambiguity on the Taiwan question, and this will then bring a new round of serious impacts on China-US relations, Jin said."So it's important for the Chinese leader to warn the US side again about where the redline is and what would happen if the US crosses the redline. This is how China is making efforts to prevent direct conflict while the US is being provocative," the anonymous expert said.Biden reaffirmed that a stable and prosperous China is good for the US and the world, saying that the US respects China's system, and does not seek to change it.The US does not seek a new Cold War, does not seek to revitalize alliances against China, does not support "Taiwan independence," does not support "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," and has no intention to have a conflict with China, he said, adding that the US side has no intention to seek "decoupling" from China, to halt China's economic development, or to contain China.Seeking or exploring possibilities for cooperation is a way to prevent conflict, experts said. In fact, China and the US share common ground in many aspects, from climate change to the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula and Iran, as well as handling the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine crisis and dealing with the food and energy crises, Jin said.During the meeting, the two sides vowed to keep constant strategic communication between the diplomatic teams of the two sides, and agreed that the teams on financial affairs from the two countries would have dialogues and coordination on macroeconomic policies and trade issues. The Chinese and US leaders also agreed to make joint efforts to push the UN Climate Change Conference COP27 to reach successThe two sides also reached consensus to promote cooperation and dialogues in the fields of public health, agriculture and food security, and the two sides also agree that the people-to-people exchanges are very important, and agree to encourage the expansion of exchanges between personnel from various areas of the two countries, according to China Central Television. Third-quarter revenues for Chinese search engine operators reached 8.1 billion yuan (1.28 billion U.S. dollars),stephen thompson gilbert burns odds up 51 percent from a year earlier, a report said Thursday. The sectors third-quarter revenues also represented a 16.2-percent increase from the second quarter, said the report issued by Analysys International. Adding advertising income brings their combined revenues to 10.3 billion yuan, marking the first time for the sector to post quarterly revenues of more than 10 billion yuan, said Dong Xu, an Analysys International researcher. Baidu dominated the sector with a market share of 78.6 percent, followed by Google China and Sogou with market shares of 15.3 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively, the report said. The report said the entry of search company Qihoo 360 might change market shares in the sector in the future. Xinhua Chinese search engine revenues up 51 pct in Q3added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Australian companies Qantas and China Eastern Airlines said Monday to launch a low-cost regional airline based in Hong Kong. Subject to regulatory approvals, an offshoot of Qantas subsidiary Jetstar, Jetstar Hong Kong will operate medium-haul flights between China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia from mid-2013. This is a unique opportunity to capitalize the huge potential Chinese market, where penetration of low-cost transportation is less than 5%, said the CEO of Jetstar, Bruce Buchanan. Prices of Jetstar will be 50% cheaper than traditional carriers, which generates demand in our markets across Asia, allowing to make more trips, more often, he added. The newcomer on the market wishes to receive between 6 and 10% of cheap flights between China, Japan or South Korea. Qantas and China Eastern will be equal shareholders in the new company, which will have a minimum capital of 198 million dollars, according to a statement sent to stock exchange authorities in Hong Kong. Jetstar will operate initially with three Airbus A320, 18 by 2015 and would order more than twenty by 2017. Qantas and China Eastern launch budget airlineadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China will strengthen management of foreigners illegally entering, living or working in China, a senior police officer vowed Wednesday. Vice Minister of Public Security Yang Huanning made the remark while delivering a report on the administration of entry-exit, residence and employment of foreigners to the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, the top legislature. According to Yang, the crackdown will include improving visa policy, strengthening border control, repatriating illegal aliens, and setting up repatriation locations in regions that have large numbers of such foreigners. Yang said it is difficult to manage foreigners illegally entering, living or working in China, as there is no detainment locations for them and a lack of foreign-language-speaking police staff. Some foreigners refuse to provide their real identities, and some foreign embassies and consulates in China are inefficient in verifying identities, said the public security official. Most illegally entered foreigners are from neighboring countries, said Yang, adding that languages training, performance, housekeeping and labor-intensive industries are the main sectors illegally employing foreigners. Police last year investigated more than 20,000 incidents in which foreigners illegally entered, lived or worked in China, double the number of 1995, according to Yang. Almost 600,000 foreigners lived in China for more than six months in 2011, compared to only 20,000 in 1980, while 220,000 foreigners were employed in the country in 2011, compared to 74,000 in 2000. A draft law on exit and entry administration was submitted Tuesday to lawmakers for its second reading. The draft stipulates harsher punishments for people who enter or exit China illegally. Xinhua China to strengthen management of foreigners illegally entering, living or working in Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Rebekah Koffler: Russian withdrawal from Kherson is probably a ruse to lure Ukrainian forces into a trap closeVideo Former U.S. intel officer Rebekah Koffler reacts to the Russian government's failure to inform the Biden White House of Brittney Griners transfer to a penal colony last week on 'Fox News Live.' NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Washington will soon debate sending billions more to Ukraine to assist its war effort. Lawmakers may want to first conduct a reality check on where Russia stands in this nine-month war and on Putins decision calculus. This suggests that U.S. funding will not produce quick results, may not produce any results or may also produce very bad results for America and Ukraine. This is how, when wishful thinking is set aside, things actually look: The Battlefield Multiple areas across Ukraine are still under Russian assault, even as Ukrainian forces are gaining momentum with an effective counter-offensive, pushing to reclaim territories captured by Russia. On Friday, special units of Ukraines armed forces entered the strategic city of Kherson in southern Ukraine, following the retreat of the Russian troops as directed by the Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. As Ukraines president Zelenskyy was championing another victory, the Kremlin warned that Khersons status didnt change, despite the retreat, claiming that the city was still part of Russia. The Russians are unlikely to permanently abandon Kherson or any of the three regions that Moscow recently "annexed." The Russian ground forces who assumed defensive positions on the left bank of the Dniepr River, will probably not engage in a mano-a-mano battle with Ukrainians, having lost so many men and so much military hardware. The withdrawal is a potential ruse to lure Ukrainian troops into a radioactive chamber. Russian Spetsnaz operatives reportedly left a nasty message on a door of one of the buildings. Addressed to Ukrainians, the message warned that this was "the territory of the Russian Empire," that Putin was "our and your Czar" and that the Russian troops went "on vacation." Vladimir Putin and his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stand together during a Navy Day Parade in Saint Petersburg, Russia in July. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images) PUTINS CYBER ARMAGEDDON DOCTRINE SEEKS TO EXPAND RUSSIA'S OFFENSE BEYOND BATTLEFIELD For weeks, Moscow has been accusing Kyiv of planning to use a "dirty bomb," also called a radiological dispersal device (RDD), an improvised nuclear device containing dynamite laced with radioactive powder. Unlike traditional nuclear bombs, RDDs have low military value but produce panic and terror in the opposing force and population. They cause severe burns, irradiation sickness, and they contaminate food and water. Driving Ukrainians out of the region by contamination would be consistent with Russias most recent military doctrine, which envisions use of radiological, chemical and biological warfare for "defensive" purposes. The Russians have a special military branch, Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces (RKhBZ), that are trained in decontamination and clean up. A New Strategy of Indirect Action Russia has all but exhausted its conventional combat power, having fired around 4,000 missiles and, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, have lost some 100,000 personnel to death or injury. Morale is low. Special units are sent to the front lines to shoot retreating soldiers and deserters. Multiple Russian commanders have failed to secure victory. However, despite Washingtons expectations, Putin will not abandon the fight. His regime views the stakes as existential for him and for Russia. Moscow wants Ukraine to remain part of its strategic security perimeter, on which it relied for centuries. Putin will continue to enforce his version of the Monroe Doctrine to keep NATO troops and influence out of a country that has a 1400-mile border with Russia. President Biden and his Russia counterpart Vladimir Putin have not spoken in months. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images | Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images) FIVE REASONS WHY BIDEN MUST MOVE TO DE-ESCALATE THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR NOW Under the new "asymmetric" strategy, Moscow is targeting critical infrastructure to leave Ukrainians without water, electricity and heat as winter approaches. Missile and drone strikes on Kyivs electrical grid have left half a million homes without power. Local authorities are mulling evacuation plans should the city become unlivable. Forty percent of the countrys energy infrastructure has been crippled, and multiple industries have incurred devastating cyber strikes. Loss of power will result in lack of water, causing sewage problems that will spread disease. In late October, Ukraines intelligence services uncovered Russias plot to blow up the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric dam to trigger a massive flood in southern Ukraine. Couple that with a dirty bomb in Kherson, and a large swath of the country will become an environmental disaster. The main target in this phase of war is the population, its psychological state and its will to fight. Putins Health and Regime Stability Endless rumors abound about Putins deteriorating physical and mental condition anything from thyroid to pancreatic cancer, to Parkinsons, a mysterious mental illness caused by COVID-related isolation, and more. It is impossible, even for U.S. intelligence, to assess Putins health with high accuracy. Putin takes extreme measures including having his security personnel collect his excrement and urine when he travels - to safeguard information about his health. There is no credible evidence Putin has a chronic condition like cancer. Instead, Putin appears "entirely too healthy," as CIA Director William Burns recently assessed. Russian President Vladimir Putin with troops. Rumors are swirling about the IV marks on Putin's hand. (APTN Screenshot) CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER Two weeks ago, the Russian strongman put on a three-hour performance, including a speech and Q&A, at the annual international "Valdai" conference hosted by Russia. Putin was lucid, forceful, confident and looked healthy. There is no credible evidence suggesting the imminent collapse of Putins regime, his ouster or forced retirement into a sanatorium. What the future holds Putin is preparing for the long haul and even an all-out war, anticipating NATO intervention. Moscow has mobilized additional 318,000 men and mandated basic military training in high school. It has expanded military cooperation with Iran and North Korea to replenish its depleting weapons supply. Russia is standing up bomb shelters, training police in wartime protocols and conducting emergency evacuation drills. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is now into its ninth month with no end in sight (Contributor/Getty Images) The Biden administrations solution to the Russia-Ukraine problem has been to hit Russia with more sanctions, deprive another Russian oligarch of his yacht or palace and send billions in aid to Ukraine. This is naive and simplistic. The question of control over the post-Soviet space has been festering since the collapse of the USSR in 1991, and the balance of power in Eurasia has been contested for centuries. So victory is not around the corner, nor will it be defined by President Biden. That the Washington establishment is dragging America into yet another geopolitical experiment as Ukrainians are being slaughtered and their country ruined is irresponsible and dangerous. We are dealing with a nuclear power that is predisposed for the worst-case scenario thinking, and it will invoke the worst case before it accepts defeat in Ukraine. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM REBEKAH KOFFLER Taiwans ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party will celebrate its 118th anniversary on Saturday with thrift due to the current poor economic situation,club in hollywood casino an official of the party said Thursday. Tseng Yung-chuan, KMTs vice chairman and secretary general, told a press briefing that KMTs chairman and Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou will lay a wreath at Dr. Sun Yat-sens Memorial Hall in Taipei on Saturday. The partys branches in 22 counties and cities around Taiwan will hold charity events, including visiting disadvantaged groups, blood donation and charity sales. We hope the events can truly reach out to the public, said Tseng. Dr. Sun founded Revive China Society, the predecessor of KMT, in Honolulu, Hawaii on Nov. 24, 1894. The society was later merged into Tongmenghui and in turn became KMT. Xinhua KMT to celebrate 118th anniversary with thriftadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline UGA/EurekAlert CNN Nearly a decade after Japans Fukushima nuclear disaster, researchers have discovered that wildlife is thriving in the areas evacuated by humans, despite radiological contamination. On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan. More than 20,000 people died or went missing in the quake and tsunami, while hundreds of thousands more lost their homes. Three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant melted down, releasing radioactive materials into the air and more than 100,000 people were evacuated from the area. UGA/EurekAlert A Japanese serow explores the area. Scientists have now discovered that wildlife is abundant in areas that humans no longer live. Using remote cameras, researchers from the University of Georgia recovered more than 267,000 photos of more than 20 species including racoon dogs, wild boars, macaques, pheasants, foxes and Japanese hares in the areas surrounding the power plant. Our results represent the first evidence that numerous species of wildlife are now abundant throughout the Fukushima Evacuation Zone, despite the presence of radiological contamination, James Beasley, associate professor at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, said in a statement. Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Journalists visit the control room of the plant's fourth reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in Chernobyl, Ukraine, 25 September 2019. The explosion of Unit 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the early hours of 26 April 1986 is still regarded as the biggest accident in the history of nuclear power generation. Facing nuclear disaster on unprecedented scale Soviet authorities tried to contain the situation by sending thousands of ill-equipped men into a radioactive maelstrom.Chernobyl zone press tour, Ukraine - 25 Sep 2019 Chernobyl control room now open to visitors -- but only wearing a hazmat suit Photographic data was collected from 106 camera sites from three zones: Areas where humans were excluded due to the highest level of contamination; areas where humans were restricted due to an intermediate level of contamination; and areas where people were allowed to remain. Over 120 days, cameras captured 46,000 photographs of wild boar, with more than 26,000 images taken in the areas which were uninhabited. In contrast, about 13,000 images were taken in zones where humans were restricted due to contamination and 7,000 taken in zones inhabited by people. UGA/EurekAlert Researchers captured images of more than 20 species, including macaque monkeys, in the areas surrounding the plant. Researchers also saw higher numbers of racoons, Japanese marten, a weasel-like animal, and Japanese macaque or monkeys in uninhabited or restricted zones. Species considered to be in conflict with humans, such as wild boar, were predominantly photographed in areas and zones evacuated by humans, Beasley said. Pavlo Fedykovych Inside Slavutych, the city created by the Chernobyl explosion While the research monitors the radiological impact on wildlife populations as a whole, it does not give an assessment on the health of individual animals, scientists noted. The study was published Monday in the Journal of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, was produced in addition to the teams research on Chernobyl, where wildlife has also thrived in the wake of the disaster. Infor is set to demonstrate the power of its cloud-based solutions including enterprise resource planning (ERP) software at Gitex to enable organisations in sectors including manufacturing and logistics to digitally transform. Infor, which is exhibiting on Amazon Web Services (AWS) booth in Hall 26, will highlight its industry expertise and the ability of its smart, preconfigured cloud solutions which feature built-in industry functionality to enable customers to simplify complexity, automate business processes, accelerate time to value, and enhance the experience of end users. Infors solutions, which work with the leading capabilities of the AWS Cloud, give organisations the agility, insights, scalability and security they need to succeed amid current challenges including fierce competition, supply chain issues, and changing regulations, helping them to tap the growth opportunities prevalent in the region. Infor executives including Kerry Koutsikos, vice president and GM for Middle East & Africa; Phil Lewis, senior vice president, solution consulting international; Khaled AlShami, vice president, solution consulting; and Salem Machaka, vice president of professional services, will be available to provide demonstrations and explain the latest updates to Infors solutions. Industry specific solutions AlShami said: Were excited to participate at Gitex from October 16 to 20 with our partner AWS and to demonstrate the immense power of our industry-specific solutions, which open up a new world of efficiency and innovation. We will voice a strong message around the public cloud at Gitex, as we are keen to highlight the importance for organisations to move to a multi-tenant cloud to survive and thrive, tackle challenges and seize the amazing opportunities for growth in the GCC and the wider region. Lewis will join other international experts for a panel discussion on Data-driven Transformation in Industry: Scaling AI for Enterprise Impact, on October 18 at the AI Stage in Hall 9. AWS services On October 19, Lewis will speak at the Global DevSlam conference on the Takeover stage, which is aimed at developers and solution architects. Lewis will discuss the breadth of AWS services that Infor uses within its Infor OS cloud platform to provide built-in AI, integration and analytics capabilities for the industry-specific needs of its customers. Infor has supported numerous organisations on their cloud journeys in the region. Most recently, Bahrains Asry, the Gulf regions biggest maritime repair and fabrication facility, deployed Infor CloudSuite Industrial Enterprise. The solution has enabled Asry to unify and automate its major business functions, including procurement, accounts, and supply chain management. This has improved its efficiency, while giving management a single source of truth for all business transactions.--TradeArabia News Service CANBERRA,online slots with free play Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- In all four waves of COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, the highest proportion of deaths have occurred in people who are most disadvantaged, data has revealed. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently released data, saying there were 12,545 deaths of people who have died from or with COVID-19 during the pandemic, whose deaths were registered and lodged with the ABS by Sept. 30, 2022. Lauren Moran, ABS Director of Health and Vital Statistics, said this data and analysis offer detailed information about how the pandemic has impacted people. According to Moran, while almost all COVID-related deaths (99 percent) in the first year of the pandemic had COVID-19 recorded as the underlying cause, this had fallen to 72 percent by August 2022. Nearly 80 percent of deaths from COVID-19 have occurred during the Omicron wave in Australia. "COVID-19 mortality during the pandemic disproportionately affected older people, with deaths among people aged 80-89 accounting for the highest proportion of deaths across all waves," Moran said in a media release on Wednesday. COVID-19 mortality rates across all waves have been highest among people from areas of greatest disadvantage, with the highest proportion during the Delta wave at around 40 percent, said ABS. The first wave and the Delta wave had a younger age distribution for mortality compared to the second wave and Omicron wave, according to the data. Over half of the deaths during the Delta wave were among people aged under 80, with over a quarter aged under 70. By comparison, around 30 percent were aged under 80 and 10 percent were under 70 during the Omicron wave. Vulnerable populations, including people of older ages, people of lower socio-economic backgrounds and those with pre-existing chronic conditions have had higher rates of mortality during all waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chronic cardiac conditions, including coronary atherosclerosis and cardiomyopathies, were the most common pre-existing illnesses associated with coronavirus deaths, followed by dementia and diabetes. BANGKOK,bravado gambling site Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Leaders are gathering in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, for the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting on Nov. 18-19. The leaders' meeting is held in person this year after two editions hosted virtually by Malaysia in 2020 and New Zealand in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year's meeting is convened under the theme of "Open, Connect, Balance" -- to open to all opportunities, to connect in all dimensions and to balance in all aspects. With a combined population of 2.9 billion, the 21 APEC economies account for over 60 percent of the world's total gross domestic product (GDP) and about half of world trade. APEC is working on areas such as trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation, and economic and technical cooperation, aiming to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The notion of establishing a forum for promoting sustainable economic growth and regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific was first raised by former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of the region and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world. The first APEC Ministerial Meeting was held later that year in Canberra, Australia, which marked the official establishment of the mechanism. In November 1991, the third Ministerial Meeting was held in the South Korean capital of Seoul with the approval of the Seoul APEC Declaration, which finalized APEC's objectives of developing and strengthening the open multilateral trading system, and reducing barriers to trade in goods, services and investment. The APEC Secretariat, based in Singapore, was established in 1993 to provide support and services for the forum's activities at various levels. The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is a top-level meeting under the APEC institutional framework. As a culmination of annual APEC forum, it is on the heels of the Ministerial Meeting and the CEO Summit. Since the first informal leaders' meeting in Seattle, the United States in 1993, the economic leaders' meeting has been convened on a yearly basis. In 1994, at the Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bogor, Indonesia, the APEC Economic Leaders' Declaration of Common Resolve was adopted. The declaration pledged APEC's intent to achieve free, open trade and investment by 2010 for industrialized economies, and 2020 for developing economies. The Putrajaya Vision 2040, adopted at the Economic Leaders' Meeting in Malaysia in 2020, envisions "an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040, for the prosperity of all our people and future generations." APEC's institutional framework includes the Economic Leaders' Meeting, the Ministerial Meeting, the Senior Officials' Meeting, committees and working groups. APEC currently has 21 members, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, China's Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. Its observers include the ASEAN Secretariat, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, and the Pacific Islands Forum. 10:50 On the afternoon of 14 November local time,wild hawk casino top online betting President Xi Jinping had a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Bali, Indonesia. The two presidents had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on issues of strategic importance in China-U.S. relations and on major global and regional issues. President Xi pointed out 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. President Xi expounded on the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and its key outcomes. He pointed out that the domestic and foreign policies of the CPC and the Chinese government are open and transparent, with clearly stated and transparent strategic intentions and great continuity and stability. We are advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, basing our efforts on the goal of meeting peoples aspirations for a better life, unswervingly pursuing reform and opening-up, and promoting the building of an open global economy. China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace, always decides its position and attitude based on the merits of issues, and advocates resolving disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultation. China is committed to deepening and expanding global partnerships, safeguarding the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. China will stay committed to peaceful development, open development and win-win development, participate in and contribute to global development, and pursue common development with countries across the world. President Xi pointed out that the world is at a major inflection point in history. Countries need to both tackle unprecedented challenges and seize unprecedented opportunities. This is the larger context in which we should view and handle China-U.S. relations. China-U.S. relations should not be a zero-sum game where one side out-competes or thrives at the expense of the other. The successes of China and the United States are opportunities, not challenges, for each other. The world is big enough for the two countries to develop themselves and prosper together. The two sides should form a correct perception of each others domestic and foreign policies and strategic intentions. China-U.S. interactions should be defined by dialogue and win-win cooperation, not confrontation and zero-sum competition. President Xi said that he takes very seriously President Bidens five-noes statement. China does not seek to change the existing international order or interfere in the internal affairs of the United States, and has no intention to challenge or displace the United States. 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. Observing the basic norms of international relations and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques is vitally important for the two sides to manage differences and disagreements and prevent confrontation and conflict; indeed, it is the most important guardrail and safety net for China-U.S. relations. President Xi gave a full account of the origin of the Taiwan question and Chinas principled position. He stressed that the Taiwan question is at the very core of Chinas core interests, the bedrock of the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese and Chinas internal affair. It is the common aspiration of the Chinese people and nation to realize national reunification and safeguard territorial integrity. Anyone that seeks to split Taiwan from China will be violating the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation; the Chinese people will absolutely not let that happen! We hope to see, and are all along committed to, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, but cross-Strait peace and stability and Taiwan independence are as irreconcilable as water and fire. We hope that the U.S. side will match its words with action and abide by the one-China policy and the three joint communiques. President Biden has said on many occasions that the United States does not support Taiwan independence and has no intention to use Taiwan as a tool to seek advantages in competition with China or to contain China. We hope that the U.S. side will act on this assurance to real effect. President Xi noted that freedom, democracy and human rights are the common pursuit of humanity and also the unwavering pursuit of the CPC. Just as the United States has American-style democracy, China has Chinese-style democracy; both fit their respective national conditions. The whole-process peoples democracy practiced in China is based on the countrys reality, history and culture, and it reflects peoples will. We take great pride in it. No country has a perfect democratic system, and there is always a need for development and improvement. The specific differences between the two sides can be worked out through discussion, but only on the precondition of equality. The so-called democracy versus authoritarianism narrative is not the defining feature of todays world, still less does it represent the trend of the times. President Xi pointed out that the two countries take different paths; while the United States practices capitalism, China practices socialism. Such difference is nothing new and will continue to exist. Leadership of the CPC and Chinas socialist system have the support of 1.4 billion people. They are the fundamental guarantee for Chinas development and stability. For China and the United States to get along, it is vital to recognize and respect such difference. Neither side should try to remold the other in ones own image, or seek to change or even subvert the others system. Instead of talking in one way and acting in another, the United States needs to honor its commitments with concrete action. President Xi underscored that China and the United States are two major countries with different histories, cultures, social systems and development paths. There have been and will continue to be differences between the two countries. Such differences should not become an obstacle to growing China-U.S. relations. There is always competition in the world, but competition should be about learning from each other to become ones better self and make progress together, not about taking others down in a zero-sum game. The Chinese nation has the proud tradition of standing up for itself. Suppression and containment will only strengthen the will and boost the morale of the Chinese people. Starting a trade war or a technology war, building walls and barriers, and pushing for decoupling and severing supply chains run counter to the principles of market economy and undermine international trade rules. Such attempts serve no ones interests. We oppose politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade ties as well as exchanges in science and technology. Under the current circumstances, China and the United States share more, not less, common interests. It is in our mutual and fundamental interest to prevent conflict and confrontation and achieve peaceful coexistence. The two economies are deeply integrated, and both face new tasks in development. It is in our mutual interest to benefit from each others development. It is also in our mutual interest to promote post-COVID global recovery, tackle climate change and resolve regional issues through China-U.S. coordination and cooperation. The two sides need to respect each other, pursue mutual benefit, focus on the larger picture, and nurture a sound atmosphere and stable relations for cooperation. President Biden noted that he has known President Xi for many years and maintained regular communication, but nothing could substitute for the kind of face-to-face meeting today. President Biden congratulated President Xi on his re-election as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. As two major countries, the United States and China have a responsibility to keep a constructive relationship. The U.S. side is committed to keeping the channels of communication open between the two presidents and at all levels of government, so as to allow candid conversations on issues where the two sides disagree, and to strengthen necessary cooperation and play a key role in addressing climate change, food security and other important global challenges. This is vitally important to the two countries and peoples, and also very important to the whole world. President Biden reaffirmed that a stable and prosperous China is good for the United States and the world. The United States respects Chinas system, and does not seek to change it. The United States does not seek a new Cold War, does not seek to revitalize alliances against China, does not support Taiwan independence, does not support two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan, and has no intention to have a conflict with China. The U.S. side has no intention to seek de-coupling from China, to halt Chinas economic development, or to contain China. President Biden said that how the U.S-China relationship develops is of crucial importance to the future of the world. The United States and China have a shared responsibility to show the world that they can manage their differences, and avoid and prevent misunderstandings and misperceptions or fierce competition from veering into confrontation or conflict. The U.S. side shares the view that it is necessary to work out the principles guiding U.S.-China relations. The two teams may continue discussions on the basis of the common understandings already in place, and strive for early agreement. The U.S. government is committed to the one-China policy. It does not seek to use the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China, and hopes to see peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The two presidents agreed that their respective diplomatic teams should maintain strategic communication and conduct regular consultations; their financial teams will continue dialogue and coordination on macroeconomic policies, economic ties and trade; and the two countries will jointly work for the success of the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The two sides reached common understandings on conducting dialogue and cooperation in public health, agriculture and food security. They agreed to make good use of the China-U.S. joint working group to promote the resolution of more issues. They also agreed that people-to-people exchange is very important, and agreed to encourage the expansion of such exchange in all sectors. The two presidents also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis and other issues. President Xi pointed out that China is highly concerned about the current situation in Ukraine. He noted the four points about what must be done he had proposed soon after the outbreak of the crisis and the four things the international community must do together he had suggested recently. Facing a global, composite crisis like the one in Ukraine, it is important to give serious thought to the following: first, conflicts and wars produce no winner; second, there is no simple solution to a complex issue; and third, confrontation between major countries must be avoided. China has all along stood on the side of peace and will continue to encourage peace talks. We support and look forward to a resumption of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. At the same time, we hope that the United States, NATO and the EU will conduct comprehensive dialogues with Russia. Both presidents viewed the meeting as in-depth, candid and constructive. They instructed their teams to promptly follow up and implement the important common understandings reached between them, and take concrete actions to put China-U.S. relations back on the track of steady development. The two presidents agreed to maintain regular contact. Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi and He Lifeng, among others, were present at the meeting. For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report. Taiwans ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party celebrated the 118th anniversary of its founding on Saturday by paying tribute to the partys late founding father. Accompanied by the partys senior officials,online slots no deposit keep what you win KMT Chairman and Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou visited Dr. Sun Yat-sens memorial hall in Taipei, laying a wreath at Suns bronze statue. Dr. Sun founded the Revive China Society, one of the predecessors of the KMT, in Honolulu, Hawaii on Nov. 24, 1894. The society was later merged into the Tongmenghui and then became the KMT. Ma also visited a Catholic facility which houses people with disabilities in Taipei. He hoped this would help increase social awareness in caring for disadvantaged groups. Amid drizzle, KMT Honorary Chairman Wu Po-hsiung, who is on a visit to the Chinese mainland, on Saturday paid tribute to a resting place of 72 martyrs who died in a uprising in April 1911, led by the Tongmenghui under the leadership of Dr. Sun. Wu, after laying a wreath at the Huanghuagang Martyrs Cemetery in Guangzhou City, said the Huanghuagang Uprising, though it failed, woke up the nation, inspired later uprisings and the Revolution of 1911 which eventually overthrew the last imperial dynasty and led to the founding of the republic. To KMT, it is a history that we cherish and can not afford to forget, Wu said. In Taiwan, the partys branches in 22 counties and cities held various charity events, including visits to disadvantaged people, blood donations and charity sales, in a bid to reach out to the public. Tseng Yung-chuan, KMT vice chairman and secretary general, told a press briefing on Thursday that the party would celebrate the anniversary with the principle of thrift and service. Xinhua Kuomintang celebrates 118th anniversary of its foundingadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin arrived here Tuesday afternoon for an official goodwill visit to Italy. China and Italy have continuously strengthened mutual political trust and scored fruitful achievements in pragmatic cooperation in various fields since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 42 years ago,red dog casino bonus said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), in a written statement upon arrival. The two countries have also maintained close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, with the content of their comprehensive strategic partnership continuously enriched, he said. The development of China-Italy relations is currently facing a new historic opportunity, Jia said. He said he is looking forward to having in-depth talks with Italian leaders, including Prime Minister Mario Monti, on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern. Jia said he would also meet Italians from all walks of life, so as to deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples and push forward the two countries pragmatic cooperation. Italy is the first leg of Jias three-nation tour which will also take him to Costa Rica and Argentina. Xinhua Top Chinese political advisor arrives in Italy for official visitadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty Images Bethlehem and Jerusalem CNN Men mourn at a morgue after clashes with Israeli forces in Nablus, in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. At least six Palestinians were killed by the Israeli military on Tuesday, making it the deadliest day of violence in the occupied West Bank this year, CNN analysis of official Palestinian data showed. Five were killed in the old city of Nablus during an Israeli raid there, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. A sixth person was killed in Nabi Saleh, north of Ramallah, by Israeli live fire, the Ministry added, when Palestinian protestors took to the streets in response to the Nablus military operation. The raid in Nablus also left some 20 people injured, the ministry said. Israel said it was targeting Lions Den, a new militant group which emerged in Nablus this year and has targeted Israeli soldiers, killing at least two. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Tuesdays killings as a war crime while calling on the United States to stop Israeli aggression in the West Bank before things reach a very critical point, according to his spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh. Commenting on the Nablus raid, Israels Prime Minister Yair Lapid said, our goal was and remains to inflict severe and lasting damage on terrorism and its agents in Jenin and Nablus and anywhere else where terrorist nests grow. He added that the head of the Lions Den militant group and other militants were assassinated in the raid and that the terrorist laboratory of Lions Den was severely damaged. Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP/Getty Images Mourners in the West Bank on October 25, 2022. In a joint statement posted on Twitter, the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Security Agency, and Israeli police said a raid was conducted on a hideout in the old city of Nablus that was being used as a headquarters and explosives manufacturing site by operatives of Lions Den, adding that the group was responsible for a shooting attack that killed an Israeli soldier, and for attempting to carry out an attack in Tel Aviv that was thwarted by the Israeli police as well as the planting of an explosive device in a gas station. The Israeli security forces detonated the explosive manufacturing site during the raid, the statement said, adding that dozens of Palestinians burned tires and hurled rocks at the troops. The [Israeli] troops responded with live fire toward the armed suspects who were shooting at them. Abbas Momani/AFP/Getty Images Mourners march the body of 29-year-old Palestinian Mohammed Sabaaneh during his funeral in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on September 6. Fears of a third Intifada as Palestinian deaths reach 7-year high The Palestinian National Forces, an umbrella grouping of political and popular groupings, announced a general strike across cities and villages in the West Bank on Tuesday. The strike will affect essential services such as schools, universities and courts. This year has been the deadliest in the West Bank for Palestinians killed by Israeli soldiers since 2015. Israel claims most killed were clashing violently with soldiers. It has also been the deadliest year for Israelis and foreigners killed in attacks by Palestinians since 2015. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday sent messages of condolence respectively to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte over the crash of a Malaysian passenger plane in eastern Ukraine. In the message to Najib,gambling dice games starpunk nft Li said he was shocked to learn of the crash of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which left 298 passengers and crew members dead. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I hereby express sincere sympathy to the Malaysian government and people and convey deep condolences to all the deceased on board, Li said. In the message to Rutte, Li said that he was shocked to learn that a large number of Dutch passengers were killed in the MH17 crash. I, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, express sincere sympathy to the Dutch government and people and convey deep condolences to the deceased from your country, Li said. The Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, a Boeing 777-200, crashed in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, leaving all the 298 passengers and crew members dead, including 192 Dutch passengers. Tang Danlu Chinese premier extends condolences to Malaysian, Dutch PMsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Qu Yingpu (center),new gambling game publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, and Du Xiaogang (second from right), Party secretary of Wuxi, preside over the opening ceremony of the International Cartoon and Illustration Exhibition on a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind on Wednesday in Wuxi, Jiangsu province. FENG YONGBIN/CHINA DAILY Chinese illustrator Zhang Weimang clinched the gold prize of the International Cartoon and Illustration Exhibition on a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind with his work Life and Growth in Nature. The award ceremony was held in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Wednesday. C.B. Shibu Cheriapadath Balan, from India, and Zhou Zuoli, from China, won silver prizes, and Izabela Kowalska-Wieczorek, from Poland, Liu Jiajia and Xie Pengzhen, from China, shared the bronze prizes. The exhibition was hosted by China Daily and the Wuxi Municipal People's Government to promote the concept of the joint development of a more peaceful, harmonious, prosperous, open and beautiful world. It has two themes, "Low-Carbon Lifestyles" and "Discovering Wuxi". About 3,800 cartoons and illustrations from 50 countries and regions were submitted in the "Low-Carbon Lifestyles" section and 851 of them were from overseas. The "Discovering Wuxi" section received around 600 works from home and abroad. Zhang said he participated in the competition because Wuxi and China Daily have made a deep impression on him since childhood. The theme "a community of shared future for mankind" also reminded him of a Chinese saying: When the way of virtue and justice prevailed, the whole world was one community. Qu Yingpu, publisher and editor-in-chief of China Daily, said the concept of building a community of shared future for mankind proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping has been widely welcomed and received strong support among the international community. The exhibition aims to promote people-to-people exchanges among China and other countries through art works, so that the international community can work together to face challenges and create a common future, he said. Through different perspectives and with various styles, the participating works vividly showed global artists' deep concern with ecological protection and the future of mankind, strong approval of the concept of building a community of shared future for mankind and active participation in protecting the environment and care for planet Earth, Qu said. China Daily will continue to tell the stories of China and the Communist Party of China well to the outside world through various means, such as news reports and artworks, to promote communication and exchanges between China and the world and present a China that is credible, appealing and respectable, he said. Du Xiaogang, Party secretary of the CPC Wuxi municipal committee, said with brushes, artworks and feelings, artists from around the world depicted the beautiful scenery of Wuxi, the historic progress of China in achieving modernization and the spirit and essence of Chinese culture. Wuxi will continue to work closely with China Daily to tell local stories well to the world and make new and bigger contributions to telling China's stories, promote the country's voices and strengthen the reach and influence of Chinese civilization, he said. Zhang Yaoning, honorary president of the China Journalistic Caricature Society and panelist for the exhibition, said that with a strong visual impact, cartoons and illustrations can call on people around the world to put aside their differences and build a more harmonious world. As a seasoned English language newspaper, China Daily's global influence and experience gained in hosting international cartoon and illustration competitions have drawn many influential artists from different countries and regions to participate in the competition, he said. "The level of the competition is very high, and I am glad to see that young Chinese artists have achieved breakthroughs in their techniques and artistic concepts," he added. The two-day 2011 Expert Consultation Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions kicked off Oct. 27 at the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, according to event organizer the Council of Agriculture. Under the topic of Agricultural Biotechnology, Biosafety and Biosecurity, the years meeting is focused on leveraging technologies to increase agricultural productivity and secure food supplies in a world faced with the possibility of drastic climate change, COA officials said. More than 80 representatives from government, academia and the private sector from 25 countries are attending the meeting, the COA said. The council noted that the APAARI is an important organization dedicated to promoting cross-border partnerships for food safety and natural resources preservation in the Asia-Pacific region and that it has worked closely with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations on various research projects. Members in the 19-nation association include Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Taiwan has been a member of the association since 1999. Susan Chang, director-general of the COA Department of International Affairs, was elected a member of the Executive Committee in 2009. The council said the designation marks international recognition of Taiwans agricultural and biotechnological development. Prior to the Expert Consultation Meeting, APAARI Vice Chairman Mason Smith from Fiji presided over the Executive Committee Meeting Oct. 26 to discuss the organizations future initiatives and programs. Aaron Hsu Taiwan Today Taiwan hosts Asia-Pacific agricultural meetingadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung said Tuesday that the Philippine government is silver oak casino bonus codes no depositgoing to bear the medical cost of a victim of the Manila hostage incident. Leung said that the long overdue payment came after his request to Philippine President Aquino III, who later transmitted the money to Yik Siu-ling, whose under jaw was shattered by a bullet in the tragedy, for her imminent surgery operation. Meanwhile, Aquino has also sent his governments cabinet secretary to Hong Kong to negotiate with Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok and Chief Executives Office Director Edward Yau concerning the details for the compensation arrangements for the survivors and deceased persons families, Leung said. Yik has been suffering from difficulties of eating, with scars left on her chin, after a few previous surgery operations. These were attributed to a shoot-out by Filipino policeman Rolando Mendoza in the bus hostage in Manila three years ago. Mendoza killed seven Hong Kong people in the incident. Leung said Yik expressed gratitude for the compensation from the Philippines. He said that the incident has not been resolved, but what the country did had served to make a good start for further progress to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Xinhua Philippine govt to cover bus siege victims medical cost: CY Leungadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline A senior leader with the discipline watchdog of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Monday called for a strengthened fight against corruption in order to build a clean Party. At a conference attended by CPC members and officials from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection(CCDI),betfair casino prize pinball CCDI Secretary Wang Qishan championed efforts to improve the CPC members working practices. Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the Partys discipline watchdog will target Party members unhealthy practices. He asked them to refrain from mediocrity, laziness, undiscipline and luxurious lifestyles. Party members were told to correct unhealthy practices that harm peoples interests and receive education that will help them better understand the viewpoints of the people. Wang said efforts should be made to make the Partys political discipline strict and enforce supervision over the implementation of major policies of the CPC Central Committee. Xinhua CPC watchdog chief calls for a clean Partyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline State Council Information Office gave a press conference Wednesday to review its work in 2011. The Internet was the focus of attention of Chinese and foreign media. The National Information Office of the Chinese Internet was created May 4, 2011. The office director Wang Chen () said that the information service and management of the Internet in China entered a new phase: Since China joined the international Internet in 1994, the Internet has grown rapidly. The Internet is an important new media that increasingly influencing to the economy and society. It plays an important and positive role for economic development, equitable access to knowledge, and also the participation of the population control and enrichment of cultural life. At the end of 2011, China, which already had 513 million Internet users, ranked first in the world for the number of Internet users. Of these, 356 million access the Internet via their mobile phone and half of them have a micro blog. With regard to the form in which the development of the Internet, Wang Chen noted that the Chinese Internet was open to the outside, and its prospects for investment were excellent and exciting. Especially since Chinas accession to the WTO, many foreign Internet companies have come to China and participate in the development of the Chinese Internet. Facing the doubts raised by the media regarding the real name registration protocol of micro blog, Wang Chen said it was a very sensitive issue that concerned many people. On one hand, it is true that the micro blog can represent the popular demand and social expectations, make positive voice be heard, enrich the information and control over public opinion. However, as a personal media, micro blog has changed the structure of public expression, and permits along with the rapid spread of irrational voice of a negative opinion and harmful information such as pornographic topics. There is a new challenge to ensure the information security of the Internet, harmony and social stability. By 2010, the user number of micro blogs increases explosively. In one year, it reached 330 million people. According to recent statistics, every day the micro blogs generate 150 million entries. The real name registration protocol began in late 2011, first in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Shenzhen and will be generalized when this test phase is completed. Wang Chen said that the decision was taken following the decision of the NPC on the safety of the Internet and in line with relevant regulations such as The regulations of the Communication in the Peoples Republic of China. This applies to first-time users, regulation to the former users will come later. In addition, we will take steps to ensure full security of personal information and to fight against acts that violate the law. The number of users among officials of party organs and government has exceeded 50 000. Wang Chen said that the micro blog is a new channel of communication between the party and government on the one side, and the people on the other side. Overall, we give our support to the use of micro blog by the administrative organs of the party and government. We believe that the micro blog is an important platform for information exchange. It helps these organs to know the aspirations of public opinion while providing administrative information, responding to queries that interested people and helping them solve problems in their daily life. State Council Information Office director speaks of the role of Internet and microblog in Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Thecasino not on gamestop 7th East Asia Summit adopted the Phnom Penh Declaration here Tuesday, pledging to help narrow development gap among ASEAN member states so as to achieve the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015. The declaration called for more development aid to less developed nations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nation ( ASEAN) to realize common development. The declaration was formulated on the basis of Chinas initiative, which advocates balanced, inclusive and sustainable development, boosting policy coordination and expanding cooperation in finance, energy, education, disaster management, public health and interconnection. The declaration expressed support for ASEANs leading role in the East Asia Summit and related regional cooperative mechanism. It also encouraged developing members of East Asia Summit to adjust economic structure and choose the development path in line with the national conditions of their own. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended the annual summit along with leaders from ten ASEAN member states as well as Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States in Phnom Penh. Xinhua East Asia Summit vows to bridge ASEAN development gapadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline G20 Photo:VCG The2022 G20 Leaders' Summit concluded on Wednesday with member states issuing a joint declaration on cooperation for global development, and analysts said that China's proposals have received worldwide support and contributed wisdom for the turbulent world to deal with common challenges and crises.The document has highlighted consensuses on issues like food and energy security, climate change, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, digital economies and anti-corruption, with analysts saying the declaration reflects the common grounds shared by the international community and the responsibilities of the major economies amid the challenges affecting all countries around the globe.On a sensitive issue like the Ukraine crisis, the joint declaration also reflected the differences among the member states, and experts said some Western countries led by the US are trying to hype the topic which is irrelevant to the economic cooperation at the G20 summit which aims at promoting cooperation between major economies worldwide to deal with common challenges. Western countries are trying to use a geopolitical crisis to further sabotage the unity of the international community, said the experts.Development is the key for countries around the globe to deal with the common challenges, said analysts, and when Chinese President Xi Jinping called for collective action and close cooperation to make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all, and more resilient, many attendees to the G20 sessions showed their support.Zheng Yongnian, a political scientist and organizer of the Strategy 20 International Conference, which brings together thinkers and strategists from G20 countries for dialogue, noted China's central role on the global economic stage."As the world's second-largest economy, China has the ability, willingness and experience to improve the world order, and it will also help the further growth of the world economy in the technical and economic fields," Zheng told the Global Times on Tuesday.For instance, in the field of digital economy, China plays a unique role especially with its significant resources and influence. On Wednesday, the Chinese President said China stands ready to continue cooperating with the members of the G20 to jointly build a global digital economic paradigm featuring benefits for all, balance, coordination, inclusiveness, win-win cooperation and common prosperity.When discussing the issue of digital transformation, Xi said an expanding digital economy and an accelerating global digital transformation have become important factors influencing a world economic paradigm.Li Haidong, a professor from the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that China has unique advantages in many areas, including a huge market with potential and certainty, so it has an irreplaceable role to play in boosting global recovery, and this is why China's stance and strategy for the future have global significance, and it's impossible to exclude or isolate China from any international issues.As the world is going through unprecedented difficulties unseen in many decades, Xi, in his speech at the first session of the 17th Group of 20 summit, called on countries, world's major economies in particular, to stand with each other in the face of risks and challenges, join hands together, and elevate win-win cooperation to a new height, the Xinhua News Agency reported.The Chinese leader once again called for more global efforts to support and assist developing countries and ensure that the benefits be shared by all across the globe, saying, "Development is real only when all countries develop together."On the sidelines of the G20 summit, Xi had meetings with many leaders from different countries, including France, Netherland, Spanish, Argentina, South Africa, South Korea, Senegal and Australia, and according to the media, some other countries' leaders, like the new UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, also wanted to schedule a meeting with Chinese President but failed to realize it.Analysts said this shows that all parties involved - Western countries or developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America -- want to make their ties with China stable and to benefit from China's development, showing their strong confidence in China's economy and desire of exploring more possibilities for cooperation with China."These major economies worldwide are mainly key regional powers or major powers with global influence, and their attitude has reflected that they recognized China's global influence, and respect China's stance on core interests, and they want to keep boosting interconnectivity with China, rather than decoupling," said Li.As Xi noted, to deepen cooperation among all countries is the only viable way to get through the difficult times, said Mohammed Saqib, an Indian economist and secretary-general of the India-China Economic and Cultural Council."China has set an example of collaboration and commitment with other countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I think this is when governments should follow suit and come forward for holistically enhanced all-around cooperation to pull out of this chaos," the Indian economist told Xinhua.Although the G20 members reached consensus on many fields for cooperation and demonstrated great unity, many Western media highlighted text on the Ukraine crisis in the joint declaration of the G20 this year which reflected differences and disagreements.The summit concluded Wednesday with a leaders' statement that "deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine," CNN reported.However, the document also stated that "There were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions," and the leaders recognized that the G20 is not a forum for solving security problems.Chinese analysts said the part on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in the declaration looks very odd and reflects complicated international relations at the moment, because it openly shows disagreements which are not supposed to be showed in the document that reflected consensus.declaration reflects complicated intl relations as West hypes irrelevant topicsSince the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February, the international community has always showed different stances, with the West holding a hawkish stance against Russia, and many other non-Western countries like China, India, South Africa and Saudi Arabia being more neutral, with the consideration of the complicated historic reasons and the eastward expansion of NATO in Europe.It seems like the US and some Western countries want to use the G20 declaration to maximize their hostile voice toward Russia, without considering the unity among the international community, and the declaration also stressed that the G20 is not a forum for security issue, this has reflected the opinions shared by more G20 members, experts noted.Selcuk Colakoglu, director of the Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies who also attended some G20 sessions, told the Global Times that "the Russia-Ukraine conflict has aggravated the difficulties of the world economy stemming from the pandemic. China has acted in a very balanced and responsible way by keeping global supply chains on track without further military escalations."In this manner, the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi are timely and necessary steps to handle global economic and security challenges properly, Colakoglu said.Noting the root cause of the ongoing food and energy crises is not production or demand, but interrupted supply chains and international cooperation, Xi suggested that the global community enhance cooperation on market supervision and regulation, build partnerships on commodities, develop an open, stable and sustainable commodities market, and work together to unclog supply chains and stabilize market prices.Li said when Western countries try to use their stance to replace the international consensus in some awkward way like putting controversial words into the declaration, China is making efforts with other partners to find solutions for urgent crises, and the rest of the world can see clearly who is more responsible and trustworthy amid the era of turbulence and uncertainty. SHANGHAI,playamo coupons Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Black pepper from Timor-Leste, tea from Laos, wood carvings from the Central Africa Republic, and coffee from Ethiopia.... such local specialties from these least developed countries were displayed along with intelligent products from developed nations such as humanoid robots at the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE). Intriguingly, these local products sparked the same strong interest among customers as the upscale items did at the import expo. Bei Lei, executive curator of the national pavilion of Timor-Leste at the expo, has witnessed the meteoric rise of Timorese coffee in China. She said the CIIE has promoted trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries, adding that "in the process of sharing China's development opportunities, we feel the warmth of China." A country with a population of about 1.3 million, Timor-Leste has been an active participant in the CIIE since 2018. The coffee industry is seen as an economic pillar for Timor-Leste. Ultra-high standards involved in the picking and processing have made its coffee beans a signature product of the country. In retrospect, Timor-Leste's CIIE journey, however, started with humble beginnings. When it first participated in the expo in 2018, it was simply the country's national image that was showcased and no enterprises had joined the exhibition. At the 2nd CIIE in 2019, the country tentatively showcased a few of its specialties such as coffee, wild honey, red wine and handicrafts; at the 3rd CIIE in 2020, they won coffee orders worth 5 million U.S. dollars, and the 4th CIIE, Timorese coffee once again gained fame thanks to a robot barista provided free of charge by a Chinese company. Timor-Leste exported 348 tonnes of coffee beans to China in 2021, up 140 percent year on year, according to the country's statistics. All the products are green and pollution-free, which is in line with the pursuit of healthy life by Chinese consumers, Bei said. "And it gives us a lot of confidence." To enable more countries to share China's development dividends, organizers of the CIIE have invited the least developed countries to participate in the expo since its first edition and provided two standard booths free of charge to each of these participating nations. During the expo, special matchmaking conferences are held to help connect exhibitors from these countries and potential buyers. In 2019, the organizers specially set up a venue in the Shanghai free trade zone for countries in need to open national pavilions to display their commodities and investment projects all year round. This year, the CIIE joined hands with a number of multinational organizations and industry associations to help least developed countries organize delegations to participate in the expo. Before the CIIE opened this year, the organizers took the initiative to coordinate with Chinese companies to help Timor-Leste build a larger booth, doubling the booth area from last year to 36 square meters. Since 2018, among more than 40 least developed countries in the world, companies from over 30 nations have participated in the CIIE every year to seek business opportunities. Ali Faiz has taken part in the CIIE for three consecutive years, displaying exquisite Afghan carpets. There weren't any flashy decorations at his booth, and the beautiful carpets were the best form of publicity. "Selling a large handmade wool carpet can guarantee the life of an ordinary family for nearly a year. The Chinese market gives hope to many Afghans," he said. Li Manxiong, a Chinese businessman who introduced Timorese coffee to the Chinese market, displayed more than a dozen products processed with foreign coffee beans at the CIIE booth. "The CIIE has enhanced the visibility of Timor-Leste, and I hope to continue to use this platform to introduce more Timor-Leste products to the world and benefit the people of Timor-Leste," Li said. During the CIIE, through the coordination of the organizers, more Chinese enterprises and international institutions extended a helping hand to the least developed countries participating in the expo. Events Manager/Executive China-Britain Business Council Locations: Beijing,win money playing poker online Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing Package: Competitive salary, based on qualification and experience The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) helps UK companies grow and develop their business in China, via a network of 13 offices in China and 10 in the UK. Our mission is to help UK companies of all sizes and sectors, whether new entrants or established operations, access the full potential of one of the fastest growing markets in the world. We deliver a range of practical services, including advice and consultancy, market research, event management, trade missions and exhibitions, and incorporation. Through 60 years of engagement, we have built up exceptional connections with government and business across China. CBBC works closely with a range of partners across the UK and China, including UK Trade & Investment (UKTI). For more information about us, please visit our website at http://www.cbbc.org. Due to our rapid expansion in China, we are building our events team across our key hubs in China, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. We are seeking confident and energetic team players with events management experience and excellent communications skills. The roles will entail managing a varied and large number of events designed to promote the development of UK-China trade and to continuously grow and bolster CBBCs core offering of helping UK companies develop a deeper understanding and connection with China. Responsibilities The successful applicants will also be responsible for planning, budgeting, execution of events and marketing the opportunities to reach the target audience. You will also work with the colleagues from across the team to ensure the events programme is organised and developed effectively. Specific responsibilities include: Managing high profiled events, including conferences/seminars and banquets for visiting dignitaries from UK. Dealing effectively with and meeting the expectations of different stakeholders and partners. Organising seminars, receptions and other events on behalf of a variety of UK based clients and delivering them within an agreed budget; The promotion of events services offered by CBBC, acquisition of new clients and servicing and care of existing client relationships. Understanding customer requirements and managing customer relationships; Maintain relationships with government departments and agencies and industry contacts with whom we partner for events; Proactively engaging with partners to deliver value added services to clients; Delivering on revenue targets and managing costs effectively Proactively building on CBBCs database to reach out to more British and Chinese companies actively developing trade together. Requirements The ideal candidate will be energetic, highly motivated, IT literate, an excellent organiser and communicator, an active listener and a team player with a proven ability to work independently. Specific requirements for the role are as follows: Bachelor degree or above. Excellent written and spoken English. For manager level, at least 5-6 years relevant work experience with a proven track record of running major events, for executive level, at least 2 years relevant working experience of running events; Excellent project management skills, providing careful attention to details Demonstrable understanding of UK-China business issues Excellent team work and communication to deliver an active annual events programme Passion for business development and excellent client facing skills Have an understanding of budgeting A flexible and entrepreneurial style and a quick learner Willing to be flexible with working hours Interested candidates are invited to send a letter explaining how your experience meet our requirements together with detailed CV in both English and Chinese and an indication of your current salary and expected salary to the following email address: [email protected]. Please mention The China Timeswhen you apply for the position. We regret that only short listed candidates will be notified and that applicants who fail to provide a covering letter will not be considered. The closing date for applications is 31stJanuary 2014. Telephone enquiries and personal visits will NOT be accepted. JobsEvents Manager/Executive China-Britain Business Council Locations: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqingadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends the 25th China-ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 11, 2022.(Photo: Xinhua) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday called on members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as China, Japan and South Korea to keep up the process of regional economic integration and work on the stability of industrial and supply chains, while reiterating China's opening-up policy, when attending the ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea ("ASEAN+3") Summit.The commitment by "ASEAN+3" to open and integrated development, and its efforts to optimize and upgrade regional industrial and supply chains in a stable way, serves the common interests of all countries and injects new impetus into the world economy, experts said.Li noted that countries should keep the process of regional economic integration going, promote the full effectiveness and implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and release the maximum dividends of the free trade agreement, the Xinhua News Agency reported.Li also called for countries to maintain the stability of the industrial and supply chains, and adhere to opening-up and coordinated development to push the optimization and upgrading of regional industrial and supply chains always in smooth operation.While building a solid foundation for supply chain cooperation in Asia, the RCEP promotes trade and investment convenience in Asia and helps the formation of a unified market in the region, Shen Minghui, a research fellow at The National Institute of International Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.Thanks to the RCEP, Asia's regional economic integration will be strengthened, Shen said, urging member countries to actively participate in cooperation so as to contribute more to global economic and trade development.Premier Li also made remarks on improving crisis response cooperation, deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and promoting sustainable development in the region.China's economy is deeply integrated into the region and the world, and China will stick to the basic national policy of opening-up, Li said, adding that China is willing to bring new opportunities to other partners with its own development and inject new impetus into regional cooperation.He said that in the past decade, China had initiated more than 130 cooperative proposals or projects under the "ASEAN+3" cooperation framework, most of which have been completed now.Premier Li's remarks at the conference sent positive signals to international community that the Chinese economy is not only deeply integrated into the world, but will also contribute to global economic growth and the stability of industrial and supply chains, Chen Jia, an independent analyst on international strategy, told the Global Times on Sunday.China's economic development will bring more opportunities to ASEAN, and provide new and sustained driving forces for the world's growth, in contrast to the US' reckless "decoupling" move that goes against the trend of globalization and will result in supply bottlenecks and market disorder, Chen said.The participating leaders at the summit said that China, Japan and South Korea are major partners of ASEAN countries, noting that the "ASEAN+3" is the ballast of regional cooperation and economic development, and safeguarding regional peace and stability, Xinhua reported.They called on all sides to be closely united and strengthen cooperation in areas such as agriculture, interconnectivity, digitalization, financial security, public health, environment protection and cultural exchanges.Digitalization, new-energy and services trade are some of the important sectors in which China, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN may strengthen their cooperation, Chen said."With digital tools being an innovative way to overcome the instability of industrial and supply chains amid rising uncertainty and COVID-19, the economies have a strong willingness to cooperate in digital trade and new types of infrastructure," Shen said.Experts noted that East Asia and ASEAN has become an important engine of world economic growth.Thanks to their deeper integration and industrial complementarity, the region is deepening the division of labor and cooperation and improving their industrial production network, which will provide more impetus for regional economic growth, Chen said."The ASEAN+3 model will continue to play a positive role in exploring new solutions to international economic and trade cooperation, and in handling international affairs in a fair and just manner," Chen said. According to official source from Chinese Air Force,jacks are wild poker scasino a memorial service for Air Force officers and soldiers who died in an aircraft crash was held on February 4 in an Air Force base in Guizhou Province. On the afternoon of January 29, an Air Force plane crashed in a flight training in Guizhou Province, and the crew was tragically sacrificed. February 2, the Southern Theater Command approved them as revolutionary martyrs. The soldiers who were sacrificed in the flight training had done a great job in completing the military exercises and the combat readiness training, made important contributions in safeguarding the national sovereignty and safeguarding the national development interests. Air Force soldiers express deep condolences to the family of the Martyrs. The Air Force will continue to carry out actual combat training, faithfully fulfill the mission of new era, and constantly upgrade the ability to win in the new era. Memorial service for crashed Air Force plane held in Guizhouadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Visiting Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Peter ONeill said Monday that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting,spread on the raiders game which will be held in Papua New Guinea in November, provides an enormous opportunity for many economies in the region. ONeill, who arrived here Sunday for a two-day visit to Fiji since being elected as prime minister in 2012, made the remarks while addressing the Fijian parliament on the progress of preparations by his country in hosting the event. APEC is a 21-member forum that includes China, Japan, Russia, the United States and many large global economies promoting free trade throughout the Asia Pacific region, he said, adding that the meeting will be attended by nearly 9,000 delegates from all over the world and his country continues to provide the highest level of security. He also invited his Fijian counterpart Voreqe Bainimarama to address the APEC meeting in Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea in November. Meanwhile, ONeill also called for working together in achieving common goals. We as Melanesian and Pacific Island Nations must work together simply by getting on and doing what is best for our own countries and also for the region. It is therefore important that we continue to build a strong bond in our two countries and of course in our regional and sub-regional organizations, he said. ONeill also expressed PNGs interest in furthering trade and investment relations with Fiji. He added that businesses from both countries are investing in tourism, banks and agriculture, and PNG wishes to strengthen this. ONeill will leave Fiji on Tuesday afternoon after finishing his visit. APEC meeting provides enormous opportunity for regional economiesadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke () said on Wednesday that he will step down from his position early next year to rejoin his family. When I met with President (Barack) Obama earlier this month, I informed him of my decision to step down as Ambassador in early 2014 to rejoin my family in Seattle, Locke said in a statement to the media. Serving as the U.S. Ambassador to China has been the honor of a lifetime, said Locke, adding that he is profoundly grateful to President Obama for providing him the opportunity to serve as the presidents representative in Beijing over the past two-and-a-half years. Locke is the first Chinese-American to hold the post. Locke said it has been an immense and rewarding challenge to help manage one of the most vitally important bilateral relationships for the United States, with so many critical American interests at stake. Living in China while representing the United States has truly been an exciting privilege for our entire family, said the statement. Locke said that during his term, the embassy has focused its efforts on job creation in America by increasing exports to China, opening more markets for American companies, and promoting Chinese investment in the United States. We have significantly increased Chinese business and tourism travel to the U.S. by dramatically reducing wait times for visas to 3-5 days from historical highs of 70-100 days, he said in the statement. Locke said that as ambassador, he knows that U.S.-China relations continue to grow stronger. While our bilateral relationship is a complex one, I remain confident in the ability of our leaders to manage differences and increase cooperation in areas of mutual concern to the benefit of not just our two great peoples, but the entire world, he added. Xinhua U.S. ambassador to China to step down in early 2014added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Senior leader Liu Yunshan has called for good implementation of the Partys mass-line () campaign at the grassroots level. Liu,melbet home cryptocurrency watch a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committees Political Bureau, made the remarks during an inspection tour to northwest Chinas Qinghai Province, where he visited grassroots government departments, hospitals, enterprises and villages from Thursday to Saturday. The implementation of the mass-line campaign should proceed in accordance with practical conditions and should redress problems once they are detected, said Liu. Liu also ordered persistent implementation of the campaign and urged local Party cadres to enhance serving the people awareness and invite more participation of the common people. The campaign was launched in last June to make government more accessible to the public while cleaning up officials undesirable work styles such as formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance. Rao Aimin/ An Senior leader urges implementation of mass lineadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Theladbrokes ipl betting Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Saturday that it is planning to launch another satellite in December after a failed attempt in April. The second version of Kwangmyongsong-3 will be launched from the Sohae Space Center in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, by the Unha-3 carrier rocket between Dec. 10 and Dec. 22, the official KCNA news agency said. Scientists and technicians of the DPRK analyzed the mistakes that were made during the previous April launch and deepened the work of improving the reliability and precision of the satellite and carrier rocket, the KCNA quoted a spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology as saying. The DPRK launched a Kwangmyongsong-3 on April 13 to mark the 100th birthday of late DPRK founder Kim Il Sung. The long-range rocket crashed into the sea after traveling a short distance. The UN Security Council condemned the launch and demanded that Pyongyang fully comply with relevant resolutions and suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program. The KCNA said during the April launch, the DPRK ensured utmost transparency of the peaceful scientific and technological satellite launch and promoted international trust in space science researches. Pyongyang will fully comply with relevant international rules during the December launch, it added. Xinhua DPRK to launch another satellite in Decemberadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinas political advisors discussed ways to improve social governance and the role social organizations should play at a bi-weekly consultation session here on Thursday. Thelil bubble crypto final fantasy xv session was presided over by Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). According to a statement issued after the session, political advisors agreed social organizations are an important vehicle for consultation and have contributed positively to Chinas social governance. They suggest the country should improve legislation concerning social organizations, perfect the taxation system for groups, and promote reforms in relevant industry associations. Chinese political advisors discuss social governanceadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline French customs officers have seized nearly 140,000 China-made plastic kitchenware containing potentially carcinogenic substances, said French customs officials on Tuesday. Analyses have revealed that the levels of these substances (primary aromatic amines) are up to 100 times higher than the maximum level allowed in Europe, said Toulouse Customs. The primary aromatic amines can cause serious damage to health, and even become carcinogenic when they are in contact with heated food, said the Directorate General of Customs, in a statement. The higher the temperature, the higher the rate of migration of harmful elements into food increases. The case began in the suburbs of Toulouse in August when, under a new European regulations, customs officers have controlled a company that imported large quantities of plastic kitchenware from China. Analysis by a laboratory showed rates of primary aromatic amines up to 66 times of the guidelines, according to customs. The target company, a wholesale storefront selling its products to supermarkets or specialty stores, then requested a second test from independent laboratory. The laboratory has detected more than 100 times of the allowed level. In the wake of this operation, the Customs has ordered checks elsewhere. In recent months the Customs has seized a total of 140,000 sets of kitchenware. The Customs, however, admitted that those goods may enter in the EU elsewhere and then enter the French territory. French customs seized 140,000 sets of potentially carcinogenic kitchenware from Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline roulette live free play auther: ask source: Online browse: bigmiddiosmall release time: 2023-11-02 23:09:12 Comments: Chinese President Xi Jinping left here Thursday for the Thai capital of Bangkok after attending the 17th Group of 20 Summit on this roulette live free playIndonesian resort island. Xi will next attend the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a visit to Thailand. laughlin casino hotels="" american="" /> "American Democracy" Here in the US we are often told that the next election is "the most important" of our lifetimes, or that we should "vote like your life depends on it, because it does." Days away from our next midterm elections, this month's polls show that motivation to turnout is relatively high among both Democratic and Republican voters as both sets of party leaders amp up the divisive rhetoric and claim that the opposition has a radically different vision for the nation.Our lives are certainly impacted by and, dare I say, endangered by American policies. Sadly, the state of affairs with what we euphemistically call "American Democracy" means that we as Americans simply cannot save ourselves through elections.If the goal of American elections is to fulfill democracy, then American elections are dysfunctional. A 2014 study, published by Cambridge University Press, already classified the US as closer to an oligarchy than to a democracy, saying "average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent influence" in American policymaking.Indeed, the gap between the policies Americans say they want when polled and the policies enacted by our elected representatives widens with each generation. Donald Trump campaigned in 2016 on a promise that he'd end American wars but once in office continued our imperial violence.Less than two years ago, Democrats got behind Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in Georgia Senate races, and promised that if Americans helped elect the two and gave Democrats control of the US Senate, they would cut $2,000 COVID relief checks. The nation pitched in, campaign contributions from all over the nation poured into Georgia on behalf of the Democratic candidates and the pair were elected.Nearly two years later, the main campaign promise, $2,000 COVID relief from Democrats, is still unfulfilled. Both parties campaign promise specific things if we elect them, and when they get elected and place in sufficient power to deliver on those promises, they simply refuse to do so.Now, we're being asked to give them more power and told that, really, this time they'll give us what they promised. They didn't do it in 2021 with the COVID relief checks.Neither party seems very worried about disappointing their base to the point where they get rejected and lose elections. In this venture capital-styled political system, raising private capital is more essential to the life of a politician or party than winning elections.American voters are being lied to as baldly as ever by politicians while the opposite of our interests are being pursued by them once in office.The US' proxy war against Russia in Ukraine is just the latest and perhaps the most dangerous example. A clear majority of polled Americans say they want the US to pursue direct peace negotiations with Russia.Despite this, both Democrats and Republicans are voting uniformly to give billions more to weapons makers to fuel the violence in Ukraine and the Biden administration's top diplomats' official policy has been pointedly and proudly not to speak with his Russian counterparts. Americans want their government to negotiate peace and all the latter has done thus far is help dissuade peace negotiations.If only the lone problem with American elections were that they situated politicians in power who refuse to implement policies voters want. Alas, our elections are more fundamentally fraught than that.Democrats say, baselessly, that Republicans are under Russian control. Republicans say, without evidence, that Democrats are stealing election victories. Meanwhile, people of color continue to get thrown off voter rolls; we have no national uniformity with voting procedures, which means, among other things, some Americans only have to cross the street to cast a quick vote on election day while others have to drive miles past police barricades and wait in lines at poorly operating polling centers.Our general presidential elections are literally undemocratic because our votes don't count, legally. Only those of the several hundred members of our Electoral College do.If Democracy is the point of American politics, American politics is dysfunctional. Democracy is not lucrative, however, don't be surprised if members of both our major parties decide not to include the voters' desires in next year's plans. The money continues to pour into members of both parties, and the big donors contributing to those coffers will continue to wield much more influence over American politics than any non-wealthy voters.The author is a Chicago-based columnist covering US politics & culture. He is also a university English & critical journalism instructor. [email protected] File photo: George Hatem treats leprosy patients. Photo: Courtesy of Zhou Youma In October 1949,a foreigner was invited to the Tian'anmen Rostrum for the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The foreigner was George Hatem, known as Ma Haide in China, the first Westerner to ever become a CPC member and later obtain Chinese citizenship.In November 1933, Hatem, who had received his doctorate in medicine, heard about a tropical disease that was raging in Shanghai, which determined his decision to come to China from the US to relieve people of their suffering. In Shanghai, he met Soong Chingling and some Communist Party of China (CPC) revolutionaries. Under their influence, Hatem was actively involved in the CPC's revolutionary activities, his clinic often becoming a place for Party members to contact and meet.In June 1936, recommended by Soong, Hatem arrived in northern Shaanxi where he saw the real CPC and witnessed this extraordinary people's army with his own eyes.Hatem was impressed by the indomitable Red Army soldiers and their solidarity in the face of tremendous hardships. Once, during the march, the troops suffered from a severe shortage of necessities, and bouts of hunger and exhaustion. Seeing that Hatem was too tired to proceed, an old soldier fumbled in his pocket for a while and emerged with a small piece of rock candy, unwrapped it and gave it to Hatem.Against all odds, the army and the people were united as one. Such optimism was rarely seen in other places at that time in China. It inspired Hatem to remain in China for the rest of his life, as he believed that only such people could change the future of the country.In October 1936, after conducting interviews in Yan'an, Edgar Snow decided to leave, but Hatem decided to stay on, choosing northern Shaanxi as his base, and gave himself the Chinese name Ma Haide.After the three main forces of the Chinese Red Army converged in October 1936, Hatem, who had been appointed as public health advisor to the Central Military Commission of the CPC, stayed with the troops. On the battlefield, Hatem saw soldiers who braved all dangers on the front line, and who held their guns tight even after death. He saw high-ranking Red Army officers such as Zhu De and He Long offer their own horses to the injured. Young soldiers laid down their lives for the noble lofty ideal about a new China. Deeply moved, Hatem made another important decision in his life: He applied to join the CPC. His application was soon approved by the Party.In February 1937, Hatem officially joined the CPC. He said that he felt extremely delighted to be able to participate in this great cause of liberation and to be truly and centrally involved rather than being on the sidelines.In 1950, Hatem officially became a Chinese citizen, and was appointed Medical Consultant of the Ministry of Health of the PRC. He helped to establish the Central Dermatovenerology Institute, and devoted himself to the prevention and treatment of and research on venereal diseases and leprosy.Global Times Chinese authorities severely punished criminals violating food safety laws in 2011, according to new figures. Sources with the State Councils Food Safety Committee said on Thursday that a total ofpeople in more than 5,200 food safety cases last year were handed sentences, including life imprisonment and suspended death penalties. Law enforcement authorities closed more than 5,000 enterprises involved in crimes that jeopardized food safety, and also gave administrative punishments to government officials for misconduct relating to the cases. Health Minister Chen Zhu admitted during an exclusive interview with Xinhua on Wednesday that Chinas food safety standards are in urgent need of improvement amid a spate of food safety scandals. Food safety has become one of the biggest issues of concern for Chinese people since various scandals, such as tainted infant formula and cooking oil collected from sewers, were exposed by the media. Chen said the total number of national food standards, local standards and food-producing industrial standards has topped 5,000. Among them, many overlap or contradict each other, he added, pointing to the motivation behind the Ministry of Healths announcement last month that it will overhaul and streamline the current food standards list. Chen noted the deficiency of some vital assessment measures, such as the lack of processes to ensure the standard of food packaging. According to Chen, some current food standards have become outdated, calling for further efforts to implement new standards. The Ministry of Health issued a draft on revised food standards last month to solicit public opinion up to the end of February. The minister said the lag of research on national food standards and the countrys fledgling risk evaluation system hindered the mapping of national food standards. Chen also attributed the falling-behind to the shortage of professional technical management organs. The minister emphasized the importance of transparency in the forming of new standards, encouraging civilians, lawyers and experts to participate in the process. The ministry will report the new food safety standards to the World Health Organization, Chen added. Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for strict and harsh punishments in cases of food safety violation. Speaking at a plenary meeting of the food safety commission under the State Council, or Chinas cabinet, he urged strengthened supervision of the food industry. Xinhua China punishes food safety criminalsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Xinjiang and Pakistan International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) Friday launched monthly online Chinese-English magazine, Youlin (Good Neighbours ). A launching ceremony of Youlin Good Neighbours Magazine was organized at International Islamic University Islamabad auditorium crowded with delegates from Xinjiang, Chinese students, scholars, diplomats and politicians, civil society and media persons. Morever, a centre for Chinese studies will also be established at the IIUI, announced PML-Q General Secretary Mushahid Hussain Syed. IIUI has the highest number of Chinese students in Pakistan, he added. A 22-member Chinese delegation is currently on a five-day visit to Pakistan with the aim to enhance people-to-people contact between Pakistan and China. The delegation comprises eminent poets, writers, journalists and entrepreneurs. China and Pakistan launched English magazine Youlin in Islamabadadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Thetop 10 au slot sites major Chinese search engine, Baidu, has reached an agreement with Microsoft to provide search for English to Chinese Internet users from its own service. Baidu has reinforced its leadership in the local market. The agreement with Microsoft will also benefit the visibility of search engine Bing in China. According to local analysts, this agreement will put the business of Google to a more difficult situation in China. Baidu takes 76% of search market at the moment. Microsoft Collaborates with Chinese Search Engine Baiduadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China is emoji with a tearready to respond to possible complaints over its rare earth export restrictions at the World Trade Organization, a Ministry of Commerce (MOC) official said Wednesday. The remarks followed a WTO decision on Monday to uphold a ruling against Chinas export duties and export quotas on nine raw materials, which do not include rare earths. However, concerns were raised that the latest ruling might lead to a similar case against the countrys rare earth export policies, which have triggered contention between China and some of its trade partners. Regarding WTO members possible similar actions over Chinas rare earth policies, were ready to respond at any time in line with WTO rules and procedures, Li Chenggang, head of the MOCs legal and treaty department, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. The WTOs ruling in the raw material case might have some reference value for a possible rare earth case as the export management models of those resources are quite similar, Li said. The United States, European Union and Mexico filed complaints to the WTO in 2009, claiming Chinas export restraints over nine raw materials, including zinc, coke and magnesium, pushed global prices high and benefited the countrys domestic industry. China has argued that those restraints were aimed at protecting the environment and exhaustible resources. Li stressed that the WTO allows members to take necessary measures to protect resources and environment but only considers it fair if export restraints are accompanied by simultaneous restrictions over domestic production or consumption. He noted that Chinas management of rare earths no longer merely features trade restrictions but relies more on regulation of domestic production and consumption. Chinas rare earth sales account for nearly 90 percent of the global total but its reserves only account for about one-third of the worlds total. Decades of excessive exploitation have resulted in serious environmental damage. While imposing export quotas, China has suspended the issuance of new licenses for prospecting and mining, adopted production caps and stringent environmental standards and launched crackdowns on illegal mining activities. A group of 17 elements, rare earths are metals widely used in high-tech products ranging from flat-screen televisions to lasers and hybrid cars. China set the 2012 rare earth export quota at basically the same level of 2011. Its rare earth exports totaled 14,750 tons during the first 11 months of 2011, accounting for only 49 percent of the total quota. Li said the Chinese government has also been adjusting its restrictive policies over other raw materials and resources to make them not only meet domestic demand but also comply with WTO rules in recent years. In the raw material case, the WTO did not deny the legitimacy of Chinas policy target of protection exhaustible resources and environment, but only judged if specific measures were appropriate, so its not saying relative measures can no longer be used, he noted. The WTO first ruled against China last July and China filed an appeal two months later, requesting part of the ruling be canceled. The WTO will decide whether to adopt the final ruling within 30 days, Li said. He said China did not lose the case completely, as the WTO ruling does not support a challenge of the complainants against the countrys overall export management measures on raw materials and resources. He called on Chinas future policy making in this area to take more consideration of international influence, integrate trade measures with domestic industrial policies and attach importance to compliance with rules. Beijing-based WTO expert Tu Xinquan echoed the view, saying China should draw a lesson from the case and turn to domestic industrial regulation and environmental standards to manage resources export. Its easier for Chinas export policies to incur disputes nowadays as Chinas economy expands and global demand for raw materials and resources rises, he told Xinhua.(Xinhua) China ready to defend its rare earth polices at WTOadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Twenty years after late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping conducted his famous southern tour, his words still resonate, providing new impetus for Chinas reform and opening-up. From Jan. 18 to Feb. 21, 1992, Deng Xiaoping, chief architect of Chinas reform and opening-up, made a landmark tour in south China, delivering a series of speeches to define and clarify socialism in response to doubts about the development of Chinas special economic zones. In his speeches, Deng defined socialism as the pursuit of common prosperity and arbitrated a debate among officials and scholars about the proper way to implement a market economy in China. The practice of using a planned economy is not equivalent to socialism because there is also planning under capitalism; but the practice of using a market economy is not equivalent to capitalism because there are also markets under socialism, said Deng in one of his most frequently repeated quotes. Dengs talks during the southern tour created another high-level design for socialism with Chinese characteristics, and were a reiteration for the policy of reform and opening-up, said Wang Zhan, deputy secretary-general of the municipal Communist Party of China (CPC) committee of Shanghai. Inspired by Dengs words, Chinese people began to break the shackles of tradition. The importance of economic development, reform and opening-up began to take deeper root in Chinas soil. Li Shangli, a professor at Shanghais Fudan University, said the changes that were inspired by Dengs speeches have largely determined Chinas development over the last two decades. The CPC explicitly stated that it would create a socialist market economy during its 14th National Congress in October 1992. Chinas economy has grown rapidly as a result of foreign trade. In 1996, Chinas total foreign trade volume accounted for 35.5 percent of its GDP. Now, it accounts for nearly 70 percent of the GDP. Twenty-three years after the launch of the opening-up policy and 52 years after the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, the country entered the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 to become its 143rd member. In Hubei province, the first stop on Dengs historic tour, the number of private enterprises has grown from 2,172 in 1992 to more than 30,000 in 2011. The city of Shenzhen, another stop on Dengs tour, has evolved from a small township into a major economic powerhouse in the south over the past 20 years. He Xinyuan, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that despite the progress of the last 20 years, there are still several problems that cannot be ignored, such as the development of social ethics, education and the countrys growing wealth gap. Guo Rucai, a professor from the Party Literature Research Center of the CPC Central Committee, said the problems that are hindering Chinas development should be solved by deepening reform and opening-up policies Reform and opening-up is becoming more difficult, said Chi Fulin, head of the China (Hainan) Institute for Reform and Development. Todays reforms are more related to the readjustment of vital interests, which may cause a great deal of resistance, Chi said, adding that the scope of Chinas reform efforts has been enlarged, extending from economics to politics, culture and society. Nie Gaomin, a research official from the National Development and Reform Commission, said that although China has established a framework for its market economy, it must make greater efforts to finish its construction. Xinhua Two decades on, Dengs words still echoadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The latest official Chinese economic indicators published: Slower growth in the services sector The official Chinese PMI showed a sharp decline in the service industry in January, fell to 52.9, against 56.0 in December, said the National Bureau of Statistics. This decline contradicts the PMI of HSBC bank which falls to 52.5. Manufacturing pmi exceed the consensus The industrial sector grew modestly in January, fueling hope for China to avoid a crash landing. The official manufacturing PMI was 50.5 in January against 50.3 expected and 49.5 in December. Component of new orders recorded a three-month high of 50.4 against 49.8 in December. However, reflecting a slowing global economy and fears of recession in Europe, the component of export orders were down for the fourth consecutive month to 46.9 against 48.6. Official PMI index declined in services industryadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday urged for more government spending on the social pension insurance system to address the countrys aging problem. Theonline craps uk bodog poker client government must guarantee financial support in the system even if it has to cut investment on other projects, Wen said at a national conference about the urban-rural pension insurance system. China has the worlds largest pension insurance system, covering more than 700 million people. As many as 124 million old people claim a basic pension, granted by the state every month. However, as China is the worlds most populous country and a developing nation, it remains a challenge to make sure that every citizen has access to old-age care, Wen said. He said the country had been working to expand the pension systems coverage over the past few years and would focus more on raising the level of money that people receive after retirement. Wen underlined the significance of improving the social security system and said it was of great importance to maintain social stability in the country. He also urged for intensified monitoring and better management of social security money to avoid any fund abuse or embezzlement while increasing its value. According to the latest government count, the number of people aged 60 or above reached 184.99 million at the end of 2011, accounting for 13.7 percent of the total population. Xinhua Chinese premier urges more govt spending on pension systemadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday met here a delegation of people from various sectors in Taiwan, led by former chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party Lien Chan. The pursuit of a just cause and peoples common aspirations is unstoppable, said Xi during the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. We have the confidence and ability to keep a firm hold on the correct direction, work for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, and advance the process toward the peaceful reunification of China, Xi said. Xi called on compatriots on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to work together to uphold the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and to resolutely oppose and deter Taiwan independence. He also called for joint efforts by both sides to expand and deepen cross-Strait exchange and cooperation in various fields, improve the kinship among compatriots and their wellbeing, and jointly write the new chapter of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Once seeing through a long-term perspective and with a broad vision, compatriots from the two sides of the Strait would grasp the big picture of cross-Strait relations and overcome difficulties to push it forward, Xi said. We have full confidence in the future of cross-Strait relations, he said. The confidence was based on the reason that the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and joint efforts to realize national rejuvenation is the right path in line with interests of the whole nation and the tide of the times, which will benefit compatriots from the two sides and gain their support, he said. It was also because, despite ups and downs in cross-Strait relations, people from the two sides have never been separated emotionally, and in their nationality and cultural identity, and the general trend of ties is moving forward, Xi said. The two sides of the Strait belong to an inseparable community of shared future that stands together through thick and thin, he said. No one can stop the common aspiration of compatriots on the two sides for a better life and closer and more favorable cross-Strait relations, he said. Noting that the right path should be upheld, Xi urged people of the two sides to have stronger faith and show solidarity, particularly under the current situation. The 1992 Consensus should be upheld and Taiwan independence should be opposed, he said. We will never allow any attempts of Taiwan independence to succeed. Such attempts are doomed to fail, Xi said, urging people from the two sides to firmly oppose and deter activities of Taiwan independence with concrete action. Cross-Strait exchange and cooperation should be expanded and intensified, he said, adding that disagreement between people of the two sides on some issues should not hold back regular exchange and cooperation nor become an excuse to stand in the way. Compatriots across the Strait should show empathy, stand in each others shoes and understand each other better so as to forge closer bonds, he said. The welfare of people across the Strait should be promoted, he said. Now, when national rejuvenation is heading toward a brighter future, the nation has a stronger ability and better conditions to improve compatriots welfare, Xi said. Promising to provide equal treatment for Taiwanese people and businesses in the mainland, he said more policies will be issued, following the 31 measures adopted in February to promote cross-Strait economic and cultural cooperation and exchange. Compatriots across the Strait should be united to work for national rejuvenation, Xi said, stressing that Taiwanese people should not and will not be absent from the cause. People across the Strait should follow the tide of history, work together for the greater national interests, jointly promote peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, advance the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland, and realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, Xi said. Lien proposed upholding the one-China principle, promoting peaceful cross-Strait relations and mutually beneficial integration, and revitalizing the Chinese nation. In 2005, the two parties issued a five-point consensus on the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, endorsing the 1992 Consensus while opposing Taiwan independence, which helped get the cross-Strait relations on the right track of peaceful development, Lien said. The current situation in the Taiwan Strait has been destabilized and is causing harm to the security and wellbeing of Taiwan residents, Lien noted. People from the two sides both belong to the Chinese nation who went through both good and hard times together, Lien said, calling on them to abandon internal rifts and work together to pursue peaceful cross-Strait relations and shared prosperity across the Strait. The two sides should consolidate political mutual trust and restart dialogue on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, and address, step by step, political differences left over by history, he said. Lien called on the two sides to promote economic cooperation, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, expand mutual benefits, enhance the kinship between people across the Strait, and continuously increase integration to realize rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Xi Jinping meets with Taiwan delegation led by Lien Chanadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Andrew Harper,blockchain essay rooty hill casino special adviser for Climate Action for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), speaks in an interview with Xinhua during the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai) SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The climate challenge has compounded a crisis in human security, with an increasing number of displaced people worldwide, a UN climate expert said recently, calling for more global actions to help the vulnerable. Andrew Harper, special advisor for Climate Action for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), made the remarks during an interview at the ongoing 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm El-Sheikh. The expert noted that the impact of climate change on displaced people is "a big issue" that needs to be addressed through global action, highlighting the interrelation between human security and the environment. The UNHCR is present at COP27 to bring the voices of the displaced to the discussions on climate change, he said. "It's no longer sufficient for us to wait for people to be forced to move. We can anticipate, and we need to be working to support those communities who are most at risk to adapt and become more resilient," he added. Harper urged developed countries to do more to protect the environment, hasten the transition to renewable energy and ensure human security. "By ensuring human security and ensuring the security of communities against the challenges being brought by climate, we can only then have global security," he added. Harper also warned that infrastructure in some vulnerable communities to climate change is being physically eroded because of a cascading series of disasters. "If we don't look at this as a global issue, with global engagement to find solutions, then each country will suffer," Harper warned. The UN climate expert urged world leaders to put their commitments into action to help developing countries tackle climate challenges and support displaced people. "There are over 100 million people who are currently displaced worldwide. There is a displacement occurring almost every second. So, the longer that we wait, the more challenging it will be in order to provide the support," he said. Chinas defense budget, which stood at $119.8 billion last year, will reach $238.2 billion in 2015, an average annual increase of 18.75%, according to figures from the IHS Janes. In 2015, Chinas military spending, which exceed the combined budgets of the twelve other major powers of Asia-Pacific are expected to total 232.5 billion dollars. The Chinese budget should be nearly four times that of Japan, number two in the region in terms of military spending, said the IHS in a study published in Singapore. These figures become interesting topics when the Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, also Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived in Washington and about to visit the Pentagon. The US government has been aware of Chinas military existence in South China Sea and decided to intensify its presence in this area, where the mastery of the sky and sea is crucial. This strategy is also not without challenges after the Pentagon expenses budget has been forced to cut by $ 485 million. The United States is able to deploy a fleet of 246 ships (including 11 aircraft carriers). China, for its part, is interested in acquiring aircraft carriers. Since 1985, China has tried to get four used aircraft carriers, including three built in the yards of the former USSR, in order to study the design and construction method. One of the three ships, the unfinished Varyag, weighing 67,500 tons and in class Kouuznetsov Admiral, was purchased in 1998 with no military equipment or propulsion system. A private tourism company based in Macau claimed that the ship was to be formally transformed into a floating casino. After routed to the port of Dalian, it is the same ship, completely refurbished, made its first sea trials, under the Chinese flag in August 2011. And according to some experts, two other aircraft carriers of the same type are under construction. In addition, Beijing is about to deploy the first missile in the world capable of destroying an aircraft carrier, with a range of 1500 kilometers. This explains why the importance of military expenditure in China worries the United States. But Chinese leaders reassure that Chinas military technology is 20 to 30 years behind the U.S. and the modernization of the army is only meant to defend the country. Chinas defense budget could double by 2015added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Baz Ratner/Reuters CNN The carcass of an endangered Grevy's Zebra, which died during the drought, is seen in the Samburu national park, Kenya, September 20, 2022. A grueling two-year drought in Kenya has wiped out 2% of the worlds rarest zebra species and increased elephant deaths as well, as the climate crisis takes its toll on the east African nations wildlife. Animal carcasses rotting on the ground including giraffes and livestock have become a common sight in northern Kenya, where unprecedented dry spells are chipping away at already depleted food and water resources. The Grevy Zebra, the worlds rarest of the zebra species, has been the worst hit species by the drought. Baz Ratner/Reuters Andrew Letura, ecological and monitoring officer at the Grevy's Zebra Trust, kneels next to the carcass of an endangered Grevy's Zebra, which died during the drought, in the Samburu national park, Kenya, September 23, 2022. Founder and Executive Director of the Grevys Zebra Trust, Belinda Low Mackey, told CNN that the species mortality rate would only rise if no significant rain falls on the region. If the approaching rainy season fails, Grevys zebra face a very serious threat of starvation, she said. Since June, we have lost 58 Grevys zebra and mortality cases are rising as the drought intensifies. Even the most drought-resistant animals are impacted. One is the camel, which is known to survive lengthy periods without water. Camels are a valuable resource for many people in this region, Suze van Meegen, an Emergency Response Manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council in East Africa, told CNN. The deserts of Kenya are now littered with their carcasses. Kenya is on the brink of its fifth failed rainy season and its metrological department forecasts drier-than-average conditions for the rest of the year. Fabien Muhire/CNN A woman fetches water in a dfirde river, North Horr This East African nation is known for stability. But drought and rising prices are fueling insecurity Conservationists are worried that many more endangered species will die. If the next rains fail we could expect to see a substantial spike in elephant mortality, says Frank Pope, who heads Kenya-based conservation charity Save the Elephants. We are seeing herds splintered into the smallest units as they try to eke out a living, he said. Calves are being abandoned, and elderly elephants are dying. Without rain, others will soon follow. As the dry spell persists, other endangered wildlife is fast going extinct. Living off wildlife The drought is also worsening poaching for bushmeat, which has risen among pastoralist communities in the north as the drought impacts other sources of income. In some areas, Grevys zebras are being poached in grazing reserves. The drought has led to increased poaching of Grevys zebra due to large numbers of livestock converging on grazing reserves, Mackey said. This has led to inter-ethnic conflict (sometimes animals get caught in crossfire) and poaching, as herders resort to living off wildlife. Human-wildlife conflict has also fueled the killing of dozens of elephants that are forced to come in close contact with humans as they chase shrinking sources of food and water, said Pope of Save the Elephants. Fredrik Lerneryd/AFP/Getty Images An elephant walking towards a nearby river in the Kimana Sanctuary in Kajiado, Kenya, on September 25, 2022. Last year, we lost half as many elephants to conflict with people as we did to poaching at the height of the ivory crisis 10 years ago, he tells CNN. Nearly 400 elephants were lost to poaching 10 years ago, the highest in Kenya since 2005, according to a 2012 report by the countrys wildlife service. While government action against ivory trade has quelled ivory poaching in Kenya, poaching for bushmeat has persisted due to the drought and soaring food prices. Worst drought in decades Since October 2020, four consecutive rainy seasons have failed in parts of Kenya and the Greater Horn of Africa. The UN says this is regions worst drought in 40 years. More than four million Kenyans are food insecure due to the drought and over 3 million cant get enough water to drink. The Grevys Zebra Trust says it is helping endangered species survive the drought through supplementary feeding. Andrew Letura/Grevy's Zebra Trust The Grevy's Zebra Trust provides supplementary hay to help endangered Grevy's zebra survive the drought crisis in Northern Kenya. We have one dedicated feeding team in each of the three national reserves (Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba). On average we are using 1,500 bales (of supplementary hay) per week, Mackey said, adding that other species such as oryx and buffalo were also benefiting. Brent Swails/CNN Noorta Ali Humey says hunger drove her family to Mogadishu. By the time she arrived it was too late for three of her children. They are now buried in the camp, just 500 yards away. Mothers are having to bury their children as fears of famine hang over Somalia However, interventions for elephants at a scale that could make an appreciable difference are difficult, says Pope. Providing new water sources can be counter-productive, for instance, causing local desertification, he said. Save the Elephants concentrates on helping local people protect themselves from conflict (with stray elephants) and helps respond to incidents when conflict does occur. Pope also worries that when the rains finally come, there might be less grass due to overgrazing by livestock. A bigger concern is the overgrazing that is starting to turn the fragile landscape to desert. When the rains do come there will be less grass, even as the pressure on the landscape increases. Chinas ambassador to Australia has called on the nation to sign up to the Belt and Road Initiative,nba over under predictions tonight saying Australia will benefit from the initiative. Speaking at the Belt and Road Initiative in Australia conference in Darwin on Wednesday, Ambassador Cheng Jingye said China will work with other countries to uphold free trade in the world. We are determined to work with other countries around the globe, including Australia, to uphold free trade and multilateral trading regime, he told the conference. Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has expressed doubts over the benefits Australia would derive from the initiative. Cheng dismissed those concerns, saying that the Belt and Road Initiative which aims for win-win outcome, has nothing to do with geopolitics. Instead of Chinas solo performance, it is a symphony played by all participants. We do not impose business deals on others. Extensive consultation means that all countries, big or small, join the discussion of Belt and Road co-operation on an equal footing, he said. The close and strong trade and investment relations as well as people-to-people links between China and Australia provide necessary conditions for both sides to carry out different kinds of cooperation in Belt and Road development. The initiative, proposed by China in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which aim at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road. New Zealand, one of Australias closest neighbors, is one of the countries that have already signed up to the initiative. John Brumby, former Premier of Victoria and President of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC), earlier in July called for Australia to join the initiative. It would send a signal that we are ready and willing to engage in an Asia that is increasingly a world centre not only of growth but of innovation, he wrote in a column for News Corp Australia. It would also demonstrate that we welcome Chinas efforts to connect economies at a time when some developed nations are heading in a protectionist direction. Chinese ambassador calls for Australia to join Belt and Road Initiativeadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline CNN Video Ad Feedback What does COP stand for? And your other burning questions answered 03:37 - Source: CNN As global leaders converge in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for the UNs annual climate summit, researchers, advocates and the United Nations itself are warning the world is still wildly off-track on its goal to halt global warming and prevent the worst consequences of the climate crisis. Over the next two weeks, negotiators from nearly 200 countries will prod each other at COP27 to raise their clean energy ambitions, as average global temperature has already climbed 1.2 degrees Celsius since the industrial revolution. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images/Getty Images YOSEMITE, CA - FEBRUARY 25: General views of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley on February 25, 2021 in Yosemite, California. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) These glaciers are on track to disappear within the next 30 years, new report shows They will haggle over ending the use of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, which has seen a resurgence in some countries amid the war in Ukraine, and try to come up with a system to funnel money to help the worlds poorest nations recover from devastating climate disasters. But a flood of recent reports have made clear leaders are running out of time to implement the vast energy overhaul needed to keep the temperature from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius, the threshold scientists have warned the planet must stay under. Reports from the United Nations and the World Meteorological Association show carbon and methane emissions hit record levels in 2021, and the plans countries have submitted to slash those emissions are beyond insufficient. Given countries current promises, Earths temperature will climb to between 2.1 and 2.9 degrees Celsius by 2100. Ultimately, the world needs to cut its fossil fuel emissions nearly in half by 2030 to avoid 1.5 degrees, a daunting prospect for economies still very much beholden to oil, natural gas and coal. No country has a right to be delinquent, US Climate Envoy John Kerry told reporters in October. The scientists tell us that what is happening now the increased extreme heat, extreme weather, the fires, the floods, the warming of the ocean, the melting of the ice, the extraordinary way in which life is being affected badly by the climate crisis is going to get worse unless we address this crisis in a unified, forward-leaning way. Here are the top issues to follow at COP27 in Egypt. A fight over loss and damage Fida Hussain/AFP/Getty Images People in Pakistan take refuge from flooding in a makeshift camp on August 31 in the Jaffarabad district of Balochistan province. Developing and developed countries have for years tussled over the concept of a loss and damage fund; the idea which suggests countries causing the most harm with their outrageous planet-warming emissions should pay poorer countries, which have suffered from the resulting climate disasters. It has been a thorny issue because the richest countries, including the US, dont want to appear culpable or legally liable to other nations for harm. Kerry, for instance, has tiptoed around the issue, saying the US supports formal talks, but he has not given any indication of what solution the country would sign on to. Mario Tama/Getty Images PORT VILA, VANUATU - DECEMBER 07: An aerial view of Erakor island and the coastline of Port Vila on December 07, 2019 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Satellite data show sea level has risen about 6mm per year around Vanuatu since 1993, a rate nearly twice the global average, while temperatures have been increasing since 1950. 25 percent of Vanuatu's 276,000 citizens lost their homes in 2015 when Cyclone Pam, a category 5 storm, devastated the South Pacific archipelago of 83 islands while wiping out two-thirds of its GDP. Scientists have forecast that the strength of South Pacific cyclones will increase because of global warming. Vanuatu's government is considering suing the world's major pollution emitters in a radical effort to confront global warming challenges and curb global emissions, to which it is a very small contributor. Last year, the country banned single use plastic bags, styrofoam food containers and drinking straws in an effort to contain pollution and set an example to larger nations. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Opinion: In 1991, tiny Vanuatu already nailed the climate conversation Meanwhile, small island nations and others in the Global South are shouldering the impact of the climate crisis, as devastating floods, intensifying storms and record-breaking heat waves wreak havoc. The deadly flooding in Pakistan this summer, which killed more than 1,500 people, will surely be an example the countries negotiators point to. And since September, more than two million people in Nigeria have been affected by the worst flooding there in a decade. At this very moment, Nigerians are drinking, cooking with and bathing in dirty flood water amid serious concerns over waterborne diseases. Loss and damage will have space on the official COP27 agenda this year. But beyond countries committing to meet and talk about what a potential loss and damage fund would look like, or whether one should even exist, it is unclear what action will come out of this years summit. Do we expect that well have a fund by the end of the two weeks? I hope, I would love to but well see how parties deliver on that, Egypts chief climate negotiator Ambassador Mohamed Nasr recently told reporters. Former White House National Climate Adviser Gina McCarthy told CNN she thinks loss and damage will be the top issue at the UN climate summit this year, and said nations including the US will face some tough questions about their plans to help developing nations already being hit hard by climate disasters. It just keeps getting pushed out, McCarthy said. Theres need for some real accountability and some specific commitments in the short-term. A tense US-China relationship Getty Images/AP Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, left, and John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. People will be watching to see if the US and China can repair a broken relationship at the summit, a year after the two countries surprised the world by announcing they would work together on climate change. The newfound cooperation came crashing down this summer when China announced it was suspending climate talks with the US as part of broader retaliation for House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan. Kerry recently said the climate talks between the two countries are still suspended and will likely remain so until Chinas president Xi Jinping gives the green light. Kerry and others are watching to see whether China fulfills the promise it made last year to submit a plan to bring down its methane emissions or updates its emissions pledge. The US and China are the worlds two largest emitters and their cooperation matters, particularly because it can spur other countries to act, too. Can the world raise enough money? Mohamed el-Shahed/AFP/Getty Images This year's UN climate summit is being held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, where thousands of climate negotiators and advocates will gather to raise their ambitions on the climate crisis. Separate from a potential loss and damage fund, there is the overarching issue of so-called global climate finance; a fund rich countries promised to push money into to help the developing world transition to clean energy rather than grow their economies with fossil fuels. Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images An overhead view shows the photovoltaic (PV) solar panels making up Manston Solar Farm, in south-east England on November 4, 2022. What are 'emissions?' What is 'net zero?' Here are the climate change terms you should know The promise made in 2009 was $100 billion per year, but the world has yet to meet the pledge. Some of the richest countries, including the US, UK, Canada and others, have consistently fallen short of their allocation. President Joe Biden promised the US would contribute $11 billion by 2024 toward the effort. But Bidens request is ultimately up to Congress to approve, and will likely go nowhere if Republicans win control of Congress in the midterm elections. The US is working on separate deals with countries including Vietnam, South Africa and Indonesia to get them to move away from coal and toward renewables. And US officials often stress they want to also unlock private investments to help countries transition to renewables and deal with climate effects. Countries are straight up off-track Getty Images Ships carry coal outside a coal-fired power plant in November 2021 in Hanchuan, Hubei province, China. COP27 is intended to hold countries feet to the fire on fossil fuel emissions and gin up new ambition on the climate crisis. Yet reports show we are still off-track to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius. A UN report which surveyed countries latest pledges found the planet will warm between 2.1 and 2.9 degrees Celsius. Average global temperature has already risen around 1.2 degrees since the industrial revolution. Records were set last year for all three major greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Craig Chandler/Director of Photography/University of Nebraska - Lincoln Before and after: See how the Mississippi River and its tributaries have dropped to record lows There is a spot of encouraging news: the adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles is surging and helping to offset the rise in fossil fuel emissions, according to a recent International Energy Agency report. But the overall picture from the reports shows there is a need for much more clean energy, deployed swiftly. Every fraction of a degree in global temperature rise will have stark consequences, said Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program. The energy transition is entirely doable, but were not on that pathway, and we have procrastinated and wasted time, Andersen told CNN. Every digit will matter. Lets not say we missed 1.5 so lets settle for 2. No. We must understand that every digit that goes up will make our life and the life of our children and grandchildren much more impacted. The clock is ticking in another way: Next years COP28 in Dubai will be the year nations must do an official stocktake to determine if the world is on track to meet the goals set out in the landmark Paris Agreement. This story has been updated. Despite the end of support measures for foreign investment, non-Chinese automakers continue to invest. China confirmed Monday the end of measures to support investment by foreign automakers. This is a government order which has the force of law, said an official of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Chinas planning agency. This measure is clearly aimed at increasing the share of local brands, which still hold one-third of domestic market. China was willing to reduce customs duties for imports of components and equipment in the car. Beijing clearly wants to support national manufacturers (Geely, Chery, BYD ), who occupy only a third of the local market for the moment. Purely Chinese manufacturers remain focused on products which are often copies of Western or Japanese models. Vehicle sales in the No.1 market of the world increased by 2.5% last year, after jumping 32% in 2010 and 46% in 2009. 18.51 million units were sold in total (including commercial vehicles). Sales of passenger cars only, however, continued to increase from 5.2% to 14.5 million. For 2012, the Chinese market expected to rebound and grow by 8% to 20 million units, according to CAAM (China Association of Automoblie Manufacturers). These measures do not deter foreign manufacturers. Volkswagen, No.1 automaker in China according to statistics, announced in early January to build a new plant in Ningbo. Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan Alliance, has also said recently that the French car company to expand in China between 2014 and 2016. China confirms the end of the support measures for foreign auto manufacturersadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Video Ad Feedback How King Charles III popularity might affect the future of the Commonwealth 03:23 - Source: CNN Editors Note: Peter Bergen is CNNs national security analyst, a vice president at New America, an author and a professor of practice at Arizona State University. Raised in London, Bergen has a degree in modern history from Oxford University. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion on CNN. CNN Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest last week at Windsor Castle, home to monarchs for the past thousand years. What was not laid to rest with the Queens internment was an important question: What does the future look like for countries of the Commonwealth, where the British monarch remains the head of state? CNN Peter Bergen Charles III is the King today of 14 realms outside of the British Isles. In some of those realms, such as Australia, Canada and Jamaica, there are now calls to jettison the monarchy and instead install a republic, just as Barbados did last year. A related question is also surfacing now: What is the legacy of the British Empire writ large? British schoolchildren have long been taught comforting fairy tales about the beneficence of the largest empire in history, but recent historical scholarship is painting a quite different picture. Leading that charge is Harvard University historian Caroline Elkins, whose 2005 book, Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britains Gulag in Kenya, found that the British detained some 1.5 million Kenyans in detention camps or in barbed-wire villages during the Mau Mau uprising in that country in the 1950s, thousands of whom died and some of whom were tortured. The book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction in 2006. Ranald Mackechnie/AP This photo issued by Buckingham Palace on Sunday Sept. 18, 2022, shows Britain's Queen Elizabeth II photographed at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, in May 2022. (Ranald Mackechnie/Buckingham Palace via AP) Saying goodbye to the last Queen of England most of us will ever know Some initially criticized Elkins findings as exaggerated, but they were vindicated years later after Kenyan torture victims sued the British government for damages. Senior British officials eventually conceded publicly in 2013 that British forces had indeed tortured Kenyans, and the UK government paid out a nearly 20 million-pound settlement to more than 5,000 elderly Kenyan victims. In recent years, Elkins has broadened the scope of her inquiries beyond Kenya, publishing a new book in March called Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire. I spoke to Elkins last week about her work. Our conversation was edited for clarity. Peter Bergen: When Queen Elizabeth died, what was running through your mind? Tony Rinaldo Historian Caroline Elkins Caroline Elkins: First, what an extraordinary life. Seventy years as monarch. As a person, as an historian, how can one not marvel at that? Second, the differences in public reactions in Britain and in the former empire. Incredible national mourning and outpouring of grief in Britain, yet in the former empire and now current Commonwealth there were different reactions that the Queen oversaw what was a violent and exploitative empire. Bergen: King Charles III doesnt elicit quite the same feelings as his mother did: How will this affect the Commonwealth? Elkins:There are 56 nations in the Commonwealth, most of whom were former British colonies, and of those former British colonies, 14 are what we would call Commonwealth realms. That is, theyre not republics, and they still recognize the British monarch as their head of state. So, Charles III is also King of Canada and King of Australia, and its in these countries where there is a real push for referendums to change and to become republics. And then theres the question of, what is the purpose of the broader 56 nations in this Commonwealth? The Queen obsessed over the Commonwealth; it was the coda to empire. She oversaw in her reign the dissolution of much of the empire and the creation, with a kind of monarchical mythmaking, of the Commonwealth as being a force of good, a force of peace, a force of democracy in the contemporary modern world of which she remained the head. Ben Stansall/Pool/AP Britain's Prince Charles sits by the The Imperial State Crown in the House of Lords Chamber, during the State Opening of Parliament, in the Houses of Parliament, in London, Tuesday, May 10, 2022. BritainOs Conservative government made sweeping promises to cut crime, improve health care and revive the pandemic-scarred economy as it laid the laws it plans in the next year in a tradition-steeped ceremony known as the QueenOs Speech -- but without a key player, Queen Elizabeth II, absent for the first time in six decades. The 96-year-old monarch pulled out of the ceremonial State Opening of Parliament because of what Buckingham Palace calls Oepisodic mobility issues.O Her son and heir, Prince Charles, stood in, rattling through a short speech laying out 38 bills the government plans to pass. (Ben Stansall/Pool Photo via AP) King Charles' biggest problem isn't his crown, but his voice So, King Charles III is in a tricky situation because, in some ways, the Commonwealth is a confidence trick. How much do these nations today believe that they are part of something thats greater than themselves? When these nations joined the Commonwealth in the 50s and 60s, one could make that claim. But I suspect there are now a lot of Commonwealth nations looking at this and asking themselves, Whats the point? Britains economy is in bad shape; going it alone with Brexit was a mistake, and geopolitically its on the wane. Bergen: Queen Elizabeth found out that she was the new monarch in Kenyain 1952 when she was on a safari there. Tell us about your research in Kenya and reflect on the fact that the newly minted Queen Elizabeth was in the country around the time that the anti-British Mau Mau rebellion was starting to get serious. Elkins: Theres the famous story that Elizabeth, staying at Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park in Kenya, went up a tree as a princess and came down a queen. At the same time, just beyond where Queen Elizabeth was viewing game, the Kikuyu, the largest ethnic group in Kenya, were taking mass oaths to join a movement called Mau Mau, whose stated purpose was, to kick all Whites out of the country, which were the British settlers and the British colonial administration. Almost from the get-go in 1952, there were whistleblowers in Kenya. Missionaries were saying that torture by the British was going on. Eventually, the Church Missionary Society published a pamphlet called Kenya Time for Action! describing the kind of horrible things that were happening. When I started researching the history of the Mau Mau uprising, there were difficulties in writing the book because at the time of decolonialization, Britain went through a very systematic process of destroying documentation about the empire. In the case of Kenya, I estimate that about 3 1/2 tons of documents were destroyed, and some other documents were repatriated back to Britain and kept under lock and key. So, what it meant for an historian like me is I had to try to piece this story back together again, and it took about 10 years to do that. In my 2005 book, Imperial Reckoning: The Untold Story of Britains Gulag in Kenya, I concluded that while the British government said that they had detained 70,000 to 80,000 Kenyans, in fact my research revealed that 1.5 million Kenyans were detained either in detention camps or in barbed-wire villages. These detention camps and villages were not the sites of hearts and minds campaigns but instead sites of systematized violence condoned from the very top of the British government and executed in a routinized way, and that every effort was made to cover this up. nc elbagir britain mau mau settlement _00000901.jpg video From 2013: UK settles with Mau Mau victims in Kenya The book came out to critical acclaim. There was probably more emphasis on the critical and less on the acclaim in part because it was one of the first books that really challenged this narrative of British exceptionalism in the empire. At that time, in 2005, I was a young academic historian. It was a rather crushing reception. And then I was asked to be an expert witness for a case involving Kenyans suing the British government for torture endured while they were detained during the Mau Mau uprising. During the discovery process for this case, the British government said for the first time, Weve just discovered boxes of previously undisclosed files that we found at Hanslope Park. Hanslope Park is where all the very highly sensitive British government documents are kept. And alongside those boxes from Kenya, there were also 8,800 files from 36 other British colonies similarly packed up and spirited away at the end of empire. Having this documentation was crucial to the case. I pulled together a group of Harvard students, and we worked 24/7 going through these documents, and what became clear is that we had thousands of pages of additional evidence supporting my research and claims about what had happened in Kenya, and at the end of the day, the British government settled the case that had been brought by the Kenyan victims. Bergen: Was Kenya exceptional in the British Empire? Elkins:That took me about 15 years to answer and over 800 pages in my new book, Legacy of Violence. Not only is Kenya not exceptional, its one moment in a longer period of time that shows how the British created systems and practices to enforce colonial control, such as forced labor, torture and murder throughout the British Empire. During the Boer War from 1899 to 1902 was the first time in history where extensive concentration camps were used to confine one ethnic population, in this case, the white Afrikaners, who the British considered uncivilized, although Africans were also detained. Britain undertook similar confinement policies for criminals, as well as plague and famine victims, in India beginning around 1857. One of the things I spent a lot of time doing was tracing how these policies evolved these practices of concentrating populations as well as forcibly moving them. Bergen: This reassessment of British Empire: You are leading the charge. And also, William Dalrymples The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire, his history of the British East India Company is also part of this reassessment? courtesy Lucy Fulford The writer's family outside a church in Cambridge, UK, after leaving Uganda in 1972. Lucy's grandmother Rachel, center, wears a donated fur coat, and mother Betty is pictured far left. The tyranny of Idi Amin -- and limits of a British welcome Elkins: There are many historians working on this. When you think about the kind of work that must take place for each colony, you have a lot of people who are real specialists in particular areas who might specialize in Cyprus or might specialize in India. Some of what Im doing in this recent book, Legacy of Violence, is really drawing off this huge movement towards revisionism. Bergen: Is all history revisionist history? Elkins: Always. History is always being revised by folks like myself. I think in this case, its really a massive revision insofar as it really questions what continues to be a strongly held belief about British exceptionalism when it comes to empire. Bergen: So, are the British in high school as they learn about British history being told a bunch of fairy tales? Elkins:I think theyre being told a very particular official narrative that has been carefully cultivated, both by the British government and the monarchy. History is always used for national identity to galvanize a population, to imagine itself as something greater than any individual. And its important to remember that beginning in the 19th century, quite intentionally under Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, there was an entwinement of nation, monarchy and empire that was the bedrock of British national identity, a kind of British imperial national identity of which the monarchy is a part. And that continues down to the present day. Should British school history textbooks be revised? Theres a struggle over this in Britain now. It will be a big moment when we start to see revisions within the textbooks of schoolchildren in Britain that reflect the kind of larger conversations that are happening now between historians and the broader public. Des Willie/Netflix Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher in season four of Netflix's The Crown 'The Crown' controversy is about more than the royals Bergen: The Crown on Netflix was a very well-executed TV drama. How does that contribute to the way Britain and the world in general sees all this history? Elkins: I have to say, full disclosure, I watched all of The Crown. Its very compelling, and I was writing this book, Legacy of Violence, while watching it. One of the few times that the Queen Elizabeth weighed in with her authority is around the issue of apartheid in South Africa. Bergen: To say what? Elkins: To basically disagree with then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, to say that apartheid cannot continue, that Britain cannot be on the wrong side of history, and she used the Commonwealth as a vehicle to make that known. The second of which that struck me was the death of her cousin Louis Mountbatten. Mountbatten was the last viceroy of India. He oversaw the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 in which somewhere between 200,000 to 2 million people died from brutal sectarian violence, according to estimates. The Irish Republican Army, or IRA, which was a paramilitary organization, formed in 1919 to end British rule in Ireland and create a republic, engaged in a long struggle to end Britains continued rule in Northern Ireland after 1922. There were many terrorist attacks, including the IRA planting a bomb on Mountbattens boat off the coast of Northern Ireland in 1979, killing him and three people on the boat. And that scene is in The Crown. Mountbatten was probably the closest confidant and mentor to Prince Charles, now King Charles III. There is kind of a coda to this story when the Queen became the first British monarch in 100 years to go to Ireland in 2011 and (later) extended her hand to one of the former leaders in the IRA. Four years later Prince Charles met with former IRA leader Gerry Adams and did a similar kind of thing. They had a private conversation. This shows you what the British monarchy can accomplish, the kind of moral authority that it does have, and instances of reaching out their hands to make reconciliation. Bergen: Do the British pat themselves on the back because they were relatively early to abolish slavery, and that has colored their own self-conception as empire builders? Elkins:Yes, I think its an important point. I think its often held up that Britain led the charge on the abolition movement in the trade of enslaved people (in 1807) and decades later in the use of enslaved labor (in 1833). At the same time, I think its important to bear in mind that this is the same country that amassed the largest empire history has ever known, with a quarter of the worlds land mass and 700 million people at its height. On the heels of the abolition of the trade in enslaved people and the use of enslaved labor, the British launched what is known as their civilizing mission. This idea was that, in fact, empire is not about national benefit and exploitation, but its really our duty, our white mans burden to go and uplift and bring into the modern world the backward populations. The interesting part to me is how is it that Britons in general can continue to work and rework their understanding of what the empire meant. What was the civilizing mission? How are they able to accommodate all this into this broader narrative of what is ultimately British imperial exceptionalism, that somehow or another and its a narrative that endures to this present day that Britain got empire right, particularly when compared to all the other European nations. And so, to me thats also wrapped up into how the Queen is being remembered today. By some, shes being remembered as the matriarch of empire, an empire that was a force of good in the world, that really extended the notions of rule of law and free trade all those things that we hold dear in liberal democracies while others who say, no, thats actually not what happened. Look at all this violence in the empire. I think were in a particular moment because formerly colonized populations are demanding that there should be a reckoning, not just in terms of acknowledgement that certain things happened, but also how we write about and remember the past. CNN video Author of 'The 1619 Project' responds to critics Bergen: The 1619 Projecthas reframed the history of the United States around the history of slavery in the country. Are there similarities between the 1619 Project and what you and other colleagues are doing in your reassessment of the British Empire? Elkins: Yes, I do think so. If we look at the ways in which the struggle to understand who we are in the present day and what the future holds is also a struggle about the past. What gives us legitimacy? How did we come to be who we are today? In the United States, its often thought that the original sin is the period of enslavement, and we must contend with that if were going to move forward as a nation. Now, the suggestion being made by many in the former empire is that the original sin on a global scale was empire. Theyre asking: How do we contend with this, and how do you, Britain, address this in such a way that we can all move forward, both from a societal standpoint and an economic one? And its not just about reparations. Its about looking at structural inequities on a global scale and how and why the world is the way it is today. Look at Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world today. In the mid-18th century, Eastern Bengal was one of the wealthiest parts of the world. What happens in between? A very long period of wealth extraction and decimation engendered by British colonial rule. Look at Jamaica and imagine the fact that this nation was populated because its citizens were literally chained and shackled beneath ships and brought over. At first, this wasnt even a self-reproducing population because it was more economical to work people to death than it was to allow them to self-reproduce. Get our free weekly newsletter Sign up for CNN Opinions newsletter. Join us on Twitter and Facebook And so these nations are born out of a similar kind of cauldron of violence that has dramatic societal and economic consequences, and I think this is coming to a head, just as the 1619 Project is really raising all these issues about the kind of structural inequities that we have in the United States today. We must understand the past and really have a comprehensive accounting of it. And I think thats what were seeing in different kinds of ways with the history of the British Empire. Apple iPhone4S is not yet officially for sale in China, however, it was already available in Beijing from Saturday in several stores but at prices much higher than in countries where this new model of smartphone was launched Friday. Today we have two from Canada, on sale at 11,000 yuan (1,243 euros) each. If youre interested, come right away, said a saleswoman in a shop of mobile phones on the Hailong market of Beijing. She said it was a 16-gigabyte model, the cheapest and least powerful of the range. In the U.S., the iPhone4S is sold 199 dollars with a two-year contract. China had 940 million mobile phone users in late August, 94 million users of 3G service, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. According to Wang Jianzhou, president of China Mobile, the company sold 9.5 million iPhones till late September, reported the Beijing Youth Daily. The second operator China Unicom, for its part announced lower prices for iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 as of Sunday, even though no official release date of iPhone 4S has been announced for China. After the release in seven countries Friday, the latest model of Apple iPhone will be marketed in 22 countries on October 28. According to observers, the launch in China could take place at the end of the year. Apple enjoys great popularity in China, where many fans are willing to queue for hours to buy their latest products. After the death of Apple founder Steve Jobs last week, nearly 35 million microblogs had been posted to pay tribute to Steve Jobs on the service Sina Weibo. The iPhone 4S already on sale in China at high priceadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline TEHRAN,slotjoint no deposit bonus Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran said on Wednesday that an Iranian-flagged tanker carrying the country's oil, which was seized by Greece in April, has left the Greek waters for its predetermined destination. Making the announcement in a statement on its website, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said the tanker was released according to the agreements reached between Iranian and Greek maritime officials. In mid-April, Greek authorities seized the Lana oil tanker, formerly the Pegas, at the request of a U.S. court. After its seizure, the United States sent a ship to impound the oil from the Iranian vessel. Lana had been anchored off the Greek port of Piraeus since late July. The foreign ministry said Greece's decision "was faced with Iran's strong opposition from the very beginning," adding Iran had taken various legal measures and conducted rounds of negotiations with the Greek side, which eventually overturned the decision despite the pressure from "a third country." The impounded oil was returned to the ship, the ministry statement said. It also stated that Iran released on Wednesday the two Greek-flagged tankers it had seized in its southern waters in May. The Greek shipping ministry confirmed that the two Greek ships had left Iran on Wednesday, saying an agreement between Iran and Greece stipulates all ships should be freed on the same day. Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi discussed bilateral ties and cooperation with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle by phone Monday. It followed a phone hook-up between Chinas new Premier Li Keqiang and his casino joy slots eu casinos onlineGerman counterpart Angela Merkel on Friday, which Yang said indicated the importance the leadership of the two countries attached to further development of the relationship. The two sides should earnestly implement the consensus reached by their leaders, continue the inter-governmental consultation mechanism and strengthen coordination within multinational organizations, including the Group of 20, to push for the global economic recovery, he said. Westerwelle said his country was willing to continue cooperating and coordinating with China on major global and regional issues. Yang, the former Chinese foreign minister, was endorsed as state councilor Saturday at the first session of the 12th National Peoples Congress. Xinhua Chinese state councilor, German FM discuss tiesadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The Chinese government announced the establishment of the China National Renewable Energy Centre (CNREC), which is considered as part of efforts by the State to ensure the sustainable development of the second largest in the world economy. CNREC will be responsible for the state strategy to develop renewable energy sources, to organize the study of policies related to such energy sources, together with the implementation of programs of cooperation with international organizations in the area, said the government representatives at the opening ceremony of CNREC. The center also will assist interested agencies in the countrys road map of the development of photovoltaic energy, wind energy, biofuels and other renewable energy sources by collecting and analyzing relevant data, which would later be used in energy policy. The Centres activities will be funded mainly by the Chinese government under the program for renewable energy, and project China-Denmark a five-year program of cooperation between the Chinese and Danish governments launched in 2009. The government will fund CNREC 9 million Yuan in 2012 and 11 million Yuan in 2013, the China-Denmark project will supply 20 million Yuan each year in the following 2 years. China became the worlds largest investor in the development of renewable energy. In 2010, China has invested 300 billion Yuan (47.62 billion U.S. dollars) in this area. China established National Renewable Energy Centre (CNREC)added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), or the central bank, on Tuesday auctioned 26 billion yuan (4.12 billion U.S. dollars) of repurchase agreements (repo), the first such move in two months as liquidity improves after the Chinese lunar New Year holiday season. Yield of the 28-day repos stood at 2.8 percent. Demand for cash has subdued after the holiday and the markets liquidity has eased remarkably due to the PBOCs pre-season operations, said Jiang Chao (), chief bond analyst for Guotai Junan Securities. Since the start of January, the PBOC has released money back to banks by suspending bill and repo issues, or even reverse repos operations. Everyone in the market is closely monitoring the central banks moves, said Liu Junyu, a bond analyst with the China Merchants Bank. The market is still divided on whether the PBOC will soon lower the bank reserve requirement ratio (RRR) to ease liquidity. Compared with the pre-season squeeze, Chinese banks are now abundant with liquidity again, as suggested by the Shanghai Interbank Offered Rates (Shibor), which measures the cost of interbank borrowing as a key barometer of liquidity. The overnight Shibor stood at 2.7767 percent on Tuesday, compared with yield exceeding 8 percent one week before the Chinese lunar New Year. The one-week and two-week Shibor also softened to 3.5 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, from above 6 percent in the pre-season trading. PBOC drains funds from banks after liquidity improvesadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Thespin casino online casino U.S. seeds producer Monsanto is in talks with the Chinese Sinochem ()to significantly strengthen its ties with the company. The negotiations could lead to the creation of a joint venture or a marketing agreement. Discussions between the two companies have been difficult, since they touch on policy issues for China, including food independence. Sinochem is the largest importer and distributor of fertilizers in China. It is also a major producer of seeds. Monsanto is already associated with Sinochem in 2001 in a company producing maize seed, but it was a minority in capital. The American had injected an additional $84 million in 2008. Monsanto in Talks with Chinas Sinochem to Strengthen Tiesadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The deputy chief of staff of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army has stressed the importance of developing a new type of military relationship with the United States. Cai Yingting is now on a visit to the United States. He says the two countries need to strive to implement the consensus reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart Barack Obama on constructing a new type of relationship between big powers. It should based on mutual respect, equality, inclusiveness and mutual benefit. Cai has met with senior US military and government officials, including US Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. They exchanged views on the issues of Taiwan, Tibet, the South China Sea and the Diaoyu Islands. Carter says the US strategy in the Asia-Pacific region is not aimed at containing China and the US expects the two countries will continue to be partners. Cai emphasized that the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands are an integral part of Chinas territory. Cai Yingting, deputy chief of gen. staff of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army, said, We would prefer to resolve conflicts through peace talks and negotiations. We strongly reject the claim that the Diaoyu Islands fall within the scope of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. We hope the US will do something good to maintain regional peace and to maintain a good relationship between China and the US. CNTV China seeks new military relationship with U.S.added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline UN General Assembly President Vuk Jeremic will visit China from Dec. 26 to 28,sbobet88 baccarat 7 card stud free Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying announced Tuesday. Jeremic will pay the visit at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Hua told a daily press briefing. Xinhua UN General Assembly president to visit Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Security forces in China have made dozens of arrests following clashes in the region of Xinjiang on Tuesday. Xinhua news agency reported that twelve people had died in Yecheng County, near the city of Kashgar, where in recent months have seen an escalation of tension between Uighur and Han. Xinhua said that ten of the victims were stabbed dead by a group of protesters, while the other two were murderers been shot dead by the police. The official news agency did not report the cause of the fighting. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei denounced that the World Uyghur Congress was behind the attack. It was reported that after the incident, police carried out a raid and has made dozens of arrests. The Uighurs are Muslims, and also have other cultural differences with the Han, the ethnic majority in China, so the disputes are common. The clashes of July 2009 in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, has left 197 dead, most victims were Han, according to official figures. The strengthening of security measures that followed this wave of violence has angered the Uighurs, which account for 40 percent of Xinjiangs population of 21 million, although mostly in Kashgar and other southern cities. Dozens of arrests after violence in Xinjiangadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Macaos visitor arrivals in June this year reached 2,106,696, down by 3.4 percent over the same month of 2011, according to figures released on Monday by the citys Statistics and Census Service. Of all the arrivals in June, 49.4 percent spent only one day. And the average length of stay of visitors decreased by 0.1 day year-on-year to 1 day, the figures indicated. Analyzed by place of residence, visitors from the Chinese mainland increased slightly by 1.8 percent year-on-year to 1.22 million, of which 517,935 traveling to Macao under the Individual Visit Scheme, up by 11.3 percent year-on-year. Visitors from Hong Kong (558,878) and Taiwan (87,025) and South Korea (29,792) decreased by 9.9 percent, 22.1 percent and 4.2 percent respectively year-on-year, while those from Japan (34,614) registered a notable increase of 28.0 percent. Total visitor arrivals were 13,577,714 in the first half year of 2012, up by 2.5 percent year-on-year, according to the city s Statistics and Census Service. Xinhua Macaos visitor arrivals down 3.4% year-on-year in Juneadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline TikTok Abuja, Nigeria CNN Mubarak Isah Muhammad and Nazifi Muhammad Bala each received 20 lashes over their comic video of a Nigerian governor. Two TikTok comedians have been publicly whipped in Nigeria for making a video that a court in the northern Kano State ruled had defamed the state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, according to a judicial spokesperson. Mubarak Isah Muhammad, 26, and Nazifi Muhammad Bala, 23, each received 20 lashes for making defamatory statements about the governor, a spokesperson for Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, told CNN on Wednesday. The two friends, according to Ibrahim, were sentenced on Monday after being brought before a magistrates court on Friday. They were remanded in custody over the weekend, the judiciary spokesman said. They admitted the charges. They didnt even ask or beg for a lawyer to stand for them, Ibrahim told CNN. They were arraigned before the Kano State Magistrate Court for defaming the character of Governor Umar Ganduje on their TikTok social media account. When the charges were read to them, they pleaded guilty to the two counts of defamation of character and inciting public disturbance, Ibrahim said. CNN has made attempts to reach the two men and their lawyer for comment. AFP/AFP/AFP via Getty Images A team of Islamic sharia enforcers called Hisbah is on patrol in the northern Nigerian city of Kano in an open pickup on October 29, 2013. Nigerian atheist jailed 24 years for blasphemy Saifullahi Ibrahim, a close associate who visited the men in prison, told CNN the TikTok video was made four years ago and only resurfaced online recently. Ibrahim said he had known both men for over a decade. In addition to the public lashing ordered by the court, the men were ordered to pay a fine of 10,000 naira (around $23) each and cleaning including sweeping the court premises and washing the courts toilets for 30 days, Ibrahim stated. They were also ordered to make a video on social media to publicly apologize to Governor Ganduje. Osai Ojigho, the director of Amnesty International Nigeria, condemned the ruling, saying satirizing those in authority is not a crime. The human rights agency called on Nigerian authorities to immediately quash this appalling sentence. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong wants the ruling of the magistrates court challenged at a higher court. I dont understand why people should be flogged. Such form of punishment is inhumane and is inconsistent with the right to dignity of the human person, Effiong told CNN. It is also doubtful whether they were given a fair trial. I believe that the two men should take steps to challenge the decision at the higher court. Effiong added that it was the right of citizens to criticize their leaders. CNN CNN's Stephanie Busari speaks with Omar Farouq, the Nigerian teen who was freed after his 10-year prison sentence for blasphemy was overturned. Farouq was convicted in a Sharia court in Kano State in northwest Nigeria after he was accused of using foul language toward Allah in an argument with a friend. 'They were unjust to me,' says teenager freed after blasphemy sentence quashed in Nigeria Citizens have the right under the constitution to freedom of expression, and that right should be respected, particularly as it relates to public office holders. The rights of citizens to criticize them is preserved under the constitution, he said. Governor Ganduje had previously come under public criticism after a video that surfaced on local media in 2018 appeared to have captured him pocketing huge amounts of US dollars in a flowing robe that were believed to be proceeds from a bribe. The governor has denied all allegations. Kano, located in northern Nigeria, operates under its own strict interpretation of Sharia law. Convictions for blasphemy are common in the largely Muslim-dominated state, where a version of the Sharia law is enforced by religious police known as the Hisbah Corps. Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y.L. Lin reaffirmed national sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Archipelago Oct. 18, urging Japan to resolve disputes in accordance with the governments East China Sea peace initiative. The Diaoyutai Islands actually form an inherent part of the territory of the ROC based on the islands geographical location, geological structure, relevant historical evidence, and international law, Lin said. Japans claim over the islands simply does not stand up to close scrutiny. Lin, who made the remarks in his commentary carried by respected U.S. publication Foreign Policy, described Tokyos Sept. 11 move to nationalize three islets in the Diaoyutais as raising tensions in East Asia. Japans claim of sovereignty over the Diaoyutai Islands by virtue of discovery-occupation under international law is invalid ab initio [from the onset], as such claims can only be made to terra nullius [land without owner]. According to Lin, the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) was forced to cede the Diaoyutais and other territories to Japan as per Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895. But these territories were all returned to the ROC after WWII based on the Cairo and Postdam declarations, the Instrument of Surrender of Japan, the San Francisco Treaty, and the Treaty of Peace between the ROC and Japan, he added. Given recent events, Lin said, the best way forward for Japan is to embrace the initiative and join in forging a path of coexistence and mutual prosperity. Proposed Aug. 5 by ROC President Ma Ying-jeou, the five-point plan urges all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions; not abandon dialogue; observe international law; resolve disputes through peaceful means; and form a mechanism for exploring and developing resources on a cooperative basis. Separately, Randall G. Schriver, former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, praised Taiwan for taking concrete actions to resolve Diaoyutais disputes Oct. 17 during a seminar hosted by Washington-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. Schriver said while Japan and the U.S. are facing domestic pressure with elections on the horizon, Taiwan has more flexibility in managing the issue by leveraging claims of sovereignty and fishing rights. In his address at the seminar, former MOFA Deputy Minister Stephen S.F. Chen called on Japan to recognize the existence of a sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyutais and enter into dialogue as outlined by the initiative. Although some see it as all a tall order for Taiwan, Japan and mainland China to hold trilateral talks on the issue, they could start less ambitiously and embark upon unofficial consultations through intermediary organizations, Chen said. The Diaoyutais are an uninhabited archipelago located roughly 170 kilometers northeast of Taiwan proper. The island group is historically attached to the ROC and includes Diaoyutai Island and the islets of Huangwei and Chiwei. Rachel Chan Taiwan Today Taiwan MOFA reaffirms Diaoyutais sovereigntyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Suspected food poisoning sickened more than 50 students in south Chinas Hainan province on Thursday,usa mobile casino 1 bit coin price local authorities said. The students in the Landun bilingual school in Haikou City suffered from vomiting, fever and dizziness after lunch, a teacher in the school told Xinhua. Three students were hospitalized and several were under medical observation. The rest had left hospital after treatment by Thursday night, according to the Peoples Hospital of Hainan. Suspected food poisoning sickens 50 in south Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China to review its policy of restricting exports of rare earth to reflect the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) reported on Wednesday,the best american car to buy said the official media. A WTO panel ruled yesterday that restrictions on the export of certain raw materials used by China were contrary to international trade law. The European Commission welcomed the decision, saying it could press China to abandon its export restrictions on rare earth. China produces 97% of rare earth in the world, vital for the sectors of high technology. Beijing has cut export quotas by 35% in the first half, in addition to previous limitations. The Chinese government will study and take positive steps in the export of rare earth according to relevant laws and rules of the WTO, said Vice Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan, quoted by Xinhua news. He stressed that the rare earths are non-renewable sources and resources of strategic importance and the adjustment of the export policy would take into account production and consumption within the country. China To Revalue Export Policy of Rare Earthadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline DHL Global Forwarding, a subsidiary of leading global logistics company Deutsche Post DHL, will set up an integrated logistics center in south Chinas city of Shenzhen, according to an agreement signed Tuesday. The center will be located in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, which was given approval by the State Council in late June to enjoy a series of preferential financial policies. DHL will take advantage of the zones preferential policies, world-class logistic facilities and strategic location to innovate its modern logistics and supply chain business in south China, according to the agreement signed between DHL and the Qianhai zone authority. DHL is expected to create a regional shipping hub and distribution center in Qianhai and will look at the possibility of establishing a regional business headquarters there. The Qianhai zone, a 15-km stretch of reclaimed land in Qianhai Bay, is in western Shenzhen and located near Hong Kong and Macao. The central government aims to build Qianhai into a pioneering zone to forge closer cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland. The area will be used as a pilot zone for financial sector reforms after an array of steps taken by the government to boost the international use of the yuan, Chinas currency. Xinhua DHL to launch integrated logistics center in south Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Thebest slots on 32red nigma ti 2021 food giant Nestle has opened preliminary discussions with the Chinese group Hsu Fu Chi International (). However, an agreement was not yet in sight. The Swiss group Nestle would expand its presence in China by acquiring the confectioner Hsu Fu Chi International, whose market value is estimated at 2.6 billion dollars. Discussions between the two groups would be held on an irregular basis for two years and their outcome would remain uncertain, according to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter. Negotiations still have many obstacles to overcome and the contract could not be realized for weeks. In addition, other groups might be interested in the listed company in Singapore. This would be one of the largest takeovers of a Chinese company by a foreign group. Hsu Fu Chi International products include candies, chocolates, pastries, Chinese cakes. Nestle could thus strengthen its confectionery division, which accounted for 11% of total revenues in 2010 and posted an organic growth of 7%. Nestle said that discussions with the Chinese company were only at a preliminary stage, without giving details. For its part, Hsu Fu Chi stated that it has engaged in preliminary discussions with Nestle and confidential for a possible transaction, but said there was no certainty that a transaction to materialize. In order to develop the company and its brands, the groups long-standing strategic discussions with potential partners in the confectionery market, including Japan, Europe and the United States, also noted the Chinese group. Nestle is not at its first sign of interest in China this year. In April 2011, the Swiss group has signed an agreement to acquire a 60% stake in its Chinese partner Yinlu Foods Group. The latter is the co-manufacturers of Nescafe instant coffee in China and achieved a turnover of around 600 million euros in 2010. The Chinese group has also specialized in the marketing of canned milk, peanut and rice porridge. This acquisition foreshadows our long-term investment in China and our willingness to further develop local brands, indicated Paul Bulcke, CEO of Nestle. At present, the Swiss food giant owns 23 plants and two research and development centers in China, with 14,000 employees. In 2010, sales of Nestle in China rose 11% to 2.1 billion euros, or 2.5% of total turnover. The Swiss produced in China beverage, dairy and ice cream, prepared meals, confectionery, food stuffs. For Nestle, strengthen business in China could be part of its growth strategy in emerging markets. Indeed, the Swiss group wants to achieve 45% of its revenues in emerging markets in 2020, against 36% currently. These activities have grown organically by 11.5% last year. In these countries, infant nutrition products, chocolate, coffee, or water, already have a successful result. In contrast, frozen and prepared meals do not yet have a significant demand, says Nestle. On Wednesday, the value Nestle lost 0.19% to 52.95 Swiss francs on the Zurich stock exchange. On Monday, Hsu Fu Chi has announced the voluntary suspension in the Singapore Stock Exchange, to avoid abnormal fluctuations. Nestle Opened Preliminary Discussions with Hsu Fu Chiadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Taiwanese businesspeople on Friday urged the islands authorities to lift the ban on Taiwanese people holding public posts in the Chinese mainland. Taiwans legislative authorities on Friday held a public hearing on an amendment to the regulation on relations of the people across the Taiwan Strait. About a dozen representatives of those doing business on the mainland were invited to offer suggestions. Mark Yeh,lucky 88 casino 180 bet tips today executive vice chairman of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland (ATIEM) and a specially invited member of the Guangdong provincial committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said at the public hearing that Taiwanese businessmen can assist in the handling of issues involving Taiwan people through channels provided by the CPPCC system. Yeh also said their involvement in the CPPCC can better protect Taiwanese businesspeoples rights and interests in the mainland. Tseng Chan-jaw, executive vice chairman of the ATIEM and chairman of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises in Xiamen, Fujian Province, said Taiwanese businesspeople can participate in the discussion of political affairs on the mainland through the CPPCC system. Tseng added that they can also join the major political sessions in the mainland each year. This will help them to better understand the mainlands policies, which is conducive to the development of Taiwanese businesses on the mainland. Taiwan invests heavily in the Chinese mainland, with more than 87,000 Taiwanese enterprises and more than 1 million Taiwanese businesspeople on the mainland. Citing the regulation, authorities in Taiwan ban Taiwanese people from holding public posts in the mainland. However, the regulation can accommodate those taking posts as specially invited members at different levels of CPPCC committees. Kuo Shan-hui, chairman of the ATIEM, said at the hearing that the amendment to the regulations has a direct bearing on the lives and businesses of Taiwanese businesspeople on the mainland, and he asked for the ban to be lifted. Published in 1992, the regulation is used by Taiwanese authorities to deal with issues concerning cross-Strait exchanges in economic, trade, cultural and other fields. It has gradually become outdated, as cross-Strait relations have witnessed significant developments in recent years. Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou said earlier this month that reviewing the regulation is currently one of the major cross-Strait issues for authorities. He called for amending some of the items of the regulation that do not fit the current circumstances, in an effort to make exchanges more reciprocal. Xinhua Taiwan authorities hold hearing on lifting mainland post banadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline TEHRAN,casino games bonus Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 10 others injured on Wednesday in a drive-by shooting attack on a market in the southwestern Iranian city of Izeh, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. At 17:30 local time (1400 GMT), armed assailants driving two motorcycles opened fire on people as well as police and security forces in Izeh's central market in Khuzestan Province, Tasnim quoted Valiollah Hayati, Khuzestan's deputy governor for security affairs, as saying. He said three young men, one nine-year-old girl and a 45-year-old woman were killed in the attack, adding some of the wounded are in critical condition. A search has begun to identify and arrest those behind the "terrorist attack," Hayati said, noting security has been restored to the city. According to another report by the semi-official Fars news agency, the assailants were armed with Kalashnikov rifles. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. Investment in Taiwan from the Chinese mainland has reached 722 million U.S. dollars since the island opened to mainland investors on June 30, 2009. As of Monday, mainland authorities have approved 133 cases of mainland-invested enterprises and projects to Taiwan, according to Yang Yi, spokesman for the State Councils Taiwan Affairs Office, at a regular press conference on Wednesday. Yang was quoting statistics from the Ministry of Commerce. In the first nine months of 2012, the mainland approved 1,587 investment projects involving 2.16 billion dollars, from Taiwan to the mainland, Yang said. During that period, trade volume between the mainland and Taiwan reached 121.21 billion dollars, registering a 0.2 percent increase year-on-year, according to the spokesman. The value of imports from Taiwan was 95.46 billion dollars and the exports to the island was 25.75 billion dollars, Yang said. The spokesman also clarified a recent rumor, which claimed that food and beverage manufacturer Master Kong was a Japanese enterprise. He said it was a Taiwan-based brand. However, the spokesman stressed that the Hong Kong-listed company has equity investments from various parties. Earlier rumors claiming that Master Kong was a Japanese brand spread amid the row between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands. Xinhua Mainlands investment in Taiwan tops 700 million USDadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China on Wednesday called for an immediate ceasefire in Syria as a deadline underlined by the UN Security Council nears. Again, China calls on the Syrian government to respond to [Kofi] Annans six-point proposal and grasp the opportunity to fulfill its promises of troop withdrawal and ceasefire fully and immediately before the deadline, with the actions that it has taken, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular press briefing, urging the Syrian government to make more efforts to ease current tensions and push ahead with the political resolution process. The six-point proposal put forward by Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general now acting as an envoy to Syria for the UN and the Arab League, has set April 10 as the deadline for troop withdrawal and April 12 as the deadline for a complete ceasefire between the Syrian army and rebels. On March 21, the UN Security Council adopted a presidential statement to endorse Annans proposal. Meanwhile, opposition groups in Syria should also cease fire immediately and take concrete measures to implement Annans six-point proposal, said the Chinese spokesman. Liu said that Annans proactive efforts to realize a full ceasefire have offered a rare opportunity to resolve the Syrian crisis, which broke out in March 2011. The Chinese side is deeply concerned with the ongoing violence and conflict that continue to cause more and more casualties in Syria despite the nearing deadline, Liu said. The Syria issue is highly complicated and it is not easy to secure a political resolution, said the spokesman, adding that Annans mediation efforts are a feasible path to a political resolution to the crisis. The Chinese side has always been persuading Syria in its own way, said the spokesman, adding that all other parties in the international community should also remain patient and work harder to support Annans mediation efforts. The Chinese side will continue its firm support for Annan, the envoy, in his mediation efforts to push ahead with a political resolution to the Syria issue, he added. Xinhua China calls for immediate ceasefire in Syria as deadline nearsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Jinling Library in Nanjing,conquer casino no deposit bonus capital of East China's Jiangsu province.[Photo/Official website of Jinling Library.] The first "Window of Chinese Books" in Europe was launched on Tuesday, with an online book donation ceremony from China's Jinling Library to Malta Libraries. The two libraries also signed the first memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of public libraries between China and Malta. The online event was held at the Central Public Library in Floriana, Malta, the most well-stocked of 57 around the country. More than 200 books were donated by Jinling Library in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province. They cover fields such as ancient Chinese literature and art, history, geography, and contemporary Chinese politics, economy, culture, tourism, and food. Maltese Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, and Chinese Ambassador to Malta Yu Dunhai welcomed the collaboration. They also expressed hope that the donated books will open a new window of understanding of Chinese culture, history and social development for the Maltese people. Books are a crucial conduit for the cultural exchange between two countries, said Xia Jun, deputy director of the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, at the ceremony. Malta and China have developed vibrant cultural relations, said Sharon Scicluna, deputy director of the Maltese Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, adding that the opportunities arising from the signing of the MoU will further enhance cooperation. Malta Libraries has been collaborating with the China Cultural Centre since 2018, when a Chinese collection was established at the Central Public Library. The books donated on Tuesday not only provide a mini encyclopedia of Chinese culture and tourism, but are also a precious gift of friendship from the people of Nanjing to the Maltese people, said Yuan Yuan, director of the China Cultural Centre in Malta. Jinling Library has always focused on using books as a bridge to understanding of Chinese culture for global citizens, said the Library's director Jiao Xiang. The book donation event was co-hosted by the Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the China Cultural Centre in Malta. Jinling Library, founded in 1927, established its first "Window of Chinese Books" overseas in Nigeria in 2013. There are now 11 around the world. People are silhouetted against the Sydney Opera House at sunset in Australia,hollywood slots phone number on Nov 2, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] In late October, Australia dropped its opposition to a landmark treaty banning nuclear weapons in a vote at the United Nations. The shift in its voting position to "abstain" after five years of "no" is significant. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) prohibits the development, testing, stockpiling, use and threats regarding the use of nuclear weapons. The change comes as the US is planning to deploy nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the country, where the weapons will be positioned close enough to strike China. US pressure vs. Australian aspirations Defending the vote, foreign affairs minister Penny Wong stresses Australia has "a long and proud commitment to the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime" and the government supports the treaty's "ambition of a world without nuclear weapons." The Australian labor government is now facing extraordinary pressure due to its stand. Recently, the US warned Australia against joining the TPNW. As the US embassy in Canberra put it, the treaty "would not allow for US extended deterrence relationships." It argues that the agreement could hamper defense arrangements between the US and its allies. The original commentary was published by China-US Focus on Nov 15, 2022. Beatrice Fihn, executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the Nobel-awarded organization behind the TPNW, called the US embassy's comments "irresponsible" adding, "Using nuclear weapons is unacceptable, for Russia, for North Korea and for the US, UK and all other states in the world. There are no 'responsible' nuclear armed states. These are weapons of mass destruction and Australia should sign the #TPNW!" (Figure 1). Figure 1 ICAN: US nuclear blackmail A screenshot from Beatrice Fihn's Twitter account. Only 6% of Australians support nuclear arms Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes that "nuclear weapons are the most destructive, inhumane and indiscriminate weapons ever created." That was the basis for his 2018 motion to commit the Labor Party to supporting the TPNW. The Labor's 2021 platform included a commitment to signing and ratifying the treaty "after taking account" of factors including the development of "an effective verification and enforcement architecture." Recently, New Zealand said it was "pleased to observe a positive shift" in Australia's position in the UN vote and "would, of course, welcome any new ratifications as an important step to achieving a nuclear weapon-free world." The treaty now has 91 signatories, 68 of which have formally ratified it, and it entered into force last year. An overwhelming majority of Australians backs the government's position. According to an Ipsos poll taken in March, 76% of people support the country signing and ratifying the treaty, while only 6% are opposed. The real gap is between the profit objectives of the US Big Defense and the peaceful aspirations of Australian people. AUKUS at stake In 2021, Australia angered France by canceling a deal to build a fleet of submarines and opting to build nuclear-powered submarines with US and UK technology. According to the new trilateral security pact (AUKUS) between the United States, the UK and Australia, Washington and London will "help" Canberra to develop and deploy nuclear-powered submarines (Figure 2). Figure 2 The AUKUS debacle Source: Screenshot via Naval News The AUKUS deal effectively killed Australia's $90 billion conventional submarine deal with France, thereby causing a major ruckus with Washington's NATO partner. In addition to technology to build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines, the pact will also cover artificial intelligence and other technologies in one of these countries' biggest defense partnerships in decades. It will make Australia the seventh nation in the world to operate nuclear-powered submarines. The pact will also escalate regional arms races and nuclear proliferation, which is strongly opposed by China, and it casts a dark shadow over the aims of the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ, 1995). Indeed, it will effectively contribute to the erosion of the long-anticipated Asian Century by militarizing the region and dividing its dynamic economic engines. Winners and losers If the stakes are so high, why this interest in the weapons of mass destruction? Here's the simple answer: follow the money. The Pentagon and the Department of Energy have been ramping up a three-decades-long plan to build a new generation of nuclear-armed bombers, submarines and missiles, coupled with new warheads. The price tag for operating current weapons and building new ones could reach a confounding $2 trillion. The cost of nuclear weapons deployment, development, and procurement could soar to $634 billion. For the fiscal year 2022, the Pentagon budget proposal includes billions of dollars for new nuclear delivery vehicles, with a handful of contractors as the primary beneficiaries, including General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, along with Huntington Ingalls, Honeywell, and Bechtel. Australia's privilege is to pay the bill. In June, Australia announced a $585 million settlement with France's Naval Group as compensation for scuppering a submarine contract with Paris. According to current estimates, Australia's nuclear submarines could cost up to $171 billion. Australia is today among the four largest importers of arms, globally. In 2021, it spent over $1.2 billion on the import of weaponry, according to SIPRI, making the formerly-peaceful nation the world's No.1 importer of deadly capability. Since two-thirds of Australia's military imports come from the US, America's Big Defense is the great beneficiary of the trend (Figure 3). Figure 3 The Top-4 importers of major arms and their main suppliers, 201721 Source: SIPRI According to recent disclosures by The Washington Post, the Pentagon's high-level influence operations in Australia have escalated since the mid-2010s. The results are stunning. Between 2012-16 and 2017-21, Australia's share of global arms exports doubled. In the period, that translates to an increase of a stunning 92%; more than in any other arms exporter worldwide, except for South Korea and India. Economic costs of geopolitics In Canberra, some conservatives see these trends as positive. They want to turn Australia into a world-class military-industrial complex a more advanced version of the "arms depots" in Taiwan and Ukraine. In the past, US-Australian bilateral interests converged in security matters, but diverged in trade and investment. However, a decade ago, I argued in a Reuters analysis that Australia was "no longer immune to the stagnation in the West." Worse, the past decade has witnessed a drastic shift toward hawkish geopolitics at the expense of welfare. In the 2000s, a more open stance ensured strong growth on the back of China's industrialization. But in the past decade, the return to geopolitics and neoliberalism has derailed progress. As economic growth is gradually stagnating, military expenditures have increased sixfold in the past two decades. Worse, government debt has increased tenfold in just one decade. As a net effect, income inequality has progressively increased since the 1980s, particularly in the past decade, asthe old egalitarian ideals have been brushed away, polarization and divides of class, race and gender have deepened. (Figure 4) Figure 4 Demise of egalitarian dreams Source: TradingEconomics; WID database; DifferenceGroup Whose national interest? In January, Australia agreed to a $3.5 billion deal with the US to acquire more than 120 tanks and other armored vehicles to upgrade its military fleet. In November, Australian media reported that up to six US nuclear-capable B-52s would be sent to the Royal Australian Air Force's Tindal base in northern Australia. The move led China to accuse the US of stoking nuclear tensions in the region. The Albanese government faces the prospect of a blowout in defense spending which reflects annual growth of 7.4% in nominal terms and 3.8% in real terms. While the economy faces prospects of stagnation and the population is aging, defense spending is increasing two to three times faster than economic growth. That's untenable. The Biden administration has made Australia a central part of its defense strategy. It needs a military-industrial complex in the country which is being forced into the kind of nuclear escalation that two of three Australians oppose. These strategic objectives are very much in the interest of US Big Defense. But they are not in Australia's national interest. Dr. Dan Steinbock is an internationally recognized strategist of the multipolar world and the founder of Difference Group. He has served at the India, China and America Institute (USA), Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). The original commentary was published by China-US Focus on Nov 15, 2022. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily. If you have a specific expertise, or would like to share your thought about our stories, then send us your writings at [email protected], and [email protected]. Foreign Minister of China, Yang Jiechi said that China will continue to develop friendly cooperation with South Sudan and to take its independence and the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations as a new beginning. Yang made the remarks during a meeting with President of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, during an official visit to South Sudan after concluding a two-day official visit to Khartoum. Yang said China attaches great importance to developing relations with Southern Sudan and will continue to support efforts to maintain its sovereignty and independence. The minister said China will also support Southern Sudan in relation to play its own role in the UN and other international and regional organizations and will continue providing aid to south Sudan within its means. Yang stressed that the two sides should enhance cooperation in the fields of oil, mining, agriculture, infrastructure and construction, China will continue to help South Sudan to improve peoples living conditions. Salva Kiir Mayardit welcomed Yang as the first Minister of a permanent member of the Security Council of UN visiting South Sudan. The president said there is great potential for cooperation between China and South Sudan as all areas are developing in this newly established country. The president said there are no problems between China and South Sudan and South Sudan has always regarded China as an important partner for cooperation. The president added that South Sudan will further develop its relationship with China and hoped that his country would continue to receive aid from China in the fields of oil, agriculture, health and education. China Will Develop Friendly Cooperation With South Sudanadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline President Xi Jinping meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Bali,bovada random jackpot winners Indonesia, Nov 15, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday vowed to bolster communication and coordination in response to global challenges ranging from climate change to food security. They made the commitments on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, during their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The high-level exchanges the two countries have maintained and the joint stand they seek to take are a boon to the world amid the complex and volatile international situation. Saying the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict stretch beyond Europe's frontiers, both leaders agreed on the urgency for de-escalation and the need to prevent any use of nuclear weapons. The talks between the two leaders underscored the close coordination between the two countries and the great importance the two sides attach to their relations, which were upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2004, the first between China and a major Western country. The two countries have developed robust economic and trade relations in recent years, and see eye to eye with each other on such key global issues as multilateralism, economic globalization and climate change. All this has laid a solid foundation for the sound and healthy development of Sino-French relationship. Indeed, among the major Western powers France stands out with a foreign policy tradition that features independence from external influence, a virtue that has been inherited by nearly every French leader since General Charles de Gaulle. In fact, France was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1964. Thus it comes as no surprise that Xi, during his talks with Macron, emphasized a spirit of independence and autonomy when speaking on how to further develop China-France and China-EU relations. He noted that both China and France are important forces in the multipolar world, and the two countries should respect each other's core interests and major concerns and deepen pragmatic cooperation in such areas as green energy, aviation and nuclear energy. As a key member of the European Union, France can also play a key role in promoting China-EU economic and trade cooperation, since the mutual trust and friendship between China and France, and the strategic autonomy France upholds are conducive to the strengthening of China-EU relations. Last year, China-EU trade exceeded $800 billion for the first time while investments exceeded $270 billion. In the first eight months of this year, total trade between China and the EU amounted to $575.22 billion, up 8.8 percent year-on-year, and the EU's investment in China totaled $7.45 billion, up 121.5 percent year-on-year. All this bodes well for future Sino-French and Sino-EU relations. A senior Chinese official has called for improvements to peoples livelihoods,only winning tips crypto for idiots ethnic unity and frontier security in southwest Chinas Yunnan Province, a region bordering Myanmar. Zhou Yongkang, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said during an inspection tour of Yunnan between Oct. 27 and 29 that public security bureaus should strengthen border inspection and crack down hard on drug smuggling and terrorism. Zhous visit came just over a month after a Myanmar drug runner and five of his gang members stood trial for the murder of 13 sailors on the Mekong River in the Golden Triangle Region on Oct. 5, 2011. Naw Kham, the principal suspect, pleaded guilty to murder in a local court in Yunnan. The verdict has yet to be announced. Visiting the public security bureau in Yunnans Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, which investigated the murdering case, Zhou extended his gratitude to its contribution to seizing the suspects. Zhou, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, praised the Kunming City Intermediate Peoples Court in the provincial capital for its innovation in hearing the murder case. It is a severe transnational criminal case, which attracted great attention from the Party, government and people, Zhou said, adding the case was busted with the assistance of relevant nations and Chinas law enforcement authorities at all levels. Some law enforcement staff even gave their lives investigating the case, said Zhou, who extended his condolence to the judicial staff. The senior official expressed hope that judicial authorities can do solid work in sentencing Naw Kham and his associates, using facts as a basis and the law as criterion, so that the case will stand the test of law, history and people. With a length of almost 5,000 km, the Mekong is one of the most important waterways in Southeast Asia, linking China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It plays a crucial economic role among the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries. Cargo ferries, though briefly suspended following the murders, resumed services on the river in December. Xinhua Zhou Yongkang urges frontier security in Yunnanadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline China's Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun speaks at the UN headquarters in New York.(Photo: Xinhua) China has always hoped that the UN General Assembly resolutions will reflect the situation in Afghanistan in a comprehensive and objective manner, rather than be biased toward individual countries, Chinese envoy at the United Nations said on Thursday explaining Chinas decision of abstaining from the vote on issues relating to Afghanistan.Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that the draft resolution, regrettably, is unbalanced especially on a series of important issues such as unfreezing Afghan assets abroad, investigating crimes committed by foreign forces in Afghanistan, and the risk of proliferation of weapons left behind in Afghanistan. These issues should not be ignored in the resolution, said Zhang.The Afghan people are waiting for an explanation of the crimes committed by foreign troops in Afghanistan, and the countries that are mainly responsible for the current situation must seriously reflect on the mistakes and take appropriate assistance for the countrys development. The practice of political blockade and isolation will not solve the problem, but will exacerbate the suffering of the Afghan people, said the Chinese envoy.With the hasty withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan last year, the 20-year war in Afghanistan ended in chaos. History has once again proved that military intervention doesnt work in Afghanistan, and that the fate of the country must be in the hands of the Afghan people themselves.As a neighbor of Afghanistan, China has actively supported the countrys peaceful development. In the past year, the Chinese government provided 300 million yuan in emergency aid to Afghanistan and actively implemented 1 billion yuan in bilateral aid.Starting next month, China will implement zero tariff on 98 percent of items imported from Afghanistan, which is another important initiative to support the local people with practical actions to generate income and improve their livelihood.China will continue to work with the international community to support Afghanistan's participation in regional cooperation and connectivity, unleash its geopolitical advantages, and achieve stability and prosperity.Delegations from other countries including Pakistan also pointed out that the international community needs to engage meaningfully with the Afghan Taliban if it is to help Afghanistan develop.Global Times Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow into China shrank by 7.3 percent year on year to 9.27 billion U.S. dollars in the first month of 2013,ignition casino sign up the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Wednesday. The pace of decline quickened from 4.5 percent registered for December. The countrys FDI inflow has been declining since June as the global economy falters and Chinas labor costs increase. In January, the manufacturing sector, which received the largest share of Chinas FDI, used a total of 4.43 billion U.S. dollars of overseas investment, down 5.8 percent year on year, MOC data showed. FDI for the service sector marked a greater decline. The sector used 4.03 billion U.S. dollars of overseas investment in January, down 9.8 percent year on year. Particularly, FDI in the property sector dipped 14 percent year on year, the data indicated. Although the January FDI figures have dropped, there are some positive signs, MOC spokesman Shen Danyang told a press conference here. In January, the European Union invested a total of 820 million U.S. dollars in Chinese enterprises, up 81.8 percent from a year ago. A total of 140 new enterprises were founded in China due to EU investment, up 30.8 percent year on year, according to the MOC. In general, the number of new foreign-invested companies rose 34.3 percent to 1,883 in January. Despite so, we can not judge the whole-year trend based on a single months data. As I mentioned last month, the impetus of FDIs future growth has not vanished and the investment scale is expected to stay stable in 2013. Shen said. As outside uncertainties remain, the general situation will be grim, he noted, citing UN figures showing the transnational direct investment dwindled 18 percent last year, with that in Asia dropping 9.5 percent. China remains the second largest FDI destination after the United States, he said. In contrast to the shrinking FDI, Chinas Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) increased 12.3 percent year on year to 4.91 billion U.S. dollars in January. The figure excluded the investment in the financial sector. Xinhua Chinas FDI inflow declines further in Jan.added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline One of the two largest purchasers of Iranian oil in China the company Unipec (China International United Petroleum & Chemicals Co., Ltd.), subsidiary of Sinopec will reduce its purchases of Iranian oil this year. The other major Chinese buyer the state-owned oil trader Zhuhai Zhenrong will remain the same amount of purchases to 240,000 barrels per day. Its difficult to specify how much lower will be the volume of Unipecs purchases. Last year, it bought 260,000 barrels of Iranian oil per day. Market participants expect that China, by contrast, will increase purchases of oil in Iran against the backdrop of a European embargo, which may leave the Islamic republic with no foreign exchange earnings. This years negotiations on the supply of crude oil between the two countries was delayed, although the agreements are usually in January. Market participants believe that China is trying to capitalize the situation and force Tehran to reduce the price of oil. Even if China will reduce imports from Iran, it still remains the largest market for Tehran. Last year, Beijing increased its purchases by 30 percent to a record 555,000 barrels a day. The Islamic Republic is the third largest supplier of oil to China by the seller after Saudi Arabia and Angola. Iran has already faced a shortage of currency and other difficulties caused by the oil embargo by the European Union. The ban on the purchase of crude oil in the Islamic republic will come into full force on 1 July this year. Iran threatens to cut off supplies before then, without giving the EU the possibility of finding other sellers of oil. In particular, February 19, Tehran has stopped the sale of crude oil to French and British companies. A day later, according to Agence France-Presse, Iran has threatened to cut supplies to a few European countries including Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Germany and Holland. Chinese company Unipec to reduce purchases of Iranian oiladded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Chinas largest inland port, the port of Alataw Pass () in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, saw its foreign trade value reach 17.4 billion U.S. dollars last year, up by 46.5 percent from the previous year. Last year, China imported 18.62 million tonnes of goods through the port, with an import value of 14 billion U.S. dollars. Exports hit 1.72 million tonnes with a value of 3.4 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Customs of Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang. Bordering Kazakhstan, the port of Alataw Pass has a combination of railway, highway and pipeline transports. Crude oil, petroleum products, electrolytic copper and cotton are the main imports through the port. Chinas largest inland port foreign trade up by 46.5%added by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Trump goes after 'Ron DeSanctimonious' again after Florida governor's re-election closeVideo Fox News Kevin Corke reports on the battle for control of Congress with key races in Arizona, Nevada and Georgia still too close to call and discusses former President Trump taking a dig at Gov. Ron DeSantis. Comedy Central host Charlamagne Tha God sounded the alarm for Democrats that they have "nobody" who can win the presidency in 2024. During a panel discussion about the midterms on Thursday's installment of "Hell of a Week," Charlamagne acknowledged Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is "looking strong" after he won re-election by a nearly 20-point margin, saying he's "like Trump but with a functioning bladder." While he speculated whether DeSantis is able to "take the party away" from former President Donald Trump, one thing Charlamagne seemed certain of was that neither one of them will face a formidable Democratic foe in the next election cycle. CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD HITS BIDEN FOR DEFENDING HUNTER: CHOSE TO LOCK UP INSTEAD OF HELP BLACK DRUG OFFENDERS "Hell of a Week" host Charlamagne Tha God sounded the alarm that Democrats have "nobody" to defeat either former President Trump or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024. (Screenshot/Comedy Central) "We know in 2024, it's gonna be DeSantis or Trump, but I think what should scare people is that the Democrats don't got nobody," Charlamagne said. "So I disagree with that," Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., pushed back. "Who do you think the Democrats got?" Charlamagne asked. AS DESANTIS SAILS TOWARDS RE-ELECTION, FLORIDA NEWSPAPERS ENDORSE CRIST IN HOPES OF OUSTING BULLY GOVERNOR "I think we have a long bench," Bowman responded. "So we have Elizabeth Warren, who's a possibility-" "C'mon," Charlamagne mocked the suggestion. Bowman also floated Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, even himself. "You think America is ready to vote for a progressive like that?" Charlamagne asked about Ocasio-Cortez. "Absolutely, absolutely," Bowman responded. "The largest growing voting block in the country are millennials and Gen Z. That's her base, that's her generation, she could absolutely get it done." HOUSE DEMOCRAT CAMPAIGN CHIEF BLASTS AOC AFTER NEW YORK LOSSES: I DIDNT SEE HER ONE MINUTE' HELPING "And again, Jamaal Bowman might be on the ballot in 2024. Who knows," Bowman continued. "It's about shifting the consciousnesses of America and painting a vision of what's possible. No one on the Republican side can do that and no tradition Democrats are doing that like our more progressive base in the House. "I mean this respectfully, I ain't hearing nobody that can beat DeSantis and Trump," Charlamagne told the lawmaker. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) speaks at the National Action Networks (NAN) three-day annual national convention on April 07, 2022 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Charlmagne later swiped Democrats for taking a victory lap following the results of the midterm elections, which can still result in Republicans retaking Congress. "That's not a win if the GOP gets the House and the Senate," the Comedy Central host said. Bowman responded by pointing out how Republicans came drastically short of the "red wave" that was expected, saying their potential single-digit gains in the House of Representatives "is not a win." BILL MAHER MARVELS AT GOP POPULARITY AMONG HISPANIC VOTERS: DEMOCRATS' PANDERING HASN'T WORKED "That means they still have to work with us to get things done in the House, especially when you have a Democratic president," Bowman said. "There was a red wave in New York state though, which is very problematic because this is a Democratic state and it's because Democrats continued to out-Republican the Republican." "What does that mean?" Charlamagne asked. "So, you know, we take their narrative on crime, for example, and try to tell it in a better way when we should be, again, shifting the consciousness of focusing on poverty, focusing on mental health, focusing on substance abuse, focusing on the issues that we know lead to crime in the first place and focusing on rehabilitation," Bowman said. "Democrats have failed at that and we failed, to your point, of connecting to the grassroots and connecting with real people in the hood who have been disengaged. We have to do a better job of targeting them and bringing them into the process." Congressional candidate Mike Lawler delivers a speech to supporters before knowing the final results during an election night party, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, in Pearl River, N.Y. ((AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)) As Bowman pointed out, Republicans made big gains in New York despite falling short at the top of the ticket. While GOP gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin failed to oust Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, he is being credited for helping carry several House candidates to flip blue seats red. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP Among them are Rep.-elect Mike Lawler, who defeated Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in charge of getting his party's candidates over the finish line. Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn. Chinas top political advisor Jia Qinglin delivered a report on the work of the countrys top political advisory body at the opening meeting of its annual full session which started in the Great Hall of the People Saturday afternoon. Following are highlights of the Work Report of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, which was distributed to journalists upon the opening of the session: LENDING WISDOM TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND REFORM During the Fourth Plenary Session of the 11th CPPCC National Committee, political advisors deliberated and offered suggestions on major economic issues and submitted 6,076 proposals and made 774 speeches. Many of their comments and suggestions were incorporated into the 12th Five-Year Plan and the Party and governments special plans and policy documents. Political advisors made 85 inspection tours and investigations and studies on special topics, attended a special meeting of the Standing Committee concerning major issues in the implementation of the 12th Five-Year Plan and submitted a number of high-quality comments and suggestions. This year, the Standing Committee of CPPCC National Committee will coordinate the democratic parties, federations of industry and commerce, subcommittees of the CPPCC National Committee, and local CPPCC committees in making proposals and suggestions on major economic issues. WORKING FOR CULTURAL REFORM Over the past year, the CPPCC made full use of its personnel and resource advantages and channels of communication to participate in socialist cultural development and made positive contributions. The Standing Committee of CPPCC National Committee worked with the democratic parties, Party and government departments, local CPPCC committees, and cultural institutions, and made significant progress in protecting the Shudao Cultural Route and applying for it and West Lake in Hangzhou to be included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. The CPPCC actively gave impetus to taking outstanding traditional Chinese culture global and held the Beijing Forum on Passing on and Developing Chinese Dramatic Arts in the mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. The Standing Committee will organize CPPCC National Committee members, especially those who are experts and celebrities in the cultural field, and unite with people from all sectors to carry out investigations and discussions on major cultural issues this year. PROMOTING SOCIAL HARMONY In the past year the Standing Committee of CPPCC National Committee received and dealt with 60,522 letters and visits of CPPCC committee members and the people. It composed and submitted to the central leadership 252 reports on social conditions and popular sentiment, and reported 1,896 comments and suggestions. Investigations and studies were conducted on developing ethnic minority areas on the countrys borders, urbanizing ethnic autonomous counties and banners, and providing Xinjiang with one-to-one assistance. This year it will carry out investigations, studies, deliberation and democratic oversight on major issues in social development. It will intensify the work of passing on information concerning social conditions and popular sentiment; properly handle peoples letters and visits to the CPPCC; keep channels open and free for collecting and reporting information. BOOSTING CROSS-STRAIT EXCHANGES Investigations and studies were conducted in the past year on how to stimulate the development of Taiwan-funded small and medium-sized enterprises and promote cross-Strait agricultural cooperation. The Standing Committee of CPPCC National Committee conscientiously listened to the desires and requests of Taiwan business people who run such enterprises or agricultural pioneer parks, and passed their views on to the central leadership. This year it will do researches on how to deepen cross-Strait cultural exchanges and get the people of Taiwan, especially young people, to identify more closely with the Chinese nation and culture. EXPANDING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Over the past year, the Standing Committee of CPPCC National Committee sent 39 delegations to 56 countries for state visits or to attend international conferences; hosted 11 visiting delegations from 10 countries and one regional organization. A delegation from the CPPCC National Committee made an official visit to the United Nations and addressed the 19th Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. It successfully held the ninth and tenth sessions of the Sino-EU Round Table in collaboration with the European Economic and Social Committee and promoted the establishment of a round table exchange mechanism for the economic and social councils and similar institutions in BRICS countries. This year it will continue high-level visits with foreign countries, develop traditional friendships, increase mutual political trust with relevant countries, and strive to win the international communitys understanding of and support for China. It will support the China Committee on Religion and Peace to participate in the World Conference on Religion and Peace and other international conferences and forums. MARKING REVOLUTION OF 1911, CPC FOUNDING The Standing Committee of CPPCC National Committee focused on the theme of revitalizing China and rejuvenating the Chinese nation, and carefully organized activities under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee to commemorate the centenary of the Revolution of 1911. The CPPCC held a grand celebration for the 90th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, studied and implemented the guiding principles of General Secretary Hu Jintaos important speech on July 1. WELCOMING CPC NATIONAL CONGRESS The Standing Committee of CPPCC National Committee will make sure all the work of welcoming the 18th CPC National Congress is done well under the unified arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. Press Highlights of work report of Chinas top political advisory bodyadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Staff members work at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels,winning slots del lago sportsbook Belgium, March 24, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] As a relic of the Cold War, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization should long ago have been laid to rest. Yet despite the more temperate times that followed the disintegration of the Soviet Union, it was kept animated by ideological summoners on both sides of the Atlantic who claimed that it still had a role to play. Thus in the guise of a peacemaker, it was sent to meddle in various regional and international affairs. In recent years, with the incantation of the noble trinity "human rights, democracy and peace" ringing in its ears, it has compounded the suffering in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and former Yugoslavia. NATO's relentless stretching of its legs eastward has also been the reason for the ongoing Ukraine conflict as it totally ignored Russia's legitimate security concerns, pushing it into a corner. And say what you like about the Joe Biden administration, but its powers of necromancy are undeniable. It has transformed what was acknowledged to be a brain dead alliance into a blood-lusting zombie, which, while still brainless, is malleable to manipulation by presenting it with a virtualized reality in which the Cold War has never ended. The upshot, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted during a news conference at the conclusion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Sunday, is that NATO is no longer a purely defensive alliance as intended. Indeed, it no longer claims to be. Following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the other NATO countries lost no time in joining the US in fanning the flames of the conflict by providing Ukraine with funds and weapons, turning the hostilities into a proxy war for NATO. And Lavrov warned that NATO, not content with the chaos it has wrought so far, now has its eyes set on Southeast Asia. Instead of acknowledging the widespread harmful consequences of their actions in Europe, which are many, the leaders of the NATO states have chosen to view their actions through bourbon-tinted glasses and heady from their excess are enthusiastically encouraging the US' Asia-Pacific allies to join their revelry. By breathing new life into the US' old alliances with countries in the region such as Japan and Australia, and forcing others in the region to take sides in the US-instigated endeavor to contain China's rise and development, NATO is clearly set to extend its troublemaking to the Asia-Pacific region. The essence of the US' "Indo-Pacific strategy" is to revive the Cold War tactic of bloc-to-bloc confrontation and zero-sum games in the region and by means of a bloated and battle-hungry NATO impose its will on the region. Given NATO's notorious history in meddling in regional affairs plus its defiance of international law and penchant for selfish gains at the expense of other's security interests, allowing NATO to gain a foothold in the Asia-Pacific would spell calamity for the region. Through the hard work and concerted efforts of regional countries, the Asia-Pacific has become one of the most peaceful and stable regions in the world. The attempt to conjure NATO or a doppelganger into the region should be rejected by the regional countries. Thedunia777 slot German Customs port of Hamburg has achieved success in the fight against organized cigarette smuggling. As a spokesman for the Customs Service announced on Thursday, investigators were able to confiscate a total of 13 million counterfeit cigarettes from China. Prevented the fiscal damage amounts to 2.6 million. The action lasted several weeks. The first cargo of 1.6 million have been discovered in the Hamburg harbor in early May. The customs agency said that officials had identified on radiographs of the containers of counterfeit goods. For the cigarette packages were hidden behind granite stones not visible from the outside. Three more containers with five million counterfeit brand cigarettes Marlboro and L & M were then also withdrawn from circulation. In the last week once again achieved a success: 6.4 million smuggled goods arrived at the port and were seized. The customs authority explained that the merchandise was shipped from China. These smuggled goods were to be further sent to Poland via Hamburg. Presumably, the cigarettes were destined for the market in England and Germany. In Western Europe these brands will be especially popular. Thus, the customs investigation could be assured that the goods were counterfeit, samples were sent to the original manufacturer and tested there. Currently, the officials are tracking down the suspects to investigate if they were in contact with the neighboring countries of Germany. This year in Hamburg the customs authority has already seized twice as many untaxed cigarettes as throughout the past year. German Customs Seized 13 Million Counterfeit Cigarettes from Chinaadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Leaders of China and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday underscored the importance of beefing up economic and trade cooperation in the context of the stagnant world economy. Thesporting times online betting call came from the 14th China-EU summit in Beijing, which was attended by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. It is currently the most urgent task for China and the EU to enhance economic and trade cooperation, Wen said at a press conference after the summit, during which he raised a five-point proposal to the EU side in this respect. He suggested that the two sides should expand mutual investment, promote the balanced and sustainable development of bilateral trade, strengthen cooperation on scientific research and innovation, deepen energy and environmental protection cooperation and advance the partnership in urbanization. Wen pointed out during the summit that with the global financial crisis still affecting the world in terms of politics, economics and security, it is the current trend for each nation to promote reform and widely participate in international cooperation. Wen proposed strengthening China-EU cooperation with the following five points. First, the two sides need to expand the bilateral trade scale. China is willing to import more products from the EU and promote balanced trade. China hopes the EU will relax its export control against China, carefully use trade remedy measures and create a favorable environment for the stable development of bilateral trade. Second, the two sides should launch negotiations on a two-way investment agreement as soon as possible, so as to lay a legal foundation for the expansion of bilateral investment and consolidate the confidence of investors. China welcomes European enterprises to invest in the Chinese market, Wen said, noting that China will continue to expand market access for EU enterprises, improve laws and regulations on foreign investments, enhance intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, and optimize the investment environment. He also called on the EU side to maintain market openness and facilitate project examination and approval procedures, personnel exchanges, policy consulting and information exchanges. Third, the two sides should strengthen cooperation in scientific research and innovation, particularly in areas of space technology and energy technology. Fourth, China hopes to hold a high-level China-EU energy conference to determine priorities for cooperation. Wen also said China and EU should launch new projects in environmental protection and the development of electric auto vehicles. Fifth, on the issue of urbanization, the two sides should cooperate in areas of city planning, smart transportation system, building energy efficiency and garbage disposal. Describing the relations between the EU and China as interrelated, Van Rompuy called on the two sides to convert the bilateral strategic partnership into new opportunities. The EU is Chinas largest trade partner, while China is close to being the EUs largest trading partner, he said, noting that the bilateral trade volume per day has exceeded 1 billion euros. Van Rompuy called on the two sides to provide convenience for bilateral trade and investment, in an effort to improve bilateral trade relations. In order to boost economic development and employment, he suggested that the long-term strategy of EU-China cooperation should focus on innovation, scientific research and technology, energy, networks as well as a new partnership on sustainable urbanization. With regards to granting full market economy status to China, Van Rompuy said the two sides have listed the issue in the joint statement which will be released after the summit. The two sides have attached great importance to, and stepped up their efforts in, addressing the issue, and will resolve it in the fastest and most comprehensive way, he said, citing Article 10 of the statement. Although the issue remains unresolved, the two sides have a strong political will to settle it, he said, noting that the consensus was an important contribution made by the summit. In the press conference, Barroso voiced the EUs support for Chinas restructuring of its economic growth pattern, which will focus on boosting domestic demand. He expressed satisfaction over bilateral trade relations, noting that prosperous trade relations have boosted employment, innovation and economic growth for both sides. According to statistics, the bilateral trade volume has reached 560 billion euros. Barroso stressed the importance of creating a fair and open competition environment for both sides businesses, which will encourage growth and innovation. In 2012, the EU and China will start a series of negotiations, and the most important among them will be negotiations on a two-way investment agreement, he said. Regarding EU-Chinas new partnership on sustainable urbanization, Barroso said the program will push forward the development of the green economy, urban planning, energy security and migration management for both sides. The EU and China are determined to make joint efforts in coping with a multitude of global challenges, he said, noting that the two sides have reached strategic consensus at the summit on maintaining stable and sustainable economic growth and will jointly work toward this goal. Xinhua China, EU underline urgency of economic, trade cooperationadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Shanghai Air Gun Factory,billionaire casino best slot machine the oldest Air Gun Factory in China, sold 50% shares of its subsidiary to Cybergun, the world leader in recreational shooting. Cybergun announces the acquisition of 50% stake in Shanghai Gongzi Machinery Manufacturing Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Shanghai Air Gun (SAG). The acquisition, which should be ratified soon by the Chinese authorities, will be conducted in two stages: Cybergun plans to acquire 33% stake immediately and have an option on additional 17% exercisable over the next two years. For over 50 years, SAG has a reputation for its range of rifles and pistols driven by compressed air. SAG has launched its new products successfully in many countries like the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, producing over 300,000 pieces per year. The company has 300 employees and a plant covers an area of 20,000 square meters next to Shanghai. This vertical integration is a unique strategic opportunity for the company to benefit from its own production plant in China to produce and export its products with Chinese government approval. The acquisition of 50% of SAG Chinese factory gives Cybergun group new strengths and enormous potential for growth. Oldest Air Gun Factory in China Acquired by Cybergunadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline The Anhui, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navys third Type 075 amphibious assault ship, conducts realistic combat-oriented training. Photo: Screenshot of PLA Navys Sina Weibo account The Anhui, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's third Type 075 amphibious assault ship, recently conducted realistic combat-oriented training, the PLA Navy announced on Thursday. This indicates that the vessel has entered active service, analysts said.With the hull number 33, thecarried out the exercises in an undisclosed sea region, the PLA Navy announced on Thursday.This is the first time the PLA Navy has unveiled its third Type 075 amphibious assault ship and the vessel's name and hull number, observers said.It indicates that thehas been commissioned into the PLA Navy and is on its way to forming combat capabilities, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday.With the experience gathered by the first two Type 075 amphibious assault ships, theand the, thecould achieve initial operational capability faster, the expert said.The Type 075 amphibious assault ship is widely believed to be a vital instrument of the PLA Navy in safeguarding China's national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and its development interests in the Taiwan question as well as the South China Sea issue, analysts said.Thewas launched in Shanghai in January 2021, according to media reports. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Bali,bsc cryptomine Indonesia, Nov 15, 2022. XINHUA The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, should serve as a harbinger for the mending of the damaged bilateral relations between the two countries. Just as President Xi said in the talks, China and Australia are both important countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and they need to improve, uphold and further develop their relationship, which not only serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples but also helps to promote peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Xi said that there are no fundamental conflicting interests between China and Australia. Instead, the two countries have a traditional people-to-people friendship, highly complementary economic structures, and shared commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Indeed, the "potential illicit Chinese political influence" Australia has galvanized to counter the "Chinese military presence" in the South China Sea that some Australian politicians consider to be a potential threat to the country's national security is nothing but a pretext some Australian politicians have fabricated to follow the strategy of the United States to contain the rise of China. These politicians have turned a blind eye to the fact that it is not in the national interest of Australia for it to blindly follow the strategy of the US in its geopolitical game. As a result of their blinkered view of relations, trade between the two countries has been impaired, and Australian enterprises engaged in trade with China have suffered. China's trade with Australia has also suffered. No wonder, the damaged bilateral relations, as President Xi said, are the last thing China wants to see. It is natural for countries with different political systems and cultures to have differences and disagree on some issues as far as the international situation or global governance is concerned. What is of consequence though is into what perspective politicians put such differences and disagreements. China has consistently maintained that it pursues a peaceful development path. It is natural for China to modernize its military as all countries do. It is disingenuous of some Western politicians to cry in alarm about a "China threat". That is all much ado about nothing. It has been five years since relations between Australia and China met with difficulties. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, which should be an opportunity for endeavors on both sides to mend their relations. For Australia, it is important to think about how it can well manage the differences and disagreements between the two countries and not let them stand in the way of improving political trust between them, and thereafter gradually bring bilateral ties onto the right track. Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio and Chinese Vice Minister Fu Ying held talks to try to build stronger bilateral ties. They met formally for the first time in Manila Friday after months of tension over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea. Seeking better relations The vice minister also visited with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario. Were very happy to see the vice minister and we are looking to see what can be done in order to strengthen relations, he said. Del Rosario told reporters the two sides are seeking more normal dealings in trade, investments, tourism and other areas after relations soured in April. That was when the Philippines complained that about a dozen Chinese vessels poached endangered species in waters in the South China Sea that Manila claims. This led to ships facing off near Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island, some 230 kilometers west of Zambales province in the Philippines. Del Rosario says the Philippines indicated what it felt was needed to normalize the situation between the two countries. I think, bottom line, weve agreed to disagree and we will work on trying to find out how we can bring our positions closer, he said. South China Sea disputes China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have claims to all or parts of the South China Sea. The sea has rich fishing, straddles some heavily traveled shipping lanes and is believed to hold vast oil and gas reserves. The Philippines stakes its territorial claims on the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while China bases its claims on centuries-old maps. To resolve the disagreement, the Philippines wants to negotiate a multilateral agreement with input from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. China rejects that approach, saying it prefers to deal with claimant countries one on one. Vice Minister Fu also paid a courtesy call to President Benigno Aquino. Fu delivered a message from President Hu Jintao saying that China wants to move relations between the two sides forward. This week President Aquino said he has seen a little bettering of the situation with China compared to where relations were at the height of the standoff. He said he was hopeful that relations would further improve by the time Chinas new leadership is expected to be in place next March. Simone Orendain China, Philippines hold talks after months of tensionsadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline Canada has invested nearly US$10 billion in Peru's mining sector, but if the banking and transportation segments are considered, the capital reaches US$14 billion, he said in remarks to he said in remarks to El Peruano Official Gazette How has trade between Peru and Canada evolved since August 2009, when the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between both countries entered into force? Trade between Peru and Canada has doubled because now the value of exports and imports is US$5.7 billion per year. When you talk about trade between both countries, you think about the import of wheat to Peru to make bread and cookies, while minerals are exported to Canada. However, what we expect in the following years is a diversification of the products that are exchanged. Non-traditional products are available now, as well as a variety of types of operations, because an increased participation of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which take advantage of the FTA, is currently perceived. What was your impression of Perumin, held on September 25-29 in Arequipa, in which Canada was considered as a partner country? We had a pavilion at Perumin. The delegation members told me that it was a success because they held very good meetings with Peruvian entrepreneurs, authorities, and representatives of institutions to make progress in the issue of bilateral trade. We are very happy with that. Which sectors in Peru arouse the interest of Canadian entrepreneurs? Of course we have to talk about mining as Canada has already invested US$10 billion in this sector, but in total US$14 billion is registered, considering the banking and transportation segments. The mining sector is important since both Canada and Peru are major producers of minerals. So, there is a lot of experience on both sides, which can be shared. And infrastructure? Maybe in projects at artisan fishers' piers. We discussed that issue with the Ministry of Production (Produce) , but there are other projects in which we are highly interested, because Canada relies on this government-to-government agreements model, and I know that Peruvian authorities are currently interested in this scheme in order to close infrastructure gaps, as is the case of the Lima and Callao Metro. And what about Lines 3 and 4 of the Lima and Callao Metro? Exactly, considering that Canada has a lot of experience in this sector and top engineering companies, which are already present in Peru as they operate in the mining sector. Many Peruvians travel or wish to travel to Canada. What opportunities can they find in your country? The number of Peruvian students traveling to Canada doubled last year, because there are very good academic institutions, universities, and schools in my country. Peruvian students traveling to Canada are very interested in pursuing post-graduate studies or exchange programs at some universities in order to study in Canada for one semester and then return to Peru with a new experience. That is also one of our priorities since the bonds that are formed when you are young remain intact, so they will be friends of Canada forever. Besides, we offer temporary work permit programs, and Canada receives many immigrant workers at this moment because there is a labor shortage. Information regarding procedures, conditions, and criteria is available on our website , and one of the most important requirements is to speak French or English. After participating at Perumin and exploring the opportunities that our country presents for Canadian investors, what is your perception about the current situation in Peru? It was a tremendous week. The Canadian companies that took part at Perumin are very pleased. Therefore, there is a positive vibe, an enthusiasm for Peru. (END) DOP/WRR/JJN/RMB/MVB Five years after the initiation of negotiations, China yesterday delivered a list of five Mexican companies which are allowed to export pork to Chinese market, said yesterday the Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa. We have formally received from the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi the document certifying the companies that can export pork to China, Espinosa said at the end of the fifth meeting of the China-Mexico Permanent Binational Commission held in Beijing. The Foreign Minister, who led the delegation of 40 people from 10 Mexican institutions visited China, was optimistic when asked about when those five companies may export to China. However, Mexican diplomatic sources pointed out that despite the adoption, the Chinese authorities require two certificates so that the arrival of Mexican pork will take at least three to six months. The Mexican pork producers have over 30 years of experience in markets such as Japan, South Korea and the US. Espinosa also said that the Mexican delegation, which involved officials of the ministries of foreign affairs and economics, also called for greater speed in the adoption of phytosanitary certificates by China. The Minister said that Mexico is seeking to export to China products such as lemon, meat and poultry, mango and avocado from other parts of the country. Espinosa was received by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, who was considered the future head of the Chinese state after the transition of power in October this year. The Mexican foreign minister said that the meeting was extremely cordial. China allows Mexico to export pork to Chinese marketadded by chinatimesonline on View all posts by chinatimesonline 29 September 2023, Cairo, Egypt Sudan has declared a cholera outbreak in Gedaref State, where 264 suspected cholera cases, 4 confirmed cases and 16 associated deaths had been reported by 25 September 2023. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether cholera has also spread to Khartoum and South Kordofan states, where increased cases of acute watery diarrhoea have been reported. Dr Nima Abid, WHO Representative in Sudan, visited Gedaref State on 17 September 2023 and met with health authorities and partners to coordinate the response. Unhindered access to affected and neighbouring localities is essential to respond effectively to the ongoing outbreak, said Dr Abid. A cholera outbreak can have a devastating effect in the context of a health system already overstretched because of war, shortages of medical supplies and health workers, malnutrition and access challenges. Even before the outbreak was declared, WHO had already provided cholera supplies, including antibiotics, oral rehydration solution and intravenous fluids, to 6 states, including Gedaref, Khartoum and South Kordofan, as well as rapid diagnostic test kits to all 18 states of Sudan. WHO was also supporting 3 cholera isolation centres in Gedaref State 2 of them with medicines and health supplies, and fully supporting the final centre with the provision of equipment and medical supplies. Earlier this year, more than 2800 Sudanese health workers took part in an online capacity-building programme conducted by WHO on the management of acute watery diarrhoea in times of crisis. Another online training course, on cholera, dengue and malaria management protocols, took place this week, for more than 8000 Sudanese health workers. On-the-job training on surveillance and standard case management for cholera and other infectious diseases was also conducted in Gedaref for 185 health workers. Currently, WHO is deploying rapid response teams to the affected localities and is actively supporting the Ministry of Health to transfer samples of suspected cholera cases to the Public Health Laboratory in Port Sudan, a facility capacitated by WHO to provide a national reference service. Surveillance is ongoing in affected and high-risk areas to identify and address risk factors. Plans have been initiated to facilitate a request to the International Coordinating Group on Oral Cholera Vaccine Provision for Cholera Control for oral cholera vaccines to protect the population and contain the outbreak. With support from WHO and health partners, the Ministry of Health is also coordinating efforts to scale up access to clean water and sanitation facilities, as well as ensuring affected and at-risk communities are aware of transmission risks and proper hygiene practices to reduce contamination risks and prevent further spread of the outbreak. As a result of the war that erupted in April 2023, Sudan is grappling with unprecedented mass displacement, disease outbreaks and malnutrition, which have been compounded by heavy rains and flooding. The health system is overwhelmed by attacks on health facilities and the scarcity of medical supplies and equipment, health workers and operational funds. About 70% of hospitals in conflict-affected states are non-functional, while the active hospitals and clinics in non-conflict-affected states are overwhelmed by the influx of internally displaced people. Manannan sailing cancelled Todays (October 5) Manannan sailings to and from Liverpool have been cancelled. The Master of the ship made the decision at 12pm to cancel the 2pm sailing to Liverpool from Douglas, and the return trip at 7:15pm from Liverpol to Douglas due to "forecast adverse weather". All other Isle of Man Steam Packet Company sailings are running as scheduled. Amazon's Kuiper satellites will soon make their debut in orbit. The company is gearing up to deploy its first two satellites, the KuiperSat-1 and the KuiperSat-2, for its Protoflight mission that's scheduled to launch on October 6. Project Kuiper is Amazon's answer to SpaceX's Starlink service. At the moment, its plans entail launching 3,200 satellites over the next six years to form a constellation that can provide internet connectivity even to far-flung places traditional providers can't reach. The KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2 are the first version of Amazon's satellites and will provide the company with an important learning opportunity. They'll allow the company to conduct a series of tests that would add valuable real-world data to information already collected from the lab. Project Kuiper's ground team will also get the chance to observe how the network performs, since Protoflight will be testing the satellites' connection to Kuiper's ground-based network and to customer terminals. In addition, it will serve as a trial for the launch operations of subsequent satellites. "Weve done extensive testing here in our lab and have a high degree of confidence in our satellite design, but theres no substitute for on-orbit testing," said Rajeev Badyal, Project Kuipers vice president of technology, in a statement. "This is Amazons first time putting satellites into space, and were going to learn an incredible amount regardless of how the mission unfolds." Amazon previously announced its intention to send the first two Kuiper satellites to space on top of a ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket. However, ULA encountered delays with the new rocket's development, and the satellites will be ferried to space on top of an Atlas V instead. ULA will deploy the satellites at an altitude of 311 miles, and then the Kuiper team will start testing the systems onboard and confirm all electronics are working, establish first contact and deploy the satellites' solar arrays. After that, the team will send data back and forth to test the network. Amazon says both satellites will be deorbited by the end of the mission. The company says it's on track to deploy its first production satellites in the first half of 2024 and to start beta testing with commercial consumers later that year. Presumably, it could incorporate changes to its plans, depending on what it learns from this launch. ULA will be streaming the event live on October 6, with coverage starting at 2PM ET. Although most of the announcements leaked in advance (all the Pixel 8 news is below), Google had one sort-of surprise. Its working on fusing Assistant and Bard AI together. During a demo, Google showed the Assistant pulling details from a party invite in Gmail. Ask where the party is, and Assistant with Bard can tell you the location and tap into Google Maps for directions. While youd be able to ask for directions in the past, now the Assistant can pull the address from other contexts. You could chat to Bard to whip up a meal plan with a grocery list and export that to Google Docs or Gmail without a keyboard or copy and paste. Theres no release date yet, but Google says Assistant with Bard is coming soon to Android and iOS. A quick note to anyone who's tried to subscribe but hasn't been getting the TMA newsletter, we've now upgraded the signup process. Please click here to subscribe! Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed Google Pixel Watch 2 hands-on Apple fixes iPhone 15 overheating issue Googles Pixel 8 is a smaller 6.2-inch flagship with a bigger battery The Pixel 8 series gets more AI-powered editing tools for photo and video Theres a temperature sensor on the Pro model too. Google The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro look largely the same as their predecessors, with a couple of key differences. The regular Pixel 8 is slightly smaller, which makes it easier to use with one hand. Meanwhile, the Pro model has a new matte finish, upgraded cameras and an intriguing temperature sensor. Across the Pixel 8 series, were getting the companys Tensor G3 processor and, notably, seven years of Android and security updates, so you might be able to hang on to your Pixel flagship for a lot longer than before. A new temperature sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro sounds like a gimmick (and it might be?), but in the stale, tired land of smartphones, well take anything different. To take a reading, youll have to launch the new Temperature app and select the type of object youre trying to measure. Google is waiting on FDA approval to enable the Pixel 8 Pro to take body temperature readings. The new Pixel 8 starts at $699, $100 more than its predecessor, while the Pixel 8 Pro costs $999, another $100 increase over the Pixel 7 Pro. Continue reading. Company chief Brian Chesky also revealed Airbnb is considering car rentals. ASSOCIATED PRESS Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky told the Financial Times the company is going a little bit beyond its core business starting next year. Chesky wants Airbnb to expand its focus and is currently planning a push into long-term rentals. The service already offers monthly rentals, but apparently, only 18 percent of gross nights booked in the second quarter of 2023 come from stays longer than 30 days. Chesky believes the company can do more to drum up interest in long-term bookings. Continue reading. The company also launched a redesigned app. Patreon announced a wide-ranging rebranding of its platform through a series of updates. It includes offering supporters more ways to follow their favorites while integrating more free content from creators. Creators can now let people join for free sharing content and updates for non-paying members while (optionally) hiding things like early access to podcasts or videos behind a paywall. They can also use a new commerce tool to sell individual pieces of content like recordings, videos and downloadable files. Continue reading. The three focus areas this year are customization, control and accessibility. Google is rolling out the public build of Android 14. As ever, Pixel users will be able to download the new version of the operating system first on supported models (Pixel 4a and newer). Samsung, OnePlus and other Android device makers will get access to the update later this year. Deeper customization is a major focus this time around. Youll be able to choose from a variety of lock screen templates. Youll have more ways to customize your wallpaper thanks to the addition of generative AI capabilities. Select a text prompt and the AI will whip up a related image for you. Continue reading. Elon Musk is once again in the crosshairs of the Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC). The regulator, which has been investigating Musks Twitter takeover, is now suing the owner of X after he failed to appear for previously-scheduled testimony, The Wall Street Journal reports. The SECs investigation dates back to 2022, when it opened a probe into Musks delayed disclosure of his stake in Twitter, which was at the time a publicly-traded company. Musk was 10 days late in filing paperwork, required under US securities law, disclosing his investment in Twitter. The delay may have earned him as much as $156 million, and also made him the target of a class-action lawsuit from former Twitter shareholders. Musk had been scheduled to testify in the SEC investigation into the matter last month, The Wall Street Journal reports. But Musk failed to appear at a scheduled meeting in San Francisco, and later gave a blanket refusal to appear for testimony when the SEC tried to reschedule. The regulator is now asking a San Francisco federal court to force Musk to comply with its subpoena. Its hardly the first time Musk has found himself on the wrong side of the SEC, which he has repeatedly ridiculed over the years. The Tesla CEO was charged with securities fraud over a now-infamous 2018 tweet claiming he had funding secured to take the electric car maker private. Musk eventually settled with the SEC, paying a $20 million fine and giving up his position as chairman of Teslas board. Musk is, however, still fighting a provision of that SEC settlement requiring a so-called Twitter-sitter to sign-off on some of Musks Tesla-related tweets. X didnt respond to a request for comment. In this sense, the accession process properly is now underway, according to the IECD Secretary-General, Mathias Cornmann, who is in the country within the framework of the release of the " OECD's Economic Survey of Peru 2023 ." "There will be a series of fact-finding missions, there will be a series of actual reviews by 24 OECD expert committees covering a broad spectrum of public policies, economic, social, environment, trade, investment, public governance, etc. At the end of this process, there will be a set of recommendations on what else Peru needs to do in order to continue to improve its policies," Cormann said in an interview with El Peruano Official Gazette. However, it is necessary to know what the OECD represents and what benefits will bring to Peru. According to a document from the National Center for Strategic Planning (CEPLAN) , the OECD traces its roots back to the post-World War II, when European leaders agreed that the best way to ensure lasting peace was to encourage co-operation and reconstruction of the nations involved in the war. Later, in 1961, the OECD was officially established as the successor to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), which oversaw the implementation of the Marshall Plan a major element in the economic recovery of Europe and in the establishment of democratic regimes in Western Europe. Since then, the OECD has focused its efforts to provide a space for its member countries (and for non-member countries) to dialogue and identify the best practices in various areas of their economies. Currently, the OECD comprises 38 countries: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. According to its official website, the organization's goal is to build policies for better lives and to promote those that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for all. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, the OECD works on establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic, and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, the OECD provides a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting. Peru and OECD CEPLAN finds that being a full member of the OECD is important for the economic and social development of Peru for several reasons. "The main one has a symbolic meaning. It would mean a significant achievement for a country that until not long ago was still one of the many countries unable to overcome the trap of average income," it explains. The process of rapprochement with the OECD has been gradual. In 2008, Peru was admitted as an observer member in the . In 2008, Peru was admitted as an observer member in the OECD Investment Committee Then, in 2009, Peru joined the OECD Development Centre , which is a space for analysis and the interchange of experiences on economic and social policies between developed and developing countries. In the following years, Peru approached the OECD through the Competition and Consumer Policy Committees, as well as the OECD Working Group on Bribery. In 2012, Peru expressed its formal interest in becoming a member of the OECD for the first time and conveyed the same interest for a second time in 2017. The OECD Ministerial Council agreed, in April 2014, to invite Peru to participate in the "Country Program," a mechanism that seeks to help a limited number of countries achieve OECD standards and practices a process that the country underwent between 2014 and 2019. In 2018, Peru became a Party to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions (Anti-Bribery Convention) and the multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, with the aim of fighting corruption and fostering greater transparency and exchange of information. On October 9, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that then-President Pedro Castillo sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the OECD, Mathias Cormann, to reaffirm Peru's aspiration to become a member of said multilateral organization. On January 25, 2022, the OECD decided by consensus to invite Peru to start the process of accession to this institution. Chile and Colombia's accession process It should be pointed out that Colombia initiated its accession process to the OECD in 2013, which was completed in April 2020, after completing its domestic procedures for ratification of the OECD Convention. Meanwhile, Chile's accession process to the OECD started in 2007 and culminated in 2010. (END) CNA/JJN/RMB/MVB On January 25, 2022, the Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) decided by consensus to invite Peru to start the process of accession to this institution. Early this year, Peru submitted its Initial Memorandum , which is a self-assessment of the country's legislation, policies, and practices against OECD standards and best practices.Publicado: 5/10/2023 Former US President Donald Trump appealed a judge's refusal to dismiss New York Attorney General Letitia James' civil fraud lawsuit against him and his family business. Foreign exchange analysts at Westpac have warned that the Pound Sterling (GBP) could test lows of 1.18 against the US Dollar (USD) in their near-term strategic view. With the current Pound to Dollar exchange rate (GBP/USD) trading at 1.21268, theres an underlying perspective that emphasises potential vulnerability in its positioning, suggesting a descent towards a 1.1800-1.2000 structural support range. The freshly revised UK 2Q GDP data, stretching back to 1997, casts a rather unexpected light on the nations economic performance, especially through the lens of Covid-19 and its aftermath. The modifications were not monumental in the 2020 context but notably articulated that the UK managed to navigate through and beyond the Covid-19 period with somewhat more economic resilience than previously documented. This revised outlook positions the UK above some notable peers in the G10, with the economy not only surpassing the likes of France and Germany but also reaching activity levels that outstrip those before the pandemic. "Although uplifts into 2020 were relatively minor, the ONS did stress that the UK economy fared notably better in the Covid and post Covid period than had originally been reported," says Tim Riddell, Senior Market Strategist at Westpac Institutional Bank. An upcoming release of monthly production data is underlined as being paramount and is awaited with heightened anticipation for revealing any further positive economic surprises. Meanwhile, other upcoming data releases may appear lesser in terms of potential impact but are highlighted as meriting watchful scrutiny. Next weeks monthly production data will be "keenly monitored for any further upside surprises" says Riddell. On the political front, the continuation of the UKs annual Party Conference sees the Conservatives, with Sunak at the helm, shaping their profile with clear demarcation as the elections, slated for the latter part of 2024, loom on the horizon. It's now a challenge for the Labour party to sustain their current polling lead. "As UKs annual Party Conference continues, Sunaks Conservatives clearly laid out their profile ahead of next years elections, towards the end of 2024, it is now up to Labour to try to sustain their large lead in polls" says Riddell. While the Pound Sterlings current status and near-term projections offer a degree of stability, there looms a subtle, yet distinctly present, apprehension regarding its stability and future positioning, notably against the US Dollar (USD). This culminates in a cautious sentiment regarding the Pound / Dollar exchange rate outlook. "GBP/USDs slide is stretched, but still risks extending towards structural support in the 1.1800-1.2000 area" Riddell accentuates, placing a meticulous yet slightly wary lens over the economic and political landscape as it unfolds. Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Born in a Bear Market On Valentines Day of 2022, the Shina Token was quietly deployed, and sat virtually unnoticed for nearly two months. When word of the female $SHIBs existence suddenly spread, she rocketed to a $30 million market cap overnight. The rest is history, as a community of believers persevered through the anguish of the bear market. Their efforts were rewarded when a new all time high of $50 million was reached in February 2023. Today, the community remains strong at over 7,000 holders. This token is unique Ask any Shina community member, and theyll define their time as a holder as being surprise after surprise. Every aspect of Shina is unique when compared to other memecoins. First, the anonymous development team makes no attempt to affect the price of the token. They are mostly silent, only offering the occasional update alluding to behind the scenes progress. Instead, the community has taken marketing and promotion into their own hands, with investors paying out of pocket for billboards, sponsorships and content creation. Even more noteworthy, is how the community has put Shinas mission statement into action by raising $50,000 for Shared Hope International, a charity devoted to fighting against sex trafficking. Using crypto as a force for good, rather than greed, is an unprecedented achievement when you consider the amount of toxic degeneracy overwhelming the space. The SHIBB: A Game Changer The meme narrative behind Shina Inu, seeking to win the heart of Shiba Inu, speaks to the proposed utility of their innovative SHIBB(Shina Burn Bank.) This piece of technology aims to support charity through a charity burn mechanism, by leveraging staking rewards. It is the crypto equivalent of a 50/50 lottery, with a twist. As detailed in the whitepaper, the platform consists of two interoperating components: a staking pool and a donation pool. In the staking pool, users can deposit their $SHIB, or $SHI, to be eligible for rewards. Your staked tokens are therefore your lottery tickets,." as the more tokens you stake, the better your odds of being rewarded. You may withdraw your tokens at any time, so long as the SHIBB contains ample liquidity (this design feature protects against bank runs.) Meanwhile, each time $ETH is deposited in the donation pool, a proportionate amount of tokens in the staking pool are burned. Half of the donations will be gifted to Shared Hope International, and the other half will be distributed as staking rewards. Since distributions will be made every 7 days, users have an incentive to stake their holdings for the long term, hence providing liquidity for the SHIBB to burn tokens. And those longing to see a reduction in $SHIBs supply, can contribute while supporting a good cause. They may also be able to claim a tax deduction for their donations. Altogether, the SHIBB has massive potential to become a self-sustaining, thriving, decentralized ecosystem. When this launches, the law of supply and demand can manifest in a powerful way for $SHIB and $SHI, especially as whales decide to participate. Love as the Foundation It is apparent how winning the heart of Shiba." will play out, as it is well known that charitable giving is highly valued by the Shiba Token community. Vitalik Buterins legendary donation and burn, can in hindsight be interpreted as foreshadowing of what Shina has designed. The concept can be summarized in the mantra: stake to earn, donate to burn. Furthermore, holders will appreciate that the SHIBB can expedite deflation to an extent that is not possible through any other means; it does not require anyone to forfeit ownership of their tokens or pay high transaction fees. One does not even need to hold $SHI in order to stake their $SHIB. While other projects have lured $SHIB holders with burns in exchange for investment, Shina offers use of her platform with no strings attached. Afterall, true love asks for nothing in return. For more information, the whitepaper can be found at Website: https://shinatoken.com/ Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, or intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing in or trading securities and cryptocurrency. One African's Incredible Journey of Hunger and Sacrifice in Pursuit of the American Dream "Lovers of international stories of perseverance, history, and politics will enjoy this memoir, which is as illuminating as it is inspiring" Publishers Weekly Philadelphia, PAThe International Impact Book Awards have declared The Boy from Boadua the winner in their recent award ceremony in the Autobiography category. Growing up in the jungles of Ghana and now thriving in suburban America, Patrick Asare defied all odds on his journey through life. In his incredible memoir, The Boy from Boadua: One African's Journey of Hunger and Sacrifice in Pursuit of a Dream, he recounts his childhood, family, education, and the experiences that made him into the person he is today, in addition to reflecting on socio-cultural relations, race, and the social structures in the different countries that he has lived. Patrick Asare offers a new perspective as someone who has had first-hand experience in a variety of cultures, specifically within the education system. The book previously has won several awards including, The Literary Titan Book Awards in the 'Motivational' category, The Firebird Awards in the 'Inspiration' category, and the San Francisco Book Festival in the 'Biography/Autobiography' categories. The Literary Titan stated that the book 'astounded and amazed' their judging panel. Watch the book trailer here: https://bit.ly/TheBoyFromBoaduaTrailer "Patrick Asare delivers his life experiences in his memoir - a book that not only is well written, but also provides one of the most informed visions of life from a vantage rarely equaled While it is important to view his life journey as a series of successful achievements, the joy of reading this book is the candor and honesty and constant sense of discovery that exudes from every page" Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 Hall of Fame Reviewer Patrick was born and raised in Boadua, a small village in Ghana, Africa. His family lived in extreme poverty, relying on farming and selling fish to get by. He attended elementary school in Boadua, where most children were not expected to gain a higher education. However, Patrick discovered a love for reading and knowledge at a young age, and he would stop at nothing to continue his schooling in order to give himself and his family a better life. After being accepted into secondary school, he eventually traveled to the Soviet Union to continue his education, and finally, to America, where he gained advanced degrees in engineering. "Nothing stops Patrick Asare. An incredible story of how he escaped abject poverty in Africa by realizing at a young age the importance of learning how to read. It was his ticket to becoming formally educated in Ukraine and the United States. A truly inspirational and uplifting memoir deserving of Hollywood attention" Flying Books Review Patrick Asare's love of education is evident in his story: his motivation is seeking knowledge and pulling himself out of poverty by doing so. He writes, "My journey began with the accidental discovery of an interesting piece of information on a discarded scrap of newspaper. That information triggered the series of events that ultimately took me on a magical journey around the world" He worked for a time as a teacher in America, and the behavior of his students led him to explore the socio-cultural differences between Ghana and America, and how circumstances can create drastically different people. "'The Boy from Boadua' is a reflection on education, society, culture, and the impact that different forces have on a developing person, and he leads the reader through the harrowing but miraculous journey of his life. This combination makes for a fascinating read" Lauren Lee, Writer This is a journey that is both inspiring and heart-wrenching as Patrick recalls his triumphs and hardships. Each experience he recounts further explains his view on the world and different cultures, which he reflects on in the latter part of the book. The Boy from Boadua is an unbelievable true story for all ages that teaches the importance of education and understanding the social, cultural, and political factors that shape a person. It's a fascinating read: from working in the harsh jungle and struggling to even afford food, to traveling to a new country without knowledge of the language, and finally, to confronting the American school system, race relations, and much more. Patrick brings his story together in a thought-provoking, exciting, and compelling way that combines his journey with the lessons he learned along the way. The Boy from Boadua, ISBN: 979-8218101008, $16.95 Paperback, $5.99 Kindle, 268 Pages, 2022. Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and the author's website: https://patrickasareauthor.com/ About Patrick Asare: Patrick was born and raised in Ghana. After completing secondary school, he attended university in the former Soviet Union, studying electrical engineering at Donetsk National Technical University in the then Soviet republic of Ukraine. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and also completed a certification program to become a Russian language teacher. Patrick resided in the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, during the historic perestroika era, when President Mikhail Gorbachev introduced the reforms that ultimately led to the breakup of the Soviet Union. He traveled extensively throughout Eastern and Western Europe and became one of the few people with firsthand knowledge of ordinary life on both sides of the Iron Curtain. After graduating from Donetsk, Patrick immigrated to America, where he initially taught Russian and math in public schools in Buffalo, New York. He earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1995 and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 2003. Patrick is a principal at UGI Energy Services, LLC, a diversified energy services firm in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, where he lives with his family. He previously worked as a senior electrical engineer at Caterpillar, Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana. Patrick has written extensively on social, political, and energy policy topics. He is a Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, an Accra-based think-tank. Some of Patrick's energy policy articles have received attention worldwide. Media Contact: For a review copy of The Boy from Boadua or to arrange an interview with Patrick Asare, contact book publicist Scott Lorenz of Westwind Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Reach Lorenz on Twitter @abookpublicist A big night for country music is back on CBS and in Austin, Texas for the 2024 show. The 2024 CMT Music Awards will return live from the Moody Center on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 8/7c. The three-hour event will air on CBS and be available to stream live and on demand via Paramount+ with Showtime. (While Paramount+ Essential subscribers wont be able to stream the show live, they will be able to access is the next day on-demand.) The awards show is back on CBS for the third consecutive year following record-setting 2023 ratings. In 2023, the CMT Music Awards scored its biggest audience ever, with 6.18 million viewers tuning in for the broadcast. Additional details about the 2024 event will be released at a later date. We couldnt be more excited to bring the CMT Music Awards on CBS back to Austin in 2024! From the electrifying, sold-out Moody Center crowd to fans packing the streets for our outdoor Congress stage, and Bevo himself walking the Red Carpet, our Texas-sized welcome proved to be one of our biggest and most unforgettable shows yet, CMT Music Awards executive producers Margaret Comeaux, John Hamlin, and Leslie Fram said in a statement. Were thankful to our incredible partners at Moody Center and with the City of Austin and are thrilled to bring CMTs signature blend of world premieres, genre-blending surprises and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations back this April! Added Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, The CMT Music Awards are coming back to Austin in 2024, and we couldnt be more excited. As the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is no stranger to celebrating its vibrant music community and showcasing an eclectic array of musical talents. Were proud that the CMT Music Awards are returning to Austin, and we cant wait to welcome artists and visitors to our city. The 2023 CMT Music Awards included performances by Kelsea Ballerini (who co-hosted with Kane Brown) and four drag queens from RuPauls Drag Race, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood, Alanis Morissette, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, the Black Crowes, and Darius Rucker. Jelly Roll led winners with three awards on the night. 2024 CMT Music Awards, Live, Sunday, April 7, 2024, 8/7c, CBS and Paramount+ with Showtime More Headlines: Feed is the single largest expense on the dairy farm, representing from 30 to 44% of total gross receipts based on seven-year financial data from Cornell University Dairy Farm Business Summary. The year 2022 brought high milk prices, and the checkbook flowed well, like the promised land of milk and honey. But 2023 will be tighter. Feed costs are often scrutinized to remove extra to improve profit, but cutting feed costs does not guarantee an improved bottom-line profit. Experienced farmers know the long-term effect of cheap does not result in more income. Return on investment is a proper measure of evaluating cost savings. What is the cost reduction compared to the return? Risk is always involved in business. Lessons Lessons from the past often can get forgotten when evaluating decisions. It reminds me of the two hunters who flew deep into the remote backwoods of Canada to hunt elk. They bagged six elk. The pilot told them the plane could only carry four elk out. But the plane that carried us out last year was exactly like this one, the hunters protested. The horsepower was the same, the weather was the same and we had six elk then. Hearing this, the pilot reluctantly agreed to try. They loaded up and took off, but sure enough, there was insufficient power to climb out of the valley with all that weight and they crashed. As they all stumbled from the wreckage, one hunter asked the other if he knew where they were. Well, Im not sure, replied the second, but I think we are about two miles from where we crashed last year. Life lessons can be a challenge to learn. As it applies to dairy farming, taking risk is your life. The saying goes, Most people travel to Las Vegas to gamble, farmers just go to work. High oleic soybeans As a dairy farmer, stay educated and updated on opportunities to improve profit with new feeding technologies. A new development that is being adopted with success by more and more farms in the eastern U.S. and being adopted by Midwest dairies is feeding high oleic soybeans, also called Plenish beans. Whole soybeans are a valuable source of protein, hulls and oil for dairy cows. The veggie oil in high oleic soybeans is more rumen-friendly than regular soybeans. The food industry drove the early demand for high oleic soy oil as it supplies more shelf-stable food products and longer fryer oil life. The feeding of high oleic soybeans to dairy cows has picked up, and in my nutrition consulting across the Midwest and eastern U.S., it has potential benefits. No technology works 100% on every farm but when a technology has the right research behind it along with practical applied feeding experience, the success rate can be increased for a specific farm. Just like the four Rs of proper planting, the four Rs of applying feed technology are right science, right forages, right feeding system and right management. Run the numbers and evaluate the ROI with a qualified nutritionist. The science of feeding high oleic roasted ground soybeans comes from research at Penn State and Michigan State land grant university systems where extruded or raw processed Plenish beans improved milk fat percentage. MSU fed 0, 5, 10 and 15 pounds of ground Plenish beans to cows producing in excess of 100 pounds of 4% milk per cow per day with varying responses but overall higher milk, fat and protein yields. Additional research is ongoing at other locations. Practical on-farm feeding guidelines would recommend feeding from 3 to 8 pounds per cow per day of roasted ground Plenish beans. The option for extruded Plenish beans is available in some markets, but the oil content is lower and performance and savings will vary. The farm feed savings will vary by farm depending upon the current TMR ration nutrient specs. Feed savings have ranged from $1,500 (-$0.10/hd/d) to $16,500 (-$1.10/hd/d) per month based on a 500-cow dairy. Proper roasting is very important to obtain the full benefit as over- or under-roasting results in less performance. Dairy herds that are feeding high oleic soybeans have seen improvements in butterfat and milk protein. For more information on growing and feeding high oleic soybeans for your herd, contact your experienced and certified agronomist and nutritionist. Good science and solid experience are needed to properly make decisions on using feeding technologies. Dont crash your herd like those elk hunters of Canada. When the science makes sense and the practical experience shows positive results, the risk is lower and ROI better. Thank you to Kevin Putnam and Derrick Bender from Pioneer for research data summary and Paul Hann from Pennsylvania for farm feeding information. Summary As a dairy farmer, evaluate the economic return of growing and feeding high oleic soybeans for your dairy herd using solid science and experience from qualified consultants. As consumers, lets applaud our dairy farmers for the quality care they give 24/7/365 to their cows. These farmers provide all of us with quality milk, ice cream, cheese and yogurt for year around nutritious enjoyment. Cheers to our dairy farmers for their dedicated work. This is not a drill! Forget everything I ever said about my dubious relationship or lack thereof with nature. There are pink flamingos in Ohio. Again, this is NOT A DRILL! If I could host actual flamingos in my yard in the Buckeye State I would DIE OF HAPPINESS. Theyre probably mean. Are they mean? I am honestly not sure. Ill Google that in a minute. You could tell me flamingos are actually vicious killers, and I would still want to see them. I have never liked them as home decor (my deepest apologies to the 1950s) but I am fascinated with them as actual living creatures. The colors. The majesty. Standing casually on one leg (please let that be true). According to published reports, wildlife officials believe the flamingos arrived in the Cincinnati area after Hurricane Idalia struck in the southern area of the United States. Per the Columbus Dispatch, three days after landfall, flamingo sightings had been reported in Alabama, South and North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. There have been over 150 flamingos sighted over a period of four days. Further reports are that the flamingos incited a frenzy in the birding world. I adore that turn of phrase. As a newly minted member of the birding world, I understand. Interest I feel like bird watching is something I had zero interest in until I reached a certain age. For years, I felt they were disgusting, honestly. A necessity, for certain. They eat worms and perform other birdly duties. I am not saying they arent useful. How would we know winter was coming if not watching them fly south? I am just saying I didnt want them anywhere near me. A bird got into our house once. I reacted like we had a velociraptor in the attic. Now, I find myself standing on the porch sipping my coffee while trying to decide if Im hearing a red winged blackbird or an American robin. Perhaps its genetic? My great-grandmother loved birds. She had bird figurines. She had bird prints. She had bird music boxes. She favored cardinals. Her sister favored robins. I dont know how old they were when they chose sides and made allegiances in the bird world, but that memory has stuck with me even three decades after both are gone. Im partial to cardinals, of course, but I also have a real soft spot for blue jays. I like their attitude. Who am I? A decade ago, I had no idea about birds. I still have almost no idea, but Im far more interested. I have bird books now. Antique. The books, not the birds. I assume birds have not changed significantly since the mid-20th century so my grandmothers books are still serviceable. Im interested in birds but not enough to buy new books. Lets not talk crazy. Concerns I have not spotted a flamingo in our area of the Buckeye State, but with our cooling temperatures as autumn arrives, I have concerns. A Midwestern autumn offers a nice mix of wintry cold interspersed with 80-plus-degree days because we like to keep things interesting. If the flamingos are like the rest of my Florida family and friends (kisses!), they are going to freeze to death if it drops below 75 degrees. Like, the National Guard should airlift them to safety if the windchill drops below 60 degrees for certain. With this in mind, do the misguided flamingos need sweaters? Parkas? Tiny knitted hats? An airline ticket home? Take Southwest, not Spirit trust me on this. If they choose to remain in Ohio, they are going to need guidelines. Someone needs to explain to the flamingos that a water-filled pothole is NOT an actual body of water suitable for fowl although in many instances the sizes are virtually the same. Instead, they should be shuttled to the Great Lakes. Did you know that the Great Lakes are the largest fresh bodies of water on earth? Lake Erie, Superior, Huron, Michigan and Ontario span 750 miles in from east to west. Also, they probably already have an edge on doing that whole arms up, make an O thing to spell out O-H-I-O in silhouette. The one-legged trick is tailor-made for it. Finally, if they do decide to take leave of our fair state, they will need to know the official midwestern way to say goodbye. It starts with welp, I guess its time to get going. Then, you stand around (one leg or two, your choice), throw around some handshakes and hugs, inch toward the exit (or state line as the case may be), continue chatting, more hugs and handshakes, move on to waving Honestly, by the time they get around to actually working through a whole midwestern goodbye, the warm weather will return. EASTON, Pa. Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited the Eat Real Food Mobile Market at Paxinosa Elementary School in Easton Sept. 27 to announce the theme for the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show: Connecting Our Communities. The 2024 PA Farm Show, Pennsylvanias State Fair, will run from Jan. 6 through Jan. 13 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The 2024 Farm Show will feature fan-favorites like the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, famous Farm Show Food Court, youth showmanship and sheep shearing competitions, cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred Culinary Connection and more than one million square-feet of hands-on agriculture education opportunities and chances to engage with the people who power Pennsylvanias $132.5 billion agriculture industry. To stay up to date on PA Farm Show news, visit farmshow.pa.gov. WASHINGTON An Ohio farmers market won a top spot in the 15th annual Americas Farmers Market Celebration, a national contest hosted by American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition. Markets receiving the most public votes are declared the national winners. The celebration also recognizes top markets in five regions nationwide and in all 50 states. The Meigs County Farmers Market, in Pomeroy, Ohio, won second place in the national contest and was awarded $2,500. This market belongs to the community, and they showed it this past month like never before, said Stephanie Rife, Market Manager, Meigs County Farmers Market, in a statement. We are excited to see this love for all things local carry through our whole county, because when a small town unites, nothing is impossible. More than 2,000 markets nationwide participated in the 2023 celebration with over 10 million supporters engaged through voting, visiting the celebration website and engaging with the celebration on social media. Since 2008, the celebration has highlighted the important role farmers markets play in American communities and our larger food system. National winners are awarded $5,000 for first, $2,500 for second, $1,500 for third, $750 for fourth and $250 for fifth. These funds are awarded to markets for marketing, communications and other needs that help expand the markets reach and impact. The North Tonawanda City Market, North Tonawanda, New York, won first place. Mt. Washington Farmers Market, in Kentucky, took third place. Brookfield Farmers Market, in Illinois, took fourth place, and Kershaw County Farmers Market, in South Carolina. State winners were awarded $100 for taking first place in each state. In Pennsylvania, Lancaster Central Market was first place. In West Virginia, the Fayette County Farmers Market took first place. COLUMBUS The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Geological Survey is inviting Ohioans of all ages to celebrate Earth Science Week. A series of activities and programs will highlight the annual celebration taking place Oct. 8-14. The theme for Earth Science Week 2023 is Geoscience Innovating for Earth and People and emphasizes the ways that advances in the geosciences are helping communities create healthier and increasingly sustainable lives, while accelerating environmental problem-solving around the world. ODNR geologists will start the celebration a day early and offer a variety of events throughout the week, including an event the day after Earth Science Week ends. Ohios events include the following: Oct. 7: Geology Hike, Shale Hollow Park, Delaware; Fossil Collecting, Fossil Park, Sylvania Oct. 8: Geology Hike, Blendon Woods Metro Park, Columbus; Geology Hike, Hinckley Reservation, Hinckley Oct. 11: Fossil Tour, Ohio Statehouse, Columbus Oct. 12: Accessible Geology Hike, Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve, Newark Oct. 14: Fossil Walk and Solar Eclipse Viewing, Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, Marblehead Oct. 15: Guided Fossil Collecting, Caesar Creek State Park, Waynesville A complete list of events is available at ODNRs Earth Science Week webpage. Also, a limited number of Earth Science Week teacher toolkits are available for Ohio educators. The toolkits include experiment instructions, calendars, posters, activity sheets and more materials for teachers to use in the classroom. Toolkits are free (but require $5 shipping) for any Ohio teacher, including home-school teachers, while supplies last. Teacher toolkits, maps and other publications can be ordered by contacting the Geologic Records Center at 614-265-6576 or geo.survey@dnr.ohio.gov. If you cant make one of the events, Ohios cities and rural areas offer many activities you can enjoy on your own. Educators, students, and the public are encouraged to explore Ohios natural history at a location near them. Nakheel, a world-leading master developer, has announced a strategic partnership with Adriatic Marinas, the developer, owner, and operator of the worlds finest THYA Platinum-certified superyacht marina, Porto Montenegro. Under the partnership, Adriatic Marinas will, through its M-Marinas by Porto Montenegro Marina Management Platform, bring superior standards of marina management and peerless superyacht community expertise to enhance Nakheels waterfront communities, which offer innovative living experiences. Work by the partners will begin immediately on enhancements to the existing Palm East and West marinas and on creating an exclusive and compelling marina base at Dubai Islands, further details for which will be shared in the coming months, a statement said. Omar Khoory, Chief Assets Officer at Nakheel, said: We are delighted to partner with M-Marinas by Porto Montenegro to further enhance and redefine the concept of waterfront living. The partnership underscores our commitment to supporting the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan in developing vibrant and healthy communities and positioning Dubai as a waterfront destination. Through our partnership, we will continue to enhance our customer-oriented services and deliver value across all touch points. David Margason, General Manager at Porto Montenegro, said: Over the last 15 years, Porto Montenegro has relentlessly pursued its goal of creating a Life Less Ordinary at the waterfront in the Adriatic region of the world centre of yachting in the Mediterranean. This partnership recognises the results of those many years of commitment to quality and differentiation in everything that we do and will bring the elegance and joie de vivre of the Mediterranean yachting community into the heart of Nakheels waterfront communities in Dubai. Nakheel has developed iconic waterfront projects, including Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Islands, and is committed to building happiness and prosperity for citizens, residents and visitors of Dubai, it said. -TradeArabia News Service Illuminating Iron Age hillforts in Wales Trer Ceiri hillfort, on the Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd, was one of the first in Wales to be recorded by antiquaries. Noting its cluster of huts, Thomas Pennant (1726-1798) described it as the most perfect and magnificent, as well as the most artfully constructed British hillfort I ever beheld. In CA 388 we asked, what are hillforts for?, and Toby Drivers new book Hillforts of Iron Age Wales has some suggestions. Based on his many years spent recording these monuments on the ground and from the air, he concludes that no single explanation fits every example. Rather, like terraces of seemingly identical Victorian or Edwardian houses, external similarities disguise the many different functions, ideas, and ways of life that hillforts supported, as Chris Catling reports. Compared to the number of surviving hillforts there are almost as many on Toby Drivers distribution map as there are settlements in modern Wales only a tiny handful have been excavated. As a result, there is much that we do not know about the later prehistory of Wales, or, as Toby puts it, there are many dark corners that require illumination, or the spark of imagination if we are to piece together the lives of our Iron Age ancestors. Hillforts, along with promontory forts, are one of the three main types of later prehistoric settlement in Wales, the other two being small, defended enclosures and hut groups/field systems. The Historic Environment Records for Wales, accessed via the online portal Archwilio, currently list 764 hillforts, 1,191 defended enclosures, and 1,332 hut groups. In parts of Montgomeryshire and Pembrokeshire, there is a prehistoric fort or farmstead for every modern farm, hinting at the density of settlement, population size, and extent of land cultivation in the period from the earliest Iron Age (around 800 BC) to the early medieval period. Although Rome occupied parts of Wales from c.AD 70, the hillforts and farms of Wales changed little as a consequence, and some that had fallen out of use under Roman rule were reoccupied after AD 410, especially those on coastal sites. The hillforts of Wales. PROMINENT PLACES Hillforts are categorised by the size and strength of their enclosing ramparts, and many have elaborate gateways, marked by outworks, hornworks, and annexes. Most occupy striking natural locations, often on prominent hilltops, ridges, or plateaus, though some were constructed on low-lying knolls, ridges, and hillocks. It is more than likely that these commanding sites were regarded as significant long before they were given the additional definition of hillfort ditches and banks. Finds of worked flints and stone axes at Breiddin and Ffridd Faldwyn in Montgomeryshire, at Pen Dinas in Ceredigion, and at many of the coastal promontory forts of Pembrokeshire indicate an importance for these locations at least two millennia before they became hillforts. Neolithic causewayed enclosures have been found underlying hillforts such as at Caerau, Cardiff, where one of the later gateways is aligned on the main eastern entrance of the Neolithic enclosure, which must therefore have been visible as an earthwork when Iron Age people began work there. Foel Trigarn hillfort in the Preseli Hills, Pembrokeshire, has around 227 house platforms within its ramparts, built around three large burial cairns at the hills summit. Bronze Age burial mounds and cairns were also frequently enclosed by later hillforts, to survive untouched among later roundhouses and ramparts, and thus clearly of continuing importance or reverence in Iron Age society. An upstanding barrow occupies a prominent position within Moel Fenlli, just south of the highest point in the Clwydian Range, Denbighshire, while mounds or stone burial cairns command the summits of Foel Trigarn in Pembrokeshire, Pen y Gaer at Llanbedr-y-Cennin in the Conwy Valley, Penycloddiau and Foel Fenlli in the Clwydian Range, Ysgyryd Fawr (the Skirrid hillfort) in Monmouthshire, and Caer y Twr on Holyhead Mountain. The three monumental Bronze Age burial cairns on the summit of Foel Trigarn hillfort. The hillfort-builders may have seen these great stone mounds as the seats of ancestral power. The fact that they remained untouched despite intense house-building all around them in the Iron Age suggests they retained relevance and importance throughout the life of the hillfort. Why did the late Bronze Age and earliest Iron Age communities begin enclosing these places of ancient ritual and burial? The beginning of the 1st millennium BC was a time of change in Wales, and Britain in general, to a cooler and wetter climate. It is likely that the resulting competition for resources, especially in upland regions, created the need for defence. The development and rapid spread of iron tools and weapons to all levels of society must have had a profound effect on the ways in which elite members of any community had been used to establishing their status through the ownership and display of elaborately ornamented bronze objects. It is no coincidence that the hoarding and deposition of bronze objects suddenly ends in south Wales around 600 BC bronze had ceased to be regarded as a sufficiently special gift for the chthonic deities or to be a precious material that needed to be hidden from view and secured against possible theft until needed. Perhaps it is in this context, of changing status values and new pressures on territorial ownership, that we can find the reasons for the rise of a new and highly visible type of monument. The place of conspicuous metalwork was subsumed by a new form of power: the power of place, to use a phrase made popular by the publication by English Heritage of a report on the future of the historic environment in 2000. Visual command of land and sea: the partly restored northern rampart at Trer Ceiri hillfort, Llyn Peninsula, Gwynedd, with its parapet wall-walk that enabled the monitoring of comings and goings on the Irish Sea. For, in order to build on a prominent hill that probably had considerable spiritual significance for the people of the region, you must have been recognised by the community as having the right to make such an intervention. You must have been acknowledged to be the effective owner of the hill, with the spiritual authority to convince everyone that the heavens and/or ancestors will smile upon your appropriation of an iconic location. And you must have had the unquestioned power to be able to command the necessary resources in terms of people, time, and tools. Community consent was surely vital. Viewed like this, it is clear that hillforts were a symbol of regional power, whether that power was vested in a high-status individual, an elite family, a social class, the community as a whole, or a combination of all four. But as well as representing power, they gave power. From the highest summits, such as the striking Breiddin hillfort, which rises 300m from the floor of the Severn Valley to the north-east of Welshpool, in Powys, one could survey 100km of the surrounding countryside on a clear day, including the lands of the Cornovii to the east. Panoramic views over central Wales from the summit of the Breiddin hillfort in Powys, providing a map of the world stretching for 100km. The builders of these high forts acquired considerable knowledge of the surrounding landscape that could be difficult to gain at ground level: a map of the known world, as Toby terms it. From these high places, they could observe other settlements and hillforts; watch over travellers, trade routes, and approaching visitors; keep a watchful eye on fields and livestock; and be warned about approaching weather systems. Hillforts overlooking rivers and seas could also observe waterborne traffic. Pen Dinas, on the coast at Aberystwyth, looks across Cardigan Bay to the Llyn Peninsula, 70km to the north-west, while several of the hillforts of south Wales take in views across the Severn Estuary to the lands of the Dumnonii in modern-day Devon and Cornwall. Caer Euni, to the north-east of Bala in Gwynedd. The fort was extended over at least two phases, and encircled with a deep rock-cut ditch. This is an extract of an article that appeared in CA 404. Read on in the magazine or on our new website, The Past (click here to subscribe), which details of all the content of the magazine. At The Past you will be able to read each article in full as well as the content of our other magazines, Current World Archaeology, Minerva, and Military History Matters. The NFU has celebrated this year's British harvest by reaching over 100,000 students with its new live lesson: Harvest Thali. This year, students learnt how all the key ingredients of a thali - a common dish in India - are grown and produced in the UK. The NFU said this years focus on the ingredients for a thali was "a brilliant way to make agriculture a more diverse space". Students had the opportunity to use these ingredients and cook alongside Herefordshire based chef Rayeesa Asghar-Sandys to celebrate British produce and the end of harvest. Key Stage 1 children made a Palak Paneer dish, learning how to grow onions, spinach and coriander. They also learnt about where the milk for paneer cheese comes from for the dish, meeting the robotic milkers on farmer Elaines dairy farm. And Key Stage 2 students learnt how to make a tandoori chicken roti, following where chapati flour comes from and virtually visited one of the UKs remaining working watermills. A butcher also taught them how to safely prepare chicken and they visited a garlic farmer on the Isle of Wight. NFU President Minette Batters said: Were in our fourth year of live lessons celebrating harvest and Im so proud of the huge number of schools and children weve been able to reach. This years focus on the delicious ingredients for a thali is a brilliant way to make agriculture a more diverse space where everyone feels welcome. "All while giving students insights into where their food comes from and inspiring them to think about a career in food and farming. Lenia Greenaway, head teacher at St Peter's C of E Infant School, in Tandridge said: "There is always a real buzz around the classroom when this takes place and the whole school gets involved. It's a great way of teaching children about where their food comes from and that it doesn't just come from the supermarket. This gives them that reference point. "It is always a great way of helping children to learn a bit more about another culture." Donald Trump has slammed Joe Biden for allowing illegal immigrants to "invade" the United States. Donald Trump is annoyed about the 'invasion' of illegal immigrants in the US The Biden administration has cited an urgent need to construct a border wall in south Texas but the former president feels that his White House successor has been too slow to act and has allowed "terrorists" to enter the country in their masses. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Trump said: "Biden sees our country is being invaded. What is he going to do about the 15 million people from prisons, from mental institutions, insane asylums, and terrorists that have already come into our country?" Trump urged Biden to return to his policies on immigration if he is to stop the surge of illegal migration into the US. The controversial politician said: "What has happened to our country? "He has to reinstate Remain in Mexico and Title 42. He has to do all of the other things that we were doing." A spokesperson for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign told Fox News Digital that the Republican frontrunner "is always right". They said: "That's why he built close to 500 miles of powerful new wall on the border and it would have been finished by now. "Instead, Crooked Joe Biden turned our country into one giant sanctuary for dangerous criminal aliens." Tom Sandoval has felt "miserable" since his cheating scandal erupted. Tom Sandoval has revealed his regrets The 40-year-old star split from Ariana Madix after it emerged that he had an affair with Raquel Leviss, and Tom admits that he's now determined to learn from his mistakes. He told the 'Everybody Loves Tom' podcast: "I fully f****** regret it. I feel bad about it. I hate that I hurt people. "I, for the most part, have been pretty f****** miserable and I don't ever, ever, ever want to go through what I went through again. And I don't ever want to be responsible or the cause for ever hurting people like that and causing that kind of s*** ever again. "I'm going to do everything in my power to never do that again and to never get lost and caught up in a situation like that." Tom also regrets not being honest with Ariana. Asked if there's anything he would have done differently, Tom replied: "I would have gotten out of my relationship, ripped the Band-Aid off, not delayed. "I think I got caught up in trying to create the perfect break-up, but it was way beyond that." Meanwhile, Raquel previously took to social media to apologise to Ariana after news of the affair emerged. She wrote on Instagram at the time: "I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana. (sic)" Raquel also promised to reflect on her mistakes, admitting that she needed to make "healthier choices". The TV star said: "I am reflecting on my choices, speaking to a counselor and I am learning things about myself such as my patterns of codependency and addiction to being and feeling loved. I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships. I am taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices. (sic)" To read the full story, become a PRIME member today. PRIME Unlimited Access to Insightful Industry Information All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials. During her conversation at a news organisation's event, Suhana said, "I guess all of that is very different from being in a (OTT platform) film and being on a real film set as a working actor, I think, from the number of people on set, from the number of lights on set and the hair and makeup and all the chaos. And in the middle of this, I felt extremely insignificant. And, I guess I kind of knew that everything that everyone was doing around me was felicitating the directors vision, Zoyas vision and I guess knowing that on my first day and realising that, I felt extremely nervous." She further talked about her parents and said, "I wouldnt say my critic, but my biggest source of guidance is my parents. My entire family feels to chip in and help each other out." In an interview with a leading news portal, Suhana revealed that she asked her mother, Gauri Khan, "Was that okay? Is my hair okay? Is my outfit okay?" Suhana Khan, who is set to appear in Zoya Akhtar's The Archies, has referred to her actor father Shah Rukh Khan and producer-interior designer mother Gauri Khan as her 'guiding force' and expressed her reliance on them. Suhana also shared her apprehension on her debut day of filming, stating that she was 'extremely nervous'.In The Archies, Suhana portrays the character of Veronica. The film is a live-action Indian musical adaptation of the famous American comic Archies. The movie also features Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Dot and Yuvraj Menda.The film delves into themes such as friendship, love, rebellion, heartbreak, and freedom, set in the 1960s. The lives of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Ethel, and Dilton are used to explore these themes. Viewers will be transported to the imaginary town of Riverdale. The Archies will premiere on OTT on December 7. Hema Malini Recalls Sitting On Dev Anand's Lap: Veteran actress Hema Malini was a fresh face in the industry when she appeared alongside Dev Anand in the 1970 film "Johny Mera Naam." Directed by Vijay Anand, the movie turned out to be a major success, with its melodious music earning immense love from fans. Malini recently fondly recalled an incident from the shoot during an event celebrating Dev Anand's 100th birth anniversary. The diva narrated a funny incident from the shoot of a song from the film that left her embarrassed. Hema Malini recalls sitting on Dev Anand's lap during a song shoot Remembering an incident from her Johny Mera Naam 'O Mere Raja' song shoot and said she was stuck on a sky trolley with Dev. The shoot happened in Bihar, near Nalanda, and a portion of the song required them to sit in a sky trolley. She recalled an embarrassing moment when she had to sit on Anand's lap for a scene, calling it awkward. "There was a scene where we were supposed to go in the rope chair. The sequence was such that he is sitting already and I have to sit in another chair but because I miss it, he makes me sit on his lap. That was very embarrassing for me, in real life also, and in the film also I am feeling very uncomfortable," she shared. Is Hema Malini Ready to Do Lip-Lock Scene Like Husband Dharmendra? Here's How Veteran Actress Reacted She then laughed as she said, "So the shot started and the rope chair was moving but right in the middle, it stopped. The electricity was gone. I said 'Dev saab, I can't sit like this'. I didn't want to put my whole weight on his lap. It was very very uncomfortable." Journalist Bhawana Somaaya, who was interviewing Hema at the event, added that Anand comforted a scared Malini and told her to look into his eyes instead of looking down. Johny Mera Naam is counted among Hema Malini's biggest hits, while Dev Aanand was an established superstar. On September 26, the late actor celebrated his 100th birth anniversary. This months column will head to Northern Ireland, profoundly aware of the sensitivities of this place, its peoples, and its past. Inevitably, there are gaps in Current Archaeologys narrative: the magazine began in 1966, which sadly aligns with the timeline of Northern Irelands recent, often painful history. What follows is a partial account, but no less powerful for that. I will travel clockwise around the six historic counties, recognising that they are no longer in use as administrative structures, but they are the best way to shape my narrative. As a starting point, some wider reviews that have touched on sites there (and in the Republic of Ireland) include those covering the Neolithic, in CA 296 (November 2014) and CA 401 (August 2023); the Romans, in CA 317 (August 2016); and the Vikings, in CA 304 (July 2015). COUNTY DERRY AND COUNTY ANTRIM County Derry provides a neat microcosm of Northern Irelands archaeology from prehistory to the 20th century. The most famous site mentioned is also one of the oldest: Mesolithic Mount Sandel in Coleraine. CA 59 (November 1977) reported from there when it was first excavated, but there were, alas, no further updates until CA 330 (September 2017) picked up the thread on the publication of the lead excavator Peter Woodmans book, Irelands First Settlers. CA 331 (October 2017) then places the site in wider context in a review of the British Mesolithic. CA 296 (November 2014) moves forward in time to the Irish Neolithic, when works along the A2 airport road revealed a settlement at Upper Campsie. Two Bronze Age sites feature next first, at Ballynagalliagh, where CA 362 (May 2020) reported on the discovery of an enclosure dating to 2000- 1500 BC, covering a 40m by 20m area; and, second, at Corrstown, near Portrush, where CA 195 (December 2004) reported on an extensive middle Bronze Age village. The archaeological trail, at least in the pages of Current Archaeology, then goes quiet for many centuries, until CA 345 and CA 347 (December 2018 and February 2019) pick up the more recent medieval and early modern story in terms of the city of Derry/Londonderry itself. A great starting point to examine County Antrims archaeology comes in CA 294 (September 2014), when excavations ahead of works on a stretch of the A26 road revealed a wealth of evidence from a Mesolithic house to a modern dam. There is then a fine Neolithic site at Ballygalley on the coast north of Larne in CA 134 (May 1993); another Neolithic site at Donegore in CA 92 (June 1984); and the famous Neolithic type site of Lyles Hill in CA 114 (April 1989). But the biggest story in terms of Current Archaeologys coverage belongs to the Bronze Age, when work along the A8 road between Belfast and Larne at Skilganaban revealed a wealth of evidence about its occupants, highlighted in CA 309 (December 2015). CA 309 reported on a significant Bronze Age site found at Skilganaban during work along the A8 road between Belfast and Larne. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given its recent history, Belfast itself (which straddles County Antrim and County Down) barely features in the magazine, although its industrial heritage is touched on in CA 134 (May 1993) and CA 378 (September 2021). In terms of more modern, especially urban archaeology, Carrickfergus claims the greatest attention in Antrim, with visits in CA 159 and CA 296 (September 1998 and November 2014). And, with my maritime archaeologists hat on, it would be remiss of me not to mention the wreck site of the Spanish Armada ship La Girona at Lacada Point, which featured in CA 35 (November 1972). COUNTY DOWN AND COUNTY ARMAGH Current Archaeologys coverage of County Down has, historically, been slim to say the least. One significant survey comes in CA 224 (November 2008), when the medieval tide mills at Nendrum were examined as part of the wider exploration of the sea lough there. The related publication, Strangford Lough: an archaeological survey of the maritime cultural landscape (2002), is worth seeking out in your local library. It is a maritime tour de force, rightly winning a slew of awards (see CA 195, December 2004). Otherwise, for a long time coverage was thinner on the ground, except for references in CA 234 (September 2009) to Bronze Age settlement in the Mourne Mountains, and in CA 263 (February 2012) to medieval settlement around Newry. There was, however, a rare return to this region just last month in CA 403, which explored the excavation of an enigmatic Neolithic timber monument at Ballynahatty, five miles south of Belfast. Medieval tide mills found at Nendrum in County Down featured in CA 224, part of the wider examination of the sea lough there. County Armagh lays claim to the most famous as well as the most referenced archaeological site in Northern Ireland: Navan Fort, one of the great royal sites of pre-Christian Gaelic Ireland. Current Archaeologys visits there have been numerous. To share some highlights, CA 22 (September 1970) first reported on the site and featured it on the cover at a time when significant sections of its interior were undergoing investigation; CA 96 (April 1985) visited again when the site was at (in hindsight, unconscionable) peril of destruction from an adjacent quarry (see updates in CA 99, February 1986, and CA 101, August 1986, by which point, happily, the site was saved); CA 134 (May 1993) visited again and featured the site on the cover for the second time when a new future was being mapped out for it; CA 317 (August 2016) examined the evidence for Roman contact in the area; CA 360 (March 2020) shared new thinking about the distances Iron Age people travelled to it; and, most recently, CA 367 (October 2020) provided news of recent surveys revealing further evidence for its continuity of occupation. Navan Fort a prehistoric hilltop enclosure traditionally thought to be the ancient capital of Ulster featured on the covers of both CA 22 and CA 134. COUNTY FERMANAGH AND COUNTY TYRONE County Fermanaghs one major appearance in Current Archaeology is in a feature exploring an early medieval crannog at Cherrymount/Drumclay, near Enniskillen. The site first featured in CA 271 (October 2012), when it was identified and threatened by a road bypass scheme; CA 275 and CA 279 (February and June 2013) gave updates on its excavation and analysis, which uncovered the richest finds associated with this type of medieval dwelling anywhere in Ireland; and CA 299 (February 2015) returned to tell the full story of this remarkable site. The early medieval crannog found at Cherrymount/Drumclay has featured in several issues of Current Archaeology over the years, including making the cover of CA 299. Concluding in County Tyrone, there is modest reporting down the years, with only two sites mentioned in detail: first, at Ballynagilly, just north of Cookstown, where CA 20 and CA 24 (May 1970 and January 1971) examined the Neolithic settlement; and, second, at Island McHugh, a crannog on Lough Catherine that was occupied continuously from the Neolithic to the late 16th century. This site is referenced in CA 174 (June 2001) as part of an examination of the AD 540 event, a plague or (perhaps) an environmental catastrophe that might be explained by tree-ring analyses from sites such as this one. This is an admittedly enigmatic place to end on but such is the story of archaeology in Northern Ireland, as much as elsewhere. In next months column I will return to the British mainland, to explore the remaining counties not so far covered in my column, starting in Devon, before moving on to Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire, and finally Wiltshire. About the author Joe Flatman completed a PhD in medieval archaeology at the University of Southampton in 2003, and since then has held positions in universities, and local and most recently central government. Since March 2019, he has been a Consultancy Manager in the National Trusts London and South-East Region, leading a team working on Trust sites across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. You can follow him on X: @joeflatman. Amitabh Bachchan In Legal Trouble: In a recent turn of events, veteran star Amitabh Bachchan has got embroiled in a controversy surrounding his recent Flipkart advertisement. The iconic actor has been slapped with a hefty fine of Rs 10 lakh in connection with the ad. Amitabh Bachchan, who has associated himself with various brands over the years, was recently featured in an advertisement for the popular e-commerce platform Flipkart for the upcoming Big Billion Days sale. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs against the ad terming it as misleading and against the country's small retailers. The statement issued also sought the withdrawal of the advertisement. The traders' body has also demanded that Filpkart be imposed a penalty as per relevant provisions of the Consumer Protection Act for "false or misleading advertisement" and the actor be fined Rs 10 lakh. As per media reports, an email sent to Flipkart did not garner a response and the actor could not be contacted for comments. The Secretary General of CAIT, Praveen Khandelwal in a statement said, "As per the definition under Section 2(47), Flipkart, acting through Amitabh Bachchan (endorser), have misled the public regarding the price at which mobile phones are being made available by sellers/suppliers in the smartphone market of India. "This has the effect of disparaging the goods, services, or trade of another person." Moreover, he emphasized that in accordance with Rule 4 of the 2022 Guidelines for Preventing Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements, Flipkart's advertisement "is misleading because it doesn't contain truthful and honest representation and is wholly incorrect, malicious, misleading and manipulative". Meanwhile, last week, CAIT raised concerns about the advertisement featuring Bachchan endorsing Flipkart's upcoming Big Billion Day sale and telling consumers that mobile deals would not be available offline at retail stores. The Big Billion Days sale is scheduled from October 8 to 15. On this World Teachers' Day (celebrated globally on October 5th), an interesting trivia has come to light about director Vidhu Vinod Chopra's '12th Fail' starring Vikrant Massey. For a critical role of a teacher in the film, Chopra has chosen a real-life professor and mentor, Vikas Divyakirti, who has guided countless students in their pursuit of clearing the Union Public Service Commission's entrance exam - including the real Manoj Sharma, who's life has inspired the film. In the recently unveiled trailer of '12th Fail,' Vikas Divyakirti makes an impactful appearance, delivering a profound message to UPSC students. He emphasises that a student's journey should not end with getting a position in the civil services but they should strive to bring meaning to that position. Vikas Divyakirti is widely recognised and respected for mentoring students for the rigorous UPSC examination. Now, he joins a select group of individuals who have played themselves on the big screen. Reflecting on his experience of portraying a professor on the silver screen, Vikas expresses his gratitude, stating, "This is a historic occasion. Perhaps for the first time, Hindi cinema has tried to touch the pulse of Hindi society at such a deep level. The story of Manoj Sharma, who became IPS despite once failing in 12th class, actually shakes every person who has accepted failure as his destiny in life. The film forces him to give himself another chance, to 'restart' his journey!" The trailer highlights Vikrant Massey as the lead and provides glimpses of the protagonist's journey, starting from a small village in Chambal and leading to the bustling hub of UPSC preparation in Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar. This film, based on a true story, draws inspiration from the gritty struggles faced by countless students aspiring to clear the UPSC entrance exam. However, it transcends the confines of a single exam and encourages people not to lose hope in the face of failures, but to persist in their efforts. '12th Fail', directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, is set to have a global release on October 27th, featuring versions in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Rating: 4.0 /5 Star Cast: Mohit Raina, Konkona Sen Sharma, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Satyajeet Dubey, Parambrata Chatterjee, Tina Desai, Natasha Bharadwaj, Mrunmayee Deshpande, Prakash Belawadi, Sonali Kulkarni Director: Nikkhil Advani, Nikhil Gonsalves Mumbai Diaries 2 Review: The city of Mumbai is unique in its own right, with citizens dealing with calamities in their own iconic way. Several films, shows, and documentaries have portrayed the plight of the city whenever a catastrophe hits it, and one of them was the 26/11 terror attack. While many fictionalised stories depicted the tales of bravery of the police and paramilitary forces fighting the terrorists, Amazon Prime Video in 2021 brought a different perspective to the fore, with a focus on doctors and medical personnel dealing with emergencies in Mumbai Diaries. Centred around a government hospital, Bombay General Hospital, the first season of Mumbai Diaries revolved around the doctors, nurses, trainees, and other employees dealing with the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks that shook the entire world. We saw Dr Kaushik Oberoi, Chief of Trauma, Dr Chitra Das, and three residents, Ahaan Mirza, Sujata Ajawale, and Diya Parekh, along with other hospital staff, handling the distressing and terrifying events with sheer bravery. The popular show is now back with another hard-hitting season that captures the woes and untiring chaos of medical staffers at Bombay General Hospital as they deal with new challenges and the devastation caused by the Mumbai floods of 2006. Here's our review for you to decide whether to watch the show or skip it. Plot The series begins with Doctor Kaushik Oberoi partaking in court trials for allegedly murdering a police officer and not prioritising his treatment over that of a terrorist. He looks tired from all the allegations against him, making him lose his mind. Simultaneously, a devastating flood-like situation threatens to submerge the city as unprecedented rains lash out. Unaware of the impending danger, the staff of Bombay General Hospital continue to perform their duties. While we see all familiar faces from the previous installment, there are a few new characters introduced in this season as the BGH members face a bigger enemy, nature's wrath. We see Dr Chitra Das experiencing traumatic episodes from her past bad marriage. Her estranged husband, Dr Saurav Chandra, arrives at the hospital as a part of the UK delegation, bringing in more difficulties for Chitra. Diya, Ahaan, and Sujata are dealing with their own demons. Mumbai is on red alert due to incessant rains, and people are advised to stay indoors and be safe. While the dilapidated government hospital is also on the brink of collapse, the doctors and staff have no option but to deal with "unlimited problems with limited resources." Ahead Of Mumbai Diaries 2 Premiere, Konkona Sen Sharma Shares Experience About Working On Sequel Performances The characters in the show are not just simple props, they are the heart of the show. Each one of them delivers a hard-hitting performance, with a compelling portrayal of the pressure that doctors go through. Mohit Raina, disheartened and filled with disappointment over the thought of losing his doctor's licence, makes you feel for him. Mohit gives a restrained and powerful performance with true authenticity. Konkana Sen Sharma's struggle to live with her past trauma shows off when her ex-spouse suddenly comes in front of her. She is fantastic in scenes of breakdown where she has to show fear and the deep scars that her abusive marriage has left on her heart and mind, which have been ingeniously performed by Sen, letting you sympathise with her. Parambrata Chatterjee, who joins the cast as the ex-spouse of Chitra Das, adds an eerie and mysterious feel to the series, leaving one to wonder what must have been their story. He is sharp and gives a great portrayal of a controlling husband. Shreya Dhanwanthary, an upright journalist who has to give in to the ethos and corruption of the TRP-hungry media, plays a demoralised professional with sheer conviction. Tina Desai, Satyajeet Dubey, Prakash Belawandi, Mrunmayee Despande, Natasha Bhardwaj, and Balaji Gauri all add glory to the roles and are absolutely good at their parts. What's good & bad Nikhil Advani and Nikhil Gonsalves have brilliantly put together the story of doctors and medical staff who are the forerunners in providing services to people in distress. Capturing the darkness and atmosphere that come with continuous rainfall keeps the flavour of the show intact. The subplots effectively merge well with the core theme of the show, while dialogues bring out the nuances of each character. The visual treatment of the drama series gives the feeling of reality with its constant downpour and flooded hospital wards. Verdict Spanning eight episodes, Mumbai Diaries demonstrates the highly pressuring and fast-paced lives of doctors, nurses, and medical staff. The storytelling is gripping and hits you in the gut with its striking visuals and emotional scenes. Along with a bunch of competent performances, the show has successfully told a multi-layered story with heartbreaking and empathic scenes. Mohit Raina Drops BIG Hint About Mumbai Diaries Season 2 On Second Anniversary? Mumbai Diaries remains authentic to its main story by being more than a medical drama that deals with human trauma and crisis, all the while shedding light on the media that is after scoops for business gain. Pradeep Antony Actor Biography: Pradeep Antony , a rising star in the Tamil film industry, gained popularity for his appearance on Bigg Boss Season 3 as Kavin's friend and for giving him the show's iconic slap. Additionally, he has developed a unique personality for himself in addition to his mesmerising on-screen performances. He received praise from all around the world for his portrayal of Saravanan in the hit movie "Dada" and his acting debut, Vaazhl. Persoanl Life Pradeep Antony, who was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, keeps his personal affairs private. As of 2023, nothing is known about his family, age, or birthdate. He was raised in Chennai and still refers to it as his home. He has a graduate degree in visual communication, and his hobbieswriting novels and immersing himself in engrossing booksevidently reflect his love of literature. Career Pradeep's journey into the world of cinema began in 2016 with a supporting role in the critically acclaimed film Aruvi . His performance was widely praised, and he soon caught the attention of filmmakers with his natural acting and versatility. In 2017, Pradeep landed his breakthrough role as Saravanan in the film Dada . His portrayal of a complex and morally ambiguous character was both nuanced and powerful. The film was a commercial success, and Pradeep's performance earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan following. In 2021, Pradeep starred in his first lead role in the film Vaazhl . His performance was widely praised for its maturity and sensitivity. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it cemented Pradeep's position as one of the most promising young actors in Tamil cinema. Pradeep's talent and versatility have made him a sought-after actor among directors and filmmakers. He has already collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry, and his future looks incredibly bright. He is an emerging force in Tamil cinema, and audiences are eagerly waiting to see what he does next. Bigg Boss Season 7 Pradeep Antony, the Kollywood actor, entered the seventh season of Bigg Boss, the most-watched reality show hosted by Kamal Haasan, to compete with 20 other contestants. When he is eliminated, the exact count of days he spent in the house will be updated here. Read More Dr. Shiva Rajkumar and Anupam Kher starrer Ghost Trailer released to a great response from the audience. While the Kannada film's trailer has been lauded so much, its Hindi version presented by Jayantilal Gada's Pen Movies also received lots of praise. Overall, the Ghost Trailer took the internet by storm. Not only did Dhanush and SS Rajamouli praise the film, but also Shivanna fans went gung ho. Netizens have loved the VFX and many other aspects of the film. Some even stated what it felt like having goosebumps after watching the trailer. Other than this, they even shared how they loved Dr. Shiva Rajkumar in every frame. Considering this is his first film of 2023, fans are calling it quite the banger. The action-packed heist thriller tells the story of a man's quest for justice. Lapped with strong dialogues and great action, Ghost is here to shake up the system. The film is directed by Srini. It is the second installment of the Birbal Trilogy. Ghost is all set to release in cinemas on 19th October in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Shiyas Kareem Caught At Chennai Airport Amid Controversy: Shiyas Kareem, a 34-year-old film and reality show star hailing from Ernakulam Perumbavoor, has been apprehended following a complaint from a young woman accusing him of sexual harassment and deceit related to marriage promises. Mammootty's Kannur Squad: Inspired By The Real-Life Murder Case Of A Kasaragod Industrialist His arrest took place at the Chennai airport, as he had just returned from the Gulf. Shiyas Kareem, who had been in the Gulf, attempted to return to Kerala via Chennai, apparently choosing this route to avoid immediate arrest upon arrival at Kerala's airports. The Chennai Customs Department detected the situation and subsequently alerted the Chandera Police. Law enforcement authorities are en route to Chennai to officially document Shiyas Kareem's arrest. Allegations And Legal Action The police had issued a lookout notice for Shiyas Kareem, leading customs to intercept him at Chennai airport. A case has been registered against Shiyas by Chandera police following a complaint from a gym trainer in Padanna. The complainant alleges theft of money and physical assault, claiming that the 32-year-old divorced woman was subjected to sexual abuse under the pretext of marriage promises from 2021 to March 2023 in Ernakulam and Munnar lodges. She came forward when Shiyas Kareem prepared for another marriage. The complaint details that a total of 11 lakh rupees were taken from her in installments, and assaults occurred in Cheruvathur. Shiyas Kareem had earlier posted on Facebook, clarifying his location as Dubai, not jail. He stated, "Many people are spreading false news on my behalf. I'm not in jail; I am in Dubai. I came here to purchase quality rice. I will distribute it once I return to the country," with a touch of sarcasm. The video also included comments against media reports on the matter. Chaaver Twitter Review: Kunchacko Boban And Antony Varghese Movie Promises A Thrilling Experience Shiyas Kareem, a notable figure in the world of modelling, made his mark on both television and cinema. He gained fame as one of the prominent stars on the reality show "Star Magic," which aired on the Flowers channel. Shiyas Kareem's talent and charisma led him to the top five in the 'Mr. Grand Sea World 2018' competition held in Bulgaria. He also participated as a contestant on the popular reality show "Bigg Boss Malayalam." Additionally, he showcased his acting skills in films such as "Captain," "Veeram," and "Salmon." Malayalam actor Shiyas Kareem, who became a household name with his stint in Star Magic, is making the news for the most shocking reason. Days after being accused of sexual harassment and cheating, Shiyas Kareem has been arrested today. According to media reports, he was returning from Dubai and was nabbed at the Chennai airport. While the news of Shiyas Kareem's arrest has been going viral, it is reported that a case was registered with the Chantera police wherein a gym trainer was accused of cheating, sexual assault and impregnating the victim. The police registered a case under sections 376 (rape, with punishment of 7 to 10 years), 342 (wrong confinement, with punishment up to 1 year) and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt, with punishment of 1 year) of Indian Penal Code based on the statement of the complainant. And now, we have got our hands on Shiyas Kareem's first statement in the matter wherein he has rubbished all the allegations levelled against him. In a conversation with ETimes TV, Shiyas claimed that the case is fabricated and the allegations are fake. He admitted knowing the accused and said that she had visited his gym seeking a job and pretended to be a fitness trainer. Shiyas also maintained that he had no idea about the accused of being married and having a 17 year old son. He also emphasised that the accused got close to him and his family. However, they never had any sexual relations and neither took any money from her. "Almost a year and a half back, I learned about her whereabouts and started keeping a distance from her," he added. Furthermore, Shiyas also added he was threatened by the accused about filing a case against him if he failed to give her a lump sum amount of money. "She even got me attacked by goons. I kept quiet since I didn't want to foil my reputation as the blame will always fall on me since I am a known name, Shiyas was quoted saying. For the uninitiated, Shiyas was accused of getting engaged in fraudulent activities amounting to Rs 11 lakh. Meanwhile, Shiyas had recently announced his wedding with Dr Rehana amid the ongoing controversy. As of now, the cops are investigating the matter. Leo Trailer Release Time: Excitement is building as fans eagerly await the upcoming release of Thalapathy Vijay's highly anticipated film, 'Leo.' Mammootty's Kannur Squad: Inspired By The Real-Life Murder Case Of A Kasaragod Industrialist The film's creators recently announced the release date for the trailer, and the day has finally arrived. The trailer promises to be a visual delight that will leave audiences craving more. Prepare for an exhilarating evening as we unveil the Leo trailer release time. Reports suggest that the trailer for "Leo" is scheduled to premiere today at 6.30 p.m. Countdown To Thalapathy Vijay's 'Leo' Thalapathy Vijay's fans are counting down the days until the release of 'Leo.' Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the film is set to hit screens on October 19, 2023, coinciding with Dussehra, on a global scale. With Thalapathy Vijay in the lead, 'Leo' promises an adrenaline-pumping thriller. The ensemble cast includes Sanjay Dutt, Trisha, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Menon, Mysskin, and Priya Anand, each portraying pivotal roles. The screenplay is a collaborative effort by Rathna Kumar and Deeraj Vaidy, alongside Lokesh Kanagaraj. Leo Paid Premiere Meanwhile, another exciting piece of news for movie enthusiasts: a buzz is stirring in the world of Tamil cinema that "Leo" will have a paid premiere, scheduled one day before the official release date. The premiere will include evening and night shows in Tamil Nadu. Thalapathy Vijay's leading role, along with director Lokesh Kanagaraj's vision, has undoubtedly fueled anticipation and excitement among the audience. Shiyas Kareem Arrest: Customs Foil Actor's Attempt To Enter Kerala Via Tamil Nadu With a stellar cast and a mix of suspense and drama, "Leo" guarantees a unique cinematic experience. Stay tuned for the trailer's debut and get a glimpse of what this much-anticipated film has in store for you. Barsatein News: Following the success of Nakuul Mehta and Disha Parmar's Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2, Ekta Kapoor once again joined forces with Sony TV for Barsatein - Mausam Pyar Ka. This new show, featuring Shivangi Joshi and Kushal Tandon in the pivotal roles of Aradhana and Reyansh, premiered amid considerable anticipation and buzz in July of this year. In the storyline of Barsatein, Shivangi Joshi portrays Aradhana, a journalist who joins Reyansh's company. However, her mother, a practicing dentist, strongly opposes Aradhana's career choice and advocates for her to pursue a medical profession instead. With the show receiving positive feedback from viewers, the makers are diligently incorporating fresh twists and turns to keep the audience entertained. KUSHAL TANDON TO JOIN SHIVANGI JOSHI IN JHALAK DIKHHLA JAA 11? As fans are loving Kushal Tandon and Shivangi Joshi's onscreen chemistry in Barsatein, it looks like the channel is keen to sign them for one of their biggest shows coming next month. Well, we're talking about celebrity dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11. While Shivangi Joshi is said to be a confirmed contestant, the latest buzz suggests that the team has now reached out to Kushal with an interesting offer. Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai TWIST: Harshad Chopda's EXIT Confirmed? Here's How Abhimanyu Might DIE Barsatein TWIST: THIS Character To Reveal Kimaya Is Pregnant To Aradhana In Shivangi Joshi's Show Interestingly, Kushal Tandon has received an offer to either participate of host Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 11. Yes, you read that right! Revealing the same, a source informed India Forums, "Kushal has been in talks for the upcoming season, and both the show's producers and the channel are eager to have him on board. The makers of the show have approached him to be a part fo the show either as a contestant or as a host. If all falls into place, he will be a part of the show." The report further added that the actor is not particularly enthusiastic about participating in the show as a contestant. However, if everything falls into place, there is a strong possibility that he will consider hosting the show. So, let's wait for the official announcement. JHALAK DIKHHLA JAA 11 CONTESTANTS LIST As per the ongoing reports, the makers have roped in several well-known celebrities as participants in Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa 11 including Shivangi Joshi, Sumbul Touqeer Khan, Ayesha Singh, and Shoaib Ibrahim. The show is expected to hit the TV screens next month. Keep watching this space for more updates! Enhances Brand Safety Measures with ComScore Technology PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / October 4, 2023 / Today, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn"), the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, announced its September 2023 Podcast Advertising Rates, including the highest and most accessible CPM categories, and touched on advancements in its brand safety and suitability targeting solutions. The Podcasting Advantage: Building Brand Trust & Safety Podcast advertising elevates consumers' brand awareness, sparking curiosity, driving engagement, and boosting their interest in making a purchase from that brand's products or services, according to Nielsen's 'Podcasting Today' report. This is driving home why brands are increasingly choosing podcasts as a medium for advertising, but they want to ensure brand safety and protection of their reputation across such digital audio campaigns. That's why Libsyn is committed to prioritizing brand safety for its advertisers. The Company's AdvertiseCast marketplace leverages ComScore technology to scan and analyze the transcripts of individual podcast shows within the marketplace, enabling contextual profiling of their audio inventory. These integrated components work seamlessly together to score shows, empowering brands to ensure ad placement safety and suitability. Dave Hanley, Chief Revenue Officer of Libsyn's AdvertiseCast, affirms, "Our advanced brand safety and suitability solutions prioritize advertisers' peace of mind. Through our AdvertiseCast marketplace, we utilize ComScore technology to meticulously analyze podcast show transcripts, enabling contextual profiling and show scoring. This commitment ensures brands can confidently navigate the digital audio landscape." September 2023 Podcast Advertising Rates The following rates, which are denoted as cost per thousand or CPM, are published monthly by Libsyn's AdvertiseCast, the industry's premier podcast advertising marketplace that connects advertisers with podcasters. The Company releases the figures to empower the podcaster and advertiser communities to readily monitor market pricing and provide greater insight into podcasting advertising as a monetization vehicle. The data is derived from actual sales data across AdvertiseCast's network of thousands of shows. For September 2023, the average CPM rate was $22.91 for a 60-second ad spot. That figure is up 3.8% compared to last month (August 2023 avg. CPM rate: $22.07) and has decreased year-over-year (September 2022 avg. CPM rate: $23.94). The three highest CPM categories in September based on delivered advertising were: Education: $27 Arts: $26 Technology: $25 Moreover, three categories where advertisers can effectively tap into highly engaged audiences at more accessible CPM rates include Fiction, News, and TV & Film, which averaged around the low 20s in September. Libsyn's AdvertiseCast combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that makes it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns, while providing maximum return for creators. Historical monthly CPM rates can be found on AdvertiseCast's website at: www.advertisecast.com/podcast-advertising-rates. About Liberated Syndication Founded in 2004, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn") is the leading all-in-one podcasting platform for creators and advertisers to host, distribute, monetize, amplify, and measure their audio content. In 2022, the Company hosted over 75,000 shows and delivered over 8 billion downloads to listeners globally. Libsyn's AdvertiseCast marketplace combines an industry-leading ad buying and management platform with full-service capabilities that make it easy for podcast advertisers to initiate and manage highly targeted and measurable campaigns on over 3,000 shows. Based in Munich, Germany, Libsyn's Julep Media platform is the leading podcasting hosting platform and advertising marketplace in Europe. Libsyn also powers podcast membership platform, Glow, and web hosting platform, Pair Networks. Visit libsyn.com or investor.libsyn.com for more Company information. #? #? # Media Contacts: Ray Yeung + Nancy Zakhary | ray@relev8.co+ nancy@relev8.co Investor Contact: investor@libsyn.com SOURCE: Liberated Syndication, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/789934/libsyn-unveils-september-2023-podcast-advertising-rates For our cover story we tour the hillforts of Wales, considering what these mighty monuments were for, and if one definition can capture a purpose for all of them. We then head into a hidden valley in north Lincolnshire, where twin Anglo-Saxon cemeteries representing dramatically different burial traditions were excavated in the 1990s. Thirty years on, analysis has shed vivid light on a fascinating period of religious change and continuity. Our next feature ventures to another valley, this time in Herefordshire, to learn more about Arthurs Stone. This Neolithic monument has an intriguing (pre)history, shape-shifting from one type of tomb to another. Thanks to three years of excavations, this enigmatic evolution is now coming into focus. Moving forward in the medieval period, we then travel to Ankerwycke, on the riverbank opposite Runnymede. While one side of the Thames was witnessing the creation of Magna Carta, the other was home to the nuns of St Marys Priory. What have recent investigations revealed about this religious community, and the grand Tudor residence that succeeded it? We end by unpicking the Knutsford Hoard, a collection of over 100 Roman coins and items of jewellery, and what it tell us about life some 2,000 years ago. Finally, I offer a grateful salute to my indomitable, indefatigable, and entirely indispensable deputy, Kathryn, for overseeing this issue while Ive been away for much of September. P.S. Details of all the content of the magazine are available on our new site, The Past. Here you will be able to read each article in full as well as the content of our other magazines, Current World Archaeology, Minerva, and Military History Matters. Subscribers should see the advert inside the magazine for a very special offer! In This Issue: FEATURES THE HIDDEN VALLEY Finding Anglo-Saxons in rural Lincolnshire More than 20 years after two Anglo-Saxon cemeteries were excavated at Sawcliffe, near Scunthorpe, new interpretations in the wake of the upcoming publication of the excavation report are helping to complete the picture of early medieval burials in the region. A MONUMENTAL MYSTERY Unpicking the evolution of Arthurs Stone The partial excavation of a churchyard at Fewston in North Yorkshire has provided a rare look at a rural post-medieval population from the north of England, including the lives of many children who were brought from urban workhouses to labour in the nearby mills. EXCAVATING ANKERWYCKE From priory to pleasure ground Ongoing excavations at Ankerwycke, opposite Runnymeade, are shedding new light on how the site evolved from a medieval nunnery to a Tudor residence and, finally, to a 19th-century pleasure ground. POWER OF PLACE Illuminating Iron Age hillforts in Wales A comprehensive survey of the Iron Age hillforts of Wales has provided new evidence about their construction and use over the centuries, showing that no single explanation fits every example. A CHESHIRE TREASURE Exploring the contents of the Knutsford Hoard The Knutsford Hoard a Roman hoard containing more than 100 coins and pieces of jewellery was found in 2012. What can more recent analysis of its contents tell us about life in the north-west of England nearly 2,000 years ago? NEWS Multi-period finds at Faughan Hill; Investigating a Neolithic cursus on the Isle of Arran; Modelling the Roman road network in the south-west; Bronze Age burial found at Iron Age site in Dorset; Whales in Anglo-Saxon England; Science Notes; Roman farmstead excavated at Milton, Cambridgeshire; Finds Tray REGULARS COMMENT Joe Flatman excavates the CA archive CONTEXT Breathing new life into an Anglo-Saxon brooch: National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh REVIEWS Broken Pots, Mending Lives: the archaeology of Operation Nightingale; Death and the Body in Bronze Age Europe: from inhumation to cremation; From Hunter-Gatherers to Early Christians: the archaeology of ancient societies in the Llyn peninsula; Fabric of the Frontier: prospection, use, and re-use of stone from Hadrians Wall; A Womans Will: the changing lives of British women, told through the things they have left behind; Beacons in the Landscape: the hillforts of England, Wales, and the Isle of Man (2nd edition) MUSEUM NEWS The latest on acquisitions, exhibitions, and key decisions EXHIBITION Burma to Myanmar at the British Museum LISTINGS Our selection of exhibitions and events, as well as historical, archaeological, and cultural resources from around the world that are still available online. SHERDS Chris Catlings irreverent take on heritage issues ODD SOCS National Churches Trust Have all this delivered directly to your door every month click here to find out more abo Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 4, 2023) - Iconic Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ICM) (OTCQB: ICMFF) (FSE: YQG) (the "Company" or "Iconic") the Company is pleased to announce that Iconic will commence trading under a new OTCQB symbol: ICMFF, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The Company is currently focused on the exploration and development of its two prospective lithium brine properties located in Nevada, USA. About the Grass Valley Project The Grass Valley Property is a lithium exploration project consisting of 997 placer claims covering an area of 80 km2 (31 mi2). Located approximately 60 km (36 miles) northeast of Austin, Nevada, the property expresses indicators of a potential lithium brine system. The large, enclosed basin is surrounded by mountains with ample felsic volcanics and intrusives, has active hot spring systems on 3 sides of the valley, and surface salt lithium assays as high as 510 ppm Li and an MT survey, run by Fritz Geophysics, shows an interpreted major brine zone extending from approximately 500 meters (1,600 feet) to over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) below the surface. About the Smith Creek Project The Smith Creek Project is located within Smith Creek Valley in Nevada, which is approximately 60 km (37 miles) long and 16 km (10 miles) wide. Quartz-rich volcanic tuffs containing anomalous amounts of lithium occur within and adjacent to the valley. Surface sampling around hot springs on patented ground just off the claim block assayed a maximum of 470 ppm Li. The gravity low within the valley is 16 km (10 miles) long, and the current estimates of depth to basement rocks range from 1,300 to 1,500 meters (4,200 to 5,000 feet). The current claim block covers an area of 67 km2 (26 mi2) with potential for brine systems as well as sediment resources. Qualified Person Richard Kern, Certified Professional Geologist, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Kern is not independent of the Company as he is the Chief Executive Officer of Iconic. On behalf of the Board of Directors SIGNED: "Richard Barnett" Richard Barnett, CFO Contact: Keturah Nathe, VP Corporate Development (604) 336-8614 For further information on Iconic, please visit our website at www.iconicminerals.com. The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Option, the Joint Venture, the amount of the Offering, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering and the future business plans and exploration activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "will", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals required for the Option Agreement and the future development of the Company's projects in a timely manner. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, including on the Smith Creek Property, requirements for additional capital, future prices of lithium and gold, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the business, financial condition and exploration and development activities of the Company, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including of the TSX Venture Exchange in respect of the Option Agreement and the Offering, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with the Canadian Securities Authorities. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182972 In diesem Report stellen wir Ihnen 3 Top-Aktien aus dem Energie-Sektor vor, die Sie unbedingt auf Ihre Watchlist setzen mussen. Lassen Sie sich diese kostenlose Analyse nicht entgehen! Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Pursuing travel retail business expansion into Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KT&G Corporation("KT&G" or the "Company") (KRX:033780), South Korea's leading tobacco manufacturer, took part in 2023 TFWA World, the world's largest travel retail exhibition held in Cannes, France from October 1st to 5th. TFWA World, organized by Tax Free World Association, stands as the foremost travel retail exhibition dedicated to revitalize the travel retail industry. During the exhibition, KT&G set up a booth to showcase its core travel retail brands including ESSE, RAISON, BOHEM, and several others. KT&G placed a strong emphasis on its global premium brand ESSE, promoting its innovative technology and distinctive product portfolio. At the booth, digital screens and displays were strategically installed to provide a comprehensive overview of KT&G's global expansion progress and achievements in the travel retail business. KT&G also prepared a dedicated meeting room for its business partners and engaged in various networking programs to enhance existing partnerships and secure new ones. "Participating in the world's largest travel retail exhibition allowed us to explore new business opportunities with partners from all around the world and strengthen our brand awareness. Moving forward, we plan to proactively pioneer new markets and expand our global network, with the goal of establishing a dominant presence in the rapidly growing travel retail market post-pandemic," said Jae Young Cho, Executive Managing Director of KT&G Global Headquarters. KT&G took its first step into the global travel retail market in 1995 by debuting 88 Lights in the Chinese travel retail market. Currently, KT&G's products are available in 434 travel retail stores, spanning 171 cities worldwide. The company has notably established a robust presence in Asia, with its products prominently featured in 28 out of top 30 Asian airports. As KT&G aims to further strengthen its position in the Asian market, it will concurrently pursue proactive expansion into Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2239396/Pic.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1961370/4323905/KT_G_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ktg-takes-part-in-2023-tfwa-world-the-worlds-largest-travel-retail-exhibition-301947861.html DKSH Management Ltd. / Key word(s): Bond/Sustainability DKSH Closes Second Sustainability-Linked Loan With Existing CHF 150 Million Revolving Credit Facility 05.10.2023 / 07:00 CET/CEST Media release DKSH has converted its existing CHF 150 million revolving credit facility loan into a sustainability-linked revolving credit facility. This is the second sustainable finance instrument DKSH has entered into within this year, further strengthening its commitment to increase gender diversity in its senior leadership team positions, and become climate neutral (Scope 1+2) by 2030. Zurich, Switzerland, October 5, 2023 - DKSH, a leading Market Expansion Services provider and trusted partner for companies looking to grow in Asia and beyond, has converted an existing CHF 150 million revolving credit facility (RCF) into a sustainability-linked RCF. The conversion of this loan was signed by a syndicate of six banks, with the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) acting as the Sustainability Coordinator. This sustainability-linked RCF is linked to its social and environmental commitments - to increase gender diversity in its senior leadership team positions, and to become climate neutral (Scope 1+2) by 2030. Achieving the agreed-upon targets would result in lower borrowing rates for DKSH, whereas failure to reach the targets would equally entail higher borrowing rates. The sustainability-linked RCF includes an accordion feature which provides flexibility to increase the size of the RCF by up to CHF 150 million through existing lenders, or through the additional facility commitments by any existing lender, and/or the introduction of new lenders. Earlier in May this year, DKSH signed a sustainability-linked loan for CHF 315 million, linked to the same key performance indicators. Ido Wallach, DKSH CFO, stated: "This second sustainability-linked facility demonstrates how sustainability has become a true way of life in DKSH, and the confidence of our banking partners in supporting it." Emily Tonkin, ANZ Head of Sustainable Finance, Europe, UK said: "We are pleased to have supported DKSH in converting their loan into a sustainability-linked facility, as part of their commitment to become climate neutral by 2030 and increasing gender diversity in its leadership." "More broadly, we are seeing significant appetite for sustainability-linked facilities as they allow borrowers to communicate their sustainability strategy to the market, be publicly held accountable and be incentivized to achieve their targets," said Ms. Tonkin. About DKSH DKSH's purpose is to enrich people's lives. For more than 150 years, we have been delivering growth for companies in Asia and beyond across our Business Units Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials, and Technology. As a leading Market Expansion Services provider, we offer sourcing, market insights, marketing and sales, eCommerce, distribution and logistics as well as after-sales services. DKSH is a participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, DKSH operates in 37 markets with 32,600 specialists, generating net sales of CHF 11.3 billion in 2022. www.dksh.com About ANZ ANZ's Sustainable Finance business is recognized as a market leader across Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific, and has participated in 127 sustainable finance deals with a total deal size of AUD 155 billion in FY22. ANZ is the largest bank servicing institutional and large corporate customers in its home markets of Australia and New Zealand, where it ranks #1 for overall market-and lead-bank penetration (according to Peter Lee Associates). In Asia, ANZ has ranked #1 for relationship quality for the past 6 years, and #1 for relationship quality in Singapore in 2022, according to Greenwich Associates. For more information please contact: DKSH Holding Ltd. Till Leisner Head, Group Investor & Media Relations Phone +41 44 386 7315 till.leisner@dksh.com End of Media Release Technip Energies (PARIS: TE) has been awarded Engineering, Procurement Services and Construction Management (EPsCm) contracts by Galp for an advanced biofuels unit and a green hydrogen unit for its Sines refinery in Portugal. Both projects are part of Galp's program to reduce the carbon footprint of the refinery and its products. The Advanced Biofuels Unit, promoted by the joint venture of Galp (75%) and Mitsui (25%), will have a 270 ktpa capacity and will produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from bio-feedstock and waste residues and will allow Galp to avoid c. 800 ktpa of greenhouse gas emissions. For this unit, Technip Energies will work in consortium with Technoedif Engenharia, a large engineering firm in Portugal, to complete the EPsCm project. The Green Hydrogen Unit, composed of a 100 MW electrolysis plant, will produce up to 15 ktpa of renewable hydrogen, using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers which will be supplied by Plug Power. This unit will allow the replacement of c. 20% of the existing grey hydrogen consumption of Sines refinery and will lead to greenhouse gas emissions reduction of c. 110 ktpa. Both units represent a gross investment estimated at 650 million and will transform the Sines refinery into one of the most important low-carbon platforms in Portugal. Marco Villa, Chief Operating Officer of Technip Energies, commented: The Final Investment Decision for these two important projects is a major step taken by Galp to transform the refining industry in Portugal. Technip Energies, who has been supporting Galp strategy since the early phases of those two projects, is now delighted to be selected as a partner for the execution phase of both. This investment is another example of how Technip Energies enables the decarbonization of the energy industry through collaboration, innovation and technology integration About Technip Energies Technip Energies is a leading Engineering Technology company for the energy transition, with leadership positions in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and ethylene as well as growing market positions in blue and green hydrogen, sustainable chemistry and CO2 management. The company benefits from its robust project delivery model supported by extensive technology, products and services offering. Operating in 35 countries, our 15,000 people are fully committed to bringing our client's innovative projects to life, breaking boundaries to accelerate the energy transition for a better tomorrow. Technip Energies is listed on Euronext Paris with American depositary receipts ("ADRs"). For further information: www.technipenergies.com. Important Information for Investors and Securityholders Forward-Looking Statement This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows or other aspects of Technip Energies' operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "foresee," "should," "would," "could," "may," "estimate," "outlook," and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on Technip Energies' current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on Technip Energies. While Technip Energies believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting Technip Energies will be those that Technip Energies anticipates. All of Technip Energies' forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond Technip Energies' control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from Technip Energies' historical experience and Technip Energies' present expectations or projections. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see Technip Energies' risk factors set forth in Technip Energies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which include amendment no. 4 to Technip Energies' registration statement on Form F-1 filed on February 11, 2021. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and speak only as of the date they are made. Technip Energies undertakes no duty to and will not necessarily update any of the forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events, except to the extent required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231004125245/en/ Contacts: Investor relations Phil Lindsay VP Investor Relations Tel: +44 207 585 5051 Email: Phillip Lindsay Media relations Jason Hyonne Press Relations Social Media Lead Tel: +33 1 47 78 22 89 Email: Jason Hyonne Sonen Capital, one of the most recognized pioneering impact investment firms, today announced that Macquarie Asset Management has made a minority investment in the firm. Sonen Capital provides impact investment and advisory services to families, foundations, institutions and advisors. They are committed to integrating social and environmental impact into the investment process to deliver on clients' financial and impact goals. Macquarie Asset Management's investment will support Sonen's strategic initiatives by bringing additional balance sheet capital to support the ongoing growth of the firm's global impact outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) services. The investment will further support Sonen's continued growth of its impact measurement and reporting capabilities, including Sonen's comprehensive reporting tools that provide clients with industry leading integrated impact and financial reporting. Under the terms of the transaction, Sonen will retain the day-to-day management and operations of the company. The firm's investment and decision-making process will also remain unchanged. Raul Pomares, Sonen Capital's Founding Partner, said, "This strategic investment will enable us to further scale our capability to deliver solutions to clients from strategy to implementation for their specific impact objectives." He added, "Given Macquarie Asset Management's industry leading commitments and management objectives, there are strong values alignment toward mobilizing capital for positive impact." "Investors continue to have increasing expectations for their portfolios, including knowing how their investments impact society," said Graeme Conway, Chief Commercial Officer, Macquarie Asset Management. "Sonen have a long history of providing solutions for clients that measure financial and social impact. We are excited to support Sonen's field building efforts in this area." This investment substantiates Sonen's ongoing focus to advance its strategic vision to be the trusted partner of choice for asset owners seeking investment solutions to address the world's most pressing challenges. About Sonen Capital Sonen Capital is a leading impact investment manager and advisory firm registered with the SEC. Founded in 2011, Sonen provides innovative impact investment and advisory solutions to families, foundations, institutions, and other advisors. Sonen believes that investing to generate financial returns and lasting social and environmental impact are not only compatible, but also mutually reinforcing objectives. A certified B Corp with a 149.6 B Impact Score, Sonen's team collectively brings over 150 years of sustainable investing learning and experience. The Firm works with clients to develop and manage impact investment strategies and portfolios across all investment areas and asset classes. About Macquarie Asset Management Macquarie Asset Management is a global asset manager that aims to deliver positive impact for everyone. Trusted by institutions, pension funds, governments, and individuals to manage approximately $US582 billion in assets globally, we provide access to specialist investment expertise across a range of capabilities including infrastructure, green investments renewables, real estate, agriculture natural assets, asset finance, private credit, equities, fixed income and multi asset solutions. Macquarie Asset Management is part of Macquarie Group, a diversified financial group providing clients with asset management, finance, banking, advisory and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity, and commodities. Founded in 1969, Macquarie Group employs more than 20,500 people in 34 markets and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. All figures as at 31 March 2023. For more information, please visit Macquarie.com. Other than Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 ("Macquarie Bank"), any Macquarie Group entity noted in this press release is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank. Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities. In addition, if this document relates to an investment, (a) the investor is subject to\ investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group entity guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231004866378/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Sonen Capital Amando Balbuena abalbuena@sonencapital.com 415-528-3608 Mithra Provides an Update in the Context of Recent Market Developments Financial results show Mithra has solid financial foundation and multiple options to finance Shareholder meetings called to consider routine matters of business Liege, Belgium, 05 October 2023 - 7:00 CEST -Mithra (Euronext Brussels: MITRA), a company dedicated to Women's Health, today provides an update in the context of recent market announcements and developments. Recent developments in the Belgian biotech industry have caused some concerns among investors about Mithra's financials, as well as the announcement on September 29th on the upcoming special and extraordinary securities holders' meetings to be held on October 30th. These special and extraordinary securities holders' meetings have been called to consider routine matters of business, in particular linked to the previously announced financial arrangements with Armistice Capital and Highbridge Capital Management and Whitebox Advisors. The agenda items, which are publicly available, show that there are no drastic financing issues to address, and all proposals relate to existing, agreed upon measures to finance the company. Mithra is obliged to disclose its finances publicly and has done so on the 26th of September, revealing it has a strong financial baseline. As published in its 2023 Half Year Results Report, Mithra's auditors raised no new issues that would prevent the company from continuing its business operations as a "going concern." Dr. David Horn Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of Mithra, commented: "Our latest financial results, published just last month, show that Mithra has a solid financial foundation, in that we continue to have multiple options to finance the company. We have made progress over the last months, demonstrating those strong underlying fundamentals, and we are working hard to further deliver on our strategy and unlock the value in the business. In particular, we raised EUR 20 million in a successful equity financing, with potential for up to an additional EUR 45 million in equity, which is an important demonstration of our ability to raise finance during turbulent market conditions." Other important steps, which have generated or are expected to generate revenue, include: Canadian licensing deal for DONESTA , worth up to EUR 17.05 million in licensing and milestone payments plus tiered double-digit royalties , worth up to EUR 17.05 million in licensing and milestone payments plus tiered double-digit royalties EUR 1.25 million milestone payment from Fuji Pharma on ESTELLE Generated about EUR 10 million in cash for operations from our sale of about half of our shares of Mayne Pharma Secured access to EUR 12.5 million in financing from Highbridge and Whitebox under a loan facility ESTELLE U.S. product sales volumes by partner Mayne Pharma increased by 80% in H1 2023, compared to H2 2022. The company's higher net loss for H1 2023 was mainly due to the reimbursement of certain loan tranches. U.S. product sales volumes by partner Mayne Pharma increased by 80% in H1 2023, compared to H2 2022. The company's higher net loss for H1 2023 was mainly due to the reimbursement of certain loan tranches. Actively engaged in securing a U.S. distribution partner for DONESTA Actively evaluating the best strategic alternatives for two non-core businesses: the complex therapeutics business Novalon and the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) For more information, please contact: Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA Alex Sokolowski, PhD Head of Investor Relations investorrelations@mithra.com +32 (0)4 349 28 22 Frederique Depraetere Communication Director info@mithra.com (mailto:info@mithra.com) +32 (0)4 349 28 22 Chris Maggos Cohesion Bureau chris.maggos@cohesionbureau.com +41 79 367 6254 About Mithra Mithra Pharmaceuticals SA (Euronext: MITRA) is a Belgian biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming Women's Health by offering new choices through innovation, with a particular focus on contraception and menopause. Mithra's goal is to develop products offering better efficacy, safety and convenience, meeting women's needs throughout their life span. Mithra explores the potential of the unique native estrogen estetrol in a wide range of applications in women health and beyond. After having successfully launched the first estetrol-based product in 2021, the contraceptive pill ESTELLE, Mithra is now focusing on its second product DONESTA, the next-generation hormone therapy. Mithra also offers partners a complete spectrum of solutions from early drug development, clinical batches and commercial manufacturing of complex polymeric products (vaginal ring, implants) and complex liquid injectables and biologicals (vials, pre-filled syringes or cartridges) at its technological platform Mithra CDMO. Active in more than 100 countries around the world, is headquartered in Liege, Belgium.www.mithra.com ESTELLE and DONESTA are registered trademarks of Mithra Pharmaceuticals or one of its affiliates. Important information The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Subscribe to our mailing list on investors.mithra.com (https://investors.mithra.com/en/contact/subscribe) to receive our press releases by email or follow us on our social media : Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/1456363/) X (https://twitter.com/mithrapharma) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mithrapharmaceuticals/) Attachments THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ninety One appointed Josien Piek as Sales Director for Northern Europe. The firm also announced the opening of a Dutch branch, to be managed by Josien. Josien, based in The Hague, will be responsible for business development and sales in the Netherlands and the Nordics. The appointment of Josien, who returns to Ninety One after six years in sustainability benchmarking and impact investing with a focus on Northern European institutional investors, and the opening of the Dutch branch will enable Ninety One to capitalise on the strong dynamics of the market. The Netherlands is a key market for Ninety One, requiring a permanent presence from which the firm can continue to grow in Northern Europe. Josien led Nordic and Dutch sales for Ninety One from 2010 to 2017. Immediately prior to rejoining Ninety One, she was Head of Nordics and the Netherlands at Haven Green Investment Management. Josien was also a Founding Supervisory Board Member for the World Benchmarking Alliance. Josien joined the investment management industry in 2001. She graduated from the University of Amsterdam with a master's degree in macro and monetary economics. Josien Piek said, "It's a great pleasure to be back with Ninety One. The culture is unique, enabling a diverse set of talented people to invest for positive outcomes in a rapidly changing world. I'm looking forward to developing our business in the Netherlands and Nordics." Aymeric Francois and Maik Fechner, the co-heads of Central and Northern Europe for Ninety One, said: "We're so pleased to welcome Josien back to our firm and are most excited about opening a Dutch branch. Given Josien's more than three decades of knowledge and experience in the financial sector, including as a macro economist and former portfolio manager, she is very well placed to strengthen our relationships with investors." Notes to Editors About Ninety One Ninety One is an active, global investment manager managing 124.8 billion in assets (as at 30.06.23). Our goal is to provide long-term investment returns for our clients while making a positive difference to people and the planet. Established in South Africa in 1991, as Investec Asset Management, the firm began as a small start-up offering domestic investments in an emerging market. In 2020, as a global firm proud of our emerging market roots, we demerged to become Ninety One. We are committed to developing specialist investment teams organically. Our heritage and approach let us bring a different perspective to active and sustainable investing across equities, fixed income, multi-asset and alternatives to our clients - institutions, advisors and individual investors around the world. For more information, please visit: Web: NinetyOne.com Disclaimer All investments carry the risk of capital loss. The information contained in this press release is intended primarily for journalists and should not be relied upon by private investors or any other persons to make financial decisions. Furthermore, the material contained herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, or solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell securities either generally or in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. Offers are made only by prospectus or other offering materials and upon an investor meeting certain suitability standards and any other applicable requirements as required by law. All of the views expressed about the markets, securities or companies in this press comment accurately reflect the personal views of the individual fund manager (or team) named. While opinions stated are honestly held, they are not guarantees and should not be relied on. Ninety One in the normal course of its activities as an global asset manager may already hold or intend to purchase or sell the stocks mentioned on behalf of its clients. The information or opinions provided should not be taken as specific advice on the merits of any investment decision. This press release may contain statements about expected or anticipated future events and financial results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market and business conditions, new legislation and regulatory actions, competitive and general economic factors and conditions and the occurrence of unexpected events. Actual results may differ materially from those stated herein. Telephone calls may be recorded for training, monitoring and regulatory purposes and to confirm investor's instructions. Ninety One's Privacy Notice is available at www.ninetyone.com/privacynotice . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ninety-one-names-josien-piek-as-northern-europe-sales-director-opens-dutch-branch-301947375.html Kyiv, Ukraine--(Newsfile Corp. - October 5, 2023) - Geoscells has launched a new stage of scientific research to find a practical approach to treating cancer. Unlike traditional therapeutic regimens aimed at reducing the size of tumors, a team of Ukrainian scientists proposes a new way: to target the basis of cancer - cancer stem cells, which are the cause of the disease recurring again and again. Geoscells is an organization dedicated to the development and production of products to improve the overall health and quality of life of cancer patients, working closely with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutes and medical centers that share its values. Geoscells has launched a new stage of scientific research for cancer treatment To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/182754_geoscellsimage.jpg The Geoscells company was founded by CEO Mamed Shiraliev, whose career in medicine began with the establishment of a personal clinic and analysis laboratories and who has been engaged in research activities in the field of molecular oncology since 2014. When creating Geoscells, Mamed was joined by scientists and experts, specialists in developing specialized software and performing complex research tasks, working harmoniously as a united whole, fully sharing the aspirations of the founder. The research company Geoscells has directed all efforts to achieve victory over one of the most terrible diseases. On that ground, the company aims to talk about an imminent breakthrough in the field of molecular oncology, which suggests paying attention to a method of cancer therapy the essence of which in involvement in the process of fighting cancer stem cell diseases. "The highly transformative properties of stem cells can be redirected to cancer cells through phenotypic or genetic changes. This is a promising mechanism that is fundamentally different from short-term treatments such as chemotherapy. In addition, the perfect study of stem cells makes it possible to fully utilize them in other areas of medicine - treatment of autoimmune diseases, regenerative therapy and cosmetology," said CEO of Geoscells, Mamed Shiraliev. "The key question facing science is identifying the precise marker of cancer stem cells. Having such a tool, doctors will be able to differentiate similar tissues in order to work with them effectively in the future. My team at Geoscells, after a series of in-depth studies, discovered a universal selective marker," added Mamed Shiraliev. The team of Ukrainian scientists has drawn attention to the particular importance of ionotropic glutamate receptors, which are responsible for learning, memory, cell differentiation and their plasticity. Further research led to the conclusion that ionotropic glutamate receptors may act as a universal negative marker of cancer stem cells. This finding was confirmed by mass spectrometry using AlphaCell artificial intelligence. "Although it is too early to talk about the final results that doctors could rely on in their practice, the beginning of a fundamentally new path to rethinking the problems and challenges of molecular oncology has already been laid," explained Mamed Shiraliev. Among the achievements of Geoscells, in addition to the discovery of a marker for identifying cancer stem cells, is the patenting of a unique method of treating cancer using combination therapy and an anti-miRNA cocktail, which plays a key role in unblocking the translation process with the formation of glutamate receptors in cancer stem cells, to protect the developments from third-party use. Research optimization is facilitated by the use of innovative technologies to solve problems, such as the Kuna robotic laboratory assistant, the Lionheart LX automated microscope and the AlphaCell artificial intelligence, with the ability to process significant amounts of information, identify hidden patterns, analyze large libraries of compounds and predict their potential activity against certain cancer types. Laying the foundation for a definitive solution to cancer treatment, research company Geoscells has created an interdisciplinary platform, geoscells.com, to maximize the potential of cancer stem cells. Address: LLC Geoscells, 2 Maidan Nezalezhnosti Sq, Kyiv, 01012, Ukraine Official website: geoscells.com Email: info@geoscells.com Contact person: Geoscells CEO Mamed Shiraliev To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182754 Press release - Opening of the Ylang Ylang shopping center Sainte-Marie, October 5, 2023, 10:45 a.m. Official unveiling and opening to the general public of the Ylang Ylang Shopping Center in Combani, Mayotte CBo Territoria, a socially responsible group committed to the development of Mayotte since 2016, inaugurated the Ylang Ylang Shopping Centre in Combani yesterday alongside the institutions and all its partners (Prefecture, Conseil Departemental, Mairie de Tsingoni, Agence Francaise de Developpement, La Banque des Territoires, tenant retailers, etc.). This nearly 7,000-square-meter retail complex is entirely controlled by the Group. The Ylang Ylang shopping Centre, which comprises a Carrefour supermarket (owned by the GBH Group), the Mr. Bricolage and C'TAM chains (run by the Cananga Group), and a 15-store retail arcade, opens its doors today. This new lifestyle and service center will benefit Mahoran families by offering a wide range of products and services, including ready-to-wear (OVS, Skechers), baby care (Bebe 9, Okaidi), beauty, well-being, and jewelry (Beauty Success, The Body Shop, Oceanor), telecommunications (Orange, SFR, and Canal +), and restaurants (Burger Yatrou). CBo Territoria, a pioneer in the design, construction, and operation of green buildings in tropical environments, aims to obtain BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification for this site in 2024, becoming the first in the Indian Ocean region to achieve this distinction. In terms of building design, equipment, rainwater management, and waste reduction, this retail center demonstrates strong environmental goals. The thermal design adheres to the Mayenergie Plus (ADEME) reference system and the roof will be fitted with photovoltaic panels. The Group reaffirms its commitment to the second-most populous department in France, which receives significant development assistance from both the French government and the European Union. At the intersection of the departmental highways connecting the north, south, and west of the region, Ylang Ylang provides an innovative facility that matches the region's high aspirations in a previously under-equipped but unquestionably economically significant sector. It serves as a balanced complement to the services provided in the region's capital, Mamoudzou, and marks an important turning point in the region's development. This project is part of CBo Territoria's Impact Pei 2030* roadmap, which includes a strong social component, driven by a proactive approach to recruitment involving future shopkeepers, in partnership with the public employment agency, with the aim of optimizing economic spin-offs for the benefit of Tsingoni and central-western island residents. Thus, approximately 130 direct positions have been created. As an extension to the shopping center, CBo Territoria is pursuing its development in the area by building commercial properties. To that purpose, Pole Emploi will be delivered an office building of 1,130 sq.m of usable floor space in the second quarter of 2024. In addition, the tertiary sector offer on this area is being further expanded by the launch of an office complex of 2,150 m of usable floor space, and a retail park of 2,900 m of usable floor space, both of which are already being marketed. "We are delighted to be a part of the Mahoran territory's structure and development by constructing this center of life and interchange. This economic dynamic is backed by a strong emphasis on environmental issues, with the first BREEAM-certified building delivered in the Indian Ocean region," says Geraldine Neyret, Chief Executive Officer of CBo Territoria. * CBo Territoria is revitalizing its CSR activities to prepare for key international and European challenges in terms of climate, environment, and a long-term economic perspective. To that purpose, we have developed a virtuous dynamic for the regions in which we operate, as well as for our stakeholders, based on four essential principles: responsible citizens, environmental mobilization, energy efficiency, and committed employer. In 2022, the Group structured its action plan, "Impact Pei 2030," for the coming years, around these challenges. 2024 financial calendar: 2023 annual results - Tuesday, February 6, 2024 About CBo Territoria (FR0010193979, CBOT) CBo Territoria has been a major real estate operator in La Reunion for nearly 20 years and has evolved into a multi-regional property developer specializing in tertiary assets (300.6 million at the end of December, representing 81% of total assets in value at year- end 2022). The Group is pursuing its expansion through the exploitation of its land reserves or through land acquisition, as it is involved in the full real estate value chain (property developer, property investor, and real estate company). CBo Territoria can finance its development through its activities as a residential developer (apartment buildings or sale of land plots) and, secondarily, as a service provider, as well as through the planned transfer of its residual residential properties to SHLMR. CBo Territoria is a real estate investment firm listed on Euronext Paris (compartment "C") that is qualified for the PEA PME finance program (small and medium-sized enterprises). Responsible and committed to a more sustainable real estate since its inception, CBo Territoria has been in the Top 10 of compartment "C" of the Gai?a-Index for the past 6 years, a French benchmark index of the most virtuous small and medium-sized companies in terms of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). More information on cboterritoria.com INVESTORS Contacts Caroline Clapier - Director of Finance and Administration - direction@cboterritoria.com Agnes Villeret - Komodo - Tel.: 06 83 28 04 15 - agnes.villeret@agence-komodo.com PRESS Contacts Finance: Agnes Villeret - agnes.villeret@agence-komodo.com Corporate - Paris: Dina Morin - dmorin@capvalue.fr La Reunion & Mayotte: Catherine Galatoire - cgalatoire@cboterritoria.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: lW6bYcVulW3FmnCdYsiWaGKWZmmWxmaZZpaVnJdoZsqbZ3BplGuTa5eaZnFjlm1q - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-82184-231005-cp-ouverture-centre-commercial-ylang-ylang-ang.pdf YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. Turkiyes allegations regarding Armenias Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant are unfounded, the Armenian governments Nuclear Safety Committee Chairman Khachatur Khachikyan told Armenpress. He said there are no grounds to shut down the plant. Metsamor meets all safety standards, including seismic safety, he said. The Metsamor NPPs current safety level is sufficient for it to operate safely, and work is underway to further increase the safety level. This isnt the first time that Turkiye is trying to manipulate the fact of continuing the Armenian NPPs operations, it is regularly raising this, this is its right, but the issue of closing or not closing the nuclear power plant is beyond its arena, it is a matter within the jurisdiction of the country operating the given nuclear power plant, which has been stated also by the Turkish parliaments petitions commission, Khachikyan said. Both Armenia and Turkiye are countries that have ratified the convention on nuclear safety. And in accordance with the requirements of the convention, the member states including Armenia are submitting reports to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the state of the nuclear safety in the country, and the report then passes an expert assessment by other member states who can present queries. So far, all queries filed to Armenia have received comprehensive answers. The results of the expert observation are summed up in the report, where the actions that the country shall implement are mentioned, and the status of implementation is presented in the next reporting period. Theres no single action mentioned there thats beyond our countrys capacity, and weve never refused to implement them. The actions that can be done in a short period of time are implemented during the next reporting period, while for the long-term ones we develop a roadmap for implementation and start working, Khachikyan said. Furthermore, as part of technical cooperation programs, the IAEA is providing expert and technical support to Armenia for infrastructure development and increase of nuclear safety. Numerous projects have been completed as part of the plants lifespan extension, such as system modification and modernization. International experts were involved in safety monitoring and their opinions are taken into consideration during decision-making. Emergency trainings are also regularly held in the country. As part of emergency training, any country operating a nuclear power plant holds certain events, such as developing an emergency plan, holding emergency trainings and storing the required amount of iodine tablets envisaged for nearby communities. This is a mandatory requirement. Armenia is also regularly holding the trainings and maintains a storage of iodine tablets, which is stored to distribute among the population of the nearby communities in the event of necessity, he said. Speaking about seismic safety, Khachikyan said that the plants seismic safety has been re-regularly reassessed since its re-launch in 1995. As a result, our nuclear power plant meets the current requirements. The reassessment showed that the essential systems of the plant can withstand up to 0,35g (free fall acceleration) ground shocks. Weve set a requirement to implement another reassessment and reequipment to substantiate that these systems can withstand up to 0,42g shocks, Khachikyan said, adding that the reassessment objective emerged after a stress-test implemented following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. Energy security expert Vahe Davtyan, reacting to Turkiyes request to the IAEA to close the Metsamor nuclear power plant, also told Armenpress that the plant doesnt have any safety problems and that Ankaras move is purely political and pursues geoeconomic goals. Just last year the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said he was pleased to see the safety and security improvements made to the Metsamor Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. Earlier in September 2023, Armenia was elected to the IAEA Board of Governors for 2023-2024. Alastair Coutts Joins TrueBridge in Strategic Leadership Role TrueBridge, the premier interim, fractional and advisory executive search firm, announced today it has appointed strategic business leader Alastair Coutts as Head of TrueBridge EMEA. Coutts joins the accomplished EMEA team to expand TrueBridge's impact across the continent. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005289622/en/ Alastair Coutts, Head of TrueBridge EMEA (Photo: Business Wire) "The current interim space is experiencing significant growth driven by the evolving landscape of work and changing preferences," said Coutts. "This environment presents numerous opportunities for those considering interim roles, and I look forward to leveraging my commercial and team-building experience delivering exceptional value in this space to our clients and candidates alike." As Head of TrueBridge EMEA, Coutts will help TrueBridge clients take advantage of opportunities across the True platform, which includes full-time global executive search firm True Search. Clients will not only gain access to a broader pool of exceptional candidates, but will also benefit from True's high-touch, white-glove service and domain expertise, especially in high-growth sectors. TrueBridge's emergence as a leading provider in this space also opens up countless opportunities for candidates seeking interim, fractional, and advisory roles. Alastair Coutts, Head of TrueBridge EMEA With a career spanning diverse industries and roles, Coutts has 25-years developing client relationships in the VC, PE, asset management, and professional services communities, and helping clients drive success and growth. Coutts spent more than a decade at GLG, establishing and building up the company as a platform for sharing insight and expertise in EMEA. He most recently served as head of EMEA at Lynk, a SaaS platform for industry experts and consultants. "Alastair's background aligns seamlessly with our collaborative, teamwork-based culture," said TrueBridge CEO David Beuerlein. "Throughout his career and during his tenures at Lynk and GLG, Alastair demonstrated a remarkable ability to build and maintain large, senior teams. He embodies the belief that fostering the right culture is paramount to cultivating high-performing teams-and TrueBridge is an ideal environment for him to thrive and make a significant impact." About TrueBridge Executive recruitment business connecting experienced executives to fractional, interim and advisory roles at innovative companies. Join our network or hire talent. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005289622/en/ Contacts: Sarah Mikhailova VP, Communications sarah@trueplatform.com LONDON, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sodexo Engage, the leading expert in employee engagement, today announces the launch and UK implementation of its new brand, Pluxee. Pluxee is a modern and digital brand that reflects the vision and ambition of the company and mirrors both its present identity and aspirations for the future. By adopting this new identity in the UK, the company aims to establish a stronger and more distinctive presence in the highly dynamic market. Pluxee UK, stands as a formidable player in the employee engagement industry, serving 5,000 customers, collaborating with over 500 retailers, and enabling its end users to save annually a total of 19.9 million (in 2022). Burcin Ressamoglu, CEO of Pluxee UK, said: "I am delighted to introduce Pluxee into the UK market as a statement of our future intent. Pluxee UK builds on 60 years of experience in the industry and the invaluable support of our talented and dedicated employees. These foundations will enable us to continue to deliver on our vision of opening up a world of opportunities for people to enjoy more of what really matters in their lives." The launch of Pluxee in the UK already builds on a year full of major milestones and achievements including: Exceptional Employee Engagement. The company has achieved an impressive employee engagement rate of 88.3% and a consistently high well-being engagement rate averaging 88.4%, solidifying Pluxee UK as an employer of choice. Furthermore, Pluxee UK has attained the prestigious IIP (Investors In People) Gold Standard Accreditation, with ambitious plans to elevate its status to Platinum within the next year. The company has achieved an impressive employee engagement rate of 88.3% and a consistently high well-being engagement rate averaging 88.4%, solidifying Pluxee UK as an employer of choice. Furthermore, Pluxee UK has attained the prestigious IIP (Investors In People) Gold Standard Accreditation, with ambitious plans to elevate its status to Platinum within the next year. Volunteering efforts and local community commitment. Last year, Pluxee UK employees contributed 655 hours to various volunteer initiatives, including Food Bank Warehouse shifts, Dragon Boat Race Fundraisers, and the MK Act Employment Fayre. Notably, Pluxee UK employees dedicated 105 business hours to the Stop Hunger initiative, supporting 5,000 families through volunteering at the Milton Keynes Food Bank. This initiative aligns with its global corporate responsibility program, Better Tomorrow 2025, demonstrating Pluxee UK's strong commitment to community impact. Last year, Pluxee UK employees contributed 655 hours to various volunteer initiatives, including Food Bank Warehouse shifts, Dragon Boat Race Fundraisers, and the MK Act Employment Fayre. Notably, Pluxee UK employees dedicated 105 business hours to the Stop Hunger initiative, supporting 5,000 families through volunteering at the Milton Keynes Food Bank. This initiative aligns with its global corporate responsibility program, Better Tomorrow 2025, demonstrating Pluxee UK's strong commitment to community impact. Committed to promoting responsible and sustainable choices. Pluxee UK has developed an ambitious strategy to reduce its environmental footprint. It has achieved the first Net-Zero trajectory validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in its industry. Furthermore, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) remain at the forefront of Pluxee UK's agenda, championing equitable opportunities, valuing diversity, and remaining committed to creating an inclusive working environment. Pluxee UK has developed an ambitious strategy to reduce its environmental footprint. It has achieved the first Net-Zero trajectory validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in its industry. Furthermore, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) remain at the forefront of Pluxee UK's agenda, championing equitable opportunities, valuing diversity, and remaining committed to creating an inclusive working environment. New and the first Pluxee branded office - Pluxee UK's brand new workspace, the Enigma Building in Milton Keynes, was inaugurated a few weeks ago, providing employees with more opportunities for collaboration and socialising, prioritising their well-being throughout the workday. These achievements further demonstrate Pluxee UK as a key driver in advancing the broader company's growth strategy and continued commitment to delivering exceptional value for all its stakeholders. About Pluxee Pluxee is the global leading employee benefits and engagement partner that opens up a world of opportunities to help everyone enjoy more of what really matters to them. Through a full range of innovative and digital solutions deployed in 31 countries, Pluxee creates meaningful, engaging, and personalised experiences to contribute to the well-being of individuals at work and beyond. In the UK, Pluxee offers award-winning employee benefits, rewards and recognition all designed to bring more value to people. Globally, Pluxee supports the purchasing power and promotes the well-being of more than 36 million consumers. Pluxee accompanies 500,000 clients to develop more meaningful relationships with their employees and improve their engagement. Pluxee simplifies the life of 1.7 million merchants every day. Strengthened by its historical ties with Sodexo, Pluxee with its 5,000 employees is committed to increase its influence as CSR leader by giving its clients, partners and consumers the means to make more sustainable choices every day. For more information: www.pluxee.uk. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238651/Pluxee_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sodexo-engage-becomes-pluxee-uk-301947191.html ING publishes 2023 Climate Report ING today published its annual Climate Report. This report explains how our financing impacts climate change, as well as how climate change impacts our business. It includes our progress on steering the nine most carbon-intensive sectors in our loan portfolio towards global climate goals - our Terra approach - how we engage with clients to help them in their transitions, and our work to assess climate risks and take action to mitigate them. "Climate change is a fact and its effects are being felt all around us," said ING CEO Steven van Rijswijk. "The latest climate science sends a clear warning that we only have a small window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5C. I strongly believe that every step counts, every action is meaningful, and every tenth of a degree matters. We all - governments, NGOs, businesses and individuals - have a part to play, and we can all make the difference for present and future generations if we work together towards the same goals." Putting sustainability at the heart of what we do is one of the two key pillars of our strategy. We're proud of the progress we're making, and how we're using our financing to contribute to the transition of our customers but we know we still have work to do. Change doesn't happen overnight, and going green isn't black and white. The reality is that even though we finance a lot of sustainable activities, we still finance more that's not. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so are we. Key takeaways from the report are: We continue to help set sector financing standards for decarbonisation. We've done so in steel and shipping and are collaborating on a new methodology for the aluminium sector. We've set 2030 and 2050 targets for not only upstream, but also the midstream and downstream parts of the oil & gas value chain. We're also working to expand our approach into trade and commodity finance, with the aim of covering the full value chain of oil & gas under our Terra approach. We're increasingly integrating climate into our decision-making and business processes. Besides oil & gas, we're expanding our Terra approach into more areas including Business Banking (agriculture and transportation, in the Netherlands) and global commercial real estate. We make specific calls on sector level to governments and regulators to more firmly guide the transition with harmonised policies and incentives that accelerate the decarbonisation of the global economy. As insights on climate action are evolving rapidly, we continue to improve our approach. This report provides us and our stakeholders with the opportunity to reflect on the progress we've been making, and to look ahead to the areas where we can strive to do more, aim to go faster, drive increased collaboration and call for greater guidance. The 2023 Climate Report is available for download here. Note for editors For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroomor via the @ING_newsX feed. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr. Press enquiries Investor enquiries Astrid Overeem ING Group Investor Relations +31 20 563 8490 +31 20 576 6396 Astrid.Overeem@ing.com (mailto:Astrid.Overeem@ing.com) Investor.Relations@ing.com (mailto:Investor.Relations@ing.com) ING PROFILE ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 59,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). Sustainability is an integral part of ING's strategy, evidenced by ING's leading position in sector benchmarks. ING's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating by MSCI was affirmed 'AA' in September 2022. As of August 2022, Sustainalytics considers ING's management of ESG material risk to be 'strong', and in June 2022 ING received an ESG rating of 'strong' from S&P Global Ratings. ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Important legal information Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014. ING Group's annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ('IFRS- EU'). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2022 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding. Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation:. This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. ING specifically disclaims any liability with respect to any information found at websites operated by third parties. ING cannot guarantee that websites operated by third parties remain available following the publication of this document, or that any information found at such websites will not change following the filing of this document. Many of those factors are beyond ING's control. Any forward looking statements made by or on behalf of ING speak only as of the date they are made, and ING assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or for any other reason. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Attachment Fincon Reply, the company within the Reply Group that specialises in IT consulting and development for financial service providers, is part of the "BiPRO Hub" lighthouse project of the Industry Institute for Process Optimisation (BiPRO). The aim of the project is to drive digitalisation within the insurance industry, and Fincon Reply, as an implementation partner, supports the standardisation of cross-company processes. The insurance industry is currently facing the challenge of making business processes more efficient and digital. The BiPRO Hub serves as a non-profit data hub and aims to increase the degree of standardisation in the implementation until a complete high-quality service is provided. Insurance companies and their partner companies, such as intermediaries, pools or distributors, benefit from common industry standards. Fincon Reply actively accompanies this process and provides services for the transmission of data and documents. With the hub, central services are provided on a neutral level under the management of BiPRO Service GmbH; as a community solution. This is how the exchange of data and documents can be simplified, made much more cost-effective, its quality optimised and the time-to-market process accelerated. The BiPRO Hub currently consists of a group of 15 companies, including well-known insurance companies such as Allianz, Alte Leipziger, Axa, Barmenia, Ergo, Gothaer, HDI, Signal Iduna and Volkswohl Bund as well as partner companies. Frank Dunnleder, Partner Fincon Reply, comments: "The BiPRO Hub is the initiative from the industry for the industry to drive digitalisation faster than before and to improve competitiveness against foreign tech corporations. Based on many years of experience as a BiPRO service provider and our broad and deep know-how, we are looking forward to succeeding in the digital transformation within the insurance industry together." Reply Reply [EXM, STAR: REY] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. As a network of highly specialised companies, Reply defines and develops business models enabled by the new models of AI, big data, cloud computing, digital media and the internet of things. Reply delivers consulting, system integration and digital services to organisations across the telecom and media; industry and services; banking and insurance; and public sectors. www.reply.com Fincon Reply Fincon Reply is a business and IT consultancy specializing in the financial services industry. Fincon Reply proactively advises banks, the Sparkassen Financial Group, the German Cooperative Financial Group and insurance companies as well as their suppliers on their digital transformation. The company provides on-site support with specialised teams of consultants and developers and delivers turnkey solutions. www.fincon.eu BiPRO Service GmbH BiPRO Service GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of BiPRO e.V. As a neutral organisation, BiPRO e.V. standardises digital, cross-company business processes in the insurance/financial services sector. This is done through concrete standardisation projects, digitalisation offensives, expert groups, etc. For association tax purposes, services that go beyond the actual standardisation, such as training (of a general nature) or the BiPRO Hub, are provided by BiPRO Service GmbH. www.bipro.net View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005471336/en/ Contacts: Media contacts: Reply Fabio Zappelli f.zappelli@reply.com Tel. +390117711594 Sandra Dennhardt s.dennhardt@reply.com Tel. +49 170 4546229 PARIS, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With its new artistic collaboration with up-and-coming Parisian artist Paul Rousteau, Tiffany & Co. is set to ignite a breathtaking transformation of the Opera Garnier. Starting from September 29th, 2023, during the heart of Paris Fashion Week, the iconic facades of this historic venue will come alive featuring Tiffany & Co's iconic Sixteen Stone ring signed by the brand's legendary designer, Jean Schlumberger. This bold transformation is a testament to Tiffany & Co.'s unwavering commitment to French artistic expression and its enduring love for the city of Paris. Opera Garnier also represents a heartfelt return to Tiffany's roots. Over a century ago, in 1910, at Place de l' Opera, Tiffany & Co. opened its first Parisian flagship. Today, Opera Garnier's facades come alive again. Tiffany & Co. puts its iconic Sixteen Stone ring on the ultimate stage, with a new work created by Paul Rousteau, continuing the story which commenced at the Louvre. Originally designed in the 1950's, the Sixteen Stone ring is adorned with sixteen diamonds of absolute purity set in the iconic gold cross-stitches, a signature motif inspired by the textile heritage of Jean Schlumberger. Each cross-stitch is a testament to his ability to harmonize the worlds of fashion, art, and craftsmanship. "I try to make everything seem irregular, unpredictable, organic, in motion," - Jean Schlumberger, 1955. "When Tiffany asked me to showcase the Sixteen Stone ring on the facade of the Opera Garnier, I immediately thought of movement, of dance... The facade of the Opera - proud, rich and imposing - begins to dance, free and light, around a sacred ring. This ring, with its magical powers, magnetises the most beautiful monument in Paris," says Paul Rousteau. Opera Garnier marks the third chapter in Tiffany's artistic journey through Paris. In October 2022, the brand unveiled its digital cube installation at the Centre Pompidou during Nuit Blanche, followed by a grand trompe l'oeil display at the Louvre in January 2023. Tiffany's tradition of uniting art and jewelry has featured collaborations with luminaries like Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Daniel Arsham. Today, the House unites Opera Garnier with the works of two great creators, Jean Schlumberger and Paul Rousteau, celebrating its enduring love for artists and Paris. About Tiffany & Co. TIFFANY & CO., founded in New York City in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, is a global luxury jeweler synonymous with elegance, innovative design, fine craftsmanship and creative excellence. With more than 300 retail stores worldwide and a workforce of more than 13,000 employees, TIFFANY & CO. and its subsidiaries design, manufacture and market jewelry, watches, and luxury accessories. Nearly 5,000 skilled artisans cut Tiffany diamonds and craft jewelry in the Company's own workshops, realizing the brand's commitment to superlative quality. TIFFANY & CO. has a long-standing commitment to conducting its business responsibly, sustaining the natural environment, prioritizing diversity and inclusion, and positively impacting the communities in which it operates. To learn more about TIFFANY & CO. and its commitment to sustainability, please visit tiffany.com. About The Sixteen Stone Ring by Tiffany & Co. The Sixteen Stone Ring by Tiffany & Co. stands as a true testament to the brand's commitment to timeless beauty and innovation. This iconic masterpiece is a dazzling fusion of artistry and craftsmanship. The Sixteen Stone Ring pays homage to the brilliant French jeweler Jean Schlumberger, whose creative genius left an indelible mark on Tiffany & Co. during the 1950s. Schlumberger's unparalleled talent and visionary designs revolutionized the world of jewelry, and this ring is a living testament to his enduring legacy. At the heart of this masterpiece are sixteen diamonds of absolute purity. Each diamond is meticulously selected for its exceptional quality, radiating a brilliance that is nothing short of extraordinary. Set within the famous gold cross-stitches, a signature motif inspired by the weaving origins of Jean Schlumberger, these diamonds come together to create a mesmerizing symphony of light. As Tiffany & Co. continues to push the boundaries of artistry and luxury, the Sixteen Stone Ring remains a shining example of the brand's dedication to creating timeless treasures that capture the imagination and inspire the world. It stands as a beacon of enduring beauty in the ever-evolving world of fashion and design. Media Contact: Valentine Gillard I PR Manager, France, Benelux Tiffany & Co. Email: valentine.gillard@tiffany.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238754/Tiffany_Co_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238755/Tiffany_Co_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238757/Tiffany_Co_3.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238758/Tiffany_Co_4.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2238759/Tiffany_Co_5.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2045379/Tiffany_Co_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tiffany--co-and-paul-rousteau-unveil-new-opera-garnier-transformation-301947349.html Amelia continues to pull away from the pack with its innovative and proven platform. NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amelia, the world's largest privately held AI software company and a global leader in Enterprise Conversational AI, today announced that Amelia has been recognized as a Leader in Everest Group's Conversational AI Products PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023. This marks the third consecutive year that Everest Group has recognized Amelia as a Leader, reinforcing Amelia's ongoing commitment to developing AI solutions that go beyond the hype and deliver true enterprise value. Organizations including Telefonica and BNP Paribas rely on Amelia's AI solutions for critical internal and customer-facing tasks, and today's news closely follows the announcement that global airline Aeromexico has selected Amelia to manage its customer service channels. This PEAK Matrix assessment is based on Everest Group's evaluation of the Vision & Capability and Market Impact of more than two dozen global Conversational AI technology vendors. The results of the evaluation inform the classification of each vendor into one of three categories: Leaders, Major Contenders and Aspirants. Based on these criteria, Amelia has been named a Leader in Conversational AI and holds the highest overall position in the PEAK Matrix across both axes. Among the 25 vendors evaluated, Amelia is one of only two vendors recognized as a top provider across all major industries, including Banking, Healthcare, Telecom, Insurance, Technology and Retail. Amelia is also a top provider across several major business functions, such as IT Helpdesk, Customer Support, Sales, and Finance and Accounting. Everest Group also recognized several key strengths of Amelia's Conversational AI platform, such as its use of Generative AI: The platform automatically suggests modifications and creates new workflows based on real-time conversations, call transcripts and interactions with Generative AI Models to create fully functional prototypes and more, all without human intervention. Buyers regularly recognize Amelia's focus on innovation as a key strength. The platform offers a low-code experience for clients to build functional, multi-channel solutions that are tailored to their specific industry requirements. The platform digitally orchestrates and executes end-to-end processes across IT systems and applications. With each annual assessment, Amelia pulls further ahead of other providers in the Conversational AI vendor landscape. Notable in this report is Amelia's leap forward in Vision & Capability, which evaluates a vendor's ability to successfully deliver products to market. Amelia prides itself on taking AI from experimental to exceptional for enterprises, driving measurable business outcomes. For example, Resorts World Las Vegas fully automated more than 2,500 guest check-outs in one month using Amelia's Conversational AI platform, helping to increase guest satisfaction and offload administrative work from resort employees. "It's an honor to be recognized by research powerhouse Everest Group as a Leader in Conversational AI," said Lanham Napier, President and Chairman of Amelia. "Day in and day out, our global team puts in a huge effort to better serve our customers with a powerful, intuitive platform that delivers incredible outcomes, as evidenced by improved NPS scores, increased employee and customer retention, and cost savings. This recognition of our efforts is one that we are extremely proud of, and it pushes us to continue advancing our cutting-edge platform and keep moving towards our ambitious goals." To download the Everest Group report, click here. About Amelia Amelia is one of the world's largest privately held AI software companies and a global leader in Enterprise Conversational AI. The company's technology is trusted by organizations across an array of industries to automate operations, improve customer experience and optimize business outcomes. Amelia's platform develops and deploys AI tools that manage critical tasks and processes, enabling employees to be more productive and deliver better results while reducing operational costs. Consistently recognized by third-party analyst firms including Gartner's Magic Quadrant 2023 as a market leader, Amelia has powered the voice operations of global Fortune 500 leaders including Telefonica, BBVa and BNP Paribas. Backed by strategic investments from the Build Group and Monroe Capital, Amelia is headquartered in New York City and serves customers globally through offices throughout the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. Media Contact: media@amelia.ai Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2038301/Amelia_Logo_B_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/its-a-three-peat-everest-group-names-amelia-a-leader-in-conversational-ai-three-years-in-a-row-301947300.html With thousands of luxury apartments and hotel rooms in the development pipeline, Ras al Khaimah City is a ground-floor opportunity like Dubai in 2004," says broker-owner Dinesh Chhatwani CHICAGO and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global luxury real estate brand Christie's International Real Estate is expanding to Ras al Khaimah City, one of the fastest-growing luxury destinations in the UAE. The new office is owned by managing partners Dinesh Chhatwani and Jackie Johns, who have been Christie's International Real Estate's exclusive affiliates in Dubai since 2021. Located 90 km/50 mi northeast of Dubai's city center and set between the Persian Gulf and the Hajar Mountains, Ras Al Khaimah City has become a popular getaway for UAE residents, as well as a burgeoning location for international and local real estate buyers and investors. Its population is expected to increase by as much as 60% by 2030, and the city welcomed more visitorsin the first six months of 2023 than in any other year in its history. Meanwhile, developers continue to introduce new projects to keep up with demand. Several high-end hotels and branded residences are underway on Al Marjan Island , a set of four connected manmade islands in the Persian Gulf. They include Nobu Al Marjan Island, a new Le Meridien property, the newly announced Nikki Beach Residences, and the largest hotel development in the region to date, Wynn Al Marjan Island, a $3.9 billion "megaresort" expected to open in 2027. Ras al Khaimah City offers an ideal blend of affordable luxury, investment opportunities and new possibilities for development. Its lower price points compared with Dubai and its central location - one-third of the world's population is within a four-hour flight from the city - along with the ability for foreign nationals to legally purchase properties in the region, have made the area increasingly attractive to international buyers and investors. Ras al Khaimah was the second emirate of the UAE to allow foreign freehold property ownership and was the first emirate to pass a law granting foreign nationals property rights. The expansion of its 10-year Golden visaprogram has also helped to spur international interest in UAE real estate. "The incredible momentum and untapped opportunity for high-end real estate in Ras al Khaimah make this the perfect time for Christie's International Real Estate to enter the market," said Johns. "The area is poised to be the next center of luxury real estate in the Middle East, and quite possibly the world. The location is ideal, with beautiful beaches, mountains, and the nearby Ras al Khaimah International Airport, while incentives like the Golden visa program and incredibly low taxes make purchasing in the city a smart move." Additionally, the dearth of available properties in Dubai has helped turn buyers onto the area, according to Chhatwani. "As demand continues to far outpace supply in Dubai, prospective buyers are increasingly considering Ras al Khaimah, which offers a similar level of luxury but lower prices and less competition. It's like Dubai in 2004." Christie's International Real Estate has already planted a flag in Ras al Khaimah, as exclusive representatives of the $115 million Falcon Island Beach Villas in the award-winning, master-planned Al Hamra Village. The firm plans to announce additional partnerships in the coming months. "We're proud to partner with Ms. Johns and Mr. Chhatwani to bring Christie's International Real Estate's bespoke service, best in class marketing, and worldwide network to home buyers and sellers in Ras al Khaimah City, one of the world's fastest-growing luxury destinations," said Helena de Forton, managing director and head of EMEA and APAC for Christie's International Real Estate. "Their team has expertly guided clients through Dubai's unprecedented property market, and we look forward to their success in this new location." Ras al Khaimah is one of a number of global markets in which Christie's International Real Estate has expanded recently. Within the past 18 months, the brand has announced new market-leading affiliates in London, Munich, Sydney, Los Angeles, the Swiss, French and Italian Alps, several Caribbean islands, Miami and other locations around the world. Christie's International Real Estate Dubai recently opened its third office, at the Dubai International Financial Centre, the leading financial hub in the MEASA region. The firm was also recently appointed as the exclusive sales agent for Eywa, a collection of waterfront residences in Dubai with ancient knowledge systems, state-of-the-art technologies and nature-inspired interiors designed to revolutionize luxury well-being. ### About Christie's International Real Estate Dubai Christie's International Real Estate Dubaiis a British-run luxury real estate company that provides unrivalled expertise and services to clients in the UAE and international property markets. As an affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate, the firm is part of an invite-only global network that represents the world's most desirable homes. Its esteemed clientele benefit from exclusive connections and opportunities across nearly 50 different countries and territories. The firm proudly facilitates seamless buying, selling, renting and investing processes with international reach, global marketing opportunities and a distinguished 250-year legacy. About Christie's International Real Estate Christie's International Real Estatehas successfully marketed high-value real estate around the world for more than 30 years. Through its invitation-only Affiliate network spanning nearly 50 countries and territories, Christie's International Real Estate offers incomparable services to a global clientele at the luxury end of the residential property market. Attachment Summary: Amid the ongoing debate surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Station (FDNPS) treated water release, Oceanic Focus, a prominent advocate for ocean conservation and marine environment protection, is shifting the spotlight to other pressing seafood pollution concerns that demand immediate attention. LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / One month since the commencement of the FDNPS treated water release on August 24th, extensive and continuous testing has yielded reassuring results, contrary to several initial global apprehensions regarding its environmental and health implications. For example, the latest seafood samples tested by several official entities including, the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Japanese Fisheries Agency, tested on September 24th-26th, have shown no trace of Tritium contamination. The rigorous ongoing control over the water release process is the outcome of a collaborative effort between the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Innovative technologies, including the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), have been instrumental in safely treating and filtering the water. Japan has been keen to involve as many organizations and technological resources as possible to the process to ensures compliance with stringent environmental and safety standards before the water is released into the ocean. For instance, the Japanese Fisheries Agency, has maintained vigilant surveillance of local fish samples within a 5-kilometer radius of the discharge outlet since August 8th. Moreover, the IAEA has consistently disclosed its analytical findings on its official website to showcase the safety measures in place. Tritium and radioactivity traces have been at the center of skepticism towards the FDNPS treated water release. First, it is to be noted that tritium is a naturally occurring element found in the Earth's crust and in surface waters, at about 0.4-1.2 Bq/L. Moreover, the maximum tritium concentration contained in the water released from the FDNPS is of 1,500 Bq/L. It is six times less than the volume of tritium per liter for drinking water set by the World Health Organization at 10,000 Bq/L. In addition, the ALPS treatment system at the FDNPS is specifically designed to remove 62 different radionuclides, including Cesium-137 and Strontium-90, resulting in substantially lower concentrations. Indeed, radioactive materials in ALPS treated water are reduced to about one millionth compared to the initial water collected from the damaged reactor site. While the release of water from FDNPS has drawn substantial international attention, the figures provided by Japanese authorities, as well as international watchdogs, including the IAEA, seem to contain environmental concerns. However, Oceanic Focus wishes to recall a severe immediate and more widespread concern in the realm of marine and seafood pollution-human-induced pollution. Oceanic Focus regrets the fact such longlisting issue has not beneficiate from the same attention than the FDNPS, despite of its detrimental impact. The oceans are currently inundated with unprecedented levels of contaminants, including persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, and microplastics, primarily stemming from human produced waste. Plastic is one of the most significant contributors to ocean pollution, and a major concern given its resilience and persistence. Each year, 1.15 to 2.41 million tons of plastic are estimated to enter the ocean, causing great damage to the safety and health of marine animals. According to a study from the Marine Pollution Bulletin published in March 2015, at least 690 species have encountered marine debris, and 92% of these interactions were with plastic. The Central North Pacific Ocean is specifically widely considered as the world's most polluted ocean. It contains the Pacific Trash Vortex. Also known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), it is the largest accumulation of ocean plastic debris, covering an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers. According to an extensive study by The Ocean Cleanup in 2018, the plastic mass found in the GPCP at the time of the sampling weighted approximately 80,000 tones. Once in the gyre, plastics are unlikely to leave the oceans until fragmented into microplastics. These minuscule plastic particles pose a significant harm to marine ecosystems and a threat to human health. Indeed, while ongoing research delves into their impacts, there is growing suspicion that microplastics disrupt endocrine systems and potentially cause physical harm to marine organisms ingesting the chemicals attached to the plastic, and thus of those who consume contaminated fish and seafood. According to The Ocean Cleanup, 84% of the plastic found in the GPDP had at least one Persistent Bio-accumulative Toxic Chemical. Therefore, while invalidated concerns about radioactivity in seafood resulting from the release of treated water from the FDNPS massively emerged, Oceanic Focus regrets that other oceanic pollution sources, such as plastic, have not gained such attention yet, despite well-established pervasive effects and health risks. Oceanic Focus underscores that addressing heavy metals, microplastics, and other pollutants is of paramount importance. By prioritizing these pollutants, Oceanic Focus seeks to initiate meaningful steps toward safer and healthier seafood consumption. Simultaneously, the organization advocates for cleaner oceans and sustainable fishing practices to safeguard marine ecosystems for future generations. CONTACT: Paul Clay - Oceanic Focus info@oceanic-focus.com London, United Kingdom https://oceanic-focus.com/ SOURCE: Oceanic Focus View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790283/fukushima-treated-water-release-oceanic-focus-welcomes-reassuring-findings-and-reminds-other-ocean-pollution-sources Maurice Kenton, a prominent international arbitration and disputes lawyer with significant experience representing clients in the mining, oil and gas, power, telecommunications, infrastructure and insurance sectors, has joined Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP as a partner in London. Arriving with Kenton is disputes Counsel Edward Hamilton, whose practice includes international commercial and investor-State disputes. "Maurice and Edward bring an impressive set of credentials, experience and insight that align well with the firm's strategic commitment to maintaining a leading international arbitration practice," said Tom Taylor, co-head of Hunton Andrews Kurth's litigation team. "We are pleased to welcome them to the firm." Kenton, who will lead the firm's international arbitration practice, is the latest addition to Hunton Andrews Kurth's London-based team. The firm recently announced the arrivals of his longtime colleagues, international arbitration Partner David Hesse and corporate Partner Phillip Mace. All three joined from Clyde Co., where Kenton served as co-chair of the firm's global arbitration group. Hamilton, also formerly of Clyde Co., has a broad range of dispute resolution experience across a variety of industries with an emphasis on international arbitration in the energy, mining, construction and insurance sectors. Kenton has represented private and state parties on high value and complex international disputes across five continents and has also assisted clients with corporate internal investigations and international corruption investigations. His practice also includes representing clients in large scale property and construction disputes involving business interruption and delay in start-up issues, primarily in the mining and power sectors for insurers and reinsurers. Kenton has led cases under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), as well as at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and in the English High Court. A selection of his notable representations prior to joining the firm include: Advising in a $2 billion UNCITRAL arbitration concerning an investment in copper mines in Zambia. Advising in an ICC arbitration for an oil company against Tanzania. Advising on a $1 billion ICC arbitration against a national oil company involving a long term hydrocarbons exploration and production contract. Defended a 72 million breach of contract claim in the English Commercial Court. Advising in a $600 million reinsurance claim relating to a tailings dam collapse in Latin America. Advising in ICSID arbitrations and annulment proceedings concerning mining and hydrocarbons exploration rights. "Maurice and Edward are outstanding lawyers who further strengthen our global disputes practice and whose addition creates exciting opportunities for collaboration with our London-based energy and corporate teams," said Ferdinand Calice, managing partner of Hunton Andrews Kurth's London office. Originally from South Africa, Kenton received his undergraduate degree and LLB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and his LLM from the University of Kent. He is admitted to practice in England and Wales. Hunton Andrews Kurth's international arbitration and transnational litigation practice represents clients around the globe. We regularly handle investor-state arbitrations before the ICSID and commercial arbitrations before the ICC, the LCIA, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and its international division, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR). We also work with clients in multi-jurisdictional matters, working closely with counsel in local forums. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005551945/en/ Contacts: The PR Office hak@theproffice.com Led by Vincent Gombault, Ingmar Vallano and a team of experienced investment professionals and data scientists, formerly at Ardian, Coller Capital and New York City Retirement Systems Clipway's proprietary Tech-Enabled Secondaries System (TESS) is purpose-built to bring precision and efficiency to investing in LP-led secondary opportunities Firm has secured strategic, minority investments from Carmignac and General Atlantic A team of seasoned investors, institutional asset allocators, and data scientists today announced the launch of Clipway, a global secondaries firm that leverages proprietary technology to optimise its investment strategy. The team, headquartered in London with an office in New York, and led by veteran secondaries investors and managing partners Vincent Gombault and Ingmar Vallano, has successfully invested together for many years at blue chip institutions, namely Ardian, Coller Capital and New York City Retirement Systems. The partners, David Enriquez, Inigo Weston, Jonathan Hillgarth-Williams, Joshua Manasseh and Harry Vander Elst, as well as senior advisor Franck Nguyen, bring strong experience in both investment and data science. The firm is focused on investing in one of the fastest-growing segments in private equity, the LP-led secondary market, with a particular focus on diversified LP portfolios of quality buyout and growth managers principally in North America and Western Europe. Clipway was founded to apply next-generation technology to the secondaries industry a highly data-intensive asset class, which requires investors to extract, store, and synthesise millions of data points per quarter. Clipway's proprietary Tech-Enabled Secondaries System (TESS) brings an unprecedented level of precision and efficiency to investing in LP portfolios, using a variety of continuously improving machine learning models and data analytics. TESS automates portfolio data extraction and analysis processes that the secondaries industry has historically completed manually enabling the investment team to optimise pricing and monitoring of LP portfolios that are comprised of hundreds of underlying assets. "The secondaries industry has historically been slow to innovate. Clipway was purpose-built to leverage technology, which enables us to apply the full potential of data analytics and machine learning techniques to secondaries investing, without needing to overhaul complex legacy systems," commented Vincent Gombault, a Managing Partner and founding member of Clipway. "Through the combination of our experienced team and our proprietary technology, TESS, we can move quicky to capitalise on this exciting and growing opportunity set across the secondaries market. We are already very active in the market and look forward to deploying capital in the months to come." Clipway has grown at speed and is currently composed of 24 employees across its London and New York offices, including a range of experienced investment professionals, an established technology team and strong support functions, with more hires to be announced in the coming months. Strategic Minority Investors Clipway is also pleased to announce that it has secured strategic, minority investments from leading global investor General Atlantic and leading European independent asset manager Carmignac. These financial investments will help support Clipway's growth plans. Maxime Carmignac, CEO of Carmignac UK, declared: "Private equity is an asset class in which we see attractive long-term growth opportunities. The Clipway leadership team has participated in one of the most successful track records in secondaries globally the best segment to deploy fresh money in the current private equity environment as it provides attractive entry points, superior visibility and diversification. We share the same entrepreneurial mindset and ambitions; and we are excited to be taking this new step on our private equity journey." "As the global secondaries market scales in both size and complexity, Clipway is leveraging digital innovation to optimise investment strategies and deliver value to investors," said Gabriel Caillaux, Co-President, Managing Director, and Head of Climate and EMEA at General Atlantic. "Clipway's seasoned leadership team has a strong track record of collaboration across the industry, and we look forward to supporting their vision to improve secondaries investing through technology." Ingmar Vallano, a Managing Partner and founding member of Clipway, added: "Clipway has been founded with the clear intention of transforming secondaries investing. As part of that, we want to be able to partner with some of the leading firms in the industry and believe that both General Atlantic and Carmignac, two established investors with strong entrepreneurial spirit, complement our existing expertise very well. We are excited to begin the Clipway journey alongside them." About Clipway Clipway is a global secondaries firm that leverages proprietary technology to optimise its investment strategy. Clipway was founded by a team of experienced secondaries investors, institutional asset allocators, and data scientists who identified an opportunity to apply technology to improve traditional secondaries investing. The firm invests in diversified LP portfolios of quality buyout and growth managers principally in North America and Western Europe. Clipway's investment process is supported by its Tech-Enabled Secondaries System (TESS) a next-generation, fully integrated investment tool, with a focus on precision, speed and continuous learning. The firm has offices in London and New York. To learn more about Clipway, visit www.clipway.com. About Carmignac Carmignac is an independent asset management firm established in 1989 on three core principles that still stand true today: entrepreneurial spirit, human-driven insight and active commitment. It is as entrepreneurial today as it has always been. Its team of fund managers keep the freedom and courage to perform independent risk analysis, translate it into strong convictions and implement them. Carmignac's collaborative culture of debate, on-the-groundwork and in-house research means it will always enhance data analysis with human-driven insight to better manage complexity and evaluate hidden risks. Carmignac is both an active manager and active partner, committed to its clients, providing transparency on its investment decisions and always being accountable for them. With a capital entirely held by the Carmignac family and staff, Carmignac is one of Europe's leading asset managers, operating from seven different offices. Today, as throughout its history, it is committed to trying harder and better to actively manage its clients' savings over the long term. About General Atlantic General Atlantic is a leading global investor with more than four decades of experience providing capital and strategic support for over 500 growth companies throughout its history. Established in 1980 to partner with visionary entrepreneurs and deliver lasting impact, the firm combines a collaborative global approach, sector specific expertise, a long-term investment horizon and a deep understanding of growth drivers to partner with great entrepreneurs and management teams to scale innovative businesses around the world. General Atlantic has more than $77 billion in assets under management inclusive of all products as of June 30, 2023, and more than 220 investment professionals based in New York, Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Mexico City, Miami, Mumbai, Munich, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Stamford and Tel Aviv. For more information on General Atlantic, please visit: www.generalatlantic.com. _________________________ This press release has been prepared by Clipway Limited ("Clipway") and is provided is for information purposes only. It does not constitute an offer to purchase or an invitation to sell any financial instrument or a commitment to enter into further negotiations. The content of this press release does not constitute investment advice and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instruments or pursue a particular investment strategy. Clipway Limited is registered in England and Wales with registered no. 13459432 and its registered office is 5th and 6th Floors, 152-156 Great Portland Street, London, England, W1W 6AJ. Clipway is an appointed representative of Langham Hall UK LLP which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005947156/en/ Contacts: Clipway Matthieu Roussellier Prosek Partners Pro-clipway@prosek.com GA Emily Japlon Liz McBain media@generalatlantic.com Carmignac Simon Zaks Simon.zaks@carmignac.com YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the new Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on October 4 issued the following statement on the need to support Armenia and reevaluate military assistance and security cooperation with Azerbaijan. Following nearly a year of a horrific blockade, President Aliyev finally used military power to exert control over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, effectively erasing its Armenian population and rich history. As the world continues to grapple with Azerbaijans coordinated, intentional campaign of ethnic cleansing, we must both prioritize support for the Armenians who have been expelled as well as holding Azerbaijan accountable. As we look forward we must take steps to ensure that Azerbaijan does not advance militarily in pursuit for further territorial gains, including forcefully condemning inflammatory rhetoric. The United States should halt security assistance to Azerbaijan until it has stopped this brutal campaign. The United States and the international community must also reaffirm our commitment to documenting war crimes and atrocities, as well as continue to support efforts to repatriate prisoners of war, many of whom Azerbaijan continues to detain. Finally, we must stand in solidarity with the Armenian people, particularly as Azerbaijan and Turkey eye the potential Zangezur corridor. We should increase humanitarian support for those ethnic Armenians who have left Nagorno-Karabakh. The U.S. should also continue to support democratic reforms that Armenias leadership has taken in recent years, including efforts to promote transparency, good governance, and economic cooperation with the United States and Western Europe more broadly. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Faraday Copper Corp. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (TSX:FDY)(OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce the results of gold assays from the Childs Aldwinkle breccia at the Copper Creek project in Arizona, USA. The Company analyzed archived material, which was not previously assayed for gold, with the aim of increasing data coverage. The results support the Company's belief that there is payable gold at the project which has the potential to unlock further value. Paul Harbidge, President and CEO, commented "We are pleased to provide the first results of the gold program after completing analysis of the Childs Aldwinkle breccia. The results show near surface gold mineralization in the current resource pit shell and demonstrate the potential to add a gold by-product, further enhancing the value of the project. The team has been able to advance our thesis of payable gold in the resource by utilizing the historical drill core and pulps that previous operators did not analyze for gold. With Childs Aldwinkle assay results now received, the Company is currently preparing samples from other high-priority breccias and we look forward to presenting results as they are available." Highlights Significantly increased analytical coverage for gold at Childs Aldwinkle with 743 new gold assay results in addition to 120 historical gold results. Examples of intercepts with new gold assays and re-assayed copper include: 219.46 m ("metres") at 3.29% copper and 0.31 g/t gold from 24.38 m in drill hole CA-5R; 94.49 m at 1.12% copper and 0.13 g/t gold from 341.38 m in drill hole CA30+3; and 56.38 m at 1.32% copper and 0.29 g/t gold from 150.88 m in drill hole CC-2. A weighted average of 0.16 g/t gold and 1.52% copper is calculated for mineralized intercepts for which gold analytical data is available 1 . is calculated for mineralized intercepts for which gold analytical data is available . Gold and copper are well-correlated on an intercept basis with an overall ratio of approximately 1:10 gold (g/t):copper (%) at Childs Aldwinkle. Historical metallurgical test work suggests high gold recoveries in the copper concentrate. The Company has initiated a metallurgical program to confirm gold recoveries. As part of the gold program, copper was re-assayed. These results confirm historical data, providing additional confidence in the database. Phase III drill program is expected to commence in October 2023. The Gold Program Historically, only a small portion of all samples analyzed for copper were also analyzed for gold. The Company is analyzing archived sample material for gold with the aim of increasing data coverage for potential inclusion in future resource updates. In addition to gold assays, samples are being re-analyzed for copper, silver and molybdenum to further validate historical results. Childs Aldwinkle is the first breccia to be analyzed as part of this program. Gold and copper results for Childs Aldwinkle are presented in Table 1. Gold values were calculated for a total of 28 drill hole intercepts and the results improve spatial coverage for the Childs Aldwinkle breccia (Figure 1). The gold and copper intercept values have a strong correlation with a 1:10 gold (g/t):copper (%) ratio within Childs Aldwinkle (Figure 2). The Childs Aldwinkle breccia domain is estimated to contain approximately 3.3 million tonnes of mineralized material, based on the Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE"), as presented in the report titled "Copper Creek Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment" with an effective date of May 3, 2023 (the "Technical Report") and the associated resource pit shell constraints. The strong correlation between copper and gold at Childs Aldwinkle suggests that precious metals are mineralogically associated with copper and are expected to report to a copper concentrate. The Company has initiated a metallurgical program to obtain additional data on gold recoveries, including variability test work across multiple breccia domains. The gold:copper ratio for the Childs Aldwinkle breccia should not be applied to other breccias. The gold occurrence has not undergone metallurgical and economic assessment, and therefore it does not currently qualify as part of a mineral resource. Next steps The Company is continuing the re-assaying of historical material for potential inclusion of gold in future mineral resource updates. Additional areas are expected to include the Copper Prince and Pole breccias and the Keel underground zone. The Phase III Drill Program is expected to commence in October 2023 with the following three objectives: Expanding the MRE; Better delineating high-grade mineralized zones; and Reconnaissance drilling on new targets. The Company has commenced a metallurgical program focused on grind size optimization to test viability of coarse particle flotation, gold deportment to concentrate and further test work on near surface mineralization. The Company is targeting an updated technical report in the first half of 2025, which will include results from the Phase II and III drill programs, the gold program, and metallurgical studies. Figure 1: Long section of Childs Aldwinkle breccia domain with gold intercepts Note: The open pit shell is based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the Technical Report, which is available on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Figure 2: Correlation of copper and gold intercepts at the Childs Aldwinkle breccia Table 1: Intercept values at the Childs Aldwinkle breccia Drill Hole ID From To Length True width Cu Au Ag Mo (m) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) CA-4R 12.19 30.84 18.65 N/A 0.48 0.02 1.47 0.0042 CA-4R 64.01 82.30 18.29 N/A 0.36 0.02 0.82 0.0016 CA-5R 24.38 243.84 219.46 N/A 3.29 0.31 13.88 0.0770 CA28+3A 441.96 496.83 54.87 32 0.45 0.03 1.30 0.0004 CA28+4 512.07 566.93 54.86 30 1.84 0.17 4.69 0.0320 CA30+3 341.38 435.87 94.49 60 1.12 0.13 4.55 0.0230 CA30+4 438.91 496.83 57.92 36 0.40 0.03 1.08 0.0006 CA32+3 341.38 390.15 48.77 34 1.64 0.21 5.50 0.0320 CA32+5 330.40 360.88 30.48 21 0.99 0.10 3.69 0.0800 CA32+6 256.03 289.56 33.53 22 0.27 0.02 0.67 0.0031 CA34+3 234.70 271.27 36.57 22 0.75 0.05 2.26 0.1106 CA34+4 234.70 280.42 45.72 28 1.57 0.10 5.62 0.0285 CA34+4A 243.84 274.32 30.48 19 0.72 0.12 3.17 0.1007 CA35.5+1 176.78 234.70 57.92 44 0.42 0.03 1.85 0.0130 CA35.5+3 225.55 234.70 9.15 7 0.25 0.02 0.92 0.0016 CA36+7 249.94 277.37 27.43 22 2.49 0.24 9.74 0.0867 CA37.5+1 146.30 179.83 33.53 28 0.41 0.02 1.15 0.0113 CA37.5+1A 124.97 173.74 48.77 44 0.46 0.03 2.25 0.0746 CA37.5+2 134.11 158.50 24.39 22 0.26 0.01 0.72 0.0601 CA38+7 149.35 184.10 34.75 22 2.36 0.19 9.31 0.0179 CA40+7 116.43 135.64 19.21 17 3.48 0.24 10.59 0.0649 CC-2 150.88 207.26 56.38 36 1.32 0.29 5.53 0.0205 MET-2CA 45.72 169.16 123.44 N/A 3.79 0.33 11.57 0.0486 MET-3CA 45.72 152.40 106.68 N/A 3.71 0.35 11.27 0.0169 FCD-23-023 184.72 230.61 45.89 35 1.68 0.33 5.55 0.0280 FCD-23-027 390.72 408.98 18.26 9 0.22 0.01 1.58 0.0080 CA-9R 164.59 182.88 18.29 N/A 2.76 0.28 8.20 0.0206 CATECH 237.74 243.23 5.49 N/A 1.61 0.23 9.43 0.0014 CA28+8 No significant intercepts and incomplete gold data CA30+6 No significant intercepts CA35.5+2 No significant intercepts CA36.5+2 No significant intercepts CA36.5+3 No significant intercepts CA36+8 No significant intercepts Notes: Copper, silver and molybdenum columns indicate re-assayed metal values. Drill holes MET-2CA and MET-3CA were not re-assayed as part of this program. Drill holes CA40+7 and CC-2 are composite samples. For drill holes CA-9R and CATECH, gold data does not cover the entire mineralized intercept and lengths listed are for the portion for which gold data is available. True widths are approximate. Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's geologists and the chain of custody from Copper Creek to the independent sample preparation facility, ALS Laboratories in Tucson, AZ, was continuously monitored. The samples were taken from archived pulverized rock material (pulps). Pulps were re-blended and analyzed using industry standard analytical methods including a 4-Acid ICP-MS multielement package and an ICP-AES method for high-grade copper samples. Gold was analyzed on a 30-gram aliquot by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish. A certified reference sample was inserted every 15th to 20th sample. Blanks were inserted every 10th sample. In addition to the internal QA-QC protocol, additional blanks, reference materials and duplicates were inserted by the analytical laboratory according to their procedure. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Faraday's Vice President Exploration, Dr. Thomas Bissig, P. Geo., and Faraday's Vice President, Projects and Evaluations, Zach Allwright, P.Eng., both of whom are considered a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). About Faraday Copper Faraday Copper is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in The United States of America. The Copper Creek project, located in Arizona, is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with open pit and bulk underground mining potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol "FDY". For additional information please contact: Stacey Pavlova, CFA Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications Faraday Copper Corp. E-mail: info@faradaycopper.com Website: www.faradaycopper.com To receive news releases by e-mail, please register using the Faraday website at www.faradaycopper.com. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the possibility of adding payable gold in future Mineral Resource Estimates, the thesis that precious metals are mineralogically associated with copper within the Copper Creek property and the areas to be included in the review of historical samples for increased assay coverage. Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of mineral resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in Faraday's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence. 1 Data from two historical metallurgical drill holes (MET-2CA and MET-3CA), totaling 230.12 m, drilled vertically through the high-grade portions of the breccia, were not included in the weighted average calculation due to their high gold content and spatial proximity to each other, which could skew the results. "Mineralized intercepts" refers to intercepts within the breccia volume with values greater than 0.13% copper. SOURCE: Faraday Copper Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790082/faraday-copper-reports-gold-assay-results-from-the-childs-aldwinkle-breccia-at-the-copper-creek-project-in-arizona CVS Health CEO Karen S. Lynch tops the 26th annual list for 3rd consecutive year, followed by Accenture CEO Julie Sweet, GM CEO Mary Barra Global ranking of 100 leaders includes 53 newcomers to the list this year including OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, Skims and SKKY co-founder Kim Kardashian, and Coty CEO Sue Nabi, an openly transgender woman Finance and tech industries lead the way with 20 women from each field, 18 from retail, 7 each from health care and energy 67 women CEOs on MPW list 2023; non-U.S. women on list include 9 from U.K., 7 from Greater China, 6 from France, 4 from Australia, and 2 each from Spain, Brazil, India, and Germany Cover of Fortune's 100 Most Powerful Women issue belongs to OpenAI's Murati NEW YORK, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Fortune announced the 2023 edition of the Most Powerful Women in Business list, featuring established and rising leaders from around the globe. Now in its 26th year, the Most Powerful Women celebrates 100 leading business women representing industries including finance, tech, healthcare, telecom, retail, and energy, among others. This year's list of the Most Powerful Women in business is the most comprehensive on record: It's the first time Fortune has had a single worldwide list honoring 100 women. The list's new global scope and bigger scale recognize the nature of top executives' work-it spans the planet-as well as the near-record number of women who are leading companies on the Fortune 500, the largest in the U.S. by revenue, and the Fortune Global 500, the largest companies in the world. In total, the list features 67 women with a CEO title, some of whom only recently stepped into the corner office. Margherita Della Valle became CEO of British telecom Vodafone in April. Sandy Ran Xu took over Chinese e-commerce titan JD.com in May. Vanessa Hudson assumed the CEO job at Australia's flagship carrier Qantas in September. All are the first women to hold their respective jobs. Other women are making a major impact early in their careers, like 34-year-old Mira Murati, the Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI and Susan Li, Meta's CFO. Some other execs are leading the world's most valuable startups including Kim Kardashian, the co-founder of the $4 billion shapewear line Skims. When CEOs step down, women are getting called to replace them in greater numbers. Fortune notes that in this year's first half, 106 CEOs worldwide left their jobs. Of the CEO replacements, 13% were women, up from 2.4% in 2018. Fortune writes: "The business world is demanding change, and women leaders are meeting the moment." The Top 10 of the 2023 Fortune 100 Most Powerful Women in Business : Karen S. Lynch, President and CEO, CVS Health (U.S.) Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO, Accenture (U.S.) Mary Barra, Chair and CEO, General Motors (U.S.) Jane Fraser, CEO, Citigroup (U.S.) Jessica Tan, Executive Director, Co-CEO, Ping An (China) Carol Tome, CEO, UPS (U.S.) Emma Walmsley, CEO, GSK (U.K.) Ruth Porat, President, CIO, CFO, Alphabet and Google (U.S.) Shemara Wikramanayake, Managing Director and CEO, Macquarie (Australia) Gail Boudreaux, President and CEO, Elevance Health (U.S.) For the third consecutive year, Karen S. Lynch, President and CEO of CVS Health, lands the #1 spot as the highest-ranking Fortune Global 500 (#11) company in the world led by a female chief executive. In the past year, CVS Health acquired primary care provider Oak Street Health and home health care specialist Signify Health for a total of $19 billion. The deals are part of a strategy- accelerated with CVS Health's 2018 acquisition of insurer Aetna-to transform the company formerly known as a drugstore chain and pharmacy benefit manager into a driving force in the healthcare sector. Many of the women on the 2023 list will be speaking or attending Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit in Laguna Niguel, CA October 9 - 11. About Fortune FORTUNE upholds a legacy of award-winning writing and trusted reporting for executives who want to make business better. Independently owned, with a global perspective and digital agility, FORTUNE tells the stories of a new generation of innovators, builders, and risk takers. Online and in print, FORTUNE measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks, and holds companies accountable. FORTUNE creates communities by convening true thought leaders and iconoclasts - those who shape industry, commerce and society - through powerful and prestigious lists, events and conferences, such as the iconic Fortune 500, the CEO Initiative and Most Powerful Women. For more information, visit fortune.com . Contact: Patrick Reilly Patrick.Reilly@fortune.com Amy Galleazzi Amy.Galleazzi@consultant.fortune.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2239463/FORTUNE.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2167808/4323992/fortune_logo_black_ID_e110fdae6750_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fortune-reveals-the-100-most-powerful-women-in-business-301947967.html SANTO DOMINGO, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dominican Republic is combining traditional luxury elements with sustainable ideals in its sustainable luxury tourism strategy, which centres on consolidating its position as the top Caribbean tourist destination. The island nation has been working closely with the private sector to introduce these ideals into its top destinations, such as Punta Cana-Bavaro, Cap Cana, Puerto Plata, Samana and Santo Domingo, as well as its new tourism centres, including Pedernales and Miches. The Dominican Republic seeks to go beyond the many natural and cultural riches that have made it a tourism hotspot in the Caribbean by inviting visitors to be a part of its conservation efforts while enjoying luxury experiences. By leveraging both its natural beauty and strong tourism strategy, the country hopes to entice a record-breaking 10 million tourists to its shores by the end of 2023. Dominican Ministry of Tourism data suggests that this new form of luxury will attract more tourists, especially from the UK. Of the 173,728 UK tourists who visited the country in 2022, 33% chose luxury getaways. After identifying upward trends in luxury tourism and sustainability, the Dominican Republic has adapted its tourism strategy to address both. Celebrating sustainability in Samana As part of this strategy, the Dominican Republic has been introducing sustainable tourism offerings in its established destinations, such as the Cayo Levantado Resort in Samana. This destination combines luxury and sustainability by promoting the local culture, improving the region's biodiversity and offering a space for visitors to connect with the natural environment. Samana is also the first municipality with a Sustainable Tourism Circuit, a business association dedicated to championing sustainability. Over 70 local companies have joined. Sharing the natural paradise of Pedernales Province Recently, the Dominican Republic announced plans to develop a sustainable luxury tourism destination in Bahia de las Aguilas. This will be the first carried out under a public-private partnership in the region. In the project's first stage, the private sector will invest US$700-800 million to build 3,000 rooms, an international airport, a 50KW renewable energy installation and related infrastructure. This is not the only project taking place in Pedernales. After a US$98 million investment in the Port of Cabo Rojo, the Norwegian Cruise Line has its first arrival scheduled for December 2023. Creating an ecotourism hub in Miches Another key destination for sustainable luxury tourism, Miches attracted US$735 million in investments for new projects, including 3,700 more hotel rooms and 2,000 residential rooms. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is considering building a LEED-certified hotel in Miches, and multiple other major hotel groups have expressed interest in the area. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-dominican-republic-is-embracing-sustainable-luxury-tourism-to-maximise-its-appeal-301948269.html GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A national network of public fast chargers for heavy electric trucks is opening in Sweden. The charging network is powered by renewable energy. A new service from Volvo Trucks makes it easy for haulers to find and access the charging stations. A network for fast charging of electric trucks is a key part of the transition to more sustainable heavy transportation. In Sweden, some 130 charging stations in total are planned to open in 2023 and 2024. The stations are operated by several different companies, and Volvo Trucks is one of the partners involved. Volvo Trucks is now launching a new service that lets haulers find and access the charging stations. The service will first be launched in Sweden*, with other markets in Europe and other parts of the world to follow. "This is a real breakthrough for the electrification of heavy transport. Our customers will be able to access public fast chargers all around Sweden, and as a result going electric is easier than ever," says Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks. The new service is open to all truck brands and displays all charging stations suitable for heavy duty vehicles, regardless of who operates them. The user can pay for charging via the new platform: in the near future, booking of charging time will also be possible. "Customers will be able to obtain reliable information about where to find charging stations for heavy electric trucks, and they can be assured that they are paying a fair market price with no hidden fees. With the possibility to plan the route ahead in a good way and a minimum of administration, I am convinced that this is an important step towards making electric trucks even more popular with fleet owners," says Roger Alm. Volvo Trucks is working closely with charge point operators around the world to expand the charging network and the service as seamlessly and quickly as possible. Volvo Trucks, an integral part of Volvo Group, is also building charging infrastructure via Milence, a joint venture formed with Daimler Truck and the Traton Group. The partnership will result in the installation and operation of at least 1,700 high-performance green energy charging points on, and close to, highways as well as at logistics hubs across Europe. The infrastructure will offer charging to all heavy-duty battery electric vehicles, regardless of brand. This is how Volvo Trucks' charging service works: The charging service is part of Volvo Connect, Volvo Trucks' interface for digital services. The customer can find and pay for the charging via Volvo Connect and a mobile app. A digital map shows the charging stations and if they are available. In the near future booking of charging time will be possible. When arriving at a charging station, the customer uses a card or a mobile app for identification and to start the charging. The customer receives one, consolidated invoice. *Volvo's charging service will in the first wave provide seamless access to 29 charging stations operated by OKQ8. The charging stations will be powered by green electricity. For more information, please contact: Helena Lind Media Relations Director, Volvo Trucks helena.lind@volvo.com +46 76 5536257 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/6667/3848533/2341501.pdf Volvo Trucks_Press Release_Public Charging_EN_final https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/volvo-trucks-charging-service,c3222775 Volvo Trucks charging service https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/charging-volvo-trucks-1-2023,c3222776 Charging Volvo Trucks 1 2023 https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/volvo-trucks-charging-electric-truck-1-2023,c3222777 Volvo Trucks charging electric truck 1 2023 https://news.cision.com/volvo-trucks/i/t2021-47130-1,c3222778 T2021 47130 1 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/breakthrough-for-fast-charging-of-electric-trucks--volvo-trucks-launches-new-service-301948302.html MIAMI, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Crossing Airlines Group, Inc. (JET: NEO; JET.B: NEO; JETMF: OTCQB) (the "Company" or "GlobalX") is pleased to provide an update on block hours operated in Q3 in addition to announcing our planned Q3 earnings release date in November and the date of the Company's Annual General Meeting in December. GlobalX operated 6,504 block hours in Q3 2023 compared to 3,585 hours in Q2 2023, an 81% increase. Of the hours operated in Q3 2023, 70% were operated on an ACMI basis and 30% were operated on a Charter basis, which compares to Q2 2023 where 38% were operated on an ACMI basis and 62% were operated on a Charter basis. The Company also confirms that its third A321F will be delivered the week of October 10th, its 11th passenger aircraft will deliver the week of October 20th and 12th A320 passenger aircraft will deliver the second week of November, 2023. The Company intends to announce its Q3 2023 financial results and business update prior to market open on Wednesday November 8th and will be hosting a Zoom webinar to provide a business update and discuss the Q3 2023 financial results the same day. When: Nov 8, 2023 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Global Crossing Airlines - Q3 2023 Earnings Release & Management Update Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ny8iUmDYRHaPeOCqPU8Scg In addition, the Company announces it will host its Annual General Meeting at its Miami Headquarters at 10am on December 13, 2023, with more details to follow. About Global Crossing Airlines GlobalX is a US 121 domestic flag and supplemental Airline flying the Airbus A320 family aircraft. GlobalX flies as a passenger ACMI and charter airline serving the US, Caribbean, European and Latin American markets. GlobalX is also now operating ACMI cargo service flying the A321 freighter. GlobalX is IOSA certified by IATA and holds TCO's for Europe and the UK. For more information, please visit www.globalxair.com. For more information, please contact: Ryan Goepel, Chief Financial Officer Email: ryan.goepel@globalxair.com Tel: 786.751.8503 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward looking statements" and "forward-looking information", as defined under applicable United States and Canadian securities laws, concerning anticipated developments and events that may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's aircraft fleet size, the destinations that the Company intends to service, the delivery and entry into service timelines for future aircraft, the timeline for release of financial results and the Company's growth plans. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the receipt of financing to continue airline operations, the accuracy, reliability and success of GlobalX's business model; GlobalX's ability to accurately forecast demand; GlobalX will be able to successfully conclude definitive agreements for transactions subject to LOI; the timely receipt of governmental approvals; the success of airline operations of GlobalX; GlobalX's ability to successfully enter new geographic markets; the legislative and regulatory environments of the jurisdictions where GlobalX will carry on business or have operations; the Company has or will have sufficient aircraft to provide the service; the impact of competition and the competitive response to GlobalX's business strategy; the future price of fuel, and the availability of aircraft. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include risks related to, the ability to obtain financing at acceptable terms, the impact of general economic conditions, risks related to supply chain and labor disruptions, failure to retain or obtain sufficient aircraft, domestic and international airline industry conditions, failure to conclude definitive agreements for transactions subject to LOI, the effects of increased competition from our market competitors and new market entrants, passenger demand being less than anticipated, the impact of the global uncertainty created by COVID-19, future relations with shareholders, volatility of fuel prices, increases in operating costs, terrorism, pandemics, natural disasters, currency fluctuations, interest rates, risks specific to the airline industry, risks associated with doing business in foreign countries, the ability of management to implement GlobalX's operational strategy, the ability to attract qualified management and staff, labor disputes, regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits; risks related to significant disruption in, or breach in security of GlobalX's information technology systems and resultant interruptions in service and any related impact on its reputation; and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements. If GlobalX does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Highlights: Extension of the Chou Spodumene Pegmatite Showing through the discovery of an additional spodumene-bearing outcrop along strike, approximately 26 m south. New lithium-bearing pegmatite discovered 2.3 km to the east of Chou, termed the "Figue Showing", extending the total prospective lithium trend to approximately 4.5 km. Total of 30 pegmatite dykes have been mapped to date on the Property. Total of 48 pegmatite samples collected, including 11 containing visible lithium mineralization. Assays pending for all samples collected. Vast majority of Property and prospective trends remain to be assessed for lithium pegmatite. Shawn Wescott, Company CEO, comments: "We are excited to continue to advance the Radis Project with the completion of the September sampling and mapping program. Over 30 pegmatite outcrops have been mapped and sampled to date on the Property, and both the Chou and Navet pegmatite mineralization remains open in multiple directions. We eagerly await the analytical results, particularly the channel samples from Chou, which will help us confirm the continuity of mineralization across the pegmatite body and help guide the planning for a maiden drill program in Q1 of 2024." Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 5, 2023) - Ophir Gold Corp. (TSXV: OPHR) (OTCQB: KPZIF) (FSE: 80M) ("Ophir" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of its 2023 surface exploration program at the Radis Lithium Property (the "Property" or "Project"), located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec. The Property is located approximately 70 km east-northeast of Wemindji and proximal to the all-season Billy-Diamond Highway and hydro-power line infrastructure in the region. Due to forest fires in the region over the summer period, preventing access to the Property (see news release dated June 5, 2023), the Company modified its fieldwork plans and successfully completed a more focused exploration program at the Property. The surface work, completed in September, followed up on the very successful 1.5 days of prospecting completed in early June 2023, which confirmed lithium mineralization at the Chou Spodumene Pegmatite (2.33% Li2O) and the Navet Spodumene Pegmatite (1.26% Li2O) (see news release dated June 29, 2023). A total of 87 rock samples were collected during the September program (Figure 1 and Figure 2), including 10 channel samples at the Chou Pegmatite (Figure 3). A total of 48 samples were collected from pegmatite outcrops in addition to samples collected from basement granites/tonalites to evaluate geochemistry. Several samples were also collected to evaluate base and precious metal potential. Figure 1: Prospective lithium pegmatite trend at the Radis Property To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6338/182963_3975f52e14461b75_001full.jpg The 2023 surface exploration resulted in the mapping of a pegmatite dyke swarm at the Navet Spodumene Pegmatite Showing and an extension of the Chou Spodumene Pegmatite. Additionally, the program resulted in the discovery of the "Figue Showing," characterized by lepidolite mineralization in a pegmatite dyke up to 1 m wide and open along strike. The lepidolite may indicate proximal spodumene and overall fertility within the pegmatite trend that has now been expanded to at least 4.5 km, with significant spodumene mineralization confirmed at multiple locations. Figure 2: Navet and Courgette spodumene pegmatite showings with newly discovered surrounding pegmatite dykes To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6338/182963_3975f52e14461b75_002full.jpg A new spodumene pegmatite outcrop was discovered approximately 26 m south of the Chou Spodumene Pegmatite (Figure 3C). This new outcrop, approximately 4 m long by 3 m wide, is interpreted to connect subsurface beneath overburden to the Chou Spodumene Pegmatite outcrop (approximately 10 m long by 6 m wide) discovered in June 2023. The new outcrop extends the interpreted strike length of the collective Chou Showing to at least 41 m. A channel was cut across both spodumene pegmatite outcrops that characterize the Chou Showing: a 6.5 m long channel across the northern, original Chou Showing dyke (Figure 3A) and a 2.9 m long channel across the newly discovered southern dyke situated 26 m along strike (Figure 3B). Both channels were oriented perpendicular to the approximated strike of the dykes, and samples were collected continuously at approximately 1 m intervals. Spodumene mineralization was observed in both channels. Figure 3: The Chou Spodumene Pegmatite To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6338/182963_3975f52e14461b75_003full.jpg The Navet Spodumene Pegmatite is characterized by an approximate 18 m x 5 m outcrop exposure, truncated by mafic volcanic rock on one side and shallow overburden on the other (Figure 4). The September mapping at Navet identified additional zones of spodumene within the pegmatite, and an additional 3 grab samples were collected to determine the overall abundance of spodumene throughout the exposure. Prospecting and mapping in the area surrounding Navet has identified more than 20 additional pegmatite dykes up to 1 m wide, suggesting Navet is part of a much larger swarm of LCT pegmatite dykes. Although no spodumene mineralization was visually identified outside of the main Navet Showing, many of these dykes exhibit similar characteristics, such as textures and blue tourmaline, and suggest the presence of a potential robust LCT pegmatite system. Figure 4: Navet Showing, open in multiple directions To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6338/182963_3975f52e14461b75_004full.jpg The September surface exploration concludes the prospecting and mapping program for 2023, as most exploration activities are typically paused from September 15 to October 15 for the annual moose hunting season. The Company is currently awaiting final data and deliverables from a Property-wide airborne LiDAR and Orthophoto survey flown in September 2023, which will be used to generate targets ahead of an expansive surface exploration program in 2024. Additionally, the Company plans to complete an induced polarization and resistivity survey over the ~4.5 km of prospective lithium exploration trend identified at the Property. The geophysical data will be utilized, along with the analytical results from the 2023 prospecting and mapping programs, to plan and execute a maiden drill program at the Chou and Navet Spodumene Pegmatites at the Property in Q1 2024. Quality Assurance / Quality Control All samples were collected in the field using a hammer, chisel and/or a battery-operated diamond-bladed rock saw. Locations were obtained using a handheld GPS or tablet with samples placed in pre-labelled sample bags. Metal tags with the sample numbers and flagging tape were left at each sample location. Samples were securely transported by field staff to SGS Canada's laboratory in Val d'Or, QC, for standard sample preparation (code PRP89), which includes drying at 105C, crushing to 75% passing 2mm, riffle splitting 250 g, and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns. The pulps were then shipped to SGS Canada's laboratory in Burnaby, BC, where they were subsequently analyzed for multi-element (including Li and Ta) using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES/MS finish (code GE_ICM91A50). A Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol was incorporated into the program and included the insertion of certified reference material and silica blanks at a rate of approximately 10%. SGS Canada is independent of the Company. Management cautions that prospecting surface rock samples and associated assays, as discussed herein, are selective by nature and represent a point location and, therefore, may not necessarily be fully representative of the mineralized horizon sampled. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P. Geo., Senior Geologist for Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, who has prepared and reviewed the content of this press release. Mr. Schmidt has verified all scientific and technical data disclosed in this news release, including the sampling and QA/QC results and certified analytical data underlying the technical information disclosed. Mr. Schmidt noted no errors or omissions during the data verification process. The Company and Mr. Schmidt do not recognize any factors of sampling or recovery that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed in this news release. About the Radis Lithium Property In December 2022, the Company entered into an option agreement to earn 100% interest in 152 claims of the Radis Property, with an additional three (3) claims acquired through a separate purchase agreement in March 2023. The Radis Property consists of 155 claims totalling 8,005.35 hectares and is situated within a volcano-sedimentary sequence (i.e., a g greenstone belt) belonging to the Yasinski group. The greenstone belt contains at least two distinct spodumene-bearing outcrops sampled in 2023: the Chou Showing (2.33% Li2O, 1.68% Li2O and 1.17% Li2O) and the Navet Showing (1.26% Li2O). The Property is considered highly prospective for additional lithium pegmatites, hosting a tight regional fold which may provide favourable dilation zones for pegmatite emplacement. About the Company Ophir Gold Corp. is a diversified mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of the Radis Lithium Property in James Bay, Quebec, and the past producing Breccia Gold Property located in Lemhi County, Idaho. The Company holds an option to earn a 100% interest in the Radis Property over a three-year period from Eastmain Resources Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fury Gold Mines Limited, and an option to earn a 100% interest in the Breccia Property from DG Resource Management Ltd. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Shawn Westcott" Ophir Gold Corp. For further information, please contact: Shawn Westcott, CEO Phone 1 (604) 365 6681 swestcott@ophirgoldcorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable and include statements in this press release related to the exploration and discovery potential of the Property, interpretation of exploration results, that the vast majority of Property and prospective trends remain to be assessed for lithium pegmatite; that the Chou and Navet pegmatite mineralization remains open in multiple directions; confirmation of the continuity of mineralization across the pegmatite body; the timeline for the maiden drill program; the generation of targets ahead of an expansive surface exploration program in 2024; the completion of an induced polarization and resistivity survey over the Property; and the Company's future exploration plans with respect to the Property. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risk related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of technical reports including feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of sampling and drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of preliminary economic assessments, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182963 London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - October 5, 2023) - BSF Enterprise PLC (LSE: BSFA) (OTCQB: BSFAF), a company focused on unlocking the next generation of biotechnological solutions using cell-based tissue engineering, will be participating in The ThinkEquity Conference, which will take place on October 19, 2023 at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York. Che Connon, CEO and Director, will be presenting at 10:30 AM ET on October 19th. Interested parties can register to attend here. Members of the BSF Enterprise PLC management will also be holding one-on-one investor meetings throughout the day. About BSF Enterprise PLC BSF Enterprise PLC (BSF) is focused on unlocking the next generation of biotechnological solutions - using cell-based tissue engineering to help generate cultured meat, lab-grown leather, as well as human corneas, collagen growth and skin substitutes, as part of a radical transformation to deliver sustainable solutions across a variety of sectors. It owns 100% of 3D Bio-Tissues (3DBT), a tissue engineering with patent-protected IP that is already producing human corneas to help restore vision to millions of people and successfully produced the UK's first high-quality lab-grown meat from its laboratory in Newcastle in 2023. BSF aims to deliver growth to shareholders through the continued commercialisation of 3DBT's IP, which has multiple applications, as well as through M&A. It aims to acquire a suite of technologies that underpins the development of tissue templating for corneas, meat and leather, and license out the IP to manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to help manufacture the products at scale. About The ThinkEquity Conference The ThinkEquity Conference will gather industry insiders, investors and leading executives from around the world on October 19th in New York. Attendees can expect a full day of company presentations, one-on-one investor meetings, networking and more. Featured sectors include AI, Technology, Biotechnology, EV/EV Infrastructure, Metals & Mining and Energy. To register to attend The ThinkEquity Conference, please follow this link. For further information: Geoff Baker Executive Director +1.646.893.5835 x2 info@skylineccg.com Source: BSF Enterprise PLC Software company Toyota Connected increases timesheet adoption by 25% and reduces time on bench by more than 90% with Kantata Professional Services Cloud Kantata, the leading global supplier of purpose-built technology for professional services, today announced that Texas-based software development and cloud services company Toyota Connected North America (TCNA) has reduced bench time from 15% to below 1% through workforce optimization with the Kantata Professional Services Cloud. Prior to adopting Kantata Professional Services Cloud, TCNA worked with less efficient spreadsheets for resource tracking and skills matching. TCNA sought a unified "source of truth" to streamline organization-wide data and improve decision-making. TCNA selected Kantata OX, Kantata's open infrastructure solution. "Kantata has been a strong resource in helping Toyota Connected better optimize where staffing demand is for various projects to make sure we have the right people in the right place at the right time," said Dave Knapstein, manager, Strategic Workforce planning at TCNA. "The system has enabled our organization to have more informed budget and hiring conversations across our team that we couldn't have before." "Kantata is the tell-all system that we reference for how we're performing in the organization across our projects as well as where our resources are on those projects," Knapstein added. Since adopting Kantata, TCNA has been able to: Reduce time on bench below 1% previously, TCNA had a cloudy picture of who was on the bench, but accurate insights on workforce skills and availability from Kantata have led to the near-extinction of bench time. Improve timesheet adoption by 25%, from 75% of hourly team members capturing their time in their previous system to a current standard of between 95% and 98% timesheet compliance with Kantata. Precisely forecast project durations using data in Kantata, driving forecasting accuracy that is enabling better planning, resource allocation and more efficient project execution. "Everybody [at Kantata] from the top down has been great, from the implementation team to our customer service rep," said Knapstein. "We've had special trainings for things like report building. Trainers have been excellent." "We appreciate the opportunity to partner with professional services organizations like Toyota Connected it is always exciting to see how Kantata is being used to orchestrate projects and people that are changing the way we think about things like mobility," said Matt Schlessman, VP, Global Customer Success, Kantata. "The incredible results TCNA has achieved are a testament not just to the power of software purpose-built for the unique needs of professional services organizations, but also to the work our teams have done together to align Kantata's capabilities with meaningful outcomes." To learn more about the quantitative results of adopting Kantata, read the entire success story here. About Kantata: Kantata takes professional services automation to a new level, giving people-powered businesses the clarity, control, and confidence they need to optimize resource planning and elevate operational performance. Our purpose-built cloud software is helping over 2,000 professional services organizations in more than 100 countries focus on and optimize their most important asset: their people. By leveraging the Kantata Professional Services Cloud, professionals gain access to the information and tools they need to win more business, ensure the right people are always available at the right time, and delight clients with project delivery and outcomes. About Toyota Connected North America Based in Plano, Texas, Toyota Connected North America (TCNA) was established in 2016 to contribute toward Toyota's global vision for an intelligent mobile society. TCNA is an independent Toyota company that serves as a software and innovation hub, leveraging big data from vehicles to humanize the driving experience and provide customers secure, seamless and contextual services. Comprised primarily of software engineers and data scientists, TCNA serves as a center of excellence for connected services that elevate the customer experience as well as benefiting dealers, distributors and partners. At the heart of TCNA is Toyota's belief in human-centered mobility and a fundamental commitment to personal privacy. Learn more at www.toyotaconnected.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005384967/en/ Contacts: Jen Dodos 949-322-6181 jen.dodos@kantata.com McLEAN, Va., Oct. 05, 2023, a leading global provider of managed network and security services to multinational organizations, announced today the appointment of Ed Morche as chief executive officer and board director. Morche is an accomplished business leader with an excellent track record that spans more than 30 years in the telecommunication industry. Before joining GTT, Morche served as president of Lumen's North American Enterprise and Public Sector, and previously held other senior leadership roles at CenturyLink and Level 3 over his tenure with the combined organization. Morche's experience includes global and North American leadership positions at Igaea Communications, Teleglobe, Global One and Sprint, in addition to multiple philanthropic roles supporting the Virginia Hospital Center, including serving as a director on the hospital's foundation board. "We are delighted to welcome Ed as we look to a bright future as a managed network services and security provider serving global multinational enterprises," said Tony Abate, GTT executive chairman of the board. "His deep industry experience, long-standing commitment to service delivery excellence, and proven track record of empowering and inspiring teams make him an ideal choice to continue to drive the company forward." "I am thrilled to lead the talented team at GTT and look forward to working with our employees, partners and customers in this next phase of growth," said Morche. "It's exciting to join an organization with such a long-standing commitment to operational excellence, compelling market opportunity and great culture for delivering a best-in-class customer experience." Abate also shared his appreciation for Ernest Ortega, who has stepped down as CEO and board director. "The board would like to sincerely thank Ernie for his contributions to GTT over the past four years," said Abate. "During that time, Ernie was instrumental in transforming the company in numerous ways. He is leaving GTT well positioned for continued growth, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors." About GTT GTT is a managed network and security services provider to global organizations. We design and deliver solutions that leverage advanced cloud, networking and security technologies. We complement our solutions with a suite of professional services and exceptional sales and support teams in local markets around the world. We serve thousands of national and multinational companies with a portfolio that includes SD-WAN, security, internet, voice and other connectivity options. Our services are uniquely enabled by our top-ranked, global, Tier 1 IP backbone, which spans more than 260 cities on six continents. The company culture is built on a customer-first service experience reinforced by our commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement in our business, environmental, social and governance practices. For more information, visit www.gtt.net . GTT Media Inquiries: Americas: Mary Lynn Heath, GTT +1-646-214-4078 MaryLynn.Heath@gtt.net (mailto:MaryLynn.Heath@gtt.net) Europe: Siria Nielsen, GTT +31-6-2835-4259 siria.nielsen@gtt.net (mailto:siria.nielsen@gtt.net) GTT Investor Relations: Charlie Lucas, VP of Finance, GTT InvestorRelations@gtt.net (mailto:InvestorRelations@gtt.net) Press releases can be downloaded from gtt.net. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebookand YouTube. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca351ef8-3fec-468d-b4ca-bc039543f3f5 Today the World Gold Council announces the release of a new documentary: GOLD: A Journey with Idris Elba, created in partnership with Pioneer Productions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005802842/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) Immersed in adventure, Idris Elba (Luther, Beasts of No Nation, Hijack) explores the mysteries, stories and untold human relationship with our most precious metal: gold. As his journey unfolds, we're taken around the globe as he conquers his claustrophobia down Canadian mine shafts, explores his heritage in Ghana and delves into the journey to responsible mining in South Africa. From the 1800s Gold Rush stimulating early demand for Levi's jeans, to the recent production of a $1M gold bar in Canada and the quest for the new gold seams in Peru; Elba uncovers the unique moments and milestones that bring the human story and socio-economic impact of gold to life. Gold: A Journey explores the value of gold past, present and future, while discovering its powers of transformation on individuals, communities and economies. It also highlights how the industry is navigating current challenges, from post-mining regeneration and energy consumption to the future of the workforce in gold mining. Idris Elba said: "I feel very thankful to have been able to experience what gold means to people, what gold means to history and also to tradition. Gold has the power to transform. I've learnt so much about gold that wasn't obvious or expected and now my eyes have been opened which is a wonderful thing." David Tait, Chief Executive Officer, World Gold Council, said: "Gold has a positive impact across the lives of individuals, communities and economies, with much of the story to date left to imagination. On behalf of our members and the industry, we are delighted to bring the human stories of gold to life for the first time, working with Idris Elba to explore the value and evolution of gold." The documentary was commissioned to support the World Gold Council in its ambition to help the world understand the value of gold and harness its transformative power. The documentary will be available on YouTube from 5th October 2023. Find out more: journey.gold World Gold Council We are a membership organisation that champions the role gold plays as a strategic asset, shaping the future of a responsible and accessible gold supply chain. Our team of experts builds understanding of the use case and possibilities of gold through trusted research, analysis, commentary, and insights. We drive industry progress, shaping policy and setting the standards for a perpetual and sustainable gold market. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005802842/en/ Contacts: For further information please contact: Stephanie Cadman World Gold Council T +44 7808 640303 E stephanie.cadman@gold.org YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. Any geopolitical change in the South Caucasus would be unacceptable for Iran, President Ebrahim Raisi has said. Raisi made the remarks during separate meetings in Tehran with Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan and Khalaf Aly Oghlu Khalafov, the special representative of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, IRNA reports. During talks with Secretary Grigoryan, President Raisi stressed the importance of respecting the territorial integrity of the countries in the Caucasus, and announced Irans readiness to cooperate on improving peace and security in that region, according to IRNA. Raisi also rejected any geopolitical change in the Caucasus, calling it harmful to the interests of the regional countries. He stressed the need for protecting the rights of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, and announced Irans readiness to help Armenia and Azerbaijan resolve their standoff through dialogue. The Iranian president made similar comments during talks with Khalaf Aly Oghlu Khalafov, the special representative of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev. Raisi said that protecting and improving stability in the Caucasus depends on the cooperation of regional countries which he said are capable of resolving regional issues. He added that the presence of extra-regional countries under any excuse does not benefit regional nations, and that the regions geopolitics should remain unchanged. There are now 25 samples of interest, up from the previous 21 samples from the 2011 exploration campaign. Total of 46 samples showing greater than 1.00% concentrations of Li2O in total for all historic drill holes (2011 & 2018). Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 5, 2023) - IberAmerican Lithium Corp. (NEO: IBER) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of the re-assaying of initial core samples from its Alberta II project, located in Ourense Province, Galicia, Spain. By using a sodium peroxide fusion to obtain the assay results, the Company now has 25 samples showing greater than 1.00% concentrations of lithium oxide, an increase of approximately 20% from the number of samples previously reported from the exploration campaign conducted in 2011. Campbell Becher, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased with the re-assay results. It confirms our thesis that, with the use of proper, more modern technology and with a new focus on lithium shows, the existing samples would provide greater lithium content than originally thought in 2011, when the exploration focus of the owner at that time was on tin and tantalum. These results also give us better information on the areas on which to concentrate our exploration program at Alberta II." The re-assays confirm the Company's initial plans to focus its Q4 2023 diamond drilling program, of approximately 40-50 holes, in the northern section of the Alberta II permit area, targeting the continuity of spodumene-pegmatites, specifically expanding the drilling previously performed on the permit area in 2012. The Company will be also undertaking an extensive geological sampling program in the south section of Alberta II. Mr. Becher added, "Receipt of these results are the first step in commencing our robust exploration program; we expect to be able to announce preliminary results from initial drilling and survey activities in Q1 2024." The Re-Assays In conjunction with its reverse takeover transaction and listing of its common shares on the Neo Exchange Inc., operating as Cboe Canada, the Company filed a National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") technical report, prepared pursuant to NI 43-101, by Resource Development Associates Inc. (RDA) consultant Scott E. Wilson, S.M.E., CPG, titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Alberta II Lithium and Rare Metals Deposit, Ourense Province, Galicia Spain" with an effective date of March 25, 2023 (the "Alberta II Project Technical Report"). The Alberta II Project Technical Report contained a number of recommendations, including the re-assay of core samples taken in 2011 by the previous permit holder of Alberta II, in order to use a more pertinent assay method - sodium peroxide fusion - for lithium-bearing spodumene pegmatite. Samples taken in 2011 had previously been analyzed using the 4-Acid Digest method which is known to under-report lithium contents. The re-assaying has been completed, and as a result of using more modern technology and methods, the Company now has 25 core samples from the 2011 campaign showing greater than 1.00% concentrations of lithium oxide compared to the 21 reported in the Alberta II Project Technical Report, an increase of approximately 20% for core samples taken in 2011. As part of the re-assay program, samples were collected from the nine drill-holes from 2011. Quarter-core cuts of the historic intervals were sent for reanalysis. The drill-hole samples were prepared at ALS laboratory in Sevilla, Spain, located approximately 750 km from Alberta II, and then sent to their laboratories in Ireland for assaying. The ME-MS89L assaying method uses a sodium peroxide flux for fusion. When searching for elements found in resistant minerals, as the lithium silicates found on pegmatites, fusion decomposition guarantees the complete measurement of the element's concentration, rather than just the acid-soluble portion. The Company selected this internationally accredited laboratory to assess the most appropriate assay methodology for Alberta II's mineralization type. Some variability is to be anticipated as the samples represent the second half of the core as opposed to being a rerun of the same sample; different sample preparation; different sample digestion and analytical methods used by the laboratories in different time periods; and the natural variability of the mineralization. A comparison of historic results and re-assay results are shown below and complete results are reported in Schedule 1 of this news release, respectively: HOLE_ID FROM (m) TO (m) THICKNESS (m) OLD SAMPLE NO. Li2O% [OLD] CURRENT SAMPLE NO. Li2O% [NEW] ABII-11-09 75.15 76.15 1.00 D00278 0.71 G798507 1.13 ABII-11-09 77.23 78 0.77 D00281 1.64 G798509 2.06 ABII-11-09 79.38 80.44 1.06 D00283 1.84 G798511 1.46 ABII-11-09 80.44 81.49 1.05 D00285 0.99 G798512 1.37 ABII-11-09 168.5 169.5 1.00 D00294 1.28 G798521 1.18 ABII-11-09 169.5 170.5 1.00 D00295 1.38 G798522 1.58 ABII-11-09 170.5 171.5 1.00 D00296 0.93 G798523 1.09 ABII-11-09 171.5 172.4 0.90 D00298 1.41 G798524 2.21 ABII-11-09 172.4 173.4 1.00 D00299 1.32 G798525 1.50 ABII-11-08 276.17 277 0.83 D00218 1.07 G798558 1.36 ABII-11-05 73.2 74.2 1.00 D00117 0.02 G798564 2.59 ABII-11-05 74.2 75.2 1.00 D00118 0.84 G798565 1.06 ABII-11-05 75.2 76.2 1.00 D00120 0.78 G798566 1.03 ABII-11-05 195.7 196.92 1.22 D00135 1.68 G798581 2.12 ABII-11-05 196.92 198.08 1.16 D00136 1.29 G798582 1.25 ABII-11-06 13.2 14.42 1.22 D00142 2.02 G798587 1.21 ABII-11-06 17.3 18.3 1.00 D00147 1.33 G798591 1.69 ABII-11-06 20.61 21.4 0.79 D00152 0.94 G798596 1.01 ABII-11-06 100 101 1.00 D00166 1.79 G798608 1.70 ABII-11-06 101 102.1 1.10 D00167 1.08 G798609 1.15 ABII-11-06 102.1 103 0.90 D00168 1.11 G798610 1.52 ABII-11-06 103 104 1.00 D00169 1.62 G798611 1.60 ABII-11-06 104 105 1.00 D00171 1.31 G798612 1.14 ABII-11-06 105 106 1.00 D00172 0.71 G798613 1.19 ABII-11-06 106 106.9 0.90 D00173 1.31 G798614 1.37 *[Old] 2011 samples previously analyzed using the 4-Acid Digest method *[New] Re-assayed samples analyzed using the Sodium Peroxide fusion method *All From/To Depths and Thicknesses are downhole and do not represent true thickness of mineralization *Only samples with grade above 1.00% Li2O are shown in the above table Samples from the 2018 holes were analyzed using the sodium peroxide method hence these samples were not re-assayed. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9975/182975_74c0c90eb437cb10_001full.jpg Adding the re-assay results to those samples of interest from the 2018 drill holes results in a total of 46 samples showing greater than 1.00% concentrations of Li2O in total for all historic dill holes. All 46 samples showing greater than 1.00% concentrations of Li2O are reported in the table below: HOLE_ID FROM (m) TO (m) THICKNESS (m) CURRENT SAMPLE NO. Li2O% [NEW] ABII-18-01 60.3 61.3 1.00 S303903 2.37 ABII-18-01 122.22 123.08 0.86 S303912 1.12 ABII-18-01 123.08 123.94 0.86 S303913 1.23 ABII-18-01 123.94 124.8 0.86 S303914 2.17 ABII-18-01 124.8 125.87 1.07 S303916 1.60 ABII-18-01 125.87 126.84 0.97 S303917 1.95 ABII-18-01 126.84 127.82 0.98 S303918 1.59 ABII-18-01 127.82 128.78 0.96 S303920 1.87 ABII-18-01 129.76 130.9 1.14 S303922 1.46 ABII-18-01 130.9 131.7 0.80 S303923 1.10 ABII-18-01 131.7 132.5 0.80 S303925 1.45 ABII-18-02 137.04 138.08 1.04 S303945 2.52 ABII-18-02 139.17 140.18 1.01 S303948 1.20 ABII-18-02 140.18 141.22 1.04 S303949 1.62 ABII-18-02 141.22 142.27 1.05 S303951 1.11 ABII-18-02 142.27 143.32 1.05 S303952 1.50 ABII-11-09 75.15 76.15 1.00 G798507 1.13 ABII-11-09 77.23 78 0.77 G798509 2.06 ABII-11-09 79.38 80.44 1.06 G798511 1.46 ABII-11-09 80.44 81.49 1.05 G798512 1.37 ABII-11-09 168.5 169.5 1.00 G798521 1.18 ABII-11-09 169.5 170.5 1.00 G798522 1.58 ABII-11-09 170.5 171.5 1.00 G798523 1.09 ABII-11-09 171.5 172.4 0.90 G798524 2.21 ABII-11-09 172.4 173.4 1.00 G798525 1.50 ABII-11-08 276.17 277 0.83 G798558 1.36 ABII-11-05 73.2 74.2 1.00 G798564 2.59 ABII-11-05 74.2 75.2 1.00 G798565 1.06 ABII-11-05 75.2 76.2 1.00 G798566 1.03 ABII-11-05 195.7 196.92 1.22 G798581 2.12 ABII-11-05 196.92 198.08 1.16 G798582 1.25 ABII-11-06 13.2 14.42 1.22 G798587 1.21 ABII-11-06 17.3 18.3 1.00 G798591 1.69 ABII-11-06 20.61 21.4 0.79 G798596 1.01 ABII-11-06 100 101 1.00 G798608 1.70 ABII-11-06 101 102.1 1.10 G798609 1.15 ABII-11-06 102.1 103 0.90 G798610 1.52 ABII-11-06 103 104 1.00 G798611 1.60 ABII-11-06 104 105 1.00 G798612 1.14 ABII-11-06 105 106 1.00 G798613 1.19 ABII-11-06 106 106.9 0.90 G798614 1.37 *All From/To Depths and Thicknesses are downhole and do not represent true thickness of mineralization *Only samples with grade above 1.00% Li2O are shown in the above table Qualified Person, Technical Disclosure and Quality Control Notes The sample results contained in this press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Scott E. Wilson, S.M.E., CPG, who is a "qualified person" for the purposes of NI 43-101. Mr. Wilson has verified the technical data and opinions contained in this news release by comparing the re-assays with the historic assays from the same intervals in the same holes and considers that there has been no material change from the results described in the Alberta II Project Technical Report. Mr. Wilson also considers the QA/QC procedures used to have been up to industry standards, with all QC tests passed without any reportable deviations to be raised with the laboratory. The samples obtained from the historic drill core re-sampling were subjected to meticulous handling, starting from the point of collection to their processing and delivery to the ALS laboratory located in Sevilla, Spain. Throughout this process, a strict chain of custody was followed to ensure the integrity of the samples and the accuracy of the further results. The drill cores were stored in the warehouse owned by Strategic Minerals Europe Spain at its Penouta Mine in Spain. Here, geologists meticulously selected the sample material from the core boxes and proceeded to cut them into quarters. The samples were then placed in calico bags, along with certified reference materials, laboratory duplicates, and blanks to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. The lab (ALS Laboratories in this case) maintains an internal Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) program by utilizing certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates. In addition, the Company administers an external QAQC program by inserting certified reference materials, duplicate samples, and blank samples in a number to ensure statistical representation, thereby guaranteeing results control. The samples were security-sealed prior to delivery at the Sevilla facilities of ALS. Additional information about the methodology can be found on the respective ALS global websites in their analytical guides. Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QAQC") is maintained internally at the lab through rigorous use of internal certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicates. An additional QAQC program is administered by the Company using certified reference materials, duplicate samples and blank samples that are blindly inserted into the sample batch. If a QAQC sample returns an unacceptable value an investigation into the results is triggered and when deemed necessary, the samples that were tested in the batch with the failed QAQC sample are re-tested. Historic Information The reader is cautioned that the historical information is considered historical in nature and as such are based on prior data and reports prepared by previous property owners. The reader is cautioned not to treat them, or any part of them, as current mineral resources or reserves. The Company has determined the historical information is relevant to be included here in that it is used as a comparator to the re-assay results. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current resources and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current resources. Verification will be required by a qualified person before the historical estimates can be classified as a current resource. There can be no assurance that any of the historical mineral resources, in whole or in part, will ever become economically viable. In addition, mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Even if classified as a current resource, there is no certainty as to whether further exploration will result in any inferred mineral resources being upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource category. The full version of the Alberta II Project Technical Report is available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. About IberAmerican Lithium Corp. IberAmerican Lithium is a hard-rock lithium exploration company focused on advancing its 100% owned Alberta II & Carlota Properties located in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain. IberAmerican Lithium's properties are located in a favorable lithium district with world class infrastructure and a supportive and proactive mining jurisdiction. Additional information on IberAmerican Lithium is available at www.iberamericanlithium.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. 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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of IberAmerican to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in IberAmerican's Filing Statement dated August 31, 2023, which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. These risks include but are not limited to, the risks associated with the mining and exploration industry, such as operational risks in development or capital expenditures, the uncertainty of projections relating to production, any delays or changes in plans with respect to the exploitation of the site, the quantity of lithium content, the Company's re-assay results and ongoing drill programs, the areas in which to concentrate further exploration, the commencement of the diamond drilling program and any expansion thereof, and any expected announcement of preliminary results from initial drilling and survey activities. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release, and IberAmerican disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Further Information For further information, please contact: IberAmerican Lithium Corp. Campbell Becher inquiries@ialithium.com 647-404-9071 Schedule 1: Alberta II Project ALS Re-Assay Results HOLE_ID FROM (m) TO (m) THICKNESS (m) OLD SAMPLE NO. Li2O% [OLD] CURRENT SAMPLE NO. Li2O% [NEW] ABII-18-01 59.3 60.3 1.00 S303902 0.73 ABII-18-01 60.3 61.3 1.00 S303903 2.37 ABII-18-01 61.3 62.3 1.00 S303905 0.77 ABII-18-01 122.22 123.08 0.86 S303912 1.12 ABII-18-01 123.08 123.94 0.86 S303913 1.23 ABII-18-01 123.94 124.8 0.86 S303914 2.17 ABII-18-01 124.8 125.87 1.07 S303916 1.60 ABII-18-01 125.87 126.84 0.97 S303917 1.95 ABII-18-01 126.84 127.82 0.98 S303918 1.59 ABII-18-01 127.82 128.78 0.96 S303920 1.87 ABII-18-01 128.78 129.76 0.98 S303921 0.57 ABII-18-01 129.76 130.9 1.14 S303922 1.46 ABII-18-01 130.9 131.7 0.80 S303923 1.10 ABII-18-01 131.7 132.5 0.80 S303925 1.45 ABII-18-01 132.5 133.3 0.80 S303926 0.73 ABII-18-02 83.85 84.85 1.00 S303936 0.56 ABII-18-02 84.85 85.85 1.00 S303938 0.59 ABII-18-02 134.94 136 1.06 S303943 0.47 ABII-18-02 136 137.04 1.04 S303944 0.47 ABII-18-02 137.04 138.08 1.04 S303945 2.52 ABII-18-02 138.08 139.17 1.09 S303947 0.68 ABII-18-02 139.17 140.18 1.01 S303948 1.20 ABII-18-02 140.18 141.22 1.04 S303949 1.62 ABII-18-02 141.22 142.27 1.05 S303951 1.11 ABII-18-02 142.27 143.32 1.05 S303952 1.50 ABII-11-09 71.1 72.1 1.00 D00274 0.84 G798503 0.51 ABII-11-09 73.1 74.15 1.05 D00276 0.77 G798505 0.57 ABII-11-09 74.15 75.15 1.00 D00277 1.47 G798506 0.92 ABII-11-09 75.15 76.15 1.00 D00278 0.71 G798507 1.13 ABII-11-09 76.15 77.23 1.08 D00280 0.58 G798508 0.89 ABII-11-09 77.23 78 0.77 D00281 1.64 G798509 2.06 ABII-11-09 79.38 80.44 1.06 D00283 1.84 G798511 1.46 ABII-11-09 80.44 81.49 1.05 D00285 0.99 G798512 1.37 ABII-11-09 168.5 169.5 1.00 D00294 1.28 G798521 1.18 ABII-11-09 169.5 170.5 1.00 D00295 1.38 G798522 1.58 ABII-11-09 170.5 171.5 1.00 D00296 0.93 G798523 1.09 ABII-11-09 171.5 172.4 0.90 D00298 1.41 G798524 2.21 ABII-11-09 172.4 173.4 1.00 D00299 1.32 G798525 1.50 ABII-11-08 276.17 277 0.83 D00218 1.07 G798558 1.36 ABII-11-05 71.2 72.2 1.00 D00115 0.51 G798562 0.45 ABII-11-05 72.2 73.2 1.00 D00116 0.91 G798563 0.95 ABII-11-05 73.2 74.2 1.00 D00117 0.02 G798564 2.59 ABII-11-05 74.2 75.2 1.00 D00118 0.84 G798565 1.06 ABII-11-05 75.2 76.2 1.00 D00120 0.78 G798566 1.03 ABII-11-05 194.61 195.7 1.09 D00134 0.50 G798579 0.82 ABII-11-05 195.7 196.92 1.22 D00135 1.68 G798581 2.12 ABII-11-05 196.92 198.08 1.16 D00136 1.29 G798582 1.25 ABII-11-06 12.2 13.2 1.00 D00141 0.54 G798586 0.61 ABII-11-06 13.2 14.42 1.22 D00142 2.02 G798587 1.21 ABII-11-06 14.42 15.29 0.87 D00144 1.15 G798588 0.98 ABII-11-06 15.29 16.3 1.01 D00145 0.55 G798589 0.63 ABII-11-06 16.3 17.3 1.00 D00146 1.13 G798590 0.85 ABII-11-06 17.3 18.3 1.00 D00147 1.33 G798591 1.69 ABII-11-06 18.3 19.31 1.01 D00148 0.79 G798592 0.89 ABII-11-06 20.2 20.61 0.41 D00151 0.75 G798595 0.77 ABII-11-06 20.61 21.4 0.79 D00152 0.94 G798596 1.01 ABII-11-06 21.4 22.4 1.00 D00153 0.36 G798597 0.56 ABII-11-06 98.95 100 1.05 D00165 0.48 G798607 0.61 ABII-11-06 100 101 1.00 D00166 1.79 G798608 1.70 ABII-11-06 101 102.1 1.10 D00167 1.08 G798609 1.15 ABII-11-06 102.1 103 0.90 D00168 1.11 G798610 1.52 ABII-11-06 103 104 1.00 D00169 1.62 G798611 1.60 ABII-11-06 104 105 1.00 D00171 1.31 G798612 1.14 ABII-11-06 105 106 1.00 D00172 0.71 G798613 1.19 ABII-11-06 106 106.9 0.90 D00173 1.31 G798614 1.37 ABII-11-06 106.9 107.8 0.90 D00174 1.14 G798615 0.82 ABII-11-06 107.8 108.7 0.90 D00175 0.36 G798617 0.64 ABII-11-03 83.93 84.93 1.00 D00059 0.70 G798728 0.54 ABII-11-03 84.93 85.93 1.00 D00061 0.67 G798729 0.74 ABII-11-04 228.45 229.5 1.05 D00106 0.61 G798771 0.84 ABII-11-07 6.44 7.41 0.97 D00223 0.38 G798628 0.70 ABII-11-07 7.41 8.25 0.84 D00224 0.83 G798629 0.41 ABII-11-07 58.4 59.4 1.00 D00229 0.54 G798633 0.57 *[Old] 2011 samples previously analyzed using the 4-Acid Digest method *[New] Re-assayed samples analyzed using the Sodium Peroxide fusion method *All From/To Depths and Thicknesses are downhole *Only samples with grade above 0.40% Li2O are shown in the above table To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182975 New training course provides critical skills for unpaid family caregivers and coincides with European Carers Day and Family Caregiver Awareness Month in the U.S. Not intended for UK-based media EMD Serono, the Healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the US and Canada, today announced a new collaboration with the United Nations' Global Initiative on Ageing (GIA) to provide a training course on critical skills for family caregivers. The course, consisting of 5 modules, provides professional instruction and guidance on essential topics in caregiving such as using medical equipment, creating safe environments and overcoming communication barriers. The course is available on EMD Serono's Embracing Carers website: EmbracingCarers.com. "As the world's population of ageing adults continues to significantly increase, the importance of caregivers has become even more critical to address their health needs," said Ambassador Luis Gallegos, Chairman of the Global Initiative on Ageing. "By bringing together the trusted experience of the GIA and EMD Serono's industry-leading caregiver initiative, Embracing Carers, we can better support caregivers around the world with these newly launched, vital courses." The availability of the training modules coincides with European Carers Day on October 6, as well as Family Caregiver Awareness Month in the U.S. this November. The modules provide support for a broad range of caregivers whether they care for patients impacted by cancer, multiple sclerosis or other diseases and chronic conditions. "At EMD Serono, we recognize the invaluable role family caregivers play, not only in the lives of patients, but across the entire healthcare ecosystem. Providing tangible support and resources is the sort of impact we aim to have every single day," said Peter Guenter, CEO, Healthcare business at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "As we embark on this exciting new collaboration with the UN's Global Initiative on Ageing, I look forward to seeing what more we can achieve in the future." Originally developed in Spanish, the modules have been translated into English to reach a broader audience. The modules focus on the following topics: Feeding and nutrition techniques and commonly encountered issues Identifying communication and language problems Assisting with motivation and learning for elderly, disabled, and/or ill people Understanding and encouraging positive social relationships and behaviors in those requiring care Adapting and creating safe and comfortable environments Additionally, caregivers who complete the training courses have the option to receive UN certification as a professional caregiver through the GIA website, if desired. An estimated 17 percent of Americans and Europeans serve as unpaid family caregivers. A recent Embracing Carers survey found family caregivers spend an average of 28 and 26.8 hours in the U.S. and Europe, respectively, on caregiving duties each week. The physical, mental, emotional, and financial stress of caregiving frequently leads to health problems for caregivers, with 75 percent of survey respondents saying they feel burned out by their caregiving responsibilities. Embracing Carers was launched in 2017 with the mission to raise awareness of the challenges faced by family caregivers worldwide and to implement targeted initiatives to increase recognition and support for the role of these caregivers in healthcare systems. Embracing Carers is driving this mission daily through collaborations with relevant organizations worldwide to increase the visibility and availability of tailored resources; supporting increased policy attention and action; and creating innovative opportunities for healthcare system integration. GIA's mission is to support the achievement of the goals set by the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing and its Sustainable Development Goals by improving the standard of living, participation, and inclusion of the world's aging population. GIA's outreach is enhanced by partners in several countries and by virtual learning and policy platforms. For more information on the training course and to find additional resources for caregivers, please visit https://www.embracingcarers.com/ About Embracing Carers Embracing Carers is a global initiative founded by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates its biopharmaceutical business in the U.S. as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Electronics, in collaboration with leading carer organizations around the world, designed to increase awareness, discussion, and action about the often-overlooked needs of carers. Given that carers need support and often do not know where to turn for help, Embracing Carers was created to fill that void. www.embracingcarers.com About EMD Serono, Inc. EMD Serono the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S. and Canada -aspires to create, improve and prolong life for people living with difficult-to-treat conditions like infertility, multiple sclerosis and cancer. The business is imagining the future of healthcare by working to translate the discovery of molecules into potentially meaningful outcomes for people with serious unmet medical needs. EMD Serono's global roots go back more than 350 years with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Today, the business has approximately 1,250 employees around the country with commercial, clinical and research operations in Massachusetts. www.emdserono.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231004149997/en/ Contacts: Melissa Beglin Melissa.beglin@emdserono.com LONDON, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On rare occasions, a contemporary artist emerges, fascinating audiences, and reshaping the very essence of our perception of the world. Kojo Marfo is precisely such a visionary. JD Malat Gallery proudly announces his latest exhibition 'Crucible of Hope'. In parallel with Frieze Week, from 11th to 15th October, this enchanting exhibition invites viewers on an exploration into the intertwined realms of success, happiness, and the burdens that shape our very existence. An exclusive showing of the exhibition will take place on October 10th from 7pm at JD Malat Gallery. Marfo is an acclaimed contemporary artist celebrated for his unique style, which draws inspiration from traditional Akan artefacts, sculptures, and carvings that he encountered growing up. Marfo skillfully explores the intricate nature of shared and personal human stories, with each piece carrying the weight of experiences we have lived and continue to live today. At the heart of 'Crucible of Hope' lies a powerful narrative that sheds light on the societal pressures placed upon us to succeed at any expense, often overshadowing the pursuit of true happiness. Marfo's art becomes a mirror to society, inviting introspection and igniting a dialogue on the complex interplay between success and fulfilment, and how we can reach for a sense of equilibrium. Drawing inspiration from his own experiences and intuition, Marfo showcases an eclectic range of styles and mediums in his works, adding further depth to his artistic repertoire. From vibrant brushstrokes that exude energy to new endeavours in print techniques, his artistic prowess continually redefines the horizons of creative expression. Displayed across two floors at the gallery, the exhibition offers an immersive journey through Marfo's visual symphony, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the layers of meaning and emotions he skillfully weaves into each piece. Kojo Marfo shares his thoughts on the exhibition, stating, "The idea is to expose and highlight the burden that our families and society place on us to be successful, rather than prioritising our happiness. It has become almost like a birthright to be successful at any expense. The intention is to shed light on these sentiments and hopefully inspire some individuals to bring about change and find happiness in our world." To attend the exclusive opening or to interview Jean-David Malat and Kojo Marfo, please contact jdmalat@plus1comms.com . For images, visit the newsroom https://ace.media/jd-malat . Media Contact details: Deborah Gouineau; deborah@plus1comms.com; 07802725465 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/exclusive-preview-of-kojo-marfos-new-exhibition-at-jd-malat-gallery-on-10-october-301948361.html Client Since 2018 Renews its Targeted Digital Marketing Program TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Specificity Inc. (OTCQB:SPTY) (the "Company"), a full-service digital marketing firm that delivers cutting-edge marketing solutions, is pleased to announce the renewal of its targeted digital marketing agreement with long-time client Woodhouse Spa of St. Petersburg. Since 2018, Specificity has worked closely with Woodhouse Spa of St. Petersburg to address their challenge of bringing in spa guests to their new location in the waterfront district of St. Petersburg, Florida. By the end of their first year in 2018 with Specificity, Woodhouse Spa of St. Petersburg was seeing an ROI of 405%. The highest ROI they have seen was 1,368%! On average Specificity drives 32% of their physical spa visits. Specificity has increased their site traffic by 5.57 times. By driving relevant traffic to the Woodhouse Spa of St. Petersburg website, Specificity dropped their bounce rate by 50% and increased their ad click-through rate by an average of 2.76% Mark Lettelleir, Owner of Woodhouse Spa St. Pete, stated, "We are extremely pleased with our relationship with Specificity and excited to renew our targeted marketing program with them. The results speak for themselves, as we have dramatically increased our traffic, visits and revenue thanks to Specificity. We look forward to continuing to grow our business with Specificity and highly recommend their targeted digital marketing to others who are looking to increase their visibility, awareness, traffic and revenue." Jason Wood, Chief Executive Officer of Specificity, commented, "Specificity is thrilled to go into another year with a relationship with Woodhouse Spa of St. Petersburg as a client, and continuing to see their business grow! If you are a local business looking to increase your traffic and revenue, I strongly encourage you to contact us at Specificity so we could help you grow your business as we have done with Woodhouse Spa of St. Petersburg." Woodhouse Spa of St. Petersburg is part of a franchise model built on signature services and luxury. Woodhouse Spas has been committed to caring for their guests' minds, bodies, and moods for over 20 years! Woodhouse Spas has 83 locations across the U.S. At Woodhouse Spa, every detail, space and experience has been carefully crafted by their masters of Mood Care. From their most indulgent treatment right down to their reflexology sandals - every part of the Woodhouse experience is customized to help you curate and care for the mood you choose. Specificity narrowly defines their audiences to those who are in the market for spa services, those who show behaviors connected to their ideal client persona, those who have visited competitors, and lastly the tourist population visiting the St. Pete area! Specificity gets the Woodhouse Spa message of their superior services in front of the people who are most likely to convert into customers! Specificity carries out all aspects of the Woodhouse Spa campaign from strategy and ad creation, to deployment and analytic reporting. We deliver ROI reports to Woodhouse Spas to show exactly who Specificity drove to the spa, and the revenue associated with each guest. For additional information on Woodhouse Spa of St. Petersburg, please visit: https://locations.woodhousespas.com/dir/fl/st.-petersburg/75-1st-street-south About Specificity, Inc. Specificity, based in Tampa, Florida, is a full-service digital marketing firm that delivers cutting-edge marketing solutions to business-to-business clients as well as business to consumer clients. Our core mission is to offer our clients the most advanced audience targeting capabilities out there. We believe that precision targeting is the key to building the most successful marketing campaigns possible. Specificity has developed tools that allow it to identify and market to people who are actively in the buying cycle. Specificity takes advantage of the real-time messaging opportunities digital marketing offers to give small and medium-sized businesses a fair chance at online traffic. For further information about Specificity Inc. and the range of digital marketing solutions offered, visit - https://www.specificityinc.com/ . Specificity also has a growing online community across social media, including Facebook and LinkedIn . Specificity is a publicly traded company, ticker symbol SPTY. For more information, please contact: ClearThink Investor Relations , nyc@clearthink.capital Jason Wood, CEO jason@specificityinc.com Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "potential," "plans," "suggests," "may," "should," "could," "intends," or similar expressions. Many forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by such statements. Many factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond the Specificity's control. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Specificity Inc. believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Specificity Inc. undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Specificity Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790198/specificity-proves-wildly-successful-results-for-woodhouse-spa-of-st-petersburg NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Galexxy Holdings Inc., ("Galexxy" or "Company") (OTC PINK:GXXY), and Hussle.Tech, is proud to announce its agreement to integrate the Verb and Hussle app technologies with the new Galexxy Sales App to power the Galexxy, LLC direct sales channel. In August, Galexxy Holdings announced the formation of Galexxy, LLC with Pillars International to form a new technology and natural plant-based direct sales products company. Pillars has provided the revolutionary Real-Time Payment Recognition and Management Solutions for the rapid scaling of a personal sales business. Galexxy is extending its technology footprint with Verb's sales app technology, now called Hussle, which was recently acquired by Hussle.Tech, owned by Private Equity firm Scaleworks. Hussle is the No. 1 rated Direct Sales Enablement platform that just expanded its solutions with the Verb acquisition. The new Galexxy app is expected to double industry retention, bring new record revenues through 40% increased clicks to the Galexxy website, new app shares and engagement. The new technology connects sales leaders with their teams for simplified onboarding, training, engagement, and expands client revenues through direct connect sampling, and highly engaging technology. "Our commitment to provide world-class products powered by scalable technology is changing the direct sales industry, combined with our industry leading functional mushroom blended products, predicted to create a new $69 billion marketplace by 2030," said Michael Biagi, CEO of Galexxy Holdings, Inc. "Hussle will empower leaders to rapidly scale their sales organizations through live streaming, on-line training, push notifications, one-click sampling, and a host of other solutions in the palm of your hand," said Biagi. Galexxy's new App, integrating the Hussle technology will provide the tools to build an individual business, communicate globally, onboard and train new sales partners, provide a social media go-to library, videos, rewards, badges, team alerts, and even one-click samples - delivered via a professional drop-ship program. "Hussle looks forward to Galexxy's exciting new launch showcasing the Hussle App technology with its leaders, said James Porter," SVP of Sales at Hussle. "We've seen our industry leading App technology expand businesses, increase retention, and skyrocket sales and we look forward to collaborating with Galexxy to achieve their exciting business goals," said Porter. Hussle is the No. 1 market leader in interactive video-based technology, built to inspire action, because action leads to success. Hussle is a Scaleworks company based out of Lehi, Utah, United States. Galexxy LLC's Leaders will have an impressive suite of proprietary new functional mushroom products to sell backed by a revolutionary new real-time payment recognition, billing, and Galexxy App technology platform to skyrocket adoption and sales. The targeted pre-launch to thousands of new sales Ambassadors is schedule for this 4th quarter. (See roadmap). The Galexxy LLC leadership team includes Mark Askey, COO of Galexxy Holdings, appointed as the Managing Partner. Dan Gay, the CMO of Galexxy Holdings will apply his extensive experience in sales and marketing within the joint venture. John Winterholler is an accomplished founder and senior executive who brings deep executive leadership in finance and software in the Direct Sales marketing sector. Leonard Cooke is an industry-leading technology architect who has continued to bring new innovations to the industry, including Galexxy's landmark real-time payment and back-office software solution. Fill out the Contact Us form to receive a 2-page document on how to get involved! https://galexxyholdings.com/contactus Galexxy Holdings Inc. Rachel Fyffe, VP Communications E: Rachel@galexxyholdings.com O: (949) 418 7450 Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "statements"). 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 press release. www.galexxyholdings.com www.wellbeingfarms.com www.twitter.com/GXXYHoldings SOURCE: Galexxy Holdings Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790190/galexxy-inks-an-agreement-to-integrate-hussles-leading-technology-into-galexxys-new-app-for-rapid-business-growth West Melbourne, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - October 5, 2023) - BK Technologies Corporation (NYSE American: BKTI) today announced that John Suzuki, Chief Executive Officer, and Scott Malmanger, Chief Financial Officer, will attend The ThinkEquity Conference at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City on Thursday, October 19, 2023. Mr. Suzuki and Mr. Malmanger will present at the conference and be available for one-on-one meetings throughout the day. BK Technologies is scheduled to present at 11:00 am ET at the Lotus Suite East. To access a live webcast of the presentation, please use this link: https://wsw.com/webcast/tep24/register.aspx?conf=tep24&page=bkti&url=https://wsw.com/webcast/tep24/bkti/1670550 A replay of the presentation will also be available at the above link for 90 days and on the Events & Presentations page of the Company website. About BK Technologies BK Technologies Corporation, through its operating subsidiaries, manufactures high-specification, American-made communications equipment of unsurpassed reliability and value for use by public safety professionals and government agencies. BK Technologies' SaaS business focuses on new, innovative public safety smartphone services that will make the first responders safer or more productive. BK Technologies is honored to serve these heroes when every moment counts. The Company's common stock trades on the NYSE American market under the symbol "BKTI". Maintaining its headquarters and primary manufacturing facility in West Melbourne, Florida, BK Technologies can be contacted through its web site at www.bktechnologies.com or directly at 1-800-821-2900. Company Contact: IMS Investor Relations John Nesbett/Jennifer Belodeau bktechnologies@imsinvestorrelations.com (203) 972-9200 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182964 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Whirlpool Corporation Onisha and her sons, 14-year-old Jasaun and 9-year-old Zykail, used to rent an apartment in a neighborhood where she didn't feel safe. After years of overpriced rent payments and being unable to purchase a home on the open market, Onisha says becoming a part of Habitat for Humanity's BuildBetter with Whirlpool program is a perfect fit. Owning a home will "bring stability to me and my boys," she says. "Not only that, but it will teach us that we can get anything in life as long as we try." Onisha applied and was accepted into Habitat for Humanity of Horry County's homeownership program. Her affordable mortgage through Habitat's BuildBetter program gives Onisha the opportunity to provide a safe and stable home for her boys. Providing security through a new Habitat home will make a huge difference in the lives of everyone in her family. Raised by her grandmother and her aunt, Onisha says motherhood and faith hold even more importance in her life. Having experienced many personal trials and tribulations, she has kept God at the center of her life, never giving up hope. That positive outlook helped her to work through her local Habitat's homebuyer program with ease and determination. By fulfilling her 300 sweat-equity hours - the time future Habitat homeowners spend building their homes and the homes of others - she has learned how to install vinyl siding and other important skills. Onisha's three-bedroom, two-bathroom home has energy-efficient doors, windows, heating and cooling system, insulation, and more. The family also received an energy-efficient refrigerator and range, which Whirlpool Corporation donates to every Habitat-built home in North America. Onisha says the appliances her home was equipped with are the nicest she has ever had. She said that having clean appliances that work is a huge upgrade, and her energy bill has been reduced significantly since she moved into her new home. Through good times and difficult times, Onisha's family has been there to support her, and this includes her new Habitat family of volunteers and supporters. To Onisha, home is a place to live and enjoy life to its fullest. It's a place to feel safe. The BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative is an expansion of Habitat's existing BuildBetter program, which will build more than 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes across the country, with a goal of delivering an almost 15 percent increase in energy efficiency compared to conventional homes. The program will help hundreds of families in need of affordable housing over three years. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whirlpool Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Whirlpool Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whirlpool-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790312/buildbetter-with-whirlpool-helps-family-find-safety-and-stability-in-a-new-habitat-home Bradley Andrews named Chief Executive Officer, bringing 20+ years of accomplished industry experience. Neil Penhall to serve as Vice Chair of SLR's Board of Directors. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / SLR, a global leader in sustainability solutions, today announced the appointment of Bradley Andrews as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. As part of a robust succession plan, Neil Penhall, SLR's Chief Executive Officer of nearly 10 years, will remain with the business, moving to the role of Vice Chair of the SLR Board of Directors to support a seamless transition of responsibilities and provide ongoing strategic advice and support. Mr. Andrews joins SLR from Worley, a leading global provider of professional services in the energy, chemicals and resources sectors, where he held several executive strategy and operational roles in the company across multiple geographic, industrial and service lines. In recent years, Mr. Andrews has gained invaluable expertise in emerging sustainable and low carbon technologies such as renewables, sustainable fuels, hydrogen, CCUS, battery materials, subsea desalination and power. Mr. Penhall was a co-founder of SLR and held various executive board roles with responsibility for both operational and strategic growth. As CEO, Mr. Penhall led the business through its transformational expansion and development as a global player and market leader in the fast growing sustainability sector. During his tenure, the Company took part in two major private equity financial transactions, most recently the transaction with funds managed by the Private Equity Group of Ares Management Corporation ("Ares"), helping to support the firm's ongoing growth trajectory. John Kerr, Chair of SLR, said, "On behalf of the Board and larger SLR team, I would like to thank Neil for his outstanding contributions to building SLR's global footprint and strong reputation. We are pleased that he will continue to play an important strategic role going forward and support a smooth transition as we welcome Bradley as our new CEO. Bradley brings a strong record of high performance, extensive industry experience and a client orientation, and we are excited to benefit from an executive of his calibre as SLR enters its next phase of growth." Mr. Penhall said, "Over the last 28 years, I have been fortunate to work alongside my SLR colleagues in building a global leader in environmental and sustainability consulting. SLR's growth and success has been underpinned by a truly differentiated 'One Team' culture, and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together. As SLR continues to execute against the progress we have made, I am delighted to welcome Bradley as our new CEO and look forward to supporting his vision for the future of the Company." Mr. Andrews, CEO of SLR, said, "I would like to thank John and the Board of Directors for their warm welcome to SLR. I am both humbled and excited to work alongside SLR's deep bench of talented environmental and business consultants, engineers and scientists to build on the Company's positive momentum. SLR is on a solid growth trajectory with an expansive portfolio of sustainability solutions, strong financials and a thriving culture, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to meet our clients' needs in helping them achieve their sustainability objectives." Stephane Etroy, Partner and Head of European Private Equity at Ares, said, "On behalf of Ares, we would like to thank Neil for his commitment to SLR over the last nearly three decades. SLR is embarking on this leadership transition from a position of strength, and we are confident Bradley is the right choice to help SLR continue to execute against its strategy for long-term success." About Bradley Andrews Mr. Andrews has over 20 years of experience in executive and operations management working in the resource and energy sector in over 30 countries across five continents. Over his wide-ranging career, he has gained experience in business operations, corporate strategy, country entry, technology start-ups, mergers & acquisitions, management consulting and advisory, and major project delivery across the hydrocarbons, chemical, mining and power sectors. Bradley started his professional career on the owner side in mining and oil & gas before starting his consultancy career with Komex, an environment and water advisory company which was acquired by Worley in 2006. Previously, he was a President of Advisian, Worley's advisory and consulting company, in addition to founding Advisian Digital, which encompassed a technology incubator, a venture investment arm, and an automation and data intelligence unit. Most recently, he was President of Worley's UK, Nordics, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe region, based in London. Bradley has a B.S. in Geophysics from the University of Calgary, an MBA in International Business from Haskayne School of Business and has completed post-graduate studies in Executive Leadership in Major Projects at University of Sydney. About SLR: SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions: helping clients achieve their ESG and sustainability goals. A team of over 3,000 talented professionals bring together a leading offering of strategic advice and technical solutions from a network of over 100 offices in Europe, USA, Latin America, Canada, Asia-Pacific and Africa. Working on diverse and challenging projects, SLR specialises in the power & energy, mining & minerals, infrastructure, built environment, manufacturing & industry and finance sectors. SLR staff deliver a wide range of both strategic and project-specific issues to a growing base of international and regional business clients, together with regulatory and government organisations. For more information, visit our website: www.slrconsulting.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from SLR on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: SLR Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/slr Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: SLR View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790314/slr-announces-leadership-transition COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Fortitude Gold Corp. (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") declares its monthly dividend of $0.04 per common share payable on October 31, 2023 to shareholders of record as of October 19, 2023. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield. Dividends may vary in amount and consistency or be discontinued at the Board of Directors' discretion depending on variables including but not limited to operational cash flows, Company development requirements and strategies, construction, spot gold and silver prices, taxation, general market conditions and other factors described in the Company's public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. About Fortitude Gold Corp.: Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and a sixth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions. Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. Contact: Greg Patterson 719-717-9825 greg.patterson@fortitudegold.com www.Fortitudegold.com SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790167/fortitude-gold-declares-october-2023-monthly-dividend BlueSnap will enable Microsoft Dynamic 365 users to provide exceptional localized payment experiences globally, increase authorization rates and reduce fees for cross-border transactions. BlueSnap, a global payment orchestration platform of choice for leading B2B and B2C businesses, has announced their partnership with Retail Realm, a multinational Microsoft ISV specializing in payments. BlueSnap's Global Payment Orchestration platform will provide Microsoft Dynamics 365 users with the ability to create more dynamic global payment experiences for their customers, while increasing payment ROI for their business. BlueSnap's global payment orchestration platform is built to support growing international businesses. It includes a network of global banks to help increase authorization rates, payment optimization tools to reduce costs, over 100+ shopper currencies to improve sales, 100+ popular payment types to convert more shoppers, solutions for regulation and tax compliance, reporting to increase visibility and simplify reconciliation, and built-in chargeback and fraud management all available through a single integration. Through this one integration to BlueSnap, Microsoft Dynamic 365 users can optimize local and global payments. Not only can Microsoft Dynamics 365 retailers better service their global customers with localized payment experiences using local payment methods and currencies, using BlueSnap's Global Payment Orchestration Platform, retailers can achieve increased sales with higher authorization rates, decrease costs with BlueSnap's Intelligent Payment Routing and benefit from the ability to tailor value-added services such as fraud, chargeback and regulation and tax compliance to serve the needs of their market. "Global payment orchestration is essential for ecommerce retailers who want to give their customers the best checkout experience," said Ralph Danglemaier, BlueSnap CEO. "But it is equally important for ecommerce retailers to ensure they can manage their payments more efficiently, especially for global transactions. With global payment orchestration, businesses can reduce friction and confusion during the payment process to improve their chances of completing transactions and increasing conversions." "We are very proud to collaborate with BlueSnap to provide a Microsoft certified payment integration with Dynamics 365 Commerce and B2B applications," said Rachel A. Smith, VP Global Sales at Retail Realm. "BlueSnap's Global Payment functionality is built to modernize acceptance for any use case and with a focus on ROIs for multi-national organizations. BlueSnap's functionality rich card-not-present payment solution will uniquely meet the needs of Commerce customers." About BlueSnap BlueSnap helps businesses accept global payments in a better way. Our Payment Orchestration Platform is designed to increase sales and reduce costs for all businesses accepting payments. BlueSnap supports payments across all geographies through multiple sales channels such as online and mobile sales, marketplaces, subscriptions, invoice payments and manual orders through a virtual terminal. And for businesses looking for global embedded payments, we offer white-labelled payments for platforms with automated underwriting and onboarding that supports marketplaces and split payments. With one integration and contract, businesses can sell in over 200 regions with access to local card acquiring in 47+ countries, 100+ currencies and 100+ global payment types, including popular eWallets, automated accounts receivable, world-class fraud protection and chargeback management, built-in solutions for regulation and tax compliance, and unified global reporting to help businesses grow. BlueSnap is backed by world-class private equity investors including Great Hill Partners and Parthenon Capital Partners. Learn more at BlueSnap.com About Retail Realm Retail Realm is a leading provider of integrated payment solutions in the Retail and Hospitality industries. With a portfolio of over 50,000 customers worldwide, Retail Realm is established in delivering omni-channel payment processing connectivity to merchants all over the world. Its MAX suite of products including MAX Pay Global, MAX Pay Reconciliation, MAX Mobile, and MAX Labels Availability, addresses key areas of Microsoft Dynamics 365 customers' businesses, bringing the flexibility of choice and functionally rich products that greatly enhance customer and user experience. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005092871/en/ Contacts: For Inquiries please contact: Owen Cottan E: bluesnap@hardnumbers.co.uk YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. Washington has confirmed that top officials from the United States, EU and Russia held a meeting in Istanbul days before Azerbaijan launched an attack in Nagorno-Karabakh. The meeting was first reported by POLITICO and described as secret. The U.S. State Department, however, refused to describe the talks as such. Id perhaps first take issue with the characterization of it being a secret meeting, U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing when asked on the meeting. We engage with stakeholders and interlocutors in the region quite regularly, and the meeting in Istanbul on September 17th came together to address specifically urgent humanitarian issues and the provision of potential humanitarian aid in Nagorno-Karabakh. Thats what that meeting was about. But broadly, the U.S. remains deeply engaged on the situation and we continue to be committed to helping the parties achieve a lasting peace in the South Caucasus, he added. Patel said it was a meeting of Minsk Group co-chairs at the working level. The U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to disclose who initiated the meeting. It was a meeting that took place at the working levelthis was a specific topic on the issue of humanitarian needs in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. That was the scope and the context of this meeting. I would not expand it or overinterpret this to mean anything else, Patel said. Broadly, this is a situation that we have continued to be deeply concerned about. I dont want to boil down on one specific moment. But were of course concerned by the situation after the recent hostilities, and it has resulted in over 100,000 ethnic Armenians fleeing the Nagorno-Karabakh region into Armenia, and were closely monitoring the situation on the ground. Of course, we continue to be concerned and paying close attention to the humanitarian impacts. Thats why part of the reason why this meeting had been taking place, the State Department spokesperson said when asked whether the U.S. was frustrated that two days after the meeting the Azeri offensive began. Employees cite high inspiration and belief in the importance of their work, alongside flexible work environment as top benefits Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET), the leading connectivity cloud company, today announced that for the second consecutive year it has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in 2023, following research conducted by Newsweek and Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company. Cloudflare is ranked #55, described as being a Most Loved Workplace giving its teams the choice to work remotely, in-person, or hybrid, with competitive benefits to support them. In September, Cloudflare also conducted an internal survey of its global team, revealing that 92% of employees are inspired by Cloudflare's mission to help build a better Internet and 88% believe that their work is important to the company. "One of my favorite parts of working at Cloudflare is hearing how passionate our team is about helping our millions of customers protect, connect, and scale their businesses," said Michelle Zatlyn, Co-founder, President COO at Cloudflare. "We are proud to once again be recognized as a Most Loved Workplace, especially amid today's competitive economy. Retaining and recruiting top talent is the foundation behind Cloudflare's mission to help build a better Internet." "Cloudflare has a significant impact on the Internet, powering nearly 20 percent of the web. In order to support the Internet, we know we need to support the team behind it," said Scott Tomtania, Head of Recruiting at Cloudflare. "Ensuring that employees feel empowered in their roles and supported by our workplace is a necessity in our minds, knowing that our team members are impacting the Internet at large." In the first half of 2023, Cloudflare has received close to half a million applicants, nearly a 300 percent increase from 2022. The company's offer acceptance rate remained at a high rate of 90 percent. Today, Cloudflare has more than 3,300 team members globally and is continuing to hire worldwide with hundreds of open positions across the organization ranging from Sales to Engineering. As the company prioritizes the success of its employees, Cloudflare offers its team members a flexible work environment that works best for them, with the choice to be remote, in-person, or hybrid with Cloudflare office space locations in San Francisco, CA, Austin, TX, Champaign, IL, Washington, D.C., Dubai, Lisbon, London, Munich, Paris, Beijing, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. "With the rapidly changing workplace and competition for top talent, more companies are recognizing the importance of employee engagement and commitment," said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek. "The workplaces that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees in 2023 are more likely to attract the best talent and deliver strong business outcomes." "Fully understanding and acting upon employee sentiment, emotion, and recommendations continues to be a challenge and top priority of executive leadership," said Louis Carter, CEO of Best Practice Institute. "The companies on this list have committed to listening carefully to their employees to create a workplace employees love." Methodology The rankings and results by Newsweek and the Best Practice Institute were determined after surveying more than 2 million employees at companies from 50 to 10,000+ and includes US-based firms and international companies with a strong US presence. The list recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired, and appreciated and are at the center of the business model. The key areas included in the analysis are based on how well companies demonstrate the areas within the Spark Model as defined by BPI including systemic collaboration, positive vision of the future, alignment of values, respect, and achievement. Employee sentiments and emotions indicating how engaged employees are, how positive they feel about their workplace, and how committed they are to the organization's success were analyzed to identify the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces. To learn more about the Cloudflare team including career opportunities, please check out the resources below: Blog Post: Cloudflare's a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace for the Second Consecutive Year in 2023 Cloudflare Careers Web Page Life at Cloudflare Web Page We Are Cloudflare CFTV About Cloudflare Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE: NET) is the leading connectivity cloud company. It empowers organizations to make their employees, applications and networks faster and more secure everywhere, while reducing complexity and cost. Cloudflare's connectivity cloud delivers the most full-featured, unified platform of cloud-native products and developer tools, so any organization can gain the control they need to work, develop, and accelerate their business. Powered by one of the world's largest and most interconnected networks, Cloudflare blocks billions of threats online for its customers every day. It is trusted by millions of organizations from the largest brands to entrepreneurs and small businesses to nonprofits, humanitarian groups, and governments across the globe. Learn more about Cloudflare's connectivity cloud at cloudflare.com/connectivity-cloud. Learn more about the latest Internet trends and insights at https://radar.cloudflare.com. Follow us: Blog X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram 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, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "explore," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "intend," "target," "project," "contemplate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these words, or other similar terms or expressions that concern Cloudflare's expectations, strategy, plans, or intentions. However, not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements expressed or implied in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Cloudflare's plans and objectives for Cloudflare's employees, hiring, and work environments, Cloudflare's global network, and Cloudflare's products and technology, Cloudflare's technological development, future operations, growth, initiatives, or strategies, and comments made by Cloudflare's Head of Recruiting and others. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to, risks detailed in Cloudflare's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Cloudflare's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 3, 2023, as well as other filings that Cloudflare may make from time to time with the SEC. The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Cloudflare undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Cloudflare may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in Cloudflare's forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on Cloudflare's forward-looking statements. 2023 Cloudflare, Inc. All rights reserved. Cloudflare, the Cloudflare logo, and other Cloudflare marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Cloudflare, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. All other marks and names referenced herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005172584/en/ Contacts: Cloudflare, Inc. Daniella Vallurupalli Vice President, Head of Global Communications press@cloudflare.com Nearly half of the technology leaders surveyed (46%) expect to increase their AI budgets by more than 25% in the next year CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report by MIT Technology Review Insights explores opportunities for businesses to leverage data and generative AI to deliver growth. The report, " Laying the foundation for data- and AI-led growth ," is produced in partnership with Databricks and is based on a global survey of 600 CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, and technology leaders for large public and private-sector organizations and features in-depth interviews with C-level executives. Among the organizations represented are ADP, Conde Nast, Databricks, Dell Technologies, General Motors, Starbucks, Razorpay, Regeneron Genetics Center, and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. "We are at an inflection point with AI adoption and CIOs are doubling down on their investments to ensure they have the right technology and talent in place to reap the efficiencies of AI democratization," says Naveen Zutshi, chief information officer for Databricks. "Today's early movers will be tomorrow's AI winners. But to be successful, technology leaders must foster a culture where employees feel empowered to experiment with AI in a secure environment that protects data privacy. Only then will companies realize their goals of adopting and scaling AI across the organization." The findings are as follows: Executives expect AI adoption to be transformative in the short term. A majority - 81%- of survey respondents expect AI to boost efficiency in their industry by at least 25% in the next two years. One-third say the gain will be at least 50%. A majority - 81%- of survey respondents expect AI to boost efficiency in their industry by at least 25% in the next two years. One-third say the gain will be at least 50%. CIOs are doubling down on their investments in data and AI. Faced with new competitive pressures and an unprecedented speed of innovation, technology leaders need their data and AI assets to deliver more growth to the business than ever before. They are investing to secure this future: every organization surveyed will boost spending on modernizing data infrastructure and adopting AI during the next year, and for nearly half (46%), the budget increase will exceed 25%. Faced with new competitive pressures and an unprecedented speed of innovation, technology leaders need their data and AI assets to deliver more growth to the business than ever before. They are investing to secure this future: every organization surveyed will boost spending on modernizing data infrastructure and adopting AI during the next year, and for nearly half (46%), the budget increase will exceed 25%. Democratization of AI raises the stakes for governance. As business units clamor to use generative AI, executives seek governance frameworks that can provide data accuracy and integrity as well as data privacy and security. Sixty percent of respondents say a single governance model for data and AI is "very important." As business units clamor to use generative AI, executives seek governance frameworks that can provide data accuracy and integrity as well as data privacy and security. Sixty percent of respondents say a single governance model for data and AI is "very important." As generative AI spreads, flexible approaches are favored. Eighty-eight percent of surveyed organizations are using generative AI, with 26% investing in and adopting it, and another 62% experimenting with it. The majority (58%) are taking a hybrid approach to developing these capabilities, using vendors' large language models (LLMs) for some use cases and building their own models when IP ownership, privacy, security, and accuracy requirements are tighter. of surveyed organizations are using generative AI, with 26% investing in and adopting it, and another 62% experimenting with it. The majority (58%) are taking a hybrid approach to developing these capabilities, using vendors' large language models (LLMs) for some use cases and building their own models when IP ownership, privacy, security, and accuracy requirements are tighter. Talent and skills gaps overshadow organizations' other data and AI challenges. When asked how their company's data strategy needs to improve, the largest share of respondents (39%) say investing in talent and upskilling the workforce. An even larger share (72%) say it will be "very important" to encourage innovation that will help attract and retain talent. When asked how their company's data strategy needs to improve, the largest share of respondents (39%) say investing in talent and upskilling the workforce. An even larger share (72%) say it will be "very important" to encourage innovation that will help attract and retain talent. Lakehouse has become the data architecture of choice for the era of generative AI. Nearly three-quarters of surveyed organizations have adopted a lakehouse architecture, and almost all of the rest expect to do so in the next three years. Survey respondents say they need their data architecture to support streaming data workloads for real-time analytics (a capability deemed "very important" by 72%), easy integration of emerging technologies (66%), and sharing of live data across platforms (64%). Ninety-nine percent of lakehouse adopters say the architecture is helping them achieve their data and AI goals, and 74% say the benefits are "significant." "With data and AI at the forefront of innovation, our report underscores the commitment of C-suite executives to steer toward a transformative future," says Laurel Ruma, global director of custom content for MIT Technology Review. "Strategic investments, consolidation efforts, and dedication to governance and democratization of AI are not merely choices; they are imperatives for success." To download the report, click here . For more information please contact: Natasha Conteh Head of Communications MIT Technology Review Insights natasha.conteh@technologyreview.com About MIT Technology Review Insights MIT Technology Review Insights is the custom publishing division of MIT Technology Review , the world's longest-running technology magazine, backed by the world's foremost technology institution-producing live events and research on the leading technology and business challenges of the day. Insights conducts qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in the U.S. and abroad and publishes a wide variety of content, including articles, reports, infographics, videos, and podcasts. And through its growing MIT Technology Review Global Insights Panel, Insights has unparalleled access to senior-level executives, innovators, and entrepreneurs worldwide for surveys and in-depth interviews. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/831545/MIT_Technology_Review_Insights_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/transformative-ai-will-lead-to-rapid-25-efficiency-gain-according-to-81-of-tech-execs-surveyed-for-new-mit-technology-review-insights-research-report-301948012.html The French brand presents an extensive offering of design objects that blends tech and art featuring the artworks of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat Lexon today announced the release of its first-ever art collections which feature the work of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. These licensed programs each include 4 of Lexon best-selling products, featuring the renowned artists' signature motifs and most iconic works. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231003151433/en/ The Lexon x Keith Haring Lexon x Jean-Michel Basquiat collections are available for pre-orders. (Photo: Lexon) "Since its foundation in 1991, Lexon's mission has always been to create design objects ruled by simplicity. By introducing our first-ever art series of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, we are taking this commitment a step further. Engaging with art became an evident opportunity to continue to achieve long lasting appeal for our timeless products. Reinventing our most popular objects, embellished with these two legendary artists' masterpieces, is a way for Lexon to make both art and good design accessible for all" says Boris Brault, CEO of Lexon. Embracing Haring and Basquiat vibrant creative styles, each collection respectively comprises 4 Lexon products coming in 4 recognizable patterns nestled in matching packagings: Mino+ speaker (39 $/) - Flip+ alarm clock (49 $/) - Mina M LED lamp (59 $/) - Tykho 3 radio (69 $/) In addition, Lexon has designed 8 collectible gift sets with its 4 iconic products (199 $/) customers will proudly display in their living spaces for the years to come. Speaking to both collectors and design enthusiasts, the artist assortments pay homage to the late artists' enduring legacy and boast the following artworks: Lexon x Keith Haring comes in 3 series: Happy, Love and Heart. Lexon x Jean-Michel Basquiat comes in 4 series: Equals Pi (1982), In Italian (1983), Untitled "Skull" (1981) and Crown. Pre-orders are now open exclusively while supplies last, on musart.com, a leading online art destination. Global Retail availability is set for November 2023. About Lexon Since its creation in 1991, Lexon has relentlessly pushed the limits and created a difference in the world of design while remaining true to its commitment to make small objects useful, beautiful, innovative and affordable. Whether in home, office, leisure and travel accessories, Lexon has established a special relationship with creativity and partnered with the best designers around the world to create timeless collections of lifestyle products, sold at million pieces every year. Today, with more than 30 years of existence, +235 awards, collaborations with some of the most renowned designers, a retail presence in 90 countries across the Globe, Lexon has truly established itself as an iconic French design brand. About Artestar Both partnerships done in collaboration with Artestar, a global licensing agency and creative consultancy representing high-profile artists, photographers, designers and creatives. Keith Haring Foundation. Licensed by Artestar, New York. Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231003151433/en/ Contacts: Annabel Corlay a.corlay@lexon-design.com Lyten to Work Closely with European Companies on Decarbonizing Applications in Industries including Automotive, Aviation, Defense, Manufacturing and More Lyten, Inc., the pioneer in 3D graphene decarbonizing supermaterials, today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, the Minister of Finance Yuriko Backes and the Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot to locate its European headquarters in Luxembourg. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005565098/en/ Lars Herlitz, Lyten co-founder (left), with Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Prime Minister (right), sign a memorandum of understanding for Lyten to locate its European headquarters in Luxembourg. (Photo: Business Wire) The announcement was made as part of LuxInnovation Automotive Day 2023, Luxembourg's annual event promoting the transformation toward sustainable mobility. Lyten is also exploring opportunities to establish research and development capabilities in Luxembourg, including infrastructure to support collaboration with European customers on disruptive applications utilizing Lyten's 3D Graphene platform. The facility would build on R&D in IoT sensing that Lyten already has ongoing in Luxembourg with an industry partner for the mobility sector. "Just as we've done in the U.S., Lyten is looking forward to working with industry leaders throughout Europe to bring disruptive, decarbonizing applications to market, built on our Lyten 3D Graphene platform," said Dan Cook, Lyten's CEO and co-founder. "Luxembourg's talented workforce, deep history of collaboration across the European Union, and shared values in leading the way to a more sustainable global economy make Luxembourg a prime location for Lyten to begin its expansion into Europe." Lyten is working with companies in industries such as transportation, defense, aerospace, manufacturing, energy, and construction to leverage the tunability of its 3D Graphene for decarbonizing applications. Lyten recently announced its Series B fundraising round, which included $200 million investment from several Fortune 500 strategic investors including Stellantis, FedEx, and Honeywell to scale manufacturing and commercialize its first three product lines: Lithium-Sulfur batteries, lightweighted composites, and next generation IoT sensors. Luxembourg has set ambitious climate targets within the "fit for 55" framework and aims to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 2005 as defined by law. This legal framework contains critical milestones to Luxembourg achieving its target of a net zero economy by 2050. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said: "A couple of months after the first contacts with Lyten were established in California, I am very satisfied to have signed an MoU with the company to formalize our collaboration. Through their innovative "3D Graphene" technology, Lyten is on its way to revolutionize the future of batteries and materials. It's an exciting step for Luxembourg in becoming a hub for future-proof industrial projects in the field of sustainability and mobility. Many sectors will benefit from the company's advancements on their path to Net Zero." "We're extremely pleased that a pioneering company such as Lyten has chosen Luxembourg as its gateway to Europe," said Franz Fayot, Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy. "Lyten is representative of the type of firm that Luxembourg embraces as we position ourselves as a cleantech innovation hub that supports private research, development and innovation in priority economic sectors. We're impressed with Lyten's success so far and anticipate its impact on companies throughout Europe as they continue on their decarbonization journeys." Lyten's mission is to scale a materials platform that delivers breakthrough applications enabling the largest greenhouse gas-emitting sectors on the planet to achieve net zero without compromising on performance, profitability or customer experience. Lyten, from its facilities in San Jose, California, plans to deliver both Lithium-Sulfur batteries and lightweighted composite solutions to commercial customers by early 2024 and is actively pursuing expansion plans in the US and Europe. About Lyten Lyten is the pioneer of 3D graphene supermaterials and transformative applications engineered to enable net zero without compromise. Lyten's decarbonization materials are being tuned for a wide range of applications, including next-generation Lithium-Sulfur batteries for use in the automotive, aerospace, defense, and other markets; a next-generation polymer composite that can reduce the amount of plastic used by up to half while maintaining structural and impact strength; and next-generation sensor arrays that significantly increase detection sensitivity and selectivity for use in automotive, industrial, health, and safety applications. Lyten, founded in 2015, is led by a group of experienced executives from across Automotive, Energy, Batteries, Semiconductors, Manufacturing and Defense sectors; lists more than 350 patent matters; and is currently manufacturing Lyten 3D Graphene material, as well as its high-value applications, at its headquarters in San Jose, Calif. To learn more, visit lyten.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005565098/en/ Contacts: Bob Zietlinger bzeitlinger@makovsky.com 551-427-7298 Global master data management (MDM) solutions provider Stibo Systems is partnering with sustainability intelligence company HowGood to support their customers that are consumer package goods brands and those that are retailers, in their sustainability initiatives. HowGood manages the world's largest food product sustainability database. Drawing from over 600 independent data sources and certifications, the database provides UPC-level environmental and social impact data on over two million products all at the individual ingredient analysis level. "We're seeing consumers adopt more sustainable behaviors, and they expect the brands they buy from to provide that information and more importantly, be able to prove it," said John Tully, Chief Sales Officer at Stibo Systems. "Investing in better sustainability data and transparency pays off, from sales growth to customer loyalty." Collaboration between Stibo Systems and HowGood enables retailers and food CPG companies to improve performance in key areas within their sustainability strategies. Channel and customer data transparency (i.e., sustainability claims, sustainability-driven merchandise decisions, product-private label innovation) (i.e., sustainability claims, sustainability-driven merchandise decisions, product-private label innovation) E2E supplier visibility (i.e., risk scoring and ESG scorecards, ESG rankings) (i.e., risk scoring and ESG scorecards, ESG rankings) Localized regulatory compliance (i.e., Nutri-score labeling, nutrition facts, ingredient lists, food allergens, packaging and packaging waste, traceability records) (i.e., Nutri-score labeling, nutrition facts, ingredient lists, food allergens, packaging and packaging waste, traceability records) Investors and reporting (i.e., ESG reporting standards, UN Sustainable Development Goals standards, Scope 3 emissions) Better product information gained by partnering with HowGood will help Stibo Systems' CPG customers differentiate their products by delivering highly accurate claims to their retail partners at scale and consequently grow revenues. For Stibo Systems' retail customers, the enriched information helps them hone their procurement strategies, build a more sustainable portfolio, achieve corporate climate goals, and be more responsive to their sustainability-conscious customers. "Companies are increasingly investing in sustainability initiatives due to growing pressure from customers, board members and regulators," said Ethan Soloviev, Chief Innovation Officer at HowGood. "A sustainable product portfolio has become table stakes for any food company that wants to grow their market share and remain viable. We're excited to partner with Stibo Systems to make critical and hard-to-find sustainability data even more accessible and actionable for companies around the globe that are stepping up to take action." About Stibo Systems Stibo Systems, the master data management company, is the trusted enabler of data transparency. Our solutions are the driving force behind forward-thinking companies around the world that have unlocked the strategic value of their master data. We empower them to improve the customer experience, drive innovation and growth and create an essential foundation for digital transformation. This gives them the transparency they require and desire a single, accurate view of their master data so they can make informed decisions and achieve goals of scale, scope and ambition. Stibo Systems is a privately held subsidiary of Stibo Software Group, which is headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark. The foundational ownership guarantees the long-term perspective of the business. More at https://www.stibosystems.com. About HowGood HowGood is an independent research company and SaaS Sustainability Intelligence platform with the world's largest database on food product sustainability. With more than 33,000 ingredients, chemicals and materials assessed, HowGood helps leading brands, suppliers, retailers and restaurants improve their environmental and social impact. Through in-depth, ingredient-level insights into factors like greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, labor risk, animal welfare, and other key impacts, HowGood's data power strategic decision-making for the sourcing, manufacturing, merchandising, and marketing of sustainable products. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005932489/en/ Contacts: Stibo Systems Katherine Hahn Public Relations Manager khah@stibosystems.com HowGood FischTank PR howgood@fischtankpr.com Notice to the Shareholders of AB Linas Agro Group Vilnius, 5 October 2023 Hereby we announce the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (hereinafter - the Meeting) of AB Linas Agro Group, registered address Subaciaus St. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania, code 148030011, (hereinafter - the Company) is convened. The date, time, and venue of the Meeting - 27 October 2023 at 10.00 a.m., Radisson Collection Astorija Hotel, Hall Sonata (Didzioji St. 35/2, Vilnius, Lithuania). The accounting day of the Meeting is 20 October 2023. Only the persons who are the shareholders of the Company at the end of the Accounting day of the Meeting shall have the right to attend and vote at the Meeting. The Rights Accounting Day is 14 November 2023. Only the persons who are the shareholders of the Company at the end of the Rights Accounting day shall have proprietary rights. On the day the Meeting is convened the total number of the Company's shares is 161,085,933, and the number of shares granting voting rights is 160,350,961. The own shares in the amount of 734,972 acquired by the Company do not grant voting rights. The ISIN code of the Company's shares is LT0000128092. Agenda of the Meeting: Presentation of the Company's Audit Committee Activity Report. Presentation of the independent auditors' report. Presentation of the Consolidated Annual Report of the Company for the financial year 2022/2023. Approval of Company's Remuneration Report. Approval of the consolidated and the Company's set of financial statements for the financial year ended 30 June 2023. Approval of the Distribution of the Company's Profit (Loss). Increase of the Company's share capital. Changing the name of the Company. Approval of a new wording of the Articles of Association of the Company. Election of the Company's Audit Committee member. Election of the Company's audit firm and setting conditions for payment for audit services. The initiator of the convening of the Meeting is the Board of the Company. The Meeting is convened by the decision of the Board of the Company, adopted on 5 October 2023. Registration of the Shareholders of the Company starts on 27 October 2023 at 9.15 a.m. Registration of the Shareholders of the Company ends 27 October 2023 at 9.55 a.m. The Company does not provide a possibility to attend and vote at the Meeting through electronic means of communication. Persons who at the end of the Accounting day of the Meeting will be shareholders of the Company, or their authorized persons, or persons with whom an agreement on the disposal of the voting right has been concluded, will have the right to personally participate and vote at the meeting. A person attending the Meeting must submit a person's identification document. A person who is not a shareholder must additionally produce a document confirming his/her right to vote at the Meeting. Each shareholder shall have a right in the manner established by the Laws to authorize a natural or legal person on his/her behalf to attend and vote at the Meeting. At the Meeting, an authorized person shall have the same rights as the shareholder represented by him/her, unless otherwise specified in the issued power of attorney. A power of attorney issued abroad must be translated into Lithuanian and legalized in the manner established by the Laws. The Company does not require a special form of power of attorney. The agenda of the Meeting may be supplemented by an initiative of the shareholders holding shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes. The drafts of proposed decisions on proposed issues or, if the decision shall not be adopted, an explanation on each proposed issue of the agenda of the Meeting shall be presented alongside with the proposal to supplement the agenda of the Meeting. The proposal to supplement the agenda shall be submitted in writing by sending it by registered mail to AB Linas Agro Group at the address Subaciaus St. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania, or by e-mail group@linasagro.lt. The agenda of the Meeting shall be supplemented if the proposal is received no later than 14 days before the Meeting. The shareholders who own shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes shall have the right at any time before the Meeting or during the Meeting to propose new draft decisions on the issue already included or to be included in the agenda of the Meeting. The proposed draft decisions must be presented in writing by sending them by registered mail to AB Linas Agro Group at the address Subaciaus St. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania, or by e-mail at group@linasagro.lt. The shareholders shall also be entitled to propose draft decisions on the agenda issues of the Meeting in writing during the Meeting. The shareholders shall have the right to present questions related to the agenda issues of the Meeting to the Company. The questions in writing can be presented not later than 3 working days before the Meeting, by providing the shareholder's personal identification number and consent to process personal data by registered mail to AB Linas Agro Group at the address Subaciaus St. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania. Responses of a general character shall be posted on the Company's website www.linasagrogroup.lt. The Company will not respond to the shareholder personally if the respective information is posted on the Company's website. A shareholder or a person authorized by him/her shall have the right to vote in writing in advance by filling in the General Voting Ballot. Upon a written request of the shareholder holding the voting right, the Company shall send the General Voting Ballot by registered mail not later than ten days before the Meeting. The General Voting Ballot also will be provided on the Company's website www.linasagrogroup.lt. The filled-in General Voting Ballot must be signed by the shareholder or by the person authorized by him/her. If the person who is authorized by the shareholder is voting, the document confirming the right to vote must be attached to the filled-in General Voting Ballot. The document confirming the voting right must be in Lithuanian or translated into Lithuanian by an authorized translator, and his/her signature must be confirmed by notaries. The filled-in General Voting Ballot and the document confirming the voting right must be submitted to the Company in written form not later than the last working day before the Meeting, by sending it by registered mail to AB Linas Agro Group at the address Subaciaus St. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania or personally to the Company. The shareholders can familiarize themselves with the documents, related to the agenda of the Meeting, draft decisions on each issue of the agenda, documents to be submitted to the Meeting, and other information regarding the execution of the shareholder's rights, on the website of the Company www.linasagrogroup.lt, also on arrival at Subaciaus St. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania during business days at the time agreed in advance by phone number +370 45 507 303 only. Sincerely, CEO Darius Zubas Additional information will be provided by : CFO of AB Linas Agro Group Mazvydas Sileika Mob. +370 619 19 403 E-mail m.sileika@linasagro.lt The addition of Datametica accelerates Onix's hyper-growth powered by Data and Generative AI solutions New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 5, 2023) - Onix, a highly acclaimed, award-winning Google Cloud partner, today announced the acquisition of Datametica, an IP-powered consulting firm specializing in data migration, modernization and BI/analytics. Datametica leverages its suite of proprietary products to automate the process of migrating and modernizing data warehouses, databases, data integration (ETL), and analytical workloads to Google Cloud. The company has been a recipient of multiple awards in this space and was recently awarded by Google as the Data Analytics Partner of the Year for 2023. The combined business will bring together Onix's expertise in cloud migration, application modernization, Google Workspace productivity, geospatial, and Generative AI solutions with Datametica's strength in data migration, modernization, and data analytics. Onix Acquires Datametica, a Google Cloud Partner Specializing in IP-Driven Data Modernization, AI/ML and Analytics "For Generative AI to drive effective business outcomes, businesses require consolidated and curated enterprise data," said Sanjay Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Onix. "By combining forces with Datametica, our joint solution portfolio will allow us to accelerate data and AI-driven value to customers that is unmatched in the ecosystem." "We are thrilled to be partnering with Onix. Together, we can deliver to our enterprise customers holistic value and help them on their mission of transforming on cloud with data and AI. Onix, with their industry expertise and broad-spectrum capabilities in cloud and enterprise strategy consulting, will help us accelerate business transformation for our customers," says Dr. Phil Shelley, Rajiv Gupta, Niraj Kumar & Deepak Bhadani, Co-founders of Datametica. The combined organization operates in the United States, Canada, UK, Singapore and India, with over 1,000+ deep experts in data engineering, machine learning and data science. The company will provide scale and coverage across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM markets, servicing over 1,800+ customers across multiple industry domains. Tailwind Capital invested in Onix in July 2022 to support strategic growth and build a leading Google Cloud Partner. Equity financing for the Datametica acquisition was provided primarily by Tailwind, and Tailwind continues to support an aggressive acquisition plan for Onix. Gurvendra Suri, a Tailwind Operating Executive, serves as Executive Chairman of Onix. BMO Harris served as financial advisor to Datametica, and Avendus Capital served as financial advisor to Onix as part of the transaction. About Onix: Onix is a trusted cloud consulting company and a leading Google Cloud partner that helps companies get the most out of their technology with innovative, cloud-powered solutions and services. The company is able to deliver exceptional results for their customers because of its 20+ year partnership with Google Cloud, dedication to customer success, and depth of technology expertise. Visit onixnet.com to learn more about its story and solutions. About Datametica: Datametica Solutions is a Google Cloud migration partner that empowers GSI's and enterprises with state-of-the-art solutions for migrating data warehouses, databases, ETL, and analytical workloads to Google Cloud. Leveraging automation and expertise, Datametica provides software and solutions that transform legacy and existing Cloud systems onto Google Cloud's advanced analytics solutions. The company's cutting-edge technologies, including Eagle, Raven, and Pelican products, enable fast, low-cost and low-risk data warehouse assessment, workload and ETL conversion, and data validation, ensuring a smooth and successful cloud migration journey. About Tailwind: Tailwind Capital is a private equity firm with a sector-focused approach to investing in U.S. lower middle market services companies within Infrastructure Services, Supply Chain and IT Services. Tailwind's value creation model is centered on its Buy and Build investment strategy, which seeks to scale lower middle market businesses through accretive acquisitions and operational investments, including foundational resourcing, professionalizing operations, implementing technology capabilities and investing in talent. Since inception, Tailwind has invested $4 billion in over 265 acquisitions, including 51 platform companies and over 215 add-on acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.tailwind.com. PR contact: Carly Sumlin 1991 Crocker Rd Westlake, OH 44145 carly@onixnet.com Phone: 216-529-3000 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/183016 BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Medisafe , an industry-leading digital health company specializing in medication management, is pleased to announce it is now working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to utilize Medisafe's 10+ years of experience and healthcare data and AWS's artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to build the future of connected health. For more than a decade, Medisafe has been developing expertise based on real-world insights into medication management behaviors throughout the treatment journey. With 30B+ user behavior data points from over 11M registered users and 75+ individual health trackers, Medisafe helps pharma securely innovate and scale their digital support programs to improve patient satisfaction and the treatment experience. Medisafe's Digital Companion, powered by AWS, supports patients and caregivers throughout their entire treatment journey by driving interventions to keep patients engaged, adherent, and persistent. Specifically: 30 doses of medication are managed every second on a Medisafe app or digital companion A Medfriend (authorized caregiver) is notified about a missed medication every 3.5 seconds A measurement is tracked every 6 seconds A user is notified about a drug-to-drug interaction every 15 minutes Medisafe's Connected Health Platform, built on AWS, delivers meaningful data-driven insights on patient behavior and brand performance. Flexible and scalable with no coding required, Medisafe can be customized to meet any of pharma's Digital Health and SaMD needs - including symptom and holistic health trackers, plus customer relationship management (CRM), wearable, and caregiver integrations, among other tools and features. AWS offers a suite of generative AI solutions, like Amazon Bedrock, a fully managed service that provides access to industry-leading foundation models via an API to build and scale generative AI applications. Services like Amazon Bedrock can complement Medisafe's vision for a digital-forward Patient Support Program (PSP). "AWS's generative AI services can strengthen the Medisafe platform," said Rotem Shor, Medisafe's Chief Technology Officer. "Our relationship with AWS furthers our ability to scale with the speed and security pharma companies require and aligns with our mission of fortifying integration within the healthcare ecosystem." Connect with Medisafe at HLTH, Booth #6535, or book a meeting here . About Medisafe Medisafe is the leading medication engagement company that empowers patients to seamlessly manage their treatment journey and holistic health while providing real-time intelligence to pharma partners. By combining advanced technology - including smart, customizable, and scalable solutions for any needs - with behavior science, its Connected Health Platform supports patients, providers, and payers at-scale by supporting better engagement, health management, and outcomes. Over 11M registered patients and caregivers rely on Medisafe's platform to manage over two billion medication doses. Medisafe is a HIPAA and GDPR compliant solution and is ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 13845 certified. CONTACT: medisafe@merrittgrp.com SOURCE: Medisafe View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790069/medisafe-joins-forces-with-aws-to-leverage-genai-and-build-the-future-of-connected-health Centennial celebration: Duke Energy's Mountain Island Hydro Station provides clean, renewable energy to the Charlotte, N.C., area CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / In 1923, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in as the country's 30th President, Ford Motor Co. was producing roughly 10,000 Model Ts a day and North Carolina had just surpassed Massachusetts as the nation's leading textile producer. Across the state, hundreds of textile mills employed tens of thousands of workers. This production boom relied on one thing: electricity. To meet the demands, Catawba Manufacturing & Electric Power Co., a subsidiary of Southern Power Co., built a powerhouse and dam on the Catawba River, the Mountain Island Hydro Station in Gaston County, near Charlotte, N.C. A century later, the station's four units still provide power, and the lake provides drinking water and recreation resources for hundreds of thousands of North Carolina and South Carolina residents. "This was the first river in the United States that was comprehensively planned and developed for electric power generation," said Jeff Lineberger, general manager of Water Strategy, Hydro Licensing and Lake Services for Duke Energy. "The founders of our company had this vision way back at the turn of the last century to build a series of linked hydropower stations on a river." Mountain Island Lake was the eighth of 11 manmade lakes created in the Catawba-Wateree river system. Its objective was to provide electricity to factories, primarily the textile and furniture manufacturing industries. "They were looking to provide an economical electric generation source to power those factories to help this part of the country recover from the Civil War." James B. Duke, Gill Wylie and William States Lee moved the economy in the Carolinas from agrarian to industrial. "They wanted to give people a place to work that was off the farm and to really change the economy," Lineberger said. "It absolutely has done that. Charlotte and the region would not be what they are now without this 11-lake system." Today, Mountain Island Hydro Station provides 68 megawatts of clean, responsive power. "We utilize this facility to help provide generation at the peak load of the day," said Hydro Operations Manager Trevor Turner. "For the Carolinas, the winter peak load is in the morning, and the evening in the summer. We can also start quickly during emergency situations when the grid demands additional generation." The Duke Energy hydro fleet was among some of the first in the country to implement remote operations, technology Duke Energy helped pioneer in the 1990s and early 2000s, Turner said. The station is operated by the Regulated Renewables Operation Center, or RROC, a technology change that increased safety and efficiency. Not only a reliable energy source, Mountain Island Lake, which was formed by the dam, is the primary source of drinking water for more than 1 million residents in Charlotte, Gastonia and Mount Holly. Before it, Charlotte got its drinking water from the Catawba River. "It's one of the most important lakes in the state of North Carolina from a public water-supply standpoint," Lineberger said. While historic, the station also serves a timely role, as part of the company's clean energy transition to achieve net-zero methane emissions from natural gas by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. By producing hydropower, a clean and renewable resource, Mountain Island Hydro Station's output helps Duke Energy work toward that goal. With 96.5 miles of shoreline - and over a third of it protected - Mountain Island Lake is also an important wildlife habitat. Latta Place Historic Site, Rural Hill and the Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge, which the Audubon Society of North Carolina has designated as an important bird area, are along its shores. Mountain Island Lake also provides public recreational opportunities, like boating and fishing. Duke Energy maintains four boating access areas on the lake, plus a bank fishing platform downstream of the hydro station. Plans are in the works to add a swim beach and bank fishing area on the lake near Mount Holly. In addition to canoe and kayak launch site, the Lucia Access Area has a spot where visitors can view wildlife. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Duke Energy on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Duke Energy Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/duke-energy Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Duke Energy View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790345/duke-energys-mountain-island-hydro-marks-100-years-of-producing-clean-energy Regulatory inspection was for the validation of three bioequivalence studies supporting licensing applications with the US FDA NOTTINGHAM, England, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quotient Sciences, a leading global pharmaceutical drug development and manufacturing accelerator, is proud to announce the successful completion of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspection of its bioanalytical facility in Alnwick, UK. The regulatory inspection was conducted to audit three bioequivalence studies for three different insulin analogues for a renowned pharmaceutical company. Quotient Sciences' Alnwick facility has specialty bioanalytical expertise and facilities for conducting bioequivalence studies, which play a crucial role in evaluating the similarity between pharmacokinetic properties of two proprietary preparations of a formulation. This is an essential step in the drug development process, enabling pharmaceutical companies to demonstrate that their generic versions of a drug are therapeutically equivalent to the corresponding branded product. The US FDA inspection of Quotient Sciences' Alnwick facility is a significant achievement for the organization, highlighting its commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance. It reinforces Quotient Sciences' reputation as a trusted partner in the development of pharmaceutical drug products. During the inspection, the US FDA thoroughly reviewed the facilities, systems, and processes at the Alnwick site. This comprehensive evaluation included assessing adherence to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines. The US FDA authorities inspected the facility for five days, from July 24 to 28, which concluded with a findings meeting that was also attended by the head of GLP for the MHRA Quotient Sciences' facility successfully passed the inspection with no observations or concerns noted, demonstrating its strong quality management systems and dedication to patient safety. The Alnwick's site GMP facilities have previously been audited by the FDA and MHRA several times over the past 18 years, however this was the first US FDA audit that was specifically for bioanalytical work. MARK EGERTON, CEO of Quotient Sciences, "By successfully completing the US FDA inspection for these studies, Quotient Sciences has achieved another milestone in its mission to support the development of innovative medicines for patients worldwide. "The results of the inspection further strengthen our track record for outstanding regulatory compliance at our Alnwick facility. "At Quotient Sciences, we work diligently to maintain high quality standards and continuously improve quality platforms to ensure that we are meeting regulatory requirements that best support our global customers regulatory submissions" About Quotient Sciences Quotient Sciences is a drug development and manufacturing accelerator providing integrated programs and tailored services across the entire development pathway. Cutting through silos across a range of drug development capabilities, we save precious time and money in getting drugs to patients. Everything we do for our customers is driven by an unswerving belief that ideas need to become solutions, and molecules need to become cures, fast. Because humanity needs solutions, fast. For more information, please visit quotientsciences.com . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/quotient-sciences-announces-successful-us-fda-inspection-of-alnwick-uk-facility-301947002.html YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. The United States Department of State has said it has taken note of Azeri leader Ilham Aliyev refusing to participate in the EU-mediated peace talks with Armenia in Granada, Spain. We note that President Aliyev will not participate in the proposed meeting in Granada. And weve consistently been clear though that dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan is essential to resolving this longstanding conflict. This is something that the Secretary and others here continue to be deeply engaged on and we will continue to work on this, U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing. Asked whether or not Washington could deliver arms to Armenia after France recently signaled arms supplies to Yerevan, Patel said: I have no change in posture to announce. Again, we continue to believe that dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues to be incredibly important to finding a dignified and durable peace for the South Caucasus. Its why the Secretary has engaged on this so personally, continuing to speak with counterparts and interlocutors in both countries. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev cancelled on October 4 a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan which was due to take place on Thursday in the Spanish city of Granada. The talks were to be held on the sidelines of an EU summit. European Council President Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were to take part in the meeting. After Aliyev opted out, PM Pashinyan expressed regret that the meeting wouldn't take place but said he would nevertheless visit Granada to have other meetings. Exclusive partnership to enable best practice guidelines for an accurate and standardized measurement of CO2 emissions across UK commutes Agreement to work together with clients and help accelerate Zeelo's mission to reach net-zero emissions from its smart bus services by 2030 LONDON, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeelo , the global Transit-Tech company powering bus operators, employers and schools to provide highly efficient, sustainable and affordable private bus and shuttle transport programs, has entered a partnership agreement with Mobilityways , a technology organization with a mission to decarbonize the daily commute by helping employers to measure, reduce and report commuter emissions. The partnership agreement enables Mobilityways to set best practice guidance for an accurate and standardized measurement of CO2 emissions across commuter transport while simultaneously enabling Zeelo to accelerate its mission to reach its net-zero carbon emissions targets. Together, the two companies intend to enable 1000 UK employers to make the switch to net-zero employee transport, measure and track emissions, and implement timely and cost-effective decarbonization strategies that set a precedent for carbon net-zero commutes by bus in the UK. The daily commute to work is the least efficient journey we make, and it contributes to 5% of the UK's total carbon emissions - equivalent to 18 million tonnes of CO2e emissions annually. Zeelo client Prologis DIRFT - one of the most successful rail and road logistics parks in the UK - is the first to adopt Mobilityways' services to track its CO2 impact from ground transportation and has already reduced CO2 emissions by 50% since October 2022 last year, thanks to optimizations enabled by Zeelo's smart routing technology. Findings from CO2 emissions reductions were presented by Mobilityways and Zeelo to the UK National Department for Transport in June this year and set a precedent for better tracking smart decarbonization efforts across UK commutes. Sam Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Zeelo, commented: "Achieving our net-zero emissions goals requires a well-measured and pragmatic approach. Mobilityways is a leading provider of decarbonization strategies and solutions for the transportation industry in the UK with a network of over 700 companies seeking to reduce emissions from their ground transportation operations. We're confident that the partnership will not only strengthen our mission to achieve net-zero emissions from Zeelo's services in line with our projected timelines, but also it will help accelerate our clients' transition to electric bus transport before 2030." Basil Choudhry, Commercial Director at Mobilityways, commented: "We're delighted to partner with Zeelo. Our reporting standards and our emissions-tracking measurement methodologies exemplify our shared vision for a cleaner and greener future of transport. Our ground-breaking software will be enhanced with Zeelo's own tracking technology to provide a single comprehensive platform for all net-zero commuting requirements. We have already saved over 1 billion commuting miles for hundreds of businesses across the UK and are proud to be the trusted partner of UK government departments, universities, and hospitals." Mobilityways is a social enterprise and technology company on a mission to make zero carbon commuting a reality. Mobilityways supports employers across the UK to measure, reduce and report their commuter emissions with its suite of climate tech tools. These tools provide full visibility of commuting challenges and identify sustainable travel alternatives for employees. As part of the partnership, Mobilityways, which has worked with hundreds of leading UK clients, will position Zeelo as the key provider of the most sustainable battery-electric net-zero bus commutes in the UK. Zeelo already passes on CO2 emissions savings to its clients and has committed to transitioning all services to net-zero emissions battery electric buses by 2030, with 10% of Zeelo's UK clients having already made the switch to electric buses for their commuter services. Meanwhile, in 2022, Zeelo offset over 2,600 tons of CO2 emissions and created over 26,000 employment opportunities, with 70% of Zeelo riders admitting they rely on the service to commute to work - without which they would not have been able to accept their job. For press inquiries, please contact: Sonia Afzal, Head of Communications, Zeelo sonia@zeelo.co | +44 (0)7950 467 773 About Zeelo Zeelo is a leading global Transit-Tech company powering bus operators, employers and schools to provide highly efficient, sustainable and affordable transportation programs. Zeelo provides software and managed services to its clients and partners to increase bus occupancy levels, reduce transportation costs, CO2 emissions and administrative time. Its secure and innovative transportation management software system comprises a SaaS platform, a proprietary routing algorithm, mobile apps for riders and drivers, and 24/7 customer support (4.9 TrustPilot rating) ensuring poorly connected commuters have a regular, subsidized and sustainable bus service, wherever they are based. Headquartered in London with an R&D team in Spain and live operations in the UK, US and South Africa, Zeelo was founded in 2016 by Sam Ryan, Barney Williams and Dani Ruiz. The co-founders previously sold their pioneering ride-sharing app JumpIn to Addison Lee in 2014. Zeelo, your next stop. For more information, please visit zeelo.co About Mobilityways Mobilityways is a technology company and certified social enterprise on a mission to make zero carbon commuting a reality. Previously known as Liftshare, Mobilityways was launched in 2021 to support employers meet their net-zero goals with its suite of climate tech tools. These tools enable companies to measure, reduce and report their commuter emissions, providing full visibility of commuting challenges and identifying sustainable travel alternatives for employees. For more information, please visit mobilityways.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zeelo-and-mobilityways-agree-partnership-deal-designed-to-accelerate-decarbonization-of-bus-commutes-301948452.html The growth of the global Manual paint spray machine market is driven by the growth of automotive industry, and growth in construction industry. NEW CASTLE, Delaware, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Manual Paint Spray Machine Market by Type (Airless Spray Gun and HVLP), Material (Paint, Coating, Fire Protection, and Other), Power Source (Pneumatic, Electric, and Gas powered), End-user Industry (Automotive, Woodworking, Marine, Steel, Construction, Manufacturing, and Others), and Sales Type (Dealers/Distributors, DIY, and Professionals): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global manual paint spray machine market was valued at $2,428.6 million in 2020, and is projected to reach $3,442.3 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 2.8% from 2023 to 2032. Download PDF Sample: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/170403 Prime determinants of growth A manual paint spray machine is a hand handle or portable piece of equipment used to apply paint, coating, and finishes to surfaces. Additionally, it is a time-saving equipment that is efficient and produces a final surface that is more even and smooth when compared to traditional brush or roller application methods. Owing to increase in demand from emerging nations such as India, China, and Vietnam, where consumer durables are frequently painted, there is a high need for durable goods, which has spurred the demand for manual paint sprayers. In addition, the need for manual paint spray machines from car manufacturers has increased due to the rise in demand for automobiles across the globe, particularly in developed nations of Europe and North America. Owing to their ease of use, airless spray machines are widely used. In addition, the increased attention being paid to sustainability and green manufacturing, together with the incorporation of digital technology, offers a chance to create manual spray guns that are both smart and eco-friendly. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $ 2599.1 million Market Size in 2032 $ 3442.3 million CAGR 2.8 % No. of Pages in Report 220 Segments covered Material, Coating type, Type, Power source, End user industry, Channel type and Regions. Drivers Growth of Automotive Industry Growth in construction industry Opportunities Home Improvement Projects Restraints High initial investment and maintenance cost Covid-19 Scenario Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global lockdowns, the manual paint spray machine market faced a downturn. However, as the global situation started improving, the demand for manual paint spray machines was restored back. This, in turn, presented various growth opportunities for companies operating in the manual paint spray machine market. Buy This Research Report (220 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/269f355369c3a34128e059ba728c0c27 The paint segment maintained its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Based on material, the paint segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly three-fifths of the global manual paint spray machine market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to the increase in use in small manufacturers without cutting-edge production lines use paint manual paint spray machines. However, the coatings segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 3.4% from 2023 to 2032, owing to growing concern over environmental norms and regulations. The airless segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Based on type, the airless segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than half of the global manual paint spray machine market revenue, owing to high-pressure backing to the spray. Along with this, airless spray creates a thick coating of paint and HVLP projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 3.2% from 2023 to 2032, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. High volume low pressure manual paint spray machine is very efficient as it typically does not overspray. The pneumatic segment maintains its lead position during the forecast period. Based on power source, pneumatic segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than half of the global manual paint spray machine market revenue, Pneumatic manual sprayers are an ideal choice for a variety of applications due to their many beneficial characteristics. However, the gas-powered segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 3.5% from 2023 to 2032. gas powdered manual machine sprays provide several advantages, including portability, which allows users to use them in remote or outdoor settings. 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 more than half of the global manual paint spray machine market revenue, owing to relatively easy environment guidelines and increase in disposable income of people across the region. However, LAMEA is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 5.2% from 2022 to 2031, owing to the increase in per capita income from developing regions such as Latin America. Inquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/170403 Leading Market Players: - Dino-Power Industry & Trade Co., Ltd. Titan Tool Inc. Graco Inc. Rongperg Air Tools Co., Ltd. Anest IWATA Corporation Exel Industries SA Tritech Industries Inc. Spray-Quip Inc. Wagner SprayTech Corp. Nordson Corporation The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global manual paint spray machine market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, business expansion, acquisition, collaboration, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Trending Reports in Paint Industry (Book Now with 15% Discount): Manual Spray Guns Market is projected to reach $2.6 billion by 2032 Paint Roller Market is projected to reach $3,182.2 million by 2027 Robotic Paint Booth Market is projected to reach $10.68 billion by 2031 Paint Spray Guns Market is projected to reach $2.3 billion by 2032 Painting Tools Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2030 Industrial Spraying Device Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Boom Sprayers Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Spray Foam Equipment Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2030 About Allied Market Research: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of " Market Research Reports " and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact Us: United States 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/manual-paint-spray-machine-market-to-reach--3-442-3-million-globally-by-2032-at-2-8-cagr-allied-market-research-301948418.html DETROIT, MI / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / ARMA International's InfoCon 2023, the premier educational event for records management, information management, and information governance professionals, has announced a dedicated education track and full-day pre-conference workshop on Sunday, October 8 in partnership with Microsoft Purview. At InfoCon attendees will have access to top-notch education, industry titans from around the globe, certification continuing education credits, and unparalleled networking opportunities. The trade show and conference will take place October 9-11, 2023, at Huntington Place in Detroit, MI. For more information on the event, click here. "ARMA InfoCon is proud to welcome back the experts from Microsoft, their customers, and partners for a dedicated Microsoft education track. Take a deep dive into the Microsoft platform with 10 hours of educational content featuring engaging sessions, insightful case studies and an 'Ask Us Anything' panel," said Nathan Hughes, CEO, ARMA International. "In addition to the Microsoft track, attendees at our event next month in Detroit will hear from dynamic keynotes, learn and share best practices from global industry titans, earn certification CEUs, and have access to unparalleled networking opportunities." Sunday, October 8 Pre-Conference Workshop: Master Microsoft Purview Records Management- Erica Toelle, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Data Lifecycle and Records Management at Microsoft will lead a full-day interactive and immersive workshop, where attendees will get hands-on experience working with the Microsoft Purview Records Management solution. Attendees will learn how retention and deletion work; the records management solution capabilities; how to create a file plan for retention and deletion settings and actions; when items should be marked as records; and how to publish and apply retention labels. (9:00 am - 5:00 pm) Monday, October 9 Thrive in IG and RM in 2024 and beyond: Know how to master new trends and overcome the biggest obstacles. Erica Toelle and Roberto Yglesias who leads the product management group responsible for the Microsoft 365 Data Lifecycle Management & Records Management solutions will explore the emerging trends and challenges that will shape our profession in 2024 and beyond. (10:30 - 11:15 am) Erica Toelle and Roberto Yglesias who leads the product management group responsible for the Microsoft 365 Data Lifecycle Management & Records Management solutions will explore the emerging trends and challenges that will shape our profession in 2024 and beyond. (10:30 - 11:15 am) How to master Microsoft Purview Records Management: a comprehensive guide for beginners. Erica Toelle and Sophie Ke, Product Manager, Microsoft Purview, Data Lifecycle and Records Management will share the basics of Microsoft Purview Records Management and how to apply it to various scenarios. Attendees will have a solid foundation and confidence to take Microsoft 365 records management deployment to the next level. (3:00 - 3:45 pm) Erica Toelle and Sophie Ke, Product Manager, Microsoft Purview, Data Lifecycle and Records Management will share the basics of Microsoft Purview Records Management and how to apply it to various scenarios. Attendees will have a solid foundation and confidence to take Microsoft 365 records management deployment to the next level. (3:00 - 3:45 pm) Microsoft Syntex Content AI: automate processes, create rich metadata, auto-classify content . Jerad Uytterhagen, Business Development at Cadence Solutions and Steve Pucelik, Content AI Global Black Belt will discuss how Microsoft Syntex can help streamline document workflows and extract valuable insights from records. Success stories will be shared from several public sector organizations on how to automatically classify and tag documents using artificial intelligence. (4:00 - 4:45 pm) . Jerad Uytterhagen, Business Development at Cadence Solutions and Steve Pucelik, Content AI Global Black Belt will discuss how Microsoft Syntex can help streamline document workflows and extract valuable insights from records. Success stories will be shared from several public sector organizations on how to automatically classify and tag documents using artificial intelligence. (4:00 - 4:45 pm) Microsoft Teams Deep Dive: Critical Information Governance/RIM and eDiscovery Fundamentals presented by John Collins is Executive Director - Information Governance, and Microsoft Practice Leader at Lighthouse. (4:00 - 4:45 pm) Tuesday, October 10 Discover the power of Microsoft Purview eDiscovery for legal and records workflows. Caitlin Fitzgerald, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft and Jason Bero, a privacy, risk, and compliance manager with Microsoft Canada will share how to use Microsoft Purview eDiscovery to find, review, analyze, and export relevant content for legal discovery, records exports, and other search-based requests. (10:30 - 11:15 am) Caitlin Fitzgerald, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft and Jason Bero, a privacy, risk, and compliance manager with Microsoft Canada will share how to use Microsoft Purview eDiscovery to find, review, analyze, and export relevant content for legal discovery, records exports, and other search-based requests. (10:30 - 11:15 am) The top 3 high value business scenarios to establish early success in your Microsoft Purview deployment . Natalie Noonan, a Global Black Belt in Microsoft's Data Security & Privacy team and Jason Bero will explain how to handle some of the most common challenges in Microsoft Purview Records Management and eDiscovery, outlining three scenarios that almost every organization wants to execute in their Microsoft Purview deployment. (11:30 am - 12:15 pm) . Natalie Noonan, a Global Black Belt in Microsoft's Data Security & Privacy team and Jason Bero will explain how to handle some of the most common challenges in Microsoft Purview Records Management and eDiscovery, outlining three scenarios that almost every organization wants to execute in their Microsoft Purview deployment. (11:30 am - 12:15 pm) The Future of Records Management with Machine Learning and AI. Atle Skjekkeland, CEO, Infotechtion Ltd. will show how to use machine learning and AI to automate the tedious and complex tasks of identifying, capturing, and classifying records. See real-world examples of how organizations have integrated Microsoft and 3rd party solutions to streamline their document and records management workflows. (4:00 - 4:45 pm) Wednesday, October 11 Auto-Classification Options and Scenarios with Microsoft Purview Records Management. Brendon Lee, Sr. Product Manager on the Microsoft Data Lifecycle and Records Management team will present different types of auto-classification available, including some hidden gems. See a demo for each option and learn how to apply them to specific classification scenarios. (11:15 am - 12:00 pm) Brendon Lee, Sr. Product Manager on the Microsoft Data Lifecycle and Records Management team will present different types of auto-classification available, including some hidden gems. See a demo for each option and learn how to apply them to specific classification scenarios. (11:15 am - 12:00 pm) Sisyphus No Longer: A Case Study in Simplified Microsoft 365 Records Managemen t. Oregon State Records Manager Kristopher Stenson will explain how he and his team collaborated with statewide IT administration to design and implement a role-based retention system using Purview adaptive scopes that applies to all state agencies, regardless of size. (12:30 - 1:15 pm) t. Oregon State Records Manager Kristopher Stenson will explain how he and his team collaborated with statewide IT administration to design and implement a role-based retention system using Purview adaptive scopes that applies to all state agencies, regardless of size. (12:30 - 1:15 pm) Speak the language of security: a primer for InfoGov, Legal, and Records Management professionals. Angel Sanches-Fernandez, Senior Technical Specialist at Microsoft, and Maryam Rahmani, Global Black Belt will share hot to communicate and cooperate with security experts by using the common language of the NIST cybersecurity framework. Learn about the main domains of security and how they relate to specific projects. (1:30 - 2:15 pm) Angel Sanches-Fernandez, Senior Technical Specialist at Microsoft, and Maryam Rahmani, Global Black Belt will share hot to communicate and cooperate with security experts by using the common language of the NIST cybersecurity framework. Learn about the main domains of security and how they relate to specific projects. (1:30 - 2:15 pm) Microsoft Purview Panel - Ask us Anything: Eria Toelle, Roberto Yglesias, Natalie Noonan, Steve Pucelik and Jason Bero will be available to provide advice on a specific project, discuss suggested new features, and much more. (2:30 - 3:15 pm) InfoCon 2023 offers three ways to register. Full Conference registration, grants access to all conference education sessions, three keynote presentations, entry to the Experience Hall, breakfast and lunch, access to networking events and pre-approval for CRA, CRM and IGP credits. The second option is the Keynote and Connect registration which provides access to all keynote session, non-ticketed networking events and the Experience Hall; and the Evening Networking Pass provide access to the Sunday night Welcome Reception, Experience Hall Pub Crawl and VRC Welcome Party on Monday night and event at Henry Ford Museum on Tuesday night. To register for InfoCon 2023, click here. ARMA International (www.arma.org), is a not-for-profit professional association and the authority on records and information management (RIM). RIM is broadly recognized as the foundation of effective information governance, which makes ARMA International a leader in information governance as well as RIM. The association was established in 1955. Its members include records and information managers, information governance professionals, archivists, corporate librarians, imaging specialists, legal professionals, IT managers, consultants, and educators, all of whom work in a wide variety of sectors, including government, legal, healthcare, financial services, and petroleum in the United States, Canada, and more than 30 other countries around the globe. # # # For further information, contact: Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative 978-475-4441 (office) or 978-502-4895 (cell) amy@riemercommunications.com SOURCE: ARMA International View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790109/arma-infocon-2023-to-offer-dedicated-microsoft-education-track-trade-show-and-conference-to-take-place-october-8-11-in-detroit-mi The 2023-2025 PNC Arts Alive grant recipients are Dance St. Louis, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, St. Louis ArtWorks and the St. Louis Black Repertory Company ST. LOUIS / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / The PNC Foundation through PNC Arts Alive announced its selection of four Greater St. Louis arts nonprofits to share $250,000 in grant funding. Designed to fuel the delivery of accessible and inclusive programming to local audiences, the grants will be distributed over a two-year period to Dance St. Louis, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, St. Louis ArtWorks and the St. Louis Black Repertory Company. In addition to receiving grant funding to transform creative concepts into accessible programming, leaders of the grantee organizations will participate in a highly customized capacity-build experience and will have access to experts - including members of PNC's Experience Innovation team - to help implement modern problem-solving practices, such as design thinking, within the scope of ongoing programming and operations. "PNC's longstanding support and continued investments in Greater St. Louis' cherished arts organizations reflect our belief that engagement in the arts enriches lives and builds stronger, more vibrant communities," said Michael Scully, PNC regional president for St. Louis. "Our collaboration with local arts nonprofits, including the 2023-2025 PNC Arts Alive grant recipients, aims to make the arts more accessible to diverse audiences - while also helping arts organizations maximize the impact of grant funding through guided opportunities to enhance their business rigor and sustainability." The grant recipients plan to use the funding as follows: Dance St. Louis ($50,000) : Grant funding will help Dance St. Louis curate and deliver Ailey II, A Community Celebration presented by PNC Arts Alive in February 2024, in celebration of Black History Month and in collaboration with Ailey II. This education and enrichment program will include school residency and community experiences, and Dance St. Louis will collaborate with Ailey All Access to provide custom virtual viewing opportunities for students and the broader community. : Grant funding will help Dance St. Louis curate and deliver Ailey II, A Community Celebration presented by PNC Arts Alive in February 2024, in celebration of Black History Month and in collaboration with Ailey II. This education and enrichment program will include school residency and community experiences, and Dance St. Louis will collaborate with Ailey All Access to provide custom virtual viewing opportunities for students and the broader community. Opera Theatre of Saint Louis ($50,000) : Grant funding will help underwrite accessibility enhancements for the 2024 and 2025 seasons of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis' New Works Collective productions, to include audio descriptions, ASL interpretation and sensory-friendly environments. Additionally, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis will distribute complimentary tickets for select community groups and will create and deliver on-demand streaming performance options to reach those in the community who are unable to visit the theater. : Grant funding will help underwrite accessibility enhancements for the 2024 and 2025 seasons of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis' New Works Collective productions, to include audio descriptions, ASL interpretation and sensory-friendly environments. Additionally, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis will distribute complimentary tickets for select community groups and will create and deliver on-demand streaming performance options to reach those in the community who are unable to visit the theater. St. Louis ArtWorks ($75,000) : Grant funding will help St. Louis ArtWorks deliver its year-round experience offering paid apprenticeships for youth ages 14-19. Apprentices are immersed in opportunities to learn a range of art disciplines, while gaining relevant work experience as paid apprentices. The Youth Apprentice Program engages underserved youth by providing learning opportunities focused on four key areas: arts education; employment training/job-readiness; life skills, including financial literacy; and mental/social health. : Grant funding will help St. Louis ArtWorks deliver its year-round experience offering paid apprenticeships for youth ages 14-19. Apprentices are immersed in opportunities to learn a range of art disciplines, while gaining relevant work experience as paid apprentices. The Youth Apprentice Program engages underserved youth by providing learning opportunities focused on four key areas: arts education; employment training/job-readiness; life skills, including financial literacy; and mental/social health. St. Louis Black Repertory Company ($75,000): Grant funding will help further establish The Black Rep's Phoenix Rising Special Performance Series, currently in its pilot year. This series is designed to create innovative, engaging work outside the organization's typical venues while honoring the company's original name (Phoenix Theatre Troupe) and historic intention to present dance, music and theatre through the lens of the African American experience. Since establishing a corporate presence in the region in 2010, PNC has awarded $3.75 million in grant funding to Greater St. Louis arts organizations through PNC Arts Alive. PNC Arts Alive is a multi-year initiative of the PNC Foundation dedicated to supporting visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement in new and innovative ways. The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. For more information, visit www.pncartsalive.com. CONTACT: Karyn Ostrom (919) 788-5794 karyn.ostrom@pnc.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The PNC Financial Services Group on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: The PNC Financial Services Group Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/pnc-financial-services-group Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: The PNC Financial Services Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790358/pnc-arts-alive-announces-recipients-of-250000-in-grant-funding-in-greater-st-louis The power electronics market is driven by several factors including an increase in demand for power electronics components across various industry verticals, a rise in the need for power management devices, and growth in the integration of power electronics components in electric vehicles. NEW CASTLE, Delaware, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Power Electronics Market, by Device Type (Power Discrete, Power Module, Power IC), Material (Silicon Carbide, Gallium Nitride, Sapphire, Others), Applications (Power Management, Uninterruptible Power Supply, Renewable, Others), End Use (Telecommunication, Industrial, Automotive, Consumer & Enterprise, Military & Defense, Energy & Power, Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the global power electronics industry generated $30.9 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $52.8 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2032. Download Research Report Sample & TOC: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1785 (We are providing report as per your research requirement, including the Latest Industry Insight's Evolution, Potential and COVID-19 Impact Analysis) 152 - Tables 94 - Charts 332 - Pages Power electronics play a crucial role in electrified vehicle applications, offering compact and highly efficient solutions for power conversion. This technology involves circuitry that efficiently transfers power from a source to a load, ensuring robustness, compactness, and convenience. This device employs components such as thyristors, diodes, and transistors to control the conversion of electric power from one form to another. Power electronics devices are particularly well-suited for operations involving high current or high voltage due to their ability to switch rapidly and maintain high efficiency. Prime Determinants of Growth The power electronics market is anticipated to expand significantly during the forecast period due to the increase in demand for power electronics components across various industry verticals, a rise in the need for power management devices, and growth in the integration of power electronics components in electric vehicles. However, the complex integration process of advanced electronics devices poses a restraint to the growth of the power electronics market. Additionally, the escalating demand for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and innovation in power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are expected to offer remunerative growth opportunities in the upcoming years. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $30.9 billion Market Size in 2032 $52.8 billion CAGR 5.5 % No. of Pages in Report 332 Segments covered Device Type, Material, Application, End Use, and Region. Drivers Increase in demand for power electronics component across various industry verticals Rise in need for power management devices Rise in integration of power electronics components in electric vehicles Opportunities Rise in demand for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) Innovation in power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) Restraints Complex integration process of advanced electronics devices Covid-19 Scenario The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global power electronics market by causing factory shutdowns, leading to a decrease in production and supply chain issues. These challenges forced companies to rethink and modify their strategies for manufacturing and distribution, which delayed the launch of new products and technologies. On a positive note, the pandemic accelerated the demand for power electronics in certain sectors, like healthcare and renewable energy. Increased need for medical devices and a renewed focus on sustainable energy solutions created new opportunities for growth and innovation in the power electronics market. Inquiry before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1785 The Power Module Segment is Anticipated to Dominate in terms of Revenue during the Forecast Period Based on device type, the power module segment accounted for more than two-fifths of the total revenue in the global power electronics market in 2022, and it is expected to continue its dominant position throughout the forecast period. The dominant position is sustained by its unparalleled work efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and its crucial role in various high-voltage industrial applications, meeting the surging demand for energy-efficient and reliable power solutions across multiple sectors. On the other hand, the power discrete segment is projected to exhibit the fastest CAGR of 6.6% from 2022 to 2032, primarily due to its increasing use in consumer electronics and electric vehicles, and its ability to efficiently manage power with minimal loss in various applications such as UPS systems, air conditioners, and inverters. The Other Segment is projected to Retain the Lion's Share by 2032 Based on material, the other segment emerged as the market leader in the global power electronics market in 2022, holding the highest market share, accounting for nearly one-third of the revenue. This segment, which includes materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), silicon germanium (SiGe), and indium phosphide (InP), is projected to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period due to its diverse application potential and superior performance characteristics in various electronic components and systems. However, gallium nitride is expected to portray the fastest CAGR of 7.0% from 2022 to 2032, owing to its superior ability to enable more compact, efficient devices with high-frequency switching, essential for evolving applications in electric vehicles, RF switching, and renewable energy systems. Get Customized Reports with your Requirements: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/1785 The Other Segment to Maintain its Leadership Status throughout the Forecast Period Based on application, the other segment captured the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly one-third of the global power electronics market revenue. This leadership is projected to continue throughout the forecast period. The dominance of the other segment, which encompasses sectors including transportation, rail traction, utility systems, and drivers, is attributed to robust growth in transportation and utility systems that require advanced, efficient power conversion systems and the extensive use of drivers in diverse high-power applications. On the other hand, the uninterruptible power source (UPS) segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2032 due to escalating demand for reliable and efficient power backup solutions in various industries, coupled with the growing reliance on electronic systems that require a consistent power supply and protection against power disruptions. Asia-Pacific Garnered the Major Share in 2022 Based on region, Asia-Pacific dominated the power electronics market in 2022, holding nearly half of the global market share. This dominance is attributed to the region's well-established telecommunication industry, significant growth in consumer electronics sales, governmental support for EVs and HEVs, and substantial investment in defense, collectively driving the demand for power electronics components across various sectors. However, the LAMEA region is expected to post the fastest CAGR of 7.1% from 2023 to 2032. This growth is attributed to escalating demand for advanced technology and electronic applications, increasing adoption of electric vehicles, and a shift towards renewable energy consumption, especially in the Middle East, all fostering the need for efficient power electronics components. Leading Market Players: ABB Group Fuji Electric Co, LTD Infineon Technologies AG Microsemi Corporation Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Renesas Electronics Corporation Rockwell Automation, Inc. STMicroelectronics Texas Instruments INC. Toshiba Corporation The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global power electronics market. These players have adopted investment, new product development, product launch, expansion, collaboration, partnership, innovation, divestment, and acquisition strategies to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the power electronics industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player. Key Benefits For Stakeholders: As per the power electronics market outlook, this report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the power electronics market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing power electronics market opportunities. The power electronics Market Forecast research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities. Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network. In-depth analysis of the power electronics market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities. Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market. Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players. The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global power electronics market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and power electronics Market growth strategies. Procure Complete Report (332 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3ZMzduv Trending Reports in Semiconductor and Electronics Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount + COVID-19 Scenario): Power Electronics For Electric Vehicle Market size was valued at $2.59 billion in 2018, and is projected to reach $30.01 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 35.5% from 2019 to 2026 Power Filter Market was valued at $268.60 million in 2021, and is projected to reach $387.80 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2022 to 2031 Power Line Communication (PLC) Systems Market is anticipated to reach around $14 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 18.4% from 2016 to 2022 power semiconductor market was valued at $48.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $79.9 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2023 to 2032. Small Cell Power Amplifier Market is expected to reach $6 billion in 2023 from over $1 billion in 2016, growing at a CAGR of 22.5% from 2017 to 2023 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. Int'l: +1-503-894-6022 Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/power-electronics-market-to-reach-52-8-billion-globally-by-2032-at-5-5-cagr-allied-market-research-301948570.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 5, 2023) - Thesis Gold Inc. (TSXV: TAU) (WKN: A3EP87) (OTCQX: THSGF) ("Thesis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce today that it has completed a first closing of the brokered private placement announced on September 7, 2023 (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $4,821,710, representing 4,267,000 premium flow-through common shares (the "Premium FT Shares"). It is expected that the second and final tranche consisting of up to 6,899,600 flow-through common shares for additional gross proceeds of up to $6,416,628 (the "FT Shares") will close on or about October 10, 2023. Ewan Webster, President, and CEO commented, "With this financing now complete, these funds will allow us to unlock significant value across our projects, achieving key milestones over the next 12 months, including the completion of our 50,000-meter drilling program, an updated global resource estimate covering both the Ranch and Lawyers Projects, followed by a new Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)." The gross proceeds from the sale of Premium FT Shares and FT Shares (collectively the "Flow-Through Shares") will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's projects in Canada. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers of the Flow-Through Shares effective December 31, 2023. The Offering was made pursuant to an agency agreement (the "Agency Agreement") among the Company and a syndicate of agents led by Clarus Securities Inc. and including PI Financial Corp. and Cormark Securities Inc. (the "Agents"). Pursuant to the Agency Agreement, the Company (i) paid the Agents a cash commission representing 6% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering; and (ii) issued to the Agents 256,020 broker warrants each entitling the holder to acquire one non-flow-through common shares of the Company at a price of $1.13 per share at any time for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. All securities issued pursuant to this Offering are subject to a restricted hold period of four months and a day, under applicable Canadian securities legislation. The Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). 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. On behalf of the Board of Directors Thesis Gold Inc. "Ewan Webster" Ewan Webster Ph.D., P.Geo. President, CEO, and Director About Thesis Gold Inc. Thesis Gold, following its strategic merger with Benchmark Metals, is unlocking the combined potential of the Ranch and Lawyers Gold-Silver Projects in the Toodoggone mining district of north-central British Columbia, Canada. The 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Lawyers Project alone projected an open-pit mining operation that would yield 163,000 gold equivalent ounces annually over a 12-year span. The Company is now evaluating the integration of the Ranch project, aiming to enhance these figures and bolster the overall potential. Central to this ambition is the 50,000-metre drill program, designed to define the high-grade underground resource at Lawyers and augment the near-surface high-grade deposits at Ranch. The Company's roadmap includes the release of a global Company resource estimate by Q2 2024, followed by an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment in Q3 2024. Through these strategic initiatives, Thesis Gold aspires to rise to the forefront of global precious metals ventures. For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact: Dave Burwell Vice President Corporate Development Email: daveb@thesisgold.com Tel: 403-410-7907 Toll Free: 1-888-221-0915 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the Offering, including the volume and timing of the closing of the second tranche, intended use of proceeds from the Offering, and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis, which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182983 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / The urgent call to decarbonize has thrust sustainability into the spotlight on the corporate stage. Whilst the growth in reporting has created an expansive list of pressing priorities. But how are businesses preparing for the comprehensive and complex reporting landscape? Where are they investing today, and perhaps more pertinently in the years to come, to meet the needs of regulators and climate-conscious stakeholders? And how are today's businesses strategizing to meet their sustainability ambitions? Discover the answers to these pivotal questions in the Reuters Impact Global Sustainability Report 2023, a valuable resource that will help shape your sustainability strategy, chart your investment course, and provide a meaningful benchmark against industry peers. Our unique, proprietary dataset, assembled using survey responses from more than 570 sustainability practitioners and decision-makers globally, provides a detailed examination of how sustainability investments are shifting towards a new set of technologies, where businesses are setting their sustainability priorities and the strategies being pursued to meet them. Our research has unveiled several key findings: Data analysis and emissions accounting solutions are the leading destinations of business investment for sustainability purposes today, but by 2026 a new suite of technologies is expected to lead the way. Our technology investment leaderboard highlights differences in investment approach between companies operating in North America and those in Europe. Are European organizations still sustainability's trailblazers? Energy and decarbonization is a top priority for a leading majority of organizations responding to our survey, however there is a distinct mix of strategies being pursued to reduce remissions. Claim Your Report Now Enjoy your reading and feel free to share your thoughts on the findings in our sustainability report! Read More View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Reuters Events Sustainable Business on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Reuters Events Sustainable Business Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/reuters-events-sustainable-business Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Reuters Events Sustainable Business View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790381/how-sustainable-is-your-strategy-insights-from-reuters-impact-report Strong growth in sales over the 1 st half, up +33% compared with 1 st half of 2022, to 4.0 million Gross margin improved from 44.5% to 48.6% Successful capital increase carried out as part of the IPO in July 2023 Continued sales momentum driven by additional customer acquisitions and business expansion into 3 new countries Regulatory News: Vinpai (ISIN: FR001400AXT1; ticker: ALVIN), a specialist in the design, manufacture and marketing of algae- and plant-based functional ingredients for the food and cosmetics industries, today announces its results for the first half of 2023, ended June 30, 2023, approved by the Board of Directors on October 5, 2023. Philippe Le Ray, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, declares: "The first-half results are satisfying thanks to the Company's strong momentum, reflected by sales growth of around 33%. Our business has been benefitting from favorable trends in our markets, with the development of new consumer habits and the growing desire to consume in a responsible way, and continuing strong demand for natural ingredients, which confirms the promising potential of Vinpai's positioning. Thanks to our fundraising closed in July, we will pursue our development strategy backed by the necessary resources to meet this growing demand. We can leverage on our capacity for innovation to expand our ranges of both natural and clean-label ingredients to meet the needs of major industrial players." 2023 Half Year Results In k 06/30/2023 06/30/2022 06/30/2022 restated1 Change in vs. restated Sales 3,984 2,294 2,294 +33.0% Gross margin 1,935 1,334 1334 +45.1% Gross margin rate 48.6% 44.5% 44.5% +4.1 pts Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBITDA) (381) (373) (536) +28.9% Operating profit (612) (560) (722) +15.2% Profit before taxes (834) (626) (788) -5.9% Net profit (group share) (781) (573) (735) -6.3% In the first half of 2023, Vinpai reported sales up +33% compared with June 30, 2022, at 3,984k, with the sector mix remaining unchanged. Food accounts for 75% of total sales and cosmetics and nutraceuticals for 25%. By geographic region, Vinpai generated nearly 55% of its sales in France. International sales have also been dynamic, particularly in Latin America, where the Company recorded an increase of more than 100% in sales over the first 6 months of the year, thanks mainly to the ramp-up of recurrent customers in Mexico and the opening of new customer accounts in Brazil, Peru and Chile. This growth has been driven by higher purchasing orders from major recurring customers across all regions. The Company has also strengthened its distribution network with the signing of a distribution agreement in the Maghreb region with Lactavit, a supplier specializing in the procurement of food raw materials, enabling Vinpai to expand its business in this region. The backlog2 stood at 6,416k on June 30, 2023, compared with 4,241k on June 30, 2022. Gross margin came to 1,935k, an improvement of +45% compared with 1,334k on June 30, 2022, despite higher purchase prices for raw materials and consumables. Thank to higher volumes, tight control over purchasing and good pricing power, the gross margin set to 48.6%, up 4 points over the 44.5% recorded on June 30, 2022. The increase in operating expenses was swollen by a reversal of a provision for paid leave, which artificially reduced personnel costs for the 1st half of 2022. Excluding this impact, operating expenses are increasing at a slower pace compared to sales, resulting in an EBITDA for the 1st half of 2023 of -381k, an improvement of 155k compared with the restated EBITDA for the 1st half of 2022. Operating profit was negative at -612k for the 1st half of 2023, compared with -722k for the 1st half of 2022. The financial result amounted to -224k, mainly due to interest payments on financing set up prior to the IPO. After taking these items into account, net income showed a loss of 781k, compared with a loss of 735k in the first half of 2022. Cash position on June 30, 2023 and successful IPO project On June 30, 2023, Vinpai's cash position stood at 0.3 million, compared with 0.4 million on December 31, 2022. On July 13, 2023, the Company announced the success of its initial public offering on Euronext Growth, with a capital increase of nearly 7 million, including 2.4 million by debt set-off. This operation has allowed the strengthening of the Company's financial resources and met great success with both institutional and retail investors. On September 30, the cash position stands at 2.2 million. Strategy and outlook Over the coming months, the Company intends to pursue its development strategy, drawing on its strong capacity for innovation to expand its ranges of natural ingredients aimed at customers in the food, cosmetics and nutraceutical industries. The Company will also further adapt its organization and production facilities in order to increase its production capacity. This investment policy will be combined with strict control of overhead costs and close monitoring of cash management to ensure Vinpai's continued progress towards operating breakeven. Positioned on structurally promising trends and benefiting from a strong sales momentum with a capacity to innovate and a solid order book, Vinpai reminds its objectives for 2025, with sales of 16 million and an EBITDA rate above 10%. Availability of the 2023 Half Year Financial Report The interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on October 5, 2023. The 2023 half year financial report will be available by October 31, 2023 on the Company's Investor Relations website (www.vinpai-finance.com), in the Documentation section. Next financial announcement: 2023 third quarter sales, on November 9, 2023, after market close About Vinpai Founded in 2011 by Cyrille Damany and Philippe Le Ray, Vinpai is an ingredien'tech specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of functional ingredients based on algae, plants, minerals and fibers, offering manufacturers natural alternatives to chemical additives. Positioned in the most promising market segments, Vinpai provide supports to food, cosmetics and nutraceutical manufacturers, thanks to its cross-technologyknow-how, enabling them to upgrade the nutritional qualities of their end products. The combination and mixing of ingredients and food additives enable manufacturers to accelerate their development, optimize their production costs and generate profitability. Operating on two sites, in Saint-Dolay (Morbihan) and near the harbour of Saint-Nazaire, Vinpai has developed over 3,500 formulations and has 39 employees. In 2022, the Company has recorded sales of 6.2 million, over half of which abroad, and is established in over 35 countries. For further information: www.vinpai.com 1 In 2022, reversal of a proposal for paid leave expense of 162,000 incorrectly booked in 2021 2 The backlog is defined by all orders validated by customers, registered in the company's ERP system and to be delivered within a maximum of 9 months View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005432030/en/ Contacts: Vinpai Philippe Le Ray Chief Executive Officer investors@vinpai.com NewCap Theo Martin Aurelie Manavarere Investor Relations vinpai@newcap.eu T.: 01 44 71 94 94 NewCap Nicolas Merigeau Antoine Pacquier Media Relations vinpai@newcap.eu T.: 01 44 71 94 98 At the official opening of PsiDaresbury, the new STFC-PsiQuantum R&D facility, PsiQuantum announced that it is beginning work with STFC's Hartree Centre, with the support of the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), on a 12-month project to develop Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC) applications in the UK. Insights from this work will be shared across government and with collaborative industry partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005542542/en/ Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram, UKRI-STFC Director Massimo Noro, Director of the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) Michael Cuthbert, Quantum Optics and Senior Research Investigator at Imperial College London Prof. Sir Peter Knight, PsiQuantum Chief Architect and Co-Founder Terry Rudolph, Executive Chair of STFC Mark Thomson, Secretary of State for the Department of Science, Innovation Technology Rt. Hon. Michelle Donelan MP, Executive Director of STFC Paul Vernon, PsiQuantum Chief Technologist and Co-Founder Mark Thompson, Director at STFC Hartree Centre Kate Royse (Photo: Business Wire) The event was hosted by PsiQuantum co-founders Terry Rudolph, Chief Architect, and Mark Thompson, Chief Technologist, and included remarks from the Rt. Hon. Michelle Donelan, MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology; Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region; Mark Thomson, Executive Chair of the STFC; Paul Vernon, Executive Director, STFC; Professor Sir Peter Knight, Quantum Optics and Senior Research Investigator, Imperial College London; Professor Elham Kashefi, Chief Scientist, NQCC; Michael Cuthbert, Director, NQCC; and Kate Royse, Director, Hartree Centre. PsiQuantum's advanced R&D facility at STFC's Daresbury Laboratory is backed by 9M of funding from the UK government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and gives the company access to one of Europe's largest liquid-helium (approx. -270C) cryogenic plants. Working with Daresbury Laboratory experts specialized in large-scale cryogenic infrastructure, PsiQuantum is developing next generation cryogenic quantum modules with the highest cryogenic cooling power deployed to date, representing a major step towards large-scale quantum computers capable of solving commercially relevant problems. PsiQuantum's first cryogenic quantum modules are already up and running, with a capacity of over 10x previous systems. Because large-scale, fault tolerant quantum computers will be the first machines able to run commercially valuable applications, their advent is widely expected to trigger the start of a major transformation across industries, including healthcare, sustainability, financial services and defence, with McKinsey forecasting US$1 trillion (GBP800 million) of value at stake globally. Moreover, access to FTQC capacity will be limited and in high demand, so early movers will gain significant competitive advantage. This is why forward-looking government and industry stakeholders are already developing the required skills ahead of the arrival of the first fault tolerant quantum computers. The Hartree Centre is a high-performance computing, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) government research facility and is part of the of the Sci-Tech Daresbury science and innovation campus. The centre helps provide UK industry and academia with access to advanced high-performance computing technologies, expertise and training with the aim of boosting UK economic growth. This project builds on the Centre's longstanding access to industry and applications know-how, and brings in PsiQuantum's deep expertise in FTQC algorithm development. The collaboration has three aims: Build a strong FTQC knowledge base at the Hartree Centre Identify the most valuable and high impact problem statements for government and industry Develop algorithms that will underpin two high-priority applications. The programme of work includes FTQC training to build necessary skills at the Hartree Centre; thematic workshops addressing a suite of problem statements relevant to critical computational challenges for dual-use technology applications; and two industrially-relevant use cases. Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, Rt. Hon. Michelle Donelan MP said: "PsiQuantum choosing to take the next crucial steps in the development of their technology here in the UK is a resounding vote of confidence in the UK's quantum capabilities, bolstered by our National Quantum Strategy. We are determined to drive the adoption of quantum technologies throughout our economy, with 2.5 billion backing over the next 10 years, to unlock untold advances in healthcare, green technology, and beyond." Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "Our area has been an architect to some of the greatest inventions and discoveries that have transformed the world and it's a legacy we're proud to be continuing today. By uniting world-leading experts and industry leaders, we're innovating further and faster than ever before and developing technology that has the potential to not only transform industry but change the world we live in. "I want to establish the Liverpool City Region as a hotbed of innovation and new technology, and I'm confident that facilities like this will ensure that we can continue to attract highly skilled, well-paid jobs and opportunities from around the world to our area. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for this partnership." Mark Thompson, Chief Technologist at PsiQuantum, said: "PsiQuantum is grateful for the support of NSSIF and delighted to embark on this important partnership with the Hartree Centre. Together, our work over the next 12 months will help to meaningfully advance understanding of Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing applications across both government and industry in the UK. The Hartree Centre's unique access to applications-specific expertise, coupled with PsiQuantum's deep technical experience with Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing algorithm development, will make for a powerful collaboration and we're keen to get to work." Kate Royse, Director of STFC Hartree, said: "Here at STFC's Hartree Centre, we are extremely excited to be working in partnership with PsiQuantum, in its mission to build the technologies needed to realise the potential of quantum computing. Quantum computing is set to change the world we live in, to transform industry and change our lives for the better. "By bringing together the experience and capabilities of both the Hartree Centre and PsiQuantum, we are developing a capability in quantum technologies that will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of this field. This is an exciting stepping-stone towards building a significant and resilient quantum computing ecosystem for the North West." About PsiQuantum PsiQuantum's mission is to build and deploy the world's first useful quantum computer. The company was founded on the premise that commercially valuable quantum computing systems will require fault tolerance and error correction, demanding a very large-scale system implementation. The company believes that it has the fastest and most feasible path to a large-scale fault-tolerant system, based largely on existing technologies and infrastructure including high-volume semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and high-power cryogenic systems. Society today and by extension a large fraction of global industry is built on a foundation of chemistry, physics, and information. Quantum computing has the potential to categorically advance our mastery of the physical world and of information, with widespread impact across science and technology. We are engaged with customers and partners to evaluate and revolutionize applications spanning climate, healthcare, finance, energy, agriculture, transportation, communications, and beyond. PsiQuantum's founders had a combined sixty years of experience in academia prior to the inception of the company in 2015. The company has assembled a world-class team of quantum physicists, semiconductor, electrical and mechanical engineers all supported by a group of notable investors and advisors. Our work spans semiconductor process development, integrated photonic device and systems design, superconducting device manufacturing, high-throughput wafer, chip and sub-assembly test, optoelectronic packaging, cryogenic CMOS control electronics, high-power cryogenic cooling, quantum optics, quantum error correcting codes, fault-tolerant quantum algorithm compilation, and domain-specific quantum algorithm development. Currently, the company utilizes the capacity and expertise of a tier-1 semiconductor foundry to build thousands of wafers and millions of quantum chips. For more information, go to: psiquantum.com/about Follow PsiQuantum: LinkedIn 2023 PsiQuantum. PsiQuantum and the PsiQuantum logo are registered or pending registration trademarks of PsiQuantum, Corp., in the United States and other countries. The Hartree Centre The Hartree Centre helps UK businesses and organisations of any size to explore and adopt supercomputing, data science and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for enhanced productivity, smarter innovation and economic growth. Backed by significant UK government funding and strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as IBM, Atos and the University of Liverpool, the Hartree Centre is home to some of the most advanced digital technologies and experts in the UK. Our experts collaborate with industry and the research community to explore the latest technologies, upskill teams, and apply practical digital solutions to individual and industry-wide challenges for societal and economic benefit. The Hartree Centre is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) one of Europe's largest multi-disciplinary scientific research organisations within UK Research and Innovation, building on a wealth of established scientific heritage and a network of international expertise. About National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) The National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF, en-sif) is the Government's corporate venturing arm for dual-use advanced technologies. It is a joint initiative between HM Government and the British Business Bank. NSSIF invests commercially in advanced technology firms, alongside other investors, supporting long-term equity investment 'patient capital' and harnesses the Government's unique technology expertise. Its objectives include accelerating the adoption of HMG's future national security and defence capabilities and the development of the UK's dual-use technology ecosystem. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231005542542/en/ Contacts: media@psiquantum.com Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, October 05 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION 5 October 2023 REDDE NORTHGATE PLC ("Redde Northgate" or the "Group" or the "Company") Transaction in Own Shares Redde Northgate plc (LSE:REDD) announces that on 5 October 2023 it purchased the following number of its own shares to be held in treasury: Class of shares : Ordinary shares of 50p ("shares") Number of shares purchased : 252,500 Weighted average purchase price paid : 322 pence per share Highest purchase price paid : 322 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid : 322 pence per share Following the above transaction, the Company's issued share capital consists of 246,091,423 ordinary shares of 50p each, of which 15,715,071 ordinary shares are held in treasury, and 1,000,000 preference shares of 50p each which do not carry any rights to vote. Therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 230,376,352 which may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. In accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (the Market Abuse Regulation) as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, the schedule below contains detailed information about the purchases made by Numis Securities Limited on behalf of the Company as part of the Company's buyback programme. Schedule of Purchase - Individual Transactions (as at 5 October 2023) Number of shares purchased Transaction price (GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 252500 322.00 09:42:38 00067251761TRLO0 LSE Notes This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 12.4.6. For further information contact: Buchanan David Rydell/Jamie Hooper/Hannah Ratcliff +44 (0) 207 466 5000 Notes to Editors: Redde Northgate is the leading integrated mobility solutions platform providing services across the vehicle lifecycle. The Company offers integrated mobility solutions to businesses, fleet operators, insurers, OEMs and other customers across seven key areas: vehicle rental, vehicle data, accident management, vehicle repairs, fleet management, service and maintenance, vehicle ancillary services and vehicle sales. The Company's core purpose is to keep its customers mobile, whether through meeting their regular mobility needs or by servicing and supporting them when unforeseen events occur. With its considerable scale and reach, Redde Northgate's mission is to offer a market-leading customer proposition and drive enhanced returns for shareholders by creating value through sustainable compounding growth. The Group aims to achieve this through the delivery of its strategic framework of Focus, Drive and Broaden. Redde Northgate services its customers through a network and diversified fleet of over 120,000 owned and leased vehicles, supporting over 600,000 managed vehicles, with more than 170 workshop, body shop and rental locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain and a specialist team of over 6,000 automotive services professionals. Further information please visit the Company's website: YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. Governments involved in facilitating talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan should secure concrete commitments from Azerbaijans president on respecting, protecting, and implementing the right to return of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, Human Rights Watch said today. More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians, nearly the entire current population of the area, have fled in recent days, HRW said in the statement. Azerbaijans plan for reintegration of the region and its residents should set out how, in both the short and long-term, it will respect human rights, in particular those of ethnic minorities; and it should welcome an independent mission for sustained international monitoring of these commitments. Azerbaijans partners should insist on an international monitoring mission to report publicly on conditions facing ethnic Armenians who have remained in Nagorno-Karabakh, and to identify human rights violations, particularly those that would undermine ethnic Armenians right to return to their homes. Partner governments should also urge Azerbaijani authorities to take substantive steps to facilitate the right to return, either for short-term visits or for the longer-term. Azerbaijans partners should send an unambiguous message to the countrys leadership that when it comes to the right to return, they will not accept hollow rhetoric and half measures, said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. The fear and lack of trust on all sides make a sustained international presence essential for the right to return to be meaningful, not theoretical. Human Rights Watch interviewed, on the Armenian border, 14 individuals and 7 families who fled Nagorno-Karabakh; as well as 12 humanitarian workers, medical personnel, Armenian officials, and a representative of the former Nagorno-Karabakh de facto authorities. The European Council President, Charles Michel, has facilitated a series of talks between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. A meeting between the two leaders had been planned on the sidelines of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Granada on October 5, 2023, with Michels participation together with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. On October 4, Azerbaijani media announced that Aliyev had refused to participate in the talks at the last minute, against the backdrop of the French foreign ministers October 3 visit to Armenia and other developments. In possible future talks, European leaders should underscore the need for commitment to international rights monitoring and a comprehensive rights-compliant vision for the region that might encourage people to return. In an October 3 media interview, Michel urged Azerbaijan to show goodwill by engaging, while respecting international law, to protect the rights and security of the entire population that lives in Azerbaijan, including the Armenian population. Germanys foreign minister has publicly indicated that it, along with its international partners, is committed to an international mission to Nagorno-Karabakh, adding that the people of the region need to be able to trust that they are not alone. More than 100,000 people have fled Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia since September 24, leaving the region, in effect, temporarily depopulated. Among those who remain are older people and the very ill, who were either unwilling or unable to flee. The mass exodus followed Azerbaijans September 19 military attacks to regain full control over Nagorno-Karabakh. The next day, a cease fire was announced, followed by initial talks between Azerbaijani authorities and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakhs Armenian community. The enclaves de facto authorities then agreed to disband. Nagorno-Karabakh is a region of Azerbaijan whose ethnic Armenian-majority population had, together with Republic of Armenian forces, fought a war to secede from Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. During this time, more than 700,000 ethnic Azeris were expelled or displaced from Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and 7 surrounding districts; 300,000 to 500,000 ethnic Armenians fled or were expelled from Azerbaijan starting in 1988. Nagorno-Karabakh remained de facto, separate from Azerbaijan, and occupied the seven surrounding districts until 2020, when Azerbaijan initiated hostilities and retook most of the area. A truce statement ending the 44-day war provided for Russian peacekeeping troops to have a presence in Nagorno-Karabakh and to control what was then the Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, until 2025. Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin Corridor from December 12, 2022, through September 24, 2023, causing a near complete disruption of the movement of people and goods. It resulted in acute shortages of food, medications, hygiene products, petrol, and other essential supplies in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan also eventually cut utility lines from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh. When the Lachin road reopened on September 24, people began to flee. People interviewed said they fled their homes in fear and panic. Many also said that the nine-month de facto blockade and alleged atrocities by Azerbaijani forces during the 2020 war, including the killings and torture of civilians, caused extensive fear and distrust. People interviewed described an ordeal lasting days on the clogged Lachin road with little or no food or water, jammed in their cars, trucks, and other vehicles with their families and whatever few belongings they could quickly take. We could not even take any possessions except documents and a change of clothes, no space in the car, said a woman from Kert village. A woman who travelled with nine people crowded into a car said: We went to Khodjaly and spent four days at the peacekeepers base, at the airport just sitting on the asphalt, waiting for evacuation. An official in Goris, Armenia, said that a number of people, mostly older, had died during the mass exodus, although Human Rights Watch did not independently verify this. Azerbaijani authorities have repeatedly said that everyones rights will be protected in Nagorno-Karabakh, yet such assertions are difficult to accept at face value after the months of severe hardships, decades of conflict, impunity for alleged crimes, in particular during hostilities, and the Azerbaijani governments overall deteriorating human rights record, Human Rights Watch said. Most people interviewed said they would consider returning to Nagorno-Karabakh to collect their belongings if they could do so under international protection. A man from Khankendi (Stepanakert) said he would consider returning with his family for the longer term if Azerbaijan allows Armenians to live there as a community with Armenian schools, Armenian church, administration staff recruited from members of the community. With Aliyevs withdrawal from the Granada talks, the EU, US, and others involved in mediating negotiations should redouble efforts to emphasize specific steps Azerbaijan needs to take to facilitate the right to return, whether for short-term visits to collect remaining belongings, deal with their real estate property, visit graves, and the like, or for those who wish to return permanently, Human Rights Watch said. Those who choose not to return permanently should be compensated for their property and should be able to collect any other goods left behind as well as access any bank accounts or benefits, such as pensions. Azerbaijan should also ensure that evacuees property is protected from looting or other harm. For those who return, Azerbaijan should ensure access to education in the Armenian language and provide concrete guarantees protecting peoples ability to exercise civil, political, religious, and cultural rights without discrimination. Ethnic Armenians who fled should be provided with all necessary information and clear guidelines on resuming their residency in Nagorno-Karabakh, and how their rights, including to property and social security entitlements, will be assured. Future arrangements should provide for an ethnic balance in policing and local governance structures. In line with international humanitarian law, Azerbaijan should refrain from prosecuting people for participating in military hostilities during the wars of the 1990s and in 2020. The past few weeks have been a horrific period for Nagorno-Karabakhs ethnic Armenian population, Williamson said. Azerbaijans partners should now ensure that Azerbaijani authorities do not turn this trauma and loss into long-term injustice, HRW said in the statement. Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, October 05 For immediate release 5 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 830.65 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 20,771,869; 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 204,219,434. The figure of 204,219,434 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 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / International WELL Building Institute In less than 48 hours we: Put a spotlight on equity. Whether through the lens of the investor landscape, addressing the wrongs of the past in global regions such as Canada, or sharing personal stories about how we find ways to belong, equity, inclusion, accessibility and justice remain a priority for IWBI to help support WELL adoption as a lever to afford everyone an opportunity to thrive. Heard from the Nation's Doctors, some of the world's most esteemed public health professionals, regarding health in the built environment and positioning our buildings as a tool for improving health and well-being. Sat in on a close conversation focused on food as dynamic medicine, which is key to helping us live our best, healthiest lives. The fireside chat explored the importance of eating real food, echoing many of the best practices laid out in WELL's Nourishment concept. Shared a thing (or three!) about what's new with WELL, from our Works with WELL program and the WELL Forum to pulling out capes for our heroic WELL APs, including a deep dive into designing with neurodiversity in mind. Celebrated our global WELL community, from school leaders and policy champions to innovative architects and designers. Showcased what amazing things can happen when you combine a focus on environmental sustainability and health in our buildings. It was a Summit to remember! Read on. "The energy, the greatness that went down over these two days can't be put into words," said Kimberly Lewis Inkumsah, Executive Vice President of Equity, Engagement and Events. "With inspiration and learnings-and laughs-from esteemed public health professionals to wisdom from Indigenous community leaders on truth and reconciliation, and deep dives into WELL, the Summit was the ultimate experience centered on creating people-first places. And I cannot wait to reconvene this growing community in Long Beach next year. The movement is strong!" Those memories just begin to describe the 2023 WELL Summit, where we gathered our global WELL community for an energizing two days of learning, inspiration and connection. HIGHLIGHTS FROM: Real Estate Reboot: Return to Office Won't Save Us, So What Will? Executives shared how real estate is embracing change and driving innovation to reshape the future of work to support all workers. Notably, connectivity, collaboration and a commitment to people were all emphasized. "Employees want flexibility. It's a demonstration of trust," said Christina Chiu, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Empire State Realty Trust. "If you need the flexibility, I as an employer trust you as an employee to get it done and to utilize your days as needed, but every company has to find its own rhythm. It's not going to be one size fits all." HIGHLIGHTS FROM: Using Investor Influence to Change the World: How to Move Capital Toward Racial Justice Monique Aiken, managing director of The Investment Integration Project (TIIP), shared historical perspectives and a strong business case for focusing on and investing in efforts that will drive racial equity. "You could easily imagine that there would be even more substantial gains if we add the effects of full participation of Indigenous people and other people of color to this mix. And that has not been well studied, which is also problematic in itself," Aiken noted. HIGHLIGHTS FROM: A Prescription for Well-being: Places that Put People First In what was the most anticipated MainStage session, A Prescription for Well-being: Places that Put People First, four former Surgeons General took to the stage in a lively and unforgettable conversation moderated by Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. Hodgdon mentioned the unfortunate loss of public trust in government public health institutions, asking, "What do we need to do to build back that trust?" Each of the Surgeons General had ideas, pointing to some key steps that can apply well beyond the political landscape, including the role of leadership, education, health literacy, cultural competency and empathy. The session shed light on key topics including speaking truth to power; how to address the diminishing trust in government institutions; the importance of health literacy, cultural competency and empathy; and buildings as a prescription for health. Right before, IWBI announced a major call to action from many of the country's public health leaders. "Just this morning, 12 public health leaders sent a letter to the nation's policymakers urging them to rethink the entire future of building policy so it focuses on human health outcomes," said Jason Hartke, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Advocacy, from the MainStage. "Like I said, the movement is growing," added Hartke, referencing an open letter drawing attention to an often-overlooked policy opportunity-reimagining the nation's buildings as a prescription for health. Echoing the message of the letter, Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, and Hodgdon also teamed up on an op-ed in TriplePundit showing why buildings are the unsung heroes of public health. "As the world contends with the rise of acute public health threats and the devastating impacts of climate change, we teamed up with six former surgeons general and a number of executives from leading public health organizations to turn the attention of policymakers to an unsung hero: our buildings. That's right, our buildings play a pivotal role in our well-being, and it's time our policymakers recognize this," they wrote. A Senior Advisor to President Biden highlights White House efforts to support healthy buildings "[In 2020], Mayors everywhere got the message and understood that we needed healthy buildings to create healthier communitiesit's going to take all of us, the whole of civil society to work together to address these challenges, but we need all of us; we need more collaboration, we need more partnership, we need more engagement, we need more constructive input from the subject matter experts in this room. IWBI's ambitious mission is to drive market transformation. They brought all of you here together tonight, and this type of activity is key to delivering on healthier communities. I am humbled and honored that my role at the White House is focused on helping support that type of connectivity. And thank you on behalf of the President and Vice President, I look forward to this continued collaboration, this continued back and forth, from all of you to advance the benefits of healthy buildings for everyone." - Stephen Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President and Director, White House Office of Public Engagement. HIGHLIGHTS FROM: Lessons from Canada's Truth & Reconciliation Process: Centering and Celebrating Indigenous Wisdom Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia and IWBI Governance Council Member, welcomed Victoria Grant, chair of the Counseling Foundation of Canada, and Diane Roussin, project director of The Winnipeg Boldness Project, for a conversation that shined a light on the systemic racism that has profoundly impacted the lives of Indigenous peoples and the importance of truth and reconciliation. As Rooney observed in facilitating the discussion, it's important to pause and acknowledge - to sit in the truth for a bit first - because "if you're not uncomfortable, you're not listening." "We are the sum of our experiences and the people who have walked with us through life," Grant explained, adding, "We live in a world that has been made much smaller as a result of transportation, technology and communication. We all have much more diversity within our communities and in our countries. We need to understand that diversity is natural. It's not something that needs to be overcome." In the spirit of the WELL Summit, we are leaving more energized than when we arrived, feeling inspired and activated by the slate of sessions over the course of two days. With that in mind, we encourage you to check out what you may have missed and register for the flagship WELL Conference in Long Beach, Calif. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from International WELL Building Institute on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: International WELL Building Institute Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/international-well-building-institute Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: International WELL Building Institute View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790443/inspiration-community-and-connection-at-the-2023-well-summit 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 / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / 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: patron@mbooth.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bacardi Limited on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Bacardi Limited Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bacardi-limited Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Bacardi Limited View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790481/patrn-tequila-endorsed-additive-free-by-tequila-regulatory-council-crt SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Magnolia Point, a leading innovator in digital healthcare AI solutions, is proud to announce the establishment of an exciting joint venture named "Magnative Health" with Certive Health. This partnership marks a momentous collaboration that will pave the way for revolutionary digital solutions in Hospital Networks, empowering AI technology to improve hospital efficiencies on a national scale. The Magnative Health joint venture represents a perfect alignment of two industry pioneers - Magnolia Point and Certive Health. Both companies bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and a shared vision for enhancing healthcare through advanced technologies. By combining Certive Health's extensive knowledge of health systems with Magnolia Point's prowess in digital medical AI solutions, the joint venture aims to bring a new era of efficiency and patient-centricity to hospital networks globally, with a focus on the U.S. With an unwavering commitment to enhancing pathways to well-being and setting the highest standard of efficient care on a global scale, Magnolia Point is poised to create a healthier world through groundbreaking advancements in healthcare. Certive Health, on the other hand, has been at the forefront of revolutionizing health systems with its deep industry insights, unmatched experience and transformative strategies. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, Certive Health has enabled healthcare institutions to adapt to evolving demands and challenges effectively. Mr. Matthew Bintzler, CEO of Magnolia Point, expressed great enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "We are thrilled to be entering into this strategic joint venture with Certive Health. Magnative Health will leverage our collective strengths to drive innovation in hospital networks, ultimately benefiting patients, healthcare providers and the industry as a whole." Tom Marreel, CEO of Certive Health, stated, "Certive Health and Magnolia Point have been working together for the past year to provide a digital solution for our mutual client, I see the creation of Magnative Health as building upon our strong business relationship and collaboration with Magnolia Point. We intend to provide Health System clients with a digital solution that drives efficiencies in patient care, better healthcare outcomes and financial benefits. Through Certive Health's connectivity with Health Systems and leading health care advisors, we have identified a health system as our first prospective client." The joint venture will focus on developing a wide array of digital solutions tailor-made for hospital networks, ranging from advanced AI-powered diagnostics to next-generation data management and analytics. Magnative Health aims to redefine the healthcare landscape by empowering hospital networks with cutting-edge technologies that enhance decision-making, optimize workflows and improve patient care outcomes. As Magnative Health embarks on this transformative journey, both Magnolia Point and Certive Health are committed to adhering to the highest standards of ethics, data privacy and regulatory compliance. Together, they aim to set new benchmarks for digital healthcare innovations, addressing the ever-changing needs of the healthcare industry. This partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies, reinforcing their shared commitment to revolutionizing healthcare through collaborative efforts and groundbreaking advancements. Magnolia Point looks forward to the myriad possibilities that Magnative Health will unlock in the hospital network industry, ultimately contributing to the betterment of healthcare services worldwide. For more information about Magnative Health and its upcoming projects, please visit https://www.magnoliapoint.com/. About Magnolia Point: Magnolia Point takes the lead in digital healthcare AI solutions, paving the way for a healthier world through personalized medicine, enhanced pathways to well-being, and the highest standard of efficient care on a global scale. About Certive Health: Certive Health is a renowned player in the hospital network industry, providing comprehensive solutions that drive efficiency and excellence. With a vast network of experienced professionals, the company empowers healthcare institutions to overcome challenges and thrive in a dynamic healthcare landscape. Media Contact: Melisa Daveiga Marketing Director Magnolia Point Phone: 937-672-2234 Email: Melisa@DoveMediaMarketing.com SOURCE: Magnolia Point View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790626/update-magnolia-point-announces-joint-venture-magnative-health-with-certive-health-for-groundbreaking-digital-solutions-in-hospital-networks LONDON, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alacrita Consulting, a leading pharmaceutical and biotech consulting firm headquartered in London, today announces the promotions of Saadia Basharat, PhD, and Jess Hearn-Messenger, PhD, both to Principal. Saadia has a proven track record of helping biotech and pharma companies at critical junctures, guiding them on pipeline, partnering and licensing strategy, and supporting healthcare investors, particularly VCs, with assessing and evaluating opportunities. In recognition of her successful transition to San Diego, as Alacrita's Head of West Coast Consulting, she has been made a Principal of the firm. In her new role, she will continue to advise clients on a range of strategic issues, including pipeline prioritization, disease area and indication prioritization, partnering strategy, and technical and commercial due diligence of therapeutics. "Saadia is truly an integral part of our team. Since day one, she has been a trusted advisor to our clients in both the US and Europe, providing them with sound commercial and technical guidance and direction when faced with the most critical of decisions. We are delighted to promote her to Principal," said Alastair Southwell, Managing Partner at Alacrita Consulting. Saadia holds an Honors degree in Biomedical Informatics, a Master of Science degree in Molecular Medicine and a PhD in Neuroendocrinology from Imperial College London. As Principal & Head of West Coast Consulting, she will continue to lead and grow Alacrita's client base in the western United States and Asia. Jess Hearn-Messenger joined Alacrita in 2016 and has 12 years of industry and consulting experience across the drug development value chain in academia, contract research, biotech, big pharma and regulatory agencies. She is a core member of both our due diligence and valuation practices, managing over 25 due diligence exercises per year, at both the triage/pre-due diligence and full/in-depth due diligence levels. Jess is also particularly adept at leading valuations exercises using Alacrita's risk-adjusted Monte Carlo model and contributes to its ongoing development. As Principal, she will continue to advise clients on a range of technical and commercial issues and play a pivotal role in the company's growth and presence in the UK and Europe. "Jess's expertise in translational science, combined with having industry experience across several core areas - biotech, CRO and regulatory -, makes her an exceptionally versatile and skilled consultant. She now has an extensive consulting record of successful engagements and has been a true asset to our clients," said Anthony Walker, PhD, Managing Partner at Alacrita. "I couldn't be more pleased for her promotion to Principal." Prior to joining Alacrita, Jess held positions at GSK and Quintiles (now IQVIA), as well as at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). She holds a PhD and MSc in Systems Biology from The University of Warwick and an MChem in Biological Chemistry from The University of Leicester. Additional information on Saadia Basharat, PhD, Principal: https://www.alacrita.com/consultants/saadia-basharat Additional information on Jess Hearn-Messenger, PhD, Principal: https://www.alacrita.com/consultants/jess-hearn-messenger About Alacrita Consulting Alacrita is a pharma and biotech consulting firm whose value to clients is founded on the first-hand experience of its subject-matter experts. Consultants who have spent their careers discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing drug products. Alacrita's core team leverages a purpose-built network of over 250 such experts who are brought onto project teams when their expertise matches the needs of the situation. This allows the firm to provide clients with precisely relevant support on a range of R&D and business issues, while offering the speed and flexibility expected from a professional consulting firm. With over a decade of global, multi-disciplinary experience across a range of therapeutic areas and technologies, few firms match the breadth and depth in Alacrita's expertise. Please visit www.alacrita.com to learn more. For further information, please contact: Alastair Southwell, Managing Partner, U.S. Email: usa@alacrita.com Telephone: +1-617-714-9696 Address: One Broadway, Floor 14, Cambridge, MA 02142 Anthony Walker, Managing Partner, Europe Email: europe@alacrita.com Telephone: +44-(0)207-691-4915 Address: 2 Royal College St, London, United Kingdom View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/alacrita-consulting-promotes-saadia-basharat--jess-hearn-messenger-to-principals-301948961.html HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia Critical Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV:NMI)(OTCQB:NMREF) announced today, pursuant to the requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange, that its board of directors approved the granting of incentive stock options ("Options") under its stock option plan as part of the overall remuneration and incentive program for its employees, consultants, officers and directors. A total of 4,300,000 Options were granted. All the Options are exercisable for a period of five years at a price of $0.07 per Common Share being the closing price of the Company's common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on October 5, 2023. About Namibia Critical Metals Inc. NMI is developing the Tier-1 Heavy Rare Earth Project, Lofdal, a globally significant deposit of the heavy rare earth metals dysprosium and terbium. Demand for these critical metals used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other electronics is driven by innovations linked to energy and technology transformations. The geopolitical risks associated with sourcing many of these metals has become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end users. Namibia is a proven and stable mining jurisdiction. The Lofdal Project is fully permitted with a 25-year Mining License and is under a Joint Venture Agreement with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). The Company filed a robust updated PEA for "Lofdal 2B-4" on November 14, 2022, with a post-tax NPV of USD$391 million and an annual IRR of 28% with a capital expenditure of USD$207 million. The project is projected to generate a life of mine nominal cash flow of USD$698 million post-tax over a 16-year mine life. About Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and the JV JOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which seeks to secure stable resource supplies for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic partner in mineral projects globally. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private companies to secure supplies of natural resources for the benefit of the country's economic development. Rare earths are of critical importance to Japanese industrial interests and JOGMEC has extensive experience with all aspects of the sector. JOGMEC provided Lynas with USD$250,000,000 in loans and equity in 2011 to ensure supplies of the Light Rare Earths metals suite to the Japanese industry. Namibia Critical Metals owns a 95% interest in the Lofdal project with the remaining 5% held for the benefit of historically disadvantaged Namibians. The terms of the JOGMEC joint venture agreement with the Company stipulate that JOGMEC provides C$3,000,000 in Term 1 and C$7,000,000 in Term 2 to earn a 40% interest in the Lofdal project. Term 3 calls for a further C$10,000,000 of expenditures to earn an additional 10% interest. JOGMEC can also purchase another 1% for C$5,000,000 and has first right of refusal to fully fund the project through to commercial production and to purchase all production at market prices. The collective interests of NMI and historically disadvantaged Namibians cannot be diluted below a 26% carried working interest upon payment of C$5,000,000 to JOGMEC for the dilution protection. NMI may elect to participate up to a maximum of 44% by funding pro rata after the earn in period is completed. To date, JOGMEC has completed Term 2 and earned a 40% interest by reaching the $10 million expenditure requirement. JOGMEC has approved an additional $2,375,000 budget for Term 3 through to March 31, 2024, totaling C$12,375,000. Other exploration projects: The Company's Exclusive Prospecting Licenses ("EPLs") prospective for gold are located in the Central Namibian Gold Belt which hosts a number of significant orogenic gold deposits including the Navachab Gold Mine, the Otjikoto Gold Mine and the Twin Hills deposit. At the Erongo Gold Project, stratigraphic equivalents to the meta-sediments hosting the Osino gold discovery at Twin Hills have been identified and exploration is progressing over this highly prospective area. The Grootfontein Base Metal and Gold Project has potential for magmatic copper-nickel mineralization, Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead-vanadium mineralization and Otjikoto-style gold mineralization. Interpretation of geophysical data and regional geochemical soil sampling have identified first gold targets. The common shares of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "NMI". Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information please contact - Namibia Critical Metals Inc. Darrin Campbell, President Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760 Fax: +01 (902) 835-8761 Email: Info@NamibiaCMI.com Web site: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. SOURCE: Namibia Critical Metals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790586/namibia-critical-metals-announces-grant-of-stock-options NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2023 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY)(OTCQB:ATBHF) (the "Company" or "Aston Bay") today announces the closing of its previously announced brokered private placement (the "LIFE Offering") and concurrent non-brokered private placement (the "Concurrent Offering" and, together with the LIFE Offering, the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$2.5 million. Under the terms of the LIFE Offering, the Company issued 28,847,375 units ("Units"), at a price of C$0.08 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$2.31 million. Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation (the "Agent") acted as sole agent and bookrunner in connection with the LIFE Offering. The Concurrent Offering was completed on a non-brokered private placement basis in which 2,450,000 Units were issued for aggregate gross proceeds of C$196,000 on the same terms as the LIFE Offering. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.12 at any time on or before October 5, 2025. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for exploration and development of the Company's projects in Virginia, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. In connection with the LIFE Offering and as consideration for their services, the Company paid to the Agent a cash commission of C$120,227.40 and issued to the Agent 1,502,843 non-transferable warrants of ?the Company (the "Broker Warrants"). Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$0.08, subject to adjustment in certain events, at any time on or before October 5, 2025.? 28,847,375 Units were offered pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") as outlined in Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 -- Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"). An offering document related to the portion of the Offering conducted under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption has been filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at (www.sedarplus.ca ) . The balance of Units, sold as part of the Concurrent Offering, were issued on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from the prospectus requirements in Canada other than the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption and in offshore jurisdictions. The Common Shares issuable from the sale of Units under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption are not subject to a hold period in accordance with Canadian securities laws and are immediately freely tradeable, while the Common Shares and Warrants issuable from the sale of Units under other prospectus exemptions in Canada are subject to a four month hold period. The securities offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. About Aston Bay Holdings Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade copper and gold deposits in Virginia, USA, and Nunavut, Canada. The Company is led by CEO Thomas Ullrich with exploration in Virginia directed by the Company's advisor, Don Taylor, the 2018 Thayer Lindsley Award winner for his discovery of the Taylor Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in Arizona. The Company is currently exploring the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia and is in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade copper potential in the area. The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West") have agreed to form a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture and enter into a joint venture agreement in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under such agreement, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://astonbayholdings.com/. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements made in this news release, including those regarding the Offering, including the use of proceeds, as well as management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statements", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this news release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this news release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. We seek safe harbour. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com (416) 456-3516 SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/790611/aston-bay-holdings-ltd-closes-private-placement Kraken, a San Francisco, CA-based company providing crypto platforms, acquired Coin Meester B.V. (BCM), a registered crypto broker in the Netherlands. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. With the acquisition, Kraken will strengthen its presence in the Netherlands. It will also allow BCMs clients to benefit from Krakens extensive product offering, liquidity, security standards and 24/7/365 live client support. Founded in 2017 and led by CEO Mitchell Zandwijken, BCM provides services to buy, sell and stake crypto, including access to over 170 cryptocurrencies and local funding rails. Led by CEO David Ripley, Kraken provides crypto platforms to accelerate the global adoption of crypto. Globally, its clients trade more than 200 digital assets and 6 different national currencies, including GBP, EUR, USD, CAD, CHF, and AUD. In recent years, the company has strengthened its core exchange offering and expanded its product suite to empower people to benefit from the opportunities offered by decentralized blockchain technology. In line with its strategy to become the bridge to the most exciting areas of crypto, Kraken recently launched its NFT marketplace, a new Kraken Pro trading interface and a new consumer web experience. The company offers professional 24/7/365 client support along with its trading platforms available. Krakens decision to accelerate European growth plans follows the European Commissions establishment of Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework, which allows industry players to invest in the region and provide consumers access to more competitive products and services. The company is committed to growing its business in compliance with European regulations. In addition to its VASP registrations in Ireland, Italy and Spain, Kraken is actively pursuing registrations in other European markets. FinSMEs 05/10/2023 Treetscope, a Tel Aviv, Israel-based precision irrigation management startup, raised $7M in Seed funding. The round was led by Champel Capital, with participation form Leon Recanatis GlenRock fund, SeedIL, YYM-Ventures, Agrovision, NEOME, GN-Z11 and Earth.vc. The company intends to use the funds to aid with R&D, accelerate overall growth and commercial agriculture expansion in North America and beyond. Led by CEO Dotan Eshet, Treetoscope provides a plant-based irrigation management platform that helps growers make precise irrigation decisions thanks to real-time sap and water uptake data from the crop itself. Rather than using soil sensors, that dont tap into the plant, or tree trunk sensors that are limited to measuring tree circumference, its in-tree/plant sensors directly measure water uptake in real-time. Combined with AI, integrated weather data, satellite imagery and other remote data, Treetoscopes irrigation management system provides growers with a more accurate data set to easily schedule irrigations, cut-back water and other input costs, and ensure optimal crop health and production. Treetoscope has commercially collaborated with some of agri-businesses, as well as research institutes around the globe: In North America, The Toro Company, has partnered with the company and co-branded the innovative technology (Transpira). This collaboration has led to the launch of sales in the U.S. and Mexico. Netafim, a global leader in sustainable agricultural-irrigation solutions, has validated Treetoscope technology over three years, paving the way for global commercialization partnership. To date, Treetoscope has secured more than $10 million in total investments, which includes grants from the Israel Innovation Authority and Bird Foundation, a joint Israel-U.S. government fund. FinSMEs 05/10/2023 In a country like India, where a large part of the population resides in rural areas, achieving financial inclusion is highly crucial. Societal conditioning in India has marginalised women, leaving them behind in various rights, including financial inclusion. But as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21 about 78.6 per cent of women in India have a bank or saving account which they operate themselves. With the help of government initiatives, fintechs wide network and technology platforms, women are now gaining economic independence and developing decision-making power. This empowerment enhances their self-esteem, transforming lives positively. Fintech companies have also played a crucial role by leveraging technology to provide accessible and user-friendly financial solutions. Women, with their strong community networks and determination, are at the forefront of this revolution, driving economic growth and social upliftment in rural India. Innovative initiatives Women in rural India are spearheading the movement toward financial inclusion playing a pivotal role in empowering their communities. As per Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna. 56 per cent Jan-Dhan account holders are women and there are 67 per cent Jan Dhan accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas. As business correspondents, they act as intermediaries, bridging the gap between formal financial institutions and rural households. Their dedication and understanding of local needs have enabled them to reach the last mile, bringing banking services to remote areas. The governments efforts in promoting financial literacy and setting up policies supportive of inclusion have further boosted these initiatives. Self-Help Groups: Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural India address collective challenges by forming informal associations. They have emerged as an effective mechanism for delivering financial services and addressing the diverse problems faced by rural communities. These groups empower rural women, enhancing their financial literacy and decision-making abilities. To address these challenges and promote financial inclusion among rural women, several innovative initiatives have emerged. Bank Sakhi: The government is actively spearheading initiatives to promote financial inclusivity by empowering women. Bank Sakhi Yojna has played a crucial role in empowering rural women and promoting their financial inclusion. The Bank Sakhi Yojna trains and deploys women banking correspondents in rural areas. Known as Bank Sakhis, these women act as intermediaries between the formal banking system and rural communities and assist villagers in opening bank accounts, conducting transactions, and accessing financial services. As per the Ministry of Rural Development India, more than 50,000 SHG women have been trained and certified as BC Sakhi till 2021 and is proposed to deploy at least one BC Sakhi in the rural areas by the end of 2023-24. Other programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and more have facilitated womens access to banking services, credit facilities, and entrepreneurship opportunities. These initiatives not only aim to bridge the gender gap in financial inclusion but also recognize the emotional and social empowerment that arises from economic independence. Role of Fintech and Tailor-Made Products for Rural India Fintech has emerged as a game-changer in the pursuit of financial inclusion as it leverages technology to bridge the gap between financial institutions and underserved populations. India took the lead with the fintech adoption rate of 87%, which is higher than the world average of 64 per cent as per the latest Global FinTech Adoption Index. As per the reports, the total number of internet connections in India reached close to 851 million in 2023. Recognizing the potential of women in unlocking financial inclusion, fintechs are actively identifying, hiring, and training women on financial transactions, products, and platforms by equipping them with the necessary skills to educate and assist rural communities in their financial journeys. It leverages womens influence for last-mile reach, making them self-reliant and helps in breaking sociocultural barriers. By providing user-friendly digital platforms and mobile applications, fintech encompasses innovative payment solutions, digital lending platforms, and customized financial management tools, to ensure accessibility and relevance to rural women. Educating women has a ripple effect, as it empowers future generations and uplifts the entire community. When educated, a woman becomes a catalyst for positive change, influencing her childrens education, breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering overall societal progress. The collective efforts of fintech, governments and financial institutions are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable society. Their collaboration ensures products and services that fulfil the needs and preferences of rural women. From developing user-friendly, lightweight platforms to making financial literacy accessible via vernacular language support, fintech is here to ensure that rural women can easily navigate and utilise financial services while unlocking the potential of rural India. The author is Head of Strategic Relations, Manipal Technologies Limited. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said he hopes to organize Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations in Brussels, Interfax reports. "Hopefully, a meeting between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be organized in Brussels. This must be done to make sure the conflict does not expand. It is also necessary to achieve political stabilization in Armenia," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell told reporters in Granada, Spain. He regretted that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Turkey did not take part in the European Political Community summit in Granada. I regret that Azerbaijan isnt here, I regret that Turkey, the main supporter of Azerbaijan, is also not here. Therefore, we cant speak here about something as serious as the fact that over 100,000 people were forced to leave their homes, Borrell said, referring to the forced displacement of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh after the Azeri attack. The EU condemns the use of military force to resolve conflicts, he added. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev were supposed to hold EU-mediated peace talks in Granada on October 5, but the Azeri leader cancelled his participation on October 4. Akshay Kumars Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue is all set to hit the screens tomorrow. What is it about? Akshay Kumar plays Jaswant Singh Gill in the film, the man who saved the lives of over 65 miner workers that were trapped 350 feet below and gasping for life and breath. He made a capsule like hole to enter the mine and rescued them one after another. Its Indias largest rescue operation that gets a film made on it over three decades after the incident happened. A standing ovation from the CBFC members The members of the Censor Board recently watched the film for certification and were moved by the emotional triumph of the narrative and the bravery this real story carries. They couldnt help but give this Tinu Suresh Desai directorial a standing ovation. The CBFC Board Members who watched the film are all praise for the Akshay Kumar starrer, and they have called it an emotionally moving yet inspiring film. Ravi 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. In an exclusive interview, the actor revealed about his prep, 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. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahabs son Suraj Pancholi rose to fame with his 2015 film, Hero. The actor stoked controversy after he was accused of abetting the suicide of his former girlfriend and actress Jiah Khan. He was later acquitted of charges. Now, in an interview, Sooraj Pancholi talked about his relationship with his father and how his reputation impacted public opinion. Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, the actor said that his father has indeed done wrong things in life and ended up being tagged as a bad boy. Sooraj went on to add that he doesnt agree with the way Aditya Pancholi has handled things in life. However, he has forgiven his father as he understands that he needs him the most in life. My father has a certain image as this bad boy person, who has done many things wrong. I dont agree with it, of course, he has done things wrong. He is my father, I love him no matter what. I dont agree with the way he has handled things in his life but in a way I have forgiven him because I know I am his only support in life. I want to make him proud, Suraj Pancholi said. Speaking about the controversies surrounding his father, the actor said that he didnt know what was happening and he only figured the matters after stepping into the industry. Then I understood ki okay, these are the things that have happened. It, of course, hurt me a lot but like I said I love my father, he added. On asked if Aditya Pancholi felt responsible for the way his sons image was being portrayed, Suraj informed that his father is a very emotional person. The actor said, Dad is very emotional. Sometimes he felt that because of his past mistakes, I went through these things. So maybe sometimes he would shed a tear or two. About Sooraj Pancholi In 2013, Sooraj Pancholi was arrested on charges of abetment of suicide for his ex-girlfriend, Jiah Khan. Following years of court battle, the Hero actor was given a clean chit due to lack of evidence in April 2023. Suraj Pancholi debuted in Bollywood with the 2015 film, Hero, starring Athiya Shetty, Aditya Pancholi, Sharad Kelkar among others. The film was bankrolled by superstar Salman Khan. Suraj later featured in films like Satellite Shankar and Time To Dance. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tabu and Vishal Bhardwaj have once again come together for the spy thriller, Khufiya. The actress is known for her powerful performances over the decades in films such as Chandini Bar, Virasat, The Namesake, Cheeni Kum, and Astitva. Talking to film critic Baradwaj Rangan, the director opened up about casting Tabu in his next. During his recent interview, Vishal Bhardwaj revealed that the diva was not the first choice for the role. The filmmaker stated that when he wrote the script for the edge-of-the-seat thriller, he had a male actor in mind. Vishal Bhardwaj on casting Tabu in Khufiya Vishal Bhardwaj said that he went to various heroes for the role, but they all turned down the offer. Later on, he ended up rewriting the character for a leading lady. After getting done with the script, he approached Tabu for the movie. He said, One day I thought asi ki tesi sab male actors ki, my hero is Tabu. The obligation is now on me to prove that she made the right choice. For those who do not know, Tabu and Vishal Bhardwaj have previously worked together for the 2004 drama Maqbool and 2014 film in Haider. All about Khufiya While Tabu, Ali Fazal, and Wamiqa Gabbi as part of the primary cast, Khufiya will also see Ashish Vidyarthi, Atul Kulkarni, Navnindra Behl, Shataf Figar, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Lalit Parimoo, Rahul Vohra and Disney James in ancillary roles. Going by all the previews, Khufiya revolves around a RAW agent, Krishna Mehra (Tabu), who is asked to track down the mole selling Indias defense secrets. This is the first time Tabu will be seen playing such as character in her career. Now, talking about the technical crew of the drama, Vishal Bhardwaj has rendered the tunes for the flick, whereas Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi has cranked the camera for the movie. A. Sreekar Prasad is responsible for the editing for the film. Produced by VB Films Production banner, Khufiya is scheduled to premiere on streaming giant Netflix tomorrow, 5 October. Keeping in mind the impeccable track record of Tabu and Vishal Bhardwaj, the expectation from Khufiya is sky high. Language: Hindi and Bengali Director: Vishal Bhardwaj Cast: Tabu, Ali Fazal, Ashish Vidyarthi and Wamiqa Gabbi Khufiya is master-filmmaker Vishal Bhardwajs first Netflix debut. Based on the novel Escape To Nowhere by Amar Bhushan, the former chief of counter espionage at Indias foreign intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the film revolves around the complicated dual lives of spies. Known for adapting books into movies, this time Bhradwaj has done a great job The movie revolves around the lives of the agents. Tabu here plays the role of a Raw agent who is on a mission to find a mole in the intelligence agency. She is seen playing a very different role where she has stretched her craft beyond limit. Caught between her erratic job schedules and her responsibilities of a mother, Tabu has always been able to bring out the true emotions of the character. Khufiya is an intense combination of suspense and complexity. The different layers and complexities of each of the characters is dealt in the finest possible ways. No black and white characters do we see in reality and here too, Bhradwaj has tried his best to show the different shades of each and every character. The confused sexuality angle in Tabus character and the cause of her divorce is shown in a beautiful subtle way. And never once does she blame her husband (Atul Kulkarni) for the rift in the relationship. In fact, she says that he is a good man which he for sure is. Its a tug of war of emotions when her son wants to know the cause of her divorcing his father and her job profile. The tiredness and stress in her life is beautifully brought out by Tabu through her effortless expressions. There is a lot of depth and nuance in her character where she wants to bring justice to the cause of her partners death. Through Khufiya, Bhradwaj has handled the LGBTQ angle in a very mature way. Khufiya is a movie, where Bhradwaj has given a lot of importance to each of the women characters be it Tabu, Wamiqa Gabbi, Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon and Navindra Behl. So, it wasnt just Tabu who had different layers to her character, but all of them. And mind you all the characters, be it Azmeri Haque Badhon, Wamiqa Gabbi and Navindra Behl had powerful roles and they were all unapologetically vulnerable. The film doesnt show the US intelligence agency in a positive light. Ali Fazal, who plays the role of a Delhi based US agent is shown to be a perfect family man but is too overshadowed by his powerful mother (Navindra Behl) who knows in and out about how things work in the Indian government and the US intelligence agency. It all starts with greed for a luxurious life and the love for Armani suits, regular parties and single malts. The show stopper of the film is Azmeri Haque Badhon. Her performance is brilliant and with her effortless charm, she lights up the film to such an extent that she overshadows the performance of Tabu, when both the actors are on the same screen. Khufiya in Urdu means secret and true to its title, Tabu has effortlessly added that secret element to her character where she and her ex-husband are okay with her sexuality, but she doesnt want to reveal it to the whole world including her son. It is right at the end of the movie where she makes an effort to reveal her identity to her son, but that too is a secret because the movie ends right after she makes a call. Rating: 3 out of 5 Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has lost three top leaders to arrests in less than two years. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested the Arvind Kejriwal-led partys Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday evening (4 October) in its money laundering investigation in the Delhi governments now-scrapped excise policy case. Singh is the third high-profile AAP leader to have been arrested by a central agency after former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and ex-Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain. Lets take a closer look at the cases against these AAP leaders and how their arrest could impact the partys future. Satyendar Jain Former Delhi minister and senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain was arrested last May in a money laundering case. He was accused of laundering money to the tune of nearly Rs 16.5 crore over two periods in 2010-12 and 2015-16 through four companies allegedly linked to him. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered a case against Jain in 2017. The ED arrested him last year in the money laundering case based on the CBIs FIR alleging that he acquired assets in the name of various persons from 14 February 2015 to 31 May 2017, disproportionate to his known sources of income. The AAP leader is currently out on bail on medical grounds. Last week, the Supreme Court extended his interim bail till 9 October. Manish Sisodia Sisodia is behind bars in the Delhi excise policy case. The CBI arrested him on 26 February this year in connection with the alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now-withdrawn liquor policy. The CBI FIR alleged that Sisodia, then Delhi excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna, and two other senior excise department officials were instrumental in recommending and taking decisions pertaining to excise policy for the year 2021-22 without the approval of competent authority with an intention to extend undue favours to the licensee post tender. A Supreme Court bench is hearing Sisodias bail application in the case today. As per an NDTV report, the apex court asked where the evidence is against the AAP leader, except for the statement of businessman Dinesh Arora who is himself an accused. Since his arrest, the AAP leader, who held multiple portfolios in the Kejriwal government, has been unsuccessful in securing bail. In March, both Sisodia and Jain resigned from the Delhi Cabinet. While Sisodia was Delhis deputy chief minister and held several key portfolios, including education, Jain was Delhis health and prisons minister. Sanjay Singh Sanjay Singh is the second prominent AAP leader apprehended in the alleged Delhi liquor scam. His arrest on Wednesday came hours after the ED conducted raids at his residence in New Delhi. According to Indian Express, Singhs name featured in the central agencys prosecution complaint filed last December. The ED said that businessman Arora, who has turned into an approver in the liquor case, claimed that Singh introduced him to Sisodia. On request of Singh arranged cheques amounting to Rs 82 lakh (handed over to Sisodia) for collection of party funds for upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, the complaint alleged. On Tuesday, a Delhi court allowed Arora and another accused Raghav Magunta Reddy, the son of a YSR Congress Party MP M Srinivasulu Reddy, to become approvers in the money laundering probe by the ED in the excise policy case. Singhs arrest came as a shock even for the AAP. It is a blow to us, but we will deal with this too like we have done with other issues in the past, an AAP leader told The Hindu. What about AAPs future? Singhs arrest does not bode well for the AAP, which is a constituent of the Opposition INDIA bloc that will take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in next years Lok Sabha elections. As per The Hindu, Singh, a member of AAPs political affairs committee, had covered the void left in the party after Sisodias arrest. The former Delhi education minister, who was Kejriwals most trusted aide, had held 18 of the 33 government departments. More than that, Sisodia helped the party in creating a Delhi Model that promised robust policy and governance. As India Today noted in March, Jain did the heavy lifting but Sisodia is the main person. The AAP, which was already reeling from the loss of its two important leaders, has now suffered a third setback with Singhs arrest. Singh was a bridge between AAP and other Opposition parties, as per Indian Express. He often accompanied Delhi chief minister Kejriwal and AAPs Raghav Chadha to the meetings of the INDIA alliance. AAPs vocal voice in Rajya Sabha, Singh remained at the forefront of the partys attacks on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the newspaper noted. He is a very senior member of the party and has a very astute political understanding. He has, over the past few years, built links with non-BJP parties, including Congress. That he is accompanying Kejriwal ji in his meetings with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as well as Uddhav Thackeray is a clear indication of his stature in the party as well as among Opposition leaders, a senior AAP leader told Indian Express. With only months left in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, AAPs new challenge is to deal with Singhs absence, who as a party leader told the newspaper has been a big support to Kejriwal since Sisodias arrest. According to The Hindu, the AAP will now have to prime other leaders to take on Singhs responsibilities. The party already suspects more of its leaders can be arrested ahead of the upcoming general elections. Hitting out at AAP, the BJP has said that Kejriwal, who it alleged was the mastermind of the now-scrapped liquor policy, will soon be behind bars. Moreover, AAP, which was born out of an anti-corruption movement, is now in a soup as its three key leaders have been arrested on corruption charges. The arrests could affect the partys poll plank of a corruption-free governance, noted The Hindu. With inputs from agencies The Supreme Court on Thursday posed several difficult questions to investigating agencies in the Delhi liquor policy case with regard to Manish Sisodias bail. Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister who held the excise portfolio, was earlier arrested in the case by the Enforcement Directorate as well as the Central Bureau of Investigation. The ED and the CBI have claimed that the Delhi governments excise policy for 2021-22 allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who paid bribes for licences. The excise policy was scrapped after Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a CBI probe into alleged corruption. The apex court grilled investigating agencies a day after the Enforcement Directorate arrested Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in connection with the case. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said all the cases filed against his party leaders are false and that these cases are a waste of the Centre and its agencies time. But what did the apex court ask exactly? Lets take a closer look: Is there any other evidence? As per NDTV, the court bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice SVN Bhatti contended that the chain of evidence has not been entirely established. It also questioned what proof agencies had against Sisodia other than the statement of businessman Dinesh Arora. The ED had arrested Arora in July when he was already declared an approver in a related corruption case being probed by CBI. Arora was arrested after he allegedly gave evasive replies during his questioning by the ED and was not cooperating with the investigation. Arora is allegedly a close associate of Sisodia. You have taken two figures, 100 crore and 30 crore. Who paid them this? There can be so many people paying the money not necessarily connected to liquor. Where is the proof? Dinesh Arora himself is the recipient. Where is the evidence? Except for the statement of Dinesh Arora, is there any other evidence? Justice Khanna asked. The chain has not been fully established, the bench added. The ED, in a supplementary charge sheet, has accused Sisodia of receiving bribes from Amit Arora, another businessman and an accused in the case, through Dinesh Arora. The federal probe agency has described this bribe as proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Amit Arora paid Rs 2.2 crore to Manish Sisodia through Dinesh Arora for getting policy changes in his favour in the GoM report/excise policy 2021-22 This amount is directly a bribe/kickback to a government functionary and is proceeds of crime under section 2(1)(u) of PMLA, 2002. In this manner, Manish Sisodia participated in the generation of this proceeds of crime, the ED said in its prosecution complaint filed in May. This was a rare instance of an accused-turned-approver (prosecution witness) in the CBI investigation getting arrested by the ED while the two federal agencies probed the same crime. How will you bring him under Act? Speaking about the case filed against Sisodia under this Act, Khanna added, Manish Sisodia is not involved in all this. Vijay Nair (another accused) is there but Manish Sisodia is not in this part. How will you bring him under the money-laundering act? The money is not going to him. In case it is a company with whom he is involved, then we have vicarious liability. Otherwise, the prosecution falters. Money laundering is entirely a different offence. You have to prove that money has to flow from liquor lobby to concerned person We understand its difficult to establish that, but here is the competence of the investigating agency: how do you prove that? the bench further asked as per News18. Let us assume ultimately no money was passed on. Will PMLA trigger? What triggers it is use of proceeds of crime after they are obtained. So you have to connect the person concerned with that directly or indirectly, the Supreme Court said as per India Today. The top court Thursday said it was only asking a legal question from the Enforcement Directorate about Aam Aadmi Party not being made an accused in the Delhi excise policy case despite being an alleged beneficiary. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the ED and CBI, argued that the question was not whether Sisodia was involved in illegal activity either directly or indirectly but simply that the policy was formulated which triggers bribes which acts as proceeds of crimes. Indian Express quoted the bench as stating, We understand there is a policy change and everybody wants a change that will be beneficial for them. That will be there. If we say special groups are discriminatory without money consideration, it will not make out an offence If we go to that extent, there will be no pressure groups or even vested interests when a policy decision is taken then Some pressure and conflict will always be there. Of course, bribes cannot be accepted. Have you seen them discussing this? Will it be admissible? Isnt the statement (by an approver) hearsay? It is an inference but has to be based on evidence. In cross-examination, this will fall flat in two minutes, the bench was quoted as saying by India Today. Raju claimed the new excise policy fixed profit margin at 12% to benefit a select few. Earlier it was that five per cent (duty) was minimum and 12 per cent was maximum. No one will keep it more than 5, therefore to make it certain they fixed it at 12 per cent to benefit some. That is the criminal mischief. Therefore the offense, Raju was quoted as saying by Livemint. As per India Today, the Supreme Court responded, How do you establish kickbacks were given? Is it entirely on the basis of approvers statements? The court then adjourned the bail hearing to 12 October. The ruling AAP in Delhi has strongly refuted any allegations of wrongdoing. Answering a question over Supreme Courts observations on the bail application of Sisodia in the excise policy case, Kejriwal said, The way the court asked questions, it felt that they (agencies) have in a way lodged wrong cases against us. Kejriwal said so many cases were lodged by the agencies but their investigation bore no result. Responding to the searches at its leaders residence, AAP alleged that the ED has targeted Singh as he raised issues related to the Adani group in Parliament. Sanjay Singh kept on raising questions on the issue of Adani and this is why the raids are being conducted at his residence. The Central agencies found nothing earlier and wont find anything today either. First, they conducted raids at the residence of some journalists yesterday and today, raids conducted at Sanjay Singhs residence, AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta said Sisodia had resigned from the Delhi cabinet on 28 February. With inputs from agencies The Delhi Police have accused NewsClick of receiving funds from China illegally to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India. Prabir Purkayastha, founder of the news portal, and Amit Chakravarty, its Human Resources (HR) head, have been sent to seven-day police custody after being arrested in an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case against the organisation. The duos arrest came after the Delhi Police Special Cell conducted raids at 88 locations in the National Capital and seven places in other states, including at houses of journalists associated with NewsClick, on Tuesday (3 October). These day-long raids came following a New York Times report in August that claimed NewsClick was among organisations that received funds from American tech mogul Neville Roy Singham to push Chinese propaganda. What are the allegations against NewsClick? What has the news portal said? Lets take a closer look. On Kashmir and Arunachal Authorities allege that NewsClick engaged in a conspiracy to show that Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are disputed territories. The Delhi Police, which had initially sought 15-day police custody for Purkayastha and Chakravarty, said in its remand application, Secret inputs revealed that Purkayastha, Neville Roy Singham and some other Chinese employees of Singham-owned Shanghai-based company have exchanged mails which expose their intent to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not part of India, reported news agency PTI. The application alleged that the analysis of the e-mails revealed that Singham, Purkayastha and Chakravarty are in direct touch with each other and had discussed how to create a map of India without Kashmir and to show Arunachal Pradesh as disputed area, reported Newslaundry. For this, the accused got over Rs 115 crore in the guise of foreign funds, the police claimed. Such attempts by these persons reveal their conspiracy to peddle a narrative, both globally and domestically, that Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh are disputed territories. Their attempts to tinker with the northern borders of India and to show Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as not parts of India in maps amount to an act intended towards undermining the unity and territorial integrity of India, the remand application stated. Funds from China The Delhi Police have alleged that crores of rupees were received since April 2018 by M/S PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd through illegal means during a short span of five years from M/s Worldwide Media Holdings LLC, USA and others. The news website (NewsClick) was receiving funds from China. They received funds from a Shanghai-based US businessman, Neville Roy Singham. They published stories with a set narrative about protests and violence to tarnish Indias image to create unrest, a source in Delhi Police told ThePrint. As per Newslaundry, the remand application alleged that secret inputs have been received that foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of conspiracy with the intention to disrupt sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, security of India. ALSO READ: NewsClick Raids: Who was under Delhi Polices radar? What have the cops recovered? Other allegations According to the Delhi Police, activist Gautam Navlakha who was jailed in 2020 in the Bhima Koregaon case and is currently under house arrest is a shareholder in NewsClick and was involved in anti-Indian and unlawful activities. It is learnt that Gautam Navlakha who is a shareholder in PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd since its inception in the year 2018, remained involved in anti-Indian and unlawful activities such as actively supporting banned Naxal organisations and having anti-national nexus with Gulam Nabi Fai who is an agent of ISI of Pakistan. It was also learnt that Gautam Navlakha is associated with Prabir Purkayastha since 1991 when they incorporated Sagrik Process Analyst Pvt Ltd, Newslaundry quoted the application as saying. The police further alleged that illegally routed foreign funds were syphoned off by Purkayastha and his associates Joseph Raj, Anoop Chakraborty (Amit Chakrabortys brother) and Bappaditya Sinha, a promoter of Virtunet Systems Pvt Ltd. These funds were then distributed to Navlakha, associates of Teesta Setalvad namely Javed Anand, Tamara, Jibran, Urmilesh, Aratrika Halder, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Trina Shankar, Abhisar Sharma, etc. The Delhi police also signalled at attempts to protract the yearlong farmers protest against the Centres now-repealed three farm laws. The accused persons have also conspired to disrupt supplies and services essential to the life of community in India and abet damage and destruction of property by protraction of farmers protest through such illegal foreign funding, the application alleged, as per PTI. The application stated that the accused persons spread a false narrative to discredit the Central governments efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. The NewsClick founder allegedly conspired with the Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS), a civil society outfit, to sabotage the electoral process during the 2019 general elections, the police said. However, PADS former convenor, Shriniwas Rao, has claimed the group was only active until 2018, reported Newslaundry. The police have also accused NewsClick of using the Peoples Dispatch portal, which the digital site owns and maintains, for intentionally peddling these false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of conspiracy, Newslaundry reported. Seeking the remand of the accused, the police said they need to be questioned over the 4.27 lakh emails from Purkayastha and Chakravarty extracted from several electronic devices by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during its probe. NewsClick responds NewsClick said in its statement that it does not publish propaganda and its funding had been received through appropriate banking channels. All funding received by NewsClick has been through the appropriate banking channels and has been reported to the relevant authorities as required by law, the news portal said on Wednesday (4 October). STATEMENT BY NEWSCLICK We want to state for the record: 1. Newsclick is an independent news website. 2. Our journalistic content is based on the highest standards of the profession. 3. Newsclick does not publish any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity NewsClick (@newsclickin) October 4, 2023 The portal said it does not propagate Chinese propaganda. Newsclick does not publish any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority, directly or indirectly, the statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, read. The NewsClick statement said it does not take directions from Singham regarding its content. Dubbing the New York Times article bogus, NewsClick said the government has invoked UAPA to stifle fearless voices that show the story of real India. With inputs from agencies Fashion knows no boundaries and soon enough it will be on the moon and in space! The spacesuit industry which has been known to be functional has taken a leap into the world of high fashion, with Prada being roped into to design NASAs new attire for its astronauts. This means that the next time you see NASA astronauts they will be dressed in uber chic spacesuits designed by the reputed Italian fashion brand. Does this collaboration mean that fashion houses will now trade in the catwalk for a spacewalk? Lets find out. Prada lunar spacesuits On Wednesday (4 October), it was reported that Italian luxury group Prada would be joining forces with Texas-based start-up Axiom Space, the architect of the worlds first commercial space station, to design lunar spacesuits for NASAs 2025 Artemis III mission. The mission scheduled for 2025 is the first time NASA is returning to the moon since Apollo 17 happened in December 1972. Moreover, it will also be the first to transport a woman on our satellite. Michael Suffredini, CEO, Axiom Space, was quoted as saying about the collaboration, We are excited to partner with Prada on the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) space suit. Pradas know-how in raw materials, manufacturing techniques will enable the application of advanced technologies to ensure the comfort of astronauts on the lunar surface, while also taking into account those benefits that are so necessary yet still absent in traditional space suits. The next-generation suits, according to Axiom, will reflect Pradas know-how of materials and experimentation that stretches back to the 90s when Prada-designed Luna Rossa participated in the Americas Cup. And Prada, it seems is up for the challenge. Speaking to WWD, Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Groups marketing director, said: In general, space suits are one of the most challenging things, for a very small environment, and we have to create an environment where humans live in, provide oxygen and remove CO2. Its not as simple as an air conditioner turned on, air has to flow a certain way in the suit, you have to provide air from the top to the bottom, you have to cool the subject and theres a lot that goes on inside the suit and then of course the outer portion and you have to hold pressure in the suit. The crew person has to be mobile, so there has to be a different pressure, in and out, which makes it like operating in a big balloon. However, both have said that the AxEMU will have more advanced capabilities than the regular space suit. Its notable to add that Axiom has said that the spacesuit will be developed for a very broad range of human beings to make sure we can accommodate just about any astronaut that has been selected. In the fashion world, this could translate into being inclusive of all body types. Also read: A giant leap for the beauty world: How skincare for space travel is on the rise Evolution of space fashion With Pradas entry into the market, the spacesuit has seen a long evolution. The first type of spacesuit to be seen was the one that Yuri Gagarin wore when he was blasted into space. He wore the SK-1 spacesuit, which was a full pressure suit designed to keep him alive under a wide array of conditions. It included life support systems, a visored helmet, a radio headset, and an inflatable collar which would come in handy in the event of a water landing, doubling as a life preserve. In 1961, following the Soviet Unions space adventure, the US sent its own astronauts into space, wearing the Mercury spacesuit. The design was taken from the US Navys aviation suits and was made from an aluminium coated fabric. When Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon in 1969, they did in their Apollo spacesuits. These had a backpack that provided oxygen, regulated pressure and removed carbon dioxide. In the 1990s, NASA astronauts began donning orange suits, nicknamed the pumpkin suit. SpaceX for its own space mission designed new flight suits sleek black-and-white suits, a far cry from the orange pumpkin suits from the shuttle program. Out of this world market! With the advent of space tourism, space fashion looks set to become the next step into this infinite world of adventure. As Nicholas de Monchaux, author of Spacesuit: Fashioning Apollo, told Quartz, Public access to space is just beginning, and so this notion of dressing for space that was so often science fiction is going to become a reality. Matthew Drinkwater, head of the Fashion Innovation Agency at London College of Fashion, echoed similar sentiments. In a Forbes report, he was quoted as saying, If youre a space tourist, when youre going up there, looking the part is all part of the experience you are having. Space travel has always been unattainable something the ordinary individual could not get access to. That experience will become democratised thanks to Virgin Galactic and SpaceX, but its still with a big price tag attached to it, so you could mirror that with luxury, he added. And while this may be a new frontier for the fashion world, on earth, many designers have sought inspiration from space and created collections dedicated to the cosmos. In fact, in 1964 designer Andre Courreges was at the forefront of fashions preoccupation with exploring the solar system. He popularised, as Vogue reports, items that came to define the Moon Girl look, including flat boots, goggles and trouser suits, as well as garments made from wipe-clean PVC. The year 2010 saw a wide gamut of galaxy prints, the colours of the cosmos scattered across dresses, T-shirts, bags and every other available surface. And who can forget Karl Lagerfelds 2017 Chanels autumn/winter which not only featured a rocket on the runway but also the usual tweeds and pearls being given a cosmic twist, with glittery black-toed moon boots, translucent astronaut prints, metallic trench coats, quilted foil capes and several sequinned gowns mimicking the starriest of skies. And while its a wait for space fashion to take off, we cant wait to see what Prada offers in their spacesuit designs. With inputs from agencies Its distressing. Its deeply concerning. Pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected. These were just some of the reactions after the state of Sikkim saw catastrophic flooding caused by the heavy rain and the glacial lake Lhonak overflowing. The tragedy has led to the deaths of 14 people with 102 others, including 22 army personnel, reported missing. So far, 10 bodies have been recovered from different locations. At least 82 more are missing and 22 people are injured, some of them seriously, Sikkims Chief Secretary V B Pathak told Reuters news agency late Wednesday evening. As the northeastern state of Sikkim and neighbouring areas West Bengal is also affected contend with the after effects of the flooding, we take a closer look at what caused the floods and why were they so severe. Devastation and destruction Torrential flooding in the area occurred after a cloudburst took place over the Lhonak glacial lake in the states north. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the state received 40.9mm (1.6 inches) of rainfall between Tuesday and Wednesday morning about five times its normal rate of8.6mm (0.3 inches) for this time of the year. The intense rain has caused severe damage in Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi Districts, said a statement issued by the Sikkim government. It has washed away the Teesta-III dam at Chunthang as well as damaged parts of Teesta-5. Officials have also stated that at least 14 bridges have been washed away and the National Highway 10 (NH10) was damaged in multiple areas. Prabhakar Rai, the director of Sikkims disaster management talking of the tragedy said to Hindustan Times, North Sikkim has been totally cut off from the rest of the state while Sikkim has been cut off from the rest of India as the flood had badly hit NH10. Elaborating further on the damage caused to the dam Sikkim Urja Sunil Saraogi, the executive chairman of Sikkim Urja Limited was quoted as telling Hindustan Times that the dam got washed away in just 10 minutes. We also saw that the 200-metre-long bridge connecting the powerhouse has been washed away. The entire powerhouse has been submerged under water. He further said that the damage has resulted in the loss of crores of rupees. The situation has seen the Teesta River flowing at the danger level mark of 298.4 metres in the Khanitar district of East Sikkim, as per the Central Water Commission. The water level in West Bengals Jalpaiguri was recorded as severe at 85.95 metres. Mina Tamang, a resident of Singtam, told Hindustan Times, We rushed out, and in 30 minutes, everything was gone. We couldnt rescue anything but ourselves. Our entire three storey home was washed away. Another resident, Pratima Chettri, told the daily that they fled with nothing but the clothes on their back. In our area, more than 15 houses were washed away. We exited our homes only with the clothes on our back. We had never imagined that such a catastrophe would arrive and render us homeless. Following the tragedy, Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang urged everyone in the state to remain vigilant. We are all aware of the recent natural calamity that has struck our state. Emergency services have been mobilised to the affected areas, and I personally visited Singtam to assess the damages and engage with the local community, Tamang posted on X. We are all aware of the recent natural calamity that has struck our state. Emergency services have been mobilized to the affected areas, and I personally visited Singtam to assess the damages and engage with the local community. I humbly urge all our citizens to remain vigilant pic.twitter.com/KHyylID2pR Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) (@PSTamangGolay) October 4, 2023 I humbly urge all our citizens to remain vigilant and refrain from unnecessary travel during this critical time. It is essential that we maintain composure and hope for a swift return to normalcy in our region, the chief minister added. Glacial lake outburst flood and its repercussions Many believe that the devastating flooding was due to the glacial lake outburst flood of the South Lhonak Lake. But what exactly is a glacial lake outburst flood? The Lhonak Lake as other glacial lakes are large bodies of water sitting on top of, or beneath a melting glacier. As they grow larger, they become more dangerous. This is because they are blocked by ice or sediment of loose rock and debris. If and when the boundary breaks, huge amounts of water rush down mountains at phenomenal speeds, causing flooding in the downstream areas. While there is no specific reason why a glacial lake bursts, experts state that an earthquake, heavy rain or an ice avalanche can trigger the phenomenon. In the case of the Lhonak Lake, scientists believe that it was a disaster waiting to happen. A team from the National Remote Sensing Centre had warned of the dangers of the Lhonak Lake even 10 years ago. The 2013 study had said: The lake outburst probability shows a very high value of 42 per cent for the lake and peak discharge estimated using the empirical formula shows a discharge of 586 m3/s. The study showed that the area of the South Lhonak lake had increased from 17.54 hectares in 1977 to 37.3 ha in 1989, 78.95 ha in 2002 and 98.73ha in 2008. Another report compiled by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) in 2019 reported that the Lhonak Lake was highly vulnerable to a glacial lake outburst flood event, which had the ability to cause extensive damage to life and property in downstream areas. It warned of the possibility of flash floods with important infrastructure such as dams and power houses susceptible to damage. Miriam Jackson, a senior cryosphere specialist at the Nepal-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, was quoted as telling Al Jazeera that such extreme events have become more frequent as the climate continues to warm and takes us into unknown territory. Deja vu for Sikkim Its worth noting here that 55 years ago, to the date, Sikkim had seen a similar situation floods bringing devastation to the region. Between 2 and 5 October 1968, the region had received four days of continuous rainfall, which triggered hundreds of landslides, swept houses and bridges and killed around 1,000 people. Jeta Sankrityayan, former head of the department of economics at North Bengal University told The Telegraph, The weather cycle coincides almost to the day in 2023 with the events of 1968. The incident then had led to the famous Anderson Bridge at the Teesta Bazar being washed away. Fifty-five years later, on Wednesday, the Teesta overflowed at the very spot where Anderson Bridge once stood. In fact, the 1968 incident is considered one of the biggest calamities the region. With inputs from agencies A committee has been established by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to keep an eye on GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) spoofing in Indian airspace. The DGCA office noted in an order published on Wednesday that the committee would look at several instances of GNSS interference, such as spoofing and jamming. Airlines travelling into and out of Indian airports as well as those flying over Indian airspace would provide data on such instances to the committee, reported the Times of India. The panel will suggest issuing advisories in light of this. The director of operations for the DGCA Ravinder Singh Jamwal will be in charge of the committees work. GPS spoofing An attempt to alter the initial location of a GPS-enabled device is known as GPS spoofing. To accomplish this, the attacker employs a radio transmitter that broadcasts phoney GPS signals and interferes with neighbouring GPS receivers. These devices consequently show false GPS locations, explained service provider NordVPN. Additionally, smartphone users have the option of spoofing their own GPS by downloading third-party apps that trick other apps into believing that the device is not at its original location. The GPS component GNSS is also used to synchronise date and time on devices all across the world. Captain Amit Singh, an air safety expert, told TOI that straying off in these areas is not safe. He said, UM688 is a busy route. Most of the traffic from West Asia to Europe to US route from here. There are active conflict zones with military activity going on and so straying off the flight plan isnt safe. Not the same as GPS jamming Spoofing is completely different from jamming and much more dangerous. As the name suggests, jamming is when the GPS signals are interfered with, according to Deccan Herald. While planes and other aircraft frequently deal with jamming, spoofing like the recent instances in Iran is reportedly unheard of. Compared to GPS jamming, spoofing is more difficult to detect. The attacks GPS spoofing attacks have been mostly used in war because they are expensive because of their ability to make ships, planes, and vehicles appear to be somewhere else to confuse the opponent. Location spoofing is still used for this reason, although it is now available to common hackers. All they need is a cheap ($300 or less) portable radio signal transmitter with open-source software. The GPS determines your location using satellites in Earth orbit. Ones GPS-enabled device triangulates the location using radio signals that these GPS satellites are continuously transmitting. The issue is that by the time these radio signals get to your device, they are already quite faint. This means that a denial of service attack can be launched by any transmitter with a stronger signal. To put simply, the transmitter overwhelms the signals and causes your device to display any location it chooses. Why is that a concern? because any GPS gadget may be impacted. Rising incidents of GPS spoofing Instances of GPS spoofing involving commercial and airline aircraft over Iranian airspace have increased, according to a report by OPSGROUP, a flight data intelligence crowdsourcing website. The navigation systems of at least 20 passenger planes travelling over Iran over the past two weeks have been interfered with by phoney GPS signals. Boeing 777, 737, and 747 are among the aircraft that were deceived into deviating from their intended route by these erroneous signals originating from the ground, according to the study. The study claims that these signals defeated the aircrafts in-built navigation system, which swiftly resulted in the loss of all navigational capabilities. Despite the fact that GPS signal interference has been around for more than ten years, this is the first occasion when civilian flights have been specifically targeted. Concerning the dangers of GPS spoofing and jamming in the area, the US Federal Aviation Administration has issued a warning. With inputs from agencies Pacific Asia Travel Association's PATA Travel Mart 2023 (PTM 2023), which opened in New Delhi on Wednesday (Oct 4) has attracted over 1,000 participants from 46 global destinations. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the participants at the two-day event include 159 sellers from 92 organisations and 15 destinations, along with 196 buyers from 191 organisations and 38 source markets. During the event, buyers and sellers will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one networking and contracting opportunities to explore potential collaborations and business opportunities. Bangkok-based PATA, a not-for-profit membership-based association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism, also welcomed over 350 local and international students and young tourism professionals. The students from 10 local and international universities are part of the PATA Youth Symposium to be held on October 5. The symposium is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, and Amity University Noida. The Ministry of Tourism for the Government of India has been one of our most valuable members and active partner for more than 60 years. Based on their commitment and enthusiasm in organising PATA Travel Mart, we at PATA are excited to facilitate engagement between India and the rest of the world through this event, said PATA Chair Peter Semone. Even after a three-year hiatus in-person, PATA Travel Mart continues to provide unparalleled networking and contracting opportunities for our delegates from all over the world. Participants had a chance to gain insights into the dynamic landscape of global sustainability trends, shedding light on how responsible practices are shaping industries worldwide during the PTM Forum. Moreover, the speakers also shed light on the vast opportunities that sustainability offers, driving economic growth, innovation and prosperity. Topics included Where Responsibility Meets Opportunity, Driving Change: Sustainability in MICE Tourism, Increasing Sustainability in the Tourism Supply Chain Through Standards and Certification, Waste Management in Tourism: The Challenges and Best Practices Towards Food and Plastic Waste Reduction, Bridging the Gender Gap for Community Empowerment and Sustainability, Preservation of Cultural Heritage Sites: Leveraging the Benefits of Responsible Tourism, Travel Industry Trends, Weddings & Wanderlust: The Statistics of Indian Wedding Industry, What Next, Examining Aviation's Path in India and its Impact on Travel and Tourism, How India Travels, and AI and the Future of Tourism. TradeArabia News Service SOFIA, OCTOBER 05, ARMENPRESS/BTA. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev is participating in a European Patent Offices (EPO) event in Munich marking the 50th anniversary of the European Patent Convention, the head of State's Press Secretariat said. Addressing the forum, Radev stressed that technology transfer, science and innovation are key to the competitiveness and future of the European economy. Both the European institutions and the EU Member States must therefore make the knowledge economy a priority, he added. The Head of State highlighted the successful models for economic growth and technology development, which, in his words, are built on the protection of innovation and intellectual property and create incentives for upgrades. "It is obvious that in order for the European economy to be globally competitive, we need to create innovation and business incentives," Radev said and expressed support for the efforts of the European Patent Office to build an inclusive and flexible system, mainly aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises and scientists, so that their inventions can be more visible through the patent system. President Radev underlined Bulgaria's ambitions to actively participate in the European patent systems development and the single market for technology and innovation. Radev is honorary guest at the forum at the invitation of EPO President Antonio Campinos. The two will hold a meeting to discuss the possibilities for further expansion of Bulgaria's partnership with the European Patent Office in the field of intellectual property, aimed at strengthening connectivity between science, education, technology and innovation in Bulgaria. (This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.) India has released a fresh list of arms it does not want to import. The fifth positive indigenisation list was put out by defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday at the Swavlamban 2.0 seminar organised by the Indian Navy. But what is the list of arms? Which weapons are on the list? And why does India have a list of arms it doesnt want to import in the first place? Lets take a closer look: What is it? The positive indigenisation lists comprise defence equipment whose import will be banned in a staggered manner. This equipment will be designed, developed and manufactured by domestic companies over the next few years. The first list was released in August 2020 and subsequent lists were put out in May 2021, April 2022 and May 2023. Every item on the lists has a cut-off date after which it can no longer be procured from abroad. The previous lists contained a total of 411 military items. The fifth list, put out on Wednesday, was prepared by Department of Military Affairs after several rounds of consultations with stakeholders. This list comprises major weapons systems, sensors and munitions including Futuristic infantry combat vehicle Remotely piloted airborne vehicles (up to 25 km range with payload of 2 kg for Army) Shipborne unmanned aerial system Medium upgrade low endurance class tactical drone Next generation low-level light radar for Army Electro optic fire control system for naval platforms The list also comprises armour plates for cabin nose section for Mi-17 helicopter, multifunction aviation ground equipment for Air Force, gravity rollers for Mi-17 V5 helicopter and flares of P-8I and MiG 29-K aircraft. As per Hindustan Times, the latest list takes the number of major defence items that will not be imported after their cut-off date to 509. Meanwhile, the Department of Defence Production has notified four Positive Indigenisation Lists consisting of a total of 4,666 items, including Line Replacement Units/Sub-systems/Spares and components for Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Seventy-five technologies having applications in various military hardware including underwater swarm drones, autonomous weaponised boat swarms and fire fighting systems were displayed at the seminar. Last year, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Navy had committed to develop these 75 technologies. It lays special focus on import substitution of components of major systems besides important platforms, weapon system & sensors and munitions which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders in the next five to ten years, the ministry of defence stated in a press release. Highly complex systems, sensors, weapons and ammunition have been included in the list. All these items will be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 in a staggered timeline, the defence ministry added. Why does India have such lists? This has been done in keeping with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi governments Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The aim is to make the defence sector self-reliant and boost exports through the active participation of public and private sector. Singh in his speech said he was of the view that India has always been self-reliant in the field of knowledge and innovation and when the Modi government came to power in 2014, it rekindled the feeling of being Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) in every sector. Due to foreign invasions, we had forgotten our innovative approach. The word local became synonymous with low quality. Were now freeing ourselves from that mentality, he said. Our prime minister launched the Vocal for Local campaign and restored respect for local goods. Our youth are now recognising their inner strength and eliminating inner doubts, he said. In the coming times, they will play a big role in the development of the country with their innovative approach and knowledge, he added. The defence minister also called for a careful assessment of the technological challenges whether they are state-of-the-art as per todays time and whether any better technology is expected in the near future. He stressed the need to ascertain whether a technology is already available somewhere in the market or were just re-inventing the wheel. He also pointed out that it is essential to assess the viability of a technology from the point of view of the economy. This will provide a better value for money on your R and D expenditure, he said. Singh pitched for devising a robust mechanism to conduct analysis before the introduction of any technology or challenge. For this, he said, the Department of Defence Production, Defence Research and Development Organisation and the armed forces can together form an independent body of experts, which can further improve the analysis mechanism. Hindustan Times quoted Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar as saying, Dependence on others for ones defence needs is a strategic vulnerability that must be overcome The Hindu quoted Kumar as saying the Indian Navy had vowed to become self-reliant by 2047. Kumar said the Indian Navy, by the 100th anniversary of Independence, must reflect the strong and developed nation. A force that uses unique concepts and capabilities that are made in Bharat, made by Bharat, made for Bharat! Kumar added, as per The Hindu. The items in the list will provide ample visibility and opportunity to the domestic industry to understand the trend and futuristic needs of the Armed Forces and create requisite R&D and manufacturing capacity within the country, the ministry of defence added. Singh also launched SBI NAVeCash Card which is a one-of-its-kind dual-chip debit card. It has been developed by the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Indian Navy. The card can be used in online mode (as a regular debit card) as well as in offline mode when the Navy personnel are at sea with no direct connectivity with the bank. The card has been developed and tested onboard various Indian Naval ships and is now ready for launch pan-Navy, the defence ministry said. With inputs from agencies The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) was deemed an illegal association for a period of five years by the central government on Thursday. The JKDFP was designated as a Unlawful Association by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in accordance with Section 3(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967. The notification states that the move is based on information that the group has been engaged in anti-national activities since 1998 and its members have always promoted separatism and terrorist acts in India. The members of this organization, by inciting the people, want to make Kashmir a separate Islamic state, which is prejudicial to the sovereignty, security and integrity of India. Many criminal cases have been registered against this organization under various sections of UAPA 1967, IPC 1860, The Arms Act 1959 and Ranbir Penal Code 1932. Shabir Ahmad Shah, a well-known separatist known for his pro-Pakistan and anti-India rhetoric, founded the JKDFP in 1998. The members of the JKDFP have been at the forefront of secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and want to establish a separate Islamic State, according to the MHA notification. Shabir Ahmad Shah had described Kashmir as a dispute and rejected any resolution within the parameters of the Indian Constitution. The leader or members of the JKDFP have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organizations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone-pelting on Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, reads the notification. The notification also claims that the JKDFP and its members have shown the countrys constitutional authorities and system of government nothing but utter disdain through their actions. The JKDFP and its leaders or members, particularly its founder Shabir Ahmad Shah, have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal harmony of the country. There have been a number of inputs showing linkages of the JKDFP with banned terrorist organizations, reads the notification. The JKDFP and its members have engaged in violent terrorist activities with the aim of sowing terror throughout the nation, endangering state security and public order. Additionally, the organizations anti-national activities demonstrate disrespect for the states constitutional authority and sovereignty, necessitating prompt action, according to the notification. According to the notification, the JKDFP will use this chance to continue its anti-national activities that are harmful to the territorial integrity, security, and sovereignty of the country. It will continue advocating for the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India while contesting its admission to the Union of India. It will also intensify its insurrectionary activities, including an attempt to carve out a separate state for itself. The Central Government, having regard to circumstances, is of firm opinion that it is necessary to declare the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) as an unlawful association with immediate effect, and accordingly, in the exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 3 of the said Act, the Central Government hereby directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, added the notification. (With agency inputs) Addressing a public rally in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Congress and said that the grand old party is against Bharat. PM Modi said, The BJP Government at the Centre is making every effort on its part for the development of Rajasthan. But it is painful to see the condition hereCongress has brought Rajasthan to the top of the country in terms of corruption and riots. It has made Rajasthan the number 1 in terms of atrocities against women and Dalits. Congress has given a free hand to the drugs business #WATCH | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | PM Narendra Modi says, The BJP Government at the Centre is making every effort on its part for the development of Rajasthan. But it is painful to see the condition hereCongress has brought Rajasthan to the top of the country in terms of pic.twitter.com/hveq2VSylL ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2023 He added, In five years, Congress Government did not walk even one step. The kursi ka khel continued here round the clockHave you heard about Lal Diary? People say that the diary contains every misdeed of Congress corruption. Tell me, should the secrets of the diary not come out in the open?Should the dishonest not be punished?Will Congress Government let the secrets of the diary come in open?For the truth to come out, you will have to form a BJP Government. #WATCH | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | PM Narendra Modi says, In five years, Congress Government did not walk even one step. The kursi ka khel continued here round the clockHave you heard about Lal Diary? People say that the diary contains every misdeed of Congress corruption. pic.twitter.com/ebIuD3dOf1 ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2023 PM Modi stated that the paper leak mafia has ruined future of lakhs of youth in Rajasthan, they are demanding justice. Taking a dig at the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, PM Modi said, I am just coming from an official event, where I inaugurated or laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore. It was a government event, but the CM was absent. He was not present because he is confident that everything will be fine when Modi arrives. #WATCH | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | PM Narendra Modi says, In five years, Congress Government did not walk even one step. The kursi ka khel continued here round the clockHave you heard about Lal Diary? People say that the diary contains every misdeed of Congress corruption. pic.twitter.com/ebIuD3dOf1 ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2023 He added, When such is the condition of law and order situation, investment doesnt take place and business is ruined. But the Congress Govt loves its vote bank more than the welfare of Rajasthan. When Jodhpur was burning with riots, what was the CM doing? When violence erupted here and innocents were killed, what were the Congress leaders doing? Is Congress first and last policy just appeasement?A Congress MLA herself says that she is not safe, we can imagine what would be the condition of common girls & women This is a breaking story. Refresh for more updates The Delhi Police has called NewsClick journalist Abhisar Sharma for questioning in connection with a case filed under anti-terror law UAPA, following charges that the online news portal received money for spreading pro-China propaganda, officials said. According to the officials, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police called Sharma again on Thursday for questioning in connection with the case lodged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Sharma was questioned in connection with the case at the Special Cells office on Tuesday. NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty were arrested on Tuesday after several journalists were questioned in connection with the case. A court here has sent the two to police custody for seven days. A raid was conducted on Tuesday at 88 locations in Delhi and seven locations in other states. A total of 37 male suspects were questioned at the Special Cells office, while nine female suspects were quizzed at their respective places of stay. A Hindu marriage is not valid without Saptapadi ceremony and other rituals, the Allahabad High Court observed, quashing the proceedings of a case where a man alleged that his estranged wife had solemnized second marriage without divorcing him. The word Saptapadi or saat pheras translates from Sanskrit to seven steps. The bride and groom take seven full circles, walking clockwise around the agni, representing the seven principles and promises they make to each other; each step is referred to as a phere. Allowing a petition filed by Smriti Singh, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh observed, It is well settled that the word solemnize means, in connection with a marriage, to celebrate the marriage with proper ceremonies and in due form. Unless the marriage is celebrated or performed with proper ceremonies and due form, it cannot be said to be solemnized. If the marriage is not a valid marriage, according to the law applicable to the parties, it is not a marriage in the eyes of law. The Saptapadi ceremony under the Hindu Law is one of the essential ingredients to constitute a valid marriage but the said evidence is lacking in the present case, the court said in a recent order. The court also relied on the section 7 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which provides that a Hindu marriage may be solemnized in accordance with the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto. Secondly, such rites and ceremonies include the Saptapadi (taking seven steps by groom and bride jointly around the sacred fire), which makes the marriage complete and binding when the seventh step is taken. While quashing the summoning order dated 21 April, 2022, and further proceedings of complaint case pending before a Mirzapur court against the wife, the court said, Even there is no averment with regard to Saptapadi in the complaint as well as in the statements before the court, hence, this court is of the view that no prima-facie offence is made out against the applicant as the allegation of second marriage is a bald allegation without corroborative materials. The wedding of petitioner Smriti Singh was solemnized with Satyam Singh in 2017 but due to acrimonious relations, she left the house of in-laws and lodged an FIR alleging harassment for dowry. After investigation, the police submitted a charge sheet against the husband and in-laws. Later, Satyam gave an application to higher police officials making allegation of bigamy against his wife. The said application was thoroughly investigated by the circle officer Sadar, Mirzapur and allegations of bigamy against Smriti was found to be false. Thereafter, Satyam filed a complaint case on 20 September, 2021, against his wife making allegations inter-alia that she had sanctified her second marriage. The magistrate concerned of Mirzapur on 21 April, 2022, summoned Smriti. Hence she filed the present petition before the high court challenging the summoning order and the entire proceedings of complaint case. The counsel for the petitioner-wife contended that aforesaid complaint and summoning order is nothing but a counter-case against applicant on account of FIR lodged by her against Satyams family members. With inputs from PTI India has certainly taken up concerns on the security of diplomats and premises with the UK authorities after a protest took place outside the Indian High Commission in London October 2. In the UK, there was a protest on October 2, and we certainly have taken up our concerns on the security of diplomats and premises there with the UK authorities. And this has been an ongoing thing, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, said on Thursday. The issue is about security, about ensuring that our diplomats are able to function normally and our premises are safe and that the community is not targeted, he added. During a protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on October 2, the Tricolour was insulted. Highly placed sources in the Indian High Commission told Firstpost that MEA has conveyed to the UK government that it must arrest these Khalistani extremists. The Indian High Commission in London is, in the meanwhile, following up with the UK counterparts, and looking into the legalities. The MEA has also started mounting pressure on the UK government for the arrest of perpetrators, especially Gurcharan Singh and Paramjit Singh Pamma. The latter is on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Gurcharan Singh and Pamma, accompanied by a crowd, desecrated the national flag of India while staging a protest outside Indias London High Commission on October 2 in the wake of the diplomatic row between New Delhi and Ottawa over the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani extremist, was gunned down in Canada early this year. Sources in the Indian High Commission also said the MEA has reached out to its UK counterparts to goad the police for identifying Khalistani supporters from several video footages of the protest and arrest them on charges of hate crime. With an aim to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, India has invited Brazilian companies to participate in its growing supply chain with a view. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, who was in Brazil from October 1 to 4, also discussed ways to promote trade between the two countries. Barthwal was there for the sixth meeting of the India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism (TMM). Both sides extensively discussed matters related to bilateral trade and outlined a roadmap for its further enhancement, the commerce ministry said. The secretary invited Brazilian industries to be part of the growing supply chain, it said. Barthwal was accompanied by a delegation of 20 business leaders. The visit was happening in the backdrop of the sharp growth in the bilateral trade which had doubled over the last two years reaching USD 16 billion, it said, adding the two sides explored new opportunities for promoting trade. The secretary also held meetings with Brazilian companies that have invested in India. This meeting also included discussions on new trade and investment opportunities. Barthwal interacted with representatives from leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) companies in Brazil. On October 4, he co-chaired the meeting with Secretary of Foreign Trade for the Federative Republic of Brazil Tatiana Lacerda Prazeres in Brasilia. With inputs from PTI. India has reiterated that it wants parity with Canada in its diplomatic presence in New Delhi. Given the much higher diplomatic presence of Canadian diplomats, and their continuing interference in internal affairs, India has sought parity in each others respective diplomatic presence. Discussions are ongoing on the modalities of achieving this, Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. The statement comes merely days after India asked 41 Canadian diplomats to leave the country in order to maintain parity of diplomats. Given that Canadian diplomatic presence is higher, we would assume that there would be a reduction, he added. The ties between India and Canada touched a rock bottom after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau made allegations of Indian links in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. However, India has outrightly rejected the claims, calling it absurd and motivated. After Trudeaus remark, diplomatic row between both the countries escalated and New Delhi had suspended the visa operations to Canada and called for a reduction in Canadian diplomats in India. When asked if the reduction in the number of Canadian diplomats could see a decrease in the number of visas issued by the Canadian High Commission in India, the MEA spokesperson said: Its up to the Canadian side, who they choose to staff the High Commission with Our concerns are related to ensuring parity in diplomatic presence. He further said Indias primary focus is on two things having an atmosphere in Canada, where Indian diplomats can work properly and in achieving parity in terms of diplomatic strength. Heaping praise on India, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the Indian leadership is self-directed and led by the countrys national interests, according to Reuters. Speaking at an event, Putin alleged that the West is trying to cast everyone who is not ready to blindly follow these Western elites as the enemy. At a certain point in time, they tried to do the same with India. Now they are flirting, of course. We all understand this very well. We feel and see the situation in Asia. Everything is clear. I want to say that the Indian leadership is self-directed. It is led by the national interests. I think that those attempts make no sense. But, they continue. They are trying to cast Arabs as the enemy. They are trying to be careful, but overall, thats what it all boils down to, Putin said. The Russian President said countries such as India, Brazil and South Africa deserve more representation in the UN Security Council and added that the UN should be reformed but gradually, according to Reuters. Calling India a powerful country, Putin said that it is growing stronger and stronger under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia-based RT News reported. India, more than 1.5 billion of population, more than 7 per cent of economic growththats a powerful country, mighty country. And its growing stronger and stronger under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Putin said, according to a video shared by RT News. Earlier on Wednesday, Putin had called PM Modi a very wise man, adding that India is making great strides in development under his leadership, RT reported. Last month, too, he had praised PM Modi stating he was doing the right thing in promoting the Make in India programme. A man has been sentenced to a cumulative prison term of 80 years for raping and impregnating the 14-year-old cousin of his wife in the Idukki district of Kerala in 2020. The convict will only serve 20 years the highest of the varying jail terms as the sentences will run concurrently, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Shijo Mon Joseph said, sharing the details of Kerala court order. Idukki Fast Track Court judge T G Varghese handed the man varying jail sentences for various offences, including penetrative sexual assault and aggravated penetrative sexual assault, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 40,000 on the convict. It further directed the District Legal Services Authority to pay a compensation of Rs one lakh to the victim for her rehabilitation. The crime was committed by the man when his wife was not at home and it came to light only after the pregnant girl gave birth, the SPP said. In the case registered by Rajakkad police, the prosecution produced 23 witnesses, 27 documents and six exhibits in court during the trial, the prosecutor said. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 5, ARMENPRESS. On October 5, Armenian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan received Tomaz Lovrecic, director of the Slovenian organization Enhancing Human Security (ITF).The organization has been hosting children from Nagorno-Karabakh as well as border communities of the Republic of Armenia for the second year. According to the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs press release,within the framework of the program children had the opportunity to participate in various educational and training projects and events at the Youth health and summer resort of Slovenia Red Cross. Minister Mkrtchyan expressed gratitude to Mr. Lovrencic for hosting the children, noting that the provision of socio-psychological rehabilitation services had a positive effect on the children. At the same time, the minister proposed to include in the new phase of the project the children of the families forcibly displaced from NK and affected by the explosion in NK, the press releasereads. Tomaz Lovrencic presented the projects currently being implemented by their organization and in that context attached high importance to the activities aimed at the full inclusion of children of vulnerable groups. In a poll-bound Madhya Pradesh, the government has issued a notification for providing a 35 per cent quota for women in government departments, barring the Forest department in the state. The state government has made amendments to the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services (Special Provision for Appointment of Women) Rules, 1997 to give 35 per cent reservation to women. According to the copy of the notification, Notwithstanding anything contained in any service rules, there shall be reserved 35 per cent of all posts in the service under the state (except Forest Department) in favour of women at the stage of direct recruitment and the said reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Earlier, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan also announced providing 35 per cent reservation to women in police and other government jobs and 50 per cent reservation for women in teaching posts. Priority would be given to women in local bodies, including aldermen and other positions. Education fees for girls will be borne by the government while ensuring better education for them. Recently, the womens reservation Bill passed by the Parliament, became law after it received assent from President Droupadi Murmu. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhniyam, which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha as well as the state legislative assemblies, was unanimously passed by the Rajya Sabha, becoming the first bill to be passed in the new Parliament building. On September 20, the Bill was passed following division with 454 members voting in favour of the legislation and two against it on the motion seeking its passage. The amendments moved by the Opposition members were negative and separate clauses of the draft legislation were also voted on. On September 21, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was unanimously passed in Rajya Sabha which marks the PMs birthday according to the Hindu calendar. Notably, 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. With inputs from ANI. The Dean and doctors of the Delivery Department of Dr Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Hospital in the Nanded district which witnessed the deaths of 31 patients in 48 hours have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder by the Maharashtra police. The dean, Shyam Wakode, has been booked for the death of an infant and his mother after their kin registered a complaint in this regard. At least 31 people died in the government-run Medical College and Hospital, reportedly due to an alleged scarcity of medicines. A total of 24 patients, including newborns, were reported dead between September 30 and October 1 while seven more deaths were reported on Tuesday. Relatives of the deceased patients have alleged that the deaths were caused by to shortage of medicines. Meanwhile, Maharashtras Minister of Medical Education, Hasan Mushrif on Tuesday said a thorough investigation will be conducted into the deaths and a committee of doctors will be formed to conduct the probe. Dean Wakode had previously rejected allegations of negligence against the hospital on Tuesday, claiming that deceased patients were suffering from different ailments such as diabetes, liver failure, and kidney failure. The hospital also rejected allegations that it went short on medicines which eventually led to the death of the patients. Wakode said that some of the patients were suffering from arsenic and phosphorus poisoning, snake bites etc. The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that India will continue to provide consular support to Afghan nationals, especially students, living in the country despite the shutdown of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi. We hope that a substantial number of Afghan nationals, including students, in India are able to continue to receive necessary consular support. On our part, we will continue to assist the people of Afghanistan, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. VIDEO | The (Afghanistan) Embassy indicated that it intends to suspend operations at the end of September. Of course, such a decision is an internal matter of a foreign mission. However, we have noted that the Afghan consulates general in Mumbai and in Hyderabad voiced their pic.twitter.com/liWOj0toxS Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 5, 2023 Last month, the Afghan Embassy announced its suspension of operations in New Delhi, citing failure to meet expectations and requirements necessary to serve the best interests of Afghanistan due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul, as one of its reasons. Bagchi said that the Indian government has noted that a large number of Afghan nationals have left the country in the recent part. The MEA spokesperson reiterated that the Afghan Consulates decision to shut down operations in the national capital would not affect the assistance provided to Afghan nationals and students living in India. 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 for the unfortunate closure. The embassy had been headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay. Mamundzay was appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government and he has been operating as the Afghan envoy even after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. With inputs from PTI The recently concluded presidential elections in Maldives have created a cause of concern for India. The incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih lost to the opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu. These elections were not just a shift of power from one party to another but also regarded as a referendum to decide Indias and Chinas influence in the South Asian country. Solih who became the president in 2018 brought Maldives closer to India with his India First policy by reversing the anti-India approach of the previous president Abdulla Yameen. The India-Maldives relations witnessed an upswing in Solihs five year-term. The internal political conflict between Solih and Yameen led to the latters arrest and disqualification from contesting polls. However, Yameen and his supporters managed to create an anti-Solih and anti-India atmosphere with their sustained India Out campaign. With Muizzu, who is considered as Yameens proxy, emerging as the winner in the presidential polls, it is expected that now Maldives will tilt more towards China. However, it would be pertinent to analyse if this is a setback for Indias engagements with Maldives. Victory of a pro-China candidate is mostly considered through the prism of geopolitics where China would now be able to challenge Indias carefully built ties with Maldives. Indias outreach to Maldives in the past few years was conditioned by the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific Region. India, as a major power in the Indian Ocean component of the Indo-Pacific, made gains by having a friendly regime in Maldives. However, Indias engagements with Maldives were not restricted in the strategic area alone. India was mindful of building ties with Maldives in diversified areas. India has positioned itself as Maldivess close partner in the areas of climate change, infrastructure development and capacity building. Maldives, one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change and India, one of the leading advocates of renewable energy, have cooperation in the renewable energy sector. India is assisting Maldives in reducing its dependence on fossil fuel energy. Under the principle of One Sun, One World, One Grid, India and Maldives have two Memoranda of Understanding, signed in April 2022, on energy cooperation and transmission interconnection. India is also involved in the construction of Greater Male Connectivity Project, a 6.74 km-long bridge and causeway link. This is the largest civilian infrastructure project funded by India through a $400 million Line of Credit and $100 million grant. Further, the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), an autonomous institution under Government of India in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs is carrying out training programmes for Maldivian civil servants. This training is aimed at equipping the Maldivian civil servants with skill to navigate in an interconnected and complex world. For Maldives part it would do well to avoid a knee-jerk reaction and distance itself from India. Muizzu may soon realise that sustaining a targeted campaign against a particular country may not yield favourable returns in the long run. While Chinas hand was visible in creating an anti-India campaign, Muizzu should weigh his options carefully before going into Chinas tight embrace. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, Chinas own economy is in a bad shape at the moment. The long-dragging real estate crisis has put financial institutions under pressure. The Chinese economy, over-reliant on real estate and industrial sectors, is now facing a prospect of GDP growth slowing. Chinas GDP growth rate is expected to fall below 5 per cent should the economic slowdown continue. Chinas overall debt has also been increasing. In the past about one decade Chinas debt burden has grown nine fold. The Aging population and increasing unemployment are only exacerbating Chinas economic woes. Due to the bad shape of its economy China recently rejected Pakistans request to invest in fresh Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. Secondly, continuing from the previous point, while expanding its outreach through the BRI, China has caused a number of countries to become debt-ridden under the impression of economic development. Chinas debt-trap diplomacy has resulted in smaller and weaker economies going bankrupt. Maldives has been among those countries that have suffered financial difficulties under Chinas debt-trap diplomacy. During Yameens presidency Maldives debt to China was around one-fifth of the formers GDP. As of 2022, Maldives debt to China was estimated to be $3.4 billion, a large sum for a small country. The new political dispensation in Maldives needs to consider the adverse consequences of being part of sharp geopolitical overtures at the cost of disregarding economic capabilities and climate change challenges, a major concern for Maldives. India, for its part, can consider Chinas template to its own advantage. Even when Maldives was getting closer to India, Chinas influence in the island country did not diminish. China remained deeply entrenched in Maldives economy. India is a responsible stakeholder in not only Maldives security but also economy and infrastructure development. India has also been the first responder in the neighbourhood during economic crisis as well as at the time of natural calamities, a role which China is unlikely to undertake. India should continue engaging with Maldives in all the areas customised to cater Maldives specific needs. Prioritising Maldives requirements is something that India would care for more than China. The author is a political analyst and researcher based in Vadodara. His areas of specialisation include international relations, foreign policy and geopolitics. He tweets @NiranjanMarjani. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Maldivian President-elect Mohamed Muizzu seems determined to stick to the commitment which was among his many campaign promises his significant stance of having India Out advocating for the expulsion of Indian soldiers from the archipelago. Muizzus statement on the matter is clear: Those who have deployed troops here would not want to keep them here if we dont want it The people have decided and dont want Indian troops to stay in the Maldives. The presence of Indian soldiers in the Maldives, estimated at around 75 troops, has been a topic of interest and speculation in the country. Their primary role is to operate aircraft, including two helicopters and one Dornier aircraft gifted by India to the Maldives. Additionally, Indian troops are involved in constructing a naval harbour, where Maldivian troops will receive training. While parts of this information are publicly available, much remains shrouded in secrecy, leading to speculation and debate. President-elect Muizzus primary concern is that India seeks to establish a permanent presence in the Maldives, possibly in the form of a military base or outpost. Its important to note that although India has denied this allegation, but in the context of Maldivian politics, this issue has become a focal point. The Maldives has seen a significant shift in leadership and foreign policy in recent years. In 2018, former President Abdullah Yameen requested that India end all military presence including soldiers and helicopters. However, Yameen was ousted later that year, and his successor, Ibrahim Solih, adopted a India First foreign policy. With the recent election, Yameens party nominated Muizzu as a proxy candidate since Yameen himself was disqualified due to corruption charges. Muizzu, after winning the election, promptly secured Yameens release from jail, albeit under house arrest. The question now is whether Yameen will continue to wield influence from behind the scenes. Yameen is a key figure behind the India Out campaign, making it both personal and political. Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly congratulated Muizzu and called for stronger bilateral relations, but privately, India is adopting a cautious approach. However, Mohamed Shareef, Muizzus foreign policy advisor, conveyed positive signals. He acknowledged Indias importance in the Indian Ocean, downplayed concerns about China and reaffirmed the Maldives commitment to being one of Indias strongest allies. Additionally, Muizzus first foreign trip as president will be to India, following a diplomatic tradition among Maldivian presidents. The regime change in Male has emerged as a challenge for both India and Maldives. India cannot abruptly shut the door on the Maldives after investing millions in the country. Parallelly, Maldives cannot overlook India, its largest and most reliable neighbour. However, its essential for both sides to exercise political maturity. While campaign rhetoric often differs from policy, there are potential red lines, such as hosting Chinese assets, strategic agreements, joint projects or prioritising visits to China over India. Now as the elections are done and dusted, its time for a policy-driven approach. Muizzu, once a vocal campaigner against India, faces the challenge of balancing his campaign promises with the complexities of governing. The future of India-Maldives relations will depend on the decisions and actions of both nations in this evolving landscape. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The western media has been unsurprisingly doubling down on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation that Indian agencies are behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. The latest in this wave of criticism of India and Narendra Modi from the anglosphere of the US, UK and Canada nervous about its waning influence and the emergence of a multipolar world is from the Financial Times, UK. But allowing India to commission a murder on Canadian soil if that is what happened would pose a much more immediate danger to national security than a temporary setback in efforts to counter China, writes Gideon Rachman. If the Indian government concluded that it now has a free hand to go after its enemies foreign and domestic wherever they are living, that would create a really dangerous precedent for multicultural societies such as Canada, Britain and Australia. It follows criticism from senior journalist Fareed Zakaria, who says the incident has unleashed a spasm of jingoism in India. He cautions that the controversy may hurt Indias ambition on the world stage. However, Zakaria rightly analyses that the western outrage is playing out very differently in India, where it is only helping Modi. It paints India as a victim of foreign forces and the prime minister as the strong leader who is willing to give it back overtly or covertly. But by and large, the western media has lapped up Trudeaus allegations as an excuse to attack India. The Economist headlined: If India ordered a murder in Canada, there must be consequences. The western countries have far too long acquiesced to the Indian governments abuses, it wrote. But in its criticism, the chiefly left-leaning western media is subverting some of the lofty journalistic ideals they vociferously preach worldwide. First, western outlets unfailingly fail to mention what Khalistani terrorists have done. From assassinating an Indian prime minister and a chief minister to aviation historys biggest terror attack before 9/11, the Air India AI-182 bombing in 1985 which killed 329 people aboard, most of them Canadians the list is long but never gets into western coverage of the controversy. Second, they also do not mention that Khalistani terrorists killed hundreds of Indians in the name of religion. On 21 October, 1983, for instance, more than 100 Hindus were massacred in Gobindgarh. Just in the five months preceding Operation Blue Star in 1984, 294 Hindus were killed by Khalistanis, according to official figures. On 10-11 May, 1985, 85 Hindus were killed in serial bomb blasts carried out by Khalistanis in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Third, the western media outlets have variously addressed Nijjar as priest, plumber, and activist, but never fleshes out the charges of terrorism, hit jobs in Punjab and conspiracy to kill a Hindu priest. They conveniently skip referring to the Interpol red corner notice against him, the fact that he had arrived in Canada on a fake passport and identity, and was put on a no-fly list. Fourth, the western media does not speak about the role of ISI in fanning and funding Khalistani terror, and how groups like Sikhs for Justice led by designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu were linked to the ISIs Houston Network. Fifth, the duplicity of the West on overseas hits and terrorism in general is appalling. It blames China, Russia, Saudi and now India for overseas assassinations while never mentioning the dozens of such killings by the US, Israel or even the UK. The West has arrogated itself the moral authority of certifying who is a terrorist and who is not. Canada, for instance, currently harbours not just dozens Khalistani terrorists, but a few war criminals convicted in Bangladesh. Sixth, Trudeau is presented as the epitome of liberalism and Canada as this wonderfully peaceful multicultural country when the truth is far from it. Besides harbouring terrorists and criminals, Trudeaus Canada has unleashed an era of authoritarian excesses. It recently feted a former Nazi in Parliament. It hounded protesters of the truckers movement, meting out draconian penalties and jail terms. Lately, Canada used one of the worlds most repressive online censorship schemes to force all online streaming services that offer podcasts to formally register with the government and permit regulatory controls. And lastly and most importantly, Justin Trudeau has not produced a shred of evidence so far on Indias involvement after making his reckless, ties-burning statement. The western media does not think it is necessary. Financial Times embodies this sense of entitlement. It recently wrote about Canada presenting evidence orally but India rubbishing it. The Anglosphere still nurses its colonial hangover, believing that the onus is on former subjects to prove its wild, unsubstantiated allegations right, to never raise their voice, and to not embarrass it publicly. India is guilty of shattering all three expectations, and merrily so. Abhijit Majumdar is contributing editor, Firstpost. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Taking potshots at AAP after a third leader of the party, Sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the party has a nature of committing scams openly. As per media sources, the incriminating documents procured from the house of Sanjay Singh will incriminate someone who is at the top in the hierarchy of AAP, Patra said during a press conference in Odisha. VIDEO | As per media sources, the incriminating documents procured from the house of Sanjay Singh will incriminate someone who is at the top in the hierarchy of AAP, says BJP leader @sambitswaraj on the arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh by ED while speaking at a press conference. pic.twitter.com/3zeP1lJwwa Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 5, 2023 Singh was arrested on Wednesday evening after the anti-money laundering body conducted searches at his residence over the Delhi liquor policy scam. Patra further said, When a don of corruption is caught, incriminating documents are seized from his home Which are stored in mobile phones and laptops As far as the incriminating documents are concerned that have been procured from the house of Sanjay Singh these documents will point to a person that is very big in the AAP chain #WATCH | Bhubaneswar, Odisha: On Delhi Excise Policy case, BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra says, When a don of corruption is caught, incriminating documents are seized from his home Which are stored in mobile phones and laptops As far as the incriminating documents are pic.twitter.com/vRjGzWVgZu ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2023 This is the third major arrest in the party after Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain. Sisodia, the deputy chief minister of Delhi, was arrested in February this year by the CBI over the liquorgate scandal. Meanwhile, Jain, the Delhi Health Minister, was arrested last year in May on charges of money laundering. Apple Inc. engaged in discussions with DuckDuckGo as a potential replacement for Alphabet Inc.s Google as the default search engine for Apples Safari browsers private mode. However, Apple ultimately decided against this proposal. These details emerged from transcripts unveiled by the presiding judge overseeing the antitrust trial against Google in the United States, which took place recently. On Wednesday, US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled in favour of unsealing the testimonies of Gabriel Weinberg, CEO of DuckDuckGo, and John Giannandrea, an executive at Apple. Both individuals had testified in closed sessions during the trial in Washington. According to Weinbergs testimony, DuckDuckGo held approximately 20 meetings and phone discussions with Apple executives, including the head of the Safari division, between 2018 and 2019. These talks revolved around the possibility of DuckDuckGo becoming the default search engine for Safaris private browsing mode. In this mode, Safari refrains from tracking users website visits and maintaining a browsing history. Weinberg expressed optimism about the potential collaboration, given that Apple had previously integrated several of DuckDuckGos privacy technologies into Safari. However, the idea faced opposition from Giannandrea, who assumed the role of head of search at Apple in 2018. In a February 2019 email to other Apple executives, Giannandrea expressed scepticism, considering switching to DuckDuckGo for private browsing a bad idea. Giannandreas reservations were rooted in concerns that DuckDuckGo, which relies on Bing for search information, might share user data with Microsoft, raising questions about aligning DuckDuckGos privacy claims with actual practices. Giannandrea emphasized that if Apple were seriously considering adopting DuckDuckGo as the default search engine, it would require extensive due diligence. The Department of Justice alleges that Google has made substantial payments to Apple and other parties to secure its position as the default search engine on web browsers and smartphones. These agreements are said to have impeded the growth of alternative search engines like Microsofts Bing and DuckDuckGo, preventing them from becoming competitive rivals to Google, according to federal and state antitrust enforcers. In a contrasting revelation, Giannandrea disclosed that Apple CEO Tim Cook had tasked him with discussions with Microsoft executives in 2018 regarding the possible use of Bings search engine in Safari. These discussions led to a series of meetings in late 2018 and late 2020 to explore a potential joint venture or sale of Bing to Apple. As part of these discussions, Apple conducted a comparative study of Bings search results against Googles, which, in May 2021, found Googles results to be superior in most aspects, with the exception of English language search information on desktops, where Bings results were on par with Googles. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also testified during the trial, revealing his companys willingness to sustain significant financial losses if Apple were to make the switch to Bing as the default search engine.` During a rare antitrust trial in Washington, a lawyer representing the US Justice Department questioned a Google executive on Wednesday regarding the tactics employed by the tech giant to artificially increase online advertising rates in an allegedly unjust manner. In his testimony at this landmark trial, Google executive Adam Juda disclosed that the company utilizes a formula, which takes into account the quality of an advertisement, to determine the winners of auctions used for ad placement on websites. This legal proceeding centres on the United States accusation that Google has engaged in anti-competitive behaviour by exploiting its dominance in both search and certain advertising practices. The Justice Department has accused Google of manipulating online auctions a multibillion-dollar industry dominated by Google with these formulas to favour its own bottom line. Justice Department attorney David Dahlquist asked Juda if he agreed with a document that Google had prepared for the European Union, which said that the company can directly affect pricing through tunings of our auction mechanisms. Juda said he did not. Pressed on if tuning can impact pricing, Juda said, They can. Judas testimony began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday. Juda said one thing that can be tuned is a rough formula that gives an ad a long-term value, or LTV, based on the bid given, the potential click-through rate or how many people will likely click on it and the quality of the advertisement and website associated with it. Dahlquist asked Juda if they had introduced changes to ad sales in a way that raised the cost-per-click by a consumer that advertisers pay. I believe thats fair, said Juda. But Wendy Waszmer, a lawyer for Google, asked Juda on Wednesday afternoon if there were ways that his ads quality team could raise prices unilaterally. No, Juda responded. Googles advertising business has been criticized by advertisers and website publishers for a lack of transparency, with both accusing Google of siphoning off too much revenue. The testimony on advertising is a change from previous testimony that has focused on the billions of dollars that Google has spent to keep its search engine the default on smartphones and other devices. In a remarkable feat that is bound to push Japan far ahead of its neighbours in Asia, Fujitsu and research institute Riken have successfully developed Japans second quantum computer, as part of research efforts around the world to make the nascent technology practical. The 64-qubit quantum computer from Fujitsu and state-backed Riken will be integrated with a 40-qubit quantum computer simulator, as researchers work to eliminate the errors which prevent such systems from providing accurate results. Its kind of a first or second step, we still have a long way to go, Shintaro Sato, head of Fujitsus quantum laboratory, told reporters. Governments and companies including IBM and Alphabet are pouring funds into research for quantum computers, which hold the promise of becoming millions of times faster than the fastest supercomputers. IBM last year launched a 433-qubit quantum computer. Qubits, or quantum bits, are a measure of the power of quantum computers, which use quantum mechanics. China, the US and allied industrial democracies are in a race to take a lead in advanced technology including quantum computing, with President Joe Biden moving to hamper some U.S. investment in Chinese efforts to develop the technology. A quadrilateral meeting of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Council President Charles Michel took place in Granada within the framework of the third meeting of the European Political Community. Based on the results of the meeting, a joint statement was adopted, which particularly reads as follows, The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz met in Granada with Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz underlined their unwavering support to the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Armenia. They also expressed their support to the strengthening of EU-Armenia relations, in all its dimensions, based on the needs of the Republic of Armenia. They agreed on the need to provide additional humanitarian assistance to Armenia as it faces the consequences of the recent mass displacement of Karabakh Armenians. They stressed that these refugees must be free to exercise their right to return to their homes and their places of living, without any conditions, with international monitoring, and with due respect for their history, culture and for human rights. They remain committed to all efforts directed towards the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, based on mutual recognition of sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of Armenia (29.800 km2) and Azerbaijan (86.600 km2), as mentioned in President Michels statements of 14 May and 15 July 2023. They called for the strict adherence to the principle of non-use of force and threat of use of force. They stressed the urgent need to work towards border delimitation based on the most recent USSR General Staff maps that have been provided to the sides, which should also be a basis for distancing of forces, and for finalizing the peace treaty and addressing all humanitarian issues. They called for greater regional cooperation and for the re-opening of all borders, including the border between Armenia and Turkiye, as well as for the opening of regional connectivity links based on full respect of countries sovereignty and jurisdiction, as well as on the principles of equality and reciprocity. The European leaders called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to release all detainees, and to cooperate to address the fate of missing persons and to facilitate demining work. Since Elon Musk took over the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in October last year, the platform has lost ad revenue from the US consistently, month after month, culminating in a total of at least 55 per cent year-over-year, according to third-party data reported by Reuters. The company has been struggling with retaining advertisers as some have expressed caution due to the rapid changes that have occurred under Musks ownership. In December 2022, U.S. ad revenue experienced the most significant decline, plummeting by 78 per cent compared to the same month the previous year, marking the steepest drop since Musks acquisition. This data comes from Guideline, an ad analytics firm that tracks advertising spending data from major ad agencies. The latest available data from Guideline, for August, reveals a 60 per cent year-over-year decline in ad revenue. X declined to comment on this data. Elon Musk has publicly acknowledged the revenue challenges on the platform and has attributed some of the declines to activist pressures on advertisers. In a previous statement, Musk specifically mentioned the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) as a primary factor behind a 60 per cent decline in U.S. ad revenue, without specifying the timeframe. Responding to Musks claims, the ADL released a statement refuting any allegations that they caused losses to X and expressed their intention to advertise on the platform to convey their anti-hate message to X users. Xs Chief Executive, Linda Yaccarino, noted in a recent interview that 1,500 brands had returned to the platform in the previous 12 weeks, with 90 per cent of the top 100 advertisers back on X. Yaccarino also expressed optimism that X could achieve profitability by early next year. Elon Musk had rebranded Twitter as X in July as part of a broader strategy to transform the platform into an everything app, offering a range of services beyond social networking, similar to Chinas WeChat. This transformation includes the development of peer-to-peer payment features and an increased focus on video content, as reported by Reuters. TikTok has announced the suspension of its online retail operations in Indonesia as a response to the countrys ban on e-commerce transactions conducted through social media platforms. This move represents a significant setback for TikTok in its fastest-growing market. The Indonesian government unveiled this new regulation on September 28, prohibiting social media companies from facilitating the sale of products on their platforms. The ban was enacted in an effort to shield small businesses from the competition posed by e-commerce companies, with accusations that popular apps and websites were employing predatory pricing tactics. In a statement released on its website, the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform confirmed that it will cease facilitating e-commerce sales on TikTok Shop Indonesia by 5:00 PM local time on Wednesday. TikTok emphasized its commitment to complying with local laws and regulations. The Trade Minister of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hasan, explained that the ban is intended to prevent algorithm domination and the exploitation of personal data for business interests. The objective is to establish a fair, healthy, and mutually beneficial e-commerce ecosystem, with marketplaces and sellers being permitted to offer or promote goods and services. A week prior to the bans announcement, Tanah Abang, Southeast Asias largest wholesale market located in Jakarta, came under scrutiny. Sellers at the market reported over a 50 per cent decline in profits, unable to compete with lower-priced imported products available online. This situation was attributed to TikToks involvement in predatory pricing, causing harm to local small and medium-sized businesses. The new regulation is seen as an effort to regulate fair trade both online and offline. TikTok Indonesia expressed regret over the governments decision shortly after the ban was announced, particularly concerning its impact on the millions of sellers who use TikTok Shop. However, the company stated its commitment to respecting the regulations and pursuing a constructive path forward. Southeast Asia, with a population exceeding 675 million people, represents one of TikToks largest markets in terms of user numbers, attracting more than 325 million monthly visitors to the app. TikTok, owned by Chinas ByteDance, has been subject to scrutiny by various governments and regulators over concerns about potential data harvesting or advancing Beijings interests. Several countries, including the United States, Britain, and New Zealand, have banned the app from government devices. TikTok has repeatedly denied sharing data with the Chinese government and stated its commitment not to do so upon request. Amazon and Microsoft are under investigation by the UKs antitrust authority, which is concerned that these US tech giants might be using their market dominance unfairly. The UKs telecom regulator, Ofcom, announced on Thursday that it has requested the Competition and Markets Authority to conduct a formal investigation. Ofcoms year-long study revealed that Amazon and Microsoft have made it challenging for customers to use different cloud providers or switch between them, even though cloud services are increasingly important for businesses. According to Fergal Farragher, the director at Ofcom who oversaw the study, some UK businesses have expressed concerns about the difficulty of changing or mixing cloud providers. They also raised doubts about whether competition is functioning effectively in this space. Ofcom pointed out issues related to the fees for moving data out of the cloud, the lack of compatibility between different providers, and pricing strategies that might discourage customers from exploring alternatives. Last year, Ofcom initiated an inquiry into concerns that hyperscale cloud providers like Amazons AWS and Microsofts Azure could stifle innovation and hinder market growth. These two companies account for a significant portion of the UKs public cloud infrastructure market revenue, with Google Cloud contributing around 5% to 10%. Investigations conducted by the Competition and Markets Authority typically take about 18 months, and if significant issues are identified, the authority can impose remedies, such as requiring companies to sell off certain parts of their business to promote competition. Its worth noting that the European Union has also been looking into complaints about the cloud industry, particularly related to potential antitrust violations by Microsoft. Germanys Federal Cartel Office, for instance, launched its own investigation into Microsofts market power earlier this year, citing the growing significance of Microsofts cloud services. Just days before Australias referendum on whether to constitutionally recognise its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, an Indigenous senator was the victim of threats and racial slurs in a video posted on social media. On October 14, Australians will be asked to vote on whether they favour changing the constitution to include a Voice to Parliament, an Indigenous committee that would advise parliament on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. A man in a balaclava who claimed to be a member of a neo-Nazi gang was seen burning the Aboriginal flag, giving the Nazi salute, and threatening Senator Lidia Thorpe in an internet video. Where is my support? Where is my protection in this country? Thorpe asked during a news conference in Melbourne. Im not hiding for the next nine days. You are going to hear from me. Im not scared, she said. Since then, the video has been removed. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) declared that it was looking into the situation. Racist threats against Aboriginal people, who make up roughly 3.8% of the population, have increased in the run-up to the vote as a result of misunderstandings and anxiety regarding the Yes campaign. Thorpe is advocating for a No vote and urging the government and Indigenous people to first sign a treaty comparable to those in Canada and New Zealand. The Yes campaigners for the Voice referendum claim that the proposal unites the country and gives the 65,000-year-old Aboriginal culture the much-needed recognition it needs, while the No campaigners contend that it gives the Indigenous body too many powers or that it will have no real impact. As soon as Thorpe contacted him, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he answered and also spoke with the police. Ive seen the video that was referred to that is threatening towards Senator Thorpe and towards the government, and the sort of Nazi rhetoric and statements that are in that video have no place in the discourse in Australian political life, Albanese said, when asked about the matter at a news conference later in the day. Most socioeconomic indices of Aboriginal people fall below national norms, and they experience disproportionately high rates of suicide, spousal abuse, and incarceration. Compared to non-Indigenous people, their life expectancy is around eight years lower. (With agency inputs) Bangladesh on Thursday received the first uranium delivery for its Russia-backed nuclear plant, a project aimed at bolstering its overstretched energy grid but complicated by sanctions on Moscow. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has courted Russian ties with renewed vigour after Western criticism over her governments rights record. Moscow is bankrolling the $12.65-billion plant with a loan for 90 per cent of its cost, with hopes it will alleviate the chronic blackouts plaguing the South Asian nation. Today is a day of pride and joy for the people of Bangladesh, Hasina said during a videoconference with Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark the handover. Hasina thanked Putin for his guidance and assistance in implementing this project. Construction on the nuclear plant at Rooppur, a village on the banks of the Ganges river 175 kilometres (110 miles) west of the capital Dhaka, began in 2017. The first of its twin 1,200-megawatt units is slated to begin operations next year and both reactors should be fully online in 2025, Bangladesh technology minister Yeafesh Osman told reporters on a Wednesday tour of the facility. Washingtons sanctions on key Russian firms since last years invasion of Ukraine, including state nuclear agency Rosatom, delayed construction work because Dhaka was unable to make loan repayments in US currency. In April, Bangladesh agreed to make payments of more than $300 million in Chinese yuan in an effort to circumvent the sanctions. But central bank officials have said that the money has yet to be paid. The whole world is facing this payment problem and were no exception, Osman said. However, we are trying to solve the problem. Hasinas government is eager for new friends ahead of general elections due by the end of January, with Western governments and rights groups warning her government is silencing critics and stamping out political dissent. Washington levelled sanctions against Bangladeshs elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) police force in 2021 over accusations of their involvement in the extrajudicial killing of opposition activists. The lack of payment has not outwardly affected Bangladeshs pursuit of a closer relationship with Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Dhaka for the first time last month and used the occasion to criticise the pressure exerted upon Bangladesh by the United States and its allies. Power struggles The Rooppur plant is the most expensive infrastructure project undertaken by Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, and will be the countrys largest power station by generating capacity once fully operational. Bangladesh has several more coal and gas-fired plants under construction but is desperate to reduce its near total reliance on fossil fuels. Its electricity grid has shown increasing signs of stress, with a spike in energy prices precipitated by the Ukraine war forcing the government to suspend gas and diesel imports last year. The result was months of daily power blackouts sometimes lasting up to 13 hours. A separate grid failure last October cut power to more than 80 percent of the countrys 169 million people. This past summer Bangladesh was forced to shut its current biggest power plant because it was unable to afford the coal to fuel it during a sweltering heatwave. Bangladesh also plans to build a second nuclear power station in the countrys south, though a final site has not been decided. Officials have cast Bangladeshs atomic energy ambitions as a key plank of the fight against climate change in a low-lying country more vulnerable than most to extreme weather. It will help Bangladesh cut carbon emissions significantly by 2030, Shawkat Akbar, head of the Rooppur plant, told AFP. Nuclear energy is one of the worlds largest sources of emissions-free energy. But there are persistent concerns about the safety risks and disposal of nuclear waste, and opponents point out nuclear plants take many years to build compared to more quickly deployable renewable energy sources. The British government on Wednesday proposed a law that would forbid children under 18 from ever purchasing cigarettes, making it one of the nations with the strictest smoking laws in the world and hurting the profits of the biggest tobacco companies. A briefing paper stated that if approved into law, the smoking age will increase by one year each year, potentially phasing out youth smoking as early as 2040. A 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told the Conservative Party conference, where he announced the plan. He claimed that smoking costs the British health system $20.6 billion annually and added that the government also needed to take action against youth vaping. According to the briefing paper, it would advise on limiting the flavors and descriptions of vapes and consider regulating vape packaging and presentation. The anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health applauded Sunaks initiatives and said they might speed the day when smoking is no longer acceptable. The suggestions were criticized by the tobacco industry. According to the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, they would encourage black market commerce and were a disproportionate attack on the rights of adults. The prohibition of legal products always has dangerous side effects and opens the door to criminal gangs to sell illegal products, it said. Imperial Brands, which makes Winston cigarettes and Golden Virginia rolling tobacco, also warned the ban threatened unintended consequences. Lucky Strike and Dunhill maker British American Tobacco said the proposals would be difficult to enforce. Gradual impact The smoking policy would need to pass a free vote in Britains parliament. This means lawmakers can vote however they like rather than in line with party policies. If passed, Britain would become the first country in Europe to join New Zealand, which announced a similar plan last year, in banning smoking for future generations. Academics said increases to the smoking age have successfully reduced smoking rates among young people around the world. The change could hurt companies who generate a relatively large portion of their earnings from British tobacco sales, analysts said, such as Japan Tobacco, maker of Camel and Benson & Hedges, and Imperial Brands. While short-term effects were likely minimal, over time the bans impact could gradually become material, said Owen Bennett, analyst at Jefferies, adding people aged 18-25 make up around 10% of Britains current adult smokers. Shares in Imperial Brands fell 3.2% to their lowest since March 2022, while shares in BAT, which has a lower exposure to the British cigarette market, were down 1.2% by 1357 GMT. A risk for all companies is that other nations follow suit, Bennett noted. Denmark is already considering a similar move, and a number of nations also have targets to reduce smoking to minimal levels in the relatively near future. A man who claimed he wanted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth when he was stopped at Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow was jailed for nine years on Thursday after admitting to violating the Treason Act and uttering threats against the late monarch. When Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, was apprehended on Christmas Day 2021 about 8 a.m. in the grounds of the castle to the west of London while wearing all-black attire, a hood, a metal mask, and gloves, he declared, I am here to kill the queen. Elizabeth, who passed away in September of last year at the age of 96, was present at the incident, along with her son Charles, who is currently the king, and other members of her immediate family. Chail made an appearance on Thursday at Londons Old Bailey, where judge Nicholas Hilliard ruled that he should first be held in the high security psychiatric hospital at Broadmoor before being transferred to a jail when he has received the treatment he needs. Chail had lost touch with reality such that he had become psychotic by the time he entered Windsor Castle, according to the judge, but his guilt for his crimes was enormous. He had conceived of killing the queen early in 2021 when he was not psychotic. He took steps to try and get closer to his target and learn useful skills when, again, he was not psychotic, the judge said. Chail had pleaded guilty in February to the three charges of making threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon, and an offence under the 1842 Treason Act, making him the first person to be convicted of treason in 40 years. The court heard testimony from Chail, a Star Wars fanatic who harboured fantasies of becoming Darth Chailus, a Sith lord character from the film series. Additionally, he sent thousands of sexually explicit messages to Sarai, an AI chatbot, asking her to assist him in deciding whether or not to carry out the attack. A protection officer confronted Chail, who had spent months plotting, on the castle grounds in a place where the intruder would have access to the private rooms, Hilliard testified in court. The Supersonic X-bow crossbow that was discovered was capable of discharging a bolt that could seriously harm or even kill a person. I am sorry for what I have done and what I will do. I am going to attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, queen of the royal family, Chail, from Southampton in southern England, said in a video recorded before the incident, in which he was seen holding a crossbow and wearing a face covering. This is revenge for those who died in the 1919 massacre, Chail said, referring to an incident when British colonial troops shot dead nearly 400 Sikhs in their holy city of Amritsar in northwestern India. For what is also known as the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, British forces fired on unarmed citizens who had congregated to protest a colonial legislation, Indians have long requested a formal apology from Britain. (With agency inputs) Four Philippine ships were on a resupply mission to a disputed atoll in the South China Sea when China denounced the mission, claiming the ships had illegally entered Chinese seas in the Spratly Islands. Despite attempts by Chinas coast guard to obstruct it, the Philippines claimed on Wednesday that it had successfully transferred supplies to its troops stationed on a World War Two-era cargo ship-turned-military outpost on the atoll. While China has broad claims in the South China Sea that are in contention with a number of its neighbours, relations with the Philippines have been particularly tense recently over the matter, especially since Ferdinand Marcos Jr. became president of the Philippines last year. Philippine supply ships and two coast guard ships entered the waters in Chinas Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government, China Coast Guard spokesperson Gan Yu said a post on its website, using Chinas name for the Spratly Islands. The atoll in question is called Ayungin in the Philippines and Renai Reef in China. It is located 105 miles (109 km) off the Philippine island of Palawan and is also referred to as the Second Thomas Shoal. The BRP Sierra Madre, a former navy transport ship that the Philippines grounded on the shoal in 1999 to support its claim of sovereignty, is home to a small number of Philippine troops. The Philippe delivery of supplies to the ship that sits on the beach unlawfully was strongly condemned, the China Coast Guard stated in its statement, adding that it had issued serious warnings. On September 8, the Philippines last finished a resupply mission to the stranded ship. The Philippines and its old ally, the United States, denounced a similar attempt in which a China Coast Guard vessel used water cannon to attack a Philippine supply boat. China demanded that the Philippines tow the ship away, but Manila refused the request. The Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia made a substantial number of attempts to harass and interfere with the Philippine National Security Councils (NSC) resupply and rotation mission, but the mission was nonetheless successfully completed, according to the NSC. These missions are a legitimate exercise of the administrative functions of the Philippine government, the NSC said. China points to a line on its maps that enters the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia as evidence that it has jurisdiction over nearly the whole South China Sea. The line on Chinas maps, according to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016, was not supported by law. (With agency inputs) Taiwans defence ministry tracked one Chinese military aircraft and three navy vessels in the region despite Typhoon Koinus storm encircled Taiwan between 6 a.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, Taiwan News reported. According to the defence ministry, the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) military aircraft and three PLAN (Peoples Liberation Army Navy) vessels were spotted in the area. However, Taiwans Defence Ministry (MND) clarified that no flight path graphics were provided since there had been no indication that any PLAAF aircraft had crossed the Taiwan Straits middle line or gotten as far as Taiwans Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ)s southwest sector. The MND said that it used its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance apparatus to keep an eye on the situation. In response to these developments, Taiwan deployed navy ships, combat patrol aircraft, and land-based air defence missile systems. Beijing has been using grey zone tactics more often since September 2020, such as deploying military aircraft and naval vessels beyond the middle line and within Taiwans ADIZ, Taiwan News reported. Notably, Grey zone tactics are an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state assurance and deterrence that attempts to achieve ones security objectives without resorting to the direct and substantial use of force. Typhoon Koinu on Wednesday pounded Taiwan with heavy rain and winds. This led to the closure of businesses and schools in the east and triggered warnings in most parts of the island a day before its expected landfall. The islands Central Weather Administration said that Koinu, which formed over the Pacific Ocean last weekend, was about 105 miles east of Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon. It was moving west at about 9 miles per hour, carrying maximum sustained winds of 132 m.p.h. and even stronger gusts, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, a meteorological service operated by the US Navy. The storm is expected to make landfall on Taiwans southeastern coast on Thursday morning, and the island will see the heaviest rainfall on Thursday and Friday, Wu Wan-hua, a meteorologist for Taiwans weather agency, said at a news conference. Wave heights of more than seven meters, or 23 feet, are expected around the coasts of southern Taiwan, she added. Koinus winds were equivalent to those of a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday morning, but were expected to weaken to Category 3 levels before landfall, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said. With ANI inputs. A Cyprus court deferred the trial of five Israelis accused of raping a British woman on Thursday pending the submission of crucial evidence by prosecutors. Police detained the five Israeli teenagers, aged 19 and 20, after a British woman stated they raped her after forcing her into a hotel room in the Ayia Napa resort on August 3. They have been detained since. All five are charged with six charges of kidnapping, assault, and rape. The trial, which was supposed to begin on Thursday, was postponed because important evidence was not delivered to the accuseds counsel. Because that information was lacking, the five did not enter a plea. That included a DNA report, photographic material, fingerprint reports and a statement from a sixth individual, one of the lawyers for the accused said. Before we have the whole picture of what my clients are facing they havent answered, they havent pleaded, said lawyer Maria Neophytou, who represents three of the defendants. The lawyer for the other two men said his clients were not in the room when the alleged assault took place. Relatives of the defendants crowded into the small courtroom in the town of Paralimni on Thursday, where the Criminal Court was in session. Womens advocacy groups are closely following the case due to the treatment of a British rape victim three years ago. Last year, Cypruss Supreme Court acquitted a British woman who had been wrongfully convicted by a lower court of lying about being gang raped by 12 Israeli men in July, 2019. (With inputs from agencies) Aberdeen overcame Finnish side RoPS in 2019 Europa Conference League, Group G: Aberdeen v HJK Helsinki Venue: Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen Date: Thursday, 5 October Kick-off: 20:00 BST Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland Extra/DAB/810MW, live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app When chairman Dave Cormack took the Aberdeen reigns from Stewart Milne in 2019, one of his stated aims was to make them one of Europe's top 100 clubs. The Dons are currently 196th in Uefa's coefficient rankings for this season, behind some clubs from the Faroe Islands, Kosovo, Gibraltar and Liechtenstein. The only way to improve that is not just to keep qualifying for European competition but to win games once at the party. Thursday's home tie against HJK Helsinki has to be the start of that journey for Aberdeen. HJK - although Finnish champions in 11 of the last 14 seasons - brought in 2m less than Aberdeen last term despite lifting the league title again. The usual talk of opposition budgets dwarfing Scottish clubs does not apply here, as it did when Aberdeen opened their Conference League campaign with a creditable 2-1 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt. That brave display sparked the Dons' season into life, with back-to-back wins against Ross County followed by the brilliant victory away to Rangers at the weekend. So, with Barry Robson's team finding form and with a packed Pittodrie behind them, this game is there for the taking. It is a marker for Aberdeen. How far away are they from the club's desired destination? Competent HJK look to improve away record Bojan Radulovic is likely to be HJK's main goal threat That is not to say Helsinki will pitch up and roll over. The Finnish side pushed PAOK in their Group G opener, eventually losing 3-2 at home to the Greek side having led in the first half. It is the only loss in their past seven games and they have scored in each of their last 12 matches, while Aberdeen have only kept two clean sheets in the same number of games. Story continues Spain-born Serbian striker Bojan Radulovic will provide the main threat, having scored 22 goals in 36 games this season, one of which came in that loss to PAOK. There is also plenty of international experience in Helsinki ranks, particularly in defence. Centre-backs Joona Toivio and Jukka Raitala have well over 50 caps for Finland and played all three games at Euro 2020 as the Finns made a mark at their first major tournament. It is also HJK's third straight season playing in the group stages of European competition. Last season, they got one point in a Europa League group with Roma, Real Betis and Ludogorets Razgrad of Bulgaria. The year before, they beat Armenian side Alashkert home and away to end their Conference League section with six points. That is the type of experience few in the Aberdeen squad possess - and exactly where they want to be. However, most of Helsinki's success in Europe has come at home. They have lost all four of their European away games in 90 minutes this season, which includes visits to Northern Irish champions Larne, Molde of Norway, Qarabag of Azerbaijan and Romanian side Farul Constanta. That makes it all the more important for Aberdeen to use home advantage before the trip to Finland at the end of November. There is also the slight chance HJK will be distracted by the conclusion of their league campaign. On Sunday, they face VPS in their penultimate league match and need just a point to clinch a fourth straight title. Helsinki will be tough opposition. But they do not have the attacking potency Swedish champions Hacken had when they rocked up at Pittodrie last month before netting three goals. There should be no fear, but excitement and confidence, in Aberdeen's ranks. The last time Aberdeen played at Pittodrie in the group stage of European competition was back in 2007 against FC Copenhagen. Jimmy Calderwood's side emerged 4-0 winners to qualify for the last-32 of the Uefa Cup amid a deafening din as Jamie Smith bagged two wonderful goals. There has rarely been a night like it since. Thursday is a chance for Robson and his team to write their own story. If the club is to achieve the status Cormack believes is possible, that tale has to start with a win. At least 51 people were killed when a Russian missile struck a cafe and grocery store in a hamlet in northeastern Ukraine on Thursday while they were holding a memorial service, according to Ukrainian officials. Oleh Synehubov, the regional governor, reported that the cafe and shop in Hroza village, in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region, had been attacked and reduced to ruins early in the afternoon. Authorities shared video of rescuers scrambling amid smoking rubble while appearing confused. In other images, people were seen laying next to twisted metal and concrete slabs, while in other images, bodies were being removed by rescue personnel. Ihor Klymenko, the interior minister, said that the 330-person villages residents were attending a memorial service and eating in the damaged cafe at the time of the attack. From every family, from every household, there were people present at this commemoration. This is a terrible tragedy, Klymenko told Ukrainian television. According to a representative for the Kharkiv regional military administration, the attack was the bloodiest in the Kharkiv region since Russias invasion more than 19 months ago, according to Ukrainian state TV Suspilne. Additionally, it appeared to be one of the highest numbers of civilian fatalities from a single Russian attack since the conflict began. Klymenko cited unreliable sources to support his claim that an Iskander ballistic missile was used in the attack. He claimed that the attack was obviously very targeted and that Ukrainian security agencies have started an investigation. The terrorists deliberately carried out the attack during lunchtime, to ensure a maximum number of casualties, said Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. There were no military targets there. This is a heinous crime intended to scare Ukrainians. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared that the Russian terror should be stopped while in Spain for a summit with European leaders. Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defence, about strengthening our soldiers, about giving our country protection from terror, he said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Since beginning its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia has routinely conducted airstrikes, and Ukraine has started a counteroffensive in the south and east that it claims is steadily gaining progress. Regarding the circumstances in Hroza, Moscow remained silent right away. Although numerous people have died in assaults on residential areas as well as energy, defence, port, grain, and other installations, Moscow maintains that civilians were not deliberately targeted. (With agency inputs) Some 50 European leaders used a summit in southern Spains Granada on Thursday to stress they stand by Ukraine at a time when Western resolve appears somewhat weakened. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that maintaining such unity was now the main challenge. Zelenskyy flew in early in the morning to the meeting of the European Political Community forum, which was formed in the wake of Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine that drastically reset the continents political agenda and fundamentally undermined long-held beliefs on peace and stability on the continent. Despite the political, economic and military support, the desperate struggle to rid Ukraine territory of invading Russian has ground to a stalemate. Meanwhile, the once-steadfast opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown cracks because of internal strife both within the United States and the European Union. The main challenge that we have that is to save unity in Europe, Zelenskyy said. Last weekends election in Slovakia, where pro-Russia candidate Robert Fico was the big winner, and Hungarys continued recalcitrance to fully back Ukraine have cast increasing shadows on Europes commitment. That counts especially for the European Union where many decisions on Ukraine need unanimity among the 27 members. Support from Europe has become all the more important after the US Congress hastily sent President Joe Biden legislation over the weekend that kept the federal government funded but left off billions in funding for Ukraines war effort that the White House had vigorously backed. Biden called other world powers Tuesday to coordinate on Ukraine in a deliberate show of U.S. support at a time when the future of its aid is questioned by an important faction of Republicans who want to cut off money to Kyiv. Zelenskyy said, however, that during a visit to Washington, he had been assured 100% support in the White House and also bipartisan support in Congress. I think its important. EU leaders also felt U.S. issues could be overcome. I am very confident of support for Ukraine from the United States. What the United States is working on is the timing, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Even if the EU promised to continue its support for Kyiv, it could never replace Washington if funds were to dry up there, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said. Everybody that doesnt want Putin winning this war is to look for ways for the U.S. to retake this issue and continue supporting Ukraine, Borrell said. Certainly we can do more. But the U.S. is something irreplaceable for the support of Ukraine. Zelenskyy insisted that Putins attempts to divide the West would not cease. Russia will attack by information, disinformation, by fakes etc., he said. The leaders in Granada are keen to stress that they are united behind Ukraine. When it comes to facing down the threat from Putin, said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, there is strength in unity. The EPC is an informal gathering so formal decisions are off the table, but the leaders want to use the format to push for better relations and seek to settle disputes, whether lingering or live. That makes it especially disappointing that President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan pulled out of the gathering at the last moment, when expectations had risen that a possible summit-within-the summit would unite key players and go-betweens in his countrys crisis with neighboring Armenia. The humanitarian tragedy of some 100,000 Armenians fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh, a part of Azerbaijan with a predominantly Armenian population, followed a brutal military operation last month and touched a raw nerve in Europe. Instead, officials said that many leaders will be huddling with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to show backing for his government as it grapples with the humanitarian plight, and to try to lure Yerevan away from Moscows diplomatic grasp. The forum of the European Political Community will still be a rare occasion where leaders of rival nations such as Serbia and Kosovo will be gathered in one plenary room. Any chance of rapprochement, though, is dim, since Kosovo will not be represented by Prime Minister Albin Kurti but by its president, Vjosa Osmani, whose role is largely ceremonial. A myriad of other European issues are likely to come up during a day of talks in Spain, capped with a royal dinner and tour at the Moorish Alhambra Palace. The famed hilltop architectural gem with its soothing ripples of water and the gentle splash from its fountains has traditionally been known to calm nerves. In Europes halls of politics these days, serenity is hard to come by. Europes quest to build a common geopolitical purpose brought four dozen of its leaders to Granada on Thursday, but its credibility suffered a blow when the Azerbaijani president stayed away. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was also expected to skip the European Political Community (EPC) summit, a loose grouping of European states inside and outside the EU and NATO. But hopes that it would serve as a platform to calm tensions in the Caucasus, where Azerbaijani forces have captured Nagorno-Karabakh from ethnic Armenian rebels, were quickly dashed. EU officials had hoped to host Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev and Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the event in what would have been the pairs first face-to-face meeting since the offensive. But Aliyev has been angered by what he sees as French and German bias towards the Armenian position, and has refused to travel to the meeting. Erdogans second absence in a row weakens the EPC as a way to deal with Ankara in a format other than the EU, to which Turkeys candidacy is frozen, said Sebastien Maillard of the Institute Jacques Delors. Without Turkey and Azerbaijan, the political community becomes more narrowly European and seems more anti-Putin, give or take a few leaders, he said. Without a Karabakh meeting, the agenda could flip to the migration crisis, he said, predicting that Britains Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would seize the opportunity, having kickstarted the UK election campaign this week. Anti-Azerbaijan mood? An Azerbaijani official said Aliyev would not attend because of pro-Armenian statements by French officials and because Paris has said it plans to deliver military equipment to Yerevan. The official said Aliyevs decision was also influenced by accusations made yesterday by EU Council President Charles Michel. Michel, who has mediated several meetings between the foes in recent years, criticised Bakus use of military force. The official also cited an anti-Azerbaijani atmosphere and said Baku had wanted the meeting to take place in Turkey, its ally, which had welcomed the successful Karabakh offensive. In Yerevan, Pashinyan told his parliament on Wednesday that he would still travel to Spain, and expressed regret he would not be meeting Aliyev. We were in a constructive and optimistic mood, because we thought that a turning point document could be signed, he said. Until this morning the likelihood of this was very high. At the previous EPC meeting in Chisinau in June, the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders met around a table with Michel, Frances President Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz. But the conflict has since taken a dramatic turn, at once making the European diplomatic outreach more important, with refugees flooding into Armenia, but also further poisoning relations between the foes. After a lightning offensive by Azerbaijani forces last month, most of the 120,000-strong Armenian population fled the self-proclaimed republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is now to be dissolved. Since the fall of the Russian Empire, this mountainous region has been part of Azerbaijan, but it unilaterally proclaimed its independence with the support of Armenia when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Ethnic Armenian separatists resisted Baku with the support of Yerevan for three decades, notably during the first Karabakh war from 1988 to 1994 and the second in 2020. But the international community never recognised the self-proclaimed republic, and Azerbaijani troops have now regained control. With the Caucasus conflict falling down the EPC agenda, Britains Sunak and his Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni, will push a plan for tough action on migration. Immoral and unsustainable On Wednesday, the 27 EU members which are also EPC countries agreed on the outline of a migration reform package to go before the European Parliament to better share responsibility for undocumented arrivals. But for Italy and non-EU member Britain, both facing arrivals by sea, the reform will not go far enough. Levels of illegal migration to mainland Europe are the highest they have been in nearly a decade, Sunak said Wednesday. With thousands of people dying at sea, propelled by people smugglers, the situation is both immoral and unsustainable. We cannot allow criminal gangs to decide who comes to Europes shores. Number 10 said Sunak and Meloni would chair a side-meeting at the EPC and announce initiatives to discuss joint action against what it dubbed organised immigration crime. Russias war against Ukraine will also be on the EPC agenda, with European powers under pressure to further increase support for Kyiv as a political crisis in Washington hurts the parallel US effort. Polands populist government, which is vying for an unheard-of third term in office, has turned its attention to Germany, a close ally and major commercial partner. Before Polands upcoming election on October 15, leaders of the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party have said that Berlin is attempting to dictate Polish government policy on everything from gas to immigration. A combined Polish-German tank repair facility for the benefit of Kyiv was slated to be built, but the rivalry has weakened Europes largely united front supporting Ukraine against Russias invasion. Additionally, the populist PiS leadership claims that Germany is attempting to re-elect Donald Tusk, the partys major electoral rival and a liberal former prime minister. In particular, elderly conservatives who recall the carnage of World War Two, have a strong fear of Germany that PiS has tapped upon. Do you know where you can read the (oppositions campaign) programme? In German newspapers, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a campaign event. His party portrays Tusk as a puppet of Germany and the political husband of former German chancellor Angela Merkel, despite the fact that Tusk claimed his grandfather was forcibly drafted into the Nazi Wehrmacht during World War Two before fleeing to the Allied side. Also made fun of in a campaign film was Olaf Scholz, Merkels successor. The Western alliance that came together to support Ukraine following the Russian invasion last year has had its unity put to the test by months of fighting between the two countries. They arrived at a time when other problems, like Slovakias election of a pro-Russian leader, threatened to cause a commotion. Efforts to assist Ukraine have already been hampered by the dispute. The establishment of a joint centre in Poland to repair German-made Leopard tanks damaged in conflict in Ukraine was announced by the military ministers of Germany and Poland in April with a smile and an embrace of unity. But the agreement rapidly broke down. Another controversy involved Warsaws initial resistance to a German proposal to install Patriot missile air defence batteries in Poland before it was finally accepted. Its very unhelpful that Poland, the people from the Law and Justice Party, continues to criticize Germany in such a harsh public way, U.S. General Ben Hodges, who commanded U.S. Army forces in Europe in 2014-17, told Reuters. Its unhelpful because it puts strain on the relationship between two NATO allies, which therefore puts strain on the overall cohesion of NATO. The German companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE), none of which provided a response to a request for comment, and the Polish defence giant Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) would have collaborated on the tank plant. One German source claimed that Poland was asking for too much money for the repairs as one of the issues. Another source, a German ambassador, claimed that one of the reasons the discussions fell through was German corporations reluctance to divulge technical knowledge. But it also showed a little bit the same thing we had for the Patriots, a general mistrust on the part of the Poles and a sort of being in the habit of treating a partner in a way that is not usual for a partnership in the EU or in an alliance. Right now, PGZ is fixing certain Leopard tanks with German-origin spare parts. (With agency inputs) Taking a serious view of the Khalistani protest outside the Indian High Commission in London October 2 wherein the Tricolour was insulted, Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has started mounting pressure on the UK government for the arrest of perpetrators, especially Gurcharan Singh and Paramjit Singh Pamma. The latter is on the most wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Highly placed sources in the Indian High Commission told Firstpost that MEA has conveyed to the UK government that it must arrest these Khalistani extremists. The Indian High Commission in London is, in the meanwhile, following up with the UK counterparts, and looking into the legalities. Gurcharan Singh and Pamma, accompanied by a crowd, desecrated the Indian Tricolour while staging a protest outside Indias London High Commission on October 2 in the wake of the diplomatic row between New Delhi and Ottawa over the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani extremist, was gunned down in Canada early this year. According to well-placed sources in the Indian High Commission, the MEA has reached out to its UK counterparts to goad the police for identifying Khalistani supporters from several video footages of the protest and arrest them on charges of hate crime. Who is Gurcharan Singh? Among the accused, Gurcharan Singh, a prominent figure from Dal Khalsa, was seen desecrating the Indian flag spreading it on the footpath, stomping on it, and later pouring cow urine from a bottle. Singh further exacerbated the situation by challenging UK PM Rishi Sunak to drink the cow urine. He was later taken away by the London police as the protests unfolded. However, it remained unclear whether he was arrested or not. Singh, who has already been exposed for his links with Pakistan and China on several occasions, is also accused of executing an attack on the Indian High Commission on March 18, 2023. Singh and four others attacked an official of the Indian embassy, inflicting grievous injuries. The gang had disrespected the Tricolour even then. Singhs list of hate crimes against India is a long one. Last year, he took part in a Webinar with officials of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK who had filed petition with the prime minister, calling on the UK government to reject Indias invitation to the G20 meet. In the Webinar, he targeted Hindutva. In 2018, a sting carried out on Singh showed him saying that his outfit Dal Khalsa had an office in China and that he would support Beijings claim on Sikkim. If China takes over Sikkim, then our job is done, he was caught saying on camera. Stooge of Pakistan, China Photos on Dal Khalsas Facebook page suggest that the organisation was invited to take part in an event on Kashmir by the Pakistan High Commission. Singh is the protege of Manmohan Singh Khalsa aka MSK, a Khalistan top boss who, before his death, openly enjoyed the support of Pakistan and ISI. MSK had to flee India because of his extremist views. He founded Dal Khalsa in Southall, London to keep peddling Khalistan ideology. Singh, who was the deputy in Dal Khalsa became leader of the organization after the former leader Jaswant Singh Thekedar was shot dead over internal politics. Thekedar had reportedly called Khalistan referendum, an ISI propaganda. He had also called out Pakistan for supplying drugs in Punjab and ruining an entire generation. Most recently, Singh was called out for his links with Paramjit Singh Pamma, who was also present with him during the October 2 protests. The latter is a declared terrorist and has been on NIAs most wanted list. He has been associated with Khalistan Tiger Force. During the protests, Pamma too issued threats against India. Both, Singh and Pamma, have frequently hit headlines for their notorious actions and statements against India. The October 2 protests came just days after Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was stopped by Khalistani extremists from entering a gurudwara in Scotlands Glasgow. The modernization of military weapons was stressed on Thursday by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who cautioned that any expenditures should be made carefully because the state budget was constrained. The 270 million-strong archipelago nation, which has Southeast Asias largest economy, is working to modernise its armed forces but has fallen behind its neighbours in recent years. Spending for military hardware must be done wisely, in terms of the amount or allocation, Jokowi, as the president is known, said during an armed forces parade. Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, who is rumoured to be running for president in the coming year to succeed Jokowi, has recently been in charge of a number of acquisitions, including the purchase of 42 Dassault Rafale fighter jets for $8.1 billion, 12 new drones from Turkish Aerospace for $300 million, and 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets for $800 million. In July, Jokowi also urged his cabinet to keep a healthy budget as he drew attention to excessive expenditure by security organisations, notably the defence ministry. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) think tank, among Southeast Asias six developing market countries, Indonesia has had the lowest defence spending per capita and as a proportion of GDP during the past ten years. (With agency inputs) In response to claims from rights organisations that a young girl was hospitalised in severe condition and in a coma after a dispute with authorities in the Tehran metro because she was not wearing the hijab, Iran struck back at Western criticism of its treatment of women on Thursday. Rights organisations worry that 16-year-old Armita Geravand may suffer the same fate as Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman whose death in a coma while in the care of morality police last year provoked months of widespread protest. Mahsa Aminis death occurred while she was in their custody. Tehran refutes claims made by rights advocates that Geravand was hurt on Sunday during an altercation with law enforcement who were enforcing the nations Islamic dress code, which mandates that women cover their heads. Nasser Kanaani, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, criticised the United States, Britain, and Germany for statements they made last week regarding Geravands case and womens rights in Iran. Instead of interventionist and biased remarks and expressing insincere concern over Iranian women and girls, youd better be concerned about U.S., German and UK healthcare personnel, patients and tackle their situation, he wrote on the X social media platform. Abram Paley, the deputy special envoy for Iran for the United States, said on X on Wednesday that Washington was closely monitoring updates on Geravands condition. Shocked and concerned about reports that Irans so-called morality police have assaulted 16-year-old Armita Geravand, Paley said. We continue to stand with the brave people of Iran and work with the world to hold the regime accountable for its abuses. Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had said on X: Once again a young woman in #Iran is fighting for her life. Just because she showed her hair in the subway. Geravand allegedly got into a fight with police on the Tehran subway for wearing a headscarf, according to two well-known rights activists who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday. They claimed that Geravand later went into a coma. Geravand was seen in CCTV footage posted on state news agency IRNA walking towards the train from the metro platform with two female acquaintances while not wearing a hijab. One of the girls is seen backing up and grabbing for the ground as soon as she enters the cabin, and then passengers remove another girl out of the cabin while she is still unconscious. The Tehran Metro Operating Company informed IRNA that there was no evidence of verbal or physical altercation between customers and business personnel in the CCTV footage. Geravands parents said in a video released on IRNA that their daughter had fallen, lost her balance, and hit her head inside the metro car. Rights organisations have pushed authorities to release video taken inside the cabin on social media, arguing that her parents confession was forced. Last month, U.N.-appointed rights officials voiced their worry over a new hijab rule in Iran that introduces severe penalties for women who choose not to wear the head covering in public. The most significant turmoil in Iran in years began after Aminis death in September 2022, which led to weeks of widespread anti-government rallies and a fatal crackdown by police. Since the secular and Western-backed Shah was overthrown in a popular revolution in 1979, Irans theocratic regime has enforced limitations on womens attire. (With agency inputs) Scotland Yard has arrested a man on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with an attack on the Indian High Commission in London in March this year. The Metropolitan Police said the man, who was arrested during a protest outside India House on Monday, was held in connection with a protest on March 19 and has been released on bail pending further enquiries. A British Sikh man was seen being led away by police officers on patrol during Mondays protest, called to demand UK government intervention over Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claims of alleged Indian involvement in the killing of wanted terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an allegation strongly rejected by India as absurd and motivated. On Monday, October 2, a man was arrested outside the Indian High Commission on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to a protest at the same venue on 19 March, the Met Police statement said. The man was taken into custody and has been bailed pending further enquiries, the statement noted. The man can be named only after he is charged but is believed to be one of over a dozen individuals identified by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to have been responsible for the attack on the High Commission of India on March 19, when pro-Khalistan extremists scaled the building and attempted to pull down the Indian national flag. At least one official was injured as objects were hurled at the building and windows were shattered. At the time, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi to convey Indias strong protest at the actions of separatist and extremist elements against the High Commission of India in London. In June, the NIA released photographs of suspects they believe were involved in the violent protest as the central agency took over the probe after Home Ministry officials met UK representatives in the wake of the attack. The latest arrest comes as Police Scotland revealed that it had found no criminality related to the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, being blocked from a gurdwara by pro-Khalistan extremists in Glasgow last week. Following extensive enquiries into a report of a disturbance in the Albert Drive area of Glasgow on Friday, September 29, 2023, no criminality has been established, said a Police Scotland spokesperson. The police had been summoned over the disgraceful incident as three people deliberately disrupted the planned community visit and one man even attempted to violently force open the diplomatic vehicle as senior diplomats arrived at Glasgow Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib on Albert Drive. It is due to the quick reaction of one of the organisers, who physically intervened at the car door, that a bigger incident was avoided. The High Commission of India has reported this disgraceful incident to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police, the Indian High Commission statement said at the time. Glasgow Gurdwara had also followed up with its statement to condemn the disorderly behaviour by unknown and unruly individuals, who disturbed the peace at a place of worship and attempted to disrupt the visit of the envoy facilitated by a member of the Scottish Parliament. 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, it said. Nawaz Sharif is returning to Pakistan to rescue the country out of crisis and not for taking revenge, said former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif. Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan on October 21. The three-time prime minister has been in self-imposed exile since November 2019 in London owing to health reasons. He was disqualified for life in 2017 by the Supreme Court for not declaring a receivable salary. Addressing a political rally in Lahore, Shehbaz Sharif, on Wednesday, said Nawaz is coming back to serve the people of Pakistan and to recommence the journey towards prosperity. The son of this soil is returning on October 21, not to take revenge but work for the prosperity of the country. God willing, he will change the destiny of people. Get ready to give him a rousing welcome. Shehbaz also asked his party workers to highlight the injustice done to Nawaz and said people of Pakistan were in fact deprived of progress and development due to the ouster of his brother (Nawaz). Lauding the work of PML-N government under Nawaz, Shehbaz said his brother came into power at a time when the country faced long hours of load-shedding. In only four years Nawaz Sharif rooted out load-shedding, he added. I will work with Nawaz Sharif to put the country back on track for development and growth, Shehbaz said. He further claimed that Pakistans progress and development were halted and even claimed that 2018 general elections were rigged. Nawaz Sharif after arrival plan On his scheduled arrival on October 21, Nawaz will address a public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan, senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said. A report by GeoTV quoted sources saying that Nawaz, in his address, would unveil a narrative to the PML-N workers, the move suggested by Chief Organiser Maryam. Meanwhile, his legal team has completed preparations to seek protective bail from the court ahead of his arrival. Climate change, according to Pope Francis, is the result of the irresponsible lifestyle associated with the Western model. On Wednesday, Pope Francis encouraged world leaders to agree to binding commitments to reduce climate change before its too late, saying that Gods constantly heated creation is rapidly approaching a point of no return. In an update to his landmark 2015 encyclical on the environment, Francis raised the alarm about the irreversible harm already being done to people and the earth, and lamented that the worlds poor and most vulnerable are once again paying the heaviest price. We are now unable to halt the enormous damage we have caused. We barely have time to prevent even more tragic damage, he said. He singled out the United States, stating that its per-capita emissions are double that of China and seven times that of impoverished countries on average. While individual and household efforts are beneficial, he believes that a broad adjustment in the careless lifestyle associated with the Western model would have a substantial long-term impact. The letter, titled Praise God, was released on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the pontiffs nature-loving namesake, and was intended to persuade negotiators to commit to enforceable climate targets at the next round of United Nations talks in Dubai. Francis addressed a moral necessity for the world to migrate away from fossil fuels to clean energy through measures that are efficient, compulsory, and easily monitored, using precise scientific data, strong diplomatic arguments, and a sprinkling of spiritual reasoning. What is being asked of us is nothing more than a certain responsibility for the legacy we will leave behind once we depart this earth, he said. The 2015 encyclical Praise Be by Pope Francis was a watershed moment for the Catholic Church, as it was the first time a pope used one of his most authoritative teaching writings to recast the climate debate in moral terms. Francis called for a bold cultural revolution in that text, which has been cited by presidents, patriarchs, and premiers and sparked an activist movement in the church, to correct a structurally perverse economic system in which the rich exploit the poor, turning Earth into a immense pile of filth. Despite the fact that encyclicals are designed to be timeless, Francis stated that an update to his original was required since our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point. He presented data demonstrating that rising emissions and the resulting rise in global temperatures have accelerated since the Industrial Revolution, notably in the previous 50 years. It is no longer feasible to doubt the human anthropic origins of climate change, he stated. While admitting that some catastrophic diagnoses may be unfounded, he stated that inaction is no longer an option. He claims that the devastation is already underway, with some irreversible damage to biodiversity and species loss that will only worsen unless immediate action is taken. Desiree Castaneda pleaded guilty to child neglect tulsa county Desiree Castaneda An Oklahoma woman pleaded guilty to child neglect charges after her 12-year-old daughter gave birth to the child of a 24-year-old man, online court records indicate. Desiree Castaneda, 33, was arrested in July 2021 in Tulsa, two weeks after her daughter was brought to the hospital by Juan Miranda-Jara, who told authorities he was the babys biological father. At the time, police believed the girls family was aware of the sexual contact between the girl and Miranda-Jara. "The family permitted the relationship, and there are photos of the family throwing a baby shower for the victim and the suspect," police said at the time. The age of consent in Oklahoma is 16. Related: Oklahoma Mom Arrested After 12-Year-Old Daughter Gives Birth to 24-Year-Old Man's Child Miranda-Jara was charged with rape, while Castaneda was charged with child neglect and enabling child sexual abuse. tulsa county Huan Miranda-Jara Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Miranda-Jara pleaded guilty in March 2022, while Castaneda entered her guilty plea on Sept. 20, court records indicate. Castaneda was sentenced to 15 years in prison and will have to register as a sex offender, court records say. Miranda-Jara is currently serving a 20 year sentence. At the time of Castanedas arrest, Tulsa police said the girls father is serving a 12 year sentence for first-degree rape unrelated to the case, according to authorities. If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Islamabad on Thursday made it clear that its ongoing campaign against illegal immigrants was not directed towards persons of any particular nationality, a day after the Taliban, who are currently in power in Afghanistan, condemned Pakistans plan to expel its citizens without legal status and called it unacceptable. On Tuesday, Pakistans caretaker government set November 1 as the deadline for thousands of unauthorized immigrants, including Afghan nationals, to leave the country or face imprisonment and deportation, as the countrys campaign on militancy and smuggling escalated. Reacting to the development, the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan on Wednesday said Pakistans decision is unacceptable. The Pakistani side should reconsider its plan. Afghan refugees are not involved in Pakistans security problems. As long as they leave Pakistan voluntarily, that country should tolerate them, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said. Replying to a question at the Foreign Offices weekly briefing here, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the ongoing action envisages repatriation of individuals who have either remained in Pakistan beyond their visa or do not possess valid documents to stay in the country. Pakistan is within parameters of its sovereign domestic laws to take action in this context, she said. At the same time, she said, the ongoing operation has nothing to do with the 1.4 million Afghan refugees that Pakistan has been hosting for decades despite its own constrained economic situation. Pakistans national policy on Afghan refugees remains unchanged and their safe and honourable repatriation is a separate matter on which Islamabad continues to engage with Afghanistan, the spokesperson said. In response to another query, Baloch said Pakistan has very clearly articulated its concerns over the use of Afghan soil for terrorism. Islamabad, while believing in diplomacy and dialogue, continues engagement with Kabul to fight the threat, she said. The Foreign Office also refuted media reports that Pakistan has closed transit trade with Afghanistan, saying that the trade continues but the country will not accept the misuse of existing trade facilities. Pakistan interim interior minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Tuesday said that there are currently 1.73 million unregistered illegal Afghans living in the country. Since January, 14 out of 24 suicide attacks in Pakistan were carried out by Afghan nationals, he said. So far more than 700 Afghans have been arrested since early September in Karachi alone and hundreds more in other cities. (With inputs from agenices) The US embassy denied allegations that American Ambassador Eric Garcetti warned his colleagues about the potential impact of New Delhis diplomatic spat with Ottawa on India-US relations on Thursday. According to the American news outlet The Politico, Garcetti has also stated that the US may need to curtail its connections with Indian officials for an unspecified length of time. The US embassy rejects these reports. When contacted about the claim, a US embassy official said, Ambassador Garcetti works hard every day to deepen the partnership between the people and governments of the United States and India. As his personal engagement and public schedule demonstrates, Ambassador Garcetti and the US Mission to India are working every day to advance the important, strategic, and consequential partnership we have with India, the spokesperson said. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India rejected the allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case. The Politico, quoting an unnamed official, said Garcetti has told his in-country team that, because of the diplomatic spat with Canada, relations between India and the US could get worse for a time. Garcetti also has said the US may need to reduce its contacts with Indian officials for an undefined period of time, it reported. The White House said on Tuesday that Canadas allegations regarding Indias involvement in the killing of the separatist are serious and need to be investigated fully. It has been revealed that the United States provided war-torn Ukraine with over a million rounds of ammunition which they had seized after intercepting a convoy in Iran, sometime last year. The revelation was made after the US Justice Department pursued a civil forfeiture lawsuit to recover possession on the basis that the bullets were confiscated while being transported to Yemeni Houthi forces in violation of a UN arms embargo. The Justice Department is also claiming forfeiture of weapons taken from additional seized stockpiles, including 9,000 assault rifles, 284 machine guns, about 194 rocket launchers, and more than 70 anti-tank guided missiles. The 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds were taken from a stateless dhow, Marwan1, by US Central Command naval boats on December 9, 2022. As part of the package, thousands of proximity fuses for rocket-propelled grenades were recovered. With this weapons transfer, the Justice Departments forfeiture actions against one authoritarian regime are now directly supporting the Ukrainian peoples fight against another authoritarian regime, stated US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday. We will continue to use every legal authority at our disposal to support Ukraine in their fight for freedom, democracy and the rule of law. According to the US, the armaments were provided by Irans Revolutionary Guard and were destined for its Houthi supporters in Yemens civil conflict. They have been warehoused in the Middle East since then, and a forfeiture claim was filed in a US court in March. On July 20, the United States took control. The shipment of captured Iranian weapons to Ukraine comes at a time when western defense ministries are concerned about their ability to arm Kyiv in the face of Russias persistent attrition war. The bottom of the barrel is now visible, said Adm Rob Bauer, the Dutch chair of the Nato military committee and the alliances most senior military official, during a conference in Warsaw on Tuesday. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak has been accused of a possible contempt of court for his joke on former Scotland PM Nicola Sturgeon, a complaint filed with Scotland police has alleged. Sunak made the joke in his speech to Tory party members at the annual conference in Manchester on Wednesday. The complaint has been filed by the general secretary of the Alba Party, Chris McEleny. In his complaint, McEleny has reportedly requested an investigation into whether Sunak had committed contempt of court by referencing Scotlands former first minister, who is the subject of an ongoing police investigation. Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister in February, was arrested and questioned in June as part of a Police Scotland inquiry into the SNPs finances, but she was eventually released without charge. She has out rightly denied the charges. According to McElenys complaint, the prime minister is commenting on, and making an assumption about, a live Police Scotland investigation. Operation Branchform is looking into serious issues that are very important to the people of Scotland. It is far too important a matter to allow the prime minister to interfere in this act of contempt while many people await the findings of Police Scotlands investigation. Operation Branchform should be free to pursue its investigation fearlessly without interference from Rishi Sunak. Police Scotland started Operation Branchform to look into the whereabouts of 600,000 in cash set aside for a second independence referendum. It is understood that there have been allegations that the ring-fenced funds have been misused by being spent elsewhere. Sturgeons arrest followed the detentions of party treasurer Colin Beattie and former party chief executive Peter Murrell, both of whom were later freed without charge. As part of the probe, police earlier investigated the SNP offices and the homes of Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell. Scotland police is yet to respond to the complaint. Russia has reached an agreement to establish a permanent naval base on the Black Sea coast within the breakaway Georgian region of Abkhazia, its leader was quoted on Thursday as saying by the Izvestiya newspaper. The development came a day after the leaders meeting with President Vladimir Putin. The Russian Black Sea Fleet, currently stationed in Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow from Ukraine in 2014, has faced multiple attacks by Ukrainian forces since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Aslan Bzhania, the self-styled president of Russian-backed Abkhazia, said an agreement had been signed for a permanent naval base in the Ochamchira region. We have signed an agreement, and in the near future there will be a permanent base of the Russian Navy in the Ochamchira district, Bzhania told Izvestiya. This is all aimed at increasing the level of defence capability of both Russia and Abkhazia, and this kind of interaction will continue, he said. There are also things I cant talk about. When asked about the report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said such issues were in the competence of the defence ministry and he made no further comment. The Russian-backed Abkhaz authorities did not respond to a request for comment. Russia recognized Abkhazia and another breakaway region, South Ossetia, as independent states in 2008 after Russian troops repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war which ended on August 12, 2008. NATO CONCERN The West accused Russia of effectively annexing Abkhazia and South Ossetia and when talk surfaced in 2009 of a Russian base in Ochamchira, the NATO military alliance expressed concern. Three of the Black Sea littoral states are NATO members Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. Most of the world recognises Abkhazia as part of Georgia. Besides Russia, only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognised Abkhazia as independent. The news of the Russian base at Ochamchira, where the Soviet Union had a naval base, could indicate Russia is seeking alternatives to Sevastopol while also expanding its military presence down the Black Sea coast towards Turkey. The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia had withdrawn the bulk of its Black Sea Fleet from its main base in annexed Crimea due to Ukrainian attacks. Asked about the WSJ report, the Kremlin said this was also a question for the defence ministry and made no further comment. At his meeting with Bzhania on Wednesday, Putin made no comment about a naval base. But Bzhania did say that he wanted to participate in the integration processes initiated by the Russian side. With inputs from Reuters. Bangladesh became the 33rd nation in the world to create nuclear energy on Thursday after receiving the first Russian shipment of uranium fuel for its $12.65 billion debut nuclear power plant. Together with Rosatom, the Russian government-owned nuclear energy business, the south Asian nation is constructing the first of two nuclear power facilities. A Russian loan covering 90% of the projects costs has a 28-year repayment term with a 10-year grace period. Today is a day of pride and joy for the people of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said during a video conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Russian Embassy in Bangladesh called a nuclear fuel delivery ceremony in a Facebook post. The United States is putting pressure on Hasinas administration to hold the free and fair elections that are scheduled for January by slapping visa bans on some Bangladeshi officials and political party leaders. The first Russian foreign minister to visit Bangladesh since the countrys independence in 1971, Sergei Lavrov, promised Bangladesh last month that Moscow was committed to completing the project on schedule despite challenges posed by Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine. The sanctions and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have caused a delay in construction. Bangladesh in December refused admission to a Russian ship delivering supplies for the facility as a result of American sanctions against Moscow. A delay in loan repayments has delayed the commencement of operation of the plants first unit, which has a 2,400 megawatt total generation capacity. (With agency inputs) The American man accused of rape who reportedly staged his own death will be extradited to the United States, the Scottish government announced on Thursday. According to U.S. prosecutors, the individual is Nicholas Rossi, who is suspected of being involved in rape and sexual assault claims in Utah. Rossi attempted to fake his own death in 2020 in an effort to evade capture and fled the country in order to avoid being charged. The man claims to be Arthur Knight, was never in the US, and was the victim of mistaken identity. The Scottish ministers have made their decision regarding Mr Nicholas Rossi and signed an extradition order on 28 September 2023, the government said in a statement. A Scottish court concluded in August that Rossis extradition was not subject to any legal restrictions. Rossi checked himself into a hospital in Glasgow in October of 2021 and was later detained by police after providing his COVID-19. (With agency inputs) A special court in Uttar Pradesh has permitted the state government to withdraw charges against 81 people in a 2015 rioting case, leaving just state Congress president Ajay Rai facing prosecution. The order from the MP-MLA court came on Wednesday, after the BJP administration agreed to drop the charges against 81 of the 82 defendants in the case. Among the 81 are UP minister Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu and various Hindu saints who have had their charges cleared. Rai lashed out at the Yogi Adityanath government, declaring that the state governments discriminatory action will not dissuade him. The court of Special Judge Avnish Gautam ordered withdrawal of the case against 81 accused, except Rai, government counsel Vinay Singh said. The case was lodged at Dashashwamedh police station here against 82 people, including Rai, on charges of rioting, arson, attempt to murder, and damaging government property after a violence broke out during the Anyay Pratikar Yatra. Rais advocate Anuj Singh termed the courts order as biased and said that they will approach the Allahabad High Court against it. UP Congress chief Rai, in a statement, said, For them (BJP) the word Sanatan is not a symbol of any faith and belief, but merely a weapon of political vengeance. This was completely proved when this anti-Sanatan government filed a case against 82 people who were involved in the Anyay Pratikar Yatra, a protest march against suppression of present Shankaracharya in Kashi in 2015. Except me, the government sought the withdrawal of cases against 81 others. I am not going to be deterred by the discriminatory action of the government and will continue to fight for the injustice done to every aggrieved person or class along with Sanatan Samaj, he said. The Congress leader said the government argued in the court that there are other cases against him, but additional cases are also against many of the 81 people who got acquitted due to political affiliation. Whatever cases are against me, they are related to political movements against injustice, the UPCC chief added. (With inputs from agencies) A draught bill requesting amnesty for thousands of people accused of crimes committed at political rallies, including insulting the monarchy, over the course of nearly two decades of unrest was submitted by Thailands progressive opposition party on Thursday. The bill put out to parliament would apply to all political protests since 2006, a year marked by sporadic unrest that included two coups, the ouster of three prime ministers by judges, and debilitating, occasionally violent street rallies. The Move Forward Party, which won the election in May but was unable to form a government, has proposed creating a committee made up of the speaker of the house, officials from the administration, the opposition, and the court to determine who qualifies for amnesty. We did not specify offenses because there are so many cases and the timeframe is broad, party leader Chaithawat Tulathon said, adding the bill stipulates those involved in insurrection, causing harm to lives, or abuse of power in security crackdowns would not be eligible. The anti-establishment Move Forward party won the election on a platform that included changing a provision that protects the king from criticism. This proposal infuriated royalists, the military, and conservative politicians, who banded together to prevent the party from entering office. How much support Move Forward has for the most recent amnesty proposal is unknown. The now-ruling Pheu Thai Partys last attempt in 2013 backfired, leading to riots and eventually, a coup. According to data from the legal aid organisation Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, 258 people have been accused of insulting the king in the last three years out of 1,928 persons who have been tried for political rallies. According to Puangtip Boonsanong, a lawyer involved in many of those cases, 500 people associated with conservative political groups, including yellow shirts involved in a 2009 blockade of two international airports and of the seat of government in 2008, 2013 and 2014, have been charged with offences. (With agency inputs) The UK government on Wednesday warned that Russia could target civilian shipping in the Black Sea by laying sea mines on the approaches to Ukrainian ports and then blaming Ukraine. London last month said that Russian forces targeted a civilian cargo ship in the region with multiple missiles but they were successfully intercepted by air defences. Citing declassified intelligence, it said there was a risk of attack to cargo ships travelling through Ukraines humanitarian corridor to deter Ukrainian grain exports. Russias pernicious targeting of civilian shipping in the Black Sea demonstrates Putins total disregard for civilian lives and the needs of the worlds most vulnerable, said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. The world is watching and we see right through Russias cynical attempts to lay blame on Ukraine for their attacks. Cleverlys department said by releasing its assessment of intelligence reports, the UK seeks to expose Russias tactics to deter any such incident from occurring. Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July. Since then, Russian attacks have damaged 130 port infrastructure facilities and destroyed nearly 300,000 tonnes of grain enough to feed more than one million people for a year, the UK said. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reaffirmed UK backing for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging wavering Western allies to maintain weapons supplies. If we give President Zelenskyy the tools, the Ukrainians will finish the job, he told his ruling Conservative partys annual conference in Manchester, northwest England. The Cayuga County Board of Health is urging Gov. Kathy Hochul to intervene after the state Department of Health made significant revisions to the Owasco Lake watershed rules and regulations proposed by local stakeholders. The board sent a letter to Hochul in September asking her to "direct your state agencies to reincorporate the draft rules and regulations as submitted by the Cayuga County Health Department on behalf of the city of Auburn and town of Owasco water purveyors." After toxins from harmful algal blooms were found in the drinking water supply in 2016, the state provided funding for a stopgap measure filtration systems to protect the drinking water. Local officials also began working on changes to the Owasco Lake watershed rules and regulations, which haven't been updated since 1984. A three-year process resulted in the city of Auburn and town of Owasco approving the proposed rules and regulations in 2020. The policy updates were sent to the state Department of Health for review. The agency responded with its revisions over the summer. One of the main differences between the state and local plan is how they address nutrient management. Nutrients, such as phosphorus, have contributed to the development of harmful algal blooms in Owasco Lake. The local plan would impose new rules on manure application and the use of commercial fertilizers on farms. With some exceptions, livestock would be prohibited from accessing brooks and streams and feed storage areas could not be within 250 feet of Owasco Lake's high water mark. However, the state's revisions do not address nutrient management except for encouraging farms to participate in a voluntary environmental management program. Auburn and Owasco officials are disappointed with the state's response and raised the possibility of legal action. In its letter, the board of health described the state's proposal "as little more than window dressing" and less protective than the existing rules. In response, the city council and town board voted to ask the state for a total maximum daily load, a type of pollutant control plan, for Owasco Lake. The request was made after the discovery of a letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The EPA had disapproved of the state's list of impaired waterbodies requiring total maximum daily loads because 22 waterbodies and pollutants, including Owasco Lake and its harmful algal bloom problem, weren't included. There have been other calls for Hochul to intervene. Auburn City Councilor Jimmy Giannettino, who is running for mayor this year, asked the governor to visit the area to discuss Owasco Lake water quality. What concerns the health board is the possibility that a do-not-drink order would need to be issued if the drinking water quality deteriorates. The county health department held a drill to practice a scenario in which the water wasn't safe to drink. "Such an occurrence would be impactful, to say the least, to the public health of our community," Dr. John Cosachov, president of the health board, wrote in the letter. "The reverberating effect would be catastrophic to the community." The health board echoed what other local leaders have said that the state has failed county residents. "Clean drinking water is an essential component of public health," Cosachov added. "All citizens of New York state, including those of Cayuga County, have a right to clean water and a healthful environment." At least 49 people were killed in a Russian attack on Thursday in a village in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine, including a six-year-old boy, according to Ukrainian officials. Oleh Synehubov, the governor of the Kharkiv area, reported that numerous civilians were present when a cafe and a business in the village of Hroza in the Kupyansk district of Kharkiv were targeted at around 13:15 (10:15 GMT). The rescuers continue to work on the site, Synehubov said on the Telegram messaging app. Authorities shared video of rescuers scaling through burning rubble. Along with mangled metal and concrete slabs, bodies were lying there. It wasnt immediately apparent if the settlement had been shelled or if a missile had been fired by Russian soldiers, who invaded Ukraine 19 months ago. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared that the Russian terror should be stopped while in Spain for a summit with European leaders. Now we are talking with European leaders, in particular, about strengthening our air defence, about strengthening our soldiers, about giving our country protection from terror, he said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. (With agency inputs) In order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe, the United Nations warned on Thursday that it was trying to reach 18 million people in need in Sudan due to instability, interference from the warring parties, and a lack of foreign funding. We need to reach 18 million people and we will not give up on that target, but we need more international support, better access to the people who need us and safety for our operations, said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan. Were not at this point able to have an operation that is commensurate to the scale (of needs), she said. In the middle of April, fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing a severe humanitarian catastrophe and bringing the nation dangerously close to civil war. Due to the war, more than 4.2 million people have left their homes, and approximately 1.2 million of them have entered neighbouring countries, placing a tremendous strain on Sudans limited resources. Since the violence started, Nkweta-Salami claimed that 19 relief workers have died and 29 have been injured, which she deemed unacceptable and illegal. Red tape was impeding the provision of relief, and only one-third of a $2.6 billion plea to the international community for aid to the Sudanese people had been funded, she claimed. We also need to see an end to interference from the conflict parties in our operations, including forced checks of humanitarian trucks and mandatory military presence during the loading process in Port Sudan and Jazeera, she said. I hope that we will see swift action to reduce the bureaucratic obstacles, including delays in visa approvals for staff as promised by Sudanese authorities in a donor meeting yesterday. The U.N. apprehensions that the situation would get worse if the battle moves to other regions, such as central Jazeera state, which she referred to as Sudans breadbasket, where it might obstruct the flow of food. (With agency inputs) In a reversal in strategy for President Joe Bidens administration, the government announced on Thursday that the United States will construct extra sections of border wall and roadways in a Texas county that has seen a lot of migrants entering the country from Mexico. According to a notice in the Federal Register, the Department of Homeland Security said it needed to waive a variety of laws, rules, and other legal criteria to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in proximity to the international land border in Starr County, Texas. The decision represents a change in the Biden administrations stance on the construction of actual walls and other barriers, one of former Republican President Donald Trumps top demands and the refrain of his campaign rallies, Build That Wall. As one of his first official acts, Biden declared that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall and ordered a review of all funds already allocated. With border issues looming large in the upcoming general election, Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, may square off once more. After falling in mid-May when the Biden administration implemented tighter new asylum criteria, the number of migrants apprehended trying to enter the country illegally or presenting themselves at legitimate border crossings has gradually increased. After the announcement, migrant numbers initially decreased, but recently started to increase as thousands of migrantsmany of whom were escaping Venezuelamade their way through south and central America. According to Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, more than 245,000 persons have been stopped by the U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley Sector during the current fiscal year. According to him, funding for border barrier construction in fiscal year 2019 will be used to pay for the construction projects. There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas, Mayorkas said. Mayorkas declaration drew no immediate response from the White House, but Trump quickly declared victory. As I have stated often, over thousands of years, there are only two things that have consistently worked, wheels, and walls! Trump wrote in a social media post. Will Joe Biden apologize to me and America for taking so long to get moving on a barrier? Cities in the north and at the border of the United States have been stretched by the rise of migrants. Several thousand migrants are said to have arrived in recent days, prompting the mayor of Eagle Pass, Texas, to proclaim a state of emergency last month owing to a severe undocumented immigrant surge into the area. Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, set out on a tour to Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador on Thursday to tell prospective immigrants that his city is unable to take them in. (With agency inputs) A Turkish drone that had gotten too close to American ground forces in Hasakah, Syria, was shot down by the American military on Thursday. An official told the media that the drone had been flying unsafely and out of sync. As NATO partners, the U.S. and Turkish forces typically coordinate closely when performing air manoeuvres. Prior to making an announcement, the official discussed the situation under the condition of anonymity. About 900 American soldiers are currently engaged in operations in Syria against militants from the Islamic State group. Following a suicide attempt earlier this week outside Turkeys interior ministry office, Turkey increased its airstrikes against Kurdish militant targets in Iraq and Syria on Wednesday. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan claimed that Turkish intelligence agencies had determined that the two attackers had travelled from Syria, where they had received training, during a press conference after the incident. He declared that Turkey would now target PKK- or its allied Peoples Defence Units, or YPG, Kurdish militia groups, facilities in Syria and Iraq. (With agency inputs) Heaping praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin called him a very wise man, adding that India is making great strides in development under his leadership, Russia-based media RT reported. Putin also expressed hope for further cooperation between Russia and India in the field of financial security and the fight against cybercrime. According to a video shared by RT news platform, Putin said during an event, We share very good political relations with Prime Minister Modi, he is a very wise man. And India has been making very great strides in development under his leadership. This fully meets the interest of both India and Russia to work on this agenda. His remarks come close on the heels of the adoption New Delhi Declaration at the G20 Summit in India. Significantly, the declaration called for establishing peace in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine but didnt put the blame on Russia, marking a sharp drift from the previous Bali Declaration. The New Delhi Declaration was welcomed by Moscow, which termed it a milestone and also praised the active role of the Indian presidency in consolidating the G20 countries from the Global South. Last month, too, President Putin had praised PM Modi stating he was doing the right thing in promoting the Make in India programme. In an address at the 8th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), Putin said, You know, we did not have domestically made cars then, but we do now. It is true that they look more modest than Mercedes or Audi cars, which we bought in vast amounts in the 1990s, but this is not an issue. I think that we should emulate many of our partners, for example, India. They are focused on the manufacture and use of Indian-made vehicles. I think that Prime Minister Modi is doing the right thing in promoting the Make in India programme. He is right, he added. Muhammad Yunus, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, went before Bangladeshs anti-corruption body on Thursday to answer to corruption charges that his attorneys claimed were a result of a government harassment campaign. With his innovative micro-credit bank, Yunus, 83, is credited with helping millions of people escape poverty. However, he has a falling out with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has accused him of sucking blood from the underprivileged. He is dealing with around 175 separate criminal and labor tribunal issues involving the social business enterprises he founded in Bangladesh with the intention of bringing services to the underprivileged. Yunus had to cut short his trip to the United Nations headquarters in New York to attend the hearing at the Anti-Corruption Commission in the nations capital, Dhaka, defense attorney Abdullah al Mamun told reporters. He is now being interrogated by anti-corruption officials as part of the investigation, Khaja Tanvir Ahmed, one of Yunuss lawyers, told AFP. Yunus and seven officials of Grameen Telecom, a social business firm he founded, are accused of money laundering and embezzling 250 million taka ($2.3 million), according to charges filed by the commission in May. He faces up to 12 years in jail if convicted. Another case against Yunus is currently at trial. His lawyers have insisted he is innocent of all charges against him. These cases are all part of the continuous harassment against Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Ahmed said. In August, 160 global figures including former US president Barack Obama and ex-UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon published a joint letter against the continuous judicial harassment of the micro-credit pioneer. The signatories including more than 100 of his fellow Nobel laureates said they feared for his safety and freedom. Yunus was awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work promoting economic development. He has been credited with helping eradicate extreme poverty in Bangladesh by offering microfinance loans to tens of millions of rural women through Grameen Bank, which he founded in the 1980s. Bangladeshs anti-graft watchdog last year ordered a wide-ranging probe into firms that Yunus chairs. Hasina has attacked him personally, blaming him for the World Bank pulling out from a bridge project near Dhaka that was mired in corruption allegations. When the bridge finally opened last year, Hasina said Yunus should be dipped in a river for jeopardising its completion. With an aim to enable the multilateral lender to pursue a more inclusive agenda focused on addressing climate change and alleviating poverty, the World Banks Development Committee has put forth a proposal to establish an additional annual lending capacity exceeding $100 billion over the next decade. The final proposals from the joint ministerial committee composed of the boards of governors of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reflect the recommendations put forth by the Independent Expert Group established by the G20, which was co-chaired by N.K. Singh, Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission and former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. The group has already submitted its second volume to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and will make a detailed presentation to the G20 at Marrakech scheduled next week, reported ET. The group has put forward a roadmap and a comprehensive strategy for overhauling multilateral development banks (MDBs), such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. The plan includes specific proposals aimed at allowing MDBs to mobilize private capital in addition to increasing their financial capability. We are going into greater granularity on how you really achieve this private capitalwhat incentive, risk mitigation can you do, Singh was quoted by ET as saying in an interview 10 days back. During the G20 Leaders Summit that took place in New Delhi on September 9 and 10, the New Delhi Leaders Declaration which was adopted by G20 leaders, elevated the importance of climate change on the global geopolitical agenda. The leaders also agreed to reform MDBs to make them bigger and better and more cognisant of the needs of the Global South. After losing by more than 4,000 votes last year, Mario Fratto is challenging U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney to a Republican primary rematch in 2024. Fratto, a Geneva attorney and businessman, announced Wednesday that he will seek the GOP nomination in the 24th Congressional District. The district covers all or parts of 12 counties, including Cayuga, stretching from western New York to the North Country. In a lengthy statement, Fratto listed his complaints about Tenney, R-Canandaigua, and actions taken by Congress, including funding for Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion and Tenney's vote to raise the debt ceiling. He also repeated his criticism of her decision to move from the Utica area to run in in the 24th. "I had hoped that our close primary race would encourage her to make a course correction and vote the values of the most conservative district in the state," Fratto said. "She has instead doubled down on the bad policies that filled the carpet bag she dragged into our district last year." Members of Congress are not required to live in the districts they represent. However, Tenney decided to move to Canandaigua before the Republican primary in 2022. During that primary, Fratto used some of the same attacks against Tenney that she was a "carpetbagger" and questioned her conservative voting record. Tenney won the primary by 13 points, 53 to 40%, over Fratto. She cruised to a general election victory over Democratic challenger Steven Holden in November 2022. When Tenney last filed a fundraising report over the summer, she had more than $252,000 cash on hand. This year, she has raised over $476,000 and received nearly $27,000 from other committees. Tenney said in a statement that she is focused on electing a new House speaker after Kevin McCarthy's ouster this week. She is also working on legislation, including spending bills and measures to address border security, while serving on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. She also blasted Fratto as a "pro-criminal lawyer" he is a criminal defense attorney and accused him of running for Congress for personal gain. "Republicans must be united in our effort to hold the House majority," Tenney said. "I have handily defeated past primary opponents, including Fratto, because of my strong conservative record of accomplishment and unparalleled and aggressive advocacy on behalf of my constituents. The race in 2024 will be no different. I am honored to represent this district and grateful for the overwhelming support that I have received from constituents throughout all 12 counties." Fratto is the first opponent to emerge in the 24th district. No Democrats have filed to challenge Tenney in 2024. Republicans outnumber Democrats by nearly 80,000 in the 24th district. Google, this week unveiled its latest flagship Pixel 8 series smartphones. In a bid to further elevate the smartphone photography and videography experience, Google is rolling out four groundbreaking AI-powered editing features for Google Photos on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. These updates, building upon Google Researchs AI technology, promise to simplify complex edits and enhance user creativity. Perfect Your Group Photos with Best Take feature Taking that perfect group photo just got easier with the introduction of the Best Take feature. This feature utilizes a series of similar photos taken in quick succession to automatically create a blended image, ensuring everyones best expression is captured. If you prefer a different expression, you have the flexibility to manually select one from the various shots you took, putting you in control of your group photos. Magic Editor Magic Editor, an experimental editing experience, leverages generative AI to simplify complex edits. It allows users to effortlessly resize, reposition, or adjust subjects within photos. Contextual suggestions can improve lighting and backgrounds, transforming a gray sky into a golden-hour sunset. Additionally, Magic Editor provides multiple result options for users to choose from, empowering them to achieve their desired look. Google acknowledges that Magic Editor is in its early stages and encourages user feedback for further refinement. Audio Magic Eraser Google has also introduced Audio Magic Eraser, which uses advanced machine learning models to identify and categorize background sounds in videos, such as people talking, music, or wind. Users can then easily reduce or eliminate these distracting noises with just a few taps, ensuring their videos sound precisely as intended. Zoom Enhance for Post-Capture Focus Zoom Enhance, coming soon to Pixel 8 Pro, empowers users to zoom in on any photo after its been captured and crop it to their desired focus. Thanks to generative AI, Zoom Enhance intelligently fills in the gaps between pixels and predicts fine details, offering new possibilities for framing and focusing on the most important aspects of photos. Availability These innovative features are set to enhance the editing capabilities of Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users. Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser will be available starting October 12, promising to take smartphone photography and videography to the next level. Nokia has opened its 6G Lab at its Global Research and Development center in Bangalore, India. This project is set to fast-track the development of essential technologies and innovative applications driven by 6G technology, catering to the future needs of both industries and society. The virtual inauguration was graced by Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Honble Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics & IT, Government of India. Nokias 6G Lab aligns with the Government of Indias Bharat 6G Vision, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, envisioning India playing a pivotal global role in the development of 6G technology. One notable initiative in the Lab is the research into Network as a Sensor technology, enabling networks to sense objects, people, and movement without onboard sensors. In the 6G era, this technology is seen as a game-changer, seamlessly merging the digital and physical worlds. Additionally, the Lab will serve as an experimental ground for exploring algorithms, privacy, and sustainable system design. Nokia has been at the forefront of 6G development, engaging in global projects and regional initiatives. The companys work aligns with the European 6G Flagship initiative and contributes to the Next G Alliance, driving the 6G ecosystem in North America. The establishment of Nokias 6G Lab in India marks a pivotal step towards advancing the nations technological prowess and realizing its ambition in the global arena. Regarding the announcement, Nishant Batra, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer of Nokia, said: The town of Skaneateles is investigating several recent car larcenies in the area and reports of "a man engaging in lewd behavior" on the Charlie Major Nature Trail. A news release posted to the town's Facebook page this week said that the Skaneateles Police Department, Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and New York State Police are investigating the larcenies, which have taken place in the village and town over the past week. The town asks residents to check any home video surveillance systems for evidence and to call 911 to report any suspicious activity. Residents should lock their vehicles, remove all keys and fobs, and ensure that any valuables are not visible, the town said. If they are the victim of a car larceny, they should contact 911. The town also said that it has increased surveillance of the .8-mile Charlie Major trail, located between Old Seneca Turnpike and Crow Hill Road. In a Facebook post on Thursday, the town added that there was another incident of a man engaging in lewd behavior there that day. Authorities were not able to apprehend him, so the town recommends not going there alone until "the predator" is caught. As with the larcenies, residents are asked to call 911 if they are a victim of lewd behavior on the trail or if they observe any suspicious activity there. For more information, visit facebook.com/townofskaneateles. Do you remember the mystery van from the cartoon show Scooby-Doo? Well, a mimic of it is now available in real life. A tuner from Indonesia has turned a Volkswagen ID.Buzz into a Scooby-Doo themed van, paying homage to the original mystery vehicle. The theme wrap around the ID.Buzz stands out and has been brought to life by TeckWrap. All the colours on the body wrap accurately mimic the colors and design of the original Mystery Machine from the cartoon show. The front bumper is finished in bright green while the rest of the fascia, the pillars, and the roof are finished in turquoise. The green theme continues along the sides where the characters from Scooby-Doo are visible. Apart from the livery, other changes on the ID.Buzz include overhauling of its suspension by Concept Motorsport Indonesia, and equipping it with a set of KW V3 coilovers, one of the more popular aftermarket coilover options out there. Thanks to these coilovers, the car can now be raised and lowered easily while also significantly improving its handling. Further, a special set of aftermarket wheels with black spokes and chrome barrels enhance the look of the theme van. Volkswagen has started the deliveries of the ID.Buzz in many markets around the world but US markets will have to wait till next year. (Concept Motorsport Indonesia) Volkswagen has started the deliveries of the ID.Buzz in many markets around the world, but it wont reach the hands of US markets until next year. However, the company has extensively reworked the model to meet the demands of North American customers, as the model is now 6.9 inches (175 mm) longer. It is also equipped with a larger 91 kWh battery compared to the 82 kWh pack of overseas markets and is being offered in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Driving the rear-wheel drive model is a single electric motor with 282 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque while the all-wheel drive variant adds a 49 hp motor to the front axle. First Published Date: SAN DIEGOAylo, the parent company of tube sites such as Pornhub and YouPorn, on Tuesday was sued by 61 women who were victimized by the GirlsDoPorn sex trafficking ring. The suit filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California alleges Aylo and its associated companies engaged in human trafficking and racketeering. It seeks damages and restitution of more than $311 millionor about $5 million per victim named in the suit. The alleged victims are represented by personal injury attorney, Brian Holm, and the Holm Law Group, who are demanding a jury trial. A spokesperson for Aylo told AVN that the company will not comment on ongoing litigation. We look forward to the facts being fully and fairly aired in that forum, the Aylo spokesperson said. The safety of our community is our number one priority, so we are proud to have instituted Trust and Safety policies that surpass those of any other major user-generated platform on the internet. Our compliance program has helped us set the standard for the tech industry, and we are committed to remaining at the forefront of this important area. Holm filed civil suits on behalf of other victims in 2016 to 2018 cases, leading to indictments of the owner of GirlsDoPorn, Michael Pratt, and others. The most recent indictment was Douglas Wiederhold, founder and co-owner of MomPOV.com with Pratt. Most of the women who appeared in GirlsDoPorn videos were fraudulently misled by Pratt and his associates who said that the modeling gigs they advertised on Craigslist and other job boards would only be distributed as DVD releases in foreign media markets. According to the complaint, Pornhub and its sister tube sites entered into a content partnership with GirlsDoPorn and MomPOV. The suit alleges that MindGeek (Aylos former name) executives at the time either knew of the illegal activity at Pratts operation or didnt vet the premium sites and their parent companies further. The suit claims that Aylo is liable for enabling Pratts criminal enterprise and capitalizing off of marketing videos that feature the victims across the Pornhub network. The lawsuit additionally mentions a series of investigative videos published by Sound Investigations alleging executives at Pornhubs parent company dismissed a predator loophole. According to the complaint, content moderation was conducted by a single person, who was expected to vet 700,000 videos flagged on the platform. In addition, the flagging program that was in place at the time required a minimum of 15 flags in order to qualify for moderation and review by the woefully short-handed trust and safety team that Aylo had in its employ, according to the complaint. The timeline of events described in the lawsuit appears to be before Aylo rebranded and Ethical Capital Partners acquired the company. Another Jane Doe victim, formerly known as Kristy Althaus, also has filed suit against Aylo with similar claims. Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts 1. The Faroe Islands are located in which body of water? Atlantic Ocean They are specifically in the North Atlantic Ocean, lying between Iceland and the Shetland Islands of the British Isles, which are part of Scotland. Their name can also be spelled as Faeroe Islands while in Faroese they are called Froyar and in Danish Frerne. They consist of seventeen inhabited islands of volcanic rock covered by peat with other islets and numerous fjords. Answer:They are specifically in the North Atlantic Ocean, lying between Iceland and the Shetland Islands of the British Isles, which are part of Scotland. Their name can also be spelled as Faeroe Islands while in Faroese they are called Froyar and in Danish Frerne.They consist of seventeen inhabited islands of volcanic rock covered by peat with other islets and numerous fjords. 2. The name of the Faroe Islands appears on which of these ancient items? Answer: Hereford's Mappa Mundi The Mappa Mundi (Map of the World) which is on display at Hereford's cathedral is believed to date from around 1300. It shows Jerusalem as the centre of the world, so it is a little surprising to find such a small group of islands appearing. The map does extend to Scotland, and the Faroe Islands are named as 'farei'. The name of the islands is generally accepted to mean 'sheep islands' from the Old Norse language. 3. Which of these languages is Faroese closest to? Answer: Icelandic Although it is now part of Denmark, and was previously owned by Norway, it is Icelandic which is closest to Faroese. Although the written languages resemble each other, the spoken language differs considerably and speakers of each language cannot generally understand the other. The language has developed from Old Norse and is spoken by around 70,000 people in all in the first quarter of the twenty-first century, mostly living on the islands with some in Denmark itself. 4. Although classed as part of Denmark, the Faroe Islands do have a flag of their own, adopted in 1940. It features a Nordic cross on a field of which colour? White Most of the Scandinavian countries and dependencies have a Nordic cross on their flags, Greenland being an exception with a red and white circle set on a background of red and white halves. Denmark's flag has a red field with a white cross offset to the left, which is the distinguishing feature of the Nordic cross. The flag of the Faroe Islands has a red cross edged in blue on its white field and is known as the Merki, which translates as the sign or mark. Answer:Most of the Scandinavian countries and dependencies have a Nordic cross on their flags, Greenland being an exception with a red and white circle set on a background of red and white halves. Denmark's flag has a red field with a white cross offset to the left, which is the distinguishing feature of the Nordic cross.The flag of the Faroe Islands has a red cross edged in blue on its white field and is known as the Merki, which translates as the sign or mark. 5. The primary industry of the Faroe Islands in the first quarter of the twenty-first century is which of these options? Answer: Fishing They are islands after all, so fishing is the most likely answer. According to the official government website, fishing and aquaculture accounts for a massive 90 to 95% of its exports and around 20% of its gross domestic product in the first quarter of the twenty-first century. Aquaculture primarily focuses on salmon while fish such as cod, mackerel and herring are caught at sea. The islands are looking to expand both shipping and tourism, but they have a way to go at the time of writing. 6. Which of these describes the Lgting? Answer: Faroese parliament The name has the literal meaning of 'law thing' in Old Norse and dates from the Viking era. It is the name given to assemblies and has applied to meetings to agree laws on the islands for over one thousand years. As the Faroes are recognised as an autonomous territory, they have their own parliament with a total of 33 members. The parliament building is located on the peninsula called Tinganes, near Torshavn, where assemblies were held historically. 7. The capital city of Torshavn is located on which island, the largest in the country? Streymoy The name of the capital means 'Thor's Harbour' and the city is located in the south east of the island of Streymoy. As you'd expect, it is a coastal city (although the size of the islands means that most settlements are), and is where ferries to and from Norway and Iceland dock. There are also local ferry services between the islands. Torshavn also has a cathedral, dating originally from 1609. Answer:The name of the capital means 'Thor's Harbour' and the city is located in the south east of the island of Streymoy. As you'd expect, it is a coastal city (although the size of the islands means that most settlements are), and is where ferries to and from Norway and Iceland dock. There are also local ferry services between the islands.Torshavn also has a cathedral, dating originally from 1609. 8. Several common animals have specifically Faroese varieties. Which of these is NOT one of them? Answer: Pigs All the mammals on the Faroe Islands were originally brought there by man. The Faroese sheep date from the ninth century and are a hardy breed, due to the exposed nature of the islands. Unlike most sheep, they do not form flocks, behaviour which is attributed to there being no predators. A sheep appears on the official coat of arms. Faroese cattle are smaller than most breeds and are kept primarily for milking. Faroese geese have the run of the islands, again due to the lack of predators. The other animal named for the island is the Faroe pony, which the islanders insist is a horse despite its small stature. There are no records of a Faroese pig, though. 9. Which country occupied the Faroe Islands during the Second World War? Answer: Britain You may have been surprised to see that it was Britain, but the proximity of the Faroe Islands to Scotland - around 260 miles (420 km) from the mainland and even closer from the outlying islands - meant that Britain was proactive in protecting itself. As soon as Germany occupied Denmark and Norway, Britain moved into the Faroe Islands in Operation Valentine to prevent Germany taking the islands. The presence of the troops meant that Germany never attempted to take control of the Faroes, and the army withdrew as soon as the war was over. 10. Which of these is the national airline of the Faroe Islands in the 2020s? Atlantic Airways At the time of writing, the Faroe Islands have only one airport, although there are several heliports which provide access. The airport is located on the island of Vagar and the airport is known as Vagar Airport. It was originally built by the British Army during World War II but then lay abandoned until 1963 when a regular air service to Copenhagen began. The airport has now expanded and Atlantic Airways (Atlantsflog in Faroese) provides flights to Edinburgh, Paris and Barcelona to name just a few. Answer:At the time of writing, the Faroe Islands have only one airport, although there are several heliports which provide access. The airport is located on the island of Vagar and the airport is known as Vagar Airport.It was originally built by the British Army during World War II but then lay abandoned until 1963 when a regular air service to Copenhagen began. The airport has now expanded and Atlantic Airways (Atlantsflog in Faroese) provides flights to Edinburgh, Paris and Barcelona to name just a few. Source: Author rossian This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system. International AP Pope Francis opens a big Vatican meeting on the church's future and says 'everyone' is welcome Pope Francis has opened a big meeting on the future of the Catholic Church VATICAN CITY Pope Francis said the Catholic Church needed to be rebuilt to make it a place of welcome for everyone, everyone, everyone, as he opened a divisive meeting on the future of the church that has sparked hope among progressives and alarm among conservatives. Francis presided over a solemn Mass in St. Peters Square to formally open the meeting. But he warned both camps in the churchs culture wars to put their human strategies, political calculations or ideological battles aside and let the Holy Spirit guide debate. Were not here to create a parliament, but to walk together with the gaze of Jesus, he said. Rarely in recent times has a Vatican gathering generated as much hope, hype and fear as this three-week, closed-door meeting, known as a synod. It wont make any binding decisions and is only the first session of a two-year process. But it nevertheless has drawn an acute battle line in the churchs perennial left-right divide and marks a defining moment for Francis and his reform agenda. On the table are calls to take concrete steps to elevate more women to decision-making roles in the church, including as deacons, and for ordinary Catholic faithful to have more of a say in church governance. Also under consideration are ways to better welcome of LGBTQ+ Catholics and others who have been marginalized by the church, and for new accountability measures to check how bishops exercise their authority to prevent abuses. Even before it started, the gathering was historic because Francis decided to let women and laypeople vote alongside bishops in any final document produced. While fewer than a quarter of the 365 voting members are non-bishops, the reform is a radical shift away from a hierarchy-focused Synod of Bishops and evidence of Francis belief that the church is more about its flock than its shepherds. The opening Mass and seating arrangements made that clear: The lay participants led off the processional into St. Peters Square, followed by the vested clerics, suggesting their primacy of place. Inside the synod auditorium, laypeople sat at round tables alongside cardinals and bishops, rather than in the upper back row of the Vaticans audience hall as in previous synods. Its a watershed moment, said JoAnn Lopez, an Indian-born lay minister who helped organize two years of consultations prior to the meeting at parishes where she has worked in Seattle and Toronto. This is the first time that women have a very qualitatively different voice at the table, and the opportunity to vote in decision-making is huge, she said. In his homily, Francis recalled that his namesake St. Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is celebrated Wednesday, also faced divisions and tensions in his lifetime and responded with prayer, charity, humility and unity when he was told: Go and rebuild my church. Let us do the same! Francis said. And if Gods holy people with their shepherds from all over the world have expectations, hopes and even some fears about the synod we are beginning, let us continue to remember that it is not a political gathering, but a convocation in the spirit; not a polarized parliament, but a place of grace and communion. He repeated that theme during the first working session of the synod and laid out the ground rules for participants, confirming a media blackout of the meeting. Francis called for a fasting of the public word to allow for free debate without the glare or pressures of media coverage. More than speaking, the priority is listening, he said. 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 but also the right to preach at Mass and be ordained as priests or deacons. Before the opening Mass got under way, advocates for women priests unfurled a giant purple banner at a piazza nearby reading Ordain Women. Lopez, 34, and other women are particularly excited about the potential that the synod might in some way endorse allowing women to be ordained as deacons, a ministry that is currently limited to men. The issue is on the agenda, and delegation from Lopez group, Discerning Deacons, was in Rome for sideline events. For years, supporters of female deacons have argued that women in the early church served as deacons and that restoring the ministry would both serve the church and recognize the gifts that women bring to it. Francis has convened two study commissions to research the issue and was asked to consider it at a previous synod on the Amazon, but he has so far refused to make any change. In his homily opening the synod, Francis said such preconceived ideas had no place in the gathering. But repeating his new mantra about the church as a place of welcome, he said tutti, tutti, tutti must be allowed in: Everyone, everyone, everyone. The potential that this synod process could lead to real change on previously taboo topics has given hope to many women and progressive Catholics and sparked alarm from conservatives who have warned its call for radical inclusion of LGBTQ+ people could lead to schism. They have written books, held conferences and taken to social media claiming that Francis reforms are sowing confusion, undermining the true nature of the church and all it has taught over two millennia. Among the most vocal are conservatives in the United States On the eve of the meeting, one of the synods most outspoken critics, American Cardinal Raymond Burke, delivered a stinging rebuke of Francis vision of synodality as well as his overall reform project for the church. Its unfortunately very clear that the invocation of the Holy Spirit by some has the aim of bringing forward an agenda that is more political and human than ecclesial and divine, Burke told a conference entitled The Synodal Babel. In the audience was Cardinal Robert Sarah, who along with Burke and three other cardinals had formally challenged Francis to affirm church teaching on homosexuality and womens ordination before the synod. In an exchange of letters made public Monday, Francis didnt bite and instead said the cardinals shouldnt be afraid of questions that are posed by a changing world. Asked specifically about church blessings for same-sex unions, Francis suggested they could be allowed as long as such benedictions arent confused with sacramental marriage. Twenty countries have committed to nuclear energy to achieve their net zero emission targets and agreed on a number of guiding principles to increase momentum in their nuclear new build projects. At the Roadmaps to New Nuclear conference, organised by the French Ministry for Energy Transition and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) in Paris, the energy ministers of 20 countries agreed on a joint communique in which they highlight the need for nuclear energy to meet global energy challenges. Nuclear energy is already a key part of the pathways to net zero in many countries, and it can play a much larger role, both through the continued operation of existing installations and the large-scale construction of new nuclear power plants. This will require significant international co-operation, in particular to unlock access to financing, to harmonise and enable policy and regulatory frameworks, to support research and development, and to foster stable supply chains, including for nuclear fuel. Achieving these goals will depend on the further training of a skilled workforce and continued public engagement through transparent, inclusive and responsible democratic decision-making processes. During the Roadmaps to New Nuclear conference, nine industry nuclear bodies also came together to sign a joint communique setting out their readiness to work together with policymakers to rebuild leadership in nuclear energy across the world. They committed to deepening their existing co-operation to meet climate and energy security goals. The communiques and the discussions at the conference, which included energy ministers and leaders from industry, will help set the stage for joint, focused action by policymakers, utilities and the private sector. This is particularly important in the run-up to the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to be held in Dubai on 30 November 12 December 2023. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service Mexicans are celebrating Day of the Dead, an intangible tradition borne down from pre-Hispanic cultures that is also a celebration for all the senses. The festivity smells of cempasuchil flowers and copal incense. It has a sweet taste. Sounds and colors abound on the tombs and altars honoring the departed. Day of the Dead is one of Mexicos great visual spectacles and a celebration of cultural syncretism. Its fundamental purpose is to remember those who have died so their souls dont disappear forever. Read moreThe Day of the Dead in Mexico is a celebration for the 5 senses 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. Although you may think you are now doomed to a life of living on a quarter tank of happiness, most Kiwis are not close to reaching that peak happiness dollar amount and Ive seen plenty of legends having the time of their life lately. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe US may not have right tools to combat foreign harassment: report China and other governments have targeted critics beyond their borders, including in the US. By Tara McKelvey for RFA 2023.10.04 -- The authors of a new report say the nation's laws could be strengthened in order to fight the Chinese government's efforts, as well as those of other foreign governments, to harass and intimidate their critics in the United States. These activities, known as "transnational repression," show the extent that officials from foreign governments will go in order to shape public views of their policies. Officials from Beijing and other capital cities spy on individuals in the United States and try to crush criticism of their policies through extortion, death threats and even physical assaults, according to the authors of the report. The report, which examines the "harassment of dissidents and other tactics of transnational repression," was compiled by researchers from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan investigative unit of the U.S. Congress. Yet the U.S. does not have laws that specifically criminalize this type of behavior. As a result, law-enforcement officials have relied on a variety of existing statutes, such as those that prohibit money laundering, in order to stop the offenses. FBI officials told the GAO that "gaps in existing law" make it harder to fight against the Chinese government's attempt at political repression here in the United States. In one example, as the FBI officials explained to the authors of the report, U.S. statutes used to crack down on this type of repression were written before the internet was created. This makes it harder for prosecutors to bring a case against an individual outside of the United States who works to intimidate U.S. residents. Analysts say that the use of cyber intimidation and repression is one of the biggest challenges for law enforcement today. "We struggle with this not only in our own country but also with the foreign governments engaging in cyber repression," said David Fidler, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Chelsa Kenney, the director of the GAO's international affairs and trade team, said that one of the problems for U.S. officials attempting to combat transnational repression is there is no standard definition for what it entails. Local police called to a crime scene may not necessarily consider that the perpetrators are actually living abroad, she said, or "that the crime could have been directed by a foreign government." The report recommends that U.S. officials at the Justice Department and other federal agencies take steps "to enhance the common understanding" of transnational repression and to examine "gaps in legislation" needed to address the problem. The authors of the report also encourage the heads of various federal agencies to work closely together to address transnational repression. 'Coercion by proxy' The subject of transnational repression in its various guises has come under scrutiny in recent years. The activities of authoritarian leaders have expanded, according to experts, in part through new methods of tracking people abroad. The Russian government has attempted to poison its critics, according to the U.S. authorities, and the Chinese government has tried to force dissidents to return home to face punishment. One example of transnational repression noted by the authors of the report is a tactic used by Chinese officials known as "coercion by proxy." Specifically, family members of six U.S.-based journalists reporting on human rights abuses in Xinjiang for Radio Free Asia were thrown in prison in 2021. "There are still over 50 China-based family members of RFA Uyghur staff missing," said Rohit Mahajan, RFA's chief communications officer. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Iraq and Kuwait Wrap Up Successful Trilateral Exercise US Navy 03 October 2023 From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain -- Maritime forces from Iraq, Kuwait and the United States completed a two-day trilateral exercise focusing on counter-piracy and maritime security in the Northern Arabian Gulf, Oct. 3. The Sentinel-class U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) and USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1146) teamed with Kuwait Coast Guard fast patrol boat Wadhah (P 316), Kuwait Coast Guard speed boat (400), Kuwait Navy supply ship KNS Al-dorrar, Kuwait Navy patrol boat KNS Failaka, Kuwait Navy coastal patrol boat KNS Bateel 3 and KNS Bateel 4, a Kuwait helicopter, Iraq Navy patrol boat PB-307 and Iraq Navy patrol boat PB-310 to conduct joint patrols focused on visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) procedures, small boat operations, fishermen safety, and communication equipment checks, among many maritime security concerns. This exercise builds upon previous VBSS engagement training by introducing simulated target vessels, increased VBSS drill repetitions and, as a first, conducting VBSS exercises aboard Kuwaiti ships. Six years ago, the trilateral exercise concept was driven by the three partner nations' desire to cooperatively address maritime security concerns in the Arabian Gulf. Since that time, the exercises have grown in complexity and are more focused on regional needs. "Part of what makes this exercise valuable is the ability to take advantage of the wide breadth of knowledge, experience and VBSS tactics together," said Lt. Hunter Stowes, Goldman's commanding officer. "Exercises like this continues to strengthen our regional partnerships, maintain and improve upon our ability to integrate seamlessly with our allies and improve our skill sets in the maritime domain." "Kuwaiti naval forces cooperate and coordinate with regional navies to ensure maritime security in the Northern Arabian Gulf," said Major Gen. Haza AlAlati, Commander Kuwait Naval Force. "Our exercises, working alongside U.S. 5th Fleet, Kuwait and Iraq Navies, ensure the security and safety of the fisherman in the international waters in the Northern Arabian Gulf," said Major Gen. Talal Almuwanes, Commander Kuwait Coast Guard. "The aim of this exercise is to enhance skills, develop training capabilities, maintain preparedness and readiness, exchange experiences between the participating forces, and strengthen international relations within the framework of cooperation and coordination for joint action," said Major Gen. Laith Abdul Sattar Abdul Jabbar, Iraq Um Qaser Naval Base commander. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet, said the exercises demonstrate the flexibility of regional forces to adapt to changing environments. "With this latest iteration, we are continuing to advance interoperability at sea," he said. "It's an honor to continue this series of exercises with our Kuwaiti and Iraqi friends. This trilateral exercise proves once again that when we work together we achieve so much more. Maritime security in the Northern Arabian Gulf is critical to regional maritime security, reinforcing the value and importance of these exercises with Kuwait and Iraq." U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet's area of operations (AOO) encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 21 nations, includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kenyan President Welcomes UN Resolution on Haiti Intervention By Mariama Diallo October 03, 2023 Kenyan President William Ruto has welcomed a new resolution approved Monday by the U.N. Security Council authorizing a foreign security mission to intervene in Haiti. Ruto said he hopes the so-called Multinational Security Support Mission his country is leading will provide a different footprint in the history of international interventions in Haiti. In a taped speech shared with the media Tuesday, Ruto said he hopes the mission will make a difference in the lives of Haitians. "I welcome the resolution as an overdue and critical instrument to define the multinational mission," he said. The mission is a fundamental intervention to provide the necessary conditions for Haiti to consolidate its development and governance." Ruto said it is essential that resources, as well as the operational scope available to the U.N. team, be appropriately reinforced. This comes after the U.N. Security Council voted late Monday to authorize a foreign security mission to intervene in Haiti, a year after the Caribbean nation requested help to quell violent gangs. Kenya offered to lead the operation in Haiti two months ago, saying it is willing to deploy one thousand of its police forces. On a recent visit to Kenya, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin lauded the plan. "We intend to work with the United States Congress to provide up to 100 million dollars in support and we urge others in the international community to follow Kenya's great example," he said Austin was in Nairobi with his Kenyan counterpart Aden Duale. "Kenya has a very long history of global peace keeping," Duale said "We were in Kosovo, we were in Namibia, we were everywhere and now we are in Somalia, we are in DRC, we have our officers in the Tigray monitoring and evaluation mechanism." But others, like Eugene Wamalwa, a former Kenyan defense secretary and the leader of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya, told VOA he had some concerns. "We would expect the process to be transparent," he said. "First of all, starting with our national assembly, our parliament should approve this. We expected also that this matter would be addressed at the AU [African Union] before being elevated to the UN. We first heard of it during UNGA in New York and we had the Americans praising us for offering our troops, we are not even aware we are sending our police officers in harm's way. We have not discussed it. We have not agreed as a country." 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. Amnesty International Kenya on Tuesday urged U.N. member states, human rights organizations and citizens to thoroughly examine the mission's human rights and humanitarian implications before the deployment. Meanwhile, Kenyans who spoke to VOA are divided on their police force possibly going to Haiti. "We have a lot of problems, not only in our country but also in Africa," said Victor Odhiambo. "We have problems in Sudan, in Somalia, we have security problems in several parts of Africa. If we wanted to solve any security problems, we could've started at home or at least regionally." Stanley Omuhinda, a pastor, struck a more positive note. "It'll help to cause them to have peace in that country," he said. "Number 2, [it'll] show that this country is a peaceful country, we can exercise peace in other countries, that is a very powerful thing this country has done. I support it with 100%." The mission has been initially approved for one year, with a review after nine months. It was not immediately clear when Kenya would deploy its police contingent to Haiti, but senior government officials have suggested it could come as soon as early next year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address When US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted on Tuesday from his leadership post, he became the shortest serving speaker since 1875. A handful of far-right Republicans joined Democrats and stripped the California Republican of the speaker's gravel with a 216-to-210 vote, after McCarthy worked with Democrats to pass a short-term funding bill to avert a government shutdown. The ouster appears sudden, but is not surprising. It is no secret that some far-right Republicans hold radical ideas and refuse to cooperate with the Democrats in any form. Moreover, McCarthy's post was fragile from the very beginning. Matt Gaetz, who was among the Republicans to force a successful vote to vacate the chair on the House floor, repeatedly voted against McCarthy's bid for speaker in January. McCarthy ultimately secured the gavel after 15 rounds of voting over four days. To win the job, McCarthy had to agree to rules that made it easier to challenge his leadership. Democrats also viewed him as untrustworthy. He broke a May agreement on spending with President Joe Biden. Despite the fact that McCarthy worked with the Democrats to pause the US shutdown, he did not win the support of a single Democrat in Tuesday's vote. Democrats still believe that the presence of McCarthy, who in September ordered an impeachment inquiry into Biden, would hinder the political agenda of the Biden administration. They also believe that ousting McCarthy would trigger chaos within the Republicans and stymie the Republicans' moves against the Democrats. All in all, McCarthy had already become a "lame duck" speaker. Zhang Tengjun, deputy director of the Department for American Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that the ouster of McCarthy shows that against the backdrop of intensified bipartisan struggles, loyalty to the party triumphs everything, from the two parties' ability to make compromises and reach consensuses in the interests of the American public. "It does not matter if one is the House speaker or not; what matters is which party he or she belongs to. This shows the extent to which the Democratic Party and the Republican Party divide," Zhang noted, adding that the US politics is now entering an era of "a host of demons dancing in riotous revelry." McCarthy's ouster has been covered extensively by the US media, adding to the frenzy. But actually, it is the very representation of the US' so-called democratic politics. What normal democratic politics means is that the functioning of politics will not be affected by the removal of any single politician. But obviously, the ousting of McCarthy has plunged the House into chaos. And McCarthy's fate reflects how cooperating with the other party impacts political fortunes. Wei Zongyou, a professor from the Center for American Studies, Fudan University, told the Global Times that from a deeper perspective, democratic politics is not all about elections, but about mutual compromise and restraint. "If the two parties cannot make compromises and exercise restraint, but turn different political opinions into an excuse to crusade against the other side or launch a life-and-death struggle, it may lead to a deadlock or even a civil war, and the only consequence is that the foundation of democratic politics will be destroyed," said Wei. US democracy is facing a severe test as the 2024 presidential election looms. The Republicans have to tackle the current chaos and address this most recent leadership crisis. Without a powerful House speaker to bridge the divergences among the Republicans, it will affect the overall election strategy of the Republican Party and its advancement of its political agendas. The Democrats, sitting in the House chamber to watch the farce from afar, could laugh at the Republicans and accuse them of not being able to govern the country and being the reason behind ongoing political gridlock. But they also need to be aware that if the Republicans refuse to cooperate in any issue, the Biden administration's political agenda may also suffer. A chaotic situation next year does not necessarily bode well for the Democratic Party, and the outcome of the 2024 election remains uncertain and unpredictable. Readout of President Biden's Call with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar October 03, 2023 President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar. The two leaders confirmed their strong bilateral partnership and commitment to working together to address regional and global challenges. President Biden expressed his appreciation for Qatar's support for talks with Iran that led to the return of five wrongfully detained U.S. citizens, as well as Qatar's ongoing support for the Afghan people. They also discussed their commitment to deepen defense and security cooperation in the region. President Biden and the Amir plan to continue their efforts to advance their shared vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and stable Middle East region. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Activation in Vicenza, Italy By Staff Sgt. Robert Wormley October 4, 2023 SEMBACH, Germany -- On Oct. 11, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment will activate at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy. Charlie Battery 1-57 will bolster Air Defense Artillery capabilities, operating in direct support of the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne). Their mission is to eliminate, neutralize, or deter low-altitude aerial threats, encompassing unmanned aerial systems, rotary wing, and fixed-wing aircraft. These capabilities play a crucial role in safeguarding the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team's ground forces during their operations. The activation of Charlie Battery 1-57 follows the prior activations of its parent unit, the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and the establishment of the 52D Air Defense Artillery Brigade. The planned expansion of U.S. Army air defense capabilities in Europe has been in the works for some time. This announcement was made by U.S. President Joe Biden during the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain, in June 2022. This modernization is crucial for addressing emerging threats and maintaining air defense superiority in a rapidly changing operational environment. The addition of the new 1-57 short-range air defense regiment under the 52D ADA BDE significantly strengthens the United States' contribution to ground-based air defense within the European Command (EUCOM) region. For more information, please contact 10th AAMDC Public Affairs via email at usarmy.rheinland-pfalz.10aamdc.pao@army.mil or visit www.dvidshub.net/unit/10AAMDC - 30 - NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Switzerland provides further funding to support people in Sudan and neighbouring countries Swiss Government Bern, 04.10.2023 -- The humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated significantly amid the ongoing fighting. More than 5.3 million people have fled their homes, with a million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. As a result, Switzerland is providing a further 5 million francs to support Sudan, South Sudan and Chad. Since the fighting broke out on 15 April 2023, the humanitarian situation in Sudan, which was already dire, has deteriorated even further. Since then, the fighting has spread from Khartoum to other areas. The conflict has displaced more than 5.3 million people and a million have fled to neighbouring countries - mainly Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. Growing humanitarian needs Switzerland is providing an additional 5 million francs in response to soaring humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighbouring countries, with 500,000 going to the Norwegian Refugee Council in Sudan and 1 million to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The funding will be used to support projects run throughout Sudan by local and international NGOs and UN agencies despite the continuing conflict. Switzerland is donating 1 million each to the World Food Programme (WFP) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for their operations in South Sudan. Switzerland is also providing 1.5 million to various UN agencies for work in Chad. So far this year, Switzerland has contributed over 45 million to help manage the crisis in Sudan and affected neighbouring countries. Switzerland continues to monitor the situation in the region, which will allow it to adjust its support in response to changing needs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 4, 2023 By Jim Garamone , DOD News General Says Middle East is a Theater for Strategic Competition Although deterring Iran and defeating extremist groups in the Middle East are priorities for U.S. Central Command, the region is also "fertile ground for strategic competition with China and Russia," said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of Air Forces Central, and Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command. The Middle East is important to China, the general told the Defense Writers' Group today. The rising power gets about 50 percent of its oil and about a third of its natural gas from the Persian Gulf region. The Gulf hydrocarbons are fueling China's rise. China is trying to "displace" U.S. influence in the Middle East, he said. Right now, the Chinese are primarily working to supplant the United States through economic means and through the Belt and Road Initiative - the Chinese program to finance infrastructure projects that often come with hidden costs to debtor nations. "What I think is a reasonable assertion, though, is that where economic interests start, military interests will follow to protect those economic interests," Grynkewich said. "Over time, ... there is a risk of Chinese expansion into the region militarily." Growing Chinese influence would have effects on U.S. access, basing and overflight in the region. "That could be critical, not just for things that happen in the Middle East, but things that would happen in the Indo-Pacific in the future," he said. The Chinese influence could take many forms. One the general is looking at is "smart cities" projects put together by Chinese technology giant Huawei. "If that kind of infrastructure comes in and it starts to touch networks, you start to see a risk to U.S. forces and U.S. technical capabilities because of the collection capabilities that might come with that," he said. "We do watch that closely." The general is forthright when discussing the threat with allies and partners in the region. "They all understand that, and I think they are making individual decisions about how to pursue their economic interest with China," he said. U.S. officials, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, have repeatedly said the United States is not forcing nations to choose between China and the U.S. However, they think nations should understand all the baggage that comes with having economic ties to China. Grynkewich said there is no Chinese military footprint in the U.S. Central Command's area of operations, though there is a Chinese base in neighboring Djibouti at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. "We watch that closely," he said. Chinese navy ships have participated in the counter piracy mission in the region for years, "but, I would tell you, to the extent that there are 'mil-to-mil' relationships with China in the region, they are very transactional," Grynkewich said. "What I emphasize to our partners is when you work with the Chinese, you are getting a transaction." U.S. forces work with allies and partners because of the deep strategic partnerships based on shared interests. Many of the nations of the Persian Gulf are major non-NATO allies, and U.S. forces have worked alongside them for generations. For example, Grynkewich said the Chinese have had a maritime presence in the region for a long time. "When was the last time the Chinese used their military presence to do something like intercept lethal aid going to the Houthis," he asked. "They've never done it. They've never done something like that." Some nations in the region have conducted military exercises with the Chinese. "They do one exercise with China," he said. "We do 15 or 20." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armenia: Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell on the ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC European External Action Service (EEAS) 04.10.2023 EEAS Press Team The European Union welcomes ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on Tuesday. After the signature by the Armenian President, the decision will enter into force. The ICC is the first permanent international court established to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. The EU calls on all States that have not yet done so, to accede to the Rome Statute. Every single accession to the Rome Statute brings the international community closer to universal participation and strengthens the shared resolve to end impunity and foster a culture of accountability. Along with our international partners, the EU will continue to work for and promote the ratification and implementation of the Rome Statute, and the integrity of the ICC. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia supports Council of Europe's action plans for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, and the platform for the protection of journalists Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 04.10.2023 Yesterday 3 October, Estonian Ambassador to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg Rasmus Lumi and the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Bjrn Berge signed an agreement, confirming Estonia's support for various projects of the Council of Europe. Estonia is allocating 50 000 euros in total for the action plans for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, and the platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Estonia was unwavering in its support for Ukraine until it wins the war. "In addition to military assistance, we are supporting Ukraine's reform efforts and reconstruction. This is why we decided to support the Council of Europe's Ukraine action plan again, as it allows us to contribute to the country's reconstruction by reinforcing the rule of law and advancing democracy and human rights," Foreign Minister Tsahkna underlined. "We have also decided to support the action plans for Moldova and Georgia, which means supporting their reform processes and Western course," the minister added. As an advocate for media freedom and the co-president of the Media Freedom Coalition, Estonia has considered the protection of journalists a priority. "We want to contribute to journalists in Council of Europe countries being able to work without endangering themselves. This is why we consider it important to support the council's platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists," Minister Tsahkna said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuania's readiness to host German brigade discussed with State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2023-10-04 International cooperation October 4, Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anusauskas welcomed State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany Nils Hilmer on a visit in Lithuania to discuss deployment of the German brigade. "We appreciate Germany's leadership and commitments in the region. You are our strategic partner. The decision to deploy a brigade-sized German unit in Lithuania on a permanent basis demonstrates your steadfast commitment to the security across the Baltic region. We expect to agree on the implementation of plans in detail by the end of the year," said sake A. Anusauskas. Minister walked the guest through the preparatory work done in Lithuania and the military infrastructure being developed which N. Hilmer also visited later. "I assure you that all agencies of the Government are unanimous that creation of the best possible conditions for the permanent presence brigade in Lithuania is a priority. We have a fundamental military infrastructure development process ongoing, it encompasses full-fledged military bases, supply storage facilities and every other kind of military infrastructure. Lithuania invests particularly heavily in training infrastructure so that both Allied and Lithuanian troops have proper conditions to maintain readiness," said A. Anusauskas. Germany is one of the key Allies to Lithuania whose contribution to regional security is especially substantial. Joint training and deployments to multinational operations, adherence to the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative are among major areas of the Lithuania-German cooperation. Germany plays a critical role in modernizing the Lithuanian Armed Forces as well. Lithuania purchases the Vilkas IFVs, G-36 assault riffles and HK SFP9 pistols, 5-ton Arocs trucks, 155 mm PzH2000 self-propelled howitzers from German manufacturers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address High Threat IEDD Exercise, Northern Challenge 23: A First for the 26MEU and the U.S. Marine Corps US Marine Corps News 4 Oct 2023 | Cpl. Kyle Jia PEO Land Systems KEFLAVIK, ICELAND -- U.S. Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal operators from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in Exercise Northern Challenge 2023 alongside various NATO Allies and partners, Sept. 21 to Oct. 5. Northern Challenge 2023 is an annual, Icelandic Coast Guard-led exercise, designed to provide the most modernized explosive ordnance disposal training in the world. This year's iteration featured 16 nations, over 400 participants, and marked the first time the U.S. Marine Corps participated in the exercise. Participating nations included: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States. During the training, participants responded to two 'calls,' a term for responding to an explosive threat, each day. Throughout the training, each situation became increasingly more complex, adding multiple, simulated, improvised explosive devices for the operators to safely neutralize while a thinking adversary countered their procedures to challenge their problem-solving skills and provide a more realistic, threat-informed, scenario-based training environment. "This was a great experience for the Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 22. The exercise challenged our team with dynamic and relevant EOD scenarios put together by professionals in the field," said Master Sgt. George Cardenas, EOD chief of 26MEU(SOC) Logistics Combat Element. "The combination of so many varying experiences, perspectives and tactics, techniques, and procedures, creates a challenging and professionally rewarding learning environment that ultimately makes us better warfighters for the 26MEU(SOC)." Along with the EOD teams, each country provided a national and international proctor to watch over teams as they solved various threat-informed problem sets. The inclusion of proctors allowed for in-depth collaboration between participants and encouraged discussions on best practices and tactics, techniques and procedures. "Participating in Northern Challenge has allowed us to become intimately familiar with the way NATO manages EOD operations including tasking, reporting, and information gathering," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Thomas Jones, the Officer-In-Charge of the 26MEU(SOC) EOD element in Iceland. "The exercise and experiences here allows us to exchange knowledge and build stronger relationships with our partners. More so, our participation in exercises like Northern Challenge leads to better interoperability and integration with our NATO partners and EOD operations in the future." Northern Challenge 23 provided an opportunity for participants to share ideas and tactics, better equipping them to neutralize modern explosive threats, and in-turn share these procedures and knowledge with members of their community in their respective units and countries. "I am extremely proud of the exceptional performance of our EOD Marines, honing in on their craft and enhancing their warfighting readiness," said LtCol Luke Sauber, commanding officer, CLB-22, 26MEU(SOC). "Participating in realistic, training scenarios enables the Marines from the MEU(SOC) Logistics Combat Element to respond to real-world threats associated with the current and anticipated future operating environments where they may be dynamically tasked to operate. Our EOD Marines represented the 26MEU(SOC) in a positive light, marking the first time a contingent from the U.S. Marine Corps participated in Northern Challenge, a NATO-level exercise," Sauber concluded. The 26MEU(SOC) serves as one of the United States premier crisis response forces capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on-forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the Geographic Combatant Commander. Coupled with the USS Bataan ARG, the 26MEU(SOC) serves as a premier stand-in force with a full complement of all-domain capabilities to operate persistently within the littorals or weapons engagement zones of any adversary. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26MEU(SOC) has been deployed since Jul. 10. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, USS Bataan; Harpers Ferry class dock landing ship, USS Carter Hall; and embarked 26MEU(SOC) have been operating in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of operations under the tactical command and control of Task Force 51/5. The USS Mesa Verde and embarked 26MEU(SOC), under the tactical command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Koa Moana 23 Concludes in Oceania US Marine Corps News 4 Oct 2023 | Staff Sgt. Courtney White 1st Marine Logistics Group KOROR, PALAU -- U.S. Marines and Sailors with I Marine Expeditionary Force concluded Task Force Koa Moana 23 in the Indo-Pacific region on Sept. 30, 2023. The task force was task-organized into multiple detachments with expertise in providing engineering, medical, maritime law enforcement, and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities. Named Koa Moana, a Hawaiian phrase meaning "ocean warrior," the task force is designed to strengthen relationships between the U.S. and partner nations in Oceania. "Koa Moana is the Marine Corps' attempt to have a larger outreach in the Indo-Pacific," said 2nd Lt. Ryan Degnan, a native of Monroe, New York and a ground supply officer with the task force. "We are going to islands we haven't really been to before or haven't had a large presence in recent years. Micronesia is a good example of that. It's all about community relations; getting with the communities and helping them out." According to Degnan, community relations is what differentiates the United States from its adversaries. This year's iteration deployed to six locations: Papua New Guinea, Republic of Palau, and the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia. Additionally, Koa Moana had three episodic locations: Guam, Kiribati, and Solomon Islands, which focused on monument clean ups. "We accomplished more than 100 Operations, Activities, and Investments," said Degnan. "We had multiple projects; the big ones were hospital repairs in Kosrae and Chuuk. In Kosrae, the Marines basically rebuilt the whole hospital. They were able to work with the U.S. Department of the Interior to get funding and we supplied the labor." While many OAIs were created during the task force's pre-deployment site surveys, numerous projects were established while deployed. "We discovered many projects on site," said Degnan. "Many came from just talking with the community and building those relationships. Some were planned beforehand, but a good amount was created here when we talked to the right people and discovered things we didn't even realize were possible to do." Over the three-month deployment, Marines and Sailors in Papua New Guinea worked on numerous renovation projects including a Papua New Guinea Defense Force shooting range, Port Moresby Nature Park, and PNGDF Air Transport Wing. In FSM, infrastructural projects included the Dr. Arthur P. Sigrah Memorial Hospital in Kosrae, Chuuk High School, Tomil Municipal Center on Yap and a Pohnpei shoot range. In Palau, projects included repairs to the Joint Range Complex and the flagpole at the president's office as well as dental work for elementary school students. According to Degnan, many of the Marines were performing in tasks outside of their occupational specialties. "We kind of just had to make do with what we had and everyone was willing to learn new skills," said Degnan. "It's incredible how well these Marines performed out here. There are not too many engineers in our battalion; we have Motor-T, maintenance and supply and yet they were going out there and putting in work and long hours. They went above and beyond in all means. They were full speed the whole time. Just looking for each and every opportunity." Beyond labor-intensive projects, the task force also participated in numerous community relations activities including blood registration drives, mess nights, softball games and recruiting events. "Building relationships all across the world is great, but maintaining those relationships is even more important," said Sgt. Xavier Bridges, a native of Kirbyville, Texas and the Task Force Koa Moana 23 Palau detachment platoon sergeant. "That is something we've been able to do with Palau and the other islands. They love us out here and they asked us to stay, so I think that says a lot about us." For nearly a decade, Task Force Koa Moana has demonstrated U.S. commitment to the region and a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. "Overall, I would say Koa Moana was really successful," said Bridges. "It seems like every island really enjoyed having the Marines there to work on projects and help out in the community." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A look at the Defence news 25 September - 1 October Netherlands Ministry of Defence News item | 04-10-2023 Minister of Defence Ollongren: "Create the right conditions to further prevent civilian harm in warfare" "Protecting civilians from harm should also have the highest priority in future warfare. These developments require clear agreements." Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren advocated this during her visit to New York, where she spoke at Columbia University. MQ-9 Reaper to operate six months longer from Curacao The MQ-9 Reaper unmanned reconnaissance aircraft will once again stay about six months longer in Curacao. The aircraft collects data and other information from the air. In this way, the Netherlands Defence Organisation supports military organisations in the Caribbean, among other things to combat organised crime. The deployment of the MQ-9 Reaper was scheduled to end last week. Netherlands and Columbia strengthen maritime ties in Caribbean The Netherlands and Columbia will start working closer together for security in the Caribbean. This cooperation will include combating cross-border crime, such as drug trafficking. The Ministry of Defence released this news last week. Netherlands to provide helicopters and force commander for NATO mission in Iraq The Netherlands is to increase its contribution to the NATO mission in Iraq (NMI). This concerns a force commander with a staff capacity of around 15 military personnel who will be leading and coordinating the deployment of various NATO allies and partners. In addition, the Netherlands will send a detachment of about 120 military personnel with three Chinook transport helicopters to Iraq. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Human Rights Council Holds General Debate on the Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories 4 October 2023 The Human Rights Council today held a general debate on its agenda item seven on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories. State of Palestine, speaking as an entity concerned, said it was regretful that some politicised the work of the Council due to the wishes of the occupying power. Today there were more than six million refugees from the State of Palestine, and thousands of people had been killed by Zionist gangs. The Israeli occupation practices which started in 1967 were becoming more ferocious and barbaric against the State of Palestine. All States needed to confront this methodology in light of the increasing religious Zionist powers in Israel. This year commemorated 56 years of Israel as the occupying power. Civilians, journalists and health workers were being targeted, with 248 people killed this year, and many administrative detention orders issued. The international community needed to shoulder its historic and legal responsibility to put an end to the occupation. Syrian Arab Republic, speaking as a country concerned, pointed to the prolonged apartheid-based colonialism that violated all the norms developed in the field of international human rights and humanitarian law. Settlement, which was the main feature of the occupation, was designed to consolidate it and violate the principle of the inadmissibility of the occupation of territory by force, created by enabling a coercive environment, including the theft of natural resources, displacement, intimidation and repression, and the creation of a geographic situation that prolonged the occupation. The occupation of the Syrian Golan was against international law and tantamount to a war crime. The activities in the occupied Syrian Golan and the occupied Palestinian territory depended on the impunity provided by its main sponsor, the United States, and other Western countries that supported it and covered up the main crimes. The President of the Council noted that Israel was not present in the room. In the general debate, some speakers expressed serious concern over violations of international human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territory. Deprivation of the right to self-determination, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on freedom of movement and assembly and illegal settlements were some of glaring manifestations of human rights violations of the Palestinian people. The situation on the ground continued to deteriorate, as violations of international law by Israel, the occupying power, and settlers persisted. Palestinian civilians, including children, continued to be subjected to daily and continuous killings, in addition to the policy of incursions and attacks on Palestinian villages, towns and cities by the Israeli occupation forces and settler herds. Speakers were also concerned about the forced eviction and displacement of many Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, which could amount to the war crime of forcible transfer. Colonisation, confiscations, house demolitions and forced displacement were illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention. A number of speakers also expressed grave concern at the continuing Israeli settlement and related activities, including the expansion of settlements, the expropriation of land, the demolition of houses, and the confiscation and destruction of property, which had changed the physical character and demographic composition of the occupied Palestinian territories and the occupied Syrian Golan. The occupying power continued to establish colonial settlements, which aimed to forcibly replace Palestinian landowners with new immigrants, in complete defiance of international law, in addition to continuing to enact and legislate more racist colonial laws. Some speakers said these actions affirmed that the Israeli Government continued to commit the crime of settlement expansion and the deepening of "apartheid", with the aim of closing the door to any opportunity to materialise a Palestinian State on the ground. They opposed these settlement activities by the Israelis, as well as all projects aimed at annexing parts of the West Bank. Speakers condemned the continuation of settlement policies and practices in the occupied Syrian Golan, including plans announced in late 2021 to establish and expand new settlements, and the doubling of the number of settlers in the occupied Syrian Golan within five years. A number of speakers called for an immediate end of all human rights violations, including Israel's policies aimed at perpetuating the decades long illegal occupation. The Council and the international community needed to do more to bring an end to the grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws in the occupied Palestinian territory and hold perpetrators accountable. Some speakers urged the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to allocate necessary resources and support to both the Commission of Inquiry and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories. Speakers also urged the High Commissioner to release the annual update of the database of business enterprises operating in the occupied Palestinian territories, as mandated by resolution 31/36 and 53/25. Many speakers emphasised their commitment to strengthening efforts, including active engagement in international initiatives, aimed at ending the Israeli illegal occupation. The international community needed to continue providing political, economic and humanitarian support to assist the Palestinian people and to bolster their resilience and efforts aimed at achieving their legitimate national aspirations, including their inalienable right to self-determination and freedom in their independent State of Palestine. A number of speakers rejected the refusal of some States to participate in the general debate on item seven, as the work of this item reflected the commitment of the international community to address Israel's long-standing racist practices and policies against the Palestinian people, in accordance with international values and obligations. It was important to keep item seven on the agenda of the Council, as it was a vital instrument when it came to documenting violations against the Palestinian people by Israel, the occupying power. Some speakers said the allegations directed at Israel had been noted for their perceived bias, with item seven standing as the sole item on the Council's agenda addressed to a specific country. The Council had been established to promote and protect universal human rights, yet it had a long legacy of disproportionate focus on Israel, exemplified by the item seven discussion. The Council and the United Nations were continuing a steady drumbeat of demonisation of the world's only Jewish State. The disproportionate focus, targeting and singling out of Israel, highly discredited the Council and the United Nations as a whole. Agenda item seven was ineffective and needed to be removed. A number of speakers said today's session to demonise Israel was simply rhetoric and had a negative impact on Jewish communities around the world. Jews faced continuous verbal and physical anti-Semitic abuse, regularly linked to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and were attacked by perpetrators who used anti-Israel rhetoric and called for the death of the State of Israel. A speaker also drew attention to the remains of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, which were being kept within the Gaza Strip, along with Hisham Al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu, two Israeli civilians with disabilities, who continued to be held in captivity by Palestinian leaders. Some speakers echoed their unwavering support for the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and reiterated the call for ending the Israeli occupation. Speakers reaffirmed support for the two State solution according to the pre-1967 borders, based on a free and secure State of Palestine. They reaffirmed their longstanding solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterated their support for the realisation of their legitimate national aspirations and inalienable rights, including self-determination and freedom in their independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Speaking in the discussion were Cote d'Ivoire on behalf of the African Group, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Venezuela on behalf of a group of countries, Pakistan on behalf of a group of countries, Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Oman on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Libya on behalf of the Group of Arab States, Luxembourg, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Chile, Malaysia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Morocco, Cuba, Algeria, Senegal, Bolivia, Sudan, China, Brunei Darussalam, Sovereign Order of Malta, Iraq, Bahrain, Libya, Jordan, Kuwait, Turkiye, Egypt, Russian Federation, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Yemen, Djibouti, Nigeria, Venezuela, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Oman, Mauritania, Ireland, Lebanon, Iran, League of Arab States and Colombia. Also speaking were State of Palestine: Independent Commission for Human Rights, as well as the following non-governmental organizations: Defence for Children International, Jerusalem Institute of Justice, International Foundation Witnesses Ashoora, World Jewish Congress, Jameh Ehyagaran Teb Sonnati Va Salamat Iranian, B'nai B'rith, Al-Haq, Law in the Service of Man, Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, Palestinian Return Centre Ltd., Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, Union of Arab Jurists, Palestinian Center for Human Rights, International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Stichting Global Human Rights Defence, Coordinating Board of Jewish Organizations, Human Rights and Democratic Participation Center "SHAMS", Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counseling, BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights, International-Lawyers.Org, Institute for NGO Research, Servas International, United Nations Watch, International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, European Centre for Law and Justice, Centre Europeen pour le droit, le Justice et les droits de l'homme, Youth Parliament for SDG, and Association Ma'onah for Human Rights and Immigration. The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council's fifty-fourth regular session can be found here. The Council will this afternoon start a general debate under agenda item eight on follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Link: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/meeting-summary/2023/10/morning-human-rights-council-holds-general-debate-human-rights ___________ Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raeisi says Iran opposed to any geopolitical changes in Caucasus region Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 6:42 PM Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi has doubled down on Iran's opposition to the opening of the Zangezur Corridor in the Caucasus region, saying Tehran is against any geopolitical changes in the region. Raeisi made the remarks in separate meetings with Armen Grigoryan, secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, and Khalaf Khalafov, special representative of Azerbaijan's president, in Tehran on Wednesday, amid persisting tensions over the Negro-Karabakh region. Azerbaijan took full control of the breakaway region last month following a 24-hour military operation against pro-Armenian forces. Now speculation is rife that Azerbaijan might use force to open a corridor connecting the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan to mainland Azerbaijan through the southern Armenian province of Syunik. Armenia opposes the plan on the grounds that it would violate its sovereignty. Iran has supported Armenia's position, stressing that the territorial integrity of countries must be respected. Raeisi argued the Zangezur Corridor allows external powers to make inroads into the region and undermine interests of nations there. "In both meetings, the president stated that a Zangezur corridor would be a NATO foothold, a national security threat for countries, and is thus resolutely opposed by Iran," said Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, in a post on X social media network, formerly known as Twitter. Iran ready to help settle dispute A readout by the website of the presidential office said Raeisi also told the two officials that Iran believes the dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia must be resolved through talks. He said Iran is ready to help pave the way for the settlement of disputes between the two countries and promote peace in the region. Armen Grigoryan, the secretary of Armenia's Supreme National Security Council, hailed Iran's call for respecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region, and said his country attaches special importance to its relations with Iran. Khalaf Khalafov, the representative of Azerbaijan's president on special assignments, said Baku believes problems in the region must be settled through cooperation and dialogue between regional countries, and that other countries should not be allowed to make inroads into the region. Negro-Karabakh, acknowledged as a part of Azerbaijan by the international community but populated by Armenians since 1992 when a separatist war broke out, has been the source of a dispute between Baku and Yerevan for more than three decades. After Azerbaijan eventually took back the region, most of ethnic Armenians living there have left. Iran has urged Azerbaijan to respect the rights of Armenians living in the Negro-Karabakh region. Armenia recently held a 10-day joint military exercise with the US dubbed "Eagle Partner 2023", which included 85 American soldiers and 175 Armenians. Iran criticized the drills as unhelpful and said they further complicate the situation in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top general: Iran ready to send observers to Armenia-Azerbaijan border regions Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 11:00 AM Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the country is ready to contribute to lowering tensions in the Caucasus region and send observers to the border regions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In a meeting with Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, in Tehran Wednesday, Baqeri observed that developments in the South Caucasus affect the security of the region. He said tensions in the area are neither in the interest of Yerevan and Baku, nor other regional countries, calling for appropriate measures to resolve disputes in the region. Baqeri went on to express Iran's preparedness to dispatch observers to the border regions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, emphasizing that there should not be any aggressive goal or intention behind improvement of the defense capabilities of any country. "Peace and tranquility in the region are in the interest of all countries, and security in the region must be ensured by regional countries," the Iranian military official said. Baqeri also pointed to the recent joint military exercise between US soldiers and Armenian forces, stressing that the presence of trans-regional forces in the region threatens peace and will foster instability. Grigoryan, for his part, briefed the chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces on the latest developments in the Caucasus region. Azerbaijan took full control of the breakaway Karabakh region last month following a 24-hour military operation against pro-Armenian forces. Azerbaijan cited "systematic" shelling, "reconnaissance activities," fortification of defensive positions, and "high-level of combat readiness" by Armenian-backed troops for its operation. Karabakh, acknowledged as a part of Azerbaijan by the international community but populated by Armenians since 1992 when a separatist war broke out, has been at the center of a dispute between Baku and Yerevan for more than three decades. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3 Filipino fishermen dead after ship strikes boat: coast guard The incident took place on Monday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. By BenarNews Staff 2023.10.04 -- The Philippines said Wednesday it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three Filipino fishermen after a foreign ship struck and sank their boat in the country's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. The accident involving the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker and the fishing boat happened on Monday, some 85 nautical miles (157 km) northwest of Bajo de Masinloc - which is internationally known as Scarborough Shoal - the Philippine Coast Guard said in an incident report. "On October 2, 2023, at approximately 0420H, the Filipino Fishing Boat (FFB) DEARYN was involved in an accident where it was rammed by an unidentified vessel," the report said. The Philippine boat was moored over a payao - a man-made structure anchored offshore to attract fish - when the tanker identified as the Pacific Anna collided with it, it said. "Due to the adverse weather conditions causing darkness, the crew on board the mother boat failed to detect an unidentified vessel approaching, resulting in a collision that caused the mother ship to capsize," the coast guard said in a statement Wednesday. "Three casualties, including the boat captain, were reported from the incident." Eight crew members survived and used smaller, service vessels to transport the dead to Infanta, a coastal town in Pangasinan province, according to the coast guard. The coast guard said the Pacific Anna would be boarded by authorities at its next port call. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the incident was under investigation and urged people to refrain from speculation. "We are deeply saddened by the deaths of the three fishermen, including the captain of the fishing vessel," Marcos said in a statement. "We assure the victims, their families and everyone that we will exert every effort to hold accountable those who are responsible for this unfortunate maritime incident." The South China Sea is one of the most important maritime trade routes in the world, through which trillions of dollars of goods pass through annually. It is also the site of overlapping territorial claims between China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan. The sinking comes amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China in the region. 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." Both Manila and Beijing claim the Scarborough Shoal, though it is under China's control. A United Nations tribunal in 2016 dismissed China's sweeping claims over most of the South China Sea, including the shoal, but Beijing has refused to recognize the ruling. In 2019, a larger Chinese fishing vessel struck a Filipino fishing boat near the Recto Bank in the South China Sea, leaving 22 Filipino fishermen to fend for themselves in rough seas before they were rescued by a passing Vietnamese ship. Manila said the waters in which the incident took place were in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Fernando Hicap, the chairman of small fisherfolk organization Pamalakaya, demanded a swift investigation into the sinking of the Philippine fishing vessel. "It is unfortunate that Filipino fishermen have to be vulnerable and unprotected in our own traditional waters," he said in a statement, adding accountability and government help for the bereaved families must follow. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. This story has been updated to attribute the claim that the Filipino boat was 'rammed' to the Philippine Coast Guard. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How The Tajik President's Daughter Built A Pharma Empire (With A Little Help From Dad) By RFE/RL's Tajik Service October 04, 2023 The secretive daughter of Tajikistan's president has quietly built a health-care empire that benefits from government largesse, state promotion, and lobbying from her husband, an ambassador for the Central Asian nation, an investigation by RFE/RL's Tajik Service has found. Parvina Rahmonova is among the many children and other relatives of authoritarian President Emomali Rahmon who have amassed significant wealth or been appointed to senior government positions since he came to power more than three decades ago. Unlike several of Rahmon's other children, however, Rahmonova maintains a nearly invisible public profile. She rarely appears in publicly available family photographs and she is not mentioned by name on the website of Tajikistan's embassy in Turkey, where her husband, Ashraf Gulov, has served as ambassador since 2021. RFE/RL was unable to establish her date of birth, though she has at least one adult daughter. Behind the scenes, however, Rahmonova controls a company that in a six-year span has become a dominant force on Tajikistan's pharmaceutical market with the help of the firm's political connections. Since its founding in 2017, the company, Sifat Pharma, has secured millions of dollars in government tenders while building a network of nearly 20 pharmacies in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe. And when the Tajik government bought EU-produced ventilators and medication during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rahmonova's company served as the middleman. Rahmonova's business has also received fawning coverage on government-controlled television in Tajikistan, while the company's founding ceremony was promoted by the Health Ministry. While Rahmonova's role as Sifat Pharma's sole owner is not publicly acknowledged by state officials, media, or entities, the story is different behind closed doors. During business gatherings in Dushanbe, the director of a Sifat Pharma subsidiary often highlights that the firm is owned by the president's daughter, one Tajik entrepreneur active in the health-care sector told RFE/RL. Other findings of the RFE/RL investigation include: Sifat Pharma General-Director Sherali Kholov is among the shareholders of the International Bank of Tajikistan, which a previous investigation by RFE/RL's Tajik Service found had links to the brother of Rahmonova's ambassador husband; Another executive with a Sifat Pharma subsidiary tells competitors not to bid for government tenders in which the firm is participating, according to two entrepreneurs active in the same sector; Rahmon himself helped facilitate a partnership between his daughter's company and a French pharmaceutical firm; A Sifat Pharma subsidiary owned by the daughter of Rahmonova has also won government contracts. RFE/RL reached out to Sifat Pharma, Gulov, the Tajik Health Ministry, and the presidential administration for comment on the state support that the company has received. None of them responded in time for publication. An Official Helping Hand In late September 2017, at a stately, columned building not far from the Tajik presidential residence in Dushanbe, officials and guests entered through an arc of pink and white balloons to celebrate the opening of Sifat Pharma. Speaking at the event, the country's first deputy health minister at the time, Saida Umarzoda, said the company will have a "prominent role in providing the population with high-quality medicines" and in developing the country's pharmaceutical sector, according to an account of the event, which was also covered by national and local news agencies, posted on the ministry's website. The company had already signed cooperation agreements "with the ministries of health and pharmaceutical industries of Belarus, India, and Iran in order to provide the population of Tajikistan with medicines that conform to international standards," the Tajik Health Ministry said. It was a heady start for a company that had been incorporated less than five months earlier. Sifat Pharma was registered on May 2, 2017, with Rahmonova -- the Tajik president's fifth daughter -- listed as the sole founder. Rahmonova remains the company's lone shareholder to this day. Photographs of the event do not show Rahmonova in attendance, nor did the Health Ministry mention her name, though her father-in-law, former Energy and Industries Minister Sherali Gul, did attend. Promotion on a state website is not the only help Rahmonova's company has received from the government. From its incorporation through August 2023, Sifat Pharma has won $5.5 million in government contracts to supply medicine to the Health Ministry and a range of state medical entities, according to state procurement records reviewed by RFE/RL. Two of Sifat Pharma's subsidiaries -- a medical-clothing factory called Sifat Sanoat and a medical services company called Tibbi Tojik -- have won more than $326,000 in government tenders, the records show. The total value of Rahmonova's empire is difficult to quantify. Tajikistan does not publish records on the amount of taxes companies pay to the government, and officials' income and asset declarations of the kind her husband would have to submit as an ambassador are not publicly available. In 2019, the head of Tajikistan's state Civil Service Agency said that Tajik society "is not ready" for the obligatory asset and income declarations for officials and their relatives to be made public. "Whenever the level of society's thinking and understanding is equal to that of Western society, we will definitely solve the problem," the official, Juma Davlatzoda, told RFE/RL's Tajik Service at the time. But according to Sifat Pharma's own website, it currently operates 18 pharmacies in Tajikistan, all but two located in Dushanbe. Customs records reviewed by RFE/RL, meanwhile, show Sifat Pharma has imported at least $3.2 million in goods -- mostly medicine -- since 2018, the earliest available data RFE/RL was able to find. That figure is likely considerably higher, as many of the shipment records do not indicate the value. Rahmonova's company has also received a helping hand from the man at the very top. In November 2019, President Rahmon met with French entrepreneurs and investors during an official visit to France to discuss what his office described as "opportunities for the expansion of commercial and economic relations." As a result of the event -- at which Rahmon delivered a speech and presentation on investment opportunities in Tajikistan -- Sifat Pharma was among the Tajik companies that signed cooperation agreements, partnering with the French pharmaceutical company Laboratoire Innotech. Months later, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it was Rahmonova's company that the Tajik government turned to when it acquired ventilators and medication. In April 2020, Rahmon's government allocated some 11 million somoni (around $1.1 million at the time) for the purchase of 27 ventilators from the German company Lowenstein Medical Technology as well as other medicine to combat COVID-19. The chosen middleman for this procurement was Sifat Pharma, according to news reports citing the Health Ministry at the time. Lowenstein Medical Technology did not respond to e-mailed questions about the ventilators and their cost, and did not return phone messages left with the company. By October 2021, an official Tajik investment brochure identified Sifat Pharma as one of three "key" companies in the country's pharmaceutical sector. 'The Company Of The President's Daughter' Since Rahmon secured his grasp on power in Tajikistan in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union, his children, as well as their spouses and in-laws, have amassed considerable wealth and political influence in the nation of some 10 million. He has appointed three of his nine children to high-ranking government posts, most notably his eldest son, 35-year-old Rustam Emomali, who serves as chairman of the parliament's upper chamber and the mayor of Dushanbe -- and is widely seen as the president's favored successor. In his current post in parliament he would become interim president should his father step down. Media controlled by Rustam Emomali has also promoted his sister Rahmonova's business interests. The television station Dushanbe TV carried a fawning, nearly 20-minute report profiling Sifat Sanoat, which is owned by Rahmonova and is listed by Sifat Pharma as a subsidiary. The report praised Sifat Sanoat, which manufactures medical clothing such as lab coats and hospital gowns, for the quality of its production and its role as a job provider. (It is unclear exactly when the report was broadcast, but a copy was uploaded to YouTube in 2022.) Dushanbe TV is controlled by the municipal government of Dushanbe that Emomali runs as mayor of the capital. Attempts to reach the network for comment were unsuccessful. In the report, Sifat Sanoat's director, Hokimsho Idiev, called on other entrepreneurs to create jobs in the country. "I think that the national sense of all entrepreneurs should be awakened and they should contribute to the implementation of the policy of the president. At least in the field of creating jobs," Idiev said. But two businesspeople working in the same sector claimed in interviews with RFE/RL's Tajik Service that Sifat Sanoat was pressuring competitors not to seek out state tenders. Both of the individuals, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fears of retribution, said that Idiev had told them to refrain from competing for tenders to produce medical clothing. "I wanted to bid for the contract. I called [Idiev] for advice. He told me: 'Don't try for this tender because it's ours.' After this conversation, I decided not to bid," one of the entrepreneurs said. The director of another company also said Idiev had "asked" them "not to take part" in state tenders for medical clothing. One of these individuals said that during business gatherings in Dushanbe, Idiev often introduces Sifat Sanoat as "the company of the president's daughter." Idiev did not respond to a request for comment. In the report aired by Dushanbe TV, Idiev said Sifat Sanoat "provides services for medical colleges and Dushanbe road-management agencies." State procurement records reviewed by RFE/RL show that Sifat Sanoat has won $142,500 worth of government contracts since March 2019. Sifat Sanoat also has received lobbying assistance from a senior government official: Rahmonova's husband, Rahmon's ambassador to Turkey. Ambassadorial Lobbying In July 2022, the Tajik state news agency Khovar reported that a delegation of Turkish entrepreneurs traveled to Tajikistan "with the initiative and assistance" of Gulov, whom Rahmon appointed as his envoy to Turkey the previous year. The visit -- based on the report, at least -- proved fruitful for Gulov's well-connected wife. As a result of the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Rahmonova's medical-clothing company Sifat Sanoat and the Turkish equipment manufacturer Dundarlar, according to the Khovar report, which included a photo featuring the Sifat Sanoat logo and showed women sewing medical clothing. Gulov did not respond to a request for comment sent to the Tajik Embassy in Turkey. Gulov had previously used his ambassadorship to encourage bilateral commercial ties in his wife's line of business. In November 2021, Gulov hosted a webinar on the "partnership of Tajik and Turkish companies in the medical and pharmaceutical industry," according to a news release posted on the website of the Tajik Embassy in Turkey. The news release said the discussion included "the importance of developing cooperation" in these fields, though the embassy did not post a video or transcript of the event. A screenshot showing numerous participants, however, shows that attendees included Sifat Pharma's general director, Sherali Kholov. Kholov's business links extend not only to Rahmonova, but to other relatives of Gulov as well. Kholov, whom the Tajik presidential website described as a "patriotic entrepreneur" and praised for building a Dushanbe kindergarten, is the owner of the International Bank of Tajikistan, which has partnered in two companies with Gulov's brother, Jamshed. A Family Affair According to the website of the Tajik Embassy in Turkey, Gulov and his wife have five children, though the embassy does not mention Rahmonova by name or the fact that she is the Tajik president's daughter. Records from Tajikistan's corporate registry show that a daughter of the couple has since joined her mother's health-care empire, founding a company that Sifat Pharma lists as a subsidiary and which has received state contracts. In February 2018, the company Sifat Tabobat was incorporated in Tajikistan, with its lone shareholder listed as Ramziya Gulova, one of Gulov and Rahmonova's daughters. At the time, Gulova was a first-year university student. That company, which has since been renamed Tibbi Tojik, is among the four companies that Sifat Pharma lists as subsidiaries. State procurement records show that Tibbi Tojik, whose corporate registration describes it as a medical-services company, has won $184,000 in state contracts since 2022. Its state clients include the central hospital in the northern Gafurov district and the state anti-epizootic center in Dushanbe. There is little public information about Gulova. But public documents reviewed by RFE/RL indicate that she studied at the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University in Dushanbe in recent years. A student publication at the university from April 2018 reported that Rahmonova and Ashraf Gulov had attended a campus event at which "one of the major achievements" was the selection of Gulova as one of the event's moderators. RFE/RL was unable to find a corporate e-mail or telephone for Tibbi Tojik but sent a written inquiry to Gulova via the WhatsApp account of Jamshed Hamidov, who signed Sifat Pharma's agreement with its French partner during Rahmon's visit to France in November 2019. Hamidov said via WhatsApp that he currently works for Tibbi Tojik but is no longer working for Sifat Pharma. His WhatsApp account indicated that he had read the questions reporters sent for Gulova, but RFE/RL did not receive a response in time for publication. With reporting by Riin Aljas and Carl Schreck Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-rahmon-daughter-pharmaceutical-empire-investigation/32620695.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Grannies And Parents Detained In Tajikistan After Activists Egg Rahmon's Car In Germany By Chris Rickleton October 04, 2023 ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- However close the eggs thrown by Tajik opposition activists in Berlin came to President Emomali Rahmon's car -- and some may well have been on target - the authorities' reaction has been swift. In Tajikistan, more than 20 relatives of some protesters who tainted Rahmon's official visit to Germany were detained by law enforcement, according to RFE/RL's Tajik Service, after raids began over the weekend. "Security forces came to our home and wanted to take my elderly mother away, but they instead decided to take my nephew," said Farhod Odinaev, a German-based Tajik activist who spent 43 days in a Belarusian detention center after being detained on a Tajik request in 2019. "They asked my mother why [the opposition abroad] threw eggs at the 'Leader of the Nation's' car," Odinaev told RFE/RL. The mother of another opposition activist, Sharoffidin Gadoev, was not so lucky. According to Gadoev, Oishamo Abdulloeva, 72, was detained on the morning of October 1. Like Odinaev, Gadoev claimed the September 29 egg attack on Rahmon's cortege was raised by officers that came to the family home. "As they were taking her away, they angrily asked her why her son calls [Rahmon] a dictator, why he threw eggs at the president's car in Berlin, [why] can't he just live calmly?" Gadoev said. Police and security forces in Tajikistan have still not commented on the arrests. According to RFE/RL sources, Abdulloeva was one of more than a dozen people released in the early hours of October 3. At least seven relatives of the oppositions activists -- all men -- are still being held. 'Even Distant Relatives' Suffer Rahmon's regime long ago stamped out any meaningful political dissent at home, with the top leaders of the moderate opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) sentenced to long prison terms in 2016 over what authorities described as a coup attempt. Nowadays, tolerance of any criticism inside the country is close to zero. The emergence of a politically active diaspora in Europe was a natural outgrowth of this tightening domestic repression, and authorities have been doing their utmost to chase critics based in European cities like Berlin, Vienna, and Warsaw back to their homeland to face trial on dubious charges. In Berlin, hunter and hunted came face to face, as Tajiks and natives of other Central Asian countries staged protests to coincide with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier hosting the region's five leaders. And then there were the scenes of a young man throwing eggs at what appeared to be Rahmon's presidential cortege. Tajik authorities have long depicted foreign-based opposition groups as being extremist without offering any proof for their assertions. It was one of these groups -- Gruppa 24 -- that claimed the egg attack, boasting that several supporters had managed to land eggs on the motorcade "despite the increased security measures taken." Images of Rahmon's car after he was greeted by Scholz appear to confirm that some of their shots were successful. A member of the group was detained by German police for a few minutes before being released, Gruppa 24 said in its statement. That was lenient compared to the raid on the Tajikistan family home of one of the group's members, which Gruppa 24 said saw no fewer than seven of Dilshod Sharifov's relatives taken into custody. State harassment of Tajik activists' families is a longstanding and intensifying trend, with protests such as those in Berlin or the appearance of Tajik activists at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw often serving as triggers, according to Central Asia-focused rights lawyer Steve Swerdlow. "Elderly parents, siblings, and even children of Tajik activists abroad who dare speak out against the government's human rights abuses at peaceful protests or international conferences are called in for aggressive questioning, fired from jobs, and in many cases made to denounce their own relatives' activities," Swerdlow, an associate professor of human rights at the University of Southern California (USC), told RFE/RL. In some cases, such as the case of Ilhomjon Yakubov, a Lithuania-based human rights defender originally from the northern Tajik city of Khujand, the relatives falling under state pressure can be quite distant, Swerdlow noted. "[Yakubov] says that even distant relatives of his in Tajikistan have been targeted and that pictures of his parents and siblings and himself have been hung up all around Khujand and Dushanbe" after Tajik officials accused the rights defender of terrorist crimes, said Swerdlow. Either You Or Your Family Tajikistan has in recent years gained a reputation for being one of the most ardent practitioners of transnational repression, a phenomenon the U.S. rights monitor Freedom House defines as "reaching across borders to silence dissent among diasporas and exiles, including through assassinations, illegal deportations, abductions, digital threats, Interpol abuse, and family intimidation." And while allies of Tajikistan such as Russia and Belarus represent particularly dangerous jurisdictions, Western Europe is not always the safe haven that Tajik asylum seekers would like it to be -- as a recent report authored by Swerdlow and the USC Human Rights Advocacy group for the NGO known as Crude Accountability attests. The report, Enforced Disappearances In Tajikistan, addresses dozens of instances of activists being detained and held incommunicado by Tajik security forces, many of whom were apprehended abroad. For activist Hizbullo Shovalizoda, deportation and imprisonment in his home country came swiftly after an Austrian court rejected his application for asylum in 2020. Vienna's Supreme Court later overturned that decision as illegal, but by the time the wheels of Austrian justice were moving in the right direction for Sholivzoda, he was already in Tajikistan awaiting what would be a 20-year prison sentence following a closed-doors trial that observers considered a sham. Earlier this year Abdullo Shamsiddin, the son of a member of the IRPT, was also deported to Tajikistan from his temporary home of Germany. Shamsiddin was reportedly sentenced in March to seven years in jail for calling for the violent overthrow of the government -- an accusation that does not seem rooted in any publicly available evidence. Gadoev, whose pensioner mother was arrested in Tajikistan over the weekend and who was seen in footage leading the Berlin protests, almost met the same fate in 2019. Gadoev claims he was beaten badly and subjected to psychological intimidation after being abducted during a visit to Russia and sent to Tajikistan. Amid unexpectedly large attention being paid to Gadoev's case, the government subsequently allowed him to return to the Netherlands, where he had been living. Were cases like Shamsiddin's raised with the Tajik delegation by top German officials during last week's visit by Rahmon? In a statement ahead of the Germany-Central Asia confab, rights watchdog Human Rights Watch noted that Russia's war in Ukraine -- and the West's anxiety that Russia's neighbors uphold Western sanctions in response -- "has sparked a new focus on this strategically important, resource rich region." "The shock waves sent by Russia's invasion of Ukraine have prompted Central Asia's leaders to seek stronger ties with other allies, including in Europe. Germany should make the most of this newfound engagement, but on terms that promote the rights of the peoples throughout the region," Hugh Williamson wrote. Yet the words "Democracy and the Rule of Law" did not appear until page two of a six-page readout from Scholz's office that referred to "an open and constructive exchange" between the chancellor and the five leaders. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-rahmon-eggs- activists-relatives-punished/32623217.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Attacks On Free Expression Online 'Grew More Common' Around The World By RFE/RL October 04, 2023 Rights watchdog Freedom House said global Internet freedom declined for the 13th consecutive year in 2023 as attacks on freedom of expression grew more common. In its annual report on the level of the Internet freedom in the world, published on October 4, the watchdog said that the most serious cases occurred in Iran and Myanmar, where authorities carried out death sentences against people convicted of online expression-related crimes. In Belarus and Nicaragua, people received "draconian prison terms" for online speech, the report said, adding that this was "a core tactic employed by longtime dictators Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Daniel Ortega in their violent campaigns to stay in power." The report, titled Freedom On The Net 2023, covers 70 countries in six regions around the world, ranking the Internet in three groups -- free, partially free, and not free. Iceland, Estonia, and Canada were ranked as most free, with Germany, the United States, Georgia, Armenia, and Serbia also among the top-ranking countries. China, Myanmar, and Iran were among the countries where the Internet is least free while Russia, Uzbekistan, and Belarus were also among the lowest-ranking countries. Iran was home to this year's sharpest decline, the report said, as authorities shut down Internet service, blocked the WhatsApp and Instagram social media apps, and increased surveillance during a crackdown on anti-government protests last year sparked by the death of a young woman -- 22-year-old Mahsa Amini -- while in police custody. The report identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a threat for human rights online, saying that it has enabled governments to conduct more precise and subtle forms of online censorship, surveillance and disinformation campaigns. "The world's most technically advanced authoritarian governments have responded to innovations in AI chatbot technology, attempting to ensure that the applications comply with or strengthen their censorship systems," the report said. But AI-powered moderation may struggle to keep up with a surge of unexpected content and expressions of dissent during times of crisis or protests, the report said, and authoritarian governments continue to use other forms of censorship online. Russia has established a system to block global social-media platforms, Ukrainian news sites, and domestic sites that contradict the Kremlin's narratives over its invasion of Ukraine. Belarus, which has aided Russia's military aggression, has blocked more than 9,000 websites, including independent news sites. In its report, Freedom House noted that democratic governments in Europe and the United States also considered or in some cases actually imposed restrictions on access to websites, calling the approach "unproductive." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/internet-freedom-decline-iran- belarus/32623222.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian, Azerbaijani Leaders Affirm 'Territorial Integrity' In Talks By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service October 04, 2023 KYIV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on October 4 said he and Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev both "affirmed our commitment to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity" during a telephone conservation. "We also discussed regional security, actual challenges, and formats of mutual cooperation," Zelenskiy's statement on Telegram said. Aliyev's office in a statement confirmed the call and stressed that Zelenskiy also expressed thanks to Azerbaijan for the humanitarian aid that Baku has sent to Ukraine to tackle problems caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022. Since the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Azerbaijan has provided Kyiv with a significant amount of equipment for restoration of energy infrastructure that was destroyed or damaged during attacks by Russian forces. The talks were held two weeks after Baku gained full control over the mostly ethnic Armenian-populated breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh following a one-day offensive against the separatist government's armed forces. More than 100,000 Armenians have fled for Armenia since then, representing nearly all of the territory's population. Ukraine has been fighting against Russian forces that captured several districts of Ukraine's eastern regions of Zaporizhzhya and Kherson. In 2014, Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula of Crimea and backed separatists in parts of two eastern Ukrainian regions -- Luhansk and Donetsk. Some political analysts in Azerbaijan and Ukraine have said the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh -- which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but was under separatist control for more than 30 years -- is analogous to the situation in Russian-occupied Crimea and other illegally occupied territories of Ukraine. With reporting by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-azerbajan- terriitorial-integrity/32623214.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armenia Protests Arrests Of Former Nagorno-Karabakh Leaders By RFE/RL's Armenian Service October 04, 2023 The Armenian Foreign Ministry has protested the arrests of several former separatist leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan after Baku reclaimed control of the ethnic Armenian-populated breakaway region in a lightning military operation last month. The ministry on October 4 said former de facto leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh -- Arkadi Ghukasian, Bako Sahakian, Arayik Harutiunian, Davit Ishkhanian, Ruben Vardanian, and others -- had been arrested "illegally." "Despite the dialogue with the representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh, the statements of high-ranking officials of Azerbaijan regarding the willingness to respect and protect the rights of Armenians, not to hinder their return to Nagorno-Karabakh, and on establishment of peace in the region, the law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan continue arbitrary arrests," a statement said. It added that Armenia "will take all possible steps to protect the rights of illegally detained representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh, including in international courts." The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry rejected the Armenian statement, saying it "constitutes an attempt to justify the acts committed by those who are now under arrest." "The arrest of these persons in the process of the criminal investigation initiated under the applicable articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, regarding the aggression against Azerbaijan, inciting separatism, terrorist acts, crimes against peace and humanity, as well as war crimes and other grave crimes against prisoners of war and civilians, first and foremost serves to restore justice, and to undermine the legitimacy of these actions is completely unacceptable," the Azerbaijani ministry said. A day earlier, sources close to Azerbaijani law enforcement told RFE/RL that Harutiunian, who was the de facto leader of Nagorno-Karabakh before stepping down as president in early September, was arrested and was being transported to Baku. The sources also said Ghukasian, who served as the separatist president from 1997 to 2007, and Sahakian, who held the job from 2007 to 2020, were also arrested along with Ishkhanian, the speaker of the separatist legislature. Azerbaijan's State Security Service said on September 29 that it detained Davit Manukian, former deputy commander of the breakaway region's de facto armed forces, on "terrorism" charges. Two days earlier, Azerbaijan arrested Vardanian, the former de facto prime minister of Nagorno-Karabakh. Sources close to the ethnic Armenian leadership in the region confirmed to RFE/RL on September 29 that Azerbaijani officials also detained Levon Mnatsakanian, a former commander of Nagorno-Karabakh's armed forces, at a border checkpoint with Armenia. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-protest-arrest- karabakh-leaders/32623103.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armenian PM To Attend EU-Sponsored Talks In Spain Despite Reports Baku Won't Show By RFE/RL's Armenian Service, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service October 04, 2023 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has said he plans to attend European Union talks scheduled for October 5 in Granada, Spain, despite reports that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has decided not to take part in the meeting where discussions over a peace deal were expected. Pashinian said on October 4 that the Armenian side was "very constructive and optimistic" about signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. But, he added, he was also ready to resign if it helps "normalize" the situation in the Caucasus country. "We thought there was an opportunity to sign a landmark document, and in fact, until this morning, we valued that opportunity very highly," Pashinian said, calling the peace agreement-to-be "a document of turning point" that the Armenian opposition "tried to present as destructive." Pashinian said that the Armenian delegation will "present our viewpoints" in Granada. "Of course we are sorry that the meeting will not take place, but we hope that the conceptual document that is on the table will be signed at a convenient time," Pashinian said. Pashinian's statement came amid reports by Azerbaijani media saying that Aliyev refused to participate in the five-party -- European Union, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Germany, France -- meeting. Aliyev's office has not confirmed the reports. The reports said Baku proposed Turkey take part in the talks as well, but Germany and France rejected that proposal. Omer Celik, a spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party, said he supported Aliyev's decision not to attend the talks, given that "the condition of Turkey's participation was not accepted. We admire this [Aliyev's decision]." German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Aliyev in a phone call that Berlin was strongly committed to a negotiated settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. "The chancellor expressed his rejection of the use of military force," a spokesperson for the German leader said in a statement. "The chancellor underlined the importance of the greatest possible transparency regarding the situation in and development of Nagorno-Karabakh." According to the reports, Baku will not discuss regional problems with countries located far from the South Caucasus but could take part in three-party talks between the EU, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. The talks in Granada were scheduled after Azerbaijan routed Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian forces in a 24-hour military campaign two weeks ago. De facto authorities of the breakaway region then agreed to dissolve their government by the end of this year. More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh after that, although Baku pledged to respect the rights of Armenians after the military campaign. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-azerbaijan-pashinian- talks/32623061.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is challenging the constitutionality of a new criminal justice reform statute that passed in the Legislature this year. A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office confirmed the office filed a lawsuit Monday against LB50. The challenge pertains to one section of the bill that addresses parole eligibility requirements, which would allow some inmates to become eligible for parole earlier. LB50 covers a wide range of issues related to criminal justice reform, such as increasing Nebraskas problem-solving courts and expanding parole options. Lawmakers debated over these issues for two years before enough senators supported the bill, which ultimately passed in a 34-15 vote. According to the lawsuit, changing the parole eligibility of existing inmates violates the separation of powers in the Nebraska Constitution. Because the law could allow some inmates to be granted parole earlier than their initial sentence, the lawsuit argues that gives commutation power to the Board of Parole a power solely held by the state's Board of Pardons. The lawsuit also submitted documents showing that Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys initially reached out to the Attorney General's Office in late August about interpreting LB50's constitutionality. Upon hearing that the office found this portion of the law unconstitutional, Jeffreys said the department would not impose the new requirements retroactively on inmates sentenced before LB50 took effect Sept. 2. LB50 was originally introduced by former state Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, who now works for the Attorney General's Office. After Geist resigned from the Legislature to focus on the Lincoln mayoral race, the bill was adopted by Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha and was amended several times before it eventually passed. Passing the bill was a hard fight in the Legislature this year, with resistance coming up during every round of debate, primarily from a handful of Republican lawmakers and the County Attorneys Association. Geist's replacement, Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, said she was concerned that the legislation could reduce sentences for repeat offenders and substantially decrease the time inmates could spend behind bars before they are granted parole. Wayne argued that LB50 was essential to the success of Nebraska's criminal justice system. In the same session, lawmakers also approved $350 million to construct a new prison. Wayne said measures in the bill could help reduce recidivism rates contributing to Nebraska's prison overcrowding problem. Typically, when the attorney general challenges the constitutionality of state statute, it's up to the secretary of state to defend the law. But that may not be the case here. In a statement from Secretary of State Bob Evnen, he pointed out that his office also has the ability to hire an outside attorney to argue the case, though he did not confirm whether it would do so. Our office will adhere to the procedure established by the Nebraska Legislature, Evnen said. Though we are fulfilling our statutory duty, no one should conclude that this means that I disagree with the Attorney Generals opinion. Top Journal Star photos for October 2023 Belgrade Court Orders Release Of Politician Accused Of Organizing Monastery Attack By RFE/RL's Balkan Service October 04, 2023 A Belgrade court on October 4 ordered the release of Milan Radoicic, the top official of the main ethnic Serb political party in Kosovo, who had been detained in Serbia a day earlier for his involvement in a deadly confrontation with Kosovar police late last month. Radoicic was detained for 48 hours on October 3 after he admitted to organizing and participating in the events that sparked the shoot-out at an Orthodox monastery in Kosovo that left four people dead. The prosecution, which accused Radoicic of crimes against public security in connection with illegally manufacturing and trafficking weapons, had asked the court to hold him in custody, saying that there was a risk he would escape. The court rejected the proposal on October 4 but banned Radoicic from leaving the country, confiscating his passport. The prosecution can appeal the court's decision within three days. In a statement read by his lawyer on September 29, Radoicic admitted that he "personally made all the logistical preparations" for the events, describing his actions as a way to "encourage Serbs" from the region to resist what he called "the terror of [Kosovo Prime Minister Albin] Kurti's regime." Radoicic also said that the Serbian government had no knowledge of his planning the confrontation. Kosovo has rejected Radoicic's denial, saying Serbia was involved in the clashes, which Belgrade denies. Kosovar Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla has told RFE/RL in an interview that Radoicic didn't act alone and said he had been "continuously supported by [Serb President Aleksandar] Vucic" and the government of Serbia. Svecla sadi that Vucic and what he called his "extremist ideas related to the whole region" were the real culprits behind the attack on the monastery. Radoicic is a construction tycoon as well as a top official in the main ethnic Serb political party in Kosovo, Serbian List, funded mainly by Belgrade. He was hit with sanctions by the United States and Britain in 2021 for allegedly being part of an organized crime group. The monastery attack further raised tensions in the region at a time when European Union and U.S. officials have been pushing for a deal that would normalize ties between Serbia and Kosovo. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-release-monastery- attack-radoicic/32622767.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moldova Takes Further Steps To Ban Members Of Pro-Russian Party From Local Polls By RFE/RL's Moldovan Service October 04, 2023 Moldovan authorities on October 4 reinforced a ban on members of an outlawed Russia-backed party taking part in upcoming local elections, in effect reversing the Constitutional Court's decision a day earlier that had scrapped the interdiction. Moldova's Exceptional Situations Committee (CSE) decided that members of the Shor Party who are charged, indicted, or even under suspicion of committing criminal acts will not be allowed to run in the polls, scheduled for November 5. The CSE, which is led by Prime Minister Dorin Recean and comprises several cabinet members as well as intelligence agency chiefs and prominent lawmakers, was initially established to deal with the emergency situation declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Constitutional Court, which had outlawed the Shor Party in June amid moves by Moldova to reduce Russia's influence, ruled on October 3 that legislation approved by lawmakers in July banning party members from running for office for five years was unconstitutional. The court's decision came following a complaint against the ban by members of the disbanded party, which was headed by exiled businessman Ilan Shor, who is accused by the West and the Moldovan government of trying to destabilize the country. Shor, living in self-imposed exile in Israel, wrote on social media on October 4 that "today, parliament has declared a total dictatorship in Moldova, where there is no rule of law and there is no constitution whatsoever." Wedged between Ukraine, Romania, and the Black Sea, Moldova has often found itself in the center of a struggle for influence between Moscow and the West. The situation has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, especially with the Kremlin-backed breakaway region of Transdniester on its eastern border. Russia still keeps more than 1,000 troops in Transdniester as "peacekeepers." The United States in June imposed sanctions on seven members of a group linked to Shor for their alleged roles in Moscow's campaign to destabilize Moldova and instigate an insurrection. Shor, who is suspected of involvement in a $1 billion bank fraud and other illicit schemes, fled to Israel following the election of Moldova's pro-Western President Maia Sandu in 2020. From abroad, he has organized months of anti-government protests with the aim of toppling Sandu and the reformist government that has been critical of Russia's war in Ukraine. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-ban-elections- shor-party-constitutional-court/32622703.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian peacekeeping contingent continues missions in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh 04.10.2023 The Russian peacekeeping force is monitoring the situation around the clock, as well as patrolling along routes in the settlements of Nagorno-Karabakh. No violations of the ceasefire regime were recorded in the responsibility area of the Russian peacekeeping contingent over the past 24 hours. They support continuous cooperation with Baku and Stepanakert, aimed to prevent bloodshed, uphold humanitarian law in regard to people. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway to Increase Defense Budget by 20% in 2024 - Finance Minister Sputnik News 20231004 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Norway will increase defense budget by approximately 20% in 2024 compared to the current year's budget, Norwegian Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum said in an interview, published on Wednesday. "We are a allocating a total of 90.8 million kroner [$8.29 million] for next year's defense budget ... This makes the defense budget in 2024 about 20% more ... than the adopted for the current year," the newspaper quoted the minister as saying. The newspaper also cited Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store as saying that the additional money will be used for military support for Ukraine as well as improving Norway's defense capabilities. "With this budget we aim to reach 1.8% of GDP next year ... By doing that, we are ahead of the plan, according to which we should reach 2% in 2026," the finance minister added. The newspaper reported that Vedum was talking about NATO's program obliging members to use a minimum of 2% of GDP for defense, which Norway promised to do at the organization's summit in Vilnius in July. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nigerien Military Leadership's PM Accuses France of Plotting Assassinations of Officials Sputnik News 20231004 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Niger's military-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine on Tuesday accused France of plotting to assassinate ministers and other public figures in the country. "France, along with our other enemies, has a plan to assassinate prominent ministers and members of the country's leadership," Zeine told a Qatari broadcaster. He added that France uses its tools to destabilize the situation in Niger. Earlier Tuesday, Nigerien Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba told the broadcaster that Niger's government has approved French President Emmanuel Macron's proposed deadline for the final withdrawal of French troops from the country. In September, Macron said France would pull its troops from Niger by the end of 2023. The former French colony saw an elite military force depose the French-backed president, Mohamed Bazoum, in late July. The rebels demanded that France call back its ambassador and withdraw troops from Niger's soil. Multiple protests have taken place outside the French military base in Niamey since the coup, with protesters demanding that Niger's former colonial master end its military presence in the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NPS Team Makes Key Breakthrough on Path to Electric Aircraft Propulsion US Navy 04 October 2023 From Rosemary Mena-Werth, Naval Postgraduate School Public Affairs MONTEREY, Calif. -- As an institution renowned for innovation efforts grounded in education and research, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) has often been called upon 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 scale - a 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 race and 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 energy - like wind and solar - store 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, simple - and size-efficient - way. "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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee Meeting with Royal Navy Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Andrew Burns US Navy - Press Release 04 October 2023 NAPLES, Italy -- U.S. 6th Fleet Spokesperson Cmdr. Richlyn Ivey provided the following readout: U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee met with Royal Navy Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Andrew Burns Oct. 4 in Naples, Italy, at the U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters. The two leaders discussed the expansion of U.S.-U.K. interoperability in Europe and Africa, ongoing global operations, and areas of future partnership. The fleet commanders reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-U.K. relationship in the defense of the NATO alliance and the deterrence of malign actors in the maritime sphere. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with Allies and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban, Rights Groups Decry Pakistan's Decision to Evict Afghan Immigrants By Ayaz Gul October 04, 2023 Afghanistan's Taliban Wednesday urged Pakistan to review its plans to expel Afghan immigrants, rejecting charges the displaced community is involved in the security problems facing the neighboring country. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid released the statement a day after the Pakistani government ordered undocumented immigrants, including more than 1.7 million Afghans, to leave the country by November 1. Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti told a news conference in Islamabad Tuesday that "illegal immigrants" who stay in Pakistan beyond the deadline would be arrested and deported to their respective countries. "The behavior of Pakistan against Afghan refugees is unacceptable. The Pakistani side should reconsider its plan," Mujahid said on X, formerly Twitter. "Afghan refugees are not involved in Pakistan's security problems. As long as they leave Pakistan voluntarily, that country should tolerate them," the Taliban spokesman wrote. Bugti defended Pakistan's crackdown on undocumented immigrants, saying that Afghan nationals carried out 14 of the 24 suicide bombings that have taken place in Pakistan this year. He added that eight of the 11 militants who recently raided two Pakistani military installations were Afghans. "We are coming under attacks from Afghanistan, and we have evidence showing that Afghans are involved in the violence," the Pakistani minister said. He clarified that more than 1.4 million Afghans residing in Pakistan as officially designated refugees and at least 850,000 Afghan citizen card holders are not the crackdown target. Hafiz Muhibullah, the chief Taliban diplomat at Afghanistan's consulate in the northwestern city of Peshawar, said an entire community should not be punished for an individual's criminal act. "The hasty decision of forcing them out will create misunderstandings, and there is a fear that it will adversely affect the relations [between Afghanistan and Pakistan]," Muhibullah told VOA. Islamabad says that fugitive leaders and militants of the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, have moved to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power there two years ago and have stepped up cross-border attacks. The Taliban deny allowing the TTP or any other group to threaten other countries, particularly Pakistan, in line with their international counterterrorism commitments. TTP-led insurgent attacks have killed more than 750 civilians and security forces in Pakistan in the first nine months of 2023, a 19% increase compared with the previous year. The United Nations and human rights groups have expressed concerns over Pakistani plans to evict Afghan immigrants, saying those facing deportations include hundreds of thousands who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban reclaimed control of the country in August 2021, fearing persecution by the hardline de facto authorities. The displaced community also refuses to return to Afghanistan, citing sweeping restrictions the Taliban have imposed on women's access to education and work. Global concerns "It's obviously a concerning development," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a news briefing Wednesday in New York when asked for a response to Pakistan's decision to expel Afghans. "As a matter of principle, it is critical that no refugees be sent back without it being a voluntary and dignified return." Refugee International, an independent humanitarian organization advocating for better support for displaced people, said Wednesday it was "deeply troubled" by the announcement from Islamabad. "Pakistan has a long history of generously hosting their Afghan neighbors when they have been unsafe. Now is not the time to stop," said Devon Cone, senior advocate for women and girls at the U.S.-based group. "We are especially concerned about Afghans who fled their country after August 2021 due to direct and targeted threats from the Taliban," Cone noted. "They are at heightened risk of violence and reprisals from the Taliban. Expelling them back to Afghanistan would most likely result in their deaths." Additionally, Amnesty International called on Pakistani authorities in a statement Wednesday to stop the crackdown on Afghans and to not deport them, asserting such a move could put them at grave risk. "They are living incredibly precarious lives where they are either having to undergo arduous processes for registering as refugees in Pakistan or are stuck in lengthy processes waiting to obtain relocation to another country," said Nadia Rahman, Amnesty's interim regional deputy director for research in South Asia. Rahman reiterated Amnesty's calls to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to expedite registration and review applications from Afghans seeking international protection in Pakistan. "The international community must act immediately to keep up their initial promises of providing protection to those fleeing persecution in Afghanistan." VOA's Urdu Service and VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Azerbaijan Leader to Skip EU-led Talks with Armenia By VOA News October 04, 2023 Azerbaijan's president, Ilham Aliyev, will not participate in talks this week with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Spain. Azerbaijani state media and a government official said Wednesday that Aliyev would skip the EU-brokered meeting that also includes the leaders of France and Germany, citing what they described as pro-Armenian statements from France and EU Council President Charles Michel. The EU said the talks would be aimed at advancing long-running peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Last month, Azerbaijan carried out an operation to retake control of Nagorno-Karabakh from ethnic Armenian separatists. Nagorno-Karabakh is entirely within Azerbaijan but had been under ethnic Armenian control since 1994, until parts of it were reclaimed by Azerbaijan during a war in 2020. Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Experts Say Tackling Corruption Key to Stopping Nigerian Crude Theft By Timothy Obiezu October 04, 2023 Nigerian authorities are investigating the deaths of at least 15 people in the explosion of an illegally tapped oil pipeline on Sunday, an often-deadly practice that has been going on for decades. Police in the Rivers state, which is in the West African nation's southern delta region, told VOA by phone Wednesday that Iba community locals were scooping crude oil and refining it at an illegal site late Sunday when the explosion occurred. Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said authorities removed 15 bodies, including that of a pregnant woman, from the site. Twenty survivors, including the owner of the illegal refinery, were taken to a local hospital with burns. "We're investigating," Iringe-Koko said. "It was this illegally refined product they were scooping that caused this fire explosion. We documented photographs of the incident. Members of the public and parents should warn their wards not to involve in such activities. "We're also trying to see if we can deploy more security to that place so that such acts will not continue," she said. Crude oil theft is a perennial problem in Nigeria one of the Africa's largest producers. The illegal refining of crude, known as "oil bunkering," is rampant in oil-rich regions. In April, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative said Nigeria lost about 620 million barrels of crude oil valued at $46 billion between 2009 and 2020. Nigerian authorities have been trying to address the problem without much success. Faith Nwadishi, executive director of the Center for Transparency Advocacy, said authorities must take decisive security and legal action to end oil theft. "The technology around refining of crude is not what the local people themselves are involved in," Nwadishi said. "It's a cabal of very knowledgeable people with resources that are able to do that. So, government really needs to look inward the issues around impunity and corruption. Our legal framework is weak." Nigeria is dependent on crude oil for more than 80% of its national revenue. Authorities say oil theft is detrimental to the Nigeria's economy and national security, but Nwadishi said widespread poverty in oil-producing regions also plays a role. "Over the years that we have taken crude oil from these communities, there has been little or no development," she said. "Those same communities do not have projects, infrastructure. The people don't have electricity, and every day they're faced with the issue about degradation that comes from oil production within their communities. So, people around communities now see it as a right to take part of this crude [oil]." Oil and gas expert Emmanuel Afimia said that without better opportunities for locals, it will be difficult to tackle oil theft. "Many of these villages along the pipelines know about these illegal refineries, but as long as the money keeps flowing into the owners' pockets and then it keeps circulating in the community, they would not want to rat out whoever is operating that structure," Afimia said. "So, having to depend on communities to report structures will not work." The United Nations says that, worldwide, stolen oil accounts for around 5% to 7% of the global crude oil and petroleum fuel market. Last year, Nigeria awarded a pipeline surveillance contract to former militant Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, and uncovered many large sites where oil was being siphoned. But experts say that unless the deeper problem of corruption is solved or authorities begin to prosecute offenders, oil theft will continue to be a problem in Nigeria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Yellowstone County deputy shot and killed a man late Wednesday night while executing a warrant near Ballantine. The man was apparently armed and fired his weapon at deputies, according to a statement from Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder. Two deputies who were serving the warrant at the time of the shooting have been placed on administrative leave. County deputies drove to a residence on South 28th Road, east of Ballantine, at around 11:30 p.m. They were trying to serve an arrest warrant from another county. Deputies found the wanted man at the residence, Linder said, but one officer saw the man was armed with a handgun. The suspect came out of the home and allegedly shot at the deputies. One deputy, Linder said, returned fire and a bullet struck the suspect. Law enforcement tried to give the man first aid, but he was dead by the time ambulance crews arrived at the scene. Wednesdays shooting is the second time this year a Yellowstone County deputy has fatally shot someone. In March, an hours-long standoff near Downtown Billings ended with a 35-year-old woman pointing a gun at law enforcement. A county deputy fired a round into the womans torso, and she later died from the wound. Gunfire has killed six people in Yellowstone County in 2023. In September, agents with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation were assisting federal parole officers in arresting a man on the 1800 block of Third Avenue North. The suspect allegedly fired several rounds at police, who returned fire. The suspect was wounded in the gunfire exchange, but survived the shooting. The Billings Police Department has been assigned to investigate the circumstances of the shooting. Asian Development bank supports families in Afghanistan at times of dire need, when 15 million people go hungry World Food Programme 4 October 2023 Kabul -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan welcomes a contribution by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) of US$100 million. The funding will allow WFP to provide critical food assistance to more than 1.3 million acutely food insecure people across the country for up to one year. A special focus will be on widow- and women-headed households and other highly vulnerable groups like people with disabilities or families surviving solely on begging. For many of these families, WFP has become their last lifeline. "Afghanistan has faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis compounded by climate change and intense droughts, floods, and earthquakes", wrote ADB in the announcement of their latest contribution. "Women and children are disproportionately affected with many women-led households suffering a lack of food and reduced access to services given women's restrictions on movement outside their homes." With this contribution, WFP will also train food-insecure women on marketable and entrepreneurial skills and alternative livelihoods along the agricultural value chain, such as fruit and vegetable processing. During the training, they will be supported with monthly cash transfers, while improving their long-term livelihoods and ability to stand on their own feet and buy food for their families thanks to their new skills. "This contribution comes at a critical moment for Afghanistan, where 15 million people are going hungry and WFP only can still support three million people with emergency food assistance due to a massive funding crisis", said Hsiao-Wei Lee, Country Director of WFP Afghanistan. "We are grateful for this generous contribution from the Asian Development Bank that will help us reach families in need starting before winter, when hunger bites hardest." This is the second contribution from ADB to WFP in Afghanistan, following US$135 million in the past year which put it amongst the top five contributors. This year, ADB is the biggest partner of WFP, to date. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 04 October 2023 - Day 588 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 28 September 2023, Russian air defence forces highly likely shot down one of their own Su-35S FLANKER M multi-role combat jets over Tokmak, approximately 20km behind the current front line. Although Russia has lost around 90 fixed wing aircraft since the start of the invasion, this is probably only the fifth loss of a Su-35S, Russia's most advanced combat jet in widespread service. The location is relevant because Tokmak is a heavily fortified town which often hosts Russian headquarters commanding one of the most intensely contested sectors of the front line. These headquarters would typically be protected with dedicated short and medium range air defence systems. These are almost certainly held at very high readiness, as Ukraine continues to conduct effective deep strikes against such locations. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of October 4, there were 45x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 5x missile and 43x air strikes, 30x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged. The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult. Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the Russian adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues to shell Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 25x settlements, including Klyusy, Tur'ya (Chernihiv oblast), Sorokyne, Prohres, Stepok (Sumy oblast), Starytsya, Tykhe, Mala Vovcha, (Kharkiv oblast). Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled a Russian attack in the area north of Zybyne (Kharkiv oblast). The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Podoly (Kharkiv oblast) and Kuzemivka (Luhansk oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Fyholivka, Novomlyns'k, Lyman Pershyi, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire. Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x Russian attacks in the area east of Makiivka (Luhansk oblast) and northwest of Dibrovy (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Novoselivs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Sivers'k, Spirne (Donetsk oblast) suffered Russian air strikes. The invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Sivers'k, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Fedorivka, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Russian adversary made unsuccessful attempts to regain the lost ground in the vicinities of Hryhorivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Khromove, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Toretsk and Oleksandro-Shul'tyne (Donetsk oblast). More than 20x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Min'kivka, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Kurdyumivka, New York (Donetsk oblast). Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all Russian attacks near Avdiivka and Lastochkyne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Avdiivka. The invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Karlivka, Nevel's'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar'inka axis: during the day of October 4, the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 8x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka and 6x Russian attack in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The adversary launched air strikes near Novomykhailivka and Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast). About 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Yelyzavetivka (Donetsk oblast) were under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled a Russian attack in the vicinity of the settlement of Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Maksymivka, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire. Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks near Verbove and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne, (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 25x settlements, including Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, Robotyne, Stepove, Kam'yans'ke, Plavni (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire. Kherson axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kozats'ke, Mykolaivka and Ol'hivka (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Ponyativka, Mykil's'ke (Kherson oblast) and the city of Kherson. At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensive (assault) operations on Bakhmut axis, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, exhausting the Russian forces all along the front line. During the day of October 4, Ukrainian Air Force launched 13x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment of the Russian invaders. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x command post, 3x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 10x artillery systems and 1x ammunition depot of the Russian occupiers. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled four attacks of assault detachments of the AFU 5th Assault Brigade, 59th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 53th Mechanised Brigade near Adreevka, Vodyanoye, Nevelskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost up to 165 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three motor vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, as well as one electronic warfare station. One ammunition depot of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade has been destroyed close to Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). In Krasny Liman direction, two attacks launched by assault groups of the 21st Mechanised Brigade and the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry were repelled by coordinated efforts of the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopters and artillery. Up to 50 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two D-30 howitzers were neutralised. In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces repelled one attack of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade's assault groups close to Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region). In addition, the Group's ground-attack aircraft and helicopters delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 185 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, as well as one D-20 howitzer. In Kupyansk direction, aviation, heavy flamethrower systems, and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 25th Airborne Brigade, 32nd, 115th mechanised brigades, and 103rd Territorial Defence Brigades close to Sinkovka, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), Stelmakhovka and Artyomovka (Lugansk People's Republic). Up to 30 Ukrainian troops, one tank, and two motor vehicles have been neutralised. One U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-37 counterbattery warfare radar has been destroyed near Schiykovka (Kharkov region). Moreover, one missile artillery ammunition depot of the AFU 41st Mechanised Brigade, as well as one ammunition depot of the 113rd Territorial Defence Brigade, were wiped out close to Kupyansk and Liptsy (Kharkov region). In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian Group of Forces' units supported by Ground-Attack and Army aviation hit manpower and hardware of the AFU 46th Airmobile Brigade and 15th Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Malaya Tokmachka and northwest of Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region). Up to 45 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles have been neutralised. In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Msta-B howitzer, one D-30 howitzer, and one U.S.-made M119 gun were neutralised. In Kherson direction, up to 20 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, as well as one ammunition depot of the AFU 126th Territorial Defence Brigade, have been destroyed near Kherson. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 114 areas during the day. In addition, one P-18 radar station for the detection, identification, and tracking of aerial targets was destroyed close to Krinichki (Nikolayev region). Command and observation posts of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade, 5th Assault Brigade,and 100th Territorial Defence Brigade have been obliterated close to Praskoviyvka, Krasnoye, (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). Fighter Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces intercepted one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force close to Soldatskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). Russian air defence forces have intercepted two Neptune anti-ship missiles, one U.S.-made JDAM guided bomb, as well as seven HIMARS and Grad MLRS projectiles during the day. Furthermore, during the day, 74 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralised and suppressed by radio electronic warfare means close to Vasilevka, Kropivnitskoye, Peski (Donetsk People's Republic), Verbovoye, Mirnoye, Ulyanovka, Ilchenkovo, Pologi, (Zaporozhye region), Krasnorechenskoye, Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), and Veliky Vyselok (Kherson region). In total, 484 airplanes and 250 helicopters, 7,491 unmanned aerial vehicles, 440 air defence missile systems, 12,326 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,160 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,642 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,789 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Notorious Criminal Kingpin Killed In Special Operation In Bishkek By Bakyt Torogeldi-uulu October 04, 2023 BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz security officers have killed notorious organized-crime figure Kamchy Kolbaev (aka Kamchybek Asanbek), who was added by Washington to a list of major global drug-trafficking suspects in 2011. The State Committee of National Security (UKMK) said on October 4 that Kolbaev was "liquidated" during a special operation in Bishkek after he resisted arrest and opened fire at security forces. The 49-year-old Kolbaev, known as a "thief-in-law," a title traditionally given to kingpins among criminal groups in former Soviet republics, was detained in October 2020 on suspicion of organizing a criminal group and participating in the activities of an organized criminal group. The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek welcomed Kolbaev's detention at the time it was announced and expressed hope that Kyrgyz authorities would "prosecute and continue to detain this dangerous criminal leader in the interest of public safety." However, in early March 2021, Kolbaev was released from pretrial detention and ordered not to leave Bishkek. In late 2012, Kolbaev was extradited to Kyrgyzstan from the United Arab Emirates at Bishkek's request and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison on extortion charges. His prison term was later shortened to three years without explanation. In June 2014, Kolbaev was granted an early release, which Kyrgyz officials explained by saying that each day spent by an inmate in a detention center is equal to two days in prison. Weeks before his early release, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms of Kolbaev's criminal network, which it described as being "part of the broader Brothers' Circle transnational criminal organization composed of leaders and members of several Eurasian criminal groups." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-kingpin-kolbaev- killed/32623077.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Officials in Mexico to Discuss Fentanyl, Human Migration By Rob Garver October 04, 2023 Senior U.S. officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken were in Mexico on Wednesday for talks with Mexican officials on the drug trade and a humanitarian crisis at the U.S. southern border. Blinken will be joined by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The U.S. delegation is set to meet with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Rosa Icela Rodriguez, secretary for Security and Citizen Protection. The meeting comes at a time of rising tension between the two nations. The United States is in the middle of an epidemic of opioid addiction that claims more than 100,000 lives each year. Most of the deaths are attributable to fentanyl, a potent narcotic trafficked across the border by Mexico-based drug cartels. At the same time, the U.S. southern border faces a daily deluge of migrants, often numbering in the thousands, who use Mexico as a jumping-off point for efforts to enter the U.S., either illegally or to apply for asylum as refugees. The dual problem has led to calls from some U.S. political leaders for aggressive action, with a number of Republican candidates for the presidential nomination advocating military intervention. Fentanyl charges In an indication of the global nature of the fentanyl problem, Garland on Tuesday held a press conference at the Justice Department, announcing that charges had been filed against eight Chinese companies and 12 individuals for their roles in the sale of fentanyl precursors a the chemical compounds from which the drug is synthesized a to buyers in Mexico. It was the second time since June that the U.S. has filed charges against Chinese firms supplying fentanyl precursors to criminal organizations in Mexico. "We know who is responsible for poisoning the American people with fentanyl," Garland said. "And we know that this global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies in China." Through August of this year, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has seized more than 25,500 pounds of fentanyl entering the U.S., nearly double the amount seized in the same period last year. The amount of fentanyl seized in the U.S. is up 800% since 2019, according to the Homeland Security Department, with most of it coming from Mexico. Unlike other drugs, such as cocaine and marijuana, whose raw materials need to be cultivated on hectares of farmland, fentanyl laboratories are small and easy to conceal. And because the drug is so potent a 50 times more powerful than heroin a it also is easier to transport. Additionally, the U.S. and Mexico are looking for ways to cooperate on the issue of human migration. In recent years, the flow of economic migrants and asylum-seekers through Mexico to the U.S. border has turned into a flood. After plummeting to fewer than 500,000 during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, attempts to cross the southern border, whether legally or illegally, have spiked in recent years. In 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials encountered 1.7 million people trying to cross the southern land border. That figure increased to 2.4 million in 2022, and the figures for 2023 are on track to be higher still. Mexican resistance Among other actions, the U.S. officials are expected to ask their Mexican counterparts to deploy more law enforcement personnel to interdict the shipments of fentanyl precursors and close down the labs where the drug is produced. The reception is likely to be cool. The Mexican government, including Lopez Obrador, have been vocal in their criticism of U.S. politicians campaigning on issues related to drugs and immigration, accusing them of scapegoating their country for the United States' own problem. Lopez Obrador has referred to the opioid epidemic in the U.S. as the result of "social decay." U.S. responsibility In an appearance at the University of Texas before traveling to Mexico on Wednesday, Blinken was careful not to place all the blame on Mexico and to emphasize the U.S. wants to retain good relations with its southern neighbor. "Mexico is ... our largest trading partner in the world," he said. "We want to preserve that. We want to preserve the connections, the bonds that tie us together." He noted, "And we also have our share of responsibility. One of the things that drives the drug trade that comes here and hits us ... and that facilitates it, is the influx of guns coming from the United States to Mexico. We have a responsibility to help them do something about that." Major progress unlikely Despite the presence of three senior Biden administration officials in Mexico, expectations for the two days of meetings are not particularly high, experts say. Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, told VOA that similar meetings in 2021 and 2022 produced little significant policy change. "The Biden administration tried to strike a pretty positive tone about cooperation, overlooking the fact that really, it's at ... a historic low point," he said. "If we see that continuity from how this played out in the last meeting last year, what I think you'll see coming out of this is just doubling down on saying, 'Look, we're working together to disrupt chemical supplies, targeting fentanyl labs, prosecuting criminal figures involved in fentanyl production, whether or not that's really happening to the extent we'd like,'" Freeman said. Military solution suggested In recent public appearances, several prominent Republicans have suggested that when it comes to the drug trade, the U.S. military should be deployed into Mexico to battle the drug cartels. In the Republican presidential primary, most of the candidates have expressed support for some version of a plan under which U.S. Special Operations forces would be sent into Mexico to fight the cartels. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has on multiple occasions insisted that if he were elected president, cartel members trying to bring drugs over the border would be left "stone cold dead." The calls for a military solution echo reports that while serving in the White House, former President Donald Trump explored the possibility of using missile strikes on Mexican territory to take out drug manufacturing facilities. Freeman, of the Council on Foreign Relations, told VOA that unilateral military action is "a terrible idea" that would "break down diplomatic relations with our top trade partner" and would create an opening for China, which is trying to increase its influence in the region. "There would be no quicker way to increase China's appeal and maybe deepen ties between China and countries in the region than an invasion of Mexico," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spain - PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 23-58 WASHINGTON, October 4, 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.8 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Spain has requested to buy four (4) PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units consisting of: fifty-one (51) PATRIOT Advanced Capability (PAC) 3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles (includes one (1) Fly-to-Buy missile); twenty-four (24) PATRIOT M903 launch stations; four (4) AN/MPQ-65 radar sets; four (4) AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Stations; two (2) Information Coordination Central (ICC); eight (8) Antenna Mast Groups; four (4) Electrical Power Plants; and four (4) Energy Power Units. Also included is communications equipment; tools and test equipment; range and test programs; support equipment and services comprising Skids kits, telemetry kits, generators, publications, and technical documentation; training equipment; spare and repair parts; Repair and Return; personnel training; New Equipment Training (NET); Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) support; Flight Test Support and Targets; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, engineering, and logistics support services; Systems Integration and Checkout (SICO) and Battalion Demonstration; field office support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $2.8 billion. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale of the PATRIOT missile system will improve Spain's missile defense capability, increase the defensive capabilities of its military, and support its goal of improving national and territorial defense and interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces. Spain will use the PATRIOT to defend its territorial integrity and for regional stability. Spain will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractors will be Raytheon Corporation, Tewksbury, MA, and Lockheed Martin, Dallas, TX. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government and contractor representatives to travel to Spain for an extended period for system checkout, training, and technical and logistics support. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Nour 3 satellite stance 'interventionist', sign of anger at Iran scientific progress: FM spox IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 4, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has condemned a statement by the British Foreign Office that criticized the Islamic Republic for its recent launch of the Nour 3 satellite into space, calling it "interventionist". Kanaani said on Wednesday that attaining scientific and research development, including in aerospace, is the inalienable right of the Islamic Republic of Iran. "Such interventionist remarks, which are indicative of Britain's anger and self-centered stance towards developments made by the Islamic Republic, will not affect the Iranian nation's determination for making progress in the scientific and technological fields," he added. The spokesman also said, based on international regulations, Iran faces no limitation to carry out scientific activities in aerospace research. Therefore, he added, the Islamic Republic resolutely rejects any unconventional stance in this regard. The Islamic Republic, in accordance to international rules and in line with upholding its rights especially the right to progress, will keep using peaceful technologies to achieve scientific development, Kanaani noted. He stressed that Iran will not act based on views of certain countries, which are seeking to impose their stance and unilateralist measures on others. The spokesman made the comments a day after the British Foreign Office released a statement on Iran's launching the Nour 3 imaging satellite on September 27. The statement claimed that Iran had carried out the launch despite repeated calls from the UN Security Council to halt its ballistic-missile program, alleging that the Islamic Republic had disregarded international restrictions. 4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Construction of advanced homegrown Pars 2 imaging satellite underway: Official Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 9:38 AM Head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) Hossein Salariyeh says the construction of the country's highly accurate remote sensing Pars 2 satellite is underway, while a bio-capsule will be launched into space by the end of the Iranian calendar year in March 2024. Salariyeh said on Wednesday that since the beginning of the current year certain measures have been adopted in line with the country's 10-year space vision plan. "We have already started the construction of several micro-satellites and mini-satellites. The construction of Pars 2 and Pars 3 satellites has commenced in conjunction with the Electronic Industries Organization of the Ministry of Defense and Space Research Institute. The construction phase of Pars 2 has begun, and Pars 3 is in the preliminary design phase," he said. Salariyeh also said the prototype of Nahid 2 satellite has been unveiled, and the final model ready for launch will be built either by the end of the year or the onset of next year. "The satellite will provide communication services at low altitude. The design and construction plan of Nahid 3, which is much more sophisticated, has also been set out, and is on the agenda," Salariyeh said. He also said the construction of a radar-class sensing satellite has begun for the first time in the country, stating that sensing radar satellites have the advantage of collecting sensing data from the earth's surface in any weather condition. The Islamic Republic, Salariyeh said, will launch several satellites into space and place them into low Earth orbits (LEOs) within coming months. "We will have orbital and sub-orbital test launches within the next six months, thanks to research and development (RD) programs that have been carried out," Salariyeh said. Despite sanctions imposed by Western countries in recent years, Iran has managed to take giant strides in the civilian space program. It is among the world's top 10 countries capable of developing and launching satellites. On September 27, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force successfully launched the homegrown imaging satellite Nour-3 into orbit. Nour-3 (Light-3) was launched by satellite carrier Qased (Messenger) and placed into an orbit 450 kilometers (280 miles) above the Earth's surface. "With the efforts of IRGC Aerospace Force specialists, a few moments ago, the Nour-3 imaging satellite was successfully placed into a 450 km orbit of the earth with the Iranian Qased satellite carrier," Minister of Communications and Information Technology Issa Zarepour wrote in a post published on X, formerly known as Twitter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China expresses strong dissatisfaction with EU probe into Chinese EVs, vows to protect interests of Chinese companies Global Times By Global Times Published: Oct 04, 2023 02:24 PM Updated: Oct 04, 2023 04:35 PM The EU's anti-subsidy probe into Chinese new energy vehicles (NEV) is based on subjective assumptions, lacks sufficient evidence and goes against WTO rules, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Wednesday, responding to an EU decision to conduct the probe. We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the EU decision, the MOFCOM said in a statement posted on its website on Wednesday. China will closely follow Europe's investigative procedure and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, the MOFCOM said. The EU requires negotiation with the Chinese side under extremely short notice and failed to provide effective materials for negotiation, which has seriously infringed China's rights, according to the ministry. The ministry noted that in the 10th China-EU High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue, held in late September, the Chinese side clearly stated that the EU's proposed probe is blatant protectionism and aimed at protecting the EU's industry under the guise of "fair trade," the moves of which will seriously disrupt and distort the global automotive industrial and supply chain, of which the EU has a part, and result in negative impacts on China-EU trade and economic ties. China urged the EU to exert caution in applying trade remedy measures, considering the big picture of maintaining the stability of global industrial and supply chains and the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, the MOFCOM said. "The EU should encourage deepened cooperation in the new energy industry which has NEVs as one of its spearheads, and create a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable market environment for the common development of the China-EU EV industry," the MOFCOM said. In recent years, China's EV industry has seen rapid development thanks to its unremitting technological innovation and building up of a complete industrial and supply chain. And Chinese EVs have been favored by consumers including those in the EU. According to auto consultancy Inovev, 8 percent of new EVs sold in Europe as of September this year were Chinese, up from 6 percent in 2022 and 4 percent in 2021. In 2022, Chinese automakers exported 545,244 NEVs to Europe, accounting for 48.66 percent of all NEV exports, data from the China Passenger Car Association showed. On Wednesday, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) expressed its strong opposition to the EU's decision. It is a clear fact that the Chinese EV market is a fiercely competitive market and not one supported and protected by subsidies, the industry association said, adding that the EU's stubbornness in launching the probe regardless of the fact constitutes a blatant protectionist behavior and will definitely impede the global development of the EV industry and pose hazard to the global carbon neutralization process. The Chinese and European automotive industries are partners, not rivals, and the development of the automotive industry needs fair competition, not protectionism, the CAAM said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on US Congressional Delegation's Visit to China Led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2023-10-04 12:13 Q: US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced that he will lead a bipartisan delegation of senators to China in the coming days. What is China's comment? Will Chinese leaders meet with Senator Schumer and his delegation? A: China welcomes US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to lead a bipartisan delegation of senators to China. We hope this visit will contribute to a more objective understanding of China in the US Congress, increase dialogue and communication between the legislatures of our two countries, and add positive factors to the growth of China-US relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong university chief denies allegations of 'money-laundering' Concerns have been raised over the management of a 10 million yuan scholarship donation and hiring practices By Siyan Cheung for RFA Cantonese 2023.10.04 -- University of Hong Kong president and U.S. citizen Zhang Xiang has denied allegations of 'mismanagement' linked to a donation of 10 million yuan from a U.S.-sanctioned company, saying the claims are part of an 'organized' smear campaign against him. A member of the university council who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals confirmed to Radio Free Asia that the council had received an anonymous complaint letter accusing Zhang of accepting a donation from Shenzhen-listed laser printer maker Ninestar. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security added Ninestar and eight of its Zhuhai-based subsidiaries to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List on June 12 for "for working with the government of Xinjiang to recruit, transport, transfer, harbor or receive forced labor or Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, or members of other persecuted groups out of Xinjiang." Ninestar filed a lawsuit contesting the move in August. According to the whistleblower's letter, the University of Hong Kong president's office requested that the funds from Ninestar - which were intended as scholarship money for 'patriotic' students from mainland China - be transferred to a "strategic development fund" controlled by Zhang, the anonymous person said. The letter also claimed that the first installment of 8.5 million yuan was received by the university in April, but that the students had already been given the money from other sources in September 2022. A university spokesman told the pro-China Sing Tao Daily newspaper that the donation complied with Hong Kong and Chinese law, adding that the allegation of "money laundering" was "totally untrue and constitutes a serious defamation of the university, donors and related organizations." It said the money was never deposited in the Strategic Development Fund controlled by the President's Office. Zhang, who has been in his post since 2018 and who spoke out against the 2019 protest movement, also issued a statement describing the allegations as "rumor-mongering" and "serious defamation." "It is extremely regrettable that confidential information which only members of the council should receive has been leaked," he said. Student representative Casey Chik, who has a seat on the council, called for an independent investigation into the claims, as a special meeting planned to discuss the letter was adjourned until Monday after receiving a "legal letter" from Zhang, according to multiple media reports. But members of the council including Chik have called for full disclosure of all relevant internal documents and for the setting up of an investigation committee whose proceedings are open to the public. "These absolutely constitute prima facie evidence," Chik told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday. "If the accusations are true, such disregard for the university's system will seriously damage the reputation and interests of the university community and may incur criminal and civil liabilities on the part of the university or the president and vice chancellor," Chik said. Chief Executive John Lee told reporters on Tuesday he is confident that the matter can be handled by the university's internal complaints processes. "The University of Hong Kong Council and the Vice-Chancellor ... have clear responsibilities under the present guidelines," Lee said. "What is important is things should be handled in accordance with laid-down procedures, and any matter should be dealt with in a fair and impartial manner," he said. Zhang said the allegations "are believed to be organized and deliberate," and that he had hired a lawyer and requested more time to prepare for the special meeting. Current affairs commentator Johnny Lau said Zhang's denial uses the language favored by the ruling Chinese Communist Party, because it claimed that the author of the letter had some kind of ulterior motive. "They may not have used those exact words, but there is already a culture [of making such claims]," Lau said. "They are trying to create a sense of disharmony and suggest morally questionable behavior, hoping to get the final word." The letter also claimed that the university had hired two U.S.-based headhunting firms to recruit a new dean for its medical school without putting the job out to tender, as well as refurbishing canteen facilities for senior faculty and buying a BMW worth HK$2 million without using tendering processes. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Eugene Whong. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Even with the much-remarked-upon waves of new arrivals streaming into Montana in recent years, the state is still for now a place where the majority of residents were born here. Thats according to newly released 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey, which supplements the bureaus full decennial census counts with demographic information on a yearly basis. That majority native-born status, isnt, however, the demographic reality for every part of the state. In Montanas western congressional district, for example, a minority of the populace, between about 44 and 46%, was born in the state. The same is true for some of the states fastest-growing urban areas around Bozeman, Missoula and Kalispell. In Bozemans Gallatin County, Montana-born residents now account for less than 40% of the population, the survey data indicates. That dynamic is reversed, however, in Yellowstone and Cascade counties, which encompass Billings and Great Falls, respectively. Native-born residents may also be a minority in Lewis and Clark County, which includes Helena. The survey says 48.7% of residents reported being born in-state, but the 50% majority threshold is within that figures 4.5% margin of error. Housing crunch Just how deep do Montanas widely discussed housing affordability woes run? Newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau sheds some statistical light on one facet of the challenge. Housing affordability is a product of two things: how much it costs people to keep a roof over their heads, and how much income they have to pay for it. While Montana has seen ballooning housing prices in recent years, the states population is also earning more. The census figures indicate the median monthly housing payment in 2022 was about $1,000, up from roughly $730 in 2012. Median household income, in comparison, was about $68,000 last year, up from roughly $45,000 a decade prior. A typical rule of thumb is that affordable housing costs its occupants no more than 30% of their pre-tax income say, for example, no more than $1,000 a month or $12,000 a year for a single person with an annual salary of $40,000. According to new data from the bureaus American Community Survey program, about 29% of Montana households were paying more than that threshold last year. As one might expect, that burden varies dramatically by income bracket: Nearly all Montana renter and owner households with incomes of $50,000 or more, 89%, reported housing costs below that 30%-of-income threshold. Lower-income households, in comparison, often struggle. Of Montana renter households below the $50,000 income mark, 69% are cost-burdened with housing payments above the 30% threshold. That percentage, which equates to approximately 71,500 households, has risen by 9 percentage points over the last decade. Some caveats: Unlike the decennial census counts, which try to reach almost every U.S. resident directly, American Community Survey numbers are based on responses from a sample of Montanas population, meaning these figures involve some degree of uncertainty. Additionally, these numbers represent the full state, both destination communities like Bozeman and parts of Montana that remain comparatively affordable. They also include longtime homeowners who have either paid off their mortgages or have housing payments that reflect the lower purchase prices available to buyers in decades past. TRI-SERVICES COMMANDERS' CONFERENCE 2023 (WESTERN GROUPING) India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 04 OCT 2023 5:27PM by PIB Delhi Tri-Services Commanders' Conference (TSCC)-2023 (Western Grouping) was held at Subroto park, New Delhi on 03 & 04 October 2023 under the aegis of Western Air Command. The two-day conference was hosted by Air Marshal PM Sinha, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command. General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff presided over the event. General Officers Commanding in Chief of Northern Command, South Western Command, Southern Command and Western Command; Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command, Air Officers Commanding in Chief of South Western Air Command and Southern Air Command; Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chief of Staff Committee, Director General Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) attended the conference. The commanders reviewed the current geopolitical situation, deliberated on the means to enhance operational preparedness and synergy of operations in the area of interest. Discussions were also held on ensuring integrity of our borders and mitigating threats. Involved discussions and free exchange of ideas took place amidst an environment of bonhomie. **** ABB/IN/PC/SK (Release ID: 1964203) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt hands over Twin seater LCA Tejas to the Indian Air Force India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence LCA Tejas symbolizes Nation's journey towards self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing: RRM Posted On: 04 OCT 2023 4:31PM by PIB Delhi Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt said that the LCA Tejas symbolizes India's journey towards self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing. This programme has been a shining example of commitment to reduce country's dependency on foreign aircrafts, and it serves as a beacon of hope for a self-reliant India. He was speaking at the handing over ceremony of LCA Tejas Twin Seater to the Indian Air Force in Banglore on 04 October, 2023. RRM further said that the LCA Tejas program has been an inspiring saga of relentless dedication and innovation. The inception of the LCA Tejas aircraft was rooted in the dream of equipping our Indian Air Force with a world-class indigenous fighter aircraft. It was a dream that many believed was too ambitious at the beginning of the programme, but the men and women at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO Labs, CEMILAC, DGAQA, PSUs, IAF and countless other institutions and individuals who contributed to this programme proved that nothing is impossible when the country's interest comes first and all institutions come together for completion of this important cause. Underlinig the significance of LCA Tejas program , RRM said that the country gained the much-required knowledge of building a cutting-edge fighter aircraft and also developed & nurtured aerospace ecosystem. The development of LCA Tejas has spurred the growth of a robust defence and aerospace industry in India. It has created opportunities for countless small and medium-sized enterprises, research institutions, and skilled workers who have contributed to various aspects of this project. The HAL's first Series Production twin seater of LCA Tejas is decked with state-of-the-art technology, agility, and versatility, It will provide suitable training to the Pilots of IAF. The IAF has already placed an order for 83 LCAs with HAL. The Chief of Air staff, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari , CMD, HAL Shri. Ananthakrishnanji, Director General of ADA Dr Girish S Deodhare , Chief Executive of CEMILAC Shri APVS Prasad , Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) - Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit were present on the occasion. ****** ABB/MR (Release ID: 1964133) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Azerbaijan to hold joint naval drill in Caspian Sea IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 4, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- The Defense Ministry of the Republic of Azerbaijan has announced that the naval forces of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran have reached an initial agreement to hold a joint military exercise in the Caspian Sea. Vice Admiral Subhan Bakirov, the Commander of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces, discussed the naval drills during a meeting with a delegation led by Captain Mohammad Reza Khazai, the commander of naval operations of the Iranian Army, in Baku on Wednesday, Russian news agency Sputnik reported, citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. Both navy officials stressed the importance of holding a joint naval exercise in the Caspian Sea, as part of efforts to expand military cooperation between the two neighboring countries. The date of the exercises has not been announced yet. 4353**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IAEA inspectors expelled over hostile political behavior: Iran nuclear chief IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Oct 4, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's nuclear chief says the recently expelled International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors were from the three European countries that repeatedly took hostile political positions against Tehran. "The expelled inspectors were from the three European countries that often displayed hostile political behaviors, and therefore, we removed the inspectors from those countries," Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, said on Wednesday, on the sidelines of a cabinet session in Tehran. He further said the IAEA has 127 approved inspectors in Iran and the expelled inspectors had not visited Iran for several years. "Making a commotion over this case is rooted in the political behavior and psychological operations of these countries, which constantly say that Iran must unilaterally implement the provisions of the JCPOA while they do nothing," Eslami added. Iran has repeatedly warned against the consequences of attempts to use the UN nuclear watchdog as a political tool to pressure the country. Last month, the Islamic Republic barred multiple IAEA inspectors assigned to the country based on the Islamic Republic's governance rights enshrined in the Safeguards Agreement between the two sides. 4354**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran to take part in "Khazri-2023" exercises as observer ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Wed / 4 October 2023 / 13:41 Tehran (ISNA) - The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran arrived in Baku to take part as an observer in the "Khazri-2023" Joint Tactical Exercises held in Azerbaijan with the participation of warships and servicemen of the Azerbaijani and Kazakh Naval Forces. Commander of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Subhan Bakirov met with a delegation led by Operations Commander of the Iranian Naval Forces, Captain 1st Rank Mohammad Reza Khazai. The importance of the "Khazri-2023" exercises was emphasized at the meeting hosted by the Azerbaijan Naval Forces' headquarters. The sides noted the importance of holding joint exercises of the Azerbaijani-Iranian Naval Forces in the Caspian Sea in the future, and a preliminary agreement was reached in this regard. The meeting discussed the prospects for the development of cooperation in the military field between the naval forces of Azerbaijan and Iran. In the end, the sides exchanged presents and a photo was taken, News.Az reported. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran conducts first drone on drone combat operation during drill Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 6:49 PM The commander of the Iranian Army's Air Defense Force says a home-made drone has successfully carried out the first aerial combat mission involving the targeting of another drone with missiles. "A drone targeted another drone with a missile in an aerial combat (mission) which has been done for the first time in the country and we managed to destroy the targeted drone," said Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi-Fard on Wednesday. Sabahi-Fard said the successful operation had been carried out during the ongoing drone drills being held in seven border provinces by four divisions of the Iranian Army. He described aerial combats between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a rare and complicated operation, adding that only a couple of countries in the world have the ability to carry out such mission. Iran has been the first to show off its capability in this regard, according to the commander. "We in the Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces displayed this potential to the world to declare that we were able to carry out ... one of the most complicated aerial operations in the world while facing the maximum cruel and unjust sanctions (imposed) against the Islamic Iranian nation," said the general. Iran has expanded its fleet of home-made UAVs in recent years in a bid to increase its defense capabilities and to boost its military deterrence. Various divisions of the Iranian Army are now using drones manufactured by the Iranian defense industries for different military operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Azerbaijan reach agreement on joint naval exercise in Caspian Sea Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 3:48 PM The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry says military officials from the South Caucasus country and neighboring Iran have reached an agreement on holding a joint naval exercise in the Caspian Sea. According to the state-run Azerbaijani Press Agency (APA), Commander of the Azerbaijani Naval Forces Rear Admiral Subhan Bakirov met and held talks with an Iranian delegation led by Operations Commander of the Iranian Navy Captain Mohammad-Reza Khazaei in Baku on Wednesday. The Iranian delegates were also briefed on the ongoing Khazri-2023 Joint Tactical Exercises, which involve warships and military personnel from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The two sides underlined the importance of joint exercises in the Caspian Sea in the future with the participation of Azerbaijani and Iranian naval forces, and a preliminary agreement was reached in this regard. They also discussed the prospects for expansion of military cooperation between naval forces of the two countries. Khazri-2023 Joint Tactical Exercises are currently underway in the Caspian Sea and will continue until October 8. The Iranian naval delegation has taken part as an observer in the exercises. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's kamikaze, combat drones destroy all targets during drill Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 9:58 AM The spokesman of the Iranian Army's joint exercise says homegrown kamikaze and combat drones have successfully hit all their targets during the maneuver. Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh said on Wednesday that the anti-radar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Omid detected its target in the drill that is being held in seven border provinces by four divisions of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. Also, the Arash zamikaze drone successfully annihilated land and sea targets, he added. Sheikh described the use of smart bombs as one of the main features of the exercise. "During the drill, kamikaze and combat drone systems were able to hit all predicted targets in a pinpointed manner using smart ammunition," he said. Among other tasks were "implementing a pre-planned flight scenario, striking specified targets ..., using bombs and missiles installed on drones, signal gathering and using optical payloads." The drill saw the mass flight of UAVs from various ground, underground and sea bases to carry out operations which were unprecedented in scope. "The ability of mass flights using artificial intelligence is one of the innovative measures in the Islamic Republic of Iran Army's operation of drones," he said. Meanwhile, in an aerial battle, a drone targeted another with a missile and destroyed it, head of Air Defense Force Brig. Gen. Alireza Sabahifard said. "Only one or two countries have the ability to carry out this very complex and advanced operation, which of course they have not displayed yet. "However, we in the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran showcased this ability to the world and announced that we were able to do it at the height of the cruel and unmanly sanctions against the Islamic nation of Iran," he said. "This great and extraordinary feat from the scientific, technical and operational point of view is the result of a one-year effort of my dear comrades in the powerful Air Defense Force of the Army and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. I congratulate the honorable people of Islamic Iran on this achievement," he added. '12 different drone types will be tested' In separate remarks, the spokesman said that nearly 200 drones of 12 different kamikaze and combat types will be tested during the maneuver. The Ababil-5 drone performed a surveillance operation and the Karrar carried out interception and destruction tasks on the first day of the drill, Sheikh added. Additionally, he said, the exercise featured the unveiling of Kaman-19 drone with air-based electronic warfare capability. Arash and Karrar drones are expected to fly from different parts of the country and land at a specific location and time as part of tests to gauge their ability to bypass electronic warfare nets and defense barriers, he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Girl's Hospitalization After Subway Incident Draws Parallels With Mahsa Amini's Case By Frud Bezhan, Fereshteh Ghazi October 04, 2023 When Armita Garavand and two of her friends tried to enter a Tehran subway station, they were confronted by police officers for not wearing the mandatory hijab. The officers physically assaulted the 16-year-old Garavand, who later fell unconscious after entering a subway carriage. Garavand was rushed to the Fajr Air Force Hospital outside Tehran, where she has been in a coma since October 1. That is according to human rights groups and journalists who claim that Garavand is the latest victim of the brutal enforcement of Iran's controversial hijab law. Garavand's case, and suggestions of a cover-up by the authorities, has drawn parallels with the events leading up to the death in custody of Mahsa Amini last year. Amini's death soon after she was arrested for allegedly violating the hijab law triggered months of antiestablishment protests. A source at the Fajr Air Force Hospital, who spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Farda on condition of anonymity due to security reasons, said Garavand had suffered internal bleeding in the brain and was in critical condition. Garavand is under guard at the hospital, the source said, adding that plainclothes police officers were preventing visitors from entering the intensive-care unit where the teenager was being treated. The authorities have not commented on Garavand's condition or revealed where she is being treated. 'Severe Physical Assault' Iran's official news agency, IRNA, has claimed that Garavand fainted after a drop in blood pressure and bumped her head on the side of the subway carriage. CCTV footage released by IRNA, which appeared to be edited, shows a group of girls without the hijab, or head scarf, entering a carriage. Almost immediately, one of the girls backs off and reaches for the ground. She drags out another girl, who appears to be unconscious, from the carriage. Masood Dorosti, the head of the Tehran Metro Operating Company, told IRNA that there had been no "verbal or physical conflict" between the young passengers and company employees. The entrance to Tehran's subway stations are often guarded by police officers or company employees, who deny access to women not observing the Islamic dress code. Iran's hard-line Fars news agency on October 3 published an interview with Garavand's parents, who said she was not assaulted by police officers in the subway. "We have checked all the videos, and it has been proven to us that this incident was an accident," her unnamed father was quoted as saying. "We ask people to pray for our child's recovery." The authorities have been previously accused of forcing family members into making statements that toe the official line. Hengaw, a Norway-based group that monitors rights violations in Iran, has rejected the official version of events. The group said on October 3 that Garavand was the victim of a "severe physical assault" by members of the notorious morality police and she was targeted due to her "noncompliance with the compulsory hijab." Hengaw posted what it said was a photo of Garavand lying unconscious in her hospital bed. On October 4, the group said that "security entities have placed extreme control over her family to prevent any publication of information," and added that "government security agents have seized the mobile phones of all members of Armita's family." Gavarand, who lives with her family in Tehran, is originally from the city of Kohdasht in the western province of Lorestan, according to information obtained by Radio Farda. Dadban, an Iran-based rights group, said on October 4 that "Iranian security institutions have said her condition was caused by low pressure -- an oft-repeated scenario from such institutions." Farzad Seifikaran, a journalist at Radio Zamaneh, a Persian-language broadcaster based in The Netherlands, was the first to report the incident. Without identifying Garavand, Seifikaran said on X, formerly known as Twitter, on October 1 that a female high-school student was hospitalized following a confrontation with officers. Iran's Shargh daily, meanwhile, said on October 2 that one of its journalists was briefly detained after she went to the military hospital where Garavand is being treated. 'Cover-Up' Iranian social media users have drawn parallels with the case of the 22-year-old Amini, whose family maintained that she had been beaten by the morality police while being driven to a Tehran detention facility. Officials claimed that she had fallen into a coma after a dispute with guards due to a preexisting health condition. During her brief stay at the Kasra Hospital in northern Tehran, images of Amini bleeding from one of her ears cast further doubts on the official narrative. Reporters Nilufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, who helped expose the case of Amini, were arrested. Both have been held in pretrial detention since September and face charges that include "collaborating with the hostile government of America, conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against national security, and propaganda against the establishment." Milad Alavi, a journalist at Shargh, said on X that the authorities' refusal to release footage of Garavand inside the subway carriage was creating "mistrust" among the public. Mohsen Borhani, an Iranian lawyer, suggested that the authorities had prevented many media outlets from reporting on the incident. "Reporting about such an incident is not a crime," he said. Iran's former crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, an exiled opposition leader, accused the authorities of a "cover-up." He said the authorities could not be trusted after "spreading lies and concealing Mahsa's murder." Following Amini's death, the Iranian regime has intensified its enforcement of the hijab law, including passing new legislation that penalizes women who fail to observe the compulsory Islamic head scarf with prison terms that can run up to a decade. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-girl-hospitalized-garavand- morality-police-tehran-metro/32623137.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi president says Baghdad won't allow 'robust' relations with Iran to be damaged Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 3:45 PM Iraq's President Abdul-Latif Rashid says his country regards its relationship with Iran as "very important," stressing that Baghdad will not allow any harm to its "robust relations" with Tehran. "We share a border with Iran with a length of 1,400 kilometers and our relations with Iran are good and robust and very important to us," he said in a recent interview with the Saudi-run Al-Hadath channel. Rashid said his country is against other parties using Iraq's territory to hurt neighboring nations, underlining a recent security agreement between Iraq and Iran to deal with groups conducting anti-Iran operations from Iraq's Kurdistan region. "We are against any party using Iraqi and Kurdistan Region territories against any neighboring state. This is our clear policy," he said. Under the agreement signed in March, Iraq committed to relocating the anti-Iran groups to areas away from Iran borders and to disarming them. 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. Following last year's riots, triggered by the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, these groups intensified their subversive operations against Iran and smuggled weapons to their local agents. That prompted Iran to push Iraq to put an end to terrorist activities of the anti-Iran groups, leading to the March agreement. Iranian media reports say most of the agreement has now been implemented and efforts are underway to complete the process. Iraq rejects Turkish airstrikes Rashid called for a security agreement between Iraq and Turkey similar to its deal with Iran to stop repeated Turkish airstrikes against Iraq's Kurdistan region. He said Baghdad rejects the Turkish airstrikes or the presence of Turkish bases in its Kurdistan region. "These violations are rejected by the Iraqi people, the (Kurdistan) region and all of Iraq's inhabitants," Rashid said, arguing that such strikes sometimes killed civilians, including people visiting the region. Turkey regards the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) as a terrorist group and it regularly carries out airstrikes in Iraq's Kurdistan region. Turkey said on Sunday it carried out airstrikes in northern Iraq that destroyed 20 targets belonging to the PKK after the militant group said it orchestrated the first bomb attack in Ankara in years that left two police officers injured. Turkey has also sent commandos and set up military bases on Iraqi territory to support its offensives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks on Thursday said his agencys leadership was to blame for problems within the Enforcement Division detailed in a recently released report. Director Dustin Temple compared it to when he learned to fly and his instructor told him most crashes occur after several bad choices are made by the pilot. We find ourselves here today through a whole series of bad decisions, he said. As painful as it may be, acknowledging your shortcomings is part of being a good leader, Temple added. Report The Legislative Audit Division report revealed an agency where wardens were ruled by managers utilizing fear and intimidation. The chief of enforcement retired last November, but also got a $150,000 payout, and two other division heads were demoted, one of which left the agency. The report also revealed problems with FWPs Human Resources Division, responsible for the entire agency, when it came to record keeping and overseeing hiring practices. The problems were so bad the audit said it could open FWP up to litigation. Legislative auditor Jeremy Verhasselt detailed the audit's numerous findings to the committee during its meeting in Helena, then Temple made his statement taking blame and answering questions. Temple was appointed director after his predecessor resigned in June, citing health concerns. This was the second audit critical of the organization in recent months. A June report found fault with the agencys Licensing Division and the awarding of bonus points for hunting licenses. Not cops Temple said the Legislature has clearly told the agency in statute what game wardens' main duties are, adding that didnt include police-type activities. As a result, memorandums of understanding with some county sheriffs deputizing wardens, so they can arrest individuals for things like DUI, are expiring. It was well intentioned when initiated, he said, but thats not what you asked us to do. Instead, conservation law enforcement is the new FWP leaderships vision for wardens, their sergeants and captains. That includes everything from patrolling aquatic invasive species check stations to ensure boaters stop, to working in the backcountry checking hunter licenses and visiting landowners to establish lines of communication. Although at times a game warden may be the only law enforcement presence for miles around, or the only backup for a county sheriffs deputy, Temple said in the course of helping out wardens should not "lose sight of who we are. He also added its important for enforcement managers to listen to wardens since they are out in the field talking to the public. When Sen. Pat Flowers questioned if enforcement might run better if the division was decentralized, Temple disagreed. He said law enforcement is unique in that across geographically distinct regions laws have to be applied universally. Flowers said they would have to agree to disagree on that issue. New chiefs Also addressing the committee was Ron Howell, the new chief of the Enforcement Division. He said since taking over last year his department has taken significant steps to improve relationships built on trust. He said thats the key to improving the divisions culture, and promised his staff honesty, transparency and inclusiveness. In return, he has asked his staff for quality over quantity and consistency. Im confident were on the right track, he said. Joe Kambic, former head of the wardens union and a Missoula warden, told the committee he has seen the department make wholesale change with officers returning to traditional work. Likewise, Dirk Paulsen, a criminal investigator for FWP in Glasgow and the new union president, thanked the auditors for their tenacity and for shining a light on the agencys operational and cultural problems. Jeff Kirksey, who was hired as the new Human Resources manager five months ago, told the committee his department is working with Montana State University to examine FWPs organizational culture. To that end, a survey will be rolled out in November. Committee members asked for a copy of the results once the survey is done. Kirksey is the sixth person to lead Human Resources in the department in the past decade. Since stepping into the job, he said the HR staff has tightened up its procedures on record keeping and now has a written protocol to follow. Later in the meeting, Flowers called for a full audit of FWPs Human Resources Division. The request was approved in a 10-1 vote. October 4, 2023 Transcript Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru to the Pentagon SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Well, Mr. Minister, it's an honor to meet you here so soon after we spoke last week. Congratulations again on being appointed Minister of Defense. As you know, I had a great visit to Tokyo in June. And this is a time of historic momentum in the U.S.-Japan alliance. We support your government's bold decisions to invest in advanced capabilities, including counter-strike, and to increase spend -- defense spending to two percent of Japan's GDP by 2027. And the strategic alignment between our two countries is unprecedented. I look forward to working closely with you to make our alliance even closer. Now we face major shared challenges, including the PRC's coercive behavior and North Korea's dangerous provocations, and Russia's reckless war of choice against Ukraine, but America's Article 5 treaty commitment to the defense of Japan remains ironclad and it covers all territories under Japan's administration, including the Senkaku Islands. Mr. Minister, we share a vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and for peace and prosperity for our peoples. We're modernizing our alliance to tackle shared challenges. After the historic announcements at our 2+2 meeting in January, our force posture is becoming more versatile, more mobile, and more resilient. And we're also investing in stronger ties with our friends across the region, especially our allies in the Republic of Korea. In August, our three leaders advanced a new era of trilateral partnership during their historic summit at Camp David. And we're dedicated to delivering on their ambitious course for mutual defense, including by exercising our forces together under a multi-year trilateral framework, sharing real time missile warning data, and strengthening our secure lines of communication. The United States is also encouraged to see Japan working more closely together with allies like Australia. And I was glad to see that last month, F-35s from Australia operated in Japan for Exercise Bushido Guardian, and just days after, F-35s from Japan operated in Australia for the first time. And that kind of teamwork among some of our closest allies makes the Indo-Pacific region safer and more secure. And so Mr. Minister, I'm pleased to welcome you here today and I look forward to a great discussion. DEFENSE MINISTER KIHARA MINORU (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I thank you very much for your kind words of congratulations for my becoming Defense Minister. And I am very pleased to have a meeting with you again, now this time face to face, shortly after we had a teleconference the other day. I'm grateful for that. Unilateral changes to the status quo by force and such attempts can never be condoned at any part of the world, including the Indo-Pacific region, and we need to strengthen alliance capabilities to deter and respond to that (inaudible). I truly appreciate you have strongly reaffirmed the ironclad commitment that Article 5 applies to Senkaku Islands. Secretary Austin, I would like to continue discussions on the roles and missions of the alliance under the new strategies formulated last year and continue to -- close cooperation on various efforts for strengthening the alliance with you. SEC. AUSTIN: Thanks, everybody. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3548356/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 4, 2023 Release Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru to the Pentagon today during Minister Kihara's first visit to Washington, D.C., as the Minister of Defense. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the unwavering and ironclad U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan, and the two leaders confirmed both countries' mutual commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance amid historic shared momentum toward peace, stability, and deterrence in a free and open Indo-Pacific. Secretary Austin reiterated his support for Japan's decision to strengthen its defense, including its acquisition of counterstrike capabilities and increase in defense spending, following his December 2022 statement welcoming Japan's 2022 National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Defense Buildup Program. Both leaders reaffirmed the strategic alignment between the United States and Japan, as well as shared Alliance goals to optimize force posture, bolster integrated deterrence, modernize roles and missions, and further cooperate with like-minded partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3548348/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address October 4, 2023 By David Vergun , DOD News Austin Says U.S. Committed to Defending Japan, Including Senkaku Islands Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty states the United States' "ironclad" commitment to defend all of Japan, including the Senkaku Islands and other territories, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. The Senkaku Islands, claimed by China, are in the East China Sea, about 43 miles northeast of Taiwan. Austin provided remarks today, hosting an enhanced honor cordon and meeting, welcoming Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara to the Pentagon. "This is a time of historic momentum in the U.S.-Japan alliance. We support your government's bold decisions to invest in advanced capabilities including counterstrike, and to increase defense spending to 2% of Japan's gross domestic product by 2027," Austin said. Japan and the U.S. face major challenges including China's coercive behavior, North Korea's dangerous provocations and Russia's reckless war of choice against Ukraine, he said. The U.S. and Japan share a vision for a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, Austin said. "Our force posture is becoming more versatile, more mobile and more resilient. And we're also investing in stronger ties with our friends across the region," he said, including South Korea. Japan, South Korea and the U.S. are dedicated to mutual defense, including exercising combined forces under a multiyear, trilateral framework, sharing real-time missile warning data and strengthening secure lines of communication, Austin said. The United States is also encouraged to see Japan working more closely with allies like Australia, he said, noting that in exercises last month, F-35A fighter jets from Australia operated in Japan within days of F-35s from Japan flying over Australia. Austin congratulated Kihara on his appointment to defense minister last month. Kihara said he looks forward to strengthening Japan's defense capabilities to deter aggression in the region. Japan appreciates America's ironclad commitment to defend Japan and will work in close cooperation on strengthening the alliance, Kihara said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar company director and regional officials 'arrested in China' Nearly a dozen businessmen from Shan state reportedly detained while attending a trade fair By RFA Burmese 2023.10.04 -- Eleven businessmen from Myanmar's Shan state were reportedly arrested while visiting China's Yunnan province over the weekend, according to traders based on the border. Among them are local officials from the Kokang Self-Administered Zone. Liu Zhengxiang, the director of the Laukkaing-based Fully Light Group, was also arrested. Along with Liu's connections to the Kokang Border Guard Force, the director is also allegedly involved in online gambling across the country. Fully Light Group, a multi-sector conglomerate working in jewels, tourism, and rubber, is the largest business in Laukkaing. On Sept. 30, about 30 businessmen from Kokang, Laukkaing and Chinshwehaw cities attended a Chinese trade fair in the Lincang district of Yunnan province. The police arrived at the hotel where they were staying and targeted the most well-known businessmen, said a border-based merchant, asking to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. "Nothing happened on the first day of the trade fair on September 30. They were arrested in their hotel where they were staying on the second day," the man told Radio Free Asia. "Big businessmen from Laukkaing, in other words the wealthy businessmen, were taken." Laukkaing junta spokesperson and economic minister Khun Thein Maung told RFA he did not know the specifics of the most recent arrests in Yunnan province. RFA contacted the Chinese Embassy in Yangon and the Myanmar Consulate in Kunming via email, but received no response at the time of publication. Arrests of Chinese nationals living in Myanmar increased sharply last month. An official from the Kokang Self-Administered Zone confirmed on Sept. 28 that authorities detained 377 Chinese nationals who were living illegally in Laukkaing city. The area is a well-known hotspot for fraudulent online businesses, human trafficking and casinos. The official told RFA those arrested last month are being interrogated in relation to online money laundering in Laukkaing. The United Wa State Army also arrested more than 1,300 Chinese nationals in relation to online money laundering schemes last month and handed them over to Chinese authorities at the border. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content October not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Creation of Multipolar World Inevitable, Necessary - Putin Sputnik News 20231004 The creation of a multipolar world, more honest and fair for the majority of people, is inevitable and historically necessary, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated, addressing the Third International Olympiad on Financial Security in the Sirius federal territory near Sochi on Wednesday, October 4. "The process of building a multipolar world order - more democratic, more honest, fair for the majority of mankind - is simply inevitable and historically necessary. This fully applies to the creation of strong economic foundations of such a world order," Putin stressed. In addition, the Russian president emphasized that those who seize other people's assets are apparently not exceptionally intelligent. During his speech, Putin spoke about a joint project between a number of central banks in Asia and the Middle East that allows them to issue and exchange digital currencies. "That is, no third party has any possibility for abuse and for interfering with payments. Including blocking, for example, a transaction, arresting accounts, appropriating someone else's money or assets. And this, unfortunately, happens in the modern world. These are very young people sitting here. But I can tell you that such things are done by self-confident adults, uncles and aunts, who, apparently, are not very clever, if they commit such erroneous actions that ultimately harm themselves," the president stressed. Moreover, the world is gradually getting rid of the dictatorship of an economic model where entire regions of the world are driven into bondage and loans, Putin said. "The world is gradually getting rid of the dictatorship of such a financial and economic model, the purpose of which is only to drive into debt, into bondage, turn into economic colonies, deprive entire regions of the world of resources for development," the president highlighted, adding that "few people will like such a future." In addition, Putin emphasized that mutual trust and respect for each other's interests are extremely important in terms of international economic cooperation. "You are well aware that the financial sphere is now undergoing rapid development of advanced solutions, advanced technologies. This is digital currency, digital financial assets, new payment services and financial settlement models. This includes the use of blockchain technologies, the so-called distributed ledger. I would like to say once again that in this area, especially when it comes to international economic cooperation, mutual trust and respect for the interests of partners and each other's interests are extremely important," the president said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia to Decide in November on Deepening Oil Output Cut or Expanding Production - Novak Sputnik News 20231004 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia will analyze the market in November to decide whether to deepen its oil output cut or increase production, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday. In March, Russia announced that it would voluntarily trim its oil production by 500,000 barrels per day from the February level of 9.95 million barrels per day until the end of December 2024. In early September, Novak said that the volume of voluntary reduction in Russia's oil production would be reviewed monthly depending on the situation on the global oil market. Russia has also extended its voluntary cut in oil exports by 300,000 barrels per day until the end of 2023. "Russia will maintain the additional voluntary reduction by 300,000 barrels per day of supply to the world market until the end of December 2023, which took effect in September and October 2023. The market will be analyzed next month to decide whether to deepen the reduction or increase oil production," Novak said. He added that the measure "comes on top of the voluntary cut previously announced by Russia in April 2023, which will last until the end of December 2024." "The additional voluntary reduction is intended to reinforce the measures taken by OPEC+ countries to maintain the stability and balance on oil markets," Novak added. Riyadh May Review Volume of Voluntary Cut in Oil Output in November Saudi Arabia may reconsider the volume of voluntary reduction in oil production in November, the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday, citing an official source in the Saudi Energy Ministry. So far, it continues to reduce oil production by 1 million barrels per day, which the country began in July, until the end of the year, the news agency said. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More Taiwanese questioned in China in wake of revised law: NSB ROC Central News Agency 10/04/2023 05:21 PM Taipei, Oct. 4 (CNA) Taiwan's top intelligence chief has warned that Taiwanese nationals who travel to China are facing greater risks as more Taiwanese have been questioned by Chinese immigration since a revised Chinese Counter-Espionage Law took effect in July. National Security Bureau Director-general Tsai Ming-yen (eZa) said only four Taiwanese nationals were questioned by Chinese immigration authorities upon arrival in the first half of the year, according to the NSB's understanding. From July 1 to the present, however, nine people have been questioned, he said, but they were all later released and have since returned safely to Taiwan, Tsai said. During the brief detentions, Chinese authorities have checked travelers' mobile phones and laptops to see if they have criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or commented on related political issues on social media before their trips, Tsai said. Most of those questioned by Chinese side were Taiwanese scholars, representatives of NGOs and even the Chinese spouses of Taiwanese nationals, he said. The numbers represent small fractions of the hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese who will travel directly to China from Taiwan this year. In the first six months of 2023, 599,837 Taiwanese nationals traveled directly to China, according to Tourism Administration statistics, and another 406,000 went there in July and August. These numbers do not include people who went to China indirectly through third countries or territories, such as Hong Kong. Despite the low statistical probability of being harassed, however, Tsai warned Taiwanese nationals to be on high alert when traveling to China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws. According to Tsai, the NSB has learned of 13 Taiwanese nationals who have been incarcerated in China after traveling there, but he did not say how many of them have been released. The NSB chief made the remarks during a Legislative session in response to a question by a lawmaker on whether more Taiwanese have been questioned by Chinese immigration since the newly revised Counter-Espionage Law came into effect in China on July 1. The amendments significantly expanded the scope of activities that can be considered espionage by adding a catch-all provision, and codified the enforcement powers of relevant authorities. Meanwhile, when asked by lawmakers about the possibility of Chinese interference in Taiwan's January 2024 presidential election, the NSB head said the CCP could use economic coercion to put pressure on Taiwanese businesspeople in China in an attempt to influence their votes. Also, the CCP has continued to wage disinformation warfare against Taiwan, including by making use of China-friendly Russian news media and other foreign language fake news, to spread misinformation or disinformation, he said. (By Novia Huang and Joseph Yeh) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "Our ideal to expand our citizens' realm of freedoms prioritizes our country's liberation from the post-coup constitution" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 03.10.2023 Addressing the Closing Ceremony of the Council of State's IASAJ Programme, President ErdoAYan said: "Our ideal to expand our citizens' realm of freedoms prioritizes our country's liberation from the post-coup constitution. It is high time to shatter the shackles which the tutelage advocates had put on TArkiye's feet with the May 27, 1960 coup and then the September 12 regime consolidated." President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan made a speech at a ceremony held for the closing of IASAJ Programme and the inauguration of the Council of State's Training Facility. Expressing his pleasure to be coming together with the participants of the International Association of Supreme Administrative Jurisdictions' (IASAJ) programme, President ErdoAYan wished that the event, which hosted fruitful debates for two days, would yield auspicious outcomes for supreme administrative jurisdictions. The President voiced his belief that the opinions and legal precedents shared during the event would expand the horizon of participants, particularly that of the administrative jurisdictions. President ErdoAYan added that the training facility spanning an area of 785 square meters with its meeting hall, foyer, open terrace and 500-person multi-purpose hall, which is being inaugurated today, would meet many needs of the Council of State such as in-service training. Stressing the historical importance of the current month, October, President ErdoAYan noted that the Republic of TArkiye, the last state founded on these lands in history, would celebrate its centennial on October 29 with new reforms, rather than with commemorations, in a manner its deserves. "IT IS HIGH TIME TO SHATTER THE SHACKLES CONSOLIDATED BY THE SEPTEMBER 12 REGIME" President ErdoAYan continued his remarks as follows: "As we make a comprehensive review of the last one century, we also work to strengthen our nation's democratic gains. Our aim is to enter the second century of the Republic with stronger steps, and with a stronger unity and solidarity. Our ideal to expand our citizens' realm of freedoms prioritizes our country's liberation from the post-coup constitution. It is high time to shatter the shackles which the tutelage advocates had put on TArkiye's feet with the May 27, 1960 coup and then the September 12 regime consolidated. Demanding a civilian constitution is an inalienable right of our august nation, which stand up for their will at the cost of their own lives when need be. No one in a position of responsibility, first and foremost the institution of politics, can afford to turn a deaf ear to this demand." Noting that he highlighted his expectation of a constructive stance towards a new constitution in his inaugural speech on the occasion of the 2nd legislative year of the 28th term of the Grand National Assembly of TArkiye on October 1, President ErdoAYan added that every topic is open to discussion, debate and negotiation except for the redlines embraced by the entire 85 million population of TArkiye. "The primary good news that can be given to the nation in the new term appears to be the implementation of a civilian, liberal and inclusive constitution", said the President. "There is no obstacle in the way of our Parliament drafting a civilian constitution that will be endorsed and embraced by each and every member of the nation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address All PKK-affiliated groups in Iraq, Syria 'legitimate targets, says Turkish foreign minister Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 5:50 PM Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says all groups and facilities in Iraq and Syria that are affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group are "legitimate targets," following a recent bomb attack on a government building in the capital Ankara. "I recommend that third parties stay away from these facilities," Fidan warned during a joint press conference with his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, in Ankara on Wednesday. "Turkey's stance in the fight against terrorism is clear... The response of our armed forces to this attack will be very clear, and this terrorist organization will regret it very much," Fidan stated. The top Turkish diplomat also confirmed that the attackers came from Syria. "All infrastructure, sites and energy facilities belonging to the PKK/YPG in Iraq and Syria are the legitimate targets of our security forces, armed forces and intelligence elements from now on," Fidan pointed out. The remarks came hours after Turkish warplanes carried out fresh airstrikes against PKK bases in northern Iraq. A statement from the Defense Ministry said the air raids hit 16 targets, including caves, shelters and depots, used by Kurdish militants in the neighboring region. It added that the operation aimed to "protect Turkey's borders and prevent terror attacks." It was reportedly Turkey's second cross-border aerial operation against PKK targets in northern Iraq since the attack in Ankara on October 1. Earlier, police forces conducted raids in several Turkish provinces, detaining close to 1,000 people, including dozens with alleged links to PKK militants. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 55 people suspected of being part of the PKK's "intelligence structure" were detained in 16 of the country's 81 provinces. At least 12 other suspected PKK members were rounded up in a separate operation in five provinces, Yerlikaya wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. A bomber detonated an explosive device near an entrance of the interior ministry building in Ankara, injuring two police officers. A second assailant was killed in a shootout with police. A news agency close to the PKK said the group claimed responsibility for the attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update 186 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine International Atomic Energy Agency 105/2023 Vienna, Austria 4 Oct 2023 Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is now once again using reactor unit 4 to generate steam for various safety functions at the facility after the repair of a water leak detected in mid-August, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today. After completing the transition of unit 4 to hot from cold shutdown last Saturday, the ZNPP placed reactor unit 6 - which had temporarily been producing such steam during the repair work - in cold shutdown, which was reached yesterday morning. As previously reported, Ukraine's national regulator, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU), has issued regulatory orders to limit the operation of all six units of the ZNPP to a cold shutdown state. In addition, the IAEA has been strongly encouraging the ZNPP to find an alternative source of steam generation to cover the plant's needs, including for processing liquid radioactive waste, and allow for all the reactors to be maintained in a cold shutdown state. After it reached cold shutdown, the ZNPP began maintenance activities of unit 6, starting with its unit transformer and one of its safety trains in order to clean the heat exchangers. The ZNPP reactors each have three separate and independent redundant systems - known as safety trains - comprising the units' safety systems, which are normally in stand-by mode ready to activate if needed to maintain safety. Separately, a new team of IAEA experts arrived at the ZNPP on Tuesday to replace their colleagues who have been there for the past several weeks, the twelfth such mission since Director General Grossi on 1 September last year established a permanent Agency presence at the site to help prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict in Ukraine. "Once again, our experts have crossed the frontline to help ensure nuclear safety and security at Europe's largest nuclear power plant which is caught up in the middle of the war. We should all be grateful for their determination to do everything they can to achieve this important task. Their presence is necessary to monitor the situation at the site and to provide impartial and timely information to the international community," Director General Grossi said. In a significant development for the IAEA's mission at the site, Director General Grossi said the Agency had taken delivery of armoured vehicles acquired with extra-budgetary support from Japan. In addition, funding from Germany has enabled the IAEA to hire drivers and security personnel for these rotations. "These vehicles and dedicated personnel are essential for ensuring the safety of IAEA staff during rotations to and from the plant. They will also allow us to conduct our missions with full logistical independence," Director General Grossi said. The new IAEA team continues to request access to all six turbine halls on the same day, one after the other, to be able to confirm the absence of any materials and equipment that may contravene the five concrete principles for the protection of the ZNPP. This request has not yet been approved and the team can only confirm the status of one turbine hall at a time. The IAEA experts are also continuing to request access to the rooftops of reactor buildings 1, 2, 5 and 6, which they had expected to be granted this week. "We will insist until we get the access we need in order to monitor compliance with the five concrete principles for the protection of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant," Director General Grossi said. IAEA teams at Ukraine's three other Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site report safe and secure operations of these nuclear facilities despite the continuation of the armed conflict. The IAEA on Monday completed its 26th delivery of equipment and other items designed to enhance nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, providing the Rivne NPP with equipment for measuring the dissolved hydrogen concentration in primary water samples at the plant. The equipment was procured using Japanese extrabudgetary contribution. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hunting changed Jeff Bendas perspective. Like a lot of kids who grow up in North Dakota, he dreamed of leaving. And he did for a time, moving first to Minnesota and then to Florida to work in restaurants. But Benda returned home for school. While wrapping up an education degree and making plans to move to Tampa for his first teaching job, a couple of classmates invited him on a duck hunt. Soon after they took him pheasant hunting, and then on his first deer hunt. He said it was like the beginning of The Wizard of Oz where the world is black and white until Dorothy and Toto are swept away by a tornado and dropped in Oz. That is how I saw North Dakota growing up. It was just this bland black and white, he said. As soon as I went on my first hunt, North Dakota became color for me ... I saw North Dakota differently and just fell in love with it. Benda hunted every chance he could. For work, he took what he calls a regular job and used his restaurant experience to open a catering side hustle. One day his wife challenged him to put a finer touch on the wild game dishes he prepared for her and their daughter. Make it like something you would serve at a catered event, she said. He accepted and moved away from chucking pheasants in a crockpot with a can of cream of mushroom soup and turning much of his deer into sausage. Soon he was researching recipes and creating his own. He followed wild game chef Hank Shaw on Facebook and posted recipes to Shaws Facebook group. Justin Townsend, of Harvesting Nature, published one of Benda's creations on his website. Benda started submitting recipes to Game and Fish Magazine and appeared as a guest on Townsends podcast. While driving from Bismarck to Fargo, Bendas wife suggested it would be neat if he could figure out a way to do the wild game cooking thing full time. I heard my wife say, You should quit your job and go hunting and fishing all the time and cook wild game, so I did, he said. Now Benda runs wildgameandfish.com and has carved out his own unique space in the hook-and-bullet culinary world. In addition to the website, he teaches online wild game cooking classes that were fantastically popular during the pandemic. He is a frequent guest speaker and guest chef at a wide range of events, including the national Backcountry Hunters and Anglers annual Rendezvous. He runs the Wild Game Wednesday blog for Outdoor Edge Knives. And he hires out as cook, butcher and photographer for hunting parties. NATO-Ukraine Council meets to take forward Vilnius Summit decisions NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 04 Oct. 2023 The NATO-Ukraine Council (NUC) met on Wednesday (4 October 2023) to reaffirm NATO's long-term support to Ukraine and take forward the decisions from the Vilnius Summit. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Secretary General Mircea GeoanA, with the participation of Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. The Deputy Secretary General stressed that Ukraine's security is of great importance to the Alliance. He commended Allies and Ukraine's efforts to quickly implement decisions from the Vilnius Summit. Allies continue to provide substantial assistance to Ukraine, including through NATO's Comprehensive Assistance package, and are taking forward important work to ensure Ukraine's forces are fully interoperable with NATO. All of this means that Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before. The NATO-Ukraine Council is a joint body where Allies and Ukraine meet for crisis consultations and to take decisions as equals. Today was the third meeting of the NUC since its first meeting at the Vilnius Summit in July with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The NUC also met with ambassadors in July to discuss the serious security situation in the Black Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia thwarts Ukraine's land, drone attacks as West running out of ammo Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 4:32 PM Russia says it has thwarted a land attack and intercepted dozens of drone strikes launched by Ukrainian forces, as the US-led NATO warns it is running out of ammo in its full support of Kiev against Moscow. In a statement on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that it had repelled a landing attempt by Ukranian forces on Crimea, a Ukrainian region that was annexed by Russia following a referendum in 2014. It added that troops of the Ukrainian Armed Forces onboard a "fast military boat and three jet skis" were heading toward Cape Tarkhankout, in the northwest of the Black Sea peninsula. Moscow claims that it has destroyed, during this summer, several Ukrainian military boats in the Black Sea that were sailing toward Crimea. The ministry further said Russian air defense units also managed to intercept 31 Ukrainian drones over the regions of Russia's Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk bordering Ukraine, declining to comment on possible casualties or damage. Ukraine launched its much-anticipated counteroffensive in June, but it has proved to be slow and grinding. Moscow accuses Kiev of attacking Russian territory almost every day - be it with drones, missiles or artillery - since the beginning of the counter-offensive. Separately, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Moscow had no plans for new mobilization in Russia as hundreds of thousands have signed up already this year. "There are no plans for an additional mobilization. The armed forces have the necessary number of military personnel to conduct the special military operation," he noted. According to Shoigu, more than 335,000 people have entered military service under "volunteer formations," with 50,000 signing contracts in September alone. Moscow is trying to boost its armed forces as the war grows ever more attritional with Ukraine. Earlier on Wednesday, Western allies of Ukraine said that they were running out of their stocks of ammunition as most of the thousands of shells Ukraine fires every day come from NATO, which has been pouring weaponry into Ukraine since February last year when Russia launched its war on the ex-Soviet republic. "The bottom of the barrel is now visible," Admiral Rob Bauer, the US-led military alliance's most senior military official, told the Warsaw Security Forum, adding that governments and manufacturers must "ramp up production in a much higher tempo." "We need large volumes. The just-in-time, just-enough economy we built together in 30 years in our liberal economies is fine for a lot of things - but not the armed forces when there is a war ongoing," he further said. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US running out of money to fund Ukrainian troops' salaries, officials say Iran Press TV Wednesday, 04 October 2023 7:28 AM The US funding system for Ukrainian salaries and Kiev government expenditures is expected to run out in the next month, Ukrainian and American officials have warned, amid criticisms of the West's supply of funds and arms to Kiev. The New York-based Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that the Pentagon, White House, and Ukrainian officials have warned that without a fresh infusion of funds from the US Congress, the US-led Western war against Russia will be lost and Moscow will gain territories once again. According to the WSJ article, currently, the US and other donor nations cover the salaries of 150,000 civil servants in Ukraine, as well as more than half a million educators and school staff, in addition to various government costs, including healthcare and housing subsidies. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell back in September that Ukraine would face a significant economic and political crisis during their counteroffensive against Russia this autumn if Congress halted aid to Kiev. Since the start of the War in Ukraine, the primary focus of US legislators has been on the supply of military equipment, such as tanks, helicopters, advanced missile systems and millions of rounds of ammunition, all of which Washington is uniquely positioned to provide for Kiev. Meanwhile, as a government shutdown looms, US lawmakers aim to slash nearly $20 billion in proposed aid for Ukraine promised by US President Joe Biden to avoid what they described as "bankruptcy". "It's bad policy to bankrupt our own country to send money to Ukraine," libertarian-leaning Senator Rand Paul said in a post on X. By the same token, the UK, possibly Washington and Kiev's closest ally, says it's out of weapons for Ukraine. UK media reported on Tuesday that a senior military chief has said Ukraine now requires "air defense assets and artillery ammunition" which the UK has now "run dry on". "We've given away all we can afford," the military official was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph. The remark came after former UK defense secretary Ben Wallace urged British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to increase funding to Ukraine by more than A2 billion. In related news, the US army has announced its readiness to swiftly deliver long-range missiles promised to Kiev, once US President Joe Biden gives the green light. Douglas Bush, the US Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition said in an interview that the Army "has been postured for this eventuality for a while." Bush said the missiles the US will send Kiev have already been identified, insisting that the Army is ready to "go fast". Biden promised to send Kiev ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300km that could hit Russian targets far beyond the front lines with Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskiy Vows Ukrainians Will 'Do Everything' To Defeat Russia As Biden Plans 'Major Speech' On Aid By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service October 04, 2023 President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainians will "do everything" in their power to prevail over invading Russian forces despite all difficulties as U.S. President Joe Biden said he plans a "major speech" soon on the importance of continuing Western aid for Ukraine. "There is fatigue but we will do everything to win against the enemy, and our counteroffensive goes ahead, even if slowly we do everything to repel the enemy," Zelenskiy told Italian news station SkyTg24 on October 4. Zelenskiy also said Russia was weaker than at the start of the invasion in February 2022 and was trying to freeze the conflict. He thanked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for Italy's support for Ukraine and mentioned his "personal relationship and human relationship [with Meloni] based on shared values." Biden, in comments to reporters, expressed concerns that U.S. aid to Ukraine could be hurt by the current chaos in Congress, but he said he saw a path to deliver aid even if support for Kyiv falters among some lawmakers, particularly Republicans. Biden also said he will give a "major speech" soon to stress the importance of helping Ukraine defeat the Russian invaders, although the White House did not specify when such remarks might come. "It doesn't worry me," Biden said about some hesitancy toward Ukraine aid. "I know there is a majority of members of the House and Senate and both parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine." Despite growing signs of war fatigue in the U.S. Congress and in some European Union countries, Zelenskiy said Kyiv still sees support in Washington and that he hoped to discuss with EU leaders ways to improve Ukraine's air defenses ahead of the cold season, when fresh Russian strikes are expected on the country's energy infrastructure. Facing a likely roadblock from House Republicans on aid for Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden on October 4 said he's planning to give a "major speech" on the issue and suggested there may be "another means" to provide support for Kyiv if Congress continues to balk. "I'm going to be announcing very shortly a major speech I'm going to make on this issue and why it's critically important for the United States and our allies that we keep our commitment" to Ukraine, Biden told reporters at the White House. White House officials declined to say when Biden planned to give his speech. In Britain, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on October 4 urged Western allies to continue supplying Ukraine with weapons. "I say this to our allies: If we give President Zelenskiy the tools, the Ukrainians will finish the job," Sunak told the Conservative Party conference in northern England. Earlier on October 4, air-raid alerts sounded across Ukraine's south, east, and center on October 4 amid reports of explosions in the southern region of Dnipropetrovsk, as Moscow claimed that it had "destroyed" swarms of Ukrainian drones over three Russian areas. There was little initial information about the blasts that were reported in Kryviy Rih. Alerts were declared early in the day in Odesa, Mykolayiv, and the Kherson regions, regional officials said. In Russia, sirens also wailed across the country and TV stations interrupted regular programming to broadcast warnings on October 4 as part of sweeping drills intended to test the readiness of the country's emergency responders amid the fighting in Ukraine. The exercise follows Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and other cities. As the readiness drill went on, the Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down 31 Ukrainian drones over border regions early on October 4. "Air-defense systems intercepted and destroyed 31 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles over the Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions," the ministry said on Telegram on October 4. "Russian aircraft prevented an attempt to penetrate the territory of Crimea by a Ukrainian landing group traveling in the direction of Cape Tarkhankut on a high-speed military boat and three jet skis," it added. The information could not be independently confirmed. Russia, which has launched countless deadly drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure since the start of its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, has been in recent months subjected itself to increasingly frequent aerial and naval drone strikes targeting regions close to the border and even Moscow. On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have been engaged in heavy fighting with Russian troops in the east and south, the military said, amid a seesaw of offensive and defensive actions by both sides in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhya regions. Offensive operations were under way in the Melitopol area of Zaporizhzhya and Bakhmut in Donetsk, the General Staff reported early on October 4, adding that Ukrainian forces also repelled Russian counterattacks near Bakhmut. "During the past 24 hours, 43 close-quarter battles took place along the front line," it said. With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-air-raids-drones- russia-attacks-funding-biden/32622224.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chief Rabbi Says Ukraine's Jewish Community 'Invalidates Russian De-Nazification Narratives' By Taras Levchenko October 04, 2023 KYIV -- When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman was with his family in the Kyiv region village of Anatevka, which he co-founded in 2015 as a refuge for displaced people from violence stoked by Moscow in parts of eastern Ukraine. "We had hundreds of displaced Jews from all over the Kyiv region," Azman, a longtime leader of Ukraine's Jewish community, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "My children and small grandchildren were there. We didn't know how to save them." In the early hours of March 1, 2022, a Russian rocket attack targeting the Kyiv television tower struck the nearby Holocaust memorial at the Babyn Yar ravine. "There were three Russian rockets that struck the television tower at Babyn Yar," Azman recalled. "I immediately grabbed a Torah scroll and made an appeal to the Russians. Mentioning that I myself had been born in Leningrad, in Russia, in the Soviet Union, I said: 'Stop the war! What are you doing?" "It was a cry from the soul," he added. "If you can tell the truth, but you don't, then you are abetting a crime. The world needs to know the truth. Telling the truth is what I did after the Babyn Yar strike. It was a turning point in my life." Since then, Azman has made a mission of debunking Russian propaganda and false narratives about Ukraine and the invasion. In particular, he is outraged by unfounded assertions by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials and state media that Ukraine is a "neo-Nazi" or "fascist" state. Azman was elected chief rabbi of Ukraine in 2005 and is one of two claimants to the title. "I began giving interviews and speaking the truth to the whole world because there is so much Russian propaganda," Azman said in the interview on October 2. "I asked why they are deceiving the world and why are they lying with this talk of 'de-Nazification.' 'You simply came here to kill people,' I said." 'Heirs Of The Fascists' On the day before the Jewish New Year holiday of Rosh Hashanah last month, Azman met with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy along with a delegation of some 30 rabbis from across the country. "In my speech, I said this meeting nullifies Russia's narrative about 'de-Nazification," Azman said. "Because rabbis work here. The Jewish community is thriving and working. They are Ukrainian patriots. What kind of Nazi country is that?" "Ukrainians elected a Jewish president," he added. In his speeches, Azman has appealed to Russia's leadership to stop "speculating on the Jewish issue" and misusing the Holocaust for propaganda purposes. "They have also exploited the victory in World War II, although that was a global victory over fascism, not a Russian one," he said. He argues that modern Russia has, on the contrary, acted like the "heirs of the fascists" during the Ukraine invasion. "They bombard peaceful cities, including Russian-speaking cities," he said. "Such as Kharkiv. They wiped the Russian-speaking city of Mariupol off the face of the Earth." Fighting 'For The Entire Civilized World' Azman pointed out that 7 million Ukrainians fought in the Soviet Army against Nazi Germany and that more 2,500 Ukrainians have been honored by Israel as Righteous Among the Nations for risking their lives to save Jews from the Holocaust. Azman noted that Ukraine has criminalized anti-Semitic hate crimes, and said he believes there is "considerably less" anti-Semitism in Ukraine "than in Russia or in Europe or in the United States, for that matter." The Jewish community has provided valuable support to Ukraine's war effort, Azman said. Several hundred air-conditioning units have been provided to 16 military hospitals, as well as regular supplies of food and medicine. It also imports Israeli first-aid backpacks for medics to use in the field. The community also arranged the purchase and importation of water-filtration systems from Israel for Ukrainian cities in the Odesa, Mykolayiv, and Kharkiv regions. Azman continues to condemn the "horrific tragedy" of the Russian invasion, particularly during his frequent trips to Israel. "This is a war in the center of Europe," he said. "One strong country -- which itself experienced the horrible consequences of Nazi and fascist ideologies, as well as communism -- launched a bloody war in which thousands and thousands of innocent people in Ukraine have been killed." "There are many symbols," he concluded. "The rockets that fell in Babyn Yar are a symbol. A symbol that war is evil. The whole world must do all it can to help good. Ukraine today is fighting for good. Not only for itself but for all of Europe, for the entire civilized world." RFE/RL's Robert Coalson contributed to this report. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-de-nazification- narratives-jewish-rabbi-azman/32622983.html Copyright (c) 2023. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Special Forces Start Using Advanced FPV Drone 'Upyr' in Special Op Zone - Report Sputnik News 20231004 The Russian Armed Forces have made great use of various modifications of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the special military operation to perform tasks without loss of military personnel. The Russian special forces unit operating in the Svatovo-Kremennaya area in the People's Republic of Lugansk has adopted the FPV (first-person view) drones 'Upyr' ('Vampire'), a representative of the maker told Russian media. The drones were previously used in the units on the Donetsk direction and in Graivoron, where they led to the withdrawal of equipment 5km deep, as well as on the Kherson direction, hampering the activity of Ukrainian boats. "According to the military, our drone has already managed to prove its worth during heavy fighting. The operators of the 'Upyr', working under fire, destroyed the enemy, who was hiding in strongholds. Despite the difficult forested terrain and height differences, the maneuverability of the drone allows it to hit enemy shelters and other targets," the representative said. He added that the special forces have managed to adapt to the forested terrain. The 'Upyr' drone was developed in the Sverdlovsk Region for strikes against the enemy where fighting in the frontline was at its most intense, including disruption of supplies of ammunition and destruction of armored vehicles in closed positions. It can carry RPG-7 mortar grenades, such as PG-7VL, RKG-3M hand-held anti-tank grenades, and fragmentation charges made by the military directly in the combat zone. The development team created the 'Extender' air transponder, which doubles the FPV's range. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Up to 185 Troops in South Donetsk Direction - MoD Sputnik News 20231004 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost up to 185 soldiers both killed and injured in combat with Russian forces in the South Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. Over the given period, the Russian armed forces have repelled four attacks by Ukrainian military in the Donetsk direction, another two in the Krasny Liman direction, and one in the South Donetsk direction. "The enemy losses amounted to up to 185 Ukrainian military personnel killed and wounded, three armored combat vehicles, two vehicles, and a D-20 gun," the ministry said in a statement. Ukraine has also lost up to 165 military both killed and injured, as well as seven pieces of military hardware, including a US-made M777 artillery system, in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the statement read. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's Military Aircraft Thwart Ukrainian Attempt to Infiltrate Into Crimea Sputnik News 20231004 On Tuesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that air defense systems detected and destroyed a Ukrainian Neptune missile near the Crimean coast. The Russian Aerospace Forces have foiled an attempt by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to launch an amphibious assault from three jet skis and a speedboat near Cape Tarkhany in Crimea, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. According to the ministry, another attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks on facilities on Russian territory was foiled on the night of October 4. Russian air defenses intercepted and destroyed 31 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of aircraft type over the territory of the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions, the ministry added. "On the night of October 4, attempts by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks against facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation were foiled. Air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 31 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles over the territory of the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions," the ministry said in a statement. The Ukrainian counteroffensive began on June 4. Kiev has thrown into battle brigades trained by NATO instructors and armed with Western equipment, including Leopard and Challenger tanks. Three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Kiev's push had failed, with Ukraine suffering an estimated 71,000 casualties. Several Western officials also admitted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had not been successful so far. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A regular coordination meeting was held with Ukraine's partners in the coalition of modern fighter jets Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 2023-10-04 16:52:00 | ID: 70855 On the instructions of the President of Ukraine and the Head of the Presidential Office, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Minister of Defense Nataliia Kalmykova and Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Oleksandr Kozenko held a regular coordination meeting with Ukraine's main partners in the coalition of modern fighter jets via video conference. The Ukrainian side informed its partners of the updated needs and informed them of the progress of pilot and technical staff training. The parties discussed the schedule for implementing the agreements within the coalition, including the completion of the necessary work to prepare the relevant infrastructure, the timing of pilot and staff training, and the delivery of aircraft to Ukraine. Ihor Zhovkva thanked the partners for supporting our country in the issue of speeding up pilot training and supplying modern aircraft to protect Ukrainian skies. "The coalition is working and demonstrating progress towards fulfilling its mutual commitments. Together, we will be able to strengthen Ukraine's defense with modern aircraft and thus minimize losses, protect civilian infrastructure and our citizens," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized. Separately, the parties synchronized the next steps in the context of the activities of the coalition of modern fighter jets and agreed to hold the next coordination meeting in the near future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President met with the Chairman of the Board of Onur Group and the Ambassador of TArkiye to Ukraine President of Ukraine 4 October 2023 - 18:41 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Chairman of the Board of the Turkish company "Onur Group" Onur AetinAeviz and Ambassador of the Republic of TArkiye to Ukraine YaAYmur Ahmet GAldere. "I am grateful to the Onur Group and its representatives for staying in Ukraine and next to Ukrainians all these days since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, for supporting us together with TArkiye and the Turkish people," the Head of State noted. The President expressed gratitude to the company for helping the Ukrainian army and transferring equipment to our defenders. "We have really strong relations with TArkiye. And personally with President ErdoAYan. It is also very important that Turkish business is represented in Ukraine and stays in Ukraine. The key thing is not to lose such reliable partners," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The parties discussed ways of further cooperation. The Head of State thanked the Ambassador of TArkiye, who is completing his diplomatic mission in Ukraine, for his work that contributed to the development of strong relations between the two countries. The President presented YaAYmur Ahmet GAldere and Onur AetinAeviz with the Orders of Merit II class for their contribution to supporting Ukraine and developing Ukrainian-Turkish relations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remember when Election Day meant an actual day? Not long ago, we knew who won the election on Election Day. When you went to bed, you most always knew the outcome. Election Day doesnt mean so much anymore. Even after Election Day, the election seems to drag on for weeks. For example, in 2022, the last U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races were finally called on Nov. 23, a total of 15 days after Election Day. The United States House was worse. The last House race was not called until Dec. 13, a total of 35 days after Election Day. Americans have begun to lose trust in the process because the process has lost certainty. Prolonged counts are a central cause of the lost trust. To try to restore trust, the Public Interest Legal Foundation has brought a much talked-about lawsuit in federal court right here in North Dakota. This case is based on explicit federal laws that require a single election day. While courts have held that early voting is permissible under federal law, courts have said that because the election is wrapped up on Election Day, then early voting is allowed. But laws that allow ballots to roll in for weeks after Election Day -- like here in North Dakota -- arguably offend the Election Day deadline. This case is not about suggesting North Dakotas elections are corrupt or that the state is behaving badly. The case is about more than just North Dakota. Seventeen other states and the District of Columbia accept ballots that arrive after Election Day. Some even accept ballots that arrive up to two weeks after Election Day. These laws allowing late ballots for weeks are the primary reason Election Day has turned into Election Month. Its common sense. If you accept ballots that arrive weeks after Election Day, then election results will be delayed for weeks. Unfortunately, North Dakota has accepted ballots that have arrived after Election Day with no postmarks. The statute at issue in the lawsuit requires a single national Election Day to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year. Day is singular, not plural. Congress wanted a single day when the election was over, so the country could move from the fury of campaigning to governing. At the heart of this lawsuit is Mark Splonskowski, a county election official. The possible conflict between the two laws leaves uncertainty as to which law is to be followed. If he chooses incorrectly, he could face criminal penalties under state law. North Dakota is only involved in this lawsuit because at 13 days, it has one of the widest windows for accepting ballots for 13 days after Election Day. The ironic part of the uncertainty and the election dragging on for weeks after Election Day is that we have technology to obtain results quickly and on time. The lawsuit in federal court on behalf of Mr. Splonskowski is about clearing up questions of conflicts between state law and federal law. It is about restoring confidence across the nation in our wonderful and enviable election system. Mr. Splonskowski deserves credit for his willingness to lead the way toward that better time when we knew who won the election on Election Day. Andrii Sybiha met with the delegation of the German Bundestag President of Ukraine 4 October 2023 - 17:25 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha met with the delegation of the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany from the Social Democratic Party. The delegation included Deputy Chairman of the German-Ukrainian Parliamentary Friendship Group Johannes Schraps and MPs Susanne Mittag and Fabian Funke. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Ukraine. Andrii Sybiha praised the consistent support of our country by the Bundestag, in particular the Social Democratic Party. He thanked for the significant defense, financial and humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine by Germany since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. The Deputy Head of the Office of the President outlined Ukraine's key priorities in the context of attracting further support from partners. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to protect energy facilities from Russian missile attacks and to prepare for the winter period. The interlocutors were also informed about the situation on the battlefield and the priority needs of Ukrainian defenders, including additional air defense systems, artillery, long-range missiles and demining equipment. The parties also exchanged views on further steps to implement the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the Ukrainian grain exports using alternative routes. Andrii Sybiha noted our country's interest in starting practical work with Germany to conclude a bilateral agreement on security guarantees in the near future as a follow-up to the Group of Seven Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. Special attention was paid to the current issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of our country. "We see NATO membership as the best guarantee of security for Ukraine and an integral element of the renewed European security architecture after the war," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized. Andrii Sybiha praised the cooperation with Germany in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. The parties emphasized the importance of expanding Ukrainian-German interregional cooperation, in particular in the form of patronage over regions or cities of Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Says It Intercepted 31 Ukrainian Drones Over 3 of Its Regions By VOA News October 04, 2023 Russia said Wednesday its air defenses destroyed 31 Ukrainian drones that were part of attempted attacks on Russian territory overnight. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram that it downed the drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk regions. All three regions are located along the Russia-Ukraine border. Alexander Bogomaz, the regional governor of Bryansk, said Ukrainian forces fired cluster munitions at several villages, damaging several homes. Bogomaz said there were no casualties reported. Russia's military said it also stopped a group of Ukrainian troops that were using a high-speed boat and jet skis to try to "penetrate the territory of Crimea." Meanwhile, the U.S. military command said that it has sent about 1.1 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine that American naval forces seized from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps last year as Tehran tried to transfer the ammunition to Houthi fighters in Yemen in violation of a United Nations Security Council resolution. On the diplomatic front, U.S. President Joe Biden called key Western allies on Tuesday to reassure them of continued American military support for Ukraine's fight against Russia after hardline right-wing congressional Republicans over the weekend forced the exclusion of immediate new funding for Kyiv. The White House said Biden spoke with the leaders of Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Britain, and of the European Union and NATO, along with the foreign minister of France. "President Biden convened a call this morning with allies and partners to coordinate our ongoing support for Ukraine," the White House said in a statement. Later, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Biden reaffirmed the strong commitment of the United States to supporting Ukraine as it defends itself "for as long as it takes, as did every other leader on the call." Kirby said the leaders discussed efforts to continue providing Ukraine with the ammunition and the weapons systems that it needs to defend itself and to continue strengthening Ukrainian air defenses as they prepare for more attacks on critical infrastructure. "Now, certainly, but also certainly in the winter months ahead," Kirby said. Some right-wing Republicans have balked at new funding for Kyiv, contending that Ukraine's fight against Russia is not a strategic U.S. national security interest, although the large majority of U.S. lawmakers still appear to support more aid. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden to Argue for Continued Funding for Ukraine By Patsy Widakuswara October 04, 2023 With U.S. funding for Ukraine at risk because of congressional turmoil, President Joe Biden says he will be delivering a "major speech" to persuade the American people to continue supporting Ukrainians in their defense against Russia's invasion. "I'm going to make the argument that it's overwhelmingly in the interest of the United States of America that Ukraine succeeds," Biden said Wednesday as he faced questions from reporters. The remark followed Tuesday's dramatic ousting of Republican Kevin McCarthy from his role as House speaker, just days after Congress omitted provisions for further Ukraine funding from a last-minute deal to prevent a government shutdown. While a new deal to fund government operations must be negotiated by mid-November, Biden indicated he would seek alternative routes to ensure the flow of aid. "We can support Ukraine in the next tranche that we need," he said. "And there is another means by which we may be able to find funding for that. But I'm not going to do that now." Funds remaining The Pentagon warned that without action from Congress, funding could run out in a matter of months, with only $5.4 billion remaining under the Presidential Drawdown Authority funds and $1.6 billion left of the $25.9 billion provided by Congress to replenish U.S. military stocks that have been flowing to Ukraine. "It does worry me, but I know there are a majority of members of the House and Senate in both parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine," said Biden. A lapse in funding will affect not only the situation on Ukraine's battlefields as it grinds through its counteroffensive and heads into the challenging winter months, but it also could embolden Moscow, said Luke Coffey, a senior fellow focusing on foreign policy at the Hudson Institute. "They see the writing on the wall, and they're very hopeful that this continued chaos stays in the United States and that there's isn't any funding for Ukraine," he told VOA. "Only Russia stands to benefit here." White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to provide further details on the president's speech but acknowledged that a growing share of the American public is questioning whether to continue sending historic sums of money to help the Ukrainian people. "We have seen the polling," she said in response to VOA's question during Wednesday's briefing. "We also believe that it is fundamentally important to our own national security, as well as supporting the great people of Ukraine, to continue." Twenty months since Moscow's invasion, public support for U.S. military assistance is waning, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed said they supported sending additional arms and supplies to Kyiv, compared with 72% in July 2022. The drop was sharpest among Republicans, followed by independents, while Democratic support remained largely unchanged. Amid eroding support, Biden needs to better explain to the American people that their vital interests are at stake, said former Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, who is now senior director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center. The message should be that Putin's aims directly threaten American interests, Herbst told VOA. "Because if he wins in Ukraine, he will be provoking and maybe committing direct aggression against our NATO allies, which will require greater American defense expenditures and the use of American troops." Since the war began, the Biden administration and Congress have directed more than $75 billion in assistance to Ukraine, which includes humanitarian, financial and military support, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German policy institute. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Monday that he remained confident that U.S. support had not wavered, calling the decision by Congress to not put aside funds for Ukraine an "individual case." McCarthy's successor A new House speaker who opposes funding could quash a proposal before it even comes to a vote, so a deal regarding Ukraine may depend on who succeeds McCarthy. The speaker was ousted Tuesday when a motion to do so from fellow Republican Matt Gaetz was supported by eight Republicans and 208 Democrats. On Wednesday, Jim Jordan became the first to publicly declare his intention to run for speaker. Other names have been floated, including Steve Scalise, the Number 2 House Republican who has long been favored to take over as speaker after McCarthy, and Kevin Hern, chair of the Republican Study Committee, the largest Republican caucus in the House. The group Defending Democracy Together ranked lawmakers from A to F on the strength of their past support for Ukraine aid, with A signifying the strongest support. Jordan and Hern were rated as F, while Scalise was rated as B. House Republicans plan to meet next Tuesday for a first round of internal party voting. Unsettling for allies The disarray in Washington is unsettling for Europeans, who have been told for a long time that most Republicans support Ukraine and a shift is unlikely, said Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations. "This raises again questions of reliability and predictability of the U.S.," she told VOA. European support is also eroding. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently threatened to veto European Union aid for Ukraine, while Robert Fico, a former prime minister who campaigned on a pro-Russian message, recently won Slovakia's parliamentary elections. Those forces in Europe trying to capitalize on dissatisfaction and pro-Russian views will certainly take the situation in Washington as a confirmation that a shift in approach is needed, Fix noted. "Something along the lines of, 'If the U.S. lacks support, why should our citizens continue to pay for Ukraine?'" As anxiety over U.S. commitment grows among Europeans, Biden convened a call this week with more than a dozen allies and partners to assure them he is committed to military assistance to Ukraine for as long as it takes, according to the White House. VOA Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson and VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Warns of Ammunition Shortage Due to War in Ukraine By Henry Ridgwell October 04, 2023 NATO's most senior military official has warned that European ammunition stocks are running short as the West continues to send large amounts of military aid to Ukraine to fend off invading Russian forces. Admiral Rob Bauer, who chairs the NATO Military Committee, said Europe needed to ramp up production as the war enters its 20th month. "We now give away weapons systems to Ukraine, which is great, and ammunition a but not from full warehouses. We started to give away from half full or lower warehouses in Europe. And therefore, the bottom of the barrel is now visible, and we need the industry to ramp up production in a much higher tempo. We need large volumes," Bauer told delegates Wednesday at the Warsaw Security Forum, adding that political leaders needed to act faster. "We need the continued support from the political level because it's not only the money, it is also the actions in the nations that lead to more readier forces and the capabilities we need," Bauer said. "And if you actually see that in the seven years before the war, the [defense] budgets went up already, but the industry did not increase the production capacity. And that has led to higher prices already before the war." Forces fire thousands daily Ukrainian forces are firing several thousand artillery shells every day at invading Russian forces, with much of the ammunition supplied by Kyiv's Western allies. NATO member states also have given Kyiv tanks, armored vehicles, missile and air defense systems and an array of other military hardware. The European Union, Britain and the United States have outlined plans to ramp up weapons production. The EU earlier this year allocated $2.2 billion for the joint procurement and delivery of up to an additional 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine by early 2024, and an additional $550 million to urgently boost EU defense industry capacities in ammunition production. Simultaneously replenishing stockpiles a and supplying Ukraine a will require clearer signals from Western political leaders, said analyst Simona Soare of Britain's Lancaster University, a former EU defense adviser. "Efforts from a budgetary point of view, from a procurement point of view, that allies have made individually and jointly, are still not on par with the level of the demand," Soare told VOA. "It all starts with that absolutely clear demand signal that comes from our political and military leadership towards our industry to engage in this effort jointly. And I believe that there is a lot more that can be done from that level to communicate that this effort is not a temporary surge, but rather it's a sustained, potentially longer-term effort." Pentagon warns US leaders In a letter to congressional leaders this week, the Pentagon warned it is running low on money to replace weapons the U.S. has sent to Ukraine. According to The Associated Press, Pentagon comptroller Michael McCord told House and Senate leaders there is $1.6 billion left of the $25.9 billion Congress provided to replenish U.S. military stocks that have been flowing to Kyiv and urged them to replenish funding. The United States has given an estimated $46.6 billion in military aid to Kyiv since Russia's February 2022 invasion. The U.S. Congress passed a last-minute stopgap funding bill September 30 to avert a government shutdown, but it did not include any new aid for Ukraine. President Joe Biden has vowed to continue American support for Kyiv. Meanwhile, the EU has given almost $27 billion, and Britain an estimated $7 billion in military aid, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Boosting weapons production takes time, Soare said. "It takes on average between two and four years to set up a new production line for high-intensity military equipment that you need in Ukraine," Soare told VOA. "Same thing goes for munitions. We're talking about hundreds, potentially thousands of people who need to have very, very niche skill sets to be employed in this undertaking." Soare added that Europe must diversify its supply chains for the crucial raw materials needed to produce modern weapons. "There are significant and long-standing dependencies on single providers for some of these absolutely critical rare earths, for instance, which now go at astronomical prices," she said. "And that impacts on the affordability side of the war effort." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fort Collins, Colorado, Oct. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DataHorizzon Research published a report titled, "Wearable Technology Market Size, Growth, Share, Statistics Report, By Product (Wrist-Wear, Eyewear & Headwear, Footwear, Neckwear, Body-wear, and Others), By Type (Smart Textile and Product & Devices), By Application, By Region and Segment Forecasts, 2023-2032." According to DataHorizzon Research, the wearable technology market size was valued at USD 82.7 Billion in 2022 and is expected to have a market size of USD 381.7 Billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 16.6%. The published global wearable technology market report offers a holistic view of industry dynamics, consumer trends, and supply-chain scenarios and discusses market challenges and opportunities in detail. The rising adoption of wearable devices in the healthcare industry is expected to propel market growth. These devices are worn on the body to monitor and use biosensors to measure healthcare data. With the growing technological advancements and increasing accuracy of these devices, they help users measure accurate healthcare data such as heart rate, blood pressure, sleep patterns, and activity. These technologies also monitor various health parameters in real time and detect health issues early on to provide personalized health recommendations. Furthermore, the application of wearable technology across various verticals, such as retail & wholesale and travel & hospitality, is also propelling market growth. Retailers design wearable apps that connect to the consumers wearable devices. These apps send tailored promotional offers to the targeted consumers devices while they are in the store. Wearable tech also aids employees in providing better customer service and a seamless retail experience. Additionally, wearable devices can help agents provide personalized services to consumers and improve their experience in travel and hospitality. Request Sample Report: https://datahorizzonresearch.com/request-sample-pdf/wearable-technology-market-2201 Report Snapshot: Report Title Wearable Technology Market Market Size in 2022 USD 82.7 Billion Market Size by 2032 USD 381.7 Billion CAGR from 2023 to 2032 16.6% 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 Wrist-Wear, Eyewear & Headwear, Footwear, Neckwear, Body-wear and Others By Type Smart Textile and Product & Devices By Application Consumer Electronics, Healthcare, Enterprise & Industrial Applications and others Region North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Countries Covered U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa Major Market Players Alphabet Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., TomTom International BV, Fossil Group Inc., Sony Corp., Huawei Technologies Group Co., Ltd., Apple Inc., Xiaomi Corp., LG, Adidas AG, Microsoft, Nike, Inc., Fitbit, Inc., Garmin Ltd., and ASUSTeK Computer Inc Segmentation Overview: The global wearable technology market has been segmented as product, type, application, and region. Based on product, wrist wear dominates the wearable technology market due to the consumer trend. Besides, wrist wear offers a variety of features to the user. Based on type, the market was dominated by products and devices in 2022. North America is a leading region for wearable technology based on the increasing healthcare infrastructure and high spending on healthcare devices. Asia Pacific is a fast-growing market attributed to the adoption of SMART wearable devices. Buy This Research Report: https://datahorizzonresearch.com/checkout-page/wearable-technology-market-2201 Wearable Technology Market Report Highlights: The global wearable technology market growth is anticipated at a CAGR of 16.6% by 2032. The wearable technology market growth is encouraged due to the growing adoption of wearable devices in the healthcare industry and the growing technological advances. These technologies also monitor several health-related parameters in real time and detect anomalies in the body. Based on type, the product & devices segment accounted for a significant market share in 2022. The smart textile segment is projected to attain a significant position in the coming years, owing to its popularity. North America is a significant market for wearable technology in 2022 and is projected to account for a substantial share in the following years. Digitized treatments, the shift in data collection methods, and the demand for personalized SMART wearable devices are anticipated to propel the regional market growth. Some prominent players in the wearable technology market report include Alphabet Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., TomTom International BV, Fossil Group Inc., Sony Corp., Huawei Technologies Group Co., Ltd., Apple Inc., Xiaomi Corp., LG, Adidas AG, Microsoft, Nike, Inc., Fitbit, Inc., Garmin Ltd., and ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Industry Trends and Insights: In 2023, Enovix Corp, acquired Routejade Inc., a Korean battery component manufacturer for USD 98 million. This is projected to boost the market value of Enovix and saves on outsourcing costs for battery manufacturing. In 2023, MetAlert Inc, a merger with Level 2 Security LLC. The collaboration accelerates the revenue channels for the company and scales up the companys portfolio in the long-term. Looking Exclusively For Region/Country Specific Report? https://datahorizzonresearch.com/ask-for-customization/wearable-technology-market-2201 OR Ask For Discount https://datahorizzonresearch.com/ask-for-discount/wearable-technology-market-2201 Wearable Technology Market Report Segmentation: By Product: Wrist-Wear, Eyewear & Headwear, Footwear, Neckwear, Body-wear, and others By Type: Smart Textile, Product & Devices By Application: Consumer Electronics, Healthcare, Enterprise & Industrial Applications, Others By Region: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa About DataHorizzon Research: DataHorizzon is a market research and advisory company that assists organizations across the globe in formulating growth strategies for changing business dynamics. Its offerings include consulting services across enterprises and business insights to make actionable decisions. DHRs comprehensive research methodology for predicting long-term and sustainable trends in the market facilitates complex decisions for organizations. Contact: Mail: sales@datahorizzonresearch.com Ph: +1-970-672-0390 Website: https://datahorizzonresearch.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn Recent Publications Farm Equipment Market 2023 to 2032 SaaS Sales Software Market 2023 to 2032 Predictive Maintenance Market 2023 to 2032 AR and VR Market 2023 to 2032 Industrial Robotics Market 2023 to 2032 COLOGNE, GERMANY, Oct. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INNOHAS, a leading specialist in plant-based foods, is set to make its mark on the European plant-based foods market following its successful ventures in the United States. The company is gearing up to participate in the prestigious international food fair, ANUGA 2023, held in Cologne, Germany, from October 7th to 11th. At this event, INNOHAS will proudly introduce its new overseas export brand, "Sunlit Foods," furthering its mission to capture global markets with innovative plant-based offerings. INNOHAS will occupy a prominent booth in the ANUGA MEAT Hall, where visitors can indulge in a tantalizing tasting experience featuring ten sorts of ready-to-heat plant-based products. This delectable lineup includes favorites like plant-based Bulgogi, Spicy Pork Bulgogi, and Hamburger Patty, in addition to two convenient rice bowl options and two tantalizing fried rice variations. Attendees will also be treated to a sneak peek of entirely new products, including the plant-based cranberry chicken salad and crunch chicken nuggets, meticulously crafted to replicate the taste and texture of traditional chicken using plant-based ingredients. A highlight of INNOHAS' presence at ANUGA 2023 is the introduction of three captivating frozen kimbap varieties, a sensation in the United States, under the banner of their new brand, Sunlit Foods. Distinguished by their use of INNOHAS' plant-based bulgogi, vegan kimchi, and spicy pork, these frozen kimbap offerings set themselves apart from competitors, promising a uniquely flavorful experience. INNOHAS has already established a significant foothold in the U.S. market, with plans to roll out Sunlit Foods products at Independent Markets in New York by the end of this year. The products will subsequently become available in more than 300 grocery stores across New York State. In preparation for this expansion, INNOHAS is committed to fine-tuning its marketing strategy, actively engaging with industry professionals, and soliciting valuable feedback during the ANUGA 2023 event. "We are thrilled to introduce high-quality plant-based Korean flavors to a global audience, including buyers and industry officials," affirmed INNOHAS. "Our mission is to provide consumers with delicious and convenient meals that never compromise on nutrition." About ANUGA ANUGA 2023 is globally recognized as one of the top three biennial food fairs, further underscoring the significance of INNOHAS' participation in this international event. About INNOHAS INNOHAS is a pioneering company dedicated to the creation of exceptional plant-based foods, driven by a passion for innovation and culinary excellence. Its mission is to continuously push the boundaries of plant-based cuisine, offering consumers high-quality, flavorful, and nutritionally balanced alternatives worldwide. Social Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innohas_official/ Media Contact Company: Innohas Co., Ltd. US Brand: Sunlit foods Email: Sales@innohas.com Website: https://www.sunlit-foods.com/ , https://www.innohas.com/ SOURCE: Innohas Co., Ltd. Newark, Oct. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the report published by The Brainy Insights, the global quaternary amines market is expected to grow from USD 963.94 million in 2022 to USD 1,667.73 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period 2022-2030. Quaternary amines are the salts of quaternary ammonium compounds or quaternary ammonium cations. These are used as wetting agents in the oil sector, corrosion inhibitors, shale and bactericides. It has applications as disinfectants, surfactants, fabric softeners and antistatic agents. These quaternary ammonium compounds are obtained by quaternization, and the resulting compounds are known as quats or QAC; it is called cationic surfactants which combine bactericidal and virucidal activity with good detergency and hence it, has a cleansing ability. These disinfectants are known for their effectiveness against germs, bacteria and viruses and their long shelf life. Quaternary ammonium salts have applications as fabric softeners, disinfectants, surfactants, and antistatic agents in shampoos. In liquid fabric softeners, chloride salts are generally used. In the dryer, anticling strips of sulfate salts are commonly used. It has also been observed that spermicidal jellies and older aluminium electrolytic capacitors also have quaternary ammonium salts. Get more insights from the 230-page market research report @ https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/13230 Competitive Strategy To enhance their market position in the global quaternary amines market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint ventures, collaborations, and partnerships. For example, in August 2022, Global Amines, a joint venture of Clariant and Wilmar, signed an agreement for the acquisition of the quats and esterquats business from Clariant. The acquisition complements the product portfolio and provides the better and most competitive solution to the customer from a complete range of quats, amines, amines derivatives and betaines, among others. Market Growth & Trends Quats have applications in veterinary products, contraception formulations, vaccine production, nasal formulations and diagnostic testing. Buscopan is one of the many anti-spasm drugs with a quaternary ammonium functional group in the medical field. These compounds have antimicrobial activity. These compounds, especially those that contain long alkyl chains, are broadly utilised as disinfectants and antimicrobials. Some examples are benzethonium chloride, methyl benzethonium chloride, cetrimide, dofanium chloride, tetraethylammonium bromide, cetalkonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, cetrimonium, and domiphen bromide among others. The alkaline copper quaternary is a water-based solution that helps maintain wood products by controlling the decay induced by insects and fungi. Similarly, the products with quat solutions are utilised for building utility poles, marine walls, decks, fence posts and other wood frames. Quats help in protecting the fibers from accumulating fungi and mould and are also used as a moth repellent. Quat also helps in preventing mould and mildew from harming leather fibers. All these factors would propel the quaternary amines market in the forecast period. Key Findings In 2022, the industrial grade segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 77.53% and a market revenue of 747.33 million. The type segment is divided into pharmaceutical grade and industrial grade. In 2022, the industrial grade segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 77.53% and market revenue of 747.33 million. The market was growing due to hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), and strict regulations and favourable government guidelines on sterilization and disinfection were implemented. In 2022, the surfactants segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 48.39% and a market revenue of 466.49 million. The application segment is divided into disinfectant, surfactants, fabric softeners, wood preservatives, antistatic agents and others. In 2022, the surfactants segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 48.39% and market revenue of 466.49 million. This growth is attributed to the surge in the importance of a healthier lifestyle. The demand for free of bacteria and germs, dust and dirt has increased the per capita spending on household cleaning products. In 2022, the trimethylamine segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 60.88% and market revenue of 586.87 million. The source segment is divided into trimethylamine and EDTA. In 2022, the trimethylamine segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 60.88% and market revenue of 586.87 million. Many of the disinfectants listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency for use on the covid-19 virus contained at least one quat. This increased the demand for quaternary amines in the covid and post covid. Custom Requirements can be requested for this report @ https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/request-customization/13230 Regional Segment Analysis of the Quaternary Amines Market: North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC) South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA) The Asia Pacific region occurred as the largest market for the global quaternary amines industry, with a market share of 35.82% and a market value of around 345.33 million in 2022. Its demand is growing in the APAC region due to a surge in disposable income of the people in China and India, which eventually increases the sales of personal care products. North America is anticipated to have the second highest market share for the global quaternary amines market. In the coming years, North America is anticipated to observe an increase in the demand for quaternary ammonium compounds as there are many applications of compounds in many fields like oil & gas, agricultural chemicals, textiles & leathers, among others. Report Scope Base Year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2030 Report Coverage Revenue estimation and forecast, company profile, competitive landscape, growth factors, and recent trends Regional scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa Market Size(unit) Revenue (USD Million) Vape Catridge Market CAGR 7.1% Segments Covered Key Segments are type, application, source and regions Key players operating in the global quaternary amines market are: DuPont Huntsman International LLC BASF SE Evonik Industries AG (Subsidiary Of RAG-Stiftung) Kao Corporation Merck KGaA Novo Nordisk Henkel AG & Co. KGaA Croda International Global Amines SACHEM, Inc This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2019 to 2030. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global quaternary amines market based on below mentioned segments: Global Quaternary Amines Market by Type: Pharmaceutical Grade Industrial Grade Global Quaternary Amines Market by Application: Disinfectant Surfactants Fabric Softeners Wood Preservatives Antistatic Agents Others Global Quaternary Amines Market by Source: Trimethylamine EDTA Have a question? Speak to Research Analyst- https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/13230 About the report: The global quaternary amines market is analysed based on value (USD Million) and volume (Tons). All the segments have been analysed on global, regional and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each segment. The report offers in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining the key insight of the market. The study includes porters five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution and marketing channels analysis. About The Brainy Insights: The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirement whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market. Contact Us Avinash D Head of Business Development Phone: +1-315-215-1633 Email: sales@thebrainyinsights.com Web: http://www.thebrainyinsights.com Pune, India, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global oilfield services market size is expected to reach USD 346.45 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. The surging shale gas extraction from hydraulic fracturing and other stimulation procedures will bolster the growth of the market, states Fortune Business Insights, in a report, titled Oilfield Services Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Equipment Rental, Field Operation, and Analytical Services), By Service (Geophysical, Drilling, Completion & Workover, Production, and Processing & Separation), By Application (Onshore and Offshore {Shallow Water, Deepwater, Ultra-Deepwater}), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027. The market size stood at USD 267.82 billion in 2019. Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf-pop/oilfield-service-market-100174 Oilfield Services Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2020-2027 Forecast Period 2020 to 2027 CAGR 6.6 % 2027 Value Projection USD 346.45 billion Base Year 2019 Market Size in 2019 USD 267.82 billion Historical Data for 2016-2018 No. of Pages 320 Segments covered By Type, Service, Application, Geography Growth Drivers Increasing Shale Gas Extraction to Drive Market Growth Increasing Production & Exploration Activities in Oil & Gas Industry to Favor Market Growth Drivers and Restraints: Growing Demand for Shale Gas to Propel Market The increasing demand for shale gas has led to the advancement in technologies such as directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing technology to improve the production process in reservoirs. The high requirement for oilfield services during extraction can spur opportunities for the market. The ongoing plans and strategies to enhance the production of shale gas will simultaneously enrich the business of the market during the forecast period. For instance, China has announced that it will escalate its production up to 30 bcm/per year by 2020, and 80-100 bcm/per year by 2030 through advanced technologies and drilling techniques. China accounts for a high percent of shale gas production, which originally comes from the Sichuan Basin located in the Chongqing area. Moreover, the increasing exploration activities for untapped resources will enable healthy growth of the market in the forthcoming years. Halt on Exploration Projects and Services to Dwindle Market Growth The substantial impact on the oil & gas industry is due to the disruption caused by coronavirus, which affected the operation and supply chain of the industry. Numerous companies have terminated exploration projects and services owing to the lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. For instance, the International Energy Agency reported that oil demand is likely to decrease by 29 million barrels per day (BPD) in April 2020 and by 23.1 million bpd in the 2nd quarter. Moreover, the production cuts, obstructed investments, and economic downfall can result in heavy loss for the global market during COVID-19. However, improving the situation and growing oil demand will simultaneously help in the recovery, in turn, aiding the market. COVID-19 Impact: The coronavirus disaster has financially drained various industries and sectors around the globe. The governments of several countries have instigated lockdown to thwart the spread of this deadly virus. Such plans have caused disturbances in the production and supply chain. But, with time and resolution, we will be able to combat this stern time and get back to normality. Our well-revised reports will help companies to receive in-depth information about the present scenario of every market so that you can adopt the necessary strategies accordingly. To get to know more about the short-term and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on this market, please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/oilfield-service-market-100174 Report Coverage: Well-analyzed prime information Key insights into the market Dominant regions in the world Foremost market drivers and restraints Competitive landscape COVID-19 impact Regional Insights: Offshore Oil Projects to Influence Growth in North America The market in North America is expected to account for the largest share in the global market owing to the offshore assets in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. The ongoing oil extraction activities will enable the healthy growth of the market in North America. Moreover, the increasing partnerships and acquisitions by major players will further aid development in the region. For instance, in January 2017, Schlumberger limited announced that it has acquired the Peak Well System, which is a specialist in the design and development of advanced downhole tools for flow control, well intervention, and well integrity. Europe is expected to account for a significant share during the forecast period. The reduced cost of offshore drilling activities will favor growth in the region. For instance, in Norway, the operating cost of an oil well has been reduced by 30% from 2014 to 2017, thus the cost incurred for drilling an exploratory well offshore was half in 2017 compared to 2014. Quick Buy Oilfield Services Market Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/100174 List of Key Players Profiled in the Report: Competitive Landscape: The oilfield services market features intense competition among key players such as Halliburton, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, and Weatherford International. These industry giants offer a wide range of services including drilling, well completion, and reservoir management. Regional players also contribute to the competitive landscape, with local expertise and specialized offerings. Innovation, technology adoption, and cost-effective solutions are crucial factors shaping competition in this dynamic market. Key Industry Development: June 2020: Norwegian oil and gas company Equinor awarded two contracts worth up to USD 187,1 million to oilfield services provider Technip. Under the contract, TechnipFMC will provide pipelaying and subsea installation for three projects on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/oilfield-service-market-100174 Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Key Insights Key Emerging Trends For Major Countries Latest Technological Advancement Regulatory Landscape Industry SWOT Analysis Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Analysis Impact of COVID-19 Impact of COVID-19 on the Oilfield Services Market Steps Taken by the Government to Overcome the Impact Key Developments by Industry Players in Response to COVID-19 Potential Opportunities and Challenges due to COVID-19 Outbreak Global Oilfield Services Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2016-2027 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Type Equipment Rental Field Operation Analytical Services Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Service Geophysical Seismic Equipment Seismic Service Drilling Offshore Drilling OCTG Directional Drilling Drilling Fluid Well Casing Well Cementing Drill Bits Drilling Rigs Logging While Drilling Measurement While Drilling Managed Pressure Drilling Waste Management Others Completion & Workover Well Intervention Completion Fluid Hydraulic Fracturing Sand Control Mud Logging Wireline Logging Others Production Artificial Lift Floating Production Vessel Support Vessel Well Testing Subsea Equipment Christmas Tree Enhanced Oil Recovery Digital Oil Field Others Processing & Separation Water Treatment Oil Treatment Gas Treatment Solids Management Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Application Onshore Offshore Shallow Water Deepwater Ultra-Deepwater Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Region North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa Competitive Analysis Company Market Share Analysis, 2022 Company Profile Business Overview Product Application, & Services Recent Developments Financials (Based on Availability) Continued Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/oilfield-service-market-100174 About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Pune, India, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global nanotechnology market size was valued at USD 69.15 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 248.56 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.8% over the forecast period. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their latest report titled "Global Nanotechnology Market Forecast, 2023-2030." The market surge is driven by the growing adoption of nanotechnologies in the aerospace sector. The product deployment is mainly driven by the fast operating speed, high strength, and the lightweight properties of nanomaterials. Request a Sample PDF: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/nanotechnology-market-108466 Key Industry Development: May 2023 Thermo Fisher inked a MoU with the National Research and Innovation Agency of India to strengthen the countrys national research and innovation infrastructure. The deal would strengthen the collaboration between the two organizations, creating opportunities for direct engagements. Key Takeaways Nanotechnology market size in North America was USD 23.37 billion in 2022 Increasing Deployment in Cell Repair to Drive Product Application in Healthcare Sector Rise in Market Share Driven by Rapid Healthcare Advancements Nanodevices Segment Accounts for Key Share Impelled by Soaring Product Adoption in Medical Applications Healthcare Segment Held Major Share Driven by Increasing Product Deployment in Cell Repair and Nano Diagnostics Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report: Companies leading the global nanotechnology market are Imina Technologies SA (Switzerland), NANONICS IMAGING Ltd. (U.S.), Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (U.S.), Bruker Corporation (U.S.), Kleindiek Nanotechnik GmbH (Germany), eSpin Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), Advanced Nano Products Co., Ltd. (South Korea), Applied Nanotech, Inc. (U.S.), Biosensors International Group, Ltd. (Singapore), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.) Report Scope & Segmentation Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 17.8% 2030 Value Projection USD 248.56 Billion Base Year 2022 Nanotechnology Market Size in 2022 USD 69.15 Billion Historical Data for 2019 to 2021 No. of Pages 150 Segments covered Type, Industry and Geography To know how our report can help streamline your business, Speak To Analyst: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/nanotechnology-market-108466 Drivers and Restraints: Surge in Market Share Due to Increasing Nanotechnology Adoption in Medical Diagnosis The global nanotechnology market growth is being driven by the soaring product adoption in the diagnosis, screening, and treatment of several diseases, including cancer. The technology plays a significant role in the detection of cancer biomarkers and the development of several cancer drugs. However, the industry expansion could be hampered by the high cost associated with nanomaterials and the production of nanodrugs. Segmentation By Type Nanodevices Nanosenors By Industry Electronics Healthcare Manufacturing Energy & Power Automotive Aerospace & Defense Food & Beverages Others (Agriculture) By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South America Regional Insights: North America to Lead Driven by Surging Adoption of Advanced Healthcare Infrastructure North America nanotechnology market share accounts for a key position in the market and is poised to exhibit substantial expansion over the study period. The rise is on account of the escalating adoption of technologically advanced healthcare infrastructure. Canada and the U.S. has recorded heavy investments in the areas of research, development, and commercialization. he Asia Pacific market is anticipated to record notable expansion over the estimated period. The surge is driven by an escalation in government funding focused on R&D. Quick Buy - Nanotechnology Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/108466 Competitive Landscape: Leading Companies Develop and Launch New Products to Gain Competitive Edge Major industry players undertake research activities for the development and launch of new products. These initiatives are being undertaken to strengthen their industry footing. Other strategies deployed include merger agreements, partnerships, acquisitions, and rising participation in trade conferences. FAQs How big is the nanotechnology market? The global nanotechnology market size was USD 69.15 billion in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 248.56 billion by 2030. How fast is the nanotechnology market growing? The global nanotechnology market will exhibit a CAGR of 17.8% during the forecast period, 2023-2030. About Us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. We tailor innovative solutions for our clients, assisting them to address challenges distinct to their businesses. Our goal is to empower our clients with holistic market intelligence, giving a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Contact Us: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Attachment Wilmington, Delaware, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals Market is estimated at a capacity of 12.8 million barrels per day in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of over 3.9% over the forecast period of 2023-2030, according to the latest market report by RationalStat Market Definition, Market Scope, and Report Overview The Middle East refining and petrochemicals market refers to the industry that processes crude oil and natural gas to create refined petroleum products (such as petrol, diesel, jet fuel, and other fuels) and petrochemical products (such as plastics, chemicals, and fertilizers). Oil and gas exports are vital to the economies of Middle Eastern countries. Refining and petrochemical products are substantial export goods that contribute significantly to regional economic growth. Middle Eastern governments assist and invest in the refining and petrochemical sectors to improve infrastructure, research, and development. This assistance hastens the industry's expansion and modernization. According to a deep-dive market assessment by RationalStat, the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market has been analyzed on the basis of market segments, type, and geography/regions (including GCC, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Rest of the Middle East) . The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030. . The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030. Market intelligence for the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market covers market sizes on the basis of market value (US$/EUR Million) and volume (Barrels per Day) by various products/services/equipment, demand assessment across the key regions, customer sentiments, price points, cost structures, margin analysis across the value chain, financial assessments, historical and forecast data, key developments across the industry, import-export data, trade overview, components market by leading companies, etc. In addition, the long-term sector and products/services 10-year outlook and its implications on the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market. It also includes the industry's current state Production Levels, Capacity Utilization, Tech quotient, etc. Key information will be manufacturing capacity by country, installed base, import volumes, market size, key players, market size, dynamics, market data, insights, etc. Request A Customization- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/middle-east-refining-petrochemicals-market/#tab-ux_global_tab Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals Market: Segmental and Market Share Analysis On the basis of type, refining segment is expected to dominate the Middle East refining and petrochemicals market. Middle Eastern countries have invested heavily in refining capacities to process crude oil into various refined petroleum products. Report Synopsis Report Metrics Details Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Base Year Market Size 12.8 mbd Market Size Forecast 16.7 mbd Growth Rate 3.9% Key Market Drivers Increasing investments in mega projects Government supports and initiatives Advanced refining technologies Companies Profiled Saudi Aramco Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Qatar Petroleum (QP) Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) Oman Oil Company (OOC) Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Royal Dutch Shell Total S.A. BP ExxonMobil Chevron Eni S.p.A. Gazprom Rosneft Sinopec China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Petronas Explore more about this report- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/middle-east-refining-petrochemicals-market/#tab-ux_global_tab Competition Analysis and Market Structure Prominent companies and leading players adopt various strategies in order to reinforce their market share and gain a competitive edge over other competitors in the market. Mergers & acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and product launches are some of the strategies followed by industry players. Some of the key developments in the Middle East refining and petrochemicals market include. In April 2023, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) signed two significant agreements with Japanese firms to expand the UAE-Japan low-carbon hydrogen value chain. Some of the prominent players and suppliers operating and contributing significantly to the Middle East refining and petrochemicals market growth include Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), Qatar Petroleum (QP), Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), Oman Oil Company (OOC), Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), Royal Dutch Shell, Total S.A., BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Eni S.p.A., Gazprom, Rosneft, Sinopec, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and Petronas, among others. Get A Free Sample- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/middle-east-refining-petrochemicals-market/#tab-ux_global_tab RationalStat has segmented the Middle East refining and petrochemicals market based on type and region Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Barrels per Day), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Type Petrochemical Ethylene Propylene Butadiene Benzene Xylene Toluene Methanol Refining Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Barrels per Day), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Region Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals Market GCC Iran Iraq Turkey Rest of the Middle East For more information about this report- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/middle-east-refining-petrochemicals-market/#tab-ux_global_tab Key Questions Answered in the Refining and Petrochemicals Report: What will be the market value of the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market by 2030? What is the market size of the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market? What are the market drivers of the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market? What are the key trends in the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market? Which is the leading region in the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market? What are the major companies operating in the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market? What are the market shares by key segments in the Middle East Refining and Petrochemicals market? Running a year End discount of 20%- - https://store.rationalstat.com/store/middle-east-refining-petrochemicals-market/#tab-ux_global_tab Explore Our Trending Reports Research Methodology RationalStat has developed a state-of-the-art research methodology to crunch numbers and provide the best possible real-time insights to clients. We combine a varied range of industry experience, data analytics, and experts viewpoint to create a research methodology for market sizing and forecasting. RationalStat combines a mix of secondary sources as well as primary research to assess the market size and develop a forecast. Key steps involved in accurately deriving the market numbers are: Defining the problem by understanding the type of market and data required by the client. Data gathering and collection through relevant paid databases, publicly available sources, company reports, annual reports, surveys, and interviews. Formulating a hypothesis to create market numbers, forecasts, influencing factors, and their relevance. Evaluating and analyzing the data by referring to data sources utilized and leveraged. Validating, interpreting, and finalizing the data by combining the details gathered from primary and secondary sources with the help of experienced analysts. Download Key Insights and Market Data - Raise a Query About RationalStat LLC RationalStat is an end-to-end global market intelligence and consulting company that provides comprehensive market research reports, customized strategy, and consulting studies. The company has sales offices in India, Mexico, and the US to support global and diversified businesses. The company has over 80 consultants and industry experts, developing more than 850 market research and industry reports for its report store annually. RationalStat has strategic partnerships with leading data analytics and consumer research companies to cater to the clients needs. Additional services offered by the company include consumer research, country reports, risk reports, valuations and advisory, financial research, due diligence, procurement and supply chain research, data analytics, and analytical dashboards. Contact RationalStat LLC Kimberly Shaw, Content and Press Manager sales@rationalstat.com US Phone: +1 302 803 5429 UK Phone: +44 203-287-1245 LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest Amadeus, global leader in travel technology, has entered strategic partnership with Bahwan Travel Agencies, prominent player in Oman's travel industry. This collaboration aims to enrich Bahwan Travel Agencies' product portfolio and elevate customer experience in Oman market. The partnership will see Bahwan Travel Agencies employing cutting-edge solutions from Amadeus, including Amadeus Web Services, Selling Platform and Productivity Suite. These state-of-the-art tools enhance operational efficiency, streamline booking process, and empower travel agencies to provide more personalized and seamless services to customers. The key solutions Bahwan Travel Agencies will implement is Amadeus All Fares for shopping and Amadeus Robotics for fare optimisation. These will enable agency to offer travellers comprehensive and optimised fares suitable for travellers, ultimately enhancing their overall journey planning experience. The partnership also delivers Amadeus Ticket Changer for faster, automated ticket re-issue and refund capabilities, Quality Control Smart Scripts, and other tools to ensure smoother and hassle-free operations. Biju Antony, General Manager of Bahwan Travel Agencie, said: "At Bahwan Travel Agencies, our commitment is to provide exceptional travel experiences for customers. Partnering with Amadeus aligns perfectly with our vision, as their solutions are renowned for innovation and reliability. We believe this collaboration will help us take our customer service to new heights and deliver seamless and personalized travel experiences." Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf, expressed his excitement about partnership, stating: As an industry, we only progress by working together. Thats why we are thrilled to collaborate with Bahwan Travel Agencies in bringing latest Amadeus travel technology to take travel experience to next level. Our solutions are designed to drive efficiency and elevate customer service, and we are confident that Bahwan Travel Agencies LLC will greatly benefit from implementing these state-of-the-art tools, reinforced by our commitment to offering best of support to our clients." The partnership between Bahwan Travel Agencies and Amadeus represents a significant step forward for Oman's travel industry, promising enhanced services, efficient operations, and more customer-centric approach. With Amadeus' proven technology and Bahwan Travel Agencies' market expertise, this collaboration helps achieve goal of inspired choices and journeys without stress in the Sultanate of Oman. TradeArabia News Service AMD CEO Lisa Su on the GPU shortage, the AI revolution, and Nvidia | Decoder Sep 29, 2023 At this years Code Conference, the CEO of one the worlds largest computer chip companies discusses competing with Nvidias leading GPU, AI regulation, and the global supply chain. 0:00 Intro 1:50 Interview 2:00 Lamini announcement 3:14 Chip market 5:24 CHIPS and Science Act 8:26 TSMC 8:50 Huawei seven-nanometer chip 10:11 Nvidia 13:40 CUDA and ROCm 15:44 PyTorch 18:03 Microsoft 18:50 Consumer prices and AI 20:55 Regulation 23:48 Gaming 24:24 Audience Q&A CHICAGO and DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global luxury real estate brand Christies International Real Estate is expanding to Ras al Khaimah City, one of the fastest-growing luxury destinations in the UAE. The new office is owned by managing partners Dinesh Chhatwani and Jackie Johns, who have been Christies International Real Estates exclusive affiliates in Dubai since 2021. Located 90 km/50 mi northeast of Dubais city center and set between the Persian Gulf and the Hajar Mountains, Ras Al Khaimah City has become a popular getaway for UAE residents, as well as a burgeoning location for international and local real estate buyers and investors. Its population is expected to increase by as much as 60% by 2030, and the city welcomed more visitors in the first six months of 2023 than in any other year in its history. Meanwhile, developers continue to introduce new projects to keep up with demand. Several high-end hotels and branded residences are underway on Al Marjan Island , a set of four connected manmade islands in the Persian Gulf. They include Nobu Al Marjan Island, a new Le Meridien property, the newly announced Nikki Beach Residences, and the largest hotel development in the region to date, Wynn Al Marjan Island, a $3.9 billion megaresort expected to open in 2027. Ras al Khaimah City offers an ideal blend of affordable luxury, investment opportunities and new possibilities for development. Its lower price points compared with Dubai and its central location one-third of the worlds population is within a four-hour flight from the city along with the ability for foreign nationals to legally purchase properties in the region, have made the area increasingly attractive to international buyers and investors. Ras al Khaimah was the second emirate of the UAE to allow foreign freehold property ownership and was the first emirate to pass a law granting foreign nationals property rights. The expansion of its 10-year Golden visa program has also helped to spur international interest in UAE real estate. The incredible momentum and untapped opportunity for high-end real estate in Ras al Khaimah make this the perfect time for Christies International Real Estate to enter the market, said Johns. The area is poised to be the next center of luxury real estate in the Middle East, and quite possibly the world. The location is ideal, with beautiful beaches, mountains, and the nearby Ras al Khaimah International Airport, while incentives like the Golden visa program and incredibly low taxes make purchasing in the city a smart move. Additionally, the dearth of available properties in Dubai has helped turn buyers onto the area, according to Chhatwani. As demand continues to far outpace supply in Dubai, prospective buyers are increasingly considering Ras al Khaimah, which offers a similar level of luxury but lower prices and less competition. Its like Dubai in 2004. Christies International Real Estate has already planted a flag in Ras al Khaimah, as exclusive representatives of the $115 million Falcon Island Beach Villas in the award-winning, master-planned Al Hamra Village. The firm plans to announce additional partnerships in the coming months. Were proud to partner with Ms. Johns and Mr. Chhatwani to bring Christies International Real Estates bespoke service, best in class marketing, and worldwide network to home buyers and sellers in Ras al Khaimah City, one of the worlds fastest-growing luxury destinations, said Helena de Forton, managing director and head of EMEA and APAC for Christies International Real Estate. Their team has expertly guided clients through Dubais unprecedented property market, and we look forward to their success in this new location. Ras al Khaimah is one of a number of global markets in which Christies International Real Estate has expanded recently. Within the past 18 months, the brand has announced new market-leading affiliates in London, Munich, Sydney, Los Angeles, the Swiss, French and Italian Alps, several Caribbean islands, Miami and other locations around the world. Christies International Real Estate Dubai recently opened its third office, at the Dubai International Financial Centre, the leading financial hub in the MEASA region. The firm was also recently appointed as the exclusive sales agent for Eywa, a collection of waterfront residences in Dubai with ancient knowledge systems, state-of-the-art technologies and nature-inspired interiors designed to revolutionize luxury well-being. ### About Christies International Real Estate Dubai Christies International Real Estate Dubai is a British-run luxury real estate company that provides unrivalled expertise and services to clients in the UAE and international property markets. As an affiliate of Christies International Real Estate, the firm is part of an invite-only global network that represents the worlds most desirable homes. Its esteemed clientele benefit from exclusive connections and opportunities across nearly 50 different countries and territories. The firm proudly facilitates seamless buying, selling, renting and investing processes with international reach, global marketing opportunities and a distinguished 250-year legacy. About Christies International Real Estate Christies International Real Estate has successfully marketed high-value real estate around the world for more than 30 years. Through its invitation-only Affiliate network spanning nearly 50 countries and territories, Christies International Real Estate offers incomparable services to a global clientele at the luxury end of the residential property market. Attachment Dublin, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Canada Procedures performed using NPWT Devices Count and Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report is a comprehensive databook report, covering key procedures data on the Canada Procedures Performed Using NPWT Devices. The Canada Procedures Performed Using NPWT Devices report provides key information and data on procedure volume data for Procedures Performed Using NPWT Devices related to the country. Data is provided from 2015 to 2030. Reasons to Buy Business strategies by identifying the key segments poised for strong growth in the future. Market-entry and market expansion strategies. Develop investment strategies by identifying the key segments expected to register strong growth in the near future. Key Topics Covered: 1 Table of Contents 1.1 List of Tables 1.2 1 List of Figures 2 Introduction 2.1 What Is This Report About? 2.2 Procedures Performed Using NPWT Devices, Segmentation 2.3 Definitions of Procedures Covered in the Report 3 Procedures Performed Using NPWT Devices 3.1 Procedures Performed Using NPWT Devices, Canada, 2015-2030 4 Research Methodology 4.1 Coverage 4.2 Secondary Research 4.3 Primary Research 4.4 Market Modeling and Forecasting 4.5 Company Share Analysis 4.6 Distribution Share Analysis 4.7 Benchmarking 4.8 Consulting 5 Appendix For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2zx9or Source: GlobalData About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Dublin, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Cislunar Infrastructure Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Technology and Country - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Cislunar Infrastructure Market is projected to reach a value of $14.64 billion by 2033 from $4.74 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 11.94% The cislunar infrastructure market is rapidly emerging as a critical sector within the space industry, driven by the increasing interest in lunar exploration and commercial activities beyond Earth's orbit. Europe stands out as the fastest-growing market globally, boasting a remarkable CAGR of 12.80%. The European region is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing cislunar infrastructure, thanks to its abundant cislunar infrastructure players and robust international collaborations. Europe Space Agency (ESA) takes a prominent role in major cislunar initiatives, including NASA's Artemis program, Roscosmos's Luna program, and China's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program. Within Europe, the Rest-of-Europe segment leads the charge in the burgeoning cislunar infrastructure market, set to surge at a noteworthy CAGR of 13.18%. The Rest-of-Europe category primarily encompasses influential nations like Germany, Russia, Luxembourg, Italy, and the Netherlands. The propulsion system sector is laser-focused on pioneering cutting-edge engines and propulsion technologies that enable efficient and dependable transportation within cislunar space. These systems are pivotal for lunar landers, cargo missions, and crewed spacecraft to navigate the Moon's vicinity effectively. Key areas of emphasis encompass high-thrust engines, electric propulsion systems, propellant transfer, storage systems, and innovative propulsion concepts aimed at cost reduction and mission enhancement. The communication systems realm addresses the indispensable need for robust and seamless communication networks in cislunar space. Relay satellites play a vital role in facilitating continuous, high-bandwidth communication between Earth and lunar missions, enabling data transmission, teleoperation, and real-time astronaut interaction. Advanced communication systems boasting substantial data capacity, low latency, and resilience against deep space interference are pivotal for supporting the growing complexity of lunar missions and future commercial ventures. The development of cislunar space stations emerges as a prime market opportunity, essential for sustaining prolonged crewed missions and serving as a staging point for lunar surface exploration. These space stations provide astronaut-friendly living and working environments, along with essential resources and infrastructure for scientific research, technology demonstrations, and lunar gateway operations. The space station segment encompasses habitation modules, life support systems, research facilities, docking mechanisms, radiation shielding, and power generation capabilities. In-space transportation systems play a pivotal role in ferrying payloads, equipment, and personnel between Earth, the Moon, and other cislunar destinations. This market segment encompasses diverse transportation platforms, including reusable lunar landers, lunar ascent vehicles, cargo spacecraft, and crewed vehicles engineered to withstand the challenging lunar environment. The development of efficient transportation systems marked by affordability, reliability, and reusability is paramount in supporting a sustainable and economically viable cislunar infrastructure. The cislunar infrastructure market has emerged as a cornerstone of the space industry, characterized by a plethora of technological advancements and enticing commercial prospects. Situated between Earth and the Moon, cislunar space presents immense potential for a wide spectrum of activities, encompassing scientific research, space tourism, satellite deployment, resource extraction, and serving as a gateway for deep space exploration missions. Market Segmentation The cislunar infrastructure market is led by the communication systems segment, with a 46.78% share in 2023. The communication systems segment is the leading segment in the cislunar infrastructure market due to its pivotal role in enabling connectivity between the Earth, Moon, and deep space destinations. These advanced systems enable seamless data transmission, command and control operations, and real-time exchange of scientific and operational information within the cislunar domain. The continuous evolution of communication technologies in this sector is driving unprecedented advancements in data rates, signal quality, and operational capabilities. Communication systems primarily encompass relay satellites, which play a pivotal role in establishing reliable and high-bandwidth communication links across vast distances. These satellites serve as intermediaries, receiving signals from Earth-based stations and transmitting them to spacecraft or lunar surface installations, ensuring constant connectivity for various mission requirements. These satellites are strategically positioned in space, in orbits such as geostationary orbit (GEO) or highly elliptical orbits (HEOs), to optimize coverage and minimize signal propagation delays. Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis In the global cislunar infrastructure market, established commercial players and legacy companies account for 65% of the market, and NewSpace Companies and Startups account for 35% of the market. The primordial established commercial players and legacy companies are SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance (ULA), Lockheed Martin, and Thales Alenia Space. The primordial NewSpace companies and startups include Rocket Lab, Astrobotic, Momentus Space, Moon Express, and Space Machines Company, among others. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 119 Forecast Period 2023 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $4.74 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $14.64 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 11.9% Regions Covered Global Growth Opportunities and Recommendations Cislunar Communication Infrastructure Developers Growth Opportunity: Cislunar Communication Systems Cislunar Infrastructure Players and Associates Growth Opportunity: Cislunar ISRU Opportunities and In-Space Manufacturing Launch Vehicle Developers and In-Space Logistics Facilitators Growth Opportunity: Facilitating elements in the cislunar stations and the in-space transportation and orbital services ecosystem. Business Dynamics Business Drivers Demand for Lunar Resources Strategic Importance of Cislunar Space Business Opportunities Need for Situational Awareness and Communications Infrastructure Inter-Orbital Transportation and Cislunar Surface Transportation Requirement for On-Orbit Servicing Business Strategies Mergers and Acquisitions Corporate Strategies Partnerships, Collaborations, Agreements, and Contracts Business Challenges Cislunar Regulations Challenges in Energy Collection and Distribution for Cislunar Infrastructure Requirements Constraints in International Partnership Industry Outlook Ongoing and Upcoming Programs NASA's Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway ESA's Moonlight Initiative ULA Cislunar-1000 China National Space Administration's (CNSA) International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) CSA's Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) Startups and Investment Landscape Supply Chain Analysis Value Chain Analysis Prominent Players SpaceX Blue Origin Northrop Grumman Astrobotic United Launch Alliance (ULA) The Exploration Company Momentus Space Crescent Space Services, LLC Moon Express Mission Control Space Services Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cgsp2p About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Dublin, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Metaverse in Energy - Thematic Intelligence" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report shows how the metaverse is impacting energy operations globally and provides an understanding how the metaverse is adding value to energy operations. The metaverse includes digital twins, VR and AR, and blockchain. All of these technologies, especially digital twins, have been integrated into energy companies' business operations for many years now. As metaverse technologies develop, and as energy operations expand, the potential impact of the metaverse on the energy sector will grow. The metaverse is an important theme for the energy sector because technologies such as digital twins, VR, and AR can add real value in industrial environments. Firstly, energy companies rely on a vast range of industrial assets, and digital twins can support the predictive maintenance of these assets and monitor their performance. AR-based remote assistance solutions can also improve the efficiency of maintenance work. Secondly, employees need to be trained safely and effectively, and VR tools can simulate real-life physical environments. This enables employees to familiarize themselves with the assets and functions they are responsible for in an immersive, consequence-free setting. Key Topics Covered: Executive Summary The Metaverse Value Chain Foundation layer Tools layer User interface layer Experience layer Energy Challenges The Impact of the Metaverse on Energy Case Studies Data Analysis Market size and growth forecasts Mergers and acquisitions Company filings trends Hiring trends Metaverse timeline Companies Leading metaverse adopters in energy Leading metaverse vendors Specialist metaverse vendors in energy Sector Scorecards Integrated oil and gas sector scorecard Power utilities sector scorecard A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes Shell BP Saudi Arabian Oil Co Equinor Chevron Petrobras Exxon Mobil Gazprom Neft ADNOC TotalEnergies Sumitomo Sinopec PKN Orlen PTT Qatar Energy Kuwait Petroleum YPF ONGC Sonatrach Sasol Cenovus Pemex Rosneft Ecopetrol NIOC Tatneft PDVSA Iberdrola EDF Energy Engie Enel E.ON Rosatom Fortum Centerpoint Energy AES Alliant Energy CLP Holdings EGAT China Huaneng Group Taipower China Huadian RusHydro China Datang Eksom PT PLN Inter Rao For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qbwmt7 Source: GlobalData 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. Pune, India, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global meal vouchers & employee benefits solutions market size was valued at USD 214.36 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow from USD 221.99 billion in 2023 to USD 346.65 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. This information is published by Fortune Business Insights, in its report titled, Meal Vouchers & Employee Benefits Solutions Market, 2023-2030. Get a Sample Research PDF: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/meal-voucher-and-employee-benefit-solutions-market-104412 Leading Players Featured in the Research Report: Companies leading the meal vouchers & employee benefits solutions market are Monizze NV SA (Belgium), Spendit AG (Germany), Alelo Brasil (Brazil), Axis Bank Ltd (India), Rakuten Group Inc. (Japan), Unum Group (U.S.), Cinqo Group (Bahrain), Edenred SA (France), Sodexo Group (France), Circula GmbH (Germany), CIRFOOD (Italy), and more. Report Coverage: The research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies and product types. Besides, the report encompasses the latest market trends, market segments, and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the market analysis encompasses several factors that have contributed to the markets growth in recent years. Drivers and Restraints: Growing Awareness of Financial Benefits to Boost Market Growth The meal voucher system is profitable for both the employees and employers as it has several fiscal benefits. Employers' social insurance changes can be waived if they offer a voucher, and the employee can enjoy tax benefits by using these vouchers. Additionally, such programs have proved to increase employee productivity due to superior quality meals and other advantages offered such as discounts on train/bus tickets or gift vouchers and holidays. Consequently, employers play a vital role in boosting employee engagement at their workplace and presenting benefits that will accelerate the meal vouchers & employee benefits solutions market growth. However, the high prices of meal vouchers & employee benefits solutions might restrict their demand among small-sized enterprises. Furthermore, data security concerns with respect to using digital meal vouchers might also limit the demand for meal voucher solutions. Browse Summary of this Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/meal-voucher-and-employee-benefit-solutions-market-104412 COVID-19 Impact: COVID-19 Pandemic-Induced Restaurant Closures Hindered Market Growth The COVID-19 pandemic compelled many restaurants, food courts, and hotels to shut down their business. Due to this, working professionals found it difficult to dine in restaurants and cafeterias. This factor had a negative impact on the companies revenues from such services and the market of meal vouchers & employee benefits solutions observed a slowdown in revenue generation. What are the factors driving applications of the Meal Vouchers & Employee Benefits Solutions Market? Corporate Wellness Programs: Many organizations are increasingly focusing on the well-being of their employees. Meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions are often integrated into corporate wellness programs to promote a healthy work-life balance. These programs can include subsidized meals, fitness benefits, and mental health support. Many organizations are increasingly focusing on the well-being of their employees. Meal vouchers and employee benefit solutions are often integrated into corporate wellness programs to promote a healthy work-life balance. These programs can include subsidized meals, fitness benefits, and mental health support. Tax Benefits: In several countries, providing meal vouchers and certain employee benefits can have tax advantages for both employers and employees. These tax incentives encourage businesses to offer these solutions as part of their compensation packages. In several countries, providing meal vouchers and certain employee benefits can have tax advantages for both employers and employees. These tax incentives encourage businesses to offer these solutions as part of their compensation packages. Employee Retention: Offering attractive benefits, including meal vouchers, can enhance employee satisfaction and retention. When employees feel that their needs are being met beyond just their salaries, they are more likely to stay with their current employers. Offering attractive benefits, including meal vouchers, can enhance employee satisfaction and retention. When employees feel that their needs are being met beyond just their salaries, they are more likely to stay with their current employers. Cost Control: Employers can control costs by offering meal vouchers instead of traditional meal allowances or canteen services. This approach allows them to allocate a fixed budget for employee meals, making financial planning more predictable. Employers can control costs by offering meal vouchers instead of traditional meal allowances or canteen services. This approach allows them to allocate a fixed budget for employee meals, making financial planning more predictable. Compliance and Regulations: In some regions, labor laws mandate the provision of certain benefits to employees. Meal vouchers can help employers stay compliant with these regulations, avoiding legal issues and penalties. In some regions, labor laws mandate the provision of certain benefits to employees. Meal vouchers can help employers stay compliant with these regulations, avoiding legal issues and penalties. Convenience and Flexibility: Meal vouchers offer employees the flexibility to choose their preferred dining options, which can include restaurants, cafes, or even food delivery services. This convenience is appealing to many workers. Meal vouchers offer employees the flexibility to choose their preferred dining options, which can include restaurants, cafes, or even food delivery services. This convenience is appealing to many workers. Digital Transformation: The integration of digital solutions in the meal voucher and employee benefits market has made it easier for employers to manage and distribute benefits. Digital platforms and mobile apps provide employees with quick access to their benefits. The integration of digital solutions in the meal voucher and employee benefits market has made it easier for employers to manage and distribute benefits. Digital platforms and mobile apps provide employees with quick access to their benefits. Changing Work Habits: With more people working remotely or in flexible arrangements, traditional workplace amenities like cafeterias may not be accessible. Meal vouchers offer a way for employees to enjoy meals while working from different locations. Segments: Employee Benefits Segment to Lead due to High Demand from Business Organizations Based on product type, the market is segmented into meal vouchers and employee benefits. The employee benefits segment is expected to hold a dominating meal vouchers & employee benefits market share as organizations are increasingly demanding employee benefits solutions to satisfy their employees needs and improve their purchasing power and motivation level. The global market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. Get a Quote Now: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/get-a-quote/meal-voucher-and-employee-benefit-solutions-market-104412 Regional Insights: Europe Market to Show Notable Growth Due to Supportive Government Policies Europe is predicted to capture the largest meal vouchers & employee benefits solutions market share as the regional governments are introducing favorable policies to promote the implementation of meal vouchers and employee benefits solutions. Many leading players in this market are trying to expand their presence across Europe by acquiring the regions top employee benefit solution providers. These factors will fuel the regional market growth. The North America market is anticipated to account for a major market share during the forecast period as the region has a vast presence of leading employee benefit solution providers. Many American companies are also becoming aware of employee perks, further accelerating the regional market expansion. Detailed Table of Content: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Emerging Trends Key Insights Overview of the Parent/Related Markets Industry SWOT Analysis Supply Chain and Regulatory Analysis Recent Industry Developments - Policies, Partnerships, New Product Launches, and Mergers & Acquisitions Qualitative Analysis (in relation to COVID-19) Impact of COVID-19 Supply Chain Challenges Potential Opportunities due to COVID-19 Global Meal Vouchers & Employee Benefits Solutions Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2030 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Product Type (Value) Meal Vouchers Employee Benefits Ring By Meal Vouchers (Value) Book Card Digital Card By Employee Benefits (Value) Meal Gift Travel Others By Region (Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa TOC Continued...! Speak to Our Expert: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/meal-voucher-and-employee-benefit-solutions-market-104412 Competitive Landscape: Key Companies to Execute Merger & Acquisition Strategies to Cement Their Market Positions The top companies involved in the market are focusing on expanding their business operations by signing merger & acquisition agreements to cement their market positions. For example, in May 2020, Edenred announced the acquisition of Brazil-based Cooper Cards client portfolio, which specializes in offering employee benefits solutions. The acquisition was expected to strengthen Edenreds position in the South American market. These initiatives will help the leading market players expand their geographical presence. Key Industry Developments: October 2021: Edenred Benefits, a prominent meal voucher & employee advantages solution in the U.S. for meal cards and mobility solutions, introduced Edenred Guaranteed Rides, a program that offers employees a wide range of transportation choices. Read Related Insights: Demi Fine Jewelry Market Size to Hit USD 5.32 Billion by 2030 | 189 Pages Research Report Travel Retail Market Size to Worth USD 117.18 Billion by 2030 | With a Striking 9.85% CAGR during [2023-2030] Comic Book Market Size to Hit USD 22.37 Billion by 2030 | 160 Pages Research Report About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Address: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner, Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Attachment Pune, India, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global docking system market size was valued at USD 56.45 million in 2022 and is expected to expand from USD 65.04 million in 2023 to USD 139.91 million by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.6% over the study period. The market expansion can be credited to the growing fleet of aircraft and maintenance needs. The docking system offers all necessary services to aircraft and helps ensure its safe parking. Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its research report titled Docking System Market, 2023-2030. Get a Sample Research PDF: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/docking-system-market-108457 List of Key Players Profiled in the Docking System Market Report: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan) NIJL Aircraft Docking (Netherlands) Semmco (U.K.) Fortal (France) Shanghai Ifly GSE Co., Ltd. (China) Airbus (Netherlands) Boeing (U.S.) Instant Upright (Irelands) CTI Systems S.A. (Luxembourg) Zarges (Germany) Report Scope & Segmentation: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast CAGR 11.6% 2030 Value Projection USD 139.91 Billion Market Size in 2023 USD 65.04 Billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 180 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Type Analysis By Aircraft Type Analysis By End User Analysis Regions Covered North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East and Africa Docking System Market Growth Drivers Rise in Aircraft Fleet and Growth in New Airport Infrastructure to Drive the Market Growth Rise in Air Travel and Number of Flights per Aircraft to Boost the Market Growth Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/docking-system-market-108457 Segmentation: Significant Overhauls in Engine Docks to Impel Segment Growth Based on type, the market is divided into engine docks, wing docks, tail docks, fuselage docks, nose docks, and others. The engine docks segment is anticipated to account for the largest docking system market share during the forecast period. An engine needs to be cleaned, disassembled, and serviced after every 3,000 or more flight cycles based on the type. The engine docks are overhauled in a gap of every five years for less radical workshop visits. This factor is proliferating the segment growth. Increase in Aircraft Fleet by Different Airlines to Accelerate Narrow Body Segment Growth By aircraft type, the market is categorized into wide body, regional jet, narrow body, and others. The narrow body segment held the largest market share in 2022. The growth in aircraft fleets by different airlines is bolstering the segment growth. Growth in Routine Maintenance Checks to Proliferate the MRO Segment Growth On the basis of end user, the market is bifurcated into MRO and OEM. The MRO segment is poised to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. The surge in routine and scheduled maintenance checks is boosting the segment's growth. From the regional perspective, the market has been analyzed across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, Latin America, North America, and Europe. COVID-19 Impact: Reduction in Air Travel Hampered the Market Growth The market witnessed a decline in the demand for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance due to decreased passenger air traffic and travel restrictions. The demand for line and unscheduled maintenance operations was also reduced due to the unavailability of aviation activity. Thus, these factors had a negative influence on the market. Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/docking-system-market-108457 Report Coverage: The docking system market report provides an in-depth analysis of the latest trends, driving, and restraining factors affecting the market growth. It further highlights the competitive landscape and the impact of COVID-19 on the market growth. Drivers and Restraints: Growing Number of Flights per Aircraft and Air Travels to Escalate the Market Growth One of the major factors propelling the docking system market growth is the rising air travel and number of flights per aircraft. The growing demand for new aircraft production attributed to growth in air travel for personal use and business is accelerating the market growth. Despite an expanding scope for the adoption of the product, the need for customization and the prohibitive cost related to product integration may impede the market growth. Regional Insights: North America to Dominate Owing to Surging Number of Aircrafts North America market for docking system is anticipated to dominate during the forecast period. The growing number of aircraft and maintenance facilities in the region is impelling the market growth. The Asia Pacific market for docking system is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the expanding aviation infrastructure in Japan, China, India, and others. Competitive Landscape: Prominent Companies Focus on Securing Contracts to Gain Competitive Edge The key market players operating in the field are emphasizing different competitive strategies such as joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and others. Several companies are also focusing on getting contracts to maximize their revenue. Ask for Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/docking-system-market-108457 Detailed Table of Contents: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Market Trends Key Insights Key Industry Developments - Key Contracts & Agreements, Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest Technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Quantitative Insights - Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Docking System Market Global Docking System Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2030 Key Findings / Definition Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Type Nose Docks Engine Docks Fuselage Docks Wing Docks Tail Docks Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Aircraft Type Narrow Body Wide Body Regional Jet Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By End User OEM MRO TOC Continued...! Speak to Our Expert: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/docking-system-market-108457 Key Industry Development: March 2023- Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) received a contract from Airbus for making cargo and bulk cargo doors for the A320neo aircraft family. Read Related Insights: Aircraft Line Maintenance Market Size to Hit USD 28.73 Billion by 2029 | With 5.8% CAGR Aircraft Aftermarket Parts Market to Reach USD 47.33 Billion by 2028, Supported by an In-Depth 200-Page Research Report Aircraft Engine Market to Worth USD 112.61 Billion by 2029 | With a CAGR of 10.87% About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Address: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner, Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Attachment Pune, India, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global business jet market size was valued at USD 42.14 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow from USD 43.97 Billion in 2023 to USD 62.66 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.19% during the forecast period. Get a Sample Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/business-jet-market-101585 A business jet is made to carry a modest number of passengers. Recently, there has been a remarkable increase in high-net-worth tourists, increasing demand for private aviation and boosting business aircraft sales globally. The core and conventional pivots of business aviation are also still strong thanks to demand from corporate clients and high-net-worth people. Furthermore, it is projected that fleet modernization initiatives undertaken by major and developing countries would boost fleet capabilities and spur demand for new charter services with improved cabin interiors and cutting-edge avionics. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their report titled "Global Business Jet Market, 20232030." List of Key Players Profiled in the Business Jet Market Report: Airbus SAS (Netherlands) The Boeing Company (U.S.) Bombardier (Canada) Dassault Aviation (France) Embraer SA (Brazil) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (U.S.) HondaJet (U.S.) Textron, Inc. (U.S.) Eviation Aircraft (Israel) XTI. Aircraft (U.S.) Zunum Aero (U.S.) Joby Aviation (U.S.) Report Scope & Segmentation: Attributes Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast CAGR 5.19% 2030 Value Projection USD 62.66 billion Market Size in 2023 USD 43.97 billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 250 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Business Jet Type By System By End User Regions Covered North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East and Africa Business Jet Market Growth Drivers Increase in Purchasing Power and Net Worth of Individuals and Increased Air Travel to Accentuate Market Growth Increase in Refurbishment of Pre-Owned Aircraft and Emergence of OEM Market Players Drive Market Growth Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/business-jet-market-101585 COVID-19 Impact: Travel Restrictions Amid COVID-19 Severely Affected the Business Jets Market Airport operations were halted during the pandemic. Global lockdown and strict travel laws resulted in the market plunging and impacted high individual net-worth. However, the post-pandemic market witnessed a huge of number of passengers, which is anticipated to increase market growth during the forecast period. Segments: Increased Business Travel resulted in Large Business Aircraft Dominating the Segment The business jet type is segmented into light, mid-size, and large business aircraft. The large business aircraft held the largest market share due to the strong demand for business travel post-pandemic. Demand from Leading Countries to Dominate Propulsion System Based on the system, the market is divided into propulsion system, aero structure, cabin interiors, avionics, and others. Propulsion system will lead the market due to increasing demand from countries such as the U.S., UAE, and China. Rising Net Worth of Individuals to Grow Private Segments Demand The end-user segment is classified into operators and private end users. The demand for private jets from big corporations and high-net-worth individuals to drive segments growth. Increased Demand of Renewed Aircraft to Dominate Preowned Segment during Projected Period The market is divided into preowned and new deliveries based on ownership. Due to the availability of pre-owned aircraft, the pre-owned segment is expected to grow. Get a Quote Now: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/get-a-quote/business-jet-market-101585 Report Coverage: Major growth drivers, restraining factors, opportunities, and potential challenges for the market. Comprehensive insights into the regional developments. List of major industry players. Key strategies adopted by the market players. Latest industry developments include product launches, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Drivers & Restraints: Individuals' Rising Purchasing Power, Net Worth, and Increased Air Travel will Highlight Market Expansion The demand for new airports in important countries is projected to rise as air travel increases in developed and developing nations. In a post-pandemic scenario where the economy is gradually thriving and returning to the pre-pandemic position, this is due to increased people's general net worth and spending power, expanding the market for corporate jets. These factors are expected to increase the global business jet market share. The general public cannot buy private jets as they are time confusing and non-affordable which may limit the global business jet market growth. Regional Insights North America Dominates the Market due to Rising Demand for Electric Aircraft In 2022, North America dominated the market, worth USD 9.23 billion. Due to the existence of significant key players, the greatest fleet size, the rising demand for electric aircraft, and the accessibility of necessary infrastructure, the corporate aircraft market has been expanding throughout the region. The adoption of business aircraft in North America is initially driven by the rising demand for business jets in the U.S. and Canada. Competitive Landscape To Remain Competitive, Key Players are Committed to Offering a Range of Cost-Effective Services Due to several significant participants, including Airbus SAS and The Boeing Company, the market's competitive landscape is highly fragmented. These businesses concentrate on offering the best corporate aircraft available. Additionally, hybrid engines with cutting-edge technology and strong partnerships with developing economies are anticipated by jet makers. Ask For Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/business-jet-market-101585 Detailed Table of Contents: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Key Insights Key Industry Developments Key Contracts & Agreements, Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Quantitative Insights-Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Business Jet Market Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Business Jet Market Steps Taken by Industry/Companies/Government to Overcome the Impact Key Development in the industry in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Potential Opportunities due to COVID-19 Outbreak TOC Continued! Speak to Our Expert: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/business-jet-market-101585 Key Industry Development: May 2022 Bombardier Inc., an aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Canada, launched a long-range business jet named Global 8000. The new private jet is said to be the worlds fastest business jet, with a long range of 9,206 miles and a top speed of 721 miles per hour. Read Related Insights: Reusable Launch Vehicle Market to Be Worth USD 5.41 Billion By 2030; Increased Usage of High Payload Rockets to Drive Market Forward LiDAR Drone Market is projected to grow USD 455.0 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 17.98% Aero Wing Market Size to grow USD 20.35 billion in 2028 with exhibiting a CAGR of 8.98% About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Address: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner, Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Attachment Pune, India, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global tissue paper market size was valued at USD 80.99 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 85.81 billion in 2023 to USD 133.75 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.55% during the forecast period. Maintaining domestic cleanliness and hygiene requires the use of tissue paper. One of the main factors driving the demand for tissue products worldwide is the growing awareness of the importance of implementing appropriate sanitation and hygienic standards in homes and commercial settings. To keep workplaces clean and sanitary, a variety of tissue paper products are used in business settings, catering establishments, and hospitals. Consumers now favor sanitizing property-based hygiene products to prevent bacterial and viral illness and maintain their health. The market is expanding even more because of the growing customer demand for cutting-edge tissue products that offer improved protection against bacteria and viruses. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their report titled "Global Tissue Paper Market, 20232030." Get a Sample Research PDF: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/tissue-paper-market-102847 Leading Players Featured in the Research Report: Companies leading the tissue paper market are Von Drehle Corporation (U.S.), First Quality Tissue LLC (U.S.), Orchid Paper Products Company (U.S.), Kruger Inc. (Canada), Asian Pulp & Paper (China), Svenska Cellulosa AB (Sweden), Hengan (China), Croix Tissue (U.S.), AbitibiBowater Inc. (Canada), CMPC Tissue SA (Chile), Sofidel Group (Italy), and more. Report Scope & Segmentation: Report Attributes Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast CAGR 6.55% 2030 Value Projection USD 133.75 Billion Market Size in 2022 USD 80.99 Billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 195 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Product Type By Application By Region Regions Covered North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East and Africa Tissue Paper Market Growth Drivers Product Innovation to Bode Well for Market Growth Increasing Necessities for Personal Care and Sanitation to Augment Market Development Report Coverage: The report offers: Major growth drivers, restraining factors, opportunities, and potential challenges for the market. Comprehensive insights into the regional developments. List of major industry players. Key strategies adopted by the market players. Latest industry developments include product launches, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Drivers & Restraints: Personal Care and Sanitation Requirements are Rising, Which will Boost Market Growth Because of the increasing importance of maintaining optimum health and cleanliness, everyone now uses tissue paper. These handy wiping items are frequently used to clean kitchen surfaces, hands, faces, and instruments in diagnostic and research labs. So, the main factor boosting increased product demand is the global rise in hygiene awareness. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that China's output of household and sanitary papers climbed from 10.99 million tons in 2020 to 11.25 million tons in 2021 for domestic and export use. Growing environmental issues, including deforestation and global warming brought on by the removal of trees, constrain the market for products made of pulp and inhibit consumer demand, which stifles the global tissue paper market growth. Browse Summary of this Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/tissue-paper-market-102847 COVID-19 Impact: Hygiene Awareness in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic to Speed Up Market Development Customers use tissue paper more frequently to maintain their surroundings hygienic and tidy and thus prevent coronavirus infection. In order to avoid a lack of necessities under COVID-19 lockout limitations, they choose to stock up on toilet paper, wipes, and other grocery products. As a result of this reason, the pandemic has dramatically raised demand for facial wraps and wipes worldwide. What are the factors driving applications of the Tissue Paper Market? Hygiene Awareness: Increasing awareness of personal hygiene and sanitation is a significant driver for the tissue paper market. Tissue papers are widely used for personal care, such as facial tissues, toilet papers, and feminine hygiene products. Increasing awareness of personal hygiene and sanitation is a significant driver for the tissue paper market. Tissue papers are widely used for personal care, such as facial tissues, toilet papers, and feminine hygiene products. Population Growth: As the global population continues to grow, the demand for tissue paper products, especially for daily essentials like toilet paper, napkins, and facial tissues, also increases. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for tissue paper products, especially for daily essentials like toilet paper, napkins, and facial tissues, also increases. Urbanization: The trend of urbanization is driving the demand for tissue paper in urban areas where consumers have higher disposable incomes and access to modern retail outlets. Urban lifestyles often prioritize convenience and cleanliness, boosting the use of tissue paper products. The trend of urbanization is driving the demand for tissue paper in urban areas where consumers have higher disposable incomes and access to modern retail outlets. Urban lifestyles often prioritize convenience and cleanliness, boosting the use of tissue paper products. Health and Wellness Trends: Consumers are increasingly seeking products that promote health and wellness. This includes tissue paper products with added features such as antibacterial properties, moisturization, and eco-friendly materials. Consumers are increasingly seeking products that promote health and wellness. This includes tissue paper products with added features such as antibacterial properties, moisturization, and eco-friendly materials. Economic Factors: Economic stability and disposable income levels impact tissue paper consumption. As economies improve, consumers are more willing to spend on tissue paper products, including premium and specialized variants. Economic stability and disposable income levels impact tissue paper consumption. As economies improve, consumers are more willing to spend on tissue paper products, including premium and specialized variants. Environmental Concerns: Growing environmental consciousness has led to the development of eco-friendly tissue paper products made from recycled materials or sustainable sources. Consumers are willing to choose such products, driving the market for eco-friendly tissue paper. Growing environmental consciousness has led to the development of eco-friendly tissue paper products made from recycled materials or sustainable sources. Consumers are willing to choose such products, driving the market for eco-friendly tissue paper. E-commerce Growth: The growth of e-commerce has increased the convenience of purchasing tissue paper products online, expanding their reach to a wider consumer base. The growth of e-commerce has increased the convenience of purchasing tissue paper products online, expanding their reach to a wider consumer base. Aging Population: The aging population tends to use tissue paper products more frequently for healthcare and personal care needs, contributing to increased demand. Segments: Segment for Bath & Toilet Tissue to Lead Due to High Usage of Cotton Towels And Napkins Based on product type, the market is segmented into facial tissue, paper towels, wipes, bath & toilet tissue, and others. Due to the widespread use of cotton towels and napkins for bathroom sanitation, the bath & toilet segment dominates the market. There is a significant need for high-quality tissue products in the expanding tourist and modernizing hospitality industries. Due to an Increase in Corporate Housing Facilities, the Commercial Sector will Dominate the Market Based on the application, the market is segmented into household and commercial applications. Among the commercial uses are businesses like hotels, restaurants, and offices. Due to the large usage of tissues during meal service and table cleaning in hotels and restaurants, the commercial segment commands a sizeable market share. Get a Quote Now: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/get-a-quote/tissue-paper-market-102847 Regional Insights Asia Pacific Dominates the Market due to Presence of Influential Economies in this Region During the projected period, a sizable tissue paper market share is anticipated for the Asia Pacific region. This can be attributed to aspects like the expanding capacity of East Asian nations like China and Japan and the region's ability to produce goods made of wood. In 2019, there were roughly 2700 paper and board firms in mainland China, according to a China Paper Association (CPA) survey. Additionally, because of its enhanced utility in the expanding food and food services sector, the expansion is mostly coming from populated nations like China, India, and Japan, driving the total tissue paper market growth in the region. Detailed Table of Contents: Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities Emerging Trends Key Insights Overview of the Parent/Related Markets Industry SWOT Analysis Supply Chain and Regulatory Analysis Recent Industry Developments - Policies, Partnerships, New Product Launches, and Mergers & Acquisitions Qualitative Analysis (in relation to COVID-19) Impact of COVID-19 Supply Chain Challenges Potential Opportunities due to COVID-19 Global Tissue Paper Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2030 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecast By Product Type (Value & Volume) Facial Tissue Paper Towel Wipes Bath & Toilet Tissue Others By Application (Value & Volume) Household Commercial By Region (Value & Volume) North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa TOC Continued...! Speak to Our Expert: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/tissue-paper-market-102847 Competitive Landscape Growth of the Market Requires Innovation and Efficient Distribution Channels Maintaining a company's capacity to produce tissue items requires an effective supply chain and inventory management. The market's top producer of products made from pulp, Svenska Cellulosa AB, is a well-known organization. To increase the absorbency of products made of paper and pulp and to efficiently utilize the raw material to increase environmental sustainability, the company employs product innovation as a business strategy. In order to attain the necessary returns on their market investments, well-known tissue paper industry players like CMPC and Hengan Inc. utilize a variety of investment strategies. Key Industry Development: June 2021: Renova, a Portuguese brand, launched Divine, its new toilet paper wrapped in recyclable and biodegradable paper. Renova focuses on product innovation by thinking about the environment and making consumers aware of the ecological impact of their purchases. Read Related Insights: Toilet Paper Market to Hit USD 38.34 Billion by 2027 | With a CAGR 4.9% Europe Paper Towel Market to Hit USD 6.17 Billion by 2027; Rapid-Paced Industrialization Activities to Stimulate Growth, states Fortune Business Insights Spa Services Market to Reach USD 259.26 Billion by 2030 | Fortune Business Insights About Us: Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in. Address: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. 9th Floor, Icon Tower, Baner, Mahalunge Road, Baner, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Attachment MJP 300W jewelry printer raises bar on capability with improved speed, surface finish, and reliability including two new build modes VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby endures high temperatures to maintain fine feature details of intricate patterns, enables presetting of stones for increased efficiency Wax Jewel Ruby endures high temperatures to maintain fine feature details of intricate patterns, enables presetting of stones for increased efficiency New solution designed to address growing global 3D printed jewelry market expected to exceed $22 billion by 2030 ROCK HILL, S.C., Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, 3D Systems (NYSE:DDD) announced the MJP 300W and VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby - two additions to its portfolio of end-to-end solutions for jewelry manufacturing. The companys new MJP 300W is the most advanced and flexible of its wax 3D printers, capable of addressing a variety of jewelry manufacturing workflows with enhanced productivity, efficiency, quality, and design freedom. Additionally, 3D Systems new VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby material is a tough, temperature-stable pure wax that provides the optimal combination of flexible material properties and good dimensional stability in high-temperature environments. As a result, it is possible to maintain details of the most intricate jewelry designs during the molding process, reducing the likelihood of breakage or distortion to enable a flawless final piece. The combination of this print platform and material is allowing producers of wax jewelry patterns from high-volume manufacturers to custom jewelry makers to more efficiently achieve new designs with greater design freedom and improved surface finish. The use of 3D printing in the jewelry industry is anticipated to accelerate throughout the decade. According to a report released by Contrive Datum Insights in March 2023, the total addressable global 3D-printed jewelry market was more than $8 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach more than $22 billion by 2030. 3D printing has the potential to play an increasingly important role in jewelry manufacturing, enabling efficient design and production of unique patterns that are not possible to produce with conventional methods. This allows for mass customization by jewelry makers to meet consumers specific requirements in a rapidly changing marketplace. 3D Systems wax material portfolio, combined with its industry-leading 3D printing portfolio and software integration is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of the technology. New Wax Printer Model Enhances Resolution, Boosts Efficiency With the introduction of the MJP 300W, 3D Systems is unveiling two new print modes, QHD and UHD. QHD mode enables more than 50% improved resolution in all axes (i.e., 2,000 dpi in X, 1,800 dpi in Y, 2,900 dpi in Z) and 9.5 m layer thickness as compared to the previous generation wax 3D printer. This delivers premium quality surface finish allowing designs to be produced with less finishing required. QHD also enables the printing of more complex designs where polishing is not practical or impossible. UHD mode offers 2x faster print speed than XHD on the ProJet MJP 2500W Plus, introduced earlier this year. UHD offers significantly increased throughput and reduces the labor required for finishing and polishing. The availability of four print modes (i.e., QHD, UHD, XHD, ZHD) offers improved flexibility in build planning for both day and night shifts to match the level of speed, geometric complexity, and surface quality required by all design styles. The company has also made it easier to monitor a print jobs progress through the addition of an industrial stack light. This easy-to-see light can be conveniently positioned for the greatest visibility on the printer or an adjacent surface such as a desk or a cabinet. Additionally, reliability improvements through print head and hardware modifications increase the uptime by decreasing replacement frequency and lower the cost of ownership. New 100% Wax Material Delivers Optimized Mechanical Properties 3D Systems VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby is the companys most advanced material to deliver durable patterns that help create flawless final pieces. Patterns produced with VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby have increased thermal stability as compared to the recently introduced VisiJet Wax Jewel Red. Additionally, patterns created using VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby exhibit durability that enables them to resist breaking through normal handling and maintain their dimensional stability through shipping. This latest material also enables pre-setting of stones to accelerate the production of the final piece. According to Shashidhar Kumar, partner, Shree Rapid Technologies, "We were pleased to have early access to this material for our jewelry manufacturing applications. Our experience has shown that is it very easy to handle, and delivers patterns with improved strength and flexibility, enabling us to provide higher quality, durable patterns to our customers. Additionally, the material is best suited for pre-setting stones, which is helping our customers improve efficiencies when creating pieces with intricate details." Further expanding the extensive range of addressable designs, VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby complements 3D Systems currently available wax materials VisiJet Wax Jewel Red and VisiJet M2 Cast which can also be used in conjunction with the MJP 300W. "One of the greatest benefits of additive manufacturing is providing unlimited design freedom, which is especially important to unleash the creativity required by skilled artisans," said Marty Johnson, vice president, product & technical fellow, 3D Systems. "With the introduction of the MJP 300W and our new VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby material, we are providing producers of wax jewelry casting patterns with enhanced capabilities to improve productivity and processes that ensure reliability. 3D Systems full system integration of the materials, printer, print process, and software which is strengthened by our application expertise and global customer success team is enabling our jewelry manufacturing customers to achieve new levels of innovation, quality, and reliability. The latest additions to our end-to-end solutions for jewelry manufacturing reinforce our commitment to addressing our customers needs to gain unprecedented levels of agility with ease of use that ensures high-quality results at any scale." The MJP 300W and VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby are both planned to be available in November 2023. Anyone who is attending the Istanbul Jewelry Show and would like to learn more is invited to stop by 3D Systems partner, Luka Teknik Malzeme Pazarlama Ltd.s booth (1F30). For more information on 3D Systems portfolio of end-to-end jewelry manufacturing solutions, please visit the companys website. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "may," "will," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon managements beliefs, assumptions, and current expectations and may include comments as to the companys beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as of the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise. About 3D Systems More than 35 years ago, 3D Systems brought the innovation of 3D printing to the manufacturing industry. Today, as the leading additive manufacturing solutions partner, we bring innovation, performance, and reliability to every interaction - empowering our customers to create products and business models never before possible. Thanks to our unique offering of hardware, software, materials, and services, each application-specific solution is powered by the expertise of our application engineers who collaborate with customers to transform how they deliver their products and services. 3D Systems solutions address a variety of advanced applications in healthcare and industrial markets such as medical and dental, aerospace & defense, automotive, and durable goods. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b95a98f6-64ac-46ea-895d-f39f3ad0b94b https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eefc4369-cae9-4381-b736-0e4b9795fb5d CHICAGO, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Halo Investing (Halo), an award-winning platform for Protective Investments, is delighted to announce the appointment of Hashbeer Ali as Executive Vice President Institutional Sales for the Middle East & Africa at Halo Investing MEA Ltd., a regulated entity by ADGMs Financial Services Regulatory Authority. With a career spanning more than two decades in banking and derivatives sales, Hashbeer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Halo team. Mr. Alis extensive career in the financial industry has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of derivatives markets. His background includes notable engagements with local banks, where he played a pivotal role in shaping and executing derivative strategies. His proven track record of delivering exceptional results and building strong client relationships aligns seamlessly with Halo Investings mission to grow access to innovative investment solutions. We are thrilled to welcome Hashbeer Ali to the Halo family, said Sadiq Hussain, Senior Executive Officer. His impressive background and industry knowledge will be instrumental in advancing our institutional sales efforts and driving our mission to revolutionize the way structured investment products are accessed and managed. Hashbeer Alis appointment reinforces Halo Investings commitment to building a team of industry leaders dedicated to delivering cutting-edge investment solutions to clients throughout the Middle East and Africa. His role as Executive Vice President Institutional Sales will encompass developing and executing strategic sales initiatives while strengthening Halos presence in the institutional marketplace. I am excited to join Halo Investing, a company that is at the forefront of innovation in the structured investment space, Hashbeer Ali commented. I look forward to leveraging my experience to contribute to Halos continued growth and success. Hashbeer Alis addition to the Halo team is a significant milestone, marking the companys ongoing expansion and dedication to providing institutional clients with access to innovative and tailored investment solutions. For media inquiries, please contact: Halo Investing Vladislav Moldavskiy vlad.moldavskiy@haloinvesting.com About Halo Investing Halo Investing MEA Ltd. (Halo MEA) is licensed and regulated by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). Halo MEA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Halo Investing, Inc. and authorized to provide financial services to professional clients and market counterparties only. Halo MEA acts solely as a distributor/selling agent and is not the issuer or guarantor of any structured product. For more information, please visit: http://www.haloinvesting.ae. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c4652d5-bdee-478f-aa1a-ba37dd83f351 Interstellar Docking Scene Music - No Time For Caution - Hans Zimmer Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction film directe Interstellar Docking Scene Music - No Time For Caution - Hans Zimmer Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine, the film features a team of space travelers who travel through a wormhole in search of a new habitable planet. It was written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, Christopher combined his idea with an existing script by his brother that was developed in 2007 for Paramount Pictures and producer Lynda Obst. Nolan is producing the film with Obst and Emma Thomas. Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, whose works inspired the film, acted as both an executive producer and a scientific consultant for the film. Warner Bros., who produced and distributed some of Nolan's previous films, negotiated with Paramount, traditionally a rival studio, to have a financial stake in Interstellar. Legendary Pictures, which formerly partnered with Warner Bros., also sought a stake. The three companies co-financed the film, and the production companies Syncopy and Lynda Obst Productions were enlisted. The director also hired cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema since his long-time collaborator Wally Pfister was busy working on Transcendence, his directorial debut. Interstellar was filmed with a combination of anamorphic 35 mm and IMAX 70 mm film photography. Filming took place in the last quarter of 2013 in locations in the province of Alberta, Canada, in southern Iceland, and in Los Angeles, California. The visual effects company Double Negative created visual effects for Interstellar. Interstellar premiered on October 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Commercially, it is scheduled for a limited release in North America (United States and Canada) on November 5, 2014 and a wide release on November 7, 2014. It will also be released in Belgium, France and Switzerland on November 5, 2014 and in additional territories in the following days, including the United Kingdom on November 7, 2014. For the limited release in North America, it will be released in 70 mm and 35 mm film formats in approximately 240 theaters which still project the formats, including at least 41 70 mm IMAX theaters. For the wide release, it will expand to theaters that will show it in digital format. Paramount Pictures will distribute the film in North America, and Warner Bros. will distribute it in the remaining territories Interstellar OST - No Time For Caution - Hans Zimmer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Interstellar Docking SoundtrackInterstellar Docking Scene Music - No Time For Caution - Hans Zimmer Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine, the film features a team of space travelers who travel through a wormhole in search of a new habitable planet. It was written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, Christopher combined his idea with an existing script by his brother that was developed in 2007 for Paramount Pictures and producer Lynda Obst. Nolan is producing the film with Obst and Emma Thomas. Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, whose works inspired the film, acted as both an executive producer and a scientific consultant for the film. Warner Bros., who produced and distributed some of Nolan's previous films, negotiated with Paramount, traditionally a rival studio, to have a financial stake in Interstellar. Legendary Pictures, which formerly partnered with Warner Bros., also sought a stake. The three companies co-financed the film, and the production companies Syncopy and Lynda Obst Productions were enlisted. The director also hired cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema since his long-time collaborator Wally Pfister was busy working on Transcendence, his directorial debut. Interstellar was filmed with a combination of anamorphic 35 mm and IMAX 70 mm film photography. Filming took place in the last quarter of 2013 in locations in the province of Alberta, Canada, in southern Iceland, and in Los Angeles, California. The visual effects company Double Negative created visual effects for Interstellar. Interstellar premiered on October 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Commercially, it is scheduled for a limited release in North America (United States and Canada) on November 5, 2014 and a wide release on November 7, 2014. It will also be released in Belgium, France and Switzerland on November 5, 2014 and in additional territories in the following days, including the United Kingdom on November 7, 2014. For the limited release in North America, it will be released in 70 mm and 35 mm film formats in approximately 240 theaters which still project the formats, including at least 41 70 mm IMAX theaters. For the wide release, it will expand to theaters that will show it in digital format. Paramount Pictures will distribute the film in North America, and Warner Bros. will distribute it in the remaining territories Interstellar OST - No Time For Caution - Hans Zimmer (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Interstellar Docking Soundtrack Transaction in Own Shares 05 October 2023 Shell plc (the Company) announces that on 05 October 2023 it purchased the following number of Shares for cancellation. Aggregated information on Shares purchased according to trading venue: Date of purchase Number of Shares purchased Highest price paid Lowest price paid Volume weighted average price paid per share Venue Currency 05/10/2023 567,410 25.3850 24.8450 25.0451 LSE GBP 05/10/2023 - 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 Chi-X (CXE) GBP 05/10/2023 - 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 BATS (BXE) GBP 05/10/2023 934,596 29.7300 29.1000 29.3280 XAMS EUR 05/10/2023 - 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 CBOE DXE EUR 05/10/2023 - 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 TQEX EUR These share purchases form part of the on- and off-market limbs of the Company's existing share buy-back programme previously announced on 27 July 2023. In respect of this programme, Citigroup Global Markets Limited will make trading decisions in relation to the securities independently of the Company for a period from 27 July 2023 up to and including 27 October 2023. The on-market limb will be effected within certain pre-set parameters and in accordance with the Companys general authority to repurchase shares on-market. The off-market limb will be effected in accordance with the Companys general authority to repurchase shares off-market pursuant to the off-market buyback contract approved by its shareholders and the pre-set parameters set out therein. The programme will be conducted in accordance with Chapter 12 of the Listing Rules and Article 5 of the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014/EU dealing with buy-back programmes (EU MAR) and EU MAR as onshored into UK law from the end of the Brexit transition period (at 11:00 pm on 31 December 2020) through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended by the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020), and as amended, supplemented, restated, novated, substituted or replaced by the Financial Services Act, 2021 and relevant statutory instruments (including, The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations (SI 2019/310)), from time to time (UK MAR) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 (the EU MAR Delegated Regulation) and the EU MAR Delegated Regulation as onshored into UK law from the end of the Brexit transition period (at 11:00 pm on 31 December 2020) through the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended by the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020), and as amended, supplemented, restated, novated, substituted or replaced by the Financial Services Act, 2021 and relevant statutory instruments (including, The Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations (SI 2019/310)), from time to time. In accordance with EU MAR and UK MAR, a breakdown of the individual trades made by Citigroup Global Markets Limited on behalf of the Company as a part of the buy-back programme is detailed below. Enquiries Media International: +44 (0) 207 934 5550 Media Americas: +1 832 337 4335 LEI number of Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70 Classification: Acquisition or disposal of the issuers own shares Attachment Morgantown, WV, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MORGANTOWN, WV (October 5, 2023) Hearthstone Holdings is now Hope Utilities! Morgan OBrien, CEO, announces today that Hearthstone has been rebranded to Hope Utilities (Hope) to reflect the companys mission and dedication to its customers, communities and employees. Hope Utilities provides natural gas and water service to over 227,000 homes and businesses in nine states. The company owns and operates natural gas utilities in Indiana, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia; and water and wastewater utilities in Arizona, Michigan, and Texas. The company rebranding to Hope Utilities coincides with the 125th anniversary of Hope Gas, the largest utility owned by the company which operates in 35 counties in West Virginia. Hope Gas was purchased in September 2022. The new company name, Hope Utilities, reflects our company mission and the commitment our employees have to the customers and communities we serve, said Morgan OBrien, CEO of Hope Utilities. At Hope Utilities, we have created a business model where customers feel valued, where we partner with regulators and community leaders to embrace local priorities, where we drive economic development for the areas we serve and where employees recognize and embrace the value they bring to the organization. OBrien continues, Hope Utilities is proud to be an integral part of the communities we serve. Many of our utilities have histories reaching back over a century. These companies very literally helped build the foundation of the cities and neighborhoods we serve. They built the infrastructure that provides the energy needed to homes and businesses today. And, we will continue to invest in that critical infrastructure to ensure continued safe, reliable and affordable service and the energy needed to support the growing needs of our communities. The utility companies owned by Hope Utilities include: Bangor Natural Gas (Maine) Energy West Montana (Montana) Frontier Natural Gas (North Carolina) Hearthstone Water (Arizona, Michigan, Texas) Hope Gas (West Virginia) Northeast Ohio Natural Gas (Ohio) Sycamore Gas Company (Indiana) Hope Utilities employs over 720 individuals. With OBrien at the helm, Hopes strong executive leadership team has a combined total of more than 10 decades of utility experience. The executive leadership team is comprised of: Morgan OBrien, Chief Executive Officer Jonell Carver, Chief Operating Officer Ruth DeLost-Wylie, Chief Administrative Officer Melissa Dykes, Chief Financial Officer Jo Carol Farmer, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations Jeff Nehr, Senior Vice President, Gas Supply and Development Lynne Rhode, Senior Vice President and General Counsel I cant think of a name that better embodies what our team is working toward every day, continued OBrien. When our customers think about the opportunities for their communities to grow and thrive, I want them to know that Hope Utilities is there to provide the energy for the future. Learn more about Hope Utilities at HopeUtilities.com. Watch the brand unveiling here: https://youtu.be/KuQn-a31KYM ### About Hope Utilities Hope Utilities owns natural gas and water distribution utilities across nine states. We provide service to more than 227,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the communities we serve. We currently operate natural gas utilities in Indiana, Maine, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia; and water and wastewater utilities in Arizona, Michigan, and Texas. Hopes growth strategy is built on being a trusted member of the communities we serve, providing our customers with safe, reliable, and cost-effective utility service. Learn more about Hope at HopeUtilities.com. NEWTON, Kan., Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Park Aerospace Corp. (NYSE-PKE) reported results for the 2024 fiscal year second quarter ended August 27, 2023. The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss its financial results and other matters at 5:00 p.m. EDT today. A live audio webcast of the event, along with presentation materials, will be available at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4ux8vz3r at 5:00 p.m. EDT today. The presentation materials will also be available at approximately 4:15 p.m. EDT today at https://parkaerospace.com/shareholders/investor-conference-calls/ and on the Companys website at www.parkaerospace.com under Investor Conference Calls on the Shareholders page. Park reported net sales of $12,481,000 for the 2024 fiscal year second quarter ended August 27, 2023 compared to $13,875,000 for the 2023 fiscal year second quarter ended August 28, 2022 and $15,551,000 for the 2024 fiscal year first quarter ended May 28, 2023. Parks net sales for the six months ended August 27, 2023 were $28,032,000 compared to $26,658,000 for the six months ended August 28, 2022. Net earnings for the 2024 fiscal year second quarter were $1,746,000 compared to $1,885,000 for the 2023 fiscal year second quarter and $1,854,000 for the 2024 fiscal year first quarter. Net earnings were $3,600,000 for the current years first six months compared to $3,795,000 for last years first six months. Net earnings before special items for the 2024 fiscal year second quarter were $1,746,000 compared to $1,885,000 for the 2023 fiscal year second quarter and $2,407,000 for the 2024 fiscal year first quarter. Net earnings before special items for the six months ended August 27, 2023 were $4,153,000 compared to $3,795,000 for last fiscal years first six months. Adjusted EBITDA for the 2024 fiscal year second quarter was $2,669,000 compared to $2,709,000 for the 2023 fiscal year second quarter and $3,311,000 for the 2024 fiscal year first quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the current years first six months was $5,980,000 compared to $5,513,000 for last years first six months. During the 2024 fiscal years first six months, the Company recorded $570,000 of pre-tax activist shareholder defense costs, $65,000 of pre-tax losses on sales of investments to fund the $1.00 per share special dividend paid on April 6, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2023 and a $109,000 pre-tax charge for the modification of previously granted stock options in connection with the special dividend in the 2024 fiscal year first quarter. Park reported basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.09 for the 2024 fiscal year second quarter compared to $0.09 for the 2023 fiscal year second quarter and $0.09 for the 2024 fiscal year first quarter. Basic and diluted earnings per share before special items were $0.09 for the 2024 fiscal year second quarter compared to $0.09 for the 2023 fiscal year second quarter and $0.12 for the 2024 fiscal year first quarter. Park reported basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.18 for the 2024 fiscal years first six months compared to $0.19 for the 2023 fiscal years first six months. Basic and diluted earnings per share before special items were $0.20 for the 2024 fiscal years first six months compared to $0.19 for the 2023 fiscal years first six months. The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss its financial results at 5:00 p.m. EDT today. Forward-looking and other material information may be discussed in this conference call. The conference call dial-in number is (877) 407-3982 in the United States and Canada, and (201) 493-6780 in other countries. The required passcode for attendance by phone is 13741264. For those unable to listen to the call live, a conference call replay will be available from approximately 8:00 p.m. EDT today through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The conference call replay will be available at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4ux8vz3r and on the Companys website at www.parkaerospace.com under Investor Conference Calls on the Shareholders page. It can also be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 in the United States and Canada, and (412) 317-6671 in other countries. The required passcode for accessing the replay by phone is 13741264. Any additional material financial or statistical data disclosed in the conference call, including the investor presentation, will also be available at the time of the conference call on the Company's web site at https://parkaerospace.com/shareholders/investor-conference-calls/. Park believes that an evaluation of its ongoing operations would be difficult if the disclosure of its operating results were limited to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) financial measures, which include special items, such as activist shareholder defense costs, losses on sales of investments and charges for modification of previously granted stock options. Accordingly, in addition to disclosing its operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, Park discloses non-GAAP measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, and operating results that exclude special items in order to assist its shareholders and other readers in assessing the Companys operating performance, since the Companys on-going, normal business operations do not include such special items. The detailed operating information presented below includes a reconciliation of the non-GAAP operating results before special items to earnings determined in accordance with GAAP and a reconciliation of GAAP pre-tax earnings to Adjusted EBITDA. Such non-GAAP financial measures are provided to supplement the results provided in accordance with GAAP. Park Aerospace Corp. develops and manufactures solution and hot-melt advanced composite materials used to produce composite structures for the global aerospace markets. Parks advanced composite materials include film adhesives (Aeroadhere) and lightning strike protection materials (Electroglide). Park offers an array of composite materials specifically designed for hand lay-up or automated fiber placement (AFP) manufacturing applications. Parks advanced composite materials are used to produce primary and secondary structures for jet engines, large and regional transport aircraft, military aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs commonly referred to as drones), business jets, general aviation aircraft and rotary wing aircraft. Park also offers specialty ablative materials for rocket motors and nozzles and specially designed materials for radome applications. As a complement to Parks advanced composite materials offering, Park designs and fabricates composite parts, structures and assemblies and low volume tooling for the aerospace industry. Target markets for Parks composite parts and structures (which include Parks proprietary composite SigmaStrut and AlphaStrut product lines) are, among others, prototype and development aircraft, special mission aircraft, spares for legacy military and civilian aircraft and exotic spacecraft. Parks objective is to do what others are either unwilling or unable to do. When nobody else wants to do it because it is too difficult, too small or too annoying, sign us up. Additional corporate information is available on the Companys web site at www.parkaerospace.com Performance table, including non-GAAP information (in thousands, except per share amounts unaudited): 13 Weeks Ended 26 Weeks Ended August 27, 2023 August 28, 2022 May 28, 2023 August 27, 2023 August 28, 2022 Sales $ 12,481 $ 13,875 $ 15,551 $ 28,032 $ 26,658 Net Earnings before Special Items1 $ 1,746 $ 1,885 $ 2,407 $ 4,153 $ 3,795 Special Items, Net of Tax: Activist Shareholder Defense Costs - - (424 ) (424 ) - Stock Option Modification - - (81 ) (81 ) - Loss on Sale of Marketable Securities - - (48 ) (48 ) - Net Earnings $ 1,746 $ 1,885 $ 1,854 $ 3,600 $ 3,795 Basic Earnings per Share: Basic Earnings before Special Items1 $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.12 $ 0.20 $ 0.19 Special Items: Activist Shareholder Defense Costs - - (0.02 ) (0.02 ) - Stock Option Modification - - (0.01 ) - - Loss on Sale of Marketable Securities - - - - - Basic Earnings per Share $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.18 $ 0.19 Diluted Earnings before Special Items1 $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.12 $ 0.20 $ 0.19 Special Items: Activist Shareholder Defense Costs - - (0.02 ) (0.02 ) - Stock Option Modification - - (0.01 ) - - Loss on Sale of Marketable Securities - - - - - Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.09 $ 0.18 $ 0.19 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 20,256 20,461 20,461 20,359 20,460 Diluted 20,338 20,503 20,526 20,432 20,504 1Refer to "Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures" below for information regarding Special Items. Comparative balance sheets (in thousands): August 27, 2023 February 26, 2023 Assets (unaudited) Current Assets Cash and Marketable Securities $ 74,214 $ 105,440 Accounts Receivable, Net 9,374 9,989 Inventories 8,457 6,768 Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets 2,587 2,844 Total Current Assets 94,632 125,041 Fixed Assets, Net 23,980 24,251 Operating Right-of-use Assets 123 150 Other Assets 9,884 9,891 Total Assets $ 128,619 $ 159,333 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities Accounts Payable $ 1,535 $ 4,545 Accrued Liabilities 1,167 1,346 Dividend Payable - 20,471 Operating Lease Liability 53 53 Income Taxes Payable 4,033 2,171 Total Current Liabilities 6,788 28,586 Long-term Operating Lease Liability 106 129 Non-current Income Taxes Payable 5,259 10,938 Deferred Income Taxes 1,942 1,995 Other Liabilities 1,812 1,751 Total Liabilities 15,907 43,399 Shareholders Equity 112,712 115,934 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 128,619 $ 159,333 Additional information Equity per Share $ 5.57 $ 5.66 Comparative statements of operations (in thousands unaudited): 13 Weeks Ended 26 Weeks Ended August 27, 2023 August 28, 2022 May 28, 2023 August 27, 2023 August 28, 2022 Net Sales $ 12,481 $ 13,875 $ 15,551 $ 28,032 $ 26,658 Cost of Sales 8,402 9,789 10,718 19,120 18,480 Gross Profit 4,079 4,086 4,833 8,912 8,178 % of net sales 32.7 % 29.4 % 31.1 % 31.8 % 30.7 % Selling, General & Administrative Expenses 1,853 1,732 2,615 4,468 3,365 % of net sales 14.8 % 12.5 % 16.8 % 15.9 % 12.6 % Earnings from Operations 2,226 2,354 2,218 4,444 4,813 Interest and Other Income: Interest Income 139 221 324 463 354 Earnings from Operations before Income Taxes 2,365 2,575 2,542 4,907 5,167 Income Tax Provision 619 690 688 1,307 1,372 Net Earnings $ 1,746 $ 1,885 $ 1,854 $ 3,600 $ 3,795 % of net sales 14.0 % 13.6 % 11.9 % 12.8 % 14.2 % Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures (in thousands unaudited): 13 Weeks Ended August 27, 2023 13 Weeks Ended August 28, 2022 13 Weeks Ended May 28, 2023 GAAP Specials Items Before Special Items GAAP Specials Items Before Special Items GAAP Specials Items Before Special Items Selling, General & Administrative Expenses $ 1,853 $ - $ 1,853 $ 1,732 $ - $ 1,732 $ 2,615 $ (679 ) $ 1,936 % of net sales 14.8 % 14.8 % 12.5 % 12.5 % 16.8 % 12.4 % Earnings from Operations 2,226 - 2,226 2,354 - 2,354 2,218 679 2,897 % of net sales 17.8 % 17.8 % 17.0 % 17.0 % 14.3 % 18.6 % Interest Income 139 - 139 221 - 221 324 65 389 % of net sales 1.1 % 1.1 % 1.6 % 1.6 % 2.1 % 2.5 % Earnings before Income Taxes 2,365 - 2,365 2,575 - 2,575 2,542 744 3,286 % of net sales 18.9 % 18.9 % 18.6 % 18.6 % 16.3 % 21.1 % Income Tax Provision 619 - 619 690 - 690 688 191 879 Effective Tax Rate 26.2 % 26.2 % 26.8 % 26.8 % 27.1 % 26.7 % Net Earnings 1,746 - 1,746 1,885 - 1,885 1,854 553 2,407 % of net sales 14.0 % 14.0 % 13.6 % 13.6 % 11.9 % 15.5 % Net Earnings Before Special Items 1,746 1,885 2,407 Addback non-cash expenses: Income Tax Provision 619 690 879 Interest Income (139 ) (221 ) (389 ) Depreciation 339 261 305 Stock Option Expense 104 94 109 Adjusted EBITDA 2,669 2,709 3,311 Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures - continued (in thousands unaudited): 26 Weeks Ended August 27, 2023 26 Weeks Ended August 28, 2022 GAAP Specials Items Before Special Items GAAP Specials Items Before Special Items Selling, General & Administrative Expenses $ 4,468 $ (679 ) $ 3,789 $ 3,365 $ - $ 3,365 % of net sales 15.9 % 13.5 % 12.6 % 12.6 % Earnings from Operations 4,444 679 5,123 4,813 - 4,813 % of net sales 15.9 % 18.3 % 18.1 % 18.1 % Interest Income 463 65 528 354 - 354 % of net sales 1.7 % 1.9 % 1.3 % 1.3 % Earnings before Income Taxes 4,907 744 5,651 5,167 - 5,167 % of net sales 17.5 % 20.2 % 19.4 % 19.4 % Income Tax Provision 1,307 191 1,498 1,372 - 1,372 Effective Tax Rate 26.6 % 26.5 % 26.6 % 26.6 % Net Earnings 3,600 553 4,153 3,795 - 3,795 % of net sales 12.8 % 14.8 % 14.2 % 14.2 % Net Earnings Before Special Items 4,153 3,795 Addback non-cash expenses: Income Tax Provision 1,498 1,372 Interest Income (528 ) (354 ) Depreciation 644 521 Stock Option Expense 213 179 Adjusted EBITDA 5,980 5,513 HOUSTON, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amplify Energy Corp. (Amplify or the Company) (NYSE: AMPY) is pleased to announce the appointment of Vidisha Prasad to the Amplify Board of Directors (Board). Ms. Prasad joins the Board following a comprehensive process, conducted with the assistance of a nationally recognized board recruitment firm, to complement the Boards existing credentials and qualifications. Ms. Prasad will serve as a member of the Audit Committee. Ms. Prasad brings more than two decades of experience in energy investments, strategic and board advisory, corporate mergers, asset acquisitions and divestitures, capital markets and restructuring. Ms. Prasad is currently the Managing Partner of Adya Partners, a multi-strategy investment firm focused on private secondary investments and early-stage venture capital in the energy, energy transition and technology sectors. Prior to founding Adya Partners, Ms. Prasad was a founding member of Guggenheim Securities Energy Investment Banking practice and prior to that, Ms. Prasad held roles of increasing responsibility within Citis Global Energy Investment Banking Groups in Houston, London and New York. Ms. Prasad previously served on the Board of Centennial Resources (now Permian Resources) where she served on the Audit, Nominating, Governance and ESG Committees. She also serves on the Board of the Grammy award winning Houston Chamber Choir, where she chairs the Development Committee. Ms. Prasad received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester. Chris Hamm, Amplifys Chairman of the Board commented, We are excited to welcome Vidisha to the Board. Vidishas appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive process which the Board committed to in conjunction with our 2023 Annual Meeting. Vidishas wealth of experience in the oil and gas industry, particularly in M&A, capital markets and finance, will be of significant value to Amplify and its shareholders, and we look forward to her immediate contribution at our next regularly scheduled board meeting in November. The Company has also announced that Randal T. Klein has decided not to seek reelection as a director at the Companys 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the 2024 Annual Meeting). Mr. Klein will continue to serve for the remainder of his term as a director until the 2024 Annual Meeting. Mr. Kleins decision not to stand for reelection was not due to any disagreements with the Company or its Board or any matter relating to the Companys financials, operations, policies or practices. Mr. Hamm continued, We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Randal for his efforts in helping to drive increased performance and value through active governance and as an advocate for our shareholders. About Amplify Energy Amplify Energy Corp. is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas properties. Amplifys operations are focused in Oklahoma, the Rockies (Bairoil), federal waters offshore Southern California (Beta), East Texas / North Louisiana, and the Eagle Ford (Non-op). For more information, visit www.amplifyenergy.com. Investor Relations Contacts Jim Frew Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (832) 219-9044 jim.frew@amplifyenergy.com Michael Jordan Director, Finance and Treasurer (832) 219-9051 michael.jordan@amplifyenergy.com Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, Oct. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Clorox ("Clorox" or the "Company") (NYSE: CLX) investors that the law firm has initiated an investigation on behalf of investors that lost money on their Clorox stock. Clorox investors are encouraged to contact the firm to discuss their legal rights. 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. Clorox, a cleaning-products manufacturer recently affected by a cyberattack causing production disruptions, has seen a 4.4% decline in premarket trading following the announcement of preliminary net sales dropping by 23%-28% in the quarter ending on September 30. Prior to the cyberattack disclosed in mid-August, Clorox had anticipated "mid-single-digits" organic sales growth for the same quarter. Analysts are preparing for potential additional consequences, as Clorox warns of ongoing, though diminishing, operational disruptions in the following fiscal quarter. 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 Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu), a Chinese doctoral student in the Department of Chemistry at Georgia State University in the United States, he harasses and bullies others, spreads rumors and slanders others, provokes the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, denies the Nanjing Massacre, claims to nuclear attack China, and publishes insults to the Han people and Chinese peoples speech accusations Dear Georgia State University,USA Professors, Staff, Students Chinese and overseas Chinese in the United States Relevant persons of other institutions, identities, and occupations: I am a Chinese writer named Wang Qingmin. I now sue your school, a student named Gu Yi (net name "Sulaiman Guyi (Sulaimam Gu)"), a Ph. Maliciously harass others, and publish hate speech such as racial insults, threats of war violence (including threats of nuclear weapons), denial of the Nanjing Massacre, and praise of Japanese militarism. I didn't know Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) before, but I encountered him on the Internet. However, there is a difference between my political standpoint and that of Sulaiman Gu. Sulaiman Gu is a Hui Muslim who is very close to the Manchus (an ethnic group located in Northeast China) and Manchu culture. And I am an atheist Han nationalist. In history, the Manchurians brutally massacred and colonized the Han people (such as the "Qing Dynasty" period). I often post some content on Twitter that exposes and criticizes the crimes of the Manchu regime. But I have never directly replied, commented, or contacted Gu Yi directly on the platform where he is active (but I mentioned this person in an article and criticized him for touting the views and positions of the Qing Dynasty). But I also don't want to have intersection and conflict with it, so I blocked Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) on Twitter. Because Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) often expressed hatred of the Han people, and praised the Qing Dynasty, as well as Japan, which also invaded and colonized the Han people in China. For a few years, I knew Sulaiman Gu's name and political views, and it should know me too (Sulaiman Gu also blocked me on Twitter), but there was no intersection. In the past two months, I have been conducting a series of political protests in Germany and sent information to the telegram group. And Gu Yi ("Suleiman Gu Yi") is also in one of the groups. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) deliberately provoked me. Knowing that my political stance was opposite to his and that I hated Manchu colonization, Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) deliberately replied to me about the conflict between Manchu and Han, and praised Manchu person's content. This is obviously provocative and destroys the boundaries between people. Prior to this, Sulaiman Gu also had behaviors that seemed to harass me in other online forums. I told Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) clearly that I don't want to talk to him, and it's best to ignore each other and live in peace. But Sulaiman Gu ignored my warning and continued to provoke me. And it also cooperated with the administrators of the telegram group to remove me from the group when Sulaiman Gu provoked me first and I questioned him politely. I don't want to be too fussy. But a few days later, Sulaiman Gu (Sulaiman Gu) appeared in a telegram group about the rights protection movement in some regions of the Han nationality (Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi), deliberately using Manchu/Xibe (both Manchu and Xibe It is an ethnic group that once massacred and oppressed the Han people, and its language is also the language of the conquerors. These two languages ??are rarely used in daily life. Moreover, the themes and contents of these groups have nothing to do with the Manchus and Xibes. When it is necessary to use German, it deliberately speaks German in front of Jews; when it is not necessary to use Turkish, it deliberately speaks Turkish in front of Armenians; it deliberately excludes Irish and speaks English to Irish Catholics...) publishes various information . And there are very few people posting information in that group, only I often post some political protest information. Gu Yi knows that I often watch this telegram group. I have always refused to pay attention to Sulaiman Gu, or occasionally asked him, "As a Hui, what do you think of the Manchus who brutally persecuted the Hui and other Muslims?" Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) refused to answer, avoided my various key questions, and only answered selectively, full of sophistry and sophistry. Then, Gu Yi used Manchu/Xibe and Chinese, and released the information of "dispatching bombers from Okinawa, Japan, and arriving in Nanjing, China within one hour". In 1937, Japan invaded China and created the Nanjing Massacre (The RAPE OF NANKING), which caused 200,000 to 300,000 deaths. From 1937 to 1945, Japan invaded China and killed more than 10 million Chinese (mostly Chinese). Gu Yis intentional statement of sending bombers from Japan to attack Nanjing is like saying to the Jews, Germany will restore the glory of the Third Reich, and in one hour the Israelis will become full of soap again (the Nazis used some human tissues from the Jews during World War II to make It became soap)", and said to the Armenians, "Turk planes bombed the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, for an hour/Let Yerevan become the city of Van (the city where the Armenian massacre started)". Moreover, Sulaiman Gu still used the language of the Manchurians who conquered the Han. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) also deliberately wrote words such as "Nanjing", "Okinawa", and "bombing" separately and posted them under his remarks. And as I said before, very few people spoke in that group, only I was more active. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) made such remarks to deliberately stimulate my spirit and insult me ??as a Chinese and a Han nationality. In response to Sulaiman Gu, I mentioned Japanese war crimes and the atrocities committed by the Japanese army against the people of Okinawa (Ryukyu) during the Battle of Okinawa, reminding Sulaiman Gu that such hate speech should not be made. But Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) quibbled, saying that the bombing was aimed at the Chinese army while defending Taiwan. I asked what to do if the civilians were bombed? Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) said instead, "You are the one who said bombing civilians, and your values ??are ugly." When I mentioned the historical tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) also bit me back, saying that I had a dark mind. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) also teamed up with an anonymous friend to attack me, luring me to make a strong rebuttal. I had to leave the group. The telegram group that Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) forced me to quit, and the other telegram group that he and the administrator kicked out of me are all important political groups (one of them is a British political group with 3,000 members; Another group is about the affirmative action group in the Central Plains of China (the name is "Shanhe Four Provinces Youth Association"), there are more than 1,300 people, but few people speak). In addition, Gu Yi also suspected that by spreading rumors, slandering, and sowing dissension, some groups and channels were prevented from receiving my political articles. For example, the administrator of a telegram political channel (the administrator of the affirmative action group in the Central Plains of China) once took the initiative to invite me to write. But then I posted the same content about offline political activities, but it was no longer accepted. By doing this, Sulaiman Gu is excluding me from the political struggle group and undermining my activities and influence. And Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) mentioned "bombing Nanjing", which is an insult to the personality of my nation and the Chinese people. Later, through searching, I found that Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) had made similar remarks when debating with others, such as "using nuclear weapons to destroy Shanghai" and "bombing Beijing". And according to that person on Twitter, his impression of Gu Yi is also "very cunning, a master who knows how to use hate speech." Later, I accidentally discovered that Gu Yi had joined a telegram group called "Fictitious Nanjing Massacre". Although I didnt check his remarks, but based on his previous words and deeds, he expressed his values ??and positions (he also called the Japanese army in World War II the Imperial Army on Twitter and other places, and believed that the Japanese army was better than the Eighth Route Army of the Communist Party of China (this is another disguised form) Denies the crimes of the "Three Lights Policy" such as massacre, rape, robbery, and burning by the Japanese army in North China), called the Diaoyu Islands "Senkaku", encouraged others to join the active Japanese army, and called Ma Benzhai, the leader of the "Hui Min Detachment" in the War of Resistance Against Japan, "Hui rape", etc.), apparently advocating the view that "the Nanjing Massacre did not exist". This is yet another injury to the victims, survivors, compatriots, and Chinese people of the Nanjing Massacre. This is the same shameless person who denies the existence of the "Holocaust", denies the existence of the "Armenian Genocide", and denies the existence of the "Khmer Rouge Massacre". Such "holocaust deniers". If the person is only making relevant statements on their own, I don't want to entangle with them. But this person kept looking for the group I was in on telegram, and then deliberately made similar remarks to stimulate me. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) knows that I am a Han nationalist, and has commented many times on the Nanjing Massacre, condemned the Japanese atrocities, and also condemned the crimes of the Manchu rule from 1644 to 1912, but deliberately used Manchu language to make the above remarks. It's cyberbullying, mental abuse. And when I had to leave a group, Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) would chase after a new group and repeat the above behavior. And I have made it clear to him at least five times that I don't want to talk to Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu), but Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) also intentionally harassed, insinuated, attacked and insulted. If he speaks in other groups or in places with a large number of people. It's not personal and I can totally ignore it (although I should still report its ugly behaviour). However, this person deliberately sent relevant information to a group with few active people and only me who is frequently active, which is obviously targeted bullying and harassment. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) sometimes does not directly agree with the massacre of the Han nationality and the killing of the Chinese, but he uses remarks such as "bombing Nanjing" and using the conqueror's language that hurts the Chinese to achieve the purpose of insulting. This is like saying "fried chicken" and "watermelon" to black people, without directly referring to the insulting words, but clearly implying that black people are slaves. Because fried chicken and watermelon were what blacks ate as slaves during American slavery. They did not insult other ethnic groups, but they could humiliate and pain certain ethnic groups. They were "dog whistle" remarks. This is indeed "a master of using hate speech" as another person who conflicted with him said. In addition, Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) continued to slander me, such as saying that I was "racist" and "Little Pink (a supporter of the Chinese Communist Party)" instead, and teasing me to fight back after insulting me, catching my angry words The loopholes and emotional inappropriate words (or I dealt with it well, but he still distorted the facts to slander), instead kept blaming me. His rhetoric is very aggressive (such as bossing and saying that I "shouldn't be like that, like he is an emperor like Xi Jinping), often using insulting and slanderous words, and misinterpreting the original meaning of the other party's words. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) is also good at turning things upside down and turning right from wrong. For example, after he sent me a provocative message, I had to reply and tell him that I didn't want to talk to him. But he replied to this, "Didn't you say that you don't want to respond to me?" He took my expression of not wanting to respond as a response, and blamed me instead. Remarks that are similar to cunning, secretly change concepts, and reverse right and wrong, are just a few. The reason why I refuse to argue with him is because this person keeps twisting right and wrong, juggling words, misinterpreting my words, mixing all kinds of slander, insults, attacks, and even gathering others to besiege me alone. Of course, there is no way to have a normal discussion. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) said that these behaviors are similar to the "gaslighting" (Gaslighting", or "PUA" behavior. Moreover, because my personal experience is completely public, Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) knows that I have suffered political persecution, cyber violence, and other injuries, and I have depression and anxiety disorders, and I have a strong love for my own nation (Han) and the country. However, he deliberately used these irritating remarks to attack and hurt me, and his intentions were even more sinister. he tried to use theseinsult, bully,harass, hurt mepsychology, interrupt my political activities, exclude me from the Chinese democracy movement andsocial movementcircles. When Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) made these hate speeches, some of the more obvious hate speeches would not be posted on platforms such as Twitter, nor would they be posted in active groups with a large number of people, nor would they be directed at those famous people who he dared not offend. Posted, but deliberately posted in a group where I (Wang Qingmin) is often active, but no one else speaks, and the administrator does not manage it, deliberately letting me see relevant messages. Clearly this is sly targeted bullying and harassment. In addition, according to other people's understanding, when Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) talked to some other people, he seemed normal and did not bully or ridicule them. This also shows that he is not speaking insanely, but knows how to be selective, what to say to whomever he sees, only picks relatively lonely people, bullies on specific occasions, especially when he has friends and helpers, and has a relationship with administrators Good group provocation. (Similar to a sexual harasser/domestic violence person, everyone is dog-like and polite in public, but in private, in places where there are no others, in a private space, in a secret dark place, they use hands, bully, assault, insult) Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) will not be provocative in groups whose topics are not conducive to his values. For example, I was with him in a political group mainly composed of people in South Korea, and I once posted content about criticizing Japanese militarism in it. He is not there to provoke, for fear of offending the more anti-Japanese Koreans (and the Chinese in Korea who are close to the Koreans). However, in the British political group and the group about equal rights in vulnerable regions in mainland China, he unscrupulously insulted and satirized me, and made remarks such as "bombers from Japan to attack Nanjing". From these actions of Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu), it can be seen that this person is very cunning, bullying, and good at disguising, and his words and deeds are not acts of insanity, but are based on insidious abnormal psychology. And I should not be the only one who encountered his behavior. The aforementioned Twitter Blue V users also encountered him making hate speech, and felt his insidiousness and cunning. In addition, Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) is also suspected of using at least two "small accounts (puppet accounts)" (or colluding with two of his friends) to harass me together. I use my real name, but these trumpets are anonymous, making it even more difficult to hold them accountable. He refused to debate with me one-on-one, and together with other people personally attacked and insulted me, which also shows that he has no basic debate ethics and does not follow the rules, which is another characteristic of his corrupt conduct. Regarding these behaviors of Gu Yi, I cant solve them on the Internet. Sulaiman Gus behavior caused me a lot of mental damage and prevented me from posting political protest information in related groups. Sulaiman Gu's words and deeds are also an insult and injury to many Chinese and foreign people who love the Chinese people. But I have always maintained restraint and advised civilizedly many times, but Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) still harassed me. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) is a Hui nationality and a Muslim. I also specifically mentioned respect for Muslims, and I once prevented other groups from publishing pictures that hate Muslims. I released goodwill, but Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) continued to attack. In addition, I share similar political views with Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) in some respects. I also sympathize with the Uighurs in Xinjiang and hope that the concentration camp policy in Xinjiang will end soon. But Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) also did not regard such a position and behavior as goodwill, and continued to sabotage my political protest activities and insult my spirit. And during the discussion with him, I made some counterattacks because Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) repeatedly provoked and deliberately lured me into anger, so I had to speak out, and I was still reasonable and restrained. And some of the fierce words I made about the Manchurians and Japanese are because they have historically massacred tens of millions of Chinese Han Chinese and other vulnerable ethnic groups (including the Hui ethnic group to which Gu Yi belongs), and raped countless Han Chinese and other ethnic groups in China. women. So my passion is justifiable. However, Gu Yi's remarks, such as "bombing Nanjing", are words that "sprinkle salt on the wound", applaud the aggressor, and hurt the victim a second time. (In addition, my criticism of Manchuria and Japan is not based on racial discrimination, but hatred for their evil. I also firmly oppose racial discrimination. For example, I have always sympathized with blacks, Indians, Latins and other ethnic groups. And I oppose whites (especially Anglo-American whites) and Asians racial discrimination against blacks. I have also written many articles on black rights issues and support the black affirmative movement. Many Manchurians and Japanese often publish criticisms of Han people Discriminatory words and deeds against Chinese, Chinese, and other ethnic groups are common on the Internet and offline) And Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) and his friends made some sophistry, such as "the bomber arrived in Nanjing in one hour from Japan" refers to "the speed of transportation", "the bombing of Nanjing is just to defend Taiwan and bomb military targets (implying that civilians are not included) ", are all cunning and cunning remarks, which do not conform to common sense and logic (according to what he said, the bomber was aimed at the city, not a specific military target, which is obviously very likely to harm civilians). It can also be seen that he is more shameless and good at lying. He himself admitted that he once lied and slandered people in the Chinese system for supporting the Xinjiang separatist movement. At that time, he mentioned that he had a close relationship with a master of security engineering from Tsinghua University who was suppressing Muslims in Xinjiang. With the "genuineness" of his "lying" of emotional sincerity, it's entirely possible). He regards this kind of lying as a superb method, and he is quite proud of it. He also said that he once replied to my post on the forum "Pin Cong", but he didn't know that the post owner was me. But in fact, I have already disclosed my identity in those years. Although I am anonymous on the forum, my real name can be searched on Google for the posts I post. Gu Yi is a very active political activist and Internet person. Of course, he can easily know the real name of the post owner and know that the post is me. But he doesn't admit it. There are many similar lies he told, and there are many other conflicts between him and me, and there are also evidences. All these can prove that this person is good at lying and trickery, and all kinds of words are not credible. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) also has double standards. On the one hand, he himself said on Twitter that he has freedom of speech and is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. After his controversial remarks in the Facebook group were removed, he expressed Dissatisfied; on the other hand, they instigated the telegram group administrator to remove me with words like "racism". He often refers to the "ugliness" and "atrocities" of the Han people in mainland China, but deliberately ignores the Manchurians and Japan's atrocities in China from 1937 to 1945, as well as Japan's war crimes such as attacking Pearl Harbor in the United States and Southeast Asia. And Okinawa (Ryukyu), which he said "bombers took off from Okinawa and arrived in Nanjing within an hour", was also brutally ravaged by the Japanese army during World War II. The rape of civilians and women caused by the Japanese army in Okinawa far exceeded that of the United States as the offensive side. In the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, not only tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers died, but also 20,000 American soldiers and more than 200,000 Okinawans (mostly civilians, including women and children) died. And these should be known based on his education and knowledge. But he ignored it on purpose. Obviously double standards, black and white, sinister intentions, and inconsistent logic. I have phone screen shot evidence for the above. But because there are a lot of pictures, email has a capacity limit, so only some key screenshots are sent. I can provide about a hundred detailed process screenshots if needed. Gu Yis hate speech and harassment are not temporary, occasional, slip of the tongue or emotional, and repent when reminded, but premeditated, long-term, targeted, malicious and extremely insulting Offensive, unrepentant. I have also seen reports from other people on Twitter that Gu Yi made hate speeches (and this whistleblower is a public Twitter Blue V user, not an anonymous trumpet). This shows that I am not the only one who was harassed and insulted by Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu), and there are other people who corroborate it. Moreover, if Sulaiman Gu is just a gangster with all kinds of hate speech, saying "bombing Nanjing" and "Nanjing Massacre does not exist" in private or in circles, I will not intervene. Even if his behavior is ugly, at least I don't have the energy to record and report it. But now Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) is not saying this in private with his friends, but deliberately posting it to a public group, a group where I am very active, and he knows that I often criticize the Japanese invasion of China and commemorate the Nanjing Massacre, and Strong feelings of Han nationalism, love for the country and the people. He knows this, but sending similar messages is obviously malicious provocation and humiliation, and it is an ugly "dog whistle" speech aimed at a specific target. Therefore, I had to carry out various counterattacks including reporting. In addition, you can also search the Internet, ask people who know "Sulaiman Gu" (especially the relevant teachers and students of the Chemistry Department of the University of Georgia), and other feasible ways to learn about his daily words, deeds, and political views , position, mental state. These may support my accusation. Perhaps because of Sulaiman Gu's disguise, selective words and deeds towards different people, and different attitudes towards different people, the investigators are easily confused, but if you know more people, compare and analyze their personality traits, words and deeds According to the rules, you can still get a glimpse of what kind of person he is. is good? Evil? Is it sincere? Is it a lie? is frank? Is it cunning? Besides, he is not only treating me alone, but has found that he has ugly words and deeds towards other people (although he is very selective and uses occasions that are beneficial to him to express related hate speech, rather than treating everyone on all occasions in this way). As long as you understand it seriously, the truth will surely come out and the truth will be revealed. In the absence of online harassment and the lack of legal system on the Internet, I had to send these complaints to the professors, staff, students and other relevant personnel of the University of Georgia and the Department of Chemistry. For those who not only violate the taboo of "political correctness", but are also suspected of illegal crimes (insulting the victims of the Holocaust and rape, denying the existence of the Holocaust, and continuing to harass specific individuals by publishing stimulating information). Your school should respond to this. This also involves the reputation, values, positions, and interests of Georgia State University and the Department of Chemistry. The aggression of Japanese militarism in the Second World War caused harm to the people of many countries such as the United States, China, South Korea, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Southeast Asian countries. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) confuses right and wrong and insults the victimized group. The United States has freedom of speech, but such speeches and actions that insult the victims of the fascist war, deny the tragedy of the Holocaust, and confuse the difference between a just war and an unjust war should not be condoned. It should also be noted that Sulaiman Gu is a member of the National Association of Chinese Students and Scholars (American Association of Chinese Students and Scholars (Independent Federation of Chinese Students and ScholarsIFCSS) has been active in political opposition activities involving China for many years, and is very well-known and active. Sulaiman Gu has also been closely related to those who support Manchurias independence for a long time. So this may not be his personal behavior , but there are supporters and teams. I have also been exposed by pro-Manchu people to the privacy of my country (I was in the Republic of Serbia at the time, and I told the person where I was out of trust, but he maliciously leaked my private information. One can imagine the loss of morality and integrity of people in such circles). Gu Yi has close contacts with people in these circles. These groups also participated in and protected his behavior (or at least expressed silence). These Manchurians often published praises for Manchuria. The history of Qing aggression against the Han people (such as praising the Qing army's "entry" in 1644) to insult the Han people andderogatoryChinese (theyI consider myself a Manchurian rather than a Chinese,Even if they regard themselves as Chinese when it comes to China's honor and interests)proud of. This Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) may have suffered some serious injuries and bullying from the Chinese, especially the Han people, so he deliberately used hate speech involving Manchuria and Japan to insult and hurt the Chinese, especially the Han people. If this is the case, it is not incomprehensible at all, but he should not confuse right and wrong, and treat innocent people and those who are also victims as objects of hatred and insult. The Chinese Communist Party and the Japanese invaders and those who refuse to repent are all the same ugly people and have a cooperative relationship. Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) should oppose it, instead of using the history of Manchu and Japanese aggression and conquest to harm the Chinese people of Han and other nationalities, even the people of Okinawa (Ryukyu), the people of the United States, and all good people in the world. Of course, on the whole, among the Chinese political opponents, according to their daily words and deeds, most of them should not agree with Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu)s views, and they cannot equate the mainstream opposition groups with him, but for Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu ) but remained largely silent or sheltered. It is also distressing and alarming. Opposing the dictatorship and evil deeds of the Chinese Communist Party does not mean that we should oppose China and hate the Han and Chinese. On the contrary, we should love the motherland and the people more. Even what the CCP has done should be analyzed reasonably rather than totally denied. This should be the basic principle of normal political opposition. Personally, I am also a political opponent, but I have always adhered to the principles of patriotism and democracy. I hope you will stop Gu Yi (Sulaiman Gu) from doing any contact, commenting, or harassing me in any form, and from posting similar hate speeches and defamatory speeches on any platforms and groups, and making comments on him. Hate speech is judged and punished. Regardless of their current school status or whether they have completed their studies, you should respond. If it involves a violation of the law, I hope you will notify the US judiciary to intervene. If you are unwilling to deal with it, I will continue to report to various agencies and expand public opinion, and take measures including reporting to the police, resorting to the law, or using other necessary means to protect my dignity, safety, and innocence. harassment, and the national dignity of the Chinese people. (I also support other Chinese and Chinese to fight evil people in an appropriate and reasonable way, and safeguard the dignity and rights of the nation) Sincerely, Wang Qingmin 2023.8.8 (An English version is attached to this article, and it is sent to relevant people who are not native speakers of Chinese. Everyone is welcome to forward, tell, comment, and uphold justice) P.S. From August 9th to 11th, I went to the Memorial to the Murder of Jews in Berlin (I am in Berlin, Germany) and the memorial hall to display posters commemorating the Nanjing Massacre and the Armenian Massacre. I also showed posters of political opposition figure Sulaimam Gu provoking Nanjing Massacre victims, participating in the denial of the massacre group's statements and their identities. I took screenshots of his words and actions and printed them on the poster. I also mentioned that he is a member of several democratic movement organizations in the United States, participated in many important activities, and served as a judge and other important positions. I put these posters on tombstones. If these dead Jews had souls, they would definitely sympathize with the victims of the Nanjing Massacre in China, and condemn those who denied the massacre and provoked the victims. I also showed a poster of Chinese-American author Iris Shun-Ru Chang who wrote The Rape of Nanking. History cannot be forgotten. Those who provoke and deny the victims of the Holocaust must be condemned and punished. I also sent these to the ladies and gentlemen of Georgia State University, I hope you know. If you have been silent, I will also include your silence in the record content, indicating that you refuse to deal with and express your position. Your silence and inaction, of course, is also a statement, position, and behavior. There is a sentence in "Modernity and the Holocaust" by Polish writer and sociologist Zygmund Baumann:"The road to Auschwitz was paved with hatred, but the road was paved with indifference." On August 15th, I went to the grave of Johann Rabe in Berlin and laid flowers. Thanks to this German friend for saving the lives of tens of thousands of Nanjing citizens and Chinese people. In this world, there are always some righteous people. Schindler of the East, humanitarian hero in distress, eternal friend of the Chinese, rest in peace Vancouver, October 4, 2023 - Iconic Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ICM) (OTCQB: ICMFF) (FSE: YQG) (the "Company" or "Iconic") the Company is pleased to announce that Iconic will commence trading under a new OTCQB symbol: ICMFF, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The Company is currently focused on the exploration and development of its two prospective lithium brine properties located in Nevada, USA. About the Grass Valley Project The Grass Valley Property is a lithium exploration project consisting of 997 placer claims covering an area of 80 km2 (31 mi2). Located approximately 60 km (36 miles) northeast of Austin, Nevada, the property expresses indicators of a potential lithium brine system. The large, enclosed basin is surrounded by mountains with ample felsic volcanics and intrusives, has active hot spring systems on 3 sides of the valley, and surface salt lithium assays as high as 510 ppm Li and an MT survey, run by Fritz Geophysics, shows an interpreted major brine zone extending from approximately 500 meters (1,600 feet) to over 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) below the surface. About the Smith Creek Project The Smith Creek Project is located within Smith Creek Valley in Nevada, which is approximately 60 km (37 miles) long and 16 km (10 miles) wide. Quartz-rich volcanic tuffs containing anomalous amounts of lithium occur within and adjacent to the valley. Surface sampling around hot springs on patented ground just off the claim block assayed a maximum of 470 ppm Li. The gravity low within the valley is 16 km (10 miles) long, and the current estimates of depth to basement rocks range from 1,300 to 1,500 meters (4,200 to 5,000 feet). The current claim block covers an area of 67 km2 (26 mi2) with potential for brine systems as well as sediment resources. Qualified Person Richard Kern, Certified Professional Geologist, a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Kern is not independent of the Company as he is the Chief Executive Officer of Iconic. On behalf of the Board of Directors SIGNED: "Richard Barnett" Richard Barnett, CFO Contact: Keturah Nathe, VP Corporate Development (604) 336-8614 For further information on Iconic, please visit our website at www.iconicminerals.com. The Company's public documents may be accessed at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Option, the Joint Venture, the amount of the Offering, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering and the future business plans and exploration activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "will", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that investor interest will be sufficient to close the Offering, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals required for the Option Agreement and the future development of the Company's projects in a timely manner. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, operating and technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration and development activities, actual results of exploration activities, including on the Smith Creek Property, requirements for additional capital, future prices of lithium and gold, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financial markets and in the demand and market price for commodities, lack of investor interest in future financings, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, including the impact of COVID-19 on the business, financial condition and exploration and development activities of the Company, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, title disputes, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents, approvals or authorizations, including of the TSX Venture Exchange in respect of the Option Agreement and the Offering, the timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation, environmental issues and liabilities, and risks related to joint venture operations, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's latest interim Management's Discussion and Analysis and filed with the Canadian Securities Authorities. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/182972 Vancouver, October 5, 2023 - Recharge Resources Ltd. ("Recharge" or the "Company") (RR:CSE) (RECHF:OTC) (SL5:Frankfurt) is delighted to announce the Company has received very favourable porosity and permeability results from the core analysis conducted by Core Laboratories in Australia from its Lithium Brine Project, Pocitos One in Salta, Argentina. The results will be input into the resource estimate calculations currently being prepared by WSP Australia as announced on July 24th, 2023. In addition the core from 2018 holes PO1 and PO2 are being relogged by our geologists. Results Click Image To View Full Size Table 1. Core laboratories final results from 7 cores tested The value of effective porosity over 5% is acceptable and higher than 10% is exceptional at these depths and shows the sediments are not compacted at depth possibly containing a significant amount of brine (defined as porosity). Based on the porosity characteristics by depth, due to the presence of secondary pores, stratigraphic static pressure, and other factors, porosity shows fluctuations with increasing depth. Generally speaking we will observe higher rates in bore holes than the laboratory. Additional work will be done using data and applying Darcy's Law to determine the flow rate (also known as permeability) through the uncompacted sediments containing halite and fractures. The primary goal in pore assessment is to quantify these pores, not just in terms of shape and size, but how they contribute to the overall fabric of the wet clays and its ability to transmit lithium bearing brines, and the bulk physical properties of the clay/halite sediments. Given the results and extreme flow rates from drill holes 1,2 and 3 at Pocitos we look forward to more positive results. Porosity Work has been done on similar clay siltstone and sand sediments and the graph Figure 1 shows the transmission and grain size relativity. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1 The Pocitos clays are between 10-100m showing excellent transmission properties. From - Zhang, Zhichao, Pan, Zhenhui, Ping, 2022/07/01, Microstructural and mechanical effect of salt crystallization on remolded loess, 81, 10.1007/s12665-022-10476-9, Environmental Earth Sciences. m is a micrometer or micron and 1 m =0.001 millimeters. David Greenway, President, and CEO commented, "I am excited to see things continue to develop positively for the Pocitos Lithium Brine Project. We are pushing forward on all fronts with our inaugural NI 43-101, a completed MT geophysics survey, a pending drill program, and a planned upcoming NI 43-101 resource estimate. The recently completed MT survey shows us exactly where the conductive brines containing lithium have been concentrating. These developments should make for an exciting next period for Recharge and its stakeholders at the Pocitos Project." About Pocitos Lithium Brine Project The Pocitos 1 Project is located approximately 10km from the township of Pocitos where there is gas, electricity, and accommodation. Pocitos 1 is approximately 800 hectares and is accessible by road. Collective exploration totals over US$2.0 million developing the project, including surface sampling, trenching, TEM and MT geophysics and drilling three wells that had outstanding brine flow results. Locations for immediate follow up drilling have already been designed and identified for upcoming exploration. Lithium values of 169 ppm from drill hole 3 packer test assayed from laboratory analysis conducted by Alex Stewart were recorded during the project's December 2022 drill campaigns. A double packer sampling system in HQ Diamond drill holes were drilled to a depth of up to 409 metres. The flow of brine was observed to continue for more than five hours. All holes had exceptional brine flow rates. A NI 43-101 report has been released on the Pocitos 1 project. Recharge is awaiting the completion of the process engineering work to be completed by Ekosolve Ltd to produce and assay the lithium carbonate being produced, where extraction was above 94% of the contained lithium in the brine i.e. 158.86ppm of lithium would have been recovered from 169ppm. WSP Australia is waiting on the relogging of the cores to be completed before it delivers the Company's maiden resource estimate at Pocitos 1 that will result in an update of the NI 43-101 report completed by QP Phillip Thomas in June 2023. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2. Pocitos Lithium Claim Map Qualified Person Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBusM, FAusIMM, MAIG, MAIMVA, (CMV), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release, and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Thomas is independent of the Company and is not a shareholder of Recharge Resources. He visited the property between January 15th-22nd, 2023 and 8 May 2023 to select core to be sampled for resource estimate calculations. About Recharge Resources Recharge Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring and developing the production of high-value battery metals to create green, renewable energy to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle and fuel cell vehicle market. All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "David Greenway" David Greenway, CEO For further information, please contact: Recharge Resources Ltd. Joel Warawa Phone: 778-588-5473 E-Mail: info@recharge-resources.com Website: recharge-resources.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding Recharge's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits Recharge will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including Recharge's results of exploration or review of properties that Recharge does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Recharge assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. ### Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, Oct. 05, 2023 - Fireweed Metals Corp. ("Fireweed" or the "Company") (TSXV: FWZ; OTCQB: FWEDF) is pleased to announce it has completed a geophysical survey on its Gayna Project (zinc-lead-silver-gallium-germanium) ("Gayna" or "the Project"), in the Northwest Territories, Canada (Map 1). Highlights Exploration is targeting reef margin high-grade massive sulphide mineralization using a ground gravity geophysical survey. The 2022 geophysical program identified two broad areas with gravity anomalies consistent with Kipushi-style targets. The 2023 gravity survey aims to expand the gravity coverage to identify new anomalies, and to refine existing anomalies for future drill-testing. CEO Statement Brandon Macdon